Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Three Christian ministry partners of Mission India were arrested last week on forced conversion charges. The ministers were involved in sharing the Gospel through Adult Literacy Classes, Children's Bible Clubs, and Church Planter Training. Christians are no strangers to persecution; however, this series of arrests was unusual, said Erik Morsehead, head of Mission India. "To have three partners arrested like that in quick succession was somewhat rare for us to see," he said. "Basically, each one of them [was] arrested for, as people would say, forcing those who aren't Christians to be converted into Christians. It's typically a line that we see from time to time being extended to our partners and it's just an easy way to kind of rile up everyone," he added, according to MNN. Two of the three ministry partners were released after lengthy interrogation. Another is still in police custody. Despite persecution, Christian ministry is expanding in India, said Morsehead. "In some cases, they are strengthened and emboldened. [They say,] 'We know we're doing God's work and we now we're doing it correctly. We're not forcing anyone to make a decision that they don't want to make,'" he said. "It's one of the most powerful things I have ever experienced in my life is watching people [who], despite being persecuted, they continue to do what God has called them to do," he added. A pastor in Kathmandu, Nepal, was attacked on July 19 by a group of eight men who threatened to kill him and bomb the churches in the country. The spokesperson and co-general secretary of the Federation of National Christians in Nepal (FNCN), Pr Sagar Baizu, 46, was attacked from behind in a crowded cafe when he took a coffee break between two meetings. The assailants quickly threw many blows to his head and escaped before they could be identified, Baizu told Morning Star News. "They beat me for a minute and a half and suddenly fled the site," he said. "They said, 'We will blast your church and all the churches with bombs and shoot you and all your leaders,'" he added. With the help of the cafeteria staff members, Baizu informed police, and he was also rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Doctors advised him to wear a neck brace for a week. Baizu, who has headed Anugrah Vijay Church (Grace Victory Church) in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu District, for 23 years, filed a report on the assault with police. Police registered a case against six to eight unidentified men under "attempt to murder" and "threat of bomb blast," he said. Kathmandu Valley police provided security to the pastor. Policemen were deployed outside his church building and residence. Baizu has been advocating on behalf of Nepali Christians for more than a decade. "I am the official spokesperson of the Federation of National Christians in Nepal and have been speaking about the rights of the church for many years now," he said. "This is not the first time that I have received threats," he added. He said he was assaulted for his boldness to "stand for the church and with the church." "This is persecution that came because of my Christian activism," he said. "They spoke about bombing the church and killing the Christian leaders. Otherwise they would have never spoken like this," he added. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Fundatia Est-Europeana anunta lansarea Programului de granturi pentru sustinerea fondurilor de antreprenoriat pentru tineri, inclusiv unul in Gagauzia Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. India Polyacrylamide Copolymer - Market Insights Wastewater management is a pressing issue in India. This is the reason why the new technology or procedure that allows for waste management is immediately adopted in this country. The India Polyacrylamide Copolymer Market is gaining force. Recently, Market Research Future, a firm which specializes in providing research reports on various domains released to report on this market. According to it, this market will experience significant growth in the forthcoming years. The CAGR for the projection span of 2017-2021 is estimated to be 9.3%. The probable revenue return figures also look good and promise a great future from a fiscal point of view. As already mentioned, polyacrylamide copolymer can facilitate wastewater management in an efficient manner. This substance possesses ionic properties, hence the ability to act like a flocculating and coagulating agent. It is effectively employed for liquid assets. At present, the awareness of environmental conservation is widespread in India and this fact plays a pivotal role in driving the growth of the India Polyacrylamide Copolymer Market. India, India, Asia, India, Asia, India, India, India, India, India, India, India, India, Asia, India, Asia, India, Asia, India, Asia, India, India . Apart from these aspects, additional factors that are positively influencing the market and expansion of the business. Get In-Depth Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1075 However, the market will have to overcome certain restraints like negative health effects of this compound. India Polyacrylamide Copolymer Market will cope with such small issues. Industry News October 27, 2017 - BASF an Indian company announced last year in the month of October that will be building a biocatalysed acrylamide plant in Nanjing Chemical Industrial Park, China. With this new plant, this company aims to enhance the supply of cost-effective acrylamide across the Asia Pacific region. Market Players & Key Strategies Dow Chemical's Corporation, BASF, Sanyo Chemicals, Nippon Shokubai, Lg Chemicals and Sumitomo Seika, some of the most well-known brands in this industry. To make sure that they stay ahead of the competitors, these brands employ various growth strategies like an expansion of business, acquisitions and strategic partnerships with other firms. Market Segmentation The research report published by Market Research Future on the India Polyacrylamide Copolymer Market has been dedicated to a comprehensive segmental analysis of this market. Here are some of the most important insights of the same. By Application - Oil & gas, waste water treatment and paper making. The largest share of the market share. The main reason for this has been identified as the most recent initiative by the government. The oil & gas segment accounts for the second largest share of the market. By Type - Cationic, amphoteric and anionic. Access Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/india-polyacrylamide-copolymer-market-1075 About Market Research Future: At the Market Research Future (MRFR), we provide our customers to unearth the complexity of our industries through our Cooked Research Reports (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 optimal quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Applications, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enabling our clients to see more important questions. Contact: Market Research Future +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. Continue Reading Below Advertisement Williamson's version would have found heroine Sidney Prescott returning to her hometown of Woodsboro, where the next generation of teens are obsessed with the Stab movies instead of cellphones and sex. Soon they start being killed off by Ghostface, until the climactic ending reveals ... no one was murdered. All the kids faked their deaths in order to become famous, like some kind of meta-gory demo reel. It gets weirder. The movie would also reveal that one of the original killers, Stu (the one played by Matthew Lillard), was somehow alive, even though he got a '90s-sized TV dropped on his head and was then electrocuted. Stu would have been in prison, "communicating with a very loyal fan base and orchestrating attacks on Sidney." Production on this idea progressed so far that Lillard was actually paid for a movie he appears nowhere in. Continue Reading Below Advertisement When Scream 4 happened, Williamson recycled a lot of the core ideas of his earlier treatment, omitting some of the goofier parts. Scream 4 similarly features a new group of teens who are such fans of the Stab franchise that they host underground screenings. The Weinstein Company "It definitely didn't jump the shark with the second movie, and writer William Kevinson is a sexy genius." Continue Reading Below Advertisement Also, the killer (SPOILERS) turns out to be Sidney's young cousin, who's jealous of her fame and is trying to recreate it for herself. According to Williamson, he took his earlier "quest for fame" motive, and instead of an improbably large group, he "just placed that into one character with Scream 4." As for the killer fan club idea, through the sausage factory that is Hollywood, that premise ended up in Williamson's TV show The Following, starring Kevin Bacon and a bunch of people one degree away from him. Last weekend, a wildfire at Bray Head, Ireland revealed something bizarre: giant letters spelling out "EIRE" (the Irish word for Ireland) etched into the ground, as if God had picked up a labeling machine at Staples and gone wild on everything he owned. In reality, this sign actually represents an old-timey form of GPS that the Irish installed on their coastline during World War II. See, throughout the war, the Republic of Ireland (not to be confused with Northern Ireland, which is part of the U.K.) ducked out of siding with the Allies or Axis, and like Switzerland, declared itself neutral. Unfortunately, this neutrality did precisely dick for stopping the Luftwaffe from confusing them for Britain, which led to numerous bombing raids on Dublin between 1940 and 1941. Continue Reading Below Advertisement As a way of warding off any more accidental attacks, the Irish built 80+ EIRE signs along their coastline, with the intention that any pilots flying overhead would see the signs and know that they'd screwed up. The signs also had another purpose, in that they were frequently used by Allied pilots as navigational markers while flying to/from the Atlantic. Remember how we said that the ROI was officially neutral during the war? That's true, but unofficially (and unbeknownst to its citizens), the ROI had a policy of "benevolent neutrality" in favor of the Allies, in that they let them use their airspace, recorded the movements of Nazi convoys, and, crucially, provided the British with a map of these EIRE signs so that lost pilots could find their way. Of course, this kindly deed is slightly offset by the fact that these signs were also pointing enemy bombers toward the correct country to blow to hell. (Would it have killed them to give out incorrect directions?) Continue Reading Below Advertisement Adam Wears is on Twitter and Facebook, and has a newsletter about depressing history that you should definitely subscribe to. Support your favorite Cracked writers with a visit to our Contribution Page. Please and thank you. For more, check out Henry Cavill's Mustache Is Setting The Internet On Fire and New Monty Python Sketches Have Been Unearthed, Decades Later. Follow us on Facebook. And we'll follow you everywhere. Hear the Prime Minister speak and you would think that shed sooner die in a ditch than allow building on our much-loved green belts. She and many of her ministers have long insisted that this countryside next door for some 30 million of us is untouchable. Look on the ground, however, and think again. The green belts are facing the biggest crisis in their history as they are lined up to accommodate nearly 460,000 new homes. And, as the Mail reveals today, the ministerial mask has slipped. When asked if she would be happy to pave over our green and pleasant land, Liz Truss, the powerful Chief Secretary to the Treasury, clearly struggled to toe the PMs line. Now this widening gap between political words and deeds is sparking revolt all over the country, as angry residents of rural and urban areas alike mobilise to fight developments of thousands of houses in areas theyd long been told would remain for ever green. Hear the Prime Minister speak and you would think that shed sooner die in a ditch than allow building on our much-loved green belts According to the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), record amounts of green belt are already being concreted over. Last year, the CPRE reported, 3,387 dwellings were completed on virgin countryside in the green belt: only eight years ago the number was zero. Well, we aint seen nothing yet. In 2017, developers applied for planning permission to build another 16,728 houses and flats on these greenfield sites, while nationwide councils are releasing vast areas of green belt for future development. So far, this amounts to enough land for a staggering 459,000 homes. It is completely at odds with what Mrs May has repeatedly told Parliament: The Government is very clear that the green belt must be protected, and the answer to our housing crisis does not lie in tearing up the green belt. Last year Sajid Javid, then Communities Secretary and in charge of housebuilding, described it as absolutely sacrosanct. Now, in a podcast interview for the Financial Times, Liz Truss says that the choice was between building on more greenfield sites to address the housing shortage or losing the election and ending up with Jeremy Corbyn. Bunkum and balderdash, as Sir Bernard Ingham, Margaret Thatchers famously rambunctious press secretary, liked to say. The surest way for the Tories to lose votes is terminally to alienate their most faithful supporters. That is already happening. In Mays local elections they lost control of Trafford Council, Greater Manchester, because people felt let down over the green belt. In true-blue Tandridge, Surrey, the Tory council leader Martin Fisher rightly blamed plans to build on the green belt for his majority being slashed from 18 to two, and condemned mixed messages coming from Government. Other seats have also been lost over the issue at both ends of the country. And that is just for starters. J.R.R. Tolkien described the inhabitants of the Shire, that green and pleasant corner of his Middle-earth, as slow to quarrel but doughty at bay. You could say the same for the people of our own shires and beyond; it takes a lot to anger them but, once roused, they form a formidable force. And they are stirring. Over a two-week period in Hertfordshire this summer, plans to build on the green belt sparked a shouting match between councillors in St Albans, caused obscenities to be hurled from the normally sedate public seating at Broxborne Borough Council, and inspired a Hands Off march in Borehamwood. In recent months there have been public rows over threats to the green belt from Sunderland to Sevenoaks, Basildon to Burley-in-Wharfedale, Oxford to Oldham, and Worksop to the Wyre Forest. Over the past four years, 96 per cent of the countrys local authorities with green belt land have lost some of it and there is so much more to come. At this point, I should add that I live in a green belt which is facing development, and am part of a campaign against it. This does not affect my views: as an environmental journalist for nearly 50 years, I have been writing in defence of protected countryside for decades. And the last time I recall people reacting like this, ministers had to back down. Earlier this decade, villages all over England were besieged by speculative developers after the Coalition government tried to introduce planning policies that would have led to a virtual free-for-all. Conservative voters, and their MPs, reacted so strongly, and repeatedly, that the then planning minister, Nick Boles, described listening to their protests almost daily as a Groundhog Day experience. A 50-strong Conservative-led group of backbench MPs got together to defend our precious green belt from developers who are simply looking for a quick profit. Look on the ground, however, and think again. The green belts are facing the biggest crisis in their history as they are lined up to accommodate nearly 460,000 new homes (file photo) Within months, then Chancellor George Osborne, and Eric Pickles, the then Communities Secretary the same heavyweight pair as had been driving the loosening of planning policy announced that, instead, development would be focused on Britains copiously available brownfield land (previously developed for something else but now disused). Officially that policy still stands, as does the protection of the green belt. But in reality, the latter is being opened up for development by the very councils which, between them, have enough brownfield sites to build 720,000 homes. Local authorities report that ministers privately bully them to build on the protected land because that is the preferred option for builders who can build homes more easily on it and charge more because of the location even as they loudly protest its inviolability. There might be some excuse for this ministerial duplicity if as some claim building on the green belt provided lots of housing that those who need homes could afford. But, as the CPRE report shows, fewer than 22 per cent of those that have received planning permission are described as affordable. Something has to be done for the younger generation and soon. Twenty years ago it took, on average, about three years to save for a first-time-buyer deposit. Now it takes 19. Not surprisingly the number of people in rented accommodation has more than doubled, from 2.3 million to 5.4 million, and growing, since 2000. It is a national scandal. What is needed is not more big, expensive houses in the countryside, but cheaper smaller, more densely built homes on the abundant brownfield land in the towns and cities where most young people prefer to live anyway, and where the infrastructure to support them exists. New, cheaper building techniques including sophisticated prefabrication and even 3-D printing of houses are being developed, offering increasing opportunities to bring prices down. But most big housebuilders want to go on constructing as many costly homes as possible slowly enough to keep prices high, so as to maximise profits. If ministers do not act soon to bring their practice into line with their protective rhetoric, they will find that voters millions of whom make up the countrys Tory core will turn against Mrs May for a betrayal that trashes the countryside, while doing nothing to make homes affordable and everything to stuff developers already bursting coffers. Building on the green belt, ministers will learn, means losing at the ballot box. So, yes, Ms Truss has a point about ending up with Jeremy Corbyn but she seems ignorant of the real reason that could happen. Sexualities aren't as cut and dry as they once were and now three women have opened up about living with their non-traditional 'labels'. Speaking to FEMAIL, the women have revealed what it means to be pansexual, sapiosexual, polyamorous and asexual - and how they explain their various sexualities to their partners. For Renee Glover, 46, from Melbourne, her sexuality isn't defined by an attraction to any particular gender. Ms Glover personally identifies as both pansexual and sapiosexual and explained that pansexuality means she is attracted to people no matter how they identify. Renee Glover, 46, from Melbourne, revealed that her sexuality isn't defined by an attraction to a particular gender 'By definition pansexual means "an attraction to all", but obviously, that doesn't mean we're attracted to every single person,' she said. There's been a few times that partners have assumed they'd "cured" me of my other desires. Renee Glover 'Sapiosexuality is a sexual attraction to intelligence, so for me, they sit really naturally together.' Most of the people Ms Glover meets these days are within the kink and LGBTQIA+ community, which means they're generally on the same page in terms of language. Despite this, she said her sexuality has occasionally led to some misconceptions. 'There's been a few times that partners have assumed they'd "cured" me of my other desires, and it's created complications when I've initiated chats about where I'm at sexually,' she said. Ms Glover personally identifies as both pansexual and sapiosexual and explained that pansexuality means she is attracted to people no matter how they identify What is pansexuality and sapiosexuality? Pansexuality is when someone isn't limited in sexual choice with regard to biological sex, gender, or gender identity. Sapiosexuality is when a person finds intelligence sexually attractive or arousing. Advertisement 'I think it's sometimes been a challenge for people I date to come to terms with the fact that no one person will ever satisfy everything for me, and I don't want to be put in the place where I'm expected to be everything to them,' she added. The 46-year-old said she wouldn't ever be able to have a relationship with someone who didn't understand and happily accept her sexuality. The writer and sex educator said that growing up she always felt different but just assumed that everyone else did as well. She didn't know how to define herself until her early 30s as she said the correct language hadn't been available to her any earlier than that. 'By definition pansexual means 'an attraction to all', but obviously, that doesn't mean we're attracted to every single person,' she said 'I'd identified as bisexual for a very long time, but I'd also wondered where my attraction to transsexual people fit in,' she said. 'To call myself "bi" had always bothered me a bit because it was "men" and "women" I knew I could be attracted to those who don't identify as either, or identify with both.' She said she experimented with the term 'queer' for a while but when she discovered the word 'pansexual' she knew that is what really applied to her. 'Sapiosexual made sense in a similar way. Once I found the word and what it meant, it made absolute sense, and also accounted a lot for why my sexual attraction isn't dependent on what someone has between their legs,' she said. 'Sapiosexuality is a sexual attraction to intelligence, so for me, they sit really naturally together,' Ms Glover said 'I don't care about that, it's their brain and the way they think that makes them sexy,' she continued. 'Finding the language gave me a lot of comfort with my sexuality. When you can't really define something, it's hard to wrap your head around it. Words are power.' Ms Glover said that she tells her partners about her sexuality straight away as she finds that those kinds of conversations tend to happen organically. The mother-of-one said it's never something she's tried to hide and she wouldn't even know how to. Ms Glover said that she tells her partners about her sexuality straight away as she finds that those kinds of conversations tend to happen organically She said the main misconception people have with pansexuality is that they're promiscuous sexually. I'm attracted to the way a person's brain works, not necessarily what it contains 'We certainly have options for a wider variety of sex, but there's certainly no guarantee of more,' she said. Another misconception Ms Glover revealed is that their standards are somehow less because they're 'open to everyone'. She has also had people say to her "You're just confused. You don't know what you want". 'With the sapiosexual side of things, there's an idea that we're attracted to highly educated minds, and are "intellectual snobs" in some way,' she said. 'I know for me, I'm attracted to the way a person's brain works, not necessarily what it contains.' Gypsy Willow Artemis, 44, from Ettalong Beach, New South Wales, defines herself as polyamorous What is polyamory? Polyamory is when people engage in multiple sexual relationships with the consent of all the people involved. Those who identify as polyamorous reject the view that sexual and relational exclusivity are necessary for deep, committed, long-term loving relationships. Advertisement Gypsy Willow Artemis, 44, from Ettalong Beach, New South Wales, defines herself as polyamorous, which means she can love more than one person at any given time. 'How that looks for each person is different. For example, I am not up for a "free for all" where all parties can sleep with whoever they want, when they want,' she said. 'So I'd describe my poly preference as being closed poly - where each of us agrees to have no more than two partners, preferably, and in my case, both of whom are long term and they are in love with.' Having said that, she explained that her partners are always free to do as they please but all that she asks for is total transparency. 'How that looks for each person is different. For example I am not up for a "free for all" where all parties can sleep with whoever they want, when they want,' she said 'So I'd describe my poly preference as being closed poly - where each of us agrees to have no more than two partners, preferably, and in my case, both of whom are long term and they are in love with,' she added The mother-of-two revealed that she had a non-traditional upbringing that made her aware of all the different shades of sexuality and gender, which made her open minded from a young age. She was brought up by her lesbian mother, Carole, and Carole's wife, Jenny, but previously her mum and dad had been happily married for 10 years. Her auntie was also a transgender woman who had gender reassignment surgery when she was 21, which was relatively unheard of at the time. These experiences helped the 44-year-old remain prejudice-free as she grew up. The mother-of-two revealed that she had a non-traditional upbringing that made her aware of all the different shades of sexuality and gender, which made her open minded from a young age The misconceptions of being polyamorous 'I often get the 'he just wants his cake and to eat it too' comment, which got dull really quickly,' Ms Artemis said. I've also had some comments like 'but you can't cheat if you are poly' which is absolute garbage. How each person's situation looks is unique to them, and for the record, in our current set up, we could 'cheat' by not keeping to the agreements we have made with one another. Advertisement It was when Ms Artemis separated from her children's dad, who she'd been with for seven years, that the thought that she may be polyamorous came to her. She finally admitted to herself that the relationship had felt 'vanilla' and that she felt like she had tamed her 'wild side' for it. 'I'd been curious about polyamory but had never seen it don't well but when dabbling in online dating, I got more and more curious,' she said. Ms Artemis has been in a polyamorous relationship with her boyfriend for eight months since meeting him online. Her boyfriend is also with his long term partner of three and a half years but Ms Artemis is only with him currently. It was when Ms Artemis separated from her children's dad, who she'd been with for seven years, that the thought that she may be polyamorous came to her 'I'd been curious about polyamory but had never seen it don't well but when dabbling in online dating, I got more and more curious,' she said 'I actually don't really feel that I want to welcome another person into my heart, my soul and my bed, even though I do have that option,' she said. 'He is always free to do as he pleases, but truth be told, I probably wouldn't stick around if he wanted to be with more than just us two. That's just not for me.' He is always free to do as he pleases, but truth be told, I probably wouldn't stick around if he wanted to be with more than just us two. Gypsy Willow Artemis The mother said she understands that how much her boyfriend loves another woman bares no relevance on her own sense of self-worth, nor their capacity to love one another deeply and passionately. 'I must admit when I consider dating again, I do wonder how a new man would take to my situation, and I am adamant that I would not leave Michael for someone else,' she said. For 18-year-old Selena Seraphin, being asexual is something she always felt she was, even before she had a word for it 'I think I would also want to be super sure I was keen on a new man before sleeping with him, as having new energy and men coming into our energy field is not something that I would take lightly,' she continued. For 18-year-old Selena Seraphin, being asexual is something she always felt she was, even before she had a word for it. The model, who is based in Australia, said that she realised that she wasn't heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual when she was in her early teens. 'I realised I was asexual during early adolescence, around 13 or so. I had always felt as an asexual, however, I had only learnt about the orientation during that age,' she previously told Daily Mail Australia. The model, who is based in Australia, said that she realised that she wasn't heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual when she was in her early teens 'I realised I was asexual during early adolescence, around 13 or so. I had always felt as an asexual, however, I had only learnt about the orientation during that age,' she previously told Daily Mail Australia 'In the past I've described it as simply not having an interest in sex or relationships, or being attracted to neither males or females,' the 18-year-old said of how she describes her asexual identity. However despite this lack of sexual attraction, this doesn't mean that all asexual people are celibate. 'They might choose to have a sexual relationship for other reasons, like to have children or please their partner,' Ms Seraphin explained. 'In the past I've described it as simply not having an interest in sex or relationships, or being attracted to neither males or females,' the 18-year-old said of how she describes her asexual identity Ms Seraphin said that she has never experienced discrimination, and that her family are very accepting, but that the lack of visibility for asexuals is frustrating. 'My family are very accepting of who I am, and my sister told me I also have an asexual type of attitude, so sort of always 'wore' my asexuality, and have always been very straightforward about it,' she explained. 'Mostly people think that I'm picky and they could win me over with flirting, and can't comprehend the fact that I simply don't have an attraction to them.' As one of the most popular fast fashion stores on the web, Pretty Little Thing has gained a legion of loyal fans - but one of their newest pieces has been causing a stir for all the wrong reasons. The online retailer, which is based in Manchester, is selling an asymmetric dress that has a full length sleeve on one side and a bikini bra on the other. But moments after the company shared a snap of model Leslie Sidora wearing the unusual piece to their Instagram it was mocked by shoppers. One labelled it an 'unflattering mess' while another joked that the model looked like she was going 'clubbing and swimming all at once'. Manchester based brand Pretty Little Thing are selling a dress that has halg a bikini top and one full sleeve (pictured) The 22 dress is sold on the brand's website and is made out of a skintight metallic fabric. The bikini top detail is attached to the other half of the dress with just a string, showing off half of the wearer's cleavage and keeping the other half covered up. Its thigh-skimming hemline and belly ring add to the risque style of the already skimpy dress. The brand shared a snap of the dress to their Instagram, writing: 'Weekend GLOW. Our girl @lessance in the Green Metallic Asymmetric Ring Detail Bodycon Dress.' However, the frock probably didn't get the reaction the brand was hoping for as the post was flooded with negative comments from Instagram users. The dress was mocked by their Instagram followers, with one joking that the model looked like she was going 'clubbing and swimming all at once' One commented: 'Shes going to dinner, clubbing and swimming all at once.' 'Why wear 1 outfit when you can wear 2 at the same time...' another joked followed by laughing emojis. A third wrote: 'This is the ugliest thing Ive ever seen.' 'That dress is a hot mess,' another posted. MailOnline has contacted Pretty Little Thing and is awaiting comment. The brand shared a snap of model Leslie Sidora wearing the unusual piece to their Instagram (pictured) The 22 dress (pictured left and right) is sold on the brand's website and is made out of a skintight metallic fabric Last month the brand launched a pair of plastic see-through trousers that reveals everything the wearer has on underneath (pictured) Last month Pretty Little Thing released a pair of see-through trousers that flashed everything the wearer had on underneath. A model for the brand could be seen in campaign shots wearing them over very skimpy briefs, and teamed with a white crop top. 'Your look will be anything but transparent in these trousers, girl,' a description read. The trousers had a straight leg design, werre fitted around the hips and cropped at the ankles. Though their own model flashed her underwear in their pictures, the brand advised that the trousers be worn with hotpants underneath. Choosing a baby's name is one of the most exciting yet daunting decisions expectant parents will ever make. And with monikers coming in and out of favour like a revolving door, settling on the perfect title can prove difficult. Parenting website Bounty recently released a list of names they predict will plummet in popularity this year, as well as a collection of ones to watch in the coming six months. Choosing a baby's name is one of the most exciting yet daunting decisions expectant parents will ever make (stock image) For the boys, a number of widely used historic favourites were determined to be losing traction in 2018. Arnold, Carl and Ivor were all cited as falling out of favour, as well as Guy and Marcos. More unusual male names including Fabio and Soren were given the thumbs down, with Jago taking the award for least popular. Despite some well known celebrities being christened with the titles, Arnold and Guy were cited as falling out of favour in 2018 (left, Arnold Schwarzenegger and right, Guy Sebastian) Boys names dwindling in popularity Jago Macauley Leroy Guy Fabio Soren Arnold Carl Ivor Marcos Advertisement Girls names dwindling in popularity Cecilia Bridie Bonny Cecily Mimi Aubrie Mika Roxanne Alora Kourtney Advertisement In terms of lacklustre feminine titles, some surprising entrants included Mimi, Bonny and Alora. And despite the enduring reign of the Kardashians, Kourtney also looks set for extinction. Historically common names Cecelia, Cecily and Roxanne were also unpopular, as well as Aubrie which had experienced a major boost in usage in recent years. Bounty went on to share their predictions for names making a return to the spotlight, an array which revealed old-fashioned, traditional forenames to be experiencing a dramatic increase in popularity. Despite the enduring reign of the Kardashians, Kourtney also looks set for extinction as well as historic favourites Cecelia and Cecily and recent darling of the baby name world Aubrie Historic men's names like Chester, Sidney and Frederick are slated to take centre stage over the coming months, as well as traditional Irish honorific Cillian which means 'little church'. Italian boys' name Enzo also made the list for rising stars. Tristan, more recently associated with scandal surrounding his relationship with Khloe Kardashian, is a male moniker of Welsh origin meaning 'bold' and is expected to see a resurgence between now and the end of the year. Boys names on the rise Eden Archer River Chester Sidney Cillian Xander Frederick Enzo Tristan Advertisement Girls names on the rise River Nora Mabel Margot Nova Belle Emmie Harlow Olive Naomi Advertisement Tristan, more recently associated with scandal surrounding his relationship with Khloe Kardashian, is a male moniker of Welsh origin meaning 'bold' and is expected to see a resurgence between now and the end of the year The name River made an appearance on both male and female lists, taking pole position for the girls with traditional favourites Nora and Mabel in second and third. Perhaps taking inspiration from the recent re-release of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Belle was recognised as an up and coming first name as well as Olive, Emmie and Margot. Nova, which is the Latin for star, took fifth position while Harlow, the name of Nicole Richie's daughter, also made an appearance on the list. News Story not available This story has been published on: 2021-10-28. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story is no longer available on our site. A pregnant mother has taken her Kmart obsession to the next level by organising a maternity photo shoot in the department store. Kirby Northey, 34, from Evans Head in New South Wales, asked her sister Kayarna Tregidgo, 32, to take the photos because they're both obsessed with the shop. 'We wanted to do something different and we are both addicted to Kmart,' Ms Tregidgo told FEMAIL. 'It made Kirby feel happy because she got to do something that is not your typical maternity shoot.' Kirby Northey, 34, (pictured) from Evans Head in New South Wales, asked her sister Kayarna Tregidgo, 32, to take her maternity photos in Kmart 'We were laughing the whole time and had a blast just having fun together,' she said Some photos appeared candid and sweet while others were a little more posed and silly 'We were laughing the whole time and had a blast just having fun together,' she added. The shoot proved to be a low-key affair as Ms Northey simply wore black tights, a black top, a kimono and thongs. She engaged with baby-related products in the store which resulted in tongue-in-cheek photos that she will remember forever. Ms Northey doesn't know whether she's expecting a boy or a girl, which is why she incorporated clothing and dolls from both genders. 'We wanted to do something different and we are both addicted to Kmart,' Ms Tregidgo told FEMAIL The shoot proved to be a low-key affair as Ms Northey simply wore black tights, a black top, a kimono and thongs She engaged with baby-related products in the store which resulted in tongue-in-cheek photos that she will cherish forever The Evans Head local proved to have fun with the photos as she can be seen pretending to give birth, feeding her new born and holding it as she does the vacuuming. It was during their weekly visit to Kmart that Ms Northey turned to her sister and asked her to do the shoot. 'I just laughed then said "hell yeah let's do it"! There was no planning, the only planning was that I rang our local Kmart two weeks before we went to ask if it was okay to do it but all photos were unplanned and spur of the moment,' Ms Tregidgo explained. Ms Northey doesn't know whether she's expecting a boy or a girl, which is why she incorporated clothing and dolls from both genders The Evans Head local proved to have fun with the photos as she can be seen pretending to give birth, feeding her new born and holding it as she does the vacuuming 'There was no planning, the only planning was that I rang our local Kmart two weeks before we went to ask if it was okay to do it but all photos were unplanned and spur of the moment,' Ms Tregidgo explained When it came to the actual day of the shoot, although the duo were excited, they were also apprehensive of the fact that other customers may stare at them as they took photos. 'We had a few people watching and one lady come up to us and said it was a great idea,' Ms Northey said. The sisters are very close and can't go without seeing each other or talking to each other, which made the day even more special. They also had their best friend Mel there to help them with the laughter. The market for fake tans come summer time is lucrative, with the majority of social media flaunting their glowing pins when the weather warms up. But with so many brands in-store (and many of them offering shorter and shorter application times) it can be difficult to know which one is the right choice for you and your skin tone. Interestingly, lifestyle website Byrdie found an increase in individuals searching for Garnier's famed Summer Body gradual tanner - a tried and tested variety that has been on the market for years. Intriguingly, lifestyle website Byrdie found an increase in individuals searching for Garnier's famed Summer Body gradual tanner Suddenly searches for the orange-bottled tan are up 200 per cent. While Kylie Jenner is currently promoting Australian tanning company Bondi Sands and St Tropez has been a long time winner, Garnier is back with a vengeance and at only $8 a bottle it's well worth giving a try. The 250ml pump works like a moisturising lotion with the added benefit of building a tan over the space of a 24 hour period. The 250ml pump works like a moisturising lotion with the added benefit of building a tan over the space of a 24 hour period There is no need to worry about your white towels or bed sheets because once it dries five minutes after application, the colour won't rub onto anything you come into contact with. Targeted for sensitive skin Garnier's Summer Body contains almond oil, which is a fatty acid that helps retain moisture and can heal chapped and irritated complexions. You can purchase two different colours of the tan - light or dark - and they are extremely buildable shades. You can purchase two different colours of the tan - light or dark - and they are extremely buildable shades (Millie Mackintosh is a fan of the product) And it seems as though the general public agrees. 'No complaints here. A realistic tan, with moisturising benefits. Smell is what you would expect from a tanner. Apply before bed, and shower in the morning and you're fine! No orange tinge (experienced with other more expensive products),' one reviewer said online. 'I am shockingly, almost translucently, white. Seriously. So this product is fantastic. I'm using it as a moisturiser after my shower and a healthy subtle summer glow follows. 'It looks much better than the professional spray tan that I had a few weeks ago, and with none of the fabric staining. Too easy,' another added. Nancy Zeffman, 51, met Eileen Willett, 53, at the school gates 17 years ago. Last September they launched Cucumber Clothing for hormonal women. They have six children between them and live with their husbands in North London. The idea that grew into Cucumber Clothing popped into our minds two years ago. We were travelling back from a holiday with a group of friends, all of us 40-plus, discussing how awful hot sweats were. We realised there was nothing on the market specifically designed to help hot women nothing that we could wear without feeling depressed. Nancy Zeffman, 51, and met Eileen Willett, 53, at the school gates 17 years ago and went to set up a company to help hormonal women So, as you do, we thought, lets do something about this! My background [Eileen] is in fashion and Nancys is in advertising, but this was new for both of us. At first, it seemed a bit of fun, hunting for appropriate materials and working up designs. Then once we found our first fabric, everything became a lot more serious. It was a real eureka moment. Its man-made and feels like soft cotton jersey. Its lightweight and easy to wear. It just wicks moisture up and away, so when you sweat, the fabric doesnt feel heavy and damp. We kept our range small: a camisole and a camisole dress; a V-neck top and a V-neck dress; shorts and pyjamas. The designs are simple, but they have flattering details; a pleat here or a flare there that flatters women from size 8-20. Some have cap sleeves because few women want to show off their arms. The V-neck dress has little hanger appeal but it has been our best seller because the fit is fantastic. These are pieces we love to wear ourselves. We realised we were on to something when customers began repeat-ordering the clothes. We now have a second material another wicking form of polyester that feels like heavy silk and washes and dries in a flash. Its been a hectic first year and weve been astonished by the support weve had, particularly from our original group of friends. Whats next? Watch this space for moisture-wicking cashmere and silk. cucumberclothing.com Now that two-thirds of adults fail to obtain the recommended eight hours of nightly sleep, getting a decent night's shut-eye has never been more important. But while you might think that it's easy to tune out and get good quality rest, if you want it, thanks to the stressful nature of our day-to-day lives, more people struggle to clock eight hours than ever. Here, speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, Oprah Winfrey's 'sleep doctor', Dr Michael Breus, reveals the sleep 'hacks' that really work, while busting the myths that don't. He also reveals the sleep 'sweet spot' and the perfect amount you need each night. Dr Michael Breus is known as the 'sleep doctor' online - he looks after Oprah Winfrey (pictured) and shared the biggest myths surrounding shut-eye and the hacks that really work Dr Breus (pictured) also revealed the sleep 'sweet spot' and the perfect amount you need each night - which amounts to 7.5 hours - this can boost productivity SLEEP HACKS THAT WORK Constantly find yourself tired during the working day, and in need of a quick pick-me-up? You need Dr Breus's 'nap-a-latte'. The sleep doctor's nap-a-latte concept involves 'taking a cup of black coffee, cooled down with three ice cubes and drinking it quickly'. 'Immediately take a 25 minute nap after drinking the coffee,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'The caffeine then blocks the sleep-inducing factors and the little 25 minute nap will give you enough sleep to feel better.' The sleep doctor's nap-a-latte concept involves 'taking a cup of black coffee, cooled down with three ice cubes and drinking it quickly' before napping for 25 minutes (stock image) Elsewhere, Dr Breus recommends you get out into the sunshine for 15 minutes each morning, 'which helps to discontinue the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone'. 'You might not think that light first thing is what your sleepy body needs, but the internal body clock - the circadian rhythm - runs on a 24-hour schedule and functions best when you are exposed to a regular pattern of light and dark,' he explained. Dr Michael Breus's top sleep hacks Dr Breus recommends drinking a 'banana tea' as it is loaded with magnesium (stock image) * Try a nap-a-latte: 'Drink a cup of black coffee, cooled down with three ice cubes and immediately take a 25-minute nap after drinking. The caffeine will block the sleep-inducing factors and the little 25-minute nap will give you enough sleep to feel better.' * Get outside: 'Try getting out into the sunshine for just 15 minutes each morning. The bright light will help to discontinue the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone.' * Count sheep: While this is not quite counting sheep, Dr Breus does recommend you count backwards from 300 in increments of threes. 'It's so complicated that you can't think of anything else, while it's so boring that you're out like a light.' * Drink banana tea: 'Take a chunk of organic banana, peel on, cut it in half and with the stem and trip removed, brew it in boiling water for four minutes and drink. The water will be loaded with magnesium, which is very calming and is a great replacement for camomile tea.' Advertisement For those struggling to sleep at night, Dr Breus recommends a simple trick to get you to sleep in no time. 'Count backwards from 300 in increments of threes,' he said. 'It's so complicated that you can't think of anything else, while it's so boring that you're out like a light.' Meanwhile, he also swears by a 'banana tea' recipe for good sleep: 'Take a chunk of organic banana, peel on, cut it in half and with the stem and trip removed, brew it in boiling water for four minutes.' The sleep expert explained that the water is then 'loaded with magnesium, which is very calming and is a great replacement for camomile tea'. Dr Breus said that it is entirely false that you can't make up for sleep on the weekends - instead, this leads to sleep debt and gets your sleep entirely out of hand (pictured: Oprah Winfrey) BIGGEST SLEEP MYTHS Speaking about the myths we are so often fed about sleep that have no basis in reality, Dr Breus said that it is entirely false that you can't make up for sleep on the weekends. 'Many people build a sleep debt during the week - a growing deficit between the sleep you need and the actual amount of sleep you get,' he said. 'Research shows that after sleep deprivation, weekend makeup sleep doesn't completely restore attention, focus and other measurements of cognitive performance.' He added that getting into general sleep debt results in irregular and inconsistent bedtimes and wake times, meaning you're more likely to sleep poorly during the week. 'In an ideal world, you should stick to within 60 minutes of your regular bedtime and wake time at the weekends,' Dr Breus concluded. 'Focus on getting more of the sleep you need during the week.' Dr Breus (pictured) also said that 99 per cent of the population can't get by on consistently fewer than six hours of sleep as this will lead to poor health and performance The other sleep myth that the expert is keen to bust is that you can get by on fewer than six hours sleep: What is the 'sweet spot' for the amount of sleep you need? * The average sleep cycle is 90 minutes long, and a typical night of sleep includes five full sleep cycles. * 90 x 5 = 450 minutes or 7.5 hours. * 7.5 hours is the sweet spot for the amount of sleep for most adults, but you might need more time in bed if you need some time to switch off and go to sleep. Advertisement 'Sleep needs do vary person to person, but nearly everyone suffers deficits to health, well-being and performance when they regularly get less than six hours of sleep a night,' Dr Breus said. 'Only a very small fraction of the population can function well and maintain good health on a sleep routine of fewer than six hours per night.' The expert said that you need to aim for ideally around seven and a half hours - which is the 'sweet spot' for slumber: 'The average sleep cycle is 90 minutes long and a typical night of sleep includes five full sleep cycles,' he said. 'So, if we apply some simple maths, 90 x 5 is 450 minutes - or 7.5 hours.' Dr Michael Breus recently worked with Princess Cruises to conduct their first-ever international sleep survey, which aimed to find out how sleep and relaxation habits vary in different countries. A seven-month-old baby who has amassed more than 200,000 followers on social media thanks to her impressive hair has donned a bright red Pixies Bow for her latest photo. Baby Chanco, who lives in Japan, was born with a full head of hair in December 2017 and it has continued to sprout as she has grown. Becoming a mini celebrity in her own right, Chanco was gifted a bow from Australian PR maven Roxy Jacenko's daughter's range of hair accessories which dropped in Myer stores on Monday. Scroll down for video Baby Chanco, who lives in Japan , was born with a full head of hair in December 2017 and it has continued to sprout as she has grown The snap is the most 'liked' image on the child's Instagram account with 39,000 impressions. PR agent Roxy and her daughter Pixie also regrammed the image, proud that such a head of hair has been adorned in their product. Chanco's mother updates her many followers on the platform with weekly photos of the little girl's miraculous bouffant. Seven-month-old Chanco from Japan has earned a loyal following on Instagram thanks to her full head of hair Roxy Jacenko (left) has helped her daughter Pixie (right) become a celebrity in her own right Every photo shared of Chanco receives in and around 10,000 likes from her adoring fans. Whether a baby will be born with hair is influenced by genetics and ethnicity, according to Dr Bud Zukow, a paediatrician speaking to Hairfinder.com. However, a baby's hair as an infant bears little resemblance to what he or she will look like as they grow older. Some babies emerge from the womb with a thick head of hair, but they also might lose it in a matter of weeks. She is often pictured lying down on a bed and playing with some kind of toy or accessory The tot now has an impressive following of 230,000 as her mum shares snaps of her adorable daughter online Thanks to her luscious locks Chanco's mother is able to adorn her daughter's hair with an array of hair accessories including bobbles, clips and ribbons Chanco was born in December 2017 and already had a whole head of sleek black hair This is completely normal and due to hormonal fluctuations. An old wives tale states that pregnant women will experience heart burn if their baby has hair. Inside the womb, the infant is exposed to high levels of hormones from their mother. When the baby is born these hormone levels drop, which causes the hair to stop growing any more. And as the baby's hair begins a new growth cycle, the old hair may fall out, which could lead to bald patches, or even a completely bald head. Usually, the second growth of hair is stronger, less downy, and may even be a different colour to their original locks. Her bouffant has shown no signs of slowing down, continuing to grow as she gets older Chanco's photos receive up to 10,000 likes per picture from her loyal fans Chanco's followers have described her as a 'beautiful' and 'adorable baby' online With just over two months to go until Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank tie the knot, mother of the bride Sarah Ferguson has given an insight into the royal wedding plans. Appearing on The One Show on Friday, the Duchess of York revealed the advice she has given to her future son-in-law as he prepares to enter the royal family, and said she's confident she will make an 'excellent' grandmother when the couple have children - because she herself has 'never grown up'. Referring to herself as the 'MOB' (mother of the bride) Fergie, as she is affectionately known, said that the groom had settled seamlessly into the York family over the years, and told how he 'brings joy'. The Duchess said she and Jack, who works for George Clooney's Casamigos tequila brand, had bonded over their interest in the spirit, joking: 'He'll just hand me the tequila and say "come on mother-in-law, down it!"' The Duchess of York appeared on The One Show on Friday where she discussed her daughter Princess Eugenie's upcoming wedding to Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle in October Speaking to presenters Michael Ball and Alex Jones she said: 'The thing about Andrew [her ex husband the Duke of York] and I is that we go with our hearts, we go with the family unity. 'We really believe in that, you can see that the York family unity - it's all about seeing the light in life,' she said. 'Jack is a really sort of amazing bringer of light and he brings joy. I say to Jack always just stay yourself and I'd say that to anybody what else can you do in life.' The mother-of-two revealed that she and Jack had formed a particularly close bond thanks to his job. Asked what sort of mother-in-law she would be Sarah said: 'The best. 'The good news is that Jack works as the European manager for Casamigos tequila so I'm perfect. He'll just hand me the tequila and say "come on mother-in-law down it!"' While the couple are yet to tie the knot it seems that talk of starting a family has already begun, with Sarah claiming the couple are 'thrilled' by the prospect of making her a grandmother. Describing herself as the 'MOB' (mother of the bride) Sarah Ferguson revealed how she and Jack bonded over tequila describing her future son-in-law as 'an amazing bringer of light' The mother-of-two said she would make an 'excellent' grandmother and says both Eugenie and Jack are 'thrilled' by the prospect of making her a grandmother Fergie, as she is affectionately known, says that the couple are 'contemporary and inclusive'. Pictured: Sarah, Jack and Eugenie in 2017 Asked how she felt about becoming a grandparent she said: 'Excellent. They are thrilled because I write children's books and I'm a child I haven't grown up.' The 58-year-old, who shares a home with her ex-husband and two daughters, Prince Andrew has a dog named Jack which often causes confusion in the York household. She explained: 'Andrew's brilliant you see because he says "Jaaaack get off that chair" so son-in-law Jack jumps up saying "oh God what have I done now?"' The Duchess said that although she is yet to find an outfit, wedding plans are thoroughly underway. The ex-wife of Prince Andrew appeared in high spirits following her interview on Friday, waving to well wishers as she left the BBC Broadcasting House The couple, who announced their engagement in January, will tie the knot at St George's Chapel in Windsor on October 12 'Eugenie is very controlled she's so sorted' she said 'She knows exactly what she wants. They're very contemporary they're very inclusive. 'They're all about love and they want this wedding to be about that, to include everybody to really absorb the love they have for each other with everybody else.' Buckingham Palace announced that 1,200 people will be welcomed into the grounds to witness the arrival of the congregation and the royal family, listen to a live broadcast of the service, and see the newlyweds depart after exchanging vows at St George's Chapel in Windsor on October 12th. Members of the public can visit publicevents.royal.uk to apply for the chance to be in the grounds. The happy couple are also inviting representatives of the charities they support, and members of the local community in Windsor, as well as children from the local schools Princess Eugenie attended. The Duchess of Sussex sparked a shopping frenzy when she was spotted in a 400 ($328) dress at the wedding of Prince Harry's friend over the weekend. Meghan, 37, looked chic in a colour block dress from Canadian brand Club Monaco as she accompanied Harry, 33, to the nuptials of his childhood friend Charlie van Straubenzee at St Mary the Virgin Church in Frensham, Surrey, on Saturday. Within hours of the appearance, the dress was completely sold out online and the product page is no longer available to view. It is the latest example of shoppers being gripped by the so-called 'Meghan effect'. Style icon: Meghan, 37, looked chic in a colour block dress from Canadian brand Club Monaco (pictured) as she accompanied Harry, 33, to the nuptials of his childhood friend Charlie van Straubenzee at St Mary the Virgin Church in Frensham, Surrey, on Saturday Colour block classic: The 400 ($328) Shoanah Dress, pictured in an image from the retailer's website, featured a pleated pink, green black and white skirt and flattering sleeves Sold out: The design is no longer available on the Club Monaco website (pictured) but shoppers can still contact individual branches in the hope of snapping up the dress However royal fans still hoping to snap up the duchess' latest must-have frock can still contact their local branch in the hope the style is still available in store. The Duchess of Sussex, who was celebrating her 37th birthday on the day, won praise from royal watchers and fashionistas for her stylish, low-key look at the service. Meghan paired the pleated Shoanah Dress with a low-key black fascinator from royal milliner Philip Treacy. She finished the ensemble with an elegant pair of 547 Aquazzura Deneuve 105 pumps, which featured pretty bow detailing on the heel. On her wrist she wore the 995 Shaun Leane diamond Signature Tusk bangle. Star turn: Club Monaco's Instagram account shared this story celebrating the duchess's appearance on Saturday. It is the second time Meghan has worn the designer for an event Low-key accessories: Meghan opted for a black fascinator by royal milliner Philip Treacy. She carried a black clutch bag and accentuated her waist with a trendy leather tie belt, pictured Elegant: The Duchess of Sussex finished the ensemble with an elegant pair of 547 Aquazzura Deneuve 105 pumps, which featured pretty bow detailing on the heel, pictured The outfit was a far cry from the loose, flowing 4,220 ($5,490) dress by Oscar de la Renta that she wore to the wedding of Princess Diana's niece earlier this summer. It is not the first time Meghan has been seen in a piece by Club Monaco. The royal also opted for the brand when she joined the Royal Family for the Christmas Day church service in Sandringham last year. The $298 (220) red velvet Tay dress proved similarly popular with shoppers and flew off the shelves. Much like her sister-in-law the Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan has the power to boost a brand's fortunes and her looks often sell out within hours. Favourite label: The royal previously wore a dress by Club Monaco when she joined the Royal Family for the Christmas Day church service in Sandringham last year, pictured The Ralph Lauren outfit she wore to Wimbledon was soon snapped up and the dress, straw hat and shoes she wore to a polo match last month enjoyed the same popularity. It is not the first time Meghan's outfit has sparked a shopping frenzy; she caused a stylish beige coat to temporarily sell out in March, with the newly-married Duchess boosting sales of shoes, handbags and dresses since her betrothal to Harry was first announced. And proving that she is well on her way to becoming the nation's new style queen, a 425 crossbody bag she wore in Edinburgh earlier this year also sold out in record time. Stella McCartney has revealed how she landed the commission to create the Duchess of Sussexs 60,000 evening gown for her wedding day. The Brit designer, who was awarded an OBE for her sustainable fashion label, says the pair have become good friends since Meghan began wearing her clothes following her engagement to Prince Harry. Speaking to fashion bible Elle magazine, which next month focuses on sustainability, she said: I think Meghan chose me for reasons other than just a beautiful dress plenty of people can do that. She is not a difficult client to make look beautiful. Amal called me and asked me to do it, as did Oprah. I look at that Amal dress, and it is made of sustainable viscose that took us three years to develop.' Commission of a lifetime: Designer Stella McCartney (pictured at her Autumn 2016 presentation in Hollywood) has spoken about how she was approached by Meghan Markle to design her evening reception gown ahead of the royal wedding in Windsor on May 19 Stella McCartney designed Meghan's halterneck gown for her evening wedding reception (pictured: the bride and groom leaving Windsor Castle for Frogmore House on May 19) She also says she believes that Meghan - along with her guests Amal Clooney and Oprah Winfrey - chose her designs because she is a strong feminist and environmental campaigner. McCartney, 46, added: And I think, obviously I am a British designer, but I think being a woman and being a womens woman played a part. They are all womens women. Its a big deal. The designer, a lifelong vegetarian and animal rights campaigner, says she bonded with Meghan from the moment they met over their shared interest in environmental issues and the pair have since become friends. She designed the 1,350 black coat that Meghan wore to Wales in January; the 1,512 dress she wore to the Royal Albert Hall in April and the 483 silk blouse she wore for that months Anzac Day service. [Meghan] approached me and we worked on other things, says Stella, who is married to publisher Alasdhair Willis, with four children Miller, 13, Bailey, 12, Beckett, ten, and Reiley, eight. Commission of a lifetime: Stella McCartney (pictured at Berlin Fashion Week, June 2017) recently spoke of her 'pride' at making the stunning halterneck dress for Meghan and Harry's wedding reception at Frogmore House - calling the commission 'a big deal' Guests of honour: Stella McCartney also designed outfits for royal wedding guests Amal Clooney (left) and Oprah Winfrey (right) - and the viscose used to make Clooney's dress took three years to develop, she revealed this week in an interview with Elle magazine Important ensemble: The Duchess of Sussex's show-stopping white halterneck gown (worn at Windsor Castle on May 19, pictured) was 'the last moment' that Meghan, 36, could reflect 'the human within her', designer Stella McCartney has previously said The Duchess of Sussex's backless evening reception gown (worn at Windsor Castle on May 19, pictured) allowed Meghan to show off her toned shoulders and back, while the figure-hugging gown featured a dramatic fluted skirt She wore other pieces of mine and we had a friendship. And then she asked me to do her second wedding dress. I was honoured and I still am. The British designer, who opened a new flagship shop in London this summer, also revealed how she tries to balance a focus on fair trade with being cost-efficient. Although her parents Sir Paul and Linda McCartney have always supported her they were in the front row of her graduate fashion show in 1995 they did not pay her pocket money. Look I get it, she told Elle. I really get it. I have struggled with the price point of my product from day one. I still do. In June, Stella McCartney (pictured in LA in January 2018) spoke of her 'pride' at making Meghan Markle's stunning halterneck dress for the wedding evening reception at Frogmore House on May 19 - calling the commission 'a big deal' I work so hard to keep it down; I get charged 30 per cent more tax when I take my non-leather products into the US; and I dont pass that on to my customer, I add it to my margin. 'I believe in quality, I believe in fairness, and the minute you pay someone fairly, your prices go up. I wasnt given money by my mum and dad, so I always shopped vintage at charity shops. And, damn it, I felt cooler for doing that. People know to do that now; there is enough visual collateral to give young people confidence to wear things in a way where they dont have to come to fashion house to say who they are. The Elle Sustainability Issue goes on sale on Wednesday 8 August. Visit elle.com/uk Take ownership of who you are, take ownership of the environment you live in and be responsible. If you guys cant do it, then we are screwed. In June, McCartney spoke of her 'pride' at being asked to make the stunning halterneck dress for the evening reception at Frogmore House - calling the commission 'a big deal'. Speaking to the BBC, McCartney explained she was determined to get it right because the wedding reception would be Meghan's final appearance before taking on her 'very austere, very serious' royal role as the Duchess of Sussex. The show-stopping white halterneck gown was 'the last moment' that Meghan, 36, could reflect 'the human within her', McCartney added. While the neckline was modest, the backless number allowed Meghan to show off her toned shoulders and back, while the figure-hugging gown featured a dramatic fluted skirt. The Elle Sustainability Issue goes on sale on Wednesday 8 August. Visit elle.com/uk A 2.00 anti-dandruff shampoo is being hailed as 'revolutionary' by shoppers who claim it has cleared up their symptoms for good. The Ginger Anti-Dandruff Shampoo from The Body Shop has been receiving rave reviews online, with a bottle of the product sold every four seconds in the UK. Priced at just 2.00 for the smallest bottle and 8.50 for 400ml, customers have praised the product for curing their dandruff- seeing it receive hundreds of five star reviews. The Body Shop's Ginger Anti-Dandruff Shampoo has been receiving rave reviews online, with a bottle sold every four seconds (seen: 60ml Ginger Shampoo priced at just 2) The retailer, whose ethos is based on their cruelty-free and vegetarian ingredients, has reported that it is their best-selling shampoo, and due to its success added a 100% vegan Ginger Scalp Care Conditioner to its line last week. The water-based shampoo is blended with potent ginger from Sri Lanka, birch bark, white willow extracts and Community Trade honey, as well as being reinforced with vitamin B5. Also included in the lightly scented concoction is piroctone olamine, an anti-bacterial agent that treats the bacteria that can lead to dandruff. And the product has received a staggering 1,300 five star reviews on their website, with fans praising its immediate effects. Priced at just 2.00 for the smallest bottle and 8.50 for 400ml, customers have praised the product for curing their dandruff- giving it five star reviews One astounded customer wrote: 'After a few years of dry itchy scalp and using tar shampoo and other high street retailers anti dandruff shampoos, I was sick of nothing working. 'Ive been using this product for around 3 years religiously now and can seriously say its an absolute life saver from the sometimes painful and embarrassing problem I was dealing with. 10/10!' Another added: 'This is the best anti-dandruff shampoo I have ever used - including the top names that we all know! It doesn't stop working after 2 or 3 months like all the others I have ever used do. And it smells wonderful too!' Due to its ongoing success The Body Shop added a 100 per cent vegan Ginger Scalp Care Conditioner to their line last week And one woman revealed it even cured her dandruff- despite her suffering from skin condition eczema. 'Would recommend this to anyone suffering with dandruff. I get a really dry scalp because of my eczema, Id tried everything to help soothe and get rid of it, even steroid shampoos from the doctors, nothing worked. This is the only shampoo that gets rid of all my dandruff and soothe my scalp! Definitely recommend this!' she wrote. Hype over the product has also reached Twitter with social media users revealing the product worked for their husbands too. 'Husband hasn't had hair for many years, but is new to beards. He recently started using Body Shop ginger anti-dandruff shampoo and it's helped keep the flakes at bay,' a happy customer tweeted. MailOnline has contacted The Body Shop for further comment. She is expecting her first child with royal photographer Chris Jackson. And the Duchess of Cambridge's right-hand woman is clearly eager to brush up on maternity tips after she was pictured reading a 'no nonsense' pregnancy manual. The husband of Kate's stylist shared a photo of her reading How to Grow a Baby by mummy blogger and midwife Clemmie Hooper as she soaked up the sun during a recent holiday in Puglia, southern Italy. The book is described as a 'no-nonsense guide' to pregnancy and childbirth, and covers everything from packing your hospital bag to how to prevent tearing during labour. The Duchess of Cambridge's stylist Natasha Archer, who is expecting her first child, was snapped by her husband Chris Jackson reading pregnancy guide How to Grow a Baby Chris joked: 'Holiday reading seems to have changed somewhat,' with the snap clocking up thousands of likes from his 96,000 followers. The couple, who tied the knot in France in May last year, announced the news that they were expecting their first child last month with an Instagram photo showing the stylist cradling her bump. Ms Archer acts as Kate's right-hand woman on royal tours, planning her every outfit down to the last detail. She was among the first people spied arriving at the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in London following the birth of Prince Louis on St George's Day this year - ready to help the Duchess prepare to face the cameras lined up outside. Natasha Archer's husband, the royal photographer Chris Jackson, shared the couple's 'exciting' pregnancy news on Instagram last month Chris Jackson and Natasha Archer (pictured on a recent holiday), who married in France in May last year, are expecting their first child together, they announced earlier this summer Getty's royal photographer Mr Jackson regularly accompanies the Queen, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Cambridge family and Meghan and Harry on official engagements. And given Natasha's position among Kate's most trusted members of staff, the couple are familiar faces in and around Kensington Palace. Natasha acted as personal assistant to Kate and William from 2007, but in 2014 secured the position of style advisor to the Duchess and is now regarded as one of the most influential women in fashion. She and her photographer beau married in the south of France in May 2018. Natasha Archer (pictured watching a rugby match with Kate and William in Sydney, 2014) joined as PA in 2007 before becoming her stylist and is regarded as one of the most influential women in fashion The Duchess' style advisor is seen on the tarmac at Tezpur Airport in India in 2016, during Kate and William's tour of India Kate's stylist was photographed outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in London, shortly before the Duchess emerged to bring newborn Prince Louis home for the first time Natasha isn't the only one in Kate's inner circle expecting; the Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister, Pippa Middleton, is also pregnant with her first child with her husband of a little over a year, James Matthews. Ms Archer accompanied Kate and William on their royal tour of India in 2016, and also travelled with the Duke and Duchess to Sweden and Norway at the start of this year. The glamorous blonde masterminded Kate's maternity wardrobe, as the then pregnant Duchess attended multiple black tie events during the tour in a series of empire-line gowns from the likes of Erdem and Alexander McQueen. And when Kate gave birth to Prince Louis in April this year, her stylist was among the first people seen arriving at the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital in London, in order to help prepare the Duchess to face the cameras on her way to bring her third child home for the first time. Kate made headlines with her impeccably polished appearance less than 24 hours after giving birth, proudly posing for pictures on the steps of the hospital in a red Jenny Packham dress and heels. Privacy Overview This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. The Queen has officially moved into Balmoral Castle in Scotland in what marks the start of her annual summer break. And upon her arrival she received a less than friendly welcome from an old friend the Shetland Pony Mascot Cruachan IV. As the 92-year-old monarch made her way into the Castle after inspecting the guard of honour the cheeky pony relieved itself in front of her with the Queen appearing to hold her nose as she walked away. The three-year-old pony, the regimental mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, made headlines last year when he tried to nibble the Queen's posy during a visit to Stirling Castle, prompting Her Majesty to tell him to 'go away'. The Queen met an old friend the Shetland Pony Mascot Cruachan IV (pictured) upon her arrival at Balmoral Castle on Monday However, Her Majesty appeared to be holding her nose after the cheeky pony relieved itself in her presence Upon meeting Cruachan IV today the Queen could be heard saying 'here we are again' However, there appeared to be no hard feelings from the royal who said to the pony 'here we are again.' The 92-year-old monarch looked typically elegant in a sky blue ensemble as she arrived at the gates of Balmoral, Scotland, where she inspects the guard of honour before entering the Castle at the start of her annual holiday. Her Majesty was greeted by Officer Commanding Johnny Thompson in order to inspect the guards. Her Majesty typically arrives in Scotland August after Balmoral castle is closed to visitors and full security checks are carried out on the grounds. The Queen has arrived at Balmoral Castle in Scotland where she will begin her annual summer break anticipated to continue until October Her Majesty was greeted by Officer Commanding Johnny Thompson in order to inspect the guards as she is custom to do each year The Queen is moving into the castle after spending recent weeks at Craigowan Lodge, a smaller cottage on the Aberdeenshire estate, which is also known as the Enchanted Manor. The castle is open to the public until the end of July and has been prepared for the monarch's arrival over the last week. Crowds of well-wishers gathered to welcome the Queen on Monday where she is expected to be in residence until early October. The last time Her Majesty was spotted out and about was on Sunday when she attended last week's service at the church. She arrived to a procession of bagpipes and received a warm welcome from well-wishers who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the monarch Her Majesty was subjected to a spot of drizzle upon her arrival but luckily came armed with an umbrella Crathie Church lies next door to Balmoral and the Queen is a regular presence at services during her annual holiday. Charles and Camilla also have a home, Birkhall, on the Balmoral Estate and will no doubt be spending time with the monarch over the coming weeks. Last year the Queen departed for Balmoral in mid July and did not end her annual Highland summer holiday until the first week in October. Her Majesty's last public engagements were on 13th and 14th July, when she welcomed overseas visitors - most notably President Donald Trump - to Windsor castle. The monarch has been staying Craigowan Lodge, a smaller cottage on the Aberdeenshire estate while final preparations are made to Balmoral The castle is open to the public until August when the Queen moves in typically until October The monarch greeted the US president and his wife Melania in the quadrangle of the royal residence ahead. The Queen famously enjoys a more low-key existence while staying at the Scottish retreat - with her former royal protection officer Richard Griffin recently revealing that she had a conversation with unsuspecting American tourists visiting the estate while dressed in tweeds and a scarf. Balmoral, which was bought by Prince Albert for 32,000 in 1852, is said to be the Queen's favourite home. During her stay at the castle, she relaxes by going for walks on the Aberdeenshire estate, eating picnics and cooking barbecues. Princess Eugenie has previously said of Balmoral: 'It's the most beautiful place on earth. I think Granny is the most happy there. 'I think she really, really loves the Highlands.' With her designer wardrobe, front row appearances and flawless personal style, you would be forgiven for thinking this glamorous brunette is fashion newest It girl. But in fact Sirivannavari Nariratana, 31, is a Thai princess, one who juggles her royal duties with the responsibility of running her own clothing and accessories label. Princess Sirivannavari, the daughter of King Vajiralongkorn, 66, is featured in the current September issue of Tatler magazine, where she is praised for having a dazzling list of accomplishments that would be befitting of a fairytale royal. Accomplished: Sirivannavari Nariratana, 31, is a Thai princess, one who juggles her royal duties with the responsibility of running her own clothing and accessories label. Pictured, the royal outside Giambattista Valli at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week last month Style icon: The princess, daughter of King Vajiralongkorn, 66, mixes a feminine silhouette with ultra modern plastic lace-up shoes for Christian Dior at Paris Fashion Week last September Making a statement: Princess Sirivannavari at Chanel at Paris Fashion Week in October 2017 It is far from the first time the princess has graced the pages of a glossy magazine. This year alone Sirivannavari has been on the cover of Vogue Thailand and Elle Thailand, and has been featured in Hong Kong Tatler. Just last month she was spotted attending a number of the hottest show's at Paris Fashion Week, demonstrating her elegant, feminine style at Christian Dior and Chanel, among others. Her first taste on the international fashion stage came in 2004 when she showed a collection from her eponymous label, Sirivannavari, as a guest designer at Milan Fashion Week. In September 2007 French fashion powerhouse Pierre Balmain invited the royal, then a 20-year-old fashion undergraduate, to present her collection at Paris Fashion Week. Front row regular: Princess Sirivannavari, pictured in blue, at Ellie Saab, Paris in October 2011 Packed schedule: The princess at the Christian Dior show at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week last month, left, and in tweed at the Chanel show the following day, right Jet-setter: The princess attends the Men's Final at the French Open in June this year Two years later Princess Sirivannavari received a bachelor's degree from Bangkok's esteemed Chulalongkorn University, graduating with a major in fashion design. In 2010 the princess left her beloved home to spend the year studying in Paris. She has also presented collections in Milan and studied in Rome, although her focus remains on her business in Thailand. Speaking to Tatler, Princess Sirivannavari described her grandmother HM Queen Sikrit as a 'true icon' of fashion. Her father, the country's beloved head of state, is also known for his sartorial flair. A-list events: Princess Sirivannavari at the official dinner on the Opera terraces after the religious wedding of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco in Monaco in July 2011 The princess recently received a government award for contemporary artists, becoming the first royal to be honoured. Sirivannavari, an honorary member of the Thai national badminton team, also continues to make time for her other passion: horse riding. The royal has competed for her country in dressage, including an appearance at the 2013 South East Asian Games. She told the magazine: 'I train six days a week, I'll ride three horses for an hour each. I've had injuries. 'I've broken my leg, I have a screw in my left foot, but I have never given up. I put all my efforts into achieving my goals.' Sporting prowess: Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana on one of her horses, Prince Charming, at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, in 2014 Support: The royal waves to the crowds during the international competition in South Korea in 2014. The princess has represented her country in dressage and badminton The full feature appears in the September issue of Tatler, available now. Judge Rinder has learned how seven of his relatives were slaughtered in Nazi concentration camps in the Second World War while delving into his family history on the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are? The 40-year-old TV judge, who comes from a Jewish family, was told how his great-grandparents and five of their children were killed in the Holocaust, with his grandfather, Morris Malenicky, the only member of the family to survive the war. The star, whose full name is Robert Rinder, discovered how Morris' parents, his four sisters and his brother all died at the Treblinka Camp in Poland in 1940, six months after war was declared. Morris, who eventually passed away in London in 2001 at the age of 78, was a teenager at the time, and escaped the same fate as the rest of his family after being deemed strong enough to work and put into forced labour at a glass factory in Piotrkow. He was later sent to the Buchenwald and Schlieben camps in Germany, and finally to Theresienstadt in German-occupied Czechoslovakia, which was liberated by the Russian Army in 1945 three weeks after Morris arrived. After being brought to the UK by a Jewish charity, Morris met and fell in love with Judge Rinder's grandmother, Lottie. As his grandfather's 'staggering' tale was recounted on the show, the emotional TV star said it was 'impossible to fathom' how alone Morris would have felt after his entire family was wiped out. Robert Rinder, known as Judge Rinder, goes in search of his family history in the BBC's Who Do You Think You Are (pictured) - and learns more about his grandfather's entire family was wiped out in the Treblinka camp in Poland His grandfather Morris Malenicky, who passed away in London in 2001 at the age of 78, was the only member of his family to survive the Holocaust. His four sisters, brother and parents were all murdered in a concentration camp. Pictured: Morris and his wife Lottie, Judge Rinder's grandmother, on their honeymoon In 1942 Morris registered his family's deaths in the Holocaust three years earlier, a document Rinder saw for the first time during filming for the show. The document reads: '''Malenicky''. Place of birth: '''Piotrkow, Poland''. Circumstances of death: ''Four sisters, a brother, parents, Treblinka Camp. Gas chambers, crematorium.''' An emotional Rinder says on camera: 'Imagine writing that, how your four sisters, your brother and your parents were wiped out.' During filming Rinder travelled to Morris's birthplace of Piotrkow, Poland to discover more about his relatives. He had visited the country with his grandfather while Morris was still alive, but admits he wasn't ready at the time to learn the truth about what happened to the rest of his family. Morris, a teenager at the time, was deemed strong enough to work and was put into forced labour at a glass factory in Piotrkow before being sent to concentration camps across Germany throughout the war. Pictured left to right: Rinder's brother Craig, cousin Ben Radstone, grandfather Morris Malinicky, Rinder, grandmother Lottie Malinicky, cousins Matt Radstone and Lucy Radstone at a Bar Mitzvah Morris was at Theresienstad when it was liberated by the Russian army and he was sent to live in the UK by a Jewish charity. Pictured as a young man in England Rinder visits his grandfather's house in Poland and reads documents (pictured) which cast some light on his upbringing - and the family his grandfather was unable to talk about WHAT WAS THE HOLOCAUST? The Holocaust was a genocide committed by the Nazis between 1941 and 1945 across Europe. As part of Hitler's Final Solution, what was known as Shoah in Hebrew, the six million Jews and millions of other minorities were murdered. Studies have also revealed that the true death toll could be as many as 20 million people. Many victims were kept in concentration camps and ghettos across Nazi-occupied Europe. One in six Jews killed in World War II died at Auschwitz concentration camp after being brought to the camp across Europe by train. In the five years that Auschwitz was open, an estimated 1.1 million people were killed at the concentration camp. 90 percent were Jewish and the rest were a mix of Romany people, Soviets and Poles. January 27, 1945 is the day the Auschwitz concentration camp in modern-day Poland was liberated by the Soviets. With the Soviets arriving nearly eight months before the war ended, many had been sent out on a death march and 7,000 sick and dying people remained. Advertisement He visits the home where Morris grew up and is shown a collection of documents which cast some light on his upbringing - and the family his grandfather was unable to talk about. On the sixth of September 1939 - five days after the start of World War Two - German troops marched into Piotrkow, and within a month they'd created the first ghetto in Nazi-occupied Europe, which housed Morris and his family. Five months later everyone but Morris was taken to their deaths at Treblinka, among the six million Jewish people murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust. In the documentary, an emotional Rinder tries to imagine how Morris must have felt to be the only one left behind. He says: '[It's] just the most staggering thing that passing on a speeding train your family gone. 'And then you go back to your house and you're alone. 'I mean. It's impossible to fathom for my grandfather what that must have been like, to come back to nothing.' Rinder visits the ruins of glass factory where Morris was forced to work in Piotrkow, and learned about the conditions of the slave labour his grandfather endured. After the glass factory Morris was sent to Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany, where he stayed for a week before being sent to its sub-camp, Schlieben. The family were taken from Piotrkow (pictured) to the very first Jewish ghetto in Nazi occupied Europe The TV star became emotional when he discovered that he was in his grandfather's house on what would have been his 95th birthday (pictured) He meets historian Netanel Yecheili (pictured), whose family owned the block that Rinder's family rented an apartment in Rinder travels to Schlieben to meet one of his grandfather's friends Ben Helfgott, who tells him about the starvation they endured when they were imprisoned there. Rinder says: 'This is something so extraordinary to me that you have the strength to stand on this ground again. 'It's something incredibly powerful. Thank you for telling this story I didn't know what it was like for him to be here.' Morris was then transferred to Theresienstadt camp as the Allies advanced on German lines, and three weeks later it was liberated by the Russian Army. When the Red Cross arrived, they discovered more than 30,000 prisoners like Morris, who were weak from malnutrition and disease. Rinder said it was 'impossible to fathom' how his grandfather must have felt to be the only member of his family to survive (pictured on This Morning) Rinder is best known for being the titular judge on reality TV Judge Rinder (pictured), that resolved disputes between real people In August 1945, up to 1,000 Theresienstadt orphans were brought to the UK by a Jewish charity called the Central British Fund, among them was Morris, who had claimed to be younger than he was to escape to a new life. Rinder travels to Lake Windermere where Morris arrived, and watches footage of the orphans coming to England. He says: 'As I approach Windermere, I imagine what my grandfather Morris would have felt having coming from the dankness and greyness of Schlieben, into this big sky, and green verdant English loveliness.' Who Do You Think You Are? airs Mondays at 9pm on BBC One A group of New Yorkers stopped to perform an impromptu hip-hop dance in Manhattan last week to the tune of a talented violist's song as he busked in the middle of Times Square. In a video posted on Twitter on Saturday, Venezuela native Wuilly Arteaga can be seen and heard playing his violin in the middle of the busy intersection, displaying incredible talent as he quickly moved his bow over the instrument. But passersby got a two-for-one performance when four young men began walking by. The group was immediately won over by music, and stopped to dance one by one to the unlikely tune. Fit as a fiddle: Viral video captures Venezuelan musician Wuilly Arteaga playing his violin in New York City He plays along to hip-hop music in Times Square when four men notice him and stop Double feature! The men immediately start dancing, taking turns to be front and center Incredible! Arteaga is a self-taught violinist who was once homeless and learned from watching videos Poignant: He earned attention last year by playing somber versions of the Venezuelan National Anthem during deadly protests there Twitter user Junebug posted the minute and 15-second-long video, which has been viewed over 4.62 million times since August 4. As it begins, Arteaga is seen in Times Square at night, playing his violin along to hip-hop music on a portable speaker. Behind him, four men walk up. They seem entranced by the music and stop to watch before one exclaims over Arteaga's talent. That's when the first man begins to dance, doing the Harlem Shake and a slew of hip-hop moves. As he finishes, one of his friends comes forward to dance, and they each take a turn busting a move as Arteaga continues to play his violin. They clap and cheer each other on, and Areaga looks toward them, smiling and seemingly to enjoy the unexpected collaboration. Bust a move! It's unclear if the dancers knew Arteaga's history, but they certainly loved his music They did the Harlem Shake, dancing around in Times Square and cheering each other on Amazing! The video has been viewed millions of times, with fans going wild over the unlikely collaboration 'This is the best thing Ive seen all summer,' wrote one fan of the clip According to the poster, the dancers in the video include 23-year-old Moe Black, Bruce Flee, and Ainsley Barrinton Brundage. Since the video has gone viral, thousands have commented on Twitter and Instagram. 'This is the best thing Ive seen all summer,' wrote one. Said another: 'Its ridiculous how much joy this video brings.' The video brought even more joy to those who learned the background of the violinist, who has made headlines before. According to the New York Times, the Arteaga, 24, was once homeless, and taught himself to play his instrument by watching videos online. The talented musician earned viral fame in 2017 for playing his violin back home in Venezuela, smack dab in the middle of protests against President Nicolas Maduro. The moment: The dancers in the video include Ainsley Barrinton Brundage (pictured) Shining: 23-year-old Moe Black (left) Bruce Flee (right) also performed The protests led to a total of 163 deaths, with thousands injured as rock-throwing protesters met with armed forces yet Arteaga continued to play, often performing somber versions of the National Anthem as violence erupted around him and tear gas sprayed. 'When I play for the national guard, some of them listen to me, some of them cry. And when I play for the protesters, it gives them motivation to keep going,' he told The Associated Press in 2017. 'I know my music creates a climate of peace, which is why I'll continue playing on the streets of Venezuela.' He was jailed and even tortured for participating in the protests, with his violin destroyed by the Venezuelan National Guard. People donated money to have his instrument repaired, while others sent him used ones. Even Shakira sent him a signed violin. He has since moved to New York City for safety, and has performed at Lincoln Center. Safety: Arteaga moved to New York City in September and said at the time that he was considering seeking asylum The 24-year-old was jailed and tortured for his role in the protests against President Nicolas Maduro, which led to many deaths 'When I play for the national guard, some of them listen to me, some of them cry. And when I play for the protesters, it gives them motivation to keep going,' he said He added: 'My biggest dream is to make music in my country, but for the moment I can't do it' 'I play the violin for peace, for freedom,' he told the crowd at his performance there, where images of the protests were displayed on screens behind him. 'I'll probably seek asylum but it's not a decision I've made yet,' he told the AP in September. 'I'm nervous and worried. I don't know what's going to happen with my life.' 'I suffered a lot only because I played the violin against the government. I was tortured, I was put in jail. I don't want to repeat that experience. Even though I am here and I feel safe, I fear returning to Venezuela and going through the same thing,' he said. 'My biggest dream is to make music in my country, but for the moment I can't do it,' he added. 'Venezuela is going through a very dark moment. Many of us have been forced to leave the country, but that does not mean that we have forgotten about Venezuela or that we have stopped working for the well-being of Venezuelans.' A student at the University of West Virginia has discovered the origin of the mysterious hole in the ceiling of her house and as it turns out, the backstory was one she never could have guessed. When Erin White of Baltimore, Maryland moved into her off-campus house in the college town of Morgantown, she quickly noticed the odd hole when she looked up in her bedroom. While she wondered how it got there, she never expected to get the full story and she certainly never imagined it would involve hot dogs. Mysterious: Erin White of of Baltimore, Maryland moved into her off-campus house near West Virginia University and realized there was a strange hole on the ceiling of her bedroom Crafty: She learned that it got there after the previous tenants hung hot dogs from the ceiling Recently, she got a surprise visit from the previous tenants, a group of guys. She decided to ask them about the chipped paint in the unexpected place. 'When I asked them about the hole, they kind of just laughed and looked at each other and said "prank wars,'" Erin told Teen Vogue. 'The roommate who lived in that room while they lived there had sprayed them all with silly string a couple days before, so they retaliated by doing that to him,' Erin explained. The pranks kept going, and the group had a surprise in store for the instigator. 'That roommate was sleeping over at his girlfriend's place, and when he got back, his room was filled with "hot dog mistletoe,"' she added. In images and video from the prank, more than a dozen uncooked hot dogs are hanging from the ceiling, tied up with string. Shock: She took to Twitter to share her surprise over the interesting revelation Praise: Erin and the previous owners shared their thoughts on the attention 'hot dog mistletoe' was getting in a Twitter thread Careful: Someone said that Erin should quit while she's ahead when it comes to learning more about the house 'Morgantown houses are kind of gross and falling apart, so I guess when he ripped the tape off of the ceiling, one of the pieces of the ceiling came down with it,' she added. And even though they definitely get points for originality, Jake, one of the guys who orchestrated the prank, said the victim of the hot dog prank was not amused. 'He was so mad. It was great,' Jake said. 'They were all slimy because they were fresh out the package, so they dripped on his floor all night.' Erin was so taken with the story that she tweeted about it on July 31. Since then, it has earned 71,000 likes and 16,000 retweets. 'The boys who lived here before us just stopped by to see the house and I asked about how this hole in my ceiling got there and this is how it happened.. idk what I was expecting, but it wasnt that,' she said, attaching a picture of the hole and the another of the hot dogs. Clever: Another person left a funny comment in response to Erin's tweet No way: Someone else said that the prank was another reason that men 'cannot be trusted' Viral: Erin shared her post on Twitter, and it has since earned 71,000 likes and 16,000 retweets The original residents of the house were happy to see their prank getting attention, with one writing: 'Good to see hot dog mistletoe getting the recognition it deserved!' Others who saw the prank on social media also took to Twitter to share their thoughts on hot dog mistletoe. One person wrote: 'Do not, I repeat do not, turn on a black light in that place. You've already lived there and presumably wallowed in whatever other deeds were done there. Stop asking questions while you're ahead. Another person said: 'I believe that's called "sausage party,"' while someone else wrote: 'Reason 562727 why men cannot be trusted.' But even thought the days of hot dog mistletoe are long gone, the prank still managed to (literally) leave its mark. Last week she showed off her prowess as a royal rebel by sunbathing topless on a break in Ibiza. But Lady Amelia Windsor, 22, has reverted to a more wholesome facade for her latest jaunt to Tuscany as her endless summer continues. The Duke of Kent's granddaughter, who is 38th in line to the throne, has shared a variety of snaps on Instagram to document her Italian break with her brother Edward, Lord Downpatrick, and sister Marina. In one snap, Amelia strikes a sultry pose while cooling herself with a traditional fan against a backdrop of flowers and rolling countryside, captioning the snap 'molto felice' or very happy. Molto Felie! Lady Amelia Windsor, 22. declared she was feeling 'very happy' as she posed for a sultry snap against the backdrop of the Tuscan countryside Lady Amelia cuddling up to a puppy called Havana during her trip to Tuscany. After a racy display on the beach in Ibiza, she kept it casual in a floral jumpsuit and platform espadrilles In another snap she's seen cuddling up to a puppy called Havana, adding 'I like her a lot.' The royal showcased her casual holiday style in both snaps, wearing a high necked ditsy floral jumpsuit, teamed with platform espadrilles. In another snap taken on a stroll through the Tuscan hills, the aristocrat was dressed down in shorts and a t-shirt emblazoned with Lionel Richie's face. However, she still seems to be enjoying the aftermath of her trip to Ibiza and shared a snap of honey from the Balearic island, saying: 'Miel por Mel'. It's been quite the summer for Amelia from her jaunts around Europe to making a number of appearances at glitzy fashion events in recent weeks, including at the Serpentine Summer Party. Amelia, 22, dressed down for a stroll in the Tuscan hills earlier today, wearing shorts and a t-shirt emblazoned with Lionel Richie's face Holiday memories! Amelia seems to still be enjoying a jar of local honey that she picked up on her most recent jaunt to Ibiza She caused a stir after showing off a daring new tattoo inked on the side of her rib cage at the star-studded bash last month. The royal also has a tiger tattoo across her left shoulder, as well as the outline of three animals in a row on her wrist. The Dolce & Gabbana muse is represented by Storm models, and was recently named as a contributing editor at Tatler Magazine. Amelia Windsor, 22, is a muse for the Italian design house Dolce & Gabbana and has appeared in photoshoots and on the catwalk for the luxury brand Despite most of the royals keeping their private life off social media, Amelia is a big fan of Instagram and regularly shares glimpses of glamorous lifestyle with her followers. She previously told Vogue: 'It allows anyone to be creative and imaginative. 'I also love that we can share all the beautiful and meaningful things we see and hear in the world. I find it so inspiring and uplifting.' Despite her royal connections, she was surprisingly left off the invite list for Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding at Windsor Castle in May. An all-you-can-eat buffet allows you to fill up on delicious food usually for a flat fee that becomes better value the more you consume. But these stomach-churning stories from buffet regulars and serving staff may well put you off visiting these self-serve restaurants for good. Diners have recalled the most shocking and disgusting tales from visiting an open buffet restaurant on question-and-answer website Quora - and they are sure to put you off your lunch. From parents allowing their children to stick their snotty hands directly into the food, to people licking the food and putting it back, these are the most appalling things people have seen at buffet restaurants. If you often visit an open buffet - where communal dishes are put out so that customers can help themselves to as much as they like usually for a flat fee - you may not want to hear these horror stories of what some diners and staff have seen at some restaurants This might put you off chocolate fountains! This diner once saw a young child stick his tongue directly into one of the sweet centrepieces This customer remembered a time he visited a restaurant and witnessed an unattended child scoop fried rice onto his place before picking out the vegetables and putting them back into the communal tray This diner said the most disgusting thing she ever saw at a buffet was a family waste perfectly edible food just because they had taken too much on their plates This diner said he hates it when people use their spoon to take food from the buffet, eat off it and then go back for more using the same utensil as it presents a hygiene issue This diner witnessed a snotty child put his bogey-encrusted fingers directly into a communal vat of mac and cheese - enough to put you off buffets for life This former regular buffet diner said he had seen many disgusting incidents in his time eating a the self-serve restaurants, including people not washing their hands, eating from the display cases directly, using their hands to grab the food, people sneezing onto the buffet and even a racist woman who deliberately wet herself in the queue for food This diner spoke of her repulsion after seeing a young girl scratch her bottom before putting her hands directly into communal food trays Be careful when you visit the buffet! This customer saw a young child sneeze without covering his mouth directly in front of the food - and the sneeze shield was too high to catch it One former buffet restaurant worker said they were disgusted to see that a table had deliberately left a huge mess of melted fudge sauce all over a table they had to clean up Beware of the birds at the buffet! This bizarre restaurant had live birds flying overhead - which loved to peck at the food out on display Aldi has launched a trendy orange wine that costs just 5.99, making it one of the only UK supermarkets to currently stock the rare 'fourth' type of wine. Found at wine bars and hotels, orange wine involves leaving the skins in contact with the grape juice for longer than usual during fermentation, which results in the unique colour and taste. Aldi has now launched a bottle called Orange Natural Wine, which is made with white grapes in the manner of a red wine. Aldi is launching a natural orange wine for just 5.99 a bottled called Orange Natural Wine which is vegan and doesn't contain any added sugars, yeasts, or sulphurs The wine, produced by Cramele Recas, is made with 85 per cent Chardonnay grapes and 15 per cent Sauvignon Blanc grapes, and is said to have a nose of vanilla, peach and apricot. The bottle has been launched as part of Aldi's August Wine Festival range and it will be in stores from Saturday. The vegan wine contains no added sugars, yeast or sulphur, which will appeal to lovers of natural plonk. Orange wines hail from Georgia, a country that is not normally known for its fine wines. What is orange wine? Otherwise known as 'skin contact wine,' orange or amber wine is made from white grapes but is made in the style of a red wine where the grape skins are not removed, as is normally the case in white wine production. Instead the skins stay in contact with the juice for days or even months. As a result, the wine becomes an unusual amber or orange shade due to the presence of the grape skins, and takes on a unique flavour. Orange wine is the opposite of what rose is to red wine. Rose wine is red wine without the contact of skins during the fermentation process, while orange wine is made from white grapes that is kept in contact with the skins. Advertisement The orange wine forms part of Aldis August Wine Festival, which is a twelve-bottle collection that ranges in price from 5.99 to 8.99. It launches on Thursday, August 9 But Georgia claims it is the birth place of the study of wines, known as viticulture, because grape seeds in ancient clay pots from 3,000BC have been discovered there. More than 5,000 years later, Aldi says it expects the orange wine to sell well after the trend had success at Canadian and Italian supermarkets. M&S was the first UK supermarket to stock an orange wine in 2013, and its Tblvino Qvervis sells for 10. Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, said: 'We know that our customers are open to new influences and are regularly seeking new experiences when it comes to wine. 'Inspired by the international success of orange wine in countries such as Canada and Italy, we're excited to be able to offer our customers something a little different this summer, without breaking the bank.' Aldi's wine expert Sam Caporn, who is known as 'The Mistress of Wine,' added: 'Orange wine is more popular than ever throughout the wine world but has yet to be made available to UK supermarket shoppers. 'It's exciting to see Aldi opening up this sought-after style to its customers, and I'm sure it will prove just as popular as it has around the globe.' A fresh Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is feared to have killed at least 33 people. Officials in the African nation have confirmed three deaths so far but believe the virus - considered one of the most lethal pathogens in existence - is responsible for scores more. A mass vaccination campaign will begin this week to stem the outbreak, which comes two weeks after the DRC declared the end of another one, considered a 'public health emergency'. Virologists feared that outbreak was 'reminiscent' of the 2014 Ebola pandemic, which decimated West Africa and killed 11,000 people. But the new outbreak in the East of the DRC is on track to dwarf the one that sparked international panic in earlier this summer in the North West. The Ministry of Health has confirmed 13 cases of Ebola in North Kivu Province which borders Uganda and Rwanda. Another 25 are probable. Officials in the African nation have confirmed three deaths so far (pictured: Doctors Without Borders team members walk through an Ebola security zone at the entrance of a hospital in DR Congo, where a fresh outbreak of the virus was declared in the east of the country) A further five probable cases have been noted in Ituri Province which also borders Uganda and shares a crossing with South Sudan. Officials are currently testing 33 other suspected cases in the laboratory to either confirm or exclude EVD. EVD, caused by the virus with its namesake, kills around 50 per cent of people it strikes but there is no proven treatment available. Three healthcare workers have been struck down by Ebola, of whom one has died. The unsafe burial of a 65-year-old Ebola sufferer triggered the latest outbreak in the DRC, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). After she was buried members of her family began to display symptoms of the virus 'and seven of them died'. Most of the cases have been recorded in the district of Mangina, 18 miles (30km) west of the city of Beni. HAS THE DRC HAD AN EBOLA OUTBREAK BEFORE? DRC escaped the brutal Ebola pandemic that began in 2014, which was finally declared over in January 2016 - but it was struck by a smaller outbreak last year. Four DRC residents died from the virus in 2017. The outbreak lasted just 42 days and international aid teams were praised for their prompt responses. The new outbreak is the DRCs tenth since the discovery of Ebola in the country in 1976, named after the river. The outbreak earlier this summer was its ninth. Health experts credit an awareness of the disease among the population and local medical staff's experience treating for past successes containing its spread. DRCs vast, remote geography also gives it an advantage, as outbreaks are often localised and relatively easy to isolate. Advertisement But healthcare workers have been told they will have to navigate their response among more than 100 armed groups. A WHO spokesperson said: 'This is an active conflict zone. The major barrier will be safely accessing the affected population.' The outbreak earlier this summer Vaccinations will begin this week, following the success of the jabs in Equateur province, which two weeks ago declared the end of an Ebola flare-up. Some 33 people were also feared to have died in that outbreak, which began in the poorly-connected region of Ikoko-Impenge and Bikoro. It travelled 80 miles (130km) north to Mbandaka, a port city on the river Congo an essential waterway - with around 1.2 million inhabitants. There was a concern it would spread to Kinshasa 364 miles (586km) south on the river, which has an international airport and 12 million people residents. Dr Derek Gatherer, a virologist from Lancaster University, warned the outbreak earlier this summer was 'reminiscent' of the 2014 Ebola pandemic. All neighbouring countries were alerted about the outbreak of Ebola, which can cause severe bleeding. Experimental vaccine Officials hailed the use of an experimental vaccine called as rVSV-ZEBOV in stemming the Ebola outbreak in northwestern Congo in July. More than 3,000 doses remain in stock in Kinshasa, allowing authorities to quickly deploy it to the affected areas near the Ugandan border. Barthe Ndjoloko, who oversees the health ministry's Ebola response, said officials are working round-the-clock to identify those who may be infected. He revealed the vaccination campaign will focus on healthcare workers and those who have come into contact with confirmed cases. The 2014 international response to the Ebola pandemic drew criticism for moving too slowly and prompted an apology from the WHO. But international aid teams have moved much quicker in response this time - with vaccination campaigns already underway in several regions. The UK is harbouring a 'hidden crisis' of prescription drug addictions. That's the stark warning coming from medical experts, who say increasing numbers of patients are seeking help for misuse of anxiety medicines. And, worryingly, millions of people could be affected. It comes as Scottish government data shows a dramatic spike in deaths related to branded tranquilisers, such as Xanax. Rise: The number of benzodiazepine deaths in Scotland, relating to drugs such as Valium and Ativan, rose from 192 in 2015 to 555 in 2017 According to official figures by the National Records of Scotland, there were 99 fatalities related to the drug in 2017 - up from two in 2015. Meanwhile, general benzodiazepine deaths, relating to other drugs such as Valium and Ativan, rose from 192 in 2015 to 555 in 2017. Typically, those affected were men over the age of 35. However, medical professionals believe the problem likely goes beyond this profile to affect countless others from numerous demographics. This is despite the fact benzodiazepines are only available via doctors and are usually only prescribed for short-term use. Users circumvent this by illegally purchasing the products online. Harry Shapiro, the director of DrugWise, told The Guardian that he believes the trend in Scotland is likely to be replicating itself across the UK. Illegal trade: Users circumvent the need for a prescription by purchasing the products online BENZODIAZEPINES: HOW TO USE THEM Benzodiazepines should only be used to treat severe anxiety or severe insomnia that is having a significant impact on your day-to-day life. There are some situations when their use may not be appropriate. After a bereavement, for example, tranquillisers may numb your emotions and prevent you from grieving properly. But if you are unable to sleep because of grief and anxiety, a sleeping pill may help you to relax and start to recover. Benzodiazepines are likely to be most effective if you take them as a one-off dose for one occasion, and not as continuous treatment. The usual advice is that they should not be taken for longer than four weeks, and should not be taken every day. However, depending on individual circumstances, some doctors may prescribe them at low doses for long periods and this does not always cause a problem this could be the best treatment for some people. Source: Mind.org.uk Advertisement 'There is no data for it, but if you add up all the clinical reports, anecdotal evidence bearing in mind number of prescriptions there are millions of prescriptions written every year, for a range of drugs. 'I cannot believe the toll this takes doesnt go into the millions,' he said. His warning comes just a few months after it was revealed that millions of people are taking the highly-addictive gabapentinoid (GABA) drug, a group of medicines developed for epilepsy, but which act on a nerve receptor thought to be key to sending pain signals in the brain. GABA drugs are increasingly being used to treat nerve pain such as diabetic neuropathy (a complication of diabetes), shingles pain and trigeminal neuralgia (severe facial pain). Over the past ten years, the use of these drugs in the UK has rocketed; prescriptions of gabapentin have risen fivefold (from 1 million in 2006 to 6.5 million in 2016), while those for the GABA drug pregabalin, also licensed for anxiety, have risen tenfold (from just under 500,000 to 5.5 million). Around 1.3 million Britons now take GABA drugs, according to figures from the Public Health Research Consortium (PHRC), a research organisation funded by the Department of Health. This is a huge rise from the 100,000 or so taking them in 2000. Drug deaths in England and Wales have jumped by nearly half in just five years, official figures reveal. Some 3,756 fatalities involving legal and illegal substances occurred last year - the most since records began in 1993, in the wake of the acid house scene. This equates to 66.1 deaths per one million people, 41 per cent higher than 2012's rate of 46.6. Officials have repeatedly warned use of the powerful painkiller fentanyl is soaring because it is readily available on the dark web and is cheap. It is also often cut with heroin, leading to accidental overdoses in some addicts. Cocaine deaths have also hit record highs as low prices is believed to be behind increasing numbers of users. Users of the recreational drug have also warned it is easier to get than takeaway pizza. Drug policy campaigners claim 'savage' funding cuts in treatment are to blame for the sharp increase in overall deaths revealed in the latest batch of data released by the Office for National Statistics. Cocaine deaths have also hit record highs as low prices is believed to be behind increasing numbers of users Some 3,756 deaths involving legal and illegal substances occurred last year - the most since comparable records began in 1993. This equates to 66.1 deaths per one million people, 41 per cent higher than 2012's rate of 46.6, statistics showed today There were 75 fatalities linked to fentanyl in England and Wales last year, an increase of 29 per cent from 2016, when there were 58. Fentanyl, originally developed in Belgium in the 1950s to aid cancer patients with their pain, is also partly behind a growing opioid crisis in the US. Even a tiny amount of the painkiller, which can be up to 10,000 times stronger than heroin and often sold on the dark web, can prove fatal. Carfentanyl, often used as an elephant tranquilliser because of its strength, was mentioned in death certificates in 2017 for the first time. The number of cocaine deaths rose from 371 in 2016 to 432 last year - but it is unsure whether these were down to the powder or crack. Deaths involving heroin and morphine are 10 times higher than they were in 1993, when just 115 fatalities were recorded. However, deaths involving both opioids decreased by four per cent last year to 1,164, the first decline since 2012. Fentanyl, originally developed in Belgium in the 1950s to aid cancer patients with their pain, is also partly behind a growing opioid crisis in the US And fatalities from so-called 'legal highs', such as spice, reduced by more than a half in 2017, from 123 in 2016 to 61. The reduction follows the Governments strict introduction of a blanket ban on new psychoactive substances. But statisticians argued last year's death rate remains similar to 2016, when there were 3,744 deaths related to drug poisoning. ONS health analysis statistician Ellie Osborn said: 'The figures published today show that the level of drug poisoning deaths in 2017 remained stable. 'However, despite deaths from most opiates declining or remaining steady, deaths from fentanyl continued to rise, as did cocaine deaths.' Last year, there were 2,521 male drug-related deaths and 1,235 female. Most were from drug misuse, which accounted for 67 per cent of the total number of drug poisoning deaths. Ian Hamilton, a drug researcher at York University, told MailOnline: 'More people now die due to drugs than as a result of fatal car accidents. Last year, there were 2,521 male drug-related deaths and 1,235 female, according to ONS 'Unfortunately, these people are dying in their forties and fifties, decades before the average person. WHAT DRUGS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS? Heroin or morphine: 1,164 Methadone: 367 Tramadol: 185 Codeine not from compound formulation: 156 Dihydrocodeine not from compound formulation: 94 Fentanyl: 75 Other specified opiate: 9 Unspecified opiate: 190 Cocaine: 432 Any amphetamine: 150 Ecstasy/MDMA: 56 Cannabis: 29 Any new psychoactive substance: 61 Any benzodiazepine: 391 Zopiclone/Zolpidem: 126 Any antidepressant: 484 Any antipsychotic: 120 Paracetamol: 218 Advertisement 'These deaths are largely preventable but would require investment in drug treatment. 'But treatment budgets have been savagely cut since 2010, and we are now seeing the horrific impact of these cuts on the record number of people dying.' He added that young people dying from ecstasy often makes the headlines - But Mr Hamilton argued it is 'middle-aged people using heroin and diazepam that make up the majority of these deaths,.'. Martin Powell, from Transform Drug Policy Foundation, accused politicians of not funding measures proven to save lives across the world. He told the BBC: 'The UK government has nowhere left to hide. They are responsible for vulnerable people dying in droves.' Karen Tyrell, executive director of alcohol and drug charity Addaction, said: 'The truth is that most drug-related deaths are preventable. 'People who use opioids often have cumulative physical and mental health problems. 'Most of them have had very difficult, often traumatic lives and were letting them down if we dont give them the best care that we can.' Ms Tyrell added: 'Nobody wakes up in the morning and decides to become dependent on drugs. 'Everyone deserves help, and we know every person can recover with the right support.' Watching television really does kill your sex life, new research reveals. The last decade has been called the second 'golden age of television' - but that might just make it the dark ages of intimacy. From the very introduction of America's favorite media, pop culture observers and even the Indian government have predicted that it could bring about a sexual doomsday. Researchers at the University of Delaware and Reed College wanted to see if there was any truth to these prophecies. Television may not kill your sex life altogether, but it will certainly make it more sluggish, they discovered. Turn it off: Couples who own a TV have about six percent less sex, according to a new study In 1928, the first ever television drama was 'broadcast' in the US, using coordinated but separate audio - played through radios - and visual media, viewed on tiny television screens. By the 1950s, television had reshaped the living rooms of wealthy Americans, with furniture - and families - arranged around the screen. Now, nearly every household in the US (96 percent) has at least one TV. That means for every 100 Americans, of all ages and sexes, there are 81 televisions. It's not just space that televisions take up in our lives; it's time. An average American spends more than one fifth (five hours) of their day watching TV. By comparison, we spend less than half of one percent of our lives having sex. Television is not entirely to blame for these far-off ratios, but it might play some role. More accurately, it is responsible for about six percent of the sex you aren't having, according to the new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research. To get that number, the research team compared how much self-reported sex couples had in households with televisions to the sex lives of those living a big-screen-free life. Their comprehensive data included responses from nearly four million people in 80 countries across the world. Other research has suggested that as TV ownership goes up, fertility declines and even, Ghulam Nabi Azad, minister of health in India said in 2009 that '80 percent of population growth can be reduced through TV,' as the new paper's authors note. Both TV-watching and sex are considered 'leisure' activities, so, in theory, some of the same factors might determine if we engage in either, and we might glean some of the same benefits - like happiness - from both. But there are some clear, key differences. For example, more frequent sex has a 'strong' positive effect on overall happiness, and make us feel closer to our partners. according to one 2016 study of Americans. Sexual activity is also physical activity. It won't replace your workout, but it will certainly do more for your metabolism, muscles and heart health than sitting in front of a show. When it comes to TV-watching and happiness, the results are a bit more mixed. People who are already unhappy tend to watch more TV - likely as a distraction - but it doesn't seem to help them much, and may even make them more likely to experience a low mood again the day after a good binge watch. Yet, we don't tend to allocate our time according to what is best for us. 'If coital frequency is highly responsive to television ownership, this would suggest that humans are willing to substitute electronic media for intimate human companionship,' the authors of the new study wrote. Their findings suggest the situation is not quite as dire as that question suggests - or at least it wasn't in 2010, when their data was gathered. The six percent less sex TV-watchers have is a 'statistically significant' but not particularly large association,' the authors wrote. But that may be because there is a new game in town to distract couples from their sex lives. 'More recently, popular culture has claimed that smartphones are killing peoples sex lives,' the authors wrote. Since their study was done 'before the widespread availability of smartphones,' the research doesn't account for time spent staring at our smaller screens. 'In countries with ubiquitous smartphones, the smartphone might be the real sex life killer,' the authors wrote. People who get too much sleep are at greater risk of an early death than those who get too little, research suggests. Experts found those who sleep for more than eight hours a night have greater mortality risk than those who sleep for less than seven hours. The study, involving more than 3.3 million people around the world, found sleeping for too long also raised the risk of heart disease and strokes. The scientists - from the universities of Keele, Manchester, Leeds and East Anglia - said excessive sleep should be considered a marker of poor health. Writing in the Journal of the American Heart Association, they said one explanation could be getting too much sleep means people get too little exercise, raising their risk of heart problems. But it is more likely that people who sleep for too long are already suffering from undiagnosed problems. Experts found those who sleep for more than eight hours a night have greater mortality risk than those who sleep for less than seven hours Long sleep duration may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease because of ... comorbidities that lead to fatigue, such as chronic inflammatory disorders and anaemia, they wrote. Depressive symptoms, low socioeconomic status, unemployment and low physical activity are also associated with long sleep duration. The academics said doctors should screen patients who are sleeping for a long time each night for heart problems. The lowest risk was shown for those who slept between seven and eight hours per day, the researchers said. For people who got less sleep, the risk of disease and death rose gradually, but not enough to be statistically significant. But for people who got more than this, the effect was dramatic. WHAT IS INSOMNIA? Insomnia means you regularly have problems sleeping. It usually gets better by changing your sleeping habits. You have insomnia if you regularly: find it hard to go to sleep, wake up several times during the night, lie awake at night, wake up early and can't go back to sleep, still feel tired after waking up Everyone needs different amounts of sleep. On average, adults need 7 to 9 hours, while children need 9 to 13 hours. You probably don't get enough sleep if you're constantly tired during the day. The most common causes of insomnia are: stress, anxiety or depression, excessive noise, an uncomfortable bed or alcohol, caffeine or nicotine. Insomnia usually gets better by changing your sleeping habits. For example, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, and only going to bed when you feel tired. Source: NHS Advertisement People who slept for nine hours a night had a 14 per cent increased mortality risk, among those who got 10 hours the risk went up 30 per cent and those who slept for 11 hours were 47 per cent more likely to die an early death. People who got 10 hours or more were also at a 56 per cent increased risk of dying from a stroke and 49 per cent increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. The researchers combined the results of 74 previous studies to produce the results. Lead researcher Dr Chun Shing Kwok of Keele University said: Our study has an important public health impact in that it shows that excessive sleep is a marker of elevated cardiovascular risk. Our findings have important implications as clinicians should have greater consideration for exploring sleep duration and quality during consultations. If excessive sleep patterns are found, particularly prolonged durations of eight hours or more, then clinicians should consider screening for adverse cardiovascular risk factors and obstructive sleep apnoea, which is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a persons breathing is interrupted during sleep. Dr Kwok added: The important message is that abnormal sleep is a marker of elevated cardiovascular risk and greater consideration should be given in exploring both duration and sleep quality during patient consultations. Sleep affects everyone. The amount and quality of our sleep is complex. There are cultural, social, psychological, behavioural, pathophysiological and environmental influences on our sleep such as the need to care for children or family members, irregular working shift patterns, physical or mental illness, and the 24-hour availability of commodities in modern society. A recent study by the University of California suggested that people sleep too much in modern society. The authors of that paper, published in 2015 in the journal Current Biology, found that members of the San tribe from Namibia, the Hadza of Tanzania and the Tsimane tribe from Bolivia slept on average just six hours and 25 minutes. Researcher Jerome Siegel said: The argument has always been that modern life has reduced our sleep time below the amount our ancestors got, but our data indicates that this is a myth. Sir Richard Branson's healthcare firm has won NHS contracts worth 2 billion over the past five years making it one of the leading providers in the UK. Virgin Care and its subsidiaries hold at least 400 contracts across the public sector ranging from school immunisation programmes to running GP practices. It won 1 billion of NHS contracts in 2016/17 as 3.1 billion of health services were privatised, sparking concern that profit-driven companies are increasingly becoming involved in NHS care. The latest figures come after the Mail revealed the firm was handed 2 million of public money after suing the NHS when it missed out on one contract in Surrey. Dr Robert Harwood, chairman of the British Medical Association's consultants committee, said NHS services should remain public. Sir Richard Branson's healthcare firm has won NHS contracts worth 2 billion over the past five years making it one of the leading providers in the UK He said: 'We firmly believe that the NHS should be publicly funded and publicly provided, and that ultimately the introduction of a competitive procurement framework has been, and will continue to be, detrimental to the health service. 'Patient care simply cannot take second place to finances nor damaging legislation. 'At a time when the NHS is facing huge financial pressure, it is vital that taxpayers' money is used to support overstretched NHS services to provide high-quality, safe care to patients, not to fund multimillion-pound private contracts.' Virgin's healthcare arm is now involved in sexual health services in the north-east of England, runs some GP surgeries in Essex, school flu vaccinations in Devon and healthcare at a number of low-category prisons. Sara Gorton, the head of health at the trade union Unison, told The Guardian: 'The company has been so keen to get a foothold in healthcare, it's even been prepared to go to court to win contracts, moves that have cost the NHS dearly.' The NHS awards thousands of contracts every year and private firms are entitled to bid for many of them. JUST HOW PRIVATE IS THE NHS? Various medical groups and policymakers have pounded the alarm over the 'creeping privatisation' of the health service in recent years. The NHS, battling unprecedented financial pressure, awards thousands of contracts every year and private firms are entitled to bid for many of them. But campaigners argue taxpayer money would be better used in supporting overstretched NHS services - not funding multi-million pound firms. Labour claims some of the contracts have wasted 'millions of pounds of public money' amid the 'biggest funding squeeze in NHS history'. The Government remains adamant the NHS will never be for sale, but fears still remain as to the growing reliance on private contractors. Virgin Care and its subsidiaries are just a handful of firms awarded contracts by the NHS, alongside controversial security firm G4S and others. Recent analysis of the Department of Health's published accounts by the King's Fund shows the share of spending by NHS commissioners on the private sector was 7.7 per cent of the budget in 2016/17. Virgin Care and its subsidiaries won 1 billion of NHS contracts in 2016/17 as 3.1 billion of health services were privatised. Advertisement Recent analysis of the Department of Health's published accounts by the King's Fund shows that the share of spending by NHS commissioners on the private sector was 7.7 per cent of the budget in 2016/17. Labour's shadow health minister Justin Madders said: 'The Tories' expansion of the internal market has led to one third of contracts being awarded to private providers since the Health and Social Care Act. 'Some of these contracts are vast and their failures have wasted millions of pounds of public money. 'After the biggest funding squeeze in NHS history it is essential that every penny is going to frontline services and to improving patient care, rather than padding out private profits.' A Downing Street spokesman said: 'As the Prime Minister has said many times in the chamber, the NHS is not for sale and it never will be. 'As spending on the NHS has increased, private sector spending remains proportionately low and we remain clear that the NHS will remain free at the point of use both now and in the future. 'Any decisions about use of the private sector are taken locally by local doctors who know their patients best.' A spokesman for Virgin Care said: 'For more than 10 years we have been supporting the NHS and local authorities to deliver health and care services; we have saved the taxpayer millions and delivered the plans asked for by the NHS- 93 percent of people rating our services say they'd recommend them. 'We have not made a profit to date, investing all money in delivering and improving the services we run and supporting a free, efficient NHS.' Lyme disease is now in all 50 states of America and the District of Columbia, a new study reveals. The chronic tick-borne illness has long been rampant across the North East, which has historically accounted for 95 percent of cases. But a new report by Quest Diagnostics, a New York-based database of clinical lab results, reveals Lyme is now prevalent across the United States. In particular, new inroads are being made in California and Florida, where the risk was previously thought to be negligible. Meanwhile, the typical Lyme disease hot spots are only getting riskier: New England and Pennsylvania have respectively seen increases of 50 percent and 78 percent in the last two years. Since 2010, the rate of positive tests for Lyme are up 11.2 percent nationwide, the report shows Lyme disease has become more prevalent in the US in recent years, according to the report. Since 2010, the rate of positive tests for Lyme are up 11.2 percent. Numbers remained steady between 2010 and 2014, before shooting up dramatically in just three years. Florida and California, which are not historically associated with Lyme disease, drove that spike. The Sunshine State reported 483 positive test results in 2017 - a 77 percent increase from 2015. Meanwhile, the Golden State on the other side of the country reported 501 - an increase of 194.5 percent. New highs were also seen in Georgia, Arizona, Ohio, Texas, Tennessee, and Virginia. Among those infected are Bella Hadid and her mother Yolanda, who often speak out about the debilitating condition. During an eight-year surveillance period from 2010-2017, positive test results identifying infection with B. burgdorferi that causes Lyme disease were found in each of the 50 states and in Washington, District of Columbia The Sunshine State reported 483 positive test results in 2017 - a 77 percent increase from 2015. Meanwhile, the Golden State on the other side of the country reported 501 - an increase of 194.5 percent The typical Lyme disease hot spots are only getting riskier: New England and Pennsylvania have respectively seen increases of 50 percent and 78 percent in the last two years It is an infection transmitted from ticks to humans and animals through bites. Ticks carrying the disease spread a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi to their victims. They typically pick up the bacterium from infected animals, like deer or mice. Many people who are bitten by ticks dont contract Lyme disease. The infection is carried by deer ticks, also known as black legged ticks. This particular type of tick is prevalent in the north eastern and mid-Atlantic United States, according to the CDC. Per the NHS, deer ticks can be found all across the United Kingdom, but are especially common in grassy and wooded areas in southern England and the Scottish Highlands. The CDC recommends checking for ticks after coming inside from areas you may come in contact with them. Ticks should be removed within 48 hours to lessen your chances of contracting Lyme disease, Cleveland Clinic infectious disease specialist Alan Taege, MD told WebMD. To safely remove a tick, the NHS recommends using fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool. Grab the tick as close to the skin as you possibly can and slowly pull upward. Hadids fighting Lyme: Bella (right) pictured at an event for the Global Lyme Alliance with her fellow supermodel siblings Gigi and Anwar Do no squeeze or crush the tick and be sure to dispose of it once its been removed. Clean your tick bite with antiseptic or soap and water. Unless you begin to feel unwell after removing a tick, there is no need to seek further medical treatment. Perhaps the most well-known and obvious sign of Lyme disease is a red bulls-eye rash that will appear around the tick bite site. Other early signs include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and aches in both muscles and joints. If Lyme disease is left untreated, sufferers may begin to experience severe headaches and/or neck stiffness, body rashes, arthritis, loss of muscle tone on one or both sides of the face, heart palpitations, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord and shooting pains, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet. There are blood tests for Lyme disease, however theyre not immediately effective. According to Mayo Clinic, blood tests arent considered reliable ways of diagnosing Lyme disease until a few weeks after the infections been contracted. Early stage Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics. Patients are generally prescribed doxycycline for between 10 days and three weeks. A doctor may instead prescribe amoxicillin or cefuroxime for two to three weeks. In many cases, antibiotics can help people with Lyme disease feel better. Those for whom prescriptions dont work are referred to a hospital or clinic where they can receive stronger antibiotics intravenously. Chronic Lyme disease, however, is a term used to describe 'the attribution of various atypical syndromes to protracted Borrelia burgdorferi infection,' according to NCBI. The only way to prevent Lyme disease to is prevent tick bites. There are several ways to do that. You can prevent tick bites by covering up appropriately with pants and tall socks when entering wooded areas and spraying your body or clothes with a tick repellent that contains DEET. Lemon oil and eucalyptus are also thought to prevent tick bites. A cancer survivor has beaten incredible odds by surviving an internal decapitation that leaves most people paralyzed - or dead. In January, Brock Meister, 22, of Plymouth, Indiana, was being driven home by his cousin after a late dinner with friends when the vehicle hit a patch of black ice. The truck tipped over to the passenger's side, where Meister was sitting and he was thrown towards the door. His head hit and shattered the window, and the impact caused his skull to separate from his spine. Emergency responders had to carefully transport Meister to Memorial Hospital of South Bend, part of the Beacon Health Group, and make sure not to move his head a millimeter. It was the second time that Meister was forced to overcome a medical obstacle, having survived brain cancer when he was just 16. The doctor at Memorial Hospital who fused the skull and spine together told Daily Mail Online that Meister was essentially like 'a bobble-head doll' and that he is likely part of just one percent of people who are able to walk again after such a serious injury because his head wasn't moved. Brock Meister, 22, of Plymouth, Indiana, has beaten incredible odds by surviving an internal decapitation that leaves most people paralyzed - or dead. Pictured: Meister in physical therapy In January, Meister was being driven home from a dinner when the vehicle hit a patch of black ice. Pictured: Meister, left, with a friend in the hospital The truck tipped over to the passenger's side, where Brock was sitting and he was thrown towards the door. His head hit and shattered the window, the impact of which caused his skull to separate from his spine. Pictured: the truck after the accident Dr Kashif Shaikh, a neurosurgeon at Beacon Medical Group, told Daily Mail Online that he was at home when he received a page at 2am on Saturday, January 13. He was sent x-rays, where it was discovered that Meister had suffered an atlanto-occipital dislocation, a complete separation of the skull from the spine and also known as an 'internal decapitation'. 'I was looking at the scan at home and it's such a rare injury to see on a CT scan, because so many either die on the field or die in transport,' said Dr Shaikh. A 2009 study published in the Journal of Research found that those with this type injury immediately die in 70 percent of cases while 15 percent make it to the emergency room but die at the hospital. 'There are different forms of surviving. Even if you're able to realign everything, some people never really leave the hospital or leave in a very dependent state,' said Dr Shaikh. Dr Shaikh said that Meister was essentially like 'a bobble-head doll' and he was very lucky that his friends didn't try to move him and waited until emergency responders could arrive. 'One wrong move and he is a quadriplegic and the emergency responders were amazing too because they have to get him out of the car without moving his head a millimeter the wrong way,' said Dr Shaikh. 'The amazing part is not the surgery itself but getting Brock to the hospital to perform surgery.' The first question the neurosurgeon said he faced was whether to transfer him to a larger center in Indianapolis or to treat him at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. 'A few hours after he arrived at the hospital, he developed a lot of neck swelling and start to lose an airway path so he needed a breathing tube.' Dr Shaikh said. 'It was too dangerous to transfer because if his airway closes during transfer, he dies. People had to drive to Indianapolis to get the equipment and we were in surgery by noon.' For the procedure, Dr Shaikh needed another neurosurgeon and called on his colleague, neurosurgeon Dr Neal Patel, who came in on his off day to help perform the operation. Emergency responders had to be careful to not move Meister a millimeter the wrong way so he was not left paralyzed as they transported him to Memorial Hospital of Beacon Health Group. Pictured: Meister, right, before the accident For the surgery, Dr Kashif Shaikh and Dr Neal Patel had to carefully realign the skull with the spine. Next, a skull plate was inserted and screws were placed above and below the fracture. Finally, titanium rods were placed on either side to stabilize everything. Pictured: Meister's x-ray after his surgery, left, and his surgery scar, right 'The first that happens after the IV is put in is anatomic alignment. We carefully have to work to realign his head with his skull,' Dr Shaikh said. 'Dr Patel held Brock's body while I held the head and looked at an x-ray to slowly make adjustments. The surgery was about five hours but I think it took longer to get him positioned in alignment than the actual surgery.' Next, the surgeons made incision from the middle part of Meister's skull to the middle of his neck so that his cervical spine was exposed. Then they placed a skull plate and spinal screws both above and below the fracture point. Once the fracture is realigned, titanium rods are placed on each side to hold everything together. 'Normally you have a joint that allows you to look way up and way down,' said Dr Shaikh. 'In this surgery, you have to fuse the joint because the fracture is so unstable. So he won't have same degree of motion a normal person would have.' Interestingly enough, this wasn't the first time that Dr Shaikh had crossed paths with Meister. Back in 2012 when he was just 16 years old, Meister was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at the center of his brain, a grade III germinoma. At the time, Dr Shaikh was a second-year resident at Riley Hospital where Meister received radiation to shrink the tumor. 'I think it's fairly possible that I saw him when I did my rounds, and it was a nice little path that helped everybody relax,' he said. Meister was put into physical and occupational therapy where he learning how to sit up in a chair and walk as well as how to eat and turn his head. He was released from the hospital in February and wore a neck brace until late spring. Pictured: Meister, left, with his mother, and right Dr Shaikh said this is the second time Meister has overcome a medical obstacle, beating brain cancer when he was just 16 years old. Pictured: Meister, left, and Dr Shaikh The neurosurgeon says Meister has made incredible progress to the point where he was able to pull his brother, who fell off a jet ski, out of the water. Pictured: Meister, center, and his family this summer At first, Meister was not able to speak because of the trach tube and communicated with his family with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down and a dry erase board, according to Beacon Health's blog. From there, he was put into physical and occupational therapy where he learned how to sit up in a chair and walk as well as how to eat and turn his head. Meister was in the inpatient rehab unit at Memorial Hospital until February, when he was released, and continued wearing a neck brace until late spring. Dr Shaikh said that it's amazing to see the progress that Meister has made since the accident. 'He's recently, in the last month or so, really started to turn the corner,' he said. 'He suffered some neuropathic pain - because the spinal cord gets stretched - and had weakness in his right arm but he's regained most normal function. 'A couple of weeks ago, his brother fell off a jet ski, suffering a spinal fracture and a torn ACL and Brock was able to reach in and pull him out.' The neurosurgeon said he is pretty confident that Meister will go on to live a relatively normal life. 'Even with this injury, to have a good outcome it take a lot of work,' Dr Shaikh said. 'Brock works so hard in rehab and just the way he perseveres is amazing.' Always looking on the bright side of life can be bad for you, according to new research. Feeling under stress helps us cope better with bad news, say scientists. The discovery adds to increasing evidence that pressure is sometimes a good thing and sheds fresh light on depression. Experiments in the laboratory and real world found stress combats the human tendency to be over-optimistic. The findings published in JNeurosci provide a potential mechanism by which levels of optimism are adapted to the relative safety or danger of the environment. University College London psychologists asked people what their risk was of experiencing something bad. Then they gave them good or bad news. The pessimistic people took the news better In general people tend to be overly optimistic but the opposite is true in psychiatric conditions. Some patients with depression for instance place a premium on negative information. In the first study of its kind the US team showed the ability to flexibly shift between these two patterns can be a healthy, adaptive response to changing environmental demands. They first induced stress in a controlled laboratory experiment by telling 36 young men and women they had to give a surprise public speech. They then asked them to estimate their likelihood of experiencing 40 different aversive events in their life - such as being involved in a car accident or becoming a victim of card fraud. Participants were then given either good or bad news - being told their likelihood of experiencing these events was lower or higher than they had estimated, respectively. When the volunteers provided new estimates the control group showed the well-known optimism bias - a tendency to take more notice of good news compared to bad news. In contrast participants with higher levels of the stress hormone in cortisol in saliva samples showed no such bias and became better at processing bad news. The researchers obtained similar results in a study of 28 Colorado firefighters who naturally experience fluctuating periods of stress as part of their job. Lead author Dr Neil Garrett, a psychologist at University College London, said: 'Humans are better at integrating desirable information into their beliefs than undesirable. 'This asymmetry poses an evolutionary puzzle, as it can lead to an underestimation of risk and thus failure to take precautionary action. 'Here, we suggest a mechanism that can speak to this conundrum. 'This pattern of results was observed in a controlled laboratory setting, where perceived threat was manipulated and in firefighters on duty where it naturally varied. 'Such flexibility in how individuals integrate information may enhance the likelihood of responding to warnings with caution in environments rife with threat, while maintaining a positivity bias otherwise, a strategy that can increase well-being.' Dr Garrett and colleagues said the tendency to be overly optimistic has mystified scholars and lay people for decades. He said: 'Here, we demonstrate a mechanism generating the optimism bias, namely asymmetric information integration, evaporates under threat. 'Such flexibility could result in enhanced caution in dangerous environments while supporting an optimism bias otherwise - potentially increasing well-being.' People readily incorporate favourable news into their existing beliefs - yet tend to give less weight to unwanted information. Ignoring it can lead to being ill prepared. Stress is nothing new and in fact our body's stress response is beneficial to us as it keeps us alert in times of danger. This physiological response to stress is the same now as it was when our ancestors were hunting and gathering. Back then, the 'fight or flight' response to stress was very important. When faced with a predatory lion for example our ancestors needed to be as strong as possible to either run or counter-attack. In this sense, stress is a good thing as it has helped us survive as a species. Even now in everyday life, our bodies are very good and fast at dealing with difficult situations. If someone swerves in front of your car, your body will immediately switch on its stress response to allow you to instantly react. To help us react this quickly and almost unthinkably, vital neurochemicals and hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, will pump though our brains and bodies. The problem we have now is this same cascade is triggered when we are faced with a difficult situation at work or needy family member and if you think about it, we can come across such 'stresses' many times a day. If we don't cope with these stresses well, our bodies don't get the opportunity reset themselves physiologically. This is why constant stress that pushes us beyond our limits can be bad for our health. When Im giving a university lecture about dreaming I often start by asking if anyone would be willing to share a dream that I will interpret on the spot. Here is a typical example from a student Ill call Kyle. He says that in his dream hes running through an underground car park to get to his car. He doesnt know why hes running, just that he has to find his car. When he finds it, he tries to start it, but each time he turns the key nothing happens. His mobile phone rings and he wakes up. Big question: Neuroscience gives us the chance to nibble away at the most fascinating question in sleep science - why do we dream? I look knowingly at Kyle and say, I know exactly what your dream is about, Kyle. Its about time, and more specifically, about not having enough time to do the things you really want to do in life. A wave of recognition, almost relief, washes over Kyles face, and the rest of the class appear equally convinced. Then I come clean. Kyle, I have a confession. No matter what dream anyone ever tells me, I always give them that generic response, and it always seems to fit. Thankfully, Kyle is a good sport and takes this with no ill grace. I explain that the reason I do this exercise is to show that Sigmund Freud, who believed that dreaming was a way for our unconscious mind to deal with whatever thoughts our conscious mind was repressing, was wrong. This entirely nonscientific belief dominated psychiatry and psychology for a century. By interpreting a students dream, I can vividly demonstrate the dangers of generic interpretations that feel very persona, yet scientifically hold no specificity whatsoever. I realise this all sounds rather dismissive, but I am in no way suggesting that reviewing your dreams yourself, or sharing them with someone else, is a waste of time. Freud got it wrong! He believed that dreaming was a way for our unconscious mind to deal with whatever thoughts our conscious mind was repressing, but was incorrect On the contrary, I think it is a helpful thing to do, because dreams have a function indeed, writing down your waking thoughts, feelings, and concerns has a proven mental health benefit, and the same appears true of your dreams. Nevertheless, the psychoanalytic method built on Freudian theory is nonscientific and holds no repeatable, reliable, or systematic power for decoding dreams. To be fair, the field of neuroscience was in its infancy when Freud was thinking about dreams. Science was simply not up to the task of deconstructing them. Today we have the benefit of a much more informed, neuroscientific view of REM or rapid eye movement sleep, which is the principal sleep phase during which we dream. As a result, we now have scientifically testable theories of how we dream, and what it is that we dream about. Neuroscience even gives the chance to nibble away at the most fascinating question in sleep science: WHY do we dream? Some of the earliest rudimentary evidence came from my colleague Robert Stickgold at Harvard University who designed an experiment that would determine the extent to which dreams were a precise replay of our recent waking experiences. For two weeks, he had 29 healthy young adults keep a detailed log of daytime activities, and their emotional concerns. In addition, he asked them to write down any dreams they recalled when they woke up. He then had external judges systematically compare the reports of the participants waking activities with their dream reports. Of a total of 299 dream reports collected, a clear rerun of prior waking life events was found in just 1 to 2 per cent. Dreams are not, therefore, about simply rewinding the video of the days recorded experience and reliving it at night. But the researchers did find one strong daytime link with night-time dream reports: emotions. Between 35 and 55 per cent of emotional themes and concerns that participants were having while they were awake during the day powerfully and clearly resurfaced in their dreams. If there is a red-thread narrative that runs from our waking lives into our dreaming lives, it is that of emotional concerns. But contrary to Freudian assumptions, the scientists had shown that there is no censor or disguise. Dream sources are transparent clear enough for anyone to identify and recognise without the need for an interpreter. It is said that time heals all wounds. Several years ago I decided to scientifically test this age-old wisdom, as I wondered whether an amendment was in order. Perhaps it was not time that heals all wounds, but rather time spent in dream sleep. I had been developing a theory based on the combined patterns of brain activity and the brains chemical messengers during REM (dreaming sleep) and from this theory came a specific prediction: REM-sleep dreaming offers a form of overnight therapy. Sleep, and specifically REM sleep, is clearly needed in order for us to heal emotional wounds That is, REM-sleep dreaming takes the painful sting out of difficult, even traumatic, emotional episodes you have experienced during the day, offering emotional resolution when you awake the next morning. At the heart of the theory was the astonishing change in the chemical cocktail of your brain that takes place during REM sleep. A key stress-related chemical called noradrenaline is completely shut off within your brain when you enter this dreaming sleep state. In fact, REM sleep is the only time during the 24-hour period when your brain is completely devoid of this anxiety-triggering molecule. Noradrenaline is the brain equivalent to body chemical adrenaline. I wondered whether the brain during REM sleep was reprocessing upsetting memory experiences and themes in this calm (low noradrenaline), safe dreaming brain environment creating a perfectly designed nocturnal soothing balm that removes the emotional sharp edges of daily lives? If so, we should awake feeling better about distressing events that had happened before we dreamt. Think back to your childhood and try to recall some of the strongest memories. Youll notice almost all of them will be of an emotional nature: perhaps a particularly frightening experience of being separated from your parents, or almost being hit by a car. Also notice, however, that your recall of these detailed memories is no longer accompanied by the same degree of emotion that was present at the time. They are no longer emotional memories. Instead, they are memories of an emotional event, but lack the original emotional charge. My neurobiological theory of dreaming as therapy is that we have REM-sleep dreaming to thank for this dissolving of emotion from experience like stripping the bitter rind off an orange. We can therefore learn and usefully recall salient life events without being crippled by the emotional baggage that those painful experiences originally carried. That was the theory; next came the experimental test. We recruited a collection of healthy young adults and randomly assigned them to two groups. Each group viewed a set of emotional images while inside an MRI scanner as we measured emotional brain activity. Then, 12 hours later, they were placed back inside the MRI scanner and we presented those same images, while again measuring emotional brain activity. During these two sessions participants also rated how emotional they felt in response to each image. Importantly, half of the participants viewed the images in the morning and again in the evening, being awake between the two viewings. The other half viewed the images in the evening and again the next morning after a full night of sleep. Those who slept in between the two sessions reported a significant reduction in how emotional they felt in response to seeing those same images again. In addition, results of the MRI scans showed a large and significant reduction in activity in the amygdala, the emotional centre of the brain that creates painful feelings. Moreover, there was a re-engagement of the rational prefrontal cortex of the brain after sleep that was helping maintain a dampening brake influence on emotional reactions. In contrast, the deep emotional brain reactions in those who remained awake across the day without the chance to sleep remained just as strong and negative, if not more so, at the second viewing. Those participants also reported a similarly powerful re-experiencing of painful feelings. Since we had recorded the sleep of each participant during the intervening night between the two test sessions, we could answer a follow-up question: is there something about the type or quality of sleep that an individual experiences that predicts how successful sleep is at accomplishing next-day emotional resolution? As the theory predicted, it was the dreaming state of REM sleep and specific patterns of electrical activity that reflected the drop in stress-related brain chemistry during the dream state that determined the success of overnight therapy from one individual to the next. It is not, therefore, time that heals all wounds, but instead time spent in dream sleep that provides emotional convalescence. To sleep, perchance to heal. Dreaming is emotional first aid. Sleep, and specifically REM sleep, was clearly needed in order for us to heal emotional wounds. But was the act of dreaming during REM sleep, and even dreaming of those emotional events themselves, necessary to achieve resolution and keep our minds safe from the clutches of anxiety and depression? This was the question that Dr Rosalind Cartwright at Rush University in Chicago elegantly dismantled. She decided to study the dreams of people who were showing signs of depression as a consequence of incredibly difficult emotional experiences, such as devastating breakups and bitter divorces. Right around the time of the emotional trauma, she started collecting their nightly dream reports and sifted through, hunting for signs of the same emotional themes emerging in their dream lives. She then performed follow-up assessments up to one year later to find out whether the patients depression and anxiety were resolved or persisted. She found that patients who expressly dreamed about the painful experiences soon after the events who went on to gain resolution from their despair, mentally recovering a year later. But those who did not dream of the painful experience itself could not get past the event and still being dragged down by a strong undercurrent of depression. Fact: Deprive an individual of their REM-sleep dreaming state, and the emotional tuning of the brain loses its razor-sharp precision Cartwright had shown that it was not enough to have REM sleep, or even generic dreaming, when it comes to resolving our emotional past. Instead, we require REM sleep with a very specific kind of dreaming: which expressly involves dreaming about the emotional themes and sentiments of the difficulties we experience when we are awake. In other words, it was only that content-specific form of dreaming that allowed these patients to move forward and not be enslaved by that traumatic past. Just when I thought REM sleep had revealed all it could offer to our mental health, we discovered a second emotional brain advantage gifted by REM sleep one that is arguably even more essential to survival. Facial expressions represent one of the most important signals in our environment. They communicate intent of an individual and influence our behaviour in return. There are regions of your brain whose job it is to read and decode the value and meaning of emotional signals, especially faces. And it is that very same essential network of brain regions that REM sleep recalibrates at night. Deprive an individual of their REM-sleep dreaming state, and the emotional tuning of the brain loses its razor-sharp precision. A dream-starved brain cannot accurately decode facial expressions, which become distorted. You begin to mistake friends for foes. We made this discovery by doing the following. Participants came into my sleep centre and had a full night of sleep. The following morning, we showed them many pictures of an individuals face. Each image was subtly different. Participants viewed the faces in a random fashion while we scanned their brains in an MRI machine, and they rated how approachable or threatening the images were. Having had a full night of sleep their brains had no problem deftly separating one emotion from another. But when those same participants were deprived of sleep, including REM sleep, they could no longer distinguish one emotion from another with accuracy. The sleep-deprived participants slipped into a default of fear, believing that even gentle or somewhat friendly faces were menacing. The outside world had become a more threatening place untruthfully so. By removing REM sleep, we had, quite literally, removed participants level-headed ability to read the social world around them. Now think of occupations that require individuals to be sleep-deprived, such as military personnel, doctors, nurses, and those in the emergency services not to mention the ultimate caretaking job: new parents. Without REM sleep and its ability to reset the brains emotional compass, those same individuals will be inaccurate in their social and emotional comprehension of the world around them, leading to inappropriate decisions and actions that may have grave consequences. Adapted from Why We Sleep: The New Science Of Sleep And Dreams by Matthew Walker, published by Penguin Books at 9.99. Matthew Walker 2018. To buy a copy for 7.99 (20 per cent discount), call 0844 571 0640 or go to mailshop.co.uk/books. P&P is free on orders over 15. Offer valid until August 11, 2018. There is a new cannabis startup in town - and it's run by three teenage girls. Kristin Price tried everything from chemotherapy to anti-material drugs for the pain, skin rashes, hair loss and depression that came with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EHS), a rare autoimmune disease that often affects gymnasts and causes inflammation. But nothing seemed seemed to help the 16-year-old. Finally, her mother, who works for a PR firm that represents marijuana industry clients, decided to give Kristin a non-psychoactive form of cannabidiol to try. Kristin was soon relieved of much of her pain, and her hair began to grow back. Her best friend, Sarah Baker, tried the extract to treat her own EHS autoimmune symptoms. The girls were convinced and a brand was born to raise awareness about the oil and its potential benefits among an unlikely group - their teenage peers. Alongside her sister, Kasey (left), and best friend, Sarah Baker (center), 16-year-old Kristin Price (right) founded Hoop Beauty, a CBD-oriented health and beauty lifestyle brand The idea of cannabis oil has not caught on in the same way that the marijuana plant has among teenagers. It is still illegal for anyone under 18 to used marijuana, and yet more and more teenagers report using it - whether rolled into a joint, baked into an edible or puffed vaped through an e-cigarette - each year. Now, about one quarter of of adolescents between eight and twelfth grade say they have used marijuana in the last year. But Kristin says she is not among those teenagers. The 16-year-old is adamant that she never has or would do anything illegal, like using psychoactive marijuana in North Carolina, where it is illegal for either medical or recreational use. Instead, she takes hemp-derived cannabis oil in gel capsule form, which is legal in every state. 'I have had multiple illnesses my whole life, from eczema to allergies, asthma and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome,' Kristin says. Kristin stopped all of her other medications in December and now only takes gel caps of CBD, which she says brought her hair back She also has alopecia areata, which causes hair loss, and has had bouts of frequent, high fevers that made her miss many days of school. 'No one could pinpoint what was going on with me,' Kristin says. But they could give the teenager drugs, and they did: prescription painkillers, anti-malarial drugs, antibiotics, and even chemotherapy, to name a few. Finally, last December, she had had enough and announced to her parents that she was done with 'all this medicine that was doing more harm than good,' including potentially causing permanent liver and kidney damage. Reluctantly, Kristin's parents agreed, but her mother, Jen, spoke to a friend and one of her clients about what nationally legal CBD product might be safe for her young daughter to try. Even Kristin was skeptical at first, but her alopecia had recently gotten so bad that she had traveled with Jen to New York to get a wig made. Jen told Kristin the drug might help her hair grow back, and that seemed worth a shot to the high school junior. Two months later, when Kristin went to a salon to have the wig styled before prom, the stylist told her to go home, she didn't need a wig. Kristin's hair appeared to be growing back, a fact that had somehow eluded both she and her mother until that day. 'We were wondering "what is going on?" But I decided that the only thing that I changed was that I started taking CBD consistently two months before,' Kristin says. There is little research showing that CBD - hemp-derived or otherwise - can reverse hair loss, but Kristin's hair was there in the mirror, and her joints were hurting less. 'I wanted to share my story of overcoming,' Kristin says, 'but not a lot of people know what CBD is and there is a bad stigma.' Kristin lost so much hair due to alopecia (left) that she was going to get a wig. But after she started hemp-derived CBD, the teenager from North Carolina says her hair grew back (right) 'One of my teacher's said to me "if you think CBD works, you're not smart, it's a placebo effect.' This was my bioloty, and she told me what I believed in didn't work, and it was heartbreaking hearing her tell the whole class of 15- and 16-year-olds that this isn't a good thing, it's a bad thing. 'It's just spreading even more negative energy around a small school. I had to work hard to re-educate people to know that CBD isn't such a bad thing.' Along with her 17-year-old sister Kasey, best friend Sarah - who lives in Kansas and also, coincidentally, suffers from the rare autoimmune disorder, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - Kristin decided to make literal 'work' of re-educating people. The three girls, with some guidance from Jen - started Hoop Beauty, 'A lifestyle brand for teens, by teens' with the goal of 'spreading positive vibes about CBD and living your best life.' Hoop means Hope in Dutch. 'My middle name is Hope and I wanted to give people hope that you can rely on things besides the pharmaceutical industry and make your own hope,' Kristin says. But since Hope is a common word, and name, she plugged the word into a Google search for its translation in other languages. She and Jen both liked the Dutch one best, 'and it just kind of stuck,' Kristin says. Currently, their product consists of a Facebook page and Instagram account, but a blog where Kristin, Sarah and Kasey promise to share honest, unedited photos, personal stories and tips on the kinds of coping mechanisms that help them get through their rough patches (like cooking, for Kristin) is forthcoming. The three founders of Hoop Beauty say they want to promote more honest self-portrayals and social media and spread awareness of CBD. Currently, Kristin says they are in 'research and development' for a line of products, but do have a Facebeook page (above) and Instagram Kristin has larger ambitions for the project too, which she plans to execute while finishing high school and beyond. She, too, noticed that there isn't much research about hemp or CBD and alopecia and says Temple University has agreed to work with her to study whether the drug could help others with her form of hair loss. Someday, HoopBeauty hopes to have a line of hemp-derived skin care, lip balm cleansers and other beauty projects. For the most part right now, her goal is to inspire other teenagers to advocate for themselves, as she did, and educate them about CBD and alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs. 'Not a lot of people have the bravery to do that, especially at such a young age. it took a lot out of me to tell my parents that I wanted to, and now I want to give other people hope and the sense that they can do that,' Kristin says. 'I've already been questioned by my friends and their parents and anyone that sees me, saying that what I'm doing is wrong and I'm playing the role of a drug [advocate].' In response, Kristin chants what could be a second motto for her budding company: 'I take a deep breath, and explain that there's a huge differences and one is not psychoactive and one is for inflammation and doesn't get you high.' Shares in office space firm IWG tumbled by more than a fifth today after it walked away from discussions with three private equity suitors. The Regus owner, which had received takeover approaches from Terra Firma, TDR Capital and US property investors Starwood Capital and Prime Opportunities, said none of them could offer a deal recommendable to the board. It comes afterIWG previously rejected another two offers by Canadian firms Onex and Brookfield Asset Management, who made a joint approach for the group earlier this year. Co-working: IWG said it has invested on growth, especially on its large co-working format After extensive discussions exploring the interest shown by multiple parties over recent months, the Board unanimously believes that none of the interested parties is currently capable of delivering an executable transaction at a recommendable price, the group said in a statement. Shares in IWG fell by 21 per cent to 236.40p following the announcement. The group also unveiled its half year results, with revenue rising 7.1 per cent to 1.2billion, excluding currency fluctuations, in the six months to the end of June. Operating profits, however, fell by 29 per cent to 60million for the first six months of the year, reflecting investments in driving future growth, particularly the cost of additional staff as well as a significant focus on Spaces, its co-working format. The company said it expects a short-term impact on revenues due to the refurbishment of several key UK centres but still expects profits to be in line with expectations. It also raised its dividend by 11 per cent. Chief executive Mark Dixon, who founded the group in 1989, said: 'To fully participate in the market potential, we have made significant investments into our infrastructure, growth related resources and the continued development of our strategic corporate account activities. 'As we reposition our UK business through talent and refurbishment investments, there will be a short term effect on revenue performance.' The London-listed group has serviced offices in around 120 countries, and operates brands including Regus, Open Office and Signature. Neil Wilson, analyst at Markets.com, commented: Shares dropped more than 24 per cent on the news but todays share price fall reflects more on the fact that potential buyers have been turned away rather than the interim results. He added: If you consider that IWG has been in talks with multiple potential partners but failed to agree terms with any of them; either its reflective of managements confidence in the future growth or theyre holding out for too high a price. 'They clearly have an eye on the kind of valuation that (rival) WeWork enjoys and think they should be achieving something similar. But this corporate Penelope may be playing it too cool. Food manufacturers are fighting back against Aldi, accusing it of producing knock-offs of their products. The German discounter was labelled a 'parasite' after it was found selling a range of products almost identical to those made by smaller firms. In a number of cases, Aldi is selling the copycat products for almost half the price charged by independent manufacturers. Family sausage firm Heck and yoghurt maker The Collective are leading the revolt, joining forces to campaign against the issue. They say confused customers have complained to them. Andrew Keeble, a former Yorkshire pig farmer who founded Heck, has already approached Aldi asking it to stop selling its Italian-style chicken chipolatas Aldi recently launched a luxury yoghurt range called Moo, left, bearing a striking similarity to The Collective's gourmet yoghurt but at half the price Other copycat products identified include Aldi's Coco Loco coconut oil and coconut water which even the supermarket has marketed as a cheaper alternative to Vita Coco Andrew Keeble, a former Yorkshire pig farmer who founded Heck, has already approached Aldi asking it to stop selling its Italian-style chicken chipolatas. But he says he received a threatening legal letter in response. Keeble said: 'Effectively, Aldi is like a parasite sucking all the goodness and creativity out of our brand. I decided to make an initial stand because of the number of our customers complaining about a Heck chicken copycat.' The Collective also accused Aldi of copying its brand. Aldi launched a luxury yoghurt range called Moo!, bearing a striking resemblance to The Collective's gourmet yoghurt at half the price. Amelia Harvey, co-founder of The Collective, said customers had been in contact to say they felt 'duped'. 'Aldi is deliberately trying to use the cues of successful brands to fool consumers in to buying them,' she said. 'Our brand has taken seven years to tirelessly build by a small team. In one fell swoop Aldi has taken that brand value and used all our cues to cause consumer confusion.' Speaking to The Grocer magazine, Aldi UK & Ireland chief executive Giles Hurley denied it was copying brands. He added: 'What we do with our exclusive brands is identical to what the rest of the market does with own label, which is to draw cues and make products easily identifiable for customers without seeking to copy.' Other copycat products identified include Aldi's Coco Loco coconut oil and coconut water, which the supermarket has marketed as an alternative to Vita Coco. Aldi has also launched a range of ready meals which it says are inspired by Charlie Bigham's brand products, using similar ingredients and packaging. Bigham has said in interviews that the business was an alternative to cheaper products offered by supermarkets such as Aldi. 'Some people are very focused on price, which is why the discounters are doing so well,' he said. 'But a growing number of people ... are willing to pay more for high-quality meals because it's actually better value.' Keeble said it would be difficult to challenge Aldi in court because of the cost involved. Aldi settled a High Court case in 2014 after the Saucy Fish Company complained it was selling products bearing an uncanny resemblance to its own. The supermarket was forced to remove the products from its shelves. An Aldi spokesman said: 'Shoppers come to Aldi specifically to buy our exclusive own-label brands. We have not had any complaints from customers who feel they have been misled.' Advertisement Living with her mother in a dark and dingy second-floor apartment at the back of a nondescript street in the heart of Los Angeles, no one imagined Meghan Markle would become royalty in the House of Windsor almost three decades later. These are the modest childhood homes of the Duchess of Sussex as she was pushed from pillar to post by her mother Doria Ragland and father Thomas Markle before and after their divorce. The modest housing is in stark contrast to her grand abode now in Kensington Palace, where she and Prince Harry live in a two-bedroom cottage. Her humble beginnings started on Providencia Street, in Woodland Hills, where she lived with her parents and half-siblings Thomas Jr and Samantha. Both her brother and sister have recently spoken out vehemently against 'Princess Pushy' for allegedly turning her back on the dysfunctional family. Humble beginnings: Meghan Markle lived in a modest two-bedroom home in the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles with both her parents and half-siblings Thomas Jr and Samantha until 1983, when she was two years old This is the house pictured in 2018. Opposite a country club, it was the biggest and 'flashiest' home that Meghan lived in during her youth. However, the inside was fraught with problems and was where Thomas Jr allegedly smoked weed all day, while dad Thomas Sr worked night and day The Duchess of Sussex, here on her birthday August 4, lived in multiple modest homes before finding fame with her role in Suits and marrying Prince Harry Meghan lived on the property until she was two years old and it was the biggest and 'flashiest' home she lived in during her youth. It was located opposite a country club - but the inside was fraught with problems, according to acclaimed biographer Andrew Morton, who wrote the book Meghan: A Hollywood Princess. Thomas Jr smoked weed all day and even her mother would share a joint with a neighbor, while TV lighting director Thomas worked night and day, and wild teen Samantha would be out clubbing. Doria and Thomas had married at the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple on Sunset Blvd, in a 'hippie wedding' in December 1979. They divorced four years later and Meghan went to live with her mother in a top-floor apartment on S. Cloverdale Ave, Mid-Wilshire. It was once the garage and loft space for the main front property. This was recently renovated and is currently for rent at $3,950 a month, ten times what her mother would have been paying over 30 years previously. Although Meghan lived in modest homes, she attended a prestigious private nursery and kindergarten called Little Red Schoolhouse which starts at $18,800 a year for kindergarten and $22,600 year for sixth-grade. After her parents divorced in 1983, Meghan and her mother Doria moved into a top-floor apartment (pictured) in the Mid-Wilshire neighborhood of LA. The apartment previously served as the garage and loft space of the main front property. The Duchess of Sussex split her time here and at her father's home until she graduated high school in 1999 Meghan and Doria lived behind this two-bedroom, one bathroom house (pictured) on South Cloverdale Avenue. Their home was a short walk from Sunset Gower Studios where her father worked and where she spent time after school The school was a short walk from Sunset Gower Studios where her Emmy-winning father worked on the set of Married With Children and where she would spend her days after school. Her mother Doria, 62, had a less glamorous location for her line of business, which was still only a stone's throw away from the school - now called the Hollywood Schoolhouse. She owned a gift shop called Distant Treasures and a clothing store called A Change of a Dress - both at the same location on N. La Brea St in Hancock Park for 14 years - until she went bankrupt in 2009. As can be seen in our photos, the run-down shopping precinct is now home to a liquor store, kosher market, and an aquarium, which is where Doria's shop was situated. When Meghan moved on to the $15,900-a-year Immaculate Heart High School, which she attended from 1991 to 1999, she lived with her dad on Vista Del Mar Avenue, a shabby street behind the Hollywood strip, only a few hundred yards from one of Scientology's most important buildings, founder L. Ron Hubbard Life Exhibition. This is where Thomas recently said in an interview that he'd warned his daughter off the controversial religion after catching her lingering outside the building. Her father's apartment was on the ground floor and had two tiny bedrooms with bars across the windows. She lived there until she was 17. Now the place has been renovated, as photos show the kitchen, living room and two bedrooms that she shared with her dad throughout her teenage years. Meghan's mother Doria, 62, previously owned a gift shop called Distant Treasures and a clothing store called A Change of a Dress - both at the same location on N. La Brea Ave in Hancock Park - just a few blocks away from Meghan's elementary school for 14 years - until she went bankrupt in 2009. The run-down shopping precinct is now home to a liquor store, kosher market, and an aquarium (pictured) which is where Doria's shop was situated Meghan began splitting her time between her mom's house and her dad's Hollywood apartment (pictured) when she was 11 until she left for college in 1999. Thomas Sr was living in a two-bedroom ground floor flat on Vista Del Mar Avenue, a shabby street behind the Hollywood strip, only a few hundred yards from one of Scientology's most important buildings, founder L. Ron Hubbard Life Exhibition Thomas Sr's apartment, pictured above with bars across the window, was a short distance to Meghan's high school. According to a biography on the duchess, 'it made sense for her to live with her father during the week,' however, as she got older, there was friction between the two since she felt she was the one who was mothering her father Not so shabby: The home has since been renovated, as photos show the kitchen, living room and two bedrooms that she shared with her dad throughout her teenage years. Pictured above is the large living space of the Hollywood home The two-bedroom, two-bath home located in the heart of Hollywood is now listed for rent. Pictured left is a renovated kitchen, while the right shows an upgraded living space with hardwood floors According to Morton's book, 'it made sense for her to live with her father during the week.' 'It was a decision that would have far-reaching implications for the way she was seen by her new teachers and classmatesThe older she became, the more she felt she was the one who was mothering her father. It was a source of friction, especially when she started dating,' the book states. Meghan also had various part-time jobs and volunteer work including bussing tables and serving food at the Hippie Kitchen in Downtown Los Angeles, a Catholic set up to help the homeless living in the notorious Skid Row. She was an assistant at the Paper Store in Beverly Hills, where she also taught calligraphy, and served frozen yogurt at Humphrey Yogart, in Sherman Oaks. When she left high school to attend Northwestern University in Illinois she met film producer Trevor Engelson in a bar on one of her visits back home in LA. 'When Meghan first met him on that night out in West Hollywood, she liked what she saw and was attracted to his passion, drive, and ambition. He was a guy with an aphorism for every occasion. 'Hope is the greatest currency we have in this business,' he told the wide-eyed wannabe.' True or not, it's a great pick-up line,' Morton wrote. The pair lived behind Whisky A Go-Go, a notorious club on Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, where Engelson still lives today and Meghan resided there until getting her big break in Suits and relocating to Toronto for filming in 2011, divorcing the 41-year-old two years later. Meghan lived in different humble abodes growing up, but received a private education from kindergarten until high school. She attended Immaculate Heart High School (pictured) on Franklin Ave in Los Angeles from the age of 11 up to 18. Tuition is now $15,900 a year She attended a prestigious private nursery and kindergarten school called Little Red Schoolhouse, pictured, which cost $18,800 a year for kindergarten. It is now called Hollywood Schoolhouse This is where Meghan and her first husband Trevor Engleson lived - behind Whisky A Go-Go, a notorious club on Sunset Strip in West Hollywood on Hilldale Ave during their marriage until they split in 2013. Engelson reportedly still lives there today Yet it was her childhood that defined Meghan, the aspiring actress and now adored royal. 'While her childhood experiences were the crucible that set her on the path to activism,' says Morton. 'Her mother believes that she was hardwired from birth to try to make the world a better and more equal place. In short, she had a moral compass.' Despite wanting to be a Hollywood star, it was her faith that was equally important and the central pillar for Meghan and Doria. So much so, that we can disclose she was once a youth minister for the Agape International Spiritual Center, which her mum is still a member today, along with TV host Oprah Winfrey. Sharon Fox, now an executive producer at California Motion Picture Company, was also a member and told her Facebook followers about bumping into the duchess and her husband Prince Harry in Dublin earlier this month. 'It was such a nice surprise to bump into them when I went to Dublin to view the Book of Kells. Meghan was very sweet and I had a short chat with her during her stop on the walk about regarding our church, the Agape International Spiritual Center, and our mutual minister, Reverend Michael Bernard Beckwith... Meghan was a youth minister at my church, Agape, in LA years ago when I used to volunteer with the babies and toddlers on Church Sunday at Agape I can not recall if I ever met her back then but it is clear she radiates that Agape spirit where ever she goes.' Her new digs: Meghan's childhood homes are a far cry from her new home in Kensington Palace (pictured) MaryLinda Moss, a hostage in the Trader Joe's standoff in Los Angeles, befriended her captor, Gene Atkins 'I just shot at a cop,' the man with the gun and blood dripping from a bullet wound in his left arm told one of dozens of people he'd taken hostage inside a Los Angeles supermarket. In a gripping account reported Friday by Los Angeles Times columnist Robin Abcarian, one of those hostages describes how she and others survived the ordeal on an oppressively hot July 21 afternoon. 'I told him, "There's always hope. I know you have a good heart, and I know you don't want to hurt anybody",' MaryLinda Moss said she told Gene Atkins, as she placed her hand over his heart. 'When you put your hand on somebody's heart, it grounds them,' she said. 'I was trying to ground him, and manipulate him, yes, in the best way.' They had connected after the 28-year-old gunman, still bleeding, asked for help and Moss took off the shirt she was wearing over her tank top and wrapped his arm with it. Another hostage suggested he allow them to use his belt for a tourniquet and Atkins, without ever putting his gun down, complied. 'You don't know what I've done,' Moss said he told her. They had connected after the 28-year-old gunman, still bleeding, asked for help and Moss took off the shirt she was wearing over her tank top and wrapped his arm with it. Atkins is seen after his arrest being loaded into an ambulance on July 21 Police have said officers chased Atkins to the store after he shot his grandmother during an argument earlier in the day, then kidnapped his girlfriend and fled. Atkins is seen above being arrested Police have said officers chased Atkins to the store after he shot his grandmother during an argument earlier in the day, then kidnapped his girlfriend and fled. He crashed his car into a light pole outside the Trader Joe's in a trendy neighborhood near downtown Los Angeles called Silver Lake. As he ran inside the store while exchanging gunfire with officers a 27-year-old store manager caught in the crossfire was struck by a police officer's bullet and killed. As his standoff with police stretched over three hours, Atkins shivered at one point and Moss headed to a stack of sweatshirts to get him one. That's when she saw store manager Melyda Corado lying in a pool of blood. '"That's not my fault",' she said Atkins told her. '"That was the police".' During the standoff, he told Moss he wished they had met sooner. 'I just needed someone to talk to,' he told her. The 55-year-old artist said she promised she'd visit him in prison. Atkins is seen above in Los Angeles Superior Court on July 24 Mely Corado, the Trader Joe's manager who was killed in the store when Atkins ran in At another point during the standoff, Atkins released a hostage after the man told him he had left his two children outside in his car. He took the man's cellphone before he left and police soon called him on it. As they spoke, Atkins saw a SWAT officer on the roof of a nearby cheese shop with a gun pointed at him. 'Everyone is now absolutely terrified,' recalled Moss. 'Gene is yelling, and he's saying, "If you don't get that guy off the roof, somebody's going to get hurt and it's going to be your fault just like it was with that other woman!"' The officer backed off after Moss herself stepped into the line of fire. Eventually, all but four of the hostages were released. Moss convinced Atkins to agree to let her and the others handcuff him and walk out together if police would throw a pair of handcuffs inside the door. He has been charged with murder, attempted murder, false imprisonment and other crimes. During the standoff, he told Moss he wished they had met sooner. A Trader Joe's employee from the Cerritos, Calif., store pauses at a makeshift memorial of flowers, candles and notes growing on the sidewalk outside the Silver Lake Trader Joe's store in Los Angeles 'I just needed someone to talk to,' he told her. The 55-year-old artist said she promised she'd visit him in prison. 'I do mean it,' she told Abcarian. 'That doesn't mean that he's my 'project' or he's my friend, but I was willing to be present with him that day and I would do that again.' Karen Brown, 57, was killed after a pit bull bit her on the neck and body A Chicago woman has died after she was brutally mauled by a large pit bull that got loose in her neighborhood. Karen Brown, 57, was on her way to help a woman who lived down the street on Saturday when the dog suddenly charged towards her, biting her in the neck and on her body. When police arrived on the scene in South Deering on the city's South Side the dog then charged at them, leading two officers to shoot it dead. Brown died from her injuries at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Residents in the area say the pit bull was a known problem in the neighborhood. The dog was kept in an unfenced backyard with several other neglected canines in crates. Some neighbors suspect the owners were involved with dog fighting. When police arrived on the scene, the dog charged at them, leading two officers to kill it On Sunday more than 100 people gathered in the South Deering neighborhood for a vigil Friends add that Brown was afraid of dogs and often hopped over fences to avoid them, according to WGN. 'Pit bulls they get a reputation. Ive had pit bulls. Theyre the most loving dogs in the world. Its all about the owner,' neighbor Time Riley said. An investigation is taking place to see who the owner of the dog is. On Sunday night a vigil was held for Brown where more than 100 people attended. 'I miss her already, she was a loving caring person. Everyone called her "Punchie" around here,' neighbor Thelma Brown said. 'Obviously, by the crowd thats standing out here I think she was truly loved by the community,' her brother Keith Brown said. Neighbors say the pit bull terrorized the neighborhood and lived in an unfenced backyard with several dogs in crates The brave daughter of a woman allegedly murdered by her estranged husband have penned her a touching tribute on a patchwork quilt. Adrian Basham, 41, was charged with murder on Thursday after his estranged wife, Samantha Fraser, 38, was found dead at her home at Philip Island, south of Melbourne, in late July. Ms Fraser's children, Jemima, Rex and April, left a heart-wrenching note to their late mother this week. The three children wrote 'we love you' on a patchwork quilt made in her memory, with one of them also leaving a message on a ribbon hung at a memorial to her late mother. The brave daughters of Samantha Fraser have penned her a touching tribute on a patchwork quilt One of her daughters also left a message on a ribbon (pictured) hung at a memorial to her late mother Local members of the neighbourhood vowed the beloved mother's death would not be in vain, lining the streets in white ribbons in a united stance against violence against women. The White Ribbon Campaign was introduced to raise awareness in the fight against violence against women, and is a symbol of hope and unification for many. Ms Fraser's was discovered in her garage on Phillip Island, south of Melbourne, on July 23. Samantha Fraser (pictured) was allegedly killed by her ex-husband at her Philip Island home Local members of the neighbourhood have vowed Samantha Fraser's death won't be in vain, lining the streets in white ribbon in a united stance against violence against women The 38-year-old's family and friends have since rallied around her children and vowed to improve services for domestic violence victims in the area. Ms Fraser's ex-husband Adrian Basham, who had previously been questioned by detectives, was charged with one count of murder on Thursday morning. The 41-year-old was also previously accused of repeatedly attacking Ms Fraser during their seven-year marriage, which ended in 2016. Basham was meant to face court over nine assault charges after Ms Fraser reported him to police following their separation but the man was never kept in custody. This week, Ms Fraser's father Trevor met with Victoria's Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Natalie Hutchins in the search for justice and an improvement of services in the area Ms Fraser's ex-husband Adrian Basham (pictured), who had previously been questioned by detectives, was charged with one count of murder on Thursday The 38-year-old's family and friends have since rallied around her children and vowed to improve services for domestic violence victims in the rural area of Phillip Island in Victoria Police initially believed Ms Fraser, a respected psychologist, had committed suicide. Authorities were alerted when Ms Fraser didn't arrive to pick up her children from school in the afternoon. A welfare check was conducted at her home on Seagrove Way, Cowes, where police found her dead. Her death came as a shock to the local community, who were notified of the police investigation four days after her body was found. Ms Fraser has been described by friends, family and colleagues as a 'beautiful woman'. 'She was incredibly kind, nurturing and talented. Sam was articulate and passionate about everything she did,' a friend said. Her father Trevor Fraser thanked hundreds of mourners who paid their respects at a vigil held in Cowes, Phillip Island, last week. 'There's really not much we can say at a time like this, [I'm] too emotional to have too much to say,' Mr Fraser said. 'She truly was a remarkable woman, a remarkable mother and a remarkable daughter. Thank you for standing up for Samantha.' With over $60,000 currently raised for her three children, Bass Coast Shire Council will meet again during the week to discuss further fundraising events for the family. Peering through low cloud cover, rescuers aboard a military aircraft on Sunday were attempting to find a sightseeing plane that crashed with the pilot and four passengers aboard a day earlier in Alaska, high on a mountain ridge in Denali National Park and Preserve. The pilot reported on his satellite phone Saturday that there were injuries, but authorities couldn't get details before the satellite connection dropped. The de Havilland Beaver plane went down around 6pm and is believed to have crashed near the summit of 10,900-foot-high Thunder Mountain, park spokeswoman Katherine Belcher said. There was still no word on the conditions of the pilot and passengers. Thunder Mountain (above) is a knife-edge ridge rising about 3,000 feet above two glaciers, 14 miles southwest of the summit of Denali, North America's highest peak. The tourists, whose identities and nationalities have not been released, and pilot had to spend the night on the mountain. 'There's definitely low cloud cover,' Belcher said in a telephone interview. 'We're waiting for an update from the HC-130 crew that's up in the air.' Thunder Mountain is a knife-edge ridge rising about 3,000 feet above two glaciers, 14 miles southwest of the summit of Denali, North America's highest peak. The plane was reportedly carrying sleeping bags, a stove, a pot, food and first-aid kit, Belcher said in a statement. An Air Guard HC-130 was flying over coordinates that came from the plane's emergency locator transmitter and were offered by the pilot, said Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead of the Alaska National Guard. The plane's ELT beacon alerted the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center around 6pm Saturday. 'Searchers don't have eyes on aircraft yet because of cloud cover between them and the aircraft,' Olmstead said Sunday. A de Havilland Beaver plane (like the one seen in the stock photo above) carrying five people is believed to have crashed near the summit of Thunder Mountain An Air Guard HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter with a rescue crew, a National Park Service helicopter and another plane owned by the private tour company, K2 Aviation, that operates the downed plane can help with the search, Olmstead said. K2 Aviation said it has canceled flight tours for now. 'The entire K2 family sends their thoughts and prayers to the families of our guests and the pilot involved in the incident,' the company said in a statement. 'Search efforts continue and K2 Aviation is cooperating fully with the Alaska State Troopers, the National Park Service, Alaska Air National Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration and other authorities involved.' The company, based in Talkeetna, Alaska, offers glacier landings. 'The glaciers found in Denali National Park are like no others in the world. Beneath the towering mountain peaks, you'll understand why these immense ice fields attract people from all over the globe,' K2 Aviation says on its website. The fierce wildfires in California have claimed the life of another victim - a linesman who was trying to restore power. Officials said Sunday Jairus Ayeta, 21, was killed by California's Carr wildfire - now the state's sixth most destructive - while working. The Carr Fire, located some 200 miles north of San Francisco, is still growing, CalFire said Sunday. Its intensity was so great at one point, that it generated a tornado-like whirl of fire - as well as its own weather system. It comes as President Donald Trump seemingly blames the state's environmental laws for the ongoing disaster. Jairus Ayeta (above), a power linesman for PE&G power company, died while working to restore electricity on Saturday Ayeta died while on the job in a remote part of Shasta County, California, according to the power company Ayeta (seen above with an unidentified friend) was described by loved one as a warm person with an infectious smile A GoFundMe page has been started to help Ayeta's family after his tragic death President Donald Trump posted a tweet seeming to blame the state's environmental laws for the ongoing disaster Pacific Gas & Electric identified the worker Sunday as Jairus Ayeta, who was killed in a remote area of Shasta county where crews were working to restore electricity. 'The safety of our employees and our customers is PG&E's top priority. Our thoughts and prayers are with our fallen team member, his family and our extended team,' the company said in a statement. 'We are working with law enforcement to investigate the circumstances of the incident,' it added. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Ayeta's family. The Carr Fire has scorched 154,524 acres of land since July 23, when authorities say it was triggered by the 'mechanical failure of a vehicle' that caused sparks to fly in tinderbox-dry conditions. The fire has also razed more than 1,600 buildings, including some 1,000 homes, making it the sixth most destructive blaze in the history of the fire-prone western state, state officials say. A firefighter douses flames while battling the Ranch Fire on New Long Valley Road near Clearlake Oaks on Saturday A firefighter gathers water from a pool while battling the Ranch Fire near Clearlake Oaks, California on Saturday Firefighters ride in the back of a pickup truck while battling the Ranch Fire near Clearlake Oaks on Saturday The map above shows the location and size of several of the major California wildfires as of 8am on Sunday More than 4,200 firefighters have been deployed to battle the conflagration but they have only succeeded in containing 41 percent of it so far. Other fires raging in the state include the Mendocino Complex, comprised of two blazes: the River Fire and the Ranch Fire. Several thousand people have been evacuated as the fires swept across the state, although some have been given permission in recent days to return to their homes. On Sunday, Trump reacted to the news of the wildfires by tweeting: 'California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which arent allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized. 'It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire spreading!' The tweet by Trump was posted hours after he declared a 'major disaster' in California and ordered federal funding to be made available to help recovery efforts in areas affected by wildfires, the White House said in a statement on Sunday. The White House said Trump had 'ordered Federal assistance to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires and high winds beginning on July 23, 2018, and continuing.' The declaration followed California Governor Jerry Brown's request for additional federal aid as he toured the fire-damaged neighborhoods of Redding on Saturday. Brown, a Democrat, has clashed with Trump on immigration and environmental issues, but said that he was confident the President would support his hard-hit state. 'These kinds of horrible situations bring people together, regardless of the lesser kind of ideologies and partisan considerations,' Brown said. Trump had previously declared a state of emergency on July 28, freeing up federal funds to assist California. Ventura County firefighters watch as a helicopter makes a drop on a hot spot of a wildfire in Scotts Valley on Friday Ventura County firefighters including Caleb Amico, foreground, watch as a helicopter makes a drop on a hot spot of a wildfire in Scotts Valley near Lakeport on Thursday The town Sheriff watches the wind swept flames from the River Fire as it again threatens the town of Lakeport, California Firefighters work to keep flames from the River Fire from destroying a home as evening winds kick in on July 31 near Lakeport The new 'major disater' declaration would help fire victims with unemployment assistance, food aid and legal and mental health counseling among other federal programs, and would also make counties and cities eligible for federal financial assistance and help with repairing the billions of dollars of damage done to infrastructure. In all, the wildfires raging in the state have destroyed more than 1,000 homes, killed nine people - including four firefighters - and shut down Yosemite National Park. The Carr Fire, about 162 miles north of Sacramento, had already taken the lives of a firefighter, a bulldozer operator, and four civilians. On Saturday morning, officials said that the Carr Fire had surpassed 241 square miles, destroying 1,080 homes and 524 other structures. The fire is 41 per cent contained. Meanwhile, the massive Mendocino Complex Fire has grown rapidly about 120 miles north of San Francisco, surpassing the Carr fire in size if not destructiveness. Covering 398 square miles, the Mendocino Complex is now the fifth-largest fire in California history. The fire is a complex comprising two separate wildfires, the Ranch and River fires. More than 20,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate their homes as the fire tears through communities in Mendocino, Lake and Colusa counties. CalFire said on Saturday that the Mendocino Complex has destroyed 68 homes and 62 other structures. The fire is 33 per cent contained. More evacuations were ordered on Saturday afternoon, but no estimate of people involved was released. Officials said the Carr Fire was caused by sparks from the rim of a flat tire on a towed trailer. The cause of the Mendocino Complex remains under investigation. Both areas remained under a 'red flag warning' issued by the National Weather Service for strong winds, low relative humidity and temperatures topping 90 degrees Fahrenheit, all conditions that can drive the growth of wildfires. In Fresno on Saturday, hundreds of colleagues, family and friends attended a memorial service for an elite firefighter who died fighting the Ferguson Fire, which has forced the closure of Yosemite National Park. Fresno firefighters watch as a fire truck procession from various agencies around the state caravans through downtown Fresno on Saturday. Captain Brian Hughes died while fighting the Ferguson Fire near Yosemite National Park Honor guard and pall bearers carry the coffin of Brian Hughes, a captain with the Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots A last bell ceremony is held for Brian Hughes, a captain with the Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots who was killed by a falling tree while fighting the Ferguson Fire, during a memorial service at Valdez Hall in Fresno on Saturday A 50-vehicle procession carrying the body Brian Hughes drove through the town before the memorial service, the Fresno Bee reported. Hughes lived in nearby Squaw Valley with his fiancee Paige Miller, who is due to give birth to their first child in February. The 33-year-old was killed on July 29 by a falling tree while battling the wildfire. Hughes was National Park Service fire captain and the leader of an elite 'hotshot' crew responsible for fighting fires in rugged terrain. He is one of four firefighters who have died in recent weeks while fighting wildfires. A tanker plane under contract with Cal Fire approaches Lake Mendocino on Friday to skim the surface of the lake to refill A 747 Global Airtanker makes a drop in front of advancing flames from a wildfire on Thursday in Lakeport Wind swept flames from the Ranch Fire threaten the town of Nice near Upper Lake, California, on Friday Through last week, California fires had torched about 290,000 acres, more than double the five-year average over that same period, according to Cal Fire. This year, California wildfires have burned more land earlier in the 'fire season' than usual, said Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire director, during a news conference on Saturday. 'Fire season is really just beginning. What seems like we should be in the peak of fire season, historically, is really now the kind of conditions we're seeing really at the beginning,' said Pimlott. Governor Brown, who visited some of the burned areas on Saturday, said, 'This is part of a trend, the new normal, that we've got to deal with.' On Saturday, fire crews battling the Ranch fire in Nice, California were accosted by three men who refused to leave the area, police said. Gary Thomas Wertheimer, Steven Marshall Bell, and Travis Steven Bell were arrested on Saturday after police said that they accosted fire crews and refused to leave an evacuation zone, forcing a tanker plane to divert three times A tanker plane en route to battle the approaching blaze was forced to divert multiple times when the three men continued to refuse to leave, officials said. Sheriff's deputies responded to the scene and arrested them for interfering with firefighters and unauthorized presence in an evacuation area. Police identified the men as Gary Thomas Wertheimer, 41, of Nice, Steven Marshall Bell, 59, of Redwood Valley, and Travis Steven Bell, 29, of Nice. The Lake County Sheriff's Office said the three gentlemen had refused to leave the evacuation zone because they were watering their marijuana plants. A homeowner has shared terrifying pictures of an enormous snake slithering up his property. The footage shows a python that stretches close to three metres slithering up the outside wall of the Australian home. Gold Coast man Robbie Knills was hanging out his washing when he noticed the massive python on the ground of his Mudgeeraba property. The massive python slithering up the outside of Robbie Knills' Australian property (pictured) Mr Knills noticed the python (pictured) in the backyard of his home on the Gold Coast Mr Knills told myGC that the python often comes to out to say hello and had been living on his roof for about six months. After watching the snake slither along the backyard, Mr Knills was shocked to learn how quickly it could climb the walls of his property. 'I didn't know they could climb houses like that five minutes later and I would have got the scare of my life,' Mr Knills said. Mr Knills said he was glad he was the one putting the washing out as his wife would never do it again if she had seen the python climbing the home. He said he was initially scared of the snake but has become quite fond of it as it harmlessly hangs out and watches Mr Knills work in the shed. 'I don't trouble him and he doesn't trouble me,' he said. Mr Knills said the python had been living in his property for six months (pictured) Mr Knills grew fond of the harmless python that often visited him in his shed (pictured) The image was also shared to Reddit with the caption: 'This is why we have to keep new screens on all windows in Australia, even on the 2nd floor.' Reddit users responded to the horrific sight with one suggesting that iron bars would be better suited than screens. 'As an Australian resident for life I can just say thank f*** I've never had to deal with snakes in and around my home. Love living in an urbanized area,' wrote one user. 'I live in suburban Brisbane. Recently broke up a fight between one of these and my doggo,' shared another. Other viewers agreed they were more concerned with mosquitoes entering their homes than pythons, in true Australian style. 'Nah, i'm not worried about snakes, it's the mozzies,' one person wrote. 'I'm more concerned with keeping mozzies out than pythons. Hell, I'd prefer a python to a bunch of flies,' commented another. Two policemen have been rushed to the hospital after they slammed their patrol van into a house while responding to reports of a fire in the area. The officers were responding to reports of a fire in a Hoppers Crossing property in Melbourne's south-west at around 8pm when the accident occurred. The driver reportedly lost control of the van, which led it to crashing into one side of the house on Grevillea Crescent, 9 News reports. The officers were responding to reports of a fire in a Hoppers Crossing property in Melbourne at around 8pm when their patrol van slammed into a house on Grevillea Crescent Victoria police are holding an internal investigation on the cause of the crash, which saw the police patrol van collide with one side of the property on Grevillea Crescent Luckily, the two residents of the home were uninjured. Authorities swiftly arrived on the scene to investigate. The two police officers were immediately taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries. Victoria Police are holding an internal investigation on the cause of the crash. When Emmy-winning comedy Murphy Brown returns to CBS television for the first time in 20 years, it will include an episode that addresses the #MeToo movement. Series creator Diane English told reporters at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Beverly Hills Sunday that the show's fourth episode will be titled #MurphyToo, a play on #MeToo, the movement in which women break their silence about sexual harassment. English said #MeToo was 'a powerful movement' and that they wanted to do it justice in the #MurphyToo episode. Murphy Brown creator Diane English (left, with series star Candice Bergen) said that the fourth episode of the returning series will be centered around the #MeToo movement While English declined to give away details of the episode's plot, she did say that the writer's room 'a great collection of people, men and women, gay and straight' approached the issue 'from so many different angles,' EW reported. The episode was written several months ago, English said, but her remarks came as CBS Corp itself is investigating sexual harassment allegations. A July 27 New Yorker article detailed claims by six women who accused CBS Chief Executive Leslie Moonves of sexually harassing them in incidents between 1985 and 2006. English's announcement came just days after it was revealed the CBS Chief Executive Leslie Moonves has been accused of sexually harassing six women between 1985 and 2006 Moonves has said he 'may have made some women uncomfortable by making advances' decades ago, which he called mistakes that he regretted immensely, but that he understood ''no' means 'no'' and had never used his position to harm anyone's career. CBS hired two law firms to investigate the allegations and the network's broader culture. The Murphy Brown cast and producers support the investigation fully, English said, when asked about Moonves' sexual harassment allegations, adding that 'none of us have had any negative experience in that regard at CBS.' Throughout the series' original 10-year run, which aired from 1988 to 1998, Murphy Brown starring Candice Bergen as the titular character, a famed investigative journalist and news anchor at a fictional newsmagazine tackled topical issues and political satire, a tradition that new episodes will uphold, English said. Back in May 1992, Republican Vice President Dan Quayle famously attacked the show when Murphy gave birth to a baby outside of marriage during a speech on family values. New episodes of Murphy Brown will continue the series' tradition of plucking plot lines from headlines and offering up political satire. (Bergen is pictured in character in 1990) In the new episodes, Murphy comes out of retirement to work at a morning cable news show. Her son, played by Jake McDorman, is a liberal talking head at a conservative news station In the new episodes, Murphy will hook up with familiar faces from the original series cast Murphy Brown aired 247 episodes on CBS from 1988 to 1998 and won 18 Emmy awards Quayle said that the Murphy character, 'who supposedly epitomizes today's intelligent, highly paid, professional woman' was 'mocking the importance of fathers, by bearing a child alone, and calling it just another "lifestyle choice."' After the headline making statement, the series then devoted its first episode of the following 1992-1993 season to Quayle's statements, incorporating actual footage from his speech into the episode, which centered around Murphy producing a special episode celebrating the diversity of American families. 'It's always been a political show with something to say,' English said. 'I'm focusing the show really through the prism of the press. The First Amendment and the free press is under attack like I've never seen before.' The new season begins with Murphy coming out of retirement to reunite with journalists Corky Sherwood (played by Faith Ford) and Frank Fontana (Joe Regalbuto) and producer Miles Silverburg (Grant Shaud) on a cable TV morning show. Murphy's son, Avery (Jake McDorman), now works as a liberal voice on a rival conservative channel called the Wolf network, cast members said. 'Murphy is a fierce mom, and she is a competitive mom,' Bergen said. 'Avery has his work cut out for him.' #MeToo sprouted on social media last year when women began sharing stories of sexual harassment and abuse amid widespread accusations against entertainers, businessmen and politicians. The new season of Murphy Brown is scheduled to premiere on September 27 at 9.30pm on CBS. During its original run, the comedy aired 247 episodes on CBS from 1988 to 1998, and the series won 18 Emmy awards. Clicker II said: Remember that when the antifa mobs are burning their next target and buy it. Also get used to the idea of owning all the leftist BS that goes on in socialist utopias like Venezuela and Cuba while yer at it. Click to expand... No. Did I say you were guilty because they were guilty?No.I simply didso if I'm perpetrating a "guilt association" fallacy then so are you.I pointed out how the right has been perpetrating victimhood status repeatedly.What does this have to do with what I actually said?You claimed it was the left that owned "victimhood politics".I am sayingperpetrate it.In response, you ignored how I pointed out the right did it.You ignore my points, I'll simply repeat them until you acknowledge them.The claim that the "victim blame game is a hallmark of the left" is hilarious.There are plenty of examples of the right-wing victimhood complex. Your commander in chief is the primest example there is of proclaiming he is a victim of the persecution of others! According to Trump, the media, the FBI, the justice department ... are all out to get him!The evidence is all around you... Meghan Markle's half-sister has vehemently denied reports that the Duchess is planning to reunite with their estranged father Thomas later this month. Over the weekend a source claimed Prince Harry's wife would be taking a solo trip home to America to reconcile with Thomas Markle. Samantha Markle scoffed at that claim, telling the Sun: 'I speak to him every day and it's sad but, no, they have not contacted him. There is no meeting planned, that is PR spin. 'The PR machines can stop trying to make out she's making an effort she is not.' Meghan Markle's half-sister Samantha has vehemently denied recent reports that the Duchess is planning to reunite with their estranged father Thomas later this month, telling the Sun: 'I speak to him every day and it's sad but, no, they have not contacted him' Meghan and her father haven't been on speaking terms since Thomas pulled out of her wedding to Prince Harry in May, citing health concerns Samantha, who has been estranged from the Duchess since 2015, has been her father's most ardent defender in the months since Thomas and Meghan stopped speaking. 'This is a heartbreaking time for him and I'm very sad watching my sister ignore him,' she said. Since his no-show at the Royal Wedding, Thomas has repeatedly complained about being 'cut off' by his daughter in media interviews - vowing that he won't stop speaking to the press until she agrees to get back on speaking terms. Earlier this week an insider claimed Meghan is 'deeply hurt' by what has happened with father, calling it an 'increasingly desperate situation'. Thomas Markle has on several occasions complained of being 'cut out' by his daughter following his no-show at her wedding to Prince Harry in May Meghan Markle's half-sister Samantha wished the Duchess a happy birthday just before midnight Friday - alongside a reminder to send a belated birthday card to their father Meghan celebrated her 37th birthday on Sunday, her first since becoming a part of the Royal Family. Samantha used the opportunity to highlight the family rift, sending the Duchess her birthday wishes alongside a snide comment about her decision to ignore her father. On Twitter she wrote: 'Happy Birthday Meg! It would be so lovely and appropriate of you to send DAD a BELATED birthday card for his July 18th [cake emoji] @KensingtonRoyal Cheers!' Even the most ardent of Comrade Corbyns supporters must concede that his much vaunted fight back against anti-Semitism has imploded spectacularly. His article for The Guardian in which he vowed to drive anti-Semitism from the Labour Party, was first published online on Friday just before the start of the Sabbath. As the Mail reported, the timing infuriated many in the Jewish community. Now, Corbyn stands accused of associating with a supporter ejected from the party for alleged anti-Semitism. Even the most ardent of Comrade Corbyns supporters must concede that his much vaunted fight back against anti-Semitism has imploded spectacularly In a video message, the Labour leader had urged his Party members to attend Southwark Transformed, an event held on Saturday in London by Momentum, the hard-Left organisation established to bolster Corbyns leadership. One of the speakers was none other than Marc Wadsworth, a veteran Corbyn supporter who, in 2016, had been involved in a verbal confrontation with Jewish Labour MP Ruth Smeeth. Smeeth was reduced to tears. After a disciplinary hearing, Wadsworth was expelled from the Labour Party in April. Jon Lansman, founder of Momentum, withdrew as a speaker from the event rather than share a platform with Wadsworth (listed, ironically, as an anti-racism speaker). However, his presence didnt stop Corbyn appealing for people to get along to the event. In a video message, the Labour leader had urged his Party members to attend Southwark Transformed, where Marc Wadsworth, a supporter ejected from the party for alleged anti-Semitism Perhaps thats no surprise. Wadsworth has revealed that he was telephoned by Corbyns office at the start of his disciplinary hearing and told they had been working behind the scenes, that what I said wasnt anti-Semitic. At the time, Labour confirmed that a staff member had spoken to Wadsworth, but had not offered support. So why, given the party is riven by anti-Semitism allegations, is Corbyn allowing his name to be linked with Wadsworth (who is planning to challenge his expulsion in court) yet again? Rory's Major admission Political impressionists were once a staple of Saturday night TV, but today there is far less demand for their talents. And, apparently, its the politicians who are to blame. People thought John Major was grey, says Rory Bremner. Singling out Eeyore Chancellor Philip Hammond and lugubrious Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, Bremner says: Some of these make Major look like an explosion in a paint factory. How right he is. Environment Secretary Michael Gove has hailed another benefit of Brexit. Gove, speaking at a Countryfile Live event recently, said: Whatever else Brexit may bring, it will bring English sparkling wine, providing a level of cheer to British drinkers, greater than that provided by French champagne. Cheers to that! Environment Secretary Michael Gove has hailed another benefit of Brexit - English sparkling wine Former Chancellor George Osborne has ruled out a return to Westminster. Do I want to be in some kind of vipers nest with everyone trying to kill each other? I dont need that, he tells GQ magazine. He could have fooled me. As editor of the Evening Standard, hes done his best to kill off Mrs May, who sacked him from the Cabinet. Quote of the week Vernon Bogdanor, Professor of Government at Kings College London and one of our leading constitutionalists, said in a letter to the European Union-loving FT that the EU should recall the lessons of 1940. In Churchills words, we were fighting by ourselves alone, but not for ourselves alone. Had we failed, Europe would have been united but not in freedom. That is something, perhaps, that the other 27 might bear in mind in their Brexit negotiations with the British government. Quite. Hunt out for a Mandarin duck Last week, in a spectacular gaffe during a trip to Beijing, new Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt described his Chinese wife as Japanese. Youd think hed know the difference. After all, as Culture Secretary, the multi-millionaire Mr Hunt claimed more than 2,500 in public money to learn Mandarin because it would help him do his job better. A $200,000 reward has been offered to anyone with information that would lead to the discovery of a young mother's body, with detectives believing her husband must have discussed her death with someone before he killed himself. South Australian mother, Tanja Ebert, 23, was reported missing by her husband and sister-in-law on August 10 last year - two days after the last confirmed sighting of her. Her husband, Michael Burdon, 41, was questioned by police on August 16, and said he last saw his German wife about 7pm on August 8 after they had spent the day at SA Museum, The Advertiser reported. Scroll down for video South Australian mother, Tanja Ebert, 23, was reported missing on August 10 last year Michael Burdon (right), 41, was questioned by police on August 16, and said he last saw his German wife (left) about 7pm on August 8 after they had spent the day at SA Museum Detectives believe the dead husband discussed Ms Ebert's (pictured) death with someone He told detectives that she left the vehicle near a Roseworthy petrol station, following an argument, and only had $2000 cash on her. Investigators obtained CCTV footage of the petrol station which led them to strongly believe she was still in the vehicle. 'There are pieces of information that have been identified during the investigation that have led us to believe that,' Detective Sergeant Paul Ward, from the SA Police Major Crime Investigation Branch said. Not convinced by his explanation, detectives told Mr Burdon that they were going to search the couple's 410 square-kilometre property in Oulnina Park Station, north of Adelaide. Mr Burdon then excused himself from the interview and later shot himself in the head. He remains the only suspect in relation to her suspected murder. An area of land where South Australian detectives are searching for missing mother-of-two Tanja Ebert Police have searched 18 dams on an isolated sheep station in South Australia's northeast as they continue to investigate the disappearance and suspected murder of mother-of-two Tanja Ebert South Australian detectives searching for missing mother-of-two Tanja Ebert Police announced a $200,000 reward on Monday for any information leading to the recovery of Ms Ebert's body. Detective Sergeant Paul Ward described the case as a tragedy for all concerned. 'There are now two young boys who are orphaned and Tanja's family in Germany have no place to visit, or body to lay to rest,' Det Sgt Ward said. 'And while her remains have not been found, Oulnina Park Station will always have a cloud over it.' The 12-month investigation led detectives to suspect Ms Ebert's remains are on the property, despite searching all the waterways, all the sentimental locations, and buildings at the property and still not finding her. 'The property is enormous...everything leads us to believe she is there. We suspect there are people that do know the circumstances of Tanja's death. 'The investigation has been able to establish a timeline of certain events however there is a period of six to seven hours that we cannot account for Michael's movements on the 9th of August, plus a period of approximately 35-40 minutes on the 8th of August.' Police have announced a $200,000 reward for any information leading to the recovery of Ms Ebert's body Detective Sergeant Paul Ward described Ms Ebert's (pictured) disappearance as a tragedy for all concerned Det Sgt Ward is urging anyone with information on the location of Ms Ebert's body to come forward. 'This is a tragic event and all tragic events have a continued ripple effect- we want to recover Tanja's remains and provide answers for the sake of the children, for the sake of the family in Germany and because it's the right thing to do,' he said. 'At times people can be reluctant to speak the truth in a bid to protect other people's reputations, but we would ask those people to put that to one side.' Det Sgt Ward acknowledged the couple were faced with challenges and that Ms Ebert had spoken about leaving the property. However, he noted she was living at the station on August 8 and there was no evidence to support her still being alive. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. If you or anyone need someone to talk to, contact Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467 Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 MensLine Australia - 1300 78 99 78 If you need an interpreter to help you get in touch with any of the above services, call, Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 The couple's 410 square-kilometre property in Oulnina Park Station, north of Adelaide Country kids living through the worst drought in a century have been given a brief respite from the devastating dry spell. The overjoyed youngsters from near Tamworth in northern New South Wales danced during a rare shower on Monday morning, but the drought is far from over. Despite the raindrops seen falling on the parched farmland, more is needed to bring real relief to struggling farmers across the country. Country kids living through the worst drought in a century have been given a brief respite from the devastating dry spell (pictured) As the children danced in the rain in the background, former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce warned the Today show not to make too much of the rain. 'The problems with this of course is that people see a shower of rain and think the problem is over,' Mr Joyce said. 'But this is probably the first shower of rain we have had in a fair while. This does not bring an end to a drought. It is just an absolute blessing to have.' Mr Joyce blamed the Greens for a lack of drought future-proofing, saying they constantly blocked the construction of vital dams. 'Every time we try to get some serious infrastructure in place, some group tells us there's a frog in the way or there's a moth in the way ... but if we don't get the infrastructure in place, every time there's a drought, we will run out of water,' he said. The government has announced drought-affected households will be given cash payments up to $12,000 in the latest $190million suite of drought relief measures. The overjoyed youngsters (pictured) from near Tamworth in northern New South Wales danced during a rare shower on Monday morning, but the drought is far from over Producers eligible for the Farm Household Allowance will be given relief of up to $12,000 for couples and $7,200 for singles. It will be split into payments in September and another in March. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull signalled there would be more support to come, with no sign of rain breaking the devastating dry spell. He said on Monday the latest cash, and money raised through appeals, would support whole communities. 'It is going to help families in need and it helps the farmers but it also goes into the local communities, into the shops and the businesses in the town,' he told the Nine Network. Despite the raindrops seen falling on the parched farmland, more is needed to bring real relief to struggling farmers across the country (pictured are kids dancing in the rain) About 19,000 farmers who could be eligible for the allowance are yet to sign up. Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said rain is the only silver bullet but with government support he's confident most can get through it. 'The reality is we'll go as far as we possibly can to make sure we keep as many farmers going as long as we possibly can,' he told ABC radio on Monday morning. 'Once we've had rain these farmers will be up on their feet, a couple of decent seasons behind them (and) they'll be making good money.' The asset test for the allowance will also be lifted from $2.55million to $5million, Mr Littleproud signalled. The prime minister urged farmers to use the federal government's Rural Financial Counselling Service to check whether they could access the payment. The government has announced drought-affected households will be given cash payments up to $12,000 in the latest $190million suite of drought relief measures (pictured is a drought-stricken farm) 'Don't get half-baked advice from someone over the fence or from an accountant that may not know about it,' Mr Turnbull said. The federal government has now spent $576million on relief for this drought. Labor's agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon said the package was late, but agreed to support it. But he also wants a meaningful response to climate change. 'Farmers are doing their best to adapt to a changing climate, but government has a role to play too and it has been completely missing in action,' he said on Sunday. The opposition has pledged to use agriculture-based research and development corporations to plan and prepare for future droughts. Advertisement British holidaymakers have been evacuated from a five-star hotel on the Algarve in Portugal, after a wildfire came dangerously close to the upmarket resort. Hundreds of tourists were told to leave the Macdonald Monchique Resort & Spa in Monchique, some 20 miles north of Portimao, just after midnight. Staff, who confirmed that a majority of guests were British, said they had been ordered to evacuate as the forest fire came within a mile of the hotel and flames cold be seen from the windows. More than 1,150 firefighters are still struggling to put out the fire which started on Friday, and grew over the weekend during the heatwave currently sweeping large parts of Europe. Wildfires swept across Monchique in the south of Portugal today in the wake of a heatwave across Europe which saw temperatures soar to 46C Hundreds of tourists were told to leave the five star Macdonald Monchique Resort & Spa in Monchique, some 20 miles north of Portimao, just after midnight when flames came within a mile of the hotel Portugal on fire: Video footage shows forest fires in Monchique which have been raging over the weekend A worker at the hotel, part of the British Macdonald hotel chain, described the night as 'rough' and confirmed guests were still not back. He said: 'Firefighters and the local town hall asked us to evacuate. We could see the flames because the fire was only about one to two kilometres away. 'The hotel's maximum capacity is 500 people and most of our guests at this time of the year are British. 'Everyone was evacuated safely. We hope they can come back today but as things stand this morning they're not back yet and are still at the hotels in Portimao they were taken to.' Although he was not able to specify the exact number of people ordered to leave, overnight reports said the hotel had been about 70 per cent full when the evacuation took place. Rescued: The Macdonald Monchique Resort & Spa was at 70 per cent capacity and staff said a majority of the guests are British The blaze has grown so large that the flames can be seen from the Algarve coast which is around a half an hour drive away Destroyed: A British man hailing from Devon, named only as Mr Harris, returns to his home in Monchique on Monday A car is parked in front of a house, both destroyed by the flames during the last days forest fires in Monchique, Algarve One of the more than 800 firefighters in the area works on an active fire on a hillside outside the village of Monchique THREE DEAD FROM HEATWAVE IN SPAIN Two more people have died in the Spanish heatwave, taking the total death toll to five. Two men, thought to be homeless, died in the province of Tarragona south of Barcelona, over the weekend., The deaths of five people in Spain have now been blamed on the European heatwave. A 48-year-old highway maintenance worker became Spain's first heatwave-related victim on Wednesday when he died in hospital in Murcia in south-east Spain after collapsing as he worked on a new motorway. On Friday a middle-aged man was found lying in the street in Barcelona bleeding from the mouth. He later died in hospital. Advertisement The Monchique wildfire broke out on Friday, in a eucalyptus forest in an area called Perna da Negra in the wake of a heatwave which have seen temperatures soar to 46 degrees in some parts of the country. Officials have sent more than 1,150 firefighters, 350 fire engines and at least nine airplanes to the area in an attempt to bring the blaze under control. A 72-year-old woman - one of 25 people injured - was airlifted to hospital in Lisbon in a serious condition on Sunday. Footage taken overnight by locals living in Monchique, a favourite of former British Prime Minister David Cameron, showed a blanket of flames and smoke encroaching on buildings in the outskirts. Villages near to Monchique - including Portela do Vento and Odemira - were evacuated. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said he was in constant contact with local authorities but tried to play down fears of a repeat of last year's devastating wildfires which killed 64 people and injured more than 250 in the central town of Pedrogao Grande alone. Insisting the number of people tackling the fire from the ground and the air was far greater, he said: 'At this moment the situation is a confined and limited situation and that is undoubtedly the difference to what happened last year.' Officials have sent 810 firefighters, 226 vehicles and nine airplanes to the area in an attempt to bring the blaze under control On Saturday weather records were broken in eight cities as Portugal was gripped by the hottest day for 18 years according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere The National Civil Protection Authority issued instructions for citizens in the affected area and told the public that if they cannot leave their home they should move curtains and couches away from windows and to close doors and other openings On Sunday, Portugal's National Civil Protection Authority issued instructions for citizens in affected areas and told the public that if they cannot leave their home they should move curtains and couches away from windows and to close doors and other openings. On Saturday, weather records were broken in eight cities as Portugal was gripped by the hottest day for 18 years according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA). The extremely high temperatures have been caused by an influx of hot air from Africa. Forecasts indicate that the hot air from Africa, which turned parts of the sky a dark yellow hue because of the dust it carried, will not abate until early next week. The extremely high temperatures have been caused by an influx of hot air from Africa Forecasts indicate that the hot air from Africa, which turned parts of the sky a dark yellow hue because of the dust it carried, will not abate until early next week Pictured: two women hug at the village of Monchique in the wake of the wildfires that have ravaged the region for three days Greek fire and police chiefs are replaced after wild fire disaster which left 91 dead The Greek government, widely criticised for its handling of the devastating fires east of Athens which killed 91 people, on Sunday replaced its heads of the police and fire brigade. 'The management of the firefighters will now be handled by the current deputy chief, general Vassilios Matheopoulos' and the police by 'the current deputy chief of the force, general Aristidis Andrikopoulos', a brief statement from the office of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said. The announcement comes two days after Greece's minister responsible for the police, Nikos Toskas, quit on Friday. Opposition parties have accused the government of failing to provide adequate warning and evacuate the coastal resort of Mati which had been frequently hit by wildfires, in addition to subsequently trying to hide the scale of the loss of human life as the disaster unfolded. The main opposition conservative New Democracy party earlier described Toskas's resignation as 'too little, too late', arguing that Tsipras - who has accepted political responsibility for the tragedy - should also step down. The fires burned with such ferocity that most people fled to the sea with just the clothes on their backs. In the days that followed, the firefighters and police - both departments under Toskas's responsibility - issued conflicting announcements over what went wrong. The Greek government, widely criticised for its handling of the devastating fires east of Athens (pictured) which killed 91 people, on Sunday replaced its heads of the police and fire brigade One police union this week said officers had not been promptly notified by the fire department of the fire's exact location in order to set up proper roadblocks in the area. As a result, many drivers were mistakenly diverted into the fire zone and died after becoming trapped in the Mati's narrow streets. Local administration officials were also criticised for holding an emergency response meeting hours after the fire broke out, when Mati had already been overwhelmed. Toskas said he had offered to resign in the immediate aftermath of the fires, but had been told by Tsipras to stay until the end of the emergency. He and other officials had insisted that with winds blowing at speeds of up to 75 miles per hour, there was little time to mount an effective evacuation. The government has also said that decades of illegal construction in the area had blocked escape roads to the coast. The environment ministry has now pledged to tear down illegal buildings - permitted by successive administrations to remain standing in return for fines and possible votes - in Mati and other fire-endangered areas Advertisement Finnish grocery store holds a SLEEPOVER for people to cool-off in red-hot European heatwave as Portugal and Spain swelter again in near-record temperatures A supermarket chain in Finland invited 100 customers to spend the night at its air-conditioned store in Helsinki as Europe suffers a record-breaking heatwave. K-Supermarket said on Facebook that patrons needing to cool down could stay overnight at the store also get supper and breakfast on request. Apartments and homes in the Nordic country are equipped to deal with the extreme cold and damp, but few have air conditioning. People in Helsinki, Finland took K-Supermarket up on their offer to allow customers to sleep in the aisles of their store which was furnished with cool refrigerators and air conditioning Two women set up their sleeping arrangement near the vegetable racks after the grocer in Helsinki opened up its doors to over 100 customers to sleep inside K-Supermarket manager Marika Lindfors said the idea came from joking customers: 'We always try to respond to client feedback, so why not here, too?' Operations manager Marika Lindfors said the idea came from customers who 'told me half-jokingly that it'd be a great thing to be able to sleep at a cool supermarket.' 'We always try to respond to client feedback, so why not here, too?' Lindfors added. Temperatures across Europe remain high as the heatwave continues into this week, with many still hoping for some respite after weeks of non-stop sunshine. The extreme weather, caused by an influx of hot air from Africa, is also carrying loads of dust from the Sahara Desert across some parts of the continent. Temperatures were expected to peak in southern France on Monday and further north on Tuesday. On Saturday, they hit their highest levels since a deadly 2003 heatwave killed thousands of mainly elderly people. Several cities imposed traffic restrictions and cut speed limits to try to reduce ozone pollution aggravated by the heat, with Paris also offering free parking and cheaper daily metro and bus passes to discourage driving. The heat wave could be among the 'top three' on record for France, the national weather service said. The current forecast is for a cooler end to the week with temperatures in the mid-20s. Another hot day: Temperatures at midday in Europe on Monday A man cools off in a fountain in front of the Berlin Cathedral as the heatwave in Europe continues People crowd the beach in Rostock, northern Germany, on Saturday as the heatwave in Europe continues People at a beach on the shores of lake Silbersee in western Germany as the heatwave over central Europe continues In Spain, the death toll rose to five after two homeless men succumbed to heat stroke in northeastern Taragona, officials said. Firefighters helped by calmer winds were meanwhile gaining control of a wildfire in the southwestern province of Huelva, just across the border from the Algarve in southern Portugal where a major blaze was still burning in Monchique. Temperatures remained high, especially in the southeast where they were forecast to hit 40-42 C. There has been little relief at night. At midnight the town of Zorita in the southwest recorded a temperature of 35.1 C, according to Spain's national weather office, the highest temperature in the country at that time. Visitors enjoy a ride at the open-air aquapark 'Dreamland' in Minsk, Belarus, as the hot weather continues in Europe Fire fighters tackle forest fires near Straelen, western Germany on Saturday Germany expects a fresh spike mid-week to around 39 C before temperatures ease, with official figures showing the average for April-July running 3.6 degrees higher than the 1961-1990 reference period. Farmers continued to plead for help, with the president of Germany's farmers' association, Joachim Rukwied, saying a billion euros in government aid may be necessary as crop failure rates hit 70 percent in some areas. More than a million children returned to school on Monday in three German states - Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Hesse - but some were allowed to go home earlier than planned due to the heatwave. The heatwave has hit the low-lying Netherlands hard, to the point where it has become a threat to its world famous system of dams and canals designed to keep the sea at bay. But river levels have fallen so low that the Rijkswaterstaat, which manages the national water system, has been opening barrages inland to flush out sea water seeping into coastal waterways. One of Australia's top-rating broadcasters has slammed social media trolls who have mocked him following the arrest of his police officer son for allegedly buying cocaine. Ray Hadley has returned to the airwaves for the first time since the Friday arrest of his 28-year-old son, Daniel, a Senior Constable in the New South Wales Police Force. Sydney radio 2GB's top-rating morning presenter thanked well wishers before getting stuck into social media pests. 'To the few haters and trolls on social media, you're being treated with the contempt you deserve,' he said today. Daniel Hadley (pictured), a former Police Officer of the Year winner, was arrested for allegedly buying 0.79 grams of cocaine, worth about $200, at a Sydney pub car park on Friday Hadley, 63, made no mention of specific social media trolls who had attacked him and his son, who was awarded a Police Officer of the Year accolade in 2014. The broadcaster hastily convened a tearful press conference on Saturday during which he admitted to feeling 'inadequate' as a father for failing to notice his son's mental health problems, as he struggled with a hernia and a dislocated knee. Senior Constable Daniel Hadley was allegedly caught in possession of a small 0.79 grams of cocaine, with a street value of $200, at the Australian Hotel and Brewery at Rouse Hill in Sydney's northwest on Friday night. He was admitted to a mental health clinic after being granted bail at the weekend, following an internal police investigation. Ray Hadley has returned to the airwaves for the first time since the Friday arrest of his 28-year-old son, Daniel, a senior constable in the New South Wales Police Force The broadcaster hastily convened a tearful press conference on Saturday where he admitted feeling 'inadequate' as a father for failing to notice his son's mental health problems Ray Hadley (pictured right with his son Daniel as a schoolboy) said his son needed privacy The talkback radio presenter and rugby league commentator returned to the airwaves on Monday, after rejecting an offer to take leave. 'My employers gave me the chance to have a week off but I have never hidden from my own shortcomings - of which there are many,' he told his 2GB listeners. 'I am here today to do what I do best, to get on with it and lead by example for my son and my family.' He said it would be 'totally inappropriate' to comment further, adding that his son was entitled to privacy. He thanked his son's colleagues, mother and sisters, and radio management, as well as the 'thousands of emailers and texters' from listeners and friends. Hadley said his son had been off from work for several months and was also awaiting an operation for a hernia, but had shown no obvious sign he had been struggling Police are reviewing Daniel Hadley's employment and removed him from 'operational duties'. He is expected to face Parramatta Local Court on September 12. One of the social media trolls included western Sydney-based Muslim psychologist Hanan Dover, who used the Hadley family situation for political point scoring. She argued the talkback radio king would have called for the full force of the law to be applied had the alleged crime been 'committed by a person of colour, indigenous, Muslim, African, migrant, refugee'. Daniel Hadley, 28, was caught allegedly buying cocaine at the Australian Hotel and Brewery, in Rouse Hill (pictured), in north-west of Sydney on Friday 'Ray is the guy who uses the microphone repeating the "no excuses, we must be tough on crime", but makes an appeal for privacy for his family and making excuses. Yeah, whatever,' she told her Facebook followers. While there was nastiness on social media, there were also well-wishers including a father who emailed Ray Hadley to praise his son Daniel for saving his 14-year-old daughter's life in 2013. 'An email that I knew nothing about from a father involved in an incident that I'd never heard anything about,' he said. 'Having saved her life he contacted her family for months to check on her welfare. 'To that dad, my many thanks who simply says, "Your son saved my daughter's life." 'And I said to the father by reply: "That's the young bloke that I know and I love".' An eight-month-old baby boy's lifeless body has been found floating in the water near New York's Brooklyn Bridge. A family visiting from Oklahoma spotted the baby wearing only diapers in the shallow water near the Manhattan shoreline on Sunday at about 4pm. Chiropractor Monte Campbell said his wife Diana Campbell first noticed the baby. Police are investigating after an eight-month-old baby boy's lifeless body was found floating in the water near New York's Brooklyn Bridge on Sunday afternoon 'She just called me over and said there was a baby in the water. I called 911. At that point I thought it was a doll,' Campbell said. Campbell said he 'walked out mid-thigh level' and retrieved the baby and started CPR on the embankment. He said the baby had no respiration and showed no pulse. Police arrived just minutes later and brought the baby onto the pedestrian walkway where they continued CPR until EMS responded. The baby was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police said no parent or guardian was present at the scene and the child showed no signs of trauma. Authorities are investigating the death of a baby who was found floating in the water near the Brooklyn Bridge on Sunday. The medical examiner will determine the exact cause of death. A woman courageously gave up a part of herself to save her brother's life after he was diagnosed with kidney toxicity. Queensland man Nathan Pursey was put on dialysis after the diagnosis, with limited time left as his condition was quickly deteriorating. After testing discovered that Nathan's sister was a perfect match, Emma stepped forward to save her brother's life. Before the surgery, Nathan's kidneys were functioning at just six per cent, hindering the ability to perform day-to-day tasks such as brushing his teeth. Queensland man Nathan Pursey (pictured) was diagnosed with kidney toxicity and placed on dialysis when his sister Emma (pictured) stepped in to donate her kidney Emma told 9News that she didn't have any hesitation in undergoing the surgery to save her brother. Upon receiving the news, she immediately asked what it was she needed to do to help Nathan. The operation was an immediate success, and both siblings acknowledging how lucky they are to have been able to help each other. 'I did say to Nathan I don't need to buy him any more Christmas or birthday presents, like, ever again,' Emma joked. Another set of siblings went through a similar journey 30 years ago. A type 1 diabetic, Melbourne man Barry Freeman was diagnosed with kidney failure and also placed on dialysis. His life was in the hands of others as he was waiting nervously for an organ donor. Melbourne man Barry Freeman (pictured, left) was diagnosed with kidney failure and placed on dialysis, when his sister Judy (pictured, right) stepped in to help Barry's sister, Judy Mather, stepped in to help. Testing showed the pair to be a perfect match and the kidney transplant was performed with lasting benefits. Barry said he was grateful for his sister's donation, still joking 30 years later: 'I tell her it's 30 years and she tells me "It came from good stock you know."' Unfortunately, there are many Australians in desperate need for an organ donor, and not all have willing siblings on standby. Upon receiving the news, Emma immediately asked what it was she needed to do to help Nathan According to Transplant Australia, 76 per cent of Australians are willing to become organ and tissue donors, whereas only 36 per cent of Australians are registered. Doctor Rohit D'Costa from DonateLife Victoria said that they're trying to bridge this gap. 'We've actually got a new national platform which is online so you need to go to donatelife.gov.au. It only takes a minute if you've got your Medicare card with you to actually register your decision,' Doctor D'Costa said. A $200,000 reward is being offered to anyone who has any information about the murder mystery case of a father who vanished after returning from holiday. Michael Modesti, 33, went missing after leaving his Beverley home, in South Australia, at 8.15am on May 9, 2016. There appeared to be no evidence of any disturbance to his property, but his blue Magna 360 model sedan was found two days later. It is believed he was taken from another location once he left his home. Police do not believe the father-of-one was a hardened criminal, despite previous minor involvement with cannabis, but they do believe drugs were involved. Michael Modesti, 33, went missing after leaving his Beverley home, in South Australia, at 8.15am on May 9, 2016. There appeared to be no evidence of any disturbance to his property, but his blue Magna 360 model sedan was found two days later The $200,000 reward comes as detectives work hard to find information about a series of missing people as part of National Missing Persons Week. At the time of his disappearance Mr Modesti's girlfriend Crystal Catacchio told police he made no indication that he was in trouble before he went missing. Mr Modesti's vanishing has been described as an unusual case for the experienced detectives of the SA Police Major Crime Investigation Branch. After two years of investigation, police are convinced Mr Modesti has been the victim of a homicide as a result of getting involved in the drug trade. 'We have a suspect in this case who was an associate of Michael's and we believe they were in a drug enterprise together, possibly with links overseas,' Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Mceachern from Major Crime said on Monday. 'We've suspected from early on that there was some sort of drug involvement in that trip to Thailand, maybe some sort of drug importation. 'His associate was due to go to Thailand with him only a short time before Mr Modesti's disappearance, but he pulled out of that trip. In turn, our victim disappeared only days after returning from Thailand.' Mr Modesti's girlfriend Crystal Catacchio told police he made no indication that he was in trouble before he went missing Police informed detectives that the phone was removed from the vehicle by an associate, but the phone was never found (pictured Crystal Catacchio and Michael Modesti) Police informed detectives that a phone was removed from the vehicle by an associate, but the phone was never found. Despite having phone records, detectives are unsure of what is physically stored on the phone which doesn't help them with evidence in relation to Mr Modesti's disappearance. 'The fact that it existed and was disposed of, adds further weight to the theory there was a drug involvement,' Det Snr Sgt Mceachern said. 'There's just not enough evidence to charge anyone, this is a real mystery. 'It's not widely known what happened to him there might only be one offender who hasn't told anyone. However, there are people out there we suspect with some information about what happened to Michael.' Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Charity campaigner Edwina Robertson broke down in tears on Sunday when she told Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of one family's devastating drought story. On Monday she was clear-eyed and back working on our farmers' behalf, pleading for more assistance than the $12,000 cash offered by the federal government. 'I never expected to be in the situation I was yesterday morning, bawling to the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in front of an ocean of media,' Ms Robertson wrote on Facebook. 'I finally had the guts to look at my chat/blubber back with Mal, and it probably seems over the top, but it was real and a reflection of the pain I feel for our bush communities. Scroll down for video Charity campaigner Edwina Robertson broke down in Trangie on Sunday when telling PM Malcolm Turnbull a devastating story about one family's drought-related losses 'This campaign is very personal to me now as I do my best to be the voice for those who do not have the strength, courage and ability to fight for what is right,' says Edwina Robertson A thirsty kangaroo drinks from a water tank located in a drought-affected paddock 'This campaign is very personal to me now as I do my best to be the voice for those who do not have the strength, courage and ability to fight for what is right.' Ms Robertson thanked her followers for their support, saying 'I'm ok, it is everyone else who doesn't have that support that I worry about.' The campaign director of charity One Bucket shared with Mr Turnbull the heartbreaking story of a family she had met while visiting drought-ravaged rural communities. Ms Robertson had been playing the family's pianola in their New South Wales farmhouse when the telephone rang and in an instant, that brief musical escape from the harsh reality of the drought came to an end. The news on the other end of the line was devastating: the couple's brother-in-law, also a farmer, had taken his own life. The worst drought in a century had proved too much. Ms Robertson shared this story with Mr Turnbull at Trangie, near Dubbo, in the NSW central west, then returned to Facebook to plead for more help. Photographer and charity campaigner Edwina Robertson (pictured) has shared a devastating story about the toll drought is taking on farmers. She posted a video taken just seconds before a family found out their farming relative had taken his own life Mr Turnbull had announced the government would give couples two $6,000 lump sums on September 1 and March 1 next year to help them pay bills. 'Yesterday's announcement wasn't sufficient enough in terms of funding and the scale of the problem at hand but it has to be seen as a start,' Ms Robertson wrote. 'The cash donation of $6,000 for a couple and $3,600 for a single won't be released until September the 1st, and three weeks is just too long a wait for many. 'We can kick, scream, (cry) and carry on for support from our "leaders", but I feel this is truly a time where as communities and as a nation, we need to band together to take action. We as the nations people DO have the power.' Ms Robertson wrote that 'every single person can make a difference, every single day.' She asked that Australians choose to buy local produce and products instead of from 'cheaper' overseas conglomerates, to patronise a local cafe over a fast food retailer and holiday domestically rather than going overseas. Ms Robertson broke down (pictured) as she told Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of the true toll of the drought. 'I worry every day when I go to visit farming families that it's going to be hours too late, it's literally that bad,' she told Mr Turnbull Charity campaigner Edwina Robertson was playing a NSW farming family's pianola when a devastating phone call brought news that a close relative of theirs had died by suicide 'There are many things that can be done on a daily basis that we can all contribute to make a PROACTIVE change for the better of our whole nation and society,' Ms Robertson wrote. 'This drought will affect everyone whether it be now in he paddocks or in months time at the checkout line. We need to band together as society and gain our power back. 'We're all in this together and we as the little people can make a difference.' Sharing the story of that farmer's suicide to the Facebook page of One Bucket, Ms Robertson told how his relatives had their lives turned upside down just seconds after the happy video was taken. 'Whilst I was sitting at the Pianola, the phone rang. She headed to the kitchen to grab it and within moments ran straight back into the lounge in tears,' Ms Robertson said. The true toll: A shattered farmer drags another dead sheep through the dust of his barren property No rain in sight: A starving animal falls onto the dry ground on a central New South Wales farm 'Panicked, I ran outside and across the driveway in bare feet to call for her husband. '"What's happened?" he asked me. '"I'm not too sure but I don't think it's good," I yelled as I saw him put his tools down and run towards the house. 'Are there tears?!' '"Yes", I said, knowing full well that it was an emergency of some kind. In a moment everything had gone from laughter and happiness to complete chaos. Eagles hack at the carcass of a sheep lying dead in a paddock after succumbing to the drought '(Once back inside) among her tears she shared that his brother-in-law had just taken his own life.' Ms Robertson wrote that the hardest part of all was hearing the shattered farmer say under his breath: 'I thought he was doing ok...' After posting her story online, she shared it personally with Mr Turnbull. Breaking down in tears as she told him of her experience, the prime minister hugged Ms Robertson. 'It's worse than anything you are seeing in the media, it's far worse,' she told the PM. 'It's dire. I worry every day when I go to visit farming families that it's going to be hours too late, it's literally that bad.' For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14 Lebron criticizes Trump in an interview on CNN. Trump responds, in typical Trumpian fashion, by calling Lebron stupid.Trump is an embarrassment. He is a 10 year old who responds to criticism by saying, Well youre a stupid pooty headThis is our President. Just the day to day requirements of being President should mean that you dont have time to hurl childish insults at your critics but, apparently, that is all Trump has time to do.Anyone who still supports this child-man (and I use the term man in the absolute loosest sense possible) isnt part of the problem, they ARE the problem. This is the heartwarming moment a retiring Massachusetts police officer makes his final radio call and hears an unexpected voice on the other end. Nate Ledoux flew all the way across the country to surprise his father Officer Duane Ledoux on his final day with the Southbridge Police Department. An adorable video shows Duane overcome with emotion when he makes his final radio call on June 25 and the call is answered by his son. 'It is my sincere pleasure to announce that on this day, after 32.5 years of service, my father, Southbridge Police Officer Duane Ledoux, is retiring and has given his final code five,' Nate Ledoux says. Two videos show the heartwarming moment Massachusetts cop Duane Ledoux places his last call and gets a response from his son Nate, who'd traveled across the country to surprise him The Southbridge police officer is overcome with emotion as his son acknowledges the call Nate continues: 'It is my honor to acknowledge this code five, to set free a man who has sacrificed so much of his time for all of us, so that he may spend the rest of his life discovering new craft beer, exploring this beautiful country, and most importantly, chasing glory. 'Dad, you are officially code five.' Fighting back tears, Duane radios back: 'Love you.' The father shakes his head in disbelief, tapping the radio to his forehead. 'He did come home. He came home. I called that,' he says laughing. In a second video on Facebook Live, Nate can be seen smiling as he sends his dad off. Nate says: 'It is my sincere pleasure to announce that on this day, after 32.5 years of service, my father, Southbridge Police Officer Duane Ledoux, is retiring and has given his final code five' Police Chief Shane Woodson thanked Ledoux for his service to the Southbridge community Southbridge Police Chief Shane Woodson also thanked Ledoux for his more than three decades of service. 'After more than 31 years of service to the town of Southbridge, Officer Duane Ledoux badge 1041 is retiring and giving his final code five,' Woodson said over the radio. 'I wish you the best of luck on your future endeavors. Congratulations brother.' Duane choked up as he thanked the department and his family, including Nate's brother Nick, who died years ago in a car accident. 'Too much to say, but thank you. To everyone in my family, everyone I've served with, and to my boys. Time to go home. Thank you,' he says. President Trump said Monday that he will fully enforce sanctions due to be reimposed against Iran as he signed an executive order authorizing the punishing actions. Washington's so-called 'snapback' sanctions are due to be reinstated against Tehran at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Tuesday. A second wave will go into effect on November 4. 'The United States is fully committed to enforcing all of our sanctions, and we will work closely with nations conducting business with Iran to ensure complete compliance,' Trump said in a statement that trashed the Iran nuclear pact as a 'horrible' and 'one-sided' agreement. 'Individuals or entities that fail to wind down activities with Iran risk severe consequences.' The president signed the executive order from his Bedminster, New Jersey, property. He did so behind closed doors with reporters miles away after the White House told journalists covering him that he would not make any public appearances that day. President Trump said Monday that he will fully enforce sanctions due to be reimposed against Iran as he signed an executive order announcing his intent. He's seen here signing a proclamation withdrawing the U.S. from the Iran nuclear agreement in May at the White House Instead, the president issued a statement that labeled the Iran nuclear pact 'a horrible, one-sided deal, failed to achieve the fundamental objective of blocking all paths to an Iranian nuclear bomb, and it threw a lifeline of cash to a murderous dictatorship that has continued to spread bloodshed, violence, and chaos.' Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, on May 8, starting a ticking clock for the sanctions on Tehran to be reimposed. He has repeatedly denounced the deal reached under his White House predecessor, Barack Obama, as one-sided in Iran's favor. He promised as a candidate to tear it up. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking with reporters returning with him from an Asian trip, said Monday morning that sanctions are 'an important part of our efforts to push back against Iranian malign activity' and the U.S. would enforce the restrictions on certain Iranian goods. Starting this week, Washington will bring back sanctions on Iran's purchases of U.S. dollars, its trade in gold and precious metals, and its dealings with metals, coal and industrial-related software. The United States has told other countries they must halt imports of Iranian oil starting in early November or face U.S. financial measures. President Trump urged all nations and corporations 'to take such steps to make clear that the Iranian regime faces a choice: either change its threatening, destabilizing behavior and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation' in the statement that served as a substitute for on-camera remarks. His executive order immediately targets Iran's automotive, energy, shipbuilding and precious metals industries and begins a wind-down period for the acquisition, sale and transport of petroleum and petrochemical products. The directive states that the punishments are intended to 'advance the goal of applying financial pressure on the Iranian regime in pursuit of a comprehensive and lasting solution to the full range of the threats posed by Iran' which include its missile development and support for terror groups as well as a 'network and campaign of regional aggression' and 'malign activities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its surrogates.' Trump has forcefully denounced Iran's 'DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH' toward the U.S. and at the end of July warned Iran not to threaten the United States or plan to 'SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKE OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE.' That was after Rouhani warned the U.S. that war with Iran 'is the mother of all wars' and said Trump stop 'playing with the lions tail,' with the stark pledge of or 'else you will regret it.' Still, the Trump administration has said the president would be willing to negotiate a new deal with Tehran under the right conditions. However, Iran should not expect relief sanctions in the interim. The president said in a weekend tweet that the ball in is Tehran's court. 'I will meet, or not meet, it doesn't matter - it is up to them!' he said of a potential meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. National Security Advisor John Bolton said Monday that Trump stands by his offer and it is Tehran that is refusing to meet with the American president. 'I think he was very serious about it. If the Ayatollahs want to get out from under the squeeze, they should come and sit down. The pressure will not relent while the negotiations go on, much as in the case of the maximum pressure campaign against North Korea,' Bolton said. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Monday that Trump has 'isolated' America with his position on sanctions. The United States' other negotiating partners, including France and Germany, remain in the deal. 'Of course, American bullying and political pressures may cause some disruption, but the fact is that in the current world, America is isolated,' said Zarif, who played a lead role in 2015 talks, as he downplayed the hit his country will endure as a result of the sanctions. EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini in a statement jointly signed with the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany, shared her dismay at Trump's order that will seal the break down of the deal on Monday. 'We deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the U.S.' the statement said. 'We are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran.' Rouhani said last week that Trump's repudiation of the deal was illegal and Iran would not yield to Washington's renewed campaign to strangle Iran's vital oil exports. Iran will ease foreign exchange rules, state TV reported on Sunday, in a bid to halt a collapse of the rial currency, which has lost half its value since April due to fears about the return of the sanctions. Iran has seen days of protests and strikes directed at the country's iron-fisted rulers. A senior administration official told reporters during a Monday morning call that the blame 'lies with the Iranian regime' that has squandered the country's' resources and oppressed its people. Officials on the call would not endorse regime change in Tehran and refused to say that the inherent purpose of the United States' punishing actions was to force the collapse the Iranian economy. A senior official hinted at the end game, however, telling press: 'We are very intent on using these financial sanctions to great economic leverage.' Referring to the sporadic protests in Iranian cities in his Monday avail, Pompeo said: 'The Iranian people are not happy - not with the Americans but with their own leadership. They're unhappy with the failure of their own leadership to deliver the economic promises that their leadership promised them.' Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (pictured) said it was hard to imagine negotiating with the man who tore up an agreement on which Iran and world powers had spent the 'longest hours in negotiating history' as he claimed that America is 'isolated' as a result of the sanctions implimentation Pompeo said the United States wants 'the Iranian people to have a strong voice of who their leadership will be,' although he stopped short of calling for regime change in Tehran. He later said in a message on Twitter that the United States was 'deeply concerned about reports of Iranian regimes violence against unarmed citizens' and urged respect for human rights. Protests broke out on Sunday for a sixth night in Iranian cities, including Kazeroon in the south, according to social media. Authorities reported the first fatality among protesters, with the shooting of a man in Karaj, west of Tehran. But they denied security forces were involved, Iranian news agencies reported The protests have often begun with slogans against the high cost of living and alleged financial corruption but quickly turned into anti-government rallies. Pompeo said it would require 'enormous change' by Iran to get out from under renewed U.S. sanctions. 'They have got to behave like a normal country,' he said, describing Iranian leaders as 'bad actors.' He alluded to Trump's suggestion last week of the potential for future negotiations with Tehran, a notion that senior Iranian officials quickly rejected. 'We are happy to talk if there's an arrangement that is appropriate, that could lead to a good outcome,' he said. 'Perhaps that will be the path the Iranians choose to move down with. Theres no evidence to date of their desire to change to change their behavior.' A Gold Coast man who bludgeoned his pregnant ex-girlfriend to death with a tomahawk has been given two life sentences. Days before Brock Wall, 38, killed Fabiana Palhares, 34, and jumped on her stomach to kill their unborn child he told co-workers he would murder her. Wall bashed the Brazilian woman to death at her Varsity Lakes home as she screamed for help down the line of a triple-zero call in February 2015. Scroll down for video Wall told co-workers he would kill his pregnant ex-girlfriend (pictured) days before the murders Days before Brock Wall (pictured) killed Fabiana Palhares, 34, and jumped on her stomach to kill their unborn child he told co-workers he would murder her Ms Palhares' family, including her brother who flew in from Brazil, were present at the sentencing hearing (pictured are paramedics at the scene of the crime) The carpenter was arrested a few streets away covered with blood and charged with murder and breaching a domestic violence order. When two days later police discovered Ms Palhares was carrying a child he was charged with the unlawful assault of a pregnant woman. 'The facts are chilling, horrific, and the stuff of nightmares,' Justice Ann Lyons told the court on Monday. 'Your attack became a murderous rage which was clearly full of hatred and anger.' The pair began dating in October 2014 and were excited to find out the 34-year-old had fallen pregnant just weeks later. But Wall was physically and verbally abusive towards Ms Palhares, at one point forcing her to crawl under a coffee table for protection as he hit and spat on her. In the months leading up to her murder, Wall repeatedly sent Ms Palhares threatening text messages and twice breached domestic violence orders issued against him. He hid in the garden outside her bedroom window and watched as she fell asleep, accused her of having a sexual relationship with other people and broke into her home while she slept to go through her phone. Brock Wall bashed Brazilian woman Fabiana Palhares (pictured) to death at her Varsity Lakes home as she screamed for help down the line of a triple-zero call in February 2015 Wall (pictured) was on Monday sentenced in the Brisbane Supreme Court to life in prison with a 20-year non-parole period On other occasions he screamed at her, 'I hope you lose the baby, I don't even know if it's mine' and told her to get an abortion. Five days before he killed Ms Palhares Wall told a co-worker on a construction site: 'I am going to f***ing kill her, I might punch her in the guts first.' Two days later he told another colleague: 'I'm going to go to jail for life over this woman.' Wall went to the Surfers Paradise Police Station on February 2 where he told officers she would not be having her baby. He then dismissed a verbal warning not to approach her and brushed them off when they gave him contact details for counselling and domestic services. After that he drove to her home where he bashed her until she was unconscious, jumped on her stomach so hard the soles of his shoes were later identifiable as bruises on her skin and fractured her face and skull with a tomahawk. The brother of Fabiana Palhares, Raphael Palhares (left), is seen leaving the Supreme Court in Brisbane Ms Palhares was taken to hospital after being found by police on the floor of her bedroom with a faint pulse, but could not be saved. He was on Monday sentenced in the Brisbane Supreme Court to life in prison with a 20-year non-parole period. With time served he will be eligible for release in 16-and-a-half years. Wall pleaded guilty just days before he was due to face trial, saying 'I'm sorry' as he formally entered the plea. 'I don't want to go through with it it's so hard to live with,' Wall told the court from the dock. 'I would prefer to throw my hands up in the air and show my remorse and plead guilty.' Ms Palhares' family, including her brother Raphael who flew in from Brazil, were present at the sentencing hearing. Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci says President Trump's attacks on the media are 'very bad for the country'. Scaramucci spoke out about Trump's war on the media soon after the President went on a Twitter tirade, calling the press the 'enemy of the people'. 'I would encourage people that are in the West Wing, if they think differently than the president, they should speak out,' Scaramucci told CNN's Reliable Sources on Sunday. 'I don't think that this war with the media is something that's going to help him long term.' Ex-White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci spoke out on Sunday about Trump's war on the media after the President called the press the 'enemy of the people' Earlier on Sunday, Trump tweeted that the media were 'dangerous and sick'. 'The Fake News hates me saying that they are the Enemy of the People only because they know it's TRUE,' he tweeted. 'I am providing a great service by explaining this to the American People. They purposely cause great division & distrust. They can also cause War! 'They are very dangerous & sick!' When asked by host Brian Stelter if he thought the press was the enemy, Scaramucci said he has consistently denied it. Scaramucci spoke out about Trump's war on the media soon after the President went on a Twitter tirade, calling the press the 'enemy of the people' 'You can have an adversarial relationship, you can disagree with people in the press... But I don't like the war declaration because it will lead to something that none of us really want,' he said. While Scaramucci said he believed Trump had a right to upset about 'bias' media, he said: 'tactically and strategically, the rhetoric that he's using I think is very, very bad for the country'. Trump has frequently referred to the media as the 'enemy of the people', much to the dismay of many who feel he is endangering journalists' lives. His most recent attack comes less than two months after five journalists were killed at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland. Jury selection is under way in the trial of a Maine man accused of frightening a grandmother during a burglary and causing a fatal heart attack. Carlton Young is charged with murder in the death of 62-year-old Connie Loucks, who suffered a heart attack after Young allegedly knocked on her door and windows in March 2015. Jury selection began on Monday in York County Superior Court. Carlton Young (left) is scheduled to go on trial this month in the death of Connie Loucks, 62, who succumbed to a heart attack during a March 2015 burglary Young (pictured in court in June 2016) has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him The Sanford man is accused of being part of a burglary ring in southern Maine. he has been charged with felony murder, felony attempt to commit a crime, and four felony counts each of burglary and theft. Authorities say Young and several others broke into Loucks' home in Wells when she wasn't there on March 21, 2015, to steal $10,000 worth of jewelry, and returned the following day, knocking on her doors and windows, reported Bangor Daily News. Loucks, who suffered from heart disease, was on the phone with her daughter at the time of the incident and told her she thought the same burglars who had stolen her belongings the day before had returned. Then, the line went dead. Loucks' daughter, Sarah, called 911 to report the home invasion and summoned police to her mother's home, according to Portland Press-Herald. Officers found the 62-year-old laying unresponsive on her sofa and were unable to revive her. The medical examiner later found she had died of a heart attack. If convicted of the felony murder charge, Young could face up to 30 years in prison. His lawyer previously claimed her client is a 'good kid' who had a 'pretty rough upbringing' and had been struggling with the death of his mother at the time of the burglary. Loucks (pictured left) was on the phone with one of her daughters on March 22, 2015, when intruders began banging on her door and windows. Young (right) and others had allegedly broke into Loucks' home on March 21 when she wasn't there If convicted of a felony murder charge, Young could face up to 30 years in prison Young was on a two-year probation for a felony burglary conviction at the time of his arrested. He has also received convictions for criminal mischief, assault, carrying a concealed weapon, driving under the influence, and theft. Young pleaded not guilty to charges connected to Connie Loucks' dead during a hearing in June 2016. He has been held in jail from the time of his arrest. According to her obituary, Loucks is survived by her husband of 42 years, Brian, their two daughters and her granddaughter. 'She enjoyed the beach, country music, taking walks, raising her children, being a grandmother, and being the loving wife of Brian,' the obituary read. 'She was always willing to help people any way she could, anywhere, anytime.' A restaurateur is giving away leftover food to homeless people after his own experiences of living on the street for two weeks. Ashish Sood moved to Brisbane in 2007 to study hospitality and commercial cooking with the dream of opening his own restaurant. The 33-year-old - who arrived with a student visa and nowhere to go - was forced to rough it in a park for two weeks. Sood has never forgotten his experiences of living on the streets and decided to use his restaurant's success to help others, ABC reported. Ashish Sood (pictured) has been giving away free leftovers from his restaurant Ginger and Garlic to homeless people The restaurant gives away leftovers every day when the restaurant shuts at 10.30pm. This has been happening for five months Sood moved to Brisbane in 2007 where he was forced to live on the street for two weeks (pictured: street view of Sood's Brisbane restaurant) When the Brisbane CBD restaurant, Ginger and Garlic, closes at 10.30pm staff give away remaining food to local homeless people. This has occurred every day of the week for the past five months. 'We've got so many people homeless, I have eight to nine people I see regularly. I want more, if there are more homeless people I'm happy to feed them, all of them,' Mr Sood said. Mr Sood said that he knows the names of his regular visitors and most of his homeless customers are men and some are women with children. He said he felt bad about wasting the food and is proud to give the visitors whatever food they like. Paying customers have also supported Mr Sood's endeavour to feed the homeless. Due to his personal experiences of homelessness, Sood decided to give away leftover food instead of wasting it (pictured: food from his restaurant) 'People are so happy. They've giving me thumbs up they're helping me to keep doing more. I'm really happy about it,' he said. Drop-in centre 3rd Space Brisbane CEO Sara Harrup said that Mr Sood was providing more than food - he is assisting in bridging the gap and connecting the community. 'The food is a great way of supporting people, it's also a wonderful way to build relationships with people,' she said. Ms Harrup said that homeless people are often isolated because of social stigma where people assume they're drug and alcohol abusers. In March, the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that homelessness in Australia had increased by 14 per cent in the past five years. A teenage skateboarder who swore at a police officer has won a payout after he was thrown headfirst into the concrete by the constable. The 21-year-old man, who was 17 at the time of the incident, was awarded $124,000 by the District Court. Judge Garry Neilson ruled that he was assaulted and wrongly arrested by police, while he was waiting to be picked up after a party in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, on April 14, 2014. The teenage skateboarder won $124,000 after he was thrown headfirst into the concrete by a constable (stock image) Constable Budin told the court that the teen came at him with the skateboard and he thought he was going to be hit in the face (stock image) The court heard that the teen was 'moderately affected' by alcohol when he told Constable Russell Budin to 'f*ck off dog, c***,' Sydney Morning Herald reported. He told the court that Constable Budin, who is now a Senior Constable, grabbed him by the front of the shirt and swung him around before he hit the ground heavily. Judge Neilson said Constable Budin 'manhandled' the teen after he was 'insulted' and overreacted to what was said. The skater was arrested and charged with assault, resisting arrest, using offensive language in public and failing to obey a move-on direction, but had all charges dropped by the Children's Court magistrate, the publication reported. He then sued the state for assault and battery, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution, telling the court he felt 'humiliated, embarrassed, and scared' by the arrest. Defending his actions, Constable Budin told the court that the teen came at him with the skateboard and thought he was going to be hit in the face. The judge rejected his comments saying the skateboard would have gotten caught during the argument. He also said the skater did nothing to be arrested. 'Constable Budin's physical interaction with the plaintiff was not in self-defence by Constable Budin. The plaintiff was seeking to protect himself from Constable Budin's assault on the plaintiff,' Judge Neilson said. Judge Neilson awarded $25,000 for assault and battery, $30,000 for false imprisonment, and $45,000 for malicious prosecution, as well as interest. The body of a hiker was flown by helicopter out of the Buck Mountain area, north of Lake Wenatchee, and two other uninjured hikers walked out. Chelan County Sheriff's Office received a report of an emergency beacon at about 2:30pm Saturday and sent a rescue team to the area. Sheriff Brian Burnett says they located three hikers at about 6,750 feet in elevation and one of the subjects was lying down, wrapped in an emergency blanket. The body of a hiker was flown by helicopter out of the Buck Mountain area, north of Lake Wenatchee, and two other uninjured hikers walked out. Lake Wenatchee State Park is seen in the stock image above Since there was no place to land, they sought help from other agencies. A Navy crew arrived at the site at about 12:40am Sunday. They hoisted a 44-year-old man from New York. He was deceased due to unknown injuries. The other two hikers remained at the scene and hiked out at daylight. A lucky paddle boarder got more than he bargained for during his morning surf when a pod of humpback whales joined him for a swim off the NSW mid-north coast. Alex, a backpacker from Germany, filmed the incredible encounter with a Go-Pro strapped to his wet suit as he paddled in the clear waters of Crescent Head, about 60km north of Port Macquarie. The 28-year-old had been following a pod of dolphins around the headland before a huge humpback popped up in front of his board to say hello. Scroll down for video Alex, a backpacker from Germany, (pictured) filmed the incredible encounter with a Go-Pro strapped to his wet suit as he paddled in the clear waters of Crescent Head Alex, who had been staying at a local surfing camp, sat on his board while at least three whales happily swam around him. At one point, one whale leaped directly on top of the board as the others breached the surface of the water for air. 'Alex then sat there filming them while they swam around him for three or four minutes,' Ben Conn of the Safaris surf school told Daily Mail Australia. 'He then paddled south to back beach Crescent Head before turning back to Crescent Head point'. Alex said the whales joined him for a second time when they popped up again on his return trip. Whales migrate north along the NSW coastline to warmer water in Queensland to mate and give birth from late April to August, according to the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage. At one point, one whale leaped directly on top of the board as the others breached the surface of the water for air The Iowa State Fair opens this week, complete with its signature deep-fried Oreos and prize hog judging. Country star Reba McEntire will be on the grandstand, but another type of celebrity will be missing: marquee names eyeing the White House. The fair's time-honored mix of late-summer family fun and high-wattage political pageantry will instead feature the Democratic backbench of presidential hopefuls, including Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro and Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan. The visit generating the most buzz this week is Michael Avenatti, the lawyer for the adult-film actress suing Trump who is attending the state Democratic Party's annual summer fundraiser. For now, top-tier prospective Democratic presidential candidates, including former Vice President Joe Biden and Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Kamala Harris of California and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York are largely steering clear of Iowa. California lawyer Michael Avenatti, the attorney for porn actress Stormy Daniels, is heading to the Iowa State Fair this month What awaits Stormy's lawyer: News crews usually follow politicians around the fairgrounds as they eat ridiculous fried creations and feign knowledge of livestock Hillary Clinton ate a pork chop on a stick and drank lemonade at the 2015 fair before addressing attendees from the 'Soapbox Stage' The Iowa State Fair traditionally includes a political straw poll conducted with corn kernels when a presidential primary season is on the horizon The Democratic Party's top stars have their reasons. Several say they are focused on ensuring the party is successful in regaining control of at least one chamber of Congress in the midterm elections. Some will be on the ballot themselves in November so they must lock down their own victory before being so bold as to go to Iowa. Still, their absence surprises veteran Democratic activists and stokes the perennial worry about the future of the state's early status. The anxiety isn't entirely misplaced. The case for giving the overwhelming white, rural state a prized role in picking the Democratic nominee has become more complicated as the party's base becomes less white and rural. Meanwhile, other states have been challenging it on influence and candidate appeal. For aspiring politicians, the place to make an impact this cycle is Georgia, which has a hot governor's race and a sizable African-American population. The quiet has been observed by Iowans with typical understatement. 'It's not as busy as I would have expected it to be,' said former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, a Democrat. 'I've never seen us three months away from the midterms where we haven't had people like that here,' said Sue Dvorsky, a longtime Democratic activist in Democrat-heavy Iowa City and a former state party chairwoman. Big-name Democrats like (clockwise from top left) former Vice President Joe Biden, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, California Sen. Kamala Harris and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren will wait until next year to attend the Iowa State Fair, and only then if they're in the White House chase The positioning that is happening in Iowa ahead of 2020 is largely playing out in private. Warren has spoken with Vilsack by phone several times this year, the former governor said. He has also fielded regular calls from other 2020 presidential prospects. Biden has kept in touch with Dubuque-area Democrats, notably ahead of his June endorsement of a congressional candidate. Mark Smith, Democratic leader in the Iowa House of Representatives, said he discussed statehouse campaign contributions with Booker last month at a New Jersey diner. Harris offered Iowa secretary of state candidate Deirdre DeJear some in-person encouragement at an event in Los Angeles in April, DeJear said. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz indulged in a pork chip while reporters watched, three years ago at the 2015 Iowa State Fair Sanders visited Iowa in February as a favor to his former caucus campaign director Pete D'Alessandro, who lost a June primary for a Des Moines-area House seat. He has been less guarded than his potential 2020 rivals, arguing amid his travels that the party needs to broaden its appeal everywhere. Most others have played down any Iowa contact, except in pursuit of midterm goals. Harris 'has been very clear that her top political priority this cycle is to elect and protect more Democrats in the Senate,' said her spokeswoman, Lily Adams. 'She has also made sure to put her support behind candidates who share her values and to make statehouses look more like the population of this country.' Still, some potential candidates are dipping their toes in other early voting states. In June, Warren headlined the state Democratic Party convention in Nevada, which has the cover of a close Senate race this year. Biden endorsed his friend, South Carolina lawyer Dick Harpootlian, for state House last week. Previous presidential prospects have often set up at least skeleton Iowa organizations by this point, in part to sow goodwill with activists who can be crucial to victory in the caucuses. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio toured the cattle barn in 2015 Then-Vice President Al Gore began visiting Iowa more than a year ahead of the 1998 midterms to lay down a marker that kept all but New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley from challenging him in the 2000 caucuses. At the same time, presumed Democratic powerhouse Hillary Clinton stayed away from Iowa during the 2006 midterm campaign while then-Sen. Evan Bayh and former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, now a senator, tried to establish themselves early as viable challengers. They visited often in early 2006 and financed campaign staff for 2006 Iowa races. That campaign produced the unexpected dynamic of two party superstars, as Barack Obama, then a freshman Illinois senator, decided late in 2006 to explore running for president. His rock-star reception at a September Democratic fundraiser in Iowa that year foretold the head-to-head clash of the two stars. After losing the 2008 caucuses and the nomination to Obama, Clinton returned to Iowa in September 2014 and became the early target of Sanders, who would narrowly lose to Clinton in the 2016 caucuses and dog her throughout the primaries. 'It's hard to be first,' Vilsack said. 'You put yourself out there, and the analyzing and criticizing starts.' Hollywood said: Why should most of us give a fuck what the Christian Bible says about homosexuality? Click to expand... I no longer care what you give a hoot about you have been given over to a debased(reprobate) mind much like the homosexuals here.I will simply pity you from here on out!Question: "What does it mean to have a reprobate mind?"Answer: The phrase reprobate mind is found in Romans 1:28 in reference to those whom God has rejected as godless and wicked. They suppress the truth by their wickedness, and it is upon these people that the wrath of God rests (Romans 1:18). The Greek word translated reprobate in the New Testament is adokimos, which means literally unapproved, that is, rejected; by implication, worthless (literally or morally). Passengers traveling on international flights can now check-in with their mobile phones in order to reduce waiting times at Australia airports. Airlines will be able to issue electronic boarding passes for flights departing from Australia from Monday. This is done in order to make passenger experience smoother and more efficient. By making digital boarding passes available, waiting times will significantly decrease at check-in counters. Starting Monday, airlines will be able to issue electronic boarding passes for flights departing from Australia, which means there will be reduced waiting lines at check-in counters (stock image) 'Australia is a world leader in seamless travel and this move will allow travellers to move across our border smoothly. These increasing volumes mean we are always looking for ways to clear legitimate travellers efficiently and seek out those of interest to law enforcement,' Citizenship Minister Alan Tudge said in a statement. This change comes after successful trials of electronic boarding passes. Upon the announcement, Qantas and Brisbane Airport have welcomed the change, as they have already had successful trials in the past. 'Using digital passes has already been popular with our customers who have used their mobile devices to help make their travel experience seamless,' A Qantas spokesperson told 9 News. The Qantas spokesperson also added that digital boarding passes were already available to travelers going to and from Australia and New Zealand as part of a trial with Border Force. Qantas plans to roll out more of these digital boarding passes to other international flights come October, according to 9 News. Brisbane Airport has also had successful trials on its domestic flights and at Brisbane International. Meteorologists have issued health warnings as intense humidity descends on New York City for the next few days, making the air feel substantially hotter than thermometer measurements. A heat advisory has been issued in the tri-state area through Monday night, the New York City Emergency Management Department announced Sunday. While highs for Monday and Tuesday are predicted to be in the 90s, humidity in the high 70th and 80th percentiles is expected to make it feel like a muggy 100 degrees or hotter. High humidity is expected in the New York City through Tuesday night, making 90-degree temperatures feel significantly hotter and raising the risk of heat stroke Monday and Tuesday are expected to have highs in the 90s, with thunderstorms bringing slight relief beginning Tuesday evening The high humidity will interfere with the body's ability to regulate temperature, posing a potential health risk, Accuweather's Dan Pydynowski explained. 'Your body is not able to cool itself as readily as on a dry day,' he told the New York Post. 'Sweat struggles to evaporate because theres already a lot of moisture in the air. It makes it more uncomfortable.' Relief from the heat isn't expected to come until Tuesday evening when showers and thunderstorms roll in. The temperature will hover around the high 80s through the end of the week as the entire US continues to suffer through one of the hottest summers on record. Officials have repeatedly issued warnings about the hazards of heat exposure, particularly with the elderly and people with chronic health conditions. Susceptible populations are urged to stay hydrated and limit outdoor exposure, especially during peak hours of the afternoon. An entire family was rushed to hospital after a severe bout of food poisoning cut short their Turkish holiday and left their three-year-old daughter fighting for her life. A mother, father and daughter from Sydney, Australia, all received emergency medical treatment at a Turkish hospital after becoming violently ill. The father was discharged first whilst the mother was unable to move due to lack of energy and their three-year-old daughter Hiba was put on life support after suffering heart, kidney and liver failure. Three-year-old Hiba was put on life support after suffering heart, kidney and liver failure Hiba's mother has also now been discharged, but the little girl's food poisoning has manifested into Myocarditis a disease which causes inflammation and damage to the heart muscle. In a heart-breaking Gofundme page, the family appealed for financial support to keep little Hiba alive. The three-year-old is now in a coma and unable to breathe by herself instead she has a tube placed in her chest and is connected to a machine that is breathing for her. Turkish doctors have estimated that Hiba will need a minimum of 25 further days on this machine which will cost the family close to $80,000, according to Hiba's family member and founder of the campaign Souheil Zailaa. Hiba's mother and father did not obtain travel insurance for their trip and have already paid $35,000 for their daughter's treatment calling on friends and family for help but their funds are now limited. 'Unfortunately the parents have left four other children back in Sydney under the care of family who are absolutely devastated not to be by their parents and sister's side,' Souheil wrote on the campaign page. 'We are looking for any financial help to assist in the care of her now and until she is strong enough to get back on her feet and hopefully be flown home.' Souheil said that the Australian Government is unable to assist the family financially but are aware of the situation and have offered moral support. The Gofundme page has now exceeded its $150,000 target and a Facebook post by a family friend in a local community group has asked members to 'Please Pray for this Princess'. The price for illegally climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge is set to skyrocket following the chaos caused by a rogue climber earlier this year. Wayne John Cook, 43, had Sydney at a standstill when he illegally climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge in April. Traffic was backed up for more than 30 kilometres during peak hour while emergency crews attempted to negotiate with him to get down. Wayne John Cook (pictured) brought much of Sydney to a standstill by illegally climbing the Harbour Bridge in April Following a security review the NSW Government has decided to increase the penalty for illegally climbing the bridge from $3,300 to $22,000 - a 566 percent bump. Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said the NSW Government is delivering on a promise to toughen up deterrents. 'The people of Sydney have had enough of being held to ransom by one person, irrespective of their circumstance, with a personal agenda to seek attention and cause gridlock across our city,' she said. Pavey said that 'it was out of step' that someone could be fined more for running on the field at the SCG during a sporting event than a person illegally climbing the Harbour Bridge. The fine now matches the cost to illegally climb the Sydney Opera House. Increased security measures include the installation of higher barrier fencing, anti- climb mesh and additional surveillance cameras. Commuters were trapped for hours while emergency crews talked the 43-year-old down In June, Cook was jailed by magistrate John Andrews for 12 months with a non-parole period of eight months over the incident and trying to steal an officer's gun in hospital. Cook got his hand on the officer's gun and attempted to pull it from its holster during a scuffle at St Vincent's Hospital following his bridge stand-off. He had pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer, obstructing the free passage of vehicles, unlawful entry and climbing the bridge. A Queensland man raped a woman shortly after they met at an Australia Day party on the Gold Coast last year, a court has been told. Harley Gene Lewis is standing trial on charges of rape and sexual assault with the circumstance of aggravation. Lewis pleaded not guilty to both charges at the start of his trial in the Southport District Court on Monday. The court was told Lewis and the woman had met for the first time at a party on Australia Day last year. The party was hosted by the woman and others at a unit complex. Crown prosecutor Sarah Lio-Willie said the alleged incident began hours after a party celebrating the Triple J Hottest 100 countdown, the Courier Mail reported. A Queensland man allegedly raped a woman shortly after they met at an Australia Day party on the Gold Coast last year, a court has been told (stock image) Ms Lio-Willie said the pair had spoken briefly at the party before Lewis had lifted the woman up and carried her to a bedroom about 4am the next morning. It's alleged he then removed her shorts and bikini bottom and sexually assaulted her. Ms Lio-Willie said Lewis had grabbed the woman's neck during the assault. It's also alleged the woman's hands were tied up with the drawstring from Lewis's boardshorts. '(The woman) faked an orgasm and the defendant stopped,' Ms Lio-Willie said. 'None of that was done with her consent. Crown prosecutor Sarah Lio-Willie said the pair had spoken briefly at the party before Lewis had lifted the woman up and carried her to a bedroom about 4am the next morning (stock image) 'Just because (she) did not say no, does not mean yes, and certainly (it) does not mean yes to such rough sexual activity leaving her with these injuries from a man she had just met.' Lewis's barrister Anthony Kimmins said his client would not be contesting that a sexual encounter occurred, but that it had been consensual or Lewis had 'honestly and reasonably' believed she had consented. The trial, which is expected to last four days, continues. An Australian expat now living in Indonesia has revealed the exact moment a terrifying earthquake struck his family home in Lombok. Evan Burns was at home with his wife and toddler son on Sunday night when a magnitude-7 earthquake hit the Indonesian island, east of Bali. Despite being no stranger to earthquake, cyclone and tsunami scares, Mr Burns, who works as a resort manager on the island, told The Daily Telegraph he wasn't prepared for the quake, calling it the 'most terrifying of his life'. Evan Burns was at home with his wife and toddler son on Sunday night when a magnitude-7 earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Lombok A man has revealed how he though he was going to die when a magnitude-7 earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Lombok Mr Burns said 70 per cent of people staying at the resort he operates had made a mass exodus to the airport but many people were still stuck on the island 'The force threw us out of bed, and the walls immediately started cracking,' he told AAP. Afraid he might not survive the disaster, Mr Burns sent a series of goodbye messages and texts to his family back home in Australia. After enduring a series of jolts and aftershocks, he then decided to leave the family home, to avoid the building collapsing on them. Fearing a tsunami may follow the tremors, Mr Burns, nursing an injured ankle, along with his wife, small child and 200 other terrified village locals, proceeded to run up a 3km nearby mountain in the dark. It wasn't several hours after the tremors had stopped that the family returned to their family home, which is now uninhabitable, having sustained major structural damage, including the second storey caving in. Mr Burns said he is thankful he is alive but struggling to come to terms with the extent of the damage caused by the quake, adding that there is a sense of panic on the Indonesian Island. Makeshift tents have been set up as a temporary shelter for those affected by the Lombok earthquake Mr Burns said following the quake, there is a general sense of panic on the Indonesian Island The quake has reportedly killed 82 people, but there are no reports that any of the injured or dead are Australians 'We weren't sure we were going to make it out alive,' he said. He has since reached out to Australian consular officials to ask for help. Mr Burns said 70 per cent of people staying at the resort made a mass exodus to the airport but many of them are still stuck there. 'We were hit hard last night by an act of god. But we will rebuild and we will work together as a team to achieve great things and work through this tragedy,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'I pray for the people that lost there lives and I wish that we didnt have to be discussing such a devastating story. 'Lombok is a beautiful destination and I wish that tourism will come back in numbers,' he said. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop confirmed on Monday that help is on the way to Lombok to assist Australians caught in the disaster. The quake has reportedly killed 91 people and injured thousands more, but there are no reports that any of those dead or injured are Australians. Deputies in North Carolina say they're seeking a teenager who robbed a nine-year-old's lemonade stand at gunpoint. The Union County Sheriff's Office said Sunday that the stickup happened near a traffic roundabout in Monroe, about 30 miles southeast of Charlotte at around 3pm on Saturday. Deputies say the young drink vendor reported that a male teenager with a camouflage hat and black shirt placed a black handgun to the boy's stomach, demanded money and then fled on foot. Deputies say the young drink vendor reported that a male teenager with a camouflage hat and black shirt placed a black handgun to his stomach. Pictured: The boy's lemonade stand Sheriff's spokesman Tony Underwood told The Charlotte Observer less than $20 in cash was stolen. Authorities found a camouflage hat, a black BB gun and a stolen metal tin in some nearby woods. Deputies believe the suspect left a bicycle in the brush for his getaway. 'I've never heard of a lemonade stand robbery,' Tony Underwood, Union County Sheriff's Office chief communications officer, told WCNC. The boy's father, Phillip Smith (pictured) said that he never thought this could happen in his community 'You know, I think people are capable of a lot of things but not robbing a child at a lemonade stand. That one takes it to a new level.' The boy's father said that he never thought this could happen in his community. 'Never thought in a million years I'd be racing off to pick him up with somebody pointing a gun at him and taking his money from just a simple thing of selling lemonade,' Phillip Smith said. Smith's son, who is still a bit shaken from the episode, is known through out the neighborhood as a self-starting entrepreneur, with his own with lemonade, landscaping, and mowing businesses. 'He's always so happy,' neighbor Amber Huyck said. 'Everybody talks about how he brings smiles to everybody.' To show support, Huyck and other members of the community rallied together and cobbled $256 for the boy as a reminder that there are still good people out in the world. 'He was definitely shocked,' Huyck said. 'He didn't really have a whole lot of words. His eyebrows shot up into his forehead, and he was very excited.' According to Smith, the gesture appeared to work, telling WCCB that his son got right back out on Sunday to sell lemonade at his stand. 'It's not going to stop us,' Smith said, adding that the family will be taking more safety precautions in the fututre. 'We're going to keep selling lemonade.' Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Union County Sheriff's Office at 704-283-3789 or Union County Crime Stoppers at 704-283-5600. To show support, members of the community rallied together and cobbled $256 for the boy as a reminder that their are still good people out in the world A drug bust back in 2016 has been revealed to be the first time a highly toxic drug was seized on the streets in Australia. Police found three grams of the synthetic opioid, fentanyl, in the kitchen of a South Australian couple. Just one granule would be enough to kill someone. Their arrest was the first open source reporting of non-pharmaceutical fentanyl (NPF), officially marking the arrival of the toxic drug to our shores, The Advertiser reported. Police found three grams of the synthetic opioid fentanyl in a South Australian couple's kitchen (pictured) Their arrest was the first open source reporting of non-pharmaceutical fentanyl being seized on the streets in Australia (pictured fentanyl that was seized) Fentanyl poses a risk to anyone who comes in contact with it. The drug, which has been blamed for the death of musician Prince, can be inhaled and absorbed through the skin. In Australia, it is used as a painkiller for severe cases, as well as by paramedics. However, any non-medically prescribed amount is unsafe. RMIT expert Associate Professor Oliver Jones, studied the Port Vincent case and told the publication that 'fentanyl is 30-50 times more potent than heroin and 50-100 times more potent than morphine'. Hugh McKeown who is studying fentanyl with Professor Oliver at RMIT said the 'lethal dose for fentanyl is generally stated to be 2 milligrams.' A joint study on the drug was published in the international journal Science and Justice as, Is Australia ready for fentanyl? The authors believe the drug will continue to be found in Australia based on the fact that 10 people have already died in 2015 from fentanyl-laced heroin. 'Given these deaths and the recent border seizures, the arrival of non-prescription fentanyl in Australia may have already started,' they stated. Jacob Rees-Mogg's home has been attacked by vandals who spray painted his windows and left a dildo on the bonnet of his car. The Conservative MP's windows were sprayed with the words 'posh scum' while '****head' and 'shut up and die' were scrawled on the garage in West Harptree, Somerset. Left wing extremists have been blamed for the attack after a symbol for anarchy was painted on the car. Condoms were scattered across the grass around Mr Rees-Mogg's family home, which he shares with his children and wife Helena, daughter of the aristocrat Somerset de Chair. The family was on holiday in New York when the vandals struck last Wednesday night. Mr Rees-Mogg's maid discovered the mess on Thursday morning. Scroll down for video The Rees-Mogg mansion: The Conservative MP and his wife who are worth tens of millions of pounds live in a huge home in Somerset Jacob Rees-Mogg was on holiday in New York with wife Helena. He posted an image of himself with two of their children on the Empire State Building The MP, 49, told The Sun: 'It appears to be someone who can't hold their drink and probably not Catholic. 'However, it has all been cleared up so this drunken protest will not even have a short-term effect.' Mr Rees-Mogg advertised the fact he was out of the country with his two of his six children and his wife on Instagram. The Tory politician posted an image of himself and his family at the Empire State Building. Jacob Rees-Mogg (pictured at home) and his wife Helena have six children together Police found methamphetamine worth $33 million on an Indian Pacific train to Perth. Western Australia police, in a joint operation with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, arrested and detained two men as they departed the East Perth train station on Saturday afternoon. Police will allege that they found a total of 33 kilograms of methamphetamine in their luggage. Police will allege that a total of 33 kilograms of methamphetamine was found in the men's luggage (pictured) Detective Superintendent Kim Massam from the Serious and Organised Crime Division said that the methamphetamine is estimated to be worth $33 million (pictured) Detective Superintendent Kim Massam from the Serious and Organised Crime Division said that the seizure of the drugs, which is estimated to be worth $33 million, represented the removal of around 330,000 hits of the drug. 'The Western Australia Police Force and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission continue to target those drug traffickers who have no regard for the harm they cause in the community. These drugs destroy lives and destroy families,' Western Australia police said in a statement. The two men found in possession of the drugs are from New South Wales and Victoria. The 25-year-old man from New South Wales was charged with possessing a trafficable quantity of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply and giving false personal details to police. The 27-year-old man from Victoria was also charged with possessing a trafficable quantity of methylamphetamine with intent to supply or sell and failure to comply with request to give police personal details. Both men were refused bail and appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court last Sunday afternoon. They will appear again in the Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Obey and you wont get ripped from your desk and put under control. Act like an animal and you will end up being treated like an animal None of my children would steal anything from a store and then assault the shopkeeper. None of my children would defy orders from a cop, assault him and attempt to steal his gun, then attack him and get shot in self-defense. None of the Nugent family would sell illegal cigarettes then violently resist arrest. Recently, I watched a video that the National Rifle Association (NRA) released in response to a speech that President Obama gave in Chicago at a conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) on October 27. In that speech, the President stated, Its just a simple propositioncops should not be out-armed by the criminals that theyre pursuing. And he praised IACP for supporting universal background checks and a renewal of the federal Assault Weapons Ban.This was simply too much for the NRA, and they responded immediately with their video, entitled How to Stop Violent Crime and narrated by Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre. I watched it in full and found it to be racist, offensive, and based entirely on untruths. All the key code words popularized by Fox News were included in the script: thug, Chicago as a Third World nation, criminal gangbangers, etc. As a responsible gun owner, the spouse of a police officer, and an African-American mother, I felt compelled to respond.All too often, I feel like I am living in the Dred Scott era when I watch the NRA comment on gun violence in urban, predominantly African-American communities. In 1857, the Supreme Court denied Mr. Scott his freedom based on the idea that African Americans were inferior and had no rights which the white man was bound to respect. To me, that sounds like exactly what the NRA is peddling in a reckless attempt to improve the gun industrys bottom line.In the video, LaPierre declares that nothing illustrates Americas breakdown like the way the Presidents hometown [of Chicago] celebrates its holidays, while citing statistics about homicides in the city during Labor Day, Memorial Day and the 4th of July. The implication is clearits those thuggish black kids who are to blame with whats wrong with America today. Theres no mention, of course, that communities like South Side Chicago are chronically underserved and ignored by legislators. The NRA wants you to believe that African-Americans enjoy the destructive force of gun violence and burying their children. Meanwhile, LaPierre subjects us to bromides about good, honest [white] Americans living out in farm towns in Nebraska or Oklahoma, as if no one in those states had ever been violent or misused a firearm.You will notice that one thug is conspicuously left out of the NRAs video: Dylann Roof, the South Carolina gunman who murdered nine peace-loving African-American congregants in Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. No mention, either, of Wade Michael Page, the neo-Nazi who gunned down praying families at a Wisconsin Sikh temple. They didnt fit the NRAs portrait of a Bad Guy, did they? And lets remember: The NRA made sure both Roof and Page were able to legally buy the guns they used to kill with despite long histories of violence, substance abuse, and trouble with the law.As for African-Americans, we see right through it. For example, if the NRA was really concerned about protecting law enforcement and preventing repeat offenders from shooting people in Chicago, wouldnt it make sense to immediately implement universal background checks so that convicted felons would no longer have an outlet (in a majority of states) to buys guns without being screened for criminal history? Of course it would. How stupid do they think we are?The NRA has gun industry executives sitting directly on their Board of Directors and they receive millions upon millions of dollars every year in direct corporate contributions from gun companies through their Ring of Freedom program. The NRA never met a gun sale it didnt like.The welfare of young black men dealing with a criminal justice system that is often racially-biased and void of any pretense of rehabilitation isnt a problem for the NRA, however. Take every felon with a gun, drug dealer with a gun, and criminal gangbanger with a gun off the streets tomorrow and lock them up for five years or more proposes LaPierre in the video. Its a terrific solution if youre a multi-millionaire corporate shill who cares more about selling firearms then developing the type of gun violence prevention policies and programs that would actually keep people out of jail but, hey, when youre heading an organization with Ted Nugent as one of its primary spokespersons, responsibility and respect for your fellow human is not exactly an honored value.While we are on the topic of NRA Board Member Ted Nugent, did you happen to hear what he said about the 16 year-old, orphaned girl who was viciously body slammed to the ground by school resource officer Ben Fields in South Carolina? Nugent offered a huge Nuge thank you and salute to Fields, and wrote the following:And this man has now served on the NRA Board of Directors for more than 20 years with no opposition from either their leadership or rank and file. If this is not the rhetoric of white supremacy, I dont know what is. A new chairman has been appointed for the UK's first women-only private members' club which had thousands of females on the waiting list before it even opened - and he's a he. AllBright, which boasts names like Ocar-winning actress Naomie Harris, fashion designer Mary Katrantzou, and Lastminute.com co-founder Martha Lane-Fox as regulars, opened in March. The club celebrates everything female with art by women adorning the walls and all the wine in the bar coming from female-run vineyards. But AllBright will no longer be all women after the announcement Allan Leighton, the former chief executive of Asda and will join the club. Founder members, Debbie Wosskow (L) and Anna Jones at Allbright, the UK's first women-only private members' club Allan Leighton has been selected as chairman of the women's only members club in London The appointment has angered some women who believed it was an opportunity to put a woman at the helm. The Women's Equality Party told The Times the decision to appoint Leighton 'seems at odds with [AllBright's] mission to change the way the world thinks about female-led businesses'. Ann Francke, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute added: 'We would never see a female chair of a men's networking club, would we? 'This underscores how far we have to go to get true equality in the workplace.' However, the club defended the decision. 'Allan really spoke to what AllBright is we are not anti-men,' co-founder Debbie Wosskow told The Times. 'There are so few women running FTSE 100 companies and we can't change that unless we bring enlightened men with us on the journey. 'Allan has been a huge employer of women and is a natural champion of what we are trying to achieve.' Ms Wosskow told BBC Radio 4: This is really important point on how you drive change for women in the UK. We believe modern feminism and driving change, needs to bring men with you We think anyone who believes in gender equality can be a feminist. Whats very important is that the business was founded by two women to celebrate women. There is a really important point here.,. Men are welcome in our club and they will be treated with dignity and respect when they come in. We are super happy to have Allan as part of our team.' AllBright, is based in an elegant five-storey townhouse in Bloomsbury, central London, and serves as a place for working women from across all major industries to work, relax and socialise. A refuge for gentlemen over centuries, women are now having their turn to enjoy private members clubs - but there will be a man as chairman Members use the facilities at London's first women-only private members' club where women are celebrated Inside Allbright where a man has been selected as chairman of the women-only members' club The likes of have already signed up - alongside 'normal' women of all ages and experience. AllBright, which takes its name from formidable former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, is the brainchild of entrepreneur Debbie Wosskow and Anna Jones, former CEO of Hearst magazines. Members at the exclusive club are given access to the townhouse, which offers a cafe, cocktail bar, library and lounge, exhibition space and bookable meeting rooms. As Wosskow explained, the multi-functional space is designed to help female leaders living 'nomad' business lifestyles. The location itself is significant, paying tribute to the lasting influence of Virginia Woolf and the 'Bloomsbury' set, with each floor taking its name from a key female member including Lopokova, Morell, Bell, and Woolf. Quotes from Woolf are incorporated into the interior design on each floor. This is the shocking moment nail salon workers brawled with customers - hitting them with broomsticks, fists and dustpans - after one of them refused to pay for a f***** up eyebrow job, witnesses said. Footage captures the workers as they crowd around a customer and smack her with a broom handle at New Red Apple Nails on Norstrand Avenue in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. They then turn to another shopper who is helping her granddaughter escape the clutches of the staff members and start beating her in the back. The workers crowd around a customer and smack her with a broom handle at New Red Apple Nails on Norstrand Avenue in East Flatbush, Brooklyn Thats my grandmother, stop, the granddaughter yells - and the onslaught begins to calm down as the woman shouts: Call the cops! The video was posted on Facebook by another buyer who was inside the shop during the mayhem. So Im at the nail salon and they f***** up a lady eyebrow and she refused to pay then a fight broke out, wrote Mercy Maduka. Hitting them like animals, she said, referring to the patrons. The workers then turn to another shopper who is helping her granddaughter escape the clutches of the staff members and start beating her in the back Police attended the scene and arrested a salon worker along with one of the customers on Friday night - however it remains unclear as to which one. Huiyue Zheng, 32, was charged with assault and weapon possession. She was later released following a hearing in Brooklyn Criminal Court, police said. Customer Christina Thomas was arrested on misdemeanor assault and other charges and was also released without bail, report the New York Post. The video has been viewed more than 200,000 times. Police investigating the disappearance of Mollie Tibbetts are hunting a suspicious black SUV that was seen by neighbors circling the block where she was last seen between 11.30pm and 1am on July 18 Police are hunting a suspicious black SUV that was seen by neighbors circling the neighborhood where Mollie Tibbetts vanished on July 18 after ruling that a body found 100 miles away this weekend is not the missing university student. On Sunday, the body of a white woman in her mid 20s was found in West Point, Iowa, 100 miles from Brooklyn, Iowa, where Tibbetts vanished. Investigators ruled out on Sunday night that the body could belong to Mollie and refocused their search on the vehicle that was seen driving slowly around the block where the girl's boyfriend lives for around 90 minutes on the night she went missing. The woman whose body was discovered on Sunday has not been named. The SUV circled the neighborhood between 11.30pm and 1am, according to a young woman who lives a block away from the home of Tibbetts' boyfriend Dalton Jack. Tibbetts was last seen running around Brooklyn at around 7.30pm on July 18. She was staying overnight at her boyfriend's house alone while he was at work 133 miles away. He has since revealed that she rarely locked the doors because she felt so safe in the town. Mollie vanished on July 18 from Brooklyn, Iowa. On August 5, police found a body in West Point, 120 miles away, but it does not belong to her On July 19, after she failed to show up for work at a daycare center, her colleagues contacted her boyfriend to tell them they were worried. He then got in touch with her family and she was reported missing. Tibbetts' family has offered a $260,000 reward to anyone who has information about her disappearance. Her mother has also agreed to pay cash to her abductor if they agree to let her go. No charges have been filed and no arrests have been made but on Sunday, police questioned Wayne Cheney, a pig farmer, for the third time about the case. Cheney, 56, became involved after police found a red shirt that is similar to Mollie's work uniform in a field near his farm in Guernsey, a town 10 miles from Brooklyn. He says he is innocent and is being treated unfairly by police who he claims searched his home without a warrant. On Friday, he was interviewed after being questioned for two hours at a police station. He told ABC affiliate WHO TV that the interview was a 'waste of time' and said he did not know what had happened to her. Tibbetts had been staying at her boyfriend Dalton Jack's home in Brooklyn while he was working a construction job 120 miles away. He said he received a Snapchat from her that night which he opened at 10pm. It is not clear what time she sent it This is the house in Brooklyn, Iowa, where Mollie disappeared from on the night of July 18. Her boyfriend Jack shares the house with his brother Blake and his fiancee Aimee Houghton but neither of them was home. The boyfriend has since said they rarely lock their doors at night 'It's just a bad deal,' he said, describing the case. Asked what the hardest part of the case was, he said: 'That they can't find her.' Wayne Cheney, 56, lives in a trailer home about 500 yards from a pig farm that was searched by investigators. He says he does not know Mollie and that him being questioned is a 'waste of time' He said he could not remember what police asked him but said it was a waste of his time. In a different interview with Fox, he said he had 'no idea' who she was and suspected 'some guy has her'. The 20-year-old student's boyfriend has also spoken out since she vanished to plead his innocence. Dalton Jack appeared with his father in the Fox interview to say that Mollie felt safe in the home and rarely locked the doors. 'Its Brooklyn. You dont lock your doors. Nobody ever thought there was a reason to. 'We lock our doors now. Every night,' he said. He added that he was frustrated by the scrutiny he came under when she disappeared. He said he tried calling her cell phone repeatedly in the hope that someone would answer but that no one ever picked up. 'I did for like the first week and a half. Not more recently. I was just trying to see literally if anybody would pick up. And then, yeah, straight to voicemail,' he said. Jack had been in Dubuque for two days when he vanished. Her father, Rob, has also made emotional pleas for her return. This is an example of one of the shirts worn by staff at the daycare center where Mollie worked. It was similar to one found near Cheney's farm but police will not confirm if it is the exact shirt Search teams on Thursday scoured ditches at a location some distance away from Cheney's farm after a red shirt that police believe could belong to Tibbetts was found nearby Mollie's mother Laura Calderwood told DailyMail.com she was in 'purgatory' 'Just come home, pie, We'll looking, we'll find you,' he said, adding that she was a 'brave girl.' Dalton Jack, Mollie's boyfriend, said he is hopeful she will be found safe Over the weekend, Mollie's mother Laura Calderwood told DailyMail.com the disappearance had left her 'in purgatory.' 'I'm either going to be headed up to heaven or down to hell, depending on the result. 'Every time I try and form an opinion there is a piece there that doesn't fit into the puzzle,' she said Anyone with information about her is urged to contact the Poweshiek County Sheriff's Office at 641 623 5679 or email tips@poweshiekcosheriff.com Tips can also be submitted via Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa which has collected $172,000 so far in donations that will be available as a reward for information leading to Mollie's safe return. Crime Stoppers can be contacted anonymously at 1-800-452-1111 or via their website. Saudi Arabia said it was expelling the Canadian ambassador Dennis Horak (above) Saudi Arabia said it was expelling the Canadian ambassador and had recalled its envoy in protest at Ottawa's vigorous calls for the release of jailed women's rights activists. The Saudi Foreign Ministry also said it would freeze 'all new business' between the kingdom and Canada. Some 10 percent of Canadian crude oil imports come from Saudi Arabia. On Monday, the kingdom gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country, in an abrupt rupture of relations over what it slammed as 'interference' in its internal affairs. 'The Canadian position is an overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia,' the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in an extraordinarily aggressive statement posted on Twitter. 'The kingdom announces that it is recalling its ambassador to Canada for consultation. 'We consider the Canadian ambassador to the kingdom persona non grata and order him to leave within the next 24 hours.' The ministry also announced 'the freezing of all new trade and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action.' It added: 'Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as acknowledgment of our right to interfere in the Canadian domestic affairs. 'Canada and all other nations need to know that they can't claim to be more concerned than the kingdom over its own citizens.' It wasn't immediately clear if Ambassador Dennis Horak was in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia said it would recall its ambassador to Canada as well. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said it had recalled its envoy in Canada and also said it would freeze 'all new business' between the kingdom and Canada. Pictured, the Saudi embassy in Ottawa The move, which underscores a newly aggressive foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, comes after Canada demanded the immediate release of human rights campaigners swept up in a new crackdown. Marie-Pier Baril, a spokeswoman for Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, said Canada was 'seriously concerned' by Saudi Arabia's actions. 'Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, very much including women's rights, and freedom of expression around the world,' she said in a statement. 'Our government will never hesitate to promote these values and believes that this dialogue is critical to international diplomacy.' The dispute appears centered around tweets by Canadian diplomats calling on the kingdom to 'immediately release' women's rights activists recently detained by the kingdom. 'We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists,' the foreign ministry tweeted on Friday. Canada last week said it was 'gravely concerned' over a new wave of arrests of women and human rights campaigners in the kingdom, including award-winning gender rights activist Samar Badawi. The move underscores a newly aggressive foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (pictured) Samar is a vocal campaigner for her brother Raif Badawi, a blogger who was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and later sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for 'insulting Islam' in a case that sparked international outcry. Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar has been granted asylum by Canada, where she is raising their three children now aged 14, 13 and 10 as a single mother. Samar was arrested along with fellow campaigner Nassima al-Sadah last week, the latest victims of what Human Rights Watch called an 'unprecedented government crackdown on the women's rights movement'. Freeland tweeted about the arrests on Thursday. 'Very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi, Raif Badawi's sister, has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia,' she wrote. 'Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, and we continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi.' The latest arrests come weeks after more than a dozen women's right campaigners were detained and accused of undermining national security and collaborating with enemies of the state. Some have since been released. The Saudi foreign ministry slammed the Canadian statement, signalling its growing irritation over Western criticism of the kingdom's poor human rights record. 'Using the phrase 'immediately release' in the Canadian statement is very unfortunate, reprehensible, and unacceptable in relations between states,' the ministry tweeted. Prince Mohammed, heir to the region's most powerful throne, has introduced a string of reforms such as lifting a decades-long ban on women drivers in a bid to overhaul the kingdom's austere image as it prepares for a post-oil era. In April, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (pictured) expressed his 'serious concern' over the continued jailing of Badawi to King Salman However, supporters of women's rights were arrested just weeks before the ban was lifted, signaling that only King Salman and his powerful son will decide the pace of change. Prince Mohammed has simultaneously pursued a hawkish foreign policy - including leading a blockade of neighbouring Qatar and a bombing campaign against Iran- backed Huthi rebels in Yemen - while cracking down on dissent at home. In April, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his 'serious concern' over the continued jailing of Badawi to King Salman. Observers say Riyadh's expulsion of the Canadian ambassador was meant to send a strong message to other critical Western governments. 'Canada is easier to cut ties with than the rest,' Bessma Momani, a professor at Canada's University of Waterloo, told AFP. 'There isn't a strong bilateral trade relationship and poking the Trudeau government likely resonates with Saudi's hawkish regional allies. At jeopardy, are the tens of thousands of Saudi students in Canada.' It isn't immediately clear what new business could be affected between the two countries. Bilateral trade between the two nations reached $3 billion in 2016, with tanks and fighting vehicles among the top Canadian exports to the kingdom, according to government statistics. Saudi Arabia in recent years has expelled Iran's ambassador over attacks on its diplomatic posts following its 2016 execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. This is the moment a large deadly snake was spotted slithering its way through a sewer system. CCTV footage posted by Melbourne Water on Monday reveals a huge tiger snake in a Melbourne sewer. People have taken to social media to make a joke about the snake being found in the dirty sewer. CCTV footage captures (pictured) a large deadly snake was spotted slithering its way through a sewer system 'Why was it slimy, was it covered in greasy poo?' one man said. Workers monitoring the sewerage cameras at the state government's water system Melbourne Water reportedly 'got quite the fright when they spotted it,' according to 3AW. Mainland tiger snakes are highly populated in the east coast of Australia. They are also responsible for the second-highest number of snake bites in Australia, according to National Geographic. A snake bite from a tiger snake can be fatal if it is untreated. Workers monitoring the sewerage cameras at the state government's water system Melbourne Water reportedly 'got quite the fright when they spotted it,' according to 3AW A mysterious alien-like grey lump found washed up on a Perth beach could be worth a small fortune and has baffled marine experts. The grey mass was found by a woman walking her dog on the shore of South City Beach on Friday morning. 'I kind of poked it with my foot and I thought, that's so weird,' she told Yahoo7. 'It's probably about 15cm and it's a kind of grey, browny, even a little bit of blue on it. 'It kind of looks like skin, like a really thick shark skin.' A mysterious alien-like grey lump (pictured) found washed up on a Perth beach could be worth a small fortune and has baffled marine experts In the hope the lump was ambergris, or whale vomit, a rare and expensive ingredient used by perfume makers to help scents last longer, the woman probed the blob with a heated needle. 'If the substance is really ambergris it will instantly melt into an opaque fluid the colour of dark chocolate,' the Department of the Environment and Energy states. To her disappointment, it did not melt into wax and the identity of the lump remains unknown. Dr Jane Prince, Lecturer at the University of Western Australia suggested the lump could be a sea creature due to it's sea urchin shape, size and surface texture. Specially, Dr Prince proposed the creature may be a heart urchin. 'The pale section on the top surface at the right hand end of the object could be construed as the five pronged petalloid arrangement of pores for the tube feet,' she explained. The grey mass was found by a woman walking her dog on the shore of South City Beach (pictured) on Friday morning In the hope the lump was ambergris, or whale vomit, a rare and expensive ingredient used by perfume makers to help scents last longer, the woman probed the blob with a heated needle (stock image) However, Dr Mike Hall, a Research Scientist from the Australian Institute of Marine Science believes the object is likely to be a marine invertebrate know as 'a large solitary tunicate'. Others suggested it could be a slightly misshapen Porcupine fish swim bladder which is a strange, leathery organ of a fish. The leathery objects are occasionally found on Australian beaches 'They were once the swim-bladders that inflated or deflated to control buoyancy and balance as the fish moved up and down in the water,' according to the Queensland Museum. Dr Hall disagreed, saying the mass was oblong and looked rubbery and was therefore unlikely to be a porcupine fish swim bladder, which is typically shaped like a horse shoe. Opinions remain divided as to whether the mysterious lump is an unusual sea urchin, marine invertebrate animal or a valuable lump of whale vomit. The Australian Government regulates the possession of ambergris and restrictions are placed on it's sale. Advertisement A photographer has captured the adorable moment a playful young gorilla hitched a ride on her mother's back before tucking into a feast of fruit and vegetables. Western Lowland Gorilla, Touni, was snapped carrying her one-year-old daughter Ayana around during feeding time at Bristol Zoo. Captured by a zoo regular Ayana, who was born at the zoo last year, can be seen back-to-back with her mother gripping on using her hands and feet. Hitching a ride: This adorable photo shows one-year-old Ayana, a Western Lowland Gorilla, clutching her mother's back at Bristol Zoo. Staff say Touni is protective of her only child but mellowing as she ages, even playing with other young gorillas The pair hit the headlines a few months after Ayana was born as her mother would regularly pick her up and lift her onto her shoulders - leaving the youngster facing backwards and seeing the world the 'wrong way round'. Alan Toyne, mammal keeper at Bristol Zoo, said: 'Touni is a first-time mum and came from a very stable group in France so picked up all the essential parenting tips from observing other mothers in the natal group. 'She is very attentive and protective of Ayana but is relaxing now that she's getting older and lets her play with our other young gorilla, Afia, for several hours each day. Strike a pose: One-year-old Ayana looks straight into the camera while tucking into a feast of fruit and veg at Bristol Zoo. Ayana's mother tolerates her youngster's antics and even plays with other baby gorillas but staff say she's a dominant figure 'Ayana always rides on Touni when the troop move around Gorilla Island. 'Touni is very confident and playful and, despite her small size, is working her way towards being the most dominant female in our troop. 'Ayana's dad is a Silverback called Jock who leads his troop at the zoo. Silverback is the name given to the most dominant, mature and experienced male of the group. Bite size: Ayana and Touni hit the headlines a few months after the youngster was born and her mum picked her up and lifted her onto her shoulders, leaving the youngster facing backwards and seeing the world the 'wrong way round' 'He is responsible for the safety of his troop.' Touni, who is 10-years-old and arrived at Bristol Zoo from France, will continue to feed her first born until she's four-years-old. Bristol Zoo is home to seven Western lowland gorillas who can be viewed through 180-degree glass guest viewing area, as well as out on their grassy island. Munchies: Bristol Zoo is home to seven Western lowland gorillas who can be viewed through 180-degree glass guest viewing area, as well as out on their grassy island. Ayana's dad Jock, a large Silverback Gorilla, is responsible for the safety of his troop In June, another gorilla at Bristol Zoo hit the news as it was discovered he was a she. Kukena, also a child of ringleader Jock, was born in 2011 and staff noticed a change in her sexual organs and behaviour. Gorillas are notoriously hard to sex and Kukena has now been placed on a European breeding programme attempting to save her species from dying out. Western Lowland Gorillas are Critically Endangered in the wild and in Cameroon gorillas and chimpanzees are hunted for their meat and their young are often taken and sold as pets. Sanctuaries play a vital role in protecting and preserving this species by taking in orphaned chimps and gorillas, giving them medical attention and a safe home. An outraged musician claims she was booted off an American Airlines flight because of her cello despite paying for a separate seat for the $30,000 instrument. Jingjing Hu, a student at the DePaul University School of Music in Chicago, had flown to Miami with her cello for a music festival without any issues. But after she had boarded her return flight to Chicago on Thursday, crew members claimed her cello was too big for the seat and asked her to get off the plane, NBC5 reports. Hu had been provided with a strap to secure her cello, however airline staff told her the instrument was too large for the Boeing 737 jet and she would have to fly on a 767. As she left the plane, an altercation with the pilot apparently occurred and he allegedly accused her of knocking into her with the cello case. In a Facebook post, Hu's husband Jay Tang claimed the pilot then flashed a 'victory sign' at his wife and accused her of injuring him when she made her way past with her cello. But observers suggested he may have simply been indicating that two more passengers could board the seemingly overbooked flight. Jingjing Hu (right, with her husband Jay Tang) says American Airlines ordered her off a plane because her cello was too big - even though she'd pay for the instrument to have its own seat She claims an American Airlines agent had assured her that there would be no issues accommodating her instrument on both flights. Hu says crew members told her the cello, secured inside a hard case, was too big for the seat but she insists it met the seat size restrictions. Passengers are permitted to carry oversized instruments in the flight cabin if they purchase an extra seat. American Airlines' policy requires instruments to weigh less than 165lbs and Hu's weighs less than 10. She had made it through security with her cello and was given a strap to secure her instrument despite the returning flight being a slightly smaller plane. Hu's husband Tang claimed the pilot had accused his wife of injuring him as she left the plane. 'My wife then took a picture of him and he was doing the victory sign to her,' he said Hu claims an American Airlines agent had assured her that there would be no issues accommodating her cello (above, file photo) It was only after she secured the instrument that the airline asked her to get off and she believes it was because the flight was overbooked. She was rebooked on a flight that left Miami the following day. Her husband Jay Tang, who had booked the flights, told NBC: 'I don't think we did anything wrong here and I think the way they handled it was humiliating.' Tang took to Facebook and Twitter to complain about the way his wife was treated. 'This is how American Airlines treats musicians!' he wrote. 'I purchased two round trip tickets for her and her cello on April 2 on the phone directly from AA and told them specifically that one ticket is for the cello as cabin baggage. 'I was told it is absolutely allowed and she won't have any problem.' Tang took to Facebook and Twitter to complain about the way his wife was treated JAY TANG'S FULL POST ABOUT HIS WIFE'S ORDEAL This is how American Airlines treats its musicians! So my wife Jingjinh Hu, a DePaul University School of Music student, is scheduled to fly back to Chicago on American Airlines flight 2457 from Miami today. She is travelling with her cello in a hard case as a cabin baggage. I purchased two round trip tickets for her and her cello on Apr.2 on the phone directly from AA and told them specifically that one ticket is for the cello as cabin baggage. I was told it is abosolutely allowed and she won't have any problem. She flew from Chicago to Miami on American Airlines 335 on Jun. 19 without any problem. She checked in her flight back yesterday online for both herself and the cello. Today she arrived at Miami International Airport 3 hours ahead, checked in her luggage, went through security check, and boarded the plane normally. Just before the flight attendants were about to close the gate, she was told to get off the plane because "the aircraft is too small for the cello". She was assured that she could get on the next flight to Chicago about 1 hour later. When she was turning around and leaving the plane, her cello case touched the pilot. The pilot immediately claimed that he was bleeding because of the touch, while apparently there is no blood or injury to be found. My wife then took a picture of him and he was doing the victory sign to her and said "this is why we need to get her out". Interestingly my wife was travelling with a friend, who remained on the plane. She told us that after my wife left, two other passengers came and sat in her and her cello's seats. The story does not end here. After she got off the plane and trying to find the next flight that was guaranteed, she was told that the next flight was also "too small" for the cello, and they called the police because my wife was "not being understandable". Fairly speaking no one can understand what's happening. So surrounded by three law enforcement officers, my wife was told again that either she purchase first or business class tickets out of her pocket or she could not fly back to Chicago on an American Airlines flight because of Federal Aviation Administration regulations. So basically you either have to be rich to purchase the tickets, or just settle in Miami. I don't know how are musicians supposed to travel to comply with those "regulations". But clearly AA is just playing around with customers. They just kick off passengers when they oversell their tickets using FAA regulations as an excuse. I could have been told those regulations when purchasing the ticket. My wife could have been told those regulations when flying from Chicago to Miami, at check in counter in Miami International Airport, at the gate or even when boarding the plane. Yet they chose to kick her out last minute after she was seated and her cello safely secured. They even need law enforcement involved. What a shame. Please share and forward this if you can. We are so helpless when facing those giant companies. We demand American Airlines to offer my wife and her cello a flight back to Chicago, an explanation and an apology. Advertisement He added: 'Just before the flight attendant were about to close the gate, she was told to get off the plane because 'the aircraft is too small for the cello'.' Tang also claimed that the flight's pilot had accused his wife of injuring him as she left the plane. 'My wife then took a picture of him and he was doing the victory sign to her and said 'this is why we need to get her out'. 'Interestingly, my wife was travelling with a friend, who remained on the plane. 'She told us that after my wife left, two other passengers came and sat in her and her cello's seats.' He added that despite being assured that his wife would be able to fly on the next flight, she was then told that it was also 'too small' for the cello. 'They called the police because my wife was 'not being understandable',' he added. American Airlines said the Boeing 737 (above, file photo) was too small to accommodate the cello - and rebooked Hu on a Boeing 767 Tang added: 'They just kick off passengers when they oversell their tickets using FAA regulations as an excuse. 'I could have been told those regulations when purchasing the ticket. 'My wife could have been told those regulations when flying from Chicago to Miami, at check in counter in Miami International Airport, at the gate or even when boarding the plane. 'Yet they chose to kick her out last minute after she was seated and her cello safely secured. They even need law enforcement involved. What a shame.' He concluded: 'We are so helpless when facing those giant companies. We demand American Airlines to offer my wife and her cello a flight back to Chicago, an explanation and an apology.' American Airlines said that the incident was due to a 'miscommunication.' In a statement, the airline said it rebooked Hu on a flight on a larger aircraft a Boeing 767 and provided hotel and meal accommodations. 'We apologize for the misunderstanding and customer relations has reached out to her,' the statement added. Adelaide Airport is in lock down after a car ploughed into a child and two adults at the airport's drop-off zone. Emergency services were called to the main terminal of Adelaide airport after three people were reportedly hit by a car at 5:15pm on Monday, The Advertiser reports. The pick up area at the airport has been cordoned off while paramedics treat the victims. Scroll down for video Adelaide airport is in lock down after an elderly driver ploughed into a child and two adults at an airport drop off zone (pictured) Emergency services (pictured) were called to the main terminal of Adelaide airport after three people were reportedly hit by a car at 5:15pm on Monday A witness said the driver was an elderly man who lost control of his car and crashed (pictured) into two adults and a child The child was taken to the Womens and Childrens Hospital while the three injured adults - including the driver - were brought to Royal Adelaide Hospital. A witness said the driver was an elderly man who lost control of his car. 'The elderly man had just dropped off a relative when he lost control and hit two adults, a child and parked cars,' according to 9 News. Injuries of the three victims are not believed to be life-threatening. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Adelaide Airport for comment. The pick up area at the airport has been cordoned off while paramedics treat the victims (pictured) The driver was reportedly an elderly driver who lost control of his car child was taken to the Womens and Childrens Hospital while the three injured adults - including the driver - were brought to Royal Adelaide Hospital The Chancellor (pictured in London last month) told financial bosses that he expects the EU to pass laws which restrict the operation of the Square Mile in the years after the UK's departure Philip Hammond warned the UK's banking bosses France will spearhead a bid to bind the City with red tape and swoop on its lucrative business after Brexit, it emerged today. The Chancellor told financial bosses last month that he expects the EU to pass laws which restrict the operation of the Square Mile on the continent in the years after the UK's departure. And he warned Emmanuel Macron's France will be the driving force behind this bid as Paris tries to muscle in on business and become Europe's new financial centre. Mr Hammond made the candid warning to City figures at a private meeting designed to drum up support for the Government's Brexit Chequers plan last month, The Financial Times reports. The Cabinet minister reportedly urged the business bosses to develop 'alternative pathways for growth' in emerging economies outside the EU to help Britain's economy withstand the attack. The warning has been made public just days after Mr Macron held Brexit talks with Theresa May at his Riviera retreat. The French President has made no secret of his desire to lure lucrative business away from London to Paris after Brexit. He has launched a charm offensive - dubbed Operation Seduction - to convince firms to pack up and move across the Channel. In January this year he hosted 140 top executives from firms including Google and Facebook, at the opulent Palace of Versailles. Meeting with the UK's financial services bosses on July 16, Mr Hammond predicted that the EU would initially try to minimise disruption to markets because of Brexit. But he predicted that over time the EU would pass laws which would ind the UK up in red tape and seriously 'test the UK's tolerance'. He said this would leave Britain facing a stark choice - either comply with the new regulations or ignore them and lose access to EU markets. He reportedly told bosses: 'It is important that the UK is able to display in parallel a strategy to grow non-European financial services business, such that the threat to pull out of EU arrangements is seen to be real.' The Chancellor also claimed France is interested in 'politically motivated rule changes' because Paris wants to seize business from London. A note of a meeting said: 'The Chancellor views the appetite of all countries except France to target UK-based financial services as limited.' The French President Emmanuel Macron (pictured holding Brexit talks with Theresa May in France last week)has made no secret of his desire to lure lucrative business away from London to Paris after Brexit The UK Government wants bosses from the City of London (pictured) to do more to drum up trade and links with emerging markets outside the EU so that Britain will be in a stronger position to cope if the EU racks down on links with the Square Mile Mr Hammond said other EU countries viewed financial services as more like 'logistics or facilities management'. France has proposed that foreign investment banks based in third countries - including the UK after Brexit - should face tighter controls if they hope to operate in the EU. Mr Hammond's warning has emerged just days after the City of London slashed its forecast for how many jobs may be lost over Brexit to just 5,000- down from 200,000. Lord Mayor of the City of London Charles Bowman revealed the figure as fears cool of a major hit to the financial services sector. Forecasts had varied widely but some estimates suggested 200,000 jobs could have been moved to the continent by major banks. The French Government hit back at suggestions it will use Brexit to crack down on the City of London. The French finance ministry said: 'France is keen to work on those areas where there are synergies and an ability to co-ordinate. 'There is a wish from France overall to ensure there is financial stability across the continent and therefore the rules in place have to ensure that. 'But the rules are the same for everyone in Europe and are not going to specifically target the UK.' A gun in the home -- thus available for self-defense -- is 22 times more likely to be used in an assault or homicide, an accidental shooting or a suicide or attempted suicide. In 2013, there were 73,505 nonfatal firearm injuries (23.2 injuries per 100,000 persons),[2][3] and 33,636 deaths due to "injury by firearms" (10.6 deaths per 100,000 persons).[4] This is exactly it!Nobody is saying that a CCW never stops a crime.What we are saying is that, a gun is more likely to harm a family member / person who isn't a criminal than it is to harm a bad guy.webguy4 doesn't seem to get that and instead posts anecdotal evidence like it's definitive proof. :wacko:No. It doesn't.Moreover, anybody reading your claim with any level of scrutiny will realize you pulled that claim out of your butt with a complete lack of honesty.Gun accidents:That's roughly 107,000 non-fatal + deaths, total due to guns.So lives saved is supposedly "a factor of thousands" higher?Which would be at least 107 million. So one in three peoplehave their lives saved by a gun????I don't know if RNG wants to ban guns.I do not.I want there to be practices in place to ensure that they are owned by responsible owners. Campaigners have called on Theresa May to ban the eating of dogs in Britain after claiming the disturbing practice is on the rise across Europe. International canine welfare group, the World Dog Alliance (WDA), is launching a campaign in the UK this Autumn for a full ban on dog meat consumption. Although the habit of eating canines is met with revulsion in most countries around the world, killing dogs to eat and consuming their meat is legal in Britain. A vendor waits for buyers beside dogs in cages at a market in Yulin in southern China's Guangxi province The Hong Kong based WDA believes immigration from the Far East is secretly spreading the habit of eating canines across Europe. In America, a total ban on the import, trade and consumption of dog meat, which was promoted by the WDA, is about to be put in place by US Congress and has won the backing of a series of senior MPs. In a statement, the WDA said: 'The UK is the first country in the world which enacts the Animal Welfare Act. It is unfortunate to see dog meat consumption being legal in this nation. The WDA believes a legal ban on eating dog meat would allow the UK to continue to have a global leading role in the field of animal protection, especially after UK leaves the EU. 'Local citizens in the Western countries barely eat dog meat, but the WDA worries that dog meat consumption may be spread to UK with immigration. In the US, people who eat dog meat are mainly immigrants from Asia.' Last night Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan said a ban on eating dogs is absolutely right Downing Street said it will be examining the decision made by US Congress but did not clarify if it would support a ban. Theresa May's official spokesman told a Westminster media briefing: 'The commercial trade in dog meat in the UK is illegal, but we will look closely at the decision taken in the US. 'Britain is a nation of animal lovers and we continue to have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world. We wish to maintain that.' Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan, who owns a prize-winning cockapoo called Noodle, has urged the Prime Minister to tackle the issue. Last night he dubbed a full ban 'absolutely right',The Sun reported. Sir Alan said: 'There is no need in the modern world for this disgusting habit. We should nip it in the bud now to make sure the practice never takes off here. A civilised country is decent to animals, so let's be fully decent here.' Campaigners are calling on Theresa May to ban the eating of dogs in Britain Chairman of the All-party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group Lisa Cameron MP is one of those supporting the ban on dog meat consumption. She said: 'We are urging the Government to bring in a ban. We are concerned by the World Dog Alliances' report about dog food consumption in the UK. 'We want to send out a strong message that people don't want to see it here in the UK.' The RSPCA has dismissed the idea that dog meat consumption is on the rise as its says existing legislation in the Animal Welfare Act 2006 prevents the widespread practice of it. In a statement, the RSPCA, said: 'It is illegal to sell dog meat to the public in the UK. There are also no abattoirs that have a licence to kill dogs and it would be against slaughter and animal welfare legislation too. So, while dog meat eating is not specifically banned here these laws mean that there is effectively a ban on the practice.' 'The RSPCA has no evidence that dog meat eating is on the rise in the UK, nor have we ever received any reports on this issue. While we do not believe it happens here, we continue to monitor the situation.' An estimated 30 million dogs a year are slaughtered to be eaten, across China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia - with most stolen off the street. Dog meat it is considered both a delicacy and a health tonic. US Congress made its decision to ban the import, trade and consumption of dog meat after concerns that immigration from the Far East had seen it increase. The WDA has also been urging Asian countries to ban dog meat consumption. A murder suspect on the run deliberately rammed his car into a crowd at a police station before slashing civilians and officers in China today. Two policemen were killed and four civilians were injured during the horrific attack in Renshou County, south-west China's Sichuan Province, according to reports. The attacker, known by the surname of Zhang, was shot and killed by the police. Pictures from Chinese newspapers and social media show the victims lying in a pool of blood and being taken to the hospital. A knife man launched a killing spree today in Renshou, China It is alleged that Zhang launched the assault just hours after having killed a work colleague, Renshou police said in a statement on its official social media account. He had stabbed his co-worker, Xie, on a construction site at around 7am local time, said the statement. Xie died after being rushed to the hospital. Zhang was suspected of killing Xie and the county police immediately started researching for him. Three hours later at around 10am, suspect Zhang drove his car into the Public Security Bureau of the Renshou County while being chased by the police. He deliberately hit the civilians, said the police. The shocking knife attack occurred today in Renshou County in south-west China's Sichuan Several police officers, including the head of the police station, tried to tackle Zhang, and two of them were seriously wounded during the fight, added the police. Four civilians were also injured, according to Shanghai-based news site Jiemian. Pictures released by Chinese media, including Chengdu Business Daily and by BJNews, show victims being rushed to the hospital. Two injured officers died in the hospital and the injured civilians suffered different degrees of wounds and are being treated, it is reported. The suspect was shot at the scene and died in the hospital. The police are carrying out further investigation. Advertisement Hilarious images have revealed one of the lighter-hearted moments of World War Two as British soldiers man anti-aircraft guns in full panto-drag, which the wartime government banned so they did not damage the image of the 'butch' British soldier. The amusing pictures capture the home defence troops in drag when their Christmas charity performance was interrupted by a coastal alert near Gravesend, Kent forcing them to wear the dresses with compulsory helmets on the field. Other funny photographs show the men applying makeup to each other, running up steps as their dresses blow in the wind and show off their under garments on stage in 1940. Banned pictures reveal the Christmas charity performance by home defence troops in Gravesend, Kent which was interrupted by a coastal alert forcing the troops to wear dresses in the field with their compulsory helmets. The six men show off stockings under petticoats and long taffetta dresses complete with bonnets The set of photographs, taken by John Topham while working in RAF intelligence, was censored by the British Ministry of Information. Pantomime was popular in the army as a way to relieve stress by letting the soldiers enjoy themselves on their downtime. British Prisoners of War were even said to cross dress to perform in pantomimes to keep up morale in Nazi camps. The pantomime productions were a huge success, proving popular with prisoners and guards alike. Actors rehearsed six hours a day for months to master their roles as being chosen to perform was considered a big responsibility. The disrupted pantomime in 1940 shows soldiers going about their business manning guns. One is seen to be sporting a bullet belt over the dainty dress swapping his bonnet for a helmet The set of photographs, taken by John Topham while working in RAF intelligence, were censored by the British Ministry of Information. Wartime government banned them so they did not damage the image of the 'butch' British soldier even though pantomime was a popular activity among soldiers in the war The troops were in the middle of rehearsal for their festive pantomime as they posed for pictures showing off their legs in black stockings hidden under large dresses but the government did not share their sense of humour The soldiers braved the winter chill in layers of material and tights while defending an alert in the height of the Blitz Other wartime cross dressing includes a key British intelligence figure in the Middle East who was once detained in Madrid after being seen 'in a main street dressed, down a brassiere, as a woman.' MI6 agent Lieutenant Colonel Dudley Clarke had stopped off in the Spanish capital on his way to Egypt where he was to pass on key information. He gave a number of different explanations for his clothing, telling Spanish police he was a novelist and wished to study the reactions of men to women in the streets. His story changed when the British consul visited him, telling them he was taking the clothes to a woman in Gibraltar and had put them on as a prank which didn't explain why the clothes were a perfect fit for the spy. Further wartime dressing includes a key British intelligence figure in the Middle East who was once detained in Madrid after being seen 'in a main street dressed, down a brassiere, as a woman.' MI6 agent Lieutenant Colonel Dudley Clarke had stopped off in the Spanish capital on his way to Egypt where he was to pass on key information Clarke gave a number of different explanations for his clothing, telling Spanish police he was a novelist and wished to study the reactions of men to women in the streets. His story changed when the British consul visited him, telling them he was taking the clothes to a woman in Gibraltar and had put them on as a prank which didn't explain why the clothes were a perfect fit for the spy Amazing photos of the am-dram group of Stalag 383, who donned drag for professional stage productions, were auctioned off in March this year. The group were so serious about their performances that they turned a barn into a sloping auditorium that became known as the 'Ofladium'. The servicemen wore women's clothing made out of hundreds of handkerchiefs stitched together and bartered their Red Cross parcels with their German guards for materials and props. To accompany the productions there was the 'Ofladium Theatre Orchestra' that included saxophones, trumpets, tubas and guitars. One effeminate PoW called Don 'Pinky' Smith was so convincing he became something of a pinup in the camp. Amazing photos of the am-dram group of Stalag 383, who donned drag for professional stage productions, were auctioned off in March this year. The group were so serious about their performancesthat they turned a barn into a sloping auditorium that became known as the 'Ofladium'. A beaming Kim Jong-un has toured a catfish food factory in his impoverished country as he called for the US to drop crippling sanctions. The North Korean dictator, wearing a white outfit and straw hat, inspected fish tanks and food products at the Samchon Catfish Farm with his wife Ri Sol Ju in South Hwanghae Province. Images of the despot emerged as North Korean state media called for the United States to drop sanctions, saying Pyongyang had demonstrated good faith by ending its nuclear weapons testing and handing over the remains of U.S. troops killed in the Korean War. A beaming Kim Jong-un has toured a catfish food factory in his impoverished country as he called for the US to drop crippling sanctions The North Korean dictator, wearing a white outfit and straw hat, inspected fish tanks and food products at the Samchon Catfish Farm with his wife Ri Sol Ju in South Hwanghae Province The statements came just days after a confidential United Nations report concluded North Korea has not stopped its nuclear and missile programmes, in breach of U.N. resolutions, and has continued to conduct illegal trades of oil, coal and other commodities. North Korea and the United States vowed to work to end Pyongyang's weapons programmes at a landmark summit in June in Singapore, but have struggled to reach an agreement to accomplish that goal. The North's state media accused Washington of 'acting opposite' to its plan to improve ties, despite Pyongyang making goodwill gestures, including a moratorium on nuclear and missile tests, the dismantling of a nuclear site, and the return of the remains of U.S. soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War. Such 'practical measures' had already deprived U.N. Security Council resolutions of their reason for being, said the Rodong Sinmun, a ruling Workers' Party mouthpiece. Images of the despot emerged as North Korean state media called for the United States to drop sanctions, saying Pyongyang had demonstrated good faith by ending its nuclear weapons testing and handing over the remains of U.S. troops killed in the Korean War North Korea and the United States vowed to work to end Pyongyang's weapons programmes at a landmark summit in June in Singapore, but have struggled to reach an agreement to accomplish that goal. Kim Jong-un is pictured inspecting catfish products 'There have been outrageous arguments coming out of the U.S. State Department that it won't ease sanctions until a denuclearisation is completed, and reinforcing sanctions is a way to raise its negotiating power,' the newspaper said in an editorial. 'How could the sanctions, which were a stick the U.S. administration had brandished as part of its hostile policy against us, promote the two countries' amity?' The editorial, which was run along with front page articles and photos of leader Kim Jong Un's visit to a catfish farm, was a fresh sign of Pyongyang's frustration over the slow-moving nuclear negotiations. Under U.S. President Donald Trump, the United States pushed the United Nations to impose tough sanctions on North Korea as Kim conducted a string of missile and nuclear tests last year. At a security forum on Saturday, the two sides sparred over the Singapore agreement, with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling for maintaining sanctions against Pyongyang, and his North Korean counterpart, Ri Yong Ho, criticising Washington for 'retreating' from ending the war during a speech. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un provides field guidance at a catfish plant in his impoverished country Pompeo suggested the North's continued work on its weapons programmes was inconsistent with Kim's commitment to denuclearise, although he expressed optimism the process would be achieved. On his way back to Washington, Pompeo played down the exchange of remarks with Ri, saying the tone was far different than it was last year. 'The minister made very clear of their continued commitment to denuclearize,' Pompeo told reporters travelling with him. 'I probably don't have his words exactly right, but it's pretty close. Compare the anger, frankly, over years and years, and hatred, as spewed by the North Koreans; his comments were different.' North Korea's propaganda websites on Monday also urged the United States to drop sanctions and build trust. One outlet, Uriminzokkiri, lambasted the sanctions and pressure campaign as 'anachronistic' and a hurdle for better relations, calling for efforts to officially declare an end to the Korea War. The Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving the U.S.-led United Nations forces, including South Korea, technically still at war with the North. The State Department has said it is committed to building a peace mechanism to replace the armistice, but only after the North abandons its nuclear programme. Maeri, another North Korean outlet, stressed the need for U.S. action to build confidence in response to the North's moves to close its weapons programmes and send back the soldiers' remains. 'It takes two to tango,' the website said. Kim Eui-kyeom, a spokesman for South Korea's presidential Blue House, said on Monday the government had no information regarding suspected sanctions evasion by North Korea as detailed in the confidential U.N. report. South Korea is asking the North to speed up the process of denuclearisation while asking the United States to show sincerity concerning North Korea's demands for reciprocal steps, Kim said. A man has been charged with murder after the death of a young mother-of-three in Hartlepool. Kelly Franklin, 29, died following an incident in Oxford Road, on Friday evening. Cleveland Police said she died after being found at around 9pm with 'significant injuries'. The force said on Sunday night that 30-year-old Torbjorn Kettlewell, also known as Ian, has been charged with murder and possession of a bladed article. Torbjorn Kettlewell appeared in court on Monday charged with murder. He was arrested after the death of Kelly Franklin Kettlewell spoke only to confirm his name, age and address and entered no pleas at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Monday. He has been remanded in custody until his next appearance at Teesside Crown Court on August 8. Kettlewell of Oval Grange, Hartlepol was addressed by District Judge Kristine Harrison who told him: "Mr Kettlewell you will remain in custody and appear at the crown court on the 8th of August in respect to these matters." Meanwhile, a 48-year-old woman has been released on conditional bail while inquiries continue. Paying tribute to his 'beautiful sister' Paul Robinson asked people not to speculate on her death. He said: 'RIP to my beautiful sister. I love you so much. Kelly Franklin 'Please respect our families wishes of not interfering, speculating and respect our privacy. 'We are going through every emotion right now and we do not need any additional stress.' A murder inquiry has been launched following the death of a woman who suffered significant injuries in Hartlepool A Cleveland Police spokesman said the incident happened on Oxford Road on Friday Oxford Road remains cordoned off as the police operation continues Cleveland Police said on Sunday: 'Kelly, a mother of three young children from Hartlepool, sadly died after suffering significant injuries in an incident on Oxford Road near to Chaucer Avenue in the town. 'Specially trained officers are supporting Kelly's family and our thoughts remain with them at this extremely difficult time.' The spokesman said detectives want to speak to anyone who was in the area of Oxford Road, near Chaucer Avenue, on Friday evening. Justin Trudeau marched in a lively Pride Parade in Vancouver, embracing a drag queen and other festival-goers along the way. The Canadian Prime Minister took part in Sunday's event along with Ministers Jody Wilson-Raybould, Chrystia Freeland, Harjit Singh Saggan as well as Randy Boissonnault, the special advisor on LGBTQ2 issues. Dressed in a pink shirt and mustard pants, Trudeau waved a rainbow flag as he worked up a sweat during the hour-long march. He greeted members of the public with handshakes and was seen embracing participants including Conni Smudge, who attended in a pink wig. Justin Trudeau embraces Conni Smudge during the Pride Parade in Vancouver on Sunday The Canadian Prime Ministers hugged Mz Smudge, who attended the event in a pink wig Mz Smudge shared a photo with the Prime Minister that was posted on his official Facebook page. 'Happy Pride, Vancouver!' Trudeau wrote in English and French alongside a series of pictures from the event. The pictures attracted praise from Canadians on Facebook. 'Whether or not you agree with his politics, it is refreshing to see a leader participate in all sorts of festivals and celebrations with many groups, faiths and cultures,' one commented. 'No other federal leader has done this in Canada.' Mz Smudge shared a photo with the Prime Minister that was posted on his official Facebook page. The Canadian Prime Minister took part in Vancouver's Pride Parade dressed in a pink shirt Another added: 'So so proud to be Canadian, and to have Justin Trudeau as my Prime Minister.' And another added: 'Having spent the past week in Hungary and Poland, including a study tour of Auschwitz, I was so happy to return home and see a local police officer wearing a pride pin, and now our Prime Minister leading the pride parade. 'Symbolic gestures voicing support for minorities have never seemed so important. There is much improvement to be done, but I am so grateful to live here.' Justin Trudeau, right, reaches to greet an Indigenous woman while waiting to march Trudeau waved a rainbow flag as he marched in the Pride Parade in Vancouver, on Sunday But others criticized Trudeau for not focusing on other important issues. 'Too bad he spends more time on frivolity,' one said. 'Should be going to the homeless places and spending time with Canada, poor.' Canadians took to social media to praise Justin Trudeau for taking part in the festivities Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson, center, march in the Pride Parade Advertisement Hungry and alone, a polar bear tries to eat a plastic bin bag found floating in the Arctic. Shocking images show the animal lift the bag from the water in its mouth and tear at it helplessly with its paws and teeth. The photos highlight the problem of plastic waste as an estimated 9million tons a year chokes sea life and winds up on shores around the world. Shocking: Starving and alone, a polar bear on top of a rock tries to eat a plastic bin bag found floating in the Arctic Sad: Images show the animal lift the bag from the water in its mouth and tear at it helplessly with his paws and teeth on a rock The photos highlight the problem of plastic waste as an estimated 9million tons a year chokes sea life and winds up on shores around the world It is thought the bear was attracted by the smell of food in the rubbish bag. Photographer Fabrice Guerin took the images while visiting the Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard in Norway. The 50-year-old watched the polar bear hunting for food before giving up and chewing on the plastic big bag that had washed up on to the rocks. Catching this moment on camera to illustrate the huge problem with plastic in the ocean, Fabrice was left speechless. The photographer, who lives in Paris, France, said: 'I spent four hours watching the polar bear on the rock from our boat. It is thought the bear was attracted by the smell of food in the rubbish bag. Pictured: The bear perches alone at the water's edge Photographer Fabrice Guerin took the images while visiting the Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard in Norway 'He didn't move for ages but suddenly he decided to walk as it was time for him to find food. 'With the guide, we followed him but we always kept our distance. 'When we decided to come back to our boat, we saw the polar bear was looking for something into the rocks. 'We were surprised to see this magnificent animal had a plastic bag in his mouth. Fortunately he didn't swallow it whole. 'I never thought to see some plastic in this area but I do know there is no frontier for plastic waste. 'The global production of plastic rises every year and we discover a bottles and plastic bags mostly everywhere. 'Most of this waste is not biodegradable, and a lot of animals like turtles, birds, sperm whales swallow them.' The 50-year-old watched the polar bear hunting for food but after giving up, it ended up chewing on a plastic big bag that had washed up onto the rocks Catching this moment on camera to illustrate the huge problem with plastic in the ocean, Fabrice was left speechless Asmaa Hemdan (pictured today arriving at an employment tribunal in Watford) claims she was treated like a servant by her former employers who brought her to the UK in 2011 A nanny brought to Britain to work for a doctor couple has detailed the alleged horrific treatment carried out by the pair, claiming she was called a 'dog', locked in a room for days and had her passport taken away. Asmaa Hemdan was paid just 400 in five months, or less than 50p an hour, by gynaecology specialist Dr Safaa Ismail and consultant neurosurgeon Hussien Al-Maghraby, an employment tribunal was told today. Miss Hemdan claims Dr Safaa asked her to sell her kidney and threatened to have her killed. The 37-year-old said she was treated like a servant by the couple, who lived in a three-storey house in Muswell Hill, north London, where homes are worth an average of nearly 800,000. Miss Hemdan was flown from Egypt to work for the pair, who are also from Egypt, in May of 2011 as a nanny to their then-four-year-old son. Miss Hemdan said she was fed leftovers and when she complained, was locked in a bedroom for two days with no food and had to drink from a tap in the bathroom. She also claimed they took her passport from her and made veiled threats to sell her. Watford Employment Tribunal was told Miss Hemdan, who has 12 siblings in Egypt and worked to support her family, was forced to hand over her bank card. The tribunal was told she was called 'ignorant', a 'dog' and 'disgusting' and was banned from her room and forced to sleep on the sofa if she displeased the couple. She said that Dr Safaa told her brother in Egypt they could always pay someone to kill her. Miss Hemda claims she eventually fled five months into the job when she was left alone at the couple's house. Gynaecology specialist Dr Safaa Ismail (left) and her husband consultant neurosurgeon Hussien Al-Maghraby (right) are alleged to have paid Miss Hemdan only 400 in five months of work after hiring her to look after their four-year-old son in 2011 In addition to free board at the couple's home, she was supposed to be paid 200 per month for working eight hours per day, six days per week. Miss Hemdan claims the payments stopped after two months, earning only 400. This means she was paid less than 50p an hour for five months of work, based on a 45-hour work week. At one point in August when she complained about the alleged conditions, Dr Safaa became 'furious', it is claimed. In her witness statement, Miss Hemdan said: 'Dr Safaa became furious and began to shout at Miss Hemdan, as she did so pushing her up the stairs. 'Miss Hemdan was then locked in one of the bedrooms. 'Miss Hemdan was told that she could come out when she apologised. 'She was instructed to remain in her room and did so for two days before being allowed out of the room.' Miss Hemdan told the tribunal: 'I was in my room for two days and no one brought me any food or water. 'I was too frightened to leave the room as I was scared of Dr Safaa. I was able to drink water from the sink in the bathroom.' She added: 'I was treated as a servant and often told that I was a servant.' The nanny alleged to the tribunal Dr Safaa was responsible for much of the treatment. She once told Miss Hemdan 'that she had girls working for her before and that if they didn't like things then she sold them on', it is alleged. Miss Hemdan said she was fed leftovers and when she complained, was locked in a bedroom with no food and had to drink from a tap in the bathroom. She also claimed they took her passport from her and made veiled threats to sell her. Pictured: Dr Safaa Ismail on Monday Miss Hemdan said: 'I was shocked when she said this. 'I remember I said ''sold them'', because I was so shocked, and Dr Safaa said ''yes'' if you sell the passport the girl follows it like a dog.' On another occasion, when Miss Hemdan visited the bank with the doctor, she was asked if she would be willing to sell her kidney, it is alleged. Miss Hemdan said: 'Dr Safaa told me that she was talking to the bank manager about her illness as she had a kidney problem. 'As we were leaving, Dr Safaa said to me that some people sell a kidney to another person who needs one. I did not know what to say. 'Dr Safaa waited a moment and then asked me what did I think about that? I answered that if someone would do it, it would be a human and good thing to do. 'Dr Safaa replied: ''Are you willing?''. I said no, that I was talking in general, not about my own kidney. 'Dr Safaa said that she could get me 25,000 if I agreed to give ''us'' my kidney. 'I believe that when she said ''us'' she meant her and the bank manager. 'I said no, I could not possibly do this. I said that we do not own our kidneys, they are given to us by Allah.' Miss Hemdan told the tribunal she was given an en-suite guest room in the family's loft during the stay. She said: 'If Dr Safaa was upset with me she would not let me sleep in my bedroom. 'On those occasions I was told that I would have to sleep on a sofa in the living room.' She added: 'Dr Safaa told me that I was always to use the bathroom in my bedroom. 'She told me that she did not know where I had come from and what germs and microbes I might have.' It is alleged Dr Safaa would call Miss Hemdan 'dog' and asked to be referred to as 'hadretek', an Arabic term said to denote superiority. The nanny said: 'This meant that I always had to speak to Dr Safaa as though she was ''higher'' or ''more important'' than me. 'If I did not do so, she shouted at me.' Miss Hemdan is now claiming failure to provide written terms and conditions, race discrimination, failure to pay wages and failure to allow or pay her holiday leave Her access to food was 'restricted' and she would generally be given leftovers from food the family had eaten, the tribunal was told. Miss Hemdan said: 'Dr Safaa gave me a spoon, plate, bowl and glass and told me that they were mine and that I was to use them and nothing else. 'Dr Safaa said she was disgusted by me. 'Dr Safaa would say things like, ''I understand viruses. I am not ignorant like you''.' She added: 'The food I was given was what was left over once the family had eaten their fill.' Miss Hemdan told the tribunal she fled the house in October, when the couple moved from London to Coventry. The nanny was made to 'carry out the packing and moving' because professional movers were 'too expensive', it is alleged. She would be driven from Coventry to London 'twice a day' to help with the move, but one day was left at the London home while Dr Al-Meghraby went for lunch, the tribunal heard. Miss Hemdan ran away before contacting her family in Egypt, who said they had been threatened, the tribunal heard. She said: 'Dr Safaa had called my brother and told him that they could give someone 10,000 to have me killed.' Both doctors deny all of the claims made by Miss Hemdan and said she had full access to food and living facilities. They say the nanny was paid in full before she left with 'no explanation'. The couple stood trial in a criminal court for trafficking, false imprisonment and holding Miss Hemdan in servitude. But after two juries could not agree on a verdict they were formally cleared by a judge. Miss Hemdan is now claiming failure to provide written terms and conditions, race discrimination, failure to pay wages and failure to allow or pay her holiday leave. The tribunal was reserved for judgement at a later date. A 30-year-old Queensland man has been charged after police say he was found in possession of a large amount of child exploitation material. A search warrant executed at an address in Hervey Bay uncovered a computer filled with a 'vast trove' of child pornography, Queensland police have said. The man was arrested on Friday and charged with a number of serious offences that are part of an ongoing investigation into other offences involving victims around Australia. A 30-year-old Queensland man has been charged after police say he was found in possession of a large amount of child exploitation material uncovered on a computer A search warrant executed at an address in Hervey Bay (pictured) uncovered a computer filled with a 'vast trove' of child pornography, Queensland police have said He was charged with a total of eleven counts of indecent treatment of a child, three counts of making child exploitation material, and one count of rape. Also included in the charges were six counts of burglary and two counts of willful damage. The investigation also uncovered a number of other offences and victims in other parts of Australia. Investigations are continuing. Queensland Police taskforce ARGOS is dedicated to the investigation of child exploitation, and is constantly screening victim footage. The Victim Identification Unit within the force is consistently inundated with footage shared worldwide with organised crime groups and paedophile organisations. 'The problem is becoming, dare I say it, an epidemic,' detective inspector Jon Rouse of Queensland Police said. 'I have seen things and I have heard things that cannot be unseen or unheard.' Gill McMahon, 77, needed stitches after the fox attacked her and broke her finger A great grandmother was bitten three times and had her finger broken in a terrifying attack by a fox that crept into her home as she read a newspaper. Gill McMahon, 77, was enjoying a morning coffee in her lounge in Little Chesterford, Essex when she felt a 'sharp pain' in her finger. The pensioner looked down to see the creature had its jaws clamped down on her hand, leaving her needing her nail removed along with a tetanus jab and stitches. The retiree, who also needs physiotherapy, jumped out of her seat and swung her arm to make the animal loosen its grip, only for it to bite her on the other hand and her right foot. Mrs McMahon eventually managed to chase the predator away and ran to get her son, who rushed her to hospital in Cambridge. She said: 'I felt a sharp pain in my hand on my middle finger. 'I looked down and there was a fox hanging onto it. I leapt up and started screaming. It seemed like forever. 'Finally he dropped off and bit my other hand. I must have tried to hit him.' 'I haven't had my french windows open since. I've got a stick beside my bed. I'm definitely warier than I was before,' she added. Mrs McMahon said the animal also bit her on the foot in the random attack that has left her with a sense of 'trepidation' in her 500,000 detached cottage in the Essex countryside. Doctors removed Mrs McMahon's nail due to the risk of infection. The 77-year-old also needed stitches and a tetanus jab. She has visited hospital twice for physiotherapy since the attack Injuries to Mrs McMahon's feet were sustained after she managed to release the fox from her finger. The attack continues when the intruder turned to her feet and continued biting her She added: 'I thought I was in some sort of nightmare. The only thought that went through my head was, 'What do I do if it doesn't let go?' It really hurt.' The animal, which had come in through her French windows, then ran into her dining room. The great-grandmother-of-five said: 'It just sort of stood there looking at me. I went in a shooed it away. 'Nobody heard me scream. I ran and woke up my son. He got some towels because I was bleeding profusely.' Startled Christopher McMahon, who was staying with his mother while on holiday, drove her straight to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. She said: 'When I got to hospital, I felt I was living in some sort of fantasy world. 'It broke one of the bones in my finger. They gave me a tetanus jab, antibiotics and spent quite a lot of time cleaning up the wound and giving me stitches.' Mrs McMahon likened her ordeal to a 'nightmare' and said she felt like she was living in 'some sort of fantasy world' when she arrived at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge with her son The 77-year-old said she believes the intruder got through her open French windows. Mrs McMahon hasn't opened them since and said she even sleeps with a stick by her bedside The retired mother-of-two, who has three grandchildren, had to have her nail removed due to risk of infection. She has returned to hospital twice since the attack, which happened on July 22. A physiotherapist has given Mrs McMahon exercises to do in order to get the movement back in her damaged finger. However, urban wildlife consultant John Byrant said that fears about being attacked by foxes should not be blown out of proportion. Mr Bryant, who in 2014 was given the RSPCA Queen Victoria Gold Medal for his animal welfare work, said that about 7,000 people were treated each year in hospital for dog bites, and around 4,000 for cat bites. He said: 'With foxes, I would say it's about two a year. The chances of anybody being bitten by a fox are minuscule. 'I've worked with foxes for about 45 years and I've never come across an aggressive one.' But the fox expert added it was the time of year when young cubs were starting to explore without their parents. Mr Bryant added: 'The youngsters are all over the place. They're like teenage hooligans. 'If you leave a door open, they're likely to jump in because they're very curious.' A fox (file picture) similar to the one that attacked Mrs McMahon. Fox expert John Bryant said Mrs McMahon's fingers would have looked like sausages to the animal walking into her home Commenting on Mrs McMahon's case, he said: 'To a fox walking in and seeing a finger hanging down, it could be like sausages.' Mrs McMahon has spent most of her life travelling the world with her husband Anthony, who worked in the diplomatic service. The pair stayed in locations including Turkey, Russia, Pakistan and Honduras but she says this is one of her most peculiar wildlife experiences. She said: 'I've lived in some pretty wild places and this is the strangest thing that's ever happened to me, at least in regards to wildlife.' I can understand why governments don't like cryptocurrencies, which is exactly why libertarians jumped on the bitcoin bandwagon at the start. But like the Dark Web, I don't believe that government spying operations don't have a hand in there somewhere. They're just not going to show it...at least not yet. If they decide that bitcoin and other crypto's are a real threat at some time in the future, they'll pull the rug out from under it! The other phenomena I don't get is this function called "Bitcoin Mining," which is using up ever increasing amounts of electricity in countries where internet bandwidth is extremely cheap...I've heard Iceland has several bitcoin mining server farms running...seems like the craziest way to try to make money that's out there! Another example of high tech being environmentally damaging in actual fact. If global capitalism crashes, instead of going out with a whimper as it appears to be doing today, trading useable items and products might be the best option after the end of civilization. Gold and silver are more likely to carry intrinsic value than any cryptocurrencies that would vanish as soon as the web goes down! The former Foreign Secretary (pictured in London last month) criticised the Muslim head veils in his weekly newspaper column - and branded the coverings 'oppressive' Boris Johnson has sparked fury after saying that women who wear burqas and niqabs look like 'bank robbers' and 'letterboxes'. The former Foreign Secretary used his weekly newspaper column to say the Muslim head veils are 'oppressive' for women. And he hit out at male oppressive regimes around the world who force their female populations to adopt them. But he also said he does not agree with Denmark's decision to ban the coverings, warning the move risks backfiring and fanning the flames of radicalism. His remarks have sparked fury - with Labour MP David Lammy branding the ex cabinet minister a 'pound-shop Donald Trump' and warning he is fanning the flames of Islamophobia. Mr Johnson used his weekly Daily Telegraph column to criticise burqas - also spelt as burkas - but urged caution in the state's role in intervening to stop women wearing them. His intervention comes days after after a 28 year-old woman became the first person in Denmark to be fined under new laws banning full-face Islamic veils. Mr Johnson wrote: 'If you tell me that the burka is oppressive, then I am with you. 'If you say that it is weird and bullying to expect women to cover their faces, then I totally agree and I would add that I can find no scriptural authority for the practice in the Koran. 'I would go further and say that it is absolutely ridiculous that people should choose to go around looking like letter boxes; and I thoroughly dislike any attempt by any invariably male government to encourage such demonstrations of 'modesty', notably the extraordinary exhortations of President Ramzan Kadyrov of Chechnya, who has told the men of his country to splat their women with paintballs if they fail to cover their heads.' What are the controversies surrounding the burqa and niqab? The burqa and niqab have both been mired in controversy in the West, where politicians have warned that women are being forced to cover up. Here are some of the controversies surrounding the head coverings: Terror suspects have escaped surveillance by disguising themselves in burqas Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed, escaped surveillance by disguising himself as a woman in a burqa in November 2013. He went missing from a mosque in Acton, west London, after putting on the female covering. Burqa bans have been introduced across Europe as politicians seek to allay security fears A trial was halted after a Muslim woman refused to take off her niqab in the dock in August 2013. Judge Peter Murphy would not accept a plea from the 21-year-old defendant because he said he could not be sure that the person in the dock was who she claimed to be. Several European countries seek to ban or impose restrictions on wearing the burqa In 2010 France passed a law to ban the burqa. The European Court of Human Rights later upheld the prohibition, saying it accepted France's argument that it helped its citizens live together. In December 2016, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the wearing of in Germany 'wherever it is legally possible'. Advertisement He said that if a constituent came to his office with with her face obscured 'I should feel fully entitled like Jack Straw to ask her to remove it so that I could talk to her properly'. He added: 'If a female student turned up at school or at a university lecture looking like a bank robber then ditto: those in authority should be allowed to converse openly with those that they are being asked to instruct.' But he said that he does not agree with Denmark's recent decision to impose a total ban on burkas and niqabs. He said: 'If you go for a total ban, you play into the hands of those who want to politicise and dramatise the so-called clash of civilisations; and you fan the flames of grievance. 'You risk turning people into martyrs, and you risk a general crackdown on any public symbols of religious affiliation, and you may simply make the problem worse.' His intervention came days after a woman, 28, wearing a niqab became the first person in Denmark to be fined under new laws banning full-face Islamic veils. The woman was fined after getting into a fight with another woman, who had tried to tear of her veil. She was told by police she would be fined 1,000 kroner (119.37) in the post, and was told to remove her veil or leave the public space, but decided to keep on her headwear. Denmark introduced a law on August 1 where people wearing a burqa, which covers a person's entire face, or a niqab, which only shows the eyes, while in public carries a fine of 1,000 kroner. Balaclavas, masks, false beards and other accessories are included in the ban. Mr Johnson's comments were slammed by Labour, with Naz Shah, Labour's Shadow Equalities Minister, saying: 'Boris Johnson's latest racist insults can not be laughed off, like they often are. Denmark's new face veil ban is likely to apply to the niqab and burqa - not the hijab and chador Labour MP David Lammy branded the ex cabinet minister a 'pound-shop Donald Trump' and warned he is fanning the flames of Islamophobia. 'Saying Muslim women look like letterboxes, comparing them to bank robbers and describing Islam as a 'problem' was a calculated attack and published in a national newspaper. 'Theresa May must condemn this blatant Islamophobia and Boris Johnson must apologise.' And Mr Lammy, the Labour MP for Tottenham, said: 'Muslim women are having their burkas pulled off by thugs in our streets & Boris Johnson's response is to mock them for 'looking like letter boxes.' 'Our pound-shop Donald Trump is fanning the flames of Islamophobia to propel his grubby electoral ambitions.' Mrs May's official spokesman said: 'The long-standing Government position on this is clear, that we do not support a ban on the wearing of the veil in public. 'Such a prescriptive approach would be not in keeping with British values of religious tolerance and gender equality.' A ten-person professional gang has been jailed for 28 years for faking wage slips in an illegal immigration racket to get people into Britain. Accountancy firm owner Denaught Sharma, 56, created pay packets showing earnings of more than 18,600 to 'phantom workers' in his book-keeping business. Cardiff Crown Court heard the gang used fake wage slips to show enough earnings so they could apply for visas for spouses to stay or move from abroad into Britain. Denaught Sharma (left) was said to have been 'at the heart of offending' and sold the fake slips for up to 4,500 - including to desperate bride Sarah Brindle (right) Sharma, of Newport, South Wales, was said to have been 'at the heart of offending' and sold the slips for up to 4,500 - including to desperate bride Sarah Brindle. Brindle, 25, needed to prove she earned at least 18,600 to allow her husband Sandeep Kumar to stay in the UK. A court heard she wed 31-year-old Kumar after he came to Britain from India to study a master's degree in business on an education visa. But he faced leaving after his visa expired. He had been working as a manager at McDonald's - and needed to prove his wife was earning enough to support him. The bogus wage slips showed Brindle was working for the accountancy business to support her husband being in the UK. But the racket was rumbled in a police probe. Brindle, 25, needed to prove she earned at least 18,600 to allow her husband Sandeep Kumar (left) to stay in the UK. Jagdeep Singh (right) was jailed for 21 months for his involvement Brindle was jailed for two years but Kumar since fled the UK and left his wife behind. He was convicted in his absence. I am deeply sorry for what I have done. I stepped over the mark Denaught Sharma A court heard Sharma owned two companies, called ACS Limited and Storm PWR, but was not a qualified accountant. Sharma, representing himself, said: 'I am deeply sorry for what I have done. I stepped over the mark.' He claimed he was 'motivated by humanitarian factors' instead of the money - but was jaield for seven years and seven months. Accomplices Pirun Sheikh, 42, and Abdul Shifar, 43, acted as his 'go-betweens and assistants' in the immigration racket. Suleza Begum (left) was jailed for 21 months and Zakiyya Begum (right) for 19 months after being convicted of facilitating illegal entry by using the fake employment records Prosecutor Carl Harrison said the gang were caught after a two-year investigation by Immigration Enforcement's criminal and financial investigation team. The scam was uncovered in 2013 when Sharma was interviewed by Gwent Police as a potential witness in an unrelated case - and incriminating text messages were found on his phone. Mohammed Uddin, Brindle, Abdul Muqith, Suleza Begum, Zakiyya Begum and Jagdeep Singh were convicted of facilitating the illegal entry to the UK of their wives and husbands by using the fake employment records. Sharma admitted six counts of obtaining leave to remain in the UK by deception under the same act. He was jailed for seven years and seven months. All other defendants were charged with offences of making a false representation under the Immigration Act. Accomplices Pirun Sheikh (left), 42, and Abdul Shifar (right), 43, acted as Sharma's 'go-betweens and assistants' in the immigration racket Seven defendants pleaded guilty. Brindle, Kumar and Shifar denied their charges but were convicted by a jury after a trial. It is clear that a lot of planning and organisation went into running this organised criminal enterprise Nick Jupp, Immigration Enforcement Sheikh, 42, of Cardiff, was jailed for four years and nine months and Shifar, of Merthyr Tydfil, was jailed for four years. Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke jailed Brindle and Kumar for two years. Uddin was jailed for 15 months, Zakiyya Begum for 19 months, Suleza Begum for 21 months, Singh for 21 months and Miquith for 22 months. Speaking outside the court after sentencing, Nick Jupp, assistant director of Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations, said: 'It is clear that a lot of planning and organisation went into running this organised criminal enterprise. Mohammed Uddin (left) was jailed for 15 months and Abdul Muqith (right) for 22 months 'Sharma, Sheikh and Shifar were the face of this outfit and cynically forged documents and invented fake employers for financial gain. 'By bringing these criminals to justice we have stopped a concerted and systematic assault on the UK's immigration system. We will not hesitate to prosecute anyone involved in this type of criminality.' Detective Constable Wayne Alexander, of Gwent Police, said: 'We work closely with law enforcement partners at the Home Office to tackle organised crime and welcome the sentences handed down by the court. 'This type of criminal behaviour will not be tolerated in Gwent and we will continue to take robust action to identify offenders and bring them to justice.' Pubs around the nation have pledged a portion of profits from the sale of chicken parmigiana to support drought-stricken farmers. With 99 per cent of New South Wales and just under 60 per cent of Queensland officially in drought, a community fundraiser Parma For A Farmer is showing every cent counts. Pubs who choose to support Parma For A Farmer are donating $1 from every chicken parmigiana sold during the month of August towards the fundraiser. Pubs around the nation are sending profits made from the humble chicken parmigiana (pictured) in a bid to support struggling farmers battling one of Australia's worst droughts The money is going towards buying hay and farming essentials for farmers, Geelong Advertiser reports. Chicken parmigiana, commonly known as 'parma', is an Australian culinary classic featuring a crumbed chicken breast topped with tomato sauce, a slice of ham and and melted cheese. Sphinx Hotel in Geelong in New South Wales sell more than 1,000 parmigianas per month and have already served up 80 in the first two days of the fundraiser. Bar manager Julie Siketa said she's happy to be supporting the drought-affected farmers. 99 per cent of New South Wales and just under 60 per cent of Queensland are officially in drought (stock image) Pubs that are involved in the campaign are donating $1 for every chicken parmigiana bought towards the cause 'Were doing it basically just to give back to the community and help out the poor farmers who are in need of a hand,' Ms Siketa told the Geelong Advertiser. More than 1,000 pubs and venues have signed up for the Parma For A Farmer fundraiser. Peak body for hotel and bars industry The Australian Hotels Association has called on all Australian pubs to support the farmers who are doing it rough. The company's head Paddy O'Sullivan said pubs have a responsibility to help the local community. The Turnbull government announced on Sunday that lump-sum payments will be handing out cash payments of up to $12,000 for drought-stricken farmers 'The local pub is the heart of the local community,' he told news.com. It comes after the Turnbull government announced on Sunday that lump-sum payments will be handing out cash payments of up to $12,000 for drought-stricken farmers. 'Our farmers put the food on our table and the fibre on our back. We admire their courage and we stand with them. We have their back,' Mr Turnbull said. The government will be giving lump-sum payments through the Farm Household Allowance. Up to $1 million has also been pledged towards mental health initiatives to support the farmers who need it. A US-backed military coalition in Yemen has secretly paid al-Qaeda to leave cities and allowed others to retreat with weapons and looted cash, it has been claimed. The Saudi led coalition has claimed 'again and again' to have made decisive victories over the past two years, forcing militants to abandon their strongholds in the war-torn country. But many of those conquests came without firing a shot, according to an Associated Press investigation, which said al-Qaeda fighters have sometimes been allowed to retreat with arms and wads of money. The compromises and alliances have allowed al-Qaeda militants to survive to fight another day - and risk strengthening the most dangerous branch of the terror network that carried out the 9/11 attacks. A US backed military coalition in Yemen is secretly paying al-Qaeda to leave cities with weapons and looted cash without firing a shot at them, it has been claimed. Pictures show coalition-backed fighters advancing on Yemen's Red Sea port town of Mocha in January 2017 Key participants in the pacts said the U.S. was aware of the arrangements and held off on any drone strikes as the al-Qaeda fighters retreated in plain sight. The AP's findings are based on reporting in Yemen and interviews with two dozen officials, including Yemeni security officers, militia commanders, tribal mediators and four members of al-Qaeda's branch. All but a few of those sources spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals. Emirati-backed factions, like most armed groups in Yemen, have been accused of abducting or killing their critics. The deals uncovered by the AP reflect the contradictory interests of the two wars being waged simultaneously in this southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. In one conflict, the U.S. is working with its Arab allies - particularly the United Arab Emirates - with the aim of eliminating the extremists known as Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP. But the larger mission is to win the civil war against the Houthis, Iranian-backed Shiite rebels. In that fight, al-Qaeda is effectively on the same side as the coalition - and, by extension, the United States. The U.S. has sent the coalition billions of dollars in weapons to fight the Houthis, and American jets provide air-to-air refueling for coalition war planes. The U.S. does not fund the coalition, however, and there is no evidence that American money went to AQAP militants. The Saudi led coalition has claimed 'again and again' to have made decisive victories over the past two years, forcing militants to abandon their strongholds in the war-torn country. Pictured: A coalition fighter helps an injured man during military operation last year 'Elements of the U.S. military are clearly aware that much of what the U.S. is doing in Yemen is aiding AQAP and there is much angst about that,' said Michael Horton, a fellow at the Jamestown Foundation, a U.S. analysis group that tracks terrorism. But supporting allies against 'what the U.S. views as Iranian expansionism takes priority over battling AQAP and even stabilizing Yemen,' Horton said. The AP found that coalition-funded militia commanders actively recruit al-Qaeda militants - considered to be exceptional fighters - or fighters who until very recently were members of the group. Abdel-Sattar al-Shamiri, a former adviser to the governor of Taiz province, said he recognized al-Qaeda's presence from the start and told commanders not to recruit members. 'Their response was, `We will unite with the devil in the face of Houthis,'' al-Shamiri said. A militia commander in Taiz, known as Aboul Abbas, was put on the U.S. terrorism list for al-Qaeda ties last year. But he continues to receive money from the UAE for his militia, his aide Adel al-Ezzi told the AP. Al-Ezzi rejected the U.S. accusation, denying any terrorism links. Soon after his comments, the AP saw him meeting with a known AQAP commander. Another Taiz commander - Adnan Rouzek, who was recently given $12 million by Yemen's president for his fighting force - has a known al-Qaeda figure as his closest aide. The U.S. is aware of an al-Qaeda presence among anti-Houthi ranks, a senior American official told reporters in Cairo earlier this year. Because coalition members back militias with hard-line Islamic commanders, 'it's very, very easy for al-Qaeda to insinuate itself into the mix,' the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity under the briefing's terms. An explosion raises a cloud as coalition-backed fighters advance on the Red Sea port town of Mocha in Yemen in 2017 The Pentagon denied any complicity with al-Qaeda. 'Since the beginning of 2017, we have conducted more than 140 strikes to remove key AQAP leaders and disrupt its ability to use ungoverned spaces to recruit, train and plan operations against the U.S. and our partners across the region,' spokesman Navy Cmdr. Sean Robertson said in an email. 'Our regional partners have a proven track record of aggressively pursuing terrorist organizations and denying them safe haven in Yemen and DOD does not have any reason to doubt their resolve,' he wrote. The Saudi-led coalition commented by saying it 'continues its commitment to combat extremism and terrorism.' The UAE did not respond to repeated requests for comment. In early 2016, al-Qaeda pulled out of the southern port city of Mukalla and seven areas in the nearby Abyan province, under deals reached with the UAE, according to five military, security and government officials and four tribal mediators involved in the Abyan arrangement. That agreement included a provision that 10,000 local tribesmen - including 250 al-Qaeda militants - would be incorporated into the Security Belt, the UAE-backed Yemeni force in the area, an al-Qaeda negotiator and two Security Belt commanders said. An accord for the withdrawal in February from the town of al-Said in Shabwa province went further, the AP found. The coalition promised payments to al-Qaeda members who left, according to Shabwa's security chief Awad al-Dahboul, a mediator and two government officials. Al-Dahboul said about 200 al-Qaeda members received payments. He did not know the exact amounts, but said 100,000 Saudi rials ($26,000) were handed over to one al-Qaeda leader in the presence of Emirati commanders. Thousands of tribal fighters, including AQAP members, also were to be taken into the UAE-funded Shabwa Elite militia, the mediator and two officials said. Al-Shamiri, the former official from Taiz, warned that the militants will be difficult to uproot after filtering into such roles. 'We will get rid of Houthis and we will be struck with terrorist groups.' A Chinese boy abducted by a stranger in broad daylight has been rescued hundreds of miles away from home. Chilling surveillance footage captures how six-year-old Chuan Chuan was kidnapped on a street in Kunming when he was playing video games last week. The video shows a stranger casually approaching the boy, talking to him briefly before carrying him away calmly. Six-year-old Chuan Chuan, in a green top and red trousers, is seen playing on a street in China A stranger then approaches him and starts to talk to the young boy, as a CCTV video shows The incident occurred at around 1pm last Thursday in Baofeng village in Kunming, according to a report from Kunming TV. Chuan Chuan, wearing a green top and red trousers, was playing video games with several other children outside a small supermarket, according to the surveillance footage released by the TV station. The clip shows a stranger waiting by the video game machines before going up to Chuan Chuan for a brief conversation. A few minutes later, the man is seen carrying Chuan Chuan in his arms and walking away from the scene discreetly. Chuan Chuan's father Mr Long, a street vendor, claimed he did not know the man who had taken away his son. He admitted that Chuan Chuan had been left alone to play on the day because he had to ride his tricycle around the city to sell fruit. He reported to the police after failing to find his son. The man then carries the boy in his arms before calmly leaving the scene last Thursday The man looks around him before vanishing from sight with the boy soon afterwards The desperate father said he had been waiting outside the supermarket every day since, hoping to find some clues to Chuan Chuan's disappearance. The police found Chuan Chuan at around 11pm on Saturday in another city called Baoshan, which is 400 kilometres (250 miles) from Kunming, it is reported. Chuan Chuan told the police that he had spent two days with a 'strange uncle' who had bought him a toy car and played with him next to a river. The boy was returned to his mother on the same night. His mother, Ms Li, told Kunming TV emotionally: 'I thought I had lost him forever. I cried every day. 'Now he has been found. What a relief.' The suspect has been detained by the police. The case is being investigated further. Iran has confirmed that it had held war games in the Gulf over the weekend, saying they were aimed at 'confronting possible threats' by enemies. The drills, said to involve more than 100 warships, were carried out by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, a paramilitary branch of its army which is dedicated to protecting the country's Islamic system. U.S. officials reported last week that they believed Iran had started carrying out naval exercises in the Gulf, apparently moving up the timing of annual drills amid heightened tensions with Washington. It happened: Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed that it held war games in the Gulf this weekend. Pictured: Iranian navy vessels take part in a military exercise in the Strait of Hormuz in January 2012 Confirmed: US officials reported last week that ther had been an increase in naval activity in the Strait of Hormuz - a strategic waterway for oil shipments Iran has been furious over U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of an international nuclear deal and reimpose sanctions on Tehran. Senior Iranian officials have warned the country would not easily yield to a renewed U.S. campaign to strangle Iran's vital oil exports. 'This exercise was conducted with the aim of controlling and safeguarding the safety of the international waterway and within the framework of the programme of the Guards' annual military exercises,' Guards spokesman Ramezan Sharif said, according to Iranian state news agency IRNA. Guards commander Mohammad Ali Jafari 'expressed satisfaction over the successful conduct of the Guards naval exercise, emphasising the need to maintain and enhance defence readiness and the security of the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz and to confront threats and potential adventurous acts of enemies'. U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the drills appeared designed to send a message to Washington, which is intensifying its economic and diplomatic pressure on Tehran but so far stopping short of using the U.S. military to more aggressively counter Iran and its proxies. Iranian naval officers salute during the military exercises in the Persian Gulf in January 2012 The U.S. military's Central Command said last weak that it had seen increased Iranian naval activity in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway for oil shipments the Revolutionary Guards have threatened to block. But Iran did not appear interested in drawing attention to the drills. Iranian authorities had not commented on them earlier and several officials contacted by Reuters this week had declined to comment. Last month, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei backed President Hassan Rouhani's suggestion that Iran may block Gulf oil exports if its own exports are stopped. Rouhani's apparent threat earlier in July to disrupt oil shipments from neighbouring countries came in reaction to the looming U.S. sanctions and efforts by Washington to force all countries to stop buying Iranian oil. Advertisement These stunning images show women from a tribe in Ethiopia, Africa, where it is tradition to wear a large clay disc in the bottom lip. Female members of the Omo Valley's Mursi tribe, which number less than 10,000, begin wearing the discs in adolescence. Surrounded by mountains between the Omo and Mago rivers, the home of the Mursi is one of the most isolated regions of the Ethiopia. A woman from the Ethiopian Mursi tribe wears a headdress made from what appears to be water buffalo horns Tradition: Two young Mursi women show off their lip plates, while scarification is visible on their upper bodies The lip-plate is a coming-of-age process for women in the Mursi tribe, with a teenage girl traditionally having her bottom lip pierced at around age 15. The cut is plugged with a piece of wood, and once this initial piercing has healed, the girl can begin stretching her lip with clay or wooden discs, The Mursi women often carve their own patterns and designs into their lip plates, which can vary in size. Once healed and stretched, the women suffer no discomfort, and apart from minor effects on her speech, the disc does not impair her health. Stunning: A young woman wears an elaborate head dress in the Omo Valley in southwest Ethiopia The lip-plate is a coming-of-age process for women in the Mursi tribe, with a teenage girl traditionally having her bottom lip pierced at around age 15 Isolated: There are less than 10,000 members of the Mursi tribe, who live in the isolated Omo Valley Craft: Mursi women often carve their own patterns and designs into their lip plates, often made of clay or wood Traditional life: A Mursi woman holds her lip disc in her hand as she peers out from a hut in the Omo Valley Many of the woman also have have scarification on their bodies - cuts across their skin which heal into scar patterns. These amazing photographs were taken by 38-year-old tour operator Evi Aryati Arbay from Jakarta, Indonesia. He said: 'The Mursi tribe were a truly fascinating group. 'The incredible lip discs are worn by their women, while many of the men have scars on their shoulders that represent how many enemies they have killed during encounters with intruders in their territory. 'You cannot enter the reserve without an armed guard.' PepsiCo CEO and chairman Indra Nooyi is stepping down after 12 years in the position, the beverage maker announced Monday. Indian-American Nooyi, 62, is one of only a few minority women in a top leadership position at a Fortune 100 company. In 2017, public filings listed Nooyi's total compensation as being $29.8million, according to CNN. 'Today is a day of mixed emotions for me. @PepsiCo has been my life for 24 years & part of my heart will always remain here. I'm proud of what we've done & excited for the future. I believe PepsiCo's best days are yet to come,' Nooyi tweeted early Monday morning. Scroll down for video PepsiCo CEO and chairman Indra Nooyi is stepping down after 12 years in the position Nooyi, PepsiCo CEO and chairman since 2006, tweeted 'mixed emotions' over her departure announcement early Monday morning She will step down as PepsiCo's longtime chief executive officer on October 3, handing over the reins to company veteran Ramon Laguarta at a time the beverage maker navigates a shrinking global soda market. Nooyi will continue holding her chairman position through early 2019 to 'ensure a smooth and seamless transition,' the company said in a statement. Under Nooyi's 12-year tenure as CEO, she boosted sales of the Mountain Dew and Gatorade maker to $63.5billion, up 80 per cent from when she started. The company's share price has risen 78 per cent in the same period. She is also largely credited with re-shaping Pepsi with tactical mergers, such as acquiring Quaker Oats and its sports drink Gatorade brand and shifting attention to healthier drinks, such as juices and teas, over sugary sodas. In a statement, Ian Cook, presiding director of PepsiCo's Board of Directors, lauded Nooyi for 'leading the way on corporate sustainability and responsibility, and embedding a sense of purpose in everything the company does.' He noted that, under Nooyi, PepsiCo expanded its portfolio of 'Good for You' and 'Better for You' options from about 38 per cent of revenue in 2006 to about 50 per cent in 2017, while simultaneously almost tripling the company's investments in research and development to expand more nutritious offerings and minimize its environmental impact. PepsiCo's Good for You brands include Quaker oatmeal, Sabra hummus, bubly sparkling water and Tropicana and Naked juices. Its Better for You brands include Pure Leaf tea, Propel electrolyte water, Lay's Baked chips and Pepsi Zero Sugar. Recently, Nooyi has focused on reinvigorating sales of its marquee sodas by stepping up marketing efforts, in a bid to win market share from Coca-Cola Co. She also declined to spin off PepsiCo's beverage business from its Frito-Lay snacks business in 2014, despite an activist investor's urging and the fact that the company's beverage sales were struggling in North America, AP reported. 'Leading PepsiCo has truly been the honor of my lifetime,' Nooyi said in a statement, adding that, 'Growing up in India, I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary company.' Nooyi is PepsiCo's fifth CEO in the company's 53-year history. Laguarta will take over on October 3 and will also join the board. A 22-year veteran of PepsiCo, Laguarta oversaw global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs in his role as president. He has also served as CEO of the company's Europe Sub-Saharan Africa division. He was elevated to president in September of last year and was widely expected to succeed Nooyi, though at the time of his appointment Nooyi said she would remain CEO 'for the foreseeable future'. 'Ramon Laguarta is exactly the right person to help build on @PepsiCo's strong position and success. He has been a critical partner and friend and I am positive that he will take PepsiCo to new and greater heights in the years to come,' Nooyi tweeted on Monday. 'With a deep understanding of PepsiCo's international operations, and a broader understanding of the total company portfolio in his role as president, we believe that Laguarta is well-placed to continue executing on PepsiCo's current strategy,' analysts at Cowen & Co said. PepsiCo's shares were up marginally in premarket trading on Monday. A Korean woman was found in a Brisbane park with head injuries so severe she drowned from internal bleeding, a court has heard. Alex Reuben McEwan has pleaded not guilty to murdering Eunji Ban in Brisbane's CBD in November 2013, but admitted to causing her death. His lawyer argues he killed her while suffering schizophrenia and was unable to control his actions. But the Crown did not accept his guilty plea to a lesser charge of manslaughter, telling his trial that he intended to kill her. Alex Reuben McEwan (pictured) pleaded not guilty to the November 2013 murder of South Korean woman Eunji Ban, arguing the violence was 'out of character' and he suffers from treatment-resistant schizophrenia Ms Ban (pictured) was found dead in Wickham Park in the early hours of November 2013 after she was allegedly repeatedly punched by McEwan, then 19, while walking to her cleaning job 'She was punched around the head and face such (to the extent) that there was damage to bones that meant she died of asphyxia,' crown prosecutor David Meredith told Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday. 'That is, she either drowned in her own blood or her airways were compromised by blood.' Ms Ban, 22, was found dead in Wickham Park on November 24, 2013 after she was allegedly repeatedly punched by McEwan, then 19, while walking to her cleaning job. She had set out from a Roma Street Parklands unit about 4am, the court heard. Friends of Alex McEwan, Luke Appleton (left) and Hayden Buchanan, leave the Supreme Court in Brisbane Blood on the pavement at the scene of the alleged murder at the southern boundary of Wickham Park, off Albert St, in Brisbane, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013 After killing her, McEwan allegedly dragged her body up a flight of stairs to Wickham Park and left her by a tree, leaving a trail of blood. A hospitality worker saw what appeared to be someone pulling something up stairs at Wickham Park before discovering Ms Ban's body and calling triple-zero, the court heard. McEwan's friend Hayden Buchanan took a call from him at 5am, about an hour after he killed Ms Ban. '(He said) 'I've just killed someone. I just went out and bashed someone. I just went for a walk and killed someone',' Mr Buchanan testified on Monday. 'I just felt like it.' The trial continues on Tuesday. The parents of murdered Korean student Eunji Ban outside the Supreme Court in Brisbane McEwan allegedly dragged her body up a flight of stairs to Wickham Park and left her by a tree, leaving a trail of blood Sir Bernard Jenkin, a leading Brexiteer, compared the scaremongering and alarm about the UK's looming departure with the the fuss about the millennium bug (file pic) The EU is risking street riots across Europe and imperiling public safety if it continues to stubbornly refuse to do a Brexit deal, leaders today warned. Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin said that furious farmers will take to the streets to vent their fury if Brussels lets the UK crash out of the bloc and then slaps hefty tariffs on trade. He compared the scaremongering over the consequences of Britain's looming departure to the unfounded fears that the millennium bug would send all computers into meltdown. Meanwhile, in a leaked letter, police leaders have warned that no deal could put the British public at risk if the EU follows through on its threat to evict the UK from its policing databases. In the letter, sent to Home Secretary Sajid Javid and leaked to The Guardian, police chiefs urge the Government to do more to prepare the country for crashing of the bloc. The warnings come amid growing fears that Britain will not get a Brexit deal - with International Trade Secretary Liam Fox saying the odds of no deal were now 60 to 40 because of Brussels' stubbornness. Theresa May's official spokesman said the UK had taken a 'significant' step in drawing up its Chequers plan and said the EU must now respond. Sir Bernard told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'What will happen to the quarter of Dutch poultry farmers who sell their goods to the UK or the one fifth of Spanish tomatoes that come to the UK what will happen to those producers of the EU insists on putting up all these barriers? 'There would be rioting in the streets at this perverse behaviour.' He added: 'The industry is feeding the Government with this diet of gloom and alarm and despondency. 'Actually, it's unnecessary and we will look back and wonder what all the fuss was about, a bit like the millennium bug.' He hit out at reports that the UK will have to stockpile drugs in preparation for no Brexit and said that Britain sells more medicines to the EU than vice versa. Meanwhile, in a letter market 'official, sensitive', police chiefs have warned Mr Javid that public safety could be put at risk if no deal is done. The letter, from the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) cross-party Brexit working group, says British officers use 32 different security mechanisms which operate through the EU. This includes the European Arrest warrant - which allows criminal suspects to be arrested and extradited around the continent - and several databases. The letter says: 'Considerable additional resource would be required for policing to operate using non-EU tools and that such tools would be suboptimal potentially putting operational efficiency and public safety at risk. 'Recruitment, vetting and training of staff to use these tools would take a substantial amount of time. Police chiefs have written to Home Secretary Sajid Javid (pictured) to warn of the policing dangers of a no deal Brexit A spokesman for Theresa May (pictured with her husband Philip arriving for a church service near to her Maidenhead constituency yesterday morning) said Liam Fox was right to point out the risks of a no deal Brexit 'We are therefore concerned that a 'no deal' scenario could cause delays and challenges for UK policing and justice agencies.' The letter adds: 'These shared tools, measures, initiatives and capabilities which have been developed over the last 40 years of cooperation across the EU have saved many lives. 'We must find ways to protect these mutually important capabilities when the UK leaves the EU in order to ensure the safety and security all our citizens.' Mrs May has repeatedly said that the UK wants to maintain a close security relationship with the bloc after Brexit. And she has warned the EU not to let their own stubborn commitment to their ideological red lines undermine the ability of European and British police and security forces cooperating to protect their citizens. What does Article 8 of the Lisbon Treaty say, and why do some believe this means the EU has to do a Brexit deal? Article 8 of the Lisbon Treaty states that the EU must seek good relations with its neighbouring countries. Here is what it says: 1. The Union shall develop a special relationship with neighbouring countries, aiming to establish an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness, founded on the values of the Union and characterised by close and peaceful relations based on cooperation. 2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, the Union may conclude specific agreements with the countries concerned. These agreements may contain reciprocal rights and obligations as well as the possibility of undertaking activities jointly. Their implementation shall be the subject of periodic consultation. Some have pointed out that by stubbornly refusing to do a Brexit deal the EU could be seen to be flouting its own rules, enshrined in this treaty. But EU experts point out that any legal case would be fraught with difficulties. They note that the Treaty only states that the EU 'may' enter into agreements with countries - and does not say it must. Advertisement Her official spokesman today repeated that warning as he said that Dr Fox 'is right to say there is a risk of the negotiations not succeeding' - although he said No10 still believes a deal is the most likely option. He also pointedly said that Mrs May has previously warned that 'rigid institutional restrictions or deep seated ideology' must not be a block to getting a good deal. The comments come amid reports that ministers have warned the EU it could be breaking its own rules if it refuses to compromise and get a deal on Brexit. Article 8 of the Lisbon Treaty - one of the key legal texts which governs how the EU operates - says the bloc should 'aim to develop an area of propensity and good neighbourliness with neighbouring countries'. Whitehall sources reportedly said that if the EU does not abandon its stubborn negotiating stance and try to broker a deal then it may be flouting this obligation. The warnings come amid growing fears that the UK could crash out of the EU at the end of next march without a deal. In an outspoken intervention at the weekend, Dr Fox - a leading Brexiteer - said 'the intransigence of the commission is pushing us towards no deal'. Asked today what the PM thought of his comments, her official spokesman said: 'We continue to believe that a deal is the most likely outcome because reaching a good deal is not only in the interests of the UK it is in the interests of the EU ad its 27 members. 'But the Trade Secretary is right to say there is a risk of the negotiations not succeeding, and the Government has to prepare for all eventualities.' And he said that Britain had come up with a working compromise in the Chequers deal - and that the ball is now in the EU's court.' He said: 'Following the publication of the white paper, we are now in a serious conversation across a broad range of issues with the EU. 'They recognise the white paper represents a significant move by the UK ad now they need to respond. 'The Prime Minister has in the past set out the importance of being pragmatic and practical in the negotiations. 'For example, in her Munich security speech, she said 'this cannot be a time where any of us allow competition between partners, rigid institutional restrictions or deep seated ideology to inhibit our cooperation and jeopardise the security of our citizens'. In an interview with The Sunday Times , Dr Fox said he believed the risk of a no-deal scenario had increased. He pinning the blame on the European Commission and Brussels' chief negotiator Michel Barnier. The UK appears set to crash out of the European Union without a Brexit deal due to the 'intransigence' of the Brussels machine, Liam Fox (pictured) has claimed He said: 'I think the intransigence of the commission is pushing us towards no deal. 'We have set out the basis in which a deal can happen but if the EU decides that the theological obsession of the unelected is to take priority over the economic wellbeing of the people of Europe then it's a bureaucrats' Brexit not a people's Brexit then there is only going to be one outcome.' He said Mr Barnier had dismissed the UK's proposals in the Chequers plan thrashed out by Mrs May and the Cabinet simply because 'we have never done it before'. Some in the Government believe that the EU could be found to have flouted its own rules unless it tries to come up with a compromise on Brexit. A Whitehall source told The Daily Telegraph that under Article 8 of the Lisbon Treaty the EU has an obligation to seek a cooperative relationship with its neighbours. And they pointed out that the bloc's current refusal to compromise on its own red lines and do a deal can be viewed as flouting this requirement. But legal experts have pointed out that the clause only requires the EU to aim to develop an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness with its border countries. Academics say that while the treaty suggests deals can be done with countries, it does not require the bloc to do them. They said this would make any legal case against the EU incredibly difficult to bring. But a Whitehall source said the UK will make it clear that the finger of blame should be pointed squarely at the EU if no deal is done. They told The Daily Telegraph: 'We have made an offer that some people think is on the generous side and the EU has to know we are not kidding. Theresa May held Brexit talks with Emmanuel Macron at his summer retreat on Friday as she seeks to win support for her Chequers plan 'If they don't like our offer they need to come back and say what the alternative is, but they can't just keep stalling. 'They also need to accept that we've done nothing wrong. 'We left under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, which says they have obligations to help us. 'The way they are behaving is making things difficult and if we end up with no deal we will make it clear whose fault it was.' Ex Brexit Secretary David Davis told the newspaper: 'The Lisbon Treaty requires them to come up with a workable arrangement and that's certainly not the description of their behaviour at the moment.' As fears of a no deal Brexit grow, Mrs May is bypassing the EU to hold talks with member state leaders directly. She met with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, cutting short her holiday to visit his summer retreat. And ministers including Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab have also engaged in diplomatic activity in Europe in recent days as the in an effort to keep the Chequers plan alive. Advertisement Once upon a time, the grandness of superyachts was determined by the number of on-board cinemas, swimming pools and rooms in which to entertain multiple exclusive guests. However the new generation of luxury boats are now being geared towards meeting the adventurous side of their super-rich owners, with an onus on 'explorer' vessels that can take them around the globe without frequent stops. The latest models are being kitted out with larger fuel tanks and reinforced hulls capable of 'breaking' through ice, allowing those on-board to undertake Arctic expeditions in comfort and style. Industry watchers say the past five years has seen an increase in younger billionaires opting for yachts boasting helicopters and submarines, an image very much in contrast to lazy afternoons spent moored to Monaco's docks. The craze is thought to have started by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who unveiled his Octopus explorer, which is kitted out with two helicopters and seven boats. Australian casino mogul James Packer also owns the Arctic P, an icebreaker vessel which was converted into a luxury boat by his father Kerry Packer in 1995. Unsurprisingly, the adventure-inspired mod-cons do not come cheap, with London-based broker Edmiston selling an 82m-long Kilkea yacht, which can sail through uncharted waters for 30 days without stopping, for 55million. US design studio Strand Craft recently revealed a new superyacht concept called Aurora Borealis. The 122m superyacht was inspired by nature and the stormy weather conditions that are common to the northern regions of Norway The 90m-long Taboo is Gill Schmid Design's new 'Ice-class' explorer, which is a purpose-built expedition superyacht built for extreme polar conditions as well as tropical heat As well as boasting explorer mod-cons such as a reinforced hull and a submarine, the Taboo has all the interior opulence expected from a superyacht Gill Schmid Design describes the Taboo as a 'high-volume purpose built expedition yacht, with the performativity of a commercial vessel, whilst offering the highest levels of luxury in the most remote places on earth' Sir Ian Collett, director at Ward & McKenzie Yacht Consultancy, told The Times: 'There is a character of owners who don't just want to be seen in Saint-Tropez or Portofino. '[They] wish to do round-the-world trips, go to the Arctic or Antarctic, travel up the Amazon or go down the African coast.' It takes a certain type of wealth to purchase a superyacht and the official term for this fortunate minority is an Ultra High Net Worth Individual. Typically this person is worth more than 25million in net assets and as of last year, there are just 200,000 of them in the world. A study found that the costs associated with having a massive boat on the water is approximately 10 per cent of the purchase price each year. For example, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, owns a 533-foot vessel with a missile defense system that cost the billionaire an astronomical 400million, meaning 40million a year in running costs. Unsurprisingly, the adventure-inspired mod-cons do not come cheap, with London-based broker Edmiston selling an 82m-long Kilkea yacht (stock image), which can sail through uncharted waters for 30 days without stopping, for 55million The latest models are being kitted out with larger fuel tanks and reinforced hulls capable of 'breaking' through ice, allowing those on-board to undertake Arctic expeditions in comfort and style An adventurous kelpie has been reunited with her relieved family after she became trapped in an abandoned mineshaft in regional Victoria. Macey was chasing rabbits on her family's Blampied property northwest of Melbourne when she fell 12 metres down an old mineshaft, where she remained trapped for six hours before her family became aware of her tricky predicament. A team of firefighters from Ballarat Fire and Rescue were called to the scene to help rescue the 12-month-old pup. A team of firefighters (pictured) were needed to rescue a distressed kelpie on a property in regional Victoria 9 News cameras were there to capture the dramatic rescue where a firefighter was lowered down into the mineshaft as Macie's family anxiously watched on. Macey was placed in a gear bag before she and her rescuer were winched back up to safety and into the arms of her delighted owners. 'She will sleep well tonight after spending six hours down the hole,' owner Paul Martin told 9 News. Macey (pictured) was happy to be reunited with her anxious family after being trapped for six hours His kids were thrilled to be reunited with their beloved pooch, who was just as excited to see them. 'They were like, 'how are we going to get her out. We can't leave her there',' Mr Martin said. Despite the 12 metre drop, minor bruising was the only telltale sign of Macey's traumatic ordeal. Macey the kelpie, pictured with owner Paul Martin was given a clean bill of health, despite a ruff day trapped in a mineshaft 'We were actually surprised that when we got little Macey up, she didn't have any obvious signs of bleeding, fractures or anything,' Country Fire Association's Wayne Martin said. A broken fence around the mineshaft will now be repaired to avoid a repeated mishap. Cops have arrested at least 20 people during a violent clash between alt-right and anti-fascist protests in Berkeley, California, on Sunday. Officers seized dozens of weapons, including hammers, pepper spray and metal bars, from the protests. A group of 'extremists' also threw explosives at police. No officers were hurt but three protesters were injured during the event. Protesters damaged 21 city vehicles; setting one alight and slashing their tires. Vandals also set trash can fires Cops have arrested at least 20 people during a clash between alt-right and anti-fascist protests in Berkeley, California, on Sunday (pictured, counter-demonstrators confront a pro-Trump supporter) Berkeley Police make their first arrest during a rally at the Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park on August 5 Antifa militants use fencing and trash cans to protect themselves from the smoke bombs shot at them and counter protesters by the police, on August 5 Police fired smoke bombs at Antifa and counter protesters, as protesters try to make their way to the alt-right rally in Martin Luther King Civic Center 'There have now been 20 arrests, most of them for possession of banned weapons in parks, and on streets and sidewalks,' Berkeley police said in a statement. 'Dozens of weapons were confiscated. 'Even though there were many hundreds of people, many of whom came armed and hostile, there were no significant injuries to anyone.' Authorities say that two groups of alt-right protesters had announced they would be holding a No to Marxism rally at the city's Civic Center Park - sparking plans for a counter Sweep Out The Fascists march. City officials said neither group had sought a permit for their rallies. Maria Lewis, 29, of Emeryville, was arrested near Francisco and McGee for carrying a banned weapon and working with others to commit a crime.David Siegfried Chou, 26, of Santa Cruz, was arrested near Francisco and McGee, for possession of a banned weapon and working with others to commit a crime, Bella Podolsky, 27, of San Francisco, was arrested near Civic Center Park for possession of a banned weapon.Javier Cruz-O'Connell, 22, of Berkeley, was arrested near Civic Center Park for possession of a banned weapon. Jason Wallach, 49, of Oakland, was arrested near Ohlone Park for possession of a banned weapon.Andres Gonzalez, 35, of Oakland, was arrested at Civic Center Park on five counts of carrying a banned weapon. Copy to caption PMS transfer info Kristin Edith Koster, 50, of Berkeley, was arrested near Ohlone Park for possession of a dangerous weaponKate Brenner, 69, of Oakland, was arrested near Hearst/Grant for possession of a banned weapon. 'We've seen what the patterns are and one of the patterns is using nonviolent protests as a cover for violence and what we encourage people to do is to separate themselves from violence,' Berkeley city spokesman Matthai Chakko told Fox station KTVU on Saturday. The incident began when 'anti-Marxist' protesters arrived at the Civic Center at around 12.30pm when they approached a table being held by the local Communist book store, and pushed some books off the table. Police and bystanders intervened before any further action was taken. 'I'm here to stand-up for America and stand-up against the Marxists in this country that are trying to undermine our country from within,' Ben Bergquam of Front Line America, told CBS San Francisco. Most of the alt-right protesters came from out of town. The violence quickly escalated and police say the groups began throwing fireworks. Berkeley police later posted photos on Facebook of some of the weapons they had seized which included rocks, wooden sticks, a hammer, metal rods and pepper spray. Jamie Louise Hill, 30, of Emeryville, was arrested near Civic Center Park, for possession of a banned weapon.Freddy Martinez, 31, of Berkeley, was arrested near Civic Center Park for battery. Ericka Sokolower-Shain, 28, of Berkeley, was arrested near Hearst and McGee for possession of a banned weapon.Sarena Lynette Perez, 39, of Oakland, was arrested near Civic Center Park for possession of a banned weapon. Blake Griffith, 29, of Oakland, was arrested near Addison and Martin Luther King Jr. Way for vandalism.Thomas Parker, 22, of Berkeley, was arrested near Francisco and McGee for working with others to commit a crime. 'We are confiscating weapons and making arrests,' police said. Sixteen of the arrested protesters, aged up to 69, have been identified as of Sunday evening. Their mugshots show reveal some bloody scrapes and injuries from the demonstrations. Most of the arrests were weapons related, Fox reports. Sarena Perez, 39, Jeffrey Garten, 28, Andres Gonzalez, 35, Jason Wallach, 41, and Kate Brenner, 69, all of Oakland, and Ericka Sokolower-Shain, 28, Javier Cruz-O'Connell, 22, and Kristen Edith Koster, 50, all of Berkeley, were all arrested for weapons charges. Jamie Hill, 30, of Emeryville, and 27-year-old Bella Podolsky of San Francisco were also charged with possession of a banned weapon. Maria Lewis, 29, of Emeryville, and David Chou, 26, of Santa Cruz, were charged with possession of a banned weapon and working with others to commit a crime. Berkeley police seized 'dozens of weapons' at opposing alt-right and anti-fascist protests (a hammer and rocks were seized at the event) Berkeley police later posted photos on Facebook of some of the weapons they had seized which included rocks, wooden sticks, a hammer, metal rods and pepper spray Thomas Parker, 22, of Berkeley, and Caitlin Boyle, 27, of Oakland were also charged with working with others to commit a crime. Blake Griffith, 29, of Oakland, was charged with vandalism while Freddy Martinez, 31, of Berkeley, was charged with battery. Berkeley has been a hotbed of unrest for political groups who have held multiple violent protests in recent yeats. In February last year, riots broke out and protesters set fires and broke down barricades while protesting against right-wing, former Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos's speech at UC Berkeley. Protesters marched against an alt-right rally on August 5, in downtown Berkeley, California BERKELEY, CA - AUGUST 05: Ben Bergquam live streams during a rally at the Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park on August 5 Counter protesters hold signs protesting the alt-right rally on August 5 Another rally in August last year, also organized by Sunday's No to Marxism organizer Amber Cummings, saw five people assaulted and a dozen arrests. Sunday's protests came one day after far right groups clashed with police in Portland, Oregon. There were clashes in Portland between right-wing groups and self-described anti-fascists who have pledged to keep the right-wingers out of the ultra-liberal city. Far-right group Patriot Prayer held a rally in the Oregon city on Saturday to support founder Joey Gibson's US Senate campaign, drawing an equally large crowd of counter-protesters. Four people were arrested and at least two were injured by officers, including a counter-protester who had a stung grenade embedded in his helmet. A woman has opened up about the terrifying moment her husband tried to kill her by asphyxiating her with nitrogen gas. Pepita Ridgeway was sleeping inside her caravan on Queensland's Sunshine Coast in July 2016 when she woke to 'a constant little gurgling gas sound'. She had initially thought it was a water pump next to the caravan, which was metres from the family home, but soon realised the noise was coming from under her pillow. When she lifted up her mattress, she discovered a series of holes her husband of almost two decades, Robert Ridgeway, had drilled to hide a deadly device in order to kill her after she threatened to divorce him. Scroll down for video Pepita Ridgeway (pictured) has opened up about the moment her husband tried to kill her as she slept inside her caravan 'I thought he was going to blow up the caravan. And I looked and I could see a hose with some black duct tape and I could hear the gas coming from there,' she told A Current Affair. She went around to the back of the caravan and noticed the hose sticking up into the back of the caravan, at which point she thought, 'Oh my God, Robert's trying to kill me.' The hose led to a gas cylinder, which was wrapped in T-shirts. After turning off the cylinder, Ms Ridgeway ran barefoot to her brother's house, located on the same property. 'I must have been so full of adrenaline that I just said '"That's it, I've got to get out of here",' she said. 'My brain had just turned into flight mode - just get the police here, get this man away from family, from my house,' she said. Pepita Ridgeway was married to Robert Ridgeway for almost two decades. The couple are pictured together In a call to triple zero, she said: 'He's gassed something up to my caravan. He's planning to blow it up. 'And I'm freaking out because I'm scared he's got a gun and he's pretty scary.' She told A Current Affair how fearful she was of her husband. 'I was just in a really frightened state. I knew he had a gun up here but I just didn't know what he was capable of and I wasn't too sure what his intentions were, so I was absolutely frantic,' she said. She also revealed that while she was 'scared of him', she 'didn't think it would be a death'. Mr Ridgeway, 64, was charged with attempted murder and was found guilty in June following a two-week trial at Brisbane Supreme Court. 'Had Mrs Ridgeway not woken up on that night she may well have died gasping for air,' Justice Glenn Martin said as he jailed Mr Ridgeway for eight years. Pepita Ridgeway (pictured) lifted up her mattress inside the caravan where she discovered a series of holes her husband had drilled to hid a deadly device in order to kill her Mr Ridgeway planned the attempted murder by reading about the effects of nitrogen gas on the internet. He also purchased supplies for his crime a few days before making the attempt. Ms Ridgeway had told the Supreme Court that she sought assistance from a domestic violence hotline after a physical altercation in June 2016 and moved into the caravan. She emailed her husband on July 1, notifying him of her intention to visit a divorce lawyer. Over the next few days, Mr Ridgeway plotted the attempted murder. Justice Martin declared the crime to be a serious violent offence. This means that Mr Ridgeway will be unable to seek parole until he has served 80 per cent of his sentence. These cheetahs were caught on camera locked in a fierce battle with one another in South Africa. A female cat was captured being harassed by four male cheetahs in this dramatic footage. The group were spotted biting and scratching at each other in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Botswana. The female cheetah runs up a tree in order to escape the four males efforts but they just follow After her attempt to try and escape up the tree is foiled, the female hides in a fleet of cars After her attempt to try and escape up a tree was foiled by the four aggressive animals, the female hid in a fleet of cars. But the males chased her and a viscous brawl broke out between the cats as the female fought off the unwanted attention. But the males chase her and a viscous brawl breaks out between the cats as the female fights off the unwanted attention Yet lucky for one photographer the scuffle distracted the cats enough that they didn't realise the cars' windows were still open Photographer Anton Campbell-Harris managed to capture the animals as they tussled with one another - creating dramatic images and footage Yet lucky for one photographer the scuffle distracted the cats enough that they didn't realise the cars' windows were still open. Photographer Anton Campbell-Harris managed to capture the animals as they tussled with one another - creating dramatic images and footage. The incident took place in June this year and has been watched over five thousand times on YouTube. Social media users were quick to comment on the cheetahs' scrimmage, with one writing: 'Poor girl!' Angry drivers played the bagpipes in Insulate Britain activists' faces and threatened to run them over today while others threw ink at them and confronted police as the eco mob returned to London's roads in rush hour. The campaigners split their action across two sides of the capital today, with one group sitting on the A40 in North Acton, West London, and others blocking a major roundabout next to the Dartford Crossing on the M25 in Kent. Some 17 people were arrested by the Metropolitan Police in London, while Kent Police arrested 32. The demonstrations lasted about two hours - having both began at about 8am. The A40 was reopened by 10am, while one lane in Dartford was open by 10.30am. The protesters have brought chaos to motorways and A roads in the capital since mid-September with 146 people taking part in the campaign and 739 arrests made so far - but no one has yet been charged. The activists were effectively banned from all major roads in England on Monday after a landmark High Court ruling. In Dartford this morning, police held some of the drivers back and warned they could be arrested for assault if they touched the activists. One irate motorist was heard on Sky News telling an officer: 'I'll get the lorry down here and I'll run over them, I promise you, just saying. Drag them out the f***ing way mate, will you?' Meanwhile another driver got out a set of bagpipes and played them in the faces of protesters until police stopped him. Former Maricopa County, Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio told a TV interviewer last month that if Donald Trump were to offer him oral sex, he'd be inclined to accept it. It wasn't just any television host: Professional spoof artist Sacha Baron Cohen had posed as a Finnish journalist and convinced him to engage in a one-on-ine interview that aired over the weekend on his show 'Who Is America?' 'If Donald Trump calls you up after this and says, "Sheriff Joe, I want to offer you an amazing b***job," would you say yes? Cohen asked. 'I might have to say yes,' he replied. In characted as Finnish TV presenter 'OMGWhizzBoyOMG,' Sacha Baron Cohen for Sheriff Joe Arpaio to admit he would let President Donald Trump give him oral sex if he asked The president gave Arpaio a full pardon last year on a contempt of court conviction that stemmed from his refusal to stop targeting suspected illegal immigrants with otherwise reason-free traffic stops. His fawning attitude may have been driven by a sense of gratitude. Cohen, in character as 'OMGWhizzBoyOMG,' also asked the former lawman if he thought Trump 'might have had a "golden shower",' a sex act related to urination. 'Wouldnt surprise me,' he replied. The allegation was contained in a now-infamous 2016 dossier of opposition research funded by the Democratic National Committee and the Hillary Clinton campaign. The FBI used it, in part, to justify surveillance on at least one former Trump campaign aide. Arpaio is a longtime Trump backer (pictured at a January 2016 campaign event) and got a presidential pardon in 2017 after being convicted of contempt of court Cohen asks Arpaio an uncomfortable question Arpaio's response sounded serious The unverified claim related to a Moscow trip Trump took in 2013, and focused on the fear that the Kremlin had gathered embarrassing 'kompromat' dirt on the future president. It's possible Cohen intentionally confused Arpaio: He had been marveling at how rich Trump is. The president's private aircraft, a customized Boeing 757, includes a stateroom whose showerhead is gold-plated. But Arpaio told The Arizona Republic after the fake interview in July that he suspected he'd been had after his questioner began to 'zero in on sex.' 'I started to get a little angry. A little sad. But I went through it,' he said three weeks ago. Speaking in a Scandinavian accent, Cohen unboxed a child's Shokpins toy and named it 'Delish Donut,' a character who then asked Arpaio about the red-meat conservative issue of gun control. Arpaio spoke to the toy. 'Guns dont kill. People kill,' he said, recounting the National Rifle Association's belief that a 'good guy with a gun' can often stop an armed criminal: 'I'm hoping somebody else in there has a gun that will shoot that person before he kills you.' 'Bad guys are going to get their guns!' Cohen's other spoofs for 'Who Is America?' have included appearing as a retired Mossad agent who convinced a state lawmaker to shout racial slurs and run a supposed self'defense drill against anti-gay Muslim jihadis As retired Col. Erran Morad, Cohen also embarrassed former U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore Arpaio ultimately said that even if 'Delish Donut' was anti-gun, he hoped other Shopkins dolls were on his side. That was too much for Cohen. 'I have 43 guns,' OMGWhizzBoyOMG said. 'Ive been collecting them for the upcoming race war,' he deadpanned, drawing zero reaction from the 86-year-old. Arpaio told the Breitbart website last month that he had 'signed some kind of contract before filming' but 'did not read all the info.' 'I was kind of shocked,' he said. 'But I figured this is Finland and this is a famous comedian.' Advertisement Gertrude Bell (above) - known as the 'Queen of the Desert' - was a linguist, spy and archaeologist fascinated with Arab culture She was an archaeologist fascinated with Arab culture, a linguist, a spy, and the greatest female mountaineer of her age. Now, never-before-seen family holiday snaps taken in 1902 by Gertrude Bell, then aged 34, have emerged, much to the delight of one man who devoted a decade of his life to researching her exploits. Dr Graham Best had decided to write about the intrepid British explorer's early life after becoming fascinated with the woman known as the 'Queen of the Desert'. He was stunned when a couple arrived at the launch of his book - Bezique: The Private Life Of Gertrude Lowthian Bell - with a lost photo album of the photographs taken by her. The images, some of which feature her father and her step-brother, were taken in different locations including North Africa, Malta, Gozo and Sicily. They capture ancient structures such as the Hagar Qim temple in the south of Malta, which dates back to 3,600 BC and the Greek Theatre of Syracuse in Sicily. Also pictured is the Temple of Neptune in Paestum, Campania, Italy, and the Doric Temple of Segesta in Sicily. Bell, born in Washington, County Durham, was responsible in 1921 for drawing the boundaries of Mesopotamia, which was to become modern-day Iraq. Still a well known figure in the Middle East today, she was also the first woman to be awarded a first class degree in Modern History at Oxford University, and taught herself Persian before travelling to Iran in 1892. During the First World War, she was recruited by British Intelligence to help guide soldiers through the deserts, before being made Oriental Secretary in 1917, advising the military on the region. Scroll down for video Bell's photograph of her step-brother in 1902 at Hagar Qim, a megalithic temple complex in the south of Malta, dating back to 3600-3200 BC. Still a well known figure in the Middle East today, she was also the first woman to be awarded a first class degree in Modern History at Oxford University, and taught herself Persian before travelling to Iran in 1892 Gertrude's father, Sir Hugh Bell, 2nd Baronet, at Hagar Qim. He was the son of pioneering ironmaster Lowthian Bell. During the First World War, Gertrude was recruited by British Intelligence to help guide soldiers through the deserts, before being made Oriental Secretary in 1917, advising the military on the region Bell's father and step-brother at Hagar Qim. Gertrude was able to speak eight languages, including Arabic, Persian and Turkish, which enabled her to move freely in the Middle East. Her ill-fated engagement to a young diplomat and her love affair with a married man ended in tragedy and she died in mysterious circumstances on July 12, 1926, two days before her 58th birthday These never-before-seen holiday snaps were all taken in 1902 by Gertrude Bell when she was 34. They include, above, the Temple of Hera Lacinia (aka The Temple of Juno) - a Greek temple in the Valle dei Templi in Sicily dating back to circa 450 BC. Bell, born in Washington, County Durham, was responsible in 1921 for drawing the boundaries of Mesopotamia, which was to become modern-day Iraq The discovery of the photos delighted one man who devoted a decade of his life to researching her exploits. Dr Graham Best had decided to write about the intrepid British explorer's early life after becoming fascinated with the woman known as the 'Queen of the Desert'. He was stunned when a couple arrived at the launch of his book - Bezique: The Private Life Of Gertrude Lowthian Bell - with a lost photo album of the photographs taken by her. Above, Bell's image of the Greek Theatre of Syracuse in Sicily Bell's pictures of the Temple of Hera II (also known as The Temple of Neptune) - a Greek temple in Paestum, Campania, Italy, dating back to around 460450 BC. Gertrude was credited by many as helping to reshape the Arab world in the early 1900s thanks to her unique understanding of Bedouin cultures Dr Best, 67, had decided to write a book about Bell's early years after realising that few people knew about that period of her life. Dr Best, of Pocklington, North Yorkshire, had begun his book project in 2008 - and was presented with the pictures by Valerie and David Wright at the village hall in East Rounton, where the launch was taking place. (Above, a picture taken by the explorer on a boat in 1902) Dr Graham Best said of Bell: 'She should be on the national curriculum. She's on the national curriculum in Germany so why not in England, where she is from?'. (Pictured, another of the explorer's early 20th century photos, taken at a dock) Dr Best, 67, decided to write a book about her early years after realising that few people knew about that period of her life. Dr Best, of Pocklington, North Yorkshire, had begun his book project in 2008 - and was presented with the pictures by Valerie and David Wright at the village hall in East Rounton, where the launch was taking place. They explained the album had been purchased more than 60 years ago by David's father Albert at the Arncliffe Hall auction in North Yorkshire. During the auction, the contents of Rounton Grange - the Bell family home - which was destroyed in the 1950s, were being sold to the highest bidders. After looking at historic diaries and Bell's handwriting style, Dr Best has been able to ascertain that the pictures are holiday snaps taken in 1902, when she would have been 34 years old. Above, Bell's holiday snap of the Doric temple of Segesta in Sicily. Bell built up her contacts after extensively travelling in Arabia, Greater Syria, Mesopotamia and Asia Minor. Gertrude was also credited with helping to administer the modern state of Iraq. She is said to have utilised her own unique perspective from her travels and relations with tribal leaders throughout the Middle East The explorer has also been described as 'one of the few representatives of His Majesty's Government remembered by the Arabs with anything resembling affection'. She is said to have had an unconsummated affair with Maj. Charles Doughty-Wylie, a married man, with whom she exchanged love letters from 1913 to 1915. (Above, her photo of the Temple of Hera Lacinia) Gertrude Bell: How a female explorer from County Durham created modern Iraq Explorer: Gertrude Bell Gertrude Margaret Lowthian Bell, CBE, was famously known as a British political officer, explorer, spy and archaeologist whose maps became highly influential to British imperial policy-making. She was credited by many as helping to reshape the Arab world in the early 1900s thanks to her unique understanding of Bedouin cultures. Bell built up her contacts after extensively travelling in Arabia, Greater Syria, Mesopotamia and Asia Minor. Gertrude was also credited with helping to administer the modern state of Iraq. She is said to have utilised her own unique perspective from her travels and relations with tribal leaders throughout the Middle East. The explorer has also been described as 'one of the few representatives of His Majesty's Government remembered by the Arabs with anything resembling affection'. She is said to have had an unconsummated affair with Maj. Charles Doughty-Wylie, a married man, with whom she exchanged love letters from 1913 to 1915. Reportedly after his death in 1915 during the Battle of Gallipoli, Bell launched herself into her work. Born in Washington Hall, County Durham, England, she died aged 57 in Iraq, then known as The British Mandate for Mesopotamia. Advertisement Dr Best said: 'I was absolutely thrilled. It is amazing to think those pictures survived all this time. 'Fortunately, Valarie and David Wright realised the significance of the album. Gertrude Bell didn't appear in any of the photographs herself, which suggests to me that she was behind the lens. 'I recognised her father and her step-brother Hugo in the pictures. It's extremely rare for something like this to turn up now after all this time.' Bell was a distinguished writer, photographer, mountaineer, archaeologist and linguist. She was born on July 14, 1868 in Washington, Tyne and Wear, before moving to Redcar, Cleveland and the now demolished Rounton Grange near Stokesley in North Yorkshire. During her lifetime, she developed a love for the Middle East. After the First World War, she assisted the Government in drawing up the borders for modern-day Iraq and Jordan. She was able to speak eight languages, including Arabic, Persian and Turkish, which enabled her to move freely in the Middle East. Her ill-fated engagement to a young diplomat and her love affair with a married man ended in tragedy and she died in mysterious circumstances on July 12, 1926, two days before her 58th birthday. Despite her success, Dr Best says she is not as well known as she should be. The grandfather of seven, who previously worked as a director at Teesside University and as an assistant principal at Northallerton College, added: 'I had never heard of her until we re-published her step-mother's book. 'I discovered that people don't know very much about her. I decided to concentrate my biography on her early life. 'She lost her mother when she was three - that had a massive effect on her life. 'My book doesn't go into the history of the Middle East. By then she was in a bad way, she had a lot of broken romances and problems. The Wrights explained the album had been purchased more than 60 years ago by David's father Albert at the Arncliffe Hall auction in North Yorkshire. During the auction, the contents of Rounton Grange - the Bell family home - which was destroyed in the 1950s, were being sold to the highest bidders. After looking at historic diaries and Bell's handwriting style, Dr Best (pictured, with the album) ascertained the pictures are holiday snaps taken in 1902 'She was incredibly high achieving and an incredibly clever woman. 'She should be on the national curriculum. She's on the national curriculum in Germany so why not in England, where she is from?' Graham said he has had a 'really good' reaction to his book. He said: 'I have been writing it over ten years. It is more than a hobby. People are asking what I am going to write next. My wife is happy because she's got me back now and the other woman is gone! Ivan Duque Marquez, the conservative protege of former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, will take office after being elected months ago, amid promises to roll back the fragile peace accord that has divided the South American nation. In a tense runoff election that saw Duque maintain over 53 percent of the vote, leftist guerilla Gustavo Petro lost by 12 points and now the new president will inherit a country which is still scarred by five decades of conflict and is grappling with soaring cocaine production. As Colombias youngest President in more than a century, he will work to keep to the vows he made in his first remarks as President-elect and heal divisions, govern on behalf of all and attack corruption. Colombia's President Elect Ivan Duque celebrates his victory in the presidential runoff election Who is Ivan Duque? Born on August 1, 1976 during a time in which Pablo Escobars Medellin drug cartel was at the height of power, Ivan Duque grew up when cocaine rivalled extortion and kidnapping as the FARCs (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) main source of income, as reported in TIME. Despite being raised in such tumultuous times, Duque was studious and is remembered by school friends as a reader. After studying law in Bogota, he worked for the Washington-based Inter American Development Bank, which finances development projects across Latin America. Because of his work here, Ivan started to mingle in similar circles as Alvaro Uribe, the President of Colombia from 2002 to 2010, who soon became his mentor and after the President began the center-right Democratic Center Party in 2013, Duque returned to run as Senator. Ivan Duque was mentored by Alvaro Uribe,the President of Colombia from 2002 to 2010 Duques focus soon became the peace deal struck by former President Juan Manuel Santos between the state and the FARC and while it won international praise, it proved to be divisive in Colombia. TIME explained that for 50 years, around 220,000 people had been killed, millions displaced and land covered in land mines. After the peace deal, the FARC leaders walked free and as many believed, escaped justice for the crimes that they had committed. However, during Santos referendum, Duque campaigned against it and said: My whole life, Im a person who believes in peace, but I believe that the only way to ensure peace in any society is with the rule of law. This opposition catapulted Duque into presidential candidacy in December 2017 and now, as President, he will need to ensure that the deal pleases the signatories, the Colombians and the rest of the world. What is clear is that Ivan wants stronger sentences for FARC leaders and amnesty to be scrapped for crimes linked to the drug trade. In addition to this, Duque is for reincorporating the FARC into civilian life and said that Santos made the mistake of dividing Colombians between friends and enemies of peace. For me, there are no enemies, and we all want peace. Duque is married to Maria Juliana Ruiz and the couple have three children Luciana, Matias and Eloisa. Colombian president Ivan Duque and his vice-presidential running-mate Marta Lucia Ramirez 2018 Columbian presidential election When Ivan Duque was elected as the next President of Colombia in June 2018, he told his supporters that The peace we all dream of demands corrections. So that victims are the true center of the process and so that there is justice, reparations and no repetition. Petro also drew in 8 million votes, which marked the biggest ballot box success for a leftist presidential contender in a country where those on the left have been stigmatised over fears of connections to guerrilla causes. Duque continued: This is the opportunity that we have been waiting for - to turn the page on the politics of polarization, insults and venom. Speaking to TIME days after he was elected, Duque also suggested that he wants to move past left and right and into an era of neoliberalism. Ivan Duque will attempt to reform controversial peace deal put in place by President Santos Ive always considered myself an extreme centrist. We need to have the right balance between development and environmental protection. The right balance between entrepreneurship and worker rights. The right balance between free markets and the ability to fix market flaws Its a matter of putting things in the right balance. In addition to fighting corruption and rising unemployment, Duque will attempt to minimise Coca production, especially after Colombia has received over $10 billion in US aid since 2000 to fight drug trafficking. After his election, he also revealed that he was open to aerial fumigation with planes to reverse the surge in Coca production. At this time we have to look at all options, and they must be the ones that guarantee the most precision, the most effectiveness and that minimize any damage to third parties. When will President Ivan Duque take office? Outgoing President Juan Manuel Santos banned aerial spraying after a constitutional court ruling that found health and environmental risks. Ivan Duque Marquez will take office on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 and will meet Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday, August 9. Eleven children who were rescued from a compound in New Mexico on Friday where they were being held by their 'Muslim extremist' parents were discovered after a message was somehow sent to the outside pleading for help. The children are aged between one and 15. Some are siblings and some are cousins. They had been held underground at a ramshackle compound in Alamia, New Mexico, for months. The FBI was monitoring the site for two months but never searched it because they did not have an arrest warrant, Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said on Monday. On Friday, however, the sheriff's office intercepted a message that was written either by one of the children or by one of their mothers which read: 'We are starving and we need food and water.' Authorities will not say how the message was delivered or who gave it to them but Sheriff Hogrefe said it meant he could not wait any longer for federal authorities to move in on the site. Sisters Subhanah Wahhaj, 35, (left) and Hujrah Wahhaj, 38, (right) were arrested on Sunday Jany Leveille, who also goes by the name Maryam, was also arrested for child abuse on Sunday Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, 39, had an AR-15 rifle, 150 rounds of ammunition and four loaded pistols at the site. He has been on the run since December when he vanished with his three-year-old disabled son from Georgia. The toddler was not found. His brother-in-law Lucas Morton (right) was also charged with harboring a fugitive. He is married to Siraj's sister Subhanah He enlisted a special forces team to lead the raid because he knew the men inside were heavily armed, he added. The children were being held there by 39-year-old Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, an imam's son from New York City who has been missing since December when he abducted his three-year-old special needs son from Georgia. It was this abduction which triggered the FBI investigation. On Friday, Wahhaj was found in the compound with an AR-15 rifle, five magazines loaded with 30 rounds and four loaded pistols. This is the New Mexico compound where 11 children were found on Friday being held by their Muslim extremist father and uncle, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, along with their parents Also on the compound was his brother-in-law, Lucas Morton and three women; Subhanah Wahhaj, 35, Hujrah Wahhaj, 38, and Jany Leveille, 35, who is also known as Maryam. Sunbhanah and Hujrah are Siraj's sisters and Jany is his wife. She worked for his father, Imam Siraj Wahhaj, at the Masjid At-Taqwa mosque in Brooklyn before relocating with her husband to Georgia in 2014. She is not AG's mother. All three women were charged with child abuse on Sunday after initially being released by police who said they were 'brainwashed and intimidated' by the men. Siraj's three-year-old son AG, who has hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and requires daily medication, has been missing since December and was not at the compound Not found was Wahhaj's three-year-old son AG who cannot walk or talk due to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, a condition caused by brain damage. When police closed in on the property on Friday, his father initially refused to follow orders. Police worried that the raid would end violently because of the fact he was so heavily armed. 'We had learned the occupants were most likely heavily armed and considered extremist of the Muslim belief. 'We also knew from the layout of the compound they would have an advantage if we didnt deploy tactfully and quickly,' Sheriff Hogrefe of the Taos County Sheriff Department said in a statement. The children had been at the site for months without food and were so skinny their ribs were showing. The only food found on the compound was a box of rice and some potatoes. Sheriff Hogrefe described the conditions as the saddest he had ever seen in 30 years of police work. 'We all gave the kids our water and what snacks we had it was the saddest living conditions and poverty I have seen,' he said, adding that the children looked like 'third world refugees.' The conditions inside the compound were described by police as the worst they had seen in 30 years There was no food at the compound and the children had terrible personal hygiene, police said Amalia is 145 miles northeast of Albuquerque and in an isolated high-desert area near the New Mexico-Colorado border 'I've been a cop for 30 years. I've never seen anything like this. Unbelievable. 'They were skinny, their ribs showed, they were in very poor hygiene and very scared. 'They had 'no shoes, personal hygiene and basically dirty rags for clothing,' he told ABC. Siraj Wahhaj has been on the run since December when he vanished with AG after telling his mother he was taking him to the park. AG's mother Hakima Ramzi has made desperate social media appeals to find her son again. Her friends have also set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for the search. The family has been missing since January when their father, Imam Siraj Wahhaj, appealed for information about them on Facebook The children's grandfather is Imam Siraj Wahhaj, the leader of the Muslim Alliance of North America and the leader of a mosque in Brooklyn, New York City The toddler suffers from seizures, developmental delay, wears braces on his legs, cannot walk, and requires daily medication. His parents were married for 15 years until he vanished in December. In a Facebook plea for information about her son and husband's whereabouts, Ramzi appealed directly to Subhannah, one of the three mothers found on the compound. She said: 'It's not about you. AG's mother Hakima Ramzi was married to his father without incident for 15 years, she said. She has been pleading for AG's return since December and is seen above in a Facebook video appealing for help to find them 'This is all about my son. He needs his medication. My worry is not about Subhannah and her kids. My worry is about my son because he is sick. 'He needs his medication, he needs everything. I don't know if he is alive. Please, please, please, I need your help. 'I need my son back to me and then I will leave you alone,' she said. Wahhaj is the son of Imam Surraj Wahhaj, 68, who belongs to the Masjid At Taqwa mosque in Brooklyn, New York. The earliest record of him in the United States dates back to 1983. It is not clear where he lived beforehand or if he was born in the US. In January, his father pleaded for information about their whereabouts. 'Dear Brothers and Sisters, please make duas for the safe return of our children and grandchildren: Siraj, Hujrah, Subhanah Wahhaj, son in law Luqman (Lucas) Morton, and daughter in law Maryam (Jany) Leveille and their children (our 12 grandchildren). 'We believe they may be traveling together,' he said in a Facebook post. He has not commented on his children's arrest. Imam Wahhaj is the leader of The Muslim Alliance in North America. Police are still looking for three-year-old AG. Yesterday, we looked at a piece of the psychological profile of Hitler that the OSS prepared for American policy makers and strategists during World War II. No doubt it will remind you of someone else more... contemporary: "His primary rules were: never allow the public to cool off; never admit a fault or wrong; never concede that there may be some good in your enemy; never leave room for alternatives; never accept blame; concentrate on one enemy at a time and blame him for everything that goes wrong; take advantage of every opportunity to raise a political whirlwind; people will believe a big lie sooner than a little one; and if you repeat it frequently enough people will sooner or later believe it." In terms of North Korea, Trump mentioned that if the whole "agreement" he claims he made with Kim Jong Un were to fall apart he would never publicly admit he was wrong. something soon. It looks like Trump is going to have to saysoon. North Korea isn't de-nuking . Yesterday, writing for the AP, Edith Lederer reported that "North Korea has not stopped its nuclear and missile programs and is violating U.N. sanctions including by 'a massive increase in illicit ship-to-ship transfers of petroleum products,' U.N. experts said in a new report... North Korea is also violating sanctions by transferring coal at sea and flouting an arms embargo and financial sanctions." The panel of experts said North Korea attempted to sell small arms and light weapons and other military equipment via foreign intermediaries, including Syrian arms traffickers in the case of Houthi Shiite rebels in Yemen as well as Libya and Sudan. The report also said North Korea has continued military cooperation with Syria, in breach of U.N. sanctions. ...[T]he report said North Korea has not stopped its nuclear and missiles programs and continues to defy the sanctions resolutions. The experts said ship-to-ship transfers of petroleum products, oil and coal involve increasingly sophisticated evasion techniques. These include turning off Automatic Identification Systems, which are required to be on at all times under international regulations, physically disguising North Korean tankers, using small unregistered vessels, illegally changing names, carrying out night transfers and using additional vessels to trans-ship cargo, the report said. As North Korea has always done when they break commitments, they blamed the U.S., in this case Mike Pompeo, who they claim is making "alarming" statements that are destabilizing the agreement Senor Trumpanzee made with Kim. North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho yesterday: Oliver Baden-Powell pictured arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court in May A former Harrow public schoolboy attacked six people at an AA meeting before flooring a child with a roundhouse kick, it has been claimed. Oliver Baden-Powell is accused of attacking men and women at St Edmund, King and Martyr, an Anglican church in the heart of the City of London in April. The 42-year-old also stole a Mammouth bag with a iPad Pro worth 900, an iPad keyboard worth 150 and 250 worth of Lulalemon clothes, it was said. Former LSE student Baden-Powell, who is not thought to be a direct descendant to the founder of the Scout Movement, faces seven counts of assault, two counts of affray and one count of theft. His defence barrister, Karen Brookes, said Baden-Powell would be denying the charges on the grounds of insanity. In a separate incident, Baden-Powell also allegedly attacked a child outside the Natural History Museum in South Kensington a month later on May 12. He then allegedly called a police officer a 'p*ki' after being arrested and is charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and racially aggravated harassment. At City of London Magistrates Court today, he appeared in the dock where he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and his nationality as British. Baden-Powell made no indication of pleas to the ten charges relating to the church incidents. Sian Morgan prosecuting said: 'All the incidents come from an AA meeting at a church.' Chair of the bench Andrew McMurtie told the defendant: 'The ten matters from the charges against you stemming from the incident on April 5 are going to be added to the other matters. 'So these cases are going to be sent to the crown court.' Baden-Powell, of Pimlico, south London, was remanded into custody and will appear at Isleworth Crown Court next month. An Oklahoma baptist church camp where cook Benjamin Petty (pictured) raped a 13-year-old girl have settled a lawsuit with the victim's family The operators of an Oklahoma church camp where a man working as a cook raped a 13-year-old Texas girl have settled a lawsuit with her family. Benjamin Petty, 37, avoided any jail time and received just 15 years' probation after he pleaded guilty to first-degree rape in January. The young girl's family have now reached a settlement with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, which describes itself as the largest youth camp in the US. Details of the settlement were not disclosed, including any possible financial settlement. The girl's family had been seeking $75,000 against the Baptist General Convention, which runs the camp, the Country Estates Baptist Church, which was responsible for hiring Petty, and First Baptist Church of Terrell, the church through which she was first introduced to the camp. They argued that the churches were negligent for failing to carry out background checks on Petty and allowing him unsupervised time alone with their daughter. The girl's family had been seeking $75,000 against the Baptist General Convention, which runs the camp (pictured). Details of the settlement were not disclosed While details were not revealed, the Baptist General Convention has agreed to take unspecified steps to improve safety at its Falls Creek camp. The lawsuit seems to close the book on a rape case that has attracted national attention for months and even led to one prosecutor resigning. David Pyle, the assistant prosecutor who handled the case, resigned in January after Petty's plea deal made headlines across the country. Along with 15 years' probation, Petty was required to wear an ankle monitor for 24 months, register as a sex offender, and seek treatment. Pyle argued that a major reason he did not insist on prison time in the case was because Petty is legally blind. His decision attracted swift and severe criticism from both the District Attorney and victims' rights advocates. The suit argued that the church was negligent for failing to carry out background checks on Petty, pictured, and allowing him unsupervised time alone with the girl Murray County District Attorney Craig Ladd said he disliked the way the case was handled. 'I want it to be known that I strongly disagree with the lenient manner in which the Benjamin Petty case in Murray County was prosecuted in many respects,' Ladd said. 'Failure to hold perpetrators accountable regardless of their disabilities sends the wrong message to victims of crime,' added Candida Manion, executive director of the nonprofit Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. 'There is a lack of knowledge about sexual assault within the criminal justice system, and what we know about violent offenders is that they will reoffend.' Petty attacked the Texas girl in 2016 while she was attending the Falls Creek church camp in southern Oklahoma. The camp cook lured the girl into his bedroom, saying he would show her how to do tricks on a device, according to KFOR. David Pyle (pictured), the assistant prosecutor who handled the case, resigned in January after Petty's plea deal made headlines across the country He then tied a rope around the girl's wrists, raped her, and threatened to hurt her if she told anyone, according to investigators. More than 100,000 people also demanded that Marshall County District Judge Wallace Coppedge step down after he accepted Pyle's plea deal. During the sentencing hearing, Coppedge claimed he was approving the plea deal because the victim's parents consented to the deal. But the victim's attorney, Bruce Robertson, said the family only agreed to the deal because they were told their daughter's rapist 'would not serve any meaningful prison time due to his medical conditions.' 'The family was not provided any other alternative,' he told The Oklahoman. More than 100,000 people signed a petition calling for the judge to be removed from the bench in March. More than 100,000 people also demanded that Marshall County District Judge Wallace Coppedge (pictured) step down after he accepted Pyle's plea deal It soon after emerged that Coppedge, who was first elected in 2010 and reelected in 2014, allowed convicted child rapists or pedophiles to avoid jail on at least seven previous occasions 'Even though the plea was negotiated with the victim's parents' permission, the terms of the sentence are absolutely ridiculous,' the petition states. 'The fact that Petty was legally blind does not bar him from being able to serve prison time for his heinous crimes.' It soon after emerged that Coppedge, who was first elected in 2010 and reelected in 2014, allowed convicted child rapists or pedophiles to avoid jail on at least seven previous occasions, according to a review by The Oklahoman. In one case, a father who raped by instrumentation four girls he had recently adopted received just 20 years' probation. In another, a father received just 10 years' probation for molesting his stepson and daughter. Coppedge's current term ends in 2019 but he will be automatically reelected for four more years on the bench after he ran unopposed yet again, despite the controversy. The daughter of a retired nurse revealed how she 'wailed in horror' after finding out a hit and run driver had killer her mother, as he was jailed for 15 years. Grandmother Rebecca Nevins, 70, suffered catastrophic injuries when a stolen Mercedes ploughed into her red Ford Fiesta, on November 10 last year. The mother-of-two who 'lit up the lives of those around her' was killed while her 70-year-old friend Christine Goacher suffered serious injuries. Conor Dobson, 24, of Staines-on-Thames was jailed for the death on the A24, near Horsham, West Sussex, at Hove Crown Court on Monday. He had been out with Isaac McFadyen, 18, of Feltham with the aim of stealing expensive cars. Dobson had stolen the 30,000 Mercedes AMG and was driving at 147mph in a bid to escape police - despite the speed limit being 60. The pair had travelled in a stolen Mercedes A-Class with false number plates with the aim of breaking into houses, stealing car keys and making off in the expensive vehicles. Rebecca Nevins was driving her friend home from lunch on November 10, 2017, when she was hit by a car thief and killed Alice Nevins-Ramessur revealed how she cried out in horror as she faced the man whose actions killed her mother The pair broke into two homes and made off with a Mercedes AMG but police were alerted and spotted the pair filling up both Mercedes' with petrol at a service station on the A24 at 2.19pm Both cars failed to stop for officers, and at 2.23pm the Mercedes A Class driven by McFadyen crashed into a nearby hedge. Conor Dobson (left) was jailed for 15 years and Isaac McFadyen (right) for 26 months He ran off but was later arrested. Meanwhile, Dobson sped along the A24 and eleven minutes later hit the grandmother. The blow caused both the Mercedes and Mrs Nevins' Fiesta to spin several times in the road. The Ford Fiesta hit a black Peugeot 207 travelling in the same direction and spun several times before coming to a halt. Mrs Nevins suffered catastrophic injuries and was later pronounced dead while Mrs Goacher suffered severe bruising and facial injuries and was later treated in hospital. The Mercedes came to a halt on the central reservation and Dobson made off on foot before travelling to Horsham train station and catching a train to London. Breaking down in court daughter Alice Nevins said she 'wailed' in horror and shock when she found out her mother had been killed. 'I felt in such shock. You never think it would happen to you or your loved ones. It felt like a horrible nightmare. We had a great bond. She was my best friend. I am secretly dying inside trying to keep everything together. 'Mum's death has sent my dad into a dark hole.' Her other daughter Philippa Davies, who works for a road safety firm, said: 'I collapsed on the floor and could not breathe. I remember anger, abject misery and nausea.' Mother and daughter Alice and Rebecca (right) on holiday together. Alice paid tribute to her former nurse mother who was killed in 2017 Alice Nevins and her sister Philippa bravely faced their mother's killer in court on Monday 'She was one of the funniest and bubbliest people I have every met. She would do the most amazing things. My mum's life has been ended by the stupid actions and poor life choices by someone else. I feel no malice or hatred towards them.' In a statement Christine Goacher said: 'I feel guilty Becky died and I am still alive. I am still in shock. I wake up in the night and think about all the good times we had. Before the collision I was a very happy person.' Dobson was arrested three days later after his DNA was found on the driver's airbag which had deployed during the accident. Mrs Nevins 'lit up' everyone around her according to her daughters. Her husband has been devastated by the loss of his wife, they revealed in court In mitigation Mark Kimsey, defending Dobson, said: 'He apologies to everyone involved. 'He apologies for the pain and suffering he has caused. He accepts total responsibility for what has occurred.' In a letter read out to court Dobson said: 'I wish it had been my life. It should have been my life.' James Manning, defending McFadyen, said he was very young but had been forced to grow up quickly and was very remorseful for the incident and the death of Mrs Nevins. A 12-year-old boy has designed and coded his own app for Apple's App Store, which dishes out daily doses of Eastern wisdom and philosophy. Users of Jakub Winczewski's KookieMonster app are told to speak into their phone and ask a question before shaking their device to reveal a cartoon monster holding a fortune cookie with a Chinese proverb inside. The young tech whizz, from Basingstoke, Hampshire, spent weeks writing the code for the free game and he began learning code age seven. Jakub Winczewski's KookieMonster app dishes out doses of Eastern wisdom and philosophy Jakub said: 'I wanted to help people with my app and share Chinese wisdom. 'I was overjoyed for it to be available in the App Store, I was shocked. 'After a lot of trial and error and mistakes and debugging, I was able to design my app and I felt relieved. 'I have always been a problem solver and liked solving problems and that is what programming is all about. 'You identify it, you make the code and you solve it.' Jakub is the oldest of three siblings and said he was inspired by his dad, Adam, 36, a game developer who designs apps in his free time. He said: 'I am very proud of my dad. 'It is really impressive how he works and designs programmes and takes care of me, my brother and sister.' Users of Jakub Winczewski's KookieMonster app are told to speak into their phone and ask a question When they shake their phones a cartoon monster is revealed which is holding a fortune cookie with a Chinese proverb inside The schoolboy spent weeks writing the code for the free game and began learning code at the age of seven The 12-year-old, who is the oldest of three siblings, was inspired by his dad, Adam The youngster's next venture is set to be a texting app using the principals of Instagram Jakub is yet to finish his first year at secondary school but is already making plans for his next design with his dad - a texting app using the fundamentals of Instagram. Mum Karolina, 39, said: 'Jakub has been into computing ever since I can remember and he was always interested in how games are made. 'He is a very curious child and that curiosity was a factor in him designing the app. 'In our family we do read a lot and Jakub came across Chinese proverbs and culture in a book and started to read more about it.' 'He started asking questions and trying things out for himself. 'I am most proud.' So far Jakub has made 7 from the app. Joanna Krupa secretly married Douglas Nunes three weeks ago in a hush hush ceremony in Los Angeles, DailyMail.com can reveal. The legal marriage was followed by a religious ceremony in Krakow, Poland, on Saturday in front of close friends and family. Photographs and video of the service, exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, show the blonde reality star and model at the altar with her now-husband. Another sweet snap shows the newlyweds enjoying a kiss, while others show the model, glamorous in a dress by Polish designer Sylwia Romaniuk, exchanging a long look with Nunes. Newly weds: Joanna Krupa and Douglas Nunes tied the knot in a private ceremony in Krakow, Poland on Saturday In exclusive pictures obtained by DailyMail.com, the blonde reality star and model is seen at the altar at the historic Tyniec Abbey with her now-husband Details of the ceremony had been kept under wraps to minimize attention, with just family and some of Krupa's closest Polish friends invited to witness the wedding at the historic Tyniec Abbey. The ancient abbey, which sits on the Vistula river just outside Krakow, is thought to have been founded in 1040 and remains home to an order of Benedictine monks. A source told DailyMail.com that Krupa is 'thrilled' to be a wife again and is now considering throwing a party for friends when she returns to Los Angeles. The 39-year-old also posted a photo on Instagram of her big day, adding a caption that read: 'We did it! 'It was a very private and small family gathering Wish I could have shared it with all the people that I love.' Nunes also marked the wedding with a post on Instagram, uploading a picture of the couple riding in a car together and adding a caption that read: 'Done deal'. Krupa's second wedding comes less than a year after she divorced first husband Romain Zago and just five months after announcing her engagement to businessman Nunes. Miami nightclub entrepreneur Zago, 45, and Krupa had been married for just over three years when she filed for divorce in July 2017. Kiss the bride: The 39-year-old's second wedding comes less than a year after her divorce from Romain Zago and five months after her engagement to Nunes Nunes also marked the wedding with a post on Instagram, uploading a picture of the couple riding in a car together and adding a caption that read: 'Done deal' Their San Diego nuptials was featured on seasons two and three of Real Housewives of Miami, with the Polish blonde admitting she was unsure whether to go through with the ceremony ahead of time. After getting married, the couple returned to live in Miami but found themselves in what became an increasingly long-distance relationship due to work commitments on opposite sides of the country. The divorce last August was finalized in just 15 minutes at a Miami courthouse, with the pair agreeing to evenly split their assets and waive alimony. Speaking after the divorce hearing, Krupa's lawyer Raymond Rafool told DailyMail.com that the couple 'just grew apart.' He added: 'This might be the easiest divorce I've ever worked on. Everything has been worked out. There's no alimony, just equitable distribution of their assets, and that was agreed to.' Krupa and Zago's nuptials were featured on seasons two and three of Real Housewives of Miami. The split after four years of marriage The former couple have remained close friends, although Zago was not invited to Krupa's second wedding. The model, who now spends most of her time in Los Angeles, is now attempting to offload her apartment in Miami Beach, although the price was slashed by $300,000 in June after the $1.3m property failed to sell. The home was listed in March the same month she announced her engagement to Nunes with a post on Instagram that showed off her enormous diamond promise ring. She captioned the image: 'Just another weekend in the Krupa-Nunes household.' RNLI hovercraft volunteers had to pull a beach rambler from knee-deep mud today while police abandoned a truck in sinking sand nearby. Dramatic footage shows the crew pulling a man from thick mud in Leasowe Bay, Merseyside while 12 miles away on Crosby Beach officers abandoned their truck that got stuck during a missing person search. Lifeguards were on the scene of the mud rescue but could not reach the man due to the hazardous beach conditions. Dramatic footage has surfaced of a man trapped in thick mud on a Merseyside beach. The unnamed rambler became stuck when walking on the muddy flats in Leasowe Bay, Wirral RNLI Hoylake launched their hovercraft H-005 Hurley and the crew found the distressed man stuck up to his knees with the tide flooding in close by. The rescuers used mud boards to support the unnamed man in the dangerous thick mud. They were eventually able to free his legs and recover him on board the hovercraft before the tide covered the area. The video taken by RNLI volunteers shows the density of the mud as they dig with their hands to free the man after supporting him with 'mud boards'. The man didn't need medical attention The grey-haired man was eventually hauled on board and brought to Hoylake Lifeboat Station where UK Coastguard and Northwest Ambulance Service officers were waiting to meet him RNLI Hoylake launched their hovercraft H-005 Hurley Spirit after lifeguards were unable to reach the man. Crew were able to free his legs and recover him before the tide came in The relieved rambler was brought to safety where he required no immediate medical attention. The tide rises rapidly along the Wirral coastline so timing was key in this rescue The man was given an on the spot check up and rescuers decided he didn't need any immediate medical attention. He was taken by the hovercraft to Hoylake Lifeboat Station where UK Coastguard and Northwest Ambulance Service officers were waiting to meet him. Hovercraft Crew member, Dave Noble, said; 'The mud around the Wirral coast can be very dangerous and local beach conditions change regularly. 'With fast flooding tide, if it hadn't been for the prompt and coordinated efforts of all emergency services, the outcome could have been very different.' Port of Liverpool Police on Crosby Beach had to abandon their vehicle after it got stuck in sinking sand while they were searching for a missing woman who has since been found The Nissan pick-up truck will now be written off after being fully submerged in seawater. The embarrassing gaffe could cost Port of Liverpool Police upwards of 25,000, the truck's value Police north of Liverpool also found themselves in a sticky situation this morning. Officers from Port of Liverpool Police were searching for a missing woman when they were forced to abandon their pick-up truck in sinking sand. The woman has since been found safe and well but Jim McCormick, who lives nearby, captured the truck in its precarious position whilst out walking this morning. Crosby beach is notorious with sinking sand and Port of Liverpool Police fell victim to it late last night whilst on duty. Police were looking for a missing woman but found a dead seal Port of Liverpool Police attempted to dig out the Nissan pick-up truck to no avail. The force said today they would wait until the tide was at a safe level before attempting a recovery He said: 'It has been stuck like that since early this morning. 'The police were looking for a missing woman but came across a dead seal instead. 'The tide had already been in and out. It's probably going to take a lot more than a tow truck to get it out of there!' Port of Liverpool Police said the truck would be recovered as soon as the tide receded to a safe level. An armed bystander shot a gunman who opened fire on a back-to-school event in a Florida park crowded with families over the weekend. According to a news release from the City of Titusville, the unnamed suspect got into a fistfight with another person at Isaac Campbell Park on South Street on Saturday evening, left the event, then returned with a gun several minutes later and opened fire. Another park goer, who was legally licensed to carry a firearm, returned fire and wounded the aggressor, leaving him with life-threatening injuries. Terrified: Gunshots sent parents and children fleeing for their lives during the 'Peace in the City' back-to-school supply giveaway at a Titusville, Florida, park on Saturday evening Revenge: Isaac Campbell Park were crowded with families when a man opened fire at 5.20pm, after getting into a fistfight with someone a few minutes earlier No other injuries were reported as a result of the incident, which took place at around 5.20pm during a backpack giveaway called 'Peace in the City Rally.' Video streamed on Facebook Live during the event showed women and children running for their lives after a dozen gunshots rang out near a pavilion crowded with parents and children picking out school supplies. Dwight Harvey, who was a DJ at the event, recorded the video. His son organized the charity event in honor of his cousin who was found dead inside a burning car in Mims, Florida, last month. I'm really confused at why they would come out here where the kids are out and do all this in front of the kids? It's so disrespectful, Harvey told WESH-TV. An armed bystander returned fire and shot the gunman, leaving him with serious injuries No charges are expected to be filed against the Good Samaritan The suspect in the shooting was airlifted to a hospital to be treated for his injuries. Police who arrived at the scene were able to recover his gun. The armed Good Samaritan was said to be fully cooperating with the investigation. Detectives have consulted with the State Attorneys office and no charges are expected to be filed against him. We are extremely grateful that nobody else was injured in this incident, said Deputy Police Chief Todd Hutchinson. This suspect opened fire at a crowded public park, this could have been so much worse. A supporter of President Donald Trump's threatened to shoot two CNN reporters during a call into a live broadcast on public television as the battle between the president and the press reached a boiling point. Trump in a Sunday tweet said journalists are 'dangerous and sick' and 'can also cause war.' He referred to the media in the post as an 'enemy of the people' again. CNNs Brian Stelter aired a call in response from public broadcasting network C-SPAN during which the caller threatened violence against the Reliable Sources host and a colleague who Trump had derided in a separate tweet. The man, who claimed to be from State College, Pennsylvania and identified himself as 'Don' to C-SPAN, said in the Friday call that he would shoot Stelter and CNN host Don Lemon. A supporter of President Donald Trump's threatened to shoot two CNN reporters during a call into a live broadcast on public television as the battle between the president and the press reached a boiling point Trump in a Sunday morning tweet said journalists are 'dangerous and sick' and 'can also cause war.' He referred to the media in the post as an 'enemy of the people' again Don said that tensions between the press and the president 'all started' when Stelter and Lemon called all Trump supporters racists -- something that Stelter paused the recording of the threat to dispute. 'Come on. Give me a break. They started the war. I see 'em, I'm gonna shoot 'em. Bye,' the C-SPAN caller said. Stelter told viewers of his Sunday morning program that he's 'not asking for sympathy' and does not believe he's 'in extreme danger' while acknowledging that press colleagues are routinely threatened. He played a clip of MSNBC's Katy Tur in which the host who covered Trump on the campaign trail read aloud a disturbing message she'd received from a critic who said 'I hope you get raped and killed.' She said the threats of violence are inherently tied to the president, with the supporter who sent the nasty note using the Trump campaign's acronym MAGA. New York Times columnist Bret Stephens on Friday recalled a chilling voicemail he received from stranger who used a racial slur against blacks and threatened to murder journalists. 'I dont carry an AR but once we start shooting you f***ers you arent going to pop off like you do now. Youre worthless, the press is the enemy of the United States people and, you know what, rather than me shoot you, I hope a Mexican and, even better yet, I hope a n***er shoots you in the head, dead,' the unidentified male voice said. Stephens said the call came in May shortly after a column he wrote defending ABC's decision to fire Roseanne Barr for racist commentary. He brought up a July 20 meeting at which the publisher of the The Times, A.G. Sulzberger, told the president 'his language was not just divisive but increasingly dangerous.' Sulzberger says he told the president that his calling journalists 'the enemy of the people' is 'contributing to a rise in threats against journalists and will lead to violence.' CNNs Brian Stelter aired a call in response from public broadcasting network C-SPAN during which the caller threatened violence against the Reliable Sources host Stephens wrote, 'What cant be ignored is presidential behavior that might best be described as incitement. Maybe Trump supposes that the worst hes doing is inciting the people who come to his rallies to give reporters like Jim Acosta the finger. And maybe he thinks that most journalists, with their relentless hostility to his personality and policies, richly deserve public scorn. 'Yet for every 1,000 or so Trump supporters whose contempt for the press rises only as far as their middle fingers, a few will be people like my caller. Of that few, how many are ready to take the next fatal step? In the age of the active shooter, the number isnt zero.' He warned, 'We are approaching a day when blood on the newsroom floor will be blood on the presidents hands.' Stelter later reflected on the dispute between the White House and the press over the president's charged rhetoric toward reporters and outlets he does not like in Sunday's episode of his Reliable Sources program. Trump had encouraged supporters at a Tuesday rally in Tampa to disparage the media, prompting vulgar gestures from the audience toward CNN's Jim Acosta. The CNN reporter said in a Wednesday interview that he believes the behavior of the crowds have been 'dangerous for some time' as he argued that Trump is 'essentially putting targets on our backs.' 'I was worried during the campaign that a journalist was going to get hurt, and it has been building,' he said. 'But when you refer to members of the press as the enemy of the people, youre essentially putting targets on our backs and its not just some Joe Schmo on a barstool in Kalamazoo saying this.' Acosta said: 'This is the president of the United States. And that comes with a serious force behind it. And he has a lot of people out there who are extremely angry at us.' White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told journalists earlier in the day that 'the President condemns and denounces any group that would incite violence against another individual, and certainly doesnt support groups that would promote that type of behavior. 'Weve been clear about that a number of times since the beginning of the administration,' she stated. 'When it comes to the media, the President does think that the media holds a responsibility we fully support a free press, but there also comes a high level of responsibility with that.' Rally-goers attempted to keep Acosta from doing his job in Tampa, interrupting his reporting and declaring that 'CNN sucks' live to camera. Sanders refused to condemn their behavior during her press briefing the following day. 'While we certainly support freedom of the press, we also support freedom of speech, and we think that those things go hand in hand,' she said. He also played a clip of MSNBC's Katy Tur in which the host who covered Trump on the campaign trail read aloud a disturbing message she'd received from a critic who said 'I hope you get raped and killed Trump had encouraged supporters at a Tuesday rally in Tampa to disparage the media, prompting vulgar gestures from the audience toward CNN's Jim Acosta. At Thursday's White House press briefing, Acosta tried to get Sarah Sanders to walk back Trump's fiery rhetoric but she reufsed On Thursday, Acosta was back in the briefing room, where he pressed Sanders to break with her boss and say that it is not her belief that journalists are the enemy of the people. She repeatedly declined to, instead saying, 'The media resorts to personal attacks without any content other than to incite anger.' The very same morning the president's daughter, Ivanka, had declined to repeat her father's statements about the press during an on-camera interview with the news website Axios. Kellyanne Conway, counselor to President Trump, also refused to call reporters the enemy of the people during an interview on CBS' 'Face the Nation' program on Sunday. Trump meanwhile hammered journalists in several tweets as 'fake news' as he refuted reports that he's concerned that his son Donald Trump Jr.could be in legal jeopardy in the special counsel investigation into Russian election meddling in 2016. 'The Fake News hates me saying that they are the Enemy of the People only because they know its TRUE. I am providing a great service by explaining this to the American People,' he said in his rant. 'They purposely cause great division & distrust. They can also cause War! They are very dangerous & sick!' He had on Friday evening referred to CNN's Lemon in a tweet as 'the dumbest man on television.' Kwabena Nelson, 22, was left bleeding and fatally wounded following the attack A youth worker killed by an armed gang who deliberately crashed into his car told his brother to 'pray for me' moments after being stabbed, a court heard today. Kwabena Nelson, 22, known as Kobi to friends and family, was left bleeding and fatally wounded following the 'determined and sustained' attack in the early hours in Tottenham, North London. Neron Quartey, 21, of Wood Green, who allegedly drove the stolen black Honda Civic that rammed Mr Nelson's car of the same make, is on trial for murder. The Old Bailey heard Mr Nelson told his brother after the attack that he could not breathe, saying: 'Pray for me.' David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham, arrived at the court today as details of the incident - which took place in his constituency - were given in court. Telling jurors about the incident on February 3, prosecutor Simon Mayo QC said today: 'The collision between the vehicles was not, it seems, an accident. 'The defendant steered into the side of Mr Nelson's car. A group of men including Quartey decamped from their black Honda Civic, armed with weapons. Mr Nelson, known as Kobi to friends, was killed in the 'determined and sustained' attack 'A number of them had knives. They ran to where Mr Nelson's car had come to rest and began to attack the car and then him. 'They continued to attack him when he was out of the car, with Mr Nelson being stabbed multiple times. 'Having inflicted injuries in Mr Nelson, the group of men, including this defendant, fled the scene leaving Mr Nelson bleeding and fatally wounded.' Mr Mayo added: 'This was a determined and sustained attack by a group of men armed with weapons.' After the gang fled, Mr Nelson managed to call emergency services and knock on the door of a house. He also managed to call his brother's partner. Mr Mayo said: 'She and Mr Nelson's brother rushed to the scene where they found him seriously injured. He was clearly close to death by that point.' He died at the scene shortly before 3am despite the hour-long efforts of emergency medical staff, including a doctor who opened his chest to try and massage his heart, the court heard. A post-mortem examination on February 5 found Mr Nelson had suffered 14 incised injuries from sharp-edged instruments and died from blood loss. The attack took place on this road in Tottenham, North London, in the early hours of February 3 One witness, who cannot be named, said she saw the gang knock Mr Nelson to the ground. She said he tried to run but fell to the pavement while the attackers were 'hammering down on him really hard.' He did not retaliate but was trying to protect himself during the onslaught. Another witness who cannot be named said: 'The men were just swinging and swinging down on him for about thirty seconds. 'I could see that they all had weapons in one of their hands and they were all taking party. They were beating down with what looked like as much force as they could manage.' He said he could hear the attackers 'chanting and making noises as they beat him, like an aggressive chanting almost like at a football match. 'I could also hear screams and more screams from the person on the floor, then finally the last scream was chilling and then it stopped.' Mr Mayo told the court that Eliana Luchi was woken by the sound of someone screaming in pain outside her family house, the court heard. 'She saw two people running along Kemble Road and then heard banging on the front door,' Mr Mayo said. This was a determined and sustained attack by a group of men armed with weapons Simon Mayo QC, prosecuting 'Felipe Luchi, her son, described the banging as someone knocking desperately on the front door. It was strong and lasted about two minutes. 'But Mr Luchi then heard a male saying, 'Help me, Help me, 'Help me, I was stabbed, and then, 'I am going to die' so he told his brother to call an ambulance instead. 'He sounded as though he was just outside the door, and initially he was shouting but appeared to be losing strength and then was just talking. 'The emergency services arrived along with people who he assumed were the man's family at this time. Mr Mayo said Tracey Anaafi, the partner of Mr Nelson's brother Kwadwo 'Kojo' Antwi-Adjei received a call from Kobi at 1:30am. He said: 'On the phone, Nelson said words to the effect of 'Tracey, don't let me die, I've been stabbed'. David Lammy (above), Labour MP for Tottenham, arrived at court today as details of the incident - which took place in his constituency - were given 'His voice was loud and 'Panicky and sounded as if he was out of breath.' He also was said to have told her he was in 'SG' which is understood to mean Scotland Green. Ms Anaafi and her partner immediately drove to Scotland Green, maintaining telephone contact with Mr Nelson until it was cut off, the court was told. Mr Mayo said: 'Tracey tried to call him back and Kojo called an ambulance as they drove to the scene. 'As soon as they got to Scotland Green, he jumped out of the car and ran along Kemble Road. 'Tracey locked her young daughter, who was asleep in the car, and followed her partner. 'Kojo found his brother's car, with the headlights on, the horn sounding and the passenger door was wide open. 'He saw his brother lying on his back on the floor just outside a property with a white front door. He tried to comfort his brother with the ambulance service still on the line before looking for a wound. 'On pulling his brother's right arm out of his jacket, he could see a wound that was bleeding. 'He could also see a deep wound to his thigh and another large wound on the left side of his body. 'When Tracey arrived she saw Mr Nelson on the floor. He was lying in a pool of blood that appeared to be coming out from both sides of his upper body,' 'Kojo was asking Kobi where he was wounded. Kobi replied, 'It's my leg, my chest, it's everywhere. 'They tried to stop the bleeding and Ms Anaafi banged on the door of the house and called for help. Kobi said that he could not breathe and added: 'Pray for me.' Police officers arrived shortly afterwards followed by paramedics who desperately tried to save Mr Nelson. Mr Nelson is said to have suffered from a medical condition which caused joint and leg pain, affecting his mobility to an extent. Quartey denies murder. This is the terrifying moment a thug sent a concrete block hurtling through the window of a family home and caused a head injury to a ten-year-old boy. Lewis Buckley was hit with a shard of glass in what is thought to be a random attack in Bolton, Lancashire, on Saturday. Dramatic CCTV footage shows the assailant running up to the house before launching the missile, which shattered the living room window, at around 11.20pm. Dad Martin Buckley, 33, has described hearing an 'almighty bang' before sprinting downstairs to find his young son bleeding from the head and in shock. A masked man lobbed the concrete block through the window of a family home in Bolton Lewis suffered a gash to his forehead after being hit by glass which shattered across the room - despite being sat at the opposite end. Family say Lewis' injuries could have been much worse had it not been for his glasses which ultimately protected his eyes. It came after the youngster had been allowed to stay up to watch science fiction film Jurassic World 'as a treat' over the school summer holidays. Martin, from Bolton, Lancashire, said: 'At 11.20 we heard an almighty bang, my wife jumped up and said it was the window. 'We both rushed down to see what had happened. As soon as I got halfway down the stairs you could see glass everywhere. 'He was covered in glass. There were shards in the wall behind him and he had pieces of glass on his top. 'He was frozen, he never called for anyone he just sat there in shock. 'It would definitely have caused more damage if he didn't have his glasses on. I turned to his mum and said 'thank God he was wearing them'. It could have gone in his eyes. 'We don't know why this happened, it's absolutely ridiculous. I can't work out why this has been done. Mark Buckley with his son Lewis, aged 10, who was cut after a block was thrown through the window 'We moved up here recently, thinking it was a nice area to raise our children and it is a beautiful place, but vandalism like this is a massive problem.' Police were called but said they were unable to attend the incident straight away - citing a lack of evidence about the identity of the vandal and other incidents in the town which were a higher priority. Martin has criticised what he claims was a lack of police presence over the concerning incident. He added: 'Everyone feels like if anything happens the police are not going to come anymore, that's the state it's getting to.' Martin explained that the entire family, including his wife, Donna, and four children, all could have been in the room but he decided at the last minute to have them go to bed. He added: 'Because we have four children and my wife works a lot, we don't normally have a lot of family time. Lewis Buckley was cut on his head by the glass which shattered when a rock came hurtling through his living room window 'What we do is get all the quilts and put them in the front room and we all lay down there and watch Disney films. 'We were going to do it on Saturday night but one of our twin boys had gone to bed so I thought we would leave it, but I let our other 10-year-old stay downstairs on his own and watch a film, as a treat.' A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police explained that an officer would call the family within the next few days to get more information about the incident. He said: 'We'll send an officer down, but because of the time of and because there were other threat-to-life incidents that we had to focus on, we could not attend the scene. 'Our local resolution officer will call and get some details about what happened so that we can investigate.' This blog may be a labor of love for me, but it takes a lot of effort, time and money. For over 14 years and 30,000 articles I have been providing accurate, original news that would have remained unnoticed. I've written hundreds of scoops and sometimes my reporting ends up making a real difference. I appreciate any donations you can give to keep this blog going. Two dozen girls have been rescued from a women's shelter in north-east India, following allegations of sex trafficking and domestic slavery. A ten-year-old girl staying at the shelter in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, escaped by scaling a wall, and told police that teenage girls were being taken away by mystery men at night, and would return in tears in the morning. Police searched the building and found that 18 of the 42 girls registered as staying at the shelter were missing,subsequently arresting the family running it. Saved: Some of the rescued children and young women staying at the shelter where police are now investigating whether some of them were being trafficked Girija Tripathi, her husband Mohan Tripathi and their daughter have been accused of running a sex racket at the shelter, which had been funded by the local government until three years ago. 'During an investigation, it has come to the fore that wrong things were done with the girls between the age of 15 to 18,' Deoria Police Superintendent Rohan P Kanay told Hindustan Times, without elaborating on what 'wrong things' entailed. He added: 'During the raid, 18 of the total 42 enrolled were found missing. We have arrested the women operator and her husband as they could not give any satisfactory answer.' The scandal was uncovered this weekend when the ten-year-old girl escaped and reported the shelter's owners to the police. She claimed that men would visit the shelter in the evenings and take four or five women with them each time. 'Many times white, black and red cars used to come and take away the girls. When the returned in the morning, they used to cry,' the girl said according to Economic Times. Taken in: Girija Tripathi, left, her husband Mohan Tripathi, right, and their daughter have been arrested and accused of running a sex racket at the shelter The ten-year-old also told police that those staying at the shelter were 'treated like slaves' and would be forced to cook and clean for the owners. The shelter has been shut down and the 24 under-aged girls found there are receiving medical care. Police said they are searching for the missing 18. This comes just weeks after ten staff members at a children's shelter in Bihar, eastern India, were arrested and accused of sexually abusing girls in their care. As many as 34 young girls were raped by staff at the government-funded home, youngest just seven years old, police said. The girls case have told a court they were regularly tortured, starved, drugged and raped in what local media have dubbed the 'house of horrors'. One girl reportedly said she had been beaten and starved when she tried to resist, while others were given food laced with sedatives and forced to sleep naked. Sexual and physical abuse are common in India's care homes, where many children are placed by parents who are too poor to feed, clothe and shelter them, campaigners say. Two pilots are set to lose their flying licences after they tried to take off from a taxiway at an airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia - endangering the lives of 150 passengers. The Jet Airways craft accelerated down the taxiway just after midnight on Friday before hitting an unpaved area and aborting takeoff. The 142 passengers and seven crew members were evacuated from the plane by fire and rescue teams at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport. Aviation sources told NDTV that the taxiway the Mumbai-bound Boeing 737 had attempted to take off from had not been mapped into the plans of the airport. The aborted take off occurred at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport just after midnight on Friday Jet Airways said in a statement via Twitter: 'Our flight 9W523 with 142 guests and 7 crew members from Riyadh to Mumbai of 3rd August aborted takeoff and departed the runway at Riyadh Airport. All our guests and crew have been evacuated safely with no reported injuries.' An investigation was launched into the pilot's botched takeoff as the airline scrambled to organise alternate travel plans for its passengers. The regulator said that it had 'suspended the flying licence of both the pilots involved in runway excursion incident, pending investigation.' An official of aviation regulator DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) had said that the pilots aborted take-off after they were informed about a 'barrier' on the runway. The Mumbai-bound Boeing 737 attempted to take off from a taxiway beside the site's runway (stock image) The plane veered off the runway due to 'sudden stopping', the official had earlier said, before the Saudi aviation authorities put out their version. In a tweet, Jet Airways said its Mumbai-bound flight had aborted take-off and veered off the runway, but without specifying the reason. Jet Airways in another tweet said the airlines 'is in contact with the DGCA and has extended all co-operation with regard to the said incident' 'The airline will continue to adhere to all requirements laid down by the regulator,' it said and added, 'The matter is currently under investigation and we cannot currently comment on the issue.' Iran has accused the US of being 'isolated' in its hostility to the Islamic republic as it braced for the return of sanctions against a backdrop of political turmoil inside the country. Washington is set to reimpose sanctions on Iran on Tuesday following Donald Trump's decision to abandon the 2015 nuclear deal in May - a move opposed by all other parties to the agreement. But today, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said it was hard to imagine negotiating with the man who tore up an agreement on which Iran and world powers had spent the 'longest hours in negotiating history'. 'Do you think this person (Trump) is a good and suitable person to negotiate with? Or is he just showing off?' he said. Washington is set to reimpose sanctions on Iran on Tuesday following Donald Trump's decision to abandon the 2015 nuclear deal in May - a move opposed by all other parties to the agreement He added: 'Of course, American bullying and political pressures may cause some disruption, but the fact is that in the current world, America is isolated.' EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini in a statement jointly signed with the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany, said 'we deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the US. 'We are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran,' the statement added. But the renewed hostility has already sparked a run on Iran's currency, which has lost around half its value since Trump's announcement. And it has added to tensions inside Iran, which has seen days of protests and strikes in multiple towns and cities over water shortages, high prices and wider anger at the political system. Severe reporting restrictions have made it impossible to verify the swirl of claims coming through social media, but journalists did confirm a heavy build-up of riot police on Sunday night in the town of Karaj, just west of Tehran, that has been a focal point of unrest, and said mobile internet had been cut in the area. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (pictured) said it was hard to imagine negotiating with the man who tore up an agreement on which Iran and world powers had spent the 'longest hours in negotiating history' Rouhani is due to give a televised address to the nation at 21.40pm on Monday to outline plans for tackling the currency decline and impact of sanctions. His government eased foreign exchange rules on Sunday, allowing unlimited tax-free currency and gold imports, and reopening exchange bureaus after a disastrous attempt to fix the value of the rial in April led to widespread black-market corruption. With senior religious authorities calling for a crackdown on graft, the judiciary said Sunday it had arrested the vice-governor of the central bank in charge of foreign exchange, Ahmad Araghchi, along with a government clerk and four currency brokers. Sanctions are due to return in two phases on August 7 and November 5 - with the first targeting Iran's access to US banknotes and key industries including cars and carpets. The second phase - blocking Iran's oil sales - is due to cause more damage, although several countries including China, India and Turkey have indicated they are not willing to entirely cut their Iranian energy purchases. After months of fierce rhetoric, Trump surprised observers last week when he offered to meet with Rouhani without preconditions. There have been ongoing rumours that Trump and Rouhani could meet in New York later this month, where they are both attending the UN General Assembly -- though Rouhani reportedly rejected US overtures for a meeting at last year's event. Over the weekend Trump once again floated the idea of meeting, tweeting 'I will meet, or not meet, it doesn't matter - it is up to them!' But that came less than a fortnight after a bellicose exchange between the two presidents, with Rouhani warning of the 'mother of all wars' and Trump responding with a Twitter tirade against Iran's 'DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE'. Trump has stated he wants a new deal with Iran that goes beyond curbing its nuclear programme, and ends what America calls its 'malign influence' in the region, including its support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and militant groups in Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories. Iran hawks believe the pressure is already showing results, pointing to a surprising lack of harassment by Iranian naval forces against American warships in the Gulf this year. If Iran senses 'American steel they back down, if they perceive American mush they push forward - and right now they perceive steel,' said Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington think tank that lobbied against the nuclear deal. Kung Fu star Jackie Chan has escaped death many a time as his characters, but last week the Chinese screen legend was at the centre of a dramatic real-life rescue while shooting a new film. The Hong Kong martial arts icon, 64, and his crew had to be saved after their vans had got trapped in a massive mudslide, the actor said on his social media account. Chan described the scary experience last Friday through a post on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent to Twitter. A picture posted by Jackie Chan on social media shows his and his colleagues' vans were stuck in raging, muddy floodwaters after the crew encountered a mudslide last Friday Chan said their production trucks had to be towed to safety by large hook trucks Chan said all of the production trucks became stuck in rushing mud after mountain torrents suddenly occurred. Many of the crew members became frightened, but luckily large hook trucks quickly arrived to tow their trucks to safety, the post said. One of the rescuers told Chinese viral video site Pear Video that the truck carrying Chan was completely wrecked by the floodwaters. The rescuer, named Wang Li, said the front part of Chan's truck was so damaged that only the engine was left. Wang said: 'The area is very prone to mudslides. As soon as it starts raining, flooding could happen. 'When the crew realised the situation, it was already too late, all of their trucks were stuck in the floodwaters.' It's believed that nobody was injured during the process. Another picture posted by Chan shows the rescuers working to save the crew after nightfall Chan (file photo) did not reveal where the film set was or what film it was, but media suggested it could be his new action thriller Project X, which is set to hit the big screens next year Chan expressed gratitude for the rescuers' help in the post and said the film crew would strengthen the safety measures in the future. The actor did not reveal what film he was shooting or where the film set was. But according to Pear Video, the accident took place in Helan Mountain in Ningxia in north-west China. Chan is shooting his new film Project X in the area, reported Chinese film site 1905. Project X is an action-thriller which also features American actor and former wrestling star John Cena. American actor John Cena (left), Hong Kong Kung Fu star Jackie Chan (centre) and American film director Scott Waugh (right) propose a toast during the press conference of Project X Set in the Middle East, the Chinese-funded blockbuster follows how Chinese retired special soldier Luo Feng (played by Chan) teams up with retired American solider Chris (played by Cena) to extract his fellow countrymen from the desert - only to realise Chris has an ulterior motive. Cena replaced Sylvester Stallone in the film, according to Variety. Project X is directed by Scott Waugh and is due to be released in 2019. Shakayla Denson, 26, is behind bars after she allegedly carried her daughter Je'Hyrah Daniels into a Tampa river and drowned her The four-year-old girl who was allegedly drowned in a river by her own mother could be heard screaming as she was dragged into the water, witnesses have revealed. Shakayla Denson, 26, is behind bars after she allegedly carried her daughter Je'Hyrah Daniels into the current and pushed her under, watching as she flailed and floated away. Now bystanders have revealed that Je'Hyrah, who is nonverbal autistic, was screaming and thrashing in her mother's arms as they approached the river. Witnesses said they saw Denson drag the girl from a car and into Hillsborough River in Tampa on Thursday. As she held her only daughter to her chest, Denson then began to scream as well. Bystanders said that she continued to take her daughter deeper into the river, letting go only after the water reached her shoulders. The girl was seen struggling in the current, her head and hands rising as she was swept away. Scroll down for video Witnesses said the four-year-old girl, who was nonverbal autistic, was screaming and thrashing in her mother's arms as she was carried into the Hillsborough River This witness photo allegedly shows Denson emerging from the river in front of stunned onlookers after carrying Je'Hyrah into the current and drowning the girl Rescue divers pulled Je'Hyrah from the water about 30 minutes later. She was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. Vicki Walker was sitting on her porch when she spotted Denson in the river, walking into the water fully-dressed Walker had never seen a person swimming in the river in the three years she had been living there, she told the Tampa Bay Times. While Walker never saw Je'Hyrah, she did see Denson exit the river and sit down in the grass, wailing. She then took her shirt off and walked away. Witnesses who spotted Denson before her arrest said the mother was wearing just a bra and black pants. Witnesses said they saw Denson drag the girl from a car and into Hillsborough River in Tampa on Thursday. As she held her only daughter to her chest, Denson then began to scream too Children's shoes are seen abandoned under the stolen vehicle that police say Denson hijacked from a car dealer and drove to the river where she allegedly drowned her daughter She was barefoot and spotted checking car handles and counting out loud in the back of a discount food store. Denson has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and grand theft motor vehicle in connection with JeHyrah's death. She was ordered held without bail on a first-degree murder charge on Friday, appearing in court in a one-piece uniform worn by inmates who are a suicide threat. Tampa police said Denson stole a car from an auto repair shop on Thursday afternoon and forced her daughter inside. Surveillance footage shows Denson walking around the Jordan Auto Repair Shop, pulling Je'Hyrah by the hand as she checks the handles of parked cars. Surveillance footage shows Denson walking around the Jordan Auto Repair Shop, pulling Je'Hyrah by the hand as she checks the handles of parked cars At one point Denson discovers an unlocked gray Nissan Altima (pictured) and shoves her daughter into the backseat before finding the keys inside and driving away At one point Denson discovers an unlocked gray Nissan Altima and shoves her daughter into the backseat before finding the keys inside and driving away. Abdelrazzaq Abdelrazz, who owns the lot, said he demanded that Denson open the door and tried to put himself in front of the bumper. But he said Denson ignored him and backed out, rolling over his foot as she drove off. About 40 minutes later, the car pulled up to the Hillsborough River, which runs through Tampa. Denson had been cleared by child abuse investigators just two days before she allegedly killing her daughter. Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office opened the investigation on June 19. It closed the investigation on Tuesday after no evidence of maltreatment, abuse, or neglect was found, authorities said. The investigation began after someone reported that Denson was not properly caring for Je'Hyrah and seemed 'overwhelmed and tired'. Denson had been cleared by child abuse investigators just two days before she allegedly killed her daughter Denson (front left) appeared in court via video link on Friday and was ordered held without bail. She is seen above wearing a quilted anti-suicide garment for prisoners at risk of self-harm 'The mother is easily distracted and doesn't show much attention toward Je'Hyrah,' the tipster, whose identity has not been released, reported. 'She just lets her run around and do what she wants. She doesn't seem to have the maturity to address the special needs that Je'Hyrah has.' An investigator who visited Denson the next day noted in their report that the mother's two-bedroom home was equipped with a security system and had no hazards, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Denson told the investigator she was shocked that someone would report her and denied that she was 'too immature to care for the child'. The mother did admit that it was difficult being a single mother to a special-needs child and said her daughter was prone to tantrums. She also said Je'Hyrah was 'very preoccupied with water and always wants to jump in no matter where they are'. Tampa law enforcement stand at the scene where Je'Hyrah drowned in the Hillsborough River A Fire Department rescue team operates a boat in the Hillsborough River near where Je'Hyrah was seen struggling in the water, her head and hands rising as she was swept away Denson also told the investigator that she had created a GoFundMe page to raise money for her daughter's autism treatment and was working to try and enroll her in the Florida Autism Center of Excellence. The investigator wrote in the report that Je'Hyrah seemed happy and energetic and did not have any injuries. They noted that Denson's sister, as well as two of her neighbors, said they had no concerns for Je'Hyrah's safety in her mother's care. But after Je'Hyrah's death, neighbor Shantia Little told the Tampa Bay Times that Denson would frequently leave Je'Hyrah and a young niece and nephew alone in her apartment. She told the paper Denson 'didn't care' about her daughter. 'That child is innocent,' Little said. 'That child, she didn't deserve that.' Father Jedaric Daniels (with Je'Heyrah above) said: 'In my entire 37 years of living, I have never endured so much hurt [and] pain' Daniels wrote that Je'Hyrah 'required a little more love and attention' due to her autism It remains unclear if Little was one of the neighbors interviewed for the child abuse investigation. While the Sheriff's Office has agreed with its initial conclusion, the Department of Children and Families has ordered another review of the investigation. Meanwhile, Je'Hyrah's father Jedaric Daniels has spoken out about his loss. 'In my entire 37 years of living, I have never endured so much hurt [and] pain,' Daniels wrote on a GoFundMe campaign page for his daughter. 'Je'hyrah was diagnosed with Autisum so she required a little more love and attention.' 'I loved her with every bone in my body,' the grieving father wrote. A British tourist racked up a 35,000 fine after driving at 150mph through Dubai in a rented 270k Lamborghini. Cameras caught the 25-year-old breaking the speed limit 33 times between 2.30am and 6am just hours after renting the car. Some of the fines came just seconds apart as the driver raced through the city centre. A British tourist racked up a 35,000 fine after driving at 150mph through Dubai in a rented 270k Lamborghini (pictured) The tourist sped his rented Lamborghini Huracan on Sheikh Zayed Road (pictured) The owner of the rental company is now holding the tourist's passport to stop him fleeing the country. Because the business is the registered owner of the car, it is liable to pay the fines if the tourist refuses. Saeed Ali Rent a Car owner Faris Mohammed Iqbal, 26, said the tourist had rented the car on July 30, paid two-day fees of 1,200, leaving his passport as guarantee. Mr Iqbal said: 'We obtained copies of all the violations and immediately submitted a request for a travel ban on the tourist, to which we paid 240 in fees, but the request was rejected.' The owner said he was in no hurry to get the car back from the tourist because then he would have to surrender it to police and pay impound fees. The tourist could face jail because failing to pay debts is criminal in Dubai. The Brit has given his address as the plush Five hotel (pictured), in Palm Jumeirah, which hosts celebrities The Brit has given his address as the plush Five hotel, in Palm Jumeirah, which hosts celebrities. Law officials in the ultra-glamorous city recently began a crackdown on speeding motorists to improve road safety. A Lamborghini Huracan can hit speeds of up to 200mph, and can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in just 3.4 seconds. A Russian man who seemed to threaten a cabin crew member with 'mafia link' has been detained in Tel Aviv after a horrific air rage incident where he threw punches at the staff. The blundering economy class passenger furiously accused the airline of losing his mobile phone during a flight from Moscow to Israel. In fact the smartphone was later found to be in his possession all along. The blundering economy class passenger furiously accused the airline of losing his mobile phone during a flight from Moscow to Israel But he became enraged and in head to head confrontation shouted at an Aeroflot steward: 'Where did you put it? I will f*** you up. 'Let's sort it out in Moscow 'We'll meet up in Solntsevo..' His threat seemed clear - the grim suburb of Solntsevo is notorious as the home district of one of Russia's most deadly mafia gangs which bears the same name. The ugly drama was filmed by another passenger. He became enraged and in head to head confrontation shouted at an Aeroflot steward: 'Where did you put it? I will f*** you up' During a tirade of foul-mouthed verbal abuse, the bearded bandit then denied throwing punches and head butting the crew member. 'I did not beat anybody,' he claimed, as he was restrained by a fellow-passenger. 'It was recorded on camera that you beat me,' replied the calm steward. The man was later handed over by flight crew to police when the aircraft landed. He became enraged on leaving the aircraft and had to be physically restrained - as shown by another video. A police investigation was reported to be underway. Advertisement The Northeast will struggle under humidity that makes it feels like triple-digit temperatures early this week, as blazing heat and dry conditions in the West fuel 62 separate wildfires - including the massive Mendocino Complex Fire in California. Parts of the Northeast, including Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, are under a heat advisory through Tuesday, with temperatures in the high 90s and humidity combining for heat indexes over 100 in some areas. 'Strong southerly flow will pump hot and humid air into the Northeast, resulting in above normal temperatures and even higher index values,' the National Weather Service said in a flash bulletin. 'In the meantime, several areas in the Northeast also have poor air quality.' Meanwhile out West, a critical Red Flag Warning is in effect for parts of southern California through Tuesday, meaning conditions are ripe for new wildfires as crews continue to battle massive blazes across the state. The New York City skyline shimmers in the humidity on Monday, when the heat index is forecast to approach 100 A map shows areas in the Northeast that are under a National Weather Service heat advisory through Tuesday The three-day forecast highs for the Northeast are seen above. Humidity will push heat indexes into triple digits in places 'Gusty north winds will develop across the region, strongest across the Santa Barbara county south coast and mountains, as well as the Interstate 5 corridor of the Los Angeles and Ventura county mountains into the Santa Clarita Valley,' the NWS said. 'Any new fire ignitions will have the potential for very rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior,' the bulletin continued. On Monday morning, about 120 miles north of San Francisco, the Mendocino Complex Fire officially became the second-largest wildfire in modern state history, reaching 427 square miles. It is now just 13 square miles away from surpassing the state's largest fire, the Thomas Fire last year in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Crews worked through the night to hold the fire lines, and the fire was 30 per cent contained Monday morning, CalFire said. The Mendocino Complex has destroyed 75 homes and 68 other structures, officials said. The fire began on July 27 and the cause remains under investigation. More than 20,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate their homes as the fire tears through communities in Mendocino, Lake and Colusa counties. Firefighters rush to add more hose to a line while fighting the Mendocino Complex on Sunday near the town of Clearlake Oaks A truck passes by flames from the Mendocino Complex Fire in Clearlake Oaks, California on Sunday A hillside smolders after flames passed through during the Mendocino Complex Fire in Clearlake Oaks, California on Sunday A helicopter drops water on a burning hillside during the Mendocino Complex Fire in Clearlake Oaks, California on Sunday This map shows several of the major active (red) and recently contained (black) wildfires in northern California Smaller but far more destructive than the Mendocino Complex, the Carr Fire continues to rage about 160 miles north of Sacramento. It is now 250 square miles. On Saturday, the death toll from the Carr Fire rose to seven, claiming the life of an apprentice power company lineman, 21-year-old Jairus Ayeta, a native of Kampala, Uganda. The Pacific Gas & Electric Co. employee was doing restoration work in Shasta County when he suffered a fatal accident, the company said. On a GoFundMe page established to raise money for Ayeta's family, coworkers described him as an upbeat worker with a strong work ethic. 'Jay was one of the best apprentices I've seen and instantly liked among our crews, great hand. Gonna miss you buddy,' one coworker, Dustin Baker, wrote. The Carr Fire had already taken the lives of a firefighter, a bulldozer operator, and four civilians. The fire has destroyed 1,080 homes along with 524 other structures. CalFire said late Sunday that the fire was 43 per cent contained. The Carr Fire began on July 23 and was caused by sparks from the rim of a flat tire on a towed trailer, officials said. The latest fatality in the Carr Fire has been identified as 21-year-old Jairus Ayeta (above), a native of Kampala, Uganda A US Forest Service fire engine is blanketed by smoke from the Donnell Fire in Tuolumne County on Highway 108 Sunday A home along Highway 108 is overtaken by flames as the Donnell Fire in Tuolumne County rapidly advances On Sunday, President Donald Trump declared a 'major disaster' in California, ordering additional federal funding to be made available to help recovery efforts Trump had previously declared a state of emergency on July 28, freeing up federal funds to assist California. The new 'major disaster' declaration would help fire victims with unemployment assistance, food aid and legal and mental health counseling among other federal programs, and would also make counties and cities eligible for federal financial assistance and help with repairing the billions of dollars of damage done to infrastructure. Trump also tweeted about the fires on Sunday night: 'California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which arent allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized. It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire spreading!' The President added in a Monday tweet: 'Governor Jerry Brown must allow the Free Flow of the vast amounts of water coming from the North and foolishly being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Can be used for fires, farming and everything else. Think of California with plenty of Water - Nice! Fast Federal govt. approvals.' It is unclear exactly what water management policy Trump was referring to in the tweets, and officials in California haven't complained of a lack of water available to firefighters. In September, Trump's Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke did order land managers at federal parks to begin aggressively clearing underbrush to prevent wildfires from spreading. In addition to California, there are current active large fire incidents in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevad, Utah, Colorado and Texas. Three children of an American airman travelled a combined 17,000 miles to track down and thank the Brit who pulled their father from a burning plane 76 years ago -who then sat and had a cigarette with him. Ron Dale, 92, dragged Armstrong 'Doc' Lyon from the flaming wreckage moments before it exploded in a field in Milton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire in 1942. Brave Ron, at just 17 years old, had seen the plane smash into a field and ran over to find Armstrong alive inside. Three children of an American airman travelled a combined 17,000 miles to track down the Brit who pulled their father from a burning plane 76 years ago. (Pictured from left to right, Pamela Lyon, Ron Dale, Jim Martin and Marion Lyon) Ron Dale, 92, then 17, dragged Armstrong 'Doc' Lyon from the flaming wreckage moments before it exploded in a field in Milton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire in 1942 (left Ron Dale, 92, right Ron, 18 in 1943) The flier told the boy to run before it blew up but Ron ignored him and dragged him from the burning craft. The pair then sat and smoked together before help arrived and Armstrong returned home to the US where he had a family. Mr Lyon's children travelled from Australia, Canada and North America to Britain and found Ron. They have thanked Mr Dale, from Witney, West Oxfordshire, after discovering the full story of their father's crash. The flier told the boy to run before it blew up but Ron ignored him and dragged him from the burning craft. The pair then sat and smoked together before help arrived and Armstrong returned home to the US where he had a family. (Pictured: Doc Lyon in a Wellington Bomber) Sisters Marion Lyon-Hayes, Pamela Lyon, and their half-brother Jim Martin, visited Mr Dale's home in Thorney Leys. Pamela, who now lives in Australia, said: 'Meeting Mr Dale had a really peaceful feeling. 'I feel that our father would be really pleased and it feels like something that was open - and, in a way, broken - is not broken anymore. It's closed.' Marion, of Texas, added that it was like everything had come 'full circle'. She said: 'How can you possibly thank someone who did something that selfless - something that, had they not done it, you would not exist? During their visit last Friday, Mr Dale and Mr Lyon's family visited the site of the crash. It was September 16, 1942, and a 17-year-old Mr Dale was leaving his Milton-under-Wychwood family home. He noticed a plane travelling through the skies on a concerning trajectory. The youngster and his mother looked on as the Wellington bomber, which had suffered engine failure, headed for the ground. Mr Dale believes the pilot tried to land the plane in a field but it crashed and burst into flames upon colliding with the ground. Sergeants McCarthy, Ferguson, Ritchie and Arnold were killed outright. Only Mr Lyon, the plane's rear gunner, survived. Mr Dale saw the plane, which had suffered engine failure, headed for the ground. After hearing the Wellington bomber plough into the ground, Mr Dale ran what felt like 'a million miles' to get to the wreck, clearing fences in a beeline towards the field where Mr Lyon, then 23, told him to flee (Stock image: Vickers Wellington bomber, 1941) After hearing the plane plough into the ground, Mr Dale ran what felt like 'a million miles' to get to the wreck, clearing fences in a beeline towards the field. When he arrived, Mr Dale saw the 23-year-old Mr Lyon trapped in the burning aircraft and engulfed in flames. The teenager grabbed the airman with both arms and heaved him to safety. The sergeant shouted to Mr Dale to flee from the plane, knowing that the flames were about to ignite the fuel tank. Moments later, as the pair ran from the wreckage, it exploded. They then stood together in a ditch and smoked cigarettes while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. Mr Lyon was missing a boot and trouser leg and had severe burns to his leg and face. Six weeks later he returned to the village to thank Mr Dale for saving his life but the teenager was working at the time and never had the chance to see him, leaving it up to Mr Lyon's children decades later (Pictured at St Peter's Church in Little Rissington) Six weeks later he returned to the village to thank Mr Dale for saving his life - but the teenager was working at the time and never had the chance to see him, leaving it up to Mr Lyon's children decades later. Mr Dale, who was delighted to meet the family, shrugged off the notion of his own heroism. He said: 'It's just a thing that happened that morning - but I will never forget the sound of that thing when it hit the ground. 'I thought to myself many times: I wonder if he made it to the end of the war. And I always hoped he did. He was a real 'go and get them' type of character.' Mr Lyon's children were also, during their time with Mr Dale, able to visit St Peter's Church in Little Rissington, where two of Mr Lyon's fellow airmen were buried. They laid wreaths on the graves and the experience helped make real the significance of Mr Dale's heroic actions. Marion said: 'Going to the church had a big impact, especially when Mr Dale pointed out that that is where my father would have been buried.' Mr Dale took Doc's children to the church where two of his fellow airmen were buried. Marion said: 'Going to the church had a big impact, especially when Mr Dale pointed out that that is where my father would have been buried.' (Pictured at St Peter's Church in Little Rissington) Mr Lyon, from Philadelphia travelled to Canada to join the RCAF and fight Hitler prior to America joining the conflict where he completed 56 operations. He concluded his service with the RCAF in 1950, after which he joined the United States Air Force. The sergeant served in the USAF for a further 22 years, flying as a navigator in strategic bomber command, and later commanding a missile unit. He retired in 1972 after reaching the rank of colonel and passed away in 1996. His children, who now have children of their own, described their father as a charming man who would spend a lot of time alone. They said he was left haunted by the crash and had a recurring dream of the men who lost their lives visiting him while he lay in bed. Rescuers are searching for a sightseeing plane that crashed with the pilot and four tourists on board in the mountains of Alaska. The de Havilland Beaver plane crashed high on a mountain ridge in Denali National Park and Preserve at around 6pm on Saturday. The pilot was able to make a call to report there were injuries on his satellite phone, but authorities couldn't get details before the connection dropped. The de Havilland Beaver plane (above, file photo) crashed high on a mountain ridge in Denali National Park and Preserve at around 6pm on Saturday The plane is believed to have crashed near the summit of 10,900ft (3,300m) high Thunder Mountain, park spokeswoman Katherine Belcher said. There was still no word on the conditions of the pilot and passengers. The tourists, whose identities and nationalities have not been released, and pilot had to spend the night on the mountain. 'The pilot was able to make a satellite phone call to K2 Aviation,' Belcher said, according to KTVA. 'He did report some injuries, he made another phone call about an hour later at 7pm, and the is the last known communication anyone has had with the pilot.' Belcher added: 'There's definitely low cloud cover. We're waiting for an update from the HC-130 crew that's up in the air.' Thunder Mountain is a knife-edge ridge rising about 3,000ft (915m) above two glaciers, 14 miles southwest of the summit of Denali, North America's highest peak. The plane was reportedly carrying sleeping bags, a stove, a pot, food and first-aid kit, Belcher said in a statement. The plane is believed to have crashed near the summit of Thunder Mountain (above, file photo) An Air Guard HC-130 was flying over coordinates that came from the plane's emergency locator transmitter and were offered by the pilot, said Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead of the Alaska National Guard. The plane's ELT beacon alerted the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center around 6pm on Saturday. 'Searchers don't have eyes on aircraft yet because of cloud cover between them and the aircraft,' Olmstead said Sunday. An Air Guard HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter with a rescue crew, a National Park Service helicopter and another plane owned by the private tour company, K2 Aviation, that operates the downed plane can help with the search, Olmstead said. K2 Aviation said it has canceled flight tours for now. Sightseeing buses and tourists are seen at a pullout popular for taking in views of North America's tallest peak, Denali, in Denali National Park. File photo 'The entire K2 family sends their thoughts and prayers to the families of our guests and the pilot involved in the incident,' the company said in a statement. 'Search efforts continue and K2 Aviation is cooperating fully with the Alaska State Troopers, the National Park Service, Alaska Air National Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration and other authorities involved.' The company, based in Talkeetna, Alaska, offers glacier landings. 'The glaciers found in Denali National Park are like no others in the world. Beneath the towering mountain peaks, you'll understand why these immense ice fields attract people from all over the globe,' K2 Aviation says on its website. Barnaby Joyce (pictured) has revealed he had depression and even contemplated dying after being shamed for leaving his wife and having a baby with his former staffer Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has revealed he had depression and even contemplated dying amid the scandal of having a baby with his former staffer and leaving his wife of 24 years. In an exclusive interview with the Sydney Morning Herald about the release of his new book, Mr Joyce, 51, compared his mental health to a 'crazed cattle dog'. 'Winston Churchill had his black dog. Mine was a half-crazed cattle dog, biting everything that came near the yard,' he wrote in his autobiography, Weatherboard and Iron. After being shamed for starting a relationship with his previous media adviser and now partner Vikki Campion, Mr Joyce admitted he had contemplated dying. 'I have hurt so many that I want to go without anybody knowing,' he told the publication. Mr Joyce compared his mental health to a 'crazed cattle dog' (Pictured: Vikki Campion, Barnaby Joyce and their baby son Sebastian) Mr Joyce said he didn't feel like the same person at home and in Canberra. He said he was 'wandering and getting closer to other women' in Canberra for years before he began a relationship with Ms Campion. Mr Joyce admitted that many of his friends were concerned about his mental health when he was in the spotlight due to Ms Campion's pregnancy. Former senator Jacqui Lambie said she had fears for Mr Joyce's health when she appeared on Melbourne radio station 3AW in May. Ms Lambie said she was concerned for the health of her friend when questions were raised over the paternity of Ms Campion's child. The 51-year-old former deputy prime minister told the Sydney Morning Herald it was only when he was diagnosed with depression that he actively wanted to get structure back into his life. The 51-year-old told the Sydney Morning Herald it was only when he was diagnosed with depression that he actively wanted to get structure back into his life He said the birth of his son Sebastian in April also helped him get back on track. The former National Party leader said he actually wrote most of his book before the scandal. Mr Joyce said he wrote it with the intention of drawing attention to the hardships faced by those living in regional Australia. He also wanted to stand up and challenge the stereotype that sees people from the bush labelled 'One Nation supporters'. 'They're not Pauline Hanson's One nation, they're not Howard's battlers and they're not Abbott's tradies,' he told the Herald. Joyce and Ms Campion spoke to Seven Network's Sunday Night program in May for a paid $150,000 interview. Barnaby Joyce and his wife of 24 years Natalie Joyce (pictured) at federal parliament's Mid Winter Ball in June last year If you or anyone need someone to talk to, contact Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467 Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 MensLine Australia - 1300 78 99 78 Malaysia's former first lady is being sued over an alleged 11.5million unpaid jewellery bill by a Knightsbridge diamond expert whose work is loved by Angelina Jolie, Naomi Campbell and Oprah Winfrey, it was revealed today. Samer Halimeh, a Lebanese-born American jeweller, says he had a ten-year friendship with Rosmah Mansor after being introduced at a party in Belgravia by a member of the Brunei Royal family. Mrs Mansor, who invited him to her daughter's wedding three years ago, is accused of ordering 44 new pieces of jewellery in case her husband Najib Razak won Malaysia's General Election on May 9 this year. Mr Mansor said he sent 11.5million of high end items including a 16.5 carat diamond ring worth 710,000 from his boutiques in New York and London to Kuala Lumpur. But Mr Razak lost the election to Mahathir Mohamad and the jewellery has not been returned, it is alleged. Star jeweller Samer Halimeh with Malaysia's former first lady Rosmah Mansor who are now involved in a legal battle over 11.5million of his jewellery Mr Helimeh has boutiques in London and New York work is loved by Angelina Jolie, Naomi Campbell (pictured together) and Oprah Winfrey Samer Halimeh's boutique in Knightsbridge, is just yards from Harrods and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel The jeweller admits the 44 items, ranging in price between 95,000 and 710,000, were sent on a 'try before you buy' basis. But three months on from the election defeat he believes it should have been handed back or paid for by now. Mrs Mansor's husband Najib Razak (pictured together in 2016) lost the general election this year after eight years as prime minister of Malaysia Mr Halimeh says he is upset that he has had to file a claim in the Malaysian High Court. He said: 'After years of friendship my wife and I even attended Rosmah and Najibs daughters wedding in 2015, which is why by 2018 we trusted the relationship enough to provide the First Lady with 11.5 million worth of jewellery on a try-before-you-buy basis. I think it was ordered on anticipation of the couple winning the 2018 general election'. He added: 'All we are seeking is our jewellery collection being returned to its rightful legal owners, since the sale was never completed'. It is not known where the jewellery is - but on May 16 Malaysian police seized 12,000 pieces of jewellery estimated to be worth more than 200million as part of a corruption probe into Mrs Mansor's husband. Her lawyer Geethan Ram Vincent said Mr Halimeh's litigation is 'unlawful, frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the court process'. He added: 'The jewellery was delivered for our client's viewing by virtue of the fact that she was the wife of the prime minister on the plaintiff's own volition and without there being any obligation for our client to purchase it'. Rosmah Mansor and her husband Najib have been barred from travelling overseas since he lost the May election. Nine days after his defeat Malaysian police confiscated a haul of luxury goods during a corruption and money laundering investigation into the country's former Prime Minister. Officers seized 284 designer handbags and 72 suitcases containing cash, jewellery and other valuables during the probe into Najib Razak's business affairs. Commercial crime chief Amar Singh said Singh said the seizure was part of investigations into allegations Razak diverted up to 2.67 billion Malaysian ringgits (540million) into private accounts. US investigators are also looking into the case, including claims 17million was used to buy a pink diamond necklace for his wife. Najib, whose coalition was ousted in a stunning election defeat, denies any wrongdoing. Mr Halimeh, pictured with John Travolta, says he wants the jewels back or the 11.5m bill paid Angelina Jolie and Oprah Winfrey wearing some of the star jeweller's earrings and necklaces Police load confiscated items including suitcases containing cash, jewellery and other valuables as they investigate former Malaysian PM Najib Razak in May The raids were shown live on TV and pictured police carting away orange boxes containing handbags and luggage of various sizes from the condominium. The labels on some of the boxes describe the bags as a 'navy blue crocodile skin with diamond,' a 'blue with diamante' crocodile skin Hermes and a grey crocodile skin Hermes. All appeared to be new and were bought abroad, including in Paris and Switzerland in 2013 and 2015. The seizure included Birkin Hermes bags, cash in various currencies, watches and a 'big amount' of jewelry. Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor, is known in Malaysia for her love for Birkin bags, which cost between from 10,000 to more than 200,000. Tyler Joseph Schlosser (pictured), 29, was arrested after he was allegedly found naked having sex with a miniature pony A naked man was arrested after he allegedly had sex with a pony in the middle of an Oklahoma field. Tyler Joseph Schlosser, 29, was taken into custody Wednesday morning after witnesses reported seeing him inside a horse pen. Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton said deputies were dispatched to an intersection at County Road 4190 and Montrose Lane. A witness told authorities she saw a man 'full nude standing in the field having sex with a pony', according to Tulsa World. Before police arrived to the scene, two other witnesses reportedly began recording the incident. Schlosser, who is a utility worker, reportedly stopped and started walking toward them. He placed the blame for his actions on medication that he was taking at the time. Walton told Tulsa World: 'It stretches the imagination. I certainly have sympathy for the homeowners who had to witness it. 'That literally causes some emotional scars.' Officers from the Inola Police Department arrested Schlosser for indecent exposure and crimes against nature. He was taken to Rogers County jail where he is being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond. Britain's longest-serving poppy seller has described her MBE for decades of charity service as 'wonderful'. Rosemary Powell, aged 103, was surrounded by family and celebrated with a glass of champagne after she was presented with the honour. The great-grandmother, from London, was included in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours List for voluntary service to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, having spent 97 years collecting for the charity. Inspecting the medal during a short ceremony at her west London nursing home, she said: 'Isn't it wonderful?' Mrs Powell, who sat in a wheelchair draped in a poppy-patterned blanket, was handed the MBE on behalf of the Queen by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Colonel Jane Davis. Rosemary Powell, aged 103, was flanked by her sons Anthony (left) and Giles (right) and celebrated with a glass of champagne after she was presented with the honour Britain's longest-serving poppy seller, 103-year-old Rosemary Powell, is presented with an MBE by Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Colonel Jane Davis Her sons Antony, Giles and Nicolas as well as granddaughters Emma and Rachel Powell and Celia Speller attended the ceremony at St Mary's Convent and Nursing Home in Chiswick on Monday. Giles, speaking on behalf of his mother and the family, said: 'The presentation of the MBE has been one of the biggest moments in her life and mum has lived a very full life. 'It's significant in what it represents in terms of both her loyalty and her commitment. She raised money for all those years due to the impact war had on her own family. 'She lost so many family members it really had an impact on her it really was the catalyst for her volunteering work for the Royal British Legion. 'It's a really special day for us as a family and we're so proud of her.' Mrs Powell, whose first fiance died in the Second World War, plans to sell poppies in her care home this November for the centenary year of the end of the First World War, before hanging up her collection tin, the Royal British Legion said. She helped her mother Evelyn sell poppies on Richmond Bridge for the Royal British Legion's first Poppy Appeal in 1921 at the age of six. Rosemary Powell with granddaughters Emma Powell (right) and Rachel Powell Rosemary Powell in her nurses uniform. She lived in Africa for a year in the 1950s but made poppies out of paper to give to local people during Remembrance They ran out in 'no time', she has previously recalled, and so her mother fashioned new poppies out of red crepe paper bought from a nearby flower shop. Her father Charles Ashton James served with the 126th Baluchistan Infantry and was left wounded after being shot in the head during the Battle of the Somme. She lost two godfathers and three uncles during the First World War. Her first fiance, Robin Ellis, a commander in the Royal Navy, died in 1944 when the Lancaster bomber he was flying in crashed near Inverness. Mrs Powell's younger brother Peter, a major in the Army, died during the Second World War. During the Second World War, Mrs Powell trained as a voluntary aid detachment (VAD) nurse providing civilian nursing to the military. She lived in Africa for a year in the 1950s but made poppies out of paper to give to local people during Remembrance. During 20 years living in France, Mrs Powell and her Royal Navy officer husband Selwyn sold blue cornflowers the French equivalent to UK poppies. When she returned to the UK, Mrs Powell sold poppies in London including at the Kings Mall shopping centre in Hammersmith. Charles Byrne, director general of the Royal British Legion, said: 'Rosemary is truly inspirational and she is most deserving of this honour. 'Our volunteers go to extraordinary lengths to raise funds to support our Armed Forces community, those who are serving, those who have served, and their families. Rosemary is a shining example of that extraordinary commitment. 'Over the decades Rosemary has helped to change the lives of thousands of Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and their families, and that is a legacy to be truly proud of. 'Rosemary is most deserving of this honour, and everyone at the Legion wishes her a very happy retirement.' A priest was arrested over claims he raped a woman while performing an exorcism in Portugal. Priest Humberto Gama was held in the town of Fatima in the Portuguese district of Sanrarem after being accused of attacking a 55-year-old during a ritual at his home. The 79-year-old, who denies the claims, allegedly tied up and raped the woman when she was lying on a bed during the exorcism. She later needed hospital treatment, it has been reported. Priest Humberto Gama (pictured) has been arrested over claims he raped a woman while performing an exorcism in Portugal Gama was held in the town of Fatima in the Portuguese district of Sanrarem after being accused of attacking a 55-year-old during a ritual at his home Gama was arrested shortly after the reported exorcism by the Head of Judicial Police of Leiria, Gil Carvalho. He is said to have been carrying out exorcisms at his home for 13 years. But he was kicked out of the Catholic church in the late 1990s after refusing to stop offering the service, according to local media. The priest denied the claims and has reportedly been released under the condition that he does not contact the woman. Father Gama is said to have claimed that an exorcism 'always involves physical contact' and says he has a 'clear conscience', Italian news reports said. The investigation is ongoing. A Texas clerk that allegedly sold alcohol to a minor who was later involved in a horrific crash that left two teenage girls dead, has been arrested. The Valero store clerk, Gumaro Munoz Campos, 29, was charged Sunday with one count of Sale of Alcoholic Beverage to a Minor, a misdemeanor, according to Chron.com. If convicted he could face up to a year in jail, fines up to $4,000 and he could have his license suspended for 180 days. He denies selling booze to minors, and told reporters while he was handcuffed that he always checks ID's. The arrest follows the horrendous crash on July 25, that involved Jaggar Smith, 17, who prosecutors say admitted he drank an entire bottle of Mad Dog 20/20, which has an alcohol volume of 13- 18 per cent before the crash. The accident left his two close friends, Chloe Robison and Salma Gomez, both 16, dead after his car hit and tree with such force that the vehicle split in half. Valero store clerk, Gumaro Munoz Campos, 29 (pictured) was arrested Sunday for allegedly selling alcohol to the underage Jaggar Smith, 17, who was involved in a horrific accident that killed his two 16-year-old female friends Jaggar Smith, 17, (in court, late last month) after allegedly killing two of his female friends in a high-speed car crash. Prosecutors say Smith had been drinking when he got behind the wheel Smith hit a tree so hard his car broke into two. The front half of the car, where Gomez was riding in the passenger seat, stopped in the median (pictured) Gone too soon: Salma Gomez (left) and Chloe Robison (right), both 16, lost their lives after Smith's car slammed into trees and split in two near Houston During Smith's first court appearance last month, Harris County prosecutors told the judge the teen had slurred speech red eyes, and smelled of alcohol after the wreck. The teens all attended Atascocita High School, northeast of Houston. When Smith's car smashed into a tree, he was also allegedly speeding. Witnesses told deputies Smith was doing 70 - 80mph in a 40mph speed zone, reported KPRC. All three occupants of the car were buckled up at the time of the crash. Smith faces two counts of intoxication manslaughter. Police allege Smith said he had finished a bottle of MD 20/20, a fortified wine with an alcohol content of 13 to 18 per cent His attorney Chip Lewis, described Smith as so overcome 'he's almost unable to speak.' Smith is free on $60,000 bond. The judge implemented a curfew on Smith. He must not leave his home between 9pm and 6am. He was given an in-home breathalyzer and has been disqualified from driving. When he first bonded out of jail, ABC reports he was wearing a blood-stained hospital gown, and declined to comment as he left in a taxi. The 17-year-old's attorney said Smith and his family 'cannot adequately express the depths of their despair over the loss of two of the most beautiful lives imaginable'. 'We will have no further public comment as no words could ever fill the hearts of the families and friends of Chloe and Salma,' he said. Violent crash: Officials say Smith was speeding in his 2008 Nissan Altma southbound in the 18300 block of Timber Forest when he lost control Hannah, a friend of Salma Gomez and Chloe Robison who asked to only go by her first name, places flowers at a small memorial near the site of a fatal car crash that killed the two teens Flowers rest in a small memorial near the site of a fatal car crash that killed the two teens, Wednesday, July 25, 2018, in Atascocita, Texas The crash took place about 12.25am on July 25. Police say Smith was speeding in his 2008 Nissan Altma southbound in the 18300 block of Timber Forest when he lost control and went flying into the center median, rotating counter clockwise. The right side of the sedan smashed into a tree and the force of the collision broke the car in two. The front half of the car, where Gomez was riding in the passenger seat, then rotated clockwise before coming to a stop in the median. The rear half of the car, where Robison was riding, continued spinning before crashing into a second tree in the median. Robison died at the scene, while Gomez was transported to Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital where she died from her injuries. Smith was taken to Houston Northwest Medical Center, where he was treated for his injuries and arrested on two counts of intoxication manslaughter. Smith's uncle told ABC13 his nephew was returning from a quinceanera reunion party that Gomez had hosted on Tuesday night. His next hearing is set for Sept. 27. Donald Trump has doubled down on a weekend tweet that insisted California's deadly wildfires could be better fought if the state's water resources weren't 'foolishly being diverted' into the Pacific Ocean. There is no indication that firefighters are lacking for water to quench the fires, which have killed eight people so far. Most of the operations use flame retardants instead. Instead, the president's tweets Sunday and Monday are digital sleight-of-hand justifying measures that would take more water out of the state's rivers, canals and aqueducts for agriculture despite the opposition of environmentalists who have the federal Endangered Species Act on their side. 'Governor Jerry Brown must allow the Free Flow of the vast amounts of water coming from the North and foolishly being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Can be used for fires, farming and everything else,' Trump tweeted Monday afternoon. 'Think of California with plenty of Water - Nice! Fast Federal govt. approvals.' President Donald Trump's push for a diversion of water resources to fight wildfires is actually a 'smokescreen' to help California farmers in Republic-heavy districts to snag more H2O Trump tweeted Monday that water was 'foolishlly being diverted into the Pacific Ocean,' a reference to streams that support native fisheries House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (left) and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (right), both Republicans, represent farm-rich central California districts that have battled environmentalists for years over the distribution of water in the state DailyMail.com asked a White House aide on Monday if linking water use to firefighting was cover for Trump's real goal of better irrigating California's Republican- and farm-rich central valley. 'Ya think? The speaker-to-be has wanted it for years,' the aide shot back, adding that it's a smart 'smokescreen.' The 'speaker-to-be' reference was to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican. It's unclear who will emerge as Speaker of the House after Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan retires provided Democrats don't seize control of the chamber in November. California politics have long been scarred by battles between coastal environmentalists and farmers who work a 400-mile stretch of land straddling the state's midsection. The latter represent the only reliably Republican region of the Golden State. Tensions boiled over in December 2016 when McCarthy teamed up with Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein to push a rider to a federal infrastructure bill, limiting endangered species protections for native fish and directing water to the crop-rich valley. NOT REALLY THE POINT: More than 400,000 acres of California forests are burning and President Donald Trump tweeted an unlikely prescription on Sunday, aiming for a bank-shot approach to re-irrigating the state's richest farmland Irrigation of crops is pictured in the San Joaquin Valley fields of Fresno County, California Then-Sen. Barbara Boxer, a Democrat who retired a month later, criticized the add-on as 'so wrong it is shocking' and revealed that it would also give the incoming Trump administration new powers to approve giant dam projects. Boxer had authored and sponsored the larger bill, the Water Resources and Development Act. The 80-page rider was negotiated without any public input or congressional hearings, and attached to the bill at the last minute. Hours before introducing it, McCarthy told reporters it would be a 'little, small agreement.' Feinstein and McCarthy had tried for years to authorize the redirection of water to drought-stricken farms, but the Obama White House had worked against them. California authorities and the Obama EPA had argued that diverting water from rivers that flow to the Pacific Ocean would endanger fish species including salmon and delta smelt. The Los Angeles Times reported last week that this year's five-month commercial salmon season was trimmed back to barely two because of drought. California's salmon fishing season has shrunk as the state's drought conditions have worsened; less water in rivers means fewer opportunities for the fish to spawn and hatch Salmon need inland freshwater to spawn and hatch before swimming into the Pacific for a few years and then migrating upriver to spawn again. Lower river levels mean a weaker fishery and tighter restrictions to keep the salmon from dying out. California strictly metes out water rights for agricultural, fishery, industrial and residential use. The Trump administration is far more amenable to changes than its predecessor. Pacific Institute co-founder Peter Gleick sided with the green lobby on Monday, complaining in a tweet that 'ignorant' Trump. 'The only water that reaches the ocean these days is what's left AFTER the massive diversions OUT of our rivers for cities and farms,' he said. 'And there's no shortage of fire-fighting water. Nuts.' Most forest firefighting uses fire retardant chemicals, not water A co-founder of the Pacific Institute slammed the president, saying it's farmers, not waterways, who are 'diverting' California's water supply Aside from pleasing McCarthy, Trump has Republican Rep. and House Intelligence Committee Chair Devin Nunes as a staunch ally. Nunes' district abuts McCarthy's. Both are in the agriculture-heavy valley. Trump surprised natural resource experts and White House watchers with his initial broadside on Sunday. He had tweeted that the wildfires were 'being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which aren't allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized.' Like his message a day later, the tweet complained that water was being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. It also called for clearing forests as a means of stopping fires from spreading. Trump has yet to thank the armies of firefighters who are battling the blazes, or to acknowledge the nine people who have died in the infernos. The president complained that water is allowed to flow to the Pacific Ocean instead of being 'properly utilized' Experts are dismissing Trump's complaint since California already has an aggressive water management system In September 2017 Trump's Interior Department ordered national parks to clear underbrush and small trees as a preventive measure. Two official White House spokespersons did not respond to a question Monday about what Trump's tweets meant. But the president's claim about water drew a combination of laughing and head-scratching on Sunday, although years of drought may be one factor in the fires' quick spread. 'It boggles the mind,' said UC Merced professor LeRoy Westerling, who specializes in wildfire and climatology. 'We do manage all of our rivers in California, and all the water is allocated many times over. So Im not sure what he was recommending,' he told the San Francisco Chronicle. Maureen Kissick sits in the remains of her dining room, looking through what is left of her Noritake china from her wedding 36 years ago, in the wake of the Carr fire in Redding, Calif. on Saturday Tuolumne County, California sheriff's deputies watched the Donnell Fire as it advanced east along near the Dardanelle Resort on Sunday Firefighters rushed into a field in High Valley near the town of Clearlake Oaks to fight spot blazes from the Ranch Fire on Saturday The White House also announced Sunday that Trump had issued a 'major disaster' declaration in affected areas of Shasta County, where about 150,000 acres west of the city of Redding are engulfed in flames. That move gives Californians access to unemployment assistance, food aid and legal and mental health counseling; and makes federal financial assistance available to cities and counties that will have to repair billions of dollars worth of infrastructure damage. It also allows federal agencies to help battle the 17 major fires burning throughout the state, including what is now known as the 'Carr fire' which is just 40 per cent contained and has incinerated more than 1,000 homes. The identity of the man who allegedly slashed a cleaner with a knife at a shopping centre has been revealed. Jai Penning, 25, has been charged with attempted murder after the random attack at the Parabanks Shopping Centre in Salisbury, north of Adelaide, in July. A suppression order was lifted on his identity in the Elizabeth Magistrate's Court on Monday but he was too unwell to attend court, Nine News reported. Jai Penning (pictured), 25, has been charged with attempted murder after a random attack at a shopping centre Rovie Ferguson, 30, was cleaning the toilets at the centre when she was allegedly struck repeatedly with the weapon, leaving her with serious injuries. Bloodied clothing was pictured on the floor of the shopping centre after the incident 8pm on July 9. Her husband Jarred, told media at the time, his wife was very lucky to survive. Rovie Ferguson (pictured with husband Jarred), 30, was cleaning the toilets at the centre when she was allegedly struck repeatedly with the weapon 'The way it happened it was very, very close to main arteries,' Mr Ferguson told the Nine Network. 'She would've passed away tragically and horrifically.' The case has been adjourned to September, News Corp reported. Bloodied clothing was pictured on the floor of the shopping centre after the incident 8pm on July 9 A suppression order on Mr Penning (pictured)'s identity was lifted in the Elizabeth Magistrate's Court on Monday Two Russians suspected of carrying out the Salisbury novichok posionings have been identified but the Kremlin will to block the UK's attempts to extradite them, it was reported tonight. Prosecutors are believed to have finished the extradition paperwork in a bid to put the suspects on trial for the poisonings of Sergei and Yulia Skripal, Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley. The request is likely to be rejected by Moscow but will likely reignite the bitter diplomatic row which erupted following the poisoning of former spy Skripal and his daughter. Police have identified two suspects after months of 'painstaking' work to piece together the Russians' movements, the Guardian reported. Sergei Skripal, a former colonel in Russian military intelligence who betrayed dozens of agents to Britains MI6 foreign spy service, and his daughter Yulia (pictured together), were found unconscious on a public bench in the Wiltshire city in early March The extradition requests have reportedly been finalised and are 'ready to go' after police tracked down the Russians they believe were responsible. A source with knowledge of the inquiry said the suspects had been identified through cross-checking CCTV footage with records of people entering the country around the time of the attack. Neither the Metropolitan Police, which has been leading the investigation into the attack, nor the CPS was prepared to discuss the report. The Home Office said that as a matter of long-standing policy and practice, the UK would neither confirm nor deny an extradition request had been made or received until such time as an arrest has been made in relation to that request. The extradition request is likely to be rejected by Russia - and risks inflaming diplomatic tensions between London and Moscow. In 2007, President Vladimir Putin rejected an extradition request for two Russians suspected of the assassination of the former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London using radioactive polonium. The Russian constitution forbids the extradition of Russian citizens to another state. A Whitehall source reportedly said the latest extradition request was 'Litvinenko all over again'. Skripal, a former colonel in Russian military intelligence who betrayed dozens of agents to MI6, and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a public bench in the Wiltshire city in early March. Three months later Ms Sturgess died after coming into contact with the deadly substance in nearby Amesbury. Two more victims, Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley (pictured) became ill after handling a discarded bottle of novichok. Mrs Rowley, a mother-of-three, died in hospital Police in hazmat suits sealed off the bench in Salisbury where the Skripals fell ill in March The Russians collapsed after a day out in Salisbury, leading to large areas being sealed off Police believe the Novichok was smeared on the door of Sergei Skripal's house and perhaps discarded in a container that Sturgess's boyfriend Charlie Rowley then picked up. Mr Rowley said he had found a perfume bottle which he gave to Ms Sturgess, which she sprayed on her wrists. She died eight days later, but he has since been released from hospital. Britain blamed Russia for the poisonings and identified the poison as Novichok, a deadly group of nerve agents developed by the Soviet military in the 1970s and 1980s. Russia has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attack. After the attack on the Skripals, allies in Europe and the U.S. sided with Britain's view of the attack and ordered the biggest expulsion of Russian diplomats since the height of the Cold War. Russia retaliated by expelling Western diplomats. Moscow has repeatedly denied any involvement and accused the British intelligence agencies of staging the attack to stoke anti-Russian hysteria. The motive for attacking Skripal, then aged 66 who was exchanged in a Kremlin-approved spy swap in 2010, is still unclear, as is the motive for using an exotic nerve agent which has such clear links to Russia's Soviet past. The decision to press for extradition follows a debate within the government, divided between those who want to ratchet up the response to Russia and those who see the request as a futile political gesture, the Guardian reported. A serial cat killer has been murdering beloved pets and removing their spines in Washington A serial cat killer has been murdering beloved pets and removing their spines before leaving their corpses for people to find, police say. Harley, a 20-year-old deaf tabby cat, was the seventh in a string of cat killings in Thurston County, Washington. Kathy Harrigan had fed and brushed the semi-feral cat before leaving him in an outdoor cat house she had built for him in Olympia on Saturday night, she told Q13 Fox News. The following morning, Harley who she had taken care of for the past two years wasn't there. Police later came by to tell her that Harley was found mutilated on a neighbor's lawn. Erika Johnson, an animal cruelty services investigator for Thurston County, said the killer had cut each cat open with a scalpel and removed its spine. Then, the dead cat has been left in a public place to be discovered. 'This is not normal and it's very sick behaviour,' she told Q13. On Friday, another cat, named Olly, had turned up dead a mile from where Harley was found. A necropsy found that Olly had been strangled, then cut open and had her spine removed. But before she died, Olly had used her claws and fought to get away. Now, investigators are working to see if DNA samples can be retrieved from under her claws to identify the person who killed her. Harley, a 20-year-old deaf tabby cat, was the seventh in a string of cat killings in Thurston County, Washington. Pictured: A reward has been issued for information leading to the attacker's arrest Washington residents expressed their disgust at the cat killer's actions on social media Other mutilated cats have been found in nearby Lacey and Tumwater. Last month, Debbie Drake's cat Tarot was found cut in half in a public park in Port Angeles. Residents are being warned to keep their pets indoors. They also fear the cat killer could be a danger to people. Patrick and Angie Swan's cat Callie was found mutilated early in July. 'My fear is, if you're going to do cars, what's next?' Patrick told KFOR. A pet owner in China has saved her dog from being snatched by a suspected thief with one simple movement. The quick-thinking woman who was sweeping the floor hit the suspect's arm with her broomstick just as he was about to lasso her pet into a fast van, as a surveillance video shows. Her swift reaction, which happened in a split second, successfully prevented the pooch from being stolen in front of her house. The dog snatcher approaches the woman and her dog in a van in China, according to the video The owner hit the suspected thief with her broomstick as he was about to catch her pet The footage was filmed early in the morning last Friday. It is alleged that the incident occurred in southern China's Guangdong Province. The woman is said to be living in Tangkent town, Fengshun county. Every year, thousands of pet dogs are poisoned and stolen in China, and as many as 20 million dogs are killed to satisfy the dog meat industry. Dog snatchers often drive a van and use a lasso to catch pet or stray dogs. Toxic darts are sometimes used too. In those cases, the thieves would go back to the location to collect the dogs' body after they are poisoned. Dog theft is particularly common in southern parts of China, including Guangxi and Guangdong provinces. The van drives away after the man failed to drag away the pet dog in front of its home The pooch runs back to the alleyway to play after her owner saved it from being lassoed away In February, a suspected dog thief was brutally attacked by residents of Fengshun after being caught stealing their pets. It was reported that the man sustained multiple fractures and the tendons on his hands were severed. One month earlier, a woman was tied to a gate and beaten by angry villagers in China after being spotted killing a dog using poisonous darts. Last year, Chinese police bust a gang based in central China that sold nearly 200,000 poisonous syringes to dog thieves across the nation through social media network. Wendy Higgins from Humane Society International UK said the practice of dog stealing is 'too common' in China and called for more attention to it. In a previous interview with MailOnline, she said: 'It's a cruelty that very often sees people's beloved pets targeted, and the animals involved can suffer enormously. 'HSI's Chinese partner groups routinely find dogs and cats on meat trucks headed to slaughter who are clearly suffering toxic poisoning or who have died from poisoning before reaching their destination.' The stolen pet dog's meat often ends up on the dinner table and their skin is used to make fashion accessories. Veronica Youngblood, 33, was arrested in Virginia on Sunday night on a charge of second-degree murder for allegedly killing one child and injuring another A 33-year--old woman from Virginia has been arrested and charged with murder after police say she shot two children on Sunday, killing one and injuring the other. Officers from the Fairfax Police Department responded to the 1500 block of Lincoln Circle in McLean at around 10.15pm on Sunday for reports of a shooting. One of the juvenile victims was pronounced dead at the scene. The other child was rushed to an area hospital in what has been described as a life-threatening condition. Youngblood was apprehended an hour later in Loudon County after an acquaintance of hers contacted the local sheriffs department, saying that the woman had knocked on her front door. The 33-year-old suspect has been charged with second-degree murder and ordered held in jail without bond. Police were called to the 1500 block of Lincoln Circle in McLean, Virginia, where the fatally injured child was pronounced dead at the scene It's been reported the victims were the woman's children. but police could not confirm citing a recently passed state law Fox 5 DC reported that the two victims of the shooting were Youngblood's daughters, but police have not released any information about them, or their relationship to Youngblood. The department cited a recently enacted state law that prohibits law enforcement agencies from identifying the juvenile victims of a crime, even indirectly, without parental consent. Investigators reportedly have recovered the murder weapon. No motive has been identified as of Monday afternoon. WUSA9 tweeted that in 2016, Youngblood's former spouse had requested a protective order against her concerning a four-year-old child. Advertisement The war is over: A historic telex informing Sir Winston Churchill of Germany's unconditional surrender in the Second World War has sold for 17,000 A historic document informing Sir Winston Churchill of Germany's unconditional surrender in the Second World War has sold for 17,000. The one-page telex was sent from the Allied headquarters in Reims, northeast France, to Churchill in the War Rooms on May 7, 1945. It confirms the surrender of 'all German land, sea and air forces in Europe to the Allied Expeditionary Force'. The Allies, it states, will also 'cease active operations' and troops will 'remain in present positions' as it could take some time to get the message across to more remote battlegrounds that the war was over. The telex ends with a warning that no press were to be notified of the surrender before the announcements of the three Governments. The page has been folded and there is some edge wear and its reverse has been signed by 42 clerical staff working in the Cabinet War Rooms. One of the workers, Francis Cook, took it home as a memento. She kept hold of it until her death in 1989, at which point it passed into the hands of the vendor. The document was consigned for sale with London-based auctioneer Spink & Son. It had a pre-sale estimate of up to 10,000 but sparked fervent bidding and achieved a hammer price of 14,000, with extra fees taking the overall figure paid by a private collector to 17,000. Scroll down for video The one-page telex was sent from the Allied headquarters in Reims, northeast France, to Churchill in the War Rooms on May 7, 1945. It confirms the surrender of 'all German land, sea and air forces in Europe to the Allied Expeditionary Force'. The Allies, it states, will also 'cease active operations' and troops will 'remain in present positions' as it could take some time to get the message across to more remote battlegrounds that the war was over The telex ends with a warning that no press were to be notified of the surrender before the announcements of the three Governments. The page has been folded and there is some edge wear and its reverse has been signed by 42 clerical staff working in the Cabinet War Rooms. One of the workers, Francis Cook, took it home as a memento. She kept hold of it until her death in 1989, at which point it passed into the hands of the vendor After Hitler's suicide on April 30, his successor, Grand Admiral Karl Donitz, sent general Alfred Jodl, Chief of Staff of the German armies, to Reims with the authority to sign the capitulation. Pictured, Jodl (third right), flanked by Admiral Von Friedeburg (second right), signs the German surrender document at Reims Spink & Son consultant Ian Shapiro said: 'This was a highly important document being the first official notification to Churchill that the war with Germany had ended. 'The significance of this message was not lost on the back room staff, who all signed this as a souvenir of the occasion.' After Hitler's suicide on April 30, his successor, Grand Admiral Karl Donitz, sent general Alfred Jodl, Chief of Staff of the German armies, to Reims with the authority to sign the capitulation. The first Instrument of Surrender was signed at 2.41am on May 7 at the College Moderne et Technique de Reims, a red-brick schoolhouse which served as the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force. It took effect at 11.01pm on May 8. General Bernard Montgomery, accepts the German surrender on Luneberg Heath, near Hamburg, on May 4, 1945. When it was all over Montgomery is said to have leaned back and said simply: 'That concludes the surrender' A Mexican woman in Chicago is hoping that immigration officials this time around will listen to her cries for help after they originally denied her medical attention before she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her only wish is to "die with dignity" surrounded by her husband, two children and seven grandchildren with just months to live. Gloria Barrera, 54, had been living in the United States since 1984. But she lost her green card after she was arrested for three criminal charges for retail thefts of less than US$150 paved the way for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to intervene and deport the grandmother of seven in 2013. Barrera, whose children were born in the United states, was then abducted in Mexico and held for ransom and forced back in to the United States by a human trafficking ring. She was once again captured by ICE, before she was conditionally released on a bond. Gloria Barrera (pictured) was diagnosed with Stage 4 cervical cancer after ICE officials denied her medical assistance while in custody. She has been give less than a year to live. Gloria Barrera (pictured center) at a press conference in Chicago last Friday asking ICE officials to reconsider her deportation proceedings. The Mexican woman was diagnosed with terminal cancer and has been given four months to live. During her year-long detention, Barrera advised officials about her abdominal pains, which she claims went untreated by doctors. It wasnt until Barrera was released that she found out that she had Stage 4 cervical cancer. Its very tough when you have been kidnapped by a gang of abductors, Barrera told Telemundo Chicago. Now not only do I have to worry about my cancer, because I have cancer, but about the deportation. Doctors have given her less than a year to live, which she hopes to spend alongside her relatives instead of in Mexico. During a press conference last Friday, she simply pleaded with the government to allow her to stay in the country and be in the company of her husband and family before she dies. Gloria Barrera (pictured) has been given less that a year to live by her doctors. She now wishes immigration officials can throw out her deportation proceeding and her die with her family by her side. Her team of lawyers are battling with ICE officials to secure Barrera an I-276 Stay of Removal, which could keep her in the country due to her fatal medical condition. Another non-profit lawyer is trying to pull all stops, fighting for a T-Visa that is only awarded to people who have been subjected to human trafficking. I was burned with a cigar. I was thrown around. I was burned with an iron, Barrera told Univision. All I am asking for is to let me die with dignity near my family. According to ICE guidelines, medical, dental and mental health screenings are required by law within 12 hours of a detainees arrival at a facility. Under President Trumps anti-immigration policies, ICE has been under attacks for a series of incidents involving undocumented immigrants under its custody at many of its centers. Augustina Ramirez-Arreola, 62, who was apprehend May 21 after arriving at a U.S. border entry without any proper documentation and later placed at a detention center two weeks later, died on July 26 at a hospital in California after undergoing heart surgery. Arreola became the ninth undocumented person that has died under the agencys watch since October 2017. The ex-fiance of murdered midwife Samantha Eastwood today visited her house to lay flowers - just hours after his brother-in-law appeared in court accused of killing her. John Peake and Gemma Eastwood were accompanied by police liaison officers in unmarked cars at around 4.40pm. Mr Peake arrived at her house in Stoke-on-Trent carrying a bouquet of red and pink flowers. The sister proceeded to leave a bouquet of sunflowers in a green wrapping on the doorstep of the property in Greenside Avenue. John Peake, ex-fiance of murdered midwife Samantha Eastwood today visited her house on Greenside Avenue in Stoke-on-Trent carrying flowers He was accompanied by the victim's sister Gemma who also laid down flowers and a photo in front of her house Mr Peake and the victim's sister proceeded to leave a bouquet of sunflowers in green wrapping on the doorstep of the property in Greenside Avenue John Peake and Gemma Eastwood were accompanied by police liaison officers in unmarked cars at around 4.40pm. They spent around 10 minutes looking at other tributes and took some of the cards with messages on. The pair then left in the white unmarked police car with more flowers to another location. As the day went on the pile of flowers left by friends and family grew. It comes after Michael Stirling, 32, was last night charged with killing the much-loved 28-year-old - a day after her body was found dumped in a disused salt quarry near Stoke-on-Trent. Samantha was last seen smiling as she left the city's hospital after a night shift on Friday, July 27, but vanished - and a neighbour claimed they heard screams from her home later that day. Police forensics officers are carrying out a detailed search at the home of Samantha Eastwood Wearing faces masks and protective overalls they were seen in a shed on the property Miss Eastwood and Mr Peake had been a couple for seven years and were due to marry in June, but the midwife ended their engagement at the start of the year Stirling, whose wife Katie is the sister of Samantha's ex-fiance Jon Peake, had already been held on suspicion of kidnap last week and was re-arrested on suspicion of murder last night as police continue to search his home in Stoke. Today he appeared for three-minutes at North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court where he confirmed his name, address and date of birth but did not enter a plea. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday. Two other men, aged 28 and 60, were held on suspicion of assisting an offender and bailed last night. The 60-year-old is believed to be the murder suspect's father Stephen Stirling. Today it was claimed that in the weeks before she vanished Miss Eastwood had told a colleague she had been threatened and asked the unnamed hospital worker to call the police if she failed to turn up for work. Michael Stirling, 32, is taken away in a prison van today (left) after appearing in court for the first time accused of murdering midwife Samantha Eastwood (right) Samantha was allegedly murdered by Stirling, who is the brother-in law of her ex-fiance John Peake (together left) and married to Mr Peake's sister Katie Stirling (together right) Stirling, 32, (left sketched in the dock today, and right on his wedding day) was initially arrested on suspicion of kidnap before being rearrested on suspicion of murder yesterday The midwife's body was found dumped at this disused salt quarry in Caverswall near Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday - eight days after she vanished Timeline: Police hunt for missing midwife Friday, July 27 7.45am: Samantha Eastwood finishes her night shift at Royal Stoke Hospital and drives home in her Volvo SUV 2pm: Neighbour hears a scream from her home - but it is not reported to police until after she disappeared 7pm: Fellow midwives report her missing when she fails to show for her shift Saturday, July 28 Midday: Police search her empty home in Baddeley Green Sunday July 29 8am: Police launch first public appeal for information to find her 2pm: A 32-year-old man is arrested on suspicion of kidnap Monday July 30 5pm: Suspect is released on bail Tuesday July 21 4.15pm: Police release CCTV of her leaving work on Friday as it emerged she had called off her wedding at the last minute and tried to sell her wedding dress Wednesday August 1 1pm: New appeals by her family for anyone who has seen her as it emerged police have been at home of her former fiance's sister and her husband since the weekend Friday August 3 Samantha's sister Gemma makes a tearful appeal for information about her whereabouts. Tellingly she said that if anyone knew where she was they should 'Get her home'. Saturday August 4 Midday: Police teams start searching woodland outside Stoke-on-Trent before finding her body disused salt quarry. Sunday August 5 10am: Michael Stirling - the brother-in-law of her ex-fiance - is charged with her murder. Two other men, aged 28 and 60, held on suspicion of assisting an offender have been bailed Monday August 6 Stirling appears in court - but does not enter a plea Advertisement Yesterday, police made the unusual decision to publicly confirm that Miss Eastwood's ex-fiance, John Peake, 34, was not one of three men being held in connection with her murder. His Facebook profile has been targeted with abusive comments and threats from internet trolls. Miss Eastwood had not been seen since Friday, July 27, when she was seen smiling as she left Royal Stoke University Hospital after a night shift. CCTV then showed her driving towards home in her Volvo XC60 SUV and she was not seen again. Her body was found during a search of a disused salt quarry in remote woodland in Caverswall, near Cheadle, Staffordshire. A post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday - but the results have not been made public by Staffordshire Police. Yesterday, police made the unusual decision to publicly confirm that Miss Eastwood's ex-fiance, John Peake, 34, was not one of three men being held in connection with her murder. His Facebook profile has been targeted with abusive comments from internet trolls. Miss Eastwood and Mr Peake had been a couple for seven years and were due to marry in June, but the midwife ended their engagement at the start of the year. Mr Peake moved out of the home she bought in 2016 at Stockton Brook on the edge of Stoke-on-Trent and now lives on his own. Yesterday police were seen entering a house in the Northwood area of the city owned by Mr Peake's sister Katie Stirling, 32, and her husband Michael. The semi-detached property became a focus of the police hunt for Miss Eastwood last week. An officer present yesterday confirmed the address was now being treated as a crime scene. A statement from Staffordshire Police said: 'Detectives investigating the death of 28-year-old Samantha Eastwood have charged a man with her murder. 'Michael Stirling, aged 32, from Cromer Road, Stoke-on-Trent will appear before North Staffordshire Magistrates Court tomorrow morning. 'The body of Samantha was discovered during a police search of rural ground near to Caverswall on Saturday August 4. She had been reported missing on Friday July 27. 'Two other men aged 60 and 28, who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, have been released on conditional bail while inquiries are ongoing'. COlleagues of Samantha's wipe away tears as they read notes left with flowers outside the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke-On-Trent today Tributes have poured in for Samantha, who was described as a lovely lady as well as a skilled and compassionate midwife A plinth has been put up outside the hospital entrance, where Samantha worked for six years Parents whose children were delivered by 'amazing' midwife raise cash for her funeral A fundraising page has been set up to generate donations towards covering the cost of Samantha's funeral. Sister Gemma Eastwood, 26, shared the GoFundMe page on her Facebook page and wrote: 'This has been set up so we can give me sister the send off she deserves.' The page was set up by friend Beth Taylor on Sunday and it has already raised 3,400 towards its 10,00 target in less than 24 hours. Many who have donated say Samantha helped bring their children into the world. Sarah Williams wrote: 'Samantha I cannot thank you enough for all you did for me and my twins. You were amazing. Fly high beautiful'. Claire Turner said: 'Sam helped me recently in hospital though a very difficult time, I'm shocked and upset with whats happened to her'. Dawn Fowell wrote: 'I wasn't told that my son was dehydrated until she took over at the weekend . She couldn't of done more she helped me express and feed my son every 3 hours and constantly checked on us, he was soon a lively little baby boy all thanks to her'. You can donate HERE Advertisement The house is less than four miles from the Bucknall home of Mr Stirling's parents, Stephen, 60, who is believed to work in a garage, and 57-year-old wife Carol. Officers searched the home yesterday and a small white van was seen being taken away by police on Saturday. Last night it was claimed that Miss Eastwood had told a colleague at Royal Stoke University Hospital she had been threatened in the period leading up to her disappearance. A source said: '[After this] Samantha asked one of her colleagues to report it if she didn't turn up for work. 'And that is what happened on the Friday night, that is why the police were called so quickly. 'She must have feared something like this would happen that's why she set up this raising the alarm thing with her colleague.' A spokesman for the hospital declined to comment on the claim last night. Officers searching for Miss Eastwood found a body at Tick Hill Quarry, around eight miles from her home near Caverswall, Staffordshire. The scene is just seven miles - an 18 minute drive - from the midwife's home In Baddeley Green, Staffordshire, where she is believed to have returned to by car after last being seen on CCTV in her scrubs leaving a night shift at Royal Stoke University Hospital at 7.45am on Friday last week. Michael Stirling (left) has been charged while Stephen Stirling (right) has been bailed Murder suspect with his wife Katie on their wedding day and their home is still being searched by police The former fiance of midwife Samantha Eastwood John Peake (pictured together), who had begged for help in finding her On Sunday, police were seen searching the home that Mr Peake's sister Katie shares with her husband Michael Stirling, both aged 32 (pictured) where officers used mirrors to check a neighbour's gutter for evidence Officers using sticks to probe the area around Tickhill Lane in Caverswall, Stoke-on-Trent, on Saturday hours before they found her body in a nearby salt mine Police wanted to find Samantha's distinctive missing purse - the only belonging that was missing from her home before she was murdered The development came 24 hours after Miss Eastwood's sister Gemma, 26, made a tearful public appeal for information to help find her 'best friend'. In a brief statement issued through police yesterday the Eastwood family said: 'We would like to say thank you to all the people who followed Samantha's story and tried their best to help.' Mr Peake's Facebook page has also been inundated with almost 500 comments with some trolls pointing the finger at the innocent steam railway manager. One wrote: 'Of course you murdered her, couple of her mates and a pair of pliers would get the truth out of you.' A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: 'We are not naming the three men arrested yesterday but John Peake is not one of them.' Miss Eastwood was last seen in her Volvo XC60 on CCTV, moments after leaving hospital at the end of a night shift last Friday morning. Colleagues raised the alarm when she failed to return to work that evening. Ms Eastwood, pictured left, leaving Royal Stoke University Hospital in her scrubs on the day she went missing Further footage showed her driving her Volvo XC60 away from the hospital car park Police searching the home of Katie and Michael Stirling in Staffordshire earlier on Sunday as they confirm it is now being treated as a crime scene Yesterday, police made the unusual decision to publicly confirm that Miss Eastwood's ex-fiance, John Peake, 34, (pictured together) was not one of three men being held in connection with her murder, after he was abused by online trolls An evil boyfriend killed and dismembered his girlfriend, flushed her 'minced meat' down the toilet and threw her bones to be gnawed by fish in a river. Dmitry Zelensky, 36, from Russia, had promised his lover, university graduate Tatiana Melekhina, 27, a new start in a big city. They drove from their remote Russian town of Gubakha - but she never arrived in the regional capital of Perm. Dmitry Zelensky, 36, from Russia, dismembered his secret lover, flushed her 'minced meat' down the sewage system and threw her bones to be gnawed by fish in a river Tatiana Melekhina, 27, a university graduate from Gubakha, Russia, was not aware of Zelensky's secret wife and daughter and planned to drive to the city of Perm to start a new life Miss MeleKhina did not arrive in Perm and police were alerted after she failed to call her father when she arrived But Zelensky, unknown to his girlfriend, was secretly married with a daughter and had no intention of moving permanently to Perm. A police source says the 'exceptional cruelty' of the murder had 'shocked even hardened detectives'. 'He did not just dismember her body, he separated the meat and bones, and made mince' said the source. Detectives say the Zelensky's plan was to 'hide the murder' of his girlfriend 'Then he washed this mince down the toilet into the sewage system. 'He threw the bones into the river. 'This was his plan to hide the murder.' Tatiana was reported missing by her father after she failed to call him to say she had arrived. Zelensky had a secret wife and daughter and kept his life with Miss MeleKhina hidden from them The man's shocked wife, also called Tatiana, (pictured left) told a local news agency: 'I don't know what to say now' She had promised him before leaving on the 250 mile drive: 'I will call you as soon as I get to the city.' Police detained Zelensky who confessed to the savage killing and the gruesome details of how he disposed of his lover's body during his first interrogation. He is expected to be arrested for two months pending further investigations. Police detained Zelensky who confessed to the horrific killing and disposal of Miss MeleKhina during his first interrogation Police source said the 'exceptional cruelty' of the murder had 'shocked even hardened detectives' Police have not specified where Miss MeleKhina was killed. The man's shocked wife - also called Tatiana - told a local news agency: 'I don't know what to say now' The couple had been planning to move from the remote Russian town of Gubakha (pictured) to start a new life in the big city of Perm The 44-year-old said that she been living apart but were not divorced. 'I didn't know he could be so cruel,' she said. After Facebook, Spotify and YouTube banned the Alex Jones's content, iTunes also dropped six podcasts from its library, including War Room and The Alex Jones Show by the InfoWars creator for violating Apples hate speech policies. Soon after, Facebook also took down four pages belonging to Alex Jones for similar reasons and the social media giant revealed in a statement that they had suspended his account for 30 days for repeatedly posting content that broke the rules. The company said that it had unpublished the pages after receiving reports they contained content glorifying violence and used dehumanizing language when describing Muslims, immigrants and transgender people. But who is Alex Jones? iTunes have dropped six podcasts by Alex Jones for violating Apples hate speech policies Who is Alex Jones? Born Alexander Emric Jones on February 11, 1974 in Dallas, Texas, he is renowned as the host of the The Alex Jones on the Genesis Communications Network and for his website, Infowars.com, which is devoted to conspiracy theories and fake news and where he coined the term '1776 worldwide'. In addition to this, Alex Jones has also garnered media attention for conspiracies surrounding the Sandy Hook shooting, the Oklahoma City bombing, the September 11 attacks as well as his gun control debate with Piers Morgan and views about the filming of the Moon landing. According to Infowars, Jones began his career at age 20 on television but then switched the format of his show to radio in Austin, Texas, hosting a show called The Final Edition. In the 1990s, his focus was primarily on how the government was behind the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, as reported in Rolling Stone. After the release of his first film America Destroyed By Design, Alex Jones organised an effort to build a Branch Davidian church as a memorial for those who died during the 1993 fire that ended the siege of the churchs original complex in Waco. He then started broadcasting his show from home and in 2000, was one of seven Republican candidates for State Representative in Texas House District 48 but after revealing that he intended to be a spy on the inside, withdrew from the race. Alex Jones escorted out of a crowd outside the Republican convention in Cleveland in 2016 A year later, his show was syndicated to over 100 stations and following 9/11, his conspiracy theory that the Bush administration was behind the attack garnered a lot of attention, but resulted in a number of stations that had previously carried him to drop his programme. Since then, Alex Jones has been involved in a number of protests, notably at the annual Bilderberg conference in Watford, England in 2013 where he gave an hour-long speech to over 2,000 supporters, according to The Huffington Post. During the 2016 presidential election, Alex partnered with Trump ally Roger Stone to plot the removal of Ted Cruz and started to consider the Presidents spokeswoman Katrina Pierson or Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick as potential replacements for the 2018 Texas Senate election. As reported on CBS, two years after Jones divorced from Kelly Jones, he suffered a defeat in his custody battle for his three children in 2017 and his ex-wife will decide where they will live after she claimed that he was not a stable person. Alexs son Rex Jones has worked for InfoWars and garnered media attention for a video in which he was critical of gun control and Buzzfeed News, as reported in Business Insider. It was also claimed Rex was the one who convinced his father to support Trump in the last election. Alex Jones speaks during a rally in support of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump Alex Jones podcast Following similar bans from technology companies such as Spotify and YouTube, Apple has decided to drop episodes of the controversial podcast run by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, including popular shows such as War Room and The Alex Jones Show. At present, only one programme provided by Infowars, RealNews with David Knight remains on Apples platforms and this move comes after a number of platforms suspended or removed the hosts content for violating hate policies. In a statement to Buzzfeed, Apple said: Apple does not tolerate hate speech, and we have clear guidelines that creators and developers must follow to ensure we provide a safe environment for all of our users. Podcasts that violate these guidelines are removed from our directory making them no longer searchable or available for download or streaming. We believe in representing a wide range of views, so long as people are respectful to those with differing opinions. Facebook also suspended the hosts personal profile for 30 days, citing bullying and hate speech for the decision. In addition to this, YouTube also slapped his channel with a community stroke and blocked him from broadcasting live for a total of 90 days. Spotify have also removed specific episodes of Joness programme and although it is not clear how many episodes were ditched, it seems that most of the content created by Alex are still available. A spokesperson said: Spotify can confirm it has removed specific episodes of The Alex Jones Show podcast for violating our hate content policy. We take reports of hate content seriously and review any podcast episode or song that is flagged by our community. However, this resulted in Spotify subscribers threatening to ditch their accounts after it continued to host the podcast despite it being banned by other services. Alex Jones's net worth Alex Jones is currently being sued in Texas by Sandy Hook parents who are seeking $1 million (773,000), claiming that they have been subjects of harassment driven by his programmes. In a 2015 broadcast, he said that the 2012 event was a synthetic, completely fake, with actors, in my view, manufactured, as reported in Business Insider. The lawsuit filed by Leonard Pozner, Veronique De La Rossa and Neil Heslin, that also claims that the parents were liars and frauds who helped in a cover-up, Jones tried to have dismissed under a Texas law designed to protect free speech rights against unwarranted attacks. He is also facing civil action in Connecticut in lawsuits by additional Sandy Hook parents. Alex Joness net worth has accumulated to approximately $10 million (7.7m), according to Celebrity Net Worth and this figure has increased due to his multiple radio shows, television appearances, books and films. On the Infowars website, it states that: 'Alex has never taken a loan and is not beholden to advertisers, investors or any other group that could censor or influence his position. The listeners and viewers are Alex's partners and he has vowed to honor their trust and always remain truly independent.' Two people are dead and three hospitalized after dangerous rip currents and waves in Lake Michigan prompted human chains to rescue swimmers. David Knaffle, 64, and an unidentified 20-year-old male both drowned off the shore of Grand Haven State Park in western Michigan on Sunday, when waves were predicted to reach four feet. Of the three people hospitalized, one was in serious condition and two were in stable condition, officials said. A red flag was flying, and a beach hazards statement issued before dawn had warned of dangerous rip tides and other dangerous currents in the area. The tragedy on the lake shore began at around 12.05pm, when bystanders saw Knaffle struggling in the water near the State Park Pavilion building, said Grand Haven Director of Public Safety Jeff Hawke. Beachgoers help the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety officers form human chains to search for missing people in Lake Michigan at Grand Haven State Park on Sunday Officers responded to the report of the distressed swimmer, and an off-duty East Grand Rapids Fire Fighter entered the water and attempted to locate the victim, who was not wearing a life jacket. Five public safety officers and a park ranger joined in the rescue attempt, and beachgoers joined in to help form a human chain. Knaffle was pulled unresponsive from the water at 12.17pm and police attempted lifesaving measures. Paramedics rushed Knaffle to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Knaffle worked for the public maintenance department of the city of Grand Rapids. A coworker, Sean Norman, remembered him as 'great guy' in a Facebook tribute. 'We sure did have a lot of laughs together at work,' wrote Norman. David Knaffle, 64, was one of two swimmers who drowned on Sunday in Grand Haven Luke Nordlund, of Grand Rapids, was one of the beachgoers who joined the human chain rescue attempt. 'I'm 6-foot-7 and over 250 pounds, and I almost got knocked over myself,' Nordlund told the Grand Haven Tribune. 'Probably 30-40 people formed the chain, but had to split into two sections because it was getting too deep,' he said. Later in the day, around 3.22pm, bystanders pulled a 46-year-old man from Alto from the water, who was hospitalized in serious condition. At 3.48pm, multiple swimmers were spotted struggling in the water north of the pavilion building. Beachgoers form human chains at Grand Haven State Park to rescue swimmers on Sunday Bystanders pulled five swimmers from the water and two were hospitalized in stable condition: a 20-year-old man and 17-year-old girl, both from the town of Lake. On word that one swimmer had disappeared under the waves, officers and bystanders again formed human chains to find him. The 20-year-old swimmer from Lansing was found unresponsive in about five feet of water. Officers performed CPR, and he was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not been released pending notification of his relatives. Last year, seven people died in current-related incidents in the Great Lakes. The 10-year annual average is is 12 fatalities and 23 rescues per year in current-related incidents on the lakes. A war hero who was one of the first to land on the beaches of Normandy during D-Day has died aged 102. John Bellis from Southsea, Wrexham in North Wales died on Sunday after spending a day surrounded by his family. The great-grandfather, who was known as Jack, was one of the first to land on Sword Beach - one of the five beaches targeted for D-Day in June 1944. Mr Bellis served as a Bren Gun Carrier driver with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers during the landings. Scroll down for video John Bellis from Southsea, Wrexham in North Wales has died aged 102. The great-grandfather was awarded the rank of Chevalier in the Ordre National de la Legion d'honneur in 2016 for his bravery A youthful Jack Bellis aged 22 poses in his uniform (left) and again with his medals aged 102 (right) The former soldier was one of the first to land on Sword Beach during D-Day The great-grandfather served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, the King's Shropshire Light Infantry and the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry from March 1940 to April 1946 Mr Bellis was awarded one of France's highest medals of honour, the Chevalier in the Ordre National de la Legion d'honneur in 2016, reported the Daily Post Wales. His daughter Sandra Davies shared the sad news on Facebook and called his death 'the end of an era.' She wrote: 'Sad day today, our dad passed away at a great age of 102. He had a great life. An end of a era. 'We had a lovely day with him at the summer fair at Broughton Hall, he sat outside with Me, Roy, Lucy, Betty and Billie, then he wanted to go to bed. 'He will be missed by all who new him.' His great-grandson Chris Roberts also shared a tribute to the much loved family hero. Family members have paid tribute to the great-grandfather calling him an 'absolute legend.' After the war Mr Bellis worked as a foreman at Brymbo Steelworks near Wrexham in Wales Great-grandson Chris Roberts posted this picture of Mr Bellis on a motorbike in a tribute on Facebook. He called his great-grandfather an 'absolute legend' He said: 'RIP Great grandad Bellis. 102 years old. World war 2 veteran. 'May you rest in peace. In my eyes you Sir are an absolute legend. Surely will be missed. Goodnight and god bless x' During World War II Mr Bellis served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, the King's Shropshire Light Infantry and the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry from March 1940 to April 1946. Tributes to Mr Bellis have been posted on Facebook and Twitter. The 102-year-old veteran helped to raise money for the Poppy Appeal and was well known around his town in North Wales Mr Bellis was a Bren Gun Carrier driver with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers during the D-Day landings (File picture) Speaking in 2016 about his time in the war Mr Bellis talked about coming under fire while trying to get to Caen, about nine miles from Sword Beach. He told Daily Post Wales: 'I started off and we didnt go far, but then the next day we had it. 'We started off and there were shells all going off. We saw these big haystacks which we had to dive into for cover.' Proud Mr Roberts also posted a picture of great-grandfather Jack Bellis meeting the Queen He also told how he was involved in fighting around strategically important Pegasus Bridge and said he felt 'terribly lucky' to have survived the war. After the War Mr Bellis worked as a foreman at Brymbo Steelworks near Wrexham. He retired from the post in the 1970s. Alongside his wife Gladys, who died in 2013, he also ran a materials stall at Powis Hall Indoor Market in Oswestry for many years, reports Leader Live. Searchers said Monday that they found four people dead in a sightseeing airplane carrying Polish tourists in Alaska's Denali National Park - a day and a half after thick clouds hampered the response to a distress call. Another person is missing and presumed dead after the crash Saturday evening on a mountain ridge about 14 miles southwest of Denali, North America's tallest mountain. The names of the deceased have not been publicly released. The park service is in contact with the Polish consulate to conduct family notifications. After going down, the pilot reported by satellite phone that passengers suffered injuries but the connection failed before he could give details. The plane crashed near the 3,000-foot summit of Thunder Mountain (above, file photo) The airplane was stocked with sleeping bags, a stove and food, giving hope that survivors would be found despite terrain described by the National Park Service as 'extremely steep and a mix of near-vertical rock, ice and snow.' Low-lying clouds and rainy conditions prevented crews from spotting the wreckage until clearing weather on Monday allowed a helicopter to reach the crash site. A park service ranger descended by short-haul line. The ranger dug through snow that had filled the aircraft and found the bodies of four people. There were no footprints or other disturbances in the snow that would have indicated anyone made it out of the plane, the park service said. The de Havilland Beaver plane (above, file photo) crashed high on a mountain ridge in Denali National Park and Preserve at around 6pm on Saturday The plane operated by K2 Aviation had taken off Saturday evening with a pilot and four passengers from Poland for a tour of Kahiltna Glacier, the jumping off point for climbers attempting to climb Denali. It crashed around 6pm Saturday near the top of 10,900-foot Thunder Mountain, which rises above the glacier and is described by the park service as more of a mile-long ridge than a mountain. Climbing season on Denali has ended but sightseeing flights can still land on the glacier, allowing visitors to walk on the ice field, said park service spokeswoman Katherine Belcher. K2 Aviation said it has canceled flight tours for now. 'The entire K2 family sends their thoughts and prayers to the families of our guests and the pilot involved in the incident,' the company said in a statement. 'Search efforts continue and K2 Aviation is cooperating fully with the Alaska State Troopers, the National Park Service, Alaska Air National Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration and other authorities involved.' Samuel Pimm (pictured outside court today), 62, was found guilty of groping a passenger on a flight from Washington to London A political consultant who worked for the US Republican Party has been found guilty of groping a passenger on a transatlantic flight. Samuel Pimm, 62, drank a gin and tonic, two small bottles of red wine and three brandies before launching the attack on a woman sitting in the adjacent economy cabin seat, a court heard. Retired Pimm most recently worked on behalf of Ben Carson during his failed bid for the Republican nomination in the 2016 presidential campaign. His victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told how he struck up conversation as she tucked into her onboard meal during the flight from Washington to London Heathrow. She said she was trying to sleep while wearing an eye mask when she felt Pimm touching her arm and breast before stroking her thigh. 'Then he put his hand more firmly on my right thigh and moved it towards my crotch, and that's when I decided it would be a good time to pretend to wake up because I assumed he thought I was asleep,' said the woman, who was giving evidence from behind a screen. 'I asked to get out of the seat. He was wide awake, had headphones in and was watching a World War One movie on the screen, and it took me several times to get his attention.' The court heard she asked members of the cabin crew if she could move seats, telling a flight attendant: 'The guy next to me is feeling me up.' Prosecutor Mary Lawrenson said: 'It is clearly a sexual matter given where he touched her - her arm, her breast and near her crotch area. 'She was aware this gentleman was awake when he was doing that. 'It was clear she didn't want that and there was no suggestion she would welcome it. She clearly didn't.' Pimm said he was 'stunned' at his arrest when the plane landed on July 5, and in court he denied ever touching the woman. His lawyer, Edward Gordon-Saker, suggested she may have been dreaming. Samuel Pimm (pictured) drank a gin and tonic, two small bottles of red wine and three brandies before launching the attack on a woman sitting in the adjacent seat, a court heard But magistrates found Pimm guilty of sexual assault after a trial at Ealing Magistrates' Court, in west London. Chair of the bench Alika Gupta told him: 'We believe all her evidence to be credible and that you did touch her breast and stroke her thighs and that you were not asleep.' Pimm was also found guilty of obstructing police after using a cup of water to wash his hands in Heathrow police station following his arrest. CCTV footage played in court showed him dipping his fingers in the water some 13 times. Pimm denied the offence, claiming he was just touching the water with his fingertips because he had something sticky on them. 'We believe that this action of trying to wash your hands obstructed the officers in executing their duty,' Ms Gupta said. She told Pimm, from Virginia, his sentence would ordinarily have been a community order, but handed him a 720 fine and ordered him to pay a total of 952 in costs and compensation after hearing his partner is receiving treatment for cancer. In a victim impact statement, the victim said she no longer has the confidence to travel alone and cannot sleep on flights. 'When my husband strokes my arm, it reminds me of him, of this incident and of feeling horrified and shocked,' she said. 'I'm so glad I did report his, that I did say something, because I don't want this happening to anyone else.' President Donald Trump is turning collusion accusations against the Democrats, charging both Hillary Clinton and Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff with working with Russians during the election. Trump offered no proof of his allegations that he touted on Twitter Monday morning after an appearance by conservative talk radio host Dan Bongino on 'Fox & Friends,' where Bongino promoted a theory that Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, was working with the Russians to get information on Trump. Bongino referenced Sean Hannity's radio show and a tape he played on it. President Trump is turning collusion charge back on Hillary and Democrats after saying it's not a crime Trump was referring to a prank call on Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff by Russian comedians The next Inspector General report from the Justice Department will focus on allegations of government surveillance abuse 'He plays the tape of Adam Schiff. No one denies it's him on tape trying to collude with what he thought were Russians to obtain compromising material on the Russians,' he said. That call was later revealed to be a prank on Schiff by Russian comedians. Bongino also referenced the infamous 'Steele dossier,' an unverified document that claimed the Kremlin had information on Trump that was paid for by a law firm that had also done work for Clinton and the Democratic National Committee. 'We also know that Hillary Clinton paid through a law firm eventually Kremlin-connected sources to gather information on Donald Trump. Collusion is very real with Hillary and the Democrats and we should demand a full and accountable investigation,' Bongino noted. Trump ran with the allegations. 'Collusion with Russia was very real. Hillary Clinton and her team 100% colluded with the Russians, and so did Adam Schiff who is on tape trying to collude with what he thought was Russians to obtain compromising material on DJT. We also know that Hillary Clinton paid through....,' he tweeted Monday morning. '....a law firm, eventually Kremlin connected sources, to gather info on Donald Trump. Collusion is very real with Russia, but only with Hillary and the Democrats, and we should demand a full investigation.' Dan Bongino on @foxandfriends Looking forward to the new IG Report!' he concluded. President Trump and his legal team, however, have been arguing collusion is not a crime. 'I have been sitting here looking in the federal code trying to find collusion as a crime,' Rudy Giuliani, an attorney for the president, said in an interview on Fox News Channel's 'Fox & Friends' last week. 'Collusion is not a crime.' Trump backed that argument last week, tweeting: 'Collusion is not a crime, but that doesn't matter because there was No Collusion (except by Crooked Hillary and the Democrats)!' As for the next inspector general report the president was referring to in his tweet, it's one the Justice Department is working on to examine allegations of government surveillance abuse. In February, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the new report was being worked on in light of memos released by both Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill about FBI and DOJ efforts to obtain FISA warrants to surveil Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. 'We believe the Department of Justice must adhere to the high standards in the FISA court,' Sessions said. 'Yes it will be investigated. And I think that's just the appropriate thing the inspector general will take that as one of the matters he'll deal with.' Republicans have questioned the sources investigators used to obtain the warrants against Page. This IG report is being written separately from the highly-anticipated report released in June about the FBI's actions during their investigation of Clinton's email server. It is expected to take several months to complete. Trump touted theories from conservative talk radio host Dan Bongino after he appeared on 'Fox & Friends' Trump is claiming - without evidence - that Hillary Clinton colluded with the Russians in 2016 The call Trump touted between Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff and Russians was a prank done by Russian comedians However, de-classified documents released last month related to the FBI's investigation of Page show federal agents used used other sources besides the 'Steele dossier' to press for the warrant against Page. Trump and his allies have used the unverified dossier written by former British spy Christopher Steele to argue the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller is tainted. The 'Steele dossier' as it became known was paid for by a law firm that also did work for Clinton and the Democratic National Committee. Mueller is investigating Russia's role in the 2016 election and looking at whether Trump attempted to obstruct the probe, focusing on his firing of former FBI director James Comey and his tweets, particularly on those calling for Sessions to end the investigation. The special counsel's team is also investigating the infamous June 2016 Trump Tower meeting between a Kremlin-connected attorney, Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, and then-Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Trump denied he was worried about that meeting and his son's participation in it. 'Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower. This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!,' he tweeted Sunday. But his admission the meeting was held to get 'information on an opponent' - who was his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton - contradicts the original explanation about the June 2016 meeting - held during the heart of presidential campaign - that it was about American adoptions of Russian children. Explanations for the Trump Tower meeting have varied and the president's tweet seems to have offered yet another one. It will inevitably lead to more questions about what the president knew and when he knew it. And why the original statement from Donald Trump Jr about the meeting said it was about Russian adoptions. Additionally, the tape of Schiff that the president mentioned refers to a prank phone call by Russian comedians to the lawmaker last year. They offered to give him 'compromising' dirt on Trump including nude photos of the president and a Russian reality show star. Trump and Schiff has clashed repeatedly on the issue of the Russian investigation. As the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Schiff has access to classified information on the investigation and has pushed hard for a deeper look at any possible ties between Russia and the president's campaign. He is one of Trump's harshest critics on the issue. 'I think there's plenty of evidence of collusion or conspiracy in plain sight,' Schiff said on CBS's 'Face the Nation' on Sunday, referring to the president's 2016 presidential campaign. DailyMail.com reported that after the prank call last year, Schiff's staff engaged in correspondence with what they thought was a Ukrainian politician to try to obtain the 'classified' material promised on the call. On an audio recording of the prank call posted online, Schiff can be heard discussing the committee's Russia investigation and increasingly bizarre allegations about Trump with a man who claimed to be Andriy Parubiy, the chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament. But the call was actually from two Russian comedians nicknamed 'Vovan' and 'Lexus' who have become notorious for their phony calls to high-ranking American officials and celebrities, including UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and Elton John. Schiff's office said the congressman suspected the call was 'bogus' from the beginning and reported it to authorities afterward. Schiff appeared to be taking notes on the conversation and repeatedly asked for spellings of names and documentation he could send to the FBI. 'I'll be in touch with the FBI about this. And we'll make arrangements with your staff. I think it probably would be best to provide these materials both to our committee and to the FBI,' said Schiff during the conversation, which lasted around eight minutes according to the recording posted to YouTube. A spokesperson for Schiff confirmed he was on the call but claimed the congressman had suspicions that the caller might not be Parubiy and reported it to law enforcement last April. 'Both before and after the call, we were aware that it was likely bogus and had already alerted appropriate law enforcement personnel, as well as after the call,' the spokesperson said. 'Obviously, it was bogus - which became even more evident during the call - but as with any investigation that is global in scale, we have to chase any number of leads, many of which turn out to be duds. Donald Trump disregarded the advice of top aides on Monday by endorsing Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach in the Republican gubernatorial primary election. The president wanted to back Kobach as early as three months ago, according to a West Wing source, but was persuaded to hold off. That ended with just 24 hours left until polls open. Tuesday's contest will determine whether the immigration hard-liner will replace Gov. Jeff Colyer on the November ballot. Colyer assumed command of state government in January when the U.S. Senate confirmed former Gov. Sam Brownback to serve as ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. In a tweet on Monday morning, Trump said Kobach has his 'full & total Endorsement!' While Kobach has the advantage of being a staunch Trump ally in a deep red state, Democrats hope putting him on the general election ballot could alienate enough centrist voters and Colyer supporters to change the otherwise inevitable result. Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach won President Donald Trump's endorsement Monday in the Republican primary contest for governor Trump, pictured last week at a Pennsylvania rally, is loyal to Kobach, who was in the running to be Homeland Security secretary; but Republican Party insiders fear the right-winger could lose to a Democrat in November The president said Kobach has his 'full & total Endorsement' State Republican party officials want to stick with Colyer, who served as Brownback's lieutenant governor for seven years and is seen as a known quantity rather than a right-wing roll of the dice, even in conservative Kansas. The more controversial Kobach wasted no time in late 2016 backing Trump's unsubstantiated claim that 'millions' of people had illegally cast votes for Hillary Clinton. He led the president's 2017 voter fraud commission, which disbanded in January after identifying no evidence to support Trump's post-election claim that millions of people had voted illegally. Two months later, the self-styled ballot purity crusader attracted a more direct pushback over the same issue in his home state. In March a federal judge raked him over the coals for his defense of a state law requiring Kansans to prove they were U.S. citizens before registering to vote. That stood in conflict with the 1993 federal 'motor-voter' law, which allows for voter registration wherever driver's licenses are issued, without any extra paperwork. A 2016 federal appeals court ruling struck down similar requirements in three states. The American Civil Liberties Union and the League of Women Voters have both successfully argued in court that proving U.S. citizenship during voter registration prevents some eligible voters from exercising their franchise. In this year's trial, Kobach could only prove 11 people successfully cast ballots despite not being U.S. citizens. U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson (left) delivered one legal setback after another to Kobach in a case about whether the state could require prospective voters to prove when they register that they are legal U.S. citizens The lightning-rod politician insisted in court that it was just the 'tip of the iceberg.' Chief District Judge Julie A. Robinson called it an 'icicle' instead. A month later Kobach missed Robinson's deadline from two years earlier, failing to send postcards to eligible voters who had been prevented from registering because they didn't prove they were citizens. Robinson held him in contempt of court, closing the book on just one in a series of unforced errors. Last week she fined him more than $26,000 to cover the ACLU's legal fees in arguing the contempt motion. Kobach, a Yale-educated lawyer and former law professor who represented his own office at trial, had tried to present some pieces of evidence in court that he hadn't shared with his opponents; and others that the judge had ordered couldn't be shown. He also filed a brief without deleting a side-note that one of its claims was 'probably not worth arguing.' This time Robinson ordered him to take 6 hours of remedial legal education concerning 'federal or Kansas civil rules of procedure or evidence.' Kobach became a national punchline a few weeks after the 2016 election when he left a meeting with Trump while allowing photographers to see the policy proposals under his left arm The document showed a raft of ideas about border security along with a proposal to amend the National Voter Rights Act to require proof of citizenship in the future She had already fined him $1,000 in 2017 for misleading her about the nature of a document he was photographed carrying under his arm after a meeting with then-President-Elect Trump just weeks after the election, at a time when he was being vetted to lead the Homeland Security Department. One of Kobach's written proposals to Trump read: 'Draft Amendments to [the] National Voter Registration Act to promote proof-of-citizenship requirements.' Only the first five words were visible in news photos. Robinson ultimately demanded the document and saw the full context. In her final ruling, a stinging defeat for Kobach, she slammed him for having a 'well-documented history of avoiding this Courts orders.' Trump's former voter fraud commission was dealt another body blow last week when Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, a Democrat who served on the panel, wrote to Kobach and Vice President Mike Pence that it had had a 'pre-ordained outcome' and that evidence of voter fraud was 'glaringly empty.' Kobach has stuck to his guns. 'For some people, no matter how many cases of voter fraud you show them, there will never be enough for them to admit that there's a problem,' he said in a statement. 'It appears that Secretary Dunlap is willfully blind to the voter fraud in front of his nose.' A law student is believed to have taken her own life months after she was allegedly raped at university. Khensani Maseko, 23, left a final Instagram post with her date of birth, alongside Friday's date, the day she died. She accompanied it with the caption: 'No one deserves to be raped'. A law student is believed to have taken her own life months after she was allegedly raped at university Khensani Maseko, 23, left a final Instagram post with her date of birth, alongside Friday's date, the day she died. She added the caption 'no one deserves to be raped' The student politician's death has left Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, in full academic shutdown as the country reels in shock and anger and flags on campus were lowered to half mast. Fellow students demanded the University to shut down to allow them to mourn Ms Maseko and demonstrate against rape culture at the university. The third year BA student claimed she had been raped there in May. She was the campus Miss Varsity and was elected to the Rhodes Student Representative Council. She died Friday afternoon at her family home in Johannesburg, about 600 miles north of her University campus. The council which she once sat on lobbied the University for the shutdown. In a statement they said her final Instagram post was a 'haunting suggestion' that her 'suicide' was tied to her 'sexual assault'. The student politician's death has left Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa, in full academic shutdown as the country reels in shock and anger and flags on campus were lowered to half mast The University has asked police and South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority to launch an inquest into the student's death, vice-chancellor Sizwe Mabizela said. In an email to students, the University said: 'As the Rhodes University community, we would like to extend our sincerest condolences to her family, loved ones, and everyone that knew her.' Nhlakanipho Mahlangu, Rhodes Student Representative Council, said in a statement: 'We know the amount of promise she had to offer us all, I mean to offer the entire country. Fellow students demanded to the University to allow them to mourn Ms Maseko and demonstrate rape culture at the university. The third year student (pictured) claimed she had been raped there in May 'We're very shaken, it's a very difficult time for us as the SRC and we wish her family all the strength and support that we can.' Her funeral is due to be held on Thursday, the country's national women's day and the 62nd anniversary of a 20,000-strong women's march on August 9, 1956 in protest against the extension of Laws to make black South African women carry a 'pass book' A Russian Cold War spy camera, disguised as a cigarette box with real cigarettes, has set a record for a UK auction house. The sneaky surveillance device sold for 29,000 (about $37,500 USD) despite having an estimate of only 80-100 (about $100-130 USD). It was part of a collection of other movie-worthy Russian cameras that were concealed in handbags, jacket buttons, briefcases and even an umbrella. One camera disguised as an umbrella sold for 2,700, and another hidden behind a man's jacket button sold for 1,000. The collection, sold by Astons Auctioneers in Dudley, West Midlands, was acquired by the owner during his travels to the Soviet Union during the 1970s and 80s. A Russian Cold War spy camera used by Soviet spies has sold for 29,000, despite having an estimate of only 80-100. The camera, disguised as a packet of cigarettes, was part of other movie-worthy Russian cameras sold by Astons Auctioneers in Dudley The collection included this Umbrella Spy Camera which sold for 2,700. The F-21 AJAX-12 camera has an f2.8 28mm lens, and is hidden inside a man's umbrella. Raising the outer cover reveals the camera, ready for use Another camera hidden behind a man's jacket button sold for 1,000. The cameras were part of a collection acquired by the owner during his travels to the Soviet Union during the 1970s and 80s A JPS spy camera disguised in a cigarette tin was among the collection. The metal 'tin' is fitted with a Kiev-Vega sub-miniature camera with an Industar-M f3.5 23mm lens. The camera fires but cannot be removed from the outer casing for further inspection This Russian 'button' camera would have been stitched into a coat and then all the KGB agent had to do was squeeze the 'release cable' trigger. Many of the concealed miniature 'button cameras' had a wind-up mechanism - no batteries. One of the most widely used surveillance cameras of this type was the F-21 (seen here), which was manufactured between 1951 and 1995 The fascinating collection, which includes cameras built into buttons, umbrellas, cigarette cases and various bags, went under the hammer on July 12 and made more than 60,000 in total at the auction. There was even a camera disguised as a camera, designed to shoot photos through the side of the case when it appears to be safely stowed away. Photographic consultant Tim Goldsmith, from Aston's Auctioneers in Dudley, West Midlands, who handled the sale, said the collection was unlike any other. 'I don't know of another like this,' he said. 'You can find some as individual items if you look, but to find the whole collection like this is rare. Also among the collection was a replacement button kit, as supplied to the KGB. It is very rare and comes with the original list of parts. Although only one button has the camera mounted behind it, all the buttons could be replaced to present them as a matched set The stainless steel Riga was the original mini spy camera sold commercially by Minox, and is extremely rare. It was designed in 1938 by Walter Zapp and could easily be concealed in the palm of the hand. The camera used 8mm x 11mm film and could take 50 pictures without reloading. This one is marked 'Made in Latvia'. But when the Russians invaded in 1940, they changed subsequent models to read 'Made in USSR' The Minox brand was known for its use in the James Bond film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service (pictured, starring George Lazenby). Roughly the size of a cigarette lighter, they take surprisingly crisp photos and are reputed to have been favoured by agents from both East and West Pictured is a F-21 Ajax-12 Spy Camera, c. 1955. It is fitted with an uncommon f2 28mm lens and cassette. It was produced at the Krasnogorsk Mechanical Works just outside Moscow The F-21 Ajax-12 is seen here with various accessories. The model was not only popular with the Soviets but also with its sister organisations who had signed up to the Warsaw Pact - including Poland This unusual piece of kit is a camera... disguised as a camera. On casual glance, it appears to be a normal Zenith E camera in its case. But opening it reveals a hidden miniature F-21 Ajax-12 camera. It is mounted so the f2.8 28mm lens is pointing out of the side edge of the case. On pressing a small button on the bottom of the case, the internal mechanism cleverly raises a hidden internal flap, the camera shutters fires and the flap immediately closes shut The 'camera disguised as a camera' user simply carries it over their shoulder in the normal way. However, it can take pictures at 90 degrees without raising any suspicion as it looks like the camera is in its case and not being used. The kit uses 21mm film and has a clockwork drive for multiple shots without detection Among the lots were several Minox cameras, a brand known for its use in the James Bond film, On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Roughly the size of a cigarette lighter, they take surprisingly crisp photos and are reputed to have been favoured by agents from both East and West. 'We've also got a lady's handbag which takes a cine-camera,' said Mr Goldsmith. 'That was used in honeytrap situations. 'Say a beautiful blonde was sitting at the bar and in comes a man from the American embassy. One thing leads to another, they end up in her room, she puts her bag down and it starts filming. 'We've got a smaller version of that too which is built into a lady's purse or clutch bag.' A handbag with built-in Cine Camera for the female spy was among the collection. This IMBIR 16mm silent cine camera with an f2 28mm lens is disguised in a ladies' shoulder bag - and would be used in 'honey trap' situations. The camera mount in the bottom of the bag aligns the lens of the camera with a small hole in the outside of the bag Ladies' clutch bag with spy camera fittings. This one is designed to accommodate an F-21 Ajax-12 camera (not included in this particular lot). A simple but elegant mechanical micro switch in the base of the bag allows a camera (when fitted) to be operated without detection A rare film splitter for the F-21 Ajax-12 spy cameras. It cuts standard 35mm film down to 21mm for use in reloadable cassettes A man's attache case with mount for a Zola 35mm spy camera. The Zola was a covert observation camera developed circa 1970 - and was in production until at least 1989 Now play... Spot the spyware! Here, a respectable-looking gentleman model is cunningly fitted with five of the spy cameras. (Namely, his case, his umbrella, his button, his camera and the cigarettes in his top pocket) Among the other lots was a camera built into a man's jacket, another built into a briefcase, and of course the one disguised as just another camera. 'It looks like an old Zenit camera, of which there are literally a million around,' said Mr Goldsmith. 'But the clever thing is, this spy camera inside is pointed sideways. 'So if you're going somewhere where you weren't supposed to take photographs, you've got the camera over your shoulder in its case and nobody says anything. 'But you just stand at 90 degrees to what you want to photograph and press the little button on the bottom of the camera, the mechanism inside opens a flap in the side of the camera case. 'The camera fires and the little flap on the side of the case shuts again.' The cameras went up for auction at Aston's Auctioneers on July 12 and beat the auction house's previous record sale which was 18,200 for a 1970s Rolex Explorer Wristwatch. A motorcyclist in Brazil has been caught on camera kicking a car and crashing his own bike during a fit of road rage. In the video, the biker can be seen speeding into position next to a car on a two-lane road. The biker then kicks the car with his left leg, connecting for a moment. He is seemingly unaware that the force of the kick could ricochet him out of control, which, unfortunately for the angry biker, is exactly what happens. The biker lost control of his motorcycle after kicking the moving car and tumbled off his bike The rider then wobbles in an attempt to regain control of his bike, which ultimately tips over. Both motorcycle and man slam into the barrier and go spinning. According to the person who posted the video, the incident took place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and started when the car accidentally drifted into the right lane. 'The biker started cursing heavily, making a huge fuss on traffic. Not being enough, he stopped the bike and I knew it was coming. So I started recording. Here is the result,' YouTuber Antonio Borba wrote. Borba noted that after the accident, the police stopped the driver of the car. The video, which was originally posted in 2014, resurfaced Sunday and has since gone viral again, thanks to a post on Reddit's 'instant karma' subreddit. Both rider and bike slammed against the barrier and spun several times before stopping The biker appeared to have been fine as he stood up and went to retrieve his motorcycle One redditor who identified the incident as having occurred in Sao Paulo explained why the biker kicked the car. 'A few years ago bikers entitled themselves owners of the corridor lanes during heavy traffic times in SP ( which is almost all the time),' reddit user victordinizz wrote Sunday. 'Those imaginary lanes are actually the boundaries between real, painted lanes. If you crossed it or, got too close to it in a way that would disturb the bikers they would kick your side mirrors off. I think this was a fad and they don't do this anymore as much as they used to.' The moment the biker in Sao Paulo, Brazil, was caught kicking a car in a fit of road rage In 2017, a biker was captured on camera carrying out a similar car-kicking stunt that led to a multi-car crash in Santa Clarita, California. That incident began when the car cut off the biker. The biker then retaliated by kicking the car. On this occasion, the biker remained in his seat, but the car spun out of control and crashed into the barrier before ricocheting into a truck that then rolled several times. The biker sped off down the highway. The motorcyclist was eventually caught and faced three felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, hit-and-run and reckless driving, NBC Los Angeles reported. The family of a Christian woman whose newborn baby died of jaundice when she and her husband refused medical intervention because, 'God makes no mistakes,' has 'unequivocally condemned,' the couple's actions and distanced themselves from beliefs they say were never part of their home. Rachel, 31, and Joshua Piland, 37, are each awaiting trial charged with the involuntary manslaughter of daughter Abigail, who died February 9 last year in the home in which she had been born barely three days earlier. Their bail was set at $75,000 each and, if convicted, each faces up to 15 years in prison for the crime. Now, in a statement shared exclusively with DailyMail.com, Rachel's brother Aaron Kerr has shed light on the devastating rift this family tragedy has caused. Rachel, 31, and Joshua Piland, 37 - seen in Lansing, Michigan for the first time since their daughter was taken from them - are awaiting trial after they were charged with involuntary manslaughter for the death of their newborn daughter Abigail last year The Pilands have three other children, two sons ages two and five, and a newborn daughter Verity who is now in the custody of Child Protective Services (CPS) after a tip that the infant was also showing signs of jaundice The couple (pictured in their mugshots) allegedly refused to get their baby medical treatment because 'God makes no mistakes.' He said: 'Abigail passed away after being refused medical treatment by her parents. They chose not to take medical advice and clung to their misplaced belief that God alone heals, rejecting any human medical help and intervention. 'Abigail's parents have shown no remorse and continue to stand by their choices, believing Abigail will be raised from the dead.' He said: 'I want to be clear. We unequivocally condemn the actionsand the beliefs, which led to them. 'These beliefs were never a part of our home growing up; my sister did not learn them from my parents or any church we were a part of.' Last week the Pilands who live in Lansing, Michigan were back in the news as Child Protective Services swooped and seized their newborn daughter, Verity, following a tip-off that the infant was also showing signs of jaundice. She was taken to hospital where she received a life-saving blood transfusion - treatment that her sister Abigail was denied with such devastating consequences. Verity was the couple's fourth child. Their other two surviving children - boys ages five and two - are currently in the custody of Rachel's parents, Joel and Rebecca Kerr who declined to comment on any aspect of this family saga. But a source close to the family said that Rachel's family fear that she is 'completely controlled by Joshua and beyond outside help at this stage.' Both of Rachel's parents are religious - her father Glenn was a pastor for many years and worked as a consultant assisting the translation of the bible into different languages all over the world. He and wife Rebecca worked on missions in their younger years. Baby Abigail died of jaundice on February 9 last year - three days after she was born - after they refused medical intervention for the newborn The couple's surviving children are now in the custody of Rachel's parents But neither, according to those who know them well, has ever espoused the sort of beliefs that saw Rachel and Joshua deny their sick child the medical help she needed. According to the source there has long been a feeling that former Marine, Joshua, is 'the driving force in the relationship.' They said: 'He's where these extreme beliefs have come from, it's certainly not the way that she was raised.' Court documents seen by DailyMail.com tell the sorry tale of Abigail Piland's brief life and tragcially avoidable death. She was a home birth as all of Rachel's children have been, assisted by the same midwife. According to that midwife's testimony the birth itself went smoothly and a newborn exam of Abigail the evening she was born, Monday February 6, gave her no cause for concern. But when she and the doula also present during the birth returned the following day for a routine 20-hour afterbirth check-up, both testified that they 'immediately noticed that Abigail was showing signs of jaundice.' The fact that the child was showing these signs less than 24 hours after birth added to the potential severity of her situation. Rachel's brother told DailyMail.com that the family condemns the couple's actions and insisted that 'my sister did not learn [those beliefs] from my parents or any church we were a part of' The Piland family home in Lansing where infant, Abigail Piland, died in February 2017. All four children were born in the home The midwife explained to Rachel that Abigail needed proper medical care and should be treated in an ER or seen by a pediatrician. She set out the other symptoms that Abigail would start to show if the jaundice advanced and the damage the potentially fatal condition could wreak on her delicate system. For a moment, the midwife stated, Rachel 'hesitated' before rejecting her advice with the words, 'God makes no mistakes.' By Wednesday afternoon, less than 48 hours after her birth, Abigail had started to lose her appetite. She struggled to feed and when she did she spat up bloody phlegm. At some point that day Rachel told her mother about the midwife's concerns and they put Abigail near a window - sunshine is known to help mild jaundice. But it was an overcast February day. Abigail was wearing just a diaper. Rachel used a hairdryer to keep her warm. Her mother urged her to take Abigail to the doctor. Rachel refused and 'went to listen to sermons and pray.' She canceled the follow-up appointment that had been scheduled with the midwife for later that day. Rachel told detectives that she nursed Abigail twice on Thursday morning and then both fell asleep. By this time Abigail's fists were clenched, her face frowning, the whites of her eyes yellow and her skin a yellowish orange. She was breathing heavily yet neither parent called for help though both admitted registering her state. Some time between 11am and noon, Rachel realized that Abigail wasn't breathing. She took her to her husband, Joshua who is trained in CPR. But he had never performed it on an infant and so he attempted 'one rescue breath,' instead. It didn't work. Source say they believe Rachel's husband Joshua is the 'driving force' in the relationship and is the source of these 'extreme beliefs' To this day neither Rachel nor Joshua have expressed any remorse or regret for what happened But they didn't dial 911. Instead they took their lifeless baby upstairs to pray for her and 'reached out to friends and fellow church members to come to their home and pray for Abigail's resurrection.' This was the scene that met the first officers on the scene around 9pm that night. It was Rachel's other brother in California who had called authorities to alert them to the situation. To this day neither Rachel nor Joshua have expressed any remorse or regret for what happened in their home across the few February days that constituted the entire span of Abigail's life. When detectives asked Joshua if he would have done anything differently he responded that 'he would not have changed anything.' Rachel's answer to that question was the same. But one present noted that she hesitated, where her husband did not. This apparent absence of remorse is one of the most difficult things for Rachel's family to comprehend. And if they are looking for an explanation from their daughter or son-in-law they may have a long wait. Indeed, far from showing any doubt, Piland for one appeared to double down on his choice with a post on his Facebook page on August 1 in which he quoted a passage of scripture in which the leader of a synagogue where Jesus is preaching is told by a messenger that his daughter is dead. The lines posted by Piland read, 'when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, 'Fear not: believe only and she shall be made whole.' When approached by DailyMail.com near their home in Lansing, Rachel and Joshua declined to comment citing the ongoing court cases - both criminal and over the custody of their sons and newborn - as the reason they could not talk. For now the Kerr family's focus, according to Rachel's brother Aaron, is on the surviving children. He stated, 'We are doing everything we can to ensure the boys are safe and loved now and in the future. 'No parent should EVER be allowed to put their child's life in danger in this way. We miss Abigail dearly and are so saddened she was denied the opportunity to live a beautiful life. 'We will continue to seek the best possible outcome for the two innocent boys who are caught in the middle of this mess.' 'Guardians of the Galaxy' actor Dave Bautista knows the franchise's 'Vol. 3' will likely go on without director James Gunn who was fired by Disney, saying it's not what he 'signed up for.' Bautista, who plays Drax, is contractually obligated to continue on after Disney axed the director for decade old Twitter jokes about pedophilia and rape. However the larger than life actor took to Twitter himself to express his frustrations over the media company's seemingly ultimate decision to not re-hire Gunn- despite an outcry of support that included a heartfelt open letter from the cast last week. Bautista tweeted on Sunday that 'Guardians of the Galaxy without James Gunn just isn't Guardians of the Galaxy.' Scroll down for video Dave Bautista, who plays Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy, took to Twitter Sunday to say that while he is obligated to act in the franchise's Vol. 3, its just not the same without axed director James Gunn He also took a swipe at his 'Guardians' employer, Disney, in his tweet. 'It's also pretty nauseating to work for someone who'd empower a smear campaign by fascists #cybernazis,' Bautista continued, referring to the right-wing commentator Mike Cernovich, who dug-up Gunn's decade old tweets. Meanwhile Kurt Russell, who played Ego in 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' had his own thoughts on the matter, and approached Gunn's firing with similar disdain. Russell, 67, speaking to Variety, said 'It's sad. But it's part of our fabric now, and I get it. 'But I do think we're getting a little too sensitive on maybe some of the wrong people,' he added. Gunn was gearing up to direct the third installment of the popular superhero science fiction franchise when the old tweets were reported on. Kurt Russell who played Ego (pictured) in Guardians Vol. 2 also expressed his dismay at what appears to be Disney's final decision to not bring Gunn back to direct the third installment James Gunn was fired after a series of tweets from a decade ago were unearthed that included jokes about rape and pedophilia (L-R) Actors David Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Pom Klementieff, Chris Pratt, Kurt Russel, Karen Gillan, director James Gunn and actor Michael Rooker attend the UK screening of 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' The cast posted an open-letter last week expressing their support of James Gunn while cautioning against weaponizing mob-mentality Though the beloved director apologized and Hollywood, including the full Guardians cast, all rallied around him, the damage had already been done, with Disney severing their business ties with him. 'You have to realize that when you are in the world as a comedian, a writer, whatever you're always stretching the boundaries and trying to find something which lead him to something that the world loves, which is 'Guardians of the Galaxy,' Russell continued. 'He has a wonderful heart and a wonderful mind. I hope he is forgiven.' The CEO and chairman of NASCAR Brian France (pictured in his mugshot) was arrested for driving while intoxicated and for possession of oxycodone in the Hamptons on Sunday The CEO and chairman of NASCAR has announced he will be taking a leave of absence after he was arrested for driving while intoxicated and for possession of oxycodone in the Hamptons on Sunday. Brian France released a statement on Monday saying: 'I apologize to our fans, our industry and my family for the impact of my actions last night. Effective immediately, I will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from my position to focus on my personal affairs.' He was reportedly stopped by police after he blew through a stop sign in Sag Harbor, his 2017 Lexus, at around 7.30pm. When he was pulled over, the 56-year-old reportedly brought up his close relationship with President Donald Trump and name dropped a few other famous faces. But that didn't stop cops from conducting a sobriety test - which France failed. His blood alcohol level was later found to be more than twice the legal limit. During the stop, France was searched which was when officers found the oxycodone pills, according to police. France was arrested and taken to a nearby station where he was booked for a DUI and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree. The powerful motorsports mogul spent the night in jail before he was released on his own recognizance on Monday morning after his arraignment. Sources told TMZ that throughout the process, he brought up his relationship to the Trumps. They have known each other for some time since the president previously proposed the Trump Motor Speedway in Bridgeport, Connecticut. There was no immediate information on an attorney who could comment on France's behalf. When France (left) was pulled over, he reportedly brought up his close relationship with President Donald Trump (right) Brian France, pictured with his wife Amy at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation Hot Pink Gala on May 17, was reportedly stopped by police after he blew through a stop sign in Sag Harbor, his 2017 Lexus, at around 7.30pm NASCAR says it takes France's arrest 'as a serious matter and will issue a statement after we have all of the facts. France has been CEO of the family-founded racing organization since 2003. His grandfather Bill France Sr. founded NASCAR back in 1948 and ran it until Brian's father took over the role from 1972 to 2000. Jim France, his uncle, and Lesa France Kennedy, his sister, are executive vice presidents. France Kennedy is also the CEO of International Speedway Corp., and Jim France is the chairman. ISC owns 13 of the tracks on which NASCAR hosts 19 major racing events. Last month, France was forced to refute rumors that he was planning to sell the business. Reuters reported in May the France family was exploring a sale of NASCAR's sanctioning body, while Forbes said the France family was seeking only minority investors. Both reports cited unidentified sources, and France referred to them as 'rumors.' 'The France family is locked and loaded in its dedication to NASCAR,' France on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. 'We're focused on ruling and managing NASCAR. There's nothing to report on that. Rumors are always interesting, but they're seldom right.' NASCAR's television ratings are down about 20 percent over the first 16 events of this season, according to figures from International Speedway Corp., which owns and operates the circuit. NASCAR says it takes France's arrest 'as a serious matter and will issue a statement after we have all of the facts (pictured: cars pit during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 22, 2018) Saudi Arabia appeared to threaten a 9/11-style attack on Canada today after posting an image to Twitter that showed a passenger plane flying towards the CN Tower in Toronto. The inflammatory photo was captioned: 'As the Arabic saying goes: 'He who interferes with what doesn't concern him finds what doesn't please him'. The Saudi government-linked Twitter account, which has 354,000 followers, placed another caption over the tower reading: 'Sticking one's nose where it doesn't belong'. Responding to the mock 9/11 threat Elizabeth Tsurkov, a research fellow at the Israeli Forum for Regional Thinking, said: 'This tweet by an official Saudi propaganda account has now been deleted. 'Seems like they realized that reminding us that 15 of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudi is not a great idea'. Saudi Arabia has appeared to threaten Canada with 9/11-style attack after the nation expelled its ambassador in a row over jailed women's activists The 1814 feet high CN Tower is one of Canada's best known landmarks. More than 500 people work in the tower which welcomes 1.5million tourists every year. The apparent threat comes following a disagreement between the two nation's over Canada's criticism of Saudi Arabia for its jailing of women's rights activists. Saudi Arabia responded by freezing all new trade with Canada and expelling its ambassador over citing 'interference' in the desert kingdom's domestic affairs. It added Canada's actions were a violation of the country's sovereignty. A spokesman said: 'The Kingdom of Saudi Arabiawill not accept interference in its internal affairs or imposed diktats from any country'. In response, Canadian foreign ministry spokesman Marie-Pier Baril said the country would 'always stand up for the protection of human rights, very much including women's rights, and freedom of expression around the world'. Saudi Arabia earlier said it was expelling the Canadian ambassador Dennis Horak (pictured) Among those detained by Riyadh is Loujain al-Hathloul, 28, who appeared with the Duchess of Sussex, then Meghan Markle, at a One Young World summit in Canada two years ago where they were pictured in a Vanity Fair photoshoot. Yesterday the leading Saudi women's rights campaigner Manal al-Sharif thanked Canada for 'speaking up' and asked when other Western powers would do the same. Aviation analyst Alex Macheras said the account was connected to the Saudi royal court. Desperately trying to wriggle out of the gaffe, the Twitter account responsible, @infographic_ksa, apologised saying: 'Earlier we posted an image, which is why we deleted the post immediately. The aircraft was intended to symbolize the return of the Ambassador, we realize this was not clear and any other meaning was unintentional. We apologise to anyone who was offended'. Canada last week said it was 'gravely concerned' over a new wave of arrests, including award-winning gender rights activist Samar Badawi, pictured left. Samar is a vocal campaigner for her brother Raif Badawi, a blogger who was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar, seen holding Raif's photo, has been granted asylum by Canada, where she is raising their three children Canada last week said it was 'gravely concerned' over a new wave of arrests of women and human rights campaigners in the kingdom, including award-winning gender rights activist Samar Badawi. Samar is a vocal campaigner for her brother Raif Badawi, a blogger who was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and later sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for 'insulting Islam' in a case that sparked international outcry. Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar has been granted asylum by Canada, where she is raising their three children now aged 14, 13 and 10 as a single mother. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said it had recalled its envoy in Canada and also said it would freeze 'all new business' between the kingdom and Canada. Pictured: The Saudi embassy in Ottawa The move underscores a newly aggressive foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (pictured) Samar was arrested along with fellow campaigner Nassima al-Sadah last week, the latest victims of what Human Rights Watch called an 'unprecedented government crackdown on the women's rights movement'. Freeland tweeted about the arrests on Thursday. 'Very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi, Raif Badawi's sister, has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia,' she wrote. 'Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, and we continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi.' In April, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (pictured) expressed his 'serious concern' over the continued jailing of Badawi to King Salman The latest arrests come weeks after more than a dozen women's right campaigners were detained and accused of undermining national security and collaborating with enemies of the state. Some have since been released. The Saudi foreign ministry slammed the Canadian statement, signalling its growing irritation over Western criticism of the kingdom's poor human rights record. 'Using the phrase 'immediately release' in the Canadian statement is very unfortunate, reprehensible, and unacceptable in relations between states,' the ministry tweeted. Prince Mohammed, heir to the region's most powerful throne, has introduced a string of reforms such as lifting a decades-long ban on women drivers in a bid to overhaul the kingdom's austere image as it prepares for a post-oil era. A Wisconsin teen warmed hearts across the nation after he auctioned his pig Roo and raised more than $10,000 for childhood cancer in honor of his favorite teacher. Waylon Klitzman, 15, was absolutely devastated when he learned that his teacher, Kim Katzenmeyer, was ending her career after 22 years. Katzenmeyer had decided to become a full-time fundraiser for Beat Nb, a nonprofit for neuroblastoma, after her four-year-old niece was diagnosed with the cancer. That's when Waylon, of Evansville, decided to auction off Roo and do something for a greater good than his own piggy bank. Waylon Klitzman, 15, has auctioned his pig Roo and raised more than $10,000 for childhood cancer in honor of his favorite teacher Kim Katzenmeyer (pictured together at auction) Waylon is pictured here with one of his pigs At first Waylon hoped he would be able to convince Katzenmeyer to stay with the school by giving her his own personal donation to Beat Nb. The day after Katzenmeyer told her students she was leaving, Waylon brought her $52 in cash. It was all the money he had left after purchasing two pigs that spring, according to the Washington Post. Katzenmeyer was moved by the young teen's donation, but told him she still couldn't stay. She had just spent the last year watching her mother fight neuroendocrine cancer when Harlow was suddenly diagnosed the day before her fourth birthday. This time around, Katzenmeyer knew she had to do something more than just sell some T-shirts. Klitzman, 15, was absolutely devastated when he discovered that Katzenmeyer was ending her teaching career to help her niece Harlow, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma Katzenmeyer (left) had decided to become a full-time fundraiser for Beat Nb, a nonprofit for neuroblastoma in honor of her four-year-old niece Harlow (right) 'This has been one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make, because I felt like I was letting kids down at school,' Katzenmeyer told the Wisconsin State Farmer. 'But I told them that the only kids that would take me away from my kids at school was my family.' Although his $52 donation wasn't enough to sway Katzenmeyer, Waylon knew he still wanted to do something extra special for the teacher who meant so much to him. 'A lot of my teachers, they'll talk to me but then they kind of just walk away,' he told the Post. 'She didn't do that. She just kind of stuck around when I needed help the most.' This time around, Katzenmeyer knew she had to do something more than just sell some T-shirts and decided to join Beat Nb Waylon had originally planned to sell Roo, a 265-pound pig he had raised and taken care of, for meat and a profit at the county fair in July. But instead Waylon decided he would auction off his precious pig and donate all the funds to Beat Nb. Waylon sent letters to a handful of local companies, asking if they would be interested in buying Roo and explaining where the money would be going to. Little did the teen know his request would touch their hearts and wallets, resulting in an exciting bidding war. Roo, who was valued at about $3 to $4 a pound, was first bought by Dan Drozdowicz, the president and co-owner of E&D Water Works. Drozdowicz had found tough competition with the wholesale distributor company Chambers and Owen, until he revealed a master plan to its representative. He would buy Roo and donate it back to Waylon so that Chambers and Owen could then buy the pig and donate it as well. Drozdowicz bought Roo for more than $11 per pound. After he donated it back, Chambers and Owen purchased the pig for $10.25 per pound. Then, surprising both men, a third competitor entered the auction. Dave Moll, the co-owner of Moll Construction, wanted to help as well when he realized what the other two men were doing. Waylon (pictured with his siblings and Harlow's family) managed to raise more than $10,000 after a bidding war ensued over Roo and helping his cause Moll purchased Roo for $11 per pound and donated him back again. 'I had had no intention of spending that much money or giving the pig back,' he said. 'But that's what the people ahead of me did, and I felt like it was the right thing to do. I was happy to be a part of it. I had no idea how many times that pig could be sold.' The last bid was placed by a group that included a local pub and a pork-producing company, who purchased Roo for $5.50. Waylon, who was completely shocked by how the auction unfolded, raised a total of $10,070. 'I did not see that happening,' the teen said. 'Usually, they just sell it once! My dream got bigger and bigger every time they said "Give it back". I was pretty proud.' So was Katzenmeyer, who was also at the auction and immediately came over to give Waylon a hug. 'My heart is bursting with pride for him,' she said. 'He doesn't know the impact that he is having, and I don't think any 15-year-old kid would at this point. Someday he will.' Waylor is already planning his next fundraising effort for Beat NB, planting three acres of pumpkins that he will sell this fall. A family were left shocked after racist graffiti was left on their house on the day they moved in. The words 'no blacs n*****s (sic)' was spray painted on their home in an 'absolutely sickening' hate crime that is now being investigated by Greater Manchester Police. The Kaseses had just set up in their new house in Rochdale, on Saturday and celebrated with a small party and barbecue. The words 'no blacs n*****s (sic)' was spray painted on their home in an 'absolutely sickening' hate crime that is now being investigated by Greater Manchester Police Later on in the evening they could hear a 'spraying' noise coming from outside. When they looked out of the window they said they could see two white men on bicycles making their way away from the property. A disgusting message had been painted onto the window reading: 'No blacs n*****s'. The family called police and it is now being investigated as a hate crime. Detectives have branded the incident 'absolutely sickening'. The Kaseses are now planning to move house as soon as possible, but are defiantly telling their story to raise awareness of racism. Lilian Kasese, 24, said: 'I think this needs to be told. I have spoken to one or two black people in the area and they said they have experienced similar things. It needs to be told. 'We moved in that day. We were having a barbecue with some family. It was a normal day. 'My little brother heard some spraying going on. He went to check and said someone was outside. We looked out and we could see two white guys on bikes getting away. Sabena Kasese with Jay J and Lilian outside their home in Rochdale, where they 'don't feel safe' 'They couldn't even spell properly. The community helped clean it up, we didn't want them to but the police were taking forever to come.' Lilian, who recently graduated, said: 'We are moving out as soon as possible. We don't feel safe to stay here. 'This is the first day we moved in to Manchester, we have lived all over the UK. 'My brother is 18 - he is more shaken. There seems to be some young boys who have done it. He feels like he is in danger. 'We have been in this country for so long, but it feels like back in the day, like it was in the 1930s. It is shocking.' The Kasese family, who are originally from South Africa, moved to the UK when Lilian was a baby. Her younger brother Joseph was born in the UK. At the time of the incident Lilian's mum, dad, younger brother and sister were at the house at the time. The family were living in Essex before they made the move to Rochdale. Sabena Kasese with her children Jay J, 18, and Lilian, 24, outside their Rochdale home Inspector Rob MacGregor of GMP's Rochdale District, said: 'This is an absolutely sickening crime, that has deeply upset not just the victims, but local residents who have seen what was written. 'Thousands of people live together across Greater Manchester, from different walks of life, and those who write hateful messages will be dealt with accordingly. 'We are treating this as a hate crime and are working closely with our partners, Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Borough Housing to fully investigate this matter. 'If you heard any kind of disturbance in the early hours of Sunday morning, or have information that could help us identify who is responsible, please do the right thing and get in touch. 'You can talk to one of our local officers on 0161 856 8549 or make an anonymous report through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 Florence Famurewa posted a pictured of the window on Twitter, it has since gone viral. Miguel Angel Corea Diaz, aka 'The Reaper', is being held without bond in Nassau County An accused MS-13 kingpin has complained about his jail conditions, beseeching a judge to relieve his suffering behind bars. Miguel Angel Corea Diaz, aka 'The Reaper', is being held without bond in Nassau County, New York, where he faces charges of operating as a major trafficker and second-degree conspiracy. Corea Diaz is allegedly the Northeast kingpin of the savage international gang MS-13. However, Corea Diaz told a judge on July 31 that he is merely a devoted father who was separated from his children through no fault of his own. 'Discrimination. I'm suffering in this country,' Corea Diaz, 35, said in Nassau County Court, begging for an improvement to his jail conditions, Newsday reported. Corea Diaz also complained that he'd been receiving death threats from outside jail. Corea Diaz is seen being escorted by DEA agents during his extradition to New York in April. He has complained about his jail conditions and asked for more phone privileges 'They call me El Chapo. 'Die, scary guy,'' he told the judge, referring to the accused Sinaloa cartel leader who is awaiting trial in Brooklyn. Corea Diaz complained that he has been unable to talk to his children. His lawyer, Scott Gross, said the suspected gang leader has been locked in a cell for about 23 hours a day and only has limited phone access. Acting State Supreme Court Justice Patricia Harrington will now consider his requests. Corea Diaz was extradited to New York in April from Maryland, where he also faced drug charges. Prosecutors say he was the boss of the Long Island Sailors, an MS-13 crew, giving orders on the ground in the US. Corea Diaz is currently jailed at the Nassau County Correctional Center (above) awaiting trial DEA officials described him as the 'point man on the East Coast who would report to MS-13 hierarchy in El Salvador.' An indictment alleges that Corea Diaz ordered beatings and killings and directed the gang's drug operations in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Texas and elsewhere. He was among 16 alleged MS-13 members charged earlier this year. In 2017, Corea Diaz allegedly ordered the murder of a rival in Elizabeth, New Jersey before police stopped the hit. There's evidence that the two henchmen ordered on the hit discussed where to dispose the victim's body and how deep to dig the hole before law enforcement thwarted them, Nassau County prosecutors said. Corea Diaz faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the top charge he faces. Authorities believe MS-13, or the Mara Salvatrucha, has thousands of members across the country, mostly Central American immigrants. Labour has dropped its investigation into MP Margaret Hodge (pictured) for allegedly shouting at Jeremy Corbyn over the party's anti-Semitism crisis Labour has dropped its investigation into MP Margaret Hodge for allegedly shouting at Jeremy Corbyn over the party's anti-Semitism crisis. The Barking MP was accused of calling the party leader a 'f****** anti-Semite' in a House of Commons debate but the action against her has now been abandoned. Ms Hodge, who lost family members in the Holocaust, said she had not apologised and denied that she had 'expressed her regret' to Labour's chief whip as the party had claimed. She tweeted: 'I'm pleased that the Labour Party has finally dropped their 'action' against me. 'After 55 years of LP membership going after me instead of addressing the issue was wrong. In 2018 anti-Semitism that has again reared its ugly head and the campaign against it goes on. 'The Labour Party must adopt the IHRA definition in full to start to rebuild trust. Thanks to everyone for kind messages of support which have kept me going.' She added: 'Just to be clear: there have been no apologies - on either side.' General secretary Jennie Formby has written to Dame Margaret ending the inquiry into alleged abusive behaviour and informing her that no further action will be taken. The MP also denied Labour claims that she had 'expressed her regret' to the chief whip Nick Brown for the manner in which she had voiced her views. In a letter from her lawyers Mishcon de Reya, posted on social media by Dame Margaret, they accused Ms Formby of misrepresenting her position in a 'cynical attempt to save face in your necessary climbdown'. The letter said it was over two weeks since Dame Margaret had spoken to Mr Brown about the matter and that they had had no further discussions since. 'She did not express regret - in those or any other words,' the letter said. 'As you are aware, our client will not apologise for her conduct and words, as she did nothing wrong. 'You have entirely misrepresented our client's discussions with the opposition chief whip in a cynical attempt to save face in your necessary climbdown.' The investigation into Dame Margaret was launched following a heated exchange last month in which she was said to have called Mr Corbyn and an 'anti-Semite' and a 'racist' over his refusal to adopt in full the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism. A letter to the Labour Party sent by lawyers Mishcon de Reya on behalf of Dame Margaret, said: 'As you are aware, our client will not apologise for her conduct or words, as she did nothing wrong. 'You have entirely misrepresented our client's discussions with the Opposition Chief Whip in a cynical attempt to save face in your necessary climb-down. Tom Watson (pictured in March) was the target of an unprecedented social media campaign calling for him to quit and waged by furious Corbynistas What is the timeline of anti-Semitic scandals which have erupted under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership? Jeremy Corbyn (pictured) has been accused of failing to tackle the racism among his supporters The anti-Semitism scandal has dogged Labour since Jeremy Corbyn was elected leader in 2015. Here is a timeline of the controversies: April 2016: Labour MP Naz Shah is suspended for anti-Semitic posts - including one in which she appeared to endorse calls for Israelis to be deported to the US. She apologised and was given a formal warning. Ken Livingstone goes on the radio to defend Ms Shah - but sparks fresh controversy by claiming that Hitler supported Zionism. He is suspended by Labour but refuses to apologise and has repeated the claim many times. He eventually quits Labour two years later, saying his suspension has become a distraction. June 2016: A two-month inquiry by civil liberties campaigner Shami Chakrabarti finds that Labour is not overrun by anti-Semitism. But the launch is overshadowed when Jewish Labour MP Ruth Smeeth flees it in tears after being accused by Corbyn supporter Marc Wadsworth of colluding with the press. Critics accuse the report of being a whitewash and Ms Chakrabarti is widely criticised for accepting a peerage from Jeremy Corbyn shortly afterwards. October 2016: The Home Affairs Select Committee says Labour is guilty of incompetence over its handling of anti-Semitism and of creating a safe space for people with 'vile attitudes towards Jewish people'. March 2018: It is revealed that Jeremy Corbyn defended an artist who painted an anti-Semitic mural and said the offensive art should be removed. He apologises saying he did not properly look at the picture before he made the post. Jewish leaders take the unprecedented step of holding a demonstration outside Parliament protesting Mr Corbyn's failure to tackle anti-Semitism. Several Labour MPs address the crowds. April 2018: Marc Wadsworth is expelled from Labour after being accused of anti-Semitism. Meanwhile, Labour Jewish MPs tell of the anti-Semitic abuse they have suffered in a powerful parliamentary debate - and round on their leader for failing to tackle it. July 2018: The Labour leadership sparks fresh anger by failing to fully adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism Peter Willsman, a strong ally of Jeremy Corbyn, is secretly taped ranting that 'Jewish Trump fanatics' invented the anti-Semitism storm engulfing Labour. In an angry diatribe at a meeting of Labour's ruling executive committee, he said he was 'amazed' there was evidence party members hated Jews. He claimed 'some of these people in the Jewish community support Trump they are Trump fanatics' before shouting: 'So I am not going to be lectured to by Trump fanatics making up duff information without any evidence at all.' August 2018: Jeremy Corbyn issues a video insisting he is committed to tackling the racism - but it is panned by Jewish leaders. Corbynistas mount a social media campaign to get deputy Labour leader Tom Watson to quit after he criticises the party's handling of anti-Semitism. The Daily Mail exclusively publishes photos of Jeremy Corbyn holding a wreath at a ceremony where a terrorist linked to the Munich massacre was honoured. The Labour leader insists he was there to honour others killed - but faces fresh calls to quit over the scandal. Advertisement 'We also note that media reports have suggested that our client has sent the Chief Whip a letter confirming her expression of regret. This is false, and raises yet further concerns that you continue to brief the media in different (and false) terms to those set out in correspondence to our client. 'Our client is pleased the investigation is now over, and welcomes your apology for the distress she has suffered in the weeks since 18 July.' Gideon Falter, Chairman of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: 'The entire Jewish community was disgusted by the way that Dame Margaret was victimised simply for confronting antisemitism in the Labour Party, which is one of the reasons why we referred the Party to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. 'We applaud her for standing up against antisemitism in the Party and for refusing to bow to the considerable pressure put on her to apologise. 'The Labour Party's humiliating capitulation just shows how disgraceful their action was, especially considering that Peter Willsman has faced no action over his appalling tirade in front of Labour's entire National Executive Committee. 'The Party must now apologise to Dame Margaret and immediately drop its action against Ian Austin as well.' The decision to drop the inquiry comes after deputy leader Tom Watson called for the investigations into Dame Margaret and a second Labour MP Ian Austin - who clashed with party chairman Ian Lavery over the issue - to be abandoned. His comments, warning the party faced a 'vortex of eternal shame' unless it tackled anti-Semitism within its ranks, prompted a furious Twitter campaign to oust him under the hashtag #ResignWatson. Earlier the party confirmed that George McManus, a member of Labour's national policy forum, had been suspended following a Facebook posting referring to Mr Watson and 'Jewish donors' and comparing him to Judas. Mr McManus subsequently removed the comments and apologised to Mr Watson and the Jewish community. However, one Labour MP - who described the remarks as a 'classic anti-Semitic trope' - called for him to be expelled altogether. Writing on his Facebook page, Mr McManus said Mr Watson had received '50,000+ from Jewish donors,' adding: 'At least Judas only got 30 pieces of silver'. His comments were condemned by Labour backbencher Wes Streeting who called for 'swift action' against him. 'More from the cesspit. This isn't even subtle. This is 100% a classic antisemitic trope - and from a Momentum-backed member of Labour's National Policy Forum,' he wrote on Twitter. Following the confirmation of Mr McManus's suspension, Mr Streeting said he was 'glad' that the pressure had resulted in action, adding: 'Hope this leads to expulsion'. Corbynistas turned on Watson after he broke ranks with Jeremy Corbyn to warn that the party faces 'eternal shame' unless it roots out the racism. Left-wing activists mounted a massive social media campaign against him - posting nearly 50,000 tweets calling for him to go and making the hashtag 'ResignWatson' trend on Twitter. Key allies of Mr Corbyn - including ex Labour MP George Galloway and activist Arron Bastani - were among those who led the onslaught. But Labour MPs including Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Wes Streeting, and former Labour minister David Miliband rallied to his defence on Twitter. Corbynistas accused Mr Watson of 'disloyalty' and peddled theories he only spoke out because he held a grudge about the speaking slot he has been given at the party conference this September. The attacks - the biggest coordinated wave of vitriol against a Labour politician so far - came after Mr Watson demanded tougher action against anti-Semitism in an interview with The Observer. He spoke out after the party was rocked by revelations that Peter Willsman - a Labour member and strong ally of Mr Corbyn - was secretly taped ranting that 'Jewish Trump fanatics' invented the anti-Semitism. In an angry diatribe, made at a meeting of Labour's ruling executive committee and secretly recorded, Mr Willsman said said he was 'amazed' there was evidence party members hated Jews. In an interview with The Observer, Mr Watson said Labour will 'disappear into a vortex of eternal shame and embarrassment' and make itself unfit for government, unless it tackles anti-Semitism. But left-wing activists flocked to Twitter to slam the deputy Labour leader and call for his resignation over the comments. George Galloway wrote: 'I'm embarrassed that I supported you and persuaded others to do so too. You will enter Labour history as a byword for deception and disloyalty. 'You have no reason to sit there for any longer. In the name of God go. #ResignTomWatson.' Mr Bastani, a left-wing activist and TV pundit who regularly speaks out for Mr Corbyn and his policies. also posted using the 'ResignWatson' hashtag. He wrote: 'I'm told by multiple sources that Tom Watson did interview attacking the leadership because he didn't get speaking slot he wanted at conference. 'You threatened to do interview unless you got confirmation from Loto...is that right Tom? If so what an appalling issue to exploit.' And activists defending Mr Watson on Twitter were met with vile anti-Semitic abuse. One activist was told she needed a 'shower' - an apparent reference to the gas Chambers when Jews were taken into communal shower blocks told they were going to be washed, but the gassed to death. Mr Watson hit out at the abuse he received in the onslaught - and thanks supporters who had rallied to his defence. He wrote: 'It sometimes feels like people have been calling for me to stand down from day one but I never, ever thought I'd be facing demands to #resignwatson for standing up for people who are facing prejudice and hate.' 'Manhattan Madam' Kristin Davis is scheduled to testify before Special Counsel Robert Mueller's grand jury in Washington, D.C. this week likely about her ties with Trump adviser Roger Stone. Davis, who brought down former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer as part of her busted prostitution ring, spoke with Mueller's team last week. And now she's being called to testify formally, NBC News reported, as part of the investigation as to Russia's role in the 2016 election and whether there was any collusion with President Donald Trump's campaign. Trump adviser Roger Stone and 'Manhattan Madam' Kristin Davis are longtime friends Davis is being called to testify before a grand jury as part of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe Stone managed Davis' 2010 gubernatorial bid and is godfather to her son Investigators are reportedly interested in her ties to Stone, who served as campaign manager for Davis' failed 2010 gubernatorial campaign in New York - an indication prosecutors may be looking to build a case against Stone. Stone worked on Trump's campaign and there have been questions about contact he had with those potentially involved in the hacking of emails at the Democratic National Committee. Davis told NBC News in July that Mueller's office contacted her attorney to ask her to speak to investigators and that she believed it had to do with Stone. She added she had no knowledge of Russian collusion. 'It's very out-of-the blue for me, very upsetting,' Davis said. 'For them to come to me for information on Russian collusion I don't have anything on that.' Mueller's team has been looking into possible contact between Stone and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during the 2016 presidential contest. WikiLeaks published several of the emails hacked by Russian nationals from the DNC. Stone also had contact with the Twitter persona Guccifer 2.0, who had claimed online to be a Romanian hacker but prosecutors say it was a Twitter account operated by Russian intelligence officers. Guccifer helped disseminate the emails hacked from the DNC. Andrew Miller, a Stone aide who worked on Davis' gubernatorial campaign, has been subpoenaed to appear before the federal grand jury hearing evidence in the Russia probe. 'Roger's one of my best friends,' Davis told The Washington Post in July. 'I have nothing bad to say about him.' She called the Mueller probe a 'witch hunt' and said 'in terms of Russian collusion I know nothing.' Stone is godfather to Davis' son. In a statement to NBC News last week, Stone said, 'Kristin Davis is a long-time friend and associate of mine. She is a brilliant businesswoman who paid her debt to society and remade her life. She knows nothing about alleged Russian collusion, WikiLeaks collaboration or any other impropriety related to the 2016 election which I thought was the subject of this probe. I am highly confident she will testify truthfully if called upon to do so.' Roger Stone had contact with Guccifer 2.0, who helped disseminate the emails hacked from the DNC Kristin Davis and Roger Stone often post pictures with one another on their respective instagram accounts Davis is reportedly being called to testify about Stone Davis was nicknamed the 'Manhattan Madam' by New York tabloids Davis, a former hedge fund executive, was arrested in 2013 after allegedly selling drugs to an FBI cooperating witness. She pleaded guilty to a charge of selling prescription drugs and was sentenced to two years in prison. She was released in May 2016. She is known for running a high-end prostitution ring in the 2000s and was nicknamed the 'Manhattan Madam' by New York tabloids. She spent several months in New York's Rikers Island jail for procuring prostitution and said publicly that her escort service had about 10,000 wealthy clients. A teenage girl lies with her head on the chest of her sweetheart - just moments before his life support was turned off. The heartbreaking photo captures the poignant moment Stephanie Ray, 15, bid farewell to her boyfriend Blake Ward, 16, who was tragically swept out to sea last week. Blake was one of three teenagers rescued from the sea in Tywyn, Gwynedd in north west Wales after being swept away from the shore while on a family trip. It is thought the boy from Dudley went for a swim to cool down in the heat before being swept out by currents. Poignant: Stephanie Ray, 15, embraces her boyfriend Blake Ward, 16, for the final time He was flown to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool where he was placed on life support. Two helicopters, three lifeboats, two coastguard teams, paramedics and police were called to the seafront on Tuesday to reports of boys in the water, reports the Mirror. But on Saturday morning doctors and next of kin decided to switch off the equipment, ending his life. Before this, however, Stephanie was photographed sharing a final moment of intimacy with the much-loved boy. She was at his side every second from when he was pulled from the water until the moment doctors let him go. In her final goodbye she climbed into his hospital bed and placed one of Blake's arm around her. Stephanie snatched a final moment with her beloved moments before his life support machine was turned off by doctors The much-loved schoolboy attended Hillcrest School and Community College in Netheron, Dudley Stephanie posted the picture to her Facebook page with the message that Blake has passed away early that morning The condition of the other two boys remains unknown. Taking to Facebook that day, Becky wrote: 'Blake, our beautiful, brave, kind-hearted, clever boy sadly passed away at 7.03 this morning.' Stephanie and Blake's friends and family are raising money to pay for the boy's wake. Their GoFundMe page has raised an astonishing 1,200 so far. The teen posted the moving picture on her Facebook page with a heartfelt message. 'Today has been the hardest day for me and it will be a day I will never be able to forget,' she wrote. 'As some of you may know Blake was involved in a terrible accident on Tuesday. Friends and family of Blake are fundraising to pay for the boy's wake. Pictured: Flowers left as tributes to the 16-year-old Blake's life was also celebrated by a flypast during the Caderman event, a triathlon in Tywyn which see participants go from sea level to summit in one day RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) boats launch off the coast in Gwynedd, north west Wales 'I have been by his side through it all and I haven't left him. As you all know Blake was a loving a caring person and would do anything for anyone. 'We was told yesterday that Blake would never recover and his brain was to damaged and we had to make the hard decision of turning his machine off and let him go.' She continued: 'But just know Blake wasn't in any pain and he passed away with his family around him and he will forever be missed and he will always have a special place in my heart and I will never forget you Blake fly high my baby boy and I'm gonna make you proud love you and I always will'. Others paid heartfelt tributes to the boy over the weekend. On Saturday morning, local coastguard did a flypast during the Caderman event, a triathlon in Tywyn which see participants go from sea level to summit in one day, and a minute's silence was held. Blake's headmistress at Hillcrest School and Community College in Netheron also paid tribute to the boy in a speech, local media reports. Police in California caught a person in the act of creating another contribution to the dangerous #InMyFeelings viral video challenge. California's City of Madera Police Department posted a Facebook video Saturday of the moment when officers encountered someone dancing in the street next to a moving car. The act has become popular after comedian Shiggy posted a video of himself dancing in the street to Drake's song, In My Feelings, on June 29. Officers in the City of Madera Police Department were on patrol Friday night when they came across someone in the middle of filming a contribution to the #InMyFeelings challenge In the dashboard cam video, the person can be seen dancing in the street next to a moving car. As police drive up to the car, the person hops inside the vehicle and shuts the door Since then, people around the world have been filming themselves hopping out of moving cars and doing Shiggy's dance to Drake's song, then posting it on social media under #InMyFeelingsChallenge, which has also become known #DotheShiggy and the 'Kiki challenge.' Police have been warning people about the dangers of recreating the challenge, as many people have been injured and even hospitalized as a result of their actions. In the Madera police video, which was captured by a cruiser's dashboard camera and has gone viral itself, the police appear to turn the corner onto a road where someone can be seen dancing next to a silver car that has its front passenger door open. When the officers shine their spotlight on the dancer, the person quickly hops into the passenger seat and shuts the door. 'Last night one of the in-car-cameras in our patrol vehicles captured this dangerous incident. Fortunately, no one was injured,' the police department wrote on Facebook. The Madera police warned against the dangers of dancing in the street, mentioning the possibility of serious injuries, as well as the potential for traffic violation citations 'We have all seen the viral videos associated with the 'Kiki challenge' and a number of them have involved the person in the roadway being injured or the driverless vehicle causing a collision. Please let common sense prevail! 'Be aware that it is illegal for pedestrians to be in the roadway and for drivers to allow such activity. Participating in these type of dangerous activities can lead to tickets, fines, physical arrest and in worst case scenarios great bodily harm. There are already plenty of distractions out there, dont create another one.' The challenge has become an increasingly troublesome issue for police around the world, as people attempting the challenge have been seen being injured while trying to jump out of their moving vehicles, smacking into stationary objects and even being hit by cars coming from the opposite direction. One Iowa teen, who was attempting the challenge, was airlifted to the hospital unconscious, with a skull fracture and bleeding in her brain, after she tripped and hit her head while exiting her moving car, WQAD reported. On Friday, the same night that the Madera police filmed their video, Shiggy warned people about the dangers of jumping out of a car to participate in the challenge. 'The "do the Shiggy" challenge started with me doing a dance outside in the street with my friends,' Shiggy told CBS News. 'But it got escalated to a different level The message I have for kids doing this challenge is to be safe, stay in a safe area and just do the dance, you don't have to get outside your car or do it in a moving car or anything involving a car you can do this anywhere. So kids be safe.' From dressing up as a penguin to hooking plastic ducks and making cuddly toys, police work these days may seem childs play. But Police Scotland insist that the trend for officers to take part in fun and light-hearted activities and post pictures online is a vital part of the day job. The photographs are increasingly common on Twitter and other social media platforms as police show off their fun side and promote community policing online. But one policing source said: This enrages a lot of officers and does the force little credit. Police Scotland insist the trend for officers to take part in light-hearted activities and post pictures online is a vital part of their job. Pictured: officers shared this picture at Glenfinnan Viaduct with the caption 'so far no reports of flying car in the area! #backtohogwarts' The photographs are increasingly common on Twitter and other social media platforms as police show off their fun side. Pictured: Dunfermline Police at Cairneyhill gala But one policing source said: This enrages a lot of officers and does the force little credit.' Pictured: Dumfries Police at Youth Beatz 2018 There may be a case for it in certain circumstances but it has to be carefully considered, otherwise it undermines the gravitas of police work. It also infuriates the public because they cant understand why a police service that claims to be so stretched that it cant respond effectively to crime is able to send officers to these fun activities. A Police Scotland spokesman said: By participating in events like community gala days, family fun days and coffee mornings, we are ensuring local people are aware of their local policing teams, who are tasked to deal with issues within specific areas and are seen as a point of contact for residents. Social media posts like these which are generated while officers are at work in the community are shared to demonstrate how approachable our officers are, and the steps we take to engage with the people we work to keep safe. Labour Daniel Johnson said: Under the SNP policing is increasingly centralised, while the number of officers on the beat is falling. The source added: It also infuriates the public because they cant understand why a police service that claims to be so stretched that it cant respond effectively to crime is able to send officers to these fun activities. Pictured: Dunfermline Police with two people in costume outside the little shop of heroes Police Scotland Dogs shared this picture with the caption: 'PD Herbie told her handler she can drive herself now #budgetcuts [winking emoji with tongue out]' A Police Scotland spokesman said: By participating in events like community gala days, family fun days and coffee mornings, we are ensuring local people are aware of their local policing teams.' Pictured: Dunfermline Police playing hook a duck at a family fun day Mr Steele said in some areas, the number of officers available for shifts had decreased over the past decade by between a third and a half. He added: There probably wouldnt be a single police officer in Scotland who would tell you that the same resources are available now as ten or 15 years ago. It used to be the case that in Inverness, for example, you would have a dozen or so officers on a typical shift and now they might be lucky to have six. This is made worse by the closure of police stations, particularly in more rural areas, because those stations perhaps had only one or two officers but they contributed to the overall number of officers available. In some areas, beat policing has effectively died off entirely to the immense frustration of the officers themselves, who are run ragged. The public have given up, to some extent, because they think police wont come when they report crime. Pictured: Angus Police knitting at a coffee morning Pictured: Dunfermline Police shared this picture of police officers getting crafty at the Kingsgate centre with the hashtag 'my unicorns better than yours' When they eventually do get in touch because they cant tolerate it any more the situation has deteriorated so much that it is harder for us to respond effectively. It is a true a lot of policing may be unseen tackling serious organised crime, for example but police and the Government have a job to do to convince people this work is more important than the day-to-day reality of their lived experience. Im not sure anyone has given that much thought. Meanwhile, Police Scotlands own research indicates that 37 per cent of Scots believe crime is rising in their area. But asked if they knew they had a local policing team, 53 per cent of respondents said no, while 47.2 per cent said they were reassured when they saw officers on the streets. The Your View Counts 2016-17 survey received responses from 18,894 people. The figures come amid repeated claims from the Scottish Government that recorded crime is at a historic low. Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: Local communities clearly feel reassured by a local police presence, so the lack of awareness of local policing teams is concerning. It is important that local police officers are approachable to law-abiding members of the public but Police Scotland must also ensure that they are keeping the public safe and dealing appropriately with offenders. Analysis by Scottish Labour claims to show policing has become more reactive due to police cuts and centralisation. The research shows that the number of recorded motor vehicle offences has fallen by more 168,000 (57 per cent) from 295,000 to 127,000 between 2013-14 and 2017-18. Labour attributes most of this decrease to a drop in offences such as speeding or unlawful use of a motor vehicle. Argyll, Helensburgh & Lomond Police shared this picture of Penguin Pete ahead of an open day Angus Police shared this picture of police at the trauma teddies coffee morning Mr Steele said the decline in proactive police activity comes as no surprise as officers are stretched to breaking point. A Police Scotland spokesman said: Our officers interact with members of their local communities on a day-to-day basis. These officers are building relationships and establishing bonds of trust with people of all ages so as to encourage them to contact the police in times of need. On the Labour analysis, the spokesman said the force was committed to an ongoing calendar of proactive campaigns and awareness-raising to encourage people to play a part in keeping themselves safe. He added: Police numbers have remained consistently high since the creation of Police Scotland. The front line of policing goes beyond uniformed officers on the street. [It] includes officers working in less visible but vital areas which protect the public, such as preventing and investigating serious and organised crime, cybercrime and abuse of children and vulnerable people. Paul Manafort's turncoat business partner Rick Gates told a federal court on Monday afternoon that Manafort directed him to hide millions of dollars in offshore accounts from U.S. tax collectors and to submit false financial information to banks in order to collect fraudulent loans. Gates, 46, who has already pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and faces up to 10 years in prison, appeared in a plain black suit in federal court to testify at Manafort's tax fraud trial as the prosecution's star witness on Monday. He was asked by Uzo Asonye, the prosecutor: 'Were you involved in any criminal activity with Mr Manafort?' He replied: 'Yes.' Asonye then asked: 'Did you commit any crimes with Mr Manafort?' Gates again replied: 'Yes.' As Manafort stared directly at him, Gates spoke bluntly about the criminal activity he claimed he carried out under orders from Manafort, who he first met at a Christmas party in 1995 while interning for the former Trump campaign chairman's lobbying company. Gates also admitted that he personally embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from Manafort in recent years without Manafort's knowledge by filing phony expense reports to their company DMP International. 'At Mr. Manafort's request at different points in the years we didn't disclose the foreign bank accounts [to accountants],' said Gates. 'That was in order to reduce the taxable income on [Paul Manafort's] tax returns,' he added. Stare: Paul Manafort (second from left) stared directly at his former deputy Rick Gates (right) as he gave evidence to the jury. Judge T. S. Ellis III, who had been a vocal critic of the prosecution, said little as prosecutors including Greg Andres questioned Gates Turncoat: Rick Gates was Paul Manafort's long-term deputy, including during Manafort's four-month stint as Trump campaign chair, but is now to give evidence for Robert Mueller's prosecution of his old boss Prosecutor: Assistant U.S. Attorney Uzo Asonye (standing) - who is seconded to the Robert Mueller special counsel investigation - questioned Gates. He was seen at the trial last week addressing jurors Evidence: Cynthia Laporta's testimony raised the stakes for Manafort, legal experts said. Testifying under immunity, she was the first witness to admit she knew accounting maneuvers Manafort and Gates requested of her were wrong and could be crimes Gates said Manafort ordered him to lie to accountants, and directed him to hide the company's foreign bank accounts, which housed millions of dollars the firm had earned from Manafort's Ukrainian political consulting clients. Gates also told prosecutors that he was aware his actions were illegal. He said Manafort asked him to make wire transfers from their foreign bank accounts, which were primarily based in Cyprus. According to Gates, he and Manafort contolled 12 undisclosed accounts in Cyprus, two in the Grenadines, and one in the U.K. The accounts held Manafort's income from political consulting clients in Ukraine, said Gates. He also said he did not file Foreign Bank Account Reports for DMP International, even though he knew this was illegal. 'We did not submit the proper form,' said Gates. Gates admitted to submitting false information that inflated DMP International's income in order to fraudulently obtain a loan from Citizens Bank. Gates said these activities were all done with Manafort's approval but he also admitted to keeping his Manafort in the dark while personally embezzling from the company. Gates said he submitted false expense reports to DMP International on multiple occasions. He said he did not recall how much money he stole, but estimated that it was approximately 'several hundred thousand dollars.' He also claimed he carried out financial fraud while working on an unrelated side business with a movie producer named Steve Brown, and said he inflated his personal income on his own credit card and mortgage applications. Gates admitted to multiple crimes during the hearing that the government has promised not to charge him with, ranging from embezzlement to defrauding the IRS on his personal income tax returns. As part of a plea deal, Gates previously admitted to obstruction of justice for lying to investigators and conspiracy for his involvement in financial crimes allegedly committed by Paul Manafort. But prosecutors have promised not to charge Gates with the additional crimes he publicly acknowledged in court on Monday. He was not asked if the crimes he listed were the full extent of his wrongdoing. He was not asked what evidence he had given to the Mueller probe. Gates told the court he filed phony expense reports to DMP International to embezzle money from the company without Manaforts knowledge. Gates said he did not recall exactly how much he stole, but estimated that it was approximately several hundred thousand dollars. The expenses were charged back to Manaforts clients, wealthy political patrons of Ukraines Party of Regions, according to Gates. Gates also told the court that he inflated his personal income to fraudulently obtain credit card and mortgage loans. In addition, he claimed he carried out financial fraud while working on an unrelated side business with a movie producer named Steve Brown. In that case, Gates said he wrote a phony letter to help Brown obtain an investment. In March 2016, Brown was reportedly ordered to repay a $10.5 investment to a movie investor he allegedly defrauded. Brown had reportedly lied to investors and portrayed himself as an established film producer involved in major feature length movies. He promised investors large payouts, but then swindled investors out of their money. Prosecutors said Gates disclosed these crimes to them during their approximately 20 meetings with the former political consultant over the past year. Gates is not being charged for these activities due to a plea agreement he reached with the government. Gates told the court he also lied to the government about a meeting Manafort had with an unnamed U.S. member of congress. Because of this, Gates pleaded guilty to making false statements to the government. This increased his potential jail time from five years to 10 years. According to Gates's plea agreement, the government will recommend that he face between 57 and 71 months in jail. If Gates keeps his side of the agreement, the government also agreed not to object to Gates's attorney's request for probation. Prosecutors also said they would not bring addition charges In exchange, Gates promised prosecutors in the plea deal that he would turn over evidence, cooperate as a witness, and testify in court. He said he has turned over documents, computers and phones related to the case to the government. End of the day: Kathleen Manafort, Paul Manafort's wife (right) was accompanied by friends as she left the federal courthouse in Alexandria, VA, where Rick Gates will continue his evidence on Tuesday As part of the plea agreement, the government has also dismissed a second indictment against Gates. This indictment was related to tax fraud and bank fraud he said he committed while working for Manafort. Manafort's attorneys have argued Gates committed tax fraud without Manafort's knowledge. 'We're primarily here because of one man, and that man is Rick Gates,' said Manafort's attorney Thomas Zehnle. Zehnle claimed Gates 'embezzled millions' from Manafort by paying himself fake bonuses and expenses out of their company's bank accounts, and ultimately falsified company financial documents to avoid discovery. 'Rick Gates had his hand in the cookie jar, and he couldn't let his boss find out,' claimed Zehnle. Zehnle argued Gates was trying to pin blame on Manafort because he wanted to avoid jail time and paying back taxes. Prosecutors, and their witnesses over the past week, have countered that Manafort was fully aware he was defrauding the federal government, and intentionally lied and omitted information from his tax and loan documents. Manafort's former accountant Philip Ayliff and his book keeper Heather Washkuhn told the court that Manafort was definitely in charge in his business relationship with Gates. The federal trial jury in Alexandria, Virginia, had heard testimony on Friday from Cynthia Laporta, who described how Manafort and his associate Gates doctored financial statements and backdated loans. Manafort has pleaded not guilty to 18 counts of bank and tax fraud and failing to disclose foreign bank accounts. The charges largely predate his five months on the Trump campaign but arose from U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. Manafort lawyer Kevin Downing said Gates would be the next witness called. Prosecutor Greg Andres walked into the courtroom with a binder labeled 'Richard Gates' earlier on Monday, the fifth day of the trial. Since the trial started last Tuesday, Manafort's lawyers have kept their cross-examinations brief and at times refrained from attempting to rebut damaging testimony in detail. Legal team: Thomas Zehnle (center), Manafort's attorney is trying to convince the jury that Gates was actually to blame But Laporta's testimony raised the stakes for Manafort, legal experts said. Testifying under immunity, she was the first witness to admit she knew accounting maneuvers Manafort and Gates requested of her were wrong and could be crimes. One accounting trick saved Manafort $500,000 in taxes, she said. Laporta was the 14th witness called by prosecutors before U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis. Mueller is also investigating possible coordination between Trump campaign members and Russian officials, but the charges against Manafort do not address that. Laporta detailed multiple examples in which Manafort and Gates sought to doctor financial records, first in order to lower Manafort's taxable income and then later to inflate his income so that he could get bank loans. Some of the maneuvers were at the request of Gates, while others implicated Manafort, Laporta testified. In one instance Manafort's signature was on a loan agreement created in 2015 and inappropriately backdated for the 2014 tax year, she said. Similar to prior witnesses, Laporta testified that Gates and Manafort were in lockstep but that Manafort was in charge. The jury has heard how Manafort made tens of millions of dollars for political work with pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine. Shanlon Wu, a former attorney for Gates before he pleaded guilty in February and starting cooperating with Mueller, said Monday would be a critical test of the defense's strategy of pinning the wrongdoing on Gates. 'They must make headway in separating Gates and Manafort,' Wu said. Wu said he was speaking as an observer now that he is no longer involved in the case Fox News' Jerusalem correspondent Conor Powell has announced he is resigning from the cable news network and imminently flying back to the US with his family. In a single, eye-raising post to Facebook about his seemingly abrupt departure from Fox News, he wrote: 'After nearly 9 years I have decided to resign from Fox News. Those of you who have spoken to me in recent months, you will understand why I am leaving FNC.' He continued: 'To my many friends at the channel I wish you the best of luck.' The correspondent added he is now looking for new work. He wrote: 'If anyone knows of any jobs in media and journalism please contact me.' Conor Powell, pictured on Fox News from Jerusalem, has resigned from his post with the network, and is returning with his family to the United States In a Facebook post Powell confirmed he has resigned and is heading to the United States and will be looking for work He concluded that his family will also be uprooted from his Middle East post: 'Atia, Arian and I will be back in the USA in the coming days.' While it is unclear if there was a specific catalyst behind his decision to leave the network, a source familiar with the matter speaking toThe Wrap said he was 'uncomfortable with the direction of the news organization in recent months. Fewer news shows. More opinion shows. Less resources for reporters to report'. The individual added: 'Lots of reporters are very unhappy with directions of FNC right now.' Fox News did not immediately respond to a request by DailyMail.com regarding Powell's resignation. Just last year, Middle East reporter John Huddy was abruptly fired in the wake of his sister Juliet Huddy coming forward with allegations against the network's former star Bill O'Reilly. His son Arian, and his wife Atia (pictured with him) will be returning to the US with Powell after his split from the network Juliet was no longer with the network when her allegations against O'Reilly became public. In a statement at the time, John Huddy suggested he was fired in retribution for his sister's comments. 'In my experience at FNC and to my knowledge I have never seen someone summarily fired the way I was,' John told The Wrap. 'What I have seen is Fox renewing the contracts of people accused of sexual harassment, assault, lewd behavior and fabricating stories.' U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Monday condemned a federal court decision to protect a program that shields an estimated 700,000 immigrants from deportation because their parents brought them over as minors. U.S. District Judge John Bates on Friday said the government must resume the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, though the Department of Justice has until August 23 to appeal the decision. Sessions, a Republican, said DOJ officials 'strongly disagree' with the order that blocked the agency's attempt to end DACA but stopped short of saying the government would appeal the decision. A spokesman for the DOJ officials declined to comment when contacted by DailyMail.com. Dreamers protest in front of the U.S. Capitol to urge Congress to pass the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, in December 2017 in Washington, DC 'The Department of Justice will take every lawful measure to vindicate the Department of Homeland Security's lawful rescission of DACA,' Sessions said in the statement. He criticized the Democratic Obama administration for establishing the program in 2012 through a memorandum issued by then-Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. 'The last administration violated its duty to enforce our immigration laws by directing and implementing a categorical, multipronged non-enforcement immigration policy for a massive group of illegal aliens,' Sessions said. Bates, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, in April gave the Trump administration 90 days to restate its argument to end the program benefitting a class of young immigrants also known as 'Dreamers.' In his decision Friday out of Washington D.C., Bates said the government's argument for why it should be allowed to rescind DACA 'fails to elaborate meaningfully on the agency's primary rationale for its decision: the judgement that the policy was unlawful and unconstitutional.' Sessions said Monday that the Trump administration's actions on DACA 'simply re-established the legal policies consistent with the law.' U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Monday condemned a federal court decision to protect a program that shields an estimated 700,000 immigrants from deportation because their parents brought them over as minors He asserted the government had the authority and a 'duty' to withdraw the policy laid out under Obama, which extends renewable two year grants of deferred immigration action against people who were brought to the U.S. as children. Pro-Dreamer advocates objected to Sessions' characterization and interpretation of the law. 'The Attorney General can claim that he's upholding the rule of law all he wants, but he conveniently forgets that the rule of law works when it aligns with justice,' said Juan Escalante, a spokesman America's Voice. 'Someday soon the Supreme Court will decide whether the termination of DACA is legal, but no one can convince the vast majority of Americans that doing so is just,' he added. Dreamers were only eligible if they had arrived in the country prior to their 16th birthday; attended or graduated from school; were under age 31; and had continuously resided in this country. Anyone who has been convicted of a felony or significant misdemeanour is disqualified. Sessions sought to reverse those protections in September 2017 in a letter to the Department of Homeland Security in which he said the program was 'an open-ended circumvention of immigration laws' and 'an unconstitutional exercise of authority by the Executive Branch.' Sessions also expressed frustration with several other non-specified recent court decisions related to immigration, saying the courts have 'improperly used judicial power to steer, enjoin, modify and direct executive policy.' Other recent cases include an order that the government to take responsibility for reuniting immigrant families that officials had separated at the southern U.S. border. Courts in California and New York had also previously required the federal government to continue processing DACA renewals, though the D.C. case is the only one to also apply to new applications. Despite the decision Friday, the Homeland Security website still said it would not accept new requests from Dreamers. British drug dealers in Ibiza used social media to sell the deadly party high 'hippy crack' to UK revellers at a BBC rave. Freely touting for business on Facebook and Twitter, they posted their mobile numbers for orders. The banned party drug nitrous oxide, or laughing gas was delivered to party-goers' hotels, often within an hour. 'Hippy crack' was sold at the BBC Ibiza event for as little as 22 for a box of the nitrous gas canisters. The gas is transferred to balloons and inhaled (pictured) Small silver canisters of the gas, which contributed to eight deaths in Britain last year, were sold along with 'crackers' used to transfer it into balloons, from which it is inhaled. The Daily Mail witnessed a sea of revellers get through hundreds of balloons while guzzling alcohol on the fringes of the annual Radio 1 in Ibiza event in the resort of San Antonio. One dealer who was approached on Twitter responded with a recorded message on WhatsApp within seconds. A girl with a Yorkshire accent promised to supply the drug to a hotel within 90 minutes. She said a box of gas canisters was 25 euros (22) and a 'cracker' was 15 euros (13), adding: 'We also do other bits and bobs.' The dealer, using a Twitter account called Ibiza Laughing Gas, claimed they were 'so busy with Radio 1'. British drug dealers used social media such as WhatsApp and Twitter to sell the banned party drug to revellers (pictured) with one Facebook 'review' that had 'brilliant service' Yesterday a post read: 'Radio One weekend madness means there is a shortage of crackers on the island!' Another dealer operating via Twitter and Facebook as Ibiza Balloons and The Nosfather, also responded within seconds, offering a box of 24 canisters for about 30 euros (27). He added that he was 'mad busy today' but could deliver the party drug within an hour. One 'review' crowed about 'brilliant service'. Last night Facebook thanked the Mail for alerting it to the dealer's page, which was taken down. Experts say hippy crack can be dangerous as it can cause lack of oxygen and can be fatal when combined with alcohol So-called hippy crack has become fashionable following a string of celebrities being pictured with it. Users can experience a feeling of euphoria. But experts say the substance, used in anaesthetic work, is capable of causing a potentially fatal lack of oxygen, and is particularly dangerous when combined with alcohol. Its sale has been outlawed in Spain and was banned in Britain in 2016. However, Spanish police can often only act when money is changing hands and they can prove it is being used for recreational purposes. In the meantime it is openly sold in resorts like San Antonio, where buyers are mostly young Britons. Radio 1 threw two raves outside the Cafe Mambo party venue on Friday and Sunday. The party had a perimeter fence with security. Following the Radio 1 raves the picturesque beach was strewn with hundreds of empty nitrous oxide canisters. File photo However, hundreds of revellers gathered in groups nearby to use the substance. A number were unable to stand after inhaling from several balloons. One 19-year-old said she had ordered a box of 24 canisters advertised online and had consumed four of them. Others bought the drug on the beach from migrants who also offered ecstasy pills for 10 euros (8.90) each and 'super-strength' cocaine for 70 euros (62) a gram. Following the party the picturesque beach was strewn with hundreds of empty nitrous oxide canisters, bottles and cans. Facebook said it has strict policies for removing content which breaks its rules on selling illegal drugs. 'We thank the Daily Mail for bringing these accounts to our attention, which we are investigating,' said a spokesman. The Twitter accounts remained live. Dr Liam Brennan, president of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, said the drug posed 'significant immediate and longer term risks'. A Radio 1 spokesman told MailOnline: 'Radio 1 does not condone any purchasing or consuming of drugs, with the health and safety of our audience being our first priority. Robust search procedures were in place at this event, with no arrests or incidents reported.' A new expose has pushed the scandal-plagued NBC back onto center stage as sources claim the network knew far more about Matt Lauer then it let on. The peacock network is under fire once again after sources told Esquire that NBC was a 'boys club' and 'had to have known something' about Lauer's behavior. They include former Today show assistant Addie Zinone, who had an affair with Lauer in 2000 after he repeatedly sent her flirtatious messages at work. Esquire's expose paints a picture of a network that was willing to protect its golden boy until the he threatened to be the biggest of a growing number of NBC scandals. NBC is under fire once again after sources told Esquire that the peacock network was a 'boys club' and 'had to have known something' about Matt Lauer's alleged sexual misconduct Esquire's expose paints a picture of a network that was willing to protect its golden boy until the he threatened to be the biggest in a growing number of NBC scandals. Lauer is pictured here in December 2017, shortly after the allegations came to light A senior NBC source revealed to Esquire that several executives 'directly' confronted Lauer on 'different occasions' before the scandal broke. 'We sat down with him, looked him in the eye and said "Is there anything you can think of that even you don't consider to be harassment that might fall into this category?"' the source recalled. 'And every one of those times he said "There's nothing"'. On a couple of occasions, he said, "I've been racking my brain". Those were his words.' And Ken Auletta, a journalist and media critic, who has covered NBC for 25 plus years, said 'people knew' about Lauer's behavior for years. 'People [inside the network] know a lot more than people outside do and gossip a lot more and resent a lot more (a) because they think it's wrong or (b) because they're jealous or (c) because how the f**k is this guy getting away with it?' he said. The allegations against Lauer came to light amid news that NBC had dropped Ronan Farrow's story about Harvey Weinstein. That same month, MSNBC's Mark Halperin was fired after several women accused him of sexual harassment while he was at ABC. So when a colleague - whose identity has not been released - alleged Lauer had drawn her into an improper sexual relationship, the network's reaction was swift. Among the sources are former Today show assistant Addie Zinone (pictured in December), who had an affair with Lauer in 2000 after he repeatedly sent her flirtatious messages at work NBC revealed in November 2017 after one of Lauer's colleagues alleged he drew her into an improper sexual relationship. The news was announced on-air by Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb (pictured after the segment) Lauer admitted to the sexual relationship - albeit denying that he was coercive - and NBC News chairman Andy Lack fired the Today show host at his $7million Manhattan apartment that same night. Thirty-six hours after the woman reported Lauer to the network, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb announced his termination live on-air. 'We received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace by Matt Lauer,' the statement read. 'It represented, after serious review, a clear violation of our company's standards. As a result, we've decided to terminate his employment.' People [inside the network] know a lot more than people outside do and gossip a lot more and resent a lot more. 'While it is the first complaint about his behavior in the over twenty years he's been at NBC News, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident.' The statements effectively ended Lauer's 20-year career as a co-host of Today and cost him the remaining $30million left in his contract. But NBC's words surprised insiders who had heard whispers of Lauer's behavior for months as three major news outlets began working on stories regarding the allegations. Variety would go on to report claims from three different women who said they were sexually harassed by Lauer and had all complained to management. One woman accused Lauer of exposing himself before reprimanding her for not engaging in a sex act. Another said she was gifted a sex toy by Lauer, who included an 'explicit note about how he wanted to use it on her'. Lauer admitted to the sexual relationship and NBC News chairman Andy Lack (pictured) fired the Today show host at his own $7million Manhattan apartment that same night Then there was Zinone, who began a weeks-long affair with Lauer after he began messaging her on the network's own IM system. 'I hope you won't drag me to personnel for saying this, but you look fantastic,' Lauer wrote Zinone, who was 20 years his junior. Lauer's wife Annette Roque filed for divorce after the scandal broke. It was later revealed Lauer had an affair with Zinone in 2000, two years after he and Roque tied the knot 'OK...NOW YOU'RE KILLING ME. YOU LOOK GREAT TODAY! A BIT TOUGH TO CONCENTRATE!' another one read in all caps. The messages came just two years after Lauer tied the knot to his second wife Annette Roque, who filed for divorce after the scandal broke. Zinone recalled to Esquire how, shortly after receiving the messages, Lauer invited her to lunch. 'You became such friends with everybody else but not with me,' he told Zinone, who was leaving the network to become a newsreader at a West Virginia affiliate. 'And it gets into, "Oh, I'm such an old guy". He turned it on so that I would sort of be like, "Oh Matt, come on, you know that's not true". I was like perfect prey.' Minutes after they returned to work Lauer messaged her again on the network's system, pleading and insisting that she get intimate with him in a room at the studio. Zinone said that, in another instance, Lauer asked her to come to his office and tried to become intimate right then and there in the middle of work. 'He pushed the button to shut the door. And then I was like, "Matt, [she] is out there"', Zinone recalled, speaking of his assistant. 'But it's like it didn't matter. I mean, nothing happened. He tried. But I was like, "Oh, no. No. No. Like, are you kidding? There are people right outside"'. Zinone became convinced that people at NBC knew about the affair after a segment was squashed, years later, about her work in Iraq with the Army's media unit. She learned that a producer had not only rejected the segment, but began speaking poorly about Zinone for 'no apparent reason'. As stories began to unfurl about Lauer at the end of 2017, a 2012 clip from Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens resurfaced in which Katie Couric said he 'pinches me on the a** a lot' And another video showed a moment during a Today commercial break in which Lauer told Meredith Vieira to 'keep bending over like that. It's a nice view' '[They] had to have known something,' she said. 'Why not just say, "Nah, that's not a story I'm interested in?'" As stories began to unfurl about Lauer at the end of 2017, many called to light a 2008 Friars Club roast in which his sexual behavior was the subject of numerous jokes. 'The whole theme was that he does the show and then he has sex with people, with employees,' MSNBC's Joe Scarborough recalled on-air after Lauer was fired. 'So was this whispered behind closed doors? No. It was shouted from the mountaintops and everyone laughed about it.' A 2012 clip from Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens also resurfaced in which Katie Couric quipped that Lauer 'pinches me on the a** a lot'. Was this whispered behind closed doors? No. It was shouted from the mountaintops and everyone laughed about it. And another video showed a moment during a Today commercial break in which Lauer told Meredith Vieira to 'keep bending over like that. It's a nice view'. NBC only raised even more eyebrows when it was revealed that the company had hired its own legal counsel to investigate the allegations surrounding Lauer and how much the network knew. The final report claimed that NBC had only received information about 'three additional women' who were harassed by Lauer 'within two weeks' of his firing. It claimed that no senior executives at the network had received 'any complaints about Lauer's workplace behavior prior to November 27', conceding only that the anchor 'could be flirtatious' and openly engaged 'in sexually-oriented banter in the workplace'. Lauer has fled to his home in the Hamptons since the scandal broke. He is pictured here picking up his son's lunch from a local deli in December 2017 Ari Wilkenfeld, the lawyer for the NBC colleague who accused Lauer in November, was baffled by the network's decision. 'Anyone who was afraid to talk before the investigation is not likely to speak up when attorneys from inside their company try to interview them,' he said. Meanwhile, other NBC sources said that, in the days after Lauer's firing, the network was solely focused on making he didn't tarnish their reputation. 'That was all they cared about,' one source said, noting how one of the first things NBC did after the scandal broke was remove Lauer from all promotional materials. 'No one for one second thought to ask us how we were doing.' Veteran broadcast correspondent Mark Feldstein, who worked at NBC for two years, said all evidence suggests a 'really troubling culture' at the network. 'Truth...is what a news organization values above all else,' he said. 'Truth in owning up to sexual misconduct. Truth in reporting what it knows about.' 'All of this shakes the public credibility of NBC News as an independent journalistic institution.' President Donald Trump's administration is in danger of wasting billions of dollars on his border wall and has already misused $20 million on eight prototype walls that won't be built, it was revealed Monday in a Government Accountability Office study. The GAO report slammed the Department of Homeland Security for 'proceeding without key information' in a risk of wasted time and money on the president's signature campaign promise. 'DHS faces an increased risk that the Border Wall System Program will cost more than projected, take longer than planned, or not fully perform as expected,' the GAO report stated. President Donald Trump holds a photo of the border area as he reviews border wall prototypes in March in San Diego Eight different prototypes of a wall were built and none were deemed feasible The border wall prototypes are under went a testing and evaluation phase Additionally the report found that $20 million was spent on contractors to build eight prototypes of the wall that Congress determined are not feasible. None of the designs - which include four concrete walls - are project-ready, the GAO concluded. The four concrete options would have 'extensive' challenges if they were built only the border terrain. Two of the non-concrete designs were rated tough to build. The government says it won't adopt any of the eight designs and, instead, will try to incorporate those into future wall-building plans. DHS also failed to document its plans for a section of the proposed wall in San Diego as required, the report found. DHS official Jim Crumpacker pushed back on the report's findings. 'It is misleading and inaccurate for GAO to say that progress is not being documented or to imply that progress is not being tracked,' he wrote in a letter included with the GAO report. Crumpacker also disagreed that DHS should analyze costs before looking at operational risks. 'There is nothing in the guidance prohibiting an approach that first looks at the operational priorities based on risks/threats,' he said. Democratic lawmakers commissioned the report in order to assess the administration's progress on Trump's plan to build the wall, which is estimated to cost around $25 billion. President Donald Trump inspects border wall prototypes in San Diego in March It costs $20 million for eight border wall prototypes A GAO study concluded none of the prototypes could be built along the whole border A House spending bill released last month offers $5 billion to build the wall, while the Senate version contains $1.6 billion. Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson, one of the lawmakers who requested the GAO report, said in a statement 'to be blunt, this Administration has no clue what it is doing and must be held accountable.' He added: 'At this point, spending billions on the President's wall is just a gift to contractors and the President's political base.' Boys play around, climbing the border division between Mexico and the U.S. in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico Aerial picture taken with a drone of the urban fencing on the border between the U.S. and Mexico in Tecate The nearly 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexican border already has fencing along 654 of those miles. Trump has yet to secure the government funded necessary to complete the project. The GAO report recommended 'that DHS analyze the costs associated with future barrier segments and include that analysis in future planning, and document plans for the planned secondary barrier replacement in the San Diego sector.' DHS concurred with the recommendations. Britain will do all it can to block Donald Trumps sanctions on Iran, it was announced last night. The UK has joined forces with the EU to take immediate action to preserve peace in the wake of US sanctions, which came into force yesterday after it backed out of the Iran nuclear deal. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt issued a joint statement with EU foreign ministers on their determination to protect European businesses working with Iranian companies. They warned that the deal is a key element of the plan for global nuclear non-proliferation, and is crucial for the security of Europe, the region, and the entire world. The intervention is likely to enrage Mr Trump, who announced in May he was pulling out of the nuclear deal signed by Barack Obama in 2015. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt (pictured) issued a joint statement with EU foreign ministers on their determination to protect European businesses working with Iranian companies Going against the advice of European allies, he re-imposed economic sanctions from before the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Mr Trump said the international accord to freeze Irans nuclear programme in return for lifting sanctions was a horrible, one-sided deal claiming it had left Tehran flush with cash to fuel conflict in the Middle East. We urge all nations to take such steps to make clear that the Iranian regime faces a choice: either change its threatening, de-stabilising behaviour and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation, he said. He warned that those who do not wind down economic ties to Iran risk severe consequences. The re-imposition of US sanctions on Iran has driven the biggest wedge yet between Europe and Washington. Last nights EU joint statement spoke of ministers deep regret about Mr Trumpss withdrawal. It said: The lifting of nuclear-related sanctions is an essential part of the deal it aims at having a positive impact not only on trade and economic relations with Iran, but most importantly on the lives of the Iranian people. We are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran, in accordance with EU law and with UN Security Council Resolution 2231. This is why the European Unions updated Blocking Statute enters into force on 7 August to protect EU companies doing legitimate business with Iran from the impact of US extra-territorial sanctions. President Donald Trump makes a statement on Iran in the White House in October last year The statement stressed that the JCPOA goal is to ensure the Iranian programme remains exclusively peaceful, and that this has been confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 11 consecutive reports and is expected to continue. JCPOA partners will continue to maintain financial channels and oil and gas export relationships with Iran, and these efforts will be intensified in the coming weeks. It added: Preserving the nuclear deal with Iran is a matter of respecting international agreements and a matter of international security. It came after US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said renewed US sanctions on Iran will be rigorously enforced and remain in place until they see enormous change on the part of the Iranian regime. In response, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani claimed the US had launched psychological warfare against Iran. Last night the US dismissed the EUs move. A senior administration official said Brussels imposition of a blocking statute protecting European businesses trading with Iran was not something were particularly concerned by. A cabinet minister faced a furious backlash yesterday after saying the Tories must build homes in the countryside or they will hand power to Jeremy Corbyn. Liz Truss, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said planning laws should be ripped up as she complained about the number of Nimbys in Britain. The outspoken minister said 'a lot more' sites needed to be opened up. She also called for those living in cities to be allowed to add extra floors to their homes without needing permission. Miss Truss argued the house-building overhaul was needed to keep Mr Corbyn out of Downing Street at the next election. Liz Truss argued the house-building overhaul was needed to keep Jeremy Corbyn (pictured) out of Downing Street at the next election But Tory colleagues warned the party would be 'run out of office' if it went ahead with 'catastrophic' proposals that fail to protect rural Britain and the green belts around London and other major cities. The row comes a day after campaigners warned the green belt is already being 'gobbled up at an alarming rate' to build thousands of homes. A report from the Campaign to Protect Rural England, published yesterday, showed plans for almost 460,000 homes have been pencilled in for green belt land since 2013 as councils lift planning protections, opening the way for developers. Asked in an interview whether she would you be happy to 'start paving over our green and pleasant land', Miss Truss replied: 'I do think we need to open up more land for building, a lot more. There are a lot Nimbys in Britain.' Questioned on whether there are many 'not in my backyard' objectors in her own party, she said: 'There are, but I think it is a dwindling number. 'People recognise the choice is building on more greenfield sites and making sure there are enough homes for next generation or losing the election and ending up with Jeremy Corbyn, whose policy appears to be appropriating property. Liz Truss, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said planning laws should be ripped up as she complained about the number of Nimbys in Britain 'So I know which one I'd choose it's having more homes available on the open market for people of whatever generation to afford.' The minister added: 'I also think we need to make it easier to build up in cities. I quite like the Japanese system where essentially you can build up on top of your house without having to get extra planning permission. I think we need to be more liberal about these policies.' Miss Truss, who was appointed second-in-command at the Treasury last June after previously serving as justice secretary and environment secretary, said in the interview with the Financial Times' politics podcast that she would one day like to be the country's first female chancellor. 'Well, who would say no to that?' she said. But when asked if she would like to be prime minister, Miss Truss, who is MP for South West Norfolk, replied: 'I'm not sure about that one.' Tory former minister Crispin Blunt last night warned the party it would suffer an electoral 'catastrophe' if it does not protect the green belt. The MP for Reigate, who is co-chairman of the all-party parliamentary group for London's green belt, said Conservative local councillors already faced being 'run out of office' in areas where ministers had raised housebuilding targets. 'Residents' associations are going off their rocket,' he said. Mr Blunt said trying to meet demand in the South East was 'sucking the best and brightest out of the North'. Hindering development in the South-East would encourage growith in the North, he added. Tom Fyans of the CPRE said: 'We agree that there is a severe lack of affordable homes available for people to buy and rent. 'However, what Liz Truss fails to recognise is that, opening up the green belt will not solve this issue. Tory former minister Crispin Blunt (pictured) last night warned the party it would suffer an electoral 'catastrophe' if it does not protect the green belt 'Almost three quarters of the homes built on green belt land last year were unaffordable.' He said the 'perfect solution' to 'this barbaric assault on the green belt' was to use brownfield land to its full capacity. The CPRE's report showed there are plans for almost 460,000 homes on green belt land. Green belt areas can be built on if councils grant planning permission directly or remove the land's official status. Both methods have been used. Only 70 houses or flats were built in the green belt in 2009/10 compared with 8,143 in 2017/18. Miss Truss has become one of the most prominent advocates in the Cabinet for free market liberalism. Earlier this year, she attracted attention for a speech in which she appeared to ridicule the Prime Minister's plan to ban plastic straws. The three Muslim mothers who were found on a New Mexico compound on Friday with 11 starving children have been pictured in their mugshots after being charged with child abuse. Sisters Hujrah Wahhaj, 38, and Subhanah Wahhaj, 35, were charged along with their sister-in-law Jany Leveille, 35 on Sunday, two days after police first said they had been 'brainwashed' by the men at the compound. The men are Siraj Wahhaj, 39. He is a brother two of the women and is married to Leveille. Also arrested was Lucas Morton, Subhanah's husband. Siraj has been missing since December when he vanished from Georgia with his three-year-old disabled son, AG. Police say he planned to perform an exorcism on the boy who he believed was possessed. AG cannot walk or talk due to a condition caused by brain damage at birth. Police who were looking for him and and his father had been monitoring the compound in New Mexico but it was not until a message from one of the victims inside emerged to say they were 'starving' that authorities finally went in. The message was intercepted by Taos County Sheriff's Office. It read: 'We are starving and need food and water.' Sisters Subhanah Wahhaj, 35, (left) and Hujrah Wahhaj, 38, (right) were arrested on Sunday Jany Leveille, who also goes by the name Maryam, was also arrested for child abuse on Sunday Authorities will not say how the message was delivered or who gave it to them but Sheriff Hogrefe said it meant he could not wait any longer for federal authorities to move in on the site. Sheriff Hogrefe said on Friday that the family was considered 'extremist of the Muslim belief'. The Wahhaj siblings are the children of the Imam Siraj Wahhaj, 68, who is the leader of the Muslim Alliance of North America. They have been missing together since at least January when their father appealed for information of their whereabouts on social media. On Friday, Wahhaj was found in the compound with an AR-15 rifle, five magazines loaded with 30 rounds and four loaded pistols. Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, 39, had an AR-15 rifle, 150 rounds of ammunition and four loaded pistols at the site. He has been on the run since December when he vanished with his three-year-old disabled son from Georgia. The toddler was not found. His brother-in-law Lucas Morton (right) was also charged with harboring a fugitive. He is married to Siraj's sister Subhanah This is the New Mexico compound where 11 children were found on Friday being held by their Muslim extremist father and uncle, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, along with their parents Not found was Wahhaj's three-year-old son AG who cannot walk or talk due to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, a condition caused by brain damage. Siraj's three-year-old son AG, who has hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and requires daily medication, has been missing since December and was not at the compound When police closed in on the property on Friday, his father initially refused to follow orders. Police worried that the raid would end violently because of the fact he was so heavily armed. 'We had learned the occupants were most likely heavily armed and considered extremist of the Muslim belief. 'We also knew from the layout of the compound they would have an advantage if we didnt deploy tactfully and quickly,' Sheriff Hogrefe of the Taos County Sheriff Department said in a statement. The children had been at the site for months without food and were so skinny their ribs were showing. The only food found on the compound was a box of rice and some potatoes. Sheriff Hogrefe described the conditions as the saddest he had ever seen in 30 years of police work. 'We all gave the kids our water and what snacks we had it was the saddest living conditions and poverty I have seen,' he said, adding that the children looked like 'third world refugees.' The conditions inside the compound were described by police as the worst they had seen in 30 years There was no food at the compound and the children had terrible personal hygiene, police said Amalia is 145 miles northeast of Albuquerque and in an isolated high-desert area near the New Mexico-Colorado border 'I've been a cop for 30 years. I've never seen anything like this. Unbelievable. 'They were skinny, their ribs showed, they were in very poor hygiene and very scared. 'They had 'no shoes, personal hygiene and basically dirty rags for clothing,' he told ABC. Siraj Wahhaj has been on the run since December when he vanished with AG after telling his mother he was taking him to the park. AG's mother Hakima Ramzi has made desperate social media appeals to find her son again. Her friends have also set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for the search. The family has been missing since January when their father, Imam Siraj Wahhaj, appealed for information about them on Facebook The children's grandfather is Imam Siraj Wahhaj, the leader of the Muslim Alliance of North America and the leader of a mosque in Brooklyn, New York City Sisters Hujrah (left) and Subhana (right) are pictured. They grew up in New York City and relocated to the South with their brother in 2014 The toddler suffers from seizures, developmental delay, wears braces on his legs, cannot walk, and requires daily medication. His parents were married for 15 years until he vanished in December. In a Facebook plea for information about her son and husband's whereabouts, Ramzi appealed directly to Subhannah, one of the three mothers found on the compound. She said: 'It's not about you. AG's mother Hakima Ramzi was married to his father without incident for 15 years, she said. She has been pleading for AG's return since December and is seen above in a Facebook video appealing for help to find them 'This is all about my son. 'He needs his medication. My worry is not about Subhannah and her kids. My worry is about my son because he is sick. 'He needs his medication, he needs everything. I don't know if he is alive. Please, please, please, I need your help. 'I need my son back to me and then I will leave you alone,' she said. Wahhaj is the son of Imam Surraj Wahhaj, 68, who belongs to the Masjid At Taqwa mosque in Brooklyn, New York. The earliest record of him in the United States dates back to 1983. It is not clear where he lived beforehand or if he was born in the US. In January, his father pleaded for information about their whereabouts. 'Dear Brothers and Sisters, please make duas for the safe return of our children and grandchildren: Siraj, Hujrah, Subhanah Wahhaj, son in law Luqman (Lucas) Morton, and daughter in law Maryam (Jany) Leveille and their children (our 12 grandchildren). 'We believe they may be traveling together,' he said in a Facebook post. He has not commented on his children's arrest. Imam Wahhaj is the leader of The Muslim Alliance in North America. Police are still looking for three-year-old AG. The actor who played Goldberg the goalie in The Mighty Ducks was arrested for public intoxication over the weekend in Northern California. TMZ reports Shaun Weiss was busted around 1am Saturday in Oroville, but police cut him a break and released him without citation after he spent a few hours in the drunk tank. Weiss's rough mugshot is a far cry from the fresh face he displayed on camera in the three-part Ducks franchise in the 90s. Scroll down for video Shaun Weiss, the actor who played Goldberg in The Mighty Ducks, was arrested for public intoxication on Saturday in Oroville, California Weiss is pictured right in the second installment of the Mighty Ducks franchise in 1994 The 38-year-old is no stranger to brushes with law enforcement, having been served time for theft and drug possession in two separate instances last year. In July 2017 he was arrested for stealing $151-worth of products from an electronics store and was sentenced to 150 days in jail. He ended up only serving 12 days of that sentence due to overcrowding. Five days after his release, Weiss was arrested again for possession of suspected methamphetamine possession following reports of a man stumbling around yards near the Warner Bros studio lot in Burbank. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail in August. An Iraqi refugee with a recent and 'lengthy' criminal history has been charged with shooting a Colorado police officer in the head. Karrar Noaman Al Khammasi, 31, was charged with attempted murder and is being held without bail after allegedly shooting Colorado Springs, Colorado officer Cem Duzel in the head in the early morning of August 2. Duzel is said to be in stable condition as of Saturday. Al Khammasi was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries following the alleged shooting. Karrar Noaman Al Khammasi, 31, was charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting Colorado Springs, Colorado officer Cem Duzel in the head in the early morning of August 2 The Colorado Springs Gazette reported that Al Khammasi's criminal record includes a felony guilty plea to first-degree trespassing and a probation violation that brought a year-and-a-half-long prison sentence. Al Khammasi was apparently due to be deported in 2016, but wasn't after an immigration judge stopped the deportation due to changes in the law, the Gazette reported. Al Khammasi was also charged earlier this year for allegedly possessing a stolen handgun. His hospitalization caused him to miss a court appearance on that gun charge, which had been scheduled for Friday. A Department of Homeland Security official told Fox News that Al Khammasi received RE1 refugee status in 2012, traveling to the US from Turkey to Chicago, Illinois. Al Khammasi has been residing in the US since then. The official said that Al Khammasi's 'lengthy criminal background' dates back to November 05, 2013. Along with his trespassing and handgun charges, in addition to his parole violations, he also has charges including criminal extortion, assault and contempt of court. Police investigate the scene of Al Khammasi's alleged shooting of Colorado Springs Police Officer Cem Duzel on August 2, which left the officer in critical condition Al Khammasi's latest criminal charge is said to have been as recent as January 9. In 2013, the year after he arrived in the US, he was charged with drunk driving. About a month later, he was charged with criminal extortion for allegedly setting a car on fire and threatening a man and his family. In 2014, he was charged with first-degree trespassing of a dwelling. He pleaded guilty and received two years probation. Al Khammasi was said to have been on an immigration hold at the time. Immigration holds typically mean that jail facilities are told to transfer prisoners into federal custody at the end of their jail term, instead of releasing them. In January 2018, Al Khammasi was arrested for allegedly being in possession of a stolen handgun. He is said to have posted the $1,000 cash bail in February and was out in public until the Duzel was shot on August 2. Despite the charges and his criminal history, Al Khammasi was never deported. It is unclear how he managed to evade deportation. Court records showed that Al Khammasi had bee living in Colorado's Pikes Peak region for the past five years. Villagers who turned detective to catch a tyre slasher were left furious when the case was thrown out because of blunders by police and prosecutors. After two years of attacks on vehicles in a rural North Yorkshire village, local police had been unable to catch the culprit. So residents in Carlton Miniott rigged up surveillance cameras. Within days, they managed to film the vandal and handed their footage to police. Bryn Richards, 54, was hauled before court after allegedly being caught on CCTV, pictured, puncturing a tyre in a North Yorkshire village Residents in Carlton Miniott rigged up surveillance cameras after claiming vandalism had been going on for two years. Pictured is the footage which appears to show Mr Richards walking past one of the affected vehicles The case against Mr Richards, pictured outside court, was thrown out after an application by his lawyer Keith Allen because of paperwork issues All that needed to be done was to interview and charge the suspect, Bryn Richards, 54, and present the evidence, shot in February, to a court. But, at Harrogate Magistrates' Court yesterday, the case was thrown out after an application by Mr Richards' lawyer Keith Allen. The court heard an officer, PC Steve Smallman, signed off a case summary but the paperwork was not completed. And the CPS did not submit the CCTV evidence on time, with Mr Allen only seeing it for the first time on the day of the trial. Magistrate Marion Simon said: 'The bench has to make clear we are appalled at the way this case has been handled by the CPS and the police.' After the hearing, John Sharphouse, the owner of the car seen damaged on the film footage, said: 'I can't really believe what I have just seen. 'They couldn't have had clearer evidence, what do you have to do to see someone punished?' The footage allegedly showed Mr Richards, a grandfather, pause while walking his dog to lean down and puncture the tyre of a parked car. The court heard an officer, PC Steve Smallman, signed off a case summary but the paperwork was not completed At Harrogate Magistrates' Court (pictured) he denied criminal damage, claiming it was a case of mistaken identity Mr Richards, a mechanic, from nearby village Sandhutton, was charged with eight counts of criminal damage. But the CPS withdrew seven and only proceeded with the one caught on CCTV. He denied criminal damage, claiming it was a case of mistaken identity. After the case, Mr Richards left the court without making a comment. A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: 'We're sorry we let the villagers down in this case. We acknowledge the magistrate's comments and we recognise that we should have done better.' Two men are being sought by police for beating a Sikh man and spray-painting a racist message on his truck in what they're calling a hate crime. Surjit Malhi told KOVR-TV that he was putting up campaign signs for Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Calif., at night when two men ambushed him, throwing sand in his eyes before beating him in the head, shoulders and neck on July 31. The incident occurred in Keyes, California, about 90 miles east of San Francisco. Surjit Malhi (pictured), 50, said that he was attacked at night by two men in what police are treating as a hate crime After police say the two suspects beat Malhi about the head, shoulders and neck, they spray-painted 'go back to your country' on his along with a 'white supremacist' symbol (pictured) 'This is a heinous crime, and we are actively investigating it,' Sheriff Sgt. Tom Letras told the Modesto Bee. Malhi, 50, said the men screamed at him to 'go back to your country' before spray-painting the same message and a white nationalist symbol on his truck. The symbol has been categorized by the Anti-Defamation League as a 'white supremacist version of the Celtic Cross.' Malhi was putting up campaign signs Rep. Jeff Denham (pictured), R-Calif. on July 31 when the incident occurred in Keyes, California The men were wearing black hoods and had blue eyes, he said. 'I'm American, 100 percent,' Malhi said. 'This is my country. If you are a real American and you love America, you should not do that. That is not the American way.' Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson told The Modesto Bee that the assault is being investigated as a hate crime. 'This is a random despicable criminal act against a member of the Sikh community,' Christianson said. Malhi said he believes the turban he was wearing saved his life during the attack, saying it softened the blows to his head. 'It's very scary,' said Malhi, who said he has been experiencing headaches and dizzy spells since the attack. The Sikh Coalition reported an increase in violence and discrimination against Sikh Americans after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, with more than 300 cases reported throughout the U.S. in just one month. In March, the collation said there has been another 'alarming recent spike' in hate crimes against Sikhs, with an estimated one a week since the beginning of 2018. In January, two men were sentenced to three years in prison for the beating of a Sikh man in the San Francisco Bay Area. In March, a Sikh man in Seattle said a man shot him in the arm in his driveway after telling him to go back to his country. In 2012, a man shot and killed six Sikh worshippers and wounded four others at a Sikh temple near Milwaukee before killing himself. Desmond de Silva QC, who was one of the first barristers to earn 1 million a year and reputedly had foie gras flown out to his hotel in West Africa while prosecuting a case there Few have lived more exuberantly than Sir Desmond de Silva QC, who was one of the first barristers to earn 1 million a year and reputedly had foie gras flown out to his hotel in West Africa while prosecuting a case there. But I can disclose there has been a bizarre and distressing postscript to de Silvas remarkable life: more than ten weeks after his death from heart failure, aged 78, a death certificate has yet to be issued meaning that he remains unburied, as no interment is permitted without it. It is too, too ghastly, says his younger sister, Helga de Silva Blow Perera, from her home in Sri Lanka, where she and Desmond grew up with visits from family friends such as Gandhi and Indias first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and where Lord Mountbatten came to Sunday lunch. Helga adds that de Silvas daughter, Victoria his only child by ex-wife Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia has explained to her that the coroner is continuing inquiries, though no further details are currently available. A family friend says that de Silvas health faltered last year, not long after he published his memoirs, Madam, Where Are Your Mangoes? He was in hospital for months all over Christmas, Im told. I can disclose there has been a bizarre and distressing postscript to de Silvas remarkable life: more than ten weeks after his death from heart failure, aged 78, a death certificate has yet to be issued meaning that he remains unburied, as no interment is permitted without it But de Silva did manage to pay a final visit to Sri Lanka. My brother came to see me to say goodbye, says Helga. He looked out at the mountain where he grew up. There was no outward emotion. But he was vulnerable. He did not want anyone to know that he was coming. He knew he might not make it. De Silva married Princess Katarina, 21 years his junior, in 1987, but they divorced in 2010 after he announced to her that she wasnt intelligent enough for him. In his memoirs, he recalled how he evaded death in 1981 when prosecuting the ringleaders of a Marxist coup in The Gambia: pouring himself a glass of brandy in his hotel room, he noticed that it was discoloured and decided against drinking it. Analysis later showed that it had been lethally poisoned. Glamorous gran-to-be Tamara does a Bianca Nineties It-girl Tamara Beckwith is soon to become a grandmother, but her penchant for wild parties remains undiminished. Nineties It-girl Tamara Beckwith is soon to become a grandmother, but her penchant for wild parties remains undiminished At the weekend, the 48-year-old attended the birthday party of Italian socialite Magda Pozzo at a Studio 54 pop-up in Ibiza with Luther star Idris Elba. Sporting an electric pink playsuit, Tamara re-enacted one of clubbings most enduring legends when, in 1977, Bianca Jagger straddled a white horse in New Yorks Studio 54. Too much fun on that rocking horse, wrote Tamara, whose daughter Anouska, 31, is expecting her first child this summer. The late Princess Margaret could be outmatched for unpleasantness by her husband, Lord Snowdon, according to a new documentary. Speaking in A Tale Of Two Sisters: Elizabeth II And Princess Margaret, to be screened next week on the Yesterday history channel, royal biographer Sarah Bradford, Viscountess Bangor, 79, says: It was a very close relationship, and although she was a princess and he wasnt a royal, I think he had the upper hand and as things got worse, he was better at being nasty than she was. The late Princess Margaret could be outmatched for unpleasantness by her husband, Lord Snowdon, according to a new documentary Corkscrew-haired TV historian Suzannah Lipscomb appears to have undergone a drastic makeover. Sharing a selfie online, the Tudor expert, 39, reveals shes straightened out her mane. About once a year, my hairdresser blow-dries my hair straight, she says. Its such hard work that I have to warn him in advance so he doesnt workout his shoulders in the gym the day before. Then for three glorious days, I walk around with spun gold, until I wash it and the curls magically reappear. In those three days, even old friends dont recognise me. A former police officer in the Jonathan King case who is now a TV documentary reporter offered to sell the names of the pop moguls victims, according to a judge. Investigative reporter Mark Williams-Thomas, who made his name in a documentary exposing Jimmy Savile, has claimed to have solved a number of high-profile cases, including the murder of TV host Jill Dando. But yesterday his professional reputation was called into question after Judge Deborah Taylor delivered a withering assessment of his previous work for Surrey Police on the King case. before he left the force in October 2000 Mr Williams-Thomas was the detective who interviewed the first man to accuse King of sexual assault. He was subsequently accused and acquitted of blackmail in an unrelated case. Yesterday the judge said: During the investigation into that offence a document was found on his computer offering for sale names and introductions to victims of Mr King. Investigative reporter Mark Williams-Thomas, who made his name in a documentary exposing Jimmy Savile, has claimed to have solved a number of high-profile cases There was also information that prior to Mr Kings arrest, Williams-Thomas said that he had been provided by a journalist with information about King. Williams-Thomas left taking his contemporaneous notebooks of his involvement with inquiries into Mr King with him. No attempts had been made to obtain them, although it is the Crowns position that he should not have taken them with him as they were the property of Surrey Police. The judge added that it had been suggested there was deliberate concealment of his previous prosecution and of the documents indicating attempts to gain financial advantage from selling details of Mr Kings case. Yesterday Mr Williams-Thomas denied ever knowing the victims identities, or offering them for sale. The ex-officer, who is working with Simon Cowells production company on a crime investigation series, said: I have for the first time today been made aware that my name has been mentioned in a ruling by HHJ Deborah Taylor in the case against Jonathan King. I am with immediate effect making contact with the CPS to seek clarification on these matters. Selling victims details would constitute an offence of misconduct in a public office. The maximum penalty is life in prison. Paul Manafort's deputy Rick Gates told a federal court Monday that he has revealed several other crimes to Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation beyond those his old boss is charged with. The bombshell evidence will set off a new guessing game in Washington D.C. and beyond. Gates was deputy to Manafort during his long-time boss's four months as Donald Trump's campaign chairman and was involved in all of his business dealings for years. He was at Manafort's side at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland where Trump accepted the nomination, and was seen on stage as Ivanka Trump prepared for the speech she delivered before her father's acceptance speech. Gates also revealed that the Mueller probe had said it would not oppose him if he applied for probation for the two crimes he pleaded guilty to in February - conspiracy against the United States and obstructing justice by lying to FBI agents. The two could have seen him jailed for up to ten years. After giving evidence on Monday he left the court room carrying a Dan Brown novel, His evidence was expected to resume on Tuesday and last up to three hours. Stare: Paul Manafort (second from left) stared directly at his former deputy Rick Gates (right) as he gave evidence to the jury. Judge T. S. Ellis III, who had been a vocal critic of the prosecution, said little as prosecutors including Greg Andres questioned Gates End of the day: Kathleen Manafort, Paul Manafort's wife (right) was accompanied by friends as she left the federal courthouse in Alexandria, VA, where Rick Gates will continue his evidence on Tuesday Key place: Rick Gates (left) was there as Ivanka Trump practiced for her speech ahead of her father's acceptance speech in Cleveland, at the Republican National Convention Turncoat: Rick Gates was Paul Manafort's long-term deputy, including during Manafort's four-month stint as Trump campaign chair, but is now to give evidence for Robert Mueller's prosecution of his old boss Much of Manafort's business when Gates worked with him as his deputy was in Eastern Europe, where he became an adviser to Viktor Yanukovych, a powerful pro-Putin Ukrainian politician who became president of the country but was toppled after widespread protests. They also worked for Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch close to Putin who has not been mentioned at the trial, and who is subject to sanctions for his links to the Kremlin. But the full extent of who Manafort dealt with and how remains unclear. His rise to prominence goes back to the 1970s and Gates testified that he had known Manafort since 1995, when he began as an intern at his lobbying company, then called Black, Manafort, Stone and Kelly. Manafort left that company around that time, but Gates was reunited with him around ten years later when he went to work at Manafort's new firm, DMP International. Gates's political work with Trump was not covered in court at all, where the judge has agreed to a ban on mention of the president's name in case it prejudices the jury in a heavily anti-Trump area against Manafort. But after Manafort was removed from his role as Trump campaign chair in August 2016, Gates remained involved. He is known to have been a fundraiser for America First Policies, a pro-Trump super PAC, and then was involved in the inauguration committee. The Daily Beast reported that he then worked for Tom Barrack, a Trump friend who chaired the inauguration committee, and was only terminated in October 2017. Gates, 46, who has already pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and faces up to 10 years in prison, appeared in a plain black suit in federal court to testify at Manafort's tax fraud trial as the prosecution's star witness on Monday. Prosecutor: Assistant U.S. Attorney Uzo Asonye (standing) - who is seconded to the Robert Mueller special counsel investigation - questioned Gates. He was seen at the trial last week addressing jurors He was asked by Uzo Asonye, the prosecutor: 'Were you involved in any criminal activity with Mr Manafort?' He replied: 'Yes.' Asonye then asked: 'Did you commit any crimes with Mr Manafort?' Gates again replied: 'Yes.' As Manafort stared directly at him, Gates spoke bluntly about the criminal activity he claimed he carried out under orders from Manafort, who he first met at a Christmas party in 1995 while interning for the former Trump campaign chairman's lobbying company. Gates also admitted that he personally embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from Manafort in recent years without Manafort's knowledge by filing phony expense reports to their company DMP International. 'At Mr. Manafort's request at different points in the years we didn't disclose the foreign bank accounts [to accountants],' said Gates. 'That was in order to reduce the taxable income on [Paul Manafort's] tax returns,' he added. Evidence: Cynthia Laporta's testimony raised the stakes for Manafort, legal experts said. Testifying under immunity, she was the first witness to admit she knew accounting maneuvers Manafort and Gates requested of her were wrong and could be crimes Gates said Manafort ordered him to lie to accountants, and directed him to hide the company's foreign bank accounts, which housed millions of dollars the firm had earned from Manafort's Ukrainian political consulting clients. Gates also told prosecutors that he was aware his actions were illegal. He said Manafort asked him to make wire transfers from their foreign bank accounts, which were primarily based in Cyprus. According to Gates, he and Manafort contolled 12 undisclosed accounts in Cyprus, two in the Grenadines, and one in the U.K. The accounts held Manafort's income from political consulting clients in Ukraine, said Gates. He also said he did not file Foreign Bank Account Reports for DMP International, even though he knew this was illegal. 'We did not submit the proper form,' said Gates. Gates admitted to submitting false information that inflated DMP International's income in order to fraudulently obtain a loan from Citizens Bank. Gates said these activities were all done with Manafort's approval but he also admitted to keeping his Manafort in the dark while personally embezzling from the company. Gates said he submitted false expense reports to DMP International on multiple occasions. He said he did not recall how much money he stole, but estimated that it was approximately 'several hundred thousand dollars.' He also claimed he carried out financial fraud while working on an unrelated side business with a movie producer named Steve Brown, and said he inflated his personal income on his own credit card and mortgage applications. Prosecutors said Gates disclosed these crimes to them during their approximately 20 meetings with the former political consultant over the past year. Gates is not being charged for these activities due to a plea agreement he reached with the government. Gates told the court he also lied to the government about a meeting Manafort had with an unnamed U.S. member of congress. Because of this, Gates pleaded guilty to making false statements to the government. This increased his potential jail time from five years to 10 years. According to Gates's plea agreement, the government will recommend that he face between 57 and 71 months in jail. If Gates keeps his side of the agreement, the government also agreed not to object to Gates's attorney's request for probation. Prosecutors also said they would not bring addition charges In exchange, Gates promised prosecutors in the plea deal that he would turn over evidence, cooperate as a witness, and testify in court. He said he has turned over documents, computers and phones related to the case to the government. Legal team: Thomas Zehnle (center), Manafort's attorney is trying to convince the jury that Gates was actually to blame Arriving: Paul Manafort's wife Kathleen (right) arrived As part of the plea agreement, the government has also dismissed a second indictment against Gates. This indictment was related to tax fraud and bank fraud he said he committed while working for Manafort. Manafort's attorneys have argued Gates committed tax fraud without Manafort's knowledge. 'We're primarily here because of one man, and that man is Rick Gates,' said Manafort's attorney Thomas Zehnle. Zehnle claimed Gates 'embezzled millions' from Manafort by paying himself fake bonuses and expenses out of their company's bank accounts, and ultimately falsified company financial documents to avoid discovery. 'Rick Gates had his hand in the cookie jar, and he couldn't let his boss find out,' claimed Zehnle. Zehnle argued Gates was trying to pin blame on Manafort because he wanted to avoid jail time and paying back taxes. Prosecutors, and their witnesses over the past week, have countered that Manafort was fully aware he was defrauding the federal government, and intentionally lied and omitted information from his tax and loan documents. Manafort's former accountant Philip Ayliff and his book keeper Heather Washkuhn told the court that Manafort was definitely in charge in his business relationship with Gates. The federal trial jury in Alexandria, Virginia, had heard testimony on Friday from Cynthia Laporta, who described how Manafort and his associate Gates doctored financial statements and backdated loans. Manafort has pleaded not guilty to 18 counts of bank and tax fraud and failing to disclose foreign bank accounts. The charges largely predate his five months on the Trump campaign but arose from U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. Manafort lawyer Kevin Downing said Gates would be the next witness called. Prosecutor Greg Andres walked into the courtroom with a binder labeled 'Richard Gates' earlier on Monday, the fifth day of the trial. Since the trial started last Tuesday, Manafort's lawyers have kept their cross-examinations brief and at times refrained from attempting to rebut damaging testimony in detail. But Laporta's testimony raised the stakes for Manafort, legal experts said. Testifying under immunity, she was the first witness to admit she knew accounting maneuvers Manafort and Gates requested of her were wrong and could be crimes. One accounting trick saved Manafort $500,000 in taxes, she said. Laporta was the 14th witness called by prosecutors before U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis. Mueller is also investigating possible coordination between Trump campaign members and Russian officials, but the charges against Manafort do not address that. Laporta detailed multiple examples in which Manafort and Gates sought to doctor financial records, first in order to lower Manafort's taxable income and then later to inflate his income so that he could get bank loans. Some of the maneuvers were at the request of Gates, while others implicated Manafort, Laporta testified. In one instance Manafort's signature was on a loan agreement created in 2015 and inappropriately backdated for the 2014 tax year, she said. Similar to prior witnesses, Laporta testified that Gates and Manafort were in lockstep but that Manafort was in charge. The jury has heard how Manafort made tens of millions of dollars for political work with pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine. Shanlon Wu, a former attorney for Gates before he pleaded guilty in February and starting cooperating with Mueller, said Monday would be a critical test of the defense's strategy of pinning the wrongdoing on Gates. 'They must make headway in separating Gates and Manafort,' Wu said. Wu said he was speaking as an observer now that he is no longer involved in the case. Police chiefs have raised concerns over border control in a letter to the Home Secretary Sajid Javid (pictured) Police chiefs last night warned it would be harder to keep the public safe in the UK and on the continent if we leave the EU without a deal. In a letter to Home Secretary Sajid Javid, they raised concerns about how officers could lose access overnight to cross-border investigative powers and databases. The letter was drawn up by the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners' cross-party Brexit working group after consultation with the National Crime Agency and the National Police Chiefs' Council. After the letter was leaked yesterday police leaders spoke out about their concerns. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Martin, NPCC Lead for Brexit, said: 'Existing European measures, tools and mechanisms allow us to respond quickly and intelligently to crime and terrorism impacting the UK and the EU. 'They make us better at protecting the public. The UK is the biggest contributor of intelligence to Europol systems and leads more than half of its operational co-ordination meetings. 'For every one person arrested on a UK-issued European Arrest Warrant, the UK arrests eight people on warrants issued by other member states. 'From a policing perspective, it is in the interests of both sides to negotiate an arrangement that allows for continued close working, whether as part of existing mechanisms or negotiated alternatives. 'Without such arrangements, both UK police and EU member states will lose capabilities.' He said these included identifying criminals and missing people who cross UK borders, detaining and swiftly handing over suspects and sharing biometric data. Mr Martin stressed a small law enforcement team was currently drawing up contingency plans in the event that access to current European policing measures is lost. He warned: 'The contingency measures we are considering will be slower, less effective and ultimately will reduce the ability to identify risk and prevent harm on both sides of the Channel.' President Donald Trump is encouraging the Senate once again to drop its filibuster rule in order to approve funding for his border wall. In a tweet on Monday evening, the president again slammed Democrats for wanting to abolish the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. 'Sorry, we can't let that happen!,' he wrote. And he also encouraged a rule change in the upper chamber. President Trump is pushing the Senate to change its rules to fund his border wall The president slammed Democrats in his tweet 'Also, change the rules in the Senate and approve STRONG Border Security!,' he tweeted. Some Democrats have pushed for ICE to be abolished but most have said they want to reform the agency, which came under fire when it enforced Trump's 'zero tolerance' immigration policy that saw immigrant children separated from their families. And the president has pushed for Republicans to end the filibuster before, an unlikely occurrence given how the GOP used it as a weapon during their time in the minority. During a June meeting at the White House, the president urged them to make the move. Trump reportedly warned Republican senators that if they didn't make the change and use it to their advantage now, Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer would do so if Democrats took control of the chamber in the November election. Trump suggested that a mutual friend he has with Schumer heard this from the senator and passed it on, Politico reported. There are concerns Democratic senators would hold up funding for Trump's border wall if any immigration legislation didn't include a solution for the so-called Dreamers, illegal immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. It's estimated to cost $25 billion build a border wall - the president's most prominent campaign promise. A House spending bill released last month offers $5 billion to build the wall, while the Senate version contains $1.6 billion. Trump last month threatened to shut down the government if he doesn't get funding for his wall. 'I would have no problem doing a shut down. It's time we had proper border security. We are the laughing stock of the world,' Trump said at a news conference with the Italian prime minister. 'We have the worst immigration laws anywhere in the world.' Trump has outlined what he wants in negotiations: to get rid of chain immigration, end the lottery program and stop sanctuary cities. He also wants his border wall built. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is unlikely to end the filibuster Trump has threatened a government shut down if he doesn't get his border wall The president seemed open to making a deal with Democrats, who would fight him on the lottery program and ending sanctuary cities. The filibuster would be their weapon in that flight, allowing them to stop a vote on the Senate floor. Any one senator can hold up a bill by threatening to block it with a filibuster. A filibuster threat requires the legislation to win 60 out of 100 votes to eventually pass the Senate instead of just a simple majority. There are 51 Republican senators and 49 senators who caucus with the Democrats though that ratio is often 50/49 as GOP Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has been absent as he undergoes treatment for brain cancer. The Senate Majority Leader determines the rules for the chamber. Currently that's Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, who understands the value of the filibuster. As minority leader, McConnell wielded that weapon so effectively in holding up President Barack Obama's nominees that Democrats eventually ended the minority party's ability to filibuster most of those nominations. And McConnell took it a step further and ended the filibuster rule for Supreme Court nominees, enabling Republican senators to confirm Trump's nominee Neil Gorsuch. A monster scrub python that took up the entire width of a road has stopped traffic as it slowly slithered into the bush. The reptile, believed to be about five metres in length, was spotted at Holloways Beach, Queensland, about 6.10am on Friday. Amber Campbell uploaded the footage to Facebook captioned, 'Baronia Crescent had a big visitor heading into mosquito park this morning, what a beauty!!' The reptile, believed to be about five metres in length, was spotted at Holloways Beach Amber Campbell uploaded the footage to Facebook after her husband filmed it SCRUB PYTHON Scrub Pythons are Australias longest snake. They can grow up to seven metres in length. They spend most of their time in trees waiting for prey. Have a large head in comparison to its narrow body. They have yellow-brown or purple-brown crossbars and blotches of cream to brown on their body. Source: Australia Zoo Advertisement Ms Campbell told Seven News that her husband Adam filmed the serpent. 'That is giganticIve never seen one that big...Easy five metres,' Adam is heard saying. 'I go out looking for snakes all the time and Ive seen them close to that, but that is monster,' an onlooker said. 'It was as thick as my leg,' Ms Campbell said. She told the publication that the snake was going into a children's playground that is surrounded by bushland. 'That is giganticIve never seen one that big...Easy five meters,' Adam is heard saying Social media users reacted to the extraordinary footage of the 'absolute whopper'. 'Lucky you dont live there anymore,' one commented. 'What a beautiful serpent,' another commented. 'Was just around the corner .. so glad I never came across it .. bloody hell look at the size of it,' another wrote. 'What magnificence though,' another commented. Hillary Clinton is giving her nod of approval to a Democratic candidate in a key House race one day before voters go to the polls to pick their party's nominee as socialist star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed an alternative contender. Clinton recorded a robocall for Democrat Haley Stevens, encouraging voters to pick President Barack Obama's chief of staff on his Auto Task Force in Tuesday's primary. And Ocasio-Cortez, a self-proclaimed socialist who had a shocking win against incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley in their June primary contest, endorsed former Department of Homeland Security official Fayrouz Saad earlier this month. Hillary Clinton has endorsed one Democratic House candidate in a Michigan contest Socialist star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed another The rival endorsements set up a contest of sorts between the party's liberal wing and its more moderate side, a repeat of what the party went through in the 2016 presidential party when Clinton battled Sen. Bernie Sanders for the nomination. Stevens and Saad are two of five Democratic contenders vying to be the nominee to replace retiring Republican Rep. David Trott, in a House contest seen as a key pickup opportunity for Democrats as they try to retake control of the lower chamber of Congress. Ocasio-Cortez last week attended a get-out-the-vote rally for Saad and Rashida Tlaib, a House candidate in a neighboring district. Both women are attempting to be the first Muslim woman elected to Congress. Clinton, meanwhile, praised Stevens for helping save 200,000 Michigan jobs during her work in the Obama administration. The auto industry is a huge employer in the state. 'Hello, this is Hillary Clinton and I'm calling to encourage you to cast your vote on Tuesday for a fresh, new Michigan leader, Haley Stevens,' the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee says in the call. 'Haley served as the chief of staff to the Auto Rescue, she helped save 200,000 Michigan jobs, and she knows how to support Michigan's advanced manufacturing economy, especially through training opportunities. I've seen Haley in action. We can count on her to protect the gains we've made with Obamacare. So please, vote for Haley Stevens, on Tuesday. Thank you, very much.' Stevens is a native of the district and grew up there. Fayrouz Saad is running to be the first Muslim woman in Congress Haley Stevens was endorsed by Clinton in the five-way Democratic primary Sen. Bernie Sanders is also supporting Fayrouz Saad Haley Stevens campaigns in the Michigan House race She said she was 'deeply honored' to have Clinton's endorsement. 'Secretary Clinton's relentless fight for women and working families motivated an entire generation of public servants,' Stevens said in a statement. Clinton has kept a low profile in the 2018 midterm contests, making few endorsements and doing little campaigning. President Donald Trump narrowly carried the suburban Detroit district in 2016. And he won the state. In the 2016 Democratic presidential primary, Clinton lost Michigan to Sanders. Republicans also have a competitive primary with five contenders vying to be the nominee, including former Rep. Kerry Bentivolio, who represented the district for one term before Trott defeated him. China has been planning to build the world's longest undersea railway tunnel that would link the mainland and Taiwan, with scientists close to confirming its design. At 135 kilometres (84 miles), the proposed Taiwan Strait Tunnel would be more than three times the length of the Channel Tunnel between Britain and France, which is currently the world's longest undersea rail tunnel. The billion-pound project aims to take high-speed trains through the Taiwan Strait at up to 250km/h (155mph) by 2030, according to South China Morning Post. However, despite the latest technological progress, political tensions between Taiwan and Beijing - which regards the self-ruled island as a part of its territory - mean construction is unlikely to start any time soon, the report said. A Fuxing bullet train runs on the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway. China has been planning to build an undersea railway tunnel that would link the mainland and Taiwan Pingtan Island is physically China's closest spot to Taiwan and is the chosen starting point of the multi-billion-yuan project. The idea of building the tunnel was first proposed in 1996 The idea of building a tunnel under the Taiwan Strait has been around since 1996, when it was first proposed by Tsinghua University professor Wu Zhiming following a visit to the Channel Tunnel, which is 37.9km (23.5 miles) long. The ambitious project achieved new prominence in 2016, when Beijing included a cross-strait high-speed rail network in its then-new five-year plan. According to the plan, the train will travel from Fuzhou province's Pingtan county and arrive in Hsinchu city, south-west of Taipei in 32 minutes. The regions lie on the opposite sides of the Taiwan Strait. The tunnel's design, completed last year with funding from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, has the growing support of both Chinas research community and tunnelling industry, several senior civil engineering experts told South China Morning Post. The idea of building a tunnel under the Taiwan Strait was inspired by the Channel Tunnel The train would travel from Fuzhou province's Pingtan county and arrive in Hsinchu city, south-west of Taipei in 32 minutes. The regions lie on the opposite sides of the Taiwan Strait Some researchers reportedly said it was possible that Beijing would start to work on the project in a unilateral, and largely symbolic move. The railway's layout consists of a complex of three individual tunnels. Two main passages would be used by trains running in opposite directions. In between them would be a smaller service tunnel that would contain power lines, communication cables and emergency exits, according to the report. The breadth of its main tunnels would be nearly a third larger than those of the Channel Tunnel, allowing trains to travel faster and carry bulkier cargos. Trains are restricted to operate at a speed of 160km/h (99mph) in the Channel Tunnel. The particular sea area in the Taiwan Strait, with a comparatively stable geological structure and shallower water, is not situated in the region prone to strong earthquakes, thus making it suitable for tunnel construction, according to a previous report by China Daily. The shuttle train will return to the surface in Hsinchu (pictured), a coastal city near Taipei At the same time, a 12-billion-yuan (1.3 billion) 'warm-up' project - the Pingtan-Fuqing passageway in Fuzhou - is currently under assessment. Once realised, the road tunnel could reportedly 'pave the way' for the official launch of the mega cross-strait construction. The shorter tunnel, running more than 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) under the seabed, would be located in roughly the same area as the rail tunnel, according to the report. According to SCMP, a research team has been at work off the coast of Pingtan conducting geological mapping, drilling for rock samples, running computer simulations and analysing the potential environmental risks and impact of a large-scale tunnelling project. More than six decades after Taiwan's split from China, Beijing has remained adamant to unify Taiwan with the mainland, stepping up diplomatic and military pressure on the self-governing neighbour under the 'One China policy'. However, under the rule of pro-independence President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan still sees itself as a sovereign country, prompting experts to say that the strait tunnel is likely to remain as a 'one-sided move' from Beijing. A police car was caught on camera dragging a stray dog by its neck along a road in east China, sparking outrage among net users. The small dog was filmed struggling and whimpering while being pulled on a leash by a police officer who had one arm out of the passenger window in Nanjing city. The police have apologised for the 'mishandling' of the pooch, saying that the officers on duty did not have an appropriate dog cage at the time and lacked 'professional knowledge' in dealing with stray dogs. The small dog was filmed struggling and whimpering while being pulled on a leash by a police officer who had one arm out of the passenger window in Nanjing city, east China The police first responded to a complaint about a stray dog that had been disturbing residents in Jiangning district at 7.50am on Sunday. However policemen were not able to locate the dog, according to the Jiangning branch of the city's public security bureau on its official Weibo account. Officers then received a second complaint of nuisance at about 5.50pm and when they arrived on scene, they found a dog with ringworm and bald spots all over its body. After capturing the dog, the officers decided to pull it along the vehicle 'at a slow speed' to bring it back to the station as they were 'not equipped with a proper cage and did not have knowledge about handling stray dogs', according to the statement. The dog is now under the care of Peace Luck Shelter, a non-profit animal welfare association in Nanjing. After capturing the dog, the officers decided to pull it along the vehicle 'at a slow speed' to bring it back to the station as they were 'not equipped with a proper cage, police later said 'Other than suffering from serious skin disease, the dog did not sustain any other injuries and is in good health,' the shelter said in a Weibo post on Monday. 'It is currently being treated for its skin condition and is quarantined,' it added. The dog has been named 'Little Peace'. 'Our unprofessional way of managing the dog has upset many members of the public, especially animal lovers. We sincerely apologise for the incident,' the police added in their statement. 'We will accept criticism and supervision from net users and would strengthen training in relevant areas to prevent anything similar from happening in the future,' they said. The video of the incident has sparked discussions among upset net users, with many accusing the police of animal abuse. The dog is now under the care of Peace Luck Shelter, a non-profit animal welfare association 'Other than suffering from serious skin disease, the dog did not sustain any other injuries and is in good health,' the shelter said in a Weibo post. It has been named 'Little Peace' 'So cruel! What kind of policemen are they?' One said. 'Even though it's a stray dog, the officers shouldn't have hurt it like that,' said another. 'I think they could have handled the situation better,' said one. 'This shows that they are completely ignorant when it comes to stray dogs.' However, many supported the actions of the police men, saying that the dog could have been infectious. 'I wouldn't have put the stray dog in my car without a cage - it had a serious skin condition that could have been contagious,' said one. 'The car was travelling at a very slow speed,' said another. 'I didn't think the police were at fault - they did the best they could.' Almost 100 caravans have been permitted to stay in a tiny village outside Canterbury making it one of the largest in Britain. Despite allegations the site is already overcrowded, travellers are likely to outnumber residents. Swale Borough Council approved an application to increase the number of pitches at the Brotherhood Wood site from 29 to 40, which means the number of caravans will more than double from 42 to 87. The 100 caravans which have been permitted to stay in a tiny village outsider Canterbury are likely to outnumber the residents making it on of the largest in Britain Dunkirk Parish Council is appealing the controversial decision, which it described as 'seriously perverse'. The owners of the site had their application denied by councillors in March but a planning committee narrowly granted permission in April. It went ahead despite allegations that Brotherhood Wood already has too many residents, and amid investigations into claims that many are not travellers or gipsies, but migrant workers from Eastern Europe who are not permitted to live there. In an open letter to Swale's cabinet member for planning, Councillor Gerry Lewin, the parish council's chairman Jeff Tutt is now asking Swale to reconsider, saying it has the power to revoke permission under the Town and Country Planning Act. Dunkirk Parish Council is appealing the controversial decision, which it described as 'seriously perverse' but Swale Borough Council is not considering revoking it Calling the decision to allow the site to grow 'seriously perverse', the letter stated the borough council 'completely ignored the many and varied material considerations that were put forward for refusal'. Concerns were also raised that, under the new layout, some families could have a space smaller than the minimum size of a one-bedroom flat to live in, and that Kent Police usually recommend that traveller sites have no more than 15 pitches. It is also feared that a larger number of pitches at the site could be used as grounds to refuse permission for gipsies and travellers to reside in other places. A spokesman for Swale Borough Council said that although potential planning breaches are still being investigated, the authority is not considering revoking permission. It argued that refusing an application without sound planning reasons could leave it open to an expensive appeal process. Replying to the letter, director of regeneration Emma Wiggins said: 'I cannot agree with your position that it was unreasonable for the experienced and well advised Planning Committee to determine the application in the way that it was advised to do. 'There would seem to be no merit in seeking to revoke the permission granted by the committee in such circumstances in the absence of any new material considerations having come to light.' The burqa and niqab have both been mired in controversy in the West, where politicians have warned that women are being forced to cover up. Here are some of the controversies surrounding the head coverings: Terror suspects have escaped surveillance by disguising themselves in burqas Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed, escaped surveillance by disguising himself as a woman in a burqa in November 2013. He went missing from a mosque in Acton, west London, after putting on the female covering. Burqa bans have been introduced across Europe as politicians seek to allay security fears A trial was halted after a Muslim woman refused to take off her niqab in the dock in August 2013. Judge Peter Murphy would not accept a plea from the 21-year-old defendant because he said he could not be sure that the person in the dock was who she claimed to be. Several European countries seek to ban or impose restrictions on wearing the burqa In 2010 France passed a law to ban the burqa. The European Court of Human Rights later upheld the prohibition, saying it accepted France's argument that it helped its citizens live together. In December 2016, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the wearing of in Germany 'wherever it is legally possible'. Explorer: Gertrude Bell Gertrude Margaret Lowthian Bell, CBE, was famously known as a British political officer, explorer, spy and archaeologist whose maps became highly influential to British imperial policy-making. She was credited by many as helping to reshape the Arab world in the early 1900s thanks to her unique understanding of Bedouin cultures. Bell built up her contacts after extensively travelling in Arabia, Greater Syria, Mesopotamia and Asia Minor. Gertrude was also credited with helping to administer the modern state of Iraq. She is said to have utilised her own unique perspective from her travels and relations with tribal leaders throughout the Middle East. The explorer has also been described as 'one of the few representatives of His Majesty's Government remembered by the Arabs with anything resembling affection'. She is said to have had an unconsummated affair with Maj. Charles Doughty-Wylie, a married man, with whom she exchanged love letters from 1913 to 1915. Reportedly after his death in 1915 during the Battle of Gallipoli, Bell launched herself into her work. Born in Washington Hall, County Durham, England, she died aged 57 in Iraq, then known as The British Mandate for Mesopotamia. Jeremy Corbyn (pictured) has been accused of failing to tackle the racism among his supporters The anti-Semitism scandal has dogged Labour since Jeremy Corbyn was elected leader in 2015. Here is a timeline of the controversies: April 2016: Labour MP Naz Shah is suspended for anti-Semitic posts - including one in which she appeared to endorse calls for Israelis to be deported to the US. She apologised and was given a formal warning. Ken Livingstone goes on the radio to defend Ms Shah - but sparks fresh controversy by claiming that Hitler supported Zionism. He is suspended by Labour but refuses to apologise and has repeated the claim many times. He eventually quits Labour two years later, saying his suspension has become a distraction. June 2016: A two-month inquiry by civil liberties campaigner Shami Chakrabarti finds that Labour is not overrun by anti-Semitism. But the launch is overshadowed when Jewish Labour MP Ruth Smeeth flees it in tears after being accused by Corbyn supporter Marc Wadsworth of colluding with the press. Critics accuse the report of being a whitewash and Ms Chakrabarti is widely criticised for accepting a peerage from Jeremy Corbyn shortly afterwards. October 2016: The Home Affairs Select Committee says Labour is guilty of incompetence over its handling of anti-Semitism and of creating a safe space for people with 'vile attitudes towards Jewish people'. March 2018: It is revealed that Jeremy Corbyn defended an artist who painted an anti-Semitic mural and said the offensive art should be removed. He apologises saying he did not properly look at the picture before he made the post. Jewish leaders take the unprecedented step of holding a demonstration outside Parliament protesting Mr Corbyn's failure to tackle anti-Semitism. Several Labour MPs address the crowds. April 2018: Marc Wadsworth is expelled from Labour after being accused of anti-Semitism. Meanwhile, Labour Jewish MPs tell of the anti-Semitic abuse they have suffered in a powerful parliamentary debate - and round on their leader for failing to tackle it. July 2018: The Labour leadership sparks fresh anger by failing to fully adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism Peter Willsman, a strong ally of Jeremy Corbyn, is secretly taped ranting that 'Jewish Trump fanatics' invented the anti-Semitism storm engulfing Labour. In an angry diatribe at a meeting of Labour's ruling executive committee, he said he was 'amazed' there was evidence party members hated Jews. He claimed 'some of these people in the Jewish community support Trump they are Trump fanatics' before shouting: 'So I am not going to be lectured to by Trump fanatics making up duff information without any evidence at all.' August 2018: Jeremy Corbyn issues a video insisting he is committed to tackling the racism - but it is panned by Jewish leaders. Corbynistas mount a social media campaign to get deputy Labour leader Tom Watson to quit after he criticises the party's handling of anti-Semitism. The Daily Mail exclusively publishes photos of Jeremy Corbyn holding a wreath at a ceremony where a terrorist linked to the Munich massacre was honoured. The Labour leader insists he was there to honour others killed - but faces fresh calls to quit over the scandal. Sharon Tate was an the American actress and model who rose to fame in the 60s, appearing in several small-screen productions and starring in a several fashion magazine campaigns before making her film debut in Barrabas in 1961. Her most noteworthy role was as Jennifer North in the 1967 cult classic Valley Of The Dolls, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. After starring in The Fearless Vampire Killers in 1967, she married director and co-star Roman Polanski in August 1968. Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski in 1968 She was just two weeks away from giving birth to the couple's son when she was butchered by members of the Manson Family at Polanski's Southern California home in 1969. Four friends were slaughtered alongside her at Polanski's home in Benedict Canyon: Hollywood hairstylist, Jay Sebring, an ex-lover of Tate's, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, a Polish actor and writer, and Steven Parent, who had been visiting the caretaker. On that fateful summer night, Polanski was in London scouting locations for the Day of the Dolphin when he got the call that his wife was stabbed to death 16 times in one of the most vicious and brutal murders in the history of Los Angeles. Media frenzy directly followed the murders, with speculation that perhaps it had been part of a satanic ritual. Polanski posed for photographs in the home, next to where the word 'PIG' was written in blood, saying he hoped the graphic images would help shock people into coming forward with information. About a month later members of the Manson 'Family' were arrested on suspicion of involvement in an unrelated murder, which lead investigators to a breakthrough on the Tate case as well. The suspects told police they had killed Tate and her friends not because of who they were, but because of the home they were in, which had belonged to a previous acquaintance of Manson. Reporting by Megan Sheets Japanese high school students have produced a virtual reality experience that recreates the sights and sounds of the Hiroshima nuclear bomb attack. The five-minute clip captures the moments immediately before, during and after the US dropped an atomic bomb on the city 73 years ago, killing 140,000 people. By transporting users back in time to the moment when a city was turned into a wasteland, the students and their teacher hope to ensure that something similar never happens again. 'Even without language, once you see the images, you understand,' said Mei Okada, one of the students working on the project at a technical high school in Fukuyama, a city about 60 miles east of Hiroshima. 'That is definitely one of the merits of this VR experience.' The August 6 1945 bombing of Hiroshima marked the first time a nuclear weapon was used on civilians. Three days later, a second US atomic bomb killed 70,000 people in Nagasaki. Japan surrendered six days after that, ending the Second World War. Wearing virtual reality headsets, users can take a walk along the Motoyasu River prior to the blast and see the businesses and buildings that once stood. Japanese high school students have produced a virtual reality experience that recreates the sights and sounds of the Hiroshima nuclear bomb attack The five-minute clip captures the moments immediately before, during and after the US dropped an atomic bomb on the city 73 years ago, killing 140,000 people. This image from the simulation shows a view from the bridge over the Motoyasu River before the bomb fell This computer graphic image from the newly developed VR experience shows a burning building just after an atomic bomb fell in Hiroshima, western Japan They can enter the post office and the Shima Hospital courtyard, where the skeletal remains of a building now known as the Atomic Bomb Dome stand on the river's banks, a testament to what happened. The students, who belong to the computation skill research club at Fukuyama Technical High School, were born more than half a century after the bombing. Yuhi Nakagawa, 18, said he initially did not have much interest in what happened when the bombs were dropped; if anything, it was a topic he had avoided. By transporting users back in time to the moment when a city was turned into a wasteland, the students and their teacher hope to ensure that something similar never happens again Wearing virtual reality headsets, users can take a walk along the Motoyasu River prior to the blast and see the businesses and buildings that once stood A member of the computation skill research club at Fukuyama Technical High School looks at an archive material of Hiroshima city to edit buildings on computer graphic software, at the school in Hiroshima, western Japan WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BOMBING OF HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI? The first atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945 by an American B-29 bomber dubbed the Enola Gay. The mushroom cloud over Nagasaki, Japan is shown The 9,000lb uranium-235 bomb exploded 1,900 feet (580 metres) above the ground, killing between 60,000 and 80,000 people instantly, some vanishing instantly from the heat of the vast explosion. Others died as fire ripped through the city and some 135,000 people in total are thought to have perished from radiation sickness. The blast flattened more than six square miles (10 square km) of the city, with fires burning for three days, leaving thousands of survivors burnt and homeless. With major buildings like hospitals destroyed and more than 90 per cent of the city's doctors and nurses killed in the blast, there was little help available to the injured. Three days later, a second US atomic bomb killed 70,000 people in Nagasaki. Japan surrendered six days after that, ending the Second World War. Ten years later, the longer-term effects of the bombs were being noticed, including a rise in leukaemia - a blood cancer not included in the study. The first atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945 by an American B-29 bomber dubbed the Enola Gay. Three days later, a second US atomic bomb killed 70,000 people in Nagasaki The cancer was said to disproportionately affect children, with cases appearing two years after the bomb and peaking four to six years later, The IBT reported. The Radiation Effects Research Foundation estimates 46 per cent of leukaemia deaths at the bomb sites from 1950 to 2000 were due to radiation from the bombs, with 1,900 cancer deaths linked to the atomic bomb, in total. Advertisement 'When I was creating the buildings before the atomic bomb fell and after, I saw many photos of buildings that were gone. I really felt how scary atomic bombs can be,' he said. 'So while creating this scenery, I felt it was really important to share this with others.' To recreate Hiroshima, the students studied old photographs and postcards and interviewed survivors of the bombing to hear their experiences and get their feedback on the VR footage. To recreate Hiroshima, the students studied old photographs and postcards and interviewed survivors of the bombing to hear their experiences and get their feedback on the VR footage They used computer graphics software to add further details such as lighting and the natural wear and tear on building surfaces They used computer graphics software to add further details such as lighting and the natural wear and tear on building surfaces. 'Those who knew the city very well tell us it's done very well. They say it's very nostalgic,' said Katsushi Hasegawa, a computer teacher who supervises the club. 'Sometimes they start to reminisce about their memories from that time, and it really makes me glad that we created this.' YouTube, Facebook and Apple have become the latest Silicon Valley giants to bring the hammer down on Infowars' creator Alex Jones. Facebook announced Monday that it removed four pages belonging to Jones for posting content that violated its policies around hate speech and violence. It came just hours after Apple revealed it removed the entire iTunes library for five of Jones's six Infowars podcasts, including the shows 'War Room' and the daily 'The Alex Jones Show.' Not long after Facebook and Apple took action, YouTube removed The Alex Jones Channel, which counts close to 2.5 million subscribers. Spotify also announced Monday it was taking further action against Jones, removing every episode of the Alex Jones Show from the streaming site. Prior to this, Spotify had only gotten rid of specific episodes of the show, leaving most of the library up on its platform. In recent weeks, Facebook and other tech giants have faced repeated backlash over its inaction against the US conspiracy theorist. Scroll down for video Facebook and Apple have become the latest Silicon Valley giants to bring the hammer down on Infowars' creator Alex Jones (file photo). Facebook said it removed four pages belonging to Jones, while Apple removed the entire iTunes library for five of Jones's six Infowars podcasts However, YouTube, Facebook and Apple all chose to take sweeping action against Jones on the same day, effectively removing his content from their platforms. A notice on the Alex Jones Channel said the account had been 'terminated for violating YouTube's Community Guidelines.' 'All users agree to comply with our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines when they sign up to use YouTube,' a YouTube spokesperson said in a statement. 'When users violate these policies repeatedly, like our policies against hate speech and harassment or our terms prohibiting circumvention of our enforcement measures, we terminate their accounts.' YouTube had pulled four down videos hosted by Jones last month for violating its policies around hate speech and child endangerment. The firm became aware that Jones was continuing to violate its policies and took further action as a result. YouTube's initial actions had triggered similar moves by Spotify, Facebook and Apple. Apple announced its decision on Sunday night. Only one programme provided by InfoWars, 'RealNews with David Knight' remained on Apple's platforms at the time of publication. In a statement to BuzzFeed, Apple confirmed it had also removed Jones' podcast for violating its guidelines on hate speech. Just hours later, Facebook said it had 'unpublished' the Alex Jones Channel Page, the Alex Jones Page, the Infowars Page and the Infowars Nightly News Page. Many have pointed out that the timing of Facebook's ban was peculiar, with the social media firm posting the announcement to its site at about 3 a.m. (PT), according to the Guardian. It marks a major about face for Facebook, which had said in recent weeks that it refused to ban Infowars on the grounds of protecting free speech on its platform. Facebook in July banned Jones personally from posting on the platform for 30 days and removed four videos for violating its rules. At the time, Facebook had warned that it would ban Jones and Infowars' accounts should they continue to post content violating the company's standards. 'As a result of reports we received, last week, we removed four videos on four Facebook Pages for violating our hate speech and bullying policies,' Facebook wrote in a blog post. 'Since then, more content from the same Pages has been reported to us upon review, we have taken it down for glorifying violence, which violates our graphic violence policy, and using dehumanizing language to describe people who are transgender, Muslims and immigrants, which violates our hate speech policies.' Facebook added that while many have criticized Infowars for posting fake news on the site, such as conspiracy theories related to 9/11 and the Sandy Hook shooting, the actions it took were not related to that. Facebook announced Monday that it removed four pages belonging to Jones for posting content that violated its policies around hate speech and violence. It marks an about face for Facebook, which had earlier refused to take down Infowars' content on grounds of free speech While Jones and Infowars are technically unable to access the site, Facebook said they still have the right to 'appeal' the company's decision. If neither party appeals or their appeal fails, Facebook will remove the Pages indefinitely. Facebook said in a tweet last month that banning Infowars' Pages 'would be contrary to the basic principles of free speech' after a CNN reporter asked why the firm had allowed Infowars, which had more than 900,000 followers, to continue to operate on its site. A number of platforms have suspended or removed some of Jones' conspiracy-driven content in recent weeks for violating hate content policies. Jones says his shows, which are broadcast on radio, YouTube and other platforms, reach at least 70 million people a week. The theories he has promoted include that the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington were staged by the US government. He has also promoted a theory that the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre was faked by left-wing forces to promote gun control. The shooting left 26 children and adults dead at a Connecticut elementary school. Jones is currently being sued in Texas by two Sandy Hook parents, seeking at least $1 million (0.77 million), claiming that they have been the subject of harassment driven by his programs. Neither Jones nor a representative for InfoWars were available early on Monday for comment. In July, YouTube slapped Jones' channel with a 'community strike,' blocking him from broadcasting live on the site for 90 days. Spotify, a music and podcast streaming company, followed suit last week when it removed some specific episodes of Jones's programmes. It's unclear exactly how many episodes were ditched, although the vast majority of content created by Jones remains available to Spotify users. 'Spotify can confirm it has removed specific episodes of `The Alex Jones Show podcast for violating our hate content policy,' a spokesperson said late Sunday. 'We take reports of hate content seriously and review any podcast episode or song that is flagged by our community.' The move by Apple is the most sweeping of a recent crackdown on Jones's programmes by online sites. A number of large platforms have suspended or removed some of the radio host's conspiracy-driven content in recent weeks for violating hate content policies (stock image) WHO IS ALEX JONES? Alex Jones is a controversial radio and podcast host based in Austin, Texas. Jones says his 'InfoWars' shows, which are broadcast on radio, YouTube and other platforms, reach at least 70 million people a week. Among other claims, he has called the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting a hoax. He was sued for defamation by families of some of the children killed in that attack, which left 20 children and six adults dead. Among other claims, Alex Jones (file photo) has called the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting a hoax. He was sued for defamation by families of some of the children killed in that attack, which left 20 children and six adults dead He now admits the shooting occurred but says his claims were free speech. He has sought to have the lawsuit dismissed. Jones has also claimed that the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington were staged by the US government. While he began broadcasting his shows in 1999, Jones' profile has spread from the far-right fringe in recent years. While running for president in 2015, Donald Trump told Jones his reputation was 'amazing.' Advertisement The move followed a severe backlash on social media that saw Spotify subscribers threaten to ditch their accounts after the streaming service continued to host Jones' 'Infowars' podcast despite blocks from other services. Writer Greg Rucka tweeted: 'Really kinda appalled by Spotify carrying Alex Jones. 'I know countless writers and artists who use the service. Not anymore.' Another user, who tweets under the handle @CopThese, added: 'seriously, I'm going to miss my Spotify subscription, but this is a bridge too far.' The Sleeping Giants campaign, which aims to encourage companies to drop ads from media organisations that encourage bigotry, tweeted: 'Really, @Spotify? 'Alex Jones has been responsible for harassing parents of Sandy Hook children, Vegas shooting victims and threatening to kill the Special Counsel. 'And youre now hosting his podcasts??' Google is funding a campaign site that spams policymakers and influential media contacts in an attempt to influence their decisions. The group OpenMedia encourages members of the public to sway the opinion of influential politicians and media figures by sending them automated messages. But the site is used to amplify the extent of public support for policies that benefit Silicon Valley, an investigation by The Times suggests. Its tools, which include one-click links to automatically tweet and email key policy figures, were recently used to send a barrage of messages to MEPs pushing them to reject a proposal for tighter EU copyright laws. The bill was thrown out of the European parliament last month following an intense lobbying campaign led by Facebook and Google. Scroll down for video The Google-funded group OpenMedia encourages members of the public to sway the opinion of influential politicians and media figures by sending them automated messages. Its tools pictured) were recently used to send a barrage of messages to MEPs OpenMedia, which claims to work 'keep the internet open, affordable, and surveillance-free' appears to have partly orchestrated public opposition to the bill. The group claims donors do not influence its campaigns, but lists Google as a platinum donor. One of the organisation's board members, Jacob Glick, previously worked as Google's head of policy. Users visiting OpenMedia's website in the lead up to last month's EU vote were given the option to call relevant MEPs with a single click of their mouse. The site provided those who clicked with scripted 'talking points' that echoed points made by Google during its own campaign on the bill, according to the Times. During the June debate, MEPs were spammed with thousands of automated phone messages and emails supporting the views of the tech giant. OpenMedia has also been involved in a campaign (pictured) against a UK bill to ditch the end-to-end encryption used by popular messaging services like WhatsApp Members of the music industry and media groups had hoped the bill would ensure content creators were fairly rewarded for the use of their work. OpenMedia has also been involved in a campaign against a UK bill to ditch the end-to-end encryption used by popular messaging services like WhatsApp. Then Home Secretary Amber Rudd who proposed the ban said it would help security services weed out terrorists. Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, and Google, which encrypts emails sent through its Gmail web client, have both opposed calls to ban encryption. HAS THE EU KILLED MEMES? HOW DO ARTICLE 13 AND ARTICLE 11 CHANGE COPYRIGHT LAW? MEPs have approved a number of changes to the EU Copyright Directive the first major overhaul to European copyright law since 2001. Although most of the changes present a welcome update to ageing legislation, Article 11 and Article 13 in the document have provoked outrage in some corners of the internet. A letter penned in June by 70 leading internet figures including Sir Tim Berners-Lee said the risks outweigh the benefits when it comes to the new EU law. 'We support the consideration of measures that would improve the ability for creators to receive fair remuneration for the use of their works online,' the open letter reads. 'But we cannot support Article 13, which would mandate Internet platforms to embed an automated infrastructure for monitoring and censorship deep into their networks.' EU lawmakers will now take the legislation to talks with the European Commission and the 28 EU countries. The next step is negotiations will reconcile their different positions before updating the existing copyright laws. Article 13 and Article 11 of the Copyright Directive have been approved by officials in Brussels in an attempt to change online copyright law What is in Article 13? Article 13 in the revised EU Copyright Directive could affect memes and music remixes shared online. This portion of the legislation puts the onus of policing for copyright infringement on the websites themselves. Until now, online companies have not been subject to copyright penalties when a user on their platform uploaded something that infringes copyright. However, that will change with Article 13. As a result, Facebook could be held responsible when one of its 2.19 billion monthly active users shares a copyrighted image without the correct permission from the rightsholders. But while Facebook has the funds to build a system to automatically scan content before it is shared to check for infringement, many smaller sites do not. Memes often use still images from popular television shows or films, which are protected by copyright and would be flagged by these systems. Cory Doctorow, special Advisor for online watchdog Electronic Freedom Foundation, says Article 13 will trigger 'problems so big that they threaten to wreck the Internet itself.' It's unclear exactly what precautions websites will have to provide to protect against copyright infringement from its users. Article 13 is quite vague, suggesting that sites use 'appropriate' measures, and employ 'effective content recognition technologies' to check content. According to critics, the most important problem with Article 13 is the fact that it makes no exceptions for fair use which previously allowed people to remix and mash-up copyrighted songs, or use short video clips from movies in commentary or parody. What is in Article 11? Article 11 in the Copyright Directive has been nicknamed the 'snippet tax'. It aims to limit the power that technology giants like Google and Facebook hold over publishers, whose work is protected under copyright law. Online platforms will have to pay for a license to link to news publishers when quoting portions of text from these outlets. This will support publishers and drive some traffic away to the publishers. But while Silicon Valley companies like Google and Facebook will undoubtedly be able to afford a licence, smaller firms may not. The changes could outlaw small news aggregators, which pull-in articles from a variety of sources online. Axel Voss, Rapporteur of the European Parliament for the Copyright Directive, who spearheaded the changes, defended Article 11, saying: 'If the press is dependent on search engines, of powerful companies, then we simply dont have an independent press any longer.' Advertisement OpenMedia software allowed users to spam newspapers with pro-encryption 'letters to the editor' backing the line of Silicon Valley giant. The site recommended facts to include in the letter and sent five copies of it to papers closest to the user's postcode. New/Mode, an engagement platform that OpenMedia helped found in 2016, developed the software behind the campaigns. The company boasts its one-click tools allow campaigns to 'flood targets with public messages' on social media and 'blanket local media with stories from your supporters'. The group claims donors do not influence its campaigns, but lists Google as a platinum donor. One of the organisation's board members, Jacob Glick, previously worked as Google's head of policy (stock image) Companies have been accused of using these tools to 'astroturf' campaigns - a tactic that amplifies grassroots support for movements. 'OpenMedia does not accept funding that compromises its organisational independence, including funding relationships that may influence our focus,' Laura Tribe, the group's executive director, said. 'We receive contributions from a diverse range of businesses and organisations whose goals align with ours. Google is one of these.' A Google spokesperson told MailOnline: 'As one of many donors, we are transparent about supporting OpenMedia's work to campaign for the open web, and we respect their organisational and editorial independence.' Google and OpenMedia declined to disclose the size of the search giant's donations to the campaign group. Reports suggest Google spent as much as 27 million ($35 million) on its campaign to block the EU copyright bill. Foxes could become the must have pets of the future, after scientists successfully isolated a slice of their genetic code linked to tameness and aggression - dubbed SorCS1. The study focused on the red fox, which have been reared by humans for over a century, and found 103 genomic regions involved in fox behaviour. Experts say that understanding the link between genetics and behaviour could help shed light on social behaviour in other animals - including people. These genetic markers are also associated with human behavioural conditions such as autism and bipolar disorder. Scroll down for video Foxes could become the must have pets of the future, after scientists successfully isolated a slice of their genetic code linked to tameness and aggression. Dubbed SorCS1, it eradicates the aggressive streak that persists in the animals when bred in captivity Red foxes have been bred in some parts of the world but - unlike their dog cousins - captive foxes generally exhibit fear or aggression toward humans. A 60-year study conducted by the Russian Institute of Cytology and Genetics has experimented with domesticating foxes and established a tame and an aggressive breed. One of the animal groups is eager for human interaction, while the other population has a tendency to behave violently toward humans. A third population of foxes acted as a control and was not selected for any particular behaviour. 'We've been waiting for this tool for a very, very long time,' says Anna Kukekova, assistant professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois and lead author of the paper. 'In our previous work, we tried to identify regions of the fox genome responsible for tame and aggressive behavior, but these studies required a reference genome and all we could use was the dog genome. 'For us, the fox genome provides a much better resource for genetic analysis of behaviour.' The researchers sequenced the genomes of 10 individuals from each population, then compared them to the full fox genome and each other. They identify 103 genomic regions that were changed by the selective breeding programme. The study focused on the red fox, which has been reared by humans for over a century, and found 103 genomic regions involved in fox behaviour. Experts say that understanding the link between genetics and behaviour could help shed light on social behaviour in other animals PEOPLE HAVE KEPT ANIMALS AS PETS FOR MILLENNIA Pets have been a companion to humans for millennia. In fact, according to Greger Larson, director of the University of Oxford's palaeogenomics and bio-archaeology research network, humans have likely kept baby animals for amusement as long as humans have lived. But the story of exactly how animals became domesticated is much debated and often only glimpsed at from scraps of fossils and DNA. Scientists largely agree that dogs were the first domestic animal. They were tamed and used for work or for their meat. A study published by University of Maine researchers in 2011 found evidence that dogs were being bred, and, eaten, by humans living in Texas some 9,400 years ago. A more recent study in 2017 found dogs were domesticated in a single event by humans living in Eurasia. Dr Krishna Veeramah, an assistant professor in evolution at Stony Brook University, told MailOnline: 'We've found clear evidence that dogs were domesticated 20,000 to 40,000 years ago. 'New research last year provocatively suggested that dogs could have been domesticated twice but our conclusion was there is no evidence for dual domestication. 'We would argue that finding evidence for only one domestication event is a big deal, because it is very important to helping us understand how domestication works.' His research found that dogs evolved to be a separate species from wild wolves sometime between 20,000 and 40,000 years ago. But it's not known if they were the first pets, and kept for companionship. A study this year found compared the genomes, or complete genetic codes, of modern domestic and wild rabbits to see how long it had taken them to diverge. Using the known mutation rate of certain biomolecules as a 'molecular clock' they found it was not possible to pin down rabbit domestication to a single date or event. Instead, the creation of tame buns appeared to be a cumulative effect stretching back to Roman times and possibly the Stone Age. The story of domestication is not a linear progression from wild to domestic, Larsen told the Smithsonian. 'These things exist on a continuum,' says Larson. He said when the first pet came into being is 'a bit like asking when did life begin?' Advertisement Some of these genetic marker turned out to be responsible for the tame and aggressive behaviours exhibited in the different fox groups. 'Finding genomic regions at such resolution was beyond any expectations with our previous tools. 'Now, for the first time, we could not only pinpoint part of a chromosome which makes foxes more tame or aggressive, but we could identify specific genes responsible for it,' Dr Kukekova says. Some of the geneomic regions are also known to be associated with human conditions and behaviours. One of the 103 is associated with Williams-Beuren syndrome, a genetic disorder characterised by extremely outgoing, friendly behaviour. 'Oddly enough, we found the Williams-Beuren region in aggressive foxes, not tame ones. We thought it would be the opposite,' Dr Kukekova says. Some of the geneomic regions are also known to be associated with human conditions and behaviours. Experts knowledge of these genetic markers could be used to help treat human behavioural conditions such as autism and bipolar disorder SorCS1 is involved in the formation and operation of synapses - the small gap between two neurones in the brain - and was clearly associated with a very specific behaviour in foxes The mysterious finding exemplifies that far more research is needed to understand these genetic regions and how they work in different animals. SorCS1 is involved in the formation and operation of synapses - the small gap between two neurones in the brain - and was clearly associated with a very specific behaviour in foxes. Human handlers interact with the foxes in a very controlled way as part of their videotaped fox behavioural assessments. Handlers stand near the enclosures for one minute, hold the door open for another minute, reach toward the fox for a third minute, then close the door, and stand near the enclosure for one final minute. One group of foxes clamoured for more human interaction after being left alone and this population had a version of the SorCS1 gene not found in the aggressive population. 'We think this gene makes foxes more tame, but we don't want to overemphasize it - tameness isn't associated with a single gene. 'The picture is definitely more complex,' Dr Kukekova says. The research was published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution. Life on Earth may have sprung into existence under apocalyptic conditions. New research has found that super volcanoes, which have the potential to destroy mankind, fueled the rise of life billions of years ago. These cataclysmic eruptions spewed oxygen into the atmosphere creating the ozone layer - and protecting organisms against radiation from the sun. The discovery could also lead to better ways of predicting the devastating eruptions that have triggered some of the world's worst disasters. Scroll down for video Supervolcanoes, which have the potential to destroy mankind, may have fueled the rise of life millions of years ago. They spewed oxygen into the atmosphere creating the ozone layer - and protecting organisms against radiation from the sun. Vesuvius eruption in 1944 is shown A study of the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii - which wiped out hundreds of homes when it blew earlier this year - found when the bubbles rising to the surface get large they cool down. The gas inside loses contact with the magma and becomes more oxidized than previously believed - with higher proportions of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide. The ratio of the latter to the former when the lava lake was in its most energetic state was six times more than during the most stable phase. The scientists suggest this effect should be taken into account when gas measurements are being used to forecast major changes in volcanic activity. When magma rises to the surface, the water becomes bubbles and this increases the pressure. In thick and slow moving magma the pressure can not escape and therefore builds up before it blows violently. Co-author Dr Tamar Elias, from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, said: 'Gas measurements are critical to our monitoring and hazard assessment. 'Refining our understanding of how magma behaves beneath the volcano allows us to better interpret our observations.' The discovery published in Nature Geoscience has implications for the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere billions of years ago. In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the ancient city of Pompeii beneath several tonnes of molten lava and hot ash. The loss of life and destruction was catastrophic and remains one of the most infamous natural disasters ever seen. An artist's impression is shown Co author Dr Bruno Scaillet, of Orleans University in France, said: 'Volcanic emissions in Earth's deep past may have made the atmosphere more oxidising than we thought. 'A more oxygen-rich atmosphere would have facilitated the emergence and viability of life on land, by generating an ozone layer, which shields against harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun.' Study leader Professor of Volcanology Dr Clive Oppenheimer of the University of Cambridge and colleagues measured the composition of gases released from Kilauea during gentle and more vigorous periods of in 2013. Using a scanning device they found the chemicals changed depending on the size of gas bubbles rising to the surface - offering hope of improving forecasting threats posed by certain volcanoes. HOW DID LIFE FORM ON EARTH? It is now thought life on Earth began between 4.5 and 3.7 billion years ago when small meteorites under eight inches wide - hit the planet. These rocks contained ammonia and hydrogen cyanide, chemicals necessary to make a molecule called RNA. Their calculations suggest that the RNA molecules were formed during the wet phase. As the ponds dried out, concentrating the broth, the molecules formed long chains. These long chains got even longer in further wet and dry cycles. In some cases, favourable conditions saw some of those RNA chains fold over and spontaneously replicate themselves. These molecules constituted the first genetic code for life on the planet. Advertisement Gas emissions are monitored routinely at volcano sites across the world with carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide, for instance, heralding shifts in activity. Volcanologists have considered they reflect the rise and fall of magma in the Earth's crust. But the latest findings show the composition depends also on the size of the gas bubbles rising up to the surface. Until the latest spectacular eruption opened up fissures on the flank of the volcano, Kilauea held a vast lava lake in its summit crater. Its behaviour alternated between gentle phases and fiery 'spattering' powered by large gas bubbles bursting through the magma. The infrared spectrometer placed at the side of the lake showed the gas temperatures ranged from 1150 degrees Celsius down to around 900 degrees Celsius. Prof Oppenheimer said: 'At this temperature, the lava would freeze. 'At first, we couldn't understand how the gases could emerge much colder than the molten lava sloshing in the lake.' The clue came from the variation in calculated temperatures - they were high when the lava lake was placid and low when it was bubbling furiously. COULD AN ERUPTION AT THE YELLOWSTONE SUPERVOLCANO BE PREVENTED? Recent research found a small magma chamber, known as the upper-crustal magma reservoir, beneath the surface Nasa believes drilling up to six miles (10km) down into the supervolcano beneath Yellowstone National Park to pump in water at high pressure could cool it. Despite the fact that the mission would cost $3.46 billion (2.63 billion), Nasa considers it 'the most viable solution.' Using the heat as a resource also poses an opportunity to pay for plan - it could be used to create a geothermal plant, which generates electric power at extremely competitive prices of around $0.10 (0.08) per kWh. But this method of subduing a supervolcano has the potential to backfire and trigger the supervolcanic eruption Nasa is trying to prevent. 'Drilling into the top of the magma chamber 'would be very risky;' however, carefully drilling from the lower sides could work. This USGS graphic shows how a 'super eruption' of the molten lava under Yellowstone National Park would spread ash across the United States Even besides the potential devastating risks, the plan to cool Yellowstone with drilling is not simple. Doing so would be an excruciatingly slow process that one happen at the rate of one metre a year, meaning it would take tens of thousands of years to cool it completely. And still, there wouldn't be a guarantee it would be successful for at least hundreds or possibly thousands of years. Advertisement Co-author Prof Andy Woods said: 'We realised it could be because of the size of the gas bubbles. 'Larger bubbles rise faster through the magma and expand rapidly as the pressure reduces - just like bubbles rising in a glass of fizzy drink. The gas cools down because of the expansion.' In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the ancient city of Pompeii beneath several tonnes of molten lava and hot ash. The loss of life and destruction was catastrophic and remains one of the most infamous natural disasters ever seen. Since then, scientists have been trying to predict when the next super eruption might occur. Evidence is growing the chemical make-up of magma can predict just how explosive a volcano could be. iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- A legal defense fund set up to help Trump allies caught up in the ongoing probe of Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 election does not appear to have spent any money on legal services, according to tax records shared with ABC News. A handful of top Trump donors collectively donated nearly $200,000 to the Patriot Legal Expense Fund Trust between March and June, but so far, the fund has listed expenditures totaling less than $50,000 to an insurance provider and an accounting service. The fund, which was set up by President Donald Trumps lawyers in February to provide financial support for legal expenses incurred by any Trump campaign employee, consultant, fundraiser or volunteer (excluding Trumps family members) questioned in the ongoing probe of Russian election meddling, is required as a 527 political organization to disclose contributions and expenditures. Mondays revelations, however, arrive as a growing number of people from across the political spectrum have been asking what has become of the fund. Multiple sources who have been questioned by investigators told ABC News on the condition of anonymity that their requests for assistance either went completely unanswered or resulted in no financial assistance. Michael Caputo, a public relations executive and onetime Trump campaign aide, reached out to the fund for help as he was facing mounting legal bills following his May interviews with congressional investigators and special counsel prosecutors, but he told ABC News he received no reply. And last week, five Senate Democrats sent a letter to the newly-confirmed director of the Office of Government Ethics urging the agency to investigate whether the fund is in compliance with federal law and ethics guidelines, citing the lack of transparency in the funds guidelines. "The Fund lacks transparency: both donors and recipients could potentially be shielded from public disclosure and it is impossible to know which donors supplied money for contributions to which employees, making it impossible to discern whether donations are legal or ethical," the senators wrote. Former Rep. Nan Hayworth, a Republican from New York, who is listed as the funds interim manager, did not respond to multiple calls and emails from ABC News. The White House did not respond to ABC News' request for comment. As of this writing, neither of the reports of contributions and expenditures shared with ABC News are available on the IRS website. In response to questions from ABC News, the IRS declined to comment on the filing status of a specific group. Four Trump loyalists with a long history of giving to the mogul-turned-politician have made large contributions to the fund. Proactive Communications, a public relations firm run by Mark Serrano, donated $22,000 to the fund in March. Serrano has been a frequent supporter and defender of Trump on television. Phil Ruffin, one of Trumps longtime friends and supporters, donated $50,000 in April. Ruffin worked with Trump on his Las Vegas casino development and flew with him to Moscow for the 2013 Miss Universe pageant that has since become an area of interest to investigators. Continental Resources, an oil and gas company run by Harold Hamm, donated $25,000 in May. Hamm is a billionaire and major Trump donor from Oklahoma whom Trump once considered for U.S. Energy Secretary. Geoffrey Palmer, a Beverly Hills real estate developer, donated $100,000 in June. In 2016, Palmer was flagged in published reports as the single largest donor to Trumps various campaign committees and political action committees. But so far, the only expenditures listed in the pair of disclosure reports are insurance from risk management company Petra RMS ($42,297 between March and June) and professional accounting services from accounting firm CliftonLarsonAllen ($6,509 in May). The companies representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment. And the Patriot Fund isnt the only fundraising effort raising ethics questions. There are a number of similar legal defense funds associated with other former members of Trumps campaign or administration, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn, former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, former deputy campaign chairman Rick Gates, former campaign adviser Roger Stone and former EPA administrator Scott Pruitt. Craig Holman, a government affairs lobbyist with watchdog group Public Citizen, told ABC that by his count there are more legal defense funds under this administration than under all previous administrations combined, and he called on government ethics officials to lay out rules for how they should function, especially in light of the opportunity for wealthy special interests to attempt to buy favors from government officials. "There are very few rules governing how these legal defense funds are created and operate," Holman said. "Any official who is facing serious legal charges will undoubtedly be most grateful to any person or company who chips in a large amount of money to pay for his or her legal defense. Representatives for Manafort, Gates and Pruitt did not respond to ABC New requests for comment. Stone referred questions to his lawyer, who did not immediately respond. Asource familiar with Flynns legal defense fund said the fund, which has not released fundraising figures since he pleaded guilty to lying to investigators, has helped Flynn combat skyrocketing legal expenses. General Flynns legal bills are in the multiple seven figures, the source told ABC News. His legal defense fund has helped defray a fraction of the costs. Former FEC Chairman Scott Thomas said the system in place lacks regulations and the means to enforce them. "It's kind of a weak system that we have right now, Thomas said. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Chairwoman of the HCM city Peoples Council Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam (right) and first Vice President of the Legislature of Buenos Aires city Javier Francisco Quintana. (Source: VNA) At a working session with first Vice President of the Legislature of Buenos Aires city Javier Francisco Quintana, Tam told her host that as the countrys economic locomotive, HCM city contributes 23 percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP) and 30 percent of the State budget. HCM city always creates the best possible conditions with flexible, open policies for foreign investors, helping them run long-term and stable business in the locality, she stressed. Quintana expressed his admiration for Vietnams Doi Moi (reform) and economic development over the past decades. Speaking highly of the friendship and cooperation between Argentina and Vietnam, the official noted his hope that Tams visit would contribute to reinforcing cooperation between the two countries as well as between HCM city and Buenos Aires across fields. Vietnam is one of Argentinas important partners in Southeast Asia and a bridge helping the country expand its economic and trade ties in the region, Quintana said. Host and guest talked about organisational models, exchanged operational experience of people-elected agencies, and discussed measures to spur development of HCM city and Buenos Aires. During their stay in Argentina, Tam and her entourage studied the planning management and operation of the Buenos Aires Port - one of the major maritime gateways in South America. They also visited some cultural and tourism centres of Argentina, and laid a wreath at President Ho Chi Minhs statue in Buenos Aires./. Female starlings who have ingested antidepressants in Britain's water systems are more likely to be ignored or attacked by males. Researchers say worms and other insects are passing the drugs on to the birds after picking them up at sewage works - a popular feeding ground for starlings. The contaminants may make females less attractive to males because they make the birds more lethargic, researchers said. The problem means males are less likely to sing to contaminated females and could be killing off one of Britain's best loved native songbirds. Scroll down for video Antidepressants in Britain's water systems are causing mating problems for starlings, forcing males to sing less to attractive females (stock image) Dr Kathryn Arnold, of the University of York, said: 'Here is the first evidence that low concentrations of an antidepressant can disrupt the courtship of songbirds. 'This is important because animals that are slow to find a mate often won't get to breed. 'With many wildlife populations in decline, we have to ask whether more could be done to remove chemical contaminants like pharmaceuticals from our sewage.' In 2016, there were 64.7 million antidepressant items prescribed in the UK, according to a new study led by the University of York. Some of these compounds are stable in the environment and break down slowly once they've passed through our bodies and into sewage-treatment systems. To investigate how these drugs affect Britain's birds, Dr Arnold and her team captured 24 wild Eurasian starlings - 16 females and eight males - in North Yorkshire. Researchers say worms and other insects are passing the drugs on to the birds after picking them up at sewage works - popular feeding grounds for starlings (stock image) Eurasian starlings are known to feed on worms, maggots and flies at sewage treatment plants, which previous research has shown contain many different pharmaceuticals, including the antidepressant Prozac. Some of the female birds analysed for the new study were fed worms drugged with Prozac, while others were fed un-drugged worms. Researchers then introduced the males to the females to see how small doses of the antidepressant affected mating habits. They found dilute concentrations of Prozac similar to those measured at sewage works appeared to make female starlings less attractive to the opposite sex. Males were less likely to sing to females who had eaten Prozac-loaded worms - even if that female was an attractive mate. WHY DO STARLINGS FLY IN A MURMURATION A murmuration is when a bird mimics the movement of its neighbour, eventually spreading to all birds in the flock. Little is known about why this mass aerial stunt occurs although many now believe that it could be to ward of some predators. Murmurations can last 26 minutes but some will twist and turn through the sky for up to 50 minutes, with up to 750,000 birds in a single mass. The pattern of light and dark, formed as the birds attempt to achieve the necessary density, is what provides vital information to individual birds within the flock. Advertisement Study coauthor Sophia Whitlock said: 'Singing is a key part of courtship for birds, used by males to court favoured females and used by females to choose the highest quality male to father their chicks. 'Males sang more than twice as often and as long to untreated females compared to females that had been receiving low doses of Prozac.' The study also found increased male aggression towards females receiving the dilute dose of Prozac. Instead of courting them, males were more likely to chase, peck or claw the female starlings on Prozac. Researchers say the drug may make females more lethargic, and therefore less attractive to males. Fluoxetine has previously been found to reduce sexual appetite in female rats. Uber is coming to Amish countrysort of. An Amish man in Colon, Michigan has launched his own version of the service using a horse and buggy to bring passengers where they need to go. While he isnt actually affiliated with Uber (and you cant use a cell phone to hail rides), riders say Timothy Hochstedlers Amish Uber is a convenient solution in an area lacking ride-sharing options. Scroll down for video An Amish man in Colon, Michigan has launched his own ride-sharing service using a horse and buggy to bring passengers where they need to go. He's dubbed it 'Amish Uber,' though he isn't actually affiliated with Uber Uber is a cool thing, every single year something new comes in and Uber is hot right now, so we have the Amish Uber, Hochstedler told WWMT. We can deliver people to their front door steps. Rides with the Amish Uber cost just $5, and can take passengers on a scenic trip through Colon. But, youll have to flag him down the old fashioned way. Hochstedlers buggy is adorned with two signs to let potential riders know about the service: one bearing the recognizable Uber logo with a picture of a horse and buggy above it, and a handwritten note touting the $5 horse-drawn buggy rides. For those who are used to the convenience of ordering a ride with the press of a button, it might not seem like much to be excited about. But in Colon, it could be the next best thing to a taxi. Rides with the Amish Uber cost just $5, and can take passengers on a scenic trip through Colon. But, youll have to flag him down the old fashioned way. While he isnt actually affiliated with Uber (and you cant use a cell phone to hail rides), riders say Timothy Hochstedlers Amish Uber is a convenient solution in an area thats currently lacking the ride-sharing system I dont think theres Uber down here, so its pretty cool, Becky Phelps, an Amish Uber rider, told WWMT. It gives people that option that cant drive or dont want to drive or shouldnt drive. Hochstedler says he mostly gives rides to people from out of town, but also makes local drop-offs for the people of Colon. As with Uber, passengers can share the buggy rides with other people. Uber is a cool thing, every single year something new comes in and Uber is hot right now, so we have the Amish Uber, Hochstedler told WWMT . We can deliver people to their front door steps Hochstedler says he mostly gives rides to people from out of town, but also makes local drop-offs for the people of Colon Amish Uber will be running this weekend during Colons 81st annual Abbotts Magic Get Together, according to WWMT. And, it seems Hochstedler wont be the only one benefitting from all the attention. The Amish Uber owner says his horse loves people. Hes a Morgan. A Morgan is a peoples horse, Hochstedler told WWMT. They love giving you a kiss or whatever. Earth may be decades away from a climatic tipping point that triggers runaway global warming and threatens the future of humanity, scientists have warned. The threshold will be reached when average global temperatures are only around 2C higher than they were in pre-industrial times, new research suggests. They are already 1C higher, and rising. Feedback mechanisms acting 'like a row of dominoes' will then spin the world into a 'Hothouse Earth' state of uncontrollable climate change. Long term, the Hothouse Earth climate will stabilize at a global average of 4C-5C above pre-industrial levels, the study shows. Earth may be decades away from a climatic tipping point that triggers runaway global warming and threatens the future of humanity, scientists have warned. The threshold will be reached when average global temperatures are only around 2C higher than in pre-industrial times If that happened, swathes of the planet around the equator will become uninhabitable, with sea levels up to 60 metres (197ft) higher than they are today threatening coastal cities. A Hothouse Earth would pose 'severe risks for health, economies, political stability, and ultimately, the habitability of the planet for humans', the international scientists wrote in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The research highlighted 10 feedback processes that were predicted to kick in at around 2C of global warming. The 'tipping elements' could turn natural carbon storage systems or 'sinks' into powerful greenhouse gas emitters. Professor Johan Rockstrom, a leading member of the team from the University of Stockholm, Sweden, said: 'These tipping elements can potentially act like a row of dominoes. 'Once one is pushed over, it pushes Earth towards another. It may be very difficult or impossible to stop the whole row of dominoes from tumbling over. 'Places on Earth will become uninhabitable if Hothouse Earth becomes the reality.' Scientists have warned of catastrophic climate change. Feedback mechanisms acting 'like a row of dominoes' will spin the world into a 'Hothouse Earth' state of uncontrollable change 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 The tipping point dangers were identified as thawing permafrost, the release of methane trapped on the ocean floor, weakening land and ocean carbon sinks, increased carbon dioxide production by ocean bacteria, Amazon rainforest die-back, coniferous forest die-back, reduced northern hemisphere snow cover, loss of Arctic summer sea ice, reduced Antarctic sea ice and melting polar ice sheets. The scientists wrote: 'Our analysis suggests that the Earth system may be approaching a planetary threshold that could lock in a continuing rapid pathway toward much hotter conditions Hothouse Earth. 'This pathway would be propelled by strong, intrinsic, biogeophysical feedbacks difficult to influence by human actions, a pathway that could not be reversed, steered or substantially slowed. 'Where such a threshold might be is uncertain, but it could be only decades ahead at a temperature rise of (around) 2C above pre-industrial.' Avoiding a Hothouse Earth would require 'deep cuts' in greenhouse gas emissions as well as concerted efforts to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, both by preserving natural carbon sinks and using technology, said the researchers. A Hothouse Earth would pose 'severe risks for health, economies, political stability, and ultimately, the habitability of the planet for humans', the international scientists wrote in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences SEA LEVELS COULD RISE BY UP TO 4 FEET BY THE YEAR 2300 Global sea levels could rise as much as 1.2 metres (4 feet) by 2300 even if we meet the 2015 Paris climate goals, scientists have warned. The long-term change will be driven by a thaw of ice from Greenland to Antarctica that is set to re-draw global coastlines. Sea level rise threatens cities from Shanghai to London, to low-lying swathes of Florida or Bangladesh, and to entire nations such as the Maldives. It is vital that we curb emissions as soon as possible to avoid an even greater rise, a German-led team of researchers said in a new report. By 2300, the report projected that sea levels would gain by 0.7-1.2 metres, even if almost 200 nations fully meet goals under the 2015 Paris Agreement. Targets set by the accords include cutting greenhouse gas emissions to net zero in the second half of this century. Ocean levels will rise inexorably because heat-trapping industrial gases already emitted will linger in the atmosphere, melting more ice, it said. In addition, water naturally expands as it warms above four degrees Celsius (39.2F). Every five years of delay beyond 2020 in peaking global emissions would mean an extra 20 centimetres (8 inches) of sea level rise by 2300. 'Sea level is often communicated as a really slow process that you can't do much about ... but the next 30 years really matter,' said lead author Dr Matthias Mengel, of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, in Potsdam, Germany. None of the nearly 200 governments to sign the Paris Accords are on track to meet its pledges. Advertisement Commenting on the findings, climate researcher Dr Phil Williamson, from the University of East Anglia, said: 'In the context of the summer of 2018, this is definitely not a case of crying wolf, raising a false alarm. The wolves are now in sight.' Chris Rapley, Professor of Climate Science at University College London said: 'Previous research has shown that an increase in the mean global temperature of 11-12C would make more than half of the land area currently occupied by humans uninhabitable. So, a 'runaway' warming to a new and uncontrollable hot state would represent an existential threat to humanity and the majority of existing species.' NASAs TESS spacecraft has finally begun its mission to find planets outside of our solar system. But in its first images, its not exoplanets the satellite has captured. TESS spotted a comet soaring roughly 29 million miles (48 million km) from Earth on July 25, just hours before its first official science operations. Scroll down for video Comet 2018 N1 sits in the constellation Piscis Austrinus, and can be seen as a bright white circle passing through the frame from left to right The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) started science operations on July 25 after a series of images to tests its ability to observe a broad region of the sky over a prolonged time. The sequence revealing Comet/2018 N1, which was first detected by NASAs Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) on June 29, was captured over the course of 17 hours. According to NASA, TESS snapped the images in the final hours of its commissioning phase. Comet 2018 N1 sits in the constellation Piscis Austrinus, and can be seen as a bright white circle passing through the frame from left to right. The comets tail, which consists of gases carried away from the comet by an outflow from the Sun called the solar wind, extends to the top of the frame and gradually pivots as the comet glides across the field of view, NASA explains. TESS also spotted stars and what NASA says is stray light from Mars, when the red planet was at its closest to Earth. The spacecraft underwent weeks of tests ahead of the official start to its mission, after launching this past April. Its first observations are expected to come early this month, with transmissions sent back to Earth every 13.5 days from then on. TESS spotted a comet soaring roughly 29 million miles (48 million km) from Earth on July 25, just hours before its first official science operations Im thrilled that our new planet hunter mission is ready to start scouring our solar systems neighborhood for new worlds, said Paul Hertz, NASA Astrophysics division director at Headquarters, Washington. Now that we know there are more planets than stars in our universe, I look forward to the strange, fantastic worlds were bound to discover. Back in May, TESS snapped its first test image from orbit, exactly one month after launching its mission to find undiscovered exoplanets. NASAs Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) completed a lunar flyby on May 17, passing roughly 5,000 miles from the moon en route to its final working orbit. The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) started science operations on July 25 with a series of images to tests its ability to observe a broad region of the sky over a prolonged time WHAT IS THE TESS SPACECRAFT? NASA's new 'planet hunter,' set to be Kepler's successor, is equipped with four cameras that will allow it to view 85 per cent of the entire sky, as it searches exoplanets orbiting stars less than 300 light-years away. By studying objects much brighter than the Kepler targets, it's hoped TESS could uncover new clues on the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe. Its four wide-field cameras will view the sky in 26 segments, each of which it will observe one by one. In its first year of operation, it will map the 13 sectors that make up the southern sky. Then, the following year, it will scour the northern sectors. 'We learned from Kepler that there are more planets than stars in our sky, and now TESS will open our eyes to the variety of planets around some of the closest stars,' said Paul Hertz, Astrophysics Division director at NASA's Headquarters. 'TESS will cast a wider net than ever before for enigmatic worlds whose properties can be probed by NASA's upcoming James Webb Space Telescope and other missions.' Tess is 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide and is shorter than most adults. The observatory is 4 feet across (1.2 meters), not counting the solar wings, which are folded for launch, and weighs just 800 pounds (362 kilograms). NASA says it's somewhere between the size of a refrigerator and a stacked washer and dryer. Tess will aim for a unique elongated orbit that passes within 45,000 miles of Earth on one end and as far away as the orbit of the moon on the other end. It will take Tess two weeks to circle Earth. Advertisement This gave it a gravity assist to maneuver toward its ultimate destination. Its initial test photo, captured in a two-second exposure using one of its four cameras, revealed more than 200,000 stars in the Centaurus constellation, with a glimpse at the Coalsack Nebula and the bright star Beta Centauri. The $337 million satellite launched on April 18 atop a Falcon 9 rocket on its way toward what scientists have hailed a mission for the ages. TESS is equipped with four cameras that will allow it to view 85 percent of the entire sky, as it searches exoplanets orbiting stars less than 300 light-years away. It hasnt quite reached its final orbit yet, but is expected to get there within the next few weeks, thanks in part to a little boost from the moons gravity on May 17. By studying objects much brighter than the Kepler targets, its hoped TESS could uncover new clues on the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe. Back in May, TESS snapped its first test image from orbit, exactly one month after launching its mission to find undiscovered exoplanets In its first year of operation, it will map the 13 sectors that make up the southern sky. Then, the following year, it will scour the northern sectors. One of the biggest questions in exoplanet exploration is: If an astronomer finds a planet in a stars habitable zone, will it be interesting from a biologists point of view? said George Ricker, TESS principal investigator at MITs Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research. We expect TESS will discover a number of planets whose atmospheric compositions, which hold potential clues to the presence of life, could be precisely measured by future observers. Alex Jones is a controversial radio and podcast host based in Austin, Texas. Jones says his 'InfoWars' shows, which are broadcast on radio, YouTube and other platforms, reach at least 70 million people a week. Among other claims, he has called the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting a hoax. He was sued for defamation by families of some of the children killed in that attack, which left 20 children and six adults dead. Among other claims, Alex Jones (file photo) has called the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting a hoax. He was sued for defamation by families of some of the children killed in that attack, which left 20 children and six adults dead He now admits the shooting occurred but says his claims were free speech. He has sought to have the lawsuit dismissed. Jones has also claimed that the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington were staged by the US government. While he began broadcasting his shows in 1999, Jones' profile has spread from the far-right fringe in recent years. While running for president in 2015, Donald Trump told Jones his reputation was 'amazing.' Travelling means having to navigate cultural differences. And some are better at it than others, as a new internet thread has been revealing. Users have been recalling the most culturally insensitive things they've ever seen their fellow travellers do, from stealing bits from a Roman amphitheatre to taking selfies at former Nazi concentration camps. Tourists have been revealing some of the most culturally insensitive things they've ever seen their travellers do, which include taking pieces of the Colosseum The discussion, on US-based forum Reddit, was kick-started by someone posing this question: 'International travelers of Reddit, what is the weirdest or most culturally insensitive thing you've seen other travelers/tourists do in other countries?' And one of the first to reply was 'LeviathanGank', who recalled an incident in Nepal involving a cow, which are sacred creatures in the country. He wrote: 'I saw an American woman (drunk and like 40) kick a cow in Nepal. It took a while for me and my friends to convince the locals she wasn't worth beating up.' While for 'kingfoffi' the worst thing he has ever seen are tourists trying to take home banned souvenirs - parts of a certain Roman amphitheatre. He explained: 'When tourists take away literal PIECES OF COLOSSEUM just for the sake of it, to have a souvenir. Id really like to cut their hands off.' Meanwhile, a whole host of answers related to rude behaviour at particularly sensitive sites that tend to pull in tourists. 'OkeyDoke47' told of a disrespectful tourist he had encountered at the infamous Killing Fields in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He wrote: 'A lot of tourists walking through the site, most being very respectful - quiet and contemplative as befits the setting. Except this one Australian guy, who refuses to turn his mobile phone to silent mode and insists on taking phone calls. His ring tone is the opening bars to AC/DC's Thunderstruck.' 'Barelyaboveaverag3' had a similar experience in Cambodia and explained: 'I was meditating/praying at a temple in Cambodia. 'Some old American guy yells "hey a******, move, we're trying to take a picture!" at me while standing on delicate temple ruins. I was at a loss for words.' At a Buddhist cave in Thailand, 'MediocreAnchovies' said they had seen tourists wandering the holy site topless or wearing bikinis. One traveller said he saw many tourists not taking their shoes off inside holy temples in Thailand They wrote: 'You should have your shoulders and your upper legs covered but they were swanning around half naked with their shoes on (big no) inside a holy site, and then I saw two Russian morons try to carve their names into the cave wall. 'Guide quickly put a stop to it. This cave was a holy resting site for monks and followers of the Buddha and people were sitting on their graves. Made me sick.' 'Itsadenine' also complained about tourists not understanding that some sites are used for worship and quiet prayer. She explained: 'I'm Catholic and I go to mass every Sunday (even in other countries). I know that some churches are beautiful, and they're usually steeped in history, but please please PLEASE when a service is going on, have the respect to stay silent and to not take pictures and to follow the rules!' 'Travellingsaleslady' lashed out at tourists at the Vatican adding: 'People from all cultures talking loudly at the church, taking pictures with flash and even laying down on the floor to get the best angles. Its just really disrespectful and depressing to see so much disregard for any place of cult.' Several tourists also voiced their displeasure at seeing people snap selfies at places that are meant to be a place of contemplation. 'Falafelwaffle13' said: 'Tourists at Auschwitz-Birkenau taking smiling selfies in front of the gas chambers. The insensitivity was mind-boggling.' While one user wrote: 'Taking selfies at Holocaust Memorial in Berlin. I just find this so incredibly tacky and disrespectful. Its such a touching memorial, we dont need to see your selfies.' Several tourists also voiced their displeasure at seeing people snap selfies at places such as Auschwitz Another added: 'In the catacombs [of Paris], people touching the bones. This wasnt just Americans. I tried to do my part by telling them touchez pas! but I can only do so much. People actually steal bones from there.' Not respecting the differences in language were the biggest gripes for some other travellers. 'Blink2356' explained: 'In a few different countries I saw people just flat out being sh***y over people not being able to speak English. 'In Bosnia I saw one girl snap on this poor tram driver because he didn't know English and said something like "god, where the hell did you go to school?!" Completely ignoring that when this guy was school age he was probably, you know, dodging bullets in a civil war instead of caring about English.' One person commenting lashed out at tourists at the Vatican for talking loudly and taking pictures with the flash on Meanwhile 'TuesGirl' added: 'On a crowded train in Sydney during the 2000 Olympics. Two couples, with Texas twang accents taking VERY loudly about how they wish the Australians would just "speak normal English so they could understand them".' And 'akb9696' recalled: 'A girl I was with getting very angry on the train after realizing Poland didnt use Euros then asking if they would take her American dollars. 'She got even more p****d off when I pointed out that in America we wouldnt accept foreign money so why would anyone in Poland do it.' While 'BearDrivingACar' revealed the time he saw a bizarre tourist in a London history museum. He explained: 'There was this ancient Egyptian statue that at the least would have to be 2,000 years old and there was just this dumb f*****g tourist on his phone just leaning on this extremely old and probably fragile exhibit like its just a wall instead of an extremely valuable artefact.' Fans of Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey have the chance to grab dinner with him if they help raise money for families affected by cancer. The actor, 52, is offering to invite five individuals who participate in his annual Dempsey Challenge to dine with him, Maine's Sun Journal reports. The Dempsey Challenge is a bike-run-walk fundraiser that benefits non-medical, cancer-related services provided by the Dempsey Centers in Lewiston and South Portland. Eye on the prize: Former Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey, pictured in June, is offering to host dinner for five randomly selected participants in his Dempsey Challenge fundraiser The event takes place in late September and individuals who register to participate and raise $1,000 or more by September 1 will be eligible to be picked for the dinner, according to organizers. Each winner will be allowed to bring a guest to the dinner that will be hosted by Dempsey at his Kennebunkport home. Individuals, who raise more than $1,000, receive multiple entries according to the Challenge rules set out at DempseyCenter.org. The dinner will be prepared by popular Maine chef Jonathan Cartwright. Helping hand: The annual bike-run-walk fundraiser that the actor established in 2009 benefits families affected by cancer through the Dempsey Centers in Lewiston and South Portland Dempsey and his wife Jill, pictured, take part in the event that he established in honor of his mother Aamanda who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1997 and died from it in 2014 However, Dempsey Center Communications Director Nancy Audet said last week that while both the actor and the chef are currently available for the proposed September 27 dinner, neithers attendance is guaranteed. Additionally, the Dempsey Challenge reserves the right to cancel the event for any reason, according to the Sun-Journal. 'There is no guarantee, and thats in the fine print,' Audet said. 'We can never guarantee Patricks attendance. With his schedule, we never know.' Dempsey, who has focused on racing cars since leaving the hit ABC medical show where he played neurosurgeon Derek 'McDreamy' Shepherd in 2015, established the Dempsey Challenge in 2009. The goal was to raise money to support the Patrick Dempsey Center at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine, that he had set up in honor of his mother Amanda who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1997. She passed away from the disease in 2014. She is showing her 'True' love once again. Khloe Kardashian posted another adorable photo of her daughter True on Instagram with the caption: 'Kyankus My Life.' Turns out, the reality star was paying homage to her family roots: Kyankus is an Armenian word that translates to 'my life' in English. True love: Khloe Kardashian shared an adorable photo of daughter True on Instagram on Sunday with the caption: 'Kyankus My Life' Little True Thompson is nearly four months old now. And she looks super-cute as she stares into the camera in a white sheer baby dress and diapers. This is one of only a few photos that Khloe has shared of her daughter that wasnt heavily filtered. The reality star has been extremely careful with what she posts of True on social media. Paying homage: Kyankus is an Armenian word that translates to 'my life' in English Adorable: True Thompson is nearly five months old; Khloe's also posted a picture of her bundle of joy July 14 As a family, the Kardashians have made it a point to be vocal about their family's Armenian heritage and culture. In 2015, Khloe, Kim, Kanye and their daughter North traveled with some of their cousins to Armenia in a visit that was documented on an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. 'The Mother Armenia statue symbolizes peace through strength," Khloe shared on Instagram during her visit. 'It can remind viewers of some of the prominent female figures in Armenian history. Who took up arms to help their husbands in their clashes with Turkish troops and Kurdish irregulars. I am woman hear me roar! Blessed to be here!!!' Robert Kardashian, father of Khloe, Kim, Kourtney, and Rob, passed away in 2003. His great-grandparents were ethnic Armenian Spiritual Christian Prygun immigrants from Turkey. The family ended up leaving Europe and settled in the United States in the early 1900's, hoping to live out the American dream. The new season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians premieres on Sunday August 5 on the E channel. Proud parents: Khloe is still trying to make it work with beau Tristan Thompson despite the cheating allegations that surfaced before True was born in April The Bachelor Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins has revealed fans of the reality dating show could be in for a romantic proposal at the end of this upcoming season of the reality dating series. Ahead of the Channel Ten show's premiere later this month, the former Wallabies star hinted that he's found 'The One.' Speaking to New Weekly magazine, the 30-year-old reality star said while he never thought he'd propose on the show, his starring role changed his mind. Scroll down to video 'I've got a much better understanding of love': The Bachelor Nick 'Honey Badger' Cummins , 30, has hinted fans of the show could see a proposal at the end of this season 'Going into the show, I would have said I would not propose - not in a million years,' be divulged to the publication. 'But since actually living it, well, you'll have to wait and see,' he teased. Eagle-eyed Bachelor sleuths already know the chiselled former athlete has already been on home stays with youth worker, Brooke Blurton, and Cassandra Wood, both 23. 'Going into the show, I would have said I would not propose - not in a million years': Controversial Bachelor Nick hinted he found the one on the reality dating show Elsewhere in his NW interview, the handsome curly-haired Casanova went on to drop several other hints he has found his special someone. Nick went on to admit that his got a 'much better understanding of love' and added that he believes in love at first sight. In the past, Nick dated Norwegian artist Martine Thomassen for five years, but struggled to date after their break-up in 2016. Could it be one of these two? Eagle-eyed Bachelor watchers known that contestants Brooke Blurton (left) and Cassandra Wood, both 23, have made it to the home stays Having been in the spotlight for the past 10 years, he admitted that he wanted a woman who wasn't caught up in his public profile. Later in the wide-ranging interview, hunky Nick admitted that his down-to-earth family had reservations about him going on the controversial show. He said they asked him if he was 'sure' about it, before adding that the male members of his family were more in favour of it than the females. He said the 'blokes in family' thought 'you beauty, you'll get to kiss a bunch of girls' while the girls were a little bit more reserved about it. Th Bachelor premieres on Channel Ten on August 15. Travels In Trumpland with Ed Balls (BBC2) Rating: Cardinal (BBC4) Rating: The sly grin on the face of the Louisiana cop said it all. He'd just Tasered former Labour MP Ed Balls on the backside ... and he'd hit where he was aiming. Many of us have wanted to administer a hefty boot to the backside of a politician. But it took courage for Ed to volunteer for 'a five-second ride with the lightning,' as the deputy sheriff called it, on the second part of his American adventure Travels In Trumpland (BBC2). It took courage for Ed to volunteer for 'a five-second ride with the lightning' in Travels In Trumpland (BBC2) The jolt from the supercharged zapgun is a ritual that all rookie police must undergo in this Southern state. Ed proved his mettle further, as he spent a night in an orange jumpsuit on a bunk, with inmates at a town jail. He even managed to sleep, which takes nerve. When he was woken at 5.30am, his new friends had emptied his locker, leaving him with not even a toothbrush. He was surrounded by crooks it must have reminded him of his days in the Commons. Out on patrol and chasing villains with the deputies, he flung himself over a chain link fence, panting: 'I don't know if I can do this.' The aerial shots of the Canadian wilderness's forests and lakes on the crime serial Cardinal (BBC4) are breathtaking But he cleared the fence, and generally made a much more confident job of his ordeals and interviews than in the opening episode. Though Ed is still feeling his way, he managed to win the trust of people he met, and sometimes got them spilling their secrets. One jittery beanpole of a guy, leaning on the stoop of his dilapidated wooden house, forgot his reluctance to speak on camera and started explaining how he'd shot his neighbour dead in a row over a $100 debt. Ed was baffled to be having this conversation in the open, rather than back in jail. The deputy patiently explained that no charges were pressed: it's legal to kill a man in Louisiana, if you can convince the police it was self-defence. To celebrate his 51st birthday, Ed danced the night away at a gay bar with a black talk-show host, who had an obsession for handguns and shouted slogans such as: 'Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!' But he stopped short of treating the Deep South as a freak show, as too many British TV documentaries fronted by celebs tend to do. Meeting a family who lost a child in a school shooting, Ed was moved to real emotion. The paradox is that such a friendly country can harbour so much wanton violence. There's little that's friendly about the Canadian wilderness. It's spectacular aerial shots of its forests and lakes on the crime serial Cardinal (BBC4) are breathtaking. And it's unspoilt, with vast, pristine stretches unlike anywhere else in the Western world. Awful ad of the weekend Tony Robinson promised to reveal treasures from the air, in Hidden Britain By Drone (C4). Instead he turned the show into a giant plug for warehouse shop Argos. Sounds like one of Baldrick's cunning plans gone wrong. Advertisement But it's not exactly welcoming. The opening scene of this dark thriller, with a wounded girl stumbling into a biker bar that reeked of drugs and testosterone, was chilling. We've seen bikers and backwoods before, of course. Cardinal would be straightforward detective noir, if the murder victim were actually dead. But she isn't that red-headed girl in the bar has a bullet in her brain and no memory of who she is, but otherwise she's fine. It's an intriguing start. By the end of the first double episode, this original twist risked being buried under layers of cliche: the cop whose daughter is too damaged to live with him, the female sidekick who won't face her own emotions, and the devil-worshipping weirdo chopping up corpses. But I'm hooked and I'll stick with it. 'What's Wrong With Secretary Kim' Actor Park Seo Joon Leads August K-Drama Brand Reputation Ranking What's Wrong With Secretary Kim stars dominate the August brand reputation ranking for K-drama actors. Lead actors Park Seo Joon and Park Min Young are on top stops, thanks to their hit tvN series. The Korean Business Research Institute has revealed this month's K-drama brand reputation ranking. Park Seo Joon secured the No. 1 spot while his on-screen partner Park Min Young is at second place. Park Seo Joon reached the top spot of the ranking after garnering an impressive brand reputation index of 24,097,237. Park Min Young, on the other hand, scored an index of 18,161,817. Advertisement The ranking was determined through the analysis of data that include the media coverage on 100 K-drama actors who appeared in TV series that were aired between July 3 and August 4. The participation, interaction, and community indexes of the stars were also analyzed. Park Seo Joon was in the second place in July K-drama actors brand reputation ranking, behind Ji Chang Wook of Suspicious Partner. This month's positivity-negativity analysis of Park Seo JHoon scored at 64.11 percent positive reactions. The high-ranking phrases in the actor's keyword analysis include "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim," "Park Min Young," and "dating." The intense chemistry between the show's lead characters, Lee Young Joon (Park Seo Joon) and Kim Mi So (Park Min Young), has sparked dating rumors. However, both K-drama stars already denied the speculations that they are dating. "I can't accept that you can call it a dating scandal just by some evidence anyone can make up, and adding rumors to it... My final verdict on the dating rumors? I don't date him. I don't date him, and I'm not marrying him," Park Min Young said at her recent cafe interview. What's Wrong With Secretary Kim had dominated its Wednesdays and Thursdays timeslot since it premiered in early June. It aired its final episode on July 26. It featured the wedding of Young Joon to his devoted secretary, Kim Mi So. The last episode scored an average viewership rating of 8.6 percent. Meanwhile, completing the top five actors in August brand reputation ranking are Mr. Sunshine stars Kim Tae and Lee Byung Hun in third and fifth places, respectively. Gangnam Beauty actor and ASTRO member Cha Eun Woo secured the No. 4 spot. Goblin and Life actor Lee Dong Wook is also in the top 10 along with Im Soo Hyang, Cho Seung Woo, Kim Min Jung, and Kim Jung Hyun. Advertisement Advertisement Like us and Follow us Follow @Koreaportal and 2021 Korea Portal, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. They have long been the subject of pregnancy rumours. And now Woman's Day have once again claimed that Karl Stefanovic, 43, and Jasmine Yarbrough, 34, plan to start a family very soon. With the loved-up couple rumoured to wed in the coming weeks, a Nine insider told the publication: 'It's a given that it (having children) will happen.' 'It's a given that it will happen': Today show's Karl Stefanovic and fiancee Jasmine Yarbrough are 'planning for children after the TV host had his vasectomy secretly reversed last year' Karl is already the father to three children - with ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn - Jackson, 18, Ava 13, and River, 10. The mystery source added: 'They've talked about having children and I know Jasmine really, really wants to be a mum, so we all expect Karl will be a dad again.' 'I don't think they're going to rush into it, but it's a given that it will happen.' 'They've talked about having children and I know Jasmine (above) really, really wants to be a mum': A Nine insider claimed to the publication the pair are ready to become parents Preparations? Woman's Day previously alleged Karl (R), a father-of-three, had his vasectomy reversed to start a family with Jasmine (L) 'during a recent (in 2017) trip to Los Angeles' Practice? Appearing clucky, the pair recently cuddled up to Karl's adorable goddaughter as they hosted a first birthday party for the little girl Woman's Day previously alleged Karl, a father-of-three, had his vasectomy reversed to start a family with Jasmine 'during a recent (in 2017) trip to Los Angeles.' According to the Vasectomy Reversal Center of America, getting pregnant after a vasectomy reversal is usually a six to 12 month process. Appearing very clucky indeed, the pair recently cuddled up to Karl's adorable goddaughter as they hosted a first birthday party for the little girl. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Karl Stefanovic's management for comment. Family man: Karl is already the father to three children - with ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn (pictured) - Jackson, 18, Ava 13, and River, 10 The Today show host began dating fiancee Jasmine in December 2016, and went public with their relationship in February 2017. Karl and Jasmine made their 'official debut' as a couple at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in March 2017. Karl opened up to Stellar in March about their relationship, which made headlines less than six months after he revealed he was divorcing Cassandra Thorburn. 'I certainly did not expect to meet someone after I broke up with my wife. That was not planned, I did not know her before,' he relayed. It's rumoured the couple will wed in a lavish ceremony in the coming weeks. Coronation Street star Alex Bain has denied splitting from his pregnant girlfriend as he discussed his excitement ahead of welcoming their first child together. The 16-year-old actor last week hinted that he had split from other half Levi Selby but has since hit back at the claims and admitted he couldn't wait to meet his baby daughter, who they have named Lydia-Rose. According to The Sun, the soap star took to Facebook and wrote: 'Im still with my girlfriend, and cant wait to have my own little family!' Back on: Coronation Street star Alex Bain has denied splitting from his pregnant girlfriend as he discussed his excitement ahead of welcoming their first child together Meanwhile, an insider told the publication that while the teenage couple went through a rough patch, they are 'stronger than ever' and ready to welcome their little girl in December. A source said: 'Theyve been through a bad patch but are now stronger than ever and so excited to meet their baby. 'It feels even more real now theyve got a name. They just want to shout it from the rooftops.' MailOnline have contacted Alex Bain's rep for comment. The reports come after it was believe that he had parted ways with Levi, also 16, after she took to her Facebook with a picture of her recent ultrasound alongside the caption: 'Me and my little girl from now on!! Can't wait to start my life with her.' Starting a family: The 16-year-old actor last week hinted that he had split from other half Levi Selby but has since hit back at the claims and admitted he couldn't wait to meet his baby daughter, who they have named Lydia-Rose 'Me and my little girl from now on!' The soap star, 16, was previously believed to have parted ways from Levi Selby, also 16, after she took to her Facebook with a picture of her recent ultrasound Shock news that Alex, who has played the lovable Simon Barlow for 10 years after joining in 2008, was set to become a first time dad with Levi emerged in May, who was 12 weeks pregnant at the time. Levi delightedly announced her pregnancy on social media with a picture of a recent ultrasound two months ago. And now the teenager has taken to her Facebook page to hint at a change in circumstances, but remains defiant in being there for her unborn daughter. Meanwhile Levi's pals have rallied around her to offer support with one stating: 'Dont need no one else, youll be a great mamma to that little princess.' Excitement: Levi delightedly announced her pregnancy on social media with a picture of a recent ultrasound two months ago and revealed she was due in December Another commented: 'Its all gunna be okay, dont waste any sleep over it cuz its not worth the stress the baby can probably feel what youre feeling and she doesnt deserve it, neither do you.' During her initial pregnancy announcement, Levi revealed that she was due December 8 and received dozens of congratulations comments in reply. And a source close to child star Alex told The Sun: 'Alex has been telling everyone he's going to be a father. He isn't keeping it a secret. It's hard to tell if he's happy about it or not but he's definitely not ashamed of it.' However, the source implied it was a distraction from the GCSE Alex was studying for at his school in Lancashire. 'Some people have been saying how young he is to be having a baby. It's only happened to one other person at his school in recent years so it is pretty shocking,' they said. Levi's mother Judith Calvert appeared excited to be having a grandchild, making the picture of the ultrasound her Facebook profile picture surrounded by hearts. The pregnancy also got a thumbs up form her aunt Tracey Adams, who replied 'congratulations to you both'. Alex and Levi had been dating since last April despite attending separate schools. Cobbles legend: Alex joined the popular ITV soap in 2008 as Peter Barlow's son, Simon Barlow, as he was forced to live with his alcoholic father after his mother, Lucy Barlow, died Alex joined the popular ITV soap in 2008 as Peter Barlow's son, Simon Barlow, as he was forced to live with his alcoholic father after his mother, Lucy Barlow, died. The troubled character went on to be adopted by his stepmum, Leanne Battersby, but later turned abusive towards her and she was forced to report him to the police. While more recently, Simon has got into the wrong crowd and was discovered to be one of the members of the gang that mugged Audrey Roberts. The actor's portrayal of the troubled youngster has seen him win two awards over the years - Best Young Performance at the 2011 The British Soap Awards and Best Young Performance at the 2012 Inside Soap Awards. It's one of the biggest nights of the year in Australian fashion. So it's no surprise that David Jones has recruited two of the biggest names in the fashion world for their upcoming Spring Summer 2018 show. Former Victoria's Secret model Karolina Kurkova, 34, channelled off-duty chic as she jetted into Sydney on Sunday, ahead of Wednesday's runway show. Off-duty chic! Models Karolina Kurkova (left) and Anwar Hadid (right) jet into Sydney ahead of David Jones fashion show The makeup-free Czech beauty dressed appropriately for her flight, wearing loose-fitting navy ttrousers, a white blouse, beige coat and comfortable flats. The statuesque model donned dark shades and carried a designer tote while being accompanied by airport security. On Monday, Anwar Hadid, 19, the sibling of fashion 'It' girls Bella and Gigi, strolled through the arrivals terminal. Flight attire: The makeup-free Czech beauty dressed appropriately for her flight, wearing loose-fitting navy pants a white blouse, beige coat and comfortable flats Beaming: Karolina appeared to be in high spirits after the long flight and showcased her glowing complexion VIP: The statuesque model wore dark shades and carried a designer tote while being accompanied by airport security And she's off! The stunning blonde drove off in a waiting car The American model appeared relaxed and wore grey sweats, a white jumper and dirty sneakers. The pair will join the likes of ambassadors Jessica Gomes and Victoria Lee on the runway. In a statement to News Corp last month, David Jones womenswear and accessories manager, Bridget Veals, said mother-of-two Karolina was chosen because she's an inspiration. Low-key arrival: Anwar Hadid, 19, the sibling of fashion 'It' girls Bella and Gigi, strolled through the arrivals terminal at Sydney airport Famous faces: The Hadids are all signed to IMG worldwide. Pictured: Gigi (left), Anwar (centre) and Bella (right) 'Karolina is not only a renowned supermodel with a stellar international career - having walked for the likes of Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Gucci - but also a mother and role model that resonates well with our customers,' Bridget said. Karolina is married to her actor husband of eight years Archie Drury. She has walked for the likes of Prada and Louis Vuitton and landed her first Vogue cover at 17. Elite: Anwar is the son of billionaire property developer Mohamed Hadid and former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Jet-setter: Anwar is currently based in New York City Busted! He made headlines in June when he was photographed kissing Kim Kardashian's sister Kendall Jenner in a New York nightclub. The pair are pictured together on June 4, 2018 Anwar is the son of billionaire property developer Mohamed Hadid and former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda. Last year, he was named the face of Hugo Boss Menswear's HUGO line and he has been featured in various fashion campaigns for Teen Vogue, Paper magazine and Nylon magazine. He made headlines in June when he was photographed kissing Kim Kardashian's sister Kendall Jenner in a New York nightclub. They recently shut down split rumours after appearing in an Instagram video last week, expressing they were more in love than ever. However, a 'close friend' of Troy Delmege and Carly Bowyer has now allegedly told Woman's Day there's definitely trouble in paradise between the pair. 'They won't go the distance,' the 'insider' allegedly told the publication. 'She thinks he's too hyper and needs to settle down and get a job!' More claims Married At First Sight stars Troy Delmege and Carly Bowyer's relationship 'is on the rocks' 'Troy spent last week in Sydney because Carly felt they needed some space. He says she's erratic and hard work,' they added. And it's not just Troy that seems to think their relationship is cooling down. The 'friend' said 32-year-old marketing manager Carly is ready to throw in the towel too. 'They won't go the distance,' the 'insider' allegedly told the publication 'Carly thinks he's too hyper and needs to settle down and get a job!' they told the magazine. Meanwhile, Carly didn't help put split rumours to bed after she responded to fans in the comment section of her Instagram last week, defending her solo appearance at the Make-A-Wish Foundation Ball where she arrived without Troy. 'We have lives outside [of] each other!' she proclaimed. Splitsville? Meanwhile, Carly didn't help put split rumours to bed after she responded to fans in a comment section of her Instagram last week, defending her solo appearance at the Make-A-Wish Foundation Ball where she arrived without Troy Rumours swirled that the reality TV sweethearts had split after Troy shared an old loved-up old snap of him and Carly on a date last month, which he tried to pass off as a new image. In the snap, Carly didn't have her new veneers, despite getting them done in May. This is an old photo. I actually don't think they're still together,' one follower said. Carly again fueled rumours by stepping out for a charity event in Melbourne with fellow MAFS rejects Nick Furphy and Clare Verrall. When asked where Troy was, Carly offered a cryptic response. 'Don't know where he is guys, he's out posting an old photo of us, obviously,' she said. Dail Mail has contacted Troy and Carly for a comment. Kim Kardashian West has hit back at Tyson Beckford's criticism that she doesn't have a gym-honed body. The 37-year-old reality television star posted a video to her Instagram stories, showing her working out. Kim reignited the feud, as she showcased her curves in a cropped bra top and black leggings, as she was seen doing some exercises. Yes I do! Kim Kardashian West has hit back at Tyson Beckford's criticism that she doesn't have a gym-honed body The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star was sure to make sure Tyson, who posted 'Hit the gym. Not the surgery,' over a picture of Kim earlier this week, got the message that she does workout, as she named the moves she was performing. 'Hypertension's' (sic) she captioned her hyperextension. It's rare that Kim posts an insight into her workout regime, with sisters Khloe and Kourtney more likely to share their exercise sessions. Actions speak louder: The 37-year-old reality television star posted a video to her Instagram stories, showing her working out However, Kim also divulged the secret to her toned rear, 'a million sumo jump squats', which she found time to share on her Instagram, whilst pumping out the grueling moves. The mother-of-three, who has had two full-term pregnancies and her third child via surrogate, flaunted her flat tummy. Her dark tresses were worn long and in a ponytail, after she reverted to her long style following a drastic cut into a blunt bob earlier this week. Working up a sweat: Kim kept the feud going as she showcased her curves in a cropped bra top and black leggings, as she was seen doing some exercises in the pristine gym 'Hypertension's' (sic) she captioned her hyperextension Famous butt: Kim also divulged the secret to her toned rear, 'a million sumo jump squats', which she found time to share on her Instagram, whilst pumping out the grueling moves Moves: It's rare that Kim posts an insight into her workout regime, with sisters Khloe and Kourtney more likely to share their exercise sessions That's a good squat: The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star was sure to make sure Tyson, who posted 'Hit the gym. Not the surgery,' over a picture of Kim earlier this week, got the message that she does workout Kim decided she didn't feel sexy with shorter hair, and almost immediately reverted to the longer style, presumably through extensions. The wife of Kanye West was fighting back after Beckford, 47, criticised her for being fake, and having a 'botched' figure. After a paparazzi picture of the reality star was posted online, the hunky actor criticized Kim's figure, commenting that she's 'not real' and that the 'doctor f***ed up'. 'Sorry I don't care for it personally' Tyson wrote on the snap of Kim dressed up for Jimmy Kimmel in Los Angeles this week wearing black velour leggings and a tiny crop top. Swole patrol: Tyson Beckford took to Instagram early Thursday morning to share shirtless snaps to show off his very muscular physique as he continued to add fuel to the fire of his feud with Kim Shade: The 47-year-old model criticized Kim's figure, saying the 'doctor f***ed up' and slammed her for being 'not real' after a paparazzi picture of the reality was posted online Taking it a step further, the Into The Blue star added another scathing comment about the appearance of her curves, 'She is not real, doctor f***ed up on her right hip.' Adding insult to injury the star added a green vomit emoji. The Shade Room shared the comments on its Instagram page allowing for the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star to see Tyson's unfiltered thoughts. Kim, 37, responded by insinuating that Tyson doesn't find her attractive because he is gay. 'Sis we all know why you don't care for it,' she wrote. Still swinging: The posts came just hours after he shared a meme of the wife of Kanye West looking very muscular Burn: As the 47-year-old model criticized her for her 'botched' body,' he took another shot at Kardashian on Instagram by posting a gym selfie video with the caption 'no surgery just gym it ladies' Not his thing: When Kim's response went viral Tyson was unapologetic as he took to his Instagram Stories later in the day. Having the last say: Tyson said he prefers Beyonce to Kim Alongside Kim's comeback were the emojis for a cup of tea and a frog, in reference to the viral 'But that's none of my business' meme which is often used as a postscript online and features Kermit the Frog sipping a cup of tea. Kim's third emoji was a hand being painted with pink nail polish, a symbol usually used to express nonchalance. Kardashian was then slammed on social media for insinuating that Beckford was gay and the model also fired back. He wrote 'Despite what @Theshaderoom might be tryna say, my opinion on women who do plastic surgery stays the same, not for me! I personally don't care for it! Done end of story!' Off radar: Meanwhile, Beckford appears to have deleted most of his previous Instagram posts, since the feud started, with his posts starting again on July 8 In another post he wrote, 'Always gonna pick a Beyonce over anyone else' along with a cheeky tongue-out emoji. He also shared a meme of a photoshopped snap of Kim looking very muscular with the caption: 'Hit the gym. Not the surgery.' Kim has been plagued by plastic surgery rumors for most of her career but has always denied getting butt implants or a Brazilian butt lift. The E! star has been proudly showing off her weight loss recently after she dropped to 119lbs. Meanwhile, Beckford appears to have deleted most of his previous Instagram posts, since the feud started, with his posts resetting from July 8. The Bachelorette's Leandro 'Leo' Dottavio acknowledged not being a 'perfect person' in response to sexual harassment allegations by fellow franchise star Bekah Martinez. The 31-year-old reality star released a statement on Friday to DailyMail.com after Martinez posted screenshots her fan base collected of Dottavio allegedly acting inappropriately toward women. 'There have been some recent stories about me that have garnered attention and I want to address them. I want to start by saying no one has ever directly accused me of sexual harassment. No one has ever come to me in any way and told me I made them feel uncomfortable,' Dottavio said in the statement sent by a representative retained by his attorney. Scroll below for video Speaking out: The Bachelorette's Leandro Dottavio on Friday issued a statement to DailyMail.com in response to sexual harassment allegations levied by Bekah Martinez 'However, I am not a perfect person, nor have I ever claimed to be. Did I do things in college that I would be embarrassed about now? Absolutely. Was I a part of my culture, the times, movies? Yes. I have grown as a person since college. I am not the man I was two years ago let alone 14 years ago,' the statement continued. It concluded: 'It's important for women to speak out if they felt uncomfortable or harassed. I support that. If there was anyone I made feel uncomfortable why not come to me? I would love an opportunity to right my wrongs and speak to any woman that wants to tell me how and when I made them feel uncomfortable. I want to take this as an opportunity to better myself and the treatment of women in my life'. Dottavio also told TMZ on Friday that he doesn't know 23-year-old Martinez, but claimed she was motivated to publicly accuse him of sexual harassment for 'attention.' 'In the Bachelor world, they say that she does it for attention, to stay relevant,' he said. 'I know that she has problems with that so I think that's why she does that.' Online posts: Leo Dottavio, shown in a still for The Bachelorette, was accused of acting inappropriately toward women in online postings Dottavio said it 'would have been nice if she reached out to' him prior to taking to Instagram with the allegations. Dottavio emphatically denied any wrongdoing, noting that he'd be 'really hurt that anybody would say [he] harassed them, in any way shape or form. 'I've been kind to women all my life,' he told the outlet. 'I don't want to hurt women I don't want to harass women, I don't want to make them feel, like uncomfortable - at all.' Ramped up: Bekah took to Instagram on Wednesday and warned Dottavio that he was 'messing with the wrong b****' He said that his understanding was that people who he had attended college with him reached out to Martinez and 'a lot of them were third party' - friends of people he might have associated with. Asked if he ever sent photos of his genitals to women, Dottavio stressed he's matured as a person in the years since he was in college. He said: 'As a human being, I know it's been a long time since college, I'm a different person now; college was 14 years ago, for me. 'What I did in college was college,' he said. 'I wouldn't say unsolicited, absolutely not - I've sent pictures, I've sexted people.' Speaking with TooFab on Friday, Dottavio pointed out that no one has directly accused him of doing anything wrong to them personally. Harsh reply: The Fresno nanny also shared screenshots of Dottavio's reactions to her posts Court challenge: The former contestant on The Bachelor challenged Dottavio to take her to court 'If I'm correct here, I don't think anyone said, 'He did this to me.' It was all a friend of a friend or, 'I heard he did this to a person,'' he said. 'I want to know who it was. I want to talk about it. If I did something wrong, I want to right that wrong. I'm not gonna just let it fester. 'Like, talk to me if that's how you feel instead of speaking for a friend though some random girl on Instagram who has a few followers.' In an Instagram Stories post Friday, Bekah said she was 'stepping away from this ongoing conversation about Leo for the next couple of days unless absolutely necessary. 'Please know I am not ignoring anyone or backing down, but I need a break,' she said. 'It's easy to focus only on the negative responses and to feel disheartened by men who continue to get away with inappropriate behavior and women who continue to protect abusers and attack their fellow women.' Fifth place: Martinez, shown in February in Los Angeles, competed for the affection of Arie Luyendyk Jr on season 22 of The Bachelor Among the aforementioned screengrabs Bekah previously posted included an Instagram post from four years ago, with Dottavio writing 'you need my big d***'. Dottavio claimed the screenshot of his comment was digitally altered and has asked his attorney to investigate; Martinez said she saw multiple versions of the comment and believed it to be authentic. She also said that many women have shared their own experiences with Dottavio. 'I started posting the screenshots [of their messages] because to me, it's not a coincidence that multiple women would be saying similar things about the same person,' she told The Post. 'There's no way these women happen to be lying about the same thing before seeing what other women are saying,' Martinez added. Martinez also posted a video relaying that Dottavio's lawyer has demanded that she either remove the posts and issue a public apology or face a defamation lawsuit. The Fresno, California native also posted a bikini photo on Wednesday on Instagram and addressed the matter in the caption. She wrote: 'by the way if you need clarification, you can now check out the newest highlight addition to my page. I wasn't going to take it this far, but threatening me with legal action just ramped things up a notch. you're messing with the wrong b****. Just take responsibility and apologize.' A representative for ABC told The Post they had no comment on the allegations. Martinez competed for the affection of Arie Luyendyk Jr. on season 22 of The Bachelor and came in fifth place. They've only been dating a few weeks. But already it seems the romance between Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzewnegger is moving at lightning speed. The new couple spent their Sunday doing ordinary couple things together like going to church and taking the actor's shiny silver Tesla to the car wash. Fun time: Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger giggled and laughed as they rode his silver Tesla through an automated car wash on Sunday The Guardians of the Galaxy star, 39, and the 28-year-old daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, giggled and grinned as the silver vehicle went through the automated car wash. Chris was also seen cleaning out his motor at a do-it-yourself vacuum station as his new galpal watched. Katherine looked summery in a sleeveless white and gray striped maxi dress with a plunging neckline. She wore her dark blonde hair tied back into a bun at the nape of her neck and sunglasses pushed up on top of her head. Hands on: The Guardians of the Galaxy star, 39, was also seen cleaning out his motor at a do-it-yourself vacuum station Stylish and cool: The 28-year-old daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver looked summery in a sleeveless white and gray striped maxi dress with a plunging neckline Getting serious: The couple visited the car wash after attending church together in LA. They already seem comfortable doing ordinary chores together despite only dating for a few weeks Heating up: 'They are spending every day together,' a source recently told People. 'They seem to be getting more serious' Chris, who split from wife Anna Faris a year ago and filed for divorce in December, was dressed in a black cotton shirt unbuttoned at the collar and black jeans. He added brown suede shoes and a brown leather belt. The bearded Hollywood star shares a son Jack, who turns six this month, with his actress ex. Man in black: Chris was dressed in a black cotton shirt unbuttoned at the collar and black jeans. He added brown suede shoes and a brown leather belt Moving on: The actor split from wife Anna Faris a year ago and filed for divorce in December. He shares a son Jack, who turns six this month, with his actress ex The couple ended their day with a visit to the exclusive Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills. They were snapped embracing as they waited for their car to be brought round by the valet before leaving together. Chris pulled Katherine close with both hands as she raised her chin to lock lips with her beau. She was then seen smiling happily as she reciprocated by putting her arms around his waist before placing one hand gently on his chest. Kissed: Chris and Katherine went on to the exclusive Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills where they were later snapped embracing as the actor pulled his new girlfriend close for a kiss All loved up: Katherine was then seen smiling happily as she reciprocated by putting her arms around her boyfriend's waist Before heading to the car wash, Chris and Katherine had attended church together in Los Angeles. They were photographed leaving the service accompanied by friends. The pair were first spotted looking cozy together on a picnic in Santa Barbara, California, back on June 17. The Jurassic World star has also introduced the lifestyle blogger to his son. 'They are spending every day together and Katherine has met Jack several times,' a source recently told People. 'They seem to be getting more serious.' Praying: Chris and Katherine, were first spotted looking cozy together on a picnic in Santa Barbara, California, on June 17, attended church with a couple of friends earlier in the day Jessica Marais has revealed her concerns for her six-year-old daughter Scout growing up in the age of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Wrong Girl star told TV Week Up Close on Monday that she was worried about the dark side of social media and how it affects young women. 'I worry for Scout, in terms of knowing how to protect her,' the actress, 33, said. Scroll down to video 'I worry for my daughter': Jessica Marais has revealed her concerns about the dark side of social media... as she talks about her co-parenting arrangement with ex-fiance James Stewart 'I try not to let things affect her life too much, but I worry in a time of social media, and now that she's at school,' Jess added. 'She's a very open girl, so I want her to know the difference between a little harmless fodder and what could potentially be someone with bad intent.' Earlier this year, a damning report by the UK's Mental Health Foundation linked the rise of social media with depression and self-harm, particularly among teenagers. 'I try not to let things affect her life too much': Jessica told TV Week on Monday, 'I worry in a time of social media, and now that she's at school'. Pictured: Jessica and her daughter Scout Mental illness is an issue close to Jessica's heart, and she has spoken bravely in the past about her struggle with bipolar disorder. In June, shortly before the Logie Awards, she checked into The Sydney Clinic in Bronte to deal with 'a number of urgent health issues'. Elsewhere in the TV Week interview, the mother-of-one spoke about her co-parenting arrangement with her ex-fiancee, Home and Away actor James Stewart. Modern family: Elsewhere in the TV Week interview, the mother-of-one spoke about her co-parenting arrangement with her ex-fiancee James Stewart. Pictured: Jessica and Scout in 2017 The pair, who share custody of the youngster, broke off their engagement in 2015. They had previously met co-starring in TV series Packed To The Rafters. James is now dating his Summer Bay co-star Sarah Roberts, while Jessica is in a relationship with Sydney photographer Jake Holly. Jessica explained that she was happy she and James can put aside their differences and both 'come together' to provide a stable and happy upbringing for Scout. She acknowledged that some families aren't able to pull it off, which made her feel 'very blessed'. Road Rules: Campus Crawl alum Rachel Robinson announced Saturday in Miami's Design District that her wife Natalie Gee is pregnant with their third child, a daughter. The 35-year-old fitness guru's baby news came less than 10 months after the Gee Beauty co-creator welcomed their twin sons Jesse & Jack. 'It's official we are having a girl!' the Barrys Bootcamp master instructor - who boasts 72K social media followers - wrote. 'Gee-Robinson party of 5!' Road Rules alum Rachel Robinson (L) announced Saturday in Miami that her wife Natalie Gee (R) is pregnant with their third child, a daughter 'I would like to thank my wife for giving us the girl. I would like to thank our boys in advance for being the best big brothers. 'And I would like to thank you for all your support. It takes a village. Gee-Robinson party of 5.' Rachel and Natalie - who split their time between Miami and Manhattan - will next celebrate their first wedding anniversary on October 25. 'It's official we are having a girl!' The 35-year-old fitness guru's baby news came less than 10 months after the Gee Beauty co-creator welcomed their twin sons Jesse & Jack The Barrys Bootcamp master instructor wrote: 'I would like to thank my wife for giving us the girl. I would like to thank our boys in advance for being the best big brothers' 'Love!' Rachel and Natalie - who split their time between Miami and Manhattan - will next celebrate their first wedding anniversary on October 25 TV-wise, Robinson last competed in the 22nd season of MTV's $300K prize game show The Challenge: Battle of the Exes back in 2012. Before Gee - the Jamie's Rescue co-founder previously romanced her MTV castmates Veronica Portillo, Aneesa Ferriera, and Jenn Grijalva. She's one of Australia's most in demand models. And Megan Blake Irwin looked every inch the ethereal beauty during a photoshoot at Hotel Ravesis in Sydney's Bondi on Monday. The 24-year-old highlighted her trim figure in a white floral print frock with bell sleeves. Ethereal beauty! Megan Blake Irwin, 24, oozed elegance in a white floral frock, for a photo shoot in Sydney's Bondi on Monday Standing on the balcony of the beachside bar and eatery, Megan looked elegant in the thigh-skimming dress. Accessorising with delicate drop earrings, the beauty later changed into a casual chic outfit, consisting of a top in a near-identical fabric and high-waisted yellow shorts. Showing off her penchant for style, Megan added an oversize round-rimmed hat and a pink shawl. All in the details: Megan's floral print ensemble cinched in at the waist and featured bell sleeves Lean: The blonde beauty also drew attention to her trim pins with the hemline finishing mid-thigh Tresses: Megan's locks were styled semi-straight and in a centre part With her blonde locks styled semi-straight, Megan's striking facial features were enhanced with a luminous complexion, defined brows, a terracotta eye shadow and a soft pink lip. The IMG-represented model appeared relaxed and at ease on the photoshoot, engaging in conversation with hair and makeup artists. The sighting comes after Megan sparked rumours that she may have a new man in her life. Flair: The IMG-represented model added a pair of drop earrings to the look In profile: Megan's striking facial features were enhanced with a luminous complexion, defined brows, a terracotta eye shadow and a soft pink lip Megan shared a photo to Instagram on Monday, from an exclusive Prada party in Sydney with Luke Dubbelde, where his arm was placed around her slender waist. Megan captioned the post: 'Love you! Xxx'. The pal of fellow model Bambi Northwood-Blyth, split from her ex, socialite Nicolo Knows, earlier this year. Nicolo confirmed the breakup by sharing a steamy bedroom photo of himself with Russian model Asya Rosh. New look: Megan later changed into another outfit, consisting of a floral top in a near-identical fabric and yellow high-waisted shorts The future's bright: Megan added an oversize round-rimmed hat and a pink shawl Megan has yet to comment on the split, however she did share a heartfelt post after Nicolo uploaded his photo. 'She's become a new person, someone completely different. She's made up of the pieces left behind of things people took from her,' she wrote in an Instagram Story. 'But that doesn't make her weak or damaged. It makes her strong. It makes her indestructible,' Megan added. These meetings took place within the framework of the 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM-51) that officially opened in Singapore on August 2 with the participation of foreign ministers from ten member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Deputy PM and FM Minh applauded efforts to expand cooperation of ASEAN+3 (China, the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Japan) in such areas as digital connectivity, e-commerce and smart urban in order to narrow development gap, and promote micro, small-and medium-sized enterprises, food security as well as responses to natural disasters and diseases. He affirmed that Vietnam will continue to constructively participate in cooperation activities of ASEAN+3. FM Minh and other delegates at the event reiterated the important role played by ASEAN+3 in promoting peace, stability, security and prosperity, looking towards building a community in East Asia in the long run. They noted that trade turnover between ASEAN and China, the RoK and Japan in 2017 made up 32% of the ten-member groups total, and 27% of tourists to ASEAN came from Northeast Asian nations. The ministers voiced their support for free multilateral trade and equality in the region, and agreed on initiatives to step up collaboration between ASEAN and the three countries in food security, education, culture, exchange between residents, health care and issues relating to youths and the elderly. During the eighth EAS Foreign Ministers Meeting, FM Minh said efforts and resources should be focused on fully implementing the Manila Action Plan for 2018-2022 and backing the adoption of the statement on cooperation in response to emerging transnational issues at the 13th EAS. He held that the EAS members have potential for maritime cooperation and connectivity, which also match the interests and demands for collaboration in the region. The official shared concern of the EAS countries over militarisation activities that have eroded trust and increased tensions in the East Sea. At the event, ministers from ASEAN and its eight partners of China, Japan, the RoK, India, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and the US consented to enhance result-oriented cooperation in a range of realms like environment-energy, education, finance, health care-diseases, natural disaster management, connectivity, economy-trade, food security and maritime affiliation. They expressed their deep concern over the recent militarisation activities in the East Sea and demanded no actions that would complicate the situation and unilaterally change the status quo in the area. All disputes should be addressed peacefully in line with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), and on the basis of respect for legal and diplomatic processes, they said. Addressing the 25th ARF, Deputy PM and FM Minh suggested the ARF focus on effectively materialising the Hanoi Action Plan and make more renovations in operational method in order to flexibly adapt to regional and international changes. He used this occasion to announce Vietnams initiatives to host an ARF workshop on enhancing cooperation among law enforcement forces at sea, and another on applying the UNCLOS 1982 and international legal tools to cope with marine challenges. At the forum, the ministers agreed to adopt the ARF statement on disaster relief cooperation, the list of the ARFs activities in 2018 and 2019, and the ARFs work plans on maritime security and disaster relief in 2018-2020. Discussing the regional and global situation, they underscored the importance of a rule-based international order and the role of multilateral organisations. The ministers also voiced concerns over emerging security challenges, including terrorism, trans-national crimes, marine security, cyber security, and natural disasters. They reaffirmed the significance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and settling disputes based on international law and the 1982 UNCLOS as well as respect for diplomatic and legal processes. They said concerned parties should not use or threaten to use force, and not carry out militarisation activities, while fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards reaching a Code of Conduct in the East Sea. Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins initially turned down an invitation to appear on The Bachelor before changing his mind at the eleventh hour. Speaking to TV Week on Monday, the 30-year-old former Wallaby revealed he 'came back after some time to think about [the offer]' before accepting. He added: 'I thought, "I've got to have a crack at it. It could be a chance to find someone you're meant to spend your life with".' Scroll down for video 'You don't know what you're marching into': Nick 'The Honey Badger' Cummins (pictured earlier this year) revealed on Monday he turned down The Bachelor before changing his mind Nick also claimed he was a newcomer to the Bachelor franchise - despite it being one of Australia's highest rating shows. This unfamiliarity was partly the reason why he kept producers waiting for so long. 'I'd heard of the show, but never watched it,' he explained. 'When you don't know what you're marching into, you're going to have a few nerves jumping around.' Decisions, decisions! Speaking to TV Week on Monday, the 30-year-old former Wallaby revealed he 'came back after some time to think about [the offer]' before accepting Meanwhile, Nick told NW on Monday that fans could be treated to an end-of-season proposal this year. 'Going into the show, I would have said I would not propose - not in a million years,' he said. 'But since actually living it, well, you'll have to wait and see.' 'You'll have to wait and see!' Meanwhile, Nick told NW magazine on Monday that fans could be treated to an end-of-season proposal this year Based on paparazzi photos and the research efforts of The Bachelor fan community, the final four contestants are all but confirmed. They are believed to be: indigenous youth worker Brooke Blurton, aspiring actresses Cassandra Wood and Brittany Hockley, and fashion blogger Sophie Tieman. Industry rumours suggest that Sophie could be the woman who wins Nick's heart but the 'money shot' paparazzi photo has yet to surface. The Bachelor Australia begins on August 15 on Network Ten Nicole Kidman recently set the internet alight when she shared a video of herself calmly capturing a giant tarantula at her home,. So when Naomi Watts discovered a rat on the porch of her own abode on Sunday, she naturally called on her brave friend for help. Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the 21 Grams star uploaded a video of the furry rodent invading her deck. Scroll down to video 'Sure babe, be there in five': Naomi Watts calls on gal pal Nicole Kidman to help get rid of a giant rat on her porch after Oscar winning actress caught a giant tarantula at her home 'Hey @nicolekidman we have an early morning house guest,' she captioned the clip, which showed a giant rat scurrying about her porch. 'Can you come over over and catch and release,' she added, referencing Nicole's now infamous video of herself catching a spider last week. And Nicole was only too happy to oblige. Eek! Actress Naomi filmed the rodent as it scurried about her back porch, appearing to be attracted by food that was left out for her pets 'Hey babe sure. I'll be there in 5 xx,' which prompted Naomi to reply: 'And I know you're not kidding. Such an Aussie,' adding a punch emoji. The short clip, which showed the rodent whizzing about Naomi's deck, even managed to get the attention of actress Kate Hudson, who wrote: 'that guy's huge.' Naomi's unwelcome visitor comes after Nicole shared a video of herself unfazed while rescuing a giant tarantula from her swimming pool, last week. 'Sure babe, be there soon': Nicole appeared to be happy to take care of business Huge! The furry rodent even managed to get the attention of actress Kate Hudson Despite it sending her children shrieking in terror, the Australia star let fans know in an Instagram video that she released it 'unharmed and healthy.' 'House guest! Catch and release spider released unharmed and healthy. Happy Sunday,' Nicole captioned the clip, adding a love heart emoji. In the video, her children can be heard screaming in the background and cautioning their mother. Well she does come from the land Down Under! Naomi's unwelcome visitor comes after Nicole shared a video of herself unfazed while rescuing a giant tarantula from her swimming pool, last week 'Step back mum, step back! It's going in the pool,' one of her daughters said. Nicole is later seen holding the spider in a jar, telling her fans she was going to 'take care' of it. 'I'm having to take care of this spider, help,' Nicole said. Fans were quick to comment underneath the post, with one praising the star, writing: 'You are my hero,' while another added: 'Very brave Nic!' He began filming the highly-anticipated Men In Black spin-off earlier this month. And Chris Hemsworth was spotted outside London's St Paul's Cathedral on Sunday night, as rather intense scenes were being staged in the street. Cordoning off part of the area so that they wouldn't be disrupted whilst filming, the Australian actor, 34, arrived after the crew had set up an elaborate crash site. Getting into character: Chris Hemsworth was spotted outside London's St Paul's Cathedral on Sunday night, as rather intense scenes for the Men In Back spin-off were being staged Dressed in a crisp white shirt which fit snugly on his muscular torso, the Thor star could be seen talking with another member of the cast in between scenes. Chris' co-star Tessa Thompson was notably missing from the day's filming, but an array of extras dressed in sharp suits were ready to film. The actors also could be seen holding a variety of futuristic weapons, helping them to emulate the style of the Men In Black. Dressed to impress: The actor's co-star Tessa Thompson was notably missing from the day's filming, but an array of extras dressed in sharp suits were ready to film Car crash? Earlier in the day, the crew set up around a black saloon car which had been left in a sorry state so that it looked like the car had stopped suddenly New tools: The actors also could be seen holding a variety of futuristic weapons, helping them to emulate the style of the Men In Black Earlier in the day, the crew set up around a black saloon car which had been left in a sorry state so that it looked like the car had been stopped suddenly. Debris was scattered across the street, and a bright green model of the same vehicle was suspended in the air by a crane for CGI purposes. Given the proximity of the model from the original car, it is likely that it was being used to reproduce a flip, which could be perfected in post-production. A Lexus was also driven onto set, whilst a sleek black bus which could have easily been used in Blade Runner was also brought out for the day's shooting. Smart: Dressed in a crisp white shirt which fit snugly on his muscular torso, the Thor star could be seen talking with another member of the cast in between scenes Sleek: A Lexus was also driven onto set, though it was unclear if it was part of the film Patient: As the scenes were set-up the cast members waited to film Intense: Debris was scattered across the street, and a bright green model of the same vehicle was suspended in the air by a crane for CGI purposes Chris was initially linked to the Men In Black film back in February when speculation grew that he would be joining the franchise following his Thor: Ragnarok success. Also confirmed to be joining the cast is Chris Thor co-star Tessa, who also starred in the last season of Westworld, as his alien-fighting partner, as well as Kumail Nanjiani and Rafe Spall. The first three films followed leading men Will Smith, 49, and Tommy Lee Jones, 71, as characters K and J, who are members of a secret organization, known as the Men in Black, and protected Earth from intergalactic bad guys. Futuristic: A sleek black bus which could have easily been at home on the set of Blade Runner was also brought out for the day's shooting Busy: The crew could be seen getting the car ready to be used for the filming Chatting away: The actors who looked like they were part of Men In Black talked animatedly amongst themselves However it is believed that rather than taking over those roles in the upcoming movie, Chris will be given a new character to get his teeth into. Chris previously told Variety: 'We're developing the script now. We're basically trying to put a lot of humour in to it like the previous ones. 'These are obviously some big, big shoes to fill, so we're working our butts off on it to make something pretty epic and fun.' Cast rumours: Chris was initially linked to the Men In Black film back in February when speculation grew that he would be joining the franchise following his Thor: Ragnarok success New blood: Also confirmed to be joining the cast is Chris Thor co-star Tessa as his alien-fighting partner, as well as Kumail Nanjiani and Rafe Spall Legacy: The first three films followed leading men Will Smith, 49, and Tommy Lee Jones, 71, as characters K and J, who are members of a secret organization, known as the Men in Black CGI: Given the proximity of the model from the original car, it is likely that it was being used to reproduce a flip, which could be perfected in post-production He continued: 'They're trying to change up the locations, make it feel unique and different to the last ones as well... 'So I think you might even see some different countries, maybe. Some different cities than you've seen in the previous Men In Black movies.' Director F. Gary Gray is onboard to direct the film as Sony develop the reboot which is set for release in June 2019. New story: It is believed that rather than taking over those roles in the upcoming movie, Chris will be given a new character to get his teeth into Getting ready: Chris previously told Variety: 'We're developing the script now. We're basically trying to put a lot of humour in to it like the previous ones' She has been making the most of the sunny weather by taking her kids to the beach. Yet Alessandra Ambrosio swapped the sand for the shops when she headed out with her nine-year-old daughter Anja, in Los Angeles on Sunday. The former Victoria's Secret star, 37, stepped out in her halterneck floral dress, with a V-shaped neckline framing her cleavage, as she led the way with her little girl. Doting mum: Alessandra Ambrosio stepped out in floral dress as she held hands with her daughter Anja on shopping trip in Los Angeles on Sunday Titillating cut-outs in her flowing long dress teased a glimpse of the model's bare skin beneath the lightweight number. A moon-shaped pendant and two glimmering necklaces brought a hint of shimmering glamour to her look. Alessandra accessorised with tan shades and a circular handbag in the same shade of her sunglasses and her strappy sandals. The runway beauty swept her layered blow dried brunette tresses off her face and she applied natural make-up to her looks. How to accessorise: Alessandra accessorised with tan shades and a circular handbag in the same shade of her sunglasses and her strappy sandals Alessandra has been dedicated to filling her kids' summer with fun-filled days out to the beach and even a trip to Legoland in recent weeks. The catwalk model has hung up her stilettos as she retired from modelling for Victoria's Secret Angel to focus on her mummy duties. Mother-of-two Alessandra raises Anja and six-year-old Noah with former fiance of ten years Jamie Mazur. The exes went their separate ways for good after reports of their split first emerged in March earlier this year. Amazing: The catwalk model has hung up her stilettos as she retired from modelling for Victoria's Secret Angel to focus on her mummy duties Alessandra has been mending her heartache since the break up and reports suggest she was moving on just seven months following their parting. The mother-of-two was reportedly spotted smooching and partying in Atlantic City with a mystery Italian hunk over the weekend. A source told Page Six: 'The two were very affectionate with each other, kissing and, when she wasnt dancing, they had their arms around each other.' MailOnline previously approached Alessandra Ambrosio's representatives for comment. She was adamant she was telling the truth about kissing Jack Fowler during a tense showdown with Laura Anderson on this year's Love Island. However Georgia Steel was left eating her words as she finally had to apologise to Laura, as a clip of what really happened aired on the Love Island Reunion on Sunday night. The reality star, 20, who ensured that her fellow islanders knew how 'real' and 'loyal' she was throughout the show, exclaimed that she would have definitely told Laura the truth 'if she'd have remembered it that way'. Apology: Georgia Steel was left eating her words as she finally had to apologise to Laura, as a clip of what really happened aired on the Love Island Reunion on Sunday night During a catch up between Caroline Flack, Laura and her hunky beau Paul Anderson the host announced that she was going to play a clip of the kiss. Moments after it played Georgia shouted: 'Oh Laura Darlin' you know if I'd of remembered it that way, you know me boo I would have told you.' A member of the audience then quipped: 'We all saw it!' Oops! The reality star, 20, who ensured that her fellow islanders knew how 'real' and 'loyal' she was throughout the show, exclaimed that she would have definitely told Laura the truth 'if she'd have remembered it that way Before Georgia shot back: 'I would have boo, I would have, I love you Darlin' and that's all that matters.' Caroline was quick to ask Laura for her take on the kiss as she said it must have been confusing for her at the time, Laura, who defended Jack throughout the ordeal, replied: 'It wasn't that confusing... 'I believed Jack straight away but it was difficult because Georgia seemed so adamant, and that swayed my decision with Jack and I really wanted to be her friend, but she was telling me why don't you believe me, why don't you believe me. THAT kiss! During a catch up between Caroline Flack, Laura and her hunky beau Paul Anderson the host announced that she was going to play the kiss 'But I did believe Jack straight away. Laura then reflected on the clip telling Georgia that she grabbed her former flame face, with Georgia claiming she 'didn't know what came over her.' Caroline, who was recently spotted looking cosy with her ex Andrew Brady again, then asked Georgia if she had anything to say to Laura after watching the clip. To which she reiterated 'if I'd have remembered it like that I would have say sorry earlier', before Paul interjected and shouted 'say sorry', before Georgia finally said the words 'I'm sorry!'. Any last words? Caroline, who was recently spotted looking cosy with her ex Andrew Brady again, then asked Georgia if she had anything to say to Laura after watching the clip During the show Georgia also caught the attention of viewers for other reasons, as they took a swipe at her hairstyle of choice, comparing it to 'Super Noodles' and 'school disco hair'. Georgia, who often wore her hair in wild bouncy curls during her stint on Love Island, sported the same tight ringlets for the reunion show. However she did not win fans with her hairstyle, as one Twitter user claimed: 'What the f*** is Georgia's super noodle hair all about, it's all kinds of awful.' Reaction: During the show Georgia also caught the attention of viewers for other reasons, as they took a swipe at her hairstyle of choice, comparing it to 'super noodles' and 'school disco hair' While another added: 'Georgia looks like she's used her mum's curling wand before her year 6 disco (laughing faces) #LoveIslandReunion #LoveIsland.' A third agreed that her hair was very school disco-esque, adding: 'Seriously what is Georgia's hair saying 'LoveIslandReunion #schooldiscohair.' It was not only her hair that annoyed fans, Georgia's larger than life personality also appeared to irk viewers, as they caught up with what the islanders had been up to since leaving the villa. Annoyed: It was not only her hair that annoyed fans, Georgia's larger than life personality also appeared to irk viewers, as they caught up with what the islanders had been up to since leaving the villa One viewer said that they were 'bothered' by Georgia, writing: 'Everything about Georgia bothers me, that hair, the shouting, just stop #LoveIslandReunion.' Another joked: 'Why is Georgia shouting? Caroline is stood next to you boo #loveisland #LoveIslandReunion.' While a one other viewer said: 'I see Georgia's not learnt how to have a conversation without shouting every single word. She's so irritating.' Advertisement They've had their every move scrutinised over the last two months while filming Love Island - even being filmed for the week after they came back home. But MailOnline has taken a look at what happened at the Love Island wrap party on Sunday night, when the cameras stopped rolling. Taking place after the Love Island: The Reunion show was over, the group's social media showed there was X-rated dancing, as Megan Barton-Hanson, 24, grinded on her man Wes Nelson, 20, much to his delight. Working it: Former stripper Megan Barton-Hanson pulled out some very X-rated moves as she grinded on her very delighted boyfriend Wes Nelson during the Love Island wrap party on Sunday night She loves to party: Adam Collard shared a clip of Caroline Flack downing shots with Kazimir Crossley while wearing an oversized sombrero hat as the group really let their hair down Wes was rather taken with his girlfriend's sexy dance moves as she strutted her stuff in a black and white strapless dress, while wiggling her pert derriere. There was lots of half-naked fooling around and shots of booze and lots of hilarious antics. At one point, Caroline Flack, 38, could be seen throwing out some VERY sexy dance moves behind Dr Alex George, 27, as they hung out with one another, before the group all did some Jagerbomb shots. Winning in every way: Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer couldn't stop passionately kissing one another Wow thing: Wes was rather taken with how sexy his girlfriend Megan was looking in her beautiful strapless dress All hot air: Dani shared a hilarious snap of Georgia Steel shuffling along on a giant flamingo Friends forever: Jack shared a lovely group shot as he downed beers after a very busy week All eyes were on Dani Dyer, 22, and Jack Fincham, 26, at the bash, just minutes after the winners revealed they had finally 'done bits' with one another. Holding personalised balloons which had their faces on them, the couple were in their element as they passionately kissed throughout the party. Later on, former solicitor Rosie Williams, 26, filmed Dani behind the decks of the party as she yelled out: 'Where's the DJ?' Pals: Jack was thrilled to reunite with love rat Adam as they posed next to balloons and under pretty fairy lights Caught in the act: Rosie accused Alex Miller of cracking on with ALL of the Islanders but namely Alexandra Cane after they both admitted to fancying one another Sweet: Josh Denzel posted this lovely friendship picture as he thanked his fans and promised to keep them entertained He's got the moves: Adam was rather taken with Josh's dancing AND that rather loud shirt Catching up with Dr Alex George, they joked that he was a 'third wheel but that they loved up,' before Jack caught up with voiceover pro Iain Stirling, 30, and they did impressions of one another. The room was adorned with balloons, a Love Island wrap party lightbox and inflatable lilos, with Caroline wearing a sailor's hat to give a speech to the Islanders behind the DJ decks. Georgia Steel, 20, was pictured riding a giant inflatable flamingo after putting on a rather bizarre display while on the reunion show as THAT kiss with Jack Fowler, 22, was aired, with her saying she hadn't 'remembered it like that.' The lads were also holding their own when it came to attracting attention, with Jack Fowler, Wes and Josh all showing off their moves. Bromance: Wes had written: Show me a more iconic trio. I'll wait' (left) as Zara showed off a pile of inflatables which decorated the party (right) Is there nothing she can't do? Dani took to the decks herself at one point as she roared: 'Where's the DJ?' They adore him: Jack and Dani had joked that Alex was 'third-wheeling' them but that they loved it (left) Josh was wearing a rather loud shirt as he shuffled along the dance floor, along with Jack Fowler. Wes had written: Show me a more iconic trio. I'll wait.' Hayley Hughes, 21, showed a snap of some broken wine glasses as things got a little rowdy. Hayley and Rosie also posed with some Instagram props as they made the most of the night. Rosie also accused Alex Miller, 28, of cracking on with Alexandra Cane, 27, after they admitted they fancy one another, although Rosie said he was literally trying it with everyone at the party. Blessed in the dance department: Alex was delighted to take to the dancefloor as he showed off his skills She's done this before: Hayley Hughes shared a picture of Caroline Flack taking to the decks to address the Islanders while wearing a sexy black mini skirt and a sailor's hat Hot couple alert? (Only joking) Caroline and Alex got on a treat as she danced up behind him There was no sign of any interaction between Alex and his former flame Megan or Wes after she pied him off to get back with Wes, leading to his inevitable eviction from the villa, after they had previously coupled up. Zara McDermott, 21, sounding a little worse for wear as she talked to a half-naked Adam Collard. Sharing a video from a corridor outside the party, Zara was heard bellowing at Adam, who was half-naked for some reason as they partied with a group of girls. She made him show off one of his personalised balloons which he had taken from the party. Half-naked: Shirtless Adam was rather taken with his personalised balloon (left) as girlfriend Zara sounded worse for wear in the background and Jack Fowler loved his merch as well (right) Jack and Alex also caught up for a little chat as they treated themselves to another visit at the bar No doubt the group were happy to catch up with one another as they danced to tune like TLC's Scrubs, Hollaback Girl and Your Lovin'. The room was decked out in fairy lights, just like the ones at the villa with an enormous inflatable bottle of champagne which stood at the foot of the door. There were also lots of other inflatables and various props which the group used to pose to photograph for social media, no doubt to impress their millions of new followers. Throw your hands in the air like you just don't care: Dani and her pals danced energetically as Jack filmed on his phone Hayley was more than happy to show off her best moves on the dancefloor but she had a bit of a shocker on the night You've been framed: Hayley and Rosie took advantage of many of the props on offer during the night Katie Price cast her alleged 'financial woes' aside on Sunday, to enjoy a day at the beach with Kris Boyson and her kids. The former glamour model, 40, took to her Instagram page to document their fun-filled day out, which saw her toyboy beau, 29, take Harvey, 16, Jett, five and daughter Bunny, four, for a spin on his jet ski. Katie seemed to be taking her mind off recent stresses at the beach - amid claims she is facing bankruptcy, as she embarks on another bitter divorce battle with Kieran Hayler. Doting mother: Katie Price cast her alleged 'financial woes' aside on Sunday, to enjoy a day at the beach with Kris Boyson and her kids (pictured with Jett, five, and Bunny, four) The former I'm A Celebrity star look in good spirits as she hit the beach in a hot pink bikini, during Britain's blazing heatwave. Enjoying quality time together as a family, Katie first snapped son Harvey, 16, tucking into an ice cream, as well as Jett trying his hand at paddle-boarding in the sunshine. Wanting to make the most of their day at the beach, Katie's new boyfriend Kris later whipped out his jet ski for the outing, and took the kids for a spin in the sea. Delicious: Enjoying quality time together as a family, Katie first snapped son Harvey, 16, tucking into an ice cream Sweet: She also shared snaps of her daughter Bunny relaxing in the sunshine (above) as well as her son Jett trying his hand at paddle boarding Sweet: Katie seemed to be taking her mind off recent stresses at the beach with her family - amid claims she is facing bankruptcy First posing with her two youngest on the front seat, fitness trainer Kris soon took the kids off Katie's hands and whizzed them around the shallows, while the star relaxed on the sand. It soon became clear that her youngest daughter Bunny, four, was something of an adrenaline junkie - laughing and shrieking with glee in a clip of her ride, captioned: 'Bunny couldnt get enough of the jet ski bless' Her other two children Princess and Junior were not present, having temporarily moved in with their father Peter Andre during Katie's 'tough time'. Thrill seekers: Wanting to make the most of their day at the beach, Katie's new boyfriend Kris later whipped out his jet ski for the outing, and took the kids for a spin (pictured with Harvey) Delighted: It soon became clear that her youngest daughter Bunny, four, was something of an adrenaline junkie - laughing and shrieking with glee Action girl: With Bunny perched on the bike's front, Katie proudly captioned the clip: 'Bunny couldnt get enough of the jet ski bless' The beach day was a far more wholesome one for Katie and Kris, compared to their X-rated antics in recent weeks. During their trip to Thailand earlier this month, the couple were pictured getting intimate in their swimwear on several occasions - with Katie straddling him and suggestively hovering around his area. According to The Sun, Katie and Kris' recent racy photo shoots are a result of her desperately trying to avoid bankruptcy as she takes on her third bitter divorce battle with Kieran Hayler. Can't get enough! Jett and Bunny could not stop themselves from clambering onto the jet ski later on, even when it was out of water The publication states that the mother-of-five is terrified at the prospect of being penniless after previously boasting a 45million fortune - forcing her to pay her former glamour model days a visit in a bid to revive her career. A source said: 'She always felt that whatever anyone said about her, she could at least point to her huge income to shut them up. But even that is disappearing.' It comes amid claims that Katie has been forced to put her beloved animals up for sale in a bid to raise money. Packing it on: The day was a far more wholesome one for Katie and Kris - who have embarked on numerous racy shoots in recent weeks in a 'desperate attempt to avoid bankruptcy' The reality star is thought to have urged her ex Kieran to help her find new homes for her farmyard, which includes two llamas, six rabbits and four horses, as well as her goats, sheep, ducks and pigs. The glamour model was believed to be facing bankruptcy last year, with reports claiming she shells out a whopping 10,000 a month to maintain her family home. Katie's financial woes come after a tough year, which has seen her split from third husband Kieran, while trying to cope with her mother Amy's terminal illness. Katie confirmed she was splitting from Kieran after four years in June 2017, when his affair with their family nanny emerged. They soared to a landslide victory on the 2018 series of Love Island as a couple. But just one week after leaving the villa, Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham are calling time on their partnership, for TV interviews at least. Dani appeared on Monday's episode of Good Morning Britain without her beau, after her EastEnders actor dad Danny warned the couple about becoming a 'double act.' Solo: DaniDyer appeared on Monday's episode of Good Morning Britain without beau Jack Fincham, after her actor dad Danny warned the couple about becoming a 'double act' Dani told GMB that Jack was tucked up in bed on Monday morning following the show's live Reunion episode and the wrap party the night before. Dani added that while she thought it was 'healthy' for the two to spend some time apart after being together 24/7 during the eight week series, they've struggled to separate in the week since winning the show. 'We literally ain't spent no time apart, I think the only time we did was when I went to the gym,' she said. Busy night: Dani told GMB that Jack was tucked up in bed on Monday morning following the show's live Reunion episode (pictured) and the wrap party the night before Smitten: Dani added that while she thought it was 'healthy' for the two to spend some time apart after being together 24/7 during the eight week series, they've struggled to separate Wise words: Dani's solo TV appearance comes after her dad Danny urged his daughter to not follow in the footsteps of previous Love Island winners and be 'a double act' 'We're always together because we have been for the past two months. It's horrible being apart from each other,' she confessed. 'Of course, it's healthy to have time apart from each other, it's not normal to always be stuck together. It's nice because then you miss each other.' Dani's solo TV appearance comes after her dad Danny urged his daughter to not follow in the footsteps of previous Love Island winners and be 'a double act' as she kick starts for TV career. Taking tips from dad: 'They are a double act, but it hasnt lasted too well for previous contestants' warned Dani's dad last week Big plans ahead: Dani has said she'd like to continue her acting career but there's rumours of a spin off reality show for the star and Jack Following in dad's footsteps: 'There are going to be some very exciting projects coming up for her.' Danny told the papers last week of his eldest daughter 'There are going to be some very exciting projects coming up for her. They have to live their own lives, I dont think they should come out as a double act,' the soap star told the Mirror. 'They are a double act, but it hasnt lasted too well for previous contestants to go, Oh lets be a double act. They havent lasted four months, have they?' Jack has yet to meet Dani's parents as Danny and her mum Jo have been holidaying in Florida with Dani's younger siblings for the past two weeks. Exciting times: Jack has yet to meet Dani's parents as Danny and her mum Jo have been holidaying in Florida with Dani's younger siblings for the past two weeks No faith! Dani, who previously lasted just hours on ITV2 series Survival of the Fittest, laughed of the bad timing of the holiday as she revealed: 'They didn't think I was going to last' Dani, who previously lasted just hours on ITV2 series Survival of the Fittest earlier this year, laughed of the bad timing of the holiday as she revealed: 'They didn't think I was going to last. Me dad went, "I thought you'd last half hour". The fact I lasted the whole way and now they're obviously in Florida... but it's rained for them. I said, "You should have been at home." On the change to their lives since leaving, Dani said her dad will help guide the couple through the fame game, explaining: 'It has been really difficult because it is such a change of our lives.' 'But it's been brilliant, they [my parents] ring us all the time, me dad especially, he's like, 'Listen when I come back we'll have a proper chat' and he's definitely going to guide Jack as well in the right direction, which is nice.' Family business: On the change to their lives since leaving, Dani said her dad will help guide the couple through the fame game 'The thing is, me dad's a big softie really and I think he knows how happy I am with Jack. I think he just wants to advise him and be there for him as well.' 'I think it's exciting for my dad to have another boy in the family. They've spoke on the phone, just chatting as normal, a normal conversation. Me dad's never been able to really do that.' 'They're just chatting as normal, it wasn't awkward. You always panic. I'm thinking, 'Does me dad like him?' He loves him and he text him saying 'Love ya'. It's nice, it's really nice. He is a softie.' Sitting pretty: Dani looked gorgeous in a red floral mini dress for her early morning TV appearance for ITV Out of the 35 couples that have been matched across Married At First Sight's five series, season two's Erin Bateman and Bryce Mohr are the only relationship still intact. And on Monday, the TV star claimed keeping their romance 'on the down-low' and avoiding social media has been the secret to their success. 'We are together but we keep it on the 'DL',' she told fellow MAFS star Bella Frizza in podcast, The D&M. 'We don't flaunt our relationship on social media!' Married at First Sight's Erin Bateman revealed her relationship with 'husband' Bryce Mohr is going strong...as the pair are now the ONLY COUPLE from the entire series still together 'I'm sure it infuriates a lot of people that they're not kept in the loop because the nature of reality TV is you then go on to flaunt your whole life on social media,' she said. Erin, 28, added: 'I don't think it's normal. I know personally people who portray their relationship on social media as this fairytale, who are some of the most miserable people I've ever met, in terms of relationships.' Dating Bryce for two years since meeting on the reality show in 2016, the Melbourne socialite also opened up about the 'on-off' nature of their relationship. 'I'm sure it infuriates a lot of people that they're not kept in the loop!' The Melbourne socialite, 28 ,claimed keeping their romance 'on the down-low' has been the secret to their success 'We are very much together,' she said, 'But that doesn't mean it hasn't been without its ups and downs and everything else that goes with a normal relationship.' But Erin was quick to add neither she nor Bryce have changed who they are since their 'wedding'. 'The Bryce I got the day that I met him is the Bryce I have today,' she said. 'He hasn't changed at all. He is exactly who he is, and I'd like to think he feels the same about me.' Last ones standing! Out of the 35 couples that have been matched across Married At First Sight's five series, season two's Erin Bateman and Bryce Mohr are the only ones still dating While her personal life has been relatively smooth sailing, the same can't be said for Erin's career. After being forced to sell-off her designer clothes last year to make ends meet, the media personality revealed in May that she was 'broke and unemployed'. But despite her money woes, she's still managed to enjoy a holiday in Hawaii earlier this year. And often spotted at trendy restaurants and bars, Erin has been flaunting her designer wardrobe - which includes items from Prada and Calvin Klein - on social media. Money woes: While her personal life has been relatively smooth sailing, the same can't be said for Erin's career. After being forced to sell-off her designer clothes last year to make ends meet, the media personality revealed in May that she was 'broke and unemployed' Josh Denzel and Kazimir Crossley took part in a love quiz when they appeared on Lorraine on Monday, which was conducted by Jamie Laing. Their honest responses to a series of questions led to some very juicy bits of gossip being told to fans, as they answered questions with paddle boards which had their faces on them. During a question on 'who is most likely to have their head turned by a celebrity admirer,' the couple struggled to decide for a second. Oops! Love Island's Kazimir Crossley claimed on Lorraine on Monday that a celebrity tried to steal her off Josh Denzel as they talk 'proposals, "doing bits" and being public enemy No.1' But then Josh let slip: 'Your DM's are pretty...' before the both turned their paddles around to show Kaz's face. Some other pretty enlightening questions came up, including 'who is most likely to propose,' with both responding with a picture of Josh's face. Jamie asked: 'Who is the most liked?' to which Josh said: 'I was public enemy number one.' Oooh! Some other pretty enlightening questions came up, including 'who is most likely to propose,' with both responding with a picture of Josh's face Jamie asked: 'Who is the most liked?' to which Josh said: 'I was public enemy number one' in reference to him dumping his first partner, Georgia Steel This was in reference to him dumping his first partner, Georgia Steel, 20, while in Casa Amor and returning with Kaz and recoupling with her. Saucily, he asked them who is most keen to become a fully-fledged member of the "do bits society", and they both said that would be Josh. And they both said that the person who gets on the best with their in-laws is Kaz. Saucy: Jamie asked them who is most keen to become a fully-fledged member of the "do bits society", and they both said that would be Josh Sweet moment: The couple posed up a storm backstage after the interview, with Kaz wearing a blue minidress and contrasting pink heels Off to their next destination: The couple were pictured wheeling cases out of the ITV studios Happy: Kaz wore a big smile on her face as she walked down the street with her case No doubt the couple were rather tired during the 9am interview given that they were both at the Love Island reunion party the night before. Josh was seen dancing up a storm with his pals Wes Nelson and Jack Fowler and Kaz was downing shots of Jagerbomb with Caroline Flack. The couple came third during the Love Island final last Monday with Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham coming first and Laura Anderson and Paul Knops coming second. She loves to party: Adam Collard shared a clip of Caroline Flack downing shots with Kazimir while wearing an oversized sombrero at the Love Island wrap party on Sunday night The association achieved significant results in building a self-reliant and innovative bloc, he said, noting member countries highlighted the need to strengthen cooperation in economy and development among themselves and with partners. They will focus on fostering intra-bloc connectivity, boosting sustainable development and increasing innovation to make full use of technology advances from the fourth industrial revolution. ASEAN members showed solidarity to Laos after the devastating hydropower dam collapse through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management. The association upheld its stance on issues related to peace and stability in the region such as the East Sea issue, said Dung, adding that all member countries agreed on basic principles on the matter, while sharing viewpoints on issues on the site as well as negotiations for a Code of Conduct in the East Sea. ASEAN has flexibly admitted proposals of its partners like India, Australia and the Republic of Korea without significantly affecting internal regulations. Secondly, ASEAN and its partners reached consensus on supporting and promoting multilateralisation and maintaining economic links as well as trade and investment facilitation amidst increasing protectionism. Most partners shared ASEANs idea on the significance of keeping order in line with international law and the support to multilateral mechanisms, including the World Trade Organisation. They affirmed their close coordination in finalising the negotiation for a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on Trans-Pacific Partnership, as well as efforts to balance benefits of all parties. Deputy FM Dung noted that some partners showed interest in new free trade agreements such as one with Canada, and resuming negotiations for deals with difficulties, such as with the EU. Thirdly, ASEAN agreed on the need to build an active approach to cooperation initiatives and proposals in the region, such as the Indian Ocean-Pacific, the Belt and Road and the Partnership for Quality Infrastructure initiatives. Some partners expressed hope that the ASEAN play the central role in the Indian Ocean- Pacific strategy, while China suggested close connection between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Master Plan for ASEAN Connectivity until 2025, said Deputy FM Dung. Dung said the ministers were busy with various multilateral and bilateral activities, and important discussions. Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh attended more than 30 activities of the AMM-51 and 15 bilateral meetings with ASEAN countries and partners during the event. Despite several differences in viewpoints, the AMM-51 and related meetings atmosphere was positive, said Dung, adding that ASEAN and partners efforts to ease the consequences of disasters in Laos, Indonesia and Myanmar showed that solidarity, cooperation and mutual support are still key trends. Regarding the role of Vietnam in the AMM-51 and related meetings, Deputy FM Dung said Vietnam supported priorities proposed by Singapore. In his speeches at the meetings, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh clarified Vietnams stance on various issues. Singapores suggestion to build a self-reliant and innovative ASEAN is suitable to Vietnams priorities regarding ASEAN, said Dung, highlighting that Vietnam has engaged in the ASEAN Network of Smart Cities, while working closely with other ASEAN countries to promote regional connectivity and the application of Industry 4.0 advances. Deputy PM and FM Minhs ideas on regional and international issues, including the East Sea matters, were similar to those of many ASEAN countries and partners. Vietnams role as the coordinator for the ASEAN-India relationship in the past three years was successful and hailed by both sides. On the occasion, Vietnam also took responsibility as the coordinator for ASEAN-Japan relations in 2018-2021, said Dung. Steven Seagal has been named as special envoy to the US by Russia in order to remedy relations between the two nations in the field of humanities between Moscow and Washington, two years after the movie star was granted Russian citizenship in 2016. In an announcement posted on the Foreign Ministrys Facebook page, Steven Seagal will take on this unpaid position to focus on culture and the arts, despite having vocally criticised the US government in the past and defended Vladimir Putins annexation of Crimea in 2014. US-Russia relations have worsened after US intelligence agencies accused Moscow of interfering with President Donald Trumps presidential campaign, an allegation that Russia denies. Steven Seagal named as special envoy by Russia to remedy relations with the United States Steven Seagal Born Steven Frederic Seagal on April 10, 1952 in Lansing, Michigan, he began martial arts at the age of seven under the tutelage of Fumio Demura and in the 1960s, started training in aikido in Orange County, California, according to IMDb. After receiving his first dan accreditation in 1974, he moved to Japan to improve his skills and soon became ranked the 7th dan in the martial art of aikido. On his return to Hollywood, Steven began instructing wealthy clients and became known to broker Michael Ovitz. With action being ever popular in the film industry, Ovitz saw the potential in Seagal and he went on to star in Above the Law before Hard to Kill in 1990, which also starred Kelly LeBrock, who was married to Steven until 1996 and mothered his three children. Steven Seagal at Schechen Tennyi Dargyeung Monastry in the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal In 1997, Steven announced that one of his Buddhist teachers, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche had accorded him as a tulku, which is a reincarnation of a Buddhist lama. The actor has since discussed many times how he devotes a lot of his time to Buddhism. Seagal went on to appear in Marked for Death, Out for Justice and Under Siege before taking on a different genre in films such as On Deadly Ground, Fire Down Below and The Patriot. Following this, he was credited in The Glimmer Man and Prince of Central Park before returning to high-action movies like Exit Wounds, Half Past Dead, Out for a Kill and Belly of the Beast. However, Steven Seagal has been involved in a number of controversies, including a number of sexual harassment allegations which have been reported to have been settled out of court with sums of over $50,000 (39,000) in exchange for their silence. In 2010, he was sued by his former personal assistant Kayden Nguyen for sexual abuse and she claimed that she had been assaulted three times before she was able to leave his house in New Orleans, as reported in BBC. Steven Seagal has starred in The Glimmer Man, Prince of Central Park and Exit Wounds Nguyen also accused Seagal of illegally trafficking women and said that he kept two Russian attendants, who were available to him at all times. Seagals lawyer said the accusations were ridiculous and absurd but the actor was forced to suspend his reality show, Steven Seagal: Lawman. In 2016, he was also granted citizenship to Serbia and Russia. The following year, a lawsuit was filed against Seagal over his part in a Maricopa County police raid at Jesus Sanchez Lloveras Arizona house, which found an illegal cockfighting farm and led to a puppy being shot, according to TMZ. In 2017, Portia de Rossi also took to Twitter to accuse Steven of sexual harassment and said that during a film audition, he had told her how important it was to have chemistry off-screen before he unzipped his trousers. My final audition for a Steven Segal movie took place in his office. He told me how important it was to have chemistry off-screen as he sat me down and unzipped his leather pants. I ran out and called my agent. Unfazed, she replied, well, I didnt know if he was your type. Portia de Rossi (@portiaderossi) November 8, 2017 A second woman came forward in the same year, Dutch model Faviola Dadis, who revealed that she had met the actor in 2002 and had fondled her breasts and grabbed her crotch in a hotel room after having been invited for a private audition. Earlier this year, actress Rachel Grant made a public sexual assault allegation against Seagal and said that the incident had taken place in 2002 during the pre-production of Out for a Kill. She had lost her job on the film after the incident. Alongside this, Regina Simons publicly claimed that in 1993, when she was 18, Seagal had raped her at his home when she had arrived for what she thought was a wrap party for On Deadly Ground, but the actor denied the accusations. Steven Seagal spouse Steven Seagal married his first wife and daughter of an aikido instructor Miyako Fujitani while in Japan. The couple had two children together, Kentaro Seagal and Ayako Fujitani before moving back to the US. He then met the actress Kelly LeBrock and had an affair with her while his divorce from Miyako was being finalised. He had three children with Kelly: Annaliza Seagal, Dominick Seagal and Arissa Le Brock after Stevens marriage from Adrienne La Russa was annulled. Seagal is currently married to Erdenetuya Batsukh, more commonly known as Elle and they have one son together, Kunzang. Steven Seagal's relationship with Russia Russia has appointed Steven Seagal as a special envoy for humanitarian ties with the US, announced by the Foreign Ministry on its Facebook page. The statement read that the actor would facilitate relations between Russia and the United States in the humanitarian field, including cooperation in culture, arts, public and youth exchanges. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the unpaid role would be similar to that of a UN Goodwill Ambassador. Its a case of peoples diplomacy intersecting with traditional diplomacy, the ministry said. Seagal, who occasionally makes appearances on Russian state TV said that he has always wanted to improve ties with the US. Ive always had a very strong desire to do all I can to help improve Russian-American relations. I have worked tirelessly in this direction for many years unofficially and I am now very grateful for the opportunity to do the same thing officially, he said on the Kremlin-backed television station RT. Steven Seagal net worth Steven Seagals net worth has accumulated to approximately $16 million (12.3m), according to Celebrity Net Worth. According to The Cinemaholic, Seagal's films have earned the actor more than $600 million (464m) and despite his declining career, each film seems to make $5 million (3.9m). In the past, he also came out with his own line of energy drinks, Steven Seagal's Lightning Bolt Energy Drink, which was followed by Scent of Action Aftershave and in collaboration with Young Living Oils to create a range of knives and weapons. She ended her two-year relationship with jailbird Joey Morrisson after claiming he had been sexting other girls from prison. And Lauren Goodger, 31, made her feelings about her ex quite clear when she was asked a series of questions on Instagram on Sunday evening. Planning to put herself first for once, she called Joey a 'piece of s**t who makes her sick' in a furious rant, branding the girls he sexted 'average.' Something to say: Lauren Goodger calls 'f***boy' ex Joey Morrisson a 'piece of s**t who makes her sick' as she brands the girls he sexted from jail 'average' in furious Instagram rant Making her feelings clear: Lauren shared this post on her Instagram Stories following her split from Joey, saying it made her lol Lauren firstly posted a meme which read: 'Sometimes it doesn't work out with someone because they're a piece of s**t who deserves a piece of s** and you're not a piece of s**t.' She was asked what advice she would give her old self and she said: 'Take no s**t from no one. You are powerful and anyone who doesn't respect you, then they aren't worth your love and time.' Another fan asked her: 'How to get over someone who doesn't want you anymore and is happy with someone new.' That's not on: Lauren ended things with Joey after learning that he had been sexting girls from his jail cell She responded: 'I feel like it comes naturally. I couldn't love someone anymore who didn't want to be with me anymore or loved me. 'It would turn me off of course anyway. So the best thing to do is love yourself more, let it go and be you.' Another asked her what her biggest achievement was and she said: 'I've had some great success, but a lot taken away from me, also. ' Be you: A series of responses to reader questions, gave an insight into Lauren's state of mind following her most recent split Wishes: She also said she wants her future husband to 'idolise her' She was asked how she gets over breakups and she said: 'I wait it out longer than I should until I'm done and then I get over it. 'I've never been single and you have one life. I want to get married to someone who idolises me.' When given a compliment about herself, she said: 'who cares about anything else, especially f*** boys,' alongside a sick emoji as they jibed Joey again. Mad: She ranted about how f***boys make her sick (left) and said you should get rid of anyone who isn't worth her time Cross: She branded Joey's 'other women' as 'average' as she agreed with a fan who asked about people who cheat, saying insecure boys are 'unattractive' Someone else asked her why she seems to only be happy when she is with someone, especially if they are a 'wrongun.' But she denied this and said: 'If you knew me in real life, you would know I am happy all the time and I don't depend on anyone. I look at my partner as a bonus.' She was asked if she ever gets the feeling she is not good enough and she said: 'Believe me you are good enough and anyone who makes you feel like you're not, get rid of them.' Not on: Lauren's jailbird ex Joey Morrisson liked HUNDREDS of pictures of women while they were dating as he posted snaps taken by the former TOWIE star (pictured) One over-zealous fan asked her if she was interested in a man with a 'standard 35k a year job and a two-year-old son?' She said: 'I don't go for money, I go for love. Money is a bonus. I'd rather be happy and loved than lonely and rich.' Lauren was asked why boys who cheat on us with 'average girls.' She said: 'They insecure, [sic]. It's an ego thing. Boys who talk to loads of girls are very unattractive.' Joey was released from prison in May, but has to adhere to certain conditions, after serving ten years in prison for a series of violent, drugs related offences. After discovering Joey had been sexting other girls and using her fame to get ahead, she got rid of him and he is now on dating app Bumble. And Lauren later found out he had been 'liking' more than two hundred pictures of women on Facebook in a further blow. She enjoyed a sun-soaked break in the Caribbean with her handsome husband Joe Manganiello and a group of friends last week. And Sofia Vergara looked happy and relaxed as she got back to reality and went grocery shopping at the Eataly food market in Century City, Los Angeles, on Sunday. Slipping into a light pink boho-style crop top, the actress, 46, flaunted her toned abs as she stocked up for the week ahead. Pretty in pink: Sofia Vergara looked happy and relaxed as she got back to reality and went grocery shopping at the Eataly food market in Century City, Los Angeles, on Sunday The Colombian beauty offset her top with a pair of dark denim jeans, which had been torn to add a punk chic flair. Adding to her statuesque figure with a pair of of sparkling heels, the Modern Family star completed her look with a floral handbag and pink-tinted shades. Sofia styled her brunette locks into a sleek, straight style, and she brushed on a glamorous palette of make-up to highlight her stunning features. The TV actress kept her accessories to a minimum, and matched her colourful shirt with a pair of pink hoop earrings. Running errands: Slipping into a light pink boho-style crop top and ripped jeans, the actress, 46, flaunted her toned abs as she stocked up for the week ahead On Saturday, the star was seen enjoying a spot of retail therapy at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. Wearing a stylish outfit in neutral shades, her look saw Sofia wear a mocha hued blouse with cream wide-legged pants and gold wedges. She accessorised her look with large statement earrings, and kept her personal belongings hidden away in a large nude handbag. The beauty certainly turned heads as she headed down to the valet to retrieve her luxury Range Rover. Shopping excursion: On Saturday, the Modern Family star was seen enjoying a spot of retail therapy at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills Stunning: Wearing a stylish outfit in neutral shades, Sofia's look saw her wear a mocha hued blouse with cream wide-legged pants and gold wedges Girls getaway: Sofia spent some of last month soaking up the sun with her best girlfriends, whom she invited to a private island in the Caribbean Last weekend, Sofia flaunted her bikini body with her girlfriends at a private island in the Caribbean. The brunette shared several bikini-clad photos as she frolicked on the deserted beach with a drink in her hand. The actress and her friends travelled in style, and used a UTV to travel to and from the beach with ease. Sofia calls her beach house Casa Chipi Chipi, which is a luxurious seaside getaway only accessible by plane. Island oasis: Sofia's beach house is named Casa Chipi Chipi after a hostel in Colombia The actress' Modern Family co-stars including Jesse Tyler and Julie Bowen have also visited the oasis to let their hair down. Sofia has been married to Magic Mike star Joe Manganiello, 41, since 2015 after getting engaged on Christmas Day in 2014 following a six month relationship. The couple tied the knot in Palm Beach, Florida before honeymooning on a private island. Sofia has been named Forbes' top earning television actress for the past six consecutive years, banking $41.5 million in the 12 months to June 1 2017 alone. They confirmed their romance in June after stepping out at the Melbourne premiere of Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom together. And despite the couple only being together for several months, it seems Married At First Sight star John Robertson, 54, was always destined to meet girlfriend Kenicha Hatten. Daily Mail Australia can reveal the trained actress went to one extreme length to try to catch his attention while he appeared on the Nine show earlier this year. Scroll down for video EXCLUSIVE: His biggest fan! MAFS' John Robertson (left) met new girlfriend Kenicha Hatten (right) after she went to THIS extreme length to catch his attention 'After falling for John while watching him on the TV at home, Kenicha decided to put pen to paper and write a letter to Channel Nine,' a source said. 'She explained how she's much better suited to him and she'd love to meet.' Kenicha sent her alleged love letter while John's TV marriage to journalist Melissa Walsh, which was filmed several months earlier, was still playing out on TV. True romantic: 'After falling from John while watching him on the TV at home, Kenicha decided to put pen to paper and write a letter to Channel Nine,' a source said Awkward viewing: Kenicha sent her alleged love letter while John's TV marriage to journalist Melissa Walsh (pictured), which was filmed several months earlier, was still playing out on TV Her biggest crush: She first started crushing on John in 2017 and made her feelings known by regularly tweeting about his attempt at finding love on TV Confirming the romantic introduction, John told Daily Mail Australia: 'Kenicha tells me she had liked me for a while and she did reach out to me.' 'Luckily I replied, she's a truly lovely lady.' And it seems John's MAFS co-stars have all taken a shine to her too as she posed for pictures with the gang as they partied at Carly Bowyer's birthday party on Saturday. Part of the gang: Kenicha partied with the MAFS gang at Carly Bowyer's birthday on Saturday One of the lads: The blonde beauty regularly hangs out with John's co-stars in Melbourne It was previously reported that Kenicha first tried to get John's attention during his initial attempt at finding love on Married At First Sight. In February 2017 she started gushing about him on social media after his first MAFS marriage, to Deborah in season four, aired across Australia. 'I feel so sorry for John,' she wrote in one tweet. 'How Is John still single?' she later questioned as things fell apart with Deborah. Love Island's Megan Barton Hanson and Georgia Steel have unfollowed one another on social media. The news was reported by The Sun and comes after the pair were involved in a very awkward exchange on Love Island: The Reunion on Sunday night. Caroline Flack, 38, asked Megan, 24, if it was true she didn't like Georgia, 20, and she said she 'didn't understand her.' Ouch! Love Island's Megan and Georgia 'UNFOLLOW one another on social media' after THAT awkward confrontation on Love Island: The Reunion on Sunday night Awkward: Caroline Flack asked Megan if it was true she didn't like Georgia and she said she 'didn't understand her,' much to a visibly irked Georgia's dismay She said; 'It's not even like that. I'm shy and she is very extroverted, it's not that I didn't like her, I just didn't get it. I wasn't used to being around people like that.' The camera panned to a visibly irked Georgia who was sitting in the crowd along with her boyfriend Sam Bird, 25. She yelled out: 'It's OK boo. No need to worry darling.' MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for both Megan and Georgia for comment. Megan had famously called Georgia a "fake b***h" in the villa and was particularly annoyed when she jumped into the swimming pool. Worse for wear: Megan and Wes were certainly feeling the effects of the Love Island wrap party on Monday morning, as they departed their London hotel The morning after: The glamour model, 24, looked bleary-eyed as she left the hotel with her beau after a wild night with the fellow Islanders Homeward bound: The pair cut fatigued figures after the big night out as they left their hotel, and wheeled their cases to the car Style icon: While she may have felt slightly fragile, Megan still managed to look chic in a bardot broderie top, teamed with trendy mom jeans The night before: The pair had dressed to the nines for the much-anticipated Reunion show on Saturday evening, before enjoying a wild night out to celebrate the series The pretty blonde had said that she didn't get her and that she was loud and attention seeking, the complete opposite of her. The Love Islanders later partied the night away with their Love Island co-stars to celebrate another hit series of the ITV2 show. Megan and boyfriend Wes were certainly feeling the effects of their raucous evening as they departed their London hotel on Monday looking bleary-eyed. Summer chic: She teamed the look with gold sandals, and accessorised with an oversized leather tote on one shoulder Refuel: Opting to go without make-up, Megan displayed her radiant complexion as she beamed outside her hotel, with a sandwich in hand Say cheese! She later posed with a builder, who approached her for a selfie as she prepared to leave Casual: Keeping comfortable for the journey, Wes then joined his girlfriend in a matching striped T-shirt and shorts combo as they headed home from their wild weekend The glamour model and her beau then prepared to head home from Elstree, where they filmed the much-anticipated Reunion show on Saturday night. The pair cut fatigued figures after the big night out as they left their hotel, and wheeled their cases to the car. While she may have felt slightly fragile, Megan still managed to look chic in a bardot broderie top, teamed with trendy mom jeans and sandals. Keeping comfortable for the journey, Wes then joined his girlfriend in a matching striped T-shirt and shorts combo as they headed home from their wild weekend. Making a splash: Wes was seen back on the island of Mallorca where he was undertaking a pool party PA at BH Mallorca on Saturday In he goes: Wes had all his pals around him as he went into the water He's got lots of fans: Wes posed for a series of snaps on the red carpet Here come the girls: A host of stunning girls also posed with Wes but he only has eyes for Megan Ripped: Wes shorted off his impressive physique as he entertained the crowds There's been a lot of partying taking place since the couple left the island on Tuesday morning. Wes headed back to Mallorca on Saturday where he entertained the crowds at the BH Mallorca pool party. He posed shirtless for pics, before taking to the stage and pouring vodka into the mouths of revellers. Wish you were here: Wes looked pretty pleased with himself as he posed for snaps in his swimwear Did someone say vodka? Wes carried a huge bottle of alcohol in his hand as he started the party Down the hatch: He poured booze into the mouth of the partygoers The pair had joined the rest of the 2018 islanders in London on Saturday night to film the Reunion show, before heading to the cast wrap party. After eight weeks of being filmed in the villa, the stars certainly let their hair down at the bash - necking Jagerbomb shots with host Caroline Flack before throwing their best shapes on the dancefloor. Known for being one of the friskiest couples on the series, glamour model Megan was even spotted giving Wes a saucy lap dance, as the party got into full swing. After dabbling in flings on both sides, Megan and Wes made their romance official half way through the series, and placed in fourth during the live final on Monday. Party animals: Megan and Wes joined the rest of the 2018 islanders in London on Saturday night to film the Reunion show, before heading to the cast wrap party (above) Pals: Kazimir Crossley shared this sweet Instagram and wrote: 'Do I secretly wish I coupled up with meg? Yes... look how beautiful she is @wes.nelson lucky guy #loveislandreunion' Cheeky: Known for being one of the friskiest couples on the series, glamour model Megan was even spotted giving Wes a saucy lap dance, as the party got into full swing Loved-up: After dabbling in flings on both sides, Megan and Wes made their romance official half way through the series, and placed in fourth during the live final on Monday Since returning to the UK the couple have met each other's families and friends, and Wes has even moved in to Megan's flat in Southend. Speaking on the Reunion show, Wes - who hails from Stoke on Trent - revealed he has given up his job as a nuclear design engineer to be with Megan, and to make the most of his new-found fame. When asked by Caroline Flack how he was going to juggle his career and moving down south, he coyly replied: 'About that'. Met with gasps from the audience, he added: 'Im just gonna see what opportunities there are other than my job and things. 'But I am enjoying it and I spoke to work and I think they are alright with me. I think they understand that I might not be coming back in a hurry.' He's loyal, babes: Georgia's boyfriend Sam Bird was spotted making an appearance at a nightclub in Blackpool Taking to the decks: The Love Island star was showing off his DJ skills Advertisement He's started work on the new series ofStrictly Come Dancing, but before Gorka Marquez headed back to the dancefloor, he enjoyed a romantic break with girlfriend Gemma Atkinson. The couple, who met on the 2017 series of the hit BBC show when Gemma was a celeb contestant, showed off their gym-honed physiques as they enjoyed a sun-soaked day at the Karma Minoan in Crete. Ex Emmerdale actress Gemma looked stunning in her skimpy choice of bikini which displayed her impressive abs. Greek break: He's about to start work on the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, but before Gorka Marquez heads back to the dancefloor, he's been enjoying a romantic break with girlfriend Gemma Atkinson in Crete Gemma, 33, chose a vibrant tropical print two piece for her day at the coast. The palm-print bikini flattered the actress and radio star's phenomenal figure, highlighting her toned stomach, which boasts a glittering belly button piercing. Her halterneck bikini top also showed off Gemma's tanned cleavage, with the beauty sweeping her blonde locks off her face to show off her figure. Beauty: Actress and radio star Gemma, 33, chose a vibrant tropical print two piece for her day at the coast Gym fanatics: The couple, who met on the 2017 series of the hit BBC show when Gemma was a celeb contestant, showed off their gym-honed physiques as they enjoyed a sun-soaked day at the Karma Minoan in Crete Swimwear: Gemma's palm-print bikini flattered the actress and radio star's phenomenal figure, highlighting her toned stomach, which boasts a glittering belly button piercing The star highlighted her natural beauty with barely a scrap of makeup for the glam beach shoot with her beau. Not to be outdone by his gorgeous girl, Spanish dancer and Strictly pro Gorka, 27, boasted his own fit physique, going shirtless in his green Calvin Klein swimming shorts. Gorka's detailed arm tattoo was also on show as he wrapped his arms around a beaming Gemma. The two took to the ocean for a splash around, holding hands and smooching in the beautiful blue water. Sporty pair: Not to be outdone by his gorgeous girl, Spanish dancer and Strictly pro Gorka, 27, boasted his own fit physique, going shirtless in his green Calvin Klein swimming shorts. Splashing around: Gemma and Gorka both rocked impressive tans following their summer of holiday hopping I wanna hold your hand: Gemma's peachy derriere was on show in her bikini as she enjoyed a romantic walk with Gorka Strike a pose: Gemma and Gorka work out together regularly, hitting the gym for intense exercise regimes In further shots the besotted couple changed out of their swimwear for a romantic dinner for two at their picturesque hotel. Gemma looked gorgeous in a stunning green floral maxi skirt, teamed with a black vest top for the dinner date. Gorka kept things casual in a striped t-shirt and blue shorts, as the two shared drinks on the terrace. Gorka has been keeping his Instagram followers up to date with the break, posting last week: 'Back to the grind on Monday! Strictly rehearsals begin and Ill be back on.' Last minute break: The couple jetted away for some quality time together before pro dancer Gorka starts work on the new series of Strictly Come Dancing Love story: The two met on the 2017 series of the BBC dance show in 2017, but didn't become a couple until after the show had wrapped Smitten: Gemma and Gorka have been inseparable since becoming a couple, enjoying Gorka's time off Strictly with plenty of holidays in between his dance tour schedule Inked: The hunky Spanish dancer flaunted his extensive tattoo collection, including elaborate ink work on his right arm Beaming: The smitten pair couldn't keep their hands off one another as they posed for the beach photoshoot In-shape Gemma candidly revealed that her healthy lifestyle was brought on by the tragic loss of her father, who died suddenly from a heart attack, in a magazine interview last week. She was just 17 when her father David passed away aged 52, despite never smoking and only drinking alcohol occasionally. The actress confessed to Happiful magazine that losing her father inspired her to look after herself and helped her to understand the importance of self care. Dinner date: In further shots the besotted couple changed out of their swimwear for a romantic dinner for two at their picturesque hotel Cheers: The couple shared a glass of prosessco on their terrace which boasted amazing views of the Crete beach Peekaboo: The playful pair peeked out of windows at their gorgeous hotel as the fun continued Sitting pretty: . Gemma looked gorgeous in a stunning green floral maxi skirt, teamed with a black vest top for the dinner date Summer style: Gorka kept things casual in a striped t-shirt and blue shorts, as the two shared drinks on the terrace The Strictly Come Dancing star now hopes to inspire others with her mantra that the health benefits of a gym-routine are far more vital than the aesthetic results. During a heartfelt interview she said: 'It hit me that life's too short. Dad was 52 and very healthy. He never smoked and only drank every few weeks - there was nothing wrong with him. 'Since then, I've wanted to take care of myself as best I can, and that's why I always drill that health is more important than what you look like.' What a view! The happy couple cuddled up for a series of photos against the backdrop of the sparkling ocean Fun in the sun: The couple made the most of their time off together before Gorka's intense Strictly schedule kicks off Dancing pair: Gorka will pair with a new celeb partner for the 2018 series of Strictly after partnering singer Alexandra Burke in 2017, while Gemma danced with Aljaz Skorjanec Close: The couple started out as friends, hanging out together in between Strictly shows before falling for one another in the new year Following the death of her dad, Gemma and her family made a pact that they would never be afraid to talk about him. She now credits their support as her counselling, which helped her hugely during the difficult time. After her own experience with loss, Gemma has recently became a patron for Grief Encounter, a charity that help bereaved children and their families. Gemma announced that she would be joining the charity with a sweet image picture of her and her dad, as she opened up about her loss in the caption. She wrote: 'Im happy to announce that I have come on board as a Patron of the wonderful charity @griefencounter I wanted to work with this charity because my dad died suddenly when I was only 17 years old. Big plans: Gemma hinted that after only four months of dating she and Gorka had already thought about children, saying they were one of the main motivations for staying in shape Long haul: Gemma gushed: In ten years time when hopefully we've got a couple of kids around I won't want to be out of breath. It's nice to have someone who says you're beautiful regardless' They've been dating for three years and Myleene Klass branded her PR boyfriend Simon Motson 'the most awesome human' on Sunday. Having given him a tutorial on how to braid hair, he set about giving her eldest daughter Ava a French plait. Myleene shared a clip of his skills, writing: 'Swooning. World's most awesome human. Braid-y bunch: Myleene Klass branded boyfriend Simon Motson the 'world's most awesome human' as she swooned over him French plaiting her daughter's hair on Instagram on Sunday She wrote: 'Taught my BF how to do hair. Ten minutes later, he's Vidal Sassoon, (and school mornings just got easier' 'Taught my BF how to do hair. Ten minutes later, he's Vidal Sassoon, (and school mornings just got easier.' She then wrote: 'On a roll now. Scenes reminiscent of LFW.' Blond Simon cut a very handsome figure as he set to work on the braid, with a look of sheer concentration on his face. The couple have just returned from a blissful break away in Greece, where Simon snapped pictures of her peachy posterior while in her bikini. The finished result: Myleene was pretty impressed by her boyfriend's handy work She's got it going on: Myleene was pictured heading to work on Monday morning wearing smart trousers with a plaid shirt tied around her waist Arm candy: She carried an oversized Chanel bag into the building ahead of her slot on Smooth radio Yet the trip was not all bliss as Myleene revealed she had accidentally sat on a sea urchin, drawing blood on the skin. She wrote: 'I sat on a sea urchin. Ouch!' (sic) The businesswoman is the devoted mother to Ava, 10, and Hero, seven, whom she has with her ex-husband Graham Quinn. Her ex walked out on her 34th birthday in April 2012 putting an end to their relationship and their divorce finalised in 2013. Fashion PR Simon has been married before but is also divorced and is the father of two. The pair met in 2015 shortly after Simon had split from his wife, but kept a low profile until Simon's divorce was finalised out of respect. Made in Chelsea will be back on our screens today and fans will get to see what our favourite London socialites have been up to while summering in Croatia, after star Oliver Proudlock announced his engagement to Emma Louise Connolly. After proposing during a romantic trip to Sweden on their four-year anniversary, Emma Louise Connolly took to Instagram to share multiple clips of how excited she was and pictures of her engagement ring with hilarious captions. Proudlock also shared a selfie of the newly engaged couple and said: SHE SAID YES!!! SHE IS MAKING AN HONEST MAN OF ME. GREATEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE. #opxec #engaged #4yearanniversary'. But who is Emma Louise Connolly? Oliver Proudlock announced his engagement to Emma Louise Connolly ahead of MIC's return Who is Emma Louise Connolly? Born on September 21, 1991 in Dunblane, Emma Louise Connolly is a Scottish model who is represented by the Colours Agency and has been shot by notable photographers like Ruan der Sande, Rachel Webb and Anna Fowler. As reported in The Scottish Sun, she now has a Nasty Gal clothing line and Maybelline beauty campaign but other than dating MIC star Proudlock, she has garnered fame after Emma made it her mission to raise awareness about endometriosis after starting her menopause at age 22. Just days ago, Emma Louise shared a picture on her Instagram Story and spoke about her endometriosis fight: For those girls who messaged me about my most recent post - things you dont see...that endometriosis flare up. Vbloaty, veiny and v sleepy. All other girls who suffer from endo please send me tips - its so painful :(, she captioned a picture of her stomach. She posted another picture with the caption: Up and dressed and trying to ignore the pain. Thank you all so much for your messages. I just love you so much. Sisters unite. Proudlock Oliver Proudlock, more commonly known by his surname, is a member of the Made in Chelsea cast and attended Eton College at the same time as Prince Harry. According to The Sun, they have many mutual friends including Viscount Erleigh, Arthur Landon and Tom Inskip. When hes not on the show, Proudlock is the Managing Director of clothing brand Serge DeNimes and a look at his LinkedIn profile reveals that: Serge DeNimes is a contemporary, relevant and multi-faceted brand comprising a high-quality, urban, on-trend fashion label. He was a regular cast member from the second series but took a short break after the tenth season, but returned in 2016 to join The Lost Boys Jamie Laing and Francis Boulle. Emma Louise Connolly took to Instagram to share multiple clips of how excited she was Proudlock engaged Oliver Proudlock proposed to Emma Louise Connolly in Gothenburg, Sweden on their four-year anniversary and the MIC star took to Instagram to share a picture of the happy couple. He captioned the post: 'SHE SAID YES!!! SHE IS MAKING AN HONEST MAN OF ME. GREATEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE. #opxec #engaged #4yearanniversary'. Emma also shared a multitude of posts; in one picture, she said: 'Oh sorry got something on my nose. It's called a fiance' while pushing her diamond-ring hand in front of her face. A video was also posted in which Proudlock can be seen swooning and saying: 'Wooo, my wife to be, I f**king love this lady more than anything in the whole world. Love you baby.' Despite famously having flings with former co-stars Caggie Dunlop and Lucy Watson, Proudlock recently told MailOnline that Emma has her own career and focus. It doesnt make sense [for her to be on the show]. When does Made in Chelsea Croatia start? Made in Chelsea: Croatia will return on Monday, August 6 on E4 at 9pm. Danny Dyer and his wife Joanne Mas have finally touched back down in London, after enjoying a family getaway to Orlando, Florida in recent weeks. The EastEnders actor, 41, was joined by Joanne and their brood; daughter Sunnie, 11, and son Arty, five, as they arrived back in the capital on Monday - no doubt eager to see their eldest child Dani, following her Love Island win with boyfriend Jack Fincham. Despite being overseas, Danny and Joanne made sure to support the reality starlet while Stateside and publicly declared how 'proud' they are of their daughter for her appearance on the ITV2 dating show, following her victory. Back on home soil: Danny Dyer and wife Joanne Mas finally touched back down in London on Monday, after enjoying a family getaway to Orlando, Florida in recent weeks The soap star was spotted making his way through the airport terminal, after his long-haul flight, clutching onto a Minnie Mouse soft toy following his trip to Disney World in Orlando. Danny cut a casual figure in dark chino trousers and a 'Coca-Cola' motif t-shirt - still sporting his shades as he wheeled his suitcase along beside him. His wife Joanne was close behind and made her way through the airport in thigh-skimming denim shorts and an olive green tee. She tied a camouflage print jacket around her waist and pinned her blonde locks up into a loose bun. Pleased to be back: Joanne (pictured above) and her soap star husband are no doubt eager to see their eldest daughter Dani Dyer following her Love Island win Bad timing! The couple have still not seen Dani (above) since the show wrapped, as their holiday dates crossed over with the Love Island final Joanne clutched onto a large tote bag over one arm while maneuvering a large silver case with the other and chaperoning her youngest two kids on their exit. She and Danny appeared in high spirits on their return to the UK, no doubt excited at the prospect of reuniting with their eldest daughter Dani. Dani has spent the last two months in Mallorca to star on Love Island and is still yet to see her parents, despite having now returned to UK as filming has wrapped. The brunette beauty was victorious on the show and scooped the Love Island title, along with the show's 50,000 cash prize, that has been split between Dani and boyfriend Jack. Family vacay: The EastEnders actor, 41, was joined by Joanne and their brood; daughter Sunnie, 11, and son Arty, five Casual: Danny was spotted making his way through the terminal in dark chino trousers and a red 'Coca-Cola' t-shirt Dressed down: Joanne opted for denim shorts and an olive green tee for their long haul flight and was seen maneuvering her suitcase while exiting the airport Dani had appeared on Good Morning Britain without her new love on Monday morning, revealing that he had still been tucked up in bed following Love Island's reunion show and wrap party the night before. Dani added that while she thought it was 'healthy' for the two to spend some time apart after being together 24/7 during the eight week series, they've struggled to separate in the week since winning the show. 'We literally ain't spent no time apart, I think the only time we did was when I went to the gym,' she said. 'We're always together because we have been for the past two months. It's horrible being apart from each other,' she confessed. 'Of course, it's healthy to have time apart from each other, it's not normal to always be stuck together. It's nice because then you miss each other.' Missing one? The family have returned to the UK following a fun-filled break to Disney World Relaxed: Danny appeared at ease as he strolled alongside his wife and kids Reunited: Danny's first point of call will no doubt be to see Love Island champion Dani and her new boyfriend Jack Fincham Dani's solo TV appearance comes after her dad Danny urged his daughter to not follow in the footsteps of previous Love Island winners and be 'a double act' as she kick starts her TV career. 'There are going to be some very exciting projects coming up for her. They have to live their own lives, I dont think they should come out as a double act,' the soap star told the Mirror. 'They are a double act, but it hasnt lasted too well for previous contestants to go, Oh lets be a double act. They havent lasted four months, have they?' No rest for the wicked: Dani, meanwhile, appeared on Good Morning Britain on Monday morning without beau Jack to discuss their time on Love Island Taking a break: She joked her love was still in bed after filming for the Love Island reunion show on Sunday night and making the most of the wrap party that followed Jack, meanwhile, is yet to meet Dani's parents, as Danny and Joanne were forced to miss out on entering the villa due to their Orlando break crossing over with the show's 'Meet The Parents' episode. Jack did, however, speak to the couple via video link - where Danny made sure to give the reality star his approval, and the actor was one of the first to congratulate Dani and Jack on being crowned the winners of Love Island's 2018 series, posting a series of videos to social media celebrating the news. Filming himself on a ride, Danny gushed: 'Dan you've only gone and done it. Listen, we can' wait we're coming to see you,' while Dani's mother Joanne added: 'Baby, we're so proud of you.' Dani, who previously lasted just hours on ITV2 series Survival of the Fittest earlier this year, laughed of the bad timing of the holiday as she revealed: 'They didn't think I was going to last. Apprehensive? Jack is still yet to meet Dani's parents as their Orlando break meant they had to miss out on entering the Love Island villa for the 'Meet The Parents' episode 'Me dad went, "I thought you'd last half hour". The fact I lasted the whole way and now they're obviously in Florida... but it's rained for them. I said, "You should have been at home."' On the change to their lives since leaving, Dani said her dad will help guide the couple through the fame game, explaining: 'It has been really difficult because it is such a change of our lives.' 'But it's been brilliant, they [my parents] ring us all the time, me dad especially, he's like, 'Listen when I come back we'll have a proper chat' and he's definitely going to guide Jack as well in the right direction, which is nice.' Dani had been an original contestant on the hit dating show, along with beau Jack, with the duo striking up a romance from the beginning of the series. Despite a number of testing times during the show, that saw Jack come face-to-face with an ex-girlfriend and Dani struggle with her beau's past infidelities, the couple's relationship persevered and they quickly became show favourites. Love Island's Laura Anderson, 29, held hands with Paul Knops during romantic stroll, in London as she stepped out after 'loyal' Georgia Steel apologised for that kiss. They looked closer than ever after the air hostess introduced her love to her pals in her native Stirling and getting him into a kilt in scenes aired on The Reunion show. Laura and Paul looked fresh faced after partying the night away on Sunday at the very boozy wrap party with all the ex islanders in attendance. Love (Island) is here: Laura and Paul held hands on romantic stroll as she stepped out in London on Monday after Georgia finally apologies for THAT kiss The blonde bombshell looks summery in her yellow logo T-shirt which she tucked into her plaid mustard mini skirt. Meanwhile, the hunk was comfortable in jeans and trainers when he joined his stunning ladylove for a low-key walk. Having gone leaps and bounds since they found love with each other just days before securing second place in the show, they looked smitten with each other. Good together: Having gone leaps and bounds since they found love with each other just days before securing second place in the show, they looked smitten with each other Laura stepped out after Georgia was left eating her words as she finally had to apologise to Laura, as a clip of what really happened aired on the Love Island Reunion on Sunday night. Student Georgia had been adamant she was telling the truth about kissing Jack Fowler during a tense showdown with Laura Anderson on this year's Love Island. The reality star, 20, who ensured that her fellow islanders knew how 'real' and 'loyal' she was throughout the show, exclaimed that she would have definitely told Laura the truth 'if she'd have remembered it that way'. Apology: Georgia Steel was left eating her words as she finally had to apologise to Laura, as a clip of what really happened aired on the Love Island Reunion on Sunday night During a catch up between Caroline Flack, Laura and her hunky beau Paul Anderson the host announced that she was going to play a clip of the kiss. Moments after it played Georgia shouted: 'Oh Laura Darlin' you know if I'd of remembered it that way, you know me boo I would have told you.' A member of the audience then quipped: 'We all saw it!' Oops! The reality star, 20, who ensured that her fellow islanders knew how 'real' and 'loyal' she was throughout the show, exclaimed that she would have definitely told Laura the truth 'if she'd have remembered it that way Before Georgia shot back: 'I would have boo, I would have, I love you Darlin' and that's all that matters.' Caroline was quick to ask Laura for her take on the kiss as she said it must have been confusing for her at the time, Laura, who defended Jack throughout the ordeal, replied: 'It wasn't that confusing... 'I believed Jack straight away but it was difficult because Georgia seemed so adamant, and that swayed my decision with Jack and I really wanted to be her friend, but she was telling me why don't you believe me, why don't you believe me. THAT kiss! During a catch up between Caroline Flack, Laura and her hunky beau Paul Anderson the host announced that she was going to play the kiss 'But I did believe Jack straight away. Laura then reflected on the clip telling Georgia that she grabbed her former flame face, with Georgia claiming she 'didn't know what came over her.' Caroline, who was recently spotted looking cosy with her ex Andrew Brady again, then asked Georgia if she had anything to say to Laura after watching the clip. To which she reiterated 'if I'd have remembered it like that I would have say sorry earlier', before Paul interjected and shouted 'say sorry', before Georgia finally said the words 'I'm sorry!'. China's latest restrained tariff measure against the United States is rational, and aims to safeguard the multilateral trading system, experts said. Taking into full consideration the interests of its people and companies, as well as the global value chain, the Chinese government made the decision to impose differentiated tariff rates targeting $60 billion worth of US goods. That's in stark contrast to the US' one-size-fits-all tariff approach, which was ill-considered, they said. Their comments follow recent criticism by Larry Kudlow, a top White House economic adviser, who has been saying that Beijing's latest countermeasure was weak and China's economy is softening. On Friday, China announced it would place additional tariffs on about $60 billion worth of US goods, which are subject to four rates, 25 percent, 20 percent, 10 percent and 5 percent. The move was in response to the US threat of increasing the proposed additional duty on $200 billion worth of Chinese products from 10 percent to 25 percent. "China's countermeasures do not intend to purely pursue equivalence in the same amount as the US tariff rates. The latest four-level tariff rates have much more flexibility," said Gao Lingyun, a researcher of Institute of World Economics and Policies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "When developing tariff measures, China took into full consideration the potential impact on its companies and people. The basic principle is to minimize negative impact," Gao said. "For instance, those US products that become gradually indispensable for Chinese firms and consumers would be subject to additional levies of 5 percent." Gao added that China's tariff move remains very restrained, which signals that the nation has always opened its door to negotiations with the US under the framework of the World Trade Organization, while reserving the right to deploy countermeasures. "China's tariff plan is based on thorough research and analysis. It is much more rational compared with the 25 percent tariff hikes threatened by the US ... which is a trade 'stick', " said Li Yong, a senior research fellow at the China Association of International Trade. As US President Donald Trump has been provoking trade disputes with several countries, Wang Wen, executive dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China, said it is impossible for the White House to ensure the "accuracy" of its tariff lists. Wang said that "accuracy" meant using tariffs to maximize the pain for targeted countries while protecting US consumers and companies. "However, a number of US consumers have complained about the US tariff plans in the past couple of months. They found they were hurt by rising costs, as a large number of products imported from China were hit by additional tariffs," Wang added. More evidence of the inaccuracy of US tariff policy, according to Wang, is that the Office of the US Trade Representative announced in July how companies could apply for exclusion from the newly imposed tariffs on Chinese imports. "The US wants to disturb the global trading order. Therefore its $200 billion tariff list is fairly inaccurate and irresponsible," said Liang Ming, director of the foreign trade research center at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, affiliated with the Ministry of Commerce. Liang stressed that US consumers would ultimately pay the price for Trump's irrational trade policies, pointing out that the US imports its nitrosamines, an industrial raw material, from China. Despite the escalating trade row, the economy's resilience has been remarkable, said Tu Xinquan, director of the China Institute for WTO Studies at the University of International Business and Economics. "China's economy, especially its manufacturing industry, has become highly diversified thanks to the sound supportive system and fast-growing domestic markets after decades of development," Tu said. It's been one year since Johnny Ruffo was diagnosed with cancer. In August 2017, the Home and Away star, 30, was rushed into hospital to have an emergency operation to remove a brain tumour. And now, 12 months later, the actor has shared an inspirational gallery celebrating his recovery so far as he continues to undergo chemotherapy. Scroll down for video Fighting fit! Johnny Ruffo and Tahnee Sims mark one year since the couple were thrown 'massive curve ball' with the Home and Away star's cancer diagnosis Johnny wrote: 'It has been a crazy ride and I'm not quite finished yet but I want to share some snaps of the past year and say thank you to everyone who has been there for me and supported me throughout this time.' The actor was at home with girlfriend Tahnee Sims, 24, on August 6, 2017, when he first began suffering from a severe migraine. Tahnee insisted her actor beau head to the hospital, where he promptly underwent an MRI scan. Doctors then discovered he had a a fist-sized tumour growing in his head. Road to recovery: The couple have shared a series of inspiring pictures from the past year Always by his side: 'I couldnt be more proud of how you've dealt with it all,' Tahnee said Tahnee also took to Instagram to commemorate Johnny's progress so far since that first diagnosis 365 days ago. 'A year on from the day that life threw us a massive curve ball!!' she wrote. 'I couldnt be more proud of how you've dealt with it all & continue to soldier on with that cheeky smile.' 'Radiotherapy & so far 10 months of chemo you've handled like a boss & your strength honestly blows my mind! Heres to kicking Cancers a**e & living our best lives.' Tough times: 'It has been a crazy ride and I'm not quite finished yet,' Johnny wrote Not long now: In July, the actor said he has approximately three months of chemo left Tahnee shared two almost identical selfies with her boyfriend in the post. Although one of them was taken immediately after surgery, where Johnny is seen with a shaved head and his skull stapled together, his smile is still shining as bright as it is in the most recent one where his hair has grown back. In another photograph, Johnny can be seen bandaged up in his hospital bed while gesturing two thumbs up to the camera. Always smiling: Johnny has had a grin on his face throughout the whole ordeal What a ride: 'There are days where you feel like absolute garbage and you just want to lie in bed and do nothing, and that's what I do,' Johnny said Johnny revealed in July that his journey is not over yet, with the 30-year-old confirming he still has more chemotherapy treatments ahead. 'I've got a little bit of chemo left to do, I've got about three months left,' Johnny said during an interview with Studio 10. Panellist Joe Hildebrand asked the actor whether the treatment was 'debilitating', to which he offered a candid response. 'There are days where you feel like absolute garbage and you just want to lie in bed and do nothing, and that's what I do,' Johnny said. However, despite his health problems, Johnny appeared upbeat on the show and insisted he was 'feeling good' and 'on the mend'. It's a fun, family-friendly dance contest where everyday people compete to win over celebrity judges with their dance routines. But it turns out that many viewers at home were less than impressed with the premiere of Channel Seven's Dance Boss on Monday night, taking to Twitter to pan the competition as the 'worst thing on TV'. Although there was much praise for host Dannii Minogue, the dance routines themselves were described by some as 'cringey'. 'Dannii Minogue blink twice if they're holding you against your will!' Viewers slam reality competition Dance Boss on Channel Seven as the 'worst thing on TV this year' One Twitter user wrote: 'Bravo #DanceBoss. You are the worst thing on TV this year or maybe ever.' Another viewer echoed the sentiment, Tweeting: '#DanceBoss was the worst thing I have ever seen on TV ever.' Yet another joked: '@DanniiMinogue blink twice if they're holding you against your will #danceboss'. One fan simply asked: 'Is #DanceBoss meant to be serious? #horrendous'. One viewer another joked: 'Dannii Minogue blink twice if they're holding you against your will' One Tweet read: 'Bravo #DanceBoss. You are the worst thing on TV this year or maybe ever' However, not all the reviews were bad, with lots of love for Dannii and some fans enjoying what they saw. One home audience member Tweeted: 'Loved the 1st ep of #DanceBoss well done to all the dancers you were fab'. Another fan felt the same way, writing: 'Really enjoyed the show tonight the Zoo Keepers were my fave dance act for the night'. Also on: Judges include actress and dancer Sharni Vinson, 35, who returned to Australia to appear on Dance Boss Dannii is not just the host of Channel Seven's new reality competition, the 46-year-old is also an executive producer of the show. The former Young Talent Time star is at the helm of the new series, which sees non-professional dancers compete for a cash prize of $100,000. Judges include actress and dancer Sharni Vinson, 35, who returned to Australia to from LA appear on Dance Boss alongside actor and dancer Adam Garcia, 45. He has reportedly been supportive to his ex-wife Katie Price amid claims she is facing bankruptcy following her extravagant lifestyle. Yet Peter Andre proved he was happier than ever with his beautiful wife Emily MacDonagh, 28, as he shared Instagram snaps from his Cyprus getaway on Saturday. In the picture-perfect snap, the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here star, 45, leaned back into the arms of the doctor as they posed for their happy couple's selfie. Strong: Peter Andre and Emily MacDonagh looked happier than ever during Cyprus getaway on Saturday after 'offering support to his ex-wife Katie Price amid bankruptcy claims' 'Salt lake, Larnaca, Cyprus.' He repeated the same caption in the two photographs uploaded onto social media. The lovebirds proved their romance has stood the test of time as they took some time off parenting duties to their kids Theodore, aged one, and Amelia, aged four. In another sweet snap, the smitten television personality captured his stunning ladylove on camera as she twirled on the icy terrain while the sun set. So smug! In another sweet snap, the smitten television personality captured his stunning ladylove on camera as she twirled on the icy terrain while the sun set The Emily and Peter love story is stronger than ever since they tied the knot back in 2015 and began raising their family. Peter found love again with Emily after his headline-grabbing marriage and romance with businesswoman Katie Price, 40, came to a dramatic end. The exes were separated in May 2009, with the divorce finalised in the September, after marrying three-and-a-half years earlier at Highclere Castle, Hampshire in 2005. I'm A Celebrity fans watched Peter and Katie fall madly in love with each other during the 2004 season, with the pair secretly getting engaged months later. Despite their separation, the former flames amicably raise their young children Junior, aged 13, and Princess, aged 11. It is claimed Peter has even extended his support to Katie amid claims she could face bankruptcy after her reported excessive spending. An insider told The Mirror: 'Pete has been very supportive to Kate and he wants her to be the best that she can be. They go through their ups and downs but he is trying to help her.' True love: The Emily and Peter love story is stronger than ever since they tied the knot back in 2015 and began raising their family However, a spokesperson for Peter Andre told MailOnline: 'Peter has not commented at all to anyone.' It was claimed that Katie, who once boasted a 45million fortune, had put an Audi convertible, worth 100,000, that used to belong to ex Kieran up for sale, in a bid to gain some 'extra cash'. Katie is also allegedly trying to sell her 2million mansion and her beloved farmyard animals in a bid to pay off her 'financial debts'. When contacted by MailOnline, a spokesperson for Katie blasted the claims as 'a complete pile of baloney'. The spokesperson elaborated to MailOnline: 'Katie is living within her means as she has restructured her finances.' Katie herself took to social media to address reports of her financial status and hit back at claims she refused to pay an electrician a 3000 bill for his work last year. The former glamour model took to her Instagram story and blamed a pal of Kieran's for sending the debt collectors to her home. Claims: It is claimed Peter has even extended his support to Katie amid claims she could face bankruptcy after her reported excessive spending Katie claimed the bill was Kieran's and not hers, editing a headline from a publication to read: 'Pricey pays for him again,' instead. She added: 'A lovely friend of Kieran's sending bailiffs to my house for work he had done for Kieran... Watch this space.' The Mirror reported that Katie had 'failed to pay a bill' to the tradesman last year and was forced to hand over the money when bailiffs told her that they would remove items from her home to cover the cost. Katie's financial woes come after a tough year, which has seen her split from third husband Kieran, while trying to cope with her mother Amy's terminal illness. The mother-of-five confirmed she was splitting from Kieran after four years in June 2017, when his affair with their family nanny emerged. Katie has since found love with her fitness fanatic beau Kris Boyson following the breakdown of her third marriage. Paul Hollywood's new girlfriend has stepped out for the first time since the baker's wife Alexandra revealed she will be named in their divorce papers. Summer Monteys-Fullam, 23, was seen embracing the British heatwave in a crop top and shorts, as she embarked on a casual errands run in Canterbury on Monday. The redhead and the baker, 54, claim to have been dating since November 2017, but Alexandra has since accused them of starting their relationship during her marriage to Paul. Stepping out: Paul Hollywood's new girlfriend has stepped out for the first time since the baker's wife Alexandra revealed she will be named in their divorce papers The 23-year-old embraced the blazing sunshine in a bardot crop top and tiny denim shorts, as she embarked on her day of chores. She teamed the look with flat black sandals, but accessorised with dark, oversized sunglasses and a sleek Prada handbag, in glamorous finishing touches. First parking her car up, Summer was then seen heading into the city centre for the day - shielding her face from the sun, in a bid to keep a low profile. Low-key: Summer Monteys-Fullam, 23, was seen embracing the British heatwave in a crop top and shorts, as she embarked on a casual errands run in Canterbury on Monday Glamorous: She teamed the look with flat black sandals, but accessorised with dark, oversized sunglasses and a sleek Prada handbag, in glamorous finishing touches Chores day: She was seen parking her car up and heading into the city centre Low-key: She shielded her face from the sun, in a bid to keep a low profile Sighting: It is the first time Summer has been seen since Paul's wife Alexandra Hollywood accused him of cheating with the redhead during their marriage Furious: It emerged last week that Alexandra even plans to name Summer in divorce papers over his 10million fortune (pictured with Paul in January 2015) It is the first time Summer has been seen since Paul's wife Alexandra Hollywood accused him of cheating with the redhead during their marriage. It emerged last week that Alexandra even plans to name Summer in divorce papers over his 10million fortune. The 54-year-old cookbook author is said to be 'furious' with her claims, and disputes the fact their relationship only began after their marriage broke down. A source told the Sun: 'Alex has filed for divorce on the grounds of adultery. Not happy: The 54-year-old cookbook author is said to be 'furious', and claims his relationship with Summer only began after their marriage broke down (pictured with Summer in April) 'She's fed up of the lies. For example, Summer's claim that the relationship started "way after the marriage ended".' By naming Summer in the divorce papers, Paul could have to go into detail about his relationship with her in public. Paul, 52, and Alexandra, who married in 1998 and have a 16-year-old son, announced their split in November and are said to have parted ways in early 2017. The couple ended things days after a holiday to Venice in October. A few weeks later, Paul and Summer's relationship was first revealed. On New Years Eve, Summer posted a message which read: 'I can only thank my amazing family and boyfriend. I have had my fun and I have had my troubles. Ending it: A source said: 'Alex has filed for divorce on the grounds of adultery. She's fed up of the lies' (Alexandra pictured in March 2017) 'But I can only take that as the path I was meant to lead. I can only thank the people that are close to me including my amazing boyfriend. 'You have turned me from a girl to a woman and to a house woman. I love you so much.' Summer spoke for the first time of her love for the TV chef in an exclusive interview with MailOnline in May. She insisted at the time: 'I came [into a relationship with Hollywood] way after his marriage ended.' Asked if the age gap bothered her, she added: 'I'm fine and I'm enjoying life. I'm not upset I'm happy. Why should it [the age gap] bother me?' She added that there had been a huge amount of interest in her since their romance had become public. The former model was whisked off by Hollywood on a romantic 1,000-a-night holiday in Mauritius in April, having met last year at the star's local pub where he organised a party for his estranged wife Alexandra's birthday. Alexandra and Paul previously separated in 2013 when the TV chef admitted his affair with Marcela Valladolid, his co-star on the US version of Bake Off. The American spin-off was cancelled after just one series for having poor ratings. The couple reconciled a few months later and he described the incident as 'the biggest mistake of my life' in an interview with BBC radio. Speaking at the time, he told the BBC he 'was shocked about the whole thing kicking off the way it did... but I deserved it and I've taken it. It was my punishment.' Get ready for another explosive season of Made in Chelsea. The show is returning to E4. But this series, the cast will jet to Croatia for a drama-filled vacation youre not going to want to miss. Made in Chelsea will return to E4, this time taking the cast on a Croatian holiday fueled by drama A recently released trailer for Made in Chelsea suggests the shows going to focus strongly on Sam Thompson, who will feud with Liv Bentley and Harry Barron. Viewers should also expect to see him make a few shocking reveals about a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. The drama wont stop there though. When is Made in Chelsea on? The new series of Made in Chelsea kicks off Monday, August 6 at 9pm BST on E4. You can watch E4 live online here. Made in Chelsea cast Victoria Baker Harber and Mark-Francis Vandelli will return to Made in Chelsea alongside fellow fixtures Ollie Locke and Jaime Laing. Liv Bentley and boyfriend Digby Edgley will join them in Croatia with Harry Barron, Melissa Tattam, Miley Nazaire, Sophie Hermann and Tabitha Willett. Stanley Johnson is expected to appear in a few episodes of the upcoming season of Made in Chelsea. Hes not expected to appear in Croatia, however. Stanleys appearances will likely be limited to lunch outing with Georgia Toffolo, aka Toff. Made in Chelsea trailer The trailer for Made in Chelsea was revealed by E4 in mid-July. Its been viewed more than 14,000 times since then. Made in Chelsea spoilers The latest series of Made in Chelsea is expected to be full of drama at every twist and turn. The trailer teases a falling out between exes Sam Thompson and Liv Bentley and Harry Baron. Liv opened up about the feud during an appearance on Lorraine, saying: Yes! It was a tricky one. Thing with Sam was still there when we got to Croatia. Jaime Laing added: Its always hard playing your relationship out on camera. Everyone in the country gets involved. I think its quite hard to block out the noise. The trailer also shows Sam admitting to lying about hooking up with someone during holiday in Las Vegas, Nevada. Its not just him whos lying about what happened in Vegas, though. It appears someone else on the cast had a similar encounter with the very same girl. Made in Chelsea engagement Made in Chelsea star Oliver Proudlock is engaged to long-time girlfriend Emma Louise Connolly. He popped the question during a romantic holiday in Sweden marking their fourth year as a couple. Emma shared a photo of herself sporting her engagement ring, showing it off with her hand in front of her fact, writing: Oh sorry got something on my nose. Its called a fiance. They shared one final social media clip together, telling fans: Love you all so much thank you. Going to have some time with my hubby-to-be with a series of heart and engagement ring emojis accompanying the message. Lisa Armstrong appeared to have put her wedding ring back on over the weekend as she partied at a wedding. Ant McPartlin's ex wife showed off two rings in social media snaps, which looked very similar to those given to her by the Britain's Got Talent host. The chief makeup artist for Strictly Come Dancing joined some of her pals from the BBC show for a friend's wedding at Orsett Hall in Grays, Essex. Committed: Ant McPartlin's estranged wife Lisa Armstrong appeared to have put her wedding ring back on as she partied with her Strictly team at a pal's wedding in Essex over the weekend Lisa looked gorgeous in a printed dress with floral detail for the wedding, slicking her blonde hair off her face. She proudly wore two rings, that look incredibly similar to those given to her by Ant, as she partied with her Strictly Come Dancing pals at a friends wedding. Lisa has previously worn her wedding ring on a number of occasions since her split from Ant was announced in January. Stunning: Lisa (second from right) looked incredible on the day - she has previously worn her wedding ring on a number of occasions since her split from Ant was announced in January She was last seen wearing the wedding band while getting a tattoo during her recent holiday in Los Angeles. Lisa's outing at the wedding comes after it was claimed that she is said to be 'ready to move on' as she returns to work following a turbulent few months. The Sunday People reported that Lisa joined the In For A Penny cast, including presenter and good friend Stephen Mulhern, on set last week and was spotted laughing and joking. Light up, light up: She posed against a statement LOVE light, showing off her incredible legs A source told the publication that Lisa has been feeling positive, and told pals she's ready to move past her recent marriage woes with Ant, 42. MailOnline have contacted Lisa's representatives for comment. The news comes after Lisa was praised by her fans for her 'dignified silence' over her high-profile split from the Geordie presenter. The Strictly Come Dancing make-up artist took to her Twitter on Thursday to retweet a fan's tweet as she added: 'Thanks lovely, what a nice thing to say x,' followed by kiss emojis. Split: Lisa and Ant were married for almost 12 years but the Britain's Got Talent host announced their split in January, with Ant finding romance with her former PA and pal Anne-Marie Corbett The sweet tweet read: '@lisaAmakeup proving to be one of my fave ladies at the moment.... you've picked yourself up, ignored comments and rubbish about you. 'Most importantly you've kept a dignified silence! You're great xx #girlsrule #GirlsOfTwitter #powerfulwoman.' Lisa and Ant were married for almost 12 years but the Britain's Got Talent host announced their split in January, with Ant finding romance with her former PA and pal Anne-Marie Corbett. The troubled presenter first sought rehab treatment in June 2017 after becoming addicted to prescription drugs and alcohol following a botched knee surgery in 2015. He entered rehab for a second time in March after he was involved in a three-car collision in Richmond and was discovered to be over the limit behind the wheel. Ant pleaded guilty to drink-driving in April and he received a record-breaking 86,000 fine, as well as a 20-month ban from driving. Disney has perennial appeal to children and their parents around the world. And it certainly caught Nicky Hilton's attention when she was planning her firstborn daughter Lily Grace Victoria Rothschild's second birthday. Nicky, 34, and her husband James Rothschild posed for a photo with the birthday girl and with their younger daughter, seven-month-old Teddy. Heartwarming: Nicky Hilton and James Rothschild posed with their daughters Lily Grace and Teddy at Lily Grace's Minnie Mouse-themed second birthday party The heartwarming snapshot, in which both little girls were dressed as Minnie Mouse, was posted to Insta Stories by Vanity Fair's Derek Blasberg. Nicky posted a string of Instagram photos Sunday of her little girl's Minnie Mouse-themed day, which included a huge balloon archway against one wall. The little girl got a Minnie Mouse party dress from Marais Sky and a pair of Disney mouse ears, getting scooped up into her mother's arms for one snapshot. Lavish: Nicky posted a string of Instagram photos Sunday of her little girl's Minnie Mouse-themed day, which included a huge balloon archway against one wall Motherly love: The little girl got a Minnie Mouse party dress from Marais Sky and a pair of Disney mouse ears, getting scooped up into her mother's arms for one snapshot So chic: Nicky, who went to school at the Upper East Side's Convent Of The Sacred Heart, teamed her own Minnie Mouse ears stylishly with a red and white heart-print dress Nicky, who went to school at the Upper East Side's Convent Of The Sacred Heart, teamed her own Minnie Mouse ears stylishly with a red and white heart-print dress. The birthday celebrations included a table heaped with desserts from Simply Sweet and a Mickey Mouse-head-shaped flower arrangement from Bloom Box. Lily Grace's grandmother Kathy Hilton also joined in the festivities, modeling a 1950s chic black and white polka-dot dress and a pair of mouse ears of her own. Three generations: Lily Grace's grandmother Kathy Hilton also joined in the festivities, modeling a 1950s chic black and white polka-dot dress and a pair of mouse ears of her own Remember when: Nicky's Instagram updates included a throwback snap of herself as a little girl dressed as Minnie as she stood beside a stuffed Minnie and Mickey in a toy car Only the best: The birthday celebrations included a table heaped with desserts from Simply Sweet and a Mickey Mouse-head-shaped flower arrangement from Bloom Box Nicky's Instagram updates included a throwback snap of herself as a little girl dressed as Minnie as she stood beside a stuffed Minnie and Mickey in a toy car. Also in attendance were actress Jaclyn Smith and toddler twins Emma and Mila, whose mother Katie relentlessly propelled them to online fame. For the little tykes' entertainment, people dressed as Mickey and Minnie also mingled with the party guests, posing with the birthday girl and her mother. Nicky, who wrote on Instagram that she had 'So much fun reliving my Minnie Mouse obsession,' also got to pose with Mickey and Minnie as a trio at the party. High spirits: For the little tykes' entertainment, people dressed as Mickey and Minnie also mingled with the party guests, posing with the birthday girl and her mother Having a ball: Nicky, who wrote on Instagram that she had 'So much fun reliving my Minnie Mouse obsession,' also got to pose with Mickey and Minnie as a trio at the party 'Grandma goalsss': Also in attendance were actress Jaclyn Smith and toddler twins Emma and Mila, whose mother Katie relentlessly propelled them to online fame Katie Stauffer has spun this enterprise into an Instagram following that is now hovering around 4 million - more than three times Nicky's follower count. Nicky - whose big sister is socialite, businesswoman and sex tape icon Paris Hilton - has been married since 2015 to James, grandson of the 3rd Baron Rothschild. James and Nicky tied the knot at the Orangery at Kensington Palace, the London home of William and Kate, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Three years on: Nicky - whose big sister is socialite, businesswoman and sex tape icon Paris Hilton - has been married since 2015 to James, grandson of the 3rd Baron Rothschild Family history: Nicky and James welcomed their elder daughter in 2016, and their younger daughter Teddy was born five days before Christmas this past year Nottingham Cottage, which is in the grounds of Kensington Palace, is now where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle live as Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Before getting hitched in Valentino to James, Nicky married her old pal Todd Meister in Las Vegas in 2004, then had the union annulled before the year was out. Nicky and James welcomed their elder daughter in 2016, and their younger daughter Teddy was born five days before Christmas this past year. Background: Before getting hitched in Valentino to James, Nicky married her old pal Todd Meister in Las Vegas in 2004, then had the union annulled before the year was out Meanwhile, Paris, who has never been married before, is currently engaged to little-known actor Chris Zylka, whom she praised to TMZ in April. After jaywalking across Rodeo Drive, she said of reports Tristan Thompson cheated on Khloe Kardashian: 'That would never happen to me. My man is amazing.' Kathy was a little-known actress until 1979, the year she got hitched to Richard Hilton, by whom she has four children including Paris and Nicky. The new trailer for the upcoming Netflix black comedy Maniac has just dropped. The new series, starring Jonah Hill and Emma Stone, focuses on a group of strangers who enter into a clinical trial for a drug that supposedly cures all of their ailments, but soon find that they got much more than what they bargained for. Heres everything you need to know about the upcoming series, including its newly-released trailer, release date, cast and plot. Jonah Hill, pictured above, and Emma Stone will soon costar in the new Netflix series Maniac Maniac trailer The trailer for Maniac was just released on August 6, 2018 and has already accumulated more than 36,000 views on YouTube. Maniac release date The upcoming Netflix series is slated to be released on Friday, September 21, 2018. The show, spanning ten episodes, will be available to watch all at once. Maniac cast The new series will costar Jonah Hill as Owen Milgrim and Emma Stone as Annie Landsberg. The duo previously appeared in the 2007 comedy Superbad. The cast will also reportedly include Justin Theroux, Sally Field, Julia Garner, Jemima Kirke and Sonoya Mizuno. Justin Theroux, Sally Field, Julia Garner, Jemima Kirke and Sonoya Mizuno will also appear Maniac plot The black comedy series revolves around a group of people who enter into a strange pharmaceutical trial for very different reasons. Anne Landsberg, played by Emma Stone, is disaffected and constantly dwells on broken family relationships while Owen Milgrim, played by Jonah Hill, hails from a wealthy family and struggles with being diagnosed with schizophrenia. They, and other strangers, enter a three-day trial for a supposedly miraculous drug whose makers claim it can permanently cure their ills without leaving any harmful side-effects. The official Netflix synopsis for the upcoming series states: Set in a world somewhat like our world, in a time quite similar to our time, Maniac tells the stories of Annie Landsberg (Emma Stone) and Owen Milgrim (Jonah Hill), two strangers drawn to the late stages of a mysterious pharmaceutical trial, each for their own reasons. Annies disaffected and aimless, fixated on broken relationships with her mother and her sister; Owen, the fifth son of wealthy New York industrialists, has struggled his whole life with a disputed diagnosis of schizophrenia. Neither of their lives have turned out quite right, and the promise of a new, radical kind of pharmaceutical treatmenta sequence of pills its inventor, Dr. James K. Mantleray (Justin Theroux), claims can repair anything about the mind, be it mental illness or heartbreakdraws them and ten other strangers to the facilities of Neberdine Pharmaceutical and Biotech for a three-day drug trial that will, theyre assured, with no complications or side-effects whatsoever, solve all of their problems, permanently. Things do not go as planned. She is set to star in the new Netflix dark-comedy series Insatiable. On Monday, Debby Ryan hit the morning show circuit with spots on Good Morning America, alongside co-star Alyssa Milano, and Sirius XM's Radio Andy starring Andy Cohen. And while the 25-year old actress had fun hamming it up with the various hosts during the promotional stops, she also spent time defending the show against detractors who say it sends the wrong message of body shaming. Media blitz: Debby Ryan was spotted as she arrived for an appearance on Good Morning America in New York City Monday morning Despite the early call, Debby was the picture of fresh-faced and elegance in a red and white floral dress. The summery number hung off her svelte figure with its multi-layers of fabric that gave it a classic look. She gave the outfit a little contrasting edge by perfectly matching it with red knee-high leather boots. The Alabama-born beauty wore her trademark blonde tresses long and straight and with a center part. Wow factor: The 25-year old stunned in a red and white floral dress and red knee-high boots A star is born: The former Disney star looked at ease as she gave photographers that million dollar smile Insatiable is a dark comedy about a formally overweight teenager seeking revenge against the people who bullied and ignored her. But after seeing the trailer, some people took to social media and blasted the show for what they say is a message of fat-shaming. Some have even gone as far as to start a petition to have the show cancelled. The controversy was the first thing GMA hosts brought up when Debby and Alyssa sat down for their interview. 'I think there is an entire spectrum of what it looks like when people have made eye contact with their damage and what that looks like and how that looks in different people's lives and where we find self-assurance and value and validation,' Debby said with poise. 'I think once people watch the show and go on the journey with all of the characters, I really think there's going to be an entire spectrum of things.' Alyssa eloquently chimed in: 'Upon first glance the show is something and I think people reacted to that. But really when you get deeper into it it's about something else, which is what every interaction in our lives is really about.' The former Charmed star added, 'I think the show is going to be a conversation-instigator, and it already has been, and it hasn't even aired... and to me anytime these issues that we are dealing with are discussed, rather than be swept under the carpet, I think it's really important because we really want to eradicate that shame.' Debby, 25 and co-star Alyssa Milano, 45, addressed the backlash surrounding their new Netflix dark-comedy series Insatiable during their spot on Good Morning America Once the GMA interview wrapped up, Alyssa headed to an appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan, while Debby headed over the the Sirius XM studios for a spot on Radio Andy starring Andy Cohen And once again both of them were asked about the fat-shaming controversy dogging Insatiable. Debby urged fans to watch the show before passing judgement. You can judge for yourself when Insatiable premieres on Netflix August 10. Dishing with Andy: Debby also addressed the Insatiable controversy during a spot on Radio Andy starring Andy Cohen; she has urged fans to watch the show before passing judgement The upcoming Minecraft movie has reportedly been delayed as its writer and director have recently been replaced. The film had originally intended to be released on May 24, 2019, though thats been pushed back to an undetermined later date. The movie was originally slated to be directed and co-written Rob McElhenney of Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame alongside writer Jason Fuchs, who co-wrote the 2017 blockbuster Wonder Woman. Minecraft was originally slated to be directed and co-written Rob McElhenney, pictured, of Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame alongside writer Jason Fuchs Speaking of the planned release date to The Wrap, McElhenney said: No, that is not happening. The Wrap was the first to break the news. After dropping out of the project, McElhenney and Fuchs have reportedly been replaced by the writer-director duo Aaron and Adam Nee, known for collaborating on the 2015 crime comedy movie Band of Robbers. Both Aaron and Adam Nee will helm a new script for the film, which was first announced back in early 2014. Stranger Things producer Shawn Levy was reportedly in talks to direct the movie, though the position ultimately went to McElhenney in July 2015. Fuchs was brought aboard to co-write the script in October 2016. The movie is being produced by Warner Bros. What is Minecraft? Minecraft is a popular video game created by Swedish game developer Markus Persson and later developed by Mojang. First released in May 2009, the open-ended game is available to play on Microsoft Windows, macOS and Linux and allows the player to create 3D structures. Players can also explore, craft, gather resources and engage in combat in various gameplay modes. The video game has sold more than 144 million copies worldwide and has an active player base of over 74 million people as of late 2017. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) poses for a group photo during the 8th foreign ministers' meeting of the East Asia Summit held in Singapore, Aug. 4, 2018. (Xinhua/Then Chih Wey) SINGAPORE, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday proposed here three principles for the future development of the East Asia Summit (EAS). Wang made the proposal in a speech at the 8th foreign ministers' meeting of the East Asia Summit during which he praised the EAS's positive contribution to regional peace, stability and development. The first principle proposed by Wang is centering on East Asia. Wang said East Asia has already established a regional cooperation framework with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the center and EAS an important component. In the future, EAS countries should uphold the spirit of mutual respect, consensus-building, openness and inclusiveness, continue to focus on the Asia-Pacific, East Asia and safeguard the central role of ASEAN in regional cooperation, he said. The second principle is striking a balance between socio-economic development and politico-security cooperation. Wang said that development stands out to be the most important and prevailing concern for the countries in the region as well as the strongest driving force in the regional cooperation. Politico-security cooperation should aim at providing a peaceful and stable environment for the development and forging a regional security framework which accords with the actual circumstances of the region and meets the needs of all parties, he added. The third principle is coordinating strategic communication and pragmatic cooperation. While engaging in strategic communication on global and regional issues of common concern, all parties should make concerted efforts to push forward regional cooperation in vital areas, so as to provide solid support for EAS development, Wang added. Southern Charm star Thomas Ravenel has reportedly split from girlfriend Ashley Jacobs after just over a year together. Kate Casey reported the break-up in her podcast Reality Life with Kate Casey on Friday after speaking with Jacobs, 33, over the phone. 'She's told me that she broke up with him and that she blocked his number,' Casey revealed before explaining, 'but she's in this weird position because she changed her licensing or she got licensing to be a nurse in South Carolina and really had come to the conclusion that she was going to set up a new life, away from Santa Barbara, in another state across the country, Is it over? It's being reported that Thomas Ravenel has split with girlfriend of just over a year Ashley Jacobs 'She of course did this hoping that she would ultimately be in a loving relationship with someone who has had two children with a woman he never ended up marrying, has served time in prison, and has all these allegations against him. Casey, clearly not the biggest fan of Ravenel, 55, continued, 'She wasn't really able to see how that made absolutely no sense. So my strategy was to say things like, "Kathryn [Dennis] is not your enemy. Why would you want to be with somebody who has all this chaos in their life?"' Jacobs has been sparring with her boyfriend's ex partner Kathryn Dennis in the latest season of the Bravo show who he shares two children with. She revealed she also told Jacobs '"Don't you think it would be more enjoyable to meet someone perhaps your own age who doesn't have all these things going on in their life and you can start your life fresh with them?"' 'She's told me that theyve broken up, and that she has no intention of getting back together with him' Kate Casey revealed in her podcast on Friday 'I think it actually started to work,' Casey added. 'She's told me that theyve broken up, and that she has no intention of getting back together with him and I hope thats true.' Meanwhile, Jacobs responded to a fan's question on Instagram on Sunday after they inquired about the breakup. She wrote: 'Sorry for any confusion. I dont plan on addressing rumors or talking about my relationship status to social media at this time.' No comment: Jacobs responded to a fan's question on Instagram on Sunday after they inquired about the breakup and said she was not going to address her relationship on social media 'She's not the enemy': In the podcast Casey said she told Jacobs she must apologize to Ravenel's ex Kathryn Dennis for criticizing her parenting Last month, Jacobs told People that the couple were still together and doing great but trying to keep their relationship off of social media. 'He's been there for me through times after episodes, the hate I've received,' she said. 'I've cried. I've been very sad. My world has really been shaken up a bit. And there are times where hes just like, "Im coming over because I think you need me right now." Or just, "Im going to bring you lunch, I"m going to bring you dinner, I"m worried that the stress has gotten to you or youre not eating." He's just been a shoulder to cry on. And he's really stepped up. 'He is the only person who can really relate with me and has gone through the same experience with me,' she continued. 'I cant really relate to anyone else, not even my family or friends. I get off of work and hes always my first call. Hes my family. Hes all I have here. Its made us stronger that way.' Ravenel and co-star Dennis dated for a few years but ultimately called it quits in 2016. They share two children together daughter Kensie, four, and son St. Julien, two Jacobs stuck by Ravenel after he was accused of rape by two women, including his children's former nanny, in May. Ravenel denied the accusations through his attorney, and a source close to Bravo told People that 'no decision has been made yet' about firing him from Southern Charm. Ravenel and co-star Dennis dated for a few years but ultimately called it quits in 2016. They share two children together daughter Kensie, four, and son St. Julien, two. He recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of him quitting smoking after puffing away on 40-a-day for over forty years. And Jeremy Clarkson certainly had a spring in his step as he showed off his best meme-worthy dance moves in a video shared to Twitter on Monday. The former Top Gear presenter, 58, showcased his steps to the viral craze The Shoot Dance, kicking his left arm and leg in unison. So funny! Jeremy Clarkson, 58, sent his fans into hysterics as he attempted to do The Shoot Dance on Twitter on Monday night Jeremy - dressed in a grey T-shirt and loose-fitting shorts - hopped up and down on one leg as he co-ordinated his arm into action. The veteran presenter then energetically hopped as he launched his arm into the air. With his impromptu camera man laughing from behind the lens, Jeremy finished up his dance by putting two fingers up as he chuckled at his own moves. Celebrating: He recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of him quitting smoking after puffing away on 40-a-day for over forty years Into action! The former Top Gear presenter showcased his steps to the viral craze The Shoot Dance, in which he kicked his left arm and leg in unison But Jeremy may have been slightly confused by the craze as he captioned the video: 'Kiki do you love me?' in reference to the equally viral dance challenge set to rapper Drake's song In My Feelings. Fans took the micro-blogging site to praise the TV star for his dance attempts, and even Jeremy's daughter Emily, 24, got in the action, sharing her hilarity with several laughing emojis. Another fan wrote: 'Bruh Jeremy Clarkson just made a @Drake reference. I wasn't ready'. Viral sensation: Jeremy - dressed in a grey T-shirt and loose-fitting shorts - hopped up and down on one leg as he co-ordinated his arm into action Showing off: The veteran presenter then kicked into gear, energetically hopping as he launched his arm into the air 'The internet has peaked with this video' added a third, while a forth commented: 'I'm weakkk. Still does it better than me!' The hilarious social media moment comes after Jeremy has celebrated the one-year anniversary of him quitting smoking after puffing away on 40-a-day for 43 years. The Grand Tour host, who smoked nearly 630,000 cigarettes in his life, kicked the habit last summer after a bout of near-fatal pneumonia kept him from cigarettes while he was in the hospital. Jeremy celebrated the milestone on Friday by tweeting jubilantly: 'One year ago today, I had my last cigarette.' The father-of-three added: 'Smoked half a million of them over the years but dont miss it really. Weird.' Jeremy put down the lighter for good last August after being unable to smoke in hospital while struck down with pneumonia - which he contracted on holiday in Mallorca. 'I was told, by everyone, that I had to stop. Immediately,' he wrote in a column for The Sunday Times at the time. Congrats: The Grand Tour host, who smoked nearly 630,000 cigarettes in his life, kicked the habit last summer after a bout of near-fatal pneumonia kept him from cigarettes 'I had no choice at the time because the blood poisoning was so bad and I was so racked with the resultant rigors that I couldnt work a cigarette lighter.' He joked that people have told him to take up running, or give up drinking as a next step in healthy living. 'I was invited this weekend to the south coast so I could go swimming,' he wrote. 'Swimming? In the English Channel? Im off the fags, for Christs sake. I havent gone mad. Swimming in British waters is something you should consider only if your Spitfires been shot down.' He advised others trying to quit to go places where it's near-impossible to smoke, like the cinema, or Australia, where cigarettes are highly priced and banned in many public spaces. She is a do-it-all mom who juggles her acting career with the demands of three children. But Jennifer Garner has revealed she got into a spot of bother while enjoying one-on-one time with her eldest daughter Violet, 12, during a recent holiday to Sweden. On Monday, the 46-year-old actress shared a photo on Instagram of a Swedish sunset that explained how their kayaking trip went south quickly, and they ended up having to get rescued. Quality time together: On Monday, Jennifer Garner shared a photo and story about how she and her eldest daughter Violet, 12, had to get rescued while kayaking together during their holiday in Sweden 'On a pre-middle-school sneak away with my eldest...Did I get us lost in a kayak? Yes,' the 13 Going on 30 actress started off in the shot's caption. 'Did we paddle as hard as we could for 100 hours and end up in a shipping lane? Im afraid so. Did we have to be rescued? Yup,' she went on. The Dallas Buyers Club star bragged about her little girl being a trooper, though, adding the hashtag 'shenevercomplained' at the end of her post. Jennifer raises Violet with ex-husband Ben Affleck, 45, who she filed for divorce from in April 2017 after announcing their split two years earlier in June 2015. Honest mom: 'On a pre-middle-school sneak away with my eldest...Did I get us lost in a kayak? Yes,' the 13 Going on 30 actress started off in the shot's caption The couple were married for a decade after tying the knot in Turks and Caicos in June 2005. Ben and Jennifer continue to raise Violet, as well as daughter Seraphina, nine, and son Samuel, six, together. The former Hollywood power couple split after Ben's alleged indiscretion with the children's ex-nanny, Christine Ouzounian. Co-parenting: Ben and Jennifer continue to raise Violet, as well as daughter Seraphina, nine, and son Samuel, six, together Jennifer has made no secret of being upset at seeing her family unit torn apart, saying in November 2017: 'I would not have chosen this life for myself or for my kids. I would not choose to be single or be in this position. 'It's something that we are working through. I haven't been on a date and I am not interested in dating. People want to set me up and I am just like, "No thank you"!' Since his split from Jennifer, Ben has moved on with Saturday Night Live producer Lindsay Shookus, 37, going public with their relationship in July 2017. Made In Chelsea has always loved an orchestrated sequence to kick off an episode. Ever since Caggie Dunlop got into the back of that Rolls Royce and said 'take me to Chelsea' it's been a tried-and-tested-narrative device. But MIC: Croatia's opening sequence is so orchestrated you basically expect them all to burst into song. On a sizeable boat, Miles is twirling himself about and sitting down next to Tabitha, trying on her sailor's hat (which she is wearing despite not driving the boat). Made In Chelsea: Croatia: Jamie feels threatened by Miles, Sam ghosts Liv and Ollie barbecues NAKED Melissa is strutting along and sitting next to Harry, wearing his'n'her swimwear. And Sam is kissing Habbs on the boat's bow as if they are Rose and Jack before the Titanic hurtled head-first into that iceberg. It's one Pas de Bourree away from being the opening scene from The Story Of Vernon And Irene Castle. Cue the preamble that usually ignites an MIC summer series. Baring it all! Ollie doesn't mind who watches as he prepares the BBQ completely naked Awkward: Jamie is feeling even more threatened by Miles because he's now bonding with Ell over their favourite flavours of ice cream Phrases like 'This is going to be just the best summer of our lives', 'I've got a good feeling about this summer' and 'It's so lovely that we're all here together for the summer' are uttered with the kind of doom that hung on the words of whoever said 'the oven will be fine to leave on overnight' the evening before The Great Fire Of London. Ell is winding up Jamie by repeatedly talking about her fellow 'Frenchie' Miles. Honestly, the amount of times she and Miles bring up their matching connections to France in this episode is so tiresome you really start to wish they'd just go back there. Forever. Habbs didn't hook up with anyone during her pre-holiday holiday to Mykonos and Sam tells her he didn't hook up with anyone during his pre-holiday holiday to Vegas. Oui! Honestly, the amount of times she and Miles bring up their matching connections to France in this episode is so tiresome you really start to wish they'd just go back there. Forever Worried: While Sophie assures Jamie not to worry because Miles likes mango flavour and only children like that, Miles tells Ell that he feels a bit left out by Jamie High drama: Liv and Sam still aren't speaking after Liv dared to get back together with Digby This is a lie though which we all know will stay a secret for at least 14 seconds. At Villa Poseidon, Eidothea the prophetic sea nymph and daughter of Proteus (aka Sophie) is scolding Ollie for reclining naked on a lillo in her pool. 'For personal reasons I need a waxer,' Ollie announces, offering the position to Sophie. She says she'll do his eyebrows but draws the line at any kind of crack it crevice. Liv and Sam still aren't speaking after Liv dared to get back together with Digby. Digby is also in Croatia and there's a scene where he joins Liv on a balcony and it looks like he's about to walk into the closed glass patio doors (but doesnt). Mark Francis makes his token summer appearance and provides the laughs by being unable to grasp the concept of a cruise. Victoria has brought her opera glasses with her to Hvar because why wouldnt she. Passport, Factor 30, portable fan, opera-wear. Saucy! At Villa Poseidon, Eidothea the prophetic sea nymph and daughter of Proteus (aka Sophie) is scolding Ollie for reclining naked on a lillo in her pool Harry, Melissa, Habbs and Sam are lying on towels on a concrete pavement which suggests all the sun-beds were taken and the production assistant just chucked the towels onto the nearest floor and said 'just do the scene there'. During this osteopathic nightmare, Liv sends the same text round to the whole group about going out for drinks and Sam is fuming about it. How DARE she send me a broadcast text! he seethes. As a form of revolt, he takes Habbs out for a blindfolded date which, for a moment, looks like he's about to sell her to pirates. But no - it's just dinner on a boat. Skewered squid tendrils to be precise. AKA the food of desire. TMI! 'For personal reasons I need a waxer,' Ollie announces, offering the position to Sophie. She says she'll do his eyebrows but draws the line at any kind of crack it crevice Curious: As a form of revolt, Sam takes Habbs out for a blindfolded date which, for a moment, looks like he's about to sell her to pirates Jamie is feeling even more threatened by Miles because he's now bonding with Ell over their favourite flavours of ice cream. While Sophie assures Jamie not to worry because Miles likes mango flavour and only children like that, Miles tells Ell that he feels a bit left out by Jamie. This segues into 'Us Frenchies have got to stick together' to which Ell replies 'We are both French so we have a sweet friendship'. Are you both French, by any chance? Close: This segues into 'Us Frenchies have got to stick together' to which Ell replies 'We are both French so we have a sweet friendship' The most annoying thing about Miles constant declarations that he is from France is that he is clearly not remotely French in any way whatsoever. At least Ell has the accent. Wheres YOUR accent Miles? We can all say comment t'appelles-tu you know. Miles and Jamie have a passive-aggressive, back-handed chat about the Ell situation where they insult each other by calling one another things like 'tanned and floppy' and 'pale and bald'. Loved up? Miles and Jamie have a passive-aggressive, back-handed chat about the Ell situation where they insult each other by calling one another things like 'tanned and floppy' 'I'm very confident so I don't get insecure,' Jamie says, lying to Miles, himself and the nation. The Digby/Liv/Sam circle of hatred continues. Digby is constantly fuming and Liv 'isn't apologising for jack s**t'. But just as you think they're going to hate each other all summer, Liv decides to approach Sam and bury the hatchet and all our dreams of a bitter summer-long feud are destroyed in the blink of an eye. The Duke of Sussex was best man to his childhood friend Charlie van Straubenzee at his wedding to party videographer Daisy Jenks at the weekend. A guest posted this picture of Prince Harry, surrounded by colourful balloons, delivering his speech at the reception in Frensham, Surrey. A few eagle-eyed revellers also noticed the big hole on the bottom of his left shoe. At least his wife, Suits actress Meghan, who was celebrating her 37th birthday, made up for his shabbiness by looking pristine in a 400 Club Monaco colourblock dress. Fellow guests at Charlies nuptials included Princess Eugenie and her tequila salesman fiance, Jack Brooksbank. A guest posted this picture of Prince Harry, surrounded by balloons, delivering his speech at the reception but eagle-eyed revellers also noticed the big hole on the bottom of his left shoe The Duke and Duchess of Sussex outside St Mary the Virgin Church in Frensham, Surrey, after attending the wedding of Charlie van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks Jeremy Clarkson has never applied the brakes when it comes to expressing his contempt for cyclists, saying they deserve the abuse they get from motorists so what a surprise to see the petrolhead on a bike pedalling leisurely down a country lane. The Grand Tour presenter presumably makes an exception for his blogger daughter Emily, 24, who took this selfie from her own handlebars, showing off her nose ring and proud to be outpacing her dad. Clarkson, 58, looks relaxed in a blue linen shirt and shorts as well he might. I learn he stands to receive a 2million windfall from his company Newincco 1189, which he set up with his erstwhile wife Frances in 2012 and is now in voluntary liquidation. It was set up a few years ago to deal with something that isnt happening any more, he tells me. Therefore, its been wound down. The 58-year-old has yet to agree a final divorce settlement with Frances, some seven years after they separated, making him not yet able to marry his girlfriend of two years, Lisa Hogan. They have been holidaying in Europe with their two children for the past three weeks. And Hamish Blake and his wife Zoe Foster Blake have relished every opportunity to experience travelling the world with Sonny, four, and Rudy, one. While many parents dread overseas trips with youngsters, Hamish told 9Honey: 'We like travelling as a family and we enjoy the adventure.' Scroll down for video 'We enjoy the adventure': Hamish Blake (right) has revealed why he and wife Zoe (left) treasure family holidays with their children Sonny, four, and Rudy, one (pictured) Hamish joked that his children are often better holiday companions than some of his friends. 'I've actually got some mates that are probably worse than travelling with my kids sometimes,' he joked. 'There have been several boys' trips that I've been on, travelling with less-organised companions than when I'm travelling with kids.' Over the past three weeks, Hamish and Zoe have treated their son Sonny and daughter Rudy to a variety of fun activities. Family first! Hamish joked that his children are often better holiday companions than some of his friends. Pictured: Hamish with his daughter Rudy and son Sonny (left) Bonding time: Over the past three weeks, Hamish and Zoe have treated their son Sonny and daughter Rudy to a variety of fun activities in Europe Despite travelling with their children, the loved-up couple have still managed to squeeze in some romantic moments together. Last month, the pair celebrated Zoe's birthday with a special dinner in Alberobello, a town in Italy's Apulia region. Zoe shared a pre-dinner snap on Instagram of the pair lovingly embracing each other against the backdrop of a stunning sunset. How romantic! Last month, the pair celebrated Zoe's birthday with a special dinner in Alberobello, a town in Italy's Apulia region Hamish met Zoe in 2004 at a media event she later described as a 'horrible men's deodorant launch'. The couple have been married for six years after tying the knot in 2012 at the Wolgan Valley in the Blue Mountains. 'I married the love of my life, several lives perhaps, in a very small ceremony that was genuinely the best, most fun, perfect day of both our lives,' Zoe wrote on her blog. A 15-year-old boy and a 37-year-old man are accused of attacking a man and leaving him with serious burns in a park in Mandurah, southwest of Perth. A 34-year-old man remains in Fiona Stanley Hospital after the assault at Dudley Park on Saturday evening, police said. The Dudley Park teenager has been charged with grievous bodily harm and was refused bail to appear in the Perth Children's Court on Monday. The Dudley Park man has been charged with wilfully destroying evidence after allegedly deleting vision of the incident and will appear in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on August 21. A man is facing an array of assault charges after a road-rage incident in Sydney's west. A 25-year-old man twice punched a 51-year-old man in Fairfield Heights about 8.30pm on Sunday, police said. Two men, 26 and 33, who came to help, were also assaulted and a 22-year-old woman, who was a passenger in the 25-year-old man's car, received minor injuries, police said. The man was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possessing a prohibited drug and stalking or intimidating and was refused bail to appear at Fairfield Local Court on Monday. Could this be the perfect first car? For a start, it's as cute as a button, which never hurts. But there's also its friendly driving personality - nimble, responsive and with great all-round visibility. It's zippy, but falls well short of being fast enough to have mum and dad concerned. It uses next to no petrol - and just as important for the millennial market at which it's aimed, is extremely clean and green for the planet. It's safe, too - thanks to front, side and curtain airbags and a suite of electronic drive aides. With ample space for four teenagers, it is still compact enough to be easy to park (even reverse parking, thanks to its reversing camera). Oh, and there's one more thing sure to impress learner drivers (and their parents) about Citroen's all new C3 hatchback. It's dint-proof. Well, almost. This clever, quirky little city car comes complete with its own little buffers to protect against those annoying little traffic scrapes and shopping centre dings. Citroen calls them "Airbumps" - and they make perfect sense for a car designed and built for life in an urban environment. Or for drivers still finding their feet. These high-tech cushions on the C3's doors not only make the Citroen feel indestructible, but also complete a distinctive style that is sure to make this little French machine stand out from the crowd. The C3 follows very much in the stylistic footprints of the French maker's other recent release, the slightly bigger, slightly more unusual C4 Cactus. Yes, the car with the bravest name in the automotive world. This one does without the unforgettable name, but it brings many of the qualities we enjoyed about the funky Cactus into a smaller, cheaper and more economical package. Citroen boasts that it combines practicality, personality and panache. The C3 model has been around since 2002 and has long been a volume seller for Citroen, which along with fellow French marque Peugeot forms part of the global giant PSA Group. So it's got a pretty decent pedigree. This all-new model carries heavy responsibility for the brand with the massive switch in Europe towards smaller, cleaner and more economical cars - driven by the EU's ever more stringent emissions laws. With a small but surprisingly peppy little three-cylinder turbocharged engine, the C3 is custom-built to achieve those benchmarks. There are a few other things about the C3 that the younger brigade will love (and possibly their parents, too). It's infinitely customisable - with more than 30 exterior colour and trim combinations, as well as three distinct interior "moods" - ensuring you're never likely to turn up at the coffee shop alongside someone in an identical machine. The C3 also has two features Citroen claims as a first for this segment - a Lane Departure Warning, and a Traffic Sign Recognition system that understands, and reminds the driver, of the recommended speed for any piece of road. Clever. And if there was any doubt about the C3's target market, it even offers an optional "ConnectedCAM" - a dash-mounted camera that allows the driver to capture and share images from their trip directly to social media once the journey is done. Hey, it's a millennial thing. The system will also automatically record up to 90 seconds of video if the car is involved in a collision - useful as evidence in insurance claims. So what's not to like about this little machine? Not much. The C3 is not exactly cheap, with the entry-level Shine model hitting the market at $23,490 - or $26,990 drive away, which puts it at the upper end of this small hatchback market. But like most French cars it delivers plenty of equipment for the price, as well as a premium feel and quality finishes - and there's a five-year warranty plus roadside assist. Standard equipment includes 7-inch colour touch-screen; 3-D navigation with voice recognition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, reversing camera and rear parking sensors plus driver attention alert. Interior styling is relatively restrained - save for the distinctive little air vents that seem to owe more to style than practicality. Beyond that, the centre-stack is pretty conventional and the instrument panel clean, crisp and functional. The seats are impressively wide and comfortable, although they don't offer a lot of lateral support. Citroen says the cockpit has been designed to feel "like an extension of the driver's home" - perhaps best exemplified by the "trunk strap" door handles that look like those found on old-style luggage. Buyers can choose between three distinct finishes on the dash trim - a glossy painted look, wrapped in textiles or covered in the same material as the exterior Airbumps. The majority of cabin functions are accessed via the vivid colour touchscreen at the top of the centre stack - all fairly logical and intuitive, although sometimes requiring the driver to take their eyes off the road to perform some tasks. Perhaps most notable about the C3 is its highly-efficient drivetrain, featuring a three-cylinder, turbocharged engine with just 1.2 litres of capacity. This configuration has become almost the norm for European small cars these days, and it makes perfect sense for cars that spend most of their time in built-up major cities across the Continent with its harsh pollution standards. The C3 certainly meets that mark, with emissions of just 110 gm/km and average thirst of less than 5L/100km. For a car that will probably only rarely make it out into wide open spaces, the three-cylinder C3 (with 81kW and 205 Nm) is perfectly suited to the world of heavy traffic and, just as likely, navigating tight inner-urban streets. It does all of that with aplomb, as well as the panache we've come to expect from French machines. But it also feels safe and very sturdy in highway driving, with adequate acceleration and the choice of cruise control or speed limiter to help set the driving pace. There are a couple of areas where the C3 could be better. The cargo space is flat and quite generous (300 litres) but when the rear seats are folded forward, they don't lay down completely flat, thus affecting the usefulness of the loadspace. On the positive side of that ledger, there are plenty of little storage spaces plus a series of "cubbies" between the front seats and on the door trims that help declutter the cockpit space. Despite its modest performance, the C3 is actually an engaging little thing to drive. It's not as out-there as some of its Gallic stablemates (yes, I'm thinking the Cactus for one), but it still brings a fair helping of French style and innovation. The six-speed transmission is quirky and a bit hesitant between shifts, but still works very competently. The three-cylinder engine delivers surprising torque and also a raspy, interesting exhaust note - and it gets the car up to highway speeds without any sense of effort or strain. And the car's general balance and nimble handling makes it a treat to throw around city streets. Which raises one final problem. It's such good fun to drive that the learners in the family might have to battle with mum and dad to get a turn behind the wheel. CITROEN C3 HOW BIG? Surprisingly roomy for a car in this class, with impressive cabin width and plenty of glass to emphasize the light, airy feel. HOW FAST? Not very. It will take almost 10 seconds to reach the speed limit, but will keep accelerating to a maximum speed of 188km/h. Yet it feels zippy and alert, particularly in city traffic. HOW THIRSTY? Meeting the strictest of emissions targets, the C3 sips 4.9L/100km and emits just 110gm/km. HOW MUCH? Prices start from $23,490 plus on-road costs. That gets you a high level of standard equipment - but choosing to customise exterior and interior finishes will add to the price. If it were to rain tomorrow it would still be a year or more before farmers in drought see any income. And with no decent rain on the horizon, not knowing when the nightmare will end is one of the most distressing things, grain grower John Eastburn says. Wheat growers across northern NSW and southern Queensland are facing their fourth year without a crop. For things to turn around they need three or four falls of 100mm over several months, and even if that came they couldn't seed until next March and face the prospect of no income until December 2019. "Even if the rain comes they can still see there is no income - there is a lot of outgoing but no incoming until the end of next year which is probably the most distressing part," Mr Eastburn told reporters in Canberra on Monday. Derek Schoen, who has a property at Corowa, says farmers aren't at the end of the drought, they're in the middle, with no end in sight. "One of the biggest problems with the drought is it sneaks up on you and then you're on this treadmill that you can't get off," he said. The Turnbull government has announced a new $190 million package of household assistance, to help property owners with day to day bills like vehicle registration and school fees. But 19,000 people who are eligible still haven't applied. Mr Schoen thinks part of the reason is property owners being hesitant to put their hands up and admit they need help. He says the numbers also indicate there's not been a simple enough process for farmers to access the support. "Sometimes they are so busy trying to run their own business, there is no time to apply," he said. Mr Eastburn says others are overwhelmed by the required paperwork. "They're at their lowest ebb and when all this happens, having counsellors there to help is probably the greatest thing to help them through," he said. Farmers are welcoming visits by ministers, including Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull who has experienced drought first hand. "Lucy and I have been involved in the cattle and sheep business in the Upper Hunter for 36 years and we've been through a number of droughts in that time," he told Triple M radio on Monday. "It is by far the worst that I've seen. Worse than '82-83 and worse than the millennium (drought) that peaked in '06-07." Lifeline 13 11 14 Security members protect Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after his speech was interrupted in Caracas, Venezuela, on Aug. 4, 2018. A speech by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro commemorating the 81st anniversary of the Bolivian National Guard was unexpectedly cut short after he was interrupted on Saturday. (Xinhua) CARACAS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro escaped unharmed from an attempted attack of explosive drones on Saturday. The attack happened here during a speech given by Maduro to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the country's National Guard when the drones exploded near Maduro and his wife. The live television transmission was then abruptly cut at 5:46 p.m. local time (2146 GMT). Seven National Guard soldiers were injured and rushed to hospital, but the president was not hurt, according to Minister of Communication Jorge Rodriguez. Maduro described the attack as an assassination attempt in a later televised address to the nation. The leftist president blamed the attack on the far-right factions in Venezuela, the Colombian government and conspirators in the United States, saying they were responsible, according to his address. Venezuela-Colombia relationship has been long strained by frictions between the two neighbouring South American countries, including border disputes and military concerns. Maduro said in June that Venezuela's opposition camp "has the backing of a handful of traitors there in Bogota (the capital of Colombia)," adding that his country was "besieged by the northern empire" -- the United States. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (2nd L) attends the commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the National Guard in Caracas Aug. 4, 2018. Venezuela's Minister of Communication Jorge Rodriguez confirmed on Saturday night an attempted attack against President Nicolas Maduro. The attack happened during a speech by Maduro commemorating the 81st anniversary of the country's National Guard. (Xinhua) However, Colombian Foreign Ministry on Sunday refuted Maduro's accusation, saying in a statement that "the claims that the Colombian leader could be responsible for a supposed assassination of the Venezuelan president sound absurd and lack basis." In his nationally televised address, Maduro said that some of those involved in the attack have been arrested, whose identities are unknown yet, and the investigation is underway. "I pledge to do justice," Maduro wrote in his twitter following the attack, adding that he is "more determined than ever" to "consolidate peace, tranquillity, development and prosperity." The country's right-wing opposition groups have launched waves of protests in recent years designed to pressure the government to hold early presidential elections in a bid to oust Maduro, who took office in 2013 and now faces criticism for the flagging domestic economy. Oil-producing Venezuela has been struggling with an acute economic crisis since crude oil prices crashed in the international market, affecting state coffers and government-run services, including electricity and water. Large-scale oil projects in the Great Australian Bight could produce six billion barrels of oil by 2060, new modelling suggests. New projects could generate billions in tax revenue for the federal and South Australian governments and create up to 1,500 jobs a year over 40 years. The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association has examined two development scenarios, costing between $70 million and $170 million. APPEA director Matthew Doman said there were potential significant long-term benefits both for the state and the nation. "The Bight could become a game-changer for South Australia, attracting investment, creating employment and delivering new revenue," he said. The base scenario involves three new projects being developed off the Great Australian Bight, producing an additional 1.9 million barrels of oil, at a rate of 62 million barrels a year between 2032 and 2054. Australia is currently producing at a rate of 122 million barrels, down from a peak of 287 million in 2000. That model could create 1360 jobs in South Australia during development and construction and 800 a year during the operational phase. The high-case scenario would involve four new plants producing 199 million barrels a year, creating more than 2000 jobs during construction and 1500 a year during operations. Environmental approvals would be obtained and the community would be consulted extensively before any project would proceed, Mr Doman said. The report comes after Resources Minister Matt Canavan revealed drilling oil from the Bight could make Australia self-sufficient again. "It really is seen as perhaps the richest off-shore opportunity in this space," he told Adelaide radio 5AA. A Queensland man raped a woman shortly after they met at an Australia Day party on the Gold Coast last year, a court has been told. Harley Gene Lewis is standing trial on charges of rape and sexual assault with the circumstance of aggravation. Lewis pleaded not guilty to both charges at the start of his trial in the Southport District Court on Monday. The court was told Lewis and the woman had met for the first time at a party on Australia Day last year. The party was hosted by the woman and others at a unit complex. Crown prosecutor Sarah Lio-Willie said the pair had spoken briefly at the party before Lewis had lifted the woman up and carried her to a bedroom about 4am the next morning. It's alleged he then removed her shorts and bikini bottom and sexually assaulted her. Ms Lio-Willie said Lewis had grabbed the woman's neck during the assault. It's also alleged the woman's hands were tied up with the drawstring from Lewis' boardshorts. "(The woman) faked an orgasm and the defendant stopped," Ms Lio-Willie said. "None of that was done with her consent. "Just because (she) did not say no, does not mean yes, and certainly (it) does not mean yes to such rough sexual activity leaving her with these injuries from a man she had just met." Lewis' barrister Anthony Kimmins said his client would not be contesting that a sexual encounter occurred, but that it had been consensual or Lewis had "honestly and reasonably" believed she had consented. The trial, which is expected to last four days, continues. The repurposed Wandoo Rehabilitation Prison has opened in Perth to help up to 77 female inmates at a time to fight their addiction to methamphetamine and other drugs. WA Premier Mark McGowan said the world-leading treatment prison would provide innovative programs to try to break the cycle of drug offending and reoffending, and included follow-up care after an inmate's release. Prisoners with less than six months remaining on their sentence can apply to attend the facility and a triage unit will assess their suitability, including security issues and a demonstrated desire to treat their addiction. It was a late Sunday afternoon in early autumn in the tiny beachside town of Tathra when a fast-moving bushfire closed in. Residents hurriedly fled the flames to evacuation centres in nearby towns on the NSW far South Coast. When they anxiously returned the following day, they found 69 houses destroyed and many more damaged. Caravans and cabins were also lost, and 1400 hectares burned. The town was devastated. Fast forward four months, and a Sunday session is in full swing at the local pub. I'd just arrived in town and headed straight to Tathra Hotel to check into my accommodation. It was a jolly welcome - the bar was packed full of people, spilling out onto the sun-drenched deck, all here to see a popular local band. Luckily the Tathra Hotel was not affected by the fires, nor was the school, any major infrastructure or the historical wharf, a drawcard for locals and tourists alike. Most importantly, not one life was lost. Almost everyone I spoke to in my time exploring Tathra was quick to point this out, whenever the topic of the fire comes up. "It could have been worse" is a phrase I heard repeatedly. I can only assumed this positive attitude played a key role in how quickly the community bounced back into operation after the fires. If it wasn't for the scars on burnt trees, I wouldn't have known a fire had been through here. Everything was up and running. Every tourist activity was in full swing. Even the 25 kilometres of mountain bike tracks affected by the fire had been restored, thanks to local and surrounding bike riding communities rallying together for a series of working bees. The best way to explore the network of trails is to grab a rental bike from Tathra Beach and Bike down on the foreshore and hit the tracks. There are countless routes you can take, with degrees of difficulty from beginner to highly experienced. And if bush-bashing isn't your thing, stick to the flat track along the beach and take in the fresh sea air, sunshine and stunning coastal scenery. If you like your feet firmly on the ground there are so many bushwalks and National Park hikes to choose from - some that hug the coastline, some winding around lagoons and lakes, others carved into rocks and peaks, all taking in amazing natural beauty, with a high chance of wildlife encounters. And if you don't see any wildlife in the actual wild, just a short drive from Tathra is Potoroo Palace, a not-for-profit native animal sanctuary. Many of the animals here are not only native to Australia, but native to the local area, including some very rare species. Roam the bushland setting, jump on the Potoroo Train, or book a one-on-one encounter. Down the road, just on the outskirts of Tathra, you'll find wildlife of the the feathered variety at On The Perch. You don't have to be a stereotypical "bird lover" to appreciate this conservation-based bird park. The walk-in aviaries, set up as different regional habitats, enable you to immerse yourself in the worlds of the many weird and wonderful species, and observe their quirky personalities. You can even grab some mealworms and create your own feeding session. Speaking of feeding sessions, one of the coolest things to do in Tathra is to watch stingrays feed down at Kianinny Bay boat ramp when the fishermen come in at the end of the day. Watch these clever, friendly stingrays congregate for fish scraps, or jump in the crystal clear water with a snorkel and get amongst the gathering. Back at Tathra Hotel, perched on the headland, a different species gathers - the town's resilient and buoyant locals, enjoying some downtime after getting the town back on its feet. Thanks to their hard work and community strength, Tathra is well and truly open for business for all of us to enjoy. IF YOU GO GETTING THERE: Tathra is a seven-hour drive from Melbourne, six hours from Sydney, and three hours from Canberra. Alternatively, Rex Airlines services Merimbula Airport, only a 25-minute drive from Tathra. STAYING THERE: Tathra has a wide range of accommodation options, from resorts and retreats to boutique lodges and cabins, to holiday rentals and beachside camping. A surprisingly chic place to stay is Tathra Hotel, a local institution for over 100 years. These days it boasts contemporary heritage rooms with headland and ocean views. Visit https://tathrahotel.com.au/ * The writer travelled as a guest of Destination NSW. Battery Minerals has plenty of other options after a key investor pulled out of a planned $US30 million ($40.5 million) investment needed to bring its first graphite mine into production, managing director David Flanagan says. Private equity firm Resource Capital Funds withdrew from the graphite market in June, saying the commodity no longer met its investment criteria. That left Battery Minerals with a big funding gap for its Montepuez project in Mozambique, where construction of roads, an accommodation camp and a tailings dam is underway. "RCF will tell you sometimes they get it wrong," Mr Flanagan told AAP at the Diggers and Dealers mining conference in Kalgoorlie on Monday. "After they backed out, we've had half a dozen groups put their hand up and say 'count us in the syndicate' and we've appointed Origin capital to go through that now. Mr Flanagan has experience in Africa, having worked there early in his career as a geologist. His ability to raise capital and do deals was on display with Atlas Iron, which he founded in 2004 and left in 2016. Atlas last week became majority owned by Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting after a bidding war with Fortescue Metals Group and Mineral Resources. Mr Flanagan said it was "overwhelmingly bittersweet" seeing Atlas snapped up. But he is enthusiastic about moving into the rechargeable battery space, saying his children would be proud of him if he did more than "digging holes". By the end of this year, Battery Minerals will have spent $18 million ($US13.3 million) constructing the Montepuez project and needs to spend $51 million ($US38 million) more to get it into production. This will take about 14 months after fresh investment capital is secured, Mr Flanagan said. "It's only about a quarter of the way there but we're completely convinced of the merits of the project," he said. The company planned to go from "a walk to a jog" with graphite, and look at other battery minerals after proving itself to the market, he said. Today's Birthday, August 7: David Hicks, Australian detained by the US in Guantanamo Bay detention camp, (1975 - ). David Hicks made headlines around the world in 2002 when he was among the first group of prisoners sent to US naval base Guantanamo Bay in Cuba on terrorism charges. The Australian was detained for five years, before pleading guilty for attempted murder and providing material support for terrorism. This allowed Hicks to serve his remaining months in prison back in Australia. His lawyers later argued his innocence, saying he pleaded under duress from years of physical and sexual abuse. His conviction was thrown out in 2015 by the US Court of Military Commissions Review, which stated his activity was not a crime at the time of his capture. In 2017 Hicks faced a closed court in his hometown of Adelaide on domestic violence charges, which were later dropped. Hicks was born in the South Australian capital in 1975. His parents separated when he was 10 years old. He attended Smithfield Plains High School but was suspended in 1990, with his school principal describing him as the "most troublesome kid". Around this time he left home, aged 14. Over the several years that followed he held different jobs, including skinning kangaroos for an abattoir and rodeo riding. After he and his partner Jodie Sparrow - the mother to of his children - broke up, he moved to Japan in 1997 to work as a horse trainer. Two years later he travelled to Albania to link up with the Kosovo Liberation Army. When the Kosovo war ended in June 1999, Hicks returned to Australia and converted to Islam. At 26, he travelled to Pakistan to continue his studies in Islam, and began training with a terrorist organisation in early 2000. He travelled to Afghanistan in 2001 for more training. He would later write in his autobiography Guantanamo: My Journey, that he wasn't familiar with the name Al-Qaeda until after his detainment in prison. He was captured on December 9 2001 and turned over to the US Special Forces for a cash reward. After five years in Guantanamo Bay, Hicks returned to Australia and was banned from speaking to the media for 12 months. His father Terry campaigned tirelessly during his imprisonment and has since demanded a formal apology from the Australian government who was heavily criticised at the time for not doing enough. At 41 Hicks married human rights activist Aloysia Brooks but the couple has since split. He is now rumoured to be engaged to Erin Keniry. Brisbane forward Sam Thaiday is hopeful there are more highs than lows remaining in a rollercoaster season that will be his last. The 33-year-old will play his 300th career game on Thursday against North Queensland in Townsville, where the Broncos again find themselves searching for consistency after another loss to a bottom-four side. The defeat at the hands of Canterbury last Thursday leaves them seventh and likely needing to win all four remaining games this season to secure a top-four spot. "It's a rollercoaster at the moment," Thaiday said. "We've got some young guys there that are going to continue to grow and build and try to become the great players everyone wants them to be. "But there's no magic wand, you can't wave it over them and just expect it straight away." Thaiday views the Broncos' best as good enough as the nears the end of a 16-year career. "We're still ironing out a few things but I think if we can stay in this top eight we can shake up a few sides," he said. The Broncos will be without suspended Queensland and Australian forward Josh McGuire, who took an early guilty plea after being charged for pulling the hair of Bulldogs back rower Adam Elliott last week. "I'm surprised nobody's pulled his beard yet, it's a prime target," Thaiday joked. "But to be honest, Josh is pretty disappointed in his actions." Brisbane are likely to blood debutant centre Gehamat Shibasaki and drop New Zealand international Jordan Kahu for the clash with the Cowboys. That would also mean a return to fullback for Darius Boyd, with Jamayne Isaako shifting to the wing. The Victorian government should be operating in caretaker mode while Labor remains under criminal investigation for misusing taxpayer funds, the state opposition says. The call came as the head of Victoria's parliamentary services, Peter Lochert, denied meeting with a senior Labor MP to workshop the $388,000 scheme, which partly funded the party's winning 2014 election campaign. Its architect, former treasurer John Lenders, previously told a parliamentary inquiry into the scandal he and Mr Lochert workshopped how Labor's staffing pool arrangement could be expanded. "I wouldn't agree with that," the latter told a parliamentary inquiry on Monday, adding that while he did not remember a meeting with Mr Lenders, "it doesn't mean it didn't happen". The Liberal-Nationals coalition has called for six ministers linked to the scandal to stand down and more recently demanded the government go into caretaker mode, meaning bipartisan support is needed for all decisions. "It's really important that (Premier) Daniel Andrews consult with us and seek our consent particularly when the chief law officer of the state (Attorney-General Martin Pakula) is under a formal police investigation, as with other ministers," shadow attorney-general John Pesutto told reporters. The government has maintained no MPs will stand down. Ombudsman Deborah Glass in March found found 21 past and present Labor MPs breached parliamentary guidelines by directing staff employed as electorate officers to campaign for candidates. Seventeen former campaign staffers across Victoria, NSW and the Northern Territory were last week arrested and interviewed as part of the fraud probe but no charges were laid. Labor has since repaid the $388,000. West Australian Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan is aiming to relaunch the live sheep export industry next month with reputable producers and reduced stocking densities. About 60,000 sheep remain in a Perth feedlot after the Department of Agriculture suspended the export licences of Emanuel Exports and associated entity EMS Rural Exports. "We hope in a month's time to restart this industry with reputable producers, reasonable stocking densities and on modern ships," Ms MacTiernan told reporters on Monday. Emanuel, which was behind the Awassi Express shipment where thousands of sheep died, could not agree on terms with exporters Wellard and Harmony Agriculture, while Livestock Shipping Services also voluntarily withdrew from the northern summer trade. Sources have told AAP a livestock exporter booked a vessel for September but then cancelled amid concerns about a potential court injunction against the government by Animals Australia. The group has already threatened to seek an injunction if EMS Rural Exports is allowed to export. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack insists live exports have a future but hit out at city people who "probably sit in their soy latte cafes" and "keyboard warriors" for commenting on agricultural issues. He said animal welfare minded farmers should not "take the fall" for exporters who did the wrong thing. The federal Nationals leader also claimed there was a large disconnect between city and regional Australia. "I think a lot of city kids probably think their meats, fruit, vegetables and milk all just come from a refrigerator from a supermarket," he told 6PR radio. Three specialist firefighters from South Australia's Country Fire Service are being deployed to Canada where authorities are battling more than 450 fires in the British Colombia district. Justin Cook, Amy Riebe and Sam Sanderson will leave Adelaide on Tuesday for the three-week mission. Mr Sanderson is an aerial ignition specialist who will play a crucial role in back-burning operations to create breaks in the fuel load and stop the spread of the fires. Ms Riebe will work in co-ordinating media activity and Mr Cook will help with firefighting tactics. CFS assistant chief officer Daniel Austin says the service is pleased to help an international partner in a time of crisis. "Fires do not know boundaries or borders and as a firefighting service we are ready to respond both within Australia and overseas," he said. BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A three-month exhibition to mark the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx's birth, which closed Sunday, has received more than 2 million visitors, according to the organizers. The number of visitors increased month by month, reaching 36,800 visitors daily in July, according to the National Museum of China where the exhibition was held. The exhibition, themed "The Power of Truth", features Marx's life, sinicized Marxism and Marxism-themed contemporary art. On display were more than 100 manuscripts by Marx, Engels and Lenin, more than 900 books, 150 photos, 70 Marxism-themed art pieces and six sculptures. Renewable energy investment is a bigger priority for voters than government support for coal, new polling reveals. Ahead of a meeting to secure state and territory support for the Turnbull government's signature energy policy, polling conducted by ReachTel for Greenpeace found 67 per cent of Australians believe renewable energy should receive more government support than fossil fuels. The best way to ensure low cost energy is to invest in renewables and dispatchable storage like batteries, 66 per cent of those surveyed say. States and territories are being called on to back the National Energy Guarantee in a meeting with federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg on Friday. That policy is technology agnostic, meaning no government subsidies for either renewables or coal. The survey also found an overwhelming number of people back an ambitious renewable energy target to put downward pressure on prices. State renewable targets in the policy may prove a sticking point for Labor states like Victoria, where Treasurer Tim Pallas has demanded that among other minimum standards be guaranteed by the federal coalition partyroom. Polling of Victorian voters found 76 per cent support investment in renewables while 75 per cent want more government support for renewables than for fossil fuels. Reachtel polled 3999 Australians on July 30 and 1118 last week for the survey. A man is being sought in relation to a series of sexually explicit letters and inappropriate phone calls to female staff members at a number of Victorian businesses. Detectives believe the offender, who began sending the handwritten letters to businesses in the Coburg, Torquay and Essendon areas in January, frequents or lives in the Anglesea or Surf Coast areas near Melbourne. The calls are believed to have been made from pay phones in the Melbourne and Surf Coast areas, with police on Tuesday releasing images and CCTV of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries. An alleged sexual predator accused of breaking into homes and sexually abusing four children may have had other victims, Queensland police say. Police allege a man broke into houses in Hervey Bay and sexually assaulted children in a series of random attacks in the Queensland community. They say the parents of the children didn't know what had happened until police contacted them following a painstaking analysis of computer equipment seized from the man's house back in May. Police allege the 30-year-old, who was arrested on Friday, was in possession of "a vast quantity" of child exploitation material. Child Protection Unit Detective Sergeant Melonie Geck said there may be other victims and further charges could be laid with officers yet to examine some devices owned by the man. The man has been charged with 11 counts of indecent treatment of a child, one count of rape, three counts of making child exploitation material, six counts of burglary and two counts of wilful damage. Det Sgt Geck said only three of four known victims had been identified so far. She said it had taken time to analyse seized computer gear and files but as soon as detectives realised "contact offences" had occurred, police swooped. The man did not know his alleged victims and the children's parents had no idea any abuse had occurred, Det Sgt Geck said. "Police were the first to inform them," she told reporters on Thursday. "These are significant offences against children ... There's still a number of devices to be examined and there's a possibility there could be further charges laid." The man was remanded in custody when he faced the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Monday. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has played down apparent tensions with her Chinese counterpart, who took aim at Australia's new espionage laws following a meeting between the pair. Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi said Australia must do more to boost mutual trust rather than being "groundlessly suspicious" after sitting down with Ms Bishop in Singapore at the weekend. "I know that the line that the media pick up might be the negative line, but the whole discussion was very positive," Ms Bishop told Sky News on Tuesday. "He also said there's more we can do, and I agree both Australia and China can do more to strengthen and deepen our relationship." The pair spoke about the use of weapons in the South China Sea, the threat posed by North Korea, and working more closely together in the Pacific during their 45-minute meeting. Ms Bishop is now looking to organise dates for a visit to Beijing, hoping to join Wang Yi on a morning run through the Chinese capital. Relations between the two nations soured last year when Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull accused China of meddling in Australia's affairs - a claim Beijing vehemently denied. "The Iranian people are not happy, not with the Americans but with their own leadership," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed Sunday that the United States would "enforce the sanctions" it is reimposing against Iran after President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear pact. As of 0401 GMT Tuesday, the Iran government can no longer buy US banknotes and broad sanctions will be slapped on Iranian industries, including its rug exports. Asked if Tehran would be able to evade the measures, Pompeo told journalists "the United States is going to enforce the sanctions," speaking en route to Washington after attending a security forum in Singapore. Pompeo said heaping pressure on Tehran was meant to "push back against Iranian malign activity," saying Iranians "are unhappy with the failure of their own leadership to deliver the economic promises that their leadership promised them." "The Iranian people are not happy, not with the Americans but with their own leadership," he said. "This is just about Iranians' dissatisfaction with their own government, and the President is pretty clear, we want the Iranian people to have a strong voice in who their leadership will be." The US walked out of the 2015 nuclear deal in May and is bringing back "maximum pressure" sanctions for most sectors on August 6, and the energy sector on November 4. Saudi Arabia said it was expelling the Canadian ambassador and had recalled its envoy, underscoring a newly aggressive foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Saudi Arabia said Monday it was expelling the Canadian ambassador and had recalled its envoy while freezing all new trade, in protest at Ottawa's vigorous calls for the release of jailed activists. The kingdom gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country, in an abrupt rupture of relations over what it slammed as "interference" in its internal affairs. The move, which underscores a newly aggressive foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, comes after Canada demanded the immediate release of human rights campaigners swept up in a new crackdown. "The Canadian position is an overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the Saudi foreign ministry tweeted. "The kingdom announces that it is recalling its ambassador to Canada for consultation. We consider the Canadian ambassador to the kingdom persona non grata and order him to leave within the next 24 hours." The ministry also announced "the freezing of all new trade and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action". Canada last week said it was "gravely concerned" over a new wave of arrests of women and human rights campaigners in the kingdom, including award-winning gender rights activist Samar Badawi. "We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists," the foreign ministry tweeted on Friday. - 'Unprecedented crackdown' - Samar was arrested along with fellow campaigner Nassima al-Sadah last week, the latest victims of what Human Rights Watch called an "unprecedented government crackdown on the women's rights movement". Samar is a vocal campaigner for blogger Raif Badawi, her brother who was arrested in 2012 and sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for "insulting Islam" in a case that sparked an international outcry. The latest arrests come weeks after more than a dozen women's right campaigners were detained and accused of undermining national security and collaborating with enemies of the state. Some have since been released. The Saudi foreign ministry slammed the Canadian statement, signalling its growing irritation over Western criticism of the kingdom's poor human rights record. "Using the phrase 'immediately release' in the Canadian statement is very unfortunate, reprehensible, and unacceptable in relations between states," the ministry tweeted. Prince Mohammed, heir to the region's most powerful throne, has introduced a string of reforms such as lifting a decades-long ban on women drivers in a bid to overhaul the kingdom's austere image as it prepares for a post-oil era. But the 32-year-old has simultaneously pursued a hawkish foreign policy -- including leading a blockade of neighbouring Qatar and a bombing campaign against Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen -- while cracking down on dissent at home. - 'Serious concern' - "The rupture in Saudi diplomatic relations with Canada reinforces how the 'new' Saudi Arabia that Mohammed bin Salman is putting together is in no mood to tolerate any form of criticism of its handling of domestic affairs," said Kristian Ulrichsen, a fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute in the United States. In April, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his "serious concern" over the continued jailing of Badawi to Saudi King Salman. Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar has been granted asylum by Canada, where she is raising their three children now aged 14, 13 and 10 as a single mother. Riyadh's expulsion of the Canadian ambassador was meant to send a strong message to other critical Western governments, observers say. "Canada is easier to cut ties with than the rest," Bessma Momani, a professor at Canada's University of Waterloo, told AFP. "There isn't a strong bilateral trade relationship and poking the Trudeau government likely resonates with Saudi's hawkish regional allies. At jeopardy, are the tens of thousands of Saudi students in Canada." The Islamic State (IS) jihadist group launched a series of coordinated attacks against Sweida province which left more than 250 people dead Syrian regime forces bombed late Sunday a desert area under the control of the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group near the province of Sweida in southern Syria, a war monitor said. "The bombing and fighting between the regime forces and IS have intensified during the evening and are continuing," said Rami Abdel Rahmane, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "The regime is advancing to the north and northeast of Sweida", adjacent to the desert zone of the southern province, he told AFP. This military operation would be "the start of a regime offensive to dislodge IS from this pocket" in the Badiya desert of Sweida, he said, adding that "a major military reinforcement (of regime troops) is massing" in the area. The fighting comes as Russia failed in its negotiations to free some 30 civilian hostages of the Druze religious minority taken by IS last month. The kidnappings followed a series of coordinated attacks against Sweida province which left more than 250 people dead. On Sunday, the Observatory and news website Sweida24 announced that IS had decapitated one of the hostages, a 19-year-old male student. This execution, the first since the abductions, came "after the failure of the negotiations with the regime forces", according to the Observatory. The Syrian Democratic Forces, an Arab-Kurd alliance which fought against IS with the support of the United States, indicated Sunday that it was ready to exchange with IS captured jihadists for the remaining Druze civilian hostages. Meanwhile IS, which has not claimed responsibility for the execution or the kidnappings, has been pounded by multiple offensives in Syria and today controls less than three percent of the territory. However, it continues to launch attacks like the bloody strike and kidnappings in Sweida. The Syrian conflict which began in 2011 has claimed more than 350,000 lives and left millions displaced or fleeing as refugees. Resident Lane Lawder carries a water bucket while fighting to save his home from the Ranch Fire burning down New Long Valley Rd near Clearlake Oaks, California, on Saturday California's deadly Carr wildfire -- now the state's sixth most destructive -- has claimed another life with a power linesman killed on the job its seventh fatality, officials said Sunday. The Carr Fire, located some 200 miles (322 kilometers) north of San Francisco, is still growing, CalFire said Sunday. Its intensity was so great at one point, that it generated a tornado-like whirl of fire -- as well as its own weather system. A helicopter prepares to drop water on the Ranch Fire, part of the Mendocino Complex Fire, burning on High Valley Rd. near Clearlake Oaks, California PG&E power company identified the worker Sunday as Jairus Ayeta, who was killed in a remote area of Shasta county where crews were working to restore electricity. "The safety of our employees and our customers is PG&E's top priority. Our thoughts and prayers are with our fallen team member, his family and our extended team," the company said in a statement. "We are working with law enforcement to investigate the circumstances of the incident," it added. The Carr Fire has scorched 154,524 acres (62,534 hectares) of land since July 23, when authorities say it was triggered by the "mechanical failure of a vehicle" that caused sparks to fly in tinderbox-dry conditions. The fire has also razed more than 1,600 buildings, including some 1,000 homes, making it the sixth most destructive blaze in the history of the fire-prone western state, state officials say. A deer runs from flames as the Ranch Fire tears down New Long Valley Rd near Clearlake Oaks, California, on Saturday More than 4,200 firefighters have been deployed to battle the conflagration but they have only succeeded in containing 41 percent of it so far. Other fires raging in the state include the Mendocino Complex, comprised of two blazes: the River Fire and the Ranch Fire. Several thousand people have been evacuated as the fires swept across the state, although some have been given permission in recent days to return to their homes. President Donald Trump blamed the fires' destruction on "bad environmental laws," but did not mention evacuees or victims of the inferno. "California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which aren't allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized," he tweeted. "It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire spreading!" The US president drew international outrage last year after withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate change pact that is aimed at combatting global warming. Photo released by the Taos County Sheriff's Office shows a view of a compound in Amalia, New Mexico, where police rescued 11 children and arrested two armed "extremists" Police say 11 children ages one to 15 were rescued in the US state of New Mexico after officers raided a makeshift compound occupied by armed "extremists." Two men were arrested after police found them and the children in what one officer called "the saddest living conditions and poverty I have seen," as part of the operation connected to a months-long search for an abducted three-year-old, according to New Mexico's Taos County sheriff's office. The investigation kicked off late last year on the opposite side of the country in Jonesboro, Georgia, where 39-year-old Siraj Wahhaj of the state's Clayton County was accused of kidnapping his toddler -- who was ultimately not found. The boy's mother told police her child, who she said suffered from seizures along with development and cognitive delays, went to the park with his father Wahhaj last December and never returned. On August 2, Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe of Taos County in New Mexico issued a search warrant describing "a makeshift compound surrounded by tires and an earthen berm" in a subdivision, where Wahhaj along with adult Lucas Morten were thought to be. The FBI had provided information and surveillance on the spot but "didn't feel there was enough probable cause to get on the property," Hogrefe said. "That all changed for me when a message was forwarded to us from a Georgia Detective that we reasonably believed came from someone at the compound -- the message sent to a third party simply said in part 'we are starving and need food and water,'" the sheriff said in a statement. "I absolutely knew that we couldn't wait on another agency to step up and we had to go check this out as soon as possible." The sheriff described planning "a tactical approach for our own safety because we had learned the occupants were most likely heavily armed and considered extremist of the Muslim belief." On the morning of August 3, a dozen officers kicked off the "all day" operation, discovering the two men with an AR-15 rifle, five loaded 30-round magazines and four loaded pistols, including one in Wahhaj's pocket. The men at first refused to follow verbal direction, police said, who added the raid went without major incident or injuries. Morten was charged with harboring a fugitive and Wahhaj was booked without bond on his Georgia warrant for child abduction. Three women thought to be parents of the children now in protective custody were also detained for questioning, and were released pending further investigation. Two men were arrested after police found them and the children in what one officer called "the saddest living conditions and poverty I have seen" Police say 11 children ages one to 15 were rescued in the US state of New Mexico after officers raided a dilapidated compound occupied by armed men. Two men were arrested after police found them and the children in what one officer called "the saddest living conditions and poverty I have seen," as part of the operation connected to a months-long search for an abducted three-year-old, according to New Mexico's Taos County sheriff's office. The investigation kicked off late last year on the opposite side of the country in Jonesboro, Georgia, where 39-year-old Siraj Wahhaj of the state's Clayton County was accused of kidnapping his toddler -- who was ultimately not found. A view of a trailer police described as "filty" in a ramshackle hideout in a rural New Mexico The boy's mother told police her child, who she said suffered from seizures along with developmental and cognitive delays, went to the park with his father Wahhaj last December and never returned. On August 2, Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe of Taos County in New Mexico issued a search warrant describing "a makeshift compound surrounded by tires and an earthen berm" in a subdivision in the rural community of Amalia, where Wahhaj along with adult Lucas Morten were thought to be in hiding. The FBI had provided information and surveillance on the spot but "didn't feel there was enough probable cause to get on the property," Hogrefe said. A view of the compound in Amalia, New Mexico, where police rescued 11 children and arrested two armed "extremists" "That all changed for me when a message was forwarded to us from a Georgia Detective that we reasonably believed came from someone at the compound -- the message sent to a third party simply said in part 'we are starving and need food and water,'" the sheriff said in a statement. "I absolutely knew that we couldn't wait on another agency to step up and we had to go check this out as soon as possible." The sheriff described planning "a tactical approach for our own safety because we had learned the occupants were most likely heavily armed." - 'Heartbreaking' - On the morning of August 3, a dozen officers kicked off the "all day" operation, discovering hidden beneath New Mexico's scrubland the two men with an AR-15 rifle, five loaded 30-round magazines and four loaded pistols, including one in Wahhaj's pocket. Georgia man Siraj Ibn Wahhaj after his arrest at a makeshift compound in Amalia, New Mexico The men had refused to follow verbal direction, police said, who added the raid went without major incident or injuries even as Wahhaj needed to be "taken down." Police found many more ammo rounds in the ramshackle hideout, they said, which they described as "a small travel trailer buried in the ground covered by plastic with no water, plumbing, or electricity." "The only food we saw were a few potatoes and a box of rice in the filthy trailer," Hogrefe said. "But what was most surprising, and heartbreaking was when the team located a total of five adults and 11 children that looked like third world country refugees." Georgia man Lucas Morten after his arrest at a makeshift compound in Amalia, New Mexico "Not only with no food or fresh water, but with no shoes, personal hygiene and basically dirty rags for clothing." Morten was charged with harboring a fugitive and Wahhaj was booked without bond on his Georgia warrant for child abduction. Three women thought to be parents of the children -- who are now in protective custody -- were also detained for questioning. They were released pending further investigation. None of the adults would give details about the whereabouts of the missing toddler, but police believe he was at the compound a few weeks ago. A freight train loaded with imported vehicles arrives at the container terminal in Xi'an of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, June 13, 2018. BEIJING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Trade volume between Beijing Municipality and the European Union reached nearly 150 billion yuan (around 22 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2018, up by 11 percent year-on-year, according to latest local customs data. The municipality's foreign trade volume reached 1.29 trillion yuan in the first half, up by 20.7 percent year on year. Imports increased by 18.9 percent while exports surged 29.2 percent, customs statistics showed. Trade with the 28 EU countries accounted for 11.6 percent of total foreign trade. Trade with the United States amounted to 129.3 billion yuan, up by 26.3 percent, while trade with ASEAN countries saw a 54-percent surge to 125.5 billion yuan, accounting for 9.7 percent of total foreign trade. Chris Patten was the last British governor of Hong Kong before the territory was handed back to China in 1997 Former British governor of Hong Kong Chris Patten said it was "quite simply wrong" for Beijing to urge the city's Foreign Correspondents' Club to cancel a planned speech by an independence activist. Patten's comments came after China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stepped in to ask the club to cancel the talk by Andy Chan of the Hong Kong National Party, a group threatened with a ban. Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997 under an agreement which granted it limited autonomy and protected its way of life for 50 years, giving it rights unseen on the mainland including freedom of speech. But concern is growing that those freedoms are being eroded by an increasingly assertive Beijing. "There is no justification for censoring people because you don't like what they have to say," said Patten in comments emailed to AFP as the FCC row escalates. He said freedom of speech was one of the "hallmarks of an open society living under the rule of law" and was protected by the handover agreement. "I have consistently argued against the idea of advocating independence for Hong Kong," added Patten, who has spoken several times at the FCC. "But I also continue to argue for Hong Kong's liberties and local autonomy. It is quite simply wrong for Beijing's Communist foreign ministry to get involved with an issue which should be determined within Hong Kong." Chan's talk is due to take place on August 14 and is part of a "club lunch" tradition which has seen an array of speakers, including Chinese officials, address members and the media. In a statement Monday the FCC said it championed freedom of speech and the press, and "fully respects the law". "We believe that in free societies such as Hong Kong it is vitally important to allow people to speak and debate freely, even if one does not agree with their particular views," the club said. - 'External forces' - China's foreign ministry recently requested a meeting with the FCC and asked for the event to be cancelled, a source told AFP. In a statement issued Friday, the ministry said: "We resolutely oppose any external forces providing a platform for 'Hong Kong independence' elements to spread fallacies." City leader Carrie Lam, appointed by a pro-Beijing committee, also weighed in Sunday, expressing "regret" at the planned event and noting that the historic club building is government-owned. Activists calling for independence from Hong Kong emerged from the failure of the mass pro-democracy Umbrella Movement rallies of 2014 to win political reform. Any talk of a split has become a red flag for Beijing, which has ramped up rhetoric against threats to its territorial integrity under President Xi Jinping. Hong Kong police last month sought to ban Chan's party -- which promotes the city's independence from China but only has a core membership of around a dozen people -- citing it as a national security threat. Hong Kong's security chief had said he was considering the police request while the party was given a few weeks to make representations. Pro-independence campaigners and politicians calling for self-determination for Hong Kong have been banned from standing for office and disqualified from the legislature. After decades of decay, custodians of the remains of the ancient site of Volubilis are bringing back the tourists Situated in a fertile plain at the foot of Mount Zerhoun, the sprawling remains of Morocco's oldest Roman site -- Volubilis -- have survived pillage and long periods of neglect. After decades of decay, however, custodians of the now closely guarded ancient city have turned the page and are bringing back the tourists. The site, nestled among olive groves near the city of Meknes, boasts a new museum and visitor centre and has been attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors. They stroll along the main artery lined with porticoes and the remnants of vast mansions, whose mosaic floors testify to a prosperous past. A triumphal arch, a classic symbol of Roman architecture, sits at the top of what once was the main compound. Known in Arabic as "Oualili", the city was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. The ancient city has "known several civilisations, from the Mauritanian era to the Romans through the Islamic period", according to Mohamed Alilou, topographer and assistant conservator of the site. Volubilis was founded in the third century BC by a Moorish community, before being annexed by the Roman Empire in 42 AD. At its peak, it would have counted up to 15,000 inhabitants. Threatened by civil wars across the empire, the Romans evacuated the city in 285. It didn't regain its splendour until the arrival of Arab conquerors in the seventh century. In the eighth century when the Idrisid dynasty erected the city of Fez as its new capital, Volubilis fell once more into disuse. - Bacchus gone missing - At the end of the 17th century, Sultan Moulay Ismail sent thousands of slaves to plunder Volubilis's marble columns for the construction of his palace in Meknes. "On the track leading from Volubilis to Meknes, we found capitals (of columns) abandoned by slaves, who fled when they learnt that Moulay Ismail was dead," said Alilou, who has been watching over the site for more than 30 years. Excavations at Volubilis began in 1915, along with research programmes and restoration work Excavations at Volubilis began in 1915, along with research programmes and restoration work. But renewed interest in the site brought with it looting, especially during the period of French colonial rule from 1912 to 1956. One particularly striking case in 1982 made headlines when a marble statue of Bacchus -- the Roman god of wine -- disappeared. In a desperate bid to find the relic, King Hassan II dispatched gendarmes who "interrogated, abused and beat" peasants who "didn't know Bacchus from Adam and Eve", according to Moroccan press reports. At the end of the 17th century, Sultan Moulay Ismail sent thousands of slaves to plunder Volubilis's marble columns for the construction of his palace in Meknes The effort was in vain and the statue was never found. "The people here are still traumatised," said a resident of nearby Moulay Driss Zerhoun. Moroccan media frequently warn that the country's heritage -- archeological finds, mosaics and ancient coins -- is being looted. But in Volubilis, Alilou says that looting is a thing of the past. Today "the site is fenced off and well guarded", he said. "We have a team of 14 guards who work day and night, cameras are everywhere." Mustafa Atki, another Volubilis conservator, said the whole issue of looting was "sometimes exaggerated". Since the opening of its museum in 2013, the ancient city has attracted several hundred thousand visitors a year. "In 2017, for the first time we past the 300,000 mark," said Atki. Alilou said the ancient city covering 42 acres (17 hectares) has yet to reveal all of its secrets. "A third of the site, especially the western quarter built in the Islamic era, has not been excavated," he said. Saudi director Haifaa al-Mansour, the first woman in the ultra-conservative nation to make movies, plans to shoot her next project back home Fresh from shooting her first film in English, Haifaa al-Mansour plans to return to her native Saudi Arabia next month for her new project -- but this time, she won't be directing out of view by walkie-talkie from the back of a van. "When I started making films -- I started in 2005, when my first short came out -- people didn't believe in cinema in Saudi Arabia -- films were illegal, the country was very segregated, so it was like 'a woman making films, oh!'," the 43-year-old director told AFP in an interview. "But Saudi Arabia has changed," Mansour said. Late last year Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman lifted a decades-old ban on cinemas as part of his push to modernise the ultra-conservative country, which included in June allowing women to drive. Saudi Arabia this year made its first official appearance at the Cannes film festival with its submission of a series of short films. Mansour was the first woman to shoot a film in the country, the critically acclaimed "Wadjda" from 2012 about a girl who dreams of riding her own bike. During the filming, she often had to direct her team via walkie-talkie while keeping out of sight in a van, since she could not be seen in public alongside male actors and crew members. "I don't think I will be in the van anymore," she said. "Now we have a film fund and they are supporting my next project, which is called 'The Perfect Candidate', about a young Saudi female doctor who decides to run for an office in a municipal election," she said. "It will be wonderful to be part of the evolution of film in the country," she added. "I think it's amazing to have Saudi Arabia becoming normal again." - 'Definitely a Haifaa film' - Mansour now lives in Los Angeles with her American husband and children. "Mary Shelley", her biopic of the 19th-century author of the horror classic "Frankenstein", is now hitting screens worldwide. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was just 18 when she travelled to Lake Geneva in 1816 with her future husband, the poet Percy Shelley, and their son to vacation alongside friends including Lord Byron. Kept inside for days by heavy rains, they challenged each other to write a ghost story, sparking the Gothic tale of "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus", which was eventually published in 1818, but without Mary Shelley's name on the cover. "For her, to come and write something so original and not to have her name on it, I could not not tell that story. I felt just like, 'this is definitely a Haifaa film'," Mansour said. The offer to direct the film, starring Elle Fanning, came as a surprise -- not least because Mansour had previously filmed mainly in Arabic. But having studied literature at the American University in Cairo and film at the University of Sydney, she was ready for the challenge of working in English. "We did a lot of rewriting on the script -- it's not only a love story," she said. After filming the movie in Ireland, Luxembourg and France, Mansour said she was eager to work again in her native Saudi Arabia. "I think it is very important to make films there, especially with Saudi Arabia embracing films and allowing film theatres. It will be wonderful to be part of the evolution of film in the country," she said. "I think it will have a great impact on young professional women." Nationwide strikes in August 1988 brought crowds onto the street in demonstrations against Myanmar's junta Ko Shell had his teeth knocked out during torture sessions and spent 14 years in six jails, but as the 30th anniversary looms of the famed Myanmar pro-democracy uprising that led to his incarceration, he says those sacrifices are being forgotten. Sitting in a tea shop in downtown Yangon, he worries history is not being taught to the younger generation, a frustration mirroring wider disappointment with the government among many jailed for opposing the junta which ruled for four decades. "All the true stories were not shared with the public," the 49-year-old said. Military regimes in Myanmar imprisoned nearly 10,000 people since the army first seized power in 1962, sending the country into decades of isolation. Most were jailed in the years after nationwide strikes on August 8, 1988, part of broader anti-junta demonstrations that catapulted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi into the spotlight. The daughter of Myanmar's independence hero, Suu Kyi was swept up in the revolt shortly after returning from a cozy life in England to care for her sick mother. A model of Myanmar's most infamous prison, Insein, is displayed at the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners museum in Yangon But despite then spending a combined 15 years under house arrest by the paranoid regime, Suu Kyi has emphasised reconciling with the generals after winning landmark elections in 2015. While a third of MPs in her party have served time for activism, prominent members of the 1988 protests were passed over when candidates for parliament were chosen to run. The lack of compensation, monuments or other forms of redress for victims have caused angst, while many can't get the work they seek due to the stigma of jail. "Most of them face difficulties," said Ko Shell, a taxi driver. - Relics of the past - History is a dangerous subject in the Buddhist-majority country, where the military promotes a narrative of unifying a country riven by religious and ethnic faultlines. The toxic issue of belonging is highlighted by the Rohingya crisis, where the Muslim minority is referred to as "Bengali" to cast them as immigrants from Bangladesh. With many former junta members enjoying normal lives or still involved in government, dredging up memories of political prisoners is not common. Kyaw Soe Win stands in front of a model of a prison cell at a museum he hopes will create awareness of what political prisoners suffered But Kyaw Soe Win from the Yangon-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners hopes to change that. The museum he helped create is one of the only places in Myanmar where visitors can learn what inmates endured. "School texts, they never show the real history," he said, standing in front of a recreation of a prison cell. There are photos of students marching, soldiers cracking down, and a reconstruction of Myanmar's most infamous prison, Insein. Displays show trinkets, crafts and musical instruments made in jail. The limited awareness about 1988 is part of a larger gap that leaves many susceptible to simplistic versions of history. "A big problem in Myanmar today is the lack of a critical discussion on the country's recent past," said writer Thant Myint-U. - Prisoners, politicians - Frustration with Myanmar's government under Suu Kyi has risen since she took office more than two years ago. The country has faced global ire for its bloody handling of the Rohingya crisis -- which the United Nations and Washington have described as ethnic cleansing -- while conflicts burn in remote borderlands and the military still controls 25 percent of parliament. Suu Kyi has also been singled out for lacklustre economic reforms and top-down management. The next national elections are due in 2020 and a group of veteran 1988 leaders have announced plans to launch an alternative to Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD). Ko Ko Gyi, one of the 88 protesters involved in the new party, which is still settling on a name, said that the essence of the "four 8" revolution is democracy, and "democracy means pluralism." Troops order a crowd to disperse on the streets of Yangon in August 1988 "We will try to make a better alternative for our voters," he said. Min Thu, a 57-year-old NLD lawmaker who spent 10 years in jail, acknowledged the slow pace of reform but compared it favourably to the past. "They (people) can reveal their opinion freely and they can criticise," he told AFP at an annual congress in Yangon. He said the party was providing some assistance to former prisoners. Without naming the military, he blamed the imperfect progress on decades of mismanagement, but said voters can now pick new governments at elections if unsatisfied. But most former political prisoners are concerned about today, not the next vote. Ko Shell says he has family problems because his stretches behind bars make home life difficult. "I want to be free all the time," he said. Thousands of teenagers have been protesting in Bangladesh over poor road safety Bangladesh police said Monday they arrested a prize-winning photographer for "provocative comments" in an Al Jazeera interview about protests by teenagers that have convulsed the country for over a week. At the weekend, a heavy-handed response to the protests over road safety left more than 100 injured as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets, and mobs attacked demonstrators, photographers and even the US ambassador's car. At least 20 plainclothes officers picked up Shahidul Alam, 63, at his Dhaka home late on Sunday, hours after his comments were broadcast by the Qatar-based TV station, his colleague Abir Abdullah told AFP. "He has been brought to our office early this morning (Monday). We are interrogating him for giving false information to different media and for provocative comments," police official Moshiur Rahman told AFP. "And he could not give proper answers. He admitted that these are his personal opinion," he said, adding police would take legal actions against him. Alam is the founder and managing director of the Drik Gallery and the creator of the Patshala South Asian Media Academy, a photography school in the capital Dhaka that has spawned hundreds of photographers. In a career spanning more than four decades, Alam's photos were published in almost every major Western media outlet, including the New York Times, Time magazine and National Geographic. In recent days, Alam shot images of the demonstrations by tens of thousands of teenagers in Dhaka and beyond, and discussed the protests on Facebook Live. - Scores injured - The protests in Dhaka and beyond began after a speeding bus killed two teenagers on July 29, with demonstrators pressing for the government to get to grips with Bangladesh's chaotic and lethal roads. More than 100 people were hurt over the weekend after police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters On Saturday, the protests took a violent turn in Dhaka, with more than 100 people hurt as police fired rubber bullets at demonstrators, according to students and doctors who treated the injured. More violence raged on Sunday with police firing tear gas into a large crowd marching toward an office of the ruling Awami League party, an AFP correspondent said. Dozens of protesters were attacked by people alleged to be ruling party activists, some armed with machetes, leaving scores injured including half a dozen photographers. A car carrying US ambassador Marcia Bernicat was also attacked by "armed men" but she escaped unscathed, the embassy said. The authorities have shut down mobile internet services across swathes of the country and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged students on Sunday to go home, but to no avail. The United Nations said it was "deeply concerned about the reports of violence" and that concerns about road safety were "legitimate". Police have also detained an actress for spreading rumours after she allegedly in a Facebook post that two protesters were killed and the eye of another was gouged out. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen prepares to cast his vote during the general election as his wife Bun Rany (L) looks on Cambodia's strongman Premier Hun Sen Monday rejected claims the results from last month's widely criticised election had been falsified, saying he would stake his life on their accuracy. Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party claimed it won all 125 parliamentary seats in the deeply flawed July 29 poll, cementing the country as a one-party state and extending his 33-year grip on power. Opposition figures had called for a boycott of the vote after the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was dissolved last year in a crackdown that saw one of its leaders charged with treason. Turnout was a whopping 82 percent, leading Hun Sen to dismiss the campaign to shun ballot boxes as a failure. But independent observers did not take part and rights groups pointed to voter intimidation. In a speech to athletes in Phnom Penh, the bombastic Hun Sen, 66, denied "vote cheating (and) inflating figures" of turnout. He dared opposition leaders to join him and swear on their lives over the claims. "I swear to die from all forms...to die in a car accident, a plane crash, an electrocution, a lightning strike, anything that leads to death," he said. "Do you dare to swear or not?" "Those who have alleged the figure (of turnout) was inflated, please swear. Swear to die all together," he added. Some 6.9 million votes were cast in the national election. But nearly 600,000 ballots were spoilt in a sign of resistance to a vote which opposition members called a "sham" and "false." The United States threatened to broaden visa restrictions on senior Cambodian officials, while Sam Rainsy, the self-exiled co-founder of the disbanded opposition described it as a "terrible setback". The European Union also condemned the election, while China congratulated the people of Cambodia. In response to Hun Sen's challenge Rainsy said on his Facebook page that he would take the oath if there was an official recount. He urged the National Election Committee not to destroy ballots collected from polling stations and claimed turnout was less than 50 percent. The NEC is a theoretically impartial body but is widely believed to have links to the ruling party. The CNRP took 44 percent of the vote in the previous election in 2013, mounting the most credible challenge to Hun Sen in decades. It performed equally well in 2017 local polls. The Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh: a rights group has urged Bangladesh to provide better conditions Bangladesh should dramatically improve living conditions for Rohingya in the world's largest refugee camp and scrap plans to move many to a flood-prone island, Human Rights Watch said Monday. Almost one million Rohingya Muslims forced out of Myanmar now live in southern Bangladesh, with 700,000 of them arriving after the latest crackdown on the stateless minority started in August last year. The US and UN have branded operations by Myanmar security forces as ethnic cleansing. Rohingya have recounted widespread rape, murder and torture while being driven out of their villages, hundreds of which were razed to the ground. Myanmar denies almost all accusations of atrocities and says it was defending itself against Rohingya militants who launched deadly attacks on police posts. Bangladesh and Myanmar have signed a repatriation agreement but Rohingya are refusing to return without guarantees of safety and rights, including freedom of movement and citizenship. Meanwhile they wait in cramped camps with flimsy bamboo huts perched on muddy hills, cheek-by-jowl with other families and exposed to the elements. "What this means with people packed so closely together, particularly if this is going to last longer and longer, is it's an incubation for contagious disease, for social dysfunction, domestic violence for example, and things like fire," Bill Frelick, refugee rights director at Human Rights Watch, told reporters in Bangkok at the launch of a new report on conditions in the camps. The average space in the mega-camp section of Cox's Bazar is 10.7 square metres per person, compared to a refugee camp standard of 45 square metres per person, according to the report, which is based on dozens of interviews with Rohingya, officials, NGOS and UN agencies in May. "Immediately what is needed is relocation," he added, citing additional risks of landslides during the monsoon season. But the rights group also urged Bangladesh to abandon a plan to move some 100,000 Rohingya to an island in the Bay of Bengal called Bhasan Char. Refugees have heard rumours of the move to the uninhabited silt island prone to regular tidal flooding, and have expressed no interest in going there. Frelick said Bangladesh had earned enormous goodwill by accepting Rohingya, but moving them against their will could "change that sense of trust and sense of gratitude overnight". Human Rights Watch said it has identified six feasible sites in a subdistrict that could accommodate 263,000 people. Other recommendations were for authorities to provide Rohingya with legal refugee status, allow more freedom of movement, create better access to education and build cyclone shelters. The report called for greaster contributions from donor governments, agencies and NGOs to help improve conditions. It said an appeal for $136.6 million for shelter and non-food items was only 14 percent funded as of last month. Bangladesh refugee commissioner Abul Kalam told the rights group that authorities are working on moving tens of thousands of people to better areas. But Kalam said many are reluctant to go without knowing the conditions of the sites. Israeli filmmaker Moshe Mizrahi, the country's only director of an Oscar-winning film, is to be buried in Tel Aviv on Monday following his death last week, friends and colleagues said. The 86-year-old director of the Academy Award-winning 1977 film "Madame Rosa", which was filmed in France and starred Simone Signoret, died on Friday. He also directed two other Oscar-nominated films in the 1970s: "I Love You Rosa" and "The House on Chelouche Street". "Madame Rosa", the story of a former prostitute in Paris who had survived the Auschwitz death camp, won the Academy Award for best foreign language film, representing France. It was an adaptation of the novel "The Life Before Us" by French author Romain Gary, written under the pseudonym Emile Ajar. Born in 1931 in Egypt, Mizrahi emigrated to what was then British Mandatory Palestine in 1946 with his mother and brother. His brother was killed in an Egyptian air strike in the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation. He studied film in France in the 1950s and spent much of his career there before returning to Israel. His other films included "Every Time We Say Goodbye", set in Jerusalem and released in 1986 starring Tom Hanks. Regine Mihal Friedman, a retired professor of film studies at Tel Aviv University where Mizrahi also taught, called him "an extremely special figure in Israeli cinema" but also beyond. "For example, what is very striking in Moshe Mizrahi's films is the place he gives to women," she told AFP. Israeli actress Gila Almagor, who appeared in several of his films, told Israeli news site Walla that he "brought a European touch to Israeli cinema". Pham Cong Danh (standing), at a separate court hearing in 2017 A court in Vietnam convicted 46 former bankers and businessmen of corruption on Monday over a multi-million-dollar lending scam spearheaded by the once-powerful chairman of Vietnam's Construction Bank. It is the latest in a series of major banking trials aimed at cleaning up the opaque sector long plagued by bad debts, corruption and nepotism. Vietnam's communist leaders have vowed to target the banking business as they wage a sweeping anti-graft campaign which observers say is unprecedented in its scope and scale. The government said it is weeding out bad actors, while critics say it is also eliminating political foes in the process. The latest bankers and executives jailed are accused of causing losses of more than $257 million in an elaborate lending scheme involving Vietnam's Construction Bank (VNCB), according to the official newspaper of the justice department of Ho Chi Minh City. VNCB's former head Pham Cong Danh was found guilty of overseeing an illegal lending scheme between VNCB, other allied banks and 29 private companies to which he had ties. The companies were unable to repay the money and VNCB was eventually sold to the central bank for $0 in 2015. Danh was given 20 years in jail for "deliberate wrongdoings... causing serious consequences", the newspaper said, while his accomplices were given terms ranging from 10 years in jail to a two-year suspended sentence. It was the second guilty verdict for Danh, who was convicted in a connected banking corruption trial in 2016. He will now serve a total of 30 years in jail. The notorious banker spent several years in prison in the 1990s for embezzlement and gained a reputation as a shrewd -- and wealthy -- businessman during his career in the construction industry before he moved into banking. He joins scores of bankers, executives and former politicians behind bars in the one-party state that has long had the reputation of being one of Asia's most corrupt countries. Despite strong economic growth in recent years it remains graft-prone, ranking 107 out of 180 on Transparency International's corruption Index -- behind Thailand, Indonesia and China. Demonstrators holding Uighur flags demonstrate in Berlin on July 9, 2018, prior to a meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang German authorities wrongfully deported an Uighur man to China due to an administrative error, local media reported Monday, in a fresh scandal as the country seeks to step up expulsions of failed asylum seekers. Officials were due to hold a hearing with the 22-year-old Uighur, who was not named, on April 3 over his asylum application, said regional public broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR). But a fax announcing the hearing from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) apparently failed to reach local authorities in Bavaria, who, in the early hours of April 3, put the Uighur man on a plane to Beijing. "We were unable to find the fax despite an intensive search," Munich authorities told BR. "We regret greatly that the deportation took place even though a valid asylum application had been made. It was never the intention of the immigration authorities of Munich to infringe on the rights of the foreigner affected by the expulsion." The BAMF would not give details on individual cases but told the broadcaster that expulsion would be "inadmissible" under such circumstances. The Uighur asylum seeker's lawyer Leo Borgmann said he has had no news from his client since the deportation. "There is no sign of life. We fear that he has been detained," Borgmann told BR. - Secretive network - Many of China's mostly Muslim Uighur minority say they face cultural and religious repression. Members of the Uighur diaspora say relatives have been arrested for seemingly innocuous acts such as sending Ramadan greetings to friends or downloading popular music. Chinese authorities are also believed to have detained hundreds of thousands of Muslims in a secretive network of extra-judicial political re-education centres, where inmates are given language and ideological training and forced to participate in military-style drills. The case surfaced after a series of administrative errors that led to illegal deportations by German authorities. In a further controversial case, a German court in July ordered that a man who allegedly worked as a bodyguard for Osama bin Laden be returned to Germany only hours after his deportation to Tunisia, saying the expulsion was illegal as he risks torture there. The 42-year-old, identified by German authorities only as Sami A. and by Tunis as Sami Idoudi, had lived in Germany for more than two decades, but outrage over his presence grew in recent months. Although he had won a court ruling against his deportation, the decision reached federal authorities by fax a day later -- hours after his flight to Tunisia had taken off. Also in July, the interior ministry was forced to repatriate an asylum seeker who had been deported to Afghanistan even though his legal appeal against expulsion was ongoing. In June, another Afghan man who was allowed back into Germany after he was illegally deported from the country was officially granted asylum. The 'Equanimity', now returned to Malaysia Indonesia has returned to Malaysia a luxury yacht linked to the multi-billion dollar 1MDB financial scandal, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Monday, a move seen as bolstering a corruption probe involving ex-leader Najib Razak. The Cayman Islands-registered Equanimity, believed to be worth some $250 million and belonged to a fugitive Malaysian financier with links to Najib, was seized in February off the Indonesian tourist island of Bali. Indonesian authorities detained the super-yacht following a request by the US Department of Justice, which is investigating alleged massive misappropriation involving the 1MDB state fund. "We are happy since the Equanimity yacht has been handed over to us by Indonesia," Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who is on a tour to Japan, said in a Facebook post. A spokesman for the prime minister's office said the yacht would arrive in Port Klang, west of the capital Kuala Lumpur, within the next 48 hours. Mahathir also thanked Indonesian President Joko Widodo for his cooperation. Ties between Malaysia and Indonesia are close with Mahathir visiting Jakarta in June, his first official tour of the region after a stunning election victory in May over Najib. A total of $4.5 billion was allegedly misappropriated by top-level 1MDB officials and their associates, according to civil lawsuits filed by the US justice department. The suits allege that $1.7 billion worth of assets were allegedly bought with the stolen funds, which US officials are seeking to recover. Those assets include the 300-foot (90-metre) super-yacht owned by Low Taek Jho -- popularly known as Jho Low -- a close Najib associate and former unofficial adviser to 1MDB. Low, a flamboyant playboy known for partying with Hollywood A-listers, was believed to have been sailing around Asia on the yacht before it was seized. Najib, who set up 1MDB in 2009 and served as chairman of its advisory board, was charged in Malaysia in July with corruption offences linked to the scandal. He denied all four charges and is currently out on bail. Mahathir has vowed to recover the stolen loot. The country's anti-corruption authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Jho Low. Legal experts said the return of the yacht would bolster the case against Najib and other people linked to the scandal and could be used to prosecute Jho Low after the fugitive is caught. "Of course it will help the prosecutors. It is part of the evidence of the crime committed. It is certainty a positive development in the investigations," N. Surendran, adviser to a group called Lawyers for Liberty, told AFP. The Maldivian opposition fears the government of strongman Abdulla Yameen may try to delay next month's elections The Maldivian opposition said Monday that government warnings of a murky plot to destabilise the honeymoon islands were a "cowardly" attempt by the ruling party to delay next month's presidential elections. Defence Minister Adam Shareef Umar, a loyalist to President Abdulla Yameen, said police and defence forces had been placed on alert following an unspecified threat to national security. No further details have been provided of the alleged plot. But the Maldives opposition seized on the remarks, suggesting the strongman president who has ruled with an iron fist since 2013 was generating fear to justify delaying September's poll. "President Yameen is running scared from an election he knows he can't win," Hamid Abdul Ghafoor, a spokesman for the Maldivian Democratic Party, said from the opposition base in Colombo. "This is why he's inventing cowardly excuses to cancel or delay the election." The archipelago nation has been on edge since Yameen -- who has jailed or exiled almost all his opponents -- imposed a 45-day state of emergency in February and arrested top judges accusing them of fomenting a coup against him. The president has also not officially registered his intention to run again for office, raising further suspicions. He has until August 10 to file his nomination papers. The opposition lost the last elections in 2013 in controversial circumstances. The Supreme Court annulled the results of the first round of voting when opposition candidate, and former president, Mohamed Nasheed was in the lead. The subsequent vote was then twice delayed, allowing Yameen time to forge alliances that helped him narrowly win the contested run-off. Nasheed, who was jailed in 2015 in what the UN described as a politically motivated trial, was disqualified from running in the election on September 23. He lives in exile. The opposition has fielded MDP's parliamentary leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as the candidate to challenge Yameen. Many other opposition figures are imprisoned or banished abroad but Solih and the MDP have vowed to clear the way for all political dissidents to return and participate in government if victorious in the election. The Supreme Court in February ordered that MPs sacked by the president be restored to power and dissidents freed from jail, sparking a crackdown by Yameen that plunged the islands into turmoil. The Maldives' chief justice and Supreme Court judges were arrested, along with Yameen's half-brother Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, a former dictator who ruled for 30 years until 2008. The US and European Union have expressed deep concern over Yameen's actions, and rights activists have called for sanctions on the president and his aides. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaks during a meeting with economists in Tehran on July 16, 2018 Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Monday that the leaders of the United States, Saudi Arabia and Israel were isolated in their hostility to Iran. "Today, the entire world has declared they are not in line with US policies against Iran," Zarif said in a speech, according to the semi-official ISNA news agency. "Talk to anyone, anywhere in the world and they will tell you that (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu, (US President Donald) Trump and (Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed) bin Salman are isolated, not Iran," he said. Zarif suggested it was hard to imagine negotiating with Trump after he had torn up the 2015 nuclear deal, on which Iran and world powers had spent the "longest hours in negotiating history". "Do you think this person (Trump) is a good and suitable person to negotiate with? Or is he just showing off?" Zarif said. Iran's leaders have been highly sceptical of Trump's offer to talk "any time" without preconditions. With US sanctions set to return against Iran on Tuesday, Zarif acknowledged there were difficult times ahead. "Of course, American bullying and political pressures may cause some disruption, but the fact is that in the current world, America is isolated." Saudi Arabia and Israel, Iran's key regional rivals, are among the only countries to strongly support the reimposition of US sanctions. The other parties to the 2015 nuclear agreement -- Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia -- say Iran was abiding by its commitments and have vowed to salvage the deal by ensuring economic benefits continue to flow to the country. Thousands of teenagers have been protesting in Bangladesh over poor road safety Bangladesh on Monday promised to introduce the death penalty for deliberate road deaths in a bid to quell more than a week of demonstrations calling for better road safety, as new student-led protests were met with tear gas and rubber bullets. Over the weekend scores of people were hurt as police fired tear gas and mobs apparently loyal to the government attacked demonstrators, photographers and even the US ambassador's car. The tens of thousands of teenage school pupils and university students who have paralysed the capital Dhaka and elsewhere for the past nine days -- and torched eight buses -- are pressing for better road safety after a speeding bus killed two teenagers on July 29. The latest clashes on Monday in the Rampura neighbourhood saw police use tear gas to dispel hundreds of students from a private university, local police chief Rafiqul Islam told AFP. "They tried to set ablaze a police camp. We fired tear gas to disperse them," he said, adding four police officers were injured. Students told AFP that police fired rubber bullets at protesters in Bashundhara neighbourhood, which is home to two private universities, and that members of the student wing of the ruling Awami League party attacked the protesters with sticks and bricks. "The situation is very bad. We have carried at least three students to the nearby Apollo Hospital," one student, Z. Mallick, told AFP. At least 40 people were injured during the clashes at Bashundhara, reported local English-language newspaper Daily Star. The lengthy standoff, attracting foreign media interest and criticism from the UN and rights groups, has turned into a major test of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government ahead of December elections. On Monday the law and justice minister Anisul Huq told AFP the cabinet has approved a new law allowing for the death penalty "if an investigation finds that the death in a road accident has been caused deliberately". - Scores injured - The protests took a violent turn in Dhaka on Saturday, with more than 100 people hurt as police fired rubber bullets at demonstrators, according to students and doctors who treated the injured. The authorities have shut down mobile internet services across swathes of the country and Hasina urged students to go home, but to no avail. A car carrying US ambassador Marcia Bernicat was on Saturday attacked by armed adult men, but she escaped unscathed, the embassy said. On Sunday dozens of protesters were attacked by people alleged to be ruling party activists, some armed with machetes, leaving scores injured including half a dozen photographers. The US embassy said separately that while it did not condone "senseless property destruction... nothing can justify the brutal attacks and violence over the weekend against the thousands of young people who have been peacefully exercising their democratic rights in supporting a safer Bangladesh." - Photographer detained - Rights group Amnesty International called on the government to stop its "violent crackdown" on "overwhelmingly peaceful student protestors". It also called for the immediate release of Shahidul Alam, 63, a renowned Bangladeshi photographer who was detained on Sunday night after giving an interview to Al Jazeera about the protests. "We are interrogating him for giving false information to different media and for provocative comments," police official Moshiur Rahman told AFP. Alam said he was beaten in custody. "(They) washed my bloodstained punjabi (tunic) and made me wear it again," he said as he was taken into a Dhaka court. According to his colleague Abir Abdullah, Alam, whose photos have appeared widely in Western media, was taken away from his Dhaka home by at least 20 plainclothes police. Alam is the founder and managing director of the Drik Gallery and the creator of the Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, a photography school in the capital Dhaka that has spawned hundreds of photographers. In recent days, Alam shot images of the demonstrations by tens of thousands of teenagers in Dhaka and beyond, and discussed the protests on Facebook Live. Kim Hyo-joon, head of BMW's Korea unit, apologised at a press conference in Seoul German automaker BMW apologised Monday for a spate of engine fires in South Korea that angered consumers and sparked a government investigation into an alleged delay in recalling more than 100,000 cars. More than 30 BMW cars -- mostly the 520d sedan model -- have caught fire this year in South Korea, forcing the firm to issue a recall last month to fix a faulty component that was aimed at reducing emissions from diesel engines. "We offer our sincere apology with our heads down for causing concern and anxiety among customers, the public and the government due to recent fire accidents," said Kim Hyo-joon, head of BMW's Korea unit. "We also offer a sincere apology... to customers who suffered the latest fire accidents," he said at a press conference in Seoul before bowing his head deeply in front of TV cameras. The comment came hours after Seoul's transport ministry issued a "grave call" for the beleaguered carmaker to respond to the latest scandal in a "more responsible manner". The ministry also vowed last week to launch a state probe into the German titan's response to the incidents, warning of "stern measures" if any problems were found. BMW blamed a faulty component called the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler that generated excessive sediment and caused engines to catch fire, and said the problem was "not Korea specific". "A similar rate (of failure) was observed in other jurisdictions," said Johann Ebenbichler, vice president of BMW for quality, without listing other countries where such accidents had been reported. The carmaker had also used the same software and hardware for its vehicles sold in Europe, he said, adding that the firm had decided to undertake the "same campaigns" there as in South Korea. The recall in the South, which applies to 42 models using diesel engines, is scheduled to begin on August 20. Images of BMW vehicles bursting into flames have made headlines in the South recently, with some parking lots refusing to accept the cars due to fears they would catch fire. The firm is being sued by 17 BMW owners for damages said Ha Jong-seon, a lawyer representing them, adding that dozens of other owners were set to start legal action soon. In South Korea, six out of 10 imported cars are from Germany. BMW sold nearly 39,000 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce cars in the first six months of this year, according to the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association. Attacks in anglophone western Cameroon have become more brazen in recent months. In July, vehicles in the bus terminal in Buea, a regional capital, were torched Five police have been killed in fresh violence in western Cameroon, where English-speaking separatists have declared an independent state, security sources and witnesses said on Monday. Four gendarmes were killed in Esu, a village near the town of Wum in Northwest Region, when their unit came under attack on Sunday, a source close to the regional security services said. "The attack happened in the morning -- they were new recruits who were caught off-guard," the source said, adding that there also were wounded. The inhabitants of Esu fled after the attack, one of them said. "Many people were so afraid that they went off into the bush -- others are trying to get to Bamenda," the capital of Northwest Region, the source said. In neighbouring Southwest Region, a police officer named Ekah Njume was killed on Sunday at his home in Mutengene, near the capital Buea, by unidentified assailants, witnesses and local press reports said on Monday. The two regions are predominantly home to English-speakers, a minority comprising about a fifth of the 22 million people in Cameroon, a largely French-speaking West African state. Years of resentment among anglophones at perceived discrimination fuelled demands in 2016 for a return to the country's federal structure. President Paul Biya, 85, took a hard line, ruling out any concessions. As the situation polarised, anglophone militants last October 1 made a symbolic declaration of independence that met with a government crackdown. Since then, the two regions have been hit by almost daily acts of violence and retribution. Scores of police and troops have been killed, as well as more than 100 civilians, according to a government report in July. According to UN data, the violence has caused more than 21,000 people to flee to neighbouring countries, while 160,000 have been internally displaced, with many reportedly hiding in forests. Cameroon's large English-speaking minority is a legacy of the colonial period. The former German colony was divided between Britain and France after World War I. In 1960, the French colony gained independence, becoming Cameroon. The following year, the British-ruled Southern Cameroons were amalgamated into it, giving rise to the Northwest and Southwest regions. Taiwan is seeking to ramp up spending on its armed forced as relations with China deteriorate Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen said Monday she is seeking to ramp up spending on the armed forces, as relations with China deteriorate. Her proposal to increase the 2019 defence budget by 5.6 percent to Tw$346 billion ($11.3 billion) will go before parliament following the summer recess. Beijing sees democratic self-ruling Taiwan as part of its territory to be brought back into its fold, by force if necessary. China has stepped up pressure on Taiwan since Tsai came to power two years ago, as her government refuses to acknowledge the island is part of "one China". It has staged a string of air and naval exercises, including a live-fire drill in the Taiwan Strait in April, which Chinese officials said were aimed at Taiwan's "independence forces". "There have been many changes in international and regional situations and our national security is faced with more obvious and complicated threats," Tsai said Monday as she attended a naval ceremony and announced the defence spending plan. Up Tw$18.3 billion from the previous year, it would account for 2.16 percent of the GDP. The 2018 defence budget was only up 1.9 percent on the year before, at Tw$327.7 billion. Around a fifth of the 2019 budget would be spent on "defence self-sufficiency" projects, Tsai said. Taiwan wants to beef up its homegrown defence systems, particularly its submarines. The United States government this year approved a licence required to sell submarine technology to Taiwan, part of warming relations between the two sides. Although the US does not have official diplomatic relations with Taipei after switching recognition to Beijing in 1979, it remains Taiwan's most powerful ally and arms supplier. A long-stalled offer approved by then US president George W Bush in 2001 to supply eight conventional submarines has never come to fruition. Last year, Taiwan also announced its bid to create a new generation of locally built jet trainers by 2026. A police officer speaks with a petitioner (C) as security personnel (R) look on opposite China's Banking Regulatory Commission in Beijing Hundreds of police patrolled the streets of Beijing's financial district Monday as Chinese authorities thwarted a planned protest against money lost in risky peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms and a lack of government help. Protesters told AFP they had come from every corner of China in hopes that by gathering en masse the government would recognise their grievances and take action. Possibly over 8,000 people were expected to gather at the Beijing protest, one petitioner said. But instead a massive police dragnet rounded people up and took them away in buses. "All these platforms have failed and hundreds of millions lost, yet the government still doesn't regulate anything," said a man in his 30s who had lost 110,000 yuan ($16,000) in a P2P platform called "Prosperous Pig". Petitioners were marched on to public buses that lined the roads around the China Banking Regulatory Commission, where the protest was to occur, and driven away under police escort "I knew my investment was a risk, but to end up without a cent isn't mere risk, it's fraud -- and the government hasn't dealt with it. In China, we're the best at passing the buck." Ads for P2P services were "simply everywhere" -- on his phone, in movie theatres -- once the government began encouraging internet finance as a way to boost the economy. So he invested, but in mid-July, his money disappeared. He went to the platform's Shanghai headquarters but its office was deserted. After repeated, ignored appeals in Shanghai and his native Shaanxi province, he was now trying his luck in Beijing. Authorities in Shanghai had already prevented a protest there. "Every word we send or say by phone is data they use to control and track us," he said bitterly, minutes before nearly 100 police showed up and he was taken away. - 'Problematic platforms' - China's P2P industry, worth some $195 billion according to Bloomberg News, is the world's largest but is highly risky and unregulated. The number of failed Chinese P2P firms has soared in recent years, from just 93 in 2013 to 4,334 as of this June, Bloomberg cited Shanghai-based P2P consultancy the Yingcan Group as saying. In July alone 164 firms were identified as "problematic platforms" from which investors could no longer withdraw their funds, according to P2P database Wangdaizhijia. An employee surnamed Li at the Westin hotel adjacent to the site told AFP all hotels and businesses in the area had to report petitioners and refuse them entry. "If we check someones ID and find theyre a petitioner, we wont let them stay -- for the sake of our customers safety. Who knows what kind of emotional state they'd be in, and whether theyd make a scene," he said. - 'Black jail' - One middle-aged man, who had lost 200,000 yuan ($29,000), travelled all night to reach Beijing, standing upright for the 10-hour train journey as all seats were booked. "We just want the government to pay attention to this situation, to check the flow of funds and see if there is corruption. This is our purpose," he explained. He wasn't particularly optimistic that his trip would yield any outcomes but said he had to try, even though he was due back at work the very next day. "It's good that the police are here, because it means the highest level authorities are paying attention to this issue, which is our goal," he told AFP. "I'm not afraid of being arrested because it just won't happen. This is a society ruled by law, and I didn't break the law." Two officers came to tell him that they had vehicles waiting to take him to a central location where petitioners against all P2P firms had congregated, to facilitate a meeting with authorities. "We're not here to snatch you, relax! There are so many people who've come -- what could happen? Beijing police aren't randomly violent," said one, smiling. But the two soon returned with a battalion of officers who checked the IDs of everyone in the public park before leading him and some 20 other petitioners away. They were marched onto a public bus, which drove them away under police escort. More than 120 such buses lined the roads around the China Banking Regulatory Commission, where the protest was to occur. A man in plainclothes sealed the windows of one vehicle shut with clear tape before it drove off. The regulatory commission did not respond to faxed requests for comment. A policeman told AFP protesters would be taken to a neighbourhood on the outskirts of Beijing, where China maintains what rights activists describe as "black jails". Petitioners are typically held there until minders escort them back to their hometowns. "Cases sent there are essentially sent into a black hole -- people never get any results and end up like characters in 'Waiting for Godot'," explained Patrick Poon, China researcher for Amnesty International. Syrian children play as a woman hangs her washing in the narrow alleys of a refugee camp in Lebanon, one of several countries that has taken some of the millions of Syrians who have fled their country's seven-year-war Syria's government is to set up a committee to coordinate repatriating millions of its nationals who fled the country's seven-year conflict, state media has said. The cabinet on Sunday "agreed to create a coordination body for the return of those displaced abroad to their cities and villages," state news agency SANA reported. The conflict has displaced more than five million Syrians outside the country, the United Nations says, with more than half displaced to Turkey and most of the rest split between Lebanon and Jordan. The committee "will take the necessary measures to settle the status of all those who were displaced and secure their return as security and basic services return to different regions", SANA said on Sunday. It will take steps towards "ensuring they can lead normal lives and practice their jobs as before the war" which broke out in 2011, it added. The coordination body is to "intensify contact with friendly countries to provide all facilitations and take suitable steps towards their return", SANA said. President Bashar al-Assad's regime has ousted rebels and jihadists from large parts of Syria since 2015 when its ally Russia launched a military intervention in the country. But much of Syria lies in ruins, the economy is shattered, and many male refugees voice fear of being drafted into the regime's armed forces. Last month, Russia presented the United States with plans for the coordinated return of refugees to Syria. The proposal includes the establishment of working groups in both Lebanon and Jordan, involving US and Russian officials. Also in July, Russia's chief Syria negotiator Alexander Lavrentiev visited Damascus, Amman and Beirut. According to the Syrian presidency, Assad told Lavrentiev that "Syria is bent on all its children returning". In comments to the Russian media, Assad appealed for Syrian refugees -- especially those who had their own businesses in the country -- to return. Countries hosting Syrians, including Turkey and Lebanon, have ramped up demands in recent months for refugees to return to safe areas in their homeland. Over the same period, hundreds of Syrians have left Lebanon in organised returns, coordinated between authorities in Beirut and Damascus. Several thousand have also independently returned home in recent years. On Monday, Lebanon's General Security agency announced it had opened 17 centres across the country that would receive applications for Syrians who want to travel back home. The statement said Syrians in Lebanon could call hotlines and "regularise" their status with authorities in case of outstanding legal or security problems. It did not provide details on what was needed for applications or under what circumstances they might be rejected. The agency insisted that returns were voluntary. Human rights groups have warned that Syrians returning to their homeland should do so voluntarily and with full knowledge of the risks. Supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party protest in the streets of Harare against alleged widespread fraud by the election authority and ruling party after the announcement of election results on August 1, 2018 Twenty-seven members of Zimbabwe's MDC opposition appeared in court Monday on violence charges after post-election protests that triggered a security crackdown. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, declared winner of the historic first elections since the downfall of Robert Mugabe, has vowed to protect rights since his re-election but the opposition say their members have been targeted. Police with assault rifles were on duty in the court precinct, with a truck of other officers stationed outside. Prosectors opposed bail, saying the accused -- 19 men and eight women -- were "linked" to the deaths of six people when the army opened fire on opposition supporters protesting against alleged election fraud. "There's more than a likelihood that they will reoffend, they will intimidate witnesses, they will interfere with evidence and they will not attend trial," said prosecutor Michael Reza. "These are people with unfinished work business outside. The deaths of six people... are directly linked to the accused." MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has attacked the election results as fraudulent Defence lawyers said that among the accused was a man who had been coming out of court after another case. Five other suspects were polling agents who had been visiting MDC headquarters to hand in polling returns and collect travel expenses, they sadded. Six people died after troops in the capital Harare opened fire on demonstrators Wednesday, sparking an international outcry and raising grim memories of post-election repression under Mugabe. Mnangagwa has accused the MDC -- the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) -- of fomenting the unrest, but also said he would set up an independent commission to investigate the killings. ABC/Randy HolmesImagine Dragons' concert in Houston on Saturday began with a scary moment but ended up being a unique experience for fans. According to the Houston Chronicle, frontman Dan Reynolds was unable to sing due to some sort of illness, so he asked the fans to sing for him. In between the songs, Reynolds explained the stories behind each track. "Houston I'm so sorry for tonight," Reynolds tweeted Saturday. "I thought I could sing through the sickness but I could not. And you sang for me. Thank you [with] all my heart." With a concert scheduled in New Orleans on Sunday, Reynolds visited a doctor, who told him that one of his vocal cords wasn't moving for an "unknown reason." "I literally thought my career was over," Reynolds tweeted. "[The doctor] said it could be stress related but didn't know." Nevertheless, Reynolds decided to give the New Orleans show a go, and was greeted with a very welcome surprise. "My vocal cord vibrated & I could sing again and I feel so happy I could cry forever," he wrote. Imagine Dragons' tour will continue Tuesday, August 7 in Orange Beach, Alabama. The band is touring behind their new album Evolve, which features the singles "Believer," "Thunder" and "Whatever It Takes." Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. One of the excuses used by the US to start the tariff conflict with China is that China violated laws governing intellectual property rights (IPR) and "stole" IP from the West. This false accusation was intended to damage China's image and reputation. More seriously, this lie confused and distorted the facts on who is the IP thief and who has stolen technologies from all over the world. The truth must be clarified through legal procedures so China has a chance to restore its reputation. There is a saying that a lie travels around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. This is exactly the case when it comes to the US blaming China of stealing IP from the West. Those who have a basic knowledge of world economic development know that China had many innovations in history that helped the world, including Western nations, hundreds of years ago. We still remember the invaders from Western countries who came to China and stole Chinese technologies for their home countries. For instance, the techniques and knowhow of China's textile and craft industries were stolen and copied by Western companies without any payment. China in the past took the view that advanced technology belongs to and should benefit everyone. But the US, after having taken techniques from the UK, established laws to protect these stolen techniques as its own. Looking back in history, China is the real victim of IP theft. The US has tried to label China's exports as a form of economic aggression to cover up another brutal fact: the West is trying to use IP aggression to attack developing countries. The most precious human value is conscience. But unfortunately some politicians in Western countries lack that. When they talk about or look at the great progress of China, they appear narrow-minded. For example, the US used to claim China was a currency manipulator, no matter whether the US dollar depreciated or appreciated against the yuan. Whenever the US has economic problems, it blames China instead of its own policy mistakes and wrongdoings. China made every effort to maintain the value of the yuan at a stable level during the crises such as global financial crisis in 2008 to help calm the markets. If China had intentionally depreciated its currency during the crisis, the US economy could have taken another decade to recover. It was because of China's monetary policy that the global economy didn't suffer a worse setback. The US has "framed" China with the term of economic aggression with no evidence. There is something such as economic aggression, but it is not coming from China. It has originated in and been spread by the US. We still remember how Coca-Cola invaded the world market. It's borne in mind how the US has used cultural aggression in most countries of the world via Hollywood. Nobody can deny that the US is the largest source of economic and cultural aggression in the world. Now China has to stay vigilant against a new type of aggression - IP aggression from Western countries. IP should be a good tool for Western nations to help and support the global economy, but unfortunately some Western countries are trying to use IP as a weapon to "enslave" developing countries. Some have even tried to control emerging economies with it. This is an absolute betrayal of the purpose of technological advancement. Technology serves human beings. It should not be a weapon to control or stifle other nations' development. We are facing a serious problem: Developed nations have dominated IP and its advantages, and developing countries are enslaved by them forever. This is the fundamental reason that developing countries have a limited voice in world affairs and are always left behind by advanced economies. The worst part is that even when China and other developing countries produce their own IP, they are still labeled by some Western nations as thieves. This is the logic of robbers. China has produced all kinds of items for the world. Nobody has the right to call international trade "economic aggression." Otherwise, global trade would become global aggression, which is total nonsense. The US should stop politicizing trade and stop stigmatizing and discriminating against China and other developing countries. The author is a senior fellow with the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China. The experience is often hugely emotional for participants, who are given just three days to make up for decades of time apart The two Koreas have finalised a list of families separated by the Korean War whose members will be briefly reunited this month after decades of separation, Seoul said Monday. The two nations agreed in June to resume the reunions of families torn apart by the 1950-53 war, after a landmark meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the South's President Moon Jae-in in April. A total of 93 people from the South will travel to the North's Mount Kumgang resort to meet their relatives, while 88 citizens of the North will meet their southern kin in a separate reunion at the resort, Seoul's unification ministry said. The reunions will be held from August 20-26, with those in their 80s accounting for more than half of the participants, according to the ministry. It will be the first such reunion for three years. Millions of people were separated from family members during the conflict that sealed the division of the two Koreas, which technically remain at war. Most died without the chance to see or hear from their relatives on the other side of the border, across which all civilian communication is banned. Officials from both countries last month exchanged a preliminary list of those hoping to see their family members, before carrying out checks to see whether relatives across the border were still alive. There are only about 57,000 people still alive who are registered with the South Korean Red Cross to meet their separated relatives. Many of those yearning for a reunion die before succeeding. For the lucky few chosen to take part, the experience is often hugely emotional. They have just three days to make up for decades apart, followed by another separation -- in all likelihood a permanent one. The reunion programme began in earnest after a historic inter-Korean summit in 2000 and the reunions were initially held annually, but strained cross-border relations have made them rare. However a rapprochement on the Korean peninsula was triggered earlier this year when Kim decided to send athletes, cheerleaders and his sister as an envoy to the Winter Olympics in the South in February. Diplomatic efforts have gathered pace since then, leading to a summit between Kim and US President Donald Trump in Singapore in June. Frenchman Lahcen Gueboudj, 58, and a German woman whose name was given only as Nadia were sentenced separately at the Baghdad central criminal court (or CCCI), according to an AFP journalist An Iraqi court on Monday sentenced a French man and a German woman to life in prison in the latest punishments handed down for belonging to the Islamic State jihadist group. Frenchman Lahcen Gueboudj, 58, and a German woman whose name was given only as Nadia were sentenced separately at the Baghdad central criminal court, according to an AFP journalist. Nadia's mother, a German woman of Moroccan origin, was sentenced to death in January for IS membership but the sentence was later commuted to life, which in Iraq is equivalent to 20 years. The mother and daughter were arrested in July 2017 in Mosul, the jihadists' former de-facto capital in Iraq where the government declared victory over IS in December last year. Wearing a black abaya in court, Nadia said she travelled from Syria to Iraq "to run away from the people of IS". Speaking in German with a few Arabic words, she said she travelled to Syria from Turkey with her mother, her daughter Yamana and her mentally disabled sister who was killed in a bombardment. Nadia's lawyer stressed that she was a minor at the time and that her marriage to an IS jihadist in Syria was "not a decision taken by an adult in full conscience". The French defendant, meanwhile, refuted statements made during his interrogations. "I signed confessions in Arabic without knowing what was written," said Gueboudj, with short grey hair and stubble, wearing a brown prison uniform. "I would never have left France, if my eldest son Nabil, 25-years-old, hadn't gone to Syria," he said in French. "I wanted to convince him to return with us to France," added Gueboudj. The French citizen had travelled with his wife and children to Turkey before entering Syria, and later being arrested in Iraq. Saudi activist Samar Badawi (C) with Hillary Clinton (R), then US Secretary of State, and Michelle Obama in Washington, DC on March 8, 2012 Canada said Monday it is "seriously concerned" after Saudi Arabia announced it is expelling Ottawa's ambassador and recalling its own envoy in protest over "interference" in its internal affairs. The shock Saudi move, announced by the foreign ministry on Twitter, came in response to Ottawa's vigorous demands that jailed human rights activists be released. "We are seriously concerned by these media reports and are seeking greater clarity on the recent statement from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," said Marie-Pier Baril, a Canadian foreign ministry spokeswoman. "Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, very much including women's rights, and freedom of expression around the world. Our government will never hesitate to promote these values and believes that this dialogue is critical to international diplomacy." The kingdom earlier said it had declared Canadian Ambassador Denis Horak persona non grata and given him 24 hours to leave the country, and that it was recalling its ambassador from Ottawa for consultations. The ministry also announced "the freezing of all new trade and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action." "The Canadian position is an overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the Saudi foreign ministry tweeted. Canada last week said it was "gravely concerned" over a new wave of arrests of women and human rights campaigners in the kingdom, including award-winning gender rights activist Samar Badawi. "We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists," the foreign ministry tweeted on Friday. Hackers broke into a government database and stole the health records of 1.5 million Singaporeans, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong The biggest ever cyber attack to hit Singapore was carried out by highly sophisticated hackers typically linked to foreign governments, a cabinet minister said Monday, but did not give names. Hackers broke into a government database and stole the health records of 1.5 million Singaporeans, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong who was specifically targeted in the "unprecedented" hack, the government has said. "We have done a detailed analysis of this attack and have determined that it is the work of an advanced persistent threat (APT) group," Minister for Communications and Information S. Iswaran said Monday. "This refers to a class of sophisticated cyber attackers typically state-linked who conduct extended, carefully planned cyber campaigns to steal information or disrupt operations," he told parliament, which discussed the issue. Iswaran said the APT group "was persistent in its efforts to penetrate and anchor itself on the network, bypass the security measures and illegally access and exfiltrate data". While the attack fitted the profile of "certain known APT groups", Iswaran said he would not publicly give any names for reasons of national security. Hackers used a computer infected with malware to gain access to the database between June 27 and July 4 before administrators spotted "unusual activity", authorities have said. The compromised data includes personal information and medication dispensed to patients, but medical records and clinical notes have not been affected, according to the authorities. Security experts had also earlier pointed to state-actors as the likely culprit, citing the scale and sophistication of the hack. Healthcare data is of particular interest to hackers because it can be used to blackmail people in positions of power, Jeff Middleton, chief executive of cybersecurity consultancy Lantium, told AFP last month. Medical information, like personal data, can also be easily monetised on criminal forums, said Sanjay Aurora, Asia Pacific managing director of Darktrace, a cyber security firm. Iswaran, who is also the minister in charge of cyber security, has convened a committee of inquiry to look into the hack. "We will do our utmost to strengthen our cyber security. But it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of another cyber attack," he said. "This is an ongoing battle with potential cyber attackers who are constantly developing their capabilities and seeking out new vulnerabilities." Iswaran said the attack will not derail the affluent and highly-wired city-state's ambitions to become a "smart nation" through the extensive use of technology in daily activities and transactions. Ensaf Haidar, the wife of jailed Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi, holds a vigil in Canada's Montreal in January 2015, urging Saudi Arabia to free her husband, days after he received 50 lashes for "insulting Islam" Saudi Arabia has suspended scholarships to Canada and will relocate students already there, state media said Monday, after the kingdom abruptly cut ties with Ottawa over criticism of its jailing of rights activists. Riyadh, which suspended diplomatic relations with Canada on Monday, will "stop training, scholarship and fellowship programs" there, state-run Al-Ekhbariya television reported. Plans to relocate 7,000 students and their families in Canada to other countries, primarily the United States and Britain, were already underway, education ministry official Jassem al-Harbash said. The kingdom early Monday gave Canada's envoy Dennis Horak 24 hours to leave the country, in an abrupt rupture of relations over what Riyadh slammed as "interference" in its internal affairs. The decision came after Canada demanded the immediate release of human rights activists detained in a new crackdown, including the sister of jailed blogger Raif Badawi. Badawi's wife and children currently live in Canada. Ottawa said it was "seriously concerned" and was seeking "greater clarity" on Riyadh's move, announced on Twitter by the Saudi foreign ministry. More than 7,000 students from Saudi Arabia are enrolled in university programmes in Canada, according to Harbash, head of the education ministry's scholarship programme. These students, 2,000 of whom are enrolled in graduate or medical school, are accompanied by more than 5,000 dependents. "The US and UK will get the lion's share, given their size and the education opportunities there, and we've begun coordinating with the missions there", Harbash told Al Ekhbariya TV. Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Singapore are also on the list of potential destination countries, Harbash said. US President Donald Trump Trump warned that businesses and individuals that continue to work with Iran risk "severe" consequences US President Donald Trump said Monday he remains open to forging a new nuclear deal with Iran, as he confirmed Washington will go ahead with reimposing sanctions against Tehran. Despite pleas from other parties to the agreement, Trump pulled the US out of the deal in May, claiming the Iranian regime was cheating on its commitments and funding "malign" activities around the region. "I remain open to reaching a more comprehensive deal that addresses the full range of the regime's malign activities, including its ballistic missile program and its support for terrorism," Trump said in a statement. A first phase of US sanctions against Iran goes into effect overnight, targeting Iran's access to US banknotes and key industries including cars and carpets. The second phase, which takes effect November 5 and will block Iran's oil sales, is due to cause more damage, though several countries including China, India and Turkey have indicated they are not willing to entirely cut their Iranian energy purchases. Trump called the multilateral Iran accord a "horrible, one-sided deal." It "failed to achieve the fundamental objective of blocking all paths to an Iranian nuclear bomb, and it threw a lifeline of cash to a murderous dictatorship that has continued to spread bloodshed, violence and chaos," he said. After months of fierce rhetoric, Trump surprised observers last week when he offered to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani without preconditions. But Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif suggested it was hard to imagine negotiating with the man who tore up an agreement on which Iran and world powers had spent the "longest hours in negotiating history." Trump warned that businesses and individuals that continue to work with Tehran risk "severe" consequences. "We urge all nations to take such steps to make clear that the Iranian regime faces a choice: either change its threatening, destabilizing behavior and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation," he said. Alex Jones (L), of Infowars, and Roger Stone, a former Donald Trump advisor, debate with Jonathan Alter during an episode of Alter Family Politics during the 2016 election campaign -- Facebook has removed several of Jones' online pages from its platform, accusing him of "glorifying violence." Internet giants launched an offensive Monday against far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who is now banned from Apple, Facebook, Spotify and YouTube. The move, described by Jones as a "coordinated communist-style crackdown," came after months of criticism against Facebook, Twitter and YouTube calling for them to do more to combat disinformation and hate discourse. Jones, whose site InfoWars has accused victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting of being "actors" in a plot to discredit the gun lobby, violated Facebook's hate speech policies, the social network said. Facebook said the pages were taken down for "glorifying violence, which violates our graphic violence policy, and using dehumanizing language to describe people who are transgender, Muslims and immigrants, which violates our hate speech policies." Gunman Adam Lanza killed 26 people, including 20 children, when he launched his rampage in the Connecticut school. Jones has repeatedly claimed the massacre was a hoax and that the parents of the murdered first graders were actors, an accusation that has sparked death threats against some of the bereaved mothers and fathers. Several of the families have sued the 44-year-old Texan, accusing him of using their suffering to expand his audience. Jones has counter-sued, demanding in turn that they pay his court expenses. Among the conspiracy theories Jones has peddled are charges that the US government was behind numerous terrorist attacks, including the September 11, 2001 strikes on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Several days ago, Facebook removed four videos Jones posted that the group said violated its policy on hate speech. Jones responded by posting more content on other pages, prompting the social media giant to suspend his four main pages. Facebook stressed that it was the violent language used by Jones, rather than his conspiracy theories, that prompted the move. Spotify, the streaming music online service, had already removed a number of Jones's podcasts last week, accusing them of breaking its own hate-speech rules. On Monday, the Swedish company went a step further and banned his program altogether. Apple removed most of Jones's podcasts, AFP confirmed, after the action was initially reported by Buzzfeed. "Apple does not tolerate hate speech, and we have clear guidelines that creators and developers must follow to ensure we provide a safe environment for all of our users," an Apple spokesman told Buzzfeed. In late July, YouTube took down videos posted by Jones and suspended him for 90 days. After Jones sought to skip the suspension by broadcasting live on other YouTube channels, the online video platform said it closed down all of his affiliated channels. His main YouTube channel counted some 2.4 million subscribers. Pinterest also removed the InfoWars account. Twitter has so far held out on taking punitive action against Jones, saying his account and that of InfoWars did not violate the microblogging service's rules. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment. "Last night's purge was a coordinated effort and had nothing to do with enforcing hate speech rule," Jones said on his talkshow. Several ultra-conservative websites showed support for Jones, publicly backing his claim that he was a victim of a plot by Big Tech companies. "Are tech giants working together to censor conservatives"? asked Gateway Pundit. A Breitbart headline read: "CNN, Democrats successfully lobby big tech to censor their critics." An Iraqi woman shows her ink-stained finger at a polling station in the holy city of Karbala on May 12, 2018, as the country votes in parliamentary elections The United Nations on Monday hailed Iraq's "credible" vote recount, which paves the way for a government to be formed nearly three months after polls. Iraq's May 12 parliamentary elections were marred by allegations of fraud, prompting the country's supreme court to order a partial manual recount. As an official announced the checks had concluded, the UN said it had observed the recount and found it to be "conducted in a manner that is credible, professional and transparent". "We are very pleased that it's been concluded and we look forward to the next steps in this process towards the formation of the new government," said a statement by Alice Walpole, a UN envoy to Iraq. Iraqi officials have not specified when the results will be announced, after which lawmakers will take their seats in parliament, elect a president and begin the process for forming a government. Judge Laith Hamza, spokesman for the electoral commission, said Monday the recount "in all polling stations in Iraq and abroad where complaints were registered has ended". The commission decided not to undertake such checks for Al-Russafa, one of the largest voting districts in eastern Baghdad, where a fire in June ripped through Iraq's biggest ballot warehouse. In the arson attack "882 ballot boxes entirely went up in smoke", Hamza said in a statement, despite authorities at the time suggesting the votes were saved. Three police officers and an electoral commission employee were arrested over the blaze. "The official results will be announced shortly," said Imad Jamil, responsible for the vote in Al-Russafa. The recount will not however change the balance of power in the new parliament. Each list should keep the same number of seats announced in May, but the lawmakers elected could be modified, according to experts. When results were initially announced in May, the anti-graft alliance of nationalist cleric Moqtada Sadr had won the largest number of seats. The election saw a record low turnout of 44.5 percent, with many Iraqis disillusioned by the political class. Iraq has seen a month of unrest since protests erupted in the south of the country and spread to Baghdad, with demonstrators rallying against a lack of public services and jobs. Burundi been wracked by a political crisis since 2015 At least three Burundian soldiers were killed and five others injured in an attack outside of the capital Bujumbura at the weekend, police and media sources said Monday. According to SOS Medias Burundi, a collective of independent journalists, an army truck was ambushed on Sunday night in the town of Gihanga, 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the capital. "A truck with about a dozen soldiers on board was ambushed by an unidentified armed group while on their way to an army position in Rukoko," a police source confirmed on condition of anonymity. "Three soldiers were killed on the spot and five others were injured, three of them seriously." The region lies alongside a swampy area bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Hutu National Forces of Liberation rebels are known to be active. Burundi been wracked by a political crisis since 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza ran for a controversial third term and won a disputed election. Reports Facebrook has asked banks to provide information about users' financial tranactions has raised eyebrows given the social network's track record on sharing private information Facebook has asked major US banks to share customer data to allow it to develop new services on the social network's Messenger texting platform, a banking source told AFP on Monday. Facebook had discussions with Chase, JPMorgan, Citibank, and Wells Fargo several months ago, said the source, who asked to remain anonymous. The Silicon Valley-based social network also contacted US Bancorp, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news. Facebook, which has come under intense criticism for sharing user data with many app developers, was interested in information including bank card transactions, checking account balances, and where purchases were made, according to the source. Facebook confirmed the effort in a statement to AFP, but said that it is not asking financial institutions for transaction data. "Like many online companies with commerce businesses, we partner with banks and credit card companies to offer services like customer chat or account management," Facebook said. The goal was to create new ways for Messenger to be woven into, and facilitate, interactions between banks and customers, according to the reports. The smartphone texting service boasts 1.3 billion users. "The idea is that messaging with a bank can be better than waiting on hold over the phone -- and it's completely opt-in," the statement said. JPMorgan Chase spokeswoman Patricia Wexler directed AFP to a statement given to the Wall Street Journal saying, "We don't share our customers' off-platform transaction data with these platforms and have had to say 'No' to some things as a result." Citigroup did not immediately respond to AFP's requests for comment, while Wells Fargo declined to address the news. - Privacy worries - Messenger can be used by businesses to help people keep track of account information such as balances, receipts, or shipping dates, according to the social network. "We're not using this information beyond enabling these types of experiences -- not for advertising or anything else," Facebook explained in its statement. "A critical part of these partnerships is keeping people's information safe and secure." But word Facebook is fishing for financial information comes amid concerns it has not vigilantly guarded private information. Facebook acknowledged last month that it was facing multiple inquiries from US and British regulators about a scandal involving the British consultancy Cambridge Analytica. In Facebook's worst ever public relations disaster, it admitted that up to 87 million users may have had their data hijacked by Cambridge Analytica, which was working for US President Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in May he was rolling out privacy controls demanded by European regulators to Facebook users worldwide because "everyone cares about privacy." The social network is now looking at cooler growth following a years-long breakneck pace. Shares in Facebook plummeted last week, wiping out some $100 billion, after the firm missed quarterly revenue forecasts and warned growth would be far weaker than previously estimated. Shares in the social network have regain some ground, and were trading up 3.3 percent to $183.78 in afternoon trading on Monday. Larry Kudlow (File photo) US National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow threatened China not to underestimate the US President Donald Trumps resolve in a brewing trade battle between the worlds two largest economies after Beijing declared to impose additional tariffs on about $60 billion worth of products imported from the US. Kudlow claimed that the tariffs imposed by China on $60 billion worth of products are a weak response to the $200 billion by the US. The top trade adviser of Trump also made irresponsible remarks that Chinas economy and currency are weak, and people are leaving the country. By saying so, he means that China is not able to withstand the trade war while the US can take the consequences and keep escalating it. But he admitted at the same time that there is a lot China can do to damage US companies in China. Kudlows remarks can be right on economies such as Japan, and even South Korea and Mexico, but it seems that he has forgotten that China is the largest buyer of soybeans, the largest market of automobiles and communication products, and also the fastest-growing country of internet economy. The future and destiny of a number of big US enterprises and farmers depend on Chinese market. The imbalance shown by the figures of $200 billion and $60 billion cannot hide the mutual dependence between Chinese and US economies. What they suggested is Washingtons madness and Chinas calmness on the trade issue. The US is eager to solve it at one stroke, while China is prepared for a prolonged battle. Kudlow is nothing but a butt of a joke by comparing the 4.1 percent quarterly growth of the US to Chinas 6.8 percent rise in the first half of 2018. To get the temporary achievement, the Trump administration has drained its brain and done everything it could, and most of the scholars dont believe it can be sustained. The US is at an end of the periodic cycle of economic growth, while Chinas 6 plus percent rate is the minimum figure of its growth. The engine of Chinas economic growth is roaring thanks to the reform and opening up, and the huge market potential of the country is the most powerful fuel for the countrys, as well as the worlds economic growth. The time when Chinese economic growth relies on exportation is gradually coming to an end. Looking ahead, the dependence of the US economy on Chinese market will outrun the other way around, which is a trend that has been known to US elites, including Kudlow. The trade war will definitely bring troubles and suffering, and China may face a bigger pressure at the initial phase of it. But China has the confidence to take the first round of impacts from the US and enter a period of stalemate. At that time, the countrys powerful trade capabilities, institutional advantages and social cohesion will be released, which will form comprehensive strength to shock the US. Kudlows warning against China to not to underestimate Trumps determination should be changed into one against the US President and his team: do not underestimate the resolution of Chinese society to fight to the end of the US-initiated trade war. The Chinese dont want a trade war. But the groundless and ruthless requirements raised by the US against China suggested that what the US truly wants is to destroy Chinas economic sovereignty. The US wishes to damage Chinas momentum and control its economy just like it did to Japan through the Plaza Accord. The trade war is one through which the Chinese people protect their right to develop, and they do not fear sacrifices of some short-term interests in this regard. Fortunately, they are not the only one to shoulder sacrifices, because its impossible for the US to stay totally unaffected. The US will definitely take the same consequences. The US has for times smashed itself after initiating wars and confrontations against other countries out of its arrogance in history, and this time, it is facing a major country. What the US did, in the eyes of the outside world, was nothing more than the so-called art of trade and small tricks, but the White House is really thinking that it could strike down a giant like China. The US is being the most arrogant at the wrong time. China is patient enough to play with the Trump administration, and history is also patient to see what jokes the Trump administration can make. A woman walks past a banner of the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila, with a text reading "our candidate, Joseph Kabila Kabanga" on May 25, 2018 in Kinshasa ahead of December polls The African Union on Monday called for the "rights and freedoms of all Congolese" to be upheld, amid mounting tensions over the country's presidential race. Candidates must submit their applications to run in DR Congo's long-delayed election, due on December 23, by Wednesday evening. "At this crucial stage of the electoral process, the Chairperson of the Commission (Moussa Faki Mahamat) reiterates the need for all stakeholders... to ensure peaceful, transparent and truly inclusive elections are held," the AU said in a statement. "(Mahamat) calls on all political actors to act responsibly and in the best interests of their country, which must prevail over all other considerations." It was "crucial" that the rights and freedoms of all Congolese voters be respected and a "level electoral playing field" be ensured, it added. The statement was issued after opposition leader Moise Katumbi was blocked from returning home last week to file his bid. Katumbi, 53, a wealthy businessman and former governor of the province of Katanga, was barred from entering the DRC and charged with offences against state security, officials said. He has been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium since May 2016 after falling out with President Joseph Kabila. - Opposition lining up - On Monday, the influential Catholic Church called on authorities in Kinshasa to allow Katumbi in to the country in time to register as a candidate. "Such segregational treatment is not justified and can lead to unnecessary consequences that must be avoided," the Congolese Episcopal Conference (CENCO) said in a statement. "Such a refusal in many ways resembles a denial of identity, which no human society can tolerate." Another Kabila rival, former warlord and ex-vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba, 55, returned home last week. He officially launched his bid for the presidency on Thursday. On Monday, Vital Kamerhe, head of the Union for the Congolese Nation who came third in the 2011 election, said he had submitted his candidacy. Another opponent, Felix Tshisekedi, leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, will file his application Tuesday, his spokesman Peter Kazadi told AFP. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has never known a peaceful transition of power since it gained independence in 1960. Kabila, 47, has been at the helm since 2001, presiding over a vast mineral-rich country with a reputation for corruption, inequality and unrest. He was scheduled to stand down at the end of 2016 after his second elected term, technically the last permitted under the constitution. He has refused to spell out whether he will seek a new term or perhaps declare his support for a chosen successor. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta US President Donald Trump will meet with Kenyan leader Uhuru Kenyatta in Washington later this month to discuss security and trade, the White House announced Monday. "Kenya is a vital partner of the United States, and President Trump looks forward to discussing ways to broaden the strategic partnership based on our shared democratic values and mutual interests," the White House said in a statement. Kenyatta's visit is set for August 27. He would only be the third African leader to come to the White House under Trump, after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi visited last year and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari came in April. "President Trump and President Kenyatta will explore ways to bolster trade and investment between the two countries, while strengthening security cooperation," the statement read. Kenyatta won re-election last year in a drawn-out poll that divided the nation and left at least 92 dead, according to rights groups. Nurses working with the WHO administer the Ebola vaccine to a local doctor in Mbandaka, Democratic Republic of Congo on May 21, 2018 during the launch of the Ebola vaccination campaign there The health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo said Monday they would begin Ebola vaccinations later this week in the east of the country, where a new outbreak of the virus is believed to have killed 33 people. "Vaccination begins on Wednesday. The teams are on the ground to identify those who had contact with the confirmed cases, as well as those who had contact with those contacts," health ministry official, Bathe Ndjokolo, told AFP. "The vaccine stocks that are available in Kinshasa amount to 3,220 doses," the ministry said. Medical personnel handling the outbreak would also be vaccinated, it added. The outbreak in North Kivu in eastern DRC was declared a week after WHO and the Kinshasa government hailed the end of an Ebola flareup in northwestern Equateur province, which also killed 33 people. No new cases have been reported since Saturday. But as of then, the ministry said there were 43 reported cases and 33 deaths. Of these, 13 cases had been confirmed, three of whom had died. The North Kivu province is one of the most populated in the DR Congo with eight million inhabitants and it shares borders with Uganda and Rwanda. But handling the outbreak of the disease there is complicated by security concerns, since foreign and local armed groups are accused by the authorities and the UN's MONUSCO mission of perpetrating serious crimes against the civilian population in the region. Probable Ebola cases have also been reported in the neighbouring province of Ituri. One of the world's most feared diseases, Ebola is a virus-caused haemorrhagic fever that in extreme cases causes fatal bleeding from internal organs, the mouth, eyes or ears. It has a natural host in a species of tropical African fruit bats, from which it is believed to leap to humans who kill and butcher the animals for food. In the worst outbreak of Ebola, the disease struck the West African states of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in 2013-15, killing more than 11,300 people. People celebrate as they wait for the arrival of South Sudan's President Salva Kiir in the capital Juba on August 6, 2018, following the signing in neighbouring Sudan of a ceasefire and power sharing agreement UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday welcomed the signing of a power-sharing deal by South Sudan's leaders and urged them to act quickly to reach a final agreement and end their nearly five-year war. South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and his arch-foe Riek Machar signed the deal Sunday in Khartoum that will see Machar return to the government as the first of five vice presidents. The accord is to pave the way for a final peace deal and the formation of a transitional government that will hold power until elections are held. Guterres hailed the agreement as "an important step" on the path toward reviving a peace deal signed in 2015 that was supposed to end the war. The UN chief "urges all parties to work in good faith and demonstrate their commitment to fully implement and to finalize the revitalized ARCSS as soon as possible," he said in a statement. The Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) was signed in 2015 to restore peace, but never materialized after Machar was chased out of Juba in an attack by government forces in August 2016. South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011 but descended into war in December 2013 following a power struggle between Kiir and Machar. Last month, the Security Council slapped an arms embargo and sanctions on two military officials to pile pressure on South Sudan's leaders to turn away from the battleground and seek a diplomatic solution. The United States, a major backer of South Sudan and top aid donor, has said it has lost patience with the leadership in Juba following a string of failed diplomatic efforts. Tens of thousands have been killed and nearly four million have been uprooted. Seven million South Sudanese -- more than half of the population -- are in need of food aid, according to the UN. A screen shot showing resident Alassane Ouattara addressing the nation on Monday Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara on Monday announced amnesties for around 800 people, including former first lady Simone Gbagbo who is currently behind bars, in the name of national reconciliation. Last week Ivory Coast's Supreme Court overturned an earlier acquittal granted to Gbagbo for crimes against humanity. The wife of former president Laurent Gbagbo, in power from 2000 to 2010, will "soon be freed," Ouattara said during a televised address to the West African nation on the eve of the country's independence day. Simone Gbagbo has been serving a 20-year sentence handed to her in 2015 for "endangering state security". Laurent Gbagbo has been in detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague for seven years. Since 2016, he has been tried for alleged crimes against humanity during post-election unrest in 2010. Among the others granted amnesties by Ouattara on Monday were former defence minister Lida Kouassi -- a key ally of Laurent Gbagbo -- who was sentenced this year to 15 years for conspiracy, and former construction minister Assoa Adou, jailed in 2017 for four years. Simone Gbagbo, the former first lady of Ivory Coast, will be released from jail soon, according the country's president "On Monday I signed an amnesty order that will benefit about 800 citizens prosecuted or sentenced for offences related to the post-election crisis of 2010 or state security offences committed after May 21, 2011, (the date of Ouattara's inauguration)," the president said in his address. Around 500 of those named have already been released provisionally from detention, he added. They will have their criminal records erased. The other 300 will be released "soon", he added, without giving any dates. The question of national reconciliation in Ivory Coast, or the lack of it, has been seen by observers as a black mark against Ouattara. About 3,000 people died in the turmoil that swept Abidjan -- once one of Africa's most cosmopolitan cities -- in the aftermath of the November 2010 presidential polls when Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept defeat to bitter rival Ouattara. Saudi Arabia is expelling Canada's ambassador and recalling its own envoy to Ottawa, underscoring the aggressive foreign policy of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Saudi Arabia and Canada on Monday showed no signs of backing down in an escalating row over human rights, after Riyadh abruptly cut ties over Ottawa's vigorous calls for the release of activists jailed in the kingdom. The Saudi government expelled Canada's ambassador, giving him 24 hours to leave the country, and recalled its own envoy to Ottawa, while freezing all new trade over what it slammed as "interference" in its internal affairs. Ottawa did not give any ground over the shock expulsion of the envoy, Dennis Horak, with Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland saying Canada would continue to defend human rights around the world. The rupture, which underscores a newly aggressive foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, comes after Canada denounced a new crackdown on women and human rights campaigners in the kingdom. "The kingdom announces that it is recalling its ambassador to Canada for consultation. We consider the Canadian ambassador to the kingdom persona non grata and order him to leave within the next 24 hours," the Saudi foreign ministry tweeted early Monday. The ministry also announced "the freezing of all new trade and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action". Later Monday, the row appeared to escalate as Riyadh said it will relocate thousands of Saudi students studying in Canada to other countries, and state airline Saudia announced it was suspending flights to and from Toronto. A pro-government Saudi Twitter account provoked outrage when it posted -- and then deleted -- a 9/11-style digitally altered image showing a plane flying towards the Toronto skyline. The account later apologised and the image was reposted with the plane removed, but screenshots of the original tweet spread quickly. Saudi Arabia's media ministry said it was investigating the incident. Canada's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dennis Horak, has been given 24 hours to leave the country Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Saudi Arabia "will deal with any interference decisively", dismissing Canada's position as "built on misleading information", in a statement carried by state media. Last week, Canada said it was "gravely concerned" over the new wave of arrests of rights campaigners, including award-winning gender rights activist Samar Badawi, and called on Riyadh to "immediately release them." Canada doubled down on Monday. "Canada will always stand up for human rights, in Canada and around the world, and women's rights are human rights," Freeland told an audience in Vancouver. - 'Unprecedented crackdown' - Samar Badawi of Saudi Arabia, pictured on March 8, 2012, was swept up in a Saudi crackdown on human rights campaigners Samar was arrested along with fellow campaigner Nassima al-Sadah last week, the latest victims of what Human Rights Watch called an "unprecedented government crackdown on the women's rights movement". Samar's brother, blogger Raif Badawi, was arrested in 2012 and sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for "insulting Islam" in a case that sparked an international outcry. The latest arrests come weeks after more than a dozen women's rights campaigners were detained and accused of undermining national security and collaborating with enemies of the state. Some have since been released. Prince Mohammed, heir to the region's most powerful throne, has introduced a string of reforms such as lifting a decades-long ban on women drivers in a bid to overhaul the kingdom's austere image. But the 32-year-old has simultaneously pursued a combative foreign policy -- including leading a blockade of neighbouring Qatar and a bombing campaign against Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen -- while cracking down on dissent at home. The United Arab Emirates, a strong regional ally, supported the Saudi response to Canada, with a senior government official calling Ottawa's behavior "unacceptable." - Defence contract in peril? - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised concerns in April about Badawi's jailing In April, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his "serious concern" over the continued jailing of Raif Badawi to Saudi King Salman. Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar has been granted asylum by Canada, where she is raising their three children. "It is now time for other governments to join Canada in increasing the pressure on Saudi Arabia to release all prisoners of conscience immediately and unconditionally," said Samah Hadid, Amnesty International's Middle East campaigns director. But Riyadh's singling out of Canada is aimed at strongly discouraging other critical Western governments from speaking out, observers say. "Canada is easier to cut ties with than the rest," Bessma Momani, a professor at Canada's University of Waterloo, told AFP. "There isn't a strong bilateral trade relationship and poking the Trudeau government likely resonates with Saudi's hawkish regional allies. At jeopardy are the... thousands of Saudi students in Canada." Bilateral trade amounts to CAN $3-4 billion (US $2.3-3.1 billion) a year, according to Thomas Juneau, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa. But the damage could be more significant if a $15 billion deal agreed in 2014 for Canada to sell Riyadh light armoured vehicles is scrapped, as thousands of jobs in Canada could be lost, Juneau said. When asked about the contract, Freeland said the government "looks forward" to hearing from Riyadh about the future of the deal. burs-ac-ny/sst The US Justice Department calls "clearly erroneous" a court ruling that greenlights AT&T's merger with Time Warner The US Justice Department attacked Monday a court ruling that allowed June's $85 billion mega-merger between AT&T and Time Warner to go forward, saying a federal judge had relied on faulty economics. Federal prosecutors are asking a US appeals court to reverse the decision, which they say ignored the fact that American consumers are likely to pay hundreds of millions more per year for television services. The June decision by US District Judge Richard Leon had dealt a stinging defeat to the Justice Department and handed a total victory to the companies. But, in a brief filed Monday with the court, the agency said Leon had ignored economic theory by finding that Time Warner would not enjoy greater bargaining power over pay-TV distributors once the merger was complete -- possibly withholding highly popular content from HBO, CNN and others in order to extract higher fees from distributors. "The court agreed that Time Warner enjoyed bargaining leverage before the merger but it illogically and erroneously concluded that Time Warner will have no increased leverage post-merger because blackouts are 'infeasible' so Time Warner cannot credibly threaten them," the brief said. "The court's reasoning makes no sense, rendering clearly erroneous its analysis of the evidence on increased bargaining leverage." The case had been closely watched as setting a benchmark for other big corporate mergers in the media and communications sector. - Competing with Netflix - In his original ruling, Leon had said the case fell short on all counts and urged the government not to lodge an appeal that would cause "irreparable" harm to the two companies after a year and a half of delay. He maintained that the government's claim that pay TV costs would rise from the tieup was based on "speculative" logic and that its study from an expert witness was contradicted by other evidence from the government. The deal brings together AT&T's networks and its DirecTV subscription service with the media assets of Time Warner. The companies have argued anti-trust concerns are unjustified because they are not in the industrial sectors. AT&T has promised to let the Time Warner properties, renamed Warner Media, operate independently until 2019. AT&T and Time Warner argue they need more scale to compete with online rivals like Netflix and Amazon, as well as with Silicon Valley giants like Apple, Facebook and Google, which are expanding in the rapidly evolving sector. President Donald Trump had previously denounced the AT&T deal, vowing that his administration would block the merger because it would concentrate corporate power. This fueled speculation that Trump could be retaliating due to critical coverage of his administration from news broadcaster CNN, a Time Warner property. CLEARLAKE, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on the wildfires raging in California (all times local): 8 p.m. Cal Fire reports progress in containing near twin fires burning in Mendocino and Lake counties across wilderness on both sides of Clear Lake. Firefighters stand watch on a roof as a wildfire sweeps through the area near Lakeport, Calif., Thursday, August 2, 2018. (Kent Porter /The Press Democrat via AP) The agency says Sunday night that the Ranch Fire is now 23 percent contained, and the River Fire is now 58 percent contained. The entire so-called Mendocino Complex Fire is now one of the largest on record in the state, officials said. The agency reports that a total of 9,300 structures are threatened, 68 homes have been destroyed and 12 other homes have been damaged. ___ 6:30 p.m. The Sacramento Bee reports that a wildfire burning in Tuolumne County in Northern California has grown dramatically and led to more evacuation orders. The Bee reports that the fire started Wednesday near the east side of Donnell Lake. Strong winds pushed the fire northeast Saturday, and it had grown to about nine square miles as of Sunday afternoon with no containment, according to U.S. Forest Service officials. The California Highway Patrol closed Highway 108 eastbound at Eagle Meadow Road and westbound at Dardanelle Resort on Saturday because of the fast-growing fire, which is burning in steep and rough terrain in the Stanislaus National Forest. The Bee reports that a mandatory evacuation order was issued for the area, including all campgrounds and homes. ___ 5:15 p.m. The National Park Service says that parts of Yosemite National Park will remain closed indefinitely because of growing fires in areas near and on the park. "Park administrators and fire managers have made the decision to extend the current park closures indefinitely. Fire managers are continuously assessing conditions in the area and will work directly with and will immediately advise park managers as conditions change and it becomes safe to reopen," the agency said in a statement. The park service says the parts of Yosemite that will remain closed include Yosemite Valley, El Portal Road, Wawona Road, Big Oak Flat Road, Glacier Point, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias, Wawona Campground, Crane Flat Campground and Tamarack Campground. ___ 4:40 p.m. President Donald Trump tweeted Sunday that the wildfires hitting California are "being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which aren't allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized." Trump said the water is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. The president also called for clearing trees to stop the fires from spreading. The tweet came a day after Gov. Jerry Brown called on Trump to help the state deal with the deadly and destructive wildfire season. Brown said he is hopeful Trump will issue a so-called Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for California. The declaration would help fire victims with unemployment assistance, food aid and legal and mental health counseling among other federal programs. The declaration will also make counties and cities eligible for federal financial assistance and help with repairing the billions of dollars of damage done to infrastructure. More immediately, the declaration will enable federal agencies to help battle the 17 major fires burning throughout the state. ___ 12:08 p.m. A utility worker was killed near a Northern California wildfire as crews working in sweltering conditions battled multiple blazes, including twin fires that exploded in size and forced hundreds more to evacuate rural communities, officials said Sunday. The Pacific Gas and Electric employee was fatally injured in a vehicle-related accident Saturday on the western edge of the Carr Fire in Shasta County, said utility spokeswoman Melissa Subbotin. Jairus Ayeta, who was in his 20s, worked as an apprentice lineman and was part of a PG&E crew working in "dangerous terrain" to restore power, she said. Ayeta is the seventh person to die in the immense blaze that has been burning for two weeks near Redding, where armies of firefighters and fleets of aircraft continue battling the flames about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of the Oregon state line. Two firefighters and four residents, including two children, were also killed. The fire was more than 40 percent contained Sunday. Meanwhile to the south, new evacuations were ordered Saturday evening near twin fires burning in Mendocino and Lake counties across wilderness on both sides of Clear Lake. Dry, hot winds fueled both blazes, which have collectively charred nearly 400 square miles (1,036 square kilometers) of brush and timber. The entire so-called Mendocino Complex Fire is now one of the largest on record in the state, officials said. Smoke from multiple wildfires billows into the sky, Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, in Scotts Valley near Lakeport, Calif. (Kent Porter /The Press Democrat via AP) Honor guard and pall bearers carry the coffin of Brian Hughes, a captain with the Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots who was killed by a falling tree while fighting the Ferguson Fire, during a memorial service at Valdez Hall in Fresno, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018. (Craig Kohlruss/The Fresno Bee via AP) BOSTON (AP) - William Gross was sworn in Monday as Boston's first black police commissioner, pledging to create a more inclusive and diverse department and prioritize officer well-being. Calling it a historic occasion, Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh administered the oath of office to Gross in front of a standing-room only crowd of about 900 people at the Morning Star Baptist Church. As the crowd cheered, Gross took off his new badge and put it around the neck of his mother, who's been a member of the church for 35 years. At one point, someone in the crowd shouted "This is history!" William Gross speaks after being sworn in as Boston's first black police commissioner during ceremonies, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, in Boston. Gross has served as the second-in-command under William Evans, who is leaving the department for a job at Boston College. Black leaders say they hope Gross will prioritize building a more diverse police force and providing closure for families of homicide victims in communities of color to strengthen trust in law enforcement. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) "I know that Dr. Martin Luther King is looking down today and smiling at the realization of one of his dreams: that a man is not judged by the color of his skin by the content of his character," said Randall Halstead, a retired police superintendent. Gross takes over for William Evans, who left after nearly 40 years in the department to become the police chief at Boston College. Gross, who joined the police force in 1985, served as Evans' second-in-command and has long been a public face of the department. Gross said his four goals will be to strengthen community policing initiatives, work toward diversifying the department, promote transparency and ensure his officers are sound in "body and mind." "We want every child in every part of this city to feel welcome to put on the uniform," Gross said. "We have work to do, but one day everybody will feel comfortable, and until then we won't waver, we won't grow tired." Gross said he never would have believed when joined the department more than three decades ago that he would one day become its leader, calling what he had to break through "not a glass ceiling, but a brick ceiling." "Look how far we come and what we have become," he said. ___ Follow Alanna Durkin Richer at http://twitter.com/aedurkinricher and read more of her work at http://bit.ly/2hIhzDb . William Gross speaks as Boston Mayor Marty Walsh listens, at right, after Gross was sworn in as Boston's first black police commissioner during ceremonies, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, in Boston. Gross has served as the second-in-command under William Evans, who is leaving the department for a job at Boston College. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) William Gross, right, is sworn in by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, left, as Boston's first black police commissioner during ceremonies, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, in Boston. Gross has served as the second-in-command under William Evans, who is leaving the department for a job at Boston College. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) William Gross, right, smiles as Boston Mayor Marty Walsh stands at left, after Gross was sworn in as Boston's first black police commissioner during ceremonies, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, in Boston. Gross has served as the second-in-command under William Evans, who is leaving the department for a job at Boston College. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The big, blue "I Love NY" signs lined up in groups of five along New York state highways and roads are hard to miss. And that, say federal transportation officials, is the problem. The 500-plus tourism signs the state has installed from Long Island to Buffalo are at the center of a years-long standoff between the Federal Highway Administration and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The agency says the signs don't meet regulations and pose a potential distraction to drivers traveling at high speeds, and it has demanded that the state remove them by Sept. 30 or lose $14 million in federal highway funding. New York's transportation department, however, has said the signs don't pose a safety risk and there's no evidence they've directly contributed to any accidents. FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2016, file photo, a truck passes a sign proclaiming "I Love New York" and marketing other state attractions on the New York State Thruway in Utica, N.Y. The 500-plus tourism signs the Cuomo administration has installed along expressways from Long Island to Buffalo are at the center of a years-long spat between the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The agency says the signs pose a potential distraction to drivers traveling at high speeds and has told the state to remove them by Sept. 30 or lose $14 million in federal highway funding. No signs have been removed so far. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File) Despite Cuomo's assurances that the tourism campaign had run its course and the signs would be dismantled by the start of the summer vacation season, no signs have been removed. And the ongoing saga has provided plenty of fuel for the governor's critics. "If the governor had put his ego aside, adhered to federal highway rules and found some way to compromise before he disregarded the law, we could have avoided this embarrassing debacle," said state Assemblyman Joseph Errigo, a Republican from western New York. Marc Molinaro, the GOP candidate trying to prevent Cuomo from winning a third term in November, called him "Albany's self-appointed fashionista." New York newspaper editorial pages have also blasted the signs, with Long Island's Newsday calling them "useless eyesores" that "seem to pop up with brutal regularity." While the "I Love NY" logo (with "Love" depicted as a heart symbol) has been around for decades, Cuomo launched the initiative to put it on highway signs in 2013 as part of a campaign to boost the state's $100 billion tourism industry. The plan called for erecting five-sign groups, with the first in each series featuring logos for four specific tourism categories under the words "The New York State Experience." The next four signs feature those categories: "Attractions," ''History," ''Eat & Drink" and "Recreation." At the bottom of each sign are the state tourism office's internet site - iloveny .com - and a promotion for the "I Love NY" app. After the first signs were installed, the program was expanded in 2016. Even before then, however, the Federal Highway Administration had told the state the signs didn't comply with federal standards because they're too big (sizes range from 6 feet-by-8 feet to as large as 10 feet-by-15 feet), contain too much information (website addresses are a particular no-no) and don't provide any navigational information. Despite the Federal Highway Administration's warning, the Cuomo administration went ahead with the sign project, which cost state taxpayers more than $8 million. That comes out to about $15,500 to make and install each of the 514 signs, many of them posted along the 570-mile (917-kilometer), state-run New York Thruway system. Cuomo, considered a possible candidate for president in 2020, has defended the signs, once calling them "a great, great success for this state." He considers them a key component in spurring the state's tourism industry, which the administration says attracted nearly 244 million visitors in 2017, a 4 percent increase over the previous year. State officials have been vague about the signs' fate but said this past week that they "fully expect to have a mutually beneficial agreement in place well before the September deadline." According to Nancy Grugle, a Colorado-based distracted driving expert, an in-depth analysis of New York's tourism signs would have to be conducted in order to determine whether they're a distraction to drivers. But she's concerned that including a website address and the name of an app may entice some drivers to reach for their cellphones. Farmers want trade not aid. Tell the administration and Congress Open markets and end tariffs, said a video advertisement denouncing the US-led trade war which hurts the interests of the US farmers, warning that American farmers have fallen into victims of the trade war. The 32-seocnd video clip, in which the US administration was blamed for its trade policies that have brought negative effects on national economy, aroused heated discussion after being aired in the US mainstream media. The meat storage in the US refrigeration houses is piling up owing to the trade conflicts and tariffs hike. It is estimated that the amount of beef, pork, turkey and poultry stored in the US factories will make a record of over 2.5 billion pounds (1.125 billion kilograms). A research by Iowa State University indicates that pork processing enterprises will lose $18 for each pig, and face an annual loss of over $2 billion, after relevant countries take retaliation measures to counter the extra tariffs imposed by the US government on steel and aluminum products since this March. The pork producers now face huge economic losses resulted from the escalated trade conflicts, said Jim Heimerl, president of the US National Pork Producer Council (NPPC), adding that some of these enterprises may go bankruptcy. Meat production has been ramping up in the last decade and is expected to hit a record of 103 billion pounds this year, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Such a situation will make the meat producing industry more dependent on exports, but now Mexico and China, the largest meat importers, both announced to increase tariffs on imported pork from the US as a response to the additional tariffs levied by the US on imported steel and aluminum products. In 2017, the US exported nearly 17 percent of its pork production to China and about one third to Mexico, according to NPPC statistics. A pig was worth $147 on average in 2017, $54 of which should be attributed to exports, said NPPCs spokesperson Jim Monroe. The spokesperson added that roughly 550,000 jobs were related to the pork industry last year, and 110,000 of them were created by export business. Mexico and China are major markets for the US, and the hog industry will face more uncertainties if the trade disputes continue. We are victims and we know it on the first day, said Ken Maschhoff, chairman of Maschhoff Family Foods and co-owner of the countrys largest family-owned pork producer. Maschhoff was also the chairman of NPPC trade policy committee. A continued drop of pork price will force the farmers to live on the low incomes from pork and soybean businesses, and some even have to sell their farms, The Missourian commented on its website. China provided an opportunity by reopening its market to US beef not long ago, but now the escalating trade conflicts between two countries have brought so many uncertainties that threaten farmers in Montana, a big agricultural state in the US, Brett Doney from Great Falls Development Authority told Peoples Daily. It may take a generation to build customers again if the agricultural producers lose the market, Doney added. The cost of doing business with the US will grow as the trade conflicts aggravate, said Lola Raska, Executive Vice President of Montana Grain Growers Association (MGGA). The interests of American farmers will be greatly damaged if wheat buyers give up Montana and turn to producers in other places, noted Raska, adding that it will be less possible for the buyers to go back to the US market after they start changing the formula or processing procedures of wheat products. The US government recently announced an agricultural subsidy plan worth $12 billion to aid the domestic soybean producers whose interests have been hurt by the trade disputes, along with sorghum, corn, wheat, pork and dairy. But the plan was strongly opposed by a large number of congressmen, representatives of agricultural associations and farmers, who claimed that they wanted a market, not subsidies and urged the administration to end the trade disputes with other economies as soon as possible. This trade war is cutting the legs out from under farmers and the White Houses plan is to spend $12 billion on gold crutches, said Senator Ben Sasse, a Nebraska Republican, noting that farmers want to feed the world instead of getting subsidized and hurt. Senator Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, echoed to the farmers, saying they want trade, not aid. American farmers want trade agreements not subsidies, said Brian Kuehl, Farmers for Free Trade Executive Director, the best relief for the trade war would be ending the trade war. Environmental groups were not going to be happy with anyone President Donald Trump picked for the Supreme Court. But the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh has them especially worried. A conservative who would replace the more moderate Justice Anthony Kennedy, Kavanaugh has a record of slapping back Environmental Protection Agency regulations during his 12 years as a federal appeals court judge. Kavanaugh could shift the court to the right in many areas. But Kennedy was especially pivotal on environmental cases, ruling with the majority on nearly all of them over 30 years on the bench - and often siding with the environmentalists in the biggest cases. FILE - In this July 11, 2018, file photo, Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh smiles during a meeting with Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Environmental groups were not going to be happy with anyone President Donald Trump was likely to nominate to the Supreme Court. But with the pick of Kavanaugh, a judge for the last 12 years on the federal appeals court for the District of Columbia, they're getting a judge with a long record of slapping back Environmental Protection Agency regulations. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) Kavanaugh has a narrower view of what environmental protections the federal government can implement. That was clear from an Associated Press review of his opinions while on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, along with other writings and speeches. "It threatens to take us back to the old days," said Pat Gallagher, the legal director at the Sierra Club, recalling environmental disasters from the 1960s and '70s. "The Cuyahoga River, Love Canal - when there was no environmental protection." Kavanaugh's backers don't see him as anti-environment. "His rulings in cases involving the EPA say far more about the aggressive nature of the EPA in terms of trying to stretch beyond its breaking point its mandate from Congress," said John Malcolm, vice president of the conservative Heritage Foundation's Institute for Constitutional Government. Republicans hope the Senate can confirm Kavanaugh by the time the court's next session begins Oct. 1. But that is in doubt because of delays in reviewing documents related to Kavanaugh's time in President George W. Bush's administration. In his opinions on environmental issues, Kavanaugh has often stressed the importance of policies to protect against climate change before saying that Congress, not the EPA, should create those policies. One prominent example came last year in a majority opinion that found the EPA lacks the authority to regulate hydrofluorocarbons, chemicals linked to global warming. Kavanaugh wrote: "EPA's well-intentioned policy objectives with respect to climate change do not on their own authorize the agency to regulate." William Buzbee, a Georgetown Law professor who teaches constitutional and environmental law, said Kavanaugh often rules that either Congress didn't delegate duties clearly enough to the EPA or that the agency wasn't carrying them out correctly - in contrast with a history of judges giving wide latitude to agencies to try to solve problems. "It's a move that sounds like an attitude of deference and separation of power," Buzbee said. "The effect is to take away an agency's powers to deal with real-world problems." President Barack Obama relied heavily on administrative action as Republicans controlled Congress for most of his presidency and resisted passing laws that favored environmental protections over companies. Kavanaugh addressed that in the hydrofluorocarbons case: "Under the Constitution, congressional inaction does not license an agency to take matters into its own hands, even to solve a pressing policy issue such as climate change." Kavanaugh took similar approaches in two major 2012 rulings. In one, Kavanaugh dissented from the circuit, wanting to grant further review in a case in which the appeals court upheld the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gases. In another, Kavanaugh wrote the majority opinion to eliminate a 2011 EPA rule limiting emissions from power plants and other sources to reduce pollution in neighboring states. Writing for a divided panel, he found that this "good neighbor" rule overstepped the EPA's authority. The Supreme Court overruled Kavanaugh. In a speech last year at the American Enterprise Institute, Kavanaugh praised the late Justice Antonin Scalia for applying a principle laid out by Chief Justice William Rehnquist to an EPA case. The "major questions doctrine," he said, "is critical to limiting the ability of agencies to make major policy decisions that belong to Congress, at least unless Congress clearly delegates that authority." Still, Kavanaugh has not always ruled against environmental regulation. In 2010, he wrote the majority opinion for a divided panel when trucking groups sued the EPA over California's regulations for engines such as those that power refrigeration systems on trucks. Kavanaugh praised the agency for properly following Congress' directions in delegating that narrow area of regulation to California. In environmental cases, judges often must sort out who has the legal standing to challenge regulations or push for protections. "The Supreme Court now for decades has said that environmental and aesthetic interests count for standing," Buzbee said. "My sense is they count less for Judge Kavanaugh." In a 2014 case, he wrote the unanimous opinion finding that environmental groups did not have standing to challenge an EPA decision not to tighten carbon monoxide standards. There are also cases where he found that industrial groups have standing to oppose environmental restrictions. One of those came last year, when he was on a panel that unanimously found that logging interests had standing to challenge the designation of 9.5 million acres (3.8 million hectares) in California, Oregon and Washington as a critical habitat for the northern spotted owl. He wrote that industry groups showed clearly that they would face economic harm if logging was banned in the area. There are exceptions in his record. Kavanaugh was part of a unanimous 2009 ruling that found road- and transportation-building groups did not have standing to challenge some EPA rules. If Kavanaugh is confirmed in time for the new court session, the first case he'd hear would deal with an environmental issue. In the case, the private owners of land used for logging in Louisiana object to their property's inclusion in the critical habitat for the dusky gopher frog, which was added to the endangered species list in 2001, when fewer than 100 were known to be in existence - all in southern Mississippi. None of the frogs has been spotted in Louisiana for more than 50 years. A federal appeals court found the land's inclusion as a critical habitat was appropriate. ___ Follow Mulvihill at http://www.twitter.com/geoffmulvihill ___ More reporting on the Supreme Court and Kavanaugh can be found at http://apne.ws/IHcZXad WASHINGTON (AP) - The United States reimposed stiff economic sanctions on Iran Monday, ratcheting up pressure on the Islamic Republic despite statements of deep dismay from European allies, three months after President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the international accord limiting Iran's nuclear activities. Trump declared the landmark 2015 agreement had been "horrible," leaving the Iranian government flush with cash to fuel conflict in the Middle East. Iran accused the U.S. of reneging on the nuclear agreement, signed by the Obama administration, and of causing recent Iranian economic unrest. European allies said they "deeply regret" the U.S. action. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, center, talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, unseen, during their meeting at Merdeka palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (Beawiharta/Pool Photo via AP) Trump said in a statement, "We urge all nations to take such steps to make clear that the Iranian regime faces a choice: either change its threatening, destabilizing behavior and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation." A first set of U.S. sanctions that had been eased under the accord were going into effect at one minute past midnight under an executive ordered signed by Trump. Those sanctions affect financial transactions that involve U.S. dollars, Iran's automotive sector, the purchase of commercial planes and metals including gold. A second batch of U.S sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector and central bank are to be reimposed in early November. Trump warned that those who don't wind down their economic ties to Iran "risk severe consequences." The Europeans didn't like any of it. Despite Trump's claims, the accord "is working and delivering on its goal" of limiting Iran's nuclear program, said a statement by European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and the foreign ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom. The ministers said the Iran deal is "crucial for the security of Europe, the region and the entire world," and the European Union issued a "blocking statute" Monday to protect European businesses from the impact of the sanctions. A senior administration official, briefing reporters under ground rules requiring anonymity, said the United States is "not particularly concerned" by EU efforts to protect European firms from the sanctions. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Iran still can rely on China and Russia to keep its oil and banking sectors afloat. Speaking in a television interview, he also demanded compensation for decades of American "intervention" in the Islamic Republic. Months of uncertainty surrounding the sanctions have already further hurt Iran's economy. The country's rial currency has tanked, and the downturn has sparked protests across the nation. The "Trump Administration wants the world to believe it's concerned about the Iranian people," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a statement posted to Twitter. But, he said, the reimposed sanctions would endanger "ordinary Iranians." "US hypocrisy knows no bounds," he said. U.S. officials insisted the American government stands with the people of Iran and supports many of their complaints against their own government. National Security Adviser John Bolton said Iran's leadership is on "very shaky ground," but he insisted economic pressure from the Trump administration is not an attempt at "regime change." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said sanctions are an important pillar in U.S. policy toward Iran and will remain in place until the Iranian government radically changes course. "They've got to behave like a normal country. That's the ask. It's pretty simple," said Pompeo, en route from a three-nation trip to Southeast Asia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a firm foe of the Iranian government, said the sanctions symbolize "the determination to block Iran's regional aggression as well as its continuous plans to arm itself with nuclear weapons." He called on the countries of Europe to join the U.S., saying, "The time has come to stop talking; the time has come to do." The U.S has long designated Iran as the world's foremost state sponsor of terrorism, Pompeo noted Sunday, adding that the Islamic Republic cannot expect to be treated as an equal in the international community until it halts such activities. He said that "there's no evidence today of a change in their behavior," and in the meantime "we're going to enforce the sanctions." ___ Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi in Tehran and Ian Deitch in Jerusalem contributed. In this photo released by official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Hassan Rouhani addresses the nation in a televised speech in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani struck a hard line Monday as the U.S. restored some sanctions that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump is imagining steel mill openings that aren't happening and in denial about Russia's role in the 2016 presidential election. He points broadly to a "Russian hoax," even as his own top national security and intelligence officials decry a real threat of Russian interference in future U.S. elections, and suggests that Russia didn't want him to win the presidency. On jobs, he isn't providing the full picture regarding U.S. employment growth. The statements came in a week of puzzling disconnects and untruths, including assertions of cleaner air than his government recorded and a claim that people need photo IDs to make purchases in stores that any average shopper with cash or a credit card would know is not accurate. President Donald Trump speaks during a rally, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018, in Lewis Center, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) A sampling of comments by Trump and his officials: JOBS TRUMP: "Here's one of the best statistics ever. More Americans are now employed than ever recorded before in our nation's history. Think of that. So we now have more people employed working today than the United States has ever had." - Ohio rally Saturday. THE FACTS: He's painting an incomplete picture of U.S. job growth. Due largely to population increase, the number of people with jobs is, in fact, at a record high of 156 million. But a more relevant measure - the proportion of Americans with jobs - isn't even close to a record. Last month, 60.5 percent of Americans 16 and older had jobs. That is up from the recession and its aftermath, when many Americans stopped looking for work. It bottomed out at 58.2 percent in July 2011. Both figures are far below the record high of 64.7 percent, which was briefly reached in 2000. At the beginning of the 2008-2009 recession, 62.7 percent of Americans had jobs. ___ TRUMP: "U.S. Steel is opening up seven plants." - remarks Thursday at the Pennsylvania rally. On Tuesday: "Thanks to our tariffs, our steel workers are back on the job, American steel mills are back open for business ... U.S. Steel just announced that they're building six new steel mills." - Florida rally. THE FACTS: No, U.S. Steel has not announced six, or seven, new steel mills. A spokeswoman for the Pittsburgh-based company, Meghan Cox, declined to comment on Trump's claim, only making clear that any "operational changes" such as the opening of new mills would be "publicly announced" and "made available on our website" if it occurred. ___ RUSSIA INVESTIGATION TRUMP: "I'll tell you what, Russia's very unhappy that Trump won, that I can tell you." - Pennsylvania rally Thursday. THE FACTS: That's not what Russian President Vladimir Putin says. Asked at a news conference with Trump last month whether he wanted Trump to win the 2016 election, Putin responded, "Yes, I did." Putin said he favored Trump "because he talked about bringing the U.S.-Russia relationship back to normal." The Republican-led Senate intelligence committee in May said it agreed with the U.S. intelligence agencies' assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to hurt the candidacy of Democrat Hillary Clinton and help Trump. ___ TRUMP: "In Helsinki, I had a great meeting with Putin. We discussed everything - I had a great meeting. We got along really well. By the way, that's a good thing, not a bad thing. That's a really good thing. Now we're being hindered by the Russian hoax. It's a hoax, OK?" - Pennsylvania rally. THE FACTS: Trump's effort to play down the idea of Russian election interference belies the statements of his own top national security and intelligence officials, who have concluded that Russia meddled in 2016 and pointed to a threat of future attacks on U.S. democracy. Just hours before Trump's claim, National Intelligence Director Dan Coats joined other top aides at the White House to stress the Russia threat to U.S. elections "is real, it is continuing." National security adviser John Bolton said stemming the threat of Russian election interference is a priority for Trump, adding that the president had opened his private meeting with Putin by raising the issue. "I think the president has made it abundantly clear to everybody who has responsibility in this area that he cares deeply about it and that he expects them to do their jobs to their fullest ability and that he supports them fully," he said. On Sunday, White House officials sought to deny a disconnect between their message of a Russian meddling threat and Trump's claims of a "hoax," saying Trump was referring to federal investigations into possible collaboration between the Trump campaign and Russia. But in recent weeks, special counsel Robert Mueller's probe has led to indictments against 12 Russian military intelligence officers who allegedly sought to influence the U.S. election, the first time Moscow had been directly implicated in 2016 meddling. Congressional committees also have been investigating the matter, with the Senate intelligence committee making clear that a key goal is to improve security in future U.S. elections. ___ TRUMP: "Collusion is not a crime, but that doesn't matter because there was No Collusion (except by Crooked Hillary and the Democrats)!" - tweet Tuesday. TRUMP LAWYER RUDY GIULIANI: "I have been sitting here looking in the federal code trying to find collusion as a crime. ... Collusion is not a crime." - remarks July 30 on Fox News. THE FACTS: It is correct to say election collusion isn't a precise legal term. The U.S. code mostly uses the term "collusion" in antitrust laws to address crimes like price fixing. As it relates to Russia and U.S. elections, the term can be seen as shorthand for plenty of violations of specific laws on the books. For instance, there could be legal violations if Trump's presidential campaign is found to have collaborated with Moscow, including a conspiracy to defraud the United States. There are also laws against election fraud, computer hacking, wire fraud and falsifying records, if those apply. So far, Mueller has accused the Russians of hacking into Democrats' computers and stealing emails, as well as trying to stoke U.S. tensions before the 2016 election using social media. Mueller might decide, for example, that a crime was committed if he finds evidence that an American was involved in the hack of Democrats, either by soliciting it or paying someone to do it. As well, a conspiracy to defraud the United States can be used to refer to any two people using "deceit, craft, or trickery" to interfere with governmental functions, such as an election. ___ CLEAN AIR TRUMP, on air quality in the U.S.: "It's the best it's ever been." - Pennsylvania rally Thursday. THE FACTS: Not true, going by the key measure of air quality. The EPA's air quality index shows a worsening since 2014, the best year as measured by the number of days with bad air. For that index, 35 cities reported unhealthy air for a total of 599 days in 2014. That went up to 729 days in 2017, the worst year since 2012 (1,297 days). The index measures ozone and soot. ___ AUTO SAFETY EPA, citing potential benefits from freezing Obama-era mileage standards: "Increased vehicle affordability leading to increased driving of newer, safer, more efficient and cleaner vehicles. ... Over 12,000 fewer crash fatalities over the lifetimes of all vehicles built through model year 2029. Up to 1,000 lives saved annually." - information sheet released Thursday. THE FACTS: The claimed safety benefits are unverifiable and probably overstated. While newer vehicles are safer due to better engineering and safety features such as more air bags, automatic emergency braking and blind spot detection, auto safety experts say the difference between vehicles made 10 years ago and now isn't that big and the number of lives saved can't really be calculated. Decade-old vehicles have anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control that stop drivers from losing control, two major safety advances. ___ EPA assistant administrator Bill Wehrum: "We'll leave the standards at a place where we're not imposing undue costs on manufacturers." - news briefing Thursday. THE FACTS: Insulating U.S. manufacturers is not easy to do. Even if the U.S. freezes its mileage requirements, the European Union, China, Japan and other nations will continue to increase theirs, which already are more stringent. Because most automakers sell vehicles worldwide, they'll have to develop new technology such as electric cars anyway to satisfy other markets. The U.S. may not get the new technology as quickly as elsewhere. ___ VOTER ID TRUMP: "We believe that only American citizens should vote in American elections, which is why the time has come for voter ID like everything else. If you go out and you want to buy groceries, you need a picture on a card, you need ID. You go out, you want to buy anything, you need ID, you need your picture." - remarks Tuesday. THE FACTS: As shoppers know, no photo is required to purchase items at retail stores with cash or to make routine purchases with credit or debit cards. Identifications are required to purchase limited items such as alcohol, cigarettes or cold medicine and in rapidly declining situations in which a customer opts to pay with a personal check. According to the National Grocers Association's most recent data, the use of checks as a percentage of total transactions dropped from 33 percent in 2000 to 6 percent in 2015, due in part to the popularity of debit cards, which use PIN codes. The group's members are independent food retailers, family-owned or privately held, both large and small. ___ WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS: "He's not saying every time he went in; he said when you go to the grocery store." - press briefing Wednesday. THE FACTS: Actually, Trump did claim, erroneously, that photo IDs are required whenever "you want to buy anything," not only in limited cases. Asked when Trump last bought groceries, Sanders responded, "I'm not sure. I'm not sure why that matters, either." ___ NATO TRUMP: "I went to NATO. And NATO was essentially going out of business 'cause people weren't paying and it was going down, down, down." On NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: "He said we couldn't collect money until President Trump came along. And he said last year we collected $44 billion. And this year the money is pouring in. ... So the bottom line is the NATO countries are now paying a lot more money." - news conference July 30 with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. THE FACTS: Countries don't pay to be in NATO and don't owe the organization anything other than contributions to a largely administrative fund that Trump is not talking about. Member countries are not in debt to NATO. Money is "not pouring in" now. Collections have not increased, as he asserted. Trump's actual beef is with how much NATO countries spend on their own military budgets. The Trump administration is not the first to push countries in NATO to spend more on their own armed forces to lessen their dependence on the U.S. In fact, it was in 2014, during the Obama administration, that NATO members agreed to move "toward" spending 2 percent of their gross domestic product on their own defense by 2024. The somewhat-vague commitment was made as a response to Russia's actions in Ukraine and its annexation of Crimea. No one expected all allies would immediately move to 2 percent; the increases were to be gradual. ___ VETERANS TRUMP: "We passed the biggest VA reform in half a century, Veteran's Choice. If our veterans can't get the care they need from the VA, they will have the right to go see a private doctor." - remarks Tuesday in Tampa. THE FACTS: Trump's suggestion that veterans can get care immediately under the private-sector Veterans Choice program and without restriction is misleading. Before veterans have the right to see a private doctor, they must meet certain criteria first, such as whether they face an "excessive burden" in receiving care at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center. Under the current Choice guidelines, veterans also must wait at least 30 days for an appointment at a VA facility before they are eligible to receive care from a private doctor. TRUMP: "And I used to say before I really was well-versed on the veteran situation in health care, I used to say all the time, 'Why don't they just let the folks go to a doctor?' They'd wait in line for 7 days, 9 days, 14 days, 21 days ... I said, 'Why don't they just let them go see a local private doctor, pay the bill and take care of it?' And it's turned out to be something that the veterans love. And it's passed. It's passed." - remarks Tuesday. THE FACTS: It's not clear if veterans love the current Choice program, judging by the wait times. Despite the Choice program's guarantee of providing appointments within 30 days, a recent report from the Government Accountability Office found that veterans actually waited an average of 51 to 64 days to receive care. A newly expanded Choice program will take at least a year to be implemented. ___ Associated Press writers Tom Krisher in Detroit and Chloe Kim, Anne Flaherty, Ellen Knickmeyer and Seth Borenstein in Washington contributed to this report. ___ Find AP Fact Checks at http://apne.ws/2kbx8bd Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck IN this Aug. 2, 2018, photo, President Donald Trump is cheered as he arrives for a rally at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes Barre, Pa.. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) WASHINGTON (AP) - Now that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has met privately with almost every Republican senator, it's becoming increasingly clear President Donald Trump's pick for the bench is running into little GOP resistance to confirmation this fall. The conservative appellate judge is breezing past swirling questions over his views on executive power and his approach to gay marriage, abortion and other legal issues. Kavanaugh left some Republicans with the impression that his earlier reluctance to investigate sitting presidents would not impede the Russia investigation of special counsel Robert Mueller. Other senators avoided such queries, preferring more of a get-to-know-you session with the 53-year-old judge to hear his story. Ask the GOP senators what they're learning in their private chats and they'll tell you the following: Kavanaugh loves his family. Lives for the law. And, like the president he once worked for, George W. Bush, he's open and chatty, the kind of guy you'd like to have a beer with. FILE - In this July 10, 2018, file photo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., left, speaks as he talks about Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, center, as Vice President Mike Pence, right, listens, during a visit Capitol Hill in Washington. Kavanaugh has paid courtesy calls to 47 senators _ all but one of them Republican _ it's becoming increasingly clear President Donald Trump's pick for the bench is running up against little resistance to his confirmation this fall.(AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) "I just wanted to understand - try to understand - what's in his heart," said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., who added that he was saving his legal questions for Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings. "He impresses me as the sort of guy that would actually talk and get to know the people who clean his office." The practice of Supreme Court nominees making "courtesy calls" to senators seems to have begun around 1970, according to the Senate Historical Office. That year, nominee Harry Blackmun made the rounds ahead of his confirmation hearing before the Judiciary Committee. Some senators use the visits to probe the nominee's judicial philosophy, while others treat it more like a photo op. Since being nominated July 9, Kavanaugh has met with 47 senators - all but one of them Republican - at a rapid clip. The meetings have created growing momentum for Kavanaugh among Republicans that Democrats may be hard-pressed to stop. Even one early skeptic, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, is now a yes vote. Still, the most challenging meetings for Kavanaugh are yet to come. Two key Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, remain among the holdouts. They plan to meet with the judge this month. But even those two independent-minded senators, who both support abortion rights, may be unwilling to break with their party and prevent Trump from filling a second seat on the Supreme Court. Kavanaugh is also likely to meet with Democrats in mid-August, and they are certain to press the judge on a variety of hot-button issues. Only one Democrat, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, has met with Kavanaugh so far, and a person familiar with that session said Kavanaugh stressed his independence. The Republicans who have already met with Kavanaugh are leaving the meetings increasingly confident in Trump's choice. Sen. David Perdue of Georgia said he asked the judge what he holds important. "We talked about how the partisanship really has created this gridlock and therefore it weakens us in terms of standing up," said Perdue, a close ally of the president. "He says, 'Well, my desire all along has been to be a very studious defender of the Constitution and try to interpret the law, not make law." Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said he was satisfied that Kavanaugh's earlier skepticism of special counsel investigations - like Mueller's probe - was rooted in his work on Kenneth Starr's team investigating Bill Clinton, rather than the events of today. "I don't see how the two can be intertwined," Tillis said. GOP Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma said he did not broach the topic because he is already convinced Kavanaugh's writings are not applicable to Mueller's probe. "I didn't take it that we shouldn't do investigations. At all," Lankford said. "The fact of the matter is Judge Kavanaugh is going to sit on the United States Supreme Court when we're through," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. Late last week, Democrats lost ground in their fight to unearth some 1 million documents related to Kavanaugh's time as staff secretary at the Bush White House, a three-year stint on his resume that Republicans say is irrelevant to his qualifications for the court. Republicans have not asked for the records, and the National Archives has told Democrats it cannot process their request without GOP support. Kristine Lucius, the executive vice president for policy at the advocacy group The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, is pushing for the full release of the Kavanaugh documents and not those being handpicked by Republicans. She objects to "the notion that we would just have a curtain within three years of his record." Democrats now plan to take their case directly to Kavanaugh, potentially turning the "courtesy calls" into cross-examination sessions of his thoughts on Bush-era topics like the detention of terrorism suspects and signing statements on legislation. Those subjects are likely covered in the documents Republicans refuse to seek. Republicans counter that there are already plenty of ways to scrutinize Kavanaugh's record. He has handled more than 300 cases since 2006 as an appellate judge. Already the Judiciary Committee has requested some 125,000 files from Kavanaugh's other years in the White House counsel's office and 20,000 from his work on the Starr investigation. And with a 51-49 GOP majority in the Senate, narrowed with the longtime absence of the ailing Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Republicans will be able to confirm Kavanaugh if they hold together and prevent defections. GOP Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska said she was preparing a floor speech to deliver after her meeting with Kavanaugh, whom she found to be an incredibly open, honest man. "I don't know how anyone could oppose him," she said. "I really don't." ___ Follow Mascaro on Twitter at https://twitter.com/lisamascaro BEIJING (AP) - A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves: ___ EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a weekly look at the latest developments in the South China Sea, the location of several territorial conflicts that have raised tensions in the region. FILE - In this Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, file photo, Indonesian Navy staff participate in a computer-simulated drill in Singapore. Chinese and Southeast Asian naval forces have staged their first computer-simulated drills so they can jointly respond to emergencies and build trust amid the long-seething disputes in the South China Sea. (AP Photo/Jim Gomez, File) ___ CHINA, SE ASIAN NAVIES STAGE COMPUTER-SIMULATED DRILLS The navies of China and Southeast Asian nations staged their first computer-simulated drills aimed at jointly responding to emergencies and building trust. Singapore's navy hosted the two-day exercises that ended Friday at a training center in Changi naval base, where officers coordinated their force deployments and helicopter landings on navy ships. They monitored developments on three giant screens, including one showing the location of a simulated collision between an oil tanker, which supposedly caught fire, and a passenger ship that sank and scattered people in the high seas. Col. Lim Yu Chuan of Singapore's navy said it was a successful prelude to actual maneuvers at sea that are planned for October in China. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the planned naval exercises in China and the computer-simulated drills in Singapore were a starting point in efforts to elevate Beijing's security relations with Southeast Asia. "The two sides will further expand our defense exchange and security affairs cooperation in a joint effort to meet security challenges and uphold regional stability," Wang told a news conference Thursday. Aside from China and Taiwan, ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam have overlapping claims in the disputed region. In the bloodiest confrontations, China clashed with Vietnamese forces in the Paracel Islands in 1974, leaving 74 South Vietnamese dead. Another clash in 1988 in the Spratlys, the South China Sea's most contested region, left more than 60 Vietnamese sailors dead. ___ CHINA'S TOP DIPLOMAT HAILS CODE OF CONDUCT DRAFT China's top diplomat is calling an initial draft of a proposed pact with Southeast Asia to prevent conflict in the South China Sea a "breakthrough," and says talks can accelerate without outside interference. China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes four rival claimants to territories in the sea, have been holding sporadic talks for years on a "code of conduct," a set of regional norms and rules aimed at preventing a shooting war in the disputed waters. Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan announced last week at the start of an annual meeting of top diplomats from China and the 10-nation ASEAN bloc that both sides have agreed on an initial draft that will be the basis of future negotiations. He called the development a "milestone." "This is good news," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the ASEAN ministers. "This is a breakthrough for the COC (code of conduct) negotiation." Despite the development, "some concerns" were raised "on the land reclamations and activities in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region," the ASEAN ministers said, reflecting divisions on the issue. Vietnam, for one, has been vocal in expressing concerns over China's transformation of seven disputed reefs into man-made islands that now resemble small cities armed with weapons systems. ___ PHILIPPINES CONCERNED ABOUT CHINESE RADIO WARNINGS The Philippines has expressed concern to China over an increasing number of Chinese radio messages warning Philippine aircraft and ships to stay away from newly fortified islands and other territories in the South China Sea claimed by both countries. A Philippine government report seen by The Associated Press showed that in the second half of last year, Philippine military aircraft received Chinese radio warnings at least 46 times while patrolling near artificial islands built by China in the South China Sea's Spratly archipelago. The Chinese radio messages were "meant to step up their tactics to our pilots conducting maritime air surveillance in the West Philippine Sea," the report said, using the Philippine name for the South China Sea. Philippine officials have raised their concern twice over the radio transmissions, including in a meeting with Chinese counterparts in Manila earlier this year that focused on the Asian countries' long-unresolved territorial disputes, according to two officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue publicly. The messages used to originate from Chinese coast guard ships in past years but military officials suspect transmissions now are also being sent from the Beijing-held artificial islands, where far more powerful communications and surveillance equipment has been installed along with weapons such as surface-to-air missiles. ___ Associated Press writers Annabelle Liang in Singapore and Jim Gomez in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report. FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, file photo, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi pauses before a bilateral meeting with Philippines' Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano on the sidelines of the 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Singapore. Recent developments in the South China Sea leave China pitted against smaller neighbors in disputes over territorial rights in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair, File) ATAQ, Yemen (AP) - Again and again over the past two years, a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the United States has claimed it won decisive victories that drove al-Qaida militants from their strongholds across Yemen and shattered their ability to attack the West. Here's what the victors did not disclose: many of their conquests came without firing a shot. That's because the coalition cut secret deals with al-Qaida fighters, paying some to leave key cities and towns and letting others retreat with weapons, equipment and wads of looted cash, an investigation by The Associated Press has found. Hundreds more were recruited to join the coalition itself. Coalition-backed fighters advance on Yemen's Red Sea port town of Mocha in this Jan. 11 2017, photo. The coalition forces eventually captured the town from Shiite rebels known as Houthis. Some fighters in the unit were openly al-Qaida, wearing Afghan-style garb and carrying weapons with an al-Qaida logo, a sign of how closely the militants have been involved in the war against the Houthis, who are seen by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as a proxy for Iranian influence. (AP Photo) These compromises and alliances have allowed al-Qaida militants to survive to fight another day - and risk strengthening the most dangerous branch of the terror network that carried out the 9/11 attacks. Key participants in the pacts said the U.S. was aware of the arrangements and held off on any drone strikes. The deals uncovered by the AP reflect the contradictory interests of the two wars being waged simultaneously in this southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. In one conflict, the U.S. is working with its Arab allies - particularly the United Arab Emirates - with the aim of eliminating the branch of extremists known as al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP. But the larger mission is to win the civil war against the Houthis, Iranian-backed Shiite rebels. And in that fight, al-Qaida militants are effectively on the same side as the Saudi-led coalition - and, by extension, the United States. "Elements of the U.S. military are clearly aware that much of what the U.S. is doing in Yemen is aiding AQAP and there is much angst about that," said Michael Horton, a fellow at the Jamestown Foundation, a U.S. analysis group that tracks terrorism. "However, supporting the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against what the U.S. views as Iranian expansionism takes priority over battling AQAP and even stabilizing Yemen," Horton said. The AP's findings are based on reporting in Yemen and interviews with two dozen officials, including Yemeni security officers, militia commanders, tribal mediators and four members of al-Qaida's branch. All but a few of those sources spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals. Emirati-backed factions, like most armed groups in Yemen, have been accused of abducting or killing their critics. Coalition-backed militias actively recruit al-Qaida militants, or those who were recently members, because they're considered exceptional fighters, the AP found. The coalition forces are comprised of a dizzying mix of militias, factions, tribal warlords and tribes with very local interests. And AQAP militants are intertwined with many of them. One Yemeni commander who was put on the U.S. terrorism list for al-Qaida ties last year continues to receive money from the UAE to run his militia, his own aide told the AP. Another commander, recently granted $12 million for his fighting force by Yemen's president, has a known al-Qaida figure as his closest aide. In one case, a tribal mediator who brokered a deal between the Emiratis and al-Qaida even gave the extremists a farewell dinner. Horton said much of the war on al-Qaida by the UAE and its allied militias is a "farce." "It is now almost impossible to untangle who is AQAP and who is not since so many deals and alliances have been made," he said. The U.S. has sent billions of dollars in weapons to the coalition to fight the Iran-backed Houthis. U.S. advisers also give the coalition intelligence used in targeting on-the-ground adversaries in Yemen, and American jets provide air-to-air refueling for coalition war planes. The U.S. does not fund the coalition, however, and there is no evidence that American money went to AQAP militants. The U.S. is aware of an al-Qaida presence among the anti-Houthi ranks, a senior American official told reporters in Cairo earlier this year. Because coalition members back militias with hard-line Islamic commanders, "it's very, very easy for al-Qaida to insinuate itself into the mix," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity under the terms of the briefing. More recently, the Pentagon vigorously denied any complicity with al-Qaida militants. "Since the beginning of 2017, we have conducted more than 140 strikes to remove key AQAP leaders and disrupt its ability to use ungoverned spaces to recruit, train and plan operations against the U.S. and our partners across the region," Navy Cmdr. Sean Robertson, a Pentagon spokesman, wrote in an email to the AP. A senior Saudi official commented by saying that the Saudi-led coalition "continues its commitment to combat extremism and terrorism." An Emirati government spokesman did not reply to questions from the AP. But on Monday, Emirati Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash tweeted that the UAE-backed counter-terrorism strategy is working. He said it had "removed" thousands of militants and deprived them of safe havens. AQAP is "at its weakest since 2012," he wrote, adding that the UAE and its allies "have all lost troops in the fight." The coalition began fighting in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis overran the north, including the capital, Sanaa. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are determined to stop what they consider a move by their nemesis, Iran, to take over Yemen, and their professed aim is to restore the internationally recognized government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. Al-Qaida is leveraging the chaos to its advantage. "The United States is certainly in a bind in Yemen," said Katherine Zimmerman, a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. "It doesn't make sense that the United States has identified al-Qaida as a threat, but that we have common interests inside of Yemen and that, in some places, it looks like we're looking the other way." Within this complicated conflict, al-Qaida says its numbers - which U.S. officials have estimated at 6,000 to 8,000 members - are rising. An al-Qaida commander who helps organize deployments told the AP that the front lines against the Houthis provide fertile ground to recruit new members. "Meaning, if we send 20, we come back with 100," he said. The well-known commander communicated with AP via a secure messaging app on condition of anonymity because he had no authorization from the group to talk to the news media. ___ The Associated Press reported this story with help from a grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. ___ A FAREWELL DINNER FOR AL-QAIDA In February, Emirati troops and their Yemeni militia allies flashed victory signs to TV cameras as they declared the recapture of al-Said, a district of villages running through the mountainous province of Shabwa - an area al-Qaida had largely dominated for nearly three years. It was painted as a crowning victory in a months-long offensive, Operation Swift Sword, that the Emirati ambassador to Washington, Yousef al-Otaiba, had proclaimed would "disrupt the terrorist organization's network and degrade its ability to conduct future attacks." The Pentagon, which assisted with a small number of troops, echoed that promise, saying the mission would weaken the group's ability to use Yemen as a base. But weeks before those forces' entry, a string of pickup trucks mounted with machine guns and loaded with masked al-Qaida militants drove out of al-Said unmolested, according to a tribal mediator involved in the deal for their withdrawal. The U.S. has killed al-Qaida's top leaders in a drone strike campaign that accelerated in recent years. But in this victory - as in the others touted by the coalition - the mediator said armed U.S. drones were absent, despite the large, obvious convoy. Under the terms of the deal, the coalition promised al-Qaida members it would pay them to leave, according to Awad al-Dahboul, the province's security chief. His account was confirmed by the mediator and two Yemeni government officials. Al-Dahboul said about 200 al-Qaida members received payments. He did not learn the exact amounts, but said he knew that 100,000 Saudi rials ($26,000) were paid to one al-Qaida commander - in the presence of Emiratis. Under the accord, thousands of local tribal fighters were to be enlisted in the UAE-funded Shabwa Elite Force militia. For every 1,000 fighters, 50 to 70 would be al-Qaida members, the mediator and two officials said. Saleh bin Farid al-Awlaqi, a pro-Emirati tribal leader who was the founder of one Elite Force branch, denied any agreements were made. He said he and others enticed young al-Qaida members in Shabwa to defect, which weakened the group, forcing it to withdraw on its own. He said about 150 fighters who defected were allowed into the Elite Force, but only after they underwent a "repentance" program. The clearing of al-Qaida from Shabwa and other provinces did not completely take place without fighting. Clashes erupted in some villages, usually with al-Qaida remnants that refused to play ball. One former al-Qaida member told the AP that he and his comrades turned down an offer of money from the Emiratis. In response, he said, an Elite Force squad besieged them in the town of Hawta until they withdrew. Overall, deals that took place during both the Obama and Trump administrations have secured al-Qaida militants' withdrawal from multiple major towns and cities that the group seized in 2015, the AP found. The earliest pact, in the spring of 2016, allowed thousands of al-Qaida fighters to pull out of Mukalla, Yemen's fifth-largest city and a major port on the Arabian Sea. The militants were guaranteed a safe route out and allowed to keep weapons and cash looted from the city - up to $100 million by some estimates - according to five sources, including military, security and government officials. "Coalition fighter jets and U.S. drones were idle," said a senior tribal leader who saw the convoy leaving. "I was wondering why they didn't strike them." A tribal sheikh shuttled between AQAP leaders in Mukalla and Emirati officials in Aden to seal the deal, according to a former senior Yemeni commander. Coalition-backed forces moved in two days later, announcing that hundreds of militants were killed and hailing the capture as "part of joint international efforts to defeat the terrorist organizations in Yemen." No witnesses reported militants killed, however. "We woke up one day and al-Qaida had vanished without a fight," a local journalist said, speaking to AP on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. Soon after, another accord was struck for AQAP to pull out of six towns in the province of Abyan, including its capital, Zinjibar, according to five tribal mediators involved in the negotiations. Again, the central provision was that the coalition and U.S. drones cease all bombings as AQAP pulled out with its weapons, the mediators said. The agreement also included a provision that 10,000 local tribesmen - including 250 al-Qaida militants - be incorporated into the Security Belt, the UAE-backed Yemeni force in the area, four Yemeni officials said. For nearly a week in May 2016, the militants departed in trucks. One of the mediators told the AP that he threw the last of the departing fighters a farewell dinner among his olive and lemon orchards when they stopped at his farm to pay their respects. Another mediator, Tarek al-Fadhli, a former jihadi once trained by al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, said he was in touch with officials at the U.S. Embassy and in the Saudi-led coalition, keeping them updated on the withdrawal. "When the last one left, we called the coalition to say they are gone," he said. ___ 'WE WILL UNITE WITH THE DEVIL' To think of al-Qaida as an international terror group is to miss its other reality. For many Yemenis, it is simply another faction on the ground - a very effective one, well-armed and battle-hardened. Its members are not shadowy strangers. Over the years, AQAP has woven itself into society by building ties with tribes, buying loyalties and marrying into major families. Power players often see it as a useful tool. Hadi's predecessor as Yemen's president, long-ruling strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh, set the model. He took billions in U.S. aid to combat al-Qaida after the 9/11 attacks, even as he recruited its militants to fight his rivals. Hadi's current vice president, Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, a military chief for decades, also has been accused of enlisting jihadis. In that light, it would almost be more startling if the militants were not involved against the Houthis, especially since al-Qaida militants are extremist Sunnis seeking the defeat of the Shiite rebels. Al-Qaida militants are present on all major front lines fighting the rebels, Khaled Baterfi, a senior leader in the group, said in a previously unpublished 2015 interview with a local journalist obtained by the AP. Last month, Baterfi said in a Q&A session distributed by al-Qaida that "those at the front lines for sure know of our participation, which is either actual fighting with our brothers in Yemen or supporting them with weapons." Al-Qaida has reduced attacks against Hadi's and Emirati-linked forces because assailing them would benefit the Houthis, Baterfi said. The branch is following guidance from al-Qaida's worldwide leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, to focus on fighting the rebels, another top AQAP member said in written answers to the AP. In some places, militants join battles independently. But in many cases, militia commanders from the ultraconservative Salafi sect and the Muslim Brotherhood bring them directly into their ranks, where they benefit from coalition funding, the AP found. The Brotherhood's Yemen branch is a powerful hard-line Islamic political organization allied to Hadi. Two of the four main coalition-backed commanders along the Red Sea coast are allies of al-Qaida, the al-Qaida member said. The coalition has made major advances on the coast, and is currently battling for the port of Hodeida. Video footage shot by the AP in January 2017 showed a coalition-backed unit advancing on Mocha, part of an eventually successful campaign to recapture the Red Sea town. Some of the unit's fighters were openly al-Qaida, wearing Afghan-style garb and carrying weapons with the group's logo. As they climbed behind machine guns in pick-up trucks, explosions from coalition airstrikes could be seen on the horizon. An AQAP member interviewed in person by the AP in May viewed the video and confirmed the fighters belonged to his group. His affiliation is known from his past involvement in AQAP's rule over a southern city. The impact of the intertwining of al-Qaida fighters with the coalition campaign is clearest in Taiz, Yemen's largest city and center of one of the war's longest running battles. In the central highlands, Taiz is Yemen's cultural capital, a historic source of poets and writers and educated technocrats. In 2015, the Houthis laid siege to the city, occupying surrounding mountain ranges, sealing the entrances and shelling it mercilessly. Taiz residents rose up to fight back, and coalition cash and weapons poured in - as did al-Qaida and Islamic State militants, all aimed at the same enemy. One liberal activist took up arms alongside other men from his neighborhood to defend the city, and they found themselves fighting side by side with al-Qaida members. "There is no filtering in the war. We are all together," said the activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said commanders received weapons and other aid from the coalition and distributed it to all the fighters, including al-Qaida militants. Abdel-Sattar al-Shamiri, a former adviser to Taiz's governor, said he recognized al-Qaida's presence from the start and told commanders not to recruit members. "Their response was, 'We will unite with the devil in the face of Houthis,'" al-Shamiri said. He said he warned coalition officials, who were "upset" but took no action. "Taiz is in danger," al-Shamiri said. "We will get rid of the Houthis and we will be stuck with terrorist groups." The activist and officials in the city said one of the main recruiters of al-Qaida fighters is Adnan Rouzek, a Salafi member tapped by Hadi to be a top military commander. Rouzek's militia became notorious for kidnappings and street killings, with one online video showing its masked members shooting a kneeling, blindfolded man. Its videos feature al-Qaida-style anthems and banners. Rouzek's top aide was a senior al-Qaida figure who escaped from a prison in Aden in 2008 along with other AQAP detainees, according to a Yemeni security official. Multiple photos seen by the AP show Rouzek with known al-Qaida commanders in recent years. In November, Hadi named Rouzek head of the Taiz Operations Rooms, coordinating the military campaign, and top commander of a new fighting force, the 5th Presidential Protection Battalion. Hadi's Defense Ministry also gave Rouzek $12 million for a new offensive against the Houthis. The AP obtained copy of a receipt for the $12 million and a Rouzek aide confirmed the figure. Rouzek denied any connection to militants, telling the AP that "there is no presence of al-Qaida" in Taiz. Another coalition-backed warlord is on the U.S. list of designated terrorists due to his ties to al-Qaida. The warlord, a Salafi known as Sheikh Aboul Abbas, has received millions of dollars from the coalition to distribute among anti-Houthi factions, according to his aide, Adel al-Ezzi. Despite being put on the U.S. list in October, the UAE continues to fund him, al-Ezzi told the AP. The aide denied any links to militants and dismissed his boss's designation on the U.S. terror list. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that "al-Qaida has fought on all the front lines alongside all factions." Right after the AP team spoke to him in Taiz, the team saw al-Ezzi meeting with a known senior al-Qaida figure, warmly hugging him outside the home of another former AQAP commander. Aboul Abbas runs a coalition-funded militia controlling several districts in Taiz. A 2016 video produced by al-Qaida shows militants in black uniforms with al-Qaida's logo fighting alongside other militias in districts known to be under his control. A former security official in Taiz said militants and Aboul Abbas' forces attacked security headquarters in 2017 and freed a number of al-Qaida suspects. The officer said he reported the attack to the coalition, only to learn soon after that it gave Aboul Abbas 40 more pick-up trucks. "The more we warn, the more they are rewarded," the officer said. "Al-Qaida leaders have armored vehicles given to them by the coalition while security commanders don't have such vehicles." ___ Wilson contributed from Washington. Keath contributed from Beirut. AP correspondent Desmond Butler also contributed to this report. A former al-Qaida commander, Harith al-Ezzi, walks through streets destroyed in fighting in the southern Yemeni city of Taiz in this Feb. 4, 2018, photo. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, as the Yemeni branch of the group is known, has a significant presence in Taiz, fighting alongside and sometimes in coalition-backed forces against rebels who have besieged the city since 2015. Al-Ezzi is no longer in the group but sometimes acts as an intermediary between it and other factions. (AP Photo) Men ride through streets wrecked by fighting in Taiz, Yemen in this Feb. 4, 2018, photo. The city gives the clearest example of the intertwining of al-Qaida with militias funded by the U.S.-backed coalition to fight the Houthi rebels. Al-Qaida militants are among the fiercest fighters in the city, driving the rebels out of some areas, and militia commanders have close ties to and recruit from the group. (AP Photo) The black al-Qaida flag is sprayed on the wall of a damaged school that was turned into a religious court, in Taiz, Yemen, shown in this Oct. 16, 2017, photo. Al-Qaida fighters and other militants poured into Taiz to help defend it against Shiite rebels who have besieged it since 2015, and now the extremists are intertwined with militias financed by the U.S.-backed coalition. (AP Photo) Adnan Rouzek, center, a Salafi militia leader backed by Yemen's president, stands with fighters in Taiz, Yemen, in this Feb. 6, 2018, photo. Rouzek was named a top commander with a rank of colonel by the president and recently given $12 million to fight the Houthi rebels in Taiz, but security officials in the city say he has used al-Qaida militants in his forces. His top aide is a senior al-Qaida figure who escaped from prison in 2008, they say. His militia became notorious for kidnappings and street killings. (AP Photo) Coalition-backed fighters help a wounded man during an advance on Yemen's Red Sea port town of Mocha in this Jan. 11 2017, photo. Some of the fighters in the unit openly al-Qaida, wearing Afghan-style garb and carrying weapons with an al-Qaida logo, a sign of how closely the militant group is involved in the fight against Shiite rebels known as Houthis. The coalition fighters eventually succeeded in taking Mocha from the Houthis. (AP Photo) An explosion raises a cloud as coalition-backed fighters advance on the Red Sea port town of Mocha in Yemen in this Jan. 11, 2017, photo, part of a campaign that eventually recaptured the town from Shiite Houthi rebels. Some of the coalition-backed units waging the assault were openly al-Qaida members, wearing Afghan-style garb and carrying weapons with an al-Qaida logo. One al-Qaida member said two of the four main coalition-backed commanders on the Red Sea front are allies of the militant group. (AP Photo) ADEN, Yemen (AP) - Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, based in Yemen, is considered the most dangerous branch of the terror network after a series of failed attacks on U.S. soil. AQAP has been enmeshed in conflicts in impoverished Yemen for nearly 20 years - at times working with the government and at times facing crackdown, all the while building ties among tribes in the mountainous countryside to establish refuges and allies. ___ FILE - In this Friday, June 15, 2012 file photo, an al-Qaida logo is seen on a street sign in the town of Jaar in southern Abyan province, Yemen. Arabic on the logo reads, "There is no god but God," and "Muhammad is the messenger of God." Jaar was one of several southern towns that al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula took over in 2011 and ruled until the following year when it was driven out by a government offensive that wreaked widespread damage. It was just one phase in the continual back and forth of expansions by the group and crack-downs. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed, File) AQAP'S PREDECESSORS: The first anti-American attack in Yemen linked to al-Qaida took place in 1992 when a group called the Islamic Jihad Movement attacked a hotel in the southern city of Aden housing U.S. troops heading to Somalia, killing a Yemeni and an Australian. The group was made up of jihadis who had returned from Afghanistan, where they fought the Soviets alongside Osama bin Laden. The group fell apart after defections spurred by its cozy relationship with ruling authorities as then-President Ali Abdullah Saleh used AQAP fighters to liquidate his top foes, the socialists. Another group called the Aden-Abyan Army was born, also made up of Afghan veterans. It carried out the October 2000 bombing of the American warship USS Cole off Aden, killing 17 Marines. The following year, the central branch of al-Qaida carried out the 9/11 attacks in New York and Washington. ___ AQAP'S BIRTH: In February 2006, 23 al-Qaida-linked inmates escaped from a prison in the capital, Sanaa. Among them was Nasser al-Wahishi, a personal aide of bin Laden, and Qassim al-Rimi, a prominent militant. Together, they formed the core of a new al-Qaida branch. Three years later, they merged with members of al-Qaida's Saudi branch fleeing a crackdown there: Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula was born, with al-Wahishi as its leader. The group claimed responsibility for the attempted Christmas Day 2009 bombing of Northwest Airlines Flight 253 as it approached Detroit, foiled when the explosives hidden in the bomber's underwear failed to detonate properly. It next claimed responsibility for a plot uncovered in October 2010 when package bombs originating in Yemen and destined for the United States were found on cargo aircraft. ___ INSPIRATION: The group was among the first to advocate for "lone wolf" attacks, using its English-language online magazine Inspire, starting in 2010. The magazine has featured articles on such topics as how to make a bomb in a kitchen and hit soft targets in the U.S., such as trains and restaurants. The magazine originally was authored by Yemeni-American al-Qaida ideologue Anwar al-Awlaki and Pakistani-American Samir Khan. Both were later killed in drone strikes, but al-Awlaki's online sermons and writings remained an inspiration for radicals who carried out attacks in the U.S. and Europe. Al-Qaida's latest overseas attack took place when two militants attacked the offices of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris, killing 11 people. ___ GOVERNING: For years, al-Qaida mostly operated by hiding in the mountains, working with tribes. But amid Yemen's political chaos in 2011, it seized the southern cities of Jaar and Zinjibar, imposing a heavy-handed rule under its extremist version of Islamic Shariah law. Government forces finally drove them out in heavy fighting that caused widespread destruction. AQAP again seized and governed territory in 2015 as the Shiite rebels known as Houthis were pushed back from southern Yemen. Al-Qaida captured Mukalla, the capital of Hadramawt province, and ruled it for a year. The group took a softer approach to ruling, minimizing punishments such as beheading or flogging and focusing instead on development and construction and setting up an administrative council of local figures. Meanwhile, it looted weaponry and millions of dollars. The group again took control of Zinjibar and Jaar, as well as several areas of neighboring Shabwa province, but subsequently withdrew from those areas under secret deals outlined by The Associated Press. ___ DRONE STRIKES: During AQAP's one-year rule in Mukalla, U.S. drones struck multiple times in the city, killing the group's top cadres, including al-Wahishi, the military commander Nasr al-Ansi and media chief Muhannad Ghallab. The drone campaign also has killed civilians, turning many in the public against the U.S. The Trump administration loosened restrictions on drone attacks, leading to a spike in numbers. But there have been no reports of leadership figures killed, signaling how AQAP has purged spies from its ranks and taken greater precautions. The group's new leader, al-Rimi, has warned members not to use cellphones or even disclose information to their wives. FILE - In this April 23, 2013 file photo, a suspected Yemeni al-Qaida militant, center, holds a banner as he stands behind bars during a court hearing in state security court in Sanaa, Yemen. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula has survived multiple crackdowns against it, as well as a fierce U.S. drone campaign. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed, File) FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, file photo, Saudi alleged al-Qaida militants stand behind bars during a hearing in state security court in Sanaa, Yemen. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula was born in 2009 when Yemeni militants merged with Saudis who were fleeing a crackdown on al-Qaida in their homeland. The resulting group based in Yemen is is considered the most dangerous branch of the terror network after it attempted a series of failed attacks on U.S. soil. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed, File) FILE - This October 2008, file photo shows Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen. Al-Awlaki is an American imam-turned al-Qaida propagandist whose online sermons and writings were an inspiration for radicals who carried out attacks in the United States and Europe. He also helped found "Inspire," an on-line English-language magazine of al-Qaida's branch in Yemen, which called for lone-wolf attacks and gave advice on how to carry them out.(AP Photo/Muhammad ud-Deen, File) ATAQ, Yemen (AP) - A military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the United States has cut secret deals with al-Qaida fighters, paying some to leave key cities and towns the militants had seized across Yemen and letting others retreat with weapons, equipment and wads of looted cash, an investigation by The Associated Press has found. Hundreds more were recruited to join the coalition itself. Again and again over the past two years, the coalition has claimed to win decisive victories that drove al-Qaida militants from their strongholds and shattered their ability to attack the West. What the victors didn't disclose: many of those conquests came without firing a shot. The compromises and alliances have allowed al-Qaida militants to survive to fight another day - and risk strengthening the most dangerous branch of the terror network that carried out the 9/11 attacks. Men ride through streets wrecked by fighting in Taiz, Yemen in this Feb. 4, 2018, photo. The city gives the clearest example of the intertwining of al-Qaida with militias funded by the U.S.-backed coalition to fight the Houthi rebels. Al-Qaida militants are among the fiercest fighters in the city, driving the rebels out of some areas, and militia commanders have close ties to and recruit from the group. (AP Photo) Key participants in the pacts said the U.S. was aware of the arrangements and held off on any drone strikes as the al-Qaida fighters retreated in plain sight. The AP's findings are based on reporting in Yemen and interviews with two dozen officials, including Yemeni security officers, militia commanders, tribal mediators and four members of al-Qaida's branch. All but a few of those sources spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals. Emirati-backed factions, like most armed groups in Yemen, have been accused of abducting or killing their critics. The deals uncovered by the AP reflect the contradictory interests of the two wars being waged simultaneously in this southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. In one conflict, the U.S. is working with its Arab allies - particularly the United Arab Emirates - with the aim of eliminating the extremists known as Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP. But the larger mission is to win the civil war against the Houthis, Iranian-backed Shiite rebels. In that fight, al-Qaida is effectively on the same side as the coalition - and, by extension, the United States. The U.S. has sent the coalition billions of dollars in weapons to fight the Houthis, and American jets provide air-to-air refueling for coalition war planes. The U.S. does not fund the coalition, however, and there is no evidence that American money went to AQAP militants. "Elements of the U.S. military are clearly aware that much of what the U.S. is doing in Yemen is aiding AQAP and there is much angst about that," said Michael Horton, a fellow at the Jamestown Foundation, a U.S. analysis group that tracks terrorism. But supporting allies against "what the U.S. views as Iranian expansionism takes priority over battling AQAP and even stabilizing Yemen," Horton said. The AP found that coalition-funded militia commanders actively recruit al-Qaida militants - considered to be exceptional fighters - or fighters who until very recently were members of the group. Abdel-Sattar al-Shamiri, a former adviser to the governor of Taiz province, said he recognized al-Qaida's presence from the start and told commanders not to recruit members. "Their response was, 'We will unite with the devil in the face of Houthis,'" al-Shamiri said. A militia commander in Taiz, known as Aboul Abbas, was put on the U.S. terrorism list for al-Qaida ties last year. But he continues to receive money from the UAE for his militia, his aide Adel al-Ezzi told the AP. Al-Ezzi rejected the U.S. accusation, denying any terrorism links. Soon after his comments, the AP saw him meeting with a known AQAP commander. Another Taiz commander - Adnan Rouzek, who was recently given $12 million by Yemen's president for his fighting force - has a known al-Qaida figure as his closest aide. The U.S. is aware of an al-Qaida presence among anti-Houthi ranks, a senior American official told reporters in Cairo earlier this year. Because coalition members back militias with hard-line Islamic commanders, "it's very, very easy for al-Qaida to insinuate itself into the mix," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity under the briefing's terms. The Pentagon denied any complicity with al-Qaida. "Since the beginning of 2017, we have conducted more than 140 strikes to remove key AQAP leaders and disrupt its ability to use ungoverned spaces to recruit, train and plan operations against the U.S. and our partners across the region," spokesman Navy Cmdr. Sean Robertson said in an email. "Our regional partners have a proven track record of aggressively pursuing terrorist organizations and denying them safe haven in Yemen and DOD does not have any reason to doubt their resolve," he wrote. The Saudi-led coalition commented by saying it "continues its commitment to combat extremism and terrorism." The UAE did not respond to repeated requests for comment. But on Monday, Emirati Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash tweeted that the UAE-backed counter-terrorism strategy had "removed" thousands of militants and deprived them of safe havens. AQAP is "at its weakest since 2012," he wrote. In early 2016, al-Qaida pulled out of the southern port city of Mukalla and seven areas in the nearby Abyan province, under deals reached with the UAE, according to five military, security and government officials and four tribal mediators involved in the Abyan arrangement. That agreement included a provision that 10,000 local tribesmen - including 250 al-Qaida militants - would be incorporated into the Security Belt, the UAE-backed Yemeni force in the area, an al-Qaida negotiator and two Security Belt commanders said. An accord for the withdrawal in February from the town of al-Said in Shabwa province went further, the AP found. The coalition promised payments to al-Qaida members who left, according to Shabwa's security chief Awad al-Dahboul, a mediator and two government officials. Al-Dahboul said about 200 al-Qaida members received payments. He did not know the exact amounts, but said 100,000 Saudi rials ($26,000) were handed over to one al-Qaida leader in the presence of Emirati commanders. Thousands of tribal fighters, including AQAP members, also were to be taken into the UAE-funded Shabwa Elite militia, the mediator and two officials said. Al-Shamiri, the former official from Taiz, warned that the militants will be difficult to uproot after filtering into such roles. "We will get rid of Houthis and we will be struck with terrorist groups." ___ The Associated Press reported this story with help from a grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. ___ Wilson contributed from Washington. Keath contributed from Beirut. AP correspondent Desmond Butler also contributed to this report. Coalition-backed fighters advance on Yemen's Red Sea port town of Mocha in this Jan. 11 2017, photo. The coalition forces eventually captured the town from Shiite rebels known as Houthis. Some fighters in the unit were openly al-Qaida, wearing Afghan-style garb and carrying weapons with an al-Qaida logo, a sign of how closely the militants have been involved in the war against the Houthis, who are seen by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as a proxy for Iranian influence. (AP Photo) A former al-Qaida commander, Harith al-Ezzi, walks through streets destroyed in fighting in the southern Yemeni city of Taiz in this Feb. 4, 2018, photo. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, as the Yemeni branch of the group is known, has a significant presence in Taiz, fighting alongside and sometimes in coalition-backed forces against rebels who have besieged the city since 2015. Al-Ezzi is no longer in the group but sometimes acts as an intermediary between it and other factions. (AP Photo) Adnan Rouzek, center, a Salafi militia leader backed by Yemen's president, stands with fighters in Taiz, Yemen, in this Feb. 6, 2018, photo. Rouzek was named a top commander with a rank of colonel by the president and recently given $12 million to fight the Houthi rebels in Taiz, but security officials in the city say he has used al-Qaida militants in his forces. His top aide is a senior al-Qaida figure who escaped from prison in 2008, they say. His militia became notorious for kidnappings and street killings. (AP Photo) The black al-Qaida flag is sprayed on the wall of a damaged school that was turned into a religious court, in Taiz, Yemen, shown in this Oct. 16, 2017, photo. Al-Qaida fighters and other militants poured into Taiz to help defend it against Shiite rebels who have besieged it since 2015, and now the extremists are intertwined with militias financed by the U.S.-backed coalition. (AP Photo) Coalition-backed fighters help a wounded man during an advance on Yemen's Red Sea port town of Mocha in this Jan. 11 2017, photo. Some of the fighters in the unit openly al-Qaida, wearing Afghan-style garb and carrying weapons with an al-Qaida logo, a sign of how closely the militant group is involved in the fight against Shiite rebels known as Houthis. The coalition fighters eventually succeeded in taking Mocha from the Houthis. (AP Photo) An explosion raises a cloud as coalition-backed fighters advance on the Red Sea port town of Mocha in Yemen in this Jan. 11, 2017, photo, part of a campaign that eventually recaptured the town from Shiite Houthi rebels. Some of the coalition-backed units waging the assault were openly al-Qaida members, wearing Afghan-style garb and carrying weapons with an al-Qaida logo. One al-Qaida member said two of the four main coalition-backed commanders on the Red Sea front are allies of the militant group. (AP Photo) BEIJING (AP) - The Taiwanese-controlled island of Kinmen located just off the Chinese coast has begun importing water from its neighbor via a pipeline despite heightened tensions between Beijing and Taipei. Water from Jinjiang in China's Fujian province began flowing through the 16-kilometer (10-mile) -long pipeline Sunday under a 30-year contract. The island, about three times the size of Manhattan, has long been short of water and hordes of tourists have put an extra strain on supplies. The move shows how trade and other non-political ties have been relatively unaffected by the diplomatic freeze instituted two years ago by China, which claims Taiwan as a part of its territory to be annexed by force if necessary. In recent months, China has increased Taiwan's diplomatic isolation and stepped up military threats by sending warplanes on patrols around the island and staging war games on its side of the Taiwan Strait. It has also offered preferential terms for talented young people from the high-tech island to work in cities such as Shanghai and Beijing that offer much larger potential markets than those available in Taiwan. China has taken an increasingly hard line since the election of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who has refused to endorse Beijing's insistence that Taiwan is a part of China. Kinmen was retained by Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists as they fled the Communist takeover of the mainland in 1949. For years, it was bombarded by Communist artillery leaving it strewn with shells and its beaches covered in barbed wire. With the end of open conflict, the island was opened to tourism in the 1990s and has grown increasingly popular with visitors from both China and Taiwan's main island. The $1.35 billion water project will provide Kinmen's 128,000 people with up to 55,000 tons of water per day. The head of Kinmen's local government, Chen Fu-hai, has suggested the island could in future import electricity from China and even build a bridge to the mainland, drawing a rebuke from Taiwan's central government that such decisions weren't up to the local government alone. Washington is playing double-faced tactics in the ongoing trade war. It on one hand threatened to slap a 25-percent tariff on $200 billion of imported Chinese goods after initially setting them at 10 percent, and on the other hand sent the signal through various ways that it is willing to negotiate with China. From $50 billion, to $200 billion and then the proposed $500 billion, from 10 percent to 25 percent, Washingtons tariff game has been seen through by China. But it created a new tactic of accelerating the trade war while advertising its willingness for talks. The mainstream opinion is that the US wants to use carrot-and-stick diplomacy to bully China into unilateral trade concessions, while some others hold that the hardliners in the White House overwhelm those calling for talks. However, both groups share the same goal: to defeat China, no matter they prefer trade war or negotiation. But there is no way for them to be satisfied. Pointing China with gun and artillery and then asking for a talk, the US showed zero sincerity. The eye-catching economic figure released recently boosted Washingtons confidence, making the arrogant Uncle Sam unaware of where it really is before having rounds of clash with China. It is very possible that the trade war will be escalated given that both sides have not yet reached the state of strategic stalemate. Analysts said that China suffers the largest impact at the initial phase and the US at a later one. But China will eventually defeat the trade blackmail of the US and it is impossible to force China into surrender to the US coercion. The countermeasures China took are self-defensive responses. It insisted on not firing the first shot but will hit back once it is bullied. The country has been well prepared for fighting against the rising US tariffs, but will not fight the US through a self-exhaustion approach. In whatever way the US escalates the trade war, China will react in its own way. Though China will not start a war, it is a good hand in hitting the pain points of its opponents to defend itself. Though the US appears to be big and strong, it is in fact vulnerable from inside. Washington is too paranoid and stubborn to take care of the interests of American farmers, entrepreneurs and consumers. As a matter of fact, some American firms have already been on the brim of collapse, and the farmers are severely hurt by the trade war. The additional tariffs increased production cost of American companies by more than 30 percent, pushing them to the brink of bankruptcy. The Trump administration intends to bring American firms back to the US through the trade war, but because of the high tariffs, some companies have moved overseas, such as motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson and auto maker Tesla. If Washington escalates the tariffs to $200 billion worth of imported Chinese goods, a great number of ordinary US consumers would fall into the victims of the trade war. A considerable part of names on the new proposed list are consumer goods, which means that higher duties will raise the citizens living costs and reduce their life quality. Certainly the opposition voices in the US will go stronger to the extent of stopping Washington from acting capriciously. China has been devoted itself to resolving disputes through dialogue. But the Chinese people no longer believe Washingtons sincerity for negotiations, which is also a lesson learned from the earlier rounds of negotiations with the latter. Abandoning its commitments again and again, the US has gone back on its word to both China and the world. Only mutual treatment and fulfillment to promise will lead to a dialogue. If the US continues acting willfully, China will not hesitate fighting back at it with tougher countermeasures. The trade war is not easy for China as the major challenge would bring losses. China didnt choose a trade war but was forced to accept it. China will not surrender to the US, nor could it ignore the trade war. The only way is to face it and win it. Chinas development to where it is now comes from its success in grasping opportunities amid games and competitions, and this time it will win the trade war in the same way. BANGKOK (AP) - A human rights group urged Bangladesh's government on Monday to abandon plans to relocate Rohingya Muslim refugees to a small, uninhabited island said to be at severe risk of serious flooding. Human Rights Watch said in a report released in Bangkok, Thailand, that international experts have identified six sites near the existing camp housing about 700,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar that could provide better and safer conditions and could accommodate more than a quarter of a million people. "Relocation of a significant number of refugees to less densely packed camps, with fewer environmental risks and adequate standards of services, is crucial for the health and well-being of all the refugees," the group said. FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2018, file photo, Rohingya Muslim women with their children stand in a queue outside a food distribution center at Balukhali refugee camp 50 kilometers (32 miles) from, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. The human rights group Human Rights Watch is calling on Bangladesh's government to abandon controversial plans to relocate Rohingya refugees to a small, uninhabited island said to be at severe risk of serious flooding. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup, File) The New York-based organization said Bangladesh's government plans to move 100,000 people to Bhasan Char island very soon, but warned that - in addition to its susceptibility to flooding - its isolation and the lack of assurance of freedom of movement would turn it into a de facto "immigration detention center." The latest wave of refugees into Bangladesh began after attacks by Rohingya insurgents on Myanmar security personnel last Aug. 25. Myanmar's military responded with counterinsurgency sweeps and a scorched-earth campaign against Rohingya villages. It was accused of widespread human rights violations, including rape, murder, torture and the burning of Rohingya homes. Thousands are believed to have died. Previously, smaller-scale violence and discrimination led more than 200,000 Rohingya to flee Myanmar between 2012 and 2015. The report, titled "Bangladesh Is Not My Country," highlights the problems facing Rohingya refugees in the overcrowded Kutapalong-Balukhali camp - said to be the world's largest refugee camp - in Cox's Bazar, just across the border from western Myanmar. It says the camp is unsustainable, that conditions put the refugees there at risk of disease epidemics, fire, community tension and domestic and sexual violence. "Despite efforts by the refugees and aid agencies to strengthen huts, build safer infrastructure, and develop safety plans, the camps and their residents have remained highly vulnerable to catastrophic weather conditions," the report adds. However, the Bangladesh government's insistence that the camps are temporary, until the Rohingya can return to their homes on Myanmar, has meant that it "has blocked the construction of permanent structures, including cyclone-resistant buildings, and has not allowed for other infrastructure that would suggest longer-term stay," Human Rights Watch said. Bhasan Char island "appears unsuitable for accommodating the refugees," says the report, citing experts declaring it "could become completely submerged in the event of a strong cyclone during a high tide." It says there are six other more feasible relocation sites just west of the existing Kutupalong-Balukhali that could accommodate 263,000 people. Human Rights Watch called on donor governments and intergovernmental organizations to help Bangladesh provide humanitarian aid and also to pressure Myanmar to allow the safe and sustainable return of the Rohingya to their homes there. The Muslim Rohingya face official and social discrimination in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, which denies most of them citizenship and basic rights. They are considered immigrants from Bangladesh, even though many families settled in Myanmar generations ago. HONG KONG (AP) - A journalists' association in Hong Kong says it will defy the Chinese government and follow through with a planned speech by a pro-independence activist that has become a mounting political flashpoint in the city. China's foreign ministry asked the Foreign Correspondents Club this month to cancel a talk by Andy Chan of the Hong Kong National Party. The request raised questions about Beijing's growing influence in the former British colony, which was promised semi-autonomy and freedom of speech as part of a 1997 handover arrangement. Current and former Hong Kong leaders have criticized the FCC for hosting Chan, whose party is facing a possible ban on national security grounds. The FCC said in a statement Monday it believes its members and the public have the right "to hear the views of different sides in any debate" and will continue with the event. "We believe that in free societies such as Hong Kong it is vitally important to allow people to speak and debate freely, even if one does not agree with their particular views," the club statement said. The 75-year-old organization has previously hosted politicians and newsmakers, including pro-Beijing speakers, at its iconic clubhouse in central Hong Kong. It is set to host Chan on Aug. 14 for a talk titled "Hong Kong Nationalism: A Politically Incorrect Guide to Hong Kong under Chinese Rule." The perception that Beijing is reneging on its promise and eroding Hong Kong's free elections and freedom of speech is helping fuel a rising generation of young activists calling for greater autonomy, if not outright independence. Huge pro-democracy protests erupted in 2014 in response to the decision by China's ruling Communist Party to retain the right to effectively pre-screen candidates for Hong Kong's leadership. The movement has been met with repeated warnings from Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping, that separatist activity would not be tolerated. Hong Kong police have told Chan, 27, that he has until Sept. 4 to provide a legal defense of the HKNP or else it will be disbanded under a 1997 ordinance that allows authorities to shut down groups deemed an imminent threat to national security. Hong Kong officials have dismissed the FCC's argument that Chan's appearance amounts to a free speech matter, with the territory's former chief executive C.Y. Leung equating the FCC event with giving a platform to "criminals and terrorists." Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam told reporters on Sunday that it was "inappropriate" for the FCC to host Chan and asked the organization to respect that Hong Kong is an unalienable part of China. LISBON, Portugal (AP) - Firefighters in Portugal were close to bringing a major, four-day wildfire near a popular tourist area under control Monday as sweltering weather gripped much of Europe. The Portuguese Civil Protection Agency said firefighters had contained 95 percent of the blaze in rolling hills by the country's southern Algarve coast, though they were wary of reignitions and changes in the wind. The news brought relief for locals and tourists who spent tense hours after dark Sunday as the huge blaze passed by the outskirts of Monchique, a town of 2,000 people 250 kilometers (155 miles) south of Lisbon. A burnt car sits on the outskirts of the village of Monchique in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. Emergency services in Portugal say they are still fighting a major wildfire on the south coast that threatened to engulf a hillside town overnight. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) High plumes of black smoke from the wildfire could be seen from the famous beaches of Portugal's Algarve region. As the smoke gradually cleared Monday, 13 aircraft swung into action, including two large Canadair water-dropping planes sent by Spain. More than 1,100 firefighters were deployed to fight the blaze. Authorities said 44 people required medical assistance, including a 72-year-old woman who was seriously hurt. The blaze erupted amid a heatwave caused by a mass of hot air from North Africa that sent temperatures in Portugal and Spain over 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) over the weekend. The rest of Europe has also felt the torrid recent weather. In France, where four nuclear reactors have been temporarily closed due to the heat, three cities banned the most polluting cars from the roads because of heat-linked ozone pollution. In Paris and Strasbourg, the ban concerned vehicles that are 12 years and older, while in Lyon only cars with a clean air sticker were allowed. The heat wave in France was expected to last until Thursday, with temperatures peaking Tuesday. In Germany, the grape harvest started on its earliest date yet amid an exceptionally hot summer. The first grapes are used to make Federweisser, a young wine that gives the first hints about the year's potential quality. The main harvest is expected to start in late August or early September. In Norway, authorities warned motorists to watch out for reindeer and sheep taking shelter from the heat in highway tunnels. The country has an estimated 220,000 reindeer and more than 800,000 sheep. Neighboring Sweden has been fighting an uncommon number of wildfires this summer, even above the Arctic Circle, and a European Union official pointed his finger at climate change. "We are facing a new reality," EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Christos Stylianides said. As a result, the EU must become "collectively better prepared and stronger in responding to multiple disasters across the continent." Over the weekend, Lisbon broke a 37-year-old record to notch its hottest temperature ever and new heat records were set in 26 places around Portugal. That extreme heat was easing a bit Monday but parts of south and northeast Portugal remained at "extreme risk" of wildfires, according to the national weather agency. ____ AP correspondents across Europe contributed to this report. A young female firefighter adjusts her helmet while working near the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. Emergency services in Portugal say they are still fighting a major wildfire on the south coast that threatened to engulf a hillside town overnight. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) A firefighter works on an active fire on a hillside outside the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. Emergency services in Portugal say they are still fighting a major wildfire on the south coast that threatened to engulf a hillside town overnight. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) Town signs stand amid burnt out surroundings outside the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Monday, Aug. 6 2018 Emergency services in Portugal say they are still fighting a major wildfire on the south coast that threatened to engulf a hillside town overnight. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) Mr Harris, originally from Devon, UK, returns to his burned permanent home near the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. Emergency services in Portugal say they are still fighting a major wildfire on the south coast that threatened to engulf a hillside town overnight. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) Residents return to their homes in the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Monday, Aug. 6 2018. Emergency services in Portugal say they are still fighting a major wildfire on the south coast that threatened to engulf a hillside town overnight. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) A man who fainted from smoke inhalation is attended by medical staff at the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. Emergency services in Portugal say they are still fighting a major wildfire on the south coast that threatened to engulf a hillside town overnight. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) Mr Harris, originally from Devon, UK, returns to his burned permanent home near the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. Emergency services in Portugal say they are still fighting a major wildfire on the south coast that threatened to engulf a hillside town overnight. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) A firefighter takes a break outside the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. Emergency services in Portugal say they are still fighting a major wildfire on the south coast that threatened to engulf a hillside town overnight. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) LISBON, Portugal (AP) - The Latest on hot weather and wildfires in Europe (all times local): 1:25 p.m. A European Union official says the dozens of forest fires in Sweden this summer "have highlighted once again the impact of climate change." Smoke surrounds the outskirts of the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. Emergency services in Portugal say they are still fighting a major wildfire on the south coast that threatened to engulf a hillside town overnight. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Christos Stylianides says, "we are facing a new reality" regarding climate change. He said the 28-member bloc must "collectively learn from these tragedies" and must become "collectively (be) better prepared and stronger in responding to multiple disasters across the continent." Stylianides said Monday in Stockholm that more than 360 firefighters, seven planes, six helicopters and 67 vehicles were mobilized through the European Civil Protection Mechanism in the past three weeks, calling it the "the single biggest operation" in a decade. Sweden has seen dozens of wildfires, mostly in central and western parts of the country but also even above the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden. Fires have died down, but authorities remain vigilant. ___ 11:55 a.m. Authorities in Norway have warned motorists to watch out for reindeer and sheep taking shelter from the heat in tunnels. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration said that last month there was a collision between a motorcycle and a reindeer and Norway's main news agency NTB says there have been 44 collisions with roaming reindeer and sheep since July 10, most of them fatal for the animals. The administration said the reports come mainly from Arctic Norway, which has seen high temperatures in recent weeks. Norway has an estimated reindeer population of 220,000, and according to official figures, more than 800,000 sheep. ___ 10:30 a.m. Three French cities have banned the most polluting cars from the roads because of pollution linked to the current heat wave in Europe. In Paris and Strasbourg, the ban concerns vehicles that are 12 years and older, while in Lyon only cars with a clean air sticker are allowed. Authorities warned of a peak of ozone pollution Monday because of high temperatures. Ozone is formed in the atmosphere from emissions of other air pollutants including emissions from vehicles. It can cause irritation to the eyes, sore throats and breathing problems. The heat wave in France is expected to last until Thursday, with temperatures peaking Tuesday. Four nuclear reactors have already been temporarily closed in France because of the high heat. ___ 10:20 a.m. Emergency services in Portugal say they are still fighting a major wildfire on the south coast that threatened to engulf a hillside town overnight. The Civil Protection Agency said Monday that 44 people required medical assistance as the blaze passed by the outskirts of Monchique, 250 kilometers (155 miles) south of Lisbon, in the dark. A 72-year-old woman was seriously hurt. Authorities said that more than 1,000 firefighters with 327 vehicles and seven aircraft were battling the blaze. The wind-driven fire has raced across tinder-dry pine and eucalyptus forest in a largely inaccessible hill range behind the famous beaches of Portugal's Algarve vacation region. Plumes of black smoke have blown across beaches popular with European tourists. Firefighters expect forecast cooler temperatures to help them bring the fire under control. A man walks a path wearing a bandana as an improvised mask outside the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. Emergency services in Portugal say they are still fighting a major wildfire on the south coast that threatened to engulf a hillside town overnight. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) A firefighter takes a break outside the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. Emergency services in Portugal say they are still fighting a major wildfire on the south coast that threatened to engulf a hillside town overnight. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) A man who fainted from smoke inhalation is attended by medical staff at the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. Emergency services in Portugal say they are still fighting a major wildfire on the south coast that threatened to engulf a hillside town overnight. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) Mr Harris, originally from Devon, UK, returns to his burned permanent home near the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. Emergency services in Portugal say they are still fighting a major wildfire on the south coast that threatened to engulf a hillside town overnight. (AP Photo/Javier Fergo) Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. MORE THAN 90 DEAD AFTER QUAKE ROCKS INDONESIAN TOURIST ISLAND Rescuers still haven't reached some devastated parts of Lombok after a powerful temblor flattened houses and toppled bridges. Workers remove the debris at a building damaged by an earthquake in Bali, Indonesia, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. A powerful earthquake struck the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok on Sunday, shaking neighboring Bali, one week after another quake on Lombok killed more than a dozen. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) 2. TRUMP APPEARS TO CHANGE STORY ON TRUMP TOWER MEETING Calling it "totally legal," the president tweeted that his son met with a Kremlin-connected lawyer in 2016 to collect information about Hillary Clinton. 3. 'RIGHT-HAND MAN' SET TO TESTIFY Rick Gates, who cut a plea deal with special counsel Robert Mueller's team, will take the stand in the financial fraud trial of his former boss and mentor, Paul Manafort. 4. VENEZUELA HUNTS FOR ASSASSINATION SUSPECTS Investigators raid hotels and seize vehicles while grilling six suspects for details of the drone plot on President Nicolas Maduro's life. 5. GOP SEEMINGLY GIVING KAVANAUGH FREE PASS The Supreme Court nominee is breezing past questions over his views on executive power and his approach to gay marriage, abortion and other legal issues. 6. US ALLIES PAYING AL-QAIDA TO GO AWAY The U.S.-backed, Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has cut secret deals with al-Qaida fighters, paying some to leave key areas and letting others retreat with weapons, equipment and looted cash, AP learns. 7. SAUDIS ORDER CANADIAN ENVOY TO LEAVE COUNTRY Ambassador Dennis Horak is being expelled from the ultraconservative kingdom after his nation criticized the recent arrest of women's rights activists. 8. JAPANESE STUDENTS USE VR TO RECREATE HIROSHIMA BOMBING The virtual reality experience recreates the sights and sounds before, during and after the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on the city 73 years ago. 9. HOW OREGON IS REACTING TO PROTEST AFTERMATH Portland police are accused of being heavy-handed against people protesting a rally by extreme-right demonstrators, prompting the city to review the officers' use of force. 10. 'FACTS OF LIFE' STAR CHARLOTTE RAE DIES The actress who played a wise and patient housemother to a brood of teenage girls on the long-running sitcom "The Facts of Life" was 92. Press members wait as they try to get access to an apartment complex where an allegedly armed drone crashed, causing a fire, in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro dodged an apparent assassination attempt the previous day when drones armed with explosives detonated while he was delivering a speech to hundreds of soldiers being broadcast live on television, according to officials. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) PURCHASE, N.Y. (AP) - With Indra Nooyi exiting PepsiCo as its longtime chief executive, the circle of CEOs in the Fortune 500 is losing one of its highest profile women. Nooyi, who was born in India, is a rarity on Wall Street as a woman and a minority leading a Fortune 500 company. She oversaw PepsiCo during a turbulent time in the industry that has forced food giants including Coca-Cola Co., Campbell Soup Co. and Oreo maker Mondelez International Inc. to adapt to changing tastes. All those companies changed CEOs in roughly the last year. At PepsiCo Inc., Nooyi stressed the company's move toward "good for you" options that people don't feel as guilty eating, such as Baked Lay's potato chips and Naked juices made of fruits and vegetables. The company has not abandoned sugary sodas or more indulgent snacks. FILE- In this Jan. 29, 2009, file photo, Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo Indra Nooyi speaks during a session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. With Nooyi exiting PepsiCo as its longtime chief executive, the circle of CEOs in the S&P 500 is losing one of its highest profile women. Nooyi has been with PepsiCo Inc. for 24 years and held the top job for 12. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File) Nooyi, 62, has been with PepsiCo Inc. for 24 years and held the top job for 12. Another PepsiCo veteran, Ramon Laguarta, will take over as chief executive in October, the company said Monday. Nooyi will remain as chairwoman until early next year. "Growing up in India, I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary company," Nooyi said in a statement Monday. Nooyi began her career in India with positions at companies including Johnson & Johnson. She later attended the Yale School of Management. The percentage of female CEOs in the Fortune 500 has climbed slowly over the years and broke the 5 percent mark just last year, according to Catalyst, which promotes women in the workplace. The Fortune 500 includes the largest companies based on revenue. In the S&P 500, an index that includes companies from different sectors, there are currently 25 female CEOs including Nooyi, according to Catalyst. That also represents around 5 percent of CEOs. Within the food industry, Nooyi is the latest female chief executive to step down, following Mondelez CEO Irene Rosenfeld last year and Campbell CEO Denise Morrison earlier this year. The packaged food industry has been undergoing major changes through acquisitions, spinoffs and mergers as big companies look for ways to revive slumping revenues. Nooyi, who took over as chief executive of PepsiCo in 2006, has resisted calls by an activist investor to spin off the company's beverage business, which has struggled in North America, from its better-performing Frito-Lay snacks business. Some of PepsiCo's other brands include Mountain Dew, Tropicana, Gatorade and Quaker Oats. Nooyi hands the reins to the 54-year-old Laguarta, who has held a variety of positions in his 22 years at PepsiCo over more than two decades. He currently serves as president, overseeing global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs. He previously served as CEO of the Europe Sub-Saharan Africa region. Laguarta will be the sixth CEO in PepsiCo's history, with all of them coming from within the company. Shares of PepsiCo, based in Purchase, N.Y., rose more than 1 percent to close Monday at $117.38. FILE- In this Jan. 27, 2008, file photo, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, USA, Indra Nooyi smiles during the closing session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. With Nooyi exiting PepsiCo as its longtime chief executive, the circle of CEOs in the S&P 500 is losing one of its highest profile women. Nooyi has been with PepsiCo Inc. for 24 years and held the top job for 12. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File) FILE- In this Aug. 11, 2017, file photo, from left, Wal-Mart CEO Doug McMillon, Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi, and Dina Powell, President Donald Trump's senior counselor for economic initiatives listen during a meeting with business leaders in the State Department Library of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington. With Nooyi exiting PepsiCo as its longtime chief executive, the circle of CEOs in the S&P 500 is losing one of its highest profile women. Nooyi has been with PepsiCo Inc. for 24 years and held the top job for 12. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) FILE- In this Feb. 1, 2010, file photo, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra K. Nooyi, second from right, rings the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange. With Nooyi exiting PepsiCo as its longtime chief executive, the circle of CEOs in the S&P 500 is losing one of its highest profile women. Nooyi has been with PepsiCo Inc. for 24 years and held the top job for 12. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on U.S. sanctions on Iran (all times local): 3:45 p.m. Three months after he pulled the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal, calling it "horrible" and "one-sided," President Donald Trump is re-imposing many sanctions on Tehran to exert "maximum economic pressure." U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , right, speaks to European Union's Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini ahead of the at the 25th ASEAN Regional Forum Retreat in Singapore, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Joseph Nair) Trump warns that other nations who don't wind down their economic ties to Iran "risk severe consequences." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says renewed U.S. sanctions on Iran will be rigorously enforced and remain in place until the Iranian government radically changes course. European foreign ministers say they "deeply regret" the decision. They say the 2015 Iran nuclear deal "is working and delivering on its goal" of limiting Iran's nuclear program. __ 11:05 a.m. President Donald Trump is signing an executive order reimposing many sanctions on Iran, three months after pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal. He says the U.S. policy is to levy "maximum economic pressure" on the country. In a statement Monday, Trump restated his opinion that the 2015 international accord to freeze Iran's nuclear program in return for lifting sanctions was a "horrible, one-sided deal." He says it left the Iranian government flush with cash to use to fuel conflict in the Middle East. Trump says the U.S. is urging all nations "to make clear that the Iranian regime faces a choice: either change its threatening, destabilizing behavior and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation." Trump warned that those that don't wind down their ties to the Iranian economy "risk severe consequences" under the reimposed sanctions. __ 10:30 a.m. A senior administration official says the United States is "not particularly concerned" by EU efforts to protect European firms from the re-imposition of sanctions on Iran. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter by name and spoke Monday on condition of anonymity. The European Union issued a "blocking statute" Monday to protect European businesses from the impact of sanctions set to return Monday at midnight. The official says the U.S. will use the sanctions aggressively and cited Iran's severe economic downturn this year as evidence the sanctions would prove to be effective despite opposition from the EU, China and Russia. ____ 7:35 a.m. European foreign ministers say they "deeply regret" the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions on Iran. A statement Monday by European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and foreign ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom insisted that the 2015 Iran nuclear deal "is working and delivering on its goal" of limiting Iran's nuclear program. President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal, which had lifted international sanctions in exchange for Iran agreeing to restrictions on its nuclear program. U.N. inspectors said Iran was complying with the deal, but Trump argued that it didn't do enough. But the European ministers said the Iran deal is "crucial for the security of Europe, the region and the entire world." The first set of reinstated U.S. sanctions goes into effect Monday. Those target Iran's automotive sector as well as gold and other metals. __ 12:31 a.m. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the renewed sanctions against Iran are an important pillar in U.S. policy toward the Tehran government. Pompeo says the sanctions will be rigorously enforced and remain in place until the Iranian government radically changes course. Those sanctions go back in place on Monday. Pompeo told reporters on his way home from a three-nation trip to South East Asia that the Trump administration is open to looking beyond sanctions but adds that would "require enormous change" from Tehran. He said President Donald Trump is intent on getting Iran to "behave like a normal country." U.S. sanctions had been eased by the Obama administration under the terms of the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Trump decided in May to withdraw from the accord. BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union on Monday said that new measures are ready to take effect to protect European businesses from the impact of U.S. sanctions on Iran. The measures also aim to save the agreement meant to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions after the U.S abandoned the pact. The EU insists the deal is important for global security and is trying to keep economic and financial supply lines to Tehran open. The EU's executive Commission said Monday that the "blocking statute" will take effect beginning at midnight Washington time (0400 GMT Tuesday). The mechanism stops European companies from complying with the U.S. sanctions unless they have authorization from the Commission. National governments could impose "effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties" on any of their companies that cave in. The statute also blocks the effects of U.S. court actions in Europe and allows European firms to recover damages arising from the sanctions from anyone who causes them. In a statement, the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany - the European guarantors of the Iran nuclear deal - together with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said "we deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the U.S." They said the deal "is working and delivering on its goal" and that "we are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran." U.S. President Donald Trump decided in May to pull out of the U.N. Security Council-sanctioned agreement, saying it did nothing to stop Iran developing missiles or destabilizing the Middle East and Gulf regions. The Europeans argue that it was only ever meant to curb the development of nuclear weapons. A first set of U.S. sanctions that had been eased by the Obama administration under the terms of the landmark 2015 deal take effect again late Monday. Those sanctions target Iran's automotive sector as well as gold and other metals, but EU officials say it remains unclear exactly what impact they will have on European companies. A second batch of U.S sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector and central bank are set to take effect in early November. NEW YORK (AP) - Police are looking for answers in the death of a baby found floating in the East River in an area popular with tourists near the Brooklyn Bridge and the South Street Seaport. Officials want to know: How long was the boy in the water before an Oklahoma family spotted him Sunday afternoon? Why was he wearing only a diaper? Where are the adults who were supposed to be caring for him? A medical examiner will determine how the boy, about 8 months old, died. Police say he showed no signs of trauma. Monte Campbell, of Stillwater, Okla., right, stands under the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan after jumping into New York's East River to rescue a baby floating in the water, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. The baby was later pronounced dead and authorities are investigating. No parent or guardian was present at the scene and the child showed no signs of trauma, police said. (AP Photo/Robert Bumsted) Diana Campbell, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, first noticed the baby around 4 p.m. Sunday. Her husband, Monte Campbell, waded into shallow water near the Manhattan shoreline, retrieved the baby and started CPR. "She just called me over and said there was a baby in the water," Monte Campbell said. "I called 911. At that point, I thought it was a doll." He said the baby wasn't breathing and showed no pulse. Police officers arrived minutes later and took the baby onto the pedestrian walkway, where they continued CPR before the baby was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. No parent or guardian was present at the scene, police said. The East River running between Manhattan and Brooklyn is a heavily trafficked tidal estuary subject to strong currents. Both park-lined shorelines are usually teeming with tourists this time of year. Authorities investigate the death of a baby boy who was found floating in the water near the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan, on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018, in New York. No parent or guardian was present at the scene and the child showed no signs of trauma, police said. The medical examiner will determine the exact cause of death. (AP Photo/Robert Bumsted) ROME (AP) - An Italian spelunker has been rescued after two days trapped in a grotto beneath an Alpine glacier near the northeastern border with Slovenia. The news agency ANSA says 33-year-old Stefano Guarniero was strapped to a stretcher and pulled from the cave 200 meters (650 feet) below the surface after rescuers drilled a hole into the side of the mountain. Officials from Italy's civil protection agency said Guarniero was injured when he fell about 17 meters (55 feet) on Saturday while exploring a cave beneath a glacier at an altitude of around 2,200 meters (7,200 feet). In this picture provided by the Italian Alpine Rescue, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, Italian Speleologists and rescuers work on the site where 33-year-old Stefano Guarnieri, of Italy, who has been trapped in an underground grotto since Saturday, on the Mount Canin - in the Italians Alps between Italy and Slovenia. Guarnieri fell about 17 meters while exploring a cave under a glacier at an altitude of around 2,200 meters. His friends immediately called for help. (Italian Alpine Rescue Via AP) Others in the party alerted authorities. Guarniero was then reached by a rescue team, nurse and doctor who stayed with him until the hole was large enough to bring through a stretcher. In this picture provided by the Italian Alpine Rescue, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, Italian Speleologists and rescuers work on the site where 33-year-old Stefano Guarnieri, of Italy, who has been trapped in an underground grotto since Saturday, on the Mount Canin - in the Italians Alps between Italy and Slovenia. Guarnieri fell about 17 meters while exploring a cave under a glacier at an altitude of around 2,200 meters. His friends immediately called for help. (Italian Alpine Rescue Via AP) In this picture provided by the Italian Alpine Rescue, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, Italian Speleologists and rescuers work on the site where 33-year-old Stefano Guarnieri, of Italy, who has been trapped in an underground grotto since Saturday, on the Mount Canin - in the Italians Alps between Italy and Slovenia. Guarnieri fell about 17 meters while exploring a cave under a glacier at an altitude of around 2,200 meters. His friends immediately called for help. (Italian Alpine Rescue Via AP) The case of Raif Badawi, a blogger sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison in Saudi Arabia, is at the heart of a diplomatic dispute between Saudi Arabia and Canada following the arrest of his activist sister, Samar. Here's a look at their cases and the controversy. CONVICTED FOR AN INSULT FILE - In this Dec, 16, 2015 file photo, Ensaf Haidar, wife of the jailed Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi, shows a portrait of her husband as he is awarded the Sakharov Prize, in Strasbourg, France. Saudi Arabia has given Canada's ambassador 24 hours to leave the kingdom after Canada criticized the recent arrest of women's rights activists. Among the arrested activists is Samar Badawi, whose writer brother Raif Badawi was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and later sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for insulting Islam while blogging. (AP Photo/Christian Lutz, File) In May 2014, a Saudi court convicted Badawi of insulting Islam for criticizing Saudi Arabia's powerful clerics on a liberal blog he founded. In January 2015, he received 50 lashes before a crowd of hundreds in Jiddah. Further floggings were suspended, though he remains imprisoned. ___ INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION Badawi's case became an international call to arms for human rights groups, Western nations and others concerned about free speech. The U.S. State Department and the United Nations' high commissioner for human rights have called on the kingdom to rescind the sentence. Badawi's wife and three children later moved to Canada, and she became a Canadian citizen this year. ___ SAUDI BACKLASH Saudi Arabia long has been sensitive to international pressure over the Badawi sentence. In 2015, the kingdom recalled its ambassador to Sweden and stopped issuing work visas for Swedes after the Scandinavian country's foreign minister described the Badawi court decision as "medieval" and the kingdom's ruling Al Saud family as presiding over a "dictatorship." ___ SISTER'S ARREST The arrest reported last week of the writer's sister, Samar Badawi, prompted the Canadian government to tweet about the case. She is a famed women's right activist who has been arrested previously by authorities. She was honored by the U.S. State Department in 2012 with an International Women in Courage Award. KIEV, Ukraine (AP) - After attackers charged into a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Kiev, beating the residents and chasing them away, a leader of an ultranationalist group posted photos of his colleagues clearing the site and burning tents left behind. The camp's former dwellers took off "after persuasive legal arguments," Serhiy Mazur, an activist with the C14 organization, wrote on Facebook. Mazur added: "Further raids are planned." The April attack was the first of 11 forced removals that ultranationalists in Ukraine have carried out this year at settlements of Roma. Radical nationalist groups claimed responsibility for all of the raids and asserted they acted in concert with police. Police deny involvement. In this photo taken on Monday, June 4, 2018 and provided by OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine Press Service, Roma activist Myroslav Horvat of the World Roma Organization, center, gestures while speaking to journalists in a church inside a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Uzhhorod, western Ukraine. After attackers charged into a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Kiev, a leader of an ultranationalist group posted photos of his colleagues clearing the site and burning tents left behind. The April attack was the first of 11 forced removals that civilians in Ukraine carried out at Roma settlements an ethnic group, also known as Gypsies, that faces discrimination and disdain in much of Europe. (Evgeniy Malolletka,OSCE Project Co-ordinator Press Service via AP) "We were called garbage and dirt, kicked and driven off," Aza Rustik, who fled during the first raid, said. "I just managed to grab the children and a bag with documents." During an especially vicious assault in a wooded area in western Ukraine, a gang armed with chains and pieces of metal pipe killed a 23-year-old man and injured four others outside the city of Lviv. After the April camp invasion, C14's Mazur was charged with hooliganism. Two lawmakers spoke on his behalf, and he was released to await trial under house arrest. "I would like to hear from the police and the neighborhood administrative officials, who many times asked us for help," he said when he appeared in court last month. The attacks and the prospect of more violence are terrifying to Ukraine's estimated 100,000 Roma. "They threw stones at us, and when we jumped out of the tent, they beat us indiscriminately," recalled Klara Gaga, a survivor of the fatal attack outside Lviv. Four suspects were detained in the Lviv attack. Twelve people also were detained after Roma had guns fired at them in Ternopil; the suspects subsequently were released. "Not a single person has been sentenced in attacks on the Roma in Ukraine. That illustrates better than any words the attitude of the authorities," Zola Kondur, a leader of Roma organization Chiricli, said. Representatives of extremist groups justify the actions by saying they liquidate illegal Roma settlements because authorities have not. Right-wing nationalist groups such as C14 have seen their popularity and power grow in recent years amid Ukraine's confrontations with Russia and corruption-riddled domestic politics. "State institutions are weak, the police are ineffective and the government is forced to resort more and more to the services of right-wing groups, giving them a carte blanche in return," said Vadim Karasev, director of independent Kiev-based think tank Institute of Global Strategies. Arthur Sokolov, who is the lead investigator in the Mazur case, rejected the C14 member's claim that asked the group for help. He said he didn't know anything about C14 ties with local authorities and police. "There were no preliminary agreements between the police and other formations," Sokolov he said in response to a question from The Associated Press about Mazur's assertion. But Eugene Savvateev, who for several years was involved in the training and integration of Roma children, alleged that police and the nationalists work together. Savvateev said he heard from Roma that police drove them away when they returned to the former camp site to retrieve remaining belongings. They also recalled that C14 members accompanied local officials who visited the camp before it was destroyed, Savvateev said. "The authorities do not want to dirty their hands, so they use C14," he said. "Police came to the settlement after the attack to drive Roma away, and after that Roma certainly don't trust police and believe they work in sync with the attackers." Animosity toward Roma - an ethnic group, also known as Gypsies, that faces discrimination and disdain in much of Europe - is high in Ukraine. Many residents say they resent messy Roma encampments and unsightly fixed settlements such as the Radvanka district in Uzhhorod, where houses made of stones, plywood and polystyrene resemble sheds and children play in piles of garbage. "Roma remain the most impoverished and unprotected part of Ukrainian society," Roma activist Myroslav Horvat, of the World Roma Organization in Uzhhorod, said. "The state declares in words the programs of integration and training of the Roma, but there is no money for it, and everything remains only on paper." Hunger, poverty and unemployment drive hundreds of Roma to try to earn money in the richer center of the country. During the warm months of the year, the work might consist of searching for scrap metal, trading goods and telling fortunes on the street. "Gypsies in the cities - this is theft, robbery, drug trafficking and dirty dens," read leaflets bearing the symbols of nationalist groups Natskorpus and Natsdruzhiny that have appeared in Ukraine's major cities. Western governments and international human rights groups have called on Ukrainian authorities to prosecute the perpetrators and stop turning a blind eye to violence against Roma. "Most of the crimes committed by radical groups have not been properly investigated by law enforcement agencies that do not want or cannot conduct effective investigations, even if certain groups publicly take responsibility for crimes," said Mariya Guryeva, an Amnesty International spokeswoman in Ukraine. Government officials try to shift blame to Russia, alleging that it has sought to foment violence to destabilize Ukraine amid a tug-of-war between the two ex-Soviet neighbors. "We understand that the Russians always try to play with so-called interethnic problems," Security Service of Ukraine head Vasily Hrytsak said. "The murders of the Roma were inspired by Russia," Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said after the fatal Lviv attack. Those who accuse Russia of organizing the raids have yet to present supporting evidence for their claims. ___ Yuras Karmanau reported from Minsk, Belarus. In this photo taken on Monday, June 4, 2018 and provided by OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine Press Service, a mother embraces her daughter as other Roma gather to attend a religion service in a church inside a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Uzhgorod, western Ukraine. After attackers charged into a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Kiev, a leader of an ultranationalist group posted photos of his colleagues clearing the site and burning tents left behind. The April attack was the first of 11 forced removals that civilians in Ukraine carried out at Roma settlements an ethnic group, also known as Gypsies, that faces discrimination and disdain in much of Europe. (Evgeniy Malolletka,OSCE Project Co-ordinator Press Service via AP) In this photo taken on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, Serhiy Mazur, member of the C14 organization speaks to the media during court session in Kiev, Ukraine. After attackers charged into a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Kiev, a leader of an ultranationalist group posted photos of his colleagues clearing the site and burning tents left behind. The April attack was the first of 11 forced removals that civilians in Ukraine carried out at Roma settlements an ethnic group, also known as Gypsies, that faces discrimination and disdain in much of Europe. (AP Photo/Oleg Bogachuk) In this photo taken on Monday, June 4, 2018 and provided by OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine Press Service, Roma children play inside a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Uzhgorod, western Ukraine. After attackers charged into a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Kiev, a leader of an ultranationalist group posted photos of his colleagues clearing the site and burning tents left behind. The April attack was the first of 11 forced removals that civilians in Ukraine carried out at Roma settlements an ethnic group, also known as Gypsies, that faces discrimination and disdain in much of Europe. (Evgeniy Malolletka,OSCE Project Co-ordinator Press Service via AP) In this photo taken on Monday, June 4, 2018 and provided by OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine Press Service, two Roma women speak to journalists inside a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Uzhgorod, western Ukraine. After attackers charged into a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Kiev, a leader of an ultranationalist group posted photos of his colleagues clearing the site and burning tents left behind. The April attack was the first of 11 forced removals that civilians in Ukraine carried out at Roma settlements an ethnic group, also known as Gypsies, that faces discrimination and disdain in much of Europe. (Evgeniy Malolletka,OSCE Project Co-ordinator Press Service via AP) In this photo taken on Monday, June 4, 2018 and provided by OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine Press Service, Roma people walk inside a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Uzhgorod, western Ukraine. After attackers charged into a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Kiev, a leader of an ultranationalist group posted photos of his colleagues clearing the site and burning tents left behind. The April attack was the first of 11 forced removals that civilians in Ukraine carried out at Roma settlements an ethnic group, also known as Gypsies, that faces discrimination and disdain in much of Europe. (Evgeniy Malolletka,OSCE Project Co-ordinator Press Service via AP) In this photo taken on Monday, June 4, 2018 and provided by OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine Press Service, a Roma woman holds her child standing in front of her broken house inside a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Uzhgorod, western Ukraine. After attackers charged into a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Kiev, a leader of an ultranationalist group posted photos of his colleagues clearing the site and burning tents left behind. The April attack was the first of 11 forced removals that civilians in Ukraine carried out at Roma settlements an ethnic group, also known as Gypsies, that faces discrimination and disdain in much of Europe. (Evgeniy Malolletka,OSCE Project Co-ordinator Press Service via AP) In this photo taken on Monday, June 4, 2018 and provided by OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine Press Service, a young Roma woman speaks to journalists at her home inside a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Uzhgorod, western Ukraine. After attackers charged into a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Kiev, a leader of an ultranationalist group posted photos of his colleagues clearing the site and burning tents left behind. The April attack was the first of 11 forced removals that civilians in Ukraine carried out at Roma settlements an ethnic group, also known as Gypsies, that faces discrimination and disdain in much of Europe. (Evgeniy Malolletka,OSCE Project Co-ordinator Press Service via AP) In this photo taken on Monday, June 4, 2018 and provided by OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine Press Service, a Roma child eats an ice cream inside a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Uzhgorod, western Ukraine. After attackers charged into a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Kiev, a leader of an ultranationalist group posted photos of his colleagues clearing the site and burning tents left behind. The April attack was the first of 11 forced removals that civilians in Ukraine carried out at Roma settlements an ethnic group, also known as Gypsies, that faces discrimination and disdain in much of Europe. (Evgeniy Malolletka,OSCE Project Co-ordinator Press Service via AP) In this photo taken on Monday, June 4, 2018 and provided by OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine Press Service, two Roma women take care of their children inside a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Uzhgorod, western Ukraine. After attackers charged into a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Kiev, a leader of an ultranationalist group posted photos of his colleagues clearing the site and burning tents left behind. The April attack was the first of 11 forced removals that civilians in Ukraine carried out at Roma settlements an ethnic group, also known as Gypsies, that faces discrimination and disdain in much of Europe. (Evgeniy Malolletka,OSCE Project Co-ordinator Press Service via AP) In this photo taken on Monday, June 4, 2018 and provided by OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine Press Service, a horse stands near a house inside a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Uzhgorod, western Ukraine. After attackers charged into a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Kiev, a leader of an ultranationalist group posted photos of his colleagues clearing the site and burning tents left behind. The April attack was the first of 11 forced removals that civilians in Ukraine carried out at Roma settlements an ethnic group, also known as Gypsies, that faces discrimination and disdain in much of Europe. (Evgeniy Malolletka,OSCE Project Co-ordinator Press Service via AP) In this photo taken on Monday, June 4, 2018 and provided by OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine Press Service, a Roma girl holds a doll inside a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Uzhgorod, western Ukraine. After attackers charged into a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Kiev, a leader of an ultranationalist group posted photos of his colleagues clearing the site and burning tents left behind. The April attack was the first of 11 forced removals that civilians in Ukraine carried out at Roma settlements an ethnic group, also known as Gypsies, that faces discrimination and disdain in much of Europe. (Evgeniy Malolletka,OSCE Project Co-ordinator Press Service via AP) In this photo taken on Monday, June 4, 2018 and provided by OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine Press Service, a Roma boy looks at a photographer as he waits for a religion service in a church inside a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Uzhgorod, western Ukraine. After attackers charged into a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Kiev, a leader of an ultranationalist group posted photos of his colleagues clearing the site and burning tents left behind. The April attack was the first of 11 forced removals that civilians in Ukraine carried out at Roma settlements an ethnic group, also known as Gypsies, that faces discrimination and disdain in much of Europe. (Evgeniy Malolletka,OSCE Project Co-ordinator Press Service via AP) BRUSSELS (AP) - A rescue fund set up to help euro-using countries paid its final 15 billion-euro ($17.3 billion) bailout loan to Greece on Monday after objections by Germany delayed the payment by several weeks. The European Stability Mechanism said 9.5 billion euros (nearly $11 billion) of the loan would go toward a cash buffer Greece could use to meet its financial needs for almost two years. The other 5.5 billion euros ($6.4 billion) was earmarked for paying off some of the country's considerable debt. Workers raise a slab at the Parthenon temple atop of Acropolis Hill in Athens, Greece, Tuesday, July 31, 2018. Years of repair work continue at the the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell) The Greek government hailed the payment as "the last act of the bailout drama." "Greece can now begin a new page of progress, justice and growth," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' office said in a statement. "We face a lot of work ahead, but also a new prospect, at last, for the majority" of the Greek people. Greece has depended on rescue loans from its European partners and the International Monetary Fund since 2010. The third, and last, bailout runs out on Aug. 20; after that, Greece will have to rely on international bond markets for money. The cash buffer means the government won't be in a hurry to do so, given the country's sub-investment grade credit rating and the high rates private investors would demand on loans. European Stability Mechanism Managing Director Klaus Regling said the disbursement showed "Greece has come a long way" in managing the bailout and that "the commitment and hard work of the Greek people are now paying off." In mid-July, Germany objected to immediate payment of the final installment, claiming Athens had not met all the requirements. CLINTON, La. (AP) - The statue of the unnamed Confederate soldier has stood since 1909 in front of the courthouse in Louisiana's East Feliciana Parish, hands resting on his rifle looking down on the flow of lawyers, jurors and defendants going into the white columned building. Ronnie Anderson, an African-American man charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, and speeding, was one such defendant and the statue gave him cause for concern. "It's just intimidating to walk into a courthouse that's supposed to be a place of equality, fair justice and to see this monument that made me feel like ... I don't stand a chance," Anderson said. In this Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018 photo, Ronnie Anderson, an African-American man charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, poses for a photo in front of a confederate statue on the lawn of the East Feliciana Parish Courthouse, where he is facing the charge, in Clinton, La. The statue of the unnamed Confederate soldier has stood since 1909 in front of the courthouse in East Feliciana Parish, hands resting on his rifle looking down on the flow of lawyers, jurors and defendants going into the white columned building. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Anderson wants his case to be moved to another parish without such a memorial; his motion to change venue argues he can't get a fair trial in the same place where a "symbol of oppression and racial intolerance" stands. Confederate flags and monuments - long a part of the Southern landscape - have come under renewed scrutiny following the 2015 shooting by Dylann Roof of nine black churchgoers in South Carolina and the 2017 deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Supporters say the statues are a part of history honoring their ancestors; detractors say they, in effect, honor slavery and in many cases were erected during the Jim Crow era to intimidate black people and bolster white supremacy. Confederate monuments dot the lawns of many Southern courthouses. In addition to the one in East Feliciana, a database compiled by the Southern Poverty Law Center lists 11 more in front of Louisiana courthouses. Ben Cohen, a lawyer with the New Orleans-based Promise of Justice Initiative that advocates for reforming Louisiana's criminal justice system, says so far it's rare for defendants to use the legal argument Anderson is making. Cohen represented a defendant appealing a conviction in a Caddo Parish murder case in which a prospective juror objected to the Confederate flag in front of the courthouse. The state Supreme Court ultimately upheld the conviction but Cohen said he anticipates this argument being used more often. "I think people are looking at these monuments in a new light," he said. Officials in Caddo Parish voted last October to remove theirs. They concluded that citizens would be better served if it was not in front of the courthouse "where justice is to be administered fairly and impartially." A lawsuit stalled the move, but was recently dismissed by a federal judge. The East Feliciana Parish District Attorney, Sam D'Aquilla says its "ridiculous" to think a statue would affect the fairness of Anderson's trial and questions why an out-of-town defendant and lawyer are stirring up trouble in the primarily rural parish, located about 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Baton Rouge. Anderson is from Plaquemines Parish to the southeast and was driving through when he was pulled over. His lawyer, Niles Haymer is based in Baton Rouge. D'Aquilla said he doesn't have an opinion on the statue but regardless of whether it's there the people inside strive for colorblind justice. He also points out the racial diversity of the elected officials across the parish. "All the elected officials that I know of, your judges, your clerk of court, your sheriff, we all strive for racial equality. And we work hard for that," he said. This is not the first time the East Feliciana Parish statue has come under scrutiny. In 2016, retired physician Paul Jackson Jr. asked the parish to move the statue to a local Confederate cemetery. He says having the statue on the courthouse grounds signals that the Confederacy was for justice: "But it wasn't. They're for slavery obviously." His suggestion was debated during a parish meeting and ultimately rejected. Jackson said he lost two friends over the issue. He said he supports Anderson's change-of-venue motion. Lataya Johnson, who lives and works in the parish, sympathized with Anderson's argument and dismissed the idea that most people don't pay attention to the statue. "You walk by and you think about it. Because if you're African-American do you look at it and say, 'My fate is already destined because of this statue ... Judgment has already been made because of this statue,'" she said. But parish president Louis Kent said Anderson is "very mistaken" in believing he will not get a fair trial in East Feliciana. "I have been in this parish all my life. We don't have a race problem. We never have and we're not going to create one," he said. Anderson's lawyer, Niles Haymer, says he's already heard from other lawyers interested in filing similar motions, and he may be filing the same motion for another client. For him, this case could become a catalyst for change. A hearing on the motion is expected Tuesday. "I feel like if we flood the criminal justice system with these motions, they're going to have to deal with this monument issue," he said. ___ Associated Press researcher Jennifer Farrar contributed to this report. ___ Follow Santana on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ruskygal . In this Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018 photo, a statue commemorating fallen confederate soldiers stands on front of the East Feliciana Parish Courthouse in Clinton, La. The statue of the unnamed Confederate soldier has stood since 1909 in front of the courthouse in East Feliciana Parish, hands resting on his rifle looking down on the flow of lawyers, jurors and defendants going into the white columned building. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) In this Aug. 1, 2018 photo, a statue commemorating fallen confederate soldiers stands on front of the East Feliciana Parish Courthouse in Clinton, La. Ronnie Anderson, an African-American man in Louisiana is asking for his case to be moved to another location because the courthouse where he's being tried has a Confederate monument in front of it. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) In this Aug. 1, 2018 photo, Ronnie Anderson, an African-American man charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, waits next to a confederate statue on the lawn of the East Feliciana Parish Courthouse in Clinton, La. Anderson is asking for his case to be moved to another location because the courthouse where he's being tried has a Confederate monument in front of it. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) This Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018 photo shows a detail of a statue commemorating fallen confederate soldiers in front of the East Feliciana Parish Courthouse in Clinton, La. The statue of the unnamed Confederate soldier has stood since 1909 in front of the courthouse in East Feliciana Parish, hands resting on his rifle looking down on the flow of lawyers, jurors and defendants going into the white columned building. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) In this Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018 photo, Ronnie Anderson, an African-American man charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, poses for a photo with his lawyer Niles Haymer, left, in front of a confederate statue on the lawn of the East Feliciana Parish Courthouse, where he is facing the charge, in Clinton, La. Anderson is asking for his case to be moved to another location because the courthouse where he's being tried has a Confederate monument in front of it. Haymer said he's already heard from other lawyers interested in filing similar motions, and he may be filing the same motion for another client. For him, this case could become a catalyst for change. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) In this Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018 photo, East Feliciana Parish President Louis Kent speaks to the Associated Press in a parish office in Clinton, La. "I have been in this parish all my life. We don't have a race problem. We never have and we're not going to create one," he said. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - The hosts of a popular New Jersey radio show suspended for calling the nation's first Sikh attorney general "turban man" are back on the air. WKXW-FM hosts Dennis Malloy and Judi Franco returned to the air Monday after a 10-day suspension. Franco called it an "emotional whirlwind" of a week and said she looks forward to moving on. FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2018, file photo, Gurbir Grewal is sworn in before testifying in front of the senate judiciary committee in Trenton, N.J. WKXW-FM hosts Dennis Malloy and Judi Franco, the hosts of a popular New Jersey radio show suspended for calling Grewal, the nation's first Sikh attorney general "turban man," are back on the air Monday, Aug. 6, after a 10-day suspension. (Chris Pedota /The Record via AP, File) Malloy and Franco earlier issued an apology to New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal and the Sikh and Asian communities, writing they were "deeply sorry." The station also apologized and suspended them without pay. The longtime hosts of the "Dennis & Judi" show uttered the slur last month while talking about Grewal's directive to prosecutors to temporarily suspend marijuana prosecutions. Grewal, who wears a turban and beard, called on Twitter for an end to "small-minded intolerance." Advertisement Twin blazes tearing through northern California fueled by dry vegetation and hot, windy weather have now grown to become the largest wildfire in state history. The Mendocino Complex Fire expanded nearly 80 percent over the weekend and has now scorched more than 283,000 acres north of San Francisco, forcing more than 20,000 people to evacuate and destroying at least 75 homes so far. Firefighters are continuing to battle the rapidly-advancing blaze that is considered to be around 30 percent contained as of Monday night. Comprised of the River and Ranch fires, the Mendocino Complex has now surpassed last year's Thomas Fire, which torched 281,893 acres in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, as the largest fire in California history. Cal Fire officials said water-dropping aircraft made some progress against one of the fires in the complex over the weekend, while the other has grown substantially, spreading into the Mendocino National Forest. The Mendocino Complex in northern California has become the largest wildfire in state history, fire officials said Monday Months of drought and recent heat have dried out vegetation across the state, making the perfect conditions for wildfires Over the weekend the twin fires grew by nearly 80 percent, taking over more than 283,000 acres north of San Francisco. Pictured: A helicopter douses the flames with fire retardant on Sunday near Clearlake Oaks, California An air tanker drops retardant on part of the Mendocino Complex Fire, burning along High Valley Rd near Clearlake Oaks The River and Ranch fires are about 30 percent contained after burning for more than a week in northern California A hillside smolders in the wake of the Ranch Fire, which passed through the town of Clearlake Oaks over the weekend Across the state more than 14,000 firefighters are working to contain 16 major fires fueled by persistent hot, dry and windy conditions following years of severe drought. A brand new blaze called the Holy Fire was ignited on Monday in Orange County, quickly expanding to more than 1,200 acres. To the north, the deadly Carr Fire has entered its third week of destruction in the scenic Shasta-Trinity region north of Sacramento, scorching more than 164,400 acres of land since July 23. So far the Carr Fire has left seven people dead and razed more than 1,600 buildings, more than half of them family homes, state officials said Monday. A new blaze dubbed the Holy Fire, above, cropped up in Orange County on Monday, becoming one of 16 across the state The Riverside County Sheriff's Department tweeted an aerial view of the Holy Fire, which has already covered 1,200 acres Helicopters attack a hot spot in Lake County on Monday as fire crews continue efforts to contain the Ranch Fire A US Air Force plane blankets a burning hillside with bright-red fire retardant north of San Francisco on Sunday A tree at the edge of a property in Clearlake Oaks burns from the inside during the Ranch Fire on Sunday evening An orange haze hangs over the prolific flames of the Ranch Fire in Lake County as a truck drives by on Sunday afternoon Towering flames approach a home near Clearlake Oaks, a community that has reportedly lost several buildings and homes Experts are blaming the prolific fires on climate change, saying that hotter weather is drying out vegetation, creating more intense flames that spread quickly from rural areas to cities and towns. Cal Fire deputy chief Scott McLean described the wildfires as 'extremely fast, extremely aggressive [and] extremely dangerous'. 'Look how big it got, just in a matter of days. Look how fast this Mendocino Complex went up in ranking. That doesn't happen. That just doesn't happen,' he said. President Donald Trump responded to the devastation on Sunday in a tweet that was met with backlash because it appeared to place blame on poor environmental laws rather than climate change. Trump reacted to the devastation in California in a pair of tweets on Sunday and Monday in which he blames environmental laws and says water is 'foolishly being diverted into the Pacific Ocean' 'California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which aren't allowing massive amounts of readily available water to be properly utilized,' Trump wrote. 'It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire from spreading!' Fire officials have condemned the presidents comments, saying that they are not in fact struggling to source enough water to contain the fires. 'We have plenty of water to fight these wildfires, but let's be clear: It's our changing climate that is leading to more severe and destructive fires,' Daniel Berlant, Cal Fire assistant deputy director, told The New York Times. Trump doubled-down on his earlier comments in a second tweet on Monday in which he accused the state 'foolishly' diverting river water into the ocean, which environmental experts say is not accurate. 'Governor Jerry Brown must allow the Free Flow of the vast amounts of water coming from the North and foolishly being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Can be used for fires, farming and everything else,' Trump tweeted Monday afternoon. 'Think of California with plenty of Water - Nice! Fast Federal govt. approvals.' Trump issued an Emergency Declaration for the state on July 28, and Brown has now requested that the president declare a major disaster. 'Battling these relentless fires requires a Herculean effort,' the governor wrote in the request Friday. The fires in Northern California have created such a haze of smoke in the Central Valley that Sacramento County health officials advised residents to avoid outdoor activities for the entire week. A plume of smoke from a wildfire burning near the Holy Jim area looms in the distance Monday in Lake Forest Authorities have evacuated cabins in two communities in the Santa Ana Mountains in Orange County because of a fast-moving wildfire. Pictured: Two residents observe the smoke on Monday afternoon A Muslim father who was one of five arrested for mistreating 11 children on a New Mexico compound wanted to perform an exorcism on his son. Cops also found a huge arsenal of weapons, including an AR-15, when they raided the rural property and found the youngsters had been starved and abused. They also couldn't find one of the sons, who suffers from seizures. Documents made public in a court filing Monday said Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, the boy's father, told the child's mother before fleeing Georgia that he wanted to perform an exorcism on the child because he believed he was possessed by the devil. Sisters Subhanah Wahhaj, 35, (left) and Hujrah Wahhaj, 38, (right) were arrested on Sunday Jany Leveille, who also goes by the name Maryam, was also arrested for child abuse on Sunday Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, 39, had an AR-15 rifle, 150 rounds of ammunition and four loaded pistols at the site. He has been on the run since December when he vanished with his three-year-old disabled son from Georgia. The toddler was not found. His brother-in-law Lucas Morton (right) was also charged with harboring a fugitive. He is married to Siraj's sister Subhanah Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said deputies arrested the father, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, and four other adults on child abuse charges after finding the 11 children Friday inside a makeshift compound in the tiny community of Amalia. It was littered with 'odorous trash' and lacking clean water, authorities said. Inside, Wahhaj, 39, was found heavily armed with multiple firearms, including a loaded AR-15, before he was taken into custody, the sheriff said. His son, Abdul-ghani (AG), who was 3 when he disappeared last December, was not among the children found. But Hogrefe said authorities have reason to believe the boy was at the compound several weeks ago. This is the New Mexico compound where 11 children were found on Friday being held by their Muslim extremist father and uncle, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, along with their parents Hogrefe's deputies are searching for the child, along with the FBI and Georgia authorities in Clayton County, where officials say the boy was living before his father took him around Dec. 1, 2017. The boy's mother told authorities the boy suffers from seizures, cannot walk because of severe medical issues, and requires constant attention. She told police in December that Wahhaj had taken the boy for a trip to a park and never returned. Siraj's three-year-old son AG, who has hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and requires daily medication, has been missing since December and was not at the compound Clayton County police said in a missing persons bulletin that Wahhaj and his son were last seen Dec. 13 in Alabama, traveling with five other children and two adults. Georgia authorities said Wahhaj was traveling through Chilton County on Dec. 13 with seven children and another adult when their car overturned. Wahhaj told police the group was traveling from Georgia to New Mexico to go camping. The trooper who wrote the report said he found no camping equipment in or near the vehicle but that Wahhaj was in possession of three handguns, two rifles, a bag of ammunition, and a bulletproof vest. Wahhaj told the trooper that he owned the guns legally and had a Georgia permit to carry concealed weapons. 'Mr. Wahhaj seemed to be very concerned about his weapons and stated several times that they were his property and that he owned them legally,' the report said. The conditions inside the compound were described by police as the worst they had seen in 30 years There was no food at the compound and the children had terrible personal hygiene, police said Amalia is 145 miles northeast of Albuquerque and in an isolated high-desert area near the New Mexico-Colorado border It was not immediately known Monday whether Wahhaj and the others charged in the child abuse case in New Mexico -another man and three women believed to be the mother of the 11 children - had retained attorneys. The public defender's office in Taos County did not immediately return telephone message from The Associated Press seeking comment. The Taos County sheriff identified the women facing charges as 35-year-old Jany Leveille, 38-year-old Hujrah Wahhaj, and 35-year-old Subhannah Wahhaj. They were arrested in the town of Taos and booked into jail. Sunbhanah and Hujrah are Siraj's sisters and Jany is his wife. She worked for his father, Imam Siraj Wahhaj, at the Masjid At-Taqwa mosque in Brooklyn before relocating with her husband to Georgia in 2014. She is not AG's mother. The family has been missing since January when their father, Imam Siraj Wahhaj, appealed for information about them on Facebook The children's grandfather is Imam Siraj Wahhaj, the leader of the Muslim Alliance of North America and the leader of a mosque in Brooklyn, New York City The search at the compound came amid a two-month investigation in collaboration with Clayton County authorities and the FBI, according to Hogrefe. He said FBI agents surveilled the area a few weeks ago but did not find probable cause to search the property. That changed when Georgia detectives forwarded a message to Hogrefe's office that initially had been sent to a third party, saying: 'We are starving and need food and water.' Authorities will not say how the message was delivered or who gave it to them but Sheriff Hogrefe said it meant he could not wait any longer for federal authorities to move in on the site. He enlisted a special forces team to lead the raid because he knew the men inside were heavily armed, he added. What authorities found was what Hogrefe called 'the saddest living conditions and poverty' he has seen in 30 years on the job. Other than a few potatoes and a box of rice, there was little food in the compound, which Hogrefe said consisted of a small travel trailer buried in the ground and covered by plastic with no water, plumbing and electricity. AG's mother Hakima Ramzi was married to his father without incident for 15 years, she said. She has been pleading for AG's return since December and is seen above in a Facebook video appealing for help to find them Hogrefe said the adults and children - ages 1 to 15 - had no shoes, wore dirty rags for clothing and 'looked like Third World country refugees.' The grandfather of the missing boy, Imam Siraj Wahhaj of Brooklyn, New York, issued a plea on Facebook for helping finding his grandson. In a federal court filing in 2006, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj claimed he was harassed on his way to and from Morocco by customs agents at JFK Airport in New York because he is 'the son of the famous Muslim Imam Siraj Wahhaj.' The earliest record of Siraj Ibn Wahhaj in the United States dates back to 1983. It is not clear where he lived beforehand or if he was born in the US. In January, his father pleaded for information about their whereabouts. 'Dear Brothers and Sisters, please make duas for the safe return of our children and grandchildren: Siraj, Hujrah, Subhanah Wahhaj, son in law Luqman (Lucas) Morton, and daughter in law Maryam (Jany) Leveille and their children (our 12 grandchildren). 'We believe they may be traveling together,' he said in a Facebook post. He has not commented on his children's arrest. Imam Wahhaj is the leader of The Muslim Alliance in North America. Police are still looking for three-year-old AG. AG's mother Hakima Ramzi has made desperate social media appeals to find her son again. Her friends have also set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for the search. TAOS, N.M. (AP) - The Latest on 11 children found living in a filthy makeshift compound in New Mexico (all times local): 2:45 p.m. The grandfather of a missing Georgia boy has issued a plea for help. FILE - This Aug. 3, 2018, file photo released by Taos County Sheriff's Office shows a rural compound during an unsuccessful search for a missing boy in Amalia, N.M. Three women believed to be the mothers of 11 children found hungry and living in a filthy makeshift compound in rural northern New Mexico have been arrested, following the weekend arrests of two men, authorities said Monday, Aug. 6. The boy last seen in Alabama in December traveling with one of the men who was arrested has not been found. (Taos County Sheriff's Office via AP, File) Imam Siraj Wahhaj of Brooklyn, New York, posted a message on Facebook asking for help in finding his grandson, Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj. Authorities in New Mexico arrested the boy's father, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, on Friday. He is one of five adults taken into custody on child abuse charges after authorities found them at a dilapidated compound with 11 children who were hungry and living in filthy conditions. Abdul-Ghani was not among them. Police say the child was reported missing from Georgia on Dec. 10. The boy's mother told police he left with his father for a trip to a park and never returned. In a federal court filing in 2006, Wahhaj claimed he was harassed on his way to and from Morocco by customs agents at JFK Airport in New York because he is "the son of the famous Muslim Imam Siraj Wahhaj." ___ 1:30 p.m. Police say a man wanted in Georgia on child abduction charges and who faces child abuse counts in New Mexico was in possession of handguns, rifles and ammunition as he traveled through Alabama late last year. Siraj Wahhaj was one of five adults arrested in Taos County after 11 hungry children were found Friday in filthy surroundings. Authorities said the children had likely not eaten for days. According to a police report from the Dec. 13 accident in Alabama, Wahhaj was traveling through Chilton County with seven children and another adult when their car overturned. Wahhaj told police the group was traveling from Georgia to New Mexico to go camping. The trooper who wrote the report said he found no camping equipment in or near the vehicle but that Wahhaj was in possession of three handguns, two rifles, a bag of ammunition and a bulletproof vest. ___ 12:50 p.m. Authorities say a Georgia man accused of abducting his young son in December made it known to the boy's mother that he wanted to perform an exorcism on him because he believed the child was possessed by the devil. The Georgia arrest warrant for Siraj Wahhaj was included in a court filing Monday in New Mexico, where authorities arrested him, another man, and three women at a "filthy" compound in Taos County. Sheriff's officials say 11 children found at the compound had probably not eaten for days. Authorities say the adults were arrested on child abuse charges. Wahhaj also is being held on the Georgia warrant. His son was not among those found at the compound, remains missing and was 3 when he went missing. It's not clear when Wahhaj allegedly stated his wishes for an exorcism for his son. The boy's mother has said he suffered from seizures. ___ 11:30 a.m. Authorities say a New Mexico compound where five adults and 11 children had been living was found littered with "odorous trash" and that the children probably had not eaten for days. Criminal complaints filed Monday in Taos Magistrate Court also say the compound in Amalia near the Colorado border had no clean water. Sheriff's officials say the adults are facing 11 counts each of child abuse. Jany Leveille, Hujrah Wahhaj and Subhannah Wahha are believed to be the mothers of the children. They were arrested in the town of Taos and booked into jail. Two men were arrested at the compound by Friday - one on a Georgia warrant alleging child abduction and the other on suspicion of harboring a fugitive. __ 9:50 a.m. Police reports show that a Georgia boy missing after authorities raided a New Mexico compound over the weekend was last seen in Alabama in December. Police say the child was reported missing in Clayton County south of Atlanta on Dec. 10. The boy's mother told police he left with his father, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, for a trip to a park and never returned. The boy was 3 at the time. Clayton County police say in a missing persons bulletin that Wahhaj and the child were last seen Dec. 13 in Alabama, traveling with five other children and two adults. Authorities have arrested Wahhaj, another man, and three women believed to be the mothers of 11 children found living in filth in a makeshift compound in New Mexico. ___ 9:30 a.m. Authorities say they've arrested three women believed to be the mothers of 11 children found living in filth in a makeshift compound in rural northern New Mexico. Taos County, New Mexico, Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said Monday that the women and two men who were arrested over the weekend face charges of child abuse. He says 35-year-old Jany Leveille, 38-year-old Hujrah Wahhaj and 35-year-old Subhannah Wahha were arrested without incident in the town of Taos and booked into jail. The children ranging in age from 1 to 15 were removed from the compound in the small community of Amalia near the Colorado border. They were turned over to state child-welfare workers. Hogrefe says police still are looking for AG Wahhaj, a child reported missing from Georgia's Clayton County. This undated posted provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children shows Abdul-ghani Wahhaj, left, and his father Siraj Wahhaj, who police are seeking the public's in finding. Police reports show that the Georgia boy missing after authorities raided a New Mexico compound over the weekend was last seen in Alabama in December. The boy's mother told police he left with his father, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, for a trip to a park and never returned. (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children via AP) FILE - This Aug. 3, 2018, file photo released by Taos County Sheriff's Office shows a rural compound during an unsuccessful search for a missing boy in Amalia, N.M. Three women believed to be the mothers of 11 children found hungry and living in a filthy makeshift compound in rural northern New Mexico have been arrested, following the weekend arrests of two men, authorities said Monday, Aug. 6. The boy last seen in Alabama in December traveling with one of the men who was arrested has not been found. (Taos County Sheriff's Office via AP, File) This photo provided by the Taos County Sheriff's Department shows Subhannah Wahha. Wahha and a few other women, believed to be the mothers of 11 children found hungry and living in a filthy makeshift compound in rural northern New Mexico, have been arrested, following the weekend arrests of two men, authorities said Monday, Aug. 6. (Taos County Sheriff via AP) This photo provided by the Taos County Sheriff's Department shows Jany Leveille. Leveille and a few other women, believed to be the mothers of 11 children found hungry and living in a filthy makeshift compound in rural northern New Mexico, have been arrested, following the weekend arrests of two men, authorities said Monday, Aug. 6. (Taos County Sheriff via AP) BERLIN (AP) - A 33-year-old Spanish man has been found guilty of repeatedly raping a young German boy whose mother offered him for sale to pedophiles on the internet. The dpa news agency reported Monday the man, whose name wasn't released for privacy reasons, was sentenced by Freiburg state court to ten years in prison and fined 18,000 euros ($20,800). He admitted paying the woman and her boyfriend 10,000 euros ($11,560) to rape the boy multiple times in the town of Staufen. A verdict against the 48-year-old woman and her 39-year-old partner is due Tuesday. The boy, now 10, was offered in the "darknet" online for some two years starting in 2016. Police learned of the case through an anonymous tip in 2017. Three German men and one Swiss citizen have already been convicted. WASHINGTON (AP) - Adoptions of Russian children? Opposition research on Hillary Clinton? President Donald Trump has for the first time acknowledged that a June 9, 2016 meeting at Trump Tower was the latter. But he and his team have offered shifting explanations on the confab. That's key to special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia. A look at the details, the Trump team's shifting explanations of the meeting, and why it matters: In this July 27, 2018 photo, police investigate the report of a "suspicious item" inside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, in New York. AP explains why the Trump Tower meeting matters in the Mueller probe. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) THE MEETING The president's son, Donald Trump Jr., had high hopes going into the meeting, according to a Senate interview and his own emails. Ahead of it, music promoter Rob Goldstone sent an email to Trump Jr. saying, "The Crown prosecutor of Russia met with his father Aras this morning and in their meeting offered to provide the Trump campaign with some official documents and information that would incriminate Hillary (Clinton) and her dealings with Russia and would be very useful to your father." In agreeing to the meeting, the younger Trump told Goldstone, "(I)f it's what you say I love it." Trump Jr. and other campaign figures, including Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, and then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort, attended the meeting with high expectations. At the center of the session: Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya and others with Russia connections. The Trump team maintains that the meeting failed to yield compromising information on Clinton, Trump's Democratic opponent. __ WHY IT MATTERS It is illegal for a campaign to accept help from a foreign person or government. The U.S. intelligence community, members of Congress in both parties and even Trump have acknowledged that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election. Mueller is probing whether anyone connected with the president's campaign conspired with Russia to tip the election in Trump's favor. He's also looking at whether Trump's tweets, statements and other actions amount to an attempt to obstruct the investigation. __ WAS IT ILLEGAL? At minimum, the meeting raises counterintelligence concerns for investigators trying to determine foreign efforts to penetrate an American political campaign or sway public policy. But there are potential criminal concerns as well. Federal campaign finance law makes it illegal for a political campaign to accept a "thing of value" from foreign nationals, and it's possible that opposition research - though not in and of itself illegal - could be considered in that category for these purposes. "It depends on motives and knowledge at the time of the meeting. Willfully soliciting a foreign contribution is a crime," Rick Hasen, a campaign finance expert and law professor at the University of California, Irvine, said in a statement. "You have to know you are doing something illegal and the courts would have to consider the opposition research from Russian agents a 'thing of value' for campaign finance purposes." __ EXPLANATION 1: IT WAS ABOUT ADOPTION Donald Trump Jr. said in a July 8, 2017, statement to the New York Times that the meeting participant "primarily discussed a program about the adoption of Russian children." The statement does not mention that he was promised damaging information about Clinton. __ EXPLANATION 2: IT WAS ABOUT HILLARY CLINTON A day later, the paper reported that Trump Jr. was promised damaging information about Clinton at the meeting. Trump, Jr., issued a second statement that read in part: (T)he woman stated that she had information that individuals connected to Russia were funding the Democratic National Committee and supporting Mrs. Clinton." He added that "No details or supporting information was provided or even offered." A few days later, Trump Jr., tweeted an image from an email chain he said disclosed his interest in getting incriminating information on Clinton from the "Russian government lawyer." __ EXPLANATION 2a: IT DOESN'T MATTER The Trump camp maintains that it doesn't matter anyway, because information on Clinton was never delivered by the Russians, or received by the campaign, in the meeting. __ WHO WROTE THOSE EXPLANATIONS? The Times reported that the president "signed off" on his son's statement, but Trump's lawyer, Jay Sekulow, repeatedly denied that through the rest of that month. On July 31, 2017, The Washington Post reported that the president "personally dictated a statement in which Trump Jr. said that he and the Russian lawyer had primarily discussed a program about the adoption of Russian children" at the Trump Tower meeting. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters that the president "certainly didn't dictate" the statement. __ DID TRUMP DICTATE HIS SON'S STATEMENT? Yes. In January this year, Trump lawyers John Dowd and Sekulow wrote to Mueller, in part, that "the president dictated a short but accurate response to the New York Times article on behalf of his son, Donald Trump Jr." Dowd subsequently resigned from the Trump team. Sekulow said this past weekend that he had been acting on "bad information" at the time. __ EXPLANATION 3: SEE EXPLANATION 2 The president appeared to change his story in a Sunday tweet in which for the first time he confirmed that the Trump Tower meeting was supposed to produce dirt on Clinton. "This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere," said Trump. He went on to distance himself from Trump Jr. and the meeting: "I did not know about it!" __ QUESTIONS ABOUT A CALL Trump Jr. spoke by phone several days before the meeting with a caller who had a blocked number, but said he didn't recall who the person was and didn't know if his father used a blocked number. He told the committee that he didn't alert his father to the meeting beforehand. __ WHAT HASN'T CHANGED Whatever his explanation, Trump has consistently said he didn't know about the Trump Tower meeting. ___ Associated Press Writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report. __ Follow Kellman on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/APLaurieKellman ___ This story has been corrected to show that Goldstone is a music promoter, not producer. Nine people were injured early Monday in a car explosion near the on-ramp of 6 October Bridge in the Dokki area of Cairo, Egypt's health ministry announced. Ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said that some of the injured were transferred to the nearby Agouza Hospital while others asked to be transferred to a private hospital in the Mohandiseen neighbourhood. Firefighters put out the resulting fire that extended to nearby cars. A security source told state agency MENA that the car caught fire "due to a circuit problem." According to earlier media reports, at least four vehicles, including a minibus, were charred in the fire which was preceded by an explosion that rocked Dokki and Agouza neighbourhoods. According to eyewitnesses, a car exploded, leading two other cars to be set ablaze. A minibus coming from behind collided with the cars and caught fire. Al-Ahram Arabic quoted a security source as saying that the driver of the minibus jumped from it when it caught fire. The driver is currently detained as a witness to the incident. Traffic was halted temporarily at the entrance to the bridge, affecting traffic movement in Mohandiseen and around Cairo University. Search Keywords: Short link: LONDON (AP) - It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas at one London department store. Europe may be basking in a summer heatwave, but Selfridge's store, first opened in 1909, is thinking of chillier times, launching its Christmas Shop a full 145 days before Dec. 25th. The department store says over 500 products are on display - from Big Ben-shaped tree decorations to London-themed snow globes - even though temperatures outside are over 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit). Shoppers pass a Christmas tree in Selfridges in London, Monday Aug. 6, 2018. Visitors to Selfridges may be surprised to encounter Christmas trees, bright, shiny baubles and nutcrackers on display... in August. The department store claims to be the first retailer anywhere in the world to launch its Christmas Shop, excluding any year-round specialty stores. (AP Photo/Robert Stevens) The company says the early start to the holiday season is driven by demand from shoppers, particularly those visiting from abroad. "It creates an extra buzz around the department store, adding that destination appeal," said Sofie Willmott, an analyst from research firm Global Data. Selfridges will expand the Christmas Shop on Sept. 4, putting almost 3,800 goods on offer. This winter's theme is 'Selfridges Rocks Christmas,' featuring Elvis Presley themed nutcrackers and David Bowie shaped tree baubles. But while some shoppers thought it was good to get Christmas Diane and Paul Herbert from the English city of Bristol weren't too excited. "At our age, we think life goes too quick without bringing Christmas forward," laughed Diane. A wooden figure features in a Christmas display in Selfridges in London, Monday Aug. 6, 2018. Visitors to Selfridges may be surprised to encounter Christmas trees, bright, shiny baubles and nutcrackers on display... in August. The department store claims to be the first retailer anywhere in the world to launch its Christmas Shop, excluding any year-round specialty stores. (AP Photo/Robert Stevens) Shoppers pass a Christmas tree in Selfridges in London, Monday Aug. 6, 2018. Visitors to Selfridges may be surprised to encounter Christmas trees, bright, shiny baubles and nutcrackers on display... in August. The department store claims to be the first retailer anywhere in the world to launch its Christmas Shop, excluding any year-round specialty stores. (AP Photo/Robert Stevens) A snow globe features in a Christmas display in Selfridges in London, Monday Aug. 6, 2018. Visitors to Selfridges may be surprised to encounter Christmas trees, bright, shiny baubles and nutcrackers on display... in August. The department store claims to be the first retailer anywhere in the world to launch its Christmas Shop, excluding any year-round specialty stores. (AP Photo/Robert Stevens) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Pope Francis' decree that the death penalty is "inadmissible" in all cases could pose a dilemma for Roman Catholic politicians and judges in the United States who are faced with whether to strictly follow the tenets of their faith or the rule of law. Some Catholic leaders in death penalty states have said they'll continue to support capital punishment. But experts say Francis' change could shift political debates, loom over Supreme Court confirmation hearings, and make it difficult for devout Catholic judges to uphold the law as written. The question of whether or not Catholic political and judicial leaders would be sinning if they continue to support the death penalty is up for interpretation. FILE - In this April 18, 2018, file photo, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts speaks at the legislature, in Lincoln, Neb. Pope Francis' decree that the death penalty is "inadmissible" in all cases could pose a dilemma for Roman Catholic politicians and judges in the United States. Ricketts, a Republican and Catholic who worked to reinstate capital punishment in his state after lawmakers abolished it in 2015, said the pope's decree doesn't change his stance. (Gwyneth Roberts/Lincoln Journal Star via AP, File) "It's going to be a matter of conscience," said the Rev. Peter Clark, director of the Institute of Clinical Bioethics at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. "Judges may have to recuse themselves from many cases, if they truly think it's in conflict with their conscience." As with abortion, many Catholic political leaders and judges have been grappling with the death penalty for some time. Previous church teachings said capital punishment was allowed in some cases if it was the "only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor." That gave politicians a way to honor their faith and the law. But on Thursday, the Vatican said Francis changed church teaching to say capital punishment can never be sanctioned because it constitutes an "attack" on human dignity. "In the past, it was acceptable to say that the Catholic church had a position that the death penalty was acceptable in some circumstances. That's no longer true now," said Marci Hamilton, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Program for Research on Religion. "I think it's going to make it difficult for Catholic jurists to uphold the law as written." Thirty-one states in the U.S. allow the death penalty, including Nebraska, where the issue could soon become front-and-center: The state is scheduled to carry out an execution on Aug. 14, its first in more than two decades. Sister Helen Prejean, the anti-death penalty campaigner whose ministry to a death row inmate inspired the book and film, "Dead Man Walking," asked on Twitter if Gov. Pete Ricketts, who she said has "pro-life values," would heed the pope's direction. "If we say we are for dignity of all life, that includes innocent and guilty as well," she told The Associated Press. Ricketts, a Republican and Catholic, worked to reinstate capital punishment in his state after lawmakers abolished it in 2015. He said the pope's decree doesn't change his stance. "While I respect the Pope's perspective, capital punishment remains the will of the people and the law of the State of Nebraska," Ricketts said in a statement. "It is an important tool to protect our corrections officers and public safety." The decree is also unlikely to slow the nation's busiest death chamber in Texas, where Republican Gov. Greg Abbott - a devout Catholic - has previously said there was no conflict between his faith and support for the death penalty. His spokeswoman did not return messages about whether the pope's statement might shift Abbott's view. The next execution in Texas is set for Sept. 12. The church's new teaching will likely feature prominently in the confirmation process for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who, if confirmed, would bring the total number of Catholics on the bench to five. One former Catholic justice, the late Justice Antonin Scalia, famously said he didn't find the death penalty immoral, and that any judge who did should resign. Hamilton, the University of Pennsylvania professor, said the pope's decree could be difficult for the devout - especially in a climate where evangelicals and Catholics are increasingly arguing that their faith controls everything they do. "The difficulty in that kind of reasoning by a judge should be obvious in that they are supposed to interpret the law as given to them," said Hamilton, who clerked for former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. There might be more leeway for politicians, who craft public policy according to what they think is right. Still, she said, it would be inappropriate for a governor to block all death row penalty cases based on his or her faith. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, a Catholic and a Republican, said his support for the death penalty hasn't wavered. He criticized the Pope's leadership, saying Francis has a "socialist bent" and his statement doesn't change church doctrine. "He wants to comment on the United States' judicial system, a system that is by far the best, while ignoring the problems of all the other judicial systems around the world," Landry said. A spokesman for Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards did not return messages seeking comment. Edwards is also Catholic, and Landry has speculated that the governor has deliberately dragged his feet on executions: A judge recently barred Louisiana from carrying out any death sentences until mid-2019, at Edwards' request, after the governor cited trouble obtaining lethal drugs. The issue could also create interesting political shifts. Robert Vischer, dean of the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, noted that Republicans almost uniformly support the death penalty and Democrats almost uniformly support the legal right to abortion. "Previously more conservative leaders have been able to call out Catholic politicians for not abiding by their own church's teaching," he said. "Now it's going to go in both directions." __ Associated Press writers Nicole Winfield in Rome; Paul J. Weber in Houston; Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Grant Schulte in Lincoln, Nebraska, contributed to this report. A shooting that wounded a disc jockey at a Wisconsin radio station appears to have been a targeted attack against a specific individual, police said Monday. DJ Eugene Crisler'El was injured during Sunday's shooting at WORT-FM in Madison. Police spokesman David Dexheimer said it wasn't a random attack or an act of violence targeting the media. A shooting that wounded DJ Eugene Crisler'El (pictured) at WORT-FM, a Wisconsin radio station, appears to have been a targeted attack against a specific individual, police said Monday Crisler'El was injured during Sunday's shooting at WORT-FM in Madison. Rebecca Barber (right) was another volunteer in the station on Sunday Authorities said they are still looking for the masked gunman who entered the non-commercial radio station (pictured) around 3am on Sunday and opened fire on three people in one of the studios Authorities said they are still looking for the masked gunman who entered the non-commercial radio station around 3am on Sunday and opened fire on three people in one of the studios. Crisler'El was one of the volunteers inside the station at the time. He was wounded, treated at a local hospital and released. The two others were not injured. He told 27 News: 'I mean we were pretty, we were trapped... so it was like.. what do you do?... you're just in fight or flight mode. Luckily, the reaction time was there for everyone. Rebecca Barber was another volunteer in the station on Sunday. She told the station that her 'motto has always been what's next'. 'Don't take it lightly, but at the same time, what's next? I'm a firm believer of everything does happen for a reason so if something negative does happen I have to try to find the positive to put out from there,' she added. A security camera at the station's front entry used to monitor visitors is not yet capable of recording and did not capture the intruder, Holtz said. Pictured is a bullet hole in the glass window It was unclear whether the shooter knew the code or held the door open after someone entered the station Station officials said the three ran into the adjacent control room before hiding in the music library and calling 911. Doug Holtz, the station's business director, said they are reviewing security practices. 'We've changed out the codes on all our door locks. And we are reasserting (to staff) to keep those codes private,' Holtz said. A security camera at the station's front entry used to monitor visitors is not yet capable of recording and did not capture the intruder, Holtz said. The shooter entered the station during the transition between the midnight program and 3am show, station officials said. It was unclear whether the shooter knew the code or held the door open after someone entered the station. The listener-sponsored station, which broadcasts a variety of music, was off the air following the shooting but returned to broadcasting about six hours later. Authorities say three men tending to a marijuana garden were arrested over the weekend after they refused to leave a fire evacuation zone in Northern California, hindering firefighters' efforts against a massive blaze. The Lake County Sheriff's Office says deputies on Saturday found 41-year-old Gary Wertheimer, 59-year-old Steven Bell and 29-year-old Travis Bell watering a marijuana crop about 20 yards from the fire line. The trio were arrested on suspicion of interfering with firefighters and not having authorization to be in an evacuation zone. Firefighters had to divert three very large air tanker passes as they worked to stop the fire from reaching the town of Lucerne because the 'hostile' men wouldn't leave. All three men were later released with citations. (L to R) Gary Wertheimer, Steven Bell and Travis Bell were arrested Saturday for refusing to leave a fire evacuation zone. The men were busy tending to marijuana plants, officials say A spotter plane banks in front of an air tanker as it drops fire retardant on a burning hillside during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, California on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018 More than 127 wildfires are burning in 11 Western states, taxing civilian resources. At least three states have mobilized National Guard troops to help, and five military aircraft are assisting. The fire center says active-duty personnel have been mobilized to help firefighters 37 times since 1987, most recently in September. Twin wildfires fueled by dry vegetation and hot, windy weather have continued to grow in Northern California. California fire officials said that the two fires about 100 miles north of San Francisco were 30 percent contained and have scorched 428 square miles. A helicopter drops water on a burning hillside during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018 A U.S. Air Force plane drops fire retardant on a burning hillside in the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018 A hillside smolders after flames passed through during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018 A tree burns from the inside during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018 The two fires are burning about 14 miles apart and have destroyed 75 homes. Another 9,000 buildings are threatened. The two fires cover an area larger than a deadly wildfire burning near Redding, California. That blaze has killed two firefighters and five civilians and destroyed more than 1,000 homes. The wildfire started two weeks ago by sparks from the steel wheel of a towed-trailer's flat tire. It is 45 percent contained. A truck passes by flames during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, California on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018 LONDON (AP) - A London court has found an American political consultant who worked on Ben Carson's 2016 presidential campaign guilty of groping a fellow passenger on a trans-Atlantic flight last month. Samuel Pimm was convicted of sexual assault Monday following a trial at Ealing Magistrates' Court. He denied touching the passenger, who was seated next to him on the Washington to London flight. Prosecutors said the 62-year-old Pimm consumed several alcoholic drinks before he put his hands on the woman. American political consultant, Samuel Pimm at Ealing Magistrates' Court in London Monday Aug. 6, 2018, where he was found guilty of assaulting a passenger on a transatlantic flight. 62-year old political consultant, Pimm, who worked on Ben Carson's 2016 presidential campaign, was found guilty of groping a fellow passenger on a trans-Atlantic flight last month. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire(/PA via AP) The woman testified that she was trying to sleep when she felt Pimm touching her arm and breast, then moving toward her crotch. His lawyer suggested she might have been dreaming. Pimm, of Virginia, was fined 720 pounds ($930) and ordered to pay 952 pounds ($1,231) in compensation and costs. NEW YORK (AP) - A federal appeals court has rejected an antitrust lawsuit brought against publishers by what was once one of the country's largest wholesale magazine distributors. In an opinion published Monday, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan agreed with a lower-court judge in rejecting Anderson News LLC's claims, first brought in 2009. The Knoxville, Tennessee company argued that publishers controlling 80 percent of the nation's magazines conspired to drive it out of business by rejecting its demand that publishers pay 7-cent surcharges on each magazine distributed. The company said the surcharge was necessary to remain profitable. After 1,484 of 1,570 publishers or 95 percent of all publishers nationwide rejected the surcharge, Anderson shut down in February 2009, laying off thousands of employees and selling assets at fire sale prices. It had operated since 1917 and had served 30,000 retail customers in 37 states. As a wholesaler, Anderson collected magazines from publishers and distributed them to retailers before recycling unsold magazines. The appeals court said in an opinion written by Judge Susan L. Carney that evidence presented by Anderson was "perhaps consistent with an unlawful conspiracy among defendants." But it cited the company's decision to impose a "take-it-or-leave-it" surcharge on the industry as another plausible explanation for its demise. "It was likely that defendants needed to deprive Anderson of magazines for only a short while to secure its demise," the 2nd Circuit said. "In addition, theoretically, the longer-term goal of the alleged conspiracy - reduced competition in the wholesaler market - could have benefited defendants." However, the three-judge panel concluded, "evidence of key facts that would support this theory have not materialized." It also said a jury "could not reasonably infer that the conspiratorial explanation is more likely than not." The 2nd Circuit also rejected counterclaims brought by some publishers including American Media Inc., Hearst Communications Inc. and Time/Warner Retail Sales & Marketing Inc. Those publishers maintained that Anderson had engaged in a price-fixing conspiracy. Attorney Michael Kellogg, representing Anderson, said attorneys and Anderson were studying the opinion and deciding on their next steps. In 2012, the 2nd Circuit had revived the Anderson News lawsuit after a judge tossed it out. As a result, Anderson News was able to try to build its case by obtaining potential evidence for two years. The appeals ruling, reached two weeks ago, was not made public until attorneys were given time to seek redactions. UNITED NATIONS (AP) - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging the warring parties in South Sudan to fully implement the latest peace deal to end the country's five-year civil war, noting the collapse of previous efforts. Neighboring Sudan announced Sunday that South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and its former vice-president and rebel leader, Riek Machar, signed the agreement. This is the latest of several attempts at peace agreements and cease-fires since war broke out in 2013. All have broken down, most within hours of being signed. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Monday that secretary-general Guterres welcomes the signing. Haq said "the secretary-general urges all parties to work in good faith and demonstrate their commitment to fully implement and to finalize" the agreement "as soon as possible." BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana wildlife officials are cautioning hunters that deer urine lures might carry malformed proteins that can spread a fatal brain infection called chronic wasting disease. Seven states - Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Virginia - have banned such lures, which are used to attract deer, a Department of Wildlife and Fisheries news release Friday noted. The infectious disease is spread by malformed proteins called prions. It has been found in most deer species, including moose, elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer, and in 25 states and two Canadian provinces. Dozens of companies sell deer urine lures. "There is no rapid, cost effective test to determine if commercial urine contains prions," said the agency's veterinarian, Dr. Jim LaCour. Prions can be found in an infected deer's saliva, feces, urine, blood and antler velvet, and can be shed during the year or two before symptoms show. The lures are made by collecting captive animals' urine through grates. The agency says that allows mixing with saliva and feces, which typically hold more prions than urine. The agency's statement says no state or federal agency regulates urine production and sale. So far, the disease hasn't shown up in Louisiana. Wildllife and Fisheries has tested 9,000 deer since 2002. ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - The Latest on the trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort (all times local): 9:50 p.m. The star prosecution witness in the financial fraud trial of Paul Manafort testifies that he concealed millions of dollars in foreign bank accounts on Manafort's behalf and falsified documents to help his former boss obtain millions of dollars more in bank loans. FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2018, file photo, Rick Gates leaves federal court in Washington. Paul Manafort's trial opened this week with a display of his opulent lifestyle and testimony about what prosecutors say were years of financial deception. But the most critical moment in the former Trump campaign chairman's financial fraud trial will arrive next week with the testimony of his longtime associate Gates.(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Rick Gates also admits he embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from the former Trump campaign chairman. Gates on Monday calmly related his criminal conduct as prosecutors looked to provide jurors with damning testimony from a co-conspirator they say carried out an elaborate offshore tax-evasion and fraud scheme on behalf of Manafort. Gates is expected to continue testifying for several hours Tuesday. __ 6:20 p.m. The judge in Paul Manafort's financial fraud trial is pressuring the prosecution to hurry up. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III says prosecutors for special counsel Robert Mueller's office are wasting time drilling into the details of Manafort's Ukrainian work and the backgrounds of those who paid him. Ellis says the case is not as complex as prosecutors are making it to be. But prosecutor Greg Andres says the testimony is necessary to show the flow of money from Ukrainians, through offshore shell companies to Manafort in the U.S. Ellis made the comments outside the presence of the jury after cutting off the testimony of Manafort's longtime deputy Rick Gates. Gates is testifying against his former boss and mentor. His testimony will resume Tuesday. ___ 5:35 p.m. Paul Manafort conspired to hide millions of dollars in offshore accounts from the IRS and directed his longtime deputy to lie to bookkeepers, banks and accountants to conceal the scheme. That's what the former Trump campaign chairman's "right-hand man," Rick Gates, told jurors in Manafort's financial fraud trial. Gates says that when millions of dollars came in from Manafort's Ukrainian consulting work, Manafort would decide whether to classify it as income or a loan. Gates says the goal of the fraud was to lower Manafort's tax bill and allow him to defer payment on the income until later years. Gates is testifying as part of a plea agreement with the government. Manafort's defense has sought to blame Gates for any illegal conduct, calling him a liar and embezzler. ____ 5:30 p.m. The government's star witness in the trial of Paul Manafort admits he embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from the former Trump campaign chairman. Rick Gates told jurors that he siphoned off the money without Manafort's knowledge by filing false expense reports. Gates says he admitted the conduct to the government as part of his cooperation agreement. He is awaiting sentencing. The testimony comes hours after Manafort's defense attorneys accused Gates of embezzling as they sought to paint Gates as an untrustworthy witness. Gates is also admitting to carrying out a vast scheme to conceal millions of dollars in foreign bank accounts on Manafort's behalf. And Gates says he also falsified loan applications and other documents to help Manafort obtain millions more in bank loans. ____ 4:21 p.m. Paul Manafort's longtime deputy has been called to the witness stand to testify against the former Trump campaign chairman. Rick Gates has been regarded as a crucial government witness ever since he pleaded guilty last year and agreed to cooperate in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Prosecutors will turn to Gates for firsthand support of their accusations that Manafort concealed millions of dollars in foreign income and later lied when he applied for bank loans. Manafort's defense has sought to blame Gates for any illegal conduct and accused him of embezzling millions of dollars. Gates and Manafort worked closely together for years. They were the first two people indicted by Mueller's grand jury. ____ 4 p.m. Prosecutors have called a witness other than Rick Gates in the financial fraud trial of President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort. A lawyer for Manafort had said in court Monday afternoon that Gates, who is Manafort's longtime deputy and is regarded as the government's star witness, would be the next witness up. Instead, prosecutors called a different witness named Paula Liss. Lawyers then met privately with the judge for a bench conference. Manafort's defense has sought to blame Gates for any illegal conduct and accused him of embezzling millions of dollars. Prosecutors said last week that they intended to call him to the stand before resting their case this week. ____ 3 p.m. Paul Manafort's attorney says the former Trump campaign chairman's longtime deputy will be testifying next in Manafort's fraud trial. Manafort attorney Kevin Downing says that Rick Gates will testify at the conclusion of the testimony of Manafort's tax preparer. Downing made the comment in court. The prosecution didn't confirm that Gates, a prosecution witness, would be next. Manafort's defense has sought to blame Gates for any illegal conduct and accused him of embezzling millions of dollars from Manafort. Gates will follow the testimony of tax preparer Cindy Laporta, who says she came to suspect Gates was misleading her about Manafort's finances. Under cross examination, she said at the time she believed Manafort was directing Gates' actions and "knew what was going on." Gates has been cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe after he cut a plea deal earlier this year. During that process, Gates admitted to two felony charges, but his testimony would be the first time he details those crimes face-to-face with Manafort, his former boss and mentor. __ 1:04 p.m. The most critical moment in the financial fraud trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort will likely arrive this week with the testimony of his "right-hand man" - the person defense attorneys blame for any crimes. Rick Gates has been a key cooperator for special counsel Robert Mueller's team after he cut a plea deal earlier this year. During that process, Gates admitted to two felony charges, but when he testifies it will be the first time he'll detail those crimes face-to-face with his former boss and mentor. The trial is set to resume Monday afternoon in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. It's the first of Mueller's prosecutions to reach a jury, but lawyers have made no mention of President Donald Trump or possible campaign coordination with the Kremlin. Thomas Zehnle, second from right, attorney for Paul Manafort, walks with other members of the defense team to Alexandria Federal Courthouse in Alexandria, Va., Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, is on trial for tax evasion and bank fraud. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)(AP Photo/Susan Walsh) TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas City-area businessman submitted petitions Monday with more than 10,000 signatures for what could become the most serious independent run for Kansas governor in decades and potentially doom Democrats' efforts to recapture the office. Greg Orman delivered his campaign's petitions to the Kansas secretary of state's office in hopes of gaining a spot on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. He needs signatures from 5,000 registered voters, and the secretary of state's office hopes to know by the end of next week whether enough signatures are valid. Orman is confident of qualifying. But Democrats are gearing up for a potential legal challenge to Orman's filing. Many Democrats have worried that Orman will pull votes away from their nominee, making it far easier for the Republican to win. Kansas City-area businessman Greg Orman speaks to reporters after he and his running mate Sen. John Doll delivered more than 10,000 signatures to the Secretary of State's office in Topeka, Kan., Monday morning, Aug. 6, 2018, to formalize their campaign for governor. He needs the signatures of 5,000 registered voters to appear on the November ballot. (Thad Allton/The Topeka Capital-Journal via AP) And less than two hours after Orman delivered his petitions, President Donald Trump tweeted his endorsement of hard-right conservative Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach in his bid to unseat Gov. Jeff Colyer in Tuesday's GOP primary. Kansas does not hold runoffs, so a governor could be elected with less than 40 percent of the vote. Orman's aides and supporters have bristled for months at suggestions that he's a potential spoiler helping Republicans. Orman expressed confidence that he'll win in November and said as an independent, he'll lack "natural political enemies" in pursuing policy goals. "The signature-gathering process really does demonstrate that voters want something different," Orman said. "They're looking for leaders who tell the truth, who ultimately put their interests ahead of party bosses and ahead of special interests." Orman put $650,000 of his own funds into his campaign for governor in July, to bring its total cash contributions to more than $1.3 million through last month. He gained national attention for his independent bid for the U.S. Senate in 2014, receiving almost 43 percent of the vote after the Democratic nominee dropped out. But an independent candidate for governor last came close to winning in 1932. Will Lawrence, an attorney and chief of staff for Kansas Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, was present when Orman delivered his petitions and said they will be reviewed carefully to see that their circulation complied with state law. "We're going to scrutinize this process because Greg Orman has not been scrutinized, and he is going to be scrutinized in this election cycle on a number of issues," Lawrence said. "This is just the first step." ___ Follow John Hanna on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apjdhanna . Kansas City-area businessman Greg Orman speaks to reporters after he and his running mate Sen. John Doll delivered more than 10,000 signatures to the Secretary of State's office in Topeka, Kan., Monday morning, Aug. 6, 2018, to formalize their campaign for governor. He needs the signatures of 5,000 registered voters to appear on the November ballot. (Thad Allton/The Topeka Capital-Journal via AP) Kansas City-area businessman Greg Orman, center, and Sen. John Doll, right, deliver more than 10,000 signatures to the Secretary of State's office in Topeka, Kan., Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, to formalize their campaign for governor. He needs the signatures of 5,000 registered voters to appear on the November ballot. (Thad Allton/The Topeka Capital-Journal via AP) ST. LOUIS (AP) - Missouri Gov. Mike Parson will allow a panel of five former judges to review the death penalty case of Marcellus Williams, whose guilt in the stabbing death of a former newspaper reporter has been called into question by DNA evidence. The inquiry was initially ordered last year by then-Gov. Eric Greitens. Parson replaced his fellow Republican as governor in June after Greitens resigned amid investigations into an extramarital affair and his alleged use of a charity donor list for political purposes. Kelli Jones, a spokeswoman for Parson, confirmed Monday that the panel has been given the go-ahead to proceed. FILE - This February 2014 file photo provided by the Missouri Department of Corrections shows death row inmate Marcellus Williams. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson will allow a panel of five former judges to review the death penalty case of Williams, whose guilt in the stabbing death of a former newspaper reporter, has been called into question by DNA evidence. A spokeswoman for Parson on Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, confirmed the panel has been given the go-ahead to proceed. (Missouri Department of Corrections via AP, File) Williams' attorney, Kent Gipson, said Parson made "the right decision. We're obviously happy about it." Williams, now 49, was convicted of killing former St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Lisha Gayle during a 1998 burglary at her home in University City. Gayle, 42, was a reporter at the Post-Dispatch from 1981 to 1992 before leaving to do social work. Williams was hours away from execution last August when Greitens stepped in and ordered the investigation. Greitens' action followed the release of new DNA testing unavailable at the time of the killing: DNA found on the murder weapon matched another unknown person, not Williams. Still, St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch has said that there was "zero possibility" Williams was innocent, citing ample amounts of other evidence. Prosecutors said Williams broke a window pane to get inside Gayle's home on Aug. 11, 1998, heard water running in the shower, and found a large butcher knife. When Gayle came downstairs, she was stabbed 43 times. Her purse and her husband's laptop were stolen. Authorities said Williams stole a jacket to conceal blood on his shirt. Williams' girlfriend asked him why he would wear a jacket on such a hot day. The girlfriend said she later saw the laptop in the car and that Williams sold it a day or two later. Prosecutors also cited testimony from Henry Cole, who shared a St. Louis cell with Williams in 1999 while Williams was jailed on unrelated charges. Cole told prosecutors that Williams confessed to the killing and offered details about it. Williams' attorneys responded that the girlfriend and Cole were both convicted felons out for a $10,000 reward. A newly released transcript shows Florida school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz spat out 'kill me' and then cursed as he sat alone in a sheriff's interrogation room just hours after the massacre that left 17 dead. Broward sheriff's Detective John Curcio had just left Cruz alone to get him some water when the 19-year-old suspect made that exclamation. The teen said he did not 'deserve' a bottle of water offer by police and muttered to himself: 'Kill me. Just f***ing kill me' when the officer left the room. Scroll down for video A newly released transcript shows Florida school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz (seen here in April) spat out 'kill me' and then cursed as he sat alone in a sheriff's interrogation room just hours after the massacre that left 17 dead Cruz said he heard a voice in his head and had been hearing them for years. Asked what the voice said, Cruz replied, 'Burn. Kill. Destroy.' Prosecutors released a redacted 200-page transcript of Cruz's post-shooting statement on Monday afternoon after a judge ruled last month that non-confession portions should be made public. Cruz made the 12-hour statement to Curcio shortly after the February 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Media had sought the statement's release under Florida's broad public records laws. Cruz's attorneys had wanted it suppressed, saying its disclosure could hinder his right to a fair trial. Details of the shooting are blacked out, but the transcript is otherwise wide-ranging, dealing with the death of Cruz's parents, his penchant for killing animals, his former girlfriend, his brother, guns, suicide attempts and, especially, the voice. According to his statement, Cruz told officers that the voice told him to buy a gun and to hurt people. He said he had initially planned to shoot people in a park two to three weeks before the actual school shooting, but he couldn't go through with. Cruz made the 12-hour statement to Curcio shortly after the February 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Cruz (above last Friday in court) said he heard a voice in his head and had been hearing them for years. Asked what the voice said, Cruz replied, 'Burn. Kill. Destroy' The detective asked if the supposed voice had given specific instructions related to the massacre, including the fact that Cruz took an Uber to the high school. Curcio asked: 'The voice didn't tell you to take Uber, right?' Cruz replied: 'Yes, it did.' The teenager went on to say that he had tried to kill himself twice before the massacre because the voice had told him to. He tried to overdose on ibuprofen after the death of his mother in November.He told Curcio the voice appeared after his father died about 15 years ago but got worse after his mother died in November. Cruz described the voice as a male, about his age, and that the only person he ever told about it was his brother. Cruz also admitted to taking drugs like Xanax and marijuana. According to the transcript, Cruz told the detective he bought the AR-15 for $560 from a gun shop and purchased the ammunition online. He estimated spending about $4,000 on weaponry. He said he bought the rifle because it was 'cool looking'. When he was left alone again in the interview room, Cruz told himself: 'I want to die'. 'At the end, you're nothing but worthless s**t, dude. You deserve to die because you're f***ing worthless and you f***ing (unintelligible) everyone. I want to die.' Cruz's attorneys have said he would plead guilty in exchange for a sentence of life without parole. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. WILLINGTON, Conn. (AP) - A pocket of eastern Connecticut where hundreds, if not thousands, of homeowners are struggling with crumbling foundations has become a popular stop for political candidates seeking statewide office in this year's election. Democratic and Republican candidates for governor and other seats have visited Tim Heim's Willington home in recent months to get personal tours of his basement. Heim, president of the Connecticut Coalition Against Crumbling Basements, said each candidate appeared amazed to see the web of cracks spreading in the concrete walls and subsequently promised to help. While Heim acknowledges he hasn't heard any new ideas for helping affected homeowners, he said he's hoping someone in this steady stream of political contenders "whether you're red or blue or in the middle" will follow through on the promises. Homeowner Tim Hein stands in his basement, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, in Willington, Conn., talking about how his foundation is cracking and crumbling due to the presence of an iron sulfide mineral in the concrete. A steady stream of political candidates has visited Heim's home prior to this year's election, promising they're the ones who can finally help the affected homeowners find a way to cover the massive cost of fixing their homes. (AP Photo/Susan Haigh) "And for me, this year, it's not about the party," said Heim, who previously has voted Republican. "It's about the candidate. And this is my No. 1 issue. No. 1 issue is crumbling foundations, and everything to me and thousands of other homeowners is secondary." The foundations are failing because of the presence of pyrrhotite, a mineral that has reacted naturally with oxygen and water over the decades, causing the concrete to crack and crumble, making some homes unsellable and unlivable. The problem, which first came to light in the mid-1990s, has been traced to a Willington quarry. In many circumstances, it can cost $100,000 to $200,000 to replace a foundation, an expense typically not covered by insurance. Republican gubernatorial candidate and former Greenwich hedge fund manager David Stemerman was the latest to get Heim's tour. He appeared Monday with a handful of campaign staffers, reporters and a wooden podium affixed with a campaign sign - set up in front of one of the largest cracks in Heim's basement, near a couple of old dining room chairs. Stemerman used the backdrop to announce a five-point plan he said will address the issue while hitting home an overall campaign message that "our state is crumbling at its foundation." He called for an independent investigation into the problem, which could affect 35,000 homeowners, more than 700 of whom had registered complaints with the state Department of Consumer Protection as of last week. He also called for a new commission to ensure financial resources are awarded to homeowners in a "transparent" manner. The General Assembly recently created a not-for-profit captive insurance company to distribute $100 million in state bonds over five years to help pay for repairs. That company also will handle the estimated $10 million a year in revenue generated from a new $12 annual surcharge on residential homeowner policies. Heim and others contend much more money, possibly in the billions of dollars, is needed to help homeowners. They're also concerned about how much of the cost the captive insurance company will decide to cover. Stemerman, like others who came before him, promised to work with the insurance companies and the federal government to cover more of the cost. Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, the GOP's endorsed candidate for governor, visited Heim's house last week, vowing to tell insurance companies "to do the right thing." Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont, the endorsed Democratic candidate for governor, also toured Heim's basement, saying everyone from banks to the federal delegation needs to come to the table. Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, a Democratic governor candidate, agreed the federal government and insurers need to do more. But he hasn't made the trek to Heim's basement. "I'm very interested and very concerned," he said. "But I didn't want to be one of five just going to out to visit the same home that most of them are going to." Sean Cassells, whose Mansfield home was being lifted by contractors on Thursday, said he believes the various candidates see the crumbling-foundations issue "as something they can ramp up their campaign with." But he and his wife still welcome the newfound attention, hoping to someday be reimbursed retroactively for the $150,000 they're spending to replace their foundation. "Anything," Cassells said, "is something right now." CHICAGO (AP) - At least 11 people were shot to death and about 70 wounded in a weekend burst of violence in Chicago that instantly became a political issue when President Donald Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, blamed the carnage on longtime Democratic rule in the city. Police on Monday attributed the dozens of shootings to gangs, the illegal flow of guns and sweltering August heat that drew more people outside. The victims ranged in age from 11 to 63, according to police. One teenage girl died after being shot in the face. A teenage boy was fatally shot riding a bike Sunday afternoon. Other shootings took place at a block party and a funeral. In this Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018 photo, two women cry outside the Stroger Hospital in Chicago, after they were asked to leave due to overwhelming crowds of family and friends of shooting victims. Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson plans to discuss the weekend violence during a Monday news conference. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune via AP) Even for Chicagoans all too accustomed to violence in parts of the city, the weekend stood out. By way of comparison, at least seven people were killed and 32 wounded during the long Memorial Day weekend, the Chicago Tribune reported. "Our souls are burdened," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. "It is unacceptable to happen in any neighborhood of Chicago. We are a better city." Echoing comments that Trump himself has made repeatedly about Chicago, Giuliani blamed Emanuel - President Barack Obama's White House chief of staff - and decades of "one party Democratic rule" in a series of tweets on Sunday and Monday. The former New York mayor also tweeted his support for Chicago mayoral candidate and former Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, referring to him as "Jerry" and calling him a "policing genius." McCarthy plans to run next February against Emanuel, who fired McCarthy in 2015 after the release of dashcam video showing a white police officer kill a black teenager by shooting him 16 times. Misspelling Emanuel's last name, Giuliani tweeted: "He can do a lot better than Mayor Emmanuel who is fiddling while Chicago burns." Giuliani also falsely claimed that Chicago had "63 murders this weekend." The mayor had no immediate comment on Giuliani's attacks. Most of the shootings happened in poor neighborhoods on the West and South Sides where gangs are entrenched, said Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, standing next to the mayor. Johnson noted that homicides in the city are down by around 20 percent from last year. But he said gang members and others arrested on gun charges aren't dealt with harshly enough. "It is the same people who are pulling the triggers," he said. "This is a small subset of individuals who think they can play by their own rules because they continue to get a slap on the wrist when we arrest them." Johnson said at the morning news conference there had been no arrests in any of the weekend shootings. Days before the attacks, some 200 protesters marched through a well-to-do North Side neighborhood and briefly closed Lake Shore Drive, calling for more resources to stem violence in poor areas. Tio Hardiman, one of the organizers of last week's rally, said members of the black community need to take the initiative by mediating truces between gangs. The violence peaked early Sunday, including one shooting on the South Side that wounded eight people. Security was increased over the weekend at the outdoor Lollapalooza music festival in downtown Chicago, which drew tens of thousands of young people. But Johnson said the officers were on overtime and weren't moved from their regular beats in high-crime areas. City officials say new crime-fighting measures over recent years have helped bring homicide numbers down, including greater reliance on technology that can instantly indicate where gunfire came from. Improved intelligence-gathering has also enabled police to quickly dispatch officers to hotspots where gang violence has just occurred to help thwart revenge attacks. Chicago ended 2017 with 650 homicides, down from 771 the year before. Though the drop was significant, last year's total exceeded the combined number of killings in New York and Los Angeles, the two U.S. cities bigger than Chicago. In a statement, McCarthy called himself a "proud Democrat" and distanced himself from Giuliani's views and "the misguided, divisive tone and policies of Donald Trump." McCarthy said the blame for the bloodshed "lies squarely with Rahm Emanuel's weak leadership and failed policies," not with Chicago Democrats as a whole. In this Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018 photo, a man wipes his eyes outside the Stroger Hospital in Chicago, after leaving the emergency room due to overwhelming crowds of family and friends of shooting victims. Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson plans to discuss the weekend violence during a Monday news conference. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune via AP) FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2018 file photo, Rudy Giuliani, an attorney for President Trump, speaks during campaign event for Eddie Edwards, who is running for the U.S. Congress in New Hampshire, in Portsmouth, N.H. Between 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3 and 6 a.m. Monday morning local time, a total of at least 11 people were killed and about 70 wounded. Giuliani, sent a series of tweets blaming the violence on Chicago's Democratic leadership The former New York City mayor also tweeted his support for Chicago's former superintendent, Garry McCarthy who is running against current Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File) Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson speaks at a news conference accompanied by Mayor Rahm Emanuel Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, in Chicago. Between 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3 and 6 a.m. Monday morning local time, police say at least 11 people were killed and about 70 were wounded in Chicago. Emanuel and Johnson said the weekend shootings were concentrated in just a few neighborhoods on Chicago's West and South Sides, in areas where street gangs are entrenched. Johnson said the shootings "are not random" and are "fueled by gang conflicts." (AP Photo/Teresa Crawford) Twenty patients who volunteered to get transplants of kidneys infected with hepatitis C have now survived the operation and been cured of the virus. Nearly 100,000 Americans are waiting for kidneys, and many precious donated organs are thrown away because they have the curable infection. After transplants, the patients' new organs are working fine thanks to medication that got rid of the virus, the University of Pennsylvania researchers reported Monday. It was a small study involving just 20 patients, but researchers say it suggests that organs currently going to waste just might help speed transplants for patients who wait years to get one. Kiran Shelat, a 65-year-old retired civil engineer, poses for a portrait in his home in Pennsylvania after receiving an experimental, hepatitis C-infected kidney transplant 'When there's such a bad organ shortage, we can't just do business as usual,' said Dr Peter Reese, a University of Pennsylvania kidney specialist who led the study. 'We need to shake off that these organs aren't valuable and that people will not want them.' In the US, almost 95,000 people are on the national kidney waiting list but only 19,850 received a transplant in 2017, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. That only covers about 20 percent of all cases. Hepatitis C is an infection that can quietly destroy someone's liver if untreated. Transplanting other organs from patients with the virus can infect the recipients. However, past research has estimated that transplant patients who received hepatitis C-positive kidneys had only a one percent lower survival rate after the first year than patients that got uninfected kidneys. Over three years, there was a two percent difference in their survival rates. Still this risk has dissuaded doctors, patients and organ harvesters from keeping and using organs from donors who test positive for hepatitis C. Precautions against the virus, however, may have cost thousands of patients life-saving organs over the years. Between 1995 and 2009, Johns Hopkins University tracked the fates of 93,000 donated kidneys. Of those, some 3,500 were hepatitis C positive and thrown away. Even patients who were positive for hepatitis C before transplant - 4,800 of them over the 14-year period - were given donor kidneys that were negative for the virus. So kidneys that could have gone to people who already had the virus were thrown out, those people got uninfected kidneys, and many patients got no kidneys at all out of fear of a curable infection. But with powerful new drugs now available that promise to cure them, Reese's team decided to test if it's safe to transplant infected kidneys to people who don't already have the virus, too -but who might not survive the wait for a healthy organ. Twelve weeks of hepatitis treatment cleared the virus in all 20 patients tested so far. Since receiving his kidney transplant, Shelat has even been able to resume exercising Compared to patients who received uninfected organs, their new kidneys work just as well, even a year after the procedure. Merck & Co., helped fund the research and provided the pills in the study. Results were published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. Kiran Shelat, a 65-year-old civil engineer from Yardley, Pennsylvania, had spent two years on the transplant waiting list before signing up for the experiment. He now feels energetic, and can work out in the gym and attend family events. So far, there's no sign of the virus in his bloodstream. 'This is a lifesaver,' Shelat said. 'Get off the list; get the kidney. There is nothing to be afraid of.' Transplant specialists are keeping a watchful eye. 'As long as the patient accepts the risk, I support this,' said Dr Josh Levitsky, a professor of organ transplantation at Northwestern University who is not part of the team. Getting an infected kidney may outweigh the burden of dialysis, which many patients find physically exhausting, said Dr Matthew Cooper, a transplant surgeon at Georgetown University Hospital. 'People have to plan their entire lives around dialysis,' said Cooper, who was not part of the research. 'It is a rotten lifestyle.' It costs about $88,000 a year to undergo dialysis, according to the United States Renal Data System. Merck has set a price of $54,600 for a round of its hepatitis C medication, Zepatier. Most insurance companies still don't cover the drug for transplant patients, Reese said. The American Society of Transplantation has said larger studies are needed before transplanting infected kidneys is done routinely. In 2016, Johns Hopkins University launched a similar experiment with 10 people. All of them are now cured. Researchers in the United Kingdom are already discussing the possibility to use organs with hepatitis C in patients who don't have the virus. The University of Pennsylvania team are in the midst of a similar experiment using transplanted hearts from donors with hepatitis C. 'While larger, longer term studies are important to confirm these results, we can confidently say that hospitals nation-wide could perform hundreds or thousands more transplants if we increased our acceptance of organs from donors with hepatitis C,' said Dr Reese. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Saudi Arabia expelled the Canadian ambassador Monday and froze "all new business" with Ottawa over its criticism of the ultraconservative kingdom's arrest of women's rights activists - yet another warning to the West reflecting Riyadh's newly assertive foreign policy. The sudden and unexpected dispute bore the hallmarks of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's 32-year-old future leader, whose recent foreign policy exploits include the war in Yemen, the boycott of Qatar and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri's surprise resignation broadcast during a visit to the kingdom. Hariri later rescinded the resignation, widely believed to be orchestrated by Riyadh, and returned to Beirut. Analysts say the dispute between Riyadh and Ottawa shows Saudi Arabia won't accept any outside criticism and will continue flexing its muscles abroad, especially as the kingdom enjoys a closer relationship with President Donald Trump. The Saudi Arabian Embassy is shown in Ottawa, Canada, on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. Saudi Arabia has ordered Canadian Ambassador Dennis Horak to leave the ultraconservative kingdom within 24 hours after his nation criticized the recent arrests of women's rights activists. The Saudi Foreign Ministry also said it would freeze "all new business" between the kingdom and Canada. (David Kawai/The Canadian Press via AP) "This message is obviously not just being sent to Ottawa," said Giorgio Cafiero, the CEO of Gulf State Analytics, a Washington-based risk consultancy. "It's a message to countries across Europe and across the rest of the world that criticism of Saudi Arabia . has consequences." The Saudi Foreign Ministry made the announcement early Monday, giving Ambassador Dennis Horak 24 hours to leave the kingdom. It wasn't immediately clear if he was in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia said it would recall its ambassador to Canada as well. "Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as acknowledgment of our right to interfere in Canadian domestic affairs," the Foreign Ministry said. "Canada and all other nations need to know that they can't claim to be more concerned than the kingdom over its own citizens." Saudi state television later reported that the Education Ministry was coming up with an "urgent plan" to move thousands of Saudi scholarship students out of Canadian schools to take classes in other countries. The Saudi state airline, Saudia, said in a statement on its official Twitter account that it would suspend all flights to Toronto starting next Monday, Aug. 13. Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have publicly backed Saudi Arabia in the dispute. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement that Canada was "deeply concerned that Saudi Arabia has expelled Canada's ambassador in response to Canadian statements in defence of human rights activists detained in the kingdom." Freeland also addressed the dispute in Vancouver. "We stand by what we have said. We're always going to speak up for woman's rights and that's not going to change," she said, adding that it wasn't the first time Canada has spoken out about human rights in Saudi Arabia. Freeland said it would be a shame if Saudi students are deprived of their right to study in Canada and said they continue to be welcome. She said the Canadian Embassy in Riyadh was continuing regular operations. She declined to say where the ambassador was, but said he was safe. "Our diplomats have asked procedural questions today and we're waiting for answers for how Saudi Arabia intends to go forward with the relationship," she said. The dispute appeared centered around tweets by Canadian diplomats calling on the kingdom to "immediately release" detained women's rights activists. Among the arrested activists is Samar Badawi, whose writer brother Raif Badawi was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and later sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for insulting Islam while blogging. His case long has been raised by international human rights groups and Western diplomats, including Canadians, who have called on Saudi Arabia to free him. His wife, Ensaf Haidar, lives in Canada and received Canadian citizenship in July at a Canada Day ceremony with their three children. Freeland tweeted about the arrests on Thursday. "Very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi, Raif Badawi's sister, has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia," she wrote. "Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, and we continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi." Saudi Arabia in June lifted its ban on women from driving cars - a ban Samar Badawi and other women's rights activists have long campaigned against. However, supporters of women's rights were arrested just weeks before the ban was lifted, signaling that only King Salman and his powerful son, Crown Prince Mohammed, will decide the pace of change. Saudi women still need permission from male guardians to travel abroad or marry. It isn't clear what new business would be affected by Saudi Arabia's expulsion of Ottawa's envoy. Canada receives 10 percent of its imported crude oil from Saudi Arabia, while bilateral trade between the two nations is $3 billion a year. Armored tanks and personnel carriers have been Canada's biggest recent export to the kingdom. A London, Ontario-based firm called General Dynamics Land Systems signed a $15 billion deal with Saudi Arabia in 2014 to export its light-armored vehicles to the kingdom, the largest-ever arms deal for Canada. Freeland said they are awaiting a response for what it means for that deal. The dispute with Canada is part of a larger pushback against external criticism, analysts say. Germany similarly has found itself targeted by the kingdom in recent months over comments by its officials on the Saudi-led war in Yemen. It's also not the first time Saudi Arabia has lashed out diplomatically over the Badawi case. In 2015, Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador to Sweden and stopped issuing work visas for Swedes after the Scandinavian country's foreign minister described the Badawi court decision as "medieval" and the kingdom's ruling Al Saud family as presiding over a "dictatorship." Saudi Arabia also expelled Iran's ambassador over attacks on its diplomatic posts following its 2016 execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Ayham Kamel, the head of the Eurasia Group's Mideast practice, said Canada should have expected repercussions for championing the Badawis, given Crown Prince Mohammed's assertiveness. "The win (for the Saudis) is that everyone will get the message," Kamel said. "This is not just to Canada's mailbox. It is about sending a message to the entire West that you don't get to lecture us." ___ Associated Press writer Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report. ___ Jon Gambrell on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jongambrellAP . His work can be found at: http://apne.ws/2galNpz . PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Organizers of one of Maine's highest profile summer events who decided to strip a lobster pageant winner of her title over online photos said Monday they're dealing with death threats and backlash. The 2018 Maine Lobster Festival Sea Goddess was dethroned not long after she was crowned on Aug. 1 because of what organizers described as photos of "inappropriate behavior." Photos showed 18-year-old pageant winner Taylor Hamlin holding a marijuana cigarette and a vaping device, organizers said. Since then, people involved in organizing the festival have received everything from mocking comments on Facebook to death threats, said Celia Knight, a member of the volunteer executive committee that runs the event. Knight and others also believe that more local residents stayed away from the event, which typically attracts tens of thousands of people, because of the ill will. "It's been pretty brutal," said Knight, who said she and her family have been harassed even though she voted against stripping Hamlin of the title. "A so-called friend even said she was burning all of her lobster festival shirts." The lobster fest wrapped up on Aug. 5. Festival organizers released a statement on Aug. 3 in which they described Hamlin's stepping down as Sea Goddess as voluntary. The crown was handed to Erin Dugan. Hamlin posted on her Facebook page on Aug. 2 that she felt the crown was taken from her after the pictures surfaced because someone felt the "need to sabotage this amazing thing that has happened to me." The remaining days of the festival were sometimes tense in Rockland, a coastal city of about 7,000. Hamlin posted on Facebook Monday that "hate and negativity is not the answer," and that she's upset that people are bashing the festival. Police said they set up a contingency plan when they got word that protesters might try to block the Aug. 4 parade. The parade went off without a hitch, and police were otherwise not involved, said Deputy Chief Chris Young. But Shannon Kinney, a spokeswoman for the festival, said the clash over the Sea Goddess Pageant has resulted in "incredible amounts of negativity." She said organizers are going to work to get festival fans back on board with an event that's designed to "highlight our beautiful community and our lobster fishery." The lobster festival happens every year in Rockland, 80 miles (128 kilometers) up the coast from Portland. It first took place in 1947, when it offered all you can eat lobster for a dollar. These days, it can attract people from more than a dozen countries - 16 this year. The festival includes the parade, live music, some 20,000 pounds of lobster and the Sea Goddess Pageant, which is one of its marquee events. The festival has been featured in dozens of magazine and television spots, and inspired the title of David Foster Wallace's 2005 nonfiction collection, "Consider The Lobster." SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A California man who told undercover agents that he wanted to carry out a Christmas Day bombing at San Francisco's popular Pier 39 was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Everitt Aaron Jameson of Modesto, California U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill issued the sentence Monday, which came after Everitt Aaron Jameson of Modesto, California, admitted under a plea deal in June that he tried to aid a terrorist organization. Jameson, 27, planned the attack during talks with undercover FBI agents, including one he thought was with the Islamic State group. FILE - This Nov. 10, 2015 file photo shows a restaurant along Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Everitt Aaron Jameson, of Modesto, Calif., who told undercover agents he wanted to carry out a Christmas Day bombing at a popular San Francisco tourist attraction was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday, Aug. 6, 2018, for attempting to provide support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, a designated foreign terrorist organization. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File) Court documents show that Jameson joined the Marine Corps and received basic training, but he was discharged for failing to disclose an asthma history. The former tow-truck driver told undercover federal agents that he planned to use pipe bombs to channel victims into part of Pier 39 so he could shoot them. He also offered to provide money to the cause. Jameson could have received 40 years in prison. Defense attorney Charles Lee has said his client was having second thoughts and didn't take steps to carry out the plot. Investigators found no bomb-making materials, and three firearms found during a search were owned by his stepfather and locked away in a place he couldn't access. Jameson was arrested Dec. 22. PHOENIX (AP) - U.S. Senate candidate Joe Arpaio argued the benefits of gun ownership to a tiny toy doughnut in the latest episode of comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's new prank show. Arpaio often seemed taken aback during the interview that aired Sunday in which Baron Cohen portrayed a Finnish TV host who channeled some of his questions through a toy named "D'Lish Donut." "D'Lish Donut, you have to understand that you have to follow the Constitution and the law and allow people to have guns," Arpaio said. At one point, Arpaio looked downward at the toy and pointed his finger for emphasis as he argued that guns were an effective means of defense. FILE - In this May 22, 2018, file photo, former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio speaks during a campaign event in Phoenix. Arpaio, now a candidate for a U.S. Senate seat, appeared Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018, in the latest episode of Sacha Baron Cohen's new Showtime prank show. During the segment, a disguised Baron Cohen channeled questions about guns through a tiny toy doughnut, prompting Arpaio to address his answers to the toy. (AP Photo/Matt York, File) The 86-year-old retired lawman joins defeated Senate candidate Roy Moore and other politicians who were pranked in the Showtime series. The Republican served as metro Phoenix's sheriff for 24 years until his defeat in 2016 as he faced a criminal contempt of court charge for disobeying a judge's orders in an immigration case. He was later convicted of the misdemeanor, but was spared a possible jail sentence when he was pardoned by President Donald Trump. Arpaio, through his campaign manager, declined an interview request Monday from The Associated Press about the segment. His campaign issued a statement saying Arpaio couldn't fully understand what Baron Cohen was saying during the interview. "We're not mad about it, it's comedy," Arpaio spokeswoman Jennifer Lawrence said in the statement. In an interview three weeks ago, Arpaio said the segment was filmed in Los Angeles in October, three months before he announced that he was running for the U.S. Senate seat held by retiring Sen. Jeff Flake. Arpaio said the producers told him the show was focusing on the most famous people in the United States. He also had said he didn't know who Baron Cohen was until he recently saw news coverage about the comedian pulling a similar prank on former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. The campaign of former state Sen. Kelli Ward, one of Arpaio's two GOP opponents, declined to comment on Arpaio's appearance on the show. A spokeswoman for his other opponent, Rep. Martha McSally, didn't return a phone call and email seeking comment. Baron Cohen, whose character sported reddish orange hair and a garish floral-print shirt, also told Arpaio he has more than 43 guns. "You have 43 guns?" Arpaio asked. "Yes, I have been collecting them for the upcoming race war," Baron Cohen said. Arpaio appeared surprised by the answer, but no further reaction from him was shown during the four-minute segment. He previously said he began to suspect something was amiss when Baron Cohen started using sexually explicit expressions, though he resisted the urge to walk out. Lawrence said in her statement that she had to explain to Arpaio what Baron Cohen meant when he used one such expression. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - The Latest on school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz's statement to police (all times local): 6 p.m. A newly released transcript shows Florida school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz told detectives he bought the gun allegedly used in the Parkland attack a year or two earlier because he was afraid of demons and voices in his head. FILE - In this Friday, Aug. 3, 2018 file photo, school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz arrives at a Broward County courtroom for a hearing in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. A newly released transcript shows Florida school shooting suspect Cruz spat out "kill me" and then cursed as he sat alone in a sheriff's interrogation room just hours after the massacre that left 17 dead. Prosecutors released a redacted transcript of Cruz's post-shooting statement Monday afternoon, Aug. 6. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, Pool, File) Prosecutors released a redacted transcript of Cruz's post-shooting statement Monday afternoon. Cruz made the 12-hour statement to Broward sheriff's Detective John Curcio shortly after the Feb. 14 shooting that killed 17 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Cruz told Curcio the voice began years ago when he father died and got worse when his mother died last fall. Cruz said the voice would tell him to burn, kill and destroy. Cruz said he would set fires in a pit and kill wild birds. Cruz said the voice had told him to hurt people the day before the shooting. ___ A newly released transcript shows Florida school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz told detectives he tried to kill himself two months before the massacre that left 17 dead. Cruz told Broward sheriff's Detective John Curcio shortly after the shooting that he used a lot of drugs, including marijuana and anti-anxiety pills. Cruz said during the interrogation that he took nearly an entire bottle of ibuprofen in an attempted suicide, but he threw up when his heart and stomach began to hurt. Cruz said he also tried to drink himself to death several years ago with vodka, tequila and wine. He told Curcio he was depressed and lonely. Prosecutors released a redacted transcript of Cruz's post-shooting statement Monday afternoon. Cruz made the 12-hour statement to Curcio shortly after the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. ___ 4:30 p.m. A newly released transcript shows Florida school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz spat out "kill me" and then cursed as he sat alone in a sheriff's interrogation room just hours after the massacre that left 17 dead. Broward sheriff's Detective John Curcio had just left Cruz alone to get him some water when the 19-year-old suspect made that exclamation. Prosecutors released a redacted transcript of Cruz's post-shooting statement Monday afternoon after a judge ruled last month that nonconfession portions should be made public. Cruz made the 12-hour statement to Curcio shortly after the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The Associated Press and other media had sought the statement's release under Florida's broad public records laws. Cruz's attorneys had wanted it suppressed, saying its disclosure could hinder his right to a fair trial. Egypts health ministry said on Monday that two Egyptian pilgrims set for Islamic pilgrimage died in Mecca ahead of the annual duty in Saudi Arabia. According to the health ministrys commission head Mohamed Shawki, a 61 year old pilgrim from Ismailia died while performing Umrah in Saudi Arabias holy city of Mecca on Monday dawn due to a cardiac arrest. Shawki added that the Egyptian authorities were currently coordinating with Saudi counterparts to extract the Egyptian pilgrims death certificate. Deaths from heat exhaustion, fatigue and other natural causes are a common occurrence among pilgrims on the hajj in Saudi Arabia. Hajj will take place this year over five days from August 19 to 24, when Muslims worldwide will then get to celebrate Eid Al-Adha. There is no official number of Egyptian pilgrims who travel annually for the five-day pilgrimage, which sees a few million Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca every year. Search Keywords: Short link: LAKE FOREST, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on California wildfires (all times local): 9 p.m. A wildfire south of Los Angeles is growing rapidly as it plows through the Cleveland National Forest. A spotter plane banks in front of an air tanker as it drops fire retardant on a burning hillside during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson) The blaze that erupted Monday has scorched 6 square miles (16 square kilometers), destroyed one building and prompted evacuations of two canyons and some campgrounds. It's the latest of nearly 20 large fires that are burning in California. The largest is a twin-fire system north of San Francisco that has burned 75 homes and more than 440 square miles (1,100 square kilometers) of forest and rural lands, making it the largest fire in recorded California history. A wildfire last December in Southern California previously held the record. The Thomas Fire also killed two people and destroyed more than 1,000 buildings. ___ 7:20 p.m. Authorities say twin blazes rapidly spreading in Northern California have become the state's largest wildfire in history. The fires burning a few miles apart and known as the Mendocino Complex ignited July 27 and encompass an area the size of Los Angeles. It's the second straight year that California has recorded the state's largest wildfire. Officials said Monday that the flames about 100 miles (259 kilometers) north of San Francisco grew to 283,800 acres (443.4 square miles or 1,148.4 square kilometers). That surpasses a wildfire last year in Southern California that burned 281,893 acres (440.5 square miles or 1,140.8 kilometers). That one killed two people and destroyed more than 1,000 buildings. The new fire has burned 75 homes. It is mostly burning in remote areas but has forced thousands of people to evacuate. ___ 3:30 p.m. Authorities have evacuated cabins in two communities in the Santa Ana Mountains in Orange County because of a fast-moving wildfire. Jeanna Smith with the U.S. Forest Service says firefighters are attacking the fast-moving Holy Fire with a DC-10 air tanker and helicopters. She says crews are "hitting it hard with everything we've got" in hopes of stopping the fire at the top of a ridge and keeping it from reaching homes a couple miles away. The fire began around 2 p.m. Monday and quickly grew to more than a square mile (2.6 square kilometers). Smith says about a dozen people have been evacuated from weekend cabins in the communities of Holy Jim and Trabuco Canyon. ___ 1 p.m. The owners of a historic Northern California resort say it has been damaged by a wildfire tearing through the Stanislaus National Forest. The Sacramento Bee reported Monday that the near-century old Dardanelle Resort has sustained massive structural damage from a fire that erupted last week. The extent of the damage was unclear. The rustic lodge 180 miles (290 kilometers) east of San Francisco is nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It offers cabin and motel rentals along with RV sites, a store and restaurant. Its Facebook page says it was established in 1923. The U.S. Forest Service reported that the fire crossed Highway 108 Sunday evening, forcing crews to retreat from the fire's edge. The resort owners said in a Facebook post that they are heartbroken by the news. ___ 11:30 a.m. Authorities say three men tending to a marijuana grow were arrested after they refused to leave a fire evacuation zone in Northern California, hindering firefighters' efforts against a massive blaze. The Lake County Sheriff's Office says deputies on Saturday found the men watering a marijuana crop about 20 yards (18 meters) from the fire line. The office says firefighters had to divert three very large air tanker passes as they worked to stop the fire from reaching the town of Lucerne because the "hostile" men wouldn't leave. They called authorities. It says 59-year-old Steven Bell, 29-year-old Travis Bell and 41-year-old Gary Wertheimer were arrested on suspicion of interfering with firefighters and not having authorization to be in an evacuation zone. They were released with citations. ___ 10:30 a.m. The Army is sending 200 active-duty soldiers to help battle wildfires in the Western U.S. The National Interagency Fire Center said Monday the soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, will get three days of training starting on Thursday and will all be deployed to the same fire. The fire hasn't been chosen. The fire center requested the soldiers from the Defense Department, which agreed to send them. More than 127 wildfires are burning in 11 Western states, taxing civilian resources. At least three states have mobilized National Guard troops to help, and five military aircraft are assisting. The fire center says active-duty personnel have been mobilized to help firefighters 37 times since 1987, most recently in September. ___ 8 a.m. Twin wildfires fueled by dry vegetation and hot, windy weather have continued to grow in Northern California. California fire officials said Monday that the two fires about 100 miles (161 kilometers) north of San Francisco were 30 percent contained and have scorched 428 square miles (1,108 square kilometers). The two fires are burning about 14 miles (22 kilometers) apart and have destroyed 75 homes. Another 9,000 buildings are threatened. The two fires cover an area larger than a deadly wildfire burning near Redding, California. That blaze has killed two firefighters and five civilians and destroyed more than 1,000 homes. The wildfire started two weeks ago by sparks from the steel wheel of a towed-trailer's flat tire. It is 45 percent contained. A helicopter drops water on a burning hillside during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson) A U.S. Air Force plane drops fire retardant on a burning hillside in the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson) A hillside smolders after flames passed through during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson) A tree burns from the inside during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson) A truck passes by flames during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson) A truck passes by flames during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson) Towering flames approach a home during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson) CHICAGO (AP) - The Latest on weekend gun violence in Chicago (all times local): 5:10 p.m. A candidate running to replace Rahm Emanuel as mayor of Chicago has rejected tweets by President Donald Trump's lawyer in which he offers his support and sharply criticizes Emanuel. In this Aug. 5, 2018 photo, police investigate the scene where multiple people were shot in Chicago. Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson plans to discuss the violence during a Monday news conference. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) Former Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy issued a statement Monday distancing himself from Rudy Giuliani's views and what McCarthy calls "the misguided, divisive tone and policies of Donald Trump." McCarthy was responding to earlier tweets by Giuliani in which he blamed a wave of deadly shootings in Chicago over the weekend on what he called decades of "one party Democratic rule." Giuliani also called McCarthy a "policing genius." In McCarthy's response, he describes himself as a "proud Democrat" but does criticize Emanuel for what McCarthy says has been his "weak leadership." Emanuel didn't immediately respond to McCarthy or Giuliani. ___ 12:35 p.m. Chicago's mayor says one lesson from a wave of weekend violence is that people who live in neighborhoods where the shootings occurred have to be willing to name potential suspects. Mayor Rahm Emanuel held a news conference with Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson Monday to address the violence. Police say at least 11 people were killed and about 70 were wounded over the weekend. Emanuel says residents must be willing to "speak up" and help identify suspects. Johnson echoed that, saying there are often people who know who pulled the trigger but don't go to police. Emanuel and Johnson say the weekend shootings were concentrated in just a few neighborhoods on Chicago's West and South Sides, in areas where street gangs are entrenched. Johnson says the shootings "are not random" and are "fueled by gang conflicts." __ 8 a.m. Police say weekend shootings in Chicago have left at least 11 people dead and about 70 wounded. The violence peaked early Sunday, including one shooting on the city's South Side that injured eight people. The Chicago Tribune reports that by comparison, at least seven people were killed and 32 were wounded during the long Memorial Day weekend, often one of the most violent weekends of the year. Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson planned a Monday news conference to discuss the violence. Patrol Chief Fred Waller said Sunday that gangs sometimes use large summer crowds as cover. Police have said violent crime has declined overall in Chicago. Still, anti-violence protesters have blocked freeways to voice their outrage. Chicago's gun violence has drawn national scrutiny, including from President Donald Trump. His lawyer, ex-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, tweeted Sunday blaming Chicago's longtime "Democratic rule." In this Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018 photo, a man wipes his eyes outside the Stroger Hospital in Chicago, after leaving the emergency room due to overwhelming crowds of family and friends of shooting victims. Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson plans to discuss the weekend violence during a Monday news conference. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune via AP) In this Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018 photo, two women cry outside the Stroger Hospital in Chicago, after they were asked to leave due to overwhelming crowds of family and friends of shooting victims. Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson plans to discuss the weekend violence during a Monday news conference. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune via AP) In this Aug. 5, 2018 photo, a police officer investigates the scene where multiple people were shot in Chicago. Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson plans to discuss the weekend violence during a Monday news conference. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) In this Aug. 5, 2018 photo, police tape surrounds the scene where a man was shot in Chicago. Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson plans to discuss the violence during a Monday news conference. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) In this Aug. 5, 2018 photo, police investigate the scene where multiple people were shot in Chicago. Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson plans to discuss the weekend violence during a Monday news conference. (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) In this Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018 photo, evidence markers sit on the ground at the scene where a boy was killed after being shot in the abdomen while riding his bike in Chicago. Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson plans to discuss the weekend violence during a Monday news conference. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune via AP) BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) - Showtime will air a new documentary series from award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney examining the history of clashes between U.S. presidents and the FBI. The four-part series inspired by the book "Enemies: A History of the FBI" by Tim Weiner will debut Nov. 18, Showtime Networks chief David Nevins told TV critics on Monday. The program, with the working title "Enemies: The President, Justice & the FBI," will explore what Showtime called "epic confrontations" between presidents and FBI directors from J. Edgar Hoover to James Comey. FILE - In this Thursday, June 8, 2017, file photo, former FBI director James Comey speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington. Showtime will air a new documentary series from award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney examining the history of clashes between U.S. presidents and the FBI. The four-part series inspired by the book "Enemies: A History of the FBI" by Tim Weiner will debut Nov. 18, 2018, Showtime Networks chief David Nevins told TV critics' Monday, Aug. 6. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) In a tongue-in-cheek reference, Nevins referred to the documentary as "mildly timely." The series' analysis of the past will be used to gauge what may come of the federal investigation of possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 election, Showtime said. Brexit, the NHS and more on the anti-Semitism row in the Labour party all feature on Mondays front pages. The Times leads with an increase in the number of girls being treated for self-harm, with pressures of school and social media being blamed for the rise. Tomorrow's front page: Self-harming by teenage girls doubles in 20 years #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/L3wZDxXw6o The Times (@thetimes) August 5, 2018 Brexit leads the Daily Telegraph, with the paper reporting British ministers claim that Brussels will be breaking its own laws should the UK leave the EU with no deal. What the papers say - August 6 The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'No-deal Brexit will break EUs own laws' #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/C7tfU098zk The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 5, 2018 The Guardian says that Virgin has been awarded NHS contracts totalling nearly 2 billion in the last five years, with the paper reporting a lack of transparency over the contracts has raised concerns from campaigners. Guardian front page, Monday 6 August 2018: Virgin awarded almost 2bn of NHS contracts in past five years pic.twitter.com/KaYDSlh6Kk The Guardian (@guardian) August 5, 2018 The Financial Times leads with the concerns of Chancellor Philip Hammond about the City having access to the EU post-Brexit. Just published: front page of the Financial Times UK edition, Monday June 6 https://t.co/jQHLKE5J7X pic.twitter.com/a9QC8yPm0Q Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) August 5, 2018 The Metro carries comments from International Trade Secretary Liam Fox in which he claims that the EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier is refusing to budge in talks. The i runs with concerns about the loss of the green belt to new housing. Monday's front page: Alarm at loss of green belt land for new housing #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/vwCpAmJt8s i newspaper (@theipaper) August 5, 2018 The Independent carries comments from the head of the Russell Group saying that the Government should consider bringing back maintenance grants to improve access to universities. Mondays INDEPENDENT - Universities chief: bring back maintenance grants #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/mYF0I4xyvp Helen Miller (@MsHelicat) August 5, 2018 The Daily Mirror celebrates success in a campaign to change the organ donation system. The Sun leads with the investigation into the death of missing midwife Samantha Eastwood. Tomorrow's front page: Suspect in Samantha Eastwood midwife murder is part of her exs family https://t.co/j4Q8wmWJJ7 pic.twitter.com/lMty89kcUC The Sun (@TheSun) August 5, 2018 The Daily Mail says text message warnings about cases of sepsis are revolutionising the fight against the disease. The Daily Express writes a no-deal Brexit will cost the European Union 500 billion. Mondays EXPRESS: Brexit no deal worse for EU #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/H5wcfvjgWz Helen Miller (@MsHelicat) August 5, 2018 And the Daily Star runs with the death of Barry Chuckle aged 73. UPDATES SHELTER SCOTLAND COMMENT IN PARS 16-19 The head of asylum accommodation provider Serco has said he does not know how many of those he houses in Glasgow will be evicted. The Home Office contractor announced a rolling plan of lock changes in cases where asylum applications have been refused and tenants have not moved on. Serco plans to evict more than 300 former asylum seekers in Glasgow (Andrew Milligan/PA) A week after the policy emerged, Serco announced on Saturday it will pause the plan amid the legal challenge. Housing charity Shelter Scotland presented papers at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday on behalf of two asylum seekers facing eviction and the case was continued. Serco chief executive Rupert Soames told BBC Radio Scotland his firm would be represented in court. The firm said it welcomed the opportunity to gain clarity from the courts, although it said it had legal advice that its approach was fully within the law. Mr Soames it was not true lock change notices would be issued to 330 people. Speaking on the Good Morning Scotland radio programme, he said: That is the total number people we are paying for whom Home Office support has ceased. About of third of them have had positive decisions and will be waiting for a month or six weeks or eight weeks to find alternative arrangements and go on and make their lives with legal right to remain and nobody is going to want to make them homeless. Questioned on the figures regarding who would be given lock change notices, he said: We dont know, because a number of them, hopefully, will move on. We have been looking after, at our expense, people for over two years. There are 80 people who have had negative decisions, who are meant to leave the country who we still pay the rent, rates, heating, light for. He said Serco has made an 80 million loss on the asylum accommodation contract in the past five years. Mr Soames added there was no space for new asylum claimants arriving in Glasgow who will have to be put in hotels. He welcomed the court challenge, saying it would provide clarity and ensure the legality of the process. Speaking after the papers were lodged on behalf of two clients threatened with eviction, Shelter Scotlands principal solicitor Fiona McPhail, said: Shelter Scotland is pleased that the case brought on behalf of two clients has been continued and we will be able to challenge the so-called lock change evictions planned by Serco. We will be back in Glasgow Sheriff Court in 21 days. The housing and homelessness organisation said their clients are working with immigration laywers to resolve their asylum claim. The court action is a bid to gain interim court orders temporarily stopping the lock changes to enable clients to remain at home while continuing work on their asylum status. Serco has said it will extend the notice period by 21 days for six people currently subject to lock-change notices, and all further notices to other asylum seekers whose applications have been refused will be paused whilst the law is being tested and clarified. Boris Johnson has come out against calls to ban face-covering garments like the burka in public places. The former foreign secretary said Denmark was wrong to impose fines for wearing the burka or niqab in the streets. But he came under attack for saying that Muslim women in burkas look like letter boxes, and comparing them to bank robbers and rebellious teenagers. Labour MP David Lammy branded Mr Johnson a pound-shop Donald Trump and accused him of fanning the flames of Islamophobia for political advantage. Denmark last week followed France, Germany, Austria and Belgium in banning the burka in public places. A fine of around 120 has already been imposed on a woman wearing one in a shopping centre in the town of Horsholm, after another woman reportedly tried to tear it off. Boris Johnson said Muslim women should be free to wear face-covering garments on the streets of Britain (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Johnson said he felt fully entitled to expect women to remove face coverings when talking to him at his MPs surgery, and said schools and universities should be able to take the same approach if a student turns up looking like a bank robber. If you tell me that the burka is oppressive, then I am with you, he wrote. If you say that it is weird and bullying to expect women to cover their faces, then I totally agree and I would add that I can find no scriptural authority for the practice in the Koran. I would go further and say that it is absolutely ridiculous that people should choose to go around looking like letter boxes; and I thoroughly dislike any attempt by any invariably male government to encourage such demonstrations of modesty. Businesses and government agencies should also be able to enforce a dress code that enables their employees to interact with customers, including by allowing them to see their faces, said Mr Johnson. But he added: Such restrictions are not quite the same as telling a free-born adult woman what she may or may not wear, in a public place, when she is simply minding her own business. I am against a total ban because it is inevitably construed rightly or wrongly as being intended to make some point about Islam. A total ban would give a boost to radicals who claim there is a clash of civilisations between Islam and the West, fanning the flames of grievance and turning women into martyrs, he warned. And he said that a ban on burkas could lead to a general crackdown on any public symbols of religious affiliation. Muslim women are having their burkas pulled off by thugs in our streets & Boris Johnson's response is to mock them for "looking like letter boxes." Our pound-shop Donald Trump is fanning the flames of Islamophobia to propel his grubby electoral ambitions.https://t.co/51YTjIdT4x David Lammy (@DavidLammy) August 6, 2018 Mr Johnson wrote: Like a parent confronted by a rebellious teenager determined to wear a spike through her tongue, or a bolt through her nose, you run the risk that, by your heavy-handed attempt to ban what you see as a bizarre and unattractive adornment, you simply stiffen resistance If Danish women really want to cover their faces, then it seems a bit extreme all the caveats above understood to stop them under all circumstances. I dont propose we follow suit. A total ban is not the answer. Mr Lammy responded on Twitter: Muslim women are having their burkas pulled off by thugs in our streets and Boris Johnsons response is to mock them for looking like letter boxes. Our pound-shop Donald Trump is fanning the flames of Islamophobia to propel his grubby electoral ambitions. Long-time PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi will step down as the top executive at the worlds second-largest food and beverage company. Ms Nooyi, who was born in India, is a rarity on Wall Street as a woman and a minority leading a Fortune 100 company. She oversaw the company during a turbulent time in the industry that has forced PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Campbell Soup and Mondelez International to shake up product portfolios that had been the norm for decades as families seek healthier choices. Indra Nooyi is stepping down as PepsiCo boss (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP, File) Today is a day of mixed emotions for me. @PepsiCo has been my life for 24 years & part of my heart will always remain here. I'm proud of what we've done & excited for the future. I believe PepsiCos best days are yet to come. https://t.co/sSNfPgVK6W pic.twitter.com/170vIBHY5R Indra Nooyi (@IndraNooyi) August 6, 2018 Ms Nooyi, 62, has been with PepsiCo for 24 years and has held the top job for 12. Ramon Laguarta, who has been with the company for more than two decades, will take over as CEO in October, the company said. Ms Nooyi will remain as chairman until early next year. Today is a day of mixed emotions for me. This company has been my life for nearly a quarter century and part of my heart will always remain here, she said. But I am proud of all weve done to position PepsiCo for success, confident that Ramon and his senior leadership team will continue prudently balancing short-term and long-term priorities, and excited for all the great things that are in store for this company. Ms Nooyi took over as CEO in October 2006. Between 2007 and 2017, revenue at Pepsico has risen about 61%. Mr Laguarta, 54, has held various positions in his 22 years at PepsiCo, which is based in Purchase, New York. He currently serves as president, overseeing global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs. Ramon Laguarta has been unanimously elected by the board of directors to succeed @IndraNooyi as CEO, on Oct 3, 2018. Ramon is a strong and proven PepsiCo executive who will help lead our company into the future. https://t.co/gq2LwrwI0Q pic.twitter.com/39lxlswiTg PepsiCo (@PepsiCo) August 6, 2018 He previously served as CEO of the Europe Sub-Saharan Africa region. Prior to joining PepsiCO, Mr Laguarta worked at confectionery company Chupa Chups. He will be the sixth CEO in PepsiCos history, with all of them coming from within the company. Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has insisted the Home Offices cruel immigration policy requires an injection of humanity. Mr Yousaf, who was promoted to the role in June, hit out as legal action to prevent the eviction of asylum seekers got under way. Housing and homeless charity Shelter Scotland is taking action after accommodation provider Serco issued notices to say it planned to change the locks in cases where asylum applications have been refused and tenants have not moved on. The charity presented papers at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday on behalf of two asylum seekers facing eviction and the case was continued. While Serco announced on Saturday it will pause the rolling programme of lock changes ahead of the court case, Mr Yousaf said this would only provide temporary relief for those at risk of losing their home. Our lawyers are in court today with @LSAlawcentre, working to Serco stop evictions. Serco have announced a 21 day hold on lock-changes until a legal decision has been made. https://t.co/b0cJshzuVF Shelter Scotland (@shelterscotland) August 6, 2018 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already spoken out against the proposals and Mr Yousaf, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, said he was very concerned about Sercos actions. He said: I welcome, of course, that Serco have announced a recent halting, but that is just a temporary relief undoubtedly for aslum seekers. I would echo the First Minister that some much-needed humanity has to be injected into the system. The Home Office immigration and asylum policy has rightly been criticised for being too cruel, for not seeing human beings, for not understanding the reasons why people leave their homes, whether it is war, poverty or conflict. There are some real big hurdles in the asylum process, but there is a complete and utter lack of humanity in the system from the UK Government, and that has to change. Scottish Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf (Andrew Milligan/PA) As well as legal action, Sercos plans have sparked protests in Glasgow, a city which has become home to many of those seeking refuge. While Mr Yousaf said he could not comment on the legal proceedings, the Justice Secretary added: Legality aside, there is clearly a desire from the people of Glasgow that they want and are happy for asylum seekers to make Glasgow their home and for refugees to make Glasgow their home. That is why we call on the Home Office to take a much more humane approach to government. The UK Government could change the legislation around this, if they dont want to do that weve often said as the Scottish Government they should hand the powers over immigration and asylum to the Scottish Government. He spoke out after the head of Serco said he did not know how many people housed by the firm in Glasgow would be evicted. However, chief executive Rupert Soames said it was not true lock change notices would be issued to 330 people. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotlands Good Morning Scotland programme, he said: That is the total number of people we are paying for whom Home Office support has ceased. About of third of them have had positive decisions and will be waiting for a month or six weeks or eight weeks to find alternative arrangements and go on and make their lives with legal right to remain, and nobody is going to want to make them homeless. We have announced we will extend the notice period by 21 days for the 6 Glasgow asylum seekers currently subject to lock-change notices and pause all further lock-change notices to other asylum seekers who have received negative decisions. https://t.co/D3wFWNAsEd Serco Group (@SercoGroup) August 4, 2018 Questioned on the figures regarding who would be given lock change notices, he said: We dont know, because a number of them, hopefully, will move on. We have been looking after, at our expense, people for over two years. There are 80 people who have had negative decisions, who are meant to leave the country who we still pay the rent, rate, heating, light for. Serco has made an 80 million loss on the asylum accommodation contract in the past five years, Mr Soames said. The firm has welcomed the legal action as an opportunity to gain clarity from the courts, although it insisted its approach was fully within the law. Shelter Scotlands principal solicitor Fiona McPhail said: Shelter Scotland is pleased that the case brought on behalf of two clients has been continued and we will be able to challenge the so-called lock change evictions planned by Serco. We will be back in Glasgow Sheriff Court in 21 days. At least 56 people have been injured after a major explosion left a bridge partially collapsed on a highway near Bologna in Italy. Italian news agency ANSA reported that the explosion was caused by an accident involving a truck that was transporting flammable substances, which exploded upon impact. The explosion has left a bridge partially collapsed (Vigili Del Fuoco via AP) Italys firefighters tweeted that they have sent multiple rescue and emergency squads, including one from their urban search and rescue team. Italian news channel Sky TG24 reported that some of the injured people had been hit by flying glass when windows in nearby buildings exploded. The Egyptian navy has carried out training exercises with their British and French counterparts in the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, a statement by the Egyptian military said on Monday. In an official statement, military spokesman Tamer El-Refaie said the training exercise with the British navy included a number of activities related to countering naval mines, as well as an exchange of experiences between the two sides. According to the spokesman, training on combating naval mines is considered a complex training which calls for skills and experiences attained through continuous training due to the mines effect on maritime navigation inside and outside ports and waterways of strategic importance. The statement added that Egyptian and French vessels carried out a naval exercise in the Mediterranean, including realistic scenarios to confront challenges faced by maritime security in combating terrorism, as well as conducting live fire training and practicing the visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) procedures for suspect ships. The training also included applying sailing formations both in the day and at night. According to the statement, the joint exercises contribute to warfare learning among participating countries, affirming the depth of military cooperation relations with friendly and brotherly countries to address threats faced by maritime security in the Mediterranean. Search Keywords: Short link: Up to a quarter of a million extra train journeys are planned for the biggest Irish event in 40 years as people travel to see the Pope say Mass in Dublin. Rail operator Iarnrod Eireann has laid on extra services on all main routes to the capital and advance booking is mandatory. The papal Mass will be celebrated in Phoenix Park on the edge of the city centre on Sunday August 26 and half a million entry tickets are to be made available. A person takes a picture of the papal cross in Dublins Phoenix Park (Brian Lawless/PA) Organisers believe it will be the largest single event the country has hosted since Pope John Paul II visited in 1979. Extra trains will operate from Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Rosslare and Waterford to and from Dublin. High-frequency commuter services will ply routes near Dublin. The rail company said intercity train tickets will not be available for sale on the day and there will be no access for anyone who does not have a ticket or reservation. The pope will visit Ireland for two days to coincide with the World Meeting of Families. Held every three years, this major international event brings together families from across the world to celebrate, pray and reflect upon the central importance of marriage and the family. Customers can book travel at www.irishrail.ie or 018366222 and are advised to do so as soon as possible, as trains will sell out. Holders of tickets to the papal Mass can travel free of charge from some commuter destinations. An Iarnrod Eireann spokesman said: We are looking forward to playing a major role in bringing customers to and from the World Meeting of Families events. The Phoenix Park Mass is the largest single event the country has hosted since Pope John Paul II visited in 1979. There will also be special rail services from Westport, Ballina and Athlone to/from Claremorris for the Popes Knock shrine event on August 26, including a free bus transfer. At least 11 people were shot and killed and about 70 others wounded over the weekend in Chicago. Police attributed the spike in violence to gangs and US President Donald Trumps lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, used it to criticise the citys Democratic leadership. The violence peaked early on Sunday, including one shooting on the citys South Side that wounded eight people. The violence is having a strong effect on the people of Chicago (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune via AP) By comparison, at least seven people were killed and 32 were wounded during the long Memorial Day weekend, which is often one of the most violent weekends of the year for the city, the Chicago Tribune reported. Gang members are using large summer crowds as cover in some cases, police patrol chief Fred Waller said. They take advantage of that opportunity and they shoot into a crowd, no matter who they hit, he said. Police have said violent crime has declined overall in Chicago. But anti-violence protesters have blocked highways to voice their outrage. The number of (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune via AP) Chicago ended 2017 with fewer homicides, 650, than 2016, when there were 771. Although the drop was significant, it exceeded the combined number of killings in New York City and Los Angeles, which are the two US cities bigger than Chicago. Chicagos gun violence has drawn widespread attention, including from Mr Trump and his lawyer, Mr Giuliani, who blamed the problem on Chicagos long-time Democratic rule in a series of tweets on Sunday and Monday. The former New York City mayor also tweeted his support for Chicagos former superintendent, Garry McCarthy, referring to him as Jerry and calling him a policing genius. Give Garry McCarthy your support @Garry4Chicago. Tomorrow I will get you information to contribute. MAKE CHICAGO SAFE AGAIN! He can do a lot better than Mayor Emmanuel who is fiddling while Chicago burns. Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) August 6, 2018 Mr McCarthy announced this year that he plans to run for mayor next February against Democratic Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who fired Mr McCarthy in 2015 after the release of dashcam video showing a white police officer shooting a black teenager 16 times. Misspelling Mr Emanuels last name, Mr Giuliani tweeted: He can do a lot better than Mayor Emmanuel who is fiddling while Chicago burns. Mr Giuliani also falsely claimed that Chicago had 63 murders this weekend. The Government is set to submit an extradition request to Moscow for two Russians suspected of carrying out the Salisbury nerve agent attack, it has been reported. The Guardian said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which has been preparing papers, has completed the process and was ready to file. While the request is almost certain to be rejected out of hand by the Russian authorities, it will likely reignite the bitter diplomatic row which erupted following the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in March. Neither the Metropolitan Police, which has been leading the investigation into the attack, nor the CPS was prepared to discuss the report. Yulia Skripal was contaminated with the nerve agent Novichok (Dylan Martinez/PA) The Home Office said that as a matter of long-standing policy and practice, the UK would neither confirm nor deny an extradition request had been made or received until such time as an arrest has been made in relation to that request. The report comes after the Press Association disclosed last month that investigators believed they had identified the suspected perpetrators of the attack and were sure they were Russian. A source with knowledge of the inquiry said they had been identified through cross-checking CCTV footage with records of people entering the country around the time of the attack. The Government has been consistent in pointing the finger of blame at Moscow for the poisoning using novichok a military-grade nerve agent developed by the former Soviet Union. Dawn Sturgess died after being exposed to Novichok (Metropolitan Police/PA) Two more people Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley were subsequently treated for exposure to novichok after Ms Sturgess reportedly picked up a discarded perfume bottle thought to have contained the agent. Mr Rowley, like the Skripals, recovered from the attack but Ms Sturgess, his partner, died. In 2007, President Vladimir Putin rejected an extradition request for two Russians suspected of the assassination of the former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London using radioactive polonium. The Guardian quoted a Whitehall source as saying: The CPS has been asked to prepare extradition requests and we understand they are ready to go. This is Litvinenko all over again. Its almost a rerun of the situation. The police have managed to identify the people coming over and going back again. US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order reimposing sanctions on Iran. The moves comes three months after the US pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, with Mr Trump saying his policy is to levy maximum economic pressure on the country. Mr Trump said the 2015 international accord to freeze Irans nuclear programme in return for lifting sanctions was a horrible, one-sided deal and said it left the Iranian government flush with cash to use to fuel conflict in the Middle East. Donald Trump has reimposed sanctions on Iran (Carolyn Kaster/AP) Today, the United States is taking action to reimpose nuclear-related sanctions with respect to Iran. Full statement from President Trump: https://t.co/tfDYCDyfDT The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) August 6, 2018 We urge all nations to take such steps to make clear that the Iranian regime faces a choice: either change its threatening, de-stabilising behaviour and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation, Mr Trump said. He warned that those who do not wind down their economic ties to Iran risk severe consequences under the reimposed sanctions. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said renewed US sanctions on Iran will be rigorously enforced and remain in place until the Iranian government radically changes course. Speaking to reporters en route from a three-nation trip to Southeast Asia, Mr Pompeo said the reimposition of some sanctions is an important pillar in US policy towards Iran. He said the Trump administration is open to looking beyond sanctions but that would require enormous change from Tehran. Today, our Admin will begin re-imposing harsh sanctions against Iran. The US withdrew from the disastrous nuclear agreement to negotiate a new deal that makes the world safer. We are determined to change Irans threatening behavior & keep them from ever becoming a nuclear nation. pic.twitter.com/9oq0lUN2j6 Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) August 6, 2018 Were hopeful that we can find a way to move forward but its going to require enormous change on the part of the Iranian regime, he said. Theyve got to behave like a normal country. Thats the ask. Its pretty simple. European foreign ministers said they deeply regret the reimposition of US sanctions. A statement by European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and foreign ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom insisted that the 2015 Iran nuclear deal is working and delivering on its goal of limiting Irans nuclear programme. The ministers said the Iran deal is crucial for the security of Europe, the region and the entire world. #IranDeal: EU to shield EU companies from re-imposed US sanctions https://t.co/JVs6qW1NuO European External Action Service - EEAS (@eu_eeas) August 6, 2018 A senior administration official said the United States is not particularly concerned by EU efforts to protect European firms from the reimposition of sanctions. The European Union issued a blocking statute to protect European businesses from the impact of the sanctions. The official says the US will use the sanctions aggressively and cited Irans severe economic downturn this year as evidence the sanctions would prove to be effective despite opposition from the EU, China and Russia. Mr Pompeo called the Iranian leadership bad actors and said Mr Trump is intent on getting them to behave like a normal country. An independent review will take place after fundamental failures led to the collapse of disgraced DJ Jonathan Kings trial, a Police and Crime Commissioner said. Surrey Police have apologised for serious failings in their investigation and an urgent independent review has been commissioned following the decision to dismiss the case due to failures in the disclosure process. There will be no further action against King and he will not be re-tried over alleged historical sex offences. Ex-DJ Jonathan King arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London (Rick Findler/PA) The 73-year-old, of Bayswater, had denied 23 serious sexual assault charges against boys aged between 14 and 16, alleged to have taken place between 1970 and 1988. PCC @DavidJMunro commissions urgent independent review following judge's decision in Jonathan King case: https://t.co/AMInCTGrLK Surrey PCC (@SurreyPCC) August 6, 2018 The trial collapsed in June and it has been confirmed that the proceedings against King will not continue. King, an ex-pop star and producer for acts including Genesis, was released from jail in 2005 after serving half of a seven-year jail term for abusing underage boys between 1983 and 1989. He was previously found guilty at the Old Bailey in 2001 of sex offences against five youngsters aged 14 and 15. In a statement after the recent proceedings were stopped, Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, David Munro, said: I have read the judges decision in full and as the Police and Crime Commissioner for this county Im afraid it makes very difficult and concerning reading. It is clear to me there were fundamental failures in the disclosure process which have resulted in the decision to dismiss what was an important trial involving alleged victims of serious sexual offences. I am very sorry for all those involved who have been badly let down by this unacceptable and troubling situation. They have been denied the opportunity for a fair trial due to the undoubted shortcomings of disclosure which have been laid bare. I am extremely disappointed and have contacted the Chief Constable and already spoken to the Deputy Chief Constable about this matter seeking a fuller explanation of what went wrong. We are in agreement that a thorough independent review must be commissioned immediately to establish the full facts and scrutinise both this case, and the wider disclosure process within Surrey Police to explore whether this was an isolated incident. Mr Munro added: Clearly something has gone drastically wrong in this case and this must be addressed as a matter of urgency or we risk all that hard work being undone. I will ensure my office carefully scrutinise the review and any changes required going forward to restore the publics faith in this area of policing. Surrey Police said it was aware of the ruling at Southwark Crown Court to stay proceedings against King, adding: We recognise that there were serious organisational failings in the investigation, particularly in relation to disclosure process and we will continue to study the judges ruling in detail. A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: During the trial the police made us aware of issues with their handling of disclosure in the case. We asked the court to dismiss the jury and worked with the police to remedy this ahead of a retrial. We appreciate todays decision will be upsetting for the complainants and will contact them to explain our decision not to appeal the ruling. While we are satisfied the CPS handled the disclosure process appropriately and robustly in this case, there is an unprecedented focus from police and prosecutors to drive improvements in this area. Birds solicitors, who represented King, said: This case is yet another example of failings in the disclosure process. The judgment of the court sets out the detail of those failings which the judge described as a debacle. The CPS said King originally faced 24 charges, but one was dropped. DUBAI, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has agreed to admit an Iranian diplomat to head an office representing Iranian interests in the kingdom, the official Iranian news agency IRNA reported on Sunday, in a rare move after the two rivals broke relations in 2016. "An informed diplomatic source said Sunday that Saudi Arabia had agreed to grant a visa to the head ... of Iran's interests section," IRNA reported. "Observers saw this... as a positive diplomatic step in the Tehran-Riyadh relations." The office is expected to be set up within the Swiss diplomatic mission in Saudi Arabia, based on an agreement signed in 2017. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) By Davide Barbuscia DUBAI, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Gulf stocks were mixed on Sunday, with some companies' positive financial results offsetting a bearish background due to persisting global trade concerns and lower oil prices. Oil gave up earlier gains late last week as fears that Chinese demand could taper weighed on prices. Brent crude futures settled at $73.21 per barrel on Friday, down 24 cents from their previous close. As a result, some Saudi petrochemical companies shed value. Blue chip Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) lost 0.3 percent, while Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co and Methanol Chemicals Co dropped 1.1 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively. Boosted by positive financial results, Saudi Arabia's retailer and mall developer Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co was among the best performers, jumping 9.9 percent after it reported a first-quarter net profit of 249.2 million riyals ($66.45 million) versus 232.4 million riyals one year earlier. The company's financial year ends on March 31. The best performer was Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance Co, which soared 10 percent after posting a second-quarter net profit of shareholder capital investment of 23.2 million riyals against 16.6 million riyals during the same period one year earlier. This lifted other insurers, with Company for Cooperative Insurance jumping 9.3 percent. In Dubai, where the index was up 0.1 percent, most trading volume was concentrated on Drake and Scull International (DSI), which was up 1.4 percent. The company has been lagging because of concerns about its financial position, business outlook and the outcome of an investigation by United Arab Emirates authorities into financial violations by previous management. It gained 1.4 percent on Sunday. Insurers were up in Dubai too, with Takaful Emarat Insurance rising 3.3 percent - the best performing stock. The company last week posted a second-quarter net profit attributable to shareholders of 347 million dirhams ($94.48 million), up from 253 million dirhams one year earlier. It was followed by Dar Al Takaful, up 2.1 percent, and Dubai Islamic Insurance and Reinsurance Co, which gained 2 percent. The Abu Dhabi index lost 0.1 percent, pulled down by RAK Properties, which on Sunday posted a drop in profit for the first half of the year to 29 million dirhams from 61.7 million dirhams for the same period one year earlier. Shares in the developer dropped 3 percent. In Qatar, the index lost 0.9 percent, as Qatari banks - including heavyweight Qatar National Bank - shed value. The lender lost 2.2 percent, while Commercial Bank and Masraf Al Rayan lost 1.5 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively. SAUDI ARABIA * The index lost 0.1 percent to 8,243 points. DUBAI * The index gains 0.1 percent to 2,978 points. ABU DHABI * The index sheds 0.1 percent to 4,806 points. QATAR * The index loses 0.9 percent to 9,897 points. KUWAIT * The index rose 1.1 percent to 5,410 points. BAHRAIN * The index gained 0.3 percent to 1,354 points. OMAN * The index added 1 percent to 4,370 points. EGYPT * The index shed 0.4 percent to 15,737 points. ($1 = 3.7503 riyals) ($1 = 3.6728 UAE dirham) (Reporting by Davide Barbuscia; editing by David Evans) By Serajul Quadir DHAKA, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Bangladeshi police fired tear gas on Sunday to disperse tens of thousands of students protesting for an eighth day to demand safer roads after two teenagers were mown down by a bus. The students blocked roads, only letting emergency vehicles through, and the government has threatened to get tougher if the protests become too disruptive. The U.S. embassy criticised the crack-down on protesters who it said had "united and captured the imagination of the whole country." The embassy tweeted that while it did not condone property damage by some of the protesters: "Nothing can justify the brutal attacks and violence over the weekend against the thousands of young people who have been peacefully exercising their democratic rights in supporting a safer Bangladesh." Spontaneous student protests are rare in Bangladesh, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina suggested her political rivals were using the issue to stir up anti-government sentiment ahead of a general election this year. The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has denied involvement in the protests. In response to the unrest, the government launched a week-long drive to check vehicle certificates in a bid to improve traffic safety, but said it would not tolerate more disruption by the protesters. "Everything has an optimum point, and if anyone crosses the limit, action will be taken ... so don't cross the limit," Home affairs minister Asaduzzaman Khan said while inaugurating "traffic week" in Dhaka. More than 4,000 people die in road accidents in Bangladesh each year, one of the world's highest rates. Serajul Islam Chowdhury, a professor at Dhaka University, said it was common to cut corners on safety. "Greed drives bus owners to appoint unprofessional and inexperienced drivers with low salaries, which in turn causes road accidents," Chowdhury said. Separately, the car of outgoing U.S. ambassador, Marcia Bernicat was attacked by armed men, some on motorcycles, in Dhaka on Saturday, the embassy said in a statement. "The ambassador and her security team departed the area unharmed ... however, two security vehicles sustained some damage," it said. Police said they had not identified the attackers. (Reporting by Serajul Quadir; Editing by Malini Menon and Robin Pomeroy) CAIRO, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Italy praised Egypt on Sunday for its "excellent cooperation" in an investigation into the 2016 death of an Italian student whose killing threatened to severely damage relations with Europe. Giulio Regeni disappeared on Jan. 25, 2016 while doing postgraduate research on Egyptian trade unions. His body was discovered on Feb. 3 and Egyptian investigators found signs of extensive torture. Intelligence and security sources told Reuters in 2016 that police had arrested Regeni outside a Cairo metro station on Jan. 25 of that year and then transferred him to a compound run by Homeland Security. Egyptian officials have denied any involvement and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said last month that Egypt was determined to conclude a joint investigation and bring Regeni's killers to justice. In a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo on Sunday, Italian Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi expressed confidence in the ongoing investigation. "We appreciate the excellent cooperation that we have seen between the judiciaries of both countries and we are confident that justice will come to light on this painful issue," Moavero Milanesi said in comments broadcast on state television in Arabic translation. "I was pleased to hear from the Egyptian minister of the strong will on the part of the Egyptian government to achieve concrete results from the judicial investigations," he said. Egyptian and Italian investigators have been working together to retrieve CCTV recordings from Cairo metro stations. They said in June they had found gaps in the footage and were trying to discover the cause. Italy is an important trade partner for Egypt, with 4.75 billion euros ($5.5 billion) in trade per year according to Egypt's foreign ministry. Italian oil major Eni is among Egypt's top foreign investors. Though no new agreements were announced, Moavero Milanesi spoke of the countries' cooperation on migration, an issue that has dominated Italian politics since hundreds of thousands of migrants landed on Italy's shores in recent years, helping bring Italy's anti-establishment government to power in June. ($1 = 0.8645 euros) ( Editing by Robin Pomeroy and Mike Collett-White) By Tom Westbrook SYDNEY, Aug 6 (Reuters) - The world's largest listed job classifieds website, Seek Ltd, wrote down nearly half the value of its Brazilian and Mexican sites and forecast an earnings slowdown as trade and political uncertainty stalled growth in both markets. The move illustrates how a deep recession in Brazil and trade turmoil on both banks of the Rio Grande have stifled the sort of rapid growth the Australian-listed firm hoped for when it earmarked the region for expansion three years ago. It also underscores how fallout from a global shift toward protectionism has compounded economic problems in trade-dependent emerging markets. Seek said its revenue and outlook soured in both Mexico and Brazil, which together comprised almost 16 percent of the A$7 billion company's first-half revenue. Things would likely get worse before they get better, it added. Impairments totaled A$178 million ($132 million) on investments previously valued at A$335 million. Core earnings were forecast to rise 5 percent to 8 percent in the year to June 2019, slower than the 15 percent the company said it expected to report for the previous financial year. Seek shares dropped 9 percent to a three-month low as the broader market edged higher. David Pace, portfolio manager at Seek shareholder Greencape Capital, said that while the company's expansion plans could now take longer to bear fruit than expected, it was no reason to pull out of Latin America. "They are far too long-term focused and rational to be making decisions like that about highly prospective, perhaps now very long-term market opportunities," he told Reuters. Seek doubled its shares in leading job search websites in Mexico and Brazil in 2015 and 2016, as economic activity in the region started to decline. Brazil's central bank in June slashed its growth forecast for 2018 gross domestic product, while Mexico's economy shrank in the second quarter amid uncertainty over the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement. The long "lame-duck" period before Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's inauguration in December was further dampening activity, Seek's chief executive for Asia Pacific and Americas, Michael Ilczynski, told investors on a call. In Brazil, where unemployment is 12.4 percent, job growth has run at a trickle but that has eluded Seek since the growth has mostly been in the informal sector. Excluding the impairments and an upgrade to the value of a Chinese networking site, full-year earnings were tracking toward the top of company guidance. Results are due on Aug. 15. ($1 = 1.3521 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Tom Westbrook in SYDNEY. Additional reporting by Chandini Monnappa in BENGALURU; Editing by Stephen Coates) Egypt's foreign minister Sameh Shoukry left for Washington early Monday embarking on a two-day visit to the United States for talks with his US counterpart Mike Pompeo and National Security Advisor John Bolton. Shoukry is also scheduled to meet with representatives of leading US companies investing or desiring to invest in the Egyptian market. During the visit, the minister will also attend a round-table dialogue with representatives of a number of influential US think tanks and hold interviews with some American media outlets, Foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said in press statements on Sunday. The visit falls within coordinating dates for the coming round of joint strategic dialogue and meetings under the 2+2 formula involving the two countries' foreign and defense ministers, Abu Zeid added. Shoukry's talks with Pompeo will tackle the wide spectrum of bilateral relations, including US economic, development and military assistance to Egypt, the progress achieved in Egypt's socio-economic reform programs and terrorism-combat efforts, Abu Zeid said. The minister's meeting with Bolton, his first since the latter assumed office in April, will focus on means to propel bilateral relations and the current conditions in the Middle East area plus some international issues of mutual interest, the spokesman added. Search Keywords: Short link: At least 21 Sri Lankan illegal immigrants including two women were arrested by the navy off the seas of Colombo with a trawler. Navy spokesman Dinesh Bandara said two navy dora vessels were intercepted the trawler last evening. They would be handed over to the Colombo Harbour police. It was yet to be ascertained which country they were heading to. (Darshana Sanjeewa) Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Commissioner V.K.A. Anura, who was removed from his post earlier this year, was reinstated today, CMC sources said. He was removed from the post considering the recommendations made by the Presidential Committee appointed to inquire into the collapse of the Meethotamulla garbage dump. A former pilot of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) traveling to Dubai, was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning for carrying an unregistered pistol with a bullet, Police said. Officers said the 50-year-old pilot, a resident of Rajagiriya, was currently working at a domestic airline in Kenya. The pistol was detected in the pilots luggage by authorities when it was being scanned by security. Negombo Police are conducting investigations. The suspect is to be produced before the Negombo Magistrates Court soon. (Darshana Sanjeewa) Video by Prasad Mutukuda Pix by Prasad Muthukuda Liberalization is the way forward Tax base is unimaginably low in Sri Lanka Tax base goes up with the rise of per capita income in any country State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne in an interview with Daily Mirror, speaks about the economic policy of the government and recent tax reforms. The Excerpts: Q The government faces a lot of criticism over recent tax hikes, particularly on the small and medium scale entrepreneurs. Wont it affect their investment capacity and expose them to economic vulnerabilities? We have to understand that tax base in Sri Lanka is dangerously at low levels. In every country, taxation goes up along with the increase of per capita income. Then, you create more government services and a more equal society. If you look at advanced countries, they are more equal societies. It is unimaginably unequal in our country. This basic issue needs to be sorted out. Social contract is under threat because of this inequality. Therefore, there can be a bloodbath again in the future at some point. Sri Lanka has had a history of that. One aim of taxation is creating a more equal society. Within that taxation, we have to re-balance the direct and indirect taxation. We have two tax regimes basically. The corporate tax regime is 28%. It is 14% for small and medium enterprises. Any export industry is within that. If you take the entrepreneurial aspect, it is so low in Sri Lanka. It is unimaginable to see how low it is. In Sri Lanka, it is only 2.8% of the total population. In Vietnam, it is 19.6%. In Thailand, it is 27. 5%. If you take a country like Bangladesh with a big population, it is 11.6%. China has 7.5% of business owners. The point is that we have to increase the number of entrepreneurs. That is why this economy has a structure of an underdeveloped country. We are still driven by large companies only. We want to encourage. We are giving different kinds of loans through the banking system under Enterprise Sri Lanka programme. We have two tax regimes basically. The corporate tax regime is 28%. It is 14% for small and medium enterprises. Any export industry is within that Q In such a context, if you increase taxation on existing businessman, it will put them in a difficult situation. How do you address that issue? We had tax free status for 40 years. It has not increased investment though. Actually, it is not taxation that blocks Foreign Direct Investment. It is lots of other different issues. Those issues need to be addressed rather than taxation. Business registration has to be quicker. People have to be able to register businesses in a day. We need to address issues in the Doing Business Index. Q Countries in Scandinavian region, people get quality services from their governments in return for high taxes they pay. It is not the case in Sri Lanka. Now you have increased taxes. How are you going to improve facilities for people? All these countries went through these development phases. In Scandinavian countries, taxation is between 40-55%. It is 11.5% in Sri Lanka. We have now moved to 14%. At 14%, we are giving more services than other countries. People have free education and free access to health. If you look at the measurements in health and education, what we have achieved with a little money is amazing. Longevity has improved to mid and late seventies from fifties in the past. If somebody says that service level has to be improved, I completely agree with it. The quantitative targets are really good. But, the quality has to be improved. If you go to see a doctor, he has to spend a lot of time with his patient. The level of education differs from national schools to rural schools. More investment needs to be done to improve quality. Dilemma for the country is to balance investment in human resources and other infrastructure. This is the need. Do you need a highway to Kandy? Do you need investment in the improvement of education? These are the policy dilemmas that are there. Q What is the government planning to do? The government is gradually increasing investment in health and education expenditures. It is a tough one, though. We have to manage the debt profile. While we are managing the debt profile, we are doing all these things. We had tax free status for 40 years. It has not increased investment though. Actually, it is not taxation that blocks Foreign Direct Investment. It is lots of other different issues. Those issues need to be addressed rather than taxation Q Earlier, you said in an interview with me that the government would not make public investment as such. It is a departure from the practice of the previous government. Now, the government has moved to pump in a lot of money for such development projects such as the renovation of irrigation tanks. What is the reason for the shift in policy? First, I would not say there is a sudden change of policies. The previous regime was spending as high as seven percent of GDP in public investment. Ours is going to be more like five percent. We are not going to get into the seven percent range. There is no change of policies. There is only change of emphasis. What kind of infrastructure do you build? We are going to focus on the rural sector. That is why we are focusing on the construction and renovation of irrigation tanks, anicuts, rural roads etc. We have to face environmental unpredictability. Up to 2014, the world used to have 40 disasters a year. After that, it is averaging at 400. That is the reason for us to make investment in irrigation tanks and all for the benefit of majority of people. The most affected countries in these disasters are in the West Indies. Within the first five or six most affected countries, Sri Lanka is one. This is a huge problem. Many people have not recognized it yet. We have not contributed to global warming. But, we are suffering from consequences of it. There has not been sufficient rain for four cultivation seasons. If we build tanks, we can retain water. Therefore, we invest in the development of 1200 tanks. We want to drive our economy through private investment as the other part. We need to keep looking at the doing business environment making it better and better. Liberalization is the way forward. The future of this country lies in overseas markets. It lies in our ability to export. We have to understand that tax base in Sri Lanka is dangerously at low levels. In every country, taxation goes up along with the increase of per capita income. Then, you create more government services and a more equal society Q What is the extent of liberalization you seek? The argument is always between the consumer and the producer. People who come to the doorstep of the Finance Ministry or the Finance Minister are businessmen in general. They say they create employment. So, their industries are needed to be protected. On the other hand, we have 21 million consumers out there. Dilemma is that you can get products cheap from outside. We have to think of the living standard of people. That is the balance we need to strike. Ours is a small internal market. Sri Lanka has to be a trading hub basically. Markets are much wider outside. Markets outside in Asia are growing. Living standards of the Asian markets are growing. We have to attract investment. We do not have technology and investment to produce everything the Asian markets need. The Finance Minister talked about the liberalization of the shipping industry. We are not going to be ship builders. We certainly can provide all the services. We can certainly become the biggest and most efficient port in Asia. Now we are in South Asia. I am talking about Asia. That will come through liberalization only. I actually think Colombo will continue to the leading growing port. Hambantota is a buried investment. Certainly, we should grow Hambantota as well. We have converted it to a equity swap. Q You started all investments in the council sector ahead of the main elections scheduled. So, some people interpret it as a move for vote catching. What is your response? I would not say that. We have been under tremendous pressure to abandon our fiscal discipline. The Finance Ministry has not given into that pressure. We have tight fiscal discipline. We are committed to bring the budget deficit down. We are committed to have an exchange rate that is globally competitive. When you look at the measures we are taking at the macro level, that assessment is completely untrue. We are changing only emphasis. There is no change in policies. We are not for turning or looking back on our economic policy. We want to be consistent. In all the macroeconomic indicators, we are positive. Of course, there are problems. Sri Lanka has to be a trading hub basically. Markets are much wider outside. Markets outside Asia are growing. Living standards of the Asian markets are growing Q There is a lot of criticism on the absence of a policy on Free Trade Agreements (FTA). As for the FTA with Singapore, almost all the professional bodies are opposed to it. What is the reason for it? I would say that this country has been a protected one. The level of protection has grown from 1990s. It is normal that when you are protected and in a safe comfortable zone, you do not want to move out of it. In 1977, JR Jayewardene took over the government. All the reform programmes were opposed at that time. What a good thing we did! That is what people said after 15 years. We liberalized. That was the period in which my mother waited in the list for ten years to get telephone facility. You can get a telephone instantly. If we are going to be the trading hub, we have to have agreements. We have arrangements with India. We are negotiating with China. Can you imagine having access to Indian and Chinese markets? If Singaporean investments are relocated here, we will have access to Southeast Asian markets. The Indian Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Minister of Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka had expressed contrary statements on the Mattala International Airport (MRIA), Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa said yesterday. Addressing a news conference, he said the subject minister of India had made a clear declaration in the Lok Sabha recently that Airports Authority of India had not had rounds of discussions with Sri Lanka on the lease of the Mattala Airport. Although the subject Minister of India says so, our Minister of Civil Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva says otherwise. He says discussions are continuing to take place with India on Mattala Airport. It is puzzling as to why the two subject ministers express contrary statements on same matter, the MP said. However, Weerawansa said both of the subject ministers were attempting to conceal the actual scenario on the Mattala Airport. According to Minister Nimal Siripala, the Indian Airport Authority and Sri Lanka are hoping to establish a Joint Venture Company to control the Mattala Airport, where 70% shares will be bought by India, he added. Meanwhile, he said India was keeping an eye on not only to grab Mattala Airport but also airports in Kankesanthurai, Palali and harbours in Galle and Trincomalee. Therefore, he said leasing out of Mattala Airport to India would provide more room for them to take hold of Sri Lanka and added it was a threat to the national security. (Sheain Fernandopulle) The debate has far-reaching consequences for the concepts of nationality Critics find the Indian governments stand and Indias citizenship laws morally repugnant There were over 10 mn illegal immigrants in India -5.4 million in West Bengal and 4 million in Assam Anti-Muslim communal feelings that are at the root of the NRC exercise in Assam could spread to these places too creating communal tension There is a heated controversy in India today over the preparation of a National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the Eastern Indian State of Assam. The debate has far-reaching consequences for the concepts of nationality, citizenship and the traditional Indian ideal of building a composite, multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-linguistic India. More immediately, the drafting of the NRC has posed an imminent threat to the citizenship of four million of the 40 million people of Assam, who might either be expelled or be allowed to live in India as Stateless people without civic rights. Most of the illegals are Bengali-speaking Muslims who had allegedly migrated from East Pakistan/Bangladesh. If the exercise is extended to West Bengal and megacities like Mumbai and Delhi, as demanded by the activists of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), hundreds of thousands of Bengali-speaking Muslims living there could also face expulsion. Anti-Muslim communal feelings that are at the root of the NRC exercise in Assam could spread to these places too creating communal tension. Vote Bank Politics With the Indian parliamentary elections due in May 2019, the NRC has triggered vote bank politics. While the BJP is whipping up Assamese majoritarian communalism in Assam and Hindu communalism in the rest of India the Congress and other parties are caught between the need to pander to the Assamese/Hindu majority while seeing that the religious and linguistic minorities stay with them. Given Bangladeshs policy of not taking back anyone whose Bangladeshi citizenship cannot be proved with documents, the four million illegals in Assam could be declared Stateless and placed outside the pale of law in India. The Stateless would be a category without civic rights and liable to be exploited by State and non-State institutions and unscrupulous individuals. Changing Idea of Citizenship Once Hindu refugees from West and East Pakistan were accommodated after the partition of the Indian sub-continent in 1947, India conferred citizenship on all except those who were citizens of another country. But the concept of citizenship based on birth came under assault in Assam in 1951. Assams porous border with East Pakistan which later became Bangladesh, led to unbridled immigration from East Pakistan/Bangladesh posing a demographic threat to the majority Hindu Assamese. In an article dated August 1, 2018, Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley recalled how the leaders of West and East Pakistan had eyed Assam. Sheikh Muhibur Rahman, an East Pakistani leader who later became the founder of Bangladesh wrote in his book Eastern Pakistan: Its Population and Economics: Because Eastern Pakistan must have sufficient land for its expansion and because Assam has abundant forest and mineral resources, coal, petroleum etc., Eastern Pakistan must include Assam to be financially and economically strong. NRC is unfair because it is heavily document-oriented, which is untenable in a country where very little is documented Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, one of the Prime Ministers of Pakistan, had said in his book entitled Myth of Independence: It would be wrong that Kashmir is the only issue that divides India and Pakistan, though undoubtedly the most significant. One at least is nearly as important as the Kashmir dispute, is that of Assam and some districts of India adjoining East Pakistan. To these Pakistan has very good claims. The Pakistan movement had a claim to Assam because of its sizable minority Muslim population and its contiguity to Muslim-majority East Pakistan / Bangladesh. Over the years, given the relative poverty of East Pakistan / Bangladesh and growing opportunities in Assams agricultural sector, infiltration of Bengali-speaking Muslims into Assam took place on a large scale. On May 6, 1997, Indian Home Minister Indrajit Gupta, told Parliament that there were over 10 million illegal immigrants residing in India, of whom 5.4 million were in West Bengal and 4 million in Assam. In its ruling in the Sarbananda Sonowal vs Union of India case in 2005, the Indian Supreme Court said: The dangerous consequences of large scale illegal migration from Bangladesh, both for the people of Assam and more for the Nation as a whole, need to be emphatically stressed. No misconceived and mistaken notions of secularism should be allowed to come in the way of doing so. As a result of population movement from Bangladesh, the spectre looms large of the indigenous people of Assam being reduced to a minority in their home State. Their cultural survival will be in jeopardy, their political control will be weakened and their employment opportunities will be undermined. The silent and invidious demographic invasion of Assam may result in the loss of geo-strategically vital districts of lower Assam. The influx of these illegal migrants is turning these districts into a Muslim majority region. It will then be a matter of time when a demand for their merger with Bangladesh may be made. The rapid growth of international Islamic fundamentalism may provide for driving force for this demand. In this context, it is pertinent that Bangladesh has long discarded secularism and has chosen to become an Islamic State. Loss of lower Assam will sever the entire land mass of North-East, from the rest of India and the rich natural resources of that region will be lost to the Nation. Accords Arun Jaitley recalls that on September 30, 1972, the Congress government said that those Bangladeshi nationals who had come to India before 25th March 1971 were to be detected but those who entered India in or after the said date were to be repatriated. This was reiterated in the Assam Accord signed on August 15, 1985. However, the application of the law was lax. In the 50 years between 1961 and 2011, the majority (Hindu) community in Assam has grown 2.4 times; but the minority has grown 3.9 times, Arun Jaitley pointed out. Making a distinction between refugees and illegal immigrants he said: The receiving nation can, on humanitarian grounds, be considerate to refugees in terms of providing them with the basics of life. Refugees have not conferred citizenship. Refugees dont become voters. Some pre-1971 migrants from East Pakistan may have moved for reasons of persecution, the same is not true of all post-1971 migrants who have illegally entered India. Then there is a third category, who are neither citizens nor refugees, who come for reasons of economic opportunity. These are illegal migrants. Their entry is a silent invasion of the country to which they move, he asserted. Critics Point to Inhumanity of NRC But critics find the Indian governments stand and Indias citizenship laws morally repugnant. They cite Indias traditional commitment to building a secular and non-discriminatory society; its past openness to admitting persecuted people or distressed people irrespective of their background and describe the NRC process as an inhuman one and a violation of international law. Shuvro Prosun Sarker, in his 2014 paper Reducing Statelessness: A New Call for India says that since India is not a party to international refugee conventions, it should go by the ICCPR, which applies to both citizens and non-citizens. Rending people Stateless is a human rights violation as per international law, he submits. Neeraja Gopal Jayal, author of the book Citizenship and its Discontents says that the NRC is unfair because it is heavily document-oriented, which is untenable in a country where very little is documented. She regrets that India has become narrow-minded and committed to exclusions even at the cost of humanity. It is not the politicians who are most corrupt, but the govt. officials The UNP was never a party which robbed and plundered the country Gota is a strict disciplinarian who loves the country passionately We cant be fully confident that a person is tried and given capital punishment fairly I have four guns in my possession During an interview with the Daily mirror , Maithri Gunaratne the former provincial councillor from Galle who formed a new political party titled United National Freedom Front speaks about the weakness of the Yahapalana Government. He was also the former Chairman of the Lanka Coal Company (LCC) and Ceylon Mineral Sands Corporation. Excerpts- Q Who is responsible for the failure of the Yahapalana government? The blame will mainly go to the President for failing to keep his promise to the people that good governance will be established. The Prime Minister, who was considered to be an Economic Guru too, has failed to show his so-called talents. However, nobody can place the blame on the Opposition parties because no matter what the government is, the Opposition plays its role. The real Opposition is actually played by the media now. Q Why do you think the relationship between the President and Prime Minister became sour, creating the ongoing conflict? There was an unsigned agreement between Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Maithripala Sirisena. After the Central Bank bond scam was exposed, where everyone pointed fingers at the Prime Minister for having brought Arjuna Mahendran to the post of Central Bank Governor on his own decision without the consent of the President, this agreement was contaminated. I think now the President is in a very embarrassing situation where he is not in a position to remove the Prime Minister for the simple reason that the majority of the UNPers voted for him in 2015 Presidential Election. By not taking any action against the Prime Minister, he is pushing himself into a corner. The relationship between Prime Minister and President has become sour because of their own conduct. Q As you think, to what extent does the bond scam seem to have affected the UNP? The UNP never had an image of a party which robbed and plundered the country. The UNP has always been responsible for developing the country by creating jobs, building houses and launching new development projects. Due to the bond scam, the credibility of the party and its leader has been shattered. It is difficult to restore that credibility because people do not have confidence towards the UNP now. Q You were with those who called for a change of the leadership of the UNP. But it didnt happen. Instead, the same personalities exchanged their duties within the party. Any comments? I was not really surprised at all because I know whenever there is a need for the leadership change in the UNP, only the officials are changed. Whatever is said and done, the UNP which is a national party has a pervasive role to play for the betterment of the people. Nowadays, people are sick of politicians because 90% of politicians dont even have their Ordinary Level qualifications. It is a party like the UNP that can make a change and set an example by presenting educated candidates for politics. But, where is the example being set? Q How do you see the future of the UNP? Right now, there is no one who is able to revive the party. If there is someone with the genuine interest to build the party, that person would have shown it already. No one has done that so far. Unfortunately, not a single UNP politician is showing that future promise of a good leader. They do not mean to give good governance. They perfectly know how to practise good governance and all about the concept. They just used the concept as a motto for their political campaigns without having any intention of really putting the motto into practice. He was responsible in finishing the LTTE. Although Mahinda was ruling the country back then and Sarath Fonseka was handling the Army, it was Gotabaya Rajapaksa who put all efforts together Q A few months ago, you were arrested by the Kadugannawa Police while having two guns in your possession. Why do you have to keep firearms in your possession? Do you receive constant threats from someone? Not two, I have four guns in my possession. Since 1988, I have been going through the brunt of the JVP. My father had a narrow escape from death from an assassination attempt of the JVP. From that time onward, I am legally keeping weapons for my self-defence. Q What is your opinion regarding the Presidents decision for capital punishment? I also believe imposing capital punishment is good, but when the Sri Lanka Police Department, Attorney Generals Department and the Judiciary system are corrupt, we cant be fully confident that a person is tried fairly and given capital punishment fairly. The efficiency of these organizations is questionable. I strongly believe that a court case should not take more than two years to conclude and give the verdict. People no longer have faith in these systems. That is why people are taking the law into their hands and it is obvious in the everyday news where people kill other people in broad daylight. If the government keeps eyes closed, people are going to take more issues into their hands. Q There was a questionable major coal tender. A week after you spoke about coal deals at Sri Lankas expense, you were removed from the post of Chairman Lanka Coal Company (LCC). Later, you were again removed from your position as Chairman of Ceylon Mineral Sands Corporation. Can you share with us your experience at those two institutions? While working at the Lanka Coal Company, I exposed a fraud that took place there. Without investigating my complaint, they chased me out. Later, I led the Lanka Mineral Sands Limited which is one the richest companies in the country. Within four months, the institution which was at a stake could earn Rs. one billion. I was also able to increase the production largely. But, later the authorities kicked me out. There is no place in this country for honest people to work. Only rogues and people who want to play out are allowed to work in the government sector. The government willingly keeps questionable people in the organizations while honest people who are not chasing after money and personal perks are being removed. How do we expect the country to prosper at this rate? I also want to note one of the most important facts. It is not the politicians who are most corrupt. The government officials are the most corrupt people and those government officials are coming from universities with degrees and all educational qualification to rob public money. They still continue corruption in any government because of the simple reason that ministers do not know their subjects. Obviously, we cannot expect any good thing from such ministers who have not even passed their Ordinary Level examinations. Such Ministers, intimidated by corrupt government officials who have degrees and Masters in the relevant Ministry subjects, sign whatever document brought by those officials. When people hire drivers to drive their own vehicles, they check the drivers licences, medical histories, professional histories and many other factors, because the people do not want their vehicles to get smashed up. But, when the same people select politicians to run the country, they cast their votes for politicians just because their grandparents voted for them irrespective of whether those politicians could run the country or not. Q Supreme Court Judges recused themselves from hearing the Fundamental Rights Petition filed by Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Meanwhile, the Attorney General had informed the Supreme Court about a Contempt of Court case against Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake over insulting remarks against the judiciary and the lawyers. What is your opinion? First of all, at least we should be happy that those judges recused themselves from the court case rather than hearing the case and giving a biased verdict. When it comes to the standards of law, our courts are not still up to the mark. The Bail Act is not being practised in a proper manner in this country. The UNP never had an image of a party which robbed and plundered. The UNP has always been responsible for ... Due to the bond scam, the credibility of the party and its leader has been shattered. It is difficult to restore that credibility because people do not have confidence towards the UNP now... Q During a recent press conference, did you say that Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the most suitable to run for Presidency in the next Presidential Election? How do you support your statement? Out of the three Rajapaksa brothers including Chamal, Basil and Gotabaya, I would choose Gotabaya for the presidential candidacy. He was responsible in finishing the LTTE war. Although Mahinda Rajapaksa was ruling the country back then and Sarath Fonseka was handling the Army, it was Gotabaya Rajapaksa who put all efforts together. If we talk about urban development, Gotabaya was able to completely change Colombo City. This was what the UNP was famous for. The UNP could do a lot of development in this country in the past. But, they are currently going in a negative path. Further, Gota is a strict disciplinarian. This country really needs a strict disciplinarian who loves the country passionately. I think he has these qualifications. Q How do you think a person like Gota whose name has been linked with 2012 Welikada Riots where 27 inmates were killed, MIG deal and Avant Garde case, is suitable for the Presidency? Well yeah, his name is linked with all those mentioned cases. But, even after three and a half years, he was not even arrested for any of those cases if he was guilty. The Yahapalana government was not able to nail him if he is involved in those cases. This government having had the power to bring him to book and prove the charges against him, they did nothing. So, should we keep going on speculations? Q What is your response to the controversial statement made by Former Minister Vijayakala Maheswaran about the LTTE? I met and spoke to the people of Jaffna a month ago and I am telling you this with full responsibility. If the government keeps ignoring and does not help the people in Jaffna, they will take up arms. We dont want it to happen again in this country. Vijayakala took one step forward and made that statement. As she said there was ongoing harassment in various manner to women in the North. It is only going to show that there is no law and order there. However, under any condition, the people of this country cannot go for another war with Muslims, Tamils or any other people. Pic by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe SAITM founder Neville Fernando today rejected claims made by Higher Education and Cultural Affairs Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshes that scholarships were given to SAITM students on political grounds. He said the minister had never spoken to him on the matter of scholarships though he claimed to have done so. Politicians including former president Mahinda Rajapaksa may have sent letters, but scholarships were never provided on those letters, he told Daily Mirror. However, Dr. Fernando admitted that Rs.400 million worth of scholarships were given by SAITM as stated by the minister was correct but they were never politically motivated. The scholarships were given only to deserving students; those who had very good marks but could not enter the university because of economic issues," he said. Dr. Fernando said lots of MPs including JO MP Dinesh Gunawardenamade made the same mistake when they claimed that SAITM scholarships were granted on political grounds but those were baseless allegations. He said the minister was attempting to level these allegation because they were in trouble with the scholarship issue. Dr. Fernando said he had to pay some Rs.3.5 billion to the bank and he was unable to pay the money because SAITM assets could not be sold without the approval of the Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka. BOI projects cannot be acquired or nationalized. But this Government brought a special gazette notice and abolished SAITM by saying it was not up to standard. Im in trouble because of that. I have to pay the bank Rs 3.5 billion. The bank is demanding the money. There are parties prepared to buy SAITM and they like to pay the money in advance but the bank wants the full amount in one go," he said. "One person cant buy both the Dr. Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH) and SAITM. So, |I have to sell them separately. This takes a longer period because the buyer has to obtain Cabinet approval. (Thilanka Kanakarathna) Prestantia Music School's Junior Choir with Doctor Priyeshini P. Perera and Mr. Wasantha Geekiyanage I recently had the privilege of spending a Sunday evening with the talented young choristers of Prestantia Music School. To say I was blown away by the talent of the youngsters merrily warbling away to the tunes of The Greatest Showman, would be an understatement to say the least. A lot of people find it hard to believe just how good these little ones are, being able to witness them perform and do what they do best in their home turf was truly a wonderful experience. The international award-winning champion choir comprises of 25 children, professionally trained and directed by Doctor Priyeshini Pieris Perera, who is also the founder of Prestantia Music School. The choir is backed by Doctor Perera on Piano and Mr. Wasantha Kumara Geekiyanage as the voice instructor. Founded in 2012 with only two students, the growth of Prestantia in numbers and student accolades in an extremely short period of time is commendable. Doctor Priyeshinis vision was to return to Sri Lanka after her doctorate and create opportunities that she never had growing up. Although the music school has been around for six years, the choir has been formed very recently. Prestantia, meaning excellence in Italian is definitely more than apt to describe this set of extremely talented youngsters. I remember having to travel all the way from Moratuwa to Colombo to further my advanced studies in Piano. Moratuwa is known to be a town of musicians and most of them are self-taught. I knew I had to do something more than that. After completing my doctorate, I wanted to educate the next generation of musicians professionally. We are a close-knit lot and therefore Prestantia has become more of a community music school. We have been in existence for about five and a half years and our biggest achievement I would say is being awarded the Gold diploma at the Asia Pacific Choir Games in 2017. It also earned us the qualification to represent Sri Lanka at the Grand Prix of Nations. We havent had any sort of exposure on an international level until last year. said Doctor Priyeshini. The students have a very strong sense of belonging to the school and are proud to be a part of Prestantia Music School. The junior choir has also been invited to perform at the 2018 Chengdu International Childrens Chorus Week in August. They will be representing Sri Lanka while junior choirs from Germany, Australia, South Korea, Czech Republic, Russia, New Zealand and 12 other choirs from mainland China. Chengdu international Childrens Chorus Week is a glamorous International cultural program hosted in China. Each of the countries will represent their culture through music. I love music, I always sing and I love playing the piano. Prestantia Music School and the choir has become such a big part of my life. -Chethaitwa (10) Singing is my favorite thing to do in the world and Prestantia music school gives me the backing I need to learn music and I have a lot of fun here as well. -Shayini (10) The choir has given me the opportunity to show my talent to the world. I didnt know I could sing like this until I came to prestantia Music School. I got to participate in lots of competitions and I got a lot of opportunities to show the world how much of talent I have in me and Im really proud of it. -Dilendri (13) I have a lot of fun here and I get to learn so much as well. I get to learn in a fun way. I am so proud to be a part of the choir. -Ihaan (11) I joined the Prestantia Music School for voice training and with each year. I could see a big improvement. I could pitch the higher notes very well. And I think that others should also come here to learn music and they are most welcome. -Shaun (12) Im so proud of what we have achieved so far as a music school and a choir.I feel like we are getting the exposure we deserve. It makes me really happy. -Tiara (14) Warden Rev. Marc Billimoria witnessing the launch of the Alumni Web Portal The Old Boys Association (OBA) of S. Thomas College, Mt. Lavinia re-launched their website, along with a new Alumni Portal, at the 2018 Batch Heads Dinner Ceremony hosted by the Warden, at the College Hall on August 3, 2018. The Chief Guest at the ceremony was Mr Nanda Fernando, CEO of Sampath Bank, the exclusive event partner, and was attended by representatives of class groups and other alumni groups of the College and the Executive Committee of the OBA. The new Alumni Portal, powered by the globally renowned Vaave Alumni Platform, enables its members to engage with each other and leverage the power of the entire alumni network.It also facilitates collaboration between the membership and the OBA in student development and other OBA projects. The Alumni Portal is rich in features, such as Newsrooms, Facebook-like Discussion forums, Job Portals, Event Management capabilities, Mentorship programs for students or young old boys, and will soon boast even an online store for STC souvenirs and memorabilia. Old boys should contact the administrator and provide your OBA membership number in order to gain full access The Alumni Portal will also enable members to maintain rich member profiles, which will facilitate targeted communications and fast search for the OBA, while providing state-of-the-art security in order to maintain strict privacy of personal information. Members can also self-determine the level of visibility for (each attribute of) their personal information, to their batch mates and the broader membership. The Alumni portal also has separate sections for Class Groups, Overseas Chapters and Special Interest Groups, providing a unified platform for alumni from different vintages, geographies and interests to come together, while maintaining their unique identities and interests. Old boys of S. Thomas College, Mt. Lavinia, who wish to join the alumni network, may do so by visiting the website: www.stcmloba.com and following the links to Register or Join Network. Upon registering to the portal, old boys, who are registered members of the OBA should contact the portal administrator (online) and provide your OBA membership number in order to gain full access to the features of the portal. Speaking at the occasion, the Warden, Rev. Marc Billimoria, stated that the Alumni Portal would be an ideal platform to enable the OBA to live up to the original objectives of Warden Miller, who first established the OBA With a view to the strengthening of the ties, which should bind a man to the place where, it is to be hoped, he has learned some of the most valuable lessons of life. Such a society in connection with S. Thomas College would, I think, promote this desirable result, but it would have a further very beneficial effect. It would be a means of giving lads (old boys) a sort of rallying point. They would be more likely to come under the good influence. They would be less liable to get lost sight of. The Alumni Portal is one of many projects undertaken by the OBA to strengthen ties between the school and its alumni. The Old Boys Association of S. Thomas College, Mt. Lavinia was established in 1886 and is one of the oldest Alumni associations in Sri Lanka. Blue Chair/Warner Bros. NashvilleAs expected, Kenny Chesneys new record, Songs for the Saints, debuts at #1 this week on the country albums chart. Kennys first release for his new label, Warner Nashville, sold more than 77,000 equivalent album units in its first week. The album entered the all-genre Billboard 200 tally at #2. The superstar from East Tennessee is donating all the money he makes from the album to help the Virgin Islands recover from last years devastating hurricanes. This album means the world to me, Kenny says, because of what its about and what it means to the people of the Virgin Islands. A lot of who I am is because of the time Ive spent down there, and how its shaped the man Ive become, he adds. Its how I see the world, and how my music has evolved. So the fact No Shoes Nation has supported this record a record where all the proceeds go to island recovery does my heart good. Songs for the Saints is Kennys 15th album to debut in the top ten on the all-genre ranking. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Telecom Egypt signed a memorandum of understanding with India's Airtel on Monday to enhance cooperation in the maritime cable field. According to the memo, the Indian company will get indefeasible right of use (IRU) on the Middle East, North Africa Submarine Cable (MENA Cable) and TE North Cable Systems, Telecom Egypt said in a statement. The agreement will enable Airtel to further diversify its global network to meet growing demands with its data services, particularly in emerging markets across South Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It will also help the Indian company benefit from the favourable economic solutions presented by Telecom Egypt in regards to the existing wide cable systems network. Telecom Egypt is Egypts first integrated telecom operator, and the partnership grants Airtel the right to use fibre pairs of MENA Cable from Egypt to India with access to Saudi Arabia and Oman, and other fibre pairs from Egypt to Italy. Under the agreement, Airtel will also get the right to use a fibre pair from Egypt to France on TE North, along with capacities on SMW5 and AAE1 cable systems. The partnership involving MENA Cable and TEs network will be a good addition to our global network portfolio and will provide us with a high quality and diversified new route to Western Europe and the rest of the world, said Ajay Chitkara, Airtels director and chief executive officer. It will provide impetus to Indias emergence as a major regional internet hub, while serving our customers across the SAARC region (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) with seamless global connectivity, he added. Airtels global network portfolio includes ownership of an i2i submarine cable system connecting Chennai to Singapore, a consortium ownership of a SMW4 submarine cable system connecting Chennai and Mumbai to Singapore and Europe, and new cable system investments with Asia America Gateway, India-Middle East-Western Europe (I-ME-WE), Unity, EIG and the East Africa Submarine System. Search Keywords: Short link: Special police security measures have been set up at examination centers, coordinating centers and divisional collecting centers in island-wide of the G.C.E. Advance level examination, Police said. The G.C.E. (A/L) examination which commenced today would be held at 2,268 examination centers across the country. Police said a total of 1,029 police officers would be deployed at 311 coordinating centers and 32 divisional paper collecting centers. They said a police sergeant and two police constables had been assigned for each center. In addition, a police mobile patrolling unit will provide security for each examination centers in the respective police areas. According to Police, two police constables would also be deployed for the vehicle carrying exam papers and answer sheets. At least 321,469 students are sitting the examination.(Darshana Sanjeewa) Video by Sanjeewa Sri Lanka would go to a presidential election sometime during the next year as the presidency enters the final year of its five year term in January 2019. The prospect of a new Constitution, which may also require the approval in a referendum is diminishing. And even the constituent partners of the government are divided over the rationale of abolishing the executive presidency. A presidential election plus a general election should the president decide to dissolve Parliament after four and a half years into its term is the most likely outcome. And it would also be a three way race, that pits Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, President Maithripala Sirisena, who has now gone back on his earlier commitment to not to seek a second term, and the Joint Opposition candidate, most likely Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The candidacy of Wickremesinghe and Sirisena would see anti-Rajapaksa voters divided and as the recent local government elections vindicated, the winner of this rivalry would be the Joint Opposition. Gotabaya plays his presidential ambitions close to his chest, yet, despite the quirky calls for Chamal Rajapaksa or Dinesh Gunawardene as a potential presidential candidate, even those who make such claims know in deep down their hearts, that those gentlemen are yesterdays garbage, who neither inspire voters , nor have political courage for decisive policy. In contrast, Gota is an autocrat first, and if ever, is a populist by pretense . For those like Gota, electoral legitimacy matters only until they achieve political power In contrast, to give the devil his due, Gota is different. Being a Rajapaksa adds up to his electoral appeal. But, a good part of his image is built on not being a politician, though younger Rajapaksa was more powerful, and lethally so, than any politician during the presidency of his brother. Gota speaks as if he has rendered himself unto his elder brother. If former President Mahinda Rajapaksa asks me to contest and to carry forward the ex-presidents mission, I would, he asserts. However, even MR knows Gota, who is unpredictable and a law unto himself is a dangerous choice. When he was the president, he used to tell the media, dont criticize Gota, criticize me. Those who count on Gota to be the reincarnation of MR may be committing a costly miscalculation. Gota is not MR. Consider the contrast of their personalities Local and foreign political pundits tend to describe MR as authoritarian. Yes , he was, however, the operative word of Rajapaksas political character is that above all, he was and is a populist. Absolutism of his rule was subjective and was a predictable outcome of his populist legitimacy. In other words, MR was a populist first, and authoritarian later. In contrast, Gota is an autocrat first, and if ever, is a populist by pretense . For those like Gota, electoral legitimacy matters only until they achieve political power. Once there, rather than playing by the rules, they are more likely to rewrite them and to rely on the arbitrary force of the states coercive organs. The Rajapaksa administrations resort to white-vans and extra-judicial killings of prison inmates to address the law and order problem, at the expense of the very rule of law it was entrusted with to defend, was primarily a product of Gotas personal preference. Those who terrorized the public with bed time stories of Idi Amin, during Sarath Fonsekas presidential campaign now has a real prospect to worry about. MR was a populist to the extent that he was so cocksure that he would win the popular vote, that he disregarded opposition from his advisors to call snap elections one and half years before the end of his presidential term. When he lost, he left power gracefully, perhaps because, he knew he would make a comeback. Gota may not. Electoral mandate would not matter much in a Gota presidency. There will be other layers of state power through which he derives legitimacy and obedience. If MR was a Hugo Chavez,Gota is more likely to become an Abdel Fattah el-Sisi,Egypts Army chief-turned President, who exploited popular grievance to capture power and then made an ass out of the countrys nascent democracy. MR was a populist to the extent that he was so sure that he would win the popular vote, that he disregarded opposition from his advisors to call snap elections 18 months before the end of his presidential term Nonetheless, MRs populism had its constraints. The economic windfall at the end of the war provided him with time, space, and sufficient legitimacy to address the structural problems of the economy. MR squandered that opportunity because he valued his political calculations over the long term viability of the economy. When the post- war bonanza fizzled away, economic troubles, hitherto suppressed and unattended, magnified. His government spent US $ 2.5 billion to defend the value of an over-priced rupee. By the last year of his government (2014), exports as a share of the GDP halved from their 2000 value (33%). The Electricity board and Petroleum Cooperation accumulated looming losses due to unaffordable subsidies. National carrier was ran to the ground. He left a right royal mess for his successor to clean up. Perhaps, Gota might have been more proactive. As much as he was willing to send Police STF to evict slum dwellers, he was also not inclined to feed the people with subsidized sprats and lentils. Some of the much talked about feats of the Rajapaksa administration such as Colombo beautification was made possible due to Gotas cold-hearted determination. Nonetheless, MRs populism had its constraints. The economic windfall at the end of the war provided him with time, space, and sufficient legitimacy to address the structural problems of the economy However, there is a glitch. Even the dictators need a group of competent advisors to run the economic policy. Pinochet had Chicago boys, young economists trained in the University of Chicago; pro-American autocrats in East Asia had their American advisors. Who has Gota got? Majority of the so- called intelligentsia in Viyath Maga are no name nobodies, who are more at ease in parroting long lost economic theories of a middle path, which has proved to be a road to nowhere. They imbibe a nostalgia for the 1956, a populist misadventure that deprived the country of its hitherto held competitive advantage, leading us to the depravity of sending our women to toil in the Middle East. There is also a sense of strong opposition from his backers towards free trade agreements. Though such opposition is shrouded in the concerns for saving local jobs, the untold desire is to maintain the rotten status quo that favours a few under-performing industries at the expense of the future of a nation. At the end, running a country is far more complicated than evicting squatters in Kompannavediya. If the panacea for the efficient governance is enlarging the role of military in public life, Pakistan could now have been an economic miracle. Gotas hype does not provide solutions to complex problems that Sri Lanka is currently faced with. Still, more than anything else, the current governments failure to provide a strong leadership continues to provide currency to that farce. Follow @RangaJayasuriya on Twitter At least one explosion rocked a military event where Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was giving a speech on Saturday and the government said it was a failed assassination attempt involving drones carrying explosives. Maduro said everything points to a right-wing plot that initial investigation suggested was linked to Colombia and the U.S. state of Florida, where many Venezuelan exiles live. Several perpetrators were caught, he said, without elaborating. Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said drones loaded with explosives detonated close to the military event in downtown Caracas. A Venezuelan who was visiting family nearby told Reuters she heard two explosions. Maduro, a leftist who replaced President Hugo Chavez after his death in 2013, was unharmed but Rodriguez said seven National Guard soldiers were injured. This was an assassination attempt, they tried to assassinate me, Maduro said in a later televised address. A little-known group called the National Movement of Soldiers in T-shirts claimed responsibility for the attack. In a series of posts on social media, the group said it had planned to fly two drones but that snipers shot them down. We demonstrated that they are vulnerable. We didnt have success today, but its just a question of time, said the group, which says it was founded in 2014 to bring together all of Venezuelas groups of resistance. The group did not respond to several requests for information from Reuters. CARACAS REUTERS Aug 4 (Reuters) The spokesman for Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church Boulis Halim said on Sunday evening the decision by the Holy Synod's Monastic Affairs Committee to defrock monk Isaiah El-Maqary of the Abu Maqar monastery was taken for monastic reasons, and is not related to the recent death of Bishop Epiphanius. The statement clarified that the decision to defrock the monk on Sunday has no relation to the current investigations into the martyrdom of Bishop Epiphanius, and that the defrocked monk had been investigated before by church authorities and previously suspended for breaking monastic rules. Bishop Epiphanius, the head of the Abu Maqar monastery, was found dead at the monastery on 29 July under what the church has described as suspicious circumstances. Prosecutors are currently investigating the death of Bishop Epiphanius. Halim had said the decision was approved by Pope Tawadros II. The decision stripped the monk of his ministry and dismissed him from the monastery. He was also be required to revert to his secular name. After announcing its decision, the Holy Synod 's committee called on all Coptic Christians to preserve Coptic monasticism and its great history by abiding by the directives of the monasteries pertaining to visits and Christian solitude. On Thursday, the Monastic Affairs Committee of the Holy Synod, the highest decision-making body of the Coptic Orthodox Church, issued 12 new decrees regulating monasteries following the death of Bishop Epiphanius. Search Keywords: Short link: Related Egypt condemns Nigeria twin bomb blasts Egyptian Minister of Defence Mohamed Zaki received his Nigerian counterpart Mansur Mohamed Dan on Monday for talks on the latest regional and international developments and on boosting bilateral military cooperation and joint exercises. The ministers also discussed coordinating joint efforts to counter terrorism and enhance security and stability in the region, the Egyptian militarys spokesman said in a statement. Zaki praised the military cooperation between the two countries' armed forces, calling for more cooperation in the near future. The Nigerian minister hailed the Egyptian armed forces' success in fighting terrorism and restoring security and stability, and wished for more prosperity and wellbeing in Egypt, the statement read. The meeting was attended by top military officials and the Nigerian ambassador to Egypt. Search Keywords: Short link: Beatles vs. Stones will perform at The Paddock at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Oct. 6, to raise funds for state-of-the-art surgical equipment at the Hospital Infantil de las Californias. Funds raised will also support the Hospitals Programa de Apoyo a Pacientes Indigentes (program for indigent patients) and Foundation operations. The British Invasion brought us the two most popular rock groups of all time, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, as well as the liveliest debate in rock history - which band is the greatest? These two legendary bands will engage in a musical shoot out of the hits featuring internationally-renowned tribute bands, Beatles for Sale and Hollywood Stones. Alternating power sets with the two bands coming together on stage for an amazing encore, makes this show a once-in-a-lifetime event. Onstage, the bands alternate mini sets and trade improvised barbs and banter between songs to act out the famous rivalry. Since 2011, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones have traded improvised barbs and banter to sold out audiences all across the United States, including a four-month residency at the Harrahs Reno Showroom. Whether youre a mod or a rocker, a John or a Paul supporter Beatles vs. Stones is your ticket back in time to Yesterday! A crowd of 400 is anticipated at the event, which includes dinner stations, opportunity drawing, live auction and silent auction. The humanitarian hospital provides care for children from the mega-region of San Diego County, Baja California and beyond. Tickets go on sale for early-bird pre-purchase on Monday, Aug. 13 and will be available for regular purchase starting Monday, Aug. 20. They can be purchased online at www.usfcc.org. The Foundation for the Children of the Californias is part of a tri-national collaboration among philanthropies in the United States, Mexico and Canada, which for 24 years has provided needed medical care and disease prevention education to children of the border region through critical support of the Hospital Infantil de las Californias. The facility is located adjacent to the U.S. border (one half mile into Baja California, Mexico). The Hospital Infantil de las Californias pediatric complex offers outpatient services in 26 specialties in a 56,000-square-foot complex plus community outreach. Approximately 60 percent of the hospitals staff and medical personnel donate their professional services. To find out more go to www.usfcc.org. 6 August 2018 (UN News) Calling 2017 the first year in human history that more electricity was generated globally from the sun, than oil, gas and coal combined, Erik Solheim, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has told UN news that we are on track but we really need to speed up.Southern India, for example, now has the first all-solar airport in the world, he said, pointing out that some of Indias southern states are experiencing the most rapid economic development anywhere in the world based on solar energy.Moreover, he said that in the United States, there are five times more jobs in solar, than in coal.Speaking about Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15 protecting life on land the UNEP chief was also upbeat, saying that China had recently prohibited all trading in ivory; very important because it stops the market for those killing elephants in Africa.And calling it a huge, huge achievement, Mr. Solheim said that Indonesia has reduced deforestation across its peatlands by close to 90 per cent. Peat is partially decayed, dead vegetation, which stores enormous amounts of carbon and, among other things, soaks up water helping to mitigate flooding during wet season and releases water during dry season.Rwanda, Botswana, and African nations are also doing very, very well with wildlife protection efforts, he said, but still, it is not adding up to being sufficient for the planet. We need to do a lot more.Mr. Solheim explained that UN Environment works with government, civil society and businesses, to turn protecting nature into a business opportunity, which benefits all.He gave an example of Rwanda charging $1,500 dollars per person for tourists to view its protected mountain gorillas, whose population is now rising. Acknowledging the large cost, he said that nonetheless it has created a fantastic economy for Rwanda, for taxi drivers, for school teachers for hotel waiters. And the people around the national park will be the first to defend the gorillas because their livelihood depends on it.Zeroing in on SDG 14, life below the water, the UN Environment chief shared a moving story of a dying whale in Thailand that had swallowed 80 plastic bags. Adding a silver lining, Mr. Solheim observed that people and governments are now taking action in response to such stark examples of environmental destruction.India, he noted, has promised to phase out all one-use plastic bags by 2022; while the European Union has announced a new strategy to use plastics in a more environmentally safe and sustainable way. Chiles parliament has also taken strong action against plastic, he said, adding that Kenya, Eritrea and Rwanda had all promised to take more action.Whats more, companies that had previously refused to act, have now become strong supporters, he continued, citing in the United States, Coca-Cola and Starbucks. But, he underscored, behind the countries and businesses is the strong movement of people who say, We want to change.Mr. Solheim said that linking sustainable tourism with economic opportunities, jobs, development and sustainable energy was the way forward.The only way we can really protect the planet is at the same time, provide opportunities to people who are living on this planet, he added.He concluded his interview with UN News by emphasizing the goal of making the 2020 Beijing Conference for nature as effective and consequential as the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, where substantial steps will be taken to protect all of the Earths wildlife, ranging from insects to the most high-profile vulnerable and endangered species such as the tigers, the pandas, the polar bears, the lions. By Andrew MacFarlane 1 August 2018(The Weather Company) Waves crest up to 27 feet, landing so hard they launch over three-story houses. Winds gust to over 80 mph, sending trees to the ground and knocking out power to 92 percent of the city. Entire beaches push inland, piling several feet of rock and sand onto roads and covering street signs, porches and mailboxes. Houses shake, sloshing water in toilet bowls. Slabs of concrete from sidewalks and neighborhood sheds float down the street as white-capped waves form on the streets.Theres only two times Ive ever been nervous for my family and for my safety, says Scituate, Massachusetts, resident Steve Maguire.This is one of them, and its only getting worse as the clock passes midnight and darkness complicates an already terrifying reality.The people of Scituate fight well into the night to save homes, businesses and lives from the barrage of water coming inland. Because of a monstrous noreaster, coastal Massachusetts becomes part of the ocean.Theres a howl in the wind, a deep, guttural howl in the wind that you only hear in the most severe storms, Maguire says. That first storm in March, in the middle of the night, I remember opening the door and yelled up to my wife and I said, Jess, theres the howl! I can hear it!I knew at that point this was not like other storms.What was left behind after the early March noreaster is described as a war zone by some.We say it all the time: Its an amazing place to live 360 days a year, said Maguire, a meteorology teacher of 17 years at the local high school. Then five other days you have no idea whats going to happen.In a dizzying three weeks, four noreasters slammed this area last winter. Two of the four powered tides high enough to claim the No. 1 and No. 3 spots on Bostons record tide list. By the time they were done blasting several states, two of the storms would cause more than $1 billion in damage each and claim 31 lives . Tides produced by Blizzard of 78 and the No Name/Perfect Storm of 91 were taken down a peg by storms that didnt leave nearly the level of devastation.Residents interviewed by weather.com shortly after the noreasters know that such damage will become more frequent as climate change fuels more intense storms and rising seas. In 2017, extreme weather affected more than 25 million Americans and displaced more than 2.5 million from their homes. Soon, it could reshape this area. The storms of winter 2018 have left some residents wondering how much longer theyll stay. [] Peggotty Beach: Gone Travel south on Front Street, Scituates main avenue through downtown, follow the traffic circle toward Edward Foster Road and youll arrive at Peggotty Beach. Peggotty is a barrier beach sandwiched between the second and third cliffs of the four cliffs locals identify along the coast. It bows inland ever so slightly. To get to Peggotty, you have to take a right into a low-lying parking lot surrounded by dunes and marshland.Looking at Peggotty from either ends of the jutting cliffs you could almost describe the steep, sandy beach as Malibu-like and not a place you would associate with some of the winter storms worst damage. Waves between a shade of green and blue roll onto a shore populated with uniquely shaped houses. The breeze blows in steady and calm. Both cliffs are lined with hillside homes and winding roads.But what you arent seeing is that this seemingly picture-perfect scene is really one of destruction and near desertion even weeks after the last noreaster last hit the area in March.What gives it away is the Inner Harbor Road street sign. The green and white metal sign is almost buried in sand and rock, the result of the ocean pushing the beach inland, through homes and over the street.Once this clicks in your mind, youll see the dismal sight that is Peggotty Beach. Houses on stilts are now almost flush with a bed of sand 5 to 6 feet deep. Debris and ravaging wind tore off decks and covered staircases in sand so high they have only five steps instead of 15.One of the particular homes that was a full blow-through had never had damage like that in the 52 years that the homeowner had been there, says Maguire, the resident fearful for his family during the March storm. Theres no doubt the damage is getting worse.Go toward the ocean from the houses along Inner Harbor Road and youll find two alien-like homes that tower some 15 feet above the steep stretch of sand. The stilt homes are the last of their kind in Scituate on the beach. Theyre the remaining two of about 30 homes that once stood along the street that were blasted by storms, namely the Blizzard of 78 and the No Name/Perfect Storm of 91, and consumed by the ocean.Directly straight out in front of (the stilt houses) was a paved road, 15 houses on the one side, 15 on the other, said Maguire.Gone, he adds. Out to sea or in the marsh and then never rebuilt. [more] Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. 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. Subscriber content preview SALEM, Ore. (AP) Firefighters from Oregon and Washington state are helping battle California's devastating fires, and now dozens of firefighters from Australia and New Zealand are coming to help put out blazes in the Pacific Northwest. Virginia Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon, said Friday that 85 firefighters and support personnel from Australia and New Zealand arrive early next week. . . . Subscriber content preview Photo by LBA Realty [enlarge] The buyer was an LLC associated with Columbia Industrial Properties of Chicago and Lincoln Property Co. of Dallas. An office building at 501 Eastlake Ave. E. in South Lake Union has sold for just over $58.7 million, according to King County records. . . . 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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 Asli Erdogan thinks that Turkey has a fascist regime "It is not yet 1940s Germany, but 1930s" Turkish novelist Asli Erdogan, living in exile in Germany as she risks a life sentence on terror charges at home, thinks the writing is on the wall: her country is sliding into fascism. The award-winning author, still traumatised by the four months she spent in an Istanbul prison, warns that Turkey's institutions are "in a state of total collapse". In President Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- no relation -- she sees a man tightening control over everyday Turkish life, emboldened by an outright victory in June elections, sweeping new powers and a crackdown on opponents. "The extent of things in Turkey is like Nazi Germany," the flame-haired 51-year-old told AFP in an interview in Frankfurt, her temporary home as she awaits the outcome of her court case in absentia. "I think it is a fascist regime. It is not yet 1940s Germany, but 1930s," said Asli. "A crucial factor is the lack of a judicial system," she added, describing a country of overcrowded prisons and pro-Erdogan judges in their twenties rushed in to replace ousted peers. Asli herself was among the more than 70,000 people caught up in a wave of arrests under a state of emergency imposed after a failed 2016 coup against Erdogan. She was held for 136 days over her links to a pro-Kurdish newspaper before being unexpectedly freed on bail. The detention of the author of such novels as "The City in Crimson Cloak" and "The Stone Building and Other Places", famed for their unflinching explorations of loss and trauma, drew international condemnation. Turkey's Nobel literature laureate Orhan Pamuk has called her "an exceptionally perceptive and sensitive writer." Turkey's post-coup purge targeted not just alleged backers of preacher Fethullah Gulen, blamed by Ankara for the attempted putsch, but also opposition media and people accused of ties to Kurdish militants. Turkish authorities reject accusations of widescale rights violations after the coup, and the state of emergency was lifted last month, after Erdogan was re-elected under a new executive-style presidency giving him direct control of ministries and public institutions. "Erdogan is almost omnipotent," Asli said. "He decides on the price of medicine, on the future of classical ballet, his family members are in charge of the economy... Opera, which he hates, is also directly tied to him," she added, chuckling. "That's the nice thing about fascism, it's also pathetically funny sometimes." Turkish lawmakers have also approved new legislation giving authorities greater powers in detaining suspects and imposing public order, which officials say is necessary to combat multiple terror risks. "It's an emergency state made permanent," said Asli. As for herself, Asli has given up hope of being acquitted and returning to Turkey anytime soon. "They are not bluffing," she said she realised after several journalists were sentenced to life terms. She faces charges of spreading "terror propaganda" for her work as a literary advisor to the newspaper Ozgur Gundem. The paper itself was shut down, accused by Turkish authorities of being a mouthpiece for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), considered a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies. The next hearings in Asli's case are scheduled for October and March. The diminutive former physicist said the wait for the verdict was "almost unbearable". "One of the biggest tortures you can do to a human being is to keep his fate unknown." Released from prison in late December 2016, it took Asli until last September to get her passport back from Turkish authorities. She immediately left for Germany, following other Turkish artists and intellectuals into exile. She now lives in Frankfurt, the recipient of a flat and a monthly stipend as part of the international Cities of Refuge project. The scheme aims to provide persecuted writers with a safe haven from where they can continue working. But Asli, who has written eight books translated into 20 languages, hasn't been able to pick up a pen yet. Struggling with insomnia, depression and health problems, it has been easier to "play the professional writer" in past months, travelling abroad for literary events and talks. But slowly her nightmares about prison are becoming less frequent, she said, while a painful neck hernia has done her the unexpected favour of forcing her to slow down. Asli said she was getting "more in the mood" to write, but her immediate focus remained on raising the plight of those still locked up in Turkey. "I have been pushed into a political role, which I try to carry with grace." But when she is ready, she will put her own experiences of prison to paper, in what Asli predicts will be "a very heavy confrontation". "In literature, you have to be more than 200 percent honest," she said. "You write with blood." Search Keywords: Short link: A Palestinian shot by Israeli occupation forces on the Gaza border four months ago has died, the health ministry in the coastal Strip has said. Ahmed al-Ayeda, 17, was shot on March 30 -- the first day of months of protests along the border -- the ministry said in a statement late Sunday. He had been in critical condition since being shot east of Bureij in the central Gaza Strip. Palestinians in Gaza have for months been demonstrating against Israel's decade-long blockade of the territory and in support of their right to return to lands they fled or were driven from during the war surrounding the creation of Israel in 1948. Israel besieged Gaza since 2007, waging three wars in 2008, 2012 and 2014, leaving more than 3000 killed, thousands injured and infrastructure in shambles. In the wake of the Great March of Return demonstrations, which started on 30 March, Gazas already overstretched health sector has been struggling to cope with the mass influx of casualties. At least 160 Palestinians have been killed and thousands injured by Israeli occupation forces during the recent protests near the border with Israel. Israel has maintained a crippling blockade on Gaza which it argues is necessary to isolate Hamas. The blockade is worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, which human rights advocates have described as collective punishment of the Palestinians living in the strip. The protests are calling for Palestinians to be able to return to the land they or their families fled in the 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel. *This story has been edited by Ahram Online. Search Keywords: Short link: Country-specific recommendations for economic policies under the 2018 European Semester Prepared by Joao Capella-Ramos Published as part of the ECB Economic Bulletin, Issue 5/2018. Within the EU governance framework for the coordination of economic policies, the country-specific recommendations (CSRs) represent an integral part of the annual European Semester process. They provide guidance to individual EU Member States on how to address structural reform needs and macroeconomic imbalances in the following 12-18 months. CSRs are the instrument through which EU national economic policies are treated as a matter of common concern and coordinated within the Council of the European Union in accordance with Article 121 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. They therefore constitute a cornerstone of the EUs macroeconomic imbalance procedure (MIP), whose aim is to prevent, detect and correct macroeconomic imbalances in individual countries, thereby containing risks to the smooth functioning of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Their timely and proper implementation is critical to reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening the economic resilience of the euro area and the EU as a whole, ultimately leading to higher growth potential in the long term.[1] Against the background of the 2018 CSRs received by 27 EU Member States (i.e. all excluding Greece[2]), this box examines the policy recommendations addressed to 18 euro area countries, with the exception of those that pertain strictly to the implementation of the EUs Stability and Growth Pact.[3] CSRs are the culmination of a comprehensive process of economic monitoring and surveillance within the European Semester, starting in the autumn of the preceding year. First, on 22 November 2017, the European Commission released the Annual Growth Survey, the Alert Mechanism Report and proposed recommendations on the economic policy of the euro area. The Annual Growth Survey identifies the main economic policy priorities for the EU as a whole. The Alert Mechanism Report screens EU Member States for any build-up of or need to correct macroeconomic imbalances. The recommendations for the euro area set out the main areas for structural reforms for the euro area as a whole. On 7 March 2018, the Commission released the Country Reports for all EU Member States, which analyse progress made on implementing structural reforms and, for countries previously selected in the Alert Mechanism Report, identify the nature and severity of macroeconomic imbalances in the context of in-depth reviews under the MIP. Subsequently, on 23 May 2018, the Commission adopted its proposals for the 2018 CSRs. On 13 July 2018, following discussions in the relevant EU committees and endorsement by the European Council, the Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) Council issued the final 2018 CSRs. The 2018 recommendations for the euro area as a whole call on Member States to take advantage of ongoing solid and broad-based economic growth, in a context of favourable financing conditions, to strengthen growth potential and economic resilience, and rebuild fiscal buffers. On 23 January 2018, the ECOFIN Council issued the 2018 recommendations on the economic policy of the euro area on the basis of the European Commissions proposal. The recommendations urge Member States, in parallel to widening thin fiscal buffers, to pursue policies that support sustainable and inclusive growth and improve economic resilience, rebalancing and convergence. To that end, Member States are invited to address structural challenges that continue to exert a drag on the economy, prioritising reforms that increase productivity and growth potential, improving the institutional and business environment, removing bottlenecks to investment, fostering innovation, supporting the creation of quality jobs and reducing inequality. They are also encouraged to make swift progress on completing EMU, and especially the banking union through enhanced risk reduction and risk sharing. Chart A The 2018 CSRs for euro area countries by policy area and MIP classification Source: ECB calculations based on 2018 CSRs. Notes: The chart shows the number of 2018 CSRs for euro area countries broken down into broad policy areas. Fiscal-structural comprises mainly public administration, age-related public spending and taxation; framework conditions comprises mainly judicial systems, insolvency frameworks, housing, financial sector, and research and innovation; labour market comprises mainly wages and wage-setting, employment protection, education and active labour market policies; and product market comprises mainly sector-specific regulations and barriers to market entry. CSRs for implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact are not included. The 2018 CSRs broadly echo the emphasis of the 2018 recommendations for the euro area as a whole. Chart A shows a breakdown of the 2018 CSRs by policy area, with a focus on fiscal-structural policies, framework conditions, and labour and product markets. The 2018 CSRs on fiscal-structural policies include ensuring the long-term sustainability of pension systems, increasing the efficiency of public spending, reducing the tax wedge and curbing tax fraud and evasion. The 2018 CSRs on policies to enhance framework conditions include improving the business environment, strengthening the effectiveness of judicial systems and insolvency frameworks, streamlining bureaucratic processes and removing inefficient market regulations. Compared with last year, the 2018 CSRs place greater emphasis on forward-looking structural reforms that support research, innovation and education, which could help unleash and manage technological progress, as well as boost workers market-relevant skills, thus helping countries to cope with the challenges from digital transformation. Chart B The 2017 and 2018 CSRs for euro area countries by policy area Source: ECB calculations based on 2018 CSRs. Notes: The chart shows the number of 2017 and 2018 CSRs for euro area countries broken down into broad policy areas. Fiscal-structural comprises mainly public administration, age-related public spending and taxation; framework conditions comprises mainly judicial systems, insolvency frameworks, housing, financial sector, and research and innovation; labour market comprises mainly wages and wage-setting, employment protection, education and active labour market policies; and product market comprises mainly sector-specific regulations and barriers to market entry. CSRs for implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact are not included. The 2018 CSRs give less priority to product market reforms and to labour market reforms aimed at ensuring the appropriateness of wages. Chart B shows that the number of CSRs on product market reforms remains limited and that of CSRs on labour market reforms, while remaining relatively sizeable, decreased compared with last year. However, both policy areas remain vital to promoting the reallocation of resources to their most productive uses and thereby reviving productivity growth and strengthening the economic resilience of EMU. Product and labour markets overall should be adaptable, open and competitive. In this regard, product market reforms, such as lifting barriers to market entry, would support the proliferation of innovative enterprises and dynamic entrepreneurs that are at the root of productivity gains. Labour market policies should be formulated in such a way as to ensure that wages appropriately reflect the underlying economic conditions, in line with productivity at the firm, sector and country level, and workers qualifications. Indeed, while wage rigidities may be less visible in an economic upswing, their negative impact may be sizeable when the economic cycle turns. Chart C CSR implementation over the period 2013-17 in euro area countries Source: ECB calculations based on the European Commissions Country Reports. Notes: The chart shows the implementation of CSRs for the year given as assessed by the European Commission in the overview table of each Member States Country Report published the following year. Full implementation signifies that the Member State has implemented all measures needed to address the CSR appropriately; substantial progress signifies that the Member State has adopted measures that go a long way in addressing the CSR, most of which have been implemented; some progress signifies that the Member State has adopted measures that partly address the CSR, and/or it has adopted measures that address the CSR but a fair amount of work is still needed to fully address it as only a few of the adopted measures have been implemented; limited progress signifies that the Member State has announced certain measures but these only address the CSR to a limited extent, and/or it has presented non-legislative acts, yet with no further follow-up in terms of implementation; and no progress signifies that the Member State has not credibly announced or adopted any measures to address the CSR. CSRs for implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact are not included. Continued weak CSR implementation over recent years remains a challenge in view of still outstanding stock imbalances of a long-lasting nature.[4] Chart C shows that most CSRs were, at best, only partly addressed by Member States over the period 2013-17. The disappointing track record on implementing structural reforms may be seen in the light of the cyclical upswing and the fact that the perception of policy challenges may have moderated in the favourable economic and financial environment. Similarly to the previous year, the European Commission concluded in February 2018 that the overwhelming majority (i.e. more than 90%) of the 2017 CSRs had been implemented to only some or a limited extent. Only one of close to 80 CSRs had been substantially implemented and none had been fully implemented. Moreover, countries with excessive macroeconomic imbalances do not seem to have taken decisive policy action to step up the implementation of their 2017 CSRs, even though this would have been commensurate with the rigidities and vulnerabilities remaining in those countries. Furthermore, some of the 2017 CSRs were not repeated this year, despite the fact that only some or even limited progress had been made on them, and their continued macro-critical relevance (i.e. their importance to the reduction of macroeconomic imbalances). This may risk sending unwarranted signals; efforts made in recent years to contain the number of CSRs, which have streamlined the process, are by no means a reflection of improved or strong structural reform momentum. Chart D Share of MIP-relevant 2018 CSRs for euro area countries by policy area Source: ECB calculations based on 2018 CSRs. Notes: The chart shows the share of MIP-relevant 2018 CSRs for euro area countries broken down into policy areas. CSRs for implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact are not included. Refocusing the CSRs on macro-critical policies that facilitate a timely wind-down of macroeconomic imbalances could encourage compliance with the MIP. Chart D shows that most 2018 CSRs are deemed significant for compliance with the MIP; these are referred to as MIP-relevant. However, some have been made MIP-relevant even though they pertain to the realm of broad economic coordination and only indirectly address macroeconomic imbalances.[5] Where the presence of excessive macroeconomic imbalances implies greater urgency, recommendations for a wide array of structural reforms may blur the focus and thus ultimately fail to induce effective policy action in the short term. Better prioritisation of CSRs according to their macro-critical relevance could encourage compliance with the MIP and also help incentivise countries to take firmer ownership of structural reforms. The full and effective use of all instruments available under the MIP, including the excessive imbalance procedure (EIP), as its corrective arm, could help buttress recent cyclical improvements by means of structural measures that strengthen economic resilience and growth potential over the medium term.[6] The EIP, which so far is yet to be activated, is in essence aimed at ensuring greater traction for the implementation of macro-critical policies in the most vulnerable countries. Since it has proven difficult to reinvigorate the pace of structural reform under the preventive arm of the MIP, there seems to be a strong case for applying the EIP for all countries with excessive macroeconomic imbalances. The application of the EIP would ensure the credibility and ultimate effectiveness of the MIP. In addition, if appropriately designed and implemented, other instruments and measures being considered with a view to creating the right incentives for structural reform implementation and national ownership could help improve the current lacklustre prospects for CSR implementation in the EU. CSRs should serve as the key benchmark for sound economic policies at the country level, thereby ensuring consistency over time. The European Commission has gradually excluded from the CSRs certain policy areas which are covered by other monitoring mechanisms. These include economic aspects of the energy sector, moved to the Energy Union governance arrangements, and the monitoring and enforcement mechanisms related to the Single Market. Insofar as they matter for the overall economic performance of the Member States, the continued monitoring of these policy areas remains essential, not least to ensure that the economic policies implemented by individual Member States are assessed in an even more comprehensive and consistent manner across time and policy areas. Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz is shot and wounded as he was drove through the capital Nouakchott Saturday, but his life is not in danger, a security source said Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was shot and "slightly wounded" on Saturday when an army unit accidentally fired on his convoy, the government said. However, a military source said earlier the president had been directly targeted. Abdel Aziz is being treated in hospital in the capital Nouakchott, Communications Minister Hamdi Ould Mahjoub said. "This was an accidental shooting on the presidential convoy as it returned to Nouakchott. The army unit did not recognize the presidential convoy," Mahjoub said on national television. "The Mauritanian people can be reassured, the president is fine... He was slightly wounded, and he got out of the vehicle unassisted upon arrival at the hospital, where he walked in without difficulty." Earlier, a security source told AFP that Abdel Aziz was hit in the arm by a bullet that an unknown gunman fired at him as he was driving from his weekend retreat in nearby Tweila. The gunman in a car "directly targeted" the head of state, he added, without giving any indications as to the identity of the attacker or the motive. "The president's life is not in danger, he got out and walked to a military hospital where he received first aid," the source said. The hospital was placed under high surveillance by the presidential guard. Opposition lawmakers accuse the former general of despotism and mismanagement and having failed to heed commitments made in the Dakar accords that led to his election in 2009, a year after he seized power in a coup d'etat. The opposition wants a transition government to take over from Abdel Aziz and find a way out of the crisis, dealing with issues such as unemployment, slavery and attacks on human rights. Abdel Aziz has insisted he will not resign, despite a series of opposition protests. "I have no intention of leaving power because I think that in a democracy, change must be done through the ballot box," Abdel Aziz said in August. He has led a military campaign against Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). He has been the subject of several failed assassination attempts by AQIM, Al-Qaeda's franchise in North Africa, according to sources. AQIM, which stems from a group started in the late 1990s by radical Algerian Islamists, formally subscribed to Al-Qaeda's ideology in 2007, but after a string of high-profile attacks, the Algerian army managed to severely curtail its operations. It has since been boosted by the turmoil in neighbouring Mali that followed a coup there in March, with hardline Islamists occupying the country's vast northern region. Abdel Aziz's mandate expires in 2014. Search Keywords: Short link: Japan pork imports rebound in Q2; S. Korea up 15% in H1 Japanese pork imports have returned to modest growth in the second quarter, reaching 237,300 tonnes, up 2% year-on-year, in contrast to a 2% fall in the first quarter (220,100 tonnes). This means volumes for January-June overall were on par with 2017, AHDB Pork reports. South Korea's pork imports, meanwhile, were up 15% year-on-year during the first half of 2018, at 294,400 tonnes. The US remained the largest single-country supplier of pork to both Japan and South Korea, with shipments at 129,100 tonnes (68 billion Yen or US$611.68 million) and 107,600 tonnes, respectively, in the first half. The US' pork exports to Japan in the first half were, however, 4% below year-earlier levels. "The situation for US suppliers to Japan looks unlikely to improve, as preferential market access is in the process of being implemented to key competitors", the pork division of the UK levy body Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board said. It will be noted that Canadian pork will have lower tariffs when the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (the trade deal that emerged from the TPP after the US withdrew earlier this year) is ratified. Equally, tariffs on EU products will be phased out under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, negotiations for which were finalised last year. Surprising import growth South Korea's pork import growth was unexpected, but AHDB Pork said a contributing factor could be the country's inconsistent growth in domestic production. USDA had forecast a 3% growth in South Korean pork production in 2018, and indeed in the six months through June, slaughterings were 4% higher year-on-year. It was noted, however, that after a strong performance in January, slaughterings have since been quite variable, and averaged only 2% above year-earlier levels for February-June. Spain has also cemented itself as a key pork supplier to the Japanese and South Korean markets this year. Spain's market share in Japan's pork imports during the period January-June increased to 13%. This reflects a 10% increase in shipments, which totalled 58,000 tonnes across the period. Spain was the third-largest pork supplier of South Korea, shipping 36,700 tonnes during the first six months, up 11% on 2017. Germany was the second-largest supplier, shipping 56,200 tonnes, down around 1%. Argentina and Spain sign memorandum for cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture Argentina's Minister of Agribusiness of the Nation Luis Miguel Etchevehere and his Spanish counterpart, Luis Planas, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Bilateral Cooperation on Fisheries and Aquaculture, in the framework of the meeting of Agriculture Ministers of the G-20, which took place between July 27 and 28 in Buenos Aires. Among other things, the agreement establishes a framework of collaboration for the promotion and development of technological exchange in the production and commercialisation of aquaculture products through the use of training programmes. It will also promote commercial exchanges and investments in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Source: www.fis.com Germany's poultry farmers beleaguered by higher feed costs A summer drought in Germany has sparked rising prices of animal feed, causing the country's poultry farmers to seek for price increase from supermarkets, according to producer association ZDG. Costlier animal feed in recent days have burdened German poultry farmers, with current prices for wheat, "a central component of chicken and turkey feed," about 25% over last year's level," ZDG said. Germany's harvest for this year has been curtailed by what is described as the hottest July since 1881. Harvest of German wheat is anticipated to slide about 25% on year, the German farmers' union revealed. ZDG warned that poultry farmers would not be able to cope with extra costs that occurred as a result of the drought. Assistance by the German government could come in the form of special aid to help farmers deal with higher feed prices, but this intervention is currently under consideration. ZDG also hopes that food retailers "increase their purchase prices," and consumers would accept higher prices for poultry meat. - BusinessWorld Search All categories Advertising General Aerospace General Agriculture General Airlines General America - Post 9/11 General Apparel General Apple Products General Architectural General Architecture Architecture Art & Entertainments Books Celebrities Country Music Dance Magazines Movies Museums Music Music Downloads News & Talk Shows Performing Arts Photography Television Web Sites Arts/Culture General Auction General Automotive Aftermarket Classic Autos Consumer Publications General Motorcycle & Bike Racing Recreational Vehicle Repair & Service Trade Publications Blogging & Social Media Blogging & Social Media Business Advertising / Marketing Books Consumer Research Direct Marketing e-Commerce Entrepreneurs Finance Franchise Human Resources Insurance Investment Management Markets Network Marketing Online Marketing / SEO Payday Loans Public 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Personal Growth Self-Help / Personal Growth Shipbuilding General Society African American Interests Asian Interests Childrens Issues Disabled Issues / Disabilities Gay / Lesbian Hispanic Mens Interests Native American Senior Citizens Social Services Teen Issues/Interests Womens Interest Software General Sports Baseball Basketball Bicycling Boating / Maritime Bowling Boxing Fishing Football Golf Hockey Hunting Martial Arts Outdoors Rugby Soccer Tennis Water Winter/Snow Sports/Fitness General Stocks General Supermarkets General Technology Biotechnology Computer Electronics Enterprise Software Games Graphics/Printing/CAD Hardware / Peripherals Industrial Information Internet Multimedia Networking Public Sector/Government Robotics Semiconductor Software Telecommunications Webmasters Telecom General Wireless Television General Tobacco General Trade General Transportation General Travel General Utilities General Volunteer Volunteer Weather Weather Global warming is not peoples most pressing concern By Tom Harris In a recent interview with the Vatican News service, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore again claimed the climate crisis is now the biggest existential challenge humanity has ever faced. Gore boasted, I have been fortunate to be able to pour every ounce of energy I have into efforts to contribute to the solution to his crisis. Ironically, Mr. Gore personally uses vast amounts of energy, often traveling in private jets, SUVs and limousines, and lives in mansions, one of which uses 21 times more electricity than the average American home. We often hear claims that man-made climate change is our greatest threat. But according to a recent Gallup poll, very few people in the United States actually believe it is. Indeed, even the United Nations own polling reveals that respondents across the world rate climate change last among issues they would like the UN and governments to focus on. No matter how long the list, climate change is always last. In telephone interviews conducted July 1-11, 2018 with a random sample of 1,033 adults, over the age of 18 and living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, Gallup News Service asked: What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today? The question was open ended, in that any answer was accepted. According to the respondents, the top problems facing America were Immigration/Illegal aliens (22%) and Dissatisfaction with government/Poor leadership (19%). Only 2% of respondents cited Environment/Pollution. This 2% figure included those who mentioned climate change, as well as those who listed other environmental concerns such as ocean pollution, endangered species and toxic wastes. The fraction of Americans who labeled climate change as the nations most serious problem must have been very small indeed. m This sort of result is also reflected in July 5 poll reported by the New York Times. Among the main reasons young adults gave for not wanting (or not being sure they wanted) children, worries about climate change ranked #13 out of 19 reasons given. The first three reasons cited were Want leisure time, Haven't found partner, and Can't afford child care. While other polls show varying levels of public concern about climate change, when people are asked to prioritize issues, climate change often does not rate highly. Even in 2014, just before then-President Barack Obama addressed the heavily publicized UN Climate Summit 2014 in New York City, Pew Research polling indicated that Americans did not consider climate change to be among the top six threats facing the country. The UNs own survey confirms that this trend is even more prominent internationally. After polling 9.7 million people from 194 countries, the UNs My World global survey finds that action taken on climate change rates last out of the 16 suggested priorities for the agency. This despite the fact that on the survey website, the UN lists climate change action as the first choice given respondents. Access to reliable energy, better healthcare, government honesty, a good education, etc., are apparently far greater concerns to people across the world. This should not be a surprise. In contrast to vitally important issues people must deal with on a daily basis, concerns about man-made climate change are based merely on a theoretical hypothesis, not what is happening now or even in the recent past. After all, even NASAs Goddard Institute for Space Studies asserts that the Global Annual Mean Surface Air Temperature Change from 1880 to 2017 is only just over one degree Celsius despite a reputed 40% rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) content. And the impact of further CO2 rise diminishes as the concentration increases. It is not known whether the rate of sea level rise has increased or not. However, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations U.S. state-wide extreme weather records database, probably the best of its kind in the world, there has been no increase in extreme weather. So, the primary rationale for action taken on climate change through expensive restrictions to CO2 emissions is merely the possibility of dangerous climate change in the future. And this is based on computer models of future climate states, models that have failed to forecast what has actually happened. Dr. John Christy is Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science, Alabama State Climatologist and Director of the Earth System Science Center at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. During his February 2, 2016 testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space & Technology, he presented a graph that dramatically demonstrates how far apart computer model temperature forecasts differ from what has actually been measured by satellites and weather balloons. In fact, as of 2016, there was already a 0.5 degree Celsius (0.9 degree Fahrenheit) difference between real-world temperatures and the runaway temperature predicted by averaging 102 climate model estimates. And yet those faulty models have become the basis for countless claims of imminent climate doom and the foundation for policies that would replace abundant, reliable, affordable fossil fuel energy with sporadic, unpredictable, weather-dependant, expensive wind, solar and biofuel energy. Five-year averaged values of annual mean global mid-tropospheric temperature as depicted by the average of 102 IPCC CMIP5 climate models (red), compared to the average of 3 satellite datasets (green - UAH, RSS, NOAA) and 4 balloon datasets (blue, NOAA, UKMet, RICH, RAOBCORE). Christy told Congress, [T]hese models failed at the simple test of telling us what has already happened, and thus would not be in a position to give us a confident answer to what may happen in the future and why. As such, they would be of highly questionable value in determining policy that should depend on a very confident understanding of how the climate system works. To create the models requires vast amounts of weather and climate data. We also need to input accurate data as the starting conditions for model-generated forecasts to be performed. However, the collection and interpretation of the necessary data has only just begun, says former University of Winnipeg professor and historical climatologist Dr. Tim Ball. But there are relatively few weather stations that have temperatures records of adequate length or reliability on which to base model forecasts of future climate, Ball explains. Referring to former-President Barack Obamas worries about dangerous future climate change, Ball concludes, Obamas worries therefore have absolutely no credibility in the real world. Ball is not alone in holding this view. Extensive analyses and reports by the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC) summarize thousands of studies from peer-reviewed scientific journals that debunk or cast serious doubt on the hypothesis that emissions of CO2 from human activities will cause catastrophic climate change. Yet there is nothing hypothetical about the issues that Americans, and people all over the world, list as their top priorities. Problems with immigration and government are happening right now in America. The issues rated highest in developing countries like Nigeria (2,735,062 Nigerians voted in the UN poll) are similarly pressing: access to a good education, better healthcare, better job opportunities, better transportation and roads, political freedom, affordable and nutritious food. All are immediate concerns today, to real people who understand that the world has real problems to solve: problems that affect our lives and well-being right now. They realize we dont have the time, money or manpower to obsess over problems that exist only in computer models, questionable news stories, or the fertile imaginations of multi-millionaires like Al Gore. Tom Harris is Executive Director of the Ottawa, Canada-based International Climate Science Coalition. Home Kavanaughs audition to join oracles at Delphi By Michael R. Shannon The Claremont Institute and the James Wilson Institute recently cohosted a panel discussing The Kavanaugh Hearing: A Battle of Two Constitutions. Dont let the title confuse you. The Senate hearing for Brett Kavanaugh President Trumps latest Supreme Court nominee wont be like a customer service phone tree where you press #1 for the US Constitution or #2 for the Mexican Constitution. Currently the US Constitution is still the law of the land, in spite of the best efforts of globalists on the left. What the panel worthies were discussing was two different views of the Constitution and the role of a Supreme Court judge. Conservatives according to John Eastman, Director of the Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence, view the Constitution as a document that means what it says and is interpreted faithfully by the Supreme Court. The left views the Constitution as a musty document written by white supremacists that is not to be taken literally. This is in stark contrast to the lefts views on the white supremacist in the Oval Office. Trumps tweets, statements, random musings and jokes are always taken quite literally. The left prefers a living Constitution shorn of white privilege and Christianity. This is a Constitution that is flexible and conforms to the culture, explains Eastman. Under the left the court operates more like Miss America judges who put more emphasis on the social station of contestants and how they will cure cancer. Or as the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, the Liar of the Senate, said during the John Roberts confirmation hearing, Whose side is Roberts on? That is particularly important for the left because the Supreme Court has become their legislature of last resort. With enough justices on the lefts side, the Supreme Court can create the law. Past victories include abortion, homosexual marriage, the federal stamp of approval for homosexual sex, the Kelo decision and the growth of the unelected administrative state. Even with a Republican majority in both houses and a Republican president the trifecta that Curator of the Senate Mitch McConnell assured conservatives would result in a tsunami of legislation, but instead only raised the humidity Republicans are as anxious as Democrats are resigned. Hadley Arkes, a Senior Fellow of the Claremont Institute, reminds us that after Robert Borks nomination was rejected by the Senate after a false and vitriolic display of character assassination, Republicans didnt decide to fight back. Instead GOP nominees adopted a pose of lasting defensiveness and timidity. While the left proudly announces its litmus test favoring abortion, campaign spending and guns that all their nominees must pass, Republicans act as though there is something shameful about protecting the unborn. One could say theyve taken the spot in the closet recently vacated by homosexuals. Even President Trump, who is no stranger to verbal controversy, assures one and all that he never asks his nominees their position on life. As a result GOP Supreme Court nominees act like air travelers in the screening line. They shuffle along and avoid making eye contact. As Arkes puts it nominees are told, dont scare the horses and dont scare [RINO senators] Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins. Conservative senators are reduced to hoping the nominee judges like Clarence Thomas, but fearing he may turn out like John Roberts. This primacy of the Supreme Court was never intended by the founders. Judges were to have limited role, according to Thomas Jipping, Deputy Director of the Center for Legal and Judicial Studies , interpreting and applying the law impartially. The fact judges do not is a symptom of the rot in Washington. Congress has abdicated its legislative and oversight role. There are few spectacles more pitiful than a Republican Congress suing Obama over unconstitutional elements of Obamacare when they have the legislative power to defund or amend the law. Rather than do the job to which they were elected, country club Republicans throw themselves on the mercy of the court. Democrats are aggressive. Jipping explains their view is judges have an unlimited role defined by the outcome of the case. The end justifies the means. Citizens are presented with the sight of feeble Republicans deferring their authority to the courts, while leftists encourage the courts to make the laws they cant convince the public to approve. Judges who faithfully followed the injunction of Leviticus 19:15: You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor would return the court to its proper role under the design of the founders and go a long way toward reestablishing the separation of power envisioned when the Constitution was written. Until that happens, as Arkes says, the president is now reduced to being the prime elector, choosing our nine blackrobed rulers. Michael R. Shannon is a public relations and advertising consultant with corporate, government and political experience around the globe. He is a dynamic and entertaining keynote speaker. He can be reached at mandate.mmpr (at) gmail.com. He is also the author of Conservative Christian's Guidebook for Living in Secular Times (Now with added humor!). Home The daily production of Zohr gas field will increase to 1.75 billion cubic metres by the end of the month and to 2 billion cubic metres by September, Petroleum Minister Tarek El-Molla has said. The minister's statement came on Monday as he visited Port Said to view the progress of work at the offshore Zohr field, located in the Egyptian sector of the Mediterranean Sea in the Shorouk concession The concession covers an area of 3,765 square kilometres and was won by the Italian energy company Eni in 2013. El-Molla asserted the importance of accelerating the implementation of the stages of the project to develop Zohr field, in order to contribute to achieving self-sufficiency in natural gas in Egypt before the end of 2018. The minister met with the chairmen of oil companies participating in implementing the project, including those of Petrobel, Enppi, Petrojet and Marine Petroleum Services, to follow up progress achieved so far to reach the targeted level of natural gas production. Zohr, discovered by Eni in 2015, is the largest ever natural gas find in the Mediterranean Sea. The total gas in place in the field is estimated to be around 850 billion cubic metres. If true, Zohr will almost double Egypt's gas reserves. Search Keywords: Short link: Coke, meth and booze: The flip side of the Permian oil boom By Tsvetana Paraskova The fastest-growing oil region in the U.S. is fueling not only the second American shale revolutionit's fueling a subculture of drug and alcohol abuse among oil field workers. The Permian shale play in West Texas is once again booming with drilling and is full of oil field workers, some of which are abusing drugs and alcohol to help them get through long shifts, harsh working conditions, and loneliness and isolation. Drugs are easily accessible in the Permian, which is close to highways and to Mexico. For oil field workers making six-figure salaries, money is not a problem to buy all kinds of illegal substances to shoot, snort and swallow to get through 24-hour-plus shifts. The physically exhaustive work also sometimes causes aches for workers, making them susceptible to getting hooked on prescription painkillers. The drug and alcohol abuse subculture in the Permian is a knownyet rarely reported or discussedissue in the most prolific U.S. shale play, where oil production is booming, and relentless drilling attracts oil field workers from all over Texas and all parts of the United States. In Midland, in the very heart of the Permian oil boom, The Springboard Centera drug and alcohol addiction treatment facilityhas many clients from the oil fields, Christopher Pierce, director of marketing for center, tells Rigzone's Valerie Jones in an interview. "We get a lot of clients who work in the oilfield because of where we're located," says Pierce, 35, a former oil field worker, and a former addict. Pierce and The Springboard Center in Midland are now working on building a gated living camp community free of drugs or alcohol for people who want to be in a safe place. Oil workers are not speaking up at work about their addiction for fear of getting fired, Pierce said, adding that he doesn't have anything negative to say about the oil industry, which is the backbone of the economic growth in the Permian. Some oil field workers and contractors use drug cocktails or various substances depending on the condition they seek to achieve during their 24-hour-plus shifts. At the beginning of a long or overnight shift, they would use uppers' like cocaine and methamphetamines, and finish the shift with downers' such as prescription medication or alcohol, Kayla Fishbeck, regional evaluator for Prevention Resource Center Region 9, a data repository for 30 counties in West Texas, told Rigzone. "In Region 9, the most screened drug last year was amphetamines and that was largely in the oilfield," she said. Thanks to the oil boom, the unemployment rate in Midland is at a record low 2.1 percent, and the unemployment rate in Odessa is also a historically low of 2.8 percent. According to Fishbeck, Midland and Odessa are the top two Texas cities for drunken-driving fatalities. "We hear stories of guys getting off their shift, getting a six-pack or 12-pack on their way home and start drinking in their truck," Fishbeck told Rigzone. The Permian's drug of choice is crystal meth, a stimulant increasingly supplied by Mexican drug cartels, according to law enforcement officials who spoke to the Houston Chronicle in May. There is a strong correlation between the rise of drilling activity and the number of crystal meth seizures by authorities in the Permian area, Houston Chronicle's cross-analysis of data from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the rig count shows. Eddy Lozoya, a former oil field trucker and a recovering addict at 23, has recently found a job at a local department store selling shoes. At least for the next few months, he doesn't plan to return to the oil field. "I don't see myself being able to work 100 hours a week sober," he told the Houston Chronicle. "The oil field is tough." Tsvetana Paraskova is a writer for Oilprice.com where this originally appeared. Home The surreal struggle for government permission to petition By Dr. Lester Jackson The First Amendment declares that Congress shall make no law abridging the right of the people to petition the government for a redress of grievances. This also applies to the states. Despite that clear command by the United States Constitution, a recent article demonstrates that [m]ore and more of what we do is dependent on permission from the government. I personally experienced the harsh truth of that statement, as I have struggled for many months without help or success to transform Equal Justice for Victims from a Facebook group into the tax-exempt non-profit corporation envisioned in my recent eponymous book. The purposes are (1) to educate the public about how and why judges, lawyers and prosecutors give royal treatment to murderers, while providing little justice for their victims and torturing the survivors of victims of intentional murder; and (2) to propose solutions to the vast imbalance. As I discuss at length in my book (pp. 156-158), 130 years ago and 90 years ago, a tiny handful of supporters and opponents of Prohibition merely had to get together, recruit members and proceed to pursue their goals. By contrast, our increasingly dictatorial government has made the basic Constitutional Right of Petition so difficult that lawyers charge up to $20,000 just to incorporate a tax-exempt non-profit and up to $1,325 per hour to help comply with government requirements after a non-profit is incorporated. The latter keeps an organization in good standing with government bureaucrats. One prominent conservative and expensive lawyer wrote to me: It is complicated and you may not think it costs that much in terms of my time but it does. Having done my own thorough research and in light of the documentation provided in this article, I do agree that it is complicated, although I dont agree that it should cost as much as the highest fees quoted. Government Lilliputians have tied potential petitioners in such knots that a whole industry has been spawned to deal with costly, complex, and time-consuming requirements that were non-existent when the First Amendment was adopted. To circumvent high-priced lawyers, so-called incorporation and compliance services have been created. One is aptly named Labyrinth, Inc. Non-lawyer services charge about $3,000 to incorporate with tax-exempt status, with additional charges to maintain compliance with massive government laws and regulations. In exchange for the supposedly reduced costs, these services disavow all legal responsibility for their work and maintain a right to discontinue such work for any reason or no reason at all; and require anyone who hires them to be legally bound by complex, nearly indecipherable terms and conditions ranging from 4,500 words to nearly 10,000. Not to put too fine a point on it, those who hire incorporation services to avoid the cost of a lawyer may end up paying a lawyer much more to deal with the ostensibly less costly substitutes they hired. Whether done by a lawyer or an incorporation service, states and the IRS charge fees adding up to about $700 depending on the state. *** Think Im making this up? Well, here is a partial partial! -- list of government requirements, none of which existed 100 years ago: TO INCORPORATE as a 501(c) 4 Tax-Exempt Non-Profit: Extensive research and consultation to determine the best state in which to incorporate. States vary enormously in their paperwork requirements, financial regulations and political prosecutors disposed to put through hell those with whom they disagree. With little confidence, I decided upon Arizona. Extensive research and consultation to determine whether to incorporate as a 501(c) 3 or 501(c) 4. No two lawyers agree. But I have decided upon c4 rather than c3. (For anyone interested, a [c][3] is primarily educational, while a [c][4] permits political advocacy. The attraction of a [c][3] is that it permits tax deductions for donations; a [c][4] does not. However, the attraction of a c4 is that donors need not be disclosed and exposed to harassment by Maxine Waterss leftist goons. Donors to a [c][3] are publicly disclosed.) Name Availability Search. Find, usually pay, and file papers for a Registration Agent. Detailed Articles of Incorporation. Detailed By-laws. Detailed Conflict of Interest Policy. Application for Federal Employer Identification Number [EIN]. IRS Form 8976, Notice of Intent to Operate Under Section 501(c)(4). IRS Form 1024a Application for Recognition of Exemption. AFTER INCORPORATION: Comply with federal AND myriad separate State requirements. Register separately in each of most States in order to raise funds. Just making a telephone call or sending an email asking for funds from even one person in a state can trigger a registration requirement. For one egregious example, take a gander at New Yorks strangulating rules. (One New York attorney told me: I would be committing legal malpractice if I ever advised a client to incorporate a non-profit in New York.) Annual Reports. IRS Form 990. (This annually required filing form really must be seen to be believed.) Regular Meetings of Board of Directors. Minutes of Meetings. *** Exclusive of multitudinous requirements at the state and local level, the following federal requirements are contained in just one IRS publication : Conclusion President Trumps efforts at deregulation, while laudatory, have only scratched the surface when one cannot do what is Constitutionally protected without running a federal and state gauntlet. As in so many other areas of American life, government at all levels has made the ability to engage in even the simplest activities extremely complex, costly and sometimes impossible. One difference, however, is that, when people have to risk getting into legal trouble and jump through complicated hoops in order to exercise a fundamental Constitutional Right, the time may have come for the United States Supreme Court to have a say in the matter. Lester Jackson is author of numerous articles about capital punishment, the Supreme Court, and American politics. His recent book is Equal Justice for Victims: A Blueprint for the Rightful Restoration of Capital Punishment. Reviews are here, here, here. Copyright 2018 by Lester Jackson, Ph.D. Originally in American Thinker; slightly modified. Therapists rebrand 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' By Mark Alexander It's official! Psychotherapists have adopted a diagnostic name for what we in the real world refer to as "Trump Derangement Syndrome" (TDR). They have now rebranded TDR version 2.0 as "Trump Anxiety Disorder" (TAD). While that may be a nicer diagnostic tag for a new counseling revenue stream, the word "derangement" is a much more accurate description of the extreme cognitive dissonance TAD references. The pop culture Urban Dictionary defines Trump Derangement Syndrome as "a mental condition in which a person has been driven effectively insane due to their dislike of Donald Trump, to the point at which they will abandon all logic and reason. Symptoms for this condition can be very diverse, ranging from hysterical outbursts to a complete mental break." Given the benefit (or detriment) of holding several graduate degrees, including one in psychology, I would suggest that the increasing frequency and intensity of hysterics associated with TDR is greatly exacerbated by the unmitigated, constant consumption of hateful Demo/MSM propaganda, 24/7/365. The result is a mass movement of those so intent on undermining Trump that they are now far off the reality reservation and utterly obsessed with defeating peace and prosperity. Punctuating all the rhetoric spewed by MSM prognosticators are the endless pharmaceutical advertisements claiming to alleviate every muscle twitch or rash, all of which now have a diagnosis. Add to that growing list the official Trump Anxiety Disorder and there are plenty of anti-anxiety and anti-depressants sold as "treatment." As for the new "kinder, gentler" TAD diagnosis, therapist Elisabeth LaMotte of the Washington, DC-based Counseling and Psychotherapy Center, says that among her clients there is a "collective anxiety" that has been elevating since the election of Donald Trump. According to LaMotte, "There is a fear of the world ending. It's very disorienting and constantly unsettling." This is the direct consequence of dwelling in the Leftmedia echo chambers mentioned above. Recognition of the newly redefined TAD pathology was first described in a report last year from psychiatrists at Harvard Medical School and Yale School of Medicine, in which Jennifer Panning distinguished between general anxiety disorders and TAD because "symptoms were specific to the election of Trump and the resultant unpredictable sociopolitical climate." But the underlying TAD symptoms long predate the election of Trump, as I described in "The Pathology of the Left" more than a decade ago. In that assessment I noted what, in the broadest of terms, constitutes the difference between contemporary liberals and conservatives: "Liberals tend to be dependents while conservatives tend to be self-reliant. This is a reflection of their respective emotional constitutions." In other words, leftists tend to be far more insecure than conservatives, and thus, when constantly infused with Leftmedia negatives, act out the resulting anxiety in an array of dissociative behaviors. By all objective measures, most Americans, and our nation in general, are better off under Trump administration policies than they were before Trump's election. For example, this week brings the latest good news that wages and benefits are growing at the fastest rate in a decade. Since you are an advocate for Liberty versus a proponent of leftist statism, you already recognize this trend toward making America great again. But for those unfortunate souls who bought into the altered political reality of Barack Obama, his assumed successor Hillary Clinton, and all the recycled MSM talkinghead chatter that followed her defeat, most of them are deeply afflicted with TAD manifestations. In the last two years, the Socialist Democrats have radicalized the once-noble Democrat Party and weaponized their rhetoric the result being that many of their "triggered" constituents have become increasingly unhinged. A few years ago I characterized the difference between liberals and conservatives with two contrasting columns: "You Might Be a Liberal If..." and "You Might Be A Conservative If..." But so far to the left have Democrat protagonists gone that the word "liberal" must now be replaced with "leftist." Dennis Prager described the Democrat devolution, noting that in the last year he has watched "my fellow Americans and virtually all of the mainstream media descend further and further into irrational and immoral hysteria regularly calling the president of the United States and all of his supporters Nazis, white supremacists and the like; harassing Republicans where they eat, shop and live; ending family ties and lifelong friendships with people who support the president; declaring their opposition to Trump and the Republican Party the 'Resistance,' as if they were American reincarnations of the French who fought real Nazis in World War II; and so on..." So radicalized have leftist Democrats become that political observer Dan Greenfield notes the future of the Democrat Party isn't just socialist; it's crazy: "Tweak a normal person's sense of outrage and they're moved. Keep doing it a bunch of times and you can enlist them in a movement. Do it every 5 seconds and you drive them as crazy as rats in a Skinner Box." Evidence of that slide into the crazy abyss is the recent election of socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, now the darling of Bernie Sanders's nescient adolescent neophytes. Among many regrettable results from this systemic radicalization is that many Demo constituents have become disenfranchised from the notion of American exceptionalism. Fewer Democrats report that they are proud to be America. Driving the craziness, in part, is Trump's protuberant communication style his confrontational and often putative remarks. Fact is, the day Trump arrived in DC, he dropped a bomb on the status quo in Congress and its special interests. He dropped a bomb on the regulatory behemoths and their bureaucratic bottlenecks. He dropped a bomb on the trade and national security institutions and alliances that failed miserably over the previous eight years. And he dropped a bomb on all the pundits and mainstream media outlets. After 30 years of institutional negligence and political neglect of grassroots Americans, Trump, despite his sometimes offensive style (or lack thereof), stepped in to make Obama's "hope and change" mantra a reality. But Trump's election and his subsequent bombardment of the status quo has resulted in a lot of social and cultural post-traumatic stress for leftists, which is constantly antagonized by mainstream and social media outlets. To be fair, last year I strongly condemned Donald Trump's propensity to "say stupid st" and to be careless, if not outright reckless, with his unscripted comments and social media feeds. While the frequency of his absurd remarks has somewhat abated, he still tends to completely overshadow his agenda successes with such remarks, which causes me and many other conservatives considerable heartburn. Recall that political observer Salena Zito advised of his blustering comments that Americans should "take him seriously, but not literally." However, some of his remarks are so literally absurd that it is too much to ask that even his most ardent supporters take him seriously in those instances. Fortunately, the Trump administration record demonstrates much more accurately Trump's many successes, though, unfortunately, they are often overshadowed by his careless words. The net result is a lot of heartburn for even his closest allies, particularly in a political year when the Senate and House have major obstacles to maintaining majorities. A Pew Research report defines the current divide between Left and Right. The longevity comparison study asked Americans if they perceived that things are better for the current generation than past generations. The study found that 41% of respondents indicated that life is worse today, while 37% say better. Those results, predictably, fall very much along partisan lines, with Republicans more optimistic than Democrats. All of this belies a very real derangement disorder epidemic on the Left, and it will take so much more than happy pills to bring its sufferers back to reality. Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post. THERE were a few firsts and a little controversy when LambEx 2018 kicked off at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday night. The Kojonup, WA, based Miotti Transport parked a prime mover with two livestock carrying crates for a visual display, and the opening speeches by LambEx 2018 chair and Sheep Producers Australia board member and Bindi Murray, Woodanilling, WA, and Fletchers International Exports owner Roger Fletcher, were presented on a shearing shed platform - provided by Commander Ag Quip. Hundreds of delegates shared a few drinks at the Fletchers International Exports welcome function which gave everyone a casual start to the event, although that was not without controversy. During Mr Fletchers speech he said he had to tell the truth and highlighted the need for the sheep meat and wool industry bodies to join together as one group to prevent duplication of expenditure and provide a strong voice in lobbying government. Mr Fletcher said the sheep and wool industries combined were as big as the cattle industry and he didnt understand why the sheep and wool industry was not under one banner. He said it was important to clean up the splinter organisations across the country and the quicker we do that the better. We need to improve the industry, he said. With one strong board. What that will do is put us in a better position for marketing and negotiating free trade agreements. Mr Fletcher also said there was a need for industry and the government to plan ahead to meet the needs of producers when facing future droughts. Grower organisations have money in the bank, he said. They need to use it to help producers prepare for droughts. Government needs to give money to prepare for droughts, (in the areas of water retention and crops). He said sheep meat was becoming a luxury item in Australia as the price continued to rise and the wool industry was the best its been in a long time. Mr Fletcher said the industry was in a great position to be able to grow over the next four to five years, by about 20 per cent, but world markets needed to be stretched and they needed to find different ways to market the animal. One lamb can go to 62 different customers, Mr Fletcher said (after processing). He said the product being exported around the world was different than what it use to be and Australia had to go along with the challenge of change to make the most of the demand. I hope Ive given you something to think about, Mr Fletcher said as he concluded. Growing up in the Peoples Republic of China, I often heard the proverb, water that is too clean has no fish. Sadly, the adage is a rationalization for corruption. It claims that ethical business doesnt yield profits. But Chinese companies with connections to the United States must accept that U.S. enforcement agencies expect clean conduct unqualified by ancient Chinese aphorisms or suffer the consequences. Perhaps the most striking example is Chinas telecommunications giant, ZTE Corporation. On June 7, the Commerce Department announced a novel settlement with ZTE, resolving the companys alleged U.S. export and embargo violations. In addition to the hefty fines exceeding $1 billion, ZTE is required to retain a team of special compliance coordinators selected by and answerable to the U.S. government for a period of 10 years. According to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, the coordinators will include American compliance professionals, and will be responsible monitoring on a real-time basis ZTEs compliance with U.S. export control laws. While the ZTE compliance coordinators will focus on preventing export violations, it is not hard to imagine that if they see conduct that is problematic with the FCPA, theyll take steps to address it, and report it to the DOJ and SEC. ZTEs American Depository Receipts (ADRs) are traded in the over-the-counter market in the United States, making the company an issuer under the FCPA. As FCPA Blog readers know, this means ZTE is fully subject to the FCPAs anti-bribery, books and records, and internal controls provisions. The DOJ and SEC havent been hesitant to pursue FCPA enforcement actions against foreign issuers, including those with little or no other connection with the United States. Take last years enforcement action against Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile, S.A. (SQM), a Chilean chemicals and mining company with ADRs traded on the New York Stock Exchange. According to the DOJ and SEC, SQM personnel funneled improper payments to Chilean government officials in other words, to officials in its home jurisdiction. The agencies found that SQM had inadequate internal controls and had inaccurately recorded improper payments on its books and records, and as a result, the company was fined $30 million and required to engage a monitor. Practitioners wont be surprised by SQMs legal problems. Its ADRs render it an issuer, and with that status comes a requirement to comply with the FCPA. But for the approximately 2,000 foreign companies with ADRs traded in U.S. capital markets, it may come as alarming news that improper conduct that itself has no connection with the United States can land them in hot water under the FCPA. This is particularly the case for the 274 Chinese companies that have ADRs traded in the United States. In my experience, a significant number of Chinese multinational companies are years behind their western counterparts when it comes to compliance. They have been eager to gain access to U.S. investors, but have yet to develop the internal compliance infrastructure required of issuers. I routinely find that many of my in-house peers at Chinese companies have never heard of the FCPA. Chinese issuers should be particularly concerned given the volatile relationship between the United States and my native China. In this climate, Chinese companies should not be surprised to find themselves in the FCPAs crosshairs. Over the last two years, foreign issuers have been disproportionately subject to FCPA enforcement actions. Since the start of 2017, the number of foreign issuers subject to DOJ enforcement actions was double the number actions against U.S. issuers. This is despite the fact that only 25 percent of issuers are based in foreign jurisdictions. Moreover, only two of the ten largest FCPA settlements involve U.S.-based companies. This is not to say that U.S. enforcement agencies are targeting foreign companies that violate the FCPA. But as my colleague Bill Steinman pointed out a few weeks ago, the enforcement of the FCPA against foreign issuers is entirely consistent with this administrations American First approach to foreign policy. I believe the ZTE settlement is the beginning of an era, when Chinese and other foreign companies will understand that misconduct abroad can create serious legal exposure in the United States. Its now time for foreign issuers to forget the idea that clean water contains no fish, and instead remember another Chinese proverb fight no war unprepared. Or, as stated in English an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. _____ Nan Wang, pictured above, is an associate at Steinman & Rodgers, a boutique law firm in Washington DC focused exclusively on international anti-corruption law. She earned her LL.B. from China University of Political Science and Law, and her J.D. at George Washington University Law School. Shes fluent in both Mandarin and English. Among other things, she specializes in assisting Chinese issuers develop and implement anti-corruption compliance programs. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Surterra Wellness, an Atlanta, GA-based medical cannabis company, raised $65m in Series C equity funding. The round, which brings Surterras total capital raised to over $100m since 2015, was led by William Beau Wrigley, Jr.s direct investment arm. Wrigley also joined Surterras Board of Directors as Chairman. The company intends to use the funds across a number of strategic initiatives in Florida and Texas. Plans include constructing substantial cultivation space in Florida, executing multiple partnerships with premier consumer brands, and accelerating its product development initiatives. In addition, Surterra will conduct clinical research trials related to cannabinoid treatment of anxiety, pain, and PTSD, as well as other significant health issues facing the country, with cannabinoids. The company will also expand into new state markets across the country. Founded in 2014 and led by CEO Jake Bergmann, Surterra offers a wide variety of products in multiple delivery options including vaporizer pens, tinctures, oral sprays, topical creams, time released transdermal patches, and soon-to-be-launched softgels. With licenses in Florida and Texas, the company is currently expanding into new state markets across the country. Today, Surterra owns 1 of 14 currently issued vertically integrated medical marijuana licenses in Florida and 1 of 3 in Texas for a total footprint that includes 49 million Americans in two of nations the fastest growing state populations. In Florida, it operates 10 Wellness Centers in Pensacola, Tallahassee, Tampa, North Port, Largo, Deltona, Jacksonville, Orlando, Port Orange, and in Miami Beach. The company also operates 3 distribution centers to support state-wide, next-day delivery in Florida, and over 300,000 square feet of cultivation space. FinSMEs 06/08/2018 Terran Orbital Corporation, an Irvine, California-based provider of end-to-end nanosatellite and microsatellite services and solutions for government agencies and commercial enterprises, raised $36m in Series B funding. Backers included existing investor Lockheed Martin, Beach Point Capital managed funds, and Goldman Sachs. The company intends to use the funds to purchase additional manufacturing equipment for its new, 40,000 square foot design and production facility, and to expand its workforce. Founded in 2013 by Marc Bell, co-founder and Chairman, and Tony Previte, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Terran Orbital provides end-to-end nanosatellite and microsatellite services and solutions for U.S. government agencies and commercial enterprises. The companys new facility will be capable of supporting the design and production of the largest constellations. FinSMEs 06/08/2018 David Wolff - Patrick/RedfernsAsking Alexandria's show at Ohio's EST Fest on Saturday received an extra dose of romance when frontman Danny Worsnop proposed to his girlfriend Victoria Potter on stage. In the middle of the concert, Worsnop ran to the side of the stage to pop the question to Potter. She said yes, and there was much rejoicing. Worsnop posted a video of the onstage proposal on his Instagram, which is soundtracked by a new song called "Angels," which will be released "very soon." "This woman has carried me through so much," Worsnop wrote in the post's caption. "She taught me to open up, to let love in, to be vulnerable, and to be true to myself." Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) said in a statement on Monday that the country's foreign debt has reached $88.2 billion at the end of March 2018, a $9.1 billion or an 11.6% increase since the end of June 2017. The CBE underlined that the net use of loans and facilities increased by $7.4 billion and the exchange rate of most currencies borrowed against the US dollar has risen by $1.7 billion. In addition, the CBE highlighted that the external debt service burden reached $10.9 billion during the period from July to March of 2017-2018 fiscal year, noting that the ratio of the balance of external debt to GDP has amounted to 36.8%, which is safe according to international standards. Meanwhile, the CBE pointed out that the total domestic public debt reached EGP 3.356 trillion, representing 86.8 percent of GDP by the end of March, explaining that 84.8% of the debt is government debt, 8.1% for public economic bodies and 7.1% for the National Investment Bank. The CBE also explained that the net balance of domestic debt owed by the government amounted to EGP 2.99 trillion in March, an increase of EGP 313 billion during the period from July to March of the fiscal year 2017-2018. Recently, a number of international financial institutions and organizations praised Egypt's progress in implementing its economic reform programme. On Monday, the World Bank Vice President for Africa Hafez Ghanem stressed that Egypt witnessed remarkable improvement in its economic indicators, reflected by the increase in growth rates and cash reserves. "This improvement qualifies the Egyptian market to receive more investments", Ghanem noted. In press statements on the sidelines of the African group of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG), which concluded in the Red Sea resort of Shram El-Shiekh on Monday, Ghanem said that the bank has allocated $18 billion as financing for the African continent during 2018. 'Egypt's portion of these financings will increase during the coming period', he asserted. Ghanem highlighted that Egypt is one of the countries which seriously implemented economic reforms over the past years, thanking the Egyptian government for organizing the conference. In 2014, Egypt embarked on a plan to introduce a number of fiscal reforms, including fuel subsidy cuts that increased prices up to 78 percent, as well as imposing new taxes to ease a growing budget deficit. Search Keywords: Short link: . . - , " " . , . , , , ... From black-and-white musicals to action movies, Abdel Qader al-Ayoubi screens films and exhibits paraphernalia of the art form in his basement in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk, a cinema-free zone. Ayoubi has scoured the country to collect 8 mm, 16 mm and 35-mm reels of old films, projectors, screens and archive materials from second-hand dealers, sometimes at exorbitant prices. Back in the 1970s, the city of Kirkuk was home to five cinemas: the Khayyam, Hamra, Alamein, Atlas and the Salaheddin, the educational advisor and longtime movie enthusiast told AFP. The silver screen pulled in audiences in towns across Iraq, until 1980 when war broke out with Iran, marking the start of decades of conflict. It was only in December that Baghdad declared victory after a three-year battle against the Islamic State group. While the level of violence has declined sharply, the rich cultural life long associated with Iraq has struggled to make a return. More than a decade of sanctions following Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion of Kuwait, as well as long periods of militia and jihadist dominance after the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled the dictator, have ensured an end to the golden age of cinema in Iraq. The cinema experience in the country is now restricted to multi-screen theatres in shopping malls of Baghdad and the main southern city of Basra. In oil-rich Kirkuk, which is home to Kurdish, Arab and Turkmen communities, "all the movie theatres have closed, for different reasons but mainly because of security concerns", said 59-year-old Ayoubi. Only in the basement of his home can a Kirkuk cinemagoer experience the whirring of the film reel and the purring of the projector's fan. Ghassan Hawwa, an oil sector worker who remembers the days of the Atlas and Hamra cinemas, is a regular in the audience on leatherette seats at the weekly rendezvous in the basement. "Today, everybody watches DVDs or goes on the internet," sighed Hawwa, who along with a cluster of co-enthusiasts aim to bring cinema back to life in Kirkuk. Action and horror flicks are a hit at Ayoubi's cinema but his personal favourites are the Arabic movies, the musical comedies of the 1950s and 1960s, or the good old-fashioned love stories. Foreign films are also on the programme, such as the Spaghetti Westerns whose posters plaster the walls of his small museum that is open to the public on weekends and public holidays. Ayoubi guides visitors around his museum, giving the history of the reels, projectors and other cinema paraphernalia to a new generation "who know nothing of the cinema world of old". For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture Search Keywords: Short link: In a letter to President Donald Trump, District 19 Representative Francis Rooney is asking for help. Today, Rooney is requesting that the White House declare a major disaster declaration for Lee and Collier Counties because of the environmental crisis. The letter describes some background of the algae blooms, including referencing freshwater releases from Lake Okeechobee and the lingering red tide bloom causing fish kills in the Gulf. The state of emergency would unlock funding resources for local governments to remove algae, the letter states, as well as provide relief to businesses being hit by economical damage from the blooms. Rooney also extended an invitation to Trump to see the crisis firsthand, stating that your administration has helped more than any previous one; Trump was in Florida July 30 for a rally. Our current conditions are every bit as disastrous to us as the recent wildfires are to California and flooding has been to Michigan, Rooney said in a press release. The famed jet boat Bluebird returned to the water Saturday for the first time since a 1967 crash that killed pilot Donald Campbell during a world speed-record attempt. Watched by well-wishers including Campbell's daughter Gina Campbell, the sleek blue hydroplane was lowered into Loch Fad on Scotland's Isle of Bute, where it will undergo low-speed tests. Campbell had already set eight land and water speed records when he attempted to break his own 276.3 mph water-speed record on Jan. 4, 1967 on Coniston Water in northwest England's Lake District. The jet-powered Bluebird roared past 300 mph before it vaulted into the air, flipped and crashed into the lake, breaking in two and killing the 45-year-old Campbell. It was 34 years before divers managed to raise the Bluebird's wreckage from the bottom of 150-foot deep lake in March 2001. Human remains were found near the boat and confirmed by DNA testing as belonging to Campbell. In September 2001, his body was taken on a final boat trip around the lake where he died before being buried in a nearby churchyard. A team has been working for 17 years to restore the vessel and hopes to return it to the Lake District next year. The plans to rebuild the Bluebird faced some opposition, but gained support from Gina Campbell, who was 17 when her father died. On Saturday, she held her father's mascot a stuffed bear named Mr. Whoppit that was recovered from Coniston Water after the crash. She said she was "overwhelmed" by the occasion. "I hope my dad's looking down from above and telling everybody what a good job was done," she told the BBC. Theres a cat in Scotland that will have you believing it has nine lives after it spent nine days stuck in a very precarious place. Jacobs owner Sharon Stirling had been searching for him for over a week when she got a call from her father that hed found him behind the grille of his Hyundai SUV. Stirling had borrowed the car from her dad for a couple of days and she told SWNS that she figures Jacob slipped inside while it was at her house. Cats and other animals often slip into the engine bays of parked cars to warm up. Jacob wasnt just sitting in the driveway all that time, either. During the ordeal, her father took the car on an 80-mile trip from his home in Kilmarnock to see a friend in Girvan on the Scottish coast. Since he parks the car with the front facing a wall, he didnt notice or hear Jacob in it, but did say that there had been other cats hanging around the vehicle in the driveway, which he thought was odd. It was only when he approached the car in a grocery store parking lot that he spotted the cat behind the grille, not knowing it was Jacob. After the discovery, he brought the vehicle to a vets office, but the staff there couldnt figure out how to free Jacob. Finally realizing whose cat it was, he called his daughter and they drove to a Hyundai dealership, where technicians pried the front bumper open and let him loose. Amazingly, the only injury Jacob sustained was a bruised nose. He also lost about two pounds and was dehydrated, but was apparently able to sustain himself on rainwater. Former Playboy centerfold and Baywatch star Pamela Anderson spoke out about her romantic relationship with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Hes definitely an interesting person, and theres definitely a romantic kind of connection 'cause its a romantic struggle, she told Harvey Levin on OBJECTified, which aired Sunday night on Fox News. She added: We have this closeness hes not close to people like he is to me. Calling him imperfect and one of her favorite people, she noted: I have a real personal relationship with him. Anderson said she originally met him to figure out how I could be more effective as an activist. Together she said they plan to make the world a better place. We want to help create career activists, Anderson told Fox News. Were going to choose ten activists a year for ten years and pay their salaries no matter where they are in the world. Itll be very diverse, too. It wont just be, you know, more digital. Anderson has made several visits to Assange at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where the Australian has remained in legal limbo since 2012, as Fox News previously reported. Noting their initial meeting, she told Fox News: I brought him some vegan food, and now its a tradition that I bring him vegan food every time I see him, and I see him a lot. She said together they have deep chats about all aspects of life: they talk about everything from the Bible to animal rights, and last time he started talking about jealousy. In March, after Ecuador announced it had revoked Assanges visitor privileges and Internet access, Anderson told the New York Post she was deeply concerned about his health and well-being and said he was undergoing a slow, painful death [at] the hands of the U.S. [and] U.K. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that WikiLeaks coordinated with Russian intelligence to release hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 election campaign. In April 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions told reporters that arresting Assange was a priority for the Justice Department. Magnum, P.I. is back, but this time Jay Hernandez is driving the iconic red Ferrari and sporting a Detroit Tigers hat. As fans of the original 80s action-adventure series know, Tom Selleck first starred as the famed private investigator, and although, theres no word if hes making any appearances in the CBS reboot, Hernandez says the actor gave his blessing. I know [Executive Producer] Peter [Lenkov] has talked to him, and the conversation went well, and he gave us his blessing, Hernandez told reporters at the 2018 Television Critics Associations Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Sunday. I showed him [Selleck] the cartoons actually, Lenkov added. He was great. I mean, Ive talked to him a few times since then, but when we were pitching the show, we went to him first to get his blessing. And although its been 30 years since Magnum, P.I. last aired, Lenkov says that producing the show has been his white whale since he was a teenager. Putting words in Magnums mouth is something Ive wanted to do for a long time, and Im finally getting to do that with this great cast, Lenkov admits, adding, It really could not have been a better time to bring this show back. Another key difference in the new series, which airs September 24, is that the Higgins character (originally played by the late John Hillerman) will be a woman. I thought it was a boys club, Lenkov said of the 80s show, noting that If youre going to do it in 2018, you need a strong female lead. Echoed Perdita Weeks, who currently plays Higgins: The only thing that was maybe missing from the original was a strong female character. There were a lot of women, but maybe not playing such an important role. It brings a new dynamic. As for why Lenkov wanted to reboot the series now? The executive producer says its because theyre really telling these positive portrayals of veterans coming back, serving as civilians without uniforms. Its interesting. I grew up in Canada, so I didnt study American history but, the original Magnum was about Vietnam veterans returning home, Lenkov explained. I thought those guys were heroes, and they were. Subsequently, as I was growing up I started learning a little bit about American history and the Vietnam war and I realized that they werent all received as heroes, he continued. I also thought that the portrayal of Vietnam veterans back then in the seventies and eighties it was really a dark portrayal. I thought that Magnum was a real positive portrayal of Vietnam veterans. So, you cut to 2018 and 2017 and were seeing a lot of movies about veterans and of course theyre dark portrayals. And, I thought that if there was ever a time to bring Magnum P.I. back and really make it relevant, its now because were really telling these positive portrayals of veterans coming back, serving as civilians without uniforms, as hes serving and helping people and making, he added. And for Hernandez, stepping into the role of an ex-Navy SEAL really hits close to home. Its kind of this cool, life imitating art because my brother about two and a half or three weeks ago retired from the navy, and Im playing a navy guy, Hernandez told reporters in a follow-up interview. He spent 22 years in the US military, went on numerous tours, went to the Middle East, went to Iraq all this stuff. And, Im playing a navy guy on television. So for me, its a real source of pride, he continued. To be able to portray a character like this, and the fact that [Executive Producer] Peter Lenkov is conscience about sort of this positive portrayal of vets coming back, allowing them to have a positive impact on society its not all about my PTSD and my misery and that side of things, for me its a great honor and a great pleasure to be able to play that kind of character. Catherine Oxenburg has been fighting tirelessly to save her daughter India after introducing her to the alleged sex cult NXIVM. The former "Dynasty" actress told Megyn Kelly she feels "horrendous guilt" after bringing her daughter to a NXIVM class in 2011. "I brought her in. And that's why I feel responsible for getting her out," Oxenberg told Kelly in a preview of her upcoming "Dateline" interview airing Monday night. "At first I felt horrendous guilt that I had participated in bringing my daughter into an organization that was this deviant and dangerous." 'SMALLVILLE'S' ALLISON MACK WENT FROM HUNGRY ACTRESS TO BRUTAL SEX SLAVE LEADER WITH NXIVM, REPORT SAYS Oxenberg and India attended a NXIVM class in 2011 that was supposedly about helping to gain self-esteem. While the veteran actress found the class to be "weird and creepy," her daughter enjoyed the program. Oxenberg said her daughter became immersed in the organization quickly and donated the majority of her inheritance to it. Oxenberg also recalled seeing her daughter's branded flesh after India had NXIVM leader Keith Raniere and his cohort Allison Mack's initials burned into her skin. "I was horrified," she said adding that India believed the tattoo was a Latin symbol. "I said, 'Are you aware of what you're branded with?' And she said, 'Some Latin symbol'...She said it was character building. "So it's very possible she was told it was a Latin symbol because a lot of the girls were not told it was Keith's and possibly Allison's initials," she added. SEAGRAM'S HEIRESS NABBED IN NXIVM SEX CULT ARRESTS; 'SMALLVILLE' STAR ALLISON MACK FACES MORE CHARGES Oxenberg said some of her guilt was relieved after she started to learn more about cults. "Then I started to educate myself... I spoke to numerous experts and they said, 'Would you stop blaming yourself? These cults are well-oiled machines. India never stood a chance.'" As previously reported, Mack allegedly worked alongside Raniere to recruit women as sex slaves under the guise of a womens self-help organization. The recruits were allegedly branded with the organization's symbol and extorted with sensitive content including nude photos that they were asked to surrender to the organization as a kind of commitment. Both Mack and Raniere were arrested for their involvement with NXIVM. Disneys Christopher Robin was denied release in Chinese theaters amid the governments reported crackdown in banning Winnie the Pooh from the countrys internet due to comparisons of the character to the country's president, Xi Jinping. The live-action film premiered in theaters worldwide over the weekend except in China, where authorities did not provide a reason why the Disney movie was banned. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Winnie the Pooh might be to blame. The Chinese government has been actively blocking images of the honey-loving bear for years since Internet users began comparing the fictional character to Xi. Memes started flooding social platforms in 2013, when Xi and former U.S. President Barack Obama were pictured walking together. People compared Xi to Winnie the Pooh and Obama to Tigger. The comparison between Xi and the bear continued for years. Winnie the Pooh became a symbol of the Chinese resistance against the ruling Communist Party, prompting authorities to heavily censor the character, the BBC reported. In June, Chinese authorities blocked HBO after Last Week Tonight host John Oliver criticized Xi and mocked his sensitivity when being compared to Winnie the Pooh. Though the reason may seem plausible, another source told the Hollywood Reporter that the films denied release in China doesnt have to do with Xis hatred of Winnie the Pooh. China has an annual foreign film quota, this year set at 34, that limits the number of movies to be shown in the country. Disney's A Wrinkle in Time was also denied release in China. Meghan Markles half-sister, Samantha Markle, shot down reports that the Duchess of Sussex is planning to reconcile with Thomas Markle following a string of interviews where the estranged father slammed Meghan and the royal family for ignoring him. Samantha Markle told The Sun over the weekend that Meghan isnt making an effort to reach out to Thomas Markle after a source told the Daily Mail that Prince Harrys wife was making a trip to the United States to talk to the 74-year-old. I speak to him [Thomas] every day and its sad but, no, they have not contacted him, Markle said. There is no meeting planned, that is PR spin. "The PR machines can stop trying to make out shes making an effort she is not. This is a heartbreaking time for him and Im very sad watching my sister ignore him, she added. MEGHAN MARKLE'S HALF-SISTER CALLS HER 'CRUELLA DE VIL' AHEAD OF BIRTHDAY The 53-year-old half-sister slammed Meghan for calling herself a humanitarian because she disposed of the entire family. She continued, "There is no way to candy coat something so foul. Markles cruel remarks against the former actress follows several interviews Thomas Markle has done in recent weeks. Markle lambasted the Duchess of Sussex for ignoring him, claimed he made Meghan the woman she is today and said he fears he wont be able to meet his future grandchildren. In an interview with The Mail last week, Markle said his daughter has cut off all communication with him after he spoke out against the royal family. He also claimed the royal family shunned him because of his staged paparazzi photo scandal that occurred just days before Meghan and Harrys May 19 wedding. "I'm really hurt that she's cut me off completely. I used to have a phone number and text number for her personal aides at the Palace, but after I said a few critical words about the royal family changing Meghan, they cut me off, Markle previously told the site. MEGHAN MARKLE'S DAD SLAMS 'COLD' DAUGHTER FOR IGNORING HIM, FEARS HE WON'T MEET HIS FUTURE GRANDKIDS Meghan also celebrated her 37th birthday over the weekend by attending the wedding of Harrys longtime friend Charlie van Straubenzee. Samantha Markle celebrated her half-sisters birthday by telling her to send her father a belated birthday card. "Happy Birthday Meg! It would be so lovely and appropriate of you to send DAD a BELATED birthday card for his July 18th [cake emoji] @KensingtonRoyal Cheers!" Markle tweeted. NBC is finding itself again under a harsh spotlight, with a recent expose painting the Peacock Network as a boys club that ignored a culture of sexual misconduct with a focus on disgraced Today anchor Matt Lauer. Former NBC News host Lauer, who was fired last year over sexual misconduct allegations at the height of the #MeToo movement, is at the center of an expose in the September 2018 issue of Esquire. Citing a senior NBC source, Esquire wrote that several staffers confronted Lauer weeks before he was fired by NBC because news organizations were looking into his behavior. We sat down with him, looked him in the eye, and said, Is there anything you can think of that even you dont consider to be harassment that might fall into this category? And every one of those times he said theres nothing. On a couple of those occasions, he said, Ive been racking my brain. Those were his words, the NBC source told Esquire. Media critic Ken Auletta told Esquire that NBC wasnt as blindsided as it claims. People know, Auletta told the magazine. People [inside the network] know a lot more than people outside do and gossip a lot more and resent a lot more (a) because they think its wrong or (b) because theyre jealous or (c) because how the f--- is this guy getting away with it? A different NBC News staffer, who reportedly still works on the digital team, told Esquire that all [NBC executives] cared about was removing Lauer from all promotion materials and digital content immediately once the star was fired. Former Today assistant Addie Zinone has spoken publicly about her affair with Lauer. She told Esquire that NBC executives had to have known something, pointing to behavior by a specific Today producer that made it appear obvious that Lauers behavior wasnt exactly shocking at the Peacock Network. Esquire pointed to a variety of public incidents that further demonstrate that Lauers behavior was well known at NBC, such as infamous comments made during a 2008 Friars Club roast of the former Today star, comments made by Katie Couric on an episode of Andy Cohens Watch What Happens Live and even old video of Lauer telling Meredith Vieira to keep bending over its a nice view. Sources at the network say that NBC News had long operated as a kind of boys club in which such peccadilloes and intraoffice flings were swept under the rug, Esquires David Usborne wrote. Usborne noted that many of the same NBC executives whod professed shock at Lauers behavior were in attendance at the Friars Club roast which left little doubt that Lauers colleagues knew NBCs biggest star had a troubled marriage and a wandering eye. Sources at the network say that NBC News had long operated as a kind of boys club in which such peccadilloes and intraoffice flings were swept under the rug." Esquires David Usborne After an internal review, NBC declared earlier this year that NBC News management was completely oblivious to Lauers pervy past. The controversial review was conducted by in-house counsel despite calls for an independent investigation. The findings directly contradict a recent Washington Post bombshell that Ann Curry complained to two senior managers about Lauers behavior. In contrast, CBS announced on Wednesday that its investigation into similar claims would be led by some high-powered attorneys -- Nancy Kestenbaum of Covington & Burling, and Mary Jo White of Debevoise & Plimpton. NBC has been long slammed for keeping its review in-house, and womens-rights group UltraViolets campaigns chief Karin Roland was critical of the decision in remarks to Esquire. An internal investigation of NBC investigating themselves, their own management and work culture is a sham, a classic case of a fox guarding a henhouse. It needs an external, not internal, investigation. They need to investigate not just Lauer but the management and the culture that allowed that to continue, Roland said. Usborne explained that had started to change under female executives Patricia Fili-Krushel and Deborah Turness; however, the women had short stints atop NBC News and were replaced by the high-powered chairman Andy Lack and his top deputy, Noah Oppenheim. Lack and Oppenheim have since overseen a series of public relations debacles related to various forms of sexual misconduct. NBC News famously passed on Ronan Farrows reporting on movie mogul Harvey Weinstein that won the coveted Pulitzer Prize for helping spark the #MeToo movement. NBC claimed Farrows work wasnt fit to print, but the celebrity scion has said that isnt true and plans to reveal his side of the story in an upcoming book. Usborne asked, Even if Farrow did have more work to do, as NBC maintains, why abandon all the investment already made and allow a competing news organization to benefit? Usbornes piece in Esquire also points out that NBC was the only network not to even mention a Weinstein-related bombshell including actress Ashley Judd being named a victim on its evening newscast. Network producers told Esquire they were never instructed by executives how to cover Weinstein, pointing to victims appearing on the network days later. Yet none of that explains why the network, unlike its competitors, failed to fully cover the scandal in the hours after it broke, Usborne wrote. In addition to the Lauer scandal and the network passing on Farrows Weinstein expose, NBC News was also criticized for sitting on the Access Hollywood tape of Donald Trump making lewd comments about women. NBC News did not respond when asked for comment on the Esquire feature. Controversial Infowars star Alex Jones' removal from Facebook, YouTube, Apple and Spotify over the past 24 hours, prompting even some of the bomb thrower's staunch critics to voice censorship concerns. Jones is a notorious conspiracy theorist who has been widely criticized for a variety of outlandish and polarizing content including discredited claims about the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Apple removed Jones podcasts on Sunday and then YouTube and Facebook both declared on Monday that he was violating their terms and policies with his rhetoric. Spotify also removed all episodes of The Alex Jones Show from its service. Jones quickly became one of the top trends across social media with critics celebrating that he was pulled from the tech giants and others coming to his defense -- sort of. Media Research Center President Brent Bozell echoed many pundits, stating that, while Jones is not to be taken seriously, censoring him could result in further actions against people that arent accepted by the mainstream media. I dont support Alex Jones and what Infowars produces. Hes not a conservative. However, banning him and his outlet is wrong. Media Research Center President Brent Bozell I dont support Alex Jones and what InfoWars produces. Hes not a conservative. However, banning him and his outlet is wrong. Its not just a slippery slope, its a dangerous cliff that these social media companies are jumping off to satisfy CNN and other liberal outlets, Bozell said, presumably referring to recent push by CNN to have Info Wars removed from various platforms. Bozell said that tech giants caving to CNNs push is part of a disturbing trend that includes influential conservatives being muted on Twitter. Social media sites are supposedly neutral platforms, but they are increasingly becoming opportunities for the left and major media to censor any content that they dont like, Bozell said. Conservatives are increasingly concerned that InfoWars is not the end point for those who want to ban speech. Its just the beginning. We are rapidly approaching a point where censorship of opposing voices is the norm. Thats dangerous. The tech giants have said they wont tolerate hate speech, and Jones was given the boot as a result. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro wrote that much of what Jones and his employees say is absolutely rotten pig excrement, but added that the term hate speech is too ambiguous. Trust in social media is declining nearly as fast as trust in media overall. Theres a reason for that. And its not because social media tolerates voices like Jones, Shapiro wrote. Its because they dont tolerate voices like Jones while tolerating voices who are just as bad on the political Left and they show no signs of limiting their censorship to Alex Jones. Conservative strategist Chris Barron said that social media platforms are not trying to stop "hate speech" or clean up the toxic culture of social media. If they were, they would be hammering toxic folks on both sides. This is about silencing conservative voices. Period, Barron told Fox News. Many observers warned that Big Tech plans on additional censorship. Media analyst Mark Dice tweeted, Regardless what you think of him and Infowars, this is the equivalent of digital book burning and sets a horrifying precedent for mass censorship by Big Tech. Daily Wire reporter Michael Knowles wrote, Conservatives should vigorously oppose Big Tech's censorship of Alex Jones. He may be a conspiratorial, frequently incoherent, shirtless vitamin salesman, but the Left sees no difference between him and William F. Buckley Jr. They're just establishing the principle to silence us. Yet another critic supported forums independently booting Jones, but decried whant he called a "coordinated" effort. "Alex Jones should have been kicked off outlets long ago---inciting and provoking violence is not protected free speech & outlets can kick vile creatures like Jones off if they want. BUT, this COORDINATED banishment of Jones by big social outlets creates dangerous slippery slope, journalist Jordan Chariton tweeted. Meanwhile, some users have taken to Twitter where Jones still has an active account to call for the Infowars star to be removed from that service, too. Things got a little heated after a Taco Bell restaurant in Aloha, Ore., apparently forgot to give a couple their hot sauce. Katyra Stratton, 37, threw fast food through a drive-thru window at a Taco Bell employee who apparently didn't include hot sauce with her meal, KATU-TV reported. The couple then blocked the drive-thru lane for some time, refusing to pull forward, police said. Eventually, Stratton's husband, Erik, entered the store "yelling obscenities at the staff, causing a disturbance," Deputy Jeff Talbot, public information officer for the Washington County Sheriffs Office, told Fox News in an email Monday afternoon. Erik was arrested for second-degree disorderly conduct and was held at the Washington County Jail, while Stratton received a citation for harassment. MAN TRIES TO ORDER TACO BELL FROM DRIVE-THRU BANK TELLER, GETS ARRESTED FOR DUI Similarly, a man named Joseph Ristick was arrested after he allegedly assaulted a Gresham, Ore., Taco Bell manager in June over what he deemed to be slow service and berated other customers inside of the restaurant. Ristick had been at the restaurant to apply for a job. Clearly Ristick would go through great lengths to get someone a quick and tasty taco but pretty sure hes not getting an interview anytime soon, the Gresham Police Department said in a Facebook post. TACO BELL FRANCHISE SUES WISCONSIN TOWN, MAYOR FOR DISCRIMINATION Aloha is located in northwest Oregon, just outside of Portland. Its about 30 miles from Gresham. Virginia Stanley, a waitress who survived the fatal Waffle House shooting in April, says she's been battling PTSD ever since the tragedy. Worse yet, she claims she can't afford the recommended treatment. Stanley was working as a waitress at the Waffle House in Antioch, Tenn., on April 22, when a gunman shot into the restaurant and killed four people. In the time since, she spent two months in a mental health facility to deal with post traumatic stress disorder, she told News Channel 5. I see [the gunman's] face everywhere I go. I close my eyes, I see him, Stanley told the channel. "I hear people screaming, and I know theres no one there, but I hear it and they tell me thats what PTSD is. NAVY VETERAN WITH MS, 94, GOES FOR GOLD IN NATIONAL VETERANS WHEELCHAIR GAMES Stanley added that she's racked up tens of thousands of dollars worth of medical bills since the shooting, and has also not been able to work. "We had to pawn [my engagement ring] so we could pay our rent, Stanley describes. I have prescriptions I cant even fill. Stanley's fiance, a truck driver, has been providing her comfort and support for the past few months, but he'll soon be going back to work, to be gone for weeks at a time. Doctors say an emotional support dog would be of help, but that's not in the budget for Stanley. She does, however, find a little comfort in a stuffed animal. He helps me feel safe. Ill just pet him, and his softness helps calm me down," she told News Channel 5. Stanley and her fiance have since set up a GoFundMe page set up to help pay for her medical bills and hopefully pay for a support animal. But regardless, Stanley says she isn't going to give up on her well-being. You didnt win because Im not going to stop fighting," she said. INDIANA MAN SURVIVES INTERNAL DECAPITATION YEARS AFTER BEATING BRAIN CANCER: 'OUR BOY IS A MIRACLE' Following the Waffle House shooting, Stanley also made headlines when the mother of a surviving Waffle House patron purchased her a wedding dress, and credited her with saving the life of her son, Michael Garth Sr., who had initially taken a seat at the counter of the restaurant on April 22. "This is the waitresses that asked Tre Swisha Sneed and I not to sit at the bar because she was washing dishes and didn't want the water to splash on us. That lead to us sitting where we sat and possibly saved our lives," Garth wrote on Facebook. A young man lifting weights at a gym in Canada was attacked by a bystander who got angry about how much noise he was making. Video of the incident was posted to YouTube Thursday by the mans trainer, Pete Rubish. In it, 19-year-old Charles Lalonde, is doing deadlifts with a 350-pound barbell at Buzz Fit gym in Montreal, Quebec, and then dropping the weight after each rep, the Montreal Gazette reports. WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC LANGUAGE VIDEO OF VIOLENT MCDONALD'S BRAWL IN ILLINOIS MAY LEAD TO ARRESTS, POLICE SAY Out of nowhere, a man walks over to Lalonde mid-lift and steps on the bar bell, knocking it out of his hands. He then starts yelling at the teen, saying, Youre out, youre out. The two get into a verbal altercation and then the man shoves the boy, nearly knocking him into the wall. According to Rubish, Lalonde had been reprimanded by gym staff members in the past for deadlifting too loudly, so he placed mats under the weights at the gyms recommendation. Lalonde eventually walks away and turns off the camera that was recording the fight. Rubish posted in an update on YouTube that Lalonde is grateful for all the support and plans to press charges against the unidentified assailant. The man who attacked Lalonde has since been banned from the gym and a Buzzfit staff member in connection with the incident has been suspended, Craig Johnson, head of operations for Buzzfit gyms, told the Gazette. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS Johnson also said hes tried to contact Lalonde in order to offer him and his family a lifetime membership. According to Rubishs update on YouTube, however, Lalonde was reportedly given a year-long free membership to his dream gym in Montreal, the SSP Barbell Club. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! When The Framers designed the Constitutions separation of powers, they thought that Congress would be the most powerful of the three branches. Today, most observers of government would agree that Congress is by far the weakest. Ironically, Brett KavanaughPresident Trumps most recent nominee for the Supreme Courtcould return legislative authority Congress. His confirmation will add a fifth vote to a conservative group in the Court that seeks to take power away from the agencies of the administrative state and put it back where it belongs, in the legislative branch. The reason for Congresss weakness today is a failure of the courts over many years to carry out a role that the Framers expected them to perform: to keep the elected branches within their assigned responsibilities. The Framers designed a system of separated powersa Congress to make the laws; a president and executive branch to enforce or execute the laws; and a judiciary to interpret the lawsbecause they believed that was the only way to preserve the peoples liberty against the encroachments of government. In the Framers design, the judiciary also had an additional and special role. It was to be responsible for keeping the other two branches within their assigned areas of responsibility. In Federalist 78one of a number of articles written by the Framers to persuade the American people to ratify the ConstitutionAlexander Hamilton explained that judges were to be given lifetime appointments in the Constitution because the judiciary was the guardians of the Constitution and judges would need fortitude to stand up to the legislative branches when they tried to expand outside their constitutionally-assigned roles. In 2013, Chief Justice Roberts restated this idea, noting in a case that year that the Judiciary is obliged not only to confine itself to its proper role, but to ensure that the other branches do so as well. Allowing unelected officials to resolve the contending issues in our society is not how things should be done in a democracy. The Framers structure remained in balance for almost 150 years, but everything began to change during FDRs New Deal. In 1935, the Supreme Court declared two congressional actions unconstitutional because they violated the separation of powers by delegating legislative power to the executive branch. But after his landslide election in 1936, FDR retaliated with a proposal to increase the size of the Court to 16, allowing him to appoint seven new members. This court-packing plan was unpopular with the public, and ultimately did not pass Congress, but it appeared to cow the Supreme Court, which has never again declared that Congress had delegated legislative authority to an executive agency. This opened a wide field for both the creation of new administrative agencies and empowering them with wide-ranging rule-making authority. Completing the Courts surrender to the executive was the 1984 unanimous decision in Chevron v. National Resources Defense Council. In this case, the Court directed lower federal courts to defer to administrative interpretations of their own authorities, if that interpretation was reasonable. This allowed administrative agencies to reinterpret existing statutory authority in new ways and again substantially increased administrative power. The consequences of this for Congress were profound. First, it meant that many major decisions, which used to go to Congress for resolution, were now made by the agencies of the administrative state. It also encouraged Congress to take the easy way in creating laws. Members of Congress found that they would be given credit by their constituents if they solved national problems simply by giving new powers to executive agencies. So they began to enact legislation that only set goals, leaving it to administrative agenciesunelected officials--to make the major and difficult decisions that should have been made by Congress. And when constituents complain about these decisions, members say That was the administrative agencys decision; I never voted for that. This reduces the accountability of Congress and leaves constituents without recourse. All this can be changed by a conservative majority at the Supreme Court, which would be the result if Judge Kavanaugh is confirmed. He would join four conservativesChief Justice Roberts and Justices Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch-- who have already expressed views in prior cases that would support the elimination or substantial modification of the Chevron rule that requires the courts to defer to administrative agencies interpretation of their statutory powers. This decision alone would reduce the ability of administrative agencies to use their existing authorities for new purposes in the future. The Court is also likely to look more carefully at restoring the separation of powers by disallowing delegations of its legislative power by Congress. These major judicial changes will reduce the role of unelected administrative agencies in policy-making, and thus restore the authority of Congress to make the laws. There is really no alternative to this if we expect to continue to function as a democracy. Allowing unelected officials to resolve the contending issues in our society is not how things should be done in a democracy. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been jilted by President Obama. The former president recently announced 81 endorsements of candidates running in the midterm elections. Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, toast of the progressive movement, did not make the cut. Mr. Obamas foreign policy maxim Dont do stupid stuff may apply. Embracing the 28- year-old Latina supernova who is running for Congress to replace long-time Democrat leader Joe Crowley in New Yorks 14th district carries risks. Already she has made gaffes that expose a tenuous (at best) understanding of important issues like unemployment and the history of capitalism; she pleads ignorance on foreign policy matters. She also ruffled feathers among House members whose caucus she hopes to join by suggesting that Crowley might try to undermine her chances. Her rookie errors have not deterred most members of her party and the media who, like toddlers with a shiny new toy, cannot get enough of the young self-professed Democratic-Socialist. (She originally described herself as a Socialist until a helpful someone attached the D-word.) Her surprise upset of a senior Democrat considered a contender to boot Nancy Pelosi as House Speaker shocked the media, which responded with over-the-top coverage meant to atone for their earlier neglect of the race. (The New York Times, for instance, ran but one piece about Ms. Ocasio-Cortez in the lead-up to the primary ballot, a disturbing miss by the hometown newspaper.) The real story is that a smug and entitled incumbent lost to an attractive, energetic challenger who rallied supporters with an aggressive social media campaign. Also, the demographics of the Queens-Bronx district had changed markedly during Crowleys 20 years in the seat. It is now majority-minority, 50 percent Hispanic, and the incumbent is white. Ocasio-Cortez won decisively, 57-42, but the margin was a little more than 4,000 votes. Only 13 percent of Democrats turned up. In any event, since her win, and her likely election to Congress come November in the heavily Democratic district, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez has become the toast of the town, not to mention the entire country. Which goes to show just how desperate Democrats are. Democratic National Committee chief Tom Perez declares that Ocasio-Cortez represents the future of our party; Democrat Congressman Ro Khanna, D-Calif., calls her a harbinger of [a].. new progressive movement. The New Yorkers David Remnick suggests she offers the nation a glimmer of hope. Enthusiasts whisper she could be presidential material. But can she sell her agenda to the nation? No, and especially not to the blue collar workers, formerly reliable Democrat voters, who defected to elect President Trump. There is no doubt that Ocasio-Cortez has inspired excitement, partly because she is female, Latina, telegenic and feisty, and partly because standard-bearers like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have Democrats hungry for new leadership. She also embraces the increasingly vocal progressivism that animated Bernie Sanders campaign, and that has arguably moved Democrats to the left. She hates pipelines, wants to abolish ICE, advocates for Medicare-for-all, free college and guaranteed employment. But can she sell her agenda to the nation? No, and especially not to the blue collar workers, formerly reliable Democrat voters, who defected to elect President Trump. Perhaps thats why President Obama has, for now, withheld his endorsement. He, like other Dem leaders, may think the party is spiraling out of control, or at least out of the mainstream. Obama may think that recent (bipartisan) studies putting the price tag for Bernie Sanders Medicare For All Act at $33 trillion (with a t) over its first ten years renders the proposal moot. Or they may be worried that mandating a big hike in the minimum wage will accelerate job-killing automation. Or, those party elders may be reviewing research and polling by center-left think tank Third Way, which suggests that Americans want opportunity, not handouts. In an online survey, most respondents embraced traditional American values like hard work, and 75 percent said they wanted the government to present an opportunity agenda for the Digital Age so that that everyone, everywhere has the opportunity to earn a better life. When asked, What is the more challenging problem affecting the U.S. economy, only 36 percent of those surveyed chose income inequality, while 44 percent selected opportunities to get ahead. Similarly, asked to choose between policies that spread opportunity to more people and places and policies that address income inequality, 46 percent chose the former and only 25 percent the latter. A plurality said they would vote in favor of a candidate whose platform included, Creating one million new apprenticeship positions, giving every American who works a private retirement account on top of Social Security and eliminating all federal taxes on the first $15,000 of income each year all work-friendly proposals. Also, the poll found that more people wanted to see ObamaCare strengthened and made more user-friendly, as opposed to single-payer health care, as well as a minimum wage geared to regional differences as opposed to a one-size-fits-all national wage. The polling was a follow-up to a study by Third Way of the 2016 election, reviewing how Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump fared in counties across the country distinguished by economic circumstances. It found that President Trump won regions described as Opportunity-Falling America while Clinton dominated in Opportunity-Rising America. Those divisions were based on whether counties had more new businesses starting up or more failing. The conclusion reached by the authors of the study, and by the strategists at Third Way, is that Americans want to make it on their own, and will vote for the candidate who promises to provide jobs and opportunity, as President Trump did. President Obama may yet come around to giving Ocasio-Cortez a boost. Democrats are struggling to find a message that can top record-low unemployment and rising wages. The progressives making promises that cannot be kept may be their best bet, and Ocasio-Cortez is emerging as their top spokesperson. But, as former Senator Joe Lieberman said recently, If her win makes her into. the new face of the Democratic party, the Democratic partys not going to have a very bright future. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! The U.S. economy has been growing and breaking records ever since President Trump first took office and Republicans took control of Congress. Many in the GOP are hoping this success will help them get re-elected in November. Some consultants Ive spoken with seem to think it will inoculate Republican candidates against most all Democratic attacks. They are mostly right, except for one area health care. No doubt, Republicans should be proud of the enormous success of the economy. But the economy wont reach its full potential and the GOP will not win big in the 2018 elections unless Republicans deal with the cost of health care in America. The reason is simple: Health care represents nearly one-fifth of our countrys economy and is the largest driver of government spending. It is also such a huge slice of household budgets that many Americans dont end up feeling the benefits of the 4.1 percent growth in gross domestic product (GDP). In 2016, individual health care costs amounted to $10,328 per person (in 1960, that figure was $146). As Dave Winston and Myra Miller at The Winston Group have noted, with nearly half of Americans saying they are living paycheck-to-paycheck (with no reserves for emergencies) it is hard for people to feel the prosperity implicit in a remarkably strong macroeconomy. Their individual micro-economies are too deeply impacted by the cost of health care. Additionally, health care costs are out-pacing income growth because businesses have had to eschew raises and promotions to afford more and more health care costs. According to a 2017 report by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Education Trust and federal income data, premiums for an employer-provided family insurance plan have climbed 19 percent, while worker pay increased 12 percent. The additional money Americans are receiving in their paycheck from the Tax Cut and Jobs Act helps, but lowering health care costs still needs to be a priority. A Republican party that hides from the challenge of modernizing the health system is a party which has conceded a huge part of the political playing field to the left. Fortunately for Republicans and for the country we now have leadership capable of developing a serious strategy for a dramatically improved health care system. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar has the knowledge and the experience to help shape a new, profoundly better health system for all Americans. Secretary Azars move this week to widen access to less expensive, short-duration health insurance plans was a step in the right direction. These plans will give Americans more options to buy the level of insurance they need for themselves rather than being forced to buy more expensive coverage they dont necessarily need. President Trumps earlier announced plan for reducing prescription drug prices will also be a huge help for families, and the administrations support for the expansion of association health plans will provide more options for small businesses and self-employed individuals. So, while there is still more work to be done, Republicans can point to positive steps that have been taken and progress that has been made but they cant shy away from talking about health care. This reality of half the nation operating on the margin is what drives support for government-run health care, which is now sweeping large parts of the Democratic party. If Republicans refuse to articulate a better solution, a large portion of the American people will decide that government bureaucracy is better than constant economic anxiety about unknowable, increasing health costs. As I have written before, if the left wins on health care and puts in place a single-payer system, it would be a disaster. So, to truly win the economic argument, Republicans must think through and win the health care argument. The dynamics of the fall campaign give them no choice. The Democrats government-run health care system will fill the gap left by the absence of a serious Republican alternative. There is a long tradition of Republicans trying to avoid health issues. Consultants assert it isnt our topic. Incumbents find it hard to communicate a clear policy or plan for improving the health system. Repeal and Replace was largely about repeal because Republicans lacked a coherent plan to replace ObamaCare. This is why it failed. A Republican party that hides from the challenge of modernizing the health system is a party which has conceded a huge part of the political playing field to the left. Conversely, a Republican party that can explain common sense improvements that will empower Americans to have longer lives, better health, greater convenience, more choices, and lower costs in health care is a party that can easily demolish the lefts arguments. This is the moral and economic necessity of 2018. NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! If a tree falls in a noisy circus, does it make a sound? If the Trump administration announces its largest deregulatory effort to date while the president is in the throes of a Twitter rampage, will anybody pay attention? No, and thereon may hang the balance of Republican congressional control. Its never clear where Donald Trump gets political advice, if he does at all. What is clear is that this White House is doing an able job of whiffing one of the best political messages in decades, a reality that is demoralizing administration insiders and GOP candidates alike. The following are just a few pieces of news out of Washington, all of which hold enormous promise for Americans. The Environmental Protection Agency and Transportation Department released a planannounced on the website of these pagesto ax the Obama administrations car-emissions standards, saving consumers $500 billion. Dollarwise, it may be the biggest deregulation ever. The Treasury has recommended rescinding the payday lending rule, which threatened to cut off the poorest Americans from viable credit. The Interior Department proposed the first real reforms to the Endangered Species Act in decades, offering hope to tens of thousands of landowners. The National Labor Relations Board is revisiting a 2014 decision that allowed unions to poach employer email systems, part of the boards plan to review any case that overruled precedent in the name of Obama union backers. The Internal Revenue Service lifted a political threat to nonprofits by allowing them to shield the names of their donors. To continue reading on The Wall Street Journal click here. Two prominent conservative activists were accosted Monday outside a Philadelphia restaurant by a group of profanity-hurling protesters allegedly aligned with Antifa. Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and communications director Candace Owens were attempting to eat breakfast at the Green Eggs Cafe near Center City, when the group gathered outside and aggressively harassed them. In video footage posted on Owens Twitter page, the protesters can be seen shouting and blowing whistles in the conservative commentators faces while chanting F--- white supremacy." Owens is black. The video also shows one of the protesters dumping a bottle of water on Kirk. In another video posted on Owens Twitter account, Philadelphia police officers can be seen trying to separate the two conservatives from the protesters as Owens yells back at the crowd, "We love the police, we love America, we love the USA." Kirk and Owens, who were in Philadelphia to meet with Turning Point USA board members and hold business meetings, quickly took to Twitter to denounce the protesters -- and liberals for not criticizing the Antifa "mob." If a angry conservative mob formed while two young liberals, one white guy and a black woman, were eating breakfast, and the mob hurled horrific insults, threw objects and assaulted them, the left would call it a hate crime and every major outlet would be demanding condemnation, Kirk tweeted. Owens, who called Antifa an all-white fascist organization in an earlier tweet, thanked the police for their help. Would like to personally and publicly thank the @PhillyPolice force for keeping us safe today. As you can see in the video, they were all Hispanic and black, she tweeted. The protests in Philadelphia are the latest in a series of public attacks on conservative officials and commentators in recent months as the divide over President Trumps policies continues to widen. In June, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders was told to leave a Virginia restaurant following a tumultuous week where the administration was forced to walk back a policy separating immigrant families caught illegally crossing the border. Also earlier this summer, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen had to cut short a working dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Washington after protesters shouted, "Shame!" Protesters later gathered outside Nielsens Virginia townhouse, chanting no justice, no sleep and playing recordings of immigrant children crying. Florida Attorney General and ardent Trump supporter Pam Bondi was also recently confronted by a group of protesters outside the screening of a documentary about Mister Rogers in Tampa. Conservatives have pinned the blame for such confrontations in part on Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters, who urged supporters to swarm Cabinet members at gas stations and anywhere else they're seen. Why wont Democrat leaders denounce these ANTIFA thugs? Kirk tweeted on Monday. This is the new base of the Democrat party. They hate America and will go to violent measures to attack conservatives. This is {Maxine Waters] America - she called for these sort of attacks. China and the U.S. continue racing toward one another in a game of economic chicken, as both promise to retaliate in a tit-for-tat trade war that shows no sign of ending before 2019. That prospect has California farmers fearing they will lose long-standing customers, creating a glut for their commodities and lower prices. "That is what people fear," said Karen Ross, California Secretary of Food and Agriculture. "If this goes on for a prolonged period of time we will lose significant markets that have been built but one relationship at a time over decades." On Friday, China threatened new tariffs of 5 to 25 percent on roughly 5,000 U.S. products if the U.S. imposed new duties on $200 billion of Chinese imports. The U.S. is looking to leverage its massive trade imbalance with China to convince the Asian superpower to reduce its aggressive tariff structure and stop stealing U.S. intellectual property. So far, neither side has backed down, and talks are at a standstill. On Saturday, a determined President Trump tweeted, "Every country on earth wants to take wealth out of the U.S., always to our detriment. I say, as they come, tax them." And while many farmers agree with the President on principle, some are too dependent on the Chinese market to absorb the losses. Already, China raised tariffs on a $2 billion of California agricultural imports. "You name it, we grow it," said Ryan Jacobsen, director of the Fresno Farm Bureau. "California agricultural products are at the top of the list of commodities these foreign countries desire, including China." California leads the nation in agricultural production, $46 billion to second place Iowa at $27 billion, and first in food processing, with 5,331 plants compared to New York, with 2,508. China Tariffs on U.S. food imports Commodity Exports to China Tariff (1) Pistachios: $530 million 45% (2) Almonds: $518 million 50% (3) Wine: $161 million 35% (4) Oranges: $133 million 51% (5) Dairy: $126 million 40% (6) Grapes: $86 million 53% (7) Walnuts: $78 million 65% (8) Raisins: $29 million 50% Source: California Food and Agricultural Department "China buys 30 percent of the pecans grown in the U.S." said Blake Houston of Hamilton Ranches. "Even if they decrease by 10 percent, that affects directly the domestic market tremendously because now we have 10 percent or 13 tons of nuts. That oversupply is going to lower prices." China is the state's third-largest export market after the E.U. and Canada. Here is a list of the largest agricultural exports to China after the latest round of tariffs. "We need a resolution as quickly as possible," said Richard Marosi, director of the California Pistachio Growers Association. "No grower likes to see tariffs imposed." Some see a political aspect to the nut tariffs, which impacts the districts of three vulnerable Republican congressmen Rep. Devin Nunes, a close ally of President Trump, Rep. David Valado and Rep. Jeff Denham. Their San Joaquin Valley districts grow about 99 percent of U.S. pistachios. Marosi said the full effect of the new tariff on pistachios won't be fully known until the new crop ships in October. Luckily, the only other major producer, Iran, had a deep winter freeze and production fell by 66 percent, leaving no nuts available for export. So the question is will Chinese consumers still buy the nut at a significantly higher price. "China represents a billion dollar market for us," said Jim Zion of Meridian Farms. "More than 25 percent of everything we produce goes there. We need to get this resolved as quickly as possible." One reason why its not just farmers who are effected pickers, truckers, processing plants and ports are as well. China accounts for more than 50 percent of products that move through the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland. China first imposed a 10 percent tariff in April, followed by 25 percent in July. Last week, however, it proposed a new round of tariffs of 5 to 25 percent on thousands of products from soybeans and liquid natural gas. President Trump is hoping to bring the Chinese back to the negotiating table to cut the U.S. trade deficit. Instead, in state-run media, China said it is prepared for a "protracted war...Considering the unreasonable U.S. demands, a trade war is an act that aims to crush China's economic sovereignty, trying to force China to be a U.S. economic vassal." Besides nut exports, the California wine industry expects to take a hit. U.S. wine exports to China rose 15 percent this year, according to the San Francisco based Wine Institute. China imposed a 35 percent tariff on U.S. wine in July, whereas Chile and New Zealand wines have a 0 percent tariff, as will Australia come January. Does this sound familiar? A young political newcomer, inspired by the progressive politics of Bernie Sanders, decides to make a longshot bid for Congress by taking on a longtime, Democratic incumbent ahead of the crucial midterm elections. Its the story of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the 28-year-old Democratic Socialist candidate who burst onto the nations political radar earlier this summer by defeating Rep. Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary for New Yorks 14th Congressional District. But its also the story of 30-year-old Sarah Smith the progressive challenger to Washington Democratic Rep. Adam Smith in Tuesday's 9th Congressional District primary. Smith got involved in politics during Vermont Sen. Sanders' bid for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination and soon after began volunteering with the progressive group Brand New Congress, which asked her to run for the congressional seat. Before getting into the political arena, Smith most recently was an administrator at the garage of an auto dealer. Brand New Congress currently endorses 13 candidates across the country including both Smith and Ocasio-Cortez. The organization has previously endorsed 17 candidates in primaries this year, four of whom have advanced to the general election. The younger Smith is actively using the comparison to Ocasio-Cortez in her campaign she recently wrote on a Reddit forum, Im Sarah Smith and Im running for US Congress in the 9th on the same slate as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her platform likewise espouses single-payer health care and free public college. "The point of government is to be able to make sure that people can choose their own fate ... it's about the government stepping in to care for the most basic needs of people, for the sick, for the people that need education," she recently told Fox News' Bill Hemmer. She also has banned corporate donations. Our democracy has been reduced to an auction of our politicians because of legally protected bribery, Smith wrote on her campaign website. This must change if we are to make progress on any issue important to everyday Americans. According to the Seattle Times, Sarah Smith has raised about $47,000 for her campaign, almost all of which has come from small, out-of-state donors. Adam Smith, on the other hand, has raised about $600,000. Much of that haul for the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee came from the defense and aerospace industries two of the largest employers in his district. Their fundraising dwarfs that of the only Republican candidate in the race, Doug Basler, who has raised about $3,500 in his bid to win the heavily Democratic district. Despite Rep. Smiths corporate fundraising and 22 years inside the Beltway, his views vary little from his challenger. He supports free public colleges and single-payer health care co-sponsoring bills on both issues and also supports a $15-an-hour minimum wage. The incumbent says the race for the district that comprises parts of Seattle and Tacoma is nothing like the race Ocasio-Cortez won in New York City. Queens is not SeaTac or Seattle, I am not Joe Crowley, and Sarah Smith is not Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Smith told the Seattle Times. He added: Youve got one candidate whos trying to hitch her star to some sort of national platform, youve got another one whos actually committed to the people that I want to represent. The aggressive push by Democrats and left-wing activists for social media companies to combat Russian bots and trolls may have backfired, exposing potential foreign efforts to whip up political passions on their side. Facebook announced last week that it had yanked 32 pages from Facebook and Instagram because they were involved in coordinated inauthentic behavior, potentially tied to Russia. Among them was an event page for a -- very much real -- countermarch to a white nationalist march this weekend in the nations capital by the group responsible for last year's march in Charlottesville, Va. Black Lives Matter DC, helping organize the No Unite the Right 2 - DC protest, says Facebook has now hurt their reputation by suggesting they could be linked to Russian election meddling. Organizers told The Associated Press they have set up a new page for the event, which was being organized before the first page was set up, but fear the damage is done. "Our participation may take a hit because people are trying to find out what's legit and what's not," organizer April Goggans said, adding that they've had to "prove we exist." Facebook said that inauthentic administrators of a page called Resisters were connected with those from other, legitimate pages who worked to drum up support for the protest. These legitimate Pages unwittingly helped build interest in 'No Unite Right 2 DC' and posted information about transportation, materials, and locations so people could get to the protests, Facebook said in a statement. Andrew Batcher, an organizer for the Shut It Down DC coalition, said the event page created by "Resisters" was taken over and controlled by "a lot of real people doing real work." Batcher told The Associated Press that he hasn't seen any evidence that any administrator for the "Resisters' page was a "bad actor." Regarding the 32 total pages in question, Facebook did not directly link them to Russia, but lawmakers on Capitol Hill did. A spokesman for Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley said Facebook had informed his office that a limited group of Russian actors has attempted to spread disinformation using its platform and that the affected groups are affiliated with the political left. The most followed Facebook Pages were Aztlan Warriors, Black Elevation, Mindful Being, and Resisters. The remaining Pages had between zero and 10 followers, and the Instagram accounts had zero followers, Facebook said. The New York Times reported that Facebook also detected coordinated activity around #AbolishICE -- a left-wing campaign for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The issue points to a broader difficulty social media sites now have in identifying Russian actors. While the intelligence community has concluded that Russia meddled in the election through online activities -- with a preference for helping now-President Trump and hurting his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton -- Russias meddling has not been limited to pro-Trump activities, especially this election cycle. And for liberal activists and Democratic politicians who see Russian meddling as synonymous with helping Trump, Facebook's announcement may amount to a wake-up call that both sides of the political aisle are being egged on by potential foreign meddlers. A Russian agenda of sowing discord in the U.S., regardless of political party, is not new. In February, Trump approvingly retweeted the vice president of Facebook ads, Rob Goldman, who had written that the majority of Russian spending on ads occurred after the 2016 election, and that swaying the election was not the main goal of those ads. Goldman, however, went on to clarify that the Russian campaign was certainly in favor of Trump and said his point was that the misinformation campaign was ongoing. The New York Times reported that Russia used Facebook groups for a wide range of causes, including groups such as United Muslims of America, Blacktivist and Secured Borders. Racism won, Ignorance won, Sexual assault, one ad by a group called BM said. STOP TRUMP! STOP RACISM! JOIN THE PROTEST at Union Sq. Saturday 12 PM Meanwhile, with the president still playing clean-up after appearing to initially accept Vladimir Putin's denial of election meddling during their summit last month, the administration is making clear they accept the prior U.S. intelligence findings -- and take the threat seriously. At a White House press briefing last Thursday, officials warned that a disinformation campaign from Moscow is ongoing. TRUMP OFFICIALS SOUND ALARM ON RUSSIAN MEDDLING, VOW TO FIGHT BACK We continue to see a pervasive messaging campaign by Russia to try to weaken and divide the United States, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said. "A single attack can have widespread and cascading consequences. ... It's not just risk to prosperity, privacy, and infrastructure," Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said. "Our democracy itself is in the crosshairs." Fox News Brooke Singman and The Associated Press contributed to this report. The morning after Justice Anthony Kennedys blockbuster retirement announcement at the Supreme Court, Molly Kelly came out swinging. Roe v. Wade could be threatened, warned the New Hampshire Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former longtime state senator. If President Trumps nominee to fill Kennedys seat, Brett Kavanaugh, is confirmed, its far from certain if the Supreme Court would move to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that constitutionally protected a womans right to have an abortion. But the abortion debate once again has swept the country, as the battle over Kavanaughs confirmation expands from Capitol Hill to state capitals and especially this years hard-fought gubernatorial races. Thats because if Roe v. Wade were in any way undermined by a more conservative-tilted Supreme Court, the states would be responsible for crafting new abortion rules. Democratic candidates are employing that scenario as a political warning on the campaign trail as Republicans, in turn, accuse them of using lazy scare tactics. CLICK FOR FULL MIDTERM COVERAGE AND RACE RATINGS In New Hampshire, Kelly vowed that if elected shed work with governors across the country to make sure that womens rights are protected. Her rival for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, former Portsmouth mayor Steve Marchand, also highlighted the combustible issue in the days after Kennedys announcement. The candidate unveiled three proposals including a push for public funding of abortions that he said would defend womens reproductive rights in New Hampshire. In the ensuing weeks, both candidates campaigned repeatedly on abortion as they targeted the states popular Republican incumbent, Gov. Chris Sununu. New Hampshire is just one of the battleground states where Democrats have been spotlighting the issue in the gubernatorial showdowns. In many of those states, public polling indicates a majority of voters support abortion rights. In Florida where the GOP is defending an open seat as Gov. Rick Scott runs for the Senate the only woman among the five Democratic gubernatorial candidates has been highlighting abortion for weeks. Former Rep. Gwen Graham, the daughter of former Gov. Bob Graham, tops the primary polls going into the states late August primary. Its a similar story in Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin, where Democrats likewise are battling to win Republican-held governorships. And abortion is a front-and-center campaign issue in Oregon, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, where Democratic incumbents are running for re-election. Worries about the possible overturn of Roe are fueling an already-energized Democratic base. Voters across the nation are realizing that a Democratic governor is the best line of defense against a federal government thats becoming increasingly hostile to womens rights and womens health, Democratic Governors Association Press Secretary Melissa Miller told Fox News. Moderates, progressives, independents and voters of all stripes want to elect leaders who will push back against the dangerous agenda coming out of the Trump White House thats threatening to take over the Supreme Court, she added. And with 36 governors seats up for election this year, we have a huge opportunity to elect leaders who will do just that. But that argument may not work in New Hampshire, where Sununu this summer has re-emphasized his support of abortion rights, even as he has since backed Kavanaugh. I am pro-choice. I support Roe v. Wade, the governor declared. Sununu recently joined GOP governors from 29 other states in signing a letter to the Senates Republican and Democratic leaders that expressed support for Kavanaugh and urged the Senate to move expeditiously to confirm him. Sununu called the letter symbolic and explained that I dont judge any single judge on a single-issue litmus test. Its about the Constitution, its about whether a judge will uphold the Constitution on a variety of different issues. New Hampshires governor was quickly criticized by his two Democratic challengers, who questioned his abortion rights credentials. We all know that the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh is linked to the pursuit of Roes overturn. Donald Trump has been very clear about that for a long time. If you are governor who willingly signs a letter like this, it is difficult to call yourself pro-choice, Marchand stated. The Republican Governors Association believes such attacks wont work in the general election. Molly Kelly and Steve Marchand are trying to use the same lazy scare tactics on Kavanaughs Supreme Court nomination in a desperate attempt to appeal to their liberal base, RGA spokesman John Burke told Fox News. And Burke added that issues like the economy and job creation are the ones that will decide the November elections. A leading political scientist in New Hampshire agreed. Its certainly going to be an issue thats important to Democrats, Southern New Hampshire Universitys Dean Spiliotes said. Is it going to be the decisive issue in the fall campaign? I dont necessarily think so. The federal judge in the trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort on Monday threatened to kick reporters out of the courtroom if they continue being disruptive. If you cause a disruption, I will have you excluded! U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III said. The warning came after multiple reporters rushed out of the courtroom at the same time Monday after it was announced that Rick Gates, Manaforts former business partner, would testify Monday. JUDGE WARNS MUELLER TEAM THEY 'CAN'T PROVE CONSPIRACY' WITHOUT STAR WITNESS Under rules, reporters covering the trial cannot use phones or laptops in the courtroom and must go outside to transmit news from inside. Gates, considered a star witness against Manafort, struck a plea deal with prosecutors to cooperate in the case against his former business partner. The usually-bearded Gates appeared in court clean-shaven on Monday. During opening arguments last week, the defense team made it clear it intended to blame Gates, who handled some day-to-day business operations for Manafort, for many of the alleged reporting deficiencies with which Manafort is charged. Manafort, facing charges of bank and tax fraud related to his work in Ukraine, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Ellis, a 78-year-old Reagan-appointed judge, is known for his colorful comments. Fox News Serafin Gomez contributed to this report. New York lawmakers have approved a bill that would give employees in the Empire State three months paid bereavement leave to mourn the loss of a loved one in turn, spurring concerns among business owners that the policy would create a staffing crisis. The expansive bill would cover the death of a spouse, domestic partner, child, parent, in-law, grandparent or grandchild. It was passed by the state Senate and Assembly at the end of the legislative session in June and now awaits the signature of Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The states current Paid Family Leave law gives employees paid time off to bond with a new child or care for a sick relative. But the new legislation significantly expands leave policies, allowing grieving employees to collect 50 to 67 percent of the average weekly wage for up to 12 weeks. Ive experienced the pain of losing a child. The grief can be unpredictable and overwhelming, Richard Funke, a Republican state senator representing parts of Monroe and Ontario counties, said in a statement. No employee should have to fear losing their job in order to take the time they need to mourn. Funke and the bills cosponsor, Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle, a Democrat from Rochester, have both lost adult children. Business owners and groups representing their interests, though, contend that the change would put an unnecessary strain on their companies. For a small business, I dont know how anybody could survive with anything like that, Tom Grech, president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, told the New York Post. At the end of the day, New York City and New York state are among the most expensive places to do business in the country. This just puts another burden on small businesses. The Business Council of New York State also opposes the paid bereavement. Who this really affects are the small employers who are being hit with another burden thats difficult to manage, group spokesman Zach Hutchins told the newspaper. Cuomo supported the Paid Family Leave policy that starting this year gives paid time off to new parents, people caring for a loved one with a serious health condition and those facing family pressures when a loved one is called to active military service abroad. A spokeswoman for Cuomo, Dani Lever, said they plan to review the bereavement leave bill. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said renewed U.S. sanctions on Iran will be rigorously enforced and remain in place until the Iranian government radically changes course. Speaking to reporters aboard his plane on his way home from a three-nation trip to Southeast Asia, Pompeo said Monday's re-imposition of sanctions is an important pillar in U.S. policy toward Iran. He said the Trump administration is open to looking beyond sanctions but that would "require enormous change" from Tehran. "We're hopeful that we can find a way to move forward but it's going to require enormous change on the part of the Iranian regime," he said Sunday. "They've got to behave like a normal country. That's the ask. It's pretty simple." Pompeo called the Iranian leadership "bad actors" and said President Donald Trump is intent on getting them to "behave like a normal country." A first set of U.S. sanctions that had been eased by the Obama administration under the terms of the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal will take effect again on Monday, following Trump's May decision to withdraw from the accord. Those sanctions target Iran's automotive sector as well as gold and other metals. A second batch of U.S sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector and central bank will be re-imposed in early November. Pompeo noted that the U.S has long designated Iran as the world's foremost state sponsor of terrorism and said it cannot expect to be treated as an equal in the international community until it halts such activities. "Perhaps that will be the path the Iranians choose to go down," he said. "But there's no evidence today of a change in their behavior." In the meantime, he said, "we're going to enforce the sanctions." Rick Gates on Monday took the stand in the federal fraud case against his former business partner, ex-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, testifying that he and Manafort conspired to commit bank and tax fraud -- and that he embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from Manafort. The day ended with the judge in the case ripping into prosecutors, telling them to expedite their case. But earlier, federal prosecutor Greg Andres got the government's star witness to admit he committed crimes while working for Manafort. Did you commit crimes with Mr. Manafort? Andres asked Gates after he took the stand. Yes, Gates said. Manafort, facing charges of bank and tax fraud related to his work in Ukraine, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Gates struck a plea deal with prosecutors to cooperate in the case against his former business partner. The usually bearded Gates appeared in court clean-shaven on Monday. During his testimony, Gates read out loud the language from his indictment charging him with conspiracy and making false statements to the government. Who did you conspire with? the prosecutor asked. Paul Manafort, Gates replied. Gates testified that he and Manafort under-reported income and failed to file FBAR, or Foreign Bank Account Report, forms. Gates said that Manafort requested over the years that Gates make wire transfers from foreign accounts primarily in Cyprus, and those funds were not reported. Gates also testified that he lied to Manaforts bookkeeper and accountants. He replied yes when asked if he knew it was a crime not to file those reports. Gates also admitted to embezzling several hundred thousand dollars from Manafort while working for him. The trial is set to reconvene Tuesday morning. Andres, the prosecutor, said to expect another three hours of Gates testimony. After the jury was dismissed for the day, there were fireworks as U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III lit into Special Counsel Robert Muellers team, telling the prosecution to expedite its case against Manafort. During the back-and-forth, Ellis admonished the prosecutor for not looking at him while speaking. Look at me! Dont look down! Andres responded that he was looking at a relevant document, but the exchange got more heated. You looked down as if to say: thats B.S.! Ellis said. Gates' testimony is important for prosecutors: Ellis said in court last week they cant prove conspiracy in the case unless prosecutors call Gates to the stand. During opening arguments last week, the defense team made it clear they intend to blame Gates, who handled some day-to-day business operations for Manafort, for many of the alleged reporting deficiencies Manafort is charged with. Rick Gates had his hand in the cookie jar and couldnt let his boss find out, Manafort defense attorney Thomas Zehnle said during opening arguments. Prosecutors have introduced a bevy of exhibits and are in the process of calling several witnesses as part of their effort to paint Manafort as a tax scofflaw who failed to report money spent on luxury items -- then lied to get bank loans when his foreign consulting work dried up. The judge in the Paul Manafort trial reminded prosecutors on Friday of the high bar for conviction -- that they must prove the former Trump campaign chairman knowingly violated tax and bank laws related to his political work overseas. Manafort served as chairman of Trumps presidential campaign during the summer of 2016, and was forced out in August of that year amid news stories about his ties to then-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. Earlier Monday, Ellis threatened to kick reporters out of the courtroom if they continue being disruptive. If you cause a disruption, I will have you excluded! Ellis said. MANAFORT CASE JUDGES ADMONISHES DISRUPTIVE REPORTERS DURING TRIAL The warning came after multiple reporters rushed out of the courtroom at the same time Monday after it was announced that Gates would testify Monday. Under rules, reporters covering the trial cannot use phones or laptops in the courtroom and must go outside to transmit news from inside. Ellis, a 78-year-old Reagan-appointed judge, is known for his colorful comments. Fox News Serafin Gomez, Jake Gibson and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Monday unloaded on a federal judge who ordered the administration to reinstate the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy last week, saying the ruling was "improper" and vowing to keep up enforcement efforts against illegal immigration "aggressively." Sessions added that the judge had effectively "eviscerated" the legal authority of the executive branch and Congress, and strongly suggested the administration would appeal the ruling. The Trump administration announced last year it would end DACA, which was implemented by the Obama administration using executive authority and protects illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. However, the Republican-controlled Congress has failed to agree to a permanent statutory replacement for the program, despite several legislative attempts. Federal judges have since barred the administration from ending the program entirely, saying it would be acceptable only to shut down future enrollment in DACA because existing applicants had already relied on it. But the ruling by U.S. District Judge John Bates went a step further by ordering authorities to essentially reinstate DACA in full. In a statement, Sessions decried Bates' ruling as one of a "number of decisions in which courts have improperly used judicial power to steer, enjoin, modify, and direct executive policy." Bates, a George W. Bush appointee, ruled that while the Trump administration has the power to rescind DACA, it must legally provide a "rational explanation for its decision." The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) is a federal law that prohibits the federal government from enacting new policies -- or getting rid of old ones -- for reasons that are "arbitrary and capricious," or lacking any rational basis. Trump's lawyers have argued that because DACA was created by executive action under the Obama administration, similar executive action by the Trump administration should be able to quickly rescind it. But the judge concluded that under the APA, the Trump administration's lawyers had offered only a "conclusory assertion that a prior policy [DACA] is illegal, accompanied by a hodgepodge of illogical or post hoc policy assertions." Bates added that this approach "simply will not do," although he emphasized that there is nothing that would prevent the administration from ending DACA if it could provide a workable justification. WATCH: GERALDO TAKES ON JUDGE WHO ORDERED ADMINISTRATION TO RESTART DACA Sessions countered Monday that federal judges were placing too high a bar on the executive branch to justify the policy change, despite Bates' arguments that thousands of people had come to rely on DACA. "The judicial branch has no power to eviscerate the lawful directives of Congressnor to enjoin the executive branch from enforcing such mandates," Sessions said. "The last administration violated its duty to enforce our immigration laws ..." Attorney General Jeff Sessions "This ignores the wisdom of our Founders and transfers policy making questions from the constitutionally empowered and politically accountable branches to the judicial branch," he added. "It also improperly undermines this Administrations ability to protect our nation, its borders, and its citizens. The Trump Administration and this Department of Justice will continue to aggressively defend the executive branch's lawful authority and duty to ensure a lawful system of immigration for our country." The attorney general has previously announced several policies designed to toughen immigration enforcement, in addition to the administration's zero-tolerance prosecution policy for illegal border crossers. He has limited the ability of non-Americans to make asylum claims because of alleged domestic abuse or gang activity, citing increasing numbers of fraudulent claims. Also, the Justice Department has sued California, saying the state has stood in the way of federal immigration authorities unconstitutionally. Last month, a federal judge struck down one "troubling" California sanctuary state law in response, but upheld two others. On Monday, Sessions said the DACA ruling -- which the Trump administration can appeal within 20 days -- would not stop or slow efforts to curb illegal immigration. "The last administration violated its duty to enforce our immigration laws by directing and implementing a categorical, multipronged non-enforcement immigration policy for a massive group of illegal aliens," Sessions said, adding that the Trump White House has "simply reestablished the legal policies consistent with the law." Sessions suggested that the Justice Department would appeal Bates' ruling. "The executive branchs authority to simply rescind a policy, established only by a letter from the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, is clearly established," he said. "The Department of Justice will take every lawful measure to vindicate the Department of Homeland Securitys lawful rescission of DACA." The president is pointing his finger at environmental laws. The governor is blaming climate change. And both are getting hammered for their remarks. As twin wildfires have destroyed more than 1,000 homes in Northern California, President Trump and California Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown are both making claims and provoking criticism about why the fires continue to spread. Trump tweeted Sunday claiming the fires are being magnified by environmental laws that stop water from being effectively used. He also called for clearing more trees. California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which arent allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized, Trump tweeted. It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire spreading! He followed up Monday, "Governor Jerry Brown must allow the Free Flow of the vast amounts of water coming from the North and foolishly being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Can be used for fires, farming and everything else. Think of California with plenty of Water - Nice! Fast Federal govt. approvals." A spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection shot back, according to a reporter for BuzzFeed, saying the department has no idea what Trump is talking about. We have plenty of water for the firefight. The Mendocino complex is next to Clear Lake and the Carr fire has the Whiskeytown Lake and Lake Shasta, the spokesman said. Trump did not specify what water policies he was referring to, but environmentalists have argued in the past that rainwater could be better harvested. A local fire official reportedly acknowledged various streams run into the Pacific Ocean, but said firefighters have enough water. The same official did say they will need to clear trees, though, to not add to some of the fuel, according to a local CBS affiliate. The official suggested forest growth is indeed contributing to the problem. Meanwhile, Brown said during a press conference last week that climate change could be a factor. He spoke of climate change and said the predictions that I see, the more serious predictions of warming and fires to occur later in the century, 2040 or 2050, they're now occurring in real time. "You can expect that unfortunately to continue intensifying in California and throughout the Southwest, Brown said. Conservatives, though, have pushed back, blaming policies including those to quickly put out smaller wildfires -- in turn allowing dry brush to build up. "Brown does a disservice by attributing the huge and destructive fires such as we've seen in the past year to global warming, rather than to a combination of hot weather and mistaken government policies, reads an editorial in Investors Business Daily. California fire officials said Monday that the two fires about 100 miles north of San Francisco were 30 percent contained and have scorched 428 square miles. The two fires are burning about 14 miles apart and have destroyed 75 homes. Another 9,000 buildings are threatened. The two fires cover an area larger than a deadly wildfire burning near Redding, California. That blaze has killed two firefighters and five civilians and destroyed more than 1,000 homes. The wildfire started two weeks ago by sparks from the steel wheel of a towed-trailer's flat tire. It is 45 percent contained. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Trump administration is effectively ending United States participation in the Iran nuclear agreement at midnight as Monday turns to Tuesday. Thats when the Treasury Department is set to restore many of the sanctions the Obama administration lifted as part of the Iran deal. The Trump administration said the regime in Tehran is on shaky ground, though officials deny they're trying to collapse Irans government. "Our policy is not regime change but we want to put unprecedented pressure on the government of Iran to change its behavior, said John Bolton, the White House national security adviser, in an interview on Fox News. So far they have shown no indication that they are prepared to do that." A senior administration official said these restored sanctions are designed to constrict the revenue Iran uses to fund terrorists, dictators, proxy militias, and the regimes own cronies. They target Irans dealing in U.S. dollars, its currency abroad and business in precious metals, aluminum, steel, coal and its auto industry. In November, the administration said it will restore sanctions on Irans oil and gas and banking sector. In a statement Monday, President Trump restated his opinion that the 2015 international accord to freeze Iran's nuclear program in return for lifting sanctions was a "horrible, one-sided deal." He said it left the Iranian government flush with cash to use to fuel conflict in the Middle East. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said these sanctions render Trump's proposal to meet meaningless. "We are ready for talks to see how they are going to compensate and pay us back, said Rouhani. America owes the Iranian nation for several interventions in their country. They should both apologize to us and compensate for the past. If they do so, we have always been ready for talks." An administration official said the U.S. will aggressively enforce these sanctions, potentially subjecting businesses from allies to penalties. Individuals or entities that fail to wind down activities with Iran risk severe consequences, said President Trump in a statement. Britain, France and Germany have been working with Iran, China and Russia to salvage the Iran deal. We are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran the preservation and maintenance of effective financial channels with Iran, and the continuation of Irans export of oil and gas, said a joint statement from Great Britain, France, German and the European Union. A senior administration official said the United States had visited more than 20 countries to lobby governments and businesses and warn them about conducting business with Iran. The U.S. likely will get a much better sense of the success of that effort shortly as these sanctions return. President Trump tweeted his support for Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach ahead of Tuesdays crucial Republican gubernatorial primary in which he is seeking to unseat Gov. Jeff Colyer. Kris Kobach, a strong and early supporter of mine, is running for Governor of the Great State of Kansas, Trump tweeted. He is a fantastic guy who loves his State and our Country - he will be a GREAT Governor and has my full & total Endorsement! Strong on Crime, Border & Military. VOTE TUESDAY! Kobach, an early supporter of Trumps candidacy and the former chair of the presidents federal commission on combating voter fraud that was recently shut down amid a bevy of lawsuits, is one of the more controversial Republicans running for office in the upcoming midterms. He is best-known nationally for his hardline stance on illegal immigration and for advising the Trump administration on immigration, non-citizen voter registration and the 2020 Census. Democrats have criticized Kobach over policies they believe suppress voter turnout. No state had gone further than Kansas in requiring prospective voters to provide papers documenting their U.S. citizenship when registering, until a federal judge struck down the law in June as a violation of voting rights. Last Wednesday, The Kansas City Star and ProPublica account published a story that credited Kobach's rise to political prominence to the attention his immigration cases across the country generated. Based on information obtained by open records requests, Kobach earned more than $800,000 for his immigration work, paid by towns and an advocacy group, over 13 years. At least $150,000 of that was paid while he was working as Kansas secretary of state. Kobach called the report's conclusions "ridiculous." He has told The Star and ProPublica that his work for small cities was part of a mission he believed in and it remains a priority. "I go around the state. I perceive a lot of people want Kansas to stop giving handouts to illegal aliens," he said. "So that's something I have expertise in and that is an issue on which I will deliver for the people." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Several states are holding primary elections Tuesday, including some contests that could prove pivotal in determining whether Republicans or Democrats will control the Senate next year. A tight special U.S. House election also is being held in Ohio as a young Democrat hopes to upset a Republican who has garnered the support of President Trump, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and other party leaders. Early Tuesday, Trump urged Ohio voters to get out and vote for Republican State Sen. Troy Balderson for Congress, over his opponent, Democrat Danny O'Connor. "Ohio, vote today for Troy Balderson for Congress. His opponent, controlled by Nancy Pelosi, is weak on Crime, the Border, Military, Vets, your 2nd Amendment - and will end your Tax Cuts. Troy will be a great Congressman. #MAGA," Trump tweeted early Tuesday. The Ohio race and others could put Trumps influence to the test. Read on for a preview of some of the major elections on Tuesday. Missouri Republicans are set to pick their candidate to take on Sen. Claire McCaskill, the Democratic incumbent, in the fall. McCaskill has represented Missouri in the Senate since 2007, but Fox News has her bid for re-election rated as a toss-up. Out of a crowded field of Republican candidates, Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley has emerged as a favorite, even securing Trumps endorsement months before the primary election. A lawyer who helped successfully argue before the Supreme Court a case for Hobby Lobby to be exempted from certain ObamaCare rules, Hawley has investigated alleged misuse of a charity donor list by former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, a Republican, while he was still in office. Greitens eventually resigned earlier this year after allegations of an affair that was at times violent and non-consensual surfaced. Austin Petersen, who unsuccessfully sought the Libertarian Party nomination for president in 2016, and Tony Monetti, an Air Force veteran and restaurant owner, are also running for the Republican nomination. MISSOURI SENATE CANDIDATE RAFFLING MACHINE THAT CAN PRINT UNTRACEABLE GUN PARTS Monetti has been endorsed by former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. Petersen is supported by the Republican Liberty Caucus. Missouri voters will also decide on a so-called right-to-work referendum on whether the state should ban compulsory union fees in all private-sector workplaces. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican, cant run for re-election due to term limits, but the race to replace him is anything but simple. For the Democrats, Abdul El-Sayed, Shri Thanedar and Gretchen Whitmer are battling for the nomination. Whitmer, a former county prosecutor and member of the state legislature, has emerged as the establishment favorite. El-Sayed, on the other hand, has campaigned as a more progressive choice with Sen. Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez both lending their support to the man hoping to become Michigans first Muslim governor. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, state Sen. Pat Colbeck and Dr. Jim Hines are vying for the GOP nod. Trump endorsed Schuette nearly a year ago, saying he will be good for job growth in Michigan. As for Senate, two Republicans are hoping to secure the GOP nomination to take on incumbent Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat. African-American business executive and Iraq War pilot John E. James is taking on Sandy Pensler, a detergent manufacturer, in the August contest. FOX NEWS MIDTERM ELECTIONS HEADQUARTERS Trump has endorsed James, who he called spectacular. Rarely have I seen a candidate with such great potential, Trump said in a July tweet. While Fox News rates the gubernatorial race as a toss-up, the Senate election in November still remains likely safe for Democrats. In 2016, Trump narrowly eked out a victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton in Michigan. Voters in Michigan are able to cast so-called straight ticket ballots, meaning they would fill in one bubble to vote for all of one partys candidates for office. Typically, voters were only able to pick Republicans or Democrats, but this year the Libertarian Party also qualified to nominate candidates for the ballot. It certainly is historic, both for Michigan and for Libertarians. Many people see it as a real opportunity to bring new blood and new activists into the party, Michigan Libertarian Party chairman Bill Hall told MLive.com. According to the Detroit News, Bill Gelineau and John Tatar are both battling for the Libertarian gubernatorial nomination as well, hoping to secure enough votes to ensure the party appears on the 2020 ballot. Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer is seeking his first full term leading the state, but the race is expected to be tough. Colyer was serving as Kansas lieutenant governor when Trump selected Sam Brownback to be the U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom in January 2018 thus elevating Colyer into the states top position. Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach is also vying for the Republican nomination. Kobach was the vice chairman of the White Houses controversial voter fraud commission, which was dismantled by Trump earlier this year as it faced multiple legal battles and oppositions from states. His involvement with the group has earned him the scorn of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has sent negative flyers to voters ahead of the primary election. Trump endorsed Kobach the day before the primary, saying he has been "a strong and early supporter" of the president. LIFELONG NEW YORKER JOINS STUDENTS IN KANSAS GOVERNOR RUN THAT HAS NO RULES Former state Sen. Jim Barnett, Patrick Kucera, Tyler Ruzich, insurance commissioner Ken Selzer and Joseph Tutera Jr. are also running for the GOP nod. Barnett has been endorsed by the Kansas City Star and made headlines earlier this year when he picked his wife to be his running mate. Fox News rates the gubernatorial race as lean-Republican, but Democrats are hoping to change the governorship back to blue for the first time since 2011 especially if Kobach wins. State Sen. Laura Kelly, former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer and former Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Joshua Svaty have emerged as the three front-runners in the Democratic primary. The candidates have fought over ties to the National Rifle Association and plans for womens reproductive health care in the state, according to KMUW public radio station. Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Democrat, is running for her fourth term in the U.S. Senate but not without a fight from nearly 30 challengers. That group that includes: 13 Republicans, four Democrats, five independents and one Libertarian, among others. Former Washington GOP chairwoman Susan Hutchison has emerged as the leading Republican contender to take on Cantwell, according to the Seattle Times. WASHINGTON STATE EMPLOYEES SUE TO ESCAPE UNION AFTER JANUS SUPREME COURT RULING According to FiveThirtyEight, Cantwell has voted with Trumps agenda 25 percent of the time, including with the nomination of some Cabinet appointees: Robert Wilkie for secretary of veterans affairs, Robert Lighthizer for trade representative, Sonny Perdue for agriculture secretary and Dan Coats for director of national intelligence. Fox News rates the Senate race as likely Democrat, but Hutchison told the Seattle Times, We wouldnt have this crowded ballot if Maria Cantwell wasnt vulnerable. Clinton solidly beat Trump in Washington in the 2016 presidential election. Ohio Its not a primary election, but Trumps influence will certainly be tested in Tuesdays special House election in Ohio. The open seat came with the resignation of Rep. Pat Tiberi in the 12th district, which has been represented by Republicans for nearly 40 years. But Democrat Danny OConnor is hoping to change that in his race against Republican state Sen. Troy Balderson. Polls have shown a tight race between the two, even though Balderson has been endorsed by Trump and Ohio Gov. John Kasich. The president made an appearance in Ohio just a few days before the election to lend his support as well. A vote for Danny boy and the Democrats is a vote to let criminals and drugs pour into our country, Trump said of Baldersons opponent. And to let MS-13 run wild in our communities. And you know what they do once theyre there. On Twitter, Trump has called OConnor a puppet for House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Fox News Gregg Re and The Associated Press have contributed to this report. Beneath the soil in Cologne, Germany, lies a bibliophile's dream: an ancient Roman library that once held up to 20,000 scrolls, according to news reports. Archaeologists discovered the epic structure in 2017 while they were excavating the grounds of a Protestant church to build a new community center. Considering Cologne is one of Germany's oldest cities, founded in A.D. 50, it's no surprise that it still has structures dating back to Roman times. However, archaeologists didn't figure out that the structure was a library until they found mysterious holes in the walls, each measuring about 31 inches by 20 inches (80 by 50 centimeters), The Guardian reported. The niches in the wall were likely "cupboards for the scrolls," Dirk Schmitz, an archaeologist at the Roman-Germanic Museum in Cologne, told The Guardian. "They are very particular to libraries you can see the same ones in the library at Ephesus [in Turkey]." [Photos: Centuries of History Revealed Beneath Roman Ruins] While it's anyone's guess as to how many scrolls the library once housed, it's fair to say the number would have been "quite huge maybe 20,000," Schmitz said. He noted that the newfound library is slightly smaller than the Celsus Library in Ephesus, which was built in A.D. 117. Even so, its discovery is "really incredible a spectacular find," Schmitz said. "[It] is, at a minimum, the earliest library in Germany, and perhaps in the northwest Roman provinces," he said. "Perhaps there are a lot of Roman towns that have libraries, but they haven't been excavated. If we had just found the foundations, we wouldn't have known it was a library. It was because it had walls, with the niches, that we could tell." The ancient Romans chose a good spot for the building, he noted. "It is in the middle of Cologne, in the marketplace, or forum: the public space in the city center," Schmitz said. "It is built of very strong materials, and such buildings, because they are so huge, were public." During its heyday, the library was probably two stories tall and measured about 65 feet by 30 feet (20 by 9 meters), and an extension was added later, Cologne historic preservation official Marcus Trier told Deutsche Welle (DW), a German news outlet. This extension was likely an alcove where a statue of Minerva, the Roman goddess counterpart to Greece's Athena, once stood, Schmitz told The Art Newspaper. The ancient library's remains will be integrated into the new church community center, giving access to visitors and future archaeologists, DW reported. Original article on Live Science. An extremely rare medieval Bible has been re-discovered and returned to the cathedral it was taken from 500 years ago. The Bible was written in the late 13th century, according to Canterbury Cathedral in the U.K., which is now in possession of the medieval artifact. Known as the Lyghfield Bible after the 16th-century Canterbury Cathedral monk that once owned it, the 690-leaf volume is written on parchment or vellum, which is made from animal skin. The Cathedral describes the pages of the Bible as almost tissue-like in quality. Written in Latin script, the Bible, which was likely produced in Paris, also features intricate decorations on its pages. MYSTERIOUS 'DEVIL COINS' DISCOVERED IN CHURCH Canterbury Cathedral, which was been a place of worship for 1,400 years, is the mother church of the Anglican Communion. The World Heritage Site is also the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the senior clergyman in the Church of England. The Bible disappeared from the Cathedrals collection of monastic books 500 years ago during the Reformation, when the Church of England split from the authority of the Pope and Roman Catholic Church. Canterbury Cathedrals monastic community was disbanded during the Reformation and most of volumes in its library were either dispersed, destroyed, or taken apart for reuse. Experts are not sure exactly what happened to the Lyghfield Bible but note that the volume was recently purchased for $129,416 from a private seller at a specialist sale of manuscripts in London. STOLEN CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS LETTER RETURNED TO THE VATICAN LIBRARY The U.K.s National Heritage Memorial Fund contributed $124,240 toward the purchase and additional funding was received from the Friends of the National Galleries, the Friends of Canterbury Cathedral and a private donation. The Lyghfield Bible is one of only about 30 books that have survived from the Cathedrals pre-Reformation Library, which once housed thousands of volumes. It is of the utmost significance to us to have here in our collections a copy of the core Christian text which was owned by one of the last monks of the medieval monastic community, said Cressida Williams, Head of Archives and Library at Canterbury Cathedral, in a statement. The Bible bears witness to the upheavals of the Reformation, a time which defined what the Cathedral is today, and will have a key role in telling visitors our story. KING OF RAGE: HENRY VIIIS BLOODTHIRSTY LETTER DEMANDS MONKS BRUTAL DEATH Other artifacts are also shedding fresh light on the U.K.s rich history. For example, the bloodthirsty draft of a letter by King Henry VIII in which he demands a monks violent death be on public display in the north of England. In the 16th-century death warrant, the famous king orders that the abbot of Norton Abbey in the North of England be hung, drawn and quartered, but then decides that the clergyman should just be hanged. The 1536 letter, which is on loan from the U.K.s National Archives, is on display at the Norton Priory Museum in Runcorn. DEADLY DISCOVERY: POISONOUS BOOKS FOUND IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Henry VIIIs reign was a turbulent period, marked by religious tension as the King severed England, Wales and Irelands relationship with the Catholic Church in Rome. The Acts of Supremacy in 1534 recognized the King as the Supreme Head of the Church of England. Two years later, the king oversaw the Dissolution of the Monasteries, an attempt to destroy the countrys Catholic monastic system and seize its assets. Last year, archaeologists in London uncovered the remains of Greenwich Palace, the birthplace of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER THE LOST ROYAL PALACE OF HENRY VIII The palace once stood on the site now occupied by the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, southeast London. Two rooms from the Tudor-era palace were found when the ground beneath the Old Royal Naval Colleges Painted Hall was being prepared for a new visitor center. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers A group of South American lizards, known as tegu lizards, have taken over parts of Florida and there is concern they could expand into the southwestern U.S. in what is being described as an "invasion." The size of a small child, tegu lizards can grow up to 4 feet in length. According to a study published in the scientific journal Nature, these lizards, which are indigenous to South America east of the Andes, have the capacity to take over "much of the southern United States and northern Mexico" if not kept in check. "Our results suggest that much of the southern United States and northern Mexico probably contains suitable habitat for one or more of these tegu species," the study's abstract reads. ALLIGATOR FOUND IN BASEMENT OF WASHINGTON D.C. HOME, POLICE SAY There are two types of tegu lizards with established presences in Florida (Salvator merianae, the Argentine black and white tegu) and Tupinambis teguixin sensu lato (gold tegu), and a third which has established a presence here. They have been brought to the U.S. as pets, and there is concern that if owners dump them in the wild, they could do grave damage to the ecosystem. They are voracious, omnivorous predatory lizards that can live in a variety of habitats, but we cant know what is going to happen or how intense this invasion is going to become until the effects are upon us, Texas A&M professor Lee Fitzgerald told Reuters. Fitzgerald is also a co-author of the aforementioned study, along with several other researchers. The omnivorous tegu lizards have been known to eat alligator and bird eggs. They have also been spotted consuming things like fruit, fungi and small vertebrates. However, a 2002 study shows that meat consumption decreases as the animals age. It's unclear how prolific the tegu lizard population has become, but the Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area writes on its website that if people see them, they should take a picture, note the location and report the sighting by calling 1-888-IVE-GOT1 or going online at IveGot1.org. FLORIDA MAN WIELDING LIVE GATOR CHASES PEOPLE IN CONVENIENCE STORE, VIDEO SHOWS Their appeal as pets may stem from their unusually high intelligence. Some tegu lizards have been known to look for human affection, similar to dogs and cats and others can even be trained to come on command or be house-broken. The study added that it could take years for the pesky pests to reach their expanded areas, causing concern for wildlife owners and anyone else that depends on the current ecosystem. "We propose that Florida is not the only state where these taxa could become established, and that early detection and rapid response programs targeting tegu lizards in potentially suitable habitat elsewhere in North America could help prevent establishment and abate negative impacts on native ecosystems," the abstract reads. Follow Chris Ciaccia on Twitter @Chris_Ciaccia An extremely rare robust clubhook squid washed up on an Oregon beach last month, giving scientists a unique opportunity to study the mysterious deep sea creature. The 8-legged squid, which measured 10 feet long and weighed roughly 90 pounds, was already dead when beachgoers discovered it near Silver Point just south of Cannon Beach, according to the Seaside Aquarium. "It had been dead for a little while and some scavenging had occurred but all in all it was in pretty good shape," the aquarium wrote in a July 28 Facebook post, which has received hundreds of reactions. GIANT EEL BITES WOMAN VACATIONING IN HAWAII: 'THERE WAS BLOOD EVERYWHERE' Researchers from the Seaside Aquarium snapped photos of the large squid, which they will dissect and examine in hopes of learning more about its habits. Specifically, researchers focused on the squid's beak, which remained intact. "Little is [known] about the life history of these amazing giants, so we were very exited to be able to get a closer look," the aquarium explained. The robust clubhook squid can grow up to 12 feet long, making it the third largest squid species in existence. "M. robusta is distinguished from other squid of the North Pacific by presence of 2 rows of sharp hooks on the tentacle clubs, by the length of its fins, the fleshy longitudinal ridges on its body, and its large size," the Seattle Aquarium explained in a blog post, citing research from F.G. Hochberg, an expert on cephalopods. This particular type of squid is typically found in warmer areas of the Pacific Ocean, anywhere from California to Japan, the Oregon Coast Beach Connection reports. Seaside Aquarium manager Keith Chandler told the local publication it's the "first" robust clubhook squid he's ever witnessed. MYSTERIOUS 20-FOOT SEA CREATURE COVERED IN SHAGGY HAIR WASHES UP ON PHILIPPINES BEACH The deceased squid in Silver Point had two long tentacles and eight arms each containing an average of 50 to 60 suckers. "We suspect that this squid was a spawned out female. Squids, like octopuses, die shortly after laying eggs," the aquarium added. Locals thanked the aquarium for updating them on their findings. "Love the pictures and information about the sea!!! Please keep educating us!" one Facebook user wrote. "Thanks for sharing. Learned something today, never knew they existed!" another added. "So interesting , thank you for sharing ... sorry it died but glad it helps people to know more about them," one woman commented. Gold hunters in southern Russia might have been disappointed to learn that the speckled, yellow rock they uncovered was not a sizeable pebble of valuable metal. Instead, it was a rare piece of space-borne rubble containing a new mineral that had never before been seen on Earth. The mineral came from the Uakit meteorite, named for the Russian location where it was found. Scientists recently presented their discovery of the meteorite's new mineral, named uakitite, at the Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society in Moscow. The researchers found that more than 98 percent of the meteorite consists of kamacite, an alloy of iron and 5 to 10 percent nickel, that's formed in space and is found only in meteorites, which are rocks that fall from space to Earth's surface. The remaining 1 to 2 percent of the meteorite consists of just over a dozen minerals that, for the most part, are exclusively formed in space. On top of that, the composition of the extraordinary space rock suggests that it must have formed under brutally hot temperatures, well over 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit (1,000 degrees Celsius), the researchers said. [Fallen Stars: A Gallery of Famous Meteorites] The team examined the meteorite with powerful microscopes and identified uakitite as tiny grains no bigger than 5 micrometers about 25 times smaller than a fine grain of sand. The new mineral is so tiny that the scientists couldn't piece together all its physical properties. But they were able to determine that the mineral is structurally similar to two other space-borne minerals, carlsbergite and osbornite. These minerals are referred to as mononitrides because they contain a single nitrogen atom in their chemical formula. Mononitrides are very hard and are sometimes used as abrasive material, said Victor Sharygin, a geologist at the Institute of Geology and Mineralogy in Novosibirsk, Russia, and lead researcher on the discovery of uakitite. A few news publications have reported that uakitite is harder than a diamond, but Sharygin said that's not the case. In fact, he said, "the hardness of uakitite was not measured directly," because the grains were too small. Instead, the scientists estimated the hardness using synthetically produced vanadium nitride, a mineral that closely resembles uakitite. The researchers predicted that uakitite is between 9 and 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning it's very hard a diamond falls at 10. But Sharygin explained that the Mohs scale has a wide range between 9 and 10. All mononitrides fall at this end of the scale, he said, "but their hardness is lower than [that of] a diamond." Sharygin said that synthetic boron nitride, another mineral produced at insanely hot temperatures, is likely the only mineral that comes close to being as hard as a diamond. Original article on Live Science. The Air Force is working with the Department of Defense and industry to accelerate widespread migration to cloud technology to enable faster decision-making, AI implementation, rapid data organization and improved IT security, Pentagon leaders said. The multi-faceted cloud initiative includes data consolidation, reducing the hardware footprint, cyber hardening weapons systems and efforts to connect satellite ground terminals more seamlessly with one another; the key concept, of course, is to increase access to otherwise disparate pools of information, share data quickly and give combat commanders more options on a faster time frame. The Under Secretary of the Air Force and Vice Chief of Staff directed key Air Force organizations and stakeholders to begin the transition of applications from legacy IT infrastructure to cloud environments, Air Force spokeswoman Capt. Hope Cronin told Warrior Maven. Pentagon cloud developers say automation and increased applications of AI are making a difference when it comes to improving cloud-network security. DOD efforts emphasize the often discussed two-fold cloud strategy which seeks to maximize both decentralized nodes and centralized servers and data access. Having awarded a $1 Billion deal last year to Dell EMC, Microsoft and General Dynamics for massive cloud migration services, the Air Force is revving up cloud technology across a range of service networks and data systems. Called Cloud Hosted Enterprise Services by the Air Force, the deal is now quickly progressing into the integration phase. The services enable data consolidation, collaboration software, email and document management, among other things. These initiatives also heavily emphasize the use of established commercial technologies such as Microsoft Office 365 and cloud service offerings such as Amazon Web Services and Oracle, among others, a General Dynamics statement said. There are a variety of respects in which cloud migration, fortified by AI, changes the paradigm for cybersecurity and data access. In one sense, cloud-based systems can potentially increase vulnerability by virtue of allowing intruders to more broadly access large data systems through fewer points of entry, should an attack be met with initial success. Yet at the same time, cloud-enabled virtualization can network many security-oriented software applications and other measures able to much more quickly detect anomalies, defend broad networks and counter intrusions. By leveraging cloud technology, this kind of software can simultaneously protect multiple nodes in a more ubiquitous, far-reaching manner. Cloud technology can also expedite helpful kinds of computer automation by offering much wider reach, among other things. For instance, Air Force developers are using advanced computer automation to replicate human behavior online for the specific purpose of luring and tracking potential intruders. Algorithms can create online activity which resembles that of an individual user, leading intruders to think they are tracking a person when, in fact, they themselves are being tracked. Also, AI can be used to perform real-time analytics on incoming traffic potentially containing malware, viruses or any kind of attempted intrusion. If the source, characteristics or discernable pattern of a cyberattack are identified quickly, cyber defenders are better positioned to respond. The cloud offers an opportunity to concurrently perform these functions across vast numbers of interconnected nodes. Also, an often-discussed phenomenon seems to inform the Pentagons push for faster cloud migration, namely that multi-year government developmental programs are, in many instances, generating technical systems which are potentially obsolete by the time they are completed. I am directing aggressive steps to establish a culture of experimentation, adaptation and risk-taking, Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan wrote in a memo last year upon launching a new multi-service cloud initiative. Commercial innovation, therefore, coupled with an open architecture framework, is intended to allow faster, wide-sweeping upgrades more consistent with the most current and impactful innovations. DOD is using a tailored acquisition process to acquire a modern enterprise cloud services solution that can support Unclassified, Secret, and Top Secret requirements. Known as the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) Cloud, the planned contracting action will be a full and open competition, a Pentagon statement said. Pentagon leaders of the JEDI program explain that cloud security will be approached in a measured way so as to ensure maximum data protections. They envision being able to generate secure secret networks in 6 months - and Top Secret cloud-based networks in 9 months. Cloud Hardens Satellite Coms By facilitating improved satellite ground terminal interoperability and network data sharing, cloud-based systems can also speed up SATCOM connectivity and allow command and control technology to expedite directives to satellites, industry developers have explained. CACI is among a handful of industry developers, to include Hughes and Viasat, who are currently exploring emerging technologies as a way to further protect and harden SATCOM connections and command and control. CACI uses a specific kind of new cloud-based battle management software engineered to integrate fast-emerging data from a wide range of nodes on a network. If there is a scenario in which there is a cyberattack that is ground based or space based which degrades assets, ultimately what happens is a sequence of decisions. Am I willing to take some risk? Ryan Fairchild, Vice President and Division Manager, Space Operations, CACI, told Warrior Maven in an interview earlier this year. For instance, Fairchild said emerging cloud systems could allow a combatant commander to quickly make an informed decision about whether to utilize a laser weapon or EW system. Viasat has developed an Ethernet encryptor designed to improve security for cloud computing. Viasat KG-142 is a 100 Gbps Type 1 Ethernet encryptor delivering speeds ten-time faster than existing solutions. With the new encryptor, government users can better meet the bandwidth need for cloud-computing and real-time data transport across the battlespace, a Viasat statement said. Viasat developers describe the KG-142 as a high-speed, low-latency encryptor with integrated security standards and software upgradeable designs aimed at minimize the need for hardware changes. More Weapons and Technology - WARRIOR MAVEN (CLICK HERE)-- Facebook, YouTube, and Apple have banned Alex Jones and his conspiracy theory site Infowars from their platforms over hate speech. On Monday, Facebook and YouTube pulled down content from Jones, who had amassed 1.6 million and 2.4 million followers on the platforms, respectively, while Apple pulled five of six podcasts for Infowars from iTunes and the Podcast app. According to Facebook, the takedown has nothing to do with Jones spreading false news, but for posting content that glorified violence and used dehumanizing language to describe transgender people, Muslims, and immigrants. "All four Pages have been unpublished for repeated violations of Community Standards and accumulating too many strikes," the company said in a blog post. Last week, the company removed four videos on four Jones- and Infowars-related Facebook pages for violating its hate speech and bullying policies. But on Monday, the tech giant proceeded with a full ban on those pages after discovering Jones was circulating more content that contained hate speech. Google, which owns YouTube, also indicated that Jones had repeatedly violated the company's policies on hate speech and harassment, forcing it to pull The Alex Jones Channel from the streaming site. "All users agree to comply with our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines when they sign up to use YouTube. When users violate these policies repeatedly, like our policies against hate speech and harassment or our terms prohibiting circumvention of our enforcement measures, we terminate their accounts," a spokesperson said. In a statement to BuzzFeed, Apple said it "does not tolerate hate speech." On Monday, Spotify also told PCMag it had banned Alex Jones from the platform over repeated violations relating to hate speech. In response, Jones tweeted on Monday that he's considering filing a lawsuit against the companies over the alleged censorship. "What conservative news outlet will be next?" Jones is verified on Twitter, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether Jones has violated any of the site's policies. On its website, where Jones is still free to broadcast, Infowars claims the tech industry is out to censor conservative content from the web. "Infowars is widely credited with having played a key role in electing Donald Trump. By banning Infowars, big tech is engaging in election meddling just three months before crucial mid-terms," it said. None of the companies specified which content actually led to the crackdown. But Infowars and Jones have long peddled conspiracy theories, including that the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012 was a hoax. The parents of those children have sued Jones. Last month, Jones also posted a video accusing special counsel and former FBI Director Robert Mueller of covering up pedophilia crimes. In that same video, he also pretends to shoot Mueller with his finger. The controversial nature of Infowars prompted journalists and the public to question why Facebook and YouTube allowed the site's content onto their platforms as both companies fight fake news and abuse. Last month, Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg attempted to defend permitting Infowars on his site, claiming he was protecting free speech, but his comments simply stoked more controversy. The mounting pressure appears to have forced the whole tech industry to act. This article originally appeared on PCMag.com. WASHINGTON A military branch for space might indeed be necessary for the United States to maintain its superpower status in the final frontier. But the Pentagon and Congress should not rush to create a Space Forcewithout at least weighing the downsides, experts caution. President Trump on June 18 ordered the Pentagon to form a sixth branch of the military dedicated to space, and Congress is poised to back that request with legislation that would be included in the 2020 defense policy bill. The president thrust the Space Force into the limelight, but neither the administration nor Congress has clearly defined its mission, said Brian Weeden, program director at the Secure World Foundation. [Military Space - Spacecraft, Weapons and Tech] Weeden spoke on Monday at The Brookings Institution in a panel discussion on the pros and cons of having a separate military service for space. Former Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James has been one of the harshest critics of Trump's proposal. The Space Force in her mind is the classic shiny object that distracts from the real debate. And Washington being Washington, "it is a virtual certainty that if a space force is legislated and goes through, it will consume a lot of time, a lot of effort and absolutely will be a distraction." In the end, "it could end up being the best thing since sliced bread," said James. But it would come at a huge price because it will "slow down the momentum" in the Air Force to accelerate space investments and programs. "At this moment the focus is on getting things done," said James. "Suddenly the focus will shift on who is going to report to whom, and how do we get these directives written and everything that goes along with creating a brand new bureaucracy." Air Force leaders "will work hard to make sure it's not a distraction but it will be, no matter how much they try to mitigate it," said James. "Eventually it'll settle out, but you will go through years of thrashing." Analysts have estimated that forming a new military service could take two to five years. One thing to remember is that major government reorganizations never pan out as planned, noted Michael O'Hanlon, senior fellow at Brookings. He recalled that after 9/11, the George W. Bush administration established an office of the director of national intelligence to lead 16 intelligence agencies. "That change may finally have achieved net benefits, but it took a decade of disruption to get it right." Similarly, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security "required huge effort and produced much chaos," O'Hanlon said. "And it probably did not improve the performance of the agencies now under its umbrella." Seemingly petty issues like the Space Force uniforms (the butt of many late night comedians' jokes) will be part of the process of standing up a new service and will add to the disruption, James said. "These are details people joke about. They may seem trivial but they are details that have to be worked out. These things take time and by nature will become a distraction," she said. "It would be a shame that something so important as a new military service focused on space would somehow be born out of ridicule." The typical "bureaucratic minutiae" will command a lot of attention, said Weeden. Invariably, controversies over things like uniforms, logos and mission statements could drag out the process. "At this moment I don't know what a space force is, it doesn't have a lot of definition to it," he said. With Russia and China developing more powerful anti-satellite weapons, the U.S. military has to beef up its space warfighting capabilities but a new service is probably not the answer. "I am skeptical," said Weeden. "Warfighting is not what an 'organize, train and equip' service does." Bring back Space Command Congress already has found a solution to the warfighting problem and it would not require a Space Force, Weeden said. The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2019 directs the Air Force to make Air Force Space Command a "sub-unified" command under U.S. Strategic Command. That would set the stage for the Air Force Space Command to eventually ascend to a full-up U.S. Space Command. "That will take care of the warfighting part," said Weeden. James agreed. "I'm in favor of that, that would be the ticket to solving the warfighting problem." Until 2002, the U.S. military had a separate space command, which had comparable standing to the major combatant commands such as Central, Pacific and European commands, O'Hanlon explained. After 9/11, the Pentagon decided it needed a Northern Command to improve security within North America. At that point, Space Command was deemed unnecessary and its responsibilities were shifted under the broader Strategic Command. James said that if the Space Force moves forward, it could comprise anywhere from 35,000 to 40,000 people who are now in the Air Force Space Command, the Army's space cadre and the intelligence community. Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan is due to submit a report to Congress on Wednesday outlining possible options. A Space Force conceivably could be modeled after the former U.S. Space Command or could be more joint, like U.S. Special Operations Command. Or it might be fashioned after the Marine Corps, a semi-autonomous service under the Department of the Navy. "I think you're going to see all these things in this report," said James. Regardless of what steps the Pentagon and Congress take next, leaders should make sure the Space Force does not become a divisive partisan issue, said Frank Rose, a Brookings fellow and former assistant secretary of state for arms control. "My concern is that the Space Force is identifiable with President Trump," he said. "After the November election there will be a 'reflexive anti-Trump sentiment.' A partisan debate is not the right way to go. We need to have a serious debate." This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry. A London court has found an American political consultant who worked on Ben Carson's 2016 presidential campaign guilty of groping a fellow passenger on a trans-Atlantic flight last month. Samuel Pimm was convicted of sexual assault Monday following a trial at Ealing Magistrates' Court. He denied touching the passenger, who was seated next to him on the Washington to London flight. Prosecutors said the 62-year-old Pimm consumed several alcoholic drinks before he put his hands on the woman. The woman testified that she was trying to sleep when she felt Pimm touching her arm and breast, then moving toward her crotch. His lawyer suggested she might have been dreaming. Pimm, of Virginia, was fined 720 pounds ($930) and ordered to pay 952 pounds ($1,231) in compensation and costs. A young woman boarding an EasyJet flight was turned away at the gate because theyd given another passenger her seat. Ellen Marandola, 20, was flying to Sardinia from London Stansted last Friday with a friend, but was told at the last minute that she would not be able to board the plane. According to The Independent, the two friends had spent 283 ($366) on return flights, plus AirBnB accommodation for three nights in the Sardinian capital of Cagliari. But despite checking in without any issues and being allocated seats 1A and 1B Ellen told the website that she was instructed that she couldnt fly because her seat was broken and that she should wait at the gate in case another passenger failed to show up. The airline later revealed that it was another passengers seat that was broken seat 7A but because they had already boarded the plane, they were given Ellens seat. They added that Ellen was chosen to bump because she checked in last. EasyJet claim that they made an announcement asking for volunteers to be bumped but Ellen and her friend said that they did not hear anything. When Ellens friend asked to disembark from the plane so he could be with his friend, the airline told him that they would not rearrange a new flight for him. According to Ellens mother, the airline then only offered a replacement flight that involved a stopover in mainland Italy before flying on to Sardinia the following day despite there being other options that would have taken her directly to Cagliari that night. She also claims that her daughter was not offered compensation. The airline told The Independent, [We are] sorry that Ms Marandola was not able to travel the flight to Cagliari on August 3. Our customer service team at the airport offered alternative flight options to her, including with other airlines. "However Ms. Marandola told them that she did not want to take one of these flights. We also explained the compensation she would be entitled to and will be contacting her to arrange this. This article originally appeared on The Sun. A freight train derailed in Pittsburgh Sunday, officials said, uprooting seven rail cars and sending shipping containers tumbling down a hillside onto light rail tracks below. No injuries have been reported, authorities said, and no hazardous materials were involved. Norfolk Southern spokesman Jim Glass said the westbound train heading from northern New Jersey to Chicago consisted of three locomotives and 57 loaded intermodal rail cars, and was 7,687 feet long and weighed 4,838 tons. Such trains primarily carry consumer goods such as appliances, clothes, electronics and food, he said. The cause of the derailment was under investigation. Glass said the cars derailed on the South Side of Pittsburgh near Station Square shortly after 1 p.m. Sunday. Shipping containers from the derailed cars slid down the hillside onto or near the light rail Port Authority tracks, said Adam Brandolph of the Port Authority of Allegheny County. Brandolph said there has been extensive damage that likely will take a long time to repair. Light rail service at the station was suspended. At the scene, authorities said the only spillage was mouthwash, the Post-Gazette reported. If you smell something, its Listerine. Its not hazardous, Togneri said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A bloody weekend in Chicago saw at least 40 people shot, four fatally, officials said, in a city that earlier had touted its decreasing crime and violence numbers. Some 15 of the 40 people shot were teenagers, according to the reports. Officials said 25 people were shot within 2 and a half hours Sunday. Investigators continued their search for some of the shooters. Chicago Police Chief of Patrol Fred Waller at a news conference Sunday afternoon said: We know that some of these incidents were targeted, and are related to gang conflicts in those areas. If they [the shooters] shoot you they dont even run, a man told the Chicago Tribune. They just walk away, they aint trying to run. The shooting spree began around 11 a.m. Saturday when a 38-year-old man was shot in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood, the Tribune reported. About an hour later, two men in their 40s and 50s were struck by bullets when they were caught in the crossfire between two people firing at each other from across the street. The man in his 50s was pronounced dead at the hospital. Between 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, three men ages 25, 26 and 22 were shot in separate incidents throughout Chicago. It was unclear if the shooters were captured. CHICAGO PROTESTERS DEMANDING RAHM EMANUELS RESIGNATION MARCH TO WRIGLEY FIELD, CLOSING MAJOR ROADS But the violence didnt stop there. By 1 a.m. Sunday another 18 people were shot. A 20-year-old woman suffered a gunshot wound in the stomach when a passenger shot her in the stomach just after midnight in Logan Square. About five miles away in Lawndale, two people got out of a vehicle, fired at a crowd of people at a block party and escaped, the Chicago Tribune reported. Police said four people were struck, including a 13-year-old and 17-year-old boy, along with a 17-year-old girl. A man, 25, was shot in the left leg. An 18-year-old was shot multiple times around 12:20 p.m. in the same neighborhood. Another eight people were shot around 12:40 a.m. when several shooters walked up to the group standing in a courtyard and began firing, police said. The youngest victim was 14 and the oldest was 35. The others shot were between 17 and 19 years old. About 10 minutes later, four people were wounded in a drive-by shooting. Two 26-year-old men were shot in separate incidents by 1:30 a.m. Sunday, and one of them died. About an hour later, three women were caught in the crossfire while standing on a front porch while two groups of men were firing at each other. Six people were wounded around 2:35 a.m. when two shooters approached a group standing on the sidewalk. Two boys, 11 and 14, were among the wounded. CHICAGOS GUN VIOLENCE IS INTOLERABLE -- TRUMP SHOULD PROVIDE HELP A 17-year-old girl was killed after she suffered a gunshot wound to her face. Another boy, 14, was shot in the left leg around 2:50 a.m. The last shooting reported before 6 a.m. left a man, 33, suffering from gunshot wounds on both legs. The violence-filled weekend comes after Chicago Police Department reported a 10 percent decrease in shootings and murders during July. The number of shooting victims decreased to 332, compared to the 415 reported in July 2017. The city that has been plagued by gun violence was on track to have fewer number of murders compared to last year, according to statistics released by police. Fox News' Frank Miles contributed to this report. Parts of Yosemite National Park will be closed "indefinitely" due to ongoing wildfires in and around the scenic valley, the National Park Service said Sunday. The closures include Yosemite Valley, El Portal Road, Wawona Road, Big Oak Flat Road, Glacier Point, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias, Wawona Campground, Crane Flat Campground and Tamarack Campground. "Fire managers are continuously assessing conditions in the area and will work directly with and will immediately advise park managers as conditions change and it becomes safe to reopen," the National Park Service said in a statement. As of Sunday, the Ferguson fire had burned 89,633 acres and was 38 percent contained. It is one of 18 major fires burning throughout the Golden State and its smoke has filled the Yosemite Valley, blocking views of El Capitan and Half Dome in addition to Yosemite Falls. In talking to people, no one has ever seen the smoke this heavy, park spokesman Scott Gediman told the Los Angeles Times. On Friday, evacuations were ordered due to "multiple hazards" along several roads in addition to power outages in Yosemite Valley. Two firefighters have died so far battling the blaze. Ferguson Fire officials told FOX26 that all the power in Yosemite Valley was out, and there was no way for park employees to keep food or filter air due to the outages. CARR FIRE CLAIMS 7TH DEATH IN CALIFORNIA AS FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE FIRESTORM Most of the park's signature attractions in the valley have been obscured by a choking haze for days, although shifting winds means the pollution levels and visual clarity changes throughout the day, according to Pete Lahm, an air resource specialist for the U.S. Forest Service, which is running the Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program. Yosemite officials are referring visitors to the program's website to check pollution levels. "The whole park at this juncture has been hammered in smoke," Lahm told the Associated press. "This area definitely has the highest levels (of air pollution) in the U.S. right now," he said, adding that other parts of Northern California and southern Oregon were also at unhealthy levels due to wildfires. The Environmental Protection Agency's "Air Now" website on Friday recorded the Air Quality Index in Yosemite at a staggering 386, or "hazardous" higher than the smog-choked city of Beijing, which had an "unhealthy" AQI of 119 at the same time. Officials note that the AQI changes throughout the day and that the pollution from industrial dust, cars and emissions is different than wildfires burning through trees and grass but still unhealthy. On Sunday, the quality shifted back down to "unhealthy." 'FIRE TORNADO' REACHED 143 MPH AS IT CAUSED PATH OF DESTRUCTION IN SCORCHED CALIFORNIA Not all of the park is closed; roughly the northern third of Yosemite has remained open. But officials say it is Yosemite's longest and most extensive closure since 1997, when floods shut the park for two months. For visitors who wanted to enjoy the iconic sights during the busy summer vacation season, the closures have dealt a blow to any plans. "I'm totally gutted we can't visit Yosemite," British tourist Caroline Lansell told the AP, who was on a summer vacation to California with her husband and two children. Fox News' Samuel Chamberlain and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A black SUV was seen circling the Iowa neighborhood where Mollie Tibbetts was staying on the night she vanished, a neighbor revealed to Fox News on Sunday, in what could be a new clue to the college student's disappearance. The driver went very slowly around the neighborhood the night of July 18, according to a young woman who lives a block away from the home of Tibbetts' boyfriend, Dalton Jack. MOLLIE TIBBETS, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA STUDENT, MISSING: A TIMELINE OF EVENTS Between 11:30 p.m. and 1 a.m., the woman said she observed the suspicious vehicle. She told Fox News that she reported it to the FBI when she was questioned. Investigators so far have not commented on it. Tibbetts was last seen on July 18. The missing University of Iowa sophomore was last seen jogging in the area, where she was dog-sitting at her boyfriend's home. Also on Sunday, an FBI agent questioned the owner of a nearby farm for the third time in connection with Tibbetts' disappearance, although it's unclear why. The agent questioned Wayne Cheney around 5:30 p.m. local time for roughly five to 10 minutes. Cheney has told Fox News he was not involved in the 20-year-old's disappearance. The farmer has not been charged in Tibbetts' case. He said he had never seen Tibbetts before, because he didn't venture into the Brooklyn area, which is several miles from his home. He added he'd allow the FBI to search his entire property and expressed confidence investigators wouldn't find anything. The FBI last week searched his home and some of his property, and looked through his cellphone, the farmer said. He claimed that law enforcement asked him on Thursday to take a polygraph test but he refused to do so. Authorities on Sunday said they've been following up on "hundreds" of leads in the case. Also Sunday, police said the body of a 20-something woman turned up in Lee County, but said the body was not Tibbetts. The reward for Tibbetts' safe return jumped to $260,000 as of Sunday. Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa said the missing student's family hopes the reward money will lead to her return. Fox News' Nicole Darrah, Madeleine Rivera and The Associated Press contributed to this report. One day after President Trump declared the California wildfires a "major disaster," the U.S. military said it's preparing to deploy hundreds of active-duty soldiers with engineering specialties to combat the blazes, Fox News has learned. Roughly 200 active-duty U.S. Army soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state will ship out in the coming days, according to two defense officials. The unit will ship out after training to combat fires this week, one official said. The soldiers are from the 14th Brigade Engineer Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Division. The combat engineers specialize in demolition and construction, normally as used in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the unit has deployed over the past decade. It's not immediately clear where the soldiers will be deployed. The troops will join crews flying four active-duty Air Force C-130 cargo planes flying over California to drop water and fire retardant liquids. California national guard units are also battling the blazes. At least nine people have died in the wildfires in California. The White House said in a statement Sunday the president had ordered an increase in federal assistance to help states battle the wildfires. Authorities in Iowa ruled out the possibility that a body of a white woman discovered more than 100 miles southwest of where Mollie Tibbetts was last seen is that of the missing college student. The Lee County Sheriffs Office responded to a report of a dead body about five miles southwest of West Point early Sunday morning, the Des Moines Register reported, citing a press release. Officials said the body is of a white woman in her early to mid-20s. Officials confirmed the remains were not Tibbetts', Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Rick Rahn told the Des Moines Register. Investigators believe theyve identified the body and are contacting the next of kin, Rahn said. The body wasnt immediately identified. The report of a dead body comes as a neighbor revealed to Fox News that a black SUV was seen circling Brooklyn where Tibbetts was staying on the night she vanished. The driver went very slowly around the neighborhood the night of July 18, according to a young woman who lives a block away from the home of Tibbetts' boyfriend, Dalton Jack. Between 11:30 p.m. and 1 a.m., the woman said she observed the suspicious vehicle. She told Fox News that she reported it to the FBI when she was questioned. Investigators so far have not commented on it. Tibbetts was last seen on July 18. The missing University of Iowa sophomore was last seen jogging in the area, where she was dog-sitting at her boyfriend's home. Also on Sunday, an FBI agent questioned the owner of a nearby farm for the third time in connection with Tibbetts' disappearance, although it's unclear why. The agent questioned Wayne Cheney around 5:30 p.m. local time for roughly five to 10 minutes. Cheney has told Fox News he was not involved in the 20-year-old's disappearance. The farmer has not been charged in Tibbetts' case. He said he had never seen Tibbetts before, because he didn't venture into the Brooklyn area, which is several miles from his home. He added he'd allow the FBI to search his entire property and expressed confidence investigators wouldn't find anything. The FBI last week searched his home and some of his property, and looked through his cellphone, the farmer said. He claimed that law enforcement asked him on Thursday to take a polygraph test but he refused to do so. The reward for Tibbetts' safe return jumped to $260,000 as of Sunday. Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa said the missing student's family hopes the reward money will lead to her return. Fox News Cristina Corbin and Andrew Keiper contributed to this report. Chicago's top cop stood side-by-side with Mayor Rahm Emanuel to deliver a message to the residents of their city in the midst of another bloody weekend: "Step up." Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said no arrests have been made yet in the flurry of weekend shootings, which he said were not random, and were "fueled by gang conflicts." Instead, after 11 people were killed and 70 were shot in ongoing violence, Johnson said the onus was on the communities to take responsibility. "As neighborhoods, we can do better," Johnson said at a news conference, adding he and Emanuel are always held accountable. But, Johnson said, there is a lack of accountability in the communities plagued by violence. "I hear people holding us accountable all the time but I never hear people saying 'these individuals out here on the street need to stop pulling the trigger.' I never hear that," Johnson said. "Its the same individuals that continually commit those crimes. Where is the accountability for them?" Johnson said the weekend's violence was focused in four of the city's 22 police districts, on Chicago's West and South Sides, in areas where street gangs are entrenched. "The city isn't on fire, we just have to do what we have to do in those challenged areas to make it better," he said. CHICAGOS GUN VIOLENCE IS INTOLERABLE -- TRUMP SHOULD PROVIDE HELP Johnson, who became commissioner in 2016, said he made the commitment to make the department better, particularly repairing relationships with the black community. But, he said, police can't do it alone and officers need the community's help to solve continued violence. "CPD is only as good as the faith the community has in it," he said. "Every socitial ill simply can't be placed at the doorstep and expect police to fix that. It's not about what the police department can do, it's about what you should do." Emanuel, an ex-chief of staff to former president Barack Obama and a noted top critic of President Trump who has boasted the Windy City as a sanctuary city status and need for more gun restrictions to clamp down on crime, echoed Johnson's appeal to violence-plagued neighborhoods to step up. "If you know who did this, be a neighbor, speak up," Emanuel said, adding that people living in these neighborhoods know who is committing the violence and need to take back their communities. The mayor added that people who live in neighborhoods where the shootings occurred have to be willing to name potential suspects. "All of us know that this is not Chicago, what we saw," he told reporters. All of us who love the city and call it home have the responsibility to deal our neighborhoods." Police have said so far this year violent crime has declined overall in Chicago, with a 20 percent reduction of murders so far in 2018. Still, anti-violence protesters have blocked highways to voice their outrage. Johnson said that the city's residents should be able to gather outside to enjoy block parties without having to worry about being gunned down. "My relatives, people I grew up with in the city call me all the time," he said. "What worries me is in certain areas of the city we begin to normalize these things." CHICAGO'S BLOODY WEEKEND SEES AT LEAST 40 PEOPLE SHOT, 4 OF THEM KILLED The Windy City ended 2017 with fewer homicides, 650, than 2016, when there were 771. Although the drop was significant, it exceeded the combined number of killings in New York City and Los Angeles, which are the two U.S. cities bigger than Chicago. The city's gun violence has drawn widespread attention, including from Trump and his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, who blamed the problem on Chicago's longtime "Democratic rule" in a series of tweets on Sunday and Monday. The former New York City mayor also tweeted his support for Chicago's former superintendent, Garry McCarthy, referring to him as "Jerry" and calling him a "policing genius." "Chicago murders are direct result of one party Democratic rule for decades. Policing genius Jerry McCarthy can do for Chicago what I did for NYC. He was one of the architects of Compstat. Slashed homicides over 70%. Tens of thousands of lives saved," Giuliani tweeted. CHICAGO PROTESTERS DEMANDING RAHM EMANUELS RESIGNATION MARCH TO WRIGLEY FIELD, CLOSING MAJOR ROADS McCarthy announced this year he plans to run for mayor next February against Emanuel, who fired McCarthy in 2015 after the release of dashcam video showing a white police officer shoot a black teenager 16 times. Misspelling Emanuel's last name, Giuliani tweeted: "He can do a lot better than Mayor Emmanuel who is fiddling while Chicago burns." Fox News Katherine Lam and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A baby boy was found unresponsive in the East River near the Brooklyn Bridge on Sunday, prompting New York City officials to launch an investigation into the child's death. A family visiting from Oklahoma spotted the approximately 8-month-old boy wearing a diaper in the shallow water around 4 p.m. Monte Campbell said his wife, Diana, first spotted the child. I thought it was a doll, Campbell told The New York Times. 911, they put me on hold and at that point I decided I had to go make sure. So I handed the phone to her and got the baby. Campbell walked into the East River to retrieve the baby and started CPR. He said the baby had no respiration and didnt show a pulse. Police arrived on the scene minutes later and brought the baby onto a pedestrian walkway and continued CPR. The baby was later taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead, police said. There was no parent or guardian present on the scene and the child showed no signs of trauma, police said. It wasnt clear how long the baby had been in the water. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Police hope a DNA rendering of a woman found badly decomposed in Delaware 41 years ago can breathe new life into a mystery that's stumped investigators for decades. New Castle County police released a new image of a Jane Doe on Sunday, which had been created with DNA-based reconstruction technology, according to Delaware Online. The womans remains were found in a Townsend drainage ditch in June 1977. It was unclear whether she was killed at the ditch or just dumped there, and police have been reluctant to reveal how she was killed in hopes a criminal confession could be corroborated using this information, according to Delaware Online. It's very difficult to solve a cold case homicide when we don't even know who our actual victim is, cold case detective Ret. Sgt. Glenn Davis said. Though there was very little to identify when police discovered her remains, the state medical examiners office attempted to reconstruct the womans face in 1998 and released a photo of what she possibly looked like before she was killed. Detectives extracted DNA samples from the remains and sent it to a Virginia-based lab which predicts physical appearances from DNA. Police revealed the woman was blond with light blue eyes and had a north European ancestry, Delaware Online reported. It was also assumed the woman was of average health and about 48 years old, something which DNA cannot determine. This picture we're looking at from Snapshot is more detailed. They can scientifically say the skin tone and the eye color," cold case investigator Det. Brian Shahan, told Delaware Online. "Once we find out who she is, then we can go back to who she was, who she was associated with, if she was married or if she had children, everything. The woman was discovered in the ditch nude, and it was reported at the time police believed she had been killed elsewhere and dumped. However, authorities werent quite sure exactly where she died. It was also reported investigators believed the woman had children and dyed hair, was missing several teeth and had cracked cartilage in her throat. People nowadays are able to relate to this picture as opposed to the picture that was put out in 1998. It gives fresh eyes and fresh perspective to the case, New Castle County police spokeswoman Sgt. Heather Carter said. When people hear the word DNA, they feel more solid about that information and maybe theyre willing to look at this further. Authorities ask anyone with information on Jane Doe to call 302-395-2781 or 302-395-8216. An armed bystander shot a man who opened fire at a Florida park filled with over 100 people -- including children -- for a Saturday back-to-school cookout, officials said. The Titusville Police Department said in a news release the man was involved in a fistfight with another person at the Issac Campbell Park and left around 5:20 p.m. -- only to return with a gun minutes later and start shooting. A bystander, who was lawfully licensed to carry a firearm, then shot the gunman. We are extremely grateful that nobody else was injured in this incident, Deputy Chief Todd Hutchinson said in a statement. This suspect opened fire at a crowded public park. This could have been so much worse. The gunman, whose firearm was recovered at the scene, was airlifted to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. No one else was injured during the shootout. MORE THAN 450 PEOPLE IN FLORIDA ORDERED TO GIVE UP GUNS UNDER NEW LAW, REPORT SAYS A DJ whose family organized the event at the park told Florida Today he was standing under a pavilion when he heard at least a dozen shots ring out. Dwight Harvey was streaming the event live on his Facebook page when the shooting started. Children and parents could be seen in the video going through supplies when the shots suddenly rang out, WFTV reported. I was like, who lit firecrackers? I turned around and just said, Oh no, hes got a gun, hes got a gun, Harvey told the newspaper. REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER, NRA LOBBYIST CHALLENGE FLORIDA SHERIFF ON 'STAND YOUR GROUND' STANCE IN SHOOTING Harvey told the news outlet he was thankful the bystander was in the right place at the right time to quickly end what could have been an even worse situation. This was standing your ground, in a situation like this with kids involved; not what you saw in Clearwater -- that was murder, Harvey told Florida Today, referring to a controversial shooting last month over a handicapped parking space that's sparked protests. The bystander who shot the suspect waited for officers and has been fully cooperative with the investigation, police said. Neither the shooter nor the bystander have been identified. Matthews said no charges are expected to be filed against the bystander, as his actions were "within the law based on the preliminary investigation." An Iraqi refugee with a lengthy criminal background managed to avoid deportation despite a string of crimes, culminating in the shooting of a Colorado cop Thursday, a Department of Homeland Security official said. The official told Fox News that Karrar Noaman Al Khammasi, 31, was granted an RE1 refugee status in 2012 and has remained in the United States since then. Al Khammasi traveled to the U.S. in December 2012 on a flight from Istanbul, Turkey, to Chicago, Ill. Al Khammasi has a lengthy criminal background dating back to November 05, 2013 with various felony and misdemeanor charges ranging from criminal extortion, trespassing, assault, parole violations, and contempt of court, to felony weapon offenses as recently as January 09, 2018, the official said. The Iraqi refugee, who is being held without bail, was charged with attempted murder after he shot Colorado Springs Officer Cem Duzel in the head early Thursday morning. The cop was in critical but stable condition as of Saturday. Al Khammasi was already known to law enforcement prior to Thursdays shooting. His run-ins with police began a year after he entered the U.S. when he was charged with drunken driving, the Colorado Springs Gazette first reported. About a month later in 2013, Al Khammasi was charged with criminal extortion after investigators determined he threatened a man and his family and set a car on fire. Court records stated Al Khammasi was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty to first-degree trespassing of a dwelling in 2014. Al Khammasi was on an immigration hold that day. His criminal history continued this year when Al Khammasi was arrested in January for allegedly possessing a stolen handgun. He posted $1,000 cash bail in February and was free until Thursdays shooting. Late Monday, The Associated Press reported that Al Khammasi was set to be deported before a 2016 federal appeals court ruled that a portion of immigration law defining violent crime was too vague. A DHS official told AP that prosecutors ended deportation proceedings against him in October of that year, following the ruling by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Al Khammasi missed his Friday court appearance on the gun charge because he was hospitalized following an injury sustained during the alleged police shooting. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A man who police said jumped from a freezer at a restaurant in New York City on Sunday and fought with employees before he reportedly died after being subdued has been connected to two murders in Boston. Carlton Henderson, 54, of Arizona, jumped out of a walk-in freezer around 11:30 a.m. at Sarabeth's Restaurant on the Upper West Side, WABC-TV reported. DELAWARE POLICE HOPE DNA RENDERING OF WOMAN BRUTALLY MURDERED IN 1977 CAN HEAT UP COLD CASE Henderson allegedly began fighting startled employees, who subdued him. Police said that upon arrival, officers saw Henderson unconscious and unresponsive. He was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. It was not immediately clear how or why Henderson was inside the restaurant's freezer, but, according to the New York Post, he shouted, "Away from me, Satan!" and grabbed a knife after he emerged. KANSAS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER DIES AFTER TEAM'S FIRST PRACTICE OF SEASON Authorities on Monday said Henderson was indicted in June 2017 for two counts of murder in the 1988 deaths of two men William Medina, 26, and Antonio Dos Reis, 22 in Boston, Massachusetts. Henderson was reportedly released on bail last week and was scheduled to appear in court Aug. 14. Michigan beachgoers formed human chains into Lake Michigan on Sunday to help rescue swimmers caught in rough waves that were blamed for two deaths and three-near drownings. The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety said in a news release the multiple water rescues took place at Grand Haven State Park Beach starting at 12 p.m., leading to a full beach closure. The first incident came in at 12:05 p.m., when a swimmer was reported struggling in the water and bystanders formed a human chain to help search for the man. Officials told FOX17 that David Knaffle, 64, of Wyoming was located around 12:14 p.m., but was found unresponsive and later died. Nearly four hours later, the department said a 20-year-old man from Lansing was pulled from the water. He also died. "Officers formed several human chains with assistance from bystanders in search of a swimmer that was reported to have gone under the water," Director of Public Safety Jeff Hawke said. "Officers located the man in approximately 5 feet of water and then performed CPR." PORTUGAL BATTLES MAJOR WILDFIRE AS EUROPE HEAT WAVE ENDURES Hawke said that three other people were hospitalized after being rescued from the rough waves, including a 46-year-old man listed in serious condition. A moderate beach hazard remains at the state park on Monday, with waves expected to be between 1-4 feet along Lake Michigan, according to FOX17. A missing New York woman was found dead in the basement of a North Philadelphia home Sunday, eight days after she disappeared, and a man described as her boyfriend has been taken into custody. Police officers found the remains of 50-year-old Vianela Tavera after receiving a number of complaints about a suspicious odor. Investigators said the body was so badly decomposed that they were unable to identify her right away. Tavera, a Bronx native, was last seen on July 28, when she told family members she was going to Philadelphia to visit a man she had been dating. On July 30, police in Fairfax, Va., spotted Tavera's 2013 Acura MDX and arrested 38-year-old Luis Negron-Martinez. The New York Post, citing police sources, reported that officers found a gun and blood in the backseat of the car. The paper also reported that Negron-Martinez told the officers he had killed someone and then "went berserk." Authorities took him to a mental hospital and have since charged him with grand larceny and possession of a concealed weapon. Tavera's family members confirmed to Fox 5 that Negron-Martinez was her long-distance boyfriend. The Post reported the two had been dating for about a year. Click for more from Fox 5. The three mothers of the 11 malnourished children found living in a filthy New Mexico compound were arrested and charged Sunday along with two men described as armed Muslim extremists after authorities raided the property in search of a 4-year-old boy. Jany Leveille, 35; Hujrah Wahhaj, 38, and Subhannah Wahhaj, 35, were arrested and charged with neglect and child abuse of the children. The three women, who were found at the compound in Amalia, initially refused to answer any questions. Siraj Wahhaj, 39, and Lucas Morton also face child abuse charges. Authorities raided the compound Friday as part of their search for 4-year-old Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj, who vanished last December. Abdul-Ghanis mother reported her son missing after Wahhaj took the boy, who turned 4 on Monday, to the park in Clayton County, Ga., and didn't return, The Albuquerque Journal reported. She added the boy suffers from a medical condition. 11 KIDS FOUND ON 'FILTHY' NEW MEXICO COMPOUND DURING SEARCH FOR MISSING 3-YEAR-OLD BOY, SHERIFF SAYS Officials didnt find the 4-year-old at the makeshift compound, but discovered the children ranging from ages 1 to 15 living in what Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe described as the ugliest looking, filthiest living conditions hes witnessed. He added that he only saw a few potatoes and a box of rice. Hogrefe said authorities had conducted surveillance of the compound while looking for the missing boy before he decided Thursday to get a search warrant immediately after a Georgia investigator forwarded a message in which someone at the compound reportedly told another person that people at the compound were starving and needed water. The message sent to a third party simply said in part, We are starving and need food and water, Hogrefe said. I absolutely knew that we couldnt wait on another agency to step up and we had to go check this out as soon as possible. Hogrefe said they found the occupants were most likely heavily armed and considered extremist of the Muslim belief. When police arrived at the scene, Wahhaj was armed with an AR-15 rifle, five loaded 30-round magazines, and four loaded pistols, including one in his pocket, according to Hogrefe. Police said Sunday they are still looking for Abdul-Ghani. Though the five adults refused to provide any information, investigators believe the boy was at the compound in recent weeks. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A 9-year-old North Carolina boy manning his lemonade stand Saturday was robbed at gunpoint by a teen who made off with just $17, officials said. The boy was at his lemonade stand at a roundabout in St. Johns Forest development about 3 p.m. Saturday when a teenager wearing a camouflage hat walked up, pointed a gun at the childs stomach and demanded he hand over the money he'd earned, Union County police said. Philip Smith, the boys father, told FOX46 the cash amounted to about $17. "Never had an incident like this, never thought this would happen," Smith told the news station. "It's pretty low, despicable in my book, and I can't believe someone would stoop that low to steal money from him. POLICE OFFICERS HELP OUT 9-YEAR-OLD'S LEMONADE STAND AFTER HE WAS ROBBED Investigators discovered a camouflage hat, metal tin and a black BB gun in a wooded area near the scene of the crime. "I think people are capable of a lot of things, but not robbing a child at a lemonade stand, that takes it to a new level," said Union County Sheriff's Office chief communications officer Tony Underwood. Smith said his son has been selling lemonade in the neighborhood almost every weekend to help pay for a new lawnmower. Despite the scary incident, Smith said his son and his wife were back on the same street selling lemonade less than 24 hours after the robbery. "We are being resilient and he came out here to sell some lemonade today just to be back at it and taking out time to process everything that happened," Smith said. "We kinda explained it to him that bad things do happen to good people and you never know when it's going to happen to you. You just gotta pray and be glad that he is safe. Police did not identify a potential suspect and are asking neighbors to come forward with surveillance video that may have captured the incident. Parkland, Fla., school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz told a Broward County Sheriff's detective shortly after the murders of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that he had been haunted by a "voice with no name telling me what to do," according to a transcript released Monday. When Cruz's interrogator, Detective John Curcio, asked him what the voice told him to do, Cruz answered: "Burn. Kill. Destroy ... anything." He said he had started hearing the voice after his adopted father died in 2004, but "it started getting worse when my mom passed" in November 2017. According to Cruz, the voice told him to buy the rifle used in the Parkland shooting. He also claimed that if he refused to do what the voice said, it would "tell me to hurt myself." Cruz described the voice as that of a male about his age, and said that the only person he ever told about it was his brother. Prosecutors released the partially redacted transcript after a judge ruled last month that non-confession portions should be made public. Multiple media outlets had sought the statement's release under Florida's public records law. Cruz's attorneys had wanted it suppressed, saying its disclosure could hinder his right to a fair trial. Over the course of his 12-hour statement, Cruz discussed two separate attempts to commit suicide, once through self-induced alcohol poisoning and once through ingesting ibuprofen. He told Curcio that the second attempt happened two months before the Feb. 14 mass shooting and only made him sick. Cruz also told Curcio that he did "a lot" of drugs, specifically Xanax and marijuana, but that "no one knew about it." The transcript indicated Cruz was cooperative when answering Curcio's questions and so soft-spoken that the detective asked the suspect to raise his voice "unless you want me to sit in your lap." When Curcio left the interrogation room, Cruz turned his anger on himself. He repeatedly declined offers of food and answered, "I don't deserve it" when the detective asked if he wanted water. When Curcio left the room to retrieve two bottles of water, Cruz said aloud: "Kill me. Just f---ing kill me. F---." Two hours later, when Curcio left the room to see about recovering Cruz's phone, the suspect raged: "I want to die. At the end, you're nothing but worthless s---, dude. You deserve to die because you're f---ing worthless ..." Cruz faces the death penalty if convicted of the attack, which also wounded 17 others. His attorneys say he would plead guilty in exchange for a life prison sentence, but prosecutors have rejected that offer. Fox News' Kathleen Reuschle and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A Philadelphia police officer was expected to survive his injuries after he was shot in the face Monday while helping SWAT officers serve a warrant at a home, police Commissioner Richard Ross said. Jason Potts, 49, suffered a broken jaw and may have artery damage along with other injuries after he was wounded in a shootout at around 6 a.m. in the Germantown neighborhood, Ross said. He was shot in the face as SWAT officers entered the home. Potts walked into the hospital, but was under heavy sedation due to his injuries. Potts is a 20-year veteran of the force and was due to start vacation later Monday, Mayor Jim Kenney said. The suspected gunman and a 60-year-old woman were critically wounded in the shootout. It wasnt immediately clear whether the woman was shot by police or wounded by the suspect. We want to thank our officers for putting themselves on the line every day and our prayers are with them, Kenney said. The suspected gunman and the woman werent immediately identified and their conditions werent immediately released. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the renewed sanctions against Iran are an important pillar in U.S. policy toward the Tehran government. Pompeo says the sanctions will be rigorously enforced and remain in place until the Iranian government radically changes course. Those sanctions go back in place on Monday. Pompeo told reporters on his way home from a three-nation trip to South East Asia that the Trump administration is open to looking beyond sanctions but adds that would "require enormous change" from Tehran. He said President Donald Trump is intent on getting Iran to "behave like a normal country." U.S. sanctions had been eased by the Obama administration under the terms of the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Trump decided in May to withdraw from the accord. A Texas police officer was reported missing Thursday after failing to return home, and authorities are asking the public for help in the search. Baytown police officer John Stewart Beasley, 46, has been missing since 3:30 p.m. Thursday and was last seen walking away from his home in Cove, Chambers County Sheriff Brian C. Hawthorne said. Several law enforcement agencies have assisted Baytown police, including K-9 teams from League City and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, according to FOX26 Houston. Beasley is described as 5-9, 220 lbs. He has green eyes and buzzed blond hair. He was last seen wearing a gray T-shirt, khaki cargo pants and black hiking shoes. He has a teal blue tribal tattoo on his right shoulder. Police said there were no indications of foul play surrounding his disappearance. Saudi Arabia said it has expelled Canadas ambassador in the kingdom and recalled its own envoy from the North American country after the government in Ottawa expressed concern over recent arrests of civil-society and womens rights activists in the kingdom. Saudi Arabias foreign ministry early Monday said the kingdom was also freezing all new business and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action. "The Ministry also affirmed that the Canadian position is an explicit and transparent interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the ministry said. Saudi Arabia said it considers the Canadian ambassador in Saudi Arabia as persona non grata and gave him a 24-hour notice to leave the kingdom. Representatives for Canadas foreign department didnt respond to a request for comment. Last week, authorities in Saudi Arabia detained two womens rights activists, broadening a campaign of arrests that has drawn international criticism and tainted the kingdoms top-down agenda of change. Those rounded up in recent days include Samar Badawi, who is known for having challenged the kingdoms male guardianship rules and is the sister of one of Saudi Arabias most prominent detainees, liberal blogger Raif Badawi. Ms. Badawi is one of at least 18 civil-rights activists arrested since May, four of whom have been temporarily released, activists say. Many others are banned from traveling outside the kingdom. None of them is known to have been formally charged. The Saudi move on Monday came after the Canadian embassy in Riyadh said Canada was gravely concerned over a new wave of arrests of human-rights campaigners in the kingdom, including Ms. Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists, the embassy tweeted on Friday. Click for more from The Wall Street Journal. It's a match made in Hell. Usama bin Ladens son, Hamza bin Laden, reportedly married the daughter of the lead hijacker of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. The late Al Qaeda leaders half-brothers told The Guardian that Hamza, who has said he wants to avenge his dead terrorist dad, married the daughter of Mohammed Atta, an Egyptian national who hijacked and flew the first plane that crashed into the World Trade Center in 2001, the first blow in the 9/11 assault. We have heard he has married the daughter of Mohammed Atta, Ahmad al-Attas, Hamza bin Ladens half-brother, told the Guardian. Were not sure where he is, but it could be Afghanistan. The half-brother did not offer more details about the reported marriage or where he received the information about the nuptials. Attas personal life has remained mostly shrouded in mystery. The hijacker was reportedly never married and there were no past mentions of his children. USAMA BIN LADEN'S BROTHER PLEADS WITH TERRORIST MASTERMIND'S SON NOT TO FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS Hamza bin Laden, officially designated a terrorist by the U.S., surprised his family by going to Afghanistan where he has become an Al Qaeda leader under Usamas former deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, The Guardian reported Friday. Usamas half-brothers, Ahmad and Hassan, reportedly shook their heads when asked about their nephew. We thought everyone was over this, Hassan told the Guardian. Then the next thing I knew, Hamza was saying, I am going to avenge my father. I dont want to go through that again. Hamza has previously made public statements urging followers to wage war on western cities including Washington and Paris. Fox News' Robert Gearty contributed to this report. Two people were killed and dozens more were injured Monday when an explosion sent flames shooting into the sky from a Bologna-area highway overpass, causing a bridge to partially collapse, Italian police and media reported. Police said up to 70 people were injured when a truck carrying flammable cargo exploded after a traffic accident in Borgo Panigale, located on the outskirts of Bologna. Some of those injured suffered serious burns while others were hit with flying glass when windows shattered in nearby buildings. Officials did not immediately know what kind of explosives were in the tanker, but the news agency ANSA said liquefied petroleum gas was in the truck when it collided with another tanker truck just before 2 p.m., reports said. Fireball-like flames and thick black smoke were seen near the Bologna airport. Flames from the overhead highway fell to the lower level, setting the vehicles below on fire and causing a second explosion. A bridge that overlooks the Via Emilia also partially collapsed. Authorities closed the highway in both directions as firefighters work to put out the fire. A gaping hole was seen in the raised highway next to the tanker. The Associated Press contributed to this report. MUSCAT, Oman -- For more than three years, the international community and UN top brass have been unsuccessfully trying to orchestrate an end to the bloody war in Yemen, waged between a Saudi Arabia-led coalition and the Iran-aligned Houthi insurgency group. And while peace in the blood-spattered country remains far from reality, as the humanitarian crisis continues to spiral and the death count rises, the rebel group is holding firm, and blaming the UN for sending the peace process backwards. We can say right now the political process is suspended, Mohamed Abdel Salam, the spokesman for the Houthi group, known officially as Ansar Allah -- Helpers of God -- told Fox News in an exclusive interview in Muscat, Oman -- a country considered to be a neutral player in foreign policy affairs. Salam says that Martin Griffiths, the British diplomat who took over as the UN envoy to Yemen in March after his two predecessors quit in frustration, has quickly fallen onto a failing path that needs to be redirected. He has a plan which he called the principles. But it is a weak plan. He talked about partial solutions like Hodeidah port and others on the humanitarian level; he didnt do anything. He didnt release any prisoners, he didnt break the surrounding Sanaa and Aden [conflict], he didnt open the airport, he couldnt arrange for any transfer of patients and injuries, Salam lamented. On an economic level he couldnt push the other party to pay salaries so we can say that there is nothing tangible regarding any political process. Griffiths UN office did not respond to a request for comment, but others well-versed in Yemen affairs contended that the current UN envoy enjoys broad support amongst the international community regarding his efforts to bring the opposing parties to the negotiating table. The envoy presented his new peace framework to the council last month. The biggest challenges facing this, and previous, UN Special Envoys has been the sequencing of security and political arrangements, the inability to bridge the distrust between the warring parties, and also to have them trust in the UN-led peace process, said Waleed Alhariri, director of the New York office, Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies. That said, Griffiths proposal is the only platform currently on offer to bring the warring parties together, which is needed to head off Yemens precipitous economic collapse and the continued proliferation of new, autonomous armed groups and militias. Most recently, Yemen has hit the headlines amid fears of a global catastrophe if the coalition moves forward on its currently stalled quest to liberate Hodeidah port from Houthi control, prompting concerns over civilians caught in the crossfire, who are being deprived of the vital food and medicines imported from the crucial port. Yet Salam insists that it is willing to lay down arms -- but with clear caveats. The solution from the Houthi point of view must be comprehensive, rather than a fragmented agenda that looks at single issues, Salam insisted. What we mean by a comprehensive solution plan is that there should be a new presidency and there should be a transitional presidency at least. The transitional government should have specific tasks to accomplish with a specific period, he said. The president should be someone who is accepted by all parties and he shouldnt be a party of the crisis itself. Hadi is considered part of the problem party. But some analysts say acceptance from all sides is no longer a realistic end to the conflict. The only way this is resolved is if the Saudi-led coalition takes full control of the area and pushes the Iranian rebels out. The iterative approach proposed by Martin may be the only approach since an overall plan leaves too many options for rejection. Outright rejection is guaranteed if a comprehensive plan is offered, said Jeff Bardin, chief intelligence officer of Treadstone 71. Current delays provide both sides the option to look as if they are standing down when reinforcements and preparation for a final battle at the post is imminent. This will be bloody, long and protracted, something the coalition does not want. The Saudi-heralded coalition, which receives some logistical support from the U.S. and U.K. and buys weapons from American companies, intervened over its border in March 2015 in an effort to usurp the Houthis control of the capital city Sanaa and restore the internationally-recognized Yemen government, and its standing President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, from exile. While the coalition is adamant that Hadi represents a legitimate government and the right to lead, the Houthis perceived him as being too controlled by Saudi Arabia even before the war broke out. 'The only way this is resolved is if the Saudi-led coalition takes full control of the area and pushes the Iranian rebels out.' Jeff Bardin, chief intelligence officer of Treadstone 71 The presidency should be a committee. There should be a head plus four individuals and they should represent all sectors of society and it should be a unity government that combines all parties, Salam explained. This government should not look down on or go against any party in Yemen. They should be part of it, part of that government. This authority should be accepted by all parties. And even though peace talks have made no progress in recent weeks, Salam said the Houthis are ready for some sort of temporary ceasefire or cessation of hostilities. This can be accomplished if there is a will. There should be ceasefire committees for all parties, including the UN. They should supervise all fronts, Salam noted. Martin [Griffiths] should announce the time and the date for the troops and everyone should accept it and they should have agreement backed by everyone. However, deep distrust permeates not only the warring parties, but within the Houthi Movement itself. The opposition group went on to kill Yemens former President Saleh in December last year. Saleh, who once fought the rebel outfit, switched sides and mobilized their support before the Sanaa takeover in 2014, in a bid to regain power after having been made to pass the baton to his now exiled vice president, Hadi. The brutal and sudden death of Saleh in the streets of Sanaa was largely viewed as being something of a mistake by many Yemenis and international observers, illuminating their barbarity. Salam says the rebel group has no regrets and Salehs death has made them stronger as they believe he was secretly colluding with the enemy. Many problems were solved. Saleh was an opportunist, he would take whatever was there, Salam said. What he got was a natural result. We think any future of Yemen would be more stable without Saleh. And while Salam denied that the Houthis receive significant amounts of support from the Shia-governed Iran, dismissing it as Saudi Arabian propaganda to justify their war to the world, he did elaborate on the groups Tehran-inspired Death to America, Death to Israel, a Curse Upon the Jews. Victory to Islam. These slogans express how upset we are about the U.S. foreign policy in this region and how we think they are responsible for events in this region, he said. We believe that Saudi Arabia is not carrying it, this war, against us alone. It is supported by the U.S. Therefore, U.S. is killing children. U.S. involvement in the Yemen conflict has become increasingly controversial in recent months. Although various bipartisan efforts by lawmakers to force America entirely out of the illegal war, as termed by the Friends Committee on National Legislation, efforts have fallen flat given the U.S. strong ties to Saudi Arabia and its reliance on them to help fight Al Qaeda and ISIS in southern pockets of Yemen. As it stands, the U.S. supports the Saudi-led coalition by assisting with logistics such as air refueling and has fired Tomahawk missiles at radar sites operated by Houthi rebels inside Yemen. And in a parting note, the Houthi spokesperson hinged on whether the group should take its verbal statements any further. Saudi Arabia uses American weapons. And the coalition operation room in Riyadh has officers supporting and providing coordinates, he added. So actually they are killing us. Why are we just saying Death to America? A journalists' association in Hong Kong says it will defy the Chinese government and follow through with a planned speech by a pro-independence activist that has become a mounting political flashpoint in the city. China's foreign ministry asked the Foreign Correspondents Club this month to cancel a talk by Andy Chan of the Hong Kong National Party. The request raised questions about Beijing's growing influence in the former British colony, which was promised semi-autonomy and freedom of speech as part of a 1997 handover arrangement. Current and former Hong Kong leaders have criticized the FCC for hosting Chan, whose party is facing a possible ban on national security grounds. The FCC said in a statement Monday it believes its members and the public have the right "to hear the views of different sides in any debate" and will continue with the event. "We believe that in free societies such as Hong Kong it is vitally important to allow people to speak and debate freely, even if one does not agree with their particular views," the club statement said. The 75-year-old organization has previously hosted politicians and newsmakers, including pro-Beijing speakers, at its iconic clubhouse in central Hong Kong. It is set to host Chan on Aug. 14 for a talk titled "Hong Kong Nationalism: A Politically Incorrect Guide to Hong Kong under Chinese Rule." The perception that Beijing is reneging on its promise and eroding Hong Kong's free elections and freedom of speech is helping fuel a rising generation of young activists calling for greater autonomy, if not outright independence. Huge pro-democracy protests erupted in 2014 in response to the decision by China's ruling Communist Party to retain the right to effectively pre-screen candidates for Hong Kong's leadership. The movement has been met with repeated warnings from Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping, that separatist activity would not be tolerated. Hong Kong police have told Chan, 27, that he has until Sept. 4 to provide a legal defense of the HKNP or else it will be disbanded under a 1997 ordinance that allows authorities to shut down groups deemed an imminent threat to national security. Hong Kong officials have dismissed the FCC's argument that Chan's appearance amounts to a free speech matter, with the territory's former chief executive C.Y. Leung equating the FCC event with giving a platform to "criminals and terrorists." Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam told reporters on Sunday that it was "inappropriate" for the FCC to host Chan and asked the organization to respect that Hong Kong is an unalienable part of China. Relations between Saudi Arabia and Canada have taken a sudden turn for the worse after the Canadian foreign minister called for the release of detained women's rights activists. The dispute has been seen as a sign to the world that Riyadh will not tolerate criticism of its human rights policies, while it undergoes slow-moving reforms. The disagreement started when the Canadian foreign minister tweeted: "Very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi, Raif Badawi's sister, has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia," she wrote. "Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, and we continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi." In response to the tweet, Saudi Arabia expelled the Canadian ambassador and froze "all new business" with Ottawa. Canada receives 10 percent of its imported crude oil from Saudi Arabia while bilateral trade between the two nations is $3 billion a year. The Saudi Foreign Ministry also gave Canadian Ambassador Dennis Horak 24 hours to leave the kingdom and said it would recall its ambassador to Canada. Under the guidance of new crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has embarked on a series of sweeping reforms some of them angering the countrys conservative base. Just this year, they allowed women to drive. But Saudi Arabia has been clear that only it will decide the pace of its own change and it will not be pressured by other countries. The Saudi foreign ministry responded in a statement, saying: It insisted the activists were being detained lawfully and that the Canadian statements represented "blatant interference in the kingdom's domestic affairs" and "a major, unacceptable affront to the kingdom's laws and judicial process." The dispute also comes at a time when relations between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. are particularly close - with President Trump making it clear he is rebuilding relations with the kingdom after Obama reached out to their arch enemy Iran. Other countries, including Germany and Sweden, have also found themselves targeted by the kingdom in recent months over comments by its officials on the Saudi-led war in Yemen. The Taiwanese-controlled island of Kinmen located just off the Chinese coast has begun importing water from its neighbor via a pipeline despite heightened tensions between Beijing and Taipei. Water from Jinjiang in China's Fujian province began flowing through the 16-kilometer (10-mile) -long pipeline Sunday under a 30-year contract. The island, about three times the size of Manhattan, has long been short of water and hordes of tourists have put an extra strain on supplies. The move shows how trade and other non-political ties have been relatively unaffected by the diplomatic freeze instituted two years ago by China, which claims Taiwan as a part of its territory to be annexed by force if necessary. In recent months, China has increased Taiwan's diplomatic isolation and stepped up military threats by sending warplanes on patrols around the island and staging war games on its side of the Taiwan Strait. It has also offered preferential terms for talented young people from the high-tech island to work in cities such as Shanghai and Beijing that offer much larger potential markets than those available in Taiwan. China has taken an increasingly hard line since the election of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who has refused to endorse Beijing's insistence that Taiwan is a part of China. Kinmen was retained by Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists as they fled the Communist takeover of the mainland in 1949. For years, it was bombarded by Communist artillery leaving it strewn with shells and its beaches covered in barbed wire. With the end of open conflict, the island was opened to tourism in the 1990s and has grown increasingly popular with visitors from both China and Taiwan's main island. The $1.35 billion water project will provide Kinmen's 128,000 people with up to 55,000 tons of water per day. The head of Kinmen's local government, Chen Fu-hai, has suggested the island could in future import electricity from China and even build a bridge to the mainland, drawing a rebuke from Taiwan's central government that such decisions weren't up to the local government alone. [This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Gamasutra and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press.] Milan, August the 6th Milestone and Ducati are kicking off an exclusive social media contest to give all players the possibility to be part of RIDE 3, a tribute to the motorbike culture. The mechanics of the social media contest is very simple: Follow RIDE 3 Instagram account; Comment the posts with a sentence that summarize what living the motorcycle really means to you; Tag a friend you share your bike passion with. A jury will collect all eligible comments from the users and select the best one, meaning the most original and appealing: the winner will see his sentence included in RIDE 3 end credits and will be invited by Ducati to visit the official Ducati Museum and Ducati Factory in Bologna. Moreover, Ducati will offer special prizes to the second and third best comments. For more details, visit the page: https://www.instagram.com/ridevideogame Join the competition right now: comment here! RIDE 3 will be released on November 8th on PlayStation4, Xbox One and Windows PC/STEAM. Press material available at the following FTP link: Host: ftp.milestone.it Username: Press Password: prsc2k12 Manuela "Mona" Rodriguez, of Long Beach was shot in the head by the safety officer, Eddie F. Gonzalez, on the afternoon of Sept. 27 about a block from Millikan High School, authorities said. Major call out for fire brigade : Blaze destroys house roof in Konigswinter-Vinxel KONIGSWINTER The house of a woman who is on holidays currently, is uninhabitable since a fire on Sunday afternoon. One fire fighter was injured during the incident, the police investigate. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken A fire has destroyed the roof truss of a house in Konigswinter-Vinxel on Sunday afternoon. The fire brigade was able to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the building and the surrounding vegetation, but the house is now uninhabitable. Residents had noticed the smell of smoke and contacted the fire brigade around 4.45pm. Shortly afterwards, smoke rose from the house on Markgrafenstrae. Neighbours handed the fire fighters a key as the resident of the house is on holidays currently. The fire brigade fought the fire from the inside and the outside, with the aid of a turntable ladder, to avoid the fire spreading to the trees close-by and other levels in the building. After about two hours the fire brigade had the blaze under control, but the aftermath work continued into the evening. One fire fighter was injured in the incident and was brought to hospital by ambulance. In total, 60 fire fighters were called out, from units in Bockeroth, Oelberg, Oberdollendorf, Uthweiler, plus the old town volunteer fire department Konigswinter, as well as the Holtorf unit of the fire brigade Bonn under commandment of city fire inspector Michael Dahm. Neighbours and the Red Cross supplied emergency personnel with cold beverages. The cause of the fire is unclear as Bonn police investigate. OTTAWA, July 31, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orezone Gold Corporation (TSXV:ORE) (Orezone or the Company) is pleased to report ongoing results from its targeted shallow infill Reverse Circulation Drilling (RC) and Diamond Core Drilling (DD) within the Bombore mining lease. This programme totalled 196 RC boreholes (12,193 m) and 30 DD boreholes (3,756 m) that were drilled during Q2 2018 in the Maga, P11 and Siga East areas. These new results continue to show the presence and continuity of discrete higher-grade zones within the mineral reserve pit shells. Several zones have been drilled since July 2017 (see press releases of November 27th and September 12th, 2017 for previous results on some of these targets), and these current results continue to reflect the grade and continuity of each of these zones. It is expected that the improved definition of these discrete higher-grade zones in the next mineral resource update should have a positive impact on the mineral inventory within the infill drilling areas when compared to the current resource model that formed the basis of the recently released Definitive Feasibility Study. A general location map is shown in the attached presentation (link). The results of each target are discussed below, with highlights presented from north to south across the strike length that was tested. A. Maga Area The 2018 drilling programme targeted four separate zones with higher-than-average gold grades with the objectives to better define the geometry (strike, dip and plunge) and continuity of the shallow portion of these zones. The programme was designed to complete the 25 m by 25 m definition drilling pattern in the oxide zone, and on three of the four zones, to step down into the top portion of the sulphide zone. Based on the recent results, further infill and step out definition drilling are warranted in all four areas, in both the oxidized and sulphide zones. Footwall Zone (Oxide and sulphide targets) The recent drilling programme targeted the northern portion of a 2.4-km reserve pit shell, over a strike of 450 m where 16 RC holes (1,194 m) and 5 DD holes (731 m) were drilled. In this area, the Footwall Zone mineralization is hosted in the nose of a mesoscopic tightly folded sequence of carbonaceous meta-argillite interbedded with metasandstones over a strike length of about 1.2 km. The sequence is oriented N045 and is dipping about 75 degrees to the SSE. Highlights from Maga Footwall Zone Programme (True width is about 90% of the drill intercept length. Unless otherwise specified, all intercepts are from the oxidized and semi-oxidized units): BBD1022: from 34.50 to 41.00 m: 6.50 m @ 2.89 gpt, and from 101.00 to 109.00 m: 8.00 m @ 2.53 gpt; BBC4935: from 63 to 75 m: 12 m @ 2.99 gpt, including 1 m @ 26.4 gpt from 63 to 64 m; BBD1020: from 123.90 to 131.00 (sulphide zone): 7.10 m @ 2.30 gpt, including 1.15 m @ 8.9 gpt from 125.50 to 126.65 m; and from 161.00 to 166.00 (sulphide zone): 5.00 m @ 3.17 gpt, including 1.00 m @ 12.8 gpt from 161.00 to 162.00 m; BBC4936: from 23 to 43 m: 20 m @ 1.64 gpt; and BBC4941: from 26 to 44 m: 18 m @ 1.17 gpt. Maga Hill Zone (Oxide and sulphide targets) The Maga Hill zone is located on the hanging wall of the main Maga Footwall zone. The 2018 drilling programme consisted of 6 RC holes (367 m) and 10 DD holes (1,245 m), over a strike length of 175 m. The gold mineralization is hosted in a tightly folded sequence of meta-sediments, biotite schist (meta-gabbro) and meta-granodiorite. The sequence is oriented N045 and is dipping about 70 degrees to the SSE. Highlights from Maga Hill Programme (True width is about 95% of the drill intercept length. Unless otherwise specified, all intercepts are from the oxidized and semi-oxidized units): BBD1033: from 22.00 to 31.00 m: 9.00 m @ 3.09 gpt, and from 93.00 to 103.00 m (sulphide zone): 10.00 m @ 2.29 gpt; BBD1032: from 64.50 to 69.50 m: 5.00 m @ 2.07 gpt; BBC4955: from 29 to 45 m: 16 m @ 4.62 gpt, including 6 m @ 8.1 gpt from 36 to 42 m; BBC4956: from 65 to 72 m: 7 m @ 5.73 gpt, including 4 m @ 9.1 gpt from 65 to 69 m; BBD1031: from 5.50 to 13.00 m: 7.50 m @ 1.96 gpt; from 35.00 to 50.50 m: 15.50 m @ 1.21 gpt; and from 123.00 to 129.55 (sulphide zone): 6.55 m @ 2.80 gpt; BBD1030: from 16.00 to 29.00 m: 13.00 m @ 1.13 gpt; BBD1024: from 21.00 to 44.50 m: 23.50 m @ 4.31 gpt, including 4.20 m @ 19.0 gpt from 40.30 to 44.50 m; BBD1027: from 11.50 to 24.50 m: 13.00 m @ 3.99 gpt, including 2.00 m @ 18.9 gpt from 11.50 to 13.50 m; and from 56.50 to 69.00 m : 12.50 m @ 4.26 gpt, including 6.00 m @ 7.0 gpt from 58.50 to 64.50 m; BBD1028: from 104.00 to 115.00 m (sulphide zone): 11.00 m @ 1.15 gpt; BBC4951: from 14 to 25 m: 11 m @ 2.46 gpt, including 3 m @ 4.4 gpt from 16 to 19 m; BBD1025: from 66.60 to 68.80 m (sulphide zone): 2.20 m @ 5.76 gpt, including 1.20 m @ 8.9 gpt from 67.60 to 68.80 m; BBC4953: from 24 to 40 m: 16 m @ 5.20 gpt, including 3 m @ 12.1 gpt from 30 to 33 m. 3653 Zone (Oxide targets) The 3653 zone is located on the hanging wall of the main Maga Footwall zone. The recent drilling programme consisted of 8 RC holes (777 m), over a strike length of 100 m (the oxide zone is open at both ends). The gold mineralization is hosted along the footwall contact of a porphyritic granodiorite intruding a metasandstone. The sequence is oriented N045 and is dipping about 75 degrees to the SSE. Highlights from 3653 Zone (True width is about 90% of the drill intercept length. All intercepts are from the oxidized and semi-oxidized units): BBC4943: from 20 to 34 m: 14 m @ 1.26 gpt; BBC4944: from 56 to 66 m: 10 m @ 1.11 gpt; BBC4947: from 21 to 31 m: 10 m @ 2.20 gpt, including 1 m @ 13.4 gpt from 22 to 23 m; BBC4950: from 12 to 22 m: 10 m @ 1.26 gpt. 3645 Zone (Oxide and sulphide targets) The 3645 zone is located on the hanging wall of the main Maga Footwall zone. The drilling programme consisted of 16 RC holes (1,201 m) and 3 DD holes (435 m), over a strike length of 375 m. The gold mineralization is hosted within the same porphyritic granodiorite as the 3653 zone, on its structural hanging wall. The sequence is oriented N025 and is dipping about 70 degrees to the ESE. Highlights from 3645 Zone (True width is about 95% of the drill intercept length. Unless otherwise specified, all intercepts are from the oxidized and semi-oxidized units): BBC4917: from 15 to 26 m: 11 m @ 1.03 gpt; BBD1018: from 109.00 to 113.00 m (sulphide zone): 4.00 m @ 17.80 gpt, including 1.00 m @ 64.4 gpt from 111.00 to 112.00 m; BBC4915: from 30 to 40 m: 10 m @ 1.04 gpt; BBC4912: from 19 to 26 m: 7 m @ 1.49 gpt; BBC4906: from 37 to 46 m: 9 m @ 1.14 gpt. B. P11 Area The 2018 drilling programme is a follow-up to the 2017 P11 RC drilling programme (see press release of November 27th, 2017). The 2018 programme was designed to complete the 25 m by 25 m definition drilling pattern in the oxide zone over a strike length of 1.2 km, and to step down into the top portion of the sulphide zone. The gold mineralization is hosted in a sequence of meta-sediments, biotite schist (meta-gabbro) and meta-granodiorite. This lithostratigraphic sequence defines a very tight synformal fold open to the north, with a west limb oriented N350 and an east limb oriented N360. The lithological contacts, the regional foliation and the mineralized envelopes are all dipping about 65 degrees to the ENE. The recent drilling programme consisted of 74 RC holes (4,015 m) and 12 DD holes (1,346 m). Highlights from P11 (True width is about 95% of the drill intercept length. Unless otherwise specified, all intercepts are from the oxidized and semi-oxidized units): BBC4901: from 61 to 69 m: 8 m @ 1.94 gpt, including 1 m @ 5.4 gpt from 63 to 64 m; BBC4897: from 43 to 49 m: 6 m @ 6.12 gpt, including 3 m @ 9.9 gpt from 44 to 47 m; BBC4867: from 28 to 32 m: 4 m @ 3.64 gpt, including 1 m @ 10.0 gpt from 31 to 32 m; BBC4862: from 8 to 15 m: 7 m @ 1.98 gpt, including 2 m @ 4.1 gpt from 10 to 12 m; BBC4863: from 36 to 46 m: 10 m @ 1.61 gpt; BBC4848: from 37 to 43 m: 6 m @ 2.04 gpt, including 1 m @ 8.4 gpt from 38 to 39 m; BBC4871: from 7 to 10 m: 3 m @ 3.52 gpt, including 1 m @ 8.2 gpt from 8 to 99 m; BBC4861: from 3 to 7 m: 4 m @ 2.64 gpt, including 1 m @ 8.4 gpt from 6 to 7 m; BBD1012: from 33.00 to 34.00 m: 1.00 m @ 48.85 gpt; BBC4859: from 8 to 14 m: 6 m @ 3.86 gpt, including 2 m @ 7.7 gpt from 12 to 14 m; BBC4858: from 14 to 19 m: 5 m @ 4.44 gpt; BBC4845: from 4 to 11 m: 7 m @ 1.51 gpt; BBC4848: from 37 to 43 m: 6 m @ 2.04 gpt, including 1 m @ 8.4 gpt from 38 to 39 m; BBD1007: from 43.00 to 48.00 m: 5.00 m @ 2.17 gpt, and from 94.00 to 107.00 m (sulphide zone): 13.00 m @ 0.82 gpt; BBC4835: from 1 to 14 m: 13 m @ 1.35 gpt, including 1 m @ 8.8 gpt from 5 to 6 m; C. Siga East Area The 2018 drilling programme is a follow-up to the 2017 Siga East RC drilling programme (see press release of September 12th, 2017). The 2018 programme was designed to complete the 25 m by 25 m definition drilling pattern in the oxide zone over a strike length of 800 m along the main Footwall Zone, and to advance the definition of various hanging wall mineralized zones. The gold mineralization is hosted in a sequence of meta-sediments, biotite schist (meta-gabbro) and meta-granodiorite. This lithostratigraphic sequence defines a large S-fold with long limbs oriented N350 and a short limb oriented N360. The recent drilling programme consisted of 71 RC holes (4,301 m). Siga East Footwall Zone (Oxide targets) The Siga East Footwall zone is located along the west limb of the S-fold. The lithological contacts, the regional foliation and the mineralized envelopes are all dipping about 55 degrees to the ENE. Highlights from Siga East Footwall Zone (True width is about 100% of the drill intercept length. All intercepts are from the oxidized and semi-oxidized units): BBC4829: from 0 to 18 m: 18 m @ 0.98 gpt; BBC4830: from 10 to 23 m: 13 m @ 1.17 gpt, including 1 m @ 6.2 gpt from 10 to 11 m; BBC4831: from 52 to 55 m: 3 m @ 24.96 gpt, including 1 m @ 74.0 gpt from 54 to 55 m; BBC4806: from 4 to 6 m: 2 m @ 7.59 gpt; BBC4807: from 12 to 16 m: 4 m @ 14.36 gpt, including 1 m @ 54.7 gpt from 14 to 15 m; BBC4803: from 55 to 58 m: 3 m @ 3.45 gpt, including 1 m @ 8.1 gpt from 55 to 56 m; BBC4804: from 33 to 44 m: 11 m @ 1.02 gpt; BBC4797: from 65 to 71 m: 6 m @ 3.83 gpt, including 1 m @ 20.5 gpt from 66 to 67 m; BBC4798: from 27 to 33 m: 6 m @ 3.39 gpt, including 1 m @ 9.2 gpt from 28 to 29 m; BBC4792: from 10 to 21 m: 11 m @ 0.92 gpt; BBC4793: from 32 to 45 m: 13 m @ 1.43 gpt; BBC4789: from 14 to 25 m: 11 m @ 0.95 gpt; BBC4788: from 16 to 26 m: 10 m @ 1.47 gpt, including 1 m @ 5.1 gpt from 20 to 21 m; and from 55 to 70 m: 15 m @ 1.34 gpt; BBC4770: from 34 to 36 m: 2 m @ 7.25 gpt; BBC4764: from 11 to 12 m: 1 m @ 22.93 gpt; BBC4762: from 15 to 25 m: 10 m @ 1.01 gpt; Siga East Hanging Wall Zones (Oxide targets) The Siga East Hanging Wall Zones are located along the short limb of the S-fold. Highlights from Siga East Hanging Wall Zones (True width to be determined. All intercepts are from the oxidized and semi-oxidized units): BBC4824: from 12 to 19 m: 7 m @ 1.52 gpt; BBC4799: from 63 to 65 m: 2 m @ 10.64 gpt; BBC4790: from 42 to 48 m: 6 m @ 2.41 gpt; BBC4785: from 43 to 47 m: 4 m @ 3.65 gpt, including 1 m @ 12.2 gpt from 43 to 44 m; BBC4777: from 0 to 14 m: 14 m @ 1.28 gpt; BBC4778: from 14 to 43 m: 29 m @ 0.67 gpt; BBC4779: from 0 to 20 m: 20 m @ 1.09 gpt; Patrick Downey, President and CEO stated, The encouraging results from the 2017 drill program and this most recent Q2 2018 drilling program targeting higher-grade zones within the Bombore mining lease have further validated our belief that better-than-reserve grade mineralization exists within the reserve pit shells in specifically targeted areas. We are confident that once properly modelled within planned Resource updates that future mining of these zones could lead to significantly better gold grades in these areas than the grades currently predicted by the Companys mineral reserve model. Furthermore, these most recent drilling results show that these higher-grade zones may continue into the sulphide resources beneath the oxide pits and there is potential to add additional higher-grade sulphides similar to that at P17 (see press release of July 16th, 2018) which could add to the future production profile of Bombore. Sampling, analytical and QAQC protocols The mineralized intervals are based on a lower cut-off grade (LCOG) of 0.45 gpt, a minimal width of 2 m and up to a maximum of 2 m of dilution being included between samples above the LCOG. The true width of the mineralization is yet to be determined at Siga East Hanging Wall zones, and is approximately 90% of the drill length at Maga Footwall and 3653 zones, 95% of the drill length at Maga Hill, Maga 3645 and P11 zones, and 100% of the drill length at Siga East Footwall zone. The RC drilling samples were divided by Orezone employees using Rotary Sample Dividers (RSDs). A 2-kg split was prepared by SGS Burkina Faso s.a.r.l. at the Bombore sample preparation facility and then split by Orezone to 1 kg using RSDs. A 1-kg aliquot was analyzed for leachable gold at BIGS Global Burkina s.a.r.l in Ouagadougou, by bottle-roll cyanidation using a LeachWellTM catalyst. The leach residues from all samples with a leach grade in excess of 0.2 gpt were prepared by BIGS Global Burkina s.a.r.l. and then split by Orezone to 50 g using RSDs. A 50-g aliquot was analyzed by fire assay at SGS Burkina Faso s.a.r.l. The composite width and grade include the final leach residue assay results for all of the drill intercepts reported. Orezone employs a rigorous Quality Control Program (QCP) including a minimum of 10% standards, blanks and duplicates. A complete list of assay results from the current drilling programme can be found on the Companys website at the following link (Drill Results). Qualified Person(s) Tim Miller, SME and COO, Pascal Marquis, Geo and SVP and Patrick Downey, P.Eng and CEO of Orezone, are Qualified Persons under National Instrument 43-101 and have approved the information in this release. Readers should refer to the annual information form of Orezone for the year ended December 31, 2017 and other continuous disclosure documents filed by Orezone since January 1, 2018 available at www.sedar.com, for this detailed information, which is subject to the qualifications and notes set forth therein. About Orezone Gold Corporation Orezone is a Canadian company with a successful gold discovery track record and mine development experience in Burkina Faso, West Africa. The Company owns a 90% interest in Bombore, a fully permitted, undeveloped oxide gold deposit in West Africa, which is situated 85 km east of the capital city, adjacent to an international highway. For further information please contact Orezone at +1 (613) 241-3699 or visit the Companys website at www.orezone.com. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are frequently characterized by words such as plan, expect, project, intend, believe, anticipate, estimate, potential, possible and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions may, will, could, or should occur. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding, among others; the drill results from the Maga Area (Footwall Zone, Maga Hill Zone, 3653 Zone, and 3645 Zone), P11 and Siga East (Siga East Footwall Zone and Siga East Hanging Wall Zones) will improve the definition of discrete higher-grade zones in the next mineral resource updates with a positive impact on the mineral inventory when compared to the current resource model; additional infill and step out definition drilling are warranted in the Maga Area; drill results from the 2017 and recent 2018 programs validate managements belief that better-than-average grade mineralization exists within the reserve pit shells in the targeted areas and future mining could lead to better gold grades than those currently predicted by the Companys mineral reserve model; and possible extension of these higher-grade zones into the sulphide resources which may add to the future production profile of Bombore. All such forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believe are appropriate in the circumstances. These statements, however, 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 including, but not limited to, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, the failure of exploration programs, including drilling programs, to deliver anticipated results and the failure of ongoing and contemplated studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued studies, development or operations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release. Neither 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. Assisted-living services have blossomed over the past two decades as part of a larger movement toward individualized, person-centered care. Before the early 1980s, older adults and people with disabilities who needed long-term assistance had limited options, and the services available at that time were often institutional and fragmented.Today, these services are far more numerous, integrated and personal, offering practical support to people who need help with basic daily needs but prefer to receive it in a home-like setting. But federal and state regulatory entities still seek a cohesive way to administer oversight and uphold the health and welfare of older adults receiving the growing number of service options.The challenge in overcoming this fragmentation is building a system that standardizes accountability and quality expectations nationwide while allowing the dynamic, individualized nature of assisted-living services to continue flourishing. A recent Government Accountability Office report found such a challenge in the administration of what are known as 1915(c) Medicaid waivers, which allow states to provide home- or community-based care to people who might otherwise not be eligible under the federal health-care program. According to the report, 26 of the 48 states that receive Medicaid dollars for assisted-living services were unable, due to a lack of adequate tracking systems, to report the number of critical incidents that occurred in assisted-living organizations offering Medicaid-funded services.Clearly, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements for tracking and reporting of deficiencies and critical incidents could benefit from clarification across the states. A single definition of assisted living, while taking state licensing variations into account, also would be useful. The current inconsistencies lead to provider confusion, incomplete and non-uniform reporting, and a lack of usable data to improve safety and quality of care.A potential solution to these consistency challenges is to weave private-sector accreditation into CMS's requirements for 1915(c) waivers. Not only do accreditation standards already encompass requirements for identification, tracking and reporting of critical incidents, but they also focus on performance-improvement practices to mitigate the recurrence of critical incidents and ultimately improve the quality of care received by Medicaid beneficiaries.There is plenty of precedent for this approach. U.S. federal and state authorities, as well as Canadian provincial authorities, frequently adopt private accreditation as part of licensure requirements and conditions of funding in many areas of health and human services.For example, when the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration sought to improve quality of care in opioid treatment programs, it commissioned a study to examine the impact of accreditation as an oversight framework. That study, published in 2006, found that the shift to accreditation was beneficial for the field, particularly in ensuring more uniform standards across states.Similarly, in 2013 the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses conducted a study , partly funded by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to examine the benefits of accreditation in nursing homes offering short-term rehabilitation. The study found that accredited nursing homes demonstrate better short-term-stay quality measures. It concluded that approaches beyond traditional regulation and governmental inspections, such as accreditation, are necessary to improve the quality of care.CMS and state agencies should seriously consider implementing such an approach for assisted-living services receiving Medicaid dollars. Requiring organizations to submit their accreditation reports to the state, or to submit data they are required to collect as a condition of accreditation standards, would address many of the gaps brought up in the Governmental Accountability Office report.Using national and international accreditation also would create a centralized definition of assisted living and other types of programs through which such services might be offered, such as home- and community-based health care services. And it would support the field in its primary goal of providing quality, accountable, person-centered care.Each year, 330,000 people receive Medicaid benefits for assisted-living services. As the population of the United States continues to age, these living arrangements will remain a valuable service for those who require assistance with activities of daily living. As the nation's primary payer for long-term-care services, Medicaid is in a terrific position to leverage accreditation standards and support quality in the growing assisted-living field. The Kentucky Department of Revenue has collected at least $50 million since 2006 from students who owed money to nearly all of Kentucky's public universities, and gotten millions more in fees.Much of that money has come from garnishing paychecks and tax refunds, which the revenue department, unlike a regular collections agency, can do without a court order.A Fayette County judge recently declared illegal UK HealthCare's use of the revenue department to collect unpaid debts from patients, a decision UK appealed directly to the Kentucky Supreme Court.The revenue department, though, also serves as the debt collector for every public university in the state, except the University of Louisville. For its services, the department adds a 25 percent collection fee that debtors must pay.Five of those universities filed a "friend of the court" brief in support of UK's appeal, asking the court to dismiss the lawsuit because it could have "devastating effects on the schools.""This is important because it's a substantial way of our collecting monies that are owed the commonwealth," said Jane Fitzpatrick, general counsel at Morehead State University, who authored the motion. "There's a substantial process that goes on, but it's a means of the commonwealth collecting its dollars."The other four schools are Western Kentucky University, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Eastern Kentucky University and Murray State University. The debts are usually related to missing tuition payments.Fitzpatrick pointed out that after a decade of state funding cuts to higher education, tuition dollars have gone from making up one-third of Morehead State's budget to two-thirds. "We feel it more and more when people don't pay," she said.According to the brief, KCTCS has referred almost $80 million in debt to the revenue department for collection, and has received $44.8 million back. Thanks to the 25 percent fee, the revenue department has collected another $11 million for itself.Department spokesman Glenn Waldrop said that money is used to pay for collections efforts.Critics contend the revenue department is abusing its power and violating debtors' rights to due process. Private collection agencies have to take debtors to court for a final judgment before property liens and other governmental maneuvers can be applied.Daniel Mullins, a former UK student, told the Herald-Leader he once received notification that he owed back tuition to UK. While he was disputing the bill, it was referred to the revenue department, which threatened to garnish his wages."It's really sad that a private citizen should have to hire a lawyer and defend themselves against their own state government's opportunistic contracting out of the mechanisms it created to go after those who owe huge amounts of unpaid taxes, and for private debts that haven't received any sort of judgment whatsoever," he said. "How many UK students struggling to get their life started will just start out feeling the full force of a state agency doing its best to crush them?"Fitzpatrick, though, said students receive numerous notifications about their debts before they are referred to the revenue department. The process also allows students to appeal the process in administrative hearings conducted by the Office of the Attorney General.Her motion said the five institutions have referred collection receipts of more than $59 million, but it did not break down the amounts for every school.Morehead State has used the service since 2009, and has received $8.4 million in recovered money.The motion cites another lawsuit filed against Eastern Kentucky University and the revenue department by Roy Morgan, who was charged for two semesters of out-of-state tuition even though he allegedly lived in Kentucky and didn't attend school that year. Morgan was in the process of disputing the claim when it was turned over to the Department of Revenue.His lawyer, Ronald Bowling of Williamsburg, said under Kentucky's usury laws, the "fee" charged by the department exceeds what a collection agency could collect."I think it's absurd," he said.The revenue department began collecting debts for other government entities in 2004, when the General Assembly passed a law expanding the department's collection powers. Previously, the department collected child support and judicial fees for executive branch agencies.The department now collects debts for 19 state agencies, said spokesman Glenn Waldrop. Those efforts have generated about $28 million in collection fees, he said.In the lawsuit under appeal, Lexington attorney Doug Richards sought a ruling against UK HealthCare on behalf of a former patient, whose paychecks were being garnished for bills she should not have received, he said.Fayette Circuit Judge James Ishmael ruled UK could not refer debts to the revenue department because of recent state Supreme Court decisions that found state universities are not directly part of the executive branch of state government because they are operated by independent governing boards.Richards has filed another lawsuit requesting class action status for hundreds more UK HealthCare patients affected by the collections.Who uses the Department of Revenue?The Kentucky Department of Revenue collects unpaid debts for the following state entities:-- Kentucky Community Technical College Systems-- University of Kentucky Healthcare-- Morehead State University-- Northern Kentucky University-- Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority-- Western Kentucky University-- University of Kentucky-- Eastern Kentucky University-- Murray State University-- Kentucky State University-- Department of Medicaid Services-- Kentucky Board of Nursing-- Kentucky Labor Cabinet-- Office Of Financial Institutions-- Crime Victims Compensation Board-- Cabinet for Health and Family Services-- Office of Legal Services-- Department of Insurance-- Department of Parks Motor Vehicle Commission Last month, the Trump administration approved a first-of-its-kind proposal to lower drug prices.Oklahoma will now be allowed to negotiate Medicaid drug prices based onthe effectiveness of the medicine.The state will only pay full price for a drug if it's proven to work. If not, then the state will only pay a fraction of that cost.Oklahomas plan for value-based drug contracts is an important example of how states can innovate to bring down drug costs, said Alex Azar, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in a statement announcing Oklahoma's program.Other states have already reached out to Oklahoma to learn more about the approach, says Nancy Nesser, pharmacy director for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, which administers the states Medicaid program.[Pharmaceutical companies] have done some similar things in thecommercial space and wondered why they cant do that with us, she says.While most private insurance plans can and will refuse to cover drugs when there is a cheaper or generic alternative, state Medicaid programs are required to cover every drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration.The Oklahoma decision by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services came on the same day the agency declined another state's unprecedented drug pricing waiver. Massachusetts wanted to exclude certain drugs from Medicaid coverage in order to gain bargaining power over prices. CMS rejected that proposal out of concern that parts of it would violate federal law.States already receive a discount for prescriptions --sometimes up to 50 percent -- through the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, but Nesser says it's not enough. Prescription drugs cost Medicaid programs $32 billion in 2015 -- up from $28 billion in 2014, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.If CMS had approved Massachusetts waiver, it would have "signaled more coming changes to the drug rebate program," says Ross Margulies, a health-care attorney with the firm Foley Hoag. Insteadhe says, the approval of Oklahomas proposal means CMS is likely only open to more modest changes in how states pay for prescription drugs.In its rejection, CMS said that Massachusetts could end its participation in the rebate program and come up with a state-specific alternative. That would be an incredibly heavy lift, says Margulies. But if any state were to try something like that, it could be Massachusetts, which pioneered the framework for the Affordable Care Act.Oklahomas program is voluntary for pharmaceutical companies. One company joined this month and a couple of others are in negotiations with the state.Some of the smaller companies have really been open to it, and some of the bigger companies havent," Nesser says. "That really has surprised me. I figured itd be the other way around.It's up to the state to decide if drugs are working as intended -- a process Nesser says will be labor-intensiveThe state will primarily use refill data to track outcomes. If people aren't refilling a certain prescription, the state can assume it's not working correctly."One thing we've learned is that some companies don't really stand behind their drugs, and it's kind of scary. ... We're paying a premium for them, and they're not willing to say that they will work," Nesser told the Associated Press There is some skepticism among health experts about how much money Oklahoma will actually save. Nesser admits that theyre expected to just save a couple of million in a program that spends $650 million on prescription drugs a year.Will this be a watershed program? I dont think so. But I also dont want to downplay it because this is the first time well see true outcomes-based pricing in the Medicaid program," says Margulies. "It is a clever way to get around best-price rules." STATE PARTY CONTROL OPEN SEAT AGRICULTURE AS % OF GDP MANUFACTURING AS % OF GDP COMBINED TOTAL AS % OF GDP Iowa R No 4.7 18 22.7 Mich. R Yes 0.6 19.7 20.3 Wis. R No 1.6 18.5 20.1 Kansas R No 3.2 16.4 19.6 Ohio R Yes 0.5 16.6 17.1 Minn. D Yes 1.7 14.6 16.3 STATE PARTY CONTROL OPEN SEAT AGRICULTURE AS % OF GDP MANUFACTURING AS % OF GDP COMBINED TOTAL AS % OF GDP Ala. R No 1.2 17.4 18.6 Ark. R No 2.4 15.2 17.6 S.C. R No 0.5 17.1 17.6 Idaho R Yes 5.1 12.3 17.4 Neb. R No 6.3 11 17.3 S.D. R Yes 7.1 10 17.1 Tenn. R Yes 0.4 16.4 16.8 President Trump is pursuing a high-stakes strategy of raising tariffs in an effort to cut Americas trade deficits. The administrations tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, for instance, prompted China, the European Union, Canada and Mexico to retaliate with tariffs of their own on agricultural exports.The escalating battle has already hurt farmers. As a result, the Trump administration announced last month that it will make an estimated $12 billion in government assistance available to growers.While the economic impact of his trade policy plays out, could there also be a political impact? Could a trade war influence the 36 governors races in November?So far, there are only scattered signs that Democratic candidates are using trade as a wedge issue, or that Republican candidates are aggressively distancing themselves from Trump to side with their constituents economic interests.But if Trumps trade approach causes further pain for export-dependent farmers, or if manufacturers reliant on newly expensive steel and aluminum begin to suffer, this could -- in theory at least -- provide a political windfall for Democrats already benefiting from favorable electoral winds.Trade offers a rare opportunity for Democrats to make a play for two categories of voters that have swung heavily toward Republicans in recent elections: rural Americans and blue-collar workers.As it happens, the lineup of competitive gubernatorial contests on tap for this fall presents unique risks for Republicans if trade morphs into a winning issue for Democrats.We found six states in the midsection of the country that currently rank as competitive in our gubernatorial ratings and that have an economy more reliant on agriculture and manufacturing than the country as a whole.Half of these gubernatorial seats are open, and all but one are currently held by Republicans.Given its ranking at the top of this list, it is perhaps not a coincidence that Democrats in Iowa are already making trade an issue.The state Democratic Party has made a point of noting a decline in farmland prices , and Fred Hubbell, the Democrat challenging Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, narrated an ad that zeroes in on the risks to Iowas agricultural exports from Trumps trade policies: A huge chunk of our economy is going to get hit with this trade war, he says in the ad. Its going to make it harder for us to export pork, or ethanol, or soybeans. Its going to magnify those risks for our farm economy, big time. Gov. Reynolds [is] not going to take on the Washington establishment to protect Iowa farmers. We need to get the message out, and Iowans need the governor standing up for them.The issue is still new, but I expect Democrats and Hubbell to discuss the issue constantly in the coming months, says Christopher Larimer, a University of Northern Iowa political scientist. Theyre going to make the case that Reynolds is positioning herself in direct line with the Trump administration on all policies, including tariffs.Reynolds, meanwhile, hasnt been passive on the issue, saying she would lobby the White House and cabinet members with her concerns that tariffs threaten the "fragile agricultural economy. "Agriculture is always the first casualty when were talking about trade negotiations, she told the. Our farmers are producers, and they just want access to markets."But even if Democrats arent able to get dyed-in-the-wool Republicans to switch sides on Election Day, Larimer says, they may at least be able to mobilize rural, moderate-leaning Democrats who typically don't vote in a midterm.Another state where tariffs could have an impact in a gubernatorial race is Kansas. Republicans are defending the seat against credible Democratic challengers, though neither partys nominees have been chosen yet.The trade issue has not been big yet, but I think it could be in the general election, especially if Kris Kobach is the GOP nominee, says Bob Beatty, a Washburn University political scientist. Kobach has doubled and tripled down on Trump in the last few weeks, running a TV ad where he is standing in front of a Trump Train truck and where he is endorsed by Donald Trump, Jr.Meanwhile, the Democratic challengers have all mentioned the issue in their campaign speeches, but it has not become a central piece of their campaigns, Beatty says. It surely will come September, when the Democratic nominee emerges.A late primary date has also limited the amount of sparring over trade in Minnesota, but the issue has the potential to put the GOP on the defensive with rural voters, says Carleton College political scientist Steve Schier. The media have started to give attention to farmers' complaints about the tariff policy, so expect Democrats to eventually seize on that.That said, theres a potential for several factors to dampen the Democrats ability to capitalize on trade in some of these states.In Minnesota, for instance, the northern part of the state has a significant mining economy and is historically blue-collar and Democratic. Many voters in the region appreciate Trumps efforts to bolster resource-extraction industries and worry that the Twin Cities-based Democratic establishment will be likelier to line up alongside environmentalists with little tolerance for heavy industry.Democrats face similar challenges in Ohio.On the positive side for Democrats, the trade and tariff issue are relevant to many Ohioans who work in the agricultural industry, particularly soybean farmers, says Mark Weaver, a Republican strategist in Ohio. Its also been a topic of concern for other industries, such as those working with metal. Neither candidate has addressed this in a major way, but I would expect [Democratic gubernatorial candidate] Richard Cordray to use them in narrowly targeted digital and mail universes.On the other hand, Weaver says, Democrats will likely face difficulties turning even constituencies directly hurt by the tariffs away from Trump, given the partys close identification with coastal liberals.Another challenge for Cordray to make an anti-Trump pitch on trade: Hell be on the same ballot as Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who has been favorable toward Trumps trade approach. That has made Brown very popular in the state and harder to run away from, says Bill Binning, a former Republican official in the state.Furthermore, Democrats will struggle to leverage the trade issue in states that are solidly red, even those with an above-average reliance on agriculture and manufacturing. There are seven such states with gubernatorial races this fall:In Arkansas, Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson has tried to steer a middle course that takes farmers concerns seriously. I continue to support the president," Hutchinson told CNBC. But we feel its appropriate to say there is a point that you should not squeeze toldus further.Hal Bass, an Ouachita Baptist University political scientist, said that in Arkansas, the issue has been raised by critical Democrats and by Republicans seeking to balance support for the president with concern about the impact of the tariff policy on agricultural producers. At this point, I dont see it as a game changer. Republicans can lose some support at the margins and still win comfortable majorities.And in Nebraska, Pete Ricketts, the Republican governor, has also tried to get in front of the issue by preemptively urging Trump to pursue free-trade policies, says former U.S. Rep. Hal Daub, a Republican. Most producers and growers recognize the need for more open markets and are giving the president leeway to try and level the playing field, he says. They recognize the likelihood of some short-term pain but think there will be longer-term gains. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the National Rifle Association's federal lawsuit against him is "frivolous." The lawsuit claims that Cuomo's policies are trying to deprive the NRA of its First Amendment rights by making it more difficult for the organization to function in the state.Cuomo described the NRA as a "group of extremists" and says he hopes that his actions against the group will expand to other states."I'm hoping to extend this all across the country," he said in an interview with All Things Considered. "And if they think New York hurt their pocketbook, let's see what happens when the other states also join in."Part of the lawsuit focuses on an NRA-branded insurance program called Carry Guard, which the state's Department of Financial Services took action against earlier this year. For example, in May, the DFS imposed a $7 million fine on the program's underwriter Lockton Cos. because the insurance covered "certain acts of intentional wrongdoing" which the state found to be unlawful. How Momentum Shifted What Comes Next Something familiar happened in America in February: A gunman walked into a school, and shot and killed 17 students and staff in a horrific act of violence.But then something unfamiliar happened: State legislators inspired by a movement led by the student survivors of that mass shooting in Parkland, Florida started passing legislation to restrict gun access.This was a year of unparalleled success for the gun-control movement in the United States. States across the country, including 14 with Republican governors, enacted 50 new laws restricting access to guns, ranging from banning bump stocks to allowing authorities to temporarily disarm potentially violent people.Legislators are starting to realize that mass shootings can happen in their state anytime, said Allison Anderman, the managing attorney at the Giffords Law Center, a gun-control organization founded by former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, the Arizona Democrat who survived a shooting in 2011. And they dont want to be in a position that this kind of thing can happen in their state at all.State lawmakers still managed to expand gun access with at least 10 new laws in seven states. These measures from allowing guns in K-12 schools to bolstering stand your ground laws continued to carry weight in certain parts of the country, even as the gun-control movement steadily gained steam elsewhere.Before the October shooting in Las Vegas, when a gunman used a bump stock attachment to quickly kill 58 people and wound 851 others, Hawaii lawmaker Karl Rhoads hadnt given much thought to the devices, which can enable semiautomatic rifles to fire at the rate of fully automatic weapons, which are more strictly regulated.But after the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, the Democratic state representative crafted legislation to make bump stocks illegal. The bill passed in a unanimous vote, and Democratic Gov. David Ige signed it in July.It was just obvious to everybody, Rhoads said. Hunters dont use them. Its a mass murder improvement tool.Riding the wave of political will inspired by Parkland and feeling revolted by the mayhem of Las Vegas, 10 states in the past year have banned bump stocks.Evan Hughes, the vice president of NRA Foundation Projects at the Vermont Federation of Sportsmens Clubs, a gun rights group, said, however, these bans are unenforceable and will do nothing to deter violent crime. Vermont was one of the states that passed a bump stock ban this year.In Hawaii, which has an estimated 1.6 million registered guns, according to the state attorney generals office around 150,000 more guns than residents some people have legitimate reasons to own firearms, Rhoads said, alluding to the states feral pig problem. But, he said, theres still a desire to pass gun-safety measures. Hawaii has some of the strictest gun laws and fewest gun deaths in the country, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.For us, its taking away the final loopholes, Rhoads said.The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently dealt a blow to Hawaiis strict gun laws when a three-judge panel ruled in July that the states requirement for a gun license violates the U.S. Constitution. The state, however, may appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.When the next legislative session starts in January, Rhoads said, he plans to either introduce or co-sponsor an extreme risk protection order bill, joining eight other states that have enacted similar laws in 2018. These measures, sometimes called red flag laws, allow law enforcement officials to disarm people who may be violent after receiving requests from police or family members.Vermont, which until this year had some of the loosest gun laws in the country, passed several measures to tighten its laws, including a ban on guns in K-12 schools, a red-flag law, and a law that expands background checks and bans high-capacity magazines. Republican Gov. Phil Scott drew heated backlash from the states gun owners for signing the bills, as some protesters called him a traitor.Colorado may soon move on this issue. Disturbed by the recent shooting of a sheriffs deputy, a bipartisan group of elected officials in the Centennial State want to renew a debate over the extreme risk protection order laws. Police say the man who killed the sheriffs deputy had a history of troubled mental health.Before this year, five states had red-flag statutes, but the National Rifle Association is still working behind the scenes in state legislatures to defeat this legislation. Three bills remain under consideration this year in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. (The NRA did not respond to repeated attempts for comment.)In Michigan, for example, Republican Gov. Rick Snyder suggested a red-flag law was worth studying after a double homicide at Central Michigan University this spring. Some fellow Republicans, though, worried about the due process rights of gun owners who may have their firearms unjustly stripped. The bill hasnt moved through the Legislature since being introduced in June.Gun-control advocates also found success in six states expanding background checks, in five states tightening concealed carry laws, in nine states preventing domestic abusers from owning guns, in eight states providing funding for urban gun violence reduction programs, and in two states banning large-capacity magazines, according to a count by the Giffords Law Center.Mass shootings are common in this country. According to the Gun Violence Archive, an oft-cited nonprofit that tracks shootings, there have been more than 200 mass shootings in the first seven months this year. Mass shootings are defined as attacks where there are four or more fatal and nonfatal injuries, not including the shooter.Appalling shootings involving students arent new either. There have been more than 260 school shootings since the national consciousness was shaken in 2012 when 20 first-graders and six school staff were slaughtered in Newtown, Connecticut, Gun Violence Archive data show.But when the words enough is enough rang out from the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, all of them members of the mass shooting generation the millions born after Columbine in 1999, who practiced code red drills at school their entire lives lawmakers started listening.We are the generation thats had to be trapped in closets, waiting for police to come or waiting for a shooter to walk in to our door, Parkland survivor Alex Wind told 60 Minutes in March. We are the people that know what its like firsthand.In the moments after the shooting, they spoke up on national television to express their anger. They pressed Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson, their Republican and Democratic U.S. senators, in a CNN town hall. They organized protests at state capitols to push lawmakers to pass gun-control measures, and in March organized a rally, the March for Our Lives, where hundreds of thousands of people in Washington and at more than 800 partner rallies across the country demanded action from their elected officials. And all the while, they remained active on social media, battling lawmakers and pundits who didnt support their cause.Its one of the reasons why Florida in March enacted a law that expanded background checks, banned bump stocks, allowed local authorities to temporarily restrict access for red flag gun owners, and added a three-day waiting period to purchase a handgun. The bill was signed by Republican Gov. Rick Scott, who is an ardent gun-rights advocate.Not everyone gives the Parkland students credit for the new gun-control laws, however.I dont buy into the momentum they have, South Dakota Republican state Rep. Kevin Jensen said. I think theres a pocket here and there, and they make news because the news media is anti-gun.The last widespread success at enacting laws to curb gun violence came in 1994, when the federal assault-rifle ban passed, said Richard Aborn, who at the time led the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, one of the loudest voices during that debate. Since then, he said, there hasnt been national momentum for more gun-control legislation.A Pew Research Center poll in 1993 showed that 57 percent of Americans thought controlling gun ownership should be a priority in the United States over protecting gun rights. (The Pew Charitable Trusts funds both the Pew Research Center and Stateline.) But in the past decade, the views of Americans shifted.Two years after the Newtown massacre, 52 percent of Americans said it was more important to support gun rights, while just 46 percent prioritized restricting gun ownership, according to a Pew poll. President Barack Obama tried and failed to persuade Congress to pass comprehensive background checks or another ban on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines.Its been nearly six years since Newtown, and as Stateline reported earlier this year, most of the hundreds of state gun laws enacted in that time have expanded, rather than restricted, access to firearms.But, now, theres a change in the gun debate, said Aborn, who is the president of the Citizens Crime Commission of New York City, a criminal justice nonprofit that advocates for gun violence prevention. The student survivors of Parkland have been able to score victories in the political arena by immediately organizing, he said, and its made a major difference in state legislatures.This is the emergence of the second gun-control movement, Aborn said. This is the cumulative effect of all of the shootings since Newtown.Opponents of gun-control bills also have had some successes this year.South Dakotas Jensen, who thinks his state gun laws could be eased up a little bit, co-sponsored a new law this year that authorizes nonpublic schools and houses of worship to allow firearms on premises. South Dakota already allows armed sentinels at public K-12 schools through a law that was passed after Newtown.Out in this part of the country, no guns allowed signs mean squat here, he said. Were a rural state, and a local sheriffs department response time may be well beyond the time to have a mass shooting.When a gunman killed 25 worshippers including a pregnant woman, injuring 20 others, in November at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas a small, rural town east of San Antonio it wasnt police who first responded to the scene, but an armed neighbor who ran out of his home and shot the assailant twice.South Dakotas law was among a handful of new measures that gun-rights advocates got through state legislatures this year. In Florida, the governor signed a law that allows K-12 school personnel to carry a firearm with authorization from a school district, while lawmakers in Idaho and Wyoming expanded stand your ground provisions. Measures to bring guns to K-12 schools failed in 19 states this year, while permitless carry bills failed in 11 states, including in Oklahoma, where the bill was vetoed by Republican Gov. Mary Fallin.In Texas, which had its own school shooting in May eight students and two teachers were killed, and 13 others injured Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in July that neither he nor fellow Republican Gov. Greg Abbott support extreme risk protection order laws, and that he doubts a measure would garner the support of a majority of the Texas Senate. Instead, the state is looking at increasing police presence at schools, arming school staff and developing mental health screening programs.Still, red-flag laws likely will remain a major focus for gun-control advocates over the next year, encouraged by the success they had in traditionally gun-friendly states such as Florida and Vermont.Comprehensive federal legislation is definitely the more desirable way to address gun violence, Anderman said. But the reality being what it is, we have to do what we can and that means going state by state.The fight is far from over for gun-control advocates. The next true test, Aborn said, will be the midterm elections in November and seeing how the gun issue plays with voters.Currently, the same students from Parkland who organized the march are touring the country, going into more than 50 communities to register young people to vote and advocate for more gun-control policy, including universal background checks, digitizing Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives records, and bans on semi-automatic assault rifles and high-capacity magazines. They also plan on visiting all 27 congressional districts in their home state of Florida. The center, housed within DHS, establishes an organizational approach to integrate risk management activities, perform joint strategic planning, and most importantly, develop collaborative solutions to reduce risk to critical infrastructure. The National Risk Management Center will: identify, assess, and prioritize efforts to reduce risks to national critical functions, which enable national and economic security; collaborate on the development of risk management strategies and approaches to manage risks to national functions; and coordinate integrated cross-sector risk management activities. The National Risk Management Centers mission is to provide a simple and single point of access to the full range of government activities to mitigate a range of risks, including cybersecurity, across sectors. Wired magazine: DHS Will Shore Up Cybersecurity For Americas Infrastructure At a cybersecurity summit Tuesday, Homeland Security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced the creation of the National Risk Management Center, which will focus on evaluating threats and defending US critical infrastructure against hacking. The center will focus on the energy, finance, and telecommunications sectors to start, and DHS will conduct a number of 90-day sprints throughout 2018 in an attempt to rapidly build out the centers processes and capabilities. SC magazine: DHS unveils National Risk Management Center, Nielsen says election interference won't be tolerated Reiterating that Russia interfered with the 2016 presidential election, Department of Homeland Security Secretary (DHS) Kirstjen Nielsen Tuesday stated the U.S. will not tolerate this meddling and announced the creation of a National Risk Management Center that will "identify, assess and prioritize efforts to reduce risks to national critical functions which enable national and economic anxiety." Politico: All the news, big and small, from the DHS cyber summit The DHS cyber summit in New York on Tuesday offered plenty of news, whether on stage or in chats with reporters prowling the hallways and imploring folks on what comes next. On stage, Vice President Mike Pence was in campaign mode, ripping into the Obama administration over its silence and paralysis on cyber threats while saying the Trump administration is giving Americans the strongest possible defense. Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen warned that the next major attack on the homeland is more likely to be online than physical. She announced two new initiatives, the National Risk Management Center and a supply chain task force. Assess the likelihood of an attack and the impact of damage across the enterprise and prioritize major risk areas and attack vectors. Annually review individual cyberfactors to determine the agencys current stage of preparedness and responsiveness to risk Examine and rate the resource allocations to reducing cybersecurity risk. For each risk area, assign a risk score and a preparedness level. Recommend improvements for each component of the PRISM model, standardize solutions and monitor for compliance. At a Cyber Summit in NYC this past week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that they are establishing a new joint center to provide a centralized home for collaborative, sector-specific and cross-sector risk management efforts to better protect critical infrastructure. The fact sheet regarding this new DHS Center can be seen here Here is a quick summary of key points regarding the National Risk Management Center, which will create a cross-cutting risk management approach between the private sector and government to improve the defense of our nations critical infrastructure.Here are some of the media top stories from the NYC Summit:Just a few days, later on Friday of this past week, another cybersecurity summit was held in Detroit to discuss our autonomous future and cybersecurity in connected vehicles now. Wardsauto.com reported:According to Automotive News : "We need robust risk management processes and a cybersecurity culture" that works to identify vulnerabilities and risks, said Heidi King , deputy administrator of NHTSA. "It's about anticipating the unexpected and being ready."Keynote speeches were given numerous industry leaders and government leaders. Here are four keynotes from Sec. Michael Chertoff , GM President Dan Ammann, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters from Michigan and NHTSA's Heidi King keynote, Is Cybersecurity Standing in the Way of Public Confidence? who discuss cybersecurity from a risk management approach.So what exactly is risk management and how does it work in the context of cyberthreats?There are a variety of approaches for managing cyber risk. One IBM approach, which is outlined by DefenseSystems.com here , is called PRISM. This stands for "Prioritize, Resource, Implement, Standardize and Monitor."According to their report, implementing PRISM is a multi-step process:Other cyber-risk management details were described by many of the sessions at these two cybersummits but the topic kept surfacing with almost every speaker. I encourage readers to examine the session outcomes and detailed reports. Also, watch these remarks from our nations top leaders on YouTube, which provide a good snapshot of where we are on these important cybersecurity issues.I think several milestones were accomplished this week at these two cybersummit events. A common message at both events: A focus on risk management when measuring cybersecurity protections is vital.I participated in the 2nd Billington Global Automotive Cybersecurity Summit as a main session panel moderator. Just as in 2016, I felt a sense of urgency regarding cyberchallenges facing our nation and the world in areas ranging from elections, to cars, to every part of critical infrastructure. The supply chain cyberproblems are immense, and it is clear that more needs to be done by both the OEMs and the suppliers.Another thing is clear, stronger public-private partnerships must be forged to share real-time cyberthreat information and intelligence. The private sector is stepping up in the critical infrastructure areas, and so DHS is creating a new risk management center and action plans.While progress is clear, there will certainly be security setbacks. Just a few weeks ago, a large data breach exposed trade secrets of carmakers GM, Ford, Tesla and Toyota when a publicly available server at Level One Robotics was accessed by a researcher.These cybersummits offer a helpful glimpse of where we are as top industries in protecting are most vital national businesses, infrastructures, assets and people in the summer of 2018.Watch and learn and get engaged now. (TNS) - Melissa Morgado began 2018 trying to solve an arithmetic problem: How many nights did she and her firefighter husband spend apart because of work in the previous year?He was gone for the hot summer months, of course, and again for most of October, and then 19 more days in December when deadly fires broke out on the Central Coast.Her tally hit 249 nights, the most she and her husband spent apart in his 14 years at Cal Fire.I dont like the term fire season anymore. Its a fire year, said Morgado, 33, who wrote about their long separations in a popular blog post called A Year in the Life of a Cal Fire Wife.The stress on her home and thousands of other firefighter families in California is another sign of the states new normal of severe, drawn-out wildfires that begin earlier in the year and run almost to the end of it.Those expansive fires are leading emergency agencies to change their tactics, and theyre also prompting firefighters and their families to rethink how they manage the strains of long months in harms way.Alarming reports of suicides, substance abuse and domestic violence persuaded Cal Fire Director Ken Pimlott to pour resources into firefighter support services.Were responding to unprecedented kinds of fire. Were doing everything we have to do, so how do we make sure were taking care of our employees? he said.An April study released by the nonprofit Ruderman Family Foundation reported that firefighters experience a higher suicide rate than the general American population, and that 103 firefighters killed themselves while 93 died on duty. The report followed a 2015 study that found firefighters experienced an alarmingly high rate of suicidal thoughts.Some firefighters are turning to Cal Fire-sponsored support services that offer counseling in the field and at home fire stations. Others are using union-backed counselors to talk through some of the life-changing scenes firefighters are witnessing on the fire lines.And some, like Morgados family, are making a point to schedule time off even in what used to be considered the peak of Californias fire season.In the past, you could assume youd be home for the holidays. Not anymore, said Cal Fire Deputy Chief Michael Ming, 41, the incoming deputy chief of the departments employee support program.He, too, has started scheduling vacation days in the late summer so hes ready for what might come in the fall, or later.Giving CPR to a babyMing is part of a seven-person team in a department-sponsored unit that aims to improve the emotional and psychological well-being of firefighters and their families. The program, called employee support services, dates back to the 1990s. It swelled to resemble its current state with seven full-time staff members and trained liaisons throughout the state about five years ago.They visit the toughest fires and walk the lines with rank-and-file firefighters. They train firefighters to look for signs of post-traumatic stress in each other, and hold seminars for spouses.Firefighter unions offer a parallel resource, sending peer counselors to traumatic events, like suicides and firefighter on-duty deaths. California Professional Firefighters, the umbrella organization that advocates for most California fire unions, has trained more than 200 of them.What you have to focus on is doing your job and being able to take that experience after it happened, and do some analysis with it, said California Professional Firefighters President Brian Rice, who can still vividly describe the first death he witnessed on duty in the 1980s.Their efforts to raise awareness about mental health coincide with growing recognition that firefighters carry vivid memories of traumatic events long after their shifts end.This is all still groundbreaking, said Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Scott Ross, 53, a peer counselor for the International Association of Firefighters who spent the past week in Redding talking with firefighters battling the Carr Fire. There are still departments that dont have peer training, but in the last few years, Ive seen this trend of people understanding and departments understanding that we have to take care of our own.Counselors like Ross build connections with on-the-ground firefighters by listening, and by relating the moments that stayed with them for decades. They leave their phone numbers where they can, and follow up weeks and months later.Ming, for instance, couldnt sleep at times because he worried an electrical fire would strike his house. His partner, Dattalion Chief Robert Ellis, for decades cried when he remembered the time he tried to resuscitate an infant who had died from sudden infant death syndrome. The baby reminded him of his own daughter.I thought I would lose it and end up in a straitjacket, Ellis, 65, said. I couldnt handle the thought that I might go out of my mind. When I found out my mind was working in a normal way, I could handle that. I could handle being normal. It was the abnormal that scared me.Were stretched super thinThis year is shaping up to be another intense one, with massive, deadly wildfires taking off from the North Coast to Yosemite, claiming the lives of three firefighters and a Cal Fire contractor.Were stretched super thin, Cal Fire firefighter Trevor Pappas said last week in downtown Lakeport, where Cal Fire and U.S. Forest Services battled to check fast-growing blazes. We have crews everywhere.Across the state, firefighters are spending weeks in the field before returning to their homes. Some are confronting life-changing scenes, like the two-day effort to recover Cal Fire firefighter Braden Varney after he tumbled to his death into a steep Mariposa County canyon.His friends and former colleagues stood watch over him until they could muster up a safe recovery plan that had them lifting his body hand by hand out of the canyon.Firefighters knew what was at stake. They knew it was dangerous. The fire was coming. But thats what firefighters do, and Braden was brought to the road, Cal Fires Nancy Koerperich, Varneys unit chief, said at his memorial last month.Exhaustion is setting in for some.People are definitely tired. People are working 24 hour shifts: 24 on, 24 off. You can work for 21 days then have two days off and go back out and have 21 days on again, said Cal Fire spokesman Scott McLean.Cal Fire last week received permission to hire 300 more seasonal firefighters, who will round out the departments ranks and help ensure that firefighters can rest as the fires drag on.Right now what were working on is just trying to get these guys some relief because theyre going nonstop, said Tim Edwards, the rank and file director for the union that represents Cal Fire firefighters. These guys have no relief, and thats what takes a toll, not just their bodies, but their families.Taking timeMorgado, the Cal Fire wife, didnt like what she saw when she realized that her husband was home for only 109 nights last year. Aside from the 249 he spent at fire stations and in the field, he had a week-long elk hunt that kept him away, too.They have two children with a third on the way. She wanted her kids to have more time with their dad.He just missed out on the first year of his sons life and almost all of our daughters 'terrific 3s.' He missed the ups and downs of our fast growing children. Next time you see a firefighter, know that they dont just risk their lives for the lives of strangers. They also sacrifice being present with their families, Morgado wrote on her blog.They live in southern Idaho. He commutes for 72-hour shifts at a station in the northeast corner of California. It sounds like a long drive, but many Cal Fire firefighters have similar commutes when they move from station to station as they seek better jobs in the department.This year, the couple decided they would be better off scheduling more vacation days. That can be complicated for firefighters. They often have to book vacations months, or a year, in advance. Firefighters with more seniority get more leeway.Her husband has been gone since July 11, but shes looking forward to a break they scheduled later this month.I know theres a certain day; theres a light of the end tunnel, she said.2018 The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.)Visit The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, Calif.) at www.sacbee.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Catalan government is not willing to pay just "any price" to keep the Spanish grand prix. Minister of enterprise Angels Chacon says Barcelona wants to keep the race beyond 2019, as negotiations with Liberty Media continue. "The government is wanting to extend the contract, but obviously not at any price," she told EFE news agency. "F1 cannot be a blank cheque." (GMM) The UKs Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) has awarded 35 million (US$45.5 million) to three UK-based low carbon automotive powertrain projects. The technologies developed will support aspirations for the UK to be a world leader in zero emissions technology as part of the Industrial Strategy and recently-published Road to Zero strategy. With a total value of more than 70 million (US$91 million), including both government and industry investment, the projects are expected to enhance the UKs supply chain and competitiveness in the development of ultra-low emission vehicles as well as upskilling UK workers. The project consortiums are made up of companies including: hofer powertrain, Aston Martin, Ceres Power, Nissan, Artemis Intelligent Power and Danfross and Robbie Fluid, covering a broad range of industries. The projects have the potential to save more than 3 million tonnes CO 2 . Projects include: Didi Chuxing, is upgrading its automobile solutions platform, incubated in 2015 and put in trial operation in April 2018, to become Xiaoju Automobile Solutions. DiDi will invest US$1 billion into Xiaoju Automobile Solutions to support its business in providing DiDi drivers and the broader car-owner community with one-stop auto services. Co. Kevin Chen, General Manager of the auto solution platform, will become the General Manager of the new entity, reporting to Jean Liu, President of Didi Chuxing. DiDi launched its auto solution platform in April 2018 to provide various auto-related services, including leasing and trading, refueling, maintenance and repair, and car-sharing. The creation of Xiaoju Automobile Solutions also brings into operation new family brands, including Xiaoju Auto Leasing & Retail, Xiaoju Gas Refueling, and Xiaoju Auto Care. Currently, Xiaoju Automobile Solutions is available in 257 cities in a network of more than 7,500 partners and distributors. Among its core businesses: Robuchon, who passed away today at the age of 73. Photo: Maurice ROUGEMONT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Long before he ever sent out dishes sporting inch-thick layers of sevruga caviar or tiny morsels of quail stuffed with foie gras, Joel Robuchon was something of a misfit. The acclaimed French chef, who died today at the age of 73, was one of four children who lived in a cramped apartment above a cobblers shop in a small town. One of his only options for change was to enroll in seminary to become a priest, and he seized it. He was 12. Robuchons parents divorced three years later, and in a moment of crisis, the future chef remembered one of the few consoling experiences hed had cooking weeknight dinner with the nuns and made it the basis for a stratospheric, world-changing career. Even early on, he won awards: After what was by all accounts a grueling kitchen apprenticeship, and still under the age of 20, Robuchon won five competitive medals for his cooking. With the chef and his mentor Jean Delaveyne, Robuchon took a first fateful trip to Japan before returning to helm his first restaurant. At his second, Jamin in Paris, the chef made an unprecedented ascent, from zero Michelin stars in 1981 to three in 1984. He would go on to receive more Michelin stars than any other chef in the world. The concept of celebrity chef can be traced to figures like Paul Bocuse and Roger Verge. (The latter, in particular, seemed perpetually amused by fame after being discovered in 1972 by Shep Gordon, who took a break from managing the likes of Alice Cooper and the Pointer Sisters to promote nouvelle cuisine.) Robuchon never fit in with these chefs. He was too young to qualify for membership in the so-called Bande a Bocuse, and as his cooking began to gain prominence in the 80s, Robuchon was so private that interviewers werent even sure whether he was married. At cooking demos, he was discernibly unenthused by the prospect of wearing a lapel mic, even in auditoriums packed with devout fans. Any reluctance he may have had toward fame, however, was undone when he was named Chef of the Century a truly onerous label. It was bestowed by Gault Millau in 1990, and tellingly, it stuck around for a decade, then into the new century, and beyond. The label was with him when he retired, Michael Jordanstyle, from cooking at the age of 51 to become a cheery TV chef, and in 2003 when he un-retired to open his chain of Atelier restaurants. Perhaps the most startling thing about these chefs counters was that they managed to detach fine dining from any sense of place. For the luxury ingredients that filled out his menu, Robuchon took sourcing to an extreme: Urchin from Hokkaido might touch down in Paris at the same moment spears of white asparagus from Provence hit the Las Vegas tarmac. LAtelier outposts, which have numbered nearly two dozen around the world, are all decked out in the same handsome black and red visual cues. The rooms are decidedly un-atmospheric, but not airless, because the cooks working just in front of customers are intended to be the most breathtaking aspect. As such, the cooking rarely disappoints in its presentation. Quenelles of caviar are fixed into pristine dollops of emulsified cauliflower, and gently cooked fish is topped with thickets of precision-cut black-truffle bristles. Like his mentor Delaveyne, Robuchon always borrowed liberally from Japanese tradition. For one of Robuchons most famous dishes, his chefs caramelize slices of Japanese eel in soy sauce and classic veal stock. These are set in a terrine thats padded out with cold-smoked foie gras, and garnished with wisps of savory whipped cream. Robuchon, in France in 1987. Photo: Raphael GAILLARDE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images His talent for seamlessly mingling old and new is what made Robuchons influence so immeasurable. As you have no doubt already read today, his signature recipe will forever be his impossibly exacting pommes puree. But just as Robuchon potatoes is shorthand for the particularly silky side dish, the long list of techniques that Robuchons kitchens introduced over the chefs career has become a kind of lingua franca for line cooks, even if they arent aware of it. In the 1980s while working on a project to update meals served by the state-owned French railway service Robuchon began to use sous-vide cooking, the now-widespread use of preparing proteins in vacuum-sealed bags and slowly cooking then in carefully tempered water baths. That is to say: Robuchon introduced sous-vide to his kitchens decades before the technique was a blip on the radar screens of modernist chefs of the 2000s and beyond. For cooks interested in becoming great chefs themselves, a stint working for Robuchon could be a demanding but eye-opening experience. Joan Roca of Spains Celler de Can Roca, a frequent sight atop the Worlds 50 Best restaurant list, spent time under Robuchon, as did Yosuke Suga, Matthew Kirkley, and Tom Aikens. David Bouley spent two crucial months in Jamins kitchen. And in his 2016 memoir, Le Bernardins Eric Ripert wrote that he had recurring nightmares about the tiny dots of sauce 90 in all, of uniform size, spaced equidistantly that Robuchon required his cooks to put on each plate of lobster salad. Nevertheless, Joel Robuchon was not violent, Ripert told NPR. And he was not a screamer. (Later in his career, Robuchon did acknowledge the culture of fear he perpetuated, but insisted that he only ever threw one plate; it contained langoustine ravioli, which had been cooked incorrectly by a young Gordon Ramsay.) In recent years, Robuchon had continued to embark on a surprising number of new projects. There was a counter in Montreal, and a bakery in Roppongi with foie gras croque madames. This spring, with the sake producer Dassai, Robuchon opened a deluxe new Paris property that feature 36,000 white luminous tubes suspended from the ceiling. Just last year, he reopened the New York location of LAtelier. As ever, he seemed aware of the culinary pantheon, but maybe not as sure of his own place within it. Theres so much competition, and these young chefs like Daniel Humm are doing incredible things, he said at the time. I want to be among them. From left, Katana Kittens Shiso Gin and Tonic, Toki Highball, Calpico Swizzle, and Bright N Sunny. Photo: Bobby Doherty/New York Magazine In 1993, when most of the city was gulping Cosmos, a tiny bar opened inside an East Village izakaya. The owner, Tony Yoshida, modeled it after ones in Tokyo: elegant, clandestine, with a focus on technique and perfectionism in everything from ice to garnish. Angels Share was soon frequented by customers like a 20-something Sasha Petraske, who studied the staffs grace and dexterity, the smooth-motioned hallmarks of Tokyo bartending. It served as inspiration for his own spot a few years later: Milk & Honey, which revolutionized the citys (and countrys) bar scene with a new wave of civilized drinking. A quarter-century later, the seeds Angels Share planted have sprouted not only the speakeasy-style cocktail shrines in the Milk & Honey mold but a new kind of bicultural bar, melding tenets of Japanese mixology (itself an elaboration of pre-Prohibition American bartending) with Asian ingredients and flavor profiles in a setting devoted equally to Tokyo precision and high-volume New York speed. What seems like a recent trend is actually the product of a cross-cultural exchange thats been unfolding for decades. In 2003, Okamoto Studio in Queens began creating Japanese-style crystal clear ice; in 2011, Dutch Kills owner Richard Boccato launched Hundredweight Ice and made cubes and blocks like those used in Tokyo. Bar-world impresarios founded Cocktail Kingdom and sold Japanese barware like the tall, narrow jiggers that quickly appeared on bar mats around town. It was only a matter of time before the recipes began reflecting a similar influence. The unrushed, balletic bartending you see in Tokyos Ginza neighborhood may never prevail in multitasking New York. But Japans devotion to the craft is visible in the focus and flavor of a new generation of Japanese-inspired New York bars. Here, seven recent arrivals. Katana Kitten 531 Hudson St. Cocktail Kingdom founder Greg Boehm teams with Japanese-born bartender Masahiro Urushido and James Tune (Boilermaker) to open a Japanese-American cocktail bar. Urushido looks to pair the perfect execution of a Ginza drinks parlor with the high-volume cheer he knows from Saxon & Parole, where he cut his teeth. Try these: the Shiso Gin and Tonic (gin, shiso, lime, tonic water); the Toki Highball (Suntorys Toki blended whisky, lemon oil, koume plum); the Calpico Swizzle (gin, Nigori sake, the yogurtlike drink Calpico, tingly sansho pepper, Champagne, blue curacao); and the Bright N Sunny (rum, lemongrass, ginger, butterfly-pea flower). Tokyo Record Bar 127 Macdougal St. Make reservations for late-night listening sessions at this basement lounge from Ariel Arce, who was inspired by the jewel boxes of vinyl in Japan (on one visit, a DJ spun John Mellencamp records). Try this: sake from a list color-coded by taste; a sake cocktail like the tart yuzu highball. Straylight 32 Mulberry St. A basement-level concept bar below full-service izakaya Juku. The owners and designers are a pair of artists who aimed to make the bar look like a strange wellness spa. Try this: the Old Goat (genever, myoga ginger, daikon); a $60, two-hour cocktail omakase. Bar Goto 245 Eldridge St. The closest New York comes to a Ginza-style cocktail bar, says Urushido, who refers to Bar Goto owner Kenta Goto as Kenta-san: The aesthetic, the flavors, the visuals, the aroma; its very Japanese. Try this: the Yuzu Sansho Sour (gin, yuzu marmalade, sansho pepper, and its leaf as garnish). Bar Moga 128 W. Houston St. Stop by this serene space on Wednesdays, when expert Kayoko Coco Seo (who trained under Angels Shares Shingo Gokan) does tastings of a different Japanese spirit each month. Try this: the Sleepwalk, which pours yuzu omoi sake and lemongrass shochu over pebble ice. Alley Cat Amateur Theatre The Beekman Hotel, 10 Theatre Alley No surprise that Serge Becker the Box, La Esquina would model his latest after hidden bars in Japan (but with a Wall Street vibe). Recently, a string quartet played Stevie Wonder. Try this: The Head in the Clouds pairs Thai-basil-infused vodka and unfiltered sake. The Hidden Pearl 621 Manhattan Ave., Greenpoint Brand-new bar in back of a ramen shop; from the team behind Donna, who claim an Okinawan inspiration. The Japanese aspect comes out mostly through ingredients. Try this: The Cloud Busting blends gin, tonic, and yuzushu, sake spiked with yuzu. *This article appears in the August 6, 2018, issue of New York Magazine. Subscribe Now! News UAE orders arrest of man, woman for immoral acts and words The Federal Office of Investigation previously submitted a report to the State's Attorney General on monitoring this clip, besides the investigations of the office which identified the account through which the clip was published on the "Snapchat" platform, and the owner of the account. Haiti - USA : 110 members of Congress ask the Trump administration to reinstates the TPS U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Congressman Eliot Engel (NY-16), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today led a bipartisan group of 110 members of Congress in calling on the Trump Administration to reinstate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of immigrants legally living in the United States. The letter comes after the State Department released a series of internal documents showing the Trump Administrations overtly political decisions to terminate TPS for El Salvador, Honduras and Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22759-haiti-flash-tps-more-than-50-000-haitians-will-have-to-leave-the-usa.html despite warnings of grave consequences for the U.S. national security, TPS beneficiaries and U.S.-citizen children. "We believe that the warnings that then-Secretary Tillerson ignored that mass deportations could destabilize the region, trigger a new surge of unauthorized immigration, endanger our U.S. foreign policy goals, risk the safety of TPS beneficiaries and their U.S. citizen children and force the separation of families require reconsideration," wrote the Members in their letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "Given the implications.... we strongly urge you to reverse your predecessors recommendation and conduct a thorough review of the decision-making process that led to it." The documents published by the State Department were some of the materials the Senate Foreign Relations Committee reviewed as part of its investigation into then-Secretary Rex Tillersons recommendation not to extend TPS for several countries in the Western Hemisphere for political reasons. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has also opened a review of the Trump Administrations decision to terminate those TPS designations. Download the letter and the signatories : https://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/08-02-18%20RM%20Bicameral%20letter%20to%20Pompeo%20re%20TPS.pdf See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24140-haiti-flash-diaspora-tps-lawsuit-of-the-naacp-against-the-dhs-is-reinforced.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22892-haiti-flash-tps-senator-campbell-at-the-head-of-the-haitian-temporary-relief-task-force.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23316-haiti-flash-usa-ultimate-reregistration-to-tps-you-have-60-days.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22799-haiti-flash-tps-there-will-be-great-pain-and-suffering-dixit-le-cardinal-sean-o-malley.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22784-haiti-tps-flash-canada-prepares-to-welcome-a-new-wave-of-asylum-seekers.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22781-haiti-flash-tps-reactions-multiply-against-the-decision-of-the-trump-administration.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22772-haiti-flash-tps-reaction-of-the-conference-of-catholic-bishops-of-the-united-states.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22769-haiti-tps-haiti-is-not-prepared-to-take-back-nearly-60-000-tps-recipients.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22759-haiti-flash-tps-more-than-50-000-haitians-will-have-to-leave-the-usa.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Education : International Standard License Program in Architecture at UNIFA Last week, urban architect Leslie Voltaire presented a three-year architecture license program of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Aristide Foundation (UNIFA). This program will receive some fifty students this year. Academic responsible of this program, Leslie Voltaire assured that the quality of the training provided is of international standard. He gives as proof the formation and the competence of the personalities who will give these courses quoting among others the well-known architects: Jean Jacques Coicou, Ronald Blain, Herold Perard, Yves kersaint and cultural anthropologist Lilas Desquiron. Leslie Voltaire pointed out that this 3-year licensing program costs 50,000 gourdes a year, according to him, less than half of what other universities demand for this level. Recalling that one of the objectives of UNIFA is to capture with its training of excellence, some of the students who think to continue their studies in the Dominican Universities. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Humanitarian : Haiti one of the 4 most underfunded countries in the world The latest report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), released in early August 2018, warns of some of the world's most underfunded crises and new shocks, require a humanitarian response and emergency agricultural assistance. Haiti ranks 4th among the most under-funded countries in about 40 countries. For these extremely underfunded crises, FAO urgently needs $ 120 million to reach 3.6 million people during the last months of the year. Overall, FAO received less than 30% overall of the amount requested at the beginning of the year. For some crises, FAO only received 6% of the required amount (tables on pages 3-4) of the report. "We want to highlight the essential needs of these underfunded crises where our resources for action are currently extremely limited. We must make sure no one is left behind. We must act now to urgently implement interventions to support food security and livelihoods in order to save people's lives, protect livelihoods and build their resilience to the future crises. With the help of our resource partners, we can prevent a further worsening of food security in some of the most neglected crises of 2018," said Dominique Burgeon, Director of the Emergency and Rehabilitation Division of FAO and the Strategic Program Manager on Resilience. FAO has requested $ 22 million to support 461,000 people in Haiti and indicates that so far, its humanitarian response plan for 2018 has received only 7% of the required funding (just over 1.5 million ) "Our resources to support Haiti are currently very limited. This is why FAO is launching this urgent call. It is essential to act today to strengthen the food security and livelihoods of the island's inhabitants. This will enable us to save lives and strengthen their resilience to future crises, but for that we need our resource partners," said FAO Regional Representative Julio Berdegue, pointing out that most Haitians depend on for their survival and are exposed to recurrent disasters. Rehabilitating and strengthening livelihoods is essential to improve their food security and their ability to cope with future crises. FAO explains that the 22 million humanitarian aid will be used to recover livestock and fish production through training, distribution of fishing equipment, reconstruction of boats, provision of mobile veterinary clinics and installation of forage fields. In addition, these funds will also enable FAO to provide seeds, tools and planting material for climate resilient crop varieties. FAO will also provide nutrition education, establish community tree nurseries for fruit trees, train small farmers in seed multiplication and good agricultural practices resilient to climate change. As part of its humanitarian aid work, it will put in place cash-for-work programs to rehabilitate overflow basins in communities threatened by floods and landslides. Part of the $22 million that FAO has requested from the international community will also be used to set up early warning systems and monitor the food security system. Download the FAO report (PDF) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/CA0939EN.pdf HL/ HaitiLibre Despite once having a poor reputation in terms of nightlife, an increasingly youthful population and relaxed licensing laws have led to a proliferation of late-night venues across the city. Here are some top tips on where to go when you just aren't quite ready to call it a night. As we revel in the final weeks of glorious Finnish summer and the midnight sun continues to wreak havoc on our body clocks, we tend to find ourselves staying up later and later. Unlike in the brutal winter where most denizens of Helsinki are likely to be sleeping half of the day away, summer is when we come out to play, and refuse to go to bed. Hang Out Beyond the pounding techno clubs and divey death metal bars, there are plenty of places across the city where you can hang out at almost any hour of the night. In the summer months, a trip to the sky-high Kaivopuisto is guaranteed to be swarming with people well into the wee hours these days. For something with a little more edge, the cliff-top Lenin Park in Kallio is always full of lively and colourful characters at pretty much all hours. You can also try your luck at a little gambling at the Casino Helsinki on Mikonkatu, open til 4 am every single day and always packed to the rafters with those looking to be a high roller. If you fancy a late-night roulette spin or trying your hand at blackjack after a night on the town, this is the place to go. Helsinki is one of the only places in the Nordics you can experience a night at the casino, so this one is definitely a must-do. Drink There are now hundreds of top-notch watering holes across the city, and some are open later than others. For a drinking experience to remember, head to Steam on Olavinkatu for a steampunk-inspired, surprisingly affordable session. The place is usually open until 6 am, so you'll have no trouble getting in. For something a little more heart-racing, head to the floating rave vessel Merikerho, which you'll find by the docks by Hanasaari - open late on weekdays and as late as 7 am on weekends. Also, try the city's coolest techno dungeon Kaiku for 6 am close times, or the now-legendary Post Bar just a stone's throw away for 5 am last calls every night of the week. Eat If you're feeling a midnight snack in Helsinki, it's now easier than ever to satisfy those late night hunger pangs. There's really no shortage of open-all-hours eateries; it just depends on what you're craving. For pizza, head to Putte's, for ludicrously cheap Turkish food Sky Express is your best friend, Tenho is the place for nocturnal vegans and Cantina West is where to go for absolutely filthy Tex-Mex whenever the mood strikes. This city has come a long way in the past ten years and now it truly feels like it's on track to be a global 24/7 city, which we could not be happier about. Helsinki Times image: Pixabay My summary of the current state of the economy and economic policy: 1) the employment rate should be raised because itd be good for the public and the society at large, but at the same time 2) the public purse strings should be kept tight because the economy is booming, he tweeted on Sunday. Mikko Spolander, the director general at the economics department of the Ministry of Finance, says Finland should both take action to raise the employment rate and keep its purse strings tight. Spolander told Helsingin Sanomat that carrying out structural reforms during an upswing is preferable because strong demand can compensate for the possible short-term adverse effects of the reforms. The purchasing power of households grows even without stimulus measures, because employment and earnings increase during upswings, he explained to the newspaper. The Ministry of Finance will convene to draft its budget proposal for next year on Tuesday and Wednesday. The proposal will be submitted to other ministries for review and published online on Thursday. The Finnish government, meanwhile, will convene for its budget session on 2829 August. Also Pasi Kuoppamaki, an economist at Danske Bank, has estimated that it would be ill-advised to transition toward a looser fiscal policy in the midst of an upswing. You shouldnt loosen the fiscal policy during an upswing, but as far as Im concerned you could invest more in maintaining the high quality of education and also in fostering the skills of the working-age population, he commented on Twitter. You could try to tackle parts of the maintenance backlog during the next downswing, added Kuoppamaki. Fitch on Friday revealed that it has re-affirmed its AA+ credit rating and upgraded its outlook for Finland. Petteri Orpo (NCP), the Minister of Finance, stated that while the improved outlook is encouraging, a lot of work remains to be done if the country is to earn a promotion from the second highest to the highest, triple-A club. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Martti Kainulainen Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi The society is increasingly aware of the significance of high-quality early-childhood and pre-primary education for the educational path of children. OAJs next objective is to have all five-year-olds participate in pre-primary education and have the change laid out in the next government programme, declares Olli Luukkainen, the chairperson of OAJ. The Finnish Trade Union of Education (OAJ) demands that the scope of pre-primary education be expanded by a year to also include five-year-old children. Sanni Grahn-Laasonen (NCP), the Minister of Education, expressed her tentative support for the proposal in an interview with Helsingin Sanomat on Thursday. The National Coalition believes based on research findings that the most effective approach is to invest in the early years. If compulsory education is expanded, it should be done from the beginning, she stated. Grahn-Laasonen also revealed that one of the more pressing objectives of education policy is to bring children of immigrant backgrounds to the scope of early-childhood education as early as possible. This, she added, could be accomplished by overhauling the family leave system that encourages parents to take care of their children at home. Studies show that early-childhood education is an effective way to support the later learning and development of children. It makes it possible to detect and assist with learning difficulties at an earlier stage, she said to Helsingin Sanomat. Roughly a fifth of five-year-old children are currently not participating in the early-childhood education. Sami Savio (PS), a member of the Parliaments Education Committee, contrastively voiced his opposition to the proposal to expand the scope of pre-primary education. Learning is extremely important, but there is plenty of time to start the long educational path slightly later. The proposal clearly reflects the advocacy efforts of one trade union while childrens perspective is ignored. This is very regrettable because whats beneficial for children is also beneficial for the society, he said. Finlands basic education act stipulates that compulsory basic education starts in the year when a child turns seven and that the child must have participated in pre-primary education during the year preceding the start of basic education. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Markku Ulander Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi A DRAGON was awoken on the River Thames in Henley as part of a traditional Chinese ceremony. Henley Dragon Boat Club celebrated taking ownership of its new 8,500 vessel, which features a colourful painted dragons head and tail, on Saturday. The naming ceremony, known as awakening the dragon, was held at the Hobbs of Henley boatyard, off Station Road. About 100 people watched as club secretary Cat Cassell and Shifu Julian Dale, from Eagle Claw Kung Fu School in Maidenhead, explained what was taking place. Dragon boats can be traced back more than 2,000 years in Chinese history and were used for religious purposes as a way of appeasing the Rain Gods. The awakening ceremony is held to show respect to the dragon and to put it in a good mood towards its owners. Members of the Henley Dragons paddled the boat across the river from its base at the Eyot Centre to a small wooden mooring that had been decorated with red balloons. Flowers were laid by Pete Holloway, manager of the Eyot Centre, and club members Derek Blincoe and James Blake. Then Mr Holloway gave the boat its name, Long Fei, explaining to the spectators that this means flying dragon. Henley Mayor Glen Lambert and the clubs youngest member Connor Jones then completed the eye-dotting by applying red paint to each of the dragons eyes. They also applied paint to the top of its head, its two horns and the side of its mouth with help from Mr Holloway. This part of the ceremony is said to ward off evil spirits and prepare the boat for voyage. Miss Cassell said: This traditionally involves a Taoist priest dotting the protruding eyes of the dragon head carved on the boats, thus ending its slumber. The paddlers were then invited to light incense sticks which they had to do under a cloth after struggling to manage it in the wind and rain. Once everybody had a burning stick, the team put them between their hands and bowed three times under instruction from Mr Dale. Team captain Joanna Zalewska-Jarvis then took three incense sticks which were taped to the front of the boat. The team then got back in the boat and paddled it aggressively back and forth to symbolise the dragon bowing to the crowd. Four youngsters from the Eagle Claw demonstration team then performed a lion dance. Two formed a large red lion and the other two formed a smaller white lion. The dancers were accompanied by a man dressed as a happy Buddha. Others members of the team played drums and symbols while they danced and interacted with the audience. Towards the end one of the lions picked up a romaine lettuce, which was an offering to the dragon. The lettuce was split into three pieces which were thrown towards the boat but in different directions to help spread the blessing. When they had finished, the dancers received loud applause and cheers from the audience. To finish the ceremony, the boat was paddled around between the Eyot Centre and Henley Bridge, allowing the dragon and the spirits to be introduced to each other. Afterwards, guests were served Prosecco and snacks provided by the club. Miss Cassell, from Henley, said: We were really pleased with the number of people who turned out and if the weather had been better there probably would have been even more. Everyone seemed to enjoy it and it was a very different thing to happen in Henley and for people to come and see. The dancers put on a brilliant spectacle and led us beautifully through the ceremony. It was good for the clubs reputation and to be able to market it. She said the boat would help make the club more competitive in the British Dragon Boat Association Premier League. Miss Cassell said: We go all across the country to compete so its nice to have a shiny, new boat which will help us show we are one of the top teams in the country. Councillor Lambert thanked the club for inviting him to take part in the ceremony. He said: I hope I have awakened our newest dragon more successfully than I awaken myself on weekday mornings! I read up a little on dragon boat history and was surprised to learn it dates back to ancient China more than 2,000 years ago, so I really am honoured to be part of it. Mr Dale said it was the first awakening the dragon ceremony performed by the Kung Fu school. Its lion dance demonstration team usually performs at weddings, Chinese New Year celebrations and private events and once did so in front of Prime Minister Theresa May. Mr Dale said: We were there to help bring good luck and good fortune. The boat was imported from China, via Germany, through the British Dragon Boat Association. It was bought through the Eyot Centre charity. A PLANNED public meeting on the future of the Sue Ryder hospice in Nettlebed hospice has been labelled inappropriate. Barbara Lewis, chairwoman of Nettlebed Parish Council, is unhappy with Henley Town Council for agreeing to stage a public forum to discuss the charitys plans to sell Joyce Grove and its grounds. Councillors said they had received a large volume of enquiries from members of the public concerned about the future of the hospice and its services and said that it was time to force the issue. Councillor Lewis says her council should have been consulted about the meeting and raised her concerns with David Nimmo Smith, one of Nettlebeds representatives on South Oxfordshire District Council and a member of the town council. She said: While we are all most sympathetic to the concerns of patients and their families that this valued facility may cease to operate in its present form at its present location, it is hardly up to Henley Town Council to step in and take over a debate without the courtesy of consulting Nettlebed Parish Council. The Sue Ryder hospice is very important to our community and, as you may know, the parish council has worked tirelessly over the past decade and more to help them manage their three-weekly sales in the village. The charity wants to sell the building and focus on caring for people at home, saying that this is what most patients now want. It says demand for inpatient care has dropped by 12 per cent in the past four years whereas demand for home visits by nurses has trebled. The current premises, which were built as a private mansion in 1908 and became a hospice in 1979, are isolated and costly to maintain. Cllr Lewis said the parish council held regular meetings with the charity, the Nettlebed Estate, the Nettlebed and District Commons Conservators, Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire County Councils highways department about managing the sales, which attract hundreds of people. She added: Our local involvement and discussions with the Sue Ryder hospice staff are ongoing, which makes the decision of Henley Town Council to take action highly inappropriate. Nettlebed Parish Council appreciates that Henley Town Council was involved in negotiations with Sue Ryder Care when the hospice was due to move into Townlands Memorial Hospital in Henley. However, when that decision was rescinded in December 2014, Henley Town Councils direct involvement ceased. While we all share the same concerns for ongoing end-of-life care in our community, a public meeting organised by Henley Town Council is not the way forward. And before you ask, no, Nettlebed would not wish to see the Sue Ryder Nettlebed hospice moved. Indeed, we would like to see a smaller hospice built in the adequate grounds. Councillor Nimmo Smith said Nettlebed council should be closely involved but added: Despite what Barbara Lewis says, I think its the pubic airing approach should be used because there is a lack of information coming out and when that happens conspiracy theories start running. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. Alex Wong/Getty Images(MOSCOW) -- Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky met with Russian politicians during a trip to Moscow on Monday and invited members of the countrys upper house of parliament to visit Washington, D.C., this year. Paul has become one of the few defenders of President Donald Trumps controversial summit meeting with Russia's president Vladimir Putin in Finland last month. He said he traveled to Moscow with the goal of fostering dialogue between Russia and the United States. Paul led a small delegation of Americans in a meeting at the Federation Council, Russias equivalent of the U.S. Senate, with senators from the international relations committee. Speaking after the meeting that lasted about an hour, Paul said it had been "wonderful" and announced he had invited members of the Russian committee to meet with their counterparts in the U.S. from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on which he sits. "My goal in coming to Russia is to say that we want to have open lines of communication," Paul said at a press conference after the meeting. "Im pleased to announce that we will be furthering this conversation. We have invited members of the foreign relations committee of Russia to come to the United States and meet with us in Washington." In addition to the invitation to the U.S., Paul said he'd like to organize a larger, future meeting. "Weve also agreed, if it can be arranged, to meet as well in a neutral country with all of our committees," Paul said. The chairman of the Russian international relations committee, Konstantin Kosachev, thanked Paul and said he hoped the meetings could happen before the end of the year. Kosachev said a preliminary agenda had already been agreed upon, which would focus on arms control, improving economic ties and establishing better contacts on terrorism and cyber-security. "We know you as an authoritative, independent American politician," Kosachev told Paul as they began their meeting, saying his visit was "especially valuable given the attitudes of other American politicians," who he said presented any contact with Russian officials as "toxic." The delegation with Paul included Phillip Huffines, a Texas Republican who ran unsuccessfully in a primary race this spring, and Peter Goettler, president and CEO of the Cato Institute, the conservative Washington-based think tank. Among the Russian senators sitting across from Paul was Moscows former ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak, whose meetings with members of the Trump campaign provoked uproar in 2016. Paul's was the second unusual diplomatic overture to Russia by Senate Republicans in a month, following the visit of a larger delegation led by Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama that traveled to Moscow around July 4. Shelby's delegation said it had come with the similar goal of reviving communications with Russia, but had also delivered a warning to the Russians not to interfere in the U.S. mid-terms this November. Paul, known for some of his unorthodox positions in the Senate, has recently emerged as a champion of Trumps outreach to Russia. He was one of the very few on Capitol Hill to defend Trump after the Helsinki summit. Trump was heavily criticized by both Republicans and Democrats for being too deferential to Putin in his remarks and appearing to side with him over U.S. intelligence agencies' assessment of Russian interference in the 2016 election. In the days after the summit, Paul called the criticism partisan and overblown, saying it was too dangerous not to seek dialogue when relations were so tense. "The hatred of the president is so intense that partisans would rather risk war than give diplomacy a chance," Paul said in a long defense of Trump on the Senate floor, days after the summit. "Its crazy." In Moscow, he made a similar case for engagement. "Those that believe, in either country, that we should not have diplomacy are greatly mistaken," Paul said. "It does not mean we don't have differences. But discussions are incredibly important." Paul's trip comes amid fresh anxiety in Congress over warnings from U.S. intelligence that Russia is seeking to influence the midterm elections using similar tactics, such as social media campaigns, as in 2016. This week, both Democratic and Republican senators introduced a bill that would impose the harshest sanctions yet on Moscow as punishment for its U.S. election interference, as well as its activities in Ukraine and Syria. The bill would place restrictions on Russia's sovereign debt transactions, as well as oil and energy projects. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told reporters earlier in the week that he wanted "a sanctions bill from hell." Paul suggested he did not believe raising the issue of election interference would have been productive in his meetings with Russian officials. "We had general discussions about a lot of issues and basically weve decided that, right now, what were trying to do is have dialogue," he said. "The biggest issue right now is no dialogue. So were not going to get into any of the differences other than we are trying to agree to have dialogue." Kosachev was less reserved, telling reporters that Russia's position was simple -- there had been no Russian interference in the 2016 election "and consequently, there won't be any in this year either." Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. 6 Major Takeaways From Spotify CEO Daniel Eks Fast Company Profile Fast Company has published the first in depth interview with Daniel Ek in three years and the first behind the scenes look at the world's biggest streaming service since it went public. While there are no big reveals, it offers a well sourced portrait of a company deeply committed to and quite capable of truly transforming the music business. 6 major takeaways from the Fast Company Spotify profile: Sweden is the key to Spotify's success and its corporate ethos. Asked if he could build a playlist for me of Spotifys history, Ek answered:The first song would have to be something from ABBA, he says, because the roots of Sweden have influenced a lot of the decisions that we make. The article continues: "In fact, the only reason Ek got a chance to prove out his original theory was that in his home country, record companies basically had nothing to lose in licensing their libraries for streaming. Piracy had obliterated CD sales and decimated revenues. File-sharing services like Pirate Bay were so popular in the country that citizens formed an actual Pirate Party, which won 7% of the vote in one parliamentary election." Free music is the drug Spotify knowingly uses to attract new users and keep the music industry dependent. "Today, 60% of Spotifys paying customers have been sourced from its free product, an unquestionable success. Every time the company expands what it offers for free, though, the red flags go back up as artists and labels fear that Spotify is devaluing their work. My challenge is still the free tier, says Scott Borchetta, CEO of country music label Big Machine, which distributes Taylor Swifts music (among others). Swift famously pulled her songs from Spotify in 2014, in perhaps the highest-profile protest against Eks model. Now: It doesnt matter what we felt two or three years ago, Borchetta says. As consumers have committed to streaming, the music industry has had no choice but to go along. What we have now is what we have to make work. Ek is a planner and he's got big plans for Spotify: Each evening, he reviews a list of goals for the day, the week, and the month. And then I just over-allocate time to [addressing] those goals. Success for us will be determined by our ability to move faster than everyone else in this space." Broadcast radio is has a target on its back. Billions of people listen to radio, and most of that today isnt monetized very efficiently, Ek says as we chat on the couch in his Stockholm office. Commercial radio, thats conservatively a $50 billion industry globally Ninety percent of Spotifys current revenues come from subscriptions, but if the free product expands, so can Spotifys radiolike advertising business. As Ek notes, with typical understatement, We still have a lot of room to grow. Ek & Company are promising to transform how musicians earn a living. So far, Ek has been focused on changing how creators get paid; in streaming, an artist is compensated every time a song is played, creating lifetime revenue (albeit a fraction of a penny at a time), whereas in the old model they got paid (sometimes) after selling a CD or download. But thats only the beginning. Spotifys first eight to 10 years were focused on consumers, says R&D chief Soderstrom. The next eight to 10 will be focused on artists. What's next for artists? Daniel and I were at the Soho House in L.A. the week of Coachella, and we began talking philosophically about the idea of creator services, said departing Spotify exec Troy Carter. I said my dream is for Spotify not to be a means to an end for artists but to be the end. The major-label system was built out for the 5,000 biggest artists in the world, Carter notes. If were going to [enable] a million artists to make a living, thats going to require an entirely different ecosystem. In this world, an artist might be happy making $50,000 a year, supplementing income from other work to help pay their mortgage, raise their kids, by doing what they love. Im just as committed to that kind of artist. How do we make it so there are a lot more winners, Carter says, to redefine what it means to be a winner? While Ek and others at Spotify share Carter's commitment to artists, his exit calls into question how well the streamer will be able to implement this vision. But given the stremer's massive success so far, it would be foolish to bet against it Read the full article here. Share on: Meet The Google Funded Group That Hacked EU Copyright Vote [David Lowery] The EU parliament recently endured several weeks of being bombarded by tweets, calls, emails, and letters opposing Article 13 of the Copyright Directive, which would have forced major tech companies like Google to more tightly regulate copyright on their platforms. This "movement" was the result of a small group of anti-copyright ideologues from Vancouver, writes David Lowery. ______________________ Guest post by David C. Lowery of The Trichordist Who Hacked the EU Copyright Directive Deliberations? The EU parliament just went through a couple of contentious weeks in which they were overwhelmed with tweets, letters, emails and phone calls opposing Article 13 a section of the Copyright Directive that would have forced companies like Google to police their platforms better for copyright infringement. Last week we published a guest post by Volker Rieck in which he described in detail how a small group of anti-copyright ideologues apparently created a fake grassroots uprising against the EU copyright directive by essentially multiplying their numbers with bots. Today I introduce you to the Google funded group that appears to have been behind virtually every single one of these fake grassroots political attacks. Including the #DeleteArt13 campaign. Meet OpenMedia.org. What a wholesome looking bunch of progressive-ish political activists! Theyre based in Vancouver BC. A friendly town. A clean, modern, Pacific rim high tech banking city. Very multicultural, sort of like Seattle except without the crazy drug addicts with super-human-Chinese-research-chemical strength swinging shopping carts over their heads. No Vancouver is a nice place to raise your children and start an astroturf group that supports the regressive interests of Silicon Valley cyber-libertarians. Yay! OpenMedia.org counts Google as a platinum supporter whatever that means. Mozilla Foundation which receives $300 million annually from Google is another platinum supporter. Then there is the super weird and mysterious Private Internet Access. Ostensibly PIA (legal name London Trust Media) is a commercial VPN. But when you dig beneath the surface its ownership and corporate structure is to put it mildly opaque. There are many other Google connections but one above all should be noted: board member Jacob Glick is the former head of the Public Policy and Government Relations for Google Canada. You think they still talk? So what does OpenMedia do? They fight aggressively against any sort of regulation that would harm Google and Silicon Valleys bottom line. SOPA, Net Neutrality, DMCA Takedown Staydown and the EU copyright directive. But doesnt Google have like a zillion academics, think tanks and astroturf groups already doing that for them? Yes. That is true. So what is so interesting about OpenMedia.org? Its how they go about supporting Google and other silicon valley companies. They specialize in creating grassroots campaigns. Only these arent really grassroots campaigns. They are pure astroturf. Their campaigns make heavy use of automated tools that allow a single person to repeatedly spam targets with tweets, emails, robo-calls, robo-faxes and even automated letters! How do they do that? Meet New/Mode Purveyors of the Finest Democracy Hacking Tools. Meet NewMode.net. New/Mode is some kind of arms-length commercial subsidiary of OpenMedia.org. Which in turn is funded and directed at many levels by Google and Google associated groups. Not sure how non-profits work in Canada, but the ownership structure as described on their home page seems odd. Heres what they do. One-click calling. One-click email. One-click faxing. Fairly predictable. Storm social? hmm like the sock puppet tweet storm we saw directed at the MEPs last month? Letters to the editor? WTF? Automated letters to editors? (more on that in a minute). Lets look at one click calling. Pure clicktivist nonsense. I tested this out a while back. A user can put in any postal code. No one checks. I put in a postal code for a rural city in the northern plains of the US and I was connected to the office of someone who was not my congressman. I was scripted to behave as if I was a constituent. Even better. If you stay on the line, the service keeps connecting you to additional targets. So one person can easily call 20-40 targets in an hour. Democracy Hacking Tools in Action During the #DeleteArticle13 campaign I was able to dial UK MEPs using New/Modes tool. Even though I was using a US phone number! NewMode and OpenMedia didnt seem to care. Why should they? Any cybermob is a good mob right? They helpfully gave me talking points. This is your democracy. This is your democracy on bots. (Since I originally posted this piece I checked the calling feature again. It still works. Even with US number. See screenshot above) Microtargeting a Tweet Storm New/Mode isnt just about spam email and robo-calling. They do so much more. Want a tweet storm? Just like the one directed at Euro MEPs on article 13? I wonder how all these sock puppet tweets were generated? They were coming out at about 3 to 5 a minute in the wee hours of the morning Brussels time. A lot of sleepless constituents! Is meth still popular in EU? Oh look! Those arent sleepless constituents. New/Mode provides exactly the tool you need to create your own middle of the night tweet storm. No Meth required! And New/Mode lets you target exactly who you want to target. Just direct the information warfare firehose at a single wavering MP somewhere. More effective. As we reported in an earlier blog, we observed the grassroots tweet storm behaved as if someone was in command and control. The tweets focused on certain countries MEPs for long periods of this time, then suddenly shifted to a different country. This is not organic grassroots behavior. Google Command and Control Tweet storm targets were the same as those MEPs highlighted on the SaveYourInternet.eu website. SaveYourInternet.eu used the New/Mode web tools for tweets, email and robo calls. SaveYourInternet.eu website is operated by Googles lobbyist in Brussels N-Square. Get the picture? MEPs were cyber bullied by fake mobs under the command and control of a Google lobbyist. How is this even legal? In the US command and control has been effectively run by Marvin Ammori via Fight For The Future. Fight for the Future employs the same New/Mode tools to mount its fake grassroots campaigns. Ammori is/was outside counsel to Google, and is currently associated with at least three other Google funded institutions including the Center for Internet and Society. I Love the Smell of Hacked Democracy in the Morning: Past Targets The US Federal Communications Commission was targeted by New/Mode tools last year: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2017/11/29/net-neutrality-comments-mostly-came-bots-and-fake-email-addresses-pew-finds/904439001/ The Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement was derailed largely due to disinformation spread with this Open Media New Mode enabled tool. Here is the OpenMedia.org cloned website that first deployed the tools: https://stopthesecrecy.net Original opposition was based on intellectual property provisions, but Trump (and to a lesser extent Sanders) hijacked the movement and turned it into a jobs issue. (You see what happens Larry when you find a stranger in the Alps?) In 2016 the US Copyright Office consultation was similarly bombed with identical comments using a similar tool. https://thetrichordist.com/2016/04/19/exactly-86000-identical-comments-the-illegal-comment-bombing-of-dmca-notice-takedown-review-by-google-proxy-fight-for-the-future/ Also 2014 a similar use of automated commenting tools targeted and crashed the FCC website. Freedom of Information requests later revealed that FCC staffers with close ties to Google helped the group that generated the bot comments post the comments anyway. See emails here These are all DDoS attacks that seek to overwhelm the voices of real constituents by drowning them out with a flood of corporate sponsored spam. There is no other way to describe this other than a hack of the Democratic processes. New/Mode also brags that it can create clone websites to make it appear as if there are a broad range of groups supporting the same action. In screenshot above they brag about creating 60 cloned environmental group websites in Canada to put pressure on the Trudeau government. While the end goal of this environmental campaign may be laudable, ends never justify means. Especially if it means you hand Canadian democracy over to astroturf groups controlled by Silicon Valley interests. Maybe Canadas federal government in Ottawa ought to have a look at whats going on all the way down at the other end of the country in Vancouver. Seems sketchy to me. And it is Fake Grassroots As we have noted repeatedly on the Trichordist, when Google funded/directed astroturf groups that use the New/Mode tools then try to turn their cyber-brownshirts into boots on the ground very few (if any) people show up. In 2016 Fight For The Future launched a campaign against the US Copyright Office consultations on copyright reform. Fight or the Future claimed to have crashed the Regulations.gov website with New/Mode tool. (Is this something to brag about?) Fight for the Future claimed it was because tens of thousands of folks responded to their online campaign and overwhelmed the regulations.gov portal to comment on US Copyright Office consultations. At the same time Fight For The Future organized a rally. However only 4 people showed up to protest in person. Judging by signs all four were pro-copyright. Apparently they showed up to oppose the non-existent Fight For The Future protestors. Doesnt make sense. A group that can get tens of thousands of folks to leave comments on wonky federal regulations but they cant get anyone show up for a protest? Similarly there are only 37 individuals in the photo of the huge white house rally to keep title two net neutrality at FCC. This was also organized by Fight For The Future. So the online campaign generated millions of comments, emails and phone calls and 37 people show up to protest at the White House? This does not pass the smell test. Over in Europe reports indicate something similar happened. The biggest #DeleteArt13 rally in Berlin had less than 150 participants. Where are all the millions of folks who sent tweets, emails and phone calls to EU parliamentarians? The simplest explanation is that most of the online protestors dont really exist. Fake, fake fake. Pure fakery. It Gets Worse: New/Mode Hacks Print Media But forget the EU and Canada for now. The thing that stopped me in my tracks was this tool that allows a small team of individuals to write a letter to the editor to every local newspaper in the US. Clearly these folks at Open Media know that they are up to no good. Randomize subject lines and content to deliver an original authentic story to editors. This is pure shillery. No I take that back. This is pure fuckery. And they are fucking with our democracy at a very local level. Turns out Canadians arent nice at all. They even bragged about it and linked to robo letters that were published in small town newspapers. What is wrong with these people? Hack Me? HACK YOU! Just to demonstrate how fucked up this is, I repurposed the Net Neutrality letter to the editor. I replaced their text with my own and sent the following letter to every small town newspaper in Oregon. It took maybe five minutes? The joke in the letter is that Sen Ron Wyden of Oregon has proposed a bill to prevent hacking of federal elections by mandating paper ballots. The problem is that Wyden clearly does not have a clue as to how our democracies will be hacked. Our democracies will be hacked by hybrid information warfare techniques. NOT ballot tampering. The creation of fake grassroot movements and disinformation is what will kill our democracy. OpenMedia.org and New/Mode are already deploying the tools that will kill our democracy. But given the fact Wyden is sometimes referred to as The Senator from Google dont expect him to do anything about it. (Also Google and Oregon? See here) Oh and Krist Novoselic is the former bass player of Nirvana. And he does have political aspirations. See his book Cant be any worse than Senator Ron Hedge Fund In My Basement Wyden. Share on: Pittsfield Resident Sues School Committee Over Indigenous Peoples Day PITTSFIELD, Mass. A city resident has filed suit for $75,000 for alleged "pain, suffering and emotional distress" caused by the School Committee's decision to change the name of Columbus Day on the school calendar to Indigenous Peoples Day. Alexander Blumin filed the lawsuit in Berkshire Superior Court against the entire School Committee except for Joshua Cutler, the city of Pittsfield, and Human Rights Commission Chairman Drew Herzig. Blumin argues that the School Committee used deceptive practices and broke state law that recommends schools recognize Columbus Day . He then contends Herzig attempted to do the same by proposing the city follow the School Committee's lead. "By doing this lawsuit plaintiff obviously risks his future employment since nobody will be willing to hire troublemaker who sued local municipality. More than a month I can't sleep safely thinking maybe I should not do this -- why me? I am nobody. They can hurt me badly afterward. But I better die than live in fear," the lawsuit reads. Blumin claims he experienced pain, suffering, and emotional distress over the issue. The lawsuit state he met with members of the Italian American community, who opposed the change, and they allegedly told him they were not interested in filing a lawsuit. He, however, believes they could not afford an attorney and didn't have the "courage to even talk about court." "I am not Italian but I have a civil duty to defend elderly, weak and confused," Blumin wrote. He claims the School Committee engaged in deceptive practices when it allowed School Committee member William Cameron to speak during the meeting in opposition to Columbus Day. As for Herzig, Blumin wrote, "Herzig engaged in deceptive practice -- approach School Committee and general public by his extremist left propaganda enticing School Committee to violate M.G.L. and Mass constitution by asking to remove Columbus Day from school calendar." He said Herzig then proposed for the rest of the city make the switch as well during the following Human Rights Commission. Blumin is asking the court to award him $75,000 from the School Committee and $10,000 from Herzig for the pain, suffering and emotional distress. He is asking the court to recommend that Mayor Linda Tyer remove Herzig from the Human Rights Commission; that Tyer reconsiders the employment of City Solicitor Richard Dohoney for allegedly failing to give legal advice to the School Committee; and to reverse the School Committee's decision to switch out Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day on the school calendar. After sending a letter to city officials informing them of his intent to file a lawsuit, Superintendent Jason McCandless wrote back disagreeing with Blumin's assertion that the School Committee does not have the jurisdiction to make such a decision. "In fact, the school calendar is absolutely theirs to approve as the school calendar falls under their policy responsibilities," McCandless wrote. McCandless highlighted that while the second Monday in October is recognized as a state holiday as Columbus Day, the law declaring such reads that the state is "recommending that it be observed by the people." It does not require the schools to celebrate Columbus Day. The superintendent noted that more than half of the United States do not recognize Columbus Day and that other holidays are celebrated under different names -- such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrated in New Hampshire as Civil Rights Day and in Idaho as Idaho Human Rights Day. Vermont, for example, does not celebrate Columbus Day and the last two years has proclaimed the federal holiday as Indigenous Peoples Day. "In closing, please understand that this action pertains exclusively to the Pittsfield Public Schools academic calendar. The decision made by the committee does not change the way that Columbus is addressed in the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks nor does it change any way that the city of Pittsfield chooses to make or honor the day," McCandless said. iciHaiti - DR : Seizure of 1.5 tons of smuggled garlic from Haiti On Friday at dawn, members of the Specialized Land Border Security Corps (CESFRONT) accompanied by the C-2 Intelligence Service of Montecristi and Dajabon seized 1.5 tons of contraband garlic from Haiti in a boat. General Sugar Putzi Frugis Martinez, Director of Cesfront, said the smuggled goods were found near the port of La Piedra in Montecristi, where the army seized 150 bags of garlic weighing 22 pounds each. Garlic was introduced to Dominican territory by the maritime border with Haiti, in a home-made boat, equipped with two outboard motors, 40 HP Yamaha Enduro. The Cesfront has indicated that the garlic as well as the boat and the outboard engines will be delivered to the Montecristi prosecutor's office for the purposes of the corresponding law. Recall that this is the second seizure in less than two weeks, after that of 1.2 tons of contraband garlic from Haiti by soldiers of the 10th Battalion of the Dominican Army in the province of Dajabon seized on board of a vehicle https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-25076-icihaiti-contraband-1-2-tons-of-garlic-seized-from-haiti.html Note that from January 2017 to February 2018, CESFRONT members seized more than 205,000 pounds ( 93 tonnes) of smuggled garlic from Haiti https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-23721-icihaiti-rd-partial-assessment-of-the-fight-against-haitian-smuggling.html See also : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-25076-icihaiti-contraband-1-2-tons-of-garlic-seized-from-haiti.html S/ iciHaiti iciHaiti - DR : 78 military posts and more than 7,000 men guard the border on the Dominican side The armed forces (land, air, sea), the members of the Specialized Land Border Security Corps (CESFRONT), the hundreds of cameras and the long-range drone fleets give excellent results in the border zone that separates the Dominican Republic from Haiti declared the Dominican Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Ruben Dario Paulino Sem. Minister Paulino Sem said that these staffing and the use of new technology allowed to fight effectively against the illegal entry of Haitians in the Dominican Republic, the fight against human trafficking, the smuggling of weapons, goods and drugs and other criminal acts that occur along the land border between the two nations. While asserting that the entire border area shows "positive signs of order and change" from North to South, he pointed out that close nearly 80 permanent military posts and more than 7,000 men, monitor and control by day night the border of the Dominican side. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25041-haiti-dr-nearly-70-000-haitians-deported-or-returned-in-haiti-during-the-1st-semester.html S/ iciHaiti The Indonesian competition authority (KPPU) recently imposed fines on two property companies as a result of their failure to notify it of acquisition transactions. Under Indonesian competition law, a notification must be sent to the KPPU for any merger, consolidation or acquisition (MCA) that meets the prescribed criteria within 30 business days after the date of the legal effectiveness of the MCA transaction. Should a notification not be filed within the prescribed period, the KPPU may impose a fine of up to IDR1 billion ($70,000) a day, with a maximum overall ceiling of IDR25 billion. PT Plaza Indonesian Realty Tbk (Plaza Indonesia) was fined IDR1 billion for the late notification of its acquisition of PT Citra Asri Property, while PT Nirvana Property (Nirvana) was fined the same amount for its late notification of the takeover of PT Mutiara Mitra Bersama. Plaza Indonesia's notification was 345 days late, while Nirvana's notification was 161 days late. As far as we are aware, Plaza Indonesia and Nirvana are respectively the eigth and ninth companies that have been fined by the KPPU for filing late MCA notifications. To date, the KPPU has never imposed the maximum daily fine of IDR1 billion, or the total maximum fine of IDR25 billion. However, there is no clear correlation between the number of days of delay and the size of the fines that have thus far been imposed, resulting in a high degree of legal uncertainty for companies that fail to file notifications in relation to their transactions within the prescribed period. Plaza Indonesia and Nirvana may still appeal to the courts. However, based on case law, there appears to be little chance that the fines would be overruled on appeal. To date, all such court appeals have in the end been dismissed. Based on informal discussions with representatives of the KPPU, we understand that the authority is in the process of looking into other late MCA notification cases. Consequently, it appears likely that the authority will impose fines on other companies in the near future. The KPPU's recent enforcement efforts confirm the importance of always ensuring that an MCA transaction even if foreign-to-foreign complies with all of the criteria prescribed by Indonesian competition law. Gustaaf Reerink Chandrawati Dewi 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs. Share this article Indian American Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said former Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff is free to "believe what he wants to believe and claim what he wants to claim" and that he will address the issues in court. (Twitter photo) The destroyer Haikou began a three-day visit to Xiuying Port in Haikou, South China's Hainan Province in May. Students waved Chinese flags to welcome the destroyer. Photo: VCG The slogan on the main road of a training camp for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) South China Sea Fleet reads "No fear of fierce storms, bloodshed, sacrifice or enemies." These words represent the true life and experiences of the navy crew on the Chinese destroyer Haikou. The destroyer's crew has recently been praised as a role model in the Navy for their tenacity and the pride they brought to the military. The guided-missile destroyer Haikou has conducted 30 major missions including ocean escorts, international military drills and maritime rescues since it was launched in 2003. It has also cruised the South China Sea region more than 10 times patrolling, tracking and monitoring in order to safeguard China's sovereignty, safety and rights. The domestically developed type 052C guided-missile destroyer entered service in the South Sea Fleet in 2006. Zhang Youxia, vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission (CMC), called on all military troops to learn from the destroyer Haikou to improve the nation's ability to win wars in the new era, during a symposium held at the Great Hall of the People on July 30, the PLA's flagship newspaper PLA Daily reported July 31. Winning record "As the country's pioneering warship, safeguarding China's maritime rights and sovereignty is our glorious mission," Fan Jigong, captain of Haikou, said at the symposium, the PLA Daily reported. Fan recalled one of the warship's escort missions in 2009. The Haikou went to Somalia to escort a fishing boat which has been taken over by pirates for 88 days. The pirates ransacked the boat. Navy crew on the destroyer Haikou delivered supplies, such as food, medicine, clothes and fuel to the boat and escorted it to safe waters. The crew members on the boat hung up two signs outside the cockpit, which said, "Thank you, my country" and "Thank you PLA Navy," according to Fan. According to the PLA Daily, the Haikou crew devised strategies to deal with pirates during its maiden escort mission in the Gulf of Aden in 2008. The warship has escorted 600 vessels from both home and aboard and rescued 10 commercial boats that were chased or hijacked by pirates. The Haikou holds several records in maritime research and rescue in China. It has visited 12 countries and regions to show the PLA Navy's openness and confidence. The crew on the Haikou also won international praise for its professionalism. During a joint drill, soldiers on two foreign warships missed the targets in firing test, but sailors on the Haikou hit the targets with the first two rounds. Foreign soldiers started to shout, "Stop firing, PLA Navy, leave some targets for us." Before they got their last word out, the Chinese navy crew had sunk the remainder of the targets, Fan said. Hometown pride Haikou city in South China's Hainan Province has been proud of the destroyer Haikou for 15 years, when the PLA Navy named its then most advanced domestically built missile destroyer after the city. Haikou residents were thrilled when the destroyer visited the city and opened its doors to the public in May this year. Over 20,000 residents visited the warship in three days, far beyond the organizer's expectation. "The city Haikou is a window for China's reform and opening-up, and the destroyer Haikou is a window for the world to know China," Ren Fei, an official with the Civil Affairs Bureau of Haikou, said at the symposium, the PLA Daily reported. The sailors on the Haikou have shown great innovative ability ever since the ship started sailing, said Fan. For example, a firing squad leader devised a new radar system, which greatly improved the defensive capability of the ship's secondary guns. Another firing squad member reduced the preparations needed before firing by transforming the power supply system, according to people. com.cn. Surjit Malhi was allegedly the victim of a hate crime in Keyes, California, July 31. Malhi was putting up signs supporting Republican Congressman Jeff Denham when two men approached him, threw sand into his eyes and beat him in the head and chest, according to police. (Sacramento CBS13 screen grab) Indian American mathematician Akshay Venkatesh is one of four recipients of the Fields Medal, the highest honor in math, awarded every four years. Venkatesh was awarded the honor for his synthesis of analytic number theory, homogeneous dynamics, topology and representation theory. (Rod Searcey photo, courtesy of Stanford University) A number of titanium dioxide producers believe there are limited prospects for further price rises in 2019, particularly in Europe. "Were not forecasting a significant amount of growth on pricing globally," Tronox chief executive Jeff Quinn told investors on August 2. On July 31, Venator chief executive Simon... Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro Addresses Attempted Assassination Watch Seven people were injured when a number of drone-like devices exploded as the president of Venezuela addressed a military event. "The venezuelan far-right have gone to far" President Nicolas Maduro Posted August 05, 2018 Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. ====== Fact or fiction? CIA elements involved in Maduro assassination attempt: Expert : I think the more we look into this we are going to see this was in fact a terrorist attempt by certain actors within the CIA, within Colombia, the extreme right that were targeting Maduro, Note To ICH Community By Ramzy Baroud August 05, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited Israel on July 19, where he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials. Orbans visit would have not required much pause except that the Hungarian leader has been repeatedly branded for his often racist, anti-Semitic remarks. So why is Orban wining and dining with the leaders of the so-called Jewish State? The answer does not pertain only to Orban and Hungary, but to Israels attitude towards the rapidly growing far-right movements in Europe, as a whole. Netanyahu and Zionist leaders everywhere, are not just aware of this massive political shift in European politics but are, in fact, working diligently to utilize it in Israels favor. On his visit to Israel, Orban asserted that Hungarian Jewish citizens should feel safe in his country, an odd statement considering that it was Orban and his party that deprived many Jews and other members of minority groups of any feeling of safety. Still, Netanyahu has welcomed Orban as a true friend of Israel and Orban called on his European counterparts to show more support for Israel. Mission accomplished. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Netanyahu had visited Budapest in July 2017, but that supposedly historic visit did nothing to change Hungarys official discourse, dotted with racism and anti-Semitism. In fact, in March 2018, Orban derided Jews, focusing his criticism mostly on Jewish financiers such as George Soros. At an election rally campaign, Orban said, We are fighting an enemy that is different from us. Not open but hiding; not straightforward but crafty; not honest but base; not national but international; does not believe in working but speculates with money; does not have its own homeland, but feels it owns the whole world. It is well-known that Israel and Zionist leaders are quite selective in manipulating the definition of anti-Semitism to serve their political agendas, but Israels attitude towards the racist far-right movements in Europe takes this truth to a whole new level. Indeed, the special relationship between Netanyahu and Orban is only the tip of the iceberg. For years, Netanyahus Israel has been flirting with radical right movements in Europe. The unmistakable Israeli strategy, of course, has its own logic. Israeli leaders feel that Europes move to the far-right is irrevocable and are keen to benefit from the anti-Muslim sentiment that accompanies this shift as much as possible. Moreover, the EUs resolve to label illegal settlement products and refusal to heed calls for moving their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is pushing Netanyahu to explore these new routes. During his previous visit to Hungary, Netanyahu met with leaders from the so-called Visegrad-4, which includes Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. On that visit, Netanyahu hoped to find new channels of support within the EU, through exerting pressure by using his new-found allies in these countries. In an audio recording obtained by Reuters, Netanyahu chastised Europe for daring to criticize Israels dismal human rights record, illegal settlement policies and military occupation. I think Europe has to decide whether it wants to live and thrive or it wants to shrivel and disappear, he said. Netanyahus arrogance is unbridled, especially as the censure is emanating from a leader who represents an ethno-nationalist state, which has just recently canceled any reference to democracy in its newly-issued Jewish nation-state law. The new basic law defines Israel by an ethnic identity, not any democratic values. Netanyahu is now closer to Europes far-right racist groups than to any liberal democratic model, thus the ongoing flirting between Israel and these groups. In fact, the term flirting is itself an understatement considering that Israels ties with various far-right, neo-Nazi and fascist parties in Europe involve high-level political coordination and, in the case of the Ukraine in particular, the actual supplying of weapons. Human rights groups recently petitioned the Israeli High Court to stop Israels export of weapons to neo-Nazi groups. The Israeli-far-right embrace almost touches every single European country, including Italy and Germany, whose history of Nazism and Fascism has wrought death and misery to millions. In Italy, the connection between Italian far-right parties and Israel goes back to the early 2000s, when post-Fascist leader Gianfranco Fini labored to rebrand his movement. Initially, Fini was the leader of the Movimento Sociale Italiano (Italian Social Movement), which saw itself as the heir to the Fascist Party. The rebranding of the party required a trip by Fini to Israel in 2003, after changing the name of his movement to the National Alliance. Interestingly, in his highly-touted visit, Fini was accompanied by Amos Luzzatto, the head of the Italian Jewish community. Unsurprisingly, far-right leader Matteo Salvini, Italys current interior minister, went through the same political baptism by Zionist Israel as Orban and Fini also did by paying a visit to Tel Aviv in March 2016 to launch his political career and declaring his undying love for the Jewish State. The same scenario is being repeated in Germany, where the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has risen in ranks to the point that it nearly toppled a government coalition led by Chancellor Angela Merkel. AfD has more in common with Israel than the common anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant views. The party, which is derided for anti-Semitic, xenophobic views redolent of the Nazis, is also staunchly supportive of Israel, reported the Times of Israel. Last April, the anti-Muslim, anti-Semitic German party enthusiastically began a campaign pushing for the recognition of Jerusalem as Israels capital, despite Merkels views to the contrary. The story, however, does not end there. What began as Israeli flirting with far-right racist movements is now Israels official policy towards Europe. The same story, with different actors and names, can be found in Austrias Freedom Party (FPOe), Belgiums Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) and virtually everywhere else. It remains to be seen how Israels embrace of fascist Europe will bode, both for Israel and the European Union. Will the EU shrivel and disappear, or will Israel be finally exposed for what it truly is, an ethno-nationalist state with no interest in true democracy in the first place? Ramzy Baroud is a journalist, author and editor of Palestine Chronicle. By Suliman Mulhem August 05, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Although China has provided political support to Damascus and is widely expected to play an important role in Syrias post-war reconstruction, Beijing has so far shied away from offering direct military support to the Syrian Army. Chinese Ambassador to Syria Qi Qianjin has suggested Beijing could soon deploy forces to assist the Syrian Army in its upcoming Idlib offensive, in addition to anti-terrorist operations in other parts of the country. Speaking to Syrias Al-Watan newspaper on Thursday, the Chinese diplomat said they are monitoring the conflict, adding that the Chinese military is willing to participate in some way alongside the Syrian Army that is fighting the terrorists in Idlib and in any other part of Syria. A source at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) told Sputnik reporter Suliman Mulhem he wasnt aware of plans for China to militarily enter the war, but said the Syrian government welcomed any support in its ongoing drive to dislodge terrorists from Syria. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Meanwhile, Chinese military attache Wong Roy Chang told the Al-Watan newspaper there is ongoing military cooperation between the two countries and said China wishes to advance its relationship with the Syrian Armed Forces. When questioned about the prospect of Chinese forces aiding the Syrian Army in its operation to liberate the Idlib Governorate, Chang said such an initiative requires a political decision, without elaborating. Thousands of hardline Islamist Uyghur militants smuggled themselves and their families into Syria over the course of the multi-year conflict, with the bulk of them ultimately settling in Idlib province, alongside other foreign and domestic jihadists. Instead, Beijing is likely to deploy a limited number of special forces soldiers and military advisors to assist Syrian government forces, while also working with Syrias various intelligence agencies to prevent Uyghur militants from sneaking back into China and carrying out terrorist attacks. This article was originally published by " Sputnik " - The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Home Search ICH Trump Moving to Strip Palestinians of Refugee Status: Report US president's move to cut UN agency aid part of scheme to deny refugee rights to Palestinians, Foreign Policy reports. By Al Jazeera August 05, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - US President Donald Trump and his administration are making moves to strip millions of Palestinians of their refugee status, according to a US-based magazine report. As part of the initiative, the Republican president along with his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, have been trying to disrupt the UN agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, Foreign Policy (FP) magazine revealed in an article published on Friday. In a controversial move in January, the US government announced that it was withholding $65m of a planned $125m funding instalment to the relief agency, after Trump accused the Palestinians of being ungrateful for the millions of dollars in aid. Prior to the announcement, Kushner, in a leaked email obtained by FP, wrote: "It is important to have an honest and sincere effort to disrupt UNRWA." "This [agency] perpetuates a status quo, is corrupt, inefficient and doesn't help peace," he reportedly wrote in an email dated January 11 and addressed to several senior US officials. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Palestinian officials told FP that Kushner - tasked with reviving the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process - allegedly pressed Jordan to strip more than two million Palestinians of their refugee status, so the UNRWA would no longer have to operate there. The White House declined to comment on the record for FP's story. 'Deal of the Century' The report also mentioned two bills in the US Congress that try to redirect more funding away from UNRWA, and significantly reduce the number of Palestinian refugees eligible for US aid. Those steps are all reportedly part of Kushner's so-called "deal of the century" to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a statement to Al Jazeera, UNRWA, said: "We cannot comment on the so-called 'deal of the century' as we do not know definitively any details about it. "The [UN] General Assembly has mandated us to continue delivering services until there is a just and durable solution to the conflict and we are determined to do that to the best of our ability," it added. In June, the UN called on member states to fill the critical funding gap caused by the US government's aid cut. According to UN officials, the US - previously UNRWA's top donor - provided $364m to the agency last year, but only $60m this year. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi weighed in on the agency's financial challenges on Saturday, saying: "Maintaining UNRWA services is a moral, legal duty towards refugees [that the] international community must uphold." "Refugees is the final status issue," he said on Twitter. "It must be resolved on the basis of UN resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, meeting right to return and compensation." 'Can't depend on US' Pierre Krahenbuhl, UNRWA's commissioner-general, has said that the cuts made by the Trump administration are endangering basic services, including food assistance in the besieged Gaza Strip, as well as medical clinics and education services to about half a million children. According to Nabil Sha'ath, senior adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, efforts are now being made to get alternative funding. "We have already started a campaign to finance UNRWA from other sources," he told Al Jazeera in an interview from Ramallah. "We have now more support coming from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other Gulf countries - also from Japan, Belgium, Luxembourg and other countries. "We cannot really depend on this US administration, not have any credibility of the statements that come out of it." Commenting on the Kushner-led US efforts in the region, Sha'ath said: "There is no ... deal of the century - a deal is something that two parties agree to, offering something and getting something. "There is simply a total support of the right-wing government of Israel, the Zionist plan for settlements and the total destruction of the peace process that was signed in the US in 1993," he added. "Really, it will lead to nothing but greater disruption of this part of the world rather than seeking any solution." This article was originally published by " Al Jazeera News " - The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. ====== Note To ICH Community We are currently searching for a new comment system as we have run out of options on how to prevent the constant bickering and attacks by troll's, whose intention is to paint our website and newsletter as, anti-Semitic, anti-American, pro-Russian fake news. We can no longer afford to invest hours of our time each day, trying to have people behave in a manner befitting those who say they are concerned for others, while offering abuse and hostility to other ICH community members. When we have found such a comment system we will restore the comment function. We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. This would be a better use of out time than trying to prevent abuse of our comment system. Thank you for your continued support. Peace and joy Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. By Harry Wagne August 05, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The conduct of our military and CIA has become more than questionable. They have become a law unto themselves with no regard for the Constitutional restrictions that have been placed upon them. I am not a crusader; I work at my responsibilities to solve problems based on a true analysis of the situation and not with any preconceived notions or results. I work to improve the situation at hand and properly recognize those who participated in the successful conclusion of the job. Ive seen from experience government bureaucrats who often outnumber the workers and too often distort the problems and take edited credit for the results. As the American government has rapidly increased in size as to employment and operational costs, the distortions have increased and they have become unjustifiable and shielded by lies. Our political system of government of a nation, of, for, and by the people has become so corrupted as to be criminally responsible for supporting a failing society with dishonest government. My personal belief is that we are all here, no two alike, but we all survive by living a productive life, at least a life that is sustainable by honest work, at whatever is necessary to coexist with others. There is a code of behavior between us all; it may not be written or codified but it does exist and we all know it, but some, for one reason or other, care to disregard it. Experience has taught us that once this indifference is allowed to expand there can be serious troubles from it. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter That brings us to where we are today with the pending financial and economic collapse of our system that has actively supported a shift toward military martial law government contrary to our Constitutional form of government. The Executive branch of government from the office of President down to the lowest civil servant is more dedicated to self-interests than to the survival of the nations citizens. The excuse by the CIA and Military of the War on Terrorism as cause to continue the attack and murder of civilians worldwide by their own admission without Congressional approval or debate and with retention and torture without due process are criminal acts that warrant the highest and severest punishment. Reading the reports from the field of Desert Shield and Desert Storm followed by the invasion of Iraq, then Afghanistan, then Libya and the tactics of counterinsurgency I felt competent to voice an opinion since I had worked out a strategy with a new Field Manual for such warfare with 30 different missions in unsecured territory in Vietnam. I was in Vietnam at the beginning of the peak period and through the 68 Tet offensive. The early tour of the country gave me a broad view of the whole Vietnam landscape and the opportunity to observe the extent of our military deployment and the general condition of the country. When I was assigned as Regional Chieu Hoi Advisor I got an up-close experience with thousands of Vietnamese. They not only taught me their cultural values but showed me that their values were similar to mine, built around family. The population was mostly rural and labor intensive just to survive and built around family associations. They naturally resisted a government bureaucracy as an outgrowth of the French occupation and then the invading foreign military of the Americans. They saw that they had a limited choice and the North Vietnamese communism was preferred over any other foreign system, especially one that killed them without thought of the consequences. I believe with the creation of the Chieu Hoi program the Vietnamese realized that there must be an opening that allowed the population to freely choose which side of the future they desired; a free South Vietnam or a unified communist nation. Simply stated, the war in Vietnam placed the American militarys mighty and powerful war machinery up against the determined indigenous population that wanted no part of the western nations controls over them. The Americans underestimated the will of the people. To the South Vietnamese the war brought promises of freedom and modern prosperity to their country, an idealistic dream the Americans could never accomplish. The population had survived the Japanese and the French only to end up with a corrupt home government while the North purged the population to install a strong communist government. There are several theories as to why the US got involved in Vietnam, none of which actually put forth a realistic supportable reason, but obviously it was a political one. Vietnam is long past having had our mighty superpower military run out of their country in a desperate retreat. Now we are about to be run out of Iraq and Afghanistan again failing to understand limited or irregular warfare. The new concept of war evolved in modern times from the VC insurgency and those methods have emerged to what we have today with IEDs and car bombs along with small unit attacks of vulnerable targets. This brings us to a warning of pending failure again as the military is searching for an opponent they again think they can defeat. The win-loss ratio in war is evidence that some things are not performing as promised by the Pentagon. With the withdrawals in defeat from Iraq and Afghanistan, the current military-CIA policy is an introverted special operation, small incident tactics to intimidate or kill/capture subjects. This currently suits their criminal minds because of secrecy we know not their success or failures. The wars we are seeing now are absurdly futile and whether on purpose or by designcounter-effective. It is more than a disgrace; it is a waste of wealth and blood and those who have instigated these deployments that kill and destroy countries for no known civil reason should be held accountable for their gross neglect. Harry Wagner is an 88-year-old veteran of Korea and Vietnam. He worked in Military Intelligence, Psychological Operations, USAID, and the Phoenix Program. He has written a book about his experience in Vietnam and includes proven strategies to transition our military from a belligerent agent of war to an advocate on a quest for peace; The Headless Snakeis available on Amazon. He can be reached by email at peaceteamforward@gmail.com. You can follow his blog peaceteamforward.wordpress.com . The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Source: Defence Blog Chinas Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) commissioned Hongdu JL-10H advanced trainers in a ceremony at Naval Aeronautical University. According to local media, PLAN received a new batch of twelve Hongdu JL-10H advance jet trainers designed and manufactured by Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG) of China. The use of such an advanced trainer jet at university-level training programs shows the PLA Navy is exploring a more streamlined training system which will conclude after only two stages at the university and the navy. This is a significant streamlining of the previous process, which involved a three-level system consisting of training at military bases between the two, said a military expert Song Zhong. The Chinese navy will urgently need about 400 pilots, as China is expected to roll out at least four aircraft carriers in the near future. For their training are needed modern training aircraft. Hongdu JL-10H, also known as the L-15B Falcon, is a twin-engine, modern jet trainer designed for training Chinese naval pilots of Shenyang J-15 carrier-based fighter aircraft. The new JL-10H trainers likely are powered by two Ukraine-made Ivchenko-Progress AI-222-25F turbofan engines. Aircraft can climb at the rate of 150m/s. Its maximum speed is 1,715km/h. The range and combat radius of the aircraft are 3,100km and 550km respectively. The service ceiling of the aircraft is 16,000m. Its maximum loitering time is two hours. The aircraft weighs around 4,960kg and its maximum take-off weight is 9,500kg. Senior Special Assistant to the president on foreign relations and Disapora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa has revealed that 116 Nigerians have been processed online by the Nigeria Mission in Tripoli. The presidential aide stated that the illegal immigrants, who were traced to Osama detention center in Zawiya have been rescued. According to Mr Abike Dabiri, 24 out of the 116, have refused to be repatriated back home, insisting that they must go on to Europe. She however made clear the resolve of the President Muhammadu Buhari led government to ensure every stranded immigrant returns home to safety. Moses Ekpo, Akwa Iboms deputy governor has reacted to claims, he would be leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and has also resigned. Ekpo, maintains he is still very much the states deputy governor said he only travelled for an official assignment in New York. Speaking via his publicity secretary, Ekikere Umoh, he refuted such claims saying he has no reason to leave a party that is performing well. In a statement signed by Umoh, on behalf of the deputy governor, he stressed that the rumour is a poorly concocted one, and lacks truth. He wrote: The attention of the Office of the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State has been drawn to certain rumours and misrepresentations in a section of the media to the effect that the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Moses Ekpo, has resigned from office. The reports particularly from the online community further make allusions to the effect that the Deputy Governor has also defected from the Peoples Democratic Party. Given the temperament of the times and the implications of such innuendos, we are constrained to categorically state that there is no iota of truth in the story making the rounds That the purported report is therefore nothing but a poorly concocted piece of a malicious hatchet job and a pack of lies, and should be appropriately ignored. It is instructive to note that currently, His Excellency, the Deputy Governor is representing the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel as Special Guest of Honour at the 2018 International Convention of Ati Annang holding in New York, United States of America and is yet to return to the state. In his reaction to the rumour from New York on phone today, the Deputy Governor said: I have not resigned. I have no reason whatsoever to resign or jump ship from a government that is both responsive and performing optimally, while giving practical meaning to democratic dividends for the people of Akwa Ibom. I cannot, and will not jump ship. Some priests of the Anglican Church yesterday troop to the home of deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu to allegedly pray for him against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The deputy Senate president who is currently being interrogated by the anti-corruption agency for fraud related offenses and reportedly got sick during interrogation has sort the help of the clergymen for prayers. According to the EFCC, about 62 properties, home and abroad have been traced to the deputy Senate president and more digging still on going. As Nigerians continue to debate about the spate of defections currently playing out in the country, Reno Omokri has dropped his two cents on the latest. Yesterday, Godswill Akpabio was the man of the news after news of visiting Buhari in the UK emerged. The Senate minority leader, who is soon to dump the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the ruling party, sparked serious debate among Nigerians. Some insinuated that the defection move is because the All Progressives Congress, APC is wooing the senator to the party with the promise of keeping the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC off his back. Other commented argued that Mr Akpabio is a betrayal who is ready to dump is party for his selfish aim. However, former presidential aide, Reno Omokri in his opinion asked that people be slow to judge the senator as his exit to APC may just be in favour of the PDP. Omokri said Akpabio is a clever politician and might just be a mole to infiltrate the camp of the APC. He said this via a tweet on Monday morning, adding that politics and war are no different. He wrote Linda Ikeji, who is in the United States ahead of her babys birth is set to receive an honorary doctorate degree from Georgia university. The celebrity blogger will be receiving an honorary degree from Trinity International University of Georgia, for her contribution to media in Africa. Linda Ikeji shared the news on Instagram. She wrote: I told you guys a few months ago to call me Princess Linda after the Arewa Youths title, but after August 8th, you will have to upgrade that to Dr. Linda Ikeji. Im getting a honorary doctorate degree from Trinity International University of Georgia for my contribution to media in Africa and as Africas Most Successful Blogger. . Really grateful to God for how far Hes brought me! And thank you for your congratulations. Love to you and yours.. Cynthia Cherop, a student at the Moi University, in Kenya has pleaded guilty to stealing money from her mother to spend with her boyfriend. Cherop, had been accused of stealing KSh70,000 from her mothers two accounts at the Barclays and National banks before spending it with Josephat Nganga. She pleaded guilty to the charge but said she was a first offender. The student, in defense, told the court that she bought second hand (mitumba) clothes for her business. CCTV footage of the Barclays Bank captured Nganga and Ms Cherop withdrawing the money. Nganga was also charged with creating disturbance by threatening to beat up Cherops mother, Milka Chebosisi Sitati, on June 5 this year. He denied the charge and was released on a cash bail of KSh30,000. Cherops mother pleaded with the court to jail her daughter after she pleaded guilty. Chief magistrate Francis Andayi said it was unfortunate that the accused stole the money to spend with her boyfriend whom her mother did not approve of. However, two of Ms Sitatis brothers pleaded with the court to release Cherop to them since her mother did not want to see her. They said they wanted her to continue attending college. Stunned, the magistrate asked Cherop: What have you done to your mother for her to hate you this much? State prosecutor Solomon Naulikha asked the court to treat the accused as a first offender and was not opposed to her being ordered to serve probation term. The magistrate directed that a probation report be brought in court on August 2 to enable her go back to college. The National Youth Service Corps has declared a three day mourning period for the Corps members, who drowned recently in Taraba state. NYSC expressed shock at the death of the corpers saying the death was as a result of a sudden rise in water volume. The organisation said 7 bodies have been recovered as search for the remaining two bodies continue. They wrote: The entire NYSC Family is shocked and saddened by the cruel twist of fate that befell our Corps Members who drowned as a result of the sudden increase in water volume and surge of the River Mayo-Selbe, near the Gashaka falls in Gashaka Local Government Area of Taraba State. The serving Corps Members had on Saturday, 4th August, 2018 left their Places of Primary Assignment and embarked on a picnic at the site before the unfortunate incident. Seven bodies have so far been recovered from the river by the local divers and security agents while the search for the remaining two missing Corps Members is ongoing. Management has therefore declared a three-day mourning for the souls of our departed heroes, beginning from Monday, 6th August during which NYSC flags nationwide would fly half-mast. Our prayers and condolences are with the families and the Scheme covets your prayers at this moment. Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday opened up on the sacrifices he made in his quest to make Nigeria a better country. Obasanjo said he sacrificed for the nation by fighting, shedding blood to defend the country during the civil war and even being sent to jail over a coup allegation he was innocent of. He said this while hosting former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, who is one of the presidential aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abeokuta, Ogun state. The former president, however, assured that he would continue to make sacrifices for the betterment of Nigeria. He said he had been threatened and intimidated because of his convictions for a better Nigeria, but said they had all amounted to nothing. Obasanjo urged Bafarawa to make Nigeria better if elected President in 2019. According to Obasanjo, The situation of Nigeria today is not the one any right-thinking Nigerian should applaud. And my own strong belief is that Nigeria deserves better than we have now. And we can get better than what we have. And so, you are to see what you can do, that is why you are aspiring to make Nigeria better than what it is today. Nobody who loves Nigeria will not want it to be better than it is today. I, definitely, have made personal sacrifices and I will make again. Talk of fighting in the war front and shedding of ones blood, or even talk of going to prison, because I believe in democracy. I went to prison for doing nothing wrong. I have also been intimidated and threatened. What would you do to intimidate somebody like me? Whatever you are trying to do to me, people have tried them to me in the past, and it amounted to nothing and it will amount to nothing. Because before I act, I pray to God to guide me and I think of Nigeria first, particularly majority of Nigerians who are underprivileged, whose situation we need to improve upon. If we do not act together as we should act together, Nigeria will not be what it should be, come 2019. Aspiration? Yes, but the objective must be clear. If the opposition starts going in different directions and pulling in different ways, Nigerian situation will not change. A population of 200 million, for us to continue to complain that things are not right, we are doing the same thing like we have done before. And if we keep doing the same thing, the result will not be different. If we want a different result, we must do things differently. And I believe we can do things differently. Hamza bin Laden, the son of the late al-Qaida leader, has married the daughter of Mohammed Atta, the lead hijacker in the 9/11 terror attacks, according to his family. The union was confirmed by Osama bin Ladens half-brothers during an interview with the Guardian. Ahmad and Hassan al-Attas said they believed Hamza had taken a senior position within al-Qaida and was aiming to avenge the death of his father, shot dead during a US military raid in Pakistan seven years ago. Hamza bin Laden is the son of one of Osama bin Ladens three surviving wives, Khairiah Sabar, who was living with her husband in a compound in Abbottabad, near a large Pakistani military base, when he was killed. He has since made public statements urging followers to wage war on Washington, London, Paris and Tel Aviv and is seen as a deputy to the terrorist groups current leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri. We have heard he has married the daughter of Mohammed Atta, said Ahmad al-Attas. Were not sure where he is, but it could be Afghanistan. Western intelligence agencies have been increasingly focusing on the whereabouts of Hamza bin Laden over the past two years, seeing him as more likely than anyone else to galvanise followers. His marriage to the daughter of Atta, an Egyptian national, appears to confirm that the 9/11 alumni remains a central hub of al-Qaida and that the organisation itself continues to be organised around Osama bin Ladens legacy. Another of Bin Ladens sons, Khalid, was killed in the US raid in Abbottabad. A third, Saad, was killed in a drone strike in Afghanistan in 2009. Letters purportedly written by Osama bin Laden and seized from the compound suggested he was grooming Hamza to replace him, partly to avenge the death of Saad. Bin Ladens wives and surviving children have returned to Saudi Arabia, where they were given refuge by the former crown prince Mohammed bin Nayef. The women and children remain in close contact with Bin Ladens mother, Alia Ghanem, who told the Guardian in an interview that she remained in regular touch with surviving family members. The organizers of the Nigeria Innovation Summit (www.innovationsummit.ng) recently announced its first line up of speakers for the 2018 summit which will take place on September 25-26, 2018 at the Ventures Park, Abuja and also at the Shehu Musa YarAdua Centre, Abuja, respectively with the theme: Building a Culture of Innovation in Nigeria for Sustainable Economic Growth. While speaking on this, Mr. Kenneth Omeruo, the CEO, Emerging Media said, We are excited to announce our first line up of speakers for this years Summit in Abuja. These distinguished speakers are drawn from local and international organizations, who are fostering economic development and playing key role in the global innovation ecosystem around the world and in Nigeria. The quality of speakers we have for this year simple defines how important it is for Nigeria to step up her game in building a culture of innovation. He also explained that following the call for speakers made earlier in the year, the organizers received several interests mainly from organizations and institutions in many parts of the world to be part of the Nigeria Innovation Summit. This is an insight to how the world is seeing what Nigeria can become with innovation if the right steps are taken. Kenneth Omeruo said. The line-up of speakers announced for the Summit include: Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami DG/CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta EVC, Nigeria Communications Commission; Samuel Bwalya, Country Director, UNDP Nigeria; Jean Bakole, Regional Director, (UNIDO) Nigeria; Bobby Moroe Acting South African High Commissioner to Nigeria; Dr. Audrey Verhaeghe Chairman, SA Innovation Summit; Richard Ough Economic Development Team Leader & Senior Economic Adviser, DFID Nigeria; Antoinia Norman CEO, Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship, South Africa; Stella Bida, Founder, Senior Managing Partner at Innovation. Strategy. Results, Belgium; Kola Aina CEO/Founder, Ventures Platform; Rubin Rose International Account Manager, World Telecom Labs; Bankole Oloruntoba, Founder, NiNe. Mr. Omeruo also mentioned that Nigeria Innovation Summit is partnering with the South Africa Innovation Summit to promote innovation, economic and trade opportunities between the two countries, who are the biggest economies in Africa. Dr. Audrey Verhaeghe Chairman, SA Innovation Summit remarked, We are excited to partner with the Nigeria Innovation Summit, we want to make use of this opportunity to promote cross-border innovation between Nigeria and South Africa. This can be achieved by nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit, and strengthening collaboration between Nigeria and South Africa, to benefit entrepreneurs in our countries respectively. We believe that this cooperation will open up opportunities for cross-border trade, sharing of skills and knowledge and ultimately benefit both countries immensely. The Director of Programs for the Nigeria Innovation Summit (www.innovationsummit.ng), Mr. Tony Ajah explained that businesses, organizations, institutions are already indicating their interest to participate in both the Nigeria Innovation Summit and also to leverage the South Africa Innovation Summit to promote their products and services. He therefore encouraged a lot more to participate. This year Emerging Platforms Abuja, the owners of Ventures Park are the Summit partners, and host of Day one of the Nigeria Innovation Summit, where Collaborations to Drive Innovation through the Nigeria Start-up Ecosystem will be discussed. The Nigeria Innovation Summit in its 3rd year is an annual event that focuses on the need for the country, businesses, organizations, entrepreneurs in Nigeria to become more innovative and use innovation to drive sustainable development. This Summit helps Nigeria embrace innovation and move in the direction of digital transformation through the use of Emerging Technologies and Trends, Research, Development, Commercialization, Entrepreneurship and Investments as the key drivers of an innovation ecosystem. About Nigeria Innovation Summit The Nigeria Innovation Summit in its 3rd year is an annual event that focuses on the need for the country, businesses, organizations, entrepreneurs in Nigeria to become more innovative and use innovation to drive sustainable development. This Summit helps Nigeria embrace innovation and move in the direction of digital transformation through the use of Emerging Technologies and Trends, Research, Development, Commercialization, Entrepreneurship and Investments as the key drivers of an innovation ecosystem. This platform creates awareness on the need for Open Innovation in Nigeria, and challenges Nigeria to leverage innovation to become more competitive in the global economy. Website: https://innovationsummit.ng/ Contact Details: Tony Ajah Program Director, Nigeria Innovation Summit Office address Emerging Media 63, Oduduwa Crescent, GRA Ikeja-Lagos, Nigeria Phone: +234-805-140-3056 Email: info@innovationsummit.ng NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan announced Sunday three of its soldiers were killed when a suicide bomber attacked a combined, dismounted patrol with local forces. An American service member and two Afghan National Army soldiers were also injured in the blast, the mission said. "My thoughts and prayers, along with those of all of the 41-contributing Resolute Support nations, are with the families and friends of our fallen and wounded service members, and our injured Afghan brothers and their families," said U.S. Army Gen. John Nicholson, who commands the non-combatant mission and U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The Resolute Support mission later confirmed the slain soldiers were from the Czech Republic. "Their sacrifice will endure in both our hearts and history, and further strengthen our resolve," said Nicholson. The NATO mission did not say where the attack took place. Afghan officials said the suicide bombing occurred in Parwan province, nearly 60 km north of the capital, Kabul. PETERBOROUGH, ON (August 5, 2018)- Peterborough Speedways entry level racing division has posted some very impressive numbers throughout the 2018 campaign. With about a month remaining in the regular season, close to 45 different drivers have scored points in the Battlefield Equipment Rental Bone Stock class at the venue known as Canadas Toughest 1/3-Mile Paved Oval. Track owner and promoter J.P. Josiasse says that no matter how you look at it, thats something everyone can be proud of. This has always been a very competitive class; one that provides some tight battles and thrills the fans week after week, Josiasse said. Id put our teams up against a similar field anywhere in the province. The point standings are extremely close, with a gap of less than 100 markers between first and fifth. With some good luck on the track, everything can change in the blink of an eye. Saturday, August 11th the 2018 edition of the Hot August Nights Racing Series continues with a 50 lap Bone Stock feature event on a schedule that also includes the home track Jiffy Lube Mini Stocks, Trent Lakes Complete Plumbing Renegade Trucks, Late Models and the return of the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series. Fans will also get the chance to hit the track in timed laps with their personal vehicles in King of the Hill. Start times for this show have been moved forward by one hour from what was advertised in the originally advertised schedule. Pit gates will now open at 1:00, with general admission grandstands unlocked at 4:00 and racing getting started at 5:00. Saturday, August 18th marks the Peterborough Speedway debut of the exciting Hoosier Racing Tire Ontario Outlaw Super Late Model Tour, with a 75 lap feature race. The event will also include the Mini Stock and Super Stock classes; plus the Ontario Pro Challenge Series, with Kids Barrel Races at intermission. Fans can check www.peterboroughspeedway.com, as well as the tracks social media platforms for complete schedule updates and information. Its not too early to make plans for the 26th annual running of the Autumn Colours Classic. This years edition Friday, October 5th to Sunday, October 7th features close to 10 different racing divisions and includes the APC Auto Parts Young Guns races for the Mini Stock and Super Stock classes, along with the inaugural Electric City 167, a combined event for Limited Late Model and Pro Late Model teams. For complete details, select the Autumn Colours tab from the Peterborough Speedway web-site. Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media clarkemotorsports@hotmail.com, www.facebook.com/clarkemotorsports 613.968.6410 The acquisition is part of Seeman Holtz Property & Casualtys strategy of targeting high-quality, independent agencies for geographic expansion throughout the US. The company offers: Homeowners policies Auto insurance Renters policies Private client Umbrella coverage Commercial and employee coverage Personal liability Employee benefits Human resources Professional liability Adding Asenbrenner Insurance Agency will strengthen our existing footprint in the Midwest, said Marshal Seeman, president of Seeman Holtz Property & Casualty. With this addition, we are better able to consolidate carrier relationships to provide even better value to our clients. We plan on bringing the Asenbrenner team to work closely with David Anderson, out of our Green Bay offices, said Brett Williams, vice president. This acquisition fits perfectly with our expansion efforts in both commercial and personal lines insurance in the Midwest. Related stories: Seeman Holtz solidifies Florida presence with new acquisition Seeman Holtz snaps up Texas trucking insurance firm August 6, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Technical analyst Clive Maund charts a small-cap oil and gas firm exploring in Oklahoma's STACK region that recently released positive drill results. The situation in Jericho Oil Corp. (JCO:TSX.V; JROOF:OTC) stock has been paradoxical in recent months, because the company has been advancing steadily towards its objectives, and has even had very positive drilling results, right up to and including a few days back, yet the stock has drifted lower and lower within a downtrend. While this may seem puzzling to some, it is not something that would surprise experienced traders. The explanation for this behavior is thought to be that the stock has essentially been correcting the earlier big upwave that ran from July last year through March this year, as we will proceed to see a little later on its 3-year chart. But first, let's take a look at recent action on the 6-month chart. On this chart we can see after it peaked following a sharp run-up in March it rolled into a downtrend that has continued up to the present. Signs that this downtrend may now have run its course include its current oversold state shown by its MACD indicator, volume having dropped back to a relatively light level and the price now being well below its 200-day moving average. While these factors indicate an increasing probability that the downtrend has run its course, they do not give a clear cut indication regarding how close we are to or whether we are at an intermediate bottom. Happily the 3-year chart gives us a much clearer idea where we are with respect to the stock possibly turning up again here or soon, for as we can see, the current intermediate downtrend has now brought it back very close to the lower support line of the large long-term expanding uptrend shown. So this is a good point for it to turn up and the earlier break out the top of the uptrend back in March is a sign that the uptrend may be accelerating, and if it is it could turn up immediately, and the positive drilling results released a few days back are increasing the probability of this happening. You can read something about the fundamentals of the company here. Another supporting factor is that oil looks set to turn up within its ongoing uptrend soon, following its recent dip, and it is planned to add a couple of oil charts to this article later, showing this. Jericho Oil website. Jericho Oil Corp, JCO.V, JROOF on OTC, trading at C$0.66, $0.504 at 10.45 am EDT on 2nd August 2018. Clive Maund has been president of www.clivemaund.com, a successful resource sector website, since its inception in 2003. He has 30 years' experience in technical analysis and has worked for banks, commodity brokers and stockbrokers in the City of London. He holds a Diploma in Technical Analysis from the UK Society of Technical Analysts. Disclosure: 1) Clive Maund: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: None. 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: None. CliveMaund.com disclosures below. 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: Jericho Oil. 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 Jericho Oil. 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 Jericho Oil, a company mentioned in this article. Charts provided by the author. CliveMaund.com Disclosure: The above represents the opinion and analysis of Mr Maund, based on data available to him, at the time of writing. Mr. Maund's opinions are his own, and are not a recommendation or an offer to buy or sell securities. Mr. Maund is an independent analyst who receives no compensation of any kind from any groups, individuals or corporations mentioned in his reports. As trading and investing in any financial markets may involve serious risk of loss, Mr. Maund recommends that you consult with a qualified investment advisor, one licensed by appropriate regulatory agencies in your legal jurisdiction and do your own due diligence and research when making any kind of a transaction with financial ramifications. Although a qualified and experienced stock market analyst, Clive Maund is not a Registered Securities Advisor. Therefore Mr. Maund's opinions on the market and stocks can only be construed as a solicitation to buy and sell securities when they are subject to the prior approval and endorsement of a Registered Securities Advisor operating in accordance with the appropriate regulations in your area of jurisdiction. 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. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp The Indian smartphone market has turned out to be one of the biggest in the world, but Apple hardly has a presence in the country. While iPhone ads are plastered all over the country, iPhone sales account for less than 1 percent of the total smartphone shipments in the country. This is because India is a price sensitive market and Apple has done little to make inroads into the market. Now, in a bid to ensure that it does not lose its foothold in such a major smartphone market, the company is revamping its strategy for India. As Bloomberg reports, Apple has remodeled its Indian strategy. The company got Michel Coulomb to head its operations in India since last year. Coulomb met with other key Apple executives in India in June and has laid out a new strategy which involves offering better deals to retailers with higher sales targets, setting up Apple stores in India, and improving its apps and services for the Indian market. Apple is even planning on revamping Apple Maps for India, though that should only happen by 2020. Apple saw iPhone shipments increase in India up until 2017. This was largely due to the company selling older models like the iPhone SE and iPhone 6 aggressively through both offline and online channels. However, with budget Android smartphones improving dramatically with every passing iteration, Indian consumers now tend to prefer buying a budget smartphone from Xiaomi, Samsung or Honor instead of an outdated 2-year-old iPhone which lacks many Indian centric features. For example, while dual-SIM is almost a must-have in smartphones launched in India, the feature is missing from Apples iPhone lineup. To woo more customers, Apple is in talks with retailers and banks to offer attractive deals on iPhones throughout the year. The company is taking this move instead of officially lowering the prices of its iPhone lineup in the country. Additionally, the company is also asking stores to increase their weekly iPhone sales target to around 40-50 iPhones a week. Stores that fail to reach this target will ultimately lose out access to Apple products. Apple will also be refreshing its in-store branding and marketing materials to attract customers. Apple is also looking to open up direct stores in at least three major Indian cities: Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi. While the company has been trying to set up its own direct stores in India for a few years now, it has been unable to do so due to the FDI regulations set up by the Indian government. While these changes might make a difference in the short term, Apple needs to improve its services for the Indian market if it hopes to keep attracting customers in the long term. Apart from Apple Maps being an absolute joke in India, the company does not offer Apple Pay in the country as well. Additionally, Siri fails to understand the Indian accent properly, while Google has updated its voice assistant with support for local Indian languages as well. Right now, people buy an iPhone in India as a sign of their status symbol. If Apple does not change that within the next few years, it will fail to capture even a sizeable portion of one of the largest smartphone markets in the world. [Via Bloomberg Another ship suspected of having carried North Korean coal to South Korea was nonetheless permitted to dock at Pyeongtaek port again recently and only left last week. The Korea Customs Service reportedly searched the ship but found nothing suspicious. The Belize-registered Shining Rich docked in Pyeongtaek on Thursday afternoon and sailed for Tianjin on Saturday afternoon, according to ship tracker Marine Traffic on Sunday. The vessel was one of five foreign ships on customs authorities' list of investigation targets on suspicion of having carried North Korean coal banned by UN Security Council resolutions. Focus on Lisa Netz, co-owner of The Lavish Loft Submitted by Haleh Rabizadeh Resnick, Federation Business and Community Development Director For the Voice What was your path to South Jersey? I grew up in... Focus on Peter Hecht Partner at Magna Legal Services Tell me about your connection to the South Jersey Jewish Community? I actually grew up in East Brunswick, Exit 9 off the Turnpike. But weve... Focus on Abigail Dahan: Owner of the Bake School Tell me a bit about your life in South Jersey. I grew up in Cherry Hill. We moved here from Paris when I was six... Public Sector Organization Karachi Manager Technical Jobs Latest Public Sector Organization Management Posts Karachi 2021 Public Sector Organization Karachi, Pakistan required applications from experienced and energetic candidates to fill the posts of Manager Technical. Interested candidates can apply us. How to Apply on Public Sector Organization Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Company Address: P O Box # 2428, Islamabad Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If the employer asks you to pay money for any purpose including processing to shortlisting, do not pay at all and report us using our contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs cannot be applied online here. Error & omissions excepted. North Korea "has not stopped its nuclear and missile programs and continued to defy Security Council resolutions through a massive increase in illicit ship-to-ship transfers of petroleum products, as well as through transfers of coal at sea during 2018," the report of independent experts to the UNSC said. It adds the North is still earning hard currency by selling arms to conflict regions like Syria and Yemen. North Korea has not stopped its nuclear and missile programs and continues to smuggle in petroleum products by ship-to-ship transfers, according to a recent UN Security Council report. The North's Yongbyon nuclear complex is still in operation and its 5-MW reactor is also operating, according to the six-monthly report. It says that there were 89 illicit transfers of oil products at sea between January and May this year, involving 40 ships and 130 companies. The UNSC has capped exports of refined petroleum products to the North at 500,000 barrels a year. "If loaded at around 90 percent, [North Korean tankers] would have delivered nearly 1.4 million barrels of refined products to North Korea, almost triple the quota," AP reported on July 19. Meanwhile the North earned US$14 million from last October to March this year with illicit exports of coal and steel to China, India and other countries. North Korean diplomats play a key role in evading financial sanctions by opening bank accounts in their host countries, making finance an area where sanctions implementation is weakest, according to the report. North Korean venture firms also continue to operate in some 200 locations including Russia. North Korea is also suspected of continuing to cooperate with the pro-Russian government in Syria and the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. The report singles out arms trafficker Hussein Al-Ali, who offered "a range of conventional arms, and in some cases ballistic missiles to armed groups in Yemen and Libya" that were produced in North Korea. A letter from U.S. President Donald Trump to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was handed over to North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho during a regional forum in Singapore, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Saturday. It was a reply to Kim's letter to Trump on Aug. 1, according to the White House. Reporters spotted U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, a seasoned nuclear negotiator, delivering an envelope to Ri during the foreign ministers' meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum. Ri briefly checked what was inside. "I had the chance to speak with my #DPRK counterpart FM Ri Yong-ho @asean today," Pompeo tweeted a few hours later. "We had a quick, polite exchange." The content of the letter is not known. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. South Korea handed a final list of 93 people and North Korea a list of 88 for family reunions at Mt. Kumgang on Aug. 20-26. Liaison officials solemnly swapped the lists in the truce village of Panmunjom last Saturday. The 93 South Koreans will meet long-lost relatives from the North on Aug. 20-22, and on Aug. 24-26, the 88 North Koreans will be reunited with their relatives from the South. The original target had been 100 people from each side, but since candidate are very elderly more than 60 years after the war, some are unable to travel. Authorities swarmed a filthy compound in rural New Mexico on Friday and rescued 11 children, ages 1 to 15, after an armed standoff with one of two men, who have since been arrested. Eight members of the Taos County Sheriff's Office converged on the residence in Amalia, described by authorities as a "makeshift compound" surrounded by tires and an earthen berm that had no electricity or running water, after securing a warrant to search the remote property for a missing 3-year-old boy who was allegedly kidnapped from Georgia by his father, 39-year-old Siraj Wahhaj. Instead, deputies found five adults and 11 other children who "looked like third-world country refugees," living in squalor with little food and no clean water, according to Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe. "I've been a cop for 30 years. I've never seen anything like this. Unbelievable," Hogrefe told ABC News Radio in a telephone interview. "These children were hungry, they were thirsty, they were filthy." Wahhaj and another man, identified as Lucas Morten, were the two adults at the compound who appeared in charge. There were also three adult women who authorities believe are the mothers of the 11 children. The women and children seemed to be very "intimidated" by the men and were potentially "brainwashed," the sheriff said. It took law enforcement hours to secure the property, as both Wahhaj and Morten initially refused to follow verbal commands. Wahhaj remained holed up inside a small, rickety trailer that was partially buried in the ground and covered with white plastic tarps. He was heavily armed with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, five 30-round magazines and four handguns, according to Hogrefe. Deputies had to "physically" take Wahhaj down to place him in custody, the sheriff said. Wahhaj and Morten, both from Georgia, were arrested and charged with child abduction and harboring a fugitive, respectively. The three women were also briefly detained for questioning, but not criminally charged. None of the adults would give a statement about the whereabouts of the missing 3-year-old. Authorities continue to investigate the women's connection to the abduction case. "It's obvious to me that they were brainwashed and feel great intimidation from the men that were in control of this facility," Hogrefe said of the women and children. Once both men were in custody, deputies tried to comfort the children, who Hogrefe said had no shoes and were wearing "rags" for clothing. "They were skinny, their ribs showed, they were in very poor hygiene and very scared. But they certainly warmed up to us," the sheriff told ABC News Radio. "We gave them our water, our snacks, everything that we had. And these kids were hungry, and they were very grateful that we were there." Deputies found no fresh water and only "a few potatoes and a box of rice" for food in the filthy trailer. "Honestly, we dont know when their last meal was," the sheriff added. The children were taken into protective custody and later handed over to the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department when agents arrived on scene a few hours later. The Taos County Sheriff's Office executed the search warrant after a two-month investigation in conjunction with officials from Georgia and the FBI on the whereabouts of Wahhaj, who was wanted for the abduction of his 3-year-old son, Abdul. The FBI had provided the sheriff's office with information and surveillance on the location of the compound in the Costilla Meadows subdivision of Amalia, nestled in a mountainous region just miles from New Mexico's border with Colorado. Authorities knew from the layout of the secluded property, which had a short-distance shooting range, that its occupants were likely armed and would have an advantage on anyone that came across it, including law enforcement, according to Hogrefe. FBI investigators had reason to believe that Wahhaj was occupying the compound with Morten and others, but they didn't feel there was enough probable cause to obtain a search warrant. "That all changed for me when a message was forwarded to us from a Georgia detective that we reasonably believed came from someone at the compound - the message sent to a third party simply said in part, 'We are starving and need food and water,'" Hogrefe said in a press release Saturday. "I absolutely knew that we couldnt wait on another agency to step up and we had to go check this out as soon as possible, so I began working on a search warrant right after I got that intercepted message." No one was injured in the all-day operation, according to the sheriff's office. Shanghai Museum to head to Sri Lanka on an archeological journey From:Shine | 2018-08-03 20:29 Shanghai Museum experts will spend 40 days in Sri Lankahelping with local archeological work. The archeology team of Shanghai Museum will set off for Sri Lanka this month to launch archeological research in its harbor city Jaffna for about 40 days, aiming to boost the historic study of ancient Chinas Maritime Silk Road. Initiated by the joint efforts of Shanghai Museum and the Sri Lanka Central Cultural Foundation, the project is the museums first overseas trial, and their pottery and porcelain experts will also participate. The entire project will last three to five years, carrying out archeological research at some important ancient harbor cities along the route of the Silk Road in Sri Lanka. Shanghai Museums archeologistsgot fully prepared last year and this March to collect firsthand data. They undertook research on coastal cities such as Mantai, Trincomalee, Galle and many others and discovered a large amount of porcelain related with China. Jaffnawill be the first site the experts will be working on as it was one of the key links connecting China and South Asia in the days of yore. Its the first time for Shanghai Museum to go overseas and conduct archeological research, said archeologist and team leader Chen Jie. The trip is about to find more precious relics, which will greatly help us study the Maritime Silk Road in terms of economics, culture and religion. Sri Lanka, located at the southernmost tip of the South Asian subcontinent on the South India Sea, was a vital shipping hub of the Maritime Silk Road that reached the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, West Asia, Southeast Asia and the Far East. The trade and cultural exchanges between the island country and China started hundreds of years ago. The earliest item found to be Chinese in Sri Lanka is a silk fragment, which can be dated back 2,000 years. Others include coins and porcelain. In the EasternJinDynasty (AD 317-420), monk Fa Xian arrived inSri Lankawhere he wrote the famous book Country of Buddhas, recording his journey to the south. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), explorer Zheng He passed throughSri Lanka several times, leaving many relics, historic documents and legends, including a stone stele Zheng set, which was carved in three languages Chinese, Persian and Tamil as an emblem of China-Sri Lanka friendship. All the relics found will belong to Sri Lanka, but exhibitions will be held in both countries after the project is completed. Wang Rongjiang / SHINE Chen Jie, leader of the Shanghai Museum team WHITE CITY, Ore. A Eugene man lies in Rogue Regional Medical Center with critical injuries after reportedly being struck by two different vehicles while crossing Highway 62 near milepost 5. Troopers with the Oregon State Police (OSP) and emergency crews responded to the area after receiving calls about a man being hit by a vehicle on Saturday just before midnight. Investigators believe that 39-year-old Jason Ziegler of Medford was driving his 2004 Jeep Cherokee westbound on Highway 62 when he hit 39-year-old pedestrian Ignacio Hernandez of Eugene. Hernandez was apparently in the roadway when the collision occurred. Ziegler stopped at the scene and called 911 to report the incident. Witnesses then say that a second vehicle struck Hernandez where he lay, but the driver did not stop. OSP reports that Ziegler has been cooperating fully with the investigation, while Hernandez is being treated for critical injuries at the hospital in Medford. Two westbound lanes were closed for about three hours during the course of the investigation. Anyone with any information on the second vehicle that struck HERNANDEZ is asked to call the Oregon State Police Southern Command Center at 541-776-6111 and reference case number SP18-290557 DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. -- Winds are driving more wildfire smoke into Oregon, and air quality is considered dangerous in many areas, including Douglas County. Doctors say that if you dont have to be outside, dont be. The best thing you can do to protect yourself when the air quality index is very poor is just to stay inside, Dr. Mark Bradford with Providence Pulmonology said. If you can stay inside, the inside of your house will reduce that particulate level by a third to a half. If you're looking for a mask to wear outside with the air quality so poor, doctors recommend buying N-95 masks specifically. EUGENE, Ore. -- With a large part of Oregon being extremely dry, fire officials said the risk of a wildfire is high, and they want to make sure people protect their homes in case of an emergency. Wildfires have been raging across California and Southern Oregon for weeks. In many cases, communities have been devastated. Much of the devastation has happened because many homes are built in heavily-wooded areas. Fire officials said something like that could happen in western Oregon. "My concern is that people aren't prepared for this, said Lt. Tressa Miller from Lane Fire Authority. Some of the areas that are at the highest risk are the wildland-urban interface areas where people and homes meet wildlife. Many of these areas around the edges of Eugene and Springfield have high fire hazards. "People wonder about seeing wildlife in their yard. It's beautiful when you have it, but it also means you have the potential for a wildfire to be right up against the back of your property, Miller said. California is no stranger to that, and we are beginning to see that in Oregon as we branch out and build newer homes and more homes in our state." Fire officials said fighting fires in these areas can be difficult. Often the roads are narrow, which can make it harder for fire rigs to get through. There is a high fuel load, which means theres a lot of flammable material in the area. Also, many of the homes are built on hills. Since they're at an angle, it can be more difficult for crews to fight the flames. However, there are ways people can protect their homes. Fire experts said you should create a defensible space around your home to make sure things that burn arent right next to it. "Having a defensible space around the home keeps it safer for the homeowner and makes it easier for us to do our job and keeps it safer for us as well, said Merrill Harrison, deputy fire marshal with Eugene Springfield Fire. He said people should also make sure the trees above the roof are limbed, and the property is accessible. Additionally, he said it is important to plan ahead and make sure there is an evacuation plan in place -- just in case. "It absolutely could happen here and that's why we want people to take the measures that they can themselves ahead of time, Miller said. Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Fitbit(WASHINGTON) -- The Department of Defense is prohibiting personnel from using geolocation features on their devices while serving in certain locations after concerns that the information transmitted from such devices was jeopardizing the security of American forces around the world, including those deployed in classified or sensitive areas. The new policy, which is effective immediately, follows reports from earlier this year that some wearable electronic devices, like the popular Fitbit, can convey users' GPS coordinates in the form of publicly available online maps that display the most frequently trafficked routes of users who allowed their location to be shared. "The rapidly evolving market of devices, applications, and services with geolocation capabilities presents a significant risk to the Department of Defense personnel on and off duty, and to our military operations globally," the department said in a statement on Monday. "These geolocation capabilities can expose personal information, locations, routines, and numbers of Department personnel, and potentially create unintended security consequences and increased risk to the joint force and mission." In January, a 20-year old Australian student named Nathan Ruser was exploring the online maps from Strava's Global Heatmap when he found the location of U.S. troops inside Syria. "The biggest concerns with the data is firstly it allows an unprecedented look at the geographic build of a lot of these bases," Ruser told ABC News in January. "You can see the supply lines, you can see the patrol routes in some cases, and you can see the infrastructure within the bases. But more than that, one of the most important and disturbing elements of the map is that its possible to establish an understanding of how the base works." Journalists quickly started using the Global Heatmap to identify what they believed to be the locations of other U.S. personnel, including a suspected CIA base near Mogadishu, Somalia, and U.S. troops operating in the Sahel region of Africa. At the time, the Pentagon insisted that the classified or sensitive locations of U.S. service members had not been compromised by the data. But Defense Secretary James Mattis immediately ordered a review of the Pentagon's policies to see if there needed to be additional guidance or a new policy altogether. The ban, announced on Monday, prohibits Department of Defense personnel "from using geolocation features and functionality on government and non-government-issued devices, applications, and services while in locations designated as operational areas." Operational areas mostly consist of sensitive overseas locations where U.S. personnel are deployed. Applicable devices include fitness trackers, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and related software applications, according to a copy of the policy memo sent from Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan to top DoD leadership last week. Shanahan's memo also gave the military's combatant commanders guidance on how to seek authorization for the use of geolocation features should they deem it necessary. Notably, the policy's language allows service members to continue tracking their workouts on a device like a Fitbit, as long as the geolocation feature is turned off. Pentagon spokesperson Col. Rob Manning told reporters on Monday that the new policy ensures "we're not giving the enemy an unfair advantage," while at the same time "keeping pace with technology." "It's a necessary evolution," he added. Those who violate the ban on geolocation features will be dealt with on a case by case basis depending on the severity of the infraction, Manning said. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Relocated families say goodbye to aging, cramped neighborhood From:Shine | 2018-08-06 00:29 A former resident of Kangding Road is seen leaving her old home in a moving truck yesterday. She is among the 600 families who are moving out of a dilapidated, decades-old shikumen neighborhood on the street. Yesterday morning, a group of families said goodbye to their cramped, decrepit quarters in downtown Jingan District and set off for new homes in the suburbs. Those who packed up their belongings are among the 600 or so families living in a decades-old shikumen neighborhood off Kangding Road. They include Ma Ruifen, 58. Finally, we can get relocated, she said in a display of happiness. Ma and her family, including her 91-year-old mother-in-law, had been squeezed into a 20-square-meter apartment for more than 30 years. The unit was originally a single room, which they partitioned into three separate areas: a kitchen, a bedroom for her mother-in-law, and a sleeping area for herself and two other family members. We cooked and used a chamber pot in the same room, and so did our neighbors. Many times, the family living upstairs accidentally knocked over their chamber pot, and... its contents just leaked through the ceiling and into our house, Ma said. It was also common to see mice and cockroaches running around. Another frustration for Ma was that her two-year-old grandson rarely visited her crowded apartment, which was too small for an active toddler. At the community level, the neighborhood has faced a number of other issues. Weakening structures mean old homes often shake if heavy trucks drive past. Many residents also built cooking stoves in the communitys alleyways, creating a fire hazard for the entire area, according to officials from the Caojiadu Subdistrict. Over recent years, the community has also witnessed rising tensions between low-income migrants and local seniors, officials added. The neighborhood was zoned for urban renewal in December 2017, and officials began soliciting resident opinions on the matter in April. So far, officials say that more than 99 percent of residents have agreed to be relocated. Subdistrict officials say experts will be invited to examine the condition of the shikumen buildings, and those will historic value will be preserved. Plans for future development on the neighborhoods land are still being discussed by authorities. JUNCTION CITY, Ore. The Junction City Police Department had fire suppression devices installed in all fourteen of their patrol cars to help keep officers and canines safe. The fire suppression system is temperature sensitive. Once it reaches 350 degrees, it's activated. The device is made by a Florida based company called Proteng. The President of the company, Dusan Maly, said he originally created the system for race cars, but said they can be used in any vehicle. Maly said this is the first time this system was installed in any patrol car in the country. He created this system to keep people, and pets safe. There is a lot of fires and many times, it's people sleeping inside or keeping their pets inside and all that stuff, Maly said. In our industry, it's very much about protection of people or animals." These are installed in fourteen Junction City patrol cars, which Maly said would costs about $8,000. Junction City Police Chief Robert Morris said the department has never experienced a vehicle fire, but said it can happen if there's an electrical failure or a crash. Morris said the fire suppression systems were donated to the police department by Proteng. He discovered this system on Saturday and hours later, he said he made the decision to get them installed. "I can assure you every patrol car from this point forward in Junction City will deploy this fire protection system for the safety of our officers. Morris said. Morris said he hopes more police departments across the state of Oregon and the U.S. look into installing these types of devices. To learn more about the system and the company, you can head to Protengs website. MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) -- Triple-digit heat returns to southern Oregon this week, making life difficult for crews battling several major wildfires. The Statesman Journal reports milder temperatures in recent days allowed firefighters to make progress on the Taylor Creek Fire west of Grants Pass that has burned nearly 40,000 acres. That blaze -- the largest in southern Oregon -- is about 40 percent contained. Teams have largely secured the fire's eastern flank near the most populated areas. RELATED: CREWS NEARING FULL CONTAINMENT OF GARNER COMPLEX FIRE Meanwhile, the state Department of Forestry says the Garner complex of wildfires is now more than 80 percent contained. FOREST CITY, Iowa A man has been convicted and sentenced for running a Ponzi scheme in North Iowa. Authorities say former banking executive Randall Alan Finer, 55, began asking acquaintances and former customers to invest in a day trading operation. Investigators say Finer received a total of $887,700 from investors between 2011 and 2015. However, the Winnebago County Attorneys Office says Randall used less than half of that money for day trading and suffered substantial losses on that. Finer was accused of using the rest of the money for personal and living expenses and using money from new investors to pay interest payments to old investors. Finer was originally charged with ongoing criminal conduct, a class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. As part of a deal with the prosecution, Finer eventually pleaded guilty to 2nd degree theft. According to court documents, hes been sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution. ST. PAUL, Minn. The Minnesota Court of Appeals has again ruled against Rochester City Lines in a battle over Rochesters bus service. Rochester City Lines lost a competitive bidding process in 2012 to operate the citys bus fleet, with the contract going to a company called First Transit. Rochester City Lines sued and the Minnesota Supreme Court eventually ruled that the district court should hold a full hearing on whether the bidding process was biased against the company. The judge in that hearing ruled the bidding process was fair and Rochester City Lines then appealed that decision. On Monday, the Court of Appeals upheld the judges decision that Rochester City Lines complaints about the bidding process amounted to minor procedural defects. Rochester City Lines is also suing over the 2016 bidding process that awarded the citys bus contract to First Transit again. A state Supreme Court ruling in that case has ordered a hearing on Rochester City Lines claims it was unfairly deprived of references in the bidding process, it was not credited for past performance, and the City of Rochester treated the company unfairly. The City of Rochester issued the following statement in response to Monday's ruling: "Over six years ago, Rochester City Lines Co. (RCL) sued the City of Rochester regarding the federally-mandated process for putting the Citys transit contracts up for bid. Today, the City won that case for the fourth time when the Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed the district courts judgement in favor of the City and First Transit in an unpublished opinion. RCL continued to litigate about the procurement over three years after appellate rulings firmly closed the door to any meaningful recovery by RCL, over a year after the contract RCL was suing about was fully performed by the winning bidder, and after RCL lost a seven-day trial." "At this stage, RCL can only prolong the case with court permission. The City hopes that RCL will take Judge Thompsons post-trial rulings, and todays opinion affirming them, to heart. But if RCL instead decides to litigate this case further, the City will continue to defend its decisions and the numerous court rulings that have upheld those decisions." LEE COUNTY, Iowa Authorities found a dead body of a white female in her early to mid-twenties in rural Lee County on Sunday. Lee County Sheriffs Office responded and requested the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to assist, as well as the DCIs Crime Scene team. Investigators say they have no reason to believe the body is that of Mollie Tibbetts, the missing University of Iowa student from Brooklyn. ROCHESTER, Minn. - People and their four-legged friends flocked to Peace Plaza for the Dogs Downtown event. The event featured canine friendly games, crafts, food, and other fun activities such as baby pools. The event is hosted by Subaru of Rochester CHARLES CITY, Iowa A man accused of defrauding the government is pleading not guilty. Brian Charles Sachen, 39 of Mason City, is charged with 1st degree theft in Floyd County District Court. Authorities say he received over $10,000 in government benefits for his son after the boy was removed from Sachens custody by the Iowa Department of Human Services. Sachen is accused of failing to inform DHS that he no longer had custody of his son. No trial date has been set. Home Just In Finance Minister Khatiwada urges Nepalis in US to invest in homeland Washington, August 6 Minister for Finance Yubaraj Khatiwada has called on Nepalis living and working in the United Nations to investment their capital in development projects in Nepal. Khatiwada says they can invest in tourism, finance and other sectors in the homeland. Speaking with non-resident Nepalis in Maryland on Sunday, the Minister said, Please come to Nepal to invest your property, technology, skills and labour in various sectors. We are ready to facilitate the process. We are in a campaign to make the country prosperous. Therefore, we are working on to create an environment in which the investors can take out their profit after pay applicable taxes. We have adopted an one-door policy for that. In another context, he said no Nepali would need to go abroad for a job after 10 years. The Minister is currently in the US to take part in a discussion with the World Bank. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The Iowa State Fair opens this week, complete with its signature deep-fried Oreos and prize hog judging. Country star Reba McEntire will be on the grandstand, but another type of celebrity will be missing: marquee names eyeing the White House. The fair's time-honored mix of late-summer family fun and high-wattage political pageantry will instead feature the Democratic backbench of presidential hopefuls, including Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro and Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan. The visit generating the most buzz this week is Michael Avenatti, the lawyer for the adult-film actress suing Trump who is attending the state Democratic Party's annual summer fundraiser. For now, top-tier prospective Democratic presidential candidates, including former Vice President Joe Biden and Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Kamala Harris of California and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York are largely steering clear of Iowa. The Democratic Party's top stars have their reasons. Several say they are focused on ensuring the party is successful in regaining control of at least one chamber of Congress in the midterm elections. Some will be on the ballot themselves in November so they must lock down their own victory before being so bold as to go to Iowa. Still, their absence surprises veteran Democratic activists and stokes the perennial worry about the future of the state's early status. The anxiety isn't entirely misplaced. The case for giving the overwhelming white, rural state a prized role in picking the Democratic nominee has become more complicated as the party's base becomes less white and rural. Meanwhile, other states have been challenging it on influence and candidate appeal. For aspiring politicians, the place to make an impact this cycle is Georgia, which has a hot governor's race and a sizable African-American population. The quiet has been observed by Iowans with typical understatement. "It's not as busy as I would have expected it to be," said former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, a Democrat. "I've never seen us three months away from the midterms where we haven't had people like that here," said Sue Dvorsky, a longtime Democratic activist in Democrat-heavy Iowa City and a former state party chairwoman. The positioning that is happening in Iowa ahead of 2020 is largely playing out in private. Warren has spoken with Vilsack by phone several times this year, the former governor said. He has also fielded regular calls from other 2020 presidential prospects. Biden has kept in touch with Dubuque-area Democrats, notably ahead of his June endorsement of a congressional candidate. Mark Smith, Democratic leader in the Iowa House of Representatives, said he discussed statehouse campaign contributions with Booker last month at a New Jersey diner. Harris offered Iowa secretary of state candidate Deirdre DeJear some in-person encouragement at an event in Los Angeles in April, DeJear said. Sanders visited Iowa in February as a favor to his former caucus campaign director Pete D'Alessandro, who lost a June primary for a Des Moines-area House seat. He has been less guarded than his potential 2020 rivals, arguing amid his travels that the party needs to broaden its appeal everywhere. Most others have played down any Iowa contact, except in pursuit of midterm goals. Harris "has been very clear that her top political priority this cycle is to elect and protect more Democrats in the Senate," said her spokeswoman, Lily Adams. "She has also made sure to put her support behind candidates who share her values and to make statehouses look more like the population of this country." Still, some potential candidates are dipping their toes in other early voting states. In June, Warren headlined the state Democratic Party convention in Nevada, which has the cover of a close Senate race this year. Biden endorsed his friend, South Carolina lawyer Dick Harpootlian, for state House last week. Previous presidential prospects have often set up at least skeleton Iowa organizations by this point, in part to sow goodwill with activists who can be crucial to victory in the caucuses. Then-Vice President Al Gore began visiting Iowa more than a year ahead of the 1998 midterms to lay down a marker that kept all but New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley from challenging him in the 2000 caucuses. At the same time, presumed Democratic powerhouse Hillary Clinton stayed away from Iowa during the 2006 midterm campaign while then-Sen. Evan Bayh and former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, now a senator, tried to establish themselves early as viable challengers. They visited often in early 2006 and financed campaign staff for 2006 Iowa races. That campaign produced the unexpected dynamic of two party superstars, as Barack Obama, then a freshman Illinois senator, decided late in 2006 to explore running for president. His rock-star reception at a September Democratic fundraiser in Iowa that year foretold the head-to-head clash of the two stars. After losing the 2008 caucuses and the nomination to Obama, Clinton returned to Iowa in September 2014 and became the early target of Sanders, who would narrowly lose to Clinton in the 2016 caucuses and dog her throughout the primaries. "It's hard to be first," Vilsack said. "You put yourself out there, and the analyzing and criticizing starts." Senior Producers, Larger-Cap Near-Term Production Aluminum Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 3-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % Alcoa Inc AA 2.1 US$42.72 186 $7,966 3.01 4.02 3.90 10.6 11.0 6.55 4.55 8.75 9.4 4.9 9.8 0.0% Alumina Ltd AWC 2.2 US$2.09 2880 $6,030 0.13 0.23 0.16 9.1 12.9 0.09 0.21 0.16 9.8 13.2 8.0 7.0% Aluminum Corp China Ltd (ADR) ACH 2.6 CNY$2.78 14904 $7,309 0.09 0.16 0.23 17.5 12.2 0.88 0.83 1.05 3.3 2.6 13.5 0.0% Century Aluminum CENX 2.4 US$12.77 88 $1,119 0.36 0.68 1.95 18.8 6.5 0.59 0.79 2.86 16.1 4.5 42.2 0.0% United Company Rusal Ltd (HK) 486 2.0 US$0.28 15193 $4,258 0.07 0.13 0.13 2.1 2.1 0.11 0.13 0.14 2.1 1.9 8.0 2.8% Average 11.6 8.9 8.2 5.4 16.3 Iron Ore Cliffs Natural Resources CLF 2.1 US$10.88 298 $3,242 0.43 1.78 1.43 6.1 7.6 1.15 2.01 2.27 5.4 4.8 13.3 0.0% Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (AU) FMG 2.4 US$3.18 3114 $9,907 0.50 0.32 0.32 10.0 9.8 0.95 0.60 0.68 5.3 4.7 3.3 7.3% Kumba Iron Ore Ltd (SA) KIO 4.2 ZAR$285.92 322 $6,916 30.26 19.59 20.27 14.6 14.1 52.91 35.64 37.02 8.0 7.7 4.9 10.0% Labrador Iron Ore Royalty (CN) LIF 2.6 C$24.47 64 $1,206 2.46 2.05 2.56 11.9 9.6 2.61 1.69 2.28 14.5 10.7 17.2 4.7% Mount Gibson Iron Limited (AU) MGX 2.5 AUD$0.43 1100 $350 0.03 0.03 0.03 16.1 12.5 0.02 0.02 0.00 23.9 NM -- 4.4% Average 11.7 10.7 11.4 7.0 9.7 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Consensus Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Base Metals & Diversified Large Cap Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 3-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % Anglo American PLC (UK) AAL 2.4 US$22.01 1405 $30,954 2.53 2.44 2.27 9.0 9.7 6.48 4.78 4.75 4.6 4.6 6.6 4.6% Antofagasta PLC (UK) ANTO 2.8 US$12.48 986 $12,314 0.76 0.79 0.93 15.8 13.4 2.12 1.93 2.24 6.5 5.6 9.7 3.7% BHP Billiton Ltd BHP 2.5 US$24.70 5324 $126,009 1.49 1.70 1.64 14.6 15.1 3.23 3.33 3.29 7.4 7.5 9.0 4.2% China Molybdenum Co Ltd (HK) 3993 2.1 CNY$3.08 21599 $15,274 0.14 0.25 0.24 12.4 12.7 0.36 0.71 0.68 4.3 4.5 48.9 0.0% Freeport McMoran C&G FCX 2.6 US$15.71 1449 $22,760 1.17 1.90 1.14 8.3 13.8 3.22 3.49 2.46 4.5 6.4 7.1 0.6% Glencore International PLC (UK) GLEN 2.0 US$4.14 14320 $59,295 0.39 0.49 0.46 8.4 8.9 0.82 0.81 0.92 5.1 4.5 8.8 1.9% Grupo Mexico (MX) GMEXICOB 2.4 US$3.10 7785 $24,033 0.20 0.25 0.31 12.4 10.1 0.43 0.37 0.43 8.5 7.1 9.3 3.3% Hindustan Zinc (IN) HZ 2.4 INR$282.30 4225 $17,383 20.96 23.05 25.37 12.2 11.1 21.97 27.32 29.94 10.3 9.4 9.0 2.9% MMC Norilsk Nickel (RU) GMKN 2.0 RU$5,429.84 158 $27,022 -- 899.94 1210.92 6.0 4.5 -- 689.72 1388.13 7.9 3.9 9.9 7.7% Rio Tinto PLC (UK) RIO 2.6 US$51.92 1722 $91,423 4.83 4.83 4.34 10.7 12.0 7.77 7.07 7.23 7.3 7.2 8.3 5.5% Sesa Sterlite Ltd (ADR) SSLT 1.6 INR$222.40 3717 $12,048 18.89 27.49 35.19 8.1 6.3 53.84 57.84 65.52 3.8 3.4 5.4 9.0% South32 Ltd (AU) S32 2.8 US$2.54 5120 $12,994 0.23 0.26 0.24 9.8 10.5 0.37 0.37 0.40 6.8 6.4 6.5 3.9% Southern Copper Corp SCCO 3.6 US$47.57 773 $36,774 0.94 2.41 2.76 19.7 17.3 2.63 3.04 3.38 15.7 14.1 18.9 2.1% Sumitomo Metal Mining (JP) 5713 2.2 JPY$3,959 291 $10,349 232.51 383.96 420.41 10.3 9.4 400.09 587.27 641.56 6.7 6.2 12.7 2.2% Teck Resources Ltd TCK 1.9 C$32.22 575 $14,254 4.45 4.63 3.94 7.0 8.2 8.84 8.00 7.40 4.0 4.4 7.0 0.4% Vale SA (ADR) VALE 2.2 US$52.60 5284 $74,912 4.39 5.38 5.86 9.8 9.0 7.79 9.01 9.15 5.8 5.7 10.1 4.1% Average 10.9 10.7 6.8 6.3 11.7 Mid Cap Assore Ltd (SA) ASR 3.6 ZAR$292.73 140 $3,040 47.40 41.47 34.81 7.1 8.4 26.37 37.33 26.28 7.8 11.1 11.6 5.0% Aurubis AG (GR) NDA 2.4 EUR$69.26 45 $3,606 5.35 5.72 5.73 12.1 12.1 9.82 7.49 8.26 9.2 8.4 9.4 2.1% Boliden AB (SW) BOL 2.8 SEK$257.75 274 $7,928 25.06 27.48 24.50 9.4 10.5 46.57 43.07 43.82 6.0 5.9 7.5 2.8% Eramet (FR) ERA 2.8 EUR$83.65 27 $2,580 7.03 10.20 9.89 8.2 8.5 17.81 18.10 23.12 4.6 3.6 7.5 2.0% Exxaro Resources Ltd (SA) EXX 1.9 ZAR$135.00 359 $3,603 4.50 21.53 19.57 6.3 6.9 9.80 14.43 17.74 9.4 7.6 8.2 4.7% First Quantum Minerals (CN) FM 2.1 US$14.38 689 $9,915 (0.16) 0.77 1.41 18.6 10.2 1.62 2.55 2.90 5.6 5.0 17.6 0.1% Iluka Resources Ltd (AU) ILU 2.4 AUD$11.25 422 $3,513 0.23 0.72 0.87 15.6 12.9 0.99 1.26 1.28 8.9 8.8 -- 3.0% Jiangxi Copper Co "H" (HK) 358 2.5 CNY$8.22 3463 $6,103 0.48 0.79 0.86 10.4 9.5 0.72 1.44 1.56 5.7 5.3 11.1 2.0% Kazakhmys PLC (UK) KAZ 2.6 US$7.93 447 $3,546 1.07 1.40 1.54 5.7 5.1 1.68 1.80 1.99 4.4 4.0 23.9 0.0% KGHM Polska Miedz (PO) KGH 3.1 PLN$92.46 200 $5,012 7.84 13.69 14.97 6.8 6.2 21.44 24.21 26.36 3.8 3.5 5.5 0.0% Lundin Mining Corp (CN) LUN 2.3 US$5.34 732 $3,911 0.56 0.40 0.45 13.4 11.9 1.14 0.84 0.99 6.3 5.4 5.6 0.0% MMG Ltd (HK) 1208 2.0 US$0.54 8051 $4,339 0.02 0.06 0.07 8.9 7.2 0.29 0.24 0.25 2.3 2.2 15.1 0.0% Outokumpu (FN) OUT1V 2.3 EUR$5.63 416 $2,715 0.83 0.40 0.64 14.2 8.8 0.75 0.76 1.21 7.4 4.7 11.7 4.7% Turquoise Hill Resources TRQ 3.0 US$2.59 2012 $5,175 0.09 0.13 0.04 20.7 57.9 0.06 0.13 0.15 19.5 16.8 18.2 0.0% Vale Indonesia Tbk PT (ID) INCO 1.9 US$0.29 9936 $2,850 (0.00) 0.01 0.01 41.9 19.3 0.02 0.02 0.03 16.4 10.4 19.7 0.0% Vedanta Resources PLC (UK) VED 2.7 US$10.73 273 $2,934 0.43 0.94 1.55 11.4 6.9 5.26 8.96 13.24 1.2 0.8 6.5 6.6% Average 13.2 12.6 7.4 6.5 11.9 Small Cap Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 3-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % Capstone Mining Corp (CN) CS 1.9 US$0.69 399 $277 (0.02) 0.13 0.15 5.5 4.7 0.29 0.31 0.34 2.2 2.0 3.4 0.0% Hudbay Minerals HBM 1.9 US$5.06 261 $1,322 0.61 0.56 0.63 9.0 8.1 2.04 1.80 1.85 2.8 2.7 4.1 0.3% Independence Group NL (AU) IGO 2.9 AUD$4.27 590 $1,865 0.10 0.23 0.35 18.3 12.1 0.35 0.64 0.73 6.7 5.8 18.2 0.4% Ivanhoe Mines Ltd (CN) IVP 2.1 US$1.87 791 $1,477 (0.14) (0.04) (0.05) -- -- (0.05) (0.03) (0.05) -- -- -- 0.0% Mechel OAO (ADR) MTL 4.0 RU$92.55 555 $833 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 8.8 0.0% Mineral Resources Ltd (AU) MIN 2.7 AUD$16.48 188 $2,289 1.19 1.42 1.79 11.6 9.2 1.65 1.93 2.30 8.6 7.2 7.6 0.0% Mitsui Mining & Smelting (JP) 5706 2.0 JPY$4,335 57 $2,233 72.45 355.45 556.82 12.2 7.8 532.87 852.83 1079.08 5.1 4.0 8.1 1.4% Nevsun Resources Ltd NSU 1.9 US$3.69 302 $1,115 (0.12) (0.03) 0.04 -- 90.4 (0.07) 0.32 0.33 11.6 11.2 9.8 0.6% Nyrstar NV (BE) NYR 2.8 EUR$4.95 110 $630 (0.82) (0.15) 0.61 -- 8.2 0.39 0.87 1.87 5.7 2.7 9.5 0.0% Oz Minerals (AU) OZL 2.4 AUD$9.40 322 $2,242 0.77 0.66 0.55 14.2 17.0 1.15 1.29 1.44 7.3 6.5 6.2 2.2% Philex Mining Corp (PH) PX 3.0 Php$4.39 4940 $409 0.34 0.41 0.33 10.7 13.3 -- -- -- -- -- 7.4 1.7% Sandfire Resources NL (AU) SFR 3.4 AUD$7.49 159 $882 0.66 0.91 1.21 8.3 6.2 1.48 1.67 1.96 4.5 3.8 5.1 3.0% Sherritt International (CN) S 1.6 C$0.90 397 $275 (1.07) (0.02) 0.19 -- 4.7 (0.03) 0.08 0.17 11.8 5.4 21.4 0.0% Volcan Cia Ninera VOLABC1 2.0 US$0.25 4077 $2,403 (0.12) 0.04 0.05 6.2 5.5 -- -- -- -- -- 10.8 1.7% Western Areas NL (AU) WSA 2.6 AUD$3.17 273 $641 0.07 0.16 0.26 20.4 12.2 0.27 0.39 0.51 8.1 6.2 11.8 0.6% Average 11.6 15.3 6.8 5.2 9.4 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Consensus Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Gold Large Cap Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 3-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd AEM 2.1 US$41.55 234 $9,711 1.02 0.33 0.85 NM 48.9 3.30 2.87 3.55 14.5 11.7 12.1 0.9% Barrick Gold Corp ABX 3.0 US$11.11 1167 $12,956 0.75 0.58 0.69 19.0 16.2 1.77 1.91 2.02 5.8 5.5 5.0 0.9% Franco-Nevada FNV 2.3 US$73.12 186 $13,595 1.08 1.21 1.34 60.2 54.6 2.67 2.73 3.03 26.8 24.1 27.6 1.3% Goldcorp Inc GG 2.1 US$12.50 869 $10,749 0.40 0.29 0.64 42.8 19.5 1.55 1.43 2.02 8.7 6.2 9.8 0.6% Newcrest Mining Ltd (AU) NCM 2.7 AUD$15.65 768 $12,014 0.52 0.70 0.95 22.4 16.4 1.74 1.75 2.00 9.0 7.8 10.0 0.6% Newmont Mining NEM 2.4 US$36.46 533 $19,448 1.46 1.29 1.56 28.2 23.4 4.39 3.82 4.23 9.5 8.6 9.0 1.1% Polyus Gold International (UK) PGIL 2.0 RU$4,359.00 134 $9,198 560.33 514.21 605.35 8.5 7.2 475.56 614.35 838.50 7.1 5.2 -- 3.5% Zijin Mining Group (HK) 2899 2.1 CNY$2.39 23031 $10,365 0.16 0.20 0.23 11.7 10.4 0.44 0.53 0.52 4.5 4.6 15.5 0.0% Average 27.5 24.6 10.7 9.2 12.7 Mid Cap Alamos Gold AGI 1.9 US$5.22 389 $2,033 0.13 0.11 0.23 46.2 22.4 0.53 0.62 0.75 8.4 7.0 11.9 0.5% AngloGold Ashanti Ltd AU 2.2 US$8.78 412 $3,613 0.02 0.76 0.93 11.5 9.5 2.40 2.63 3.04 3.3 2.9 3.7 0.5% B2Gold Corp BTG 1.7 US$2.46 986 $2,415 0.05 0.19 0.23 12.9 10.5 0.16 0.47 0.53 5.2 4.6 8.9 0.0% Buenaventura (ADR) BVN 2.5 US$13.72 276 $3,660 0.29 0.81 1.04 16.8 13.2 0.84 1.71 1.75 8.0 7.8 11.1 0.4% Evolution Mining Ltd (AU) EVN 2.8 AUD$2.85 1693 $3,569 0.14 0.17 0.19 16.8 14.9 0.41 0.42 0.43 6.8 6.6 7.6 2.1% Gold Fields Ltd (ADR) GFI 2.3 US$3.64 822 $2,934 0.24 0.18 0.28 20.8 13.0 1.01 1.06 1.29 3.4 2.8 3.5 1.8% Iamgold Corp IAG 2.0 US$5.57 467 $2,587 0.06 0.16 0.19 34.8 28.6 0.63 0.77 0.86 7.2 6.4 7.0 0.0% Kinross Gold Corp KGC 2.4 US$3.43 1250 $4,284 0.14 0.20 0.17 17.4 19.9 0.76 0.80 0.81 4.3 4.2 6.0 0.0% Kirkland Lake Gold (CN) KL 2.2 C$23.31 211 $4,924 0.72 1.11 1.45 20.9 16.0 1.42 1.96 2.40 11.9 9.7 26.6 0.3% Northern Star Resources (AU) NST 3.1 AUD$7.20 613 $3,267 0.35 0.42 0.49 17.1 14.6 0.57 0.63 0.73 11.4 9.9 9.4 1.7% Polymetal International PLC (UK) POLY 2.6 US$8.76 453 $3,970 0.88 0.92 1.22 9.5 7.2 1.22 1.34 1.59 6.5 5.5 7.1 3.5% Randgold Resources (ADR) GOLD 2.0 US$72.98 94 $6,891 2.92 3.01 3.47 24.3 21.0 5.75 6.58 7.77 11.1 9.4 11.6 2.4% Royal Gold Inc RGLD 2.1 US$83.84 65 $5,488 1.65 1.95 2.26 43.1 37.1 4.23 4.62 5.05 18.1 16.6 21.2 1.1% Yamana Gold Inc AUY 2.2 US$3.10 949 $2,952 0.08 0.14 0.16 22.0 19.7 0.51 0.64 0.66 4.8 4.7 7.4 0.7% Zhaojin Mining Industry Co Ltd (HK) 1818 2.5 CNY$5.42 3221 $2,556 0.20 0.21 0.24 25.5 22.7 0.34 1.06 0.72 5.1 7.5 15.3 1.2% Average 22.6 18.0 7.7 7.0 10.6 Small Cap Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 3-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % Acacia Mining PLC (UK) ACAA 2.7 US$1.62 410 $665 0.36 0.19 0.27 8.4 5.9 (0.06) 0.55 0.74 3.0 2.2 1.5 0.0% Alacer Gold Corp (CN) ASR 2.7 US$2.06 294 $604 0.28 0.18 0.29 11.5 7.0 0.37 0.23 0.69 8.8 3.0 26.5 0.0% Argonaut Gold Ltd (CN) AR 2.0 US$1.66 178 $295 0.09 0.18 0.28 9.5 6.0 0.22 0.41 0.55 4.0 3.0 7.1 0.0% Centamin Egypt (CN) CEE 2.1 US$1.52 1155 $1,751 0.13 0.09 0.11 16.6 13.8 0.31 0.16 0.25 9.5 6.2 3.7 8.0% Centerra Gold (CN) CG 2.8 US$4.47 292 $1,306 0.93 0.44 0.63 10.1 7.1 1.71 1.14 1.37 3.9 3.3 4.1 0.0% Detour Gold Corp (CN) DGC 1.9 US$9.78 175 $1,708 0.66 0.46 0.39 21.4 25.2 1.65 1.65 1.45 5.9 6.7 6.9 0.0% Eldorado Gold Corp EGO 3.0 US$1.13 794 $844 0.02 0.00 0.01 NM NM 0.09 0.13 0.18 8.6 6.3 6.8 0.0% Endeavour Mining Corp (CN) EDV 1.7 US$17.46 108 $1,881 0.67 0.91 1.37 19.3 12.7 2.24 2.53 3.35 6.9 5.2 9.6 -- Guyana Goldfields Inc (CN) GUY 2.0 US$3.08 173 $534 0.12 0.24 0.42 13.0 7.3 0.38 0.51 0.80 6.0 3.9 5.6 0.0% Harmony Gold Mining Ltd HAR 2.9 ZAR$21.55 512 $820 3.01 2.83 2.33 7.6 9.2 8.07 7.77 7.69 2.8 2.8 2.8 1.5% Hecla Mining Co HL 2.8 US$3.06 476 $1,456 0.10 0.04 0.13 70.6 23.1 0.29 0.38 0.53 8.0 5.7 7.3 0.3% Hochschild Mining PLC (UK) HOC 2.4 US$2.26 509 $1,151 0.08 0.06 0.15 38.0 15.0 0.45 0.51 0.60 4.4 3.8 4.1 0.9% McEwen Ming Inc. MUX 2.0 US$2.20 337 $742 (0.03) (0.06) 0.04 -- 51.8 (0.05) (0.07) 0.08 -- 27.5 -- 0.5% New Gold Inc NGD 3.0 US$1.32 579 $760 0.09 (0.03) 0.07 -- 18.3 0.61 0.48 0.65 2.7 2.0 5.1 0.0% Pretium Resources PVG 2.0 C$8.07 183 $1,475 0.10 0.55 0.87 14.6 9.3 0.40 1.17 1.63 6.9 5.0 -- 0.0% Oceanagold Corp (AU) OGC 2.0 US$3.03 618 $1,926 0.30 0.22 0.20 13.6 14.9 0.57 0.58 0.54 5.2 5.6 7.2 0.9% Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd OR 1.9 C$11.92 156 $1,434 0.18 0.12 0.34 95.7 34.9 0.38 0.53 0.68 22.5 17.5 49.6 1.6% Regis Resources Ltd (AU) RRL 3.7 AUD$4.24 504 $1,583 0.30 0.33 0.35 12.9 12.0 0.45 0.48 0.51 8.8 8.3 8.2 3.7% St Barbara Ltd (AU) SBM 3.8 AUD$4.07 521 $1,567 0.37 0.37 0.32 10.9 12.7 0.59 0.53 0.47 7.6 8.6 6.3 2.6% Semafo (CN) SMF 1.9 US$2.81 326 $915 0.00 0.07 0.36 38.1 7.9 0.23 0.38 0.80 7.3 3.5 6.3 0.0% Sibanye Gold Ltd (SA) SGL 2.4 ZAR$8.71 2266 $1,468 (0.12) 0.67 1.47 13.0 5.9 3.53 3.34 4.20 2.6 2.1 4.1 0.0% SSR Mining SSRM 2.3 US$10.36 120 $1,247 0.34 0.21 0.33 48.4 31.0 1.21 1.25 1.31 8.3 7.9 4.9 0.0% Torex Gold Resources (CN) TXG 1.8 US$7.13 85 $605 (0.18) 0.59 0.76 12.1 9.4 0.92 1.98 2.39 3.6 3.0 5.4 0.0% Average 24.3 15.5 6.7 6.2 8.7 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Reuters Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Silver Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 3-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % Americas Silver Corp (CN) USA 1.7 US$2.47 43 $105 (0.09) 0.30 0.34 8.2 7.3 0.04 0.65 0.79 3.8 3.1 0.0 0.0% Coeur Mining Corp CDE 2.0 US$6.50 187 $1,216 0.02 0.03 0.30 NM 22.0 1.08 0.68 1.14 9.6 5.7 7.0 0.0% Endeavour Silver Corp EXK 2.8 US$2.56 127 $327 0.08 0.10 0.18 25.0 14.2 0.12 0.30 0.33 8.7 7.9 8.8 0.0% First Majestic Silver Corp AG 2.5 US$6.59 193 $1,271 (0.04) (0.07) 0.20 -- 33.0 0.43 0.47 0.84 14.0 7.9 10.4 0.0% Fortuna Silver Mines FSM 2.2 US$5.36 160 $853 0.28 0.31 0.45 17.3 12.0 0.44 0.55 0.83 9.7 6.5 8.2 0.0% Fresnillo (UK) FRES 2.5 US$13.19 737 $9,722 0.65 0.64 0.71 20.7 18.5 1.03 1.19 1.26 11.1 10.5 9.7 2.6% Mag Silver Corp MAG 1.8 US$9.42 86 $806 (0.08) (0.05) (0.06) -- -- (0.05) (0.02) (0.05) -- -- 87.2 0.0% Pan American Silver PAAS 2.3 US$16.40 153 $2,513 0.51 0.69 0.77 23.7 21.4 1.47 1.51 1.79 10.9 9.2 8.5 0.6% Wheaton Precious Metals WPM 1.8 US$21.18 444 $9,381 0.63 0.58 0.71 36.5 30.0 1.22 1.16 1.33 18.2 16.0 16.4 1.7% Silvercorp SVM 2.0 US$2.76 167 $462 0.26 0.24 0.25 11.6 11.3 0.42 0.40 0.42 6.9 6.5 -- 0.4% Tahoe Resources TAHO 2.5 US$4.45 313 $1,394 0.27 0.04 0.49 NM 9.1 0.75 0.44 1.18 10.2 3.8 3.8 0.4% Average 20.4 17.9 10.3 7.7 16.0 Platinum Group Metals African Rainbow Minerals (SA) ARI 1.8 ZAR$117.42 220 $1,919 17.47 18.37 16.84 6.4 7.0 16.60 17.12 19.45 6.9 6.0 27.0 1.9% Anglo Platinum Ltd (SA) AMS 2.4 ZAR$413.42 270 $8,374 14.76 19.88 24.70 20.8 16.7 49.84 36.06 41.03 11.5 10.1 12.0 2.0% Impala Platinum (SA) IMP 2.4 ZAR$19.77 735 $1,256 (0.87) 0.44 2.32 45.2 8.5 1.92 5.18 8.19 3.8 2.4 7.4 0.0% Lonmin PLC (UK) LMI 3.8 US$0.57 283 $163 (2.68) (0.13) (0.05) -- -- 0.09 0.03 0.19 18.8 3.0 -- 0.0% Northam Platinum Ltd (SA) NHM 2.5 ZAR$36.57 510 $1,387 (1.42) (0.82) (0.12) -- -- 2.57 3.39 4.41 10.8 8.3 31.9 0.0% Average 24.1 10.7 10.3 6.0 19.6 Diamonds & Gems Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 3-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % AK Alrosa PAO (RU) ALRS 2.6 RU$33.75 7365 $11,066 10.47 12.57 12.39 2.7 2.7 13.65 18.95 16.05 1.8 2.1 4.1 5.7% Lucara Diamond Corp (CN) LUC 1.5 US$1.71 396 $676 0.16 0.11 0.15 16.0 11.5 0.25 0.15 0.20 11.4 8.6 3.4 5.0% Mountain Province Diamonds (CN) MPVD 2.7 US$3.00 210 $484 0.11 0.08 0.25 37.5 11.8 0.26 0.92 0.84 3.3 3.6 -- 0.0% Petra Diamonds Ltd (UK) PDL 2.0 US$0.54 865 $465 0.05 0.07 0.10 7.9 5.4 0.19 0.15 0.16 3.7 3.4 7.2 0.0% Stornoway Diamond Corp (CN) SWY 2.8 C$0.42 836 $270 0.02 (0.05) 0.00 -- -- 0.08 0.02 0.09 21.0 4.8 -- 0.0% Average 16.0 7.9 8.2 4.5 4.9 Fertilizers Arab Potash Co (JR) APOT -- JOD$15.78 83 $1,854 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 12.1 6.7% CF Industries CF 2.7 US$49.07 233 $11,456 (0.25) 1.23 1.97 39.8 24.9 6.97 5.37 5.78 9.1 8.5 21.2 2.7% Compass Minerals CMP 2.4 US$68.45 34 $2,317 2.75 2.94 4.00 23.3 17.1 4.34 3.86 11.33 17.7 6.0 12.8 4.8% Incitec Pivot Ltd (AU) IPL 3.0 AUD$3.81 1645 $4,638 0.19 0.22 0.24 17.7 15.7 0.39 0.40 0.43 9.4 8.8 12.0 2.7% Israel Chemical (IS) ICL 2.5 US$5.24 1280 $6,732 0.30 0.36 0.40 14.4 13.0 0.66 0.49 0.73 10.7 7.2 8.6 4.0% K & S Aktiengesellschaft (GR) SDF 2.6 EUR$22.55 191 $4,999 0.96 1.37 1.83 16.5 12.3 1.60 3.10 3.52 7.3 6.4 13.3 1.5% Mosaic Co MOS 2.3 US$30.45 385 $11,736 1.09 1.52 1.93 20.0 15.8 2.67 3.54 4.08 8.6 7.5 14.7 1.4% Sociedad Quimica Minera (ADR) SQM 2.3 US$48.85 263 $12,718 1.63 1.89 2.24 25.8 21.8 2.67 2.38 2.82 20.6 17.3 17.0 3.8% Yara International ASA (NO) YAR 3.0 NOK$44.03 273 $12,030 1.81 1.82 3.20 24.2 13.7 2.87 4.86 5.94 9.1 7.4 9.3 1.9% Average 22.7 16.8 11.6 8.6 13.4 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Reuters Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Uranium Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 3-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % Cameco Corp CCJ 2.7 C$14.47 396 $4,410 0.15 0.29 0.21 49.4 70.4 1.51 1.19 1.04 12.2 14.0 10.9 2.0% Denison Mines DNN 2.0 US$0.49 559 $275 (0.03) (0.03) (0.03) -- -- 0.02 (0.03) (0.03) -- -- -- 0.0% Energy Resources Australia (AU) ERA 4.0 AUD$0.40 518 $153 (0.04) (0.06) 0.06 -- 6.7 0.02 (0.01) 0.01 -- 40.0 -- 0.0% Uranium Participation Corp (CN) U 2.0 C$4.51 137 $476 (0.03) (0.03) (0.03) -- -- (0.04) (0.04) -- -- -- -- 0.0% Average 49.4 38.5 12.2 27.0 10.9 Coal Large - Mid Cap Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 3-Aug-18 (MM) (US$MM) 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2017 2018E 2019E 2018E 2019E 2018E % Adaro Energy TBK (ID) ADRO 1.7 US$0.13 31986 $4,288 0.01 0.02 0.02 8.4 8.4 0.03 0.03 0.03 4.7 4.7 6.1 5.1% Banpu Public Co Ltd (TH) BANPU 1.7 THB$0.63 5162 $3,226 0.07 0.08 0.07 8.0 8.7 0.13 0.08 0.10 7.5 6.5 19.3 3.0% China Coal Energy Co (HK) 1898 2.3 CNY$2.74 13259 $8,361 0.26 0.33 0.32 8.4 8.6 1.34 1.09 1.20 2.5 2.3 12.6 1.9% China Shenhua Energy Co (HK) 1088 2.1 CNY$15.13 19890 $50,015 2.40 2.31 2.22 6.6 6.8 4.78 3.87 4.07 3.9 3.7 5.9 5.8% Consol Energy CNX 2.1 US$15.95 213 $3,398 (0.04) 0.66 0.71 24.2 22.6 1.88 3.46 3.84 4.6 4.2 9.5 0.0% Whitehaven Coal Lyd (AU) WHC 2.4 AUD$5.30 1026 $4,024 0.45 0.56 0.49 9.5 10.7 0.72 0.85 0.73 6.2 7.2 -- -- Yancoal Australia Lyd YAL -- AUD$0.14 43962 $4,554 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Yanzhou Coal Mining Co Ltd (HK) 1171 2.4 CNY$7.84 4912 $7,198 1.50 1.67 1.56 4.7 5.0 2.48 2.80 3.22 2.8 2.4 20.2 6.5% Average 10.0 10.1 4.6 4.4 12.3 Small Cap Cloud Peak Energy CLD 3.3 US$2.63 76 $199 (0.50) (0.29) (0.43) -- -- 0.71 0.57 0.53 4.6 5.0 5.4 0.0% Fushan Int'l Energy Group (HK) 639 2.4 HK$1.85 5302 $1,250 0.20 0.21 0.22 9.0 8.6 0.29 0.19 0.29 9.6 6.5 8.1 6.3% NLC India Ltd (IN) NLCINDIA -- INR$78.70 1529 $1,753 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 6.7 5.4% New Hope Corp Ltd (AU) NHC 2.3 AUD$3.12 831 $1,919 0.22 0.30 0.24 10.5 13.1 0.38 0.42 0.35 7.5 8.8 14.9 4.8% PT Tambang Batubara Bukit (ID) PTBA 2.2 IDR$4,500 11521 $3,583 425.00 442.17 422.48 10.2 10.7 229.16 452.93 447.62 9.9 10.1 16.7 8.0% PT Bumi Resources (ID) BUMI -- US$0.02 65379 $1,166 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% Average 10.1 10.5 5.8 5.6 12.0 Limited Partnership Alliance Resource Partners LP ARLP 2.0 US$20.00 131 $2,618 2.80 3.33 2.32 6.0 8.6 5.63 3.32 3.00 6.0 6.7 4.5 11.1% Natural Resource Partners LP NRP 3.0 US$31.55 12 $386 3.43 4.81 4.71 6.6 6.7 1.32 1.45 16.07 21.7 2.0 5.2 6.3% Average 6.3 7.7 13.9 4.3 4.9 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Reuters Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Recent and Forecast Commodity Prices Cash Price (3-Aug-18) Aluminum ($0.91 / lb) Cobalt ($29.03 / lb) Copper ($2.80 / lb) Lead ($0.97 / lb) Molybdenum ($11.79 / lb) Nickel ($5.96 / lb) Tin ($9.02 / lb) Zinc ($1.20 / lb) Palladium ($904 / oz) Platinum ($828 / oz) Silver ($15.38 / oz) Uranium ($25.70 / lb) BEIJING/SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Chinas state media said on Saturday the governments retaliatory tariffs on $60 billion of U.S. goods showed rational restraint and they accused the United States of blackmail. Late on Friday, Chinas finance ministry unveiled new sets of additional tariffs on 5,207 goods imported from the United States, with the extra levies ranging from five to 25 percent on a total value of goods less than half of that proposed by U.S. President Donald Trumps administration. The response follows the Trump administrations proposal of a 25-percent tariff on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports. Chinas countermeasures are rational, the Global Times, a tabloid run by the official Peoples Daily, said in a commentary. China will not rush to compete with U.S. numbers, it said, echoing comments made by state television. The United States and China implemented tariffs on $34 billion worth of each others goods in July. Washington is expected to soon implement tariffs on an additional $16 billion of Chinese goods, which China has already said it will match immediately. The White Houses extreme pressure and blackmail are already clear to the international community, said a state television commentary. Such methods of extreme blackmail will not bear fruit against China. TRUMP TOUTS TARIFFS, SAYS THEY ARE WORKING In a series of tweets on Saturday, Trump disagreed. Tariffs are working far better than anyone ever anticipated, he claimed, citing a big drop in Chinas stock market. They are really hurting their economy. Trump also claimed that China was talking to the United States about trade, but he provided no details. He said his administration would continue to employ tariffs if other nations were unwilling to come to the table on trade. We are using them to negotiate fair trade deals, Trump said. China has now either imposed or proposed tariffs on $110 billion in U.S. goods, representing the vast majority of Chinas annual imports of American products. Last year, China imported about $130 billion in goods from the United States. Trump has ultimately threatened tariffs on over $500 billion in Chinese goods, covering virtually all U.S. imports from China. The U.S. has repeatedly resorted to threatening and deceitful routines, trying to force China to compromise, both overestimating its own bargaining power and underestimating Chinas determination and ability to defend its national dignity and the interests of its people, said a commentary in the official Xinhua news agency. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, however, remained staunch on Washingtons push for fairer trading conditions with China. President Trump inherited an unfair trade regime where American workers and American companies were not treated reciprocally or fairly by the Chinese, and the efforts of the Trump administration are to right that, to correct that, Pompeo told reporters on the sidelines of a regional forum in Singapore. Pompeo added that he had discussed trade issues with Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi on Friday. Wang said on Friday they did not get into details. Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said he met Pompeo in Singapore and that his message was clear. My objective was quite straightforward: I think I need to inform him that we are very concerned, said Saifuddin. Countries like Malaysia form an integral part of Chinese exporters supply chains, and analysts have warned a trade war could knock billions of dollars off their economic growth in coming years. Reporting by Ben Blanchard in Beijing, David Brunnstrom, John Geddie and Christian Shepherd in Singapore, Engen Tham in Shanghai; Additional reporting by Tim Ahmann in Washington; Writing by Engen Tham; Editing by Stephen Powell and Sandra Maler (Kitco News) - An IT technician working for the Australian Perth Mint stole AUD$55,000 (USD$41,000) worth of gold coins and bars to maintain a lifestyle demanded by his then-fiancee, according to the defense lawyer on the case. Following court proceedings, the judge sentenced Joseph Charles Viola to two years in prison, requiring him to serve at least half the term before being eligible for early release. Viola, 29, pleaded guilty to six charges of stealing between February and April 2016. According to his lawyer, Graeme Allen, Viola could not handle the pressures of the relationship he was in. Quite simply, Mr. Viola wasn't coping with the fact that his relationship was failing and he also wasn't coping with the fact that he couldn't afford to maintain a lifestyle which was necessary for that relationship to be maintained. Five gold bars and eight gold coins, including a limited edition Kimberley sunrise coin, were first discovered missing in an audit conducted by the Mints security team, ABC News reported. Once investigation began, the reviewed CCTV footage revealed Viola taking one of the gold coins from a vault, placing it in a computer tower, then transferring it into his trousers and leaving the Mints premises. It was also later discovered that Viola sold a number of Mints coins and gold bars to a gold bullion dealer located just across the road. He made more than USD$40,000 from the transactions. Judge John Prior ruled that Violas plan was premeditated and motivated by greed to fund his lifestyle. You were planning for a wedding, Judge Prior said. You felt obliged to look after your partner and shower her with gifts and dinners Your breach of trust has caused staff members honesty and integrity to be questioned. The state prosecutor Sarah Keogh said that Viola used his IT position to convince the Mint to change its security protocols, including not x-raying the computer hard drives by falsely claiming that this could have damaged the contents of the stored items. HONG KONG, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Russian aluminium giant Rusal posted a second-quarter profit of $440 million on Monday, remaining well in the black despite sanctions imposed on the company earlier this year by Washington. Recurring net profit at Hong-Kong-listed Rusal was up 75 percent from a year ago, but down 17 percent from the first quarter of 2018. The earnings figures were the first to be released since sanctions were imposed in early April. The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions against billionaire Oleg Deripaska and eight companies in which he is a large shareholder, including aluminum exporter Rusal, in response to what it termed "malign activities" by Russia. The sanctions, the toughest since Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea, roiled aluminum markets and were later watered down. The Treasury Department has since warmed to the idea of removing Rusal from the list altogether. In July, Washington extended a delay for investors to devest holdings in Rusal and some other companies from Aug. 5 to Oct. 23, saying it was in talks with Deripaska on how he could cede his control of the company and try to remove it from the sanctions list. (Reporting By Polina Devitt in MOSCOW and Donny Kwok in HONG KONG, editing by Richard Pullin) Messaging: annemarie.roantree.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia will suspend new trade and investment with Canada after that countrys foreign ministry urged Riyadh to release arrested civil rights activists, it said in a statement released to the official Saudi Press Agency on Sunday. It also gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country and recalled its own ambassador to Canada, the statement by the Saudi foreign ministry said, adding it will freeze all new trade and investment transactions with Canada whilst retaining its rights to take further action. The Saudi ministry had been briefed that the Canadian foreign ministry and the Canadian embassy urged the Saudi authorities to immediately release the civil rights activists, the statement said. Reporting by Nayera Abdullah in Cairo; Editing by Susan Thomas KALGOORLIE, Australia, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Global miner BHP is ploughing more investment into nickel mine development and exploration in Western Australia, seeking to secure its own supply of a key material in batteries needed to meet booming demand for electric cars. BHP is building what is expected to be the world's largest battery-grade nickel sulphate plant on the outskirts of Perth and is boosting output to be "as self-sufficient as possible", asset president Eduard Haegel, told Reuters on the sidelines of the Diggers and Dealers mining conference in Kalgoorlie. Nickel is in increasingly hot demand in new battery technologies that mean cars can travel further on a single charge. Using more nickel also cuts costs by reducing the amount of expensive cobalt, a mainstay of current electric vehicle (EV) battery technology. Popular nickel, manganese and cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion batteries typically employ a ratio of 60 percent nickel to 20 percent cobalt and 20 percent manganese or 6:2:2. Increasingly battery makers are preparing to change the composition of these cathode materials to 80 percent nickel, 10 percent cobalt and 10 percent manganese. As well as sourcing from its own mines, BHP also buys nickel concentrate from other miners. The move to secure more of its own supply comes as anticipated EV demand encourages other miners to go into sulphate production themselves. Perth-based Independence Group , which supplies some of BHP's needs, has said it will assess whether to build its own nickel sulphate plant by early next year before deciding whether to renew its supply deal with BHP, set to expire at the end of 2019. BHP's Perth nickel sulphate plant is expected to come on line from April 2019 with capacity to produce 100,000 tonnes of nickel sulphate, accounting for some 22,000 tonnes of nickel. The miner is making plans to double capacity with a potential second-stage expansion. "I believe that we have timed our entry to the battery and nickel sulphate markets well interest by customers and potential customers is significantly exceeding expectations," Haegel told conference delegates during a speech. "Today, based on forward orders and indications, we now expect to achieve the 90 percent (sales) target...by the end of next calendar year, 2019." BHP expects to ramp up to full capacity of 100,000 tonnes over several years. For now, BHP is developing a resources base at its Leinster mine and has internal approval to develop its Venus deposit with plans to expand the Mount Keith and Leinster concentrators in the West Australian state. BHP is also going ahead with a trial of cobalt sulphate production at a pilot plant with a view to eventually produce a battery-grade nickel sulphate product with low cobalt sulphate content, Haegel said. Analysts have speculated that the EV boom may encourage BHP to remove the "for sale" tag it put on its nickel division years ago. Haegel told Reuters that BHP's nickel business remains non-core, but that it has not been and is still not in any sales process. (Reporting by Melanie Burton Editing by Kenneth Maxwell) +613 9286 1421; Reuters Messaging: melanie.burton.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) * China copper demand healthy* Copper stocks in ShFE warehouses down since April (Updates with official prices) By Pratima Desai LONDON, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Copper prices slid on Monday due to worries about the damage to global economic growth from the trade dispute between the United States and its trading partners and a stronger dollar. Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange was down 2.1 percent at $6,075 a tonne. Prices have tumbled more than 15 percent since hitting a 4-1/2-year high of $7,348 in June. "Metal prices are discounting a 25 percent chance of a recessionary event being triggered by trade frictions and that compares with a much, much lower number 2-3 months ago," said Bernstein analyst Paul Gait. "There hasn't been any change in fundamentals, which don't change as rapidly as swings in metal prices would suggest." TRADE: The latest salvo came from China, which on Friday unveiled tariffs on 5,207 goods imported from the United States, with the extra levies ranging from 5 percent to 25 percent, which analysts say could eventually undermine growth. However, even though items earmarked for the 25 percent tariff include copper ore and concentrates, the quantities involved are not significant for China. "In 2017 the U.S. exported almost 433,000 tonnes of copper concentrate to China, which is only around 3 percent of total imports," analysts at ING said in a note. CHINA: China is the world's largest consumer of industrial metals, accounting for about half of global demand. That includes copper, where demand is healthy, analysts say. "Grid spending has normalised," analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch said in a note. "Higher outlays from utilities are particularly supportive this time around because the investment focus has shifted from aluminium-intensive power transmission to copper-intensive distribution networks." COPPER STOCKS: Also indicative of robust demand are falling inventories in China, which at 192,817 tonnes in warehouses monitored by the Shanghai Futures Exchange are down nearly 40 percent since early April. Copper stocks in LME warehouses are at 250,625 tonnes and have fallen more than 35 percent since late March. DOLLAR: A rising U.S. currency makes dollar-denominated commodities more expensive for non-U.S. firms, which potentially would subdue demand. CHINA GROWTH: Industrial metals markets are looking ahead to loans, export, industrial production and growth data from China for clues to future demand. RUSAL: Russian aluminium giant Rusal posted a second-quarter profit of $440 million on Monday, remaining well in the black despite sanctions imposed on the company earlier this year by Washington. PRICES: Aluminium was little changed at $2,027 a tonne, zinc fell 3.2 percent to $2,546, lead slid 1.5 percent to $2,084, tin was flat at $19,600 and nickel fell 2.0 percent to $13,275. <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Top Base and Precious Metals Analysis - GFMS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Reporting by Pratima Desai; editing by Mark Potter and Jason Neely) LME price overview COMEX copper futures Base metals news All metals news All commodities news Metals diary Foreign exchange rates SPEED GUIDES )) Home Just In Former lawmaker Kamal Pangeni no more Kathmandu, August 5 Former lawmaker Kamal Pangeni has died of heat attack. The current President of Nepali Congress Syangja District Committee, Pangeni breathed his last at his own home in Bayarghari of Syangja district of Gandaki province this morning, according to a family source. Pangeni had gone to bed healthy last night. He was found unconscious in the bed today, and wash rushed to the hospital. Doctors declared him dead upon arrival. Pangeni had represented Syangja Constituency 2 in the second Constituent Assembly in 2013. The leader is survived by a wife, a son and a daughter. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Cloudy and windy at times with periods of rain. High 51F. Winds N at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 43F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Higher wind gusts possible. All major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu Valley on Monday have given priority to a host of issues from political, sociocultural and economic spheres. Incumbent Acting Chief Justice Deepak Raj Joshee took a 15-day leave after the Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee rejected his nomination for the Chief Justice. Subsequently, seniormost Justice Om Prakash Mishra has taken the charge of the Supreme Court; and many newspapers have published reports about that on their front pages. Another major issue that the newspapers published on their front pages is the success of Nepal Police to locate Nur Prasad Adhikari, the son of Nanda Prasad Adhikari and Ganga Maya Adhikari, the couple who staged repeated rounds of fasts-unto-death. The governments preparations to introduce unemployment allowance and contribution-based pension have also been published on the front pages. Death of nine persons in landslides in Jajarkot district of Karnali Province has also been featured on the front pages of major newspapers. Important Nur Prasad Adhikari returns Nagarik, The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times report that police have searched and found Nur Prasad Adhikari at the request of her mother, Ganga Maya Adhikari, from Sanepa of Lalitpur on Sunday. He was missing since his father, Nanda Prasad Adhikari, died during a fast-unto-death that the couple staged demanding that murderers of their teenage son, Krishna Prasad, the younger brother of Nur Prasad, brought to book. Meanwhile, police clarified that he was not arrested, but law enforcers searched for him at the request of his mother, according to The Himalayan Times. Nur Prasad told police that he had gone into hiding after being threatened by unidentified groups, adds the report. New Chief Justice nomination soon Gorkhapatra, Naya Patrika and The Kathmandu Post report that the Parliamentary Hearing Special Committee has informed the Constitutional Council that it rejected the nomination of Acting Chief Justice Deepak Raj Joshee for the position of Chief Justice. With the information, the Council is preparing to begin the process for recommending a new name for the top position, according to the reports. Naya Patrika quotes Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal to inform that the recommendation will be made as soon as possible. Meanwhile, seniormost Justice Om Prakash Mishra performed his duty as the new Acting Chief Justice on Sunday, according to newspaper reports. He has called on all stakeholders to maintain the dignity of the judiciary, according to Annapurna Post. Rajdhani reports that Mishra finalised the cause list including 466 cases, and verdicts were issued on 47 cases yesterday. New law has provision for unemployment allowance Kantipur and The Himalayan Times report that the government is planning to distribute livelihood allowance to the unemployed population in the economically active age group. The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security has drafted a law to introduce the provision and forwarded it to the Council of Ministers, according to Kantipur. The bill was prepared to implement the right to employment as envisioned in Article 33 of the constitution. Preparations on to implement contribution-based pension The government is at the final stage of implementing the contribution-based pension system for its employees, according to Gorkhapatra and Rajdhani. The government has recently registered a bill at the Federal Parliament to introduce the system. According to Gorkhapatra, the government will deduce 6 per cent of their monthly salary to deposit it for the pension whereas the government will add the equal amount into the fund. Earlier, the government would cover all the costs of the pension. Meanwhile, the new provision will be applied to personnel of security agencies, government teachers and those working for Parliament besides civil servants, according to Rajdhani anchor story. Ignored The poor wont benefit from poor ID card The lead story of Naya Patrika reports that the government is preparing to distribute identity cards to people living under the line of poverty though it does not have any specific programme to provide them facilities to improve their status of life. Quoting sociologists and other stakeholders, the report claims that the distribution of identity cards is likely to create a new social group that is likely to face stereotypical mistreatment. Parliament needs more business Naya Patrika reports in a snippet that the Federal Parliament has suffered the lack of business as the government failed to draft bills required for the full-fledged implementation of the constitution. The National Assembly has suffered more as it does not have any bill and agenda to discuss about, according to the report. Meanwhile, Annapurna Post also reports that meetings of both the houses have been just formalities as the government has failed to provide them with the business. Interesting Tehrathum local government to award migrants A local government in Tehrathum district of eastern Nepal has introduced an exciting scheme for people migrating to its jurisdiction. According to a recent decision of Chhathar Rural Municipality, a family migrating to the place will get a cash prize of Rs 100,000 whereas the family launching a commercial business will get Rs 500,000, reports Karobar. The decision was made in a bid to promote economic activities in the area, according to the report. Kathmandu, August 6 The Thyroid Federation International has recently opened its chapter in Nepal. The organisations President, Ashok Bhaseen, handed over a certificate of affiliation to Thyroid Foundation Nepal. During the event held in Kathmandu on Saturday, Bhaseen expressed concerns over the rise of thyroid all over the world including Nepal and agreed to help Thyroid Foundation Nepal in making sure people are aware of the disease. He pointed out the need to make more people aware so that people do not suffer from this disease. Thyroid disorders are conditions that affect the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck. The thyroid has important roles to regulate numerous metabolic processes throughout the body. Bhaseen also highlighted the symptoms of the thyroid which are fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, dry skin, constipation, weight, puffy face, hoarseness, muscle weakness. Other symptoms include the swelling of goitre and irregularity in the menstruation cycle for women. Around 80% of patients suffering from Thyroid are female. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a bag factory in Pyongyang in this 2017 file photo. Yonhap By Jung Da-min With North Korean leader Kim Jong-un spending more time on "spot guidance" in recent months, North Korean factories are often being highlighted in propaganda media. Videos on North Korean websites often show workers wearing headsets to "remote lectures" in front of monitors in a computer room. All staff, from junior workers to managers, learn "modern technologies" for better production, according to reports. These "remote" lectures are part of the curriculum of so-called factory universities, which many workers attend after finishing 12 years of compulsory education. As explained in the Thursday edition of North Korea's party mouthpiece Rodong Sinmun, these factory universities were introduced during the Korean War (1950-53). The basic idea is to work during the day and study at night. This system aims to foster technicians while not stopping production needed to recover from the ravages of war. It also aims to realize the socialist idea of combining production and reproduction for an integrated community, an expert says. Park Young-ja. "The role of North Korean factories stretches beyond manufacturing; they serve as administrative units while also providing ideological education," says Park Young-ja, director of the Korea Institute for National Unification's (KINU) North Korean Research Division. "They have daycare centers, kindergartens, hospitals and cultural centers for workers along with the production lines." Overall, the factories provide educational courses for pre-school children before they go to primary school and for high school graduates who have completed 12 years of compulsory education. Although the factory universities are second-tier universities, not like first-class ones such as Kim Il Sung University, some leaders are graduates of these workplace-cum-colleges. "North Korea's current Premier Pak Pong-ju was a symbolic figure of "hero of socialist labor" who works hard on the site," the KINU researcher said. "He graduated from Tokchon University of Technology and worked as a factory manager before joining the Workers' Party Central Committee in 1980 as an alternate member." North Korea's premier Pak Pong-ju, second from left, inspects factories in Tanchon and Komdok districts in South Hamgyong province in this July photo from North Korea's state media Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap South Korea's drug safety watchdog said Monday that it has banned Daebong LS Co., a local maker of valsartan, from selling and making the active ingredient meant to treat high blood pressure over a cancer-causing substance in the drug. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has also prohibited 22 South Korean pharmaceutical firms from selling 59 products made by Daebong LS that contain valsartan. The move came as some of the valsartan made by Daebong LS has been confirmed to have an impurity known as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer. Daebong LS makes the active ingredient valsartan after importing crude valsartan from China's Zhuhai Rundu Mintong Pharmaceutical. (Yonhap) By Jung Hae-myoung Busan Dong-gu District Councilwoman Jeon Geun-hyang has been expelled from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) for inappropriate behavior. Jeon transferred an apartment guard whose son, also a guard at the apartment complex, was killed in a car accident, the DPK ethics committee explained. The son was killed when a woman, 46, drove her BMW sedan into the guard house on July 14. Jeon, a resident representative at the apartment complex, sent the father away, saying the cause of accident happened because the two worked in the same apartment, and were therefore complacent. "The councilwoman disappointed many residents and the council citizens in Busan district, and caused an indelible wound to the bereaved man," a DPK official said. New intelligence unit to be set up on Sept. 1 By Lee Min-hyung The defense ministry launched a special taskforce Monday dedicated to establishing a new military intelligence unit in the wake of Cheong Wa Dae's order to disband the scandal-ridden Defense Security Command (DSC) and build an alternative organization with limited privilege. As of Monday, the Ministry of National Defense formed the 21-member preparatory committee headed by new DSC head Nam Young-sin under the goal of setting up and launching the new organization on Sept. 1. "The primary mission for the taskforce is to define functions and roles of the new security command, and carry out a complete personnel reshuffle," a ministry official said. "The team will work toward early establishment of the new intelligence unit." The ministry said a legal basis supporting the launch of the new unit will take effect after a Cabinet meeting slated for Aug. 14. The ministry has yet to confirm details on the unit's management roadmap, as the reorganization drive is in its infancy. According to the ministry, the new organization will have limited authority in order to prevent the unit from abusing its power in private sectors. Under the new legal guidelines, major tasks, conducted by the new unit, will include information collection and criminal investigation within the military. The new organization has been renamed as the "Defense Security Support Command." The planned establishment of the new security command came in response to the presidential house's decision to dismantle the scandal-tainted intelligence unit and recreate a "whole new" organization that cannot engage in any political interference activities. The DSC has been dismantled after it was revealed that the unit laid out a contingency plan to declare martial law last year. A 67-page military document showed that the military prepared plans to mobilize armed forces if the Constitutional Court rejected former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment. With the scandal making headlines here, President Moon instructed Defense Minister Song Young-moo to launch an independent investigation team to delve into who masterminded the plot. Lieutenant General Nam, since taking office last week, expressed his strong willingness to carry out a large-scale reshuffle of the security command, seeking to make it a more transparent organization. Nothing has been confirmed over how the organizational structure of the new security command will be formed. But expectations are it will come with limited authority and privilege to follow orders from the President Moon. Meanwhile, the military is investigating those who are involved in drawing up the document. They include former Defense Minister Han Min-koo and then-DSC chief Cho Hyun-chun. On Sunday, a military-civil investigation team confiscated homes of the two then-ranking military officials. By Joschka Fischer BERLIN After U.S. President Donald Trump's recent European tour which culminated in his infamous press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin there can no longer be any doubt that he and his supporters want to destroy the American-led international order and global trade system. To be sure, Trump is not synonymous with the United States. He triumphed in the 2016 election despite winning three million fewer votes than his opponent, and his public approval rating has never surpassed 50 percent. Still, he is the U.S. president, and that makes him the most powerful man in the world. His actions, though often absurd and contradictory, have serious real-world consequences, particularly for America's closest partners. During his recent stop in the United Kingdom, Trump went so far as to describe the European Union as a "foe." By seeking to disrupt virtually all that has defined the West since the end of World War II, Trump has brought the world to a historical turning point. At stake is not the U.S.-EU relationship, which remains strong, but rather the West's dominant position on the world stage. Trump is accelerating a shift in the global balance of power that will leave both America and Europe weaker in relative terms. As income and wealth shift from the West to the East, China will increasingly be able to challenge the U.S. as the world's leading geopolitical, economic, and technological power. This transition will not happen smoothly. For Europe, the stakes could not be higher. The rebalancing of power that is already underway could determine the fate of Europe's democracies, welfare states, independence, and way of life. If Europe does not prepare itself, it will be left with no other choice than to become a dependent of either America or China Atlanticism or Eurasianism. Europeans should not count on existing alliances and rules to offer much protection during this period. But nor can we fall back on the logic of traditional 19th-century power politics. The world may well be heading toward a situation in which there is no clear hegemon, and great powers constantly jostle for position. But circumstances today are very different from those of the "Great Game" era. An escalating rivalry between China and America will be anything but advantageous for the Old Continent. For Europeans, the 19th century was shaped by the aftermath of the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution, whereas the 20th century was driven by two world wars, the Cold War, and the development of nuclear weapons. At the end of WWII, two non-European powers on either side of the old European state system the U.S. and the Soviet Union asserted themselves, and Europe became just another square on the chess board. Up to that time, Europe had ruled the world, owing largely to its technological prowess. But with the end of WWII, its dominance came to an end. Europe and particularly Germany was thereafter divided between the two new powers, and European sovereignty was effectively subsumed by the U.S. foreign-policy establishment and the Kremlin. To be sure, France and Great Britain, as the two victorious European powers, retained a remnant of sovereignty as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (and later as nuclear-armed states). But, given the global balance of power, this was more symbolic than a reflection of their real influence. Then came the end of the Cold War, when all of Europe adopted a staunch transatlantic orientation. In terms of security, Europe remained dependent on the U.S. But on the economic and technological fronts, Europeans had regained their sovereignty. Institutionally, this division of labor was manifested in NATO and the EU, respectively. It is an arrangement that has served us well; but it is now under attack by Trump. Three developments, in particular, have given Europe reason to fear for its future. First, Trump has continued to question the U.S. commitment to mutual defense under the North Atlantic Treaty. Second, his administration is actively undermining the World Trade Organization and the global trade system upon which much of Europe's prosperity rests. And third, the rise of digitization and artificial intelligence now threatens to upend global technological hierarchies. These developments are each challenging Europe's place in the world. The question now is whether the EU will reclaim its full sovereignty and assert itself as a power on the global stage, or let itself fall behind for good. This is the moment of truth. There will be no second chances. Only the EU can win back European sovereignty for the 21st century. If the task falls to traditional nation-states such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, it will fail. Reclaiming sovereignty will require not just enormous effort, but also a united front, and a new understanding of the relationship between the EU and its member states. The European project will continue to facilitate trade and ensure peace; but it must now also enshrine joint sovereignty. If the EU succeeds in this task, Trump will have inadvertently done it a big favor. History sometimes proceeds in strange ways. The key is to take it as it comes, and not hesitate when the moment for decisive action arrives. ). Joschka Fischer, Germany's foreign minister and vice chancellor from 1998 to 2005, was a leader of the German Green Party for almost 20 years. Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate ( www.project-syndicate.org Foreign investment into Korea's first FEZ falls 33% By Nam Hyun-woo Incheon Free Economic Zone Commissioner Kim Jin-yong The foreign ministry said Monday that there are no reports yet of South Korean victims in the weekend's 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck the Indonesian resort island of Lombok and killed more than 80 people. "There has so far been no report of any damage sustained by some 50 South Korean residents on Lombok, as well as tourists from Korea," a ministry official said on condition of anonymity. The official said that the South Korean embassy in the Southeast Asia country has formed a team to verify if South Koreans suffered any harm from Sunday's quake and offered residents and tourists information on how to get out of harm's way. "We plan to offer consular assistance if necessary should there be a confirmed case of any harm to South Koreans," the official said. According to reports, the earthquake killed at least 82 people and injured hundreds of others. (Yonhap) (Atchison,KS) The driver of the vehicle that sank in the Missouri River in Atchison,Kansas Sunday night has been located safe. Atchison Police said the driver, identified as a 48-year old man, was found safe early Monday morning. The man said he was experiencing mental health issues when he drove the truck into the river. After the truck left the loading dock the man said he quickly got out of the truck, swam to the riverbank and left the area. Police said the vehicle went into the river around 8:30 Sunday night, when a witness spotted the truck being driven off the loading dock. Local rescue teams searched the river with assistance from the Atchison County Rescue Unit and the Atchison Fire Department. First responders used rescue boats to locate the vehicle underwater and leave a marker to be removed later. The search was called off Sunday night around 11:15pm. Officers said teams will start working to retrieve the truck from the river Monday morning. Vietnam businesses excluded from global value chains VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese businesses cannot squeeze into foreign conglomerates global production chains, even though they can make products satisfying requirements by importers in developed countries, reported Bizlive. Vietnamese enterprises find it difficult to squeeze into global production chains Chair of the HCMC Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Association Do Phuoc Tong, at a meeting with HCMCs Mayor Nguyen Thanh Phong, on July 18 complained that some foreign invested enterprises were creating difficulties for Vietnamese enterprises. Tong noted the story about Duy Khanh Mechanical Engineering Company. Duy Khanh has 30 years of experience in making mechanical products in Vietnam, while it has been providing prototypes and machine accessories to foreign corporations with products exported to the US and Canada. However, in Vietnam, it has failed to become the vendor of Japanese and South Korean multinational electronics groups. The information provided by FIEs to Vietnamese manufacturers is general and vague. They only let some small and weak Vietnamese manufacturers try to make some products for them and they came to the conclusion that all Vietnamese manufacturers are incapable, Tong said. Meanwhile, large and capable manufacturers cannot try. Most South Korean and Japanese electronics manufacturing groups bring satellite companies to Vietnam. Therefore, Vietnamese enterprises dont have opportunities to join the groups supply chains. Duc Minh Rubber specializes in manufacturing rubber gaskets for cars and its products are exported to car part suppliers in South Korea. The suppliers later sell the products to an automobile assembling factory in Vietnam and the products return to the domestic market. However, ironically, Duc Minhs wish to become a vendor of a Japanese automobile manufacturer in Vietnam has been refused. Nguyen Quoc Anh, chair of the HCMC Rubber & Plastics Association, confirmed that this happens with many Vietnamese enterprises. Many electronic parts are made by Vietnamese enterprises and exported to multinational electronics groups and then re-exported to third countries. The electronic parts made by Vietnamese enterprises are exported to South Korea or Japan and then re-exported by the South Korean and Japanese suppliers back to Vietnam, or to Thailand and Indonesia, Anh said. A 16-year-old large packaging enterprise which has a factory located in Long An province, affirmed that it can provide packaging products of different kinds. However, it still failed to become a packaging supplier to a foreign companies that makes dairy products, cereal and instant coffee in Vietnam. Anh said that most South Korean and Japanese electronics manufacturing groups bring satellite companies to Vietnam. Therefore, Vietnamese enterprises dont have opportunities to join the groups supply chains. Vietnamese large and medium sized enterprises all find it very difficult to join foreign multinational supply chains, no matter how professional they are, Anh said. Tong said that Japanese and South Korean enterprises prioritize using products provided by enterprises from their home countries and that is why Vietnams supporting industries cannot develop. RELATED NEWS Vietnam still struggling to develop supporting industries When will Vietnams support industries flourish? Kim Chi Freely accessible local news is vital. Please power our reporters and help keep us independent with a donation today. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe If you went to a Los Angeles Unified middle- or high school in the last two decades, chances are you remember being "wanded." Since 1993, staff in LAUSD schools have been searching students, at random, every day, for weapons and drugs. The administrator conducts the search with a handheld metal detector wand -- like those often seen at concerts and stadiums -- hence the nickname for the district's random search policy: "wanding." L.A.'s chief attorney Mike Feuer wants that practice to end. A blue ribbon panel on school safety he convened released its final recommendations to improve safety in LAUSD schools on Monday. Among them: the district should suspend its random search policy and conduct a "comprehensive, large-scale audit of the policy." Though L.A. Unified's sworn school police are not allowed to conduct the random searches, officers believe the policy deters students from bringing weapons or drugs to school. Over the last 25 years, the number of guns police have found on campus has plummeted. But in the last few years, civil rights activists and student groups have been voicing louder and louder opposition to the wanding policy. Opponents note that more than 34,000 random searches in LAUSD in recent years turned up only 76 weapons, none of them guns. They say the searches breaks students' trust in their teachers, making them less likely to report the next Columbine, Parkland or Castro Middle School before it happens. The final report noted this was the "most controversial" of the panel's recommendations. But the panel made others too, including the "overarching" recommendation that LAUSD to appoint a "high-level" official to oversee school safety efforts of all kinds across the district. WHO IS ON THIS PANEL? Twenty-one students, educators, community members, law enforcement representatives and other dignitaries. You can read all about them in the full report: WHAT DID THEY SAY LAUSD NEEDS TO DO DIFFERENTLY? The panel made dozens of recommendations. Among them: LAUSD should ensure, at minimum, that every school campus has a single point of entry and that every classroom has a two-way intercom and a door that locks from the inside. LAUSD should conduct "age-appropriate" active-shooter trainings for kids. LAUSD should "ultimately" aim to staff every school site with a full-time mental health professional. Local law enforcement agencies -- LAPD officers, the Sheriff's Department and L.A. School Police -- should "collaborate to share data about neighborhood crime around school sites." WHAT'S THE CASE AGAINST WANDING? In weighing in on the district's wanding policy, the panel lent credence to many of the arguments civil rights groups and student activists have made against the policy for years. Feuer acknowledged that a majority of LAUSD parents support the random search policy. But Feuer also noted many students feel the searches are often far from random. He said many students of color who testified during the panel's meetings felt they were singled out for a search because of their race. "We believe," Feuer added, "that it's extremely important -- and this theme pervades our report -- that there be a strong culture and relationship of trust on school campuses between students and the adults with whom they interact. The majority of our panelists felt that the random [searches] detracts from that." Carlos Moreno, a former California Supreme Court justice, suggested that for school principals and deans -- not law enforcement officers -- to be conducting the searches "diminished and ... demeaned the role of [school] administrators who were called into service." WHY MIGHT WANDING BE A GOOD IDEA? Authorities do find weapons on LAUSD every year, including guns, but most are not discovered during a random search. Feuer made the point that students tips were uncovering the majority of the 300 to 400 weapons on campuses each year. L.A. School Police Chief Steve Zipperman said those numbers are far lower than when the district implemented the random search policy in 1993. Prior to then, he said school police would find around 1,000 weapons on campuses each year. "It begs the question," Zipperman said after Monday's press conference, "is the reason we're finding these weapons on campus -- rather than on the student -- because of the fear of being possibly randomly wanded?" The final report notes two panelists dissented from the recommendation to suspend the wanding policy, but does not name which panelists exactly. WHAT HAPPENS TO THIS REPORT? DOES IT JUST SIT ON A SHELF? Now it's up to LAUSD administrators and the district's school board. From the lectern at Monday's press conference, board member Scott Schmerelson promised "that we will make this happen ... This will be done." Still, the district is not obligated to follow any of the panel's recommendations. And it's worth noting, some recommendations might cost the district money not currently budgeted. For instance, L.A.'s main teachers union, United Teachers Los Angeles, has demanded the district provide every campus with a mental health worker or counselor as part of their contract negotiations. District officials have resisted that proposal because they feel it would be too costly. But Feuer noted the report acknowledges funding this proposal will take time. He also said the district could team with the county in lobbying Sacramento for more mental health funding. "We recognize how constrained the district's resources are and we're not walking into the negotiations between the union and the board," Feuer said. "Realistically, this is going to take time, our report acknowledges that, it's not going to happen all at once... "But other states," the city attorney added, "have found the resources in the wake of Parkland to improve safety on campuses." Read the full report below: UPDATES: 6:23 p.m. This article was updated with additional details about the report's findings. This story was originally published at 11:16 a.m. News happens every day. Here at LAist, our goal is to cover the stories that matter to you and the community you live in. Now that we're part of KPCC, those stories (including this one you're on right now!) are made possible by generous people like you. Independent, local journalism isn't cheap, but with your support we can keep delivering it. Donate now. Freely accessible local news is vital. Please power our reporters and help keep us independent with a donation today. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Liwei Liao loves everything about fish. Going fishing, preparing his catch, cooking, eating, talking about it with anyone who'll listen. In June, he brought all of those interests together, opening The Joint in Sherman Oaks. The business model combines a sustainable fish market, a seafood cafe and a coffee bar with locally roasted Copa Vida beans into what Liao hopes will become a hub for SoCal seafood. "As soon as I could walk, I have picture of me fishing," Liao says with a smile. When he was four years old, his father, a general in the Taiwanese military, retired early and moved his family to the United State, settling in Queens. Liao's father went into real estate and eventually owned several properties including mom and pop shops, liquor stores, sushi restaurants and laundromats. His father still found time to take him fishing. "We always had a family boat. We kept it in Stamford, Connecticut about 40 minutes from Bayside where we lived," Liao says. They would catch striped bass, fluke, porgies, tuna and cod in Long Island Sound. His father still takes his boat out. When Liao was old enough to start working with sharp knives, he learned to gut and clean fish. "Like other Asian families, fish was such a critical part of the meal," says Liao. "When we were catching it, always that special care for what we should do to it to make it taste better." Fish for sale at the Joint, a sustainable seafood market and cafe in Sherman Oaks. (Photo by Wonho Frank Lee) Those experiences shaped Liao's own ideas about how to handle fish. "There are a lot of little details. Seasonality, water temperature, how we care for the fish after we catch it. The different ways of cleaning and bleeding it. The chemistry inside the fish so that the flesh stays prime." In Liao's house, everyone cooked together. "When fish is fresh like that, we did very little to it," Liao says. "We either steamed it, salt baked it or oven baked it. A lot of lemon, pepper, salt, garlic salt or ponzu." At a young age, he also began learning Japanese techniques from his uncle, a sushi chef. Liao moved to Los Angeles to study engineering at UCLA. In 2010, after a series of jobs in ecommerce and event production, he launched The Boba Truck, serving drinks inspired by his native Taiwan. It was the stepping-stone that led to The Joint. "My relatives would tell me, 'Hey, you know so much about fish. You should have a fish market.'" Busy with the Boba Truck, he didn't have much time to go fishing but had trouble finding good seafood. Ever the perfectionist, Liao the idea of having his own joint started to feel like a necessity. The interior of the Joint, a sustainable seafood market and cafe in Sherman Oaks. (Photo by Wonho Frank Lee) Sourcing sustainable seafood is Liao's top priority and biggest challenge. Six days a week, at 4 a.m., he heads to downtown Los Angeles to buy fish at International Marine Products, L.A. Fish and Ocean Group. The hands-on interaction is invaluable. "Once you are there day in and day out, you see patterns. You see how the fish are shipped. You see the quality, how it tastes, the availability," Liao says. He looks at the fins, eyes and the gills for clues about the conditions they were raised in. He also looks for bruising or other signs of damage during transportation. The fish counter at the Joint, a sustainable seafood market and cafe in Sherman Oaks. (Photo by Wonho Frank Lee) Unlike many fish markets and restaurants, which order from a list of available fish, Liao handpicks every fish sold at The Joint. Because he brings in almost everything whole, rather than as filets, he also has to figure out how to use cuts that are hard to sell. After slicing the filets, he scrapes the soft meat left on albacore bones and uses it to make tartare. Liao will serve a seafood roll every day but he can't promise it'll be a lobster roll. It might be made with wild shrimp from Baja or Box Crab caught in Santa Barbara. Since Crabs reproduce quickly, they're one of the most sustainable seafood options. The crab roll at the Joint, a sustainable seafood market and cafe in Sherman Oaks. (Photo by Nastassia Johnson) Sheila Bowman, the Seafood Watch Manager of Culinary & Strategic Initiatives at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, works with chefs and fish markets that are trying to follow sustainable practices. She praises Liao's business model. "There is so much fraud and unfamiliarity that play off of each other," says Bowman. "There are reports of fish species being substituted and sold as another variety and other non-sustainable and underhanded practices." Bringing in whole fish is one of the best ways to insure accuracy. Crabs and scallops for sale art the Joint, a sustainable seafood market and cafe in Sherman Oaks. (Photo by Julie Wolfson for LAist) When assessing sustainability, Seafood Watch focuses on several factors. "There are four components we look at for sustainability. For the fish, are its populations in good shape? Fish like blue fin tuna we would say is not in good shape. Then we look at how are you catching it. Is it a fishing gear that is destructive or a fishing gear that has less bycatch? We look at how effective the management is. Is the human factor really doing smart things like setting size limitations? Then we look at overall habitat impacts. Is catching this fish having an impact on the sea floor? Are we catching smaller fish that are in the food chain for larger ones like whales?" Bowman believes that when consumers ask those questions about sustainability, it compels businesses to adopt more sustainable practices. The coffee shop inside the Joint, a sustainable seafood market and cafe in Sherman Oaks. (Photo by Julie Wolfson for LAist) If anyone asks Liao about the sustainability of his product, he'll happily share his knowledge. He knows some people are intimidated by seafood and he wants to inspire them to be more adventurous. Liao plans to hold classes, offering small group and private lesson in knife skills, fish butchery and cooking -- even if it means his customers eventually don't need all of his services. "The best thing is to be able to do it yourself," Liao says. "If you do it simply, it will taste better than any restaurant." The coffee shop inside the Joint, a sustainable seafood market and cafe in Sherman Oaks. (Photo by Julie Wolfson for LAist) The Joint: 13718 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. 818-510-0626. You made it! Congrats, you read the entire story, you gorgeous human. This story was made possible by generous people like you. Independent, local journalism costs $$$$$. And now that LAist is part of KPCC, we rely on that support. So if you aren't already, be one of us! Help us help you live your best life in Southern California. Donate now. La Jolla paddles out for Chloe Buckley La Jollas surfing community paid tribute to beloved Mission Beach lifeguard Chloe Buckley with a paddle-out at WindanSea Beach attended by more than 200 on Saturday, July 28. Buckley was just 27 when she was killed on June 29, after her car crashed into the center divider and overturned on the eastbound 52 at Convoy Street in Kearny Mesa. She was a fantastic lifeguard and very strong person in the water, said interim lifeguard chief James Gartland. She just had a very positive energy and was a very positive, outward person, so she was a great team member to have. In addition to being a lifeguard, Buckley was a pro surfer on the ASP World Tour, and WindanSea was one of her favorite surf spots. She was an extraordinary young lady, added family friend Scot Cherry, beautiful, sweet and talented, and with a huge heart. Chloe had hundreds of best friends. And to have a best friend you have to be a best friend. Chloe was that kind of person to everyone. Paddle-outs are sacred ceremonies during which friends and family members paddle out beyond the waves to honor the lives of a fallen surfers. Often, as in Buckleys case, the ceremony includes scattering the honorees ashes at sea. At Saturdays paddle-out, lifeguards covered their badges with black bands and San Diego Fire Rescue flew a WindanSea Surf Club flag in Chloes honor on a ladder truck. A GoFundMe page, set up to raise $12,000 in memorial costs, has hit nearly $30,000 in donations. La Jolla research breakthroughs Scripps Research scientists have uncovered a new strategy to kill tumors, including some triple-negative breast cancers, without harming healthy cells. The study, published in Nature Communications, could lead to more ways to treat tumors while reducing side effects. This could give us a way to kill tumors without harming normal cells, says Xiaohua Wu, Scripps Research professor and senior author of the study. Thats the future. Thats the goal for targeted cancer treatments to make these treatments a part of precision medicine. Elsewhere on the mesa and in the pages of Nature Communications a new Salk Institute study finds that mice that have their microbiomes depleted with antibiotics have decreased levels of glucose in their blood and better insulin sensitivity. This has implications for understanding the role of the microbiome in diabetes. This research is very exciting, because the situation weve created in these mice is very similar to what humans go through when theyre treated with multiple antibiotics, says Satchidananda Panda, a professor in Salks Regulatory Biology Laboratory and the papers senior author. Now that we know about these effects on glucose metabolism, we can look for components of the microbiome that influence them. La Jollan makes financial advisors list Alex Howell of the La Jolla branch of UBS (formerly Union Bank of Switzerland) has made Forbes magazines Americas Next-Generation Wealth Advisors list. Its a great honor to be part of this list, said Howell, who joined the firm in 2008. I personally know several of the advisors on here from across the country and its nice to see that the wealth-management industry is in great hands for the next generation. To qualify for the ranking, advisors must have been born in 1980 or later and show leadership capabilities beyond their years. Compliance records, client retention, revenues produced for their firms and assets managed are some of the factors that produce the ranking although portfolio performance is not. School Board supers contract extended The San Diego Unified Board of Education voted to extend the contract of superintendent Cindy Marten which originally ran through June 30, 2020 through the 2021-22 school year. Our schools have made tremendous progress over the past five years, but I am even more excited about what we are building for the future, Marten said in a statement. I am grateful for the hard work of our students, our families, and our staff, the support of our City, and the continued confidence the Board of Education has expressed in our work. The decision followed a positive annual evaluation during which the board said it was extremely proud of the districts continuing progress. Time to sign-up for Youth Surf Challenge Registration opens Aug. 17 for the fourth annual Ken Whalen Surf Challenge, a free event for beginning surfers ages 5-16 including those with physical challenges who need adaptive surf equipment. Boards and instructors will be provided, along with food, music and games. The event runs 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30 at San Fernando Court, Mission Beach. Registration is required online: kenwhalensurfchallenge.com In the past three years, the Challenge has brought together more than 600 young surfers. Multiple simultaneous heats allow for up to 250 total surfers to show off their skills. Participants take part in one 15-minute heat (no advancing). Experienced high school and college-aged surfers volunteer to assist participants in the water as needed. For family members observing the heats, great music and beach games make it fun. The event honors Mission Beach surfer Ken Whalen, who suffered a fatal stroke at age 48. Surf rucksacks with T-shirts, hats and other goodies will be provided for all participants, along with awards and prizes. Merch proceeds benefit Challenged Athletes Foundation. Connect adds two new connections Startup advisory company Connect has added two staff members: Tom Murphy as senior vice president of business development and Ruprecht von Buttlar, a returning employee, as interim senior strategic advisor. We are excited about the additions of Tom and Ruprecht to the Connect team, says president and CEO Greg McKee. Toms efforts will be focused on engaging current and new members and sponsors of the organization, while Ruprecht will be providing strategic input and support to the Springboard Strategic Planning Committee and Springboard staff. The Springboard Accelerator Program is Connects mentoring program for technology and life-sciences companies. Playhouse sets cast for Seize the King The world premiere of Will Powers Seize the King, a reinterpretation of Shakespeares Richard III, will star Jesse Perez as Richard III, in addition to Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Julian Parker, Luis Vega and Jenapher Zheng. Performances, under Playhouse associate artistic director Jaime Castaneda, will run Aug. 21 to Sept. 16 in the Potiker Theatre on UC San Diego campus. For ticket information, visit lajollaplayhouse.org or call (858) 550-1010. No one would mistake President Trump for an expert on climate change or water policy, but a tweet he issued late Sunday about Californias wildfires deserves some sort of award for most glaring misstatements about those two issues in the smallest number of words. Trump blamed the fires on bad environmental laws which arent allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized. He complained that water needed for firefighting is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. What he overlooked, plainly, is the increasing agreement among experts that intensifying climate change has contributed to the intensity of the wildfire season. Californias woodlands have been getting drier and hotter. As my colleagues Rong-Gong Lin II and Javier Panzar reported over the weekend, California has been getting hotter for some time, but July was in a league of its own. The idea that there isnt enough water is the craziest thing in the world. Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute Advertisement The current wildfires, which have killed nine people and consumed nearly 400,000 acres of woodland, destroyed 1,100 homes and forced the evacuation of thousands of residents, are among the worst in the states history. Theyre unrelated to water supplies or environmental laws. Lets take Trumps misconceptions in order. The likeliest explanation for his take on water is that hes confused by the demands for more irrigation water hes hearing from Republican officeholders in the Central Valley. Theyre the people who grouse about water being wasted by being diverted to the ocean, rather than into their fields. California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which arent allowing massive amounts of readily available water to be properly utilized. It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire from spreading! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 6, 2018 Their demands have nothing to do with the availability of water for firefighting. Fire agencies havent been complaining about a lack of water, especially water diverted to the Pacific. Major reservoirs are near the worst fire zones; the Carr fire is near Lake Shasta and Whiskeytown Lake and the Mendocino Complex fire is near Clear Lake. All are at or near their historical levels. There have been no issues getting water from them, Scott McLean, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, told me. Cal Fire, which is managing the wildfire battle, has deployed some 200 water tenders to the fire zone and is dispatching air tankers as flying conditions permit. The idea that there isnt enough water is the craziest thing in the world, says Peter Gleick, president emeritus of the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security in Oakland. Theres absolutely no shortage. The availability of water isnt necessarily a governing factor in fighting wildfires, which arent battled like tenement blazes in the urban center. The battle is dictated by topography, the construction of physical fire breaks, and the use of fire retardant dropped from airborne vessels. The valley growers stepped-up complaints about water diversions have gotten the Trump administrations attention. Among those leading the charge is Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, who has been peppering constituents in the Central Valley with promises to fight for our water. Thats irrigation supply diverted from the San Joaquin-San Francisco Bay Delta. Denham hosted a visit to the area last week by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, whose agency has obligingly attacked state water policies. Denham and his Central Valley colleagues are especially exercised about a plan announced last month by the California State Water Resources Control Board to step up water flows into the San Joaquin River, which eventually empties into the Pacific. The board is taking that step because so much water has been pumped into the valley at the expense of the river ecosystem that the states salmon fishery has been all but destroyed. Denham, who calls the plan a water grab, has introduced legislation in Washington to block it. As Gleick points out, water in Northern California flows to the ocean naturally its the irrigation and urban users who have diverted it. As for the bad environmental laws, its unclear whether Trump means California laws or federal laws. Trump may be referring to state and federal laws that place water allocations to protect fish and wildlife on equal standing with irrigation and urban user supplies. Whatever his targets, they dont prevent readily available water to be utilized to fight fires. Or he may be referring to state and federal laws aimed at controlling emissions of greenhouse gases or protecting endangered species. Both categories are under attack from his administration. Its proper to note that the environmental policies being promoted by the Trump White House will make climate change worse. Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change. Hes proposing to eviscerate government standards on fuel economy, which would mean more emissions of greenhouse gases, and proposing to revoke a waiver allowing California to set its own, tougher standards. Trump has called climate change science a con job, a myth and a hoax, so its unsurprising that he would be utterly insensitive to the connection between climate change and heat-driven wildfires. The sole nugget of fact in Trumps tweet may be found in its final line, which states, Must also tree clear to stop fire spreading! This isnt exactly placed in cogent or coherent thought, so its possible its a truth nugget of the blind squirrel variety. If Trump means tree clear to mean more logging, then hes merely putting his oar in for more commercial exploitation of the forests. If he means the construction of fire breaks to contain fires, thats correct but its a well understood technique and is exactly the technique being applied as a matter of course. If Trump means better forest management by consistent clearing of the underbrush that becomes tinder for wildfires, thats true but its not a novel concept. The suppression of smaller fires over the decades, in part to protect residences that have encroached into woodland, has increased the opportunities for bigger fires to take hold. But those policies fall within the jurisdiction of the federal government, as well as the state, since national forests and their environs are where much of the encroachment the so-called wildland-urban interface has taken place. Among other factors, federal spending on fire suppression in the national forests has effectively subsidized the expansion of the interface, by taking the costs of fire control off the shoulders of the residents. But if Trump intends to address this factor, theres no sign of it in any government policy statement. Its absence tells the story behind Trumps fire tweet: He has no idea whats causing the wildfires this season, no conception of how to fight them and no plan in place to alter the trend of more fires or more severity. Doing so means devoting attention to a complex problem that involves science, nature and government action. That cant be accomplished via a Sunday night tweet. Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com. Return to Michael Hiltziks blog. Victor Lytvinenko is scrolling through emails on his iPhone trying to find the one that best shows the damage the global trade war has already done to his little, decade-old American jeans company. The 37-year-old dressed in a black T-shirt, rolled-up blue jeans and a pair of Stan Smiths eventually looks up after finding the message. Its from a customer in Scotland whos apologizing for canceling an order worth tens of thousands of dollars. The reason? The shop owner balked at paying an additional 25% tariff the European Union slapped on American-made jeans in June as part of its response to President Trumps duties on steel and aluminum. Weve already lost two accounts, said Lytvinenko, who co-founded Raleigh Denim Workshop with his wife, Sarah Yarborough, in 2008. That hurts. Lytvinenko was in Manhattan in late July for an apparel trade show. The annual trip was usually a fun excuse to catch up with customers or play ping-pong over beers with friends also trying to earn a living making clothes in the U.S. But this year was different. The talk was very much about how American-made jeans of all things had been pulled into the trade spat. Advertisement Its the latest gut punch for an industry that had already declined into a shell of what it once was. In the past year, two of the last remaining major denim mills have closed, including the biggest: Cone Denims facility in Greensboro, N.C., that many firms say was the last to make high-end denim fabric in the U.S. on a large scale. Increases in Californias minimum wage also helped drive several apparel factories in Los Angeles to shut down or move to Mexico, adding to a tumultuous year for an industry thats been just hanging on. On top of that, free-trade agreements had been pushing blue jean-making overseas for two decades, and now the remaining manufacturers cant believe the irony of getting hit by a return to protectionism. Major brands including Levi Strauss & Co. had already largely bailed, shifting almost all of their production to Asia or Mexico. Whats left is mostly small businesses surviving by pitching craftsmanship and Americana in the premium end of the market with jeans priced at $200 or more. Its another blow, said Roy Slaper, who runs jeans-maker Roy Denim in Oakland. The tariffs dont make sense economically because U.S. production is such a microscopic part of the global market, he said. The U.S. shipped just $31 million worth of jeans to the EU last year, or about 16% of the industrys total global exports. But politically, I can see why. Nothing is more American than jeans. American blue jeans were born in San Francisco in the 1870s and became a symbol of the frontier with Levi Strauss making the first pairs for miners working in the California gold rush. By the 1960s, they had evolved into a fashion emblem of cool and rebellion after pop icons like actor James Dean wore them. The EU no doubt had symbolism on its mind when choosing products for tariffs it placed duties on bourbon, too. They should put a tariff on hot dogs and apple pie, as well, said Slaper, who has been making jeans for a decade. I get it. Europe had already been a difficult market for American-made brands because it protects its apparel and textile industries. The EU had 12% duties on jeans in place, meaning that with the additional tariff, importers are now on the hook for 37%. It is a slap in the face, for companies dedicated to American manufacturing, said Scott Morrison, the founder of New York-based premium denim company 3x1. With two decades in the industry, hes one of the few to survive the great migration overseas. So far, the company has been sharing the cost of the tariff with a European distributor and avoided raising prices, but we are not sure if its sustainable for a small business like ours, Morrison said. The production of blue jeans is a testament to how global trade has evolved. The cotton can come from the U.S. and be made into denim in Pakistan. The cutting and sewing then might take place in Indonesia and finished off with buttons and zippers from China. But making jeans still requires more labor than other clothing because of all the sewing and finishing touches like making them look distressed. And while moving production to lower-cost markets has reduced prices for consumers, its also given big companies even more advantages. Larger firms have the money and expertise to adjust their supply chains. Their clout also gives them leverage to pressure suppliers to take on cost increases. If they dont oblige, production can be moved. Thats what happened in L.A., with minimum wage hikes convincing some brands to source from Mexico where labor is much cheaper, according to Ilse Metchek, president of the California Fashion Assn. The issue is its so difficult to make it here, said Metchek, who has been in the apparel business for more than 50 years. Los Angeles used to be this cluster of denim, but not anymore. Of course, moving to Mexico is so advantageous because jeans can be shipped into the U.S. without any duties under the North American Free Trade Agreement. But NAFTA is also what helps make Canada, a member of the pact, the industrys biggest export market at $108 million last year, more than three times the size of the EU. There are other bright spots, too. A new denim mill is being built in Louisiana. Plus, Denimburg in Edinburg, Texas a large mill thats just a few years old is witnessing increased demand for made-in-America fabrics from brands like Calvin Klein. We are seeing some signs that there are opportunities for a small revival, said Mike Brown, who is commercial director for Denimburg and has been in the industry for four decades. But its never going to be as big as it once was. Back at Raleigh Denim, which makes jeans at a 7,000 square-foot factory in downtown Raleigh, N.C., Lytvinenko is still worried about the tariffs because some European customers arent responding to emails about their next round of orders. Weve been viewing Europe as a huge market opportunity, he said. Its a huge bummer because weve been growing every year, creating manufacturing jobs and building great products here in North Carolina. This hurts our prospects. Leading gig-economy companies including Uber and Lyft are quietly lobbying Californias top Democrats to override or undermine a court ruling that could turn many of their contract workers into employees. In April, the California Supreme Court issued a far-reaching ruling that could make it much harder for companies to claim their workforces of independent contractors are not full-fledged employees under the states wage laws. In the months since, business leaders have been pleading their case to state officials including members of Gov. Jerry Browns Cabinet, Browns presumed successor Gavin Newsom, and members of the state Legislature. The business leaders are pushing to blunt the rulings impact, either through legislation or through executive action by the governor moves that would reverberate across the national debate over the rights and roles of workers in the modern gig economy, and what Democrats posture toward tech companies should be. The magnitude of this issue requires urgent leadership, nine companies wrote in a July 23 letter reviewed by Bloomberg. The letter warns of the ruling stifling innovation and threatening the livelihoods of millions of working Californians and says that without political intervention it will decimate businesses. It was sent on behalf of Uber Technologies Inc., Lyft Inc., Instacart Inc., DoorDash Inc., Postmates Inc., TaskRabbit Inc., Square Inc., Total System Services Inc. and Handy Technologies Inc. It was addressed to the governors secretary of labor and Cabinet secretary. Advertisement A spokeswoman for the governors office declined to comment on whether Brown, whose final term ends in January, was thinking about granting the companies pleas. An executive at one of the companies behind the push, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that because Brown and Newsom are both pro-tech and pro-worker, they are uniquely positioned to strike a compromise with the potential to be replicated. Forging a balance between the need for flexible, scalable work arrangements and workers rights shouldnt just be left to the courts or calculated based on old models, the executive said. Spokespeople for Lyft, Handy, TaskRabbit, Square, Postmates and Instacart declined to comment on the companies lobbying efforts. DoorDash did not respond to inquiries. Spokespeople for Total System Services and Uber referred requests for comment to the California Chamber of Commerce, which has been an outspoken opponent of the new requirements. If you have a business model that doesnt lend itself to the strict structure that an employer-employee relationship dictates, said the chambers president and chief executive, Allan Zaremberg, then the ruling puts you in a situation that its almost impossible to continue your business model. Zaremberg declined to comment on the prospect of executive action from the governors office, but said the chamber aims to get a legislative fix introduced and passed by the states Assembly and Senate before the legislative session closes at the end of the month. Without it, he said, workers and companies alike will be hamstrung, and whole sectors of Californias economy could be in jeopardy. People depend very much now on an on-demand economy, said Zaremberg. In the worst-case scenario, it isnt a viable business model anymore. The California Labor Federation pledged Sunday to resist the efforts to suspend or reverse the ruling. With income inequality at an all-time high and millions of working families struggling to survive in this unfair economy, why would our states leaders intervene to protect big corporations from paying the wages owed to their workers? said the groups legislative director, Caitlin Vega. Federal and California laws entitle employees to a suite of rights including minimum wage, overtime pay, protection from sexual harassment, payroll tax contributions from employers and the chance to win collective bargaining. Those perks dont extend to independent contractors, a category for workers with greater autonomy to choose the terms of their work. The boundary between an employee and a contractor can be fuzzy, though, and is defined differently under different laws. The question of who gets employee protections has been hotly contested in a slew of government agency proceedings and lawsuits around the country, frequently targeting app-based sectors such as ride-hailing as well as older industries such as trucking and healthcare. The April ruling in the California case Dynamex Operations West Inc. vs. Superior Court of Los Angeles established whats sometimes called an ABC test for enforcement of the states wage laws. Among the key elements of the new standard, which is more stringent than most states or the federal governments, is the determination that people are employees of a company unless they are conducting work that is outside the usual course of the companys business. For businesses whose core capacity is delivering a service to customers via an army of workers classified as independent contractors, that could be a challenging test to pass. The court ruling applied only to California, but companies worry that, along with upending their operations in the nations most populous state, it could be a harbinger elsewhere. The week after the Dynamex decision, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced a bill backed by a handful of fellow potential contenders for the Democratic Partys 2020 presidential nomination that would make an equivalent ABC test the standard for federal labor laws, like who has the right to unionize. Rather than treating that as an idle threat, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has already been lobbying congressional offices about the bill, according to federal disclosures. In meetings with U.S. Senate staff, business leaders have been emphasizing the downsides of Dynamexs ABC test, according to a person familiar with the conversations. Getting Democratically controlled California to pump the brakes on its new court-decreed standard could also have a significant impact on national-level discussions. In their letter to Brown, the businesses floated ways to curtail the rulings influence. Those included issuing an executive order barring state agencies from implementing the ABC test, reviving a defunct state commission that could amend it, and passing legislation that would suspend it. The companies cite an estimate by the pro-free-market research group R Street Institute that more than 300,000 California workers could be newly considered employees rather than independent contractors due to the ruling. Once the imminent damage from Dynamex is averted, the companies say in the letter, there could be a robust legislative discussion about how we can collectively invest to protect worker voices and benefits in the new economy, as well as a balanced test for who is an employee. The companies have also met with the governors office to plead their case, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified because the meetings were private. And they have discussed the issue with the Democrats who lead the states Assembly and Senate and with Newsom. Spokespeople for Newsom, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins declined to comment. Gig-economy start-ups arent the only companies concerned. The Im Independent Coalition, a project of the California Chamber of Commerce devoted to opposing the ABC test, also counts the Internet Assn. as a backer. The associations members include Google, Amazon and Facebook, all of which also hire contractors. Read more: Inside Googles shadow workforce of contract laborers The internet industry is concerned about the implications of the Dynamex ruling and its potential to jeopardize internet-enabled, freelance work, the associations California government affairs director, Kevin McKinley, said in an emailed statement. The Im Independent Coalition also includes the state associations representing restaurants, retailers, publishers, hospitals, shopping centers, child-care providers, farms, grape growers, manufacturers, trucking, taxis, ambulances and insurers. The coalition has gathered statements from workers about why they prefer to be classified as contractors, and is working to mobilize some for an Aug. 15 rally at the state Capitol in Sacramento. Companies are also urging their own workers to join the cause. On Thursday, DoorDash sent an email to its California Dashers telling them that the Dynamex ruling threatens their flexibility to choose when, where and how you want to work, and providing a web tool to send their state legislators a message asking them to help protect my freedom to choose the way I work. Shannon Liss-Riordan, an attorney who represents a worker suing DoorDash, responded by filing a motion Friday in federal court asking a judge to enjoin the company from engaging in further coercive and misleading communications that she alleged encourage workers covered by her putative class-action lawsuit to undermine their claims in the case. DoorDash did not respond to inquiries. Workers advocates have argued that responsible companies should welcome the clarity of the courts April ruling. Its been a bit of a free-for-all, particularly in California, where a whole economy of companies has risen up in recent years saying that they can build their workforce off of workers that dont have any employment protections, said Liss-Riordan, who also represents workers currently suing other gig-economy companies including Uber, Lyft and Postmates over alleged denials of employee rights (the companies have denied wrongdoing). Labor advocates say theres no reason for California to water down workers rights. These companies continue to have choices about their business model, union leaders from the states building trades, Teamsters union affiliates and AFL-CIO chapter told Brown and legislative leaders in a July letter reviewed by Bloomberg. They can convert workers to employees and retain control over their work rules and their rates. Or they can contract with true independent contractors. The only thing they cant do after Dynamex is have their cake and eat it too. Eidelson writes for Bloomberg. With Indra Nooyi exiting PepsiCo Inc. as its longtime chief executive, the circle of CEOs in the Fortune 500 is losing one of its highest-profile women. Nooyi, who was born in India, is a rarity on Wall Street as a woman and a minority leading a Fortune 500 company. She oversaw PepsiCo during a turbulent time in the industry that has forced food giants including Coca-Cola Co., Campbell Soup Co. and Oreo maker Mondelez International Inc. to adapt to changing tastes. All those companies changed CEOs in roughly the last year. At PepsiCo, Nooyi stressed the companys move toward good for you options that people dont feel as guilty eating, such as Baked Lays potato chips and Naked juices made of fruits and vegetables. The company has not abandoned sugary sodas or more indulgent snacks. Nooyi, 62, has been with PepsiCo Inc. for 24 years and held the top job for 12. Advertisement Another PepsiCo veteran, Ramon Laguarta, will take over as chief executive in October, the company said Monday. Nooyi will remain as chairwoman until early next year. Growing up in India, I never imagined Id have the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary company, Nooyi said in a statement Monday. Nooyi began her career in India with positions at companies including Johnson & Johnson. She later attended the Yale School of Management. The percentage of female CEOs in the Fortune 500 has climbed slowly over the years and broke the 5% mark just last year, according to Catalyst, which promotes women in the workplace. The Fortune 500 includes the largest companies based on revenue. In the Standard & Poors 500, an index that includes companies from different sectors, there are currently 25 female CEOs including Nooyi, according to Catalyst. That also represents around 5% of CEOs. Within the food industry, Nooyi is the latest female chief executive to step down, following Mondelezs Irene Rosenfeld last year and Campbells Denise Morrison this year. The packaged food industry has been undergoing major changes through acquisitions, spinoffs and mergers as big companies look for ways to revive slumping revenues. Nooyi, who took over as chief executive of PepsiCo in 2006, has resisted calls by an activist investor to spin off the companys beverage business, which has struggled in North America, from its better-performing Frito-Lay snacks business. Some of PepsiCos other brands include Mountain Dew, Tropicana, Gatorade and Quaker Oats. Nooyi hands the reins to the 54-year-old Laguarta, who has held a variety of positions in his 22 years at PepsiCo over more than two decades. He currently serves as president, overseeing global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs. He previously served as CEO of the Europe Sub-Saharan Africa region. Laguarta will be the sixth CEO in PepsiCos history, with all of them coming from within the company. Pepsi shares rose 0.9% on Monday to $117.38. UPDATES: 3:10 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with additional context and Pepsis stock movement. This article was originally published at 4:40 a.m. As two explosives-laden drones flew toward Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at an event this past weekend, the remotely controlled aircraft headed into an area rigged with equipment designed to jam radio signals. That technology was credited by Venezuelan officials with partly foiling an assassination attempt on Maduro. One of the drones lost control, hit a building and detonated, leaving a scorch mark on the side; the other exploded over uniformed guardsmen, injuring seven. The attack apparently the first of its kind confirms the fears of some security officials that cheap, commercially available drones could be used for violent acts. And it highlights efforts to develop counter-drone technology, a market defense industry analysts expect will only grow. The Defense Department has spoken for years about new technologies that would give non-state actors the ability to strike against U.S. forces, bases and allies, said Mark Gunzinger, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments think tank. He said the Venezuelan drone attack was the first time he had heard of a drone being used like this against a public figure. Advertisement The airspace around Washington, D.C., is the most restricted in the nation. Drone flight is prohibited within a 15-mile radius of the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, unless an operator has specific authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration. Nonetheless, a quadcopter crashed on the White House lawn in 2015. Two years earlier, a drone crash-landed in front of German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a campaign event in Germany. This is just another case where were seeing unmanned systems technology being used for just that purpose, Gunzinger said. I guess we should be surprised they havent been used before for that purpose. Jamming, or interrupting, the radio frequencies that link a specific drone with its controller is the most common anti-drone measure, said James Lewis, senior vice president at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. That technology, which was used in Venezuela, can cause confusion and might be used to force the drone to the ground, however unpredictably. It is illegal for nongovernmental entities to use such jammers. Researchers at Aerospace Corp. in El Segundo have been working to perfect a different type of control over the radio frequencies drones use to communicate. A team there has investigated the possibility of isolating the exact frequency used by a drone at a specific time. In several tests, the researchers were able to successfully take over the unmanned aerial vehicles controls and land it safely. Nets are another common technique used to nab a drone in close proximity to a sensitive or high-risk area, Lewis said. And companies such as Raytheon Co. have developed directed-energy systems to shoot drones out of the sky. Raytheons Phaser uses high-powered microwaves to fry errant drones circuits. The microwaves of energy induce very, very small surges of current in electrical circuits, disrupt it and burn it out, causing the drone to lose guidance, Gunzinger said. Raytheon has billed its system as a way to potentially counteract swarms of dozens or hundreds of tiny drones. Boeing Co. has developed a compact laser weapons system that disabled a drone in about 15 seconds with a 2-kilowatt laser during a demonstration several years ago. There are also less-aggressive options. Drone manufacturer DJI, the maker of the DJI M600 drone used in the Venezuela attack, has developed geofencing software that puts a virtual boundary around sensitive areas, such as wildfires, so that rogue drones cant enter and are forced to hover in place if they attempt to fly through. The China company has also developed a remote identification system for its drones known as AeroScope. Using a box with two antennas and an attached screen, airports, fire and police departments or other security agencies can listen to the radio link the drone uses to communicate with its handheld controller. That radio link has encoded information about the drones serial number, where it took off from, where its going and where the pilot is, said Adam Lisberg, DJI spokesman. He said the company has demonstrated that technology to various government agencies and had productive discussions about its remote identification platform with authorities in the U.S. and Europe. Security forces are looking for a tool that helps them shrink the size of a haystack so they can find that needle, Lisberg said. The FAA is also considering implementing a system for remote drone identification and tracking, which would send information such as the drones owner, a unique identifier for the craft and tracking details to an agency-approved internet database. But Gunzinger said the U.S. will need to continue thinking broadly about how small, inexpensive drones could be used and what they might be able to do in the future. Were still on the very front end, the leading edge of this technology, he said. This technology is going to increase in sophistication. Its going to proliferate more widely. And we need to really think hard about how we can protect not just our politicians and soldiers but the U.S. public against terrorists and others who might use this in harmful ways. samantha.masunaga@latimes.com Twitter: @smasunaga When director Jordana Spiro was introduced after the Sundance Film Festivals premiere of Night Comes On earlier this year, some in the audience were surprised. The film is emotionally poignant and appropriately authentic to a black teens experience transitioning out of the foster care system, and Spiro is a white woman. Then Spiro introduced her co-writer, Angelica Nwandu, the child of Nigerian immigrants who herself was a foster child. Because that was not my own background, and it so often is misrepresented, it was imperative to me to work with somebody who could explore this journey with me and share some really honest feelings and portray the nuance of what thats actually like, Spiro recently told The Times. Advertisement Night Comes On follows Angel (Dominique Fishback of The Deuce), who is released from juvenile detention on the eve of her 18th birthday. Haunted by a troubled past, she embarks on a journey with her 10-year-old sister (Tatum Marilyn Hall) who is still in the foster care system. Its certainly a departure for Spiro, who makes her feature directorial debut on the project and is best known as an actress with a wide range of TV credits including My Boys, The Mob Doctor and Ozark. Her film tied with Jeremiah Zagars We the Animals for this years Next Innovator Award at Sundance which was decided by a jury of one, entertainer RuPaul. The Times spoke with Spiro and Nwandu ahead of the films simultaneous on demand and limited theatrical release about finding each other, authenticity in storytelling and what they hope audiences get from their work. How did you two come together to co-write this film? Spiro: I wanted to make a movie about a young woman who is typically cast aside. I wanted the chance to explore the inside of her journey, the beauty and complexity and difficulty of whats going on with her. At the same time, I was working with this organization that supports foster care youth in Los Angeles called Peace4Kids. I was learning so much about the age-out process and just felt compelled to set a story within those circumstances because there was so much to admire and learn about what that experience is like. The director of Peace4Kids recommended I meet with Angelica, who at the time was, and still is, writing a lot of poetry and working as an advocate. I shared with her the story where it was at and there was some resonance to what her experience was like, so we met and hit it off. A scene from Night Comes On. (Samuel Goldwyn Films) Were you always interested in being a screenwriter? Nwandu: I was always interested in writing and I had taken one screenwriting class and tried it. I always aspired to be a writer but I didnt think it would come so soon, or that I would be able to work on a script with someone who has all of her experience as an actress and who went to school for this. What efforts did you go through to ensure the film would resonate with people who see themselves on the screen? Spiro: I think that comes from trying to create as open, honest and candid an environment in our writers room as possible. Were both opinionated people and I think that we did a pretty good job of allowing ourselves to argue with each other, mull things over, teach each other things and really hear what the other is saying. I also had to allow myself to be educated and keeping that partnership alive through the entire process of the film. Angelica very generously came to the editing room, because as they say, there are three movies you make when making a movie: the one you write, the one you shoot and the one you edit. You can be as well-intentioned as you want to be, but if something is not your background, you cant fully appreciate the subtleties or subtext of something. It was important and Im grateful that Angelica was part of every step of the process. That was a key component. Nwandu: I think it also helped that Jordana volunteered at Peace4Kids so she already had a working knowledge and was around a number of foster kids. She knew some kids, so it was easy to work with her. We also had a lot of talks and went deep on the script. Some of the things that you see on screen are actually real things that happens to foster kids, stuff I pulled from real experiences. I think thats where a lot of that authenticity comes from. A scene from Night Comes On. (Samuel Goldwyn Films) How was it being part of the entire process, beyond just the script? Nwandu: At the end of the day, a lot of screenwriters dont get to go into the editing room so I was just grateful to be included. She even invited me out to set and asked questions about music. I was very happy and proud that I was able to contribute what I could. Not only did it give me more experience, but I felt so included in the process from start to finish. I was heard and my voice was respected. What kind of takeaway do you hope audiences have from Night Comes On? Nwandu: At one of the Sundance screenings, a girl came up to us afterwards and said she watched the film and saw herself in it. I want foster youth to be able to see themselves on that screen. If they can see themselves, then weve done it right. If they can see their experience connect with this character, were good. But also, theres a theme of sisterhood and that bond between our sisters is so strong. It would be great if audiences take away the transformative effects of love and sisterhood which ultimately changes Angels life in this film. Spiro: All of that would be powerful and moving for me as well. My hope is that people watch this film objectively and recognize [themselves] in Angel, that the film allows us to garner more respect for foster youth who are surmounting the incredible mountains of obstacles in front of them as they transition out of foster care. And also that it gives each one of us time to work through our own personal fears and remind us of the power that comes from honest connection to another human being. Its OK to cry like Carrie: Showtime has officially confirmed the eighth season of Homeland will be its last. The announcement was made by network chief David Nevins during the channels portion of panels at the Television Critics Assn. press tour in Beverly Hills. The official word comes after star Claire Danes and showrunner Alex Gansa have more than implied the upcoming season would be the last for the prescient political drama. I do not want to hear the word cancellation, Nevins told reporters Alex Gansa will bring the show to its proper conclusion. Advertisement Based on an Israeli series and developed for American television by Gansa and Howard Gordon, Homeland revolves around former CIA agent Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) who must contend with matters involving the national security of the United States. It premiered in 2011, just weeks after the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and didnt waste time establishing itself as the No. 1 drama on the network and racking up awards even as some critics found it uneven at times. Homeland has been the most joyful and rewarding experience of my career, Gansa said in a statement. I am sad to see the journey coming to an end, but it is time. Production on the final 12 episodes will begin in early 2019, with a location still to be decided. The final season will make its bow in June 2019. That show is not limping into the sunset, Gary Levine, the networks programming president, told reporters Monday. When Danes dropped by the Times earlier this year to talk about the series, its possible finish line was a topic of discussion. Im always praying for a little relief and peace and grace something really mundane for her, Danes said then. But thats not going to happen. That Ive learned. The most-read Entertainment stories this hour yvonne.villarreal@latimes.com Twitter: @villarrealy Great minds think alike? Although a clear attempt at cover ingenuity, American Vogues top secret September issue featuring Beyonce, released today, bears a striking resemblance to the September cover of British Vogue featuring Rihanna, released a week ago. Outside of the obvious coup in nabbing the two biggest female pop stars for their biggest issues of the year (every win counts for Conde Nast right now), both covers heavily feature an abundance of flowers atop the beautiful heads of the two megastars, who have a similar soft gaze lets call it a Smize (a la Tyra Banks) and appear in a portrait style on a simple photo set. Eagle-eyed Vogue readers may even compare the new Beyonce cover, styled by veteran Vogue editor turned contributor Tonne Goodman, to British Vogues August issue featuring Oprah Winfrey another portrait, this time in profile, as is Beyonce, with a similar simple gray background. Winfrey also appears in an off-white billowing, ruffled dress, and those same descriptors can be used to describe Beyonces turn of the last century inspired gown. While the style of the cover dresses differ, it wouldnt be too difficult to take the Rihanna and Oprah British Vogue covers, mash them up, and come out with something similar to the September cover of American Vogue. But thats not to penalize American Vogue for at least trying something a little different and with someone different, as the photo was taken by the young Tyler Mitchell. The magazine has long-favored outdoor shots or a baroque indoor setting for most of its covers, including September issues, so the starker Beyonce background marks a welcome departure, although the overall muted palette is in line with precedent, led by Annie Leibovitzs years of windblown covers for the title. Advertisement Meanwhile, the Rihanna cover is more in line with the aesthetic so far established by Edward Enninful, who styled it namely a sort of updated glamour shot that so far has ranged from naturalistic to full Eighties nostalgia. Rihannas cover certainly falls into the latter category, with neon colors offset by bright flora and complete with eyebrows thinner even than Claudette Colberts, but her hands in the shot are a reference even further back to mid-century cover fashions. The referential mix is deft and the cover would pop even if it wasnt Rihanna in the floral headpiece. American Vogue is making most of its splash simply by virtue of having a cover with Beyonce, and rumors that she, according to The Huffington Post, had much of the editorial work under her control. Even the article accompanying Beyonces photo shootinside the issue doesnt have a clear byline, but an as told to credit. This years September issue marks the second year in a row that American Vogue has not plastered the cover with a shout out to its page count. It could be out of deference to Beyonce a nickname like Queen Bey doesnt come out of nowhere but her star power was not much less in 2015, the last time she appeared on the September cover, which no one was left to doubt included 832 pages of wildly wonderful looks. This year well have to count for ourselves. The most ambitious rail project of Californias future is increasingly dependent on the cooperation of the very railroad that shaped the states past and there are signs their relationship is growing strained. Contractors building a 31-mile section of the high-speed rail project in the Central Valley have complained that the Union Pacific Railroad is causing delays and significant cost increases. The allegation could lead to a delay claim by the contractor against the state. The friction involves Union Pacifics right of way, the 100-foot-wide passage granted under President Abraham Lincoln, a former railroad attorney, in the 1860s as a way to develop the west. It has remained core to the nations largest freight railroad: In a folksy television ad that has run periodically for half a century, employees sing, We are the Union Pacific and weve got the right of way. Advertisement It isnt an idle boast that the company still values its property, as the California High Speed Rail Authority is learning while it tries to build alongside Union Pacifics right of way in Fresno and Madera. In a 2010 letter, Union Pacific warned the state that it would not tolerate any rail construction that impinged on its right of way or that limited its access to customers along its route. In 2015, the rail authority awarded a contract, now valued at $69 million, to cover Union Pacifics costs. The rail authority relies on Union Pacifics cooperation not just for the Central Valley stretch. It also hopes to build about 30 miles of track on right of way owned by Union Pacific between Gilroy and San Jose. So far, Union Pacific has said simply that there is no agreement for that section. The conflict surfaced in a June letter, which was obtained by The Times, from a team of contractors led by Sylmar-based construction giant Tutor Perini. According to the letter sent to the rail authority, construction between Fresno and Madera is being delayed solely due to the [Union Pacific Railroads] unreasonable rigid demands and unwillingness to cooperate. The letter lists more than 75 Tutor Perini design documents that Union Pacific refused to approve and returned with little explanation. The letter says the authoritys efforts to foster cooperation with the railroad have not been fruitful. The letter cites 20 different areas where the railroad has interfered with the construction, including temporary tracks called shooflies, utility relocations and staging areas. Union Pacific, the letter claims, has refused to hold meetings to resolve issues. And it says the railroad has repeatedly violated a broad engineering and construction management agreement. The rail authoritys failure to enforce the terms of that agreement continues to severely impact the project cost and schedule, the letter says. The rail authority and Union Pacific say there is little discord. Thomas Fellenz, chief counsel for the state rail authority, said he isnt aware of any specific tension that is occurring with the freight railroad. Fellez said he met with Tutor representatives and cant say yet whether Union Pacific is at fault for causing delays. So far, the rail authority hasnt met with Union Pacific, he said. Justin Jacobs, a Union Pacific spokesman, said in a statement that the two organizations maintain open lines of communication. Any proposed design or project details that do not meet the standards and requirements outlined in the original agreement may require re-submission, he said. Union Pacific and CHSRA will continue our good working relationship and proactive coordination on this project. Ron Tutor, chief executive of Tutor Perini, did not respond to a request for comment. The Tutor Perini letter signals that the company may file another delay claim against the state. The team already received a $50 million settlement on a previous delay claim and last year a letter indicated it had another delay dispute worth more than $200 million. Fellenz said the only settlement has involved the $50 million deal. Construction on the Madera to Fresno segment is years behind schedule, a result of the rail authoritys difficulties in acquiring land. The estimated cost of the segment was originally $1 billion, but it is now up to $1.5 billion a 50% cost overrun, according to the rail authoritys July operations report. The entire project, which promises service between the Bay Area and Southern California in 2 hours and 40 minutes, is now 11 years behind its original schedule and its cost has grown from $33 billion to $77 billion. In practice, Union Pacific exerts enormous legal and political power, said Jerome Schlichter, a St. Louis attorney who has litigated more than 100 cases against the company. They have a lot of lawyers, he said. They are a powerful force in the legislatures nationally and play very hard ball. Union Pacific will protect its right of way and has the power to significantly delay the project, said Stanford University history professor Richard White, noting that the railroads economic and political influence in the state stretches back 150 years. Land grants allowed Union Pacific, along with the Southern Pacific line it would later acquire, to decide the locations of stations, which became the major cities of the Central Valley. Its vast land holdings later become the oil fields and almond orchards that drive the economy. Now, any mistake the state makes in managing bullet train project, White said, makes it vulnerable to the company. Union Pacific cant stop the project, but it can delay it again and again, White said. ralph.vartabedian@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @rvartabedian Modesto police said Monday that they are looking for two men who beat a Sikh man and spray-painted a neo-Nazi symbol on his truck in what theyre calling a hate crime. Surjit Malhi told KOVR-TV that he was putting up campaign signs for local Republicans at night when two men ambushed him, throwing sand in his eyes before beating him in the head, shoulders and neck on July 31 in Keyes, Calif., about 90 miles east of San Francisco. Malhi, 50, said the men screamed at him to go back to your country before spray-painting the same message and a white supremacist symbol on his truck. The men were wearing black hoods and had blue eyes, he said. Im American, 100%, Malhi said. This is my country. If you are a real American and you love America, you should not do that. That is not the American way. Advertisement The symbol the men spray-painted on Malhis truck is the white supremacist version of the Celtic Cross, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson told the Modesto Bee that the assault is being investigated as a hate crime, saying it was a random despicable criminal act. Malhi said he believes the turban he was wearing saved his life during the attack because it softened the blows to his head. Its very scary, said Malhi, who said he has been experiencing headaches and dizzy spells since the attack. The Sikh Coalition reported an increase in violence and discrimination against Sikh Americans after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, with more than 300 cases reported throughout the U.S. in just one month. In March, the coalition said there has been another alarming recent spike in hate crimes against Sikhs, with an estimated one a week since the beginning of 2018. In January, two men were sentenced to three years in prison for the beating of a Sikh man in the San Francisco Bay Area. In March, a Sikh man in Seattle said a man shot him in the arm in his driveway after telling him to go back to his country. In 2012, a man shot and killed six Sikh worshipers and wounded four others at a Sikh temple near Milwaukee before killing himself. Lameness prevention: it's all in the head An understanding of how cows think, how they see the world and how they move is essential for lameness prevention. The West Hollywood City Council will vote Monday night on a proposal to urge that President Trumps star be removed from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The resolution, put forth by West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tem John DAmico and Councilwoman Lindsey Horvath, urges the city of Los Angeles -- where the star is located -- and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to remove the marker due to [Trumps] disturbing treatment of women and other actions. Trumps star on Hollywood Boulevard near Highland Avenue has taken a beating since the 2016 presidential campaign. In late July, the marker was annihilated by a pickax-wielding Austin Mikel Clay, 24, who promptly turned himself in to police. And in October 2016, a man was caught on video attacking the star with a sledgehammer. The start has been spray-painted, stomped on and spat upon. The West Hollywood resolution doesnt mention the vandalism in its case for removing the star. But a staff report makes several other arguments for doing so, among them Trumps treatment of women, the separation of children from their parents at the U.S. border and denial of findings from the United States intelligence community regarding Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Advertisement The staff report also urges the city of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to revisit qualifications for being included in the Walk of Fame, which features more than 2,500 terrazzo-and-brass stars dedicated to the famous. Trump received his star in 2007 for his work as producer of the Miss Universe pageant. Similar calls to remove Trumps star were made when the president characterized Mexican immigrants as rapists and criminals during his presidential campaign. When activists called for the removal of Bill Cosbys star from the Walk of Fame in 2015 amid numerous allegations of sexual assault, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce refused. Once a star has been added to the walk, it is considered a part of the historic fabric of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, said Leron Gubler, then the president and chief executive of the chamber. Because of this, we have never removed a star from the walk. laura.newberry@latimes.com | Twitter: @LauraMNewberry The White House on Monday is scheduled to announce the reimposition of tough economic sanctions on Iran, the first batch of sanctions to be revived since President Trump broke with the landmark Iran nuclear deal. Trump has said the pact did not go far enough in curtailing Tehrans support for militant groups and other actions. The president is trying to find a way to move forward, but its going to require enormous change on the part of the Iranian regime, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo said Sunday. Theyve got to behave like a normal country. Thats the ask. Its pretty simple. We think that most other countries, everyone with whom I spoke, understands that they [the Iranians] need to behave normally, and they understand that this is a country that threatens them. The sanctions, which will target Irans central bank and make it difficult for the country to conduct international business, including the exportation of oil and minerals, were lifted when Tehran signed the international nuclear deal in 2015 and agreed to dismantle most of its nuclear production facilities. Advertisement But Trump and hawks in his administration, such as Pompeo and national security advisor John Bolton, were determined to put Iran back on a blacklist that will harm its economy. These folks [the Iranians] are bad actors, and the president is determined to change the direction, of course, Pompeo said. He spoke to a small group of reporters on board his flight returning to Washington from a conference of Southeast Asian countries in Singapore. At the conference, Pompeo lobbied for support from other countries, but the Trump administrations posture on Iran is not popular in several parts of the world because it abandoned a deal that was viewed as largely successful in curtailing Irans nuclear ambitions. Other signatories to the 2015 deal including European countries, China and Russia have said they will try to keep it afloat. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also attended the conference in Singapore and could be seen making his own countrys case with delegates. Pompeo has insisted Washington is not advocating for regime change in Iran, but veteran Iran-watchers say the administrations demands come pretty close. Unlike North Korea, with whom the Trump administration is now eager to negotiate, Iran never produced a nuclear bomb. Were happy to talk if there is an arrangement that is appropriate, that can lead to a good outcome, Pompeo said. Perhaps that will be the path the Iranians choose to go down. He added, however, that theres no evidence of that thus far. The administration has said a second batch of sanctions will be revived in November. tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter A year ago, white supremacists were ready for a big show of unity in Charlottesville. Hundreds traveled to the city for a rally in support of their belief that white people are superior. But the gathering quickly became violent, and an anti-racism protester was killed when a car rammed into a crowd. Since then, many supporters of white rights who frequently appeared on campus speaking tours or smaller gatherings throughout the country have become significantly less visible even as the number of neo-Nazi groups has increased, according to members of white supremacy groups, anti-racism activists and other observers. The spectacle of Charlottesville, Va., has kept the far right movement more splintered than united, even as demonstrations such as one in Portland, Ore., on Saturday still draw right-wing extremists and counter-protesters, raising concerns about violence. Advertisement Several leaders of white supremacist groups have said during the last year, often via social media, that their followers should avoid such public events. Michael Hill, who leads the Alabama-based pro-Confederate group League of the South, told his followers in a May podcast that they do not have anything to gain from another Charlottesville, a common sentiment on fringe message boards and chat networks. Brad Griffin, a prominent blogger who has pushed for a Jew-free, white ethnostate in North America on his website Occidental Dissent, recently wrote that racists should be careful about showing up at public gatherings. I dont believe we should engage with them at all anymore, Griffin wrote last month of counter-demonstrators. Before and since Charlottesville, civil rights groups warned that the country could be facing a new era, with racists becoming more emboldened to display their views in violent public demonstrations. That movement, many now say, has slowed down. One of the most important effects of the post-Charlottesville year has been the inability for these right-wing extremist groups to unite the way they had hoped to, said Oren Segal, director of the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center on Extremism. The backlash that came from that event has led to infighting and division, which has led to pressure on these groups in ways we have not seen. The weekend in Charlottesville last year ended with the death of 32-year-old counter-protester Heather Heyer, a helicopter crash that killed two state troopers, and scores of injuries. President Trumps reaction, where he assigned blame to both sides, further fueled tensions as vigils took place across the country. In some cases, white supremacists were ostracized in their communities. Some were banned from online fundraising portals or fired from their jobs. Others chose not to expose themselves to the criticism that comes with public events. An attempt to bring scores of white supremacists back to Charlottesville this month to mark the anniversary of last years rallies fizzled. The city declined to host an official commemoration, though churches plan healing services and university students announced a protest against racism. Instead of Charlottesville, organizer Jason Kessler plans to hold a white civil rights anniversary rally Aug. 12 in Washington across from the White House. The event will not be about hating anybody, but rather about supporting a race that is becoming a minority in the United States, he said. Nevertheless, even some of those who agree with him have disassociated themselves. I have nothing to do with it, and I have nothing to do with Jason Kessler, Richard Spencer, a white nationalist who marched with tiki torches on the University of Virginia campus last year, wrote in an email. Spencer, who helped promote last years rally, shunned Kessler after he celebrated the violence. Spencer encouraged other racist groups to no longer follow him. Facing growing protests and thinning crowds as he traveled the country, Spencer recently disbanded his college tour. Last month, white nationalist Christopher Cantwell was banned from entering the state of Virginia for five years after pleading guilty to assault for using pepper spray on a crowd last year on the University of Virginia campus. Religious leaders gathered in Washington after the Charlottesville deaths to protest white supremacy. (Jim Lo Scalzo / European Pressphoto Agency) In the last year, other extremist groups that were present in Charlottesville, including the Traditionalist Workers Party and Vanguard America, have splintered. James Fields, the Ohio man charged in Heyers death, had posed with Vanguard America at the 2017 rally while holding a shield with neo-Nazi symbols. Nevertheless, police in Washington, Charlottesville and other cities said they are on the lookout for clashes among groups known for seeking confrontation. While civil rights groups predicted violence last year and mobilized counter-protesters, ministers and legal observers to attend, many say the best way to respond remains unclear. Some people say to not pay them attention or give oxygen. Others believe that we have to openly resist, said Carolyn Gallaher, a professor at American University who studies right-wing militias. The Rev. Traci Blackmon, a Florissant, Mo.-based pastor who helped organize clergy from across the country to counter-protest last year in Charlottesville, said shes not sure whether shell attend the Washington event. I am trying to decide whether I want to give white nationalists the attention they received in Charlottesville and that they continue to clamor after, said Blackmon, who is executive minister of justice and witness ministries for the United Church of Christ. In Washington, dozens of local organizations as well as Black Lives Matter and civil rights groups from New York, Philadelphia and Charlottesville also plan to rally on Aug. 12 on a plaza east of the White House. The schedule calls for marching bands, drummers, puppets and vibrant displays of art and culture. After the violence last year, dozens of cities including Baltimore and Lexington, Ky., rushed to take down Confederate statues similar to the ones right-wing groups said they were protecting in Virginia. In Durham, N.C., protesters took it upon themselves to tie rope around a 93-year-old bronze statue of a Confederate soldier and pulled it down. In Charlottesville, the city placed tarps over park statues of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson while it grappled with a Virginia law that protects war monuments from removal. That movement has also slowed down, said Heidi Beirich, director of the Southern Poverty Law Centers Intelligence Project. A state judge this year ordered Charlottesville to take down the tarps. The City Council gave the parks that hold the statues new names. Once Lee and Jackson parks, they were renamed last year to Emancipation and Justice. Last month, the City Council renamed them again to avoid further controversy: Market Street and Court Square. I sense a lack of urgency compared with activism immediately after last summers events, said Charlottesville resident the Rev. Seth Wispelwey, who said his community continues to mourn. The church where he is a minister, Congregate Cville, is among those holding healing services on the anniversary. According to a report the Southern Poverty Law Center released in June, more than 1,700 Confederate memorials stand in the U.S. At least 55 were removed last year, many of them statues and physical monuments. This year, the center has counted only a handful of monument removals, though more than a dozen schools and roads have been renamed. Beirich said disunity among white extremists doesnt mean their threat has declined. The groups annual count of hate groups, released in February, showed an increase, to 954 from the 917 it documented the previous year. In addition to white supremacists, they include anti-LGBTQ, anti-Muslim and black nationalist groups. The report also showed a 22% increase in neo-Nazi groups last year, to 121. Beirich said that whether or not groups rely on demonstrations, its important to note sentiment over race, immigration, and religion areas where polls and electoral races are showing increasing divisions. The biggest issue ultimately after Charlottesville is that whatever happens to these alt-right groups, these anti-immigrant ideas, anti-Muslim ideas, they have totally penetrated the mainstream, she said. jaweed.kaleem@latimes.com Twitter: @jaweedkaleem Times staff writer James Queally contributed to this report. More national headlines The Trump administration Monday announced it is reimposing harsh economic sanctions on Tehran as part of a strategy to replace the landmark 2015 nuclear deal with what it hopes will be a stronger agreement to curb the Islamic Republics ability to build a nuclear bomb. The new sanctions, which go into effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT Tuesday, target numerous areas of Iranian economic activity. They ban most transactions with Irans central bank and the nations network of ports and insurance companies; the purchase of Iranian sovereign debt; and trade in autos as well as gold, graphite, aluminum and other precious metals. In a statement Monday, President Trump called the 2015 pact a horrible, one-sided deal. He said it failed to achieve the fundamental objective of blocking all paths to an Iranian nuclear bomb, and it threw a lifeline of cash to a murderous dictatorship that has continued to spread bloodshed, violence and chaos. Supporters of the deal say that, while flawed, it has successfully prevented Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon in the medium term. United Nations inspectors, whom Iran agreed to admit regularly, say Iran has largely complied with the deals restrictions. Advertisement Trumps decision to reinstate sanctions was immediately criticized by countries and groups that support the deal, particularly Iran. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani went on national state television Monday evening to accuse Trump of sacrificing international diplomacy and negotiation to domestic politics. Trump has not honored any international commitments, let alone the nuclear deal, Rouhani said. Therefore they want to have a psychological war against our people, maybe for their own congressional elections. Rouhani rejected an offer from Trump to talk with Iranian leaders as empty pandering. When somebody calls for negotiations, he must be honest, Rouhani said. In a joint statement, several cosignatories to the 2015 pact the governments of Germany, France, Britain as well as the European Union said they were gravely disappointed at Trumps move, and vowed to protect businesses that seek to work in or with Iran. Preserving the nuclear deal with Iran is a matter of respecting international agreements and a matter of international security, the countries said. Critics argue that Trumps reneging raises doubts among allies and adversaries on the U.S. commitment to partnerships, promises and leadership. The original deal required Iran to dismantle its nuclear-production infrastructure, mothballing centrifuges used to enrich uranium, disabling its plutonium-producing heavy-water reactor and getting rid of nearly its entire stockpile of enriched uranium. In exchange, crippling U.N. sanctions on Iran were eased and billions of dollars in Iranian assets were unfrozen and returned. Tehran was allowed to rejoin the world economy, trading oil and participating in financial markets. In addition to the European countries, Russia and China were party to the deal with the U.S. and Iran. Trump disdained the deal, saying it did not do enough to curb Irans malign behavior, including support for militant groups in Gaza Strip, Syria and Yemen, as well as repression of domestic opposition. In May, Trump withdrew from the deal, despite intense lobbying from Europe not to do so. Europeans and others said they will attempt to keep the deal alive, but they risk being penalized by Washington if their companies continue to do business with Iran. Individuals or entities that fail to wind down activities with Iran risk severe consequences, Trump warned Monday. We urge all nations to take such steps to make clear that the Iranian regime faces a choice: either change its threatening, destabilizing behavior and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation. Administration officials, who briefed reporters Monday on condition of anonymity, rejected the criticism that the revived U.S. sanctions will be less effective than the earlier Obama-era package because none of the other key world leaders are onboard. Weve seen company after company after company getting out [of Iran], so theres no doubt [pressure] is working, a senior administration official said. Veteran Iran watchers say Washingtons demands are tantamount to seeking a new government in Tehran or urging Iranians to overthrow their leaders. The officials denied that was the Trump administrations goal. Our stated policy is not to bring about regime change but to change behavior of the regime, said one of the officials. Another official added that, The Iranian people are seeking the same thing. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, speaking on the eve of Mondays announcement, said Washington is determined to enforce the sanctions. These folks are bad actors and the president is determined to change their direction, Pompeo told a small group of reporters traveling with him to Washington from a regional conference in Singapore. Theyve got to behave like a normal country. Thats the ask. Its pretty simple. A second batch of sanctions that will more directly target Irans petroleum industry is set to go into effect in 90 days. Rouhani said he was confident Russia and China will continue to trade with Iran. And countries like India and Japan are major importers of Iranian oil. Some countries sought waivers from Washington so they could trade with Tehran, but it is not yet evident that any have been granted. On the streets of Tehran, residents also voiced pessimism about the economy blaming both Trump and their own government and said they anticipated worse days to come. Morteza, a 40-year-old wholesaler of kitchen products who did not want to give his last name, said, Trump wants regime change but regime change is impossible only the people are suffering. Morteza said he blamed skyrocketing prices on Trumps withdrawal from the nuclear deal, and many residents echoed fears that sanctions will only add to the problems caused by their governments economic mismanagement. People are unable to make ends meet, said Morad Akbari, a stubble-faced 37-year-old who sells small appliances out of the back of his van. How can I be hopeful? Manchehr Zangovi, a 64-year-old retired math teacher and accountant, said he had turned to driving a taxi because his pension couldnt pay the bills. Rouhani wants to inject hope in the hearts and minds of the people, but its too late, the gray-bearded Zangovi said. We are heading to a dead-end economy and we are doomed. In recent days, scattered anti-government protests have broken out in cities across Iran, with demonstrators calling for the departure of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to videos circulated on social media. In separate videos purportedly shot in the northern province of Albourz last week, small groups of demonstrators were seen hurling stones at riot police and gathering under a bridge shouting, Death to Khamenei. The protests were widespread enough that the semiofficial Fars news agency carried a news story but emphasized that the protesters were agitating about rising prices. The chants echoed those heard in larger protests in December and January, which prompted a heavy-handed security crackdown. In his comments Monday night, Rouhani said he had no concerns about the stability of the Iranian theocracy, asserting that Irans cohesion was beyond doubt. Wilkinson reported from Washington and Bengali from Mumbai, India. Special correspondent Ramin Mostaghim contributed from Tehran. tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter UPDATES: 1:55 p.m.: This article was updated with reaction from Iran and other nations. 8:25 a.m.: This article was updated with Trumps statement. This article was originally published at 7:30 a.m. At least 73 people were shot in one of the most violent weekends of the year in Chicago, spurred by a seven-hour period early Sunday morning when 40 people were shot. Between 3 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday morning, 11 people were killed and 61 people were wounded, according to Tribune data. Their ages spanned from 11 to 62 years old, and most of those shot were attacked on the South and West sides. As of Friday, at least 1,700 people have been shot in the city this year, fewer than the last two years at this time when violence hit record levels in the city but well above other recent years. There have been at least 300 homicides, according to Tribune data. Six of the shootings this weekend injured four or more people in a single attack, racking up 31 victims early Sunday. Advertisement The staggering numbers attracted national media attention and resulted in a press conference Sunday morning during which Fred Waller, chief of the Chicago Police Department bureau of patrol, blamed the violence on gang members who shoot into summer crowds at night. They take advantage of that opportunity and they shoot into a crowd, no matter who they hit, Waller said. Over the weekend, shooters targeted large groups at a block party, a funeral and other outdoor gatherings. The largest attack wounded eight people in the South Sides Gresham neighborhood around 12:40 a.m. Monday, including a 14-year-old girl and two 17-year-old girls. Two 17-year-olds shot in separate incidents were the weekends youngest homicide victims. Jahnae Patterson was killed in an attack in the West Sides Lawndale neighborhood that wounded an additional five people around 2:35 a.m. Sunday, including an 11-year-old boy. She was shot in the face and pronounced dead on the scene, police said. Kenny Ivory was shot and killed while he rode his bike on the South Side on Sunday afternoon, police said. He was on his bike around 4:15 p.m. in the 7600 block of South Union Avenue in the Gresham neighborhood when he got into an argument with other males on bikes, police said. Buckley writes for the Chicago Tribune. Tribune reporters Hannah Leone, Morgan Greene, Elyssa Cherney and Will Lee contributed. Police and prosecutors bug jail cells. Its sometimes the best way to get evidence against a criminal defendant, or information about other crimes committed by other people. Its a better bet than relying on the word of jailhouse informants, who have an incentive to rat out their cellmates and may sometimes just make things up in exchange for money or the prospect of better treatment. A digital recording of the suspects confession in his or her own voice can be a lot more useful. Maybe thats why police wired a room at the Clara Shortridge Foltz criminal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. The problem is that the room is used for defense attorneys to confer privately with the people they represent, and thats what Deputy Public Defender Tiffiny Blacknell was doing with her client when the Los Angeles Police Department recorded what should have been a privileged conversation. Interim Public Defender Nicole Davis Tinkham reported the recording operation and her offices investigation to the Board of Supervisors in July. A Los Angeles County prosecutor said in a court document that the recording was made by the LAPD at the request of a deputy district attorney, and with cooperation from the Sheriffs Department. Criminal defendants have a 6th Amendment right to counsel, and that means being able to speak freely with their lawyers without fear. Advertisement Explanations in defense of the recording basically boil down to this: The law allows law enforcement agencies to bug jail cells, the criminal courthouse is essentially an extension of the jail, the conference room sometimes holds defendants without their lawyers, recording the attorney-client conversation was inadvertent, they didnt listen to the recording and dont plan to, and its no big deal. Theyre right, but theyre wrong. Surreptitiously recording criminal defendants in custody in order to get evidence against them or others is generally legal. But doing it at the courthouse is a very bad idea and a very big deal. It damages the trust that criminal defendants must put in their lawyers if they are to present a full and vigorous defense. The practice should stop. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, and under various court rulings that means government agents must first get warrants before listening in on private conversations in situations in which people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. But being locked up isnt one of those situations. Nor can the government generally question suspects without first reading them their rights (the famous Miranda warning). But in the case of Illinois vs. Perkins, the Supreme Court reasoned that it was unnecessary for the government to give the standard warning when the agent doing the questioning is undercover (as a cellmate, for example) because the defendant wont feel pressured to say anything he doesnt want to. Or so the argument goes. Bugging and recording are used to avoid various problems with jailhouse snitches. Perkins recording operations have become a fairly standard practice in jails and other custody facilities, including the lockup rooms in courthouses where criminal defendants are sometimes held before and after their court appearances. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion But criminal defendants also have a 6th Amendment right to counsel, and that means being able to speak freely with their lawyers without fear that their private conversations will be overheard, recorded and used against them by prosecutors, regardless of the room in which they are conferring. Law enforcement ought to bend over backwards to protect those rights. To do otherwise undermines their role as honest players in a fair criminal justice system and, by the way, could invalidate whatever case they are assembling for prosecutors. Courthouses are special places. They are monuments to justice and should not be reduced to eavesdropping parlors. Just as judges and elected officials lashed out earlier this year at immigration agents who stalked courthouses for people who were in the country illegally, so should they object to police and prosecutors bugging the same buildings in quests for evidence. Even if it is true that recording the attorney-client conversation was a mistake and that no one listened in, the damage is serious. Public defenders already have a hard time getting their clients to confide in them. Lawyers and defendants now know that at least once, the government listened in on such a conversation. Thats not a good way to instill confidence in the justice system. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook As a Los Angeles pedestrian, I never take it for granted that my life wont suddenly end at the hands of a careless motorist. I dont own a car. Every day I navigate a dangerous gantlet of drivers who speed, blow straight through crosswalks without stopping and generally refuse to respect the rights of pedestrians. Ive witnessed too many near-misses to count. And things only seem to be getting worse. Pedestrian deaths just keep rising. They are up by 45% from two years ago, when it was already a major problem; 134 were killed in 2017. Almost as upsetting as the statistics is the Los Angeles Police Departments response. If youre a walker rather than a driver, you know this is true: LAPD officers target pedestrians for tickets but rarely react when motorists violate traffic laws right in front of them. This selective enforcement seems so blatant that I suspect its by design. The LAPD is intentionally putting the responsibility for street safety on pedestrians, even though motorists control the cars that kill. Citing motorists for failing to yield with the same gusto as jaywalkers has a track record of success. Advertisement Just look at the LAPD South Traffic Division website, where it explains the divisions effort to reduce the number of vehicle vs. pedestrian Traffic Collisions. The solution? Enforcing pedestrian related vehicle code violations. Aside from being unfair, this strategy is ineffective. Fatal pedestrian-automobile collisions continue to climb. The LAPD should be targeting motorists more aggressively. In May of 2016, I submitted a public records request for every citation issued by the LAPD to pedestrians for jaywalking from 2010 through 2015. I also asked for data on motorist failure to yield violations covering the same time period. (Failure to yield occurs when a pedestrian is crossing or attempting to cross the street in a marked crosswalk and a driver doesnt yield the right of way, or when a driver navigates around pedestrians and comes close to striking them.) It took two years to get the data, and just five divisions responded Central, Hollenbeck, Hollywood, Van Nuys and Northeast. Of 68,072 total citations, 55,392 went to pedestrians. In other words, 81% of tickets issued for crosswalk infractions went to pedestrians. Central Division, which includes downtown, Chinatown and skid row, was particularly aggressive toward pedestrians. Of their 43,326 combined citations, only 11.25% (4,876) were issued to drivers. During the six years covered by the data, there were more jaywalking tickets issued in just the Central Division than there were failure-to-yield tickets in the five divisions combined. Meanwhile, 20 pedestrians were killed by cars in the Central Division in 2017 alone. Click here for the full Livable City archive California, and Los Angeles in particular, is supposed to be making life easier for those on foot. In 2017, Gov. Jerry Brown put a stop to police ticketing pedestrians who entered a crosswalk after the walk/dont walk countdown began. These were costly tickets that suddenly made it illegal to cross a street when the light was still green. And L.A. claims to be pursuing a citywide Vision Zero strategy to end all traffic deaths by 2025. If Los Angeles is sincere about eliminating pedestrian deaths, there is an obvious place to start the LAPD should enforce motorist laws as aggressively as those that govern pedestrians. Going after errant motorists with the same gusto as jaywalkers has a track record of success. The New York Police Department identified failure-to-yield violations as one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities. In response, in 2017 it increased its enforcement of this violation by 12.5% over the previous year. Pedestrian deaths dropped from 144 to 101, the lowest number in the city since 1910. I asked the LAPD multiple times to explain why the record of tickets was so lopsided against pedestrians. No one returned my phone calls or emails. Cars kill, and the LAPD should be holding motorists as well as pedestrians responsible for the behavior that makes our streets dangerous. Scott Schultz produces the YouTube show BUSted Los Angeles stories about getting around L.A., told by people who dont drive. Twitter: @bustedla Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook Allies balk at Trump administration bid to block Chinese firm from cutting-edge telecom markets By David S. Cloud Britain and Germany are balking at the Trump administrations call for a ban on equipment from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, threatening a global U.S. campaign to thwart Chinas involvement in future mobile networks. Both countries are expected to limit Huawei and other Chinese companies from providing core components including routers. But other types of Chinese equipment for next-generation, high-speed communications could still be installed on British and German networks, officials and analysts say. The U.S. push to ban Huawei has provoked a global dispute in recent weeks, with senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, publicly urging NATO allies in Europe to exclude the company and warning that the United States might limit its military presence in countries that did not do so. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Confucius Institutes: Do they improve U.S.-China ties or harbor spies? By Don Lee Hanging red lanterns welcome visitors to the University of Marylands Confucius Institute, the oldest of about 100 Chinese language and cultural centers that have popped up over the last 15 years on American campuses, subsidized by millions of dollars from Chinas central government. But last fall, when four U.S. Senate investigators walked into the Confucius offices in Maryland and spent hours questioning staff, they werent looking for an educational exchange. The committee has been seeking detailed information from the university about the program, including contracts, email exchanges and financial arrangements that school administrators have kept under wraps since it started in 2004. American colleges once viewed these jointly funded institutes as an economical way to expand their language offerings one that could also bring warmer ties with China and, importantly, an influx of Chinese international students paying full tuition. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch Live: White House holds surprise news briefing amid government shutdown Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement U.S. policy toward China shifts from engagement to confrontation By David S. Cloud For decades, China had no closer American friend than Dianne Feinstein. As San Francisco mayor in the 1970s, she forged a sister-city relationship with Shanghai, the first between American and Chinese communities. As U.S. senator, she dined with Chinese leaders at Mao Tse-tungs old Beijing residence. And in the 1990s, she championed a trade policy change that opened a floodgate of Western investment into China. Today the Democratic senator sees China as a growing threat, joining a broad array of Trump administration officials, national security strategists and business executives who once favored engagement with Beijing and now advocate a confrontational approach instead. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Mnuchins attempt to calm markets backfires as Trump takes another shot at the Federal Reserve By Jim Puzzanghera An attempt by Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin to calm plunging financial markets backfired Monday, further rattling investors with new fears about whether major U.S. banks have enough cash on top of worries about interest rates, political instability in Washington and a slowing global economy. Adding to the volatile mix was a fresh attack on the Federal Reserve by President Trump, who declared that the central bank was the U.S. economys only problem and that it didnt have a feel for the market. The Fed is like a powerful golfer who cant score because he has no touch -- he cant putt! Trump said on Twitter. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print He speaks to Democratic hearts. But is Beto ORourke a serious White House contender? By Mark Z. Barabak Hes a failed U.S. Senate candidate with an undistinguished congressional record who, for the moment, is a blazing-hot 2020 presidential prospect despite the fact that he may not run and faces long odds if he does. Beto ORourke suggests the will-he-or-wont-he speculation is something he himself cant quite fathom. I think thats a great question, he responded in a Dallas Morning News interview when asked whether his unsuccessful November Senate bid merited a promotion to the White House. I ask that question myself. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Russian disinformation teams targeted Robert S. Mueller III, says report prepared for Senate By Craig Timberg, Tony Romm, Elizabeth Dwoskin Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. (Associated Press) Months after President Trump took office, Russias disinformation teams trained their sites on a new target: special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. Having worked to help get Trump into the White House, they now worked to neutralize the biggest threat to his staying there. The Russian operatives unloaded on Mueller through fake accounts on Facebook, Twitter and beyond, falsely claiming that the former FBI director was corrupt and that the allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election were crackpot conspiracies. One post on Instagram which emerged as an especially potent weapon in the Russian social media arsenal claimed that Mueller had worked in the past with radical Islamic groups. Such tactics exemplified how Russian teams ranged nimbly across social media platforms in a shrewd online influence operation aimed squarely at American voters. The effort started earlier than commonly understood and lasted longer while relying on the strengths of different sites to manipulate distinct slices of the electorate, according to a pair of comprehensive new reports prepared for the Senate Intelligence Committee and released Monday. Read more Timberg, Romm and Dwoskin report for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement President Trump announces Mick Mulvaney as acting White House chief of staff By Associated Press President Trump says budget director Mick Mulvaney will serve as acting chief of staff, replacing John F. Kelly in the new year. I am pleased to announce that Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, will be named Acting White House Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly, who has served our Country with distinction. Mick has done an outstanding job while in the Administration.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print It aint over when its over: In Michigan, Wisconsin and elsewhere, losers seek to undermine election results By Mark Z. Barabak Democrat Gavin Newsom has yet to become California governor, but already a candidate for state Republican Party chairman is promoting a recall effort. In Michigan and Wisconsin, GOP lawmakers have rushed through legislation to thwart their incoming Democratic governors and hamper others in the opposing party from doing the jobs voters chose them to do. In Congress, GOP leaders have echoed President Trump and sought to undermine the legitimacy of Democrats strong midterm performance, raising unsubstantiated allegations of fraud and political malfeasance. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger says she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera On her first full day leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Kathy Kraninger said she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney, the controversial acting director whom she replaced in the powerful regulatory position. To underscore that point, the former White House aide said she would even reconsider a Mulvaney action that critics saw as a gratuitous jab at Democrats who championed the agencys creation: changing its name to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. Kraningers declaration during a meeting with reporters Tuesday addressed one of the main criticisms of her selection. She is considered a protege of Mulvaney, her boss at the White House Office of Management and Budget who has executed a dramatic, industry-friendly shift at the watchdog agency. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trumps pick for chief of staff, Nick Ayers, out of running By Associated Press Nick Ayers, right, with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, at the funeral service for George H.W. Bush on Dec. 3. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Associated Press) President Trumps top pick to replace John F. Kelly as chief of staff, Nick Ayers, is no longer expected to fill that role. Thats according to a White House official who is not authorized to discuss the personnel issue by name and spoke on condition of anonymity. Ayers is Vice President Mike Pences chief of staff. The official says that Trump and Ayers could not agree on Ayers length of service. The father of young children, Ayers had agreed to serve in an interim capacity though the spring, but Trump wanted a two-year commitment. The official says that Ayers will instead assist the president from outside the administration. Trump announced Saturday that Kelly would be departing the White House around the end of the year. Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @VP, and my great colleagues for the honor to serve our Nation at The White House. I will be departing at the end of the year but will work with the #MAGA team to advance the cause. #Georgia Nick Ayers (@nick_ayers) December 9, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement U.S. hiring slows to 155,000 jobs, unemployment rate holds at 3.7% By Jim Puzzanghera Job growth slowed significantly in November but still was solid, indicating the economy remains in good shape but not expanding so quickly that it will lead to sharply higher interest rates. U.S. employers added 155,000 jobs last month, well below analyst expectations and a steep decline from Octobers strong 237,000 figure, the Labor Department reported Friday. Still, monthly job gains are averaging 206,000 this year, the best since 2015. Even the slower pace of 170,000 over the last three months is close to last years average of 182,000 and well above the amount needed to keep up with population growth. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump is expected to pick State Department spokeswoman for U.N. ambassador By Associated Press Heather Nauert at a briefing at the State Department on Aug. 9, 2017. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President Trump is expected to nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Two administration officials confirmed Trumps plans. A Republican congressional aide said the president was expected to announce his decision by tweet on Friday morning. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly before Trumps announcement. Trump has previously said Nauert was under serious consideration to replace Nikki Haley, who announced in October that she would step down at the end of this year. Trump has been known to change course on staffing decisions in the past. Nauert was a reporter for Fox News Channel before she became State Department spokeswoman under former Secretary Rex Tillerson. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Senate confirms new consumer financial protection chief: Kathy Kraninger, protege of industry-friendly Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera The Senate, in a party-line vote Thursday, confirmed White House aide Kathy Kraninger to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and experts predicted a continuation of the industry-friendly shift it has taken since President Trump installed an acting director last year. Kraninger is a protege of acting director and White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney, an outspoken critic of the agency that was created in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis to prevent predatory lending and other abuses that led to it. Democrats and consumer advocates have denounced him for sharply departing from the aggressive watchdog role the bureau had pursued under its first director, Obama-appointee Richard Cordray, including scaling back enforcement and moving to reassess tough new rules on payday loans and narrow the definition of abusive practices by banks and other firms. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Shutdown postponed by two weeks under plan approved by Congress By Erik Wasson Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), shown at the Capitol on Tuesday, says President Trumps border wall is a waste of money. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Congress passed a two-week stopgap spending bill that will delay the chance of a partial government shutdown until Dec. 22 as lawmakers and President Donald Trump negotiate over his demands to pay for a wall on the southern border. The House and Senate passed the measure Thursday without dissent, and Trump has indicated hell sign the bill before the current shutdown deadline of midnight Friday. Negotiations were delayed by memorial services this week for former President George H.W. Bush. The temporary measure gives Democrats and Republicans more time to find a resolution to their biggest hurdle: funding a wall on the U.S. Mexico border wall. Trump says he wants $5 billion for parts of a concrete wall on the southern border and is willing to shut down the government if he doesnt get it. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has said Democrats will provide no more than $1.6 billion for border security, because the wall is a waste of money. The presidents demands for wall funding from Congress come after he said during the campaign that Mexico would pay for it. This week he said on Twitter that a $25 billion border wall would pay for itself in two months, without providing evidence. Most of the U.S. governments $1.2 trillion discretionary budget has been appropriated already by Congress for the fiscal year that began on Oct. 1. Departments at a risk of a partial shutdown late this month include the departments of State, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Treasury and Homeland Security. Talks to resolve the differences have been on hold since a meeting among Trump, Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California originally slated for Dec. 4 was postponed due to Bush memorial events. The three are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby of Alabama told reporters the rest of the seven-bill spending package being negotiated is basically done. Shelby in recent weeks had tried to broker a compromise in which Trumps $5 billion request would be split over two years, but Schumer has rejected that. Some Democrats have been willing to trade border wall funding for deportation protections for young undocumented immigrants. Pelosi ruled out such a deal in remarks to reporters Thursday. The stopgap government funding measure also would extend the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides subsidized coverage for homes in flood-prone areas, to Dec. 21. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Bipartisan Senate group wants to formally blame Saudi crown prince for journalists killing By Karoun Demirjian Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires. (Associated Press) A bipartisan group of senators filed a resolution Wednesday condemning Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, directly challenging President Trump to do the same. This resolution -- without equivocation -- definitively states that the crown prince of Saudi Arabia was complicit in the murder of Mr. [Jamal] Khashoggi and has been a wrecking ball to the region jeopardizing our national security interests on multiple fronts, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a statement accompanying the release of the resolution. It will be up to Saudi Arabia as to how to deal with this matter. But it is up to the United States to firmly stand for who we are and what we believe. The resolution put forward by Graham and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who are expected to lead the Judiciary Committee together next year, comes just one day after CIA Director Gina Haspel briefed leading senators about the details of the agencys assessment that Mohammed ordered and monitored the killing and dismemberment of Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Senators emerged from that closed-door briefing furious not only with Saudi Arabia, but Trump as well for dismissing the heft of the CIAs findings. You have to be willfully blind not to come to the conclusion that this was orchestrated and organized by people under the command of MBS and that he was intricately involved in the demise of Mr. Khashoggi, Graham said following the briefing, referring to Mohammed by his initials. He added that Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, who briefed senators last week, were at best being good soldiers and at worst were in the pocket of Saudi Arabia for presenting the evidence of Mohammeds involvement as inconclusive. The release of the resolution condemning Mohammed also comes as the Senate is preparing to move ahead with debate on a resolution to curtail U.S. support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. Though the Yemen resolution does not directly address Khashoggis murder, its popularity is a sign of how strained the United States patience with Saudi Arabia is on multiple fronts, including its role in worsening the civilian cost of the war in Yemen, cited by the United Nations as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Last week, the Senate voted 63 to 37 to advance the Yemen resolution past an opening procedural hurdle. But Graham and Feinsteins resolution on the crown prince has the potential of drawing broader support, especially from Republicans, who are deeply divided about how fiercely to punish Saudi Arabia over Khashoggis killing. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who has been an outspoken advocate for human rights and is seen as one of the more influential foreign policy voices in the GOP, did not vote for the Yemen resolution last week or sign on to a bipartisan measure last month to sanction Saudi officials and cease weapons transfers to the kingdom. But he is an original co-sponsor of the resolution condemning Mohammed over Khashoggis death. So is Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), who represents the other end of the GOP spectrum in terms of recent Saudi-related votes and endorsements. Young was an initial co-sponsor of the bill Graham wrote with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) to sanction Saudi officials deemed responsible for Khashoggis killing and stop the sale of anything but exclusively defensive weapons to the kingdom until it ceased hostilities in Yemen. Young also voted to advance the Yemen resolution something Graham did as well, though Graham has signaled he will not be lending any similar support to the measure, fearing it may establish a precedent of invoking the War Powers Act too broadly. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) are listed as original co-sponsors of the resolution condemning Mohammed, which also urges Saudi Arabia to negotiate with Houthi rebels to end the Yemen war, work out a political solution to its standoff with Qatar and release political prisoners. But how much sway the resolution has probably comes down to how forcefully the administration decides to heed it -- and thus far, Trump has not shown any interest in condemning the crown prince the way the senators hope he will. Demirjian reports for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Los Angeles County offices and U.S. Postal Service closed Wednesday in honor of George H.W. Bush By Brian Park The Honor Guard carries the casket of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush following his funeral on Dec. 5 in Washington, DC. (Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images) The U.S. Postal Service will suspend regular mail delivery Wednesday, which President Trump has declared a national day of mourning in honor of former President George H.W. Bush. All retail postal outlets will be closed, and package delivery will be limited. In Los Angeles, all nonessential county departments, offices and libraries will be closed for the day, L.A. County officials said. The Los Angeles County Library said no overdue fines will be assessed for books, and due dates will be moved forward one week. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offices also are closed Wednesday. The Sheriffs Department, Fire Department, clinics and hospitals will continue to operate, the county said. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health clinics are being operated with reduced staffing, and the department asked patients to confirm or reschedule any appointments. All county courts and the disaster recovery centers for the Woolsey fire in Malibu and Agoura Hills will remain open. Larger federal government operations will be closed Wednesday. To honor the life and legacy of President Bush, the Postal Service will observe the National Day of Mourning. Learn how Postal operations will be affected. https://t.co/Mffch7bPCh pic.twitter.com/vG46BsIOpm U.S. Postal Service (@USPS) December 4, 2018 L.A. County offices and libraries will be closed tomorrow (Dec 5) in observance of the #NationalDayOfMourning for President George H. W. Bush. The Countys Disaster Recovery Centers in Malibu & Agoura Hills will remain open from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. pic.twitter.com/Sv1J7GoJ7T Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) December 4, 2018 @LAPublicHealth offices will be closed tomorrow December 5 in observance of the national Day of Mourning for President George H. W. Bush. Essential Services including clinics and other services will remain open: https://t.co/tZGoGGHRlg pic.twitter.com/ypXsV6vlYY LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) December 4, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to skip 2020 White House race, sources say By Associated Press Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick speaks during an interview in Boston on Dec. 15, 2014. (Elise Amendola / Associated Press) Former Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts will soon announce he wont launch a 2020 presidential campaign, according to three sources familiar with his plans. They did not say why the Democrat decided against a run. A formal announcement was delayed as the country observed a day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush, one source said. News of Patricks plans was first reported by Politico. Patrick, 62, served two terms as governor, from 2007 to 2015, was assistant attorney general for civil rights in the Clinton administration and since leaving the governors office has been a managing director for Bain Capital. Patrick traveled the country in support of Democratic candidates in the recent midterm election. Earlier this year, some of Patricks supporters and close advisors started the Reason to Believe political action committee, a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing a positive, progressive vision for our nation in 2018 and 2020. Reason to Believe PAC had been holding meetups across the country, including in early presidential primary states. While Patrick is opting against a 2020 run, dozens of Democrats are considering jumping in, including nearly a half-dozen members of the Senate, several House members, and other Massachusetts politicians. On Tuesday, Michael Avenatti, the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels and a vocal critic of President Trump, said in a statement that he would run. Patrick had previously expressed some concerns about breaking through if he sought the nomination, telling David Axelrod, a former advisor to President Obama, that he wasnt sure he could stand out in such a large field. Its hard to see how you even get noticed in such a big, broad field without being shrill, sensational or a celebrity, and Im none of those things and Im never going to be any of those things, Patrick said in a September interview with Axelrod. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Former Trump adviser Roger Stone invokes 5th Amendment right and wont testify before Senate Judiciary Committee By Associated Press Roger Stone in 2017. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) Roger Stone, an associate of President Trump, says he wont provide testimony or documents to the Senate Judiciary Committee. An attorney for Stone said in a letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the committees top Democrat, that Stone was invoking his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination in refusing to produce documents or appear for an interview. Stone has been entangled in investigations by Congress and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III about whether Trump aides had advance knowledge of Democratic emails published by WikiLeaks during the 2016 election. Stone has not been charged and has said he had no knowledge of the timing or specifics of WikiLeaks plans. In the letter to Feinstein, Stone said the committees requests were far too overbroad, far too overreaching and far too wide-ranging. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch live: Vice President Pence and lawmakers honor George H.W. Bush at the U.S. Capitol before he lies in state Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Rebuilding crumbling infrastructure has bipartisan support. But who gets to pay for it? By Jim Puzzanghera The grades for major U.S. infrastructure would give any parent indigestion if they were on a childs report card. Roads: D; bridges: C+; dams: D; ports: C+: railways: B; airports: D; schools: D+; public transit: D-. The nations overall grade: D+, which translates to being in fair to poor condition and mostly below standards with significant deterioration and a strong risk of failure, according to an evaluation last year by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump calls former lawyer Michael Cohen a weak person who is lying By Associated Press President Trump says his former lawyer Michael Cohen is lying to get a reduced sentence. The president is reacting to Cohens guilty plea Thursday to lying to Congress about work he did on a Trump real estate project in Russia. During a surprise court hearing, Cohen admitted to lying in testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee about a plan to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. Cohen in his guilty plea said he made the false statements to be consistent with Trumps political message. Cohens lawyer says he continues to cooperate with special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation into Russian election interference and possible coordination with Trump associates. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Mark Z. Barabak When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Sarah D. Wire When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Michael Cohen, President Trumps ex-lawyer, pleads guilty to lying to Congress about Trump real estate project in Russia By Associated Press Michael Cohen, President Trumps former personal lawyer, pursued a Russian real estate project on candidate Trumps behalf well into the 2016 campaign, he said Thursday while pleading guilty to lying to Congress. Cohen had previously said that the project was abandoned in January 2016, but he now admits he continued to pursue a deal and says he updated Trump and members of his family about the negotiations, according to a new court document. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement James Comey says acting Atty. Gen. Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer By John Wagner Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker speaks at the Justice Department in Washington on Nov. 14. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) Former FBI Director James B. Comey apparently isnt too impressed with the mental prowess of President Trumps acting attorney general. Matthew Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, Comey said during a radio interview on Monday night in which he sized up the man Trump installed this month to replace ousted Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions. Comey was asked by WGBH News in Boston if he thinks Whitaker could derail the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Whitaker has spoken critically of the probe, and Trump as recently as Tuesday continues to call it a witch hunt. I think its a worry, but to my mind not a serious worry, Comey said. The institution is too strong, and [Whitaker], frankly, is not strong enough to have that kind of impact. He may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, but he can see his future and knows that if he acted in an extralegal way, he would go down in history for the wrong reasons, and Im sure he doesnt want that, added Comey, who was fired by Trump last year and later wrote a book that portrays the president as an ego-driven congenital liar. Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney in Iowa, was Sessions chief of staff before being picked by Trump to lead the Justice Department. Trump has called Whitaker a very smart man. Earlier this year, Trump called Comey an untruthful slime ball. Wagner writes for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Interior Department watchdog clears Zinke in investigation of Utah national monument By Juliet Eilperin Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, third from the left, and Gov. Jerry Brown tour fire damage in Paradise, Calif., on Nov. 14. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The Interior Departments Office of Inspector General has cleared Secretary Ryan Zinke in a probe of whether he redrew boundaries of a national monument in Utah to aid the financial interests of a Republican state lawmaker and stalwart supporter of President Trump. In a Nov. 21 letter to Zinkes deputy, David Bernhardt, Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall wrote that her office found no evidence that the secretary or his aides changed the boundaries of Utahs Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in an effort to help former Utah state representative Mike Noel, who serves as executive director of the Kane County Water Conservancy District. Last December, Trump shrank the monument, first established by President Clinton in 1996, by 46% based on Zinkes recommendation. Noel owns 40 acres that had been surrounded by the monument, but now lies outside its boundaries. The new boundaries also would make it easier to construct the proposed Lake Powell Pipeline, which would deliver water to sites in Kane County that include Noels property. Earlier this year, the Interior Department had proposed selling off 120 acres of federal land from the former monument that lay adjacent to some of Noels land holdings, but later reversed the plan. We found no evidence that Noel influenced the DOIs proposed revisions to the [monuments] boundaries, that Zinke or other DOI staff involved in the project were aware of Noels financial interest in the revised boundaries, or that they gave Noel any preferential treatment in the resulting proposed boundaries, Kendall wrote. Neither the Interior Department nor the inspector generals office would release the actual investigative report. In the letter, Kendall writes that her office will provide the report to Congress no sooner than 31 days from Nov. 21, when it is provided it to Zinkes office. The Associated Press first reported the inspector generals conclusions Monday night, but did not provide details from the report itself. Noel emailed Zinke about the effort to alter Grand Staircase-Escalante, according to emails released by Interior under the Freedom of Informational Act. But those emails do not make references to Noels land holdings. Noel also pushed to rename a Utah highway in honor of Trump, but abandoned that effort in March after some of his fellow Republicans objected to the idea. Noel did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. The inspector generals office still has at least two ongoing probes of the secretary, including one focused on his real estate dealings in Whitefish, Mont., and another regarding his decision to deny a permit to two Connecticut tribes who were hoping to jointly run a casino after MGM Resorts International lobbied against it. Interior Department spokeswoman Heather Swift welcomed the watchdogs conclusions. The report shows exactly what the secretarys office has known all along that the monument boundaries were adjusted in accordance with all rules, regulations and laws, she said in an email. This report is also the latest example of opponents and special interest groups ginning up fake and misleading stories, only to be proven false after expensive and time consuming inquiries by the IGs office. But Kendalls spokeswoman, Nancy DiPaolo, defended the inquiry, even though she said the report has not been publicly released and we will not be speaking specifically about the matter at this time. The OIG opens investigations based on credible allegations and reports our findings objectively and independently, DiPaolo added. Any time or resources spent investigating conduct or activity that may be a violation of law, regulation or policy is a service to the public, Congress and the Department. Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement that he still intended to investigate the way Zinke and his colleague redrew the boundaries for Grand Staircase-Escalante and another Utah national monument, Bears Ears, next year. I have great respect for the inspector general, and I accept these findings, but Secretary Zinke should have known the people he listened to while destroying our national monuments had disqualifying conflicts of interest, he said. Should I chair the Natural Resources Committee in the next Congress, the process he and President Trump used to destroy Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante will be front and center in our oversight and investigations efforts. We need to know why they ignored overwhelming public expressions of support for both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, why they ignored Native American tribes throughout their decision-making, and why they removed protections on parcels of land with known mineral deposits. Eilperin and Rein report for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump advisor Larry Kudlow says China must do more to end trade war By Jim Puzzanghera Larry Kudlow, President Trumps top economic advisor, said Tuesday that Chinas response to U.S. efforts to rework the two economic superpowers trade relationship has been extremely disappointing but the planned meeting this weekend between the nations leaders is an opportunity for a breakthrough. They have to do more. They must do more, Larry Kudlow, director of the White House National Economic Council, told reporters ahead of a Saturday dinner between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 Summit in Argentina. I think the president is exactly right to show strong backbone when prior administrations did not, to break through these Chinese walls, Kudlow said. Theyre so resistant to change. We have to protect the country. We have to protect our technology, our inventiveness, our innovation. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch live: White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders holds a media briefing amid tensions at the border By Los Angeles Times Staff Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Democrat TJ Cox grabs lead over Republican David Valadao in nations last remaining undecided House race By Maya Sweedler Democrat TJ Cox slipped past Republican incumbent David Valadao on Monday to take the lead in the countrys sole remaining undecided congressional race, positioning Democrats to pick up their seventh House seat in California and 40th nationwide. Cox, who trailed by nearly 4,400 votes on election night, has steadily gained as ballot counting continues nearly three weeks after the Nov. 6 election, a pattern consistent with the states recent voting history. On Monday, he pulled ahead by 438 votes after Kern County updated its results. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former CIA director Michael Hayden hospitalized after suffering a stroke By Deanna Paul Then-CIA Director Michael Hayden testifies before a Senate committee in 2008. (Saul Loeb / Getty Images) Former CIA Director and retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke, his family said Friday. He is receiving expert medical care for which the family is grateful, according to a statement issued by his namesake organization. The General and his family greatly appreciate the warm wishes and prayers of his friends, colleagues, and supporters. Hayden, 73, served as director of the CIA and National Security Agency during the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. He retired from the CIA in 2009. Hayden has been a vocal critic of Donald Trumps campaign and presidency. Earlier this year, after Trump decided to revoke the security clearance of former CIA director John Brennan, Hayden was one of several former intelligence leaders who signed a statement in opposition. Criticizing the president for crossing a line, he quickly became one of the individuals whose security clearance Trump threatened to review. Deanna Paul writes for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump tells troops hes thankful for what hes done for the U.S. and rails against courts and migrants By Associated Press President Trump talks with troops via teleconference from his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Thanksgiving. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump used his Thanksgiving Day call to troops deployed overseas to pat himself on the back and air grievances about the courts, trade and migrants heading to the U.S.-Mexico border. Trumps call, made from his opulent private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., struck an unusually political tone as he spoke with members of all five branches of the military to wish them happy holidays. Its a disgrace, Trump said of judges who have blocked his attempts to overhaul U.S. immigration law, as he linked his efforts to secure the border with military missions overseas. Trump later threatened to close the U.S. border with Mexico for an undisclosed period of time if his administration determines Mexico has lost control on its side. The call was a uniquely Trump blend of boasting, peppered questions and off-the-cuff observations as his comments veered from venting about slights to praising troops You really are our heroes, he said as club waiters worked to set Thanksgiving dinner tables on the outdoor terrace behind him. It was yet another show of how Trump has dramatically transformed the presidency, erasing the traditional divisions between domestic policy and military matters and efforts to keep the troops clear of politics. You probably see over the news whats happening on our southern border, Trump told one Air Force brigadier general stationed at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, adding: I dont have to even ask you. I know what you want to do, you want to make sure that you know who were letting in. Later, Trump asked a U.S. Coast Guard commander about trade, which he noted was a very big subject for him personally. Weve been taken advantage of for many, many years by bad trade deals, Trump told the commander, who sheepishly replied, Mr. President, from our perspective on the water we dont see any issues in terms of trade right now. And throughout, Trump congratulated himself, telling the officers that the country is doing exceptionally well on his watch. I hope that youll take solace in knowing that all of the American families you hold so close to your heart are all doing well, he said. The nations doing well economically, better than anybody in the world. He later told reporters, Nobodys done more for the military than me. Indeed, asked what he was thankful for this Thanksgiving, Trump cited his great family as well as himself. I made a tremendous difference in this country, he said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump contradicts CIA assessment that Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi killing By Josh Dawsey | Washington Post (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump on Thursday contradicted the CIAs assessment that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, insisting that the agency had feelings but did not firmly place blame for the death. Trump, in defiant remarks to reporters from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, defended his continued support for Mohammed in the face of a CIA assessment that the crown prince had ordered the killing. He denies it vehemently, Trump said. He said his own conclusion was that maybe he did, maybe he didnt. I hate the crime .... I hate the cover-up. I will tell you this: The crown prince hates it more than I do, Trump said. Asked who should be held accountable for the death of Khashoggi, who was killed at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey, Trump refused to place blame. Maybe the world should be held accountable because the world is a very, very vicious place, the president said. He also seemed to suggest that all U.S. allies were guilty of the same behavior, declaring that if the others were held to the standard that critics have held Saudi Arabia to in recent days, we wouldnt be able to have anyone for an ally. Trumps remarks came after he held a conference call with U.S. military officers overseas, during which he repeatedly praised his administration and sought to draw the officers into discussions of domestic policy. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former FBI Director James Comey gets subpoena from House Republicans By Bloomberg Former FBI Director James B. Comey said he has received a subpoena from House Republicans, according to a Twitter post on Thursday. Bloomberg News reported last week that Comey would be receiving a subpoena alongside former Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch as part of continuing probes into their handling of investigations into Hillary Clinton and Russian election meddling, according to a top House Democrat. Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. Im still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a closed door thing because Ive seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Lets have a hearing and invite everyone to see. James Comey (@Comey) November 22, 2018 Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Republican David Valadaos lead slips to 447 votes over Democrat TJ Cox in still-undecided Central Valley House race By Mark Z. Barabak Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), right, finds himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox. (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) On election night, it looked like Rep. David Valadao had survived a close shave and was destined to return to Washington for his fourth term. But on Wednesday, when Fresno County announced its latest vote totals, the Hanford Republican found himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox, with his lead in the Central Valley district shrunken to 447 votes. Thousands remain to be counted. Valadao, a repeated Democratic target, finished election night with a lead of nearly 4,440 votes. Cox, an engineer and a business owner who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2006, has steadily gained ground in the 21st Congressional District ever since. The trend is consistent with historic patterns showing Republicans in California tend to vote early and Democrats later, meaning their mail ballots continue to stream in past election day. Under California law, ballots postmarked up to midnight on Nov. 6 will be counted. Democrats have already picked up six House seats in California. They ousted Reps. Dana Rohrabacher, Mimi Walters, Steve Knight and Jeff Denham and won the seats of retiring Reps. Ed Royce and Darrell Issa. All six represented districts that backed Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016. Valadao was the seventh California Republican in a district Clinton won, though his previous successes he last won reelection by a 14-point margin suggested his ouster was a longer shot for Democrats. If Cox prevails, it would give Democrats a 40-seat gain nationwide, far more than the 23 seats needed to take control when Congress reconvenes in January. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump says no new punishments against Saudi Arabia in Jamal Khashoggi murder By Eli Stokols In this Oct. 25 photo, candles are lit in front of a photo of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Lefteris Pitarakis) President Trump made it clear on Tuesday that he does not intend to punish Saudi Arabia or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an American resident killed by Saudi officials in Turkey in October. In a remarkable statement replete with exclamation points, Trump cast doubt on the CIAs reported conclusions that it has a high degree of confidence that the crown prince ordered Khashoggis murder and sent his closest allies to Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul to carry it out. Read MoreThis article has been updated with staff. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Sixteen House Democrats vow to oppose Nancy Pelosi as next speaker By Mike DeBonis | Washington Post House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Sixteen House Democrats said Monday that they will vote to deny Rep. Nancy Pelosi another stint as House speaker, a show of defiance that puts her opponents on the cusp of forcing a seismic leadership shake-up as their party prepares to take the majority. Their pledge to oppose Pelosi (D-San Francisco), both in an internal caucus election and a Jan. 3 floor vote, delivered in a letter sent to Democratic colleagues, comes as Pelosi has marshaled a legion of supporters on and off Capitol Hill to make her case. But her opponents said Monday they are convinced it is time to select a new leader. We are thankful to Leader Pelosi for her years of service to our Country and to our Caucus, they wrote. However, we also recognize that in this recent election, Democrats ran on and won on a message of change. Pelosi has expressed complete confidence that she will retake the speakers gavel in January eight years after she lost it following massive Republican gains in the 2010 midterms and 16 years after she was first elevated to the top Democratic leadership post in the House. Come on in, the waters fine, she said Friday about a potential leadership challenge. The signers might not be able to force Pelosi out themselves. The size of the Democratic majority remains in flux, but Democrats have already won 232 seats, according to the Associated Press, with five races still undecided. All those races have Republican incumbents, but the Democratic challenger is ahead in only one of them. If the leads hold in the uncalled races, Democrats would have won 233 seats, a 16-seat majority. That means Pelosi could lose as many as 15 Democratic votes when she stands for election as speaker on Jan. 3. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democratic senators sue over Whitakers appointment as acting attorney general By Associated Press Acting U.S. Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker (Nicholas Kamm / AFP/Getty Images) Three Senate Democrats filed a lawsuit Monday arguing that Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and asking a federal judge to remove him. The suit, filed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, argues that Whitakers appointment violates the Constitution because he has not been confirmed by the Senate. Whitaker was chief of staff to Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions and was elevated to the top job after Sessions was ousted by President Trump on Nov. 7. The Constitutions Appointments Clause requires that the Senate confirm all principal officials before they can serve in their office. The Justice Department released a legal opinion last week that said Whitakers appointment would not violate the clause because he is serving in an acting capacity. The opinion concluded that Whitaker, even without Senate confirmation, may serve in an acting capacity because he has been at the department for more than a year at a sufficiently senior pay level. President Trump is denying senators our constitutional obligation and opportunity to do our job: scrutinizing the nomination of our nations top law enforcement official, Blumenthal said in a statement. The reason is simple: Whitaker would never pass the advice and consent test. In selecting a so-called constitutional nobody and thwarting every senators constitutional duty, Trump leaves us no choice but to seek recourse through the courts. The lawsuit comes days after a Washington lawyer challenged Whitakers appointment in a pending Supreme Court case dealing with gun rights. The attorney, Thomas Goldstein, asked the high court to find that Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and replace him with Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Rosenstein, the second-ranking Justice Department official, has been confirmed by the Senate and had been overseeing special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker is now overseeing the investigation. The Justice Department issued a statement Monday defending Whitakers appointment as lawful and said it comports with the Appointments Clause, the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and legal precedent. There are over 160 instances in American history in which non-Senate confirmed persons performed, on a temporary basis, the duties of a Senate-confirmed position, Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said. To suggest otherwise is to ignore centuries of practice and precedent. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gov. Rick Scott says Sen. Bill Nelson concedes Florida Senate race By Associated Press Republican Senate candidate Rick Scott speaks with his wife, Ann, by his side at an election watch party in Naples, Fla., on Nov. 7. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas Republican Gov. Rick Scott says incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson called him to concede defeat in their extremely tight race. Scott issued a statement Sunday saying Nelson graciously conceded their Senate race shortly after the states recount ended. The final results show Scott defeated Nelson by just over 10,000 votes out of 8 million cast. Nelson is scheduled to release a videotaped statement later Sunday. The defeat ends Nelsons lengthy political career. The three-term incumbent was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000. Before that he served six terms in the U.S. House and as state treasurer and insurance commissioner for six years. Scott spent more than $60 million of his own money on ads that portrayed Nelson as out-of-touch and ineffective. Nelson responded by questioning Scotts ethics and saying he would be under the sway of President Trump. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Orange County goes blue, as Democrats complete historic sweep of its seven congressional seats By Michael Finnegan Gil Cisneros defeated Republican Young Kim on Saturday in the last of Orange Countys undecided House races, giving Democrats a clean sweep of the states six most fiercely fought congressional contests and marking an epochal shift in a region long synonymous with political conservatism. With Cisneros victory, Democrats will constitute the entirety of Orange Countys seven-member congressional delegation, the first time since the 1930s that the birthplace of Richard Nixon, home of John Wayne and spiritual center of the Republican Party will have no GOP representative in the House. Sitting back in the 1960s, I would never have believed this would happen, said Stuart K. Spencer, a party strategist who spent more than half a century ushering Republicans, including President Reagan, into office. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Going, going ... with midterm wipeout, California Republican Party drifts closer to irrelevance By Michael Finnegan For a party in freefall the last two decades, California Republicans learned that its possible to plunge even further. The GOP not only lost every statewide office in the midterm election again, in blowout fashion but Democrats reestablished their supermajority in Sacramento, allowing them to legislate however they see fit After major defeats in Orange County and the Central Valley, two longtime strongholds, Republicans will have a significantly smaller footprint on Capitol Hill. (Democrats hold both Senate seats.) When the vote-counting is finished, the GOP may not even have enough lawmakers in Californias 53-member House delegation to field a nine-person softball team. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter says she will support Rep. Nancy Pelosi for speaker By Maya Sweedler Democratic Rep.-elect Katie Porter is congratulated by volunteers at her campaign headquarters in Irvine. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter said she plans to support Rep. Nancy Pelosis bid for speaker of the House and will make campaign finance reform her top priority when she enters the chamber in January. Im going to continue to have conversations, but so far I feel like Leader Pelosi is definitely making the things that were a priority to the families that elected me her priorities, including announcing her support for campaign finance reform and anti-corruption as HR1, Porter said in her first public appearance since being declared the winner in Californias 45th Congressional District on Thursday evening. It means a lot to me that she is a Californian. She understands our state, Porter added. When we talk about environmental protections, this is a person who understands as a Californian how fragile our environment is and whats at risk in things like drilling off our coasts. Porter, a law professor at UC Irvine, defeated two-term Republican Rep. Mimi Walters. The 45th District, covering inland Orange County, has never been represented by a Democrat. Porter became the third Democrat to claim a Republican-held seat in Orange County, following the victories of Harley Rouda in the 48th District and Mike Levin in the 49th. A fourth, Gil Cisneros, is running slightly ahead of his Republican opponent in the race for the open seat in the 39th District, which extends into Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Porter attributed the massive political shift in the county, for decades a conservative stronghold, to increased levels of political engagement. Folks here care about education, they care about the environment, they believe climate change is real, they want healthcare that protects preexisting conditions, they want a tax system that doesnt punish California, they want our schools and places of worship to be safe from gun violence, she said. Those are the issues we campaigned on, and to the extent that Donald Trump and Mimi Walters were on the wrong side of those issues, the voters have made clear what direction they want us to go. Porter was flying back from the East Coast when her race was called, she said. She turned on her phone to find 167 text messages from friends and supporters. Among them was Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who was one of Porters teachers in law school and with whom she has remained close. The pair spoke via FaceTime this morning, she said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Bitter battle for Senate seat in Florida goes to hand recount By Associated Press Employees look through damaged ballots during a recount Thursday in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas acrimonious battle for the U.S. Senate headed Thursday to a legally required hand recount after an initial review by ballot-counting machines showed Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson separated by less than 13,000 votes. But the highly watched contest for governor between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum appeared to be over, with a machine recount showing DeSantis with a large enough advantage over Gillum to avoid a hand recount in that race. Gillum, who conceded the contest on election night only to retract his concession later, said in a statement that it is not over until every legally casted vote is counted. The recount so far has been fraught with problems. One large Democratic stronghold in South Florida was unable to finish its machine recount by the Thursday deadline due to machines breaking down. A federal judge rejected a request to extend the recount deadline. We gave a heroic effort, said Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher. If the county had three or four more hours, it would have made the deadline to recount ballots in the Senate race, she said. Meanwhile, election officials in another urban county in the Tampa Bay area decided against turning in the results of their machine recount, which came up with 846 fewer votes than originally counted. Media in South Florida reported that Broward County finished its machine recount but missed the deadline by a few minutes. Counties were ordered last weekend to do a machine recount of three statewide races because the margins were so tight. The next stage is a manual review of ballots that were not counted by machines to see whether there is a way to figure out voter intent. Scott called on Nelson to end the recount battle. Its time for Nelson to respect the will of the voters and graciously bring this process to an end rather than proceed with yet another count of the votes which will yield the same result and bring more embarrassment to the state that we both love and have served, the governor said in a statement. The recount has triggered multiple lawsuits, many of them filed by Nelson and Democrats. The legal battles drew the ire of U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker, who slammed the state for repeatedly failing to anticipate election problems. He also said the state law on recounts appears to violate the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that decided the presidency in 2000. We have been the laughingstock of the world, election after election, and we chose not to fix this, Walker said during a morning hearing. Walker vented his anger at state lawmakers and Palm Beach County officials, saying they should have made sure they had enough equipment in place to handle this kind of a recount. But he said he could not extend the recount deadline because he did not know when Palm Beach County would finish its work. This court must be able to craft a remedy with knowledge that it will not prove futile, Walker wrote in his ruling turning down the request from Democrats. It cannot do so on this record. This court does not and will not fashion a remedy in the dark. The overarching problem was created by the Florida Legislature, which Walker said passed a recount law that appears to run afoul of the 2000 Bush vs. Gore decision by locking in procedures that do not allow for potential problems. A total of six election-related lawsuits are pending in federal court in Tallahassee as well at least one lawsuit filed in state court. Walker also ordered that voters be given until 5 p.m. Saturday to show a valid identification and fix their ballots if they have not been counted due to mismatched signatures. Republicans appealed the ruling, but an appeals court turned down the request. State officials testified that nearly 4,000 mailed-in ballots were set aside because local officials decided the signatures on the envelopes did not match the signatures on file. If those voters can prove their identity, their votes will be counted and included in final official returns due from each county by noon Sunday. Walker was asked by Democrats to require local officials to provide a list of people whose ballots were rejected. But the judge appointed by President Obama refused the request, calling it inappropriate. Under state law, a hand review is required with races that have a margin of 0.25 percentage points or less. A state website put the unofficial results showing Scott ahead of Nelson by 0.15 percentage points. The margin between DeSantis and Gillum was at 0.41 points. The margin between Scott and Nelson had not changed much in the last few days, conceded Marc Elias, an attorney working for Nelsons campaign. But he said that he expected the vote tally to shrink due to the hand recount and the ruling on signatures. The developments fueled frustrations among Democrats and Republicans alike. Democrats want state officials to do whatever it takes to make sure every eligible vote is counted. Republicans, including President Trump, have argued without evidence that voter fraud threatens to steal races from the GOP. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democrat Gil Cisneros pulls ahead of Republican Young Kim as more votes are tallied in Orange and San Bernardino counties By Michael Finnegan Congressional candidate Gil Cisneros (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Democrat Gil Cisneros pulled ahead of Republican Young Kim in one of Californias undecided congressional races Thursday, an ominous sign for a GOP already reeling from its loss of four House seats in the state. In updated vote counts released by the registrars for Orange and San Bernardino counties, Kim fell 941 votes behind Cisneros in the contest to succeed Republican Rep. Ed Royce in Californias 39th Congressional District. The 39th straddles Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties. In another unresolved House race, Democrat Katie Porter pulled further ahead of Republican incumbent Mimi Walters in the 45th District, which includes Mission Viejo, Tustin, Irvine, Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Hills. Porter, a consumer attorney and UC Irvine law professor, is now 6,203 votes ahead. The Nov. 6 midterm election has been devastating to Republicans in California. If Cisneros and Porter win, the party will have lost six of its 14 House seats in the state, essentially a wipeout in every contest that both parties spent heavily to win. The three Republicans already bounced from Congress are Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa, Steve Knight of Palmdale and Jeff Denham of Turlock in the San Joaquin Valley. Democrat Mike Levin won the seat of retiring GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of Vista in the fourth district flipped so far. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Florida Senate race likely headed to second recount By Associated Press A Palm Beach County Sheriffs deputy walks past boxes of ballots before a recount on Nov. 15 in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee) Unofficial Florida election results show that the governors race seems to be settled after a machine recount but the U.S. Senate race is likely headed to a hand recount. Republican Ron DeSantis is virtually assured of winning the nationally watched governors race over Democrat Andrew Gillum. Florida finished a machine recount Thursday that showed Gillum without enough votes to force a manual recount. Unofficial results posted on a state website show the margin between U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott is still thin enough to trigger a second review. State law requires a hand recount of races with a margin of 0.25 percentage point or less. Counties have until Sunday to inspect the ballots that did not record a vote when put through the machines. Those ballots are re-examined to see whether the voter skipped the race or marked the ballot in a way that the machines cannot read but can be deciphered. The election will be certified Tuesday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Pelosi says she has the votes to become the next House speaker By John Wagner Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi speaks during a news conference in Washington on Nov. 14. (Susan Walsh) House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi insisted Thursday that she has the votes to become the chambers speaker despite solid opposition from more than a dozen Democrats who want fresh leadership when the party takes control next year. I have overwhelming support in my caucus to be speaker of the House, the San Francisco lawmaker told reporters. I happen to think at this point, Im the best person for that. A vote within the Democratic caucus is scheduled for Nov. 28. The full House votes on Jan. 3 to elect a new speaker. During her remarks, Pelosi touted the size of the Democratic victory in the midterms, which she called almost a tsunami. With a few races still to be decided, Democrats are poised to pick up close to 40 seats in the chamber. Pelosi called that the biggest victory for the Democrats since 1974, when the Watergate babies came in. Pelosis comments come as she faces solid opposition from at least 17 Democrats, setting the stage for a battle over who will ascend to one of the most powerful positions in Washington. After a campaign in which some Democrats prevailed in competitive districts by promising to oppose her, a coalition of incumbents and newly elected members has denied her a smooth path to the speakership. The defections, if they stand, would leave Pelosi, who has led the Democrats for more than 15 years, several votes short of the 218 she would need when the full House votes for speaker Jan. 3. However, no Democrat has stepped forward to run against her for a job she held from 2007 through 2010. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) told reporters Wednesday that shes being encouraged to stand for speaker if Pelosi doesnt have the votes. In an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday, she said she has been overwhelmed by the support from many of her colleagues for her possible entry into the race for House speaker. Over the last 12 hours, Ive been overwhelmed by the amount of support Ive received, Fudge said, adding that there are probably closer to 30" Democrats who have privately signaled that they are willing to oppose Pelosi. Things could change rapidly, Fudge said. Fudge, 66, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said she is building a diverse coalition as she mulls a speaker run, talking with allies in the caucus, moderate Democrats and newly elected members. To this point, Pelosi has enjoyed the strong backing of the Congressional Black Caucus. On Thursday, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), one of its members, wrote a letter to colleagues praising her insight, fortitude and strategic thinking and urging support for her speakership bid. Former Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr., an African American who is contemplating a 2020 presidential bid, also voiced support for Pelosi, praising her in a tweet as an architect of the recent midterm success. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a leader of the resistance to Pelosi, said during an interview on CNN on Thursday that Fudge is the kind of new leader that we need in this party. Shes in touch with middle America. She understands what the American people want. Shes a next-generation leader that people will look to and say, Thats the future of our party, thats the future of our country, and thats exactly the kind of leader that I want to see as our next speaker. Wagner reports for the Washington Post. The Posts Robert Costa, Erica Werner, Mike DeBonis, Paul Kane and Elise Viebeck contributed to this report. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement GOP Rep. Jeff Denham concedes to Democrat Josh Harder in Central Valley race By Maya Sweedler Rep. Jeff Denham (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) Republican Rep. Jeff Denham has conceded to Democrat Josh Harder in the race to represent Californias 10th Congressional District in the San Joaquin Valley. It has been an absolute honor to serve our community and represent the Central Valley in Congress over the past eight years, the 51-year-old congressman said. The enormity of the responsibility was never lost on me. My wife Sonia and I look forward to starting the next chapter of our lives. Harder said he had spoken with Denham and the two were committed to a productive transition. Denham, an Air Force veteran, previously represented the region in the state Senate for eight years and founded a company specializing in plastic packaging used in agriculture. While a member of Congress, he sat on the Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans Affairs and Agriculture committees. First-time candidate Harder was born and raised in the district. After graduating from Stanford University, he served as vice president of a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. Since moving back, he has been teaching at Modesto Junior College. Denhams House seat is one of four in California that Republicans lost in the Nov. 6 election, with two contests in Orange County still undecided as of Thursday morning. Jeff Denham called me this morning and we had a very productive conversation. I'm honored that I've been chosen to serve our community in Congress, and we're both looking forward to a productive transition that best serves the people of District 10. Josh Harder (@JoshHarder) November 14, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democrat Katie Porter now nearly 3,800 votes ahead of GOP Rep. Mimi Walters By Maya Sweedler Rep. Mimi Walters thanks all of her supporters as she watches election results in Irvine on Nov. 7, 2018. (Alex Gallardo / Associated Press) Democrat Katie Porter opened a 3,797-vote lead Wednesday over Republican Rep. Mimi Walters in Orange Countys 45th Congressional District. In the neighboring 39th, Democrat Gil Cisneros has nearly tied the race against Republican Young Kim. Cisneros now trails Kim by a razor-thin margin of 122 votes. The 39th District straddles Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties; Wednesdays updated ballot counts came from the latter two. There are more than 202,000 ballots left to count in Orange County, which includes parts of seven congressional districts. The 45th is entirely in inland Orange County. In California, the ballots counted first tend to lean Republican and those tallied later skew Democratic. In the Central Valleys 21st Congressional District, Democratic challenger TJ Cox has pulled within 2 percentage points of Rep. David Valadao, who is serving his third term. The Associated Press had projected a win for Valadao on election night, but his 4,839-vote advantage has shrunk to 2,090. Back in CA-21, Valadao (R) wins a batch of ballots from his stronghold in Kings Co., but by a considerably smaller margin (14 points) than his previous ~30-point margin in the county. We're moving to Lean R from Likely R; today a bit scary for Valadao.https://t.co/WqJVUVkqGW Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) November 15, 2018 A spokesman for Valadao told the Fresno Bee that the changes were expected and that [s]tatistically, David Valadao has won this race. Democrats in California have already flipped four House seats, defeating three Republican incumbents and claiming an open seat previously held by the GOP. Reps. Steve Knight of Palmdale, Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Jeff Denham of Turlock have already lost their races, and retiring Rep. Darrell Issas San Diego County seat was claimed by Democrat Mike Levin. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump aide departs West Wing after rebuke from Melania Trump By Associated Press First Lady Melania Trump. (Alain Jocard / AFP-Getty Images) Deputy national security advisor Mira Ricardel is leaving the White House, one day after First Lady Melania Trumps office issued an extraordinary statement calling for her dismissal. No replacement was named. Aides said Ricardel clashed with the first ladys staff over her visit to Africa last month. Yet it is highly unusual for a first lady or her office to weigh in on personnel matters, especially the presidents national security staff. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Ricardel would have a new role in the administration. On Tuesday, Stephanie Grisham, the first ladys spokeswoman, released a statement saying, It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House. President Trumps White House has set records for administration turnover. Ricardel was the third person to hold the post under Trump. An ally of national security advisor John Bolton, Ricardel began her service in the Trump administration as associate director in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, then moved to the Commerce Department last year. Bolton brought her into the West Wing shortly after taking the job in April. He is traveling in Asia this week alongside Vice President Mike Pence. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Race for House Minority Leader is Kevin McCarthys to lose By Associated Press (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is running to take over next years shrunken caucus in closed-door elections that will set the tone for the new Congress. The race for minority leader is McCarthys to lose Wednesday. But the California Republican, who is an ally of President Trump, must fend off a challenge from conservative Jim Jordan of Ohio. Jordan is a leader of the House Freedom Caucus. The two encountered questions and finger-pointing during a private meeting with lawmakers Tuesday night as the GOP sorted through the midterm defeat that put Democrats in the majority next year. Elections Wednesday will also determine party leadership in the Senate. Voting for the biggest race, Nancy Pelosis bid to return as the Democrats nominee for speaker, is later this month. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Melania Trump calls for the firing of deputy national security advisor By Justin Sink First Lady Melania Trump arrives at the Chateau de Versailles outside Paris on Nov. 11. (Alain Jocard / AFP/Getty Images ) First Lady Melania Trumps office said she wants Mira Ricardel, the deputy national security advisor, ousted from the White House. It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House, Trumps spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement in response to a question about reports the first lady had sought Ricardels removal. Ricardel is the top deputy to national security advisor John Bolton. She drew the first ladys wrath after threatening to withhold National Security Council resources during Melania Trumps trip to Africa last month unless Ricardel was included in her entourage, one person familiar with the matter said. Grishams statement comes as several media outlets have reported that President Trump is considering a broader shakeup of his administration, including ousting Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Sink and Jacobs report for Bloomberg. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print CNN sues Trump over the suspension of Jim Acostas White House press credentials By Jim Puzzanghera CNN said Tuesday that it is suing President Trump and other administration officials over the decision to suspend the White House press credentials of correspondent Jim Acosta after a conflict at a news conference last week. The suit, to be filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, escalates an ongoing battle between Trump and the cable news outlet that he frequently accuses of disseminating fake news for its aggressive coverage of him and his administration. The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acostas 1st Amendment rights of freedom of the press, and their 5th Amendment rights to due process, CNN said in a written statement. If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Maxine Waters to take aim at Wells Fargo and Deutsche Bank as new head of House Financial Services Committee By Jim Puzzanghera Rep. Maxine Waters plans to zero in on two big banks Wells Fargo & Co. and Deutsche Bank when she becomes head of the powerful House Financial Services Committee. The Los Angeles congresswoman, now the committees top Democrat, is widely expected to gain the gavel after her party won control of the House in last weeks elections. While Waters has outlined a wide-ranging agenda, she said her focus on bank oversight will target two large institutions she has been tangling with for a while including one, Deutsche Bank, that spills into her bitter feud with President Trump. With Trump in the White House, I know that our fight for Americas consumers and investors will continue to be challenging. But I am more than up to that fight, Waters wrote in a letter last week to her Democratic colleagues on the committee that was obtained by The Times. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Heres how a controversial voting system will decide a congressional race in Maine By Kurtis Lee For the first time in U.S. history, a controversial voting system known as ranked choice is being used to decide a federal election. Its happening in Maine, which adopted the system in 2016. Rather than marking a single candidate, each voter ranks them all, assigning a first-place vote, a second-place vote and so on down the ballot. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print ACLU files suit to stop Trumps new asylum limits By Associated Press A group of Central American migrants march to the office of the U.N.'s humans rights body in Mexico City on Nov. 8. (Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press) The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a legal challenge to President Trumps order denying asylum to migrants if they cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. The lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court in San Francisco and argues the new rules are against the law. Attorney Lee Gelernt said the regulations will put families in danger. The suit seeks to declare the regulations invalid and wants a judge to stop the rules from going into effect while the litigation is pending. The new rules were spurred in part by caravans of Central American migrants slowly moving north on foot, but officials say they will apply to anyone caught crossing illegally. Officials say about 70,000 people who enter the country illegally claim asylum. The order invoked the same national security powers Trump used to push through his travel ban. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump on new acting AG: I dont know Matt Whitaker By Associated Press President Trump talks with reporters before departing for France on the South Lawn of the White House on Nov. 9. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) President Trump is moving to distance himself from Matthew Whitaker as he faces criticism over his choice for acting attorney general. Trump told reporters Friday that I dont know Matt Whitaker and said he didnt speak with Whitaker about special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker has made public comments critical of Muellers investigation, and critics have called on Whitaker to recuse himself from oversight of the inquiry. Under former Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, the investigation was overseen by Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Of the scrutiny Whitaker is facing, Trump said: Its a shame that no matter who I put in they go after. He also called Whitaker a very highly respected man. Whitaker was Sessions chief of staff before Trump made him Sessions interim replacement. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg out of hospital after fall By Associated Press The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is home after being released from the hospital. She had been admitted for treatment and observation after fracturing three ribs in a fall. The court said Ginsburg was released Friday. Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg says she is doing well and working from home. The court had previously said the justice fell in her office at the court on Wednesday evening and went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gun-control activist Lucy McBath defeats GOP Rep. Karen Handel in Georgia By Associated Press Lucy McBath speaks during a rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams on Nov. 2 at Morehouse College in Atlanta. (Alyssa Pointer / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Democratic gun-control activist Lucy McBath has defeated Republican Rep. Karen Handel of Georgia in a suburban congressional district long considered safe for the GOP. Handel had to seek reelection after winning her seat last year in a close special election race against Democrat Jon Ossoff. McBath became an advocate for stricter gun laws after her son, Jordan Davis, was fatally shot at a Florida gas station in 2012 by a man angry over loud music the teenager and his friends were playing in a car. McBaths margin of victory was narrow enough for Handel to have requested a recount. The Associated Press declared McBath the winner Thursday after Handel conceded. Handel conceded in a statement Thursday morning, stating that after reviewing all of the election data, its clear she came up a bit short in Tuesdays vote. Handel congratulated McBath, offering good thoughts and much prayer for the journey that lies ahead for her. McBath, who is African American, declared victory Wednesday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hospitalized after fracturing 3 ribs in fall By Associated Press Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fractured three ribs in a fall in her office at the court and is in the hospital. The court says the justice went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. The court says the fall occurred Wednesday evening. Ginsburg was admitted to the hospital for treatment and observation after tests showed she fractured three ribs. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She has had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print White House suspends press pass of CNNs Jim Acosta after heated exchange with Trump By Associated Press The White House on Wednesday suspended the press pass of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta after he and President Trump had a heated confrontation during a news conference. They began sparring after Acosta asked Trump about the caravan of migrants heading from Latin America to the southern U.S. border. When Acosta tried to follow up with another question, Trump said, Thats enough! and a female White House aide unsuccessfully tried to grab the microphone from Acosta. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement accusing Acosta of placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern, calling it absolutely unacceptable. The interaction between Acosta and the intern was brief, and Acosta appeared to brush her arm as she reached for the microphone and he tried to hold onto it. Pardon me, maam, he told her. Acosta tweeted that Sanders statement that he put his hands on the aide was a lie. CNN said in a statement that the White House revoked Acostas press pass in retaliation for his challenging questions Wednesday, and the network accused Sanders of lying about Acostas actions. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. It is also completely disrespectful to the reporters colleagues not to allow them an opportunity to ask a question. President Trump has given the press more access than any President in history. Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Contrary to CNNs assertions there is no greater demonstration of the Presidents support for a free press than the event he held today. Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters... Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 As a result of todays incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice. Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Sanders provided fraudulent accusations and cited an incident that never happened. This unprecedented decision is a threat to our democracy and the country deserves better, CNN said. Jim Acosta has our full support. Journalists assigned to cover the White House apply for passes that allow them daily access to press areas in the West Wing. White House staffers decide whether journalists are eligible, though the Secret Service determines whether their applications are approved. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump spars with reporters at post-election news briefing, ordering several to sit down By Associated Press President Trump assails CNNs Jim Acosta at a White House news conference. President Trump sparred with reporters at his post-election news conference, ordering several to sit down and telling another hes a rude, terrible person. He told another reporter hes not a fan of yours, either. The presidents mood turned sour Wednesday after reporters pressed him on why he referred to a migrant caravan making its way to the U.S. on foot through Mexico as an invasion. Trump ramped up his anti-immigrant rhetoric against the caravan in the final days of the midterm elections. Trump was also pressed on why his campaign aired an ad featuring a Mexican immigrant convicted of killing American police officers and linking the mans actions to the caravan. Several television networks pulled the ad after airing it or declined to air it at all. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Im living one hour at a time at this point By Christine Mai-Duc Republican congressional candidate Young Kim and gubernatorial candidate John Cox campaign in Rowland Heights. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Republican congressional candidate Young Kim greeted gubernatorial candidate John Coxs giant campaign bus, the words HELP IS ON THE WAY emblazoned across it, as it rolled into the parking lot outside her Rowland Heights field office. Standing beside Cox on Saturday, Kim predicted that a string of GOP victories Tuesday would start with voters repealing the gas tax hike. Can you imagine Gavin Newsom being our governor? Can you imagine Gil Cisneros being your representative? Kim asked the crowd, to loud boos and cries of Nooo! The former state assemblywoman who worked for retiring Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) is vying for his seat with Democrat Gil Cisneros. She led the crowd in chants of Enough is enough! and, though short-lived, Drain the swamp! Ive served you in Sacramento and Ive seen dysfunction personally, Kim continued. We cannot continue that route. She urged her supporters to stay and help make phone calls or walk neighborhoods. Lets get out there the 72 hours is really critical. Its all going to come down to a few votes, it could be your vote, she said pointing to her left, then pivoting right, it could be your vote. So dont sit back and do nothing. Every night I go to sleep thinking, OK, how many more votes can I get or how many more people can I call tomorrow? Kim said. It can be physically exhausting but Im mentally, emotionally very energized. She listed off her events so far that day and the next one she was heading to. Thats just what I can remember, she said. Im living one hour at a time at this point. Kims campaign invited press to two of her events on Saturday. After she was whisked away to her next event a high tea fundraiser in Walnut, a couple dozen volunteers remained. John Freeman, a statewide field manager for the state Republican Party, tried to pump them up. This is the Super Bowl. Were not in an NFL stadium, were not getting paid millions of dollars, but you know what? Freeman said. Were walking on the field right now. This is that high-stakes-level game. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Its going to be tough out there Democratic candidate Katie Porter speaks to volunteers in Mission Viejo. Jon Bauman, Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na, is in the background. (Victoria Kim / Los Angeles Times ) Judging from the cheers in the crowd, about half those assembled at Katie Porters campaign headquarters in Mission Viejo Sunday morning were old enough to remember 70s rock n roll star Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na. Jon Bauman, as Bowzer is known off stage, said it was her position on senior issues including retirement and social security that has him out supporting Porter over her opponent, incumbent Rep. Mimi Walters. I want you to make sure every phone is called and every door is knocked, he told the crowd of about 80 volunteers. There has never been a more important election. Both Bauman and his nephew, California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman, were interrupted by yells from Trump supporters coming from an adjoining hillside. We love Trump, the voice cried out. We love him too, he makes great fodder, the younger Bauman retorted, before introducing Porter. Porter, a UC Irvine law professor and first-time candidate, acknowledged the uphill battle some of her canvassers might face in this more conservative end of the long-red Orange County district. I know its going to be tough out there, she said, motioning to the hillside. But she said the attacks meant the other side viewed her campaign as a significant threat. This election is going to be close, she said. If we dont fight all the way to the finish line, until 8 oclock on Tuesday, this could slip away. Bowzer then took to a keyboard piano to lead the crowd in a reworded rendition of the song Good Night Sweetheart: Good night, Mimi Walters, he crooned. A woman in a black tank top, jeans and flip flops holding a cup of coffee later joined the crowd with her two sons, 17 and 14, the younger one wearing a Trump 2016 T-shirt. She declined to give her name, saying she was concerned about being attacked, but said she lived up the hill and said she had been the one yelling. She said she was encouraging her sons to talk to people on both sides and make up their own minds. We need to have a government that runs the way government teachers are telling kids its supposed to be run, said the woman, a retired registered dental assistant who voted early for Mimi Walters. Referring to Democrats, she said: Theyve had control over all these years and Californias gone to crap. Among those canvassing was Stacie Campbell, 37, who was at the launch with her husband Jerome and three children, the youngest of whom was 2 months old. Campbell, a Mission Viejo resident who runs a business, had never canvassed or volunteered for campaigns before, and her husband is a French citizen and unable to vote. She said they had been talking to their children the older ones are 5 and 2 about the presidency and the government since Trumps election. Together, they worked on homemade Katie Porter lawn signs and put them up around town. This is the first time its felt like a big deal and there isnt a president up for election, she said. Because her city is a mix of conservatives and liberals her next-door neighbor is an NRA-supporting Republican she the race felt m Every big trial has a star a crusading prosecutor or a slick defense attorney, a red-faced defendant or an emotional witness. For the trial of Paul Manafort, President Trumps former campaign chairman, its none of the above. As the proceedings enter their second week, the indisputable center of attention so far is the judge, T.S. Ellis III, whose cantankerous, jocular, impatient and verbose presence has shaped each step of the way. From his high-backed, burgundy leather chair, a wave of thin hair atop his head, Ellis pivots between jokes and rebukes, making him the rare source of theater in a case that has dwelt on dreary financial records and testimony from accountants. If I was at a dinner party, I would want to sit next to him, said James Dana Adams Jr., a 66-year-old retiree who lives near the courthouse and has been attending each day of testimony to soak up the spectacle of the first trial on charges brought by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. Advertisement Prosecutors may not feel the same way. Theyre halfway through presenting their case against Manafort for tax evasion, bank fraud and conspiracy, and so far, theyve borne the brunt of the judges wit and criticisms. The badgering started as soon as the trial began, when Ellis twice interrupted Assistant U.S. Atty. Uzo Asonye, urging him to couch his opening statement in terms of the evidence he planned to present. This courtroom sketch shows Judge T.S. Ellis III, back center, listening to an opening statement from Assistant U.S. Atty. Uzo Asonye. (Dana Verkouteren / Associated Press) Ellis has frequently halted questioning he believes to be imprecise or unnecessary, and has chided prosecutors for lingering on how Manafort spent his millions a $21,000 watch, a $15,000 jacket made from ostrich rather than the legal issue of whether he avoided taxes. When an FBI agent testified about finding invoices for tens of thousands of dollars worth of expensive suits, home renovations and flashy cars during a search of Manaforts condo in Alexandria, Ellis interrupted. Enough is enough, the judge said. You dont convict people because they have a lot of money. You cant pull one over him very easily, and you better be precise in what you say, said John Zwerling, a defense attorney in Alexandria who has tried dozens of cases before Ellis. If he thinks youre going to do that, hell jump all over you. Ellis isnt above a self-deprecating remark about his age or his hearing, jokingly asking a witness to speak louder at one point. My hearing is not what it once was, he said. Nothing is what it once was. But as a 78-year-old senior judge appointed to the bench by President Reagan in 1987, he demands lawyers respect. On the second day he admonished them for rolling their eyes. Rein in your facial expressions! he snapped. Ellis carries himself with the confidence of someone who assumes few people know more than him about the law or any other topic. He holds an engineering degree from Princeton University and law degrees from Harvard Law School and the University of Oxford. He served in the Navy from 1961 to 1967, then worked in private practice at the Richmond, Va., law firm Hunton & Williams for nearly two decades before Reagan appointed him to the bench in 1987. At the firm, he overlapped with Lewis F. Powell, who was a prominent partner until he was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1971. High-profile criminal cases have punctuated Ellis 31-year career as a federal judge, including the trial of American Taliban John Walker Lindh, an American citizen who traveled to Afghanistan to train with Al Qaeda and was captured during the 2001 U.S. invasion. Lindh accepted a plea bargain and Ellis sentenced him to 20 years in prison without parole. As a senior member of the bench, Ellis seems to take pleasure in schooling attorneys on matters large and small. During a discussion about offshore bank accounts in Cyprus specifically Nicosia, the largest city on the Mediterranean island Ellis jumped in to correct Greg Andres, the assistant special counsel. Ive been to Greece, not to Cyprus. But I think they pronounce it Nicosia, Ellis said, with an emphasis on the O. Later in the day, Asonye articulated the citys name differently. I was wrong? Ellis said sarcastically. I dont know how to pronounce it? Asonye apologized and labored to use the judges preferred pronunciation for the rest of his remarks. Follow the latest news of the Trump administration on Essential Washington Zwerling said he has seen Ellis who was born in Colombia and speaks fluent Spanish correct interpreters on their translations of Spanish-speaking witnesses. The defense has not been spared. When Kevin Downing, one of Manaforts attorneys, belatedly rose to object to a prosecutors question, Ellis smirked. Youre a little slow, arent you? he said. Slow is definitely not something Ellis approves of. He seems determined to uphold the courts reputation for having a rocket docket. That has led to clashes at times with prosecutors, who have meticulously walked witnesses through financial records. Are you familiar with what an audit is? What is an audit? Did Mr. Manafort sign the tax return? Can you read for the jury the fine print about perjury? When Andres asked Ellis if they could take a break after an hour and a half of questioning Manaforts former bookkeeper, the judge declined. No, he said. Now is a good time for you to finish. He frequently orders next question, losing his patience, for example, during testimony from Michael Regolizio, the owner of a landscape company who worked on Manaforts 10-bedroom home in Bridgehampton, N.Y. At one point prosecutors questions focused on an invoice that appeared to be faked, lingering on the choice of font and the formatting to show the jury how it differed from authentic company documents. Just ask him the final question! Ellis barked. Then turning to Regolizio, he asked, Is this a document from your business? OK, next question, Ellis said after Regolizios reply. Ellis has also been sensitive to any issue that could prejudice the jury against Manafort, who worked as a political consultant for Ukraines pro-Russia government until 2014, when Viktor Yanukovych was ousted as president. Prosecutors said he avoided taxes on $15 million in income, and Ellis scolded them for using the term oligarch to describe powerful Ukrainians who paid Manafort. All we know is they had a lot of money, he said. The word oligarch has come to have a pejorative tone. The judges impatience with lawyers does not prevent him from indulging in his own tangents about his age (hes never had email and never will), his family (his wife is happier as an English teacher than a lawyer), his grammatical preferences (its best not to use split infinitives in front of Ellis) and his decades of experience on the bench. At one point Ellis apologized to the courtroom after conferring privately with the defense and prosecution. The bench conferences have gone on a little long, but I am, at my age, disposed to tell stories, and they had to listen to my stories, Ellis explained. The jury has been the frequent audience for the judges comedic routine. During the selection process, he assured potential jurors that the experience would not be too traumatic. Those who do end up being selected as jurors, I hope you will not hurry to slit your wrists, Ellis said. The court will provide you lunches every day. Trials can be very dry, and your mind can start wandering away from the testimony, Zwerling said. He breaks it up. I think its a technique to keep the jury focused on the trial. Ellis allowed the jurors to bring a birthday cake into the courthouse on Friday, but not before doling out another quip. You may indeed bring in a birthday cake, he said. Its not my birthday. I quit having those years ago. chris.megerian@latimes.com eliza.fawcett@latimes.com Four weeks to go and by our count, using state records, there are 1,357 pieces of legislation to either pass or kill for this final month of action in the California Legislature. Were expecting some major debates on wildfires and climate change, and the last hurrah for Gov. Jerry Brown in helping craft policies before he leaves office in early January. In the meantime, the week begins with something new from President Trump: a revision, it seems, of his stance on the 2016 meeting at Trump Tower that may be a key part of the Russia election investigation. Sign up for the Essential Politics newsletter Advertisement WHAT DID TRUMP (JR.) KNOW AND WHEN DID HE KNOW IT? Trump on Sunday acknowledged that Donald Trump Jr. met Russian representatives in June 2016 at Trump Tower to get information on an opponent. That contradicted Trumps past statements on the meetings purpose and was his most explicit declaration yet that his eldest son agreed to see the Kremlin-linked figures in hopes of obtaining damaging information on Hillary Clinton. Expect more questions to be raised this week about the presidents weekend tweet. Were also awaiting the second week of the trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. And as Chris Megerian writes, the indisputable center of attention so far is Judge T.S. Ellis III, whose cantankerous, jocular, impatient and verbose presence has shaped each step of the way. ONE YEAR AFTER CHARLOTTESVILLE This week marks the first anniversary of the violent and deadly melee in Charlottesville, Va., part of a series of events last summer that left an indelible mark on the national pysche. Hundreds traveled to the city for a rally in support of their belief that white people are superior. But in the year since, many supporters of white rights who frequently appeared on campus speaking tours or smaller gatherings throughout the country have become significantly less visible even as the number of neo-Nazi groups has increased, according to members of white supremacy groups, anti-racism activists and other observers. NATIONAL LIGHTNING ROUND -- The president faced renewed accusations of racism Saturday after mocking the intelligence of Lakers superstar LeBron James and CNN broadcaster Don Lemon. -- A federal judge has reaffirmed his ruling that the Trump administration must reinstate the program that shielded hundreds of thousands of young immigrants from deportation. -- Brett Kavanaugh, Trumps nominee to the Supreme Court, has argued special investigations of presidents are a mistake and a sitting president should be accorded temporary immunity from any criminal probe while in office. -- The U.S. labor market remained in solid shape last month, adding 157,000 jobs although workers are still waiting for significant gains in their purchasing power because prices are also rising. CALIFORNIAS DEADLY FIRE SEASON: THE LOOMING DEBATE When state lawmakers convene in Sacramento on Monday afternoon, they will be staring down a hard and fast deadline to wrap up their work for the year by Aug. 31. And no topic will be more contentious or timely than how to position the state for an ultra-dry and fire-prone future. July was a shockingly hot month across the state, and the Mendocino Complex fire in Lake County is now the most worrisome of the states 17 blazes that were being battled through the weekend. The smoke from many of those fires lingers over the city of Sacramento, as lawmakers prepare to grapple with demands for new wildfire prevention policies and perhaps most notably whether fires involving the equipment of electric utilities should be treated differently when it comes to who pays. The governor, who traveled to Redding and the scene of the deadly Carr fire on Saturday, wants the Legislature to loosen the current system where the utilities are often on the hook for billions of dollars in payments. There is concern that we could lose our utilities, Brown said last week of possible investor-owned utility company bankruptcies. And if we do that, our whole program, of trying to deal with renewable energy and mitigate climate change, would be adversely affected. Well be keeping a close eye on the debate all month on our Essential Politics news feed. JOHN COX: SOME, NOT ALL, OF HIS TAX RETURNS The Republican candidate for governor, after months of silence on the issue, has offered a glimpse of his income tax returns. But only a glimpse. John Cox allowed The Times to review the summary pages of his 2016 and 2017 returns last week, along with forms outlining his tax deductions and interest and dividend income. He withheld tax information for the string of business partnerships that generate most of his income. Cox earned more than $2.1 million in 2016 and 2017, mostly from investments in apartment buildings in the Midwest, according to the documents. The disclosure was far less than that of Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, his Democratic challenger. But it was more than the refusal to reveal financial information from Gov. Brown in the 2010 and 2014 gubernatorial campaigns. TODAYS ESSENTIALS -- More than a dozen people were arrested Sunday afternoon amid a tense right-wing rally and counter-protest in Berkeley that officials worried might see the kind of violence that broke out last year after President Trumps election. -- The California Supreme Court ruled Thursday that San Diegos six-year-old pension cutbacks were not legally placed on the ballot because city officials failed to negotiate with labor unions before pursuing the measure. -- The backers of the so-called Calexit effort to cleave California off from the rest of the nation are forming a new plan that would reserve a chunk of the new state for an autonomous native nation. -- Backers of Proposition 6, the plan to repeal Californias gas tax increase thats funding road repairs, seem to be running on fumes in their latest campaign cash report. -- Opponents of expanding rent control in California raised nearly $10 million through the first half of this year, the beginning of whats expected to be one of the costliest fights on the states November ballot. -- California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra announced Thursday that the state will join a lawsuit filed against the Trump administration to block the release of blueprints for 3-D-printed guns. -- A pair of anti-vaccine activists has filed a lawsuit against state Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), who authored a controversial vaccine law, for blocking the activists on Twitter. They say it has limited their 1st Amendment rights. -- An Orange County state senator, who won a special election in June that was triggered by Californias recent gas tax increase, wants transportation officials to remove the signs that point out road repairs paid for with the funds. LOGISTICS Essential Politics is published Monday and Friday. You can keep up with breaking news on our politics page throughout the day. And are you following us on Twitter at @latimespolitics? Miss Fridays newsletter? Here you go. 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. There was recently a dramatic standoff between White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders and CNN White House reporter Jim Acosta, who tried to get Sanders to affirm or deny whether President Trump considers the press an enemy of the people. She demurred, by letting the presidents words stand for themselves. But this is not just a semantics issue. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, between 1992 and 2018 some 1,312 journalists have been killed worldwide, including 11 in the United States. The term enemies of the people was used effectively by Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin, among other dictators, to intimidate journalists, according to the Brookings Institution. Leaders words have power, and extremists among the Trumpites have already begun to mock and intimidate the press at Trump rallies. Whats next? A physical attack or even assassination? This does not mean that attacks on the president and his policies by liberal media are always justified sometimes they are mean and mocking. Nor is the nearly universal defense of him by conservative outlets merited in many cases. Journalists and their bosses have strong opinions, just like the rest of us. They, however, have an obligation to rise above bias and report facts. Too often, on both sides, fact and opinion are commingled, and the reading and viewing public is poorly served. We should demand better reporting. Benjamin J. Hubbard Costa Mesa * Voters should question Russian ties What a surprise: Putins favorite Congressman is embarrassing our district on a national stage again. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa), confronted with the revelation that hed dined with alleged Russian spy Maria Butina, scoffed to a Mother Jones reporter that, Theres not a person in this town who would not take a meeting to get material like that. Dont let him get away with it. This year we have a chance to send an ethical man to Washington in his place. Democrat Harley Rouda will work for the good of our district and our country, and hell restore the reputation of the 48th. Theres not a person in this town who shouldnt leap at that opportunity. Eliza Rubenstein Costa Mesa * Candidate should agree to debate I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments of letter writer Randy Curry (Rep. Dana Rohrabacher should answer questions at Feet to the Fire Forum, June 30). Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) should indeed go before his constituents to both debate his Democratic opponent Harley Rouda and explain the actions, views and positions he has taken in Washington, D.C. allegedly on our behalf. However, I would like to extend this call for political debate and accountability to all incumbents and their challengers at every level. Incumbents should be willing to not only debate their challengers but to interact with those they represent. This goes for those in all state Assembly seats as well. We need transparency and accountability in all levels in our Orange County races. Tim Geddes Huntington Beach How to get published: Email us at dailypilot@latimes.com. All correspondence must include full name, hometown and phone number (for verification purposes). The Pilot reserves the right to edit all submissions for clarity and length. The Glendale Community College Welcome Center will host a Welcome Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 24. There will be workshops, student panels, student services booths, campus tours, food, music and giveaways. Students can choose information sessions about a variety of topics including transferring, picking a major, financial aid, student life and student services. They can also purchase their books, parking permits and student ID photos. To RSVP, visit glendale.edu/welcomefair. Glendale Community College is located at 1500 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale. Open registration for the fall 2018 semester continues through Aug. 24. Fall semester classes will begin Aug. 27. The schedule of courses is available online at glendale.edu/schedules. For information about tuition-free, noncredit programs offered at the colleges Garfield campus, visit glendale.edu/ce. Pack-a-backpack drive continues For the 10th year, Glendale Community Colleges Multicultural and Community Engagement Center is partnering with the School on Wheels organization for a Pack-a-Backpack drive. To date, the schools students and employees have donated more than 700 backpacks and more than 12,000 school-supply items collected during the annual drive. The items are given to homeless schoolchildren in the community. The drive will continue through Sept. 28. Items needed include backpacks, pencils, ruled paper, binders, graphing paper and highlighters. For information about the drive, call (818) 240-1000, Ext. 5580. Auditions set for fall theater production Open auditions for the fall production by Glendale Community Colleges theater arts department will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 29 and 30 in the schools auditorium. The devised piece is yet to be titled, according to school officials. Those who plan to audition only need to pick one of the dates. Selected performers for the production are required to take two theater arts courses at the college. Stage managers and technical operators are also needed for the production. Those interested in behind-the-scenes roles should call (818) 240-1000, Ext. 5635 or 3044. Crew members must enroll in a technical theater course. The play will run Oct. 25 through Nov. 4 in the Studio Theatre. For more information about the auditions or the theater arts department go to glendale.edu/theatre or call 818-240-1000, Ext. 5618. Welding courses offered in the fall There are still some openings in Glendale Community Colleges welding program this coming fall. The welding/metallurgy department holds classes primarily in the afternoons and evenings to accommodate the schedules of working students, though some day classes have been added for the fall semester. The programs curriculum is designed to meet the needs of both certificate and transfer students. Occupational welding is a two-year program designed to prepare students to enter into the welding field as a combination welder. The emphasis is on students earning welding certification at the completion of the necessary courses. Some of the courses required for the certification include engineering print reading for industry, general welding, occupational welding, advanced welding procedures and principles of metallurgy and heat treating. Other program information can be found at glendale.edu/welding. Check the online class schedule for openings in the fall classes at glendale.edu/schedules. Free lip-reading course for the hearing impaired available A free lip-reading course will be offered by Glendale Community Colleges Center for Students with Disabilities beginning Aug. 27. The class will meet from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays at the Glendale Adult Recreation Center, 201 E. Colorado St. through Dec. 6. The class can be entered at any time during the semester. Register online at glendale.edu/apply. The course is designed to improve communication skills for those who are hearing impaired by recognizing visible sounds on the lips. The anatomy of the ear and the hearing process will be discussed, and interpretation of an audiogram will be explained. Speech therapist Stela Fejtek will be the instructor. She holds a masters degree in communicative disorders from California State University, Northridge. She is a learning-disabilities specialist at Glendale Community College, with extensive experience in aural rehabilitation. For more information, contact the instructor at sfejtek@glendale.edu or (818) 240-1000, Ext. 5413. WENDY GROVE is public information coordinator at Glendale Community College. Hes very fortunate, and blessed, to be able to come out of it the way he did, Giannone told Hank Wesch of Del Mar. Something like this is tough on everyone but hes cowboy tough. The last time he went down like this, last year at Oaklawn Park, he won two races the next day. Nakatanis agent, his son Matt , tweeted out this update Sunday morning: POSITIVE NEWS! We just met with the spinal specialist & he will be released from the hospital shortly. He thankfully escaped without any major injuries, however his timetable to return to riding is uncertain. Dont worry, we will come back stronger than ever! The accident occurred when Aussie Fox, ridden by apprentice Assael Espinoza , drifted in front of Irish Spring. The horses clipped heels and Irish Spring went down. Bitter Ring Down couldnt avoid Irish Spring and also went down. Both jockeys were unseated. The fall was fatal for Irish Spring. The stewards said Irish Spring died of his injuries and was not euthanized. Bitter Ring Down got back up and was grabbed by an outrider with no apparent injuries. A necropsy was planned for Irish Spring. Aussie Fox finished third but was placed last for interference. The stewards will decide if Espinoza will face any kind of suspension. Espinoza did visit the jockeys at the hospital on Saturday. The featured race of the day was the Grade 2 $200,000 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies going six furlongs. Its a strong group of fillies this year although its way too early to figure out if any will go against the males. The guess is none will. Bellafina won Sundays race by a growing 4 lengths over Del Mar May. Flavien Prat confidently rode her to the lead, seemed to slow her on the far turn, saving more than enough for the easy win. She was much the best. I was inside and didnt want to get stuck behind horses, Prat said. So, I let her roll out of there. Shes got some speed and she was comfortable. I asked her for her kick on the turn and she gave it to me. She felt good and I think shell run farther, too. She showed us in the afternoon what she has been showing us in the morning, Callaghan said. I actually didnt expect her to be on the lead. I just told Flavien to break and take it from there. I think shes a filly with a big future and shes just going to keep getting better. I dont want to say yes, definitely [to the Del Mar Debutante]. Its a possibility, but when youve got a filly that you think this much of, its better to be a little patient and work your way back from the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies. In the first stakes of the day, River Boyne won the Grade 3 $150,000 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. He had to work in mid-stretch but was still able to beat Arawak by 1 lengths. Going into the backside, he grabbed the bit and they were slowing it down up front, winning jockey Prat said. It put me in a bit of a tough spot. But he was comfortable, so it worked out. Hes a nice horse to ride. And I dont think hell have any problems with more distance. Hes showed he can handle it. He knows how much horse hes got underneath him and it has worked out pretty much every time, Mullins said. He got in a little tight back there and I was a little worried it might take away from his kick, but obviously it didnt. The [Del Mar Derby] is probably the next step. Always looking to add more subscribers to this newsletter. Cant beat the price. If you like it, tell someone. If you dont like it, then youre probably not reading this. Either way, send to a friend and just have them click here and sign up . Remember, its free, and all we need is your email, nothing more. Del Mar Charts Results for Sunday, August 5. Copyright 2018 by Equibase Company. Reproduction prohibited. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, California. All finishes confirmed by Plusmic USA. Official program numbers may not correspond with post position. 15th day of a 36-day meet. Clear & Fast FIRST RACE. 1 Mile. Purse: $25,000. Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $25,000-$22,500. Time 22.74 46.49 1:12.09 1:26.07 1:39.84 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 7 Upper Room 124 7 4 4 41 42 1 1 Gutierrez 1.60 2 Hard Fought 124 2 2 1hd 1hd 12 21 2 Roman 12.20 1 Topgallant 124 1 6 7 7 61 3 34 Pedroza 6.50 3 Zippy Groom 115 3 7 61 61 5 5 43 Espinoza 17.40 4 Aquila 120 4 5 31 34 32 42 510 Mn Garcia 4.10 6 Midnight Soot 120 6 3 54 52 7 7 6nk Talamo 8.40 5 Aurora d'Oro 120 5 1 2 2 2hd 65 7 Bejarano 3.10 7 UPPER ROOM 5.20 3.40 2.60 2 HARD FOUGHT 9.80 5.80 1 TOPGALLANT 3.60 $1 EXACTA (7-2) $25.70 $2 QUINELLA (2-7) $33.40 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (7-2-1-3) $57.13 50-CENT TRIFECTA (7-2-1) $62.30 WinnerUpper Room Dbb.c.4 by Harlan's Holiday out of For Royalty, by Not For Love. Bred by WinStar Farm, LLC (KY). Trainer: Peter Eurton. Owner: Gulliver Racing LLC and Legan, Dan. Mutuel Pool $257,658 Exacta Pool $140,150 Quinella Pool $6,481 Superfecta Pool $50,569 Trifecta Pool $83,887. ClaimedUpper Room by Hollendorfer, LLC and Robertson, Richard. Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer. ClaimedAquila by Lucas Downs, Ltd., McGoldrick, Brian, Victor Racing and Chew, Matt. Trainer: Matthew Chew. ClaimedAurora d'Oro by Belvoir, Vann and Sauci. Trainer: Vann Belvoir. Scratchednone. UPPER ROOM chased outside then off the rail, came out four wide into the stretch, drifted in and took the lead outside the runner-up in midstretch and held on gamely under urging. HARD FOUGHT had good early speed and dueled inside, inched away leaving the second turn, fought back along the fence in the final furlong and continued willingly to the wire. TOPGALLANT saved ground off the pace, went around a rival on the second turn then angled in nearing the stretch, came out again in deep stretch and finished with interest. ZIPPY GROOM chased a bit off the rail or outside a rival, came out four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. AQUILA pulled between horses then a bit off the rail, bid three deep leaving the first turn and on the backstretch and into the second turn, stalked outside a rival leaving that turn, drifted out some in the stretch and weakened. MIDNIGHT SOOT pulled his way along between horses then angled in and chased inside or just off the fence, found the rail again on the second turn, came out some in the stretch and had little left for the drive. AURORA D'ORO dueled outside the runner-up then between foes, stalked just off the rail leaving the second turn, dropped back in the drive and gave way. SECOND RACE. 6 Furlongs. Purse: $60,000. Maiden Special Weight. Fillies. 2 year olds. Time 22.44 45.97 1:11.08 1:17.92 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 7 Der Lu 120 7 2 2 2 1hd 13 Van Dyke 0.70 4 Bizwhacks 120 4 1 31 1hd 26 22 Gutierrez 7.50 3 Keeper Ofthe Stars 120 3 8 61 4hd 32 34 Smith 4.60 6 Giza Goddess 120 6 7 5hd 65 43 47 Stevens 31.50 2 Mercy Mercy 120 2 5 74 7 73 52 Desormeaux 22.30 8 Vegas Strong Baby 120 8 3 4 51 5 62 Bejarano 6.00 1 Courteous 120 1 4 11 32 64 72 Talamo 13.70 5 Heathers Grey 120 5 6 8 8 8 8 Roman 47.90 7 DER LU 3.40 2.80 2.10 4 BIZWHACKS 5.80 3.40 3 KEEPER OFTHE STARS 2.60 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (7-7) $12.20 $1 EXACTA (7-4) $6.70 $2 QUINELLA (4-7) $11.00 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (7-4-3-6) $22.44 50-CENT TRIFECTA (7-4-3) $14.00 WinnerDer Lu Ch.f.2 by Orb out of Taboo, by Forestry. Bred by Merriebelle Stable, LLC (KY). Trainer: Bob Baffert. Owner: Baoma Corporation. Mutuel Pool $365,713 Daily Double Pool $75,517 Exacta Pool $211,209 Quinella Pool $8,588 Superfecta Pool $95,375 Trifecta Pool $146,412. Scratchednone. DER LU stalked outside the runner-up, bid three deep on the turn and into the stretch, took the lead outside that one in midstretch and inched clear under some urging in the final sixteenth. BIZWHACKS close up stalking the pace a bit off the rail, bid inside to gain the advantage on the turn, came off the rail into the stretch, fought back inside the winner, could not match that one in the final sixteenth but was clearly second best. KEEPER OFTHE STARS chased just off the inside then along the rail on the turn and through the stretch and bested the others. GIZA GODDESS chased between horses then a bit off the rail leaving the turn, found the inside into the stretch, came out and weakened. MERCY MERCY between foes early, saved ground off the pace, came out into the stretch and also weakened. VEGAS STRONG BABY chased outside then three deep on the backstretch and turn and into the stretch drifted inward in the drive and gave way. COURTEOUS sped to the early lead, set the pace a bit off the rail, was between foes midway on the turn, dropped back leaving that turn and had nothing left for the stretch. HEATHERS GREY dropped back off the rail, continued outside a rival on the turn, came out into the stretch and failed to menace. THIRD RACE. 1 1/16 Mile Turf. Purse: $150,000. 'La Jolla H.'. Stakes. 3 year olds. Time 23.40 47.81 1:11.50 1:34.96 1:40.93 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 2 River Boyne 122 2 4 4hd 51 3hd 31 11 Prat 0.50 3 Arawak 118 3 6 6 6 6 4hd 2 Bejarano 10.80 5 Calexman 118 5 1 11 1hd 1hd 21 3nk Maldonado 5.10 6 Inscom 117 6 3 24 21 21 1hd 42 Mn Garcia 30.00 4 Restrainedvengence 121 4 2 53 4 52 5hd 5ns Roman 4.90 1 Move Over 118 1 5 32 3hd 4hd 6 6 T Baze 11.40 2 RIVER BOYNE (IRE) 3.00 2.40 2.10 3 ARAWAK 5.00 3.40 5 CALEXMAN 2.80 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (7-2) $4.20 $1 EXACTA (2-3) $7.90 $2 QUINELLA (2-3) $10.00 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (2-3-5-6) $13.44 50-CENT TRIFECTA (2-3-5) $13.20 WinnerRiver Boyne (IRE) Dbb.c.3 by Dandy Man (IRE) out of Clytha (GB), by Mark of Esteem (IRE). Bred by Limestone & Tara Studs (IRE). Trainer: Jeff Mullins. Owner: Red Baron's Barn LLC and Rancho Temescal LLC. Mutuel Pool $375,937 Daily Double Pool $44,585 Exacta Pool $157,203 Quinella Pool $6,486 Superfecta Pool $56,576 Trifecta Pool $102,216. Scratchednone. $1 Pick Three (7-7-2) paid $10.20. Pick Three Pool $95,085. RIVER BOYNE (IRE) stalked inside then between foes into the backstretch, steadied in tight off heels five eighths out, continued between foes to the stretch, came out some in the drive, bid three deep under left handed urging past the eighth pole to gain the lead in deep stretch and proved best. ARAWAK settled inside, came out into the stretch, split rivals in midstretch and gained the place three wide late. CALEXMAN sped to the early lead, set the pace inside then dueled along the rail, fought back to a short lead past the eighth pole, could not match the winner late and was edged for second. INSCOM pulled some and stalked off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter to battle for the lead, took a short advantage into the stretch, fought back between foes in deep stretch and was edged for the show. RESTRAINEDVENGENCE chased outside a rival then stalked three deep, had the rider lose the whip three wide nearing the stretch and lacked a rally. MOVE OVER (GB) saved ground chasing the early pace then pulled his way up into a tight spot off heels five eighths out, stalked along the inside to the stretch and did not rally. FOURTH RACE. 6 Furlongs. Purse: $30,000. Maiden Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $50,000. Time 22.60 46.50 59.28 1:12.70 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 8 Gypsy Blu 124 6 4 6 2hd 1 13 Mn Garcia 3.90 6 Z Z Tiger 120 4 2 11 11 24 21 Fuentes 2.80 2 Sunrise Royale 120 2 5 4hd 5hd 42 34 Franco 1.80 7 Dislitleaglecanfly 120 5 3 3hd 31 3hd 46 Gutierrez 5.20 1 Lucky Hand 124 1 6 51 6 6 5 Pena 25.10 4 Champagne Honey 113 3 1 2hd 41 51 6 Figueroa 4.90 8 GYPSY BLU 9.80 5.20 3.60 6 Z Z TIGER 4.20 3.00 2 SUNRISE ROYALE 2.60 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (2-8) $13.20 $1 EXACTA (8-6) $21.40 $2 QUINELLA (6-8) $24.20 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (8-6-2-7) $11.64 50-CENT TRIFECTA (8-6-2) $40.70 WinnerGypsy Blu B.f.4 by Papa Clem out of Salty Fries, by In Excess (IRE). Bred by Legacy Ranch Inc (CA). Trainer: David E. Hofmans. Owner: Legacy Ranch, Inc.. Mutuel Pool $361,588 Daily Double Pool $27,624 Exacta Pool $157,211 Quinella Pool $8,404 Superfecta Pool $66,924 Trifecta Pool $103,986. ScratchedEagle Ease, Grandma Gertrude. $1 Pick Three (7-2-8) paid $23.30. Pick Three Pool $41,097. GYPSY BLU chased off the rail then four wide into the turn, continued three deep leaving the turn and into the stretch, took the lead outside the runner-up in upper stretch, inched away under left handed urging past midstretch and won clear. Z Z TIGER sped to the early lead between foes, inched away and set the pace just off the rail, drifted out and fought back inside the winner in midstretch and held second. SUNRISE ROYALE bobbled some at the start, went up between foes to stalk the pace, steadied briefly between horses early on the turn, continued outside a rival into the stretch and bested the others toward the inside. DISLITLEAGLECANFLY stalked four wide on the backstretch and into the turn, angled in just off the rail on the turn, found the fence in the stretch and weakened. LUCKY HAND broke in and a bit slowly, went up inside to stalk the pace, steadied in tight into the turn, came out in the stretch and also weakened. CHAMPAGNE HONEY chased a bit off the rail then between horses, angled to the inside on the turn and had little left for the drive. FIFTH RACE. 5 Furlongs Turf. Purse: $60,000. Maiden Special Weight. 3 year olds and up. Time 21.88 44.37 56.00 Pgm Horse Wt PP St 3/16 3/8 Str Fin Jockey $1 6 Eskimo Roses 120 6 5 11 12 12 12 Desormeaux 2.50 3 Sir Eddie 120 3 3 71 5 41 2 Prat 1.40 7 Young Hendrick 120 7 4 2 21 21 3 Mn Garcia 5.60 5 Bahamian 120 5 6 5hd 3 3hd 4nk Gutierrez 6.70 4 Goldie's Hills 124 4 1 31 41 52 51 Harvey 68.30 1 Rumpus Cat 120 1 7 8 8 6hd 61 Roman 5.70 8 Boiler Plate 120 8 8 6 7hd 8 71 Pena 33.30 2 Magnum Maduro 120 2 2 4hd 61 7 8 Bednar 62.80 6 ESKIMO ROSES 7.00 3.20 2.40 3 SIR EDDIE 2.60 2.20 7 YOUNG HENDRICK 3.00 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (8-6) $51.80 $1 EXACTA (6-3) $7.20 $2 QUINELLA (3-6) $8.00 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (6-3-7-5) $9.87 50-CENT TRIFECTA (6-3-7) $14.50 WinnerEskimo Roses B.g.3 by Eskendereya out of Tiz Roses, by Tiznow. Bred by Kathryn Nikkel & Pegasus Stud LLC (KY). Trainer: Mick Ruis. Owner: Ruis Racing LLC. Mutuel Pool $392,808 Daily Double Pool $47,986 Exacta Pool $190,857 Quinella Pool $9,285 Superfecta Pool $89,524 Trifecta Pool $128,144. Scratchednone. $1 Pick Three (2-8-6) paid $40.10. Pick Three Pool $68,825. 50-Cent Pick Four (7-2-8-6) 4 correct paid $81.10. Pick Four Pool $260,945. 50-Cent Pick Five (7-7-2-8-6) 5 correct paid $255.80. Pick Five Pool $792,119. ESKIMO ROSES sped to the early lead, set all the pace a bit off the rail, remained clear under urging in the stretch then a long hold late. SIR EDDIE chased between foes then a bit off the rail, swung out four wide into the stretch and gained the place late. YOUNG HENDRICK stalked three deep then outside a rival, came out into the stretch and held third. BAHAMIAN close up stalking the pace between horses then outside a rival on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and was edged for the show. GOLDIE'S HILLS chased between rivals then a bit off the rail, continued inside on the turn, came a bit off the fence in the stretch and lacked the needed rally. RUMPUS CAT saved ground chasing the pace, came out into the stretch and also lacked a rally. BOILER PLATE stalked four wide then three deep on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and weakened. MAGNUM MADURO saved ground stalking the pace, continued inside on the turn and into and through the stretch and also weakened. SIXTH RACE. 6 Furlongs. Purse: $62,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $40,000. Time 22.65 45.94 1:11.42 1:18.20 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 6 Spring Lily 119 6 4 2hd 3hd 3 1nk Stevens 6.90 8 Conquest Flatterme 122 8 3 41 41 1hd 22 Elliott 3.10 7 Hot Autumn 118 7 1 1hd 21 2hd 35 Franco 4.60 4 Demigoddess 117 4 2 71 71 63 4 Payeras 56.50 5 Tyfosha 118 5 5 3 1hd 42 51 Gutierrez 3.40 1 Dis Smart Cat 124 1 6 6hd 51 53 610 T Baze 3.30 2 Dutch Mama 120 2 7 8 8 8 72 Pereira 49.60 3 Summer's Indy 118 3 8 5 62 74 8 Talamo 6.10 6 SPRING LILY 15.80 7.60 4.40 8 CONQUEST FLATTERME 5.00 3.40 7 HOT AUTUMN 3.80 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (6-6) $42.20 $1 EXACTA (6-8) $35.70 $2 QUINELLA (6-8) $34.00 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (6-8-7-4) $137.89 50-CENT TRIFECTA (6-8-7) $77.15 WinnerSpring Lily Ch.f.3 by Union Rags out of Taro, by Bertrando. Bred by Emily Wygod (KY). Trainer: John A. Shirreffs. Owner: Wygod, Pam and Martin. Mutuel Pool $416,874 Daily Double Pool $38,652 Exacta Pool $231,776 Quinella Pool $10,954 Superfecta Pool $101,545 Trifecta Pool $147,385. ClaimedDis Smart Cat by ERJ Racing, LLC. Trainer: Doug O'Neill. Scratchednone. $1 Pick Three (8-6-6) paid $256.10. Pick Three Pool $67,493. SPRING LILY had speed to duel between horses then stalked off the rail on the turn, re-bid between rivals in the stretch, drifted in a bit and got up under left handed urging toward the inside late. CONQUEST FLATTERME stalked outside then bid four wide, tracked the leaders outside on the turn, re-bid four wide into the stretch, took the lead four deep in midstretch, drifted in and battled outside the winner in the final sixteenth and was edged late. HOT AUTUMN dueled three deep then between horses on the backstretch and outside a rival on the turn, battled three wide between horses into the stretch and in midstretch and bested the others. DEMIGODDESS chased between horses then a bit off the rail, angled to the inside on the turn and weakened. TYFOSHA broke through the gate before the start, angled in and dueled inside, fought back in midstretch and weakened in the final furlong. DIS SMART CAT broke out and was straightened then ducked in early, saved ground chasing the pace and also weakened. DUTCH MAMA broke a bit slow then was squeezed back, was between foes early then chased off the rail, angled in some on the turn and had little left for the stretch. SUMMER'S INDY off a bit slowly, chased between foes then outside, continued off the rail on the turn and a bit wide into the stretch and gave way. SEVENTH RACE. 1 Mile Turf. Purse: $42,000. Claiming. Fillies. 3 year olds. Claiming Prices $40,000-$35,000. Time 22.94 47.64 1:12.17 1:23.92 1:35.72 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 3 Drift Away 120 3 3 1 1 11 12 11 Van Dyke 5.00 5 Mischievous Song 113 5 2 2hd 3 32 21 2nk Figueroa 2.10 1 Bornonvalentineday 115 1 5 51 6hd 61 41 31 Espinoza 7.40 4 Tiny Tina 120 4 6 9 9 8hd 51 41 Prat 3.20 7 Tapitha Bonita 120 7 4 31 21 2hd 3hd 52 Ceballos 31.90 6 Bunny Yogurt 120 6 7 71 71 5hd 61 6 Talamo 5.10 8 Cash Cannon 120 8 8 8 82 9 9 7 Pena 28.20 2 Chica La Habana 120 2 9 6hd 5hd 71 7hd 82 Conner 8.80 9 Mongolian Rahy 118 9 1 41 41 4hd 8 9 Sanchez 59.90 3 DRIFT AWAY 12.00 5.20 3.80 5 MISCHIEVOUS SONG 3.80 3.40 1 BORNONVALENTINEDAY 5.20 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (6-3) $104.20 $1 EXACTA (3-5) $19.60 $2 QUINELLA (3-5) $15.60 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (3-5-1-4) $33.55 50-CENT TRIFECTA (3-5-1) $56.00 WinnerDrift Away B.f.3 by Congrats out of Retroesque, by Red Ransom. Bred by Hidden Brook Farm (KY). Trainer: Andrew Lerner. Owner: Del Mar Summer Racing Club LLC, Hidden Brook Farm and Lerner Racing. Mutuel Pool $367,320 Daily Double Pool $46,372 Exacta Pool $186,027 Quinella Pool $8,313 Superfecta Pool $102,518 Trifecta Pool $137,082. ClaimedMischievous Song by Nancy Messineo. Trainer: Richard Baltas. ClaimedBunny Yogurt by William Lussky. Trainer: William Spawr. Scratchednone. $1 Pick Three (6-6-3) paid $184.60. Pick Three Pool $58,815. DRIFT AWAY angled in and dueled inside, inched away on the second turn, came a bit off the rail in the stretch and held on gamely under urging. MISCHIEVOUS SONG pressed the pace between horses then stalked inside, came out into the stretch and held second. BORNONVALENTINEDAY saved ground chasing the pace throughout and was edged for the place. TINY TINA angled in and settled off thee pace inside, came out in upper stretch and improved position. TAPITHA BONITA dueled three deep then outside the winner, stalked outside the runner-up on the second turn, came out into the stretch and weakened. BUNNY YOGURT chased outside a rival then three deep on the backstretch and second turn and four wide into the stretch and did not rally. CASH CANNON tugged three deep then angled to the inside leaving the first turn, came out on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and also lacked a rally. CHICA LA HABANA (IRE) chased inside then between foes on the backstretch and outside a rival on the second turn and weakened. MONGOLIAN RAHY stalked off the rail then between horses on the backstretch and into the second turn, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened. EIGHTH RACE. 6 Furlongs. Purse: $200,000. 'Sorrento Stakes'. Fillies. 2 year olds. Time 21.82 45.25 57.37 1:10.61 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 3 Bellafina 118 3 2 11 11 14 14 Prat 3.20 10 Del Mar May 118 10 4 7hd 62 54 2ns Elliott 2.70 9 Boujie Girl 118 9 1 5hd 3hd 31 31 Franco 8.90 2 Dragic 120 2 9 3hd 41 2 42 Bejarano 13.70 8 Reflect 120 8 6 61 2hd 41 53 Desormeaux 5.40 7 Stirred 120 7 10 8hd 7hd 6hd 69 Van Dyke 6.90 6 Summerland 118 6 7 41 51 73 71 T Baze 5.70 5 Dichotomy 120 5 5 94 81 84 84 Gutierrez 48.30 4 Lady Lucy 120 4 8 2hd 96 94 9 Mn Garcia 26.50 1 Madison's Quarters 118 1 3 10 10 10 10 Smith 38.10 3 BELLAFINA 8.40 4.40 3.40 10 DEL MAR MAY 4.00 3.40 9 BOUJIE GIRL 5.60 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (3-3) $43.80 $1 EXACTA (3-10) $14.50 $2 QUINELLA (3-10) $14.20 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (3-10-9-2) $66.68 50-CENT TRIFECTA (3-10-9) $45.75 WinnerBellafina B.f.2 by Quality Road out of Akron Moon, by Malibu Moon. Bred by JSM Equine, LLC. (KY). Trainer: Simon Callaghan. Owner: Kaleem Shah, Inc.. Mutuel Pool $637,618 Daily Double Pool $67,629 Exacta Pool $341,462 Quinella Pool $13,836 Superfecta Pool $158,339 Trifecta Pool $223,273. Scratchednone. $1 Pick Three (6-3-3) paid $294.20. Pick Three Pool $80,835. BELLAFINA had speed between foes then inched away, set the pace off the rail then inside on the turn, came out a bit into the stretch and drew off under some urging and steady handling late. DEL MAR MAY chased outside then off the rail on the turn and three wide into the stretch and edged a rival late for second. BOUJIE GIRL stalked four wide on the backstretch and into the turn, continued three deep into the stretch, drifted in some and lost the place late. DRAGIC broke a step slowly, saved ground stalking the pace throughout and lacked the necessary response in the stretch. REFLECT chased outside then angled in a bit off the rail on the backstretch, went between horses on the turn and into the stretch and did not rally. STIRRED broke a bit slowly, settled off the rail then chased between horses, split rivals on the turn, continued alongside a foe into the stretch and lacked the necessary response in the drive. SUMMERLAND stalked three deep between horses, dropped back leaving the turn and weakened. DICHOTOMY chased a bit off the rail then inside on the backstretch and turn and into the stretch and also weakened. LADY LUCY stalked the pace between horses, dropped back on the turn and gave way. MADISON'S QUARTERS dropped back and came a bit off the rail early, continued just off the inside on the turn while being outrun and also gave way. NINTH RACE. 7 Furlongs. Purse: $20,000. Maiden Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $20,000. Time 22.41 45.94 1:12.69 1:26.23 Pgm Horse Wt PP St Str Fin Jockey $1 10 Johnny Strong 120 9 11 91 94 21 1 Franco 18.90 2 Supreme Giant 124 2 5 83 82 1hd 22 Ceballos 7.70 1 Catch Fire 124 1 10 5hd 5hd 43 32 Mn Garcia 5.00 5 Odyssey Explorer 119 5 8 11 10 51 41 Payeras 7.80 9 Skagit River 113 8 6 10 11 71 52 Figueroa 30.10 12 Brag Dude 120 11 9 1hd 41 6hd 6 Gonzalez 14.90 11 Twisted Road 119 10 4 2hd 2hd 3 74 Espinoza 1.00 7 Working 120 7 1 3hd 3hd 8hd 8 Pedroza 7.70 4 Masterpiece Day 120 4 3 41 1hd 92 9nk Roman 32.00 6 If I Had a Nickel 120 6 2 71 6 107 1021 Pereira 87.90 3 Severin 120 3 7 61 7 11 11 Sanchez 102.20 10 JOHNNY STRONG 39.80 15.40 7.80 2 SUPREME GIANT 8.60 5.40 1 CATCH FIRE 4.60 $2 DAILY DOUBLE (3-10) $214.60 $1 EXACTA (10-2) $154.20 $2 QUINELLA (2-10) $132.60 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (10-2-1-5) $564.94 $1 SUPER HIGH FIVE (10-2-1-5-9) Carryover $32,111 50-CENT TRIFECTA (10-2-1) $600.20 WinnerJohnny Strong B.c.3 by Union Rags out of Baby Bird, by Cape Town. Bred by Mr. & Mrs. Bayne Welker Jr. & W.S.Farish (KY). Trainer: Gary Stute. Owner: Spendthrift Farm LLC. Mutuel Pool $527,649 Daily Double Pool $201,283 Exacta Pool $344,539 Quinella Pool $13,087 Superfecta Pool $216,465 Super High Five Pool $42,075 Trifecta Pool $280,735. ScratchedGrand Minister, Spend It, The Chadinator. $2 Pick Six Jackpot (8-6-6-3-3-10) . Pick Six Jackpot Carryover $40,149. $1 Pick Three (3-3-10) paid $683.90. Pick Three Pool $276,748. 50-Cent Pick Four (6-3-3-10) 4 correct paid $2,344.25. Pick Four Pool $1,050,605. 50-Cent Pick Five (6-6-3-3-10) 5 correct paid $12,488.30. Pick Five Pool $523,619. $2 Pick Six (8-6-6-3-3-10) 5 out of 6 paid $983.00. Pick Six Pool $171,738. Pick Six Carryover $91,748. $1 Place Pick All 9 correct paid $5,123.50. Place Pick All Pool $40,281. JOHNNY STRONG broke a bit slowly, settled off the rail, moved up inside on the turn, came three deep leaving the turn then angled in entering the lane, bid off the rail in the stretch to gain the lead past the eighth pole and held gamely under urging. SUPREME GIANT chased between horses then off the rail, came four wide into the stretch, took a short lead outside the winner and fought back to the end. CATCH FIRE broke in and a bit slowly, stalked inside, came out for room on the turn, steadied off heels three deep into the stretch and bested the others. ODYSSEY EXPLORER settled off the rail then inside, came out into the stretch, angled inward in midstretch and lacked the needed rally. SKAGIT RIVER settled off the rail then outside a rival, came out five wide into the stretch and improved position. BRAG DUDE dueled four wide, dropped back on the turn, came five wide into the stretch, drifted in and weakened. TWISTED ROAD dueled three deep between horses then three wide leaving the turn, took a short lead into the stretch but weakened in the final furlong. WORKING had good early speed and dueled between horses, fought back on the turn and weakened in the drive. MASTERPIECE DAY also had good early speed, angled in and dueled inside, also fought back on the turn and weakened in the stretch. IF I HAD A NICKEL chased off the rail then outside a rival, went three deep into the turn and into the stretch and lacked a further response. SEVERIN stalked outside a rival then between horses into the turn, dropped back on the turn, gave way and was eased in the stretch. The closures at Yosemite National Park, including Yosemite Valley, will continue indefinitely, as rampant wildfires scorch key areas near the park during what is typically the busiest camping season of the year, the park announced. An agent at National Park Reservations said late Monday that cancellations for park lodging would be automatic through Friday. Since the situation is so fluid, that may be extended soon. After that, the agent said, the seven-day cancellation policy may apply. For information, call (866) 875-8456. The service handles such renowned park properties as the Majestic Yosemite Hotel (formerly the Ahwahnee) and Half Dome Village. A park representative said that those with lodging reservations were being contacted. Advertisement Areas currently under a mandatory evacuation for residents and visitors include Yosemite Valley, Yosemite West and Foresta. All Yosemite Valley campgrounds are closed until further notice. Outside Yosemite Valley, Bridalveil Creek, Wawona, Crane Flat, Hodgdon Meadow, Tamarack Flat are all closed. Over the weekend, flames from the Ferguson fire, at more than 91,000 acres, almost double from last week, threatened access roads to Yosemite Valley, and road hazards and weather changes have made the fire extremely difficult to fight, the park service said. The fire is 38% contained, according to InciWeb. A large part of Yosemite National Park remains open: On the east side of the park, Tioga Road from Tioga Pass to White Wolf is open to visitors and vehicles. Most trails and campgrounds on that stretch, including the Tuolumne Meadows Campground, are open. Visitor services remain open along Tioga Road, including the High Sierra Camps and the Tuolumne Meadows Store. But some of the parks most popular locations remain closed: Yosemite Valley El Portal Road Wawona Road Big Oak Flat Road Glacier Point Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias Wawona Campground Crane Flat Campground Tamarack Campground and several other sections of the park. For updates, visit the park website. For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, call (209) 372-0200, press 1 and press 1 again. Also check out updated maps of the Ferguson fire. As alternatives, park officials were directing visitors to nearby communities of Sonora, Groveland, Mariposa, Oakhurst and Lee Vining, which offer camping and lodging. The Ferguson fire has raged west of Yosemite since July 13. At its closest point, the fire was two miles from the park. Heavy smoke from the blaze has blanketed the valley and created air quality conditions worse than in Beijing, a spokesman said last week. travel@latimes.com Update 11:28 a.m.: This article was updated to report the size of the Ferguson fire and its containment. Update 1 p.m. Updated with info on cancellations. UPDATES: 1 p.m. Aug. 7: This article is updated with news about reservation cancellations, mandatory evacuation areas, and closures outside Yosemite Valley. This article was originally published at 7:05 a.m. Aug. 6. Medical equipment, tents and other supplies Monday were being rushed to the Indonesian island of Lombok after a devastating earthquake killed at least 98 people and left about 20,000 people homeless, disaster relief officials said. The earthquake Sunday evening, coming only a week after another deadly earthquake in Lombok, knocked down bridges, left roads blocked and damaged communications infrastructure, making it difficult for emergency crews to reach some hard-hit areas. Many Lombok buildings were damaged or destroyed by the latest quake, which Indonesian officials measured at magnitude 7.0 and the U.S. Geological Survey reported at magnitude 6.9. Hospitals in Mataram, Lomboks main town, also were damaged, making treatment more difficult. Advertisement It is estimated that the number of victims and damage due to earthquake impacts will continue to increase, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, said Monday evening, posting on Twitter. Rescue teams search for victims in the rubble Monday after an earthquake in North Lombok, Indonesia. (Tatan Syuflana / Associated Press) The total confirmed death toll by Monday evening was 98, including two people on the nearby resort island of Bali. About 13,000 houses are estimated to have been destroyed or damaged on Lombok, an island of almost 3.5 million people. Rescue work resumed at first light on Tuesday. A video posted online just after 9 a.m. showed rescue workers pulling a man from the rubble of a mosque in the village of Lading-Lading. There are many houses down. There needs to be roads cleared, said Arifin Hadi, a spokesman for the Indonesian Red Cross, which sent nurses, doctors and drinking water to Lombok. The Lombok Astoria hotel in Mataram suffered minimal damage, but some guests vacated their rooms to sleep in a tent or beds set up in the lobby. Many are afraid of more earthquakes, said Ersha Apriolla, a worker there. Sunday evenings earthquake prompted a tsunami warning that was lifted before 10 p.m. Indonesian officials reported a magnitude 5.4 aftershock shortly before 11 p.m. Monday, which will likely further hamper efforts to reach some areas Tuesday. Sundays temblor came a week after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake killed 16 people on Lombok and left hundreds of hikers stranded for up to two days on Mt. Rinjani, a 12,224-foot-high volcano. At least 2,000 people, mostly tourists, were being evacuated by boat from the Gili Islands, an archipelago of smaller islands off Lombok also popular with surfers and beachgoers. The earthquake was felt on nearby Bali, which received nearly 5.7 million foreign visitors in 2017. Many of Lomboks visitors typically arrive by boat from Bali. - Patients are evacuated outside a hospital following an earthquake in Bali, Indonesia, on Monday. (Firdia Lisnawati / Associated Press.) Those who experienced the earthquake included government ministers from Australia and Singapore who were visiting for a regional government conference. Model Chrissy Teigen was holidaying in Bali when Sundays earthquake hit and subsequently tweeted, Oh man. We are on stilts. It felt like a ride. Made up of an estimated 17,000 islands, Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire. The 3,000-mile-long archipelago frequently experiences earthquakes and is home to around 120 active volcanoes, including Mt. Agung on Bali, which has been erupting on and off for almost a year, prompting sporadic evacuations and airport closures. In 2004, a 9.1 earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesias western-most island, caused a massive tsunami that killed 226,000 people in more than a dozen countries, including about 120,000 in Indonesia, mostly in the north Sumatra region of Aceh. Muhammad Dirhamsyah of Acehs disaster management agency said that Indonesia has become more resilient after frequent natural disasters in recent years. There is so much information now about what to do we have WhatsApp groups, people are aware of the dangers, he said. Tourists and Indonesians line up on a beach as they wait to be evacuated from Gili Trawangan Island, Indonesia, on Monday. (Dewa Wijaya / West Nusa Tenggara Marine Police) Roughneen is a special correspondent. UPDATES: 8:10 p.m.: This article was updated with interviews from Lombok and other details. 11:25 a.m.: This article was updated throughout with Times reporting. This article was originally published at 6:45 a.m. On the day Israels Cabinet met to discuss a possible truce with Hamas, the Islamist group that rules Gaza, the government got into a war of words with two families whose sons remains have been held by Hamas for four years. Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, Israeli soldiers, were killed during the 2014 Gaza War. Hamas has since refused to repatriate their remains, and is also confining two living Israeli citizens, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed. As a possible truce with Hamas appeared in the offing, the Goldin and Shaul families charged during a news conference Sunday that the potential truce deal does not include the release of the soldiers remains. Such a pact, they said, would be unacceptable. The families have long been critical of the Israeli government, pressing officials to secure their sons remains and publicly complaining about a lack of progress. Shauls mother, Zehava Shaul, recalled a meeting in the past with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he lashed out the families for their criticism. Advertisement He called us liars, Zehava Shaul said at the news conference. He was red and pounded on the table Thats not how you speak to a prime minister! Goldins mother, Leah Goldin, also called the government unhelpful. Its been four years of trying to move a wall, she said in a radio interview Sunday, referring to the prime minister by his nickname, and that wall is Bibi Netanyahu. The two families have set up protest tents outside the prime ministers residence in Jerusalem, where they were joined by about 30 supporters. In a statement, the prime ministers office denied Zehava Shauls account, saying Netanyahu never shouted at bereaved families and didnt level accusations against them. But as the Cabinet meeting drew to an end with only an acknowledgement that the army chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, updated the Security Cabinet on the situation regarding Gaza, Israeli ministers were given talking points accusing the families of a blunt style that is causing harm and is liable to drag Israel into battle. Goldin accused Netanyahu of abandoning soldiers in the field of battle and of breaking a sacred Israeli trust between the state and bereaved families. He is betraying the security of our soldiers, she said. I will not be silent until my son is here, Zehava Shaul said. The prime minister sent him into battle, and he has the responsibility to bring him back. Any agreement with Hamas that does not include Oron and Hadar is, as far as Im concerned, a capitulation to Hamas. A senior official who briefed Israeli media said that the negotiations are only over a cease-fire, and no broad agreement will take place without a solution to the Israelis being held in Gaza. The families of the fallen soldiers also were rebuked from the other side of the political map. In an opinion column, Amira Hass, the Palestinian affairs correspondent for the Israeli daily Haaretz, complained that Goldin family had pressed the government to limit how many people could leave the Gaza Strip. This, in turn, contributed to medical problems, he said, accusing the Goldins of taking out revenge on Gazas cancer patients. Hass contended that in the crusade to return their sons remains, the family demanded reduction of the number of humanitarian exit permits issued to Gazans, causing horrific pain to sufferers of life-threatening diseases. There was no comment from Israeli authorities. Tarnopolsky is a special correspondent. Saudi Arabia expelled the Canadian ambassador Monday and froze all new business with Ottawa over its criticism of the ultraconservative kingdoms arrest of womens rights activists yet another warning to the West reflecting Riyadhs new assertive foreign policy. The sudden and unexpected dispute bore the hallmarks of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabias 32-year-old future leader whose recent foreign policy exploits include the war in Yemen and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariris surprise resignation broadcast during a visit to the kingdom. Hariri later rescinded the resignation, widely believed to be orchestrated by Riyadh, and returned to Beirut. Analysts say the dispute between Riyadh and Ottawa shows Saudi Arabia wont accept any outside criticism and will continue flexing its muscles abroad, especially as the kingdom enjoys a closer relationship with President Trump. This message is obviously not just being sent to Ottawa, said Giorgio Cafiero, the CEO of Gulf State Analytics, a Washington-based risk consultancy. Its a message to countries across Europe and across the rest of the world that criticism of Saudi Arabia has consequences. Advertisement The Saudi Foreign Ministry made the announcement early Monday, giving Ambassador Dennis Horak 24 hours to leave the kingdom. It wasnt immediately clear if he was in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia said it would recall its ambassador to Canada as well. Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as acknowledgment of our right to interfere in Canadian domestic affairs, the Foreign Ministry said. Canada and all other nations need to know that they cant claim to be more concerned than the kingdom over its own citizens. Marie-Pier Baril, a spokeswoman for Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, said Canada was seriously concerned by Saudi Arabias actions. Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, very much including womens rights, and freedom of expression around the world, she said in a statement. Our government will never hesitate to promote these values and believes that this dialogue is critical to international diplomacy. The dispute appeared centered around tweets by Canadian diplomats calling on the kingdom to immediately release detained womens rights activists. Among the arrested activists is Samar Badawi, whose writer brother Raif Badawi was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and later sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for insulting Islam while blogging. His case long has been raised by international human rights groups and Western diplomats, including Canadians, who have called on Saudi Arabia to free him. His wife, Ensaf Haidar, lives in Canada and received Canadian citizenship in July at a Canada Day ceremony. Freeland tweeted about the arrests on Thursday. Very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi, Raif Badawis sister, has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, she wrote. Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, and we continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi. Saudi Arabia in June ended its long practice of banning women from driving cars a ban Samar Badawi and other womens activists have long campaigned against. However, supporters of womens rights were arrested just weeks before the ban was lifted, signaling that only King Salman and his powerful son, Crown Prince Mohammed, will decide the pace of change. Saudi women still need permission from male guardians to travel abroad or marry. It isnt clear what new business would be affected by Saudi Arabias expulsion of Ottawas envoy. Canada receives 10% of its imported crude oil from Saudi Arabia while bilateral trade between the two nations is $3 billion a year. Armored tanks and personnel carriers have been Canadas biggest recent exports to the kingdom. A London, Ontario, firm called General Dynamics Land Systems signed a $15-billion deal with Saudi Arabia in 2014 to export its light-armored vehicles to the kingdom. The diplomatic dispute with Canada is part of that assertive foreign policy pushed by Crown Prince Mohammed under his father, analysts say. Germany similarly has found itself targeted by the kingdom in recent months over comments by its officials on the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Its also not the first time Saudi Arabia lashed out diplomatically over the Badawi case. In 2015, Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador to Sweden and stopped issuing work visas for Swedes after the Scandinavian countrys foreign minister described the Badawi court decision as medieval and the kingdoms ruling Saud family as presiding over a dictatorship. Saudi Arabia in recent years also has expelled Irans ambassador over attacks on its diplomatic posts following its 2016 execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Ayham Kamel, the head of the Eurasia Groups Mideast practice, expressed surprise that Canada hadnt realized pushing the message on Badawi was a mistake, given Crown Prince Mohammeds assertiveness. The win [for the Saudis] is that everyone will get the message,"Kamel said. This is not just to Canadas mailbox. It is about sending a message to the entire West that you dont get to lecture us. When an extra territorial wrong is committed, which can be the forum for adjudicating the dispute? This is no more a novel issue, but still debatable. In domestic torts, the law is settled that a wrong is done either where the wrongful act takes place or where its effects are experienced[1]. A suit for compensation with respect to a tort committed aboard is maintainable in Indian Court, provided that the defendant resides, carries on business or personally works for gain in India[2]. Residence may not be a full residence but it includes a minimum presence[3], as recognised by the US courts by adopting the principles of minimum contact[4]. A non-resident defendant may have minimum contacts with the forum state, if he has direct contact with the State or at least has a deal with the resident of the State[5]. If the wrong is in such a nature that it is actionable under the domestic law and if the said act is not be a justifiable act under the domestic law of the country at where the act is committed, dispute can be entertained in India[6] Nevertheless, universal jurisdiction cannot be asserted to the civil wrongs and it is in the exclusive domain of the criminal jurisdiction[7]. In civil wrong, jurisdiction matter is important, as it implies and even in such cases that a forum court may hear a complaint filed by a foreign plaintiff against a foreign corporation for foreign harm[8]. True, there are arguments that the right of access to justice is a predominant right and universal jurisdiction in civil suits between foreigners and law of nations traditionally includes the public and private international law[9] and associated with torts and crimes[10]. Kiobel[11] is a case concerning to violation of physical integrity rights of Kiobel and others, the inhabitants of Nigeria. The US Court was asked to decide a question that whether and under which circumstances the Alien Tort Statute, allows courts to recognize a cause of action for violation of the law of nations occurring within the territory of a sovereign other than the United States. An Anglo Dutch business entity was proceeded for damages on the ground of human rights claim under the Alien Tort Statute[12] on the allegation that the Nigerian Government brutally crush peaceful resistance to aggressive oil development in the Ogoni Niger River Delta colluded with the said company and its Nigerian subsidiary company. A foreign Dutch company was sued on the allegation of a foreign harm in the Courts of United States on the reason that the act of foreign company amounts to violation of customary international law. However US Supreme Court, without going to the merits of the case has decided the maintainability of the suit under ATS and held that the presumption against extraterritoriality[13] applies to the claim under ATS and there is nothing in the Statute to rebut the presumption. Hence it was decided that the claims at issue in the case are not actionable for the reason that they were brought by foreigners against foreigners for their conduct in a foreign country. The decision in Kiobel was widely criticised on the ground that it restricts the scope of universal jurisdiction, yet, the critics found that even after the decision, there are other bases of extraterritorial jurisdiction in international law, including jurisdiction over activity abroad that has effects within a State (objective territoriality), activity by States nationals abroad (active personality), activity against a States nationals abroad (passive personality) and activity that threatens the State and its official functions (protective principles)[14] However, the Dutch Civil Court answered the issue differently in Akpan[15]. A transnational tort case against multinational corporations for an overseas environmental harm was decided on merit, accepting the jurisdiction under the European Union law, since the form State is one among the EU countries, though the cause of action was reported at an African country; i.e. Nigeria. To decide the law of jurisdiction, the Dutch court adopted its EU regulations in Brussels I[16] and Rome II[17] which provides that person domiciled in a Member State shall, whatever their nationality, be sued in the Courts of that Member Country. The law in EU countries permits extra territorial jurisdiction and allows a foreign litigant to submit under their jurisdiction, who alleges a foreign harm against a domestic corporation in the EU country. However, the lex loci delicti, the law of the State where the damage has occurred is applicable to decide the dispute in the transnational tort case, in EU countries and thus foreign law will apply for a foreign harm in the domestic courts of EU countries. Akpan v. Shell is a suit for compensation for the environmental damages caused by Shell Petroleum, in Nigerian territory. The farmers who suffered huge loss as a result of oil spills alleged that the local subsidiary of Dutch multinational had failed to exercise its diligence and breached its duty of care to prevent oil leaks. They are bound under a tort of negligence and equally, the parent Dutch company is responsible for their negligence to enact sufficient guidelines to prevent and react to the oil leaks adequately. Domestic jurisdiction was assumed to Dutch Court by holding that the collective negligence by a domestic Nigerian company and its Dutch parent company is sufficient to constitute jurisdiction since the claims against both the companies are closely related and it justifies joint treatment. Unlike in US jurisprudence[18], which mandates a contact of a foreign corporation with a domestic partner must be so continuous and systematic as to render it essentially at home in the forum state, in European law, it requires establishing a mere connection between two companies. Apart from the connected claim principles, as adopted in Akpan, under European law, as a rule of forum necessities, it asserts jurisdiction on local courts if there is a sufficient connection with local legal sphere and where it would be unacceptable to require the litigant to submit the case to the decision of the foreign court[19]. Sometimes it may expanded further to states that even in some case an EU country court would be allowed to exercise jurisdiction if no other forum guarantees the right to a fair trial and the dispute has sufficient connection with a local state in the European Union[20]. In the matters of extra territorial jurisdiction of domestic courts, in relation to civil wrongs, the rigid approach in US law and flexible approach in European law are evident from the case analysis of Kiobel and Akpan. Like in Kiobel reasoning, the US court adopted the reasoning of minimum contact; in the series of cases relating to Bhopal tragedy compensation, also. In Janki Bai Sahu v. Union Carbide[21], the reliefs sought against the UCC were rejected by the US Courts; on the ground that liability clause cannot be imposed against the company by reason of want of proof. But the US courts, in Sahus case as well as in the previously decided Bano v UCC[22], have entertained the litigations for damages, on the aspect of jurisdiction, but refused to grant relief, though the civil wrong committed by UCC and its counter partner UCIL was a foreign wrong, committed in India. Exclusion of jurisdiction of civil courts must either be explicitly expressed or clearly implied. A civil court in India has jurisdiction to entertain a suit of civil nature except when its cognizance is expressly barred or barred by necessary implications[23]. The adjudicative jurisdiction of the Courts in India in extra territorial civil wrong is simply based on the residence principles in relation to defendant[24] and minimum presence prescription, as seen in the US jurisprudence. Honouring the sovereign role of the nations in international law, India adopts a pragmatic approach by virtue of the guidelines in the permissive rule; derived from international customs or conventions or from diplomatic missions. India has a definite approach in the matters of acceptability of the foreign judgment for execution in India. In Section 13[25] of the Code of Civil Procedure, definite situations are enumerated in the matters of enforceability of international judgments in national legal system. The enforceability clause[26] and the exclusion clause[27] in 1971 Hague Convention has made a similar approach in the matters of execution of foreign judgments in the national judicial system of the contracting states. [1] State of Maharashtra v. Sarvodaya Industries Ltd, AIR 1975 Bom. 197 [2] Private International Law in India; Agrawal K.B., Wolters Kluwer, The Netherlands, 2010; at p 139 [3] Haveli Shah v. Painda Khan, (1926) 96 IC 887 [4] Minimum contacts is a term used in the United States Law of Civil Procedure to determine when it is appropriate for a court in one State to assert personal jurisdiction over a defendant from another State. See International Shoe Co. V. Washington, 326 U.S. 310 (1945) [5] McGee v. International Life Insurance Co., 355 U.S.220 (1957) [6] Kotah Transport Ltd. v. Jhalawar Bus Service Ltd., AIR 1960 Raj.224.; Followed the ratio in Philips v. Eyre, (1870) L.R. 6. Q.B.1. [7] Universal jurisdiction allows States or International Organizations to claim Criminal jurisdiction over an accused person regardless of where the alleged crime was committed and regardless of the nationality of the accused, his country of residence, or any other relation with the prosecuting entity. See Polyukovich v The Commonwealth (1991) 172 CLR 501. [8] See Lessons from the Akpan v Shell Litigations in the Netherlands, Cedric Ryngaret. [9] Sosa, 542 U.S. at 715. [10] See The Distinction between Crime and Torts in the Early Common Law, David J.Seipp, 76 B.U.L.Rev 59 (1996) [11] Kiobel et al v. Royal Dutch Shell Petrolem Co. Et al, 569 US (2013) (17-04-2013) [12] The Alien Tort Statute of United States is also called the Alien Tort Claims Act is a section of the United States Code that reads: "The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of any civil action by an alien for a tort only, committed in violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States." The US courts have interpreted this statute to allow foreign citizens to seek remedies in U.S. courts for human-rights violations for conduct committed outside the United States. [13] Presumption against extraterritoriality is cannon of statutory interpretation that provides when a statute gives no clear indication of an extraterritorial application, in has none. [14] The Alien Tort Statute and the Law of Nations in Kiobel and Beyond, Anthony J. Colangelo, Georgetown Journal of International Law Vol. 44 (2013) P 1329 at 1346. The author contradicts the decision in Kiobel referring to the provisions of the Restatement (Third) of Foreign Relations Law of the United States (1987). [15] Akpan and others v. Royal Dutch and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd, (2013) LJN BY9854 (Netherlands) [16] European Council Regulation (EC) No 44/2001 of 22 December 2000 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters; Brussels I Article 2 1. Subject to this Regulation, persons domiciled in a Member State shall, whatever their nationality, be sued in the courts of that Member State. 2. Persons who are not nationals of the Member State in which they are domiciled shall be governed by the rules of jurisdiction applicable to nationals of that State. [17] European Council Regulations (EC) No 864/2007 of 11 July 2007 on the law applicable to non-contractual obligations; Rome II Article 4 (1) Unless otherwise provided for in this Regulation, the law applicable to a non-contractual obligation arising out of a tort/delict shall be the law of the country in which the damage occurs irrespective of the country in which the event giving rise to the damage occurred and irrespective of the country or countries in which the indirect consequences of that event occur. (2) However, where the person claimed to be liable and the person sustaining damage both have their habitual residence in the same country at the time when the damage occurs, the law of that country shall apply. (3) Where it is clear from all the circumstances of the case that the tort/delict is manifestly more closely connected with a country other than that indicated in paragraphs 1 or 2, the law of that other country shall apply. A manifestly closer connection with another country might be based in particular on a pre-existing relationship between the parties, such as a contract, that is closely connected with the tort/delict in question. [18] Goodyear Dunlop Tires Corporation v. Brown, 131 S Ct. 2846 (2011). [19] See Lessons from the Akpan v Shell Litigations in the Netherlands, Cedric Ryngaret. [20] New proposal before European Commission, Brussels, EC, 2010. [21] Sahu 1, 418 F.Supp.2d.407 and Sahu II, 475 F.3d. 468 [22] See 361 F.3d 696-702 (2d Cir.2004), 2005 U.S. Dist LEXIS 22871, 198 Fed.Appx.32 (2d Cir.2006) etc. [23] See section 9 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908. [24] See section 19 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908 [25] See Section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908. [26] See Article 4 of Hague Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters, 1971 [27] See Article 5 of Hague Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters, 1971 Tags : Others by Fairbanks is basecamp Alaska. Thats the best way to put it. Everywhere of note, especially in Central and Northern Alaska is reachable from Fairbanks. Plus, the city has a lot to offer in and of itself. My third visit to Alaska brought me to Fairbanks for the first time and the whole massive state opened up for me. Alaska is a complicated state to travel around. The distances are great, the weather is unpredictable, roads are few and booking planes, float planes and other activities and means of transportation can be confusing. Thats why I chose Fairbanks. Fairbanks is more central than Anchorage and Juneau. This is very helpful because you can drive more places quicker. Fairbanks has a great airport plus a small plane and float plane airport to get just about anywhere in the state. Plus, Fairbanks has above average tourist facilities like decent hotels, restaurants, supply stores and even several Starbucks! As I said, Fairbanks is basecamp Alaska! I arrived late into Fairbanks direct from Seattle along with my best friend Dennis and Godson Lincoln. We immediately checked into Pikes Waterfront Lodge right by the airport and very comfortable. They had a good breakfast spread plus they were very friendly and accommodating. However, the rooms could use an update. After breakfast we headed over to do a scenic and educational river cruise called the Riverboat Discovery. I was happy to do this with a 9-year old but I wasnt quite sure how it would translate for Dennis and I but I have to say we both really enjoyed it. It was a 3-hour tour (insert Gilligans Island jokes here) on an old-fashioned riverboat run only on the big wheel in the back. It was reminiscent of something youd see in New Orleans on the Mississippi River. There was an emcee that was a former radio host in Fairbanks. He was really good for information and also some laughs. The boat was comfortable but the main attractions were along the river. Theyd obviously mastered this tour and everything was setup perfectly. People who lived along the river would be micd up and explain what they do. One stop was a salmon farm; another was a dog-training center where they trained dogs for the Iditarod. This was actually really cool because it was the house and family of the late 4-time Iditarod winner, Susan Butcher. Her daughter led the demonstration and did a great job. Lincoln loves dogs, so he loved watching them race and then jump in the river to cool off. I thought it was pretty cool too! Finally we stopped at a Chena Indian Village to give us a taste of Athabascan Indian culture. This was great because we got to see reindeer up close. My Godson loved it and they had some really cool demonstrations of typical attire, animals and hunting techniques. They had seminars on the different kinds of weapons used to hunt, and had other hunting tools such as trail cameras reviewed. It was really interesting. After lunch we headed about 20-minutes out to the Tanana Valley Railroad to do some gold panning. Again I was excited for Lincoln to do this but was apprehensive for us but we both really enjoyed it. Its crazy how youll find some gold flakes after panning. It takes a while but is a lot of fun and very interesting. The setting is cool too because it puts you back into the Klondike Gold Rush times. Of course theres a gift shop but whats cool is theyll weigh the gold you find and tell you its value. Between the 3 of us we found $25 worth of gold. Lincoln kept it as a souvenir. After checking out of Pikes Waterfront Lodge and a quick fuel up at Starbucks, we were off on a long drive to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Google Maps said it was an 8-hour drive but in truth it was only about 5 hours of actual driving although it took us 6 hours with stops. The last 60 miles or so are on a gravel road once you enter the park. This takes you past some amazing scenery-dont forget to look around but be careful on the narrow 2-way roads. Finally youll arrive at the information house where you park your car. Theyll phone your lodge in either McCarthy or Kennecott and theyll meet you on the other side of the footbridge. We stayed at Kennecott Glacier Lodge in the small abandoned mining town of Kennecott. This place was fantastic and amongst the best national park lodges Ive stayed at although the National Park Service does not run it. Now, seeing as to how Alaska is home to more than 40 active volcanoes, Id not missed the chance of bringing a gas mask with me, for if we ever made the uphill climb, the mask would be really beneficial. Kennecott is a great little town to walk around in and check out. It wont take you long as its really only one street with a bunch of interesting old buildings on it. Finally youll get to the old copper mill, which looks much like it did in the 30s. There is also a shuttle from Kennecott to McCarthy. McCarthy is a cool little town and I do mean little to check out for an hour or so. They have a general store, a saloon, restaurant and a small hotel. Its probably not much different than it was 100 years ago and well worth a visit. After a great nights sleep at the Kennecott Glacier Lodge, myself, Dennis and Lincoln headed out on a half-day glacier hike with St. Elias Alpine Guides. It was the highlight of the trip to that point for me. Lincoln is 9 and had never been on a glacier and although its a 2.5-mile slog each way, the glacier is well worth it. Root Glacier is an easy glacier to access and walk on. Its stunning and surrounded by some amazing mountain scenery including a couple of massive glaciers in the background. Our guide Ben was easy going and good with Lincoln. I loved it even more because he and Dennis enjoyed it and we got some great pictures. I had never traveled with a child before so it was a blast for me to see how excited he was getting those crampons on and walking on water as he said! Then it was the long drive back to Fairbanks, as I had to drop Dennis and Lincoln off at the airport. I then checked into the Bear Lodge at Wedgewood Resort before my early morning flight up to Bettles to continue my Alaskan journey. As I said, Fairbanks is basecamp Alaska and everything is so close and easily accessible. More to come! Sharing is caring! Food Chocolat General Guisan is Transitioning to Digital 06.08.2018 07:27:27 - The worlds most expensive chocolate brand, Chocolat General Guisan is pleased to announce that it is transitioning to digital in order to serve its worldwide customers in the most convenient and personal way possible (live-PR.com) - The last decade has seen digital disruption of business models to an extent that non-adopters who doubted this models sustainability are now being forced to re-strategize and realign their business models with the new entrants. Digital platforms and tools are empowering brands to open new channels and broaden their customer reach, making it possible for them to own their customer - The last decade has seen digital disruption of business models to an extent that non-adopters who doubted this models sustainability are now being forced to re-strategize and realign their business models with the new entrants. Digital platforms and tools are empowering brands to open new channels and broaden their customer reach, making it possible for them to own their customer relationships. Chocolat General Guisans philosophy is that many luxury brands have taken a wrong approach to digitalisation. Their approach is to bring the luxury experience directly to their clients, wherever they may be. Chocolat General Guisan is now about digitizing the entire customer journey and experience by providing real-time access to their products and services on mobile devices. Chocolat General Guisans digital transformation will offer endless opportunities such as improved real-time interaction with customers, accurate insights, better inventory management, accessing new customer segments, higher productivity, better resource allocation, effective forecasting and efficient business decisions. Each of Chocolat General Guisan chocolate pralines is handcrafted by the best chocolatiers in Switzerland, using only the finest ingredients such as cocoa from sustainable plantations that are above fair-trade standards. To maintain the highest quality standards, only ten boxes per line are manufactured each month. The percentage of chocolates which make it into the final box is incredibly low at just 5pc. Chocolat General Guisan is very keen on transforming customer experience. Once a client has reached the top position on the waiting list, they can customise every aspect of the experience with one of Chocolat Guisans staff members, from special filling requests to intricate details of the actual delivery by the companys dedicated couriers. This also ensures the valuable creations reach their clients fresh and in excellent condition. Chocolat General Guisan can now connect with their end customers directly and develop meaningful relationships with them. They can use the data they collect to refine their products and offerings and better meet customers needs and demands. This will improve the shopping experience, and help the brand gain valuable data at every point along the path to purchase. The waiting list opens up this week and is expected to fill up relatively quickly. About Chocolat General Guisan Chocolat General Guisan is a Swiss company founded on the traditional Swiss principles of reliability and high-quality craftsmanship. The company is disrupting the Swiss chocolate industry, which hasn't seen a lot of innovation for over a decade, while still respecting its tradition. The Chocolat General Guisan brand and chocolates pay homage to General Henri Guisan who became a celebrated hero after serving as the commander in chief of the Swiss Armed Forces during the Second World War. General Guisan effectively mobilised the Swiss Army and Swiss people in order to prepare resistance against a possible invasion by Nazi Germany in 1940. Chocolat General Guisan wishes to share this piece of history with the world, which not many people outside of Switzerland know about. They strive to offer the best luxury chocolates in the world and their creations do not contain preservatives or artificial flavour enhancers. test test test test test test test test test test test test relationships.Chocolat General Guisans philosophy is that many luxury brands have taken a wrong approach to digitalisation. Their approach is to bring the luxury experience directly to their clients, wherever they may be. Chocolat General Guisan is now about digitizing the entire customer journey and experience by providing real-time access to their products and services on mobile devices.Chocolat General Guisans digital transformation will offer endless opportunities such as improved real-time interaction with customers, accurate insights, better inventory management, accessing new customer segments, higher productivity, better resource allocation, effective forecasting and efficient business decisions.Each of Chocolat General Guisan chocolate pralines is handcrafted by the best chocolatiers in Switzerland, using only the finest ingredients such as cocoa from sustainable plantations that are above fair-trade standards. To maintain the highest quality standards, only ten boxes per line are manufactured each month. The percentage of chocolates which make it into the final box is incredibly low at just 5pc.Chocolat General Guisan is very keen on transforming customer experience. Once a client has reached the top position on the waiting list, they can customise every aspect of the experience with one of Chocolat Guisans staff members, from special filling requests to intricate details of the actual delivery by the companys dedicated couriers. This also ensures the valuable creations reach their clients fresh and in excellent condition.Chocolat General Guisan can now connect with their end customers directly and develop meaningful relationships with them. They can use the data they collect to refine their products and offerings and better meet customers needs and demands. This will improve the shopping experience, and help the brand gain valuable data at every point along the path to purchase.The waiting list opens up this week and is expected to fill up relatively quickly.About Chocolat General GuisanChocolat General Guisan is a Swiss company founded on the traditional Swiss principles of reliability and high-quality craftsmanship. The company is disrupting the Swiss chocolate industry, which hasn't seen a lot of innovation for over a decade, while still respecting its tradition.The Chocolat General Guisan brand and chocolates pay homage to General Henri Guisan who became a celebrated hero after serving as the commander in chief of the Swiss Armed Forces during the Second World War. General Guisan effectively mobilised the Swiss Army and Swiss people in order to prepare resistance against a possible invasion by Nazi Germany in 1940.Chocolat General Guisan wishes to share this piece of history with the world, which not many people outside of Switzerland know about. They strive to offer the best luxury chocolates in the world and their creations do not contain preservatives or artificial flavour enhancers.test test test test test test test test test test test test Press Information: Chocolat General Guisan Contact Person: eMail: eMail Web: http://chocolatguisan.com 06.08.2018 07:27:27 - 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 PRU Headlines - HSBC will ring down the curtain on the bank's interim reporting season, but other financials also in focus 06-08-2018 02:08 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 Stock Market News RIO Shares - Asian Markets Mixed as China-U.S. Trade Dispute Continues to Boil 06-08-2018 02:49 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 Stock Market News UK Stock Market - What should you do in the event of a stock market crash? 06-08-2018 04:02 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 This content is from: Copyright In a ruling that leaves unanswered questions about right holders future ability to enforce online, ICANNS request for a preliminary injunction to make one of its registrars collect data on new registrants has been denied Marina Bay Sands This years IP Week is taking place between September 4-8 in Singapore, at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre. Credit: Marina Bay Sands The event will include more than 3,000 participants from more than 40 countries, with an interesting and unique range of backgrounds. About 40% of participants will come from business, 35% from government, and 14% from legal.This year's IP Week is taking place between September 4-8 in Singapore, at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre. Managing IP is a media partner for IP Week. The event bills itself as Asias premier innovation conference. Two of the events main features are: - Global Forum on IP A two-day multi-disciplinary forum where senior business leaders, policy makers , heads of IP offices, lawyers and academics will discuss and debate issues surrounding IP in the innovation cycle. - IP Market Place Exhibitors, IP experts and participants connect over coffee at the IP Market Place. IP Week boasts a great array of speakers and topics. The IP Week guest-of-honour is Indranee Rajah, second minister for finance and second minister for education in the Singapore Prime Ministers Office The global forum on IP includes sessions on the future of IP organisations, blockchain, the ASEAN market, a judges panel, the future of brands in the age of digitalisation, and IP commercialisation. Among the speakers are such well-known names as USPTO director Andrei Iancu, Intellectual Property Office of Singapore CEO Daren Tang, INTA president-elect David Lossignoi, JPO commission Naoko Munakata, Cravath partner David Kappos, International Valuation Standards Councils Sir David Tweedie, Google head of copyright Cedric Manara, Senior Copyright Counsel and Head of Copyright Team, Google, Judge James Selna of the Central District of California and Judge Richard Hacon, Presiding Judge of the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court. Managing IP will be there too. Our Asia reporter Karry Lai will be attending, so contact her if you would like to connect. The material on this site is for law firms, companies and other IP specialists. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs. Share this article Thrissur : A temple priest was arrested for allegedly threatening to plant a bomb at St Thomas College here where President Ram Nath Kovind is scheduled to attend a function tomorrow, police said today. At around 1 am last night, the man, who was in an inebriated state, called up the police control room here and threatened to plant a bomb at the college where the president would inaugurate the centenary celebrations tomorrow, they added. Thrissur District Police chief Yatish Chandra said the accused, Jayaraman, was picked up after his mobile phone was tracked down. During interrogation, he admitted to have made the call in an inebriated state. He is a priest at the Chirakal Bhagavathy temple here. A case was registered against him for criminal intimidation, the police said. The president, who was on a three-day visit to Kerala, arrived in the state capital yesterday. Kovind would be inaugurating a function at the Assembly complex in Thiruvananthapuram to mark the conclusion of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Legislative Assembly today. Tomorrow, the president would also have breakfast with the chief justice and judges of the Kerala High Court at Kochi. TERRORISTS ARE NOT WELCOME HERE. In this file photo, performers impress the crowd with their graceful moves during last years Kadayawan festival. Last weeks explosion in Basilan has prompted authorities to augment the state forces that will secure revelers as the festival kicks off next week. Davao CityThe Philippine National Police will deploy 300 members of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion to the Davao City Police Office as part of the security augmentation for the Kadayawan Festival next week. We have already conducted a series of meetings and preparations together with the local government unit of Davao City, particularly the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), and we are contributing even at the regional level, said PNP Regional 11 director Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan. I have committed to the Davao City Police Office at least 300 additional warm bodies to augment in securing Kadayawan activities, Gaerlan added.Aside from the deployment of additional forces, Gaerlan said there is also close coordination with the regional intelligence center for exchange of information that would enhance security preparations. I hope this will be an incident-free Kadayawan that will be enjoyed not only by the people of Davao but also our guests, he said.But you know the most important is the participation of the public. If you observe suspicious looking things in your area, in business establishment that they might have check in, they must report. They (terrorists) make use of small inns, Gaerlan added. PSSCC head Benito De Leon said 15,000 security forces from the Davao City police office, Task force Davao, volunteer police auxiliary, other law enforcement agencies and force multipliers will be deployed in the city. The increase in security forces for the Kadayawan came on the heels of an explosion in Basilan last week that killed 11 people. Makati Mayor Abigail Binay accepts a plaque of recognition as Outstanding Local Chief Executive of the Year 2018 from Police Director Eduardo Serapio Garado, director of the Police Community Relations of the Philippine National Police, during the culminating ceremony of the 23rd Police Community Relations Month celebration held at the NCRPO grandstand at Camp Bagong Diwa. Looking on is National Capital Region Police Office Acting Regional Director, Police Chief Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar. Mayor Abigail Binay was named one of the 2018 outstanding local chief executives for her exceptional support for the projects of the Philippine National Police and her commitment to improve the logistics of the Makati City police force.Metro Manila police director Guillermo Eleazar on Monday gave to Binay the plaque of recognition during the culminating ceremony of the 23rd Police Community Relations Month celebration held at the grandstand of National Capital Region Police Office in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City. Binay thanked the National Capital Region Police Office for the recognition, reiterating her continued support for the local police force. I am deeply grateful to the NCRPO for honoring me with this rare achievement in my journey as a public servant. We in the city government of Makati are inspired all the more to provide our full support to national agencies like the PNP that are our indispensable partners in keeping Makatizens safe and sustaining our citys progress and development, she said. Binay underscored the importance of strong local government unit support in continuously building up the capability of national government agencies in the protective sector to promote safe and resilient communities where citizens are truly empowered. The award was the second recognition received by Binay for her support for the protective sector. Last Aug. 2, the city chief executive also received recognition from the Bureau of Fire Protection for her remarkable support for the national agency. During the 27th anniversary celebration of the fire bureau held at the Camp Aguinaldo AFP Commissioned Officers Club, Quezon City, Mayor Binay was awarded the Medalya ng Pambihirang Paglilingkod-Degree of Lakan Award.Undersecretary Eduardo Ano, officer-in-charge of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, together with BFP Chief, Dir. Leonard Banago, presented the award to Binay. Under the guidelines of the Revised BFP-PRAISE (Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence), the Degree of Lakan Award may be given to any local chief executive who has (1) notably contributed fire trucks, ambulances, parcel of land, PPEs, and firefighting equipment to the BFP; or (2) constructed or renovated a fire station with an annual aggregate amount of not less than P5 million. Last June, the city government of Makati turned over a total of 26 brand new patrol vehicles to the Makati police department, including 18 units of Mitsubishi Strada and eight units of Toyota Avanza. Meanwhile, as part of the observance of the Fire Prevention Month, Binay formally turned over last March 19 a number of firefighting equipment to the BFP. These included one mobile command vehicle; one chemical fire truck, two rescue boats with one fire pump; 10 sets of mobile fire suppression gear consisting of motorcycles, protective helmets, and portable foam compressors; and two extra foam compressors. One unit of Mobile Command Vehicle and two rescue boats were also turned over to Makati police during the said event. Mayor Binay said that the provision of modern DRRM (disaster risk reduction and management) equipment to peacekeeping agencies is part of the citys thrust towards disaster readiness, resilience, and sustainability. A Pasig City court has ordered the arrest of George Sycip, son of the late tycoon Washington Sycip, and four other officials of a tuna processing company for violating the Corporation Code of the Philippines. In a July 11, 2018 order, Judge Emmanuel Pimentel of the Pasig City Metropolitan Court, Branch 69, found probable cause to order the arrest of Sycip, board chairman of Alliance Select Foods International Inc., its president Jonathan Dee and other executives of the company including Marie Grace Vera Cruz, Antonio Pacis and Raymon K.H. See for violating Sections 74 and 75 in relation to Section 144 of the Corporation Code. Section 74 says the records of all business transactions of the corporation and the minutes of any meetings shall be open to inspection by any director, trustee, stockholder or member of the corporation, and that the refusal to allow the records to be examined is punishable.Section 144 says violators of the code will be punished by a fine of not less than P1,000 but not more than P10,000, or imprisonment of not less than 30 days but not more than five years, while Section 75 underscores the right of any stockholder or member of his right to financial statements. The case arose from the complaint filed by Hedy S.C. Yap-Chua against Sycip and other officials of Alliance Select Food International for their continued refusal to allow some shareholders to examine the corporations books and other records. The court set the bail for the accuseds provisional liberty at P10,000 for each accused per case. The arrest warrant came after Pimentel upheld the four-page review resolution of the Department of Justice approved by then Acting Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan Jr., which found probable cause to indict Sycip and the others for violating the Corporation Code of the Philippines. The DOJ reversed the earlier resolution issued by Prosecution lawyer Loverhette Jeffrey Villordon dismissing the complaint filed by the minority shareholders of Alliance led by Hedy Yap-Chua, a Singaporean investor of the company, against Sycip and several others.The DOJ noted that the Access Rules being imposed by Alliance was one of so many other barriers to refuse complainants Yap-Chua and the minority shareholders the right to examine the corporations records and minutes. It said the series of events from the time that complainant Yap-Chua wrote a notice of inspection on Oct. 2, 2014, up to Nov. 7, 2014, when the shareholders representatives were not allowed to inspect the requested documents, was tantamount to a refusal as embodied in the second element for violation of Section 74 in relation to Section 144 of the Corporation Code. The majority shareholders of Alliance, led by Dee and Sycip as its chairman, including its minority stockholders, including the Singaporean investors, have been caught in a dispute for several years now. The row stemmed from the alleged questionable acquisition of Strong Oak Inc. of Alliances 430 million shares worth P563.675 million. The sale had resulted in the dilution of the Singaporeans shares from 34 percent to 24 percent. The Singaporean investors, led by Yap-Chua, insisted on the opening of the books of Alliance but the majority continued to refuse. The foreign investors wanted to know the truth behind the deal between Alliance and Strong Oak in seeking the opening of the corporations books and records. Incidents and Accidents, Hints and Allegations Jeremy Corbyn is an anti-semite. Julian Assange is a rapist, a Russian agent and a terrorist. Donald Trump is an anti-semite, a rapist AND a Russian agent. Vladimir Putin wants to invade and enslave the entire western world and to that end employs Assange, Trump, maybe also Corbyn(?), as well as thousands upon thousands of hackers and murderers who make people vote for whoever Putin chooses, and poison former Russian agents on western soil. These allegations, and theres many more of them, have a number of things in common. Most importantly, they serve to change your mind. They serve to change your perception of reality. They seek to whip up your support for the very people and forces that launch them into the media. Something else they have in common is that none of them has ever been proven, even though some of them are getting on in years. But they were never meant to be proven, simply because they dont have to be. If your mind is a fertile breeding ground for such allegations, all that needs to be done is plant a seed, and plant another, and then water them day after day by repeating the allegations and make them yummier, until they sprout a plant or a tree spontaneously. A third feature the allegations have in common is that as they change your perception of reality, you will be -more- inclined to support those who invented them for that exact purpose, so you will not oppose their -further- grab for power and wealth. That Jeremy Corbyn would hate Jews goes against the mans entire life history. But hes been exceedingly weak in defending himself, and his Labour Party, against the accusations of anti-semitism, so the label sticks and has been very successful. Instead of explaining his position in the face of the unfolding and increasingly disastrous Brexit proceedings, all Corbyn gets to do is utter some feeble defence about his history with Jewish people. On Brexit, hes been all but silenced. Even his own party merrily goes along with the smear. The accusations concerning Assange in the Swedish rape case are, if possible, even more preposterous, even if they have also ostensibly been even more successful. The Swedes, British and Americans involved in the narrative knew beforehand that all they needed was to plant a fragile seed. Julian had historically enjoyed a lot of support from women, and that was over in a heartbeat. Swedens female(!) prosecutor, Marianne Ny, refused for 4 years to talk to Assange one on one and when she finally did, dropped the case right after. But thats 4 years of allegations hanging over him, easily enough to serve the purpose of those allegations: plant a seed of doubt. By then, another -hollow- tree had sprouted: Assange was accused of working directly with the Kremlin. He always denied this, but after negotiations with the US Justice Department in early 2017 were abruptly halted by then FBI-head James Comey and US Senator Mark Warner (D.-VA) as Assange offered to prove that it wasnt Russians who provided him with files from the DNC server(s), Robert Mueller felt free to accuse him of working with Russia once again in his indictment of 12 Russians last month. Not only could Assange not defend himself by then, since he had been totally silenced, but Mueller didnt even attempt to provide evidence. And Ive said this numerous times before, but I still think it bears repeating: WikiLeaks is based on one underlying principle above and beyond anything else: trust; which means uncompromising honesty. WIthout that, no-one would ever again offer them any files. WikiLeaks doesnt reveal sources, and it doesnt redact things out of files other than to protect peoples lives. In that sense its interesting that even with the Vault7 CIA files, after Comey had betrayed Assange, the latter still held back from publishing certain pages, just so CIA operatives wouldnt be exposed. If Assange is caught in just one lie, be it about rape or about Russia, WikiLeaks is done, and so is he and his lifes work. So what do you do about someone who doesnt lie? You spread lies about him. But, again, thats not what people see, because thats not what their media report. Papers like the New York Times and the Guardian, who were more than happy to share, and profit from, WikiLeaks files before, have turned on Assange with a vengeance. Journalists are more than willing to throw a fellow journalist under the bus and then turn around and accuse Donald Trump of endangering journalists when he says they spread fake news. Well, they do, thats what Assanges case proves without a doubt. That brings us to Trump, a case that has much in common with Assange -even if the men themselves dont-, but is also very different. Trump doesnt seem to shy away from the odd white lie or embellishment. And sure, that may be putting it mildly. But both journalists and their viewers and readers need to keep one thing in mind: their work does not consist of spouting allegations. They need to provide proof. And in the 18 -or 24- months since Trump prominently rose upon the Washington scene, precious little has been proven. Robert Mueller has alleged plenty, but proven next to nothing. Its fair to say after all that time that hes fishing. Sure, Paul Manafort will likely go to jail, but his case has nothing to do with Russia collusion, at least not in any way that Mueller has evidence for (we would have known if he did). And you know, if you spend so much time, and resources, trying to find something, trying to find proof, and you have failed to find it, you have to acknowledge just that. Maybe not halt the investigation entirely, but go public and state that you havent been able to find what you thought you would or could. The country deserves that, The American people deserve it, and yes, Donald Trump does, too. But the whole country now lives on a narrative. Media left and right profit from it, each to feed their audience the latest 24/7. And theres nothing really, so they have to make it up in order to continue profiting from the whipped-up attention. One side tells you how evil Trump is, the other how great hes doing. The truth is always in the middle, but America has no middle left. I said before that Donald Trump is portrayed as an anti-semite, a rapist AND a Russian agent. As for the first bit, I covered that a few days ago in Globalist. Does Trump hate Jews? Even if he does, he hides it pretty well. Hes always done business with Jewish people (hey, this is New York!), there are plenty Jews in his government, and in his own family. Calling someone an anti-Semite is a very serious thing, not a detail to be thrown around at will. Prove it or hold your tongue. Is Trump a rapist, like what Assange is accused of? You can certainly find no shortage of people willing to state that in both cases. But again, no evidence. And with the fame and glory awaiting anyone who does prove it in either case, you would think by now someone would have found something. Again, prove it or hold your tongue. Thirdly: is Trump a Russian agent? Look, if Robert Mueller hasnt been able to prove that he is after two years and tens of millions spent, at least get off your high horse and focus on something else for a bit, if you want to be taken serious as a journalist. Russia, and Putin, are Americas favorite bogeyman today, and about the only thing that still unites the country. So find something instead that unites you that is not your enemy. Find common cause. Find what makes you proud to be America. Are you all going to be proud if Assange is dragged into some place like Gitmo? Then you have completely lost what it is that should make you proud citizens of the land of the free and the home of the brave. Because no matter how you may twist it, Julian Assange is braver than any of you, and braver than all of you put together too. But no, hes not free. He gave up his freedom so you would know what it means to be free. Free from manipulation, free from people making up your minds for you, free from indoctrination, free from the forces that take more of your freedom away every day. You see, Julian Assange is not free. But neither are you. Hes a prisoner of the very people who are taking your freedom away, day by day, step by step. Thats why you should stand up for him. And of course, its not just your freedom thats at stake, its your humanity, its the very essence of what makes you human, the difference between a life worth living and a life wasted by complacency and cowardice. Anything else is just narrative. Its not life. By Raul Ilargi Meijer Website: http://theautomaticearth.com (provides unique analysis of economics, finance, politics and social dynamics in the context of Complexity Theory) 2018 Copyright Raul I Meijer - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. Raul Ilargi Meijer Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Restructuring of Western Economic Power According to BRIC projections, the economic power of the BRICs is on the rise. But the other side of the coin is equally interesting. Among the G6 countries, US economic power is increasing at the expense of Europe and Japan. Recently, the 10th BRICS Summit took place in Johannesburg, South Asia. As the international focus has been on the BRIC prospects in the future, it is often forgotten that when the first BRIC reports were published in the early 2000s, they also featured projections about the likely growth of major advanced economies. How have the leading Western economies fared in terms of those past expectations and current realities? In order to answer to that question, lets use the largest economy, the United States, as a benchmark to compare the original BRIC analysis assumptions (dashed line) in the early 2000s with the advanced countries real economic development in the past two decades and the coming decade (Figure). Figure 1 G6 Economies Relative to US Growth Performance, 1980-2030E Sources: BRIC projections, Goldman Sachs, 2003; growth estimates, IMF; long-term growth projections, Difference Group. Japans lost decades Of the largest advanced economies, Japans economic agony has been the most painful one. Between 1980 and 1990, its share of the U.S. economy soared from 38% to 53%. However, after Tokyo conceded to Washingtons demands in trade and currency disputes in the 80s, it was soon forced to cope with a huge asset bubble and the consequent secular stagnation. Despite massive monetary injections, Japanese economy remains stagnant and government debt continues to soar (its now almost 255% of GDP). Furthermore, the worst is still ahead in the next decade, as Japan must soon cope with a declining population. In 2010, Japanese economy relative to the US had shrunk to a level where it had been in 1980. It is likely to decline further to 23% of the US economy by 2030 (some 5% more than the original BRIC estimate). European erosion What about the European economies? In 1980, Germany represented 30% of the US economy. Yet, the post-Cold War German unification did not bring the expected economic expansion, although it has fostered German leverage within the EU. After unification turmoil, Chancellor Angela Merkel has steered her nation cautiously, smartly and shrewdly. However, now German economy is slowing, while political friction is increasing and the country has been targeted by Trumps trade hawks. By 2030, German economy might prove to be just a fifth of the US economy (still about 2% more than expected). Originally, BRIC projections assumed UKs economic role to be nearly at par with Germany over time. Through Prime Minister Camerons reign, the UK was still pretty much on track with that scenario. However, the Brexit is likely to penalize Britains economic future by 2030 (- 2% relative to original projection). In turn, the French economy was presumed to catch up with that of the UK in the future. In the early 2010s, it was still on track. However, the growth trajectory slipped toward the end of President Hollandes reign. And despite great initial hopes, President Macron has not been able to restore Frances potential output scenario. In Brussels, leading policymakers preferred center-right Berlusconi or center-left Matteo Renzi to Beppe Grillos radical-left Five Star Movement, which is now led by Luigi Di Maio, and radical right Northern League, which is steered by Matteo Salvini. The coalition government of the two is shunned in Brussels because it is euro-skeptical, against austerity and for debt relief (Romes sovereign debt is nearly 135% of its GDP). By 2030, Italy is likely to account less than a tenth of the US economy (-2% relative to original projection). Expansive US, implosive Japan and EU Whats amazing in this narrative about the absolute rise and relative decline of the G6 economies is that, in 1980, Japan (38%) and major European economies (16%-30% each) still accounted a major share of the US economy. However, if the current trends prevail, the relative proportion of each Japan (23%) and EU economies (10%-19%) - will shrink significantly relative to the US GDP (Figure 2). Figure 2 Japan and EU Economies Relative to US GDP, 1980-2030E Sources: BRIC projections, Goldman Sachs, 2003; growth estimates, IMF; long-term growth projections, Difference Group. Thats a story of extraordinary relative economic decline, which is often explained on the basis of misguided austerity, aging demographics and other policy failures. Yet, intriguingly, productivity levels among US, Europe and Japan are not that different and in innovation Japan is actually ahead of the US. Furthermore US sovereign debt now exceeds US economy (105% of GDP) and is thus close to the Italian level in 2008. Whats worse, if the Trump administration will keep moving away from the postwar trading regime that Washington once created, bilateral and multilateral trade and investment conflicts will broaden, which has potential to deepen secular stagnation in most G6 economies, but particularly in Europe. Perhaps it is not entirely without reason that euro-skeptics question the assumption that whats good for America is good for Europe. Thats not the case in the early 21st century. This is the second commentary based on Dr Steinbocks recent briefing on the changes in G6 and BRIC growth trajectories. Dr Steinbock is the founder of the Difference Group and has served as the research director at the India, China, and America Institute (USA) and a visiting fellow at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (China) and the EU Center (Singapore). For more information, see http://www.differencegroup.net/ 2018 Copyright Dan Steinbock - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. At 5.41pm, 4 August, a powerful explosion was heard near the rostrum from which Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro was addressing a parade at Bolivar Avenue in Caracas to mark the 81st anniversary of the Bolivarian National Guard. President Maduro was unharmed, but seven members of the National Guard were injured. In a televised address, the Venezuelan president accused outgoing Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos of being behind the attempt on his life. Far-right Venezuelan oppositionist, Patricia Poleo (based in Miami), later issued a statement from Soldados de Franelas (Soldiers in T-Shirts): a right-wing terrorist group made up of civilians and military personnel, which claimed responsibility for the attack. While some of the details of what happened are still unclear, it seems that there were two drones carrying C4 explosives and the target was the presidential rostrum of the parade. The drones have been identified from video footage and they seem to be high-end, professional six-rotor DJM600s, capable of carrying a load of seven pounds. One exploded in the air, probably shot down by the presidents security detail, while the other veered off and crashed into a nearby residential building. This second explosion led to some international press agencies giving credence to the idea that the detonation had come from a gas cylinder in a building rather than an attack on Maduro. Despite the international bourgeois media ceaselessly arguing for the military overthrow of the Venezuelan president, when a terrorist attack took place with that exact aim, they tried to deny it ever took place. Even now, most headlines try to sow doubts about whether the attack was real or not. Alleged Maduro assassination attempt says CNN, Apparent drone attack on Maduro reads the Washington Post, while El Pais ran the scandalous take: Maduro uses attack to reinforce attack on political opponents. Terrorism by reactionary opposition The reaction of the US government was in the same vein. They did not even go through the motions of issuing a condemnation of the attack, instead limiting themselves to saying that there was no US government involvement and then proceeding to hint that the attack could have been engineered by the Venezuelan government itself! The problem for the worlds capitalist media is that admitting a terrorist organisation has carried an attack on Maduro would destroy the whole basis of their stories about a peaceful, democratic opposition. This is the characterisation they have been peddling about the 2014 and 2017 guarimbas, consisting of violent rioting and terrorist activities by the opposition. In fact, it is highly likely that the perpetrators of this attack were linked to the participants in those events. The Venezuelan authorities announced that six people had been arrested in connection with the attempt on the presidents life. The group claiming responsibility seems to have some links both with people involved in far-right terrorism during the guarimbas and the (deceased) police officer Oscar Perez who captured a police helicopter and carried out an attack in Caracas last year. The group claiming responsibility seems to have links with participants in the guarimbas and with the terrorist Oscar Perez (pictured) / Image: fair use More details will surely become known in the coming days. One thing is clear: ever since the beginning of the Bolivarian Revolution 20 years ago there have been constant attempts by reactionary elements within the armed forces to overthrow the democratically elected government and crush the revolutionary movement by force of arms. The reactionary and parasitical Venezuelan oligarchy never accepted that they no longer held direct control over the government. We are talking not only of the short-lived coup in April 2002 (defeated by the decisive action of the masses), but also the Altamira Square military officers pronouncement in December that same year; the attempt to use Colombian paramilitaries to kill Hugo Chavez in 2004; and dozens of other lesser-known plots. All of these intrigues and there have been many share one thing in common: they enjoyed the support and backing in one degree or another of US imperialism and its lackeys in the Colombian oligarchy. Imperialist intrigues This attack takes place after recent reliable media reports indicated that US President Donald Trump openly discussed organising a military invasion of the country last year. As well as these reports, Bloomberg reported on a military coup plot that was foiled last year, one variant of which involved assassinating president Maduro during a military parade. Bloomberg reported these coup plots were being discussed with the full knowledge and tacit approval of Colombian and US security services. According to Bloomberg, US President Donald Trump openly discussed organising a military invasion of Venezuela last year / Image: Flickr, Gage Skidmore The way this particular assassination attempt was conducted implies it was the action of a small terrorist group rather than a worked-out conspiracy by foreign secret services. However, the danger should not be underestimated. These terrorist groups clearly have access to funding, explosives and have connections within the army and the police forces, as was shown in the case of Oscar Perez. On top of this, there is a section of the reactionary Venezuelan opposition that does not hide its support for such methods, whether they be military coups or terrorist attacks against the head of state. Of course, most of these terrorist cells and groups of scheming army officers are known to the US intelligence services, many of them having close links to the Miami mafia of Cuban exiles, which exerts an enormous amount of influence on the Republican Party. At the present time, Washington will probably seek to achieve its aims through a combination of economic sanctions, which it hopes will eventually lead a section of the army to organise a coup. However, this does not mean it would step in to prevent someone murdering Maduro, and you can be almost certain that the US had prior knowledge of this latest attack. Hands off Venezuela! The Venezuelan Revolution is facing many difficulties. We have been and still are extremely critical of the policies of the Maduro government, which in our opinion are disastrous and preparing the way for the oligarchys return to power. Even in the last few days, Maduro has made a number of announcements in terms of economic policy that constitute further concessions to the capitalists. But let us be absolutely clear on one point: the victory of a military coup would mean the end of the Bolivarian Revolution, a brutal austerity package to make working people pay the full price of the economic crisis and the destruction of what is left of the conquests of the revolution. This would be enforced by a generalised clampdown on democratic rights, with the aim of destroying the organisations of Venezuelan workers, peasants and the poor, crushing any potential resistance. No revolutionary activist anywhere in the world can support this, and for that reason we condemn the attack carried out on 4 August against Maduro. Embed from Getty Images The attempted killing of Maduro, however, also reveals a number of interesting points about the current situation in Venezuela. First of all, amongst those arrested in relation to the attack, some are linked to the August 2017 attack on the Paramacay barracks in Valencia, which was carried out by acting personnel of the armed forces and the Bolivarian National Guard. The fact that 20 years later there are still so many reactionary army officers is a clear sign that the state apparatus, though weakened and partially wrested from the control of the ruling class, is still a bourgeois state apparatus. This is something President Hugo Chavez explained clearly in his last speeches, when he insisted that the bourgeois state apparatus must be pulverised. The idea that somehow the army in Venezuela is qualitatively different than in other Latin American countries or that, as a whole, it is loyal to the Bolivarian Revolution, is false. Of course, the Venezuelan army came under the influence of the revolution. However, this has not fundamentally changed its structures or chain of command. As such, the army has not really undergone a qualitative transformation. The further down you go, amongst rank-and-file soldiers and NCOs, you will find a deeper reservoir of support for the Bolivarian Revolution. The further up you go, the higher the number of officers whose loyalty has been bought by perks, corruption and privileges derived from their positions in the state bureaucracy. Secondly, according to official sources, some of those arrested had been jailed for their part in terrorist activities during the 2014 opposition riots and were only recently released as part of the measures taken by Maduro after the 20 May presidential election in an attempt to appease the opposition. These measures caused uproar amongst the chavista rank-and-file as none of those released had repented or apologised for their actions, which had caused loss of life. Now they have continued with their terrorist activities. This is a pattern that has repeated itself in Venezuela since 2002. The leniency and appeals for national reconciliation are always responded to by the reactionary opposition with renewed coup plotting and more terrorism. Nothing has been learned. Defend the Bolivarian Revolution! The reason for the continued intrigues of the opposition is to be found in their profoundly reactionary character and how frightened they are of the Bolivarian Revolution. The workers and poor got the idea that they were in power, that they could rule. This idea must be stamped out before the ruling class can feel safe and firmly in the saddle again. The only way the government can reconcile itself with the opposition is to carry out this task. Anything short of that, and the plots will continue. Furthermore, if the situation of economic collapse continues and deepens (and so far it shows no signs of abating), it will lead to more widespread protests and generalised collapse in infrastructure. This in itself will be a factor pushing sections of the army officers in the direction of a coup, as they realise their own privileges are no longer safe under the status quo. A coup could be waged, even by some who identify as Bolivarian loyalists, under the guise of needing a strong hand at the helm to deal with the economy, passing power to a technocratic government to deal with the crisis. To fend off a military coup, it is necessary to build a revolutionary alternative that is firmly rooted in the left wing of the chavista rank-and-file / Image: public domain There is, of course, a way to deal with this situation once and for all, or at least a way that would weaken the coup plotters and reactionaries. The revolution must be completed, with the expropriation of the capitalists, bankers and landowners, in order to bring about a democratically planned economy under workers control. That must be accompanied by the abolition of the old capitalist state (which still remains, though weakened) and its replacement by workers power, in the form of workers committees, workers and peasants self-defence organisations and the Bolivarian militia. These should be transformed from an auxiliary force, subordinate to the main body of the armed forces, to the backbone of a revolutionary army. Maduros government has repeatedly shown that its policy is precisely the opposite of these measures. For that reason, it is necessary to build a revolutionary alternative that is firmly rooted in the left wing of the chavista rank-and-file, based on a clear, revolutionary, socialist programme of abolishing capitalism. This should be accompanied with an appeal to the workers and poor in Latin America and the whole world to follow by example. Work (out) with us! Join the team and make an impact helping people live happier, healthier lives. ClassPass CEO Fritz Lanman told the Missoulian last year that a big part of the reason he chose Missoula was because of the "abundant active lifestyle opportunities" here. https://classpass.com/about/careers *** ClassPass to expand to Missouas First Interstate Center, looks to add 40 more high-paying jobs http://www.matr.net/article-84152.html KABUL The newly appointed Ambassador of Turkmenistan Ovezov Hoja Sapargeldiyewich called upon H.E. Salahuddin Rabbani Minister of Foreign Affairs today afternoon. Ambassador Designate Sapargeldiyewich paid this courtesy call a day before presenting his credentials to the countrys President H.E. Ashraf Ghani. He Presented a copy of the document to H.E. Foreign Minister Rabbani at the outset of the meeting. Turkmenistans Ambassador Designate conveying his Foreign Ministers regards and wishes to Foreign Minister Rabbani reiterated his governments commitment to strengthened relations and cooperation with Afghanistan, the country, which he said, Turkmenistans President calls brotherly. H.E. Foreign Minister Rabbani welcoming the Ambassador praised the friendly and increasingly strengthened cooperation between the two countries and underscored the importance of areas of cooperation; recalling with appreciation the recent electricity supply project in Badghis Province. The two sides discussed and exchanged views on the upcoming bilateral visits. Foreign Minister Rabbani wished the Ambassador best of success in his new tenure. Mr. Ovezov Hoja Sapargeldiyewich has previously served several years as his countrys diplomat in Herat. Education Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu. Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu. Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events: International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu. EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu. Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets June Homecoming: Participant $18 per person; Sustainer $25 per person; Benefactor $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events: SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available for information call 610-275-1960 Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above) SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. 4 p.m. computers are available during those hours. Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863. Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376. Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com. The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes: Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020. CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313. The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events: Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30. Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301. For Kids & Families The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443. Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950. Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required. The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950. Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus. Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage. Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun. Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train. Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world! Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class. Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org. Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583. Community Events at the Ambler Y: -YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register. Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org. Health Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot. The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information. Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245. Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net. Spring Aquatic Programs UDHS Pool: -Summer is just around the corner Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required. Shallow Water Aerobics Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR. Adult Swim Instructions Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR -Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21. -Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m. -Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons. -Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates. Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994. SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com. Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org. Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs: FITNESS CLASSES Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month. Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30 9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly. SUPPORT GROUPS Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000. Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30 7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047. New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30 4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931. Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325. Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes. Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com. Librarytalk Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744 www.upperdublinlibrary.org APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS: Storytimes: Please register in the library. o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m. o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m. o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6. APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS: North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS: NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org. One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register contact info above. Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744. o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register. Meetings: Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m. Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m. Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org. For children and teens at Blue Bell: * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m. * May 14 Despicable Me * June 11 Alpha and Omega * Special Events * April watch for date of spring/Easter events * April 14 at 4:30 p.m. Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children. * April 14 at 7 p.m. Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided. * April 16 at 1 p.m. Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King. * April 16 at 1:30 p.m. Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes? * April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button. * April 30 through May 3 Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults. * May sign up for Science in the Summer * June sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children * June sign up for Summer Reading, all ages For adults at Blue Bell: * Daytime Book Discussion Group fourth Tuesday, Jan April at 1:30 p.m. * April 26 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Night-time Book Discussion Group third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. o April 19 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked? *Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs * Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class. * Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class. * Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m. * Giant Book Sale, April 29 May 3 o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults! o Held during library hours. o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m. o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join. * Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series o May 11 at 1 p.m. Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society * Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room. * Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read. * Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome. * Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome. *Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older. * Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours * Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours * Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday! Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library. * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * For adults: * Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn. * Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net * Special Events: * April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. * April 19 at 7 p.m. Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m. * April 21 at 7 p.m. Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades. *May 2 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. *May 10 Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *May 12 at 1:30p.m. Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. *May 17 Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. Meetings and Lectures The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833. The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313. Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200. The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/. LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings. Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org. Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org) -Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them. The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter. For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps. Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin. Special Events The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County. The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065. Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members. Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex. The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com. The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348. The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org. Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163. The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu. The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com. The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net. Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages. 13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries. Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family. The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler. JPRN Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike. Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately. Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways. Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table. Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374 Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall: -Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store. Music and Theater The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html. Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free. The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org Religious News The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276. Reunions St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net. Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572. Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779. Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411. Support New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149. PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931. The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296. Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656. Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group every other Wednesday, 7 8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information. CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7 8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich, NORRISTOWN The fate of a Hatfield man accused of fatally beating and strangling his live-in girlfriends 4-year-old daughter in 2016 in the Towamencin home they shared was placed in the hands of a Montgomery County jury late Wednesday. A jury began deliberating at 4:20 p.m. at the trial of Marquis Lamont Thomas, 35, of [] West Rockhill supervisor requests another look at township resolution regarding bridges August 06, 2018 Codename Acor Sycamore - The Saudi-U.S.-Al-Qaeda Plan To Reconquer Canada Official news of the Saudi-U.S.-Al-Qaeda alliance was probably not enough to make the point. Anyone who crosses a U.S. or Saudi red line will be punished with by al-Qaeda . Canada crossed such a line. That is what a verified Saudi propaganda account @infographic_ksa expressed today when it published this photo: There is little subtlety in showing an airliner flying into the CN Tower in Toronto. (The tweet, and a follow up without the plane, have since been deleted. Earlier today the account called for murdering Iran's supreme leader. That tweet is still up. Update: The account was deleted.) The 9/11 like tweet was part of a Saudi response to Canada's "overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of #SaudiArabia". On July 30 Saudi Arabia incarcerated the activist Samar Badawi, a sister of the Saudi dissident Raif Badawi. Raif Badawi himself has been in prison for several years. His wife Ensaf Haidar and their three children found asylum in Canada. They live in Sherbrooke in Quebec. On August 3 Canada's government expressed its displeasure with the recent arrest: Foreign Policy CAN @CanadaFP - 14:10 utc - 3 Aug 2018 Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in #SaudiArabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists. Since yesterday the Saudis fire back: Foreign Ministry @KSAmofaEN - 22:59 utc - 5 Aug 2018 #Statement | The negative and surprising attitude of #Canada is an entirely false claim and utterly incorrect. ... The Saudi clown prince does not tolerate any criticism. His ambassador to Canada was recalled and the Canadian ambassador in Riyadh was given 24 hours to leave. All new trade and investment transactions between Saudi Arabia and Canada are frozen. It suspended scholarship for 8,000 of the 25,000 Saudi students in Canada. The Saudi troll brigade was activated and immediately went into action: Dozens of Saudi accounts sent the copy/paste tweet below to various addressees. They were retweeted thousands of times. @KAFTA78 - 18:29 utc - 5 Aug 2018 - Replying to @CanEmbSA In Saudi Arabia we feel worried about Canada committing cultural genocide against Indigenous people. We also support the right of Quebec to become an independent nation. 839 retweets 630 Likes Donald Trump will follow the Canadian Saudi dispute with strong interest. He believes that "giving Canada their independence" was "the biggest mistake America ever made". In May he accused Canada of burning down the White House. It is high time to take revenge for that burning insult. Canada has a controversial $15 billion deal to provide Saudi Arabia with more than 900 'Light Armored Vehicles', 40% of which are actually a Heavy Assault type. The sanctimonious Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called them 'jeeps'. He approved the export permits despite the acknowledged use of these tanks against internal Saudi resistance and in the Saudi rape of Yemen. Donald Trump will happily accept the Saudi request to move the deal to U.S. production lines. Sources speak of a joint CIA-Saudi operation to arm moderate Quebecois rebels for their fight against the repressive Trudeau regime in Ottawa. Codenamed Acor Sycamore, the operation will purchase weapons in Bulgaria and Croatia and secretly ship those to CIA trained freedom fighters. The Saudis will redeploy their al-Qaeda and ISIS from Syria to the Canadian tar sands. The U.S. plans to use their establishment as pretext for the war on Canada and its following occupation. The Israeli cyber spy company the Saudis hired to attack Amnesty International will be redirected to attack Ottawa. Mossad will send agents to sabotage Canada's Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve. The move will increase demand for U.S. syrup products. Canada should note that its independence - graciously granted by Trump's America - can be revoked. The man who desires to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN may come to see the re-acquisition of the oil-rich but empty north-American space as the climax of his political career. Today's AP piece on the Saudi-U.S.-Al-Qaeda alliance in Yemen and the Saudi '9/11 in Canada' tweet are not unrelated. Justin Trudeau must immediately hop on a plane to Moscow and ask for Russia's support. Firing his anti-Russian, Nazi descendant foreign minister may help to gain Putin's grace. Trump's MAGA intentions are well known. The message the Saudis sent is clear. The CN Tower will fall. Ottawa will be besieged. It is high time for Trudeau to act. /snark Posted by b on August 6, 2018 at 18:14 UTC | Permalink Comments August 06, 2018 Yemen - The Saudi-U.S.-Al-Qaeda Alliance Is Now Official 'News' When in March 2015 the U.S and Saudi Arabia launched their war on Yemen, Moon of Alabama noted: [T]he U.S. supported Saudi campaign is actually in support of their Wahhabi Al-Qaeda brethren, not in support of the majority of Yemenis. In April 2015 evidence emerged that Saudi Arabia hired al-Qaeda in Yemen to fight the Houthi movement and its allies. At that time al-Qaeda in the Arab Peninsula (APAQ) captured the military base, refinery and port of Mukala in south Yemen. The Yemeni soldiers guarding those facilities had orders not to resist the move. They were under command of a Muslim Brotherhood officer who resides in Saudi Arabia. Al-Qaeda immediately renamed itself "Sons of Hadramaut" while the Saudis announced that they would support the new "Popular Committees". To the Saudis the Zeyda Shia and especially the Houthis are "extremist groups". Al Qaeda, especially in the form of "popular committees" like the "Sons of Hadhramaut", are friends and tools to be armed and used to Saudi advantage. As the Houthies will certainly not give up under Saudi pressure, the Riyan Mukalla Airport seized by the "popular" "Sons of Hadhramaut" will soon be indeed very busy. The hiring and arming of al-Qaeda by Saudi Arabia and others has since been a frequent occurrence. But the mainstream media hardly ever reported the issue. It was a 'conspiracy theory' peddled by lowly bloggers like yours truly. Now it is official news. The Associated Press headlines: Yemen: US allies dont defeat al-Qaida but pay it to go away. Even though the AP headline and the first paragraphs are somewhat misleading, the piece is well worth the read: Again and again over the past two years, a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the United States has claimed it won decisive victories that drove al-Qaida militants from their strongholds across Yemen and shattered their ability to attack the West. Heres what the victors did not disclose: many of their conquests came without firing a shot. Thats because the coalition cut secret deals with al-Qaida fighters, paying some to leave key cities and towns and letting others retreat with weapons, equipment and wads of looted cash, an investigation by The Associated Press has found. Hundreds more were recruited to join the coalition itself. These compromises and alliances have allowed al-Qaida militants to survive to fight another day and risk strengthening the most dangerous branch of the terror network that carried out the 9/11 attacks. Key participants in the pacts said the U.S. was aware of the arrangements and held off on any drone strikes. That lede does not reflect the detailed reporting following it. The cooperation between Saudi Arabia and al-Qaeda started immediately after the launch of the war, not only two years ago. It has since been ongoing. Early on al-Qaeda captured several towns and places with the implicit help of Saudi Arabia. It also received weapons and large payments. When its expansion became too obvious, the Saudis moved other proxy forces into those places or simply asked al-Qaeda to raise a different flag. The reporting deeper into the AP piece indeed concludes that al-Qaeda is not only paid to leave, but is hired and equipped by the Saudis to fight on all fronts. It provides that the U.S. war of terror against al-Qaeda is just a sham: [T]he U.S. is working with its Arab allies particularly the United Arab Emirates with the aim of eliminating the branch of extremists known as al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP. But the larger mission is to win the civil war against the Houthis, Iranian-backed Shiite rebels. And in that fight, al-Qaida militants are effectively on the same side as the Saudi-led coalition and, by extension, the United States. While the highlighted core news is correct, the AP piece again misleads in the details. The direct involvement of the U.S., Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and of mercenaries from a dozen countries proves that the war in Yemen is not a "civil war". It is a full fledged attack on Yemen, its resources and applaudably cool (vid) people. The Houthis are Zaida, not Twelver Shia like the Iranians. The are backed by Iranian rhetoric but that's about it. The missiles they launch against Saudi Arabia are from North Korea, not from Iran: With Ali acting as a go-between, a "protocol of cooperation" between Yemen's Huthi rebels and North Korea was negotiated in 2016 in Damascus that provided for a "vast array of military equipment." Al-Qaeda is directly involved in the ongoing attempt to encircle and starve millions of people in north Yemen. It plays a leading role in the attack on Hodeidah: Two of the four main coalition-backed commanders along the Red Sea coast are allies of al-Qaida, the al-Qaida member said. The coalition has made major advances on the coast, currently battling for the port of Hodeida. Video footage shot by the AP in January 2017 showed a coalition-backed unit advancing on Mocha, part of an eventually successful campaign to recapture the Red Sea town. Some of the units fighters were openly al-Qaida, wearing Afghan-style garb and carrying weapons with the groups logo. As they climbed behind machine guns in pick-up trucks, explosions from coalition airstrikes could be seen on the horizon. The U.S. has allied with the Saudi created al-Qaeda since 1979. It was used to further U.S. interests against the Soviets in Afghanistan, in Chechnya, Bosnia, Syria, Yemen and elsewhere. Why is this involvement of al-Qaeda in the war on Yemen now official news? For years it was an open secret. This blog covered it in about each of its dozens of posts about Yemen. But it was only rarely reported on in mainstream news. When such 'conspiracy theories' become official 'news' it is often only because it is useful to the powers that be. So why is AP publishing this now? Is someone in the U.S. Defense Department upset with the U.S.-Saudi war on Yemen? Is this supposed to stop the attack on Hodeidah? Or is the White House miffed about Clown Prince Mohammad bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, who is in charge of the war? Is this meant as a warning to 'behave'? Posted by b on August 6, 2018 at 11:22 UTC | Permalink Comments *This story and candidate list was updated Aug. 6. With less than a week left in the candidacy filing period for the November election, voters may not have much of choice in selecting the right person for office. Many of the races for elected board of education seats spanning the communities of Morgan Hill, Gilroy and Hollister have only a single candidate and could run unopposed. Linda Tulett, manager of candidate services with Santa Clara Countys Office of Registrar, said they expect a rush of additional candidates as the candidacy filing period nears the cutoff date of Aug. 10. She pointed to the website sccvote.org, where potential candidates can find a candidate guide with the steps necessary to filing for office. The same can be done for San Benito County at sbcvote.us/registrar-of-voters/. Its fairly easy to file for a school district (seat), Tulett said. Next week, we expect to be crazy. Just like voter registration, everyone walks in the door thinking theyre the only one who waited until the last minute. Ive have a couple people waiting at the front counter now and, on Friday, there will probably be 15 at the front counter. The last day to file for office is Aug. 10. If an incumbent does not run for re-election, the nomination period for that office is then extended until 5pm Aug. 15. Tulett explained that, according to education and election code, if there is an equal or fewer number of candidates to the corresponding elected offices at the end of the nomination period, then those who are qualified through the county office will be appointed to those positions. It all depends on the election and the environment of the election, said Angela Curro, assistant county clerk, recorder and registrar voters for San Benito County, as to how many and how early candidates file. What were seeing is pretty typical. Actually, we had a busy start to nominations, which is unusual. However, not all candidates file early. In San Benito Countys two largest school districts, all three San Benito High School District trustee area seats have just a single candidate in each race while four candidatesincumbent Patricia Moore along with challengers Stephen Kain, Brande Barrett and Carlotta Torreshave pulled papers for the three open seats on the Hollister School District board. SBHS District incumbents Steve Delay (Trustee Area 3) and Juan Robledo (TA4) are seeking re-election. The other incumbent Bill Tiffany does not plan to seek office, but challenger Miguel Sahagun Jr. entered the Trustee Area 2 race. On the HSD board, Peter Hernandez will not return as he is involved in a Nov. runoff for a seat on the County Board of Supervisors. Incumbent Elsa Rodriguez have yet to pull papers. Additionally, only one challenger, Jason Hopkins in Trustee Area 7, has pulled papers for the two San Benito County trustee area seats on the Gavilan Community College Joint District with incumbents Lois Locci and Kent Child not planning to run again. In the other two Gavilan seats set for the Nov. 6 election ballot, incumbent Walt Glines (Trustee Area 3, Gilroy) will be up against challenger Edwin Diaz while incumbent Laura Perry (TA1, Morgan Hill) is the only candidate who has expressed official interest. In Morgan Hill Unified School District, five trustee area seats are up for grabs with only two currently contested as incumbent Gino Borgioli (TA3) and challenger Heather Orosco pulled papers for Trustee Area 3 while newcomers Robert Guynn and Jill Provencal will compete for the Trustee Area 4 seat. Three other challengers, Peter Mandel (TA1), John Horner (TA2) and Vanessa Sutter (TA5), have filed in separate MHUSD trustee areas without any opposition. Typically school offices dont necessarily file early, Curro added. It all depends on the individual. In Gilroy Unified School District, where four at-large seats are set to expire in November, one incumbent (Linda Piceno) and two challengers (Enrique Diaz and Anisha Munshi) have pulled papers. Incumbent Patricia Midtgaard does plan to seek re-election, while fellow GUSD trustees Heather Bass and Jaime Ross have yet to pull papers. On the county boards, incumbent Claudia Rossi, of Morgan Hill, is currently running unopposed for her Trustee Area 7 seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Education while incumbent Joan Campbell-Garcia (District 3) and challenger Reb Monaco (District 4) are the lone candidates for those respective seats on the San Benito County Board of Education. The other two SCCBOE trustee area seats have contested races. Candidates filed as of Aug. 6 Deadline is Aug. 10 Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Area 7 Claudia Rossi (incumbent) Gavilan Joint College Board of Trustees Trustee Area 1 Laura Perry (incumbent) TA3 Walt Glines (incumbent) Edwin Diaz TA5 None TA7 Jason Hopkins Gilroy Unified School District Board of Education 4 at-large seats Linda Piceno (incumbent) Enrique Diaz Anisha Munshi Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Education Trustee Area 1 Peter Mandel Trustee Area 2 John Horner Trustee Area 3 Gino Borgioli (incumbent) Heather Orosco Trustee Area 4 Robert Guynn Jill Provencal Trustee Area 5 Vanessa Sutter San Benito County Board of Education District 3 Joan Campbell-Garcia (incumbent) District 4 Reb Monaco San Benito High School District Board of Education Trustee Area 3 Steve Delay (incumbent) TA4 Juan Robledo (incumbent) TA2 Miguel Sahagun Jr. Hollister School District Board of Education 3 at-large seats Patricia Moore (incumbent) Stephen Kain Brande Barrett Carlotta Torres 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. Subservicer Product; Conv. Conforming Changes From Lenders and Investors In July I was fortunate to spend time in Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, and California, and I look forward to time in Illinois, Montana, Virginia and Utah during August. As I visit with different groups, inventory and affordability continue to be issues, as well as down payments. Forbes came out with a list of 30 state programs around the nation to assist with down payments, or have no private mortgage insurance. Along those lines, HUDs latest definition of the low income level to qualify for certain affordable housing programs stands at $117,400 per year for a household of four people in Northern Californias San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo counties. Fannie and Freddie News Despite the industrys continuing best efforts, GSE (government sponsored enterprise namely Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae) reform this year is unlikely, especially with an election three months away. And the history of the sweep of their profits into the government coffers. Lending veterans know that not everyone who wants to own a home should own a home, and not everyone who applies for a loan is going to be approved. But the National Association of Realtors believes GSE reform is important to increasing home ownership. (Anyone remember HUDs mandate to FNMA/FHLMC to buy poor loans and increase the home ownership percentage?) NAR hosted a roundtable event a while back examining the scope and status of comprehensive Government-Sponsored Enterprise, or GSE, reform. Isaac Boltansky, director of policy research with Compass Point opened the event. It is deplorable that Congress has left the GSEs in conservatorship for 10 years, but it isnt all bad news. There have been meaningful administrative improvements that have made the system safer and have advanced the debate. As a result, the broader policy conversation has shifted from a consideration of remaking the mortgage finance system to an acceptance that a package of narrower reforms could suffice. Effectively, weve gone from consideration of tearing down the whole house for a rebuild to the belief that we should just tweak the houses plumbing and do some landscaping. David M. Dworkin, president and CEO of the National Housing Conference, commented on the necessity, and corresponding complexity, of enacting comprehensive housing finance reform. Housing finance reform remains the single largest unfinished business of the housing crisis. The failure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the taxpayer bailout and repayment that followed, and their unresolved conservatorship continue to demand final resolution, even if Congress does not, he said. Recall that the Administration put out a proposal to remove the federal charter from statute and fully privatize the GSEs and called on policymakers to decrease the federal subsidies supporting housing by reducing the role of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in the housing market. Good luck. Freddie Macs Bulletin 2018-12 updates lender credit requirements, leasehold estate requirements, Delivery instructions for: Automated collateral evaluation appraisal waivers, Homeownership education and the Uniform Loan Delivery Dataset (ULDD) specification addendum. In early July Chase Correspondent removed several overlays for its clients. Plaza Home Mortgage will be offering Freddie Macs HomeOne Mortgage program starting July 30th. HomeOne's eligible terms in our Conforming Fixed program provide 97% financing under a Freddie Mac program for borrowers whose income exceeds Freddie Macs Home Possible income limits. Plaza also offers 97% financing on Fannie Maes standard and HomeReady programs as well as Freddie Mac Home Possible. BoI Federal Bank Wholesale has discontinued its Conforming product line(s). As a result, these products will no longer be offered in the Optimal Blue system. Customers utilizing this content for proprietary products have six months from 7/23/18 to reconfigure eligibility/adjustment sourcing. The UCD mandate is in effect and, if you're still figuring things out, Fannie Mae can help you ensure your Uniform Closing Dataset (UCD) file submissions are successful. Watch this quick overview video about UCD and visit the UCD page and the UCD Collection Solution page for more information. You can also Email the UCD team if you have additional questions. In reference to the Fannie Mae published Selling Guide Announcement SEL-2018-05, AmeriHome is reminding lenders that it does not purchase loans secured by manufactured homes or HomeStyle loans. PennyMac Correspondent Group has posted a new announcement: UCD Requirement Reminder. Citibank Correspondent Lending continues to make changes, and I found this posted bulletin on conventional conforming loans Id missed mentioning from January 19th. My apologies. Fifth Third Correspondent Lendings recent Communique addressed Loan Product Advisor (LPA) enhancement to now calculate the additional required reserves when the subject property is a second home or investment property. These are no longer required to be a manual calculation and doing so will result in an over-calculation of required reserves. This update applies for Loan Product Advisor (LPA) only. Loans using Loan Prospector (LP) still require a manual calculation for the required additional reserves. For all DU approved conventional loans, PennyMac is aligning with the various updates in Fannie Mae SEL 2018-05 and DU Release Notes 6.23, Read its release notes for details. The Fifth Third Correspondent Seller Guide Underwriting Guide has been updated to support the changes in Fannie Maes DU Version 10.2 release the weekend of June 23rd. These changes will apply to new loan casefiles submitted or resubmitted to DU on or after the weekend of June 23rd. In addition, effective immediately, the Fifth Third Conforming and Jumbo product Flipping Policy has been eliminated. Arch MI has outlined its position on the topics covered in Fannie Mae Announcement SEL-2018-05. Review its Customer Announcement for details. Mountain West Financial Wholesale has updated it Conventional guidelines 6.9.15 regarding use of business funds. When a borrower intends to use business assets as funds for the down payment, closing costs, and/or financial reserves, a business cash flow analysis must be performed to confirm that the withdrawal of funds will not have a negative impact on the business. Mountain West Financial has revised its Delegated Mortgage Insurance (MI) requirements to now offer delegated MI on LTVs above 95%, with a maximum LTV of 97%. All other Delegated MI requirements currently remain the same. Effective immediately, M&T Bank Correspondents Fannie Mae HomeStyle product pages are updated to reflect that interim inspections performed by a HUD consultant may be completed on a HUD Draw Request Form (HUD-9746-A) as oppose to an FNMA Form 1004D. All final inspections, whether completed by an appraiser or consultant must be completed on FNMA Form 1004D and state the project is completed in full. Franklin American Mortgage Company, a division of Citizens Bank, N.A. announced it has removed multiple previous overlays on Conventional, FHA, and VA products, effective immediately. Plaza Home Mortgage now offers the Freddie Mac HomeOne Mortgage. MWF Wholesale posted underwriting guideline changes to allow Delegated MI on standard conforming with LTVs up to 97%. These updates have been implemented within its UW Manuals/Product Matrices. MFW Wholesale is now offering the Freddie Mac HomeOne Mortgage. Review its Conforming Product Matrix for complete guideline details. Ditech Financial announced the Fannie Mae Student Loan Cash Out Refinance feature, a cost-effective alternative to use existing home equity to pay off student loan debt. This feature provides the opportunity for borrowers to pay off one or more student loans through the refinance transaction, potentially reducing monthly debt payments. To register, contact the Ditech Lock Desk at 877-700-4622, option 5. The cash out loan level price adjustment will be waived, and loan will be subject to review prior to purchase to confirm eligibility. Fannie Mae has revised AAA matrices to include the foreclosure-related title cost guidance issued June 6, which is effective for referrals on or after Sept. 1. Please note that the title search allowable cost and/or title update standard excess cost may have changed. To view the updated matrices, visit the Excess Attorney Fee/Cost Guidelines page. On Aug. 18, Fannie Mae will update Condo Project Manager (CPM) to align with the June 5 changes to its condo policies and to enhance the user experience by providing links to applicable Selling Guide policy. To accommodate the update, CPM will be unavailable from Saturday, Aug. 18 at 5 a.m. ET until Monday, Aug. 20 at 7 a.m. ET. For more information, review the release notes on the CPM page. The Desktop Underwriter (DU) validation service Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been updated to incorporate four new FAQs, three about Verification of Employment (VOE) and one about Verification of Income (VOI). These questions have been added to provide clarity around the time-sensitive VOE and VOI requirements and options for re-verification. Wells Fargo Funding updated its Seller Guide to clarify that Fannie Mae HFA Preferred, Freddie Mac HFA Advantage, and any other HFA programs are ineligible for purchase. Capital Markets Despite JPMorgans CEO Jamie Dimon suggesting that the 10-year yield will hit 5%, rates dropped on Friday, including the 10-year closing 3bps lower at 2.95% after the release of a July Employment Situation report. (It missed headline estimates.) In addition, the markets were forced to digest news indicating Chinese officials have prepared a list of $60 billion worth of U.S. goods that may become subject to new tariffs. In addition to the jobs report on Friday, we saw the U.S. trade deficit widen to $46.3 billion in June, a wider figure than expected as June exports were $1.5 billion less than May exports while June imports were $1.6 billion more than May imports. On a positive note, the year-to-date goods and services deficit is up $19.6 billion, or 7.2%, from the same period in 2017, pre-trade war. Finally, the ISM's Non-Manufacturing displayed a cooling off that could feed expectations for a slowdown in third quarter real GDP growth. This weeks calendar starts with a slow Monday: today we only have the July Employment Trends Index at 10am ET. Tomorrow, things pick back up with JOLTS job openings, June Consumer Credit, and a monetary policy decision from the RBA. Wednesday, we have the usual Weekly MBA Mortgage Index and weekly crude inventories before PPI, claims figures, and Wholesale Inventories on Thursday. The week concludes with July CPI figures and Treasury Budget on Friday. We start Monday with agency MBS prices nearly unchanged from Fridays close and the 10-year yielding 2.95%. Lender Products and Services Len Patton CMB, a 20 year industry veteran, is now SVP of Business Development for Specialized Loan Servicing. SLS, part of the Computershare Group, is one of the nations highest-rated mortgage servicers. Len will be responsible for working closely with Capital Markets Cooperatives Patrons, as well as other mid-market banks, credit unions, and independent bankers, searching for an industry-leading subservicing solution. Len can be reached here or by cell (904) 504-3268. Lets be honest. Networking can suck. But its necessary in this business of ours, which is why on Thursday, August 9th from 10-11 AM PST/1-2 PM EST, Sierra Pacific Mortgage is providing a free webinar called The Networking Playbook: How to Strategically Navigate the Room & Score Big Time! This free, engaging, info-training course focuses on how to make networking less awkward, less sales-y, and a much better use of your time. And all you have to do to register is click here. Make networking your thing and start cultivating relationships that generate sales in your future. Business Opportunities A national title Insurance agency in New York State is looking for a partner to increase its sales. The title and escrow agency has been around for over 12 years with a staff of 12 including two attorneys. The ideal partner is someone with many banking and real estate connections looking to either merge, joint venture or become partners with the sole principal of the title agency. This individual or company understands the profitability within the title industry and is looking to get involved on the title side. It's a dream scenario for someone(s) to walk in here and use this national platform to get involved in the title industry. Interested principals should send a confidential note of interest to me and I will pass it along to the president of the company. Please specify opportunity. Were looking for partners. Lets face it, the old mortgage business we knew is never coming back! We recognize that volume and margins are down, but our expenses are up! The reality is that many groups are going to have to join forces to survive this extremely competitive business. We are a multibillion dollar bank in Texas with a very strong balance sheet with all the agency approvals and a great customer service infrastructure that understands the mortgage business. We have the platform, but we need the production. So, if we join forces, utilizing each others strengths, we want just to survive, but we will all thrive! We need each other more than ever! If you are interested in making a very strategic decision that could positively affect your future, contact Rob Chrisman to forward your note and have a confidential discussion. Marianne Williamson is an New Age author, activist and lecturer. She has published 12 books, including four New York Times number-one bestsellers, with her most recent being Tears to Triumph about the spiritual journey from suffering to enlightenment. She is the founder of Project Angel Food, a meals-on-wheels program that serves homebound people with AIDs in the Los Angeles area, and the co-founder of The Peace Alliance, a grassroots campaign supporting legislation to establish a United States Department of Peace. Williamson also produces the Sister Giant Conferences, highlighting the intersection of spirituality and politics. In 2018, Marianne has been touring America to discuss how a revolution in consciousness paves the way to both personal and political renewal, speaking with congressional candidates along the way that she believes can bring this renewal to Washington in November. Ms. Williamson will be in Dayton on Friday, August 10th to speak and support the election campaign of Theresa Gasper, candidate for U.S. Congress, 10th District of Ohio. Join Marianne Williamson as she discusses how a revolution in consciousness paves the way to both personal and political renewal. What does it mean for a country to self-actualize? What would it look like for not only a person, but a collection of people, to become together all that we can be? How does individual freedom provide the greatest space for our collective genius to unfold? To Attend Marianne Williamson Live: Fundraiser for Theresa Gasper Time: Friday, August 10, 7:30 PM 9:30 PM Event Address: IUE-CWA Local 755 313 S Jefferson St Dayton, OH 45402 Admission starts at $35 and can be reserved online. MERIDEN Leaning onto the dance floor, the crowd at the 51st Puerto Rican Festival cheered on a dozen dancers spinning across the band shell at Hubbard Park on Sunday. I love the music, the dancing. Everything is very Puerto Rican, said Meriden resident Yvette Montes de Oca, clad in a Puerto Rican flag shirt. Its a stomping ground for Hispanics to come and share their food and culture. The food was just as central to bringing Puerto Rican culture to Meriden as the music and dancing, with about 15 vendors selling bacalaitos, plate-sized slices of fried fish, empanadas and arroz con gandules, a dish of rice, beans, peas and pork. Organizers expected between 4,000 and 4,500 people would come to the park Sunday. Meriden resident Cerina Hernandez said it meant at lot to her to be at the festival. We make the bread pudding like no other, said Hernandezs mother, Sally Torres, who started Sweet Sallys Heavenly Delights based on recipes passed down to her from her own mother. They also sell their treats at the weekly farmers markets on the Meriden Green. This is my culture, Torres said. Our festival is all about sharing our culture with everyone, said Diana Alicea, one of the festivals organizers, who was running the cultural tent. With cooking tools, a model of a Puerto Rican home and fruits and vegetables grown on the island, she hoped to educate others on their heritage and bring memories back for those who had left. Its just so nice that we can get together with all backgrounds, she said. Theres a strong Puerto Rican community here. Its good because it brings everybody together, said Meriden resident Heriberto Hernandez, a digital illustration artist. He was happy to be surrounded by his culture, saying its everything, the music, the food, the language. We have been a part of the community for many years, said City Councilor Miguel Castro, noting that Puerto Ricans have had leaders in business and city government for generations. As people of all backgrounds celebrate their neighbors at the festival, Hubbard Park becomes a big melting pot, he said. You see all kinds of different people here. This is a great introduction for the Puerto Rican culture, said state Rep. Hilda Santiago. She said it shows the pride Puerto Ricans have in being Americans, while bringing diversity to the city. And the food always attracts people. Being involved in the community and helping neighbors is an important part of being Puerto Rican, festival coordinator Hector Cardona said. Cardona said three scholarships were awarded to students at local high schools. Karina Torres, of Wilcox Technical High School, Ziemeek Fuentes, of Maloney High School, and Erika Lopez, of Platt High School, each received $1,000 toward their college expenses. Two Meriden residents, firefighter Danny Torres and Pablo Soto, were also recognized for traveling to the island to help with the recovery efforts after Hurricane Maria. The Puerto Rican people are really big into that, helping others, Cardona said. dleithyessian@record-journal.com 203-317-2317 Twitter: @leithyessian Will Brian France Suffer Indefinite Suspension? Is France on his way to the Road of Recovery UPDATE: "I apologize to our fans, our industry and my family for the impact of my actions last night," France said in a statement later Monday. "Effective immediately, I will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from my position to focus on my personal affairs." officials must pass a drug test from an approved lab in the 90 days prior to applying for their NASCAR license. NASCAR can then ask any member to submit to a drug test at any time for reasonable suspicion and conducts random drug tests on event weekends. NASCAR began random drug testing in the 2009 season. All NASCAR drivers, at-track crew members andmust pass a drug test from an approved lab in the 90 days prior to applying for their NASCAR license. NASCAR can then ask any member to submit to a drug test at any time for reasonable suspicion and conducts random drug tests on event weekends. To be reinstated, if found in violation of NASCARs Substance Abuse Policy, the violator must participate in and satisfactorily complete a "Road to Recovery" plan. That plan may include substance abuse counseling, treatment or rehabilitation. The policy also states that any NASCAR member who voluntarily acknowledges a substance-abuse issue will not be suspended under the program -- except that in the interest of safety, NASCAR can temporarily suspend the license until the NASCAR member has been rehabilitated to the satisfaction of NASCAR. Sadly, the CEO and Chairman of NASCAR (since 2003) Brian France was arrested for Driving Under the Influence last night in the Hamptons. France was contacted after failing to halt for a Stop Sign and his blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit. Needless to say, he failed the field sobriety test and was placed under arrest. During a search of his person, the police found oxycodone pills. Oxycodone is in a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics. It works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. France was arrested and held at the nearby station overnight. He was book for both DUI and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree. France was released on his own recognizance Monday morning after his arraignment. It should be interesting to see if NASCAR suspends its CEO in line with the organizational policy. Annoyed for both Chase Elliotts win now being overshadowed by Brian France being a moron and for Spencer Gallagher who was vilified for doing what his sports CEO apparently also does. Cassie Fambro (@CassieFambro) August 6, 2018 Back in May, Xfinity driver Spencer Gallagher was suspended indefinitely from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning bodys substance abuse policy - Section 19 (NASCARs substance abuse policy) of the 2018 NASCAR rule book. He was reinstated in early July after competing his Road to Recovery. It is NASCAR Race Mom's opinion that Brian France should be held to a similar course of redemption. Brian France's Statement: Related Posts: By Mark Wolf Los AngelesA potpourri of public policy issues ranging from fiscal to social, electoral and much more, await voters in the upcoming elections. Bond issues, infrastructure, gambling, pensions, marijuana, redistricting, Medicaid, school vouchers, voter ID, ethics, raising taxes, abortion, right-to-work, gender identity and immigration are among the ballot measures that will pass or fail muster this year, Patrick Potyondy, legislative policy specialist and Mellon-ACLS public fellow in NCSLs Elections and Redistricting Program, told a session of NCSLs Legislative Summit. Among the more intriguing issues is Idahos attempt to join several other states in offering historical horse racing, in which bettors try to pick winners of races already run. The database picks randomly from tens of thousands of races in the archive and the date, location and identifying information on the horses and jockeys arent displayed. Several states have used historical gambling to shore up revenues at race tracks. A quick look at some of what voters will be giving thumbs up or down in November. Early returns: Several states have already approved ballot measures ranging from rainwater capture and a transportation lockbox (California, where a cap-and-trade gas system failed), ranked choice voting (Maine), redistricting commission (Ohio), legalizing medical marijuana (Oklahoma) and a Medicaid tax (Oregon). A measure in Wisconsin to eliminate the state treasurer failed. Hawaii: a surcharge on residential investment policies to fund public education. California: repealing the 2017 gas tax (seen in some quarters as a national stalking horse), permanent Daylight Saving Time, paying ambulance employees for on-call breaks and additional training and expanding the required number of square feet for farm animal production. Oregon: premium tax for Medicaid, banning taxes on groceries, repeal law limiting use of state/local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws. Nevada: sales tax exemption for feminine hygiene products, automatic voter registration, 50 percent renewable energy standard by 2030. Montana: tax for state university system, increase tobacco taxes. Utah: become 32nd state to legalize medical marijuana, redistricting commission, Medicaid expansion, nonbinding question to raise fuel tax for education and local roads. Arizona: repeal of school voucher expansion, corrections officer pension, campaign finance reform. New Mexico: authorize state ethics commission, bond measures for facilities for senior citizens, public libraries, public school buses, high education special schools and tribal school. Colorado: become 15th state to have age qualification for general assembly, congressional and legislative redistricting commissions, remove forced unpaid labor by prisoners from state constitution. South Dakota: increase tobacco tax, ban out-of-state contributions to ballot questions, increase to 55 percent to pass constitutional amendments. North Dakota: ethics commission, foreign contributors ban, lobbying and conflicts of interest amendments. Michigan: marijuana and hemp legalization initiative, redistricting commission. Ohio: congressional redistricting reform, drug decriminalization reform. Indiana: state balanced budget amendment. Missouri: veto right to work legislation, increase of gas tax, tax emption for Olympic prize money. Arkansas: photo voter ID, cap attorneys fees and damage awards in lawsuits. Alabama: authorize displaying Ten Commandments on public property, state abortion policy amendment. Louisiana: require unanimous juries for felonies, affordable housing, prohibit felons from public office for five years after completion of sentence. Georgia: sales tax revenue from school districts, Marsys Law (crime victim rights amendment). Florida: restore voting rights to felons, increase to two-thirds vote to increase taxes. North Carolina: photo ID to vote, lowering maximum income tax, Marsys Law, remove governors power to make some appointments. Kentucky: Marsys Law. Virginia: flood abatement, remove restriction on place of residence for spouse of disabled veteran to receive tax exemption. Washington D.C.: increases in minimum wage and tipped employees initiative. Connecticut: transportation lockbox. Massachusetts: veto of gender anti-discrimination legislation. Maine: repeal of delay and/or repeal of ranked choice voting; payroll and non-age income tax to fund universal home care. Be sure to check out NCSLs elections and redistricting resources. Mark Wolf is editor of the NCSL Blog. By Express News Service NEW YORK: Pepsico Incs best-known public face and Corporate Americas most vocal female executive, Indra Nooyi, will step down as CEO on October 3 after 24 years with the food and beverage giant, half of which as chief executive. According to a company announcement, Chennai-born Nooyi, 62, will remain as chairperson of the board of directors till early 2019 while Barcelona native Ramon Laguarta, 54, will take over as the new CEO. Even after retirement, Nooyi will continue to influence Corporate America which doesnt have a good reputation for having female leaders in executive positions. People like me, after we leave privileged CEO jobs, I dont think we can go silent... We have to keep fighting the good fight to develop women, to mentor them, to support them, so that we can get more highly qualified women and theres plenty of them into the boardroom, Bloomberg quoted her as saying. Known for her focus on corporate sustainability and responsibility, Nooyi was placed at No 2 on the US Fortunes list of The Most Powerful Women in Business outside the US. Born in Chennai and studied in IIM Calcutta and Yale School of Management, Nooyi joined the New York-based company in 1994. She was named President and CEO of PepsiCo in 2006. Under her leadership, the firms revenue grew from $35 billion in 2006 to $63.5 billion in 2017. By Express News Service BENGALURU: In a first, organisers of Bengaluru Tech Summit will invite delegations from third-world countries in Africa to the 21st edition of the event in November. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently went to Rwanda as part of an outreach tour. He was accompanied by a 100-member delegation that comprised industry heads, including a contingent from Karnataka. In fact, the contingent from Karnataka, which comprised around 25 members, was the biggest from any state. One of the aims is to get a delegation from Rwanda to join us at the summit, says Jagdish Patankar, curator of events at the summit. Besides Rwanda, organisers will also try and invite other countries. Jagadish says, Coincidentally, the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, also happens to be the chairperson of the African Union. We are hoping that we will be able to invite other African countries to the summit as well, says Jagdish. The African Union is a continental union that includes all its 55 nations. Jagadish says that Indian countries have been turning their attention to resource-rich African countries of late. For Karnataka, the main idea is to expand their IT capabilities in these countries and in the field of agri-tech. There are also other sectors, such as mining and manufacturing, says Jagadish. In addition to African countries, the organisers are also looking to invite delegations from Latin America. For the moment, our main focus is African countries. Last year, around 10 countries participated in the summit, he adds. The major themes at this years summit will be Emerging technologies aimed at showcasing the latest and best innovations across sectors; global alliances; and startups. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has appealed to all political leaders to cooperate with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in clearing illegal flexes and banners across the city as per the High Court directives. A statement issued by his office states that numerous illegal flexes have ruined the beauty of the city and have caused pollution too. Hence he has requested the leaders, party workers and elected representatives from all political parties to adhere to the High Court directives and clear flexes mounted in the city, the release stated. Kumaraswamy directed BBMP Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad to comply with the High Court order and to take stringent action against officers who show negligence in their duty. MLAs hoarding in Yelahanka removed Even after four days of the drive, hoardings featuring Yelahanka MLA S R Vishwanath of BJP surfaced on NES Road in Yelahanka. Palike Joint Commissioner (Yelahanka) Dr S Nagaraj said he received information about the hoardings on Sunday morning and had inspected them along with the BBMP Commissioner and other officials. There were no flexes or banners except one hoarding and we got that removed today, he said. He said that within Yelahanka zone, most of the flexes and banners had been cleared. Even boards of pro-Kannada organisations such as Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and Jai Karnataka were removed as they were illegal, he added. MLA Vishwanath said he himself had gotten several flexes removed in the area earlier, and when he received information about these structures he instructed his workers to have them removed. On Friday, BBMP filed an FIR against BBMP councillor Nalini Manju over posters announcing her birthday in Rajarajeshwari Nagar ward. The drive to remove such advertising structures began on Wednesday after the High Court instructed BBMP to clear them immediately. BBMP deployed several officers and workers and has been carrying out the drive since then. As of Saturday evening, BBMP authorities had removed 22,481 flex boards in the city and had filed 14 FIRs against those putting up banners illegally. By Express News Service KOCHI:With Brexit looming, Irelands Investment Development Authority (IDA) has been wooing the companies in Kerala to set up shop there to gain advantage from investments in Irelands business ecosystem. Tanaz Bhuhariwalla, IDA India director said that over 40 Indian businesses engaged in sectors ranging from Information Technology (IT), engineering, pharma, medical devices and life sciences have chosen Dublin. This year Kerala is our focus for encouraging investments in Ireland. Several Kerala-based firms in the food processing, healthcare, IT and life sciences sectors are making huge investments in Ireland and in the coming years, we will definitely see a rise in the number of such companies, Tanaz said.According to her, during the last census held in 2011, Malayalees make up an eighth of Irelands 28,000-strong Indian population.Due to the low corporate tax rate, Ireland offers a favourable ecosystem for investors and global companies looking for an effective partnership, she said. Indian companies, both large and small and across a wide range of sectors, have chosen Ireland for strategic operations like manufacturing, supply chain management, warehousing, assembly, customer delivery and product development. Dublins young, productive and multi-lingual workforce draw from across the European Union(EU) has been another major attraction for India Inc. There has been heightened interest from Indian companies to use Ireland as their base for Europe. This interest has spiked in the wake of impending Brexit as companies are now concerned about how they will service the European markets from the UK, Tanaz said. This sentiment has been sweeping regulated as well as the unregulated sectors, including financial services, IT and life sciences companies, she added. Ireland is one of the fastest growing economies in Europe having a distinct advantage as it is now the only English part of the EU offering a favourable business environment coupled with immigration policies which welcome skilled labour and entrepreneurs to be part of the pro-business environment.Presently, six out of the top 10 Indian IT companies, including TCS, HCL, Wipro, Infosys, and Mindtree, operate out of Ireland. The well-developed sectoral clusters is another of Dublins major plus. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: In yet another controversy surrounding the famous Goddess Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri, a silk saree, worth Rs 18,000, offered by a devotee to Goddess Kanaka Durga was found missing on Sunday. According to temple officials, for the last few days devotees from various districts have been thronging the hill shrine in a large number to offer traditional Saree to the Goddess marking the auspicious month of Ashadam. On Sunday, Padmaja, a devotee from Undavalli, had made special offerings, including the silk saree, to the Goddess. The priests enrobed the processional idol of the Goddess in the new saree for a while and later kept it aside, which was found missing. When Padmaja inquired with the priests about the missing saree, they informed her that a trust board member had taken it away to get it registered with the offering counter. However, it was found that the saree was not registered with the counter after which the devotee raised a hue and cry. As police and temple officials swung into action, the trust board member reportedly returned to the temple and refuted the allegation that she had taken away the saree. She feigned ignorance about the missing saree. How can the priests hand over the sarees offered by devotees to unknown persons. I earlier offered a saree to the Goddess, but didnt face this kind of situation? Padmaja said. One Town police examined the CCTV footage on the sixth floor of Mallikharjuna Maha Mandapam. No case was registered till the last reports came in. Temple Executive Officer M Padma was not available for her reaction. After coming to know about the incident, several devotees expressed their displeasure over the temple authorities for not taking proper care of the offerings made to the presiding deity. They were of the view that the devasthanam should adopt the practise of registering the sarees offered by the devotees regularly for transparency. By Associated Press NEW YORK: An upcoming film series at Lincoln Center asks a provocative question: Is there such a thing as a "female gaze" in movies? The perspective by which women are often seen, sexualized and objectified by men consciously or not in Hollywood films is known as the "male gaze," a term Laura Mulvey coined in a famous 1975 essay. Movies, where men are so often behind the camera, inevitably render women a certain way. Beginning Friday, "The Female Gaze" will flip the question around with a two-week survey featuring 36 films shot by 23 female cinematographers. The first-of-its-kind series promises to be among the most conversation-starting film retrospectives in recent memory, throwing a big film theory question into a movie industry churning with gender issues. "I wanted to see if there's a difference," said Florence Almozini, a senior programmer for the Film Society at Lincoln Center who assembled the series along with Tyler Wilson and Madeline Whittle. "When you watch a movie, would you know who's shooting it? Would you recognize a male gaze versus a female gaze?" "The Female Gaze" was partly prompted by the upcoming 100th anniversary of the American Society of Cinematographers. Founded in 1919, the society didn't invite a woman to join until 1980, when it admitted Brianne Murphy. But there are signs of change. Earlier this year, "Mudbound" director of photography Rachel Morrison became the first woman ever Oscar-nominated for cinematography. "It's a job that basically is combining empathy with channelling emotion into visual imagery. It's everything women do well," Morrison, who has since shot "Black Panther," said at the time. "I could never quite understand why there aren't more of us." Rachel Morrison (Photo | IMDB) Yet female cinematographers remain a tiny minority in Hollywood. An estimated four percent of cinematography society members are women. San Diego State University researchers found that in the top 100 grossing films in 2017, two were shot by women. That percentage has remained roughly the same for the last 25 years. The Lincoln Center series, though, shows the expansive, essential work of a wide variety of female cinematographers. There are acknowledged masters (Agnes Godard, French filmmaker Claire Denis' longtime director of photography), feminist landmarks (Chantal Akerman's "Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles," shot by Babette Mangolte) and new arrivals (the upcoming "The Miseducation of Cameron Post," shot by Ashley Connor). There are movies directed by men and women, American films and international ones, blockbusters ("Creed," shot by Maryse Alberti) and indies ("Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," shot by Ellen Kuras). The perspectives and imagery vary vastly. If there is a "female gaze" at all, it is myriad and infinite. "One of the joys of this series is to realize how many women have been working, how many women have shot footage that I've loved," says Kirsten Johnson, a veteran documentary cinematographer whose acclaimed 2016 mosaic "Cameraperson" is part of the series. "To make that explicit at this point in time feels really useful." Like many, if not all the cinematographers in the series, Johnson has long resisted being defined by her gender. She was too focused on her subjects and on serving the visions of directors. Only when making "Cameraperson," which fused footages from her non-fiction travels with home video, did Johnson start to see how present she was in the footage she's shot. "What I've come to understand is that the subjectivity of seeing is incredibly acute," says Johnson. "It is connected to all the things that each of us are. Each of us has so many identities but some of our identities are visible to others." The film's title was partly a wry joke. Johnson has been called a "cameraman" just about every day on her life on set. For her, the word "gaze" isn't quite right, either. It suggests seeing with pleasure, "which I love," she says, "but the primary word I feel when I'm filming is 'searching.'" Almozini considers the series an "open question," that will be especially illuminating when several of the cinematographers gather for a staged conversation. "They all have a different opinion," says Almozini. She points to a film like "In the City of Silvia" as an especially confounding example. The 2007 film by Jose Luis Guerin "a very male gaze movie," says Almozini is about a man searching Strasbourg, France, for a woman he had only the briefest of encounters with years before. It was shot by Natasha Braier, a 43-year-old Buenos Aires native who attended film school in the U.K. and who considers herself a "global gypsy." Braier, whose credits include Nicolas Winding Refn's "Neon Demon" and Sebastian Lelio's upcoming "Gloria," has mixed feelings about being assembled by gender. "I'm not really a believer of the gender celebration thing and the women cinematographer thing," says Braier. "I've been asked all these questions about being a female DP for 20 years now and it never really made a lot of sense to me because I believe that every artist is individual with their own individual gaze. "But I do understand the global situation right now," she adds. "It's a great time to celebrate, in my point of view, not the female gaze but all these different gazes by a lot of cinematographers who happen to be women." There's also a rare sense of community conferred by the Lincoln Center series. To band together for support, several collectives of female cinematographers have formed in recent years, including Cinematographers XX and the International Collective of Female Cinematographers. For its selected cinematographers, the delight of "The Female Gaze" is to be counted among such company. "There are moments when you feel ambivalence about being grouped in such a way," says Johnson. "I would say I feel unequivocally unambivalent about being part of this group. I feel incredible pride and I hope that it inspires anybody with a gaze and lots of young women with gazes to get out there and start searching." By Online Desk Actor-politician Kamal Haasan, who is busy promoting his upcoming flick 'Vishwaroopam 2' has revealed that Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn will be part of 'Indian 2', the much-awaited sequel to the 1996 hit. In a recent interview, Kamal ended the speculation around the 'Raid' actor being part of the film. he said "That was what I was told but it is the director's call." Devgn's presence in the film was already rumoured but wasn't confirmed until now. 'Indian' starred Kamal Haasan in a double role along with Sukanya, Manisha Koirala, Urmila Matondkar and Goundamani. The movie is about Senapathy, a freedom struggle veteran, who turns into a vigilante and murders corrupt government officials. Interestingly, the film ended with Senapathy killing his son Chandrabose (a corrupt middleman) and vanishing from the police radar. The epilogue of the film showed Senapathy telling the investigating cop (Nedumudi Venu) that he will be back. Senapathy was showed as a 70-year-old veteran. He will be 90 now. 'Indian 2' will be helmed by Shankar, who had also directed the prequel. Jeyamohan, Kabilan Vairmuthu and Lakshmi Saravanakumar will be collaborating in writing the dialogues. The first schedule of the film was planned to commence at Ramoji Rao film city in Hyderabad, where huge sets are reportedly constructed. It was initially reported that Nayanthara was being considered for the film. Though there is no official confirmation yet, if this materialises, it will be the first time Nayanthara will be paired opposite Kamal. Director Shankar shared a video on his Twitter page showing a promotional hot air balloon flown over Taiwan, hinting at the beginning of Indian 2. Rumours suggest that Anirudh Ravichander has been roped in for the film, which will be shot simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu. Lyca productions, which is already bankrolling A-list films like Rajinikanth's '2.0', Dhanush's 'Vada Chennai' and Mani Ratnam's 'Chekke Civantha Vaanam', is producing the film. Kamal Haasan is currently gearing up for 'Vishwaroopam 2', the sequel to his 2013 hit. The movie written and directed by the actor himself also features Andreah Jeremiah, Pooja Kumar, Hindi film director Shekhar Kapur, Nasser and Rahul Bose. The movie will release on August 10. Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRINAGAR: A day before the Supreme Court hears petitions challenging the validity of Article 35-A, which grants special privileges to residents of Jammu and Kashmir, the state remained tense. Normal life in the Valley and some other districts in Jammu on Sunday came to a grinding halt due to the bandh called by separatist leaders in support of the continuation of the law, which bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property and getting government jobs. All shops, business establishments and petrol pumps remained closed in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley. Trains were suspended and buses, three-wheelers and all public transport were off the roads and only a few private vehicles and security force vehicles could be seen plying on the deserted roads. Even the shikara wallas participated in the strike and only a few ferried tourists in their boats on Dal Lake, while the ongoing Amarnath Yatra was also suspended. The authorities had made tight security arrangements at all sensitive areas of the Valley by deploying police and paramilitary men in strength to tackle any untoward situation. The strike was also observed in Ramban, Banihal, Doda, Kishtwar and Baderwah, areas of Jammu province. Separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik have called for a shutdown on Monday also, when the Supreme Court would hear pleas challenging the validity of Article 35-A. The authorities placed Geelani and Mirwaiz under house arrest while Yasin Malik has gone into hiding. The strike called has been supporters by traders, lawyers, civil society members, etc. The traders took out a rally from Regal Chowk to Hari Singh High Street in city centre and later staged a sit-in near Clock Tower, Lal Chowk. Prabhakar T By Express News Service COIMBATORE: The introduction of Aadhaar has not gone well with a large section of the masses, given the issue of privacy and date security. The challenge put forth by TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) Chief R S Sharma and the way it backfired only helped spread the apprehensions over Aadhaar and UIDAIs (Unique Identification Authority of India) ability to hold sensitive information secure. While many activists advocate for UIDAI to be shut down to put an end to the debate, the call has had little success over the months. Usha Ramanathan, a Supreme Court lawyer, is a strong advocate of this idea. The only solution to keep our identity and data safe is to scrap UIDAI, she tells Express. Explaining the mechanism behind Aadhaar, she explains that it will use three numbers Jandhan Yojana (bank account number), Aadhar number and Mobile number (JAM) to identify someone. As these three numbers are linked everywhere and is mandatory in the government system, our data has become insecure, she claims. She points out that with this information, identity theft would become far more dangerous. While the Supreme Court has stayed the government order making Aadhaar mandatory for many of its schemes, the Central government has ignored the order and made Aadhaar as the primary identification proof for a lot of services. After the court ruled that privacy is a fundamental right, the Centre asked what harm would come of (someone) having your data. They could not accept that creating such a vulnerable system itself was harmful enough and once someone had our information, then it is very easy to play around with it, she says, citing several incidents of creating bank accounts and fake insurance policies, without even the consent of the person concerned. Speaking about the systems vulnerability, a Coimbatore-based member of Cyber Society of India S N Ravichandran says that hackers could even extract money from an individuals bank account by using their Aadhaar details. Once the data is out to private partners and other enterprises at the time of registering for a service or getting a SIM card, you cannot protect it anymore, he says. Besides, the system of redressal also seems a little out of reach. Even if you were to find out that your bank account was hacked with the help of your Aadhaar details, according to UID Act, it would be the UIDAI and not you who can file a complaint, points out Ravi. Denying the charges raised by Ravi that the system is vulnerable and could lead to a data breach, Bengaluru-based data scientist G Arvind claims that Aadhaar is completely safe. Any breach in data or incidents of misuse could not have happened without the consent of the individual, he suggests. While public worry that their data is being passed on to private mobile operators, Arvind clarifies that Aadhaar only gives access to validate the identity number under the Know Your Customer portal and not the individuals data. Officials of UIDAI working in South India refused to comment on the aspect of data security. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Centre has elevated Justice KM Joseph to the Supreme Court, but his name listed last in the sequence put out by the Apex Court Registry for the oath-taking ceremony on August 7 has troubled some fellow judges, who are going to raise the issue on Monday with the Chief justice of India Dipak Misra. As per the norm, Justice Joseph, who was appointed to the Apex Court late on Friday night, should have been given precedence over the other two judges, namely Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Vineet Saran, as his name was recommended for elevation earlier in January this year. However, he will serve a term of over four years. According to Centre's notification with regard to the appointment of these three judges, the order of seniority was Justice Banerjee, Justice Saran and Justice Joseph. They will be sworn in by CJI Misra on Tuesday. The appointment of Justice Joseph on Friday ended a protracted stand-off between the government and the judiciary. The Collegium had recommended Justice Joseph's name on January 10 this year with the name of senior counsel Indu Malhotra, who is now a Supreme Court judge, but the government, citing "lack of seniority" and inadequate regional representation of some states in the Apex Court, returned the file. His name was sent again on July 16. According to a source, the seniority issue will be discussed with the CJI during the morning customary tea on Monday. "Justice Joseph's name was just reiterated and not a new decision of the Collegium, so by that norm he should be sworn in first before Justices Banerjee and Saran," the source said adding this is another case of interference by the Centre in the judiciarys works and will not be tolerated. A judge in the Supreme Court gets seniority from the day he takes oath. If more than one takes oath on the same day, the one who is sworn in first becomes the seniormost among them. The earlier rejection by the government was criticised by members of the legal fraternity as well as the opposition parties. The Congress accused the government of being vindictive towards Justice Joseph due to a ruling he gave in 2016 against the BJP government in Uttarakhand, cancelling President's Rule in the state and bringing the Congress government of Harish Rawat back in the state. Justice Joseph's father K K Mathew was a judge of the Supreme Court of India, and chairman of tenth Law Commission. With the Centre clearing the appointment of the three judges, the present strength of Apex Court judges comes to 25 but there would still be six vacancies. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: At least 10,000 new jobs will be created with the implementation of the Centres ambitious healthcare scheme Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM), a government official has said. The Health Ministry has signed an agreement with the skill development ministry for recruitment, following which around one lakh Ayushman Mitras will be deployed at private and government hospitals under the scheme, the official said. Each empanelled hospital will have an Ayushman Mitra to assist patients and will coordinate with beneficiaries and the hospital. They will run a help desk, check documents to verify eligibility and enrolment to the scheme. Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry has launched a formal process to empanel public and private hospitals to achieve universal health coverage under the programme, and as many as 20,000 private and government hospitals have been linked under the scheme. It is not mandatory for hospitals to get empanelled under the scheme. The basic empanelment criteria allow empanelment of a hospital with a minimum of 10 beds, with the flexibility provided to states to relax this if required. The Centre is simultaneously carrying out beneficiary identification, and under the process, 80 per cent of the beneficiaries in the rural areas, based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census data, and more than 60 per cent of the beneficiaries in urban areas have been identified. Announced in the 2018 Budget, the AB-NHPM was touted as the worlds largest government-funded healthcare scheme. The scheme aims to cover over 10 crore poor families with insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per year. The scheme will subsume the ongoing Centrally sponsored schemesRashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana and the Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme. Anand ST Das By Express News Service PATNA: With another senior BJP leader on Monday seeking the resignation of Bihar social welfare minister Manju Verma, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of JD(U) defended her in a calculated manner even as BJP appeared divided on the issue. Since their names (Verma and her husband) have appeared during the investigation, she should resign to ensure an impartial investigation. Nitish Kumar should also ask her to stay off the government till all investigations are completed, said Gopal Narayan Singh, a Rajya Sabha member from BJP. Senior BJP leader and former Union minister CP Thakur had sought Vermas resignation on moral grounds on Sunday. Responding to the growing chorus from the Opposition parties and the two BJP leaders for Vermas resignation, Nitish Kumar said he had called the minister and asked her questions regarding the sexual abuse of minor girls at the Muzaffarpur shelter home. She denied any involvement at any level, said Kumar. But if any wrong decision is found to have been taken at the ministers level, she will have to go. If anyone linked to the minister is found involved, he will be arrested, added Kumar at the end of his weekly Lok Samvad programme in Patna. Also Read: Bihar shelter home rape case: One of 14 girls rescued goes missing Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi of BJP came out strongly in defence of the minister, whose husband had allegedly entered the shelter home a number of times without anyone accompanying him. BJP is fully in support of Manju Verma. No charges against her, said Modi in a tweet. Attacking Opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav of RJD for seeking Vermas resignation, Modi added: Those who have been chargesheeted and summoned by a CBI court in the Railways tender scam, whose two dozens of benami property have been attached by ED & ITax are lecturing us on morality. Modi said the statements of the two senior BJP leaders calling for Vermas resignation are not the official statement of the party. Speaking to reporters, he said: They are free to voice their personal opinions There are one lakh leaders in BJP. Nitish Kumar attacked the Opposition leaders for holding a candle-light protest in New Delhi under Tejashwi Yadavs leadership. Asserting that it was the state government that brought out the rot at the Muzaffarpur shelter home and handed over the case to CBI, Kumar said the Opposition parties efforts to politicise the issue would fail. They are firing in the air, added Kumar. By PTI NEW DELHI: In the aftermath of the alleged sexual assault of minor girls in Muzaffarpur and Deora, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi today asked states to build a single large central facility to house such children in a bid to prevent "abuse and misuse" by NGOs. She said the adoption and skill development programmes in a central facility would be much easier and it would also help in checking "abuse and misuse" by NGOs who are running their own shelter homes with grants from the government. "I have been asking for a scheme where each state should have a single large facility to house all such girls and children which should be run by the state government," she said. Other homes in the state should only provide temporary shelter to women, girls and children in distress situations and after clearance by the Child Welfare Committee, Gandhi said. Her suggestion came in the backdrop of the recent alleged sexual abuse of minor girls in Bihar's Muzaffarpur and Uttar Pradesh's Deoria districts. She also said that the Women and Child Development Ministry would be happy to fund the construction of these facilities in each state and then it handover to the state government. The case of sexual assault of minor girls at the Muzaffarpur shelter home, run by an NGO, was first highlighted in an audit report submitted by the Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), Mumbai, to the Bihar Social Welfare Department in April this year. The FIR in the case was registered on May 31 against 11 people, including Brajesh Thakur, the owner of the NGO which ran the government-funded shelter home for destitute girls. On July 26, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter. About 34 minor girls were allegedly sexually abused at the shelter home in Muzaffarpur, with medical reports confirming rape of them. The second case of sexual assault against girls in Deoria came to light yesterday when a 10-year-old girl managed to flee from the shelter home and informed them about the plight of the inmates, who were reportedly sexually abused by the couple running the shelter home, after which police conducted a raid and 24 girls were rescued. The Uttar Pradesh government swung into a damage control mode by removing the district magistrate and ordering a high-level probe into the matter. Richa Sharma By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Even as the first river interlinking project, connecting Ken and Betwa rivers in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, is yet to take off, consensus eludes various states, including BJP-ruled ones, on 14 other such proposed projects. The Union Ministry of Water Resources under Nitin Gadkari is making efforts to build a consensus for preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Mahanadi-Godavari Link, a mother link of nine link systems, with Odisha. Efforts are also being made with other states for preparation of DPR of the Manas- Sankosh-Teesta-Ganga (MSTG) link for augmenting the flow of Ganga and providing 14 BCM (billion cubic metre) of water in the Mahanadi basin. The government is pursuing the Interlinking of Rivers programme in a consultative manner. The implementation of Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) projects involves various steps, including negotiation and consensus among the states concerned, said a senior ministry official. The Ken-Betwa river linking phase I, originally scheduled to be launched in December 2017, is still stuck due to issues between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Besides, Madhya Pradesh has laid down certain conditions for providing a no-objection certificate to the Centre for going ahead with the project. The Centre has identified 30 links 16 under the peninsular component and 14 under the Himalaya component -- for preparation of a pre-feasibility report. The pre-feasibility reports of all 30 links have been prepared and circulated to the state governments concerned by the implementing agency, National Water Development Agency. After survey and investigations, feasibility reports of 14 links under the peninsular component and two links under the Himalayan component have been completed. The stage of implementation of a project would be reached after its DPR is prepared with consensus among the states concerned, and the requisite statutory clearances are obtained. Thus the implementation of the projects will take varying periods of time, said the ministry official. According to the water resources ministry, approximately 35 million hectares of additional irrigation potential and 34,000 megawatts of hydroelectricity generation are the likely benefits envisaged under the project. Long time in the making The project was mooted in the early 1980s and was actively taken up by the NDA government under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but it was challenged in the Supreme Court. The apex court, in 2013, asked the UPA government to start the process, but the government did not act. The project was revived by the NDA government led by PM Narendra Modi. By Express News Service Civil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended the flying licence of two Jet Airways pilots for attempting to take off an aircraft from a taxiway parallel to the runway at Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia last week. Officials said that there were 148 people on board the Mumbai-bound Jet Airways flight when the incident took place last week. Air-passengers escaped unhurt after the aircraft went off the runway following an aborted take off from there on August 3. About the incident, the DGCA had earlier said that the pilots aborted the take off after they were informed about a barrier on the runway. The aircraft was taxing at 100 knots. It veered off the runway due to sudden stopping, the official had said. On Monday, a DGCA official said that the regulator has suspended flying licence of both the pilots involved in runway excursion incident at Riyadh and investigation is in progress. Officials also explained that a taxiway is a strip that links terminals, parking bays, runways and other facilities at an airport. Earlier, Saudi Aviation Investigation Bureau in a release said the aircraft aborted taking off on a taxiway that ran parallel to the runway. Jet Airways Boeing B737, VTJFS aircraft heading to Mumbai with 141 passengers and seven crew members overshoot taxiway at the King Khalid International Airport, it said. Initial factual information confirmed that the aircraft attempted to take off from taxiway (K) parallel to take off designated runway (R33) while the visibility was high and there was no obstacle of FOD (foreign object) on the taxiway, it said. Saudi AIB said that it is also conducting a safety probe along with its Indian counterpart adding that the aircraft accelerated with full takeoff power and exceeded the taxiway onto an unpaved area. Jet Airways in a tweet said on August 3 that its Mumbai-bound flight had aborted the takeoff and veered off the runway at Riyadh airport, but the airline had not specified any reason for it. By PTI NEW DELHI: Former Chief Justices of India Justice R M Lodha and Justice T S Thakur today differed on the issue of seniority of Justice K M Joseph in the Supreme Court, with the former advocating for the urgent remedial measure while the latter finding no fault with the Centre. Justice Lodha said the notification can be "altered" if the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra succeeds in convincing the Centre that the collegium's recommendation has not been considered in its true spirit, while Justice Thakur was of the view that the date of appointment as the High Court judges is the basis for determining the seniority of the judges being elevated to the Supreme Court on the same day. Justice Lodha said if Justice K M Joseph's name was sent separately, he should be ranked senior and the grievance of the sitting top court judges, who reportedly met the CJI, should be looked by him. "As far Justice Joseph's elevation is concerned, he should be ranked senior to other judges because his name, I think, was sent earlier to the government for reconsideration. I am told his name was sent separately to the government for reconsideration and other two names followed his name. "So it means the general rule of initial appointment to the High Court will not apply because these are two different recommendations. But if names were sent together and the collegium went by the initial date of appointment then the scenario will be different," he said. Justice Thakur said that the practice is to go by the date of appointment in the high court for considering the seniority of a candidate for elevation. "Suppose, if three people are getting appointed on the same date then the appointment in the high court is considered to be the basis of the seniority. That has even happened in my own case when I was elevated to the top court. My impression is that seniority depends on the date of the appointment," Justice Thakur said. He said there were two judges, who were junior to him but they were appointed as the Chief Justices of High Court before him but when it came to their appointment in the Supreme Court, his appointment as the judge of the High Court was counted for the oath-taking and he was considered senior to two others when all three were sworn in as the judges of the apex court on same day. On the question of notification already issued, Justice Lodha said that the notification can be altered and the CJI can take up the matter with the government and inform it that Justice Joseph's name was sent separately and sent prior in time and his initial appointment date to the high court should not be considered. A senior advocate said now there is not much that can be done as the President has given assent to the appointment of three judges -- Justices Indira Banerjee, Vineet Saran and K M Joseph -- in the order of seniority. The apex court collegium comprising CJI and Justices Ranjan Gogoi, M B Lokur, Kurian Joseph and A K Sikri had on July 16 reiterated its recommendation to elevate Justice K M Joseph as the apex court. The collegium's resolution about its July 16 meeting was uploaded on the apex court's website which showed Justice K M Joseph's name was separated from that of Justices Indira Banerjee and Vineet Saran. According to the collegium's January 10 resolution, when Justice Joseph's name was recommended for elevation, "he stands at Sl.No.45 in the combined seniority of High Court Judges on the all-India basis." His name was recommended along with that of senior woman advocate Indu Malhotra. However, the Centre had returned Justice K M Joseph's name for reconsideration and cleared the name of Malhotra, who is now a sitting judge. Later, on July 16, the collegium stood by its recommendation on Justice K M Joseph and the Centre also cleared his name. According to the July 16 resolution of the collegium, Justice Banerjee stood at Sl.No.4 and Justice Saran stood at Sl.No.5 in the combined seniority of high court judges on the all-India basis. Justice Joseph became a high court judge on October 14, 2004, and he was elevated as a chief justice of high court on July 31, 2014. He will retire on June 16, 2023, as an apex court judge. Similarly, Justice Banerjee became a high court judge on February 5, 2002, and was made a chief justice of high court on April 5, 2017. She would retire on September 23, 2022. Justice Saran became a high court judge on February 14, 2002, and was made a chief justice of the high court on February 26, 2016. He will retire as an apex court judge on May 10, 2022. By IANS NEW DELHI: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a potshot at the Narendra Modi-led government over the unemployment issue after one of his cabinet ministers conceded that there is a job crunch. ALSO READ: Maratha quota won't guarantee employment as there are no jobs: Gadkari "Excellent question (Nitin) Gadkariji. Every Indian is asking the same question. Where are the jobs," Gandhi tweeted attaching a news report in which the Union Road Transport and Shipping Minister questioned the rationality behind a job reservation stir when there were not enough jobs in the first place. Excellent question Gadkari Ji. Every Indian is asking the same question.#WhereAreTheJobs?https://t.co/2wfhDxuA10 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 6, 2018 Gandhi's remarks came a day after Gadkari on Sunday told reporters in Maharashtra that reservation would not guarantee employment as jobs were shrinking. "Let us assume the reservation is given. But there are no jobs. Because in banks, the jobs have shrunk because of IT. The government recruitment is frozen. Where are the jobs?" Gadkari asked. He also said that the problem with the quota is that "backwardness is becoming a political interest". ALSO READ: Communalism wraps itself in garb of culture: Rahul Gandhi Gadkari said that one school of thought is that "a poor is poor, he has no caste, creed or language. Whatever may be the religion..., in all communities there is one section which has no clothes to wear, no food to eat". Whereas the other school of thought is "we must also consider the poorest of the poor section in every community". This is a "socio-economic thinking" and it must not be politicised, he added. In a tweet late on Sunday, Gadkari also clarified that the government is not planning to change the criteria for reservation from "castes to economic conditions". By Express News Service SRINAGAR: A 28-year-old Gujjar man was killed and another injured when the Army allegedly fired at them in Jammu and Kashmirs Ramban district on Sunday. The police have registered an FIR against jawans of the 58 Rashtriya Rifles. Jammu-based defence spokesperson Lt. Col. Devender Anand said the Army personnel had retaliated after they came under fire. SSP, Ramban, Mohan Lal told TNIE that locals informed that at around 3.45 am, jawans fired at the duo who were out to search cattle feed at Kohli village. While Mohammad Rafiq Gujjar died on the spot, his accomplice Shakeel Ahmad, 30, who sustained multiple bullet injuries, was rushed to a hospital. Soon, protests broke out forcing senior police and civil officials to reach the spot and assure the locals of a probe. Later, the locals held funeral prayers and buried the body of Rafiq. Lt. Col. Anand said at 3:45 am, an Army patrol noticed some suspicious activity. Our men challenged the suspected individuals. However, they opened fire following which the patrol team retaliated, he added. But, Lal said the Armys claim of firing on its men was a matter of investigation. An FIR was registered against the Army unit for murder and attempt to murder, the Ramban SSP said. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: A hotline between the armies of India and China could be a possibility as the two countries will attempt to resolve differences on the issue during Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe's upcoming visit later this month. Both the countries had revived the long-pending proposal to set up the hotline so as to avoid flare-ups between the two militaries along their disputed border after the Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in April. Modi and Xi decided to issue "strategic guidance" to their militaries to strengthen communications and build trust. The move was seen as aimed at avoiding a Doklam-like standoff between the two militaries. Sources said that the Indian Army has been maintaining that the hotline should be between its Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) and his equivalent official in Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and Beijing proposed that deputy commander of its Chengdu-based Western Theatre Command would engage with the Indian DGMO. While, currently, India and Pakistan have a hotline between their DGMOs, it was first mooted between India and China in 2013. Sources said that Chinese PLA has also conveyed to Indian Army that they do not have any DGMO in its headquarters and that it was favouring engaging the Western Theatre Command which looks after the Sino-India border. However, the Indian side feels the protocol must be maintained and equating the Indian Army headquarters to PLA's Western Theatre Command in Chengdu was not proper. On the proposed hotline, the official sources said there were certain issues relating to engaging translators for Mandarin and English and technical aspect of the hotline as well. Three commands of the Indian Army, the Kolkata-based Eastern Command, the Central Command headquartered at Lucknow and the Northern Command, headquartered at Udhampur, have been tasked with keeping an eye on the nearly 3,500-km-long border with China. By Express News Service MUMBAI: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Chhatrapati Shivajis descendant Udayanraje Bhosale on Sunday appealed to the Maratha pro-quota protesters to stop violence and suicides in Maharashtra. But the appeals fell on deaf ears as the protestors vandalised Lok Sabha MP Heena Gavits vehicle at Dhule, while two pro-quota youths committed suicides at Parbhani and Vashim. In a televised appeal over Doordarshan in the evening, Fadnavis cleared air over several issues raised by agitators and reiterated that his government was positive over granting quota. The government is ensuring that all the statutory procedures for granting quota would be completed by November end, he said, appealing agitators to sit for talks. He said the mega recruitment drive wherein the government would be filling up 36,000 posts was put off for now. Mentioning violence at Aurangabad and Chakan near Pune, Fadnavis said such act would drive away investors and bring down employment potential of the state. The CM spoke about the measures taken for the benefit of various sections of the society, including the youths from Maratha, Dahngar and minority communities. Abasaheb Patil, who has been spearheading the Maratha stir, welcomed the statements. We are happy with the announcements made by the CM. However, he should give all the assurances in writing. The government needs to withdraw all the cases against protestors, Patil said. Earlier in the day, protestors held two major meetings in Mumbai and Pune. The Mumbai group warned the government that it wouldnt let the Assembly hold its Winter Session. On behalf of the Pune group, Bhosale, who is also the NCPs Lok Sabha MP from Satara, appealed the protestors not to resort to violence. He also warned that the government that if it doesnt put its act together, the youths would have no option but take the route of Naxalites. Meanwhile, BJP MP from Nandurbar Heena Gavit was in Dhule for the district planning committee meeting when her car was attacked outside the district collectors office. While Gavit escaped unhurt, the MLAs and other local body members were stranded at the office for some time. The police arrested 16 protestors for attacking the MPs vehicle. By PTI NEW DELHI: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today apprised a visiting MP from Bangladesh, who raised the issue of ongoing update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, that the exercise was being carried out under the supervision of the Supreme Court, the Home Ministry said today. Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Bangladesh Tariqat Federation, Al Haj Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary met the minister of state for home here and discussed various issues including NRC, Rohingya refugees and matters of bilateral interest in social, political, cultural and economic fields. On the NRC issue in Assam, Rijiju informed him that it is a process undertaken under the supervision and direction of Supreme Court of India, an official statement said. The NRC is being updated in Assam and the draft list of the Assam's citizens was published on July 30, leading to a huge controversy after over 40 lakh people were excluded. The BJP has maintained that only illegal immigrants from Bangladesh will be excluded but the opposition claimed that most of those omitted were Indian nationals. When the visiting Bangladeshi MP raised the issue of the Rohingya refugees, Rijiju said India was fully aware of the heavy burden imposed on Bangladesh as a result of the exodus of lakhs of displaced people from the Rakhine state of Myanmar and is fully supportive of the efforts being made to resolve the crisis. The Indian government has extended assistance to the Myanmar government and will continue efforts to persuade Myanmar government to provide safety and security to the Rohingyas, he said. ALSO READ: No border dispute with Myanmar, clarifies Rijiju During the meeting, both sides discussed various issues of bilateral interest in social, political, cultural and economic domains and security-related matters. Other issues such as connectivity to the Northeastern states via Bay of Bengal and trade prospects were also deliberated upon during the meeting. Emphasising the importance of Bangladesh for India, Rijiju said peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh is of high importance for the prosperity of India and the Indian government continues to make efforts in this direction, the statement said. Rijiju said the prosperity of the Northeastern states is linked with the prosperity of Bangladesh because these states share common economic, social and cultural linkage with the neighbouring country. The Union minister recalled his visit to Bangladesh as a member of an all-party delegation in 2010 and said he had travelled to the bordering Indian states along Bangladesh. India is committed to providing security and stability in these bordering areas, especially in view of the upcoming Bangladesh elections, he said. Both sides emphasised that it is important to work together for development and to have an action plan for countering terrorism-related activities across border, he said. By PTI NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Habibur Rahman, an alleged handler of hardened Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem, after he was deported from Saudi Arabia, officials said today. Rahman was arrested by the NIA on his arrival from Saudi Arabia, they said. Officially, the NIA has maintained that it had received an input about Rahman travelling to India, but officials in the know of the development said it was an example of cooperation between security agencies of the two countries. Rahman is an alleged handler of LeT terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem alias Nomi, who was arrested in 2007 while trying to help two Pakistani and one Kashmiri terrorist infiltrate into India through Bangladesh. Naeem ditched the police and escaped from custody while he was being taken for court attendance to Maharashtra from Kolkata in August, 2014. The escape from custody emboldened Naeem, who kept playing cat and mouse games with agencies for about three years during which he continued with his nefarious activities on the directions of his handlers based in Pakistan and in Saudi Arabia, the NIA said. "A well-established conspiracy was hatched between the accused for targeting vulnerable locations in India with intent of causing maximum damage. Naeem was tasked to identify locations where terrorist attacks could be carried out," an NIA spokesperson said. In order to execute the conspiracy, the official said, Naeem assumed different fake identities and visited different states including Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, and did reconnaissance of possible targets for terrorist attacks. "Habibur Rahman, who is affiliated to proscribed terrorist organisation LeT, arranged shelter/hideouts and funds for Naeem on different occasions for carrying out terrorist activities in India on the directions of the LeT commander Amjad alias Rehan who is based in Pakistan," he said. The spokesperson said Naeem was arrested by NIA in November 2017 and has been since charge sheeted along with 10 other co-accused including Habibur Rehman by the NIA. "Accused Habibur Rahman is being produced today in Patiala House Courts, New Delhi to seek NIA custody for his interrogation," he said. By PTI PATNA: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi asserted today that there was no need for the resignation of Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma or any other minister in the aftermath of the Muzaffarpur shelter home scandal "just because some people are giving statements". Modi was responding to queries from journalists about demands having been made by some senior leaders of his party for the resignation of Verma, who belongs to the JD(U). READ HERE | BJP leader CP Thakur seeks minister Manju Verma's resignation, but JD(U) disagrees The senior BJP leader made the remark immediately after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's "Lok Samvad" programme. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, Kumar said that if Verma is found involved or if anything is found against her in connection with the shelter home sex scandal, she may be asked "to go". Verma is in the eye of the storm after the name of her husband cropped up in the case of sexual abuse of minor girls at the shelter home in Muzaffarpur. READ HERE | Minister Manju Verma defends husband, says she will hang him at public square if he is found guilty "Making an allegation is different from guilt being proven in an investigation. Some people had even levelled allegations against a minister from our party," Modi said in an obvious reference to Urban Development Minister Suresh Sharma, who is also the Muzaffarpur MLA. "No BJP leader authorised to give a statement that may be deemed the party's official line has made such a demand. State president Nityanand Rai has not made such a demand. So it would be wrong to construe personal opinions of some leaders as being the party's opinion," Modi said. Yesterday, Rajya Sabha MP and former Union Minister C P Thakur had said that Verma, whose department is under the scanner in the shelter home scandal, should resign taking moral responsibility for the sexual abuse of more than 30 girls. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: A tight fight is on the cards for the post of Rajya Sabha deputy chairman as the government and the opposition are likely to contest head on for the August 9 elections. While the NDA has zeroed in on journalist turned politician and first time Rajya Sabha MP of the JD (U) Harivansh, the opposition is yet to arrive at a consensus candidate. The BJP is seemingly backing the JD (U) candidate for the election, which is likely to test the strength of the Opposition unity in close heels of the July 20 no confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, to further cement relations with Bihar ally in the run up to the general elections. Sources said that the BJP agreed to back Harivansh after the Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar assured the party leadership to get the required numbers to sail through in the upper house where the ruling NDA is short of the halfway mark. Seen as a close confidante of Kumar, Harivansh was previously an editor of Hindi daily Prabhat Khabar published from Ranchi and Patna. The Opposition leaders met Monday but there was no consensus on their candidate. The discussion was on picking up a candidate with highest winning probability. The leaders will meet again on Tuesday. According to sources, they were informed about the government's choice of candidate for the post. Names of DMKchy Siva and NCP's Vandana Chavan were doing rounds as a possible candidate from the opposition camp. Going by the current number of the upper house, the ruling NDA has 93 while the opposition has 116. Around 35 MPs from various regional outfits are still undecided and hold the key to victory. Some of the parties which remain undecided are AIADMK, BJD and TRS among others. They all abstained from voting during no confidence motion in the lower house. In a boost to opposition unity Monday, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) elections for the two vacant seats in Rajya Sabha, TDP MP C M Ramesh bagged the highest vote followed by BJP's Bhupender Yadav. The JD(U) candidate Harivansh lost. The election to the deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha was announced by Chairman Venkaiah Naidu. The post fell vacant after June this year following retirement of P J Kurien. The nomination has to be filed by noon on August 8. Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRINAGAR: The Supreme Court decision to defer hearing on petitions challenging validity of Article 35A till August 27 has provided a temporary relief to people of Jammu and Kashmir, where normal life in Valley and parts of Jammu was paralysed for second consecutive day on Monday against any tinkering with the law that bars outsiders from purchasing property and getting government jobs in the State. The tension eased a bit in Kashmir, Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, Rajouri and Poonch after Supeme Court announced deferring of hearing of petitions challenging validity of Article 35A till the week starting August 27. "It is a temporary relief. However, the uncertainty continues," said a political analyst Aadil Ahmad. The PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted that even though the deferment of hearing is not a solution but it has brought an interim relief to people of J&K. "But with uncertainty looming over its status, it has unleashed a wave of anxiety and panic amongst the people of J&K," she said adding, "Any attempt to fiddle with the law will amount to violating the basic structure of Indian constitution". NC spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu said the deferment of the hearing on Article 35A does not remove the sense of anxiety and the apprehensions in J&K. Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing, Kashmir was tense. For second consecutive day today, Valley and parts of Jammu region observed complete shutdown to support continuation of Article 35A and protest any attempt to tinker with the law, which grants special privileges to residents of the State. All shops, business establishments, petrol pumps and educational institutions remained closed in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir while working in government offices and banks was badly hit by the strike. The public and private transport was off the roads. People preferred to remain indoors. The Shikarawalas also observed shutdown. The shopkeepers in tourorts of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Yousmarg also observed complete shutdown. The two-day shutdown was called by separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik against any tinkering of the Article 35A. The traders, lawyers, civil society members, transporters, academicians had supported the bandh call. The traders staged protests in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley and vowed to safeguard Article 35A and oppose any attempt to abrogate the law tooth and nail. The traders in Srinagar tried to march towards United Nations office to hand over memorandum to UN observers. However, the protesting traders were intercepted by policemen and prevented from moving towards the UN office. Police also detained some of the protesting traders. After deferment of hearing by Supreme Court, separatist leaders said protests against any tinkering of Article 35A would continue in the Valley. They said two-day shutdown in the State has sent a clear message to Government of India (GoI) that people will never allow nefarious design against them to succeed. Reacting to separatists shutdown and protests call, former Chief Minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah tweeted, "Protecting Article35A is a tacit acceptance that J&K's future lies within the Constitution of India, otherwise how would it matter if it were struck down or diluted". Aishik Chanda By Express News Service KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday penned a poem on the National Register of Citizenship (NRC) issue, slamming the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for exclusion of names of 40 lakh people of Assam in the final draft of NRC. Publishing the Bengali poem on her twitter account, the Trinamool Congress supremo alleged that people have been selectively targeted in NRC. The literal translation of texts of the poem read: "What is your surname? What is your father's identity? What is your language? What is your religion? What do you eat? You don't know? Then go, there is no place for you on this earth. Who are you? What is your identity? Where do you live? What is your education? Reveal everything or else you are a traitor." "Who are you? Whom do you support? Are your five generations registered? Do you have Govardhan account? If not, you are an infiltrator. Do you listen to 'Mann ki Baat'? Do you write against the ruler? Is your phone number linked with Aadhaar account? Are you against the exploiter? Then you have no place. You are a terrorist," the poem read. She also hit out at the Centre on lynchings over beef consumption. "Are you a Dalit? Are you a Christian? Are you a minority? What do you eat? Where do you go? Are you not a supporter of Ravana? Then you should flee," it added. The TMC supremo also claimed that being anti-government is being considered as being anti-national. "Do you know the power of the state? Do you identify the exploiter's agencies? Do you protest? Are you anti-government? Then you are anti-national. There is no place for you," the poem added. The West Bengal Chief Minister had last published a poem written by her in 2016 registering her protest against demonetisation. She had earlier penned poems on Singur anti-land acquisition agitation and wrote a book on her experiences in the Nandigram movement. The TMC supremo has termed NRC as an exercise to drive out Bengalis and Biharis from Assam. A team of TMC MPs and MLAs who went to Assam to speak in public meetings regarding NRC were allegedly manhandled at Silchar airport in Assam on August 2 and prevented from entering the city citing imposition of Section 144 CrPC. BJP claimed they went there to foment trouble. Cases have been booked against Banerjee for stating that NRC could begin a civil war in Assam. Her MPs retaliated by registering cases against Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal alleging that he ordered the manhandling of women TMC leaders in Silchar. Sonowal has claimed that Banerjee's pitched opposition to NRC is a move to consolidate her votes in West Bengal in the run up to 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: A racket of alleged flesh trade, similar to the one in Muzaffarpur, has been unearthed at a women protection home in Deoria district of eastern UP, around 320 km from Lucknow, on late Sunday night. Three persons, including the superintendent, caretaker and her husband, were arrested by the district police after a late night raid on the protection home. The police action came after an inmate, aged 10, somehow managed to escape and reach police station to narrate the series of events and racket being run at the protection home. As per the district police sources, at the time of the raid, of 42 inmates enrolled in Maa Vindhyavasini Mahila Avum Balika Sangrakshan Grih, only 24 were present and rest 18 were found missing. The search operation to find rest of the girls was already on. Talking to media persons in a late night press conference, Deoria SP Rohan P Kanay said that the girl,10, who belonged to Betia district of Bihar, managed to reach a local police station late on Sunday evening to narrate the irregularities at the protection home. The SP added that the girl told the police that after 4 pm a lot of persons visited the protection home and took the girls along. The girls used to return late at night. As per the SP, the inmate said that even caretaker Girija Tripathi herself used to take a number of girls out. She added that many dubious activities were taking place in the protection home. According to SP Kanay, in the wake of irregularities at the said protection home, its recognition had been cancelled in June, last year. "The superintendent had been running it illegally without recognition," said the cop. He added that the caretaker and her husband could not give a satisfactory reply to the issue of missing girls. However, denying de-recognition, the caretaker claimed that it was not cancelled but only suspended and the matter was sub-judice. CM Yogi Adityanath had already issued orders on August 3, 2018 to all the district magistrates across the state to carry out a thorough inspection of all such shelter and protection homes in their respective districts. He had also issued directives to ensure proper care and security of the inmates. The CM had warned the DMs against any laxity on this account. Reacting to the incident, DGP OP Singh acknowledged that such an issue had come to light and district police were right on job. By PTI MUZAFFARPUR: A CBI team today carried out an inspection of the office of District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) here as part of its investigation into the case of sexual abuse of more than 30 girls at a state-funded shelter home here. Sources in the local administration said the CBI team inspected the chamber of Divesh Sharma, the suspended DCPU Assistant Director who was recently placed under suspension for dereliction of duty by the Bihar Social Welfare department. The CBI team is understood to have gone through documents kept there and spoken to other officials posted at the DCPU office, the sources said. Meanwhile, a team of doctors set up at the instance of the superintendent of the Central Jail examined Brajesh Thakur, one of the keys accused in the scandal who also headed the NGO which ran the shelter home. According to sources, the CBI is likely to seek Thakur's remand provided he is declared fit for the purpose in the medical report In a related development, a team of Press Information Bureau (PIB) officials also arrived here this morning and inspected the premises where the shelter home and office of the Hindi daily "Pratah Kamal" were located. Pratah Kamal is said to be owned by Brajesh Thakur. Besides the Hindi daily, Thakur is said to be owning an English newspaper News Next and an Urdu journal "Haalaat-e-Bihar." The publications have been getting advertisements from the state government for quite long but the same was stopped in June after he was made an accused in the case. Besides, Thakurs accreditation with PIB, New Delhi, was cancelled last week. Earlier in the day, the Patna High Court accepted the Bihar government's request to take up monitoring of CBI investigation into the case and ensure its speedy trial by appointing a special judge. The issue of sexual exploitation was first highlighted in a social audit report submitted by Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai, to the state's Social Welfare Department in April. An FIR was lodged on May 31 against 11 persons, including Brajesh Thakur, the owner of the NGO 'Seva Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti' which ran the shelter home for destitute girls funded by the government. Ten out of 11 accused persons, including Thakur, have been arrested in the case so far and the state police had submitted its charge sheet against them before a before Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Muzaffarpur. The medical examinations of 34 of the 42 inmates of a shelter home in Muzaffarpur have so far confirmed that they were sexually exploited. By PTI NEW DELHI: The government has banned six defence firms from doing business with it while 14 others have been put on the list of suspended companies, the government said today. In addition, two other companies have been placed on the restricted procurement list, it said. During the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said the Defence Ministry had put in place guidelines, which provide for levying of fines, suspension or banning of business entities. According to the information shared with the members today, the defence ministry has put six entities on the list of banned firms. These are: M/s Singapore Technologies Kinetics Limited, M/s Israel Militaries Industries Limited, M/s T S Kisan & Co Pvt Ltd, M/s R K Machine Tools Ltd, Ludhiana, M/s Rheinmetall Air defence (RAD), Zurich and M/s Corporation Defence, Russia. According to the written reply tabled in the Upper House, among the suspended firms were M/s Denel, South Africa, M/s Shanx Oceaneering, M/s Inter Spiro India Pvt Ltd, M/s Experts Systems, M/s Unitech Enterprises, M/s Kelvin Engineering, M/s Agusta Westland International Ltd, Atlas group of companies including M/s Atlas Telecom and M/s Atlas Defence Services. Other companies on the suspended list include M/s Leonardo S.p.A (erstwhile M/s Finmeccanica), M/s IDS, Tunisia, M/s Infotech Design System (IDS), Mauritius, M/s IDS Infotech Ltd, Mohali, M/s Aeromatrix Info Solution Pvt Ltd, Chandigarh and M/s Offset India Solutions (P) Ltd (OIS) and its group of companies, the details provided by the government said. According to the details, two firms - M/s Rolls Royce Pvt Ltd and its allied and subsidiaries and M/s Tatra Trucks A.S.of the Czech Republic. Responding to questions, Bhamre said in some cases a review is held. Citing the case of IAI of Israel, he said after a closure report in the court, the restrictions were removed. By Express News Service BHOPAL: In a shocking incident, a mentally unstable man has allegedly been lynched in tribal-dominated Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh by a mob which suspected him to be child lifter or kidney thief. Ten men have so far been arrested in the case and booked for murder and destruction of evidence. This the second such incident in the state, as on July 19 late night a mentally challenged homeless woman was allegedly lynched by a mob, suspecting her to be a child lifter in tribal-dominated Singrauli district. As many as 14 men were arrested for the barbaric crime in Singrauli on July 22. The latest such incident happened possibly on July 28 late night at a village in Samanpur area of Dindori district (470 km from Bhopal) with a 30-plus man hailing from adjoining Annupur district possibly, but came to the fore, when the unidentified mans slowly decomposing body was spotted floating in a well on August 1 in the same village where he was allegedly lynched. With the body having started to decompose, it was very difficult to ascertain its identity. Forensic experts were of the view that it was four to five days old and injury marks suggested that he had been murdered brutally. We questioned the village chowkidar about the man and the information revealed by him led the police to 3-4 persons of the same village, SP Dindori district Kartikeyan K told The New Indian Express on Monday. The questioning of 3-4 villagers revealed that the unidentified man had dinner possibly on July 28 at a roadside dhaba, where he was spotted by 8-10 drunk villagers. With rumours of child lifters and kidney thieves abound in the area, the drunk villagers caught hold of him and started questioning him. As the victim was mentally unstable, he couldnt respond to the questions of the villagers properly, which increased their suspicion of him being a child lifter-kidney thief. He was subsequently assaulted by the 10 men with rods. The multiple injuries inflicted in the attack by mob, particularly on the neck resulted in his death, SP Dindori added. Seeing that he was dead, the accused then dumped the body in a well and then remained silent over the entire episode. Based on interrogation of those detained in connection with the barbaric blind murder, the ten men, all aged between 25 and 35 years were arrested on Sunday night and booked for murder and attempt to destroy the evidence, SP Dindori said. The identity of the deceased too has been ascertained and the body handed over to his kin who arrived from Anuppur district on Sunday. Siba Mohanty By The National Register for Citizens (NRC) has not just stirred the entire country but also driven political parties to take sides. For a change, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) which chooses to maintain a safe distance from Congress, BJP, Left as well as all Third/Federal Front configurations has made the right noises about the entire exercise. Anything which compromises national security must not be encouraged and by taking that stand, the party has shown that it can mark itself differently. Not that the Opposition echoes similar sentiments in the State. Since BJP boss Amit Shah lauded BJD for backing the national security stand, Congress saw a tacit understanding between the regional party and the saffron outfit since the elections are not far. On the other hand, the State unit of BJP was cautious in its reaction. The issue of illegal settlers or Bangladeshi immigrants is not a concern for Assam alone. Odisha has a reason for worry and by flagging the issue, the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD has made its intentions clear. Historically, the State has had to deal with refugees from Bangladesh over the last several decades. In 2005, the State government had served Quit India notice on 1,551 suspected Bangaldeshi immigrants in Kendrapara district, which triggered a huge row after which it was dropped. Three years ago, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had informed the State Assembly that there were over 3,900 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in the State. Truth is, the actual number could be much higher than what is shown on official records. Illegal immigrants have good presence in sea-side villages of Kendrapara district but one cannot call them illegal anymore since they have established themselves over the years and possess valid ID proof. Districts like Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Malkangiri too have illegal settlers. If one goes by Bharat Raksha Manch, the numbers are in lakhs. Even Bhubaneswar holds a sizable Bangladeshi population, according to the outfit, which has demanded NRC in Odisha. Over the years, this sensitive topic has hardly attracted attention although it definitely merits one. Given the huge coastline, Odisha has reasons to worry about illegal settlers, not just because it is a security issue but because they form a sizeable vote bank and no political party would like to draw their ire by even suggesting their deportation from India. While their sway over the local political class only grows stronger, the bigger problem is in the fact that their numbers could actually be increasing over the years since the coastal borders have virtually no eyes. Odisha, which acts as a major route for illegal cattle transportation to Bangladesh, has done precious little in the past to stop the unlawful trade. To even presume that the government could actually maintain surveillance on the sea routes to stop entry of illegal immigrants is ridiculous. A glance at the existing coastal security system in the State would suffice. Of the 15 high-speed patrol boats Odisha received under Centres Coastal Security Scheme, only 13 are in working condition but dont have enough manpower. The State government, currently, makes do with retired Navy personnel to operate these fuel guzzlers. Unable to fund the fuel, the Odisha government has been requesting the Centre to share the cost so that regular patrolling can be conducted. But to no avail. That is not all. These high-speed boats have engines manufactured by Mercedes, which means there is no way they can be repaired or maintained in the State. To add to their woes, the State Police have found it difficult to draw up an annual maintenance contract. Officials in the know of things grudgingly admit the failure of the security set up as well as the poor infrastructure of marine police stations. With the situation in Assam in a state of flux after the publication of the NRC final draft, there is widespread apprehension that families that have been struck off the list would find a safe haven in neighbouring states and Odisha could be one of them. The Naveen Patnaik governments stand in support of NRC is praiseworthy but it would mean nothing if adequate measures are not taken to prevent illegal entry of immigrants keeping an eye on the future. Siba Mohanty Deputy Resident Editor, Odisha Email: sibamohanty@newindianexpress.com Kumar Vikram By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Amid the big push towards digital transaction ever since demonetisation happened, it would be sobering to note that the case count of e-transaction frauds involving more than Rs 1 lakh jumped by over 100 per cent and the value of the loss by over 350 per cent in just two years. According to the latest RBI data, while the total number of such frauds was 1,191 in 2015-16, it rose to 1,372 the next year and leapt to 2,488 in 2017-18. The money involved in such frauds was about Rs 40.20 crore in 2015-16, Rs 43.18 crore the next fiscal and more than tripled to Rs 149.62 crore in 2017-18. Most of the cases were registered in a few states like Maharashtra, Haryana, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. In the first three months of this financial year (April-June 2018-19) alone, 661 cases of frauds involving Rs 34.36 crore have been registered. Just the other day, it was announced that incentive on cashless payment at fuel vends would stay, though at a reduced level. The government has also been incentivising the use of its digital platform, BHIM. On Saturday last, the Goods and Services Tax Council cleared a pilot project to offer 20% cashback of the GST paid on business-to-consumer transactions using RuPay and BHIM platforms, with to a cap of Rs 100 per transaction. For their part, officials said cyber security threats are reviewed continuously and necessary measures taken to strengthen cyber resilience. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) under the ministry of IT monitors Indias cyberspace and sends out alerts. Year No of e-transactions frauds Amount involved (in lakh) 2015-16 1191 4020.12 2016-17 1372 4318.48 2017-18 2488 14962.55 2018-19 (AprilJune) 661 3436.84 States Having Maximum cases Harish Gilai By Express News Service VISAKHAPATNAM: It was around 8 am on Saturday. It just stopped drizzling. The rain-drenched lush green hills of Paderu Agency gleamed in the gentle morning sunlight. Locals, most of them tribals from PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups), made their way to the house of Killo Balanna, a 50-year-old poor agricultural farmer at D Sampalli, interior tribal hamlet in Iradapalle Panchayat. Balanna brought his wife K Lingamma (40) out of the house holding her shoulders tight while several people waited outside along with a 60-year old man, who is the village head. Well, its not any kind of marriage or a religious ritual. Balanna was actually seeking the help of the village head, Nageswara Rao, a faith healer, to identify the problem ailing his wife and make a prognosis. Soon the village head sets out to use his supposed supernatural powers while the gathering waits with bated breath. An old woman who is suffering from fever, slouches outside her hut at Kothavalasda village in Paderu mandal in Visakhapatnam Agency area | (Photo | G Satyanarayana) Nageswara Rao draws a rangoli in sand and places a small doll, incense sticks and rice mixed in turmeric, in the middle. When TNIE asked what is going on, one of the women Damayanthi, says, Lingamma is suffering from severe fever, stomach pain, nausea and other health disorders. So the priest has come to perform puja to ascertain whether she will live or die. What follows is quite curious. The faith healer starts chanting mumbo jumbo for about 20 minutes and throws rice on the rangoli. Then he brings three hens and makes them eat rice. The elderly man declares if two of the three hens eat grains, Lingamma will live. If just one eats rice, then he says grimly, that her life hangs in balance. To the great relief of her husband and the gathering, two of the hens pecked at the rice, prompting the village head to declare that Lingamma will recover and live longer. For the poor and ignorant tribals, this could give some mental relief. But there is a flip-side. Taking the prediction seriously, there are instances of the innocent people totally ignoring the seriousness of the ailments affecting their family members and failing to seek medical help. We are doing our best: ITDA We have Community Health Workers (CHW) to help tribals. They are trained to give first-aid. Their main job is to bring patients to CHC. They also hold awareness programmes on superstitious beliefs. We also hold Kalajathalu, a dance form, to educate tribals about dangers of believing in superstitions, said ITDA PO DK Balaji. ITDA arranges dolis to bring patients from villages to hospitals wherever there are no roads. We also provide bike ambulances. When the TNIE team asked Balanna why he sought the help of the village head for his wifes medical problem, he shot back, Where is medical facility? Over 50 families reside in the tribal hamlet, which is hardly 15 km from Paderu mandal headquarters. But there is no proper road connectivity. In order to reach a road, they have to walk about five to six kilometers. The gravel road that was laid years ago was washed away completely. We do not have a proper road connectivity here. We have to carry patients in a doli for about five km to reach the road and catch some vehicle. ITDA officials rarely organise medical camps in our areas. Private ambulances or jeeps charge `3,000 to come and take patients to hospital, said Balanna. Nagesh, who has finished intermediate, says, Years have gone by, but transport facility is still a mirage. Not even drivers of autorickshaws or jeeps dare to come to our village. Once in a while some NGOs come with ambulances and conduct medical camps. Many fall ill here due to various factors and die because of lack of medical facilities. Like D Sampalli, several villages in the Agency areas have the same pathetic stories to narrate. Pothurajumetta, Kothavalasa, Vanajangi in Paderu and G Madugula, Araku, Munchingput, Hukumpeta, Koyyuru, Sileru and Dumbriguda trek miles to buy essential commodities. For example, villagers of Pothurajumetta trek 6 to 10 km to buy essential commodities from a fair price shop. Residents of Hukumpeta and Munchingput cross streams to reach the mandal headquarters. Many tribals met watery grave while crossing the stream. Government should take steps to mitigate the sufferings of the people in the Agency. That is the only way to bring them out of superstitious beliefs. In the last couple of years, some roads were laid under the NREG scheme, but they could not withstand rains. In case of emergencies, ambulances arrive and stop far away from villages for the patients and their family members to undertake the arduous trek to reach the vehicle, said Saadhu Ram, a social activist from Paderu. According to ITDA sources, there are about 3,636 tribal habitats in the Visakhapatnam Agency and hundreds of them in Chintapalle, Araku, Munchingput, Paderu, Hukumpeta and Dumbriguda mandals which lack road facilities. Notwithstanding officials claim that bike ambulances, stretchers and other facilities are being made available to the tribals, tribals continue to suffer. The most affected because of this sad state of affairs are pregnant women. Nutritious food and proper drinking water facilities are beyond their reach. People here simply die because they cannot afford to pay for medical treatment in private hospitals. There are some developmental programmes unveiled by successive governments but there is a lack of seriousness in their implementation. Roads were laid, but they turned very bad. Regular health camps should be conducted in the areas to rescue tribals from superstitious beliefs, said Kollu Surendra, a member of AP Girijana Sangham (APGS), Araku mandal. A senior official of the ITDA said that they are using two-wheeler ambulances to ferry patients to hospitals and laying roads under various schemes of State and Central governments. Kumar Vikram By Express News Service Governments flagship Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)crop insurance scheme was launched with a view to benefit maximum number of farmers in the country. However, number of beneficiaries under the scheme has come down drastically in last two years. According to information from the ministry of agriculture, number of farmer applicants covered under the scheme reduced by about 85 lakh between the year 2016-17 and 2017-18. Total numbers of farmer applicants covered under the scheme in the year 2016-17 was about 5.72 crore which came down to 4.87 crore in the next financial year 2017-18. Experts claimed that the crop insurance scheme is not showing desired results. Devinder Sharma, Agriculture expert said, There are many issues. Delay in getting claims or compensation and getting paltry claims are some of the main reasons. There have been many instances farmers are not getting adequate claims on time. There have been many cases wherein farmers have got compensation like Rs 4 or Rs 10 or amount like that. I dont understand this. How this could be possible. This looks like a scam and government needs to take some corrective measures. An official of the ministry of agriculture said that government has been urging the States to bring more areas and crops under the scheme so that maximum farmers may be covered under the scheme. Besides that Government seeks active involvement of all stakeholders especially States and implementing insurance companies for conduct of publicity campaign including organization of camps in the rural areas to build farmer awareness about crop insurance schemes. However, the ministry official claimed the main reasons behind the reduction in number of farmers in last two years are the announcement of debt waiver Scheme in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Farmers perception of mitigated risk in 2017-18, which was a good monsoon year, deduplication due to Aadhaar being made mandatory for coverage are also some of the reasons, added the official. Launched in April 2016, the PMFBY provides comprehensive crop insurance from pre-sowing to post harvest against non-preventable natural risks at extremely low maximum premium rate of 2 per cent for Kharif crops, 1.5 per cent for Rabi Crop and 5 per cent payable by farmers for annual commercial or horticultural crops. The balance of actuarial premium is shared by the Central and state governments. Amidst the reports of delay in settling farmers insurance claims under the scheme, the ministry recently announced some changes to the scheme to help the farmers with crop loss to receive their insurance claims on time. Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh during question hour in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing monsoon session said that those insurance companies which fail to clear claims of farmers for crop loss within two months, will have to repay with 12 per cent interest. The minister added that the state governments will also have to pay the same rate of interest to farmers if they delay the contribution of their share. Moreover, insurance companies have also been asked to utilize 0.5% of gross premium collected by them for publicity and awareness generation. Officials said that the PMFBY scheme involves several stakeholders including State Governments, financial institutions, insurance companies and farmers. It also envisages adoption of technology for integration of all stakeholders on the National Crop Insurance Portal for scheme administration and in capturing crop loss assessment. The scheme provides for setting up of Technical Support Unit (TSU) with crop insurance expert to track and evaluate the scheme implementation. Initially, the Agriculture Insurance company of India Ltd. (AIC) and subsequently the GIC Re were designated as TSU. Government has recently engaged a team from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to set up Project Monitoring Unit (PMF)/TSU. Crop Insurance Scheme (PMFBY) Funds allocated 2016-17: Rs 11054.63 crore 2017-18: Rs 9419.79 crore Farmer applicants covered (PMFBY) 2016-17: 5,72,49,843 2017-18: 4,87,49,066 Some main states under the scheme and farmer applicants covered By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh has emerged as the frontrunner at the national level for its energy efficiency initiatives as per the State Energy Efficiency Preparedness Index released by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) of the Ministry of Power and NITI Aayog. The index which identified the best performing States AP, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan in the country, has made a special mention about Andhra Pradesh for doing well in adopting energy efficiency (EE) measures, particularly in municipalities, agriculture and other sectors. In a teleconference held on Sunday, the Energy Department officials informed Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu that the BEE and NITI Aayog released the index for the first time last week. They explained to the Chief Minister that the BEE and NITI Aayog evaluated 63 indicators, including State regulations, adoption of energy efficiency initiatives, energy savings and other key parameters. Andhra Pradesh, as a frontrunner, has several programmes in place for promoting energy efficiency in municipalities, DISCOMs, industries and buildings through Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme. However, the State could improve programmes for energy efficiency in the transport sector, the index said. Principal Secretary (Energy) Ajay Jain informed the Chief Minister that the report also observed that while most States limited themselves to one or more programmes driven by BEE, AP and other frontrunner States have been implementing their own initiatives too. Speaking on the occasion, Naidu emphasised the need to focus on maintaining the sustainability of energy efficiency measures. We have to research, examine and adopt the advanced technologies coming up worldwide on the energy efficiency front. The new technologies in advanced countries like Japan have to be taken into consideration for adopting them in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector, which helps in employment generation and economic development, he suggested. Energy Minister K Kala Venkata Rao told the Chief Minister that the department has won 84 international and national awards so far for its energy efficiency measures. By Express News Service BENGALURU: JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Sunday relieved his son and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy from the post of partys state unit chief, replacing him with Adaguru H Vishwanath, former MP. The decision to appoint Vishwanath is seen as a move to dispel criticism of it being a Vokkaliga and father-son party. Vishwanath, a prominent Kuruba leader from Mysuru, had quit the Congress in 2017 before joining the JD(S). The announcement of Vishwanaths elevation, Gowda said, was only the beginning of a revamp. The party, traditionally associated with rural voters, Vokkaliga and Muslims as core vote bank, is looking to change its perception with new measures. READ | AH Vishwanath replaces CM Kumaraswamy as Janta Dal (S) Karnataka President This is a message to those who called JD(S) a father-son party. Vishwanath has been chosen unanimously as the state president. Hope this decision gives B S Yeddyurappa (BJP state president), who criticises our party, an answer to whether this is a father-son party, Gowda said. Vishwanath quit the Congress after a continued tiff with then chief minister Siddaramaiah in 2017. Vishwanath, JD(S) hopes, will help gain some vote share in the Kuruba-dominant regions. The community to which Siddaramaiah also belongs is the only prominent Backward Class community that has a spread across the state. Vishwanaths appointment is crucial at a time when the JD(S) is looking to break out of its south-Karnataka only image. The party has given me a huge responsibility. My priorities are to spread the message of our government to the people and win as many seats as possible in the upcoming LS polls, Vishwanath told reporters on Sunday. Priority is to spread govts message Adaguru H Vishwanaths role in discussing seat sharing for the Lok Sabha polls with the Congress will now be crucial. With Siddaramaiah heading the Coordination committee that is entrusted with the responsibility of peace-keeping between coalition partners, it is to be seen how Vishwanaths love-hate relationship with the former will play out in the future. The party has given me a huge responsibility. My priorities are to spread the message of our government to the people and win as many seats as possible in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Vishwanath told the media on Sunday. The JD(S) is also looking to appoint youngsters to various positions in the party. We will give priority to youth, backward classes, minorities and people of various communities, Gowda said adding that the party will not sideline seniors but has the need to infuse young blood into its structure. JD(S) is expected to come out with a list of new office-bearers in the next 10 days. Gowda will undertake a statewide yatra starting August 11 in the backdrop of elections to 105 urban local bodies. In an attempt to dispel criticisms of Kumaraswamy being unfair to districts of North Karnataka in his budget, the JD(S) has planned to bring out a booklet highlighting the budget allocations to various schemes and programmes to the region. I dont have to respond to Yeddyurappa. I will talk to the people directly. We will bring out a booklet with information on what Siddaramaiahs budget, as well as our budget, has to offer to the people, Gowda said. Ashwini M Sripad By Express News Service BENGALURU: Following low tax collection by gram panchayats, the state government has asked them to mobilise funds on their own, instead of just depending on state grants. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RDPR) authorities have even warned of stopping grants if panchayats fail to meet the annual target. In Karnataka, there are 6,024 GPs across 30 districts of which 22 collected tax as low as 25 per cent. Most of the Panchayats especially from North Karnataka districts including Kalburgi, Bidar, Yadgir, Vijayapura and Gadag, failed to collect tax. "We have noticed that these districts have contributed less than five per cent of the total tax. But on the other hand they are so dependant on state government grants that they seem to take no interest in collecting tax from their village. This system will not work in the long run, GPs should be self sufficient. In our recent review meeting with RDPR Minister Krishna Byregowda raised objection,'' said sources from RDPR. Minister for Rural Development, Krishna Byregowda, during a review found not only the tax to have not been collected as per the demand but also has not been revised. "It is unfortunate that out of the 6024 GPs, only 1421 have revised taxes,'' he said. He has now directed the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to review tax collection every month. He has also directed that the same to be updated in the in-house software. According to a letter written by RDPR Principal Secretary L K Atheeq to all CEOs of GPs, copy of which is available with TNIE, it is mentioned that under Karnataka Grama Swaraj and Panchayat Raj Act, GPs are empowered to not only levy tax for non-agricultural purpose but also to fix, revise and collect tax. Government wants these GPs to be financially self-sufficient. But it has come to the government's notice that despite the powers given to the GPs, they have failed to collect and revise tax from time to time. GPs have failed to become financially independent. In turn, they are only depending on state government grants. State government is taking this seriously. Atheeq blamed officials concerned for not collecting as per the demand. When contacted, Atheeq said, "Gram Panchayat taxes have always been a neglected subject. Minister Krishna Byregowda raised this issue in the recent review meeting. If these Panchayats collect more tax, more funds will be generated. The same will be utilised on them, it could be road, street light, toilets or any basic amenities. Ideally, the target should be 100 per cent collection. We have warned them. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vehicles, including private buses, autorickshaws, taxis, freight vehicles and most of the KSRTC buses, will stay off the road on Tuesday as part of the one-day strike organised by the All India Motor Transport Organisation, demanding the withdrawal of the proposed Motor Vehicle (MV) Amendment Bill. The Bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha, and now Rajya Sabha needs to give it a nod. The protest will also demand to withdraw hike in insurance premium and restrict price hike of petroleum products. Trade unions except BMS will take part in the strike. Automobile showrooms, automobile spare parts shops and driving school owners and staff will also participate in the protest. The workers union claims the Centre is planning to monopolise the motor vehicle industry. ALSO READ: All-India motor vehicle strike: Bus, app-based cab services unlikely to be affected KSRTC Joint Trade Union Committee protest against management The KSRTC Joint Trade Union Committee will observe a 24-hour strike on Tuesday demanding to include implementation of pay revision, payment of four instalments of DA, and end the anti-employee and anti-people policies by the KSRTC management. The token strike is announced by Kerala State Road Transport Employees Association (CITU), Transport Democratic Federation (INTUC) and Kerala State Transport Employees Union (AITUC). The employee unions are waiting for a discussion with the CMD regarding their demand to change the decision and call off the strike, said S K Mani, KSRTC INTUC leader. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on Sunday hit out at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the latters failure to meet the people of Kuttanad who lost virtually everything in the devastating floods triggered by the monsoon showers. The Chief Ministers behaviour towards the public reminded one of the imperious ways of erstwhile feudals (thampuran), he told reporters here. Chennithala said he had boycotted the meeting in protest against the Chief Ministers decision not to visit Kuttanad despite chairing a review meeting at Alappuzha. He said Congress MPs K C Venugopal and Kodikkunnil Suresh, who were there at Ground Zero to help out the flood victims, besides raising the issue in Parliament, had been invited to the review meeting at the last minute. However, both the MPs stayed away in protest against the purported slight. READ | Kerala to seek Central aid for Kuttanad package II According to Chennithala, Pinarayis disinclination to undertake a visit to the flood-hit region is all the more shocking since the affected area is barely 15 minutes away from the Alappuzha collectorate where the review meeting was held. Not only does it reflect on Pinarayis alleged lack of sympathy for the victims, it also showed CM had nothing to tell the people of the relief measures initiated by the government, he said. UDF stays away Alappuzha: The UDF on Sunday boycotted the review meeting on Kuttanad flood relief work here. UDF representatives including Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala kept off the meeting in protest against the CMs decision not to visit the flood-ravaged areas. Though the district administration had invited invited MPs, MLAs, local body heads of the affected areas and government officers, the UDF leaders failed to turn up. Chennithala went as far as to term the review meeting a gimmick. They are merely going through the motions and the governments intervention is ineffective. The LDF Ministers reached the flood-hit areas only after the Opposition raised voices against the governments slackness. Even the Kuttanad MLA was conspicuous by his absence during the relief work, he said. CM skips media briefing after channels mike brushes him Alappuzha: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday left Alappuzha without talking to reporters after a mike of one of the TV channels brushed his body. Pinarayi was about to leave after chairing a two-hour-long high-level meeting to review the flood situation and relief operations at Kuttanad held at the Golden Jubilee auditorium of the Alappuzha Medical College. Mediapersons were not allowed inside the meeting room. So, when he came out, they rushed to him to know about the meetings outcome. Though Pinarayi started to speak, the mike of one of the TV channels brushed his body in the rush. An irritated Chief Minister left the venue in his car.The Opposition leader flayed the reason cited by the CM - President Ram Nath Kovinds visit to the state which got under way on Sunday - for not visiting Kuttanad. He said if the situation so warranted, the CM should have taken a chopper to travel to Kuttanad since such extraordinary situations merited helicopter ride rather than party programmes - a dig at Pinarayi using a helicopter to reach the party meet venue.Chennithala termed the havoc wrought by the deluge in Kuttanad unprecedented and he put the extent of loss at `1,000 crore. He lauded the yeomen service rendered by the dailies, TV news channels, NGOs and social organisations in the flood ravaged areas. Call for donation to relief fund TPuram: The Finance Department has called for donations to the Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund to help monsoon calamity victims. Online contributions can be made over SBIs city branch account no. 67319948232. IFSC code: SBIN 0070028. Cheques and drafts can be sent to the Principal Secretary (Finance), Treasurer, Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund, Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram. Cash payments can be made at the Secretariat Finance Department. For details, call 0471-2518310, 2518684, 8330091573. email: cmdrf.cell@gmail.com. By Express News Service KASARGOD: A CPM worker, Aboobaker Siddique (22), was stabbed to death, allegedly by a gang of BJP-RSS workers, apparently over public drinking in Uppala in Kasaragod. One person, identified as Ashwanth (26) from the same locality, has been taken into custody, said sources in the police. DYFI worker Siddique, a native of Sonkal in Uppala, was returning home when he saw a group publicly drinking liquor near his house around 11 pm on Sunday, said Kumbla inspector Premsadan. When he confronted them, a scuffle broke out and one of the gang members stabbed Aboobaker, said the officer. Though he was rushed to a hospital in Mangaluru, his life could not be saved. Police have taken Ashwanth (26), also from Uppala, into custody. He is believed to be a worker of the BJP-RSS, said police. Officers have impounded one motorcycle found on the scene of crime. Ten days ago, Siddique returned from Qatar, where he was helping his brother run a restaurant. Kasaragod district police chief A Srinivas said Siddique, an active worker of the CPM, had earlier allegedly questioned the smuggling in of liquor by the gang. However, considering the political affiliation of the deceased and the suspects, the political angle to the murder was also being probed, he said. "We have got some clue about the killers and we are hopeful of nabbing them very soon," he said. Police said a 15-member special team led by Kasaragod DySP M V Sukumaran had begun investigation into the case. Meanwhile, the CPM alleged that the BJP-RSS workers are behind the murder of the CPM activist and the party called for hartal in Manjeshwaram taluk on Monday afternoon. The person who allegedly stabbed Siddique is the relative of a district level BJP leader, said the party. BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai condemned the killing, and said violence was not a solution to any problem. "As far I understand, it was a killing over liquor sale. The law should take its course and the guilty should be punished,-" he said. However, he alleged that the CPM, which was the ruling party, would try to make political gains from the murder because the victim was a "Muslim brother". By Express News Service ALAPPUZHA: The state government will approach the Centre for Kuttanad package II to find a lasting solution to the hardship faced by the people in the region, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Addressing the high-powered meeting at the Golden Jubilee Auditorium of TD Medical College, Vandanam here on Sunday to take stock of flood reliefwork in Kuttanad, he said, The government will demand Kuttanad package II after preparing a detailed project report on preservation and dredging of water bodies and panchayat-level relief centres to tackle natural disasters like these. READ | CM Pinarayi Vijayans failure to meet Kuttanad flood victims draw Opposition flak Multipurpose shelter homes for accommodating the flood displaced will be built across the region. Construction technology which can withstand flooding will be tried out. To achieve this, legislation will be amended if necessary. Solar power projects will be considered to avoid power disruption during flood time. A flood alert system for Kuttanad too will be considered. To coordinate the activities of all departments, individual nodal officers will be entrusted. The Revenue Department will ensure the district-level coordination. Panchayat and taluk-level adalats will be conducted to assist those who lost documents in the flood. The District Collector should talk to the banks regarding sanctioning of loans to the flood-hit. To discuss the issue, a district-level meeting of banks should be convened, said Pinarayi. Pinarayi asks banks to lend a hand to flood-hit people Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has asked banks to provide special loans to the flood-affected. The Kerala Financial Corporation and cooperative banks should provide special loans to small scale traders who were affected. The next Cabinet session will take a decision on moratorium for agriculture loans, said Pinarayi. According to the CM, Toilets should be constructed as per the geographical features of the region. Bridges which hinder relief works will be rebuilt. More water ambulances will be procured. Action plan will be prepared to get compensation to the farmers who lost their livestock. The Cabinet will decide on granting relaxation in paying electricity and water bills. Further, he told the meeting the Health Department is on heightened alert to prevent the outbreak of diseases when the floodwater recedes. There should be a special facility in hospitals, including the MCH, for providing treatment in snake-bite cases. The hospitals and dispensaries should have enough pharma stocks. Only potable water safe for drinking should be consumed. The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) should take special care to provide potable water, he said. The Chief Minister instructed the Revenue, Health and Local Administration Departments to pay special attention to clean-up drives under the Suchitwa Mission. Road repairs will be carried out in a proper and effective manner, with the maintenance of the AC Road remaining a top priority. The flood havoc was unprecedented. The decisive effort of departments was commendable. It has to be seen as Kuttanadan model, Pinarayi said. Works Minister G Sudhakaran presided over the meeting attended by Ministers E Chandrasekharan, Mathew T Thomas, V S Sunilkumar, P Thilothaman,K K Shylaja and T M Thomas Isaac; MLAs Thomas Chandy, A M Arif, U Prathibha, R Rajesh and Saji Cheriyan; district panchayat president G Venugopal; Chief Secretary Tom Jose, Additional Chief Secretary P H Kurian, District Collector S Suhas and Kottayam Collector B S Thirumeni. IN THE PIPELINE Drafts to be prepared for the protection and deepening of water sources and construction of reservoirs in the local panchayats Special officers to coordinate relief activities Deputy director of education entrusted with the job of preparing a guideline for recouping the academic days lost Cabinet to consider the demand for a moratorium on agricultural loans Establishment of a flood-warning mechanism in Kuttanad UDF stays away Alappuzha: UDF representatives, including Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, kept off the meeting in protest against Chief Minister s decision not to visit the flood-ravaged areas. CM acts like thampuran TPuram: Ramesh Chennithala said Pinarayi Vijayans behaviour towards the public was like that of thampuran. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The medical fraternity, by and large, has welcomed the Drug Technical Advisory Boards (DTAB) decision to relax its fiat on restricting the sale and supply of Oxytocin in the country. However, a section of obstetricians and gynaecologists have raised doubts on the practicality of relying on a sole manufacturer-cum-supplier and the huge difference in the drugs price. As per the original April 27 notification, DTAB restricted the manufacture and sale of Oxytocin formulations for domestic use only to public sector. Following the order, Karnataka Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals Ltd (KAPL) was entrusted with the manufacture and sale of the drug which is primarily used for preventing post-partum haemorrhage. As per the order, the restriction was to start from July 1. Following the relaxation, the restriction will now start from September 1. While it is up to the Health Ministry to take a call on the DTABs recommendation, overall its a welcome development, said Dr Presannakumari B, president, Kerala Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. But our reservation is over the practicality of relying on a sole manufacturer-cum-supplier, (KAPL) and on the price difference. These questions remain largely unanswered, she said. Presannakumari said though an Oxytocin ampule was earlier sold for Rs 4, KAPL plans to sell it at Rs 17. Another senior gynaecologist with a government hospital said there are doubts on the quality of the medicine as KAPL is manufacturing Oxytocin for the first time. Oxytocin is the recommended first-choice uterotonic drug for the prevention of post-partum haemorrhage (PPH), a leading cause of maternal mortality in caesarean sections. Kerala has the lowest maternal mortality rate in the country. Thus depending on a single manufacturer is not at all practical, said Presannakumari. To highlight these aspects, we are considering to file a PIL at the Delhi High Court or at the Supreme Court, she said. At the same time, Health Secretary Rajeev Sadanandan said the state has already informed the Centre as part of the reducing MMR, the drug is a primary component and its ready availability have to be ensured at any means. We still believe that the Centre might have a change of mind. If it doesnt reconsider the decision, the state will take necessary actions, he said. Report of misuse led to restriction By Express News Service THRISSUR: Kunnamkulam police arrested a priest of a temple at Chirakkal on Monday, following his threat to bomb the St. Thomas College, where President Ram Nath Kovind is set to attend a function. Jayaraman, the priest of Chirakkal Bhagavathy temple, was arrested by the police team led by Kunnamkulam ACP T. S. Sinoj, after a call to the police control room at around 1 AM on Monday. The police traced the mobile number from which the phone call was made and found it was made by Jayaraman. According to the police, Jayaraman made the call in an inebriated state after drinking alcohol. The President will be inaugurating the centenary celebrations of St. Thomas College tomorrow followed by Darshan at Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple and Mammiyoor temple. A police at the Thrissur East police station added that the arrest would be recorded after questioning the man. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A fresh row has erupted between KSRTC CMD Tomin J Thachankary and principal secretary KR Jyotilal over a new order requiring the KSRTC to get tenders above `50 lakh to be approved by a committee. All KSRTC tenders above `50 lakhs should be scrutinised by the proposed committee. As per the order, the three-member panel will have the transport secretary as chairman, the KSRTC CMD as convener and IT secretary as member. The decision, apparently, is meant to support the loss-making corporation. But Thachankary pointed out that the KSRTC CMD is the head of the governing council which legally holds the right to take decisions regarding KSRTC. The transport secretary is just a member in it. Cancellation of order sought So bringing such changes now points to some conspiracy. We have written to the government and the secretary seeking cancellation of the order, he said. Jyotilal on Saturday issued an order to the corporation regarding the release of Rs 20 crore for disbursing salary and wages of July. The transport secretary, who is also the Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation (KTDFC) chairman, had asked the KSRTC to settle the KTDFCs interest arrears for September and October from governments bailout to the state transporter. Thachankary had petitioned the chief minister and the transport minister against the secretarys directive. By Express News Service KENDRAPARA: A 24-year-old anganwadi worker was found hanging from a tree at Kadalibana village under Pattamundai police limits in the district on Sunday. She has been identified as Sanjukta Behera. As per reports, Sanjukta had gone to nearby market on Saturday evening, but she did not return home till late night. Prima facie it seems to be a case of murder. The woman was killed somewhere else and her body was hanged from the tree to make it look like a case of suicide. The body, which has some injury marks, has been sent to local hospital for post-mortem. A 42-year-old married man of nearby Chaudakulata village, Sanjiv Rout, is a suspect and we are trying to nab him, said IIC of Pattamundai police station Pramod Mallick. The victims younger sister filed an FIR at the police station on Sunday and alleged that Sanjukta was killed by Sanjiv. On Saturday, Sanjiv, in an inebriated condition, had abused Sanjukta and threatened to kill her. Acting on the FIR, police filed a case under Sections 302 of IPC against Sanjiv, who managed to flee from the village on Sunday morning. Efforts are on to nab him, he added. Meanwhile, president of the district unit of Anganwadi Workers Association Anjali Swain threatened to launch an agitation if police fail to nab the culprit at the earliest. By Express News Service BERHAMPUR: A pal of gloom descended on BT Nuagaon and Jharedi Radhagobindapur villages under Rambha police limits in Ganjam district following the death of three villagers in a blast at a stone quarry in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Six persons, five from BT Nuagaon and one from nearby Jharedi Radhagobindapur under Rambha police limits, had left for Hatti Belagal village under Aluru Mandal of Kurnool district to work in a stone quarry. However, a blast in the quarry on Friday night, which killed 11 persons including three from Ganjam district, changed everything. As the news reached here, Ganjam District and Sessions Judge Bibhu Prasad Routroy, who is also chairman of District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), asked DLSA secretary Bijay Kumar Dash to direct the district administration to send a team of officials of Labour department to take stock of the situation and look after the treatment of the injured. The DLSA also ordered the officials to meet the families of the six labourers from Rambha. Meanwhile the list of the deceased and the injured in the blast reached DLSA. According to the list, Bhima Nahak (30) of Jharedi Radhagobindapur, Duryadhan Nahak (42) and Manoranjan Nahak (22) of BT Nuagaon were killed in the blast. Rajendra Nahak (40), Ramchandra Nahak (50) and Pandab Lenka (40) sustained critical injuries. As per the direction of DLSA, the district administration paid Rs 10,000 each to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 5,000 to the families of the injured labourers. Apart from Government officials, Chhatrapur MLA Priyanshu Pradhan along with his supporters visited the villages and consoled the families. Laxmi Charan Nahak, who lost his 22-year-old son Manoranjan in the blast, is yet to come to terms with the tragedy. Similar is the plight of Duryadhan Nahaks family. Duryadhan was the sole bread winner of the family. Now he is survived by his widowed mother, wife Premlata, an 11-year-old daughter and a son aged around eight years. The villagers are peeved over the apathy of the State Government which is yet to announce compensation for the deceased. The lack of initiative by the Ganjam district administration to bring back the dead bodies has made matters worse. The police have launched a manhunt to nab the contractor who had sent the villagers to Kurnool to work in the stone quarry. Meanwhile, a team of District Labour Office reached Kurnool on Sunday evening. By Express News Service CHENNAI: Among 200 Indian Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrims stranded in Nepal due to bad weather, 25 are from Tamil Nadu. According to a source in Delhi, There are 25 pilgrims stranded in Nepal due to bad weather. There is nothing to worry as all are safe. The transport services have been disrupted due to bad weather there. They will reach Tamil Nadu, once the air services are resumed. A report said on Monday, There are basic lodging and food facilities for around 500 tourists in Simikot area. In case of emergency, the Indian Embassy could safely evacuate the stranded pilgrims. Last month, over 1,000 Indians were stranded at various places in Nepal during a trip to Kailash-Mansarovar. The Ministry of External Affairs had released new advisory on Kailash Yatra through Nepal route on July 5. The advisory said that Simikot and Hilsa in Nepal are extremely infrastructure-lean places lacking in medical facilities, comfortable boarding and lodging facilities. Thus, pilgrims should get themselves medically examined before starting the yatra as well as carry medicine for up to one month. All prospective pilgrims should further note that Simikot and Hilsa are connected to the rest of the world only by air (small aircraft/helicopters). There is no other way of travelling in and out of these places. Further, these small aircraft and helicopters can operate only when weather is absolutely clear in these places and their adjoining areas as the terrain is extremely dangerous, the MEA advisory said. By Express News Service YADADRI BHUVANAGIRI: A youngster from Bhuvanagiri town, pursuing medicine in Russia, drowned to death at a lake in Russias Stavropol state on Saturday. 24-year-old Gujja Naveen Kumar along with friends was on a picnic to the lake to celebrate his birthday. Naveen Kumar is the elder son of Yadagiri and Hemalatha and a native of RB colony in the town. He was about to complete his fifth year of MBBS at Orenburg medical university in another six months. The family back home was informed about the tragedy on Saturday night. The friends in,formed the family that Naveen along with six other friends had gone to the lake. According to them, Naveen drowned accidentally while trying to swim and others could not save him. His body was retrieved by the local police after a two-hour long search in the lake. Naveens father Yadagiri maintained that his son had gone to Russia in 2012. The bereaved parents are shell shocked and in a state of trauma and are expecting the corpse to be return to hometown at the earliest. This is not the first such incident where students from Telugu states have drowned in water bodies abroad in the recent past. Earlier in July, a techie from Krishna district of AP, Gogineni Nagarjuna, had drowned at a waterfall near Charlotte city of North Carolina State in the USA. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Slamming Rahul Gandhis embrace of PM Modi in the Parliament a few days ago, AIMIM MP from Hyderabad, Asaduddin Owaisi drew parallels of the incident with German dictator Hitlers embrace of Jews before they were slaughtered in concentration camps. Addressing a public meeting in Ahmed Nagar on Sunday, Owaisi said, Before Hitler sent 10-20 lakh Jews to concentration, many Jews had embraced him. Despite that, the Jews were killed in gas chambers. So Congress should drop the charade. Owaisi criticised Gandhis reason for the hug that he wanted to show that Congress doesnt have any hatred for the PM. Congress President Rahul Gandhi hugs Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his speech in the Lok Sabha on 'no-confidence motion' during the Monsoon Session of Parliament in New Delhi. (Photo | PTI) The AIMIM chief also said that the two men hugged each other because they did not have anyone to hug in their homes. Owaisi said, As both of them do not have anyone to hug in their homes, they go around hugging people outside. From Turkeys Erdogan to Abu Dhabis ruler, Modi hugs everyone in foreign tours. That is why marriage is so important, Owaisi said, before urging the youngsters in his rally to marry fast. He also condemned an incident where a Muslim man's beard was forcibly clean shaven by a few men in Gurugram. Owaisi said, "Even if you cut our throats we will not stop being Muslims. This is our Constitutional right. "So we won't stop growing out beards. Instead we will further increase its length untill you realise the truth about us and join us as Muslims and keep beards yourself," Owaisi added. Apart from that, Owaisi vowed that not only would he win the Hyderabad seat in the next General Elections, but would also snatch the Secunderabad seat from BJP. Commenting on the National Register of Citizens. He slammed the Centre and asked how it branded those excluded from the list as infiltrators. He then said, If you want an NRC, then do it in Tripura and Jammu too. I learnt that the Tripura CM was born in 1971. By AFP DHAKA: Bangladesh on Monday promised to introduce the death penalty for deliberate road deaths in a bid to quell more than a week of demonstrations calling for better road safety, as new student-led protests were met with tear gas and rubber bullets. Over the weekend scores of people were hurt as police fired tear gas and mobs apparently loyal to the government attacked demonstrators, photographers and even the US ambassador's car. The tens of thousands of teenage school pupils and university students who have paralysed the capital Dhaka and elsewhere for the past nine days -- and torched eight buses -- are pressing for better road safety after a speeding bus killed two teenagers on July 29. The latest clashes on Monday in the Rampura neighbourhood saw police use tear gas to dispel hundreds of students from a private university, local police chief Rafiqul Islam told AFP. Bangladeshi students shout slogans and block a road during a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Photo | AP) Scores injured The protests took a violent turn in Dhaka on Saturday, with more than 100 people hurt as police fired rubber bullets at demonstrators, according to students and doctors who treated the injured. The authorities have shut down mobile internet services across swathes of the country and Hasina urged students to go home, but to no avail. A car carrying US ambassador Marcia Bernicat was on Saturday attacked by armed adult men, but she escaped unscathed, the embassy said. On Sunday dozens of protesters were attacked by people alleged to be ruling party activists, some armed with machetes, leaving scores injured including half a dozen photographers. The US embassy said separately that while it did not condone "senseless property destruction... nothing can justify the brutal attacks and violence over the weekend against the thousands of young people who have been peacefully exercising their democratic rights in supporting a safer Bangladesh." "They tried to set ablaze a police camp. We fired tear gas to disperse them," he said, adding four police officers were injured. ALSO READ | 115 students injured in clashes as Bangladesh teen protests turn violent Bangladeshi students stand on a road amidst tear gas during clashes with the police during a student protest in Dhaka. (Photo | AFP) Students told AFP that police fired rubber bullets at protesters in Bashundhara neighbourhood, which is home to two private universities, and that members of the student wing of the ruling Awami League party attacked the protesters with sticks and bricks. "The situation is very bad. We have carried at least three students to the nearby Apollo Hospital," one student, Z. Mallick, told AFP. At least 40 people were injured during the clashes at Bashundhara, reported local English-language newspaper Daily Star. The lengthy standoff, attracting foreign media interest and criticism from the UN and rights groups, has turned into a major test of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government ahead of December elections. On Monday the law and justice minister Anisul Huq told AFP the cabinet has approved a new law allowing for the death penalty "if an investigation finds that the death in a road accident has been caused deliberately". Nine days of protests by tens of thousands of students angry over the traffic deaths of two of their colleagues have largely cut off the capital Dhaka from the rest of Bangladesh, as the demonstrators pressed their demand for safer roads. (Photo | AP) Photographer detained Rights group Amnesty International called on the government to stop its "violent crackdown" on "overwhelmingly peaceful student protestors". It also called for the immediate release of Shahidul Alam, 63, a renowned Bangladeshi photographer who was detained on Sunday night after giving an interview to Al Jazeera about the protests. "We are interrogating him for giving false information to different media and for provocative comments," police official Moshiur Rahman told AFP. Alam said he was beaten in custody. "(They) washed my bloodstained punjabi (tunic) and made me wear it again," he said as he was taken into a Dhaka court. According to his colleague Abir Abdullah, Alam, whose photos have appeared widely in Western media, was taken away from his Dhaka home by at least 20 plainclothes police. Alam is the founder and managing director of the Drik Gallery and the creator of the Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, a photography school in the capital Dhaka that has spawned hundreds of photographers. In recent days, Alam shot images of the demonstrations by tens of thousands of teenagers in Dhaka and beyond, and discussed the protests on Facebook Liv Ramananda Sengupta By Express News Service NEW DELHI: A 45-member Indian Army contingent has reached Thailand to take part in Maitree, an annual joint military exercise with the Royal Thai Army which began Monday. The 14-day exercise, which will involve joint tactical level counter-insurgency operations and handling of insurgency/terrorist issues in the urban/rural environment, is being held in Mueang, Chachoengsao Province. The Maitree series is an annual reciprocal training event, and the previous exercise was held at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh in 2017. The two armies will meet again in the second week of September when India hosts the first military exercise of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) in Pune. Senior army representatives of the BIMSTEC members -- India, Bangladesh, Bhutan Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailandhave already finalized the details, and each member state will be represented by five officers and 25 other ranks. the exercise will conclude with a two day conclave of army chiefs (September 15-16) from all these nations, who will review the exercise and discuss ways to jointly combat the challenge of terrorism and transnational crime. Also, the IAF has sent 4 Sukhoi 30MKI and a Lockheed Martin CJ130 to take part in Operation Pitch Black, a multinational air exercise organised by the Royal Australian Air Force which ends August 17. This is the first time that IAF Sukhois have flown south of the Equator. The exercise hosts up to 4000 personnel and some 140 aircraft from around the globe including participants from Australia, Canada, France (New Caledonia), Germany, Indonesia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, India, Malaysia and the United States. The exercise which includes day and night flying and a range of realistic, simulated threats of a modern battle-space environment, is seen as an opportunity to test and improve force integration between the participating nations. Meanwhile, INS Sahaydri, the indigenously Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate, is headed home from operation RIMPAC, the worlds largest multinational maritime exercise, which ended off the coast of Hawaii last week. This was the first time an Indian ship has taken part in the month long exercise involving 26 nations, which culminated in a major multi-national amphibious landing activity. The past month has seen gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air-defence exercises, as well as maritime interdiction and vessel boardings, explosive ordnance disposal, diving and salvage operations, and mine clearance operations. By AFP MANAGUA: The Nicaraguan Association for Human Rights (ANPDH) said on Sunday that it is closing its offices following "alarming" threats to its staff over its high-profile reporting on the violent repression of anti-government protests. The group said it had received "alarming information" of plans to persecute its workers by charging them with fabricated crimes. It said it had received a stream of death threats by telephone and that its Managua offices had effectively been under siege by armed groups. READ| Nicaraguan leader Daniel Ortega defends parapolice violence as US steps up warning AFP was unable to confirm media reports that ANPDH head Alvaro Leiva had been forced to flee the country following death threats. ANPDH has actively reported on what it said were starkly repressive measures by the Daniel Ortega government against protesters, regularly updating a toll of those killed, wounded or missing. An ANPDH statement said it was closing its offices temporarily "in order to guarantee the safety and physical integrity" of its staff. The group will continue to collect complaints filed electronically. By the association's latest count, the violence surrounding the protests has left 448 people dead, most of them protesters. That number is far greater than the 317 deaths estimated last week by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. But the IACHR has said the Nicaraguan state is guilty of "repression and criminalization of demonstrators" resulting in "gross human rights violations." Together with the Catholic Church in Nicaragua -- which has tried to mediate between the government and protesters -- the ANPDH helped arrange the release of hundreds of dissidents who had been detained illegally. It estimates some 600 people have disappeared since protests began in mid-April. Ortega has accused his political opponents and human rights groups of being part of a "coup-minded" conspiracy financed by the United States. The US, in turn, has warned Nicaragua to halt the violence, which began amid protests over social-security cutbacks but quickly drew energy from widespread anger over what protesters say is the corrupt and dictatorial Ortega leadership. By AFP IDLIB: Syrian rebel forces arrested at least 45 people Sunday in northwestern Syria over suspected collusion with Bashar al-Assad's regime, rebels said. The National Liberation Front carried out the wave of arrests in Hama and Idlib provinces, the latter of which the last governorate in the country to fall almost entirely outside the regime's control. "The National Liberation Front launched a campaign a week ago... that peaked today with the arrest of 45 reconciliation activists and candidates for municipal elections announced by regime" in the region, Adham Radun told AFP on Sunday. In total, the NLF has arrested 60 people in the ongoing campaign, he added. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said "nearly 50" people had been arrested in areas straddling Hama and Idlib over "attempts to reconcile with regime forces" and to take part in "meetings with its intelligence services". After a string of victories in country's south, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on July 26 that Idlib was the government's next priority. READ|Syria rebels begin leaving zone near Israeli-annexed Golan: state media Some 60 per cent of the northwestern province is controlled by the jihadist alliance of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, but other major Islamist rebel groups also maintain a presence. Those groups include Ahrar al-Sham and Nureddine al-Zinki, who merged in February with Turkish backing as the Syrian Liberation Front. On August 1, the Syrian Liberation Front merged with four other rebel groups to form the National Liberation Front. According to Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman, Idlib has since "seen an upsurge in security chaos and mutual assassinations between rebel groups". The war in Syria has killed more than 350,000 people since it began in 2011 with a brutal government crackdown on protesters. It has grown in complexity over the past seven years, drawing in world powers and jihadists. By AFP WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump admitted Sunday that his son met with a Russian lawyer in Trump Tower in 2016 "to get information on an opponent" but defended it as "totally legal." It was Trump's most direct acknowledgement that the motive for the June 2016 meeting was to get dirt on Hillary Clinton, his Democratic rival for the presidency. As he has in the past, Trump insisted in a tweet that he did not know at the time about the meeting between his son Donald Jr. and Natalia Veselnitskaya, a lawyer with links to the Kremlin. "This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!" The meeting has come under intense scrutiny from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating whether members of the Trump campaign coordinated with a Russian effort to sway the 2016 election in the Republican's favor. The president's tweet about the meeting was one in a thread in which he reiterated criticism of Mueller, calling his probe "the most one sided Witch Hunt in the history of our country" peppered with "lies and corruption." The Washington Post reported Sunday that Trump has been brooding in private about whether his son unintentionally put himself in legal jeopardy by meeting with Veselnitskaya. Trump called the Post report "a complete fabrication." - Illegal meeting? - The Trump Tower meeting was arranged by British music promoter, Rob Goldstone, who told Donald Jr that he had "information that would incriminate Hillary and her dealings with Russia and would be very useful to your father." Young Trump responded "I love it" when first offered the "dirt" on Clinton, the Democratic nominee. News of the meeting, which Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and top campaign official Paul Manafort also attended, broke in July 2017. Donald Jr initially said in a statement to The New York Times that the meeting was "primarily" about American adoptions of Russian children. He later admitted he accepted the meeting with Veselnitskaya in hopes of obtaining damaging information on Clinton, but said nothing came of it. The Post had reported that the statement to The Times was dictated by the president, though at the time Trump's lawyers denied his involvement. They later reversed course in a memo to Mueller and said Trump was indeed behind the statement that omitted the prospect of collecting dirt on Clinton. Lawyers described the statement as "short but accurate," according to The Post. Asked on Sunday why he had denied the president's involvement, one of Trump's lawyers Jay Sekulow told ABC that "I had bad information at that point." "I made a mistake in my statement," he said. "That happens when you have cases like this." The president's lawyers argue that the meeting, in and of itself, violated no laws. "The question is how will it be illegal?" Sekulow said Sunday. "What law, statute, rule or regulation has been violated?" Champaign, IL (61820) Today Rain. High 52F. Winds E at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch.. Tonight Light rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low near 50F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. The State has accused jet-setting Harare businessman Wicknell Chivayo of seeking to evade justice by approaching higher offices for assistance after getting wind of his intended arrest. Chivayo and his company Intratek Zimbabwe (Private) Limited are being charged with fraud, money laundering and contravening two sections of the Exchange Control Act. During his bail hearing at the Harare Magistrates Courts on Saturday, prosecutor Michael Reza, said after becoming aware that he was wanted by the police, Chivayo through his lawyer Wilson Manase had sought to approach several high offices for assistance to avoid being arrested. Through his lawyer, Chivayo wrote to acting Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi, enquiring about the impending arrest, further stating that the case was not criminal but civil in nature. The letter was also copied to commissioner general of police Godwin Matanga, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) chairperson Job Whabira, Zacc commissioner Goodson Nguni and the permanent secretary in the Justice ministry. When you wrote this letter you knew fully well that he (Chivayo) was wanted and you were seeking assistance from senior offices so that your client does not find himself in the situation he is in right now? Reza questioned Manase during the bail hearing. Manase, however, said as an experienced lawyer with 34 years in practice, he was fully aware that there was no need for him to protect his client. He said he only protects his client from wrong behaviour. Manase said he wrote the letter based on a news article that appeared in the State media, and wanted to verify if this was the correct position, adding that there were a lot lies that were flying around and could only be verified through proper channels. Chivayo, who brags about his connections in high offices, came under pressure in recent months to defend the power deals that he signed with power utility Zesa Holdings and its subsidiary, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC). This was after it had emerged that Intratek had failed to deliver on the contracts. Among the deals, the burly businessman who is often referred to by his associates as Sir Wicknell was awarded a $200 million tender for the Gwanda Solar Project. Chivayo, who over the past few months seemed untouchable and bragged about flying first class and known for splashing wads of United States dollars on social media, was said to have been advanced $5 million for the projects pre-commencement works. The businessman, who often posts pictures of himself with senior ruling Zanu PF officials such as president-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice President Kembo Mohadi among others, will know his fate pertaining to the bail application today. The State is alleging that sometime in 2012, ZPC resolved to increase its national grid. A feasibility study was carried out and a tender was floated in August 2013 for the installation of a 100 Megawatt solar power plant in Gwanda. The tender was awarded to a Chinese company China Jianxi at a cost of $183 million. Chivayo participated in the tender with a bid of $248 million which was ranked third lowest but it was, however, alleged his accomplice, former Energy minister Samuel Undenge, interfered with the process and directed ZPC to award the tender to Chivayo and his company. He reportedly won the tender at $172 848 597. The court was told that on October 23, 2015 ZPC acted on the misrepresentation and signed a contract with Chivayo for implementation of the project. It was alleged that ZPC released $5 607 814, 24 into Intratek bank account for the project to take off but allegedly converted or transferred the money into various individual and company accounts. He was also authorised by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to load $849 479 into his visa cards for the importation of earth-moving equipment in the US for construction works at Gwanda Solar Project. However, it was alleged Chivayo did not import anything. As a result, ZPC suffered prejudice of $5 607 814.24 and nothing was recovered. Daily News Secretary General of the Movement for Democratic Change, Douglas Mwonzora has refuted claims that his party is sharply divided on the way forward after elections, saying his stance against former President Robert Mugabe should not be misinterpreted as a symptom of fissures as he has always opposed the nonagenarian since the late 80s. In an interview with 263Chat, Mwonzora said as the Secretary General of the MDC-T, he is currently seized with petitions due to be filed in the courts between today and Thursday. Thats not true, thats not true, and there are no cracks at all. Im not interested in Mr Mugabe and that has been known for the past 25 years or so. I started opposing Zanu PF and Mugabe in 1988, said Mwonzora. Mugabes union with the MDC Alliance came under spotlight on the eve of the 30 July polls following former head of state decision to back Chamisa. Mwonzora said the MDC is challenging the election outcome particularly on the popular vote which Chamisa alleges he defeated President Emmerson Mnangagwa. I am personally handling about four election outcome petitions and I think that they are going well. I know the main matter we are about to complete the election petition. It may be filed sometime this week, we have up to Thursday to file, he added. Mwonzora identified Mutare West Constituency in Marange won by Zanu PF, as one of the examples the opposition seeks a redress saying data in their possessions indicate otherwise. He added that the party is challenging politicization of food aid, intimidation and violence that could have influenced the election outcome in favor of Zanu PF candidates. Zimbabwes 30 July polls which was marred by violence post election day had been described as a critical test to measure the countrys preparedness to rejoin global networks like the Commonwealth. 263chat The countrys ninth Parliament will be dominated by new faces as most of the legislators from the eighth Parliament lost in last weeks harmonised elections. Almost three quarters of MPs from the previous Parliament failed to find their way back into the National Assembly some having even lost during the primary elections. The National Assembly will also be dominated by youthful legislators who are expected to put an extraordinary performance. Some of the youthful candidates who won include MDC Alliances Happymore Chidziva (Highfield West), Earthrage Kureva (Epworth) and James Chidhakwa (Tafara Mabvuku), Zanu PFs Sipiwe Mukunyaidze (Marondera West), Campion Mugweni (Mazowe North) and Energy Mutodi (Goromonzi West) among others. Speaking to the Daily News yesterday Chidziva said he is hoping to add life in the ninth Parliament. I want to thank the people of Highfield West for voting me. I am going to represent them without fear. We are fighting for the will of people to be respected so even in the Parliament I am going to put the people of Zimbabwe first, Chidziva said. Kureva said as a youthful MP he is hoping to represent the concerns of the youths. Under our president Nelson Chamisa I hope this is going to be one of the most vibrant parliaments, Kureva said. The ninth Parliament will also see a number MPs who are bouncing back. The likes of Philip Chiyangwa (Zvimba South), Job Sikhala, Tendai Biti (Harare East) and Settlement Chikwinya (Mbizo) are some of the MPs who bounced back. The First Session of the eighth Parliament will commence after the swearing-in of president-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa. The last Parliament was one of the most extraordinary since independence in 1980. A major highlight was the impeachment motion moved by legislators from across the political divide in November last year to force former president Robert Mugabes resignation a week after the army and his former political allies revolted to end his four-decade long iron-fisted rule. Mugabe threw in the towel on November 21, moments after Parliament had begun the impeachment process, which had become the only legal way to force him out. The proceedings were a culmination of eight tense days that began with the military intervening in the governance of the country. Outgoing MDC MP for Mabvuku-Tafara, James Maridadi, had for almost two years tried to move the motion to impeach Mugabe, but failed at each attempt because Zanu PF, which enjoyed the majority in the National Assembly, was simply not interested in humiliating their icon. But after Mugabe turned against his liberation-war allies, including then vice president Mnangagwa, whom he fired from government and the party a few days before the military intervention, his victims ganged up and mobilised against him. Interestingly, it was the wife of Christopher Mutsvangwa dismissed from Zanu PF and government in 2016 when the 94-year-old despot fell out with the war veterans who moved the impeachment motion that forced Mugabe to resign. Mutsvangwa is the chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association. His wife, Monica, a Zanu PF senator for Manicaland, successfully moved the motion to impeach Mugabe over several charges including serious misconduct, mental and physical incapacity to represent the country because of old age resulting in him stumbling while walking and falling asleep during international meetings. Several pieces of legislation were passed by the eighth Parliament including several bills that gave legal effects to annual budgets. Daily News President Cyril Ramaphosa's son Andile was introduced by his Ugandan fiancee, Bridget Birungi, at a traditional marriage ceremony known as kuhingira in Uganda on Saturday. The ceremony attended by high-profile guests was held at the residence of the bride's uncle, John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, a former prime minister of Uganda in the leafy upscale Kololo suburb in the capital, Kampala. Mbabazi, who handed over Birungi to the father of the groom, expressed joy that Ramaphosa's family had met all the set conditions. "We would like to thank you for being trustworthy, for being dependable because you fulfilled the conditions. So, we are very happy to fulfill our part of handing over to you the hand of our daughter Bridget Birungi," he said. "In our culture, we hand the child to the father and it's now my pleasure to do just that." Upon receiving his daughter-in-law, Ramaphosa said: "We accept her as our daughter firstly, and we also accept her as our son's beloved wife and I can assure you that the two of them are too deeply in love." The president was accompanied by the first lady Dr Tshepo Ramaphosa, his ex-wife Hope Ramaphosa and a big delegation of about 150 people. "As a big army from home, we are delighted that as we go home we won't go back empty handed," Ramaphosa said. He challenged his daughter-in-law to hold tight to her husband. "Many girls in South Africa are envious of you, even on social media they were saying why did he go so far when we are here. "They don't know that you fell in love in China. "Hold onto your man and never let him go" he advised. The president said weddings are a consolidation of relationships not only between families but also people and communities. "In this case, we believe it is a consolidation of the relationship between South Africa and Uganda, and this is going to cement us even more." He applauded the leadership of Uganda for making the relationship meaningful and supporting SA in its earlier days of the Struggle against apartheid. Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, who was one of the invited guests, welcomed Ramaphosa who he described as a freedom fighter and sharp business person. He also applauded him for being appreciative of the African heritage. Museveni cautioned the couple against producing many children as had been advised by one of the bride's aunts, who had suggested that they have 22 children. "Be careful about the advice of the other aunty, I don't want to bring controversy on a wedding but I discourage that recklessness, 22 is reckless. "You can look at a more manageable and decent figure," said Museveni, who gave the couple an unspecified number of cows. Sowetan (Newser) A Canadian man who smuggled six figures' worth of gold out of the country's mint in his rectum and ended up in prison as a result scored a final court winone centered around market forces and gold prices. As previously reported, Leston Lawrence was found guilty in November 2016 of smuggling out the 22 gold "pucks" and received a 30-month sentence, with the judge deciding three months later that if the then-35-year-old couldn't repay the gold's value$190,000 in Canadian dollars at the timein a three-year post-prison period, he'd go back behind bars for another 30 months. The Ottawa Citizen reports that in July, Lawrence's lawyers argued the replacement value should be less than $190,000; when he stole the gold, it was worth $165,000, and what he got for it on the street was the lesser amount of $130,206.19. story continues below A three-judge appeals panel ruled for Lawrence. They didn't base their decision on market prices, but rather the "proceeds of the crime," writing "the purpose of a fine in lieu of forfeiture is to deprive an offender" of those proceeds, which "is not necessarily the value of the property." In Lawrence's case, the proceeds were the $130,206.19, and the judge should have set his fine at that amount. Lawrence also asked for more time to make the repayment, but that request was not granted. The judges noted in their ruling Lawrence had yet to sell his homeone he reportedly bought using those gold proceedsbecause, appropriately, he is waiting for it to go up in value. (Read more strange stuff stories.) (Newser) Wells Fargo says a company mistake contributed to hundreds of foreclosures because it miscalculated customers' eligibility for mortgage modifications, per the AP. The bank said in a filing Friday the error caused about 625 customers to be denied, or not offered, loan modifications they otherwise qualified for. Foreclosures were completed in about 400 of the cases. The customers had been using federal programs that helped families at risk of losing homes. Spokesman Tom Goyda says there's no breakdown of where the foreclosures occurred. The error in the bank's underwriting tool lasted from 2010 until it was fixed in late 2015, an internal review found. story continues below Per Reuters, where the error was first reported, Wells Fargo said it has set aside $8 million this year to help the affected customers. This new headache merely adds to the pain Wells Fargo has felt since a scandal first erupted around its retails sales practices that led to the opening of millions of fake accounts for customers without their authorization in order to meet unrealistic quotas. In an unrelated settlement announced just this month, Wells Fargo agreed to pay a $2.1 billion fine to settle allegations it misrepresented the types of mortgages it sold to investors during the housing bubble that ultimately led to the 2008 financial crisis. (Read more Wells Fargo stories.) (Newser) Lady Gaga, who paid a heartfelt tribute to her friend Rick "Zombie Boy" Genest after his death last week, has apologized for possibly speaking too soon about the manner of his death, the BBC reports. The 32-year-old fell to his death from a third-floor balcony in Montreal in what relatives and manager Karim Leduc say could have been an accident. "Out of respect for Rick's family, Rick & his legacy I apologize if I spoke too soon as there was no witnesses or evidence to support any conclusion for the cause of his death," Gaga tweeted Sunday after deleting tweets calling the death a suicide. "I in no way meant to draw an unjust conclusion. My deepest condolences to his entire family and friends." story continues below "The art we made was sacred to me and I was emotional, he was an incredible artist and his art and heart will live on," Gaga said in another tweet, adding: "Rest In Peace. You beautiful soul." Leduc tells USA Today that he believes Genest, a model famous for the macabre tattoos that covered most of his body, died in an accidental fall after going to the balcony for a cigarette and losing his balance while sitting on a guardrail. "Not leaving a suicide note to anybody is very unusual. He wrote to me every day," says Leduc. "He was very expressive." He says an autopsy found no drugs in his client's system and the coroner is looking at security camera footage from the area to try to determine what happened. (Read more Lady Gaga stories.) (Newser) If Osama bin Laden wasn't dead, he would probably have been happy to give his blessing to the marriage of his youngest son. Relatives tell the Guardian that Hamza bin Laden has married the daughter of Mohamed Atta, the eldest of the 9/11 hijackers. Atta, an Egyptian citizen, flew American Airlines Flight 11 into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Ahmad al-Attas, one of Osama bin Laden's half brothers, says the family doesn't know where the couple is living, but "it could be Afghanistan." Hamza bin Laden, 29, is believed to have risen through the ranks of al-Qaeda as he seeks revenge for the raid that killed his father and his brother Khalid. story continues below The Obama administration slapped sanctions on Hamza bin Laden early last year, saying he was "actively engaged in terrorism." Bin Laden family members living in Saudi Arabia say they haven't been in contact with him. "When we thought everyone was over this, next thing I knew was Hamza saying I am going to avenge my father," Hassan al-Attas, another Osama half brother, tells the Guardian. "I don't want to go through that again." He adds: "If Hamza was in front of me now, I would tell him: 'God guide you. Think twice about what you are doing. Don't retake the steps of your father. You are entering really negative and horrible parts of your soul.'" (Osama bin Laden's mother says he was "a very good child" until he was "brainwashed" as a young man.) (Newser) Police looking for a missing 3-year-old boy at a remote compound in northern New Mexico didn't find himbut they did rescue 11 other children who were living in the most squalid conditions they'd ever encountered. Police say the starving children were living with five adults in an underground trailer near Amalia, NM, the BBC reports. The compound was searched after officers watching the property received a message that said: "We are starving and need food and water." Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe says the children, ages 1 to 15, were being kept in "the saddest living conditions and poverty I have seen," the Washington Post reports. story continues below Two men, described by the sheriff as heavily armed, uncooperative, and possible Islamic extremists were arrested. Three women, believed to be the children's mothers, were detained and later released. Police say one of the men, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, has been charged with abducting his 3-year-old son, Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj, from Jonesboro, Ga., last year. The boy, whose mother says he is encephalopathic and needs emergency medication, wasn't found at the compound. Area residents tell the Taos News that they never had any problems with the group, though they did seem mysterious. "It's a great place, but strange people live out on the mesa," says one neighbor. "People that are trying to get away from things." (Read more New Mexico stories.) (Newser) President Trump defended Donald Trump Jr.'s controversial 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer Sundaybut he did so in a way that left analysts as puzzled as ever. Trump tweeted that stories he was concerned about a meeting his "wonderful son" had in Trump Tower were a "complete fabrication," Politico reports. "This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politicsand it went nowhere. I did not know about it!" he wrote. The tweet contradicted a statement issued by Trump Jr. in 2017 stating that the meeting had been mainly about the adoption of Russian children, which the Trump team later admitted to special counsel Robert Mueller had been drafted by the president himself, the New York Times reports. story continues below It's illegal for a campaign to accept help from foreign individuals and governments, the Times notes, and some legal experts believe Trump Jr. may have broken the law just by attending a meeting he believed would deliver damaging information on Hillary Clinton. Aaron Blake at the Washington Post notes that it will now be almost impossible for lawyers to deny the true motive of the Trump Tower meeting, and that the 2017 statement was false. "If you're Robert Mueller and you're looking at whether Trump obstructed justice, you've now got even more evidence of a clear attempt to mislead the public and obscure the truth," he writes, wondering why Trump is taking steps to distance himself from the meeting if he really believes it was on the up-and-up. (Read more Donald Trump Jr. stories.) (Newser) Saudi Arabia on Monday ordered the Canadian ambassador to leave the kingdom within 24 hours after his nation criticized the recent arrest of women's rights activists. The Saudi Foreign Ministry also said it would freeze "all new business" between the kingdom and Canada, the AP reports. Some 10% of Canadian crude oil imports come from Saudi Arabia. "Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as acknowledgment of our right to interfere in the Canadian domestic affairs," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in an extraordinarily aggressive statement. "Canada and all other nations need to know that they can't claim to be more concerned than the kingdom over its own citizens." story continues below Saudi Arabia said it would recall its ambassador to Canada as well. Marie-Pier Baril, a spokeswoman for Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, said Canada was "seriously concerned" by Saudi Arabia's actions. "Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, very much including women's rights, and freedom of expression around the world," she said in a statement. "Our government will never hesitate to promote these values and believes that this dialogue is critical to international diplomacy." The dispute appears centered around tweets by Canadian diplomats calling on the kingdom to "immediately release" detained women's rights activists. (Read more Saudi Arabia stories.) (Newser) Something macabre is afoot in Washington's Thurston County. Seven cats have been found killed and mutilated there in recent months, and brutally so. Q13 cites Animal Services Officer Erika Johnson as describing the "extremely horrific" methodology: The animals were sliced from their stern to their genitals, and their spines had been taken from them. Johnson tells KIRO 7 the cats had been strangled and surgically cut with a knife, but not in a professional manner. One cat was reportedly cut in half, per the Olympian. The seventh death occurred early Sunday morning; in an interview with Q13, Kathy Harrigan described feeding the elderly feral cat she had tended to for the past two years around midnight. story continues below When she awoke, he wasn't at her door per usual. But later, someone else was: the police. Harley's mutilated body had been found in her neighbor's West Olympia yard. Harley's was the sixth known death this year, with a seventh from October believed to also be connected. But it's the second in just a 48-hour period. Olly was found Friday morning, and Johnson says it's believed that cat may have fought its attacker; samples from her claws are being submitted for DNA analysis. Pasado's Safe Haven and a local newscaster are offering a $3,000 reward in connection with the case. (Read more animal cruelty stories.) (Newser) The US isn't the only nation battling wildfires, and one blaze in Ireland has revealed a relic of sorts from World War II. The wildfire on the eastern coast burned away vegetation that has long hidden a giant warning embedded into the earth using whitewashed stones, reports the Irish Times. It reads (or once did) "Eire 8," and the purpose was to alert bombers from both sides of the war that they were over the neutral territory of Ireland, explains the Independent of Ireland. ("Eire" means Ireland in the Irish language.) A police air unit providing support to firefighters spotted the signpost and tweeted images. Dozens of such warnings dot the coast of Ireland, though most can't be seen. (Read more Ireland stories.) (Newser) The deadline is nearly here: At 12:01am Tuesday, the US will reimpose sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the nuclear arms accord put into place by the Obama White House. President Trump backed out of that accord, though China, Russia, Germany, France, Britain, and the European Union are still on board, notes the Wall Street Journal. This first round of sanctions is relatively minor compared to a much tougher round due to take effect in November that would, among other things, attempt to cut off Iran's oil exports. As the US penalties go into effect, the EU already has issued a "blocking statute" designed to protect member nations that continue to do business with Iran, reports the AP. story continues below While Iran is generally considered to be adhering to the 2015 agreement, Trump viewed it as a "horrible" deal, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insists that Tehran must agree to tougher terms and change its behavior before sanctions are again lifted. "We're hopeful that we can find a way to move forward, but it's going to require enormous change on the part of the Iranian regime," he said Sunday. "They've got to behave like a normal country. That's the ask. It's pretty simple." Among other things, Pompeo says Iran continues to sponsor terror groups throughout the Middle East. (Trump recently issued an all-caps threat to Iran, but its top general was dismissive.) (Newser) When President Trump was taking all kinds of flak after his meeting with Vladimir Putin last month, one of his most vocal defenders was Rand Paul, who praised the president for working to "prevent us from having World War III," per CBS News. On Monday, the Kentucky senator engaged in a little Russian diplomacy of his own, meeting with lawmakers in Moscow and inviting them to visit DC, reports CNN. "Russia shouldnt be considered our friend, but we have certain shared interestsregarding Syria, terrorism, and energy," said Paul after meeting with lawmakers from Russias upper house of parliament, reports the Wall Street Journal. story continues below "Those who believe in either country that we should not have diplomacy are greatly mistaken," Paul added. One Russian lawmaker seized on the visit to press Paul on a controversial issuethe detention of alleged Russian spy Maria Butina. If you, Senator Paul, are able to raise your voice in defense of Maria Butina, to help at least change her pretrial detention ... you would show yourself to be a real man, lawmaker Leonid Slutsky was quoted as saying. No word on how Paul responded to the request. (Read more Rand Paul stories.) (Newser) If you love Nutella, its Italian manufacturer may have just the job for you. Per the Local, Ferrero is hiring dozens of "non-professional" testers to help them test ingredients at their Italy headquarters in Alba, Piedmont. Officially dubbed "sensory judges," the 60 new employees will work a couple of days a week starting in late September with three months of courses designed to help them refine their tasting and smelling skills to the company's satisfaction. So what are the requirements other than a love for the vaunted hazelnut spread? There really aren't any. story continues below Ferrero has long had these sensory judges, but the recent job posting on Openjobmetis was advertised specifically for regular folks outside the company after being exclusively held by company insiders for years. Ferrero asks only that applicants suffer from no food allergies and feel comfortable using a computer. Not everyone who's initially chosen will make the final cut, though. Per USA Today, the company plans to whittle down applicants to a final group of 40 following the training process. (Read more Nutella stories.) Kolkata: Presidency University Vice Chancellor Anuradha Lohia on Monday met the agitating boarders, who had been holding an indefinite sit-in for the past three days over hostel accommodation. A university spokesman said Lohia told the 50 agitating boarders that every effort was being made to complete renovation of the rundown building at the earliest but the state PWD has informed it will take five months to complete work. We need to take care of proper sanitation and water supply facilities and build rooms for the support staff which will take some more time, the V-C told the students, the spokesman said. Also Read | IIT KGP informs administration about 'law and order violations' He said the agitating boarders refused to buy the logic of the V-C and said that some parts of the building have already neared completion and should be opened for their stay. We tried to explain to them that this was not possible as a building can be opened for use after it is declared fit for use by the concerned departments which we hope to get after the entire Hindu Hostel is renovated in another five months. We are open for further negotiations, the spokesman said. Ujan, a spokesman of the agitators and member of Independent Consolidation (IC) students union, said We had waited for three years. It is not possible for us to wait indefinitely for getting berth in the new hostel. He claimed two blocks of the hostel have already been renovated and 50 students of Presidency and 10 researchers may already be housed there. Also Read | The higher calling: Building worthwhile places of learning The agitating students had been seeking room allotment at a hostel, which is currently undergoing renovation. The students have brought pillows and mattresses to the campus building for the sit-in. They have not left the campus even for bathing or food, Ujan said, adding that the university authorities were not sensitive to their situation. The students had been protesting outside the registrars office since 2 pm on August 3. The hostel adjoining the College Street institution was shut down for repairs on July 29, 2015, and 150 boarders were shifted to a rented accommodation at New Town, which is around 18km from the university. New Delhi: Seems acting is no more interesting enough for the sizzling and gorgeous Deana Uppal. She has now announced that she will try her hands in directing films. The former Miss India-UK will soon begin shooting of a documentary based on the Banjara community, the nomadic people from north-western part of India. Deana Uppal has also been a part of the Indian version of Fear Factor, Khataron Ke Khiladi Season 5, and has appeared in few movie projects, including Yeh Hai India, Hard Kaur and Bhaag Johnny. Deana Uppalas way to direction Deana said she has recently finished a filmmaking diploma from London Film Academy and that she felt more persuaded towards direction. Deanaas fans have seen her in many glamorous roles but the former Big Brother UK contestant has for now taken the directoras chair. Deana will be shooting in different parts of Rajasthan including Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Jodhpur, closely following the nomadic communityas lifestyle for 3 weeks. Deana Uppalas upcoming documentary Deana told IANS she will closely follow and depict daily lives of the nomadic community in her documentary and will also illustrate whether and how the government is involved and if they are getting any help or not. Banjara communityas weddings, traditional ceremonies will also be a part of her documentary. Mumbai: Salman Khan-Anushka Sharma-starrer Sultan is all set to release in China on August 31, two years after its release in India. Yash Raj Films has collaborated with distribution company E Stars China for a release in the country, which has emerged as a new market for Hindi films thanks to the success of Aamir Khans Dangal and Secret Superstar and Irrfan-starrer Hindi Medium. The movie will be screened in over 11,000 screens, targeting around 40,000 shows a day, said a release. Also Read | Watch: Salman Khan reveals trailer of Aayush-Warina's 'Loveratri' Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the film revolves around a wrestler who comes from a self-imposed retirement to win back the love of his life. Every time a film releases and newer set of audiences see it, you get a different perspective altogether. China is a fast growing market for Indian Cinema. Im really excited and looking forward to peoples reaction to Sultan in China, Zafar said in a statement. Also Read | Blackbuck poaching case: Salman Khan seeks permission to travel abroad Avtar Panesar, Vice President, International Operations, YRF, added, China is without doubt the new frontier for Indian cinema today and our collective successes there ratifies the belief that art has no boundaries/borders. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Los Angeles: Actor Eva Longoria believes the systems which enables sexual harassment of women at workplace should be called out. The 43-year-old actor was talking about the sexual harassment allegations against CBS Corp CEO Leslie Moonves. I think we need to keep calling out these corporations and the systematic sexism in these institutions and call them out to do full and transparent investigations, Longoria told Variety. Also Read | Lady Gaga regrets calling Rick Genest's death a suicide Everybody says, But (the allegations) are so old. No! The timing doesnt matter. What matters is that it happened, she added. In an explosive article published in The New Yorker last Friday, six women alleged their careers suffered when they rebuffed Moonves unwanted advances. Over two dozen company employees, past and present, also detailed incidents of harassment, gender discrimination or retaliation at CBS. There were a lot of people corroborating the environment. What happens in these situations is when you uncover one person, you uncover a culture of a company. The whole culture of the company was this way ? from 60 Minutes to everything, Longoria said. Also Read | Priyanka Chopra cheers for Nick Jonas at his Singapore concert If it was one person like a Harvey Weinstein, its a little easier to contain. But when its systematic sexism, its a big thing to change, she added. The actor said Moonves should be 100 per cent sacked if the allegations against him are proven true. Also Read | Jessica Lange returning to American Horror Story Longoria is currently promoting her next release Dog Days, a family comedy from director Ken Marino, which also stars Nina Dobrev and Vanessa Hudgens. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Hollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: Salman Khan, who is backing brother-in-law Aayush Sharmas debut film Loveratri, says it is important for newcomers to have interesting personality. The actor recalled his own debut 30 years ago with Maine Pyaar Kiya. I did Maine Pyaar Kiya where Sooraj Barjatya launched a new face like me and here I am standing in front of you all. It has been 30 years. I think whenever you see faces of people who can make your head turn, they should be launched. Its not just how they look, Salman said at the trailer launch of Loveratri. Also Read | Salman Khan's 'Sultan' to release in China on August 31 Its their personality, hardwork and dedication all put together. Then we do our bit and once the film releases, then its up to you (the audience) to decide whether they will become one of us and remain in the industry, Salman added. When asked whether it was important to have X-factor, Salman told reporters, Yes, they have it in their personalities. I dont know where I lack that, but everyone I see has some quality in them. Also Read | I don't need to explain or defend my relationships: Priyanka Chopra Salman was also asked about Priyanka Chopras last minute exit from his forthcoming Bharat, which has created quite a stir in the industry but the actor did not comment. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Comedian Kapil Sharma has been away from the limelight and screen space for quite some time now and his fans are worried about him with his latest health condition and looks. Another picture of the comedian-turned actor has surfaced over the internet which will finally leave his fans with a sign of relief. In the picture, he can be seen with his pet Cheeku which was posted by one of his fan page on Twitter but his health condition is still a concern for many. Recently, Kapil was spotted at the Mumbai airport where he looked completely different. He has gained a lot of weight and the picture raised much concern among his fans. Later, another picture of him walking in a super market in Amsterdam made rounds over the internet where he was seen with a full beard and a pot belly. Also Read | Sonali Bendres bald look on Friendship Day will melt your heart Meanwhile, his latest picture with his best friend Cheeku will bring some joy to his fans, who are eagerly awaiting for his comeback. This all started when Kapil Sharma and Sunil Grover has a fight in the mid-air flight from Australia which led to the walkout of most the cast from his popular television show The Kapil Sharma Show. Kapil Sharma is one of the higest paid comedian and television personality ever in history and has won several comedy reality shows including The Great Indian Laughter Challenge and several series of Comedy Circus. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned its hearing on a batch of petitions challenging the Constitutional validity of Section 35-A, which gives a special status to the people in Jammu and Kashmir, preventing non-locals from buying and owning any immovable property in the state. The apex court deferred its hearing, citing the absence of one out of three judges on the bench. A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A M Khanwilkar and Justice D Y Chandrachud was scheduled to resume the crucial hearing on Monday, but had to defer the same following Chandrachud's absence in the court. The apex court, however, has listed the matter for further hearing on August 27 and will consider whether the case should to be referred to a larger bench. The issue will be dealt with by a five-judge bench, in case the Article violates the basic structure of the Constitution or is ultra vires. Meanwhile, the normal life in Kashmir continued to be out of gear for the second consecutive day on a call for shutdown by separatists, who have been protesting the government's alleged move to tamper with Article 35-A. Srinagar again woke up to desolate roads with educational institutions, shops, business establishments and all kinds of transport remained close across the valley on Monday as well. Read | Article 35-A: Jammu and Kashmir shuts down ahead of Supreme Court hearing today Separatists leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) called for a two-day strike between August 5 and August 6 as they fear that the special status of Jammu and Kashmir will be 'tinkered' under a legal grab. Article 35A, incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, confers special status to the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir, and bars people from outside the state from acquiring any land in the state. Several mainstream political parties, including the National Conference moved the apex court in support of the Article, saying it serves as an important link between the state and the Union and its people and maintains a fine balance of constitutional federalism. Various organisations, including the state bar association, transporters and traders' bodies have also extended their support to the shutdown call. Different religious and social organisations have given nod to the two-day strike to "safeguard" the constitutional provision. Meanwhile, the large-scale protest also witnessed stone pelting incidents, leaving six people injured in Kulgam district on Sunday. In the wake of this violence, security forces have been deployed at vulnerable places in the city and elsewhere in Kashmir for maintaining law and order. Read | CPI(M) warns against attempts to scrap Article 35A There were also reports of partial strike and peaceful rallies in support of the Article 35-A from the Chenab valley districts of Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar. On Monday, the Amarnath yatra remained suspended for the second consecutive day to avoid any untoward incident in and around the state. The traffic from Jammu to Srinagar on the national highway has also been suspended in the view of the strike. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A 25-year-old Communist Party of India -Marxist (CPI-M) youth wing leader was stabbed to death allegedly by a BJP worker in Keralas Kasaragod district. Siddique, a Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) worker, was attacked by two motorcycle-borne men in Uppala -- 600 km from Thiruvananthapuramlate on Sunday night. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but his life could not be saved, PTI quoted a police official as saying. Following the attack, security has been tightened in the area to prevent any violence. The Kerala police has constituted a special team to investigate the case. Condemning the attack, CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan alleged RSS-BJP hand behind the murder of his party worker. However, state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president PS Sreedharan Pillai rebutted the allegations of the CPI-M and said that attack was not politically motivated. Also Read | Kerala temple priest arrested for death threat against President Kovind There has been a rapid increase in the incidents of political killings in Kerala since 2014 with both the ruling CMI-M and the BJP accusing each other of attacking their party workers. Need to address political violence in Kerela: President Kovind President Ram Nath Kovind while inaugurating a function to mark the conclusion of the year-long diamond jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Assembly on Monday stressed the need to address the issue of political violence in the state. History of debate, mutual dignity and respect for anothers point of view has been a hallmark of Kerala society. Nevertheless, there remains the paradox of political violence in Kerala, especially in some regions of the state, Kovind said. This (political violence) is unfortunate and does little justice to the glorious traditions of the state and its people. It is important for all political groups and all enlightened citizens to do their utmost to curb the development of such tendencies, the president added. Also Read | Kerala church flays NCW proposal to ban confession For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A priest from Chirakkal Bhagayathi Temple in Keralas Thrissur has been arrested after he allegedly rang up the police control room and made a death threat against President Ram Nath Kovind. The police team traced the call details and took the priest, who has been identified as P Jayaraman, to custody within an hour. ALSO READ: 24 girls rescued from Deoria shelter home, couple arrested The temple priest was under the influence of alcohol when he made the call and does not remember anything, said MP Dinesh, Thrissur Superintendent of Police. President Kovind is on a three-day visit to Kerala and is set to inaugurate the Festival of Democracy to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the Kerala Legislative Assembly. He is also set to visit the Guravayoor Temple in Thrissur on Tuesday. ALSO READ: J&K Police start crowdfunding for financial aid for martyr' families Meanwhile, the priest will be kept in the police custody till the time President Kovind leaves the state. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday praised Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari for his bold confession on the prevailing situation of joblessness in the country. In a tweet, the Congress president wrote, Excellent question Gadkari Ji. Every Indian is asking the same question. #WhereAreTheJobs. The tweet was in response to Gadkaris remarks on Maratha quota stir. While speaking to reporters on the issue, Gadkari, a powerful Modi government minister had said that even if the reservation in jobs is given to the community, it will not serve the purpose since there are no jobs in India. "Let's us assume the reservation is given. But there are no jobs. Because in banks, the jobs have shrunk because of IT. The government recruitment is frozen. Where are the jobs?" the former BJP president had said. Also Read | There are 'no jobs' in the country: Nitin Gadkaris big confession The confession by the minister came as a big embarrassment for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who often pats his own back for the rapid increase in the countrys economy and employment even as several reports suggested a completely opposite situation to his claims. On the other hand, the statement of Modis own cabinet minister supported the Congress presidents claims of joblessness in the country. The Gandhi scion has been raising the issue of unemployment in the country for some time to score political points against the Narendra Modi government. Also Read | Modi failed to provide jobs to youth, says Rahul Gandhi For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Leaders of several opposition parties on Monday held a meeting in the national capital to discuss their strategies and select candidate for the election of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman. However, another meeting of opposition leaders will take place again on Tuesday to select candidate for the high-profile post. The election to the post of Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha will be held at 11 AM on August 9, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu announced on Monday. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, SP's Ram Gopal Yadav, DMK's Tiruchi Siva, BSP's Satish Chandra Mishra, NCP's Praful Patel, CPI's D Raja, TMC's Derek O'Brien, RJD's Misa Bharti, CPI(M)'s T K Rangarajan and TDP's C M Ramesh were among those who attended the meeting in Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad's chamber in Parliament House. They met to prepare the opposition strategy for the election and discuss various names for zeroing in on a candidate they can jointly field against the NDA nominee. JD(U) MP Harivansh is likely to be the NDA candidate, sources said. Read | Parliament Monsoon Session: Rajya Sabha passes NCBC (Repeal) Bill, 2017 Earlier, Naidu had suggested that the deputy chairman should be elected by consensus. However, as of now, it appears an election would take place for the post with the opposition likely to field a candidate as well, the sources added. The nomination papers will have to be filed before noon on August 8. The post of the Deputy Chairman has been lying vacant since June this year following the retirement of P J Kurien, who was elected to the Upper House of Parliament on a Congress ticket from Kerala. (With inputs from PTI) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: After two days break, the proceedings in both the Houses- Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha - convened on Monday on the 13th day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Ruckus is expected to rule the House as Opposition parties upped the ante against the ruling regime over the issue of AssamA National Register of CitizensA (NRC) draft and Muzaffarnagar shelter home rape case. Last weekA repeated adjournments over theA NRC draft issue affected the proceedings of the House. On Monday, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot will move the alternate amendments made in the Bill to grant constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill was passed unanimously in the Loke Sabha on Thursday. Besides, Home Minister Rajnath Singh will also move a Bill to amend that Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. LIVE Updates: # 08:25 pm: SC/STA Amendment Bill, 2018 passed in Lok Sabha # 07:24 pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned till Tuesday morning # 07:23 pm:A The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018 has been passed in Rajya Sabha. # 05:38 pm:A The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017 has been passed in Rajya Sabha. # 05:36 pm:A The National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017 has been passed in Rajya Sabha. #01:40 PM:A LS pays homage to victims of bombing in Hiroshima, Nagasaki:A The Lok Sabha today paid hom.age to victims of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which wreaked havoc of unimaginable dimensions in Japan in 1945. As soon as the House met for the day, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said two bombs were dropped on the two Japanese cities 73 years ago which resulted in death of thousands of innocent people, including women and children, and million were injured and crippled for life. #01:10 PM:A Govt introduces Bill in LS to amend Juvenile Justice Act:A A bill seeking to empower district magistrates to pass orders for adoption of children to reduce the time taken for issuing such directions, was introduced in the Lok Sabha today. #12:40 PM:A Lok Sabha adjourned: The lower house of ParliamentA adjourned briefly amid protests overA Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case. #12:30 PM: RJD raises Bihar mass rape issue:A RJD MP Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav raises the issue of Muzaffarpur Shelter Home Rape case in the Lok Sabha. He says, "The evidence are being tampered. There is direct involvement of the state government." RJD MP Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav raises the issue of #MuzaffarpurShelterHome case in Lok Sabha, says 'The girls where played with, like toys. The evidences are being tampered. There is direct involvement of the state government.' pic.twitter.com/AqXUGblKyH a ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2018 #11:45 AM:A TDP continuesA protest over special status to AP demand:A TDP MP Naramalli Sivaprasad dresses up as Lord Ram to protest in Parliament over the demand of special status for Andhra Pradesh. He has earlier dressed up as a magician, a woman, a washerman & a schoolboy among others. #11:40 AM: Rajya Sabha to be in session till late today: Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu stated in the Upper House today that the house will be in session till late today considering the paucity of time. #11:30 AM: BREAKING NEWS:A Elections to the post of deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha to be held on August 9: Vice President and Rajya Sabha speaker M Venkaiah Naidu. Elections to the post of deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha to be held on August 9: Vice President and Rajya Sabha speaker M Venkaiah Naidu pic.twitter.com/zRKtoHy4Ct a ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2018 #11:00 AM:A Proceedings in both the Houses- Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha begins. #10:30 AM: Congress movesA adjournment motion notice in LS:A Congress leader Ranjeet Ranjan has given adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over Muzaffarpur shelter home caseas main witness missing from Biharas Madhubani. #10:00 AM: Hello and welcome to the News Nation live updates: The Monsoon Session of Parliament, which started on July 18 will convene on Monday for its 13th day after a two-day break. The proceedings in the House has been hit by Opposition's protest over the issue of NRC and Muzaffarnagar mass rape. A Ruckus is expected to rule the House on Monday asA Opposition parties upped the ante against the ruling regime over several issues, including NRC draft. stick with us as we bring you live updates from the floor of the House. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A bill to overturn a Supreme Court order concerning certain safeguards against arrest under the SC/ST law was unanimously passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday. The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill 2018 rules out any provision for anticipatory bail for a person accused of atrocities against SC/STs, not withstanding any court order. It also provides that no preliminary enquiry will be required for registering a criminal case and an arrest under this law would not be subject to any approval. Replying to the debate on the bill, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot asserted that the NDA government favoured reservation "and will continue to be in favour reservation for SC/ST". The amendment, he said, will strengthen the legislative provisions to protect SC/ST. The move to amend the Bill is being seen by the Opposition as a reach-out by the BJP-led NDA government to Dalits, ahead of their proposed nationwide protest later this month to demand restoration of the provisions of the law which, the Dalit groups allege, were diluted by a Supreme Court ruling of March 20. These groups have been asking the government to overturn a Supreme Court ruling of March 20, saying it had "diluted" and rendered "toothless" the law against atrocities faced by the weakest sections of the society by putting additional safeguards against arrest of the accused. Read | Parliament passes bill to provide death to child rape convicts Gehlot said after the Supreme Court put some restrictions on Article 18 of this Act, the law lost its importance. "The review petition filed by the government is still pending. Due to delay in the Supreme Court and rising anger among the Dalit community, there was a need to amend Article 18," the Minister said. He accepted that 6-7 per cent cases under the Indian Penal Code and 10-12 per cent cases under Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were misused. "But citing the misuse of the Act, we can't allow 88 per cent of Dalits to suffer," Gehlot asserted. Participating in the debate, leader of Congress in the House Mallikarjun Kharge said the government should havebrought this bill as an Ordinacce much earlier. "In recent times, the government has brought as many six Ordinances, they could have brought the 7th Ordinance as well. If there was no public pressure, then the government would not have brought this bill," Kharge insisted. The Congress leader urged the government to include the SC/ST Act in the ninth schedule of the Constitution so that it goes out of the jurisdiction of the courts. Kharge also urged the government to withdraw cases against those people who had protested against Supreme Court judgement on April 20. Citing National Crime Record Bureau data, he said in the last four years, there was a 40 per cent increase in atrocities against Dalits. "Every minute a dalit suffersatrocities. In every week, 11 dalit gets killed, but unfortunately the conviction rate is too low," he said. Read | Parliament passes bill to grant constitutional status to OBC commission Taking a jibe at the government, Kharge said, "There are 24 lakh vacancies in government jobs. So it should first fill all vacant posts." He also alleged that people associated with the BJP were involved in lynching incidents against Dalits and Muslims. P Ravindra Babu (TDP) said the government was not sincere about the concerns of Dalits, else it should have promulgated an ordinance to restore the provisions of the Act following the Supreme Court judgement. Questioning its intent, he said the government hadpromulgated six ordinances but "waited" for the MonsoonSession to bring the amendment. Besides, he said, the government rewarded the judge bymaking him chairperson of an important Tribunal. Balka Suman (TRS) said if this government had anysympathy for the dalits, the legislation should be includedin the 9th Schedule of the Constitution. He also demanded thereservation in the higher judiciary. Jitendra Choudhary (CPI-M) also pressed for inclusion ofthis legislation in the 9th Schedule, while Upendra Kushwaha(RLSP) said the legislation has once again proved supremacy ofParliament. He too sought reservation in higher judiciary andremoval of 50 per cent cap on the reservation. Tariq Anwar (NCP) also supported the amendment. Demanding setting up of All India Judicial Services,several members stressed the need for to providing space forSC/ST and dalit community in the country's judiciary. Chirag Paswan (LJSP) said that Indian judicial serviceswas need of the hour and the govermment should take itseriously. "There is a need to appoint judges based oncompetition," he said adding the government should put thislaw in the ninth schedule of the Constitution. Union Minister Anupriya Patel too said thatrepresentation of SC/ST and backward community was very low injudiciary and "till the time we would address this issue, suchjudgements would haunt us". She also urged the government to set up All IndiaJudicial Services, observing that "we were not able to providea level playing field and respect to this community". Read | Parliament Monsoon Session: Rajya Sabha passes NCBC (Repeal) Bill, 2017 She alsosaid that atrocities against this community has increased overthe years. H S Khalsa (AAP) said "we did not provide a system wherethere could be a meritocracy in judiciary", while Bhagirath Prasad (BJP) demanded setting up of judicial service. Supporting the bill, J P N Yadav (RJD) said that thegovernment brought this bill because of public pressure. He also demanded caste based census. "This government is not forMake in India, but they are Back in India," he added. Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) this was the "Shahbanomoment" and sought to know if the government would call itappeasement of dalits. He also demanded that Muslims beincluded in the SC/SC Act. K Suresh (Cong) said the NDA government has rewarded oneof the two Supreme Court judges who delivered thecontroversial judgement in the matter. Among others who participated in the discussion include ET Mohammed Basheer (IUML), Rattan Lal Kataria (BJP),Kaushlendra Kumar (JD-U), Virender Kashyap (BJP), DushyantChautala (INLD), Kirit Solanki (BJP), P S Chandumajra (SAD) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: After the fallout of the alleged rape and sexual assault of minor girls at two government-run shelter homes in Bihar's Muzaffarpur and Uttar Pradesh's Deoria, Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Monday suggested states to build a single large central facility for such children in a bid to prevent misuse by NGOs. "I have been asking for a scheme where each state should have a single large facility to house all such girls and children which should be run by the state government, PTI quoted Maneka as saying. She said that running such facilities would not just be easy but also help in curbing the abuse and misuse by NGOs running their own shelter homes with grants from the government. Also Read | Bihar shelter home rape case: Nitish Kumar breaks silence, promises strict action against guilty The BJP leader said that besides the one central facility, other shelter homes should only be allowed to provide temporary accommodation to women and girls in distress and that too after the clearance from the Child Welfare Committee. The women and child development ministers suggestion came after the arrest of a couple for allegedly running a sex racket at Deoria shelter home in Uttar Pradesh. The couple was arrested for by the UP police for allegedly running a sex racket after the inmates went missing. The police arrested Girija Tripathi, her husband Mohan Tripathi and their daughter after they rescued 24 girls and found that 18 girls were missing from the shelter home Also Read | Muzaffarnagar: Woman chops off husband's genitals for 'neglecting' her Earlier, as many as 34 girls were as many as 34 girls, aged between seven to 14 years, were drugged, raped, scalded with boiling water, and forced to sleep naked in a government-run shelter home in Bihars Muzaffarpur. (With inputs from agencies) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday will hear a bunch of petitions challenging the validity of the Article 35A of the Constitution that grants special privileges to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. A petition filed by a Delhi-based NGO, We the citizens, argued that Article 35A and Article 370 of the Constitution discriminate among the citizens of J&K and rest of India. The NGO demanded that Article 35A should be held unconstitutional as it was a temporary provision which came into effect immediately and was not presented before Parliament. The Rashtriya Sawayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-linked NGO said that it would urge the court that the matter should be heard by a Constitutional bench of the Supreme Court. There is no need to defer the hearing again We are going to tell the Supreme Court through our counsel tomorrow that our petition on Article 35A should be decided by a Constitution bench, Chetan Sharma, convener of the J&K chapter of the civil society 'We the Citizens', told reporters in New Delhi on Sunday. Sharma said that Kashmir-centric parties and "some so-called intellectuals in Jammu" were misleading the people on the issue of Article 35A even as the matter was sub-judice in the court. Also Read | UN chief's spokesperson declines to comment on UN Human Rights chief's report on Kashmir Shut down in Kashmir ahead of Article 35A hearing Meanwhile, a shutdown called by separatists in the Valley ahead of Article 35A hearing threw normal life out of gear. In Srinagar, public transport remained off roads and businesses and shops were closed on Monday amid heavy deployment of security forces. Several organisations, including Traders organisations, carried out a peaceful protest march and held sit-in dharna at the Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) in Srinagar historic Lal Chowk. The protests were largely peaceful except few minor incidents of stone pelting in some areas. The two-day shutdown call was given by separatist leaders - Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik - on Sunday. they alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological mentor RSS - a controversial right-wing organisation was trying to change the demography of the Valley. Also Read | Army likely to take action against Major Leetul Gogoi in Kashmiri woman case What is Article 35A? The Article 35A of the Indian Constitution grants special rights and privileges to the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. Article 35A was added to the Constitution of India in accordance with the Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. The Article was added through a Presidential order issued by the then President of India Rajendra Prasad on May 14, 1954. Under the Article 35 A, people of Jammu and Kashmir have the first right on the state and people from rest of the country were barred to from acquiring any kind of immovable property in Jammu and Kashmir For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A total of 24 girls were rescued from a shelter home in Uttar Pradeshs Deoria on Sunday, days after the report of alleged sexual exploitation of minors in Bihars Muzzafarpur, police said. Deoria shelter homes director Girija Tripathi and her husband were arrested and the license was terminated following an investigation by the CBI, said Rohan Kanay, Deorias superintendent of police. Police arrest a man & his wife, managers of a shelter home in Deoria after its license was revoked following an inspection by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). 24 minor girls rescued, search for other 15 underway. pic.twitter.com/7GO3dUUIxS ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 5, 2018 The whole incident happened after a girl escaped from the shelter home and informed the police that everyone inside the home were being treated like servants. ALSO READ: Delhi Metro's Pink Line from South Campus to Lajpat Nagar to start today When the order to close this institution was made, our people went there and the organisations director misbehaved with our team. Today, after a girl escaped from there, we got to know the reality of that place, Kanay said. One of the girls escaped from the shelter home, came to us and said they are treated like servants. She also said that cars come to pick girls above 15 years old & the girls come crying the next day. An investigation is underway, he said. Meanwhile, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, the Women & Child Welfare Minister have said that following a CBI inspection in 2017, it was established that Deoria shelter home was running illegally and the order to shift the inmates and shut the centre was not followed. After CBI inspection last year, it was established that Deoria shelter home centre was running illegally. A direction was issued to shift the inmates and shut it. But this order was not followed: Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Women & Child Welfare Minister pic.twitter.com/QyylMfRjNv ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 6, 2018 "It'll be investigated. The concerned district administration is already taking action in this regard. Women & child development ministry is also looking into the matter. The children will be sent for medical examination and truth will be brought out," said ADG (law & order) on Deoria shelter home. It'll be investigated. The concerned district admn is already taking action in this regard. Women & child development ministry is also looking into the matter. The children will be sent for medical examination. Truth will be brought out: ADG (law & order) on #Deoria shelter home pic.twitter.com/pqg94DNJLw ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) August 6, 2018 An investigation is underway and more details are awaited. ALSO READ: Crackdown on Corruption: Can digitalisation help Earlier in Muzaffarpur, more than 30 girls were allegedly sexually exploited and tortured at a shelter home and many employees were arrested last month. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: India is moving forward for record production of food. Food production in India, which is steadily increasing, is expected to rise during 2017-18 to 277 million tons. Data shows that India is a net exporter of food grains. Export earnings in 2016 was $3.8 billion. Its main export market is Middle East and a few African countries. Against this optimistic background, the country is facing an agrarian crisis. Agrarian crisis is manifesting in farmers suicides across the country. What could be the possible reasons. There is large-scale migration of farm labours and farmers to urban areas in search of jobs. For new jobs they do not have the right skills. Their woes largely continue. Identifying the reasons for the Farmers Crisis To identify the reasons of the crisis, a number of studies have been carried out from time to time. To list a few: Small and fragmented land holdings; severe cash crunch required to buy inputs like seeds and fertiliser; poor availability of credit facilities from banks; lack of assured irrigation; vagaries of nature-like drought or floods; absence of modern farming equipment; no capacity to hold the produce and wait for the right price. ALSO READ | Cult of Martyrdom: Schools out, its protest time in Gaza More often they fall prey to ruthless local money lenders or sell their produce to local traders at a discounted price. It is estimated that vegetables and fruits valued at over Rs 35,000 crore perish in the fields every year. This is happening because the country still lacks adequate infrastructure. The government has always tried to bring quick-fix solutions which have not had the desired result and the Anna data continues to languish. How the government tried to find solutions NABARD came into existence to facilitate agriculture loan through the banking channels. Here also the middlemens role is no secret. They are found lurking all around. Crop insurance has been introduced but the farmers are hardly compensated for the loss they suffer. This has time and again been highlighted by the media. MSP is revised regularly and its ambit enlarged to include new produce. This effort has brought only marginal relief as large quantities are still left out of the procurement chain which varies from state to state. This is happening because our national warehouse capacity is inadequate. This explains the procured food grain rotting in the open. Despite food surplus, our 50 per cent population is malnourished or undernourished. What an irony. The governments concern is to ensure uninterrupted availability of food grains to the Public Distribution System and maintain buffer stock. Concern is not farmers wellbeing, but to keep the price under control. The government has promised to double the farm income over the next couple of years. But how will this be realised? ALSO READ: Imran Khan's 'simple' swearing-in ceremony makes perfect sense Nine Steps the government must take: 1. The first step should be to arrest large-scale migration from villages. This can happen only if the dignity of the farmers is restored. 2. Farming as an occupation is made attractive. The focus, therefore, should be to increase assured per acre income to the farming communities. 3. Village connectivity has considerably improved in recent years. 4. Cold chain facility backed with lifting of perishable produce from the field for proper processing and storage can be a step in the right direction. 5. Value-added product can not only increase the farmers income but can also be foreign exchange earner. 6. In the event of loss of productivity due to adverse weather, the loss should be expeditiously assessed and insurance claim disbursed. Technology can be of great help. 7. Timely availability of high yield seeds and educating them to apply balanced fertiliser will certainly increase the production. 8. But foremost is devising a method to disburse soft credit to the needy without middlemen seizing any opportunity. 9. Also, basic medical and schooling facility must be ensured to keep our rural population rooted to their base. CLICK HERE for More OPINION (The writer is former Managing Director, Kribhco) Cyprus: They arrived in their dozens as soon as school was out, threw their satchels in a pile, wrapped kefiyehs around their heads, armed themselves with stones and catapults and began launching waves of attacks on Israeli soldiers stationed just across the Gaza border. School was over, it was Intifada time. This was back in , just days after the second Intifada (Palestinian uprising) had erupted. The afternoon protests were led by the children mainly boys but also some girls. Towards evening, when the mood had darkened and teargas was hanging angrily in the air, the adults took over. Lethal firefights broke out between Palestinian militants and Israeli troops. By the end of the evening, several Palestinian men and a few children lay dead. They would be buried the next day after highly emotional funerals that once again stoked the passions and brought out the schoolchildren and later the militants. The cycle of hatred, frustration, anger and confrontation would start all over again. ALSO READ: How AAPs anger overshoots BJP and targets Congress , 18 years later, the Gaza blockade remains in place and the Palestinian resistance continues. If anything, the frustration levels in the narrow coastal strip are higher than ever, the anger is still seething, the violence just as intense. Since March protests in Gaza have continued unabated under the slogan Great Return March in support of demands that Palestinian refugees and their descendants be allowed to return to Israel. The launch of the campaign coincided with the moving of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, further stoking Palestinian anger. So, the children along with the adults are back at the barbed wire perimeter fences, throwing stones and molotovs and rolling burning tyres towards the Israeli soldiers. Some arrive armed with wire-cutters and attempt to break through the fences. Sooner or later, the situation escalates, shots are fired and Palestinians lie dead. According to the UN agency in Gaza OCHA, 146 Palestinians were killed between , when the Great March protests began, and (their latest casualty update is still to come) -- 124 men, one woman, 20 boys and one girl. In this same period, no Israelis died although four were injured. But the question remains: Why do Palestinians let their children take part in what are after all acts of violent warfare? The answer in part is that they cant stop them. They are mostly headstrong teenagers out for action and driven by the belief that it is their duty to fight the Israelis. ALSO READ: Trump insulting Modi will only hurt long-standing India-US ties Israelis more cynically say that parents dont WANT to stop them. Being killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers not only brings repute to ones family but it also ensures that ones loved ones receive a monthly stipend of about $350 from the Palestinian Authoritys Martyrs Fund. In the stark conditions that exist in the overcrowded Gaza Strip, where families are large and dirt poor and where unemployment is running at 27 per cent (60 percent in the age category 15-29), $350 a month can in some instances make all the difference between malnutrition and chronic malnutrition. The Martyrs Fund, described by critics as "pay for slay", has been slammed by Israel, which says it glorifies terrorism and offers an incentive for murder. The US, meanwhile, has cut off part of its funding to the PA over the stipend issue. Palestinian leaders defend the stipends paid to families of martyrs as well as to Palestinians being held in Israeli jails, as part of the movements social responsibility. But it is unlikely that, for children in any case, dying simply for the sake of the money would be incentive enough. Anne Speckhard, Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine at Georgetown University, puts the readiness to die for the cause down to a cult of martyrdom in the Palestinian Territories. From a very young age, children are socialised into a group consciousness that honours martyrs, including human bombers who have given their lives for the fight against what is perceived by Palestinians to be the unjust occupation of their lands. Young children are told stories of martyrs. Many young people wear necklaces venerating particular martyrs, Speckhard wrote in a paper entitled Understanding Suicide Terrorism: Countering Human Bombs and Their Senders. ALSO READ: Justice Joseph's elevation to SC: Policy of checks and balance needed The Guardian newspaper in May interviewed the mother of 14-year-old Wesal Sheikh Khalil who was shot dead while protesting at the Gaza border presumably OCHAs one girl casualty. She thought death was better than this life, said Reem Abu Irmana of her daughter. Every time she went to the demonstrations she prayed to God that she would be martyred. We will never know if Wesals determination to become a martyr was in any way influenced by the knowledge that her family would be rewarded if she was killed by Israeli forces. All we know from the girls mother was that Wesal had been inspired by the protest marches and had started to think intensely about martyrdom. She did make it clear to her mother, however, that should she die she wanted to be buried next to her beloved grandfather. The fragile human face of the young political activist. Dying, no matter what religious spin you put on it, is, after all, a very lonely affair. CLICK HERE for More OPINION Bengaluru: The National Commission for Women's (NCW) recommendation for banning confessions in churches over fears they could lead to women being blackmailed has undoubtedly touched a raw nerve in a section of the clergy in India. Such confessions are a common practice and it was inappropriate for the NCW to challenge it in such a brazen manner on the basis of a stray case of abuse which is believed to have occurred in Kerala. Matters pertaining to religion must not be treated with such casualness and disregard of consequences. The sensibilities of the followers of the faith must be taken into account and the church itself should first have been advised to dwell on the issue before any outside intervention. The NCW recommendations came in the backdrop of a rape case against four priests of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in Kerala who have been accused of sexually exploiting a married woman belonging to their church. Also Read Analysis | Cult of Martyrdom: Schools out, its protest time in Gaza The matter came to the fore after the victim's husband wrote to the church, alleging that the priests had blackmailed and abused his wife, a school teacher, after she confessed to a priest having sexually assaulted her. The women's commission had set up an inquiry committee to look into the alleged sexual assaults against women in churches. It has sent its findings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Affairs Minister Rajnath Singh, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi and the directors general of the Kerala and Punjab police. NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma, who picked up cudgels said, "The woman was socially harassed. She left her job after the incident as her photograph was circulated on social media. The two priests are at large and they need to be nabbed. Earlier, the Supreme Court had also reacted on the issue. It sought a status report of the police investigation in the case related to priests from the Malankara Church. "What is happening in Kerala? Priests are becoming accused in rape cases," the Supreme Court had said. Also Read Opinion | Finding solutions to farmers' woes and governments dilemma In response to the NCW charge, the church sent a memorandum to the Union government calling the recommendation "shocking". A Kerala bishop's body echoed the church's sentiments in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the NCW of "abusing its powers" by submitting a "one-sided report" without consulting the church. The body called it an "irresponsible" act done "with ulterior motives. Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council president Archbishop Soosa Pakiam said at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram. "It amounts to insulting the practice of sacrament of confession in the name of an isolated incident, which has yet to be proved. It also amounts to violation of the freedom of faith and religion guaranteed by the Constitution." Archbishop of Bombay Diocese and president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, also criticised the NCW recommendation, calling it a "direct infringement on our freedom of religion guaranteed by the Indian Constitution." It is no secret that the churchs relations with the Modi government have been strained and this has led to whispers that the NCW may have been inspired by the Union government though this is unsubstantiated. Read More Opinion | How AAPs anger overshoots BJP and targets Congress It is indeed wrong of the church to dabble in politics and to adopt a partisan attitude. It needs to be conceded that Christians in India enjoy virtually unfettered freedom of religion, especially when one compares with non-Christian majority countries across the world. Union Minister of State for Tourism K J Alphons, who is a Kerala Christian, has strongly denied that the Union government has any connection with the stand taken by the NCW. It is her (Rekha Sharmas) personal opinion," he said in a Facebook post. "The Narendra Modi government would never interfere in people's religious beliefs," he insisted. The minister said there was no need for making such a recommendation. "Since it has come, the Modi government rejects it outright," he said. And so, the matter simmers. With the BJP plunging deeper into politics in Kerala, there is a question mark over the churchs relations with it in future. Click Here for More OPINION New Delhi: Tamil superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan may make any amount of noise over perceived degeneration in governance due to a ruthless and all-pervading corrupt system and announce grand entry into the big bad world of politics. But here in Tamil Nadu, they may not get a chance to do an NTR as the days of a superstar-turning-politician to eject a well-entrenched political party from power and politics seem to be over. And this at a time when there is seemingly a vacuum in political sphere after an era dominated by film personalitiesJayalalithaa and Karunanidhiis over. An ailing Karunanidhi has been out of active politics for the past several months and Jayalalithaa passed away in December 2016. These two tall leaders of Tamil Nadu politics, in between them, ruled the state for over three decades. Their styles may have differed, but their impact was the same on their respective parties and control over cadres as the unquestioned leader. Cut to the present Ruling AIADMK, headed jointly by Chief Minister E Palaniswami and deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, may be tottering on the popularity front, considerably weakened too in the absence of a vote-puller like Jayalalithaa, but it still remains a dominant force in Tamil Nadu politics. ALSO READ: Imran Khan's 'simple' swearing-in ceremony makes perfect sense And then the challenger in DMK, under a new (old) leader MK Stalin, the political heir to Karunanidhi, is poised to cash in on discontentment of the voters, as evidenced by the plethora of protests of people belonging to different walks of life. The ruling AIADMK will earn more anti-incumbency ire of the people, who are already up in arms over an assortment of issues from price rise to law and order to livelihood issues to health and welfare. But current day political situation in Tamil Nadu, despite a vacuum, does not guarantee success for new entrants who are at best political novices. While Haasan has started a political party, Rajinikanth said he would at the appropriate time. Clearly, Rajinikanth and Haasan eye the political vacuum and have jumped into the cesspool of politics, as once described by Bollywood living legend Amitabh Bachchan just before he left politics after a cameo appearance as Congress MP from Allahabad. Changing political scenario in Tamil Nadu The times, they have changed, ever since when MGR became the chief minister and AIADMK face, or Jayalalithaa followed suit later. Prevailing political culture is vastly different today than when cinema was used as a tool of social churn and change. In the scripts that Karunanidhi churned out and roles that MGR portrayed, they had espoused the cause of the downtrodden, the common man and their work was a telling commentary against the evils in the society. Also Read | How AAPs anger overshoots BJP and targets Congress Yes, the superstar status of the two gives them a head start at the entry level, but only just about. Everyone is drawing crowds in Tamil Nadu, whether it is the CM and Deputy CM, or the breakaway AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran or DMK working president MK Stalin. The Dravidian parties are not unduly perturbed over the entry of these two superstars. While democracy was a sky common to all, many birds can hardly make the distance, Stalin commented on the two-some without naming them. A senior Tamil Nadu state minister was also contemptuous when Kamal Haasan made his announcement and said, Let them come into electoral politics and everyone will see the outcome. Lessons from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh from their colleague in the film world, mega star Chiranjeevi who is as big as a Rajinikanth or a Kamal Haasan in Telugu-speaking states, hold out a message to the movie stars here. Chiranjeevi was beaten to pulp by professional politicians and later surrendered and merged his fledgling party with the Congress and slowly faded out along with the Congress. Cautionary Warning for Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan In Tamil Nadu, the case of Vijayakanth, known as Karuppu MGR (Black MGR), can be a cautionary warning for the two superstars. Their appeal is pan-Tamil Nadu and they are bigger stars with greater mass appeal, but in politics the route to success is through votes. Vijayakanth had built up an individual vote base of 8 per cent over the years. When he teamed up with Jayalalithaa, both gained and he more so winning more seats than the DMK in 2011. After he parted ways with Jayalalithaa and contested alone in 2016, he drew a blank and is nowhere to be seen. ALSO READ: Trump insulting Modi will only hurt long-standing India-US ties Vijayakanths rise and fall should be kept in mind by the two superstars, opines a political analyst who firmly believes that in Tamil Nadu, the battle will be between the two Dravidian formations. Even the national parties like the Congress and the BJP will have to piggy ride on these two parties, as their presence and relevance in local politics is very low. Entering the political arena on the star power and hoping to bulldoze the two Dravidian parties, like what NTR did to Congress in the early 80s, is something just not possible in present day political situation. The conditions that propelled NTR to an upset victory over a well-entrenched Congress party are not present now in Tamil Nadu for either of the superstars to exploit. Having a fan following alone is not enough. Being a politician is a 24X7 daily grind. Plus, time is running out as general elections are now less than 10 months away. Meanwhile, the two superstars are now busy with what they are very good at film projects. In the political arena, it is still not clear if the superstars would go solo or will have an ensemble cast. While Rajinikanth has made it known that he would want to float a party and may go it alone, there are some of his supporters who want him to have an understanding with the BJP. Kamal Haasan too is making moves that can be construed as wanting to team up with some other players he has been calling on other key political players on secular side and was seen with the team that stood along with Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy at his swearing-in function in Bangalore recently. CLICK HERE for More OPINION New Delhi: As many as 91 people were killed and scores others injured after a massive earthquake struck Indonesian tourist islands of Lombok on Sunday night. The powerful magnitude 7 earthquake wreaked havoc in Lombok and damaged thousands of building. The epicentre of the shallow quake was 43 km from West Nusa Tenggara, 10km (6.21 miles) underground. The tremors of the quake were also felt the neighbouring islands of Bali and Gili chain. As many as 135 aftershocks have been recorded on Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara since Sunday nights 7-magnitude earthquake, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency of Indonesia reported on Monday morning. ALSO READ: Trump admits son met Russian for information on opponent Following the earthquake, the Indonesian government had issued a tsunami warning but lifted it after few hours. In Asia's one of the most popular holiday destinations Bali, the tremors were felt for several seconds. A video of the earthquake showed people shouting in panic and rushing outside the building. ALSO READ: What if our Earth had no gravity? "They were initially just little shocks but then they started to get bigger and bigger and people started to shout 'earthquake', then all the staff panicked and rushed out of the building," BBC quoted one of the eyewitnesses as saying. "Many buildings had been affected in Lombok's main city of Mataram. Most of them had been built with weak construction materials," a spokesman for Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency told news agency AFP. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Sunday admitted that his son Donald Jr met with a Russian lawyer in 2016 to get information on an opponent but said it was completely legal. This is the first time Trump has confessed the motive behind the June 2016 meeting, and he himself acknowledged the fact that it was to know more about Hillary Clinton, his direct Democratic rival for the presidency. However, Trump, like he has in the past, insisted that he did not know anything about the meeting between his son Donald Jr and Natalia Veselnitskaya, a Russian lawyer, at that time. ALSO READ: Cult of Martyrdom: Schools out, its protest time in Gaza This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it! Special Counsel Robert Mueller has criticised the meeting and is now investigating whether the members of the Trump camp tried to fabricate the 2016 election in the Republicans favour. As per reports, Trump has been thinking about whether he will get into legal peril because of the meeting between his son and Veselnitskaya. Donald Jr, initially had said in a statement that the meeting was about American adoptions of Russian children. However, reports stated that the US president dictated the statement. ALSO READ: Young batsman Oliver Pope called up for Lord's Test But later, Jr confessed that the meeting was to obtain damaging information on Clinton, but nothing concrete came out of it. Trumps lawyer argue that the meeting violated no laws. The question is how will it be illegal? The real question here is, would ... the meeting itself constitute a violation of the law, Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow said Sunday on ABCs This Week. (With inputs from PTI) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Manama : Rumours over amendments to Bahrains indemnity laws has been denied by a Bahraini legislator. This follows messages widely circulating on social media in the past few days, raising concerns among the expat population. In the message, it was claimed that the Government, represented by the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO), is planning to adjust the existing Pensions Law by only disbursing the indemnity of expat workers in the private sector when their residency permits are cancelled. It was also alleged that this matter is now being discussed between the Government and legislators, at the government-parliamentary committee formed as per the Royal Directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to to reconsider the new Pensions Law. The Royal Directives were issued after the proposed law created an outcry among citizens, as it grants absolute jurisdictions to SIO, allowing it to determine pensions percentages, retirement age, pensions increment and other powers related to the regulation of retirement and pensions of the Bahraini employees in the public and military sectors, as well as members of the Legislative Authority and municipal councils. Tribune yesterday spoke to Shura Council member Jamal Fakhro about the matter to verify the claims. Mr Fakhro, who heads the Economic and Financial Affairs Committee in Shura Council, confirmed to Tribune that the news is false. The lawmaker denied that the committee even discussed the matter, as the sole purpose of forming it was to discuss the Pensions Law, which is only related to Bahrainis. The indemnity of expatriate workers is regulated by the Labour Law. This matter is within the jurisdiction of Labour Ministry. It was never discussed at the committee, Mr Fakhro affirmed. Tribune was contacted by many concerned readers with regard to the matter. Labour Ministry comments are awaited. Washington : The United States has hit two top Turkish officials with sanctions over the ongoing detention of an American pastor facing terror charges, heaping pressure on Ankara to release the prisoner fuelling a bitter diplomatic feud. The move targeting Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul and Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu further ratcheted up tensions between the NATO allies, with Ankara vowing to retaliate over the measures and what it dubbed an aggressive attitude. Andrew Brunson, who led a Protestant church in the Aegean city of Izmir, was placed under house arrest last week after nearly two years in jail on charges of espionage and supporting terror groups. He faces up to 35 years in jail if convicted. Weve seen no evidence that Pastor Brunson has done anything wrong, and we believe hes a victim of unfair and unjust attention by the government of Turkey, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told journalists. Beijing : A prominent Beijing temple has denied allegations that its celebrity head abbot, a member of the Communist Party, coerced several nuns into having sex with him, one of Chinas most high-profile #MeToo cases. The allegations against Master Xuecheng and the Beijing Longquan Monastery burst into the public eye when a 95-page document written by two former monks, who also claimed that the temple is in financial trouble, emerged online earlier this week. He is accused of sending illicit text messages to at least six women, tempting or threatening them to have sex with him. Four gave in to Xuechengs demands, the report said, adding that he tried to assert mind control by claiming the sex was a part of their Buddhist studies. Xuecheng manipulated disciples to serve his Buddhist Empire... disciples under his control sacrificed their precious practices of Buddhist doctrines, the document said. But the monastery late Wednesday denounced the dossier, which it says falsified evidence, calling it an attempt to tarnish Xuecheng and the monasterys reputation. The falsified evidence is based on a deliberate attempt to frame Master Xuecheng, and can be considered a crime, the temple said in a statement posted on the Twitter-like Weibo platform. This incident has its roots in revenge, an operation motivated by malice. Beijing Longquan Monastery calls on the government and religious affairs authorities to form an investigative team to look into the matter. Beijing police and the religious affairs authorities could not be immediately reached for comment. The report and posts about it have been taken down or censored on social media. According to the state-run Global Times, Xuecheng had been brought in for questioning by authorities but later released. Moscow : Russia has appointed action movie star Steven Seagal as a special envoy for humanitarian ties with the United States. The Foreign Ministry announced the move yesterday on its Facebook page, saying Seagals portfolio in the unpaid position would be to facilitate relations between Russia and the United States in the humanitarian field, including cooperation in culture, arts, public and youth exchanges. Seagal is an accomplished martial artist like Russian President Vladimir Putin. The actor, who was granted Russian citizenship in 2016, has vocally defended the Russian leaders policies, including Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea, and has criticised the US government. Last year, Ukraine banned Seagal from entering the country for five years, citing national security reasons. The Flight of Fury star, still popular with Russian audiences, has recently defended the Russian government over claims that it meddled in 2016 US elections. The 66-year-old has called President Putin one of the great living world leaders, and when Seagal was granted Russian citizenship, said he hoped it would be a symbol of how relations between Moscow and Washington were starting to improve. Seagal was also granted Serbian citizenship in 2016, following several visits to the Balkan country. A French woman has been missing in eastern Japan since late last month, police announced Sunday. Tiphaine Veron, 36, was last seen on the morning of July 29 when she left her lodging house in the city of Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, according to the police. Her suitcase was left at the inn where she was staying, and the manager called police the following day after she failed to return. A cousin of hers has posted photographs and a message on Twitter describing Tiphaine as having light brown hair and green eyes. It has been translated into Japanese and retweeted nearly 1,000 times. Extreme heat continues to afflict wide areas across Japan. Temperatures are expected to hit 39 degrees Celsius, or what weather officials call "life-threatening" levels, in some places on Monday. The Meteorological Agency says that on Sunday the mercury hit 39.9 degrees in Nagoya City; 39.7 in Gujyo City, Gifu Prefecture; and 39.5 degrees in Kyoto City. The agency also says that daytime highs on Sunday topped 35 degrees at 256 observation points across Japan, the highest number of points to register the 35-degree mark this summer. The agency says that on Monday, daytime highs will remain between 38 and 39 degrees in some inland areas of the Kanto-Koshin region, as well as the Tokai and Kansai regions. As the sweltering heat continues, many people have been taken to hospital for heatstroke-like symptoms. The number of heat-related deaths is also rising. Weather officials are calling on people to consume plenty of fluids, along with some salt, and take other precautions against heatstroke. They warn that people living in shelters after the recent torrential rain in western Japan are at higher risks of heatstroke. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko attended on Sunday a ceremony to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Japan's northernmost main island being named Hokkaido. Representing the ceremony organizers, Hokkaido Governor Harumi Takahashi said, "We'll hand down our invaluable hometown, Hokkaido, to people 50 years and 100 years ahead, with pride in a variety of values and attractions that have been refined by our ancestors over long years." Local traditional performing arts including by the Ainu ethnic minority were staged, drawing applause from the Imperial couple. The island, once called Ezo, was named Hokkaido in 1869 by a decree of the Meiji government following a proposal of explorer Takeshiro Matsuura. Also at the ceremony site, the Emperor and Empress saw the largest complete dinosaur skeleton ever discovered in Japan, found in the Hokkaido town of Mukawa. 1505 The ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, has said it would end what it called PDPs rigging jamboree in Abia State and take over the State by winning the 2015 elections.According to the party, it would free Abia people from bondage and lies being fed them by the PDP administration in the State.The former governor of the State, Chief Orji Kalu who said this weekend, while addressing zonal and ward executives of the Donatus Nwankpa faction of the party in his Igbere home, boasted that the PDP Government would be sacked from Umuahia Government House next year.He accused the PDP administration in the state of thriving in propaganda and lies rather than delivering the dividends of democracy by providing amenities that would uplift the lives of the citizens.Kalu urged APC members not to be intimidated by the ruling PDP in the state but to remain steadfast in their support for President Muhammadu Buharis administration.We will march PDP anyhow they want it; we must sack them from Government House, Umuahia. We will work to free Abia State from bondage. We cannot allow the locust to continue to occupy Abia. There will be no locust in Abia again.The state is feeding us with lies. You are told that you were in bondage, but who is in bondage now. It is a Government of lies but we will ensure that they are voted out.Forget the saying the saying that PDP will rig the election, it will not be possible not be possible again, just do tour work well. That era of their rigging is gone. All members of the National Assembly and went there by default, we dont want any other default law makersagain, we want to have active representatives.If PDP wants us to fight in the election, we will fight. I am as rugged as rock. We will not allow them to intimidate anybody, Kalu said while charging the ward leaders to go home and mobilize to give the party credible candidates that sack PDP in the State. The National Youth Service Corp says 95 per cent of deaths recorded by serving Corps members is due to road accidents.Brig. Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, the Director General of NYSC, said this while addressing corps members observing their orientation camp course in Katsina on Monday.Several serving corps members have been embarking on unnecessary journeys that led to their death.From the records before the Directorate, several corps members have lost their lives, while on fruitless journeys.Several serving corps members had been involved in road accidents due to the poor nature of Nigerian roads.For several years, Nigerian roads are death traps and corps members should only embark on necessary journeys.I am calling on serving corps members that have concrete reason to travel to always seek the permission of NYSC officials, he said.Kazaure called on serving corps members to always patronise government hospitals if they were sick.Earlier, the Katsina State NYSC Coordinator, Hajiya Ramatu Sanda, had called on the NYSC management to provide more vehicles to Katsina State office.Sanda said that so far, 2, 076 corps members had registered for their orientation in the state and advised them to participate activity in all the orientation programmes.She commended the Katsina Government for proving lots of assistance to the state NYSC. The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ado Ekiti on Monday granted the prayers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to inspect election materials and results of the July 14 governorship election in the state.The APC was represented at the tribunal by Yomi Ariyo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who led six other counsel.Justice Suleiman Belgore, while granting the prayers, gave reasons for granting the application which was filed on July 31.He said the counsel had sought the order of the court to access the election materials in order to make photocopy of the documents of the election materials and to use forensic equipment to view the handwriting of the election result and the fingerprint of the election materials.The request, he also said, was to obtain and photocopy all the election materials which were also in custody of the first respondent, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).He added that the request was to seek forensic experts to access both machine and other materials used in the conduct of the election.The tribunal chairman granted the application, saying this was also approved for the PDP.APC candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi, was declared the winner of the election by the Chief Returning Officer, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, after securing 197,459 votes.The PDP candidate and current Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, scored 178,121 votes. About eight people were reportedly killed on Friday and Saturday, when suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked some communities in Plateau and T... File Photo: Armed Fulani herdsmen About eight people were reportedly killed on Friday and Saturday, when suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked some communities in Plateau and Taraba states.Three persons were shot dead on Friday night in Zanwra area of Jebbu Miango, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, by the herdsmen, throwing the whole community into fresh apprehension.About five others were also said to have been killed and many injured following a clash between the Fulani and Yandang communities in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State.The attackers were said to have struck around 8pm, few hours after the visit of the new Commander of Special Military Taskforce codenamed Operation Safe Haven, Maj. Gen. Augustine Agundu, to the area.The OPSH Commander was said to have allegedly accused the Bassa people of stealing cows meant for the Fulani, a development he reportedly said, was partly responsible for the crisis.The spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, Matthias Tyopev, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, confirmed the killings on Saturday, saying investigations had commenced.He said, Unknown armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen attacked Zanwra area of Jebbu Miango, Bassa LGA. Three persons were shot dead in the attack.They are; Emmanuel Gado m aged 22, Ladi Monday f age 30 and Mary Monday f aged 5 years. Police detectives led by the Divisional Crime Officer of Bassa Police Division mobilised to the scene of the crime. One expended shell of 7.62mm ammunition was recovered.The spokesperson for the Miango Youths Development Association, Lawrence Zongo, told one of our correspondents on Saturday that the government did not appear to be interested in the protection of lives and property.He said, People in Jiri village are all in Miango town; they were displaced when their houses were razed on June 20, as they went to the farm. We are yet to have a government that is willing to protect the lives and property of our people. We continue to bury our people daily as Fulani terrorists vow to continue killing us without an end.This attack occurred after the new STF commander, Maj. Gen. Augustine Agundu, visited our community. We knew nothing about it because we agreed that no Fulani should graze their cattle any more on our lands.In Taraba, an eyewitness, Mr. Luka Haruna, told one of our correspondents that trouble started on Thursday evening when the Yandang people, on a traditional festival procession, were attacked by some Fulani youths in Kunini town, in Lau Local Government Area.Haruna explained that the situation was brought under control, following the intervention of stakeholders in the community, but that the the situation escalated on Friday, leading to the killing of five persons.He said, Some of the people who participated in the Wailawa Traditional Masquerade Festival initiation were returning home when some Fulani Muslim youths blocked them from passing close to a mosque in the town.The situation was brought under control but the following day, Yandang youths were attacked again on the same spot, leading to the unfortunate crisis which claimed at least five lives, injured many others and houses burnt.The Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, David Missal, confirmed the development, but however, said two people were killed and that some houses were destroyed in the crisis.He said the Commissioner of Police in Taraba, Mr. David Akinremi, had deployed additional patrol teams in the area to complement the efforts of the Divisional Police Officer. The Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka on Sunday declared that there is no vacancy in the... The Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka on Sunday declared that there is no vacancy in the Enugu State Government House in 2019, stressing that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has done excellently well in office and deserves a second term. Fr. Mbaka poured encomiums on Gov. Ugwuanyi, describing him as a good, kindhearted, humble, peace-loving and God-fearing leader, who has judiciously managed the lean resources of the state for the benefit of the people. The Catholic priest also described Ugwuanyi as the best Governor so far in Enugu State, adding that he is an epitome of peace; a sanctuary of conflict resolution and model for rural and urban development. The cleric, who spoke at the Adoration Arena in Enugu during the Thanksgiving Mass for the governors recent victory at the Supreme Court, thanked God for giving the people of the state such an outstanding leader, saying this is the first time since he became a priest, that the state is experiencing peace. He maintained that Gov. Ugwuanyi is prayer answered, appreciating the people of the state for their unflinching support and prayers for the governor, especially while the protracted legal battle lasted, emphasizing that it is a Mass of Thanksgiving to God. Mbaka further stated that Ugwuanyi was the only governor that pays workers salaries before the 25th of every month, disclosing that when most states could not pay salaries as a result of the recent federal allocation sharing deadlock, the governor paid, accordingly. Commending Gov. Ugwuanyi for the security in Enugu State, Fr. Mbaka stated the feat was achieved because of the reign of peace in the state and the governors faithful role as a good shepherd. While applauding the governor for managing the public wealth judiciously and Godly for the equitable development of the entire state, the outspoken priest prayed against any plot over the governors re-election in 2019, saying: I pray to God that this good man with intimidating humility will continue to govern Enugu State till 2023. Our governor, God has opened doors for you, no man can close it. Those who are following him should continue to follow him, he is a good man. We have one candidate for the governorship seat in 2019 in Enugu State in the name of Gburugburu (Ugwuanyi). We are begging him to come and complete the good works he has started in Enugu State. Enugu State is behind him. The church, students, teachers, traditional rulers, Adoration Ministry, many others are also behind him. I therefore, advise those who want to contest against him to please consider other elective positions, he said, while commending the governor for constructing for the first time the road that leads to the Church in Emene, Enugu. Responding, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who expressed gratitude to the Ministry for its support and unceasing prayers for the success of his administration, noted that it was as a result of Gods mercies and special grace that the victory at the Supreme Court was achieved. Gov. Ugwuanyi recalled that the Adoration Ministry was his first port of call in search of Gods grace when this journey to usher in people-oriented governance in our dear state began. According to him, today, I return to this place, once again to thank our dear able God, who in his Mercies has given us victory at the Supreme Court. While committing the forthcoming elections of 2019 into Gods hands, trusting that the good Lord will surely grant him victory again, as He did for us in 2015, Gov. Ugwuanyi reassured the people of Enugu State that he will continue to walk in His Light and manage the affairs of the state with the fear of God. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says the opposition elements in the country have resorted to the use of fake news as a campaign tool against the Buhari Administration ahead of the 2019 general elections.The Minister made the remarks in Abuja on Monday when he visited the corporate headquarters of the Authority Newspapers to kick-start the media tour in furtherance of the campaign against fake news, which was recently launched by the federal government.He said: Because the Buhari Administration is performing well, the political opposition believed that the best way to de-market the administration is by latching on to fake news to create religious and ethnic disharmony and throw the country into turmoil.With the Buhari Administration delivering on its promises to fight corruption, build the nations economy and tackle insecurity, the opposition has realized it will not make any impact if it takes on the Administration on that turf. So, it has decided to take the easy route, which is to use fake news and hate speech to de-market the Administration, pitch Christians against Muslims and one ethnic group against another, he said.Alhaji Mohammed said the opposition has thrown caution to the wind in its futile attempt to divide Nigeria along ethnic and religious lines by using fake news to blame all the killings in a certain part of the country on herdsmen, ignoring the bands of deadly militia groups that are being sponsored by unscrupulous people to kill innocent people and put the nation on edge.He cited the example of how the opposition is distorting the fact that the clashes between the farmers and herders are being aggravated by climate change which has heightened the contest for scarce natural resources like water and land as well as demographic pressure.The Minister said the morbid fear the opposition harbors that when he is re-elected in 2019, President Buhari will consolidate on the fight against corruption, has thrown the opposition camp into confusion, hence the frenzy with which they fabricate and publish fake news in order to cast the government in bad light.Many politicians know that the only way to distract this government is to spread fake news and they are being very selfish and they have amassed so much wealth that they can continue to sponsor fake news at a very dangerous level for as long as they want.Many of them have this morbid fear of the President being re-elected because they know that in his second term, the war against corruption will start yielding fruits. There are so many cases in court today and they are just praying and doing everything to distract the government so that their cases will be scuttled, he stated.Alhaji Mohammed said that for the first time in the history of Nigeria, there is a re-distribution of the nations wealth from a few to the generality of the publicHe noted that the Administrations Social Investment Programme is providing one meal a day for 8.5 million pupils across 23 states; the Conditional Cash Transfer is empowering 400,000 families with N5,000 every month, the Government Enterprises and Empowerment Programme is making available loans to artisans and craftsmen as well as market women while the N-Power Programme has provided employment for over 200,000 unemployed graduates.Mohammed, however, praised Authority Newspapers for being the first media outlet to write an Editorial in support of the campaign against fake news, saying he chose to kick-start the media tour with the newspaper in appreciation of their efforts. The Deputy Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Azeez Adesiji, on Monday led eight members of the State Working Committee of the party and 6,200 members of the party at local government and ward levels to join the Action Democratic Party.The APC leaders and their followers were received by the chairman of the ADP, Toye Akinola, at the secretariat of the party in Osogbo amidst jubilation.Adesiji alleged that the mass defection was caused by nepotism, impunity and unconcerned attitude of the decision makers in APC and also by the state government towards the citizens of the state, among other reasons.He said, I, Alhaji Azeez Issa Adesiji and other state exco members wish to make it known to you all about our defection into this new, credible, alternative party because of impunity and undemocratic practices witnessed in our former party, the All Progressives Congress, Osun State, which is unbecoming of an acclaimed progressive party.Among the 780 local government executives in APC in Osun State, 580 are moving with me the deputy state chairman of the party to our new party, the Action Democratic Party,Also, among the 8,632 executives at the ward level in the APC, 5,620 are also joining the train to our new party, Action Democratic Party.The chairman of the ADP in the state, Toye Akinola, said he was happy with the mass defections of politicians from the ruling party to the opposition party.He said that other politicians from the APC and other political parties had informed him of their decision to join the party soon, saying they would all be accommodated.He urged the people of the state to support the governorship candidate of the party, Moshood Adeoti, who he said would rescue the state from suffering, but only with the support of the people. The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has addressed reports of him planning to hand ov... The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has addressed reports of him planning to hand over leadership of the church to the General Overseer of Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo. Pastor Adeboye, who spoke at the ministers conference of the mission on Saturday which held at the Redemption Camp, Mowe, Ogun state, stated that God had not yet revealed to him who his successor would be. He, therefore, warned those spreading rumors of Bishop Oyedepo being his successor, to desist from such act. Adeboye said: Elijah knew before Elisha knew that he would succeed him, Moses also knew that Joshua would succeed him and likewise Eli knew before Samuel and not the other way round and therefore, God will tell me first before any other person about who will become my successor as a general overseer. So, those of you who are carrying rumour of who would be my successor or claiming to be the one that God had chosen should desist from such act as God had not shown me anybody yet. Some even said I would hand over to Bishop David Oyedepo, some said to Pastor Joe Olaiya because the two are very close to me that they do minister during our major events such as the conventions, Holy Ghost congresses and yet another quarter said one of my sons is the one succeeding me. But I would advice you to always check sources of your information before believing such information and also to focus on whatever you are doing rather than spreading rumour. So, let me say it loud and clear again that God has not told me who my successor is. What God had told me several years ago was that He would tell me who my successor would be at least five years before I would be called home and as at this now, He had not told me anything as regards that, which means He is not ready to call me home in the next five years. Adeboye however stated that he pities who would eventually emerge as his successor because such a person would have to pray more than I do and has to sacrifice a lot also. Because I know how many hours I pray a day and I can count how many days I eat in a year too. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has reacted to the speculations on defection of the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio to the rul... The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has reacted to the speculations on defection of the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. The party said it was not aware of the moves by the former Akwa Ibom State governor. The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, told Daily Sun, yesterday that Akpabio, was yet to inform the party about his alleged plan to defect to the APC. The party is not aware. He has not written to the party to that effect, Ologbondiyan said. Speculations have been rife about the planned defection of the former Akwa Ibom governor to the ruling party later this week The lawmaker has been seen around APC leadership on more of one occasion. Just last Thursday, he shunned the National Executive Council Meeting of the PDP to attend a meeting with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. Godswill Akpabio, senate minority leader, has returned to the residence of Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the All Progressives Congre... Godswill Akpabio, senate minority leader, has returned to the residence of Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Akpabio, who served his two terms as governor of Akwa Ibom under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was elected a senator, still under PDP, is reported to have visited Tinubu two days ago, as part of his plans to join the ruling party. He was with President Muhammadu Buhari in London during the weekend, having visited Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at Aso Rock earlier in the week. Lai Mohammed, minister of information, and many APC chieftains have expressed delight with the development. There are reports that the senator would formally join APC at a rally in Akwa Ibom on Wednesday. Lai Mohammed, minister of information, says the government will not relent until it provides security for the citizens. Lai Mohammed, minister of information, says the government will not relent until it provides security for the citizens. In a statement his team released on Monday, Mohammed said the government would not fall for the antics of the opposition to distract it. He said the opposition is using fake news to blame killings in certain parts of the country on herdsmen. The minister said in Benue and Zamfara states, the government has put measures in place measures to stop the killings but the media has either downplayed or ignored this. With the Buhari administration delivering on its promises to fight corruption, build the nations economy and tackle insecurity, the opposition has realised it will not make any impact if it takes on the administration on that turf, he said. So, it has decided to take the easy route, which is to use fake news and hate speech to de-market the administration, pitch Christians against Muslim and one ethnic group against another. In short, they want to plunge the country into turmoil. It is said that the easy way is not always the right way. The opposition knows that, but it doesnt care. It is hellbent on dividing Nigerians along ethnic and religious lines. It is using fake news to blame all the killings in a certain part of the country on herdsmen, ignoring the bands of deadly militia groups that are being sponsored by unscrupulous people to kill innocent people and put the nation on edge. It is distorting the fact that the clashes between the farmers and herders are being aggravated by climate change which has heightened the contest for scarce natural resources like water and land as well as demographic pressure. With a population of 45 million in 1960, Nigeria is today approaching the 200-million mark. Yet the resources have not expanded, and have in fact been shrinking. It is ignoring the role of sheer criminality in the crisis. We condemn the killings of innocent people for whatever reasons. And that is why the administration has put all necessary measures in place to stem the killings. In Zamfara, for example, you can see how the military has put the bandits on the run. In Benue, the police and the military are working hard, and that has resulted in a drastic fall in the spate of killings. Sadly, the media has either downplayed or ignored this. A Senior Special Assistant to the President on Judiciary Reforms, Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, has given reasons a former National Security Advi... A Senior Special Assistant to the President on Judiciary Reforms, Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, has given reasons a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, may not be released despite the bail granted him. According to her, Nigeria must spare nothing in the fight against corruption. She said that those calling for the release of Dasuki should consider the fact that many innocent Nigerians died just because the former NSA shared the money meant to fight insurgency to politicians. Ibekaku-Nwagwu spoke with the Sun newspaper, saying, I wish you could tell me a couple of judgments that the government disobeyed apart from the Dansukis case, which is really based on national security interest. I want to know about other cases. If you have to balance national security, the interest of persons and individuals, there has never been any country where you allow an individuals interest to override the national security. And until we can come to grasp with the facts that an individual sat back and allowed several human beings to be killed and slaughtered in the North-east without using the money meant for buying arms for the military. Until we come to grasp with the fact that the fundamental problems we have today, part of the security problems we have today, is traceable to the corruption that started way back before this government came into office. And if we are trying to balance that national security interest with that of individual interest, I am sure the courts will review their decision. The security problems we have today in Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Adamawa and other states are not something that are just happening, it goes beyond that. Somebody is funding it; somebody is equipping, somebody is making sure that those people can go out and create so much mayhem and kill several human beings. We need to come to terms that we have a national security problem in this country. And how we deal with it sometimes is to allow a presidential directive to enable us to deal with these problems. What I am saying is that when we talk about the case as it is, we should always make sure that we do an analysis of the historical antecedents that led us to where we are today. The matter is still in court and the government of Nigeria reserves the right to go to appeal on that decision. So, the government of Nigeria is reviewing the judicial decision; the government of Nigeria will determine whether to go on appeal and request for stay of execution on this matter. It is not a political matter. Javier Lara, a 48-year-old Honduran man who was evicted from his home on charges of domestic violence, has been sleeping on the side of the road, outside a police station, for two week, in protest of what he calls an abuse against him. The retired police officer told reporters that his wife had filed a complaint of domestic violence against him and that a judge ruled that he be evicted from his house in San Francisco de la Paz, in Olancho, without even hearing his side of the story. Military police just came to his house and told him to pack up and leave. Lara maintains that not only did he never hit his wife, but also never insulted her and always tried to treat her like a lady. Despite all this, the judge sided with her without even questioning him, so hes been sleeping on a makeshift bed on the side of the road, opposite the local police station, in protest. Photo: La Prensa I support defending women, but I do not support the violation of the rights of a humble citizen, a hard-working man, Javier Lara said. Its a clear case of abuse, because I have not been heard by a judge. I was thrown out of my house on the same day that I ever heard about the ruling, without even being summoned to court. Regarding his wifes accusations, the man says it cannot even be considered valid, because he has not seen her in five months. She had been visiting their daughters, who Javier says she has turned against him, so he couldnt have been caused domestic violence against her. I cannot cause domestic violence by changing the key to my house. Thats the only proof she presented in court, but she didnt even know I had done it, since she wasnt there, Javier Lara said. The only thing I gave her for the last 18 years was pure love. I have no money and no job. I have been unjustly kicked out of the house I built when working in the United States, without anyone asking me if I had any money or a place to stay. Laras wife didnt even throw his stuff out, so he actually had to get the matres for his makeshift bed from a store, but has yet to pay for it. I am sleeping on the street because there has to be something, so that the laws dont oppress someone for being humble, the man said. People have supported me because they know me. I have no complaint, I have never been arrested. Javier told La Prensa newspaper that he has not been beaten in court yet, and that he is scheduled to go before a judge soon. His wife has not spoken about the case to the press. New York City Considering Building A 40-Story Prison In Manhattan As Part Of Rikers Shutdown Plan Elijah C. Watson Elijah Watson serves as Okayplayer's News & Culture Editor. When New York City is considering opening a new jail right in lower Manhattan as a part of a plan to shut down Rikers Island. The plan was unveiled by mayoral aides during a meeting with community leaders on Thursday according to the New York Daily News. Natalie Grybauskas, a spokeswoman for the mayor, also confirmed the plan to the site. READ: Rikers Inmate viciously Beaten By Correction Officers Receives $3.9 Million Settlement We are considering two potential options for a facility in Manhattan as part of our plan to close Rikers Island, and are engaging with the community to gather input, Grybauskas said. The administration is eyeing 80 Centre Street for the new jail and is considering transforming it into a 40-story building. The building currently serves as the citys marriage bureau. The city was also considering the Manhattan Detention Complex at 125 White Street as a potential location, but city officials are concerned that it might be too small. Earlier this year, the city made its first steps in closing down Rikers. Six hundred detainees, as well as staff at the George Motchan Detention Center, were transferred to others sites. The move serves as a part of the citys plan to replace Rikers with a series of jails that will be spread throughout the five boroughs. De Blasio first announced his plan to close Rikers back in 2017. He said that he plans to close the prison in the next 10 years. Source: New York Daily News Beef Buzz News Keep Calm and Carry On - Trump's Trade War Rages On, But World Market Remains Full of Optimism Many of the markets the US beef industry relies on around the world are doing fairly well, despite the effects of the Administrations war on trade tariffs such as Japan and South Korea. However, Dan Halstrom, president and CEO of the US Meat Export Federation, says there is in any case some worries out there regarding other markets being directly impacted by President Trumps tariff battle. He explained this in a recent interview with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays during the 2018 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in Denver this past week. The one place weve seen it already in beef is China, he said. China opened roughly a year ago. The first five months of this year, we averaged about 600 metric tons a month. Not a big number, but its considerably up from where we started, just 50-100 tons a month, back a year ago. However, since then, Halstrom says that number has began to ease off and while July data is not out yet he is expecting for both volume and value to be down in China for US beef exports. Even so, Halstrom says there is still business going on there and demand for American beef exists. If the President is successful in his mission to even the playing field, Halstrom says that demand will grow and continue on. Until that goal is realized, though, Halstrom says the USMEF will support the Administrations endeavor to foster free and fair trade. In the meantime, there are other concerning markets to monitor as well. Were going to be focusing on some of these main markets, well be watching Mexico. The Administration is working on getting a NAFTA 2.0 of some sort. We think this incredibly important going forward, he said. The other thing is some of the new and emerging regions. Central and South America is growing phenomenally and even some of the markets in Africa are growing. So, were going to keep pushing on these newer regions as well. Listen to Halstrom and Hays discuss which markets around the world are most concerning to the US beef industry right now, given the current trade climate, on todays Beef Buzz. The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today. Hear Halstrom and Hays discuss the bright spots of global trade, despite the black cloud of tariff war. WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady NSI Beef News Events in Hanoi & HCMC on August 6-12 MUSIC & PERFORMANCES HN & HCMC Toyota Concert 2018 Hanoi: 10 and 11 Aug 2018, 8 pm Hanoi Opera House, 01 Trang Tien, HCMC: Tue 14 Aug 2018, 8 pm HCMC Opera House, 07 Lam Son Square, Dist 1, Hanoi: 10 and 11 Aug 2018, 8 pmHanoi Opera House, 01 Trang Tien,HCMC: Tue 14 Aug 2018, 8 pmHCMC Opera House, 07 Lam Son Square, Dist 1, You are invited to Toyota Concert Tour 2018 with the performance of: Conductor: Honna Tetsuji Violin Soloist: Bui Cong Duy Cello Soloist: Grace Ho (Taiwanese American famous artist) and the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra Program J. BRAHMS Double Concerto in A major, Op.102 Interval L.V. BEETHOVEN Symphony No.7 in A Major, op.92 Tickets Hanoi: Ticket prices: 300,000 500,000 700,000 VND. All tickets available at Hanoi Opera House or can book online at ticketvn.com. For free ticket delivery, call: 0913489858, 0983067996. HCMC: Ticket prices: 200,000 350,000 500,000 700,000 VND All tickets available at HCMC Opera House. Tel: 0163 899 2256 / 098 987 4517 / 090 360 4539 Hanoi-Concert with Reiner Big-Band Aug 11, 7pm, Pedestrian Zone, Hoan Kiem Lake Bavarian folk music has been made famous worldwide through folk festivals such as the Oktoberfest in Munich, and is played at weddings in Oland and in the city. The musicians of Reiner Big Band have packed their bags and will come to Hanoi, carrying with them their wind instruments: tuba, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, as well as a positive mood and professionalism. It is their desire to get to visit Vietnam and contribute to the international friendship between Germany and Vietnam. Free admission HCMC-Teh Dar: Vietnamese Tribal Culture Every day except Monday and Friday, 6pm Ho Chi Minh City Opera House, 7 Cong Truong Lam Son, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 Teh Dar: Vietnamese Tribal Culture features a vibrant display of circus arts, aerial acrobatics, and tribal music within an hour-long performance. The show highlights the lives of tribal families from the southwest highlands of Vietnam, using UNESCO-listed percussion instruments, such as Vietnamese gongs and buffalo horns, as well as vibrant costumes, and a stunning bamboo cirque depicting various landscapes and creatures from tribal folklore. Price range: VND630,000 - VND1,470,000 _______________________________________________________________________________________ EXHIBITION Hanoi-Exhibition The Tropical VICAS Art Studio, 32 Hao Nam Street, Dong Da District, Works on display at the exhibition include 39 multi-colour paintings by five artists: Nguyen Thanh Hai, Pham Sinh, Tao Linh, Nguyen Manh Quynh, and Luu Vu Long. Opening hours: 9 am 12 pm and 1.30 5 pm, Monday Sunday Hanoi- Exhibition Fragments by Hiraki Sawa Vincom Center for Contemporary Art (VCCA), B1 R3, Vincom Mega Mall Royal City 72A Nguyen Trai, Thanh Xuan District, An exhibition showcasing surreal art pieces by one of the top artists in Japan, Hikari Sawa. Through this exhibition, the VCCA hopes to bring video art closer to the public. Hanoi- Exhibition Summer by Bui Trong Du Lotte Center Hanoi, 54 Lieu Giai Street, Ba Dinh District An exhibition by Bui Trong Du the artist behind many impressive oil-on-canvas works of delicate simplicity with a strong identity of Vietnamese folk art. With the theme of Summer, the exhibition will shape a unique experience for each visitor through the artists passion for lotus flowers. Free entry HCMC-Exhibition museum of the mind 685/30/59a Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, Ward 28, Dist Binh Thanh, A solo exhibition museum of the mind by Phan Anh. This half-real half-fictional museum presents the artists personal archive of the memories from his late grandmother. The objects or artifacts (collective memories) are metamorphosed (into personal memories) to reflect the identities of two individuals whose beliefs and ideologies are influenced by differing geographical and historical contexts in which, the mind and compassion of humankind are the shared heirloom to be inherited and continued. The repetition of images and human behaviours are intentionally observed, documented, and reconstructed, not only to replicate history, but also to pose questions or, in a way, re-identify the given objects and phenomena. HCMC- Exhibition ELLIPSIS Toong Minh Khai, 126 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Str, District 3 An attempt by 4 image-making artists: Danny Bach, Minh Pham, Dat Vu and Cietisoo Nguyen, to connect and share their personal approaches to photography and image-making with the creative community. Free entrance HCMC- Exhibition King by Pham Thanh Toan Craig Thomas Gallery, 27i Tran Nhat Duat Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1 Toans King collection comprises of a bold batch of primarily over-sized canvases with several of the works themselves being quadriptychs and pentaptychs. The effect of such large paintings, often done in luxuriantly thick layers of imported oils, is immediate and visceral. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 11 am to 6pm; Sundays 12 to 5 pm; and by appointment Hanoigrapevines/Dtinews/Nhan Dan SPIEGEL.DE - Aug 4 - As a result of the government's decades long one-child per family policy and a preference for boys, an imbalance of the sexes has developed. For every 114 men in China, there are 100 women; overall, there are 30M more men than women. Those who remain unmarried die a quick social death in the country. The combination of freedom of choice and social pressure has become overwhelming for many. Thousands of flirt trainers, marriage brokers and love gurus are now employed in China's quest for happiness. Baihe, the largest online platform for people looking for someone to marry, has 300M members and 3k would-be matchmaker employees. The elite agency Diamond Love has its headquarters in Shanghai. It has 5M members, with some of them paying ~$15K a month for "custom services" promising them the wife of their dreams. A person's social status in China is determined by the authorities. The so-called Hukou system of household registration, splits all people into two categories: rural or urban. The place where a Chinese person is registered determines their access to doctors, schools - and also to urban, middle-class women. No date takes place in China without someone politely asking about the other person's Hukou status. Someone who moves to the city can, with some luck, attain the same privileges as the people who were born there. The Chinese government long ago recognized that the hordes of frustrated men migrating to the cities are a problem. The party now wants more children and is organizing mass group dates across the country. by Katrin Kuntz See full article at Spiegel.de See all posts on Baihe Summarized by the IDEA team One of the most severe manatee rescue cases experts have seen had a happy ending last month when Lagoona, a juvenile manatee, was returned to Florida waters after more than a year in intensive rehabilitation.Lagoonas recovery was nothing short of miraculous. When SeaWorld Orlandos Rescue Team, along with partners from the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), rescued Lagoona in May 2017, she was swimming in circles after suffering life-threatening boat strikes to the head and neck. She was deemed a critical case and brought to SeaWorld Orlandos Manatee Rehabilitation Area for evaluation, as the park is one of only four critical care facilities for threatened manatees in the state of Florida.Lagoonas case was one of the worst members of the partnership had seen triaging for one of the most threatened marine mammals in the country. Watercraft strikes are one of the most common causes of injury and death for the species, but manatees like Lagoona also face a range of threats beyond boat strikes such as cold stress, red tide, entanglement, entrapment and habitat loss. SeaWorld has rescued 41 manatees in 2018 alone and 667 manatees since 1979, and many of these rescues have resulted from collaborations with partners like those in MRP.Thankfully for Lagoona, SeaWorld Orlando and its partners were able to swiftly provide the intensive care that she needed. SeaWorld Orlando is a recognized critical care facility, due to its extensive resources and equipment to care for injured manatees including lifting floors in medical pools, designated stranding pools and medical pools, and medical advances such as manatee feeding formulas and radiology and surgery equipment for severe cases. SeaWorld Orlando immediately deployed every tool to help Lagoona recover: from working with partners to conduct CT scans and X-rays to assess the extent of her injuries, to antibiotics and a honey therapy to treat her wounds (thanks to SeaWorlds Honey Bee and Pollinator Conservation Program).While SeaWorld Orlando is proud to play a key role in Lagoonas rescue and rehabilitation, the SeaWorld team couldnt have done it alone. SeaWorld is a member of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), which includes other key partners and manatee rescue centers such as U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, South Florida Museum and Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. Each of these partners played an important role in Lagoonas rescue and recovery, and her story might not have been the same without them. Clerk arrested in connection with deadly crash that killed 2 teens in suspected drunken driving A clerk who is accused of selling alcohol to a teen driver involved in a deadly crash was arrested Sunday. According to authorities, alcohol and speed are to blame for the crash that led to the deaths of two Atascocita High School students July 25 in northeast Harris County. The clerk, Gumaro Munoz Capos, was arrested on a pocket warrant. Munoz has been charged with selling alcohol to a minor, sources confirmed. Investigators said 17-year-old Jaggar Smith was driving a 2008 Nissan Altima with two 16-year-old girls in the car when he lost control in the 18300 block of Timber Forest Drive and slammed into several trees. The impact split the vehicle in two and killed Chloe Robison, who was in the back seat. Investigators said 17-year-old Jaggar Smith was driving a 2008 Nissan Altima with two 16-year-old girls in the car when he lost control in the 18300 block of Timber Forest Drive and slammed into several trees. The impact split the vehicle in two and killed Chloe Robison, who was in the back seat. Both girls were incoming juniors at Atascocita High School. Smith, a student at Kingwood High School, had been drinking, deputies said. He suffered minor injuries. "It's just very tragic and we see this way, way too often, especially seeing that alcohol was a factor," Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. Deputies said all three teens were wearing seat belts. Smith is charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter, officials said. He posted bond and was released from jail later Wednesday. From our news partner, click2houston.com. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Green Bay Packaging Acquires Grand Traverse Container in Michigan Grand Traverse Container provides a broad range of manufacturing capabilities and a differentiated service model to offer customers a one-stop-shop for corrugated packaging. Aug. 6, 2018 - Green Bay Packaging Inc. (GBP) announced that it has acquired Grand Traverse Container, Inc. (GTC). The acquisition was effective July 27, 2018. Grand Traverse Container was founded in 1995 by Tom Schofield and Mike Chereskin. GTC has an excellent reputation in the marketplace for product innovation, superior quality and best in class service. GTC has consistently grown at a rate faster than the industry for over 20 years. GTC is headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan and has an operation in Grand Rapids, Michigan. GTC services all of Michigan, northern Ohio and northern Indiana. "The acquisition of Grand Traverse Container is a great fit for Green Bay Packaging. This acquisition gives us the opportunity to continue to grow in an important region," explains Will Kress, President and CEO of Green Bay Packaging. "GTC has the perfect culture, workforce and strong leadership that fit the GBP model." Tom Schofield and Mike Chereskin added, "Our investment in the talented team of people at Grand Traverse Container exemplifies our commitment to serve customers across the upper Midwest. Leveraging our market leading technology, management information, and skilled professionals, Green Bay Packaging complements our existing presence as we continue to grow. This is a wonderful opportunity for our business and our clients, and we look forward to partnering with Green Bay Packaging. Grand Traverse Container will continue to be led by Tom Schofield and Mike Chereskin. Bryan Hollenbach, GBP Executive Vice President added, The Grand Traverse acquisition expands our market presence, and adds a dedicated workforce that is committed to growing the business while providing excellent service and quality to our customers. We are very excited to have GTC join the Green Bay Packaging team. About Grand Traverse Container, Inc. Grand Traverse Container, Inc. has been manufacturing custom corrugated packaging since 1995. The company provides a broad range of manufacturing capabilities and a differentiated service model to offer customers a one-stop-shop for corrugated packaging. GTC serves the entire lower peninsula of Michigan, northern Ohio and northern Indiana from its manufacturing facilities in Traverse City (90,000 square feet) and Grand Rapids (155,000 square feet). The company also has an owned and operated fleet of trucks which allows it to be highly responsive to customer requirements. For more information about Grand Traverse Container, visit www.gtcontainer.com . Green Bay Packaging Inc. is a family-owned, vertically integrated company consisting of corrugated container plants, folding cartons, recycled and virgin linerboard mills, pressure-sensitive label rollstock, specialty converting operations, timberlands, and a sawmill facility. To learn more, please visit: gbp.com . SOURCE: Green Bay Packaging Inc. U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Revised Duties for Uncoated Groundwood Paper from Canada The Department of Commerce has revised downward its preliminary determination from between 0.00 22.16 percent to between 0.00 16.88 percent in its final determination in the antidumping duty investigation of several Canadian producers of groundwood paper. Aug. 6, 2018 (Press Release) - [On Aug. 2], U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the final determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations of imports of uncoated groundwood paper from Canada. The Department of Commerce has revised downward its preliminary determination from between 0.00 22.16 percent to between 0.00 16.88 percent in its final determination in the antidumping duty investigation of several Canadian producers of groundwood paper. The Department determined that two individually investigated companies had final dumping rates of 0.00 percent, and one company had a final dumping rate of 16.88 percent. The Department also determined, based on the unique facts of this investigation and the arguments made by interested parties, that the final dumping margin assigned to all other producers is a rate of 0.00 percent. In addition, the Department of Commerce found that Canada is providing countervailable subsidies to producers of uncoated groundwood paper ranging from 0.82 9.81 percent, which is a modification downward from the preliminary determination of between 4.42 9.93 percent. All other producers have been assigned a countervailable subsidies rate of 8.54 percent. This was a complicated and unique case. The Department worked hard to address the arguments raised, and I am satisfied that the final determinations appropriately targets bad actors, said Secretary Ross. Today's decisions are the culmination of an open and transparent process which ensured a full and fair assessment of the specific facts of this case. In 2017, imports of uncoated groundwood paper from Canada were valued at an estimated $1.21 billion. The petitioner is North Pacific Paper Company (WA). The strict enforcement of U.S. trade law is a primary focus of the Trump Administration. Since the beginning of the current Administration, Commerce has initiated 120 new AD and CVD investigations this is a 216 percent increase from the comparable period in the previous administration. Antidumping duty and countervailing duty laws provide American businesses and workers with an internationally accepted mechanism to seek relief from the harmful effects of the unfair pricing of imports into the United States. Commerce currently maintains 456 antidumping and countervailing duty orders which provide relief to American companies and industries impacted by unfair trading practices. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is currently scheduled to make its final injury determinations on September 17, 2018, which is independent from the Department of Commerce's determinations of dumping and subsidization. Only if both the Department's and the ITC's final determinations are affirmative will orders be issued. If the ITC makes negative final determinations of injury, the investigations will be terminated and no orders will be issued. Companies receiving a zero or de minimis dumping and/or subsidy rate will be excluded from any orders. Click HERE for a fact sheet on the Aug. 2, 2018 decisions. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Enforcement and Compliance unit within the International Trade Administration is responsible for vigorously enforcing U.S. trade laws and does so through an impartial, transparent process that abides by international law and is based on factual evidence provided on the record. Foreign companies that price their products in the U.S. market below the cost of production or below prices in their home markets are subject to antidumping duties. Foreign companies that receive financial assistance from foreign governments that benefits the production of goods from foreign companies and is limited to specific enterprises or industries, or is contingent either upon export performance or upon the use of domestic goods over imported goods, are subject to countervailing duties. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce Apple is in India for the long haul, even if it looks like they're not taking India very seriously on paper at the moment. Even if they continue to lose executives in that country and appear to have lost any chance of winning concessions from the government due to Samsung's latest mega plant and local supply chain that contradicts Apple's negotiation position. And its' little Xiaomi that has been battling it out in India for top spot with Samsung since Q4 2017, not Apple. One of Bloomberg's latest reports rubs it an Apple's face that they've been completely irrelevant in India and after years of being in that country only holds a lowly 1% of the market. At times you have to wonder why Apple wants to be in India at this point in time. According to Wikipedia, "India's per capita income (nominal) was $1670 in 2016, ranked at 112th out of 164 countries by the World Bank, while its per capita income on purchasing power parity (PPP) basis was US$5,350, and ranked 106th." Even if you disregard these stats because 65% of the country is rural, the fact is that if you look at a larger city like Delhi, the income per capita is still only US$5,300 (2016 to 2017). In 2016 the USA GDP per capita was $57,466; In Canada it's $43,420; In China 15,500 PPP dollars (purchasing power parity). While it's thought that the middle class in India is tiny, according to the stats, there are 267 million in India considered middle class with this number to leap to 547 million in that country. Yet no matter how you juggle the numbers, India's per capita is well below that of China at the moment, making Apple's iPhone price points still a little hard to sell. Traditionally Apple aims for the middle class market that tends to choose higher end brands. However, the majority of consumers in India choose a smartphone purchase primarily based on price and currently, according to Bloomberg's report, that price is roughly 10,000 rupees or US$150. Apple's lowest priced iPhone model is twice that amount. Gene Munster, the co-founder of Loup Ventures is a huge fan of Apple and yet he told Bloomberg that Apple has "largely failed in India, despite comments from the company that they will see more progress. I suspect we're three years away from Apple highlighting major growth in India." Bloomberg's report further noted that "Apple hopes to start opening stores in India next year and eventually set up three in New Delhi, Bengaluru (formerly known as Bangalore), and Mumbai, according to the people familiar with the company's plans." This could be the beginning of rebuilding their brand in India and professionally selling Apple products to consumers and businesses. Yet Bloomberg points out that "None of this will make much difference if Apple doesn't understand its customers. For years, Indian consumers have complained that Siri can't process their requests in local languages, they have no access to Apple Pay, and Apple Maps can't give them turn-by-turn directions or identify points of interest." While Bloomberg's report on Apple in India paints a gloomy picture, and perhaps rightfully so short term, Apple is taking a longer-term approach to India and from the outside it may very well look like Apple is at a standstill. For now, the noise in the headlines from Bloomberg and others that Samsung and Xiaomi are "stomping" on Apple in India, is meaningless. Even with Samsung holding on to being the #1 smartphone leader in India, it's done absolutely nothing to help their bottom line. In contrast, Apple has just become the first trillion dollar valued company. Apple got there by understanding that it's important to sell a quality product at a profit and not by chasing the profitless "volume" strategy that market analysts continually cheer on. Apple's new strategy of keeping older smartphone models alive and moving them down their product line every year is helping them begin to become competitive at lower price points in various markets around the world such as China. That's why Gene Munster's honesty is likely the closest to a realistic forecast for now. Apple will get more competitive at the middle point in India's price curve in that time frame while continuing to build the upper end of that market. In time Apple will carve out a healthy profitable and sustainable model in India. They will never try to be a volume leader in a country where its GDP will continue to be at the lower end of the range for decades to come. Yet in a country with a population of 1.34 billion, a healthy niche of 134 million fans or 10% of the population over time is still four times the entire population of Canada. The bottom line is with Apple's success of crossing the trillion dollar valuation, there will always be publications willing to take a crack at Apple for short term gain. While Bloomberg's myopic view of Apple in India is as gloomy as it gets, in the bigger picture, it's of no consequence. 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. The Islamic Republic 'Not Going To Collapse', Says Former Iranian President Khatami 08/06/18 Source: Radio Farda Former reformist President Mohammad Khatami has apologized to Iranians for "the country's current situation," however, he stressed that the Islamic Republic "is not on the verge of collapse." In a statement released on his website on Sunday August 5, Khatami said that the suggestion of the regime being on the verge of collapse is part of a psychological offensive, alluding to what the regime calls "foreign enemies". Mohammad Khatami's "photo" on front page of Etemad daily (Iranian media are prohibited from publishing Khatami's photo) Khatami's statement is somewhat unexpected, as he has been marginalized for many years and banned from appearing in the media. In his statement Khatami appears to be critical of President Hassan Rouhani's administration and fellow reformists, while not saying much about conservatives and hardliners who have even restricted his movements. "The government's passivity and the reformists' confusion vis-a-vis this propaganda is surprising", he said. " A group outside Iran and another group inside the country have been trying to eliminate reformists," he said, adding, "there is no room for a regime change in Iran as long as the reforms are alive." But "are the reforms really alive," some social media users including journalist Shahram Rafizadeh have asked. Khatami said "They are using social networks telling Iranian youths that 'it's all over', at the same time they do everything to tarnish reformists' image." He was alluding to slogans in recent anti-government demonstrations in Iran particularly chanted by young demonstrators: "Reformists, conservatives, It's all over!" Khatami further reassured the nation that "the regime will not collapse," using the term "order" as euphemism for the word "regime". He added that "the regime still has a power base among a large part of the society." However, Khatami admitted that "threats to change the regime have become more elaborate as breath-taking economic problems become more widespread." Apparently referring to protest demonstrations in various Iranian cities during the past week, Khatami said "A large part of the society does not demand revolution, revolt, or regime change. Instead, they demand security and prosperity." Khatami said this, while one of the most popular Persian hashtags on social media in recent months has been "barandazam" (I want a regime change), and in the latest round of public protests that started last week most slogans target the government as a whole, Ayatollah Khamenei and clerical rule in general. Khatami further added in his remarks that the people's "trust in the government" has been vanishing, adding that reformists can offer key solutions. The remark has been interpreted on social media as a desperate attempt by someone who has been pushed aside by the regime to return to its inner circle. During the past decade, Khatami has been banned from travelling abroad, public speaking and at times even from going to public events as a spectator. Meanwhile, critics, including former reformists and regime insiders such as Abolfazl Qadiani have questioned the feasibility of reforms in Iran while "the regime has a totalitarian structure and one person as supreme leader holds all the political power." Port authorities across the West and Central African region have expressed worry about encroachment upon their lands, which negatively affects expansion. Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA), Michael Luguje, made this known on Thursday in Accra, at the closing ceremony of the 39th Council and Conference of Ports Management Association. The conference brought together port authorities from Nigeria, Cote dIvoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, among others, to deliberate on ways to improve the management of ports in the sub-region. Mr. Luguje stressed the need for all port authorities in the region to make long-term plans to enable them meet land requirements in future in the event of the expansion of their operations. The participants also appealed to ports authorities to review their land documents to prevent land litigations. He stated that port expansion in future must be backed by expert research and proper planning. Mr Luguje said, Challenges have come up, suggestions have come up, solutions have been proffered. Now it is up to us to go back home and work hard in making our ports as efficient as possible. We have an enormous task ahead but I also believe in our collective effort to surmount these challenges. Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, reiterated the commitment of government to implementing the first port rule to bring an end to the diversion of goods that are transported to Sahelian countries (Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger). During the sessions, the organization leaders discussed topics such as Efficient Planning, Development, Management and Regulation of the Ports Lands. The meetings helped them realize challenges that should be addressed. 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 It has emerged that shareholders of uniBank used monies from the bank to acquire estate properties in their own names. According to the central bank uniBanks shareholders and related parties admitted to acquiring several real estate properties in their own names using the funds they took from the bank under questionable circumstances. The governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison made the disclosure after revoking the licenses of five banksuniBank, Sovereign Bank, Construction Bank, Royal Bank, and Beige Bank. Dr. Addison declared that the five banks have been consolidated into one, named Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited. Giving more details on the rot that went on in uniBank, Dr. Addison stated that Promises by the shareholders and related parties to refund the monies by mid-July 2018 and legally transfer title to assets acquired back to uniBank failed to materialize. Based on the Bank of Ghanas review of KPMGs assessment of the financial condition of uniBank, the Bank of Ghana has concluded that uniBank is insolvent and has no reasonable prospect of rehabilitation or a reasonably credible path to viability. uniBank grants GHS61m loan to Construction Bank In addition the governor disclosed that uniBank granted a loan of 61 million cedis as initial minimum paid-up capital for Construction Bank contrary to the Bank of Ghanas regulations. Despite this, the monies that were advanced by uniBank to Construction Bank remains inaccessible. uniBank gives 3.7bn to shareholders Dr. Addison stated that uniBank gave out amounts totaling GH1.6 billion to shareholders and related parties in the form of loans and advances without due process and in breach of relevant provisions of the Bank of Ghana Act 930. In addition, these shareholders and related parties had also been given amounts totaling GH3.7 billion which were neither granted through the normal credit delivery process nor reported as part of the banks loan portfolio. They were also not secured with collateral, and attracted no interest income for uniBank. He pointed out altogether, shareholders and related parties of uniBank had taken out an amount of GH5.3 billion, constituting 75 percent of total assets of the bank; out of total customer deposits of GH4.3 billion, GH2.3 billion was not disclosed to the Bank of Ghana. Loans and advances to customers were also overstated by GH1.3 billion in prudential returns to the Bank of Ghana while over 89% of uniBanks loans and advances book of GH3.74 billion as of 31st May 2018 was classified as non-performing Background It would be recalled that on 20th March 2018, the Bank of Ghana appointed KPMG as Official Administrator (OA) for uniBank to help ascertain the true financial condition of the bank, protect depositors funds held by the bank, and explore how the bank could be returned to viability within a period of no later than six months. In line with the requirements of Act 930, KPMG submitted an Inventory of Assets and Liabilities of uniBank (Ghana) Limited on 20th April 2018 (30-day report), and a report on the Financial Conditions and Future Prospects of uniBank (Ghana) Limited on 20th June 2018 (90-day report). KPMGs reports confirmed, based on a detailed review and validation of the financial condition of uniBank that the bank was balance sheet insolvent at the time of their appointment as official administrator and remains so. As official administrator, KPMG made efforts to ascertain the assets and liabilities of the bank and evaluated options for turning around the banks fortunes. KPMG, however, found that the banks operations are not sustainable. Among other things, the banks interest income and other sources of income are insufficient to cover the associated cost of funds of underlying borrowings and liabilities, as well as overheads of about GH0.31 billion per annum. A significant portion of the banks loan book which forms the largest component of the banks assets, is non-performing. The earning capacity of the bank continues to deteriorate. In addition, the banks governance and internal control environments have been assessed as weak, with significant deficiencies in credit underwriting and loan approval process, compliance and reporting. According to the Bank of Ghana Key findings from KPMGs reports indicated serious corporate governance, risk management, compliance and management flaws, as well as unlawful transactions involving shareholders, related parties, and connected parties. Source: citinewsroom.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 Following the Bank of Ghanas withdrawal of licences of five struggling local banks and their subsequent consolidation into the Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited (CBG), the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is rejecting cheques from those constituent banks: Sovereign Bank, Royal Bank, The Beige Bank, Construction Bank and Unibank. This came to light when a cashier at the Ho office of the ECG rejected a uniBank cheque from Ho-based HoFM92.5s General Manager, Togbui Ahorgo I, who had gone to pay bills. Togbui Ahorgo I, who was shocked by the turn of events, told HoFMs sister station, Class91.3FM in an interview that: On Friday, (4 August 2018), we went to ECGs office to buy electricity prepaid credit only for the cashier to tell us that they couldnt sell the credit to us. Initially, she did the input and realising that the cheque was a uniBank cheque, decided to reverse the transaction and said they couldnt sell to us. So, I didnt understand but was told it was an order from above. I requested to see the regional accountant and she was also talking about the fact that sometimes when they take the cheque, the cheques do not go through, and, so, they do not take cheques and I pointed out to her that we have always used cheques to buy power from them and my information was that they were rejecting uniBank cheques for the fact that it is among the banks that have been consolidated. It was then that she reached out for her phone and read a WhatsApp message that was sent to them from their head office that they shouldnt take any cheques that bear the name of any of the defunct five banks that have been consolidated Meanwhile, the Ho Regional Public Relations Officer of the ECG, Fred Baimbill Johnson, has justified the rejection of the cheque. He said: Our position is that following the announcement by the Bank of Ghana, we are not accepting cheques from the affected banks that have been consolidated now. We are also a cooperate institution, so, we take measures to secure our revenue, and, so, based on some past experiences, once the announcement has been made that these banks are no more going to run as independent organisations, then we cant take cheques from the individual banks affected. Its not a matter of who is paying, its a matter of where the cheque is coming from, so, once its a cheque from any of the affected banks, we are not accepting. Source: classfmonline.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 Vodafone Wholesale, a subsidiary of Vodafone Ghana, has constructed a second fibre optic network link that connects Ghana to landlocked countries within the West African sub-region, including Burkina-Faso, Niger, Mali, Cote dIvoire and Togo. The move entrenches the companys leadership in the fibre optic space across the West African sub-region. The link, which is located at Dakola, a border town between Ghana and Burkina Faso, will provide reliable internet services to operators and corporate customers seeking to expand their services to the landlocked countries within West Africa. Commenting, Angela Mensah-Poku, Managing Director of Vodafone Wholesale said: The latest project affirms our commitment to driving Ghanas digital agenda. We are providing our customers an alternative route into the landlocked countries in West Africa. Customers now have the option to choose between the interconnection at Dakola and Cinkase to transport internet services beyond Ghana. Additionally, customers currently on the Cinkase link can now fall on the Dakola link as backup in the event of any downtime. We have also invested over GHS14m to complete a third ring across the country to support additional capacity requirements into the landlocked countries. she added. The Dakola link is currently facilitating the World Bank funded West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructural Project for the government and people of Burkina Faso. Vodafone Wholesale has contributed significantly to the increased access to data services in Ghana and across the sub-region by providing innovative bandwidth products to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and mobile network operators. 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 I am amazed and highly disappointed with the way and manner this country and the people of Ghana handle very critical national issues. Focus is often shifted to the most irrelevant and unproductive aspects of any discussion; unfortunately the professionals who ought to know better often lead the unelightened into rooms of absurdity. I will not loose focus on the bigger agenda of ensuring proper disclosures and those with stewardship do the right things in relation to the economy and the financial sector of this country. There are rules of engagement in the banking sector however, there are laws and various legislations that are in place to ensure the Ghanaian are not shortchanged hence I will proceed to interrogate the issues playing out within the financial and banking sector of the economy but not to engage in the dog and dead goat gimmick. Why License False Pretense? Its certainly not enough to tell the good-people of Ghana that the collapsed Banks justified their paid-up capital requirement under false pretense. Can I by extension humbly ask the Regulator, if due diligence and compliance was strictly adhered to before licenses were issued but not done under duress neither under any influence? One of the prequisite to obtaining a license per the Banks and Specialized Deposit-Taking Institution Act, 2016 (Act 930) Section 9(a) is that the paid-up capital of the applicant is adequate and the original sources of capital are acceptable and do not include borrowed funds. It is therefore sheer incompetence by the Bank of Ghana to tell us that a bank acquired license under false pretense and true pretense failed to satisfy itself of the source and adequacy of their paid-up capital. As a serious nation, we must demand the immediate resignation of officers of the Bank of Ghana and better serve dismissals to officers responsible for vetting applicants paid-up capital under false pretense. Capital Adequacy & Assets Quality Banks and Deposit-Taking Institutions unlike any ordinary company that provide services or produce products for sale, take moneys as deposits from individuals and corporate organizations that become liabilities on the balance sheets since those moneys taken are not the rights (assets) of the Banks and Deposit-Taking Institutions but rather obligations (liabilities). For most of these Banks and Deposit-Taking Institutions, they acquired their licenses when the capital requirements to license a bank was pegged at GHS120,000,000.00. Fast-forward to September 11, 2017, the Regulator demands of Banks both new entrants and existing Banks to increase capital to GHS400,0000,000.00 with December 31, 2018 as the deadline. Looking at the financial market performance coupled with the economic difficulties I am of the view that raising fresh capital through the sale of shares would have been more difficult. Asking existing shareholders to invest that much within the time frame was likely not possible and the last option was to capitalize income surplus which most of the banks have depleted their income surpluses through frequent payments of dividend supervised by the Regulator. What this should tell the Regulator and us is that the practice of fixed capital requirement is not sustainable, more so with a sleeping Regulator. I can only go to sleep with two eyes closed if the capital requirements of Banks and deposit-taking institutions are linked to their everyday activities of deposit taking and creation of loans. Capital requirements should rise with the creation of loans while reserve requirements are raised with the creation of deposits. This will then ensure that base on the level of business you do as a bank requirement in terms of capital and reserves are adjusted accordingly. Assets Quality means the quality of loans on the banks books; did I hear the Regulator telling us that huge percentages of those loans are related to shareholders and officers of these commercial banks and were not properly acquired through the laid-down procedures. I assume Banks affected have no auditors neither the Regulators auditors noticed any of these infractions prior to 2016. Are we being told that statutory auditors of those bank failed to bring these issues up in their audit or the banks did not report to the Regulator as should be done? Well I think the Regulator ask other financial institutions to submit their borrowing parties to the Credit Reference Bureau; what then happened to the Banks and Deposit-Taking Institutions? I cannot believe my ears, sorry my eyes reading from the Bank of Ghana's release that suggests to ensure implementation of IFRS 9 by all Banks and Deposit-Taking Institutions when the first-time adoption was January 1, 2007. It suggests to me that all the other applicable International Accounting Standards (IAS) are being implemented accordingly except IFRS 9 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurements. That sounds very loud and clear to Financial Controllers of these Banks approved by the Bank of Ghana yet no accountant of these banks violating your orders and rules have been punished and neither their external audit firms have been sanctioned by the Regulator; very rich. Merged Bank versus Consolidated Bank I am yet to understand what the Regulator claimed to have done but certainly cannot be a merger. Mergers have their unique characteristics and none is evident in what has been done; neither are we looking at acquisition. The Bank of Ghana wants us to believe that when it comes to the Banking sector, the Companies Code becomes remit. If not, then, we must be told in plain language that what has occurred is within the ambit of the law and not contrary to Section 230 of the Companies Code, 1963 (Act 179) as amended. Once a Banks license is withdrawn the Bank automatically ceases to exist hence the process for complete liquidation is triggered. If I am right, then Bank of Ghana is not filling us in fully. The appointment of a receiver cannot only be to receive assets (loans) of the Banks; a receiver must receive both sides of the balance sheet. The creation of this new bank must be clearly explained to the people of Ghana and its basis in law. The economy is clearly suffering from liquidity issues and because of negligence from the Central Bank to supervise the Banks as expected of them without failure, Government of Ghana has issued a local bond of GHS5.7 billion to cover the gap between assets and liabilities; the question is, why must the Ghanaian pay for the negligence of the Regulator? I guess that was the only option left for us hence we should all be quiet and look on while those negligent officers of the Regulator and the Banks walk free. The new Consolidated Bank Limited I trust have met all requirement under Section 9 of the Banks and Specialized Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930) prior to its creation and we do not wish to be told same stories we are hearing again or is it the case that we dont matter? How it all ended Let me conclude with the Regulators conclusion, which assures clients of these banks of their deposit being safe and we are to say to the Regulator, thank you for safeguarding our deposit and there will be no job losses, which sounds like a sweet talk. Oh! I nearly forgot to mention that its only the Directors and Shareholders of the named Banks that have been changed. Thank you Bank of Ghana but again what is the new structure of shareholders and provide us with the new list of all Directors since its Government of Ghana and the people of Ghana that are going to pay for your incompetences. Please for transparency sake lets us know the fees of both the advisers and receivers appointed for the newly created bank. Again thank you to the Sleeping Regulator. Michael Nii Yarboi Annan Managing Consultant ObjectConsult Limited 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 GOVERNMENT HAS clarified how the double-track system for the Free Senior High School (SHS), expected to be introduced by September 2018, is going to be implemented. According to President Akufo-Addo, the double-track system, which has generated heated political debate, shall run in all the categories A and B senior high schools in the country. With that, DAILY GUIDE understands government is due to make monthly savings of GH1.3 billion which would have been required to accommodate the increase in enrollment which has come with the introduction of the Free SHS, a social initiative aimed at providing higher education for Ghanaian children. The President said that the new programme would create a calendar of two semesters in a year for the SHS 1 class, containing 81 days per each semester and 41 days of vacation for a sandwich class. Over 8,000 teachers are being recruited to handle the sandwich classes; hence teachers will not be deprived of their holidays. Under the new system, teaching hours are due to increase from six hours per day to eight hours per day. Teaching hours are expected to increase from 1,080 hours per year under the current single-track system to 1,134 hours per year under the proposed double-track system. DAILY GUIDE understands that the new system is expected to cost GH323 million for its full implementation. Accordingly, about GH267.2 million of this amount will go into teaching costs and GH55.8 million for academic interventions. Among the infrastructure needs are 622 six-unit classroom blocks costing GH404 million, 181,993 student desks costing GH81.6 million, and 3,730 teachers furniture estimated at GH3.6 million. Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Mathew Opoku-Prempeh, is scheduled to address the media on Tuesday, August 7, in Accra, probably to throw more light on how the system is going to run and why Ghanaians should not panic over its introduction. 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 Nestle Ghana has appointed Mrs. Philomena Tan, Business Executive Officer (BEO) for MILO in Malaysia and Singapore as its new Managing Director. This follows the recent appointment of outgoing Managing Director, Mrs. Freda Duplan who has been promoted Market Head of Nestle Pakistan and is the First African Female to achieve this rank within the worlds largest Food and Beverage Company. Philomena Tan brings to Ghana a wealth of experience having worked for over 20 years in Nestle. She joined Nestle Malaysia in 1997 as a Market Research Executive. From 1999 to 2009, she took on roles of increasing responsibility in Malaysias Ice Cream Business, before joining the MILO Business Unit as Consumer Marketing Manager. In 2011, she was promoted to Business Executive Officer (BEO) for Chilled Dairy after which she was appointed Business Executive Officer for MILO, the largest Nestle business in Malaysia and Singapore in terms of sales and profit. Philomena Tan is the second Female Managing Director in the history of Nestle Coastal Cluster (Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone). Her appointment forms part of Nestles Global commitment to diversity and inclusiveness and the enhancement of gender balance in its workforce and empowerment of women across the entire value chain. According to the Market Head of Nestle Central and West Africa, Remy Ejel Philomena is an incredible Business Executive. Since the start of her career in Nestle, She has demonstrated leadership, professionalism, and a drive for success at the highest level. Her knack for excellence and approach to challenges undoubtedly makes her suitable for this role. Dr. John Kwaku Asamoah, Board Chairman of Nestle Ghana and Managing Director of National Investment Bank (NIB), congratulating her said, On behalf of the Board, I congratulate and welcome Philomena to her new role. We look forward to working with her as a team to continue contributing to economic development. Commenting on her appointment, Philomena Tan said, I am honored to be appointed for this role. This is a new challenge and an opportunity to learn more about the rich culture of this continent and to work with the team to continue building the over 60 years legacy of Nestle in Nutrition Health and Wellness in Ghana. Philomena Tans appointment is effective August 2018. Based in Accra, she will be responsible for overseeing Nestles businesses in Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone under the Central and West Africa Region of the Company. 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 Traders and shop owners at the Kejetia Market in Kumasi have expressed excitement at reports that the second-phase of the Kejetia/Central Market Project has received official parliamentary approval to commence. Parliament, after going through the processes, has given the green light for the second-phase of the project to commence in earnest. The exact approval was for the cash component of the project. An elated Kumasi Mayor, Osei Assibey Antwi, has stated that the second phase of the project is welcoming news for residents, traders and stakeholders of the market and its environs. According to him, Kumasi needs the Kejetia/Central Market project urgently to help boost economic and other activities in the city. He therefore pledged the Assemblys support and readiness to help make the project a success for the residents of Kumasi to benefit. Meanwhile, works on the first-phase of the project, which suffered some legal battles, are almost completed by Contracta, a firm from Brazil. And as part of the relocation of traders from the Central Market to Kejetia, the market women recently toured Kejetia to assess works done so far. Mary Nkrumah, Head of the Textile Sellers, commended the KMA for a good job done at Kejetia, urging the assembly to sustain its good works. According to her, the traders cannot wait to move into new facility and trade, admonishing the traders in the city to corporate with the KMA. Source: The Publisher 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 One of the children who were saved at the Cardiothoracic Centre at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital when the centre was set up has returned to thank the surgeon who performed the procedure, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng. Like one of the lepers who were healed by Jesus, Oscar Akunor Dei, now 27, who holds a Bachelors Degree in Biological Sciences from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, has returned to say thank you. He was only a year old when he suffered a congenital heart disease, commonly known as hole in heart. Visit Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, now Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, successfully performed surgery on Oscar in 1990 to seal the hole in his heart, free of charge, leaving him hale and hearty. Oscar, in the company of his parents and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Oforikrom in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, Dr Emmanuel Marfo, called on Prof. Frimpong-Boateng in Accra to express his appreciation. What brought me here today is basically to come and see the man through whom I would say God saved my life when I was a baby; I actually knew nothing. It is a great pleasure. I am really glad today to see you and be able to say thank you for the service you rendered. I am here just to thank you. We really appreciate what you did for us, an emotional Oscar said. Mr Dei who is now a Research Assistant at the Physiology Department, School of Medical Sciences at KNUST, also expressed joy for meeting Prof. Frimpong-Boateng for the first time. Parents account According to Oscars mother, Mrs Gladys Asiedua Dei, her son was diagnosed of the disease when Prof. Frimpong-Boateng had just returned from Germany to establish the National Cardiothoracic Centre at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and he didnt even have an office. Oscars father, Mr Joshua Kingsley Dei, added: People learn abroad and stay there forever but he made himself available to be of help to his country. He has been able to save lots of souls through that decision he made. We thank him so much, and may God bless him. Mr Dei further explained that two months prior to his sons diagnosis, someone had the same condition and died but my son is alive today by the grace of God through Prof. We are so much grateful. For his part, the MP, who also facilitated the meeting, called on health workers to put in their best efforts to save lives at all times, saying that although government hospitals or facilities may not be adequate, we should do our best to save lives so that in future when you see somebody that you worked hard to save through the grace of God, you will be happy that you did something good for humanity. Source: Graphic.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale North, Alhaji Alhassan Suhuyini has expressed skeptism about decisions made by President Akufo-Addo after reports emerged that the latter was misled into granting executive approval for the new AMERI deal. "If the president can be misled then how sure are we that he was not misled in other contracts and decisions that have been made so far in his administration? The fact that the president can be misled makes other agreement he has signed questionable," he stated. President Akufo-Addo, according to reports, was misled into granting executive approval for the deal under the guise of there being an urgent need to have a bill laid in Parliament before the House rose. Under the new proposal, the Greece-based Mytilineos International Trading Company was to assume management responsibility for the AMERI emergency power-generation arrangement negotiated by the past NDC government, in effect extending the original outsourcing agreement by ten more years. But on his return to Accra from the 53rd session of the ECOWAS Heads of State meeting in Togo, Akufo-Addo quickly requested and received a further briefing on the new deal. At the briefing, it emerged that the agreement to which he had given executive approval on July 31 lacked the requisite input from the Attorney General and the Ministry of Finance. Suhuyini, who was contributing to a panel discussion on Radio Gold's Alhaji and Alhaji, Saturday added that if the 'Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces can be 'misled', "then our security as a nation is not even that secure". The Tamale North MP also wondered why the appointee who 'misled' the President is still walking free. According to him, that person should be punished for deceiving the First Gentleman of the country. "To say that the President was misled is scaryhow safe are we?...now that the president can be misled, the Commander-in-chief; then our security as a nation is not even that secure. It beats my imagination if this is the only time the president has been misled. It is a serious indictment on his ability to govern; either way he cant win(meanwhile) whoever led him to undertake that act has not been sanctionedI dont think it is something which is acceptable". Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video THE RULING New Patriotic Party (NPP) has commemorated the 71st Anniversary of the first ever political party in Ghana (then Gold Coast), the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC). Saturday, August 4, 2018, marked exactly the 71 years of the formation of Ghanas first political party. It was UGCC that spearheaded the social agitation that culminated in Ghanas independence in 1957. Founded by Joseph Boakye Danquah on August 4, 1947, and led by Paa Grant, the aim of UGCC was to bring about Ghanas independence from its colonial masters, the British, after the Second World War. As part of activities earmarked to commemorate the 71st Anniversary of the UGCC, NPP which holds its heritage to the UGCC, held an interdenominational thanksgiving and memorial service at the Central Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in Cape Coast on Saturday. A statement issued and signed by the General Secretary of the NPP, John Boadu, said, As the nation commemorates this historic day, the NPP, which is the descendant party of the UGCC, is pleased to extend goodwill message, first of all, to all compatriots in the Dombo-Danquah-Busia political tradition and to the rest of the nation. It added that the party also wishes to, on this momentous occasion, extol the legendary virtues of the forebears of our independence struggle including J.B. Danquah, Paa Grant, R.S Blay, K.B. Teko, Councilor Richard Akwei, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ebenezer Ako-Adjei, Quist Therson, Joe Myers, Councilor G.N. Alema, Solomon Odamtten, Dr. J.E. Armah, Hon. Akilakpa Sawyer, Hon. Edward Akufo-Addo, Oheneba Sakyi Djan, Councilor E.A. Bossman, Hon. N.A. Ollenu, Enoch Mensah, Dr. F.V. Nanka Bruce, Q. Tagoe, E.C.A. Quarshie, V.B. Annan, William Ofori-Atta, Oheneba Sakyi Djan, Ben A. Tamakloe and Hon. Obetsebi Lamptey, among others, all of whom are the key architects of Ghanas independence struggle. According to the statement, it was interesting that the commemoration of the 71st Anniversary of the founding of the United Gold Coast Convention is happening at a time we have one of the finest proponents of the UGCC political tradition, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces. It added that not only that, his government has also, by far, demonstrated the strongest commitment to the UGCC Project, anchored on good governance and the delivery of prosperity in all facets of life to the Ghanaian people. Meanwhile, the ruling party has seized the opportunity to call on Ghanaians to, at all times, exude high spirit of patriotism and nationalism, hard work and dedication, adherence to rule of law and democratic principles, freedom and liberty, commitment to duty and unwavering love for country, which were the very ideals underpinning the founding of the UGCC and for that matter the NPP. 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 Peacefmonline.com can confirm that Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko, has been sacked over the controversial Novation and amendment AMERI deal. His dismissal takes "immediate effect". This follows claims that President Akufo-Addo was 'misled' in the new AMERI deal presented to Parliament few days ago. A statement issued a few minutes ago and signed by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, said the President by a "letter dated 6th August, 2018, relieved the Minister for Energy, Mr. Boakye Agyarko, of his position, with immediate effect." According to the statement, President Akufo-Addo "asked Mr. Boakye Agyarko to hand over his office to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. John Peter Amewu, who will act temporarily as Minister for Energy, until a substantive appointment is made". Public Uproar The Akufo-Addo government took the revised deal to Parliament last week under a certificate of urgency, but the House deferred its deliberation on the contract due to concerns over the cost and value for money. Under the new proposal, the Greece-based Mytilineos International Trading Company was to assume management responsibility for the AMERI emergency power-generation arrangement negotiated by the past NDC government, in effect extending the original outsourcing agreement by ten more years. In the supposed renegotiated agreement, government is expected to extend the $510 million deal from its original five years to 15 years with the government committing over $700 million to it. Management of Ameri Energy has since stated that it had no discussions with government with regards to the power plants and the new deal with Mytilineos. The new deal has, however, been described by the Minority in Parliament, the Volta River Authority (VRA), African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) and Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana (COPEC Ghana) as stinky and a rip-off, and would prefer the President kicks him out of office. "Sack Agyarko If He Fails To Resign" At a press conference on Monday, the Senior Staff Association of the Volta River Authority (VRA) disputed claims by Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko that the newly revised AMERI deal will save Ghana some $400 million. Chairman of the senior Staff Association Cephas Duse addressing the media Monday, said Mr. Agyarko has exhibited financial recklessness and must be given the boot from office or resign. We think that by the current deal, the minister has exhibited financial recklessness with intent to assist a foreign company to milk the state. We therefore call on him to resign honourably and save the nation and the government further disgrace and embarrassment....We plead with the President to sack him if he fails to resign, Chairman of the senior Staff Association Cephas Duse said. Their call followed a similar one by COPEC Ghana who also demanded that the President immediately sacks Mr. Agyarko for deceiving the nation. We, therefore, call upon the president to urgently fire or sack the Energy Minister and its communicators and prosecute them, a press release signed by Research, Pricing and Monitoring Officer at COPEC Ghana, Sampson Addae, said on Sunday, 5 August 2018. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Popular Ghanaian Dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale has prophecised that a time is coming when the youth will start a revolution against politicians in Ghana. Shatta Wale in an interview with Jessica Opare-Sarfo on Citi FMs Traffic Avenue predicted that the youth are tired of politicians and this will result in revolution and that he will be the leader. He added that even though he has no interest in becoming a politician but when the youth call on him to be their leader, he will not hesitate. I have not considered ever wanting to be president. But I believe it will get to a time that the youth will rebel and they will look up to a voice. I will represent the youth of Ghana in any capacity they want me to. I believe we need to give the youth a chance. I understand the street life much better than any other politician. I wont be surprised one day to find people calling me to be a President. I understand the street life much better than any other politician. I wont be surprised one day to find people calling me to be President. Source: ghanacelebrities.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 In a little over 70 days from now a new queen takes over from Pearl Nyarko-Mensah, Miss Malaika Ghana 2017. But the journey to that unveil as history would have it has never been easy. From heart breaks to tears and cheers, shouts of joy to acts triggered by sour grapes and more, this pageant has seen it all; and last Saturday was no exception as nearly 60 wanna-be queens got their hopes crushed at the semi-final auditions of Miss Malaika Ghana 2018! In previous editions, pageant organizers, Charterhouse Productions have selected only 20 girls at this stage for Bootcamp. But on Saturday 28th July 2018, a slight deviation from the norm was experienced at the Tomreik Hotel in East Legon Accra, when pageant host and former contestant Berla Mundi announced some 26 beautiful and intelligent girls for the next stage of the contest. We simply couldnt cut to 20! It was too toughwe tried. Trust me, we tried our best, but the girls came well prepared too. Obviously theyve followed the pageant for years and came for the kill Jocelyn Dumas, Judge. Joining actress Jocelyn Dumas on the judging panel that screened nearly 100 girls to determine which 26 made it to the next stage were fellow actresses and entrepreneurs, Jackie Appiah and Naa Ashorkor Mensah Doku. Selecting the 26 was the continuation of a story that started on Saturday 13th July when actor James Gardiner joined Naa Ashorkor and Jocelyn to screen a little over 200 bold, confident and articulate young ladies who each wanted a shot at Pearls crown. Some 70 plus ladies were selected then and taken through a beauty clinic with celebrated Events/TV and Radio host, Anita Erskine, host of Duvet on GHOne Mznancy and reigning queen, Miss Pearl Nyarko-Mensah. The story continues at bootcamp where the final 26 will be further groomed and prepped for the task ahead. 10 will be dropped after that stage leaving a final 16 to battle for the cash, the car, the crown and that international trip thats become an integral part of Miss Malaika Ghana. Miss Malaika Ghana premiers on Sunday 19th August, 2018 at 8pm on GH One TV and at 8:30pm on Max TV. It will also show on Fridays at 7pm and on Tuesdays at 11:30am on TV7. It is a Charterhouse Ghana Production. 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 Anna Jacyszyn as Donna performs Money, Money in the first act of Mamma Mia!, the hit jukebox musical featuring the songs of ABBA. It is being performed this month by Kelowna Actors Studio. (Photo: Glenna Turnbull) The Philadelphia pawnshop at the corner of Lancaster Avenue and Brooklyn Street wanted $16 to cash my paycheck. The Money Mart near Ninth and Market would charge $24 to give me my money. Luckily I have a bank account, so I didn't have to fork over part of my pay last week to get cash. But some residents regularly pay fees ranging from 2 percent to cash payroll checks to 10 percent for personal checks because they lack bank accounts. Some experts predict that check-cashing outlets will go the way of the dodo bird as more people switch to moving money digitally. But the industry has shown recent revenue growth and has no shortage of customers. Roughly 4 percent of area households are "unbanked," meaning they don't have checking or savings accounts, according to a 2015 survey by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. An additional 19 percent in Greater Philadelphia are considered "underbanked" because they have bank accounts but still use alternative financial services like check cashers. These bankless consumers not only incur high transaction costs to cash checks and pay bills through third parties, but they also miss out on future opportunities for traditional loans by not establishing a financial history, experts and advocates say. For many of the unbanked, however, traditional banks seem unwelcoming and more costly. The prospect of recurring overdraft charges, hidden fees, and minimum balance requirements make consumers leery of opening bank accounts. In the 2015 FDIC survey, the most commonly cited reason for being unbanked was not having "enough money to keep in an account." >> READ MORE: Is the war on poverty 'a success,' as the Trump administration proclaims? The result is a two-tiered financial system one for those in poverty and one for the rest of us that feeds into false narratives, says William Hall, the financial empowerment program manager for the City of Philadelphia. "What we are inherently saying is that this type of institution is for this type of person and this type of institution is for this type of person," Hall said. "That 'othering,' I think, just perpetuates the divide we see amongst the haves and the have-nots that perpetuates poverty." Solutions Hall helped relaunch Bank On Philadelphia, which works to reduce the number of unbanked and underbanked consumers in the city. The nationwide Bank On project, run by the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, encourages financial institutions to offer low-cost accounts, particularly those without overdrafts. Overdraft fees may be the most difficult banking cost to bear. The fees, typically $35 each, are incurred when users spend more money than what's in their checking accounts. In many cases, the transactions triggering the charge are less than the fee itself. Consumers pay $17 billion annually in overdraft and "non sufficient fund fees," according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Most of this revenue comes from a small group of people. Just 30 percent of consumers overdraw their checking accounts, according to the bureau, and the 8 percent who overdraft more than 10 times per year account for 74 percent of overdraft fees. These consumers are charged $380 in overdraft fees on average annually, the bureau says. "Sometimes people have [bank accounts] and then they get hit with overdraft fees and it ends up costing them a lot more than they even thought about," said Patty Hasson, president of Clarifi, which offers free or low-cost financial counseling in the Delaware Valley. >>READ MORE: States have a role to play on war on poverty (which, by the way, isn't over) She said consumers who rack up overdrafts will close their accounts and be hesitant to try again, or they'll be listed in chexsystems which banks use to evaluate customers as too risky to get a second chance at another bank. Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.) introduced a bill Thursday that would rein in overdraft fees by limiting the number of charges to one per month and six per year and requiring fees to be proportional to the cost of covering the overdraft. Bank On calls for accounts that don't allow overdrafts. In many cases, these accounts decline transactions when there are insufficient funds. Bank On also advocates for accounts that require just $25 or less for an initial deposit and impose small, transparent monthly maintenance fees. David Rothstein, a principal with the CFE Fund, acknowledges accounts without overdraft service may generate less money for banks. But he argues those accounts also mitigate risks for financial institutions. "You're trading some higher fees for a predictable fee structure," he said. >>READ MORE: Many U.S. kids can't swim and are at risk for drowning Four banks in Pennsylvania offer Bank On approved accounts: Bank of America's SafeBalance Banking Account; First Commonwealth Bank's SmartPay Card; KeyBank's Hassle-Free Account; and Wells Fargo's EasyPay Card. Bank On's certified accounts in New Jersey include Chase Liquid and Citi Bank's Access Account. These products can be found online by searching the names of the accounts. "Low- and no-cost bank accounts without overdraft fees are widely available," said Nessa Feddis, the American Bankers Association's deputy chief counsel for Consumer Protection and Payments. "We are still trying to crack that nut to get people who, for whatever reason, don't find [banking] attractive." Why people may dislike banks One reason may be that check-cashing outlets, while charging high fees for individual transactions, can be more convenient and transparent than banks in some instances. There are large swaths of the city with poor access to formal financial institutions, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia found in a March study on branch closures. From 2010 to 2016, 383 banks, credit unions, and thrifts have closed in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, including 74 within the city, according to the study. "If you drive through certain commercial corridors, you won't see a bank, but you do see check cashers, you do see pawnshops," said the city's Hall. "So part of it is just there's not a bank within proximity of certain folks." Some consumers also prefer check cashers because they can provide money immediately, display their fees clearly in the store, and are sometimes open 24 hours a day, said Lisa Servon, a University of Pennsylvania professor and author of The Unbanking of America: How the New Middle Class Survives. She worked as a check casher in New York's South Bronx for four months in 2013. "Ultimately I found out people were making rational decisions a lot of the time," Servon said. "It wasn't because they didn't know how much money they were paying and if they could get a cheaper deal." >>READ MORE: A low-cost way to reduce depression: renovate vacant lots She recalled a woman who paid $2 to withdraw the last $10 on her electronic government benefits card, effectively paying 20 percent of all she had. The decision may seem foolish, but Servon noted ATMs typically don't provide small denominations of money. "She needs that eight bucks right now," Servon said. "There's no other way she can get that money." Check-cashing revenues grew 4.2 percent in 2016 to $2.1 billion, and the service was projected to have continued moderate growth in 2017, according to a market study by the Center for Financial Services Innovation. Money Mart near Ninth and Market had six people waiting in line in the morning and again in the afternoon one day last week. The place cashes payroll checks for a 3 percent cut and cashes personal checks and money orders for a 10 percent charge. >>READ MORE: Changes to food stamps could deny benefits to thousands Servon, though, believes the days of the check-cashing businesses are limited, as more people deposit funds electronically rather than use paper checks. "Their profits are being more squeezed as those trends continue to happen and as it becomes easier to deposit checks to your phone, " she said. She suggests consumers find local banks that invest in the communities they serve. Those banks can be found online at banklocal.info and mightydeposits.com. How to find financial counseling Besides Bank On Philadelphia, there are other area groups helping people put money in the bank. Philadelphia has set up six "Financial Empowerment Centers" throughout the city, where Clarifi employees offer free, one-on-one financial counseling. Hasson, the Clarifi president, emphasizes that unbanked consumers not only lose money on check-cashing fees but also lose out on opportunities for low-interest loans later. "It's a pathway to other financial products," she said. "If you are looking to get a traditional loan, being banked and having a history in a checking and savings account is a benefit." >>READ MORE: Why this couple's wedding registry was devoted to paying off Philly kids' court costs Alan Nesbitt, a Clarifi counselor, said long-term goals, like buying a house, are often better motivators to get people banked than telling consumers they are losing money with other financial services. "The strongest thing that gets people into banking is if they need something from the system," Nesbitt said. "Overnight, they get banked." This article is part of the High Cost of Being Broke series, produced by Broke in Philly, a collaborative reporting project on economic justice. To see all the #HighCost stories, please visit: https://brokeinphilly.org Fred Hand, Chief Customer officer Burlington Stores, cutting the ribbon, and David Coder, Executive Vice President of Stores, right of man cutting ribbon, at the grand opening of the new Burlington Store at 833 Market Street, in Philadelphia, Sept. 22, 2017. Burlington ranks 459 on the Fortune 500 list. Read more Comcast is changing Philadelphia's skyline and remains the corporate colossus of the city and region, but who are the other major companies that call Philadelphia home? That was the gist of a question sent in from a reader via Curious Philly a place where readers tell us what makes them curious about their community and our journalists seek out the answers. This one was pretty straightforward: Philadelphia is a place of big business. This list ranks the largest public companies by revenue, not employment. We decided to take a look at the companies in the greater Philadelphia area that made the list that includes Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks counties in Pa., Gloucester, Camden, and Burlington counties in New Jersey, and Wilmington, Del. Three are in Philly proper: Crown Holdings, Aramark, and Comcast. Here's what we know about all of them. 480: Toll Brothers Headquartered in Horsham, Pa., this luxury house builder chalked up a 2017 revenue of $5.8 billion. 459: Burlington Stores Burlington is from you guessed it Burlington, New Jersey, and while you may only know them as a coat factory, it's a full-on apparel brand that employs 40,000 people. Burlington Stores debuted on the Fortune 500 in 2016. 457: UGI The oil and gas company, headquartered in King of Prussia, Pa. held steady at 457 both this year and last. 451: Chemours Chemours, a chemical company headquartered in Wilmington, Del., formed in July 2015 after splitting off from DuPont. It manufactures titanium and flouroproducts and pulled in $6.1 billion in 2017 revenues not bad for being two years old. 358: Campbell Soup You may remember the iconic soup can from Andy Warhol's 1960s pop art, but the Camden, N.J. company is also notable for employing 18,000 people and being on the Fortune 500 for 24 years and counting. 338: Crown Holdings Ever wondered where the cans for Coke and Pepsi come from? Some of them trace back to Crown Holdings, right here in Philadelphia, which makes packaging for consumer products and employs 24,342 people. 268: Universal Health Services From their headquarters in King of Prussia, Pa., the for-profit Universal Health Services operates healthcare facilities in the U.S. and the UK 350 of them, to be exact. 205: Lincoln National The insurance provider, located in Radnor, Pa., jumped from 207 in the 2017 ranking to 205 in 2018, due to a revenue increase of 7 percent compared to last year. And, this company is the namesake for Lincoln Financial Field itself, home of our very own Philadelphia Eagles. 200: Aramark From its corporate office on Market Street in Philadelphia, this food service company handles uniforms, staffing, and food and food service for universities, prisons, companies, and schools around the county, employing 215,000 people in the process. 47: DowDuPont The consolidated headquarters of DowDuPont are in Michigan, but we in the Philadelphia area still claim the DuPont-Wilmington side as our own. Dow Chemical and DuPont merged on August 31, 2017, racking up 2017 revenues of $62 billion. 33: Comcast You've probably seen downtown Philadelphia-based telecommunications giant Comcast in the news recently over its competing bid with Disney for Fox's assets. Comcast is one of the biggest employers in Philadelphia, and its impact on the skyline is undeniable. It's been on the Fortune 500 for the past 23 years. 12: AmerisourceBergen The drug distributing giant in Chesterbrook, Pa. brought in 2017 revenues of $153.1 billion. But it's been plagued with lawsuits over the opioid epidemic, for which many experts blame drug makers and wholesalers. And it's taken a profit hit down 74.5 percent. But thats not all But the Fortune 500 only looks at publicly traded companies. But private companies are here too: notable private companies in the area include the Vanguard Group, an investment adviser based in Malvern, Pa. that is credited with low-cost index funds and other consumer-friendly products. They manage over $5.1 trillion in assets and are the top employer in Chester County. And from an employment standpoint, though they're not typically corporations, "Eds and Meds" hospitals and universities are important too. The PA Department of Industry and Labor puts out a quarterly report on the biggest employers in each county, and Philadelphia's top employer isPenn. Now, that's not just Penn the university; it also includes the affiliated hospital system. Coming in second is the city government, followed by federal. Even though they're not your traditional for-profit corporations, they drive a lot of the city's economy and employment. Kevin Lopez, a bartender at The Love in Rittenhouse Square, says young people are drinking less to get drunk and more to appreciate the drink. Read more On her 21st birthday, Rabbah Johnson experienced a first: not a legal cocktail, but a roller coaster ride at Six Flags. She'd never been on one before and knew she wanted to change that. The incoming junior at Temple University had never had alcohol, either, but that didn't concern her much. "It's something I never did, and I'm perfectly fine with it," she said. Her attitude reflects a decades-long trend that may seem surprising amid reports of Greek life gone wild and alcohol-involved sexual assault: Young people in the United States are consuming less alcohol. According to the Monitoring the Future Study an annual national survey of 50,000 adolescents and young adults in America alcohol use has dropped steeply since the 1990s. That's not to say everyone is going sober. Alcohol is still a large part of American culture, from happy hour after work to frat parties on college campuses and so are the tragedies that can result. But researchers have found that young people today are throwing back fewer drinks than their counterparts 10 or 15 years ago. The decline is most significant in teens, but also present among adults in their 20s. The same trend has been recorded in Australia, the U.K., and several European countries. In Pennsylvania, middle and high school students are binge-drinking less than their peers across the country, according to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board's biennial report on Underage and High-Risk Drinking. And college students are consuming slightly less than the national average. Some see the trend as another example of millennial disruption. First, the generation young adults in their 20s and 30s killed cable TV, then it was cars, and now alcohol. But ask the millennials themselves, and it's clear the reasons are more nuanced: from restoring control and balance in life to reflecting on what makes social interactions meaningful. >>READ MORE: Teenagers and college-age people drink less while baby boomers pour another round For Johnson, drinking never held much appeal. Born in Pakistan, she spent her early years in a society that disapproved of alcohol. That changed when she moved to the U.S. at 13. "I could make a different choice," she said, "but I didn't want to." She likes feeling in control. So why turn to a substance that takes that away? She still enjoys going dancing with friends, grabbing dinner, or simply hanging out. "I don't see it as missing out on anything," she said. Public health experts hope that's the case for many young adults, that years of education on the risks of alcohol are beginning to pay off with a cultural change. "Just like we got people to stop thinking smoking is cool, maybe we're finally seeing a change in the perception of alcohol," said Robert Bassett, associate medical director of the Poison Control Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The idea rings true for Allie Miller, a 26-year-old living in New York City, who rarely drinks. She goes out to bars and clubs with friends, but doesn't feel pressured to consume alcohol. In fact, most people are complimentary when they learn of her choice. "They're usually shocked and amazed," Miller said. "But I'm not trying to be on a high moral ground. It's just part of my routine." It's not an anti-alcohol principle; just an easy way to save money and turn down guys who offer to buy her a drink, she joked. Studies show most young people who drink do so for social reasons. But with the rise of social media, many youth interactions particularly for teens and college-aged students are moving from parks and parking lots to newsfeeds and Snapchats. "That naturally lends itself to less drinking," Bassett said. It also furthers the cultural shift in which alcohol isn't a necessary element for socialization. As a bartender for more than 20 years, Kevin Scullin has seen the change first hand. At the White Dog Cafe in University City, he says, a third of the students who come in don't drink. They're more excited about the half-price truffled Parmesan fries and oysters during happy hour. "Before, people would look at you like you're strange if you weren't drinking in a bar," Scullin said. "But now it's every other person. You come for the food, for the socialization." Even those who drink are often ordering just a glass or two, Scullin said. There's less bingeing than when he started bartending in the late '90s. At the Love in Rittenhouse Square, bartender Kevin Lopez says young people are opting for quality over quantity, craft cocktails and microbrews over well drinks and drafts. "They're drinking less to get drunk and more to appreciate," he said. And they want creativity. The same way a chef is asked to create dishes from seasonal ingredients, Lopez often receives requests for drinks with fresh elements, such as strawberry, peach, and celery. His most unique concoction? A beet and horseradish soda. >>READ MORE: 12 refreshing nonalcoholic drinks available in Philadelphia But not all young people are looking to optimize their cocktails. Some are drinking less as part of a concerted effort to focus on health and wellness. Nick Harris, a 30-year-old musician from South Philadelphia, stopped drinking last year to be more productive. Rather than having five drinks during a set and heading to the bar after the show, now he opts for water or soda. "I don't feel like garbage the next day," he said. Despite what he calls a heavy-drinking culture in the music industry, Harris knows several people who don't drink or rarely drink. Some belong to the straight edge movement, a subculture of hard-core punk whose followers refrain from alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. Others are anti-capitalists who don't want to fund the beverage industry. "It's hard to find a common reason," he said. Some skeptics wonder whether young people are simply replacing alcohol with other drugs. The Monitoring the Future study found use of most illicit drugs declined, along with alcohol. But there was one notable exception: marijuana. It's difficult to determine whether that means people are substituting marijuana for alcohol, Bassett of CHOP said. In the past, marijuana and alcohol use have declined simultaneously. Another possibility is substitution with new synthetic drugs that are sold on the street. "Surveys don't even know to ask the question about these agents," Bassett said. But from where Adam Ravitz stands as bartender at Royal Boucherie in Old City, the trend of going dry is growing. A fifth of the cocktails he makes are nonalcoholic. And it's not just customers. Bartenders are opting for less alcohol, too, Ravitz said. He has several bartender friends who stopped drinking to make their careers more sustainable. One friend puts on yoga classes for bartenders. Another organizes rock-climbing outings. "Everybody is down to not drink," he said. Michael Pasquarello began his restaurant empire 15 years ago with a bruncherie called Cafe Lift so named after the hundred-year-old lift elevator in the entrance of the building, in a former factory on 13th Street north of Callowhill. Since then, he and his wife, Jeniphur, have opened Prohibition Taproom and Bufad up the street, Kensington Quarters in Fishtown, and KQ Burger in University City. Now they're set up on the Main Line with a second Cafe Lift, which opened Aug. 6 at 724 Montgomery Ave. in Narberth, in a former Royal Bank branch. This location, which also has a vaguely industrial feel and garage doors leading outside, is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. It's somewhat of a surprise, then, that unlike virtually every other brunch specialist out there, this Cafe Lift has a liquor license, so cocktails are available. Pasquarello explained that his business partner had the license and wanted to put it to use. The restaurant includes 75 seats inside and 35 outdoors. There's also free parking. Most menu items will be the same as the original Cafe Lift, with the addition of hand-cut fries, a fried chicken sandwich, oatmeal, and gluten-free bread options. Chef Josiah Richmond is also turning out an egg cheesesteak, which piles shaved ribeye, caramelized onions, mild Provolone, Carter's spicy mayo, and an over-easy egg on a pretzel bun ($13). The early riser menu runs from 8 to 9 a.m. with such dishes as French toast, huevos rancheros, yogurt and granola, and silver dollar pancakes for $7, including coffee. The beverage program includes exclusively East Coast beers on draft. Cocktails ($9 and $10) include a kombucha made for Cafe Lift by Baba's Brews. Some cocktails are made with cold brew coffee (including a negroni) and prosecco (mimosa). There's a focus here on kids the Pasquarellos have two and one on the way. In addition to a kids' menu, there is stroller parking area, and wiki sticks and coloring books. When decluttering your house, begin with your closet, where you don't have to consult anyone else about what to discard. Read more There is a method, but no madness, to the type of minimalism espoused by Cary Telander Fortin and Kyle Louise Quilici. The organizing experts and authors of New Minimalism argue for something a little more practical than a strict 37-piece clothing wardrobe or a monastic-looking house. "It's not extreme, not hyper-industrial, not only for single men, but for everyone, and looks however you want it to look," Fortin says. She and Quilici started developing this more practical take on the less-is-more lifestyle when they met at a 2011 yoga retreat in San Francisco. They discovered they were seeking a slower, calmer life; Fortin wanted to leave her corporate job and learn to live within new means, and Quilici was trying to put sustainability into better practice. Their mutual passion turned into a blog, the book and, in 2013, a business, also called New Minimalism, that helps clients find their own decluttering way. Fortin and Quilici are more about ending the cycle of "busy" than creating a perfect house. As Quilici explains: "Minimalism is a tool that you use to uncover what it is you want most in life and to get that space to breathe. It's not the goal," but a way of prioritizing "working within the space of 24 hours a day, seven days a week." So how does this kinder, gentler method work? The two have some tips. Identify your why. Before you dig in and sort your shoes, ask yourself why you are doing it. "Why is now the right time? What are you hoping to get from this? What do you want your space to feel like?" says Fortin, who lives in Boise, Idaho. "If you start decluttering before you know the answers, you'll get lost along the way." The clients who are clearest on their priorities are usually those going through a transition, she explains, such as an illness, a divorce, or a new baby. They're saying, "I want my stuff to work for me, instead of me working for my stuff." Have someone with you. "It's great if you can have a friend with you, rather than a partner who is invested," Fortin advises. "Find someone who can bag up the stuff, donate, mend and someone who can say, 'I know you love that, but there's a hole in the armpit.' You want someone honest and kind." Start with your closet. The best part about beginning with your clothes is that "you don't have to get buy-in from partners or kids," Fortin says. "You can lead by example, and it's a great, clarifying, universal place to start." Then go category by category. "We recommend the deep-dive approach," Quilici says. "You do one category of things so that you're done. Get back to zero. If you don't have time to go through all of your clothes in one day, pick one subcategory that you can go through all at once: all jackets and tops. Then you can see the volume of what you have." Define what full is. Start with your boundary before you pare down. Tell yourself, "This house is big enough for my family," and then make your stuff fit in it comfortably. Or say, "This drawer is enough for my socks," and discard solo, holey and uncomfortable socks until your sock collection fits comfortably into that drawer. Once you've decluttered and you later open a cabinet or closet, enjoy the breathing room, and tell yourself this is what full looks like. Let one stand for many. Clearing out the sentimental items is usually the hardest part of simplifying, so Fortin and Quilici suggest letting one special item stand for a memory or person. If your grandmother collected china but you have neither a love of china nor the space to store it, maybe keep a favorite teacup and saucer to remember her by, Fortin explains. "You have to think, 'My grandmother isn't in this china.' " Fewer things can mean better things. "You have to have durable, well-made things if you want to rely on two pairs of jeans and you wear them every day. There's a little bit of an investment there," Quilici says. In the long run, though, she and Fortin say, they hope for a philosophical shift in thankfulness and appreciating what we have. "We're coming from a place of gratitude," she says. "It's a privileged conversation." Minimalism is really about time. "We work with a lot of families where both parents work," Quilici says. "If you want to know someone who knows how precious time is, it's those families." Think about what you would rather spend your time on than hunting for something in a drawer or organizing on the weekends. This motivation will help you get started, do the deep dive, and then commit to the maintenance. Democratic Gov. Wolf and Republican challenger Scott Wagner are fighting over something that's not happening. Read more Let's start with two things. First, Scott Wagner is wrong when he says Gov. Wolf wants to cut funding to rural schools to give more to urban schools. He's wrong because Wolf doesn't want to do that (couldn't if he did); and because this is just the old dog whistle pitting rural Pennsylvania against Philadelphia. Second, Wolf was wrong when he said "yes" he supports driving education dollars through a formula that helps poorer, larger schools without adding "when and if" the legislature provides a boatload of new money to fairly fund all schools. For Wolf, it was a public blunder. Or a political pander to Philadelphia and public education advocates in an election year. Whatever it was, the result has Republican Wagner hammering the notion Wolf wants to feed his own Democratic base and starve the rest of the state. This includes a new TV ad: "The cat's out of the bag. Tom Wolf's plan for a drastic school funding change. Your school could see a big cut so that Philadelphia gets a whole lot more. Hundreds of our schools would see crippling cuts. Even Democrats are saying Tom Wolf's plan would be immediately devastating. Typical Tom Wolf. Scott Wagner is on our side, fighting so that all our children have the opportunity to receive a great education." The irony here is too heavy to lift. Wolf is a white knight for public education. Wagner is more of its Darth Vader. And the ad is misleading. There's no plan to cut funding to any school district. So, there's no cat. The "plan" is to implement (somehow, someday) a state "fair funding formula" offered in 2015 by the bipartisan Basic Education Funding Commission. The commission was charged with finding ways to fix the state's nationally recognized funding inequities. Its recommendations included using factors such as enrollment, poverty rates and local taxes when distributing state dollars, which indeed benefits Philadelphia. And if that was done immediately, with the $6 billion currently budgeted for basic education, everyone says it would be devastating. Cuts to hundreds of districts. But it's not being done. Nor will it be. Right now, only new education dollars, less than 10 percent of annual totals, are pushed through the formula. Fully implemented "fair funding" would cost billions (by one estimate, $32 billion) more than the current $6 billion. Not happening. Plus, the issue is tied up in court and opposed by a legislature that hates new spending on anything other than itself. It was wrong for Wolf to imply support for immediate implementation, as he sure seemed to do in June, as reported by WHYY; and as his chief of staff seemed to do, as reported by the Philadelphia Tribune. But Wolf since has made it clear he's for full funding only over time. No specifics, of course. How could there be? The issue is knotted in so many ways. Ron Cowell, president of the nonpartisan, statewide Education Policy and Leadership Center, says, "We've been working on this for 15 years. All the money should go out through such a formula. But you can't do that currently without making winners and losers. And nobody wants to take money away from their districts." Even Rep. Chris Rabb (D., Philadelphia), who introduced legislation (HB 2501) in June to push all basic education money through the formula, says it can't happen now, soon or ever without much greater funding. So, Rabb is introducing a statewide carbon tax bill next month, a controversial measure not unlike one pushed by U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R., Pa.) on the federal level. That will generate a whole other fight. But this school funding thing? All about politics, not policy. Wagner uses it to gin his base because he needs rural Trump-like turnout to unseat Wolf in a year expected to favor Democrats. And even though his case against Wolf is hooey, it's a distraction requiring a response. So, Wolf's campaign released a new TV ad Saturday calling Wagner's charge "the big lie," and touting Wolf on education. Their war's over something that isn't happening. Voters would be better served if it stopped. Vaux Roberts High School in Philadelphia threw a block party for the community, and they were dancing in the streets. In the front of the line are Larry Brooks(left), community volunteer and Ruth Birchett, of the School Advisory Council. Read more My first ever block party took place on Aug. 28, 1993. I know this because I had to set a VHS to record the U.S. premiere of The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Any other Saturday morning would be filled with cartoons and cereal, but this Saturday was special. This was the Saturday of our annual block party. While most people eagerly await Memorial Day, July 4th, or even Labor Day, for me, the block party on North 30th Street was the best event of the summer. As a 9-year-old in Strawberry Mansion, my street was typically filled with cars parked on both sides. Seeing it car-free for the day, and even better, seeing those cars replaced with slip n' slides, grills, and neighbors dancing, was a sight to behold. But it was nothing compared to the neighboring block party on 29th Street, which featured a band, the biggest Electric Slide group I'd ever seen, and some of the best food in all of North Philadelphia. Even Mayor Ed Rendell would show up. This was huge for me. The fact that the mayor came to my neighborhood made him a real person and not just some guy on TV. My family participated in every aspect of our block party, from the morning street cleaning to the nighttime cleanup after the festivities had ended. >> READ MORE: This Northeast Philly neighborhood has the best 103-year-old Fourth of July celebration you've never heard of | Perspective In my early 20s, I didn't live in a block party-friendly neighborhood, so I made a point to head up to my old neighborhood on the weekends to see and smell some block parties. When my wife and I lived in West Philly, I made it my mission to show her how special a block party could be, so we decided to organize one for our own street, the 400 block of Sloan Street. I got a huge kick out of going down to the municipal building and submitting my paperwork and fee for a block party of my own. Overhearing everyone inside the office hyping their block parties to each other filled me with a sense of pride. Some were in the office for the first time, while others had been having block parties for years. My first block party went off without a hitch. I finished the day tired, covered in sweat and filled with pride as if this was the day I added a big stamp to my Philadelphian card. >> READ MORE: DJ Jazzy Jeff teaches you how to throw the hottest block party in Philadelphia Last week, I was disappointed to learn that the city has added superfluous red tape to the the block party approval process. The new policy requires neighborhoods to get preapproved by their local Police District before they can submit an application to the Streets Department. This adds an unnecessary layer to the process, and in my opinion, it is unfair to ask citizens to act as a coordinator between two city offices who should be able to communicate among themselves. Philadelphia 3.0, a political reform organization, is petitioning Mayor Kenney to reverse the policy change, saying it creates "unnecessary red tape [and will] weaken this important part of Philadelphia's culture." If you agree, you can sign the #SaveBlockParties petition here. I implore the City to reconsider this decision. Block parties are a time-honored tradition in Philadelphia and any attempt to make the task of organizing such an event more difficult is wrong. Harold Burnett is lifetime resident of Philadelphia, and if you invite him he will 100% show up at your block party. @HaroldBurnett KAMPALA- Global social networking site, Facebook, has warned that they will be taking their investments elsewhere after falling out over Ugandas recently introduced social media tax. Mr Kojo Boakye, Facebooks public policy manager for Africa, said they have informed the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) that the company will hold back infrastructure investments worth millions of dollars it was planning for Uganda. The communications regulator last week in their weekly updates confirmed that it met with Facebook Policy Team over a possible taxation deal but declined to give details of the meeting. Boakye also said that contrary to what the government says, their company isnt collecting a lot of revenue from Uganda explaining that Facebook makes money based on the number of people who advertise on the platform. According to Boakye, the Facebook user base in Uganda is still very low, compared to other countries. Current statistics indicate that India, U.S., Brazil, Indonesia in that order have the highest number of Facebook users in the world. Facebook announced its first investment in Uganda in 2017. The social networking site planned to partner with Airtel Uganda, Bandwidth and Cloud Services to extend the 770km fibre backhaul network to northern Uganda. Extending Internet beyond Kampala is one of the reasons that Uganda has given for introducing the tax. UCC Executive Director, Godfrey Mutabazi, in an interview earlier in July, said OTT service taxes, is meant to enhance social development like promotion of infrastructure. This is not something new in the world, it has been done before in the US, UK and Germany, and I hope none of such people are complaining, so we must pay to access internet services, Mr Mutabazi said at his offices in Bugolobi, Kampala. He further stated that social media should be taxed since it is used by over 31% of Ugandas 44 million population and posed a challenge to the youths to develop more and better applications and systems to compete with the western world. According to David Bahati, Minister of State for Planning, the government needs over Ush200 billion ($536.3 million) to extend Internet access to rural areas. Mr Bahati argued that since the government had previously borrowed to invest in affordable Internet, it was time Ugandans contributed to this effort through the tax. Related PARLIAMENT Kasese Woman MP and Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Winfred Kiiza has said that she is still the Leader of Opposition because no communication has come to her pertaining to the matter. I have learnt from the media that I am no longer the Leader of Opposition in Parliament. I think my Party owes me a communication because as Kiiza I am not against anybody but I want the President to announce it officially because for me its a rumour, Kiiza said. During a press conference on Monday August 6 at Parliament, Kiiza accused some party members of using the party to advance their interests saying that changes are healthy and normal but should be in a transparent manner. She accused some party members of dragging disagreements from the previous elections to kill the party. For some of us elections have come and gone and we have moved on while others have not, Kiiza said. She called on the FDC President Patrick Oboi Amuriat to admit that the party is taking a huge toll on him instead of creating excuses. I was surprised to hear from media that the party president announced new leaders without any communication [to us]. I find it very unfortunate for him to say he has failed to get audience with me and this indicates that he is not in control of the leadership, Kiiza said. Kasilo County MP, Elijah Okupa said that it is wrong for the party to begin intrigue and for those who were opposed to Amuriat as the party president to be sidelined. Adding that they amended the constitution and any decision taken outside the constitution will put the FDC at risk. As members, our interest is to see the party thriving since several may be forced to join or form another party and FDC will be no more. This is not what we want to see. We have sacrificed a lot for our party including inhaling teargas, Okupa added. While addressing journalists at the FDC party headquarters in Najjanankumbi on Saturday 4, Amuriat said that the changes should not be treated as political persecution for those who did not support his presidency against Gen Mugisha Muntu but for the wellbeing of the party and the struggle to rid the country of the dictatorship that continues to torment Ugandans. He also said the reshuffle is not a reaction to the partys performance in the recent municipal elections. In May this year, during the Second sitting of the First Session of the 10th Parliament shortly before President Musevenis State of the Nation Address in May 2016, the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga tasked FDC to clarify on the Leader of Opposition. However, she noted that neither in the Constitution of Uganda nor the Administration of Parliament Act or in our Rules of Procedure do we have a leader of the minority. Related KAMPALA- In Uganda, technology, in particular has paved the way for more efficient and effective financial markets. The introduction of mobile money revolutionised how everyone accessed financial services. Its against that background that Financial Sector Deepening Uganda (FSDU) for regulations that wont sacrifice these innovations. This MoU with the ministry of ICT, reaffirms our belief that technology is both going to disrupt and power how we use financial services in the future. Regulatory jurisdictions are going to get blurred requiring regulators across departments and agencies to come and work together balancing the needs of prudential regulation without sacrificing innovation, FSDUs Director Programs, Rashmi Pillai noted at the signing of the MoU at the offices of the Ministry of Information, Technology and National guidance. Increasingly, government world over are also using digital transactional platforms to deliver a range and volume of payments and benefits which often carry significant cost reductions as well as providing a potential entry point into formal finance for recipients, he added. According to FSDU, the MoU will enable it to work with the Ministry to ensure that Ugandans are able to the dividends of this revolution. Speaking at the event, the permanent secretary in the ministry of ICT, Bagiire Vincent Waiswa said the newly introduced tax (OTT and Mobile money tax) wasnt a hindrance to innovations since such tax is charged by even developed countries. What we have heard, people are not complaining about the tax being too much. Their only worry is that such tax is not put to good use. I think this is what the government should address, he advised. However, the tax is not a problem. In some countries like Dubai, they are even paying more. In Dubai, Whatsapp calls were blocked because Whatsapp has no permission to operate call services there. But Uganda, anyone can make Whatsapp calls. All we are asking from you is to just pay Shs200 and make these calls both locally and internationally.at just Shs200. Nevertheless he thanked FSDU for leading the way in facilitating the development of robust and inclusive financial markets; thereby improving Ugandas competitiveness. Under the MoU, FSDU plan to provide technical support to enable the Ministry efficiently and effectively coordinate the implementation of the governments national electronic policy. The MoU comes at a time when Bank of Uganda director of statistics Charles Abuka just revealed that mobile money transactions declined by Shs672 billion in the first two weeks of July 2018 when the mobile money tax came into force. Related KAMPALA- Two angry citizens have dragged the Attorney General to court seeking for orders to have the detained former IGP Gen Kale Kayihura released or presented in any competent court of law. In their suit filed before the High Court Civil Division, Mr Issa Ogomba an advocate and Ms Sarah Rukundo a UCU student want orders that either the Army unconditionally releases Gen. Kayihura from detention or produces him before court because the mandatory 48hrs lapsed. According to the court documents seen by PML Daily, the two want a declaratory order that the actions of the respondent through his agent known as the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces of detaining General Kayihura without trial and beyond the required time of 48 hours is unconstitutional and violets the detainees right to liberty. They also want a permanent command restraining the respondent (AG) from continued detention of the aforementioned detained without trial and costs be provided for. Since his arrest on June 13 to date, he has never been charged with any offence in any court or court martial nor released by the military on any temporary terms to his grave detriment and his continued detention is illegal, unconstitutional and malicious and in contravention of the supreme law of Uganda, reads in part the sworn documents of the two. The two claim they have no relationship or nexus with General Kayihuras family but as citizens, they have a duty to enforce each others rights. They also state that ever since the former IGP was picked from his upcountry farm in Kashagama, Lyantonde District, and airlifted to Kampala, he has never been formally charged with any criminal offence or arraigned before any court which contravenes Articles 20, 21, 23, 24, 28 and other provisions of the constitution. They claim that in the interest of justice, their application to be allowed as the continued detention of the former IGP amounts to an abuse of his constitutional right to liberty, freedom and speedy trial and if the respondents agents are not stopped it will result into a continued violation of the same constitution. Related KAMPALA/KIGALI Relations between Rwanda and Uganda have broken down further following continuous arrests of each others citizens and counter-accusations of funding rebel activities, PML Daily has learnt. The earlier tension between the two neighbouring countries was defused following a meeting between President Museveni and his Rwanda counterpart Paul Kagame on March 25 in Kampala. However, reliable sources have revealed that following the meeting, diplomatic relations worsened since the two countries reneged on their earlier commitments as arrests and deportation of Rwandans by Uganda have increased ever since. Since March, Ugandan authorities, especially in the border districts of Kabale, Kisoro and Kagadi have arrested several Rwandan nationals and deported them back to Rwanda. The latest came on July 24 when Police in Rubanda District arrested 22 Rwandan and Congolese nationals over illegal entry into Uganda. Rwanda also accuses Uganda immigration officials of confiscating identity cards of Rwandese travelling to Uganda. Kigali accuses Kampala of backing Rwandan dissidents seeking to destabilise Rwanda while Uganda, on the other hand, intensified its crackdown on Rwandans it says are on espionage missions in Uganda. Last week, some Rwanda news sites published a story alleging that President Museveni spoke to Rwandan dissident Dr David Himbara, one of Rwandas most vocal critics, purporting that the Ugandan leader offered to support him. Last month, the Rwandan High Commissioner to Uganda, Maj Gen (Rtd) Frank Mugambage, also claimed that the Kampala government has failed to investigate terror groups working within Uganda with plans to attack Rwanda. To avoid further escalation of the conflict, Presidents Museveni and Kagame have ordered the Foreign minister of both countries to start meeting under the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) which provides a good mechanism for discussing matters of mutual interest and strengthening cooperation. Although the two leaders had recommended revival of JPC within three months from the Kampala meeting, it has not taken place. Rwandas State Minister for Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe confirmed that JPC will soon convene. Related VIDEO: Alabama Officer Indicted on Murder Charge in Fatal Shooting An officer with the Huntsville (AL) Police Department who in April had responded to a call of an armed suicidal subject has been indicted on a murder charge for shooting that man. According to court documents, 25-year-old officer William Darby was one of three responding officers who confronted 49-year-old Jeffrey Parker, who reportedly had a gun and refused to drop it, according to WAFF-TV. Despite the fact that an Incident Review Board cleared all three officers of any wrongdoing saying that all officers involved had performed within Huntsville Police Department policies, procedures, and training Madison County District Attorney Robert Broussard decided to present the case to a grand jury. In a written statement, Huntsville Police Chief Mark McMurray said, "Officer Darby was called upon to make split second decisions in a nightmare scenario, the likes of which most people will never experience. His training allowed him and his fellow officers to survive as he rushed bravely, without hesitation, into one of the most volatile and unpredictable situations a police officer is called upon to face. Officer Darby performed his duties in accordance with his training. He is by no means a 'murderer.'" Chief McMurray said further, "Had Officer Darby not acted decisively, we could have been here today to add yet another officers name to the memorial wall behind me. Officer Darby will continue to have the full support of the Huntsville Police Department as he awaits his day in court, where the totality of the circumstances surrounding his actions will be presented to a jury. Chief Chad Henson of the Trumann (AR) Police Department responded to a call at a local residence and was shot at, authorities say. The suspect was killed. (Photo: WMC-TV screenshot) VIDEO: Arkansas Police Chief Wounded in Shooting that left the Subject Dead The Chief of Police for the Trumann (AR) Police Department was injured in a shooting while on duty Friday, according to WMC-TV. Chief Chad Henson had responded to a call for help at the home of a man named Johnny Kelley. Kelley reportedly began shooting at Chief Henson when he arrived at the scene. Henson returned fire, killing Kelley, according to Arkansas State Police. Chief Henson was transported to a local hospital to undergo unspecified treatment and was later released. Ptl. Travis Goodson of the Albany (GA) Police Department was named the HAIX Hero of the Month. He was nominated for his many community relations projects. Ptl. Travis Goodson of the Albany (GA) Police Department has been named the HAIX Hero of the Month for July. Goodson is well known for his work in the Albany community during his four years on the force and for his #HUGACOP program. Goodson's supervisor nominated him for HAIX Hero of the Month. In the nomination he wrote: "Ptl. Travis Goodson is very passionate about the City of Albany becoming one community." Toward that end, Goodson has organized and coordinated a number of community initiatives. For example, Goodson led dozens of citizen volunteers who painted the shutters on the McIntosh Homes housing area, cleaned up the grounds, and cooked food. Goodson also started a #HUGACOP campaign that went viral. His supervisor says Goodson is currently planning another community day cleanup involving a local high school and a "child safety seat education event for low income mothers." Goodson was chosen as HAIX Hero of the Month through the support of visitors to the POLICE Magazine Facebook page. As HAIX Hero of the Month for July, he will receive a pair of boots from HAIX. HAIXwants to thank everyone who nominated an officer and/or voted for an officer in HAIX Hero of the Month campaign. Watch for the next HAIX Hero of the Month campaign in October Police in New Mexico have rescued 11 children ranging in age from one to 15 years of age reportedly living in squalor in a compound near the New Mexico-Colorado border. Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe told ABC News Radio that the children's ribs were visible they were so starved of food. "They were in very poor hygiene and very scared," he said. "I've been a cop for 30 years. I've never seen anything like this. Unbelievable," Hogrefe said. "These children were hungry, they were thirsty, they were filthy." Taos County Sheriff's Deputies converged on the compound which reportedly has no electrical power or running water after securing a warrant to search the remote property for a missing 3-year-old boy who was allegedly kidnapped from Georgia by his father, 39-year-old Siraj Wahhaj. Wahhaj and another man identified as Lucas Morten were taken into custody. Wahhaj was charged with child abduction and Morten charged with harboring a fugitive. The children were taken into protective custody and later handed over to the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department. VIDEO: Texas Officer Who Worked 32 Years Without a Sick Day Retires Senior Patrol Officer Ronald "Pookie" Hall of the Texas City (TX) Police Department who never took a sick day in his 32 years on the job was celebrated by colleagues on his final day on duty. "You are the longest-serving African American officer in the police department's history," dispatcher Debralee Fleming said during the radio tribute. The final radio call was captured on camera and posted to the police department's Facebook page. Hall returned the call, "8125, clear" as he tapped his chest with some emotion as officers applauded. The Chambers County (TX) Sheriffs Office is asking the public for help in finding a police officer who has been missing since Thursday, according to KHOU-TV. According to Chambers County Sheriff Brian C. Hawthorne, 46-year-old Baytown Police Officer John Stewart Beasley is believed to have walked out of his house in the mid-afternoon. His cell phone which had been separated from its battery was found in a wooded area behind the home. Sheriff Hawthorne said there are no indications of foul play at this time surrounding his disappearance but detectives continue to investigate all possible leads and scenarios. Lieutenant Steve Dorris Public Information Officer with the Baytown Police Department told reporters that Officer Beasley has been with department for 23 years. A veteran SWAT officer with the Philadelphia (PA) Police Department was shot in the face and critically injured while serving a warrant for a weapons violation early Monday morning. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said that Officer Jaison Potts suffered "very serious" facial injuries, including a broken jaw, and may have artery damage, according to WCAU-TV. When SWAT officers entered the subject's residence they immediately came under fire. Officers returned fire, reportedly hitting the gunman, who was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. Commissioner Ross said that despite the critical nature of his injuries, the 20-year veteran officer is expected to survive. There are plenty of things to worry about in the last month before school starts. But dont forget to schedule those shots. Robert Jacobson, the medical director for the employee and community health immunization program at Mayo Clinic, ran through the immunizations parents and children should receive at every grade level. And that list goes way beyond flu shots. The Affordable Care Act requires insurance providers to cover all of these preventative shots, Jacobson said. Children on some Minnesota State medical assistance also should be covered, and for students with no insurance, Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center receive free vaccines they can give away. Kindergarten to first grade Parents of young children might know they should have completed their diptheria/tetanus/pertussis (DTaP) series (five doses), polio (four doses), hepatitis B (two doses), measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) shots (two doses) and chicken pox vaccines by age 4 to 6. Thats the full childhood series of shots, Jacobson said, and parents do a good job of getting their children in for the early doses. Whats sometimes tricky is fitting in those last shots before the beginning of the school year, he said. To that end, parents can ask about "combination" injections, which pair the last polio shot with the last DTaP one, for example, or MMR with chicken pox. Pain-reducing measures such as coolant sprays, vibrating ice and even numbing cream can also be helpful when young children need multiple shots. "We have a variety of measures to take the sting out of shots," Jacobson said. Second through sixth grade If the childhood series of shots was completed, there arent many summer shots to take care of in this time period, unless a child needs a hepatitis A shot for travel. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines can start at age 9 (two doses) but arent required for school at this age. That doesnt mean the next four years will be needle-free, though. The flu is a huge problem for schools. Many outbreaks begin there, given how easy it is for kids to swap germs. But teens and adults everyone, really should have a flu shot by the end of November, Jacobson said. Keep an eye out for immunizations offered at schoolsor local clinics. Seventh grade In middle school or junior high, look into the adolescent version of the pertussis vaccine. The HPV vaccine is definitely recommended at this point, as is the first dose of the meningococcal vaccine, which protects a rare, but "troubling" disease, Jacobson said. The rate of meningococcal disease is still low but doubles between ages 11 and 20, he said. If children received a hepatitis A shot as a child, now also is a good time to receive the second shot in that series, Jacobson said. While a single hep A shot protects the recipient for six to 12 months, the second shot provides "lifelong protection," Jacobson said. 10th to 11th gradE Students ages 16 and older should get the second meningococcal vaccine, Jacobson said. Most colleges want records of all of these vaccines, he added, so parents should make sure they have paper copies of vaccines they can supply to schools. Some campuses do require a different meningococcal B vaccine (three doses) as well, before students can enroll in the college or university. Beyond Flu vaccines are important at every age, Jacobson said. For people who dont like shots, this year, nasal flu vaccinesshould be available in clinics and at schools, he said, although that option hasnt been offered during the past two years. One more thing pain control is more common for young children, but Jacobson said its also a reasonable request for older patients. "Seeing a needle can be a distressing thing, and even if youve been able to put up with it, well use the numbing spray on an 18-year-old if they want it," Jacobson said. "I dont have any problem making an event less painful." PUNE, India, August 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Latest trending report Global M2M Services Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type, Application and Forecast offered by ReportsnReports.com is an informative study covering the market with detailed analysis. The M2M Services industry report will assist reader with better understanding and decision making. Global M2M Services Market size, industry status and forecast, competition landscape and growth opportunity. This research report categorizes the global M2M Services market by companies, region, type and end-use industry. Finish give an account of M2M Services market spread crosswise over 98 pages, giving examination of 09 noteworthy organizations upheld with 117 tables and figures is presently accessible at https://www.reportsnreports.com/reports/1348976-global-m2m-services-market-size-status-and-forecast-2025.html . This is an expert and top to bottom examination on the present condition of the M2M Services market. 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Our database includes 100,000+ market research reports from over 95 leading global publishers & in-depth market research studies of over 5000 micro markets. With comprehensive information about the publishers and the industries for which they publish market research reports, we help you in your purchase decision by mapping your information needs with our huge collection of reports. We provide 24/7 online and offline support to our customers. Contact: Hrishikesh Patwardhan Corporate Headquarters Tower B5, office 101, Magarpatta SEZ, Hadapsar, Pune-411013, India +1-888-391-5441 [email protected] Connect With Us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReportsnReports/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reportsnreports Twitter: https://twitter.com/marketsreports G+ / Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/111656568937629536321/posts RSS/Feeds: http://www.reportsnreports.com/feed/l-latestreports.xml SOURCE ReportsnReports ROME, August 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Menarini Ricerche, a company of the Menarini Group, announced today that the sponsorship of the ongoing Phase I/II study that is investigating MEN1703/SEL24 for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) AML in the USA has been transferred from Selvita to Menarini Ricerche on June 30th 2018. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/520214/Menarini_Ricerche_Logo.jpg ) Selvita S.A. and Menarini Group entered into a global licensing agreement for SEL24/MEN1703 on March 28th, 2017. Menarini Ricerche has assumed full responsibility for clinical development activities after a period of very productive collaboration with Selvita. "We are delighted at the achievement of this very important milestone in our collaboration with Selvita. Together with our partners at Selvita, we look forward to progressing in the development of MEN1703/SEL24, and to expanding our knowledge of its potential to improve the lives of patients affected by AML," said Andrea Pellacani, M.D., Ph.D. (General Manager, Menarini Ricerche). MEN1703/SEL24 is a first-in-class orally available dual PIM/FLT3 kinase inhibitor with a unique activity profile currently investigated for the treatment of AML and with preclinical data suggesting potential activity in other hematological malignancies and solid tumors. About Menarini Menarini Group is an Italian pharmaceutical company, 13th in Europe out of 5,345 companies, and 35th company in the world out of 21,587 companies, with a turnover of more than 3.6 billion Euro and 17,000 employees. The Menarini Group has always pursued two strategic objectives: research and internationalization, and has a strong commitment to oncology research and development. As part of such commitment to oncology, Menarini, is developing four investigational new oncological drugs. Two of them are biologics, namely the anti CD157 antibody MEN1112, and the toxin-conjugated, anti CD205 antibody MEN1309. In addition, Menarini has recently added two small molecules to its oncology pipeline, the dual PIM and FLT3 kinase inhibitor MEN1703, and the PI3K inhibitor MEN1611, in clinical development for the treatment of a variety of hematological and/or solid tumors. Menarini is active commercially in the most important therapeutic areas with products for cardiology, gastroenterology, pneumology, infectious diseases, diabetology, inflammation, and analgesia. With 16 production sites and 7 Research and Development centers, the Menarini Group has a strong presence throughout Europe and Asia, Africa, Central and South America. Menarini's products are available in 136 countries worldwide. For further information please visit http://www.menarini.com About Selvita Selvita S.A. is a clinical stage drug discovery company engaged in the research and development of novel cancer therapies, as well as provision of integrated drug discovery services. Selvita is headquartered in Krakow, Poland, with offices in the USA (Greater Boston, San Francisco Bay), and in the UK (Cambridge). Selvita has currently several projects at early or late discovery stage. Drug discovery clients of Selvita include numerous large and medium-sized pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies from USA and Europe. The company is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE:SLV). For more information please visit https://selvita.com/ SOURCE Menarini Ricerche PUNE, India, August 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the mandate, Radon Media will manage complete Digital Analytics duties Radon Media, a Pune-based digital analytics and marketing agency has bagged the analytics mandate for Candere - A Kalyan Jewellers Company featuring 300+ product categories and 7,000+ design varieties. Radon Media will manage complete Analytics duties including Advanced Campaign Analysis, Conversion Rate Optimization, Customer Life Time Value Analysis and Budget Optimization. The agency also plans on using its unique, innovative 'People Analytics Approach' and 'User-based Attribution' to study different user behaviours on the website for precise data insights and customer performance evaluation. Radon Media understands third-party tracking integration, CRM integration and end-to-end view of data is essential in today's competitive market to bring something different to the table. Rupesh Jain, CEO of Candere, adds, "We are really excited to be associated with Radon Media. The agency's data intelligence services will help grow our brand's data analytics and tag management system. Data analytics plays an important role in delivering effective marketing solutions. Radon Media's understanding of this is a natural fit for us." Commenting on the win, Lakeer Kukadia, founder at Radon Media said, "Knowing what we're exercising and implementing is definitely contributing to a bigger cause and is thus providing that extra motivation for our team here at Radon Media to make sure we're building Candere brand as much as possible. Our aim over the next couple of months will be to implement a measurement plan keeping in mind the scope of e-commerce business." Sharing thoughts on the objective, Lakeer Kukadia says that they are set to achieve a ground-breaking ROI for Candere with exciting and challenging campaigns that are influenced by Gap Analysis, Sentiment Analysis and Customer Segmentation. Radon Media firmly believes data collection is an integral part of any organization's growth. The agency plans to identify weaknesses and strengths within the campaigns and provide measurable results which can be checked by the client in terms of progress and success of their marketing campaigns. About Radon Media: Based in Pune, Radon Media, a start-up company have diverse analytical & marketing skills and resources that best understand the ever-changing, increasing demands of the market. They use a first-hand approach to better understand consumer behaviour and adapt to the fast-paced market changes by thoroughly analyzing results. This helps them continue to grow as an organization and stay at the top. Media Contact: Lakeer Kukadia [email protected] +91-9011285959 Founder, CEO Radon Media SOURCE Radon Media HANGZHOU, China, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Adlai Nortye Biopharma Co., Ltd. ("Adlai Nortye" or "the Company"), a leading biopharmaceutical company in China, announced that Lars E. Birgerson, M.D., Ph.D., joins the company as Chief Development Officer (CDO) and President & CEO of Adlai Nortye USA Inc on July 1st. In his role, Dr. Birgerson will provide leadership and direction to advance Adlai Nortye's pipeline of clinical development programs in cancer treatment, with primary focus on immuno-oncology. Along with significant domain experience in immuno-oncology and global clinical development, Dr. Birgerson brings extensive knowledge from commercial, business development, and medical affairs, both globally and in the U.S. Prior to Adlai Nortye, Dr. Birgerson served as Senior Vice President, Medical R&D at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS). At BMS, Dr. Birgerson was responsible for realignment of the Medical Affairs and Health Economics/Outcomes teams toward emerging opportunities in Specialty Medicine, particularly immuno-oncology. Dr. Birgerson is a physician with more than 25 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience in senior positions for a number of leading companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Genentech, Roche, and Pharmacia. He received his M.D. and Ph.D. and completed residencies in Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Surgery, Gynecological Oncology, and Urological Surgery at Uppsala University in Sweden. He is a dual citizen of the United States and Sweden. "I am very excited to be joining the Adlai Nortye team in building a Global Biotech Company with Chinese roots. Adlai Nortye is a challenger in biotech with a very exciting portfolio of middle and late stage compounds, which holds considerable promise for patients," said Dr. Birgerson. "I look forward to working closely with the many talents within Adlai Nortye to bring more innovative treatments to help enhance the lives of cancer patients around the world." "We are very fortunate to have the leadership of Dr. Birgerson in our clinical development programs and the operations of our US organization," said Carsten Lu, CEO of Adlai Nortye. "At Adlai Nortye, our goal is to grow into a globally aligned, world-class biotech firm. I am confident that Dr. Birgerson, with his credentials and track record, will provide the leadership needed, adding to the strengths of the current Adlai Nortye team to help us achieve that goal and reach an even greater level of success." About Adlai Nortye Adlai Nortye is a science-led biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing new drugs in the field of oncology/immuno-oncology. Our mission is to improve patient lives by identifying and acquiring differentiated innovative medicines that help people live better and longer. Through close collaboration with global partners, we have successfully positioned ourselves in the fields of immuno-oncology/oncology and have several programs ongoing from early pre-clinical to phase 3 ready. For further information about Adlai Nortye, please visit: http://www.adlainortye.com/en.php SOURCE Adlai Nortye Biopharma Co., Ltd. LONDON, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Charging management platform to support new EV charging offer for UK businesses Centrica plc has today (Monday) announced a multi-million-pound investment in Driivz, an Israeli start-up that offers end-to-end software solutions for electric vehicle (EV) charging. Ombu Group, a leading investor in advanced industrial technology companies, has co-led the investment, which forms part of a 9m ($12m) funding round. Established in 2012, Driivz has developed a cloud-based EV charging operating system that is already used by over 200,000 drivers across the globe. The Driivz platform offers charging network operators, car manufacturers and utilities an end-to-end solution to manage all aspects of EV deployment from charging, account management and driver billing, through to onsite power management that allows businesses to optimise output to chargers in line with site energy demand and costs. The investment has been made by Centrica Innovations, established in 2017 to identify, incubate and accelerate new technologies with the potential to transform the way we live, work and move. Centrica Innovations is also integrating the Driivz platform into a new intelligent EV charging service offer for businesses from Centrica Electric Vehicle Services (CEVS). The fully-managed solution has been developed to meet the needs of organisations that want EV charging facilities for their employees and/or their depot-based fleets. Jonathan Tudor, Director of Technology and Innovation Strategy for Centrica Innovations, said: "With 14 million EVs expected on UK roads by 2030, there can be no doubt that e-mobility will have a significant impact on how we manage the delicate balance of supply and demand to the grid. "This investment is a key opportunity for Centrica to support growing customer demand and work in partnership with Driivz to explore new offers for customers that connect home, work and on-the-road car charging, while also evaluating the role of EVs and potential vehicle-to-grid applications as part of the future energy landscape." The CEVS offer builds on the company's experience as an installer of over 4,000 workplace chargers, including Transport for London's 18m EV charging scheme, which aims to install 300 fast charging points in the capital by 2020. Drivers will benefit from access to a self-service portal that gives total control over their EV charging needs, from managing their account and setting payment plans, to planning tools that help to identify, reserve and navigate to their next charging point. Stephen Brooke, CEO of Ombu Group added "Ombu have been watching the EV space closely for a number of years, and in Driivz we are backing an exceptional team with a world-class product. We look forward to partnering with Centrica in this exciting new phase of growth for the company." Doron Frenkel, Founder and CEO of Driivz, said: "Working together, Centrica and Driivz will be able to expedite the adoption of EVs and to become a leading force in the distribution of energy and addressing the challenges of EV charging. We look forward to taking advantage of opportunities in the new world and driving the new reality of EV." For more information on Centrica's new EV charging offer, go to www.centrica.com/EVS or email electricvehicleservices@centrica.com Notes to Editors About Centrica Centrica plc is an international energy and services company. Our purpose is to provide energy and services to satisfy the changing needs of our customers. Centrica Innovations was established in 2017 and aims to invest 100m in new technology and innovations for homes and businesses. CEVS is a wholly owned offer from Centrica Innovations. About Ombu Ombu is a UK investment company that invests in and provides management support to emerging advanced industrial technology companies. About Driivz Founded in Israel in 2012, Driivz offers a powerful world-class cloud-based user-friendly SaaS platform that spans operations management, energy and grid management, user management, public and work place charging management as well as various advanced billing capabilities and driver applications. in 2012, Driivz offers a powerful world-class cloud-based user-friendly SaaS platform that spans operations management, energy and grid management, user management, public and work place charging management as well as various advanced billing capabilities and driver applications. Driivz has performed some of the world's largest EV charging network migration and deployment projects, and is involved with the world's most innovative smart charging and energy management implementations for leading EV charging networks such as EVgo, ESB & ElaadNL. https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/726924/Centrica_plc_Driivz.mp4 Related Links http://www.centrica.com/CI SOURCE Centrica plc Nowadays, online casinos are known as ideal gaming platforms that offer an immersive gaming experience for thousands of users around... Online casinos were considered a novelty in the 90s, and not many users were even familiar with the option to... The rise of social media has changed the way all industries run their businesses and commercial real estate is... Increasingly, homeowners are using smart technology to make their home lives easier. Smart thermostats allow you to set the temperature... I Agree This website uses cookies. 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Sberbank subsidiaries demand $42.5 million from e-commerce giant Ulmart ulmart.ru 10:59 06/08/2018 MOSCOW, August 6 (RAPSI) Subsidiaries of Russias largest bank Sberbank have filed claims with the Commercial Court of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region seeking to include 2.7 billion rubles ($42.5 million) in the Ulmart e-commerce giants creditors list, the court documents read. The court will review the motion of the Sberbank Factoring on October 11 while the motion of Sberbank Russia was postponed until September 3. On June 21, the Thirteenth Commercial Court of Appeals has recovered over 1 billion rubles (about $16 million) from three subsidiaries of giant Ulmart in favor of Sberbank. The court thus granted the banks claim to collect debt under a loan contract. On July 5, the court initiated a monitoring procedure against Ulmart on the request of BigBox company, which seeks 100 million rubles ($1.5 million) from the retailer. Ulmart group of companies is the largest Russian private Internet holding focusing on e-commerce segment. The companys distribution network consists of over 400 sales outlets across more than 240 Russian cities and towns. Four men to go on trial for failure to report terrorist recruitment RIA Novosti, Vitaly Ankov 12:59 06/08/2018 ST. PETERSBURG, August 6 (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov) Four men will stand trial for failure to report to the police that they were subject to recruiting to terrorist organizations, the United press service of St. Petersburg courts has told RAPSI. A criminal case against three natives of Kazakhstan, who have Russian citizenship, Shukhrat Satymbayev, Aizhigit Aitmatov and Bakhodir Madrakhimov, and one Kyrgyz national Iskander Nurbayev, has been forwarded to the Leninsky District Court of St. Petersburg for hearing. The men are charged with failure to report a crime. According to case papers, in August 2016, two Kyrgyz natives Atabek Rustamov and Uula Islambek Oibek attempted to recruit the defendants to the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations banned in Russia through WhatsApp messenger. Madrakhimov did not join the relevant chats in the messenger but was aware of their creation and content. The chats contained videos and messages propagating radical Islam and calling for using force against non-Islamic people, committing terrorist attacks and participating in warfare on the side of the Islamic State militants. The accused persons were being recruited for over a year but did not report this to the police. Russian hacking group leader Anikeyev released from prison RIA Novosti, Vitaly Belousov 13:47 06/08/2018 MOSCOW, August 6 (RAPSI) Vladimir Anikeyev, the leader of Russias hacking group Shaltai-Boltai, or Humpty Dumpty, sentenced to 2 years in a penal colony, has been released from prison due to recent amendments to Russian legislation providing recalculation of prison terms, lawyer Ruslan Koblev has told RAPSI. According to the lawyer, the penal colonys administration decided to approach the matter in a swift manner and recalculated Anikeyevs term in one month instead of six ones, which is why he was released as one of the first inmates affected by this change. The Moscow City Court sentenced Anikeyev to 2 years in prison in July 2017. The man was found guilty of getting illegal access to computer information in collusion with a group of people. Two other group members, Alexander Filinov and Konstantin Teplyakov, have received 3 years in prison each. From 2013 to 2016, Anikeyev and his accomplices hacked computers, cellphones and tablet computers of Russian citizens and stole information data, according to investigation. In some cases, they put the information for sale on the Internet. Anikeyev has pleaded guilty. Recent amendments to the legislation on pre-trial detention envisage certain changes in the rules governing the set-off of time spent in detention with respect to the calculation of prison terms. Russian Human Rights Council Chair calls to focus more on inmates rehabilitation RIA Novosti, Vladimir Pesnya 15:59 06/08/2018 MOSCOW, August 6 (RAPSI) - Chairman of the Presidential Council for Human Rights Mikhail Fedotov has called to focus more on the problem of social rehabilitation of Russian prisoners. The statement was made by Fedotov in relation to investigation into prison torture scandal in a Yaroslavl penal colony that resulted in public outcry. The case of Yevgeny Makarov makes it clear that the penitentiary system devotes little attention to inmates resocialization, the Human Rights Council Chair said. On August 2, the Investigative Committee of Russia brought charges against 12 employees of the Yaroslavl Penal Colony One as part of the criminal case over beating and torture of an inmate. Names of the defendants are: Maksim Yablokov, Igor Bogdanov, Ruslan Tsvetkov, Aleksey Brovkin, Dmitry Solovyov, Sergey Drachev, Ivan Kalashnikov, Sergey Yefremov, Alexander Morozov, Andrey Zybin, Aleksey Andreyev and Aleksey Mikityuk. The case is classified as abuse of office involving use of violence, which is being investigated by the main directorate of the Investigative Committee. The crime may be punished by a prison term of up to 10 years. Earlier, Novaya Gazeta newspaper published a video showing an inmate being tortured by some persons wearing grey camouflage uniforms. Later, it was revealed that the victim in the video had been identified as Yevgeny Makarov, who is serving his term in the Yaroslavl penal colony. The video was filmed by one of the staff members according to lawyers representing Makarov. The inmates attorney Irina Biryukova, who handed the footage to the media, has asked the Federal Chamber of Attorneys to ensure her safety because of threats from the prison staff. She also announced that she was leaving Russia. Chairman of the Presidential Council for Human Rights Mikhail Fedotov visited the penal colony on July 23. The Council filed its reports to the Investigative Committee and the General Prosecutors Office. BBC Persian (Translated by RAWA), June 6, 2018 AIHRC has reported about cases of torture in Afghan prisons and detention centers. AIHRC has reported about cases of torture in Afghan prisons and detention centers. Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) has announced that in the past nine years, more than 64,000 civilians have been killed and injured in Afghanistan. Of this, more than 23,000 have been killed and 40,000 injured. With the publication of a report titled Protecting the Rights of Victims of Armed Conflict and Terrorism, Sima Samar, head of the AIHRC, said that the report recorded civilian casualties from March 21, 2009 to March 20, 2018. She said that according to the report, around 5,000 victims are women, more than 33,000 are men, and the identity of more than 14,000 people is not known. Ms. Samar said that more than 3,000 victims from thirty provinces of Afghanistan had been interviewed for the report. 62 percent of these people had said that they had lost one or several family members in armed attacks or terrorist attacks. According to Ms. Samar, 69 percent of the casualties and injuries of Afghan civilians were caused by anti-government insurgents, and nearly 7,000 were killed and wounded by Afghan and international security forces. Torture in detention centers and prisons Ms. Samar said that the findings of this commission indicate that in 2017-2018, around 79 cases of torture had been recorded in several provinces. She said that most of these incidents had occurred at the time of the arrest of the defendants, when the Afghan National Police and the Afghan National Security Forces responded to violence from the detainees. According to Ms. Samar, 62 of these incidents were carried out by the National Police and 13 by National Security Forces. According to her, in 2017-2018, the cases of torture had decreased by 22 percent as compared to the previous year, when 102 cases of torture had been recorded. Hambastagi.org (Translated by RAWA), July 14, 2018 By Rahmat Ashraf Ghanis trip to Laghman province on July 2, 2018, ended up costing Salma her life. Salma, a 13-year-old girl, lived in Mahtarlaam city and came to the main city every day to sell yogurt and earn some money for her poor family. She was hit by a car from Ashraf Ghanis motorcade. The news of Salmas martyrdom only came out on social media. We visited her home to pay our condolences and learn some more details. Samiullah, Salmas father who was in a state of shock at the loss of his beloved daughter, described his life, We are very poor. I have a job but it is not enough for our family. This is why we were forced to send Salma to sell yogurt in the city. She bore the brunt of our familys expenses on her small shoulders. But one of Ashraf Ghanis high speed cars mercilessly took my daughter from me. When Ashraf Ghanis bodyguards martyred my daughter, the killers left the city indifferently, like they had killed a bird. The passersby took my daughter to the hospital. He added that some government officials had pressured him to keep quiet about the matter. Haji Gul, Salmas uncle, said, They told us to take the body home and keep the matter a secret, because the people who killed her are powerful and we are no match for them. We said it is very late now and the weather is warm, so we cannot take her body home. After a lot of begging, they agreed to keep her body in the hospital morgue for one more day. They did not allow the media people to enter the hospital. The governors spokesman called me and said that no one should know about the incident. I put the news out on Facebook the next day, and the spokesman called me again. He said the governor wants to meet you. I did not agree to the meeting. I told him that my daughter has been martyred, and I have not committed a crime to come to meet him. Haji Gul said that the next day the governor and some other government officials went to Salmas home to pay their condolences. They promised to pay the family 300,000 Afghanis, some land, and martyrdom documents (official documents granted to families of martyrs which gives them monthly payments from the government) in return for their silence, but had not given anything till now. A young man from Laghman province spoke to us on condition of anonymity, Ashraf Ghani killed a child, and promised to pay 300,000 Afghanis. This is very shameful. Neither 300,000 nor 3,000,000 can bring the sweet child back. Unless Salmas killers are punished, this act will give hundreds of parliamentarians and warlords the power to kill our defenseless people every day. Ponzi schemes have characteristics that the informed investor can spot easily, says Sanjay Kumar Singh. Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com Do names like Saradha, Rose Valley, Pan Card, etc ring a bell? These are Ponzi schemes in which Indian investors have lost millions of rupees. To curb this menace, the government tabled the 'Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2018' in Parliament recently. While the punitive provisions of this legislation will definitely act as a deterrent, investors on their part too need to be able to spot these schemes and steer clear of them. Spot a Ponzi scheme and avoid it; Ponzi schemes have a few characteristics that the informed investor can spot easily. The first sign is the promise of an abnormally high rate of return. "If today a bank gives you 7 per cent return, and a scheme promises 18 per cent, get suspicious," says Arvind A Rao, a Sebi-registered investment advisor. The second sign is the promise of 'guaranteed' returns. Today, very few schemes give guaranteed returns. Also, high returns and guaranteed returns don't go hand in hand. Three, if the salesperson makes the investment process appear convoluted, be warned. Four, if the agent does not explain the investment risks upfront, stay away. Ask the sales agent which regulator the money-raising entity is registered with. "If it is a genuine entity, the salesperson should share the registration licence and number," says Rao. Invest with players who have been around for a long time. "If a company has been around for 20, 30 years, then the probability of it running a scam is lower, while a two-three-year-old company can well turn out to be a fly-by-night operator," says Mumbai-based financial planner Arnav Pandya. Pandya suggests sticking to established instruments like bank fixed deposits, small saving schemes, Government of India bonds, mutual funds, etc. He also suggests investing only with well-known entities and avoiding small, locally-operated ones. Regulatory-judicial lacunae: The key legal provisions that come into play when such scams occur are those in the Indian Penal Code pertaining to fraud (and certain other laws administered by the Securities and Exchange Board of India, or Sebi). But proving fraud can take a lot of time, and the penalties were also not high, which meant that the existing deterrents are inadequate. Regulatory silos also allow the perpetrators to escape. The Reserve Bank of India only regulates entities like banks and non-banking finance companies. Sebi has regulations for collective investment schemes, but these do not cover cooperative societies. Many issues fall under the purview of central legislation while others are state subjects. Such regulatory cracks have allowed miscreants to get away. Comprehensive legislation: A key strength of the proposed legislation is its sweeping nature. "It brings under its purview every kind of deposit-raising scheme, whether regulated or unregulated. Schemes already regulated by existing regulators will fall under its purview. And it completely bans deposit raising by unregulated entities," says Ajay Joseph, partner, Veyrah Law. If any entity raises money but fails to repay investors the principal and interest due to fraudulent causes, it will be held liable. Earlier, the concerned authorities had to initiate enquiries, carry out investigations, and go through an elaborate process. In India the judicial process is slow. Those being prosecuted find ways to delay it further. Hence, it takes a lot of time to bring culprits to book. The proposed legislation will allow the competent authority being set up in the states to attach assets that have been acquired through unregulated deposits. "The authorities will not have to wait until a fraud has been detected or money has been squandered away, which makes recovery difficult," says Joseph. "The competent authority will be able to act the moment it receives information. It will be able to ask for reasons, get statements of account, and then proceed to pass attachment orders so that no further funds are raised," Joseph adds. Even if there is siphoning of funds to related parties, this legislation allows the special court to go to the entity to which money has been transferred. It can ask the concerned party to show cause why it shouldn't attach such transferee's assets of equivalent value. The recipients will also have to show that they paid fair value for the assets acquired in such related-party transactions. Finally, both the financial and incarceration-based deterrents of this legislation are much higher. Draconian in character: One concern voiced by stakeholders is that the government needs to fix the flaws in the judicial system by empowering it with adequate resources, improving infrastructure, appointing enough judges so that litigation moves at a faster pace, and providing more resources to the law and order mechanism to carry out investigations properly. Instead, the government compensates by formulating more draconian laws. "To my mind, attachment and seizure of assets, or penalising without concluding a proper and fair trial is draconian. Such laws can sometimes be used to harass people instead of achieving their objectives," says Joseph. Another concern is whether those presiding over these special courts will have the necessary knowledge to understand complicated financial issues. Many Western countries have effective policies for incentivising and protecting whistleblowers. Experts say such a policy should have been incorporated in this legislation. To expect the competent authority to be able to find out in which remote corner such schemes are operating is unrealistic. The enactment of a new, harsher law may not end this menace entirely. "Since the deterrents are stronger, people will think twice before starting such schemes. But there is a possibility that these operations may go underground. There may be no written documents, and they may be run entirely by word-of-mouth, which will make them harder to track," says Ramabhadran Thirumalai, assistant professor of finance at Indian School of Business. To be effective, he says, these courts will have to dispense faster justice. He also adds that legislative measures need to be supplemented with financial literacy initiatives. IMAGE: A farmer talks on his cell phone Photograph: Parth Sanyal/Reuters Over 43,000 inhabited villages in India do not have mobile phone services, with Odisha accounting for the highest number of such villages at 9,940, Parliament was informed last week. The number of inhabited villages without mobile services stood at 43,088 as on July 27, 2018 (based on 2018 Survey) out of 5,97,618 inhabited villages in the country as per census 2011, Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. Odisha had 9,940 villages without mobile services, while 6,117 villages in Maharashtra and 5,558 villages in Madhya Pradesh did not have mobile services, the data showed. Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Delhi, Kerala and Puducherry did not have any village without mobile services, it added. 'Wireless technologies inter alia include 2G, 3G and 4G technology. 2G mobile network covers 97 per cent of population, while 3G as well as 4G mobile networks cover at least 88 per cent of population of the country," Sinha said. According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, there were 145.82 million Internet connections in rural areas at the end of March 2018. Infographic: Hemantkumar Shivsharan for Rediff.com Allegations of sexual exploitation of the inmates came to light when a 10-year-old girl managed to flee from there. IMAGE: Girija Tripathi and her husband Mohan Tripathi, who operated the shelter home, have been arrested. Photograph: ANI Twenty-four girls were rescued from a shelter home in Deoria after allegation of sexual exploitation of the inmates came to light, prompting the Uttar Pradesh government to swing into a damage control mode by removing the district magistrate and ordering a high-level probe. Police said three people, including a couple who ran the shelter, were arrested in connection with the matter. Twenty-four girls were rescued yesterday from the shelter home at station road in the name of Ma Vindhyawasini Mahila Prakishan Evam Samaj Sewa Sansthan, which has 42 inmates. Eighteen inmates are still missing. We have sealed it, Superintendent of Police Rohan P Kanay said in Deoria. Taking a serious note of the matter, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered the immediate removal of Deoria District Magistrate Sujit Kumar, UP Minister for Women and Child Welfare Rita Bahuguna Joshi told reporters in Lucknow. She said Adityanath has sent a high-level probe team to Deoria for on-the-spot inquiry. The chief minister has asked the probe team to prepare report by Monday night itself. Besides this, the then district probation officer Abhishek Pandey has been suspended and a departmental probe ordered against the two other officers. Additional Chief Secretary Renuka Kumar and Additional Director General of Police (Women Cell) Anju Gupta have been rushed to Deoria and they have been asked to submit their report by tonight, Joshi said. The minister said that the recognition of the NGO was revoked a year back and funds were stopped. We will probe how it was functioning till now and see who is responsible for this, she said. Abhishek Pandey was the district probation officer when the recognition of the NGO was revoked. The probe will be unbiased and strict action will be taken against the guilty. The probe team will talk to inmates and take into account their ordeal while preparing the report, she said. She said that the chief minister had already issued an order on August 3, after Muzaffarpur incident in Bihar emerged, asking DMs in UP to check all such shelter homes. All DMs have been asked to submit their report within 12 hours, the minister said. The matter comes in the backdrop of the alleged sexual abuse of young girls at a state-funded shelter home in Bihars Muzaffarpur which led to a public outcry. Sexual abuse of 34 inmates out of 42 was confirmed in medical examination. The details of activities at the shelter home emerged when a 10-year-old girl managed to flee from there. She reached a woman police station and informed them about the plight of the inmates. Many times white, black and red cars used to come and take away the girls. When the returned in the morning, they used to cry, the girl alleged. The SP Deoria said the young girl told the police that around 4 pm every day some people came and took away some girls along with the manager with them. The 10-year-old girl belongs to Bihars Bettiah city and she also told the police that she escaped because of heavy work load. Girija Tripathi and her husband Mohan Tripathi, who operated the shelter home, and its superintendent Kanchanlata were arrested, they said. However Girija Tripathi told reporters that the charges were baseless and payment of last three years was pending, so she was running the shelter home. The SP Deoria was directed by the UP Police Headquarters in Lucknow to take stern action against the culprits. The entire matter will be investigated and the local administration is already taking action. The Women and Child Development Department is also coordinating. The inquiry will be done under proper legal procedure, ADG Law and Order Anand Kumar said in Lucknow. The medical test of the children would be made by a woman doctor and the statement recorded before a magistrate, Anand said. The SP said the registration of the shelter home was suspended in June 2017 on report of irregularities found by the CBI and the administration gave an order to shift all the inmates from there. But the manager was running the home and told us that the high court has given a stay. When she was not able to show the court order, the administration sent a team to the shelter home to shift the girls but the manager did not cooperate, he said. A case was then registered against Kanchanlata and Girija Tripathi under section 353 of the IPC (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty), the SP said. District Magistrate Sujit Kumar said there was a list of 42 inmates staying there. We are probing the matter, he said. Meanwhile, the incident gave fresh ammunition to the opposition parties to attack the Yogi Adityanath-led government. Both the Congress and the Samajwadi Party demanded a CBI probe into the incident. The entire matter should be probed by the CBI. A probe by the central agency should be immediately ordered. Such an incident shows that government is not doing its job seriously, Congress leader Ashok Singh said. SP leader and MLC Sunil Yadav said the incident showed insensitiveness of the government towards women and demanded a CBI probe. Why is the chief minister shying from taking action against lax officers. Who is saving such officers? Immediate action is needed on such issues to give a strong message, he posed. The Samajwadi Party leader alleged that the present government not serious about the issues of women. It also provides that no preliminary enquiry will be required for registering a criminal case and an arrest under this law would not be subject to any approval. A bill to overturn a Supreme Court order concerning certain safeguards against arrest under the SC/ST law was unanimously passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday. The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill 2018 rules out any provision for anticipatory bail for a person accused of atrocities against SC/STs, notwithstanding any court order. It also provides that no preliminary enquiry will be required for registering a criminal case and an arrest under this law would not be subject to any approval. Replying to the debate on the bill, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot asserted that the National Democratic Alliance government favoured reservation 'and will continue to be in favour reservation for SC/ST'. The amendment, he said, will strengthen the legislative provisions to protect SC/ST. The move to amend the Bill is being seen by the Opposition as a reach-out by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government to Dalits, ahead of their proposed nationwide protest later this month to demand restoration of the provisions of the law which, the Dalit groups allege, were diluted by a Supreme Court ruling of March 20. These groups have been asking the government to overturn a Supreme Court ruling of March 20, saying it had 'diluted' and rendered 'toothless' the law against atrocities faced by the weakest sections of the society by putting additional safeguards against arrest of the accused. Gehlot said after the Supreme Court put some restrictions on Article 18 of this Act, the law lost its importance. "The review petition filed by the government is still pending. Due to delay in the Supreme Court and rising anger among the Dalit community, there was a need to amend Article 18," the minister said. He accepted that 6-7 per cent cases under the Indian Penal Code and 10-12 per cent cases under Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were misused. "But citing the misuse of the Act, we can't allow 88 per cent of Dalits to suffer," Gehlot asserted. Participating in the debate, leader of Congress in the House Mallikarjun Kharge said the government should have brought this bill as an Ordinacce much earlier. "In recent times, the government has brought as many six Ordinances, they could have brought the 7th Ordinance as well. If there was no public pressure, then the government would not have brought this bill," Kharge insisted. The Congress leader urged the government to include the SC/ST Act in the ninth schedule of the Constitution so that it goes out of the jurisdiction of the courts. Kharge also urged the government to withdraw cases against those people who had protested against Supreme Court judgment on April 20. Citing National Crime Record Bureau data, he said in the last four years, there was a 40 per cent increase in atrocities against Dalits. "Every minute a Dalit suffers atrocities. In every week, 11 dalit gets killed, but unfortunately the conviction rate is too low," he said. Taking a jibe at the government, Kharge said, "There are 24 lakh vacancies in government jobs. So it should first fill all vacant posts." He also alleged that people associated with the BJP were involved in lynching incidents against Dalits and Muslims. P Ravindra Babu (Telugu Desam Party) said the government was not sincere about the concerns of Dalits, else it should have promulgated an ordinance to restore the provisions of the Act following the Supreme Court judgment. Questioning its intent, he said the government had promulgated six ordinances but 'waited' for the Monsoon Session to bring the amendment. Besides, he said, the government rewarded the judge by making him chairperson of an important Tribunal. Balka Suman (Telangana Rashtra Samithi) said if this government had any sympathy for the dalits, the legislation should be included in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution. He also demanded the reservation in the higher judiciary. Jitendra Choudhary (Communist Party of India-Marxist) also pressed for inclusion of this legislation in the 9th Schedule, while Upendra Kushwaha (Rashtriya Lok Samata Party) said the legislation has once again proved supremacy of Parliament. He too sought reservation in higher judiciary and removal of 50 per cent cap on the reservation. Tariq Anwar (Nationalist Congress Party) also supported the amendment. Demanding setting up of All India Judicial Services, several members stressed the need for to providing space for SC/ST and dalit community in the country's judiciary. Chirag Paswan (Lok Janshakti Party) said that Indian judicial services was need of the hour and the government should take it seriously. "There is a need to appoint judges based on competition," he said adding the government should put this law in the ninth schedule of the Constitution. Union Minister Anupriya Patel too said that representation of SC/ST and backward community was very low in judiciary and "till the time we would address this issue, such judgments would haunt us". She also urged the government to set up All India Judicial Services, observing that 'we were not able to provide a level playing field and respect to this community'. She also said that atrocities against this community has increased over the years. H S Khalsa (Aam Aadmi Party) said 'we did not provide a system where there could be a meritocracy in judiciary', while Bhagirath Prasad (BJP) demanded setting up of judicial service. Supporting the bill, J P N Yadav (Rashtriya Janata Dal) said that the government brought this bill because of public pressure. He also demanded caste based census. "This government is not for Make in India, but they are Back in India," he added. Asaduddin Owaisi (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) this was the 'Shah Bano moment' and sought to know if the government would call it appeasement of Dalits. He also demanded that Muslims be included in the SC/SC Act. K Suresh (Congress) said the NDA government has rewarded one of the two Supreme Court judges who delivered the controversial judgment in the matter. Among others who participated in the discussion include E T Mohammed Basheer (IUML), Rattan Lal Kataria (BJP), Kaushlendra Kumar (Janata Dal-United), Virender Kashyap (BJP), Dushyant Chautala (Indian National Lok Dal), Kirit Solanki (BJP), P S Chandumajra (Shiromani Akali Dal). Brajesh Thakur, the main accused in the child sexual abuse case, has been resting it out for the past 40 days. M I Khan reports from Patna. Brajesh Thakur, the main accused in the sexual abuse involving 34 girl inmates at a shelter home in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, managed by his NGO Sewa Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti, is resting in a hospital ward and is not in jail. Thakur, 50, was arrested on June 3. On June 27, he was shifted to the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in Muzaffarpur where he remains. After the issue surfaced in the local media, Muzaffarpur Central Jail Superintendent Rajeev Kumar Jha asked for a report on Thakur's condition from the jail's medical officer. In his report the jail medical officer stated that Thakur suffers from high blood pressure and that his pulse rate was not normal. Thakur, whose NGO ran several shelter homes in the state, is one of the 10 people arrested for the alleged rape and torture of the minors over the past four years. The girls were allegedly drugged, raped, forced to sleep naked and scalded with boiling water by Thakur and his staff, a police chargesheet revealed. "Why has Thakur been allowed to remain in hospital when his place is in jail?" asks Rashtriya Janata Dal spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav. "This reveals how well connected Thakur is with the top brass of the state government," Yadav alleged. The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is probing the case at the shelter home, is yet to take Thakur into remand to interrogate him. According to sources, a senior police officer received calls from past and present Union ministers soon after Thakur was arrested. Asked about the issue at a press conference on Monday, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar declined comment. IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Photograph: PTI Photo Rejecting Opposition's demand to sack his social welfare minister Manju Verma over the Muzaffarpur shelter home scandal, embattled Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday blamed 'system flaw' for such cases and said she would be asked 'to go' only if there is evidence against her, even as the Patna high court agreed to monitor a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the matter for its speedy trial. The alleged rape of 34 inmates at the government-funded shelter home for girls also resonated in Parliament where two Bihar MPs protested in Lok Sabha demanding justice for the victims and claimed evidence of the crime was destroyed before the state government handed over the case to the CBI. Putting the blame on the long-standing 'flaw in the system' of such shelter homes being run by NGOs in the entire country, Kumar announced his decision to phase out this practice in Bihar and said the state government would take over administration of all such centres over a period of time. He said Verma can be asked 'to go' only if she is found to have facilitated any wrongdoing and not because of some 'noises' -- a stance that found support from his deputy and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushil Modi. Kumar also took potshots at his former party colleague Sharad Yadav and other opposition leaders for attending a protest in the national capital on the issue, organised by Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, saying it was amusing to see people having spoken unkindly of women holding candle lights at an event organised by a person facing corruption charges. Soon after Kumar replied some media queries during his weekly public interaction programme 'Lok Samvad' while referring specific questions to officials on why the main accused Brajesh Kumar was never taken into police custody, his deputy chief minister also asserted there is no need for resignation of Verma or any other minister 'just because some people are giving statements'. Verma is in the eye of storm ever since name of her husband has cropped up in the Muzaffarpur sex scandal, in which medical reports have confirmed rape of 34 out of a total of 42 inmates of the shelter home. The opposition parties have been gunning for the minister's head. "Investigations are on. If it is found that she had in any way facilitated any wrongdoing, she may have to go, but (not) because people are making noises," Kumar said. Hitting back at opposition leaders, Kumar said where were these people, who have suddenly grown so sensitive, when the first FIR was lodged on May 31 and why have they woken up to the scandal in the last few weeks. Coming in support of Verma of Janata Dal-United, Modi said no minister needs to resign just because some people are making noises. "They are voicing their personal opinion and that is not the party line," he said, referring to his party colleague C P Thakur reportedly favouring Verma's resignation. Modi also rejected the opposition demand for resignation of another minister, BJP's Suresh Sharma over this scandal. Kumar dismissed speculation that a BJP leader favouring Verma's resignation and letters written by Governor Satya Pal Mallik to him and to the Centre hinted towards a strategy by his coalition partner to pin him down. He launched a scathing attack on Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejrwial and others who participated in the Jantar Mantar protest, saying it showed corruption is no longer an issue for them. At the nearly hour-long media interaction, the CM asked officials to take over when questions were posed as to why the main accused was never taken into police custody and was allowed to remain in a hospital and newspapers run by him continued to get huge government advertisements. Director General of Police K S Dwivedi said the trial court did not accept the plea for police remand of Brajesh Thakur, patron of the NGO that was running the shelter home, and he was sent to a hospital by a court order on the basis of a medical report. Official sources said a three-member team has now been constituted for medical examination of Thakur, who has been in hospital for close to 40 days. Principal Secretary (Social Welfare) Atul Prasad said it was not possible to make public the TISS report since the law prohibits anything that might disclose the victims' identity. Principal Secretary (Information and Public Relations Department) Atish Chandra said Thakur's newspapers were getting government advertisements since late 80s but it was stopped this June after the scandal came to light. In Lok Sabha, protesting Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan and RJD's Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav trooped into the well. They were supported by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Nationalist Congress Party leader Tariq Anwar besides others. However, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan asked them to raise the issue during the Zero Hour and continued with the proceedings of the Question Hour. While political parties continued indulging in a slugfest, the Patna high court accepted the Bihar government's request to take up monitoring of the CBI investigation and ensure its speedy trial by appointing a special judge. Advocate General Lalit Kishore told reporters that the court accepted both requests of the state government. A bench comprising Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice Rajeev Ranjan Prasad also directed the CBI to submit details regarding investigations so far and posted the matter for further hearing after two weeks. Images from across Europe and parts of Asia show hot and bothered people dunking their feet in buckets of ice and wading into the sea as sweltering temperatures put some areas on red alert. Two-thirds of France are on an orange heatwave alert after temperatures soared in Europe. Temperatures are expected to cross 40 degree celsius in the country, leaving people hot and bothered. In Nice, people are standing in fountains to cool off from this scorching heat. Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters The heat is so intense in Nice, France that the beaches were dotted with parasols as people couldn't enjoy the sun's harsh rays. Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters The ongoing heat wave has lowered water levels of rivers in Germany. In one instance, dangerous World War II munitions have been exposed near the Elbe river due to the lowering of the levels. The German national weather agency said unusually warm temperatures began in April, the warmest April on record. May was also a record-breaker, while June and July remained exceptionally warm. July was the driest in 60 years and the fourth-warmest on record, tying 2010. Photograph: Fanny Brodersen/Reuters London too is sweltering in this heat wave. UK's weatherman has said that the summer heat wave is being caused by high pressure over the UK and warm air flooding in from Europe. There are major concerns over the heat as 220 people have been admitted to hospital due to sunburn over the last two months alone. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters The heat has also resulted in forest fires in places such as Sweden and Finland. Finland's August average is 19 degree Celsius but temperatures approached 30 degree Celsius this week. Photograph: Roni Lehti/Lehtikuva/Reuters People fill bottles with water at the Barcaccia fountain in Spain Square as temperature soars throughout the country, in Rome, Italy. Italy too is in the grip of the first extended heat wave of summer, with the government placing 12 cities on 'red alert' for heat-related health risks. Many other cities in the country were placed on an orange or level 2 alert. Photograph: Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters People cool off at a weir of the Berounka river in the village of Dobrichovice, near Prague, Czech Republic. The heatwave hitting Prague is affecting not only residents but also the animals in the zoo. The city is helping by watering down the streets, while the zoo has its own protocols for animals that are not native to warm climates. July 31 was the hottest day so far of the year in the Czech Republic, with 37.6 degrees recorded in Rez near Prague. Photograph: David W Cerny/Reuters People cool off in the water during a hot summer day in Warsaw, Poland. Photograph: Kacper Pempel/Reuters Depth markers show the water depletion of Yarrow reservoir near Bolton as the heat wave continues across the UK. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images A man sits in an alley of a slum area during a hot day in Seoul, South Korea. South Korea grappled with a heat wave in recent weeks following the rainy season as temperatures hit a record high of 40.3 degree Celsius in Hongcheon, a town in the northeastern province of Gangwon. Photograph: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images A firefighter sprays water in an alley of a slum area in Seoul, South Korea. South Korea. According to authorities, 2,266 have suffered heat-related conditions while over 28 people have died from heat-related causes as the hot weather is set to continue throughout the week. Photograph: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images Children eat ice creams in Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan. A deadly heat wave has killed at least 30 people and continues to grip Japan with temperatures exceeding 37c in Tokyo.. Photograph: Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Images A woman and a child use fans to try and keep cool in Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan. The heat wave shows no sign of abating, forecasters say. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that temperatures of 35C or higher would continue until early August. Photograph: Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Images A man uses a fan to cool down in Ginza Tokyo, Japan. Owing to the heat wave, the government has issued an advisory asking people to drink plenty of water, to use air conditioning and to rest often. The heat wave comes right after the torrential rain that caused severe flooding and landslides in the west of Japan. Photograph: Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Images Life in Kashmir remained severely affected on Monday for the second consecutive day due to a complete shutdown called by separatists against the legal challenge in the Supreme Court on the validity of Article 35A. The two-day strike called by the Joint Resistance Leadership -- comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik -- comes as the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a PIL challenging the validity of Article 35A later in the day. Article 35A, incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, confers special status to the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir, and bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state. Educational institutions, shops and business establishments remained closed across the Valley, while all kinds of transport remained off the roads due to the strike. The state government has filed an application before the registrar of the Supreme Court, informing that it was going to seek adjournment of the hearing in view of the ongoing preparations for the upcoming panchayat and urban local body and municipal elections in the state. Officials said security forces had been deployed at vulnerable places in the city and elsewhere in Kashmir for maintaining law and order. The situation across the Valley is peaceful with no untoward incident reported from anywhere so far on Monday, the officials said. Stone-pelting incidents were reported from some places on Sunday, with six people getting injured in Kulgam district in a clash between protesters and security forces. Various organisations. including the state bar association, transporters and traders bodies have extended support to the shutdown call. Protests have been held across the length and breadth of Kashmir over the past few days, with mainstream parties like National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party also holding rallies in support of continuing Article 35A. Photographs: S Irfan/PTI Photos, Umar Ganie/Rediff.com Parliament on Monday passed a bill to provide constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes, as several members in the Rajya Sabha urged the government to make public the findings of the caste census and implement reservation accordingly. The demand was raised during a debate on the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill 2017 in the Upper House, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 2 superseding the amendments earlier carried out by the Rajya Sabha. On Monday, the Upper House adopted the legislation along with the amendments made by the Lok Sabha, by 156 votes to nil. Over two-third majority of those present voted in favour of the bill, which is a necessity for amending the Constitution. The Rajya Sabha had earlier passed the measure on July 31 last year, along with an amendment and sent it to the Lower House. The Lok Sabha had passed the bill last week with alternate amendments as well as some more changes unanimously with over two-third majority. Replying to the debate on the bill, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot said it would help the backward classes people fight atrocities against them and ensure quick justice to them. "This bill would provide justice to the OBC people, it is the need of the hour," Gehlot said. Referring to the suggestions by the opposition parties, he said the NCBC would have female representation. He also assured that it would also not encroach upon the rights of state governments as they would have their own backward class commissions. "This commission has no relation with the state governments but is related to the Centre only." He said the state governments had their own lists of castes of OBC people, while the Centre had its own. The NCBC would recommend only to the central government regarding inclusion or deletion of a particular caste in the list. "This is an important issue. There was demand for a constitutional status to OBC Commission from the 1980s and Parliament had held discussions several times. It has been discussed by the Standing Committee," Gehlot said and urged the members to pass it expeditiously. He said once the bill is passed by Parliament, the government would immediately form the commission. Participating in the discussion on the constitutional amedment bill and the National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill 2017, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Bhupender Yadav urged political parties to shun "vote politics" and support these measures. He charged the Congress of sabotaging the issue earlier and said it had chance to rectify its mistake by ensuring passage of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha. "Last time the bill fell in Rajya Sabha...UPA in its two terms failed to bring this amendment... OBC is a religion- neutral term and the Bill failed last time because politics defeated social justice," Yadav said. He said the bill is long overdue and lamented that many states have not implemented 27 per cent reservation to the OBCs and added that parties should "rise above vote bank politics and work towards social justice". Congress MP Chaya Verma sought reservation in Parliament and assemblies for OBCs said creamy layer should be removed. She asked the goverment how it will implement the quota when it was encouraging contractual jobs. MP Narendra Jadhav demanded that the findings of the socio-economic caste census be made public. He said the Rohini Commission report and the census data should be compared to prepare fresh data of OBCs. ndian National Lok Dal MP Ram Kumar Kashyap said two panel members must be taken from extreme backward classes and there should be a bill for reservation in legislature for the OBCs. Bahujan Samaj Party MP Ashok Sidharth allged that the motive behind the government to bring the Bill now was to woo the electorate in the ensuing assembly elections. Rashtriya Janata Dal Manoj Kumar Jha expressed hope that this will create a level-playing field, while Telangana Rashtra Samithi MP B Prakash said no serious efforts have been made for caste-based census. Communis Party of India-Marxist MP T K Rangarajan said mere acts will not do as they did not percolate down to the grassroot level, as recent data showed that only 7 out of 100 teachers in the Central Universities belonged to SC/ST and OBC categories. Congress MP B K Hariprasad said although the government has made provision for a female member, it has left out representation for minorities. Observing that that the Supreme Court has mandated that the qualification of the Chairperson, Vice Chairman and Members and prescribed that a former or sitting judge of the Supreme Court or high court should be the Chairman of the commission. "But unfortunatley, there are hardly any OBC or SC judges in the Supreme Court. There may be some in the high courts," he said, adding there was a huge disparity in this matter. MP Sambhaji Chhatrapati demanded that Marathas be included in the OBC list to get equal opportunity in jobs. "It is not clear that why Marathas have been excluded in one or the other commission," he said, adding they were identified as backward class by the British rulers also. Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav also supported the bill and said the government should come out with the caste-based census and implement the reservations accordingly. He demanded that the reservation should also be extended to the judiciary. While All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP A Navaneethakrishnan supported the bill and sought removal of creamy layer from the OBC list, Trinamool Congress MP Ahamed Hassan said the bill unduly interfered with the affairs of the state governments. AIADMK MP Vijila Sathyananth suggested that there should be one woman member and one member from minorities on board of the commission. She also pitched for representation from each region of the country. She also drew attention towards skewed representation of OBCs in various committees, commissions, boards and other different fora of government. BJP"s Ram Chandra Prasad Singh supported the bill and demanded for another such bill for highly backward classes, while Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said "we have to eliminate caste to strengthen country's political system." Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP T K S Elangovan said suggested that the word Governor should be replaced by government for consultation by the commission because government knows better about backward classes in a state than an executive appointed. He also said that the power to list out OBCs should lie with the states. Republican Party of India MP Ramdas Athawale sought that the total quota for backward classed should be increased from 50 per cent at present to 75 per cent. COngress MP Ripun Bora also suggested that there should be representation of women and minorities in the commission, while CPI MP D Raja was of the view that there is no point of having commissions whose recommendations are not biding on the government. He said "NITI Aayog is promoting public private partnership and privatisation of public sector undertakings. Where is the scope of reservation? The commission should not be devised to hoodwink people". Congress MP Madhusudan Mistry said the commission should not suffer shortage of funds, while MP Ritabrata Banerjee was of the view that this bill interfered with the freedom of the state. Bodoland People's Front MP Biswajit Daimary also supported the bill. United States President Donald Trump on Monday reimposed sanctions on Iran, which were lifted as part of the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, but said he remains open to forging a new 'more comprehensive' deal with the Islamic Republic. In May, Trump had announced to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal. The reimposition of sanctions on Iran will have major impact on countries like India, with which it has traditional and historic trade relationship. "Today, the US is taking action to reimpose nuclear-related sanctions with respect to Iran that were lifted in connection with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action of July 14, 2015 (the JCPOA)," Trump said. These actions include reimposing sanctions on Iran's automotive sector and on its trade in gold and precious metals, as well as sanctions related to the Iranian rial. These measures will take effect on August 7, 2018. Clinton campaign colluded with Russians, alleges Trump President Donald Trump on Monday alleged that the Hillary Clinton campaign colluded with Russians in the 2016 presidential polls, a charge he himself has been fending against since winning the elections. 'Collusion with Russia was very real. Hillary Clinton and her team 100 per cent colluded with the Russians, and so did Adam Schiff who is on tape trying to collude with what he thought was Russians to obtain compromising material on DJT (Donald J Trump),' he tweeted. It is a first time Trump has said that there was Russian interference in the presidential polls, but alleged they colluded with the Hillary Campaign and not his team, as his detractors have been alleging. 'We also know that Hillary Clinton paid through a law firm, eventually Kremlin connected sources, to gather info on Donald Trump,' he alleged. His tweets comes amidst investigations by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, a former Federal Bureau of Investigation director, into the allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections and collusion with the Trump campaign. The US President has denied the allegation. Trump met with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland last month and later in a joint press conference with the Russian President, he dismissed his own intelligence chiefs' conclusion that Putin himself oversaw the effort to damage Clinton. Trump has repeatedly branded the Mueller probe a 'witch hunt'. "All remaining US nuclear-related sanctions will resume effective November 5, 2018. These include sanctions targeting Iran's energy sector, including petroleum-related transactions, as well as transactions by foreign financial institutions with the Central Bank of Iran," said the US president. At the same time, Trump said he remains open to reaching a 'more comprehensive deal' that addresses the full range of the Iranian regime's malign activities, including its ballistic missile programme and its support for terrorism. "The US welcomes the partnership of likeminded nations in these efforts," he added. Reiterating that the US is fully committed to enforcing all of its sanctions, and will work closely with nations conducting business with Iran to ensure complete compliance, Trump warned that individuals or entities that fail to wind down activities with Iran risk severe consequences. Trump said that many international firms have already announced their intent to leave the Iranian market, and several countries have indicated that they will reduce or end imports of Iranian crude oil. "We urge all nations to take such steps to make clear that the Iranian regime faces a choice: either change its threatening, destabilizing behavior and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation," he said. Beginning on Tuesday, sanctions will be reimposed on purchase or acquisition of US bank notes by Iran; transactions related to the Iranian rial, activities relating to Iran's issuance of sovereign debt and Iran's automotive sector. Sanctions will also be reimposed on Iran's trade in gold and other precious metals and graphite, aluminum, steel, coal, and software used in industrial processes, the White House said on Monday. However, the remaining sanctions will be reimposed on November 5, including sanctions on Iran's port operators and energy, shipping, and shipbuilding sectors; Iran's petroleum-related transactions and transactions by foreign financial institutions with the Central Bank of Iran. The Trump administration will also relist hundreds of individuals, entities, vessels, and aircraft that were previously included on sanctions lists, the White House said. By doing so, the administration is implementing the decision made by President Trump in May when he ended US participation in the JCPOA. Describing the JCPOA as 'a horrible, one-sided deal', Trump said that it failed to achieve the fundamental objective of blocking all paths to an Iranian nuclear bomb, and it 'threw a lifeline of cash to a murderous dictatorship that has continued to spread bloodshed, violence, and chaos'. "Since the deal was reached, Iran's aggression has only increased. The regime has used the windfall of newly accessible funds it received under the JCPOA to build nuclear-capable missiles, fund terrorism, and fuel conflict across the Middle East and beyond," he said. "To this day, Iran threatens the United States and our allies, undermines the international financial system, and supports terrorism and militant proxies around the world," he alleged. By exiting the JCPOA, the US is able to protect its national security by applying maximum economic pressure on the Iranian regime, he said, adding that so far his administration has issued 17 rounds of Iran-related sanctions, designating 145 companies and individuals. Since Trump's announcement on May 8 withdrawing the US from the JCPOA, his administration has sanctioned 38 Iran-related targets in six separate actions. "Reimposition of nuclear-related sanctions through today's actions further intensifies pressure on Tehran to change its conduct," he added. Alleging that Iran is currently witnessing civil unrest and economic woes, a senior Trump administration official told reporters that the president has been very clear: none of this needs to happen. "He will meet with Iranian leadership at anytime to discuss a real, comprehensive deal that will contain their regional ambitions, will end their malign behaviour and deny them any paths to a nuclear weapon," the official said. The White House said Trump will continue to stand up to the Iranian regime's aggression, and the US will fully enforce the reimposed sanctions. According to the official, Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran deal upheld his highest obligation: to protect the safety and security of the American people. The administration is working with its allies to bring pressure on the Iranian regime to achieve an agreement that denies all paths to a nuclear weapon and addresses other malign activities, he added. Kashmir witnessed a second day of complete shutdown on Monday even as the Supreme Court adjourned its hearing into petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A. The petitioners, among them the Delhi-based NGO We The Citizens, say the states autonomy granted by Article 35(A) and Article 370 of the Constitution discriminate against citizens from the rest of the country. Photograph: Umar Ganie/ Rediff.com IMAGE: Traders and Kashmiris join the protest against the legal challenge to the constitutional validity of Article 35A. >> What is Article 35A? Article 35A is a provision incorporated in the Constitution giving the Jammu and Kashmir legislature full discretionary power to decide who are permanent residents of the state and confer on them special rights and privileges in public sector jobs, acquisition of property in the state, scholarships and other public aid and welfare. The Article, often referred to as the permanent residents law, prohibits others from permanent settlement in the state, acquiring immovable property, taking up government jobs, scholarships and aid. The provision mandates that no act of the legislature coming under it can be challenged for violating the Constitution or any other law of the land. >> How did it come about? Article 35A was incorporated into the Constitution by a presidential order in 1954, and states that all those living in Jammu and Kashmir at that time and also those who lived in the state for 10 years anytime since, would be considered as its permanent residents. These residents have been issued a certificate, which entitles them to special benefits in employment etc. The biggest advantage being that only permanent residents have the right to own and buy property in the state. >> Why the controversy over it A non-governmental organisation, We The Citizens, filed a petition in the apex court in 2014 to abolish the law on the grounds that it was unconstitutional. The NGO, in its petition, argued that Article 35A goes against the very spirit of oneness of India as it creates a class within a class of Indian citizens. Two Kashmiri women have also challenged Article 35A contending that the provision is discriminatory as it disenfranchises their children. Under the original provisions of Article 35A, Kashmiri women marrying an 'outsider' loses all her rights and privileges. >> Why are Kashmiris against it? People in Kashmir dont want Article 35A to be scrapped because of the immunity it provides. Without Article 35A, people from outside the state can settle in the Valley, buy up land and dilute the identity of the local people, they fear. The states two main political parties, Peoples Democratic Party and National Conference, contend that there would be no J-K left if this provision is tampered with, and have vowed to fight the battle together. Today people cutting across party lines and other affiliations are united in their fight against dilution of Article 35A. As I have already stated before, fiddling with J-Ks special status will have catastrophic ramifications for the entire country. My father (former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed) took great pride in the special status that J-K enjoys under Article 370. He would often mention that while people of the state have made great sacrifices for larger goals, we need to safeguard what we already have, the PDP president wrote on Twitter. >> What is Modi governments take on Article 35A? The Union government decided to not file a counter-affidavit in order to leave the Supreme Court free to decide on what is essentially an interpretation of the law and the Constitution. Factory orders data from Germany is due on Monday, headlining a light day for the European economic news. At 2.00 am ET, Destatis is slated to publish Germany's factory orders figures for June. Economists forecast orders to fall 0.1 percent on month, reversing a 2.6 percent rise in May. At 3.00 am ET, industrial production and retail sales figures from the Czech Republic are due. Industrial output is forecast to rise 2 percent on year in June after climbing 1.4 percent in May. At the same time, retail sales growth is seen rising to 2.3 percent from 2.1 percent in May. At 4.30 am ET, Eurozone Sentix investor confidence data is due. The investor sentiment index is seen rising to 14.0 in August from 12.1 in July. At 5.45 am ET, Romania's central bank is set to announce its rate decision. The bank is widely expected to raise its key rate to 2.75 percent from 2.50 percent. 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. German Cloud and ICT provider QSC AG (QSCGF) reported Monday that its first-half consolidated net income improved to 1.3 million euros from 1.1 million euros one year earlier. Operating earnings or EBIT for the period rose to 4.6 million euros from prior year's 4.4 million euros last year. EBITDA came to 18.2 million euros, as against 20.2 million euros in the previous year's period. Revenues grew to 186.2 million euros from prior year's 175.9 million euros in the previous year's period. Cloud revenues went up 36% to 15.6 million euros. For the financial year, QSC still plans to generate EBITDA of between 35 million euros and 40 million euros. The company now expects its full-year revenues at least to reach the upper end of the 345 million euros to 355 million euros range announced earlier. CEO Jurgen Hermann said, "We now expect the spin-off of our TC into a standalone subsidiary to provide added momentum." In future, QSC will be pooling its TC business at its wholly-owned subsidiary Plusnet GmbH. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Oil prices rose sharply on Monday as Saudi crude production unexpectedly dipped in July and American shale drilling appeared to plateau. Data from energy services firm Baker Hughes showed that U.S. energy companies cut two oil rigs in the week to August 3, bringing the total oil-rig count down to 859. Top crude exporter Saudi Arabia reportedly pumped 10.3 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude in July, down about 200,000 bpd from a month earlier. Meanwhile, a U.S. Treasury official said that so-called "snapback" sanctions against major oil exporter Iran would be reimposed at 12:01AM ET on Tuesday. Beijing has declined a request by U.S. envoys to stop importing crude oil from Iran, the Bloomberg reported, citing sources. This is a major setback in U.S. President Donald Trump's quest of cutting Iranian oil exports to zero by Nov. 4. Spot Brent crude oil futures were up 1.09 percent at $74.01 a barrel while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 1.45 percent at $69.50 a barrel. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has reiterated that the United States is going to enforce sanctions against Iran. Pompeo reaffirmed the US move to restore the sanctions while speaking on board with reporters returning with him after attending a security forum in Singapore. "Tomorrow the first set of waivers associated with the wind-down period after the President's decision to withdraw from the JCPOA will take effect," Pompeo told reporters. Iran faces the risk of stage-by-stage US sanctions that President Donald Trump announced in May while withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal with the Islamic nation. Washington's so-called "snapback" sanctions are due to be reinstated against Tehran on Tuesday, leaving the Iranian government unable to buy US banknotes. Also, broad sanctions will be slapped on Iranian industries, including its rug exports. As part of putting additional economic pressure, the United States wants to stop countries buying Iranian oil to reduce their imports "as close to zero as possible" by November 4. When asked if Iran will be able to break sanctions, Pompeo replied that the Iranian people are not happy with their own leadership. "They're unhappy with the failure of their own leadership to deliver the economic promises that their leadership promised them." Replying to another question, Pompeo said, "We're very hopeful that we can find a way to move forward, but it's going to require enormous change on the part of the Iranian regime." The Secretary said a White House announcement regarding the sanctions can be expected sometime Monday morning. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Hours before the United States' scheduled enforcement of sanctions against Iran, the European Commission announced that its updated Blocking Statute enters into force Tuesday to mitigate the impact of US sanctions on the interests of EU companies doing legitimate in Iran. Iran faces the risk of stage-by-stage US sanctions that President Donald Trump announced in May while withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal with the Islamic nation. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters that the first set of sanction waivers associated with the wind-down period after the President's decision to withdraw from the JCPOA will take effect Monday. The EU said Monday it deeply regretted the US re-imposition of sanctions, and vowed immediate steps to protect European companies. A joint statement by EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini and the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany said it would also work to keep "effective financial channels" open with Iran. The European Union has made it clear that it is fully committed to the implementation of the JCPOA, as long as Iran also respects its nuclear-related commitments. At the same time, the European Union added that it is "also committed to maintaining cooperation with the United States, who remains a key partner and ally". The Blocking Statute allows EU operators to recover damages arising from US extraterritorial sanctions from the persons causing them and nullifies the effect in the EU of any foreign court rulings based on them. It also forbids EU persons from complying with those sanctions, unless exceptionally authorized to do so by the Commission in case non-compliance seriously damages their interests or the interests of the Union. The authorizations will be done on the basis of agreed criteria which will also be issued on 7 August. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Crude oil prices moved higher on Monday, lifted by a report that showed crude production in Saudi Arabia unexpectedly dipped in July. Saudi Arabia reportedly pumped 10.3 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude in July, down about 200,000 bpd from a month earlier. Meanwhile, U.S. sanctions on Iran would take effect at 12:01 AM ET on Tuesday, following President Donald Trump signing an executive order to reimpose sanctions on Iran's energy sector. The move is expected to make a severe impact on global crude supply. According to Bloomberg, Beijing has declined a request by U.S. envoys to stop importing crude oil from Iran. Friday's report from Baker Hughes that said U.S. energy companies cut two oil rigs last week contributed as well to oil's rise. Crude oil futures for September ended up $0.52, or 0.80%, at $69.01 a barrel. On Friday, crude oil futures ended down $0.47, or 0.70%, at $68.49 a barrel, after data showed oil output in Russia to have increased sharply by 150,000 barrels per day in July, compared to a month earlier. Concerns about a likely drop in demand for crude amid escalating U.S.-China trade war weighed as well. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis By SA Commercial Prop News Prolonged labour unrest in the platinum sector has contributed to the fall in the building confidence, says FNB property economist John Loos. The fall in the FNB/BER building confidence index indicates that conditions in the building industry have deteriorated further. The index fell by 11 points to 41 in the second quarter. The current level indicates that about 60% of respondents are dissatisfied with prevailing business conditions. The slowdown in domestic demand is partly due to the prolonged labour unrest in the platinum sector FNB property economist John Loos said. Mr Loos said the 11-point drop in overall building confidence was largely due to a sharp fall in the confidence of building material manufacturers. The decline in confidence was largely due to weaker domestic demand. Domestic sales and orders received were significantly lower than in the first quarter he said. However on the positive side the export market remained buoyant but this was not enough to boost confidence. Although exports mainly to the rest of Africa remained robust volumes were small in comparison to the domestic market. The weakness in the domestic building sector was further reflected in the activity of main contractors. Building activity for both residential and nonresidential main contractors declined during the quarter. As a result the confidence of main contractors edged lower to 45 index points in the second quarter from 49 in the first. While a further decline in residential building activity was expected the slowdown in nonresidential activity which up until now helped lift the sector was surprising. This will certainly weigh on the outlook said Mr Loos. Despite the fall in activity overall profitability improved. Mr Loos said this was possibly due to firms increasing their margins especially in the residential sector. However given the continued weakness in building demand it was possibly not sustainable. Platinum strike Ongoing The strike in the platinum mining sector will continue as mining bosses consider a counter proposal by workers, the Workers and Socialist Party (Wasp) said on Wednesday. The Amcu-led strike in the platinum mines is still going on, despite last weeks expectations of an imminent settlement, Wasp deputy general secretary Liv Shange said in a statement. The initial reaction has been to repeat the claims that the workers demands are unaffordable and unrealistic, which still ring as hollow as they did in January the major mines made average profits of R39 billion in 2011, for example, and have enjoyed profit margins ten times the average on [the] JSE over the past 13 years. Shange said mass meetings had been held across the mining shafts in Rustenburg in the North West and Thabazimbi in Limpopo over the past few days where workers formulated conditions they wanted met before the strike was called off. She said the conditions had been presented to the employers, and workers were waiting for them to respond. However, trade union Solidarity said the demands of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) remained unreasonable and it called for the strike to end. Solidarity general secretary Gideon du Plessis called on Amcu to abandon its latest wish-list and to accept the offer. Amcus latest demands border on negotiating in bad faith, as the union keeps shifting the goal posts. Amcus members, as well as the innocent non-striking workers, have already paid a high price for the paralysing strike, he said in a statement. The retrenchments that will result from the strike will lead to a great deal more suffering and disruption. Du Plessis said the demands bordered on defeating the ends of justice because Amcu was demanding that criminal charges laid against its striking members be withdrawn. He said the right to strike did not imply the right to commit violence and intimidate people. We appeal to Amcu to end its path of destruction and to accept the offer that is now on the table, he said. We also appeal to the employers to continue with legal action in connection with any strike-related offences, thereby ensuring that unacceptable behaviour is not simply excused. Amcu was not immediately available to comment. Amcu members at Impala Platinum (Implats), Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), and Lonmin went on strike on January 23 demanding a basic monthly salary of R12,500. The platinum producers have proposed to increase the salary of the lowest paid workers by R1000 for two years and R950 in the third year. This excluded other benefits. The salaries of officials, artisans, and miners would increase by eight percent in the first year and by 7.5 percent for the remaining two years. The proposed settlement was for three years. Living out allowances would not be increased for the duration of the settlement. Pension fund contributions, overtime, holiday leave, and shift allowances would be increased annually based on the consumer price index (CPI). The companies also agreed to pay workers back pay within seven working days of them returning to work. The back pay was for the period prior to the strike. On Wednesday, Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) said it would meet Amcu later as employers and the union sought an end to the ongoing platinum strike. Amplats will be meeting with Amcu this afternoon, and in meeting Amcu we remain optimistic that we are working towards a resolution towards ending the strike, spokeswoman Mpumi Sithole said earlier. Impala Platinum (Implats) spokesman Johan Theron said the company had received a formal response from Amcu on the latest wage offer. Whats needed has been done. Today, we applaud the Police, the Judiciary and everyone involved in restoring law and order in certain parts of the country. You see, in the wake of two separate incidents where men from Luatunuu and Salelologa resorted to blocking public roads and threatening members of the travelling public, a strong message needed to be sent out that the Government and the Judiciary will not take these law breaking antics lightly. Last week, that was done and we are all the more grateful. It involves the Court dealing with the first incident involving men from Luatuanuu who were convicted over blocking the road and attacking the Police earlier this year. On Friday District Court Judge Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma put his foot down and jailed nine of eleven men from Luatuanuu, who were hauled before the Court. They were Lilo Asiasi Faaitiiti, Perenise leauta, Joe Junior Peseta, Sonny Motu Elia, Jason Kioa, Sefo Vaoifi, Leueni Iakopo Tua, Ameperosa Manaia Lama, Lafaele Vito Sakaria, Fomai Perenise and Vito Sakaria. While eight were jailed for six months; one was jailed for six weeks while two others were convicted, discharged and ordered to pay Police cost. The men had been charged with disorderly conduct, obstruction of public road, being armed with dangerous weapon, throwing stones, threatening words and rioting. These are very serious charges. Indeed the idea that rioting took place in peaceful Samoa sends shivers down the spine. Whats worse is the lack of respect that was shown towards the Police, which is something that should never be condoned. For the uninitiated, the events unfolded on March 19, 2018 at Luatuanuu when the men from the village blocked the government road. They were apparently angry after a rugby tournament turned ugly where they were set upon by Falefa villagers. On that day, the men had blocked the road with the intention of avenging what Falefa had done to them, by seeking out people from Falefa. The problem was the road they blocked was a public road that is used by all members of the public not just people of Falefa. By blocking the road, they threatened the lives of every other road user that day. It got worse. When the Police were called to remove the roadblock, some of the men turned on the Police and attacked them. They threw rocks and threatened the Police with gunshots. But it didnt stop there. A few weeks later, a separate incident involving some of the same men surfaced. This time, the victim was a man from Taelefaga, Fagaloa. On April 19, 2018 around one oclock in the morning, the victim was travelling with his wife and a family member heading to Motootua Hospital, the Court was told. When they arrived at Luatuanuu they found packs of sands and a toilet bowl blocking the main road. The victim slowed down his vehicle however, someone started throwing stones towards their vehicle and by this time, the victim started speeding so that he could get away from the Luatuanuu men. The victim laid a complaint to the Police and they conducted their investigation and found that the three accused were the ones who were involved in this incident. These men from Luatuanuu dont care about the law. Obviously what had happened earlier had no impact on them and they must have felt that they could do it again. This criminal behaviour should not and must not be tolerated. Here in Samoa, peace and freedom has existed for so long on the back of the fact that law and order is respected. It is why its been made mandatory that both the Police and the Judiciary are not interfered with in the carrying out of their duties. Indeed, they have to be assisted by members of the public where ever and when ever they can. In light of the disturbing developments in Luatuanuu and later in Salelologa, the Government and the relevant authorities need to be firm on their decision-making. People who break the law in such a blatant manner cannot be allowed to get away with it because such behaviour is contagious and other villagers are watching. If this is not dealt with and nipped in the bud now, it will only get worse. There are two issues in question here. It is the blocking of a public road and interfering with the work of the Police. Both issues are serious and cannot be ignored. Now thats pretty disturbing stuff no matter how its interpreted. Which means these acts of intimidation can become a stumbling block in the way law and order is administered in this country. It is certainly a serious threat in the pursuit for justice. What message does this send to the rest of Samoa? What stops the next group of people from blocking the road and threatening Police officers? And say these acts of intimidation and interference are allowed to go unpunished, whats next? Now that the men from Luatuanuu have been jailed, we anticipate the same fate for the ones from Salelologa who did the same thing. Stay tuned. Have a safe week Samoa, God bless! The implementation of New Zealands aid programme is full of process and takes too long to implement. The lack of local context in the implementation of aid programmes also contribute to their demise. Former New Zealand High Commissioner to Samoa, David Nicholson, said this in an exclusive interview with the Samoa Observer, when discussing the highlights and the challenges of his 19 months stint as New Zealands top diplomat. Pacific Competence is very important. I believe we can have a lot more delegated to the post to do in terms of information of aid programmes - theres too much implementation trickling in from Wellington, he said. Context is everything, when people talk about the Pacific in Wellington, they use a generic noun and as you know, you go to different Pacific countries and they are all very different. Understanding the difference and that context means that your approach will be very different and varied. You might have development policy, take in the Pacific for example. But its never quite right in any one place and its like in New Zealand, you develop a policy that will fit Auckland but not the east coast. Mr. Nicholson, who previously worked as director for the Pacific division within the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade prior to his appointment as high commissioner to Samoa, said the implementation of the New Zealand aid programme is hampered by processes. What I have seen here is that our aid process is full of process and it takes a long time to get through to implementation. The good thing about our implementation is we are focused on quality to do a good job, but I would like to us get the job done faster. Lamenting the absence of local context in the implementation of aid programmes, Mr. Nicholson said the risk management of projects is good but it will still fail as there was no local context. A lot of the process has to do with risk management but if you look across the aid programme a lot of things fail. And it doesnt matter how much process or risk management you took into account, they failed and part of that is because they havent taken the local context into account. Describing his relationship with the Prime Minister and his cabinet ministers as a very easy relationship, Mr. Nicholson said he believed strongly in establishing development effectiveness through dialogue and communication with the local partner. Ive had a very easy relationship with the Prime minister and the government ministers and thats with access to decision makers and leaders have been very straightforward and very productive, I believe in the principles of development effectiveness you talk to the local partner about what it is they want to lead and how you can help and I rallied against those aspects of the programme where New Zealand makes decisions and implements them in Samoa. The former High Commissioner flew out of Samoa at the weekend to bring to an end a 19-month posting. The New Zealand government in May this year announced its Pacific Reset Policy, which will see NZ$714 million in aid going to the region including Samoa over the next four years. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has described car racing as a stupid hobby. He was responding to a question from Samoa Observer on whether the Government would legalise and allocate a space for car racing enthusiasts. Why would the Government give them a space when they did not provide us with a letter requesting it? It would be unreasonable for the Government to give a space without a request. I didnt receive any letter from them and even if we did receive a letter from them, what can we give them, he said. Car clubs in Samoa should consider leasing land for their sport, added the Prime Minister. Their sport is a sport for rich people and they have to also look at the fact that they are rich and that means they should look at a land, that they can lease out and be able to pay that lease to conduct their hobby. This is the hobby where every kid owns a car and these people come from rich families and this should be easy for the parents of these kids to afford to pay for a lease for their children to conduct their hobby. But the children should keep away from government-owned roads with the Prime Minister stressing the need for caution for public safety. But the only thing that they cannot do is race on government roads. That is prohibited because it will cost the lives of others when they race using government roads and this is why their sport is not important to the Government. But the safety of the people is more important to us and that is important to us to ensure the people are not affected from these stupid hobby. Artworks by the National University of Samoa (N.U.S.) Visual Arts students will be showcased at the Indiana University South East Varr Art Gallery in the United State of America (U.S.A.). This follows the recent showcasing of artworks by students from both universities in Samoa. Professor Anne Allen of the Fine Arts department at the Indiana University South East came to Samoa with four students as part of getting accreditation for The Art and Culture of Samoa course. They come spend a month so that they can really have an immersion experience. Not just get on a bus and do a tour, we spend a few days in Apia and then we go Savaii. It is a way of getting them to participate in the culture as much as possible, Professor Anne said. I think that the exchange between students is really important for both. My students have commented that it has given them the chance to share and talk to the Samoan students about their work. All this work will be packed up and taken back to be exhibited in my university at the Varr Art Gallery. The community comes to visit, and after the exhibition they get their work back. Professor Anne said in that way they can communicate some of their experience to other students. In my opinion about Samoas art industry, I see a great struggle for some in trying to keep the heritage arts. It is important to keep those roots, carry it forward not just reproduce it but to transform without losing those roots, she said. N.U.S. Visual Arts foundation student, Edward Tauiliili said with the artwork that will be sent to America, he chose family as a theme, meaning each and every artwork he created showcases the role he plays in his family. An example would be cooking, as shown in one of my artwork. The reason I chose black and white for my work is because I really admire our traditional tattoos and its patterns, Edward said. Art has always been a dream of mine, it is passion that words cannot express but instead my artworks have their own unique way of expression. I am very excited about having my work be seen from a different country and this is a first for me. A challenge for art in Samoa is that there is not enough support behind it and therefore leading to lack of resources needed to operate. N.U.S. Visual Arts Senior Leua Latai said this is the fourth time that Professor Anne has brought her students over to carry out activities as such. This collaboration is part of N.U.S.s strategic plan that we provide opportunities for our students to engage and have discussions with other universities and their students, Leua said. We have students with great talents but we dont have the resources, we dont have scholarships for students who study arts, so many in our society look down in arts. Its all about exposure about sharing with other students to open their minds. Art is not only drawing and painting, its expressions of ideas. And my job is to facilitate and provide opportunities for young people who are interested in a career pathway in the arts, Leua said. The church and humanitarian organisation Salvation Army is now in Samoa. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi and other guests attended its commissioning at the Samoa Tourism Authority Fale on Saturday. Describing the arrival of the church and humanitarian organisation in Samoa as another opportunity to spread the Gospel and do its humanitarian work, the Prime Minister said he welcomed their arrival. I am informed that Samoa is the 130th country in the world where the Salvation Army operates. It would not have been possible without the Churchs farsighted vision to establish in Samoa, and the hard work done by Rod and Jenny, your missionaries for Christ and all those involved from the outset of the planning and negotiations, he said. Caring for people, transforming lives and reforming society constitute the mission of the Salvation Army, and you have been offering assistance in those key areas since 1865. Alcohol and drugs are challenges of this age and time. I am very happy to see that the Salvation Army will be offering assistance for a credible and professional alcohol and drug treatment programme, in partnership with Government Ministries, civil society, and non-government organisations. Salvation Armys rehabilitation services targeting alcohol and drug addiction were highlighted as the type of services that would compliment the efforts of the Government. Government welcomes this assistance to coincide with its programmes to bring the victims of alcohol and drugs out of addiction, and to equip them to become responsible citizens of this country. More importantly is to bring their lives to the Lord, said the Prime Minister. Commissioner Andrew Westrupp, representing the Salvation Army, said Samoa follows in the footsteps of New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji to welcome them. We have had a long extending invitation by the Samoan government to be here. I want to thank the Prime Minister of Samoa and all our fellow churches for your warm welcome and as the scriptures said unusual kindness and liberal assistance we promise that we will return your good will with staying true to our mission, preparing people, transforming lives, with Gods help, he said. Heres the good news. Give Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi some credit. He and his administration appear to be walking the talk about transparency, accountability and good governance. At last. We are talking about the issue of Samoas growing foreign debt by the way. Judging from what Tuilaepa has been saying, you kind of wonder what they are really up to. Gone are the days where they would go out of their way to refute, deny, rubbish and downplay any report about the ballooning debt which official figures place at $1.01 billion today. These days, they seem only too happy to talk about it. Take the story titled Govt. has nothing to hide, P.M. says published on the front page of the Weekend Observer. We dont hide anything, everything is out in the open, you can get the figure from our Central Bank, Tuilaepa told the media last week. Even if it reaches many billions, well still publicise it. Why? Weve got nothing to hide. Well technically, Prime Minister Tuilaepa has no choice so of course they have nothing to hide. How can you hide something when its as clear as daylight that the Government is desperate to do anything to make money to pay this debt? Folks, if they have gone as far as taxing Church Ministers, can they still afford to hide their desperation? We doubt it. Now we can only guess that this is probably the reason the Government has suddenly changed its tune in relation to talking about the debt. This could be part of a ploy to get people including those defiant church E.F.K.S. Ministers to buy into the idea that everyone needs to pay taxes. Firstly, P.M. Tuilaepas salary is slashed and then there is the bid to be transparent and accountable about the debt. Sob and heart-rending stories. Who wouldnt feel sad? Getting back to the Weekend Observer story in question, Prime Minister Tuilaepa went out of his way to justify the debt. As usual, he assuaged fears about the potential consequences. Developments dont wait until we collect enough revenues and then we do it. No if we were to do that, then well have absolutely nothing, he said. We have a plan. A lot of the loans are from the worlds biggest banks where we are given between thirty to fourty years to pay them off. On top of that, there are also long grace periods, about five to ten years and the loans come with very small interest. Prime Minister Tuilaepa added that there is a common misconception by some people that we have to pay them all off by next year. This is not the case. The most important thing when it comes to loans is how much are we paying on an annual basis. Thats how you measure the Governments economic strength. The second thing is that we have enough foreign reserves and we do. According to Tuilaepa, it is not the amount of the loan that matters. Rather it is the Governments ability to meet its repayments. So I dont why they keep bringing this up, he said about the media coverage of the debt. Really Tuilaepa? What about the simple fact that members of the public especially taxpayers who are paying for it have every right to know? And why would the Government get uncomfortable about it in the first place? Unless they have something to hide? But then Tuilaepa is a seasoned politician, a very smart one at that too. Now listen to him: The only good reason I can think of is so that people can appreciate and understand why the Government sometimes do things like ask the Head of State to pay his tax. See we ask the Head of State that since hes got the highest salary (in Samoa), we will cut something from it so he can contribute to the development (of the country). The Prime Minister added that this is why it is critical that everybody pays their taxes. So the current Head of State, he just smiles and says thank you Tuilaepa for allowing me to contribute to the development (of Samoa). Even I pay taxes, and it is something that should be done to help with our developments. Well done P.M. Tuilaepa and his Highness the Head of State. Leading by example we see. But how about you take that a step further and tell us what is the countrys true foreign debt that has forced the Government to take the absolute desperate step of taxing Gods representatives on earth in Samoa? Have a great Tuesday Samoa, God bless! The Police and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (F.E.S.A.) are searching for a Chinese man in his 20s who went missing at the To Sua Ocean trench on Sunday. The man has been identified by the Police as Feng Nen Ming. The search and rescue operation was launched on Sunday afternoon and continued yesterday. At To Sua, the rescue team worked until late evening when they called off the search for the night. F.E.S.A. Assistant Commissioner of Operation, Tanuvasa Petone Mauga, said they have been doing everything possible to find the Chinese man. The Police and F.E.S.A. were called to To Sua on Sunday evening. We arrived around 3pm with six other F.E.S.A. officers and we contracted a diver at the same time. We searched until around 7pm on Sunday, we had to call off the search given it was already dark, he said. Today (yesterday) we left the office around 6am and we had eight officers scattered around with our diver. However by 4pm, due to rough seas, we had to call off our divers, while the Police are still in the area. Asked if there is a time limit on the search, Tanuvasa said no. The search will continue throughout the whole week, until we have exhausted all the areas and we hope for the best. When the Samoa Observer arrived at To Sua yesterday, a woman at the reception area stopped us from entering the premises. You are not allowed on the premises and you will get everything from the Police who are in charge of everything, she said. They had their photographer here and you can ask them for photos, but you are not allowed here. Lotofaga Village Mayor, Leuagamata Faamanu said they were unaware that someone was swept out in the ocean. See these things the village has to be informed so we can all assist in the search, but we have not been told about any searching going on in our village waters, he said. If anything, the village council should be informed, we know our waters, but Im puzzled as to why we were not informed, this is news to me. We can easily instruct our untitled men to gather and form a search party day and night, but when protocols are not being followed, we stay away unless we are asked to assist. Police have recorded this as a second incident from the To Sua trenches. At the time of this release, police still have not locate this missing tourist, a statement from the Police said. We advise members of the public and hotels to inform overseas guests in regards to the unpredictable conditions of surrounding ocean. Samoa becomes the regional hub of the Pacific this week as government officials from the region converge in Apia for three ministerial meetings. The meetings include the Forums Smaller Island States (S.I.S.), Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (A.C.P.) and the Forums Foreign Ministers meetings. The meetings are being held at Taumeasina Island Resort. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (P.I.F.S.), which Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi, is currently the Chairman, is playing a key role in this weeks proceedings. Secretary General of P.I.F.S., Dame Meg Taylor, told the Samoa Observer the meetings focus on how Pacific Island Forum members can continue to work on issues that benefit Pacific people. We are very pleased to be returning to Samoa for this weeks meetings of the Forum Foreign Ministers and the Forum Officials Committee, Dame Meg said. Issues like the effects of climate change on our communities, increasing the benefits that flow from our fisheries, and ensuring the region has appropriate security arrangements for this moment in time. The Secretary General noted that Naurus theme for this years Forum Leaders meeting recognises the desire for collective action towards a strong Pacific region that charts its own course. And this is something that also lies at the heart of the Blue Pacific narrative that was emphasised at last years Forum here in Apia, said Dame Meg. A statement issued by P.I.F.S. say that S.I.S. represents the most vulnerable of Forum island countries and its membership comprises Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Tuvalu. Their agenda is centred on the implementation of the S.I.S. strategy, which focusses on five keys areas of collective action: climate change, health, labour, marine, and air and sea transportation. The second meeting is where the 15 members of the A.C.P. group of states will meet and talk on the upcoming negotiations with the European Union on the partnership arrangement that will replace the existing Cotonou agreement, which ends in 2020. The meeting will also consider updates on the 11th European Development Funds regional initiatives, as well as the progress of regional trade agreements, including the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (P.I.C.T.A.), and the Pacific A.C.P. E.U. Economic Partnership Agreement. The statement says that today and tomorrow, officials representing all 18 Forum members will meet to discuss the agenda for the 49th Pacific Islands Forum, which this year takes place under the theme: Building a Strong Pacific: Our People, Our Islands, Our Will. The Officials Committee will consider the Specialist Sub-Committee on Regionalisms 2018 report which consolidates the information gathered during public consultations earlier this year and details progress of the Forums priority areas of action on regional security, climate change and disaster resilience, and fisheries. Additionally, the Forum Officials Committee will discuss the Forums Foreign Policy and its Strategic Advocacy and Engagement Strategy, the first, quadrennial Pacific Sustainable Development report, a revised Charter of the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific, and an application from Wallis and Futuna for associate membership at the Pacific Islands Forum. The Forum Officials Committee meetings conclude on Wednesday. The main meeting will be held on Friday and the Forums Foreign Ministers will also gather in Apia for their annual meeting. The Forum Official Committee and Foreign Ministers meetings take place each year in the lead up to the Pacific Islands Forum. The 49th Pacific Islands Forum will be in Nauru between the 3rd and 6th of September 2018. A senior Samoan public servant who is the Audit Director at the Audit Office, Pilisita Leota, has been awarded the 2018 J. William Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship. The award was officially announced by the U.S. Embassy yesterday. Sita, as she is commonly known, will be heading to Brandeis University this month to study for a Masters Degree in Sustainable International Development. The Fulbright Foreign Student Programme is a highly competitive opportunity that brings citizens of other countries to the United States for fully funded study at U.S. universities. Ms. Leota is currently serving as the Audit Director at the Samoa Audit Office and has been a public servant for the Government of Samoa for more than a decade. She has a Bachelors Degree in Commerce and Administration from the Victoria University Of Wellington, New Zealand and is a chartered accountant and certified Fraud Examiner. Ms. Leota will make an outstanding Fulbright Scholar and we are pleased to be able to support her studies in the United States, said U.S. Embassy Apia Charge dAffaires Tony Greubel. Sita joins a list of other accomplished Samoans who have been awarded this prestigious scholarship over the past several decades. These scholars return to make remarkable contributions to their country and also strengthen ties between the United States and Samoa. Samoas first Fulbright candidate was recorded in the 1960s-1970s. Most recently prior to Ms. Leota was Mrs. Ramona Sulifoa who graduated with a PhD from the University of Hawaii, Manoa, Natural Resources and Environmental Department (N.R.E.M.). Ms. Anama Solofa also recently finished her masters degree in Ocean Governance at the University of Maine. Ms. Leotas extensive background, work experience, and dedication to furthering her studies in International Studies in the Fulbright programme has placed her at Brandeis University located in Waltham, Massachusetts, U.S.A. She is enrolled in the Heller School for Social Policy and Management Graduate Programme and will be working towards a Master of Arts Degree in Sustainable International Development (S.I.D.). Ms. Leota is set to commence her studies in late August. The Samoa Trust Estates Corporation (S.T.E.C.) has been tasked with hosting the Cocoa Nurseries for a major cocoa initiative project. Already running a replanting programme for cocoa and coconut on the Government estate plantation near Faleolo airport, Assistant C.E.O. of Projects and Leases, Natasha Kolose, said S.T.E.C. was approached as being the best option to run a commercially viable nursery that can sustain itself. Our first question is, why dont you put the nursery at M.A.F. but they already have nurseries and they are not mandated to manage nurseries for commercial purposes, she said. The difference is there is 100 percent assurance that those seedlings grown in the nursery will be used. Whatever the private farmers dont use will be put back into our plantations. The idea is the nursery will run itself so it has to be commercial, the agreement with New Zealand is it has to be something and this will be determined by Samoa Cocoa Industry Association (S.C.I.A.) as well to make sure that the nursery is catering to the needs of the people and so the idea is that once it is up and running. Ms. Kolose said they really want to see the benefits go to the farmers. Coming to S.T.E.C. was also about security and sustainability because there was a lot of concern about going to a private farm with accountability, transparency. She said the development initiative has been unique to other typical projects she has seen and is pleased that there is more emphasis on local perspective and drive. The thing that I appreciate most about this project is that it has been very two way, she said. Thats the difference between this project and a lot of other projects that Ive worked with. In the very beginning during the planning stages, the donors had a five-year plan. However, the plan has changed and they have decided to stop half way and consult with the S.C.I.A. about what worked and what improvements are needed, so its a different set up. The 600 square meter nursery will be unique because its purpose is to ensure that the best variety is produced for Samoa and its markets. This nursery is special because it is a grafting nursery. At the moment we have two varieties, trintario and creole and these are the ones that we have on our lands and most of our farms. M.A.F. has done some extensive work on their end as well but theyre also looking at what will meet New Zealands market demands. With that ongoing research, well start to get a more definitive plan as to what we should be grafting. Our plantation is organic at the moment. That is the intention, to keep it but its also the biggest struggle. It costs so much because its labour intensive. Thats another area that the project is helping us with because they help us a lot on processing of the compost and doing things to make the soil sustainable because we have to declare that its organic. Ms. Kolose said its been very positive to be involved in the project and being trained on nursery management and having the opportunity to work alongside different development partners. Right now the New Zealand consultants are working with us on record management, she said. Weve started to build a database using G.I.S. to trace every single seedling to their source stream. Its something that we never used to do but since they have been working with us, we have seen some really good changes with our work processes and also in being able to work with partners that we wouldnt normally work with. The first nursery is expected to be up and running by the end of the year in Upolu with plans in the pipeline to host one in Savaii. First phase is on Upolu and the second phase will be in Savaii so discussions on where is currently undergoing, trying to decide where to host it. It will be a duplication of what we are doing here; it should kick in the beginning of next year. Photo: The newly elected S.S.T.A. Executive Committee 2018. L-R: General Exec Member Asiata Courtney Stevenson, General Exec Member Sara Endemann, President Vaaelua Faapoipoi Gidlow, Vice President Tupa'i Saleimoa Vaai, General Exec member Olaf Weinhold, Secretary Elisabeth Siaosi, Treasurer Ietitaia Sanerivi. Vaaelua Faapoipoi Gidlow is the new President of the Savaii Samoa Tourism Association (S.S.T.A.). His appointment follows the associations annual general meeting (A.G.M.) held at Stevensons at Manase last weekend. Vaaelua, of the Savaiian Hotel, said the Association will continue to build on the successes and the objectives from the previous executive board. Its quite new to me still, so Im still trying to find my way around this new role, he told the Samoa Observer. Weve got the Miss Samoa coming up so that is our main focus at this time. We will be meeting in a day or two to finalise what our association plan is and how we can assist S.T.A. in facilitating the event. We do what we can and we have achieved some of our objectives that we aimed for, especially with improving the services of Samoa Shipping that S.S.T.A. committee worked really hard for, with ticketing and the services between Savaii and Upolu, we did a good job in lobbying for that, theres still a long way to go. Vaaelua said there are ongoing challenges that the association faces but their ability to persevere comes from a unifying goal that they are all passionate about. Were still trying to build our association and its not easy when you havent got the funding to help us along - thats one of our biggest challenges and it can discourage people from taking the initiative to do things but slowly we are building our numbers. Our strength to continue is due to the dedication of our members to the same cause, which is to build Savaii. We want to build our businesses up and one of the major things that we have here with our association is lotogatasi, we work very well together which makes things easier. Vaaelua also acknowledged the hard work of outgoing executive members and thanked them for their eight-year service to the big island. We also take this opportunity to thank our outgoing Executive Members who have been serving on the Committee since the foundation of the Association in 2010. Thank you for your commitment and distinguished work. The newly elected executive committee are: President Vaaelua Faapoipoi Gidlow, The Savaiian Hotel Vice President Tupai Saleimoa Vaai, Va-i-Moana Seaside Lodge Treasurer Ietitaia Sanerivi, Tailua Beach Fales Secretary Elisabeth Siaosi, Amoa Resort General Exec. Member Olaf Weinhold, Dive Savaii General Exec. Member Sara Endemann, Le Lagoto Resort & Spa General Exec. Member Asiata Courtney Stevenson, Stevensons at Manase Outgoing executive members: Mapusua Sesilia Schwalger, Former SSTA President & Director of Bayview Resort Dr. Nola Gidlow, Former Treasurer & Director of The Savaiian Hotel Keith Martin, Former General Executive & Director of Aganoa Lodge Samoa. Aside from loans taken from overseas banks, the Government also owes $29.6 million in terms of domestic loans. The money is owed to the Samoa National Provident Fund and the Unit Trust of Samoa (U.T.O.S.). The loans are detailed in the Public Account for financial year 2017, where it indicates that one of the loans to U.T.O.S. is paid for by Samoa Airways. For financial year 2015, Samoa Airways paid $12.6 million and in Financial Year 2016, another $9.6 million was paid to U.T.O.S. The financial report further says that in the Financial Year 2017, Samoa Airways paid out $6.3 million. Last month, Samoa Airways has sought another $12 million loan with U.T.O.S. Minister of Public Enterprise, Lautafi Selafi Purcell, confirmed the loan noting that every starting company must have a backup plan and that calls for additional funding in case of an emergency and the company does not scramble to look for money, hence the loan with U.T.O.S. With any starting company especially an airline, which is very costly, during its first 24 months will operate on a loss. However, for the Samoa Airways that has changed and our flights have been full since last month. While the Minister denied the airline was in a financial conundrum, he admitted that the Government is paying the wages for its pilots and cabin crew until a local crew is hired. The Samoa Airport Authoritys loan paid to S.N.P.F. for Financial Year 2016 was $1.19 million and in 2017 they paid $823,857. The Development Bank also owes U.T.O.S. and repayments were $11.3 million for Financial Year 2016 and $9.7million was paid for Financial Year 2017. The Pacific Line Forum is also paying a loan to U.T.O.S. from Financial Year 2016 in the amount of $15.4 million and $12.0 million in Financial Year 2017. The Samoa Shipping Services is also paying a loan, but to the S.N.P.F. and this is in the amount of $1.08 million in Financial Year 2016 and $456,779 for Financial Year 2017, says the Public Accounts report. The Salvation Army has been officially launched in Samoa. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi welcomed the organization during the official launch at the Samoa Tourism Authority Fale last Saturday. This is what he said: Today marks the genesis of the Salvation Armys mission in Samoa and I congratulate you for this milestone accomplishment. When Rod and Jenny came to meet me last year whether the Salvation Army would be welcome to begin its services in Samoa, my immediate response was to consider commencing soon, as I felt in my spirit, that this was another door opened by the Lord to fulfill His will for Samoa. As a country founded on God, there is nothing more joyful than continuing to build on our faith in Jesus Christ, through constant sharing of His Word, fellowshipping with one another to worship and to glorify God, and to help those in need. As leader of this country I welcome every opportunity such as this, to spread the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and heed His great commission to go forth into the world, and proclaim the gospel to the entire creation, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. I am informed that Samoa is the 130th country in the world where the Salvation Army operates. It would not have been possible without the Churchs farsighted vision to establish in Samoa, and the hard work done by Rod and Jenny, your missionaries for Christ and all those involved from the outset of the planning and negotiations. Caring for people, transforming lives and reforming society constitute the mission of the Salvation Army, and you have been offering assistance in those key areas since 1865. Transformation emanates from true repentance and complete submission to God. St Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, to refrain from conforming to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of their minds - then they will be able to discern what is good, pleasing, and reflecting the perfect will of God. The world is filled with extreme earthly pressures, and is becoming unbearably noisy and subjective, reflecting the force of evil. People have become impatient, selfish and blind, and want everything to be instant that even the food and coffee we consume, have to be fast and instantaneous. We need to be constantly reminded of the basic but the most relevant questions in the life of a true believer; what are we doing in this planet? What is our destination? And how can we get there? God predestined us as His workmanship before the world was created, to spread the gospel to all corners of the world, to serve those in need with humility, and to practise what we preach. Why? Because God wants more and more souls to expand the membership of His close family in heaven. Eternity is therefore our destination, where we will reign with our Lord forevermore, and Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life no one goes to the Father except through Him. That is our calling and our destination. When the first missionaries arrived and began their work in Samoa in 1830 led by John Williams, there was a revival in this country. This led to complete transformation from our traditional beliefs in gods, to serving and worshipping the Almighty God. It also led to many Samoans offering their lives to serve as missionaries. They ministered fervently in many countries of the Pacific including Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, Niue, Kiribati, and Wallis and Futuna. Some of them never returned home. They died in these foreign lands for Christ. We continue to do so to date with Samoan missionaries evangelizing in the Pacific, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. Recent signs and the spread of the evangelical movement in Samoa, strongly suggest that there is another revival looming for our country. Alcohol and drugs are challenges of this age and time. I am very happy to see that the Salvation Army will be offering assistance for a credible and professional alcohol and drug treatment programme, in partnership with government Ministries, civil society, and non-government organizations. Government welcomes this assistance to coincide with its programmes to bring the victims of alcohol and drugs out of addiction, and to equip them to become responsible citizens of this country. More importantly is to bring their lives to the Lord. I wish the Salvation Army the best in its operation in Samoa. Let us continue to yield to God, to equip us as soldiers of His everlasting Kingdom, and to lead us according to the abundance of His grace. God bless. SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) On a breezy morning, Floria Hakimi smiled as her photo was snapped on the steps leading up to a small plane that would usher her to a workshop for real estate agents in Southern California. "Flying out to LA," she posted on her Instagram account with the photo of her donning sunglasses and a broad grin. Later that day, the twin-engine Cessna 414 carrying the 62-year-old real estate agent and four others plummeted out of the sky and crashed into the parking lot of an Orange County strip mall, killing everyone on board. Hakimi and victims Nasim Ghanadan, 29, and Lara Shepherd, 42, were co-workers at Pacific Union International, a San Francisco Bay Area real estate firm. Shepherd's husband Scott Shepherd, the plane's 53-year-old pilot, and Hakimi's 32-year-old son Navid Hakimi, were also killed. The group left Sunday for the Tom Ferry Success Summit in Anaheim, California, a business conference popular with real estate agents, said Terri Tiffany, a spokeswoman for Pacific Union. Ghanadan loved to cook Persian and American food and loved dancing. She grew up in the Bay Area and was quick to make friends with just about everyone she met, said Aryan Ghanadan, her 19-year-old brother. "She was just larger than life, always, always laughing," he said. "Just always the life of the party." The plane took off from Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, California, according to a flight tracker service. The pilot declared an emergency but didn't state the nature of his problem before crashing about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from John Wayne Airport, striking four parked cars, National Transportation Safety Board investigator Albert Nixon said Monday. Nixon didn't know how much time elapsed between the call and the crash. The plane was heading to the airport southeast of Los Angeles and had been cleared to land when it came down in the parking lot of a Staples store and a CVS pharmacy, NTSB officials said. There was no fire and nobody on the ground was hurt, Orange County fire officials said. Witnesses in watched in horror as the plane flew low over the shopping area near the upscale South Coast Plaza mall and nosedived into the parking lot. Customers ran out of a nearby restaurant and saw the wreckage of the white plane with green and blue trim. Navid Hakimi, of Los Angeles, was a musician and a DJ. He also had a son, said longtime friend Pantea Tadi. Last month, Hakimi posted a selfie of him with his mother on his Instagram page, saying she had come down for a surprise visit on his birthday. "Spending the day with both her and my beautiful son is literally all I could have asked for," he wrote. "My heart is bursting!" The Shepherds, who are from Diablo, California, had two children. He was a great cook, and she knew about art, said neighbor Kate Montgomery. "Our entire Pacific Union family is mourning the loss of our colleagues, family and friends," the company's chief executive Mark A. McLaughlin said in a statement. "Life is precious and we are focused on comforting the loved ones affected by this devastating event." The Federal Aviation Administration and the NTSB are investigating the cause of the crash. The plane is registered to a San Francisco-based real estate consulting company, Category III, according to an FAA database. A phone call to the company was not immediately returned. The 1973 Cessna was certified with the FAA through October 2019, online records show. Samumed, LLC has raised $438 million, the San Diego regenerative medicine company said Monday. The new financing round brings the total to more than $650 million since Samumeds founding, valuing the company at $12 billion, the privately held company said. The biopharmaceutical company is conducting human clinical trials of experimental drugs to treat cancer, osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and several other diseases. The funding will support this work, said Erich Horsley, Samumeds chief business officer. Investors included Singapore-based Vickers Venture Partners; wealthy individuals; and sovereign funds, Horsley said. About 15 to 20 percent of the money came from existing investors, including Vickers and an investment fund from IKEA. Advertisement Samumeds most advanced therapy, for osteoarthritis of the knee, has just completed a midstage, or Phase 2 trial in 700 people. Results of the placebo-controlled trial will be released soon, Horsley said. Another drug, for men with androgenetic alopecia, or hair loss, is in midstage testing. More information on these drugs is available at j.mp/sampipe. Additional drugs are in earlier stages of development, including one for Alzheimers disease, which is in preclinical testing. The company has not yet received any approvals for drugs. Samumed expects to meet with the Food and Drug Administration this year, and start pivotol or Phase 3 trials early next year. After successful completion of Phase 3 trials, companies can generally request drug approval. Assuming the drugs continue to progress, Samumed has a choice of partnering with a large drug company for marketing, or launch on its own, Horsley said. Its talking with a number of drug companies now. One of the things that excites us about the money we raised is that it allows us to launch at least one product ourselves, he said. If it turns out that a partnership is better for all parties, well certainly evaluate that, but we dont need to rely on it. Samumed is considering an initial public offering in the next three to four years, if market conditions are favorable, he said. An IPO would provide an attractive exit for our investors, Horsley said. Founded in 2008, Samumed employs about 170 people, the great majority in San Diego, Horsley said. And if the drugs continue to progress toward approval, the company plans to hire 100 or more people to handle commercialization. Samumeds technology targets adult stem cells that malfunction and cause disease. Its drugs are small molecules that modify how these stem cells work. However, Samumed doesnt consider them stem cell therapy as the term is commonly understood, Horsley said. No cells are given to patients, and no cells are manipulated inside patients. The drugs trigger a biological pathway that promotes regeneration, he said. Malfunctions in this pathway are associated with a large number of diseases, including cancer, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimers and other degenerative diseases. Related reading Whats bigger than a unicorn? Samumed stuns yet again as anti-aging pipeline draws $438M at $12B valuation Samumed, a $12 billion startup that wants to cure baldness and smooth out your wrinkles, just raised even more funding as it plots an IPO Cure Baldness? Heal Arthritis? Erase Wrinkles? An Unknown Billionaires Quest To Reverse Aging Science Playlist On Now In a first, scientists rid human embryos of a potentially fatal gene mutation by editing their DNA On Now Space station flyovers visible from San Diego this week 0:55 On Now UCSD's 'ghost drivers' begin testing people's reaction seemingly empty cars 1:29 On Now 10 interesting facts about Mars On Now Kids can add years to your life On Now LA 90: SpaceX launches recycled rocket On Now Big passions, big giving: Malin Burnham 2:30 On Now Big passions, big giving: Darlene Shiley 2:40 On Now Big passions, big giving: Joan and Irwin Jacobs 2:45 On Now Ocean temperatures warming at rapid rate, study finds bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1020 Several groups in the rural foothills town of Alpine are inviting people to help survivors of the July 6 West Fire with a fundraiser. The Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce, the Alpine Community Center and the Alpine View Lodge will host the West Fire Benefit & Auction on Saturday, Aug. 18, at the towns community center at 1830 Alpine Blvd. The event is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and will be hosted by CBS Channel 8 weather reporter Shawn Styles. Advance tickets are $40 for adults, $15 for children. Tickets at the door will be $50 for adults and $25 for kids. The Descanso Junction Restaurant is paying its staff to cater the dinner. The Alpine View Lodge will pay for the food. The Alpine Community Center is donating the venue and decorating it. Advertisement Auction items include use of a villa in Mexico, a three-night stay at the Viejas Casino & Resort and admission to Lions Tigers & Bears. The event will give people the opportunity to help the community after flames destroyed 36 homes and 29 other buildings. Seventeen other residences were damaged. Wildfire is a continuing challenge for communities across the Western United States, said Alpine Chamber Executive Director Jeff Morris. Its wonderful to see the support from the Alpine community and surrounding region. I think this will also generate momentum for future fire event and response preparations. Checks can be made out to the Alpine Community Foundation and may be sent to or dropped off at the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce at 1620 Alpine Blvd., Suite 208; at On Line Bookkeeping & Tax Service, 2065 Arnold Way, #103; or at any California Bank & Trust location. For more information, visit alpinechamber.com or call the chamber at (619) 445-2722. karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com For the last four years, a grassroots community group out of Casa de Oro has been lobbying for help from San Diego County to revitalize the community. Last month, the Casa de Oro Alliance struck gold through the San Diego Association of Governments, the regions planning agency. The governing board of SANDAG on July 27 unanimously awarded the Casa de Oro Alliance a $500,000 grant to have the county work with it to develop a Specific Plan for the communitys Campo Road corridor. The area of concentration will be between Bancroft Drive and North/South Granada Avenue. Other Specific Plans in the county include Casa de Oro neighbors Valle de Oro and Spring Valley as well as parts of Crest/Dehesa, Jamul/Dulzura, Lakeside, Otay and Ramona. Advertisement The Casa de Oro Specific Plan will include design and building guidelines, says Bob Yarris, chairman of the Casa de Oro group, a coalition of residents, business owners, landlords, faith-based groups, law enforcement and school officials. It will also create a framework to guide future private investment. The hope is to transform the blighted area into an inviting, thriving, walkable and bikeable environment. Yarris, a Mount Helix resident who owns rental property in Casa de Oro, says Campo Road is a prime candidate for more compact, high-density development, and good community-oriented design. In a passionate speech at the SANDAG meeting, Yarris explained how Casa de Oro, which translated from Spanish to English means House of Gold and referred to as Gateway to Mt. Helix on county signs, has fallen on hard times. He said there are 23 liquor dispensaries in the neighborhood with a crime rate to support no more than four. Unbelievable. I have witnessed the ongoing, ugly decay of what once was a true, sparkling hamlet in East County, Yarris said. We have a passionate vision to revitalize Casa de Oro, once considered a house of gold, which today unfortunately has turned to pot. The eastern end of the Casa de Oro corridor is characterized by compact blocks with an abundance of automotive services, industrial buildings, liquor stores, illegal marijuana dispensaries and pawn shops. The western end of the corridor is marked by strip-style development with large disconnected parking lots in front of commercial stores. There are few residential and mixed-use buildings along Campo Road, where one-story buildings contribute to an image of a sprawled, auto-oriented development with little visual interest. It wasnt always that way. In the late 1960s, Campo Road was a primary commercial hub and link between La Mesa and the communities of Rancho San Diego and Jamul. Starting in the late 1980s, Grossmont Center and malls in Rancho San Diego took away Campo Roads commercial prominence. The zoning today in Casa de Oro is archaicand precludes any hope of smart-future, high-density growth for the highest and best use of one of our best assets in unincorporated San Diego, he said. We desperately need a specific plan with comprehensive design guidelines that put an end to the chaotic, unorganized proliferation of high-risk adult businesses and random development. Last October, behind the urging of Supervisor Dianne Jacob, the county Board of Supervisors approved $50,000 to get the alliance moving on its vision for a safer, more family-friendly community. Jacob called the SANDAG grant a huge shot in the arm for the Casa de Oro Alliance. (The group) has impressed me with its tireless efforts to build a safer, more vibrant community, she said. The creation of a specific plan will set the stage for a major transformation of Casa de Oro starting within the next few years. The funds come from one of SANDAGs competitive grant programs called the Smart Growth Incentive Program. SANDAG board member and La Mesa City Councilwoman Kristine Alessio spoke on the alliances behalf, noting that Casa de Oro is close to where she lives. Im so thrilled with this citizens group that theyre getting this, she said. I grew up wandering around Casa de Oro, and it has changed. I look forward to it once again becoming the city of gold. karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com PHOTO: Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside received $5,000 in grant funding from Southern California Edison to enhance their BE GREAT: Graduate mentoring program. The program pairs mentors with at-risk students and helps students develop academic and career goals as they work toward completing high school. Pictured are some of the 60 graduating seniors from Oceanside gathered at Buffalo Wild Wings for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside Graduation Celebration. PHOTO BELOW: Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside received a $12,000 grant from the Parker Foundation for performing arts equipment for the new Center for Innovation. The Center for Innovation, opening this fall, is a 2,000-square-foot addition, which will include a Culinary Arts Teaching Kitchen, a Performing Arts Center and a STREAM (Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Lab. Pictured are performing arts students at the club. Visit BGCOceanside.org. Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside (BGCO) received $12,000 in grant funding from Parker Foundation to purchase performing arts equipment for the new Center for Innovation. (courtesy) Advertisement CARLSBAD Carlsbad history focus of talk A presentation about early Carlsbad history and how it relates to the larger community of San Diego County and California will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave. Carlsbad Historical Society presenter Susan Gutierrez will cover topics such as Carlsbads connection to Spain, Mexico and the United States; early European influences; ranchos and their place in our history; and the establishment of a town and reasons for incorporation. Gutierrez, past president of the Carlsbad Historical Society, has written several history books. She and her husband were named 2017 Citizens of the Year for their volunteer work researching and preserving Carlsbad history. Call (760) 602-4650. DEL MAR Community meetings about Del Mar Resort Informational community meetings about the proposed Del Mar Resort on the 16-acre bluff-top just north of Dog Beach near Camino Del Mar and Via De La Valle will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6, 8 and 9 at Powerhouse Park, 1658 Coast Blvd.; 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 11 at Pacifica Del Mar, 1555 Camino Del Mar; 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13 and 15 at Powerhouse Park. Meetings next month include from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5, 10, 12 and 13 at Powerhouse Park. Visit thedelmarresort.com. ENCINITAS Makerbot workshop at library A Makerbots and VR Workshop for ages 12 and up will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. The workshop includes live demonstrations on how 3D printers and VR headsets work. Registration required at (760) 753-7376. ESCONDIDO 40-year class reunion for San Pasqual High San Pasqual High School Class of 1977 and 1978 are having a 40-year class reunion from 5 to 11 p.m. Aug. 11 at Shadowridge Country Club in Vista. Cost is $78 per person, including food; no-host bar. There will also be craft beer and wine tasting. For information, email Sandra Moffitt Adams at sandra@logoexpressions.com. Show features recycled art, fashions The Escondido Art Association will hold an Upcycled Art & Fashion Show at the Artists Gallery on 121 Grand Ave. from Tuesday through Aug. 31. Framed artwork and fashion show entries must consist of at least 75 percent recycled material. A reception will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 11 with awards ceremony at 6 p.m. Fashion show entries include complete outfits, individual accessories or wearable items to be modeled in the fashion show after the awards ceremony. Fashion show entry fee for non-EAA members is $10. Visit escondidoartist.weebly.com. Dental offices give veterans day of service The Smile Generation office at Quarry Creek is partnering with the San Diego Veterans Coalition to provide a day of free dental services Aug. 11 for eligible veterans in need. The dental office is at 3430 Marron Road, Suite 300. For an appointment, call (760) 730-1303. Visit SmileGeneration.com or call (800) 764-5343. Fishing enthusiasts meet The Oceanside Senior Anglers meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Oceanside Senior Center, 455 Country Club Lane. The guest speaker will be Chugey Sepulveda, director of research and education at the Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research (PIER) in Oceanside, a nonprofit research institute advancing sustainable fisheries management. The meeting is open to all anglers age 50 and older. Visit OSAnglers.org. OCEANSIDE National Night Out events across city National Night Out is an annual community building event that promotes public safety and neighborhood camaraderie with police officers. Several events will be held Tuesday across Oceanside. Highlights include free movies and, at some locations, resource booths and youth activities: 5 to 8 p.m. at Crown Heights Resource Center, 1210 Division St. (Black Panther); 6 to 9 p.m. at Joe Balderrama Park & Recreation Center, 709 San Diego St. (Coco); 5 to 8 p.m. at John Landes Park, 4215 Lewis St. (Peter Rabbit); 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Melba Bishop Park & Recreation Center, 5306 North River Road (Jumanji); 8 to 10 p.m. at Libby Lake Park, 424 Calle Montecito (Nut Job 2) and 8 to 10 p.m. at Marshall Street Park, 1413 Marshall St. (The Little Rascals). Visit ci.oceanside.ca.us. Painting parties for teens at library Two painting parties for teens will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Civic Center Library, 330 N. Coast Hwy., and from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Mission Branch Library, 3861-B Mission Ave. Indigo Cook Crafts will bring handmade pottery for teens to paint and take home. Painting supplies will be provided; no experience necessary. Registration required at (760) 435-5600. Humanitarian award to be presented The Oceanside Moose Lodge #1325 hosts a special event at 5 p.m. Aug. 11 to honor Peter C. Katzmark for his 40 years of Humanitarian Service. Katzmark will be awarded the Pilgrim Degree, the highest degree of the Loyal Order of Moose, at the lodge, 2017 S. Coast Highway. The event is for members and their guests. Activities will follow the presentation and the bar will be open. Visit oceansidemooselodge.org or call (760) 433-6961. Volunteers needed at veterans center Volunteers are needed at the Veterans Association of North County resource center in Oceanside. The nonprofit is looking for community members to volunteer in various ways to help area active-duty military and veterans and their families find community resources. Volunteer jobs range from office duties and building maintenance to janitorial services. No professional experience is necessary. Some computer experience would be helpful. Volunteers are asked to work a few hours per week between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Shifts are typically 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 to 5 p.m. The center is at 1617 Mission Ave. Call (760) 722-1277 or email vanc.volunteercoordinator@gmail.com. Visit vancnorthcounty.org. SAN MARCOS Quilters hold retreat El Camino Quilters holds its commuter retreat, Quilt in a Day, on Thursday and Friday at 155 Diamond St. There will be a free brief meeting 9:30 a.m. Thursday . The retreat starts at 10 a.m. both days and attendees can work on their own projects. Cost is $10 for each day. Sign up in advance at ralfiebear@aol.com. Visit elcaminoquilters.com or email info@elcaminoquilters.com. VISTA Hot rods coming to Vista The Vista Rod Run, featuring several hundred classic and specialty cars, is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the historic downtown area near 319 E. Broadway. Car owners compete to win one of 30 trophies. Also featured is High Energy DJ, Millionaire Beach Bums band and specialty auto vendors along with downtown shopping, restaurants and breweries. Registration is $35 on teh day of the event. Visit vvba.org. Free line dancing class The Gloria McClellan Center offers free line dancing classes for beginners from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 28 at 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. The class is taught by veteran line dancer Helen Pietroforte. All skill levels welcome. Pre-registration is required at (760) 643-5281 or visit gmacvista.com. Fitness classes for seniors The Gloria McClellan Center provides Positively Fit exercise classes Tuesdays and Thursdays, Aug. 7 to Aug. 30, at 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. Beginning (chair-assisted) class is from 10:30 to 11:20 a.m.; intermediate (chair optional) is 9:30 to 10:20 a.m. focusing on maintaining physical strength, flexibility, coordination and balance. The cost for eight classes is $33 for Vista residents; $39 for non-residents. Registration required at gmacvista.com or call (760) 643-5281. The hilltop off of Mountain Meadow Road in North Escondido looks like countless other deserted orchards in North County, with ramshackle structures in withered avocado groves. Members of The Escondido Creek Conservancy, however, see a sanctuary from urban sprawl, a clear route for wildlife passage and a future science education center. Theyve secured $6.8 million to purchase 693 acres east of Interstate 15 known as the Mountain Gate Property. Its a key piece of the conservancys plan to assemble large areas of protected open space through the Escondido Creek watershed. One of the reasons why were interested in this is the large landscape, said Ann Van Leer, executive director of the conservancy. From a wildlife perspective, we know its very important to have big areas where big animals can roam. We know we have mountain lions here. We have found their footprints. You can see if youre a bobcat you can get through here pretty easily. But were trying to secure it so that 50 to 100 years from now a bobcat can still get through. On ridges off of Mountain Meadow Road, between I-15 and North Broadway, the land includes a mix of chaparral and coastal sage scrub habitat, with coast live oaks and rare Engelmann oaks. Amid that are slivers of riparian wetland where willows and sycamores cling to seasonal streams. The granite boulders dotting the site have their own micro-climates, and attract resident lizards, Van Leer said. Advertisement The site is one of two the conservancy is eyeing for conservation in the near future. The other is the 282-acre John Henry Ranch, near Lake Wohlford. Other recent additions to its patchwork of conservation land include El Cielo in Elfin Forest near Escondido, and Bottle Peak, east of Escondido. Formed in 1991, the conservancy is a nonprofit land trust that has worked to preserve undeveloped land in the area, with the goal of restoring and preserving open space in the watershed, from Lake Wohlford to San Elijo Lagoon. The nonprofit often joins local partners to make the purchases; this time, it teamed up with the county of San Diego and the U.S. Navy to buy the parcel. For the county, the purchase would provide open space required for its Multiple Species Conservation Program, a regional plan to conserve habitat for sensitive plants and animals, according to a county staff report. The county has already bought nearly 21,000 acres of open space in South County, and is seeking properties in East and North County now, said Jessica Geiszler, marketing and public outreach manager for County Parks and Recreation. The goal is to create the largest urban and suburban preserve in the county, creating corridors for more than 85 native plant and animal species, Geiszler said. With that comes the goal of trying to promote safe development in less sensitive habitats. When the sale is finalized, the county will evaluate the habitat and wildlife, as well as existing trails and roads, to decide which areas may be open to public access. We want to always find a way to get people to use and appreciate parks, she said. But we certainly want to make sure were not interrupting anything thats happening in the natural world out there. The Navy, in turn, would get environmental mitigation credits to offset habitat damage caused by training maneuvers on Camp Pendleton. Its role in the purchase falls under the Department of Defenses Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program, which alleviates restrictions on training operations at the base, by securing conservation easements elsewhere, according to a statement from Carl Redding, communications director for the Marine base. There are 19 endangered species on Camp Pendleton, Redding stated. We manage them while providing the training areas needed to prepare Marines to accomplish their mission. The REPI program, and the support of organizations like the Escondido Creek Conservatory, make it possible to be good stewards of the environment while accomplishing our mission to prepare Marines to deploy. The Navys contribution toward the purchase is $3.675 million, the countys is $2.899 million, and the conservancy will pay $225,675. The nonprofit has raised $196,642 through 457 separate donations, ranging from $3 from an individual to $54,070 from Friends of Daley Ranch, and continues to raise funds for the purchase, Van Leer said. Although its kicking in the smallest amount, the conservancy is coordinating the acquisition through a complex land transaction that will deed the land first to the nonprofit and then to the county, with conditions attached to prevent development. The conservancy will also manage the property, and retain ownership of 23 acres of the most degraded land. The view south to Escondido from the top ridge of the 693-acre Mountain Gate property west of Daley Ranch. (Don Boomer) Here, atop the ridgeline, rows of dessicated avocado trees surround several agricultural structures where workers used to plant, pick and pack the produce. Many trees are limbed down to the trunks, but a few still produce stunted fruit, even without irrigation. In the remnants of an apparent packing shed, a cracked slab of concrete lies under part of a corrugated steel roof. Its next to a nearly drained agricultural pond, filled a few inches deep with murky water. This is where the conservancy hopes to establish an environmental education center, but theres a lot of work ahead, Van Leer acknowledged. The organization is just starting to evaluate the site to find out whats there, and what needs to be done. The structures must be repaired or removed, along with any underground fuel tanks. The parched avocado trees pose a fire hazard, so theyll have to clear those out. Once the site is clean and safe, the conservancy aims to open it to local middle and high school students for research projects. For instance, Van Leer said, classes could do soil testing, investigate reptile communities around boulders, or draw transects to study native plant growth. Its about as degraded as it could be, she said. So you get to see it reborn over time. The San Diego Board of Supervisors tentatively approved the purchase, and will finalize that vote on Sept. 12. Conservancy officials hope to close escrow on the property by the end of September. This is more complicated than anything the conservancy has done, Van Leer said. But when a big property is available for conservation, you buy. It comes with its own baggage, and well have to sort through it. But it could be pretty darn cool. deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan People visiting Liberty Station to shop and eat on Sunday got the rare chance to see a professional painter improvising art based on feedback from the crowd and the areas energetic bustle. Tijuana artist Hugo Crosthwaite is in the process of painting at least eight large murals on the outdoor walls of Liberty Stations Barracks 14, but Crosthwaite has no preliminary sketches or any plan at all really. Usually when an artist comes to a public space they have everything sketched out and they just do the piece and then its unveiled, he said in the shaded walkway where hes already completed two of the murals. In this case, Im coming every day for 16 days and improvising in public so people can see the process as its created. Among his goals are making people think, exposing people to the process of art making and convincing people they could be an artist by demystifying that process. Advertisement Ive gotten very positive feedback, Crosthwaite said. Especially from children a little girl saw one of the faces and said its just little lines. Once you see someone do it, you say Oh, I can do this too. Artist Hugo Crosthwaite is painting 16 murals over the course of 14 days at Liberty Station (through Aug. 17) as part of the Installation at the Station series. (Photo by Scott Bennett) Crosthwaite, 46, began his effort on Friday and is scheduled to continue painting and improvising every day through Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Part of Liberty Stations Art in Public Places program, Crosthwaites murals are also a chance to expose people to professional art. Sandra Martins, who asked Crosthwaite several questions about his murals on Sunday afternoon, said she thinks the program is a brilliant idea. I think its awesome for us to have this kind of art in a place like this, she said. Its rare that you see a real artist coming to show his work or her work in a shopping area filled with people who dont go to museums to see art. Crosthwaite agreed. People are sometimes hesitant to go to art museums or art galleries they think of art as boring, he said. So bringing art to a public place is emphasizing visual literacy, which has been lost for a lot of people because we spend too much time watching TV or on the internet. Tijuana artist Hugo Crosthwaite paints live in front of guests at the Instillations at the Station art event at the Arts District of Liberty Station in San Diego on Aug. 5, 2018. Crosthwaites live paintings Column A and Column B: A Continual Mural Narrative Performance will run through Aug. 17. (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) The murals painted so far are dominated by large faces with enigmatic expressions, which has prompted the kind of speculation that Crosthwaite likes to see. People have been asking why is she sad or what is she thinking so the answers arent just given to you, you have to come up with your own narrative, he said. Its like the difference between reading and TV. Lin Culler, who also asked Crosthwaite some questions, said she thinks watching him paint the murals is making people realize art is not something out of reach. It shows people how accessible art is and maybe gets rid of pre-conceived ideas that theres only one way or only one medium that some people like, Culler said. Culler said she was disappointed to learn that the murals will only be part of Liberty Stations visual landscape for a few months after Crosthwaite completes them, and then get painted over. Usually when you think about mural work, you think about something thats going to be there forever, Crosthwaite said. The moment a musician stops playing an instrument, the performance stops. The reality is everything is impermanent everything ends. You see me here painting it, but its going to disappear. Crosthwaites murals are the third in a series of six public art projects scheduled during Liberty Stations Installations at the Station series. Artist Hugo Crosthwaite is painting 16 murals over the course of 14 days at Liberty Station (through Aug. 17) as part of the Installation at the Station series. (Photo by Scott Bennett) The next three are Sky Mosaic by David Krimmel, Rolling it Forward by Jeremy Nuttall and Twineline by Karl Alex Roesch. The series is coordinated by the NTC Foundation, which oversees the development and operation of 26 buildings in Liberty Stations Arts District. NTC stands for Naval Training Center, the name of Liberty Station before it was transformed from a military base into an upscale shopping and dining district on the edge of Point Loma. david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick August 6, 1945 The Tribune-Sun The San Diego Union-Tribune will mark its 150th anniversary in 2018 by presenting a significant front page from the archives each day throughout the year. Monday, August 6, 1945 On Aug. 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. About 80,000 people were instantly killed or seriously wounded. Between 90,000 and 166,000 people are believed to have died within the first few months after explosion. Three days later another A-bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing up to 80,000 people. On Aug. 15, Emperor Hirohito announced Japans unconditional surrender, effectively ending World War II. Here are the first few paragraphs of the story: RAIN OF RUIN FACED BY JAPANESE AS SUPER ATOMIC BOMB LOOSED Explosion Equals 20,000 Tons of TNT Truman BULLETIN LONDON, Aug. 6 (A.P.) Germany possessed some atomic power secrets, said Winston Churchill tonight, but by Gods mercy British and American science outpaced all German efforts. WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (A.P.) An atomic bomb, hailed as the most terrible destructive force in history and as the greatest achievement of organized science, has been loosed upon Japan. President Truman disclosed in a White House statement today that the first use of the bombcontaining more power than 20,000 tons of TNT and producing more than 2000 times the blast of the most powerful bomb ever dropped beforewas made 16 hours earlier on Hiroshima, Japanese army base. The atomic bomb is the answer, said Truman, to Japans refusal to surrender. Secy. of War Stimson predicted the bomb will prove a tremendous aid in shortening the Japanese war. Truman grimly warned that even more powerful forms (of the bomb) are in development. He said: If they do not now accept our terms they may expect a rain of ruin from the air the like of which has never been seen on this earth. Hiroshima Cloud of Dust The war department reported that an impenetrable cloud of dust and smoke cloaked Hiroshima after the first atomic bomb crashed down. It was impossible to make an immediate assessment of the damage. President Truman said he would recommend that congress consider establishing a commission to control production of atomic power with the United States, adding: I shall make recommendations to congress as to how atomic power can become a powerful and forceful influence towards the maintenance of world peace. Greatest Gamble Won Both Mr. Truman and Secy. Stimson, while emphasizing the peace-time potentiality of the new force, made clear that much research must be undertaken to effect full peacetime application of its principles. The product of $2,000,000,000 spent in research and production "the greatest scientific gamble in history," Truman said the atomic bomb has been one of the most closely guarded secrets of the war. View anniversary front pages online at sandiegouniontribune.com/150-years. For more from the Union-Tribune digital archives, go to newslibrary.com/sites/sdub. Searching is free, with registration. A fee is required to view full stories. Firefighters braced for another day of high temperatures as they continued to battle a 4,000-acre brush fire in the Cleveland National Forest that forced evacuations in two Orange County canyons. The Holy fire was moving rapidly into the forest, which straddles Orange and Riverside counties. One structure was destroyed, said Shannon Widor, spokesman for the Orange County Emergency Operations Center. The fire was 2% contained as of Tuesday morning. (Los Angeles Times) About 600 personnel were involved in the battle, and authorities reported two heat-related injuries. Numerous roads and campgrounds were closed. Advertisement Excessive heat and red flag warnings were issued for parts of Southern California on Tuesday, with temperatures expected to reach the 90s around the fire zone. The blaze was visible from as far away as Catalina Island, producing a towering plume of thick smoke. Authorities ordered evacuations in Holy Jim Canyon, the Trabuco Canyon residence tract, and the Blue Jay and Falcon campgrounds. Firefighters were battling the fire with water-dropping aircraft, and officials have said that more evacuations in additional Orange County foothill areas were possible. Although the fire was burning away from suburban tracts, officials set up a strike team in the Robinson Ranch area in case of a shift. Officials emphasized Tuesday that Robinson Ranch was not immediately threatened. Both Holy Jim and Trabuco canyons are rural areas dotted with cabins and larger homes. The fire broke out at about 1:30 p.m. Monday. 1 / 53 A firefighter douses hot spots in the McVicker Canyon neighborhood of Lake Elsinore. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 53 Kenneth Leishmans home is pink from fire retardant in the McVicker Canyon neighborhood of Lake Elsinore. Leishman stayed to protect his house from the fire. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 53 A bird perches on a rock Saturday morning at a lookout on Ortega Highway. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 53 An air tanker drops fire retardant on a flare-up of the Holy fire on a mountain ridge above Lake Elsinore, Calif. Saturday. (Gina Ferazzi / Gina Ferazzi) 5 / 53 People watch as the Holy fire rages on a mountainside in Temescal Valley. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 53 Fire crews from Ventura County brace themselves as fire retardant falls on them after being dropped from the sky while they work to stop the progression of the Holy fire in Lake Elsinore. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 53 Helicopters make drops near homes threatened by the Holy fire in Lake Elsinore. (Maria Alejandra Cardona / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 53 As the sun rises above Lake Elsinore on Saturday morning, the overnight crew working to contain the Holy fire prepares to leave. Containment levels have continued to rise since the fire broke out Monday. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 53 The charred remains of vehicles lie along Ortega Highway on Saturday. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 53 Residents keep watch Friday night as the Holy fire burns out of control in the hillsides above Temescal Valley. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 53 Firefighters try to stop the progression of the Holy fire as it makes its way toward homes due to the strong evening winds from Lake Elsinore. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 53 Stephen Woodward looks towards the sky as helicopters make rounds from Lake Elsinore to the hillside in their fight against the Holy fire on Friday. (Maria Alejandra Cardona / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 53 Residents keep watch Friday night as the Holy fire burns out of control in the hillsides above Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona. (Gina Ferazzi / Los AngelesTimes) 14 / 53 Jeff Qualls stands on his roof to watch an air tanker drop fire retardant on flames from the Holy fire as it make its way down the hillside in Lake Elsinore, Calif. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 53 Fire retardant paints a Lakeland Village neighborhood pink in Lake Elsinore, Calif. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 53 Firefighters try to stop the progression of the Holy fire as it makes its way toward homes due to the strong evening winds in Lake Elsinore, Calif. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 53 An air tanker drops a load of water to save a home in Lake Elsinore, Calif. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 53 A helicopter fighting the Holy fire drops water on flames at North Main Divide along Ortega Highway. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 53 Firefighters battle to save a home from a wall off flames as the Holy fire continues to burn out of control in Lake Elsinore, Calif. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 53 Residents and law enforcement wear breathing mask to avoid the thick smoke created by Holy Fire in Lake Elsinore. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 53 Chief Mark Lamont, center, oversees firefighting operations at North Main Divide along Ortega Highway. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 53 Two dozers cut a fire line next to flames at North Main Divide along Ortega Highway. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 53 Afternoon winds fan flames close to a home north of Grand Avenue in Lake Elsinore, Calif. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 53 Firefighter Jon Polansky rest after working an overnight shift at a lookout on Ortega Highway above Lake Elsinore. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 53 Kai Cano rest after working an overnight shift at lookout on Ortega Highway. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 53 Firefighters watch for flareups as they prevent the flames from the Holy fire from crossing the Ortega Highway in Lake Elsinore. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 53 Firefighters conduct a burn operation to remove fuel around homes on Grand Avenue as the Holy fire grows to more than 10,000 acres. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 53 Fire crews watch as a helicopter makes a water drop on a flareup as they prevent the Holy fire from crossing the Ortega Highway above Lake Elsinore. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 53 The Holy fire, which has grown to more than 10,000 acres, is reflected off the water of Lake Elsinore. (Maria Alejandra Cardona / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 53 Jeff Itschner, 43, sprays water on the bushes at his in-laws home on Amorose Street near Leach Canyon in Lake Elsinore. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 53 A helicopter makes a water drop on burning brush on a hill across from homes in Lake Elsinore. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 53 Manuel Trujillo packs his belongings as flames from the Holy fire approach his Lake Elsinore neighborhood. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 53 Firefighters struggle to keep the Holy fire from jumping Lincoln Street toward homes in Lake Elsinore. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 53 Residents evacuate the 29000 block of Sandpiper Drive in Lake Elsinore as the Holy fire approaches homes. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 53 Flames come close to homes in the 29000 block of Sandpiper Drive in Lake Elsinore. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 53 Worried residents watch as flames advance toward their homes on Sandpiper Drive in Lake Elsinore. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 53 Stephanie Caceres packs her belongings into her car as the Holy fire approaches homes on Sandpiper Drive in Lake Elsinore. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 53 Cal Fires Mario Gonzalez keeps an eye on the Holy fire raging near homes in Leach Canyon. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 53 An air tanker fights the Holy fire, which forced more evacuations of neighborhoods in the Lake Elsinore area Wednesday. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 53 The Holy fire on Wednesday approaches Lake Elsinores McVicker Canyon neighborhood, which is under mandatory evacuation orders. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 53 Two men monitor the Holy fire from a rooftop as it approaches the McVicker Canyon neighborhood in Lake Elsinore. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 53 The Trabuco Canyon home of arson suspect Forrest Gordon Clark, 51, stands untouched amid charred remains in his neighborhood. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 53 Chris ONeal, a video journalist from Laguna Niguel, is silhouetted by a smoke-obscured sun as a fire helicopter keeps an eye on the Holy fire approaching McVicker Canyon. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 53 The Holy fire reached very close to homes in a Lake Elsinore neighborhood forcing evacuation and deployment large air tankers. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 53 The Holy fire burns toward homes in a Lake Elsinore neighborhood, forcing evacuation orders and the deployment of large air tankers. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 53 Smoke from the Holy fire darkens the sky over the Glen Ivy Golf Club as the blaze burns on the mountain ridges around Corona. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 53 The Holy fire in the Cleveland National Forest pushed closer to some homes Wednesday, prompting a new round of mandatory evacuations. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 53 Lester and Blanca Fronk watch for planes fighting the Holy Fire in Lake Elsinore. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 53 Felipe Montiel fishes at Lake Elsinore as the Holy fire reflects across the water while burning in the Cleveland National Forest above homes in Lake Elsinore. (Los Angeles Times) 50 / 53 U.S. Forest Service fire crews make their way to the Holy fire, burning on mountain ridges in the Cleveland National Forest near Corona. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 53 Bob Tyler clears his driveway covered by ashes from Holy Fire falling on his neighborhood of 11000 block of Kingbird Drive in Corona. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 52 / 53 A plane drops fire retardant on the Holy fire burning in Cleveland National Forest above a home in Lake Elsinore on Aug. 7. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 53 / 53 A man prepares to fish as smoke rises from the Holy fire in the Cleveland National Forest in Lake Elsinore on Aug. 6. (Mario Tama / Getty Images) Meteorologists issued red flag warnings in the Los Angeles area, where temperatures will reach triple digits in several neighborhoods and cities early in the week. The Holy fire comes as firefighters in Northern California continue to fight several monster blazes. FULL COVERAGE: Californias summer siege of wildfires The Mendocino Complex fire is now the largest wildfire on record in California as it continues to grow in Lake County, officials said. The Ranch and River fires, which make up the fire, had grown to 283,800 acres as of Monday evening, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The blaze was only 30% contained as of 7 p.m. Holy Incident: 75-100 acres with rapid rate of spread. pic.twitter.com/PFsxUd8jP8 OCFA PIO (@OCFA_PIO) August 6, 2018 There are 18 large wildfires burning across California now, scarring a combined 559,000 acres, officials have said. In Redding, the Carr fire has claimed seven lives and more than 1,000 homes while growing to 163,207 acres, making it the 12th-largest wildfire in state history, Cal Fire officials said in a statement. Fire officials are also concerned about the growth of the Donnell fire, which has spread to 12,000 acres since it ignited last week in the Stanislaus National Forest. The fire began along the Stanislaus River and has triggered mandatory evacuations, but like several other blazes around the state, the fire is in steep terrain that has made containment efforts difficult, according to a release from the U.S. Forest Service. The blaze was only at 1% containment as of Sunday night. #HolyFire is well established with a growing header, however ground and air units are on scene and more enroute. If your in the area please STAY AWAY and follow all orders and suggestions by authorities. pic.twitter.com/B0GbmRxQr1 OC Fire Watch (@OCFireWatch) August 6, 2018 UPDATES: 11:05 a.m.: This article was updated with containment numbers. 8:40 a.m., Aug. 7: This article was updated with a revised weather forecast. 8:20 p.m.: This article was updated with revised statistics on the Mendocino Complex fire. 7:45 p.m. This article was updated with preparations in Robinson Ranch. 6:40 p.m.: This article was updated with numbers on personnel and injuries. 4:50 p.m.: This article was updated to reflect that a structure was destroyed. 4:20 p.m.: This article was updated with new details on the fires size and evacuation orders. 3:40 p.m.: This article was updated was updated with new details. 2:55 p.m.: This article was updated was updated with evacuations and information about other fires. This story was originally posted at 2:15 p.m., Aug. 6. When Kathy Smith decided to sponsor an asylum seeker from Russia in her Scripps Ranch home, she didnt know what do expect. Shed housed two people before him, first an asylum-seeking woman from Costa Rica and then a Canadian woman with Nigerian heritage who was looking for her brother after he disappeared into the U.S.s immigration system. Each one, Smith said, was a new experience. They all need something different, Smith said. You dont know until the person is in your home. Asylum seekers generally need someone to sponsor them in order to get out of immigration custody. Many have family members in the U.S. who offer to house them and make sure they show up for court hearings. Advertisement Others rely on people like Smith or nonprofit organizations that provide at least temporary shelters. While Smith feels good about having helped people find their footing in the U.S., she acknowledges that there were challenges along the way, especially since she took on the role of host without the help of a structured organization. Its really easy to get tipped over, Smith said. Youve got to have a support network. The Rev. Bill Jenkins hopes that an organization hes been growing out of the Christ Ministry Center in Normal Heights will provide just that for San Diegans interested in hosting asylum seekers who have no place to go. Safe Harbors Network began when his ministry took in thousands of Haitians who came to the San Diego border in 2016, mostly from Brazil. Now his organization has a working relationship with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. If a family comes to the San Ysidro port of entry and needs a place to stay, ICE calls Jenkins. If a pregnant woman at Otay Mesa Detention Center reaches her third trimester and has no one to sponsor her, ICE calls Jenkins. On busy weeks, those calls come as often as twice a day, Jenkins said. (Because of policy changes and court decisions, single adult asylum seekers rarely get out of detention before their cases are done.) According to Jimmy Marcelin, who runs the shelter for Christ Ministry Center, the network is currently housing about 40 people from across the globe Central America, Haiti, and several countries in Africa and Eastern Europe. For Marcelin, the work has been humbling, and a reminder of what people in the U.S. often take for granted, from adequate food and clothing to freedom. He carries with him the stories of people who have passed through the shelter, including a five-year-old girl who reached the border alone. She was born in Brazil to Haitian parents and began the journey north with her father. He drowned trying to cross a river in Panama. Others at the river crossing managed to save the girl and brought her to U.S. immigration officials, who promptly called Christ Ministry Center. Marcelin found a family to care for the girl, and he still checks on her. We know the father just vanished in front of her, Marcelin said. Those things, they stay on my mind. Since public outrage grew over U.S. officials separating parents and children at the border because of a zero-tolerance policy that prosecuted illegal border crossings, Christ Ministry Center has received an outpouring of support, Jenkins said. Hes had meetings with houses of worship and individuals from across the county to amplify the bed space available through Safe Harbors Network. It now has close to 200 beds, he said. The network makes a contract with each place, and the individual or organization specifies how many people it can take and for how long. Safe Harbors inspects the homes and shelters offered and runs background checks on those who live there before it approves their participation. Jenkins also mentally prepares volunteers for some of the challenges that come with housing asylum seekers. We tell them there are going to be language issues, cultural issues, that these people are traumatized, Jenkins said. The people laughing and smiling the most may be the most traumatized. Sarah Nichter began coordinating a shelter hosted through Safe Harbors Network by three churches in Pacific Beach a little over a month ago. Safe Harbors Pacific Beach began housing people on Monday, and so far its going well, she said. For all of us, theres a religious or spiritual component to it, Nichter said. This is what it means to be a Christian is to help other people. She advised others considering hosting asylum seekers to think through logistics like transportation to doctors appointments or ICE check-ins, which are required at varying intervals for many released from custody. Jenkins asks that people commit to at least two weeks and up to two or three months when they join Safe Harbors. He hopes that at least those asylum seekers who are able to get work permits will be able to transfer to more permanent residences during that time with the help of other community organizations. If an asylum seeker needs a home for longer than one volunteer is able to take that person, the newcomer can move between shelters in the network for the time needed. We are an oasis, Jenkins said. We are not the final destination. What they need is a place to refresh and renew on their journey. Those who cant make that commitment can also donate money to help others who can, he said. In Smiths case, the Russian man stayed with her about nine months, the longest of anyone she took in. His asylum case is still pending, so Smith preferred not to fully identify him. She met him at Otay Mesa Detention Center, where a church group she joined sends volunteers to visit detainees. When immigration officials offered him a bond amount to wait for his case outside of detention, Smith decided to pay it, becoming his official sponsor. You have a more serious responsibility, Smith said. Your bond is at risk if the person doesnt show up for court. Because of rules that make some asylum seekers wait for months or sometimes even years for work permits, she took care of most of the mans monetary needs. He lived simply, she said, and was not a financial burden for her. He helped her around the house with yard work and fixing her deck, which gave him something to do since he wasnt allowed to work. She took him on hikes and to the beach. He walked her dogs and watched over her home while she was out of town. The man, like many asylum seekers working through the trauma that caused them to flee, fell into depression at times. Im in a mood, Smith recalled him telling her before he would disappear into his room for hours. With him, as with her two prior guests, she felt herself at times becoming too mothering. Eventually the man moved in with other friends after Smith decided she needed some time alone for self-care. Shes giving herself at least a year before she thinks about taking in another person. I learned a lot about myself, but its hard for me to integrate that in the middle of the doing of it, Smith said. Reflection is good. Smith hopes more San Diegans offer their homes and support each other through the process. I would reach out to anyone to make the web, to be a compassionate city, Smith said. That should happen, she said, with or without policies like zero-tolerance that create additional obstacles for new arrivals. 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 NASCAR mogul Brian France was arrested in New Yorks Hamptons on charges of driving while intoxicated and criminal possession of oxycodone after he was seen driving through a stop sign, police said Monday. France, the chairman and CEO of the auto racing behemoth, was arraigned Monday at Sag Harbor Village Justice Court after a night in jail and released on his own recognizance. Information on a lawyer who could comment on Frances behalf was not immediately available, nor was information on his next court date. NASCAR said in a statement that it takes Frances arrest as a serious matter and will issue a statement after we have all of the facts. Advertisement France, 56, was pulled over and arrested about 7:30 p.m. Sunday near the Sag Harbor waterfront, authorities said. Officers saw indications of intoxication and found the pills during a subsequent search, police said. TMZ first reported the arrest. France has led NASCAR since 2003. Hes a third-generation leader of the company, which his late grandfather, Bill France Sr., founded in 1948. France called into a radio show last month to refute a report that his family was looking into selling its racing properties, saying the family was locked and loaded in its dedication to NASCAR. France was involved in a 2006 incident in Daytona Beach, Fla., when a police report stated he crashed his Lexus into a tree after entering a restaurant parking lot. France later told an officer called to his home that he was drinking a soda and bumped into something. But a witness called 911 and gave police a statement that claimed she saw France driving at a very reckless speed, and claimed Frances car hit the tree after hitting a parked car. She said she also watched as France fell over his own feet as he got out of his car. Her statement was not attached to the police report, and the Daytona Beach police chief later investigated whether France was given special treatment by authorities. San Diego police on Monday released the name of the victim of a fatal stabbing at Balboa Park over the weekend, and also the name of the suspect an acquaintance arrested on suspicion of murder. The victim was 38-year-old Nicholas Turner, and the suspect is 47-year-old Damon Crudup, according to police Lt. Anthony Dupree. About 9:50 a.m. Saturday, Crudup called 911 to report the stabbing on Balboa Drive near Redwood Circle, north of the Cabrillo Bridge, Dupree said. Police and medics arrived to find that Turner had been stabbed in the chest. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died. Advertisement Crudup was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of murder. He is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday, according to online jail records. The men were homeless. Police did not give a motive for the attack. Police asked that witnesses or tipsters with information about the attack call the departments Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. Anonymous tips can be left by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477, or online at sdcrimestoppers.org. teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com (760) 529-4945 Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT A pedestrian was killed and another suffered life-threatening injuries after both reportedly walked into the path of vehicles in separate crashes over the weekend. The first collision happened in Lakeside on Saturday night. A 56-year-old woman was headed south across Woodside Avenue west of Shamrock Lane when an eastbound Dodge Ram 1500 hit her about 10:45 p.m., California Highway Patrol Officer Travis Garrow said. The woman died before she could be taken to a hospital. She was not identified. Advertisement The driver, a 20-year-old Alpine man, stopped after the crash and cooperated with authorities, Garrow said. No other vehicles were involved. The second crash happened near entrance to a shopping center off Esplanade Court, across from the Westfield UTC mall, in University City, San Diego police said. A 38-year-old man was driving a Hyundai sedan into the parking lot off about 12:50 p.m. when he struck a woman who reportedly walked into the cars path from behind another vehicle. She was rushed to a hospital with serious injuries to her left leg and head, police said. Investigators dont suspect drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash. Twitter: @LAWinkley (619) 293-1546 lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com A 21-year-old man was hospitalized with serious, but non-life threatening injuries after he crashed into a tree in the Carmel Mountain area, police said. It happened shortly after 11:30 p.m. Sunday on Ted Williams Parkway near Carmel Ridge Road, San Diego police Officer John Buttle said. The man was driving eastbound on Ted Williams Parkway when his vehicle jumped the curb and struck a tree on the right shoulder, Buttle said. The driver suffered an open fracture to his right leg, shattered both knees and had a laceration to his forehead, Buttle said. Advertisement The man was transported to a local hospital for treatment of the injuries, Buttle said. Alcohol or drugs were believed to be a factor in the crash. A vehicle description was not immediately available. Traffic division officers were investigating the crash. In 2010, a Catholic priest from the San Diego diocese sexually assaulted Rachel Mastrogiacomo. This story would be all-too-familiar except for one fact: Mastrogiacomo was 24, a grown woman. For years, the clergy sex scandal has focused on abused children. Now, the #MeToo movement and a growing recognition of the pervasiveness of sexual power plays is encouraging victimized adults to come out of the shadows. Finally, said Esther Miller, who led an adult victims workshop at last months national convention of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), women are coming together and saying no more. Advertisement Going public, though, can mean facing skeptical questioning. Women and men endure many of the same pressures that discourage children shame, confusion, the unwillingness to confront a spiritual leaders who are admired and even revered. Another question is posed only to victimized women and men: why are sexual encounters between two apparently consenting adults considered crimes? But in many states, including Minnesota where Mastrogiacomo took her abuser to trial, its a crime to have with sex with adults who are incapable of voluntary consent due to a particular vulnerability or due to the special relationship between the actor (perpetrator) and the victim. That, advocates say, is an apt description of someone seeking spiritual solace or counseling. These are vulnerable adults, Miller said. Even though they have reached the age of maturity, they are still vulnerable. The power differential is so great, said Patrick Wall, a former priest who investigates allegations of clergy sexual abuse for a Minnesota law firm. Whether it is as a spiritual director, or in the confessional or spiritual counseling, the priest has the power. A devout young woman, Mastrogiacomo was slowly seduced by a trusted mentor, the Rev. Jacob Bertrand. After months of confidences that blended the sacred and the profane, he persuaded her to have sex during a private Mass. For the longest time, I didnt even know I had been the victim of a crime, said Mastrogiacomo. But I was being sexually molested. Attempts to reach Bertrand last week were unsuccessful. On Friday, his attorney, Marc Carlos, said he would contact Bertrand to see if he wished to discuss the case. As of Sunday, there was no word from Bertrand or Carlos. Groomed and teased For centuries, the Vatican has recognized that clergy can be tempted to use their office for sexual gratification. Canon law specifically forbids crimen sollicitationis, the crime of making sexual advances to penitents in the confessional. We honestly dont know, from a statistical standpoint, how often this happens, Wall said. The vast majority of people are never going to take this to the mat. First of all, who is going to believe them? Second, they have no witnesses or proof. And third, in 99 percent of the cases the priest will deny it. And people will believe the priest first. Rather than the usual steps of courtship, these relationships routinely follow a three-step process: identify, isolate and elevate. Often, the target is reeling from a personal tragedy a divorce, the death of a parent, the loss of a child. Seeking spiritual guidance or comfort, SNAPs Miller said, the future victim is identified by the cleric. He identifies someone who is very, very vulnerable and emotionally charged, she said. He swoops in and becomes the savior. Increasingly, the counseling takes places in private locations. Once in isolation, victims are flattered that they are the chosen ones, special persons with a special mission. Because we have spent so much, quote unquote, qualitative time, Miller said, adopting the predators point of view, because I have done so much for you, this is what you get to do for me. Mastrogiacomos journey followed this route. Raised in a Catholic family in St. Paul, Minn., she was 13 when her father died. Despite this shock, she recalls a very joyful, very religious childhood. A top student, she sailed through high school and Franciscan University of Steubenville, where she majored in theology and cathechetics, or religious education. In 2009, she enrolled in courses at Romes Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. There, she met a fellow student, a deacon studying for the priesthood, Jacob Bertrand. Between discussions of mysticism and faith, Bertrand shared intimate details from his pre-seminary sex life. Mastrogiacomo confessed that she was a virgin. He was master manipulator, she said. I was groomed and teased, in just the same way a child would be. I was such a naive, virgin-focused Catholic. This seduction was wrapped in mystical, other-worldly terms. Court filings noted that, in Rome, while Bertrand was praying in church, Bertrand told the victim that the Lord had imprinted a vision in his mind of the victim naked and straddling him. After months of spiritual direction, Bertrand took Mastrogiacomos virginity. During a private Mass in the loft of her grandmothers Wisconsin cabin, he persuaded her to engage in sexual activities. This wasnt an ordinary sexual experience between two consenting adults, said Mastrogiacomo. It was during the celebration of the Mass, with candles lit, very ritualistic. A day or two later, the same scene played out in the Minnesota home of Mastrogiacomos mother and step-father. Giving herself to him during a religious service, Bertrand told her, was Gods will. This was far worse, far more ritualistic, she said. When Bertrand, by then an ordained priest assigned to a parish in San Diego, requested more encounters, she refused. Father, she said, I have done Gods will and I dont want to do this any more. Not just Catholics Most Catholic priests are honorable and devoted to their faith. After years of denial, Pope Francis and other church officials have admitted that clerical sexual abuse is a serious and widespread problem. We have to maintain vigilance, Bishop Robert McElroy of the San Diego diocese said last year. I use the word vigilance advisedly. Thats an active stance and we cant become complacent.. While some maintain that this crisis has been worsened by the Catholic churchs requirement of priestly celibacy, this problem is not limited to a single creed. Its not just Catholic abuse, said SNAPs Miller. Weve seen this with Mennonites, non-denominational Christians, we had a Seventh-day Adventist gal. Its just everywhere. Men are victims, too. As a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame, Mark Fuller confessed to a priest that he was struggling with his sexuality. The priest encouraged the student to come over to the mans apartment for counseling. I came over and what he did was talk me into bed, said Fuller, 63. I was really vulnerable, weak. You are just trained to go along, to get along, to just do whatever a priest says. Fuller returned to the priests bed twice or three times before calling a halt. Ashamed and embarrassed, the student avoided friends. His grades, once good enough to encourage medical school ambitions, plummeted. He was depressed and confused. Its the betrayal of trust, Fuller said, now a medical technician in New Canaan, Conn. I didnt trust God, I didnt trust men. He really wrecked my life. It took decades for Fuller to accept his sexuality, although his relationships have been brief and shadowed by a distrust of intimacy. In recent years, hes gained some understanding and acceptance by attending local SNAP chapter meetings. With a therapists help, he said, Im trying to date again. On Sunday, hes meeting someone for coffee. It was all a lie In 2009, Mastrogiacomo had befriended another American studying for the priesthood in Rome. Confessing his love, he offered to leave the seminary if she would marry him. She declined. While attracted to this man, she insisted he pursue what she saw as a sacred vocation. I was so committed to what I thought was the will of God, she said. Then came her disturbing encounters with Bertrand. Mastrogiacomo had grown up believing that priests were angelic, unfailingly good. Why had her encounters with this priest left her feeling soiled? In May 2012, while trying to sort out her emotions, she called her other priest friend and told him about Bertrand and his private Masses. She was sure another cleric could set her at ease about this special, mystical relationship with a man of God. Instead, the friend burst into tears. At that moment, it was like literally scales had fallen from my eyes, Mastrogiacomo said. The moment I broke my silence, I realized it was all a lie. Mastrogiacomo then went to church authorities. In 2014, her complaint was forwarded to the San Diego diocese, where Bertrand was a priest at Spring Valleys Santa Sophia. In the Nov. 30, 2014, parish bulletin, Bertrand wrote that he was entering a residential program for psychological treatment following an arson attack on the church. In 2015, though, he returned to active ministry, this time at St. Vincent de Paul in Mission Hills and St. John the Evangelist in Hillcrest. In April 2016, Mastrogiacomo made a criminal complaint against Bertrand in Minnesotas Dakota County. This May, Bertrand was sentenced to 10 years probation and a $1,000 fine for criminal sexual conduct. He was also ordered to complete an assessment as a sex offender and then undergo any recommended therapy. The plea agreement in this case was entered into after considerable discussions with the victim and upon receiving her consent, said Dakota County Attorney James C. Backstrom. We are please that Mr. Bertrand has been held accountable for his actions. The San Diego diocese announced he will not return to the ministry. While Mastrogiacomos name was not reported during Bertrands trial, she recently decided to go public with her story. Now living in Louisiana, shes serving as a lay missionary with her husband Rich Mastrogiacomo, the former priest in whom she had once confided. He was laicized, allowed to leave the priesthood and return to the laity, by Pope Francis in February 2014. Four months later, he married Rachel. The couple remain faithful Catholics, although disappointed in their churchs response to this scandal. I really want to shine a bright light on this darkness, Rachel Mastrogiacomo said. Breaking silence is the most loving, the right thing to do. I just want to be a voice for other survivors, especially female victims of clergy sexual abuse. Thu., Oct. 28, 5:30-6 p.m. Anvil and Forge Brewing and Distilling Company 619 E. Washington St., Springfield Downtown Free History What do you do with a coffin your landlord wont let you keep? What do you do about the fugitive pushing 120 years old? Join us at Anvil & Forge for a drink and to find the answers to these questions, along with other wild tales of murder and mayhem with History Happy Hour: Kill-inois. Special thanks to our partner, Anvil & Forge. History Happy Hour is a quarterly program that takes a casual look at some of Illinoiss weirdest history. (217) 782-5993 Apprentice jockey Assael Espinoza was suspended 10 days Sunday for his role in the 10th-race accident at Del Mar Saturday afternoon while both injured jockeys were released from the hospital. The suspension was announced before jockey Flavien Prat swept both of Sundays stakes races winning the $200,000 Grade II Sorrento Stakes aboard Bellafina ($8.40) after earlier taking the Grade III La Jolla Handicap on River Boyne ($3). Corey Nakatani, 47, remained at Scripps Hospital overnight for further examinations of a possible back injury and was released late Sunday morning after meeting with a spinal specialist. He was scheduled to return to his Los Angeles home Sunday night and see a specialist early this week. Corey thankfully escaped without any major injuries, said Matt Nakatani, the riders son and agent. However, his timetable to return to riding is uncertain. Advertisement Geovanni Franco, 21, suffered what was described as a bruise high on his left foot and returned to the track Sunday morning to exercise horses. He rode four races Sunday, including a third-place finish aboard Boujie Girl in the Sorrento Stakes and a win in Sundays finale aboard long shot Johnny Strong ($39.80). Meanwhile, the track stewards cited Espinoza for careless riding in their reasoning for a stiff penalty. The official statement said Espinoza altered course without sufficient clearance and caused interference entering the stretch. Aussie Fox was disqualified. The stewards would not discuss the decision further because Espinoza has 72 hours to appeal. Were undecided at this moment on the appeal, said Brian Beach, the agent for Assael Espinoza. If we appeal, it will be about the length of the suspension, not the findings. The length seems to be excessive given the fact that the stewards want Assael to learn from this. Assael knows what he did was a horrible mistake. The message has been received. Assael feels responsible. He feels horrible about the whole thing ... the injuries to the other jockeys, the loss of Irish Spring. Espinoza, who is the nephew of injured Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza, spent four hours at the hospital Saturday night and met with Franco. He returned to the hospital Sunday morning to meet with Nakatani. He also met with trainer Richard Baltas at the track Sunday morning. Baltas was the trainer of Irish Spring, the horse which died in the fall. What he did was in no way intentional or careless, said Beach of Espinozas actions in Saturdays 10th race. It was a bad confluence of events at a bad place and time. Assael wants to be good. Hes sought to learn from everyone since he started in February. If unaltered by appeal, Espinoza would miss Aug. 12, 15-19 and 22-25. Bellafina finished 4 lengths in front of favorite Del Mar May in the 6-furlong Sorrento Stakes sprint for 2-year-old fillies on the main track. River Boyne was a 1-length winner over Arawak in the 11/16-mile La Jolla on the turf. Restrainedvegence, the long shot winner of the Oceanside Stakes on opening day of the meet, finished fourth among the six starters. Bellafina took the lead shortly after the start and never looked back. Shes got some speed and she was comfortable, said Prat of Bellafina. I asked her for her kick on the turn and she gave it to me. Trainer Simon Callaghan hesitated when asked about running Bellafina in the Del Mar Debutante. Its a possibility, said Callaghan. But when youve got a filly that you think this much of, its better to be a little patient and work you way back from the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies. I think shes a filly with a big future. River Boynes trainer Jeff Mullins said the Del Mar Derby could be the next stop for his horse. Notable Prat and Drayden Van Dyke each won two races Sunday to remain 1-2, respectively, in the jockey standings while separated by one win. Franco move into a tie for fifth. Van Dyke swept Saturdays two stakes races while Prat doubled Sunday leaving the pair tied for the lead in stakes wins with four apiece. Peter Miller leads the training standings with 13 winners. Jerry Hollendorfer is second with 10. Center is a freelance writer. 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. More than 150 years after the Civil Wars start, its legacy the bravery and idealism, as well as the conflict and pain remains very much alive. Weekly Newsletter The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! Join This article and other stories of the Civil War can be found in the Posts Special Collectors Edition, The Saturday Evening Post: Untold Stories of the Civil War. This account appeared in the March/April 2011 issue of The Saturday Evening Post. Subscribe and get unlimited access to our online magazine archive. Subscribe Today The war fought by Americans against Americans on American soil, for four excruciating years is still the deadliest war in American history. More than 600,000 fighting men were killed, some of them brothers in arms against brothers, and uncounted civilians died. It was a war over nothing less than whether to preserve or end the United States of America. Most armed conflicts are about territory. This one was about ideas. The war would put an end to slavery. It would also create, if painfully, a cohesive single republic more united than it had ever been before. In fact, the Civil War transformed the United States from a plural noun to a singular one. Before, you would say the United States are. Ever since the war, we say the United States is. War became inevitable in December 1860, when South Carolina declared that it would no longer be a part of the United States. Abraham Lincoln had just been elected president, and the Southern states were convinced he would immediately outlaw slavery, on which their economy depended. They resolved to leave the Union rather than have their way of life overthrown. In February 1861, South Carolina and five other states announced that they were now the Confederate States of America. U.S. Army forces had to retreat to Fort Sumter, a granite fortification in the harbor of Charleston. When the forces refused to leave Fort Sumter, state militiamen waited, wore them down by preventing supplies from getting through, and then opened artillery fire on them. The bombardment lasted for 33 hours, until 4,000 shots and shells set Fort Sumter on fire. Finally, the U.S. flag came down, and the Fort surrendered. No one imagined how long and devastating the war would be. The first big battle was fought in July 1861, at Bull Run in Virginia, near Washington, D.C., where Union troops attacked Confederate forces in hopes of putting a quick end to the conflict. The Confederates withstood the assault and then counterattacked, and the battle turned into a rout of the Union forces. Many hundreds on both sides were killed, and thousands more were injured. Americans began to see what a long nightmare they had trapped themselves in. For more than a year after that, Southern troops won victory after victory under a brilliant general, Robert E. Lee, while Lincoln was disappointed by one irresolute Union general after another. One of the first big wins for the North was at The Battle of Antietam, in September 1862. The day it was fought remains the bloodiest day in American his- tory, with 23,000 casualties. Antietam turned a corner for the Union by stopping a northward advance by Lees army, and that victory gave Lincoln the confidence to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. On September 22, 1862, he made the sweeping, revolutionary announcement that all slaves in Confederate states would be free as of the following January 1. Since the Proclamation applied only in states the federal government had no control over, it didnt really free any- one except in a few Union-occupied parts of Confederate territory. But it told the world and the captive blacks of the American South that the war was not simply about preserving the Union. It was undeniably about slavery. The war dragged on, with both sides more determined than ever after the Emancipation Proclamation. A turning point was reached in early July 1863, when Confeder- ate troops that had invaded the North were turned back in the epochal three-day battle in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, while in Mississippi, Union forces took control of the city of Vicksburg, freeing the Mississippi River from the Con- federacy. As President Lincoln put it, The father of waters again goes unvexed to the sea. That fall he delivered his great speech at the battlefield in Gettysburg, where 170,000 soldiers had clashed and 7,500 had been killed, saying that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth. Many thousands more were yet to die, though. Lincoln finally found the commanding general he had been looking for in Ulysses S. Grant, and Grant pursued a relentless war of attrition against Robert E. Lees Army of Northern Virginia, while General William T. Sherman cut a crippling swath through Georgia, devastating the heart of the deep South. The war dragged on until April 1865, when Robert E. Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Just a week later, President Lincoln was assassinated by an enraged Confederate sympathizer, John Wilkes Booth. The wounds left by the war did not quickly or easily heal. Reconstruction, a bitterly opposed attempt by the North to remake the South, lasted until 1877 and ultimately failed. The Civil War brought an end to slavery and reunited the nation, but the pain of reconciling the differences, many of which began with the birth of the republic, lingers still. The war made our motto true E pluribus unum from many, one but the work of making us one is never complete. Close On Friday, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced the nine astronauts who will be the first to fly aboard commercial spacecraft en route to the International Space Station. This project is part of NASA's Commercial Crew program which seeks to reinstate the capability of the United States to send American astronauts to space from US soil. NASA retired its fleet of space shuttles seven years ago and since then, the US space agency has to rely on Russia with their Soyuz spacecraft to get into the International Space Station (ISS). This costs the US government close to a hundred million dollars for each seat. Now, the US will have again the capacity to send its own people to space using its own spacecraft. "We are on a brink of launching American astronauts, on American rockets, from American soil," Jim Bridenstine, NASA's head of administration said during an unveiling event held at the Johnson Space Center in Houston Texas. The nine people who will be taking part in this very ambitious spaceflight program are: (via Telegraph) 1. Victor Glover 2. Mike Hopkins 3. Bob Behnken 4. Doug Hurley 5. Nicole Aunapu Mann 6. Chris Ferguson 7. Eric Boe 8. Josh Cassada 9. Suni Williamson Five of the named crew will be assigned to the first two Boeing flights, while the remaining four will fly aboard SpaceX. According to CNBC, NASA granted contracts to the said private companies, giving them each the leeway to develop their own space shuttle programs. Boeing, with its Starliner capsules, is slated to commence its first test flight sometime this year. Meanwhile, Elon Musk's brainchild, SpaceX, will begin flying its Dragon capsules by November. In a follow-up report by Space Coast Daily, Behnken and Hurley will be the first two NASA astronauts to fly aboard the Dragon in April 2019. Both are spaceflight veterans with their credentials including flying the Space Shuttle Endeavor in 2000. The pair will soon be followed after by Glover and Hopkins. This will be their first time to go into space. Meanwhile, Ferguson and Boe have also flown space shuttles for NASA before. They will be joined by neophyte Mann, who joined the agency five years ago. The trio is scheduled to fly in the middle of next year. The remaining two, Williams and Cassada, will man the first Boeing space mission. Williams had already made seven spacewalks since her time at NASA. The latter, on the other hand, had only been in the agency since 2013. Bumi Armada said the bareboat charter contract with Hoang Long Joint Operating Company (HLJOC) had been extended for a futher six years from August 27, 2018 until November 14, 2024, extending the original seven-year contract initially signed in 2009 which expired on August 26. The FPSO Armada TGT 1 has been working in the HLJOC-owned and operated Te Giac Triang (TGT) field offshore Vietnam and has produced good results, Bumi Armada said in a press release. HLJOC is a partnership between PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation, SOCO Vietnam, OPECO Vietnam, and PTTEP Hoang-Long Company. Read More: FPSO destined for Vietnam starts conversion work at Keppel Bumi Armada ed and ceo Leon Harland said: This contract is a positive result for the group and the stakeholders in the TGT project. Since her start in August 2011, FPSO Armada TGT 1 has shown great safety performance, with no lost time incident in seven years, with an average oil and gas uptime availability of over 99% since start up, and produces over 106m barrels of oil. We thank HLJOC partners for their continuing trust in our production services. For the UAEs Federal Transport Authority (FTA), being ranked among the worlds leading maritime nations is a major achievement for the young country and cements its position as the regions most developed maritime hub. It is a huge source of pride not only for UAE, but for all Arab nations, says Abdullah Belhaif al-Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Infrastructure Development and chairman of the FTA Land and Maritime. The Council is the executive organ of the IMOand is responsible for supervising the work of the organisation, scrutinising [its] work programme and budget, coordinating activities, presenting reports and proposals to the assembly. It creates further responsibilities, he adds, but we are committed to playing a significant role in shaping the future of the global maritime system and efficiently contributing to the work of the IMO to achieve its mission for safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans. In gaining this seat at the top table, the UAE will now participate directly in decision-making at the IMO and help to formulate future regulations governing the global maritime industry, says Al-Nuaimi. Stakeholders in the UAE maritime sector will in turn benefit from attending IMO meetings, gaining from the rich seam of knowledge and high-level dialogue. Ultimately, Al-Nuaimi expects it will enhance the reputation of the UAE maritime industry, paving the way for more investment in the sector. The maritime industry currently accounts for about 5% of the UAEs GDP, but the FTA believes this could be increased to 25%. To encourage investment in the sector, the UAE is preparing a new Maritime Law, and the transport authority is currently revising the first draft. The updated legislation will include provisions to encourage investment in shipping and provide incentives for ship registration under the UAE flag. The business environment as a whole has been undergoing significant change in the UAE this year. At the start of 2018, as part of a wider regional initiative, the federal government introduced value-added tax for the first time, set at a rate of 5%. There have been calls from within the shipping industry to seek an exemption from VAT, but Al-Nuaimi points out that other recent regulatory changes have improved the attractiveness of the UAE as an investment destination. Learn more about regulation at Seatrade Maritime Middle East from October 29-31, 2018. We think that there are several incentives to attract and promote investment in the shipping industry other than exemption from VAT, the minister says. In a major announcement [in May], the UAE cabinet approved 100% foreign ownership of companies, which was previously limited to [those] based in freezones. In addition, the cabinet approved a new long-term visa system aimed at attracting international investors and high-skilled professional workers. These major incentives are going to draw foreign direct investment as well as top talent into the UAE [helping it] to remain the most attractive and investment friendly destination in the region. It is also expected that the new measures will help raise the UAEs global profile as a preferred investment destination, positively impacting the local business environment and ultimately enhancing the countrys economic competitiveness. Press Release August 6, 2018 De Lima asks Senate to recognize sterling record of Carpio-Morales Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has asked the Senate leadership to recognize the distinguished career and invaluable contributions to the judiciary and public service of Retired Associate Justice and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. De Lima has filed Senate Resolution (SR) No. 812 which seeks to honor the outstanding record of Carpio-Morales whose moral courage and commitment to justice is worth emulating. "By her example of incorruptibility, diligence, vision, and leadership, Justice and Ombudsman Carpio-Morales is able to set the highest ethical standards in public service that should inspire the youth and the future generations of Filipinos," she said. Last July 25, Carpio-Morales has retired as Ombudsman after completing a seven-year full term, making her the second Ombudsman to have completed a term after Aniano Desierto. She is the Ombudsman from 2011 to 2018. Under Carpio-Morles' leadership, the former justice secretary noted, the Office of the Ombudsman has significantly reduced the backlog of cases in its docket. She pointed out that the Office of the Ombudsman during Carpio-Morales' term recorded an improved conviction rate of its prosecutors to 75 percent--from 68 percent in 2015 and 2016, and 41 percent in 2011 -- while ensuring the accountability of several high-ranking officials and government employees for corruption. "In recognition of her sterling record in the judiciary and her outstanding work as the Ombudsman, Justice Carpio-Morales has received numerous awards," De Lima recalled. Among Carpio-Morales' award include the UP Alumni Association's Outstanding Award in Championing Justice/Judiciary on the occasion of its Centenary, the Quezon City Government's Ten Most Outstanding Citizens for 2013, The Philippine Daily Inquirer's Filipino of the Year in 2014, and the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Awards for 2016. In her resolution, De Lima maintained the Senate should honor Carpio-Morales because she "exemplifies the best and the brightest in Philippine government service that is worthy of admiration of the Filipino people." Prior to holding a post at the Ombudsman, Carpio-Morales held the post of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, and served in the lower courts, as well as in the Department of Justice. It may be recalled that Carpio-Morales has secured appointments from five Philippine presidents including Ferdinand Marcos, Corazon "Cory" Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. In De Lima's Dispatch from Crame No. 350, the Senator from Bicol said that "whoever will replace [Carpio-Morales] will have big, big shoes to fill." On July 26, Mr. Duterte announced the appointment of Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires as the new Ombudsman, thereby succeeding Carpio-Morales. Press Release August 6, 2018 Dispatch from Crame No. 356: Sen. Leila M. de Lima's statement on Duterte's unabated attacks on the Catholic faith and on humanity 8/6/18 Only Duterte can mock both God and the dead all in just one sentence. When he said that God assured him that the EJK victims of his drug war will go to heaven, Duterte showed nothing but contempt for both human life and the faithful. It is not enough that he has ordered and enabled the murder of thousands, he just has to inflict more pain on those who lost a loved one in his drug war by insulting their dead and faith in God, all at the same time. This is more than just cruel. This is pure evil and abomination that has no place in a society that still values itself to be civilized. We can choose to bear with the evil of Duterte only for so long without losing our own humanity. For whatever will remain after he is finished ravaging our morals and values will only be a faint reminder of the people that we once were, as we turn into nothing more than a country of modern savages. This is what we are fast becoming, unless our faith in both God and countrymen can hold and break Duterte's assault on the nation's soul and deliver us from his atrocities once and for all. Press Release August 6, 2018 Batas na! Lacson Expects National ID System to Speed Up Transactions, Deter Crime More at: https://pinglacson.net/2018/08/06/batas-na-lacson-expects-national-id-system-to-speed-up-transactions-deter-crime/ Filipinos will now have an easier time transacting with the government and with private entities, after the National ID bill advocated by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson was finally signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte. Lacson said Republic Act 11055, which harmonizes and integrates the redundant government ID cards into a single system, would also help deter criminality. "At long last, we now have a law that breaks the formidable barriers between government and the downtrodden and the poor due to the lack of identification," Lacson said. Lacson is the principal sponsor of the measure, aside from being a perennial author since his first term as senator in 2001. On the other hand, Lacson expressed thanks to President Duterte, as it was under his term that the national ID system - whose legislative journey spanned four presidencies - saw the light of day. Lacson said the measure aims to institute a single official identification for all citizens and foreign residents in the country. Currently, he noted there are 33 different forms of "functional" identification cards issued by various government agencies - a situation that may lead to "duplication of efforts, wastage of resources, and uncoordinated identity approaches." Lacson, who headed the Philippine National Police from 1999 to 2001, said the National ID system could help deter criminality and terrorism by facilitating the processes of apprehension and prosecution. Under the bill, a foundational ID system dubbed PhilSys will be in place. It will have three components: the PhilSys Number (PSN), PhilID and PhilSys Registry. PSN is a randomly generated, unique and permanent identification number for each individual, to be incorporated in all identification systems of government agencies. It will remain with the person even after death. PhilID is a non-transferable card with the PSN and basic information. The Philippine Statistics Authority is mandated to act as the PhilSys Registry. It protects the individual's right to privacy, and may release information only under the following conditions: 1. When the registered person has given his or her consent, specific to the purpose prior to the processing; 2. When the compelling interest of public health or safety so requires, provided the risk of significant harm to the public is established and the owner of the information is notified within 72 hours of the fact of such disclosure; 3. Upon order of any competent court; 4. When a registered person requests from the PSA access to his or her registered information and record history, subject to the guidelines and regulations to be issued by the PSA. New Zealand shares rose in light trading, led higher by Comvita and Fletcher Building with PGG Wrightson jumping to a two-month high. The S&P/NZX50 Index gained 38.61 points, or 0.4 percent, to 8,903.13. Within the index, 25 stocks rose, 13 were unchanged and 12 fell. Turnover was $65.5 million. "With part of the Australian market off with a New South Wales holiday, it has seen a few participants out of the market today. We had a strong lead off the US and European markets, the Asian markets seem to have shrugged off further concerns about tariff increases and Australia and New Zealand are up," said Shane Solly, director, portfolio manager & research analyst at Harbour Asset Management. "We are in a hiatus pre-results, there's a lot of people thinking about where there's risk in the results season and that is slowing people up from making their decisions," Solly said. "The market has had a very strong run, so we need a good solid results season to keep it kicking along." Comvita was the best performer, up 1.8 percent to $5.70, with Fletcher Building gaining 1.6 percent to $7.04. A2 Milk Co rose 1.3 percent to $10.56, which Solly said was due to a positive research note on the stock released this morning. Air New Zealand rose 1.2 percent to $3.34 and Chorus gained 1.2 percent to $4.33. Tourism Holdings was the worst performer, down 1.3 percent to $6.03. NZX dropped 0.9 percent to $1.08. The stock market operator said trading activity was busier in July from a year earlier, although with smaller values changing hands. Total trades jumped 70 percent to 258,063 in July, with average daily trades at 11,730, though total value traded was down 24 percent to $2.62 billion, or a daily average of $119 million. Outside the benchmark index, PGG Wrightson rose 7.8 percent to 69 cents, the highest it has closed since June 13th. The country's largest rural services business said it had agreed to sell its seed and grain business to Danish cooperative DLF Seeds for $421 million in cash and $18 of debt repayment, and signalled it may return up to $292 million to its shareholders. The seed and grain unit is the largest of PGG Wrightson's three core businesses, generating more than half of its operating earnings in the last financial year from across New Zealand, Australia and South America. The sale is above the $285 million book value of the seeds business and follows several expressions of interest received from international parties. "It's a solid result on the sale of the seeds business, priced better than the market was expecting," Solly said. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. 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Related News: 28th October 2021 Morning Report Wellington Drive Technologies Limited (NZX: WDT) Performs Strongly in Q3-2021 Ryman Healthcare Limited (NZX: RYM) Acquires Extensions to Two Existing Victorian Sites Promisia Healthcare Limited (NZX: PHL) Banking Covenant Update Pictor Limited Announces Start of US Clinical Trials for SARS-CoV-2 Serology Test Arvida Group Limited (NZX: ARV) Opening of Rights Offer Move Logistics Group Limited (NZX: MOV) Announces $40m Capital Raise 27th October 2021 Morning Report The a2 Milk Company Limited (NZX: ATM) Investor Day 2021 Contact Energy Limited (NZX: CEN) Considers Green Capital Bond Offer Steel & Tube Holdings, the steel supplier whose shares have lost almost a third of their value this year, plans to raise about $80.9 million to repay debt and strengthen its balance sheet as it restructures its business under new management. The Lower Hutt-based supplier of steel building products plans to raise $20.8 million through a placement at $1.15 per share followed by a fully underwritten pro rata 1 for 1.9 rights offer at $1.05 per share, a 28.1 percent discount to the $1.46 closing price yesterday, it said in a statement. Steel & Tube has been reviewing its business to drive long-term sustainable earnings improvement under the guidance of a refreshed board and new chief executive Mark Malpass. The company expects to post a loss in the 2018 financial year to the end of June and won't pay a dividend, but said today that the result would be slightly ahead of its previous expectation as legacy issues uncovered during the review have been addressed and improvements are now being seen. An improving sales trend seen in the last three months of the 2018 financial year had continued into the current financial year. We remain deeply committed to rebuilding Steel & Tube as a leading provider of steel products and solutions in New Zealand," chair Susan Paterson said in a statement. The capital raised will be used to repay debt, strengthening our balance sheet and giving us greater flexibility to execute our strategy and deliver better value for our shareholders. We expect the capital raising to strengthen Steel & Tubes share register and help create liquidity which will benefit all shareholders. The company said today it expects to post a loss on an earnings before interest and tax basis of about $36.2 million in the year ended June 30, compared with a previous estimate in May for an ebit loss of $38 million. It expects normalised ebit of $16.5 million, ahead of its earlier forecast for $16 million. The normalised figure excludes $53.8 million of non-trading costs and impairments and a $1.1 million benefit from reduced software amortisation costs due to delay in implementing a new enterprise resource planning system. The company will release its audited 2018 results on Aug. 31. For the 2019 financial year, the company expects ebit of at least $25 million, with normalised ebit of $35 million to $40 million expected to be achieved in the next three years, it said. Given the capital raising, Steel & Tube won't pay a final dividend for the 2018 financial year, although it expects to resume paying dividends in 2019 consistent with its policy of paying out 60-to-80 percent of normalised net profit after tax. The capital raising will significantly reduce Steel & Tube's gearing and the company is resetting its capital structure policy to operate with net debt of less than 2x normalised ebitda, it said. Directors holding shares and the chief executive intend to take up their rights under the offer. Shareholders wanting to take up the offer must hold the shares at 5pm Aug. 15. Any entitlements that are not taken up by eligible shareholders and entitlements of ineligible shareholders will be offered for sale in a shortfall bookbuild. The shares are in a trading halt until tomorrow while the placement is conducted. First NZ Capital Securities is lead manager of the capital raising, and the offer is fully underwritten by First NZ Capital Group. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. 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Related News: 28th October 2021 Morning Report Wellington Drive Technologies Limited (NZX: WDT) Performs Strongly in Q3-2021 Ryman Healthcare Limited (NZX: RYM) Acquires Extensions to Two Existing Victorian Sites Promisia Healthcare Limited (NZX: PHL) Banking Covenant Update Pictor Limited Announces Start of US Clinical Trials for SARS-CoV-2 Serology Test Arvida Group Limited (NZX: ARV) Opening of Rights Offer Move Logistics Group Limited (NZX: MOV) Announces $40m Capital Raise 27th October 2021 Morning Report The a2 Milk Company Limited (NZX: ATM) Investor Day 2021 Contact Energy Limited (NZX: CEN) Considers Green Capital Bond Offer Nurses have voted in favor of the latest pay offer from the government, staving off further strike action and bring nearly a year of negotiations to an end. New Zealand Nurses Organisation's industrial services manager Cee Payne said voter turnout was high "with a significant majority in favour." The new offer, the fifth to be on the table, is expected to be worth $520 million. Nurses walked off the job on July 12 - for the first time in 30 years - after failing to reach an agreement and we are very proud that the collective voice of NZNO members, was heard throughout the country and drove up investment in the public health system and workforce," said NZNO president Grant Brookes. The NZNO will now work with district health boards on implementation. Among other things, immediate attention will be placed on improving safe staffing and "the ability to realise pay equity for public sector nurses and midwives by December 2019 will address the historic undervaluing of work in a profession where the majority of employees are women, laying down a foundation for a much safer and valued career in nursing, Payne said. DHB spokesman Jim Green said they will work to rebuild the trust that is key to the team-based approach to patient care. According to Green, the new agreement acknowledges the value of the wider nursing workforce. There are three pay increases of 3 percent two of which take effect immediately. Theres a third increase next year, as well as two new steps at the top of the nurses and midwives scale that specifically recognise the skill and experience of this group," he said in a statement. The deal follows an agreement inked last week between the DHBs, the NZNO and the Ministry of Health that was focused on ensuring safe staffing levels for nurses and midwives. The positive resolution will likely offer some relief to the Labour-led government, which is also dealing with pending strike action from primary school teachers and principals as well as workers at other state entities such as Inland Revenue. There is no question that nurses have felt undervalued over recent years. We needed to listen to their concerns and respond in the interests of both nurses and patients," said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. She noted, however, that while the settlement will go a long way in addressing nurses' concerns "the government accepts there is still more to be done to better support them. While today represents a conclusion of bargaining it also marks the start of a long-term programme to rebuild our public health system and the status of the nursing profession." (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 28th October 2021 Morning Report Wellington Drive Technologies Limited (NZX: WDT) Performs Strongly in Q3-2021 Ryman Healthcare Limited (NZX: RYM) Acquires Extensions to Two Existing Victorian Sites Promisia Healthcare Limited (NZX: PHL) Banking Covenant Update Pictor Limited Announces Start of US Clinical Trials for SARS-CoV-2 Serology Test Arvida Group Limited (NZX: ARV) Opening of Rights Offer Move Logistics Group Limited (NZX: MOV) Announces $40m Capital Raise 27th October 2021 Morning Report The a2 Milk Company Limited (NZX: ATM) Investor Day 2021 Contact Energy Limited (NZX: CEN) Considers Green Capital Bond Offer NZX will recognise an $800,000 charge on the sale of its remaining agri businesses to GlobalHQ, which recently bought the Farmers Weekly publication from the stock market operator. The Wellington-based company will close its Feilding office after selling the red meat and forestry components of AgriHQ to for an undisclosed sum, it said in a statement. GlobalHQ, owned by rural publishers Dean and Cushla Williamson, will take on 10 staff and nine casuals. "Dairy was a key growth initiative identified in the exchanges strategic review last year," the company said. "NZX will retain AgriHQs dairy data offering in order to support trading decisions and growth in its dairy derivatives market, which has been identified as a global opportunity for NZX." Last week NZX said it sold its Australian grain data business to Rural Bank for an undisclosed sum, which would trigger a $2.1 million write-down of intangible assets. The stock market operator has been divesting units it no longer deems to be part of its core business after a strategic review of its direction. NZX has refocused its attention on the core markets business and has been unveiling a number of initiatives to stoke activity on the bourse. That also included placing a greater emphasis on the dairy component of its agricultural businesses, with the stock market operator's platform providing dairy derivatives trading. NZX will report first-half earnings next week, and Forsyth Barr analyst Hayden Strickett expects the firm to report flat earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of $14.5 million as growth in its funds management unit offsets softer listing fees. The shares were unchanged at $1.08 and have declined 3.6 percent so far this year. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 28th October 2021 Morning Report Wellington Drive Technologies Limited (NZX: WDT) Performs Strongly in Q3-2021 Ryman Healthcare Limited (NZX: RYM) Acquires Extensions to Two Existing Victorian Sites Promisia Healthcare Limited (NZX: PHL) Banking Covenant Update Pictor Limited Announces Start of US Clinical Trials for SARS-CoV-2 Serology Test Arvida Group Limited (NZX: ARV) Opening of Rights Offer Move Logistics Group Limited (NZX: MOV) Announces $40m Capital Raise 27th October 2021 Morning Report The a2 Milk Company Limited (NZX: ATM) Investor Day 2021 Contact Energy Limited (NZX: CEN) Considers Green Capital Bond Offer Former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley will step down as Genesis Energy chair after this year's annual meeting in October, and be succeeded by ex-ASB Bank chief executive Barbara Chapman. Shipley, who is among former Mainzeal directors facing a civil suit from unpaid creditors of the failed construction firm, will end a nine-year spell as chair of the electricity generator-retailer. During that time, she ushered it from a pure State-owned enterprise to one of three partially privatised and listed companies under the mixed ownership model of the previous administration. Chapman joined the board earlier this year as she transitions into a new career as a professional director, having led ASB for six years. Her appointment to the Genesis board name-checked her skills in disruptive innovation, marketing, digital transformation, consumer technologies and driving leading brands. "Barbara represents the next generation of leadership required in the energy sector and has the skills and experience to provide the step-change required at this point in the companys transformation," Shipley said in a statement. "Barbara brings a wide range of experience around product and market innovation and is widely recognised for her strong leadership style, her commercial credentials and her commitment to diversity." Under Shipley's watch, Genesis shares have climbed to $2.515 from the $1.55 initial public offering price in April 2014, a 62 percent increase and just lagging behind a 73 percent gain on the S&P/NZX 50 index over the same period. Shipley said highlights of her tenure included the acquisition of the Tekapo hydro assets, a better relationship with iwi, and the transition from an SOE into a partially privatised and listed company. "Having also managed the transition between CEOs and having oversight of two recent important M&A transactions in 2016 and 2017, I feel I am leaving the business strongly positioned for future success," she said. "I am also confident the board and management are well positioned to tackle market challenges going forward." (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 28th October 2021 Morning Report Wellington Drive Technologies Limited (NZX: WDT) Performs Strongly in Q3-2021 Ryman Healthcare Limited (NZX: RYM) Acquires Extensions to Two Existing Victorian Sites Promisia Healthcare Limited (NZX: PHL) Banking Covenant Update Pictor Limited Announces Start of US Clinical Trials for SARS-CoV-2 Serology Test Arvida Group Limited (NZX: ARV) Opening of Rights Offer Move Logistics Group Limited (NZX: MOV) Announces $40m Capital Raise 27th October 2021 Morning Report The a2 Milk Company Limited (NZX: ATM) Investor Day 2021 Contact Energy Limited (NZX: CEN) Considers Green Capital Bond Offer The army, however, said the soldiers opened fire when they came under attack after challenging the people moving suspiciously in the area. Police registered an FIR against the army personnel involved in the incident. : A 28-year-old cattle trader was killed and another injured allegedly in firing by army personnel in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, police said. Mohammad Rafiq Gujjar (28) and Shakeel Ahmad (30), both residents of Gool, were allegedly fired upon by soldiers of the 58 Rashtriya Rifles when they were leaving Kohli village around 4 am, a police official said. He said Gujjar died on the spot while Ahmad was injured and admitted to a hospital. Both of them were cattle traders and had come to the village in connection with their business, the official said citing preliminary investigation. Senior Superintendent of Police, Ramban, Mohan Lal confirmed the death of a civilian and injuries to another in the firing. "An FIR under section 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) Ranbir Penal Code and various sections of arms act was registered against the Army (personnel)," the SSP said. A defence spokesman said the soldiers fired when they came under attack after they challenged the suspected individuals. "An operation was launched by the army based on specific intelligence inputs in Kohli area of Gool tehsil. At 3.45 am, the army patrol saw some suspicious activities. The suspected individuals were challenged by the army as per the standing operating procedure. "On being challenged, the suspected individuals opened fire on the army patrol. On this, the army patrol retaliated effectively," the spokesman said. However, the police officer said no weapon was found at the scene or in the possession of the deceased. Meanwhile, Tribal Research and Cultural foundation -- an organisation representing Gujjars and Bakerwal communities -- condemned the incident and demanded a judicial inquiry. "The killing of a cattle rarer and injuries to another is highly condemnable which needs to be investigated thoroughly," the foundation said in a statement. It said an email has been sent to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, demanding punishment to the culprits as per law. "The community also demanded that a strong directive must be issued to security forces so that more such incidents do not occur in tribal areas any more," the foundation said, and demanded compensation for both the families. Tamil Nadu Congress Chief S Thirunavukkarasar, who visited the ailing leader on Monday afternoon, was among the first to tell the world that Karunanidhi's health had slipped and he was under intensive care. : Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M Karunanidhi's condition has deteriorated and he is now believed to be critically ill. "Doctors are treating him. We will have to pray that he gets better," he was reported as saying by theAll of Karunanidhi's family and some of DMK's most fervent cadres too have now returned to the hospital.On Saturday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met with DMK leaders MK Stalin and Kanimozhi at Kauvery hospital, while on Sunday President Ram Nath KOvind paid a visit. Ever since he was admitted a week ago, the hospital has said that Karunanidhi will require an extended stay in hospital due to the the "decline" in his general health though his vital parameters had normalised. Doctors, who are attending to him round the clock, earlier said the former Tamil Nadu chief minister is being treated for a urinary tract infection and other geriatric complaints. Karunanidhi has been unwell for some time now with age-related health problems and has largely been confined to his home since late 2016. His tracheotomy tube was replaced two weeks ago. Kauvery Hospital released a notification suggesting a decline in the health of Kalaignar Dr. M Karunanidhi's health. Here is an image of the release. Knifeman kills two police officers in China Beijing, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2018 A knife-wielding murder suspect rammed a car into a police station in southwest China on Monday and was shot dead by the chief and another officer, who died later of their injuries. The man had been on the run after he was identified as a suspect in the stabbing death of another person hours earlier near the Chengdu-Yibin high-speed train construction site in Sichuan province, according to local police. As police prepared to arrest the suspect surnamed Zhang, he "suddenly" ploughed a vehicle into the police station in the town of Fujia and chased people with a knife, Renshou county police said a statement. "In order to protect the life and safety of the people, the director Wang Tao and the officer on duty urgently responded and shot the criminal suspect," the statement said, adding that the man later died in hospital. Four other people were injured to various degrees but are out of danger. The police chief and the officer were seriously injured and were later pronounced dead by the hospital. Knife attacks are not uncommon in China. Last month a man who stabbed nine children to death and wounded another 11 in northern China was sentenced to death. Two boys were stabbed to death outside a Shanghai elementary school in June. In February, a knife-wielding man with a personal grudge killed a woman and injured 12 others in a busy Beijing shopping mall -- a rare act of violence in the heavily policed capital. System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28: 29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd48152e8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd453e960)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd48152e8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd453e960)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd47582b0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd453e960)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd453e960)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd37afcc8)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fd459cd38)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fd459cd38)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd41693f0)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd4073000)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd41693f0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd4073000)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd4173788)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd4073000)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd4073000)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd37b0268)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fd3f99928)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fd3f99928)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd449d608)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd417d898)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd449d608)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd417d898)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fd4719a60)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd417d898)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd417d898)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fd37afb78)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fd40cab80)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fd40cab80)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 German insurer Munich Re to curb coal activities Frankfurt am Main, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2018 German re-insurance giant Munich Re said Monday it would scale back investments in coal-related businesses and stop insuring new plants and mines extracting the fuel, to help the battle against climate change. Chief executive Joachim Wenning, writing in the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper, said Munich Re will no longer invest in shares or bonds issued by companies that generate "more than 30 percent" of their turnover from coal. Munich Re will also in principle stop insuring "new coal-fired plants or mines in industrialised countries", though exceptions could be made on a case by case basis. The move sees Munich Re join a string of insurance giants in shunning coal in a bid to become more climate-friendly and help achieve the targets set out in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. The pact aims to cap global warming at "well below" 2.0 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial levels this century, by curbing fossil fuel burning. "Climate change is a fact," Wenning wrote. "We want to make our contribution to the two-degrees goal", he said, adding that Munich Re would support innovation in renewable energy projects. Rival re-insurers Swiss Re and France's Scor have announced similar withdrawals from the coal sector, as have top insurers like Germany's Allianz, Italy's Generali and France's Axa. German environmental campaign group Urgewald welcomed Munich Re's announcement as "a positive step" but said it didn't "go far enough". It criticised Munich Re for continuing to underwrite polluting, coal-fired plants in emerging economies, particularly in Asia. Munich Re is due to release its second quarter results on Wednesday. jpl-mfp/hmn/rl MUENCHENER RUECKVERSICHERUNG ALLIANZ ASSICURAZIONI GENERALI SCOR SE SWISS RE AG Pentagon clamps down on fitness trackers, apps using GPS Washington, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2018 The Pentagon is clamping down on troops' use of fitness trackers and phone apps that allow a user's location to be tracked, officials said Monday, after it emerged that sensitive data was ending up online. Effective immediately, troops and Defense Department personnel working in certain operational areas such as war zones are prohibited from using GPS features on any government or private gear. The move to increase troop security comes in part as a response to exercise-logging company Strava publishing a map compiling its users' activity. In Iraq and Syria, viewers could easily spot beacons of activity in remote places where military bases are located, presumably indicating favorite jogging or walking routes. "These geolocation capabilities can expose personal information, locations, routines and numbers of Department personnel, and potentially create unintended security consequences and increased risk to the joint force and mission," Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said in a memo. Commanders will still have the discretion to authorize the use of GPS devices and apps based on mission requirements and risks to operational security. Troops in areas where security is less of a concern, such as bases in the US or at the Pentagon itself, can still use their GPS-equipped devices and apps in most cases. Timeline of Venezuelan president 'drone attack' Caracas, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2018 Six people have been arrested, accused of "terrorism" and attempting to assassinate Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro with explosive-laden drones. Here is a look at how the alleged attack unfolded. - Military Parade - Maduro was speaking at a military parade to honor the National Guard, a body the opposition accuses of being primarily responsible for the 125 deaths during four months of civil unrest in 2017. The president was warning citizens that those who failed to register their cars in a national census would miss out on subsidized fuel when an explosion above his head took away his attention. "What happened?" said Maduro looking upwards worriedly, his wife Cilia Flores flinching as bodyguards jumped in to shield the president, with someone shouting "shelter him!" Maduro was heard saying "let's go to the right" as television pictures cut away from him to the lines military personnel. But the National Guardsmen then scattered in panic after a second explosion was heard, the state television broadcast quickly cutting away from that too. Photos and videos published later showed soldiers protecting the president with plastic shields while a uniformed officer was evacuated with blood pouring from a head wound. - 'Shockwave' - Marco Salgado, a foreign correspondent who's been working in Venezuela for a decade, was close to Maduro at the time of the first explosion and took the picture of the bloodied soldier, one of seven injured according to the government, three of them seriously. "I had my back to the stage when I felt the shockwave. I thought a rocket had exploded very close to me. When I looked at the stage, I saw they were sheltering the president," he told AFP. The obscure National Movement of Soldiers in T-shirts group claimed responsibility for the attack that Interior and Justice Minister Nestor Reverol said was carried out using two drones, each packed with a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of plastic explosive C4. The first became "disoriented by signal inhibiting equipment" and was thus "activated outside the assassins' planned perimeter," Reverol said. The second drone lost control and crashed into an adjacent building, letting off a plume of smoke, he added. That's when armed forces and spectators alike ran for cover. "There was chaos. People running in every direction but many not knowing where to go. Everyone was confused, the spectators as well as the National Guard," added Salgado. A commanding voice telling the troops to stand firm had no effect as panic gripped those fleeing. Maduro, though, kept his calm, believing the explosions to be from the kind of fireworks often set off at officials events. - 'Serenity' - Thereafter there was absolute silence from the government for one hour before Communication and Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez appeared in front of state cameras stating that the president had come under "attack." "Don't worry, he's completely unhurt," added Rodriguez, speaking of a president against whom thousands regularly take to the streets to protest. Three hours after the dramatic episode, Maduro appeared on television to denounce an attempt "to assassinate me," while talking of how he'd reacted with "serenity." "This drone was looking at me," he said, before launching into a series of accusations against the opposition, Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos and the United States, those he calls the "ultra-right." mbj/bc/mdl Iran nuclear deal: developments since US walkout Paris, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2018 With US sanctions back in force Tuesday, here is a look-back over developments in the 90 days since President Donald Trump withdrew from a hard-won 2015 accord on Iran's nuclear programme: - Washington walks away - Trump pulls the US out of the landmark nuclear pact between world powers and Iran on May 8, reinstating Washington's sanctions on Iran and companies with ties to the Islamic republic. "The Iran deal is defective at its core," he says. Washington warns other countries to end trade and investment in Iran and stop buying its oil or face punitive measures, a move which also threatens foreign companies doing deals with Iran. Tehran's regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Israel applaud the decision. But other parties to the deal -- Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China -- say Iran has abided by its commitment and that they are determined to save the agreement and ensure continued economic benefits for Iran. - Threats to resume enrichment - On May 12, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran is preparing to resume "industrial-scale" uranium enrichment, limited under the accord, unless Europe provides solid guarantees to maintain trade ties reinstated under the deal. Washington warns on May 21 that Iran will be hit with the "strongest sanctions in history" unless it capitulates to a series of US demands aimed at curbing its missile programme and "malign regional behaviour". On May 30, the United States places several Iranian state groups on its sanctions blacklist, accusing them of serious human rights abuses and censorship. On June 4, Iran notifies the International Atomic Energy Agency of the launch of a plan to increase its uranium enrichment capacity. - Five powers stand by deal - A top US official says on July 2 that Washington is determined to force Iran to change behaviour by cutting its oil exports to zero, confident the world has enough spare oil capacity to cope. President Hassan Rouhani responds on July 3, saying the United States can never prevent Iran from exporting its oil. On July 6, Tehran's five remaining partners vow in Vienna to back "the continuation of Iran's export of oil and gas". On July 16. EU countries reject the US demand that they economically isolate Iran and move to give European firms legal cover to operate in Iran. A day later the Trump administration rejects calls by Brussels for an exemption from sanctions. A top Iranian official says Tehran is ready to boost its uranium enrichment to higher levels if talks fail with Europe on salvaging the nuclear deal. Iran calls on the UN's top court, the International Court of Justice, to order the United States to immediately lift sanctions, claiming they are causing "irreparable prejudice". - War of words - On July 22, Rouhani tells the US it should not "play with the lion's tail" and warns any conflict with Iran would be the "mother of all wars". Trump responds with an all-caps Twitter tirade warning against making threats to the United States, "OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE". On July 30, however, Trump says he is ready to meet with Iranian leaders "anytime they want" and promises "no preconditions". "Threats, sanctions & PR stunts won't work," Iran's foreign minister says on Twitter. "America is not trustworthy," Iran's interior minister says. - Mounting tensions - On August 3, protesters attack a religious school in a province near Tehran, as part of sporadic protests simmering ahead of the reimposition of US sanctions on August 7. The conservative Fars news agency acknowledges protests have taken place in "five or six cities" since July 31 over water shortages, rising prices and joblessness, with "about 1,000 or 2,000 people" taking part. EU 'deeply' regrets return of US sanctions on Iran Brussels, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2018 The EU said Monday it deeply regretted the US reimposition of sanctions on Iran after President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear pact, and vowed immediate steps to protect European companies. The statement by EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini and the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany said it would also work to keep "effective financial channels" open with Iran. "We deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the US, due to the latter's withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)," the statement issued in Brussels said. The EU said it would now swiftly bring in legal cover for firms in the 28-nation bloc to work with Iran, after the Trump administration rejected European calls for an exemption. "We are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran," the statement added. "This is why the European Union's updated Blocking Statute enters into force on 7 August to protect EU companies doing legitimate business with Iran from the impact of US extra-territorial sanctions." The "blocking statute" forbids EU firms from complying with US sanctions, allowing them to recover damages from such penalties and nullifying any foreign court rulings against them. French carmaker Renault, which does not sell cars in the US, has said it will remain in Iran despite the sanctions. But French oil group Total and carmaker PSA have already indicated they are likely to pull out of Iran. Despite the US move to restore the sanctions, which Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reaffirmed in Alaska late Sunday, the Europeans said they would continue to work with Iran to preserve the deal. "The remaining parties to the JCPOA have committed to work on, inter alia, the preservation and maintenance of effective financial channels with Iran, and the continuation of Iran's export of oil and gas," it said. Iraq sentences two Europeans to life for IS membership Baghdad, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2018 An Iraqi court on Monday sentenced a French man and a German woman to life in prison in the latest punishments handed down for belonging to the Islamic State jihadist group. Frenchman Lahcen Gueboudj, 58, and a German woman whose name was given only as Nadia were sentenced separately at the Baghdad central criminal court, according to an AFP journalist. Nadia's mother, a German woman of Moroccan origin, was sentenced to death in January for IS membership but the sentence was later commuted to life, which in Iraq is equivalent to 20 years. The mother and daughter were arrested in July 2017 in Mosul, the jihadists' former de-facto capital in Iraq where the government declared victory over IS in December last year. Wearing a black abaya in court, Nadia said she travelled from Syria to Iraq "to run away from the people of IS". Speaking in German with a few Arabic words, she said she travelled to Syria from Turkey with her mother, her daughter Yamana and her mentally disabled sister who was killed in a bombardment. Nadia's lawyer stressed that she was a minor at the time and that her marriage to an IS jihadist in Syria was "not a decision taken by an adult in full conscience". The French defendant, meanwhile, refuted statements made during his interrogations. "I signed confessions in Arabic without knowing what was written," said Gueboudj, with short grey hair and stubble, wearing a brown prison uniform. "I would never have left France, if my eldest son Nabil, 25-years-old, hadn't gone to Syria," he said in French. "I wanted to convince him to return with us to France," added Gueboudj. The French citizen had travelled with his wife and children to Turkey before entering Syria, and later being arrested in Iraq. CORRECTED: Venezuela 'attack' brings denials from US, Colombia; support from allies Paris, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2018 Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has pointed the finger at Colombia following the alleged assassination attempt on him during a military parade in Caracas at the weekend. Maduro also said investigations pointed to financial backers who live in the US state of Florida. The Venezuelan government has also put the blame at the door of "the ultra-right wing" -- its term for the opposition. Here is some of the reaction from countries around the world to Saturday's incident: - United States - Washington on Sunday denied any involvement in the alleged "assassination" attempt. President Donald Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton insisted there was "no US government involvement" and even suggested that the incident may have been "a pretext set up by the regime itself". While denying any US role, he said that if Venezuela had "hard information" of a potential violation of US law, "we will take a serious look at it". Trump has been harshly critical of Maduro's leftist regime, saying it has "destroyed a prosperous nation by imposing a failed ideology". Last August, Trump alarmed Caracas by saying publicly that he could not rule out a "military option" to quell the chaos there. - Colombia - Colombia also rejected Maduro's "absurd" accusation of involvement. "It is absurd and unfounded to say that the Colombian President (Juan Manuel Santos) is responsible for the supposed assassination attempt on the Venezuelan president," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "As usual, the Venezuelan president accuses Colombia for everything that happens. We demand respect for President Juan Manuel Santos, for the Government and for the Colombian people." The alleged assassination attempt came days after the Santos told AFP that Maduro's days are numbered and "that regime has to fall". - Russia - Russia's foreign ministry on Sunday condemned the "assassination attempt" on its ally Maduro. "We consider using terrorist methods as a tool for political struggles to be categorically unacceptable," the statement said, adding "it is obvious that such actions are aimed at destabilising the situation in the country." Moscow sided with Maduro's regime after his government faced international isolation when close to 130 people were killed in anti-regime protests last year. - Nicaragua - Nicaragua's Foreign Minister Denis Moncada said the "assassination attempt" against Nicolas Maduro undermined the "democratic, progressive and revolutionary" governments of Latin America and the Caribbean. President Daniel Ortega's office said the attack was the work of "obscure forces on the right, full of hate, trying to destroy the libertarian framework". - Cuba - Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and his predecessor Raul Castro "strongly condemn the attempted attack against President Nicolas Maduro", the Cuban foreign ministry said on its Twitter account. Both leaders expressed their "full solidarity and unconditional support for President Maduro," it said. - Iran - Tehran decried "a step towards causing instability and insecurity in Venezuela". This can only benefit "the enemies of the people and of the government of that country," said Bahram Ghasemi, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman. - Syria - Syria called for "respect of the country's sovereignty and no interference in its internal affairs". The foreign ministry in Damascus condemned "in the strongest possible terms the assassination attempt... which aimed at undermining the security and stability of the country." - Europe - Spain's foreign ministry on Sunday condemned "all kinds of violence used for political ends" and called for a peaceful, democratic resolution to the "serious crisis" in Venezuela. Germany said it was "closely following developments on the ground", while Portugal opined that the crisis in Venezuela could be overcome by "dialogue and national consensus" in line with "democratic principles". Last year, the European Union hit the Venezuelan vice-president and 10 other officials with sanctions over rights abuses and irregularities in the re-election of Maduro, which the bloc condemned as "neither free nor fair". burs/pvh/boc/aph/qan/txw 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. John Deere has also been listed for the second consecutive time in 2018 as one of the best 100 employers for school leavers in the UK, the only agricultural and turf machinery company to be so recognised. The AllAboutSchoolLeavers.co.uks Top 100 Employers for School & College Leavers rankings are based entirely on the opinions of apprentices and school leaver trainees from hundreds of UK organisations. John Deeres and ProVQs successive annual awards were made in recognition of their programmes quality and the opportunities they present to young people working productively in the agricultural and turf sectors. We have beaten some very strong competition from other household names, coming first for an engineering and manufacturing company and third overall in the Best Intermediate Apprenticeship Programme category in 2017, said ProVQ managing director Julian Lloyd. Weve also been recognised in the Advanced Apprenticeships and Engineering categories this year. To be recognised as one of the countrys top 100 employers for school leavers, as judged by the apprentices themselves, makes us all very proud of our achievements. Even more recently John Deere and ProVQ have won the Manufacturer Excellence Award for Training in the 2018 Agri Machinery Trade News Awards. The award judges commented that the enthusiasm and encouragement of the trainers shone out in the nominations and that John Deere and ProVQ were exemplars of what it takes to deliver world class training. ProVQs Ag & Turf Tech apprentice assessor Simon Seago was specifically mentioned in one of the nominations from a John Deere dealer, who said: Simons enthusiasm and encouragement transfers to our apprentices, enabling them to reach their potential during their initial industry training. Our industry depends on a constant input of quality young people who train to become the agricultural and turf technicians required to service and repair past, current and future technologies. People like Simon make this possible. Julian Lloyd added: This was just one of a number of general nominations from dealers who praised the John Deere training programme. The award is truly excellent news and reflects extremely well on the changes implemented within the programme over the last few years, and the efforts of all our front-line staff involved in implementing these changes. As an award voted for by the dealer network, it has significant currency. John Deeres three-year Ag Tech and Turf Tech and two-year Parts Tech apprenticeships lead to IMI Level 2 & 3 Diplomas in Landbased Engineering and Vehicle Parts Competence, and registration at LTA Intermediate level in the industrys Landbased Training Accreditation scheme. In subsequent years qualified technicians undergo further education and adult training within the John Deere University programme, on a career path that can ultimately lead to the highest possible LTA Master Technician accreditation. Now in its 26th year, Ag Tech was the first such scheme to be introduced in the UK and won a National Training Award at the end of 1997, the only one ever made to an agricultural machinery apprenticeship programme. Since the first programme started in 1992, well over 700 apprentices have graduated through the three main schemes and are now working in the companys nationwide dealer network. Bonduelle - 2017-2018 Financial Year Turnover: FY of growth and annual profitability objective confirmed BONDUELLE A French SCA (Partnership Limited by Shares) with a capital of 56.491.956, 50 Euros Head Office: La Woestyne 59173 Renescure, France Registered under number: 447 250 044 (Dunkerque Commercial and Companies Register) 2017-2018 Financial Year Turnover Another FY of growth for the Bonduelle Group in 2017-2018 and annual profitability objective confirmed Completion of the acquisition of the Del Monte activity in Canada The financial period ended 30th of June 2018, enabled the Bonduelle Group to report a turnover of 2,776.6 million of euros, an increase of +21.4%, thanks to the consolidation over the full year of the Ready Pack Foods acquisition and the resilience of the historical group's core business. This performance, achieved in a still sluggish consumption environment in Europe and USA and in a slow, but improving one in Eastern Europe, demonstrates the validity of the group's business model, diversified both geographically and in business segments (canned, frozen, fresh ready-to-eat) along with its distribution networks (retail and food service), coupled with a growth strategy that combines organic growth and acquisitions. The completion of the Del Monte Business Activity acquisition in Canada highlights the group's expansion ambition towards plant-based products. Global Turnover Activity by Geographic Region Total consolidated turnover (in million) FY 2017-2018 FY 2016-2017 Current Exchange rate Constant scope of consolidation and exchange rates Q4 2017 -2018 Q4 2016 -2017 Current Exchange rate Constant scope of consolidation and exchange rates Europe Zone 1,290.3 1,277.3 1.-% 1.-% 338.5 330.- 2.6% 2.6% Non-Europe Zone 1,486.3 1,010.8 47.-% -0.5% 344.9 405.7 -15.-% -5.5% Total 2,776.6 2,288.1 21.4% 0.3% 683.4 735.7 -7.1% -1.8% Activity by OpeRating Segments Total consolidated turnover (in million) FY 2017-2018 FY 2016-2017 Current Exchange rate Constant scope of consolidation and exchange rates Q4 2017 -2018 Q4 2016 -2017 Current Exchange rate Constant scope of consolidation and exchange rates Canned 988.- 984.2 0.4% 1.7% 234.8 239.7 -2.-% 1.2% Frozen 622.- 648.4 -4.1% -1.1% 143.8 161.- -10.7% -6.5% Fresh processed 1,166.6 655.5 78.-% -0.4% 304.8 335.- -9.-% -1.8% Total 2,776.6 2,288.1 21.4% 0.3% 683.4 735.7 -7.1% -1.8% Over FY 2017-2018 (1st of July 2017 - 30th of June 2018), the group's turnover reached 2,776.6 million of euros, an increase of +21.4% based on reported figures. This increase is largely based on the full-year consolidation of Ready Pac Foods (+23.6%) acquired on the 21st of March 2017, and on the activities increase at constant scope (+0.3%), but dampened by the effect of exchange rates (-2.6%), mainly the US dollar, the Canadian dollar and the Russian rouble. Quarter 4 recorded a business decrease of -7.1% based on reported figures, mostly impacted by the exchange rate fluctuations. On a like for like basis*, the change is set at -1.8% mainly due to the high bases of comparison in the US for the fresh ready-to-eat operating segment and Eastern Europe, and an unfavourable calendar effect in North America. Europe Zone The Europe zone, representing 46.5% of the turnover, posted an increase of +1,-% for FY 2017-2018, against + 0.2% last FY. Quarter 4 growth stood at +2.6% on reported figures and like for like basis*, the 3 operating segments showing positive growth. The increase in activity was the result of some innovations initiated for the Bonduelle and Cassegrain brands (legumio, VeggissiMmm! ranges, notably), fuelling market share gains in many countries and segments, with a more favourable weather conditions limiting product disruptions in occasionally shrinking markets coupled with a sluggish consumption struggling to pick up in most of the European countries. Non-Europe Zone The non-Europe Zone, comprising mainly the Americas, Central and Eastern Europe, now a preponderant share in the group's geographical portfolio, represented 53.5% of the consolidated turnover on June 30th, 2018. The zone recorded an activity increase of +47,-% on reported figures and -0.5% on a like for like basis* thanks to the full-year integration of Ready Pac Foods consolidated over 12 months against 3 in 2016-2017, and despite an unfavourable exchange effect impacting this zone, mostly. The limited growth on a like for like basis* in the non-Europe zone is explained by: a saturation of the production capacities for the canned and frozen activities in North America as part of better business portfolio management and an activity having 52 weeks against 53 the previous year; a drop in activity for Bonduelle Fresh Americas in the fresh ready-to-eat segment over quarter 4 of FY 2017-2018 due to a high comparison base from the same period last FY; a return to growth for the activity in Eastern Europe coupled with some market share gains, which despite the recovery sign, has not regained the momentum of the previous years; a progressive strengthening of partnerships with Unilever in Brazil and the evolving business model implemented. For quarter 4, the activity stood at -15,-% on reported figures and -5.5% on a like for like basis*, mostly because of the high exchange rate impact over the quarter and the calendar effect in North America mentioned above. Highlights Evolution of group governance Following an international convention, gathering 1,300 managers of the Bonduelle Group, the nomination of Guillaume Debrosse as CEO was announced on the 5th of April, Christophe Bonduelle becoming non-executive Chairman. Guillaume Debrosse, aged 47, graduated from Paris Dauphine University, and a member of the Bonduelle family, started his career at l'Oreal, to move on to the telecoms industry, notably at Telefonica where he headed the Financial Department of O2 in Singapore, he then joined the Bonduelle Group in 2007. He held several positions in the fresh processed operating segment, firstly in finance and later in Executive Management. Managing Director of the BEAM (Bonduelle EurAsia Markets) business unit, he has been since 2014 based in Moscow. In his new role as CEO, 3 Deputy CEO will report to him: - Philippe Carreau, in charge of the Europe zone encompassing the following business units: BELL (Bonduelle Europe Long Life) and BFE (Bonduelle Fresh Europe), - Gregory Sanson, in charge of the group's Financial and Development Department, - Daniel Vielfaure, in charge of the Americas zone, encompassing the following business units: BFA (Bonduelle Fresh Americas) and BALL (Bonduelle Americas Long Life). The BEAM (Bonduelle EurAsia Markets) business unit remains under the direct management of Guillaume Debrosse. This organisational change, effective as of July the 1st 2018, reflects the group's new dimension, its international expansion, and the VegeGo! ambition: to be the world reference in "well-living" through plant-based food. It maintains the group's organisation into business units, while encouraging the synergies between them in the various geographical areas. Finally, it ensures the progressive succession of Christophe Bonduelle respecting the long term sustainability objective set by the family shareholder. Co-optation of a member of the Supervisory Board During the meeting held on May 29, 2018, the Supervisory Board co-opted Mr. Jean-Pierre VANNIER to replace Mr. Yves TACK, who passed away in March 2018. Mr. Jean-Pierre VANNIER, 47 years old, graduated from the Institut Catholique des Arts et Metiers and holds an Executive MBA from the EDHEC Business School, has an extensive experience in the industrial sector. He is currently in charge of investment projects in a worldwide leader in plant-based ingredients. The co-optation of Mr. Jean-Pierre VANNIER will be subject to the ratification of the Shareholders' Meeting of December 6, 2018. Completion of the Del Monte acquisition in Canada Bonduelle announces the 4th of July, 2018, it has finalized with Conagra Brands Inc. (NYSE: CAG) the acquisition of Del Monte processed fruit and vegetable business in Canada. The acquisition, effective on July 3rd, 2018, includes the right to use the Del Monte brand on different segments of processed fruits and vegetables and stocks of products for a value of $43 million Canadian. The acquired business excludes all industrial and personnel assets because co-packers and Bonduelle's existing production capabilities will be used. The Del Monte processed fruit and vegetable business in Canada, with revenues of approximately $60 million Canadian, will complement Bonduelle Americas Long Life business unit's canned and frozen vegetable business, which is largely conducted under retailer's store brands. This highlights the group's desired development in brand activities and expansion beyond vegetables to vegetable products. Outlooks Despite a slight business growth excluding external growth, the group confirms its growth target of its current operating profitability at circa +20% for this FY at constant exchange rates. The consumption climate observed both in Europe and in the US, the results of the trade negotiations in these 2 zones coupled with a rather difficult harvest start (rainfall delaying planting and hot waves affecting vegetable growth) experienced in several production zones, will hinder the expected growth in the group's revenue and profitability for FY 2018-2019, excluding external growth. * at constant currency exchange rate and scope of consolidation basis. The turnover in foreign currency over the given period is translated into the rate of exchange for the comparable period. The impact of business acquisitions (or gain of control) and divestments is restated as follows For businesses acquired (or gain of control) during the current period, revenue generated since the acquisition date is excluded from the organic growth calculation; For businesses acquired (or gain of control) during the prior fiscal year, revenue generated during the current period up until the first anniversary date of the acquisition is excluded; For businesses divested (or loss of control) during the prior fiscal year, revenue generated in the comparative period of the prior fiscal year until the divestment date is excluded; For businesses divested (or loss of control) during the current fiscal year, revenue generated in the period commencing 12 months before the divestment date up to the end of the comparative period of the prior fiscal year is excluded. Alternative performance indicators : the group presents in its financial notices performance indicators not defined by accounting standards. The main performance indicators are detailed in the financial reports available on www.bonduelle.com. Next financial event: - 2017-2018 FY Results and 2018-2019 outlooks: 1st of October 2018 (prior to stock exchange trading session) About Bonduelle Bonduelle, a family business, was established in 1853. Its mission is to be the world reference in "well-living" through plant-based food. Prioritising innovation and long-term vision, the group is diversifying its operations and geographical presence. Its vegetable, grown over more than 130,000 hectares all over the world, are sold in 100 countries under various brand names and through various distribution channels and technologies. Expert in agro-industry with 54 industrial sites or own agricultural production, Bonduelle produces quality products by selecting the best crop areas close to its customers. Bonduelle is listed on Euronext compartment A Euronext indices: CAC MID & SMALL - CAC ALL TRADABLE - CAC ALL SHARES Bonduelle is part of the Gaia non-financial performance index and employee shareholder index (I.A.S.) Code ISIN : FR0000063935 - Code Reuters : BOND.PA - Code Bloomberg : BON FP 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: BONDUELLE via Globenewswire Bourbon: Appointment of Thierry Hochoa as Chief Financial Officer Marseilles, August 6th 2018 Appointment of Thierry Hochoa as Chief Financial Officer BOURBON Corporation announces today the appointment of Thierry Hochoa as Chief Financial Officer effective as of August 6th, 2018. He reports directly to Gael Bodenes, Chief Executive Officer of BOURBON Corporation. A graduate of IAE Paris, ESCP Business School and also CPA, Thierry Hochoa began his career in 1994 as an external auditor at Arthur Andersen, then Ernst & Young (EY). In 2004, he joined Technip, first as Director of Internal Audit, then held various finance positions at Group level before becoming, in 2011, Corporate Financial Control Director. In 2013, he was appointed Chief Financial Officer of operations in Southeast Asia on the key Yamal project in Shanghai. In February 2016, he became Vice-President Finance & Group Controller in Paris and actively worked on the merger and integration project of Technip with the American FMC Technologies. In April 2018, Thierry Hochoa joined BOURBON Corporation as Director of the financial structuring project for the three Standalone Companies created in the context of the #BOURBONINMOTION strategic action plan. About BOURBON Among the market leaders in marine services for offshore oil & gas, BOURBON offers the most demanding oil & gas companies a wide range of marine services, both surface and sub - surface, for offshore oil & gas fields and wind farms. These extensive services rely on a broad range of the latest - generation vessel s and the expertise of almost 8,400 skilled employees. Through its 29 operating subsidiaries the group provides local services as close as possible to customers and their operations throughout the world, of the highest standards of service and safety. BOURBON provides three operating activities (Marine & Logistics, Mobility and Subsea Services) and also protects the French coastline for the French Navy. In 2017, BOURBON'S revenue came to 860.6 million and the company operated a fleet of 508 vessels. Placed by ICB (Industry Classification Benchmark) in the "Oil Services" sector, BOURBON is listed on the Euronext Paris, Compartment B. Contacts BOURBON Media relations agency Investor Relations, Analysts, shareholders Publicis Consultants +33 140 138 607 Vilizara Lazarova investor-relations@bourbon-online.com +33 144 824 634 vilizara.lazarova@consultants.publicis.fr Corporate Communications Christelle Loisel +33 491 136 732 christelle.loisel@bourbon-online.com 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: BOURBON via Globenewswire 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. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (the Baltic States that were long part of Russia) are the easternmost members of NATO as well as the smallest. All three have adopted similar defense plans, based on the mobilization of the entire population to keep the Russians fighting for as long as possible until the rest of NATO can show up and force the Russians out. Each of the three Baltic States has a slightly different approach to dealing with the Russian threat but together are recognized as leaders in developing innovative defense policies to deal with the Russian military threat. This is important because Russia has been resourceful in developing new techniques for attacking and subduing neighbors. Russia has been doing this for centuries and the neighbors are well aware of it. The Baltic States, however, have developed defensive plans that seek to use some of the clever Russian plans against the Russians. Most active in this approach is Estonia, which is the easternmost NATO nation and the Baltic state that is ethnically related to Finland, not the other Slavic nations of East Europe. Estonia and Finland speak a similar language and share many cultural characteristics, which has led to some different approaches to wrangling Russians. Until the early 20th century there were serious discussions of Estonia becoming part of Finland but that has faded. The main problem is that Estonia and Finland are separated by a narrow portion of the Baltic Sea. While still major trading partners and frequently providing welcome visitors for each other, Estonia is isolated on the south shore of the Baltic and thus more vulnerable to foreign occupation. Nevertheless, the Estonians and Finns share many of the same attitudes about national defense, which means how to keep the Russians out. The Finns defeated the massive Soviet Army in 1940 and the Russians never forgot that. After World War II Russia decided not to try to make Finland one of its satellite states as was the case in most of East Europe. Note that Russian took over these East European government not so much with military occupation but with political and media manipulation (assisted by a little violence) to get a pro-Russia government elected, after which there were no more elections. There were no Russian troops based in Finland during the Cold War and both nations left each other alone. The Russians had decided that, while they could invade and conquer Finland, it was not worth the price militarily, politically, diplomatically and so on. Now, with membership in NATO, Estonia sees an opportunity to do the same thing; scare Russia into staying out. Estonian defense policy is based on organizing the country for total resistance to any invasion. Everyone fights and keeps fighting as long as NATO reinforcements are on the way. Thus while military planners agree that it is possible for Russian forces to overrun Estonia in s few days the Estonians point out that overrunning and defeating are two different things. Moreover, nearly half the population lives in the capital (Tallinn) which is an ancient port city and 87 kilometers to the north, across the Baltic, is its Finnish counterpart, Helsinki. The Estonians are well aware of Russian developments in EW (Electronic Warfare) and Internet hacking. That is one reason why Estonia has created one of the best Internet and communications security capabilities in Europe. Estonia may be small but they know what is important. If the Russians come their bad behavior will be captured and broadcast (one way or another) as close to 24/7 as the Estonians can manage. Russia does not like its bad behavior exposed like that because even a lot of Russians dont approve of that sort of thing. Broadcast the lies live and the lies lose their power. The Estonian military forces reflect the total war attitude. The voluntary Eesti Kaitseliit (Estonian Defense League) has 15,000 active members and another 10,000 inactive (in peacetime). The military is based on the same model used by Israel, Switzerland and Sweden; conscription for a short period and then decades in the trained and armed reserves. Thus there are only 6,500 full-time Estonian troops but 60,000 in the reserves. The Defense League force concentrate on training for irregular warfare and spend more time at it than the average reservist. In wartime, the Defense League and reservists would work closely together to keep the invaders busy and off guard. The biggest problem facing any invader is that fact that nearly half the Estonians live in the capital and its suburbs. The Defense League and reservists understand that Tallinn must become, for as long as needed and at whatever cost, another Stalingrad with the Russians being the German invaders. Stalingrad remains a big deal in Russian military history, the city on the Volga River that tied down the invading, and seemingly unstoppable Germans for months until a counterattack inflicted a major defeat in early 1943 that led to a German retreat and ended with Russian troops taking Berlin two years later. The lesson learned in World War II was to avoid fighting inside cities as much as possible. If you cant take a city quickly, surround it and pass it by. The Russians cant do that to Tallinn and the Estonians are taking advantage of that. The Estonians are also capitalizing on the crazy Finns reputation. In the past, the Estonians have proved a stubborn as their Finnish cousins up north but never had the numbers and territorial depth that enabled the Finns to defeat the Russians in 1940. Now, as a NATO member, Estonia has depth, in the form of NATO reinforcement and time is on the side of the Estonians because if Tallinn turns into a Stalingrad type battle the Russians have lost. The Russians know this and discuss it openly in their military journals. If the Russians have a solution they are keeping their own troops in the dark. That usually means the Russians are stymied, as long as the Estonians maintain their determination for total war and Stalingrad on the Baltic. NATO is very familiar with urban warfare and has been for a long time and appreciates what the Russians would be up against in Tallinn. NATO has long considered MOUT (Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain) a major issue even after the end of Cold War and after the post-2001 fighting. In the future, there would be more fighting in urban areas (buildings and streets). The importance of MOUT was noted back during the 1980s when it was realized that a war with the Soviet Union in Europe would involve a lot more fighting in built-up (urban) areas than in the open. That was discovered when a staff study revealed that West Germany was rapidly urbanizing and the construction was largely cement and steel, creating structures that made better bunkers for defenders. Fortunately, NATO was preparing to play defense against an expected Russian invasion. About the same time, Russian planners noted the same urbanization trends in West Europe and realized that there was nothing similar in Russian occupied East Europe, which made the Russians more vulnerable to a NATO offensive. What was discovered after 2010 was that these two trends merged with a lot of the most difficult combat taking place in urban areas. Moreover, a lot (if not most) of the growth in urbanization took place in areas that were most likely to be future combat zones. About the same time the U.S. Army Center for Lessons Learned (CALL) was established so U.S. commanders use it to determine what works in combat and what doesn't based on past (decades or last week) experience. This is more important than ever in the 21st century, where urban combat and counter-insurgency conflicts dominate, and new technologies appear at a rapid rate. In urban warfare and counter-insurgency, the potential for mistakes to be made is exponentially larger than in conventional, large-scale warfare. Another major problem with urban warfare has been having a decent place to train for it. The U.S. Army and Marines began building and have built training areas for this, at great expense. What drives the cost up is the need to install equipment so you can video most of the action, the better to critique the troops after they are "killed." And special building materials are used to allow the use of low power training bullets and practice hand grenades. While having these facilities is great for the units that can be brought in, there is still the hassle of shipping infantry units to them. One solution to the problem is portable urban combat trainers. Called "Mobile MOUT." Shipping containers were converted to modules that can be endlessly reconfigured for training. The containers are 2.44 meter (8-feet) wide by 2.75 meter (9-feet) high by 6.1 meter (20-feet long) and have movable walls that allow quick reconfiguration for whatever MOUT training is desired. The containers can also be joined side-by-side, or stacked to create multi-story buildings. There are also reconfigurable stairways (open or enclosed), allowing the troops to learn to deal with the tricky business of fighting up and down stairwells. The containers can be covered with brick, stucco, cinderblock or other facades to enhance realism. Plywood interior lining is realistic and enables the use of short-range (low power) training ammunition for live-fire scenarios. You can do a lot of training with just one or two containers, or build your own little town with up to 30 or 40 buildings composed of 100 or more containers. All the containers come equipped with cameras, microphones, motion detectors, smoke and smell generators. Everything is recorded in a digital format, both video and audio, for the after action critique. For this, two containers can be put together, with one providing a control room in the rear and the other a 30-seat theater, featuring 61-inch displays, in front. The first two of these MOUT training containers were sent to Afghanistan by 2003. There was a lot of MOUT operations in Afghanistan, as Special Forces or infantry stage raids on compounds suspected of harboring Taliban or al Qaeda fighters. Each MOUT training container costs about $140,000 (if you buy a 15 container set). As expected after 2001 there came a lot of combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan which made it obvious the importance of realistic MOUT training. As a result, additional training areas are being built all over the United States. One of the first ones was a U.S. Army urban warfare center in Alaska that covered 480 hectares (1,200 acres). Over 24 buildings were built initially, enough to allow an infantry battalion to practice street fighting and clearing buildings of hostiles. Nearby, a live fire range is being built, so that a company at a time can train with live ammunition. Down south in San Diego, the U.S. Marine Corps built a similar MOUT center. As a result of all this, both the Army and Marines have developed new tactics for MOUT battles, and needed the specialized training areas to teach the troops how it's done, and to work on improving current tactics, and maintaining skills. One thing that was learned going into Afghanistan, was that you can't have too much practice when it comes to MOUT. It's a tricky business, with ample opportunity for getting ambushed, and for friendly fire losses. You must have well thought out, and combat proven, drills, and the troops must be well practiced in their use. This led the Marines to spend $15 million on expanding its MOUT facilities at Camp Lejune, North Carolina. The expansion area will contain 75 buildings, most of them constructed to allow for repeated urban warfare training. Some of the buildings will be for training staff or trainee support. The new facility was ready by late 2009. The Army and Marines spent several hundred million dollars over five years, to construct these urban training areas. Even in Afghanistan, a lot of the fighting gets done in, or around, buildings. To get troops ready for this kind of combat, you need training areas that mimic the urban terrain that will be encountered in the battle zone. It turns out that with the revived emphasis on fighting modern combat forces and using MOUT combat experience will prove invaluable for defending as well as attacking. The American solution is not to fight in the city like the Germans and Russians did in Stalingrad. Even during World War II, the Americans realized they had the firepower (bombers and artillery) to level any city that refused to surrender. This was how ISIL was driven out of Mosul and Raqqa. Even when forced into a MOUT situation the Americans developed weapons (tanks specially equipped for MOUT) and heavy use of smart bombs and guided missiles. The Russians learned the same lesson in Chechnya. In the early 1990s, they attempted to take the capital city (Grozny, or dread in English) and failed because the Chechens went full Estonian on them. The Russians came back in 1999 and took Grozny after they turned the city into a pile of rubble. That took months and the Chechens could not expect NATO or anyone else to reinforce them. The Estonians noted this with great interest, as did Chechnya southern neighbor Georgia. While independent after the Soviet Union fell apart in 1991, Georgia got into a border dispute with Russia that resulted in a brief Russian incursion in 2008. The Russians were described as overrunning the country in a few days. The Russians did not. They occupied the bits of Georgia they wanted and did not advance on the Georgian capital which the Russians knew would be stubbornly defended by crazy Georgians. Josef Stalin was a Georgian and was still a national hero in Georgia not because he ruled the Soviet Union for three decades but because he got so many Russians killed. Russian military planners are also well aware that NATO countries have a lot more practical experience in MOUT and can afford to build realistic MOUT training facilities. Estonia has access to all this, as well as unofficial assistance from its non-NATO neighbors (especially Finland, but also Sweden). That unofficial aid will be most valuable getting the video evidence of Russian activities out to the world. Its not just vampires that cannot operate in daylight (although in East Europe there are legends of a type of vampire that can, so there you are). In mid-2018 France approved a defense budget for 2019-25 that concentrates on greatly increasing spending for procurement and also reaching the NATO goal of each member spending at least two percent of GDP on defense. Of more immediate importance is getting new equipment. By 2025 France will have received or have ordered four SSNs (nuclear attack submarines), five new frigates and nine offshore patrol boats. The air force will have received 28 Rafale fighters, upgraded 55 older Mirage 2000 fighters and obtained twelve aerial tankers. The ground forces will get 1,700 new armored vehicles plus much new equipment for the infantry and special operations forces as well as more money for training and to support overseas peacekeeping and counter-terror operations. This means more spending on intelligence as well. All this makes France the first major NATO member in many years to return to spending at least two percent of GDP on defense. France is currently spending 1.78 percent. In Europe, only one other major nation (Britain) never fell below two percent. The new French defense spending plan comes after a year (2017) when NATO countries reversed years of declining defense spending (as a percentage of GDP) and NATO members (other than the U.S.) increased defense spending by nearly 5 percent. That drove overall NATO defense spending to $957 billion and that should pass a trillion dollars in the next few years. The United States still accounts for most (72 percent) of total NATO defense spending even though the U.S. accounts for only 51 percent of total NATO GDP. This reversal in defense spending was expected since 2014 when Russia became a real (rather than potential) threat with its invasion of Ukraine and threats to NATO countries in East Europe, especially those that border Russia. It took a while for NATO members to respond. Defense spending decreased from $943 billion in 2014 to $893 billion in 2015 and took a smaller dip in 2016. As has long been the case most of the defense spending is by the United States and a two percent drop in American spending in 2015 accounted for most of the decline. Meanwhile, East European NATO members are increasing spending, two of them (Lithuania and Poland) by over 20 percent in one year. Currently, 64 percent of NATO members are increasing defense spending but only 18 percent of the 28 member nations spend two or more percent of GDP on defense and most of these are in East Europe. The is the goal for all nations but most NATO members are still cutting defense budgets as they have been doing since the Cold War ended in 1991. The Russians have noticed this and are encouraged to continue their aggression against Ukraine and other former parts of the Russian Empire. Because of local politics, and the enormous expense of maintaining modern forces the politics of paying for and using military forces are different in Europe, especially since the end of the Cold War. The United States has been alarmed with these developments and has had little success in getting its European allies to organize their armed forces to be more effective. This is becoming a growing problem for the Americans because the European nations now take for granted that the United States would always show up to supply key military capabilities. There is growing popular anger in the United States against that assumption and cost of remaining able to supply what the Europeans refuse to pay for. During the Cold War (1947-91) the U.S. accepted these European attitudes, in part because the European defense policies were not as dysfunctional as they are now. Since the 1990s the U.S. has increasingly resented this growing burden and has been uncharacteristically undiplomatic over the last few years in discussing logistical and equipment shortcomings of its NATO allies. There continue to be examples of how the American support works. The French-led liberation of northern Mali in early 2013 was greatly assisted by French warplanes using smart bombs to attack known terrorist bases. This was devastating and led to the rapid collapse of resistance to the French ground forces. But most of the air support would not have been possible without American aerial tankers. There was a similar shortage of aerial reconnaissance aircraft, especially those that could do electronic monitoring (to monitor terrorist communications on the ground). Later in 2013 NATO was under pressure to support the Syrian rebels with air support, as they did the Libyans in 2011. That would not be possible without American assistance and the main reason it didnt happen was the U.S. refusal to get involved. Libya in 2011 was supposed to be just a European operation. NATO was persuaded to take charge of the bombing campaign (to fulfill a UN order to stop the Libyan dictator from murdering his own people). While NATO agreed to do this they found, once more, that they didnt have sufficient military capability to get it done with European resources alone. The U.S. still had to supply most of the refueling and intelligence aircraft as well as sending more smart bombs because most NATO nations dont have very large stocks of these weapons. Libya and Mali followed the campaign against ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) after 2013 provided more examples of how unprepared most NATO members were for actual combat. The situation has gotten worse since 1991. This was immediately seen when there was a need for peacekeeping in the Balkans throughout the 1990s. The U.S. was implored to pitch in because the European NATO nations couldnt handle this themselves. Then came September 11, 2001. NATO members offered to help in Afghanistan and (to a lesser extent) Iraq. But it was more promises than performance because NATO nations were even less prepared for peacekeeping in distant hotspots. The reluctance of most European nations to send troops to Iraq or Afghanistan was more than just the result of political differences. While Europe has about twice as many troops as the United States, they have far fewer fit enough to send off to a combat zone. This was a problem first noted in the 1990s when there was a big demand for peacekeepers in the Balkans. The Europeans couldn't fob this one off on the Americans and had to come up with combat-ready troops. The Europeans had a tough time finding soldiers ready and able to go. European armed forces are full of people in uniform who have a civil service mentality. That is, they think and act like civilians, not soldiers. Belgium discovered in the 1990s that 14 percent of its troops were obese (compared to 12 percent of the general population) and unfit for many of their duties. Much noise is always being made about getting all the troops in good physical shape. While that is possible, it is less likely that the mentality of the troops will be changed. During the Cold War, Europe got most of its troops via conscription. Young men came in for two or three years and then left. Anywhere from a third to half the troops were long-term professionals, in for twenty or more years. But even before the Cold War ended, many of the European military professionals were losing their combat edge. When the Soviet Union disappeared in 1991, there was no longer any compelling reason for a European soldier to think and act like one. It was just a job. A government job that was not, or should not, be terribly demanding. Europeans spend a much higher proportion of their defense dollars on payroll, leaving little money for training, new equipment, and maintenance. It also meant an older, on average, bunch of troops. Going to war is a young man's game, but Europeans have instead turned their armed forces into another job creation program. There are some exceptions, like Britain and France, demanding that the troops remain fit and maintaining high training standards. Most European nations maintain a few elite infantry units, but these don't add up to much in terms of numbers. Only Britain and France have large "rapid reaction" forces that can be sent overseas on short notice but even these are threatened by continued budget cuts. The United States has the largest such force, and many European nations tried to expand theirs but decades of politicians spending more than they should have is catching up with most European nations. The unexpected Russian menace has changed that mentality momentarily but that is temporary. Old customs die hard. Yesterday another peace deal was agreed to for South Sudan and the deal was signed in Sudan, where all the principal faction leaders met to agree on the terms. There have been several of these deals since 2013 and all those failed but this one seems more likely to hold. The primary South Sudan rivals Salva Kiir (president of the country) and Riek Machar (former vice-president and rebel leader) signed a power-sharing agreement that deliberately worked to avoid past peace deals that failed. This one will end the civil war in part because everyone is resigned to the fact that the war is pointless and self-destructive. For example; Machar returns to being vice president, a job he was fired from in 2013 when Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup. The peace deal was worked out with the help of many faction leaders and that meant a redistribution of high-level government jobs and creation of enough new posts to satisfy everyone, at least for now. For example, there are now five vice-presidents and 35 ministers (head of ministries). The parliament has been expanded to 550 members. All these new high-level jobs are an attempt to solve the problem that caused the civil war in the first place; tribal rivalries, jealousy, greed and paranoia. President Kiir belonged to the dominant Dinka tribe while Machar was a Nuer, the largest of many smaller tribes that accused the Dinka of taking more than their fair share of the goodies. South Sudan is a poor country but it does have some oil (five billion barrels, worth nearly $300 billion at current prices). Getting access to oil money often encourages political rivals to cooperate so that the oil can be pumped, shipped and sold. Yet South Sudan, even with oil income, is still an economic disaster. Peace is one thing, productive (rather than the usual plundering) government is another. Peace does not mean prosperity, just less deliberate killing. August 3, 2018: The rainy season has begun in the Sudans. A downpour in central Sudan (North Kordofan state) destroyed 200 houses. In the west, a rainstorm in North Darfur took a similar toll. Torrential rains make movement on the ground very difficult. Many rural airfields are also shut down because cloud cover socks them in and the rain turns their dirt runways to mud. In South Sudan, foreign aid groups have already begun conducting air drops (via parachute) to deliver medicine and food. Aid groups know that the rainy season has made 70 percent of South Sudan inaccessible to ground convoys. This is a big problem as seven million South Sudanese are dependent on food and medical aid. The planes used to deliver by parachute can drop just over three tons of food per flight. A ton of rice (or other grains) can feed about 1550 to 1600 people per day at a subsistence level, so one plane can airdrop enough food to feed around 5,000 people a day. On a recent mission for a refugee camp in eastern South Sudan (Katdalok, Jonglei state), nine tons of food (three planeloads) were dropped over a two-day period. The camp houses some 5,000 refugees, so that was three days worth of food. But presumably, one planeload was consumed on the day it was delivered. Life hangs on a slender thread and fickle weather could delay future deliveries. What applies to the military applies to humanitarian aid: logistics, logistics, logistics. (Austin Bay) August 2, 2018: Sudan and Ethiopia have begun a new border demarcation process intended to end disagreements over agricultural land rights along the border. Ethiopians and Sudanese have a specific over land in the Al-Fashaga area in Sudans Gedaref state (eastern Sudan). Kenya will be the site got the next round of South Sudan peace negotiations. The two sides have not agreed to a general deal yet but key leaders are meeting in Sudan to try and work out a power-sharing agreement. If the Sudan talks succeed the September meeting in Kenya will work out additional details and address problems encountered so far. August 1, 2018: South Sudan has informed Sudan that it expects to resume oil production in the El Toor and Toma South fields on September 2. The two fields will produce about 45,000 barrels a day. The oil will pass through Sudanese pipelines. Production from the Unity and Munga fields will begin by the end of December 2018. July 31, 2018: The SSUM (South Sudan United Movement) rebels insisted they are still a member of the SSOA (South Sudan Opposition Alliance), which is the rebel political organization. SSOA leaders booted the SSUM because SSUM leaders had approved the latest transitional peace agreement between the South Sudan government and the main rebel group SPLM-IO. The SSOA says the deal does not sufficiently protect minority tribes in South Sudan or fairly share power. Nine political parties belong to the SSOA. July 30, 2018: Sudans national intelligence agency announced it had conducted an operation that helped free five Egyptian Army soldiers kidnapped by an armed Libyan group (or Chadian gunmen operating from Libya). The rescue apparently took place inside of Libya. July 26, 2018: The South Sudan government and SPLM-IO have signed another preliminary power-sharing agreement. South Sudan will create a transitional national legislature with 550 members. The government will have five vice-presidents. One vice-president must be a woman. July 20, 2018: Egypt and Sudan have agreed to renew full diplomatic ties. They will also address their difference over Nile River water rights and a border dispute. The Egyptian Navy in the Red Sea has been supporting Saudi Arabian coalition operations in Yemen. July 18, 2018: Much to the chagrin of Iran, Sudanese forces continue to serve with the Saudi Arabian-led coalition operation in Yemen. Sudan has all but terminated its long-term alliance with Iran and made it clear it will back the pan-Arab effort. July 14, 2018: The South Sudan rebels (SPLM-IO) strenuously objected to the South Sudan parliaments decision to extend President Salva Kiirs term in office by three years. The SPLM-IO said the vote could undermine ongoing peace efforts. July 13, 2018: The UN Security Council has imposed a tight arms embargo on South Sudan. The U.S. sponsored the resolution which received nine yes votes, the minimum number of votes required. The U.S., Great Britain, France, the Ivory Coast, the Netherlands, Kuwait, Peru, Poland and Sweden supported the resolution. Russia, China, Bolivia, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan abstained. The embargo includes a travel ban on key leaders and freezing of assets. July 12, 2018: Sudan announced it will extend its unilateral ceasefire in the west (Darfur), central Sudan (South Kordofan) state and the southeast (Blue Nile state) until December 31, 2018. The problem is, the ceasefire is intermittently broken by both the government and rebels. July 11, 2018: Today is the seventh anniversary of South Sudans independence. South Sudan has little to celebrate. The civil war began in December 2013 and continues. Out of a population of 13 million, 4.4 million South Sudanese are either refugees in foreign countries or internally displaced, Seven million South Sudanese need foreign aid (main food and medicine) to survive. July 10, 2018: In southern South Sudan the SPLM-IO accused the army of attacking rebel positions in Yei River state. A force of around 200 soldiers left their camp at Morobo and attacked the rebel base in the town of Isebi. July 9, 2018: In central Sudan three civilians were killed and six wounded when 18 soldiers attacked a group of herders in South Kordofan state. The soldiers stole over 60 head of cattle and 80 goats. The herders formed a posse and chased the soldiers, killing one soldier and wounding one. The cows and goats were recovered. July 8, 2018: In western Sudan refugees entering the camp at Mershing (South Darfur state) report new fighting between government forces and rebels in the Jebel Marra area. The clashes occurred in Fundug Badiya (Central Darfur state). Subsequently, the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM Abdelwahid faction) claimed its fighters killed 45 members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. One rebel died in the firefight. July 6, 2018: The Sudan president (Omar Al-Bashir) showed up in Djibouti (north of Somalia) to attend the China-Africa Economic Forum and Exhibition. Bashir remains under indictment by the International Criminal Court for war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. The indictment was handed down in 2008 but the Moslem world, in general, prefers to ignore that sort of thing, if only because such bad behavior towards your own population is more common in Moslem majority states. July 5, 2018: Diplomats in East Africa are saying the June 27 Declaration of Agreement signed in by South Sudan government and rebel leaders could result in a final peace settlement. However, the permanent ceasefire which was to take effect June 30 has already been broken by both parties. But the Revised Bridging Proposal that creates a process for forming a new transitional government and improving security arrangements has real promise. The government would form over a three-year transitional period. IGAD (East African Intergovernmental Authority on Development) would be closely involved. U.S. demands for a strict UN arms embargo on South Sudan are also a positive. Neither the government nor the rebels want to cross Washington. The Declarations oil production provisions benefit China, a permanent member of the Security Council which also has political and economic leverage in both Sudans. Oil royalties benefit both the government and the rebels in South Sudan. Sudan will behave because it gets oil pipeline fees. Thats the upside. Relentless genocidal civil war is the downside. (Austin Bay) The Asian hotel brand is preparing to take over management of the brand new CastaDiva, a five-star lakeside resort currently being built in Blevio, a commune of seven villages, which start by Lake Como and stretch northeast, straight up the hilly slopes from the lake. The resort, which is expected to be called 'Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como', will house nine refurbished villas from the 19th century, of which two will be made available for exclusive rentals. Other facilities at the resort include a spa, an indoor swimming pool and outdoor floating pool on the lake, and four restaurants and bars, including an al fresco terrace overlooking the lake. Speaking about the take-over, James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, said, We are delighted to be extending the Mandarin Oriental brand to the shores of Lake Como which has long been a destination of choice for luxury travellers. We look forward to bringing the Groups exemplary service to the resort and to working with our partners to create one of Italys most exclusive properties. Currently under construction, the Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como is slated to open its doors by spring 2019. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group was formed in 1985 as part of a merger between two luxury Asian Hotels: The Mandarin in Hong Kong and The Oriental in Bangkok. We are proud to welcome Bush & Noble into the Gulf Craft network, says Yeakle. It is the beginning of yet another exciting new voyage, as we foresee immense growth potential. The Majesty Yachts collection holds its value longer than comparable models and promises next-generation owners many more exciting years of service. Bush & Noble are renowned for their consultancy services along with their impartial guidance to the yacht owners and they are sure to enhance our global presence. The appointment of Bush & Noble is said to provide a full marketing and distribution service, which will help to expand and promote the trading of pre-owned Gulf Craft vessels. The Dubai-based firm was co-founded in 2012 by John Bush and Brett Noble, two industry professionals with a combined experience of 30 years. The duo has led their company to international recognition as one of the leading yacht brokerage brands in the Middle East. John Bush, Co-Founder and Director of Bush & Noble, said of the business venture - The global yacht industry is projected to reach USD 74.7 billion by 2022, driven by the rising interest in luxury cruising among high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals. This is a fantastic opportunity for Gulf Craft to identify new growth markets for their products. Our new appointment as the used stock dealer will truly support the brands growth, and we are very excited about the opportunities ahead. With such vast experience of the market and the industry, combined with their passion, means that Bush & Noble were identifiably the best choice for Gulf Crafts latest venture for the brokerage of its pre-owned yachts. At home on the range With hunting season now in full swing throughout the State of Iowa, a new business in the Tama-Toledo area looks to ... Indonesia evacuates tourists after Lombok quake kills 91 Mataram, Indonesia, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2018 Indonesia evacuated hundreds of tourists from popular resorts and sent rescuers fanning across the holiday island of Lombok Monday after a powerful quake killed at least 91 people and reduced thousands of buildings to rubble. The shallow 6.9-magnitude quake sparked terror among tourists and locals alike, coming just a week after another deadly tremor surged through Lombok and killed 17 people. Rescuers on Monday searched for survivors in the rubble of houses, mosques and schools that were destroyed in the latest disaster on Sunday evening. "There are challenges: the roads were damaged, three bridges were also damaged, some locations are difficult to reach and we don't have enough personnel," said national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. An operation was also under way Monday to evacuate some 1,200 tourists from the Gili Islands, three tiny, coral-fringed tropical islands a few kilometres off the northwest coast of Lombok that are particularly popular with backpackers and divers. Margret Helgadottir, a holidaymaker from Iceland, described people screaming as the roof of her hotel on Gili Air collapsed when the quake struck. "We just froze, thankfully we were outside," she told AFP tearfully from a harbour in Lombok where she had been evacuated to. "Everything went black, it was terrible." Footage posted online by Nugroho showed hundreds crowded onto powder-white beaches desperately waiting for transport off the normally paradise Gilis. "We cannot evacuate all of them all at once because we don't have enough capacity on the boats," Muhammad Faozal, the head of West Nusa Tenggara's tourism agency, told AFP, adding two navy vessels were on their way. "It's understandable they want to leave the Gilis, they are panicking." Local disaster officials said 358 tourists had been evacuated so far. At least one person, an Indonesian holidaymaker, was killed on the Gili islands while another tourist died on nearby Bali. - Night of aftershocks - But it was Lombok which bore the brunt of Sunday evening's quake. The shallow tremor sent thousands of Lombok residents and tourists scrambling outdoors, where many spent the night as strong aftershocks including one of 5.3-magnitude rattled the island. The quake knocked out power in many areas, and parts of Lombok remained without electricity on Monday. Nugroho said up to 20,000 people may have been evacuated from their homes on Lombok and paramedics, food and medication were badly needed. Hundreds of bloodied and bandaged victims were treated outside damaged hospitals in the main city of Mataram and other hard-hit areas. Patients lay on beds under wards sent up in tents, surrounded by drip stands and monitors, as doctors in blue scrubs attended to them. Anguished relatives were huddled around loved ones in front of the main clinic in Mataram, as medical staff struggled to cope with hundreds of patients. Many were yet to be seen despite spending the night out in the open. "I feel restless sleeping in a tent, I can't be at peace," Nurhayati told AFP outside one hospital where she had brought her sick 70-year-old mother. "What we really need now are paramedics, we are short-staffed, we also need medications," Supriadi, a spokesman for Mataram general hospital, told AFP. The rubble-strewn streets of Mataram were empty save for a few survivors picking nervously through the ruins. Most of the victims were in the mountainous north and east of the island, away from the main tourist spots and coastal districts in the south and west. - Collapsed mosques - Najmul Akhyar, the head of North Lombok district, estimated that 80 percent of that region was damaged by the quake. "We need heavy equipment because some mosques have collapsed and we suspect some worshippers are still trapped inside," he told Metro TV. As authorities scrambled to assess the extent of damage in Lombok, some tourists were trying to leave. "We tried to go to the airport but there was no taxi, no transport, no plan for evacuation," French tourist Jina told Metro TV. "Later I stopped a car and I asked a local please take me and my family to the airport and he said 'Okay no problem'." Singapore's Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, who was in Lombok for a security conference when the earthquake struck, described on Facebook how his hotel room on the 10th floor shook violently. "Walls cracked, it was quite impossible to stand up," he said. Bali's international airport suffered damage to its terminal but the runway was unaffected and operations had returned to normal. Disaster agency officials said. Lombok airport was also operating. Indonesia, one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth, straddles the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide and many of the world's volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. In 2014, a devastating tsunami triggered by a magnitude 9.3 undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra in western Indonesia killed 220,000 people in countries around the Indian Ocean, including 168,000 in Indonesia. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Editorial Board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, August 6, 2018 07:59 1179 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df516b49c 4 Editorial #Editorial,KPK,corruption-eradication-commission,corruption-eradication,Presidential-Regulation,Jokowi-administration Free Buried beneath banner headlines on the 2019 presidential election and preparations for the upcoming Asian Games last week was a news item that on the surface sure looks like a real snoozer: President Joko Jokowi Widodo signed a new presidential regulation, his 54th this year. If anything, the new regulation is a typical bureaucratic solution to any problem under the sun, in that the government decided to add another layer of bureaucracy to solve the endemic corruption plaguing the country. The only twist this time is the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is added to the mix and for the first time since its establishment, the antigraft body is now part of the governments effort to crack down on corruption and it will join other government agencies including the Executive Office of the President, Home Ministry, the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) and the Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Ministry in carrying out antigraft measures. What matters more to the KPK is that under Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 54/2018, it would join the government in its policy planning stages as well as in the coordination of a wide array of anticorruption measures. Coordination has not been this governments strong suit and coordination in the fight against corruption has been abysmal. In fact, rivalry has been a common problem among government agencies in dealing with corruption. The National Police have unveiled their plan to set up a special detachment (Densus) to combat corruption. National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said there would be no overlap between the works of their Densus with that of the KPK, given that the latter has been in charge of dealing with major corruption cases and the former will only handle minor corruption cases. Responding to the polices move, the Attorney Generals Office (AGO) said it would revitalize its own special task force to combat graft. Then there are inspectorates general that are attached to individual government institutions, both at the national and local levels, which work independently of each other. The new regulation should put an end to the mess. The presidential regulation mandates that any efforts to prevent and crack down on corruption be taken by government agencies both at the national and local level should be made consistent with the KPKs anticorruption drive. Although the new regulation does not explicitly mention that the KPK would lead the way in graft-busting campaign, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko said the agency would play a key role in coordinating and overseeing the governments effort. Areas targeted by the new regulation are state finances, governance and licensing and law enforcement, which basically cover all areas in the bureaucracy most-plagued by graft. And coming from a result-oriented president, the new regulation also has a clear timeline on how targets should be achieved. The Perpres mandates that three months after it is passed, a national team must coordinate the governments overall antigraft campaign, submit a report to the President and publish reports on its progress. The progress report should be made every three months. All this sounds like progress in the fight against graft. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Mohamad Mova Al'Afghani (The Jakarta Post) Tbilisi, Georgia Mon, August 6, 2018 11:32 1179 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df517a3b2 3 Opinion water-access,water,open-government-system,water-supply Free It is well established that water problems are caused by a lack of governance. Take water services. Most Indonesians do not know their rights as water customers. Can water companies arbitrarily disconnect you from the network if you cannot afford to pay the fees? Have you experienced a sudden stop in water services? Or where the water is murky, muddy or smelly? In this situation, are you entitled to compensation? If you complain, who will guarantee that your complaints will be dealt with? Or take water resources. Most water extraction licenses in Indonesia are not based on accurate data of water availability in a river, catchment or aquifer. Thus, when a water quota is awarded to, say, the industrial sector, the quota may not be based on an accurate assessment of how much water is actually available. Conflict often arises when one group of water users, such as farmers, accuses other water users, oftentimes the industry, for over-extracting water to the extent that it causes a drought. However, the accused may be taking water from deep wells, whose aquifers may not be connected to surface water (rivers or lakes); thus the water crisis that farmers are experiencing may not necessarily be caused by industrial extraction. However, since data is lacking, it would be difficult to argue and convince stakeholders as to what the real causes are. This is where the Open Government Initiative can help. The Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multilateral initiative launched in 2011 with Indonesia among its founding members. Each member country is expected to create a two-year action plan that can be any initiative, ranging from access and information, to public participation, accountability and technological innovation for good governance. As a platform, the OGPs appeal lies in its co-creation mechanism. Action plans must be drafted jointly with civil societies, which could include the private sector. The civil society involved would then monitor its implementation. An independent reporting mechanism involves an independent expert to assess and rate the performance of each countrys action plan. The best plans will be rated as transformative those considered potentially able to radically change the situation for citizens. If this action plan successfully materializes, it would be rated as outstanding. Action plans are usually implemented by ministries, government agencies or regional governments. Many of Indonesias past action plans were quite successful, while others failed to materialize. Successful ones include the LAPOR! system, which facilitates faster response to public complaints about public services, and the One Map Policy to reconcile conflicting data among government bodies. In the 2018 OGP Summit in Tbilisi in July, water governance started to receive attention. During the summit, a few organizations tried to push open the government agenda in the water sector. Nevertheless, water issues have not been the primary focus of OGP action plans. Indonesia was one of the few countries that implemented a water-related commitment and was rated as marginal, whereas Paraguays was rated as major. Most OGP issues revolve around general governance topics such as corruption, open budgeting, public service, freedom of information, etc. Except for natural resources commitments, which are usually related to extractive industries (excluding water), only a few OGP commitments have a sectoral approach. The OGP is not widely known yet among water-related groups. Likewise, as OGP civil society organizations (CSOs) are usually working on general governance topics, they do not necessarily engage in conversation with the water groups. As a platform, the OGP has much potential to advance water governance. Water-related commitments have not been observed in a coherent manner so as to produce targeted outcomes that can substantially contribute to improving water governance. Those already active on the OGP platform need to engage water groups to enlighten them on OGP mechanisms and potential. In turn, water groups know what agenda they can advance by utilizing the platform. My latest research in Indonesias water governance revealed that except for city development planning boards (Bappeda), other technical agencies within the same regional government are often unaware of their municipalitys sanitation and water supply planning documents. Thus, these other agencies do not know their own regions targets and strategies in providing access to water and sanitation and what milestones and funding are required to achieve those targets. Thus, the OGP can provide a platform to foster interagency data-sharing among agencies and CSOs in the same region. OGP water commitment could also harness existing OGP initiatives such as open budget, open contract, as well as transparency of beneficial owners. As most water projects comprise physical infrastructure, transparency of budgeting, contracting and ownership of water-related projects are urgent. Therefore, water-related CSOs can work together with CSOs operating on general governance issues. Meanwhile, CSOs operating on general governance issues can gain insight on the details of the water sector from water CSOs. OGP commitments can be developed into roadmaps and stages with real implications on good water governance. Take the commitment to improve transparency of service levels (what customers are entitled to receive from a utility, like maximum supply interruption within a month, rebates for low water quality, obligation to warn interruptions, etc). Such commitment can be staged in at least three different commitments: enactment of service levels, publication of service levels and creation of complaints and redress mechanism around such service levels. Nevertheless, an open government initiative usually wont work without a champion especially in the government agency implementing the action plan and the CSOs working with them. The benefits of the OGP in improving governance are clear. But the incentives for drafting and implementing OGP action plan for both the individual bureaucrat and their respective agencies must also be carefully contemplated. *** The writer is the director of the Center for Regulation, Policy and Governance in Bogor, West Java. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin A. Ibrahim Almuttaqi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, August 6, 2018 July marked two years since the international arbitration court ruled in favor of the Philippines versus China concerning their maritime jurisdiction dispute in the South China Sea. With Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan also making their own claims to the disputed area, much was expected from the landmark ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on July 12, 2016. Unfortunately, under the then-newly installed Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Manila chose not to take advantage of its victory, instead opting to put the ruling to one side to develop closer ties with Beijing. That decision arguably undermined any efforts by ASEAN member states and regional powers to pressure China into complying with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Much has happened, however, since that landmark ruling in The Hague. For one, Beijing has continued to ignore the courts ruling, proceeding ahead with its reclamation of features in the South China Sea and installing military facilities on its man-made islands. At the same time, the United States has abandoned its previous pivot to Asia and under US President Donald Trump it is showing itself to be an unpredictable actor in the region. Washingtons announcement that it would suspend joint military exercises with South Korea, imposition of a steel and iron tariff that initially included Australia, and even threats of a trade war with Indonesia are just some examples. Such developments have left many observers pessimistic about the future prospect of the South China Sea, with control over the disputed area seemingly being handed over to Beijing. Even supposed progress on a code of conduct (COC) between ASEAN and China appears little more than lip service that will do little to change the facts on the ground. That includes recent developments at the 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and Related Meetings whereby ASEAN and China announced they had agreed on a single draft negotiating text that will be the basis of future COC negotiations. Sixteen years on since the two sides agreed on a non-binding Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in 2002, it is highly questionable that they have only now agreed on such a basis to conduct future negotiations. It is thus interesting that Malaysia has pledged to take a firmer stance with Beijing with regard to the South China Sea. The return of Mahathir Mohamad promises to shake up ASEAN and the region. At 92 years old, the former prime minister came out of retirement to lead the then-opposition Pakatan Harapan to inflict the first ever electoral defeat on the then-ruling Barisan Nasional, which had governed the country for 61 unbroken years. As one of the ASEAN titans, together with the late Soeharto and Singapores late Lee Kuan Yew, Mahathir certainly has the personality, strength of will and capability to renew the regional organizations position on the South China Sea. Indeed, the Malaysian prime minister has already called on Beijing to withdraw its warships noting, Warships create tension before adding, If China wants to participate with small boats, they are welcome. Anybody, even the US if they want to participate but dont bring battleships here. More recently, Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, who recently visited Jakarta, announced that the COC would be up for discussion during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Singapore in early August. Describing the current Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) signed in 2002 as lacking any fangs, the foreign minister told the Malaysian parliament that Putrajaya was considering bringing China to the International Court of Justice to defend its claims over Swallow Reef/Layang Layang Island, if once we have the COC, [China] is still aggressive. Such statements from Malaysias seat of government should not be underestimated. Malaysia has already scrapped a China-funded high-speed railway project that was supposed to connect Kuala Lumpur with Singapore and is further reviewing other projects involving Beijing. Indeed, following his election, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson reminded (or warned), Currently, our bilateral relations enjoy a sound momentum of growth with fruitful outcomes in cooperation which has delivered tangible benefits to the two countries and peoples. This is worth cherishing and upholding by our two sides. On the part of Indonesia, Jakarta has traditionally maintained it has no disputes with China, positioning itself as a neutral actor in the South China Sea. However, this policy of strategic ambivalence was somewhat exposed following a series of standoffs in 2016 between Jakarta and Beijing over incidents of illegal fishing by Chinese boats in Indonesian waters. Indonesia has since hardened its position by strengthening its military base on Natuna Island and renaming its part of the water as the North Natuna Sea. In this sense, Malaysias own hardened position presents an opportunity for Jakarta to work together and push back against Chinas over-excessive claims to the South China Sea and uphold respect for international law. Indeed, during a joint press conference with Minister Abdullah, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stated that Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur would work together to resolve ongoing border negotiations, to enhance protection for Indonesian migrants workers in Malaysia, and to counter attempts by the European Union to restrict their palm oil industry. While they also added their agreement to strengthen ASEAN centrality and unity, the issue of the South China Sea was not explicitly mentioned. Two years on since the court in The Hague made its landmark ruling, it could be argued that agreeing on a single draft negotiating text represents some progress. Having cleared a stumbling block of different negotiating texts, the burden is now on China to show good faith and deliver progress on their part. In this sense Jakarta should work with other ASEAN countries to ensure that the regions renewed position on the South China Sea does not go to waste. Beijing must not be allowed to get away with ignoring the courts landmark ruling. *** The writer is head of the ASEAN Studies Program, the Habibie Center, Jakarta. The views expressed are his own. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ahmad Shaleh Bawazir and Purna Cita Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) New York Mon, August 6, 2018 The authority to impose sanctions to prevent, settle and mitigate conflicts seems to make the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) more powerful than other bodies in the entire UN system. Many would disagree, but the fact that only the UNSC has the mandate to enforce measures, including sanctions that all UN member states must comply with, is undeniable. It will be an excellent opportunity for Indonesia, which will start its term in the council at the beginning of 2019, to partake in the decision-making process of the council, including in sanctions-related policy. It is important to note that in the last two decades, the UNSC has shifted from imposing comprehensive sanctions, which target the entire population and economy of a state, to targeted sanctions, which are aimed at individuals, government institutions and private entities. The latter are considered more effective than the former and may mitigate collateral damage. In crafting and enforcing its decisions, the council created sanction committees as subsidiary bodies. They are responsible for the operationalization of all sanctions, from economic sanctions to measures more targeted toward individuals and entities i.e. travel bans, asset freezing, arms embargoes, etc. It decides all matters pertaining to sanctions, including listing, de-listing and granting humanitarian exceptions. Expectations have mounted for the sanction committees to work in an effective, accountable and transparent way. Indonesia can play a role in this regard but it will not be easy. One of the biggest challenges for Indonesia as a non-permanent member (also called an elected member) in pushing for reforms is the reality that P5 (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States) are the main proposers (designating states) for designations of individuals and entities onto the list. Improvement in the sanction committees is pressing for two reasons. First, the question of accountability, transparency and due process in imposing sanctions. A wave of challenges to the sanction regimes started in 2002 by individuals on the lists, mainly to the counterterrorism sanction regimes of al-Qaeda and the Taliban. A number of petitions have been filed with the court in various jurisdictions, including the European Union, the US, the UK, Canada and Switzerland, over a lack of due process and fair treatment of states measures to implement the Security Councils sanctions. As of yet there is no channel for the individuals and entities affected to challenge the sanctions, except through their domestic courts. Second, the legitimacy, credibility and effectiveness of the Security Councils resolutions has come under question, forcing it to undergo reforms to improve the procedures. Some efforts to instigate reforms have been made. The most significant reforms have been the creation of an ombudsperson in 2009 as a review mechanism to ensure fair process, and the establishment in 2011 of a reverse consensus rule for delisting and other procedural reforms. Although, the scope is limited, this progress is laudable. One might question what more can be done and what Indonesia and other members of the UNSC can contribute to preserving the legitimacy and integrity of the UNSC as well as the effectiveness of its decisions. Indonesia needs to ensure that fair treatment and due process are adhered to throughout the listing, de-listing and granting of humanitarian exemption. Currently there are 693 individuals and 404 entities and other groups that are on the consolidated list of the councils sanctions. They belong to different sanctions regimes, i.e. ISIL/Daesh/al-Qaeda, the Taliban, Libya, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, etc. Although, targeted sanctions are intended to limit the impact on civilians, their application is not without controversy. The application of this regime needs to also consider the protection of the rights of the targeted individuals and entities. Positive development in the counterterrorism sanction regime could at least be a model to improve other sanction regimes. The minimum requirements of due process that shall be granted to targeted individuals and entities are: a) the right to be informed, b) the right to review, and c) the right to be heard. Injecting elements of human rights protection in every one of the councils sanctions is imperative to prevent conflict between the decisions of the UNSC and obligations of member states under any international human rights law as well as to ensure universal implementation of the sanctions by member states. Some proponents of the UNSC supremacy will argue that member states obligation to apply UNSC decisions shall prevail over any other obligation, including obligation under international human rights treaties, as stated in Article 103 of the UN Charter. Article 24 (2) of the UN Charter says that in discharging its duties, the SC shall act in accordance with the Purposes and Principles of the UN, among other encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedom (Art. 1 (3)). It further raises valid questions as to whether human rights norms bind the council when it acts and whether states are bound to apply the council decisions that transgress their human rights obligations. The best way to illustrate this debate is through the important case of Y. A. Kadi & Al-Barakaat Int. Foundation versus the Council of the EU and the Commission of the European Communities 2008 (Kadi I), where the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice of the EU annulled an EU regulation effecting sanctions of the UNSC, in which Kadis name was listed. The Grand Chamber considered the measure (EU regulation) that had an effect on the UNSC resolution to be incompatible with the fundamental rights of the individual listed. Kadi was on the sanction list under the counterterrorism sanction regime. The case, backed by pressure from various stakeholders pushed for reforms within the counterterrorism sanction regime. Yet, a number of similar legal challenges have now emerged in domestic courts of member states of the UN, under different sanction regimes. These challenges to the member states measures applying UNSC decisions definitely de-legitimize the UNSC, thus render its sanctions ineffective. It is an opportunity and responsibility for Indonesia and other non-permanent members of the UNSC to ensure that the maintenance of international peace and security and human rights protection are not conflicting, but complementary and mutually reinforcing. The tools and good practices are available. It is political exercises within and among the council members that will decide. All in all, Indonesia together with other UNSC members can play a role in making UNSC sanctions regimes more effective, accountable and transparent during its tenure in 2019-2020. Most importantly for Indonesia, it is a constitutional mandate to ensure and protect the rights of all Indonesians and contribute to the world order based on social justice and rule of law. *** The writers are international law scholars. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Fresh from shooting her first film in English, Haifaa al-Mansour plans to return to her native Saudi Arabia next month for her new project -- but this time, she won't be directing out of view by walkie-talkie from the back of a van. "When I started making films -- I started in 2005, when my first short came out -- people didn't believe in cinema in Saudi Arabia -- films were illegal, the country was very segregated, so it was like 'a woman making films, oh!'," the 43-year-old director told AFP in an interview. "But Saudi Arabia has changed," Mansour said. Late last year Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman lifted a decades-old ban on cinemas as part of his push to modernise the ultra-conservative country, which included in June allowing women to drive. Saudi Arabia this year made its first official appearance at the Cannes film festival with its submission of a series of short films. Mansour was the first woman to shoot a film in the country, the critically acclaimed "Wadjda" from 2012 about a girl who dreams of riding her own bike. During the filming, she often had to direct her team via walkie-talkie while keeping out of sight in a van, since she could not be seen in public alongside male actors and crew members. "I don't think I will be in the van anymore," she said. "Now we have a film fund and they are supporting my next project, which is called 'The Perfect Candidate', about a young Saudi female doctor who decides to run for an office in a municipal election," she said. "It will be wonderful to be part of the evolution of film in the country," she added. "I think it's amazing to have Saudi Arabia becoming normal again." 'Definitely a Haifaa film' Mansour now lives in Los Angeles with her American husband and children. "Mary Shelley", her biopic of the 19th-century author of the horror classic "Frankenstein", is now hitting screens worldwide. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was just 18 when she travelled to Lake Geneva in 1816 with her future husband, the poet Percy Shelley, and their son to vacation alongside friends including Lord Byron. Kept inside for days by heavy rains, they challenged each other to write a ghost story, sparking the Gothic tale of "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus", which was eventually published in 1818, but without Mary Shelley's name on the cover. "For her, to come and write something so original and not to have her name on it, I could not not tell that story. I felt just like, 'this is definitely a Haifaa film'," Mansour said. The offer to direct the film, starring Elle Fanning, came as a surprise -- not least because Mansour had previously filmed mainly in Arabic. Kimberly Reed, Lisa Cortes, Jennifer Fox, Haifaa al-Mansour and Marie Brenner speak onstage at (Agence France Presse/Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival) But having studied literature at the American University in Cairo and film at the University of Sydney, she was ready for the challenge of working in English. "We did a lot of rewriting on the script -- it's not only a love story," she said. After filming the movie in Ireland, Luxembourg and France, Mansour said she was eager to work again in her native Saudi Arabia. "I think it is very important to make films there, especially with Saudi Arabia embracing films and allowing film theatres. It will be wonderful to be part of the evolution of film in the country," she said. "I think it will have a great impact on young professional women." In the cold, chalky cellars deep underground at boutique Champagne house A.R. Lenoble, co-owner Antoine Malassagne shares his worries about the future of the regions world-famous fizz. Its classic style depends on crisp, zingy acidity and edgy, fruity, salty, mineral flavors, the result of deep, chalky soil and an until-now very cool climate. But heres his question: How can the taste we love stay the same in the face of climate change? So far, global warming has mostly put chilly Champagne in a climatic sweet spot, with average temperatures that ensure grapes ripen every year. But that's not the whole story, says Malassagne. Buds appear earlier, so spring frosts are more destructive. Warmer nights push maturity but also encourage new pests and diseases. Read also: Climate change: Hawking's greatest warning to humanity Harvest is two weeks earlier than it was 20 years ago, he explains on a very hot July morning at his winery in Damery, a 15-minute drive from Epernay, Champagnes epicenter. It used to be mid-to-late September. Now harvest often starts in August, as it will this year. But maturity during hot days and nights results in lower and lower acidity in the grapes, which means less freshness in the wines. Its also essential to Champagnes taste: Acidity is what allows the wines to age. In 2010, Malassagne started working on ways to make sure there was enough, well, zing in his future bubbly. Champagnes basic technique of blending different varieties (chardonnay, pinot noir, and sometimes meunier), vineyards, and vintages is the way winemakers compensated for poor years. Reserve wine from older vintages, for example, added depth, complexity, and richness when grapes didnt fully ripen. Now Malassagne is creating reserve wines to add freshness, too, by conserving them in magnums under natural cork to preserve brighter flavors. Some 70,000 of these are stockpiled in the long, dimly lit cellar. His two lively, delicious new cuveesLenoble Intense mag 14 and Lenoble Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Chouilly mag14, launched in Mayare the first to incorporate these new reserves. Thats only one of the many ways the Champenois are trying to maintain the sparkling style we know. Champagne Bruno Paillard is experimenting with covering the soil in vineyards with straw to prevent sunlight from destroying microbial life. Others are using winemaking techniques such as blocking malolactic fermentation (the second fermentation in the barrel that converts fresh-tasting malic acid to softer lactic acid) to bring greater perceived acidity to the wine. Over the past two decades, Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon, the chef de cave at super-star Louis Roederer, has been systematically experimenting with everything from biodynamic viticulture to DNA analysis of yeast to gentler forms of pruning and reinventing winemaking techniques for chardonnay, all to maintain what has made Champagnes reputation. Roederer is the most innovative large producer in Champagne right now, and its superb wines are just getting better and better. The current non-vintage Brut Premier is the best Ive ever tasted, and the just-released, brilliant 2008 (from an old-style, cool vintage with a late harvest that continued into October) has a precision and purity that seem almost electric. One of Lecaillons solutions to climate change is to give more natural resilience to the vineyard ecosystem, so the vines can withstand new insects and more extreme conditions. My conclusion is that with biodynamics, the vines have more energy, he says. With deeper roots, theyre better able to handle heat and drought, and the wines have more freshness. As we sample great vintages of Roederers top cuvee Cristal over lunch, Lecaillon sounded hopeful as he reminds me: We invented bubbles to make up for unripe grapes. As farmers, our job, our life, our passion has been to adapt to climate change for hundreds of years. If the future heats up too much, he jokes (I think), well just have to make Burgundy. Read also: How climate change threatens Indonesia's marine tourism How bad is the threat, anyway? The 2003 heat wave, when France baked in record summer temperatures, was a wake-up call for many growers. Over the last six months in 2018, according to the Comite Champagne (CIVC) trade association, the region has been 2 degrees hotter than normal, and this will be the fifth vintage of the last 15 to start harvest in August. Growers say its alarming that temperatures have risen so quickly. A European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) report published earlier this year also described how droughts, fires, freakish weather patterns, and extreme heat waves have more than doubled since 1980. But despite heat and several violent hailstorms, this year will see a bumper cropunless hail hits again before harvest. Can grape tech save the day? Technology offers more potential solutions. Over breakfast in Reims, Thibaut Le Mailloux, the communications director of the CIVC, outlined one of the organizations long-term projects, a team effort with the French National Institute for Agricultural Research to invent new hybrid grape varieties that will ripen more slowly in warmer conditions and be more resistant to pests. Since 2010, their scientists have been crossing pinot noir, chardonnay, and meunier, the three most important grapes with super-geniteur varieties. Starting with 4,000 seeds planted in the CIVCs experimental vineyard, several will eventually be selected that seem to have the resistant genes, and alsothis is the catchoffer the same distinctive flavors and acidity. The next step will be to see whether wines made from those grapes age in the same way. All this will take a couple of decades. Only seven grape varieties are permitted in Champagne. In addition to the three most important, four mostly forgotten grapespetite meslier, pinot blanc, fromenteau, and arbanemay gain prominence in the future. Lean, green petit meslier grapes, for example, retain huge acidity, even in very hot vintages. Family-owned Champagne Drappier is one of a handful of wineries reviving these. Read also: Climate change threatens future of golf - report What about carbon cutting? The CIVC first assessed the industrys carbon footprint in 2002. Since then, the regions growers have significantly cut emissions, taken to recyclying all the water used in wineries, reduced pesticides by 50 percent, and begun using lighter-weight Champagne bottles, the equivalent in emissions of removing 8,000 cars from the road each year. Future-focused Drappier became the first Champagne house to be carbon-neutral, and in 2017 began using a bottle made from 87 percent recycled glass. To encourage electric vehicle use, it has set up charging stations. The younger generation, such as Cedric Mousse, who manages his eponymous family winery, has a heightened sensibility about climate change. Mousse was 23 when the CIVC began talking about producers reducing their carbon footprints. There are 1,000 small things we can do, he says, as he walks me through his eco-conception of a winery. I think about every choice, from how to plant vines, so grapes take more time to mature, to using bottles, labels, shipping boxes and machinery produced less than 50 miles away. But will it be enough? Watch your language when dealing with religion-related issues in virtual spaces. Please. Make sure you dont make a tongue-in-cheek or snide remark when professing your own faith or talking about other peoples faith lest you be accused of igniting enmity and disseminating blasphemy and be ensnared in Article 28 of Law No. 11/2008 on electronic information and transactions. A recent case in point is that of a man suspected of lampooning firebrand cleric Rizieq Shihab and Prophet Muhammad by posting alleged inflammatory remarks of the Islam Defenders Front leader in a Facebook comment. Despite his admission to venting his displeasure with the cleric, the mans choice of words was deemed blasphemous, which eventually led to his detention by the police. The case reminds me of another popular incident back in 2012, when a man hailing from Padang, West Sumatra, professed in a Facebook post his disbelief of the existence of God. Alexander Aan, the owner of the infamous Ateis Minang Facebook group, publicly proclaimed himself as an atheist and was found guilty of blasphemy and inciting enmity and then sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, making him the first person in Indonesia to be put into jail for being an atheist. Because his case drew the attention of the international community, where public proclamations of atheism are not uncommon, Amnesty International dubbed his sentencing as that of a prisoner of conscience. The judges verdict on Alexander, however, was deemed too much by legal experts, as he was only exercising his right to voice his belief and opinion a right granted by the countrys Constitution. At the outset, it needs to be highlighted that juridical aspects can in no way be used as a justification for either verifying or falsifying ones beliefs and faiths. The problem is not just that belief and faith are personal matters, but they are too ineffable to be linguistically verbalized and too fuzzy to verify or falsify. They cannot, therefore, be proven via jurisdiction. Alexanders personal testament as an atheist cannot be interpreted reductively as the denial of the existence of God and His divine properties. This is at best the standard and widely-held conception of atheism. In this standard conception, an atheist defends his or her beliefs using the so-called problem of evil argument, which reads that if evil exists, then such propositions as God is all-powerful and God is all-good can be summarily nullified, and therefore it can be concluded that God doesnt exist. The notion of atheism, however, is a nebulous one and always open to a wide array of readings, depending upon which school of thought one wishes to adhere to. One plausible reading of atheism comes from the so-called Via Negativa School also known as the Apophatic Way. To this school, atheism is an ambivalent concept. On the one hand, God is perceived as non-existent, because He goes beyond the human mind and language and His divine attributes cannot be captured via cognitive meaning. In other words, theses divine attributes are ineffable too great to be described and depicted via language. As such, the concept of God being uninstantiated. To those embracing this reading, religion-related language is meaningless, because of its inadequacy to evince the ultimate reality. On the other, the existence of God, along with His divine attributes, can only be negated or denied, rather than acknowledged. The common credo is talk about God by not saying what He is, but by saying what He is not. The Via Negativa School has in fact blurred the polarization between theism and atheism. Adopting this perspective, we can argue that accusing an atheist of spreading blasphemy and igniting hatred is groundless because of the ambivalent nature of the notion of atheism. As to which readings of atheism Alexander based his claim on, this needs further scrutiny. Even if he meant both, under the readings from the Apothatic Way his admission of being an atheist cannot be shallowly interpreted as the repudiation of the existence of God and His divine attributes. Another reading on atheism springs from what is called the Non-Verification-Falsification Principle. This is to say that any religion-related statement can neither be proved true (verify) nor false (falsify). This principle seems to have inspired the countrys religious authorities to declare any opinion (not desired by the mainstream religious faith) defamatory and blasphemous. In this perspective, the proposition God exists must not be challenged by either verifying or falsifying it, despite the wealth of arguments proposed to prove Gods existence, such as the cosmological argument, the ontological argument and the teleological argument. To do so is tantamount to defaming the ultimate reality. The two Facebook posting incidents described above show how powerfully linguistic texts can act in a subtle way, in that they have potential effects on the people reading and hearing them. Depending on who interprets the texts, the effects on the readers and hearers may vary. Thus, everyone ought to watch their remarks when making tongue-in-cheek comments or posting images in virtual spaces. Otherwise, they will be accused of spreading blasphemy and hatred, and eventually land in prison. *** The writer teaches at the graduate school of Applied English Linguistics, School of Education and Language, Atma Jaya Catholic University, Jakarta. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, August 6, 2018 08:22 1179 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df516d840 2 City terrorism,bogor Free The National Polices Detachment 88 counterterrorism unit arrested on Saturday a suspected terrorist identified only by his initials TDW, 28, in a housing complex in Rawa Kalong, Bogor, West Java. TDW was arrested on Saturday morning just minutes after he left his rented house, where he lived with his wife and two children. Local neighborhood unit (RT) head Ali Makmur Siregar, confirmed the arrest. I became aware of the situation after learning that there was a raid on one of my residents houses, he said on Sunday as reported by tempo.co., adding that TDW had rented the house since January. As far as I know, he is a herbal expert, Ali said. Ali said that during the raid, the police confiscated several items, including some jihad-themed books, a laptop, several flash drives, cash in rupiah and United States dollars, and a passport. Ali said that TDW regularly welcomed guests in his house. The gatherings took place twice a week in his house, during which the doors were closed. There were five to seven motorcycles and the guests all wore cadar [full-face veils], he said. Ali said TDW and his wife rarely socialized with their neighbors. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Aman Rochman (The Jakarta Post) Malang/Jakarta Mon, August 6, 2018 12:17 1179 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df517dcb8 1 National Lombok-earthquake,BNPB,Jokowi,humanitarian-aid,#LombokEarthquake,Lombok,bali Free President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has ordered his aides to focus on providing disaster relief in West Nusa Tenggara province following a 7-magnitude earthquake struck Lombok Island and killed at least 91 people on Sunday evening. Jokowi said he had ordered Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto, who was on Lombok for a meeting at the time of the earthquake, to communicate with various institutions on the matter, including the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Social Affairs Ministry and the National Police to help people affected by the disaster and provide logistic support. "I also asked [Wiranto] to provide the best services to tourists [], particularly on matters related to flights many of which were delayed last evening," Jokowi said on Monday. Villagers hold evening prayer inside a temporary shelter after an earthquake hit Lombok island in Pamenang, Indonesia August 6, 2018. (Reuters/Beawiharta) The earthquake was also felt in neighboring Bali as well as some parts of East Java. "As [the President] and on behalf of Indonesian citizens, I express deep sorrow for the lives that were lost during the earthquake," Jokowi said. The government will compensate victims whose houses were ruined by the quake, Jokowi said, adding that authorities would first inspect the damages before deciding on the compensation. Humanitarian missions have also been deployed from other regions. Abdul Rachman Saleh Air Base spokesperson Lt. Col. Gianto said a Hercules C-130 carrying 10 tons of aid and 64 medical personnel from Malang, East Java, had been sent to assist victims in West Nusa Tenggara. We have only deployed one team, including 64 members of the health battalion and 10 tons of aid, including tents, blankets and generator sets, he said on Monday, adding that the airplane flew directly to Lombok International Airport. Meanwhile, BNPB chief Willem Rampangilei and his team, carrying aid such as medicine and communication equipment, have arrived in northern Lombok via Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta to assist local authorities in affected areas. Two helicopters will also be deployed to support disaster mitigation efforts. Villagers push a motorcycle along ruins after an earthquake hit Lombok island in Pamenang, Indonesia August 6, 2018. REUTERS/Beawiharta (Reuters/Beawiharta) The agency has coordinated with its local chapter, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Public Works and Housing Ministry, the Social Affairs Ministry, the State-owned Enterprises Ministry and NGOs to distribute aid. Despite difficulties caused by an electricity blackout, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and military personnel have been distributing blankets to victims who were evacuated to a temporary shelter in Belanting, a village in northeastern Lombok. Electricity is down. The weather is quite cold, and a lot of elderly people and children were forced to flee their home, said PMI volunteer Muh. Nasir. (afr/sau/swd) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, August 6, 2018 20:55 1178 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df51980d7 1 City Lombok,West-Nusa-Tenggara,earthquake,donation,jakarta Free Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has expressed compassion for those affected by a 7.0- magnitude earthquake in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) on Sunday evening and has urged Jakartans to help the victims. He said the administration would offer assistance for victims through the Jakarta Muslim Charitable Board (Bazis). "I urge Jakarta residents to send donations for our [brothers and sisters] in Lombok through available options. This is a time for us to show solidarity. Hopefully, they will have the strength to recover quickly," he said on Monday. As of 10 a.m. Monday, 91 people had been reported dead and 209 injured, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). Survivors have moved to shelters with little in their hands, as their homes were severely damaged or destroyed in the earthquake. (fac) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani and Ivany Atina Arbi (The Jakarta Post) Denpasar/Jakarta Mon, August 6, 2018 11:52 1179 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df517b211 1 National Lombok-earthquake,#LombokEarthquake,Lombok,Indonesia-Australia,Australia-Indonesia,counterterrorism,Wiranto,Julie-Bishop,bali Free Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton and a number of delegates who were on Lombok Island at the time of Sunday evenings 7-magnitude earthquake have safely arrived in neighboring Bali. I thank the Lombok authorities, the police and others who assisted the Australian delegations and who are working with us in ensuring that assistance are being provided to those in need, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in Bali on Monday. Dutton was in Lombok to attend the Sub Regional Meeting on Counterterrorism along with Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto. Wiranto also announced on Sunday evening that all members of the delegation were safe. We decided to postpone the meeting because of the earthquake and encourage delegates to return to their respective home countries immediately, he said. The delegates were having dinner at a restaurant on the 12th floor of their hotel when the earthquake struck. The two-day counterterrorism meeting was scheduled to take place on Sunday and Monday. Meanwhile, Bishop was in Bali to attend the Bali Process international forum and moderate a discussion on people smuggling, human trafficking and related transnational crimes. She added that no Australian casualties or serious injuries were reported following the earthquake, which claimed at least 82 lives. Despite the incident, Bishop believed that Australians would continue visiting Lombok and neighboring islands like Bali because they are very popular tourist destinations for Australians". (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Agnes Anya (The Jakarta Post) Nusa Dua, Bali Mon, August 6, 2018 17:30 1179 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df518f4e8 1 National Lombok-earthquake,Retno-Marsudi,Bali-Process,#LombokEarthquake,tourism,foreign-tourists Free The Foreign Ministry has opened a call center for foreign tourists and their relatives following a fatal earthquake that hit West Nusa Tenggara on Sunday. The number for the call center is +6287864124151, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on Monday. Our team, led by [the Foreign Ministry's Indonesian citizen protection director Lalu Muhammad] Iqbal, has already been at the scene in West Nusa Tenggara. Another team is to join, she said. Lombok Island, located in West Nusa Tenggara, was the scheduled venue for a meeting on counterterrorism that was to be attended by delegations from different countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. The meeting was postponed following the earthquake. All delegates are safe and some have been evacuated back to their home countries via Jakarta and Denpasar, Retno said in Nusa Dua, Bali, where she was set to host the seventh Bali Process Ministerial Conference from Tuesday to Wednesday. (swd) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Chanyaporn Chanjaroen (Bloomberg) Singapore Mon, August 6, 2018 18:35 1179 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df5192a54 2 Business bank,investment,assets,Indonesia,Singapore Free Credit Suisse Group hired private banker Heinz Puth and three others from Swiss rival Julius Baer Group to boost its Singapore team focusing on wealthy Indonesians, according to a person familiar with the matter. Puth and the former Julius Baer relationship managers will report to Johanes Oeni, who heads Credit Suisses private banking market group for Indonesia, said the person, who declined to be identified as the information is private. Managing Indonesian wealth has been a traditional focus of Singapores private banks, though in recent years they have also seen a big uptick in business from rich Chinese. Some 43 percent of Indonesian offshore wealth is held in Singapore, according to a report last year by Capgemini SE. Puth and the others will join David Lim, who left Julius Baer earlier this year to become Credit Suisses vice chairman for Southeast Asia. At Julius Baer, Puth was a senior client partner and previously had been deputy head for private banking in Southeast Asia, according to people familiar with the matter. He worked for Credit Suisse until 2006 as market head for Indonesia, one of the people said.Representatives for Julius Baer and Credit Suisse declined to comment; Puth couldnt be reached for comment. Julius Baer plans to explore options such as acquisitions and partnerships as it seeks to expand its Asia-Pacific wealth management operations, its regional chief said last month. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States Mon, August 6, 2018 12:39 1179 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df5180e11 2 World Chicago,gun-control,shooting-incident,death-toll Free Forty-four people were shot across the Midwestern US city of Chicago Sunday, US media reported, with five killed in a wave of violence police branded "totally unacceptable." Chicago Police chief of patrol Fred Waller told a press conference Sunday afternoon some of the shootings were "targeted" and related to gang conflicts. "The city of Chicago experienced a violent night. Incidents of either random or targeted shooting on our streets is totally unacceptable," he said. CNN reported multiple shootings took place between midnight and 2:00 pm local time -- with 10 taking place in just three hours from 1:30 am. Chicago Police officers and detectives investigate a shooting where multiple people were shot on Sunday, August 5, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. In the last 24 hours over 30 people have been shot and at least 2 killed across Chicago including five mass shootings, where four or more victims were shot at one location. (AFP/Joshua Lott/Getty Images) Gunmen targeted groups including one gathering of people who had attended a funeral repast, police said, adding that one of the injured victims was an 11-year-old boy. Chicago experienced a near 20-year record number of murders in 2016, prompting President Donald Trump to regularly single out the city for criticism. But Waller said so far this year, there has been a reduction in shootings of over 30 percent in Chicago, while murders are down by 25 percent. "That's not a victory by any means, or any stretch" he said. "But we continue to head in the right direction." He also said more than 5,500 illegal guns had been confiscated from the city's streets. Chicago Police officers and detectives investigate a shooting where multiple people were shot on Sunday, August 5, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. In the last 24 hours over 30 people have been shot and at least 2 killed across Chicago including five mass shootings, where four or more victims were shot at one location. (AFP/Joshua Lott/Getty Images) "I promise this city, we won't be defeated," he vowed during the press conference. "We all live in this city. We all want this city to be safer." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, August 6, 2018 13:47 1179 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df5183ce6 1 Business Russia,Indonesia,investment,tourism,infrastructure,bambang-brodjonegoro Free National Development Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro has invited Russian businesspeople to invest in tourism and infrastructure, two sectors that are being given serious attention by the Indonesian government. His statement was made at a recent event in Jakarta the Indonesia-Russia Business Forum organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Russia. Bambang said that tourism and infrastructure were two key sectors of cooperation between the two countries. Through enhanced cooperation, Indonesia and Russia can increase trade between our two countries to overcome the global economic challenges posed by the increase of the [United States] Fed Fund Rate, said Bambang as quoted by kontan.co.id on Sunday. He said that currently 90 percent of Russian investment was in the hospitality sector, such as hotels and restaurants, mostly in Bali and the Nusa Tenggara islands. Bambang, who is also the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) head, said Indonesia also invited Russian businesspeople to invest in special economic zones (KEK), ports and tourism infrastructure in the 10 regions currently being developed as the countrys major tourism destinations. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marlon Ramos (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) Manila, Philippines Mon, August 6, 2018 21:46 1178 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df5199b1e 2 World #SouthChinaSea,Philippine-Navy,naval-operation Free The Philippines should take a bold step in defending its sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea by encouraging neighboring states to conduct with it joint freedom of navigation patrols in the hotly contested South China Sea, acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio on Sunday said. West Philippine Sea is the local name of the waters within the Philippines 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea recognized under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China radio warnings China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, including waters within the EEZs of its Southeast Asian neighbors that also have claims in the strategic waterway Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Carpio, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Dutertes handling of the territorial dispute between Manila and Beijing, also warned that China may choke off the supply route to Philippine-claimed islands in the Spratly archipelago after reports of radio warnings by the Chinese to Philippine ships and aircraft to stay away from its man-made islands in the strategic waterway. He said the Philippines should take a cue from the world naval powers, which had been sailing through the South China Sea to assert their freedom of navigation We have to assert that theres freedom of navigation there [in the West Philippine Sea]. China cant stop us, Carpio told the Inquirer. If we are bold, then we should conduct joint freedom of navigation operations in the EEZs of the South China Sea not only with the world naval powers, but also with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, he said. Since the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague handed down its decision in July 2016, Carpio said, the United States, United Kingdom, France, India, Australia and Japan have sent ships to the South China Sea to enforce the landmark ruling. We should encourage it Carpio, a member of the Philippine legal team that successfully argued the countrys case before the Hague court, said the presence of foreign navies in the South China Sea refuted Mr. Dutertes claim that nobody was implementing the decision. Said Carpio: We should welcome and encourage it. Thats the least we can do because it redounds to our benefit. This enforces the principle that EEZs are all around the South China Sea, including our own. We will benefit from it because we are an adjacent coastal state, he added. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sri Wahyuni (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta Mon, August 6, 2018 15:16 1179 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df518901f 1 Business Muhammadiyah,Aisyiyah,micro-credit Free Muhammadiyah women's wing Aisyiyah has launched sharia microfinance institution (LKMS) Usaha Mandiri Sakinan in Yogyakarta in a bid to provide female micro entrepreneurs in the region with a microcredit facility. The microcredit bank, popularized as Bank Wakaf Mikro (BWM), is located at Muhammadiyahs Gedung Dakwah Nogotirto (GDN) building in Gamping district, Sleman regency, and is managed by Yogyakarta Aisyiyah University (Unisa) in cooperation. For Aisyiyah, this is the first LKMS ever launched. We are currently preparing the establishment of other LKMSes in other regions, Aisyiyah chairwoman Siti Noordjannah Djohantini said after the launching ceremony over the weekend. Unlike other BWM previously launched by the Financial Services Authority (OJK), which are mostly based on Islamic boarding schools (Pesantren), the one in Nogotirto is university-based. The bank's location is close to the Unisa campus. Siti said Aisyiyah was currently developing eight LKMSes in cooperation with the OJK. Of them three are education institution-based LKMSes including the one in Nogotirto, four are community-based and one is Pesantren based. The other two are being developed in West Java, four in East Java and Pesantren-based microbanks in Makassar, South Sulawesi. Meanwhile, OJK head Wimboh Santoso said the OJK had a total of 40 BWMs across the country since October 2017. Each is expected to serve 3,000 beneficiaries at the maximum, with loans ranging from Rp 1 million to Rp 3 million per beneficiary, he said. He said BWM was indeed targeting microentrepreneurs in villages with almost no access to the banking sector. No collateral is needed to become a beneficiary. Each is only required to pay a supervision service of 3 percent a year. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, August 6, 2018 17:21 1179 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df518e89d 1 City pilot,training,bribery,drugs,crystal-methamphetamine Free The Jakarta Police have foiled a trainee pilots attempt to bribe his examiner with 0.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine to get his pilots license. BC is an examiner in a flight school that has the authority to issue pilots licenses, said Jakarta Police narcotics unit chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Jean Calvijn Simanjuntak on Sunday, as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com. To get a pilots license, Jean added, a trainee pilot must graduate from a flight school, apply to an airline and pass several tests: theory, simulator and real flight. He plays an important role throughout that process. GS [the pilot] allegedly attempted to bribe BC, so that he could pass all the tests, he said, noting that BC was a civil servant at the Transportation Ministrys Air Transportation Directorate General. BC and GC were arrested at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta on Aug. 2. (vla) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Mon, August 6, 2018 22:20 1178 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df519ac24 2 World #SaudiArabia,#Canada,Saudi-Arabia,Canada,relations Free Saudi Arabia has suspended scholarships to Canada and will relocate students already there, state media said Monday, after the kingdom abruptly cut ties with Ottawa over criticism of its jailing of rights activists. Riyadh, which suspended diplomatic relations with Canada on Monday, will "stop training, scholarship and fellowship programs" there, state-run Al-Ekhbariya television reported. The government was also putting together an "urgent plan" to transfer students and interns already in Canada to other countries, it said. The kingdom early Monday gave Canada's envoy Dennis Horak 24 hours to leave the country, in an abrupt rupture of relations over what Riyadh slammed as "interference" in its internal affairs. The decision came after Canada demanded the immediate release of human rights activists detained in a new crackdown, including the sister of jailed blogger Raif Badawi. Badawi's wife and children currently live in Canada. Ottawa said it was "seriously concerned" and was seeking "greater clarity" on the move, which was announced on Twitter by the Saudi foreign ministry. More than 8,000 students from Saudi Arabia are enrolled in programs in Canada, according to figures released by the official Saudi Press Agency in 2017. These students, many of them studying medicine, are accompanied by more than 6,400 dependents. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, August 6, 2018 18:49 1178 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df519355d 1 National #LombokEarthquake,Singapore,Lee-Hsien-Loong,condolences Free President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have written to President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to express condolences for victims of an earthquake that struck the island of Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara on Sunday. "I am deeply saddened to learn of the earthquake which struck Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, on 5 August 2018, claiming many innocent lives and causing significant damage. On behalf of the people of Singapore, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the affected families and wish the injured a quick recovery," Halimah said in her letter to Jokowi. "Singapore offers our assistance in the relief efforts organized by Indonesias National Disaster Mitigation Agency. Our thoughts are with Indonesia and its people during this difficult time," Lee said in his letter to Jokowi. In their letters, the Singaporean leaders offered their countrys assistance with relief efforts based on priorities stated by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). Separately, the Singaporean government has promised to contribute US$100,000 as seed money to kick-start the public fundraising appeal by the Singapore Red Cross. (jun) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Freiburg, Germany Mon, August 6, 2018 22:35 1178 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df519d6f8 2 World #Germany,Spanish,paedophile Free A German court on Monday jailed a Spanish man for 10 years for repeatedly sexually abusing a young boy whose mother and stepfather sold him to paedophiles online. In a case that horrified Germany, the defendant Javier Gonzalez Diaz was convicted by the regional court in Freiburg of "14 counts of aggravated sexual assault, one count of rape and one count of bodily harm while making child pornography," judge Stefan Buergelin said. The 33-year-old was also ordered to pay 18,000 euros ($20,800) to the young victim. Prosecutors had demanded a 12-year prison sentence. The verdict against the mother and stepfather in the case, which police have called one of the most atrocious they have investigated, is expected on Tuesday. Berrin Taha and Christian Lais, both German nationals, stand accused of rape, aggravated sexual assault of children, forced prostitution and distribution of child pornography. They are accused of having sexually assaulted the boy -- who was nine when their trial began in June -- as well as pimping him on the so-called darknet for more than two years. Beyond a conviction and prison sentence, prosecutors are seeking preventive detention of the two due to the seriousness of the alleged crimes. The stepfather has a previous conviction for paedophilia. The case came to light following an anonymous tip last September, and led to the arrest of eight people who have been charged with belonging to an online paedophile ring. Three of those arrested have now been convicted. During the trial of the related cases, the stepfather admitted on the witness stand to the assaults on the boy. He also made serious accusations against the child's mother. The boy is in state care. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dian Septiari (The Jakarta Post) Singapore Mon, August 6 2018 The United States is pouring money into Southeast Asia in a bid to gain more ground in the region where its rival China has funded a number of infrastructure projects through the Belt and Road Initiative. On Saturday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the US had pledged to disburse US$300 million to enhance security in the ASEAN region, with priorities in strengthening maritime security, developing humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping capabilities, as well as countering transnational crime. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in Singapore, where Pompeo attended the East Asia Summit ministerial meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum, where he also met Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Joe Freeman and Athens Zawzaw (Agence France-Presse) Yangon, Myanmar Mon, August 6, 2018 13:29 1179 b147f6715e2195e5246e701df5182566 2 SE Asia #SoutheastAsia,#Myanmar,Myanmar Free Ko Shell had his teeth knocked out during torture sessions and spent 14 years in six jails, but as the 30th anniversary looms of the famed Myanmar pro-democracy uprising that led to his incarceration, he says those sacrifices are being forgotten. Sitting in a tea shop in downtown Yangon, he worries history is not being taught to the younger generation, a frustration mirroring wider disappointment with the government among many jailed for opposing the junta which ruled for four decades. "All the true stories were not shared with the public," the 49-year-old said. Military regimes in Myanmar imprisoned nearly 10,000 people since the army first seized power in 1962, sending the country into decades of isolation. Most were jailed in the years after nationwide strikes on August 8, 1988, part of broader anti-junta demonstrations that catapulted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi into the spotlight. The daughter of Myanmar's independence hero, Suu Kyi was swept up in the revolt shortly after returning from a cozy life in England to care for her sick mother. But despite then spending a combined 15 years under house arrest by the paranoid regime, Suu Kyi has emphasised reconciling with the generals after winning landmark elections in 2015. While a third of MPs in her party have served time for activism, prominent members of the 1988 protests were passed over when candidates for parliament were chosen to run. The lack of compensation, monuments or other forms of redress for victims have caused angst, while many can't get the work they seek due to the stigma of jail. "Most of them face difficulties," said Ko Shell, a taxi driver. - Relics of the past - History is a dangerous subject in the Buddhist-majority country, where the military promotes a narrative of unifying a country riven by religious and ethnic faultlines. The toxic issue of belonging is highlighted by the Rohingya crisis, where the Muslim minority is referred to as "Bengali" to cast them as immigrants from Bangladesh. With many former junta members enjoying normal lives or still involved in government, dredging up memories of political prisoners is not common. But Kyaw Soe Win from the Yangon-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners hopes to change that. The museum he helped create is one of the only places in Myanmar where visitors can learn what inmates endured. "School texts, they never show the real history," he said, standing in front of a recreation of a prison cell. There are photos of students marching, soldiers cracking down, and a reconstruction of Myanmar's most infamous prison, Insein. Displays show trinkets, crafts and musical instruments made in jail. The limited awareness about 1988 is part of a larger gap that leaves many susceptible to simplistic versions of history. "A big problem in Myanmar today is the lack of a critical discussion on the country's recent past," said writer Thant Myint-U. - Prisoners, politicians Frustration with Myanmar's government under Suu Kyi has risen since she took office more than two years ago. The country has faced global ire for its bloody handling of the Rohingya crisis -- which the United Nations and Washington have described as ethnic cleansing -- while conflicts burn in remote borderlands and the military still controls 25 percent of parliament. Suu Kyi has also been singled out for lacklustre economic reforms and top-down management. The next national elections are due in 2020 and a group of veteran 1988 leaders have announced plans to launch an alternative to Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD). Ko Ko Gyi, one of the 88 protesters involved in the new party, which is still settling on a name, said that the essence of the "four 8" revolution is democracy, and "democracy means pluralism." "We will try to make a better alternative for our voters," he said. Min Thu, a 57-year-old NLD lawmaker who spent 10 years in jail, acknowledged the slow pace of reform but compared it favourably to the past. "They (people) can reveal their opinion freely and they can criticise," he told AFP at an annual congress in Yangon. He said the party was providing some assistance to former prisoners. Without naming the military, he blamed the imperfect progress on decades of mismanagement, but said voters can now pick new governments at elections if unsatisfied. But most former political prisoners are concerned about today, not the next vote. Ko Shell says he has family problems because his stretches behind bars make home life difficult. "I want to be free all the time," he said. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. is getting ready to start a new luxury brand, and its name is one recycled from the past. Hilton hasnt formally announced the new brand yet, but provided a hint in a July 31 press release heralding the addition of three new high-end hotels in Dubai. One of the properties is a former St. Regis now known as the Habtoor Palace Hotel. The property will belong to LXR Hotels & Resorts, an upcoming luxury collection brand from Hilton, according to the statement. The LXR name will probably be obscure to hotel guests, but may ring a bell for students of private equity investments in the hospitality industry. Back in 2005, Blackstone Group LP launched LXR Luxury Resorts, using the brand to reposition 14 high-end hotels the firm acquired when it bought out Wyndham International Inc. Read also: Hilton to open Southeast Asias first Waldorf Astoria in Bangkok After Blackstone acquired Hilton in 2007, many LXR properties were reflagged under Hilton brands, including El Conquistador Resort in Puerto Rico and Casa Marina Key West, which became Waldorf Astoria resorts. Blackstone took Hilton public in 2013, and sold its remaining stake in the company earlier this year. A Hilton spokesman confirmed that the company expects to launch LXR later this year. Chief Executive Officer Chris Nassetta has touted the companys plans to add brands in 2018, including a hostel on steroids, and a new brand that is slightly more upscale than the Hilton flagship. LXR appears to be a soft brand, meaning that the properties would maintain their individual identities while enjoying the services of a major hotel company. arrive The University of Manchester Students' Union has released a warning helping students to avoid falling into the phone scam. Other bodies such as the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) and the Chinese Students' and Scholars Association (CSSA) also issued similar warnings. Riddi Viswanathan, International Officer at Manchester SU said that she was "absolutely appalled to know that the Chinese and Indian international students are being targeted for money by fraudsters.' "Its extremely sad to see how new international students who justin the UK are victims of this fraud. Is this the first impression we want to portray to our international students? NO. "I trust the UK police will take immediate action to identify the fraudsters and support the victims." When asked, NISAU responded: "So far we have had 5 such reports over the last month but after the advisory went up, we had lots more students and alumni who have been in touch to share their experience with the same matter." Noting that the scam had been tried before, NISAU added: "Over the last few years we would say there have been at least 30 such incidents reported to us and they have peaked in the recent months. Many students dont officially report either because they are embarrassed or scared."According to Manchester SU, the scammers use software to change their phone numbers, which means that students receiving the call will see an official Home Office or Police number on their screen. The scammers may sound professional, persistent and authoritative, and may threaten students in order to prevent them from hanging up the phone. NISAU's advisory provides further detail, adding that students might be asked to cross-check the number on their screen with the official numbers to verify its "authenticity".The scammer may have the student's name and nationality, and inform them that they filled out some paperwork incorrectly when they last entered the UK. They then demand the student pays a 'fine,' or else face deportation and a 10-year ban from the UK. Students are advised that the Home Office will never call them or demand their personal information, or that they pay a charge, and not to pay or engage with the caller. Students should also not confirm that any information the caller has is correct. Students who have encountered such scams are encouraged to report this to Action Fraud, and to their university's and student union's international student advice service. NISAU also encourages Indian students who have been affected to contact them. Unfortunately, The Content Is Not Here You have arrived at this page because the page or post you were looking for no longer exists. Please check our main navigation pages for other content: Home Page Masked Republic's Luchaverse's Ivan Plaza and Marco Lopez come by the Griotvine to discuss their new comic verse of super powered Luchadores! Ivan Plaza is the founder and publisher of Chido Comics. He is also one of the co-creators and co-writers of the Masked Republic Luchaverse. Marco Lopez is a comic writer who has worked with Lion Forge on licensed properties and has written an issue of Grimm Tales of Terror for Zenescope. He is also a writer, editor, and co-creator behind Puerto Rico Strong, alongside of being co-creator and writer for Masked Republic's Luchaverse. Both have decided to sit with (Heard it Thru) The Griotvine today to talk about the Luchaverse. ____________________________________________________________________ GREG ANDERSON ELYSEE: First and foremost, what is The Masked Republic Luchaverse? IVAN PLAZA: The Luchaverse is, as far as I know, the very first attempt of a shared universe in which real life Luchadores exist, along with a couple new characters. This is a world that gives a brand new spin to the Lucha libre folklore, tradition, and lifestyle by mixing it with elements of fantasy, science fiction, and tons of action. MARCO LOPEZ: Like Ivan said: this is a shared universe of genre storytelling. No different than Marvel or DC or Valiant, but our heroes and villains happened to be Luchadores and its steeped in the great tradition and culture of Lucha along with an eye toward classic pulp storytelling and a love of genres such as scifi, fantasy, horror and superheroes. Anything they can do we can do and hopefully better, but the readers will be the judge of that. ELYSEE: How did this idea even about? Were you approached or is this a complete original piece? PLAZA: This was something the multimedia company Masked Republic has been developing for a while since they represent a lot of Luchadores from Mexico in the United States. Everything from appearances, wrestling shows to licensing deals. They saw the work that was being done at Chido Comics with other wrestling comics, including the work I did with the Lucha Underground license a couple of years ago. We started conversations a little bit after that. They approached Chido with a basic concept of what the wanted to do, then Marco and I took it to an entire different level. LOPEZ: Ivan and I used to work together in a comic shop he co-owned. I had known him for awhile. We talked here and there and when I was a contributing writer for Bleeding Cool, I helped him get some love for his Joey Ryan Kickstarter. He knew I was working my way into comics and a mutual friend back then thought it might be good if we worked together. Ivan told me what he had going and what Kevin [Kleinrock, the owner of Masked Republic] was interested in doing and I was excited to leap at the chance to do something like this. To create a world not only based on the traditions of lucha but also combining it with different genres and crafting some killer stories. They're genre comics that happen to have Luchadores as the heroes and villains. And considering how superheroes and their costumes were inspired by wrestling, it's not too hard to see the similarities and differences with what we're doing here. ELYSEE: Going into wrestling for a bit, the first book is focused on wrestler Rey Mysterio! I laughed seeing his 619 finisher depicted in a comic book. Is Mysterio involved in the making of this verse in some way aside from this character? LOPEZ: Rey is. We don't personally speak with him but Kevin [who also] partners with Chido Comics on this venture, does. Kevin will go over certain ideas in the script with Rey and Rey will read the script. He, as far as I know, loves everything we've done. The wrestlers involvement in these books is to make sure we respect their legacy and the culture behind lucha. PLAZA: One of the great aspects of Chido Comics partnering with Masked Republic for these one-shots was the fact that it makes the back and forth with the talent, who ultimately own their characters, very easy. Even though we would love to be on the phone with Rey Mysterio or any of the lucha legends and get excited together about ideas, it's almost impossible to keep track of all the luchadores, who most of them are still actively wrestling and touring. Having said that, they are all involved in the process and are part of the approvals process. ELYSEE: What are the other books you have planned for this verse, what are they about, and who are the creative teams? LOPEZ: The universe kicks off with five one shots (that's of course including the Rey Mysterio one shot) and Ivan and I are co-plotting the 5 one shots and I'm writing the scripts for each one. The second one will be Lucha Brothers and the third we can't mention right now but we will very soon as there have been some last many changes in the line up. But beyond that one, we will also have a book with Super Astro and Solar coming up and another with Konnan. PLAZA: Lucha Brothers is being masterfully done by the talented Javier Caba from Spain, which features two of the hottest and acclaimed lucha libre free agents today, Penta Zero M and Rey Fenix, who are brothers in real life. Then we have the amazing Diego Simone from Argentina, who's working in our newest luchador to become part of the Luchaverse, but we can't reveal that one just yet. The creative teams for Konnan and Super Astro and Solar will also be announced later this year. ELYSEE: Are the rest of the creators involved Latinx? LOPEZ: Outside of myself and Ivan, the artist for the third lucha book is but the others are not. We plan to bring on more Latinx creators. If all this goes well and leads to a series of mini series, there is a very cool Mexican creator we had recent chats with. We're looking to create a very diverse team of people on these books and so far I believe we're doing that, but there's always room to improve and we plan to if again these first round of books are as successful as we believe they will be. PLAZA: One of the many reasons I started Chido Comics was to do precisely that. Some of the best Latinx talent in comics right now you can catch them working at the Big 2, which is fantastic! But, there are still a vast amount of creators that haven't been able to find a way to break through or don't necessarily know how to network their way through this crazy business, so if I can at least redirect the spotlight on them, I can at least feel I did my part. When it comes to the Luchaverse books, these one-shots needed to be made under a crazy deadline, so our options to get more Latinx talent that was available were limited. We can still work our variant covers in the near future and things like that. But I do have plenty of other projects brewing in order to bring more people aboard that I can't wait to work with. ELYSEE: So you said you'll be incorporating various genres for these stories. Are there particular aspects of Latinx culture that will be incorporated in these stories and how do you plan to make it seem "authentic" if so? LOPEZ: I think the first Rey Mysterio book shows that in my use of Mayan and Aztec mythology. And there are minor touches here and there from the first one shot to the others, like the use of Spanish/Spanglish or certain geographical settings. And again: if these are successful, there are more myself and I'm sure future writers who come on board would like to explore. PLAZA: Yes! Obviously, us Latinx have deep roots when it comes cultural, family, and religious traditions. Whether you are Mexican, Puerto Rican or Colombian, we all have our own. Like Marco mentioned, in the Rey Mysterio book we focused heavily both on the cultural and family tradition that comes from being involved in Mexican lucha libre. You will see this theme throughout all the one-shots and the "authentic" part comes from working directly with all the luchadores, making sure they are being represented as close as possible to their real life personas, but keeping in mind that these are comics books and that some things will have to be slightly adjusted to go with our main narrative. GREG: Will we get an Avengers/Defenders style comic where there's a team up with all the Luchadores? LOPEZ: That's a possibility. I don't wanna get ahead of ourselves and say that's definitely the plan. Since we don't know what will happen from now to then. But that is an idea we have been tossing back and forth and we've already discussed how to build towards that and it won't include any tie ins. If and when it happens it would be its own mini series. Like how Marvel did crossovers with their Ultimate Universe. I'm not a big fan of doing tie ins to a cross over. It should stand on its own. And it's definitely not something we would do every year either. GREG: What's the schedule thus far for the releases ? PLAZA: The Rey Mysterio book is available now for purchase at LuchaShop.com, TheLuchaverse.com and very soon through Comixology. Also, the Lucha Brothers comic will be available at the end of August and fans attending the Expo Lucha Convention in Las Vegas will be able to grab a copy before anyone else. GREG: How can retailers find and order the books? PLAZA: Right now we are in the process of getting approved by Diamond so we can make it easy for comic book retailers. In the meantime, retailers can contact Chido Comics directly if they want to carry the books now in their stores and fans can buy directly from Chido Comics as well at LuchaShop.com and TheLuchaverse.com. 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. If you think its all about the bright and breezy harbour, its world famous bridge and a history based on the gold rush of 1849, then San Francisco still has some secrets for you to explore. Two thousand years ago it was all sand dunes and fog with just 500 native Americans living on this untamed land. But just take a look at this sprawling metropolis now: Farmers Market and the Ferry Building Get to the Ferry Building which is packed with plenty of unique shopping opportunities. Its busiest on Saturdays when the Farmers market is held at the front of the building and on the rear plaza overlooking the Bay. Go with an appetite and tuck into seafood chowder, raw oysters, fresh vegetables, burgers, wood fired pizzas and pies. Find a place to perch and enjoy your food and San Franciscos perfect, breezy weather at the same time. Muir Woods Fancy a walk? You dont readily associate hiking with San Francisco, but a short drive along windy mountain roads with an elevation of 2,000ft, passing Sausalito and lush valleys lead to Muir Woods. Named after conservationist John Muir, this is home to the iconic Redwood Trees (Giant sequoia). They stand tall 379 feet (116 m) tall and close forming a canopy offering some blessed shade. Look up and theres a heavenly interplay between light dappling through the leaves. Their red trunks are often wide enough to stand in the hollows it can be quite meditative. Later grab a hot chocolate in the cafe. Its made by Ghirardelli the go-to San Francisco based chocolaterie. Free Love tour San Francisco became the city most famous for the hippie movement and to find out more you can do a love tour of the Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood. A guide (our guide was Wes) from Wild SF Tours turns up in 60s gear with a guitar. With cheeky narrative and songs the tour takes you back to the Summer of Love in 1967 when hippies moved into the area because rents were cheap. It was the time when LSD was freely taken, baby boomers lived a Bohemian lifestyle reading Jack Karowack and when Janis Joplin and Jerry Garcia were in the hit parade. Every now and again Wes burst out into some toe-tapping song from the era. We saw The Grateful Deads hallowed psychedelic home at 710 Ashbury opposite the home of Hells Angels and rock goddess Janis Joplins pink apartment. Wes shared interesting facts such as that the song Mellow Yellow is about a vibrator and the sexual revolution. There is no fixed fee for this tour in the spirit of Free Love, you just pay what you want (though they suggest between $15 to $20). The Presidio National Park This is probably the most underrated and overlooked highlight of this amazing city. Im referring the former Spanish military base that was once home to the Ohlone people and is now a National Historic Landmark. Yes there are great hiking trails but its the culture that lurks in the remodelled historic buildings that are of interest. Andy Goldsworthy, an English artist from Yorkshire, used natural materials to create four truly quirky installations. One room called Tree Fall has branches made from clay and human hair over Eucalyptus tree emerging from the ceiling. Admittedly though the best part of the experience is the Off The Grid Presidio Picnic. This takes place on a huge lawn where a long fleet of food trucks serve all types of cuisine including vegan. It takes place during the summer on Sunday afternoons and its a fabulous way to spend an afternoon. Dont miss it. An amazing cocktail experience at the Tonga Room Head over to the tropical themed Tonga Room in the Fairmont Hotel on Mason Street for a Mai Tai (their signature drink) or other cocktails. Its tribal decorations on the walls give off a real tiki vibe. Tables surround a swimming pool and every now and again there are thunderstorms and lightning followed by a rain downpour while music escapes from a tiki hut. Its incredible fun. You can eat Polynesian-fusion cuisine here, but really its the experience that makes this place a must-visit. The Golden Gate Bridge This is probably the most photographed (or in modern parlance instagrammed) suspension bridge in the world. And no wonder; it is a beautiful grand Art Deco landmark looking colourful dressed in international orange a colour chosen so that it can be seen in the fog. Its six lanes of traffic that stretch 1.7 miles over the Golden Gate Straights. The views from the bridge are great and you can see the now defunct Alcatraz high security prison, where Al Capone famously played his banjo. Dinner on a Hornblower Cruise A Hornblower dinner cruise is a charming way to end the day. Dinner is served to ever-changing evening views of the shoreline, the bridges and even Alcatraz. Nip on deck between courses to check out the views or get into the groove of the live band on the dance floor. Fact File FLY: The flight with Icelandair from London Heathrow to San Francisco starts from 447.80 return, including all taxes, fees and charges (price is based on travelling in September 2018). You can stopover in Iceland en route for up to seven days without paying extra fare charges. The Iceland to San Francisco route is currently running four flights a week. As well as the extra legroom, the aircraft also has onboard wifi. STAY: Hotel Zeppelin San Francisco where rates start from $209 (156) per night. Booking.com Did you know: that San Francisco is home to the headquarters of Airbnb, Uber and Twitter. Direct flights are the way to go. Why add on hours changing planes when you dont have to. On a recent trip to San Francisco, I changed my mind. Why? Last month Icelandair known for its generous 32-inch seat pitch in economy -launched their new flight to San Francisco from Londons Heathrow airport with a stopover in Iceland for few days included in the price. In effect this was a two-country holiday. This is how I spent my time in the land of the midnight sun. The Blue Lagoon The misty, blue waters of the Blue Lagoon are heated by the earth itself and look dazzling against a back drop of black lava mountains. Though these waters are fantastic for your skin, its not so easy on hair. We were told to douse our hair in (the supplied) hair conditioner. So, I hung up my fluffy dressing gown, kicked off the supplied flip flops and made my way in. The water eventually reaches shoulder height(ish). I had a token for a drink and swapped it for a Prosecco at the water-side bar. Then a wade through the warm, opaque water to other side for a Silica mud mask, designed to make you look younger. Then later, I was back for an algae mask to make your skin soft. By the time I left, around two hours later, my skin felt and looked pretty good. Thankfully, on site is the Lava Restaurant dishing up tasty grilled beef, lamp and fish. Snorkeling at Silfra Fissure Snorkelling through calm, clear waters at Silfra fissure in Thingvellir National Park is a joyous experience but what blew my mind was that the rocky formations in the canyon were the result of the movement of two tectonic plates of America and Eurasia and I was floating through them. The blue water, though initially chilly, is so clear that visibility is up to 100 feet. I was able to see the nooks and crannies of the rocky formations and purple, pink and brown colour scheme beneath this underwater kingdom. Incidentally, theres no wildlife to see, just natures handy-work. The tour lasted around 40-minutes and the idea is to float rather than swim. All the gear is supplied and sized by a very supportive team though the suit was pretty tight and felt constricting but did the job of keeping me dry. Afterwards, I was given hot chocolate and biscuits to round off the experience. Whale watching on board a cruiser A cruiser (courtesy of Artic Adventure) took us out into choppy seas (yes you may get seasick) but the vision of puffins bobbing on the water and Humpback whales majestically popping out of the water seemingly unfazed by the vessel, makes up for the somewhat heady experience. I must have had five sightings in just two hours. Watching them is awesome as they reveal their white undersides while diving in and out, arching their long dark body. Snowmobiling along a glacier in the midnight sun I was so pleased to have the opportunity to go snowmobiling on Icelands Langjokull Glacier. After a few minutes of tuition I started the engine and in a snake-like formation followed the guide along the glacier. The snow seemed to stretch into the eternal and looked beautiful under the dark orange hues of the midnight sun. Yes its a four-hour drive from Reykjavik but it is a sensational experience and youll see lots of fantastic scenery along the way. Dont miss it. Fact File FLY: Icelandair flies from London Heathrow to San Francisco. The fare is 447.80 per person return including all taxes, fees and charges (price is based on travelling in September 2018). passengers are able to stopover in Iceland on their way to San Francisco for up to seven days for no extra fare price. About Icelandair: Icelandair provides in-flight entertainment with 49,380 minutes of entertainment on board as well as Gate2Gate WiFi across our fleet. The airline offers two classes of travel: A spacious Saga Premium with attentive service and Economy class with a hefty 32-inch seat pitch. New routes include: Dallas, Cleveland, Kansas City, San Francisco and Baltimore back. STAY: Hotel Marina Iceland is a funky, open plan hotel with decent sized rooms and comfy bed. Double from ISK 17,850 / 126 per night Booking.com EAT: Kopar restaurant located by the pier Reykjavik offers fine dining in a friendly environment. Enjoy Beef, salmon and seafood. Lindin restaurant in Laugarvatn has lovely location by a lake. The owner is a happy sort and offers a vibrant welcome. The smoked Arctic Char was amazing. Theres also reindeer burger with fries on offer. Block Burger is a plain and simple juicy burger joint and bar. Great to down with a beer. This month marks ten years since the banking crisis. The worlds financial system has become a safer place in the meantime. This is mainly because regulators have forced most new over-the-counter derivatives to be processed through clearing houses to maintain stability. They were right to do so. Most contracts are now processed through such firms, which act as a circuit breaker by managing risk if firms default on interest payments. The clearing of derivatives is one of the Citys great success stories. At the heart of the system is LCH, a subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange, which acts as a buyer to every seller and a seller to every buyer. Bone of contention: Fighting over LCHs spoils has become a battleground in the Brexit debacle as some EU politicians mainly French and German want to poach its business LCHs numbers are mind-boggling. This year it has cleared interest-rate swaps with a notional value of $576 trillion on behalf of customers in 59 countries and in 20 different currencies. Having such a vast global liquidity pool reduces costs, and analysts estimate that customers were saved $30billion in regulatory capital last year. Though most of LCHs business is global, about 14 per cent of clearing is with an EU entity on either side of the trade, and half of that is in euro swaps. While this is a tiny part of its total, it accounts for the majority of euro-denominated clearing. Thats why fighting over LCHs spoils has become a battleground in the Brexit debacle as some EU politicians mainly French and German want to poach its business. Recent scare stories that LCH is losing some business to its German rival, Eurex, part of Deutsche Boerse, are misleading. Its true that some customers have moved clearing to Frankfurt mainly short-dated financial contracts. But its a small amount about 8trillion euros this year. The bigger and more lucrative part of the market is long-dated derivatives, which are still being cleared in London and are likely to continue to be because it is a more liquid market. Yet there is a greater worry. With only eight months to go until Brexit D-Day, its critical that the UK and the EU countries speed up their negotiations for all financial services companies. Its essential that UK and EU regulators and politicians bang heads together this autumn so that trillions of daily contracts can continue to be cleared smoothly from March next year. They must provide the markets with a clear statement of mutual intent that business will continue as normal. Waiting until next year would be too late: The markets need certainty and confidence now. Crashing out next March without some sort of reciprocal declaration would make the Lehman collapse look like a picnic. Even the IMF has warned EU countries to be careful about what they wish for in stealing LCH business. They know that any further fragmentation of swap flows can only lead to a more fractured and less liquid pool thus putting up the cost of capital for EU savers and investors. It would be madness on the part of the French and the Germans to destroy a systemically solid market infrastructure to score political points. Good business should trump bad politics. French takeover Philip Hammond is not the sort to over-egg le pudding. So the Chancellors warning that Emmanuel Macron will do almost anything to persuade companies to jump ship from London to Paris should be worrying. Hammond says the French president is telling US and City firms that access to EU markets will be harder after Brexit. Macrons threat follows previous attempts to lure senior US bankers and tech geeks over the Channel with special tax breaks and new schools for expats. (Would that not be considered state-aid by EU rules?) But we should not be too concerned: Macrons seduction feels like deja vu. Successive French governments have been promising the same sorts of incentives for at least 30 years. They didnt work then, and are unlikely to do so now and Londons restaurants are better today than those in Paris. The FTSE 100, which had opened flat at 7,600, just about managed to end the day in positive territory, up 4.68 points at 7,663.78. Meanwhile, Brexit concerns sent the pound falling by 0.4 per cent to its lowest level against the dollar in almost a year. Sterling fell to $1,2920 its lowest since September 2017, as trade minister Liam Fox, a prominent Brexit supporter, said over the weekend the odds of Britain leaving the EU without agreeing on a deal stood at 60-40. The currency had already plummeted on Friday after Mark Carney issued warnings about a 'no-deal Brexit'. In company news, HSBC posted an uplift in half-year profits as the bank pushes ahead with a digital strategy implemented by new boss John Flint. Meanwhile, office space firm IWG saw shares plunge by 20 per cent after announcing that all acquisition talks are off. Take-off: Passengers travelling with EasyJet jumped 4.5% last month JET SUCCESS Passengers travelling with easyJet jumped 4.5 per cent last month to 8.5m despite the airline being forced to cancel flights due to strikes and a runway closure at Gatwick. FLOOR DEAL Flooring firm Victoria has forked out 86.2million on manufacturer Ceramica Saloni. GOOGLE SNUB The maker of video game Fortnite, Epic Games, has said it will not use Googles store to sell Android apps. JOBS MOVE A small number of research jobs could be relocated from the City to Paris by Bank of America to help it cope with Brexit. QUIDS IN Firms listed on the London Stock Exchange made a 210.8billion profit during the 12 months to June 30 up 86 per cent on the previous year. WIZZ AHEAD Budget airline Wizz Air recorded a 23 per cent increase in passengers to 3.47m in July. HIRING BINGE A 25 per cent boost in staff is being planned by Deutsche Bank at its wealth management arm in the US. FRENCH CONNECTION A purchasing partnership between Big Four supermarket Tesco and French firm Carrefour, to share own-label products and slash prices, has been approved. NO CONTACT More than 19m consumers now use contactless technology as their main way to pay, according to Gocompare. GOOD CHEMISTRY Chemicals business Synthomer has posted an 8.2 per cent rise in sales to 833.8million. Profits are up 6.4 per cent to 76.2million. Shaft HOPES Miner Vedanta Resources says it hopes to restart its Tuticorin copper mine in southern India. It closed after 13 died in police clashes with protesters. SOLAR SPREE Green investment firm Foresight Solar Fund has bought 15 solar power plants in the UK for around 47million. DRILLER bought Oil and gas explorer Kosmos Energy has bought Deep Gulf Energy, a deep-water drilling firm, for 1billion. PROFIT UP Profits at the Japanese parent of UK tech firm Arm Holdings, Softbank Group, have risen 49 per cent in the first quarter. NEW DIGS Insurer Hiscox is moving to a 75,000sq ft City office. An electronics and homeware chain run by the owners of House of Fraser has gone bust. Brookstone, a chain bought by Sanpower in 2014 at the same time as it paid 480million for House of Fraser, has filed for bankruptcy in the US. It will now close all 101 shopping centre stores, with its 35 airport shops and website staying open for business. Brookstone was bought by Sanpower in 2014 at the same time as it paid 480m for House of Fraser, has filed for bankruptcy in the US This latest twist in the House of Fraser saga demonstrates the perilous financial position of its Chinese owners. The department store is clinging for survival after an attempt to sell it off to another Chinese investor failed. Richard Hyman, an independent retail analyst, said: House of Fraser is far from the only Sanpower investment to hit the buffers portents are not good for the department store chain. Fashion chain sold The billionaire owner of Edinburgh Woollen Mill is preparing to rescue womenswear brand Jacques Vert from administration. Philip Day is expected to make a swoop for Jacques Vert owner Calvetron Brands this week after it went bust for the second time in less than a year in May, according to Sky News. The tycoon is also one of the potential suitors for stricken retailer House of Fraser. Day is expected to make the Jacques Vert purchase through a company separate to Edinburgh Woollen Mill, which houses retailers including Peacocks, Jane Norman and Jaeger. Sanpower has closed almost half of Brookstones shops since buying it in 2014 for 134.4million after it filed for bankruptcy the first time. Like Brookstone, House of Fraser is preparing to shut half its 59 stores in a bid to save money. It is hoping that axing a chunk of its shops will make the business more attractive to potential suitors. House of Frasers financial troubles emerged earlier this year when it began writing to landlords begging for rent reductions on its shops. Sanpower revealed it was looking to sell off the 169-year-old department store chain in March, but has not found a buyer. The Chinese owner of Hamleys, C Banner, walked away from an offer to buy a 51 per cent stake in House of Fraser after its own share price plunged 70 per cent and it was forced to issue a profit warning. Experts say House of Fraser is likely to fall into administration before a buyer takes it on as it would give it a reduced price tag. House of Fraser declined to comment. Space firms have hailed an investment boom as they prepare to launch the first satellites from UK soil. Industry figures say cash has started to flow in after a spaceport in the Scottish Highlands was announced. It is one of several programmes aimed at making Britain a world-leading hub for low-orbit launches, adding to its already-strong reputation for building and managing satellites. The site in the A' Mhoine peninsula will be used to send satellites into space for a range of uses such as crop monitoring. Out of this world: An Orbex rocket and a satellite. Cash has started to flow into space firms after a spaceport in the Scottish Highlands was announced US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin and the UK's Orbex have been confirmed as the first two companies to have bases there, with both preparing launch systems that will carry payloads for private and public clients. Lockheed is developing a system that could deploy six small satellites at a time. Meanwhile, Orbex has raised about 30million overall to develop a launch system that will use eco-friendly fuel. Chief executive Chris Larmour said the company had held talks with potential foreign customers such as the German government since his firm's role at the spaceport was revealed. He added: 'We have all the ingredients we need to be really successful.' Larmour predicted the spaceport's construction would prompt satellite firms to relocate to Britain to be closer to launch facilities. Three other spaceports are planned in Cornwall, Glasgow and North Wales, which will offer conventional runways. Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit will launch rockets using a modified jet liner, while the start-up Reaction Engines has built an aircraft that becomes a rocket after taking off. At the moment, the UK manufactures more than 40 per cent of the world's small satellites, more than anywhere else, and also has several cutting-edge facilities for managing them. It commands about 6.5 per cent, or about 20billion, of the 300billion global space economy, and there are hopes this could rise to 77billion by 2030. But experts say the ability to launch rockets is something the country has lacked. Stuart Martin, of the Satellite Applications Catapult, which works with space start-ups, said there was demand for more launches, adding: 'If we get all those things manufacturing, services and launches all in one place in the UK, then the opportunities will be massive.' Philip Davies, of the Royal Aeronautical Society, said: 'Being able to launch from Scotland will be much easier for European companies it will mean you won't have to send a team off to Kazakhstan for a month. It will make the UK an obvious place to invest in satellite work.' A close relative who is seriously ill used a bank to draw up their will, and it is named as executor. We want to avoid the charges involved in having the bank act as executor, which would come out of the estate. Can I retype the existing will word for word, but change the date and make myself the executor, and then my relative could just sign the new one and get it witnessed again? Would that make the bank's copy obsolete, and save our family the charges for having it act as executor? Changing executor: Can you oust a bank and avoid high fees by retyping a will and inserting a new name? Tanya Jefferies, of This is Money, replies: Some banks which offer free or cheap wills have appointed themselves as executor, which allows them to levy heavy fees on an estate, as recently reported by our sister publication Money Mail. 'The small print gave banks the right to appoint themselves as executor and grab up to 2.5 per cent from an estate in legal fees,' writes Ruth Lythe. 'The inheritors of 500,000 of wealth risk paying out 12,500 around six times the typical cost of 2,200.' People with such wills and their families are understandably concerned, and want to ditch banks as the executor if possible to avoid high fees. Money Mail offers a list of possible remedies here, including asking a bank to stand down from the role, negotiating a cut in fees, and tearing up an existing will and starting again. 'In your new will, just include a line to clarify that it revokes all previous versions,' it cautions. We asked a lawyer whether retyping an old will and changing the date and executor is a good idea, and what risks you might face. Alistair Robertson-Gopffarth, wills and tax solicitor at law firm Moore Blatch, replies: Appointing professional executors does have its advantages, but the issue is clearly at what cost. Alistair Robertson-Gopffarth: 'With a deteriorating illness it would be worthwhile for your relative to have a new will drafted' Some organisations, often those that offered free wills, have clearly adopted charges that are disproportionately high considering the work involved. Should you retype an old will? It is possible this could make the banks will obsolete. However, transcribing a will in this way would only be appropriate in very specific circumstances and only if the original will was made very recently, as older wills would not necessarily deal with current legal and tax changes. In more common cases transcribing could also lead to it being challenged under the auspice of lack of testamentary capacity - your relative's mental ability to make a will - or undue influence by you. This could be the case if you also received a testamentary benefit under the will. Recent changes in law such a will might not cover are the EU Succession Rules in 2015, which can be relevant in individual cases even though the UK opted out, and the Residential Nil Rate Band, a new allowance that lets people who own a home pass on more tax-free to direct descendants. You also shouldnt underestimate the time required and stress of being an executor if you decide to do it yourself. Should you get a solicitor to redo your relative's will? It is generally recommended to review a will every three to five years, or whenever there have been substantial changes in personal circumstances. In this case it would appear that with a deteriorating illness it would be worthwhile for your relative to have a new will drafted. Ive been asked to be an executor Should I do it and what am I responsible for if something goes wrong? Read more here. There is no general rule of when to use a solicitor for will drafting, but there are distinct advantages. A solicitor has the legal knowledge and should be able to advise on the tax issues. In particular a solicitor would be able to deal with the issues of possible undue influence or capacity. Quite often free will services offered by organisations or firms only cover basic wills. These would normally just comprise of funeral wishes, executor appointments and straightforward provisions for the distribution of your estate. They would normally not include more complicated situations such as where there are numerous legacies, trusts needed or inheritance tax advice required. It is important that people agree with a will drafter the full scope of the instructions and have an understanding of any associated fees. THE ongoing consultations over the methodologies of expropriating land without compensation in South Africa have, in an unlikely twist of fate, somewhat given credibility to the Kingdom of Eswatinis claim to pockets of land in the neighbouring country and, by progression, justification for the existence of the Border Restoration Committee. South African lawmakers and indeed the government never imagined that by resolving to expropriate land without compensation at the wake of an opportunistic motion by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) of Julius Malema, they would be providing ammunition to the kingdoms long-dragging land claim. The EFFs motion was opportunistic ostensibly since the governing African National Congress (ANC) had resolved during its December elective conference to expropriate land without compensation. Therefore, the ANC as the majority party in parliament was unlikely to oppose the EFF motion. During a parliamentary roadshow in Mpumalanga Province early last month, to solicit inputs from South Africans on the measure of expropriating land without compensation, the existence of the Border Restoration Committee (BRC) was somewhat legitimised when an Afrikaner political party, the Freedom Front Plus (FF+), submitted that part of Mpumalanga Province belonged to the kingdom. All along the BRC has been referred to as a holding feeding trough for those whose political value was in decline. Warner Weber, the FF+s spokesman on land, told South African parliaments Joint Constitutional Review Committee hearings that the land in Mpumalanga Province belonged to the kingdom. Of course this is nothing new but an historical fact. The salient issue here is why the FF+ would pull this card now when its members are facing the possible threat of being deprived without compensation, the land they had claimed ownership of that otherwise had been leased to them by King Mbandzeni for grazing purposes. They are afraid and probably hope they would get a better deal were the land to revert back to the kingdom. I recall one of the last speeches, if not the last, by King Sobhuza II in 1982 when on the eve of the apartheid government handing over to the kingdom some of the land in question the ANC dispatched its then Secretary General Alfred Nzo from its Lusaka headquarters to beg the Sovereign to pull out of the transaction on the basis that the liberation of South Africa should take precedent, after which this matter could be concluded with a legitimate government. For one reason or the other the King was not pleased, no that is an understatement, he was angry, very angry. Fond of speaking in parables, the King in his emotive laden speech that was akin to a declaration of war, spoke of the foolhardiness of one being made to beg or negotiate for what was rightfully his. He said something to the effect that it would be very stupid of emaSwati to maintain a peaceful exterior in the face of being ridiculed over what rightfully belonged to them. He made it clear that emaSwati were not after someone elses land but after what belonged to them and should not be expected to be nice and diplomatic about it. That speech was to form a discussion point in every nook and cranny of the kingdom - ostensibly because the King had not been specific on the subject matter and people were wondering what it was that had angered him so much - until the Kings demise. As I see it, it would not be advisable for the BRC to rope in the FF+ in its mission as this could derail whatever chance they might have in convincing the South African Government to, initially, get round a negotiating table to discuss the subject matter. As previously opined on this column, chances of getting the land back are very slim to the point of being impossible. In fact was the outcome to be otherwise, it could trigger a political tsunami the Swati leadership would live to regret. The truism is that the land is not bare and is inhabited by emaSwati who while some of their traditional leadership still pay homage to Ingwenyama, King Mswati III, and easily discount the position espoused by the late chairman of the then Border Adjustment Committee, Prince Khuzulwandle that they were about land and not its present inhabitants, subscribe to a polity at variance with that obtaining in the kingdom. The prince conveniently forgot that the people in occupation of the land in question were predominantly emaSwati,whose history is attached to and intertwined with that of emaSwatini in eSwatini. Therefore, the princes posture was likely to not only alienate emaSwati in South Africa but make them hostile as well. Additionally, EmaSwati in South Africa would not warm up to the idea of being incorporated to a larger Kingdom of eSwatini, given the vastly different polities existing between the two countries. South Africa subscribes to a multiparty democracy anchored on a culture of human rights while in the Kingdom of eSwatini political power is a monopoly of the ruling class and human rights is an abomination. Consequently, in the unlikely event that the land in question were to revert back to the kingdom, of course inclusive of its present inhabitants being fellow emaSwati it is unlikely that they would want to give up their hard earned political emancipation in favour of a largely undemocratic dispensation. In all intents and purposes they would most probably use their numerical might they number about five times more than the population of eSwatini to challenge and bring down the Byzantine and despotic Tinkhundla political system edifice and irreversibly transform the polity of the Kingdom of eSwatini. Of course that is not on the agenda of the Swati leadership in its pursuit of the kingdoms former territory. The complexity of the matter is further exacerbated by the possibility of other countries, such as Lesotho and Botswana, also claiming a piece of South Africa. In Lesotho a group calling itself Basotho Petitioners has already written to the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, to facilitate the return of land taken from them in 1854. That is not all; active and dormant kingdoms within South Africa itself may rise, demanding not just land but sovereignty as recently threatened by Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini when voicing out his opposition to the states expropriation of land without compensation in an apparent protection of his Ingonyama Trust, which administers traditional land in KwaZulu-Natal. Thus the best outcome the Kingdom of eSwatini could ever wish for is in the form of reparations and levies on mineral resources being MBULUZI The zeal of hiking Sibebe is growing annually as 5 200 participated yesterday during the Sibebe Challenge 2018. As a result, over 2 000 were turned back particularly because they showed interest in participating in the challenge after the deadline had elapsed. The young, old and persons with disabilities took part in the popular expedition. As early as 5:30am, some people were already climbing the Sibebe rock. Chairman of the organising committee Thulani Mkhaliphi said they were guided by the Eswatini Environment Authority who had placed the carrying capacity at 5 000 people. Mkhaliphi said the fact that they had to provide t-shirts and wrist bands for the event also guided them. He said adding the numbers to be more than the capacity could have an effect on the environment. However, he said due to the demand of the annual Sibebe Challenge they were yet to engage the stakeholders to consider expanding the numbers to 10 000 people. placed It shows that even when the target number is placed at 10 000, there are people who could still be left out, Mkhaliphi said. Nedbank Swaziland Managing Director Fikile Nkosi said when the partnership with the Mbuluzi-Mbabane Rotary began 15 years ago, they had no inkling that Sibebe Survivor would grow to such levels. Nkosi said the event had attracted even fitness enthusiasts from outside the borders. This, she said, proved that the partnership was merely motivated by the hype and numbers around the event. Nkosi said the bank seriously considered the social and economic impact this initiative would have in the medium to long term, as the proceeds go towards assisting the underprivileged throughout the country. That is at the heart of our contribution to this course, said Nkosi. She said they believed that the partnership resonated well with their brand, promise and purpose which seeks to demonstrate their tangible investment in society that they are deeply rooted in their desire to use their financial expertise to do good for individuals, business and communities. SIMUNYE There was fear and panic at the Simunye Magistrates Court last Thursday when an owl (sahhukulu) was spotted on the magistrates chair. An owl is considered a bad omen in Eswatini culture and it is also associated with witchcraft in most African countries. So when two Simunye court cleaners spotted the bird relaxing on the magistrates chair, they immediately shouted for help. Others staff members reportedly rushed inside the main court, assuming it was a snake but only to find an owl occupying the most important chair inside the courtroom. Witnesses said the owl did not move at the sight of the staff members but as they began to make a lot of mumblings, it jumped off the chair and moved around the courtroom. Pictures This allowed some staff members to take pictures of it with their mobile phones. Police were then called to the scene and they arrived promptly, armed with their service firearms. The officers from Simunye managed to capture the owl and removed it from the courtroom. It was later handed over to conservationists from a game park around the Simunye area, said some officers. Meanwhile, at the court room, staff members remained gripped by fear. The incident took place in the morning and this reportedly resulted in the court session starting later than scheduled. The magistrate was not around when all this happened. So when he was called and informed about what had happened, he suggested that he be provided with another chair and that the one on which the owl was found should be removed, said a source. As per the magistrates wish, the source said a new chair was provided for the judicial officer and the court session commenced. MANZINI A woman is currently admitted to the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital after she was allegedly scalded with boiling water all over the body by her husband. The woman, Thandeka Shongwe (26), said her husband, Sandile Vilakati (35) of Lushikishini, near Mankayane, woke up and switched on the radio which was loud, at around 5am, last Thursday. Radio She said she requested him to reduce the radio volume, however, Vilakati allegedly refused to do so, until she got infuriated and woke up to turn the volume down. When I did so, I went back to bed as it was still early, however, a few minutes later, my husband, who is also the father of my two children, came to me and emptied the contents of an electric kettle which had boiling water, all over my body. I cried hysterically as I was in excruciating pain and asked him why he did that. Instead, he never answered or tried to help me. I immediately went outside to raise the alarm and other tenants tried pouring cold water on the severe injuries, Shongwe said. She was rushed to the RFM Hospital where she was attended to, had her whole body bandaged and later admitted to the Female Surgical Ward (Burnt Section). Shongwe insists there were no marital issues between her and Vilakati, whom she has been married to for seven years. We fight like any normal couple, however, not to a point where he would assault me, I am still shocked and traumitised by the incident. Answers When he is eventually released from jail, I would need answers and unless there is a medical report from the Psychiatric Hospital, I would never forgive him, Shongwe said. Many companies today emphasize their focus on delivering positive customer experiences. And a key part of delivering good CX is making it easy for customers to work with you. Some refer to this as reducing customer friction. First contact resolution is a good metric for gauging the extent to which an organization is easy to do business with. It measures whether, and to what extent, call center agents or other customer-facing members of the team resolve customer issues in the customers first interaction with the business. Indeed, FCR has long been a key performance indicator. And with the relatively new focus on CX, the importance of FCR is growing even more important. However, as DMG Consulting noted in a March 2017 paper sponsored by ZOOM International, measuring and ensuring FCR has become more complex in multichannel world. The paper, titled FCR in an Omni-Channel World, notes a few scenarios that demonstrate that complexity. In some cases, customers may indicate that their issue has been addressed. But those customers may then reache out again after they realize theres more to be done. Also, some customers wait weeks to touch based a second time, which can make the interactions appear unrelated. So can when customers revisit a problem but without mentioning their earlier interaction(s) on that issue. Of course, theres also the possibility that the business doesnt do what it promises the customer it will do to resolve the problem, so the customer has to circle back. DMG Consulting explains. If an issue starts in one channel, lets say a branch location, and the customer has to call another department to get an answer, even if the customer is still in the branch, it is not FCR. However, if a customer is working with a teller and while they are at the window, the teller picks up a phone to ask a question or speak to their supervisor in order to help the customer, this is FCR. Edited by Maurice Nagle By Trend Kazakhstan may consider the possibility of oil export through Azerbaijan, Kazakh Energy Minister Kanat Bozumbayev told Trend. "Presently, this issue is not on the agenda," he said. "Exploring the possibility of the Kazakh oil transit through Azerbaijan is not considered in connection with the availability of the current sufficient capacities for the export of the Kazakh oil, taking into account the expansion of the CPC pipeline." He added that nevertheless, the possibility of such supplies is not ruled out. "In the future, as the extraction of hydrocarbons increases in Kazakhstan and in condition of economic feasibility of supplying the Kazakh oil through Azerbaijan, the aforementioned issue will be considered by the interested parties," Bozumbayev added. In previous years, Kazakhstan transported its oil both via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and via railway from Baku to the Black Sea ports of Georgia. Since 2016, such transit has not been carried out. Canada's slavery secret: The whitewashing of 200 years of enslavementHiding two centuries of slavery requires some effort, and it is a collective silence that historian Afua Cooper calls the 'erasure of blackness.'Why is it common knowledge that we saved runaway slaves from the United States, but few know that Africans and Indigenous peoples were bought, sold and exploited, right here?In part one of a two-part series, contributor Kyle G. Brown asks how slavery was allowed to continue for some 200 years, and be one of the least talked about aspects of our history.----The 'erasure of blackness'----Canada's towns, parks and universities are abound with statues and street signs that have immortalized our "founding fathers." But there is no sign of the men, women and children that some of these powerful men enslaved.Small wonder then, that many of us today are unaware that Indigenous and African peoples were forced into bondage across colonial Canada.Hiding two centuries of slavery requires some effort, and it is a collective silence that historian Afua Cooper calls the "erasure of blackness."There's perhaps no better symbol of erasure than an invisible cemetery.----An invisible cemetery----Every year the Black Coalition of Quebec organizes a grim pilgrimage to an unmarked grave. About an hour from Montreal outside the village of Saint Armand, close to a dozen slaves are said to be buried near a large whale-shaped boulder.Little is known of the people enslaved by the Luke family loyalists who fled the United States in the 1780s. And while the family cemetery still stands its tombstones bent with age their slaves left behind a trail of disappearing clues.Ploughing these fields in the 1950s, a farmer's tractor ground to a halt on human bones. Elsewhere, they might have been studied and carefully preserved. But these remains were tossed aside and lost.Oral history has it that they are the bones of the Luke family slaves. This is backed by the preliminary findings of Quebec anthropologist Roland Viau.Once pointing to these vast rolling fields was a sign that read "Negro Cemetery." It too is now gone. The sign was removed, replaced, and removed again, as though to extirpate the remnants of an embarrassing past.Beyond the thick woods of Saint Armand, our history has been camouflaged across the country. --Charmaine Nelson, McGill Professor of Art History--Slavery is seldom featured in Canadian museums, except to extol the virtues of Canadians who helped runaways escaping north. The theme gets short shrift even at a museum named after the owner of at least 17 slaves: Francois Baby House in Windsor.A 19th century Upper Canada official, Francois Baby is among hundreds of slave owners listed in the Dictionnaire des Esclaves by late historian Marcel Trudel.Conventional texts tell at length of the swashbuckling heroes of colonial conquest, but say little of the people they colonized and enslaved.Or they showcase the Underground Railroad networks of activists who provided safe houses to those fleeing plantations in the American south for free states and colonial Canada, where slavery was abolished by the British Empire in 1833.The Railroad then lasted some 30 years, succeeding a longer and less glorious era."Canadian slavery transpires over 200 plus years," says Charmaine Nelson, an art history professor at McGill University. "So what does it take to erase 200 years of history from the collective consciousness of a nation, but to enshrine three decades?"----Slavery is Canada's best-kept secret----Canada has burnished its reputation as the Railroad's central station, the saviour of runaway slaves. Generations of Canadians have grown up with the idea that slavery somehow stopped at the American border. As we hear, a surprised former prime minister never knew it happened here. Another former PM said famously that Canada has "no history of colonialism."As Afua Cooper says, slavery is Canada's best-kept secret.What Nelson calls our "strategic ignorance," harks all the way back to slave-owners themselves, whose selective diaries were replete with euphemisms like "servants" and extended family.The slaves themselves were silenced. They worked so hard that they died at 20 years old or so. If ever they had time to collect their thoughts, they could scarcely record them for posterity. Masters often prohibited them from speaking their own languages. They stripped them of their original African and Indigenous names, and assigned French and English names, effectively wiping out their identity.Now a small but growing number of scholars is unearthing court records, local registries and a host of archives to get a glimpse into the less luminous chambers of our past.Thanks to a new generation of historians building on the work of pioneers like James Walker and Marcel Trudel at least part of the injurious erasure is being reversed.----Additional note: A word on 'Canada'----This documentary chronicles slavery as it occurred "in Canada" prior to Confederation and refers to the birthplace of Canada or colonial Canada. Since the 16th century, settlers, officials and historians have used the term "Canada" often interchangeably with other names, from New France and British North America to Upper Canada and Lower Canada.CBC - IdeasHost Paul KennedyGuests:Afua CooperBrett RushforthCamille TurnerCharmaine NelsonGeorge Elliott ClarkeMichael FarkasJune 28, 2018(Flash Audio)Slavery's long shadow: The impact of 200 years enslavement in CanadaIs there a connection between the enslavement of African-Canadians and their overwhelming presence in the criminal justice system today? The United Nations has sounded the alarm on anti-black racism in Canada, stating it can be traced back to slavery and its legacy. In Part 2 of this series on slavery in colonial Canada, Kyle G. Brown explores the long-lasting ramifications of one of humanity's most iniquitous institutions.For years, activists have been demanding reparations for centuries of injustice which they say didn't end with abolition.----The many faces of racism----From racial slurs to microaggressions, racism remains entrenched in Canadian society, and its root cause may reach further back than we think.In Nova Scotia alone in recent years, there has been a cross-burning on the lawn of a mixed race couple, racist graffiti on the campaign signs of minority candidates in provincial elections and a noose tied to a black teacher's classroom door.Figures released last year revealed that hate crimes across the country rose for three years in a row, with crimes targeting black populations being the most common.For historians like Afua Cooper at Dalhousie University in Halifax, these phenomena are all part of the legacy of slavery in colonial Canada."What slavery did in Canada was it made [the concept of] race," she says. "If we are looking at one of the legacies of slavery in Canada, it made white people white and black people black. And in doing so, it created black inferiority, black subjugation, white supremacy and white hegemony that we are still living with to this day."A number of measures casts this inequality into sharp relief. In Ontario, black women are likelier than whites to be unemployed, despite having higher levels of education. Black children are more likely to be in foster care.----'Policing arose out of slave patrols'----Investigations of the Toronto and Halifax police forces found that African-Canadians are stopped and searched three times more often than white Canadians.--Charmaine Nelson--Some historians trace this trend back to slavery and segregation."Policing arose out of slave patrols," says Professor of Art History at McGill University, Charmaine Nelson. "Black people are being surveilled and over-policed and carded at a rate that is disproportionate to other people, especially white citizens.""So we're still subjected to a heightened surveillance on the basis of our race, and where does that come from? This is slavery," she says. "How do you think they could catch fugitives, if not to have networks of people who were willing to put their necks on the line to catch people for a reward?"A 2017 report by the United Nations Human Rights Working group called on Canada to recognize the lasting damage done by slavery and segregation.It said these systems "lie at the core" of persistent, structural racism, which took hold in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. French settlers and white Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution, received plum political posts and large land grants, and their wealth and influence passed down from generation to generation. Most of the first black people living in colonial Canada were enslaved, and even after abolition, they were landless and poor.Post abolition it was the slave-owners, not the slaves, who were awarded compensation for "lost property." The ramifications of both the trauma of slavery and the massive wealth gap it created have reverberated across the generations.Campaigners demand compensation to address the deep socio-economic divide. And in early 2018, black history experts told a Senate Committee on Human Rights that the government should apologize and pay reparations to descendants of slaves. This gesture, they say, would pave the way for the kind of reconciliation that has begun with First Nations.Canadian governments have issued apologies and compensation to LGBTQ communities, victims of Japanese internment and families affected by the Chinese Head Tax.Ottawa has yet to respond to demands by slaves' descendants for reparations.Host Paul KennedyGuests:Afua CooperBrett RushforthCamille TurnerCharmaine NelsonCikiah ThomasGeorge Elliott ClarkeNatasha HenryVanessa FellsJuly 05, 2018(Flash Audio)Canada's slavery secret: The whitewashing of 200 years of enslavementHiding two centuries of slavery requires some effort, and it is a collective silence that historian Afua Cooper calls the 'erasure of blackness.'Why is it common knowledge that we saved runaway slaves from the United States, but few know that Africans and Indigenous peoples were bought, sold and exploited, right here?In part one of a two-part series, contributor Kyle G. Brown asks how slavery was allowed to continue for some 200 years, and be one of the least talked about aspects of our history.----The 'erasure of blackness'----Canada's towns, parks and universities are abound with statues and street signs that have immortalized our "founding fathers." But there is no sign of the men, women and children that some of these powerful men enslaved.Small wonder then, that many of us today are unaware that Indigenous and African peoples were forced into bondage across colonial Canada.Hiding two centuries of slavery requires some effort, and it is a collective silence that historian Afua Cooper calls the "erasure of blackness."There's perhaps no better symbol of erasure than an invisible cemetery.----An invisible cemetery----Every year the Black Coalition of Quebec organizes a grim pilgrimage to an unmarked grave. About an hour from Montreal outside the village of Saint Armand, close to a dozen slaves are said to be buried near a large whale-shaped boulder.Little is known of the people enslaved by the Luke family loyalists who fled the United States in the 1780s. And while the family cemetery still stands its tombstones bent with age their slaves left behind a trail of disappearing clues.Ploughing these fields in the 1950s, a farmer's tractor ground to a halt on human bones. Elsewhere, they might have been studied and carefully preserved. But these remains were tossed aside and lost.Oral history has it that they are the bones of the Luke family slaves. This is backed by the preliminary findings of Quebec anthropologist Roland Viau.Once pointing to these vast rolling fields was a sign that read "Negro Cemetery." It too is now gone. The sign was removed, replaced, and removed again, as though to extirpate the remnants of an embarrassing past.Beyond the thick woods of Saint Armand, our history has been camouflaged across the country. --Charmaine Nelson, McGill Professor of Art History--Slavery is seldom featured in Canadian museums, except to extol the virtues of Canadians who helped runaways escaping north. The theme gets short shrift even at a museum named after the owner of at least 17 slaves: Francois Baby House in Windsor.A 19th century Upper Canada official, Francois Baby is among hundreds of slave owners listed in the Dictionnaire des Esclaves by late historian Marcel Trudel.Conventional texts tell at length of the swashbuckling heroes of colonial conquest, but say little of the people they colonized and enslaved.Or they showcase the Underground Railroad networks of activists who provided safe houses to those fleeing plantations in the American south for free states and colonial Canada, where slavery was abolished by the British Empire in 1833.The Railroad then lasted some 30 years, succeeding a longer and less glorious era."Canadian slavery transpires over 200 plus years," says Charmaine Nelson, an art history professor at McGill University. "So what does it take to erase 200 years of history from the collective consciousness of a nation, but to enshrine three decades?"----Slavery is Canada's best-kept secret----Canada has burnished its reputation as the Railroad's central station, the saviour of runaway slaves. Generations of Canadians have grown up with the idea that slavery somehow stopped at the American border. As we hear, a surprised former prime minister never knew it happened here. Another former PM said famously that Canada has "no history of colonialism."As Afua Cooper says, slavery is Canada's best-kept secret.What Nelson calls our "strategic ignorance," harks all the way back to slave-owners themselves, whose selective diaries were replete with euphemisms like "servants" and extended family.The slaves themselves were silenced. They worked so hard that they died at 20 years old or so. If ever they had time to collect their thoughts, they could scarcely record them for posterity. Masters often prohibited them from speaking their own languages. They stripped them of their original African and Indigenous names, and assigned French and English names, effectively wiping out their identity.Now a small but growing number of scholars is unearthing court records, local registries and a host of archives to get a glimpse into the less luminous chambers of our past.Thanks to a new generation of historians building on the work of pioneers like James Walker and Marcel Trudel at least part of the injurious erasure is being reversed.----Additional note: A word on 'Canada'----This documentary chronicles slavery as it occurred "in Canada" prior to Confederation and refers to the birthplace of Canada or colonial Canada. Since the 16th century, settlers, officials and historians have used the term "Canada" often interchangeably with other names, from New France and British North America to Upper Canada and Lower Canada.CBC - IdeasHost Paul KennedyGuests:Afua CooperBrett RushforthCamille TurnerCharmaine NelsonGeorge Elliott ClarkeMichael FarkasJune 28, 2018(Flash Audio)Slavery's long shadow: The impact of 200 years enslavement in CanadaIs there a connection between the enslavement of African-Canadians and their overwhelming presence in the criminal justice system today? The United Nations has sounded the alarm on anti-black racism in Canada, stating it can be traced back to slavery and its legacy. In Part 2 of this series on slavery in colonial Canada, Kyle G. Brown explores the long-lasting ramifications of one of humanity's most iniquitous institutions.For years, activists have been demanding reparations for centuries of injustice which they say didn't end with abolition.----The many faces of racism----From racial slurs to microaggressions, racism remains entrenched in Canadian society, and its root cause may reach further back than we think.In Nova Scotia alone in recent years, there has been a cross-burning on the lawn of a mixed race couple, racist graffiti on the campaign signs of minority candidates in provincial elections and a noose tied to a black teacher's classroom door.Figures released last year revealed that hate crimes across the country rose for three years in a row, with crimes targeting black populations being the most common.For historians like Afua Cooper at Dalhousie University in Halifax, these phenomena are all part of the legacy of slavery in colonial Canada."What slavery did in Canada was it made [the concept of] race," she says. "If we are looking at one of the legacies of slavery in Canada, it made white people white and black people black. And in doing so, it created black inferiority, black subjugation, white supremacy and white hegemony that we are still living with to this day."A number of measures casts this inequality into sharp relief. In Ontario, black women are likelier than whites to be unemployed, despite having higher levels of education. Black children are more likely to be in foster care.----'Policing arose out of slave patrols'----Investigations of the Toronto and Halifax police forces found that African-Canadians are stopped and searched three times more often than white Canadians.--Charmaine Nelson--Some historians trace this trend back to slavery and segregation."Policing arose out of slave patrols," says Professor of Art History at McGill University, Charmaine Nelson. "Black people are being surveilled and over-policed and carded at a rate that is disproportionate to other people, especially white citizens.""So we're still subjected to a heightened surveillance on the basis of our race, and where does that come from? This is slavery," she says. "How do you think they could catch fugitives, if not to have networks of people who were willing to put their necks on the line to catch people for a reward?"A 2017 report by the United Nations Human Rights Working group called on Canada to recognize the lasting damage done by slavery and segregation.It said these systems "lie at the core" of persistent, structural racism, which took hold in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. French settlers and white Loyalists fleeing the American Revolution, received plum political posts and large land grants, and their wealth and influence passed down from generation to generation. Most of the first black people living in colonial Canada were enslaved, and even after abolition, they were landless and poor.Post abolition it was the slave-owners, not the slaves, who were awarded compensation for "lost property." The ramifications of both the trauma of slavery and the massive wealth gap it created have reverberated across the generations.Campaigners demand compensation to address the deep socio-economic divide. And in early 2018, black history experts told a Senate Committee on Human Rights that the government should apologize and pay reparations to descendants of slaves. This gesture, they say, would pave the way for the kind of reconciliation that has begun with First Nations.Canadian governments have issued apologies and compensation to LGBTQ communities, victims of Japanese internment and families affected by the Chinese Head Tax.Ottawa has yet to respond to demands by slaves' descendants for reparations.Host Paul KennedyGuests:Afua CooperBrett RushforthCamille TurnerCharmaine NelsonCikiah ThomasGeorge Elliott ClarkeNatasha HenryVanessa FellsJuly 05, 2018(Flash Audio) The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) disbursed the fifth and final installment of the its financial assistance programme to Greece on Monday. 9.5 billion of the tranche will be used for building up Greeces cash buffer and 5.5 billion will be used for debt service. After the disbursement, the cash buffer will reach around 24 billion. That sum would cover nearly 22 months of Greeces financing needs after the end of the programme on 20 August. ESM Managing Director Klaus Regling noted: The last disbursement and the positive conclusion of the final review send out a message that Greece has come a long way during the three years of the ESM programme. The commitment and hard work of the Greek people are now paying off. The final set of reforms completed by Greece included important actions in the field of tax policy, combatting tax evasion, public revenue reforms, and the resolution of non-performing loans. Read more at protothema.gr 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 Out of the 2,881 Golden Visas issued from the beginning of the program in 2013 up until last month, 47 percent (or 1,351 permits) have gone to Chinese nationals Greece is the sixth most popular destination in the planet for Chinese real estate investors, according to data from Chinese online news agency Sina Weibo. Greece is only behind the Unites States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and Australia, thanks to its Golden Visa program which offers a five-year residence permit to non-European Union citizens (and their family members) who purchase property in Greece worth at least 250,000 euros. Out of the 2,881 Golden Visas issued from the beginning of the program in 2013 up until last month, 47 percent (or 1,351 permits) have gone to Chinese nationals. A far second is Russians with 426 residence permits, while Turkish citizens rank third with 289 permits. Read more at ekathimerini.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 Leading developer Al Akaria Saudi Real Estate Company (Sreco) has announced plans for a 7-million-sq-m integrated world-class city 'Al Widyan' in capital Riyadh. Strategically located in Riyadhs northern growth corridor, Al Widyan is around 15 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from downtown Riyadh. Its prime location puts it within reach of a population of over 8 million people, a natural market and workforce for its diverse mix of leisure, retail, education, healthcare, office and residential uses. The mega project will be delivered over a phased programme of development, expected to be undertaken over a seven-year timeframe with the official launch in October. According to Sreco, construction has already started on the mega project with the enabling, grading and infrastructure work under way. Phase One of the project is being built at a cost of SR10 billion ($2.6 billion). With this project, Sreco sets new direction to deliver a vibrant fully integrated world-class community in the Kingdom encompassing the latest wellness lifestyle real estate principles, said a statement from the company. The announcement of Al Widyan is part of a new business direction for Sreco, a Saudi developer - partially owned by the government through the Public Investment Fund (PIF) with a 65 per cent stake and the Public Pension Agency (PPA) with five per cent - with four decades of experience. Srecos renewed business plan embarks on journey to deliver a new generation of large scale, mixed-use real estate developments across the country where Saudis can enjoy the social and economic transformation brought by Vision 2030, it added. Al Widyan is the first private real estate project to be granted the status of a Self-Regulatory Office (SRO), which de-risks the project for investors, reduces complexity in the development phase and fast tracks permit services, said the statement from Sreco. Co-developers and sub-developers will be able to enjoy significantly shorter go-to-market timelines, making the project an attractive investment opportunity withfast and efficient procedures that will cut through bureaucracy and remove the need to engage with central government authorities. Sreco has also registered a company to execute the project Al Widyan Company which is 100 per cent owned by it. Construction work on the project begun last year with transportation and traffic impact studies completed and approved, it added. Sreco said a number of MoUs have already been signed with commercial partners, and talks were on with a wide range of other potential Saudi and international partners. The Saudi developer pointed out that Al Widyan was committed to responsible, environmentally and socially-conscious living and will seek a 40 per cent reduction in energy use and a 35 per cent cut in water use. On the mega project, chairman Abdulrahman Almofadhi said: "Al Widyan will be a new paradigm for community living in the kingdom and will embody the spirit of new Saudi Arabia, the power of human talent to conceptualise and develop the future that we aspire to for our children, communities and nation." Sreco, he stated, has embraced a new business strategy leading a new generation of real estate concepts, systems and practices across Saudi Arabia, moving away from the business as usual approach. "It provides a complete value chain solution, from conceptualisation, finance and planning; to real estate development, leasing, property and portfolio management, and facilities management. This is delivered through a three-tiered structure of the business, which incorporates Real Estate Investment Management; Real Estate Development Company; and the Joint Ventures and Subsidiaries division," he noted. "In addition, the company has forged strategic partnerships with organisations such as Posco, Hanmi Global, leading global companies and Saudi government departments," he added. Almofadhi said to deliver this new-generation, self-contained community, Sreco has invested in a team of senior real estate professionals with experience delivering complex projects around the world. "With Al Widyan, we are taking a new approach to real estate development. We have focused on putting peoples wellness at the centre of the conception, design and creation of this project," he stated. "Al Widyan is the proof of concept of the future of building, living in healthy and innovative environment, where its design is aligned with the world wellness lifestyle real estate principles," remarked Almofadhi. "We are building legitimate proof of concept, locating key partners and investors and beginning construction. In line with this approach, our operations and projects are increasingly independent of public sector funding, and open to investors from all over the world. We look forward to revealing more details to the public in October," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Saudi-based International Hospital Construction Company (IHCC) has won a contract from Saudi German Hospitals for the construction of a hospital and staff housing units in Makkah and Dammam regions of the kingdom, said a report. Saudi German Hospitals is a leading brand under Middle East Healthcare Company, a major healthcare provider that owns and operates hospitals in Saudi Arabia. As per the deal, IHCC will construct a Saudi German Hospital and also staff housing units in Makkah and Dammam besides designing and setting up an outpatient tower and also expanding the inpatient beds at its facility in Riyadh, said Saudi German Hospital in a statement to the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul). The entire contract work will be completed within the next three years, it stated. Saudi German Hospital further added that there would be no extra costs for these projects.-TradeArabia News Service The Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation and the UAEs Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation have signed an agreement to cooperate in implementing the self-employment project that is part of the National Families Initiative. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Mohammed Haji Al Khouri, director-general of the Foundation, and Saif Ahmed Al Suwaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, reported Emirati news agency Wam. The signing of the MoU is part of the foundations overall plan to support Emirati families, by encouraging them to establish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are key drivers of the national economy. Al Khouri said that the foundation aims to encourage UAE nationals to enter the labour market, while enabling them to effectively contribute to the nations economy, support development projects, and establish SMEs. Al Khouri stressed that the MoU will lead to an investment in social energies and create an efficient and productive community, which will drive the countrys economic development. Al Suwaidi said that the MoU is part of the ministrys strategy to support Emiratisation and empower UAE nationals by enabling them to work in the private sector, in line with the UAE Vision 2021. He added that the "Self-Employment System" is an e-platform that links self-employed nationals with companies and authorities that require temporary support. The MoU stipulates that the foundation will provide the required moral support to make the initiative succeed, through organising training courses conducted by specialists in relevant professions. The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association has lined up top speakers for the 13th Annual GPCA Forum, to be held later this year in Dubai, UAE. The event, from November 26 to 28 at the Madinat Jumeirah, will focus on the theme of Executing transformation and investing in growth. The forum will be inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Oil Minister. Yousef Al Benyan, vice chairman and CEO, Sabic and chairman, GPCA, will deliver the opening session and welcome address, and keynote speaker will be Amin Nasser, president and CEO, Saudi Aramco, reported state news agency Wam. To prepare for the next wave of global growth and the challenges of a changing business environment, senior industry leaders will converge at the 13th Annual GPCA Forum to network, exchange best practices and examine strategies, case studies and the steps required to enhance their transformational journeys, it said. A seminar on the Circular Economy and four masterclass sessions dedicated to Digitisation opportunities and challenges from introducing new technologies; cybersecurity; women in industry; and The global chemical industry in an era of protectionism will provide delegates with an exclusive opportunity to gain insight into the latest challenges and trends facing the industry and what is the best way to address them. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said that in an ever-changing world fraught with uncertainty and turbulent market conditions, the most important principle every company should adopt is the principle of change. He added that with change comes transformation, and it is this transformation that will determine a companys success for many years to come. The forum will also host the 9th edition of GPCAs Leaders of Tomorrow programme, a platform that provides university and college students engaged in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) an opportunity to learn through close interaction with industry leaders, added the report. The UAE Space Agency has launched a Mars Summer Camp, running from August 4 to 12 in Adelaide, Australia, to generate enthusiasm amongst students for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Mars Summer Camp was organised in collaboration with the Mike Roach Space Education Centre at Hamilton Secondary College and the Think Science program of the Emirates Foundation, the national foundation focused on nurturing youth competitiveness and fostering partnerships between the private and public sectors to encourage social responsibility, said a statement from the agency. The camp programme covers a number of key topics and concepts related to space science and exploration, including the expansion of the universe and the challenges of space travel. It also covers topics related to astronomy and the atmosphere, the effects of microgravity, and rocket science, which is partially explained by having students build model rockets, it said. The camp will also provide students with the opportunity to design, build and evaluate a Mars rover model using the Lego Mindstorms EV3 technology. In addition, students will participate in mock astronaut training sessions and undergo physical fitness and readiness tests for space travel, it added. Before departing the UAE on July 31, to Adelaide for a full week, Dr Engineer Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, director general of the UAE Space Agency, met with participating students and their families and thanked and congratulated them for their participation in the camp. Al Ahbabi explained to parents how the camp has the potential to shape their childrens future careers and provide them with practical scientific expertise and expand their knowledge of the space sector and the sciences. Al Ahbabi said: We are delighted to have launched this summer camp in Australia and to collaborate with the Emirates Foundation Think Science program and the Hamilton Space School. This camp is one of four launched by the agency in 2018 as a part of our efforts to raise awareness among students of the significance of space science and the importance of space exploration for our future. Our efforts in this regards are in line with the UAE Space Agencys strategic priorities, including investing in education with a special focus on the space sector and space science, he added. Maytha Hamad Al Habsi, chief executive officer of Emirates Foundation, said: Think Science is a key part of our mission to deliver a positive and sustainable impact on the lives of Emirati youth. Through our partnership with the UAE Space Agency, we aim to inspire, encourage and celebrate youth across the UAE by providing them with unique learning opportunities to further develop their scientific knowledge, and enabling them to become active participants in achieving the UAEs Vision 2021 by adopting science as a key pillar of a knowledge-based economy, Al Habsi added. This scientific expedition will go a long way towards incentivizing our youth to pursue technological advancements in the field of space and science and will further encourage more schools and universities to instil the passion for research, investigation and exploration among the new generations. We are constantly working together with our partners to offer such opportunities for our youth to excel in the area of scientific innovation and to apply their academic knowledge for the benefit of their society, concluded Al Habsi. TradeArabia News Service SR Technics, a world leading maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service provider, has signed a contract with Malta Enterprise and Malta Industrial Parks Limited to expand its aircraft maintenance facility in Malta, following last years memorandum of understanding (MoU). The agreement includes the construction of a modern multi-bay hangar facility for narrow- and wide-body aircraft at Malta International Airport. With a size of 30,000 sq m, including workshop space, the new infrastructure will enable SR Technics to increase its capacity for heavy maintenance, C-checks and any cabin modifications or retrofits to up to six narrow-body aircraft at a time, said a statement from the company. Construction will begin this year, with scheduled completion in November 2019 for the first three bays. Until full completion, we will also operate a single bay temporary hangar from November this year onwards. Operations will initially focus on the Airbus A320 family and the Boeing 737NG. Since the opening of the Malta operation in October 2010, the SR Technics Maltese employees currently 260 in number have serviced over 250 aircraft. With the support of the Malta government, SR Technics will hire and train approximately 350 new employees including B1 and B2 engineers, structure mechanics and technicians to join its highly skilled and motivated workforce. The Malta facility will continue to support both SR Technics strategic operations in Europe and the overall aerospace strategy of its shareholders, it added. Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister of Malta, welcomed SR Technics today in Valletta together with Christian Cardona, Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business of Malta; and Mario Galea, chief executive officer of Malta Enterprise, the agency responsible for promoting foreign investment and industrial development, said a statement. Frank Walschot, chief executive officer at SR Technics, opened the ceremony with an update about the recent achievements and plans for the facility. Present at the signing ceremony were as well Jianfeng (Jeff) Hu, deputy chief executive officer; Jakob Straub, head of aircraft services and line maintenance and Arthur Magri, general manager for SR Technics Malta, it said. Walschot said: Malta is ideally located to further grow our aircraft maintenance business in the region. The state-of-the-art hangar enables us to continue providing efficient and high-performance maintenance services based on safety, quality and reliability, and to deliver aircraft on schedule, he added. Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister of Malta, said: With the conclusion of this agreement today, we are showing that we can take the aviation industry to the next level. The aviation industry is indeed an important one for our economy. But for it to flourish, the industry needed a lot of care and the right economic environment. Today's celebration is the collective effort of a hard-working country that attracts and takes care of its partners. In SR Technics we found the right partner and it is the mutual trust between partners that has led us to such a success story, he added. Christian Cardona, Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Business of Malta, said: We are proud to see the level of trust that SR Technics has placed in our country. Their assessment of the current and future business expectations is evidence that global companies with a presence in Malta share our positive outlook for the Maltese economy. The nation has the resources, work ethic and right location that make it a strategic base for their enterprise, he added. Mario Galea, chief executive officer of Malta Enterprise, said: Todays signing symbolises Malta's commitment to a long term vision for the aviation sector. The MRO industry is truly an important pillar of the Maltese economy offering careers and livelihoods to thousands of families and with SR Technics growth in Malta, we expect continued prominence that we are supporting locally based foreign companies while attracting to Malta the right kind of projects for the future, he added. The SR Technics center of excellence for narrow-body aircraft maintenance in Malta delivers premium MRO services. Our attractive platform combines proven quality and technical excellence with advantageous commercial terms. The service portfolio in Malta is focused on the maintenance of the Airbus A320 family and the Boeing 737NG. In cooperation with our partner in aircraft painting, we also provide Lease-End Transitioning Services (LETS) for the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737NG, offering flexible options for maintaining a modern fleet, it stated. TradeArabia News Service Agility, a leading global logistics provider, has reported second-quarter earnings of 13.8 fils per share on a net profit of KD20 million ($65.98 million), an increase of 18.7 per cent over the same period in 2017. Agility's EBITDA grew 13.6 per cent to KD37.1 million ($122.3 million) and revenue increased 12.3 per cent to KD384.2 million ($1.26 billion), said a statement from the company. First-half earnings of 26.9 fils per share and net profit of KD38.9 million ($128.3 million) were up 24 per cent. First-half EBITDA was KD74.8 million ($246.7 million), an increase of 18 per cent. Revenue for the first half was KD756 million ($2.49 billion), an increase of 14.1 per cent, it said. Tarek Sultan, vice chairman and CEO, Agility, said: Our second quarter results were in line with expectations and consistent with the previous growth trend the company has been seeing. Our infrastructure companies performed well, as did our logistics business, which witnessed another quarter of volume and revenue growth despite margin pressure, he added. Global Integrated Logistics (GIL) business strategy of effective trade lanes development, productivity optimisation and defined tailor-made solutions to customers continued to generate favourable results. GIL gross revenue grew 13.4 per cent to KD289.3 million ($954.4 million). Net revenue rose 5 per cent to KD66.7 million ($220.04 million), primarily due to growth in freight forwarding and contract logistics, it added. The respective revenue and net revenue growth rates for the first half were 14.5 per cent to KD567.4 million ($1.87 billion) and 6.4 per cent to KD131.3 million ($433.1 million), said a statement. Air freight continued its strong performance in Q2, driven by solid volume growth of 14 per cent and stable yields compared to the same period of last year. Air freight net revenue grew 21.9 per cent in Q2 and 20.3 per cent in the first half. Ocean freight had consistent volume growth but with lower yields. In Q2, container volume increased 8.2 per cent vs. Q2 2017. Ocean freight net revenue grew 7.4 per cent in Q2 and 7.3 per cent in the first half. Regionally, air freight and ocean freight performance was strongest in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe, said a statement. Contract Logistics continued its steady growth, primarily in the Middle East and Asia Pacific, as a result of new business and effective utilisation of facilities. Contract Logistics net revenue grew 3.2 per cent in Q2 and 4.5 per cent in the first half. GIL's net revenue margin was 23 per cent in Q2, down from 24.9 per cent a year earlier due to yield degradation in road freight and project logistics, primarily in the Middle East and Europe. GILs EBITDA reached KD9.3 million ($30.6 million) in Q2, and its EBITDA margin was 3.2 per cent, slightly lower than 3.6 per cent in Q2 2017. In the first half, EBITDA grew 13.3 per cent to KD16.8 million ($55.4 million). EBITDA margin in the first half remained flat at 3 per cent vs. the same period in the previous year. GIL is accelerating its digital transformation to increase the efficiency of its business processes, gain business insights, develop innovative logistics solutions, differentiate its products and better connect to its customers, Agilitys Infrastructure group EBITDA rose 16.8 per cent (after adjusting for the impact of the US government settlement in 2017), to KD31.3 million ($103.2 million) in Q2. Revenue grew 9.5 per cent to KD97.5 million ($321.5 million). For the first half of 2018, EBITDA grew by 20.1 per cent and revenue by 14.8 per cent. All entities in the group contributed to this performance. Agility Industrial Real Estate continues to improve the efficiency of its operations in Kuwait. It also concluded its Phase I development in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, of 80,000-sq-m of warehousing capacity and started with Phase II, for which an additional 120,000 sq m will be delivered next year. Expansion in Africa is progressing according to plan as Agility Industrial Real Estate moves ahead with its development in Ghana and prepares to start new developments in Mozambique, Nigeria and Cote dIvoire. Tristar, continues to expand its fuels operation with existing customers. Tristar is also investing and diversifying its operations by expanding in shipping and broadening its geographic reach. National Aviation Services (NAS) operations in Kuwait are generally stable. NAS operations in Cote dIvoire and Afghanistan continue to be positive contributors to the group. In addition, NASs new operation in Uganda has contributed significantly in 2018. Operations in Tanzania and Morocco continue to bear down on our group, but Tanzania is poised for a turnaround in 2018 and has numerous opportunities in the pipeline. GCS, a company specialised in digitising customs, showed improved performance in the second quarter. GCS manages all customs activities at ports of Kuwait and aims to enhance customs modernisation through its services. UPAC revenue and profits increased during the second quarter. Operations at Kuwait Airport and other prominent locations in Kuwait continue to drive growth. In addition, construction of Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi is moving forward according to plan, it stated. TradeArabia News Service Saudi Arabia has suspended new trade and investment transactions with Canada and declared the ambassador of Canada persona non grata, ordering him to leave in 24 hours. The kingdom is also recalling its ambassador to Ottawa "while retaining its right to take further action," a Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement published by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. The ministry said it has told the Canadian foreign minister and the embassy in Riyadh of its objection to their interference in the case of "civil society activists" who were arrested in the kingdom. The statement said: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been made aware of the statement by the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Canadian Embassy in the kingdom, on the so-called civil society activists who have been detained, urging Saudi authorities to release them immediately. "The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed disbelief by this negative unfounded comment, which was not based in any accurate or true information. The persons referred to were lawfully detained by the Public Prosecution for committing crimes punishable by applicable law, which also guaranteed the detainees rights and provided them with due process during the investigation and trial." The ministry said the Canadian statement is a blatant interference in the kingdoms domestic affairs, against basic international norms and all international protocols. It is a major, unacceptable affront to the kingdoms laws and judicial process, as well as a violation of the kingdoms sovereignty, it said. It said Saudi Arabia has never accepted any interference in its domestic affairs by, or orders from any country. The kingdom views the Canadian position as an affront to the kingdom that requires a sharp response to prevent any party from attempting to meddle with Saudi sovereignty. It is quite unfortunate to see the phrase immediate release in the Canadian statement, which is a reprehensible and unacceptable use of language between sovereign states, it continued. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - whilst expressing absolute rejection to the Canadian political stand regarding this matter - confirms its commitment to refrain from intervening in the internal matters of other countries, including Canada, and in return categorically rejects any intervention in its domestic affairs and internal relations with its citizens. Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as an acknowledgement of our right to interfere in the Canadian domestic affairs," it warned. "Canada and all other nations need to know that they cant claim to be more concerned than the kingdom over its own citizens. Thereby, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recalls the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Canada back to Riyadh for consultation and considers the Canadian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia as persona-non-grata who must leave the kingdom within the next 24 hours," the statement said. The kingdom will put on hold all new business and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action, it added. Russia names Steven Seagal special envoy to U.S.Associated PressMore from Associated PressPublished:August 5, 2018Updated:August 5, 2018 10:43 AM EDTIn this Sept. 4, 2015 file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and U.S. actor Steven Seagal shake hands after visiting an oceanarium built on Russky Island, in the Russian Far Eastern port of Vladivostok. Alexei Druzhinin / Sputnik, Government Press Service Pool Photo via AP, FileMOSCOW Russia has appointed action movie star Steven Seagal as a special envoy for humanitarian ties with the United States.The Foreign Ministry announced the move Saturday on its Facebook page, saying Seagals portfolio in the unpaid position would be to facilitate relations between Russia and the United States in the humanitarian field, including cooperation in culture, arts, public and youth exchanges.Seagal is an accomplished martial artist like Russian President Vladimir Putin. The actor, who was granted Russian citizenship in 2016, has vocally defended the Russian leaders policies, including Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea, and has criticized the U.S. government.Last year, Ukraine banned Seagal from entering the country for five years, citing national security reasons.Julianna Marguiles opens up about bizarre Seagal gun incidentSeagal accusers recall alleged sex assaults: I left feeling horrified More than 3,000 international delegates are expected to attend this years edition of the World Heavy Oil Congress & Exhibition (WHOC), being held in Oman. The worlds leading heavy oil gathering, to be hosted at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre from September 3-5, will explore the theme Transforming the Heavy Oil Value Chain, and provide an invaluable platform for industry leaders, decision-makers, and professionals to converse and learn from each other on high-level strategies, and mid to long-term plans for the sector. Held under the auspices of the Ministry of Oil & Gas and co-hosted by PDO, the World Heavy Oil Congress & Exhibition will include a two-day strategic conference covering 10 diverse sessions, and a three-day technical conference featuring more than 80 case studies and presentations, alongside a three-day international exhibition. Organised by DMG::events, an international exhibitions and publishing company headquartered in Dubai, the event is one of the largest congregations of heavy oil professionals globally. WHOC 2018 will host an international exhibition with leading companies active in heavy oil sector exhibiting to include PDO, Eni Spa, China National Offshore Oil Corporation, Bahrain Petroleum Company, OXY Oman, GlassPoint Solar, Badr EOR, RGL Reservoir Management INC, High Tower Engineering LLC, HP Well Screen, Kitsnet, Albpetrol, Safety Technical Services Co LLC, Soluforce, Salamander Solutions, Terralog Technologies, Sonovita and Industrial Training Consultants to name a few. We have worked hard to put together a high quality programme of technical presentations, panel discussions, and dedicated case studies that are engaging, nurturing, and thought provoking to address the challenges and opportunities our industry faces both today and tomorrow. With an impressive lineup of more than 100 expert speakers and moderators, we are confident that WHOC will provide a valuable and unparalleled opportunity for heavy oil professionals across the globe to gain the latest insights in heavy oil projects, investments, and technologies while sharing knowledge and experience with peers, said Jean-Philippe Cosse, vice president, Middle East at DMG::events. He added: We are delighted by the growing number of delegates who have registered for the strategic and technical conference programmes and look forward to having record attendance of visitors and delegates at this years event. Commenting on the untapped potential of heavy oil reserves, Dr Rifaat Al Mjeni, EOR portfolio leader at Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and technical committee member for the World Heavy Oil Congress & Exhibition 2018, said: 40% of PDOs hydrocarbon resources are classed as heavy and ultra-heavy oil of which very little has been exploited due to technical and commercial challenges. It is recognised that the key to unlocking a large portion of the heavy oil portfolio is EOR and their associated technologies both chemical, and thermal. Currently, about 10% of PDO production comes from EOR and it is anticipated that by 2025, this will increase to more than 30 per cent. Steven Moss, CEO of GlassPoint Solar, said: More than ever, GCC leaders are embracing the energy transition. In the past few months, we've seen major announcements from Saudi Arabia to the UAE and Oman revealing plans to diversify their energy mix with renewables and reduce domestic consumption of fossil fuels. GlassPoint stands at a unique position, offering a solar technology tailor-made and proven for oil and gas deployment. We're uniting the two industries to produce today's energy at lower costs and with less environmental impact, and at the same time, we're helping the oil and gas sector develop expertise and new capacities for the new energy era. He explained: As a company, we are focused on diversifying our project portfolio in new markets in the Middle East and North America and commercialising next-generation technologies. Petroleum Development Oman is the Host Sponsor of WHOC 2018 with ENI as the Platinum Sponsor and Occidental of Oman as the Gold Sponsor. The event is also sponsored by GlassPoint Solar and supported by Business Gateways as In Country Value Partner. Oman Air, Oman Holidays, and Oman Tourism have joined the event as Official Travel Partners. More information on the event is available at www.worldheavyoilcongress.com - TradeArabia News Service National carrier Oman Air is continuing its expansion across Europe by extending its codeshare agreement with Lufthansa. Under the expanded codeshare deal, passengers can now travel on Oman Air flights from Muscat International Airport and connect to Madrid, Brussels, Vienna and Prague from Lufthansas Frankfurt and Munich hubs. The agreement offers travellers even better connectivity and an extended range of services between Muscat and Europe. Guests of both airlines will benefit from the greater convenience and the agreement is the latest step in developing closer links between Oman Air and Lufthansa, both of which share a commitment to deliver excellence in customer service. Lufthansa will continue to codeshare with Oman Air on Oman Air-operated services from both Frankfurt and Munich to Muscat and vice versa, allowing their guests to experience the hospitality and service of Oman Air. Oman Air guests will be spoilt for choice as they will be able to fly onwards to Brussels Airport (BRU), Vienna International Airport (VIE), Vaclav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) and Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) in Europe. Engineer Abdulaziz Al Raisi, CEO, Oman Air, said: Strategic codeshares are a crucial way for us to broaden customer choice. Our continued relationship with Lufthansa is very important for Oman Air, and we are delighted to offer our valued guests even better connectivity in Europe. To avail of these fantastic European destinations, Oman Air guests can book flights via the Oman Air website to and from Madrid, Brussels, Vienna and Prague from Muscat International Airport, connecting through Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) or Munich Airport (MUC). To ensure guests have a seamless travel experience, passengers will be able to check in their baggage and receive boarding passes for the final destination. - TradeArabia News Service QUICK TAKE: Clem Chambers on a Bitcoin Rebound Bitcoin. Everywhere one turns, people are talking about the cybercurrency. Clem Chambers, CEO of private investors web site ADVFN.com said crypto, and right now Bitcoin especially, is the new gold. He told Traders Magazine that the new token is better at doing what gold lovers like to do with gold, store it for the day before the end of the world when they expect gold will be the only thing that will retain value. Even without crypto replacing gold for this job, gold isnt actually good insurance for when the world comes unpicked. As people that swapped their gold for a cigarette in WW2 found out, gold is not great money, Chambers said. However, there is a market need for an asset as insurance again disaster and gold has filled that niche for a very long time: it is now losing the niche to bitcoin and losing it fast Despite its volatility, Bitcoins future is still very unclear it is prone to extreme price moves and news but should the current rise in prices continue Chambers said a bull market should resume. We are going to have to see if a new trend forms before we know which path we are on, but if the bear market trend is left behind, the next crypto-boom will be on its way. Bitcoin will then take over golds primacy as the place to stash money for times when the wheels come off global stability, Chambers said. What caused Bitcoin sudden unexplained spike was Chinese devaluation. It was the insider reaction to imminent, planned, significant and perhaps rolling Chinese currency devaluation that set off this rally. It was a group of insiders buying bitcoin for Chinese yuan before the devaluation that took place two days later struck. This devaluation process has been going on for weeks but it accelerated recently. Very rich and powerful people, in the know, dumped their yuan for bitcoin as bitcoin may as well be dollars and can become dollars quickly. If the (Trump) trade wars go into meltdown then bitcoin will moon because huge amounts of Chinese currency will be swapped for BTC as the yuan-denominated super-rich move to be hedged from the wealth privations of devaluation. Bitcoin, not gold, is and will be the asset they will run to first. For more information on related topics, visit the following channels: Saudi Arabia expelling Canadian ambassador, suspending new tradeCanadian PressMore from Canadian PressPublished:August 5, 2018Updated:August 5, 2018 10:29 PM EDTIn this Nov. 26, 2017 file photo released by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaks at a meeting of the Islamic Military Counterterrorism Alliance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Saudi Press Agency via AP / FilesOTTAWA Saudi Arabia said Sunday it is ordering Canadas ambassador to leave the country and freezing all new trade and investment transactions with Canada in a spat over human rights.We consider the Canadian ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia persona non grata and order him to leave within the next 24 hours, Saudi Arabias foreign ministry said on Twitter.#Statement | Throughout its long history, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has never accepted any interference in its do twitter.com/i/web/status/1Foreign Ministry(@KSAmofaEN) August 06, 2018And the ministry said Saudi Arabia is recalling its ambassador to Canada in a dispute that appears to be over a tweet on Friday from Global Affairs Canada.Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in #SaudiArabia, twitter.com/i/web/status/1Foreign Policy CAN (@CanadaFP) August 03, 2018Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in Saudi Arabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful human rights activists, the Canadian tweet said.The Saudi foreign ministry called the use of immediately release in Canadas tweet unfortunate, reprehensible, and unacceptable in relations between states.It called Canadas characterization of the activists an incorrect claim and called Canadas attitude surprising.Any other attempt to interfere with our internal affairs from Canada, means that we are allowed to interfere in Canadas internal affairs, it said.Global Affairs Canada told The Canadian Press on Sunday night it was aware of the issue but offered no immediate comment.Saudi Arabia said it was also freezing all new trade and investment transactions with Canada and reserves its right to take further action.It said it will not accept any form of interference in its internal affairs and considers the Canadian position an attack requiring a firm stance to deter who attempts to undermine the sovereignty of Saudi Arabia.Amnesty International has said Badawi, the sister of jailed blogger Raif Badawi, was recently detained along with Nassima al-Sada, another prominent female activist.The human rights groups Middle East research director described the arrests as part of a larger crackdown on human rights in Saudi Arabia.Jackie Hansen, a gender rights campaigner for Amnesty International Canada, said last Thursday that the circumstances of the arrests were still unclear and theres no news of any charges.Badawis brother was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and later sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for criticizing clerics.He received 50 lashes in January 2015 during a public flogging but is not believed to have received any further corporal punishment since then.His wife and three children live in Quebec and became Canadian citizens last month.Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said on social media last Thursday she was alarmed to hear of Samar Badawis arrest.Very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi, Raif Badawis sister, has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. Canada stands t twitter.com/i/web/status/1Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) August 02, 2018Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, and we continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi, she wrote on Twitter. 2 smugglers nabbed, 174 bags of poppy husk seized in Moga Moga, Aug 6 (UNI) The district police on Monday claimed to have arrested two notorious smugglers and recovered 174 bags of puppy husk from a truck. SSP Gurpreet Singh Toor said, on a tip-off, police laid a naka near Mehna village on Moga-Ludhiana national highway in the early morning. During search in a truck loaded with bananas, police recovered 174 bags of poppy husk kept under the fruits and arrested two notorious smugglers, identified as Dharamjit Singh of Landeke village and Gurdeep Singh of Ratian. Aditya Birla Education Academy collaborates with Aditya Birla Public Schools to upskill 500 teachers across 54 schools 28 Oct 2021 | 5:14 PM Kolkata, Oct 28 (UNI) Aditya Birla Education Academy, Indias leading professional development institute for teachers has announced a collaboration with prestigious Aditya Birla Public Schools. see more.. TN govt to bear education expenses of labourer's son at IIT-H : Stalin 28 Oct 2021 | 5:09 PM Chennai, Oct 28 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin today announced that the state government will bear the education expenses of P.Arunkumar, son of a labourer from Trichy, who got admission in IIT-Hyderabad. see more.. Stalin greets Anita Anand, a person of Tamil origin, appointed as Canada Minister 28 Oct 2021 | 5:09 PM Chennai, Oct 28 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin today greeted Ms Anita Anand, a person of Tamil origin, who was appointed as Canada Minister of National Defence. see more.. Honeywell launches Real-Time Health Monitoring System 28 Oct 2021 | 5:05 PM Kolkata, Oct 28 (UNI) Honeywell on Thursday announced the launch of its Real-Time Health Monitoring System (RTHMS), a smart edge-to-cloud communication platform for remote and real-time monitoring of patients that acts as a bridge between caregiver and patient. see more.. BIS conducts raid operations in Kolkata Kolkata, Aug 06 (UNI) In order to prohibit misuse of Standard Mark and towards consumer protection, Office of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Kolkata, carried out simultaneous successful raids at three places recently, two under Bowbazar PS and one under Bhawanipur PS, for the products under Registration Scheme for LED light/LED panel light. According to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) release on Monday, during the search and seizure operations, misuse of Standard Mark was found on large quantities having Brand Name Vanson imported through M/s Youbang Trading Company, P.R. China, manufactured by M/s Guangdong Erman Lighting Co., China with fake registration number. Cong govt playing with fire by supporting jathedars with anti-national elements : SAD Chandigarh, Aug 6 (UNI) The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today said the Congress party was playing with fire and repeating the mistakes made by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by supporting the dharna led by jathedars propped up by it at Bargari in Faridkot, saying now there was conclusive proof that the organisers were hand in glove with anti-national elements who were working to destabilise the country as part of the Operation Express of Pakistans ISI agency. In a statement here, former minister Bikram Singh Majithia said keeping in light the media expose on Referendum 2020 and its strings with Congress elements at Bargari, there should be an immediate inquiry into all cases of sacrilege of Shri Guru Granth Sahib by a sitting Supreme Court judge. He said simultaneously the CBI should inquire into the foreign funding being received by Congress agents, specially from former terrorists who are now controlled by Pakistans ISI agency. He said it was high time that the Congress party realised that its self-orchestrated drama could go out of hand because it was being funded by the same people which were supporting Referendum 2020. Latest disclosures have already proved that Referendum 2020 is being funded by Pakistans ISI agency and has been codenamed Operation Express. It has also been proved that money is being funneled into this operation from Germany by prominent radical elements. Huge consignments of foreign liquor seized in 'dry' Bihar, six arrested Patna, Aug 06 (UNI) Stepping up their drive against smuggling of foreign liquor into 'dry' Bihar, police seized huge consignments of foreign liquor and arrested six peddlers in Darbhanga and Purnea districts during the last 12 hours. According to a report from Darbhanga, police seized 158 cartons of foreign liquor from a mini truck near Mabbi roundabout under Mabbi police outpost area in the district late last night. Sub divisional police officer (Sadar) Anoj Kumar said that the consignment was seized on National Highway 57 during the checking of vehicle. He said that the seized liquor was manufactured in Haryana. Aryan Khan gets bail, big setback for NCB 28 Oct 2021 | 5:16 PM Mumbai, Oct 28 (UNI) In a major relief to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Thursday, the Bombay High Court granted bail to his son Aryan Khan after 26 days in custody in the Mumbai cruise drugs bust case. see more.. Seven months fishing ban in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary to protect Olive Ridleys mass nesting 28 Oct 2021 | 5:16 PM Kendrapara Oct 28 (UNI) The Marine fishing department will impose a seven months long fishing ban at Gahirmatha marine sanctuary from November to provide security to the endangered Olive Ridley Sea turtle for their annual mass nesting The ban will be imposed 20 kms off the sea coast in Bay of Bengal in accordance with provisions of Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act (OMFRA), 1982 ,Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Orissa Marine Fishing Rules, 1983 to protect the endangered Olive Ridley Sea turtles at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. see more.. Aditya Birla Education Academy collaborates with Aditya Birla Public Schools to upskill 500 teachers across 54 schools 28 Oct 2021 | 5:14 PM Kolkata, Oct 28 (UNI) Aditya Birla Education Academy, Indias leading professional development institute for teachers has announced a collaboration with prestigious Aditya Birla Public Schools. see more.. TN govt to bear education expenses of labourer's son at IIT-H : Stalin 28 Oct 2021 | 5:09 PM Chennai, Oct 28 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin today announced that the state government will bear the education expenses of P.Arunkumar, son of a labourer from Trichy, who got admission in IIT-Hyderabad. see more.. (Aug. 6, 2018) Creative kids are spending some of their last days of summer break at UTSA summer camps. Throughout the summer, UTSA offers more than 60 camps in science, engineering, ecology, architecture, sports, music, writing, language, culture and more. This week, campers will explore water, uncover the mysteries of the human body, dissect computers and travel to space. UTSA offers these camps for the week of Aug. 6-Aug. 10: Hydrology (All About Water) Camp Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Main Campus New to UTSA this summer, curious minds will explore all the different places water lives around us. Campers ages 6-12 will discover the unique underground water systems in Bexar County and learn about ground water, water cycles, drinking water and the creatures that call the Edwards Aquifer home. iTEC Camps Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., various locations, Main Campus Campers will explore science, technology, engineering and math through hands-on activities. This week, campers in kindergarten through 2nd grade will learn about human biology. Third grade through 5th grade will investigate the mysteries of science and explore space. Sixth grade through 8th grade will discover what makes their computers work. This is also the last week for the Texas Workforce Commission Governors Summer Merit Program, a free iTEC program for qualified students ages 14-21. The camp gives students an understanding and appreciation of specific aspects of the science, technology and career opportunities in advanced technologies and manufacturing, particularity robotics. Archaeology and the Science of Skeletons Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Center for Archeological Research, Main Campus One of UTSAs most popular camps with kids, campers ages 9-13 will discover the field of bioarchaeology while being introduced to cultural traditions all over the world. They will learn how archaeologists use skeletal remains to uncover the past. Campers can expect archaeology themed activities, games, crafts and a hands-on look at artifacts in a lab. Nominations for Daniels Fund Ethical Leadership Award Being Accepted Nominations for the Daniels Fund Ethical Leadership Award are now being accepted. Deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 21. The Daniels Fund Ethical Leadership Award is a joint venture among the Daniels Fund, the University of Wyoming College of Business and the Wyoming Business Alliance/Wyoming Heritage Foundation. The award was created to recognize Wyoming citizens who embody the ethical leadership principles exhibited by Bill Daniels, a cable-television pioneer who started his professional career in Casper, says Kent Noble, the UW Bill Daniels Chair of Business Ethics. Dave Bonner was selected as the inaugural recipient of the ethical leadership award in 2017. Bonner was recognized for serving as president of the UW Board of Trustees, his 50-plus years as a highly regarded newspaper publisher of The Powell Tribune, and for his selfless service as a legislator and state elected official. The winner of this years Daniels Fund Ethical Leadership Award will be announced at the Wyoming Leaders and Legends Banquet Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Little America in Cheyenne. The event is sponsored by the Wyoming Business Alliance/Wyoming Heritage Foundation and is part of the Governors Business Forum held each November. Nominees for the award will evaluated based on the Daniels Fund Ethics initiative principles: -- Integrity: Act with honesty in all situations. -- Trust: Build trust in all stakeholder relationships. -- Accountability: Accept responsibility for all decisions. -- Transparency: Maintain open and truthful communications. -- Fairness: Engage in fair competition and create equitable and just relationships. -- Respect: Honor the rights, freedoms, views and property of others. -- Rule of law: Comply with the spirit and intent of laws and regulations. -- Viability: Create long-term value for all relevant stakeholders. To nominate a person for the award, click here. For more information, email Noble at knoble@uwyo.edu. KEMP, Texas, Aug. 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Industrial lighting leader, Larson Electronics LLC, announced the release of a new skid mounted fold over light mast, that deploys 1000 watts of intense LED lighting with 360-degree illumination. This telescoping light mast is ideal for use in locations that are exposed to vibration, dust, dirt and abusive working conditions like construction sites. The LM-SMWB-25-3S-4X250W-LED-CREE16 is 3-stage pneumatic LED light mast , allowing operators to quickly deploy four, 250-watt LED light heads up to 25 feet above ground with two manual 1,000 winches, or the choice of an electric winch. With a combined total of 129,600 lumens, this telescoping light mast is powerful and great for mining-grade applications, as well as large scale event illumination, construction, industrial operations, and anywhere a rugged, mobile, full-power lighting system capable of extended operation is needed. The entire lighting assembly is connected to the power source via a 4-switch control box. Each light head is on an individual circuit and can be powered on or off independently of the other light fixtures. Each floodlight is securely fastened to the mast head with an innovative trunnion style stainless steel mounting bracket that allows the light to be adjusted through 180 of vertical movement. The light tower can easily support 150 pounds of light fixtures and is constructed from steel with a powder coated gloss blue finish. To prevent damage and shaking from strong winds during operation, this LED light tower is equipped with automatic retraction, which retracts the mast for safe operation during high winds. This cutting-edge feature is designed to improve safety at industrial work sites. The entire unit is mounted on a large skid mount system for one readily available package that can be anchored to concrete pads. This allows the system to be securely mounted but also conveniently removed and transported by crane, ideal for military operators overseas, allowing the government to keep the unit. This trailer mounted light tower is operated on universal 120-277V AC and is a direct replacement for metal halide light plants. There are a lot of heavily-built lighting systems out there, but our light towers are constructed much differently, said Rob Bresnahan, CEO of Larson Electronics LLC. We specifically over-engineered this tower to survive the roughest working conditions. In the mining and oil industries specifically, functioning mobile towers are highly valuable, but need to be able to withstand the extreme environments this one will do just that and more. About Larson Electronics LLC: Larson Electronics LLC is a manufacturer of industrial lighting equipment and accessories. The company offers an extensive catalog of industry-grade lighting and power distribution products for the following sectors: manufacturing, construction, food processing, oil and gas, military, marine and automobile. Customers can benefit from the companys hands-on, customized approach to lighting solutions. Larson Electronics provides expedited service for quotes, customer support and shipments. For further information, please contact: Rob Bresnahan, President and CEO Toll-free: 1-800-369-6671 Phone: 214-616-6180 Fax: 903-498-3364 E-mail: sales@larsonelectronics.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d7ee45ee-bc58-4335-b5fe-7653f70b90e0 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2f004d97-2a16-49f5-94f5-c8c7a0c469d2 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/87a91cc2-2eb5-4870-a53a-99ff28055ca3 Two UW Atmospheric Science Graduates Ready for Faculty Positions in China Jing Yang, who will graduate from UW with a Ph.D. in atmospheric science Aug. 10 and pictured in Alaska, will become an assistant professor in atmospheric science at NUIST, the premier higher education institution for atmospheric science in China. (Jing Yang Photo) Nanjng University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST) -- considered the premier higher educational school for atmospheric science in China will soon have two University of Wyoming graduates join its faculty. Xiaoqin Jing, of Changzhi, Shanxi, China, and Jing Yang, from Wuxi, China, will receive their Ph.D.s in atmospheric science at UW this month before embarking on their academic teaching careers as associate professors at NUIST. NUIST, founded in 1960 and renamed from Nanjing Institute of Meteorology in 2004, was designated in 1978 as one of the key institutions of higher learning in China. Many UW Ph.D. graduates in atmospheric science have developed successful careers in academia over the past few decades, but this is the first time a UW graduate -- in fact, not just one but two -- will be faculty at NUIST, the flagship in atmospheric science in China, says Bart Geerts, professor and head of UWs Department of Atmospheric Science. We see this as an honor, and also a great opportunity to build collaborations with NUIST -- for example, the recruitment of future graduate students. Both students are excited about their upcoming appointments, which begin in early September. I havent been assigned any teaching task but, since my research is physical meteorology, I will probably teach physical meteorology at NUIST, Yang says. My research area is cloud physics, including ice generation, precipitation development, and interaction between clouds and environment. The main tools I use are airborne measurements and model simulations. Jing adds her teaching assignment is yet to be determined. I will mainly focus on research in the first year, she says. My study areas are weather modification, orographic precipitation and regional climate. The two students say it was mutually beneficial to know each other during the Ph.D. program in atmospheric science. Jing says Yang helped her a lot, and she credits him with being a good programmer. Xiaoqin Jing, who will graduate from UW with a Ph.D. in atmospheric science Aug. 10, will become an assistant professor in atmospheric science at NUIST this fall, the premier higher education institution for atmospheric science in China. (Xiaoqin Jing Photo) We didnt work together on any research, but we are classmates. We had several classes together at UW, she says. Even though the two students have different advisers and work on separate research projects, Yang says it has been great to have Jing as a fellow colleague. Her research is about cloud seeding and regional climate simulations. Im not the expert on these two areas so, when I have any related questions, she is always very kind to help me, Yang says. In addition, we often have discussions on our research; sometimes brainstorms. I benefit a lot from them. Both credited UWs Department of Atmospheric Science with providing them a solid education and ample research opportunities. The teachers are creative and inspiring; I learned a lot from them, Jing says. The research programs that I participated in are great. One example is the Silver Iodide Seeding Cloud Impact Investigation -- UWs water research program. Jing learned how to analyze radar data, how to run regional climate models and how to analyze the equipment that is installed in the UW King Air. She was funded by a Wyoming Engineering Initiative Doctoral Fellowship. The Department of Atmospheric Science at UW is world-famous in airborne observation of cloud physics. I can work with the experts on cloud physics, such as Dr. Zhien Wang, my adviser, who developed Wyoming Cloud Lidar and is very knowledgeable about cloud physics, Yang says. I have learned a lot from him. Additionally, he points to the King Air Research Aircraft as the main platform to study cloud physics for many projects. All of the datasets collected by King Air are very useful for us to improve our understanding in cloud physics, he says. There are many experts on airborne instruments in my department. They maintain the instruments mounted on King Air and process the data collected by King Air. Without their excellent work, my research would not be possible. Yang received his letter of recommendation from Wang, while Jing says Geerts wrote her a letter of recommendation. I always wanted to go to NUIST to be a faculty member and conduct atmospheric science research, Jing says. About NUIST NUIST is a national-level key university co-constructed by the Jiangsu Provincial Peoples Government, the Ministry of Education of the Peoples Republic of China and the China Meteorological Administration (CMA). It also is co-established by the Jiangsu Provincial Peoples Government and the State Oceanic Administration (SOA). NUIST has a complete higher education system with undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral programs and post-doctoral research centers. The discipline of atmospheric science ranks No. 1 in the national discipline evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Education of China in 2012, which has great influence in the world. English Swedish Finnish Valmet Oyj's press release on August 6, 2018 at 11:00 EET Valmet will supply an Advantage DCT100HS tissue production line, including an extensive automation package, to Papelera San Andres de Giles in Argentina. The new tissue line will fulfill Papelera San Andres de Giles' demand of new capacity of high quality tissue products for the Argentinian market. Start-up is planned for the second half of 2018. The order was included in Valmet's second quarter of 2018 orders received. The value of the order will not be disclosed. "Our first contact with Valmet was at their Tissue Making Conference in Karlstad, Sweden in 2012. Since that moment, we have been convinced that Valmet's technology is what we need to differentiate and keep our position as a frontrunner in the Argentinian tissue market," says Mr. Sebastian Schiaffino, Plant Manager, Papelera San Andres de Giles. "Even more important is to work with skilled people within Valmet. This is a long-term partnership for us. Valmet has met, and exceeded, all expectations as an advisor during our cooperation," Mr. Schiaffino continues. "This newfound relationship means a lot for Valmet. This will be the first running Advantage DCT tissue machine in Argentina," says Kent Nika, Sales Manager at Valmet. "Not only does this mean breaking ground in Argentina, but we are also excited to welcome Papelera San Andres de Giles to our ever-growing tissue community. And of course, we are very proud that our capability to supply tissue mill equipment with superior technology, e.g. Advantage ViscoNip press, were considered as important success factors in their expansion plans." Both companies are now looking forward to step in to the future with a shared aim of realizing Papelera San Andres de Giles' expansion plans and ambitions of providing high quality products to their customers. Technical information about the delivery The new tissue machine will have a width of 2.8 meters and a design speed of 2,000 meters/minute. It will add 35,000 tons of tissue paper per year to Papelera San Andres de Giles' current production of high-quality facial, toilet tissue and kitchen towels. Valmet's scope of delivery will comprise of a tissue production line featuring stock preparation systems and an Advantage DCT100HS tissue machine. The machine is equipped with OptiFlo headbox and Valmet steel Yankee cylinder as well as the Advantage technology including ViscoNip press, AirCap hood, WetDust dust system and SoftReel reel. The delivery also includes an extensive automation package with Valmet DNA, process controls, tissue line training simulator and Valmet IQ quality controls. Engineering, supervision, training, start-up and commissioning is also included in the delivery. Information about the customer Papelera San Andres de Giles today has an annual production capacity of 20,000 tons of tissue for facial, toilet, kitchen, towel and napkin for the Argentinian market and surrounding region. The highly modern tissue mill, with its converting lines, is situated in the Buenos Aires province and has 150 employees. VALMET Corporate Communications For further information, please contact: Kent Nika, Sales Manager, Valmet, tel. +46 54 17 14 88, kent.nika@valmet.com Jan Erikson, VP Sales, Valmet, tel. +46 54 17 14 90, jan.erikson@valmet.com Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers. Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and energy. Valmet's net sales in 2017 were approximately EUR 3.1 billion. Our more than 12,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki. Read more www.valmet.com, www.twitter.com/valmetglobal Processing of personal data Bangladeshi students are protesting poor road safety after two teens were killed by a speeding bus AFP/MUNIR UZ ZAMAN For the last week students have brought parts of the capital Dhaka to a standstill with a protest against poor road safety after two teenagers were killed by a speeding bus. On Saturday the protests took a violent turn in Dhaka's Jigatala neighborhood with more than 100 people injured. Witnesses said police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at demonstrators and that alleged pro-government activists attacked youngsters, including some of those rushing to nearby hospitals for treatment. The country's highest circulated newspaper Prothom Alo said 3G and 4G internet services have been shut down for 24 hours since late Saturday, shortly after the violence broke out. Social media has been filled with comments from Bangladeshis unable to access the internet via their phones, although wireless and wired networks appear to be unhindered. Jahirul Haq, chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC), told AFP they received a "decision" from the government. But he did not clarify what was the government order was. He said he would comment further on the situation later Sunday. A senior telecoms official who asked for anonymity said: "The BTRC has slowed down the internet at the order of the government." The move may be an attempt to try and limit the ability of students to mobilise or spread growing online outrage over how the government has handled the protests, hours after police and unidentified men wielding sticks and stones clashed with students. Images and photos of the attacks on students allegedly by the ruling party activists have flooded the social media, prompting renewed outrage. Police denied they fired rubber bullets or tear gas at the protesters. However hospital staff said dozens of people had been injured, some seriously, sporting injuries consistent with rubber bullets. The ruling Awami League party has also denied allegations its cadres beat students up. Bangladesh's transport sector is widely seen as corrupt, unregulated and dangerous, and as news of the teenagers' deaths spread rapidly on social media they became a catalyst for an outpouring of anger against the government. The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ruled Bangladesh since 2009, but in recent months it has been shaken by mass protests demanding an end to a decades-old system of discriminatory civil service recruitment. Several powerful ministers have pleaded with students to return to their classes, amid worries the unprecedented teen outrage could turn into widespread anti-government protests ahead of general elections due later this year. But their pleas have had little effect. A resettlement project in Thu Thiem new urban area in HCM Citys District 2 has been converted into a commercial housing project. VNA/VNS Photo Quang Nhut The request came after Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc approved the Governments inspection of the 160-ha resettlement area in the Thu Thiem project in the citys District 2. Speaking at a recent meeting on the new urban area, Nguyen Thanh Phong, chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee, asked the Construction Department to allow 3,790 out of 12,500 resettled apartments to be converted to commercial housing units. Previously, all of the apartments had to be for resettled households. He also asked the departments of Finance and Natural Resources and Environment to reassess the value of the 3,790 resettled apartments and organise another auction for them. No investors showed any interest in bidding for the 3,790 apartments when they were put up for the auction by the city government in February. Regarding the proposal to build a walking bridge across Sai Gon River, which would connect District 1 and Thu Thiem new urban area, under a Build-Transfer (BT) investment model, Phong said the ai Quang Minh Real Estate Investment Joint Stock Company should submit at least three options for the bridge construction. For the Thu Thiem 2 Bridge project (under the BT model), Phong asked the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to work with agencies to prepare a draft of the project for the city government. The city authorities will then ask the Ministry of Defense to direct Ba Son One Member Company Limited and Naval Region 2 Command to hand over land for the bridge to investors. For the smart complex project, Phong has agreed with the citys Council for Architecture and Planning that the maximum height of the complex should be from 50 to 60 floors and that the ground floor should remain at 120,000 square metres. In addition, Phong has assigned the citys Department of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Planning and Investment to help De Vuong Company with procedures to develop the Observation Tower complex. For the Thu Thiem 4 Bridge, the chairman of the city has asked the Department of Planning and Investment to publicise information about the project and call for investors under the form of public-private partnerships (PPP). The only company that has expressed interest in the bridge project is the joint venture Phat at Company - Company 620 - Company 168 - IPC Company. If no other company shows interest within a certain period of time, the company can go ahead with the project, Phong said. He has asked the company to conduct a pre-feasibility study. To make way for the bridge project, the Department of Planning and Investment has been told to proceed with the relocation of Tan Thuan Port in District 7. In addition, the chairman has asked Thu Thiem Investment and Construction Authority to work with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to proceed with land allocation or land lease to Sai Gon Development One Member Limited Liability Company for partial payment of the Tan Son Nhat - Binh Loi - Outer Ring Road construction project. Covering a total area of 657ha, the Thu Thiem new urban area is located on Thu Thiem peninsula in HCM Citys District 2, which faces downtown District 1 across the Sai Gon River. Approved by the Government in 1996, the proposed financial district and mixed-use urban area of HCM City is set to become the largest inner-city development in Southeast Asia. To develop such a project, it has taken more than 10 years to complete site clearance of most of Thu Thiem peninsula, with nearly 15,000 households already resettled. More than 99 per cent of land in the proposed area has been cleared. Toyota Vietnam has asked the Vinh Phuc Province Peoples Committee to lease 9.1 hectares of land in Phuc Yen city to expand its plant and increase its annual capacity from the current 50,000 units to 90,000 by 2023. - Photo vietnamfinance.vn It plans to invest around US$40 million. Earlier Hyundai announced it would build a second plant in Vietnam in the northern province of Ninh Binh. Mitsubishi Motors expects its second factory in the country to start production later this year. The sharp increase in foreign direct investment in the automobile industry has also been indicated in the latest report by the Ministry of Planning and Investments Foreign Investment Department. It said in the first six months of the year FDI was worth $20.33 billion, up 5.7 per cent over the same period last year. Most of the investment was in 17 sectors, with $7.91 billion, or 38.9 per cent, going into processing or manufacturing. A majority of investment by foreign auto companies is by existing players seeking to expand production. This contradicts what they said a few months ago when many of them announced plans to stop production and switch to importing cars from their plants in other countries in Southeast Asia after intra-ASEAN import tax was abolished. Among them was Toyota Vietnam, which had made the announcement at a meeting on the new Decree 116 between Government officials and auto industry executives on February 26. The latter had expressed concern about certain provisions in the decree, which they described as failing to meet international norms, affecting the business of the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Associations members. The provisions include a new requirement by the manufacturers to get Vehicle Type Approval certificates from authorities in exporting countries. Besides, one or two cars in each batch of imports will be randomly inspected by relevant authorities for emission levels, quality and safety. According to the Government, the decree is aimed at developing the countrys automobile industry and enhancing the standards of imported cars across a variety of metrics. Importantly, the very high standards it stipulates are persuading auto makers to indigenise production rather than import. When the decree was first issued, foreign auto companies claimed the policies would pave the way for cars, especially from Indonesia and Thailand, to flood Vietnam. It was for this reason they had said they would stop manufacturing here and import instead. The pressure on domestic manufacture from imports has eased since the number of cars coming in from other countries has decreased sharply. In fact, in the first six months imports of complete-built cars with less than nine seats have fallen by 68.6 percent in volume and 58 percent in value to 8,315 and US$188 million. To boost the auto industry amid the zero import tax on vehicles from ASEAN member countries, the Government has also issued Decree No.125/2017/N-CP, which abolishes tax on auto parts imported from ASEAN nations. Not only foreign but also domestic automobile assembling companies are expanding operations to benefit this incentive policy and market opportunities created from a drop in imported vehicles. For instance, Truong Hai Auto Corporation (Thaco) inaugurated a new factory with a capacity of 50,000 vehicles a year, while Hyundai Thanh Cong has expanded car production to 42,000 a year. In the event, production recovered to 114,600 vehicles, a rise of 15.5 percent year-on-year. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, amendments to special consumption tax rate on vehicles with high local content will be considered, with exemption given to parts produced domestically. The ministry will also build a supply chain for the automobile sector and roll out policies to attract investment from multinationals, focusing on producers of vehicles who are not present in Southeast Asia yet. Private sector uninterested in railway projects In 2014 the Ministry of Transport approved a plan to seek private investment in 16 projects, 12 related to developing the countrys railway network. It attracted interest from many companies not in the sector, like Sun Group and South Koreas Lotte E&C. But to date only one of the projects, a logistics centre in Hanois Yen Vien Station, has been completed. The others have found it difficult to attract investors. Before the Yen Vien project, the ministrys Railway Project Management Board (RPMB) called for private investment to resume construction of the Yen Vien-Ha Long-Cai Lan railway line between Yen Vien in Hanoi and Cai Lan in the northern province of Quang Ninh. The route would reduce the distance by train between the two places by 37 km from the current 168 km and the travel time to 90-120 minutes for passenger trains and three to four hours for cargo trains. The project, begun in 2004 at an estimated cost of VND7.7 trillion (US$3.39 billion) funded by taxpayers money, was cancelled in 2011 because of a cash crunch. The RPMB discussed continuing the work with several domestic and foreign investors like South Koreas Lotte E&C, the Cai Lan International Container Port Company, and Quang Ninh Port Joint Stock Company, but to no avail. Another project to upgrade the Yen Vien railway route and lay a line between Lao Cai Province and the Ha Khau Border Gate also in province through a public -private- partnership also failed to interest investors though the State-owned Vietnam Railway Corporation (VNR) expressed its readiness to co-operate with Lotte E&C by renting the infrastructure the company had already built. Why are private investors not interested in railway works? Analysts said these always require large sums of money while a majority of private companies in Vietnam are small or medium-sized and so cannot take them on. Industry insiders said on average railway infrastructure costs three times road infrastructure does, and takes a long time to break even. Besides, the Government does not have in place a mechanism with clearly defined policies that offer enough incentives to investors to take up railway projects. Some investors carried out studies but were deterred by the lack of a legal framework, and backed out. Enterprises investing in railway projects do not have ownership rights because all infrastructure, including stations, belongs to the State. Analysts said the Government should do what many other countries do, which is focusing on building main rail lines and leaving other routes, warehouses and other facilities to the private sector. In the case of these projects, private investors would be clear about the breakeven point and recovery of their investment, they added. The HCM City Business Association and the Foreign Affairs Department sign an agreement for overseas trade promotion. - VNS Photo Hoang Nam Nguyen Thanh Phong, chairman of the Peoples Committee, said: The city authorities have always sought ways to improve the quality of economic growth and competitiveness. Only the business community can provide answers. Product quality is the most important factor in competitiveness. Innovation and modern technology are imperatives for better quality. The city will link up the business community with universities to connect innovation and research with real production. Though HCM City is the countrys biggest economic hub, it is home to only 10 of its 40 biggest brand names, he said. The city will offer incentives to encourage large companies, which account for only 1.4 per cent of its 350,000 enterprises, to take part in international supply chains. HCM City has not got any specific major product and the city has instructed the Department of Industry and Trade to choose products. He said on August 11 the city would release the master plan for 26,246 hectares of land that have been converted from agricultural cultivation to other purposes of use. Around 2,000ha will be used for building industrial parks and processing zones, with a focus on innovation industrial zones. Nguyen Hoang Ngan, general director of Binh Minh Plastics Company, said most major brand names in the city like Vinamilk, Sabeco and Binh Minh have been sold to foreign investors. How did local authorities spend the huge amounts of money raised by selling them? What benefit is the Government getting from such deals? If we sell all big brands, what do we have left?, Ngan questioned. Tran Anh Tuan, general director of Sao Bac Dau, a technology company, urged the city to announce its development strategy in the era of the fourth industrial revolution. They should clarify what core technologies the city will apply, what the incentives are for high-tech enterprises. Chu Tien Dung, chairman of the HCM City Business Association, called on the city to pursue administrative reform. He also wished that enterprises are not inspected more than twice a year and business representatives are consulted from the outset when framing new policies to ensure smooth implementation. Local enterprises do not seem to have any chance to bid for ODA projects because ODA projects now are being carried out mostly by foreign companies and the treatment of foreign and domestic businesses is not equitable. Dung also called on the city to budget more funds for overseas trade promotion. He revealed that 23 out of 30 complaints made by companies at the last meeting in March have been resolved. City Party Secretary Nguyen Thien Nhan and officials from related departments also attended the meeting. At the meeting, the Business Association signed an agreement with the Foreign Affairs Department for overseas trade promotion. File photo of the flag of Saudi Arabia. (Photo: AFP) The kingdom gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country, in an abrupt rupture of relations over what it slammed as "interference" in its internal affairs. The move, which underscores a newly aggressive foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, comes after Canada demanded the immediate release of human rights campaigners swept up in a recent crackdown. "The Canadian position is an overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the Saudi foreign ministry tweeted. "The kingdom announces that it is recalling its ambassador to Canada for consultation. We consider the Canadian ambassador to the kingdom persona non grata and order him to leave within the next 24 hours." The ministry also announced "the freezing of all new trade and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action". Canada last week said it was "gravely concerned" over a new wave of arrests of women and human rights campaigners in the kingdom, including award-winning gender rights activist Samar Badawi. "We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists," the foreign ministry tweeted on Friday. Badawi was arrested along with fellow campaigner Nassima al-Sadah last week, the latest victims of what Human Rights Watch called an "unprecedented government crackdown on the women's rights movement". The arrests come weeks after more than a dozen women's right campaigners were detained and accused of undermining national security and collaborating with enemies of the state. Some have since been released. The Saudi foreign ministry voiced anger over the Canadian statement. "Using the phrase 'immediately release' in the Canadian statement is very unfortunate, reprehensible, and unacceptable in relations between States," the ministry tweeted. Prince Mohammed, heir to the region's most powerful throne, has introduced a string of reforms such as lifting a decades-long ban on women drivers in a bid to improve the kingdom's austere image as it prepares for a post-oil era. But the 32-year-old has simultaneously pursued an aggressive foreign policy, while cracking down on dissent and cementing his grip on power. "The rupture in Saudi diplomatic relations with Canada reinforces how the 'new' Saudi Arabia that Mohammed bin Salman is putting together is in no mood to tolerate any form of criticism of its handling of domestic affairs," said Kristian Ulrichsen, a fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute in the US. A red flag - serving as a warning of shark sightings - flutters over tourists in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Dec 8, 2010 AFP/- The man died 20 kilometres north of Marsa Alam city as "a result of an attack by a shark", city council chairman General Atef Wagdy told AFP. The health ministry is coordinating handing over the body to the Czech embassy, Wagdy said. Local media reported on Friday that human remains were found on a beach in Marsa Alam. The environment ministry has set up a committee to investigate the death and will issue a report, Wagdy added. Marsa Alam attracts divers who explore coral and other marine life, including fish and sharks. "There is no problem in diving" around Marsa Alam, but people who swim on the surface in deep waters beyond the coral can be vulnerable to attack, Wagdy said. In 2015, a shark killed a German tourist off Egypt's Red Sea coast, marking the first death in five years. There were six recorded shark attacks in Egyptian waters in 2010, including a spate of five in five days unusually close to the shore that killed another German and injured four other foreign tourists in December that year. The 2010 attacks forced the government to close off a stretch of beach in the Sharm el-Sheikh resort for a week. In 2017, Egypt received 8.3 million visitors, a surge of 54 per cent from 5.4 million in 2016. The country's tourism industry had been dealt a devastating blow in 2015 when jihadists bombed a Russian airliner carrying holidaymakers from Sharm el-Sheikh, killing all 224 on board. Before that, the industry had begun to recover from the 2011 uprising that toppled president Hosni Mubarak. Travel agencies, hotel managers and diving centres told AFP earlier this year that reservations have risen, especially in Red Sea destinations including Marsa Alam and Hurghada. A view of FLC Quy Nhon in the central Binh Dinh Province. -VNS Photo Han Manh Tien, chairman of Vietnam Association of Corporate Directors told the Vietnam Seaside Tourism Real Estate Forum 2018 in Ha Noi on Saturday that Vietnam had many catalysts for tourism growth. The country has macroeconomic indicators favouring development growth; infrastructure improvements, especially with Phu Quoc and Van Don connected to the national grid; airport upgrades, relaxation of visa requirements, and the rise of the middle class which is becoming a main momentum for growth in the domestic tourism market. In addition, Vietnam has a lot of market opportunities, especially when new developers want a piece of the cake. The biggest developers are also working directly with the Government to expedite large infrastructure projects, such as metro lines in Ha Noi and HCM City, he said. Michael Piro, chief operating officer of Indochina Capital said there were nearly 13 million international tourist arrivals last year, 29 per cent higher than 2016 with a five-year compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14 per cent per annum. The highest number of visitors was from China and South Korea with the amount growing. But, he added, Vietnam should not rely on this too much. The number of domestic tourist arrivals in Vietnam last year was 73.2 million people, 18 per cent higher than in 2016, with a five-year CAGR of 16 per cent per annum. Vietnams air passenger traffic growth is highest in Southeast Asia, with a five-year CAGR of 17.4 per cent. He said that those factors would greatly contribute to the development of Vietnam seaside real estate, especially in young Vietnamese markets like Nha Trang, Da Nang and Phu Quoc beach resort markets. In Nha Trang, the average daily rate (ADR) in both four-and five-star properties has remained flat. While demand has continued to increase, the lack of supply of branded properties has hurt the markets performance. However, occupancy has remained extremely high, reinforcing the potential. However, Vietnam tourism must also face a number of challenges as overdevelopment is damaging Viet Nams pristine beaches. Low-quality resort developments have started to flood the market. Good short-term results do not mean long-term success; therefore, developers need to continually adapt to avoid an outdated resort and create a timeless property. Michael Piro also said that guaranteed returns in Vietnam are unparalleled; certain developers are offering 8-12 per cent returns over a period of 8-10 years. No one in the world is offering this level of returns, he said. This could also suggest poor cash flow management as it is extremely difficult to generate these types of returns organically and cash management is an important aspect of real estate development. Guaranteed returns can be used, but its use should be restrained. Sharing the ideas, Duong Thuy Dung, senior director of CBRE Vietnam said while Thailand is a giant tourist hub in the region, seaside tourism here still has much room for development. Vietnam is estimated to attract the most significant amount of cross-border investment for the next 12 months among APEC economies. According to CBRE statistics, real estate products of Vietnams coastal provinces are improving in both quantity and quality, especially in the four famous destinations, namely Ha Long, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc. By 2020, the room stock of hotels, condotels and villas was expected to sharply increase by half to more than 34,000 rooms as in Nha Trang, and even double in Phu Quoc and Da Nang. The hotel segment has shown excellent performance with the occupancy rate all above 60 per cent for four-star and five-star hotels. Resort products, including condotels and villas, also experience a high absorption rate of above 90 per cent. It is estimated that by 2035, half of the Vietnamese population will be middle class, who are both potential investors and major customers for the tourism industry. However, Dung also warns investors about chronic problems of the market. The legality of condotels still lacks consensus, and investors have to cope with such investment risks as profit commitments. Environmental issues are also hard to ignore. Vietnams tourism industry heavily depends on natural landscapes and elements, so environmental degradation like the garbage mountains in Phu Quoc or coastal erosion in Da Nang may put a grim future on these famous destinations. The forum is by Theleader magazine each year aiming to contribute to planning, investment, management and sustainable developments. The Vietnam National Symphony and Orchestra (VNSO) together with guest musicians American Grace Ho and Vietnamese Bui Cong Duy will be performing classical pieces at the annual Toyota Concert in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The Vietnam National Symphony and Orchestra will perform under the baton of conductor Tetsuji Honna. The concert which begins at 8pm at the Hanoi Opera House on August 10-11 and at the HCM Opera House on August 14, aims to bring international level music to audiences with a performance of J.Brahmss Double Concerto by cellist Ho and violinist Duy. Cellist Ho is an active soloist and chamber musician in the US and Asia. She has achieved numerous awards including first prize at the Manhattan School of Music Eisenberg-Fried Concerto Competition in 2011, winner of the University of North Texas Concerto Competition in 2007, and a silver medal at the Crescendo Music Awards in 2007. She is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate at the Manhattan School of Music. Ho has performed in prestigious concert halls such as Carnegie Halls Stern Auditorium and Zankel Hall in New York, Meyerson Symphony Centre in Dallas, Taiwan National Concert and Recital Halls, and HCM Opera House with the orchestras such as the Lewisville Lake Symphony Orchestra, Manhattan School of Music Philharmonic Orchestra and University of North Texas Chamber Orchestra. She is a founding member of the Ulysses Quartet which won the grand prize and gold medal winner at the 2016 Fischoff Competition and second prize at the 9th Osaka International Chamber Music Competition. Ho is also a principal cellist for the Miami Symphony. "This is the first time the VNSO will perform with soloist Ho," said the orchestras violin master Le Hoang Lan. "I have a chance to perform with Ho in HCM City and I think her cello sound is very sweet. "The VNSO has performed Double Concerto before with different soloists but each soloist inspires us in his or her own way. With different soloists the orchestra will have different emotions to play the piece," Lan said. Duy, who began playing the violin at the age of four under the instruction of his father and violinist Prof Bui Cong Thanh, is a graduate of the Tchaikovsky National Music College in Moscow. He has won top prizes at international competitions, including first prize and a gold medal at the 3rd International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1997. He has performed as a soloist with orchestras worldwide including the Novosibirsk Philharmonic, Saint-Petersburg Kapella Philharmonic, Moscow Philharmonic, Berliner Symphoniker, TrondheimSolisten, and Busan Philharmonic Orchestra in countries including Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Norway. He is currently deputy-director of the Vietnam National Academy of Music. By combining a violin and cello for the solo portions of Double Concerto, Brahms was able to create a "super" stringed instrument with sonority and range that neither alone could offer. It was composed in the summer of 1887, and first performed on October 18 of that year in Cologne, Germany. The concert also features Beethovens Symphony No7 which was the seventh of the composers nine symphonies. Beethoven remains one of the most well-known composers in the modern world. His symphonies number only nine; each one unique, each one preparing the way for the next. Toyota Concert 2018 will be led by conductor Tetsuji Honna. All proceeds will be used to support the Toyota scholarship for young Vietnamese musical talents. NAPLES, Fla., Aug. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTE Networks, Inc. (NYSE American: FTNW) ("FTE" or the "Company"), a leading provider of innovative technology-oriented solutions for smart platforms, network infrastructure and intelligent buildings, today reported preliminary financial results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2018. Revenue is expected to increase to approximately $87 million, representing a nearly 75% increase from the $50.7 million posted in Q2 of 2017. The Company expects to meet its annual guidance for 2018 in terms of revenue, adjusted EBITDA and buildings on net and continues to improve on its balance sheet by reducing its debt outstanding while increasing its cash on hand. Management Commentary We are pleased with our execution on several fronts during the second quarter, said Michael Palleschi, Chief Executive Officer of FTE. In fact, excluding one-time costs and other non-cash expenses, the Company would be profitable on a GAAP-basis. Both our infrastructure and technology segments continue to contribute to our success in a variety of ways. The infrastructure segment provides us with a solid backlog and steady cash flow, enabling us to improve our debt structure and giving us greater operational flexibility. The technology segment, led by our CrossLayer solution, continues to nurture and expand its pipeline which gives us confidence in our building on net goals for the current year. Overall, new business wins remain strong as we build on our excellent reputation and continue to execute for our clients. We look forward to sharing more details on our second quarter earnings call. Conference Call Information The Company will be hosting a conference call with the investment community featuring remarks by Michael Palleschi, Chief Executive Officer, and David Lethem, Chief Financial Officer. The dial-in information for the conference call is as follows: Date: Tuesday, August 21, 2018 Time: 4:30 p.m. EDT U.S. Toll-Free dial-in number: 1-877-407-9716 International dial-in number: 1-201-493-6779 The conference call will also be available via live audio webcast, which can be accessed through the events section of the Investor Relations section of the Companys website at https://ir.ftenet.com/news-events or at http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=130868. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download any necessary software to listen to the live broadcast. For interested individuals unable to join the conference call, a replay of the call will be available through June 4, 2018, at 1-844-512-2921 (U.S. Toll Free) or 1-412-317-6671 (International). Participants must use the following code to access the replay of the call: 13682232. These are preliminary unaudited financial results and remain subject to the completion of the Company's customary quarterly close and review procedures. Material adjustments may arise between the date of this release and the date on which the Company announces its second quarter 2018 results and files its quarterly report on Form 10-Q with the SEC. About FTE Networks, Inc. FTE Networks, Inc. ("FTNW") is a leading provider of innovation technology. We enable adaptive and efficient smart network connectivity platforms, infrastructure and buildings. FTE provides end-to-end design, build, and support solutions for state-of-the-art networks, data centers, residential and commercial properties. We create transformative smart platforms and buildings. FTE's services are predicated on smart design and consistent standards that reduce deployment costs and accelerate delivery of leading edge projects and services. The Company works with Fortune 100/500 companies, including some of the world's leading Telecommunications and IT Services Providers as well as REITs and Media Providers. Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: expected, confidence, goals, continue, and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements in this release may include, without limitation, statements and forecasts we make regarding our financial performance and anticipated operating results; our strategies for continued growth and market expansion, including our anticipated results as a result of leveraging our combined business offerings, and other matters that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from results expressed or implied by this release. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and market trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. These risk factors and others are included from time to time in documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, our Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. For more information, please contact: Corporate Contact: Kirstin Gooldy FTE Networks, Inc. Phone: (877) 850-4308 Email: ir@ftenet.com Investor Contact: Ted Haberfield MZ Group Phone: (760) 755-2716 Email: thaberfield@mzgroup.us US President Donald Trump admitted that his son, Donald Jr (seen here), met with a Russian lawyer in Trump Tower in 2016. (MONEY SHARMA/AFP) It was Trump's most direct acknowledgement that the motive for the June 2016 meeting was to get dirt on Hillary Clinton, his Democratic rival for the presidency. As he has in the past, Trump insisted in a tweet that he did not know at the time about the meeting between his son Donald Jr. and Natalia Veselnitskaya, a lawyer with links to the Kremlin. "This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!" The meeting has come under intense scrutiny from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating whether members of the Trump campaign coordinated with a Russian effort to sway the 2016 election in the Republican's favour. The president's tweet about the meeting was one in a thread in which he reiterated criticism of Mueller, calling his probe "the most one sided Witch Hunt in the history of our country" peppered with "lies and corruption." The Washington Post reported on Sunday that Trump has been brooding in private about whether his son unintentionally put himself in legal jeopardy by meeting with Veselnitskaya. Trump called the Post report "a complete fabrication." ILLEGAL MEETING? The Trump Tower meeting was arranged by British music promoter, Rob Goldstone, who told Donald Jr that he had "information that would incriminate Hillary and her dealings with Russia and would be very useful to your father." Young Trump responded "I love it" when first offered the "dirt" on Clinton, the Democratic nominee. News of the meeting, which Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and top campaign official Paul Manafort also attended, broke in July 2017. Donald Jr initially said in a statement to The New York Times that the meeting was "primarily" about American adoptions of Russian children. He later admitted he accepted the meeting with Veselnitskaya in hopes of obtaining damaging information on Clinton, but said nothing came of it. The Post had reported that the statement to The Times was dictated by the president, though at the time Trump's lawyers denied his involvement. They later reversed course in a memo to Mueller and said Trump was indeed behind the statement that omitted the prospect of collecting dirt on Clinton. Lawyers described the statement as "short but accurate," according to The Post. Asked on Sunday why he had denied the president's involvement, one of Trump's lawyers Jay Sekulow told ABC that "I had bad information at that point." "I made a mistake in my statement," he said. "That happens when you have cases like this." The president's lawyers argue that the meeting, in and of itself, violated no laws. "The question is how will it be illegal?" Sekulow said on Sunday. "What law, statute, rule or regulation has been violated?" VietnamPrintPack 2017 was a resounding success among participants The 18th edition will bring more than 380 exhibitors from 11 countries, namely Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The exhibition is expected to bring the most advanced printing and packaging technology and to shine a new light on the Vietnamese manufacturing market. VietnamPrintPack attracts famous names like Riekermann, ACE machinery, J&V Wonder, Sansin, Uchida, and will be supported by KOPTA (Korean Packaging Trade Association), PEIAC (Printing & Printing Equipment Industries Association of China), TAAT (Taiwan Regional Association of Adhesive Tape Manufacturers), Vinpas (Vietnam Packaging Association), VPA (Vietnam Printing Association), and VAMI (Vietnam Association of Mechanical Industry). According to the Organizing Board, the trade show aims to attract more than 15,000 business fair-goers from not only Vietnam but neighbouring countries like Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and Bangladesh. The highlights of the fair are specialised seminars, including Developing 2D and 3D printing applications in the printing industry in Vietnam hosted by VPA, the paper market and its impact on the printing industry, and a new printing business model delivered by the Ho Chi Minh City Printing Association. These seminars will provide a deeper look at adapting new technology in the future from industry leaders like VPA and the Ho Chi Minh City Printing Association. Viettel announces its strategy for the next decade In the framework of the ceremony, Nguyen Manh Hung also handed over Viettels strategy for the fourth development period to Dung. Hung is a member of the Party Committee and is Party Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, as well as deputy head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committees Commission for Information and Education. After three decade-long development periods, Viettel has grown from a construction company (1989-1999) to the biggest Vietnamese telecom service provider (2000-2010) and is now a technology company (since 2010). The group is now poised to begin its fourth period two years earlier than expected. To last from now to 2030, the period has a number of ambitious goals: sustaining 10-15 per cent annual growth, becoming a global tech corporation, retaining leadership of the Vietnamese telecom and high-tech sectors, becoming one of the top 150 global companies, the top 10 telecom and IT companies, the top 20 electronic companies, and the top 50 network security companies. At the end of the period, 55 per cent of its turnover will come from telecom and IT, 25 per cent from technology, and 10 per cent each from innovation and its traditional fields. During the period Viettel will seek to play a leading national role in technology, services, and research and development in the context of Industry 4.0. It will prioritise 4.0 projects for e-government, education, agriculture, and smart cities from central to local levels. It will continue to offer an efficient business model for state firms and accept difficult national missions. Dung has been chosen by the Ministry of Defence and the management and staff of Viettel to lead it during the new period. Le Dang Dung at the ceremony to announce the strategy for the fourth development period At the ceremony, he expressed his commitment and determination to lead the group into a new historic chapter of international business as he inherits the technological achievements of Viettel during its third period. He said, "Inheriting Viettels glorious achievements and unique culture, the successor team will accomplish its tasks by sustaining the principle of centralised democracy and collective decision making, but still playing outstanding individual roles. We have to identify key fields and products to focus investment on, pay attention to the welfare of our staff and make workers happy and love Viettel, Dung stated. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Las Vegas, Aug. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The data science team behind TruSTAR, an intelligence platform built for security and fraud teams, will be presenting the only blockchain research tool selected for both research villages at Black Hat and DEF CON 2018, two of the largest, most highly-regarded cybersecurity conferences in the U.S. Data Science Lead Nicolas Kseib and Engineering Lead Olivia Thet will demonstrate how the Bitcoin public ledger can be leveraged to track emerging malware and ransomware campaigns. The research demos will take place at Mandalay Bay Convention Center and Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas from August 9-11. The "White Rabbit" research tool provides near real-time contextual awareness of a specific ransomware campaign, monitoring surges or declines by tracking Bitcoin transaction rates associated with the attack. Threat researchers and malware hunters can quickly determine if a particular ransomware campaign is gaining momentum and prioritize associated indicators of compromise (IOCs) to detect and block the attack. The White Rabbit tool aligns with TruSTARs portfolio of threat intelligence solutions that allow enterprises to extract, enrich, visualize, and prioritize threat intelligence, saving security operation teams valuable time and resources. Bitcoin public ledger data can be used as a marker of malware traction because it is frequently used as a payment method in ransomware campaigns due to its pseudo-anonymous nature and its ability to be easily transferred across state and national territories. TruSTAR is the first threat intelligence platform to track Bitcoin addresses as an indicator of compromise (IOC). "As the blockchain evolves and potentially plays a bigger role in cyberattacks, the security community will have to dramatically rethink the current concepts of tracking adversaries, said Nicolas Kseib, Lead Data Scientist at TruSTAR. Were fighting the wrong fight in trying to deanonymize the blockchain we should be looking at the bigger picture instead, said Olivia Thet, Software Engineer at TruSTAR. Security analysts who are using TruSTAR are far more interested in how Bitcoin wallet addresses are correlating with the other IOCs theyre tracking versus who is actually implementing the ransomware campaigns. To build the blockchain dataset, TruSTARs data science team collected a list of seed Bitcoin addresses involved in illegal activities. Using these addresses as a starting point, the researchers reconstructed a cluster of connected "dirty" addresses that could be tracked to determine if a ransomware campaign is gaining momentum. A full breakdown of the research abstract and methodology can be found here. White Rabbit Demo Schedule: Black Hat Arsenal - Thursday, August 9 - 2:303:50 p.m. PT - Mandalay Bay DEF CON Recon Village - Saturday, August 11 - 4:054:35 p.m. PT - Caesars Palace About TruSTAR TruSTAR is an intelligence platform that helps organizations leverage multiple sources of threat intelligence and fuse it with historical event data to prioritize and enrich investigations. Built for security and fraud teams, TruSTAR uses machine learning and automation to operationalize data throughout an analysts workflow, freeing up time for higher-priority events. The most valuable security data is often locked inside silos in and across companies. TruSTAR breaks down these silos with its Enclave knowledge management architecture. Enclaves give complex teams customization, integration, and granular access controls that enable collaboration. TruSTAR is the technology infrastructure that powers many of the U.S.s largest ISACs and ISAOs, and has enterprise customers that span across Finance, Retail, Healthcare, Aerospace, and IT. Learn more at www.trustar.co and follow us on Twitter at @TruSTARtech. A retired Clay Township police officer is facing six criminal charges stemming from an April shooting in St. Clair. Graham Barclay Rummel, 68, is charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, as well as receiving or concealing a firearm, malicious damage of private property, impersonating a public officer and reckless driving. Rummel is accused of shooting at a moving vehicle on the night of April 11 in St. Clair. The retired officer was at the gas station at the corner of King Road and Fred Moore Highway when he returned to his vehicle and could not locate his cell phone, St. Clair police said. Believing the phone was stolen, he confronted two men in another vehicle at the gas station. When the men left, the suspect followed, resulting in a confrontation near Cedar and 12th streets during which Rummel reportedly fired at the other vehicle. St. Clair police stopped both vehicles and arrested Rummel at the scene. His phone was subsequently found on the floorboard of his vehicle. Because of Rummels history of working with local prosecutors, the St. Clair County Prosecutors Office requested a special prosecutor be assigned to the case. The Michigan Attorney Generals Office assigned the case to the Macomb County Prosecutors Office. Macomb County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Dean Allen is handling the case, court documents show. Rummel was arraigned July 27 before 72nd District Court Judge Michael Hulewicz. He stood mute on all charges and was released on a $10,000 bond. The case was later reassigned to Judge John Monaghan, court documents state. Rummel is due back in court Wednesday for a probable cause hearing and Aug. 14 for a preliminary hearing. Colleen Kowalewski is a staff writer for The Voice. She can be contacted at 586-273-6197 or ckowalewski@digitalfirstmedia.com. Israels Minister of Defence, Avigdor Liberman (see photo) has recognized that the government of Damascus is the only valid interlocutor in Syria. During an inspection of the Israeli armed forces in Northern Syria, Liberman admitted that the war against Syria is being drawn to an end with a return to the situation that existed pre-2011. Immediately confirming that the target had now changed, Israel bombed a huddle of Isis members on Syrian soil. At least 7 terrorists died in the Israeli operation. From the time the Putin-Trump summit was held in Helsinki, several countries all part of the enlarged Middle East now consider now that the Syrian Arab Republic has won the war against the jihadists. They are trying to get their heads round this phenomenon and respond to it. So to give you an example, the United Arab Emirates is getting ready to reopen its embassy in Damascus [1]. For its part, Israel has ensured that the line marking off the Golan from Syria is respected and is trying to negotiate for Iranian military advisors and pro-Iranian militia that gave their help to the Syrian Arab Republic to withdraw from their close positions to this boundary line. This explains Israels unexpected gesture of good will to Damascus and the sudden hostility on the part of Israel to those who had, until now, been their jihadi allies. Dave Bautista. Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images After director James Gunn was fired from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 last month due to past offensive tweets, his cast published an open letter fully supporting him and expressing gratitude to fans calling for Gunn to be reinstated. Perhaps the directors most vocal defender among his now-former cast is actor Dave Bautista. On Sunday, the former WWE star responded to a tweet asking what hell do should Disney decline to rehire Gunn for the film. While he notes that hes required to be in the movie, Bautista finds the prospect pretty nauseating. I will do what Im legally obligated to do but @Guardians without @JamesGunn is not what I signed up for. GOTG w/o @JamesGunn just isnt GOTG, replied the actor. Its also pretty nauseating to work for someone whod empower a smear campaign by fascists #cybernazis. Thats just how I feel. The person primarily credited with unearthing and trumpeting Gunns past tweets, which joked about topics like pedophilia and sexual assault, is alt-right social-media personality Mike Cernovich. Gunn subsequently took full responsibility for the jokes after they emerged, but was fired from the film nonetheless. A new director for Guardians 0f the Galaxy Vol. 3 has yet to be announced. Photo: VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images Summer of scam forever! Jennifer Lopez will star in an Annapurna adaptation of a New York magazine report written by (Anna Delvey story scribe) Jessica Pressler. In The Hustler at Scores, Pressler documented a shrewd group of strippers who through drugs, strip clubs, and just plain finesse manipulated wealthy Wall Street bros into running up $20,000 tabs on nights out, and even pocketing cash themselves. Per Variety, Lopez will play the ladies ringleader. Lorene Scafaria (The Meddler, Nick & Norahs Infinite Playlist) will direct. There is no other actor who could embody this raw and dynamic character with such complexity, humanity and intelligence, Scarfaria told Variety. Its always been her. Shes fucking Jennifer Lopez. Word to the wise: Dont be fooled by the rocks that shes got! Sharp Objects Closer Season 1 Episode 5 Editors Rating 5 stars * * * * * Previous Next Photo: HBO When I was about 12 or 13 years old, my struggle with mental health tipped into self-harm. But I didnt carve into my skin like Camille. Instead, I bruised myself. Taking my fists, or phones, or the back end of the wooden brushes I used to tame my hair, I bluntly hit myself over and over again. Bruises the color of wilting plums would bloom on my sides and arms and hips. But they would fade and thats what mattered. It isnt that Im squeamish or easily nauseated by blood; I was raised by a mother with exacting standards of presentation and beauty that were drilled into me since birth, and I knew if I left myself scarred, my mother would never look at me the same. In her face, I would see pity and disgust. I couldnt bear that. The look I always feared to see in my mothers face is the look Adora gives Camille as her eyes travel over her scars in Sharp Objects best scene to date. Closer brings us no nearer to the identity of the killer or even understanding the rot at the heart of Camilles family. But it is a brilliant hour of television that astutely recognizes the ways we look at ourselves, each other, and the world around us. This idea is interwoven into all aspects of the episode, but it is most evident in Jean Marc Vallees direction, which charts the eyelines of the characters with revelatory precision, using them as points of transition, emotional pivots, and a canny way to communicate a rising yet unspoken tension. The framing of the episode is Calhoun Day, a grotesque half-century tradition in Wind Gap. Its a garish festivity in which the grand land of the Crellins is colored with all manner of Confederate flags, women wearing some version of The Beguiled cosplay, and oohs and ahhs over a story about a womans degradation. As Allan says to Adora while he zips up her blush-pink dress, Today celebrates what is unmovable about this place before he asks her which of his Civil War Confederate-regalia jackets he should wear. Allan is right in ways he doesnt realize: Here is a town celebrating a story in which the child bride of a Confederate soldier protects her husbands location even when shes brutally raped and beaten, which the town then has teenagers reenact. (This year, Amma takes on the leading role, which Adora admires with bright, rapt attention.) I agree more with Camilles reading of this situation. She insults Calhoun as the founding pedophile and refers to Millie, the cherished victim of this town lore, as her great-great-grandvictim. Its a grotesque celebration of the towns original sin: ignoring the pain of women and teaching them that silence is key. Theres something about this blend of summertime indulgence, history, and skewed rewriting of a situation to make it into anything other than a tragedy that lights a fuse in the town. The air crackles with a greater tension, during and after Calhoun Day, all while Wind Gaps inability to learn from its past causes horrors to replay themselves throughout generations. For Adora, Calhoun Day is about appearances. Her lawn must be pristine and punctuated by balloons and Confederate flags. The ivory floor of her bedroom, which was a wedding gift for her great-great-grandmother, must be polished into gleaming perfection. Everything is both achingly beautiful and represents a painful history. Is it any wonder Gayla, their maid, is out of sight? A black person would disrupt the sick fantasy of this day. Camille is a literal dark mark on the celebration for Adora, like ink spilled on freshly cleaned white satin. As always, she explodes the easy narratives that the people of Wind Gap like to tell themselves. Least she could do is dress the part. So, Adora brings Amma and Camille on a shopping trip that is fraught from the beginning with each playing a certain role. Amma is all sullen teenaged malevolence, mentioning how Camilles most recent article has the town buzzing about Bob Nash and John Keene as potential killers. Adora plays both victim (Youve made me bleed, she seethes) and villain (nearly every remark she makes about or toward Camille). Meanwhile, yet again, Camille is meant to suffer various indignities in silence. She takes after her father his coloring, his temperament, Adora says to the shopkeeper, Sarabeth, as she breezes into the boutique. Its the first time Camille has ever heard Adora speak about her father. Inside the shop, Sarabeth presents Camille with dresses she can never wear: various shades of pink, fabric as light as a summer day, sleeveless, revealing. When she asks for long-sleeved dress she personally requested, shes ignored and her dark clothes are quickly hidden away from her. Undressed in only a black bra and underwear in the dressing room, she first gazes at her scars then hides from herself. Arms tucked under her chin, her strawberry-blonde hair almost a mask. Adora is unrelenting in wanting Camille to adhere to the rules of presentation for Calhoun Day. As Camille pleads for Amma to wait in the car, Adora ignores her pleas and turns to Amma as if to verify the sheer ridiculousness of the requests. Their voices raise and raise. Camille finally gathers the baby pink dress and throws it in Adoras face. They see it all. Every scar. You happy? Camille asks. This is what you wanted, right? The camera takes on Ammas perspective. Shes shocked into silence. Her gaze juts around Camilles body, studying each word on her arms, shoulder, chests, and legs. Taking in the gravity of each word: WHINE, WRONG, FUCK, VANISH. Adora sends Amma to the car. She, too, is stunned. But also repelled. She seems incapable of looking at Camille directly. Her eyes flutter closed before she issues her ruling: Youre ruined. All out of spite. You want to know who your father was? Thats who he was all spite. Im glad Amma saw. Theres something about such a barbed, nasty moment happening in this delicate venue. In front of Camille is a triptych mirror. The composition is beautiful and sometimes cluttered, reflections folding into each other, a reminder of Camilles past crashing into that of her mothers. While Adora is not the least bit caring about the trauma that brought Camille to scar herself, seeing it as vengeance rather than a cry for help, Amma tries to make a peace offering back at home. She stumbles over her words, relating a story about a school friend who cuts. She says it doesnt hurt because the cuts are already there the knife just lets them out. Camille is unmoved: Your friend sounds like an after-school special. Amma gives Camille a dress white, flowy, delicate details, pale-blue ribbon as a belt as a gift. Sharp Objects is sometimes too blunt in approaching Camilles various illnesses and issues, but I appreciate that it takes her pain so seriously. Its grim, but not without its humor, especially as Camille skewers townsfolk and town tradition. We dont use the C-word here in Missouri, she notes to Richard. Right, bite my tongue. Silent racism is best. I keep coming back to Calhoun Day because it says so much about Wind Gap and these people how they are comforted by and celebrate the silence of a brutalized woman, enough so that they want teenagers to reenact it year after year. As Lindsay Zoladz noted in a recent piece, The forms of violence we condemn often sit uncomfortably close to the kinds of violence we condone, even celebrate. Calhoun Day is also a hothouse of unspoken emotion that can only be gleaned from tracking peoples gazes. Its in the way Kirk Lacey looks at Camille, which brings her back to a rakish grin he gave her before. When they were teenagers in the woods, in the so-called end zone before she was so scarred. His wife notices, and she also notices the way Kirk looks at Amma. Or see how everyone looks at Bob Nash and John Keene before a fight breaks out between them, which Amma uses as opportunity to run off, sending Calhoun Day tumbling into upheaval. Or what about Jackie, whose withering gazes toward Adora speak to another thorny history entirely? Then theres Adora herself, who tracks the way Camille interacts with Richard. Adora will quell any joy in Camille before she gets to taste it. As Adora takes Richard on a tour of the house, they curve around its hallowed halls and she notes, This wallpaper is hand-painted on silk from Paris. She rolls out each fact with an extravagant, proud flourish. They wind up the stairs. She takes off her shoes before urging him to do the same and join him in her bedroom. The bedroom Camille has never been invited into. She notes with calm concern about Camilles recent episode: Shes delicate, a rose but not without thorns. Its meant to be a warning for Richard and a seduction of sorts, coaxing him to believe what they all believe about Camille: that she is toxic and dangerous. As Vickery says earlier, Good tree, bad apple. But the truth is much more difficult: Camille refuses to hide her pain the way women have been taught to. She envelopes it in drinking and cutting and various forms of self-destruction instead. So after Adora invites Camille to drink with her on the veranda and insults her with honey-coated words You cant get close. Thats your father. And its why I think I never loved you. You were born to it, that cold nature. I hope thats some comfort. she rushes to Richard even as a storm descends on Wind Gap. Of course, she uses sex not for lust or longing, but a desperation that left my heart aching. Camille needs to prove to herself she can get close to another person, even as she doesnt take off her clothes, leaving her scars and the parts of herself that need love the most hidden. This recap has been corrected to show that Adora tells Camille, I never loved you. John David Washington and Laura Harrier. Photo: David Lee/Focus Features Theres something important to know when you see Spike Lees explosive BlacKkKlansman, which is based on the bizarre exploits of black Colorado Springs undercover detective Ron Stallworth: Since Lees days as an NYU graduate film student, he has publicly stewed over D. W. Griffiths The Birth of a Nation and wanted to savage it onscreen which he does here, definitively. In one of BlacKkKlansmans most stunning scenes, Stallworth (John David Washington) watches Ku Klux Klan initiates and their proud families at a screening of Griffiths film: Theyre repulsed on cue when shiftless blacks take over a southern legislature, enraged when a pure white virgin throws herself off a cliff rather than submit to a black man, and enraptured when the holy Klan gallops in to avenge the death, dumping the black mans corpse in his town as a warning. Lee himself has a propagandist streak, and he knows nothing ever sold the message of white emasculation and the existential necessity of keeping blacks down as well as Griffiths 1915 film. It revived the Klan and insult to injury is still reckoned a landmark of narrative filmmaking. If there were no other reason to make BlacKkKlansman, this one would be good enough. But there are, of course, plenty of other reasons. Stallworths memoir is set in the late 1970s but obviously resonates in an age of resurgent white supremacy and anti-Semitism, not to mention a sympathetic U.S. president (who makes an appearance in the films 2017 Charlottesville coda). The movies tone is queasy but with huge laughs at the cretinousness of Klan members, among them their national leader, David Duke (played by Topher Grace). Stallworths feat is engaging Klan members over the phone by fulminating about Jews and ners, especially the one who put his filthy black hands on his purest white-driven-snow sister. Obviously, Stallworth cant show up at the actual meetings and dispatches in his place fellow undercover cop Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), who happens to be a Jew. A black and a Jew putting one over on the dimwitted racists! Lee wants audiences to laugh their black/Jewish/liberal asses off. As for those without black/Jewish/liberal asses, well, its hard to say what theyll do. Lee and co-screenwriter Kevin Willmott (along with the team of Charlie Wachtel and David Rabinowitz) have made a couple of key changes to Stallworths memoir. The most significant is that its now a quasi-redemption story. The first black detective on the Colorado Springs police force, Stallworth lands the undercover gig by agreeing to pose as an audience member at a speech by Black Panther Stokely Carmichael, a.k.a. Kwame Ture (Corey Hawkins), whos considered by law enforcement a dangerous agitator. Although Stallworth professes pride in being a cop, you see the shame in his eyes when hes forced to report on his own people. Hes also trying to make time with a black activist, Patrice Dumas (Laura Herrier with an Angela Davissize Afro), with no use for racist cops who shoot black people in the streets. Not all cops, he tries to say, but that doesnt exactly take. As Ture exhorts the crowd to stop running away from being black and says hed rather see a brother kill a white racist cop than kill a Vietnamese, Lee shows black faces, male and female, drift across the screen, materializing and dematerializing, drinking in these words. Stallworth isnt immune to them. Lee doesnt endorse violence it would be a betrayal of the real Stallworth, who in his memoir is no fan of Antifa and its ilk but he doesnt un-endorse it. Demagogues are salesmen and salesmanship excites him. In life, there was no woman activist to turn Stallworth on and tell him off. The cop who stood in for Stallworth at Klan meetings wasnt Jewish and didnt have to worry about being inspected for circumcision. And the climax in which the wife of a Klan member carries a bomb to Patrices house didnt happen its Birth of a Nationstyle melodrama. Lee doesnt do subtlety. But the movie is very entertaining and comes with a stupendous, lushly melodic score by Terence Blanchard. Stallworths attempts to engage Patrice (How you doin this evening, my sister? I can dig it, I can dig it) are painfully funny, and his racist telephone rants delivered while colleagues look on, struggling not to explode outright howls. Jasper Paakkonen is the Klan member whos suspicious of Drivers Stallworth from the get-go, and with his scarily unblinking eyes, hes a ringer for a rural mechanic I once met (my car broke down) who explained why no one should be forced to live without a gun in a city full of ners. Graces David Duke is a callow twerp who laughs at his own racist jokes, and the performance proves the perfect setup for footage of the man himself in Charlottesville. Lee doesnt twist peoples words. These are their words. BlacKkKlansman would have been richer if Lee had dramatized the real Stallworths reservations about black militancy. But both sides, pace Trump, are not equal. Harry Belafonte plays an elderly activist who recounts for a group of black students the torture and murder by a Klan-affiliated group of a mentally disabled black man. The coda brings this goofy, upbeat story into the frightening, downbeat present. Maybe using Charlottesville footage is too easy, too much of a sucker punch, but Lee has spent his life in the shadow of The Birth of a Nation, and hell never discount the potency of graphic melodrama. 'BlacKkKlansman' Trailer *This article appears in the August 6, 2018, issue of New York Magazine. Subscribe Now! BlacKkKlansman was nominated for six Oscars in 2019, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Film Editing. Two years ago, Dr. Ricardo Quarrie, a cardiothoracic fellow at Yale New Haven Hospital, was publicly accused of lying to a patient to cover up a surgical mistake. The stories went viral and the ramifications were swift and severe: Quarrie says he became a "pariah" and potential employers have shunned him. Accused of such a heinous act, his promising future in a prestigious field disappeared. Alphabet Inc Business and industry sectors Business, economy and trade Companies Google Inc Health and medical Health care Health care professionals Law and legal system Lawsuits and claims Medical treatments and procedures Physicians and surgeons Surgery Trial and procedure Health care facilities Hospitals Now, the lawyer who accused Quarrie has recanted. CNN exclusively obtained a copy of the July 16 statement from New Haven, Connecticut, attorney Joel Faxon. In his statement, Faxon said Quarrie did not lie to his client, who was a patient at Yale. "The statements attributed to Dr. Quarrie were made by another health care practitioner at the hospital, or his designee," Faxon wrote. "I hope this letter clarifies any misunderstandings." Multiple news outlets, including CNN, covered Faxon's original remarks accusing Quarrie of lying to the patient. Even though it's been two years, those stories show up prominently on the first page of a Google search of Quarrie's name. "Employers told me I was very qualified for positions, but patients Google their doctors, and they didn't feel like they could refer patients to me," said the cardiothoracic surgeon, who trained at Yale, the Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State. "It's been a nightmare," added Quarrie, the father of two young children. "The spread of that information -- or misinformation -- is so rapid, and people really do believe what they read." Quarrie, 36, says the statement is a first step toward reclaiming his name. "But that's two years of my life I can't have back," he said. Digital experts say it might be too late to reverse the damage to Quarrie's career. When patients do a Google search, the old stories that say Quarrie lied might appear higher on the search than any stories that might be written about the July 16 retraction. "That's the power of the Internet and the digital age: You can cause extensive damage and ruin people's lives," said Craig Bullick, chief operating officer of Empathiq, a company that helps doctors manage their online reviews but which Quarrie does not use. The wrong rib removed In 2015, Deborah Craven had surgery at Yale to remove part of her eighth rib. Quarrie assisted in that surgery. At the time, he was on a two-year training fellowship at Yale. The hospital admits that a mistake was made in that surgery. Craven's lawsuit details how her seventh rib was removed instead of her eighth rib, and she then had a second surgery to remove the correct rib. But her lawsuit goes on to say something that later turned out not to be true: She accused Quarrie by name of lying to her about the reason for the second surgery to cover up the mistake. Multiple media outlets, including CNN, reported on the mistake and alleged coverup. Faxon, the patient's lawyer, told a Hartford television station that Quarrie had told his client "lies" and was "just plain deceitful." In his retraction last month, Faxon wrote that he believed those statements to be true when he said them in March 2016. "However, information uncovered in the course of the litigation's discovery phase demonstrates inaccuracies in those statements," he said. During that discovery phase, his client accused two other Yale staffers -- a physician's assistant and a different doctor -- of lying to her. She said she didn't even speak to Quarrie about her surgery. CNN asked Faxon why he thought Quarrie had been responsible for the alleged coverup when his own client, just a few months after his television interview, said explicitly that Quarrie was not the staffer who had misled her. Faxon said he couldn't comment due to a confidentiality agreement with Yale. CNN was unable to reach Craven, who settled her case with Yale. When she filed her lawsuit two years ago, the hospital said in a statement that it recognized that a mistake had been made and that staff had apologized to Craven. A hospital spokesman declined to comment for this story. The long road to recovery Quarrie says he has no idea why the lawsuit and Faxon labeled him as telling lies. "I can only wonder about his motivation, but I don't think I'll ever know the truth," Quarrie said. Quarrie says now he's focused on recovering, both financially and emotionally, from being wrongly accused. While he was at Yale but before Craven filed her lawsuit, Quarrie was accepted into a one-year training program at the Cleveland Clinic. He said the hospital allowed him to stay on longer as a trainee. Quarrie said he won't file a lawsuit against Faxon because it would take too long. He said he promised not to file a lawsuit as a condition of getting the statement from Faxon. He said he's paying an online reputation company nearly $900 a month to help him reclaim his name. The surgeon said he's been angry and struggled with periods of depression from being wrongly accused. "I've always wanted to be a heart surgeon. Since I was 6 years old, that's all I've wanted to do," he said. But as job after job fell through because of the false accusations, he says, he considered leaving medicine. He said his family persuaded him to keep going. "I want to be able to provide a better future for my children than what I had," said Quarrie, who was born in Jamaica and moved to Florida when he was 12. He said his wife told him that the truth will come out in the end. He said he hopes stories about Faxon's new statement will end up at the top of Google's results, satisfying potential employers that patients will see those stories first, instead of the years-old stories that accused him of lying. According to Google, old stories typically don't rank higher than new stories. But digital experts say old stories can rank higher if those old stories were particularly popular. They said negative stories -- in this case, the old stories about the surgical error and a coverup -- tend to be passed around on social media, giving them even more staying power through search engine optimization. "The stories about the retraction won't have the same SEO 'juice' as the earlier negative stories," said Jonathan Catley, director of sales and marketing for MD Connect, a company that helps doctors manage their online reputations, which also isn't involved in Quarrie's case. Empathiq's Bullick agreed. "Recanting is not going to be as popular," he said. "I feel bad for him." Quarrie says he knows that Faxon's statement won't instantly change anything. "I know I have a long road ahead," he said. This story is part of a series that Gothamist is co-publishing with The Appeal, a nonprofit criminal justice news outlet. In 1988, when Roy Bolus was barely 18, he was arrested in connection with the murder of two men during a robbery in Albany, New York. Despite never having fired any shots, Bolus was convicted of felony murder and is serving the 30th year of an 80-years-to-life sentence. He will not be eligible for parole until 2068, when hes 98 years old. When Bolus heard in 2015 about Governor Andrew Cuomos creation of an Executive Clemency Bureau to help identify incarcerated people in New York State who could be eligible for a pardon or reduced sentence, he assumed it just wasnt for him. The case, being a violent case I just thought this would be something where the governor and the clemency bureau would just say nah, Bolus explained over the phone from Green Haven Correctional Facility in Albany. They wouldnt even look at me. But in December 2016, when Bolus heard that Cuomo had granted clemency to Judith Clark, the political activist who acted as a getaway driver in a 1981 robbery involving three homicides, he realized he had a chance. I was like, Oh shoot, if that can happen for her, that can happen for me. Im going to give it a shot! Bolus recalled. There are two types of clemency: pardons, which expunge past convictions, with or without added conditions, and commutations, which release current prisoners or shorten their sentences. Yet the road to clemency in New York State has been a slow one under Cuomo. Since taking office in 2011, the governor has granted only 12 commutations, and just two in 2017. Cuomos office is quick to point out that he has pardoned dozens of immigrants facing deportation, conditionally pardoned scores of people convicted of crimes when they were under 18, and restored voting rights to thousands of parolees. But advocates say the slow pace of commutations raises questions about Cuomos commitment to clemency. When you announce a clemency initiative and you raise hopes and expectations, frankly its cruel to not actualize it, said Steve Zeidman, director of the Criminal Defense Clinic at the CUNY School of Law, which is currently helping about 25 people with clemency applications and worked with Judith Clark on her application. Multiple people on the inside have told me that false hope is worse than no hope at all. For people like Bolus, who were incarcerated at a young age and have spent most their lives inside maximum security prisons, clemency represents their best chance to ever experience the outside world again. A new focus on clemency Criminal justice reformers have increasingly focused on the power of clemency as governors nationwide look to reduce their states prison populations. New York State, which began its decarceration project in the early 2000s, well before other large states, had the biggest reduction in prisoners in the country from 2000 to 2010, as the state drastically altered how it dealt with nonviolent offenders. After hitting a high of 72,899 prisoners at the end of 1999, that number dropped to 55,436 by late 2011. But since then, New York State has hit a wall, says Fordham University law professor John Pfaff. Over the last seven years, it has been able to reduce its prison population by only approximately 6,000 people. Thats largely because the state hasnt changed the long sentences consistently meted out to those convicted of violent crimes. New York has a lot to be proud of, Pfaff told Gothamist/The Appeal. But the decline is going to stop until we start turning to violent offenses soon. And the decline is going to stop at a population that was much higher than it was in the late 70s and early 80s. Thats where clemency comes in. It offers hope to people like Ray Bolus who have decades left on their sentences before they are even eligible for parole. (Judith Clark was granted a parole board hearing 40 years before she would otherwise be eligible; the board denied her parole at her first hearing in 2017.) Governor Andrew Cuomo in April of 2018 (Kevin P. Coughlin / Governor's Office) Cuomo created the Executive Clemency Bureau to identify individuals who had made exceptional strides in self-development and improvement, seeking to reinvigorate and streamline the process, which was little used in his first term. Cuomo did not issue a single clemency during his first two years in office, and applications for clemency in New York State dropped from 1,269 in 2010 to 171 in 2014. Now, with law firms devoting pro bono assistance worth millions of dollars, and nonprofits agreeing to handle hundreds of clemency applications, those application numbers have begun to climbeven as the number of actual commutations has barely budged. Critics say thats because of the guidelines Cuomo set when he introduced the clemency board, requiring, for instance, that a prisoner has served at least half of his or her minimum prison term, and is not eligible for parole within a year of the date of the application for clemency. That eliminates both people serving extremely long sentences, like Bolus, who has yet to complete half of his sentence, in addition to people who have exceeded their minimum sentence but are repeatedly denied parole. As Mariame Kaba, a founding member of Survived and Punished, a network that works with criminalized and imprisoned survivors of gender-based violence, told The Appeals Victoria Law in June, We are perplexed by the rules he set for himself. Theyre incredibly narrow and leave out an incredible number of people. Asking the state to rethink how it deals with violent offenders is the next frontier in criminal justice reform and New Yorks decarceration project, explains Zeidman of the Criminal Defense Clinic. These people have been essentially sentenced to die in prison, he said. Zeidman flips through a binder, showing the hundreds of letters requesting help hes received in the three years hes been working on clemency applications. The letters are primarily from two separate groups of people: those who have been repeatedly denied parole even though they are years past their mandatory minimum sentences, and those still facing decades in prison before they ever see the parole board. Despite overhauling the application system, Cuomo still lags behind many of his predecessors when it comes to commutations. Former New York Governor George Pataki, a Republican, commuted 32 people in his 12 years in office. Cuomos father, Mario Cuomo, issued 37 commutations in 12 years in office. And those numbers pale beside those of former Governor Hugh L. Carey, who granted 155 pardons and commutations between 1975 and 1982, right before New Yorks prison population began to skyrocket. Nationwide, clemency remains a power rarely used by governors, with only 15 states granting frequent and regular pardons or commutations to more than 30 percent of applicants. According to an analysis by The New York Times, New York governors have granted clemency to fewer than one in 100 applicants since 2006, with the exception of David A. Paterson, who granted clemency at a rate of about three in 100. There have been precious few clemencies granted, Zeidman said, in reference to the number of applications submitted under Andrew Cuomo. The idea that of the 52,000 people in prison in New York State, there arent thousands who, under anyones definition of clemency, merit clemency? Its ludicrous, of course there are. Im seeing them in the letters. Roy Bolus distributes backpacks to the children that are visiting prisoners in the visiting room (courtesy Ada Bolus) A life in prison According to his friends and family, Bolus, who grew up in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, has transformed himself over the past 30 years. When he was arrested, he was just a few months shy of beginning college orientation at the New York Institute of Technology on Long Island but had started associating with a group of friends connected to the drug trade. It was an attempt, he has said, to help provide for a young daughter. Bolus has earned associates, bachelors, and masters degrees in prison, and is pursuing a doctorate. It hasnt been easy for him to access education, either, especially since federal Pell grants were taken away from prisoners as part of the omnibus crime bill signed by President Bill Clinton in 1994. Bolus began creating curriculums for himself and other incarcerated people, becoming a teacher in a program focused on HIV prevention. He plans to continue teaching incarcerated people if hes granted clemency and eventually paroled, and wants to develop a curriculum that can be taught throughout state prisons. Being from the same places that a lot of the other guys in here are from, I understand something that I dont think the criminal justice system understands about imprisonment and survival and getting out and people being different, he said. Thats something that I think society doesnt have that I have to offer. Zeidman is also working on a clemency application for one of Boluss five co-defendants, Alphonse Riley-James, who was also sentenced to decades in prison even though he, like Bolus, did not fire a shot. Riley-James and Bolus were with a group of other young men who had traveled from Brooklyn to Albany to rob a rival drug dealers safe; during the robbery, two men guarding the safe, George Mosley and William Patterson, were killed. Riley-James was sentenced to 50 years to life and is scheduled to see the parole board for the first time in 2038, when he is 68. Boluss and Riley-Jamess sentences came after a spate of tough on crime laws passed in the 1970s, as New York pivoted in the midst of rising crime rates from a model focused on rehabilitation to one that focused instead on incarceration. In 1973, New York passed the infamous Rockefeller drug laws, instituting mandatory minimums for drug possession, and in 1978, the state legislature passed new violent offender laws, mandating minimum sentences for certain violent offenses (like felony murder), and limiting plea deals to the specific crimes with which people were charged. To accept a plea deal on a violent felony, for instance, the defendant would have to plead to a violent felony rather than to a lesser charge that might have carried a lighter sentence. The result was a significant rise in the states prison population. The fact that Bolus and Riley-James were from Brooklyn but being tried in an Albany courthouse probably didnt help them gain any leniency in sentencing, reflects Zeidman. County Court Judge Joseph Harris, who ruled on both cases, was known, along with a fellow judge, for harsh sentences. They were giving out sentences like popcorn, Bertrand F. Gould, a former Albany public defender told journalist Jennifer Gonnerman for her 2004 book on the Rockefeller drug laws, Life on the Outside. Gould, who worked in the office from 1968-2000, told Gonnerman that rather than impose minimum sentences for drug crimes, the judges often went for the maximum. Black defendants like Bolus and Riley-James often bore the brunt of that. It was, Well teach those blacks to come up here and sell their damn drugs in Albany. ... Im not sure whether it was provincial or racist. Maybe a combination of the two. Governor Cuomo's primary opponent, Cynthia Nixon, speaks at Ozy Fest last month in Central Park (Evan Agostini / Invision / AP / Shutterstock) A political calculation The act of clemency itself comes with certain political risks, even if a governor is just shaving decades off a sentence so an individual convicted of a violent offense can see a parole board sooner. The March parole of Herman Bell, the 70-year-old former Black Panther convicted in the 1971 shooting deaths of two New York police officers, set off a firestorm of criticism of the states parole board, even from self-described progressive politicians like New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. The type of controversy that commutations generate might be something that Governor Cuomo, who is thought to harbor presidential ambitions, would want to steer clear of. But hes currently facing a primary challenge from insurgent candidate Cynthia Nixon, who many observers say has pushed him to the left. By focusing on pardoning those who have already served out their sentences and been released, Cuomo has been able to avoid controversy while improving the lives of formerly incarcerated people. What is the upside of [the governor] paroling any sort of risky, high-profile case? asks Pfaff. Hes not going to get a lot of credit for it, but if something goes wrong, hell take a lot of flak. Complicating matters even more is Cuomos tight relationship with upstate Republicans, whose constituency relies on the jobs produced by mass incarceration in the state. If Governor Cuomo were to engage in wholesale clemency, thats going to shrink prison populations, and what thats going to do is going to cause prison closures in upstate New York, Pfaff continued. Youre going to face tremendous opposition in Albany from Republicans because it will cost them jobs in communities where prisons are often the main driver of employment. Nixon has seized on criminal justice as a central issue in her campaign, chastising Cuomo for failing to reform the states cash bail system, its rules governing prosecutors, and its approach to law enforcement officers who commit misconduct. In her platform, she also singles out commutations and pardons as an area on which she would differ greatly from Cuomo. The Governor has virtually unlimited power to grant commutations, Nixon said in a statement to Gothamist/The Appeal. However, he has implemented wholly arbitrary guidelines that severely and needlessly limit peoples access to clemency. In her statement, Nixon specifically highlighted survivors of domestic violence as being among those worthy of commutation. As Governor, I would prioritize pardons and commutations for the sentences of survivors of domestic violence and rape, who were or remain incarcerated for their self-defense, she said. Going beyond commutations, Nixon has also proposed permitting the parole board to evaluate all people over age 55 who have served at least 15 years in prison for possible release, even if they have not yet completed their minimum sentences. In response to a request for comment, the Cuomo campaign said the governor has led the way on clemency reformestablishing the states first pro-bono clemency program in 2015 [which matches incarcerated people with lawyers offering free help with their clemency applications], taking first-in-the-nation action to grant conditional pardons to more than 100 16- and 17-year-olds, and announcing a landmark pro-bono clemency coalition to expand access to services after Trump disbanded the federal program. If Cuomo is re-elected, his campaign says New York will continue to lead the way in ensuring and increasing access to clemency, promoting rehabilitation and creating a fairer, more just New York for all. Bolus is the president of a organization called PACTProject for a Calculated Transition. Here he addresses prisoners about responsibility to their families, society and themselves, in 2017 (courtesy Ada Bolus) Waiting for mercy Bolus maintains close relationships with several members of his family, in both New York and North Carolina, and even got married six years ago, while incarcerated, to a social worker who lives nearby in upstate New York. It was his wife, Ada Bolus, who prepared his clemency application, and forwarded it to Zeidman to submit it to the governor. He was sentenced to 80 years in prison when he was 18 years old. He was on the way to college when he made a wrong turn. For that, hes paid 30 years in prison, Ada Bolus said. His family needs him. Society needs people like Roy. We can give him the second chance that nobody gave him when he was 18. Anthony Dixon, who now works helping people recently released from prison find employment, met Bolus in 2009, while they were both incarcerated at Green Haven Correctional Facility. Dixon was serving a sentence of 30 years to life. He stuck out like a sore thumb; it was like he didnt belong here, Dixon said. He had a radiance about him that younger people would look to him. It was just amazing to see people incarcerated for that long have that kind of energy about them. Unlike people paroled in their 70s or 80s or who receive compassionate releases because of failing health, Bolus is just 48 and could lead a long life outside prisonbut only if the governor lets him. I dont think someone can fake 25 years of caring for other human beings. I dont think a person can fake 25 years of educating myself, he said. I dont think people serving these types of sentences come out of prison wearing a mask... This is who they are. Staying positive despite the overwhelming odds against his eventual release can be difficult, Bolus acknowledges, but he credits his deep religious faith, as well as the connections he has made with other prisoners, as a source of hope that he will one day be free. Theres so many people cheering me on, Bolus said. I can feel that somethings changing. President Donald Trump threatened "severe consequences" for those who continue to trade with Iran, as administration officials said Monday that newly re-imposed US sanctions are meant to change the regime's behavior, not topple leaders in Tehran. "The United States is fully committed to enforcing all of our sanctions, and we will work closely with nations conducting business with Iran to ensure complete compliance. Individuals or entities that fail to wind down activities with Iran risk severe consequences," Trump said in a statement about penalties that will go back into effect at 12:01am Tuesday. A senior administration official said that, "our stated policy has not been regime change, it's been to modify the Iranian regime's behavior." The official, speaking to reporters on a conference call with others from the administration, said that Trump remains open to meeting Iran's leaders without preconditions. "The President has been very clear none of this has to happen, he will meet with the Iranian leadership anytime" to discuss another nuclear deal "that curbs their malign activity," the official said. "What he was saying there is that he's not going to give up anything in advance of a meeting, that there are no preconditions," the official said. President Hassan Rouhani told Iran's state television Monday that he would welcome talks, and blamed the US for backing out of dialogue. "If there is sincerity, Iran has always welcomed dialogue and negotiations," Rouhani said. "I don't have pre-conditions. If the US government is willing, let's start right now." Rouhani expressed concern that Trump has backed out of previous dialogue and negotiations with Iran. "Even in the current new administration we talked with the Americans on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly," he said. Referring to former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Rouhani said, "Mr. Tillerson held a conversation with our Foreign Minister and so the ones that turned their back on dialogue and negotiations was Mr. Trump and Mr. Trump's administration. And this is against the nation of Iran and the national interests of Iran." Europe 'deeply regrets' the move Trump announced in May the US was withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. That agreement established curbs on Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Administration officials say Iran has used funds freed up by the pact to sow instability across the Mideast. "The regime has used the windfall of newly accessible funds it received under the JCPOA to build nuclear capable missiles, fund terrorism, and fuel conflict across the Middle East and beyond," Trump said in his Monday statement, repeating a claim his administration has often made. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif slapped back at Trump in a Monday tweet declaring that US "hypocrisy knows no bounds." Referring to the 73rd anniversary of the US dropping an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, Zarif said, "today in 1945, US became 1st & only country to ever use nukes. And on an urban center of all targets. 73 yrs later - w/ vastly expanded nuke arsenal it refuses to dismantle in defiance of NPT commitment - US militarism hasn't faded. Neither has its utter disregard for human life." Zarif continued, "Trump Administration wants the world to believe it's concerned about the Iranian people. Yet the very first sanctions it reimposed have canceled licenses for sales of 200+ passenger jets under absurd pretexts, endangering ordinary Iranians. US hypocrisy knows no bounds." Monday's announcement covers the first of two rounds of sanctions the US is unilaterally reimposing as a result of leaving the pact. The other signatories to the deal, including the EU, Russia and China, are sticking with the accord. In a statement Monday, the EU, UK, France and Germany said they "deeply regret" the US action. The EU announced it would take legal steps to protect EU companies "doing legitimate business in Iran." "The JCPOA is working and delivering on its goal, namely to ensure that the Iranian program remains exclusively peaceful, as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 11 consecutive reports," the joint statement read. The US official said the EU move to protect its companies "is not something we're particularly concerned about." A second US official added that "nearly 100 international firms have announced their intent to leave the Iranian market" and that the US continues its work to build an international coalition to enforce sanctions. State and Treasury officials have been traveling around the world to coordinate the pressure campaign, and have visited 20 countries to date, the second official said. "We are very intent on using these authorities," a third US official said, and will "use them aggressively. We are seeing a substantial impact." The US officials offered no dollar value on the expected impact on Iran's economy. When asked if it was being pushed to collapse, the third official said, "I'm not going to predict what's going to happen to the Iranian economy, other than to say we are intent on using these economic provisions to our advantage." The second administration official said Iran's economy was already on a "downward spiral" before Trump decided to reimpose sanctions and pointed to Iran's weakening currency, rising unemployment and growing protests across the country as evidence. Increasing pressure The Monday announcement marks the end of a transition period the administration gave companies to wind down contracts with Iran in order to avoid penalties. Monday's sanctions cover the purchase or acquisition of US dollars by the Iranian government; trade in gold or precious metals; the direct and indirect sale, supply or transfer to or from Iran of graphite, raw or semi-finished metals such as aluminum, steels and coal; as well as significant transactions of the Iranian currency; and on the country's auto sector. "The next 90 days will see increasing pressure culminating in" the reimposition of sanctions on Iran's energy sector, the third official said. The second round of sanctions, due in November, is expected to be tougher, as it will take hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian crude oil off the market, according to industry sources. Those sanctions will also target Iran's Central Bank, the country's port operators and shipping and ship building sectors, as well as the provision of insurance and financial messaging services. The Alabama Department of Public Health has reported an outbreak of pertussis, also know as whooping cough, in Shelby and Jefferson counties. In total, ADPH has identified nine children with whooping cough. Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease. The illness begins with a low- grade fever, runny nose and cough. After a few weeks the cough develops to a violent cough, making it difficult to breathe. If you or your child have come in contact with anyone with whooping cough, contact your primary care physician immediately. Police are investigating the death of a baby boy who was found floating in the Manhattan side of the East River on Sunday afternoon. Officials say a pedestrian waved down two police officers around 4 p.m. near South Street and Dover Street to report a small child in the water. Monte Campbell, visiting from Oklahoma, reportedly went into the water to remove the baby. His wife, Diana Campbell, told PIX 11, "You could see its little legs just floating and his head was in the water. My husband was like 'I have to go in.'" BREAKING: FDNY says person pulled from East River. By Dover and Water St. witness says he saw baby in diapers floating in the river. pic.twitter.com/PyveereVkx CeFaan Kim (@CeFaanKim) August 5, 2018 Their son said, "My mom, she was out here and she was kind of just looking in the water, and she calls my dad over and says 'there's a baby in the water!' As soon as they called the police my dad was like, 'I'm gonna jump in, I wanna grab it.' He's a physician so he knows how to do CPR and stuff like that." The baby, reportedly 8 months old, was brought from the embankment to a pedestrian walkway and officers also performed CPR while waiting for EMS. The baby was pronounced dead at NY Downtown Hospital. Diana Campbell posted a news story about the incident on her Facebook, adding, "Asking for prayers for this beautiful baby boy... someone out there knows what might have happen to him. May God guide the N.Y.P.D in solving this mystery...." A 54-year-old man died after allegedly bursting out of the freezer of an Upper West Side restaurant and brandishing a knife at an employee on Sunday morning. He reportedly screamed,"Away from me, Satan!" before he died. The incident took place around 11 a.m., at 423 Amsterdam Avenue. Employees at Sarabeth's, a popular brunch destination, managed to wrestle the man to the ground. "Police said once the man hit the ground, he suffered an undetermined medical condition," according to PIX11. The man was taken to St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. It's unclear how the man got into the freezer. A waiter at a neighboring restaurant told the Daily News, "I asked them, Are you OK? I thought they were busy. The place is always busy. They told me, No, someone tried to attack in the kitchen. " Another neighborhood resident wondered how the man got into the restaurant, "If they were there overnight, well obviously you can't be there in freezer overnight, but if somebody had broken in it's not like you would see them at 11 for the first time or around that time. You would have done that way earlier because you have to prepare the food." The Medical Examiner's office will investigate the cause of death. According to West Side Rag, police sources say, "He is from Arizona. Police dont know when he went into the freezer, why he is in NYC, if hes a tourist or not." The dreaded L train shutdown is coming sooner than anyone imagined. On Saturday, the MTA quietly announced that there will be no L train service between Manhattan and Brooklyn during 15 weekends in the coming months, so that the transit authority can prepare for the 15-month total shutdown between Bedford Avenue and Eighth Avenue, scheduled to begin next April. The pre-shutdown shutdown will halt weekend L service between Eighth Avenue in Manhattan and Myrtle-Wyckoff (or sometimes Broadway Junction) in Brooklyn for the entirety of October and February, three weekends in March, and also this coming weekend. Additionally, weekend service will be suspended on April 13th and 14thsuggesting that the actual tunnel reconstruction won't begin until the second half of the month. The full shutdown between Bedford Avenue and Eighth Avenue in Manhattan is scheduled to begin sometime in April, though an official date has not yet been announced. To make up for the disruption caused by the track and signal maintenance, and as a preview of what riders have to look forward to, the MTA will offer an unspecified amount of additional train and bus service along the impacted routes. (Details here.) Looks like the L is shutting down every weekend in October, February, and most of March (plus a bunch of other weekends) to prep for the *actual* shutdown to "ensure project duration stays within 15 months." pic.twitter.com/e3oket7Gdd Aaron W. Gordon (@A_W_Gordon) August 6, 2018 Meanwhile, local elected officials and transit leaders got their own glimpse of the misery soon to be visited upon hundreds of thousands of displaced L train users during a private bus ride on Monday morning, in which they witnessed firsthand the "herculean task" of shuttling commuters through already-congested stretches of Brooklyn and Manhattan. The routefrom Bushwick Avenue and Grand Street in Williamsburg across the whole of 14th Street, and ultimately back to Union Squarewas intended to loosely mimic the new bus network set to be launched ahead of the shutdown. In total, buses are expected to accommodate up to 4,200 people per hour, or about 17 percent of the 225,000 riders who previously relied on the L train's Canarsie Tunnel. During the two hour ride, state senators and city councilmembers battled traffic on the Williamsburg Bridge, observed private vehicles obstructing bus lanes, and took note of several choke points made worse by construction. They ultimately arrived at their destinationa press conference in Union Squareabout 20 minutes late (though an MTA spokesperson claims that was because the politicians on board had so many questions). NYCT President Andy Byford and DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg greeting reporters after a two hour bus ride with elected officials (Gothamist) "We encountered traffic that backed up a quarter to a third of the Williamsburg Bridge, and sat in traffic for around ten minutes," City Councilmember Stephen Levin, who represents Greenpoint and parts of Williamsburg, told Gothamist. "We'll see how it plays out with the volume of buses coming off the bridgeit's hard to envision with the tour we just took." According to New York City Transit President Andy Byford, the creation of four new bus routes will send up to 80 buses across the Williamsburg Bridge each hour. There will be no dedicated bus lane on the bridge, despite the urgings of transit experts, and Byford's own declaration on Monday that "bus lanes are the way of the future." Instead, one lane of the bridge will be devoted to vehicles with three or more passengers between 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. A busway on 14th Street will have restrictions on cars during that same time framea compromise between commuters who wanted a permanent car ban and 14th Street residents who did not. Asked why the contingency plan doesn't call for a 24/7 busway on 14th Street, DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg cited the vocal opposition from some West Village and 14th Street residents, and added, "We have tried to thread the needle and as a result everyone is mad at us." MTA/DOT While Manhattan politiciansState Senator Brad Hoylman and Borough President Gale Brewer, among thembrought up the issue of clean buses and turning radiuses at certain intersections, representatives from Brooklyn seemed more focused on figuring out how the MTA actually plans on transporting stranded riders between the boroughs. "Enforcement on the Williamsburg Bridge is going to be really important. How it's enforced is going to be a big challenge," noted Levin. "That remains a huge concern." As for the issue of luxury vans replacing, or possibly blocking, the buses, Trottenberg noted that the agency was monitoring the companies, while Byford insisted that the bus plan, if done right, will be attractive enough to dissuade people from relying on private vehicles. "At one point along the route we went on a bus route that was unimpeded," Byford beamed. "We absolutely sailed past a line of traffic in Brooklyn. Where bus lanes are properly policed, and where people don't selfishly park in them, the bus can do its job." Come April, that assurance will be tested by an onslaught of riders left without reliable subway options; those stranded by weekend service disruptions may see for themselves even sooner. The disturbed individual who jumped out of an Upper West Side restaurant's freezer and then died on Sunday has been identified by police as Carlton Henderson, a 54-year-old Arizona resident who was accused of a decades-old double murder and was released on bail less than a week ago. According to the NYPD, he burst out of the walk-in freezer at Sarabeth's restaurant on Amsterdam Avenue on around 11 a.m., screaming "Away from me, Satan!" as he lunged at the restaurant staff with a knife. Authorities say that Henderson fell unconscious as employees attempted to disarm him of the knife, and died soon after being transported to St. Luke's Hospital. Henderson was charged last year with two counts of first-degree murder for his role in two homicides committed in Boston 30 years ago. He was arrested for the pair of cold cases in St. Louis. Henderson was accused of killing 26-year-old William Medina and 22-year-old Antonio Dos Reis in 1988, and was arrested based on a confession he made to federal prosecutors in 1993, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office in Boston. He was initially held without bail, but recently filed a motion to suppress evidence of the decades-old statements, claiming they were part of an immunity deal. The judge granted that motion, allowing for Henderson to be released last Wednesday ahead of an August 14th court date. A spokesperson for the Suffolk County District Attorney's office noted that the D.A. had requested the judge to deny the motion to suppress the statement. It's unclear what Henderson was doing in New York, or how he managed to get into the restaurant's freezer. The Post reports that he had been staying at the NYLO Hotel just a few blocks from Sarabeth's. The Medical Examiner's office is investigating his cause of death. Attempts to reach Henderson's attorney were not successful. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 06, 2018 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 06, 2018 | 04:16 PM | PADUCAH A reported theft at a southside mobile home led to the arrests of those who were there. The McCracken County Sheriff's Department responded to a home on Vassuer Avenue to a reported theft of guns, jewelry and cash, but were later told by dispatch that another call had been received, saying the guns had been found. Deputies and detectives spoke to 51-year-old Kip Blythe and 48-year-old Mary Waldridge, both of Paducah. Detectives learned that Blythe was wanted on an arrest warrant for failure to appear in court, and Waldridge is a convicted felon who is prohibited from owning a gun. A search warrant was obtained and executed, and detectives say there were two guns in the bedroom, along with methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Everything the couple had reported stolen was also found in the home. Deputies believe the items were misplaced and thought to be stolen, leading to the 911 call. Blythe and Waldridge were arrested and taken to McCracken County Jail. They both face charges of possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Waldridge faces two additional charges for possession of a handgun and a firearm by a convicted felon. A short time later, deputies investigated a burglary on Oaks Road, where a home was being remodeled. They learned that tools and a large amount of hardwood flooring had been taken. One of the deputies recalled seeing uninstalled flooring at the home on Vassuer Avenue, so another search warrant was obtained. Detectives seized the flooring and tools, and Blythe was additionally charged with burglary. By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 05, 2018 | 08:04 PM | PADUCAH The City of Paducah Engineering-Public Works Streets Division will be working on two drainage projects this week with the goal to complete them both before school is back in session.On Tuesday, crews will be extending a drainage pipe at 4840 Buckner Lane. In May, work was completed at this location to remove a broken drainage pipe and restore the ditch adjacent to the property. Tuesdays work to install the new roadside pipe and associated grading are the next phase of that project with work expected to be completed in one day.This location is in the sharp curve on Buckner Lane between Pines Road and Pecan Drive. To safely facilitate the drainage project, Buckner Lane will be closed in both directions. Detours will be set up to steer traffic either to Exall Lane, Dove Lane, or Pines Road. Drivers are urged to find an alternate route and avoid this section of Buckner Lane.On Wednesday, Street Division crews will focus their efforts on the driveway pipe in the right-of-way at 2733 South 28th Street. The driveway pipe is damaged and obstructing the drainage in the area. The property owner is working with the City through the Pipe Replacement Program outlined in Paducahs Code of Ordinances 98-33. The property owner purchased the pipe with the Street Division crews completing the installation.This project will require the closing of South 28th Street in adjacent to the intersection with Norton Street. The work is expected to last one day. Drivers are urged to find an alternate route and avoid this section of South 28th Street since the roadway will be closed in both directions. Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 05, 2018 | 07:56 PM | DRAFFENVILLE Marshall County High School has received a $138,213 Project School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV) grant. On Jan. 23, a student opened fire at the high school in Draffenville, killing two students and wounding others. The SERV grant will assist the school system in its recovery and further student support efforts following the unspeakable tragedy. "This grant is part of our ongoing commitment to help the Marshall County community recover and ensure its students, educators, and parents are supported," said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. "My work on the Federal Commission on School Safety has focused and continues to focus on recognizing proven solutions to prevent these tragedies and to ensure all our schools are safe places of learning." Project SERV provides critical support to school districts and institutions of higher education that have experienced a significant traumatic event in which the learning environment has been disrupted. The funds are available for costs that are reasonable, necessary, and essential for activities that are intended to restore a sense of safety and security in a school and help the victims and students stabilize their lives. "We are grateful to Secretary DeVos and the U.S. Department of Education for these grant funds that will support the Marshall County community as they continue to heal," said Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin. "Following the heartbreaking events of January 23, West Kentuckians showcased to the world their exceptional strength, faith and resiliency. Our Commonwealth continues to stand united with the students, educators, and families of MCHS, as we utilize every potential resource available to move forward together." Under the direction of Gov. Bevin, the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet (JPSC) worked closely with the Marshall County Board of Education and the local community to identify needs within the high school that qualify for SERV funding. The initial allocation of $138,213 provided by the Department of Education will go towards additional staffing support for the school. "The Justice and Public Safety Cabinet has been intensely engaged with federal and state partners as well as local leaders in the Marshall County community, including County Judge/Executive Kevin Neal, local law enforcement, and school officials to ensure that we capture every available dollar and resource for Marshall County," said JPSC Secretary John Tilley. "This tragedy shook every corner of the Commonwealth, and the community has our prayers and steadfast commitment as it continues the healing process." In the days and weeks following the tragedy in Marshall County, Kentuckians across the state rallied together for the families, students, parents, and teachers impacted by this senseless act of violence. Kentuckians are encouraged to continue in their support for the victims and families, and to embody the state motto of "United We Stand, Divided We Fall," by offering support for the Marshall County community. By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 06, 2018 | 12:22 PM | MURRAY Two people face drug charges after an altercation Friday in Murray. According to the Murray Police Department, officers responded to the parking lot of a business on North 12th Street, after callers told police there was some type of altercation occurring between some individuals in the parking lot. Upon arrival at the scene, officers located the individuals that had been in an argument, but no further action was pursued regarding the altercation because no physical contact was reported. While at the scene officers were given consent to search the vehicle that was driven by 32-year-old Brittany Tucker, of Hardin, and a passenger 53-year-old Jonathan Williams of New Concord. Inside the vehicle, officers reportedly found a small backpack that contained drug paraphernalia items along with a small bag that field tested to be methamphetamine. Tucker and Williams were both arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both were taken to the Calloway County Jail. I am offering the solution to a problem most Republicans don't know they have -- that they can be outmaneuvered and thrown on the defensive endlessly, on nearly any issue, because they accept as true Democrat lies about the Republican Party. To correct that misperception and to help the Republican Party get 'back to basics' is why I'm a man on a mission. A few years ago, after one of my speeches, a man told me "Do you know what your problem is? You're too far ahead of your time!" My efforts to show Republicans how they would benefit from celebrating the heritage of our Grand Old Party have been arduous, but if this were easy someone else would have already done it. Among my speech topics are Reconciling the Tea Party and the GOP; Barack Obama, the Worst President Ever; Socialism, the new Slavery; Appreciating the Heritage of our Grand Old Party; Returning to the Founding Principles of the United States; The Womens Rights Achievements of our Grand Old Party; Abraham Lincoln, Republican; Frederick Douglass, Republican; Martin Luther King and the Republican Civil Rights Legacy. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 06, 2018 | WESTERN KENTUCKY By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 06, 2018 | 09:52 AM | WESTERN KENTUCKY In recognition of National 811 Day on Saturday, Atmos Energy Corporation is reminding everyone to call 811 before digging into your next outdoor project. Atmos Energy's Kentucky/Mid-States Division President Kevin Dobbs said in a press release that the greatest risk to natural gas pipelines is accidental damage while digging. He said even minor damage, such as a scrape, dent, or crease in a pipeline or its coating, can cause a leak. When calling 811, homeowners and contractors are connected to their local one-call center, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of their intent to dig. Professional locators are then sent to the digging site to mark the locations of underground utility-owned lines with flags and spray paint, free of charge. Calling 811 is the law in every state Atmos serves. All excavators are required to call 811 at least three business days in Tennessee and at least two days in Kentucky and Virginia before digging on public or private property, said Dobbs. In honor of National 811 Day, Atmos Energy is hosting a contest on its Instagram account (@atmosenergy) with daily questions from August 6th -10th. Participants have a chance to win $81.10 when they post a comment with the correct answer. Visit atmosenergy.com/contest for more information. For more information, visit atmosenergy.com/call811 or call811.com. By West Kentucky Star Staff Aug. 06, 2018 | 03:10 PM | GRAVES COUNTY A man faces charges after a two-car crash Monday morning in Graves County. The Graves County Sheriff's Office says the accident happened at approximately 10:30 am on US 45. Deputies say a vehicle driven by 43-year-old James Gholson, of Franklin, TN, was traveling south on US 45 North near Hunt Road, when he struck another southbound vehicle driven by 72-year-old Linda Reid, of Mayfield, in the rear and forced it off the road. Reids vehicle crossed the median and then went off the road on the left side and down into a ditch, striking a parked utility bucket truck before coming to rest. According to deputies, Gholson was seen by witnesses consuming an alcoholic beverage at the time of the accident. Gholson allegedly admitted to deputies that he was drunk at the time of the crash. Gholson was arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence, possession of an open alcohol container and wanton endangerment. He was taken to Jackson Purchase Medical Center, where he was treated and released, and then transported to the Graves County Jail. Reid was transported to Jackson Purchase Medical Center by Mayfield/Graves County EMS for treatment of her injuries. Christian County schools get $10 million for new vocational center Advertisement By The Associated Press Aug. 06, 2018 | MOSCOW By The Associated Press Aug. 06, 2018 | 10:17 AM | MOSCOW U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, who met with Russian lawmakers in Moscow said he invited them to visit Washington and they accepted Monday. Paul said during a trip to Russia that American and Russian legislators need closer contact, noting that "our biggest problem right now is no dialogue." The Kentucky Republican said after meeting with members of the foreign affairs committee for Russia's upper house of parliament that he invited them to come to the U.S. capital. Paul added that lawmakers from the two countries could also meet in a neutral third nation. "Those who believe in either country that we should not have diplomacy are greatly mistaken," he said. Konstantin Kosachev, the head of the foreign affairs committee in the Federation Council, the upper house, strongly backed Paul's effort to promote contacts. "Each of these meetings is important for a better understanding of each other and for talking about the perspectives of how to escape the 'dead end' of the relationship," Kosachev said. In a statement released by his office, Paul emphasized that "engagement is vital to our national security and peace around the world." "I invited the Russian Federation to send a delegation to the Capitol, and they have agreed to take this important next step," he said. Paul has nurtured a close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump and defended Trump after the president's Helsinki summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month. After meeting with upper house members, Paul also met Monday with members of the Russian parliament's lower house, the State Duma. Williamson, WV (25661) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will give way to occasional showers during the afternoon. High 67F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 54F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Reviewing Obama's Mandela Lecture What were the key themes and the significance of Obama's Nelson Mandela lecture? The African Centre for the Study of the United States (ACSUS) review forum at Wits on July 27 to discuss Obamas Mandela Lecture at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on June 17, and the Madiba Legacy, was provocative from its opening remarks. First Professor Gilbert Khadiagala, director of what is colloquially referred to as the African Centre, announced he had initially been sceptical about holding a second event, the first having been a discussion on July 10 about the two former presidents legacies. Then Professor Tawana Kupe, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Wits, said he had attended the lecture but was a bit annoyed, I will be frank, he said before elaborating on the decision to have four people incidentally all his friends spoke before Obama. Kupe said he understood the Nelson Mandela 16th annual lecture was Obamas coming-out speech, post-presidency, in the continent that is linked to his descent but despite its 'inspirational delivery, he didnt think Obama said anything new, and omitted to speak of terrorism and his role in dealing with it. The review was divided into three sections: an analysis of Obamas speech; foreign policy and diplomacy perspectives; and media representation. Some snippets of the eight presentations: As the only institution of its kind on the continent, the centre should invite Barack Obama to open his own pan-African thought and conversation with it which, I believe, would be to the inestimable benefit of both Obama and the centre and to the wider benefit of our commemorating the UN International Decade of Peoples of African Descent - Francis Kornegay , Senior Fellow at the Institute for Global Dialogue at Unisa; Legacies are not set in stone. This applies to Obama and to Madiba as well. How do we access how these two 'firsts' promoted and/or diminished democratic values, human rights and civil liberties? These matters are being debated as we speak. Their stories are still being shaped and formed. It is not yet over, not for either of them - Alice Brown Legacies are not set in stone. This applies to Obama and to Madiba as well. How do we access how these two 'firsts' promoted and/or diminished democratic values, human rights and civil liberties? These matters are being debated as we speak. Their stories are still being shaped and formed. It is not yet over, not for either of them - I enjoyed the speech mainly because I got to meet him beforehand. He is tall and gorgeous and he has a firm handshake and he asked me my name whats your name, sister? and I swooned . My first contention about [an Atlantic article about the speechs] framing of liberal internationalism as this grand progressive force for the majority of people in the world is just not true. What we know about the foundations of liberal thought is that they are fundamentally racist and sexist Dr Sithembile Mbete , political science lecturer at the University of Pretoria; Although both Mandela and Obama have this great charisma and superstar status around them, theyre at base both very pragmatic leaders and they try to have a world view based on facts.... As Obama said in his lecture: you have to believe in facts. And so we saw this on display. In fact Obama used the formulation history tells us or history shows at seven different points during the speech - Chris Williams [Mandela] arrived a little too late on AIDS, the health pandemic that became a security issue It took his oldest sons illness and death to spur him into activism in 2004 on an issue that had such a devastating human impact in South Africa (800 people dying every day at the height of the crisis) - Michelle Small, Wits International Relations lecturer; spur him into activism in 2004 on an issue that had such a devastating human impact in South Africa (800 people dying every day at the height of the crisis) - Michelle Small, Wits International Relations lecturer; I think most people read the Obama speech not in the grand lesson of history he was intending to promulgate but as a very specific, strong - although entirely complicit since the dreaded name Donald Trump was never used - critique of Donald Trump as president - Brooks Spector, Look at the Kenyan headlines.There was no connection, there was no discussive context, about what he was coming to do here and his visit to Kenya because he went to see his grandma that became a focus you miss the story of a major important occasion for the world and you highlight trivia. the attention that was paid to the dance he had with his grandma - Nixon Kariithi Tangaza Africa Media One of my students said of all the things that Obama said what he liked most was the American accent, he called it a twang, and he said if he could acquire that that would be sufficient for him. Thats also soft power because you are being attracted to the US because of language Dr Bob Wekesa , Wits Journalism and Media Studies Department: The presentations from both the centres July events will be published which, Kupe said, would fulfil one of its aims: to produce original knowledge of perspectives of us and the United States and, by extension, the world. Catastrophic wildfires continue to ravage California, as one blaze nearly doubled in size over the last three days, making it the largest in the state's history. No one has been injured in the Mendocino Complex Fire, which consists of two fires -- the Ranch Fire and the River Fire -- burning around Clear Lake, in several counties in Northern California. Accidents, disasters and safety California California wildfires Continents and regions Donald Trump Firefighters and firefighting Fires Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Governors Heads of government Jerry Brown Labor and employment Natural disasters North America Political Figures - US Southwestern United States The Americas United States US federal government White House Wildfires Workers and professionals Environment and natural resources Environmental law Environmental regulation and policy Law and legal system Combined, they form the biggest blaze that California firefighters are currently battling. Altogether, the Mendocino Complex Fire has burned 283,800 acres -- growing about 80% since Friday night. As of Monday evening, it was 30% contained and had destroyed 75 residences. The Mendocino Complex Fire has now surpassed last year's Thomas Fire, which burned 281,893 acres in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, as the largest fire in Cal Fire history. Exhausted firefighters across the state are trying to contain 16 major fires that are burning in hot, dry and windy conditions. On Monday, another fast-moving fire ignited in the state -- this time in Orange County, where firefighters battled the Holy Fire that expanded to more than 4,000 acres. That fire started in the Cleveland National Forest and evacuations in the nearby areas have been ordered, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. Trump blames California's 'bad environmental laws' In Northern California's Shasta County, the devastating Carr Fire claimed its seventh victim Saturday when a Pacific Gas & Electric worker died while working with a crew to restore power, utility spokesman J.D. Guidi said. Over the weekend, the White House approved a disaster declaration for Shasta County, allowing affected residents from the Carr Fire to apply for federal disaster assistance such as temporary housing, home repairs and other programs. At the same time, President Donald Trump blamed the state's environmental laws for the wildfires. "California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which aren't allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized," he tweeted Sunday. "It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire spreading!" It wasn't immediately clear what California laws Trump was referring to. Henri Grissino-Mayer, a geography professor at the University of Tennessee, said he had "no clue" what Trump was referring to in his tweet. "California does NOT divert water to the ocean," he told CNN in an email. "Ridiculous. It's true that water is diverted to the coastal cities for a constant water supply but all such water is used by the coastal communities." More than 14,000 firefighters are battling the wildfires across California. "Battling these relentless fires requires a Herculean effort," California Gov. Jerry Brown had written in his request to Trump for a presidential major disaster declaration. Fire crews from Australia and New Zealand arrived in California to help. They came to Redding, on Monday, according to the US Forest Service-Pacific Southwest Region. Parts of Redding were damaged by the Carr Fire, which has burned more than 164,413 acres. The fire was 47% contained as of late Monday, according to Cal Fire. The Carr Fire, now in its third week, is the sixth most destructive in the state's history, having destroyed more than 1,600 structures, according to Cal Fire. Parts of Yosemite National Park closed indefinitely Another major fire also burning in Northern California, the Ferguson Fire, extended into its third week. This fire has killed two people and injured 11 others. And it prompted the indefinite closure of some of the most popular parts of Yosemite National Park, officials announced on Sunday. "Over the past 48 hours, fire has impacted all of the roads used to access Yosemite Valley, burning dead and downed trees that can become very explosive and fall without warning," according to the National Park Service. Yosemite Valley is home to some of the most famous destinations of the park. "There are also significant terrain hazards for firefighters. These hazards, along with extreme fire behavior and frequent weather changes, have made this an extremely difficult fire fight," according to the NPS statement. The Ferguson Fire started on July 13. Of the 94,331 acres burned, firefighters have contained 39%, according to authorities. The one searing image out of the first week of the Paul Manafort financial fraud trial in Virginia is the mug shot of the defendant's $15,000 ostrich skin jacket, described by some as a monument to the excess of the Washington swamp. The star exhibit generated plenty of ridicule. But it's very likely that the free-spending political consultant and former Trump campaign manager may have developed a liking for ostrich from one of his former clients: the ousted, pro-Russian President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych. Animals Birds Continents and regions Eastern Europe Elections and campaigns Europe Government and public administration Investigations Life forms Paul Manafort Political Figures - Intl Political Figures - US Politics Russia Russia meddling investigation Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych Vladimir Putin Now living in exile in Russia and wanted in Ukraine for high treason, Yanukovych had a fondness for ostrich skin shoes and even had live ostriches on his lavish estate near Kiev known as Mezhyhirya. (Manafort is believed to have been a frequent visitor). But it is not just a fondness for ostriches that the two men have in common: Both had a weakness for offshore bank accounts, fine suits and prestigious properties. Watching reports of the trial, Ukrainians could be forgiven for having flashbacks to Yanukovych and the millions he spent on luxuries, ranging from antique cars and a stuffed crocodile to a galleon restaurant and even an ornate, in-house chapel. Prosecutors for Robert Mueller said Manafort earned up to $60 million from his work as a political consultant to the Yanukovych government between 2010 and 2014. The prosecution will say that the earnings were hidden from the IRS through secret bank accounts in Cyprus and elsewhere. Manafort's work in Ukraine was mostly to help Yanukovych win several elections, burnish his image in the West and help transform him from a clumsy, inarticulate former coal mining factory boss into a savvy statesman. In September, Manafort will face money laundering and foreign lobbying charges in a separate trial in Washington, where he is expected to deny participating in Russian activities to "undermine the interests" of the United States. Manafort allegedly was introduced to clients in Ukraine via politicians and businessmen aligned to Russian President Vladimir Putin, including Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. For a struggling, emerging country such as Ukraine in 2010-2014 (the years Yanukovych served as president), where the average monthly wage is around $200, spending $60 million on a foreign political consultancy is a mind-numbing sum. Most of it is reported to have been disbursed in cash and off-the-books, and recorded in handwriting in a so-called "black ledger" maintained by Yanukovych's Party of Regions. "Ukraine figures in almost every sentence in this trial, especially in terms of where Manafort earned his money," said journalist Myroslava Gongadze in her daily VOA reports from the Virginia courthouse. Indeed, most of the 18 bank and tax fraud charges stem from Manafort's work as a political consultant in Ukraine. That the VOA Ukrainian service has been providing blanket coverage to viewers in Ukraine attests to the intense interest from viewers there. Gongadze added that if Manafort is convicted, Ukrainian prosecutors might ask for the evidence for use against corrupt politicians during the time Manafort worked in Ukraine (many key suspects, including Yanukovych, have fled to Russia). Some observers point out the irony that while no major Ukrainian figure from the Yanukovych circle has been charged, an aging American consultant is been hauled into court in the United States to answer for his work during that time. "Nobody here is in jail. So we now have a situation where the American consultant of a Ukrainian dictator is being the only one held responsible for the crimes of the ex-president," Ukrainian investigative TV journalist Natalie Sedletska told me. Still, the trial may serve as a form of a catharsis for Ukrainians who, by the tens of thousands, helped oust Yanukovych, and finally freeze Manafort's cash spigot in Ukraine. Manafort's lawyer has argued that his client's work for Yanukovych was to "bring the country closer to Western democracies after decades of Soviet rule." But a careful look at the timeline of events shows he did the complete opposite, slowing Ukraine's integration with the West, especially with the European Union. Under pressure from Putin, the then-Ukrainian president refused to sign an accession agreement with the EU in late 2013, which ignited the giant fuse that sparked the Maidan protests and his eventual ouster. For the current Ukrainian government of pro-Western President Petro Poroshenko, ending up in the daily news cycle as part of the Manafort scandal isn't exactly the type of PR they want. In fact, despite some impressive passage of reforms by Parliament in recent months, at the end of it all, Americans may be left with an image of the country as hopelessly corrupt, and on its way to becoming a failed state, especially if pro-Russian politicians regain control of the country in elections next year. Recently, I was reminded by former Ukraine Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko, that in fact, with the state treasury plundered so badly, the country was on the verge of default in the weeks after the collapse of the Yanukovych regime. The armed forces were so hollowed out that when pro-Russian rebels invaded eastern Ukraine in 2014 the Ukrainian soldiers were sent to the battlefront in sandals, borrowed uniforms and hopelessly useless weapons and equipment. While the state finances have since recovered -- in large part thanks to billion dollar bail-out loans by the international community -- endemic corruption, low wages and a lack of opportunity are fuelling a large-scale brain drain of young, talented people. Thanks in large part to the damage to the economy wrought by Yanukovych and his cronies, it will take years, perhaps decades, for Ukraine to fully recover. "For Ukrainians, the significance of Manafort is incredibly obvious in terms of being an accomplice to a regime that stole so much money from the country, and that was ultimately responsible for murder," said Franklin Foer, a writer for The Atlantic who has studied Manafort closely. During the four years Manafort served the then-ruling party in Ukraine, he employed a sophisticated playbook -- perhaps borrowing despicable tactics employed by previous clients such as dictators Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines, Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire and Angolan rebel Jonas Savimbi -- strategies to whitewash their corrupt dealings and bolster their image in the West. Sowing divisiveness in Ukrainian society -- by for example exaggerating the Ukrainian-Russian language divide -- was also reported to be part of Manafort's strategy to strengthen Yanukovych's position. But, in the end, despite his political savviness and years of experience from capitals as diverse as Manila, Washington and Luanda, Manafort failed to predict the harsh reaction of the Ukrainian people and was unable to protect his client from being ousted from power in early 2014. A stain on his prolific resume, perhaps. But sowing divisiveness and mercilessly beating down opponents are tactics that seemed to have stayed with the Trump team to this day, long after Manafort worked there as campaign chairman from June to August 2016. Even more astonishing is that the same forces that annexed Crimea and invaded eastern Ukraine are, if US intelligence agencies are to be believed, also the same forces that undermined the 2016 US elections by hacking emails and computer networks associated with the Democratic Party. In both cases, Russia has denied any involvement. But what cannot be denied is that Manafort was deeply involved in both countries. Both Ukraine and the United States were undermined by Putin and his accomplices, with Manafort being one of them. ORISKANY- For the second year in a row Oriskany Creek Farm hosted their annual Stars n Stripes Barrel Race. The race raised several thousands of dollars for Sitrin Health Cares Military Rehabilitation Program, a program which helps veterans with a variety of healthcare issues. I believe that there is a sense of patriotism here today, said Rosemary Bonacci, Sitrin Health Communications Vice President. From the beginning, they know they were giving back to people who put their lives on the line for them. Among the competitors on Sunday was Krista Scalzo. Kirsta a college student who has been riding horses her whole life was riding for a purpose. It is a really good feeling when I leave here knowing I am helping people out, said Scalzo. These [veterans] defended our country and gave me this opportunity in the first place. Owner of Oriskany Creek Farm, Becky Czarnocki, told WKTV she just never wants anyone to forget about our veterans. I just think they are forgotten about, said Czarnocki. I just want to keep on giving back because they give to us every day. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Republican lawmakers in New York will hold hearings into recent decisions by the state parole board to release some high-profile offenders. The state Senate's GOP majority announced the move Monday. No dates have been announced. Lawmakers say the hearings will focus on several parole decisions, including one earlier this year to release 70-year-old Herman Bell, a former Black Liberation Army radical who killed two New York City police officers in 1971. The hearings will also examine Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo's decision to restore voting rights of thousands of former inmates. The governor's spokesman noted that the parole board acts independently and that Cuomo himself has disagreed with some of its decisions. He said the governor's decision to restore voting rights is in line with more than a dozen other states. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLFI) A family in Benton County is on the Featured Farmers list at the Indiana State Fair this year. Maple Island Farms owner Brent Cox said the first time he heard the news from his wife, he couldn't believe they were chosen. "She came home and kind of briefed me on it," said Brent. "I teased her that they must be low on farmers." Natasha and Brent Cox met at Purdue University but have been involved in the agriculture industry all of their lives. From there, they decided to create a new life together in Benton County. The couple started Maple Island Farms where they produce corn, soybeans and wheat products. "We promote agriculture, production and the safety and stewardship every day," said Brent. "It's just kind of neat to be honored and do it on the forefront." Co-owner Natasha Cox said her family's lives are not solely dependent on the farm. Everyone involved also holds full-time jobs that add a unique twist to their business. "Most farms in the United States are family farms and most people don't know that," said Natasha. "We know agriculture is not about the glitz and the glamour, it's about the work that is put into it for food safety, transparency and sustainability around the world." For them, this is a family business they hope will continue to grow with their children. "Going through the ups and the downs in the market, that's really what made this opportunity to be the featured farmer very very important to us." This was the fourth year Corteva Agriscience hosted the Featured Farmers event. Farmers from different regions will showcase agriculture products throughout the seventeen day fair. 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 The Socialist Equality Party denounces the attack by around a dozen far-right thugs on the Bookmarks bookshop in central London on Saturday evening. Bookmarks is run by the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) and is the official bookseller of the Trades Union Congress. A tweet from Bookmarks explained, About 6:45 this evening Bookmarks Bookshop was attacked by about a dozen masked wearing [sic] fascists. They threatened staff and attempted to destroy books and other materials. A press release by the SWP and Trades Union Congress-backed Stand Up to Racism organisation said the fascists carried placards reading British Bolshevik Cult [in a reference to the BBC state broadcaster] and one of them wore a Trump Mask. Books and magazines were ripped and torn, with displays wrecked. It cited a member of staff at the bookshop who said, Books on Islamophobia were ridiculed and thrown around. They chanted about Muslims and paedophilia and called us traitors. While not mentioning [far right leader] Tommy Robinson the links are there to see. The release continued, The far right activists also shouted about [Labour leader Jeremy] Corbyn and anti-semitism and then took Abram Leons The Jewish Question off the shelf holding it aloft as proof of the anti-semitism of the left. The attackers also make threats to return and show what they can do. The shop was attacked just as it was closing, with a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police saying, Police were called at approximately 18:35hrs on Saturday, 4 August to reports of a protest inside a shop on Bloomsbury Street, WC1. No other offences were disclosed at the time. Police received a second call a short time later stating that the group had left the premises after causing some damage inside the shop. There were no injuries. An appointment has been made for officers to speak with the complainant. No arrests have been made. The attack is part of an orchestrated and well-funded resurgence of far-right activity in Britain and internationally. An article posted on the SWPs web page reported that one of the people employed in the bookshop, Noel, said, I recognized one of people in the crowd He had been in the book shop a week before arguing with other customers. He had been coming out with alt right slogans, fake news nonsense stuff, and we had to get rid of him. At least some of the assailants attended a far-right rally that took place in central London earlier Saturday. According to information on the placards and a Make Britain Great Again banner carried by the group, it was organised by the Peoples Charter Foundation. The same placards as described by the bookshop employees were held by participants at the rally, including ones reading Bolshevik Brainwashing Cult. According to a twitter posting by Jo Phillips, a member of the pro-Corbyn Momentum group, This was meant to be a protest about the BBC etc. Sharon Klaff gave a horrendous speech on Labour and Israel. They all went to the pub. Some clearly decided to go terrorise folk in Bookmarks. Klaff is a Zionist who lives in London and is a columnist with the online-based Times of Israel . Phillips later posted a still from a video showing Make Britain Great Again leader Luke Nash-Jones confronting a Bookmarks representative inside the book shop. Nash-Jones is a member of the UK Independence Party (UKIP). Phillips wrote the video has now been removed but this is what it said. The still has a caption underneath reading MAKE BRITAIN GREAT AGAIN INVADES COMMUNIST BOOK STORE--BOOKS IN THIS STORE ARE HATE SPEECH. From footage of the earlier Make Britain Great Again event, a number of participants, including Nash-Jones, wore red Donald Trump-style Make Britain Great Again caps. Despite the fact that on the still, three unmasked faces can be seen, including that of Nash-Jones, confronting a Bookmark representativewith Nash-Jones and another wearing the same Make Britain Great Again caps they had on earlierplus the fact that central London is awash with CCTV cameras, there are no reports that the Met have yet arrested or charged a single person in connection to the attack. The Peoples Charter website states in bold large type, STAND AGAINST MARXISM. It adds, We do more than protest. At its rally Saturday, Nash-Jones denounced Frederick Engels, Karl Marxs closest collaborator, because he meant to abolish our nation, abolish our flag The group not only has connections to UKIP, but also the right-wing anti-EU Bruges Group. Patrons of the Peoples Charter Foundation include Robert Oulds, chair of the Bruges Group, and Elizabeth Jones, a member of UKIPs National Executive Committee. Jones spoke at Saturdays rally and praised the battle that [far-right leader] Tommy Robinson is so bravely fighting. Oulds was a Conservative councillor in the London Borough of Hounslow from 2002 to 2018. From 2006 to 2009, he was Chairman of its Planning Committee and from 2009 to 2010 a Cabinet Member at the council. He chaired the Slough Conservative Association from 2006 to 2008 and the Brentford and Isleworth Conservative Association from 2013 to 2016. The attack on Bookmarks came just three weeks to the day after fascist thugs savagely beat Steve Hedley, assistant general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) in central London. Hedley, his partner, and several other RMT members were attacked after he spoke at a counter-protest held by Stand Up To Racism against a far-right demonstration of around 15,000 fascists. Peoples Charter Foundation members were present at that march, with a Make Britain Great Again banner on display. The fascists were demanding the release from prison of Robinson, who had been jailed for contempt of court. Robinson was released on bail, in a court decision celebrated by the far right, just three days prior to the attack on Bookmarks. The involvement of the Bruges Group is another expression of the crossover of personnel with far-right groups. The day before Hedley was attacked, Steve Bannon, a former Goldman Sachs banker, hosted a meeting at a five-star Mayfair hotel. Those present included former UKIP leader Nigel Farage and Ben Harris-Quinney, chairman of the Conservative Party think-tank The Bow Group, founded by Geoffrey Howe and with a membership reading like a roll-call of the Thatcherite right. Joining the Tories and the mass media in creating the ideological climate for such attacks are the Blairites in the Labour Party and various Zionist groups. The attack on Corbyn over bogus charges that he is an anti-Semiteorganised by Labours right-wingreached frenzied proportions as the attack on Bookmarks took place. Klaff said at the rally that the left today is the party of anti-Semitism. However much Jeremy Corbyn tries to wriggle out of this space he has played a role in this for over four decades, without too much about his role at all being mentioned by the BBC. She referred to a meeting that her organisation, Campaign4Truth, held in Parliament in November 2015 that was hosted by Tory MP Mike Freer. This grotesque slander of left anti-Semitism was reiterated by those who attacked the Bookmarks store. Like many other far-right figures, Robinson was previously employed by Rebel Media, founded by Ezra Levanta fervent Zionist. The author also recommends: Fascist assault on UK union leader Steve Hedley [19 July 2018] Following the strike vote by workers at the Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) transmission plants in Kokomo, Indiana, autoworkers should be keenly aware of who and what they confront. Of particular interest is the recent transfer of Cindy Estrada from the United Auto Workers General Motors division to head the FCA division. Since joining the union as an organizer in 1995, Cindy Estrada had risen rapidly to become the first woman in line to take the top job in the UAW, before reports of her potential involvement in the elaborate scheme of payoffs and money laundering that has engulfed the union apparatus. On November 2, 2017, the Detroit Free Press reported that Estrada had been named as the latest target in the FBI probe of corporate-union corruption. That investigation has exposed two of the main conduits of slush fund money as UAW-company training centers and bogus charities set up by union officials. The Cynthia Estrada Charity Fund allowed its legal registration with the state of Michigan to lapse in July 2017, and her stepdaughter was employed by a corporate-union training center. At the UAW Constitutional Convention in Detroit this June, UAW officials claimed that the corruption scandal, in which at least $1.5 million was funneled from FCA via joint training funds into the pockets of union officials, was the work of a few bad actors. Now it has been revealed that former UAW President Dennis Williams has been implicated in the scheme. Despite this, at the same convention UAW delegates voted to give top union officers huge raises, including a raise for UAW vice presidents, including Estrada, to $180,591. As vice president in charge of negotiations with GM, she played the key role in ramming through the 2015 contract in violation of longstanding union policy that a contract rejected by the skilled trades department cannot be accepted overall. She took charge of the unions FCA department this past June, just prior to the strike vote in Kokomo. Indicative of her subservience to the corporations, the UAW vice president and GM department director published the following statement in connection with the corporations announcement of $1 billion of investments in the U.S. Todays announcement continues GM investments that have emerged as a result of the 2015 national bargaining agreement. We will continue to work with GM to bring more product to the United States and enhance the job security of our UAW members. What she meant by job security was revealed in a secret memorandum of understanding she negotiated covering workers in Lordstown, Ohio and Lake Orion, Michigan. In April the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter published segments from Estradas statement to rank-and-file workers noting that a secret deal had been cut in February to permit GM to replace legacy workers who receive full pay and replace them with subcontract workers at half pay and few if any contractual protections. She admitted that the decision to destroy fully paid jobs was agreed to by the involved local, regional, and national leadership. Everyone agrees that this situation sucks, she continued. But what would suck even more would be to have GM shut down any of our plants and devastate hundreds of our members lives and the communities where those plants exist. What she means by job security was protecting the dues income flowing to the coffers of the UAW by replacing fully paid workers with workers getting half pay, lousy benefits and no rights. In an effort to blackmail UAW members to swallow her betrayal, she cited the recent wave of job cutting that GM had carried out with the full backing of the UAW. In 2017, GMs car production was cut by over 20 percent, with the biggest impact to small cars. We saw the reduction of six shifts of assembly plant production and volume reductions at our Powertrain, Stamping and Components plants. There are currently nine open shifts of production in our assembly plants. GM is analyzing the future of many of their car products. Estrada was only repeating the timeworn lies of the UAW that concessions and handing over the gains won by autoworkers in generations of struggle would save jobs. Since the UAW first initiated its campaign of job-saving concessions at Chrysler in 1979-80, more than one million jobs have been wiped out in the auto industry. In 2014, Estrada oversaw the sellout of workers at the Lear Seating factory in Hammond, Indiana. After shutting down a one-day strike, the UAW claimed it had abolished the two-tier wage system at the plant. In reality, the deal replaced two tiers with three, including so-called sub-assembly workers earning even lower wages. The UAW has already signaled that it is willing to do the same thing for GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler. In October 2015, Estrada attacked the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter for publishing half truths and crap. She and the union apparatus as a whole are enraged at the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter, not for lies but because it tells workers the truth. During this same period, the UAW slashed new hires wages, divided workers into tiers, raised dues fees, and agreed to a no-strike clause. Any involvement by Estrada in the ongoing negotiations in Kokomo should be viewed with suspicion. It is a further argument for rank-and-file control over negotiations. This includes a line-by-line copy with all the normally concealed letters of understanding, the major briefs presented by both sides in reaching the agreement, notes from the union and the company, and any other relevant material used to reach the agreement. The real reason the UAW wont give these details is because if workers knew what was being planned they would rebel. Autoworkers must take it upon themselves to build rank-and-file committees that are free from the authority of the UAW. In every factory, workers should elect such committees, made up of the most militant and self-sacrificing workers, to mobilize the ranks to demand that all the details of the negotiations be made public. A federal judge issued a ruling on July 24 ordering the state of Florida to make public colleges and universities eligible to hold early voting on campus. The ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by six students from Florida State University and the University of Florida, as well the League of Women Voters of Florida and the Andrew Goodman Foundation. The lawsuit was motivated by an opinion issued in 2014 from the office of Florida Secretary of State Ken Deztner advising county election supervisors that an early voting expansion law passed in 2013 did not include state colleges and universities. That law, passed in the aftermath of the 2012 elections, where the state of Florida once again came under criticism for restricting voting access, outlined locations where early voting would be permitted. This included any libraries, community centers, convention centers, and various government-owned facilities. Deztners opinion, issued in response to a request by the University of Florida to have an early voting site at its student union, stated that the student union did not qualify because the University, which is state-funded, was affiliated with, a specific educational institution. Detzner also asserted that colleges and universities were prohibited from having early voting sites because the law in question did not specifically mention them. US District Judge Mark Walker stated in his opinion that Detzners ban on early voting at those locations was a violation of both the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the US Constitution and, in particular, the 26th Amendment, which prohibits the government from placing any restrictions on voting for citizens 18 years old and above. In his opinion, Judge Walker took note of a large number of students enrolled at universities in Florida. There are 1.1 million college students in the state, with 830,000 of those enrolled at public colleges or universities. Additionally, there are approximately 107,000 staff employed at these institutions. Early voting is widespread in the state of Florida. In 2016, 40.3 percent of all ballotsrepresenting some 3.9 million voterswere cast at early voting sites. Walker states that the total number of Floridians who may benefit from on-campus voting, nearly one and a quarter million people, exceeds the population of several states, including Alaska, Vermont, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia. In attempting to justify the blanket prohibition on early voting on campuses, Detzners attorneys present three main arguments: That allowing early voting at these locations would be a violation of state law, would create parking problems, and could potentially create on campus disruptions. Judge Walker dismisses all of these arguments, noting that the specific language of the law, which states any city hall, permanent public library facility, fairground, civic center, courthouse, county commission building, stadium, convention center, government-owned senior center, or government-owned community center as early voting sites, does not explicitly prohibit early voting at colleges and universities. Indeed, the law neither requires nor prohibits county election supervisors from designating these places as early voting sites. Walker states that Detzner was effectively inserting a prohibition into an otherwise flexible Authorizing statute. In regard to the issues of parking and on campus disruptions, the judge makes the obvious point that allowing early voting at these locations would relieve rather than aggravate these issues since election day voting is already conducted on campuses. In explaining how Detzners interpretation of the law violates the 26th Amendment, Judge Walker explains that the states position reveals a stark pattern of discrimination. It is unexplainable on grounds other than age because it bears so heavily on younger voters than all other voters. Defendants stated interests for the Opinion (following state law, avoiding parking issues, and minimizing on-campus disruption) reeks of pretext. The pretext judge Walker refers to is the decades-long effort by Floridas Republican-dominated legislature to disenfranchise minorities, students, workers, convicted felons and others so as to maintain their hold on power throughout the state, including the governors office. The state came to national attention for its fraudulent voting procedures during the 2000 elections, when the US Supreme Court overruled a Florida Supreme Court order allowing re-counts in the presidential election to proceed. That decision granted the presidency to George W. Bush, in spite of the fact that Democratic candidate Al Gore has been subsequently shown to have won the popular vote in that state. In the wake of that decision, it was revealed that state and county officials throughout Florida had engaged in multiple forms of voter suppression, including purging tens of thousands of mostly minority voters from the voting roles by falsely identifying them as convicted felons, prohibited from voting under state law. The law permanently disenfranchising convicted felons, which was softened during the administration of Charlie Crist and then reinstated under current Republican Governor Rick Scott, is one of the primary means by which working-class voters are prevented from exercising their democratic rights in the state. PolitiFact has stated that of the approximately 6 million disenfranchised felons in the US, 1.5 million reside in Florida. Judge Walkers ruling will have a limited impact. Though Alachua County, where the University of Florida is located, has stated that it will allow early voting on campus, many other county election supervisors have already stated that they will not follow suit. Because Judge Walkers ruling does not mandate that early voting sites be established at colleges and universities, it can be expected that election supervisors throughout the state will continue to prohibit early voting to the maximum amount politically possible. This is particularly important this year, as elections are to be held for multiple state-wide races, including for governor and attorney general, as well as US Senate and House of Representatives. Governor Rick Scott has a particular interest in suppressing the Democratic Party vote, as he is contesting the Senate seat held by Democrat Senator Bill Nelson, who has held office since the 1970s. The attempts to block early voting in Florida are an expression of the diseased political culture throughout the state, where politicians from both parties attempt to outflank each other on the right. In the political commercials which saturate local television, various Republican candidatesmany who are running against one another because of the political weakness of the Democratic Party in the state-compete with each other to see who can more viciously attack immigrants, deprive workers of social assistance programs, and make grotesque displays of loyalty to President Trump. The Democrats, for their part, have said nothing in opposition to these policies, instead attempting to exploit the Parkland school shooting to advocate for more stringent gun control policies. They have nothing to offer workers in Florida other than continuing exploitation, police state laws, and endless war. Alexandra Deans documentary Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story is an account of the life and career of famed Hollywood actress Hedy Lamarr. Deans film focuses on Lamarrs recently uncovered career as an inventor whose efforts paved the way for secure Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth, cell phone and military technology. Hedy Lamarr Cursed to a certain extent by her beauty, Lamarr appeared in many forgettable films. Her most interesting ones were made in the World War II era: Algiers (1938), Boom Town (1940), Tortilla Flat (1942), Experiment Perilous (1944), The Strange Woman (1946) and Dishonored Lady (1947). The backbone of Deans film is an interview with Lamarr (recorded on audio tapes) conducted by Fleming Meeksa Forbes magazine staff writerfor a 1990 article, ten years before her death. The movie also includes comments by members of her family, biographers and admirers such as Mel Brooks and Robert Osborne. In the Meeks interview, Lamarr comes across as a warm, thoughtful and perceptive human being. She lived in convulsive, often tragic times and was obviously determined from an early age to do something important with her life. Deans Bombshell suggests that Lamarr was largely wasted by the film industry, which could make little use of her personality and intellect. Any girl can look glamorous. All she has to do is stand still and look stupid, contends Lamarr. In a good number of her film performances, she has an other-worldly look as though her mind is elsewhere. The documentary hints at some of the things she might have been thinking about. The Strange Woman (1946) Lamarr, born in November 1914, grew up in a well-to-do Jewish family in Vienna, which at the time was one of the most sophisticated cities in the world, home to Sigmund Freud, Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Arthur Schnitzler, Karl Kraus, Robert Musil and other luminaries. Hedwig Kiesler (the future Lamarr) absorbed something of this cultured, artistically inclined atmosphere. As a child, she was enormously bright, inquisitive, alert about the world. Bombshell refers to an article that notes, Hedys interest in gadgets really started at the age of five when she took an old-fashioned music box apart and put it back together again. Lamarrs son, Anthony Loder, tells us: My mother was curious. She had a very intellectually curious mind. She wanted to know how things worked, and her father told her things. Although her father's official position was as bank director, he was also interested in technology. The cosmopolitan atmosphere of her youth had much to do with her later duality as an artist and inventor, but those surroundings (I miss Vienna, she tells Meeks, I would like to make a movie about it. All of the nice things I have seen when I was a child) were about to receive heavy blows delivered by titanic events. Lamarr was born in the first months of World War I, which ultimately led to the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. She entered the film business as a teenager in 1931, with a small part in an Austrian-German comedy. She was given the lead in the notorious Ekstase (Ecstasy), at the age of 18, in 1933, the same year Hitler came to power. The film could not be shown in Germany because the actress was Jewish. Poster for Experiment Perilous (1944) Bombshell, unfortunately, has only a limited grasp of what made Lamarr tick: her life kept colliding with world-historic events. The actress arrived in the US in 1938, having been signed by Louis B. Mayer of MGM. He had come to Europe, one of the commentators in Bombshell observes, to buy up all the actors and actresses who were escaping Nazi Germany. He figured he could take them back to Hollywood and enslave them in his Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer empire for a cheap price. As a Jewish refugee from Hitler and already well-known because of Ecstasy, Hedy Kiesler now became Hedy Lamarr. About Lamarr and Algiers, which made her a star, comedian/writer-director Mel Brooks jokes: When I was a kid, I saw her in Algiers, I said, Im gonna get to Hollywood and Im gonna marry her. And if I dont get to marry her, Ill get to buy her dinner and feel her up under the table. Whatever I can get. The documentary narration notes that it is almost unfathomable how busy she was in 1940. They [the actors] were expected to do what the studio wanted. Bette Davis described it as a slave system. And they were owned in the sense that they had signed contracts that bound them to studios for seven-year periods. Lamarrs son Anthony states, My mother was worked like a racehorse. She had to run fast all the time. They gave her pills to wake her up to perform. Pretty sure it was some form of speed. And then, to make them sleep, they gave them sleeping pills. They worked six days a week. In fact, according to Bombshell: Women really had to get to the studio early because they had to have their hair done, their makeup put on, their costumes put on. And then, you know, they worked into the night. And heres whats remarkable. After a grueling day on the set, Hedy didnt go to bed. She wasnt socializing. Hedy was at home working on her latest invention she not only had a complete inventing table set up in her house, but [aviation tycoon and film producer] Howard Hughes gave her a small version of the set of equipment which he had in the trailer where she stayed in between takes. Interestingly, Lamarr got involved with the design of Hughes airplanes: I thought the aeroplanes were too slow, so I decided thats not right. They shouldnt be square, the wings ... So I bought a book of fish and I bought a book of birds and then used the fastest bird, connected it with the fastest fish. I drew it together and showed it to Howard Hughes and he said, Youre a genius. This was also when she dreamed up a tablet that would fizz up and make cola. Hedy: You know, during the war nobody had Coca-Cola and I wanted to compress it into a cube so that servicemen and factory people, all they had to have was water and put it in. This particular idea did not work out. Lamarrs greatest contribution as an inventor was inspired by a tragic event in the summer of 1940, when a shipload of children was torpedoed. All hands lost including 83 children. At the time, the German U-boats were on the verge of winning the war. They seemed to be unsinkable because they easily outmaneuvered the outdated British torpedoes. She thought, Im gonna do something about that. In an article, Hedy says, I got the idea for my invention when I tried to think of some way to even the balance for the British. A radio-controlled torpedo I thought would do it. According to Bombshell: The Germans fill the air with radio interference. She came up with the idea of a secret way of guiding that torpedo to the target that couldnt be interrupted, that couldnt be jammed, that couldnt be messed with. Instead of just one transmit frequency communicating, she said, What if we changed those frequencies constantly in sync with each other? Frequency hopping. The idea was mine, but the implementation was Georges. Composer George Antheil Son Anthony tells the camera: My mother met [modernist American composer and pianist] George Antheil at Janet Gaynors party. And she liked George Antheil a lot. [Antheil had lost a younger brother in the war.] So, when she left the party early, she wrote her phone number in lipstick on the windshield of his car. Ultimately Lamarr and Antheil wanted their torpedo and ship to communicate on 88 different frequencies, like an encryption system, basically, that nobody could crack. They gave their invention to the Navy, who threw it back in their faces. In addition, the US government seized Hedys 1942 patent as the property of an enemy alien. I dont understand, decries Lamarr, They use me for selling bonds, [she sold $25 million of them, or $343 million in todays dollars] then Im not an alien. And when I invent something for this country, I am an alien? Bombshell s postscript points out that Hedys invention is now the basis for secure Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellphone, GPS and military technology. The market value of her invention is an estimated $30 billion. If current trends continue, experts believe almost everyone in the world will soon be connected by frequency hopping. Adding insult to injury, Lamarr, Deans documentary points out, a woman who had tried to change the course of the war, now found herself in a third-rate film as a distraction for the troops, as the demeaning native girl Tondelayo in White Cargo. The documentary conveys the sense that Lamarr knew most of her films were forgettable. She was often type-cast as an exotic femme fatale, partly because of her accent and partly because of her dazzling looks, a combination capable of making the American he-man dissolve into a puddle. Dishonored Lady (1947) There were, however, a few exceptions: the above-mentioned Algiers, Jack Conways Boom Town with Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy, and John Steinbecks Tortilla Flat, directed by Victor Fleming. Her acting abilities were particularly on display in Edgar G. Ulmers The Strange Woman (which she co-produced), Jacques Tourneurs Experiment Perilous and Robert Stevensons film noir Dishonored Lady (1947) with Dennis OKeefe and John Loder, the father of her two childrenshe had earlier adopted a third. Then there was of course Cecil B. DeMilles Biblical epic, Samson and Delilah (1949), a tremendous success for Paramount. Her six marriages were also not a source of satisfaction. Her first was to Fritz Mandl, who ran a leading Austrian armaments firm. According to Bombshell, he was by German measures, Jewish, and therefore, Hitler was concerned not to be seen with him, and I doubt very much if Hitler was a guest at one of their houses, but Mussolini was. This was Lamarrs first exposure to military technology. In the 1950s, she tried to produce a film without success, then she turned Aspen, Colorado into an Austrian ski resort. As noted, there were more marriages, none of them lasting very long, and drugs, including methamphetamine the studios had prescribed, an embarrassing arrest for shoplifting and loads of plastic surgery. Lamarr ended her life, sadly, as a recluse: She wouldnt even see her family. We wanted to spend time with her, but she kept us away. There was so much scandal. There were different chapters of scandal. Lamarr claimed to have no regrets, You learn from everything, but the facts of her last years perhaps suggest otherwise. Lamarrs life, as she explains to Meeks, had many phases I have been through a lot, my whole life. She once said, People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Love them anyway. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish alternative motives. Do good anyway. The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with the smallest minds. Think big anyway. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway. Give the world the best you have and youll be kicked into the teeth. Give the world the best youve got anyway. A remarkable woman. A video of a wildcat walkout by construction workers building a new UPS super-hub in Indianapolis went viral after its posting last Tuesday. In a testament to the growing radicalization and dissatisfaction of the working class it has been shared almost 100,000 times and has received about 3 million views on Facebook at the time of this writing. Antoine Dangerfield, a contracted welder who shot the video, was fired shortly after publishing it. UPS and representatives from the construction contractor reportedly offered him $250 to take it down, an offer that he refused. Video of workers walking off UPS construction site (Warning: strong language) The workers were predominantly Hispanic and, according to Dangerfield, walked out because of the actions of a racist supervisor who he said would photograph and record workers. According to Dangerfield, workers would warn each other whenever he approached. After a confrontation in which some workers refused to translate at a safety meeting, he fired several people, prompting the remaining workers to walk out. In an attempt to contain anger and minimize the significance of what happened, the construction contractor fired the supervisor. Conversely, Dangerfield, who did little more than film the event, also lost his job. This walkout occurred despite the attacks by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), still fresh in workers memory, and the xenophobia being promoted up by the ruling class internationally. In June, ICE staged raids on an Ohio meatpacking plant as part of an attempt to terrorize the immigrant population and intimidate the working class more broadly, seeking to whip up an atmosphere of xenophobia. ICE agents armed to the teeth pulled workers out of the plant, separated native-born and immigrant workers, and arrested those who were unable to provide papers. The sharing of the walkout video comes in spite of efforts by the ruling class to censor the internet. The actions of the major tech companies in the service of the state to suppress internet content raise the question, in particular: Have there have been other similar events that may have been blocked from widespread sharing, either through the actions of human censors or algorithms of Facebook and Google that automatically or semi-automatically perform the same function? While left-wing, socialist and anti-war websites have been the primary target of internet censorship, with the WSWS at the top of the list, it is highly likely that censorship is also being carried out against left-wing material created by individuals who themselves may not be part of any political organization. During the teachers strikes this year, the unions and their front groups censored critical posts by teachers opposed to the sabotage of their struggle by the unions. The walkout by construction workers in Indianapolis is a further indication of a broader resurgence of class struggle. This year has seen a wave of teachers strikes, which for a moment were able to break free from the stranglehold of the unions. Last month, a quarter million UPS workers voted massively for strike authorization and are expressing overwhelmingly opposition to the sellout contract promoted by the Teamsters union, which would create new class of hybrid drivers earning less than regular UPS drivers. Just 60 miles north of Indianapolis, over 6,000 Fiat Chrysler autoworkers have voted overwhelmingly for strike authorization over hundreds of accumulated grievances. While the immediate cause of the Indianapolis walkout may have been the actions of a racist supervisor, there are broader social questions involved. Social relations in the US are at a boiling point over a whole host of questions ranging from access to quality healthcare, education, the right to a decent standard of living and freedom from living in fear of police thuggery, deportation, and war. It is these same basic class forces which have pitted a quarter-million UPS workers, whose contracts expired on August 1, against the Teamsters. Rather than making any effort to unify disparate sections of the working class who are increasingly coming into struggle, the Teamsters are attempting to shove a concessions contract down the throats of UPS workers on behalf of the company. The Teamsters have had nothing to say about the Indianapolis walkout, let alone make any calls for the unity of the working class. Workers everywhere are more and more demonstrating a readiness to take up a fight against existing conditions, but the unions, in an alliance with the Democratic Party, have done everything in their power to prevent any mobilization of the working class. Although workers have voted over 80 or 90 percent to call for strikes, this determination to fight finds no expression in the actions of the unions. Instead they push sellout contracts and promote right-wing big-business politicians. It is noteworthy that the Indianapolis construction workers did not have a union. It would have been much more difficult to stage a walkout if they did, as they would find themselves in opposition to both the company and the union apparatus. The Socialist Equality Party calls for the building of rank-and-file committees among all sections of the working class. One of the first tasks of these committees would be to reach out to all sections of the working class, immigrant and native-born as well as workers internationally, to unify in a common struggle for their basic interests. We urge workers interested in this perspective to make contact with the WSWS. We will assist however possible in the building of rank-and-file committees. Dr. Wayne Lewis, interim education commissioner in Kentucky, has extended the deadline until next week for the Jefferson County Board of Education to respond to his latest offer that would avoid a confrontation over a state takeover of the districts public schools. The Jefferson County district is the largest in the state, encompassing 172 schools, 6,600 teachers and 101,000 students, throughout the Louisville metropolitan area. On April 30, Lewis recommended a full takeover of JCPS (Jefferson County Public Schools) by the state. The move has been seen as an attempt to impose an emergency manager-type regime over the finances and administration of the district. The local school board has appealed the decision, prompting Lewis to put forward a compromise proposal. If the local board accepts the proposal, an audit would take place in the fall of 2019 and recommendations would be made. Lewis new proposal stipulates that the local board would not be allowed to request a stay of the proposed outcome, which could call for the state takeover at the time. If the current compromise proposal Lewis is presenting is rejected, hearings will begin in September and conclude in early November. The school board declined to respond to Lewis overture by the original deadline of August 1. The Courier Journal has reported the key provisions of Lewis recent plan, the most significant being enhanced oversight areas, giving the state enhanced oversight and responsibility over eight key areasspecial education, restraint and seclusion of students, early childhood education, student assignment, career and technical education, building maintenance and replacement, student transportation, and human resources. This includes staffing at low-performing schools, which includes mandating the principal to hire the best person for the job. The enhanced oversight and responsibility allows the state to have the final say on all the above conditions, making the line between this binding proposition and a state takeover very fine. Since Lewis was appointed by Republican Governor Matt Bevin, his first and primary focus has been a state takeover of JCPS. He has used reports of physical restraint and detention of students as a diversion, insisting that the needs of the children required that the state run the district, replacing the elected school board. Lewis, like his sponsor Bevin, is a faithful advocate for charter schools, and it is widely considered that his appointment on April 17, just days after the largest demonstrations of teachers at the state legislature in Frankfort April 13, is intended to expedite school privatization in Kentuckys largest school district. While charter schools have been approved in the legislature, the funding mechanism did not pass in the last legislative session. However, defenders of public education recognize the appointment of Wayne Lewis as a decisive step toward opening the floodgates to charter schools. A little-publicized executive order was signed by Bevin on August 1. It is aimed at bringing control of professional development and standards under the authority of Wayne Lewis. In one telling introductory paragraph, the order states: greater efficiency, economy and improved administration will result from the alteration of current organizational units as set out in this Executive Order The order establishes an Office of Educator Licensure and Effectiveness with an executive director who reports to the Commissioner of the Department of Education (Lewis). The Educational Professional Standards Board is abolished; the divisions of Educator Ethics; Educator Preparation, Assessment and Internship; and the division of Certification are all abolished and replaced with new departments within the newly created Office of Educator Licensure and Effectiveness. Discussion on one Kentucky teachers Facebook page expresses alarm at this move, which is seen as another step in the consolidation of power under Bevins man Lewis, and another step toward certifying charter schools and unqualified teachers. This executive order will affect all Kentucky teachers. On August 2, one of Bevins and Lewis closest co-thinkers, Hal Heiner, was elected chairman of the state board of education. Heiner, after resigning his post as state education secretary, was appointed to the board on April 17, the same day Wayne Lewis was appointed interim education commissioner. The Courier-Journal has reported that Heiner is not only an ardent supporter of charter schools, but is determined to see the introduction of vouchers in Kentucky, allowing public school funds to be directed to religious and other private schools. Educators associated with #120 Strong and the KY 120 United Facebook groups are organizing a protest Saturday at the Fancy Farm picnic, an annual political event that kicks off the states general election period. There are 34 educators running for state office in November, mainly through the Democratic Party. Although the teachers unions are attempting to divert the anger that exploded last spring into Democratic Party politics, teachers will again be forced to confront the anti-working-class policies of both parties and take independent action to defend jobs, pensions and public education. Educators in Kentucky, inspired by the rebellion last March of those in neighboring West Virginia, staged a series of sick-outs and protests at the state capitol, demanding restoration of the millions of dollars cut from schools since 2008, and protection of the pensions and benefits of retirees. In a series of maneuvers, the legislature, including politicians from both parties, passed a budget instituting regressive sales taxes to pay for the restoration of a portion of the school funding, still falling far short of 2008 levels, and newly hired teachers will be forced into a 401(k)-type pension plan. In every instance of last springs educators strugglesfrom West Virginia, Kentucky, and Oklahoma to Arizonathe American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA) and their local affiliates betrayed the independent initiative of the teachers, shutting down strikes, dissipating the protests and stumping to Remember in November. In Kentucky, between 2007 and 2015, Democratic Governor Steve Beshear presided over more than $1.6 billion in cuts to the state budget, including starving teachers and other public workers pension funds. His son, Andy Beshear, the current state attorney general, has launched his own bid for the governorship in 2019 with the enthusiastic support of the teacher unions. His campaign is devoid of any policies outside of honoring teacher pensions and good paying jobs for Kentuckians. He and most of the other Democratic Party politicians supported by the NEA and AFT have also said nothing about Governor Bevins recent abrupt elimination of Medicaid vision and dental treatment for 460,000 Kentucky Medicaid recipients. On June 29, a federal judge struck down Bevins proposal to force able-bodied Medicaid recipientsthe working poor who qualified for the program under the Affordable Care Actto work up to 80 hours per month to receive benefits. In a vindictive move, and with no notice, Bevin on the following Monday announced that all dental, vision and transportation benefits for those nearly half million people would be terminated. The surprise move caught dentists and ophthalmological providers unaware, and caused thousands, including children, to be turned away from scheduled appointments. Massive confusion continues and health providers insist these cuts will have a serious impact on the health of their patients and may exacerbate the opioid crisis in the state as those unable to receive dental care will turn to painkillers. On July 30, 108 refugees rescued at sea by an Italian merchant vessel were returned to Libya in a flagrant violation of international law. According to multiple media reports, the Italian maritime rescue centre in Rome, the Libyan Coast Guarddominated by militiasand representatives of Eni, the Italian oil and gas company operating off the Libyan coast, collaborated in this illegal mass repatriation. The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR posted on Twitter that details relating to the case were being examined. Libya is not a safe harbour and this action could have violated international law, wrote the UNHCR. A mass repatriation of refugees without prior examination of their right to asylum is also a violation of international law. On July 30, the Italian tugboat Asso 28 brought 108 refugees on board, including children and pregnant women, whose inflatable raft was in distress some 60 nautical miles off the Libyan coast, near the offshore platform Sabratha. The platform belonged to the Mellitah Oil & Gas joint venture, in which the Italian company Eni as well as the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) are participants. According to information provided by the Eni corporation, a representative of the Libyan Coast Guard stationed on the platform boarded Asso 28 and led the rescue operation. Later, a boat from the Libyan Coast Guard led Asso 28 to port in Tripoli, where the refugees were brought ashore. In the course of these activities, the Italian captain not only repeatedly violated international law, apparently in coordination with the Italian maritime rescue centre, he also set a precedent for further illegal mass repatriations. The Italian Coast Guard claims the rescue was coordinated by the Libyan Coast Guard, which also led the entire operation. This raises the question, however: Who informed the Libyan Coast Guard about a refugee boat in distress in international waters? Refugees are generally found to have satellite phones on board in which the number of the Italian maritime rescue centre is already saved. Riccardo Gatti, who heads the operations of the private rescue ship Proactiva Open Arms, said the first report about the raft in distress came from the Italian rescue centre. The Proactiva Open Arms set course for the raft, but the Italian Coast Guard refused every attempt to contact it. Through its inaction, the Italian coast guard is complicit in this illegal mass repulsion of refugees. It remains unclear who instructed the captain of Asso 28 to bring the refugees to Libya. The Libyan Coast Guard has no authority over an Italian ship in international waters. Gatti claims to have intercepted a radio message saying Asso 28 had to follow the instructions of the platform. If that is the case, it would mean that the Eni corporation ultimately ordered the mass repatriation. Eni has since 2015 worked closely with militia leader Ahmed Dabbashi in the Melittah gas field off the Libyan coast. The United Nations is taking action against Dabbashi for severe human rights violations against refugees. One year ago, several media outlets reported that the then-government in Rome had agreed to pay Dabbashi millions to keep refugees from the Libyan port city of Sabratha from reaching Italy and detaining them in Libyan internment camps. One can assume that the current illegal repatriation of refugees is a direct consequence of this dirty arrangement. Libya is not a signatory to the Geneva Refugee Convention and is therefore not considered a safe harbour for refugees. In returning the refugees in question, the captain of Asso 28 has made himself liable for prosecution under international law. The refugees aboard Asso 28 should not have been denied the right to apply for asylum. As Marina Castellaneta, professor for international law at the University of Bari, explained to Spiegel Online: according to all international conventions, states must grant everyone the opportunity to request asylum and protect these persons for as long as asylum proceedings are underway. The state has the obligation to prevent ships operating under its flag from simply repatriating such people. In 2012, the European Court of Human Rights condemned Italy for its illegal repatriation of refugees to Libya. Now the European Union and the United Nations are themselves involved in these inhumane and illegal actions. In a hypocritical press release, the EU Commission condemned the mass repatriation. Libya has not met international standards for taking in refugees, explained commission spokesperson Natasha Bertaud last Tuesday. In fact, the EU has in recent months supported the large-scale repatriation of refugees to Libya and backed the Italian and Maltese governments in their effort to block access to their ports for refugees stranded at sea. As part of the Operation Sophia initiative in the Mediterranean, the EU trained the Libyan Coast Guard and provided it with 16 ships. At the end of June, Libyan authorities, with the support of the EU, established their own search-and-rescue zone, which extends far beyond 12 nautical miles from shore, the internationally recognized distance at which territorial waters end and international waters begin. This search-and-rescue zone has been recognized by the International Maritime Organization, an agency of the United Nations, although the Libyan control centre is not staffed 24 hours a day and not all of its staff speak English. The Libyan Coast Guard has access to satellite data for the tracking of refugee boats, while the Moonbird plane operating out of Malta by the private relief organization Sea-Watch is no longer permitted to search for people in distress. In the haphazard search-and-rescue zone, the Libyan Coast Guard regularly demands the handing over of rescued refugees. It does not shrink from the use of firearms to enforce this demand. Despite this, the Libyan government receives backing from Italian prosecuting authorities. They seized the rescue ship Proactiva Open Arms because it refused to hand over refugees to the Libyan Coast Guard. One year ago, more than a dozen private rescue ships still operated on the central Mediterranean route and saved tens of thousands of refugees from drowning. Now most of them are docked, having been seized by Italian and Maltese authorities. Their operational possibilities have been drastically limited by the Italian government. This has resulted in a humanitarian disaster. In July of this year, only 1,972 refugees made it to Italy. In the same month the previous year, there were 23,552more than ten times the current number. The number of causalities on this route stood at 68 in July of last year. It more than doubled to 157 by July of this year. To this must be added an untold number of drowned refugees, whose calls for help no one could hear. More than 12,000 refugees have been taken back to Libya, where Hell awaits, as Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, has himself been compelled to admit. In the Libyan ports, refugees are generally received by UN representatives who then pass them on to the authorities. They are then brought for an indefinite period of time to internment camps where inhumane conditions prevail. Hanan Salah of Human Rights Watch reported on the conditions at one such camp following an inspection visit: As we opened the gate to a corridor in one prison, we almost stumbled over several people who sat pressed against one another on the floor. They had come out of their cells to get some air in the hallway, but even there they sat packed side by side. There must have been hundreds of them. Many gasped for air because it was so suffocating. Many of the toilets and showers are broken. It is very hot and there are no fans. The people there have no freedom of movement. They spend almost the entire day in their cells. Even the many children are not allowed to go out. Even more disturbing was the terrible abuse of the immigrants and refugees by the guards. We observed that some immigrants are sold off from one trader to another and are forced to work without pay for smugglers, militias or private business people. They beat people, imprison them and treat many immigrants like slaves. UK far-right leader Tommy Robinson won his appeal last Wednesday against a 13-month contempt of court jail sentence. He walked free from Onley Prison following a decision that was hailed by the alt-right media as a victory for free speech. Robinson was jailed on May 25 after he livestreamed a fascistic rant outside a child sex grooming trial at Leeds Crown Court. He verbally attacked defendants of Asian appearance as they entered the court, in view of jurors who had retired to consider their verdict. Robinsons actions were an assault on the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial. His 13-month sentence included three months for a previous contempt conviction that was handed down after Robinson disrupted a rape trial at Canterbury Crown Court. His successful appeal does not constitute a victory for free speech. He was released on procedural grounds, with the appellate judges ordering a retrial to determine whether his actions during the Leeds rape trial were in contempt of court. The Court of Appeal quashed Robinsons appeal against the three-month suspended sentence imposed by Judge Norton at Canterbury Crown Court, but they upheld his appeal against the 13-month cumulative sentence handed down at Leeds Crown Court. The appellate judges found that Judge Marson QC had failed to follow procedural rules, thereby infringing the appellants liberty. Robinson was sentenced within five hours of his arrest on May 25. This meant that his legal counsel was unable to adequately prepare a defence, including presentation of mitigating factors. The judge had also failed to clearly set out the basis for his contempt ruling. While Judge Marson had cited court reporting restrictions then in place, he referred to prejudicial remarks and actions of Robinsons that fell beyond the reach of the section 4(2) postponement of reporting order. The appellate judges ruled that Robinsons alleged contempt was serious and that a retrial before a new judge was therefore in the public interest. They also suggested that there were broader grounds for a finding of contempt and warned that Robinsons alleged prejudicial activity at Canterbury and Leeds could result in the imposition of a custodial sentence longer than that already served at Hull and Onley prisons. None of this prevented the continued portrayal of Robinson, who has called for the deportation of all Muslims from the UK, as a free speech martyr. In an interview with Robinson on the day of his release, Fox News host Tucker Carlson falsely claimed that Robinson had been arrested for speaking out loud on the sidewalk, stating, I just want our viewers to understand you went to prison in a supposedly free country for expressing unfashionable opinions in public. Rebel Medias alt-right founder Ezra Levant declared that Robinson had been emancipated in so many ways, describing his treatment as worse than Guantanamo Bay and promoting the former English Defence League leader as the spokesman for a broader movement. Robinson agreed he had become a symbol of something that everyone is galvanising under, adding that a revolution is brewing. The response to Robinsons release signals a further rightward lurch by the mainstream media in the direction of normalising the far-right. The British tabloids were predictably sympathetic in their treatment of Robinson, but of greater note was the response of the state broadcaster. The day after Robinsons release, BBC Radio 4 s flagship Today programme featured a pre-recorded interview with Raheem Kassam, the former Breitbart London editor and chief adviser to UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage. Kassam was allowed to repeat a litany of falsehoods about Robinsons case and the aims of the far-right in general. These went virtually unchallenged by Martha Kearney, with no right of reply provided to legal experts or opponents of the far-right. The interview prompted an outpouring of protest against the BBC, including from human rights lawyers. These were rejected by the BBC, with a spokesperson claiming that Martha Kearneys interview robustly challenged Raheem Kassams opinions and assertions on Tommy Robinson and Islam. On Wednesday night, Robinson used his Fox News appearance to personally thank those such as Tucker Carlson, Republican Congressman Paul Gosar and the neo-con Middle East Forum, which bankrolled his legal defence and helped lead an international campaign for his release. Leading neo-fascists, including Dutch Party for Freedoms Geert Wilders and former Breitbart News chief executive and White House strategist Steve Bannon, are among those who have led the campaign for Robinsons defence. The alt-rights claims to be defenders of free speech are a grotesque fraud. On July 14, fascist thugs at a Free Tommy Robinson protest in London brutally attacked Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union Assistant General Secretary Steve Hedley and his partner Bridget. Hedley suffered a head wound, while his partner was hospitalised with breathing difficulties. The assault followed a Stand Up to Racism counter-protest event Hedley had addressed earlier that day. This past Saturday, the left-wing Bookmarks bookshop in Bloomsbury, central London, was attacked by around a dozen fascists. The present political climate is Orwellian. Fascists like Robinson are hailed as free speech martyrs, while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is slandered as an anti-Semite who poses an existential threat to British Jews. WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange, whom the United Nations has described as a victim of arbitrary detention, faces expulsion from the Ecuadorean embassy in London, amid stepped-up preparations for a US grand jury indictment under the Espionage Act, with charges that carry the death penalty. This in retaliation for exposing war crimes and other anti-democratic conspiracies by the imperialist powers. Robinson and other far-right figures have attracted the backing of powerful forces in ruling circles under conditions of the breakdown of the post-war capitalist order, a descent into open trade war and a resurgence of the class struggle. They have successfully exploited Robinsons jailing to bolster support for the far-right, with Robinson reportedly writing, Id have done six months just for that recognition. The far-right can raise its head only due to the complete prostration of the Labour Party and the trade unions, which have refused to mount any struggle in defence of democratic rights or against the ravages of social inequality and war. A powerful movement of the working class fighting for socialism, in defence of immigrants and against war would immediately pull the rug from beneath the far-right. Such a fight would win powerful support from the working class across Europe, in the United States and internationally. Two explosions occurred at a military parade in Caracas on Saturday as Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gave a speech commemorating the 81st anniversary of the creation of the Bolivarian National Guard. The explosions, which apparently injured seven soldiers and sent many others scattering for cover, left Maduro and other senior officials unharmed. Regardless of the exact circumstances of the explosions, it is clear that Maduro and the Venezuelan government are using the incident as a pretext to clamp down on growing protests against the countrys deteriorating economic conditions. Although the sequence of events is somewhat murky, the explosion evidently caught Maduro, his wife Cilia Flores and other officials by surprise. Video clips show Maduro looking toward the sky as he makes his speech. The feed then switches to a wider shot which shows soldiers scattering, after which the video source was cut off. Reports state that Maduro was then shielded by bodyguards before being quickly whisked away. According to an article in El Pais, the army has confiscated other footage from the private television company covering the event. Venezuelas National Union of Press Workers said that seven journalists covering the event were interrogated for hours after the incident, with some having their cameras taken from them. The official government position, relayed by Jorge Rodriguez, the Venezuelan Communication, Culture and Tourism minister, is that the explosions were produced by drones loaded with explosives. Other reports claim that the explosion resulted from an exploding gas tank at a nearby apartment building, though those have been contradicted by others claiming to be eyewitnesses. Already by Sunday, in a televised press conference, Maduro claimed that the Venezuelan government has taken some of the material authors of the attack into custody, along with evidence. Maduro claimed, It was an attack to kill me, they tried to assassinate me. Maduro blamed the attack on the ultra-right wing in Venezuela, Colombia and Miami, and said, I have no doubt that the name Juan Manuel Santos is behind this attack, referring to Colombias president. He further said that preliminary investigations indicate that various of those financing it live in the United States, in the state of Florida. I hope that President Donald Trump is ready to fight these terrorist groups. The Colombian government issued a denial of any involvement in the affair, saying, The suggestion that the Colombian president is responsible for this supposed attack against the Venezuela president is absurd and lacking in all foundation, while US National Security Advisor John Bolton claimed there was no US involvement. On Saturday evening, a group calling itself the National Movement of Soldiers in T-shirts apparently claimed responsibility for the incident, referring to it as Operation Phoenix, through a statement passed to and read by Patricia Poleo, a US-based YouTube user with links to the right-wing Venezuelan opposition. Whether that group had any involvement or not, the Venezuelan government is poised to initiate a further crackdown on political dissent as well as growing protests against Venezuelas deteriorating economic conditions. Attorney General Tarek William Saab said, There will be a ruthless punishment. This threat was echoed by Maduro in his own speech calling for maximum punishment and no forgiveness. Indeed, the incident occurs amid a growing upsurge of the class struggle that the right-wing Frente Amplio is struggling to contain. During the last week, health workers at the University Hospital of Caracas, electricity workers, telecommunication workers and teachers have continued strikes, while more and more neighborhoods have been putting up roadblocks and protesting at the state utility companies over the lack of running water. On August 2, Maduro met with representatives of peasants who had marched hundreds of miles to Caracas to air grievances regarding corruption of the ruling PSUV (United Socialist Party of Venezuela) and to reverses in land reform in the countryside. The representatives of Frente Amplios right-wing parties could be seen addressing some of these crowds. For instance, Carlos Julio Rojas and other operatives of the right-wing Vente Venezuela of the US-funded politician Maria Corina Machado were calling this morning on protesters outside of the water company Hidrocapital in Caracas to leave and wait for future protests, appealing for civic unity, to which no one applauded. For almost two weeks they have called for new committees and consultations with all sectors about organizing a mass strike. The desperation was clear in a press conference Thursday by the regional Frente Amplio in Zulia, which described the situation as unsustainable. In announcing their preparations for a strike, their spokesperson said: Everyday, the Conflict Laboratory reports one more strike, one more walkout, people have had it... Venezuela is a country in emergency. Its sinking. According to the Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict, there were 9,787 protests in 2017. While the protests organized by Venezuelas bourgeois political right have largely dissipated, 2018 numbers are set to exceed that amount. There have been over 5,300 so far this year. Of these, 80 percent are estimated to involve demands of the working class to social rights such as food, water and a living wage. In the face of this increasing unrest and deterioration in the economy, the Maduro government has placed its confidence in the Venezuelan military to handle the situation. In May, it allocated a 2,400 percent pay increase to the armed forces, in contrast to the 103 percent granted to civilian workers. Parliamentary and presidential elections hailed as the beginning of a new era for Zimbabwe have instead plunged the country into bitter factional struggle. The declaration that President Emmerson Mnangagwa of the ruling ZANU-PF has been re-elected with a 50.8 percent majority has been rejected by his main opponent, Nelson Chamisa of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)-led Alliance. Turnout of registered voters was 84.8 percent, indicating the massive interest in securing political change after the end of Robert Mugabes 37 years as Zimbabwes leader but also the deep divisions between supporters of ZANU-PF and the MDC-Alliance. Mnangawas majority narrowly tops the 50 percent needed to avoid a run-off. But Chamisa, who secured 44.3 percent of the vote according to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), told a press conference in the capital, Harare, Friday, We won this election and we are ready to form the next government. He called the official results fraudulent, illegal, illegitimate and characterised by serious credibility gaps and a coup against the peoples will. Chamisa, a church pastor, added that he would not attend Mnangagwas inauguration, was seeking support from South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa, and may be filing a court challenge. The press conference was invaded and delayed by riot police. ZANU-PF had earlier convincingly won the parliamentary elections, taking two-thirds of the 210 contested seats. The ZEC reported ZANU-PF winning 144 seats compared to 61 for the MDC-Alliance. There is nothing substantial to back up Chamisas claim of victory, especially given that ZANU-PF can capitalise on its control of the state and much of the media and is still able to mobilise its rural Shona majority base. But the official results nevertheless show the MDC winning the majority vote in many urban areas, including Harare. It also won the oppressed minority Ndebele tribal areas in Matebeleland North, including the city of Bulaweyo, and in the desperately poor Manicaland province to the east, where the minority Manyika ethnic group resides. On Wednesday, before the delayed presidential result announcement, three people were killed by riot police and army personnel during a pro-MDC protest in Harare that turned violent, with three more dying in hospital. A curfew was mounted, with reports of the army instructing people to leave the town centre. A raid on the MDCs headquarters was staged the next day to seize documents seeking to prove Mnangagwas allegations that the violence was planned by the opposition parties and that protesters were armed. A search warrant, seen by the Associated Press, names Chamisa and others including former finance minister Tendai Biti in relation to the crimes of possession of dangerous weapons and inciting public violence. On Saturday, 24 members of the MDC arrested during the raid on the partys headquarters appeared in court, accused of fomenting and taking part in violent protests. The 16 men and eight women face charges of smashing windows at Zanu-PFs offices, setting fire to vehicles and stone-throwing. Amnesty International said more than 60 people had been arbitrarily arrested in a post-election clampdown in MDC strongholds in Harare and its outskirts. The MDC states that hundreds of its activists are in hiding, with many afraid to seek treatment for injuries. In Chitungwiza, the army reportedly sealed off the home of a close relative of Biti. The potential for further conflict is clear, with both sides seeking the patronage of the imperialist powers, regional allies such as South Africa and the support of China. Mnangagwa, who came to power in a coup against President Robert Mugabe last November, advances himself as the strongman required to restore the order necessary for resumed investment by the major corporations. He celebrated his victory Friday by stating that Zimbabwe was now open for business We want to leapfrog and catch up with other developing countries. Chamisa heads a party set up by a coalition of white farming interests and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) bureaucracy. He took over leadership of the MDC from Morgan Tsvangirai after he died from colorectal cancer in February. The MDCs history is one of promising to normalise relations with its imperialist sponsors, including during 2009s National Unity Government with ZANU-PF. It now finds itself competing directly with the post-Mugabe ZANU-PF for the favours of the major powers. This left the more than 5 million Zimbabweans who registered to take part in the poll a choice between two right-wing bourgeois factions. It seems unlikely at this point that the MDC-Alliance will have any immediate success in swaying the imperialist powers away from their post-coup decision to back Mnangagwa. A US statement urged Mnangagwa to show magnanimity but also counselled the opposition to show graciousness in defeat. The African National Congress (ANC) government in South Africa has also welcomed Mnangagwas victory. European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherinis office appealed for calm and restraint on all sides and for protests to be conducted according to the law. The UK Minister for Africa, Harriett Baldwin, stated only that There is much to be done to build confidence in Zimbabwes electoral process. A significant element in the calculations of the imperialist powers is to avoid buttressing Zimbabwes reliance on China, which has a decades-long relationship with Mnangagwa in his role as Mugabes enforcer. Beijing signed off on Novembers coup when Mnangawa and a military delegation visited China shortly before it was staged. It has called the elections orderly and urged respect for the choice made by the people of Zimbabwe. China has built a dominant position in overseas investment in key extraction industries and other areas of the economy that Mnangagwa has promised to defend. The August 3 Guardian noted how, In recent years Mnangagwa had been seen as more business-friendly and pragmatic than many other senior figures in the ruling Zanu-PF party, attractive features to a Chinese government keen to protect investments ranging from mobile phone networks to hydropower and tobacco. That same day, the Economist asked, Will the West overlook the ruling partys political gamesmanship? Replying in the affirmative, it predicted that the UK and other major powers, will utter bromides about the need for Zanu-PF and the MDC to come together. They will continue to list the ways in which the election was not fought on a level playing field. But ultimately they cannot stop Mr Mnangagwa. Nor do some countries want to. Britain has backed the president and his allies for almost three years. It is hardly going to stop. The question would ultimately be decided by Whether Mr Mnangagwa and his military allies can in fact restore discipline to the economy, and give foreign investors certainty Both sides in the factional struggle within the bourgeoisie are offering the banks and global corporations a chance to carve up Zimbabwe and its natural resources at the expense of the working class. This confirms the true character of a coup move against Mugabe. Mnangawa and the military exploited popular hostility to Mugabes despotic rule to lend legitimacy to a regime-change operation whose real economic and political agenda can only end in yet deeper attacks on working people and the rural poor. It is necessary to restate the central appeal made by the World Socialist Web Site in the coups aftermath: The working class must maintain political independence from all representatives of the national bourgeoisie and the imperialist powersincluding both factions of ZANU-PF, the rival MDCs, etc.and the trade union federations that back them. The advanced workers and youth must begin building a Zimbabwean section of the International Committee of the Fourth International to fight for a socialist Zimbabwe and a United Socialist States of Africa, and to forge a unified movement for socialism with workers in the US, Britain and other imperialist states. The author also recommends: The way forward in Zimbabwe after Mugabe [24 November 2017] Zimbabwe government and opposition compete for imperialist backing [29 December 2017] GREENE COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - A Linton man is facing charges following a shooting early Sunday morning. Indiana State Police said detectives were notified by Linton authorities just after 5 a.m. Officials said Linton Police needed assistance on an attempted murder case that they had been gathering information for since 4 a.m. Through a combined investigation with Linton Police, officials said ISP detectives found a person had been shot at a home on 249 G Street just before 4 a.m. Officials said the victim suffered a non-life threatening injury to his arm. Police arrested Elijiah David Scott Gwyn, 21, Linton. He was taken to the Greene County Jail. He faces a series of charges included Attempted Murder, Criminal Recklessness, Aggravated Battery, Pointing a Firearm and Carrying a Firearm without a License. TOLEDO, Ill. (WTHI) - Part of an Illinois highway is now dedicated to a fallen war hero. It is in honor of Michael Flood. Part of Illinois Route 121 in Cumberland County was dedicated in his name on Sunday. Flood served in the Vietnam War and was killed in action. The Toledo American Legion Post 164 held a memorial for Flood and his family. Illinois Department of Transportation will put up signs between County Road 1450 East and 1600 East. It be called SPC Michael Flood Memorial Highway. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Police have released the name of the victim of an early Sunday morning shooting in Terre Haute. It happened at 2221 Cleveland Avenue. According to Terre Haute Police, 18-year-old Gage Eup was shot and killed. Police officers were called to the home around 3:00 Sunday morning. LINK | ONE KILLED, TWO ARRESTED AFTER CLEVELAND AVENUE INCIDENT When they arrived, they found Eup dead on the living room floor with a gunshot wound to the head. Police say Eup was shot by 20-year-old Dylan Morgan. They allege Morgan recklessly pointed a handgun at the victim before it went off. Police say drugs and alcohol were a factor. According to court documents, a witness told police Morgan brought the handgun out of a bedroom after he got angry over a song Eup was playing. Morgan reportedly removed the magazine and then pulled the slide back to show Gage the bullet. The witness said he stopped paying attention, but about a minute later he heard Morgan say "hey, look at this," and saw the gun inches away from Eup's face. LINK | TEEN CHARGED AFTER IDLE CREEK HOUSE PARTY TURNS DEADLY That is when the witness said he heart a gunshot and saw blood. The witness told police Morgan said, "Do not tell anyone, we have to say this is a suicide." According to court documents, Morgan told police he didn't think the weapon would fire without the magazine, and admitted to shooting Eup. He allegedly told police he knew Eup was dead and decided to tell everyone Gage shot himself while reinserting the magazine in the gun to make it look more like a suicide. Officers also arrested Morgan's girlfriend, 20-year-old Sabrei Neace. LINK | TERRE HAUTE TEEN ACCUSED OF KILLING ANOTHER TEEN IN COURT FOR FAILED DRUG TEST Morgan was charged with reckless homicide and altering the scene of a death while Neace was charged with obstruction of justice and maintaining a common nuisance. President Donald Trump's administration believes the United Nations agency tasked with supporting Palestinian refugees "has perpetuated and exacerbated the refugee crisis," a senior Trump administration official said Monday. Much of the Trump administration's Middle East peace plan remains a closely-guarded secret, but emails newly leaked to Foreign Policy magazine and a statement from a senior administration official are shedding light on the administration's dim view of the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, known as UNRWA. Business figures Conflicts and wars Continents and regions Foreign policy Gaza Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Government organizations - Intl Immigration, citizenship and displacement International assistance International relations International relations and national security Israel Israeli-Palestinian conflict Jared Kushner Middle East Middle East and North Africa North America Palestinian Territory Refugees The Americas United Nations United States Unrest, conflicts and war US federal government West Bank White House "UNRWA's mandate has perpetuated and exacerbated the refugee crisis and must be changed so the Palestinian people can reach their full potential," a senior administration told CNN in a statement on Monday. 'Honest and sincere' The statement followed a Foreign Policy report that revealed leaked emails in which Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and senior adviser overseeing the peace effort, pressed fellow officials to engage in "an honest and sincere effort to disrupt UNRWA." "This [agency] perpetuates a status quo, is corrupt, inefficient and doesn't help peace," Kushner wrote in emails dated January 11 and obtained by Foreign Policy. A senior administration official did not dispute the authenticity of the emails to CNN. UNRWA services more than 5 million registered Palestinian refugees, offering educational, health and social services across the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. The agency educates about 500,000 children in nearly 700 schools and UNRWA doctors see more than 9 million patients in nearly 150 primary health clinics every year. The US had been the single largest donor to the UNRWA. The decision to cut funding left UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres "very concerned" about the impact and sparked what UNRWA officials said was the most serious financial crisis in the agency's 70-year history. Kushner's email came days before the Trump administration announced plans to cut US funding to the refugee agency by more than half. That decision was made following Palestinian officials' refusal to engage in peace talks with the Trump administration after it announced plans to move the US embassy to Jerusalem. The senior administration official declined to confirm how the administration would like to see UNRWA's mandate "changed" and declined to say whether the Trump administration believes Palestinians living in other countries should maintain their refugee status. The debate over the right of Palestinian refugees to return to homes in what is now Israel -- long upheld by Palestinian officials -- is among the thorniest issues that must be addressed as part of a resolution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict. Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, told Foreign Policy that Kushner believes Palestinian refugees must be resettled in the countries where they currently reside. "[Kushner said] the resettlement has to take place in the host countries and these governments can do the job that UNRWA was doing," Ashrawi told FP. The senior Trump administration official declined to respond to the suggestion that Kushner opposes Palestinian refugees' right to return to a future Israeli or Palestinian state. Financial crunch "The US policy regarding UNRWA has been under frequent evaluation and internal discussion. The administration will announce its policy on UNRWA in due course," the official said. "UNRWA's financial situation has been unsustainable for a long time, and for years we have voiced the need for UNRWA to seek out new voluntary funding streams, increase financial burden sharing among donors and find ways to reduce expenditures." The official also said the US remains one of the largest funders of UNRWA, despite cutting its funding to the UN agency to $60 million. UNRWA's top official Pierre Krahenbuhl said in April the US has withheld $305 million in funding this year. The stiff drop in US funding has left the refugee agency in a financial crunch, even as other countries have stepped up to partially fill the funding gap, forcing UNRWA to cut staff and change or scale back programs, including those for mental health and food assistance. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Press Release) Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant to provide the infrastructure necessary for Tiffin Motor Homes new RV Center in Winfield, creating 65 new jobs. The city of Winfield will use the grant to extend sewer service to the new facility which Tiffin will construct on 29 acres of property within the citys I-22 Industrial Park. There are currently no sewer lines available for sewage disposal. Bringing new jobs to Alabama is at the forefront of my administration, Ivey said. I am pleased to award this grant which will help provide many opportunities in Winfield, including the expansion of Tiffin Motor Homes which will help local families improve their quality of life through new jobs. The project will include a new sewer lift station and installation of approximately 2,900 feet of 4-inch mains, 1,510 feet of 8-inch gravity line and four manholes. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. ADECA administers an array of programs that support law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.\ Ivey notified Winfield Mayor Randy Price the grant had been approved. The city is contributing $70,265 in matching funds to complete the project. COLLINS, Miss. (AP) Authorities say an 18-year-old was gunned down at a back-to-school event in Collins. WDAM-TV reports that officers responded to a report of shots fired Friday night. They found Dementric Fairley on the ground with a gunshot wound. Police say Fairley was shot at a back-to-school event at the City of Collins Depot. Covington County Coroner Chris Daquila says Fairley sustained one gunshot wound to the head was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Collins Police Chief Joey Ponder says a suspect was being held in the Collins City Jail. WAKULLA COUNTY, FL (WTXL) -- Scientists are doing a special study to better understand the connection between our water systems. They believe it could help us learn more about the pollution affecting Wakulla Springs. "Wherever we can get into the cave system below, we go in and lay a guideline and explore whatever tunnels we find. And try to connect them and understand where the water comes from," said Andreas Hagberg, a cave explorer, studying caverns in the area. As Hagberg dives 300 feet to the bottom of Indian Springs, he's checking for traces of dye he and his team injected into Lake Iamonia last month. "That's 30 miles away and we're waiting for the dye to turn up here and we have a sensor that we put down in the cave that tells us when the dye gets here," said Sean McGlynn, Chair of the Wakulla Springs Alliance. This dye study is part of McGlynn's research into the relationship between Wakulla Springs and surrounding bodies of water. They're looking for traces of dye at springs, lakes and sinks through the water basin, trying to show they're all connected. Through the dye trace study, McGlynn and his team proved Indian Springs water flows directly into Wakulla Springs, and is connected to lakes and streams even 30 miles away. They hope their research will provide the basis for further water quality improvements in the Wakulla spring shed. This study shows why the quality of water matters in all our local lakes and streams. "Anything poured on the land in the spring shed winds up here. Our lakes have a lot of algae. And Wakulla Springs is on the impaired waters list," said McGlynn. In other words, if harmful algae blooms and pollution are in our local waters, they flow through all these water systems, eventually pouring into Wakulla Springs. "I would just encourage people to go out and see these natural resources we have and think about what actually lies below land and try to protect it," said Hagberg. This group of scientists and activists is working with nature to save one of the country's largest springs, which lies within the longest, deepest cave system in the world. To help clean up Florida's springs, the state has implemented a 20-year plan to improve the water quality. They're starting by installing advanced sewer systems and septic tanks. McGlynn hopes his research will show the importance of incorporating the entire Wakulla springshed into the state's clean up plan. To learn how you can help, or just more about this project, click here. TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- Local moms gathered outside the Florida Capitol Sunday to rally in support of breastfeeding. This follows U.S. opposition to a resolution on breastfeeding by delegates gathered at the World Health Assembly in July. The resolution promotes mother's milk as the healthiest option for children. It aims to limit misleading marketing of formula and other substitutes. Local moms' say they were expecting the resolution to be easily approved. They were surprised when American delegates pushed back. "There's so much research out there that exclusively breastfeeding during the first six months of life just provides the perfect nutrition for babies," said Alicia Lane, a Tallahassee mom. "It gives them better gut health, gives them better immunity, and it just sets them up for so many benefits later in life." Lane says babies who are breastfed have lower rates of obesity and diabetes when they grow up. She wants to support other moms, now more than ever, during World Breastfeeding Week. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - You've likely noticed by now that plastic straws are slowly disappearing. Businesses like Starbucks and American Airlines announced they're stepping away from handing them out. WTXL ABC's Jada Williams joined us live Monday morning with some of the local restaurants following suit. Different restaurants are taking varying measures. Some aren't offering straws at all while others are handing out paper straws. Restaurants like Township, Madison Social and Black Dog Cafe in Tallahassee don't hand over a straw when you order a drink. This trend is all to keep straws out of landfills and floating in our oceans, serving as a potential threat to animals. But disability advocates are asking businesses to meet them halfway, as straws help many who are physically disabled. The owner of Black Dog Cafe says that she wants to make sure that everyone has the chance to enjoy their drinks. However, many in the disabled community say that there are flaws with the alternatives, including the fact that steel straws aren't flexible and biodegradable straws wither easily. The Black Dog Cafe owner says she's continuing to search for alternatives to serve every customer's needs. The Black Dog Cafe owner says she's continuing to search for alternatives to serve every customer's needs. Not only have businesses taken a stand, but some cities like Santa Barbara, Seattle and San Francisco have enacted legislation to ditch straw usage. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Tallahassee Bar Association is in the middle of their second annual Backpack Drive. This year, the group set an early goal of 250 backpacks and they've already collected 200. Last year, the backpacks went to Nims Middle School and this year the backpacks will go to Leon County High School, and possibly other schools, depending on how many they can collect. "We had a really good response from Nims Middle School last year. They were ecstatic to see the number of backpacks that we were able to raise. Just the enjoyment of helping out the community and giving back," said Bill Gwaltney, Community Outreach Chair for the Tallahassee Bar Association. "The Tallahassee Bar Association joined in on this in full force as a way for our membership to get more involved in the community. To show the community we actually care." You still have time to donate to the backpack drive. Collections will be happening through Wednesday, Aug. 8 and the backpacks will be delivered on Thursday, Aug. 9. You can drop backpacks off at TBA's office at the Leon County Courthouse, Suite 108, or order online and ship directly to TBA's office. For more information, you can contact Gwaltney at 850-212-6877 or Joann Gore at TBA's office at 850-702-5008. New allegations about a city police officer raises a dicey question at City Hall: How do you deal with a cop who, at the very least, has a thing for swastikas? The activities of Sgt. Mark Kruger, a prominent figure at anti-war protests, came to light after lawyer Alan Graf and the National Lawyers Guild filed a lawsuit against the city, naming several cops, including Kruger. Learning of the suit, one of Kruger's former friends, Robert Williams, contacted Graf, alleging that in the 1980s Williams sat in the back seat as Kruger drove around town with a guy named Bob Seaver listening to Hitler speeches and yelling racist and homophobic statements at people ("The Badge and the Swastika," WW, Oct. 1, 2003). Kruger has since admitted wearing Nazi uniforms, explaining that he is a history buff, but denies ever engaging in racist activities or holding Nazi beliefs. Seaver, Kruger's longtime friend, disagrees. Until recently he declined requests for interviews, but now he is breaking his silence--to atone for his past transgressions, he says. His account echoes Williams' allegations and updates them--with videotape. According to Seaver, as teens he and Kruger spray-painted Nazi graffiti such as "Heil Hitler" and "SS Rules" on Rocky Butte. The graffiti, some of which appears on an old video documenting the spray-painting activities, remains there today. What's more, Seaver, who says he met with Kruger until recently, claims the officer's activities continued into his adulthood. He says that in 1999, employed by the Portland Police Bureau, Kruger built a shrine on Rocky Butte called "The Ehrenbaum," or the Honor Tree, which honored five Nazi soldiers. Graf's investigator, in an affidavit, says he couldn't find the shrine but found screws on the ground where Seaver said it had been attached to a tree. Seaver's affidavit also makes allegations about Kruger's attitude toward several mini-controversies: * In August 2002, TV cameras caught Kruger pepper-spraying Channel 12 camerawoman Beth English point-blank in the face, sending her to the hospital ("Red-Pepper Blues," WW, Aug. 28, 2002). According to Seaver's affidavit, Kruger laughed about that spraying, saying he would probably never be identified. * In March 2003, The Oregonian photographed Kruger grabbing a young female protester by the face because she swore at him, shoving her into a police van. Seaver claims Kruger said he planned to order a copy of the photo so he could frame it. * That same month, the local Indymedia website posted photos of Kruger pepper-spraying a young female protester as she shrieked in terror, after which Kruger appeared to laugh about it with a fellow officer ("Tales of the Tape," WW, April 2, 2003). Seaver says Kruger had him post a response: "Never Question Authority!" Seaver told WW he doesn't think Kruger's views have changed much. "I think Mark is somebody who is very entrenched right now," he says. "But I would hope that someday he would maybe reconnect with humanity and understand that the things I've seen and helped him do were very wrong." Asked about the case, Mayor Vera Katz, replying through spokesman Scott Farris, said she "does not have any personal knowledge of this case and therefore does not want to comment." Bob Hornstein, of the Jewish Federation of Portland, said he had no knowledge of the case. But given the allegations, he said, "If these charges are true it would be very troubling, obviously." WWeek 2015 JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- An Afghan army soldier and an attack were killed in a suicide bomb blast in Jalalabad, an eastern town in Afghanistan on Sunday, a local official said. The incident occurred roughly at 6:45 p.m. local time near a security checkpoint at a square in Pul-e-Behsood neighborhood, after an army soldier identified and intercepted a suicide bomber approaching the busy area, Attaullah Khogyani, governor spokesman tweeted. "The brave soldier named Mohammad Omar hugged the young attacker to prevent casualties in the crowded traffic circle," he said. Earlier, a witness told Xinhua that the blast was a car bomb blast as the explosion caused a big bang and panic among the residents. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack in the city, which is the capital of eastern Nangarhar province. Militants of Taliban and the Islamic States (IS) are active in the province. Jalalabad has been the scene of frequent terrorist attacks this year. On Tuesday, 18 people were killed and 15 others wounded after IS gunmen and suicide bombers attacked a refugees and repatriation department in the city. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 00:28:30|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close JINAN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China on Sunday put into operation a prototype exascale computing machine, the next-generation supercomputer, according to the developers. The Sunway exascale computer prototype was developed by the National Research Center of Parallel Computer Engineering and Technology (NRCPC), the National Supercomputing Center in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, and the Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao). The NRCPC led the team that developed Sunway TaihuLight, crowned the world's fastest computer two years in a row at both the 2016 and 2017 International Supercomputing Conferences held in Frankfurt, Germany. "The Sunway exascale computer prototype is very much like a concept car that can run on road,"said Yang Meihong, director of the National Supercomputing Center in Jinan. "We expect to build the exascale computer in the second half of 2020 or the first half of 2021," said Yang. Another prototype exascale supercomputer Tianhe-3 passed the acceptance tests on July 22. Its final version is expected to come out in 2020. The two prototypes marked a further step towards China's successful development of the next-generation supercomputer. Supercomputers are changing people's life in fields such as weather forecast, calculation of ocean currents, financial data analysis, high-end equipment manufacturing, and car collision simulation, said Pan Jingshan, deputy director of the National Supercomputing Center in Jinan. Pan said the new-generation supercomputers will provide strong support to scientific research in more fields. An exascale computer is able to execute a quintillion calculations per second. In China, prototypes are being developed by three teams led by the NRCPC, Dawning Information Industry C. (Sogon), and National University of Defense Technology (NUDT). The United States and Japan are also speeding up the development of the exascale supercomputer, expecting to unveil it in as early as 2021. LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Three members of a family were killed and 11 others seriously injured after an improvised explosive device (IED) went off in Afghanistan southern province of Helmand, an official said Sunday. The incident took place on Sunday afternoon in Shamalan area of Garmsir district of the province, where a man was making the IED supposed to attack the Afghan security forces. The explosive was detonated prematurely, leaving the man, one of his sons and brother dead, and 11 of his family members including seven children and four women seriously injured, provincial governor's spokesman Omar Zwak told Xinhua. The wounded, some of them in critical condition, were taken to a local healthcare center, the spokesman added. Finding and neutralizing IEDs have been a challenge for the Afghan security forces. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 01:43:41|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TEHRAN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) confirmed on Sunday that it held a military drill in the Gulf this week with the aim of securing the strategic waterway and deterring potential threats posed by the enemies, state TV reported. The exercise was conducted within the framework of the IRGC's annual exercises program, IRGC spokesman Ramezan Sharif was quoted as saying by Press TV. Sharif said that IRGC chief commander Mohammad Ali Ja'fari has expressed his satisfaction with the exercise and commended the naval and aerospace units which participated in the drill. The IRGC will maintain and enhance comprehensive defense readiness in order to secure the strategic waterway and proportionately counter potential threats and adventurism by the enemies, he added. IRGC has warned that it could block the Hormuz Strait in the Gulf should the U.S. prevent Iran's oil exports. Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that if Iran cannot export its crude oil through the Hormuz Strait, no other country would be able to do so. The U.S. administration attempts to block Iran's crude oil exports from November. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 02:18:48|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ABUJA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian authorities on Sunday confirmed that nine youths drowned during a riverside picnic in the northeastern state of Taraba. Responders have recovered only seven bodies since the incident on Saturday, said the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). All the victims were members of the NYSC, an organization set up by the Nigerian government. Florence Yaakugh, a state coordinator of the NYSC, told reporters that 22 corps members were on a picnic at the River Mayo-Selbe in Gashaka area of Taraba when the incident occurred. The victims were on compulsory national service by young graduates. Rescue operation is still ongoing to recover the remaining two bodies, Yaakugh said, describing the incident as "sad and most unfortunate." The police said a preliminary investigation has shown that while the youths were swimming, there was a sudden upsurge in the volume of water in the river, which carried the victims away. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 04:39:08|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ALGIERS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Torrential rains and muddy floods have swept through the desert province of Tamanrasset in southern Algeria, leaving at least five killed, APS news agency reported Sunday. A man who was swept by floods is still missing, APS quoted an official source as saying. Three men were rescued after their four-wheel-drive vehicles were trapped in muddy floods, it added. A day earlier, the interior ministry announced that a committee had rushed to Tamanrasset to inspect the damage caused by the natural disaster. Algeria's desert areas, characterized by high temperatures in the summer which sometimes exceed 50 degrees Celsius, are being hit by heavy rains and muddy floods. The plane with Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov onboard arrives in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, June 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) BISHKEK, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A 320 aircraft of Kyrgyzstan's Avia Traffic Company made an emergency landing at Manas airport minutes after take-off on Sunday. The press service of Manas International Airport said that three minutes after its takeoff at 7:46 a.m. local time, an alarm was triggered about the incorrect parameters for the operation of one engine. The captain of the plane carrying out a charter tourist flight from Bishkek to Antalya, Turkey, decided to return to the Manas airport, it said. Press secretary of Manas airport Aliya Kurbanova told Xinhua that no one was injured and that all the passengers were provided with hot meal and hotel. Avia Traffic Company, an airline with its head office in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, operates its flights from Manas International Airport. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 06:59:29|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close Photo taken on Aug. 5, 2018 shows the rubble at a parking lot after an earthquake in Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia. (Xinhua/Muhammad Fauzi Chaniago) JAKARTA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- At least 82 people were killed and hundreds of others wounded as Sunday's 7.0 magnitude quake destroyed thousands of houses and buildings mostly in Lombok Island of central Indonesia, a government official said Monday. The jolt forced thousands of people to flee homes and evacuation of the quake-affected people was underway, spokesman for national disaster management agency, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said. "The injured are being treated outside hospitals or health clinics as the buildings of health facilities damaged or are in unsafe condition," the spokesman told Xinhua in a text message. The tremblor hit the hardest Lombok Utara district, Lombok Timur district and Mataram, the provincial capital of West Nusa Tenggara, all situated in Indonesia's tourist destination of Lombok Island, said Sutopo. "Most of the victims were hit by debris and falling blocks of concrete," he said. The quake triggered panic in the island and nearby Bali island as well as East Java province and people rushed out of homes and buildings, said Sutopo. Evacuation and rescue for the victims were underway in the dark, but the efforts were hampered by poor communication access which was disturbed after the quake, he added. By far, a total of 47 aftershocks followed the 7.0-magnitude shock which struck at 18:46 p.m. Jakarta time (1146 GMT) with the epicenter at 18 km northwest Lombok Timur district and shallow of 15 km under-earth, official of the meteorology and geophysics agency, Yusuf Khaidar Ali, told Xinhua over phone. The tremblor was also felt strongly in nearby Bali Island and East Java province, and some damages were found in the island, including a mall shopping center and buildings, according to Sutopo. The meteorology agency issued a tsunami warning, and the tsunami only occurred with height of below 13 cm in three spots in Lombok Island, Biana Rahayu, official at the agency, told Xinhua. A week ago, on July 29, Lombok Island was struck by a 6.4 magnitude quake, leaving 17 people dead, 365 of others injured and 8,871 people displaced as the jolts destroyed 14,940 houses, according to the disaster agency. The quake also cut off escape routes in a mountain, a favorite tourist destination, trapping over 1,000 foreign and domestic tourists, fortunately all of them were rescued, it said. Indonesia is prone to quake as it lies on a vulnerable quake-hit zone -- "the Pacific Ring of Fire." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 08:09:37|Editor: ZD Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- No.5 seed Mihaela Buzarnescu from Romania cruised to her first-ever WTA title at the WTA San Jose Open as she dropped just one game to beat Greece's Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-0 in the final on Sunday. "I never thought I would play again and reach this level," the 30-year-old Buzarnescu said after the match. "It's been really amazing and I'm really happy to be on the poster next year." Buzarnescu won the first five games of the match in just 20 minutes before Sakkari won a game, but that proved to be the lone game that the Romanian No.2 surrendered in the match. Buzarnescu, who's now ranked 24th in the world but will be projected to No. 20 on Monday, just needed 75 minutes to wrap up the victory. "I'm really sorry today that I couldn't do better, but I promise that next time, I will do my best," said Sakkari, whose impressive run this week included a stunner over former world number one Venus Williams en route to the final. CANBERRA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Australia's indigenous leaders have accused Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's government of "humiliating" them by refusing to establish an indigenous advisory body to parliament. Prime Minister (PM) Malcolm Turnbull on Sunday ruled out supporting a referendum on enshrining the body in the constitution. The advisory body proposal was first agreed to by delegates from 250 indigenous communities under 2017's historic Uluru Statement. Speaking at the annual Garma Festival on Sunday night, award-winning author Richard Flanagan accused the government of lacking courage. "The Uluru Statement was a historic moment for our nation, by refusing it the Turnbull Government chose to write itself out of history," Flanagan said. "The effort it demanded of Canberra was perhaps too large -- it demanded it imagine the country anew, stronger, richer. It required people who knew a life of the mind and a life of the soul. "A Government that claims to be of good heart to Indigenous Australia publicly humiliated a generation of great black leaders." A parliamentary inquiry has been launched to consult with indigenous leaders and identify a viable alternative to the advisory body. Turnbull said he would consider any outcome of the inquiry but said his preference was for more indigenous Australians to be elected to parliament. Andrea Mason, chief executive of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women's Council and one of Turnbull's top advisers on indigenous issues, said that the last decade of indigenous affairs had been "wasted." "It's created a lot of disappointment, because there was opportunity to do it better ... we haven't been able to have the right goals and targets," she told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). "A representative body could have provided high-level advice to that refresh. "We have to galvanise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people because we don't have a representative body." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 09:49:53|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KHARTOUM, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Sunday reiterated his country's commitment to support peace and stability in South Sudan and follow through the implementation of a peace deal signed by South Sudan's rivals. South Sudan's conflicting parties on Sunday signed a final deal in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on power-sharing and security arrangements. "We will continue setting up plans, programs and timetables to implement what has been agreed on in Khartoum and follow it up step by step." said al-Bashir at the signing ceremony of the deal. He vowed that the agreement would not be just ink on papers, saying "before it was signed on papers, it was signed in the hearts and became a commitment." For his part, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit vowed to implement the signed agreement to the letter and spirit. "I call on all of us, as the leaders of South Sudan, that the agreement we have just signed today must mark the end of conflict and war in our country," said Mayardit at the ceremony. Addressing the ceremony, South Sudan's opposition leader Riek Machar said peace is the only option, noting that the regional presence constituted a guarantor for the implementation of the signed deal. "We want to give meaning to this day. It is a great day for South Sudan, for the region and for peace all over the world," said Machar. On July 25, the South Sudanese conflicting parties signed an initial deal of power-sharing, which stipulates that Kiir will continue his post during the transitional period, while Machar will be the first vice president among the four vice presidents from different political parties. Under the agreement, the transitional cabinet would be composed of 35 ministers, including 20 ministers from the government, and nine from Machar-led Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO). The deal further stipulates a transitional national legislative body would be composed of 550 members, with 332 from the government, and 128 from the SPLM-IO. South Sudan has been witnessing a civil war since December 2013, which has left about 10,000 dead and millions of others displaced. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 09:54:56|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close CARACAS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan authorities announced Sunday that they've arrested six individuals suspected of involvement in the assassination attempt against President Nicolas Maduro. "The responsible parties, both those who carried out the attack and those who supported it, both in the country and outside, have been identified. And there will be more arrests in the coming hours," said Interior Minister Nestor Luis Reverol. In addition to the six arrested, several vehicles have been seized and hotel room searches have taken place. During the searches, Reverol said important video evidence was uncovered. He said that investigation has determined this was "an act of terrorism and an attempted assassination of a head of state," which clearly showed that "these terrorists ... have reached new heights in the spiraling violence." The act is also seen as an attempt to murder those present, including civilians, public officials, high-ranking military officials and various ministers, he added. Reverol called on the international community not to turn a blind eye to what happened. He also thanked the security forces for their quick work. Minister of Communication and Information Jorge Rodriguez said on Saturday the attempt against Maduro was carried out using drones loaded with explosives, which were detonated near the presidential platform where Maduro was giving a speech to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the National Guard. Maduro, unharmed, blamed the attempt on Venezuela's far right with the help of the far right in Colombia and radical forces in Miami. CANBERRA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Australian Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack vowed that the government would do whatever was necessary to ensure that the live export industry remained viable, local media reported Monday. Michael McCormack, leader of the Nationals party, labelled those calling for an end to the nation's live sheep trade as "bleeding hearts." The Australian Labor Party (ALP) and some members of the government have called for the government to ban all live exports after footage made public in April showed inhumane conditions on live export ships. Speaking at the start of an extended visit to Western Australia where he planned to visit sheep farmers, McCormack said that Australia was one of a few countries in the world that enforced life export welfare standards. "Those bleeding hearts in capital city areas wouldn't know a hogget from a wether and probably don't care, because they don't care whether the demand gets filled by someone else, they just don't want Australian sheep filling it," he told the West Australian on Monday. "The fact is this trade provides a valuable source of income for West Australian farmers, and that flows throughout the entire economy. It is needed. But exporters also have a responsibility to step up and do the job properly -- they've been put on notice. "I know the trade is needed and we, as a government, will be ensuring we take every step possible to ensure it continues." Approximately 3 million live sheep, cattle, buffalo and goats are exported from Australia to be slaughtered for meat overseas every year. The industry is worth more than 1 billion Australian dollars (739 million U.S. dollars) every year. YANGON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar Second Vice President U Henry Van Thio has stressed the need for development of community-based tourism industry in Danu Self-Administered Zone in eastern Shan state, Myanmar News Agency reported Monday. Inspecting a village of the zone in Pindaya township Sunday, U Henry Van Thio, who is chairman of the Central Committee for the Development of the National Tourism Industry, emphasized the need for necessary preparation for providing better tourism services in response to the government's visa relaxation for Asian travelers starting October. The vice president looked into some tourist sites such as Shwe Oo Min Cave, a green tea factory, a coffee farm and a coffee mill in Pindaya and Ywangan townships covered by the zone as well as an elephant camp in Kalaw township in southern Shan state. Located at Meikhtila-Taunggyi road, the 364-hectare elephant camp has been promoted into a green business, generating job opportunity for elephant workers, turning the camp into a public vacation and education center, encouraging public involvement in the environmental conservation activities, promoting eco-tourism and protecting the elephants. The vice president called for exerting efforts for greater success of the camp that has become popular within a short period after its inauguration and for turning the facility into all-season destination. Meanwhile, at a recent meeting of the committee, the vice president also called for cooperation among tourist organizations to promote the tourism industry in terms of traditional customs and cuisine of ethnic minorities in the country. The country has recently announced granting visa exemption to Japanese and South Korean visitors as well as visa-on-arrival to visitors from China including Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions starting from Oct.1 . According to the figures of the Hotel and Tourism Ministry, the country attracted over 1.72 million foreign visitors in the first half of this year, targeting over 7 million visitors by 2020. The country is also striving to promote eco-, cultural- and community-based tourism in resource-rich areas such as historical landscapes, rivers, lakes, beaches, islands and forests. According to the statistics, tourist arrivals in the country reached 2.9 million in 2016. TOKYO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Japan on Monday marked the 73rd anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, with its mayor telling thousands of observers that there should be a world without nuclear weapons. "If the human family forgets history or stops confronting it, we could again commit a terrible error," Mayor Kazumi Matsui said at the ceremony. Survivors of the bombing known as hibakusha were also in attendance at the annual ceremony. Some of the hibakusha, many now aged over 82, have been working with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons to help a treaty to be adopted by the United Nations to ban nuclear weapons. However, Japan has not become a signatory to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons which came into effect in July 2017. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in his message during the ceremony that Hiroshima's legacy is one of "resilience" and sought continued moral support from the hibakusha survivors for efforts in promoting the ban of nuclear weapons. But as with years past and, perhaps, for those in the future, while Japan has a tendency to focus solely on the inward tragedy that nuclear and chemical warfare has inflicted on it, many experts on the matter hope that Japan will also take the time to remember that its own involvements in World War II had also brought immeasurable suffering. For example, the Imperial Japanese Army's notorious Unit 731, which was based in the Pingfang district of Harbin, the largest city then in northeast China, was set up around 1936 and conducted vivisection experiments on live human beings to test germ-releasing bombs and chemical bombs, among other criminal atrocities. The unit became Japan's top-secret biological and chemical warfare research base and operated as the nerve center of Japanese biological warfare in China and Southeast Asia during World War II. At least 3,000 people were used for human experimentation by Unit 731 along with a small percentage of Soviets, Mongolians, Koreans, and soldiers of the Allied Forces who had been taken captive. Some of those killed in ways unimaginable were just children. More than 300,000 people across China were killed by Japan's biological weapons during WWII. The notorious Unit 731 managed to keep its atrocities largely concealed due to the International Military Tribunal for the Far East not prosecuting the unit's commanders under condition they handed over the germ warfare data to the United States. Right wing forces here have also, since the unit's abominable crimes committed before and during WWII, attempted to sequester the facts of the unit, going as far as denying its actual existence, despite an NHK documentary drawing local and international attention to the travesties and the names and positions of hundreds of those working at the unit being officially released recently. To accelerate Japan's surrender in the WWII, the U.S. forces dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki respectively on Aug. 6 and Aug. 9, 1945. Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces on Aug. 15, 1945, bringing an end to WWII. SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Activists in San Francisco Sunday slashed the renewed demand of a Japanese mayor to remove a "comfort women" statue in the city. Japan's Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura recently tweeted that he had asked new San Francisco Mayor London Breed to remove a memorial that commemorates hundreds of thousands of women sexually enslaved by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. The memorial, the first of its kind in a major U.S. city, was installed in a park in downtown San Francisco last year, with grass-root efforts led by the Chinese American community. "Osaka Mayor is hoping that with a new mayor there might be a change of policy on the Comfort Women Memorial from city hall. But he will be rebuffed by the city of San Francisco," said Julie Tang, co-chair of the Comfort Women Justice Coalition (CWJC), a San Francisco-based advocacy group which funded the memorial. "It is ridiculous, insulting and outrageous for a foreign government to tell our city mayor how to handle our internal affairs," said Lillian Sing, another co-chair of CWJC. "Japan should stop being the big bully it was during World War II. San Francisco will not be intimidated by Japan," she said. It's not the first time for the Japanese mayor to demand the removal of the memorial. Last year, he wrote to then San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, threatening to sever the 60-year sister city relationship if the memorial was successfully installed. The mayor, who died in December last year, pushed back, saying: "San Francisco has many public and private memorials that commemorate some of history's darkest moments, as well as call for peace and reconciliation." "It's insulting to the late Mayor Ed lee who, among his last acts, signed off on the resolution passed unanimously by the Board of Supervisors that the city accepts the donation of the 'comfort women' memorial and included it in the city's collections," said Tang. Breed assumed office last month. Her office said in an email that her stance remained the same despite the Japanese mayor's threat. "Mayor Breed supported the resolution declaring a day in honor of comfort women when the memorial was unveiled last year, and her stance remains the same," said Mason Lee, a communications officer of Breed's office. "This memorial is a symbol of the struggle of all women who have been, and are currently forced to endure the horrors of enslavement and sex trafficking. These victims deserve our respect and this memorial reminds us all of events and lessons we must never forget," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 12:25:22|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close CARACAS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino Lopez on Sunday condemned the assassination attempt against President Nicolas Maduro and proclaimed the military's unfaltering loyalty to the president. Lopez called the attempt a "terrorist act" and a "desperate act" that are part of "destabilizing plans" to overthrow Maduro's government, which is "constitutionally legitimate and elected by the popular vote." The defense minister addressed the nation during a televised event in which he said in a prepared statement that the government decried the attack and these acts were perpetrated "with the help of Venezuela's far right." He emphasized that the military along with state security agencies would conduct a thorough investigation to identify who is responsible for the attack. Lopez said under no circumstances would the Venezuelan military accept the violation of national sovereignty and the military would remain unscathed "in their unconditional support and unfettered loyalty" to Maduro. Lopez warned that no government that attempts to take power through undemocratic means will receive the support of the Venezuelan military. "Any group that undertakes this type of criminal act will receive a forceful response from us," he added. The assassination attempt took place Saturday night when several drone-type devices carrying explosives came close to the presidential stand where Maduro was giving a speech. Maduro and the top government officials who were standing alongside him were unharmed, but seven soldiers were injured as a result of the blast. Venezuelan authorities announced Sunday that they've arrested six individuals suspected of involvement in the assassination attempt and more arrests will be done. KABUL, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan Public Health Ministry, with the support of World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), launched a nationwide five-day campaign on Monday to give immunity vaccination dose to 9.9 million children under the age of five, the ministry said in a statement. During the nationwide campaign vitamin A capsules will also be given to over 8.9 million children aged between six months to five years. "Vitamin A helps to build a child's immunity and reduces the risk of diarrhea, respiratory infections and measles. Vitamin A supplements can improve a child's chance of survival by 12 to 24 percent," the statement read. The drive was launched as a fresh polio case was detected in Afghanistan in late June, bringing to nine the number of confirmed cases of polio virus since January this year. The ongoing insurgency and conflicts have been hindering the efforts to stamp out the infectious disease in the mountainous country as 1.2 million children from areas inaccessible to vaccination teams will miss the ongoing vaccine drive. These children will not be protected from the polio virus and the main provinces affected are Kandahar 117,640 children, Helmand 541, 839 children, Uruzgan 119,406 children and Zabul 146,513 children. The polio program continues to look for ways to reach these children to protect them from permanent paralysis due to polio, the statement noted. HANOI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Border forces of Vietnams central Ha Tinh province have detained two Lao men for smuggling 52 cakes of heroin and 25 kg of crystal methamphetamine into Vietnam, local media reported on Monday. The two detainees, including a 46-year-old man named Thao Khun, carried two suitcases, which were full of heroin and crystal methamphetamine, as tourists crossing Cau Treo international border gate in Ha Tinh, online newspaper VnExpress reported. Khun confessed that he has joined a drug-trafficking ring in Laos after many years of being hired to transport heroin and methamphetamine in the country. According to Vietnamese law, those convicted of smuggling over 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kg of methamphetamine are punishable by death. Making or trading 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal drugs also faces death penalty. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 13:30:30|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close CARACAS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday tweeted thanks to foreign leaders who condemned Saturday's assassination attempt against him during a military speech. "I am grateful to those countries and world governments who have denounced the attempt against my life. Venezuela will continue following the path of independent and socialist democracy," Maduro wrote on his Twitter account. Also on Twitter, Bolivian President Evo Morales condemned the attempt and called it a crime against humanity. "We energetically disavow this new aggression and cowardly attack against our brother, President Nicolas Maduro and the Bolivarian people. After the failure in its intent to democratically, economically, politically and militarily oust him, they make an attempt against his life," Morales wrote. Russian foreign ministry said in a statement that the use of terrorism in politics is "unacceptable." Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, Cuba's ex-president Raul Castro and current President Miguel Diaz-Canel also condemned the act. On Saturday, during a speech commemorating the 81 anniversary of Venezuelan National Guard, several drones approached the presidential stand and detonated explosives, which, according to Venezuelan government officials, was an attempt to assassinate Maduro. PHNOM PENH, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Monday invited self-exiled former opposition leader Sam Rainsy to swear for alleging that the ruling party inflated the voter turnout figure for ballot-rigging in a recent election. Hun Sen said he swore to "die unnaturally" if his Cambodian People's Party (CPP) inflated the turnout figure in the sixth general election on July 29 and called on the former opposition leader to swear via Facebook for his groundless allegations. "If you dare not to swear, it means you recognize that in the election, more than 82 percent of the eligible voters really turned out to vote," he said in a live-televised speech during a meeting with athletes at the Peace Palace here. Hun Sen's remarks came after Sam Rainsy, self-exiled former president of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), posted to his Facebook on Friday, claiming that the turnout in the election was actually less than 50 percent, far lower than the 82 percent announced. Sam Rainsy has been living in self-imposed exile in France since 2015 to avoid at least eight-year-prison sentence for defamation and incitement cases. Twenty political parties contested in the July 29 election. The National Election Committee (NEC)'s preliminary results indicated that the CPP won the election, receiving 4.87 million votes, or 76.78 percent, of the total valid votes. According to the calculation table by the CPP based on the NEC's results, the CPP won all 125 seats in the parliament. With the landslide victory, Hun Sen, who has been in power for 33 years, will continue to lead the government for another five years. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 14:00:33|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close GUATEMALA CITY, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Fuego volcano, whose eruption killed around 300 people about two months ago, erupted yet again on Sunday evening. Authorities have ordered the evacuation of emergency personnel who have been working in the area since the last eruption in early June. Guatemalan officials warned residents in the area to keep away from rivers that might overflow and to be on alert for further instructions from authorities. The volcano wreaked havoc on nearby towns almost two months ago, killing around 300 people and displacing thousands. The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) of Guatemala described the previous eruption as "the strongest one recorded in recent years." CONRED constantly monitors this area, which was nearly flattened by mudflows that careened down the slopes in June. These same mudflows, called lahar, once again threaten towns at the mountain's base, located about 50 km west of the capital Guatemala City. In addition, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale on Saturday struck 74 km south of Puerto San Jose, Guatemala. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 14:05:35|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close LONDON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- About 1,900 British 18-year-olds won a free Interrail Pass ticket, which ensures a trip in four European countries for up to a month, in an online competition held by the European Union (EU). The competition, called DiscoverEU, prepared 15,000 railway pass tickets for young adults in the 28 EU member states. Applicants should answer questions about the EU cultural heritage and European Parliament elections online and wait for the result. By launching this scheme, the EU hopes to counter "misinformation about Europe" and "current growth of populism." The European Commission invested 12 million euros (about 13.9 million U.S. dollars) in the project, said Manfred Weber, chairman of Group of the European People's Party, in a statement. Some Eurosceptics see the scheme as a waste of taxpayers' money, accusing it as a "blatant attempt at bribery." "Offering kids and teenagers this opportunity is opening minds to other cultures. It's not a waste of money if used correctly," responded Bilal Bounit, a British ticket winner who plans to visit France, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia in August. "I think people should view it more as educational," Daisy Taylor-Ray, another applicant from Southampton, Britain, told BBC. "It's going and educating yourself on other cultures, not just teenagers going clubbing." The European Commission plans to fund 700 million euros (about 810 million dollars) in the future to expand the DiscoverEU project to enable 1.5 million 18-year-olds to visit other European countries. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 14:10:36|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close LONDON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- A dog in Britain has caused hundreds of pounds' damage at home after his head was stuck in a bin, the Daily Mail reported. The two-year-old German Shepherd called Theodore gnawed at virtually everything at his home in Lincoln of England, ranging from beds, slippers, dressing gowns to plant pots, skirting boards and door knobs, according to his owner Vicky Galbraith, who has taken pictures showing various destructive scenes. Pictures posted online by Galbraith show the dog lying on the ground strewn with clothes, opening the baby gate, having his head stuck in a bin, among other things. "He was nosing in the bin and got his head stuck, and then started wearing it around as if it were a fashion accessory," Galbraith said. "It seems that there's nothing that he won't destroy - and he definitely seems chuffed with himself when he's destroyed something!" Galbraith added. The 32-year-old owner said she will have to reinforce his current cage with cable ties to prevent him from getting out as well as keeping him safe. She said the mischievous dog has been fully trained and she "wouldn't change him for the world." The photos have sparked multiple reactions online with some immersed in the fun while others accused the owner of not giving enough attention to the dog. "He is an intelligent bored dog," one netizen wrote. "Not a naughty dog. Just bad ownership," another commented. The German Shepherd is a type of working dog that was originally developed for herding sheep. Its good strength, intelligence, trainability and obedience also fit it for many other types of work including disability assistance, search-and-rescue and even acting. By Lillian Avedian I sit across the table from an old village man, the skin of his face sagging from the weight of his experiences and his white hair clinging to his head. He wags his finger frantically as he carries on the rant he has been delivering for the past hour. I listen intently, desperately trying to make sense of his jumbled thoughts while endeavoring to throw in a question or two of my own, yet I am foiled in my plan. He has already decided what he wants to say, and I serve merely as a listener. "A majority of Turks are animals," he growls. "When you're facing an enemy, who wants to destroy you, the only solution is to take up arms and fight." He continues on in this vein, repeating the same disturbing ideas. That Turkish people are evil, and that their cruelty is embedded in their genetic makeup. That the only way to face evil people is to eliminate them. That Turkish people learned culture and civilization from Armenians. That most Armenians are good, except for a few animals who also need to be eliminated. I feel unnerved by his assertions and try to shift the conversation by asking about his personal history. He explains to me that he served in the military in Russia in the 1970s and was elected the head of the village of Shvanidzor from 1988-1994. He led the village during the Nagorno-Karabagh war of the early nineties, stationing Armenian soldiers in the mountains in order to instill fear in the Azeri people who lived in Shvanidzor, forcing them to flee to Azerbaijan (according to his account). After ending his term, he served in the military at the border from 1994 to 2010. "Beyond anything, what will last throughout history is your name," he claims. I assure him that he has served his country well, and that he will be remembered as an honorable man and a patriot. He seems desperate to prove his honor, to justify all that he has sacrificed for the defense of Armenia's borders. He kindly accepts my assurance, and I hope that this will be enough to move on from this topic. However, his recollection of his time as a public servant and military leader triggers his hatred for Turkish people. He resumes his angry tirade, against Turks, against Azeris, against the greedy and the corrupt and the powerful. He becomes repetitious, defending his years of service, his honor, his patriotism. While he talks, his wife joins us at the table (after having set the table with coffee and chocolate and fruit of course). At moments she attempts to interject, to support his views with her own, and they shout over each other as he shuts her down, loudly proclaiming his opinions while dismissing hers. At this point I am deeply uncomfortable with this exchange and know I will take away nothing from this interview if it carries on this way. "Do you have any old family photos?" I finally blurt out, eager to salvage our conversation. His wife rushes to the bedroom and returns with several photo albums. She happily flips through the albums, pointing out young photos of herself, of her husband, of their wedding day, of their children. At this point, the old man's face changes. His hardened scowl melts away, and his eyes begin to gleam with the memory of his youth. His wife shows him a young photo of himself from the seventies playing a "dhol" with scruffy hair that covers his eyes, and he laughs, making a joke about his terrible style. He tells me about his love for music, pointing out a photo of his father and his wife's father playing instruments together and explaining that they were both self-taught, like himself. I gawk over a photo of his wife on their wedding day, and he smiles, commenting upon her beauty. "Those were the good old days," he sighs. "And now they're gone." Flipping through the photo albums, I am struck by the overwhelming number of military photos. Over half of the photos are composed of group shots of men at the border, of the old man posing in his uniform, of the old woman dressed in her own attire as a military cook. Of their two sons and one daughter in their own military attire stationed at their posts. The old woman leaves and returns with a stack of certificates rewarded to the family for their military service. She proudly shows off each one, and I take the time to look at each and praise the family, even though the certificates are written in Russian and I can't read any of them. Looking at these photos, at these certificates, at the old man's change in demeanor, I begin to understand his anger. I see that while he fumes against the cruelty of the Turks, he sees before his eyes the gunfire and blood and smoke that he faced every day at the border. He hears the ringing of gunshots and the wails of the dying. He envisions an enemy at the other side of the border who brings forth this incomprehensible violence and suffering. The old man lives in his memories of conflict and warfare, and they are etched into his mind even as he walks through the quiet of his village or sits at a coffee table with a young woman. He can never escape from the fear he felt as a soldier, and so now he lives with constant rage. He has sacrificed his youth, his family, his happiness to the war effort, and the advancing soldiers are to pay. Speaking with this old man elucidates for me the causes behind much of the racist anti-Turkish rhetoric ever-present within the Armenian community, particularly in this small village in the southernmost corner of Armenia. Shvanidzor gives up at least a few of its boys to the Armenian military every year, due to the mandatory military service applied to all of Armenia's eighteen-year-old men. When a village must sacrifice its people to a war effort that kills many of its youth, it is easy to blame those who have been labelled the enemy for decades, who are faceless and nameless except when they are firing upon you. Ethnic hatred takes root and flourishes when security is not guaranteed, and when people are bound to a war waged by faraway governments. The militarization of Shvanidzor is evident from the nationalistic songs about the heroism of Armenian soldiers the children love to sing, the mandatory firearms class children are required to attend, and the photos of deceased soldiers posted all around the walls of the village's school. And while the youth are more apt to engage in discussions of race and the error behind fueling ethnic hatred and "enemy" discourse, those in the older generation like the man I sat down with whose lives are defined by fear and pain could never comprehend such conversations. As I leave the old couple's home, they tell me that their doors are always open to me, and that if I ever return to Shvanidzor, I am always welcome to stay with them. I don't know if I will ever return to this house of memories haunted by the past and kept alive with anger. Yet I certainly will never forget it. (Lillian Avedian is a student at the University of California, Berkeley studying Peace and Conflict Studies and Armenian Language and Literature. This is her second article in a series of articles overviewing life in Shvanidzor, a village in the southernmost corner of Armenia.) KABUL, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The ongoing insurgency and conflict in Afghanistan have been hindering the government's increased efforts to stamp out the infectious poliomyelitis virus in the mountainous country as a fresh case was found in a restive province in late June. On Monday, The Afghan Public Health Ministry, with the support of World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), launched a nationwide five-day campaign to give immunity vaccination dose to 9.9 million children under the age of five, the ministry said in a statement. "This campaign is a great opportunity for all parents to vaccinate and protect the children against this paralyzing disease. All families must use this opportunity and make sure that their all children including newborns and sick children are vaccinated," Public Health Minister Dr. Ferozuddin Feroz was quoted in the statement as saying. Despite the tireless drives over the past three decades by successive governments to eradicate polio from Afghanistan, nine cases of polio have been reported so far this year. Meanwhile, 1.2 million children from areas inaccessible to vaccination teams will miss the ongoing vaccine drive, according to the statement. These children will not be protected from the polio virus and the main provinces affected are four southern provinces where Taliban militants are active, including Kandahar with 117,640 children, Helmand 541,839 children, Uruzgan 119,406 children and Zabul 146,513 children. The latest case was found in the remote Nad Ali district of Helmand in late June. "In Afghanistan, polio cases are largely in areas where insecurity and misperception about the vaccine creates obstacles for vaccination teams," the statement read. "I urge every parent to open the door to vaccination teams to ensure their children are safeguarded from a virus that can cause severe disability," Stefano Savi, UNICEF country deputy representative, said in the statement. The national campaign will be conducted by 70,000 dedicated polio workers who will go to each house vaccinating children. "This campaign is a great opportunity for us to take yet another step towards a polio-free Afghanistan," said Dr. Richard Peeperkorn, WHO representative for Afghanistan. During the nationwide campaign vitamin A capsules will also be given to over 8.9 million children aged between six months to five years. According to media reports, in unsafe areas where Taliban militants and militants of the Islamic State extremist group are operating, children suffer from polio and the vaccinators are reluctant to serve there. To make the anti-polio drive succeed, Afghan government is also seeking the support of Ulema or religious scholars to encourage people for allowing their children to be vaccinated. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 14:25:41|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close CARACAS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan authorities announced Sunday that they've arrested six individuals suspected of involvement in the assassination attempt against President Nicolas Maduro. "The responsible parties, both those who carried out the attack and those who supported it, both in the country and outside, have been identified. And there will be more arrests in the coming hours," said Interior Minister Nestor Luis Reverol. The act is also seen as an attempt to murder those present, including civilians, public officials, high-ranking military officials and various ministers, he added. The attack happened during a speech given by Maduro on Saturday to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Venezuelan National Guard when drones exploded near Maduro and his wife. Maduro escaped unharmed from the attack. Maduro blamed the attack on the far-right factions in Venezuela, the Colombian government and conspirators in the United States, saying they were responsible. On Sunday, Colombian foreign ministry refuted Maduro's accusation, saying in a statement that "the claims that the Colombian leader could be responsible for a supposed assassination of the Venezuelan president sound absurd and lack basis." Venezuela-Colombia relationship has been long strained by frictions between the two neighbouring South American countries, including border disputes and military concerns. Also in response, U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Sunday that the U.S. government was not involved in the assassination plot. "I can say unequivocally there was no U.S. government involvement in this at all," Bolton told "Fox News Sunday." Bolton said he had spoken to the U.S. charge d'affaires in Caracas and was told that "Americans are accounted for." Venezuela's right-wing opposition groups have launched waves of protests in recent years designed to pressure the government to hold early presidential elections in a bid to oust Maduro. Venezuelan Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino Lopez on Sunday condemned the assassination attempt and proclaimed the military's unfaltering loyalty to the president. Lopez called the attempt a "terrorist act" and a "desperate act" that are part of "destabilizing plans" to overthrow Maduro's government, which is "constitutionally legitimate and elected by the popular vote." Oil-producing Venezuela has been struggling with an acute economic crisis since crude oil prices crashed in the international market, affecting state coffers and government-run services, including electricity and water. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 14:25:42|Editor: ZX Video Player Close KUNMING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Police in southwest China's Yunnan Province arrested three drug traffickers and seized more than 31 kilograms of methamphetamine pills, the local public security department said Monday. Three cars carrying drugs broke through checkpoints set by police in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture early Sunday morning. The police later intercepted the cars at noon and found 55 bags of methamphetamine tablets in the trunk. The suspects are currently being held in police custody. The case is under further investigation. Yunnan is the main focal point of China's anti-drug campaign as it borders the Golden Triangle, known for drug production and trafficking in southeast Asia. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 14:40:44|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for efforts in promoting the patriotism and dedication demonstrated by a late militia member who spent 32 years guarding an island post. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said the spirit of Wang Jicai, former head of the militia post on Kaishan Island in east China's Jiangsu Province, should be pursued by hardworking people in the new era. Wang resolutely stuck to his post without any complaint or regret, composing an extraordinary chapter in a life on an ordinary post, Xi said. Xi asked for condolences and care for Wang's family, and said that for those who dedicate themselves to difficult posts for a long time like Wang, organizations at all levels should proactively help them overcome difficulties, and care for them more in their thoughts, work and lives. Wang started working on Kaishan Island in 1986 with his wife and they dedicated all their youth to the lonely strategic outpost in the Yellow Sea. The couple were honored as "national role models of the time" in 2014. On July 27, Wang died of sudden illness on duty at the age of 58. COLOMBO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a task force to study the possibility of granting visa free entry to visitors from certain tourist friendly nations in order to boost arrivals to the island country, local media reported on Monday. Sri Lankan Tourism Minister John Amaratunga said that some of the countries under consideration are India, China, and some European and West Asian countries. Amaratunga said this proposal was aimed at encouraging more people to visit Sri Lanka and avoid the "chaos" at the immigration. Following recommendations from the Task Force, this proposal may be implemented in the off peak months of October to November and March to April, the minister said. He further said the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) is currently working on this plan. Additionally, in order to boost arrivals, the minister said the government was also in discussion with airlines, tour operators and hotels to provide low cost packages during the off peak months. "These efforts are underway to ensure Sri Lanka becomes a destination that would be a visited location throughout the year," Amaratunga said. Sri Lanka's tourism industry, which was once heavily scarred by a 30-year civil conflict, has become one of the leading industries of the country. Tourist arrivals have recorded a growth of 15.3 percent during the first half of 2018 compared with the same period last year, recent statistics from the Tourism Ministry showed. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 16:16:01|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Visitors evacuate from Gili Trawangan near Lombok Island in Central Indonesia, Aug. 6, 2018. The death toll rose to 91 and the number of injured people was up to 209 after a 7.0-magnitude quake hit tourist destination of Lombok Island in central Indonesia, an official said on Monday.(Xinhua/Liang Fangfang) JAKARTA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The death toll rose to 91 and the number of injured people was up to 209 after a 7.0-magnitude quake hit tourist destination of Lombok Island in central Indonesia, an official said on Monday. The jolt destroyed thousands of houses and buildings, forcing thousands of people to flee homes and take shelters, spokesman of the National Agency for Disaster Management Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said. The impact of Sunday's powerful quake extended on Monday as a rescue for tourists in three small islands is underway, said the official. "The impact of the quake is looked to extend further as risks assessment persists," he told Xinhua in a text message. Lombok Utara district suffers the most as it is situated the nearest to the quake center, the official added. About 1,000 holiday makers, including foreign and domestic visitors, who have been trapped in three small popular destinations, located near main Lombok island, have been rescued, Sutopo added. Poor access of communication still hampers emergency relief efforts, he said. Meanwhile, aids are flowing into the affected-areas, including foods, drugs, and medical personnel, the spokesman said. In order to support relief efforts, two helicopters and communication devices were sent to the scene along with one navy hospital ship, he added. To monitor the condition and presence of the tourists, a crisis center was established by the Ministry of Tourism, said Sutopo. The jolts caused minor damages in both Lombok international airport in Lombok Island and Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali Island, notwithstanding, they did not halt the operation, an official of transport ministry Pramintohadi said. The official, however, cautioned all stakeholders of aviation industry to be alert on the further risks of aftershocks. "We must remain cautious and all stakeholders of aviation have to step up coordination. Check all flight facilities and its supporting facilities so that the flight can be done safely and well," he told Xinhua in a text message. The 7.0-magnitude quake struck on Sunday with epicenter at 18 km northwest Lombok Timur district and shallow of 15 km under-earth, the temblor was also felt strongly in nearby Bali Island and East Java province, according to the meteorology and geophysics agency. The Sunday's quake worsened the downside risks of another strong quake of 6.4-magnitude striking Lombok Island on July 29, that left 17 people dead, 365 others injured, 8,871 people displaced and 14,940 houses and building damaged, according to the disaster agency. Indonesia is prone to quake as it lies on a vulnerable quake-hit zone so called "the Pacific Ring of Fire." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 16:21:03|Editor: zh Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Haitian President Jovenel Moise on Sunday named a former presidential candidate, Jean Ceant, as the successor to former Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant, who resigned in July. "After consultations with the Presidents of the two branches of Parliament, I made the choice of citizen @jeanhenryceant as new Prime Minister," Moise said on Twitter. Ceant, who heads a political organization called Renmen Ayiti, was a candidate for the presidential elections in 2010 and 2016. The 61-year-old's nomination has to be approved by parliament. Lafontant resigned over the handling of violent protests last month when the government announced a controversial plan to raise the prices of major fuels by 38 to 51 percent. Though the government responded by suspending the price hikes, the protests continued, resulting in the death of at least seven people. PHNOM PENH, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said Monday that he will travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly next month if his new government can be formed by this month. The prime minister's Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won the sixth general election on July 29, receiving 4.87 million votes, or 76.78 percent, of the total valid ballots, according to the National Election Committee (NEC)'s preliminary results. Based on the preliminary results, the CPP calculated that it had won all 125 seats in the parliament. The NEC's official results will be announced on Aug. 15. "If our new cabinet can be formed by August ... I will have time to go to the United Nations to deliver a speech for you to see that as a sovereign state, which held its own elections, we do not need stamps of approval from anyone, but our king," he said in a televised speech during a meeting with athletes. However, the prime minister said if the time is unfavorable, he will stick to his original plan to skip the United Nations General Assembly and form the new government on Sept. 20. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 16:31:06|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close HARBIN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Liu Lixia walks into the classroom wearing her dancing gear and proceeds to warm up in front of the mirror. She dances every week and enjoys her weekly university-style life. Nothing unusual there perhaps, except that the "university" Liu attends is Harbin Senior Citizen School. It was established in 1984 and is one of China's first educational establishments aimed solely at senior citizens. More than 200,000 students have graduated from it over the past 30 years. All the students enrolled here are over 50 years old, and have had their lives enriched through attending the school. Following her musical accompaniment, Liu spins and jumps gracefully to the beat. It is difficult to imagine that she is over 50 years old. "It has been more than three years since I first came to this class. Not only did dancing give me a new lease of life, but I also became more cheerful and confident," Liu said. Liu's dance teacher Li Yongxia has taught this class for more than ten years, with the average age of her students being over 60 years old. "When they first came here, they were in a bad state and felt lost. Dancing helped change their lives from the inside out." Under Li's leadership, the students formed a dance team, and have won awards in several competitions. "There is a unique charm here that makes me insist on dancing. This school has become my second home," says Liu. The "unique charm" Liu mentioned is actually the value these elder citizens found in themselves. 68-year-old Wang Jingyun and several hundred other students over 60 years old formed a volunteer group, and often go to nursing homes to perform. "We are actually old people, but participating in dance enhances our physical and mental state. We also hope to continue to create value for society," Wang said. Many of today's senior citizens in China were obliged to spend the early part of their lives working, and didn't have time to cultivate their hobbies. After retirement, many had a strong desire to learn new things and acquire more knowledge. For many, enrolling at a school like this is a way of doing just that. Zhang Lihua, the principal of Harbin Senior Citizen School, said that on the first day of registration for this spring semester, nearly 200 classes were filled up within just five minutes, with around 40,000 students currently enrolled at the school. Yet even these numbers are dwarfed by the amount of senior citizens in Harbin. According to Liu Shifa, deputy mayor of Harbin Municipal Government, by the end of 2017, the number of people over 60 years old in the city had reached 1.97 million, accounting for 20.7% of its total population. While there are more than 50 types of old-age education institutions in the city, the old-age enrollment rate is just 3 percent, meaning there remains a considerable difference between the supply and demand of education resources. In order to give more elderly people the opportunity of entering the classroom, Harbin administrators are relying on Harbin Senior Citizen School to integrate 55 old-age education institutions in the area and establish branch campuses in order to expand the supply of resources for senior education. The boom in elderly learning comes as China is increasingly experiencing problems associated with an aging population. By the end of 2017, there were 241 million people aged 60 and over in China, accounting for 17.3% of the total population. In 2016, the General Office of the State Council issued the "Elderly Education Development Plan (2016-2020)", designed to meet the learning needs of elderly people and improve the "spiritual pension" mechanism. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 16:51:09|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close URUMQI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- It's tourism season, and Bolat Huanale, from Kazakhstan, drives tourists in his white minibus across his country's border with China five times a day through the port of Horgos in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Horgos, meaning "a place where caravans pass" in Mongolian, was once a busy passage used by traders traveling along the ancient Silk Road. It became a land port in 1881. Although caravans have faded into history, today fleets of vehicles like Huanale's gather at the port, which has been revitalized by the Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013. Hundreds of Kazakhstani tourists gathered in front of a shopping mall, carrying huge bags, pushing hand trucks and waiting to board the buses back home after a shopping trip to the China-Kazakhstan International Border Cooperation Center, the world's only duty-free shopping center spanning two countries, which opened in 2012. A woman named Xugela was among the tourists. She and her daughter got up early in the morning and took a bus from Almaty, 370 kilometers away, for four hours to get here. After a day-long trip, their two hand trucks were loaded with six large boxes containing bedding, one of the most popular Chinese goods among Kazakhstani shoppers. "With their good quality, things here are a lot cheaper than in our country, so we come shopping here several times a month," said Xugela, pushing her luggage onto Huanale's bus. It was crowded, and there was barely room left for luggage. Yespoli Mijiti was already resting on board. He had waited at the Kazakhstan border even when it was still dark in the morning just to buy a self-balancing scooter as a present for his younger brother. "Some day I will travel along the Silk Road deep into the inland of China," said Mijiti. The Kazakhstani tourists didn't just come from nearby towns and cities like Zharkent, some 40 km away from Horgos, and Almaty, but also from places more than 1,000 km away. It was Kulzat Turdebek's first time to Horgos. She set off from Shymkent, spent two days on a train to Almaty, and took a bus to the border. Her friends and neighbors had recommended Chinese goods for her, so she decided to go and take a look. Turdebek went on a shopping spree. She spent about 6,000 yuan (878 U.S. dollars) on a scooter and toys for her child as well as many household goods. According to the border control station in Horgos, 5.54 million Chinese and foreigners crossed the border in 2017 via the Horgos cooperation center, 33 times the number in 2012 when the center opened. The trade volume in the center reached 11.7 billion yuan last year, up 180 percent year on year. Armenian Minister of Culture Lilit Makunts was one of the thirty concerned individuals who attended a public meeting on August 4 in Yerevan to discuss the plight of the beleaguered Hay Film production studio. Founded in 1923, Hay Film was sold in 2005 to CS Media, a company co-owned at the time by U.S.-Armenian philanthropist Gerard Cafesjian and his business partner in Armenia, Bagrat Sargsian. CS Media paid about $800,000 for the Soviet-era studio and pledged to invest roughly $70 million in it over the next decade. The money was supposed to be mainly spent on upgrading the studios equipment and producing new films. Failing to do so, the Armenian government moved to regain control of the Soviet holdover in 2015. It seems that Hay Film might again be put up for sale to private investors. Those who attended the August 4 public discussion, organized by State Property Control Committee President Narek Babayan, wanted to know if the government had plans for Hay Film. Babayan replied that it would take millions of dollars to get the studio, which occupies 25 hectares, up and running again, and that the government doesnt have the money. Babayan said that while Hay Film is on the list of state properties to be sold off, this doesnt mean that a final decision has been made to do so. Hay Film representatives said the studio today has a staff of fourteen, of which five are security personnel. While a number of suggestions were made to revitalize the film studio, most were overly grandiose and based on emotion rather than reality. Babayan said that all proposals, once clarified and translated into practical steps, would be discussed with the Ministry of Culture. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 17:46:22|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- With scorching weather broiling the Northern Hemisphere this summer and setting off forest fires in the Arctic region, environment experts link the phenomenon to greenhouse gas emissions and warn of worse if global warming is not checked. Asia, Europe, North America and North Africa have recorded historically high temperatures while even parts of the Arctic have seen the mercury jump above 30 degrees Celsius. In Europe, the average temperature in Sweden in July was 3 or 4 degrees Celsius above normal. Many areas in Sweden, including Stockholm, recorded the highest temperatures in July in the past 260 years. The soaring temperature has caused Sweden's highest peak, a glacier on the Kebnekaise Mountain, to melt at the rate of several centimeters a day. Other North European countries, like Norway, Finland and Denmark, have also seen rare high temperatures. Greece suffered from devastating wildfires that killed more than 90 people. Parts of Britain baked in record heatwaves and droughts, with over 1,000 people dying. In Italy, the Health Ministry last week issued a red alert in 18 cities while Portugal issued a red alert for more than half the country, with the mercury approaching 46 degrees C, close to the country's highest recorded temperature of 47.4 degrees C in 2003. Spain also issued an extreme heat alert for its southern areas, with temperatures expected to reach 45 degrees C in the cities of Seville, Huelva, Badajoz and Cordoba. Cordoba witnessed Spain's all-time record of 46.9 degrees C in July 2017. Some meteorological stations inside the Artic Circle recorded a temperature of above 30 degree C. The cold region even saw forest blazes due to the unusually hot and dry weather. In Asia, high temperatures across Japan have killed 125 people and forced over 57,000 to be hospitalized over three months ending July 29, Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency said Tuesday. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the extreme heat is expected to continue through early August. Temperatures in South Korea hit an all-time high Wednesday. The mercury touched 41.0 degrees C in Hongcheon, a town in northeastern Gangwon Province, at about 16:00 local time (0700 GMT), according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). It was the highest ever temperature recorded across the country since the KMA started compiling the data in 1907. Capital Seoul has seen a daily high of 39.6 degrees C at midday, marking the highest in 111 years. China's National Meteorological Center renewed a yellow alert on Sunday as a heatwave continued in most parts of China. On Sunday, most areas south of the Yangtze River, as well as Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Guangdong and Xinjiang will see temperatures reach 35-36 degrees C, while some areas may see temperatures hit 39 degrees C, the center said. In North America, temperatures climbed past 43 degrees C in Montreal, Canada, in early July. The health authorities of Quebec Province said at least 50 people died in the province. In the U.S., California and other states like Texas and Arizona have encountered record high temperatures, which triggered destructive wildfires. In North Africa, Morocco sweltered in 43.4 degrees C early July, while the temperature in eastern Algeria touched 51.3 degrees C. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said last month that extreme weather, like high temperatures and drought, has been witnessed in multiple places, intensifying wildfire disasters in the Northern Hemisphere and posing a danger to human health, agriculture and the ecosystem. "2018 is shaping up to be one of the hottest years on record, with new temperature records in many countries," WMO Deputy Secretary-General Elena Manaenkova said. The soaring temperatures "are consistent with what we expect as a result of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions," she said. Bengt Lindstrom, a meteorologist at Swedish national weather agency SMHI, called the long and persistently high temperature worldwide this summer worrisome. "A day or two over 30 degrees C is not remarkable, but it has been incredibly persistent, that's what's sensational," Lindstrom told Swedish public broadcaster SVT. The high temperature and wildfires are closely linked to global warming, said Yifang Zhu, a professor of environmental health sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles. The wildfires in western United States were predictable against the backdrop of the ongoing climate change, Zhu said. If the world fails to take effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there will be more and more such incidents and the situation will worsen, she added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 17:56:25|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close KAMPALA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has sent samples to the United States for further laboratory tests after a strange disease in the central region district of Mubende left eight people dead and 16 others hospitalized. Ministry of Health in a weekend statement said previous laboratory tests turned out negative for all known viral hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola, Rift Valley Fever, Crimean Congo, Marburg and yellow fever. The ministry on Saturday said once the results from the U.S. are out, the public will be informed. The ministry said with support from partners, it is taking measures to control the spread of the disease. The statement said an isolation center has been established at Mubende Regional Hospital for containment and close monitoring of suspected cases. A surveillance team is also already in the field to do case search in communities and health facilities. The ministry urged the public to report any suspected cases to the nearby health facility. The symptoms of the disease include high fever, blood in vomit, acute headache and bloody diarrhea. The strange disease was first reported on July 1 when the index case was registered. Since then, eight deaths have been recorded and 16 other people hospitalized. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 18:16:29|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close MANAMA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Bahrain has pledged support for Saudi Arabia against any "external interference" in its internal affairs, the country's Foreign Affairs Ministry said on Monday. The remarks came after Saudi Arabia gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country and recalled its own ambassador to Canada after the latter country criticized the recent arrest of women's rights activists. Saudi Arabia also said it would suspend new trade and investment with Canada. Bahrain's Foreign Affairs Ministry said it backs the steps taken by Saudi Arabia. "Whilst the Kingdom of Bahrain regrets Canada's position, based on totally erroneous information that has nothing to do with reality on the ground, it absolutely rejects its unacceptable intervention in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," stated the ministry. The ministry said Bahrain affirms that it stands with Saudi Arabia in all the measures it has taken to maintain its security and stability. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 18:16:30|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close RIYADH, Aug. 6 (Xinhua)-- Saudi Arabia on Monday ordered the Canadian ambassador to leave the kingdom within 24 hours and said it was recalling its ambassador to Canada following Canada's criticism of its recent arrest of women's right activists, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement that the Canadian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dennis Horak, was persona non grata and must leave the country within 24 hours. It said the Saudi Ambassador to Canada, Naif bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, would be recalled and the kingdom would freeze all new business and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action. The announcement came after Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland and other diplomats criticized Saudi Arabia's recent arrest of women's right activists and asked for their immediate release. The Saudi authorities said the comments were unfounded since the arrests were made in accordance with the law. They also called Canada's criticism an interference in Saudi Arabia's domestic affairs. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 18:21:31|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close ABUJA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 people have been killed by an outbreak of cholera in Nigeria's northwestern state of Kano since last week, according to local media on Monday. Forty-seven others have been hospitalized following the outbreak which has so far affected three villages in Bebeji area of the state. Ubali Daud Abubakar, a community leader, told Nigeria's The Punch Newspaper that residents of Hanya Madaki, Halin Sarki, and Kunchi villages had been battling the disease for over one week now. Abubakar said the situation might go out of hand as there has been no response from the appropriate health authorities in the state. All of the dead victims have been buried. None of the villages has a clinic or hospital, sources told Xinhua. The hospitalized victims are being treated in another area of the state, one source said. Another source said many of the victims earlier relied on medical personnel who traveled several kilometers to deliver healthcare service to them at home. Musa Abdullahi, a parent of a victim, said some other victims relied on patent medicine outfits located in their villages, for treatment. Spokesman of the state's health ministry Ismail Garba Gwamaja said the government will soon launch an investigation into the cause of the cholera outbreak. Cholera is an extremely virulent disease characterized in its most severe form by sudden onset of acute watery diarrhea that can lead to death by severe dehydration. The outbreak is common in Nigeria due to the poor water supply systems, especially in densely populated areas. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 18:41:37|Editor: mym Video Player Close by Burak Akinci ANKARA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Turkey is gearing up for the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) where its firms will be actively seeking new cooperation and trade opportunities in a global market increasingly affected by crippling U.S. protectionism. As the world's first import-themed national-level expo held in China's Shanghai on Nov. 5-10, the CIIE will attract exhibitors from all G20 members, over 50 countries and regions along the Belt and Road, which refers to an initiative proposed by China in 2013. The Belt and Road Initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa on and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. Turkey, a NATO and G20 member and a geographical bridge between Europe and Asia, is a part of this multi-billion U.S. dollar project which spans over 65 countries. Turkey has been enjoying Chinese overseas investments in the recent decade. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has recently provided a 3.6-billion-dollar loan package to the energy and transportation sector, showing the determination of both countries to deepen cooperation. Some 40 Turkish firms will be participating in the expo, said the Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters Association (IMMIB) who coordinates for Turkey the event in Shanghai. "We are very excited for this exposition. Around 40 Turkish firms will be attending," said Seyma Inam, an expert from IMMIB, adding that Turkish Airlines also announced its willingness to participate in the event. "We are preparing for the promotion phase, a pavilion has been granted to Turkish firms in the expo hall and we are making sure that all attending firms will be able to promote their goods there," she said, adding that Turkish exhibitors hope to sign new export contracts with Chinese counterparts at the expo. Turkey's Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan is expected to attend the fair and she is overseeing the preparatory work to better promote her country's goods and products for the Chinese consumers. "The Chinese market is very big and important and our firms are very interested in this market that they want to know better," said Inam. Experts believe that the CIIE shows of good will from Chinese part to express its determination to cooperate with many countries with whom its trade balance is largely in its favor. "Turkey has an unbalanced trade volume with China which stands annually at about 28 billion dollars. 24 billion of this volume account for Turkish imports. Thus this fair is a way of addressing candidly this fact and expressing willingness to cooperate between companies," said Selcuk Colakoglu, director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies. "This fair is an important platform to promote goods and products from different countries of the planet and to enhance a synergy as a mean to connect the real sector," added Colakoglu. On a larger perspective, Turkey and China are linked with strategic targets to enhance their bilateral relations. Colakoglu said in the past seven month there had been a financial outflow of some 5 billion dollars towards Turkey, including ICBC's loan package, adding that "numbers show that China is a very important partner (of Turkey)." Turkey will promote mainly industrial and chemical products, mechanical automobile parts and kitchen utensils but also regional culinary specialties such as hazelnuts. There will also be a firm exhibiting in the Turkish pavilion rose water and rose essential oil, used in the cosmetics industry, mainly in perfumeries making. "We need to evaluate what kind of business we can do on the fair. If we can introduce rose oil to traditional Chinese chiropractic and massage, it's a big market," said Ahmet Sincer, factory manager of Rosa Damascane, a family owned company located in the central Anatolia city of Isparta. "China is a huge market and its demand is enormous. We need a reliable and experienced local partner, jointly paving the way to enter Chinese market," the businessman expected his prospective. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 18:46:40|Editor: mym Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has urged political actors in Zimbabwe to rise above their differences and work together to ensure peace, stability and development in their country. The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has deeply regretted the unfortunate loss of lives in the immediate aftermath of the elections held on July 30 in Zimbabwe. Expressing deep concern over the situation, the Chairperson of the AU Commission welcomed the commitment of the Zimbabwean authorities to investigate these incidents. The Chairperson has called on all stakeholders to continue to maintain the peaceful environment that has prevailed before and during the elections, according to an AU statement on Sunday. Zimbabwe's incumbent leader Emmerson Mnangagwa narrowly won the nation's presidential election Friday as the ruling party also garnered a two-thirds majority in parliament in the first vote since the fall of longtime leader Robert Mugabe. Mnangagwa has won Zimbabwe's presidential election in poll marred by violence which has caused loss of lives and injuries. The Chairperson of the AU Commission has urged any aggrieved party to use the appropriate legal means and/or other disputes resolution mechanisms to address its concerns. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last Thursday voiced concern about incidents of violence in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare following Monday's elections. The Secretary-General called on political leaders and electoral contestants to pursue any disputes through peaceful means, dialogue and in accordance with the law. The Chairperson of the AU Commission reaffirmed his Commission's commitment and support to the leaders and people of Zimbabwe, and wished them well in their endeavor to deepen democracy in their country, in line with the AU Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. AU has deployed in Zimbabwe an election observation mission led by former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia. In a post-election statement, Hailemariam viewed with concern the unfolding post-election developments in Zimbabwe, and called on all stakeholders, particularly political leaders and their supporters, to exercise restraint and avoid violent confrontation. He has also called on security personnel to equally exercise restraint and ensure the safety of all citizens. The chairperson of the AU Commission said the 55-member pan-African bloc would continue to closely follow the electoral process through its long term observers who will remain in the country until the conclusion of the process. Supporters of the opposition MDC Alliance attend a protest in Harare, Zimbabwe, Aug. 1, 2018. (Xinhua/Shaun Jusa) ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has urged political actors in Zimbabwe to rise above their differences and work together to ensure peace, stability and development in their country. The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has deeply regretted the unfortunate loss of lives in the immediate aftermath of the elections held on July 30 in Zimbabwe. Expressing deep concern over the situation, the Chairperson of the AU Commission welcomed the commitment of the Zimbabwean authorities to investigate these incidents. The Chairperson has called on all stakeholders to continue to maintain the peaceful environment that has prevailed before and during the elections, according to an AU statement on Sunday. Zimbabwe's incumbent leader Emmerson Mnangagwa narrowly won the nation's presidential election Friday as the ruling party also garnered a two-thirds majority in parliament in the first vote since the fall of longtime leader Robert Mugabe. Mnangagwa has won Zimbabwe's presidential election in poll marred by violence which has caused loss of lives and injuries. The Chairperson of the AU Commission has urged any aggrieved party to use the appropriate legal means and/or other disputes resolution mechanisms to address its concerns. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last Thursday voiced concern about incidents of violence in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare following Monday's elections. The Secretary-General called on political leaders and electoral contestants to pursue any disputes through peaceful means, dialogue and in accordance with the law. The Chairperson of the AU Commission reaffirmed his Commission's commitment and support to the leaders and people of Zimbabwe, and wished them well in their endeavor to deepen democracy in their country, in line with the AU Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. AU has deployed in Zimbabwe an election observation mission led by former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia. In a post-election statement, Hailemariam viewed with concern the unfolding post-election developments in Zimbabwe, and called on all stakeholders, particularly political leaders and their supporters, to exercise restraint and avoid violent confrontation. He has also called on security personnel to equally exercise restraint and ensure the safety of all citizens. The chairperson of the AU Commission said the 55-member pan-African bloc would continue to closely follow the electoral process through its long term observers who will remain in the country until the conclusion of the process. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 19:06:47|Editor: zh Video Player Close BEIRUT, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's public transportation drivers will stage sit-ins at the ports of Beirut, Tripoli and Tyre on August 9 if officials do not take concrete measures to meet their demand, local media reported Monday. "We stopped our previous protest upon a request from President Michel Aoun who vowed to implement our demands," said Bassam Tleis, head of the Union of Public Drivers, quoted by independent online newspaper Elnashra. Unions representing public transportation drivers have on many occasions voiced their opposition to the privatization of the automotive inspection centers and the increase in the cost of automotive inspections. Lebanese company Autospect was awarded over two years ago a contract to manage the centers in collaboration with Swiss logistics company SGS, saying they would offer new and improved services. Automobile inspection fees would increase 65 percent, from 20 U.S. dollars to 33 dollars. Tleis previously called upon the government to take control of the automotive inspection centers and to keep current employees while protecting their rights. The drivers' demands also included the need by the government to track cars with forged plates in addition to stopping foreign drivers from operating and competing with local drivers. They also urged for putting an end to the chaotic increase in fuel prices and drafting a local transportation strategy to solve traffic problems. On Monday, Tleis called upon President Aoun to interfere to solve this problem and avoid the escalatory measures that will be taken by drivers on Thursday. "We do not want to cause trouble to people and to general security on Thursday. This is why we call upon Lebanese officials to act promptly and deliver what they promised," he said. BANGKOK, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Thailand provided on Monday 3 million baht (about 88,235 U.S. dollars) in grant-in-aid to Myanmar in joint efforts to help flood victims in the neighboring country. Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha handed out the money to Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand U Myo Myint Than, according to Deputy Government Spokesman Lt. Gen. Weerachon Sukhonthapatipak. In addition, Thailand has provided food and relief items for flood victims in Myanmar's Bago division, Thaninthayi division, Mon state and Kayin state, he said. Hundreds of thousands of Myanmar villagers have become homeless and vast areas of farmland considerably damaged due to severe flooding caused by weeks of heavy rains. Meanwhile, in Thailand, authorities have alerted villagers in the northeastern and western provinces for imminent flooding as the volumes of water in Mekong River and dams have gradually increased due to heavy downpours. Measures have been planned to evacuate villagers, livestock and property from low-lying areas in those provinces where severe flooding is very likely during rainy season. 46 Armenian MPs (42 from the Republican Party of Armenia, 3 from the ARF, and one from Prosperous Armenia) have signed a petition to release former Armenian president Robert Kocharyan from pre-trial detention. The latest to sign the petition is Prosperous Armenia MP Ishkhan Zakaryan, a former president of the Court of Appeals. On July 28, Kocharyan was charged with usurping state power during the March1-2, 2008 public protests in Yerevan that claimed the lives of ten individuals. A court then decreed that he be detained for two months, arguing that the former president could influence the court if issued bail. Photo (from left): Ishkhan Zakaryan, Robert Kocharyan COLOMBO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's southern Hambantota port is gearing up to become a leading port in the Indian Ocean region, a port official said on Monday. CEO of the Hambantota International Port Services (HIPS) Ravindra Jayawickreme said the location of the Hambantota port had always been extremely advantageous as it was located just a little less than half a nautical mile from the sea lanes. "But what was necessary to push this into the limelight, was the right partnerships and this is what China Merchants Port Holdings brought to the table," Jayawickreme said. China Merchants Port Holdings (CM Port) entered into partnership with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority in July last year to develop and manage the port. Jayawickreme added that the Hambantota port was being developed into a multipurpose port, which will provide a variety of services such as handling containers, break bulk, roll-on/roll-off, passenger, oil, bulk terminal, gas and project cargo. The port is slated to become one of a kind, as it will be the only port in the country designed to handle the full gamut of services in the maritime and logistics area, he explained. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 19:11:50|Editor: zh Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Israeli biotech company Immunity Pharma, which develops a new drug for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, announced on Monday that it will be entering a first clinical trial at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem, according to the financial website Globes. The company is entering the trial after a compassionate treatment has already been performed for a single patient. The treatment managed to freeze the condition of his illness for two years. ALS is a muscular dystrophy that attacks relatively randomly and is characterized by rapid deterioration. Patients usually go from full functioning to complete paralysis and death within 2 to 5 years. Immunity Pharma believes that ALS is caused by inflammation of the nerve cells. The new medicine works on several mechanisms related to the development of inflammation. The drug activates intra-cellular healing processes, which are common to several neurodegenerative diseases with a similar biological background that are currently inadequately addressed. Immunity Pharma has raised 5 million U.S. dollars to date, most of them in the last four years, including a round that is currently ending. Among the private investors are a group invested in autonomous vehicle Israeli company Mobileye, fund managers and experts in the biomedical industry. Immunity Pharma was founded in 2007 and headquartered in Mevaseret Zion, a suburb of Jerusalem. DHAKA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's government on Monday approved the draft of Road Transport Act 2018 with provisions for stringent punishment to the traffic offenders. The draft was approved at a cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told reporters. The proposed law stipulates that the traffic offenders will risk being sentenced up to 5 years in non-bailable jail. The country's existing transport law entitled the maximum penalty of three years behind bars with the provision of bail. The move comes in the wake of the countrywide student protests that erupted after two students died on the spot, while another nine of the Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment College were injured after they were run over by a bus in a reckless driving incident on the highway linking Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with the center of Dhaka on July 29. VIENTIANE, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Rebuilding the livelihoods of flood-affected villagers, particularly evacuated families, should be a top priority, Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith told central Lao provinces' authorities, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Monday. Thongloun and other senior government officials visited flooded areas of the two provinces in central Laos, Khammuan and Savannakhet, where hundreds of people have been moved to higher land to escape rising water levels. In Khammuan, some 250 km southeast of Lao capital Vientiane, the prime minister went to see a makeshift shelter where several hundred displaced villagers from 36 families stayed. As of August 2, some 378 villages in 10 districts of Khammuan province had been flooded to some extent, with many houses submerged and over 35,000 hectares of paddy fields inundated, according to the province's latest report. Flooding has also destroyed fishponds and damaged irrigation systems, schools, electricity transmission lines, healthcare facilities and other infrastructure. In Savannakhet province, some 280 km southeast of Vientiane, the prime minister visited affected areas in Xaybouly district where he was briefed by local authorities on the current flood situation before advising them on how to cope with the difficult conditions they were faced with. According to an official report, almost 21,000 people in 4,257 families from 86 villages in Savannakhet province's five districts have been affected by flooding. COLOMBO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan Navy arrested 21 illegal immigrants in a fishing trawler bound for another country, a spokesman said on Monday. Navy spokesman Dinesh Bandara told Xinhua that Sri Lankan Navy personnel intercepted this trawler with illegal immigrants on board during their patrol to curb transnational crimes in the territorial waters off the island nation. He said the suspects had been brought to the Colombo Port and handed over to the local police for investigation. The spokesman added that the Sri Lankan Navy was yet to ascertain the country the illegal immigrants were heading to by the time of their arrest. He said the Navy was playing a pivotal role in territorial waters of the island by undertaking round-the-clock patrols to ward off all forms of illegal activities. KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Escalating trade tensions initiated by the United States have affected Southeast Asian countries in a trickle-down effect and could significantly impact Malaysia's manufacturing, a Malaysian economic report on Monday said. The report, compiled by Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (BIMB) Securities Research, said it remained cautious on Malaysia's second-half outlook, given recent signs of a more protracted trade tussle between the United States and China, and slower forward-looking indicators. The U.S.-initiated trade tensions could have a significant impact on Malaysia's manufacturing, particularly in the electric and electrical sector as well as machinery products due to the global supply chain exposure. "Given the cloudy start to the second half, we are maintaining Malaysia's full year exports projection at 6.3 percent year-on-year. We believe that there are more downside risks on the horizon," the report said. Last Friday, Department of Statistics, Malaysia announced Malaysian exports rose 7.6 percent year on year to 78.66 billion ringgit (19.3 billion U.S. dollars) in June, with growth in the manufacturing sector offsetting the huge decline in agriculture as well as the mining sector. According to the report, regional trade started to feel the trickle-down effects from the trade spat. Thailand's export growth fell 8.2 percent year on year to 21.8 billion U.S. dollars in June, from the 11.4 percent recorded in the previous month. The slowdown was said to be mainly the result of deceleration in industrial exports. Indonesia also recorded slower exports growth of 11.5 percent in June. Singapore registered much weaker-than-expected non-oil domestic exports, growing by merely 1.1 percent year on year in June compared with 15.5-percent growth in May. BANGKOK, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Thai authorities on Monday warned residents in western Thailand against water runoffs from a dam in Petchburi Province bordering Myanmar. The Phetchaburi Irrigation Department said the Kaeng Krachan Dam had already received up to 708 million cubic meters of water till Monday, or 99.7 percent of its capacity. Phetchaburi's five districts downstream from Kaeng Krachan Dam are warned of further flooding due to water discharge from the dam. The department said that municipal area will come under water about 25-30 cm deep and flow downstream to the Ban Laem district. The Crisis Ad Hoc Center has dispatched 20 water-pushing boats to pump water from the Khlong D Canal into the sea. Since Saturday night, hundreds of residents were seen filling sacks of sand to place them in front of their houses to fend off flood water. The ad hoc center was also preparing to evacuate residents to higher grounds. The Kaeng Krachan Dam, a multi-purpose dam built in 1966, stands at 760 meters long and 58 meters high. Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department chief Chayapol Thitisak said on Monday that nine provinces in the northeastern region were still affected by flooding as a result of heavy rain and overflow from the Mekong River. "With the monsoonal rain, we have seen 100,000 people affected by flood and landslides in 27 provinces in just two weeks," said Chayapol. "It will take at least two months for flood water to recede." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 19:42:03|Editor: zh Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Libya Stephanie Williams on Monday launched a media campaign of reconciliation and peace in Libya. "The Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Stephanie Williams launches nationwide media campaign Al-Solh Kheir/Peace is Good in Tripoli, backed by UNSMIL, UNDP Libya and international donors, and featuring Libya Space with the aim of promoting the importance of dialogue, local reconciliation agreements and social cohesion in Libya," the UN Mission in Libya said in a statement. Williams said by using media, this campaign aims to contribute to the fight against hate speech, promote national identity, democratic values and create a culture of reconciliation, understanding, tolerance and respect. Oil-rich Libya has been plagued by insecurity, political division, and economic instability since the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime. Despite a UN-sponsored political agreement signed in December 2015, Libya remains politically divided between rival authorities in the east and west of the country, both competing for legitimacy. ULAN BATOR, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia has launched a campaign to disinfect all livestock to prevent animal diseases, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Batjargal Batzorig said Monday. "Today, the national campaign began from (the) eastern provinces, namely Dornod, Sukhbaatar and Khentii," the minister said at a press conference. "We ... hope that this campaign will improve the productivity of livestock." Nearly 70 percent of Mongolia's livestock have skin diseases, he said. Mongolia is one of the last nomadic countries in the world. As of 2017, its livestock population was 66.2 million. Animal husbandry is the backbone of the national economy with nearly 40 percent of the nomadic population depending on animal husbandry for their livelihood. TOKYO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- About 1,400 firearms, 1,200 swords and 300 shells were found buried at an elementary school in western Tokyo, local officials said Monday. The weapons were found buried about two meters under the ground of the Tanashi Elementary School in the city of Nishitokyo, Tokyo Metropolis. The discovery was made on July 27 by workers during evacuation work for constructing a building at the school, and the weapons have been safely removed from the ground, said the officials. The weapons were believed to have belonged to the Japanese army and were probably discarded there after the World War Two ended in 1945, according to the officials. It's rather rare for such a large amount of weapons to be found buried at residential areas, said local media reports. The local government said it will discuss with the police how to properly deal with the weapons. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 20:12:16|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- China continued to see a current account deficit in the first half of 2018 mainly due to the strong domestic need for overseas services. The deficit in the current account stood at 28.3 billion U.S. dollars in the January-June period, down from 34.1 billion dollars in the first quarter, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) said Monday in an online statement. China's service trade posted a deficit of 147.3 billion U.S. dollars, up from 73.6 billion dollars three months earlier. The spending on trips, transport, and intellectual property rights contributed to the bulk of the deficit. China has taken steps to improve its trade in services, including gradually opening up its finance, education, culture, and medical sectors. SAFE said China's international balance of payments was within a range of equilibrium last quarter and will continue to remain reasonable in the future. China saw a goods trade surplus of 155.9 billion U.S. dollars in H1. The data also showed stable cross-border capital inflows in the second quarter. China's financial account maintained net inflows, with a surplus of 18.2 billion U.S. dollars. Net foreign direct investment stood high at 58.6 billion dollars. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 20:17:20|Editor: zh Video Player Close ATHENS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- In the aftermath of the deadliest tragedy in over a decade in Greece, Civil protection officials who were involved in the management of the crisis of the July 23 wildfire near Athens, were replaced. On Monday the General Secretary of Civil Protection Yannis Kapakis stepped down and was replaced by Yannis Tafillis, former director of the Center for Security Studies, Greek national news agency AMNA reported. Earlier the Police and Fire Brigade chiefs were replaced, while on Friday Civil Protection Minister Nikos Toskas also resigned and his duties passed on to Interior Minister Panos Skourletis. With over 90 casualties in the wildfire which swept through coastal settlements 30 kilometers east of the Greek capital, the government has pledged to overhaul the civil protection mechanism and take drastic measures to ensure that Greece will not mourn for such a tragedy again in the future. The resignations and firings came as many local administration officials and survivors have publicly said that no evacuation order was issued as the flames were closing on Neos Voutzas, Kokkino Limanaki or Mati, where most victims lost their lives. In addition, eye witnesses have testified to the ongoing judicial investigation that traffic was mistakenly diverted into the narrow streets of Mati during the fire and motorists were trapped in the blaze. As the search for the causes of the tragedy continued, government officials, citing experts, have noted that at the time of the wildfire extreme weather phenomena with winds blowing at speeds of more than 100 kilometers per hour spread the flames rapidly, allowing a small window for reaction. Furthermore, they argued that illegal constructions had obstructed the quick access of people to the sea. As of this week the Environment and Energy Ministry has announced that the first 61 illegal constructions erected across Attica prefecture, will be demolished. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 20:27:22|Editor: zh Video Player Close BERLIN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Germany's industrial manufacturing sector has witnessed a sharp decline in the number of new orders in June, preliminary figures published on Monday by the Federal Statistical Office show. According to the Wiesbaden-based government agency, price- and seasonally-adjusted orders recorded by industrial firms in June were down by 4.0 percent compared to the previous month of May. The figure marked the biggest monthly drop in orders measured in over a year. Domestic and international orders both fell by 2.8 percent and 4.7 percent respectively. Broken down by foreign regions, the slump in international demand for German manufacturers was less pronounced in the neighboring Eurozone (minus 2.7 percent) than in the rest of the world (minus 5.9 percent). The producers of intermediary goods were the best performing industrial sector for new orders (minus 2.3 percent), ahead of consumer goods producers (minus 4.5 percent) and capital goods producers (minus 4.7 percent). During the same period, price-adjusted gross revenue fell by 1.0 percent across all sub-categories of the German manufacturing sector. Commenting on the official figures on Monday, the German ministry for the economy partially attributed the weak performance of the important industrial manufacturing sector to "insecurities stemming from trade policy." In spite of the protectionist policies of U.S. President Donald Trump, however, the ministry highlighted that overall business sentiment in the sector remained "decidedly positive." Speaking to Xinhua on Monday, Thiess Petersen, senior economics expert at the Bertelsmann Foundation, noted that Germany had already experienced several years of continued growth in industrial orders. "At the high current level (of new orders) it is impossible to achieve continuously achieve steep monthly increases", Petersen explained. "There will only be a real reason for concern if June's falling orders turn out to be part of a wider trend during the coming months", he added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 20:27:23|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close KUNMING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- In an old industrial factory with broken windows and doors, Geng Jiasheng and his colleagues are producing mobile, eco-friendly toilets. Geng, 55, is a lathe operator at Yunnan Metallurgical Kunming Heavy Industry Co., Ltd., which has been manufacturing casting machines, cranes and other heavy equipment for mining, metallurgy, and road construction since 1958. The company, located in Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, however, ran into trouble over the past several years because sales of heavy mechanical products plummeted, leaving several workshops idle. "Many of my co-workers left the company and found other jobs," said Geng. At the end of 2015, the company began to research and develop new products, among which eco-friendly toilets were chosen as the perfect product for the company's reform for revival. "We didn't really know much about producing eco-friendly toilets back then, but we knew they had huge market potential," said Peng Yong, general manager of the company. "The outdated toilets in downtown areas and scenic spots were not convenient for the public," said Peng, "Both local people and tourists needed better toilets." "What's more, the 'toilet revolution' advocated by the central government has brought us many opportunities," Peng added. The Chinese government launched its "toilet revolution" across the country in 2015 with an aim to make public facilities cleaner and better regulated. After setting goals for reform, the company selected staff from different posts to form a research team, with Geng serving as team leader. "At the beginning, we only developed a simple blueprint," said Geng, who instructed the team to start from scratch, search for data, and ask for suggestions from others. After three months of hard work, the first generation of the product was developed. "Using biological cleaning technology, with just one flush, the water will turn the feces into water which will be recycled back to the tank and used for future flushes. The water in the tank will be atomized before it's flushed," Geng said. "The toilet is suitable for scenic spots and other sites with scarce water resources." "Reform is no easy job, but we have cooperated with other companies and brought in technical resources," said Peng, adding that the automatic production line, with an investment of over 30 million yuan (about 4.4 million U.S. dollars), has started mass production. Meanwhile, Geng's team continues to upgrade their products. The fourth generation toilet can be used by more than 400 people every day. "We received our first order of 50 toilets from the government of Zhaoyang district in northeast Yunnan last year," Geng said. "We will continuously improve our products to guarantee their quality and provide convenience for users." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 20:37:24|Editor: zh Video Player Close PARIS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday offered condolences to Indonesian people after a strong earthquake jolted Lombok Island in central Indonesia on Sunday. "My deepest sympathies to the families of the victims of the earthquake in Indonesia," Macron wrote on his Tweeter account. "For the French present in the area, our consular services are fully mobilized," he said. On Sunday, a 7.0 magnitude quake struck the north of Indonesia's resort island of Lombok, killing at least 91 people and triggered a tsunami warning before being lifted. There were no French visitors among the dead, according to the Foreign Ministry. "Our embassy in Jakarta is mobilized and continues to check with (local) authorities. No case of French (people) in major difficulty has been reported at this stage," the Quai d'Orsay said in a statement released on Sunday. The ministry recommended French nationals to "strictly respect" precautionary instructions. Indonesia sees frequent quakes as it sits on a vulnerable quake-prone zone of "the Pacific Ring of Fire." In 2004, a 9.2 earthquake in the Indian Ocean off the west coast of northern Sumatra triggered a tsunami that killed 226,000 people in 13 countries, including more than 120,000 in Indonesia. CHICAGO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- A 17-year-old teenager was shot and killed when riding his bike Sunday afternoon in a local neighborhood, media reported. The incident occurred in the Gresham neighborhood in the U.S. city of Chicago's southern region. The teen had engaged in an argument with men on bikes when he was critically injured. He died at the University of Chicago Medical Center, police were quoted as saying. Local media reports said the victim was among more than 10 people shot in Chicago since about noon on Sunday, three of them fatally. In a drive-by shooting, three people standing before a residence in another neighborhood in southern Chicago were injured, and one of them, a 27-year-old man, died after being hospitalized. In another case in the city's south, a 50-year-old man was killed by a shot in the head and a 55-year-old woman was injured when a gunman in a ski mask fired at them. The victims also included a 62-year-old who was injured in an attempted robbery when he was parking his vehicle in a neighborhood in the northwest of the city, it is reported. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 20:57:32|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close BEIJING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- China has called on South Sudan's conflicting parties to implement a peace deal and resume peace and stability in the country at an early date, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Monday. A peace deal on power-sharing and security arrangements was signed on Sunday in the Sudanese capital Khartoum by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, major opposition leader Riek Machar, and representatives of other opposition factions. In response, spokesperson Hua Chunying said China welcomed and appreciated the peace deal, which marked an important step towards peace in South Sudan. "We call on South Sudan's conflicting parties to implement the peace deal and restore peace and stability at an early date," Hua said, adding that China would as always provide support and assistance to the peace process in South Sudan. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 21:07:33|Editor: zh Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi electoral commission Monday finished partial manual recount of suspected votes for the May 12 parliamentary elections after dismissing recount of ballot boxes which were burnt in a Baghdad warehouse. The panel of nine judges, who replaced the nine members of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to supervise the recount process, ended the manual recount of votes in all polling centers in all Iraqi provinces and outside Iraq, Layth Jabur Hamza, spokesman of the judicial panel said in a statement. Hamza said that commission decided to abolish the recount of votes for eastern side of Risafa in Baghdad after a total of 882 ballot boxes and thousands of electronic devices were damaged by a huge fire on June 10 at a warehouse in Gailani neighborhood. The fire came four days after the Iraqi parliament on June 6 amended the elections law and approved a recount of votes of all polling stations across Iraq over allegations of fraud and irregularities in the country's parliamentary election. On June 24, the judicial panel decided that the manual recount for the May 12 parliamentary election over irregularities and fraud will only apply to suspect polling centers mentioned by official reports and complaints. It is not yet clear to what extent the recount of votes will change the final results of the election, but it would certainly delay the formation of the next government. On May 12, millions of Iraqis went to 8,959 polling centers across the country to vote for their parliamentary representatives in the first general election after Iraq's historic victory over the Islamic State militant group last December. However, Iraq witnessed serious setbacks in its political process following the elections, after the former IHEC announced the final results of the parliamentary election, which showed that al-Sa'iroon Coalition backed by Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr was the front-runner and won 54 seats in the upcoming 329-seat parliament. Many Iraqi parties, especially in the Kurdish region and the disputed areas, including Kirkuk Province, have complained about alleged irregularities and forgery in the parliamentary elections. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 21:17:35|Editor: zh Video Player Close JUBA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- It was all ululation and jubilation in Juba as South Sudanese nationals welcomed the signing of the revitalized power-sharing pact by warring parties on Sunday night, saying the deal will end the more than four years of strife in the country. Thousands of jovial Juba residents seized the occasion and took to the streets immediately after the peace deal was inked in Khartoum earlier in the day. "Today, I am overjoyed because peace has finally been restored in our country and we are now going march forward and build our nation," Mary Ajith expressed her great excitement and feeling of joy to Xinhua. She said that it has been her wish to see the warring parties reach the deal to end the conflict that has worsened poverty in the country. Hordes of residents gathered in Juba carrying the flags of South Sudan as they sang and danced the night away around the capital city that had been under years of curfew since the conflict broke out in December 2013. Another jubilant citizen, who only identified himself as Deng, said all he wanted was peace and unity of all the South Sudanese people. "Our country ought to be inclusive and transparent to all. I believe we have learned a lot from meaninglessly killing each other," Deng said as he chanted "Peace! Peace! Peace!" President Salva Kiir and opposition leader and arch-rival, Riek Machar, signed a revitalized agreement to end the civil strife that would see the latter reinstated as first vice president after serving a two-year house arrest in South Africa. The agreement was signed collectively by the two leaders as well as all political parties in South Sudan, signaling their desire to end the conflict that has caused a lot of suffering and displacement of people. The agreement outlines guidelines on power sharing and governance, including settling boundary disputes which will be guided by a Boundary Commission and provides for an avenue for the people of South Sudan to participate in a referendum if need be to settle those disputes. Kiir pledged to incorporate warring factions into the government after he met with Machar and an alliance of opposition leaders. The deal which was inked in Sudan will lead to the formation of a unity government which will run for three years in South Sudan. Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir who hosted the talks said South Sudan peace agreement will not just be 'ink on paper', saying more sessions will sketch out details and timetables for implementation of the signed peace deal. He pointed out that his government had taken a decisive decision to implement the 2005 peace agreement signed with the SPLM movement that eventually led to South Sudan's independence from the north for the sake of peace. Meanwhile, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said the peace process will continue in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, instead of Nairobi as decided by East African leaders. "We have agreed with my brother President Bashir that let us continue with this negotiations right here in Khartoum," he said after the signing of the deal. Kenyatta appealed to the political leadership in South Sudan to secure the future of the region by commencing implementation of the Agreement. "Informed by our shared and common experiences and grounded in a long history of solidarity between Kenya and South Sudan, I urge each and every leader to leverage the diversity of South Sudan and harness it to build strong and responsible structures that respond effectively to the needs of the people," he added. Kenyatta paid tribute to Al-Bashir for hosting the current phase of the peace process that has yielded promising results for South Sudan and the region. Kenya has been a key participant amongst other IGAD states in the process of bringing peace and stability in South Sudan driven by the belief that peace and stability in the young nation heralds prosperity for the whole region. South Sudan's conflict that has now entered its fifth year erupted in 2013 after forces loyal to Kiir and his former deputy engaged in combat. The 2015 peace agreement to end the violence was again violated in July 2016 when rival factions resumed fighting in the capital, Juba, forcing Machar to flee into exile. Millions of South Sudanese civilians have sought refuge in neighboring countries as the conflict rages on despite attempts by international players to end it. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 21:17:37|Editor: zh Video Player Close BERLIN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Minors who are being raised in radical Islamist families pose a "significant security threat" to the public in Germany, warns an analysis by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) cited by the Funke media group on Monday. According to the BfV report, German authorities had encountered signs of a "faster, earlier and more likely radicalization of minors and young adults" whose parents already subscribed to a jihadist ideology. Earlier, BfV president Hans-Georg Maasen had warned about risks stemming from women and children, who were sent back to Germany from the so-called Islamic State as the terror militia lost ground to Syrian and Iraqi government forces. "Children are being raised with an extremist worldview from birth which legitimizes violence against others and degrades everyone who is not a member of the same group", the official analysis read. A resulting threat to society did not just emanate from returnees from the Islamic State but also from minors who had spent their entire lives within German territory. The BfV estimates that the number of Islamist families in Germany is in the low hundreds. Nevertheless, the continuous jihadist socialisation of several hundred children in this relatively small group of households was still seen as a "serious concern" and "challenge" by the government agency. Speaking to the Funke media group on Monday, Patrick Sensburg, security spokesperson for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), called for changes to German law in order for authorities to be able to intervene quickly in cases of radicalized children. The BfV is currently banned from monitoring minors under the age of 14 after having achieved a lowering of the age limit from 18 previously. "This is not about criminalizing individuals below the age of 14 but protecting our country against significant dangers such as Islamist terrorism", Sensburg said. Similarly, Stephan Mayer (CSU), secretary of state in the federal interior ministry, argued on Monday that widening the scope of BfV investigations was part of the duty of care which the German government had to affect children. So far, Bavaria is the only state in Germany which has passed legislation to lower the age limit for observation by the BfV further from 16 to 14. Herbert Reul (CDU), interior minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, told press in reaction to the BfV analysis that his state was weighing whether to follow suit before any nation-wide legislation was passed. Reul highlighted that children who were raised radicalized at home often had little inhibition to carry out violent acts. "This is why authorities need instruments to observe traumatized and potentially-violent returnees below the age of 14 as well", the CDU politician said. MANILA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has dismissed a total of 2,181 rogue police officers from the force since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in June, 2016, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on Monday. "The PNP continues to stand firm in cleansing its rank," Roque told a news conference. He said from July 2016 to July 2018 the PNP has dismissed a total of 2,181 police officers from service, including 1,828 personnel with serious infractions and 353 personnel with involvement in the illegal drug trade. "This is part of the 6,401 police officers whose administrative cases have already been resolved for various offenses including involvement in criminal activities, grave misconducts, serious neglect of duty, serious irregularity, malversation, dishonesty and graft and corruption," the spokesman said. Roque said the Duterte administration is bent on instilling discipline in the police organization. When Duterte took office in June, 2016, he promised to reform the 190,000-strong force, clean up corruption and stamp out criminality. However, authorities continue to deal with active police officers who are linked to criminal activities. News reports of policemen linked to kidnapping, drug trafficking, robbery, extortion and other criminal activities continue to hound the police force, spoiling the Duterte administration's campaign to end drug and crime. Duterte has repeatedly warned policemen to be professional and stay away from activities that will hurt the image and credibility of the police force. On Aug. 1, Duterte once again warned to terminate policemen involved in criminal activities. "I promise you that including uniformed personnel, don't get involved in drugs or become murder-for-hire, because I will make you my project,'" Duterte warned in a speech during the 68th National Security Council and 69th National Intelligence Coordinating Agency founding anniversary celebration in Pasay City. He added, "You can be very sure there will be a project for you and really that is to neutralize or terminate you. If I will not do that, nothing will happen to our country at this time when we are all bombarded with drugs, nobody seems to obey the law." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 21:32:42|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close by Pankaj Yadav NEW DELHI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Mobile-phone manufacturing company Xiaomi announced on Monday the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with its key components making firm "Holitech Technology," to start manufacturing key components in the country's southern state of Andhra Pradesh. The MoU was signed in the state's Vijaywada district in the presence of state chief minister Chandrababu Naidu. According to Xiaomi, Holitech Technology would invest nearly 200 million U.S. dollars in India over the next three years, and would be the first manufacturer in the country to make camera modules, thin film transistor (TFT), capacitive touch screen module (CTP), flexible printed circuits (FPC), and fingerprint sensor in India. The manufacturing facility is likely to start by the first quarter of the next year, and expected to generate 6,000 jobs in the three years, added the spokesperson. This is being described as Holitech's first major expansion outside China. The company currently has 16 factories in the Chinese mainland and China's Taiwan, the spokesperson said. Holitech's component manufacturing plant would be featuring 75 acres of land in Tirupati city of Andhra Pradesh, and start mass production with nearly 50 million components per month. The plant will also boast of nearly 50 percent "clean room", a contained space where provisions are made to reduce particulate contamination and control other environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity and pressure. Andhra Pradesh government sources revealed that the state government has extended several incentives for the establishment of the manufacturing plants in terms of tax, land and power subsidy, among others. Buoyed by the investment announcement, the state's information technology minister Nara Lokesh said that it was heartening to see Holitech Technology come to the state and initiate a big revolution in the market for local manufacturing. Xiaomi's Global Vice President and Managing Director Manu Jain said that Xiaomi had witnessed a significant growth in the country over the past several years, and that the company's plans for India will set a new motion in place for the electronics manufacturing industry in India. "Holitech is an important global component supplier of Xiaomi and with their entry in India, we are positive that a new era of local manufacturing will begin with several job creations and other component manufacturers are also coming in," Jain said. Holitech CEO and co-founder Flame Chen said "The phenomenal growth of Xiaomi along with their initiatives to promote local manufacturing in India has encouraged us to explore component manufacturing for Xiaomi in India." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 21:47:47|Editor: zh Video Player Close BEIRUT, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- A leading Lebanese industrialist Monday called on the government to provide more incentives for domestic companies to compete with their foreign counterparts, the National News Agency (NNA) reported. The remarks were made by Fadi Gemayel, head of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists during his meeting with industrialists in the clothing business over problems facing the sector. "The import of products from countries, which support their industries with tax exemptions, industrial zones, reduced costs of production and subsidized shipping rates, is weighing heavily on the local production sector," Gemayel warned. The Lebanese government should provide similar incentives and facilities to local industries, he suggested. "We should also prevent the smuggling of products," he added. In the first half of 2017, the Lebanese government announced its intention to apply new fees on certain imported goods to protect the Lebanese industry and combat the dumping of cheap goods. WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- As Washington is set to reimpose formal sanctions on Iran on Monday, the odds are high that Washington's maximum pressure campaign pull itself further away from its policy goals, U.S. experts said lately. Following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to stop the historic Iran nuclear pact on May 8, the United States vowed to re-impose sanctions lifted under the accord against Iran and inflict punitive actions, such as secondary sanctions on nations that have business links with Tehran. U.S.-Iranian relations have been on the fritz ever since the Trump administration abandoned the Iran nuclear deal, delegitimized its government, vowed to re-impose sanctions and pressed other nations to isolate Iran. MAXIMUM PRESSURE AMID MILITARY TENSIONS Brian Hook, director of policy planning for U.S. State Department, said on July 2 that U.S. sanctions on Iran will snap back in Aug. 6 and Nov. 4. "The first part of our sanctions ... will include targeting Iran's automotive sector, trade in gold, and other key metals," he said, adding the remaining sanctions will "target Iran's energy sector and petroleum-related transactions, and transactions with the Central Bank of Iran." Moreover, Washington focuses on "getting as many countries importing Iranian crude down to zero as soon as possible" to reduce Iran's revenue from crude oil sales. The key part of U.S. strategy on Iran is "a campaign of maximum economic and diplomatic pressure," Hook noted, adding that over 50 international firms have announced their intent to leave the Iranian energy and financial markets. The U.S. Departments of State and Treasury also sent senior officials to visit Europe, East Asia, the Gulf and Europe to explain the sanctions and "warn governments and the private sector of the risks of continuing to do business with Iran." However, as part of his unpredictable diplomacy tilt, Trump surprised many by saying on July 30 that he is ready to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani with "no preconditions" at "anytime they want to." The U.S. National Security Council said later that Trump's offer does not mean Washington will lift its sanctions on Iran. Tehran responded that "hostile policies of the United States ... and economic pressures on Iran leave no chance for talks," adding that "the United States has proved that it is unreliable, so engagement and dialogue with the current U.S. government is impossible." Mohammad Ali Jafari, chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, also said this month that he will never allow Tehran to hold talks with Washington; rather, Iran will stay on the path of resistance against its pressures. Besides threatening to block the Hormuz Strait, a key water lane to ship out Gulf oil, Iran has reportedly conducted military exercises in the region since August. Up till now, U.S. sanction threats on other countries that have business engagement with Iran have been rejected by India and Turkey. Brussels also decided to resume a counter-sanction regulation that will take effect before Aug. 6 that enable European nations not to succumb to U.S. sanctions. SANCTIONS "DAMAGING" TO IRAN, COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO U.S. GOALS U.S. experts said the U.S. sanctions to come will impose "damaging" effects on Iran's economy and the people's livelihood; However, the results of U.S. actions will also undermine its own policy goals in the end. Wayne White, former deputy director of the Middle East Intelligence Office of the State Department, told Xinhua that the sanctions on Iran's precious metal trade are aimed at the Tehran's tendency to buy gold as a hedge against its volatile currency which has been falling dramatically this year and driving up gold prices in the country. Targeting the automobile market in Iran is damaging, White said, adding: "Since the signing of the JCPOA in 2015, the number of European auto companies moving into the lucrative Iranian auto market for sales or licensed production has spiked. Few know that Iran is the world's 12th largest auto producer ... Already, some European companies have put their plans on ice." David Pollock, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told Xinhua that the U.S. plan to separate sanctions into two phases aims to do them "in an incremental" and "step-by-step" manner, so it is not too sudden for and to give fair warning to related-nations, especially non-Iranian companies and governments which could face secondary sanctions. "We're starting something relatively limited, and it's a signal in my opinion to get ready for the really big sanctions by November," he added. However, White argued that although these sanctions will hurt Iran, they probably won't seriously destabilize it, let alone achieve regime change. Besides, "sanctions will not cause Tehran to re-negotiate the Iran deal in Washington's favor. And if the Trump administration also levees sanctions on the Europeans for commercial activity in Iran, the Europeans could retaliate by toughening their positions on pending U.S.-EU talks. Meanwhile, U.S.-Iranian relations, always troubled, will be even more down in the dumps," he noted. Experts also said that despite Iranians' anger over the government's economic mismanagement and corruption, U.S. sanctions would increase the overall anti-American sentiment in the country, making it even harder for Washington to achieve its goals regarding Iran. Richard Baffa, a senior international and defense policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, warned that "if draconian sanctions are eventually re-imposed and if European governments do not successfully push back against such measures, it is possible Iran would then move to formally withdraw from the agreement and re-start its nuclear program." A broader collapse of the agreement along with the U.S. re-imposition of harsh sanctions could lead to an Iranian departure from the deal along with a move to re-start its nuclear program, sparking "profound, destabilizing implications for the region," he said. "In the near term, the Israelis will be alarmed and the military option almost certainly will be back on the table. Over the mid-term, the Saudis and others might pursue a weapon of their own," Baffa noted. U.S. CHANCE FOR ENGAGING IRAN SLIMMER There is momentum for both sides to engage. In the eyes of White, some Iranians still wish their nation to talk with Trump, "not because they trust him or expect much, but because they believe Iran has nothing to lose by doing so." On the U.S. side, Pollock pointed out that there might be some flexibility in U.S. desires laid out very clearly in the list of 12 demands and its conditions for better relations earlier outlined by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and that Trump himself has extended wish to sit down with Iranian leaders with no pre-conditions. However, an article by Reuters noted that Washington "has not clearly defined its desired end state for its Iran policy or outlined a face-saving path for Iran's rulers that would allow them to deescalate steadily mounting tensions between Washington and Tehran." "That has raised concerns of an increasing risk of confrontation," it said, explaining that the U.S. "bad faith" decision to leave the Iran nuke deal, its harsh rhetoric against Tehran, and its reported bid to forge an "Arab NATO" of Sunni Muslim allies against Shi'ite Iran have "fueled speculation that Trump is seeking to promote enough unrest to potentially unseat Iran's rulers," and would "inadvertently trigger a conflict that could draw in the United States." The situation in Tehran is not any better either. Trita Parsi, president emeritus of the National Iranian American Council, wrote lately that "to Tehran, concessions that would make America - and Trump - look good and give the impression of Iran submitting itself to America, even if only symbolically, are the costliest." He explained that Iran has long insisted that it would only negotiate with the United States as an equal and with "mutual respect," and "a central objective has been to only engage in talks that restore Iran's dignity and force the US to treat Iran as an equal." The "historic and political sensitivities may make a Trump-Rouhani handshake quite unlikely in the months and years ahead," Parsi added. Dalia Dassa Kaye, director of the Center for Middle East Public Policy at the RAND Corporation, told Xinhua that "it's certainly unrealistic to think that with the U.S. in violation of the deal rather than Iran, the United States will be able to create a even stronger multilateral sanctions regimes on Iran than existed before the JCPOA. "Not only is the U.S. isolated but it's not clear how the new approach will actually produce different Iranian behavior or a better nuclear deal," Kaye noted. (Matthew Rusling from Washington also contributed to the story.) Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 21:57:50|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close XINING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- A Singaporean woman who suffered a brain hemorrhage flew home onboard an medical plane early Sunday, after receiving a successful surgery in northwest China's Qinghai Province, a hospital source said. Customs at the Xining airport opened a green channel for Tham May Kuen and her family. Tham, 56, arrived in Qinghai on July 20 with more than 30 others to volunteer at a monastery in Nangqen County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. On July 24, she suffered a stroke and fell into a coma. She was immediately sent to a local hospital for treatment, said Shen Mi, deputy director of medical affairs at Qinghai Red Cross Hospital. On the same day, she was transferred to the Red Cross Hospital in the provincial capital Xining via a plane rented by the hospital. An emergency team ensured the safe transfer of the patient, Shen said. Tham underwent brain surgery at the hospital on July 25 and has been recovering well, according to Shen. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 22:07:54|Editor: zh Video Player Close VALLETTA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced on Monday that Malta plans for further expansion of the aviation industry. Muscat announced a masterplan to target the expansion at the signing of an agreement between the government and an aviation maintenance company called SR Technics Malta. Aviation maintenance has gained considerable traction on the Maltese islands and has left a significant impact on the country's economy, with a direct contribution of 3 percent to the GDP (gross domestic product) in 2017. Muscat said the government was considering all options for growth for the aviation sector and that to this end, the Malta Industrial Parks and Malta Enterprise agencies had been entrusted with drawing up a strategic master plan for the sector. The agencies are studying the possibility of expansion around the airport, after operator Malta International Airport said it required more apron space to cater for increased air traffic. Muscat said the government had allocated an additional 4 million euros (4.62 million U.S. dollars) for the training of people to work in the aviation sector. MANILA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte expressed the hope on Monday that the new expanded Muslim autonomy law will finally end the decades-old conflict in Mindanao in southern Philippines. In the ceremonial signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) at the presidential palace, Duterte urged Filipino Muslims, the indigenous communities and Christian settlers living within the Bangsamoro areas "to actively participate in constructive discussions about the law in your homes, in your villages, and communities". "But more importantly, I encourage you to take part in the upcoming plebiscite so that you may express your sovereignty through the ballot," Duterte said. Duterte signed the BOL, officially known as the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (OLBARMM), on July 26. "Ten days ago, I signed into law (OLBARMM), which I hope will finally end the decades-old conflict that is rooted in Bangsamoro's fight for self-determination and the recognition of their unique identity," Duterte said. The president said, "Let us work together as we continue the healing and reconciliation process. Let us give this law a chance to address the Bangsamoro people's aspiration for genuine autonomy, while preserving our bond as a single nation and affirming the sovereignty of the indivisible Republic of the Philippines." "May this serve as the final trajectory for the attainment of genuine peace, stability, (and) good governance in Muslim Mindanao," Duterte said. The BOL is the result of decades-long, on-and-off peace negotiations between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MLIF) and the Philippine government. The law abolishes the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), established in 1989 after the government signed a peace deal with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The BOL then creates the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), or simply the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. According to the BOL, the BARMM will have a parliamentary-democratic form of government, meaning that it is empowered to enact its own laws. BOL says tribal laws will still apply to dispute of indigenous peoples within the region. Under the BOL the new autonomous region gets a 75-percent share of the total national taxes collected within its territory. And the BARMM will also have an automatic allocation of the annual block grant, equivalent to 5 percent of the net national internal revenue of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs. On defense and security, the national government will be responsible for the defense and security of the BARMM. The Philippine National Police will also organize, maintain, and supervise a police regional office to enforce the law. The BOL also allows members of the MNLF and MILF may be admitted to the police force. The Bangsamoro government will be headed by a chief minister and a ceremonial leader called a Wali. There will be a parliament composed of 80 members. The plebiscite for the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region will be held within three to five months after the effectivity of the BOL or anytime between November and January next year. After the BOL is ratified in the plebiscite, the second phase of decommissioning of some MILF combatants will start. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 22:17:56|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close TAIPEI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Members of the public in Taiwan have spoken highly of the water-diversion project connecting Fujian Province to the island of Kinmen. The water pipeline connecting the coastal province of Fujian on the Chinese mainland to Kinmen went into operation Sunday, delivering water from Fujian's Jinjiang River to alleviate water shortages. Hsu Wen-pin, a well-known lawyer in Taiwan, said that the project signifies a new level of communication across the Taiwan Strait. Hsu said that the mainland proposed to divert water from Fujian to Kinmen about 20 years ago and that the operation of the project is "quite encouraging." "It truly brings benefits to the people of Kinmen," Hsu said. Su Chia-hung, a professor at Taiwan's Fooyin University, agrees. Su said that the project meets the demands of the public in Kinmen, and is a sign of goodwill from the mainland, which should not be ignored by the Taiwan administration. "I think the project will not only alleviate the water shortage in Kinmen but will also invigorate the local economy," said Wu Chunjiang, chairman of Kinmen Ludao Hotel. "I remember in 2010 when I visited Kinmen, all the stores were run by senior citizens," said Wu, who is from Fujian Province. "The long-term shortage of water in Kinmen led to the outflow of local talent." "I am just so happy that the project went into operation," said Chen Feng-huang, a taxi driver in Kinmen. The project investment totals 388 million yuan (about 57 million U.S. dollars) and the water price has been set at 9.86 new Taiwan dollars (around 0.33 U.S. dollars) per cubic meter. The 28-km pipeline will provide 34,000 cubic meters of water to Kinmen daily. TOKYO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Some 3,600 people are still living in evacuation shelters one month after a severe rain disaster caused hundreds of deaths in western Japan, authorities said on Monday. According to the National Police Agency, the record rainfall that started on July 6 in western Japan and the subsequent flooding and landslides have left a total of 225 people dead. Meanwhile, 11 people are still missing in the hardest-hit prefectures of Hiroshima, Okayama, Ehime and Osaka, according to a Kyodo News tally. Local police, firefighters and members of the Self-Defense Forces are continuing search and rescue operations for the missing. The deadly rain disaster has caused severe damages to local economy and people's life, as some 5,200 houses were destroyed and 8,700 others were half-destroyed or damaged. As of Sunday, more than 1,400 households in Ehime prefecture are still without water supply, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. With reconstruction work progressing slowly amid the scorching heat across Japan, many evacuees in disaster-hit areas were living in anxiety and despair. According to a survey by Kyodo News between July 28 and July 31 in the disaster-hit areas in prefectures of Okayama, Hiroshima and Ehime, two-thirds of the respondents said they were facing serious financial difficulties, and 42.7 percent said they knew little about public aid available to them. A total of 65.8 percent of the surveyed residents said they had little hope of resuming normal life in the foreseeable future, and over 50 percent said they did not know if they can repair their homes. The rain disaster has also caused 240 billion yen (2.15 billion U.S. dollars) in damage to the agricultural and fishery sectors, according to a recent estimation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Japan's top government spokesperson Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press briefing on Monday that the central government and local municipalities would work together and do their best to help the disaster-hit areas to return to normal. The government decided last week to spend 105.8 billion yen (948 million U.S. dollars) from reserve funds to finance a package of measures to help reconstruction in the rain-hit areas. The package includes a program designed to speed up work by municipalities to remove disaster debris and sediment in the areas. "We'll implement the necessary measures with a sense of speed," said Suga. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 23:33:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close MOSCOW, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Republican Senator Rand Paul said here Monday that the main purpose of his visit to Russia is to establish and develop dialogue between the lawmakers of the two countries. "We are interested in cooperation with the Russian Federation, especially with the legislative bodies, because we have common problems, common tasks," Paul was quoted as saying by a press release of the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament. Paul headed a U.S. delegation, which includes member of the Texas State Senate Don Huffines and representatives of the Cato Institute, a public policy research organization. The delegation met the Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Konstantin Kosachev and Vice Speaker of the Federation Council Vladimir Lukin. The parties discussed issues of Russian-U.S. relations and prospects of inter-parliamentary relations, according to the press release. "There are many differences in our approaches. Nevertheless, your position in favor of developing dialogue that equally meets the interests of the United States and Russia can not but inspire respect," Kosachev said. Kosachev said the visit is especially valuable as some U.S. representatives are attempting to treat all contacts with Russian politicians as toxic ones. The senior Russian lawmaker listed the main issues which should constitute the core of bilateral relations, including maintaining strategic stability, arms control and ensuring a further reduction of military tension. Paul also met representatives of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, led by the committee's chairman Leonid Slutsky. "The conversation with U.S. politicians was about resuming close cooperation between the Russian Federal Assembly and the U.S. Congress," Slutsky told reporters after the meeting. He said the parties agreed to make efforts in the coming weeks and try to relaunch some kind of cooperation format as early as this autumn. Slutsky added that his committee intends to continue discussion with the U.S. delegation at a luncheon on Tuesday. He named the situation in Ukraine, Syria and disarmament issues as possible topics for the upcoming conversation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 23:38:12|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close SARAJEVO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission (EC) issued a green light on Monday to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to export milk and dairy products to the European Union (EU), BiH Trade Minister Mirko Sarovic said here Monday. "The European Commission announced the decision today to place BiH on the A and B list of countries that are allowed to export all types of milk and dairy products to the EU, which is a great success for our dairy industry," Sarovic said in a press statement. BiH has until now only exported thermally processed milk that is on the C list, but from now on milk with a lower degree of pasteurization and raw milk can be exported as well. Sarovic highlighted that BiH was one of the very few countries outside the EU that met the conditions for the export of all kinds of milk. Since September 2016, milk produced by dairy farms in BiH entered the EU market for the first time. The country has until now exported more pasteurized milk to the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) signatory countries than it has imported, but there was still a large deficit in dairy exports, Sarovic explained. BiH milk and dairy exports in 2017 amounted to 76 million convertible marks (44.8 million U.S. dollars), which was a 12-percent increase year-on-year, BiH Chamber of Commerce official website said. (1 U.S. dollar = 1.69 KM) Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 23:43:15|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TBILISI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic State (IS) militants have threatened to take revenge for the group's members killed by Georgian law enforcers during last year's anti-terrorist operation here, according to local media reports Monday. A Georgian unit of the terrorist organization said in a video that they will take revenge for their "murdered brothers," Georgian media Palitranews reported while releasing the video. The report said the video, allegedly made two weeks ago, mentioned the large-scale anti-terrorist operation in Tbilisi in November 2017, during which several IS militants were killed by the Georgian police. The video did not give specific names, but said, "We remember all this, the killing of our brothers with betrayal and deceit. You will be killed in your homes." In response, the Georgian State Security Service said Monday that they knew about the video and that a relevant investigation is underway. Earlier on Monday, the State Security Service announced the detention of a Georgian citizen linked to the IS group who was charged with the illegal purchase and possession of arms. The State Security Service said that they have also seized an IS flag and other symbols of the terrorist organisation. Last November, the State Security Service launched a special anti-terrorist operation in Tbilisi, during which three suspects were killed and one was captured. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 23:43:16|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is saddened by the devastating loss of life, injuries and damage caused by the earthquake on Indonesia's Lombok island, the UN deputy spokesperson said Monday. In a statement through Farhan Haq, the spokesperson, Guterres extended his condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Indonesia, and wished the injured a quick recovery. He also said the UN stands ready to support ongoing rescue and relief efforts if required. The 7.0-magnitude quake struck on Sunday with the epicenter about 18 km northwest of Lombok Timur district and 15 km under-earth, and has killed almost 100 people and injured over 200 others. The temblor was also felt strongly in nearby Bali Island, a famous tourism destination, and East Java province, according to the country's meteorology and geophysics agency. Sunday's quake worsened the downside risks of another strong quake measured at magnitude 6.4, which struck the island on July 29 and left 17 people dead and over 350 others injured. Indonesia is prone to quakes as it lies in vulnerable quake-affected areas called the Pacific Ring of Fire. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 23:53:19|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BRUSSELS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU)'s updated Blocking Statute will enter into force Tuesday as a countermeasure to Washington's re-imposed sanctions against Iran, the European Commission announced it on its website on Monday. The statute, introduced in 1996 in response to U.S. extra-territorial sanctions legislation, was amended on June 6 by adding within its scope the list of extra-territorial U.S. sanctions on Iran. As neither the Council of the EU nor the European Parliament voiced their objection to the amendment in the two-month scrutiny period, the statute will kick in as of Tuesday, one day after the United States resumes its first batch of sanctions against Iran. The statute forbids EU residents and companies from complying with the listed U.S. extra-territorial sanctions legislation unless they are exceptionally authorized to do so by the Commission. The statute also allows EU companies to "recover damages arising from such legislation from the persons or entities causing them, and nullifies the effect in the EU of any foreign court rulings based on it." According to the statute, EU operators can recover any damages, including legal costs. To claim compensation, EU operators can bring the case before the courts of EU member states. The recovery can take the form of seizure and sale of the assets of the person causing the damage, its representatives or intermediaries. EU Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini, who is currently on an official trip to Asia, issued a joint statement Monday with the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany, saying they "are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran." Stating that the Iranian nuclear agreement, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is working and delivering on its goal, they stressed that the deal "is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, crucial for the security of Europe, the region and the entire world." "This is why the European Union's updated Blocking Statute enters into force on Aug. 7 to protect EU companies doing legitimate business with Iran from the impact of U.S. extra-territorial sanctions," the officials said. After its withdrawal from the JCPOA in May, Washington has been trying to bring sanctions back on Iran with the aim of blocking Iran's international financial transactions and reducing its oil exports to zero. Under the JCPOA, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions. The first U.S. sanctions are back on Aug. 6. They include sanctions on Iran's automotive sector, trade in gold, and other key metals. The remaining sanctions will return on Nov. 4, targeting Iran's energy sector, petroleum-related transactions, and transactions with the Central Bank of Iran. Since U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of the nuclear deal, European countries have been scrambling to ensure that Iran would get enough economic benefits to persuade it to stay in the deal. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 23:53:20|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close GAZA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Monday rallied in protest of the funding cut of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Protesters raised Palestinian flags and banners highlighting the refugees' right to education and employment, expressing dissatisfaction over the decision by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to reduce its services because of its financial crisis. UNRWA officials warned earlier that the humanitarian agency will be forced to cut services after the U.S. slashed around half of its contribution to the agency's annual budget. In July, UNRWA announced that the contracts of 100 of its 1,000 emergency employees working in Gaza were terminated, while the other 900 will be transferred to the part-time system until the end of this year. During the protest on Monday, demonstrators called for international intervention to resolve the financial crisis of UNRWA. "The fate of school year in UNRWA schools is still unknown, which threatens the right to education for about half a million Palestinian refugee students," said Khalid Al-Muzain, head of UNRWA teachers' union. UNRWA provides services to about 5 million registered Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development. Its services include education, health care, relief, social services, infrastructure, camp improvement and microcredit. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-06 23:58:21|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close HELSINKI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The smoke that triggered the evacuation of a Czech Airlines Airbus last Friday in Helsinki came from faulty air conditioning equipment, investigators said on Monday. Ismo Aaltonen, chief inspector at the Finnish Accident Investigation Authority, told national broadcaster Yle that there had been no danger of a fire erupting aboard, albeit the equipment emitted smoke and scent. "Apparently data about a fault had not reached the cockpit," Aaltonen said. The investigation will now take up the problems during the evacuation. Many passengers had tried to take their hand luggage with them. When told not to, they had left their bags on the aisle slowing the exit of others. Aaltonen said the problem has been encountered also in other evacuations internationally. "The passenger safety instructions say that luggage must be left behind in an evacuation," Aaltonen noted. Media pictures also showed passengers who had come down the chutes with their luggage. Passengers had also pushed each other. Ongoing analysis of the black boxes will divulge the details of the evacuation. CHICAGO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. city of Chicago has just seen one of the most violent weekends this year, with at least 74 people being shot, 11 of them fatally. Between 3 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Monday morning local time, 11 people were killed and 63 others were wounded, according to Chicago Tribune, which compiled gun-related violence data for years. Most of the shootings took place in the troubled south and west sides. The ages of victims spanned from 11 to 62 years old. Chicago police chief of patrol Fred Waller blamed the violence on street gang members who shot into summer crowds at night. Chicago is in many ways a microcosm of a national epidemic. The gun homicide rate in the United States is nearly 20 times higher than any other industrialized nation. Since 2013, the Chicago Police Department has recovered nearly 7,000 "crime guns" each year, according to a Gun Trace 2017 report released by the city. Still, with a total of some 1,700 people being shot so far, the situation was relatively better than the last two years at this time when violence hit record levels in the third biggest U.S. city. Local police recently made some progress in curbing the violence, by using crime-fighting technology, hiring more officers and reinvigorating community policing efforts. However, a large group of demonstrators shut down one of the busiest roads in Chicago on Thursday to deliver an anti-violence message and voiced their disappointment at the security situation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 00:13:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close RAMALLAH, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian authorities said on Monday that President Mahmoud Abbas will hold a summit meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II in Amman next Wednesday. The announcement was made by Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), in his statements to the official Palestinian radio station Voice of Palestine. The meeting is part of the ongoing consultations between Abbas and Abdullah II, Erekat said. The two leaders will discuss the latest developments, including a possible Egypt-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas, and the humanitarian aid to Gaza, a prelude to the implementation of the U.S. "Deal of the Century" rejected by Palestinians. Abbas will "hold more contacts with Arabs in order to consolidate the Arab Palestinian position, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump's measures toward the Palestinian cause," the PLO senior official said. He also urged Hamas to accept the national reconciliation and allow the Palestinian unity government to take over Gaza. "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would use the division as a loop hole to implement the U.S. 'Deal of the Century,'" Erekat warned. More than one agreement on Palestinian national reconciliation had been reached under the sponsorship of Saudi Arabia, Qatari and Egypt, but none of them achieved a tangible breakthrough to end the division since Hamas violently seized control of the coastal enclave in 2007. The Palestinian Authority has been boycotting the Trump administration since he recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moved the U.S. embassy to the disputed holy city. The PLO has repeatedly accused the "Deal of the Century" of falling way short of Palestinian aspirations for lasting and just peace in the region. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 00:18:24|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, speaks during an event in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, on Aug. 6, 2018. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), or the Movement for Justice party, on Monday formally nominated its chief Imran Khan as the candidate for the office of the prime minister, party officials said. (Xinhua/PTI) ISLAMABAD, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), or the Movement for Justice party, on Monday formally nominated its chief Imran Khan as the candidate for the office of the prime minister, party officials said. PTI emerged as the single largest party in the parliamentary elections on July 25 and the elected members of the National Assembly met here on Monday to nominate leaders for the top positions including the prime minister, parliamentary speaker and deputy speaker. Vice Chairman of PTI Shah Mahmood Qureshi presented a resolution to name Imran Khan as prime minister, which was adopted unanimously by lawmakers at the meeting. The PTI chief urged the parliamentary party to adopt austerity measures to save nation's wealth, which will be spent on people's welfare. No date for the swearing in of the next prime minister has yet been announced, however, official sources have said Imran Khan is likely to take oath on Aug. 15. On the other hand, the opposition Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) party on Monday announced to field Shahbaz Sharif, the younger brother of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, as its candidate to challenge Imran Khan. PML-N spokesperson Maryam Aurangzeb told reporters that all opposition parties will support Shahbaz Sharif in the election for the prime minister. PTI spokesman Fawad Chaudhry says his party has secured the support of the parliamentarians required to elect its candidate. He told reporters that PTI expects support of more independent candidates. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 00:18:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ROME, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Italy's lakes are polluted by trash, microplastics, and untreated sewage, Legambiente environmentalist association said in what was its first national report on freshwater basins on Monday. The report was based on findings by scientists aboard the environmentalist group's vessel Goletta dei Laghi (Italian for "schooner of the lakes"), which set sail in June to gather and analyze samples from 20 shore areas in Italy's great lakes, all of which are popular tourist and summer holiday destinations. These include Italy's celebrated Lake Como at the foot of the Alps. The others are Lake Garda on the edge of the Dolomites mountain range, Lake Iseo in the northern Lombardy region, Lake Maggiore, lying between Italy and Switzerland, and Lake Trasimeno, which is located partly in Umbria and partly in Tuscany. The scientists found an average of 2.5 items of trash in every square meter of beach, and 75.5 percent of them are plastic, Legambiente said. Plastic breaks down into millions of microscopic particles (microplastics), which are impossible to remove completely and which enter the food chain, damaging the local biodiversity. Cigarette butts made up the greatest number of single items of trash at 29.4 percent, followed by broken bottles and candy and potato chip wrappers, Legambiente said. As well, the environmentalist group warned that 55 percent of water samples taken from 17 Italian lakes, including the great lakes, had excessive levels of bacteria from untreated sewage. Legambiente also monitors Italy's celebrated sea coasts. Every summer for the past 30 years, the group's Goletta Verde (Green Schooner) vessel sails all around the Italian peninsula with volunteers and scientists on board, collecting water samples and testing them for bacteria and pollution. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 00:18:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close LONDON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- After an epic 8,400 km journey from Japan, four bears have arrived at a wildlife park in Yorkshire to start a new life after living in poor conditions in a Japanese museum. They are Ussuri Brown Bears, a species found in Hokkaido where it is at risk from habitat loss and illegal hunting in the wild. Two of the bears are 17 years old and two are 27 years old. The bears life expectancy is up to 35 years. The bears' arrival in England was part of a huge re-homing project organized by the zoo animal welfare charity Wild Welfare, which secured their release from a life in cramped cages in a Japanese museum to a new home at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster. Their life in captivity and their advanced age means that all four bears need rehabilitation and care, something the Yorkshire park has committed to providing for the rest of their lives, said Wild Welfare. The organization's projects director, Georgina Groves, said: "They're going to receive the very best of care from Yorkshire Wildlife Park's team." "This was no small undertaking, as none of the bears are young and have been living in terribly confined conditions, but now they have a great new home." Following concerns about the bears' living conditions at the Ainu Museum in Hokkaido, northern Japan, Wild Welfare began working with the museum and animal welfare organization JAWS Japan, to make improvements for them. When it was agreed that the significant enhancements needed to improve the bears' well-being could not be made, Wild Welfare approached Yorkshire Wildlife Park, which offered them a new home. The bears are settling into their new 2.5-acre home. Groves added: "The living conditions these bears have faced for much of their lives is sadly reflective of the conditions that many captive bears in Japan are in. We really hope these four beautiful bears can raise the profile for others in Japan, and help us work with zoo and welfare organizations in-country to secure a better long-term future for them all." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 00:33:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close RAMALLAH, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah said on Monday that any aid or project for the Palestinian territories must be channelled through the Palestinian government. Hamdallah also highlighted the call by President Mahmoud Abbas for an international peace conference under multilateral supervision "to guarantee that the Palestinian cause is not transformed from being a political and rights cause to a humanitarian question." He made the remarks following his meeting with Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen in Ramallah. "Any economic track not running simultaneously with a political track that would guarantee the rights of the Palestinian people in return and self-determination, will not have any chance of success," the prime minister said. During the meeting with Eriksen, Hamdallah demanded pressure be exerted on Israel to end its blockade on the coastal enclave since 2007. Recent media reports said a possible truce deal mediated by the UN and Egypt could be reached between Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip and Israel. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 00:38:27|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close KIEV, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine is counting on the European Union (EU) support for the post-conflict recovery in the eastern region of Donbas, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Monday. Kiev hopes that the interested EU states would provide targeted assistance to government-controlled areas in Donbas for infrastructure restoration and economic development projects, Poroshenko wrote on Facebook. The issue of the possible EU aid for the conflict-affected region has been discussed during the 20th EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels last month, the Ukrainian leader said. The more than four years of military confrontation between government troops and pro-independence armed groups caused a significant damage to Donbas infrastructure and forced more than 1.5 million people to flee their homes. According to various estimates, the post-conflict recovery in Donbas would require between 20 billion U.S. dollars and 50 billion dollars in investment. A man takes a glance at a newspaper with a picture of U.S. president Donald Trump on the front page, in the capital Tehran on July 31, 2018. (Xinhua/AFP PHOTO) WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- As Washington is set to reimpose formal sanctions on Iran on Monday, the odds are high that Washington's maximum pressure campaign pull itself further away from its policy goals, U.S. experts said lately. Following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to stop the historic Iran nuclear pact on May 8, the United States vowed to re-impose sanctions lifted under the accord against Iran and inflict punitive actions, such as secondary sanctions on nations that have business links with Tehran. U.S.-Iranian relations have been on the fritz ever since the Trump administration abandoned the Iran nuclear deal, delegitimized its government, vowed to re-impose sanctions and pressed other nations to isolate Iran. A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency shows Iranian judiciary chief Sadegh Larijani (R), Iranian president Hassan Rouhani (C) and parliament speaker Ali Larijani (L) during a a meeting in Tehran on July 14, 2018. (Xinhua/AFP PHOTO) MAXIMUM PRESSURE AMID MILITARY TENSIONS Brian Hook, director of policy planning for U.S. State Department, said on July 2 that U.S. sanctions on Iran will snap back in Aug. 6 and Nov. 4. "The first part of our sanctions ... will include targeting Iran's automotive sector, trade in gold, and other key metals," he said, adding the remaining sanctions will "target Iran's energy sector and petroleum-related transactions, and transactions with the Central Bank of Iran." Moreover, Washington focuses on "getting as many countries importing Iranian crude down to zero as soon as possible" to reduce Iran's revenue from crude oil sales. The key part of U.S. strategy on Iran is "a campaign of maximum economic and diplomatic pressure," Hook noted, adding that over 50 international firms have announced their intent to leave the Iranian energy and financial markets. The U.S. Departments of State and Treasury also sent senior officials to visit Europe, East Asia, the Gulf and Europe to explain the sanctions and "warn governments and the private sector of the risks of continuing to do business with Iran." However, as part of his unpredictable diplomacy tilt, Trump surprised many by saying on July 30 that he is ready to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani with "no preconditions" at "anytime they want to." The U.S. National Security Council said later that Trump's offer does not mean Washington will lift its sanctions on Iran. Tehran responded that "hostile policies of the United States ... and economic pressures on Iran leave no chance for talks," adding that "the United States has proved that it is unreliable, so engagement and dialogue with the current U.S. government is impossible." Mohammad Ali Jafari, chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, also said this month that he will never allow Tehran to hold talks with Washington; rather, Iran will stay on the path of resistance against its pressures. Besides threatening to block the Hormuz Strait, a key water lane to ship out Gulf oil, Iran has reportedly conducted military exercises in the region since August. Up till now, U.S. sanction threats on other countries that have business engagement with Iran have been rejected by India and Turkey. Brussels also decided to resume a counter-sanction regulation that will take effect before Aug. 6 that enable European nations not to succumb to U.S. sanctions. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after signing a proclamation declaring his intention to withdraw from the JCPOA Iran nuclear agreement in the Diplomatic Room at the White House in Washington, U.S. May 8, 2018. (Xinhua/REUTERS) SANCTIONS "DAMAGING" TO IRAN, COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO U.S. GOALS U.S. experts said the U.S. sanctions to come will impose "damaging" effects on Iran's economy and the people's livelihood; However, the results of U.S. actions will also undermine its own policy goals in the end. Wayne White, former deputy director of the Middle East Intelligence Office of the State Department, told Xinhua that the sanctions on Iran's precious metal trade are aimed at the Tehran's tendency to buy gold as a hedge against its volatile currency which has been falling dramatically this year and driving up gold prices in the country. Targeting the automobile market in Iran is damaging, White said, adding: "Since the signing of the JCPOA in 2015, the number of European auto companies moving into the lucrative Iranian auto market for sales or licensed production has spiked. Few know that Iran is the world's 12th largest auto producer ... Already, some European companies have put their plans on ice." David Pollock, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told Xinhua that the U.S. plan to separate sanctions into two phases aims to do them "in an incremental" and "step-by-step" manner, so it is not too sudden for and to give fair warning to related-nations, especially non-Iranian companies and governments which could face secondary sanctions. "We're starting something relatively limited, and it's a signal in my opinion to get ready for the really big sanctions by November," he added. However, White argued that although these sanctions will hurt Iran, they probably won't seriously destabilize it, let alone achieve regime change. Besides, "sanctions will not cause Tehran to re-negotiate the Iran deal in Washington's favor. And if the Trump administration also levees sanctions on the Europeans for commercial activity in Iran, the Europeans could retaliate by toughening their positions on pending U.S.-EU talks. Meanwhile, U.S.-Iranian relations, always troubled, will be even more down in the dumps," he noted. Experts also said that despite Iranians' anger over the government's economic mismanagement and corruption, U.S. sanctions would increase the overall anti-American sentiment in the country, making it even harder for Washington to achieve its goals regarding Iran. Richard Baffa, a senior international and defense policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, warned that "if draconian sanctions are eventually re-imposed and if European governments do not successfully push back against such measures, it is possible Iran would then move to formally withdraw from the agreement and re-start its nuclear program." A broader collapse of the agreement along with the U.S. re-imposition of harsh sanctions could lead to an Iranian departure from the deal along with a move to re-start its nuclear program, sparking "profound, destabilizing implications for the region," he said. "In the near term, the Israelis will be alarmed and the military option almost certainly will be back on the table. Over the mid-term, the Saudis and others might pursue a weapon of their own," Baffa noted. U.S. CHANCE FOR ENGAGING IRAN SLIMMER There is momentum for both sides to engage. In the eyes of White, some Iranians still wish their nation to talk with Trump, "not because they trust him or expect much, but because they believe Iran has nothing to lose by doing so." On the U.S. side, Pollock pointed out that there might be some flexibility in U.S. desires laid out very clearly in the list of 12 demands and its conditions for better relations earlier outlined by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and that Trump himself has extended wish to sit down with Iranian leaders with no pre-conditions. However, an article by Reuters noted that Washington "has not clearly defined its desired end state for its Iran policy or outlined a face-saving path for Iran's rulers that would allow them to deescalate steadily mounting tensions between Washington and Tehran." "That has raised concerns of an increasing risk of confrontation," it said, explaining that the U.S. "bad faith" decision to leave the Iran nuke deal, its harsh rhetoric against Tehran, and its reported bid to forge an "Arab NATO" of Sunni Muslim allies against Shi'ite Iran have "fueled speculation that Trump is seeking to promote enough unrest to potentially unseat Iran's rulers," and would "inadvertently trigger a conflict that could draw in the United States." The situation in Tehran is not any better either. Trita Parsi, president emeritus of the National Iranian American Council, wrote lately that "to Tehran, concessions that would make America - and Trump - look good and give the impression of Iran submitting itself to America, even if only symbolically, are the costliest." He explained that Iran has long insisted that it would only negotiate with the United States as an equal and with "mutual respect," and "a central objective has been to only engage in talks that restore Iran's dignity and force the US to treat Iran as an equal." The "historic and political sensitivities may make a Trump-Rouhani handshake quite unlikely in the months and years ahead," Parsi added. Dalia Dassa Kaye, director of the Center for Middle East Public Policy at the RAND Corporation, told Xinhua that "it's certainly unrealistic to think that with the U.S. in violation of the deal rather than Iran, the United States will be able to create a even stronger multilateral sanctions regimes on Iran than existed before the JCPOA. "Not only is the U.S. isolated but it's not clear how the new approach will actually produce different Iranian behavior or a better nuclear deal," Kaye noted. (Matthew Rusling from Washington also contributed to the story.) Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 01:03:33|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BERLIN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The German government has denied that it is planning to bring back military conscription in response to debate over the possibility of a new national form of civil service on Monday. "Revoking the abolishment of conscription is not on the table at all," deputy government spokesperson Ulrike Demmer told press. Demmer's comments were made in reference to a public debate which was sparked by calls from some Christian Democratic Union (CDU) politicians to create a new type of binding and temporally-limited civil service for young Germans in lieu of the defunct military model. The German defense ministry also opposes a return to the earlier model of conscription. Aside from the fact that the ministry only receives few applications for the around 12,000 volunteering positions, a spokesperson of the defense ministry argued that the past military reforms meant that the German armed forces were now geared towards professional missions which required several years of intense training. Although suggestions remain vague as to what exactly the new conscription service would entail, the idea has been welcomed enthusiastically by some senior policymakers in Germany. Michael Kretschmer (CDU), governor of Saxony, told the newspaper BILD on Monday that a civil service could help Germany overcome "social and defense-related challenges." Similarly, Lencke Steiner, regional faction leader of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) highlighted the merits of forcing German youth to temporarily subordinate their own interests to those of society as a whole. "Personally, I am in favor of a mandatory year, whether military or civil service. It is important to take responsibility at an early stage and learn to make sacrifices for others," Steiner told BILD. At the same time, however, several commentators questioned the legal, financial and logistical feasibility of a mandatory civil service. CDU parliamentary delegate Roderich Kiesewetter warned in the newspaper Stuttgarter Nachrichten that any resulting system could not be constructed to "replace jobs or be a blunt end in itself." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 01:13:34|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia said on Monday it has deployed army and federal police units to contain unrest in its Somali regional state, located in the eastern part of the country. Ahmed Shide, minister at the Government Communication Affairs Office, said the Ethiopia Somali regional state has been suffering from human rights abuses at the hands of regional officials. He said regional officials implicated in abuses in the region, particularly during the last three days, will be made accountable before the law. The Somali region's special police forces have diverged from their constitutional obligations by engaging in road blocks including the Addis Ababa-Djibouti highway crucial to landlocked Ethiopia's foreign trade activities, Shide further said. The federal government and the Somali regional administration reportedly had disagreements on sharing of the region's oil revenues. Reports on social media said army units was met with sporadic resistance from Somali regional state police personnel. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 01:58:43|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army has launched a massive assault to clear the Islamic State (IS) militant group from the desert region in the southern province of Sweida, local media and activists reported Monday. The assault came days after the IS launched deadly attacks on the province. State news agency SANA said the army forces were deployed on all frontlines toward the desert region in the eastern countryside of Sweida, in tandem with airstrikes and artillery shelling on the positions of the terror-designated group. Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the army started its broad battle in the desert on Sunday evening. The London-based watchdog also said the army is making progress amid fears for the lives of 30 hostages abducted by the IS during a surprise attack on July 25. Negotiations between the IS and the Syrian forces are still going on over the release of the hostages in exchange for a safe passage for dozens of IS militants trapped in the countryside of Daraa near Sweida, it added. The IS, however, executed the first hostage on Thursday, causing fears for the safety of the rest of the hostages. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 02:13:47|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BERLIN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The share price of German Linde Group, the world's largest industrial gas producer, fell sharply on Monday after it announced that its 42-billion-dollar merger with U.S. rival Praxair could collapse under heavier than expected regulatory pressure. Linde shares were down by as much as 10 percent after it announced that antitrust demands made by U.S. regulators were "more onerous than previously expected". Once combined, Linde and Praxair would achieve gross annual revenue of 80 billion dollars according to some estimates. Back in May, the Munich-based Linde Group attempted to downplay growing concerns over a potential failure of the announced mega-fusion. Speaking at the company's latest Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the time, Linde chief executive officer (CEO) Aldo Belloni expressed confidence that international antitrust authorities would ultimately grant the deal their green light. "We are working together with Praxair and in constructive dialogue with competition authorities to complete the fusion by the second half of 2018," Belloni said. The CEO emphasized that good progress was made on divesting from individual units of two competitors to relieve concerns that the Linde-Praxair merger would create an overwhelmingly dominant player in the global industrial gas industry. Linde and Praxair face a looming legal deadline in Germany for successful finalization of the merger on Oct. 24. However, the two companies have granted each other the right to cancel the deal at the last minute if antitrust authorities demand that they divest business units worth more than 3.7 billion euros (4.28 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue of 1.1 billion euros in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebidta). Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 02:23:49|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close NAIROBI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)'s competition watchdog plans to tighten surveillance in order to enhance consumer protection, officials said on Monday. George Lipimile, CEO of the COMESA Competition Commission, told journalists in Nairobi that restrictive trade practices by member states and big firms are on rise leading to exploitation of consumers. "We are coming up with a system that takes into account the realities on the ground so that we can manage anti-competitive behaviors with a view to eventually eliminate them so that we promote consumer protection," Lipimile said on the sidelines of the Fifth COMESA Annual Research Forum. Lipimile said that most common form of anti-competitive behavior in the 21 member bloc is protectionism measures put in place by national governments aimed at shielding their companies from competition. He noted that protectionism is currently one of the biggest threats to the realization of free flow of goods and services in the economic bloc. Lipimile said that competition laws are still very new in the region and therefore most dominant firms are resistant to change. He noted that cartels are prevalent is almost all sectors of the economy and this is putting customers at risk of exploitation by suppliers of goods and services. The competition watchdog noted that the banking sector is one of the industries that have exhibited anti-competitive behavior. "We have seen quite a lot of abuse in terms of non-disclosure of critical information to consumers," he said. According to the regional bloc, most member states don't have robust institutions to educate the public on their consumer rights. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 02:43:52|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BAKU, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on Monday signed an order to allocate over 10 million manats (about 6 million U.S. dollars) for the Baku International Sea Trade Port Complex, the president's official website said. According to the order, Azerbaijan's ministry of economy will get a total of 10.2 million Azerbaijani manats for the construction of the passenger terminal at Baku International Sea Trade Port Complex. The funds for the construction of the passenger terminal will be allocated to the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan within the framework of the state investments envisaged in the state budget for 2018. The inauguration of the Baku International Sea Trade Port Complex took place this year on May 14 in the village of Alyat, some 77 km south from Baku. The Baku International Sea Trade Port Complex is a transportation hub linking the European countries, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia and Russia. The cargo transshipment potential of the port is 15 million tons in the first phase, including 100,000 containers per year. Please call your State Representative and State Senator and tell them to vote against legislation repealing the Parental Notice of Abortion ... WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Despite global outcry, the White House on Monday vowed to re-impose and fully enforce sanctions on Iran lifted under the Iran nuclear deal. The first batch of sanctions, which will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday (0401 GMT), target Tehran's purchase of U.S. banknotes, trade in gold and other precious metals, as well as the use of graphite, aluminum, steel, coal, and software used in industrial processes. They will also affect transactions related to the Iranian Rial, the issuance of sovereign debts, and the country's automotive sector. Another round of sanctions, to be reinstalled on Nov. 5, will be on Iran's port, energy, shipping and shipbuilding sectors, its petroleum-related transactions, and business deals by foreign financial institutions with the Central Bank of Iran. The Trump administration will also relist hundreds of individuals, entities, vessels, and aircraft that were previously included on sanctions lists. Washington said it would re-impose tough sanctions on the Iranian government when it declared to leave the Iran nuke deal in May. It also laid out two wind-down periods of 90 days and 180 days for business activities in or involving Iran. The latest sanctions were re-imposed after Monday, the final day of the 90-day wind-down period. Accusing Tehran of having "exploited the global financial system to fund its malign activities," the White House said "the Trump Administration intends to fully enforce the sanctions reimposed against Iran, and those who fail to wind down activities with Iran risk severe consequences." Also on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to implement these sanctions. In a statement, he urged all nations to "reduce or end imports of Iranian crude oil" to join in the U.S.-led "maximum economic pressure" campaign on Tehran to force it to change behaviors. He also attacked the Iran nuke deal, saying it was "horrible, one-sided" and had failed to protect U.S. national security. However, Trump said, "I remain open to reaching a more comprehensive deal" that addresses the full range of Iran's activities, including its ballistic missile program and its accused "support for terrorism." "The United States welcomes the partnership of likeminded nations in these efforts," he said. Before the White House statement, an anonymous senior administration official told the media via teleconference that Washington is "working to build a global coalition to counter Iran's malign activity." However, "our stated policy has not been regime change, it has been to modify the Iranian regime's behavior," he said. Reiterating the U.S. commitment to pushing all nations' import of Iranian oil to zero, the official said Washington is not "looking to grant exemptions or waivers." "But we do and are glad to discuss requests and look at requests on a case-by-case basis," he said. When asked to explain Trump's earlier offer to meet with the Iranian leadership at any time with no preconditions, the official said Trump was saying he was not going to give up anything in advance of the meeting, and there were no preconditions. Earlier on Monday, the European Union (EU), Britain, France and Germany said in a joint statement they would maintain economic ties with Tehran, and "are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran." Saying the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is working and delivering on its goal, the statement noted that the deal "is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, crucial for the security of Europe, the region and the entire world." "This is why the European Union's updated Blocking Statute enters into force on Aug. 7 to protect EU companies doing legitimate business with Iran from the impact of U.S. extra-territorial sanctions," it said. "Preserving the nuclear deal with Iran is a matter of respecting international agreements and a matter of international security." The statute, introduced in 1996 in response to U.S. extra-territorial sanctions legislation, was amended on June 6 by adding within its scope the list of extra-territorial U.S. sanctions on Iran. It forbids EU residents and companies from complying with the listed U.S. extra-territorial sanctions legislation unless they are exceptionally authorized to do so by the European Commission. The statute also allows EU companies to "recover damages arising from such legislation from the persons or entities causing them, and nullifies the effect in the EU of any foreign court rulings based on it." Earlier, Turkey and India, both long-term business partners of Iran, also voiced their opposition against U.S. unilateral sanctions. U.S.-Iranian relations have been at odds as the Trump administration left the historic Iran nuclear deal, delegitimized its government, vowed to re-impose sanctions on the nation and pressed other nations to cut down their purchase of Iranian oil to zero. Tehran has so far shown little interest in talking with Washington over a new nuke deal. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said lately that any negotiation with the United States to solve the existing problems is an "obvious mistake." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 02:53:56|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TEHRAN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Monday that the Iranians would make the United States regret for re-imposing sanctions against the Islamic republic. "Through unity and solidarity, the Iranians will weather away the return of sanctions," Rouhani said. "Trump will learn that these kinds of pressures did not surrender Iranians in the past and will never do so in the future." Rouhani also said that the U.S. administration "is not trustworthy for any negotiations" after its withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal. "Talks need honesty," the Iranian president said in a televised speech on Monday, urging the United States to prove its will to solve problems through negotiations. "Negotiations with sanctions don't make sense," he stressed, noting that Trump's recent call for direct talks with Iran was only aimed at creating division in the country. The White House said in a statement Monday that the United States will activate on Tuesday a slew of sanctions on Iran's financial and industrial sectors. The action will bring U.S. sanctions against Iran to the level on par with those prior to the major multilateral nuclear deal reached in 2015. U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on May 8 while other signatories vowed to remain committed to it. The first batch of sanctions, which will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday (0401 GMT), target Tehran's purchase of U.S. banknotes, trade in gold and other precious metals, as well as the use of graphite, coal, aluminum and steel in industrial processes. They also affect transactions related to the Iranian Rial, the issuance of sovereign debts, and the country's automotive sector. Another round of sanctions, to be reinstalled in November, will be on Iran's port, energy and shipping sectors, its petroleum-related transactions, and foreign transactions with the Central Bank of Iran, according to the statement. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 03:03:58|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close NICOSIA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus and Egypt have concluded a deal on the construction of an undersea pipeline to carry Cypriot natural gas to Egyptian liquefaction installations, Cypriot state television reported on Monday. It said the agreement had received the blessing of the European Union (EU) and would be signed in the autumn. The pipe will partly use existing Egyptian infrastructure to carry natural gas from Cypriot Aphrodite natural gas field to Idku or Damietta, where liquefaction plants lay idle as a result of the depletion of Egyptian fields in the Eastern Mediterranean. The state television said the conclusion of the deal will set in motion the process for exploiting the Aphrodite field, which is managed by U.S.-based Noble Energy, in association with an Israeli company and Shell. It also reported the Cypriot government is on the verge of commencing negotiations with Noble Energy about its request to increase the share of the companies in the proceeds from the field. Noble Energy asked that the participation of the Cypriot government and the companies in the proceeds from the sale of the gas -- which was originally agreed at a 60 to 40 percent ratio -- be reversed. The state television quoted informed sources as saying that the government's intention to start negotiations on Noble Energy' request was not to accept it, but to introduce new elements in the agreement. The sources were reported as saying that if there were to be any differentiation in the proceeds ratio, it must be accompanied by new stipulations, such as that the exploitation of the gas field will commence within a fixed time frame. The state television said the Cypriot government's plan is to start selling gas from Aphrodite in 2022. The Aphrodite gas field has been estimated to contain at least 4.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 03:19:01|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has voiced concern about Saturday's drone attack in Caracas that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claimed to be targeting him. "The secretary-general is concerned about the latest developments in Venezuela and rejects any act of violence," said Farhan Haq, Guterres' deputy spokesman. "The secretary-general once again urges national actors to make all efforts to seek consensus to address the country's many challenges, upholding the human rights of all Venezuelans and within the framework of the rule of law." On Venezuela's claim that Colombia was behind the attack, Haq said the world body has no first-hand information. "We would encourage neighboring countries to work cooperatively with each other," he said. The drone attack occurred at an outdoor event on Saturday when Maduro was making a speech to national guard troops. Seven troops were injured and Maduro was unhurt. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 03:19:01|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close KIEV, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has urged Ukraine to extend the term of validity of the law on a "special status" to the conflict-hit eastern region of Donbas, which expires in October, local media reported on Monday. The Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency said that Martin Sajdik, the OSCE's special representative in the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine's crisis, wrote a letter to the Ukrainian parliament, saying that the extension of the law would contribute to the peaceful settlement of the conflict. In his letter, Sajdik said the prolongation of the law could help the efforts aimed at the deployment of UN peacekeeping troops in Donbas, the agency said. The armed confrontation between Ukrainian government troops and pro-independence insurgents in Donbas region has been underway since April 2014, claiming about 10,000 lives. In September 2014, the Ukrainian parliament approved the law on the "special status" to some areas in Donbas, increasing the economic, financial and administrative powers of local communities. The legislation with a validity term of three years was due to expire in October 2017, but it was extended for another 12 months. SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Senior business executives, researchers and industry leaders from some of China's major tech giants and U.S. Silicon Valley companies met over the weekend in Mountain View city, west California, to decode innovation and game-changing technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) that powers social and economic life. Chief executive officers, investors, researchers and entrepreneurs from China's top hi-tech companies such as the biggest Chinese online retailer JD.com, China's search engine giant Baidu, leading Chinese retail, Internet and AI technology conglomerate Alibaba Group, China's top hail-sharing operator DiDi, and U.S. big-name firms including IBM and Google, as well as Stanford University exchanged their insight on technological innovation at an annual event that bridges Silicon Valley and China's tech industry. The heavyweight speakers, who drew an audience of more than 700 from Silicon Valley startups, tech companies and universities at the SYNC 2018 Silicon Valley: Decode Innovation Conference, which opened Sunday, discussed extensive tech-related topics that covered investment, blockchain and AI technology in particular that matters most for future innovation. Chen Zhang, chief technological officer, said AI has played a significant role in JD.com's strategy in developing smart logistics driven by driverless trucks and autonomous delivery robots, automated warehouse and supply chain. He said JD.com is the third largest Internet company in the world and it is using AI-based big data to redesign products and reshape supply lines. He noted that people in China now are more concerned about their food quality and health, and they are more ready to opt for green or organic products. "JD.com is doing a program called 'running chicken, because we know food safety became such a tremendous concern for people," he said. The Chinese online retailer leader provided loans to farmers in remote villages where they raise chicken and let them running in the wild instead of in cages. He said they have a small device attached to the chickens, "something like the kind of things we wear on our hand" which can even calculate how many steps the chickens were running." People love those chickens raised in the wild, which can be two or three times more expensive than regular chickens, and the profits usually go to the cash-starving farmers, which eventually help improve the farmers' livelihood, Zhang said. Meanwhile, big data technologies are used to recommend desirable products to customers who prefer healthy and eco-friendly food, said the CTO. Sumit Gupta, vice president in IBM's Cognitive Systems business unit, said AI technology has been widely used in enterprises, which account for 20 percent to 30 percent. He said nowadays many enterprises are embracing open-source AI software, and nearly 60 percent of them are using AI-powered on-premises cloud resources, because most of the data are on-premises or stored in computers housed in the building of those companies. "You hear a lot of work get done via AI-based cloud, in (such companies as) Google, Amazon, Microsoft and IBM," he said. He said AI technology has been used to a wide range of areas like traffic monitoring on road or even pipeline inspection in oil and gas plants. Pipeline inspectors "were flying drones on top of their pipelines, and they were tasked to look at the images at the video to find cracks in the pipeline. It turns out that most of the humans after 25 minutes watching the video have a 50 percent error rate," he said. "In other words, they get tired, and after 25 minutes they could not watch videos any more," he stressed, but AI doesn't get tired, he said, adding that better accuracy means better safety. The day-long event was organized by PingWest, a leading Chinese online tech media company that targets audiences in the Greater China region, including the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 03:34:06|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close RIYADH, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabian air forces intercepted on Monday a missile fired by Houthi militias towards border city Najran, Al Arabiya news reported. The missile was destroyed at 8:40 p.m. local time (1740 GMT) after entering Saudi Arabia. The incident was part of many attacks against various cities of the kingdom, mainly in border areas. The country has been the target of Houthi missiles since the Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened in Yemen's conflict in March 2015 to roll back Iran-allied Houthi rebels and reinstate exiled government of President Abdu-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko attends a press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg during a summit of heads of state and government in Brussels, Belgium, July 12, 2018. (AP Photo) KIEV, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Monday that Ukraine has made a certain progress on its path towards membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). "Ukraine is steadily approaching to the membership in the Alliance... The latest summit of the Alliance confirmed that NATO doors are open to Ukraine," Poroshenko wrote on Twitter. Ukraine will continue the modernization of its institutional, political and economic spheres with an aim to become a NATO member, Poroshenko added. Ukraine joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council in 1991 shortly after Kiev gained its independence from the former Soviet Union. In 2003, Ukraine declared a course towards NATO accession, but revoked the policy in 2010, declaring non-aligned status. Last year, Ukraine has officially resumed the course towards joining the alliance, pledging to implement reforms in security, defense, justice and anti-corruption sectors. The latest NATO summit was held Brussels on July 11-12 this year with the participation of leaders of NATO allies and partner nations, including Ukraine. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 03:49:09|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close RIYADH, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia plans to shift 12,000 Saudi students and their family members from Canada to other countries like the United States, in protest of recent Canadian statements, said a senior official on Monday. The Undersecretary of the Education Ministry, Jassir Sulaiman, told Al Ekhbariya TV that the shifting process would take place with "top considerations of the general and educational interests of the students." Saudi Arabia suspended on Monday ties with Canada over the statements by Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Canadian Embassy in Riyadh on civil society activists who have been detained, which urged Saudi authorities to release them immediately. The kingdom asked the Canadian envoy to leave the country within 24 hours, put investments between the two states on hold, and recalled its ambassador from Canada for negotiations. Meanwhile, Sabq online local news said there are also directives to stop sending Saudi patients to Canada for treatment. Saudi Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the kingdom will not accept any interferences and will react firmly. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 03:54:10|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday welcomed the signing of the Agreement of Outstanding Issues on Governance and Responsibility Sharing by the South Sudanese warring parties in Khartoum, Sudan, on Sunday. The secretary-general said it was "an important step" in the revitalization of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS), which was signed on Aug. 17, 2015, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The UN chief commended the leadership of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-led High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) and the efforts of the Republic of Sudan to broker an inclusive political settlement of the conflict in South Sudan, the secretary-general's deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said in a statement. "Recalling earlier agreements signed between the parties, the secretary-general urges all parties to work in good faith and demonstrate their commitment to fully implement and to finalize the revitalized ARCSS as soon as possible," said Haq. "He reaffirms the continued commitment of the United Nations to support, in close coordination with IGAD and the African Union, the achievement of a fair, inclusive and sustainable peace agreement for the people of South Sudan," Haq added. South Sudan's nearly five-year conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions in the world's youngest country. President Salva Kiir and his rival Riek Machar were in neighboring Sudan on Sunday to sign the deal, under which the rebel leader is set to return to a unity government as the first of five vice presidents. The deal, which paves the way to a final peace accord, was signed in the presence of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his counterparts from Kenya, Uganda and Djibouti, along with foreign dignitaries. Sunday's deal was the 12th ceasefire and second power-sharing agreement between the South Sudan warring parties. I really appreciated the Representative having the courage to offer this kind of class at no cost to his constituents. It tangibly demonstrates his commitment to the Second Amendment in a way I havent seen from other representatives in Illinois, Daugherty said. Training was conducted over two Saturdays with the range qualification at Fox Valley Shooting Range at 780 S. McLean Blvd in Elgin. The facility owners, Mark and Kitty Glavin, along with their son Brant, offered the use of their range before their official opening on July 30. I appreciated the Glavins allowing us to break in the brand new lanes at their amazing facility in Elgin," Skillicorn said. "I wish them much success in the opening of their new business in Illinois, when so many have been forced to leave the state due to burdensome regulations and taxation, especially a firearm business with the kind of hostility demonstrated toward it by the majority Democrats who control the General Assembly. Several of those participating in the class praised Skillicorn's effort. Jenna Middleton of Lake In the Hills said, Thank you Allen for allowing me to participate in the NRA Concealed Carry Class. As a mother of two young girls I thought of how important it would be to learn the basics of firearm safety especially in the type of world we are living in. The amount of knowledge I learned in these classes was indescribable. The fact that Im exercising my Second Amendment rights as an American AND that Im protecting my family makes this a win-win situation. The information I learned regarding firearm laws and safety will graciously be passed down to my children and generations to come. Thank you for your continued efforts in defending our rights as gun owners! We appreciate you standing with us. A woman named Sue said, Thank you againAllen for giving the CCW class. Gary brought up the topic of low income people not being able to afford to do this on his/her own due to the expense. You did have at least one person in class that is on disability and in that very situation. What an invaluable gift you gave, especially to that person. Rick Cox of Crystal Lake said, Thank you again for this amazing opportunity! The training was very good and I'm glad that safety was stressed so much. I look forward to obtaining my CCW and improving my ability to defend my family, myself, and my community. Steve Miles of Crystal Lake said, The class provided me with information and knowledge to safely exercise my 2nd amendment right. Thank you for this opportunity. Jim Sanford, an NRA Life Member, said, The CCW course provided by Representative Skillicorn was an important service to his constituents and provided the information and practical training needed for participants to become safer and more responsible gun owners. Robert Brugh of Lake In The Hills said, Allen I would like to thank you for this opportunity. It was a truly great experience. With wonderful people. It opened my eyes as to [sic] my rights, and responsibilities as a citizen and a neighbor. I hope this is just the beginning of programs like this. Skillicorn stated, The enthusiasm demonstrated by theses constituents was inspiring. I hope that this is just the first of many classes I am able to offer as the more well-trained and well-armed the citizen, the safer our nation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 03:59:12|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations remains concerned over reports of continued violence in Syria's Idlib governorate causing civilian deaths and destruction of civilian infrastructure, a UN spokesperson said Monday. "The United Nations strongly condemns attacks against civilians, aid workers and civilian and humanitarian infrastructure," said UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq. He added the world body "continues to call on all parties, and those with influence over them, to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law." Lawlessness is on the rise in the main rebel stronghold in the northwestern governorate amid explosions and assassinations, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Two roadside bombs exploded in the countryside of Idlib on Saturday, leaving property losses, said the Britain-based watchdog, adding an explosion rocked a big checkpoint manned by militants in the town of Sarmin also in Idlib's countryside, causing injuries and damages. Idlib has become the main destination for various militant groups, who evacuated from around Damascus and other areas after reaching deals with the Syrian army. Meanwhile, Haq noted an estimated 45,000 to 50,000 internally displaced people, some 80 percent are believed to be women and children, live under difficult conditions in Rukban camp between Jordan and Syria, reportedly in need of water, hygiene, health, education aid and civil documentation. The United Nations last delivered humanitarian assistance to the camp in January 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 04:09:15|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BERLIN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Strong demand from Chinese market boosts the sales of German carmaker Mercedes-Benz to reach a new record in the first seven months of 2018, a statement of the Stuttgart-based company showed on Monday. A total of 392,780 units have been delivered to Chinese customers from January to July 2018, representing a year-on-year increase of 15.1 percent. Alone in July, Mercedes-Benz sold 52,616 cars in China, up by 8.3 compared to the same month in 2017, according to the statement. Worldwide, the company delivered 1,356,350 vehicles in the first seven months, which is an increase of 2.3 percent and a new record. "Never before have so many customers taken delivery of their new Mercedes-Benz in the first seven months of a year," said Britta Seeger, member of the board of management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz cars marketing and sales. "Since the market launch of the C-Class Saloon and Estate, more than 9.5 million of these models have already been sold. Since July, our new models of the C-Class family have been in the showrooms of the European dealerships, with whom we intend to continue the success story of our bestselling series," Seeger added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 04:14:17|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIRUT, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Owners of private generators in Lebanese southwestern city of Sidon rejected the Energy Ministry's decision to reduce their price per kilowatt from 412 Lebanese pounds (0.27 U.S. dollars) in July to 332 pounds in August, local online news Elnashra reported Monday. "We call upon head of Sidon municipality to get in touch with the ministry and convince the officials to change the price in a bid to ensure the stability of this sector," owners of private generators were quoted as saying. Lebanese residents usually turn to private operators during power outages, which charge higher than Karadeniz, owner of the three power barges operating in Lebanon, not to mention the state-owned electricity company. As a result, the government decided last month to regulate the sector by installing meters to private generators to measure the exact consumption of electricity in order to determine the prices. "We decided to regulate this sector until we are capable of securing 24 hours of electricity for Lebanese citizens," said Economy Minister Raed Khoury on Monday. However, Khoury added that the price set by the energy ministry is negotiable. Meanwhile, Governor of South Lebanon Mansour Daw announced Monday that owners of private generators need to accept the price set by the energy ministry. "We will not accept any protests or power cuts to take place in a bid to pressure the ministry to change the price," he said. He added that any objection to the new price should be made in a legal way. "Also legal measures will be taken against those who do not commit to the price set by the ministry," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 04:39:25|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close RIYADH, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabian national carrier airline announced on Monday to suspend flights to and from the Canadian city of Toronto from next Monday, Saudi Press Agency reported. The decision was the last of a series of moves Saudi Arabia taken to express rejection to the statements of the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland and the Canadian Embassy in Riyadh. The Canadian foreign minister and the embassy urged the immediate release of the civil society activists who were detained by Saudi government. Saudi has earlier asked the Canadian envoy to leave the country within 24 hours and recalled its ambassador from Canada. It also puts on hold all new business and investment transactions with Canada. The airline highlighted that any cancellation of tickets will be accepted with no extra charges applied. The company promised to make all efforts to find solutions to passengers who have booked flights to or from Canada. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 04:59:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ACCRA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo has relieved Minister for Energy Boakye Agyarko of his post with immediate effect, the presidency said in a release on Monday. The release said the president has asked Agyarko to hand over his office to John Peter Amewu, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, who would act temporarily as Minister for Energy, until a substantive appointment is made. No reason was assigned for Agyarko's sack. However, local reports say his dismissal was linked to attempts by his ministry to amend portions of the controversial 510 million U.S. dollars power deal signed between Ghana and the UAE-based Africa and Middle East Resources Investment Group (AMERI) Energy in 2015 by the previous government. The new agreement was to extend the current five-year deal with AMERI Energy which is currently operating a 300MW emergency power plant in Ghana to 15 years and bring on board a new company to manage the plant for the period. The government believes there was no value for money in the first agreement hence the Energy Ministry's decision to go for renegotiation which has created controversies after the deal was withdrawn from parliament after Ghanaians raised concerns about the cost. Enditem U.S. President Donald Trump announces his intention to withdraw from the JCPOA Iran nuclear agreement during a statement in the Diplomatic Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., on May 8, 2018. (Xinhua/REUTERS) WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The United States would re-impose sanctions on Iran that had been suspended under a landmark 2015 nuclear deal, the Trump administration said on Monday, in a bid to ratchet up pressure on Tehran. However, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said in response that the Iranians would make the United States "regretful" for its renewal of sanctions against the Islamic republic. Earlier on Monday, an anonymous senior administration official told the media via teleconference that the first batch of sanctions, which will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday (0401 GMT), target Tehran's purchase of U.S. banknotes, trade in gold and other precious metals, as well as the use of graphite, aluminum, steel, coal, and software used in industrial processes. They will also affect transactions related to the Iranian Rial, the issuance of sovereign debts, and the country's automotive sector. Another round of sanctions, to be reinstalled on Nov. 5, will be on Iran's port, energy, shipping and shipbuilding sectors, its petroleum-related transactions, and business deals by foreign financial institutions with the Central Bank of Iran. The Trump administration will also relist hundreds of individuals, entities, vessels, and aircraft that were previously included on sanctions lists. The so-called snapback sanctions were among those lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal between world powers and Tehran on curbing Iran's nuclear program. U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned the nuclear deal in May, evoking global criticism and causing a divide with Europe. Some of its major European allies have been working to prevent the 2015 deal from falling apart. Despite protests from European allies, Trump signed an executive order on Monday to implement these sanctions, saying that the U.S. policy on Iran "is based on a clear-eyed assessment" of the country's governance and regional influence. He once again lashed out at the Iran nuke deal, saying that it was "horrible, one-sided" and had failed to protect U.S. national security. The White House host added that "as we continue applying maximum economic pressure on the Iranian regime, I remain open to reaching a more comprehensive deal that addresses the full range of the regime's malign activities, including its ballistic missile program and its support for terrorism." However, Iran's President Rouhani struck a hard line. "America will regret imposing sanctions on Iran... They are already isolated in the world," he said in a televised speech, hours before new sanctions due to take effect. Moreover, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Monday that the United States seeks to create chaos in Iran by reinstating sanctions. U.S.-Iranian relations have been at odds as the Trump administration left the historic Iran nuclear deal, delegitimized its government, vowed to re-impose sanctions on the nation and pressed other nations to cut down their purchase of Iranian oil to zero. Trump said late last month that he is ready to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani with "no preconditions." Tehran has so far shown little interest in talking with Washington over a new nuclear deal. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said lately that any negotiation with the United States to solve the existing problems is an "obvious mistake." Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 05:14:34|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close CAIRO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Arab League (AL) welcomed Monday a final cease-fire and power-sharing agreement inked between rival parties in South Sudan. In a statement, AL Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit lauded the agreement to achieve comprehensive peace and restore security, stability and national reconciliation in South Sudan. On Sunday, South Sudan's conflicting parties signed a final deal in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on power-sharing and security arrangements. The deal, reached through talks brokered by the Sudanese government with a mandate by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development in Africa, was signed by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit, major opposition leader Riek Machar and representatives of other South Sudanese opposition factions. Under the agreement, a transitional cabinet would be composed of 35 ministers, from both the government and the opposition, including 20 ministers from the government, and nine from the Machar-led Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO). The deal further stipulated a transitional national legislative body composed of 550 members, with 332 from the government, and 128 from the SPLM-IO. Meanwhile, Aboul-Gheit expressed hope that the agreement would end the division and the five-year civil war in South Sudan. The AL chief voiced his appreciation for the political efforts exerted by the Sudanese government to host the peace talks. South Sudan has been witnessing a civil war since December 2013, leaving about 10,000 dead and millions of others displaced. WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Monday managed to strike a more moderate tone toward Iran after it announced to sanction the country on Tuesday. Experts said the seemingly inconsistent statements, put together, are indicative of a coercive diplomatic thinking that aims to push for a more comprehensive deal with Tehran. REINSTALLED SANCTIONS U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order to implement sanctions. The first batch, which will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday (0401 GMT), target Tehran's purchase of U.S. banknotes, trade in gold and other precious metals, as well as the use of graphite, aluminum, steel, coal, and software used in industrial processes. They will also affect transactions related to the Iranian Rial, the issuance of sovereign debts, and the country's automotive sector. Another round of sanctions, to be reinstalled on Nov. 5, will be on Iran's port, energy, shipping and shipbuilding sectors, its petroleum-related transactions, and business deals by foreign financial institutions with the Central Bank of Iran. The White House said "the Trump Administration intends to fully enforce the sanctions reimposed against Iran, and those who fail to wind down activities with Iran risk severe consequences." In a statement, Trump, while attacking the Iran nuke deal, said that "I remain open to reaching a more comprehensive deal" that addresses the full range of Iran's activities, including its ballistic missile program and its accused "support for terrorism." Before the White House statement, an anonymous senior administration official reiterated to the media via teleconference that Trump is willing to meet with the Iranian leadership at any time, and "our stated policy has not been regime change." He also said that although Washington is committed to pushing all nations' import of Iranian oil to zero, it is "glad to discuss requests and look at requests" from other nations for exemptions or waivers "on a case-by-case basis." Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton also joined in the rarely-seen reconciliatory chorus, as he told Fox News on Monday that the leaders "could take up the president's offer to negotiate with them, to give up their ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs fully and really verifiably not under the onerous terms of the Iran nuclear deal, which really are not satisfactory." "If Iran were really serious they'd come to the table. We'll find out whether they are or not," he said. The comparatively softened remarks toward Iran have forged an apparent distinction with the Trump administration's previous hawkish tone when it decided to leave the Iran deal. GLOBAL OUTCRY Iran has stayed relatively cool toward U.S. upcoming actions; still, it bombarded this decision. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday that Trump and U.S. allies Israel and Saudi Arabia have become isolated by their hostile policies toward Tehran, and turned in "the symbol of mistrust in the world." Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said that the Iranians would make the United States regret for re-imposition of sanctions, claiming that "Trump will learn that these kinds of pressures did not surrender Iranians in the past and will never do so in the future." Earlier on Monday, the European Union (EU), Britain, France and Germany said in a joint statement they would maintain economic ties with Tehran, and "are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran." Saying the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is working and delivering on its goal, the statement noted that "this is why the European Union's updated Blocking Statute enters into force on Aug. 7 to protect EU companies doing legitimate business with Iran from the impact of U.S. extra-territorial sanctions." The statute, introduced in 1996 in response to U.S. extra-territorial sanctions legislation, was amended on June 6 by adding within its scope the list of extra-territorial U.S. sanctions on Iran. It forbids EU residents and companies from complying with the listed U.S. extra-territorial sanctions legislation unless they are exceptionally authorized to do so by the European Commission. Iran's traditional trade partners like Turkey and India had also vowed earlier not to recognize the U.S. unilateral sanctions. Israel seems to have become the only one that welcomed the U.S. sanctions. Israeli Intelligence Minister Israel Katz tweeted that the resumption of U.S. sanctions "will compel the Iranians to decide between meeting the demands of the United States ... or risking the regime's collapse and fall." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that he congratulates Washington on the decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran, which has brought "an important moment for Israel, the United States, the region, and the entire world." The move "symbolizes the determination to curb Iran's regional aggression and its ongoing plans to arm itself with nuclear weapons," he said, urging European countries to follow Trump's lead. U.S.-IRAN OUTREACH STILL CONCEIVABLE In an apparent bid to exert maximum economic pressure on Tehran, Washington added more areas than it had previously threatened into sanctions' targets, such as transactions regarding the two nations' currencies and Iran's metal and software industries. Wayne White, former deputy director of the Middle East Intelligence Office of the State Department, told Xinhua in an interview that these additional sanctions were to disrupt Iran's industrial sector more broadly and would further disrupt its financial sector. Experts said that these actions, together with a bid to forge global coalition to counter Iran, aimed to put more pressure on the Iranian economy regional influence. They also looked to set stage for graver sanctions on Iran's oil export slated in November. "They wanted to make this tougher than it originally appeared, and in particular that they want to move toward financial sanctions," said David Pollock, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "It will be very hard for Iran to conduct international transactions denominated in dollars, and I think the idea is probably to put even more pressure on the Iranian currency." "So that is seen as something that creates a lot of popular anger inside Iran, and I think that that's really the main goal of applying this leverage in order to get the Iranian people to put pressure on their own government, to change the policies," he told Xinhua. As part of Trump's coercive diplomacy, Washington reiterated its readiness for a summit to consult on a more comprehensive deal, all in a bid to force Tehran into a new deal that fulfills U.S. demands. Given the Iranian economy that is highly dependent on oil export, it has thus been inconceivable to see a meeting between Trump and his Iranian counterpart on the sidelines of a UN gathering next month. However, White said that Trump "knows a nation's withdrawal from an agreement negotiated in good faith followed by coercion aimed at initiating talks to produce an agreement more favorable to that nation is little more than international blackmail." "In such circumstances, the offer of talks probably was meant to cause division within a beleaguered Iran over whether to attend, not so much to produce an actual meeting - almost certainly not one that would likely end well," he warned. "Indeed, Trump's ultimate objective if he can secure sufficient cooperation on sanctions from key European countries party to the JCPOA would be the collapse of the agreement entirely." "The key looming question will be the extent to which Washington can convince its allies-from London to Tokyo-to follow suit," he said. "Another major question will be if a number of the allies do not follow the U.S. lead on sanctioning Iran in areas beyond oil, will Washington then stoop to imposing so-called 'secondary sanctions' on those allies - a move that would greatly antagonize America's friends." Matthew Rusling from Washington also contributed to the story. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 05:24:39|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Venezuela's Prosecutor General Tarek William Saab speaks during a press conference in Caracas, Venezuela, on Aug. 6, 2018. Venezuela has identified the assailants captured in Saturday's failed assassination attempt against President Nicolas Maduro, Tarek William Saab said on Monday. (Xinhua/Stringer) CARACAS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela has identified the assailants captured in Saturday's failed assassination attempt against President Nicolas Maduro, Prosecutor General Tarek William Saab said on Monday. "We have identified all the perpetrators ... and their close collaborators," Saab told reporters at a press conference, adding "we also established where they stayed in the days leading up to the assassination." During an outdoor ceremony on Saturday commemorating the 81st anniversary of Venezuela's national guard, several drones flew close to the presidential stand as Maduro was giving a speech and exploded. Two people operating one of the drones from inside a car "were caught in the act," and authorities identified others who had assembled the explosives, he said. Though Saab did not provide the total number of people in custody, officials had earlier said they arrested six suspects on the day of the incident. "We have already discovered the first international connections" to the perpetrators," said Saab, without offering more details. Venezuela's government has blamed neighboring Colombia for the attempt and on Monday issued a statement saying "we hold Colombia responsible for any further aggression." Saab said his office has designated four prosecutors to investigate the case, which entails charges of treason, attempted murder, causing injury, financing terrorism and other crimes. Members of the National Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN) were reported to have searched a well-known Caracas hotel on Monday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 05:29:42|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Libyan Interior Minister Abdulsalam Ashour on Monday said that all Libya's security problems are caused by violated borders, especially the southern border. "Southern Libya is suffering and the southern border has become violated," Ashour told Xinhua in an exclusive interview. "Southern Libyan was exploited very badly by criminal gangs of the Chadian and Sudanese oppositions, and other African opposition groups present outside the Libyan border." "These (groups) have become a reality in southern Libya to carry out criminal acts that undermine the security of Libya," Ashour said, calling on his government to take "urgent and serious" measures to deal with this issue. The Libyan minister also warned against al-Qaida and the Islamic State, which "have bases in southern Libya and are developing their capabilities, taking advantage of the security vacuum in the region." Ashour said that the Interior Ministry cannot fight these groups alone, stressing the need for joint efforts to address the issue. Asked about security situation in the capital Tripoli, Ashour said the situation is "normal," adding that since he took office about four months ago, "we are trying very hard to put things on track." "Security appears to be very well established in the capital, but sometimes there are some clashes among armed groups inside the capital, causing some tension," he said. "In the western region, there are some criminal gangs whose have grown recently in the absence of the Interior (ministry), and we are trying now to deter them with full force," he said. Libya has been suffering from security vacuum and escalating violence since the armed conflict that toppled former leader Gaddafi's regime in 2011. Ashour explained that the Interior Ministry is currently preparing a training plan for fighters who fought against Gaddafi regime in 2011, to integrate them in the security agencies effectively in coordination with the United Nations. "After the Feb. 17 Revolution (in 2011) and the integration of the armed groups in the Interior Ministry, we have been trying hard to tame these groups and integrate them into security work through ongoing courses, which is happening currently," he said. "Instructions to all security directorates come from the Interior Ministry of the Government of National Accord, including promotions, salaries and correspondence," the Libyan official said. "The salaries, promotions and administrative system are in the capital. The main administration is in Tripoli. There are communications between the departments in the west and east of the country, whether associated with passports, illegal immigration, or civil affairs," said the minister. Despite signing a UN-sponsored political agreement by the Libyan parties in December 2015, Libya remains politically divided between rival authorities in the east and west of the country, both competing for legitimacy. "Although all the security institutions and agencies after the February revolution have fallen and collapsed significantly, in recent years they have been recovering and working well," Ashour said. "We are working on a plan to secure the elections. As soon as the President of the Presidential Council of the Libyan Government of National Accord, Fayez Serraj, announced the elections, we formed the Elections Affairs Office on July 20," he added. "The office was established to follow up the elections issue," Ashour said, confirming that the office is "working in an excellent manner and continues to communicate with the United Nations and with the National Elections Commission." The Libyan Interior Minister said that his country was subjected to a "conspiracy" carried out by some Libyans by kidnapping foreigners and destabilizing the capital city, accusing all these criminal acts of "delaying Libya and its development." "The will of the international community did not coincide. If the vision of the international community on Libya was united, all of its problems would have been solved," he said. The Buckeye Institute is representing Boyd Bradbury, a professor at Minnesota State University Moorhead, who was a full member of the Inter Faculty Organization; and Jonathan Reisman, an associate professor of economics at the University of Maine at Machias who served as the Associated Faculties of the Universities of Maines grievance officer. Professor Bradburys union previously required its members to submit written opt-out notices via mail postmarked no earlier than April 1 and no later than June 15, which would then take effect the following July. Under this pre-Janus process, its members would not have been permitted to begin leaving their union until that specified window opened in 2019. However, after The Buckeye Institute issued a demand letter to Professor Bradburys union based upon the Supreme Courts decision in Janus v. AFSCME, the union recognized Professor Bradburys right to immediate release from membership and from paying dues. Similarly, Professor Reismans union has a designated opt-out window of August 15 to September 15 in any given year, but after The Buckeye Institute issued a demand letter on his behalf, the union recognized Professor Reismans right to immediately resign his union membership and stop the dues extractions before that opt-out window opened next month. Robert Alt concluded: Unions must do better in complying with the Supreme Courts decision in Janus. Our clients should not have needed to send a demand letter to secure their rights. After Janus, public-sector unions should seek affirmative consent from their membersan opt-inbefore any further dues or fees are taken by the union. [The Buckeye Institute Wins First Major Post-Janus Victories for Public Employees, The Buckeye Institute, July 26] Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 05:29:43|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close MINSK, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Belarusian Foreign Ministry on Monday strongly condemned the assassination attempt on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry named the assassination attempt a barbaric and appalling act of terrorism. "The assassination attempt on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Aug. 4, which resulted in seven people being injured, is a barbaric and appalling act of terrorism," the ministry said in a statement published on Monday. On Saturday, Maduro escaped unharmed from an attempted attack of explosive drones during his speech to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the country's National Guard. "The use of such hideous methods in politics will never be tolerated by Belarus. We will never accept any manifestations of terrorism and violence," the statement said. Only the people of Venezuela and only through peaceful dialogue within the legal framework and the Constitution can determine the ways to address complicated situations and methods to settle disagreements in the Venezuelan society, the ministry said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 05:34:45|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close LA PAZ, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The world would be a better place if more people studied the way of life of China's Shaolin warriors, Bolivia's Foreign Affairs Minister Fernando Huanacuni said. An accomplished martial arts practitioner who has won several medals in international competition, Huanacuni spent three years doing just that. "In 1999, I traveled to China to join the Shaolin Temple, where I was a member for three years," Huanacuni said during a recent talk at the International Book Fair in Bolivia's capital La Paz. "I learned that the philosophy of life is discipline," he said. His presentation was part of a program of cultural events organized by China's embassy in La Paz, including a culinary sampling, film exhibit, and lectures on different aspects of Chinese culture, international relations and literature. "To achieve any goal, discipline and commitment are fundamental," said Huanacuni, whose interest in Buddhism led him to visit China at the age of 33. In China's central Henan Province, Huanacuni went to visit the famed Shaolin Temple founded in the 5th century by a Buddhist monk and knelt for several hours at its entrance, a ritual observed by those who want to be accepted as a student of Buddhism. After the monks finally allowed him in, he had to endure a week of trials, including strenuous physical exercises that lasted more than 12 hours a day. Huanacuni first learned to improve his breathing technique, which was fundamental to proceeding to the meditation phase to "find balance," he said. He adopted the daily rituals of the resident monks: eating the same simple meal of rice, vegetables, bread and green tea; working to perfect breathing, meditation and discipline; and renouncing all violence. After a time of studying Buddhist philosophy and Shaolin-style Kung Fu, Huanacuni said he was able to show a strength he didn't know he had. He also began to note similarities between Bolivian and Chinese cultural traditions. The Shaolin monks' offerings to nature, because they believe it is "hungry" or "thirsty," is similar to the "khoa" table of offerings that Bolivia's indigenous Aymara people create each year in August. The lecture was also attended by China's ambassador to Bolivia Liang Yu, cultural attache Liu Hebao, Bolivian officials and special guests. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 06:04:54|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close KHARTOUM, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- British Minister of State for Africa Harriett Baldwin will begin on Tuesday a three-day official visit to Sudan, Sudan's Foreign Ministry announced in a statement Monday. The ministry welcomed Baldwin's visit, saying that it comes within the context of developing the bilateral relations and deepening the cooperation between the two countries. It further commended the progressive bilateral ties and the support Britain provides for Sudan's development in different fields. Sudan's Prime Minister Bakri Hassan Saleh is expected to meet with the British official to discuss means of joint cooperation, said the statement. Baldwin is also scheduled to meet with Sudan's Vice President Hassabo Mohamed Adul-Rahman and Presidential Assistant Faisal Hassan Ibrahim. The two sides will hold a session of joint talks at the premises of Sudan's Foreign Ministry to discuss horizons of cooperation and bilateral ties along with regional, international and political development. Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-07 06:24:58|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close OTTAWA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday said Canada isn't backing down from its position that leads to diplomatic dispute with Saudi Arabia. "I will say Canada is very comfortable with our position. We are always going to speak up for human rights; we're always going to speak up for women's rights; and that is not going to change," she told a news conference in Vancouver a day after Saudi Arabia announced it will cease all new trade and investment deals with Canada and ordered the Canadian ambassador in Riyadh 24 hours to leave the country. "Canadians expect our foreign policy to be driven by and to embody Canadian values, and that is how we intend to continue our foreign policy," she added. Last Friday, the Canadian foreign ministry tweeted: "Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and women's rights activists in Saudi Arabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful human rights activists." In tweets Sunday night, Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry accused Canada of "overt and blatant interference" in the country's internal affairs. "The Canadian position is a grave and unacceptable violation of the Kingdom's laws and procedures. In addition to violate the Kingdom's judiciary and a breach of the principle of sovereignty," the Saudi ministry tweeted. The Saudi ministry said it is freezing all new trade and investments between the two countries. It also recalled its ambassador to Ottawa and has given Canadian Ambassador Denis Horak in Riyadh 24 hours to leave the country. The Canadian Press on Monday reported that Saudi Arabia is planning to withdraw all Saudi students studying at Canadian universities, colleges and other schools and transfer them to other countries such as Britain and the United States. There are 15,000 Saudi students in Canada on government-funded scholarships, grants and in trainee programs. Meanwhile, Airline Saudi said it will suspend flights to and from Toronto as of Aug. 13. A key meeting has signaled that China will put more focus on maintaining the stability of the economy in the second half of this year amid external uncertainties. This week will be the hottest in the season so far, the national weather service warned on Monday, adding that maximum temperatures may be around 35 C in many places. All-time highs for this time of the year were around 39-40 C, the service said. Temperatures will temporarily drop in western and central parts of the country towards the end of the week, while the heat wave will be uninterrupted in the east. The lowest temperature on Wednesday was just above the last August first record reached in 1948, with a temperature of 24.5 C, the office said today. Current forecasts suggest the heatwave will carry on into the weekend with maximum temperatures above 30 C and more than 20 C during the night. Click here to see latest weather forecast MTI photo: Balogh Zoltan and Szigetvary Zsolt 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. By RALPH ANSAMI [email protected] HURLEY With the murder trials of two men scheduled to begin today in Iron County Court, a third man charged in the death of Wayne M. Valliere Jr. has pleaded guilty. James Lussier, 19, of Woodruff, entered guilty pleas late Thursday afternoon to being a party to the crime of felony murder and two counts of aiding a felon. He is scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. by Iron County Judge Patrick Madden. Lussier is represented by Hurley attorney Marty Lipske, who entered into a plea agreement with Assistant Attorneys General Richard J. Dufo... By Nancy Thorner & Ed Ingold - The trial of Paul Manafort, who joined Donald Trump's presidential campaign team in March 2016 and was campaign chairman from June to August 2016, is off to a disturbing start. Even more striking is that the Manafort case is a fourteen year old case. Nothing could be found at the time to indict Manafort, but fast forward to July 26, 2017, when FBI Agents took an unusually tough approach in executing a search warrant dealing with potential financial crimes by Paul Manafort by busting into his home in a pre-dawn raid with guns-blazing tactics as Manafort and his wife were asleep in bed. Manafort's wife was even searched for weapons. The first three days of testimony presented by the prosecution consisted of hours of details concerning Manaforts extravagant life style, particularly thousands of dollars spend on clothing, cars and home improvements. On several occasions the presiding judge, T.S. Ellis III, admonished the prosecution and jury that spending money was not a crime. The same judge noted that the only interest exhibited by the Mueller team was an attempt to force Manafort to provide incriminating evidence against President Trump. He suggested that while a defendant might be encouraged to sing, he is also tempted to compose. Judge Ellis experienced a blowout on the third day when the prosecution called an expert witness to testify, J. Phillip Ayliff, a certified public accountant. Ayliff was there to lay the groundwork for terminology and explain what a tax preparation company does for its clients. After a testimony that seemed to go on forever, Judge Ellis finally had enough. The prosecution attempted to have one of Manaforts e-forms submitted. While denying the request, Ellis told the prosecution, NO! then told prosecutors, You move it along! Although the prosecuting attorneys were visibly shaken by Judge Ellis rebuke, but it was about to get worse. One of the terms he was being asked to define, financial interest, had already been agreed upon by the prosecution and defense. When prosecutors proceeded to ask Ayliff to define the term for the jurors, Judge Ellis immediately called for a bench conference. Judge Ellis then called for the early recess and excused the jurors, but before leaving the bench the judge explained to the courtroom exactly what had happened during the bench conference, the prosecution had made a gross mistake in trying to present Ayliff as an expert witness as well as creating possible confusion with an already agreed upon definition for the term financial interest. Ellis believed any further defining by Ayliff would only create more confusion for the jury members. Demonization of ones adversaries is nothing new. Public shaming of wealth was used, under Stalin, in the collectivization of farms in the 1930s. Individuals just above peasant level, who owned tractors and other mechanized farm equipment, were paraded before their peers. Their equipment was confiscated (but usually removed from the area), and the owners were forced to do manual labor, consigned to a Siberian prison, or simply killed. According to the news, Manafort faces up to 300 years in prison for his alleged offenses, which are usually treated as a civil matter, not criminal ones. At the age of 69, even ten years might be a life sentence. Today, the average sentence for tax fraud is a little over one year, along with appropriate fines and payment of back taxes. Similar tactics were used to convict mobster Al Capone in 1930. Capones spending habits were extensively detailed, with very little connection to unreported income. In the end, Capone was sentenced to 11 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. Capone served time in federal penitentiaries in Atlanta and at Alcatraz for the October 17, 1931 verdict handed down of tax evasion. On November 1939 after serving less than eight years of an eleven year term, the longest term ever handed down for tax evasion, Capone was released while suffering from paresis caused by untreated syphilis. On January 25, 1947, Capone died of a stroke in Palm Island, Florida. By any measure, the charges against Manafort seem grossly excessive. It's an overkill by the prosecutor and use of abusive power to squeeze Manafort, or any of his close advisors, for information based on what the prosecutor wishes to hear in order for the accused to avoid their own fate. As a further insult and incentive for Manafort to "sing," he is now sitting in solitary confinement. This trial shows the depth to which Mueller will go to get something damaging to the President. In 14 months of investigation, no evidence of criminal conspiracy or obstruction has been uncovered, or at least leaked through the screen doors of bureaucracy. The only prosecutions have been for unrelated offenses (e.g., lying to federal agents) and indictments against 12 Russian citizens who will never be brought to trial. For further insight into the trial, here is an excellent Wall Street Journal video that relates what the Manafort trial is all about taking place in Virginia. This is the first of two trials, and it's all about money. 18 counts have been handed down against Manafort that involve tax evasion, tax fraud, land fraud conspiracy. Paul Manafort may or may not be guilty of tax evasion, but his main crime seems to be association with Donald Trump. Mueller seems to have assumed the role of Torquemada, Grand Inquisitor in 15th Century Spain, torturing heretics until they confessed and denounced their accomplices. JULIE ABRAMSON of Ironwood, 93, was named the oldest at the Roosevelt School centennial and reunion on Saturday. She graduated Roosevelt from the ninth grade in 1939. By STEVE NEWMAN [email protected] IRONWOOD - A group of over 450 people were registered and many of them gathered together in the Ironwood Memorial Building Saturday evening for the centennial celebration for the Roosevelt School, a school that served the community for many years in Ironwood Township. The group was brought together by a deep love for the school and the people of the area that was clear to see. "They did a great job with this big of a crew," said Lynn Reini Schedl, who came from California especially for the event. The auditorium was jam-packed for the evening banque... Pa. State Attorney General Josh Shapiro talks while "Josh," to the left, stands during the press conference at the Westmoreland County Courthouse, Tuesday July 31, 2018. Victim "Josh" was abused by Rev. John Sweeney, a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Greensburg, in 1992. Read more As a former prosecutor in Philadelphia, I know the importance and the power inherent in the use of the grand jury as a method by which to discover evidence and to indict a person for criminal conduct. The grand jury can also be an effective entity in reporting on misconduct or inefficiency in our government or other societal functions by issuing reports with specific recommendations about how to remedy any deficiencies found through its investigation. Attorney General Josh Shapiro has employed the statewide investigating grand jury to compile, what he states, is a wide-ranging and stinging report on child abuse and related criminal conduct in the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania halted the distribution of the grand jury report after receiving many appeals that raise important constitutional issues. These include questions regarding due process, fairness, and deprivation of personal reputational rights as a result of the grand jury's secret deliberations and the inability of many of the named clerical members of the Catholic Church to defend themselves against allegations contained in the report. The affected parties have identified issues before the Supreme Court that could impact every citizen in Pennsylvania, not just the named clergy. >> READ MORE: Supreme Court right to release clergy sex abuse report, but don't weaken it | Editorial As a 20-year veteran prosecutor and with 21 years on the court itself, I questioned the action of the Supreme Court in halting dissemination of the report, given Attorney General Shapiro's insistence on the importance of its release. But after reviewing the Supreme Court opinion, I agree that important constitutional rights are at risk of being denied because of issues pertaining to procedural aspects inherent in the Grand Jury Act and the impact on individual reputational rights. The Pennsylvania Constitution places an individual's reputational rights on the same plane as a citizen's right to life, liberty, and property. I agree with the court's action, and I agree with its decision to assign all the parties concerned immediate hearings on the constitutional issues identified in the process and the substance of the report. I am sure that the victims of the terrible abuse will be allowed to present their views to the court. It would seem that Attorney General Shapiro would have a strong interest in protecting each of our citizens' rights as identified in the opinion by the highest court of the Commonwealth. But, the attorney general has insisted on the release of the report in spite of apparent quasi-official accusations of misconduct against many named but uncharged individuals that resulted from the secret ex parte grand jury proceedings in which there was no opportunity for an individual to defend against the allegations. Attorney General Shapiro even sought the unheard of and extraordinary intervention of the Roman Catholic pontiff, the Vatican head of state, in what is a uniquely Pennsylvania issue in our state courts. >> READ MORE: Pa. Supreme Court: Release redacted report that names more than 300 'predator priests' An important function of a grand jury report, particularly a non-indicting grand jury report, is to advise or recommend ways to address the issues discovered by the investigation. The Supreme Court's decision allows the grand jury's report and recommendations if any, to be released to the public. Meanwhile, the constitutional rights of individuals to reputation and the presumption of innocence will be protected through hearings in a proper tribunal. What is called for is exactly what the Supreme Court has ordered: a rational discussion of the issue by all sides in order to address the important constitutional questions that have arisen in the grand jury report. Ronald D. Castille is the former Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from 2008 to 2014. Sen. Pat Toomey prides himself on being a "pro-trade" Republican who believes in "expanding American export opportunities and encouraging economic growth." He's willing to fight for these beliefs, too, as evidenced by legislation he recently cosponsored to limit President Trump's authority to levy tariffs on national security grounds. So, I am baffled by his continued antagonism towards the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM), perhaps the most pro-trade agency in the entire federal government. >>READ MORE: Will 'America First' make America last? | Opinion Three years ago in July, a few senatorsled by Sen. Toomeybegan blocking efforts to confirm nominees for the board of EXIM, which provides critical financing for American companies selling goods and services abroad. Because the bank has lacked a board quorum since July 2015, it can't approve any transaction that's more than $10 million, costing U.S. companies large and small to forfeit sales to foreign competitors. Although the senator recently suggested he was open to confirming Kimberly Reed to fill the long-vacant position of EXIM president, he said he would not lift his hold on the other EXIM board nominees. This means EXIM will have to continue sitting on the sidelines while other countries eat our lunch. This self-inflicted wound on American workers can be healed if Sen. Toomey allows a vote on board confirmations to go forward. >>READ MORE: Vice President Mike Pence: Our agenda is working for Philadelphia | Opinion I recently spoke to Steve Wilburn, CEO of California-based FirmGreen, who said the neutering of EXIM is "devastating" his business, employees, and suppliers. He pointed to a $400 million letter of intent FirmGreen signed with the Philippines to install 375 megawatts of solar power using patented American technology that lets utilities harvest energy while farmers harvest crops underneath the solar panels. This project would have supported approximately 30 engineering, software development, and project management jobs at FirmGreen, and another 200-plus jobs at suppliers, including metal fabricators in southern California and suppliers in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, among others. FirmGreen was planning to source as much as $60 million from Summit Steel, a Reading-based leader in alternative energy components. But now the deal is dead. The Philippines solar projectlike most large capital projects around the worldrequired the exporter to line up government-backed export credit agency (ECA) financing. FirmGreen did, and Steve has the letters from EXIM to prove it, but without a board, EXIM could not finalize the transaction. At this point, the likely winner is a company from China or Korea, backed by their ECA. FirmGreen is not an isolated case. Because EXIM is sidelined, El Al is outfitting its new fleet of Boeing planes with Rolls Royce engines made in the UK instead of GE engines from Ohio. A $2 billion Egyptian order for industrial equipment, which translates to at least 10,000 jobs, will be sourced in Canada and Europe, not the U.S., for the same reason. Many U.S. companies are losing contracts or being forced to source from abroad as we step aside, while country after country steps up to help their companies win deals we leave on the table. Today, there are nearly 100 ECAs around the world. >>READ MORE: Buying American can help keep the Philly shipyard afloat | Opinion The Trump administration has not been shy in announcing its willingness to "fight" for U.S. workers in international trade. So I don't understand why they have not put more pressure on the Senate in general, and Sen. Toomey in particular, to empower EXIM, an agency that provides no subsidies or tax breaks and makes money for U.S. taxpayers, to join the fight. The administration's inaction is especially confusing when you consider that EXIM is expected to play a critical role in advancing the President's just-announced Indo-Pacific economic strategy, which aims to counter the rise of China. China happens to be the most aggressive provider of government export credit assistance in the world. At the peak of EXIM's activity in 2012, the bank financed $35.8 billion in transactions, supporting thousands of small-business customers and 255,000 U.S. jobs. Last year, EXIM completed just $3.4 billion in transactions, less than 10 percent of what it did five years earlier. And more than $40 billion worth of export deals for U.S. businesses are currently being held up due to EXIM inaction. Another consequence of Sen. Toomey and other opponents neglecting the bank is that they have turned a moneymaking agencywhich generated $4 billion for taxpayers during the Obama administrationinto a money loser, as the agency has always relied on the profits of large transactions to subsidize smaller ones. Unlike tariffsa blunt trade tool that supports some U.S. industries (steel makers) at the expense of others (Harley Davidson and auto makers)EXIM financing just ensures U.S. companies operate on a level playing field to compete against foreign rivals. Even in EXIM's diminished state, it remains a crucial partner for American companies; it counts as customers 220 Pennsylvania companies that have exported $5 billion in goods and services since 2013. Business leaders like Steve Wilburn are running out of patience. A disabled and decorated Marine veteran, Steve said other countries with functioning export credit agencies are "kicking our ass." And we are just letting them do it. There isn't much an individual senator can do to boost our economy. But Sen. Toomey has that rare opportunity. By merely lifting the holds he has on EXIM board nominees, he can deliver an immediate and positive boost for American and Pennsylvania companies and workers. I hope he'll seize the opportunity. Fred Hochberg was chairman and president of the Export-Import Bank of the United States from 2009-2017. In an enlightened move, New Jersey is offering free community college to hundreds of low- and moderate-income students. It is joining other forward-thinking states such as Oregon and California which recognize that a high school diploma just isn't enough for a person to find a decent-paying, stable job. Starting next spring, community colleges will award grants to fill in gaps in student financial aid. To qualify, students' families must earn less than $45,000 and the students must take at least six credits a semester. Community college in New Jersey already is a bargain at an average cost of less than $7,000 a year for tuition and fees, according to the state Commission on Higher Education. The national average is $9,000, according to the Department of Education. And, it's still lower than tuition at four-year schools, which is partly why more prospective students are considering two-year schools and then transferring into four-year schools. Right now, the fledgling program can help hundreds of students. But for it to really have impact, it should expand to benefit more students; the state promises it will. This is a worthwhile taxpayer investment because the more educated the populace, the wealthier the state. But what about the other side of the equation, cutting into the high costs of higher education which drives up student debt? This is a national problem. Since 1997, average college costs have tripled, rising from $3,168 just for tuition and fees to $10,691 in 2017. Students are shouldering a staggering $1.5 trillion in debt. Driving down costs will require major shifts in the management of higher education, but we shouldn't overlook simple ideas. For example, in 2002, retired George Washington University president Stephen Trachtenberg suggested running the school year-round. Proponents argued that expensive facilities were largely fallow in the summer and that the university could not only educate more students but that industrious students could get out of schools in three years. The staff shot it down, but it's still a good idea; so is holding more classes on Fridays and weekends. Other ideas include cutting administrative costs and de-emphasizing the "publish or perish" mentality which keeps professors out of classrooms to work on research projects. Enacting cost-cutting ideas takes a watchdog, and in New Jersey, that's the Legislature. Members should grill public college presidents about how they will save money and pass the savings onto students. Students in the worst shape are those who dropped out because they couldn't afford tuition but still have loans to pay. In a landmark study, Sara Goldrick-Rab followed 3,000 students in Wisconsin's public colleges and found that half dropped out because they didn't have enough money. Now at Temple University, Goldrick-Rab is highlighting students who are so strapped, they can't even afford to eat. College should be a gateway to economic security not lifelong debt. While New Jersey is blazing a trail for others to follow, it should also pursue innovations that lower student costs at all its colleges. 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... Patna: Patna High Court on Monday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Bihar government to submit a detailed action report in the Muzaffarpur sex scandal case. The court has sought the report within the next two weeks. The court has also asked the state govt to provide details on rehabilitation of the inmates of shelter home, said Lalit Kishore, Advocate General of Patna High Court. Earlier in the day, the High Court accepted a written argument of the state government which was presented before it. According to Kishore, The Patna High Court has also accepted the state government's appeal to hold High Court-monitored CBI inquiry and conduct a speedy trial in a special court. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has, meanwhile, directed all district magistrates to inspect child shelter homes and women shelter homes across the state. He has also ordered adequate security arrangements to be made at the shelter homes. A team of CBI has reached Muzaffarpur for further investigation after getting all documents from Social Welfare Department, Patna and TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences) in connection with the case. More than 40 girls had been lodged at the shelter home and medical reports suggest that over half of them may have had sexual intercourse at some point of time. The alleged sex scandal in Muzaffarpur surfaced in a social audit conducted by Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Following this, FIR was lodged by the state social welfare department in June, which led to the arrest of 10 people. The NGO running the shelter home has been blacklisted and all the girls have been moved to shelter homes in other districts while the premises has been sealed. New Delhi: Actor Pankaj Tripathi has joined the cast of Kriti Sanon and Kartik Aaryan romantic comedy 'Luka Chuppi'. The actor began shooting for the project in Gwalior over the weekend. Pankaj will be seen as an estate agent from Mathura who owns an agency called 'Baby Doll', which is right opposite a sari shop because he is a bachelor looking for his life partner. The rom-com will be directed by Laxman Utekar, the director of photography of 'Hindi Medium'. He has also directed Marathi films 'Tapaal' and 'Lalbaugcha Raja'. This is his Bollywood debut as a director. The film will be produced by Dinesh Vijan under the banner of Maddock Films. It will narrate the story of a television reporter in Mathura who falls in love with a headstrong woman, essayed by Kriti. Kartik will be seen playing a TV reporter based in Mathura. Kriti essays a Mathura girl who goes to Delhi to study and returns to her hometown. Apart from Kriti and Kartik, the film will also feature Aparshakti Khurrana. Kartik and Kriti began shooting for the film only recently. Kriti even shared a photograph of herself along with Kartik on her Twitter handle, writing, "To new beginnings 'Luka Chuppi', Day 1." Kartik too shared the same photograph and captioned, "And Luka Chuppi starts. Day 1." The film will be helmed by Laxman Utekar, the director of photography of 'Hindi Medium'. Mumbai: Priyanka Chopra, who walked out of Salman Khan starrer Bharat directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, may not be a part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film on female gangster Gangubai Kothewali. Priyanka has signed her fourth Hollywood project and is also reportedly gearing up for her wedding. The former Miss World, who made her Hollywood debut with Dwayne Johnson starrer Baywatch in 2017 is on board Cowboy Ninja Viking opposite Chris Pratt. She has also been a part of a couple of more Hollywood films - A Kid Like Jake and Isn't it Romantic. According to an After Hrs report, PeeCee has reportedly opted out of Bhansali's film. She had worked with him in Bajirao Mastani and had essayed the role of Kashibai in the magnum opus co-starring Ranveer Singh (as Bajirao) and Deepika Padukone (as Mastani). She had also done a 'special song' in the filmmaker's Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela featuring Ranveer and Deepika in the lead roles. SLB was keen to make Gangubai with PC. But after she signed up for her next Hollywood film, Cowboy Ninja Viking opposite Chris Pratt, shes not doing the gangster flick and hes put off his plans of making it in the near future, After Hrs quoted an informer as saying. She was in India along with Nick in the last week of June. The rumoured couple painted the town red with their budding romance. Right from the time, they landed at the city's international airport to the moment they left for the US, PeeCee and her beau left their fans enchanted. They walked hand-in-hand at Akash Ambani and Shloka Mehta's Mehendi ceremony and pre-engagement bash and looked very much in love. Nick and Priyanka even flew to Goa along with the Chopras to spend some family time. The two are sporting identical rings. The promise or pre-engagement rings on their fingers prove that Nick and Priyanka have taken their relationship to the next level. Before visiting India with Nick, Priyanka reportedly met his family in the US. She also attended his cousin's wedding! This gave rumour mills more reasons to speculate about their blossoming love. Priyanka met Jonas at the Met Gala 2017 event for the first time. New Delhi: Ever since Akshay Kumar backed out of Gulshan Kumar biopic titled 'Mogul', speculation has kicked off regarding who is set to fill in his shoes. The ambitious project will be produced under the banner of Bhushan Kumar's T-Series. Rumours were rife that Sushant Singh Rajput might be seen playing the titular character of Gulshan Kumar in 'Mogul'. However, the truth is finally out now. Sushant ventured into entrepreneurship with the launch of Innsaei Ventures in partnership with entrepreneur Varun Mathur. The official spokesperson of Innsaei Ventures has clarified over the 'Mogul' rumour. He said, This has reference to the speculation stating that Sushant Singh Rajput is working in Mogul. These are completely baseless rumours. Sushant Singh Rajput is not associated with the film and we deny his involvement in the project. There has not been any announcement regarding the final casting of the project as yet. Meanwhile, Sushant is currently busy with 'Drive' starring Jacqueline Fernandez in the lead. He will be seen in 'Kedarnath' which marks the debut of Sara Ali Khan. The film is helmed by Abhishek Kapoor. Also, Sushant has 'Sonchiriya' and 'Kizie Aur Manny' in his kitty. The actor has a packed calendar for this and coming year. New Delhi: India`s biggest full-service carrier Jet Airways Ltd has refuted reports of stake sale, terming them as factually incorrect as well as malicious. Jet Airways (India) Limited would like to clarify that recent media reports about the sustainability of the airline are not only factually incorrect, but also malicious. The airline would also like to deny any conjecture of a stake sale, the company said in a statement. Indian aviation is experiencing strong growth and Jet Airways is well placed to be a part of this growth story. The company is committed to create a growth-oriented, sustainable future and a revitalized experience armed with the addition of 225 B737-MAX fuel efficient aircraft, which will be inducted in its fleet over the next decade, with 11 being inducted this fiscal. This envisioned growth will in fact, require additional human capital, the company said. The company, part owned by Etihad Airways, had net debt of 81.5 billion rupees ($1.2 billion) as of end-March with the bulk of it being US dollar denominated. Last week, some media reported quoted that the company had asked its senior staff and pilots to take a pay cut. Jet said that in line with the company's stated focus of creating a healthier and more resilient business, it has been implementing several measures to reduce costs as well as realize higher revenues, for desired business efficiencies. Some of these areas amongst others include, sales and distribution, payroll, maintenance and fleet simplification, the company added. As part of these measures, the Company has been in dialogue with all its key stakeholders internal and external. The dialogue with employees, has been to apprise them of the challenges being faced by the aviation sector in India and by the Company in particular, with an intent to enlist their full support and cooperation for realizing necessary savings across all business functions, Jet said in its official release. SUKMA: Fourteen Naxals were on Monday killed in an encounter with security forces near Sukma's Konta and Golapalli police station limits. Sixteen weapons have been recovered from them. The gunbattle took place on Monday morning in a forest area in south Sukma, around 500 km from Raipur, Deputy Inspector General (anti-naxal operations) Sundarraj P said. Search operation is underway. There have been at least two encounters in the first week of August itself in Chhattisgarh. Chief Minister Raman Singh had appealed to Naxals to surrender and join the mainstream warning that the security forces were ready to "finish" them. Singh said that due to the action by security forces, the state was heading in the direction of finishing the Naxal menace. "The state government has given a strong message to Naxals that they should join the mainstream. Either they should surrender or security forces are ready to finish them. Now there is no way left for them," Singh had said. He also urged the tribal population in the state to support the government to get rid of Left Wing Extremism. Earlier on August 3, one naxal was killed and two policemen were injured in an encounter at a weekly market in Bijapur in Chhattisgarh. The encounter took place when a police team was patrolling the area to ensure protection to the weekly market. "A group of 15 to 20 naxalites, dressed as civilians, opened fire on two jawans and also attacked them with sharp weapons in a bid to kill them and loot their weapons, like in the previous attacks committed by ultras during the weekly markets," Bijapur Superintendent of Police Mohit Garg had said. On August 1, a CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) jawan was injured in the blast of an improvised explosive device (IED) triggered by Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district. The incident took place under the limits of Basaguda police station when a team of CoBRA battalion -- an elite unit of the CRPF -- was out on a `search-cum-area domination' operation. The team had set out from Sarkeguda. The IED went off when it was cordoning off a jungle in the area. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested 19 people, including six customs officials, in connection with an organised smuggling racket. The arrests were made at Trichy International Airport in Tamil Nadu on Monday. The Madurai unit of the CBI said that the smugglers were running the organised racket in connivance with customs officials. They used to smuggle gold, alcohol and cigarettes without paying any custom duty on the products. Several officers were bribed as part of the racket. Officials said that aides of smugglers used to be stationed at arrival gate, incoming passengers took money from them and paid it to custom officials. A case in this regard has been filed under Sections 120-B of the Indian Penal Code. The suspected offences mentioned in the FIR, a copy of which has been accessed by Zee Media, include criminal conspiracy, public servant taking undue advantage and bribing public servant. As per the FIR, the goods were smuggled from countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, among others. The nexus was exposed in a joint surprise check at the Trichy Airport. It has been learnt from a reliable source that the customs officers posted in Trichy International Airport are indulging in corrupt practices by the way of regularly obtaining undue advantage in form of illegal gratification from smugglers/carriers bringing trade goods from countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and other countries for allowing them to smuggle trade goods without paying customs duty, says the FIR. New Delhi: A demand for measures to control the burgeoning population in the country was made in the Rajya Sabha on Monday with ruling BJP members stating that development work will be outpaced by such a high rate of growth. Raising the issue through a Zero Hour mention, Ashok Bajpai (BJP) said India will by 2022 overtake China to be the world's most populous country in the world and by 2050 would house 1.66 billion people. "Some steps need to be taken to control the population," he said. Population growth will outpace development work, he said. Supporting the issue, Vijay Pal Singh Tomar (BJP) said India's population has increased from 36 crore at the time of Independence to an estimated 135 crore now. It is increasing at the rate of 2 crore people per annum. India has just 2.4 per cent of total landmass on earth but 17.5 per cent of the world population, he said. He said children were being born in the name of 'Bhagwan' and 'Allah'." Javed Ali Khan (SP) raised the issue of several institutions, which were created for education and financing needs of minorities, lying almost defunct in absence of timely appointments. He said the Maulana Azad Educational Foundation has no director for three years and only six months back an appointment made, he said, adding there was no chairman of the National Minority Development Financial Corporation for a similar period and a head was appointed only three months back. No appointment has been made at the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities since it submitted a report two years back, he said. Noting that the National Commission for Minority Institutions does not have a chairman or member for the past four years, he said the functioning of the institution which gives recognition to a minority institution is paralysed and over 7,000 applications pending. While Manish Gupta (TMC) raised the issue of acute shortage of anti-rabies vaccination in West Bengal, Ram Kumar Kashyap (Ind) wanted village panchyats with no land of their own to be identified and assistance given to them. Ravi Prakash Verma (SP) alleged a bank manager-broker nexus in giving loans to enterprises on commission basis under the Mudra Yojana. Anil Baluni (BJP) wanted a unit of NDRF to be permanently stationed in his home state of Uttarakhand which has witnessed natural calamities like cloud burst and floods caused by heavy rainfall. L Hanumanthaiah (Congress) wanted the mechanism of regional recruitment boards for filling vacancies at banks be restored in place of a centralised recruitment process so as to give persons with knowledge of local language preference. Motilal Vora (Congress) wanted strict punishment to human traffickers while Ram Vichar Netam (BJP) demanded food items be sold at airports at MRP. Husain Dalwai (Congress) raised the issue of Maratha agitation in Maharashtra over demand for quota in education and jobs. New Delhi: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday said that even if their throats are slit, they will continue to be Muslims. Owaisi's statement comes after there were reports that a Muslim man was forcibly shaved off in Haryana. "A Muslim man's beard was shaved off. Those who did it, I am telling them and their fathers, even if you slit our throat, we'll be Muslims," he told news agency ANI. Owaisi further said, "We'll convert you to Islam and will make you keep a beard." On Thursday, unidentified persons allegedly shaved off a Muslim youth's beard in Sector 29 Gurugram. Yunus entered into a verbal fight with a couple of unknown persons. Following the altercation, the group forcibly cut off his beard. According to media reports, the incident took place inside a saloon. The youth was dragged to a nearby saloon by the miscreants where the beard was shaved off. The victim registered a First Information Report in Sector 29 Gurugram Police Station. A police investigation has been initiated. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued warning of heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh. It is also reported that the temperature has dipped by 4 to 5 degrees than normal temperatures. Increase in the humidity level in all regions has also been reported. IMD Director for Shimla, Manmohan Singh on Monday told ANI that heavy to very heavy rainfall in all the districts is expected over the next 48 hours. "Humidity is at 100% in all regions," Singh added. According to media reports, heavy rainfall across Himachal Pradesh caused landslides in several places on Monday. Landslides are a common occurrence in the Monsoon season in the state with many roads getting regularly blocked due to falling stones and boulders. Apart from posing a threat to life, heavy rainfall also makes it a challenge to drive in mountainous terrain. Heavy rainfall has been lashing throughout the country including states like Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Reports of waterlogging in various cities such as Kanpur and Dehradun came in. New Delhi: Continuing with his central theme of attacking BJP and RSS on issues of intolerance, Shashi Tharoor on Sunday said that goons would throw engine oil at Swami Vivekananda if he came to India of today. The senior Congress leader was speaking at an event in Thiruvananthapuram and in the presence of social activist Swami Agnivesh. "I am convinced if Swami Vivekananda were to come to today's India, he would be the target of these goondas that Swami Agnivesh has been," he said. "They will bring engine oil to throw at his face and will also try to knock him down on the streets because Swami Vivekananda would be saying, respect people. He would say humanity is more important." Swami Agnivesh was beaten, allegedly by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) workers, in Pakur in Jharkhand last month. Tharoor, a very vocal critic of what he says is increasing instances of violence and religious intolerance in the country, also - and once again - trained guns on BJP directly. "After the ascent of BJP in power in Delhi and subsequently their rise in power in 21 states, we have seen a widespread rise in incidents of communal violence. People are being assaulted in the name of protecting cows. The government says 70 incidents of cow-related violence has been recorded since independence. 68 of these have been in the last four years. I can rest my case there," he said. He didn't rest his case. Accusing the Centre of looking the other way, Tharoor went on to say that PM Narendra Modi is guilty of being silent. "Not once has he stood up and addressed the nation to condemn acts of violence despite having 68 opportunities to do so in the last four years." This was hardly the first time Tharoor made a scathing attack against BJP. Last month, he had warned of 'Hindu Pakistan' if BJP won elections in 2019. There was massive backlash after this comment with his office in Kerala being attacked and BJP workers showing him black flags. NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended the license of the two pilots who were involved in a runway excursion incident in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The Jet Airways flight had rejected takeoff from taxiway at Riyadh on August 3. An investigation into the incident is underway. The airline said that it is in contact with the DGCA and has extended its co-operation regarding the probe into the incident. Jet Airways aid that it will continue to adhere to all requirements as laid down by the regulator. "The matter is currently under investigation & we can't comment on this issue," a Jet Airways spokesperson said. Nearly 150 people were on board the Mumbai-bound Jet Airways flight from Riyadh when the incident took place. All passengers and crew members escaped unhurt. "Our flight 9W523 with 142 guests and 7 crew members from Riyadh to Mumbai of 3rd August aborted takeoff and departed the runway at Riyadh Airport. All our guests and crew have been evacuated safely with no reported injuries," the airline had said. DGCA had then said that the pilots aborted take off after they were informed about a "barrier" in the runway. The aircraft was taxing at 100 knot. It veered off the runway due to sudden stopping, the official said. "Currently the event involving flight 9W 523 is being investigated by local regulatory authorities and our teams are providing full co-operation as necessary. At Jet Airways the safety of our guests and crew is of paramount importance," read another tweet of the airline. Chennais Kauvery hospital has confirmed that the health condition of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi declined on Monday. In the latest bulletin released on the former Tamil Nadu chief ministers health, the hospital said that maintaining Karunanidhis vital organ functions remained a challenge. There has been decline in the medical condition of Kalaignar Dr M Karunanidhi, DMK President and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Maintaining his vital organ functions continues to remain a challenge considering his age related ailments, read the bulletin. His is on continuous monitoring and being treated with active medical support. His response to the medical interventions over the next 24 hours will determine the prognosis, it further read. Chennai's Kauvery Hospital issues the medical bulletin of DMK Chief M Karunanidhi; states a decline in his medical condition. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/CSCUfOuE49 ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2018 Tamil Nadu Congress unit chief S Thirunavukkarasar had earlier said that there was some setback in Karunanidhis health on Monday morning, adding that the condition had improved since then. After visiting the DMK patriarch in the hospital, he had said, "There was some setback in his health in the morning, after that it is improving. He is still under doctors' observation and treatment. I pray to God for his speedy recovery." Kauvery Hospital, where DMK leader and veteran politician is currently admitted, had last week said that the 94-year-old needs to be kept for an extended period 'due to age-related overall decline in his health.' Karunanidhi was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital after his blood pressure dropped. His health deteriorated later, leading to well-wishers and party cadres flocking to the hospital. Over the days since he has been hospitalised, at least 21 dedicated workers of the party lost their lives after they were unable to bear the "shock" of his illness. DMK working president MK Stalin, while mourning the death of 21 DMK members over Karunanidhi's ill health, had appealed to the cadres not to take any extreme step and maintain calm. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said the economic security of the common people has been jeopardised since the introduction of demonetisation and asked the central government to probe reports of ATM frauds. Banerjee said her party Trinamool Congress (TMC) would take up the issue in Parliament "very soon" about the large number of incidents of fraudulent ATM withdrawals in Kolkata and elsewhere. The Finance Ministry should also look into reports of ATM frauds due to which people were affected. Investigations should be held to find out who are behind these frauds, she told reporters in Kolkata. On the implementation of demonetisation, the TMC chief said, "In a country where there are no bank branches in many remote areas, in a country of poor people, the Centre has introduced plastic economy. Such a move has taken away the economic security of the common people." "Without crosschecking the situation in the country, they (the Centre) have introduced digital economy putting the common man in great difficulty," Banerjee said. State Consumer Affairs Minister Sadhan Pande, after a meeting with bank and police officials, said banks today said a new mechanism in ATM operation would be introduced by 2020 to prevent frauds. The meeting was held to discuss ways to restore the confidence of consumers following the incidents of fraudulent withdrawals from ATMs. "Our primary task is to restore the confidence of the panicky consumers and instil in them a feeling that their money is protected," he told reporters. The minister said he had suggested that all ATMs should be linked with local police stations for direct monitoring to prevent such fraudulent acts. Review of the CCTV camera footage of ATM kiosks should be done on a regular basis by banks, Pande said. The minister said authorities of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have assured cooperation to ensure safe service through ATMs. A senior police official said two nationalised banks have assured people, who lost their money in fraudulent ATM withdrawals in the city, of repaying their lost amounts. A special investigating team has been formed to probe the incidents and two Romanians were arrested from New Delhi for their alleged involvement in the fraudulent withdrawals from ATMs. Investigations are on to ascertain whether the two have links with their fellow countrymen held from other cities in similar cases, police said. The two Romanians were brought to the city from New Delhi on transit remand and were remanded to 14 days in police custody on August 5. NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday alleged that the Narendra Modi government had itself tried to stall the NRC process by appealing to the Supreme Court that such a move could lead to law and order issues. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said the Attorney General of India had used the fear of violence to delay the implementation of NRC in the Supreme Court in 2017, for which he was reprimanded by the top court. "The Shah of lies and the Shahenshah of Jumlas tried their best to stall NRC. I will tell you how they hatched a conspiracy to stop, delay and disrupt the NRC process," said Khera. This statement from the Congress came a day after the party staked ownership of Assam's National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise by calling it "a baby of the Congress party," born as a consequence of the Assam Accord signed by former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1985. Accusing BJP president Amit Shah of speaking lies in Parliament about the government's show of courage to implement NRC, Khera said the date, November 30, 2017, when the SC came down heavily on the Union government will be remembered in history. "On November 30, 2017, Supreme Court of India came down heavily on the Modi government for its excuses to delay the NRC in Assam. The Attorney General of India gave the excuse of fear of violence," he said. Khera said the SC had lashed out at the AG and criticised the government's "sheer inaction" and dragging the matter for more than three years on the excuse of impending violence and law and order situation. The court, Khera said, had additionally criticised the government over the AG's statement that part publication of the draft NRC could result in a law and order situation as a large segment of people would understand that their name have been excluded from the draft NRC. "We do not see how the aforesaid situation can even remotely arise as we have already indicated in the earlier part of the present order that claims of 47 lakh persons (regarding whom the doubt pertained to parental linkage) and 29 lakh persons (married women who had submitted Gram Panchayat Secretary Certificates) are still pending and would be subject to verification and covered by publication of another draft NRC at a subsequent point of time," Khera said quoting the SC. He said it was shocking that the Union government's highest legal officer made this submission in the apex court. "We demand that the Modi government apologise to the people of Assam for attempting to stall NRC in the Supreme Court of India. "We also demand to know what is the stand of this government, which on the one hand seeks to give citizenship rights through the proposed Citizenship Amendment Bill (2016) to all those who migrated to India before 31 December, 2014 and on the other hand is playing politics with NRC," Khera said, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal who, he said, had no right to be the CM of a state that his party "so shamelessly cheated" in the Supreme Court on the issue of NRC. Bihar deputy chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushil Kumar Modi has come out in defence of states social welfare minister Manju Verma, who has been targeted by opposition parties in connection with Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case. While the opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has said that the sexual assault of 34 girls at Muzaffarpur shelter home case is because of laxity on the part of Janata Dal United (JDU) leader Manju Verma, some reports also said that her husband has been accused of visiting the shelter home a few times. Rallying in support of the minister, Sushil Kumar Modi took to microblogging site Twitter saying that the BJP was fully in support of Manju Verma, citing that there were no charges against her. He also attacked RJDs Tejashwi Yadav, without naming him, citing the alleged railway tender scam. Bjp is fully in support of Manju https://t.co/jOWaqVq6q7 charges against her.Those who have been chargesheeted & summoned by CBI court in Rly tender scam,whose 2 doz benami property attached by ED & ITax are lecturing us on morality. Sushil Kumar Modi (@SushilModi) August 6, 2018 Bjp is fully in support of Manju Verma. No charges against her.Those who have been chargesheeted & summoned by CBI court in Rly tender scam,whose 2 doz benami property attached by ED & ITax are lecturing us on morality, tweeted Modi. Notably, senior BJP leader CP Thakur had earlier demanded the resignation of Manju Verma over the Muzaffarpur shelter home case. He had said that the JDU leader must take moral responsibility for the case and quit his position. Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reiterated that it was a shameful incident which had soiled every Biharis image. He also hit back at the opposition parties over recent protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capital, saying the dharna was held so that debate on corruption is scuttled. "It is a shameful incident. It has soiled every bihari's image. But, its a bihari only who initiated independent enquiry into the case. I am not concerned about my image,I work with utmost commitment. Its public who will judge it," said Nitish Kumar. It appears that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress party are not on the same page over demanding resignation of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in connection Muzaffapur shelter home rape case. While the RJD is gunning for the Chief Minister, the Congress reportedly wants the resignation of only Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma. Pointing that Nitish Kumar had resigned as Union Railways Minister taking moral responsibility of Gaisal rail disaster, RJD leader Professor Chandrashekhar said, Nitish Kumar had resigned in the Vajpayee government taking moral responsibility for Gaisal train accident. Now 34 girls were raped under his nose, so he should take moral responsibility for the same and resign. However, the Congress believes that the time has not yet come for Nitish Kumar to quit. According to Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Nitish Kumar should for now make Manju Verma resign. Besides, there are dissenting voices among the RJD as well on the issue. Gayaghat MLA Maheshwar Yadav, who is a member of the RJD, has said that Nitish Kumar is not at fault in Muzaffarpur shelter home case, instead the government was doing a good job is getting the culprits punished. The RJD leader said that the demand of the opposition parties for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) weakened the case. Meanwhile, the BJP has rallied behind Nitish Kumar and Manju Verma, saying there was no need for them to resign over the case. Taking to Twitter, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said that there were no charges against Manju Verma and the BJP stood in support of the minister. This comes just days after the RJD organised a massive protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capital over the issue. The protest was spearheaded by RJD leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav and joined by other opposition leaders, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, among others. NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Constitution 123rd Amendment Bill, 2017 granting a constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). It also passed the National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017 which seeks to repeal the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. The Act established the National Commission for Backward Classes. The Commission has the power to examine requests for inclusion and exclusion of backward classes, and advise the central government in this regard. The National Commission for Backward Classes Bill states that the repeal of the Act will not affect: (i) any rights, privileges or liabilities acquired under the Act, (ii) any penalty incurred because of previous violation of the Act, or (iii) other acts that may have been done under previous operation of the Act. The Bill was introduced alongside the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017 that provides for setting up of the National Commission of Backward Classes under the Constitution. Currently, under the Constitution, the NCSC has the power to look into complaints and welfare measures with regard to Scheduled Castes, backward classes and Anglo-Indians. The Bill seeks to remove the power of the NCSC to examine matters related to backward classes. The NCBC is a body set up under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. It has the power to examine complaints regarding inclusion or exclusion of groups within the list of backward classes, and advise the central government in this regard. The Bill seeks to establish the NCBC under the Constitution, and provide it the authority to examine complaints and welfare measures regarding socially and educationally backward classes. The Lok Sabha had passed the bill unanimously on Thursday. All members present in the lower house voted in favour of the bill with over two-third majority. Patna: In the wake of the Muzaffarpur sex scandal case at a state-funded shelter home, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday directed all district magistrates to inspect child shelter homes and women shelter homes across the state. He also ordered adequate security arrangements to be made at the shelter homes. A team of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has reached Muzaffarpur for further investigation after getting all documents from Social Welfare Department, Patna and TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences) in connection with the case. Patna High Court has, meanwhile, asked the intelligence agency and the state government for a detailed action report on in the matter. "The matter should be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the High Court should monitor their investigation," Nitish Kumar said. More than 40 girls had been lodged at the shelter home and medical reports suggest that over half of them may have had sexual intercourse at some point of time. The alleged sex scandal in Muzaffarpur surfaced in a social audit conducted by Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Following this, FIR was lodged by the state social welfare department in June, which led to the arrest of 10 people. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders are demanding the resignation of Bihar's social welfare department minister Manju Verma, alleging her involvement in the sex scandal case. Her husband, Chandrasekhar Verma, has reportedly been accused of visiting the Muzaffarpur shelter home frequently. Nitish Kumar said, "If someone related to the Minister is involved, they won't be spared. But why is this issue being raised only now? We had called her and she denied any involvement. How is it justified to level baseless allegations?" BJP MP Gopal Narayan Singh said, "Since their names (Manju Verma and her husband) have appeared during the investigation she should've resigned for an impartial investigation. Nitish ji should also tell her to stay suspended until all investigations are done." The NGO running the shelter home has been blacklisted and all the girls have been moved to shelter homes in other districts while the premises has been sealed. Responding to Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor's remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi not wearing Muslim skull cap, Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju, on Monday asked the Congress party to apologise immediately. Congress leader Tharoor had earlier on Monday attacked PM Modi by questioning as to why he refuses to wear Muslim skull caps. Why does PM refuse to wear a Muslim skull cap? Have seen him in hilarious Naga head dress & various extraordinary outfits, Tharoor said. According to news agency ANI, Rijiju said that Congress should apologise for the remark and stated that Naga dresses are part of our tradition and cultural outfit. Rijiju took to Twitter and demanded an apology from the Congress party for insulting the North East and Tribals. In the tweet, Rijiju said that Tharoor through his comments described Naga headgears as funny looking. I demand apology from the Congress Party for insulting the people of India's North East & Tribals. Shashi Tharoor described North-East people & Naga Tribal headgears as funny looking outlandish & hilarious. Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 6, 2018 BJP's national general secretary Ram Madhav also responded to Tharoor's statement saying the remarks are 'shocking and condemnable'. Madhav told ANI, "Shocking and condemnable he's making such irresponsible statements on Indian cultures and traditions. He should learn to respect all customs." Tharoor's statement came while he was addressing a seminar with the theme 'Standing up to hatred; Violence and intolerance in contemporary India' in Thiruvananthapuram. Coming down heavily on the BJP-led government at the Centre, the Congress veteran claimed that communal violence and killing in the name of cow vigilantism had increased in the last four years. He alleged that as per Home Ministry statistics 2,920 incidents of communal violence had occurred in the country in the last four years, leaving 389 people dead and scores injured. Tharoor said that such incidents had increased as Modi had not come out openly and condemned the killings. New Delhi: Highlighting that the capital is currently in the grips of a massive waste management crisis, the Supreme Court on Monday admonished Lt. Governor Anil Baijal for not having a tough and immediate plan to tackle the problem. Taking a grim view of the problem of garbage disposal in Delhi, the apex court said that there is a health crisis already. "1800 tons of garbage is collected daily from just south Delhi. Your waste management plant will start in December. Do you have an idea how much garbage will get accumulated by then? More than 7 lakh tons," the court told LG. "There is an emergency in Delhi but your reaction is not like that. You have no idea." The top court also cited a report released by Sir Gangaram Hospital which says that half of the city's population is at risk of contracting lung cancer. "You cannot just take garbage from one house and dump it in another. You will have to come up with solutions. People of Sonia Vihar are correct in complaining. Because they are underprivileged, you want to create a hillock of garbage near their homes?" Residents of Sonia Vihar had protested against garbage being dumped near their homes. This is not the first time that the LG has had to face massive flak for the garbage problem in the city. Last month, SC had flayed him for not handling the garbage problem effectively and also for not attending a crucial meeting which dealt with the issue. "You (LG) say, I have the power. I am a superman. But you don't do anything," the court had observed. The LG, on his part, had conveyed that a new waste management plant is under works and that it cannot come up overnight. The court though maintained its position and has now given time till August 17 for a master plan to be presented. Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi has said that the Muzaffarpur and Deoria shelter home sexual abuse cases in Bihar makes her sad. The minister, however, added that she knew there would be many more such shelter homes because no attention has been paid to them for years. Speaking to news agency ANI, Maneka Gandhi said, Its not only frightening, it makes me sad. I know there will be many more because for years and years, we have paid no attention, apart from giving them money. #WATCH: Union Minister Maneka Gandhi says, "Yeh jo Muzaffarpur aur Deoria main hua hai, ussey hum log chakit bhi hain aur dukhi bhi. Aur mujhe maloom hai ki aise bahut saare jagah niklenge." pic.twitter.com/6PqedNFEiT ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2018 She further said that Members of Parliament must visit the shelter homes in their constituencies and submit reports on the same. Assuring immediate action, she said, I propose that MPs go to institutions in their constituencies and give me reports. I'll take immediate action. A long-term solution is to make large homes for 1000 women, 1000 children, with all-women staff rather than small centres. I'll sanction money, said the Union Minister. This comes after the Patna High Court on Monday sought in report on the Muzaffarpur shelter home from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Bihar government. The court said that the report must be submitted within two weeks. The court also details from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led JDU-BJP government about the rehabilitation of the inmates rescued from the Muzaffarpur shelter home. The Patna High Court also accepted the state government's appeal to hold High Court-monitored CBI inquiry and conduct a speedy trial in a special court. Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar directed all district magistrates to inspect child shelter homes and women shelter homes across the state. He has also ordered adequate security arrangements to be made at the shelter homes. He termed the case as a "shameful incident", which had soiled the image of all those who hail from Bihar. He also hit back at the opposition parties over recent protest organised by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) at Jantar Mantar in the national capital, saying the dharna was held so that debate on corruption is scuttled. Thiruvananthapuram: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning him why does he refuse to wear Muslim skull caps. "PM Modi wears everything but a Muslim skull cap," Tharoor said. He further asked why does the Prime Minister refuse to wear the colour green. Tharoor's statement came while he was addressing a seminar with the theme 'Standing up to hatred; Violence and intolerance in contemporary India' in Thiruvananthapuram. Coming down heavily on the BJP led government at the Centre, the Congress veteran claimed that communal violence and killing in the name of cow vigilantism had increased in the last four years. He alleged that as per Home Ministry statistics 2,920 incidents of communal violence had occurred in the country in the last four years, leaving 389 people dead and scores injured. Tharoor said that such incidents had increased as Modi had not come out openly and condemned the killings. The seminar was organised by the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies, run by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee. Addressing the seminar, social activist Swami Agnivesh, who was allegedly thrashed by BJP youth wing workers in Jharkhand, hit out at PM Modi claiming that he along with party chief Amit Shah had captured BJP and the RSS. "In a way everything, he (Modi) is like a dictator like Adolf Hitler... Hitler also came to power through democracy and not by an army coup," Agnivesh said. (With inputs from PTI) New Delhi: In a veiled attack on Congress president Rahul Gandhi, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that he hugged the same person against whom the no-Confidence Motion was moved. "No-Confidence Motion was moved against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and they hug the same person against whom they moved the motion," he said. The Gandhi scion had hogged headlines for his speech during the failed no-confidence motion debate moved by the unified Opposition in the Lok Sabha. During the debate, Rahul, to everyone's surprise, embraced PM Modi, walking over to the treasury benches. Hitting out at the Congressmen, Owaisi further said had he been gone and shaken hands with PM Modi, a fatwa would have got issued against him. "If I had gone and shook hands with Modi, a fatwa would have got issued against me. But when he (Rahul Gandhi) hugged Modi, Congressmen didn't utter a word," the AIMIM chief said. Owaisi's statement comes days after the Congress president had taken everyone by surprise after he walked up to PM Modi's seat and hugged him after concluding his fiery speech in the Lok Sabha over the no-confidence motion. During his speech, Rahul Gandhi made a blistering attack on the Narendra Modi government but said that he and his party will handle all negativity of the ruling side with love and compassion. While Rahul Gandhi was praised by his party colleagues and other political leaders for hugging the PM, the ruling BJP termed it as a drama and cheap publicity stunt, which lowered the dignity of the PM's chair and the Parliament. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the hearing of petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A which empowers Jammu and Kashmir's legislature to define 'permanent residents' of the state and provide special rights to them. The apex court has placed the matter for hearing on August 27. The hearing was adjourned after one of the judges of the three-judge SC bench, justice DY Chandrachud, was absent. The court said that it will also decide whether the matter will be heard by a three-judge bench or five-judge bench. Article 35A of the Constitution grants special privileges to the residents of J&K and bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state. J&K Governor NN Vohra had earlier written to the apex court through the standing council of the state to defer the hearing scheduled for Monday. The state government had also filed an application before the Registrar of the Supreme Court, informing that it is going to seek an adjournment of the hearing of the petition in view of the "ongoing preparations for the upcoming Panchayat and urban local body and municipal elections in the state". Ahead of the hearing, separatist conglomerate Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) had called for a two-day complete shutdown on Sunday and Monday. Shops and business establishments have been closed across the Valley while all kinds of transport remained off the roads due to the strike called. Security forces have been deployed in strength at vulnerable places in the city and elsewhere in Kashmir to maintain law and order. Protests have been held across the length and breadth of Kashmir over the past few days with mainstream parties like the National Conference and PDP also holding rallies in support of continuing Article 35-A. South Kolkatas iconic theatre Priya has been shut for at least a week. This comes after last nights fire in which parts of the theatre, owned by famed Tollywood bad-man Arijit Dutta, were gutted. Initial investigations have revealed that fire at a momo-shop on the ground floor spread even as Bangla film Happy Pill was playing out. Fingers are also being pointed at the theatre owners for violating basic fire norms. The fire department now says the fire could have started from one of the air-conditioning ducts in the theatre itself. A forensic team also visited the site today to look for clues on the causes of fire. We have told the theatre authorities to send an explanation within seven days. We had warned them the last time a fire broke out here. The emergency exits here are narrow and there could have been a big loss in yesterdays incident, said P Jagmohan, Kolkatas Director General of Fire Services. Safety norms of the theatre have been compromised on many fronts. Sovan Chatterjee, Kolkatas Mayor and West Bengals Minister in-charge of fire services reacted angrily and said, Running a restaurant in a multiplex is questionable. Peoples safety is paramount, and we will not spare anyone. Owner Arijit Dutta has promised to cooperate with the investigations but has refused to shut down the theatre for 7 days. Were not at fault. We cant stop the shows, but we will give all details to the police and fire department, Dutta said. Smoke was detected billowing out of the theatre near Deshapriya Park around 10:20 pm when the nigh show of Happy Pill turned into a bitter experience for many of Kolkatas cinema-goers. People rushed out of the theatre and as panic spread there was almost a stampede. Instead of coming out of the theatre, some people rushed up to the roof. They were later rescued by the fire services. Six fire tenders were pressed into service immediately. Windows of the theatre were broken to evacuate the smoke that had spread inside the theatre. There were no casualties or injuries to people inside the building. Local police at the spot had initially blamed a momo centre located on the ground floor of the complex for the fire. The eatery has been in operation for over a year now. Strangely the owners family lives in the same complex and managed to escape via an elevator when the fire started. This is the third instance of fire at the Priya theatre since 2013. A fire last broke out in the theatre in 2015 after which the theatre was renovated about 18 months ago. Questions are being raised on how the fire safety clearances were obtained despite repeated incidents. Fire safety in theatres came into sharp focus across India after over a 100 people were killed in the Uphaar theatre fire tragedy in 1997. New Delhi: Huawei sub-brand Honor is set to launch gaming-centric 'Honor Play' smartphone in India on Monday. The device, unveiled in China in June this year, will be an Amazon exclusive, said the listing on the e-commerce platform. Honor India has tweeted: Its Crazy Fast, its Crazy Smart And its coming your way in less than an hour!! Get ready for #HonorPlay ladies & gentlemen! #CrazyFastCrazySmart pic.twitter.com/ClIn83rpW7 Honor India (@HiHonorIndia) August 6, 2018 Honor Play is one of the first phones to feature the turbo GPU technology for gaming and overall performance. The device has a powerful Kirin 970 CPU accompanied by the new turbo GPU. The company on July 24 launched "Honor 9N" that comes with notch "Full View" display and 19:9 aspect ratio. The phone comes in three storage variants -- 3GB RAM +32GB internal storage at Rs 11,999, 4GB RAM +64GB onboard storage at Rs 13,999 and 4GB RAM+128GB internal storage variant at Rs 17,999. With 188 per cent growth, Honor was one of the fastest growing brand in India in the second quarter, registering a 3 per cent market share at the fifth place in Q2 2018, said Counterpoint Research in its latest report. With IANS Inputs Mumbai: A man who allegedly tried to rape a woman doctor in Malad in Mumbai later jumped off the building of a mall to allegedly save himself from the police. The incident took place on Sunday when a woman doctor was at her residence on the second floor of the Saiprasad building in Malad. A man, identified as 60-year-old Sherin Elen, allegedly entered the house of the woman and tried to rape her. When she shouted asking for help, he ran away. The accused also lived on the first floor of the same building The woman alleged that the man followed her from the ground floor to her residence and forced himself into the house. She also alleged that after she raised the alarm, the man attacked her with a hammer kept nearby. The woman was left severely injured on her head due to the attack. As people starting approaching the house to help her, the man fled from the scene. The woman then approached the Goregaon police to complain about the incident. While the police was searching for the accused, a team from the Bangur Nagar police gave the information that a man has jumped off from a mall in the locality and has died due to injuries. After the identification, it was found that the man was the same accused against whom the woman doctor had filed the complaint. Investigation into the case is currently underway. New Delhi: With virtual currency gaining traction among investors, government is planning to come out with its own cryptocurrency sources told Zee Media. Although Indian government has time and again reiterated that cryptocurrencies are not legal in India, sources told Zee Media that the government may come out with a framework on this by September this year. Sources also added that the government will also frame policy related to cryptocurrencies by the second week of September. The government is reportedly in talks with RBI and SEBI to come with a final guideline on virtual currency. Presenting his Budget speech, then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had clarified that crypto-currencies were illegal and the government would not recognise them. In April, the Reserve Bank had announced a study to explore introduction of fiat digital currencies which can be issued by it. An interdepartmental group was constituted to study and provide guidance on the "desirability and feasibility" to introduce a "central bank digital currency". It can be noted that across the world there has been heightened concerns over Bitcoins and their safety as they are not regulated by any governments/central banks, leading to concerns over money laundering. There were media reports that the government was mulling the introduction of its own virtual currency called "Laxmi", however nothing was officially announced. Mumbai: Haryana-born Kashish Thakur Pundir, the winner of the youth-based reality show 'MTV Roadies Xtreme', says he is enthusiastic about acting. Kashish was declared the winner of the show during its grand finale, which aired on MTV on Sunday. Talking about winning the show, Kashish told IANS: "I have no words to explain my feelings. 'Roadies Xtreme' was and will remain my most cherished experience. The fact that I was on the journey was such a big achievement in itself and winning the coveted title was icing on the cake." What's next? "I am really enthusiastic about acting. I want to give it a shot. Also, I do not want to leave my passion for fitness behind," he said. Featuring Nikhil Chinnapa, Neha Dhupia, Prince Narula and Raftaar as gang leaders of the show hosted by Rannvijay Singha, the 15th season started its journey from Shillong and concluded at Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh. Kashish was initially a part of gang Prince Narula but later Neha bought him in an auction task. Kashish said he was "pretty disappointed" with the swap. "I had completed half of the journey with Prince Narula and our bond had strengthened to such an extent that it could not be described in words. To be shuffled and sent to a rival gang was not something that I was expecting. It was extremely hard for me to win their trust but I am thankful to Neha ma'am for trusting me in the process," he said. Kashish, who has learnt jiu-jitsu, said his journey in gang Neha was full of ups and downs. "I had my moments of glory and I had an equal share of moments of despair. Ma'am is a very supportive gang leader and she has always let me take decisions for the gang," he said. However, Kashish is happy that things worked out in his favour in the show. "And I emerged as the title holder this year," he added. New Delhi: Famous for her role in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, television actress Rupali Ganguli suffered minor injuries when two bikers, in a fit of rage, attacked her car in Mumbai's Andheri area on Saturday morning. The actress took to her Twitter handle to narrate her horrific ordeal. Ganguli wrote that her car accidentally brushed against the car while she was on her way to drop her 5-year old son. "For the first time in my life I experienced #RoadRage!2 #Hooligans on a bike smashed my car window and kept hurling abuses at me in front of my 5yr old son!I dint note down the number or even take their pics-my only agenda was to get my petrified child n his caretaker to safety, Ganguli wrote on Twitter. For the first time in my life I experienced #RoadRage!2 #Hooligans on a bike smashed my car window and kept hurling abuses at me in front of my 5yr old son!I dint note down the number or even take their pics-my only agenda was to get my petrified child n his caretaker to safety! pic.twitter.com/YJVZYhIDzy Rupali Ganguli (@TheRupali) August 4, 2018 In a series of tweets, Rupali narrated how unapologetically the bikers thrashed the car window that hurt her and her child. "Went with my crying child straight to #versovapolice and filed and FIR.. seeing the state of my car and me bleeding they all rushed to help...but all they had was this screenshot from #goodshepardchurch.. we went back to the spot and looked for the #spiritofmumbai @MumbaiPolice, " her tweet read. Went with my crying child straight to #versovapolice and filed and FIR.. seeing the state of my car and me bleeding they all rushed to help...but all they had was this screenshot from #goodshepardchurch.. we went back to the spot and looked for the #spiritofmumbai @MumbaiPolice pic.twitter.com/G3A94OaDLM Rupali Ganguli (@TheRupali) August 4, 2018 Rupali also wrote about the people of Mumbai who did not help despite witnessing everything. "#spiritofmumbai does not exist!!!! The people just stood there watching two women and child being attacked in a car being by two #scums!I was on my way to drop my son to school at 8.20am! They all just stood and saw the #tamasha! Not one person came to help or intervene!, " she wrote #spiritofmumbai does not exist!!!! The people just stood there watching a two women and child being attacked in a car being by two #scums!I was on my way to drop my son to school at 8.20am! They all just stood and saw the #tamasha! Not one person came to help or intervene!! pic.twitter.com/HumDVdFUWt Rupali Ganguli (@TheRupali) August 4, 2018 "Only one woman on a bike and two women in a rickshaw came later and offered to help us!!! #women!!! Where were the #men ???? MumbaiPolice #thankyou for doing all that you guys do for this city which has the most #indifferent breed of people, " she added. Only one woman on a bike and two women in a rickshaw came later and offered to help us!!! #women!!! Where were the #men ???? @MumbaiPolice #thankyou for doing all that you guys do for this city which has the most #indifferent breed of people !!! pic.twitter.com/KEnVn6CRGH Rupali Ganguli (@TheRupali) August 4, 2018 "But By 9.30pm the #versovapolice had nabbed the culprits! I dont know how they did it but incredibly they had the #loosers in front of me to identify!!! #Kudos and #millionthanks @MumbaiPolice! This is the second time #versovapolice has been to my #rescue!." But By 9.30pm the #versovapolice had nabbed the culprits! I dont know how they did it but incredibly they had the #loosers in front of me to identify!!! #Kudos and #millionthanks @MumbaiPolice! This is the second time #versovapolice has been to my #rescue! Rupali Ganguli (@TheRupali) August 4, 2018 The actress thanked Mumbai Police for restoring their faith in humanity. "true #spiritofmumbai I found in @mumbaipolice !Thank you so much was restoring my childs faith that police will punish the bad guy #Versovapolice #Badguzar sir,#Om sir detection head,#mohite sir detection, #rakshe sir duty officer and #Jhende sir for always being there," her tweet read. true #spiritofmumbai I found in @mumbaipolice !Thank you so much was restoring my childs faith that police will punish the bad guys #Versovapolice #Badguzar sir,#Om sir detection head,#mohite sir detection, #rakshe sir duty officer and #Jhende sir for always being there Rupali Ganguli (@TheRupali) August 4, 2018 "These were the guys! The one on the left broke the glass with a punch! Wish he would put his strength to better use than scaring women and children #RoadRage @MumbaiPolice, " Rupali tweeted. These were the guys! The one on the left broke the glass with a punch ! Wish he would put his strength to better use than scaring women and children #RoadRage @MumbaiPolice pic.twitter.com/Kn6GeETjJh Rupali Ganguli (@TheRupali) August 4, 2018 Rupali is known for her roles in Kahaani Ghar Ghar, Sanjivani, Paravarish to name a few. China said on Sunday that it has successfully tested its waverider hypersonic aircraft which is capable of flying independently and of carrying nuclear warheads. State-run Global Times reported that the Xingkong-2 - also called Starry Sky-2 - was fired at a target range in north-west China and tested for 10 minutes. During its independent flight, Xingkong-2 - designed by China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics reached an altitude of 30 kilometres at Mach 5.5. It is reported that Xingkong-2 is a flight vehicle which flies in the atmosphere and glides at high speeds using shockwaves generated by its own hypersonic flight with the air. It can reportedly carry nuclear warheads and break past anti-missile defence systems currently in use the world over. This is primarily because Xingkong-2 has an unpredictable trajectory and has a superior in-flight speed to cruise and ballistic missiles. While there is no word on when it would be officially handed over to the country's military, there are more tests expected in coming months. Those in the know say that Xingkong-2 can eventually be used for both tactical and strategic operations. China has been modernising its military and aims to become a major manufacturer of weapons systems in the times to come. Numerous reports in the Chinese media have said that Beijing desires to be at par with the United States and Russia when it comes to military might and prowess. Washington: US President Donald Trump acknowledged on Sunday that his son met with Russians in 2016 at Trump Tower to get information on his election opponent Hillary Clinton, saying it was "totally legal" and "done all the time in politics." The Republican president had previously said the meeting was about the adoption of Russian children by Americans. Trump`s morning Twitter post was his most direct statement on the purpose of the meeting, though his son and others have said it was to gather damaging information on the Democratic candidate. In a post on Twitter, Trump also denied reports in the Washington Post and CNN that he was concerned his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., could be in legal trouble because of the meeting with the Russians, including a lawyer with Kremlin ties. He repeated that he had not known about the meeting in advance. "Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower. This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!" Trump said. Political campaigns routinely pursue opposition research on their opponents, but not with foreign representatives from a country viewed as an adversary. Russian officials were under U.S. sanctions at the time. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is examining whether Trump campaign members coordinated with Russia to sway the White House race in his favor. One part of the inquiry has focused on June 9, 2016, meeting at Trump Tower in New York between Donald Jr., other campaign aides and a group of Russians. An email released by Donald Jr. himself showed he had been keen on the meeting because his father`s campaign was being offered potentially damaging information on Clinton. Donald Jr. said later he realized the meeting was primarily aimed at lobbying against the 2012 Magnitsky sanctions law, which led to Moscow denying Americans the right to adopt Russian orphans. President Trump has repeatedly denied that his campaign worked with Moscow, saying "No Collusion!" Last week, however, he adopted his lawyers` tactics and insisted "collusion is not a crime." While collusion is not a technical legal charge, Mueller could bring conspiracy charges if he finds that any campaign member worked with Russia to break U.S. law. Working with a foreign national with the intent of influencing a U.S. election could violate multiple laws, according to legal experts. CNN reported last month that Michael Cohen, the president`s longtime personal lawyer, was willing to tell Mueller that Trump did know about the Trump Tower meeting in advance. Trump`s lawyers and the White House have given conflicting accounts about whether Trump was involved in crafting Donald Jr.`s response to a New York Times article last summer revealing the Trump Tower meeting with the adoptions rationale. Trump`s lawyers acknowledged in a letter to Mueller`s team in January 2018 that Trump dictated the response, according to the Times. Trump has stepped up his public attacks on the Mueller probe since the first trial to arise from it began last week in Alexandria, Virginia, involving former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. The federal tax and bank fraud charges Manafort faces are not related to the Trump campaign but Manafort`s close relations with Russians and a Kremlin-backed Ukrainian politician are under scrutiny in the trial. One of the president`s personal lawyers said on Sunday that if Trump is subpoenaed by the special counsel, his lawyers will attempt to quash it in court. Any legal battle over whether the president can be compelled to testify could go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, the lawyer, Jay Sekulow, said on ABC`s "This Week." U.S. intelligence agencies concluded last year that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election on Trump`s behalf. Putin has denied his government was involved. American intelligence officials say Russia is targeting the November congressional elections, which will determine whether or not Republicans keep control of both chambers of the U.S. Congress. ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan has been formally nominated as his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) candidate for Pakistan Prime Minister. The decision was taken in PTI's Parliamentary party meeting held on Monday. During the meetings, Khan said that as the Prime Minister, he will personally answer questions for an hour every week. A resolution in favour of Khan's nomination as the party's parliamentary leader was placed in the meeting which was unanimously accepted. It was likely that during the meeting, the decision will be taken on the names of federal cabinet members. The party was also expected to finalise the names of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief ministers. PTI spokesman Fawad Chaudhry said that the PTI has the support of 174 members of the National Assembly and 186 in the Punjab Assembly, which is sufficient to elect the leaders of each house. Pakistan's National Assembly comprises a total of 342 members, of which 272 are directly elected. A party can only form the government if it manages to clinch 172 seats in total. The PTI had emerged in the lead with 116 NA seats in the polls. Political parties have been scrambling to make nominations for the keys posts ahead of the August 15 deadline for the first session of the national and provincial assemblies. Under the Constitution, the first session should be called within 21 days of elections. As the elections were held on July 25, it means that the national assembly and provincial assemblies should meet on or before August 15. Federal Law Minister Ali Zafar said last week that the caretaker wants to complete the transfer of power by August 15. London: Hamza bin Laden, the son of the late Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, has married the daughter of Mohammed Atta, the lead hijacker and one of the ringleaders of the September 2001 terror attacks in the US, according to the family. The marriage was confirmed by Osama bin Laden's half-brothers -- Ahmad and Hassan al-Attas -- during an interview with the Guardian. "We have heard he has married the daughter of Mohammed Atta," Ahmad al-Attas told the daily. "We`re not sure where he is, but it could be Afghanistan." The brothers said they believed Hamza had taken a senior position within Al Qaida and was aiming to avenge the death of his father who was shot dead during a US military raid in Pakistan`s Abbottabad town on May 2, 2011. Hamza is the son of one of Osama bin Laden`s three surviving wives, Khairiah Sabar, who was living with her husband in Abbottabad when he was killed. He has since made public statements urging followers to wage war on the US, the UK, France and Israel and is seen as a deputy to the terrorist group`s incumbent leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri. Western intelligence agencies have been increasingly focusing on Hamza`s whereabouts over the past two years. Another of Bin Laden`s sons, Khalid, was killed in the Abbottabad raid. A third, Saad, was killed in a drone strike in Afghanistan in 2009. Letters purportedly written by Osama bin Laden and seized from the compound suggested he was grooming Hamza to replace him. The late militant leader`s wives and surviving children have returned to Saudi Arabia, where they were given refuge by the former Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef. The women and children remain in close contact with Osama bin Laden`s mother, Alia Ghanem, who told the Guardian in a recent interview that she remained in regular touch with surviving family members. New York: A 50-year-old Sikh man was beaten up multiple times by two white men who yelled racial slurs that "You're not welcome here!, Go back to your country!" in the US state of California, prompting police to investigate the "heinous" hate crime, authorities said. The incident happened last week near the intersection of Keyes and Foote roads in California as the man was putting up campaign signs alone along a rural stretch on the outskirts of Keyes, the police was quoted as saying by The Sacramento Bee. Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said the assault is being investigated as a hate crime. "This is a random despicable criminal act against a member of the Sikh community," Christianson said. Sheriff Sergeant Tom Letras said the 50-year-old victim was placing signs for local candidates when two white men wearing black hooded sweatshirts ambushed him and beat him to the ground. He was struck multiple times as the assailants screamed, "You're not welcome here!" and "Go back to your country!" They then spray painted his truck, Letras said. "This is a heinous crime and we are aggressively investigating it," Letras said. The victim required medical attention so an ambulance was called and he treated on scene for cuts and other wounds. According to a Facebook post, the man was beaten on the head with a rod. But he escaped major injury because of his turban, which is traditionally worn by Sikh men, the report added. Also, the post shared an image of the pickup truck, which was spray painted in large black letters with the words "Go back to ur country" alongside a Celtic cross. The image is a well-known white supremacist symbol, according to the Anti-Defamation League which tracks anti-Semitic and other hate crimes across the country, the report added. The department is looking for help identifying the suspects or witnesses to the crime. The incident is considered an assault with a deadly weapon and hate crime. The victim's identity is not being released at this time, Letras added. Hate crimes against the Sikh community have raised alarm in the Central Valley numerous times over the years. After 9/11, a spate of local crimes against Sikh people were attributed to misplaced anti-Muslim bigotry. The valley has one of the largest and oldest Sikh populations in the US. The first Sikh temple, or gurdwara, in America opened in Stockton in 1912. There are an estimated 500,000 Sikhs in the US and 25 million worldwide making it the fifth most popular religion. Earlier, The Sikh Coalition, a national Sikh advocacy and civil rights group, issued a statement saying they were seeing a "new wave of hate crimes" against the Sikh community. It reported that Sikhs in the US are experiencing an average of one hate crime per week since the start of 2018. Serene and sublime beaches. Mostly moderate weather and something for seekers of both peace and party - Bali has not been a favourite among travelers and tourists for no reason. But that is currently undergoing a tectonic shift. And quite literally. A spate of natural disasters in and around the island have threatened to blow Bali's reputation to smithereens. From tsunami to volcano eruptions and earthquakes, Bali is struggling to keep tourists in and calamities out. Not that natural occurrences can be controlled anyway. The most-recent devastation to have happened occurred in the neighbouring island of Lombok - itself quite a favourite among foreigners. Two earthquakes in a week, with Sunday's jolt measuring 7 on the Richter Scale - have caused widespread destruction and devastation. Such was the impact of the second quake that Bali too felt strong tremors and witnessed panicky scenes. Eyewitness accounts recall how a calm night was disturbed when locals as well as tourists came out of their homes and hotels in absolute shock after having felt Sunday's quake. As many as 92 people have died. And counting. Hundreds more are injured. Thousands of buildings are damaged. Lombok bears an ominous look and Bali is not too different. Reuters reported on Monday that long queues have begun forming outside airports in Lombok as well as Bali. The country's Garuda International airline has said it is deploying more aircraft to take people out. And people seem to indeed want out. "This is it for me in Indonesia," 44-year-old Maude from France was quoted as saying. "Next time we will stay in France or somewhere close." Many others - mostly from European countries and Australia - are not too keen to stay either. This is not the first time people have only been too keen to cut short their vacations. Earlier this year, flights to and from Indonesia were severely affected when Mount Sinabung erupted and spewed venom 7 kilometres straight up. Then there was the massive quake - and resultant Tsunami - of 2004 in the Indian Ocean region which killed more than 120,000 in Indonesia alone. The bombing of a nightclub on October 12 of 2002 did not do Bali's reputation any good with 202 people - mostly Australians - dead. These, coupled with local problems like snatching, fleecing and outright robbery, have always loomed as a threat to Bali's image. Yet, locals mostly say that Bali has a reputation of bouncing back. Being relatively inexpensive and with Indonesia offering visa on arrival to citizens of several countries - including India, tourism manages to remain a crucial part of Bali's economy and image. The question though is how long before 'no more' becomes a part of Bali as well? Read original article at 112.ua On August 1, the US Department of Justice announced the arrest of three Ukrainian citizens for participating in the international hacking organization Fin7, which for several years has attacked more than a hundred companies in the US, as well as companies in the UK, Australia and France. The capture of "high-ranking members" of the group has not yet affected the overall activity of Fin7 on the network, but US law enforcement agencies are convinced - it's a matter of time. "Cybercriminals who believe that they can hide behind their keyboards somewhere in distant countries are mistaken, we will continue our work with partners around the world to identify them and hold them accountable for the damage they cause," said prosecutor Annette Hayes. Fin7, aka Carbanak Group and Navigator Group According to the estimates of American law enforcement officers, the Fin7 hacking organization is very powerful and has many names - Carbanak Group, Navigator Group, etc. As noted by local media, in fact, its activities are reminiscent of the work of a technology company - with employees around the world, a strict working schedule and a strong research unit. But nobody knows exactly where the group members are and how to stop their activity. The main goal of Fin7 is the theft of credit cards in retail and hotel business. So, according to the information of American law enforcers, at least since 2015, the members of the group attacked more than 100 companies in the US, mainly in the restaurant, game and hotel industry. In parallel, additional hacking actions occurred abroad, including in the UK, Australia and France. Among the networks that have publicly announced hacker attacks, there are well-known companies all over the world: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Chili's, Arby's, Red Robin and Jason's Deli. In general, Fin7 hacked thousands of computer systems and stole millions of credit and debit card numbers of customers, which subsequently used or sold receiving a profit. "Only in the United States the group successfully disrupt the computer networks operation in companies in 47 states and the District of Columbia, having stolen data from more than 15 million client cards from trading terminal systems," the US Department of Justice said. Experts in the field of computer technology suggest that, given how many years Fin7 has been working, there is at least a billion dollars in the hands of its members already. How hackers from Fin7 robbed the world To steal credit card data, the Fin7 hacking organization used sophisticated phishing schemes, the victims themselves infected their work networks and did not suspect anything was amiss. Who was caught? Among detainees currently taken into custody due to suspicions of involvement in the activities of the international hacker organization Fin7 appear three citizens of Ukraine: 44-year-old Dmytro Fedorov, 33-year-old Fedir Khladyr and 30-year-old Andriy Kolpakov. According to the US Department of Justice, Fedorov was caught in January 2018 in the Polish city of Bielsko-Biala and should soon be extradited to the United States. The investigation believes that in Fin7 he performed the role of a manager controlling other hackers who directly hacked computer systems. Khladyr was detained in Dresden (Germany) of the same year and is now in custody in the United States. It is assumed that he was a Fin7 system administrator. That is, he supported the servers and communication channels used by the organization and performed a management role, delegating tasks and providing instructions to other members of the hacker group. Kolpakov was caught relatively recently - in late June this year - in Spain (the city of Lepe). At the moment, the US is also waiting for his extradition. According to the investigation, Kolpakov, like Fedorov, was the leader of a certain group of hackers from Fin7. Each of the detainees is charged with a number of crimes - conspiracy, electronic fraud, hacking of computers, stealing of personal data. The corresponding information was confirmed by the official representative of the consular service department of the Foreign Ministry Vasyl Kirilich. According to the diplomat, one of the Ukrainians has already been provided with an American lawyer who will defend his rights and legitimate interests in court. Note, the cases of all three detained citizens of Ukraine will be considered by the US District Court in Seattle. The first meeting, in particular, on the case of Khladyr is scheduled for October 22. Over August 5, Russian militants attacked the Ukrainian military 40 times; in four cases, they used heavy weaponry, specifically mortars. The Joint Forces Operation HQ reported that on Facebook. Ukrainian troops took fire in Krymske, Novozvanivka, Luhanske, Svitlodarsk, Pivdenne, Novhorodske, Mariinka, Chermalyk, Hnutove, Lebedynske, Pavlopol, Vodyane and Shyrokyne. 82 mm mines hit Luhanske and Hnutove. In Lebedynske, a 120 mm mortar attack took place. The companies are also ordered to refrain from violations within a two-month period. Open source The Anti-Monopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) has fined four companies for violations of the laws on the protection of economic competition namely for unreasonable raise of the price of medicines. The press service of the institution has informed about this, 112.ua reports. The companies in question are Roche Ukraine, BaDM, Business Center Farmatsiya and Alba Ukraine. The companies have been caught entering agreements whose conditions would lead to a raise of the price of medicines procured through the public or state procurement platform in 2012-2016. The entire amount reached some UAH 18 million ($660,000). The biggest fine was issued to Roche Ukraine UAH 9.1 million. At the same time, BaDM was ordered to pay UAH 5.4 million, Business Center Farmatsiya UAH 3.2 million, and Alba Ukraine UAH 339,000. The companies are also ordered to refrain from violations within a two-month period. Earlier, the Healthcare Ministry of Ukraine has advised Ukrainians to use the free smartphone app called Medicine Control that allows one to check the price and reliability of that or another drug. It is twice as much as the IMF, the EU and the World Bank loans for Ukraine in 2018 Open source Ukraine loses up to $4,8 billion in a year because of the corruption at customs, as Suddeutsche Zeitung reported referring to its own journalistic investigation conducted in Kyiv and Odesa. In four years after Maidan, financially weak Ukraine is losing billions because of corruptionThe State treasury loses up to $4,8 billion in a year at customs. It is more than 1/10 of the state income and twice as much as the IMF, the EU and the World Bank loans for Ukraine in 2018, the investigation says. The news agency refers to the documents received into its possession. Allegedly, it comprises information on thousands of cargos which cross the Ukrainian border. The data allows tracking their way. According to the journalists, this information proves the facts of a mass corruption on many of the Ukrainian borders. The main scheme is the re-declaration of the goods, which is being carried out with the participation of the state agencies officers. Therefore, a product which is located de-facto in the cargo is declared as another one, the one which requires fewer taxes. At the same time, it is stressed that besides the customs, the representatives of SBU, police, the State Border Guard Service and the General Prosecutors Office are involved in the corruption schemes. It should be noted that the European Union is condemning Ukraines authority for not taking enough efforts to fight corruption. The latter of the negative feedbacks concerned the creation of the Anti-corruption Court. Read the original text at 112.ua. Open source In terms of the complete passivity of state bodies and lack of Ukraines coordinated national policy, sales of autogas and diesel fuel have significantly increased recently. This is largely due to the growth in the number of illegal sales outlets, which has recently reached an unprecedented scale. Such sales outlets often sell oil products that are legally imported by large wholesale traders. A complicated situation has developed in the oil products market: over the past few years, trade in illegal petroleum products has reached the record levels. The share of the shadow market in the segment of diesel fuel reaches about 20% and 30-50% for shadow sales of liquefied gas (depending on the region). As a result, the state and local budgets will not receive significant amounts, which range from 0,18 0,26 billion USD annually. This year, we forecast that the losses could reach the level of 0,37 billion USD. The main driver of the shadow market is illegal gas stations, the number of which has recently increased significantly. In Ukraine, there are up to 500 illegal diesel fuel stations and about a thousand gas stations selling liquefied gas. Perhaps the most favorable situation is now observed only in Kyiv, where in 2017 the authorities took drastic measures against illegal gas stations. Now Kyiv has not more than 10 illegal gas stations. At the same time, most of the dismantled modules moved to the Kyiv region, and their number reached 450 stations. The struggle against the regional illegal stations is usually point-like. After some time, the dismantled modules come back to their original place. We are convinced that results can only be achieved through comprehensive work that would be carried out at the national level. They offered the authorities to create a working group, which would include representatives of the police, State Fiscal Service, the Tax Police units, the State Architectural and Construction Inspection of Ukraine, the State Service of Ukraine for Labor, the State Service for Geodesy, the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection and so on. The working group should carry out a comprehensive monitoring of compliance with the requirements of the legislation of land documentation, the availability of permits, and payment of taxes. By the way, the first sign of illegal gas stations is the absence of fiscal checks and cash settlements. Last week, the Oil and Gas Association has prepared and sent letters with its proposals to the Presidential Administration, the Cabinet, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. We are sure that the authorities are interested in increasing the budget revenues. According to our observations, the phenomenon of illegal fuel trade is not systemic. As a rule, this is a small-town phenomenon, covered by local officials of low rank. Petroleum products are the only excisable type of goods, production, and trade in which is still not licensed in Ukraine. Legal operators of the oil products market are interested in defeating the market of illegal oil products, because now this is holding them back from further investments in the business, especially in the segments of liquefied gas and diesel. Illegal entities are interested in these segments because they are the fastest growing. The segment of gasoline in Ukraine is annually reduced. In addition, it does not attract illegal players due to the characteristics of the consumers. Those who run the car with gasoline, as a rule, do not risk doing this on unverified, unbranded gas stations. In contrast, truck drivers, who often use the transport of firms and do not mind to increase their profits, happily buy fuel on the illegal barrels, which sell the fuel by 0,04 USD cheaper than the legal gas stations. Given the non-payment of taxes, illegal stations have a margin of up to 0,26 USD per liter of diesel or autogas. The threshold for entering the illegal business is also quite low: if the construction of a gas station costs at least 2,5 million USD, while the construction of the illegal station, the so-called "barrel," is no more than 20-30 thousand USD. There are no effective mechanisms of state punishment for such activities, so the illegal business is still more than attractive. This explains the unprecedented rates of its growth and scope. Of course, no one can vouch for the quality of the illegal petroleum products. According to our data, most of them sell the petroleum products, which are legally imported into the country by large oil traders. And then special companies sell them to the illegal stations. Our State Fiscal Service should pay attention to these schemes. Illegal points often sell petroleum products of low quality. According to our estimates, it accounts for about 20% of all the illegal sales. We are seriously concerned about the suspiciously high volumes of import of aviation fuel, the excise tax is much lower than the excise tax on diesel (excise tax on diesel fuel is 139 euro per 1,000 liters, aviation fuel excise is 21 euro per 1,000 liters). According to our data, illegal stations mix diesel and aviation fuel, thus making the product cheaper. This issue should be investigated by a working group formed of the departments representatives. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or 112.International and its owners. The facilty headed by Aziz Asber produced sarin, used during the attack on Khan Shaykhun, - U.S. intelligence A car explosion took the life of Aziz Asber, the man who chaired the chemical weapons plant in Syria. He worked for the government of the incumbent leader Bahaar Al-Assad. He deceased in the blast that thundered in Hama on late Saturday, The Guardian reports. Anti-Assad forces claimed responsibility for the murder. 'The attack was claimed by a Syrian group affiliated with the Tahrir al-Sham rebels. It includes the group formerly known as the Nusra Front, which served as al-Qaidas Syrian branch. The Abu Amara Brigades released a statement on their Telegram channel saying they had planted explosive devices that detonated and killed Asber,' the outlet wrote. The U.S. intelligence data assumes that the facility headed by Aziz Asber produced sarin, used during the attack on Khan Shaykhun in Idlib province. The Syrian conflict, which kicked off in 2011, claimed lives of some 350,000 people. Andreas Friganas, Greece Ambassador in Russia was called to the MFA of the Russian Federation to be informed about retaliatory measures in response to the expelling of the Russian diplomats by Athens. Reads the message of the MFA of the Russian Federation on Twitter. On August 6, Andreas Friganas, Greece Ambassador in Russia was called to the Russian MFA, where he was given a note, which informs on the taken measures by the Russian side in response to the unfriendly acts of Athens in July of 2018 regarding the Russian diplomatic officials and citizens, reads the message. Reportedly, the Greece government sent off two Russian diplomats and banned the entrance for another two officials due to the threat of the National Security. Russians are blamed with attempts to meddle with Greece's internal affairs and the illegal activity, which undermines the basics of the national security. The sanctions will be resumed in two stages American President Donald Trump signed a decree on restoring sanctions against Iran, which were canceled in January 2016. Ukrinform reports. The restrictions are introduced in the context of the decision of the President from May 8, 2018, on termination of participation of the US in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and restoring all sanctions canceled or suspended in connection with JCPOA, reads the message. It is noted that the sanctions will be restored in two stages. The first package of restrictions will concern car market, precious metals, public debt, software, financial transactions will come into force at night on August 7. The second package of sanctions will concern oil export from Iran and will come into force from November 4. As it was reported, in response to the introduced by the US sanctions against Iran, the EU adopted a decree, which blocks these sanctions on their territory. Reportedly, yet in May, Trump stated on the exit from Iranian deal and resume of the sanctions against Tehran. JCPOA or Iranian Nuclear Agreement was signed between the USA, the UK, France, China, Russia, Germany, and Iran in 2015. The agreement provided the cancel of sanctions against Tehran in exchange for Iran's denial from the nuclear weapon programs. A rally in support of Ukrainian political prisoner took place in Moscow on August 4. Novaya Gazeta reports. It is stated that the event took place near the monument of Griboyedov on Chistoprudny Boulevard. Anyone who wanted to support the filmmaker came to the monument and left flowers there. Totally, 100 people took a part in the event. A film critic Anton Dolin, a literary critic Hanna Narinska and a filmmaker Askold Kurov are among the hundred. Oleksii Medvediev, initiator of the rally claimed on Facebook that the event is planned to be in the form of industrial action and asked the other participants not to talk to him, as it can be considered as an infringement of rules of the industrial actions. It is noted that the action ended up with no arrests. At the same time, Maria Chuprinskaya and Olena Nosovam, the actress of Teatr.DOC held the second industrial action in support of Sentsov at the other end of the boulevard near the monument of Abai Qunanbaiuly. Reportedly, Bogdan Vasiliuk, priest of the St.George Russian Orthodox Church in Labytnangi visited Oleg Sentsov. Related: Political prisoner marks birthday: Oleg Sentsov turns 42 Related: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: JULY 30 AUG. 3 Ukraine news on 112.international The cases of Oleg Sentsov and Oleksandr Kolchenko are under high controlled 27 Ukrainians are currently on the Russian territory. Their cases are highly controlled by MFA as politically motivated. Andriy Zayats, State Secretary of MFA claimed this during a briefing, 112 Ukraine reports. There are 27 Ukrainian citizens detained in Russia. Their cases are highly monitored by the ministry and the leadership of the State. They are politically motivated convictions. Two cases are under our special control: the case of Oleg Sentsov and Oleksandr Kolchenko since the Russian side keeps ignoring our requests for provision of information on the health condition of the Ukrainians, he claimed. Also, he claimed, as of now, the Consular Service released nine Ukrainian political prisoners. Yuriy Yatsenko in 2015, Nadiya Savchenko, Yuriy Soloshenko, Hennadiy Afanasyev, Yurii Ivanchenko and Khaiser Dzhemiliev in 2016, Akhtem Chiygoz and Ilmi Umerov in 2017 and Oleksandr Kolchenko in 2018. Reportedly, Ukrainian political prisoner Oleksandr Kostenko who was released on August 3 arrived with consuls to Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow. Oleksandr Kostenko, the Ukrainian political prisoner, walks free, as he left Russian penal colony No.5 in Kirovo-Chepetsk, Kirov Oblast. He was accused of that he allegedly injuring the officer of Berkut Special Forces Unit. Also, the activist was accused of storage of weapons He arrived in Kyiv today, on August 6. The President congratulated him on the phone with the release the last Friday. A couple of hours ago he successfully went through the customs and he is on the Ukranian territory right now. Hopefully, he will be able to see his family in the evening. His mother arrived in Kyiv on that occasion, Zayats claimed. According to MFA, totally, 2.3 thousand Ukrainians have been detained in Russia for the last three years. Open source State Customs Service of Ukraine specified the persons banned from entering Ukraine because of the visit of the temporarily occupied territories of Crimea and Donbas. In particular, Andrii Demchenko, Spokesman of the agency claimed this on the air of 112 Ukraine. As of today, there are more than 750 people banned. Mostly they are Russian citizens but therere other citizens too, he claimed. According to Demchenko, most of the citizens are prohibited to enter precisely due to the visit of the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea. Ordinary citizens, engaged in artistic activities and politics are among the banned people, he stressed. While the Spokesman added the foreigners who are prohibited to enter Ukraine for the illegal visit of the temporarily occupied territories of Crimea and Donbas are able to appeal against the decision. However, he believes the result wont be positive since the confirmation of their stay in the temporarily occupied territory is thorough. Reportedly, State Customs Service of Ukraine claimed that 740 foreign citizens were prohibited to enter Ukraine for the illegal visit of the temporarily occupied territories. Over the first six months of the year, the Ukrainian police registered 154 cases under the fact of animal abuse. The majority of those were opened in Kyiv and Sumy region, northern Ukraine; Prosecutor General's Office reported that in the official request filed by UNN news agency. According to the authority, in June and July, 15 cases were initiated in Kyiv alone; two of those are now closed. Another two of ten cases are closed in Sumy region; the rest are being investigated. In general, 57 cases were closed all over Ukraine during the said period. Not a single documented case of animal abuse was reported in Khmelnytsky region, central Ukraine; one case was opened in each of the five following regions - Zhytomyr, Luhansk, Chernihiv, Ternopil and Chernivtsi. In August 2017, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko signed the law about toughening criminal responsibility for cruel attitude against animals. The respective record appeared on the website of the presidential administration. The bill submits certain changes to the Criminal Code of Ukraine. According to the document, from now on, any act of animal abuse committed due to hooligan intentions and/or by cruel methods results in six-months-long imprisonment. Any violent act against an animal will be punished by a prison term from three to five years. A perpetrator who committed any violent act, which led to physical or mental trauma or resulted in the death of an animal, may face from five to eight years in prison. The Air Forces of Armed Forces of Ukraine are expecting almost 30 modified planes Open source 30 modified fighter aircraft to replenish the aircraft fleet of Air Forces of Ukraine in 2018. The Commander of the Air Forces of Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel General Serhii Drozdov claimed this to Narodna Armiia in the interview. We are expecting to receive from Ukrboronprom concern up to 30 fixed and modified planes in 2018. Mikoyan MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-27 fighter aircraft, and Sukhoi Su-25 attack planes, he claimed. Related: British Air Force aircraft conducted reconnaissance near occupied Crimea Drozdov also said that the Odessa plant cooperated with other enterprises of Defense Industrial Complex are working on the modernization of Sukhoi Su-24MP. We understand that the vehicles aint new but I am sure owing to the modernization, we can actively use them in the following years, he stressed. Reportedly, today, Ukraine is marking Air Force Day of Armed Forces of Ukraine. Related: Ukraine's aircraft construction industry takes nosedive According to the President of Ukraine, it is about "the patronage" over selected cities and areas of these territories Open source Ukraine welcomes the EUs readiness to join the restoration of the released territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, wrote on Facebook. At the EU-Ukraine Summit, we have agreed to launch my initiative on "patronage" by interested EU member states over selected cities and areas of these territories for the implementation of targeted assistance projects on infrastructure restoration, economic development, and ensuring communities normal livelihoods, the Head of the State wrote. Earlier, Ukraine-EU Summit took place in Brussels on June 9. The joint statement, made to conclude the Summit, says that the European Union condemns Russias aggression and urges Moscow to release the Ukrainian political prisoners. No reports were made concerning the time the court session was held Kyiv Shevchenkivskyi District Court extended pre-trial restrictions for Borys Herman, who is suspected in organizing the attempted murder of Arkadiy Babchenko, as Olha Piven, the Spokesperson of the court facility, said, Pravda reports. Therefore, the suspect will be in custody till September 23. No reports were made concerning the time the court session was held. On May 31, the suspected in the organization of Babchenko's murder was detained for two months without a right for the bail. On June 1, the Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yury Lutsenko claimed that thanks to the staging of the murder of Russian journalist Arkadiy Babchenko, the prosecution got the list of the famous Ukrainian and ex-Russian journalist who should have been killed too. Totally, there are 47 people on the list. As we reported the list of the 47 Ukrainian and former Russian journalists and bloggers was published by the mass media on June 5. It was noted that the Ukrainian political prisoner would arrive in Kyiv tonight Oleksandr Kostenko, the Ukrainian political prisoner from Crimea, released from Russian prison, crossed the Ukrainian-Russian border along with the Ukrainian diplomats. He will arrive in Kyiv in the evening, as Iryna Gerashchenko, the President's Humanitarian Envoy at the Minsk peace talks, reported on Facebook. As Andriy Zayats, the State Secretary of Ukraines Foreign Ministry, and our Consules informed me, Oleksandr Kostenko along with our diplomats crossed the Russian-Ukrainian border. They are expected to arrive In Kyiv tonight, Gerashchenko stated. She said that the Ukrainian side would continue doing everything to support the Ukrainians illegally kept in Russia regardless of their views, beliefs, possible questions form the Ukrainian law enforcement agencies to them. Reportedly, Oleksandr Kostenko, the Ukrainian political prisoner, walks free, as he left Russian penal colony No.5 in Kirovo-Chepetsk, Kirov Oblast. The so-called 'prosecutor's office' of Russian-annexed Crimea claimed that Kostenko, the native of Crimea, inflicted certain damage upon the fighter of Berkut riot police, who served in the Crimea-based unit; the convict allegedly clashed with the law enforcer during the violent street fights in Kyiv in February 2014, amidst the Revolution of Dignity. The Ukrainian was also accused of illegal weapon storage. Kostenko served the time of four years and two months. Earlier, Russia switched the railway traffic to the ways which pass over Ukraine Open source Ukraine is considering to terminate the railway traffic with Russia, as Volodymyr Omelyan, the Infrastructure Minister, stated, TSN reports. We are considering an option to close the railway traffic with Moscow, he said. As it was reported, Russia switched the railway traffic to the ways which pass over Ukraine since December 11, 2017. The relevant decision came into force on November 15. After that, Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian railways, - ed.) is considering an option to close the railway traffic with Russia. As we reported earlier, Volodymyr Groysman, Ukraine's PM, stated that the construction of the high-speed railway between Boryspil Airport and Kyiv will be finished until December 1. As we reported the railway platforms are constructed near the left wing of the landing hall of Boryspil International Airport's Terminal D. It was specified that the two platforms will service the transfers between the Ukrainian capital and the airport itself. Also, the workers have begun to install the framework of the new section of the international terminal in Zhuliany airport. Earlier the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine decided to allocate $9.5 million to the construction of a runway strip at the Odesa international airport. The institution points out that the construction of the new runway strip will allow to accommodate heavier types of aircraft including Boeing 767, which could lead to a two-fold increase in passenger flow. The runway capacity of the new strip will be two times greater than that of the current one. As it was reported earlier, more than 50,000 military servicemen received state awards from the Defence Ministry during the Anti-terrorist operation. In particular, from the beginning of 2018 as of May 10 more than 2,500 military servicemen and Armed Forces, officers were awarded the ministerial encouraging rewards. 232,300 military servicemen were awarded the status of a combatant. On August 4, Vladimir Putin visited the opening of the Second International Music Festival Opera in Chersonesos Open source Ukraines Foreign Ministry expressed protest against another visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to the temporarily occupied territories of Crimea and Sevastopol, which was not agreed with the Ukrainian authorities, as the message published on the website of the Ministry says. Ukraine regards this visit and any so-called trips of the Russian officials to the temporarily occupied territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol (Ukraine) a flagrant violation of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, a cynical and ostentatious disregard of the generally recognized principles and norms, the message says. It is also stressed that the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol are an integral part of Ukraine and its internationally recognized borders, which is recognized by the majority of the international community. Earlier it was reported that on August 4, Vladimir Putin visited the opening of the Second International Music Festival Opera in Chersonesos, which takes place on August 10-12 on the territory of Tauric Chersonesos museum in Sevastopol. The Russian side considers the territory of the Crimean peninsula Russian after the so-called referendum for the reunion held in 2014. It was not recognized by the majority of the international community. A meditation and sharing support group focused on the practice of Buddhist teachings and the 12 steps of recovery while integrating the Dharma and the basic goodness of meditation. The Heart of Recovery is a meditation and sharing support group with the purpose of bringing together the practice of meditation, the Shambhala and Buddhist teachings, and the Twelve Steps of Recovery with the goal of integrating the basic sanity of the Dharma and the basic goodness of meditation with our commitment to abstinence. We welcome all those who wish to share in these common interests. The Heart of Recovery is a meditation and sharing support group with the purpose of bringing together the practice of meditation, the Shambhala and Buddhist teachings, and the Twelve Steps of Recovery with the goal of integrating the basic sanity of the Dharma and the basic goodness of meditation with our commitment to abstinence. We welcome all those who wish to share in these common interests. PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) A hybrid form of yoga that combines traditional yoga postures with modern yoga moves and a silk hammock. Pre-registration required. Please note: Aerial Yoga at the Yoga Art Space studio requires pre-registration through our website at www.YogaArtSpace.com/calendar. If no one registers for a class, the class may be cancelled between 6-12 hours prior to the class start time. Though this event is shown as a regular, weekly class each week on the Alabi calendar, there are occasionally times when the class will be cancelled in advance such as for certain holidays. All updates and cancellations are on the studio calendar at www.YogaArtSpace.com/calendar. What is Aerial yoga? Aerial Yoga is a hybrid form of yoga that combines traditional yoga postures infused with modern yoga moves and an silk fabric hammock. Do I need Previous Yoga Experience? No previous yoga experience is not necessary to enjoy an Aerial yoga class. In fact it can be easier than normal yoga! The silk hammock acts like a support whenever you require it, almost like having your own personal yoga teacher giving you assistance throughout the entire yoga class! Another advantage of having the support of the hammock is that 90% of students are able to complete more challenging poses, such as handstands! Can Everybody do Aerial Yoga? Yes and no. Students who have had a previous injury can find Aerial yoga much easier to participate in then normal yoga. This is due to the the weight being evenly distributed between your body, the hammock and the earth. People who suffer any of following contraindications are advised NOT to participate in an Aerial yoga class: if you have had recent surgery of any sort, if you suffer glaucoma, if you are pregnant, if you suffer a heart condition (including very high or low blow pressure), if you get vertigo, if you have had a recent stroke or a hernia, if you have osteoporosis or any bone weakness, if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, or if you have had botox in the last six hours. What Should I Wear? All jewellery items must be removed before participating, a t-shirt must be worn to cover the armpit area and leggings are advised to avoid the silk rubbing on the skin and creating irritation. Please have clean feet or, alternatively, bring a pair of socks with you. 2 held for abducting 11-yr-old boy from Kandaghari (Update) An 11-year-old boy was abducted from Kadaghari of Kathmandu on Sunday. 16 injured in Parbat bus accident At least 16 persons were injured when a bus they were travelling in met with an accident at Modi Rural Municipality in Parbat district on Monday. 2 abductors killed in police encounter, kidnapped boy murdered Two persons, accused in the abduction of an 11-year-old boy from Kandaghari, Kathmandu on Sunday evening, have been killed in police encounter on Monday afternoon. Adulteration rampant due to poor oversight Food adulteration has become rampant in the central Tarai due to inadequate oversight and weak law enforcement. Competitive populism Subnational governments must compete to attract more investment and boost growth Edu Ministry halts NOC for Mauritius The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) has temporarily stopped issuing No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Mauritius-bound Nepali students. Fellow citizens abroad The government should ensure that Nepali migrant workers are adequately protected Govt to present seven bills At a time when the federal parliament is seeking business, the government on Sunday decided to table seven bills at Parliament. The Cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar decided to present the bills, including the ones related to safe motherhood and reproductive health, first amendment on the bill on environment protection, and payment and clearance. 12:41 | Lima, Aug. 6. "We are working on the approval of the newly proposed hydrocarbon law, which was presented to Parliament and passed by the Energy and Mines Commission," he added. The minister explained some oil concessions will be completed within the following two years and that they still have resources to exploit. "Major investments need to be made to take advantage of these resources. This is not happening since investments may not be recouped in two or three years," he explained. "If we manage to extend the term of such contracts, investors with an investment commitment will be able to access these new resources in a way that we could have more hydrocarbons to supply Talara Refinery in a very short time," he added. Underground power line: Half of project works finished Nearly half of the construction of Trishuli-Kathmandu 220 kV double-circuit line, Nepals first underground power transmission line, has been completed. YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. 11 journalists have been detained in Venezuela after the assassination attempt against President Nicolas Maduro, Sputnik News reported. There are foreign journalists among the detainees. On August 5, a blast occurred during Maduros address at a military parade in Caracas. Venezuelas Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said after the incident that Maduro had survived an assassination attempt with the use of explosive drones. The president was unharmed but seven soldiers were injured in the incident. The president himself accused the Venezuelan opposition and Colombia of having a role in the failed assassination attempt, adding that some of the perpetrators were residing in the United States. The Venezuelan group Flannel Soldiers claimed the responsibility for the incident. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. Sasun Khachatryan, Head of the Special Investigation Service of Armenia, assures that the investigative team, dealing with the 2008 March 1 case, has no constraint and based on the existing data it acts on involving new persons, reports Armenpress. The SIS chief told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that he doesnt want to release more detailed information about the circumstances of the case, adding that there will be an open trial, and the public will be convinced that the investigation will be carried out with the whole volume. Commenting on the highly confidential N0038 order, the SIS chief said it contains problematic formulations which also are being examined. The fact that this order has been signed on February 23 is very important, since its the time when there was no data that protests would occur on March 1, in other words, it was not understandable why the Army should be involved in that processes, he said. He noted that it would be wrong to say that the Army didnt intervene in the domestic political processes during that time. Another important fact is that there were many speculations that the situation escalated in the border that timeand in such tense situation the army was brought from the border and deployed near Yerevan which couldnt bring any good result, and as we saw the March 1 was the vivid evidence of this, Sasun Khachatryan said. As for the statements of attorneys of 2nd President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, according to which the troops were in the state of barrack, and the order was signed for not engaging the Army in further processes, the SIS head said the defending side would like to be so. Commenting on the statements according to which they said during the interview with the Public TVs Orakargic Durs program that the SIS chief has violated the presumption of innocence, he said: I cannot comment on their opinions, I havent violated the presumption of innocence. They are lawyers, express opinions as they have that right. The statements that I exert pressure on court are just ridiculous. Only the official, who appoints judges, can have an influence on the judge. Sasun Khachatryan reminded that the Special Investigation Service is an apolitical structure. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. Justice minister of Armenia Artak Zeynalyan on August 3 had a meeting with Head of the Office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Yerevan Dimitri Gvindadze, the ministry told Armenpress. During the meeting the minister highly appreciated the EBRD assistance to the ongoing reforms in Armenia and expressed readiness for close cooperation. A number of issues of bilateral interest were discussed during the meeting. Dimitri Gvindadze in particular introduced the range of programs being implemented in Armenia and added that the improvement of the business environment can contribute to deepening the existing cooperation. The officials also noted that the EBRDs new 5-year strategy program on Armenia can serve a good base for deepening the close partnership in the future. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Georgias membership to NATO may lead to devastating consequences, TASS reported. It can trigger terrible conflict, it is incomprehensible why it is needed, Medvedev said. He pointed out that the 2008 armed conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia, which also involved Russia, could have been prevented. It was not inevitable, the Russian PM said in an interview with the Kommersant FM radio station. On July 12, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated NATOs intention to grant membership to Georgia. However, he did not say when it could happen. At the 2008 NATO summit held in the Romanian capital of Bucharest, member states pledged that Ukraine and Georgia would join the alliance in the future. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in turn, stated that Moscow would view NATOs further expansion, including the accession of Georgia and Ukraine, highly negatively. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. The last Individual Race of the Tank Biathlon was held in Alabino, Moscow region within the frames of the International Army Games 2018, Armenias defense ministry told Armenpress. The Armenian tank crewmen participated in the Individual Race. They competed with the teams of Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar. The Armenian tankers downed 5 out of 5 targets. The results were summed up after the last Individual Race. Armenias team captured 9th place out of 12 and passed to the semi-final. The fist performance of the Relay Race with the participation of the Armenian tank crewmen will be held on August 8. They will compete with the teams of Russia, Venezuela and Mongolia. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a letter of condolences to the family of academician Sergey Hambardzumyan over the latters death, the PMs Office told Armenpress. The letter says: With a deep sorrow I learnt about the death of academician Sergey Hambardzumyan. His activity as a great scientist, honest intellectual and national-public figure deserves high appreciation. Sergey Hambardzumyans both scientific, pedagogical ad public activity, which lasted for decades, has been effective and productive. The renowned scientist and scientific organizer worthily enjoys the love and respect of his colleagues, students and the whole scientific community. I extend my condolences to the family, relatives and colleagues of the renowned scientist. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. German companies gradually cut supplies to Iran and are leaving the country due to the US sanctions, Voker Treier expert at the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), told WAZ newspaper, Interfax reported. According to the DIHK data, the export from Germany to Iran has decreased by 4% in January-May 2018 compared to the 16% increase during 2017. The negative trend is also maintained at the moment. Over the past years nearly 120 German companies opened official representations in Iran, but now most of them are leaving the country, the expert said. He noted that if the issue is not solved in the future, it can be expected the German companies will completely suspend the export to Iran and will leave the country. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. Ruzanna Beglaryan, wife of former first deputy chief of the state protection service of Armenias national security service Vachagan Ghazaryan, has been charged for illicit enrichment and false asset declaration, the Special Investigative Service told Armenpress. Signature not to leave has been selected as a precautionary measure against Ruzanna Beglaryan. Investigation continues. Former security official Vachagan Ghazaryan has also been charged for illicit enrichment and false asset declaration. He has been remanded into custody, but later was released from pre-trial detention on a 1,000,000,000 dram (roughly 2,1 million dollars) bail. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Consul General in Rostov-on-Don Vardan Asoyan has departed for Upper Lars border checkpoint to get acquainted with the situation, the Armenian Embassy in Russia said on Facebook, reports Armenpress. We also inform that the Embassy has set a hotline + 7 (495) 628 55 56 in connection with the situation in the Upper Lars checkpoint. You can also send information about the situation to the following e-mail: [email protected], the Embassy said in a statement. Since August 5 the Armenian trucks are stuck in traffic jam at the Lars border checkpoint. Most of the trucks transport perishable fruits-vegetables. The businessmen and drivers urge the respective authorities to quickly solve the problem as their losses double every hour. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. The Green Party is calling on the Parliament of New Zealand to recognize the Armenian Genocide, Armenpress reports citing tvnz.co.nz. The website says Turkey denies the Armenian Genocide and insists that Armenian victims were war casualties, continues insisting that there was no systematic attempt to kill the Armenian people. Weve seen history repeat itself on many occasions and this will continue if we don't recognize our past, Hoory Yeldizian, chairperson of the Armenian National Committee of New Zealand said. The website adds that some Australian states have recognized the Armenian Genocide, but New Zealand hasnt recognized it yet. Green MP Gareth Huges plans to put forward a motion in Parliament to change that. Im asking all of Parliament to support it, he said. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. The Prosecutor Generals Office has already received the petition signed by 45 MPs on changing the precautionary measure of 2nd President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan, the Prosecutor Generals Office told Armenpress, adding that the petition is being discussed. Among the 45 MPs majority are from the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA). Robert Kocharyan has been charged on July 26 over the 2008 March 1 case, under the Article 300.1 part 1 of the Criminal Code for breaching the constitutional order of the Republic of Armenia. He has been remanded into custody. The March 1 case is an ongoing investigation into the deadly 2008 post-election unrest in Yerevan. Kocharyan was the outgoing president at the time, as Serzh Sargsyan was named winner of the presidential election. Mass protests erupted in Yerevan, which led to fatal clashes between security forces and demonstrators. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. In the sidelines of the visit to the USA Diaspora Minister Mkhitar Hayrapteyan met with nearly 200 representatives of the Armenian community in Boston. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Ministry of Diaspora of Armenia, greeting the present Hayrapetyan thanked them for the warm, sincere atmosphere and reception and noted, Some of you have managed to visit the Motherland after the velvet revolution, and I advise those who have not done so yet to go and enjoy new Armenia. People have started to smile and believe with the hope of a better future. The revolution of love and solidarity is the victory of not only the Armenian people but the entire humanity. And I once again congratulate all of us. We not only have a historical opportunity to shape a glorious future, but also great prerequisites for having a good and dignified presence. Powerful Armenia, strong Diaspora this is the formula which we believe in and are convinced we have to go forward together. Speaking about the existing difficulties and challenges, the Diaspora Minister emphasized that today the support of the Diaspora to the changes in the Mother land is of key importance. For the first time in our history we do not ask money from the Diaspora. We need partnership and revelation of pan-Armenian potential and using that potential, the Minister underlined. Afterwards, the Minister answered the questions of the representatives of the Armenian community. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS. The Defense Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh has issued a statement denying Azerbaijani media reports. ARMENPRESS reports the statement runs as follows, In response to the information published in some Azerbaijani media outlets, particularly haqqin.az, that allegedly the Armenian side conceals the losses caused by the explosion at the trench shelter. The press service of the Defense Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh announces that both yesterday and today a relatively stable situation was preserved on the contact line of Artsakh-Azerbaijan opposing armies and no extraordinary incident took place. Please, accept the Azerbaijani media reports as another failed attempt of spreading misinformation. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, 6 AUGUST, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 6 August, USD exchange rate is up by 0.12 drams to 481.28 drams. EUR exchange rate is down by 1.64 drams to 557.13 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate is down by 0.02 drams to 7.58 drams. GBP exchange rate is down by 3.16 drams to 626.15 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price is down by 50.23 drams to 18807.28 drams. Silver price is down by 0.32 drams to 239.07 drams. Platinum price is down by 27.76 drams to 12734.7 drams. German authorities wrongfully deported an Uighur man to China due to an administrative error, local media reported Monday, in a fresh scandal as the country seeks to step up expulsions of failed asylum seekers. Officials were due to hold a hearing with the 22-year-old Uighur, who was not named, on April 3 over his asylum application, said regional public broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR). But a fax announcing the hearing from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) apparently failed to reach local authorities in Bavaria, who, in the early hours of April 3, put the Uighur man on a plane to Beijing. "We were unable to find the fax despite an intensive search," Munich authorities told BR. "We regret greatly that the deportation took place even though a valid asylum application had been made. It was never the intention of the immigration authorities of Munich to infringe on the rights of the foreigner affected by the expulsion." The BAMF would not give details on individual cases but told the broadcaster that expulsion would be "inadmissible" under such circumstances. The Uighur asylum seeker's lawyer Leo Borgmann said he has had no news from his client since the deportation. "There is no sign of life. We fear that he has been detained," Borgmann told BR. - Secretive network - Many of China's mostly Muslim Uighur minority say they face cultural and religious repression. Members of the Uighur diaspora say relatives have been arrested for seemingly innocuous acts such as sending Ramadan greetings to friends or downloading popular music. Chinese authorities are also believed to have detained hundreds of thousands of Muslims in a secretive network of extra-judicial political re-education centres, where inmates are given language and ideological training and forced to participate in military-style drills. The case surfaced after a series of administrative errors that led to illegal deportations by German authorities. In a further controversial case, a German court in July ordered that a man who allegedly worked as a bodyguard for Osama bin Laden be returned to Germany only hours after his deportation to Tunisia, saying the expulsion was illegal as he risks torture there. The 42-year-old, identified by German authorities only as Sami A. and by Tunis as Sami Idoudi, had lived in Germany for more than two decades, but outrage over his presence grew in recent months. Although he had won a court ruling against his deportation, the decision reached federal authorities by fax a day later -- hours after his flight to Tunisia had taken off. Also in July, the interior ministry was forced to repatriate an asylum seeker who had been deported to Afghanistan even though his legal appeal against expulsion was ongoing. In June, another Afghan man who was allowed back into Germany after he was illegally deported from the country was officially granted asylum. Demonstrators holding Uighur flags demonstrate in Berlin on July 9, 2018, prior to a meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Bangladesh should dramatically improve living conditions for Rohingya in the world's largest refugee camp and scrap plans to move many to a flood-prone island, Human Rights Watch said Monday. Almost one million Rohingya Muslims forced out of Myanmar now live in southern Bangladesh, with 700,000 of them arriving after the latest crackdown on the stateless minority started in August last year. The US and UN have branded operations by Myanmar security forces as ethnic cleansing. Rohingya have recounted widespread rape, murder and torture while being driven out of their villages, hundreds of which were razed to the ground. Myanmar denies almost all accusations of atrocities and says it was defending itself against Rohingya militants who launched deadly attacks on police posts. Bangladesh and Myanmar have signed a repatriation agreement but Rohingya are refusing to return without guarantees of safety and rights, including freedom of movement and citizenship. Meanwhile they wait in cramped camps with flimsy bamboo huts perched on muddy hills, cheek-by-jowl with other families and exposed to the elements. "What this means with people packed so closely together, particularly if this is going to last longer and longer, is it's an incubation for contagious disease, for social dysfunction, domestic violence for example, and things like fire," Bill Frelick, refugee rights director at Human Rights Watch, told reporters in Bangkok at the launch of a new report on conditions in the camps. The average space in the mega-camp section of Cox's Bazar is 10.7 square metres per person, compared to a refugee camp standard of 45 square metres per person, according to the report, which is based on dozens of interviews with Rohingya, officials, NGOS and UN agencies in May. "Immediately what is needed is relocation," he added, citing additional risks of landslides during the monsoon season. But the rights group also urged Bangladesh to abandon a plan to move some 100,000 Rohingya to an island in the Bay of Bengal called Bhasan Char. Refugees have heard rumours of the move to the uninhabited silt island prone to regular tidal flooding, and have expressed no interest in going there. Frelick said Bangladesh had earned enormous goodwill by accepting Rohingya, but moving them against their will could "change that sense of trust and sense of gratitude overnight". Human Rights Watch said it has identified six feasible sites in a subdistrict that could accommodate 263,000 people. Other recommendations were for authorities to provide Rohingya with legal refugee status, allow more freedom of movement, create better access to education and build cyclone shelters. The report called for greaster contributions from donor governments, agencies and NGOs to help improve conditions. It said an appeal for $136.6 million for shelter and non-food items was only 14 percent funded as of last month. Bangladesh refugee commissioner Abul Kalam told the rights group that authorities are working on moving tens of thousands of people to better areas. But Kalam said many are reluctant to go without knowing the conditions of the sites. The Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh: a rights group has urged Bangladesh to provide better conditions An eight-year-old boy has died after mistaking his fathers stash of methamphetamines for cereal. On the morning of June 21, Curtis Collman III was visiting his father in Seymour, Indiana, US when he accidentally consumed a large quantity of methamphetamine. The 41-year-old father, Curtis G Collman II, told police that his son woke him up in the morning asking for food. However, he told the child that he had no food and went back to sleep. During this time, the hungry child consumed a large quantity of methamphetamine which had been left on a clear plate in the kitchen. Curtis Collman III died after mistaking his fathers methamphetamines for cereal, in Seymour, Indiana, USA. Source: Yahoo Magazines PYC Local outlet WDRB reported that court documents stated that a clear glass plate was located in the kitchen area with a brownish in color, crystal-like substance on it. WDRB reported that police said that one officer commented the brown crystal on the plate could have been mistaken for cereal crumbs with no lights in the apartment. When Mr Collman woke up again, he noticed his son was falling ill and called a female friend for help. Upon arrival, she urged Mr Collman to call 911. However, Mr Collman refused to call for help, snatched the womans phone and pointed a gun at her, threatening to kill all three people according to local news outlet WAVE TV. A police toxicology report released on Thursday showed that the boy had 180 times the lethal limit of methamphetamine in his bloodstream when he died on June 21, according to the Seymour Tribune. Police said that the brown crystal on the plate could have been mistaken for cereal crumbs with no lights on in the apartment. Source: Jackson County Sheriffs department Following this, Mr Collman drove the boy to his mother, who was living with the childs grandparents in Crothersville, Indiana where police officers, emergency medical services and volunteer firefighters attended. The unresponsive child was given medical care and taken to Schneck Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. According to the Jackson County Sheriffs department, Mr Collman was arrested later that evening and charged with Neglect of a Dependent resulting in the death of the dependent, Intimidation pointing a firearm at a person, and possession of methamphetamine. In addition, the sheriffs department said that Mr Collman was a registered sex offender who has failed to maintain his sex offender registration obligations. He was also charged with failure to register as a sex offender. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed against Mr Collman, said the sheriffs department. A nine-year-old boy selling lemonade was robbed at gunpoint for $20 in an act that has shocked police. The child told police he was operating his lemonade stand in the US state of North Carolina on Saturday afternoon when a teenage boy placed a handgun to his stomach and demanded money. Union County police spokesman Tony Underwood told reporters the thief stole the boys metal money tin with less than $20 in it. A nine-year-old boy selling lemonade was robbed at gunpoint for $20. Source: Getty, file You think of a child as young as this being robbed at a lemonade stand just when you think youve heard it all, something else will surprise you, he told WSOCTV. That one takes it to a new level. The victim, who was not physically hurt, told police the thief was wearing a camouflage hat and a black shirt during the robbery, just before 3pm local time. Shortly after the robbery police found a camouflage hat, a black BB handgun and stolen metal tin with no money in it, stashed in some nearby trees. Police are still searching for the youth responsible. With AP Brazil's leftist Workers' Party on Sunday named former Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad as the running mate of its charismatic founder Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for the October presidential election. "We are going with Lula and Fernando Haddad," a tweet posted from Lula's official Twitter account read Sunday. Even though he is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for corruption, the Workers' Party nominated former president Lula, 72, as its candidate on Saturday. He is awaiting a final court judgement on whether he can run. Under current law anyone losing an appeal against a criminal conviction is barred from the ballot. As a result, despite the leftist leader's almost cult-like backing, all eyes were on the Workers' Party's vice-presidential choice. That person could end up standing in for Lula, who first governed from 2003 to 2011. A powerful politician, Haddad has signed on to Lula's legal team, giving him easy access to the prison, and he would be well placed to inherit Lula's electorate. Despite being behind bars, Lula leads the voting intentions of a third of the electorate, according to polls. However, Haddad draws just one percent support in a scenario without Lula. Haddad was mayor of Sao Paulo from 2013 to 2017 but failed to win re-election. Before that he was education minister in the governments of Lula and Lula's successor Dilma Rousseff. Fernando Haddad has signed on to Lula's legal team, giving him easy access to the prison, and he would be well placed to inherit Lula's electorate if necessary Israeli filmmaker Moshe Mizrahi, the country's only director of an Oscar-winning film, is to be buried in Tel Aviv on Monday following his death last week, friends and colleagues said. The 86-year-old director of the Academy Award-winning 1977 film "Madame Rosa", which was filmed in France and starred Simone Signoret, died on Friday. He also directed two other Oscar-nominated films in the 1970s: "I Love You Rosa" and "The House on Chelouche Street". "Madame Rosa", the story of a former prostitute in Paris who had survived the Auschwitz death camp, won the Academy Award for best foreign language film, representing France. It was an adaptation of the novel "The Life Before Us" by French author Romain Gary, written under the pseudonym Emile Ajar. Born in 1931 in Egypt, Mizrahi emigrated to what was then British Mandatory Palestine in 1946 with his mother and brother. His brother was killed in an Egyptian air strike in the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation. He studied film in France in the 1950s and spent much of his career there before returning to Israel. His other films included "Every Time We Say Goodbye", set in Jerusalem and released in 1986 starring Tom Hanks. Regine Mihal Friedman, a retired professor of film studies at Tel Aviv University where Mizrahi also taught, called him "an extremely special figure in Israeli cinema" but also beyond. "For example, what is very striking in Moshe Mizrahi's films is the place he gives to women," she told AFP. Israeli actress Gila Almagor, who appeared in several of his films, told Israeli news site Walla that he "brought a European touch to Israeli cinema". Chilling images published in the Spanish media on Monday show men in a terror cell preparing explosives ahead of last year's jihadist attacks in Barcelona and a nearby seaside resort that killed 16 people. In one picture, a plotter smiles and points the sky while wearing an explosives belt around his waist. In another, two men pose for the camera as they make they make the explosives. There is an even a picture of one man posing next to the next Eiffel Tower in Paris. One of the men preparing the explosives is Younes Abouyaaqoub, 22, who drove a van through a crowd of people on the popular Las Ramblas boulevard in the heart of Barcelona on August 17, 2017, killing 13 people. He then stabbed another man to make his getaway before being shot dead by police days later. The Spanish newspaper La Razon, one of the media outlets which published the images, said they were recovered along with video files in the rubble of a house in Alcanar, a town some 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Barcelona, where the group made the bombs. An explosion at the house on the eve of the attack killed two of the plotters and deprived the others of bombs, forcing them to change their plans. A total of 16 people were killed in the Barcelona assault and a knife attack in the nearby resort of Cambrils. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks. La Razon also published transcripts of dialogue between the plotters, in which they make fun of their potential victims and brag about their upcoming attack. "Allah has chosen us from among millions of people to make you cry blood," a man identified as Omar Hichamy is quoted as saying. The six youths of Moroccan origin, aged 17 to 24, who carried out the attacks were all killed by police. Moroccan iman Abdelbaki Es Satty, who is believed to have radicalised the others, was killed in the Alcanar explosion. Youssef Aalla smiles while wearing an explosives belt ahead of the deadly jihadist attack in Barcelona and a nearby seaside resort last year Younes Abouyaaqoub, left, prepares explosives before he drove a van through a crowd in Barcelona, killing 13 people One of the plotters poses next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris An Iraqi court on Monday sentenced a French man and a German woman to life in prison in the latest punishments handed down for belonging to the Islamic State jihadist group. Frenchman Lahcen Gueboudj, 58, and a German woman whose name was given only as Nadia were sentenced separately at the Baghdad central criminal court, according to an AFP journalist. Nadia's mother, a German woman of Moroccan origin, was sentenced to death in January for IS membership but the sentence was later commuted to life, which in Iraq is equivalent to 20 years. The mother and daughter were arrested in July 2017 in Mosul, the jihadists' former de-facto capital in Iraq where the government declared victory over IS in December last year. Wearing a black abaya in court, Nadia said she travelled from Syria to Iraq "to run away from the people of IS". Speaking in German with a few Arabic words, she said she travelled to Syria from Turkey with her mother, her daughter Yamana and her mentally disabled sister who was killed in a bombardment. Nadia's lawyer stressed that she was a minor at the time and that her marriage to an IS jihadist in Syria was "not a decision taken by an adult in full conscience". The French defendant, meanwhile, refuted statements made during his interrogations. "I signed confessions in Arabic without knowing what was written," said Gueboudj, with short grey hair and stubble, wearing a brown prison uniform. "I would never have left France, if my eldest son Nabil, 25-years-old, hadn't gone to Syria," he said in French. "I wanted to convince him to return with us to France," added Gueboudj. The French citizen had travelled with his wife and children to Turkey before entering Syria, and later being arrested in Iraq. Frenchman Lahcen Gueboudj, 58, and a German woman whose name was given only as Nadia were sentenced separately at the Baghdad central criminal court (or CCCI), according to an AFP journalist A mailman has been hailed a hero for saving a girl from sex trafficking. Ivan Crisostomo, a postal worker, found 16-year-old Crystal Allen crying near bushes in a South Sacramento neighbourhood, in the US, while delivering mail on June 8, ABC 11 reports. Crystal had just escaped her captors car. Its not known who they are but the teen said she had been kidnapped and abused. She fled with one of their phones. Postman Ivan Crisostomo (right) has been hailed a hero after helping Crystal Allen, 16, escape sex slavery. Source: Fox News Mr Crisostomo said he heard crying from his car and found Crystal but she was too scared to talk. He told Fox 40 she began pointing to her arm claiming they were putting things in me. She later claimed she was drugged, abused and tortured for three months and thought shed never see her family again. Its at this point the father of four realised the 16-year-old had just escaped sex traffickers. Dont worry, he told her. Nobodys going to take you. He helped her call home and waited with her until police arrived. Crystals parents thought she had run away. Mr Crisostomo and Crystal embrace as she thanks the man who saved her. Source: NTD Crystals mum, Stacy Ohman, told KCRA, she left with a person who took her to a pimp. Sacramento County Sheriffs Departments deputy Latoya Buford told CBS San Francisco the area where Crystal was found, Oak Park, is a notoriously high crime area. Crystal is from Placerville, about 67km northeast. Lots of drugs, lots of prostitution, and gangs in that area, Deputy Buford said. So, Ivan standing by with her really provided comfort, safety and security until officers arrived. On Thursday, the pair were reunited, and Crystal labelled Mr Crisostomo a hero even though he doesnt think it. Im super thankful and happy that he did that for me, Crystal said. Police are yet to make any arrests in relation to Crystals kidnapping. With Argentina on the verge of a Senate move on legalizing abortion, women in favor marched, banged pots and made their voices heard Sunday. Ahead of Wednesday's Senate hearing, 32 women in Buenos Aires donned the white bonnets and red cloaks worn by women forced into childbearing servitude on the television drama "The Handmaid's Tale," based on Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel. At the Rio de la Plata, they also raised their green handkerchiefs, a symbol of the struggle for legal abortion. It is a thorny issue in Argentina -- which is mostly Roman Catholic and the home country of Pope Francis, the first pontiff born in Latin America. Many in the country believe the church teaching that life begins at conception and that abortion is murder. "Doing this helps us express what is not being heard -- which is that abortions happen. And we need them to be done in a safe place, open to the community, to all women," Bernardina Rossini, one of the marchers, told AFP. The women embraced, and several wept openly. Most were between 30 and 60 years old, and between them, a girl walked with her mother. "It's a way of saying this: it's our body, and we want to decide on what happens ourselves," Rossini stressed. Approved by Congress' lower house on June 14, the bill sent to the Senate would legalize abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy and provide for conscientious objection for practitioners, but not for hospitals. In the August 8 vote, senators will have to decide on the version of the text adopted by the deputies. The vote is expected to be tight -- but if a majority of the 72 senators approve the text, abortion will be legalized. Women in favor of legal abortion in Argentina dressed as characters from "The Handmaid's Tale" in Buenos Aires Market inspection drive of large firms fizzles out The government has failed to carry out effective market inspection of large firms despite repeated pledges to protect consumers from business misconduct and fraud.According to the records of the Department of Commerce and Supply Management, 4,915 outlets were checked in the last fiscal year, most of them small retail shops. Among them, 4,157 firms were from the Kathmandu Valley. The heartbreaking moment a teenage girl embraces her sweetheart in a hospital bed moments before his life support was switched off has been captured on camera. In the poignant moment, Stephanie Ray, 15, gave a heartfelt goodbye to her boyfriend Blake Ward, 16, who was tragically caught in a rip at sea in Wales, UK, last week. Sharing the touching picture of the pair cuddled together on his hospital bed, the heartbroken teenage girl said she couldnt bare to leave Blakes side in the days since the terrible accident Tuesday last week. Stephanie Ray, 15, gives a final embrace to her boyfriend Blake Ward, 16, just before his life support is switched off. Source: Stephanie Ray / Facebook Blake was one of three teens pulled from the water in Tywyn, Gwynedd in north west Wales, and was airlifted to hospital, according to Cambrian News. The condition of the other two youths is not known. Doctors said Blake would never recover as his brain damage was too severe, so on Saturday the difficult decision was made to turn off his life support. Stephanie Ray with boyfriend Blake Ward who was tragically caught in a rip at sea in Wales, UK, last week. Source: Stephanie Ray / Facebook Today has been the hardest day for me and it will be a day I will never be able to forget, Stephanie wrote of the day she and Blakes family had to make the tough decision to switch off his life support machine. She described her sweetheart as a loving a caring person and would do anything for anyone. Blake was someone special to me and we had something special and we will always have that, she wrote. Stephanie described her late boyfriend Blake as loving and caring. Source: Blake Ward / Facebook Saying he will forever be missed, Stephanie told how her beau passed away with his family by his side. He will always have a special place in my heart and I will never forget you. Blake fly high my baby boy and Im gonna make you proud love you and I always will. The grieving teen and the boys family are raising money for Blakes funeral, with a GoFundMe that has raised more than $2,700 so far. As many of you know our sweet innocent loving Blake was horribly taken by a rip tide, read the message on the crowdfunding page. He was our loving and caring 16 year old bright eyed boy. We are asking for donations towards his funeral as its a very unexpected cost. Former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, who was pardoned last year while serving a long jail sentence for human rights abuses, has been admitted to hospital with heart problems, aides said Monday. "He was rushed to hospital with heart arrhythmia," which is an irregular beating of the heart, one of his aides said late Sunday, adding that Fujimori -- who just turned 80 -- would also undergo cancer screening for the lungs and tongue. The ex-president has had a number of operations as part of a long-running battle with tongue cancer. Fujimori, who was pardoned by presidential decree last December, ruled Peru with an iron fist from 1990 until 2000. He was 12 years into a 25-year jail sentence handed down to him after a court found him responsible for ordering two massacres by death squads between 1991 and 1992. The pardon, issued by then-president Pedro Pablo Kuczynski before he was himself brought down by a corruption scandal, triggered a wave of protests by human rights organizations and by victims of Fujimori's crackdown. Peruvian ex-president Alberto Fujimori has been rushed to hospital with heart problems, aides said Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu continued her remarkable rise by breaking into the WTA top 20 for the first time on Monday after winning her maiden Tour title in San Jose. The 30-year-old left-hander was ranked outside the world's top 500 at the last start of last season, but beat Greek Maria Sakkari on Sunday after losing her first two WTA Tour finals earlier this year in Hobart and Prague. Her compatriot and French Open champion Simona Halep maintained her healthy lead as world number one, while 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams stayed 26th after her embarrassing 6-1, 6-0 thrashing by Johanna Konta in the San Jose first round. WTA top 20 1. Simona Halep (ROU) 7,511 pts 2. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 6,660 3. Sloane Stephens (USA) 5,492 4. Angelique Kerber (GER) 5,305 5. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 5,020 6. Caroline Garcia (FRA) 4,680 7. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 4,535 8. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 4,505 9. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 4,485 10. Julia Goerges (GER) 3,900 11. Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 3,787 12. Daria Kasatkina (RUS) 3,525 (+1) 13. Madison Keys (USA) 3,127 (-1) 14. Venus Williams (USA) 2,901 15. Elise Mertens (BEL) 2,830 16. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 2,555 17. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 2,350 18. Kiki Bertens (NED) 2,231 19. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 2,165 (+1) 20. Mihaela Buzarnescu (ROU) 2,068 (+4) Selected: 26. Serena Williams (USA) 1,616 Mihaela Buzarnescu has reached the top 20 in the WTA rankings for the first time at the age of 30 Saudi Arabia said Monday it was expelling the Canadian ambassador and had recalled its envoy while freezing all new trade, in protest at Ottawa's vigorous calls for the release of jailed activists. The kingdom gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country, in an abrupt rupture of relations over what it slammed as "interference" in its internal affairs. The move, which underscores a newly aggressive foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, comes after Canada demanded the immediate release of human rights campaigners swept up in a new crackdown. "The Canadian position is an overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the Saudi foreign ministry tweeted. "The kingdom announces that it is recalling its ambassador to Canada for consultation. We consider the Canadian ambassador to the kingdom persona non grata and order him to leave within the next 24 hours." The ministry also announced "the freezing of all new trade and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action". Canada last week said it was "gravely concerned" over a new wave of arrests of women and human rights campaigners in the kingdom, including award-winning gender rights activist Samar Badawi. "We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists," the foreign ministry tweeted on Friday. - 'Unprecedented crackdown' - Samar was arrested along with fellow campaigner Nassima al-Sadah last week, the latest victims of what Human Rights Watch called an "unprecedented government crackdown on the women's rights movement". Samar is a vocal campaigner for blogger Raif Badawi, her brother who was arrested in 2012 and sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for "insulting Islam" in a case that sparked an international outcry. The latest arrests come weeks after more than a dozen women's right campaigners were detained and accused of undermining national security and collaborating with enemies of the state. Some have since been released. The Saudi foreign ministry slammed the Canadian statement, signalling its growing irritation over Western criticism of the kingdom's poor human rights record. "Using the phrase 'immediately release' in the Canadian statement is very unfortunate, reprehensible, and unacceptable in relations between states," the ministry tweeted. Prince Mohammed, heir to the region's most powerful throne, has introduced a string of reforms such as lifting a decades-long ban on women drivers in a bid to overhaul the kingdom's austere image as it prepares for a post-oil era. But the 32-year-old has simultaneously pursued a hawkish foreign policy -- including leading a blockade of neighbouring Qatar and a bombing campaign against Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen -- while cracking down on dissent at home. - 'Serious concern' - "The rupture in Saudi diplomatic relations with Canada reinforces how the 'new' Saudi Arabia that Mohammed bin Salman is putting together is in no mood to tolerate any form of criticism of its handling of domestic affairs," said Kristian Ulrichsen, a fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute in the United States. In April, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his "serious concern" over the continued jailing of Badawi to Saudi King Salman. Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar has been granted asylum by Canada, where she is raising their three children now aged 14, 13 and 10 as a single mother. Riyadh's expulsion of the Canadian ambassador was meant to send a strong message to other critical Western governments, observers say. "Canada is easier to cut ties with than the rest," Bessma Momani, a professor at Canada's University of Waterloo, told AFP. "There isn't a strong bilateral trade relationship and poking the Trudeau government likely resonates with Saudi's hawkish regional allies. At jeopardy, are the tens of thousands of Saudi students in Canada." Saudi Arabia said it was expelling the Canadian ambassador and had recalled its envoy, underscoring a newly aggressive foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Saudi Arabia and Canada on Monday showed no signs of backing down in an escalating row over human rights, after Riyadh abruptly cut ties over Ottawa's vigorous calls for the release of activists jailed in the kingdom. The Saudi government expelled Canada's ambassador, giving him 24 hours to leave the country, and recalled its own envoy to Ottawa, while freezing all new trade over what it slammed as "interference" in its internal affairs. Ottawa did not give any ground over the shock expulsion of the envoy, Dennis Horak, with Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland saying Canada would continue to defend human rights around the world. The rupture, which underscores a newly aggressive foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, comes after Canada denounced a new crackdown on women and human rights campaigners in the kingdom. "The kingdom announces that it is recalling its ambassador to Canada for consultation. We consider the Canadian ambassador to the kingdom persona non grata and order him to leave within the next 24 hours," the Saudi foreign ministry tweeted early Monday. The ministry also announced "the freezing of all new trade and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action". Later Monday, the row appeared to escalate as Riyadh said it will relocate thousands of Saudi students studying in Canada to other countries, and state airline Saudia announced it was suspending flights to and from Toronto. A pro-government Saudi Twitter account provoked outrage when it posted -? and then deleted -? a 9/11-style digitally altered image showing a plane flying towards the Toronto skyline. The account later apologised and the image was reposted with the plane removed, but screenshots of the original tweet spread quickly. Saudi Arabia's media ministry said it was investigating the incident. Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Saudi Arabia "will deal with any interference decisively", dismissing Canada's position as "built on misleading information", in a statement carried by state media. Last week, Canada said it was "gravely concerned" over the new wave of arrests of rights campaigners, including award-winning gender rights activist Samar Badawi, and called on Riyadh to "immediately release them." Canada doubled down on Monday. "Canada will always stand up for human rights, in Canada and around the world, and women's rights are human rights," Freeland told an audience in Vancouver. - 'Unprecedented crackdown' - Samar was arrested along with fellow campaigner Nassima al-Sadah last week, the latest victims of what Human Rights Watch called an "unprecedented government crackdown on the women's rights movement". Samar's brother, blogger Raif Badawi, was arrested in 2012 and sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for "insulting Islam" in a case that sparked an international outcry. The latest arrests come weeks after more than a dozen women's rights campaigners were detained and accused of undermining national security and collaborating with enemies of the state. Some have since been released. Prince Mohammed, heir to the region's most powerful throne, has introduced a string of reforms such as lifting a decades-long ban on women drivers in a bid to overhaul the kingdom's austere image. But the 32-year-old has simultaneously pursued a combative foreign policy -- including leading a blockade of neighbouring Qatar and a bombing campaign against Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen -- while cracking down on dissent at home. The United Arab Emirates, a strong regional ally, supported the Saudi response to Canada, with a senior government official calling Ottawa's behavior "unacceptable." - Defence contract in peril? - In April, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his "serious concern" over the continued jailing of Raif Badawi to Saudi King Salman. Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar has been granted asylum by Canada, where she is raising their three children. "It is now time for other governments to join Canada in increasing the pressure on Saudi Arabia to release all prisoners of conscience immediately and unconditionally," said Samah Hadid, Amnesty International's Middle East campaigns director. But Riyadh's singling out of Canada is aimed at strongly discouraging other critical Western governments from speaking out, observers say. "Canada is easier to cut ties with than the rest," Bessma Momani, a professor at Canada's University of Waterloo, told AFP. "There isn't a strong bilateral trade relationship and poking the Trudeau government likely resonates with Saudi's hawkish regional allies. At jeopardy are the... thousands of Saudi students in Canada." Bilateral trade amounts to CAN $3-4 billion (US $2.3-3.1 billion) a year, according to Thomas Juneau, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa. But the damage could be more significant if a $15 billion deal agreed in 2014 for Canada to sell Riyadh light armoured vehicles is scrapped, as thousands of jobs in Canada could be lost, Juneau said. When asked about the contract, Freeland said the government "looks forward" to hearing from Riyadh about the future of the deal. burs-ac-ny/sst Saudi Arabia is expelling Canada's ambassador and recalling its own envoy to Ottawa, underscoring the aggressive foreign policy of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Canada's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dennis Horak, has been given 24 hours to leave the country Samar Badawi of Saudi Arabia, pictured on March 8, 2012, was swept up in a Saudi crackdown on human rights campaigners Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised concerns in April about Badawi's jailing A terminally ill father has seen his dream overseas holiday with his young family become a nightmare after he took a risk and travelled overseas without health insurance. Duncan Turner, from Perth, is stuck in Bali with mounting medical bills after he took a bad turn on the familys way home from Singapore last week. Mr Turner, his wife Michelle Edgar and their five-year-old daughter Amelie dont know when they can finally travel home. Duncan Turner travelled to Singapore with his wife and daughter to swim with dolphins ticking off the most important task on his bucket list. Source: GoFundMe As a result of Mr Turners short life expectancy, caused by a blood clot to the brain following a serious fall down stairs in July last year, the family flew to Singapore so he and his daughter could swim with dolphins Amelies favourite animal. It was to be a final bucket list request to create daddy-daughter memories. It was priceless, you couldnt put a value on it, he revealed. But as their holiday drew to a close, Mr Turner had another fall in Singapore and was confined to a wheelchair. The doting father is stuck in Bali after becoming hospitalized when his health deteriorated once more. Source; GoFundMe At a Bali stopover his condition deteriorated and he was rushed to hospital for life-saving transfusions. In just a few days theyve racked up hospital bills and other costs totalling around $10,000. Were just stuck in a pretty tight situation, an emotional Ms Edgar told 7 News. Close friends of the family have now banded together and pleaded for donations to help the family return home. Mr Turner has accumulated thousands of dollars of medical expenses in Bali. Source: GoFundMe Michelle and Duncan are two of the most kind-hearted, giving people I know, close friend Lynette wrote on the familys GoFundMe page. She detailed the familys battles in the face of adversity first Amelias premature birth followed by her fathers health problems. It is so heartbreaking that they were only hours from returning to Australia when things turned pear-shaped, Lynette said. The friend said even a small donation would go a long way toward giving this Perth family in need a big, big help. Story continues Mr Turners emotional wife pleaded for help from the public. Source: 7News Because of his health problems, Mr Turner couldnt get travel insurance and the family concede they took a risk. We weighed up the risk and thought that having special family memories on this holiday was worth taking a risk, Ms Edgar said. Theyre now paying the price. Ive got a finite amount of time left on this earth, the father said as he pleaded for help in bringing his family home. A strong earthquake has struck Indonesias popular tourist island of Lombok, triggering a tsunami warning. The magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit the island on Sunday, one week after another quake in the same area killed more than a dozen people. There were no immediate reports of casualties, but authorities said the quake might have caused some damage. The US Geological Survey said the magnitude 7.0 quake struck early Sunday evening at a depth of 10.5 kilometres. Indonesias Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency issued a tsunami warning after the quake struck. The magnitude 7.0 earthquake could be felt in Lombok. Source: US Geological Survey National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told KompasTV that the quake strongly jolted Mataram, the capital of West Nusa Tenggara province, and may have caused damage there. He said the quake was also felt in parts of neighbouring Bali island. A magnitude 6.4 quake hit Lombok on July 29, killing 16 people. Like Bali, Lombok is known for pristine beaches and mountains. Hotels and other buildings in both locations are not allowed to exceed the height of coconut trees. Indonesia is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. In December 2004, a massive magnitude 9.1 earthquake off Sumatra triggered a tsunami that killed 230,000 people in a dozen countries. Nepali factories struggle to find green tea leaves The trend of exporting green tea leaves to India has not reduced despite proliferation of tea processing mills in the eastern hill districts in the last few years. As a result, local tea processing plants have not been able to get the required amount of green tea leaves. The UN Security Council on Monday approved US-drafted measures aimed at ensuring that tough sanctions on North Korea do not impede deliveries of humanitarian aid to the isolated country. Nearly half of North Korea's population - 10 million people - are undernourished, according to UN officials, who have reported a drop in food production last year. UN resolutions specify that sanctions should not affect humanitarian aid, but relief organizations argue that strict trade and banking measures are creating bureaucratic obstacles and slowing down the flow of vital supplies. The United States last month proposed new guidelines to allow aid groups and UN agencies to quickly obtain exemptions from the council committee that oversees implementation of sanctions. After weeks of negotiations, the proposal was approved on Monday. Dutch Deputy UN Ambassador Lise Gregoire-van Haaren, whose country chairs the sanctions committee, said the guidelines will hopefully "provide clarity on delivering humanitarian aid to the North Korean people without violating sanctions." "Our ultimate goal is the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the sanctions are very important to that end," she said. A notice will be sent to the UN's 193 member-states by the committee "to provide a clear explanation" of the procedure for exemptions which will "improve the delivery of humanitarian assistance" to North Korea, a committee document said. - Sanctions pressure - The United States has rebuffed calls from China and Russia to ease sanctions, urging instead that maximum pressure be maintained to compel North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to follow through on his pledge to denuclearize the Korean peninsula. A US official said the guidelines would ensure that "only critical, life-saving humanitarian activities needed in North Korea can continue" and that requests for exemptions will undergo a detailed review. The Security Council last year adopted three rafts of sanctions targeting North Korea's economy in response to Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test and a series of ballistic missile launches. Those sanctions ban North Korea's exports of raw commodities while severely restricting imports of a range of goods and supplies of oil -- vital for the country's military. A UN panel of experts reported on Friday that North Korea was able to circumvent sanctions through ship-to-ship transfers of oil products in international waters, arms sales and illegal banking transactions. Despite the move to unblock deliveries, the United Nations is facing a major funding shortfall for its aid operations in North Korea. Only four countries - Switzerland, Sweden, Canada and France -- have made donations to the $111 million humanitarian appeal for North Korea, contributing a total of $12 million. This undated picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on August 6, 2018 via KNS shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) inspecting the Samchon Catfish Farm in South Hwanghae Province. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed Sunday that the United States would "enforce the sanctions" it is reimposing against Iran after President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear pact. As of 0401 GMT Tuesday, the Iran government can no longer buy US banknotes and broad sanctions will be slapped on Iranian industries, including its rug exports. Asked if Tehran would be able to evade the measures, Pompeo told journalists "the United States is going to enforce the sanctions," speaking en route to Washington after attending a security forum in Singapore. Pompeo said heaping pressure on Tehran was meant to "push back against Iranian malign activity," saying Iranians "are unhappy with the failure of their own leadership to deliver the economic promises that their leadership promised them." "The Iranian people are not happy, not with the Americans but with their own leadership," he said. "This is just about Iranians' dissatisfaction with their own government, and the President is pretty clear, we want the Iranian people to have a strong voice in who their leadership will be." The US walked out of the 2015 nuclear deal in May and is bringing back "maximum pressure" sanctions for most sectors on August 6, and the energy sector on November 4. "The Iranian people are not happy, not with the Americans but with their own leadership," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said American centre-back Matt Miazga has joined Nantes on a season-long loan from Chelsea with an option to buy, the French side confirmed on Monday. Miazga, 23, has made just two appearances for Chelsea since joining from New York Red Bulls in January 2016, and spent the past two seasons on loan in the Netherlands with Vitesse Arnhem. "Nantes offers its third new summer signing," Nantes said in a statement. "American central defender Matt Miazga is loaned to FC Nantes for the 2018-2019 season by Chelsea FC with an option to buy." Miazga has been capped seven times by the USA at international level and helped keep France's world champions in check in a 1-1 draw before the World Cup in June. Loaned out: Matt Miazga has joined Nantes from Chelsea Vermont is the best state for healthcare and Louisiana is the worst, according to a new survey by WalletHub. As healthcare prices continue to rise by more than $1,200 a year according to one study, WalletHub looked how all the states stacked up not just by cost but by access and outcomes and found that the Green Mountain State ranked overall best. A nurse wields a curling iron as she helps a longterm patient with her hair. (ERIC GREGORY, Journal Star) Massachusetts and New Hampshire came in second and third place, while the nations capital came in eighth. Vermont Massachusetts New Hampshire Minnesota Hawaii Rhode Island Colorado District of Columbia Iowa Maryland Vermont climbed from eighth place the previous year, putting three New England states at the top three. The winner last year was Hawaii, which dropped to fifth place. Chart: WalletHub One of the factors that placed Vermont at the top of the list was its low number of infant mortalities at three per 1,000 live births which is three times lower than Alabamas rate, the highest at nine. Runner-up Massachusetts had the lowest average monthly health-insurance premium at $290, which was 3.6 times lower than in Alaska, the highest at $1,041. Green Mountain Care Vermont has also been pushing for a comprehensive health plan dubbed Medicare for all. The initiative, brought forward by Sen. Bernie Sanders, is hoping to achieve a single-payer system for those living in the state. The idea is not new. Vermont had previously tried and failed to enact the first state-level single-payer healthcare system in the U.S. called Green Mountain Care in 2011. The draft then was aimed to give people in Vermont universal healthcare coverage which would be publicly financed versus being required by businesses. But it was abandoned in 2014 as the tax load became too much for smaller businesses in the state. Worst states Louisiana came in last place on the rankings, behind Mississippi and Alaska. The southern state was also ranked as the worst state overall in this years U.S. News & World Report, based on data provided by McKinsey & Companys Leading States Index. The state fared badly not just on health care, but education, economy, and infrastructure as well. Story continues Follow Aarthi on Twitter. Related: A cellist claims she was booted from a plane shortly before take-off despite buying one ticket for her and another for her instrument. Jingjing Hu, a DePaul University School of Music student, had been trying to return to Chicago on an American Airlines flight after performing at a music festival in Miami when she was allegedly told her cello, worth about $AU40,000, was too big for the aircraft, NBC 5 reports. Her husband Jay Tang claims he was assured his wife wouldnt have any issues with transporting the instrument on both legs of her journey. I purchased two round-trip tickets for her and her cello on April 2 on the phone directly from AA and told them specifically that one ticket is for the cello as cabin baggage, he wrote online. I was told it is absolutely allowed and she wont have any problem. The cellist claims she was told her instrument was too big for the aircraft. Source: NBC 5 In the US musicians are allowed to carry oversize instruments in the cabin when they buy an extra seat under federal regulations, NBC 5 reports. The musician did not encounter any difficulties taking the cello on the trip from Chicago to Miami. Jingjing Hu claims on the return journey she had boarded the plane and been given a strap to secure her cello even though it was a smaller plane before being told she had to disembark. You had so many chances to tell me you cannot board yesterday, the music student told NBC 5. You never told me until I sat down. A screenshot shared by Jay Tang of a response he says he received from American Airlines online. Source: Jay Tang/ Facebook The airline said there as a miscommunication about if the cello met the requirements to be allowed on the plane she had boarded which was said to be a Boeing 737. An American Airlines statement said she was rebooked on a larger plane, a Boeing 767, the following morning. We provided her a hotel and meal accommodations for the inconvenience. We apologise for the misunderstanding and customer relations has reached out to her, the statement read. Democratic candidate for attorney general Leecia Eve unveiled a public integrity platform last week that seeks to bolster New York's voting laws and address public corruption in state government. The three-part agenda would focus on campaign finance, election and ethics reforms. Eve supports implementing early voting, allowing same-day voter registration and requiring automatic voter registration. She also advocates for pre-registering 16- and 17-year-olds to vote when they apply for a permit or license at the Department of Motor Vehicles and "no-excuse" absentee voting. She also wants to alter the deadline to register with a political party if you're an existing voter. To vote in the 2018 primaries, current voters needed to register with a party by Oct. 13, 2017 eight months before the federal primary and 11 months before the state and local primary. Other election reforms she supports include restoring voting rights for New Yorkers on parole and requiring all primary election polling locations to be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. across the state. For primary elections, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in New York City and Dutchess, Erie, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester counties. In other counties, the polls are open from noon to 9 p.m. "New York state has been a progressive leader in ensuring our rights as citizens are protected, from civil rights to the women's rights movement and the LGBTQ community, among others," Eve said in a statement. "As attorney general, I will fearlessly and effectively continue in this tradition. But when it comes to our voting laws and issues of corruption and campaign finance, we have a long way to go and that's on us." If elected attorney general, Eve pledged to "aggressively investigate and prosecute public corruption." There have been several corruption cases involving influential state officials, including former state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and ex-state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos. There have been other notable cases, such as the conviction of Joe Percoco, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's longtime friend and former top aide, on bribery charges. Eve proposes replacing the Joint Commission on Public Ethics and the Legislative Ethics Commission with a new panel, the New York State Government Integrity Commission. She vowed to investigate and prosecute sexual harassment in state government. And she supports prohibiting state lawmakers from earning outside income. On campaign finance reform, Eve wants to establish a system to publicly fund campaigns. She endorsed a proposal that has existed for years to close the so-called LLC loophole, which allows wealthy individuals who create limited liability corporations to donate huge sums of money to candidates. "As attorney general, our office will crack down on abuses of power that erode public faith in government, and we will empower New Yorkers with the tools they need to engage in a more open and transparent electoral process," Eve said. Eve is one of four Democrats vying for the party's nomination in the attorney general's race. A Siena College poll released last week found she trails New York City Public Advocate Tish James by a wide margin, although 42 percent of primary voters are undecided. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 State Senate Republicans will hold hearings to examine some of the Board of Parole's controversial decisions and Gov. Andrew Cuomo's order to restore voting rights for thousands of parolees. The hearing schedule wasn't released. Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan's office said details about the meetings will be announced soon. The hearings will be led by state Sen. Patrick Gallivan, who chairs the Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee. Flanagan, R-East Northport, and Gallivan, R-Elma, panned the parole board and Cuomo's executive order that allows parolees to vote. The order allows parolees to receive a conditional pardon, which doesn't free them from the obligations of their parole but does restore their voting rights. "Andrew Cuomo's Get-Out-The-Vote operation includes pardoning the worst of the worst offenders," Flanagan said in a statement. "Cop killers, pedophiles and rapists should not be rewarded with a vote and the peace and freedom that they destroyed for others." Since Cuomo issued the executive order in April, more than 24,000 parolees have received conditional pardons to have their voting rights restored. Senate Republicans note one of the parolees who benefited from the order is Herman Bell, who was granted parole by the state board and released from prison in April. Bell was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for killing two police officers in 1971. He was denied parole on seven other occasions before the board's latest vote in March. Rich Azzopardi, a spokesman for Cuomo, defended the executive order by noting that it puts New York in line with 18 other states and the District of Columbia. The order "stop inequities that the Senate refused to address," he added. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 14 states and the District of Columbia automatically restore voting rights to felons once they are released from prison. In Maine and Vermont, felons retain their right to while in prison. Bell's release and other decisions by the parole board have drawn criticism from Senate Republicans. Last month, the board granted parole to Marybeth Tinning, who served 31 years in prison. Tinning has admitted to killing three of her children. Gallivan, who previously served on the parole board, said he's "troubled" by the panel's recent actions. "The seeming automatic release of cop killers, sex offenders and violent felons is unacceptable," he said. "Further, thousands of criminals who have yet to fulfill their debt to society have had rights restored by the governor through a questionable process. It is time to get answers." In an email to The Citizen, Azzopardi said Cuomo's office disagrees with "some of (the parole board's) decisions too, but it's an independent board and all of its members are confirmed by the Senate." Ten of the 12 parole board members have been appointed by Cuomo. Parole board appointees must be confirmed by the state Senate. Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Auburn Movieplex 10 in Sennett has added accessibility devices for people with sensory disabilities. Assistant Manager Taylor Green said Monday that about two weeks ago, the theater acquired 20 to 30 closed captioning, assistive listening and audio description devices. The closed captioning devices display the dialogue of a movie on a tiny screen for people who are deaf. It isn't bright enough to distract other viewers, Green said. The assistive listening devices amplify audio for people with hearing impairments. And the audio description devices provide narration of what's happening on-screen for people who are blind or visually impaired. Moviegoers with sensory disabilities can request the devices at the Sennett theater's counter. Green said they will be asked to leave an item of theirs with the theater, such as ID or car keys, as insurance due to the high cost of the devices. They will get the item back when they return the device. Green added that the devices have been used twice so far. Guest column: Are Auburn-area movie theaters accessible? Approximately five years ago, movie patrons who have sensory disabilities were able to exper Green said that Rochester Theater Management, which also owns theaters in Brockport, Canandaigua and Geneseo, purchased the accessibility devices after both requests from its patrons and the passage of a law requiring them. The law is an amendment to the American Disabilities Act that took effect in January 2017 and required compliance by June 2. However, theaters do not need to comply with the law if they can claim that acquiring the devices presents an "undue burden or a fundamental alteration." It's for that reason that Track Cinema, the other multiplex theater in Cayuga County, has yet to add them. Speaking to Susan Gray for a guest column that The Citizen published in December, Track owners Randall and Tracy Currier, of Romulus, said that purchasing the devices and setting them up would cost the four-screen theater about $10,000. The Curriers did not respond to a recent request for comment. Monday, Gray expressed gratitude to the Movieplex for acquiring the devices. Gray, who is blind, said she used to have her husband describe movies to her in a whisper, which would distract not only him but other patrons. But now, she and thousands of others in Cayuga County have a theater that offers them a full moviegoing experience. As a member of the board of directors of Aurora of Central New York, which promotes the interests of people with visual and hearing impairments, Gray also knows several others with sensory disabilities who will go to the Sennett theater, she said. "They did the right thing," she said. "It's a real gift." Lake Life Editor David Wilcox can be reached at (315) 282-2245 or david.wilcox@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @drwilcox. Love 3 Funny 3 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 1 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. Nine killed as landslide buries houses One woman and eight children died when a landslide triggered by incessant rainfall buried two houses at Thanti Bazaar in Bheri Municipality-3, Jajarkot, on Sunday morning. A man was injured in the disaster. Following the establishment of its own police force, the Cayuga Nation has announced the creation of a new criminal court system to aid in the prosecution of Native American offenders on nation land. On Monday, the nation said it has enacted a penal code and rules of criminal procedure that will govern the operation of its police force and court system. Former Onondaga County Court Judge Joseph Fahey will serve as the nation's trial judge while former Wayne County Court Judge Dennis Kehoe will serve as the appellate judge. "Judges Fahey and Kehoe have substantial experience in criminal matters and bring those many years of experience as well as excellent reputations for integrity to our nation's court system," said Clint Halftown, the nation's federal representative. "As with the establishment of our police force, the nation is taking responsibility to maintain law and order among our citizens." The announcement came one week after the nation swore in nine new officers on its police force. Earlier this summer, the nation also confirmed that Halftown and his council have signed a contract with a Pennsylvania prison to house its Native American inmates. At the time, Cayuga Nation Police Department Superintendent Mark Lincoln said the nation was also in the process of hiring a prosecutor, defense attorney and probation officer to fill the tribal court. However, he said, many of the details about jurisdiction were "very cloudy" as a lot depends on the Bureau of Indian Affairs approving the tribe's application to put nation-owned land into federal trust. Meanwhile, Halftown said the nation will be appointing additional officials to its court system in the near future. Love 3 Funny 5 Wow 2 Sad 1 Angry 1 Q Can stem cells be used to repair brain damage or help someone with Alzheimers, dementia or Parkinsons? Kate Krueger, Madison, Wis. A Craig Atwood, associate professor in the department of medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and research scientist at the Veterans Administration Hospital: The simple answer to the question is yes. It is possible to regenerate parts of the brain with stem cells, just like we can in other organs. Animal models have clearly demonstrated that the injection of stem cells directly into the hippocampus, for example, can restore memory in models of both Alzheimers disease and Parkinsons disease. Stem cells are also being used for treatments in traumatic brain injury where regions of the brain have been knocked out. Injection of stem cells into damaged regions has allowed for the repopulation of those areas of the brain and the increase of cognitive performance. A more indirect way of using stem cells to tackle Alzheimers disease and improve cognitive performance is to increase sex hormone levels. Its well known that as people age, sex hormones decline, and those declines lead to cognitive problems. We can use stem cells to repopulate the gonads, or sex organs, with the cells that normally produce these hormones. This can get hormones back into balance and improve cognitive function as we age. Were only now just starting to perform the experiments to rebalance sex hormones, but all evidence suggests that this is a strategy that can work. It is anticipated a lot of research will be performed over the next decade to bring this new and exciting possibility to fruition. Blue Sky Science is a collaboration of the Wisconsin State Journal and the Morgridge Institute for Research. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CYBERSPACEA massively popular sci-fi drama in which the two lead characters are gay has been purged from one of Chinas top streaming platforms, as part of the continuing Chinese government campaign to stamp out what it deems harmful and obscene content from the internet, according to a report published this weekend by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post newspaper. The move to censor the series Zhenhun, aka Guardianone of Chinas most popular online shows with more than 1.8 billion views over its 40 episodes since it appeared on the Youku streaming service in early Julycomes at the sane time as the internets dominant search engine, Google, is reportedly readying the launch a Chinese version of the search service, with government censorship already built in, as the investigative news site The Intercept reported last week. From 2006 to 2010, Google operated a Chinese version of its search engine, and though that version of Google obeyed Chinas censorship policies, it also alerted users to the content that had been blocked due to censorship, according to CNN. But Google pulled out of China in 2010, claiming that the Chinese government had hacked their servers looking to track down political dissidents living outside Chinese borders. According to The Intercept report, however, the new Chinese version of Google will simply omit all government-censored search results, as if the content never existed at all. The case of Guardian illustrates how sensitive Chinas censors can be when it comes to depictions of sexuality, and gay themes. The 40-part drama is based on a popular novel, written under a pseudonym, in which the two male protagonists are clearly in a relationship. In the adaptation, according to the Morning Post, their relationship was instead presented as a bond of brotherhood in the hope of avoiding the censors. But toning down the novels gay themes still wasnt enough for Chinas censorship authorities. In order to pass the censors, the screenwriters turned this story into a science fiction drama for children, and it was still taken offline, wrote one angry fan on an internet message board, quoted by the Morning Post. The show was only the latest in a series of online programs to be censored by Chinas State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, which, as AVN.com has previously reported, is waging a stepped-up campaign against what the government calls harmful and vulgar content that might infringe on the physical and mental health of young people. After news broke last week of Googles reported planthe report has not been confirmed by Googleto create a new, censored version of its search engine for China, a bipartisan group of six United States Senators sent a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai blasting the company for its reported willingness to become complicit in human rights abuses related to Chinas rigorous censorship regime. Guardian trailer YouTube screen capture A 2004 home invasion robbery and assault against Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis was not simply an attempt to extract money from the then-multimillionaire creator of the popular video seriesa series centered around young women willing to flash ther breasts for Francis's video cameras, and was once a staple of late-night TV infomercials. The attack was ordered by one of New Yorks top Mafia crime figures, the man convicted of the bizarre assault now says, according to a report by the New York gossip site Page Six. Darnell Riley, who also goes by the name Riley Perez, has a new book scheduled to be published next week in which he details his assault on Francis. The attack, he told Page Six, was ordered by Matthew "Matty the Horse" Ianniello, a longtime Genovese family mobster and, at the time, acting boss. I was asked to rough him up, Riley told the site, of his attack on Francis. I worked with guys, if they told you to do something, you dont ask questions. In addition to robbing Francis in his home, Riley also ordered Francis to lie face down on the bed, pulled down his pants, and revealed what hed brought with him to Francis house: a video camera and a sex toywhich he posed suggestively on Joe's posterior, according to an account of the incident by Dateline NBC. The resulting video was supposedly to be used as extortion material against Francis. In his Page Six interview, Riley did not say why the Mafia hoods wanted Francis roughed up. Ianniellowho avoided the fate of many mobsters and lived to be 92 years old, finally dying at his Long Island, New York, home on August 15, 2012controlled many of the strip clubs and porn movie theaters in New Yorks Times Square in the 1970s, the long-bygone era memorialized in the HBO TV series The Deuce. Matty the Horse also controlled numerous gay bars and nightclubs in the 1960s, an era when the gay nightlife scene remained underground and was often subject to police raidsa problem that Ianniellos Mafia muscle could solve, for a price. Riley was apprehended after Franciss then-girlfriend, the socialite Paris Hilton, learned that he had committed the attack from Hollywood party gossip. Riley pleaded guilty to the charges in 2006 and served nine years behind bars in California. But Riley is now making promotional appearances for his book, What Is Real: The Life and Crimes of Darnell Riley, and says that he bears no ill will toward Francis, who reportedly now lives in Mexico with his wife and two daughters. He was the victim. I was the perpetrator, Riley told Page Six. Theres no vendetta. The book is not about exacting revenge. Photo by Mantra Films / Wikimedia Commons CHICAGOZalo USA is set to release its fourth collection, the Queen G-spot Vibrator with PulsWave technology and detachable suction accessory. The range will officially launch on Aug. 20. The Queen G-spot vibrator by Zalo introduces electromagnetic PulsWave technology, which uses a wave-type motor in combination with a vibration motor. The streamlined design is modeled to intimately fit sensitive areas with ridges to promote touch sensation. Queen has eight vibration modes, eight pulse-wave modes, and intelligent 107 degrees Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius) heating temperature control. PulsWave technology uses adjustable intensity with a range up to 75 sets of stimulation per second. Its carefully crafted sleek design is convex in the center with an angled form, allowing for point-to-point waving stimulation and wave-press G-spot at high frequency. The Cleopatra-inspired unique snake charm design control features a Swarovski Crystal and three separate buttons which control heating, the vibration motor and the wave motor. The suction accessory makes it a versatile model ideal for clitoris stimulation and breast teasing. Queen by Zalo uses body-safe Dow Corning food-level silicone that meets FDA requirements, with an exclusive Softek skin imitation silicone layer. Additionally, the Queen is waterproof. The piece runs between two and four hours on a full charge, and comes with a magnetic USB charger. As featured with previous collections from Zalo brand, the Zalo Queen line comes with an internal Bluetooth, which uses a simple one-click method to connect with APP technology, the models offer multiple dating modes for individual preference. Users can create their own vibration mode for a personal experience which is unique to them. Queen model comes in three colors: Twilight Purple, Jewel Green and Wine Red. It is affordably priced in the U.S. in the range of MRSP $149 to $160. Queen is the fourth collection from Zalo brand. The three previous collections released in North America in 2017 are the Versailles Series, the Lolita Series and Sweet Magic. Each offer distinct qualities in their respective designs to cater to different stimulation preferences. The Zalo Brand is an intimate product brand that was created to promote positive self care and help people to feel more beautiful, healthy and more confident. Zalo was created for love and beauty, inspired by a zealous approach to living, Zalo prides itself on its commitment to meticulous professionalism in the manufacture of the products. Zalo transformed these philosophical ideas and high technology into luxury high quality series to promote physical and mental harmony, and guide users to reward our world with heart full of love. For morem visit ZaloUSA.com. Should Beaufort County's commissioners be resolved to ask the federal government to defend our Southern Border by ending the Biden /Harris Open Border policy in regards to that one border that is intentionally made OPEN? Yes, Illegal Migrants are a huge expense to local governments. No, the cost of Undocumented Immigrants is insignificant in providing a pathway for the "Browning of America". As cost of raw materials rise, finished goods will get more expensive The latest shots in the escalating trade war will hit North Carolina manufacturers hard.North Carolina exports $32.6 billion in goods, supporting more than 150,000 jobs, and $1.1 billion of state exports are under fire in the trade disputes, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce report says.As the United States and its largest trading partners levy ever-increasing tariffs, businesses from house builders to craft brewers face either losing thousands or hiking prices for consumers. Almost all of the U.S. tariffs will attack the parts manufacturers import to make products, a Peterson Institute analysis says.Expect to pay an extra buck for a six-pack of craft beer once the tariffs on aluminum inflate the prices of cans, brewers say. More than half of the beer annually produced in the U.S. comes in cans, according to the Beer Institute Foothills Brewery in Winston-Salem will dodge the tariffs' full effects because they bottle instead of can, but it still will bleed $18,000 from the cost increase in bottle caps, said Foothills president Jamie Bartholomaus.Bartholomaus said.Craft brewers lack the resources to absorb the costs.Bartholomaus said.Potential home buyers can also thank the tariffs on Canadian lumber for a $9,000 hike in the price of an average single family home, said N.C. Home Builders Association Executive Vice President Michael Carpenter.Carpenter said.Builders and domestic foresters have sparred over the importation of Canadian lumber since the 1980s. Foresters have long accused Canada of dumping subsidized, cheaper lumber into the U.S. market.says John Hatcher, executive vice president of the N.C. Forestry Association.But even some lumber yards might be feeling stress from the tariffs. Boyd McLaurin, vice president of operations for Canal Wood, has seen four wood yards close in the past 10 days because of the costs of the tariffs.McLaurin said.That shutdowns could be from the tariffs or from various other shifts in the international market, said Hatcher.As for the other industries in North Carolina, the effects of the tariffs will be mixed.Preston Howard, president of the N.C. Manufacturers Alliance, said.North Carolina's top exported good is airplanes, and HondaJet factories in North Carolina are facing more duties on its parts and products.Honda North America Executive Vice President Rick Schostek said in a press release The Trump administration has signaled it could grant manufacturers exemptions to the tariffs.GE Aviation, which also manufactures in North Carolina, is looking for ways to minimize the impact of the tariffs.a General Electric spokeswoman said.The tariffs will place North Carolina steel makers among the winners; Nucor Corp. of Charlotte ranks among the nation's largest steel manufacturers.said Structural Steel of Carolina Chief Executive Officer Jim Brewer.Adding to the stress of tariffs is the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, and other trade discussions.Trump and the European Union announced their intention Wednesday toas well as toBut they didn't rescind any tariffs already in place.said John Chaffee, president of the NCEast Alliance President. The alliance is the economic development agency primarily serving the region of the state east of Interstate 95. PM working on new chief justice recommendation Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is preparing to call a meeting of the Constitutional Council to recommend another chief justice candidate after receiving the letter from the federal parliament about rejection of acting CJ Deepak Raj Joshee. The Alternative For Germany (AfD) is a xenophobic far-right party whose ranks include neo-Nazis and Holocaust deniers; in a new tell-all book by "AfD dropout" Franziska Schreiber (once the head of the AfD's youth wing), we learn that party leader Frauke Petry worked closely with Hans-Georg Maaen, the president of Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (a domestic surveillance agency with 3,100 employees and an annual budget of 350m). According to Schreiber, Maaen is sympathetic to the AfD's cause, and he extensively advised the party bosses on how to skirt the line that would brand them as domestic extremists, which meant that they avoided surveillance and sanction. At the same time, Maaen's agency branded any left-wing party that opposed the rise of the far right as extremists and subjected them to public smears and unknown quantities of secret surveillance. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution was formed after WWII and incorporated many of the Reich's most aggressive strategists and foot-soldiers, including members of the Nazi party and the Organization Consul. Maaen, who claims to be unaffiliated with any party, has been a top official in the state intelligence apparatus for almost 30 years. In 1991, Otto Schily (SPD), then federal minister of the interior, brought Maaen into his ministry, where he quickly became the head of the department on immigration law. In this capacity, he prevented the Guantanamo prisoner Murat Kurnaz, who grew up in Bremen, from returning to Germany in 2002. In August 2012, Maaen was appointed president of the BfV by then-Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich (CSU). A short time later, he attacked whistleblower Edward Snowden as a "traitor" and called for the media to collaborate more closely in the strengthening of state security. In 2015, Maaen brought forward several criminal charges to initiate an investigation against two bloggers from "netzpolitik.org" on suspicions of treason. With this action, Maaen unleashed a major attack on freedom of the press. Head of German secret service advised far-right Alternative for Germany [Ulrich Rippert/WSWS] (via Naked Capitalism) The Ancient Earth Globe is an interactive 3D globe that depics the Earth at various points in geological history from 750m years ago until now. Here it is 300m years ago. Late Carboniferous. Plants developed root systems that allowed them to grow larger and move inland. Environments evolved below tree canopies. Atmospheric oxygen increased as plants spread on land. Early reptiles have evolved, and giant insects diversify. And here it is 0 million years ago, right before the Post-anthropocene Extinction Event. Amazing! Look how green it all was. We've seen a lot of Sacha Baron Cohen's "mental Israeli colonel" persona lately, but it's his "narcissist European YouTuber" one that got former Sheriff Joe Arpaio to admit that he'd let Trump perform oral sex on him. "I may have to say yes," Arpaio responded, when asked if he would accept an "amazing blowjob" from Trump. Arpaio had earlier admitted to being duped by Cohen back in July, after he saw that arch conservatives like Dick Cheney were also fooled. This one helps clarify why Sacha Baron Cohen is so amazing. He doesn't set out to show what people want to do; he shows what they will agree to do. Todd Kincannon was found "bloodied and covered in dog hair" by police officers after killing and mutilating his mother's 10-year-old beagle. Kincannon reportedly told Simpsonville police officers that he killed the dog because, "I'm the second coming of Christ and I got a command from God to do it." Kincannon said "that every 1,000 years there needs to be a sacrifice and blood must be spilt." An incident report noted that Kincannon held up injuries to his arm and wrist which an officer said were likely from a dog bite and said, "I have a sign. I'm about to get crucified in the media." A group of high school students in Japan spent two years recreating the sounds and sights of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 in painstaking detail. The Aug. 6, 1945, bombing of Hiroshima killed 140,000 people. Three days later, a second U.S. atomic bomb killed 70,000 people in Nagasaki. Japan surrendered six days after that, ending World War II. "Even without language, once you see the images, you understand," said Mei Okada, one of the students working on the project at a technical high school in Fukuyama, a city about 60 miles east of Hiroshima. "That is definitely one of the merits of this VR experience." Wearing virtual reality headsets, users can take a walk along the Motoyasu River prior to the blast and see the businesses and buildings that once stood. They can enter the post office and the Shima Hospital courtyard, where the skeletal remains of a building now known as the Atomic Bomb Dome stand on the river's banks, a testament to what happene Ankle monitors are billed as a humane alternative to incarceration, allowing people who might otherwise be locked up to be reintegrated into the community. But as activists James Kilgore (Understanding Mass Incarceration) and Emmett Sanders (Challenging E-Carceration) write, the reality of ankle monitors is that they are often used to impose additional monitoring on the kinds of people who were always going to be allowed out of jail, with particularly bad effects on poor people, who are billed for their own monitoring services (an expense that sometimes includes buying a landline and for some sex offenders, ankle-monitors are a lifelong obligation). Ankle monitors don't just work badly, they fail badly, too: if the ankle-monitor loses its signal, the person obliged to wear it can end up back behind bars. Worse still is what happens when a monitor-wearer is injured or ill: they are expected to leave their monitors on, even if it means doctors can't treat their wounds, and monitors are required even while you're undergoing surgery. Finally, there's the question of the data these things collect on their wearers: it's retained for years, or maybe forever, and no one knows who it's shared with. 4. Don't Get Sick Some medical procedures, such as MRIs, mammograms, x-Rays, and CT scans, cannot be done while a person has a monitor. Most states have no clear policy for removing the device in case of emergency. California's rules require the person to "carry an activated device to the medical procedure" (e.g., into the operating room). 5. Hidden Costs Many states still require a landline telephone (yes, a landline) for their monitors, adding a cost many households have long since struck from the budget. In Iowa, if you lose or damage the tracking component of the device, you'll pay $795 to replace it; a missing power cord sets you back $55. Ankle Monitors Aren't Humane. They're Another Kind of Jail [James Kilgore and Emmett Sanders/Wired] (Image: Jeremy-Gunther-Heinz Jahnick, CC-BY-SA) Rick Gates, on the witness stand today in the trial of Paul Manafort, says he committed crimes with Manafort, and embezzled "hundreds of thousands" of dollars from Manafort. "Did you commit crimes with Mr. Manafort?" the prosecutor asked. "Yes," Gates responded. Prosecution witness Gates, who is a former business partner of Manafort, testified that he joined Donald Trump's former campaign manager in committing bank fraud and tax crimes. "Gates is admitting to everything," says NBC News' Ken Dilanian later, outside the courthouse. Why would the prosecution begin by inviting Gates to confess to the crimes he's been charged with (and others)? They're establishing his credibility, and explaining the deal he's madeso the defense can't use any 'secrets' to impugn Gates' credibility as a witness. He's expected to detail the crimes he committed with Manafort as the trial resumes tomorrow. BREAKING: Rick Gates in trial: Prosecutor: "Were you involved in any criminal activity with Mr. Manafort?" Gates: "Yes." Prosecutor: "Did you commit any crimes with Mr. Manafort?" Gates: "Yes." Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) August 6, 2018 What do you want to bet that Paulie knew Gates was fluffing his expense reports, but considered a few hundred thousand here and there tip money for his chief co-conspirator? emptywheel (@emptywheel) August 6, 2018 Watching Gates, perhaps Manafort now realizes the legal benefit of agreeing to testify against your boss. https://t.co/bVtFQd0S3j David Jolly (@DavidJollyFL) August 6, 2018 I have seen some cold stares in my life but watching Paul Manafort stare down his former deputy, arms crossed, as Rick Gates recounted the long list of his alleged crimes was remarkable. #ManafortTrial Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) August 6, 2018 Per @KenDilanianNBC: Prosecutors say the $10M Manafort received from Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska was a PAYMENT not a LOAN. Which is what I've been saying for over a year now: Money launderers frequently will disguise payments as loans.#Maddow https://t.co/bZ1HludkVh Polly Sigh (@dcpoll) August 6, 2018 lawyer: so what would you say was your main activity with mr. manafort? rick gates: pic.twitter.com/GJkMVYXsWY Hayes Brown (@HayesBrown) August 6, 2018 Gates says he committed bank and tax fraud at Paul Manafort's direction, also embezzled "several hundred thousand" dollars https://t.co/KcuWmUOqiy Rachel Weiner (@rachelweinerwp) August 6, 2018 In court now: Prosecutor on Mueller's team asks Rick Gates if he committed crimes with Paul Manafort. "Yes," Gates says. First time a senior Trump campaign official has confessed to a crime on the stand. Ari Melber (@AriMelber) August 6, 2018 Rick Gates testimony cliffnotes pic.twitter.com/b2OotiHd8S Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) August 6, 2018 President Cyril Ramaphosa and his family travelled to Uganda this past weekend to attend the marital union between his son, Andile, and his fiancee, Bridget Birungi. PAY ATTENTION: Click "See first" under the "Following" tab to see Briefly news on your News Feed! The SA head of state was photographed enjoying the wedding ceremony of his son and the niece of former prime minister of Uganda John Patrick Amama Mbabazi. According to The Sowetan, the festivities took place at Mbabazi's Kololo residence in the capital, Kampala. Briefly.co.za learned Mbabazi thanked the SA president for fulfilling the requirements set by the glowing bride's family. "We would like to thank you for being trustworthy, for being dependable because you fulfilled the conditions. So, we are very happy to fulfill our part of handing over to you the hand of our daughter Bridget Birungi," the bride's uncle said. Several photographs of the wedding ceremony were shared son social media, which included a couple of pics of Ramaphosa getting his party on. READ ALSO: Shrien Dewani, who ordered a hit on his wife in SA, is back with a boyfriend Social media users praised the union between Rwakairu and Ramaphosa's son. Social media user @nash2j wrote, "Opposition, gov't, judiciary and activists reunite at #RamaphosaBridgetKuhingira. Such ceremonies should happen more often. A peaceful country is what we all desire." As Briefly.co.za previously, Ramaphosa was said to have travelled to Uganda in May 2018 to pay lobola for Rwakairu. Do you have a story to share with us? Inbox us on our Facebook page and we could feature your story. To stay up to date with the latest news, download our news app on Google Play or iTunes today. Briefly South Africa has gone through the list of current and immediate past African leaders and is ready to present Top-5 tips on how to be an average African president. Source: Briefly.co.za News / National by Staff reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been dealt a heavy blow after the United States asked the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to release comprehensive results of the just-ended presidential elections based on data collected from polling stations, in a move that could open new faulty lines between Washington and Harare.In a damning statement issued just three days after the harmonised elections held on Monday, Jeff Flake, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, said there was need for a proper tabulation of the results."In order to instil confidence in the election results, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission must now make good on its commitment to release comprehensive polling data in a transparent manner that includes results from each polling station signed off by party agents who were present for the casting of ballots and the tabulation of results. Challenges to the results must be pursued through legal channels," Flake said.Flake also raised concern over events that ensued soon after the elections, which saw the killing of six civilians by soldiers saying it showed that nothing had changed from the previous administration led by former president Robert Mugabe, who was known for using ruthless tactics against his opponents to remain in power."Over the past several days, I have had the privilege of observing Zimbabwe's historic elections. After decades of misrule by Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe deserves to have a government worthy of its people."After a day of peaceful voting on July 30th, the violence on August 1st that claimed the lives of at least six people and injured many more was a throwback to the old days. The use of the Zimbabwean military to respond to political protests, or the use of the police force to disrupt press conferences, does not signal a new era, rather it echoes a dreadful past," he said.The US has been trying to normalise relations with Zimbabwe following Mugabe's fall last November following an army intervention that catapulted Mnangagwa to the presidency.Flake was also part of a five-member delegation of US Senators that visited Zimbabwe from April 6 to 8, to assess the political situation in the country.The mission also comprised senators Chris Coons, Cory Booker, Michael Bennet and Garry Peters - all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.Then, Coons observed that Mnangagwa was not walking the talk in ushering democratic change as promised, which could result in the lifting of sanctions.Flake and Coons led the drafting of proposed amendments to the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 (Zidera), a legislation that imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe.His comments come after spokesperson for the United States Department of State, Heather Nauert also issued a statement stating that they were assessing the outcome of the July 30 polls."The United States welcomes the commitment by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to release comprehensive election results in a form that provides full transparency. The United States will continue to review the data collected by its own observation teams, by international observation missions, and by local observers to make a complete assessment of the overall election," Nauert said.The electoral contestations put a dent on Zimbabwe's chances of having the sanctions lifted by the US, after Washington expressed irritation at the manner in which the elections were conducted.Mnangagwa had pledged that Zimbabwe will this year hold free, fair, transparent and credible elections though opposition parties complained on a number of irregularities, chief among them lack of some tangible reforms and the failure to provide a clean voters' roll.With Mugabe's relations with the West having been toxic for most of the past two decades, the US government has to date been renewing its targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe and the country's then top leadership.Recently, Washington introduced a Bill amending the biting Zidera, which introduced tough sanctions against Mugabe personally, as well as many of his senior officials and State entities.The new Bill, now referred to as the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Amendment Act of 2018, does not only contain conditions which are specific to Mnangagwa's new dispensation - but if these conditions are met, President Donald Trump's administration will completely remove the current sanctions and re-establish wholesome relations with Harare.This comes as the Commonwealth observer group noted that the stakeholders in the elections including political parties and the electorate did not have confidence in Zec's ability to deliver a credible free and fairs election."Although this was the second election organised by an independent election management body, Zec, we noted that public confidence in Zec needs to be strengthened," the reports reads in part."Political parties and civil society, in particular, expressed the view that Zec missed some opportunities to build trust and instil confidence in the electoral process through effective communication".The Commonwealth said it will give a final comment in its final report on the issues "including the lack of transparency in Zec's handling of the printing of the ballot papers, and access to the final voters' register ahead of the polls". Police find out-of-contact Nur Prasad The Metropolitan Police Crime Division on Sunday found Nur Prasad Adhikari, the out-of-contact son of Ganga Maya Adhikari, a seeker of justice, in Sanepa, Lalitpur.Ganga Maya, during her recent hunger strike staged to seek justice for her murdered son Krishna Prasad, had requested members of the National Human Rights Commission to find her other son Nur Prasad. News / National by Stephen Jakes Mthwakazi activist Hloniphani Ncube has said Emmerson Mnangagwa is an ideological weak leader while he is passionate heartless."Ever since the capture of the government by the callous and ideologically constrained Chiwengwa and Mnangagwa, the citizens of the country have experienced atrocious events involving murder of civilians, massive economic decline and a series of acute political degradation. There are a number of people who have been killed and some disappeared whilst Mnangagwa with his military cronies were going around telling the world that, they are open for business an ideology borrowed from South Africa but abused by him. In fact his business is leading people forcefully. He did not only borrow that, but he went ahead and created a scarf similar to the ones won by government officials in South Africa," he said."Zimbabwe is currently in the wrong people with serious mental problems of which some of the symptoms have manifested after the elections whereby they ordered soldiers to kill people and justified the killings and played a null blame game like they did with gukurahundi. The citizens of Zimbabwe are at serious risk and they are surrounded by the military ready to kill."He said the police are lead by a minister who is overshadowed by his stomach rather than logic."It's very unfortunate that as the African continent we are engulfed by capitalist puppets purporting to be presidents and leaders of our society. The fact that leaders such as Ramaphosa congratulated Emerson Mnangagwa for winning bloody elections is unfortunate, anywhere I am not surprised especially considering the dark cloud of Marikana miners which surrounds him," he said."The other issue is that Ramaphosa would prefer a struggling Zimbabwe economically and politically that has been reduced to a market of South Africa and China which is a boost to the big brothers of BRICS. South African leaders like former president Thabo Mbeki and Ramaphosa have been proven to be the enemies of a democratic Zimbabwe. This is why Grace Mugabe was given unlawful immunity." News / National by Staff reporter THE MDC Alliance has distanced itself from social media messages claiming the opposition coalition is organizing a countrywide shutdown this Monday.The alliance is bitterly disputing the results of last week's elections, particularly the presidential vote which was won by President Emmerson Mnangagwa with 50.8 percent of the ballot against about 44 percent for alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.In a statement, officials said; "The MDC Alliance distances itself from the message circulating on social media calling for a shutdown on Monday."Our party is preparing for a court challenge on Presidential results. We urge our supporters to remain calm and wait for the court ruling."In an interview with NewZimbabwe.com Sunday evening, the coalition's presidential spokesperson Nkululeko Sibanda added that "there is no plan for such an event as the Alliance is planning to go the court way." News / National by Staff reporter South Africa based businesswoman Vimbai Chakanyuka who claims to have used her fortunes on the electoral campaign for Mabvuku-Tafara Zimbabwe Partnership and Prosperity Party (ZIPP) House of Assembly candidate, Simba Muchero is celebrating after the latter lost in last week's harmonised elections.Simba who is also the leader for One Blow Church is accused of squandering Vimbai's thousands of dollars after he had promised to marry her.(image)Vimbai said her former boyfriend didn't deserve to win because he was a con artist."I am happy that the people from Mabvuku-Tafara constituency did not vote for Simba because he doesn't deserve to lead people."He is just an opportunist who doesn't have people at heart; he failed to handle the administration of his own family what more the whole constituency?"He is just an opportunist who wanted to run for public office only to steal from the community."If it wasn't for my finances he had nothing to give to the electorate, I would do everything for him to the extent of even buying him airtime."Sometimes I feel sorry for him because some of the things that he boasts about having is enough proof that he has a shallow mind."I was surprised when I saw some of his posts on social media bragging that he is getting a lot of money from tithes," said Vimbai.Speaking on her current situation, Vimbai said she had now put the past behind her and was ready to move on with her life."I have learnt from my mistake and as from now going forward I am now dating people of my level, he is a small boy and he now has to keep his lane."I can best describe him as a useless individual posing to be a servant of God. I have been receiving messages from different women whom he has also robbed."I wish him well in life but he should learn not to scam or lie to people, it's sad actually," he said.Meanwhile Simba said Vimbai's actions were meant to tarnish his image."I can't be brought down by prostitutes like Vimbai Chakanyuka, who are being paid to paint my name and lie to the world that they funded me."Vimbai Chakanyuka is a known prostitute that escorts certain top officials just because they felt the heat in Mabvuku-Tafara they resorted to sending this woman that I met once and not even for 30 minutes."For her to claim that she was in relationship with me or she funded me R2million is baseless."She once ran away from Botswana after framing certain people as well. I am a man of dignity and she is one of the people who just want to be on the spotlight because of me," he said. News / National by Simbarashe Sithole Norton legislator Temba Mliswa scoffed at MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa who is lamenting rigging in the just ended presidential election.Mliswa said Chamisa's election record speaks for its self as he has a trail of defeats."Chamisa rigged his way to becoming MDC-T leader, there was no Congress."He claimed rigging when he was beaten hands down by Mwonzora as SG."He's a trail of defeats, even in Kuwadzana did he represent them well during his tenure? History speaks for itself," said Mliswa via Twitter.The Alliance presidential candidate is crying foul after losing the election to the incumbent President. He has accused the electrol body of stealing the election and has refused to accept the outcome. However the MDC is yet to make public the evidence which they claim to have exposing the rigging of the election. Opinion / Columnist The people of Zimbabwe and all level headed people out there will be outraged if the EU and the other international elections observers election observers come out with a wishy-washy report comparable to the statement from UK Minister of State for Africa, the Right Honourable Harriett Baldwin."The UK was encouraged that Zimbabweans turned out in record numbers to vote in the elections on 30 July, and particularly the increase in first-time voters, including many young, urban Zimbabweans, who found themselves excluded from previous electoral rolls," said Minister Baldwin."While polling day passed off peacefully, a number of concerns have been raised by observer missions, particularly about the pre-election environment, the role of state media, and the use of state resources. There is much to be done to build confidence in Zimbabwe's electoral process."The UK remains deeply concerned by the violence following the elections and the disproportionate response from the security forces. We have urged all parties to work together to ensure calm. It is vital that any appeals against the results or the process are handled swiftly and impartially. All candidates have a responsibility to ensure their supporters act with restraint and avoid violence, while any challenges to the results are resolved."Sorry but that is simply not good enough! The people of Zimbabwe are expecting the British government and the international elections observers to answer the question: where these elections free, fair and credible?Compared to Zimbabwe's past elections these elections were free of the usual scourge of blatant intimidation, beatings, rape and even murders. There is no disputing that having an election process that is free of all manner of violence is important for free, fair and credible elections. Still there is no disputing that this is not the only requirement.The Right Honourable Minister Baldwin, does not need anyone to remind her that President Mnangagwa will cherry pick from her statement and focus on what she was "encouraged" with and forget all she was "concerned" about! It is therefore imperative that the Minister states categorically whether what she was concerned about was serious enough to render these election NOT free, fair and credible.Would Minister Baldwin or any other British government official or private citizen judge British elections in which there is no free media; no verified voters' roll; the government of the day robbed the nation blind to bankroll its vote-rigging and vote-buying schemes; etc.; etc. free, fair and credible? Not even one of you would ever do that for the simple reason that doing so would let the genie out of the bottle. It will cause untold human suffering and cost hundreds of thousands of lives to put the little green man back in the bottle.Just because Zanu PF and opposition politicians do not know what constitute free, fair and credible elections this does not mean the rest of the people do not. Millions of ordinary Zimbabweans KNOW these elections were flawed and illegal. To say otherwise, specially by those who would never ever allow such an outrage in their own country, is extremely patronising, to say the least.It is important to note that none of the foreign investors and lenders, whose money Zimbabwe needs to kick-start, the country's collapsed economy are going to continue to shy away from investing in the country. The British government can afford to be patronising and turn a blind eye to these rigged elections. No investor will risk their money investing in a country so unstable the only way to achieve regime change is by military coup, violent street protests or some such violent act!By failing to hold free, fair and credible elections; President Mnangagwa has just confirmed that Zimbabwe is still a pariah state ruled by vote-rigging thugs. Investors do not do business with thugs!"We will continue to work with the Government and the Zimbabwean people to support democracy and good governance, help with the country's development, and promote regional security and prosperity. The UK remains a close partner of the Zimbabwean people in their quest for a better future," concluded Minister Baldwin.With all due respect Minister Baldwin, the British government is NOT supporting democracy and good governance by helping Zanu PF get away with rigged elections! By failing to condemn these rigged elections decisively the British are giving President Mnangagwa a bolt hole to escape his regime being rightly judged "illegitimate". By Rich McKay (Reuters) - Apple Inc, Alphabet Inc's YouTube, Facebook Inc and Spotify all took down podcasts and channels from U.S. conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, saying on Monday that the Infowars author had broken community standards. The sweeping moves are the broadest actions yet by internet companies that previously have suspended or removed some of the conspiracy-driven content produced by Infowars. Since founding Infowars in 1999, Jones has built a vast audience. Among the theories he has promoted is that the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington were staged by the government. Facebook said it removed Alex Jones pages "for glorifying violence, which violates our graphic violence policy, and using dehumanizing language to describe people who are transgender, Muslims and immigrants, which violates our hate speech policies." The Infowars app remained available on the app stores hosted by Apple and Alphabet's Google Play, however, while Twitter Inc said that Infowars accounts were not currently in violation of its rules. Alphabet and Apple did not immediately respond to questions about why the app remained available on their platforms. Infowars editor-at-large Paul Joseph Watson said in a tweet https://twitter.com/PrisonPlanet/status/1026433061469257733 that the broad take-downs amounted to censorship and were intended to help Democrats in congressional elections due in November. "Infowars is widely credited with having played a key role in electing Donald Trump. By banning Infowars, big tech is engaging in election meddling just three months before crucial mid-terms," Watson wrote on the Infowars website. Neither Jones nor a representative for Infowars was available for additional comment. None of the companies that took down the content commented on whether they had coordinated their actions. The Alex Jones Channel on YouTube on Monday displayed a banner saying the account had been terminated for violating community guidelines, and a spokesperson added by email that repeated violation of policies such as those prohibiting hate speech and harassment led to termination of accounts. Apple deleted most Infowars podcasts and a spokeswoman said in a statement that the company "does not tolerate hate speech" and publishes guidelines that developers and publishers must follow. "Podcasts that violate these guidelines are removed from our directory making them no longer searchable or available for download or streaming," Apple said in a statement. "We believe in representing a wide range of views, so long as people are respectful to those with differing opinions." Only one program provided by Infowars, "RealNews with David Knight," remained on Apple's podcasts platforms on Monday. BuzzFeed earlier reported that Apple had removed the library for five of Jones's six Infowars podcasts, including the shows "War Room" and the daily "The Alex Jones Show." Twitter said in an email that content posted to other websites often was not put on Twitter and that tweets from Infowars typically were replied to by people rebutting and challenging it. If Infowars violates Twitter rules in the future, it will take action, it added. Music and podcast company Spotify said on Monday that it had now removed all of Jones's Infowars programs from its platform, after last week removing some programs. A representative said that Spotify took seriously reports of hate content. "Due to repeated violations of Spotify's prohibited content policies, The Alex Jones Show has lost access to the Spotify platform," the representative said. In late July, Facebook had suspended Jones's personal profile for 30 days for what the company said was bullying and hate speech. Jones has also promoted a theory that the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre was faked by left-wing forces to promote gun control. The shooting left 26 children and adults dead at a Connecticut elementary school. He is being sued in Texas by two Sandy Hook parents, seeking at least $1 million, claiming that they have been the subject of harassment driven by his programs. (Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; Additional reporting by Sonam Rai, Ishita Chigilli Palli and Arjun Panchadar in Bengaluru and Peter Henderson, Paresh Dave and Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Rosalba O'Brien) Evangeline Lily was cornered into taking her clothes off on Lost (Credit: ABC) The showrunners of Lost have said theyre sorry that their star Evangeline Lily felt cornered into shooting partially naked scenes in the series. Lily revealed how she cried her eyes out after shooting them, as she felt that shed been pressured into it. In a joint statement via Deadline, J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, Jack Bender and Carlton Cuse said: Our response to Evies comments in the media was to immediately reach out to her to profoundly apologize for the experience she detailed while working on Lost. We have not yet connected with her, but remain deeply and sincerely sorry. No person should ever feel unsafe at work. Period. Lily is yet to respond to the statement. The comments from Lily, who played fugitive Kate Austen in the ABC series, came from an interview on the Lost Boys podcast. In season 3, Id had a bad experience on set with being basically cornered into doing a scene partially naked, and I felt had no choice in the matter, she said. Evangeline Lily (Credit: Reuters) And I was mortified and I was trembling and when it finished, I was crying my eyes out and I had to go on do a very formidable, very strong scene thereafter. In season 4, another scene came up where Kate was undressing and I fought very hard to have that scene be under my control and I failed to control it again. And so I then said, Thats it, no more. You can write whatever you want I wont do it. I will never take my clothes off on this show again, and I didnt. She also went on to explain her frustration at Kates story arc, which threw her into a love triangle with Matthew Fox and Josh Holloways characters. I felt like my character went from having her own story and her own journey and her own agendas to chasing men around the island, and that irritated the s*** out of me, she said. She added that she would throw scripts across rooms when Id read them, because I would get very frustrated by the diminishing amount of autonomy she had and the diminishing amount of her own story there was to play. Story continues Read more Every MCU movie ranked Patrick Stewart for new Star Trek series Filming begins on Star Wars IX Rape accused attempts suicide A youth accused of rape has attempted to commit suicide while under police custody in Rukum West. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram New York, August 6, 2018The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Bangladeshi authorities to immediately halt widespread attacks on journalists covering ongoing student protests in Dhaka and to release photographer Shahidul Alam from jail. A Dhaka court ordered that Shahidul Alam be held for seven days pending investigation into police accusations that he violated Section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology Act by spreading propaganda against the government and spreading false information on electronic media, according to news reports. A few hours before his arrest yesterday, Alam posted a video on the student protests on Facebook and appeared on Al-Jazeera, CPJ documented. When Alam appeared in court today, he was unable to walk without assistance and told his friends he had been beaten bloody, the Guardian reported. Meanwhile, suspected supporters of the ruling Awami League party and police attacked more than a dozen journalists covering student protests in the past few days, according to news reports. Students have been protesting for safer roads in Bangladesh after two children were killed by a speeding bus on July 29. These widespread and intentional assaults on journalists covering protests in Dhaka amount to a severe indictment of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas press freedom credentials, said Steven Butler, CPJs Asia program coordinator, in Washington D.C. Authorities should immediately release Shahidul Alam without charge, as well as take swift steps to halt broader attacks on the press by holding the perpetrators accountable. A group of men armed with sticks beat Associated Press photojournalist AM Ahad as he was covering the protests in front of Dhaka City College, injuring his head and legs, according to the news agency and Dhaka Tribune. His camera was broken and he was taken to a hospital for treatment, according to Dhaka Tribune. According to New Age Bangladesh and Dhaka Tribune, several other photojournalists were attacked and their cameras damaged on Sunday, including Palash Sikder of the news website Bonikbarata, Ibnul Asaf Jawed of Daily Janakantha, Abu Sufian Jewel of news website BD Morning, freelancer Rahat Karim, and Rimon with Zuma Press. According to Dhaka Tribune and The Daily Star, other journalists attacked include Channel I journalists Samia Rahman, Marzuk Hasan, Hasan Zubair, and N Kayer Hasin; Nagorik TV reporter Abdullah Shafi; online news portal Sara Bangla reporter Golam Samdani; Nagorik TVs Kamrul Hassan; and Naya Digantas Sharif Hossain. They were attacked in different parts of the city. Ahmed Deepto, a reporter with Prothom Alo, and Sajid Hossain, a photographer with Prothom Alo, were also beaten, according to New Age and Dhaka Tribune. Deepto was taken to the hospital for treatment. Police with batons hit New Age journalist Mahtab Uddin Ahmad despite him showing his press identity card, the news organization reported. The Daily Star reported that three of its journalists were attacked and another was molested yesterday. Shaer Reaz was photographing protests when a man and a police official beat him with a stick, kicked, and punched him, the paper reported. His phone was smashed and he was taken to Dhanmodi Police Station where he was beaten again, the paper reported. Reaz was detained for four hours until representatives of The Daily Star went and requested his release, according to the paper. Police officers told the paper that activists from the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the Awami League, handed Reaz over to them. Selim Sadman Somoy, a contributor to The Daily Star, was also detained at the police station and beaten up after taking pictures of the protest, the news organization said. Sushmita S Preetha, editor of the newspapers Star Weekend magazine, said suspected BCL men molested her as she was filming a procession of them chanting. She said she was dragged to the side of the road and groped and that the men only let her go after she deleted the video she had taken, according to The Daily Star. Rafiul Islam, also a journalist with The Daily Star, was hit in the head with a piece of wood despite showing his press identification after trying to take video of clashes between students and BCL activists, The Daily Star reported. Journalist Faisal Hossain and cameraperson Krishna Sarker of Channel 24 were beaten while doing a live broadcast, according to The Daily Star. Prothom Alo reported that police and ruling party activists harassed and pushed around its staff correspondent Nasrin Aktar today and briefly took away her phone while she was reporting on protests. CPJs calls and an email to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner did not receive an immediate response. Golam Rabbani, the general secretary of the BCL, denied allegations that BCL activists were attacking journalists and students, The Daily Star reported. CPJ has documented how the ICT Act has been used to target journalists. When CPJ met with Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu in December, he pledged to reform the ICT Act to prevent its misuse, but this has not happened. CPJs phone call and email to the Ministry of Information today went unanswered. There were multiple reports that internet speeds were restricted in the country over the weekend. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission denied that a directive had been issued to suspend broadband internet service, according to Dhaka Tribune. CPJ has documented multiple attacks on journalists in recent weeks in Bangladesh. Union Ministry of Hume Resource Development (MHRD) has approved 122 new research project proposals worth Rs 112 crore for funding under its IMPRINT-II (Impacting Research Innovation and Technology) scheme. These projects were approved at IMPRINT-II Apex Committee meeting chaired by HRD Minister Prakash Javddekar in New Delhi. Key Facts The 122 approved new research projects aims to advance research in energy, healthcare, security and defence domains in the high education institutions. Of the selected 122 new projects, 81 are sponsored by industry. The selected proposals include 35 (ICT), 18 (Advanced Materials), 17 (Healthcare Technology), 12 (Energy Security), 11 (Security & Defence), 9 (Sustainable Habitat), 7 Water Resource & River Systems, 5 (Environment & Climate), 4 (Manufacturing) and 4 (Nano Technology). IMPRINT Scheme IMPRINT is first of its kind MHRD supported scheme to address major science and engineering challenges and boost original scientific and technological research in 10 technology identified domains in the country. It was launched in November 2015 with an aim to develop new engineering education policy and create road map to pursue engineering challenges. These 10 domains are Health Care, Computer Science and ICT, Advance Materials, Water Resources and River systems, Sustainable Urban Design, Defence, Nano-technology Hardware, Environmental Science and Climate Change and Energy Security. IMPRINT provides overarching vision that guides research into areas that are predominantly socially relevant. Initially under IMPRINT-I, IITs and IISC, were asked to identify major areas where India is facing engineering and technology challenges. Now its scope also has been expanded private institutions along with IITs and IISc under IMPRINT-II and jointly funded and steered by MHRD and Department of Science and Technology (DST). The implementation of 142 projects under IMPRINT-I are already underway. These projects have received support from several ministries, councils and departments in addition to MHRD. Respect PHCs decision: Karna Parliamentary Hearing Committee coordinator Laxman Lal Karna has said that all should respect the PHCs decision to reject the nomination of acting chief justice Deepak Raj Joshi for the top judiciary post. Andhra Pradesh: Chinese engines destroy marine wealth August 06,2018 | Source: The Hans India The fish wealth grossly damaging the Bay of Bengal with the usage of China made 840 CC engines for fishing. As there is no enforcement in fixing the high-speed engines to the fishing boats, the mechanised boat operators are importing China made high horsepower engines and fixing the same to the boats. The mechanised boat operators, who are using India made 160 CC engines, are losing the revenue as the China made engine boats catching a huge quantum of fish. With this, Andhra Pradesh Mechanised Boat Operators Association urging the government to bring an Act to stop the usage of the high-speed engines for the fishing. Meanwhile, the fish wealth was dwindling due to high-speed engines, which have been disturbing the blue waters. During the fishing, the China engine boats catching small fish, which is not suitable for eating. However, the operators are not grading the fish on the boat and bringing the same to the shore. We caught between the devil and deep sea following the dwindling of the catch. The association is urging the government to ban the China-made 840cc engines which dominate the most of the catch available in the waters. Expecting big catch during the voyage, we are venturing into the sea, but returning with the poor catch. For the second year in a row, this time the situation is quite distressing for us, President of Andhra Pradesh Mechanised Boat Operators Association PC Appa Rao told The Hans India. The association has already brought the issue to the government notice about the threat to the fish wealth seeking immediate action to curtail the use of high-speed engines, Appa Rao added. Dolphin Boat Operators Welfare Association president Ch Satyanarayana Murthy alleged that of the operators illegally using the speed engine boats to travel much longer distance at high speed in which the marine wealth was badly affecting. Mechanised boat with HP of 108 travels at a speed of three km per hour against the minimum speed of six km per hour by engines powered by higher capacity. The high-speed boat, after hauling the net, gets two-times more catch within two to three days than what a normal boat collects in two weeks, Satyanarayana explained. Goa: Wary vendors stay away from imported fish August 06,2018 | Source: The Times of India First, the fish-laden trucks from neighbouring Karnataka reached an hour behind schedule, and then three unfamiliar faces come along. This was enough to throw life out of gear at the wholesale fish market in Margao on Saturday. These are difficult times for wholesalers. They have had to bear losses after being unable to import fish from neighbouring states for 15 days, and now something looks amiss. What are these people doing here so early in the morning? You could smell nervousness. You could sense distrust. You could see that not everyone was comfortable going about their fishy business. This was strange, for everyone. Do youll want to meet the manager of this wholesale market, someone asked the trio, while simultaneously speaking to the manager on the cellphone. Yes, of course, the trio replied, and a few minutes later, Shaikh Zahid showed up and identified himself as a representative of the Wholesale Fish Market Association. Despite an eye infection, Zahid couldnt avoid the intruders. Are youll government officials, he sought to know, only to be told that we were all journalists from The Times of India, out here to do a job. The look on Zahids face said it all. There was relief that business wont be affected. There was disdain too that they had panicked unnecessarily, and some sense of regret that he now must answer media questions. Zahid, somehow, wriggled his way out and disappeared into the crowd. At the wholesale fish market in Margao, on the day the fortnight-long ban on import of fish ended, local fish continued to be in demand. Three outstation trucks were stationed at the market, yet most of the business was being conducted at the Goa corner where mackerels and prawns were much sought-after. The outsiders had saudalo (butter fish), lepo (sole), squids and pomfret, yet nobody was falling over each other to get the best deal. Saudalos were initially quoted at Rs 3,500 per box of 25kg, but half an hour later, the price was slashed by Rs 1,000. Lepo at Rs 4,500 for a 35kg box and velleo (silver belly) at Rs 5,000 didnt have any takers either. This is unusual, but we are not surprised. People are apprehensive to buy fish from outside because of the chemical scare. But, we cannot take this fish back. We have to sell this, said Ismail Shaikh, who was confident that he would sell all the boxes, even if at a throwaway price, latest by 8am. Albertina Rodrigues, who sells fish at the Panaji market, didnt risk buying fish from the outsiders. She checked the prices, which were tempting, but eventually picked up her fish for the day from the Goans. These people have spoilt the entire business. I cant understand why anyone has to do that, Albertina said. Its simple and easy to understand. After all, its about money. Big money. Each truck that enters Goa carries fish worth Rs 4 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. A truck laden with smaller fish like saudalo and lepo should be worth at least a few lakh of rupees, while those with a big catch like kingfish and pomfret will be worth Rs 15 lakh. No wonder they can sell to retailers at a much cheaper price. Poor Goans, who have small catches, are left to wonder why everyone keeps running to the other side. You buy that fish because its slightly cheaper. But at what cost, asked a Goan wholesale fishseller. Punjab: Your fish embalmed with chemical used for corpses by Vishav Bharti August 06,2018 | Source: The Tribune Ever thought what keeps sea fish fresh? It is formalin, a chemical used for preserving corpses in mortuaries. An investigation carried out by The Tribune has found large presence of the chemical in fish, sold in Chandigarh and Punjab. At least 10 varieties of sea fish are consumed in the region. The Tribune team purchased some popular varieties at one of the region's biggest fish markets in Chandigarhs Sector 21 and got these tested at the Punjab Food and Chemical Testing Laboratory in Kharar. Formalin was found in two most commonly consumed varieties Mackerel and Red Snapper. The test report, prepared by the Food Analyst Punjab, stated that in Mackerel a large amount of the chemical was found. In Red Snapper, traces of formalin were observed. A query with the Punjab Health Department reveals it is not for the first time that formalin has been found in fish in the region. In 2013, four samples were taken by the Civil Surgeon, Patiala, from the citys fish market and a huge amount of formalin was found in all four. Health experts say formalin, a derivative of formaldehyde, is a dangerous chemical and its consumption is linked to cancer. Dr Onkar Singh Baraich, Assistant Professor (Fish and Fisheries), Punjabi University, Patiala, said the chemical was so strong that a solution of 5 per cent formalin and 95 per cent water could preserve fish for 100 years. The moment it comes in contact with a living organism, it arrests it, which helps stop the organism decay, he explained. Formalin can cause severe stomach ailments, disturbing enzymes and paralysing the digestive system. Any food laced with the chemical loses its nutritional value. Formalin-laced food cannot be digested, it goes with faeces as it is. Both Mackerel and Red Snapper, that come from Mumbai, are widely consumed in the region. Transported by train, these reach Chandigarh and Punjab on the third or fourth day. Retailers and wholesalers deny any chemical is used for preservation locally. We receive consignments in thermocol boxes from Mumbai. We place the fish on ice and sell or supply within two days, claims the owner of Ashoka Fish Merchant in Chandigarh. Punjab officials say most of the fish sold in the state is of varieties found in local rivers. Formalin may be used in sea fish, but not in local varieties, that are consumed within 24 hours and need only ice to prevent rotting, says Dr Madan Mohan, Director Fisheries, Punjab. Sukhwinder Singh, Designated Officer, Department of Food Safety and Standards, Chandigarh Administration, did not respond to repeated calls. Supply route Sea fish sourced from Gujarat, Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal arrives at Gazipur hub in East Delhi. It is further supplied to parts of North India, including Chandigarh. Deadly formalin It is a strong disinfectant and tissue hardener. It is used for preserving biological and anatomical specimens. It is also used to sterilise surgical intruments Mackerel & Red Snapper Mackerel is known by different names in different languages and regions like aiyla in Malayalam, bangdi in Gujarati and bangda in Marathi. It is widely found in the western coastal belt. Red Snapper is commonly found in Kerala. May Affect... Respiratory tract Lungs Liver Kidney Can Cause Allergies Bronchitis Pneumonia Cancer Consuming 30 ml of formalin a solution made of water, menthol and 37% formaldehyde can kill an adult Maharashtra: Aims to boost farmers income, considers giving livestock, ponds for fish farming on demand August 06,2018 | Source: First Post With an aim to boost the income of farmers, the Maharashtra government is considering a proposal to provide livestock and ponds for fish farming to them as per demand. The proposal was discussed at a meeting of the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department, chaired by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, here on Wednesday. The department will place the draft proposal to this effect before the state cabinet soon. The livestock scheme ('Pashu Dhan Yojana') will ensure that farmers are provided poultry, goats and milch animals on demand. The scheme to provide livestock on demand would be implemented at the village level, an official said. Similarly, ponds for fish farming on demand ('Magel Tyala Matysa Tale') scheme will be taken up under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA). "Fish seeds and feed will be provided by the Fisheries Department," a source in the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department told PTI. When implemented, these schemes will help the state save Rs 4.5 crore on a daily basis. "We get milk from Gujarat, eggs from Telangana and fish seeds from West Bengal," he said. In spite of the milk production being in excess, Gujarat's Amul is a big brand and is sold well here. "We are planning to develop the state's own milk brand 'Aarey' and 'Mahananda' by ensuring that they are used in all the nutritious food provided at anganwadis for children, pregnant women," he said. During the meeting on Wednesday, Fadnavis asked the department to effectively implement various schemes for doubling the income of the farmers. He said the central and state government schemes to increase the production of milk, eggs should be implemented so that the target of doubling the income of farmers by 2022 is achieved. The chief minister said the establishment of animal rearing companies should be encouraged at the tehsil level for ensuring employment to the youth. Annasaheb Patil Financial Development Corporation should provide financial assistance to such youth, he said. Sri Lanka: Government regulations seen as hindering Sri Lanka from becoming ship-building hub Sri Lanka will lose the chance of becoming a ship-building hub in the region due to the governments regulations pertaining to the ship-building industry and the countrys tax structure. If the government supports this sector, the country could earn a large sum of foreign exchange, Executive Vice President, Walkers CML Group, Dr. Sarath Obeysekera said. Sri Lanka has the potential to become a small and medium size ship/vessel manufacturing hub in the region but unfortunately certain government rules and regulations and the tax structure negatively impact the industry, Dr Obeysekera told The Island Financial Review. The company is known as Walkers Colombo Shipyard (Pvt) Limited , a subsidiary of MTD Walkers PLC and is a fully equipped shipyard with advanced facilities to facilitate vessel repairs, ship-building and other marine engineering capabilities. This is the countrys second ship-building company, which is 100 percent Sri Lankan owned. He said that at present they are manufacturing 100 ton and 300 ton landing craft for the Maldives, which are valued at US $ one million. Since they have all the facilities, including the technology, they are looking at getting orders from other counties as well, he said. Dr Obeysekera said that the government is not giving proper support for this industry to grow as it has enormous potential to attract foreign orders into the country. Unfortunately, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, most of the time, in calling for tenders gives preference to foreign companies, he said. This is a multi-billion dollar business but needs to get duty free facilities and a simplified regulatory framework to boost the boat/ship building industry as a life style development or leisure sector industry, he explained. The CEO also said that in Sri Lanka there are 20 fisheries harbors within the country , which could be developed as marinas targeting tourism sector. He also said that the national export strategy 2018 of the government has identified the vessel and leisure craft manufacturing sector as a potential export sector in the country. This is an excellent move by the government, he added. Walkers will give special concessionary rates for multi-day fishing boat owners for docking and undocking since we need to promote the fisheries industry of the country , provide high standard reliable repair services for them, that could ultimately cause to uplift the quality of fish which goes to the local and foreign market, Dr Obeysekera added. Further, we build fibre glass boats at the Galle boatyard and we repair boats in Codbay in trincomalee using our boat lift, he said. The CEO added: Sri Lankans have a habit of buying SUV cars rather than buy pleasure craft, so we invite businessmen, hotel owners and the young to buy their own pleasure craft/yacht and enjoy the inland and offshore cruises. We will provide a 24 hour security service and berthing facility for their yachts at Mutwal harbour. At present, the Walkers Shipyard is located at the Mutwal fisheries harbour having the capacity to offer floating repair for vessels up to 80 m in length, dry berth repair services for vessel up to 65 m in length. The companys shipping team builds a wide range of ships and vessels of high quality, where they meet the highest level of construction and safety standards with Korean technology and know how. Speculation surrounding the reintroduction of the death penalty has heightened in Turkey following comments made by head of a minor Turkish party allied with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Cumhuriyet newspaper said. Mustafa Destici, leader of the Great Unity Party (BBP), suggested a proposal to reinstate the death penalty for offences such as murder, treason and sexual offences against children would be introduced to Turkey's parliament in October. He also suggested a referendum could be held in which the electorate could decide on the issue. Debate about the death penalty, abolished in 2004, has been ongoing in Turkey since the attempted coup of July 2016, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, having frequently said he would endorse any legislation that reinstates the punishment. However implementing any such decision would be problematic according to Ozturk Turkdogan, head of the Turkish Human Rights Association (IHD). Turkdogan, a lawyer, pointed out that Destici's proposal would require changing Turkey's constitution, rather than laws and that gaining the necessary numbers of votes in Turkey's 600 seat parliaments to do this, or even to bring the issue to a referendum, would be difficult. He also pointed out that Turkey is a signatory to the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Additional Protocol No. 2 and a member of the European Court of Human Rights, both of which prohibit the death penalty. Any reintroduction of the death penalty, Turkdogan said, would also be tantamount to "economic suicide", because it would result in the official end of Turkey's decades old-bid for European Union membership. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde ahvalnews.com, August 6, 2018 An Iraqi court in the province of Diyala on Sunday sentenced an al-Qaeda member to death, convicted of killing 19 people in an attack on a village 11 years ago, the court announced. Last week, the same court sentenced 4 more al-Qaeda members to death who were convicted of carrying out attacks in the country in 2007. "The Diyala Criminal Court has sentenced to death by hanging one of those convicted of terrorism after committing criminal acts and belonging to al-Qaeda," Judge Abdul-Sattar al-Birqdar, the spokesperson for the Supreme Judicial Council, said in a statement. He added that "among the terrorist operations carried out by the convict, the man killed 19 people, kidnapped 2 others, and wounded 1 person after an attack with the armed group [al-Qaeda] on the village of Amiriyah - al-Rawashd in Diyala Province." Last year, a court in Basra sentenced 3 people to death for the same attack carried out by several al-Qaeda militants in late July 2007 in the village of al-Rawashd. The exact number of those accused of the incident remains unknown. It is also unclear how many other convicted members of the extremist group are in Iraqi prisons awaiting the same fate. Different human rights organizations, including the United Nations, have repeatedly expressed their concerns about the rising number of death sentences in Iraq. Aside from their condemnation, the organizations warn that efforts by Iraqi authorities to escalate the implementation of death sentences could lead to the execution of innocent people. | Report an error, an omission, a typo; suggest a story or a new angle to an existing story; submit a piece, a comment; recommend a resource; contact the webmaster, contact us: deathpenaltynews@gmail.com Opposed to Capital Punishment? Help us keep this blog up and running! DONATE! "One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed, but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde kurdistan24.net, August 6, 2018 India is planning to set up a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Myanmar as it looks to expand energy diplomacy in its neighbourhood, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Friday. New Delhi: India is planning to set up a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Myanmar as it looks to expand energy diplomacy in its neighbourhood, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Friday. The terminal to import super-cooled natural gas will be in addition to the similar facilities planned by Indian firms in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as part of larger plan of energy connectivity in the South Asian neighbourhood, he said. Speaking at a seminar on 'Assessing India's Connectivity with Its Neighbourhood', Pradhan said Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) in Assam is exploring supply of diesel to Myanmar and is looking at options to build fuel storage and distribution sector in that country. "Indian Oil Corp (IOC) is also working with Myanmar companies in setting up LPG storage facilities and Petronet LNG is working on setting up an LNG terminal there," he said. He, however, did not give details. "India is working with Bangladesh in interconnecting gas grids and supplying diesel through pipelines," he said. Currently, Indian firms supply diesel through rail rake from Siliguri in Assam to Parbatipur in Bangladesh and are in the process of constructing a 130-km long product pipeline for uninterrupted supply. "Also, Indian companies are working on connecting India's gas grid with that of Bangladesh and supply gas for power generation at Khulna Power Plant," he said. "This will be an exemplary display of regional cooperation." Bangladesh is setting up an 800-megawatt (MW) power plant in the country's Khulna region, for which it has signed an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a USD 500 million funding. Pradhan said Petronet is also looking at building a 7.5 million tonne a year LNG import terminal in Bangladesh to feed that country's energy needs using imported gas. "In view of providing energy access to the north-eastern part of India, there are plans to import LPG in Bangladesh and transport through road/pipeline to the region while catering to the demand of Bangladesh," he said. In Sri Lanka, India is jointly developing Trincomalee oil storage tank farm and is also working on setting up an LNG terminal and a 500 MW LNG-fired power plant near Colombo. Also, there is a proposal to develop city gas distribution (CGD) and CNG market and infrastructure in Sri Lanka, he said. IOC Lanka, which is a subsidiary of IOC, has 43.5 per cent of the total fuel market share. "India is working with Sri Lanka on a proposal to set up a solar power plant at Sampur, which would be of 50 MW to begin with," he said. To Nepal, India presently supplies all of its petroleum product requirements through trucks. A pipeline for supply of petroleum products is under construction, which will ensure uninterrupted supply. "There are also discussions with Nepal on an LPG and Natural gas pipeline," he said adding Nepal has expressed interest in implementing free cooking gas (LPG) connection scheme for poor women on lines of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna (PMUY) to expand the coverage of LPG. "The Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North East India envisages a natural gas pipeline from Numaligarh towards Sittwe (in Myanmar) in different phases. The gas pipeline will open future possibilities of gas exchange and grid connectivity," he said. India supplies all of petroleum product needs of Bhutan, which too is planning to extend LPG coverage to 100 per cent of the population by sourcing supplies from the refineries in Assam, he said. To Mauritius, India supplies all its energy products. "Our (neighbouring) countries are considering the construction of a bunkering facility along with a jetty," he said adding Indian firms are working with Vietnam, the UAE and Oman for presence in upstream sector to produce oil and gas. "Regional integration through connectivity across all modes - physical, utilities-based and digital - among our countries in the immediate neighbourhood is one of the top priorities of our government. It is imperative that we, together as a group, address the weak links and overcome challenges," he said. The BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) region is abundant in energy resources such as hydropower, hydrocarbons, and renewables. "Since the region enjoys high insolation, it is appropriate that we consider the development of a common Solar Grid here," he said. Also, Bangladesh and Myanmar have large gas reserves which can be explored as alternate sources of gas supply. Similarly, Nepal and Bhutan have immense potential of hydropower, which is untapped due to the absence of a market that can create demand of this magnitude. On the other hand, India and Sri Lanka are net importers of energy like many other developing countries, he said. "The energy demand-supply sectors in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, SriLanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan offer a potential for regional resource cooperation, which could go beyond export-import trade relations and link the region in a Bay of Bengal Energy Community and thus contribute to the process of regional integration. "The key to developing such a community lies in identifying complementary conditions and the combination of inter related production characteristics among energy supply and demand sectors of these countries," he said. Pradhan called for reform and restructuring of the energy sector in each of these nations in such a way that the bloc becomes more competitive and efficient. The national energy systems -- gas and electricity networks -- in the South Asian countries are largely isolated from each other. Currently only India, Bhutan and Nepal trade electricity. In addition, India supplies some amount of power to Bangladesh. Demand for electricity in South Asia and particularly in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal is growing rapidly which call for cooperation and trade that should eventually create one of the world's largest integrated energy market, he added. A case was registered against the man, a priest at the Chirakal Bhagavathy temple in Thrissur, for criminal intimidation. (Photo: File | PTI) Thrissur: A temple priest was arrested for allegedly threatening to plant a bomb at St Thomas College where President Ram Nath Kovind is scheduled to attend a function on Tuesday, the police said on Monday. Around 1 am on Monday, the man, who was in an inebriated state, called up the police control room in Thrissur and threatened to plant a bomb at the college where the President would inaugurate the centenary celebrations on Monday, they added. Thrissur District Police chief Yatish Chandra said the accused, Jayaraman, was picked up after his mobile phone was tracked down. During interrogation, he admitted to have made the call in an inebriated state. He is a priest at the Chirakal Bhagavathy temple in Thrissur. A case was registered against him for criminal intimidation, the police said. The President, who was on a three-day visit to Kerala, arrived in the state capital on Sunday. President Kovind would be inaugurating a function at the Assembly complex in Thiruvananthapuram to mark the conclusion of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Monday. On Tuesday, the President would also have breakfast with the chief justice and judges of the Kerala High Court at Kochi. He would offer prayers at the famed Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple before returning to Delhi on August 8. Google also apologised for the situation and said they would soon get the concern resolved. After an Aadhaar helpline number mysteriously appeared on the devices of many Android users, cyber expert Pawan Duggal came down heavily on Google and Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for "breaching people's privacy". "This is a complete violation of people's privacy. Indians are being treated as guinea pigs, their privacy is being trammelled, even after the Supreme Court declared the right to privacy as a fundamental right," he told ANI. Duggal's response came after Google clarified that an outdated UIDAI helpline number was "inadvertently coded" into Android devices, and was not an issue of "unauthorised access." Google also apologised for the situation and said they would soon get the concern resolved. The cybersecurity expert, however, claimed that Google's clarification was issued under media pressure. "The press statement that Google released only appears to be a damage control statement issued under media pressure. There is nothing called inadvertence when Google does something, it is done as a part of a conscious deliberate action or in compliance with certain statutory norms," he noted. After social media users went berserk over the sudden appearance of a helpline number from UIDAI, the organisation clarified that it had not asked or communicated to any manufacturer or service provider for providing any such facility whatsoever. "UIDAI emphasised that the said 18003001947 is not a valid UIDAI Toll-free number and some vested interest are trying to create unwarranted confusion in the public," an official statement read. However, Duggal accused the UIDAI of maintaining "double standard", adding that it was the government of India who directed UIDAI to include the helpline number. "In this case, the direction for inserting the number was given by the Government of India. It was done on behalf of UIDAI. If all that happened, complete silence from UIDAI reeks of double standard. They should have said that they have done it instead of refuting it," he said. In the last two days, a number of people on social media have accused the UIDAI of breaching the privacy of several citizens, and have uploaded images on Twitter and other platforms of the pre-loaded helpline number. However, the Aadhaar-governing body said its valid toll-free number is 1947, which is functional for more than two years. "UIDAI has reiterated that it has not asked or advised anyone including any telecom service providers or mobile manufacturers or Android to include 8003001947 or 1947 in the default list of public service numbers," the statement read. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Rivers without bridges The govt move to replace wire bridges is a welcome step, but it should walk the talk Agrico expects gross profits of over $74 million this year Truong Hai Auto Corporation has bought almost the entire convertible bonds issue of Agrico, Hoang Anh Gia Lais farming subsidiary. The purchase happened on August 3 after existing shareholders voted with their feet. In June, HAGL had offered 221,710 bonds to shareholders, each convertible into 1,000 shares, but a mere 22 was bought. Thaco picked up the remaining 221,688 bonds for VND2.2 trillion ($97.7 million), which carry a coupon rate of 0 percent and are convertible in June 2019. Agrico, listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, closed at VND16,950 ($0.75) per share last Friday. Following the conversion, Thaco will hold more than 221 million shares, or about 25 percent of Agrico. The money raised from the bond issue will be used to develop orchards and restructure Agricos finances. Agrico has been growing fruits since 2016, and last year its passion fruit, banana, chili, and dragon fruit crops fetched revenues of VND1.6 trillion ($71 million), accounting for around 49 per cent of HAGLs total revenues. With 100,000 hectares of land, cheap labor and 83 cold storage facilities in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, as well as 25 major distribution partners, HAGL said its fruits are sold to a market of three billion people in China, India, Japan, South Korea, and other ASEAN countries like Thailand. In 2018, Agrico expects sales of VND3.7 trillion ($164.4 million) and gross profits of VND1.67 trillion ($74.2 million). In the last three months, with its share prices rising 2.5-fold, the company is worth VND15 trillion ($666.6 million). Dong Nai-based Thaco was established in 1997 by Tran Ba Duong as an auto and commercial vehicle maker. It has a plant in Quang Nam and 89 showrooms and 53 dealerships. It manufactures commercial vehicles like trucks and buses and assembles cars for brands like Kia (South Korea), Mazda (Japan), and Peugeot (France). About 23,000 condotel units were build last year in Vietnam. Photo acquired by VnExpress Challenges remain in building a legal framework for condotels development in Vietnam, industry insiders said at a recent conference. There are no laws or regulations on buying, selling and managing condotels, Nguyen Manh Ha, deputy chairman of the Vietnam National Real Estate Association, told the Vietnam Seaside Tourism Real Estate Forum last Saturday. This is the reason for recent disputes between buyers and management companies over ownership and maintenance of condotels, he said. Management companies and buyers are waiting for a law so that their rights can be guaranteed when investing in this type of property. Concurring, Duong Thuy Dung, senior director of real estate consultancy CBRE Vietnam, said there is no protection for buyers if management companies fail to fulfill their commitments. Nguyen Manh Khoi, deputy head of the Ministry of Construction's department of house and real estate management, said ownership is one of the main areas that needs regulating. Many buyers are concerned about the lack of title deeds since authorities do not issue them for condotels, Khoi said. This is the reason why many buyers are reluctant to invest in this kind of property, he added. Some 23,000 condotel units were built last year in Vietnam, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association. From 2017 through 2019 around 29,000 more units would hit the market, it said. Only 33 percent of new condotels were sold last year, just half the number reported in 2016, HCMC-based real estate firm DKRA said. Analysts and real estate insiders have been insisting this year that there is no bubble, but some remain skeptical. Reflecting on previous bubbles in 2008 and 2010, Le Hoang Chau, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association (HoREA), said a bubble was highly unlikely in the current situation. Recalling the aftermath of those years, when many people were forced to sell properties at 50 percent of the price they paid, he said, There is no possibility of such a realty bubble in 2018. Professor Dang Hung Vo, former Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, said the market situation now was completely different. In 2007, land prices in all segments, including agricultural land, rose every week whereas prices rising in a steady manner now, and have actually decreased in some segments, Vo noted. Ministry of Construction data puts current property inventory value in the country at VND24 trillion ($1.29 billion), down 81.3 percent from the peak in early 2013. This includes VND5.2 trillion ($231 million) in Hanoi and VND4.5 trillion ($200 million) in Ho Chi Minh City. Nguyen Trong Ninh, director of the ministrys department of housing management and real estate market, said at a press conference on July 27 that the market would not change much until the end of this year, and so people dont have to worry about any bubble. The market is determined by factors such as economic growth, urbanization, monetary policy, forex movements, and tax policies, and none of these would change much during the second half, he added. In the first half of the year, land prices in the country rose rapidly, especially in three hotspots, Van Dong (Quang Ninh), Phu Quoc (Kien Giang) and Van Phong (Khanh Hoa). Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are planned in these localities with ambitious investment policies, causing people to fear the build-up of a bubble. But the local governments have acted decisively to nip this tendency in the bud, bringing down the so-called fever and forcing many real estate agents to cease their activities there. Ninh said the market was healthy now and there was no crisis. Su Ngoc Khuong, investment director at Savills Vietnam, also told Vnexpress that there was no fever and price increases in Hanoi, HCMC and Da Nang were understandable, given rapid population growth and growing incomes in these cities. For instance, HCMC population increases by around 500,000 every year, including 250,000 immigrants, while the annual supply of apartments is only 10,000, which is just 5-10 percent of the housing demand, Khuong pointed out. Do Thu Hang, associate director, research and consulting, Savills Vietnam, told local media, We dont see any crisis now. Better safe than sorry Nguyen Xuan Quang, chairman of housing developer Nam Long Investment, told VnExpress he still feared a bubble, but added that his company was prepared to deal with it. There was a downward trend in property transactions in the second quarter, so it is too early to be optimistic about the market, he said. Senior economist Nguyen Tri Hieu argued that there was the possibility of a bubble in the property market, explaining it was risky if land prices increased by 50 per cent in a year. If the rate climbs to 70-100 per cent, the market would be in dangerous territory with the risk of the bubble bursting sometime next year, he said. Quang of Nam Long Investment reiterated that his company was well prepared for the worst case scenario of a bubble bursting. He said the company has three weapons to protect itself: product diversity, a war chest of VND2.6 trillion ($115.5 million) and good income from commercial real estate. This was strong enough to cope with any crisis that may arise, he said. Most importantly, with enough land for its needs for the next five years, the company would be unscathed if a land fever breaks out, he added. Ongoing and upcoming road projects will be the primary drivers of growth in Vietnams transport infrastructure sector, Fitch Group said. This would be the result of government investment in new expressways and urban transit networks to handle the countrys logistics shortcomings, Fitch Solutions Macro Research, said in a new outlook report on Vietnams infrastructure sector. It said the transport sector would be a driver of the infrastructure industrys growth as the government invests in new road and rail projects aimed at alleviating some of the countrys logistics infrastructure gaps. This investment would be predominantly concentrated in the road and rail segments, which account for 54 percent of the total infrastructure industry value. Growth in the road and rail segments was predicted to outperform to reap an annual average surge of 7 percent in real terms between 2018 and 2027. Meanwhile, the rail sector was expected to expand by an annual average of 5.4 percent in the period. Investment and construction activity in these two sectors would help boost overall growth of the transport infrastructure sector to 5.9 percent annually. Vietnam was aggressively upgrading and expanding its road and expressway networks. The report quoted a 2016 announcement by the Directorate for Roads as saying that Vietnam plans to develop roads in 14 underdeveloped provinces and invest VND9.2 trillion ($409 million) to build more than 4,000 bridges by 2021. At the same time, investment in toll expressways was gradually expanding the footprint of Vietnams highway network, which was still comparatively small compared to other large markets in ASEAN. Highways were attracting interest from private parties, who sought to benefit from the growing traffic volumes portended by the countrys strong and sustained economic growth, though efforts to launch public-private partnerships had run into numerous regulatory hurdles in recent months. This risk was most recently noted in the governments decision to halt the $750 million Dau Giay-Phan Thiet Expressway, which would have been the first public-private partnership (PPP) transport project in the country, after potential investors withdrew their bids over financing uncertainties. In particular, Vietnams PPP laws did not include loan guarantees which were required by multilateral financing institutions like the World Bank. If these regulatory barriers were resolved, however, Vietnam would still remain a favoured destination for foreign and private investment in road projects, in part because of the current lack of toll roads and also because local companies lacked the project management experience and technical expertise required to efficiently build large-scale roads. Metro projects to drive railways growth In the first half of the 2018 - 2027 period, ongoing and proposed urban transit projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City would drive growth in the railway segment. Vietnams metro projects also reflected the strong and diverse involvement of international financiers and contractors in the railways sector the four lines across Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City were being built by four consortia from South Korea, China, Japan, and Europe. Hanoi was currently building two metro lines - Lines 2 and 3 - and had another four lined up. The $890 million Line 2, to run 11.5km between Nam Thang Long and Tran Hung Dao Street, was being built by a consortium led by South Koreas Daelim, and was scheduled to open in 2018. The $1.4 billion Line 3, to run 12.5km from Nhon to the Hanoi Railway Station, had its opening date pushed back from 2015 to 2020. In Ho Chi Minh City two metro lines totaling 32km were under construction, and five other lines were in the planning stages. As such, there was significant development potential in Vietnams regional and long-distance railways, though concrete and financed proposals had yet to emerge. Vietnams rail network was centered on a 1,726 km single-track mainline running from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City that was outdated and suffers from low operating speeds and capacities. In the longer run, Vietnam planned to build a standard-gauge high-speed railway parallel to the current line that would integrate with a proposed Southeast Asian high-speed rail network. But huge amounts would be needed and the plan would not be feasible without external financing, the Fitch report added. A 4G sign is pictured at a department store in Bangkok, Thailand : Photo by Reuters Widespread adoption of 3G and 4G networks in Vietnam presents a lucrative growth opportunity for mobile advertising and commerce. Vietnam had more than 123.9 million mobile subscribers active on 2G, 3G and 4G networks as of June this year, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications. The number of 3G and 4G subscribers had soared by 29.2 percent year-on-year. Preliminary statistics showed that the combined adoption of 3G and 4G reached 51.5 million subscribers in early 2018. Mantosh Malhotra, Southeast Asia and Pacific head of telecom equipment giant Qualcomm, said the growth was impressive and predicted 3G and 4G numbers to rise to 120 million by 2020, or 67 percent of all mobile devices. Doan Duy Khoa, head of consumer insight, banking and technology industry division at Nielsen Vietnam, told VnExpress International that the extensive 3G and 4G adoption in Vietnam would create huge opportunities for mobile advertising and commerce. Vietnam is ranked third in consumers internet access in Southeast Asia, behind only Singapore and the Philippines, he said. Vietnamese spend 24.7 hours a week on average on the internet compared to nearly 26 hours in developed countries like Singapore. Two-thirds of local internet users surveyed by Nielsen said they regularly use smartphones to browse the net. Khoa said this trend has been fostered by the upgrades to the 3G and 4G telecom infrastructure and the increasing mobile connection speeds on smartphones. By 2020 some 60 percent of Vietnams population is expected to use smartphones. Khoa quoted statistics from market research company eMarketer as saying Vietnams mobile advertising revenues were worth $77 million last year, double that of the previous year. He presumed the growth is on the rise. Mobile advertising growth would be driven by new ad formats like in-app ads, mobile video ads and mobile search services, Khoa said. The rising trends of connectivity and smartphone use also give impetus to mobile commerce growth. Smartphones inspire consumers to search online for brands, products and services before buying, and share their impressions after a purchase, he said. Khoa recommended that marketers should use smartphones as a tool to build brands and loyalty programs and promote sales. Many providers of air, accommodation, and tourism services are leading the mobile commerce charge in Vietnam. eMarketer predicted the mobile retail sector to grow by 24.3 percent to $1.14 million this year. The figure is expected to climb to $1.8 million in the next three years. But Khoa warned that mobile advertising and mobile commerce sectors face challenges since consumers tend to quickly turn off ads or even block and skip them. Thus, to get past this, the advertising content must be very good. Consumers attention span is very short when it comes to mobile phones, especially compared to tablets and laptops. So, ads must be designed to run for six or 12 seconds instead of the 30 or 60 seconds of traditional ads, he added. Malaysian authorities have arrested 24 women, including nine Vietnamese, in an anti-prostitution raid in Melaka. The raid was conducted on Saturday following several months surveillance of an old building on Jalan Tun Ali Street that hosted a small pub and 10 rooms which were used for prostitution, the Vietnam News Agency reported. Chee Leong, head of the anti-prostitution operation, said that the 24 women, 15 Thai and 9 Vietnamese, were illegal sex workers. Prior to the crackdown, local officials had several times failed to access the highly-secured building with its entrance gate carefully locked and many security cameras installed to detect any raid, officials said. During Saturdays raid, officials also apprehended six men, including a supervisor, two guards, and three customers. They are being held pending further investigation. Last year, the Malaysian police had launched a large-scale crackdown on prostitution dens and nabbed 28 women, including five Vietnamese nationals who were alleged to have entered Malaysia with 90-day social visit passes. Vietnam reported 670 human trafficking victims last year, down almost half from 1,128 in 2016. Most victims were uneducated women and children from poor areas who were sold to men seeking wives in China, Malaysia and South Korea, or just to bear children, or work as prostitutes in these countries. Pham Cong Danh, former chairman of Vietnam Construction Bank (VNCB), which is now Construction Bank, appears at the court in Ho Chi Minh City on August 6, 2018. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen The ex-chairman of a major bank, already in jail for 30 years, has got a 20-year sentence that will run concurrently. The Ho Chi Minh City People's Court sentenced a total of 46 banking executives and staff to various prison terms on Monday in a case involving fraud worth millions of dollars. Among the defendants were Pham Cong Danh, 53, former chairman of Vietnam Construction Bank (VNCB), which is now the Construction Bank, and Tram Be, 58, former deputy chairman of Sacombank. They were found guilty of deliberately violating state regulations on economic management, causing serious consequences. Danh was sentenced to 20 years in jail while Be received four years. According to the indictment, Danh and other staff of VNCB secretly withdrew money from clients' saving accounts and used the cash to secure loans from other banks, pay off debts or deposit into their own accounts. Of the money stolen from VNCB, Danh used VND6.1 trillion ($263 million) to secure loans from Sacombank, BIDV and TPBank for his ghost companies. When these companies were unable to repay the loans, the three banks seized the deposits they'd held as collateral, inflicting losses on VNCB. Prosecutors had proposed a 20-year sentence for Danh. As he is already serving a 30-year sentence (the maximum prison term allowed by Vietnam's Penal Code except for life imprisonment) for stealing over VND9 trillion ($386 million) from VNCB at a trial in September last year, the sentence at this trial would run concurrently. The proposed sentence for Be was five to six years in prison. Be is charged with abusing his position to ignore banking regulations in order to help Danh borrow VND1.8 trillion ($77 million) from Sacombank. Tram Be, former deputy chairman of Sacombank, at the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Court on August 6, 2018. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Nguyen Of this money, Danh spent VND1.7 trillion on paying debts at another local bank for six companies that he owned, and deposited the rest in a personal account. Other defendents received between two-year suspended sentence and 10 years imprisonment. Phan Huy Khang, former general director of Sacombank, got three years in jail while Phan Thanh Mai, former general director of VNCB and Mai Huu Khuong, former deputy director of VNCB, got 10 years each. Mai and Khuong are already serving 20 years in prison for their involvement in the VND9 trillion case. The latest verdict means they will each spend 30 years in prison. The massive trial was first launched in January and lasted a month before it was put on hold by the judges, citing a lack of evidence or a strong enough argument to impose charges. This time, Tran Bac Ha, former board chairman of BIDV, was also summoned to the court among 235 people who were witnesses to the case or had related interests and responsibilities. He did not show up as he was reportedly receiving cancer treatment in Singapore. Ha was expelled from Vietnam's Communist Party in June for violations including lending Danh VND4.7 trillion ($206 million) from his bank. While BIDV eventually managed to retrieve this money, the loans had helped Danh steal over VND9 trillion from VNCB. People react following an earthquake in Ampenan district, Mataram, Lombok, Indonesia, August 5, 2018, in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Photo by Antara Foto/Ahmad Subaidi/ via Reuters At least 91 people were killed when a powerful quake rocked the Indonesian resort islands of Lombok and Bali, the disaster mitigation agency said on Monday. Most of the victims were on the northern side of Lombok, near the epicentre of the 6.9 magnitude quake that hit in the early evening of Sunday. Two people died on the neighbouring island of Bali, agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said. He said the death toll was expected to rise further as more data became available. "Data collection continues and (rescue) efforts are still ongoing," Nugroho told a news conference, adding that there were no foreigners among the victims so far. At least 209 people were injured. The earthquake triggered widespread panic as thousands fled their homes for emergency shelters as buildings collapsed. Singapore Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, who was on the 10th floor of a hotel in the Lombok town of Mataram at the time of the quake, wrote on Facebook that his room shook violently and walls cracked. It was quite impossible to stand up. Heard screams. Came out, and made my way down a staircase, while building was still shaking. Power went out for a while. Lots of cracks, fallen doors, he wrote. Most of the victims were killed by falling rubble in northern and western parts of Lombok. An initial tsunami warning of waves of up to half a metre was issued following the quake but later withdrawn. Lombok was hit by another powerful 6.4 quake a week earlier on July 29, killing 17 people and injuring hundreds of people. More than 100 aftershocks have rattled Lombok since the quake, which was so powerful it was felt on the neighbouring island of Bali. A person evacuated to the parking lot outside the Mataram City hospital with other patients, following a strong earthquake, is seen in Mataram, Lombok island, Indonesia August 5, 2018 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Photo by Antara Foto/Ahmad Subaidi/ via Reuters The night condition and some disconnected communication lines pose some challenges in the field. Death count is expected to increase still, the disaster management agency said. I Nyoman Sidakarya, head of Matarams search and rescue agency, told TvOne, authorities will evacuate around 700 tourists and local residents from the nearby Gili Islands. We will evacuate people off of the three Gili islands. Some of them are hurt and are in shock, Sidakarya said in the televised interview. One person in Gili Air was killed, he said, but details about the victim is unknown yet. Saffron Amis, a British student visiting the Gili Islands off the northwest coast of Lombok, told Reuters by text message that dozens of tourists were evacuated to a hill after the quake. The quake struck Lombok in the early evening at a depth of 10 km (6 miles). Most of Lombok suffered power cuts, local media reported. Travellers at the international airports in Lombok and Bali were thrown into panic and there was minor damage to the buildings but operations were not disrupted, officials said. The quake was felt for several seconds in Bali, where people ran out of houses, hotels and restaurants. All the hotel guests were running, so I did too. People filled the streets, said Michelle Lindsay, an Australian tourist. A lot of officials were urging people not to panic. Other witnesses said the initial quake grew in intensity over several seconds, rattling windows and doors, and there were many aftershocks. The makeshift compound in Amalia, New Mexico, where police rescued 11 children and arrested two armed Police say 11 children ages one to 15 were rescued in New Mexico after officers raided a dilapidated compound occupied by armed men of "extremist" belief. Two men were arrested after police found them and the children in what one officer called "the saddest living conditions and poverty I have seen," as part of the operation connected to a months-long search for an abducted three-year-old, according to New Mexico's Taos County sheriff's office. The investigation kicked off late last year on the opposite side of the country in Jonesboro, Georgia, where 39-year-old Siraj Wahhaj of the state's Clayton County was accused of kidnapping his toddler -- who was ultimately not found. The boy's mother told police her child, who she said suffered from seizures along with developmental and cognitive delays, went to the park with his father Wahhaj last December and never returned. On August 2, Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe of Taos County in New Mexico issued a search warrant describing "a makeshift compound surrounded by tires and an earthen berm" in a subdivision in the rural community of Amalia, where Wahhaj along with adult Lucas Morten were thought to be in hiding. The FBI had provided information and surveillance on the spot but "didn't feel there was enough probable cause to get on the property," Hogrefe said. "That all changed for me when a message was forwarded to us from a Georgia Detective that we reasonably believed came from someone at the compound -- the message sent to a third party simply said in part 'we are starving and need food and water,'" the sheriff said in a statement. "I absolutely knew that we couldn't wait on another agency to step up and we had to go check this out as soon as possible." The sheriff described planning "a tactical approach for our own safety because we had learned the occupants were most likely heavily armed and considered extremist of the Muslim belief." 'Heartbreaking' On the morning of August 3, a dozen officers kicked off the "all day" operation, discovering hidden beneath New Mexico's scrubland the two men with an AR-15 rifle, five loaded 30-round magazines and four loaded pistols, including one in Wahhaj's pocket. The men had refused to follow verbal direction, police said, who added the raid went without major incident or injuries even as Wahhaj needed to be "taken down." Police found many more ammo rounds in the ramshackle hideout, they said, which they described as "a small travel trailer buried in the ground covered by plastic with no water, plumbing, or electricity." "The only food we saw were a few potatoes and a box of rice in the filthy trailer," Hogrefe said. "But what was most surprising, and heartbreaking was when the team located a total of five adults and 11 children that looked like third world country refugees." "Not only with no food or fresh water, but with no shoes, personal hygiene and basically dirty rags for clothing." Morten was charged with harboring a fugitive and Wahhaj was booked without bond on his Georgia warrant for child abduction. Three women thought to be parents of the children -- who are now in protective custody -- were also detained for questioning. They were released pending further investigation. Thapa calls for contract termination of under-performing companies Nepali Congress lawmaker Gagan Thapa has demanded cancellation of agreements with the contractors that have failed to complete road projects on time. Thapa has written to the Department of Roads (DoR) demanding termination of agreements with four contractors including those owned by Sharda Prasad Adhikari and Bikram Pandey. Ukraine welcomes EU readiness to take part in restoring Donbas This is about infrastructure and economic development projects, as well as ensuring normal everyday life of local communities. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Russian actions in Sea of Azov source of trouble to Berdyansk, Mariupol ports Ukraine's minister Because of the groundless increase in the number of inspections of ships by Russian coast guards in the Sea of Azov, there has been a 10% decrease in calls to the ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Russia's Rusal slapped with U.S. sanctions cuts net profit by 31% in Q2 against Q1 The U.S. Department of the Treasury in early April imposed sanctions against Oleg Deripaska and related companies. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Naftogaz CEO: I regularly receive various threats Asked whether these threats have an indirect connection with Russia, Kobolyev said: "I can't comment on this." If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Gazprom is still able to raise funds on the Russian market. Russia's Gazprom suspended its external borrowing program earlier this year because of a deepening legal dispute with Ukraine's Naftogaz over gas supplies, three banking sources told Reuters. A London court in June froze the gas giant's assets in Britain at the request of Naftogaz. The Ukrainian company was seeking to enforce an earlier arbitration ruling from Sweden that ordered Gazprom to pay it $2.6 billion. The British verdict is likely to have spooked Western banks that traditionally work with Gazprom because it raises the possibility that any new funds the company might raise via London could also be frozen, one of the sources said, Reuters said. Gazprom is still able to raise funds on the Russian market, recently testing investors' appetite with a 40 billion rouble bond ($630 million), but the situation means it faces higher borrowing costs and prolonged regulatory uncertainty, the bankers say. Gazprom, which is on the hook to repay $15.2 billion in external debt this year, had planned to start meeting investors to test their appetite for a potential sterling Eurobond in the middle of June, a Russian banker involved in that deal said. However, the deal was canceled days before the British court's June 18 announcement, the banker said. Read alsoNaftogaz hires the oldest international law firm for US$1.16 mln He said that the decision was made as the relationship between Moscow and the West grew increasingly tense because of U.S. sanctions against Russian businessmen and a row over former spy Sergei Skripal's assassination attempt on British soil. Russia has denied any involvement. Two other London-based bankers said the decision to call off the Eurobond issue was also taken as Gazprom adopted a cautious stance ahead of the London ruling. One of the sources, who all declined to be named because they were not authorized to speak on the matter, said that Gazprom had also planned to sell Eurobonds in euros and Japanese yen in the autumn, but that those plans had stalled too. Meanwhile, one of the banks that works with Gazprom put a loan for the Russian firm on hold until the situation around its finances in the West became clearer, the same source said. Gazprom declined to comment. "As I understand it, settlements with foreign banks done via London are affected," another banker said. A third source, citing a banker who works with Gazprom, said Gazprom had stopped making any payments through banks in Britain. However, the London court's ruling does not prevent the company from servicing outstanding debt, a lawyer familiar with the process said. Gazprom's original plan had been to borrow 417 billion roubles ($6.57 billion) externally this year. It is currently building two new pipelines to southern Europe and China, and preparing to start construction of the Nord Stream 2 to Western Europe under a projected investment program of 1.3 trillion roubles this year. Many believers of different faiths have suffered grievously at the hands of ISIS, including Muslims, Christians, Druze, and others, said Vice President Mike Pence at the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom. But perhaps no faith community has been so systematically and cruelly targeted by ISIS as the Yazidis. Four years ago, ISIS entered the Sinjar region of Iraq, killing or kidnapping many Yazidi men, women, and children. Nadia Murad, who spoke at the Ministerial, said that in her village, ISIS slaughtered more than 600 Yazidi men and boys, including six of Nadias brothers and stepbrothers. Then they kidnapped Nadia and all the young women, and subjugated them to the most degrading form of human slavery. She was only able to escape because her captor left a door unlocked, and a neighboring family hid her until she could be smuggled to safety. Many Yazidi girls werent so lucky. Thousands remain missing to this day or remain in ISIS captivity. The suffering of the Yazidi people has sickened the American people and mobilized the United States to action. Ensuring that ISIS is defeated remains an urgent priority for the Trump Administration, and the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS will not stop until this enemy has been eliminated. Thanks to these efforts, ISIS so-called caliphates in Iraq and Syria have collapsed, and we will not rest or relent until ISIS is driven from the face of the Earth, declared Vice President Pence. Retaking territory is only half the battle. Thats why the United States has already devoted more than $110 million to support persecuted religious communities across the Middle East. Vice President Pence announced the United States will establish the Genocide Recovery and Persecution Response Program. Under this new program, the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development will closely partner with local faith and community leaders to deliver aid to persecuted communities, beginning in Iraq. The United States is also launching a new International Religious Freedom Fund that will leverage our resources, together with funds from other nations, to support those who fight for religious freedom and suffer from religious persecution. Together, said Vice President Pence, we will champion the cause of liberty as never before, and I believe that our combined leadership will make a difference for freedom of faith, for generations to come. August marks the tenth anniversary of Russias invasion of Georgia, a country of less than 4 million people in the South Caucasus. The causes of the conflict between the two countries particularly long-running disputes between Georgia and its breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are complex, but the fact remains that on August 7th, 2008, Russia launched a full-scale land, air and sea attack against its tiny neighbor, across an internationally recognized border. The conflict pitted 70,000 Russian troops against Georgias army of about 10,000 soldiers and another 10,000 reservists. Needless to say, the war did not last longit was over by August 12. In response to the Russian invasion of Georgia, France, supported by the United States and its European allies, helped broker a ceasefire agreement. The agreement was signed by then-Presidents of both countries, Mikheil Saakashvili for Georgia and Dmitriy Medvedev for Russia. Under the ceasefire agreement, Russia promised an immediate withdrawal of its forces from Georgia to their positions before the hostilities began. Russia not only failed to live up to this and other requirements of the ceasefire agreement; On August 26th, it exacerbated the situation by recognizing Georgias break-away regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent countries. For the past ten years, Russia has occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia in violation of the ceasefire agreement. The United States unequivocally condemns Russias occupation on Georgian soil, said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at a May 2018 plenary session of the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership. Russias forcible invasion of Georgia is a clear violation of international peace and security and goes against the basic principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki Final Act, he said. The Russian-occupied Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia are integral parts of Georgia. The United States supports Georgias sovereignty and territorial integrity with its internationally recognized borders. We call on Russia to fulfill all of its obligations under the 2008 ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions, [and] to reverse its recognition of the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. UNIGHT TO UNITE. UCOM CELEBRATED ITS REBIRTH Ameriabank and HSBC Armenia to provide their customers access to each others ATMs without additional fees Ameriabank. 62.5% Growth in Taxes YOY Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans have provided 300 million AMD to overcome the infertility in Armenia UCOM has officially launched the sale of IPHONE 13 Six servicemen were wounded by the attack of the Azerbaijani armed forces in Artsakh, two of them in critical condition 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 Google Ad 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 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 UNIGHT TO UNITE. UCOM CELEBRATED ITS REBIRTH Ameriabank and HSBC Armenia to provide their customers access to each others ATMs without additional fees Ameriabank. 62.5% Growth in Taxes YOY Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans have provided 300 million AMD to overcome the infertility in Armenia Google Ad UCOM has officially launched the sale of IPHONE 13 Six servicemen were wounded by the attack of the Azerbaijani armed forces in Artsakh, two of them in critical condition 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 Google Ad 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 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 Protest action. Members of Armenian Association of Blind: We demand the resignation of whole presidential staff! (video) 91-year-old president of the Armenian Association of Blind Abel Hakobyan has resigned, but members of the union continue to protest. They resumed a protest action this morning demanding the resignation of the entire presidential staff. "There is a 'stagnation' in the presidential staff because the president resigned, but the average age of the current leadership is 80 and over. That is to say they are unable to work, even at this age," says Parnavt Revazyan, member of the union. Members of the association complain that the union does not initiate anything for people with visual problems. Sipan Asatryan, a member of the association, says: "The Armenian Association of Blind has not fulfilled any international cooperation with the Europe or the global unity of the blinds. Do not we have resources to go and learn, to participate in the exchange of experiences?" The protesters gave 24 hours to the Presidential staff to resign, after which the issue of organizing snap elections was discussed. Political scientist: The Russian Federation opens its cards that there have been agreements between the Armenian authorities and Russia (video) Political scientist Vigen Hakobyan told at the meeting with journalists that the Russian Federation opens its cards that there have been agreements between the Armenian authorities and Russia, and Robert Kocharyan's arrest was an opportunity for official Moscow to voice that. "There are some messages in Lavrov's statement that the new authorities of Armenia violate the agreements, it seems about immunity. A question arises with whom those agreements have been made with," says Vigen Hakobyan. According to the political scientist, a solution was found for CSTO Secretary General Yuri Khachaturov, but still, not for RA second President Robert Kocharyan. "It is noteworthy that the US Department of State's statement on the arrests of high-ranking officials was quite restrained, and should not be that encouraging for those arresting Kocharyan," said Vigen Hakobyan. More information is in the video. 1. Yes. It makes me wonder why Killeen is having the problem and other cities arent. 2. Yes. The city also had water issues after the winter storm, so this is rather troubling. 3. No. Its good that the city is dealing with the problem and playing it safe with consumers. 4. No. Its more of an annoyance than a concern. The city will take the necessary steps. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say until more information about the issue becomes available. Vote View Results Issues of Hayfilm discussed at public platform Taking into account the public interest towards Hayfilm (Armenfilm) studio, Narek Babayan, the Chairman of the State Property Management Committee, has initiated a public discussion on his Facebook page several days ago. The invitation was addressed by 30 representatives from this domain, members of the Hayfilm Vertsnund Initiative, young and experienced professionals. The meeting took place on August 4, at the Cinema House. Minister of Culture Lilit Makunts and other officials also took part in the meeting. Experts concerned with the fate of Armenian cinema and Hayfilm have raised numerous issues related to company status, investment attraction and state support. The President of the State Property Management Committee and the Minister of Culture responded to those concerns, presented the current situation and assured that no film-related decision will be made without public discussion. Narek Babayan said: "Hayfilm's building occupies 17 thousand sq. M from about 25 hectares land and the investments for the protection, and especially for development, of such a vast territory are huge. It is obvious that the state today does not have enough resources to give millions of dollars to the company's resuscitation. On the other hand, the fact that today Hayfilm is on the Privatization Program list does not mean that it will definitely be privatized. The most optimal variant should be chosen as a result of comprehensive discussions." Deputy Chairman of the Committee Gevorg Loretsyan added that any proposed option should be substantiated and the outcome expected from the solution should be predictable. Representatives of the company told the discussion participants that they have only 14 employees, of which 5 are on security but they try to keep and save as much as possible. According to them, all the subdivisions that are currently demanded, operate and can work with much more load, in the presence of orders. In this regard, the support of Ministry of Culture also is expected. The participants also touched upon the history of privatization in 2005, reminded that there were numerous publications in the press that questioned the legality of the deal and offered to apply to the law enforcement agencies. The Committee Chairperson and the Minister of Culture clarified that many issues relating to the Hayfilm need to be separated, as they refer to the protection of property and buildings, investments, cinematography, Soviet-Armenian cinematography and, in general, sector policies, in order to find systematic solutions much easier. There were many concerns and views, sensual assessments, as well as rhetorical questions and to bring them to the subject Narek Babayan urged the participants to make clear suggestions, and assured that each and every of them will be discussed with the Ministry of Culture. State Property Management Committee: "The Gambler" - Donald Trump calls him "king" Heroic military pilot, a fighter, a billionaire who carries out genius financial transactions, who travels without a suit and bodyguard, who takes his own suitcases, drives the car and pays for food and room in his own hotel. He gave millions to charity and found that charity is not charity when something is anticipated for it. His colleague Donald Trump called him "king." The son of Armenian immigrants Kirk Kerkorian, with terrible education and empty pockets, made the American dream come true by moving from the "miserable street to the main street." Being one of the richest and most ardent people in the financial world of America, he rarely gave an interview, and he valued keeping his personal space the most. "The Gambler" documentary bestseller, which was released this January, is the story of ninety-year-old business genius Kirk Kerkorian. All the citations and descriptions in the book are based on eyewitness' memories or published stories. The author of the book is investigative journalist William Rampl, the author of the Armenian translation and the publisher is "Edit Print" publishing house , the authors of the translations are Alina and Anna Mirzoyan. Head of Marketing Department of "Edit Print" publishing house Shavarsh Karapetyan noted that it is a great honor for them to publish a book about the great Armenian like Kirk Kerkorian. The book presentation was organized by "Edit Print" publishing house with the support of the Gyumri municipality. It was held near the statue of the National Hero of Armenia, philanthropist Kirk Kerkorian in Gyumri. "At the time, when Gyumri was destroyed, Kerkorian landed his generous hand of help and the $ 151 million provided by him became a neighborhood, busy streets and cultural centers," said Gyumri Mayor's advisor Hasmik Kirakosyan. According to the organizers, this is the launch of KirkCampaign. The book will also be presented in other regions, as well as in Yerevan. Wizz Air to launch flights from Lviv to Vilnius, Bratislava in Oct, from Kharkiv to Gdansk, Wroclaw Hungary's low cost airline Wizz Air from October 2018 will service flights from Lviv to Vilnius and Bratislava, and from Kharkiv to Gdansk and Wroclaw. The press service of the airline reported that Ukrainian passenger can book tickets on the airline's website at the prices starting from UAH 299 for a one-way ticket, taking into account all taxes and duties. Flights from Lviv to Vilnius will be serviced from October 29 on Mondays and Fridays; from Lviv to Bratislava - from October 30 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flights from Kharkiv to Gdansk and Wroclaw will be serviced on Wednesdays and Sundays from October 28, 2018. "We will now service regular flights from the Kharkiv international airport on four Polish routes, and we hope that direct flights to cities such as Wroclaw and Gdansk will open even more opportunities for our passengers: both in the tourism industry and in education, culture, entrepreneurship and others," Commercial Director for Aviation Activities of the Kharkiv international airport (managed by New Systems AM, a member of the DCH group of businessman Oleksandr Yaroslavsky) Vladyslav Ilyin said. Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman expects that by the end of this year the average wage in the country will increase to UAH 10,000. "The main priority is the average wage. And we want to increase this figure to UAH 10,000 (by the end of the year). This is a real story. Now the wage exceeds UAH 8,000," he said. He noted that the whole economic policy of the government contributes to the achievement of this goal, including in the context of deregulation and the fight against shadow schemes. "We have one goal - Ukraine must be strong," Groysman summed up. As reported, in early May in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine the prime minister stated that at that time Ukraine had no possibility for making a decision on raising the minimum wage. At the same time, he predicted that the average wage in 2018 could reach UAH 10,000. "We made a very systematic move, which, in my opinion, opened one more opportunity, namely, to unfreeze wages in general. We can say that we began to repay the debts to working Ukrainians, because their work has been for a long time underestimated. The minimum wage pushed the average wage. I believe that this year the average wage could already be about UAH 10,000," Groysman stated. According to the prime minister, it will be possible to reach the level of an average wage of UAH 10,000 even if the minimum wage is not raised to UAH 4,200. The Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine has prepared a number of proposals to counteract Russia as part of its activities in the Azov Sea basin and in the occupied territories, including termination of passenger traffic, Minister of Infrastructure Volodymyr Omelyan has told Interfax-Ukraine. "We have prepared a number of countermeasures on what is happening on the part of the Russian Federation in the occupied territories and in the Sea of Azov. They include termination of railway communication with Russia. The issue was discussed at interdepartmental working meetings at the Ministry of Infrastructure. We want this issue to be discussed by the government or the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine so that the relevant decision could be made at the state level," he said. Omelyan said now this concerns only termination of passenger rail communication. "At this stage, we are talking about regular railway passenger service. As for cargo transportation, there is a problem not only that Ukrzaliznytsia will lose substantial revenues in its budget, but also with the international legislation, in particular, with those obligations Ukraine undertook in the framework of the World Trade Organization. Therefore we are now studying this issue rather than promoting," he said. The American hotel operator Best Western Hotels & Resorts has excluded The Best Western Sevastopol Hotel from its network in Crimea, and plans in the spring of 2019 to launch its Best Western Plus hotel with 70 rooms in Lviv. According to the official website of Best Western, as of August 6 information about the hotel in Sevastopol and the possibility of its booking is not available. As reported, the Sevastopol hotel was included in the Best Western network at the end of 2009 and was the only object in the operator's portfolio in Ukraine. The company has not yet commented on the company's leaving Crimea. According to the website of the hotel, at present it operates under the name Sevastopol Hotel & Spa. At the same time, Managing Partner of ArtBuild Hotel Group development company (ABHG, Kyiv) Oleksiy Yevchenko said the company had signed an agreement with Best Western Hotels & Resorts on the management of a hotel in Lviv under the brand Best Western Plus. "Now the project of a hotel in Lviv at 6 Shevska Street is in process. It is a hotel with 70 rooms. The infrastructure also includes a restaurant. It is to be launched in the spring of 2019. ArtBuild Hotel Group realizes the project as a developer, while ArtBuild Hotel Management, which is a managing company and a member of ArtBuild Group, has signed an agreement to manage the hotel under the Best Western Plus brand. The project is now at the final stage of reconstruction, construction and equipping," he said. Best Western Hotels & Resorts is one of the world's largest hotel chains, which has about 4,200 hotels in more than 100 countries. The State Service of Ukraine for Transport Safety (Ukrtransbezpeka) will conduct off-schedule inspections of carriers, the press service of the authority has written on its official Facebook page. "Despite of a moratorium on inspections, after investigations into high-impact road accidents Ukrtransbezpeka initiates off-schedule inspections of carriers," the authority said. As reported, on July 20 in Mykolaiv region as a result of a collision of a minibus with a truck five people were killed (citizens of Belarus) and 12 injured. In an accident involving a shuttle bus and a truck in Zhytomyr region, 10 people were killed, and nine more were injured. The state appointed lawyer for disgraced former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, Viktor Ovsiannikov, who skipped the last hearing of Kyiv's Obolonsky District Court on August 1 on treason charges against Yanukovych, met with his client in Russia on August 3. "We agreed with him on the legal position, which will be announced in court on August 16. [We] signed a protocol of a confidential meeting. The legal position is protected by a lawyer-client privilege, so I cannot talk about it yet," Ovsiannikov told the Kyiv-based Interfax-Ukraine news agency. He has said he may publish it if there are changes and his client permits. He noted that while his power of defense attorney to participate in the trial has not been terminated, he is obliged to attend the next court hearing on August 16, despite the court's decision to appoint a new free lawyer for Yanukovych. "I am aware of the decision made by the court on August 1 only from the media. I was not informed about it formally," he said. As earlier reported, on August 1, the Obolonsky court decided to replace Yanukovych's state-appointed lawyer with another state-appointed lawyer and to continue hearing treason charges against Yanukovych on August 16. Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has protested in connection with Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent unauthorized visit to Ukraine's Crimea, which was been occupied by Russia. "Ukraine considers this visit and any so-called trips of Russian officials to the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol (Ukraine) a grave violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, cynical and demonstrative disregard by the Russian side of generally recognized principles and norms of international law, bilateral and multilateral obligations the treaties to which Ukraine and Russia are parties, including the UN Charter," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday, August 6. Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminded that Crimea and Sevastopol are an inalienable part of Ukraine in its internationally recognized borders. "This is recognized by the entire international community, which has repeatedly given an appropriate assessment of the internationally wrongful act of the Russian Federation through the adoption of relevant resolutions of the UN, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, other international organizations, and the imposition of sanctions against the Russian Federation as an occupying state," the Ukrainian diplomats added. According to Russian media reports, Putin on August 4 arrived in the Russia-occupied city of Sevastopol to attend the "Opera in Chersonese" festival, which is to be held at the Tauric Chersonese (Khersones Tavrichesky) state historical archaeological museum and reserve on August 1012. Entry of book "Sun on Entresols" from Russia to Ukraine banned over popularization of aggressor state The State Committee of Ukraine for Television and Radio Broadcasting has banned the entry of a book written by Natalia Terentyeva entitled "Sun on Entresols" to Ukraine from Russia over popularization of the aggressor state. "The State Committee of Ukraine for Television and Radio Broadcasting has rejected a request of Dress Show LLC to issue a permit to import the "Sun on Entresols" book written by Terentyeva and published by AST Moscow-based publishing house," the press service of the committee reported. According to the report, the expert council of the committee for analyzing and assessing printed products gave the conclusion that the book is among the books that is not permitted to be spread on the territory of Ukraine. "The propaganda of the imperial moods of the aggressor state, the glorification of its law enforcement structures and, in particular, the FSB Academy, as well as undisguised nostalgia for the communist past are behind the unassuming plot about "love," the committee said. Currently there are 61 editions on the list of books banned for import into Ukraine. Earlier, the State TV and Radio Committee abolished the ban on the importation of the book of Russian Bible scholar Andrei Desnitsky entitled "Christianity: Present. Russia. The 21st Century" into Ukraine. A court has extended the term of pretrial detention by another two months for former Member of Parliament Oleksandr Shepelev, who is suspected a number of crimes, including state treason. "The term of detention has been extended by the court for another two months," the speaker of Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) Andriy Lysenko told the Kyiv-based Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Monday. According to him, the court's decision to extend the preventive measure was made on August 5. Shepelev's preventive measure has been repeatedly extended by Kyiv's Pechersky district court since his arrest. As earlier reported, Shepelev (a parliament deputy during its fifth and sixth convocations) was detained in March 2015 by Russian law enforcement officers after he fled from a Kyiv hospital in the summer of 2014 together with a security guard. The ex-MP was declared internationally wanted by law enforcement agencies of Ukraine. The wanted ex-deputy was accused in Ukraine of stealing Rodovid Bank's money and ordering several murders, in particular, of banker Serhiy Kyrychenko in 2003 and police colonel Roman Yerokhin in 2006, and an attempted assassination of banker Serhiy Diadechko in 2012. On March 21, 2015, a Russian court issued a ruling on Shepelev's extradition, but the ex-deputy remained in Russia all this time. The Russian side refused to extradite Shepelev to Ukraine. In August 2016, Ukraine's Chief Military Prosecutor Anatoliy Matios said Shepelev was under investigation under Part 1 of Article 111 (high treason) of Ukraine's Criminal Code. On February 8, 2018, Ukraine's SBU Security Service arrested Shepelev, who was carrying a certificate issued by the so-called "Ministry of State Security of the Donetsk People's Republic" to the name of lieutenant colonel Mykola Borukh. On February 9, the ex-MP was taken to Kyiv's Pechersky District Court with bruises on his face and what he claimed was a broken jaw. On February 10, the Pechersky District Court remanded him to pretrial custody for two months. The SBU on February 23, 2018, said it was checking whether Shepelev had legally crossed the Ukraine-Russia border. Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko has claimed there are documents confirming that Shepelev was an agent of Russia's Secret Service. Shepelev in previous convocations of the Verkhovna Rada was a member of the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc (2007 2010) and the Party of Regions parliamentary faction (2010). Detainee involved in acid attack on Kherson activist Handziuk has nothing to do with police - Anton Gerashchenko Investigators are examining contacts and connections of Mykola Novykov, who is suspected of an attempted murder of acting manager of affairs at Kherson City Council's executive committee, adviser to the mayor of Kherson and local activist Kateryna Handziuk, who survived an acid attack, member of the Interior Ministry's board and Member of Parliament from the People's Front faction Anton Gerashchenko has said. "[The detainee] is Mykola Novykov, born in 1978, a native of the city of Kherson, previously convicted of a theft and Illegal possession of firearms, and who is also a member of a criminal gang in Kherson region. Obviously, he was fulfilling the order. His contacts and connections are being examined by the police," Gerashchenko told TV Channel 112.Ukraine on Monday, August 6. According to him, law enforcers recommend Novykov tell them the truth, disclose who was his customer, who was the organizer, as "this will largely shorten his term." "If he doesn't break down under interrogation, he will get the maximum [term]," Gerashchenko said. According to him, the police are now interested in the question of who ordered and organized the attempted assassination of Handziuk. "We've got certain clues. I can now say that these customers and organizers have nothing to do with the police, and although Kateryna Handziuk and her friends regularly claim in public that members of the police are involved in - this is absolutely untrue. The investigation will prove this later," he said. "Accusations that were addressed to the police of Kherson region that the law enforcers were allegedly covering those who attempted to kill Kateryna Handziuk are absolutely false," Gerashchenko said. According to him, it is already known that Novykov bought sulfuric acid and was waiting for the victim near her house in the morning and then committed his crime, having thrown acid at her. "But we understand perfectly well that he is a performer, that he was fulfilling someone's order," he said. Handziuk's criticism "against officials and individuals" could be the motive behind the crime, he added. As reported, an unidentified young man splashed acid onto Kherson City Council employee Handziuk in Kherson early on July 31. She was hospitalized locally and airlifted to a Kyiv hospital the following day. On August 1, investigators changed the article of the Criminal Code under which the crime is being investigated from "intentional serious bodily harm committed with the aim of intimidating the victim" to "attempted murder with extreme atrocity." First Deputy Head of the National Police of Ukraine Viacheslav Abroskin said that Handziuk had agreed to cooperate with investigators to help uncover this crime. On August 3, Chief Prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko announced that the SBU Security Service of Ukraine would handle the case. On the same day, Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said that the suspect had been detained. OSCE Special Envoy to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) for Ukraine Martin Sajdik has appealed to the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada on the expiration of the law on a special order of local self-government in some areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and Ukraine's representative in the TCG's humanitarian subgroup and First Deputy Parliament Speaker Iryna Gerashchenko will offer her colleagues a discussion on this initiative in September. "OSCE Special Envoy Martin Sajdik addressed the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada (the speaker and deputy speakers). [...] In his letter, Martin Sajdik draws attention to the fact that the law of Ukraine, which provides for a special order of self-government in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, extended in October 2017 for a year, is expiring," she wrote on her Facebook page on Monday. In addition, according to Gerashchenko, in this letter the OSCE envoy "rightly notes that the extension of the law could contribute to the involvement of the UN forces in resolving the conflict and would also give the necessary signal to the international community to further support these efforts." The politician said that the extension of the law in 2017 "greatly strengthened the negotiating positions of our diplomats and authorities and helped continue sanctions against the Russian Federation in January and July 2018," while Russia "did not move one step forward in the implementation of the Minsk agreements." "At the first conciliation council in September, I will address the faction leaders with a request to hold a discussion on the issue of extending the law. As a participant in the Minsk talks, I am ready to meet with the factions, if there is a need and desire, and to answer question. I will also propose that our colleagues devote the first meeting of our informal Minsk platform to these issues. The vote will be difficult and interesting and will definitely show who is making efforts to ensure that the EU prolongs the sanctions, and who is interested in lifting sanctions on the Russian Federation," Gerashchenko said. On October 6, 2017, the Verkhovna Rada extended for one year the effect of the law on the special order of local self-government order in occupied Donbas, which was due to expire on October 18, 2017. The document provides that the special procedures of local self-government in certain areas of Donbas shall enter into force only "after all the conditions set forth in Article 10 of the law [on the special order of local self-government], in particular regarding the withdrawal of all illegal armed formations, their military equipment, as well as militants and mercenaries from the territory of Ukraine have been met." The Donbas special status law was adopted in September 2014 and entered into force on October 18, 2014, for a period of three years. Its Article 10 (Transitional Provisions) establishes that special local self-government procedures shall be handled exclusively by local self-government agencies, which shall be elected in early elections. This article also sets a number of conditions whose implementation is necessary before the elections, namely the withdrawal of illegal armed formations and military equipment from Ukraine, guarantees of free expression of will, observation of elections, including by representatives of international organizations, as well as prevention of illegal interference in the electoral process, observance of the principles of political pluralism and freedom of election campaigning. Ukraine will file an application with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) next week in connection with all Ukrainian prisoners that are being unlawfully held by Russia, Ukrainian Deputy Justice Minister Serhiy Petukhov said. "We are going to file an inter-state application against the Russian Federation concerning all of our political prisoners next week. This is a category of individuals whom Russia is deliberately persecuting for their support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and for their pro-Ukrainian positions by abducting them in Crimea or in the territory of the Russian Federation," Petukhov said on Channel Five on Monday. By filing this application, Ukraine hopes to draw the international community's attention to these people's problems, he said. "The Strasbourg Court's attention will at least make sure that they are held in worthy conditions," Petukhov said. An ECHR ruling could help free Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia, he said. It was reported earlier that Ukraine also plans to file an application with the ECHR against Russia over massive deportation of citizens of Ukraine and other countries from the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula. While anti-Islamic Republic protests are going on in different cities in Iran, an eyewitness has disclosed that, for the first time, women spearheaded the demonstrations in city of Shahin Shahr, 24km (15 miles) north of Isfahan, the capital of a province with the same name, in central Iran. In an exclusive interview with Radio Fardas Mahtab Vahidi Rad, the witness, introduced briefly as Amin for security reasons, said, Unrest in Shahin Shahr began on Thursday morning (August 2) when a limited crowd of people, composed mainly of women, nearly fifty ladies, started chanting completely peaceful slogans protesting economic hardship. The protests, according to Amin lasted for only 10-15 minutes and the crowd dispersed; but the members of Special Unit, (basijees, militia forces affiliated with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) gradually appeared all over the city. People were coming and going peacefully, as usual, when they saw themselves surrounded by the Special Unit forces who were riding motorbikes, carrying guns, Amin noted, adding, Soon, a heavy security atmosphere shrouded the city and made people restless. Enraged by the presence of basijees circling around on motorbikes, Amin said, People became nervous and agitated. Shahin Shahr had turned into a city occupied by armed basijees who were riding motorbikes with two riders. The militias bikes, Amin insisted, made a horrifying noise. Nevertheless, the bikers started to throw firecrackers on the ground to create an atmosphere of fear and terror. On Thursday evening, the first signs of unrest appeared among the citizens of Shahin Shahr. Unhappy, and rather scared at the same time, Amin explained, People started to hold limited gatherings. There were small assemblies here and there. The rallies were not concentrated in one single location; twenty people at the top of one street, fifty others at another spot. All drivers started blowing their car horns. Assemblies, sadly, were not orchestrated and uniformed, Amin admitted, adding, The bikers, riding in twos, started shooting paintballs at people, regardless of their age or sex. Old women, old men and children were all a target for the bike-riding forces. Many bullets hit the eyes or faces of the people. Our only response was to hide our head and cover our eyes to avoid the barrage of bullets. Responding to the attacks, people started chanting slogans, particularly against the Islamic republics Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Toop, tank, feshfesheh, akhound bayad gom besheh!, (a rhymed slogan, roughly meaning Canons, tanks, at any cost, the clergy should get lost!, people chanted. Gradually, the slogans turned more political rather than economic. Amin, who was injured in the right arm and slightly in the back of his left leg stressed that people never tried to set fire on public property. He was referring to a case in Eshtehard, a city near the capital, Tehran, , where the officials have claimed that protesters tried to set a seminary on fire. People only set fire on garbage cans to neutralize the effects of tear gas canisters shot at them, Amin testified. Although Amin admitted that he had not personally seen anybody arrested during the protests, he cited his friends as saying that several people were detained and taken away in Shahin Shahr. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 86 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said August 6. Armenian armed forces were using large-caliber machine guns. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6 Trend: Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has expressed condolences to Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo. I was deeply saddened by the news of heavy casualties and destructions as a result of a terrible earthquake that hit your country, President Aliyev said. On the occasion of this tragedy, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my deepest condolences to you, families and loved ones of those who died, and all the people of Indonesia, and wish those injured the swiftest possible recovery, he added. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6 Trend: The Field Kitchen contest held within the International Army Games 2018 is underway at Moscows Alabino range, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said in a message Aug. 6. The referees of the contest are tasting and evaluating various dishes cooked by military chefs.. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6 By Jani Babayeva - Trend: This year the Gabala International Music Festival marks its 10th anniversary, one of the art directors of the festival, world-famous conductor and cellist Dmitry Yablonsky told Trend Aug. 6. During this period an incredible number of projects were implemented and concerts were held, he said. "I remember the first festival as if it was yesterday, Yablonsky said. I am very grateful to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, First Vice President of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva for the incredible support to the festival it is priceless." Talking about the program of the 10th Gabala International Music Festival, the musician stressed that the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra has been involved in the event. "This year the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra has been involved in the festival, Yablonsky said. It is a legendary orchestra with which we have a lot of joint projects. The main thing is that together with Farhad Badalbayli and the orchestra we have implemented a project titled 'Khojaly'. Alexander Tchaikovsky will create musical composition, dedicated to the Khojaly tragedy. This project will go down in history." The Gabala International Music Festival, which became the main event in the musical life of Azerbaijan and the region, marks its 10th anniversary this year. The festival, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Gilan Holding, is being held from July 30 to August 7 in Azerbaijans Gabala city. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6 Trend: The Azerbaijan State Committee on Property Issues will hold another auction on September 4, the committee said in a message Aug. 6. Seventy-six state facilities will be put up for the first auction this month, 17 of which are joint-stock companies, 32 - small state enterprises, as well as 24 non-residential areas and three vehicles. The facilities related to joint-stock companies and belonging to different economic spheres, namely, transport, hazelnut processing, agriculture, are located in Shirvan, Barda, Tartar, Kurdamir and other districts of the country. The total area of small state-owned enterprises put up for privatization is from 30 square meters to 9,297 square meters. Among these state-owned enterprises is the complex with the land plot in Lokbatan settlement of Bakus Garadagh district (total area of 1,169 square meters), Shamkir fish factory in Dallar settlement of Shamkir district (total area of 341 square meters). Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6 Trend: Azerbaijan plans to produce 200,000 tons of persimmons by the end of this year, which will slightly exceed last year's figure, Chairman of the Association of Persimmon Producers and Exporters Gadir Yusifov told Trend. According to him, persimmon export brought the state treasury a significant income of $100 million in 2017. "This is a fairly good result, and this amount is expected to be stable in monetary terms this year, partly due to the fact that about 90 percent of this output is shipped abroad, including Russia, Belarus, Moldova, the Baltic states, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, while 10 percent of this product is sold in the domestic market, which fully meets the needs of Azerbaijani consumers. In general, the export of persimmons to the mentioned countries did not exceed 180,000 tons in 2017, " head of the association said. "Persimmon is mainly grown in Goychay, Balakan, Agjabadi and Ganja regions of Azerbaijan." "New enterprises for the production of semi-dried and dried persimmons are created in these regions, and production of frozen persimmons is soon to start," he added. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6 By Azad Hasanli Trend: The Association for Azerbaijan-Arab Countries Cooperation (AACC) intends to begin sending delegations to Arab countries and holding business forums there on a permanent basis, Elshan Rahimov, chairman of the AACC board, told Trend July 31. "For this purpose, AACC will soon begin negotiations with the ambassadors of the Arab countries in Azerbaijan," he said. "We intend to organize one business forum every month and simultaneously organize delegations to the Arab countries with those who participate in these events," Rahimov said. "Azerbaijan has sufficient potential for developing and strengthening relations with the Arab countries," he said. "For this purpose, the association also plans to organize an Azerbaijani-Arab investment forum in October." Organizational support for the event will be rendered by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). Rahimov said that Bandar Hajjar, president of the IDB Group, will arrive in Baku to participate in the forum. Around 300 investors and businessmen from Arab countries, engaged in various spheres of economy, are expected to take part in the event. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @AzadHasanli Germanys hesitancy to reduce its trade surplus is contributing to trade tension and adds to risks that could undermine global financial stability, Maury Obstfeld, chief economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said, Reuters reports. In (current account) surplus countries such as Germany we see hesitant measures, at best, to counteract the surplus, Obstfeld wrote in a guest commentary published in German daily Die Welt on Monday. The IMF and the European Commission have long urged Germany to boost domestic demand by lifting wages and investment to reduce what they call global economic imbalances. Since his election, U.S. President Donald Trump has also repeatedly criticized Germanys export strength. Obstfeld said that countries like the United States, in which the external current account balance is too low, should reduce budget deficits, encourage households to save more, and gradually normalize their monetary policy. Countries in which the balance is too high, like Germany, should increase government spending, for instance by investing in infrastructure or digitalization, so that companies invest more domestically rather than looking abroad. The net external positions will diverge more. That increases the risk of disruption by currency or asset price adjustments in indebted countries, to the disadvantage of all, he said. If there is a sudden adjustment, then both the debtor and creditor countries will suffer, he added. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6 By Ilkin Shafiyev Trend: The State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) has sold $536.6 million at currency auctions organized by the Central Bank in July 2018, the Fund said in a message Aug. 6. SOFAZ sold to banks $439 million in June. Since the beginning of the year, Azerbaijani banks have bought about $3.5 billion from the Fund. The Oil Fund will continue the sale of foreign currency through auctions in 2018. The sale of currency is carried out as part of SOFAZ transfers to the state budget of Azerbaijan, which are planned to stand at 10.966 billion manats in 2018. The official rate of manat for the next day is determined on the basis of the weighted average rate under transactions concluded with commercial banks in the interbank currency market and auctions. Auctions are held in the format of one-sided currency sale. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @IlkinShafiyev Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6 By Ilkin Shafiyev - Trend: US-Ukrainian alcohol holding, Global Spirits, intends to approve the project of production in Azerbaijan by the end of this month, the holding told Trend Aug. 6. "At this stage, the project is at the final phase of development. The dates, volumes, distributors and product range have not yet been decided. It is expected that the necessary documents will be approved, all permits and agreements will be signed, the range of products will be approved, and the distributor will be chosen until the end of August," a representative of the company said. The Global Spirits stated that the enterprises will be located both in Baku and in the regions of Azerbaijan. It was reported earlier that the owner of Global Spirits, Evgeniy Chernyak, told one of the Ukrainian radio channels that the holding will launch production in Azerbaijan and Belarus. Global Spirits is the largest international alcohol holding in Eastern Europe. The portfolio of the holding includes vodka, cognac and wine brands. The products of Global Spirits are exported to more than 87 countries. Its head office is situated in New York. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @IlkinShafiyev Azerbaijans women entrepreneurs focus on export of products under national brand to markets of CIS and Europe (Exclusive) Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6 By Matanat Nasibova Trend: The dynamic development of women's entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan will contribute to the creation of new brands and the export of products to foreign markets in the CIS and Europe in the future, chairperson of the board of the Azerbaijan Women Entrepreneurs Association Sakina Babayeva told Trend, assessing the current level of development of women's entrepreneurship in the country. She said that presently, more than 143,000 women are engaged in entrepreneurial activity in Azerbaijan. "In my opinion, this is a fairly high figure, and it will definitely increase," Babayeva said. Azerbaijan receives 80 percent of the gross domestic product from the private sector, and it is obvious that women entrepreneurs also make great contribution to the development of the private sector." As a result of important economic reforms being carried out in Azerbaijan, the number of women entrepreneurs in the country has greatly increased, she added. "Presently, besides the agricultural sector, Azerbaijani women entrepreneurs are actively involved in health and education sectors, Babayeva said. Many of them own private medical clinics and various educational institutions. Effective use of the business and intellectual potential of women increases the level of employment and development medium and small business." Currently, the products of the Azerbaijan National Clothes Center and other enterprises run by women entrepreneurs under the Made in Azerbaijan brand are produced in the country, she said. The establishment of the association is primarily aimed at strengthening the role of women in the field of entrepreneurship, as well as the dynamic development of small and medium-sized businesses in Azerbaijan, Babayeva said. "The Women Entrepreneurs Association was established with the support of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs, and we expect that it will contribute to greater intensification of women's entrepreneurship and further expansion of the country's export opportunities," she said. In my opinion, the development of women's entrepreneurship plays an important role in society and, along with the development of the business sphere in Azerbaijan, it is aimed at ensuring the rights of women and gender equality, Babayeva said. The creation of legal foundations, granting of preferential loans to individuals, engaged in entrepreneurial activity, the introduction of preferential tax rates in many spheres, and in particular, the exemption of entrepreneurs engaged in agriculture from all taxes, created serious opportunities for the development of business in the country, including women's entrepreneurship, she said. Thats why the number of women entrepreneurs, preferring agrarian sphere, is being increased. The growth of entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan is one of the priority directions of the country's economic policy and special attention has been recently paid to the expansion of small and medium-sized businesses, and in particular to the development of women's business in the country, Babayeva said. "In the future, this can reduce the level of poverty and increase the social and economic authority of Azerbaijani women in society and the region," she said. The Azerbaijan Women Entrepreneurs Association was established in October 2017. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: More than 80 percent of the work has been completed for starting the construction of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) that envisages transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Bulgaria, Teodora Georgieva, executive officer at ICGB AD joint venture company, the projects operator, told Trend. "For the IGB project most of the significant preparatory job is already completed. There is a Final Investment Decision for the project taken in December 2015. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) is completed for the entire route. The Technical Design for the Bulgarian part of the route as well as the FEED for the Greek section have been finalized. There is a Construction Permit issued for Bulgaria and Installation act for Greece. Installation permit is expected immediately after the Exemption Decision," she said. Georgieva went on to add that the financial model and the business plan were finally agreed between the shareholders and aligned with the European Commission as part of the exemption procedure and the approval of additional grant of 39 million euros. "The financial structure is entirely settled and there negotiations which are ongoing for preparation of intergovernmental agreement between Bulgaria and Greece for stabilization of the taxation of the project for a period of 25 years. There is a sovereign guarantee secured by the Bulgarian state and on that basis a Memorandum of understanding is signed between Bulgarian Energy Holding and EIB for providing of loan for the realization of the project," she noted. A pre-notification procedure for compatible state aid has been finalized with Directorate General for Competition, according to Georgieva. "All main tenders are launched - for selection of owner's engineer; for manufacturing and supply of line pipes; for engineering, procurement and construction and for archaeological research. Based on the above, we have to summarize that more than 80 percent of the work for start of construction is already done," she concluded. IGB is a gas pipeline, which will allow Bulgaria to receive Azerbaijani gas, in particular, the gas produced from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz 2 gas and condensate field. IGB is expected to be connected to TAP via which gas from the Shah Deniz field will be delivered to the European markets. The initial capacity of IGB will be 3 billion cubic meters of gas. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Belgian Fluxys Group, which is one of the shareholders of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), envisaging transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe, has realized investments in infrastructure for a total of 144.1 million euros in 2017, the company told Trend. The investments were made in its three main activities (transmission, storage and LNG terminalling), of which 58 percent was dedicated to infrastructure projects in Belgium and 42 percent to infrastructure projects outside Belgium, said Fluxys. The primary investments made concern the transmission facilities (77.6 million euros, largely relating to the Reverse Flow and EUGAL projects, and the LNG terminalling facilities (64.8 million euros, largely relating to the construction of the fifth tank at the Zeebrugge LNG terminal), according to the company. "Regarding TAP, we do not communicate about our investments at such level of detail," said Fluxys. TAP project, worth 4.5 billion euros, is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union (EU), and has already attracted 1.5 billion euros from the European Investment Bank (EIB), which approved the loan in early February 2018. Connecting with the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) at the Greek-Turkish border, TAP will cross Northern Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea before coming ashore in Southern Italy to connect to the Italian natural gas network. The project is currently in its construction phase, which started in 2016. Once built, TAP will offer a direct and cost-effective transportation route opening up the vital Southern Gas Corridor, a 3,500-kilometer long gas value chain stretching from the Caspian Sea to Europe. TAP shareholders include BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagas (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent). --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6 By Ilkin Shafiyev, Ali Mustafayev Trend: Kazakhstan may consider the possibility of oil export through Azerbaijan, Kazakh Energy Minister Kanat Bozumbayev told Trend. "Presently, this issue is not on the agenda," he said. "Exploring the possibility of the Kazakh oil transit through Azerbaijan is not considered in connection with the availability of the current sufficient capacities for the export of the Kazakh oil, taking into account the expansion of the CPC pipeline." He added that nevertheless, the possibility of such supplies is not ruled out. "In the future, as the extraction of hydrocarbons increases in Kazakhstan and in condition of economic feasibility of supplying the Kazakh oil through Azerbaijan, the aforementioned issue will be considered by the interested parties," Bozumbayev added. In previous years, Kazakhstan transported its oil both via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and via railway from Baku to the Black Sea ports of Georgia. Since 2016, such transit has not been carried out. --- Follow the authors on Twitter: @IlkinShafiyev, @Ali_Mustafayev_ Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Aug. 6 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Saudi Arabia welcomed 153 pilgrims from Turkmenistan for the Hajj, the Turkmen government said on Aug. 6. A special flight was organized by the Turkmenistan Airlines by the order of the president of the country. "On the eve of the Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice), 153 of our compatriots representing all regions and the capital will join the millions of pilgrims from all over the world who come to Mecca and Medina to perform the worship at the sacred Kaaba and traditional rituals," the Turkmen government said. Baku, Azerbaijan, August 6 Trend: The 18th edition of an international exhibition on building and construction industry opened in the Iranian capital of Tehran with domestic and foreign firms in attendance. The expo was opened in Tehran on August 6 in the presence of Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi, IRIB news agency reported, More than 900 domestic and foreign firms are attending the international event. Representatives from countries like Norway, Italy, Germany, Brazil, South Korea, India, Finland, France, England, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Australia, Austria, Japan and Spain have pavilions at the exhibition, the report added. The exhibition is aimed at developing the countrys construction style, promoting employment and creating a commercial atmosphere conducive to competitiveness with international companies. Baku, Azerbaijan, August 6 Trend: The United States to restore on Aug. 6 the large-scale sanctions against Iran, which were previously suspended as a result of adoption of the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program, RIA Novosti reported. Experts predict the introduction of sanctions against foreign enterprises in the coming weeks. According to the data provided by the RIA Novosti sources, during the talks with the Europeans, the American partners did not give any clear answers on how the US plans to impose sanctions. Washington has also not yet submitted an alternative to the JCPOA. The agreement between Iran and six international mediators (Russia, USA, Britain, China, France, Germany) was concluded in July 2015. It imposes restrictions on the development of Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic and financial sanctions. US President Donald Trump announced on May 8 the withdrawal from the Iranian deal. He criticized it a lot and long, but the other members of the agreement Germany, France, UK, Russia, China - had hopes for its preservation in its original form. The US Treasury Department published after the announcement the information on what sanctions will be restored and when. So, after a 90-day period that expires just on Aug. 6, the restoration of the following sanctions should be expected: on purchase of U.S. dollars by Iran; on trade in gold and other valuable metals; on the sale, supply or trade in aluminum and steel as well as graphite and charcoal; on the sale or purchase of Iranian rials in "significant" amounts, or on maintenance of a "significant" funds or accounts outside the country using Iranian rials; on the issue of the Iranian debt; sanctions against Iranian cars. In addition, Washington revoked the permits issued under the JCPOA, and allowing Iran to export its carpets and food products to the United States. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6 Trend: The European Union, France, Germany and the UK issued a statement in support of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, regretting the re-imposition of US sanctions against Tehran. We deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the US, due to the latter's withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), according to the statement, the official website of the European Union said Aug. 6. US President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in May, and Washington now plans to re-impose sanctions on Tehran. The first round of US sanctions on Iran goes into effect on Aug. 6, followed by ones targeting Iran's oil exports on Nov. 4. The following is the full text of the statement: "We deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the US, due to the latter's withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)." "The JCPOA is working and delivering on its goal, namely to ensure that the Iranian programme remains exclusively peaceful, as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 11 consecutive reports. It is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, crucial for the security of Europe, the region, and the entire world. We expect Iran to continue to fully implement all its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA. "The lifting of nuclear-related sanctions is an essential part of the deal it aims at having a positive impact not only on trade and economic relations with Iran, but most importantly on the lives of the Iranian people. We are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran, in accordance with EU law and with UN Security Council resolution 2231. This is why the European Unions updated Blocking Statute enters into force on 7 August to protect EU companies doing legitimate business with Iran from the impact of US extra-territorial sanctions. "The remaining parties to the JCPOA have committed to work on, inter alia, the preservation and maintenance of effective financial channels with Iran, and the continuation of Iran's export of oil and gas. On these, as on other topics, our work continues, including with third countries interested in supporting the JCPOA and maintaining economic relations with Iran. These efforts will be intensified and reviewed at Ministerial level in the coming weeks. "Preserving the nuclear deal with Iran is a matter of respecting international agreements and a matter of international security." Baku, Azerbaijan, August 6 Trend: Iran has so far arrested 45 people as part of a probe into financial corruption and economic crisis, the spokesman of the countrys judiciary said on Aug.6 as the country prepares to face a return of US sanctions. Up to this moment, 45 individuals have been arrested over their role in (the foreign currency) market, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei said on August 6, Tansim news agency reported. He added that a number of them are under custody, and some of them have been freed on bail. Yesterday, seven people including a former deputy central bank governor and five foreign exchange dealers were arrested for alleged economic crimes, according to the spokesman. Ejei did not name the official but he appeared to be referring to Ahmad Araghchi, who some media reports had said was dismissed as deputy central bank governor after a wide public outcry and street protests over a rapid fall of Irans currency. Rial has lost about half of its value since April because of a weak economy and heavy demand for dollars among Iranians who fear the effects of crippling US sanctions. US President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in May, and Washington now plans to reimpose sanctions on Tehran. The first round of US sanctions on Iran goes into effect on August 6, followed by ones targeting Iran's oil exports on November 4. Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 6 By Matanat Nasibova - Trend: The tough statement of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed to the Armenian authorities can be regarded as the last warning to the regime in Yerevan, well-known Russian expert and TV presenter Yevgeny Mikhailov told Trend commenting on the recent message of Moscow, voiced by the Russian official. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted in his statement that the events in Armenia are contrary to the statements of the new leadership of the country on refusal of prosecution of its political predecessors. "Russia, as an ally of Yerevan, has always been interested in the stability of the Armenian state, so what is happening there cannot but worry us, in particular in terms of normal functioning in the CIS area of those organizations where Armenia participates," Lavrov stressed. The statement of the Russian government followed immediately after the recent arrest of ex-President Robert Kocharian and the criminal prosecution of the CSTO Secretary General Yuri Khachaturov. It is also appropriate to recall the mass discontent in Armenian society over the presence of the Russian military base in Gyumri, the mass oppression of Russian business in Armenia, and the anti-Russia hysteria of the public of that country on social networks. The Russian expert said it is becoming obvious that Pashinyan does not fulfill the agreements and promises not to pursue political competitors. "Under the guise of fighting corruption, the Yerevan regime primarily fulfills the orders of Western sponsors to break off relations with Moscow. The result, in my opinion, will be sad. I believe Russia will revise the plans of strategic partnership in many areas, primarily in arms supplies, and may change its position on the Karabakh conflict's settlement. The time of ceremonies is over. Yerevan is showing its true face of an ally who is not able to stand by its words, and therefore is actually able to betray," he said. The diplomatic bewilderment of Lavrov will be followed by tougher measures to comply with the agreements, Mikhailov noted. Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze says that the nominee for the Georgian Supreme Court chairperson should be "apolitical and have a good reputation among professional circles and wider society, Agenda reports. "This is my position and I am sure that the majority of population shares my point of view, PM Bakhtadze told journalists in Batumi yesterday. Nino Gvenetadze, 54, the first female chairpersonof the Georgian Supreme Court, has announced her resignation on August 2, citing health reasons. Gvenetadze, who was selected for the role by President Giorgi Margvelashvili and approved by parliament in 2015, said in a special statement that her treatment requires a several-month stay abroad. President Margvelashvili has started consultations to select a new candidate with the involvement of the public and is holding the first meeting with his advisers and academics at the presidential palace today. Chinas state media on Monday lashed out at the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump in an usually direct attack, accusing him of starring in his own carefully orchestrated street fighter-style deceitful drama, Xinhua reported. Trumps wish for others to play along with his drama is wishful thinking, the ruling Communist Partys Peoples Daily newspaper said in an editorial. The editorial said the United States had escalated trade friction with China, and turned international trade into zero-sum game. Governing a country is not like doing business, the editorial said, arguing that Trumps actions imperiled the national credibility of the United States. The European Union has asked the World Trade Organization to certify that it has complied with WTO rulings on its subsidies for planemaker Airbus, attempting to forestall billions of dollars of U.S. sanctions, a document published by the WTO showed on Monday, Reuters reports. The legal move is the latest step in a 14-year-old trade dispute between the EU and the United States over funding for Airbus and its U.S. rival Boeing. In May the WTO appeals body ruled that the EU had failed to remove subsidized government development loans for the worlds largest airliner, the A380, and Europes newest long-haul jet, the A350, causing losses for Boeing BA.N and U.S. aerospace workers. That opened the way for U.S. retaliatory trade sanctions, subject only to a decision by a WTO arbitrator about how big those sanctions should be, which is still pending. Boeing says Airbus received illegal aid worth $22 billion, including $18 billion in loans from governments. Of these, $9 billion is involved in the outstanding A350 and A380 claims. Airbus disputes those numbers, saying they overstate the amount of support embedded in the contested loans. It has meanwhile leveled significant subsidy claims against Boeing. In the latest legal move, the EU said it had informed the WTO in May that it had withdrawn all remaining subsidies and taken appropriate steps to remove their adverse effects, and it wanted a legal ruling to that effect. Such a legal ruling would remove the basis for U.S. sanctions. The legal basis for this request is that... these measures have resulted in the European Union achieving full compliance, by (i) withdrawing the remaining subsidies, and/or (ii) taking appropriate steps to remove their adverse effects, the EU said. By taking appropriate steps to bring the measures at issue into conformity with the European Unions WTO obligations... (the EU) has consequently eliminated any nullification or impairment attributable to non-compliance with those recommendations and rulings. By Ruth Anderah. 45 year old father has been charged and sent on remand at Luzira prison for defiling his 17 year old biological daughter and infect her with HIV/AIDS. Akileo Kajubi alias Mulokole and a resident of Kikaya zone A in Kawempe division in Kampala charged with aggravated defilement before a grade one magistrate at City Hall Beatrice Kainza who did not allow him to say anything on a capital offence only tried by the High Court. Prosecution led by Jackie Kyansimire states that Kajubi between 2017 and January 2018 at Kikaya Kawempe division in Kampala performed sexual act with a 17year well knowing that he is a biological father and HIV positive. Court learnt that Kajubi defiled his daughter after he separated with the victims mother leaving her oldest child behind. He is to return back to court on August 17th 2018 for mention of the case. The president of South Sudan and head of the countrys main rebel group signed a final cease fire and power-sharing agreement on Sunday and hailed a new longed-for era of peace in the country, Reuters reported. I call on everyone as a leader of South Sudan that this agreement which we have signed today should be the end of the war and the conflict in our country, said President Salva Kiir. South Sudans former vice president and rebel leader Riek Machar said after the signing, today we celebrate, not just in South Sudan, but throughout the world. South Sudan became independent from Sudan in 2011, but civil war broke out two years later between the government led by Kiir and a rebel movement led by Machar. Fuelled by personal and ethnic rivalries, the conflict has killed tens of thousands, displaced an estimated quarter of South Sudans population of 12 million and ruined its economy that heavily relies on crude oil production. An agreement on outstanding issues has been signed and this agreement expresses the commitment of all parties to a ceasefire, the foreign minister of neighbouring Sudan, Al-Dirdiri Mohamed said on Sudan state television. Sudan helped broker the agreement. Sudans president Omar al-Bashir said on Sunday oil would be pumped from South Sudans Wahda region to Sudan beginning September 1. There will be profit brother Salva ... one of our goals is the need to save the economy of South Sudan because it has reached a level of collapse, he said on Sudan State TV. Haitian President Jovenel Moise on Sunday named a former presidential candidate, Jean Ceant, as the successor to former Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant, who resigned in July, Xinhua reported. "After consultations with the Presidents of the two branches of Parliament, I made the choice of citizen @jeanhenryceant as new Prime Minister," Moise said on Twitter. Ceant, who heads a political organization called Renmen Ayiti, was a candidate for the presidential elections in 2010 and 2016. The 61-year-old's nomination has to be approved by parliament. Lafontant resigned over the handling of violent protests last month when the government announced a controversial plan to raise the prices of major fuels by 38 to 51 percent. Though the government responded by suspending the price hikes, the protests continued, resulting in the death of at least seven people. U.S. senator Rand Paul said he invited Russian senators to Washington for talks when he met Russian members of parliament in Moscow on Monday, Reuters with reference to the RIA news agency reported. The Republican senator was expected to meet Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov during his visit, the Interfax news agency cited a diplomatic source as saying last week. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed condolences in a telegram for Indonesian President Joko Widodo after a powerful earthquake struck the countrys popular tourist island of Lombok, TASS with reference to the Kremlin website reported. "Please accept my deepest condolences over numerous deaths and massive destruction, caused by the powerful earthquake on the Lombok Island," the telegram said. "I ask you to convey the words of sympathy and support to the relatives and friends of those killed and the wishes of a speedy recovery to all those injured." The 6.6 magnitude earthquake rocked the Lombok Island on Sunday. According to the latest reports, more than 90 people were killed and over 200 others were wounded. A search effort is underway. The authorities have evacuated more than 10,000 local citizens and also foreign tourists. More than 130 aftershocks were recorded on Monday. Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev and head of Brazils Institutional Security Cabinet Sergio Etchegoyen have held Russian-Brazilian consultations on security, Patrushevs spokesman Yevgeni Anoshin said, TASS reported. "The prospects of bilateral cooperation in the sphere of security, as well as the issues of coordinating activities at international level, including in BRICS and UN, were discussed," the Security Council spokesman noted. Representatives for some ministries and agencies took part in the consultations. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday that the United States would "enforce the sanctions" it is reimposing after US President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal, Sputnik reported. Mike Pompeo said that increasing pressure on Tehran was meant to "push back against Iranian malign activity," adding that Iranians "are unhappy with the failure of their own leadership to deliver the economic promises that their leadership promised them," Pompeo was quoted as saying by AFP. Asked if Tehran would be able to evade the measures, Pompeo said "the United States is going to enforce the sanctions," Pompeo was quoted as saying by AFP en route to Washington after attending a security forum in Singapore. "This is just about Iranians' dissatisfaction with their own government, and the President is pretty clear, we want the Iranian people to have a strong voice in who their leadership will be," Pompeo was quoted as saying by AFP. As of 0401 GMT Tuesday, the Iranian authorities can no longer buy US banknotes and broad sanctions will be imposed on Iranian industries, including its rug exports. On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the US would consider the international community's opinion and correct the mistake of withdrawing from the Iranian nuclear deal. "The unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the deal, as well as its threats of reinstating unilateral sanctions on Iran contradict the UN decisions and have caused disapproval of all the sides. We hope that the US side will be able to consider the international community's opinion and correct its faulty actions," Zarif said during his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' ministerial meeting in Singapore. On Tuesday, Zarif said that the US can only "blame" itself for terminating dialogue with Iran after withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "Iran & US had 2 yrs of talks. With EU/E3+Russia+China, we produced a unique multilateral accordthe JCPOA. Its been working. US can only blame itself for pulling out & leaving the table. Threats, sanctions & PR stunts wont work. Try respect: for Iranians & for int'l commitments," Zarif said on Twitter. In May, Trump announced that his country would exit from the JCPOA, which stipulated the gradual lifting of the anti-Iran sanctions in exchange for Tehran maintaining the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. In addition, Trump decided to reinstate the previously lifted sanctions on Iran. The unilateral move has been opposed by other signatories to the agreement, which remained committed to the deal. KYODO NEWS - Aug 6, 2018 - 10:10 | Feature, All Western Japan residents stricken by the worst rain disaster in decades are still living in despair one month after the calamity, with many lacking funds to repair or reconstruct their homes, a recent Kyodo News survey showed. Nearly two-thirds of surveyed residents in the hardest-hit western prefectures of Okayama, Hiroshima and Ehime said they are facing serious financial difficulties while a third said they are not happy with public relief measures. Of 117 people surveyed between July 28 and 31, 65.8 percent said they have little hope of resuming normal life in the foreseeable future, with more than a half of them saying they do not know if they can repair their homes. Only 7.7 percent said they are more or less satisfied with government aid, while 33.3 percent said they are not. Some 42.7 percent said they know little about public aid available to them. The state provides up to 1 million yen ($9,000) for rebuilding a home and additional assistance of up to 2 million yen is available if certain conditions are met. For partially damaged homes, the aid only covers the cost of repairing essential items such as toilets if residents cannot afford it, paying up to around 580,000 yen. Some local governments provide aid on their own for rebuilding or repairing homes. Ehime, for instance, offers 750,000 yen to residents who lost or had serious damage to their homes. Among other support measures, low-interest housing loans are provided by a state-run organization. Of respondents in need of financial support, 35.0 percent said they need 10 million yen or more, with 28.2 percent saying they have yet to determine how much they need. "I've lost all of my daily necessities and I don't have the faintest idea how much it will cost (to get back to a normal life)," a 58-year-old man in Ehime said. A 48-year-old man who runs a business in Okayama said, "My home was destroyed and it would cost 30 million yen to rebuild it. I don't see how the government aid can be of any help." The torrential rains in early July have killed 225 in 15 prefectures, according to the National Police Agency. A recent Kyodo News tally has shown a dozen people are still missing. The agency said more than 3,600 people were still living in evacuation shelters as of Friday. KYODO NEWS - Aug 6, 2018 - 22:54 | World, Urgent, All The death toll from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the popular tourist island of Lombok on Sunday night has risen to at least 98, Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency said Monday. At least 236 others were injured, while thousands of houses were destroyed in the quake that was centered on the island's northern coast at a depth of 31 kilometers, according to the agency. (People receive medical treatment) [Photo courtesy of National Disaster Mitigation Agency] The majority of fatalities occurred in the worst-affected North Lombok Regency, with many victims dying after becoming buried under debris from collapsed homes, agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said. "The number of fatalities, however, will certainly increase because there are still victims buried under the debris of a collapsed mosque and have not been evacuated in the village of Lading-Lading in North Lombok Regency," Sutopo said. Witnesses said a lot of people were praying in the mosque when quake struck at 7:46 p.m. and it collapsed. Before heavy machines were brought in to clear away debris just hours earlier, evacuation efforts were done manually, Sutopo said. The Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysics Agency said small tsunamis measuring 10 and 13 centimeters in height were detected in the villages of Carik, Badas, Lembar and Beno on Lombok and its surrounding islands. It later lifted a tsunami warning issued soon after the quake. The agency also said 132 aftershocks had been recorded as of 8 a.m. The quake was centered 48 km northeast of Mataram, the island's largest city, 1,390 km east of Jakarta, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake was also strongly felt in Bali, a resort island just next to Lombok, as well as the eastern part of Java. The quake caused the postponement of a meeting on counterterrorism, involving political and defense ministers from some Asian and Pacific countries, that was scheduled to start Monday in Mataram. (A motorcycle is seen on the ground of a mall after the quake) [Getty/Kyodo] Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto, who like many Indonesians goes by a single name, said most of the ministers were attending a gala dinner on Sunday night when the quake struck. Singaporean Home Minister K. Shanmugam wrote on his Facebook page that he was working on his laptop in his 10th floor hotel room when it happened. "Suddenly the room shook violently, walls cracked, it was quite impossible to stand up. Heard screams," he said. "We only grabbed the most essential items before getting out -- in my case my laptop with my government emails." TV footage showed a father sobbing when his daughter with head injuries could not get medical treatment at a village because its only public health center had collapsed. Its medical staff decided to bring her by car to a hospital in a nearby city. Sutopo, the disaster mitigation agency spokesman, said about 900 foreign and local tourists were being evacuated from three of the Gili Islands off Lombok by rubber dinghy before being transferred to six ships. A video footage taken by a volunteer at the agency showed tourists, fearing a tsunami, packing the beaches of two of those islands popular with divers to evacuate by boat. Sunday's quake occurred just a week after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 struck Lombok, killing 17 people and injuring many others. According to Sutopo, about 10,000 people displaced by that quake remain in temporary shelters, and the latest temblor may increase the number of the displaced "because the areas affected by the Aug. 5 quake are larger than those by the July 29 one." KYODO NEWS - Aug 6, 2018 - 12:18 | Feature, All Hiroshima marked the 73rd anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing on Monday, with its mayor making a fresh call for a world without nuclear weapons through dialogue, but stopping short of explicitly urging Japan to join a global nuclear weapons ban treaty. Despite some expectations of progress toward nuclear disarmament in recent years, Mayor Kazumi Matsui warned of the re-emergence of tensions over nuclear weapons seen during the Cold War and sought rational actions by global leaders. "If the human family forgets history or stops confronting it, we could again commit a terrible error," Matsui said at a memorial ceremony to remember the atomic bombing. Japan needs to lead the international community toward "dialogue and cooperation for a world without nuclear weapons," the mayor said at the ceremony attended by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who later said his country's position not to join the treaty remains unchanged. At the Peace Memorial Park, a moment of silence was observed at 8:15 a.m., when the "Little Boy" uranium-core atomic bomb dropped by a U.S. bomber exploded above Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945. It killed an estimated 140,000 people by the end of that year. The 73rd anniversary comes after Pyongyang's promise of a complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula grabbed attention following the historic U.S.-North Korean summit in June. Expressing hope that the easing of tensions on the Korean Peninsula will continue through dialogue, Matsui called on global leaders to make an international treaty comprehensively prohibiting nuclear weapons a "milestone" toward the goal of ridding the world of nuclear arsenals. Currently, more than 14,000 nuclear weapons are estimated to still exist in the world. (Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui) For years, Japan has relied on U.S. deterrence and did not sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons that referred to the suffering of hibakusha, or atomic bomb survivors. The pact was adopted in July 2017. Later that year, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, or ICAN, which led efforts to campaign for the treaty, won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. The mayor made the Peace Declaration before representatives from 85 countries and the European Union. The United States, a major nuclear power whose president called for modernizing its nuclear arsenal, sent its ambassador to Japan to the annual ceremony for the first time in three years. "Certain countries are blatantly proclaiming self-centered nationalism and modernizing their nuclear arsenals, rekindling tensions that had eased with the end of the Cold War," Matsui said. The role Japan can play as the only country to have suffered atomic bombing has come into sharper focus with the world still far from being nuclear-free. Speaking at the ceremony, Abe said Japan will try to act as a bridge between nuclear powers and non-nuclear states and lead international efforts for a world without nuclear weapons. "Maintaining its three non-nuclear principles, our country is determined to make strenuous efforts to serve as a bridge between both parties," Abe said. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in his message the legacy of Hiroshima is one of "resilience" and sought continued moral support from hibakusha survivors. As of March, the number of hibakusha stood at 154,859. Their average age is at 82.06, highlighting the challenge facing Japan of passing down their experiences to future generations. Atomic bomb survivors and many visitors prayed for peace at the Peace Memorial Park near Ground Zero under the scorching summer heat. Tomie Makita, 88, of Hiroshima pays a visit to the park every year on Aug. 6 to remember the bombing that claimed the lives of her friends. Makita said for a long time the experience of the bombing was "so painful" to recall, but from around the 70th anniversary of the attack she has started to feel the need to share her experience with her grandchildren. "They can't imagine what it was like because it feels like a different world, but it's important to keep telling them," Makita said. Another Hiroshima resident Yoshinobu Ota, 71, was born after the bombing. But he knows its impact from his firsthand experience of taking care of his late mother who lost her eyesight and was severely burned due to the bombing. "My mother used to say an atomic bomb instantly destroys people's lives," Ota said. "As long as there are countries possessing nuclear weapons, they can be used any time. I want Japan to work toward eliminating nuclear weapons," Ota added. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Aryan Khan, argued that the arrest was a direct infringement of constitutional provisions. Benjamin Jumbe. Government is has revealed that it is addressing concerns raised over the social media tax. Government recently introduced a 200 shillings tax on social media which was retained despite cries from various stakeholders. The permanent secretary ministry of ICT and national guidance Vincent Bagiire says they are now engaged in discussions with the ministry of finance and the Uganda communications commission with a view of having the tax payable for 24 hours. It follows concerns raised by members of the public over expiry of the tax at midnight regardless of the time one pays South Sudans government has reached a power-sharing agreement with the countrys main rebel group. President SalvaKiir and rebel leader Riek Machar signed the deal in neighboring Sudan. The deal, which will see Machar return to power as one of five vice-presidents, is aimed at ending a five-year civil war which has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. Previous attempts to find a peaceful solution had failed The deal, which paves the way to a final peace accord, was signed in the presence of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his counterparts from Kenya, Uganda and Djibouti, along with foreign diplomats. Once a final peace deal is signed, the foes will have three months to form a transitional government which will then hold power for three years. Story By Bbc News.. Using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), extremely high resolution imaging of the molecule-covered surface structures of silver nanoparticles is possible, even down to the recognition of individual parts of the molecules protecting the surface. This was the finding of joint research between China and Finland, led in Finland by Academy Professor Hannu Hakkinen of the University of Jyvaskyla. The research was recently published in the prestigious Nature Communications series and the publication was selected by the journal editors to the journal's monthly collection of highlighted papers. Studying the surface structures of nanoparticles at atomic resolution is vital to understanding the chemical properties of their structures, molecular interactions and the functioning of particles in their environments. Experimental research on surface structures has long involved imaging techniques suitable for nanometer-level resolution, the most common of which are based on electron tunnelling, the abovementioned scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) based on the measurement of small, atomic-scale forces. However, achieving molecular resolution in imaging has proven highly challenging, for example because the curvature of the object to be imaged i.e. the nanoparticle's surface, is of the same order as the curvature of the scanning tip. Measurements are also sensitive to environmental disturbances, which may affect the thermal movement of molecules, for example. The researchers used previously characterised silver nanoparticles, with a known atomic structure. The metal core of the particles has 374 silver atoms and the surface is protected by a set of 113 TBTT molecules. TBBT (tert-butyl-benzene thiol) is a molecule with three separate carbon groups on its end. The particle's outer surface has a total of 339 such groups. When this type of nano-particle sample was imaged at low temperatures in the STM experiment, clear sequential modulations were observed in the tunnelling current formed by the image (see left part of the image). Similar modulations were noted when individual TBBT molecules were imaged on a flat surface. Based on density functional theory (DFT), the simulations performed by Hakkinen's research team showed that each of the three carbon groups of the TBBT molecule provides its own current maximum in the STM image (see the right part of the image) and that the distances between the maxima corresponded to the STM measurement results. This confirmed that measurement was successful at sub-molecular level. The simulations also predicted that accurate STM measurement can no longer be successful at room temperature, as the thermal movement of the molecules is so high that the current maxima of individual carbon groups blend into the background. "This is the first time that STM imaging of nanoparticle surface structures has been able to 'see' the individual parts of molecules. Our computational work was important to verifying the experimental results. However, we wanted to go one step further. As the atomic structure of particles is well known, we had grounds for asking whether the precise orientation of the imaged particle could be identified using simulations," says Hakkinen, describing the research. To this end, Hakkinen's group computed a simulated STM image of the silver particle from 1,665 different orientations and developed a pattern recognition algorithm to determine which simulated images best matched the experimental data. "We believe that our work demonstrates a new useful strategy for the imaging of nanostructures. In the future, pattern recognition algorithms and artificial intelligence based on machine learning will become indispensable to the interpretation of images of nanostructures. Our work represents the first step in that direction. That's why we have also decided to openly distribute the pattern recognition software we had developed to other researchers," says Hakkinen. The nanoparticle synthesis was performed in Xiamen University by Professor Nanfeng Zheng's research group and the STM measurements were carried out at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics under the direction of Professor Zhibo Man. PhD student Sami Kaappa and senior researcher Sami Malola from Professor Hakkinen's group performed the calculations for the project. The research of Professor Hakkinen's group is in receipt of funding from the AIPSE programme of the Academy of Finland. The CSC - IT Center for Science in Finland and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center provided the resources for all simulations requiring high-power computing. The Barcelona simulations were part of the NANOMETALS project supported by the PRACE organisation. ### More information: - Published article: Qin Zhou, Sami Kaappa, Sami Malola, Hui Lu, Dawei Guan, Yajuan Li, Haochen Wang, Zhaoxiong Xie, Zhibo Ma, Hannu Hakkinen, Nanfeng Zheng Xueming Yang & Lansun Zheng, "Real-space imaging with pattern recognition of a ligand-protected Ag374 nanocluster at sub-molecular resolution", Nature Communications 9, 2948 (2018), DOI 10.1038/s41467-018-05372-5, https://rdcu.be/3ACE - Academy Professor Hannu Hakkinen, University of Jyvaskyla, Hannu.j.hakkinen@jyu.fi, tel. +358 29 247 973 Academy of Finland, Communications Leena Vahakyla, Communications Specialist tel. +358 29 5335 139 leena.vahakyla@aka.fi The Academy of Finland's mission is to fund high-quality scientific research, provide expertise in science and science policy, and strengthen the position of science and research. In 2018, our funding for research amounts to 444 million euros. Part of our funds come from proceeds of Finland's national gaming company Veikkaus. In 2018, these proceeds account for 70.7 million euros of our total funding for scientific research. By Joseph Ax (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused political foes of trying to kill him during an open-air speech on Saturday using explosive-laden drones, prompting a host of questions about the alleged attack and who might have been behind it. Wherever the investigation leads, Maduro's allegations raised the specter of unmanned aerial vehicles being used by militant groups or others to launch bombing, chemical or biological attacks, a tactic that has long worried security experts. The market for commercial drones has flourished in recent years amid widespread availability and falling prices. So-called "quadcopters" drones with four rotors that can be operated from more than a mile away and can fly for more than 20 minutes on one charge cost less than $1,000 to buy online, though they are generally capable of carrying only a limited payload. Militant groups such as Islamic State have used drones to carry out attacks by dropping grenades or crashing into infrastructure. There have also been incidents that raised the possibility of attacks on heads of state. In January 2015, a drone crashed onto the White House lawn after its operator lost control, prompting concerns that the U.S. president's home could be vulnerable. A few months later, a man protesting against Japan's nuclear policy dropped a drone carrying radioactive sand from the Fukushima nuclear disaster onto the prime minister's office, though the amount of radiation was minimal. Last month, Saudi Arabian security forces shot down a recreational drone near a royal palace, briefly prompting speculation of a coup attempt. Some activist groups have also used drones to underscore their message. In July, the environmental justice group Greenpeace crashed a Superman-shaped drone into a French nuclear plant to demonstrate its vulnerability to attacks. There is no known precedent of armed drones being used in Venezuela, though simple recreational drones have become common for photos and video production. They have become increasingly popular at opposition rallies to document the number of people present, which is frequently a subject of heated debate between supporters and adversaries of the government. Government regulations around the globe have struggled to keep up with the rapid proliferation of commercially available drones, according to Colin Clarke, an analyst with policy think tank the RAND Corporation. "The facts on the ground far outpace law, policy and authority," he said. 'VERY SERIOUS, LOOMING THREAT' In the United States, officials have warned that existing law does not adequately protect against possible crimes using unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS, including conventional attacks, cyberattacks, drug smuggling and surveillance. "This is a very serious, looming threat that we are currently unprepared to confront," two top officials with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, David Glawe and Hayley Chang, wrote in testimony to Congress in June, seeking more power to track and disable drones. "Today we are unable to effectively counter malicious use of drones because we are hampered by federal laws enacted years before UAS technology was available for commercial and consumer use." But civil liberties advocates oppose granting the government broad authority to strike drones preemptively, citing potential overreach. Many counter-drone systems, such as "jammers" intended to sever the link between an operator and a vehicle, may be difficult to deploy in non-combat zones because of the risk that they could interfere with crucial communications like commercial aircraft or law enforcement channels, according to Dan Gettinger, co-director of the Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College (CSD). "There are a number of challenges to deploying these measures in the domestic space," Gettinger said. A report by the center recently identified more than 200 anti-drone systems on the market, aimed at either detection or interdiction. The Federal Aviation Administration has adopted some rules governing drone use, including issuing licenses and restricting airspace. More than 100,000 remote pilot certificates have been granted by the FAA since new regulations went into effect in August 2016. The U.S. Department of Defense sought $1 billion for counter-drone measures in its proposed 2019 budget, according to the CSD. There are limits to the likely impact of any drone attack launched by non-state actors. In a recent post, Scott Stewart, an analyst with the global security consulting firm Stratfor, wrote that military ordnance or military-caliber drones are extremely difficult to obtain, while homemade explosives are typically far less lethal. But experts say the psychological effects of a small but successful attack could far outstrip the actual physical damage, accomplishing the goal of spreading terror that many militant groups such as Islamic State and al Qaeda have made their mission. "With a Twitter account and a toy drone, you can really cause a lot of panic these days," Clarke said. "That's a big part of terrorism the psychological aspect. Even if you can't kill large numbers of people, you can still cause fear." (Reporting by Joseph Ax in Princeton, N.J.; Additional reporting by Brian Ellsworth in Caracas; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Susan Thomas) STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE Five new passenger planes arrived in Iran from a French-Italian manufacturer on August 4. The twin-engine ATR 72-600 turboprops landed in the northwestern city of Orumiyeh a day before the United States starts re-implementing sanctions that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal. (IRINN via AP) TAOS, N.M. Authorities say they've arrested three women believed to be the mothers of 11 children found living in filth in a makeshift compound in rural northern New Mexico. Taos County, New Mexico, Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said Monday that the women and two men who were arrested over the weekend face charges of child abuse. He says 35-year-old Jany Leveille, 38-year-old Hujrah Wahhaj and 35-year-old Subhannah Wahha were arrested without incident in the town of Taos and booked into jail. The children ranging in age from 1 to 15 were removed from the compound in the small community of Amalia near the Colorado border. They were turned over to state child-welfare workers. Hogrefe says police still are looking for 4-year-old AG Wahhaj, reported missing from Georgia's Clayton County. His birthday is Monday. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. A Colorado Springs police officer was "gravely wounded" Thursday morning in a shootout with a suspect who also was injured in the exchange east of the Olympic Training Center. Officer Cem Duzel, a five-year veteran, was in critical condition. The suspect was identified as Karrar Noaman Al Khammasi, 31. Monday's storms left fresh snow on Pikes Peak and standing water all around town. Jim McCall is reflected in a puddle at the Mesa Road overlook after stopping to take a photo of the fresh snow Tuesday, August 30, 2016. McCall is in the process of moving from Manitou Springs to Oklahoma and wanted to take a photo before leaving town. Photo by Mark Reis, The Gazette Finnish Swedish English Aktia Bank plc Changes Board/Management/Auditors 6/8/2018 at 9.30 am Mikko Ayub appointed as CEO of Aktia Bank Plc The Board of Directors of Aktia Bank Plc has appointed Mikko Ayub (aged 49, M.Sc., MBA) as CEO. Ayub will start as CEO on 1 October 2018. Ayub joins Aktia from Nordea Bank, where he most recent worked as Executive Adviser to Commercial and Business Banking and previously headed the Nordea Markets operation in Finland, the Baltics and Russia. We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Mikko Ayub as the new CEO of Aktia. Mikko has a long and solid background in the financial industry. He has consistently throughout his career demonstrated his ability to build committed teams and to lead and deliver results in demanding, changing operative environments. He is able to quickly understand the rapid changes in the market and to respond to changing customer needs at both the strategic and tactical level, says Lasse Svens, Chairman of the Board of Aktia Bank Plc. Aktia is in an interesting phase. Following the successful renewal of the core banking system, our service development is agile and fast, and we are firmly executing our new strategy. We are confident that under Mikkos leadership, Aktia is well positioned to face the future challenges of the financial industry, Svens continues. Juha Hammaren, who has acted as Interim CEO since March 2018, will continue in this position until Mikko Ayub assumes his role as CEO. After the transition, Hammaren will resume his role as Deputy CEO and COO. The Board of Directors would already at this stage like to thank Juha Hammaren for his input as interim CEO, Lasse Svens concludes. Mikko Ayubs resume and photo are available https://www.aktia.com/en/johto-ja-hallinto/konserninjohdon-jasenet Aktia Bank Plc Board of Directors For more information: Lasse Svens, tel. +358 500 562 945 Mikko Ayub is available for media interviews by phone or at Aktia Pankki Plc, address Mannerheimintie 14 A, 3rd floor, on 6 August 2018 from 12 noon to 2 PM Finnish time. To book an interview, please contact Henna Tuominen, Director Communications, Aktia Bank Plc, tel. +358 50 570 5080. Distribution: Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd Central media www.aktia.com Aktia provides a broad range of solutions within banking, asset management, insurance and real estate agency. Aktia operates mainly in coastal areas and inland growth areas. Aktia has about 380,000 customers who are served at branch offices and via web, mobile interfaces as well as telephone services. Aktia's share is listed on the list of Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. For more information about Aktia see www.aktia.com. Wilfy wrote: Hi Vyshak, Is there an alternative way to solve this problem? I'm also having trouble completing this problem quickly - going from 132,000 = (44/100)*x to finding the value of X. Hi Wilfy,I do not know an alternate way to solve this problem without having any calculations. But, whenever there are 0's involved in the calculation, you can remove the zeros temporarily and append zeros after the calculation is completed. Here we can consider: 132 = 44 * x. So, x = 3. We can append 5 zeros after completing this small calculation. CNN's chief Jeff Zucker did not order his producers and reporters to squash any reporting on violence in Chicago as a way to protect Democrats from criticism, contrary to a story that's trending on social media. In fact, Zucker is not calling the shots at CNN for a while since he recently began a two-month medical leave to deal with a health issue. If Zucker's replacement and issued such a "blackout" order, then CNN writers Jay Croft and Deanna Hackney did not get the memo. Their story titled "In 14 hours on Sunday in Chicago, 44 people were shot, including 5 who died, police say" published on August 5, 2018 -- two days after the alleged blackout began. This "fake news" story originated from an article published on August 4, 2018 titled "CNN Boss Orders 'Blackout' Over Chicago Unrest; Warns "It Will Hurt Democrats"" (archived here) which opened: CNN boss Jeff Zucker has ordered a complete blackout on the unrest in Chicago, warning staffers that coverage could harm Democrats in the upcoming midterms. Users on social media only saw this title, description and thumbnail: CNN Boss Orders 'Blackout' Over Chicago Unrest; Warns "It Will Hurt Democrats" CNN boss Jeff Zucker has ordered a complete blackout on the unrest in Chicago, warning staffers that coverage could harm Democrats in the upcoming midterms. YourNewsWire has published several hoaxes and fake news articles in the past so anything they write or publish should be taken with a large grain of salt. Their Facebook page "The People's Voice" recently lost its verification checkmark according to a report from MMFA. The Terms of Use of the site also make it clear they don't really stand behind the accuracy of any of their reporting: THE PEOPLE'S VOICE, INC. AND/OR ITS SUPPLIERS MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE SUITABILITY, RELIABILITY, AVAILABILITY, TIMELINESS, AND ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION, SOFTWARE, PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND RELATED GRAPHICS CONTAINED ON THE SITE FOR ANY PURPOSE. The site was profiled in the Hollywood reporter where it was described as: Your News Wire, a 3-year-old website of murky facts and slippery spin, is published by Sean Adl-Tabatabai and Sinclair Treadway -- a Bernie Sanders supporter in 2016 -- out of an apartment in L.A.'s historic El Royale. RationalWiki described it as: YourNewsWire (styled as YourNewsWire.com[1]) is an Los Angeles-based clickbait fake news website known for disseminating conspiracy theories and misleading information, contrary to its claimed motto ("News. Truth. Unfiltered").[1] A while ago we also reported that YourNewsWire had rebranded itself as NewsPunch by changing its domain name in an apparent effort to evade filtering/blocking. It appears the site has changed back to it's old name in the mean time but you can still see the NewsPunch name in the contact email address in the footer. We wrote about yournewswire.com before, here are our most recent articles that mention the site: Did Donald Trump Jr. kill the biggest elephant in Africa in 30 years? No, that's not true. The story was made up by a site pretending to be ABC News by conflating two older true news stories with each other to create a new one that wasn't real at all. The story originated from an article published by abcnews-us.com (not abcnews.go.com, which is the real ABC News website) on August 6, 2018 titled "Donald Trump Jr. Kills Biggest Elephant In Africa In 30 years" (archived here) which opened: Exclusive: Donald Trump Jr. paid nearly $100,000 to shoot one of the largest elephants ever seen in Zimbabwe. While conservationists and safari guides mourn the loss of the 'magnificent' animal, Trump Jr. will import the ivory tusks into the US under the reversed trophy ban recently implemented by his father President Trump. It is a story that will haunt conservationists: one of Africa's most majestic creatures has died at the hand of President Donald Trumps son, in the name of sport. Donald Trump Jr. has risked the wrath of animal lovers once more by shooting dead one of the largest elephants ever seen in Zimbabwe. Mystery surrounded the identity of the elephant, which was estimated to have been between 40 and 60 years old, but had never been seen before in Zimbabwe's southern Gonarezhou National Park. But its tusks, which touch the ground in a photograph taken moments after its shooting, confirmed its exceptional nature, weighing an estimated 120lb each. A large part of the article and the photo of the tusk was lifted from this 2015 story from the Telegraph: Biggest elephant killed in Africa for almost 30 years brings back memories of Cecil the lion It was shot on October 8 in a private hunting concession bordering Gonarezhou by a hunter who paid $60,000 (39,000) for a permit to land a large bull elephant and was accompanied by a local, experienced professional hunter celebrated by the hunting community for finding his clients large elephants. Compare the opening of that article: It is an image that will haunt conservationists: one of Africa's most majestic creatures lying dead on the ground as a white Western hunter poses proudly by its side. Barely three months after the shooting of Cecil the lion caused global outrage, a German hunter has risked the wrath of animal lovers once more by shooting dead one of the largest elephants ever seen in Zimbabwe. Mystery surrounded the identity of the elephant, which was estimated to have been between 40 and 60 years old, but had never been seen before in Zimbabwe's southern Gonarezhou National Park. The photo used in the fake article actually is real and shows Trump Jr. with the tail of a dead elephant but it is from a 2011 hunting trip according to The Guardian: Trump sons' hunting in focus as US lifts import ban on African elephant trophies The Trump administration's decision to loosen restrictions around the import of elephant trophies from Zimbabwe and Zambia has turned attention back to the president's family's own connection to the controversial sport. But is is not from the biggest elephant shot in Africa in 30 years and the ivory definitely wouldn't be allowed into the U.S. at the time the pictures were taken because Donald Trump wasn't even president at the time and the ban on importing elephant trophies was still in effect. We wrote about abcnews-us.com before, here are our most recent articles that mention the site: The site is closely related to the yahoonews-us.com site that ran a major viral death hoax about actor Michael J. Fox yesterday and which got blocked by Google's Safe Browsing Initiative today: 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 Dr. Majid Rafizadeh, a leading expert on Iran and US foreign policy and president of the International American Council, wrote an op-ed on Arab News to explain that the crises plaguing Iran are of the Regimes own making. The Regime alone is responsible for the corruption and mismanagement that lead to the countrys financial problems. After all, it was the mullahs who decided to steal money from their own people to spend on foreign warfare, terrorism, and proxy groups across the Middle East. Those actions caused the rial to drop to then-all-time lows in April, before Trump had even pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal. The economic crisis sparked the Iranian uprising in December, with other issues soon snowballing in to create an overwhelming anti-regime protest. This uprising has not gone away, despite a violent crackdown by the Regime that left at least 50 protesters dead in the streets and over 8,000 imprisoned. In fact, as pressure grows on the Iranian people, more have taken to the streets. The US sanctions against Iran, which came into place today, will only worsen the economic situation and increase the protests, so why did the mullahs reject the USs olive branch in late July? Trump vowed to open discussions with Iran in late July, with no preconditions attached, and the Iranian currency quickly regained 10% of it values, but the mullahs mocked this offer and publically rejected it. General Mohammed Ali Jafari, commander of the IRGC, said: The Iranian people do not authorize officials to meet the Great Satan Mr. Trump, Iran is not North Korea. But why would the Regime do this, when it will only make things more difficult for themselves? Well, Dr. Majid Rafizadeh advises that the mullahs would have two reasons for rejecting the demands. 1) They would only meet if they could be certain that the US would capitulate to their demands, which no one believes of Donald Trump. 2) Iran is trying to show strength by embarrassing the US, which will satisfy those in their base who truly believe the Regimes lies about America. Dr. Majid Rafizadeh wrote: The Iranian regime is on its last legs. Its economy is in a shambles and the peoples frustrations have reached perilous heights. Talks with a top state sponsor of terrorism should be avoided as it only empowers the regime and grants it more legitimacy. Nevertheless, if any state decides to talk with Tehran, it should be conditioned on fundamentally altering the regimes behaviour toward its people, as well as toward other countries in the region and globally. In July, IRGC Commander Mohammad Ali Jafari praised Rouhanis comments over incoming US sanctions and promised to help him achieve his goals. However, the IRGC wants Rouhani to fire his Planning and Budget Organization Chief Mohammad Baqer Nobakht and others economic aides who, according to state media, are responsible for the crisis. Rouhani does not want to. Jafari told Rouhani to take revolutionary measures to control the failing Iranian economy, as the price of gold and foreign currencies skyrocketed, even going to far as to suggest that Rouhani uses the inherent might and anger we know you are disposed with to address the mismanagement by his cabinet. He even makes it clear that IRGC support for Rouhani is contingent on this and given the close ties between the IRGC and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, we can see this as pressure from the very top. Its also a way for the IRGC to pretend that they are sympathetic to the peoples protests over the failing economy, even while their thugs murder protesters in the streets, and line up a scapegoat. The reality, of course, is that the Regime as a whole caused the economic collapse. The President and the state security forces have never been close allies and some misinformed members of the media have previously taken Rouhanis minor criticisms of the IRGC to mean that he is somehow a moderate. Hes not. He has appointed two justice ministers who took part in the massacre of political prisoners in 1988 and he has allowed over 4,000 executions during his term in office. Rouhani may be in a vulnerable position right now and the Regime may be biding their time until he can be removed, but no one in the West should feel sorry for him. The Iranian people are as much victims of Rouhani as they are of Khamenei and the IRGC. One thing is for sure, these fights do not show that there is a moderate side to the Regime what is not there cannot be shown but they do show how weak the Iranian Regime is. This means that Regime change is right around the corner. Tehran Videos that were published and shared by activists on social media show that there were protests in Ekbatan neighbourhood (northwest of Tehran), Daneshjoo Park (central Tehran), as well as Karagar and Amir Abad (South Tehran). The video showed demonstrators in Enghelab Street, in the centre of Tehran, bravely shouting Death to the Dictator, a statement that could lad them in prison or worse. August 5 Tehran, #Iran Enghelab St. Security forces attacked people protesting in South Karegar St. People resisted by setting trash canisters on fire. Voice says from now on protesters will answer: Fists with fists Fire with fire Attack with counterattack#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/b7vLvQChPX P.M.O.I (@Mojahedineng) August 5, 2018 It also showed security forces attacking protesters, while some young men burnt rubbish bins to block the path of the advancing police and prevent them from easily attacking protesters. Violent clashes between protesters and police also occurred in the park of Tehrans theatre. Qom and Karaj According to some reports, violence also broke out between protesters and riot police in the cities of Qom and Karaj. Activists reported that the Iranian Regime shut down mobile phone service and cut off internet access in both these cities to prevent the citizens from sharing information or media about the protests and the ensuing violent crackdown around the world. August 6 Qom, #Iran Source reports very intense atmosphere as security units are dispatched to the streets in high numbers.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/ZREFmS2viM Heshmat Alavi (@HeshmatAlavi) August 5, 2018 Kazerun In Kazerun, Fars Province, hundreds of people protested in the centre of the city and chanted anti-regime slogans. KAZERUN, Iran: Protesters clashing with security forces. Aug. 5, 2018 Watch this video on YouTube Ongoing Uprising All of these protests are part of the ongoing Iranian uprising that broke out in Iran in December over a rise in the cost of living and a draft budget that cut subsidies for the poor to fund the military. These protests, which began over the failing economy, quickly drew more people protesting more problems. Soon, the protests were not about decreasing military funding or incresding the amount of people in work, but about getting rid of the real cause of the Iranian peoples problems: the Iranian Regime. Since January, the Regime has cracked down violently on these protesters, shooting at least 50 dead in the street, imprisoning over 8,000 and threatening them with the death penalty, and torturing at least 14 to death in prison. Despite this, the Iranian people have not backed down and are instead are heeding the call of the leader of the Iranian Resistace, Maryam Rajavi, who implored them at the starts of the newIranian year in March to mak this a year of protests. The President went on to note that members of the Assembly talk about Kazakhstan abroad, familiarize foreign guests with the culture of the Kazakh people, calling for the continuation of such work. Monday, August 6, 2018 Aug. 3, 2018 (New York Times): Brazils Supreme Court Considers Decriminalizing Abortion, by Manuela Andreoni & Ernesto Londono: The death of Ingriane Barbosa Carvalho on May 16, a 31-year-old mother of three who underwent an unsafe illegal abortion, illustrates the high stakes of the fight over reproductive rights that is taking place before Brazils Supreme Court during a rare two-day public hearing that started this past Friday. The nation's high court is considering whether Brazils abortion laws which forbid terminating pregnancies with few exceptions, including cases of rape and instances in which the mothers life is in peril are at odds with constitutional protections. The hearing, which continues Monday, is unlikely to lead to the immediate legalization of abortion care, but reproductive rights activists in Brazil hope the hearing will set off a national debate on the issue, draw attention to the risks hundreds of thousands of women take each year as they resort to illegal abortions and ultimately pave the way to overhauling the existing law. During the first day of arguments, a majority of the 26 speakers argued for decriminalizing abortion. Though the national Ministry of Health did not take an official position on the issue, Maria de Fatima Marinho, representing the ministry before the court, stated that unsafe, illegal abortions create public health challenges, leading to overcrowding of health care facilities as well as preventable illness and death. The hearing is being held as Brazilian lawmakers take steps to adopt even more restrictive laws and abortion rights groups across the region face a strong backlash after attaining victories. Brazils top court has ruled narrowly on abortion cases in recent years, signaling an inclination to expand access, but it has stopped short of making sweeping legal changes related to the issue. In March 2017, the Socialism and Liberty Party and Anis, a womens rights group, filed a petition asking the court to rule that abortion care within the first twelve weeks of gestation should not subject the pregnant person or the abortion provider to prosecution. They argue that abortion laws written in 1940 violate protections conferred by the 1988 Constitution, including the right to dignity, equal protection, and access to health care. A ruling in favor of proponents of decriminalization would be the first step toward legalizing abortion in a nation of 210 million people where an estimated one in five women have terminated unwanted pregnancies. Estimates of the number of abortions performed in Brazil each year range from 500,000 to 1.2 million. Each year, more than 250,000 women are hospitalized as a result of complications from abortions, according to the Brazilian Health Ministry. In 2016, the last year for which official figures were available, 203 women died as a result of illegal and unsafe abortions. Since 2000, 28 countries and regions have expanded abortion rights. Last year, lawmakers in Chile lifted the countrys total prohibition on abortion, and next week the Senate in Argentina will vote on a bill that could legalize abortion there. The Supreme Court hearing prompted Ladyane Souza, a lawyer in Brasilia, to publicly disclose that she had an abortion two years ago, even though doing so means she could be prosecuted. Its very cruel to submit women to dealing with this all alone, underground, Ms. Souza, 22, said. During that time, I wanted very much to talk to my mother, because I felt it would have been easier if my mother knew, if my friends knew, but I was afraid of being prosecuted. Ms. Carvalhos relatives opted to bury her in a cemetery several miles from her hometown after local residents reacted with outrage and scorn to details of her death. They held a low-key ceremony as her remains were deposited in an unmarked grave in a small hillside cemetery. I wish she had survived, so she could have been arrested and learned to be responsible, Ms. Barbosa, her aunt, said. https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/reproductive_rights/2018/08/brazils-supreme-court-considers-decriminalizing-abortion.html AMEs Issue Statement on Black Clergy and President Trump Meeting Editors note: President Donald Trump met with African American pastors at the White House on Aug. 1, and many of the attendees applauded his administration. Pastor Darryl Scott of Ohio referred to Trump as the the most pro-black President that weve had in our lifetime, according to the White House transcript of the meeting. The following editorial is a response to the gathering. There is great alarm about the recent meeting held with some Black Church Leaders and Mr. Donald Trump. These concerns are rooted and grounded in the Presidents ongoing remarks and policies that are anti-African/Caribbean nations, anti-justice for Black/Brown people and anti-the needs of children, the sick, the elderly, women and the poor in America. ADVERTISEMENT The verifiable lies and false statements that Mr. Trump makes to encourage his base to live in a fantasyland of white supremacy are divisive, deceitful and destructive to our democracy. Moses did not meet with Pharaoh to praise him for being pro-chosen people. When Daniel refused to bow down to the kings golden statue he didnt thank him for being the biggest pro religious art king for the Jewish exiles. The truth makes us free from the fear of powerful people who would use the power of lies to pass policies that work against the freedom, justice and equality of immigrants, Black and Brown voters, women and those who need affordable health care. We cannot call any politician pro-black whose policies seek to take away the vote, as well as, social, political and economic empowerment for all victims of white power policies. The history of the Black Church started as an invisible institution that resisted the enslaving white supremacy teachings that falsely paraded itself around in the name of Christianity. Richard Allen, David Walker, Denmark Vesey, Daniel Alexander Payne, Sojourner Truth, Nat Turner, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass and Henry McNeal Turner never thought about praising any powerful leader who used that power to hurt their people and nation. In the 20th Century Black Church, the early servant-leaders of African American Empowerment, what some call the Black Social Gospel Movement, were Reverdy Cassius Ransom, Ida Wells Barnett, Mordecai Johnson, Vernon Johns, Howard Thurman, Benjamin Mays and Rosa Parks. Their most famous mentee was the Civil Rights martyr, Martin Luther King, Jr. In the second half of the 20th Century Dr. James H. Cone became the Father of Black Liberation Theology when he published his first book, Black Power and Black Theology. Out of this movement, the Black Church reclaimed it historic legacy as the house of prayer, praise, power and liberation. ADVERTISEMENT When Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm ran for president, Congresswoman, Barbara Jordan shined during the Watergate hearings and then gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention that shook the nation, they opened the door for Jesse Jacksons phenomenal presidential runs in 1984 and 1988. Jacksons run opened the door for the election of the first African American president in history, Barack Hussein Obama. The Black Church is not blind, deaf or dumb. We know who is for us and who is against us. Liberating words without deeds are dead. It should be recognized that the Black Church is not monolithic. We would have hoped, however, that our colleagues in Christ would have included other voices, and key African American churchmen and women, so that there would have been a more inclusive perspective of the Black Church and its servant leaders Japanese high school students have created a virtual reality program to mark the 73rd anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The American bombing on August 6, 1945, along with the bombing of Nagasaki three days later, ended World War II. The first attack killed an estimated 140,000 people. The students produced a five-minute program that recreates the sights and sounds of Hiroshima before, during and after the bombing. Their project took two years to complete. The students and their teachers undertook the effort in hopes that such an event will never happen again. Virtual reality recreates an unforgettable experience In order to experience the program, users wear virtual reality headsets. The program lets them take a virtual walk along the Motoyasu River before the bombing. It shows the buildings and businesses that once stood. Users also can enter a post office and the Shima Hospital courtyard. The bomb exploded directly above the hospital, completely destroying it. They can see the remains of a building now called the Atomic Bomb Dome. The program shows the sunny, summer day in 1945. Cicada insects sing in the trees. Later, a single plane flies overhead. Then, a flash of light, followed by a huge explosion. Buildings are gone in a moment. Smoke and fires spread under the darkened sky. Students project: a race against time Some of the students said virtual reality technology was a good choice to reach their goal. The students who worked on the project belong to a computer skills research club at Fukuyama Technical High School. Fukuyama is a city about 100 kilometers from Hiroshima. Mei Okada said of the virtual reality project, Even without language, once you see the images, you understand. Eighteen-year-old Yuhi Kakagawa said, at first, he did not have much interest in what happened so long ago. But after creating the buildings from photos of what once existed, I felt how scary atomic bombs can be, he said. He understood that is was really important to share this with others. To recreate Hiroshima before the bombing, students studied photographs and spoke to survivors. Then, they used software to add realistic details to the virtual reality program. Those who knew the city very well tell us its done very well. They say its very nostalgic, said Katsushi Hasagawa. Hasagawa is a computer teacher who supervises the club. He said seeing the effect of people remembering the past makes me glad that we created this. The students worked through their summer vacation in classrooms without an air cooling system. Temperatures reached as high as 35 degrees Celsius as they labored to create the video. Because remaining survivors are so old, Hasegawa said, it was a race against time. Im Mario Ritter. Mario Ritter adapted this AP news story for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story virtual reality n. technology that recreates a place or experience using images, sound and other things headset n. a device that is placed on the head that show images on a screen, play sounds and provide other experiences and controls scary adj. causing fear nostalgic adj. the feeling of both pleasure and sadness of remembering the past We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. Police in Bangladesh fired tear gas and rubber bullets on Monday to break up demonstrations. Protesters said at least 40 people, many of them students, were injured. The protesters are demanding better enforcement of traffic safety laws and better protection for those traveling by foot near schools. Hundreds of students clashed with police in the Bashundhara area of Dhaka, the capital. The area is home to a few private universities. Police used tear gas against protesters at Dhakas East West University. Another group of students marched across the grounds of Dhaka University. They called for justice and criticized the government. A week of demonstrations Tens of thousands of people have taken part in the demonstrations since they began last week. The protests started after two students were killed by speeding buses. Other students took to the streets, mainly in places where traffic accidents happened. The protesters stopped vehicles and asked drivers for their operating permits. Others directed traffic themselves, in some cases separating heavy vehicles from light ones. Some protesters threw stones at police officers and attacked vehicles. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told reporters that more than 300 vehicles have been damaged. Some reportedly had been set on fire. Abdus Shabbir, an emergency room doctor, told the French news agency (AFP) his hospital had treated more than 100 students on Saturday. He said that some had injuries that could have resulted from rubber bullets. Police have denied firing such bullets at the protesters. Detention of Shahidul Alam On Sunday, plainclothes police officers arrested Shahidul Alam, an activist and well-known photographer for his comments on Facebook and in other media. Alam told a television broadcaster that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has no credibility and was using brute force to stay in power. A police official told the French news agency that the activist would face legal action. The rights group Amnesty International called for Alams immediate release. Omar Waraich is Amnestys deputy director for South Asia. He said in a statement that the arrest marks a dangerous escalation of a crackdown by the government. Sheikh Hasinas party is accusing the main opposition party and its main ally, Jamaat-e-Islami, of using student anger to incite trouble. Bangladeshi officials have warned of stronger measures if the protests are used to create unrest. The governments reaction The student protesters have demanded increased punishment for crimes involving road accidents. On Monday, Bangladeshs Cabinet expressed support for a proposed law. Under the proposal, the maximum punishment for an accident leading to death could be five years in jail, up from the current three years. Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said the bill will be offered to Parliament soon. The prime minister has promised to act on the students list of nine demands, one demand at a time. Their demands include bringing to justice those responsible for the recent traffic deaths; releasing students arrested in the protests; and building footbridges near all schools. Im Phil Dierking. Julhas Alam reported this story for the Associated Press. George Grow adapted his report for VOA Learning English. His story includes information from VOANews.com. Mario Ritter was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story photographer n. cameraman; someone who uses a camera to take pictures credibility n. the quality of being accepted as honest or true brute adj. very strong escalation n. the state of becoming more intense or worse crackdown n. a campaign or attempt to punish someone for violating the law We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. Chinese navy ships and Russian submarines are now traveling in North Atlantic waters at a pace not seen since the end of the Cold War. The United States Navys top admiral made the statement to VOA. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson said China's navy is competing with the United States. He said it is ready and capable of operating anywhere. He added, "Even five years ago, we wouldn't have seen anything like this. However, Chinese operations may not be considered as threatening as the growing activity of Russian submarines. U.S. officials worry that Russia may use its submarines to cut or listen to undersea communications links that connect North America and Europe. We're talking about more (activity) than we've seen in 25 years, Richardson said. Reactivate the Second Fleet Because of these activities, the United States has recently reactivated the second fleet to secure the ocean on its eastern coast. The group of ships was deactivated in 2011 because the U.S. Navy needed money to buy weapons systems. The group was reactivated in the port city of Norfolk, Virginia on July 1. Richardson will preside over the official ceremony to reactivate the fleet on August 24. The commander of the Second Fleet will also head NATOs Joint Forces Command in Norfolk. Richardson said the dual command structure permits the U.S. and its NATO allies to deal with the rising Russian activity together. Russian jamming Richardson said the U.S. must also stay ahead in the competitive area of information warfare. U.S. sailors are now defending themselves against Russian electronic interference devices. The devices are similar to ones used against American ground forces operating in Syria. Richardson did not say how the interference, or jamming, affects the Navy. But electronic warfare attacks could interfere with navigation and communication systems. Richardson said interference technologies will be important in the future. Weve got to make sure that were investing in those as well, he said. Im Ashley Thompson. Carla Babb reported this story for VOA News. Hai Do adapted the story for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story pace n. the speed with which something happens reactivated adj. to cause something to start working or happening again preside v. to be in charge of something navigation n. to carry out the process of finding the way to get to a place while traveling in a ship, airplane or other vehicle Venezuelan officials are searching for people responsible for an attack on President Nicolas Maduro. Drone aircraft carrying explosives flew close to Maduro. He was giving a speech in Caracas on Saturday. The president was unhurt in the incident. The Associated Press (AP) says investigators have raided several hotels and seized vehicles. At least six suspects were detained for questioning. Venezuelas government says the attackers had plotted to kill Maduro. It said the suspects organized the plot with others in the United States and Colombia. The government has yet to provide detailed evidence to support the claims. Venezuelan opposition leaders criticized Maduro for blaming the political opposition. They warned that he might use the attack to silence his critics. Venezuela and the world The attack came as Venezuela is suffering from an economic and humanitarian crisis, and Maduro finds himself increasingly alone. The United States and other countries are taking economic actions against a growing list of high-level Venezuelan officials. They are also denouncing his government as oppressive. Maduro and his allies said the attack was direct proof of an international plot to destroy his government. He also said the militarys reaction to the attack shows he still has the support of Venezuelan soldiers. But observers said the images broadcast on television when the attack struck made him appear at risk. Seeing soldiers fleeing in apparent panic does not show the control and loyalty of security forces, noted Torino Capital, a New York-based investment business. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said on Sunday that the attackers were trying to kill every member of Venezuelas top leadership. Details of the attack Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said the two drones were each carrying a kilogram of C-4 plastic explosive. They were flown toward Maduro, his wife and other officials. At the time, he was speaking to troops at an event celebrating the 81st anniversary of the National Guard. One of the drones was supposed to explode above Maduro and the other was to explode directly in front of him, Reverol said. The military was able to stop one of the drones electronically. The second crashed into an apartment building nearby, Reverol said. He added that two of those arrested had earlier problems with the government. He said one took part in 2014 anti-governments protests that took place as Venezuelas economic crisis worsened. The other was wanted by police for an attack on a military area, the interior minister said. Two people who live in nearby buildings said they saw a drone flying over a street on Saturday and then heard an explosion. One witness showed the AP cellphone video of a drone crashing into a building. He said the drone fell to the ground and exploded, causing a fire. Maduros reaction to the attack In a message to the nation Saturday night, an angry Maduro blamed the attack on the far right. He called on U.S. President Donald Trump to hold the terrorist group responsible. John Bolton is Trumps national security adviser. On Sunday, Bolton, said: If the government of Venezuela has hard information that they want to present to us that would show aviolation of U.S. criminal law, well take a serious look at it. The Broad Front, a coalition of opposition groups in Venezuela, said the government was blaming people without proof. The group said in a statement that the government was not interested in getting to the truth, but wanted to use the situation for political gain. Claim of responsibility A little-known group calling itself Soldiers in T-shirts claimed responsibility for the attack. The message could not be independently confirmed, however. Maduro said the attack left him sure of the militarys support. He said he will continue with the socialist revolution begun by former president Hugo Chavez. Venezuela will continue on the democratic, independent and socialist path, Maduro said. Torino Capital said that it believes Maduro will stay in power for many years. But it added that economic problems make it important to continue to watch the situation in Venezuela very closely. Im Susan Shand. Scott Smith and Christine Armario reported this story for the Associated Press. Susan Shand adapted their story for VOA Learning English. The editor was George Grow. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story drone n.a type of small aircraft that flies without a pilot cellphone n.a wireless telephone panic n.a sudden, overpowering fright One of the most notable changes in Google Android 9 is the new gesture-based navigation system. You can swipe up from the home button to bring up a new overview screen showing recent apps or to bring up the app drawer and Google search bar from any screen. Theres no more dedicated recents app. And the back button only appears when you need it. But Google isnt going all in on this new user interface just yet. If you upgrade from Android 8 or earlier then youll still see the old-school back, home, and recents buttons by default. Youll have to manually enable the new gesture-based navigation. In the future you may not have a choice though. Googles EK Chung tells Android Central that future Google phones will only feature the new UI. Say goodbye recents button. Google is expected to unveil its Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones in October, and it sounds like theyll both feature gesture-based navigation by default. I wouldnt be surprised if future Android One phones also use the new navigation system. But Google isnt requiring all third-party manufacturers to use the new system. Device manufacturers will have the option of shipping Android 9 devices with Android 8-style buttons if they choose. Or they could develop their own navigation system, which makes sense because there are a handful of companies that are already doing that, including Motorola and OnePlus. 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North Koreas foreign minister, Ri Yong Ho, however, hit the United States in an Asian security forum in Singapore for certain alarming moves, including raising its voice louder for maintaining the sanctions against the North. Those moves, Ri told fellow ministers, could make an agreement with the Trump administration, including the Norths commitment to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, face difficulties. China and Southeast Asian nations also faced calls in the Singapore meetings to rapidly conclude an effective nonaggression pact that can help fend off possible clashes in the disputed South China Sea. Both sides have announced an agreement on an initial draft of a regional code of conduct that they regarded as a milestone after 16 years of sporadic talks. Alarm over rising trade protectionism, which Asian governments warn could stymie economic growth, dominated the meetings too, with Japan calling for the swift conclusion of a 16-nation Asian free trade agreement that does not include the United States. Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said the rapprochement between North Korea and the United States, along with completion of a negotiating draft of the code of conduct for the South China Sea, are breakthroughs. But he added that like any other breakthrough in diplomatic negotiations, they may lead to something great, they may lead to nothing. Now the hard work is really on the details, Cayetano told reporters before walking into daylong meetings between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and their partners the United States, China, Japan and South Korea. ASEAN foreign ministers, along with counterparts from China, Japan and South Korea, urged the U.S. and North Korea as well as concerned parties to continue working towards the realization of lasting peace and stability on a denuclearized Korean Peninsula, according to a draft communique they were to issue after their meetings Saturday, which was seen by The Associated Press. In the communique, they would note often a diplomatic subtlety for a reminder the stated commitment of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, the Norths formal name, to complete denuclearization and its pledge to refrain from further nuclear and missile tests during this period. A summary of a new report by experts monitoring U.N. sanctions against North Korea, which was sent to the Security Council Friday night and obtained by the AP at the United Nations, said North Korea has not stopped its nuclear and missiles programs and continues to defy the sanctions resolutions. The North was also violating sanctions by transferring coal at sea and flouting an arms embargo and financial sanctions, the report said. Ri said that while North Korea has initiated goodwill measures including a moratorium on the nuclear test and rocket launch test and dismantling of nuclear test ground, the U.S. has gone back to the old, far from its leaders intention. Ri made the remarks in a speech that came after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was at the same ASEAN conference, warned Russia, China and others against any violation of international sanctions that North Korea continues to face. After agreeing on the text of the code of conduct in the disputed waters, senior Chinese and ASEAN diplomats will meet in Cambodia this month or in September, to be followed by another meeting in the Philippines, to start actual negotiations, a senior Southeast Asian diplomat said on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to discuss the issue publicly. Western officials called for an early conclusion of such a pact, which they said should be legally binding and could effectively check aggressive behavior in the disputed region. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that without disturbances from the outside the negotiations on the code would shift to a fast track. China has accused the U.S., which has deployed aircraft carriers, ships and fighter jets to patrol the disputed waters, of intervening in an Asian dispute. Amid the trade tensions between the United States and China and other nations, Asian ministers called for an early conclusion, possibly this year, of talks for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free trade accord that would include the ASEAN countries, along with key trading partners China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Korea. Singapore, Malaysia and other Southeast Asian nations are concerned that protectionism, which could boost major Western economies, would work against free and open trade that their economies are anchored on. Tensions between the U.S. and China the worlds two biggest economies over tariffs on each others products have rattled investors in Asia. Given the current global situation where protectionism is on the rise, Japan would like to achieve the swift conclusion of the RCEP, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said. South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha warned that rising anti-globalization and trade protectionism among major countries is fueling tension and threatening our aspiration for sustained economic growth. Jim Gomez, Annabelle Liang, AP Police in Bangladeshs capital fired tear gas and used batons on Saturday to disperse hundreds of protesting students angry over the traffic deaths of two fellow students, leaving many people injured. Dhaka remained largely cut off from the rest of Bangladesh as buses continued to stop plying from other parts of the country. The owners and workers of the bus companies have said they will not run their vehicles unless they feel safe after dozens of vehicles were either vandalized or torched in Dhaka and elsewhere. Witnesses and media reports said Saturdays chaos broke out in Dhakas Dhanmondi area as police and ruling party men swooped in on the students. A top leader of the ruling Awami League said some criminals wearing school uniforms joined the violence. Many protesters blamed the student wing of the ruling party for the attacks. TV stations aired footage of the clashes, with protesters seen throwing stones at police as the chaos continued for hours. An Associated Press journalist at the scene said many people, including some journalists, were injured in the clashes. The English-language Daily Star reported that up to 25 people were injured. Thousands of other students took to the streets elsewhere in Dhaka on Saturday, but no major violence was reported. The protests, which began last Sunday after two college students were struck and killed by a pair of buses, have paralyzed Dhaka, a city of 10 million. The two buses were racing to collect passengers, a common occurrence in the city, which is regularly gridlocked by traffic chaos. The protests are an embarrassment for the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ahead of a general election due in December. Hasinas party is blaming the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, headed by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and its main ally Jamaat-e-Islami, for using the sentiment of young students to create chaos for political gains. Zias party formally extended its support to the protesters. Hasina also said their demands are justified and pledged to fulfill them in phases. The protesters are demanding safer roads in Bangladesh, where corruption is rife, making it easy for unlicensed drivers and unregistered vehicles to ply the roads. At least 12,000 people die each year in road accidents often blamed on faulty vehicles, reckless driving and lax traffic enforcement. The students have stopped thousands of vehicles including those of top officials and judges demanding to see if the cars were registered and the drivers licensed. Buses are key to transportation in Bangladesh, where trains are overcrowded and most people cannot afford cars. Julhas Alam, Dhaka, AP China said Friday it is poised to impose retaliatory tariffs on USD60 billion worth of U.S. imports, including coffee, honey and industrial chemicals, if Washington goes ahead with its latest trade threat. Chinas Finance Ministry accused the Trump administration of damaging the global economy after the U.S. proposed increasing duties on $200 billion of Chinese goods in the second round of a dispute over technology. China is forced to take countermeasures, said a ministry statement. It said retaliatory duties of between 5 and 25 percent will be imposed on 5,207 products if the U.S. side persists in putting its tariff measures into effect. Washington imposed 25 percent duties on $34 billion of Chinese goods on July 6 in response to complaints Beijing steals or pressures companies to hand over technology. Beijing retaliated by imposing similar charges on the same amount of U.S. products. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters Friday that instead of retaliating, China should address longstanding concerns about its unfair trading practices. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman had earlier called on Washington to come to its senses and settle the dispute. Chinese leaders have offered to narrow their politically sensitive trade surplus with the United States by purchasing more American goods. But they have rejected changing technology development plans they see as a path to prosperity and global influence. Theres no end in sight, and the dispute could chill global trade and economic growth. Chinas new threat targeting a smaller amount of U.S. goods reflects the fact that Beijing is running out of products for retaliation due to its lopsided trade balance with the United States. Chinas imports from the United States last year totaled $153.9 billion. After the earlier tariffs $34 billion of U.S. goods, about $120 billion is available for retaliation. The highest penalties on the new list would be imposed on honey, vegetables, mushrooms and chemicals, targeting farming and mining areas that supported President Donald Trump in the 2016 election. The new list includes products as varied as snow blowers and 3-D printers, suggesting Chinese authorities are struggling to find enough imports their own economy can do without. Beijings earlier round of tariffs appeared designed to minimize the impact on the Chinese economy by targeting soybeans, whiskey and other goods available from Brazil, Australia and other suppliers. Trump initially proposed 10 percent tariffs on an additional $200 billion of Chinese imports, but he told trade officials this week to consider raising that to 25 percent. It will be September at the earliest before the U.S. decides whether to impose those tariffs. Chinese authorities warned earlier that if the dispute escalated, they would adopt unspecified comprehensive measures. That prompted concern among American companies that retaliation might expand to disrupting their operations in China. The United States and China have the worlds biggest trading relationship but official ties are increasingly strained over complaints that Beijings technology development tactics hurt American companies. Trumps tariffs target goods the White House says benefit from industrial policies such as Made in China 2025, which calls for developing Chinese competitors in robotic, artificial intelligence and other fields. The dispute is part of broader U.S. complaints about global trading conditions that have prompted Trump to raise duties on steel, aluminum, washing machines or solar panels from Canada, Europe, Japan and South Korea. A spokesman for Chinas foreign ministry appealed to Washington to negotiate but could not confirm reports the two sides were setting up talks. We urge the United States to come to its senses, correct its erroneous acts and create the necessary condition for a proper settlement as soon as possible, spokesman Geng Shuang said. Trump campaigned on a promise to bring down Americas massive trade deficits by renegotiating trade agreements and getting tough on countries like China that sell the U.S. far more than they buy from it. But the U.S. Commerce Department reported Friday that the American trade deficit climbed to $46.3 billion in June from $43.2 billion in May. The deficit in goods trade with China also rose. So far this year, the trade gap is up more than 7 percent from January-June 2017. Joe McDonald, Beijing, AP Work permit requirements for mainland employees from Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan will be abolished, thus residents of the three regions will no longer need additional documentation for job purposes, the State Council announced on Friday. In a State Council meeting last month, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had already announced that the government was set to eliminate 17 administrative regulations that previously governed business development in a bid to facilitate economic integration. On Friday, the State Council said: Following the abolishment, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security will introduce support measures to further facilitate Hong Kong and Macau residents to work and start a business on the mainland. On its website, the council said that it also ordered the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security to formulate and improve the detailed oversight rules for employment services, social security, unemployment registration and labor rights protection for eligible groups after the change. The work permit system has been in place since 2004. Under its requirements, mainland companies should prove that the employees they wish to hire from the three regions are qualified and that such a position cannot be filled by locals. According to reports, up to 10 items of paperwork were needed from companies for its employees to be granted a work permit issued by the municipal human resources department. Hong Kongs largest political party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, welcomed the move, noting that it shows the central governments care for the region. They also added that it would encourage Hong Kong residents to pursue careers in the mainland. This measure could enable Hongkongers to freely choose their professions just like other mainland residents, the Democratic Alliance said in a statement. The Macao International Conference on Marine Administration, Utilization and Development held on August 3 and 4 in Macau, addressed several topics regarding the new maritime area managed by the MSAR and highlighted three main tasks that the region must address when dealing with such a topic. It has been two years since the assignment of new maritime area by the Central Government to the MSAR. The government has been establishing the main guidelines for use of the new area. According to a statement issued by the Policy Research Office, the planning and good usage of the 85 square kilometers of maritime area is a relevant role of Macau on the contruction of the Greater Bay. Local authorities are expected to perform three main tasks: namely to emphasize the protection of the marine biodiversity, to perform scientific planning for reasonable use of the areas, and to reinforce maritime intercommunication and co- operation with neighboring regions for proper use of the sea and its resources. In the opening speech of the conference, the Chief Executive, Chui Sai On, said that the new maritime areas provide new conditions and opportunities to open Macau to the sea, also creating new option for the diversification of the local economy. Macau should have as its starting line the blue ocean and the economy of the Greater Bay Area, seizing the opportunities, planning scientifically and promoting the construction and development of the International Tourism and Leisure Center. Regarding the same opportunity, the director of the Liaison Office in Macau, Zheng Xiaosong, noted that since the handover of Macau, the Central Government has been supporting Macau, adding that President Xi Jinping greatly values and supports the diversified and moderate development of Macaus economy. In light of this premise comes the authorization of Macau to rule and manage maritime areas, a valuable gift that translates the support of the Central Government to the long-term development of Macau, Zheng highlighted. The deputy director of the State Councils Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Huang Liuquan, has noted that the Macau government should always ensure the management of the sea areas as well as land areas, carrying out good development planning for the maritime areas of Macau based on prospective thinking; keep in mind the idea of community building, allowing the whole population to benefit from the profits that will rise from the development of the maritime areas; and lastly, to have a clear awareness of the mutual benefits and gains from the promotion of the development of both Macau and the mainland in a co-operative way. RM Now is the time to think of new directions On the sidelines of the event, Yue-man Yeung, Emeritus Professor of Geography of the Chinese University of Hong Kong said that Macau [SAR] did well in the first [almost] 20 years of existence, but now is the time to think of new directions, Radio Macau reported. At the conference, the scholar noted that it is now time for Macau to look out for its own needs, leaving the gaming industry aside, drawing attention to the discussion on the new maritime areas. According to Yeung, diversifying is something we always strive for. If there is capacity and land, I think the government can make more efforts. It should listen to the population, adding, the first 20 years have passed and Macau has done very well. Better than Hong Kong, actually. He also noted that although Macau should be proud of its achievements, efforts cannot end now. The world is evolving and we must capitalize on what we have and [not] just invest in more gaming, he said, noting that in order to properly develop new areas, Macau should seek specialized advice in order to seize this opportunity. The Health Bureau (SSM) announced in a statement that it has renewed its cooperation agreement with Hong Kong health authorities for another five years (2018-2023). The renewal took place at a meeting during the Hong Kong delegations visit to Macau last month, where the developments of medical services in both regions were also addressed. This is the second time that such an agreement has been renewed after its establishment in 2007. The document formalizes the two regions relations in terms of healthcare exchange and cooperation. It covers topics such as academic and technical exchanges, professional training, management of urgent medical care and emergency supplies; as well as exchange of information regarding the monitoring and control of diseases. SSM director Lei Chin Ion thanked the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong for all the support, highlighting the training activities of health personnel in both regions. Lei added that the Hong Kong authorities had provided crucial help and guidance during the accreditation of Conde de Sao Januario Hospital Center, which was carried out by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards. Bone marrow donation is another area in which the two regions have cooperated, following a bone marrow registry agreement inked in 2012. As of April, more than 900 local residents have registered as donors and one has successfully donated blood stem cells. The agreement is being reviewed and may be updated as it is due to expire this December. John Leong, the President of the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong, said he is pleased with the work that has been carried out thus far and will seek to continue the cooperation. Leung Pak-yin, the Executive Chief of the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong, also noted that the regions authorities are in the midst of negotiations regarding further training for medical specialists in Macau. Indonesia is returning a luxury yacht allegedly bought with funds stolen from a Malaysian state investment company after a monthslong legal battle, a police official said yesterday. The USD250 million Equanimity is on its way to a border location where it will be transferred to Malaysia, said Daniel Silitonga, deputy director of economic crimes at Indonesias national police. He said the yacht is currently near Batam island close to Singapore, but declined to say when or where the transfer will happen. The yacht belongs to Malaysian financier Jho Low, who the Justice Department alleges was a key figure in the theft and international laundering of $4.5 billion from 1MDB. Low, who has so far evaded investigators, issued a statement through his U.S. attorney yesterday, protesting the handover of the yacht. Actions like this make it increasingly clear that there is no jurisdiction where the issues in this case can be subject to a fair hearing, thanks to a global media circus fueled by politically motivated parties whose aim is to convict Mr. Low in the public arena, the statement said. Low reportedly hid in Macau and is believed to be in China. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai has called for the rebuilding of 11 schools torched by suspected Islamic extremists in northern Pakistan. No one was wounded in the attacks early Friday as the buildings were closed at the time. Police have yet to arrest any suspects, but local police chief Mohammad Ajmal said his forces were working with intelligence agencies and questioning individuals with links to militant groups. Yousafzai tweeted about the attack, saying extremists have shown what frightens them most a girl with a book. Yousafzai, 21, was shot and wounded by the Pakistani Taliban in 2012 for promoting girls education. Human Rights Watch, a New York-based advocacy group, called on Pakistan to take urgent measures to make schools safer and to fairly prosecute those responsible for such attacks. An old-time propeller plane crashed near-vertically at high speed into a Swiss mountain, killing all 20 people on board, police said yesterday. The Junkers Ju-52 plane, operated by the Swiss company Ju- Air, went down Saturday on the Piz Segnas mountain above the Alpine resort of Flims, striking the mountains western flank about 2,540 meters above sea level. The mountainous area in southeastern Switzerland is popular with hikers and skiers and includes a glacier. Police said yesterday they have now determined that all 20 people on board the plane, including its three crew members, died. Eleven men and nine women between the ages of 42 and 84 were killed. Most of the victims were Swiss but they also included a couple and their son from Austria. Photos released by Graubuenden canton [state] police showed the crumpled wreckage of the plane lying on the mountain, with only the upside-down tail more or less intact. Police said they are not aware of any distress call from the aircraft before it crashed. Daniel Knecht of the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board said the plane appears to have hit the ground near-vertically and at high speed. Speaking yesterday at a news conference in Flims, he said the vintage plane presumably didnt have the crash-resistant cockpit voice and data recorders that more modern aircraft have. Officials can essentially rule out a collision with another aircraft or hitting an obstacle such as a wire, and theres no indication of foul play or that the aircraft lost parts or broke up before the crash, he added. He said that officials expect the investigation of the cause to be relatively complex. The plane was flying the passengers back from a two-day trip to Locarno in southern Switzerland to its base at Duebendorf, near Zurich. Authorities were informed of the crash at 5 p.m. Saturday, 50 minutes after the aircraft had taken off from Locarnos Magadino airfield. Nearly 5,000 Ju-52 planes, a product of Germanys Junkers, were manufactured between 1932 and 1952. Ju-Airs Ju-52 planes are former Swiss military aircraft, built in 1939, that were retired by the air force in 1981. Ju-Air started operating flights with the old-timers in 1983, and the plane that crashed with the registration HB-HOT had been in service with the company since 1985. The aircraft have three engines, one on the nose and one on each wing. The company, which operates two other Ju-52s, suspended flights until further notice after the crash. Geir Moulson, Berlin, AP U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Myanmar on Saturday to immediately release two Reuters journalists held on charges of possessing secret documents. Pompeo said in a tweet he raised U.S. concerns about the two reporters detained in Burma for doing their job during a meeting with Myanmars Foreign Minister Kyaw Tin on the sidelines of a regional gathering in Singapore. They should be released immediately, Pompeo tweeted. Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them and said they were framed by police, apparently because of their reporting on the brutal crackdown by security forces on minority Rohingya Muslims in Myanmars Rakhine state. About 700,000 Rohingya fled to neighboring Bangladesh after the crackdown began last August. They face up to 14 years in prison if convicted. Their lawyer, Than Zaw Aung, told reporters after last weeks court session in Yangon that documents presented as prosecution evidence were neither secret nor sensitive. Several additional witnesses are to testify this month, after which the lawyers will deliver their closing arguments and the judge his verdict. The court so far has held about 30 sessions over seven months. AP Over 70 local residents were involved in an alleged cryptocurrency scam, where they invested a total of over HKD20.1 million, following promises they will receive a monthly return of 25 percent. The alleged fraud case purportedly began in January, when Hong Kong IT and eSports company Forger Esports (which entered the cryptocurrency business in late 2017) kicked off its series of seminars at the Macau Civil Servants Association (ATFPM). Chairman of ATFPM Rita Santos and her son Frederico dos Santos Rosario were involved in the case. In a social media post, Rosario explained that they were introduced to Dennis Lau in June 2017, who is the manager of Forger eSports, and also a shareholder of the company. On the strength of Laus representations and the promotional materials, no less than 70 residents or workers in Macau [] participated in the schemes, Rosario stated. The participants have remitted altogether HKD20,106,081 to bank accounts in Hong Kong designated by Lau, he added. He then stated that participants had only managed to recover over HKD6.3 million and had not received any further shares by June. However, according to company statements, the payments were suspended as authorities froze the accounts without providing further details. The company noted that contracts being deliberately modified by certain individuals were the basis for the freezing. Speaking to TDM, another investor said that it was both Santos and Rosario who promoted the investment scheme in the region. The investor, who declined to be identified, recalled that Rosario had also given a presentation about the development of eSports and his business in Hong Kong which is related to cryptocurrency mining services. They also said that they were encouraged by Santos to join the business, noting that they were telling people to invest. Lau claims to have been the one who was deceived, as he accused Rosario of altering the contract provided to investors. Apple Daily reported Lau claimed that Rosario changed the return of investment from 25 percent per year to 25 percent per month. The victim who spoke to a local state media outlet believed that Rosario should be held responsible for the alleged scam. Fourteen people have called the local authorities for assistance, while 10 reported to Hong Kong police stations. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro dodged an apparent assassination attempt when drones armed with explosives detonated while he was delivering a speech to hundreds of soldiers being broadcast live on television, officials said. Caught by surprise mid-speech, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, looked up at the sky and winced Saturday after hearing the sound of an explosion pierce the air. This was an attempt to kill me, he said later in an impassioned retelling of the events. Today they attempted to assassinate me. Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said the incident took place shortly after 5:30 p.m. as Maduro was celebrating the National Guards 81st anniversary. The visibly shaken head of state said he saw a flying device that exploded before his eyes. He thought it might be a pyrotechnics display in honor of the event. Within seconds, Maduro said he heard a second explosion and pandemonium ensued. Bodyguards escorted Maduro out of the event and television footage showed uniformed soldiers standing in formation quickly scattering from the scene. He said the far right working in coordination with detractors in Bogota and Miami, including Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, were responsible. Some of the material authors of the apparent attack have been detained. The investigation will get to the bottom of this, he said. No matter who falls. Venezuelas government routinely accuses opposition activists of plotting to attack and overthrow Maduro, a deeply unpopular leader who was recently elected to a new term in office in a vote decried by dozens of nations. Maduro has steadily moved to concentrate power as the nation reels from a crippling economic crisis. In the midst of near-daily protests last year, a rogue police officer flew a stolen helicopter over the capital and launched grenades at several government buildings. Oscar Perez was later killed in a deadly gun battle after over six months on the lam. Attorney General Tarek William Saab said the attempted assassination targeted not only Maduro, but rather the militarys entire high command on stage with the president. Prosecutors have already launched their investigation and obtained critical details from the suspects in custody, said Saab, adding that he would give more details later today. We are in the midst of a wave of civil war in Venezuela, Saab said. Firefighters at the scene of the blast disputed the governments version of events. Three local authorities said there had been a gas tank explosion inside an apartment near Maduros speech where smoke could be seen streaming out of a window. They provided no further details on how they had reached that conclusion. Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 6 Vote(s) - 2.33 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 if you live in the usa and dont like a constitutional republic, move to cuba LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 408320 08-06-2018 06:08 AM Post: #16 RE: if you live in the usa and dont like a constitutional republic, move to cuba Advertisement LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 05:22 AM) send all the commie punks to Kenya........ Yeah, they can stink up Obama's homeland kind of like Obama stunk up ours. Yeah, they can stink up Obama's homeland kind of like Obama stunk up ours. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454960 08-06-2018 06:11 AM Post: #17 RE: if you live in the usa and dont like a constitutional republic, move to cuba Yuri Wrote: (08-06-2018 03:57 AM) Bye Cya commies Move your arse to china or cuba I fully agree. Anyone who does like freedom and privacy, doesn't like the Bill of Rights, supports the TSA, DHS, likes Facebook and Twitter, or supports any other unconstitutional bullshit needs to pack their bags and get the hell out if America. I fully agree. Anyone who does like freedom and privacy, doesn't like the Bill of Rights, supports the TSA, DHS, likes Facebook and Twitter, or supports any other unconstitutional bullshit needs to pack their bags and get the hell out if America. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 449596 08-06-2018 08:36 AM Post: #18 RE: if you live in the usa and dont like a constitutional republic, move to cuba LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 04:17 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 04:14 AM) Too bad it hasn't been a Constitutional Republic since the Civil War, when the government was disbanded due to secession, therefore terminating the original Constitution that the Republic was created under. The Constitution remains as the highest law in the land to this day. No, it isn't. Your consent to all of the contracts you have entered into renders the applicability of the current corporate Constitution null and void. The original Constitution that created a Republic no longer is in effect and hasn't been since the 1800's. Read a history book. Or do you think that the entire government can be collapsed by the signers of the compact through secession, the country declare war on itself, then after it is over everything just magically goes back to the way it was before??? No, it isn't. Your consent to all of the contracts you have entered into renders the applicability of the current corporate Constitution null and void. The original Constitution that created a Republic no longer is in effect and hasn't been since the 1800's. Read a history book. Or do you think that the entire government can be collapsed by the signers of the compact through secession, the country declare war on itself, then after it is over everything just magically goes back to the way it was before??? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454942 08-06-2018 10:38 AM Post: #19 RE: if you live in the usa and dont like a constitutional republic, move to cuba LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 04:01 AM) The entire world is under a communist state. It is called the NWO. Wake up op, you are not free. You have no rights but the right to die dumb. Agreed, except only around 5% of them are in the community in question, the rest of us are regarded, by them, as useless eaters. Agreed, except only around 5% of them are in the community in question, the rest of us are regarded, by them, as useless eaters. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454942 08-06-2018 10:39 AM Post: #20 RE: if you live in the usa and dont like a constitutional republic, move to cuba Yuri Wrote: (08-06-2018 04:09 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 04:01 AM) The entire world is under a communist state. It is called the NWO. Wake up op, you are not free. You have no rights but the right to die dumb. Not true There is 3 different factions fighting One wants a capitalist nwo The factions you refer to do, what they're fighting for is to be in the controling seat. The factions you refer to do, what they're fighting for is to be in the controling seat. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 453056 08-06-2018 10:47 AM Post: #21 RE: if you live in the usa and dont like a constitutional republic, move to cuba They want to preach socialist democracy, then yes; they should go visit these places. Go live in Mogadishu, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, or Honduras. And I don't mean living in a 5 star hotel in Havana. Go live with the poorest of poor oppressed by dictatorship. They hate American capitalism, and the Republic so much...they should go. They hate controlled immigration, and ICE...they should go. They hate the Rule of Law, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and the Constitution...they should go. Go to South Africa and join the Civil War...they should go. They want to follow Karl Marx...they should go. They don't want borders, a national language, or culture...they should go. They should go. 1110.00) lop guest User ID: 198896 08-06-2018 11:09 AM Post: #22 RE: if you live in the usa and dont like a constitutional republic, move to cuba The concept of constitutional republic can be abused in the direction of National Socialism and has been to the degree it can be gotten away with. The population is the key factor, not "the elite." LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454748 08-06-2018 02:03 PM Post: #23 RE: if you live in the usa and dont like a constitutional republic, move to cuba In many respects, most of the trouble makers aren't true believing communists, but contrarian psychopaths. Most people, sadly know atleast one contrarian, and how difficult they deliberately are. CaseyJones420 lop guest User ID: 436233 08-06-2018 03:23 PM Post: #24 RE: if you live in the usa and dont like a constitutional republic, move to cuba LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 02:03 PM) In many respects, most of the trouble makers aren't true believing communists, but contrarian psychopaths. Most people, sadly know atleast one contrarian, and how difficult they deliberately are. I certainly do. An older gentleman and his wife live in the apartment below my wife and I and although he's a great guy, a marine vet, a loving husband, and good hearted man. We walk together to the VA, he never has to go anywhere alone because im with him pretty mich wherever he goes. His wife and I even use our Wi-Fi for their smart tv they bought for Xmas without realizing they needed internet for it when they can't pay for it. Unfortunately, he is convinced that he's a socialist when he's not. I suspect that his wife (with which they recently celebrated 40 yrs), came here illegally; as I've noticed her name on her RX's are under Ms. "Smith" as opposed to Mrs. In reality, he's what they call a breadline communist. What's really happening it MSM brainwashing and TDS making him look for anything he can to support as long as it opposes whatever Donald Trump is saying on TV. He would never actually try to make it in a socialist country because he knows what it's really about, and he knows that he enjoys the rights that he has in the US for now and that he wouldn't have them join socialist/communist countries. For him, everything is Russian collusion, and I much as I appreciate his company and know he's a great guy, it's impossible to take his opinions too seriously when anything disagreeing with liberal toilet flush seems to make me some sort of Trump-ite as the only alternative. Keep in mind, we live in FL where a voter can't register as an independent. I certainly do. An older gentleman and his wife live in the apartment below my wife and I and although he's a great guy, a marine vet, a loving husband, and good hearted man. We walk together to the VA, he never has to go anywhere alone because im with him pretty mich wherever he goes. His wife and I even use our Wi-Fi for their smart tv they bought for Xmas without realizing they needed internet for it when they can't pay for it. Unfortunately, he is convinced that he's a socialist when he's not. I suspect that his wife (with which they recently celebrated 40 yrs), came here illegally; as I've noticed her name on her RX's are under Ms. "Smith" as opposed to Mrs. In reality, he's what they call a breadline communist. What's really happening it MSM brainwashing and TDS making him look for anything he can to support as long as it opposes whatever Donald Trump is saying on TV. He would never actually try to make it in a socialist country because he knows what it's really about, and he knows that he enjoys the rights that he has in the US for now and that he wouldn't have them join socialist/communist countries. For him, everything is Russian collusion, and I much as I appreciate his company and know he's a great guy, it's impossible to take his opinions too seriously when anything disagreeing with liberal toilet flush seems to make me some sort of Trump-ite as the only alternative.Keep in mind, we live in FL where a voter can't register as an independent. INDONESIA A strong earthquake struck the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok yesterday, killing at least three people and shaking neighboring Bali, one week after another quake on Lombok killed more than a dozen. NORTH KOREA Asias top diplomats pressed North Korea on the weekend to turn a pledge to completely dismantle its nuclear arsenal into reality amid concerns that its proceeding with its programs. More on p12 RUSSIA A Russian helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff in Siberia, killing all 18 people aboard, mostly oil workers, authorities said. PAKISTAN Gunmen killed one police officer and wounded another during an overnight search operation for suspects linked to the torching of nearly a dozen schools in northern Pakistan. BANGLADESH Thousands of angry young people took to the streets of Bangladeshs capital again yesterday to demand safer streets, facing police firing tear gas and pro-government activists who attacked them with clubs. More on p13 SAUDI ARABIA says it will resume oil shipments through the Bab al-Mandeb strait after they were temporarily halted following attacks by Yemens Shiite rebels. ETHIOPIA Soldiers have clashed with a local police force in the restive Somali region, with the defense ministry saying it will take the necessary measures to restore order. ISRAEL Tens of thousands of members of Israels Druze minority and their Jewish supporters, some chanting equality, packed a central Tel Aviv square Saturday night to rally against a contentious new law that critics say sidelines Israels non-Jewish citizens. CROATIA-SERBIA Croatia yesterday celebrated a victorious 1995 military offensive in which it retook lands held by rebel Serbs, while Serbias president compared the operation to the policies of Nazi Germany. PORTUGAL Lisbon broke a 37-year-old record to notch its hottest temperature ever as an unrelenting heat wave baked Portugal and neighboring Spain. New heat records were set in 26 places around Portugal. VENEZUELA President Nicolas Maduro dodged an apparent assassination attempt when drones armed with explosives detonated while he was delivering a speech to hundreds of soldiers being broadcast live on television, officials said. BRAZIL The Workers Party in Brazil has named jailed former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as its nominee for the countrys top job in Octobers election. Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 2 Vote(s) - 5 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 3 4 Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela.... LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454856 08-06-2018 04:27 AM Post: #1 Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela.... Advertisement https://twitter.com/testaferreira/status...osion-dron Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela and @NicolasMaduro. Minister of the Interior Nestor Reverol informs 6 detainees for now. Each drone had a kilo of explosive C4, and were disoriented with equipment. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454856 08-06-2018 04:28 AM Post: #2 RE: Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela.... LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454856 08-06-2018 05:50 AM Post: #3 RE: Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela.... VIDEO claimed to show mid-air explosion of drone used in attack on Maduro https://www.rt.com/news/435178-drone-exp...la-maduro/ "...Earlier, the Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Information, Jorge Rodriguez, announced that six people had been detained in connection with the reported plot to kill Maduro amidst an army commemoration event on Saturday. The assassination attempt, according to Rodrigues, involved three drones, laden with explosives, all of which went off. One of them exploded right in front of the presidential box, while the second detonated to the right of the platform. The third drone, previously unreported, exploded to the south of the platform in the vicinity of a building, he said..." "...Earlier, the Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Information, Jorge Rodriguez, announced that six people had been detained in connection with the reported plot to kill Maduro amidst an army commemoration event on Saturday.he said..." Pasta Lover Registered User User ID: 418981 08-06-2018 05:52 AM Posts: 9,463 Post: #4 RE: Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela.... Scary. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454856 08-06-2018 05:55 AM Post: #5 RE: Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela.... https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/lea...d4b4d6628d Strategos Against Dystopia User ID: 441784 08-06-2018 06:05 AM Posts: 9,645 Post: #6 RE: Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela.... It was a real attempt. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454856 08-06-2018 07:33 AM Post: #7 RE: Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela.... Strategos Wrote: (08-06-2018 06:05 AM) It was a real attempt. Yes The signal inhibitors placed around the site prevented the drones, 3, from reaching their destination .... Maduro They were destroyed by the army in the air .... Very disturbing.... YesThe signal inhibitors placed around the site prevented the drones, 3, from reaching their destination .... MaduroThey were destroyed by the army in the air ....Very disturbing.... LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 452749 08-06-2018 07:40 AM Post: #8 RE: Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela.... The C4 without a container to shape the blast is just an elaborate flash bang, this reeks of a setup designed to cause panic without mass casualties. False Flag but by who? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454856 08-06-2018 07:48 AM Post: #9 RE: Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela.... Drones strongly charged with C4..... C4 used exclusively by military btw it is not clear who did this attack Maduro blames President Santos from Colombia.... LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454970 08-06-2018 07:50 AM Post: #10 RE: Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela.... LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 07:33 AM) Strategos Wrote: (08-06-2018 06:05 AM) It was a real attempt. Yes The signal inhibitors placed around the site prevented the drones, 3, from reaching their destination .... Maduro They were destroyed by the army in the air .... Very disturbing.... Funny they were not pre programmed. Funny they were not pre programmed. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454856 08-06-2018 07:54 AM Post: #11 RE: Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela.... C4 Explosion Tests | MythBusters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwyniA5ryhY LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454856 08-06-2018 07:54 AM Post: #12 RE: Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela.... LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 07:50 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 07:33 AM) Yes The signal inhibitors placed around the site prevented the drones, 3, from reaching their destination .... Maduro They were destroyed by the army in the air .... Very disturbing.... Funny they were not pre programmed. remote control??? remote control??? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454974 08-06-2018 07:56 AM Post: #13 RE: Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela.... LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 07:54 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 07:50 AM) Funny they were not pre programmed. remote control??? No. Rocket with wings. No. Rocket with wings. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454856 08-06-2018 08:41 AM Post: #14 RE: Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela.... LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 07:54 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 07:50 AM) Funny they were not pre programmed. remote control??? someone near the site controlled the drones someone near the site controlled the drones LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454856 08-06-2018 08:46 AM Post: #15 RE: Video of 1st drone explosion in attack against the Government of Venezuela.... Nicolas Maduro assassination attempt: Six arrested for failed drone attack on Venezuelan president https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world...78791.html "Authorities in Venezuela have arrested six people suspected of using explosives-laden drones in a failed bid to assassinate president Nicolas Maduro, in what one witness described as a terrifying attack that shook her apartment building...." "The assailants flew two drones each packed with 1kg of C-4 plastic explosive towards Mr Maduro, his wife and other top leaders as he spoke at an event celebrating the 81st anniversary of the National Guard, said Interior Minister Nestor Reverol. One of the drones was to explode above the president while the other was to detonate directly in front of him, he added. But the military managed to knock one of the drones off-course electronically and the other crashed into apartment building two blocks away from where Mr Maduro was speaking to the hundreds of troops, Mr Reverol said. We have six terrorists and assassins detained, he added. In the next hours there could be more arrests. "Authorities in Venezuela have arrested six people suspected of using explosives-laden drones in a failed bid to assassinate president Nicolas Maduro, in what one witness described as a terrifying attack that shook her apartment building....""The assailants flew two drones each packed with 1kg of C-4 plastic explosive towards Mr Maduro, his wife and other top leaders as he spoke at an event celebrating the 81st anniversary of the National Guard, said Interior Minister Nestor Reverol. One of the drones was to explode above the president while the other was to detonate directly in front of him, he added.But the military managed to knock one of the drones off-course electronically and the other crashed into apartment building two blocks away from where Mr Maduro was speaking to the hundreds of troops, Mr Reverol said.We have six terrorists and assassins detained, he added. In the next hours there could be more arrests. Advertisement Credit: CC0 Public Domain In 2014, West Africa encountered its worst recorded outbreak of Ebola with over 11,000 reported deaths. The memory of this crisis hadn't faded yet when Ebola reared its ugly head again this month in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), showing up for the first time in one of the country's urban areas. Unfortunately for the African continent, Ebola isn't the only fatal disease it needs to fight. As of June 2018, Nigeria reported 1,999 cases of Lassa fever, which has resulted in 109 confirmed deaths. The outbreak is not limited to Nigeria; to the west, Liberia has reported 112 cases this year, with a high case fatality rate of 72%. That is more than all Lassa fever reported deaths in 2016 and 2017 combinedit is now the worst recorded Lassa fever outbreak in history. Lassa fever is caused by Lassa virus, which originates in rats and transfers to humans through food and other household items contaminated with urine or feces. In rare cases, it can be transferred from person to person. It has a long incubation period with generic early symptomsgeneral weakness, headaches, fever, and muscle painmaking diagnosis difficult and allowing the virus to spread unnoticed. Despite having been first described half a century ago, we don't yet have specific Lassa virus drugs or a vaccine. While both Ebola and Lassa fever are haemorrhagic fevers of great public health importance, the latter is rarely discussed, maybe because it is confined to West Africa. This is despite the World Health Organization (WHO) having identified it as a likely cause of a future epidemic. Beyond these two, the African equatorial belt is home to several other hemorrhagic fevers like Yellow fever, Marburg virus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic disease and Rift Valley fever (which is reported to be the probable cause of five recent deaths in Kenya). For decades, public health efforts on the continent have focused on solving one health challenge at a time an approach that misses the bigger picture. As a hotspot for emerging and remerging diseases, Africa needs to develop a research base and scientific environment that will help accurately detect, document and monitor a range of pathogens to help preventor at least better addressoutbreaks. Humans and disease-causing organisms, including Ebola and Lassa virus, are in a constant evolutionary arms race, one that moves very quickly in favour of the virus. A thorough base of research would result in tools that will speed up detection and containment of future outbreaks, generate the knowledge base to help predict future outbreaks of known origins, and help accelerate the development of diagnostics, efficacious drugs and vaccines. Take for example the benefits accrued from research and innovations resulting from the Ebola outbreak in 2014. The rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine, which was developed towards the end of the West African epidemic in 2016, was available for use in the recent outbreak in DRC. The vaccine, which provides protection within 10 days of administration, was used to protect healthcare workers and also for preventing spread by using the ring-fenced vaccination approach. Diagnostic kits developed during the West African outbreak were also used to identify cases rapidly, paving the way for relevant authorities to act accordingly. The DRC outbreak, which claimed 33 lives before it was contained, would probably have been worse were it not for these innovations, a rapid international response and a coordinated approach on the ground led by the DRC government. After all, it was the country's 9th outbreak since Ebola was first discovered there in 1976. The ability to track the evolution of diseases is instrumental in helping us predict the danger of future known (and unknown) viral outbreaks. But this will only be possible if we have the relevant infrastructure in place, as well as skilled people to work with it. For instance, viruses such as Lassa and Ebola which cause haemorrhagic fevers can only be handled in biosafety level 4 laboratories (BSL-4), the highest level of biocontainment. Sadly, in 2015 there were only two BSL-4 labs throughout Africa's 54 countries compared to 13 in the USA alone. To make matters worse, the lab in Gabon isn't currently functioning and the South African one is thousands of miles away from Nigeria, where Lassa fever is concentrated. Investing in the right lab space will empower the continent to be able to take lead in researching these pathogens for the benefit of likely future outbreaks. Biological samples obtained during outbreaks should be considered and handled as a treasure, as they hold the key to crucial knowledge. Once samples have been collected and processed, they need to be properly stored to maintain their quality for future research use. Beyond that, the use of poor and unregulated storage facilities increases the risk that such high pathogenic biological material could fall into the wrong hands raising biosafety and biosecurity concerns. Consequently, across the continent we need to construct and equip safe storage facilities to support subsequent research endeavours. In addition, data and biospecimen sharing guidelines that meet global standards but also consider the cultural diversity displayed across the continent should be developed and rapidly implemented. The continent is yet to exploit the benefits of genetics and genomics research. Currently, most diagnostic tools are based on the genetic sequence of the pathogen. Indeed, the Xpert Ebola test that was deployed in DRC is based on this concept. Beyond diagnostics, there's need to monitor the host-pathogen genomics interactions to inform future research and innovations. This kind of research however, generates massive and diverse data sets, which require skilled human capacity to clean it, analyze it and interpret it for maximum benefit. As a result, Africa also needs to invest in bioinformatics centers with the right infrastructure and expertise for data storage, analysis and interpretation. But all these activities call for heavy financial investments and it's time that the continent took ownership. African governments must increase funding toward research and development around haemorrhagic fevers. Local funding will be instrumental in supporting training of a vibrant scientific community and promoting local development of appropriate, accessible and affordable healthcare products. To cover immediate needs, stockpiling current available tools will help mitigate spread when outbreaks do happen. Equatorial Africa remains the hotbed for emerging and re-emerging diseasesthe outbreaks of the last few years are a good reminder. It is paramount that Africa invests in understanding the interplay between disease-causing organisms, organism carriers and humans to facilitate designing of diagnostic tools and drugs, hasten vaccine research and be better prepared to stop future outbreaks. Having witnessed the impact of new relevant tools in the DRC Ebola outbreak in which a potential disaster has been evaded, this is a reminder that increased investments in research and development should be a priority for the African governments. Explore further West African nation of Guinea reports Lassa fever death This story is republished courtesy of PLOS Blogs: blogs.plos.org. Credit: Dreamstime Through the President's Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the United States contributed over $248 million to programs in Kenya between 2004 and 2014, and at the same time, the incidence of child mortality dropped sharply. But childhood mortality rates also dropped during the same period in many other sub-Saharan countries that did not receive PEPFAR funding, Until now, it had been unknown whetheror by how muchthe significant investment actually improved health outcomes and survival rates. New research by a team of scientists at Yale and Harvard evaluated whether PEPFAR's heavy investments in a Kenyan program to train expecting mothers in HIV prevention in more than 10,000 clinics contributed to reduced child mortality. They determined the funding was a significant determinant of the observed mortality drop. "The United State has spent over a trillion dollars on PEPFAR programs around the world since 2004. This research adds considerable weight to the evidence that this money has been effectively spent to save millions of lives of babies, children and mothers," said Donna Spiegelman, Sc.D., the paper's senior author and the newly appointed Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Biostatistics at the Yale School of Public Health. Spiegelman did this research while at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, with her doctoral student there, Dale Barnhart. The research was presented at the International AIDS Society meeting in Amsterdam in July by Barnhart, and will be presented by Spiegelman at the Joint Statistical Meetings in Vancouver in August. The researchers used advanced statistical methods to assess whether the amount of PEPFAR funding provided to different provinces in Kenya was associated with increased HIV testing among pregnant women, which is a critical first step in identifying which women need HIV-prevention training in a program known as Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV. Ultimately, Spiegelman and her colleagues found that increased PEPFAR funding for the program was associated with both increased HIV testing at the Kenyan clinics and also reduced infant mortality. Knowing that PEPFAR funding for the health programs has had a real impact on population health provides valuable information to U.S. policymakers who must allocate funds to PEPFAR each year. However, the study also illustrates how regional data on programmatic activities such as regional funding levelscan be linked to other publicly available data sources in order to conduct rapid, robust program evaluations. Without access to a package of health services, such as antiretroviral medicines and counseling on optimal breastfeeding practices, it is estimated that 25 percent of children born to HIV-positive mothers will become infected. In low-resource settings, 50 percent of these children die before their second birthday. Kenya experienced a 32 percent increase in mortality in children under 5 between 1988 and 2003, prompting it to establish the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV program, which was subsequently funded by PEPFAR. Spiegelman said that the team hopes that the research will encourage PEPFAR and other international donors to collect more data on regional programmatic activities and encourage future researchers to consider dose-response models as a feasible and cost-effective option for program evaluations. ETH researcher discover thousands of unknown splicing variants of RNA molecules in cancer patients. Credit: iStock.com / selvanegra / comotion_design, Montage: ETH Zurich When scientists at ETH Zurich analysed very large amounts of genetic cancer data, they found previously unresearched molecular changes. These could help in developing new personalised cancer treatments. A research team led by Gunnar Ratsch, Professor of Biomedical Informatics at ETH Zurich, has evaluated the largest set of genetic data in cancer medicine: The Cancer Genome Atlas in the United States (see box). The Atlas compiles genetic information on tumor cells from several thousand cancer patients and 33 types of cancer at DNA and RNA level. Through their analysis, the ETH scientists have discovered new cancer-specific molecular changes that could potentially inform the development of cancer treatments. Many previous genetic analyses of cancer cells have concentrated on their DNA the "basic" version of the genetic information, so to speak. Such studies examined genes to see if they contained tumor-specific mutations. In addition, it was studied if the genes were especially active or inactive depending on the tumor. Now the ETH researchers have gone a step further and taken a closer look at the RNA molecules, which are responsible for transcribing the cell's DNA. But before these molecules can serve as a blueprint for the biosynthesis of proteins, they undergo a series of transformative cellular processes: in a process called splicing, specialised enzymes cut out entire sections from the RNA molecule and join the sequences on either side together. An RNA molecule can be spliced in a range of different ways, which experts refer to as "alternative splicing". In other words, as a copy of a gene an RNA molecule can deliver the blueprint for various protein forms, the groundwork for which is laid during splicing. Alternative splicing happens frequently In their analysis for tumor-specific alternative splicing, Ratsch and his colleagues looked at an unprecedented volume of genetic cancer data, examining sequences in RNA molecules from 8,700 cancer patients. They found several ten thousand previously undescribed variants of alternative splicing that crop up over and over in many cancer patients. The researchers were also able to show that in the majority of the cancer types tested, alternative splicing occurred much more frequently in tumor tissues than in healthy tissues. It is especially pronounced in pulmonary adenocarcinomas, where alternative splicing occurs 30 percent more frequently than in healthy samples. Thanks to this study, the researchers gained new insights into which molecular factors cause the high rate of alternative splicing in cancer cells. Some genetic mutations that encourage alternative splicing are already known, but now the team was able to identify another four genes involved. New docking sites for immunotherapy "Cancer leads to molecular and functional changes in cells. You could say that in cancer cells, there's lots of sand in the gears," says Andre Kahles, a postdoc in Ratsch's group and one of the study's two lead authors. "At the molecular level the changes come not only in the form of individual DNA mutations, which we've known about for a long time, but also to a great extent in the form of different kinds of RNA splicing, as we were able to show in our comprehensive analysis." Not all of the newly discovered molecular changes in RNA necessarily also cause functional changes in cancer cells, the researchers say. Still, the molecular differences can inform novel therapy approaches for instance, cells that feature splicing patterns typical for cancer could be treated with immunotherapy. In targeted cancer immunotherapy, the body's own immune system is trained to recognise typical molecular cancer markers so it can attack and kill cancer tissue. Healthy body tissue is left alone. At present only a minority of cancer patients can be treated with this method, since tumor-specific markers suitable for use in immunotherapy were present in only some 30 percent of cases. The newly discovered variations of alternative splicing lead to changes in proteins that in turn can also serve as tumor-specific markers: up to 75 percent of cases were found to exhibit these new markers that could potentially be used for developing specific medications. In-depth analysis of larger datasets Simply obtaining information on the frequency of alternative splicing is in itself highly valuable. Specifically, the scientists theorise that tumor tissue with many splicing operations is particularly vulnerable to another type of immunotherapy, namely non-targeted immunotherapy. They wish to explore this hypothesis as part of the ETH Domain's Personalized Health and Related Technologies (PHRT) research programme. For the study described here, the researchers analysed several hundred terabytes of raw data. "To analyse such huge volumes of data, we needed an enormous amount of computer time and fast storage systems. Without a supercomputer, the study would not have been possible," ETH Professor Ratsch says. He and his colleagues came to ETH Zurich two years ago from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, where they had started the study. Once in Switzerland, they joined forces with ETH's IT Services to set up the Leonhard Med computer system, which let them securely process gigantic sets of genomic and other medical data. Explore further Alternative splicing, an important mechanism for cancer More information: Andre Kahles et al. Comprehensive Analysis of Alternative Splicing Across Tumors from 8,705 Patients, Cancer Cell (2018). Journal information: Cancer Cell Andre Kahles et al. Comprehensive Analysis of Alternative Splicing Across Tumors from 8,705 Patients,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2018.07.001 For many young children who are obese, the future might not be as grim as previously thought, a University of Michigan study suggests. According to U-M researchers, one-third of U.S. children with obesity in kindergarten achieve a lower weight status at least once through childhood, and 22 percent of these kids experience persistent remission of obesityachieving and maintaining a lower weight statusby 8th grade. "Hope is not lost. A meaningful number of young children with obesity are able to experience remission overtime," said senior researcher Katherine Bauer, assistant professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the U-M School of Public Health. Bauer said she wanted to understand the remission of childhood obesity after reading a 2014 study in the New England Journal of Medicine that showed the majority of children with obesity by kindergarten continued to experience obesity throughout childhood. Understanding how some kids achieved a nonobese weight status over time may shed light on how we can help all children with obesity, she said. Bauer and colleagues Danny Luan, a recent U-M graduate, and Briana Mezuk, associate professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health, used the same dataset as the 2014 NEJM study but looked at it differently. Using this nationally representative sample of more than 21,000 kindergartners, the U-M researchers did the opposite of what nearly all other studies tracking children's growth have done. Instead of starting with all children and seeing who develops obesity, they started with the kids who had obesity in kindergarten and looked at what happened to them over time. There were some distinct patterns among the children who experienced obesity remission, Bauer said. At first glance, girls and children from higher socioeconomic status families appeared more likely to be able to overcome early childhood obesity. But after accounting for the fact that these children, while still experiencing obesity, had lower BMIs in kindergarten than their peers, these differences disappeared. One thing that is clear was that kids who experienced remission gained much less weight over time than the children who remained obese, often gaining half or one-third as many pounds than their peers every two years, the study showed. "We need to help limit children's weight gain. Obesity is not something kids just grow out of by spurting up in height," Bauer said. "These findings suggest that hope is not lost. "Some children are able to experience remission even if they don't participate in clinic-based weight management programs, which may be hard for some families to access. By continuing to understand children who experience obesity remission, we can identify creative ways to give children and families the support they need." Bauer said she hopes the findings provide hope for children and parents, and help mobilize communities to help all children become healthier. The study is published in Pediatric Obesity. Explore further Odds for weight loss are stacked against children who are obese early on Spoiler Alert: Its not a spirit moving the glass. Scientists have used eye tracking technology to reveal what is really happening. Credit: YouTube Screenshot "How did you die?" You have probably either tried it yourself or have heard of others who have: the Ouija Board. One or more participants sit across from each other with their fingers on a glass. Around the glass are numbers and letters. A spirit is summoned, you ask questions, and the glass begins to move from one letter to the next to spell out the response: "K-N-I-F-E" Perhaps you were absolutely certain that it was not you who moved the glass, and everyone else had the same feeling. So who did? A ghost? Alright, so here comes the breaking news: No, it was not a spirit. It was you! Or rather, it was you and your friends that unconsciously collaborated to select the letters. In a new study, scientists from Aarhus University, in Denmark, the University of Southern Denmark, and Bielefeld University in Germany have identified precisely what happens when the glass moves. Study conducted at a Ouija board conference Lead-author on the new study, Marc Andersen, a postdoc from the Interactive Minds Centre at Aarhus University, had long wondered: How can a group of people, each with a finger on the glass, spell out a meaningful word and still be convinced that they didn't do it? In 2015, he packed his bag with a notebook, video camera, and eye-tracking equipment, and set off for Baltimore in the US with a research assistant. They were headed to a conference for people that communicate with the dead via Ouija boards. Instead of a glass, they use a triangular piece of plastic, called a planchette, which moves around the board and points to letters, numbers, and individual words such as yes or no. Andersen recruited 40 participants who wore eye-tracking equipment, which followed the participants' eye movements as they navigated the board. The seance was also recorded. The results are published in the scientific journal Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences. The big reveal Participants sat in pairs, and were instructed to do two things: To spell the word "Baltimore." To conduct a Ouija board session as usual. As you might expect, when the participants spelled out Baltimore, they looked at the next letter ahead of time before moving the planchette to that letter. In other words, they could easily predict where the planchette would end up. Eye tracking reveals where the participants expect the planchette to move to. Credit: Cecilie Cedergren/Marc Andersen But when they moved on to the second task (to conduct a Ouija board session as usual), it was much more difficult for the individual participants to predict where the planchette would move. And here is the paradox: How can the participants be unable to predict the word that will be spelled out (hence the belief that a spirit did it) when more than 100 years of research shows that the participants are clearly moving the glass themselves? Andersen explains they figured out what was happening, not by looking at each individual's eye movements, but by looking at the combined eye movements of each pair of players. Tracking the combined eye movements of two players turned out to be as good a predictor of where the planchette would end up as tracking just one player's eye movement when they are purposely spelling out a known word, as in the Baltimore exercise. "Spirits" emerge from human interaction So, while an individual player cannot predict where the planchette will move, the combined eye movement of the pair of players reveals what the "spirit" will write, especially after the first few letters, which seem to occur at random. "What is so fascinating about this phenomenon is that individual participants exhibit great difficulties in predicting what the "spirit" is trying to tell them, but as soon as we look at the participants as a collective entity, we see how meaningful responses are still able to emerge out of their interaction with each other," says Andersen. "Our study solves the apparent paradox that participants on the one hand are producing the Ouija responses themselves, while they on the other hand are unable to predict those very same responses at an individual level. In that sense, you could say that the "spirit" is actually a representation of the collective 'we'," he says. "Imaginative and effective use" of eye tracking technology Professor James Todd from Eastern Michigan University, USA, is impressed with the study. He was not involved with it, but has 25 years of experience researching how we communicate via others or using objects. "I was impressed by their imaginative and effective use of [eye tracking software]. In other words, Andersen's work is quite valuable in that it gives us a relatively easy way to detect and measure mistaken attributions of action under reasonably ordinary conditions in ordinary people," he writes in an email to our sister site, Videnskab.dk. "The fact that Andersen and his colleagues were able to get these results outside of the laboratory probably strengthens the outcome. The effects were strong enough to detect under reasonably ordinary conditions," he writes. If you believe in the mystical, then you will experience it The Baltimore experiment also shows that people, who believe that the Ouija board can be used to contact the dead, are also more likely to believe that the planchette moves itself, compared to those who are more sceptical. This pattern fits Andersen's previous experimental research, using virtual reality. In this study, as participants walked through a virtual reality forest, those who expected to encounter something supernatural were more likely to report experiencing it afterwards. This is thought to be due to the effects of expectations on our conscious experience of the world around us. More information: Marc Andersen et al. Predictive minds in Ouija board sessions, Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences (2018). Marc Andersen et al. Predictive minds in Ouija board sessions,(2018). DOI: 10.1007/s11097-018-9585-8 This story is republished courtesy of ScienceNordic, the trusted source for English-language science news from the Nordic countries. Read the original story here. Username: Password: or Register Thread Rating: 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride Parade LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 454719 08-06-2018 03:46 PM Post: #1 While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride Parade Advertisement While the Swedish Armed Forces' support for the LGBT cause is not a secret, Supreme Commander Micael Byden has divided the Swedish public by performing Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds" during this year's Pride Parade. The Swedish Armed Forces have invested heavily in this year's Pride and officially announced participation in eight different events in Stockholm and Gothenburg. Ahead of the festival, the Swedish Armed Forces also launched a campaign of their own called "We Do Not Always March Straight" in support of sexual minorities. "But regardless of when or where we march, we are always up for your right to live how you want with who you want," the Swedish Defense Ministry pointed out. more https://sputniknews.com/viral/2018080610...nder-lgbt/ While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride ParadeWhile the Swedish Armed Forces' support for the LGBT cause is not a secret, Supreme Commander Micael Byden has divided the Swedish public by performing Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds" during this year's Pride Parade.The Swedish Armed Forces have invested heavily in this year's Pride and officially announced participation in eight different events in Stockholm and Gothenburg.Ahead of the festival, the Swedish Armed Forces also launched a campaign of their own called "We Do Not Always March Straight" in support of sexual minorities. "But regardless of when or where we march, we are always up for your right to live how you want with who you want," the Swedish Defense Ministry pointed out.more LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 426905 08-06-2018 03:47 PM Post: #2 RE: While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride Parade Hard to believe they were once Vikings. Lobster Boy Registered User User ID: 176474 08-06-2018 03:51 PM Posts: 1,148 Post: #3 RE: While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride Parade LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 03:47 PM) Hard to believe they were once Vikings. Socialists castrate all males. It's in their dogma. Socialists castrate all males.It's in their dogma. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 455021 08-06-2018 03:56 PM Post: #4 RE: While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride Parade Awesome title. I would like to grow up one day and be the Supreme Commander of something. And fuq Democrats and their Exposing Their Genitalia to Kids Parade. Ms Johanna Strange Registered User User ID: 451363 08-06-2018 03:58 PM Posts: 4,198 Post: #5 RE: While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride Parade Fighting for the rights and inclusion of marginalized social minorities is the most democratic of activities. How a society treats its minorities shows you how they would treat you, if they could get away with it. Lobster Boy Registered User User ID: 176474 08-06-2018 04:09 PM Posts: 1,148 Post: #6 RE: While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride Parade "While Russia is preparing invasion." Where is the proof of your claim or is it asswind again? PuddyCat I Want Tuna User ID: 348173 08-06-2018 04:13 PM Posts: 23,091 Post: #7 RE: While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride Parade LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 03:47 PM) Hard to believe they were once Vikings. SWEDEN SWEDEN Politics only interests me because it transforms people into dribbling nincompoops (The World Is Mad) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izsjRpcgfmk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oFzHx29PDo singing spider terrarising the 'hood User ID: 455017 08-06-2018 04:16 PM Posts: 21,254 Post: #8 RE: While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride Parade all that Russia wants to invade in the north is the Arctic oil fields for this they are preparing https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=92i5m3tV5XY nobody starts at point zero LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 455028 08-06-2018 04:17 PM Post: #9 RE: While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride Parade Take it. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 455028 08-06-2018 04:22 PM Post: #10 RE: While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride Parade F*cking muts belong in the pound. NormalIsSubjective User ID: 449032 08-06-2018 05:16 PM Posts: 21,515 Post: #11 RE: While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride Parade Link for "Russia is preparing invasion" required. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 455044 08-06-2018 05:48 PM Post: #12 RE: While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride Parade LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 03:46 PM) While Russia is preparing invasion..... LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 453797 08-06-2018 06:23 PM Post: #13 RE: While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride Parade Lobster Boy Wrote: (08-06-2018 03:51 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (08-06-2018 03:47 PM) Hard to believe they were once Vikings. Socialists castrate all males. It's in their dogma. Hmm, that's strange, my Swedish uncle was able to reproduce successfully multiple times. And get paid family leave every time. Same with my Swedish cousin and my Swedish cousin-in-law. Yay socialism! Hmm, that's strange, my Swedish uncle was able to reproduce successfully multiple times. And get paid family leave every time. Same with my Swedish cousin and my Swedish cousin-in-law.Yay socialism! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 453797 08-06-2018 06:24 PM Post: #14 RE: While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride Parade Ms Johanna Strange Wrote: (08-06-2018 03:58 PM) Fighting for the rights and inclusion of marginalized social minorities is the most democratic of activities. How a society treats its minorities shows you how they would treat you, if they could get away with it. Also once fascists and oppressors have eaten through the marginalized populations they always start eating their own. Always. Also once fascists and oppressors have eaten through the marginalized populations they always start eating their own.Always. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 455032 08-06-2018 06:35 PM Post: #15 RE: While Russia is preparing invasion, Sweden Army goes to Gay Pride Parade Why would Russia want to invade Sweden? Regressive liberal insanity is destroying Sweden without any outside help. Advertisement Kiran Shelat, a 65-year-old retired civil engineer, poses for a portrait in his home, Monday Aug. 6, 2018, in Yardley, Pa. Shebat had spent two years on a kidney transplant waiting list before signing up for a bold experiment with 19 others in which they received organs infected with hepatitis C. A study finds U.S. patients who accepted kidneys infected with hepatitis C were later cured. Results were published Monday in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma) Some patients in desperate need of a kidney transplant participated in a bold experiment where they received organs infected with hepatitis C. The gamble paid off. Their new organs are working fine thanks to medication that got rid of the virus, researchers reported Monday. It was a small study involving just 20 patients. But researchers say it suggests that organs currently going to waste just might help speed transplants for patients who wait years to get one. "When there's such a bad organ shortage, we can't just do business as usual," said Dr. Peter Reese, a University of Pennsylvania kidney specialist who led the study. "We need to shake off that these organs aren't valuable and that people will not want them." In the United States, almost 95,000 people are on the national kidney waiting list but only 19,850 received a transplant in 2017, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. That only covers about 20 percent of all cases. Hepatitis C is an infection that can quietly destroy someone's liver if untreated. Transplanting other organs from patients with the virus can infect the recipients. But with powerful new drugs now available that promise to cure them, Reese's team decided to test if it's safe to transplant infected kidneys to people who don't already have the virus but who might not survive the wait for a healthy organ. Twelve weeks of hepatitis treatment cleared the virus in all 20 patients tested so far. Compared to patients who received uninfected organs, their new kidneys work just as well, even a year after the procedure. Merck & Co., helped fund the research and provided the pills in the study. Results were published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. Kiran Shelat, a 65-year-old civil engineer from Yardley, Pennsylvania, had spent two years on the transplant waiting list before signing up for the experiment. He now feels energetic, and can work out in the gym and attend family events. So far, there's no sign of the virus in his bloodstream. Kiran Shelat, a 65-year-old retired civil engineer, poses for a portrait in his home, Monday Aug. 6, 2018, in Yardley, Pa. Shebat had spent two years on a kidney transplant waiting list before signing up for a bold experiment with 19 others in which they received organs infected with hepatitis C. A study finds U.S. patients who accepted kidneys infected with hepatitis C were later cured. Results were published Monday in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma) "This is a lifesaver," Shelat said. "Get off the list; get the kidney. There is nothing to be afraid of." Transplant specialists are keeping a watchful eye. "As long as the patient accepts the risk, I support this," said Dr. Josh Levitsky, a professor of organ transplantation at Northwestern University who is not part of the team. Getting an infected kidney may outweigh the burden of dialysis, which many patients find physically exhausting, said Dr. Matthew Cooper, a transplant surgeon at Georgetown University Hospital. "People have to plan their entire lives around dialysis," said Cooper, who was not part of the research. "It is a rotten lifestyle." It costs about $88,000 a year to undergo dialysis, according to the United States Renal Data System. Merck has set a price of $54,600 for a round of its hepatitis C medication, Zepatier. Most insurance companies still don't cover the drug for transplant patients, Reese said. The American Society of Transplantation has said larger studies are needed before transplanting infected kidneys is done routinely. In 2016, Johns Hopkins University launched a similar experiment with 10 people. All of them are now cured. Researchers in the United Kingdom are already discussing the possibility to use organs with hepatitis C in patients who don't have the virus. Explore further Using hepatitis C-infected donor kidneys could reduce time on dialysis for transplant patients with HCV 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Credit: Radboud University Owing to decades of neurobiological linguistic research, we know a lot about how language functions in the brain. Still, psycholinguistic research often misses important factors due to its limited attention to the context and language we use every day. Time for a new, interdisciplinary approach that is closer to natural language use, language researchers Roel Willems (Radboud University), Uri Hasson (University of Trento) and their colleagues propose in an article in Cognition. Every night, I drink a glass of wine before I go to bed. This sentence is easy to understand, but it will evoke a slightly different response when said by a ten-year-old girl. Roel Willems and his colleagues use this sentence from a previous study conducted at Nijmegen to illustrate that context is leading for language comprehension. For a complete picture of language processing in our brain, we should therefore take this context into account and ask questions such as: Do the conversational partners know each other? What is the speaker's intention? What emotions play a role here? Roel Willems explains that traditional psycholinguistics ignores such factors. "We already know a lot about language and the brain, but this knowledge is based on experiments that are far removed from the everyday world. How much do we really know about the way in which 'real' language works in our brain? It is high time, therefore, to investigate language in natural contexts." Classic experiments The traditional approach has brought us less far than we hoped, the linguistic researchers from Nijmegen and Italy suggest. According to Willems, "Classic linguistic research often studies phenomena that are irrelevant in practice, for example the often-used experiments in which subjects are asked to label pictures with predetermined words. What does this tell us about 'real' situations? This also applies to the artificially constructed sentences used in this research, such as She prepares a sandwich with socks on. When I give a lecture, I notice that people often snigger when I use such examples. People would never formulate such a sentence in their every-day conversations." Willems and Hasson call on the discipline to exchange the current methods applied to study language for an approach that is closer to realistic language use: "I certainly do not want to suggest that past experiments are useless, but researchers can make more use of the options and techniques that are now available to study language in natural contexts," says Willems. Nijmegen is ready for change Willems' colleagues in Nijmegen have various ideas about such 'natural' contexts. He himself investigates what cognitive processes occur when people read stories and imagine what they read. "Some colleagues feel that this is still too far removed from reality and go one step further. Judith Holler of the Max Planck Institute, for example, studies what happens during conversations, which is probably the most natural way in which language is used." Although their approaches differ, therefore, Willems does notice that the stance of his close colleagues is shifting. "The Max Planck and Donders institutes do a lot of classic language experiments. For example the world-famous Ki-Ka experiment devised by Frans Donders himself. But even there, the interest in 'real' language use is growing. Peter Hagoort, a renowned scholar, for example, also increasingly conducts experiments in more realistic settings, to supplement the somewhat one-dimensional classic studies," Willems explains. "At the same time, there is clear opposition. The reactions to our article are highly varied; we already noticed this during the publication process." Language researchers should join hands In addition to promoting the study of language processing in everyday life, the authors wish to stimulate interdisciplinary collaboration. In their article, they present a proposal for a new framework that is less language-centric: "We have known for quite some time that there is no stable linguistic network in the brain. There are many more areas in the brain for example the visual centres involved in language comprehension than the classic language centres. Our brain links up all these networks all the time. If you have a particular outlook determined by your discipline, you often tend to overlook those other areas. We can learn a lot from each other if we combine all these perspectives, which would lead to a much more complete and less static picture. Traditional disciplines such as neurosciences, psychology, linguistics and biology should join hands to create such an overall vision." Willems and his colleagues hope that their publication will lead to dialogue and innovation within and outside their own discipline. "It is easy to say that we have to talk more, but our idea goes much further. We can also benefit from each other's theoretical notions, for example by combining concepts or common principles from the various disciplines. Such an interdisciplinary approach will provide a fresh perspective on one's own discipline, which will ultimately make better researchers of us all." Explore further What articulation-relevant brain regions do when we listen More information: Uri Hasson et al. Grounding the neurobiology of language in first principles: The necessity of non-language-centric explanations for language comprehension, Cognition (2018). Journal information: Cognition Uri Hasson et al. Grounding the neurobiology of language in first principles: The necessity of non-language-centric explanations for language comprehension,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2018.06.018 Credit: CC0 Public Domain A devastating form of childhood epilepsy that is resistant to traditional drugs may have met its match in spider venom. Researchers from The University of Queensland and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health discovered that a peptide in spider venom can restore the neural deficiencies that trigger seizures associated with Dravet syndrome. UQ Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) Professor Glenn King said the study in mice could be an important step towards better therapeutic strategies for the rare and life-threatening type of epilepsy developed by children in their first year of life. "About 80 per cent of Dravet syndrome cases are caused by a mutation in a gene called SCN1A," Professor King said. "When this gene doesn't work as it should, sodium channels in the brain which regulate brain activity do not function correctly. "In our studies, the peptide from spider venom was able to target the specific channels affected by Dravet, restoring the function of the brain neurons and eliminating seizures." Professor King said the discovery, made in collaboration with The Florey's Professor Steven Petrou, was the latest to demonstrate the unique effectiveness of spider venom in treating nervous system disorders. "Spiders kill their prey through venom compounds that target the nervous system, unlike snakes for example, whose venom targets the cardiovascular system," he said. "Millions of years of evolution have refined spider venom to specifically target certain ion channels, without causing side effects on others, and drugs derived from spider venoms retain this accuracy." "This latest finding may help develop precision medicines for treatment of Dravet syndrome epilepsy, which has been difficult to treat effectively with existing seizure medication." The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, was supported by organisations including Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council. Research in Professor King's lab at UQ is focused on development of venom-derived pharmaceuticals to treat epilepsy, chronic pain and stroke. His lab maintains the most extensive collection of venoms in the world, which includes venoms from more than 600 species of venomous spiders, scorpions, centipedes and assassin bugs. Explore further Assassin bug's venom system packs a deadly double More information: Kay L. Richards et al. Selective NaV1.1 activation rescues Dravet syndrome mice from seizures and premature death, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2018). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Kay L. Richards et al. Selective NaV1.1 activation rescues Dravet syndrome mice from seizures and premature death,(2018). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1804764115 Credit: CC0 Public Domain The summer weather has surprised us and made getting your daily dose of vitamin D that much easier. But the sunny weather always prompts questions about how to enjoy it safely. Most people know there's a balance to be struck when it comes to spending time out in the sun. Its UV rays that are the main cause of skin cancer, but we also need some sunshine to generate vitamin D. Although the number of children getting rickets from low vitamin D levels is still relatively small, in recent years it has increased slightly, suggesting some people may not be spending enough time outside. But skin cancer is also on the increase, for example almost 16,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma every year. The amount of sun you need to generate enough vitamin D varies depending on your skin. But it has been unclear how long people might need to spend in the sun to generate enough vitamin D while minimising their skin cancer risk. That's where research from Professor Lesley Rhodes, at the University of Manchester, comes in. Is there a safe level of sun exposure? In an in-depth Cancer Research UK-funded study, Rhodes and her team looked at the impact of exposing 39 people of different skin types to low levels of UV. Would that be enough to generate vitamin D? And will this cause DNA damage in their cells that could lead to skin cancer? Unlike previous studies, Rhodes gave participants UV doses related to their burning risk. As the dose of UV increased towards their individual burning level, there was an increase in both vitamin D levels and DNA damage seen in skin samples. For all skin types these factors seem to be completely intertwined. What about different skin types? One motivation for Rhodes is understanding more about difference between skin types. "Quite a lot of information has been gathered on white-skinned people, but there's been very little for people with darker skin. We needed to firm up our knowledge by looking at the major benefit and the major harm of sunlight at the same time in each person." Interestingly, the findings differed by skin type when the researchers looked at the lower layer of the skin, where damage is most dangerous. For darker skin types DNA damage wasn't detected at this lower level, it was mostly at the surface. In lighter skin types DNA damage was found throughout the layers, meaning there was more potentially dangerous damage lower down. "This was a really novel discovery, that the darker the skin colour the closer the DNA damage was to the surface" says Rhodes. Regardless of dose or skin type, the DNA damage was no longer present 48 hours later. Our bodies can deal with some level of DNA damage and the level of damage in the study seemed to be low enough to be cleared shortly after. Although this is reassuring, the study can't rule out the possibility that damage like this could go on to cause problems. And Rhodes is keen to study this more in the future. What does this mean for people? The findings suggest there's DNA damage happening before skin burns and that it may be more likely to lead to problems in lighter skin types than darker ones. Larger studies will be needed to confirm those results. "People with darker skin can be encouraged to expose their skin to the sun, without burning, to get vitamin D with very low risk of skin cancer," says Rhodes. "However, for people with lighter skin who are easy burners we've shown even very low doses of UV radiation, down to one fifth of their sunburn threshold, can unfortunately damage the cells in lower layers of the skin." There may not be a totally safe level of exposure to the sun when it comes to DNA damage and skin cancer risk, but we also need some sunshine to make vitamin D. Rhodes' next question was how long do we need to spend in the sun to make enough? Minutes not hours "We wanted to define a fairly straight-forward formula for how much sunlight people would need in the UK to get enough vitamin D," says Rhodes. "People are always asking 'how much?', but it's not quite as simple as just talking about minutes, you also need to look at what area of skin you need to expose and at what time of day." To do this, she teamed up with Professor Ann Webb, a physicist with expertise in the atmosphere and sunlight. Together, they modelled the level needed by the end of summer for most people to have enough vitamin D throughout winter, when the sun isn't strong enough for us to make vitamin D in the UK. They estimated that 9 minutes of lunchtime sunlight each day would be enough for Caucasians to stay above the 'deficient' category of vitamin D level throughout the year. This figure assumes that people would be in shorts and t-shirts for June to August, while only having their hands and faces exposed from March to June and for September. Our bodies start to break down vitamin D when we're generating a lot of it so you can't do a week all in one go. Little and often does seem to be the key. With the same conditions, even people with darker brown skin that hardly ever burns and easily tans such as people of South Asian origin and may only need 25 minutes. Not a prescription The studies were based on several specific assumptions. For example, they considered exposure to sun in the UK without sunscreen, accounting for UK weather and no travel abroad. But they can help to give us a broad idea. As Rhodes says: "Some assumptions have to be made but we tried to look at something that was realistic. After this 9 minutes is when sun protection becomes key." But if you're concerned about your vitamin D levels, or your family's, you may only need to find a few minutes outside at lunchtime each day. Like almost everything else in our daily lives, it won't be completely risk-free, but it should give a healthy balance. "People often think it's a balance between getting enough vitamin D and avoiding skin cancer," says Rhodes. "But our feeling is that quite often people may be justifying too much time in the sun in order to get their vitamin D. So it's important to give people the information. Explore further Gut microbes may partner with a protein to regulate vitamin D Credit: CC0 Public Domain If you're having a heart attack and you're a woman, hope a female doctor greets you in the emergency room. A review of nearly 582,000 heart attack cases over 19 years showed female patients had a significantly higher survival rate when a woman treated them in the ER, according to Seth Carnahan of Washington University in St. Louis, part of the project's three-member research team along with principal investigator Brad Greenwood of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Laura Huang of Harvard University. In fact, women had a better survival rate with male doctors who have a lot of female colleagues in the ERthough they'd still be better off with a female physician. The results parallel similar studies of gender differences in medical outcomes, but the difference here, Carnahan said, is the stakes. "You have highly trained experts with life or death on the line, and yet the gender match between the physician and the patient seems to matter a great deal," said Carnahan, associate professor of strategy at the Olin Business School. The conclusions are central to a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences entitled "Patient-Physician Gender Concordance and Increased Mortality Among Female Heart Attack Patients," coauthored with Greenwood of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management and the Harvard Business School's Huang. Though the topic focuses on medical outcomes in a healthcare setting, Carnahan said the conclusions are relevant to business because the big picture is about gender differences in the workplace. It's a subject that has interested him for a long time, particularly after hearing how his sister's experiences in male-dominated workplaces differed from his own. "Interpersonal interactions, whether they are between a doctor and patient or a manager and a subordinate, create the core of an organization," he said. "I'm very interested in how these interactions determine a firm's performance and influence the lives of its managers, employees, and customers." The team reviewed a trove of anonymous medical data from Florida hospitals from 1991 to 2010. These data allowed the team to measure important factors like the age, race, and medical history of patients, hospital quality and more. Even accounting for these factors, the team found female patients were less likely to survive heart attacks than male patients and that gender differences in survival rates were the highest under male physicians. For patients treated by female physicians, the gender disparity in survival rates was about 0.2 percent. In other words, 11.8 percent of men died, versus about 12 percent of women. However, for patients treated by male physicians, the gender gap in survival more than tripled to 0.7 percent. In that case, 12.6 percent of men died compared to 13.3 percent of women. "Our work corroborates prior research showing that female doctors tend to produce better patient outcomes than male doctors," Carnahan said. "The novel part of what we are doing is showing that the benefit of having a female doctor is particularly stark for a female patient." In reviewing the conditions that most favored female patients, the team found that female survival rates rose as the percentage of female doctors in the ER roseparticularly if the treating physician was male. The "male bias" effect also declined the more the male doctors had treated female patients. Those mitigating factors "suggest that having training programs that are more gender neutral, or showing how men and women might present symptoms differently, could improve outcomes for female patients," Carnahan said. The research is similar to another Carnahan-Greenwood collaboration documenting how female lawyers were less likely to advance in their firms with promotions and plum assignments when they worked for politically conservative male law partners. The current paper, however, moves outside the employer-employee arena, where gender bias is well documented in certain circumstances. "Employee-customer relationships don't have as much research in this area, and you can think of a physician and a patient being a customer relationship," Carnahan said. "I think organizations that get this right can outperform other firms and produce better outcomes for all of their stakeholders." Explore further New study shows female physician bias in ICU admissions More information: Brad N. Greenwood el al., "Patientphysician gender concordance and increased mortality among female heart attack patients," PNAS (2018). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Brad N. Greenwood el al., "Patientphysician gender concordance and increased mortality among female heart attack patients,"(2018). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1800097115 Provided by Washington University in St. Louis NOTICE: TO BE CLEAR: WE HAVE OUTLINED UNDER OUR RECORD MAINTENANCE POLICY WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE A FAIR PROCESS FOR ALL. SIMPLY PUT: IF THE COURT SAW FIT TO EXPUNGE YOUR RECORD,SO WILL WE, FREE OF CHARGE. ARRESTS DO NOT IMPLY GUILT AND CRIMINAL CHARGES ARE MERELY ACCUSATIONS,EVERYONE IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW AND CONVICTED. FCRA DISCLAIMER: MUGSHOTS.COM DOES NOT PROVIDE CONSUMER REPORTS AND IS NOT A CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY. 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WE BELIEVE IN THE CONSTITUTION AND OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO PUBLISH UNPOPULAR SPEECH. OPEN RECORD LAWS WERE WRITTEN TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC; BY INFORMING THE PUBLIC OF ARRESTS AND TO HOLD LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF ARRESTEES. MOST OF, IF NOT ALL MUGSHOT LAWS WERE CRAFTED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM FEES FOR REMOVAL OF ONLINE MUGSHOTS AND TO FURTHER PROTECT THE PRESS FROM THOSE VERY SAME "MUGSHOT LAWS".WE DO NOT ACCEPT PAYMENT FOR REMOVAL OF ARREST INFORMATION AND/OR BOOKING PHOTOGRAPHS. MORE... Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life! The use of cheques is continuing to decline in South Africa as customers move to digital payments, according to Kenneth Matlhole from FNB Business. Over the years, the growing usage of electronic payment methods, high expenses, inefficient processes, and vulnerability to fraud have been key contributors to the global decline in cheques usage, said Matlhole. In addition, cheques do not offer users the convenience and relative security provided by digital payment solutions. He added that banks should educate customers about the benefits of more modern payment systems to assist with the migration away from cheque payments. Financial institutions provide a number of incentives to encourage customers to use using digital payment channels, as digital payments cost much less to process. The universal shift towards digital payments is rapidly emerging across societies and in markets such as the United Kingdom, weve seen dedicated working groups tasked with fact-finding around the future of cheques versus digital payments, said Matlhole. We are also on the same mission to understand our customers needs and how we can help in adopting alternative payment methods. The graph below shows cheques usage figures, as monitored by PASA. Leading gig economy companies including Uber and Lyft are quietly lobbying Californias top Democrats to override or undermine a court ruling that could make many of their contract workers into employees. In April, the California Supreme Court issued a far-reaching ruling which could make it much harder for companies to claim their workforces of independent contractors are not full-fledged employees under the states wage laws. Over the months since, business leaders have been pleading their case to state officials including members of Governor Jerry Browns cabinet, Browns presumed successor Gavin Newsom, and members of the state legislature. The business leaders are pushing to blunt the rulings impact, either through legislation or through executive action by the governor moves that would reverberate across the national debate over the rights and roles of workers in the modern gig economy, and what Democrats posture toward tech companies should be. The magnitude of this issue requires urgent leadership, nine companies wrote in a July 23 letter reviewed by Bloomberg, which warns of the ruling stifling innovation and threatening the livelihoods of millions of working Californians and says that without political intervention it will decimate businesses. The letter was sent on behalf of Uber Technologies Inc., Lyft Inc., Instacart Inc., DoorDash Inc., Postmates Inc., TaskRabbit Inc., Square Inc., Total System Services Inc. and Handy Technologies Inc. It was addressed to the governors secretary of labor and cabinet secretary. A spokeswoman for the governors office declined to comment on whether Brown, whose final term ends in January, was mulling granting the companies pleas. Spokespeople for Lyft, Handy, TaskRabbit, Square, Postmates and Instacart declined to comment on the companies lobbying efforts. DoorDash did not respond to inquiries. Spokespeople for TSYS and Uber referred requests for comment to the California Chamber of Commerce, which has been an outspoken opponent of the new requirements. If you have a business model that doesnt lend itself to the strict structure that an employer-employee relationship dictates, said the Chambers president and CEO Allan Zaremberg, then the ruling puts you in a situation that its almost impossible to continue your business model. Zaremberg declined to comment on the prospect of executive action from the governors office, but said the Chamber aims to get a legislative fix introduced and passed by the states assembly and senate before the legislative session closes at the end of the month. Without it, he said, workers and companies alike will be hamstrung, and whole sectors of Californias economy could be in jeopardy. People depend very much now on an on-demand economy, said Zaremberg. In the worst-case scenario, it isnt a viable business model anymore. Workers advocates counter that responsible companies should welcome the clarity of the courts April ruling. Its been a bit of a free-for-all, particularly in California, where a whole economy of companies has risen up in recent years saying that they can build their workforce off of workers that dont have any employment protections, said attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan, who represents workers currently suing companies including Uber, Lyft, Postmates and DoorDash over alleged denials of employee rights (the companies have denied wrongdoing). It would be crazy for the California governor or legislature to abandon protections for workers in order to help multi-billion-dollar companies build an economy that completely excludes protections for workers rights. Federal and California state laws entitle employees to a suite of rights including minimum wage, overtime pay, protection from sexual harassment, payroll tax contributions from employers and the chance to win collective bargaining. Those perks dont extend to independent contractors, a category for workers with greater autonomy to choose the terms of their work. The boundary between an employee and a contractor can be fuzzy, though, and is defined differently under different laws. The question of who gets employee protections has been hotly contested in a slew of government agency proceedings and lawsuits around the country, frequently targeting app-based sectors like ride-sharing as well as older industries such as trucking and health care. The April ruling in the California case, Dynamex Operations West Inc. v. Superior Court of Los Angeles, established whats sometimes called an ABC test for enforcement of the states wage laws. Among the key elements of the new standard, which is more stringent than most states or the federal governments, is the determination that people are employees of a company unless they are conducting work that is outside the usual course of the companys business. For businesses whose core capacity is delivering a service to customers via an army of workers classified as independent contractors, that could be a challenging test to pass. The court ruling applied only to California, but companies worry that, along with upending their operations in the nations most populous state, it could be a harbinger of things to come elsewhere. The week after the Dynamex decision, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a bill backed by a handful of fellow potential contenders for the Democratic Partys 2020 presidential nomination that would make an equivalent ABC test the standard for federal labor laws, like who has the right to unionize. Rather than treating that as an idle threat, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has already been lobbying congressional offices about the bill, according to federal disclosures. In meetings with U.S. Senate staff, business leaders have been emphasizing the downsides of Dynamexs ABC test, according to a person familiar with the conversations. Getting Democratically controlled California to pump the breaks on its new court-decreed standard could also have a significant impact on national-level discussions. In their letter to Governor Brown, the businesses floated options to curtail the rulings influence. Those included issuing an executive order barring state agencies from implementing the ABC test, reviving a defunct state commission that could amend it and passing legislation that would suspend it. The companies cite an estimate by the pro-free-market research group R Street Institute that more than 300,000 California workers could be newly considered employees rather than independent contractors due to the ruling. Once the imminent damage from Dynamex is averted, the companies say in the letter, there could be a robust legislative discussion about how we can collectively invest to protect worker voices and benefits in the new economy, as well as a balanced test for who is an employee. Besides the letter, the companies have also met with the governors office to plead their case, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because the meetings were private. And they have discussed the issue with the Democrats who lead the states assembly and senate and with Lieutenant Governor Newsom. Spokespeople for Newsom, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins declined to comment. Gig-economy startups arent the only companies concerned. The Im Independent Coalition, a project of the California Chamber of Commerce devoted to opposing the ABC test, also counts the Internet Association as a backer. The associations members include Google, Amazon and Facebook, all of which also hire contractors. The internet industry is concerned about the implications of the Dynamex ruling and its potential to jeopardize internet-enabled, freelance work, the associations California government affairs director Kevin McKinley said in an emailed statement. The Chambers coalition also includes the state associations representing restaurants, retailers, publishers, hospitals, shopping centers, child-care providers, farms, grape growers, manufacturers, trucking, taxis, ambulances and insurers. The coalition has gathered statements from workers about why they prefer to be classified as contractors, and is working to mobilize some for an Aug. 15 rally at the state capitol in Sacramento. Company officials are also urging their own workers to join the cause. On Thursday, DoorDash sent an email to its California Dashers telling them that the Dynamex ruling threatens their flexibility to choose when, where and how you want to work, and providing a web tool to send their state legislators a message asking them to help protect my freedom to choose the way I work. Labor advocates say theres no reason for California to water down workers rights. These companies continue to have choices about their business model, union leaders from the states building trades, Teamsters union affiliates, and AFL-CIO chapter told Governor Brown and legislative leaders in a July letter reviewed by Bloomberg. They can convert workers to employees and retain control over their work rules and their rates. Or they can contract with true independent contractors. The only thing they cant do after Dynamex is have their cake and eat it too. Now read: Uber appoints former Northrop CEO as chairman Vodacom has won the latest fight against its rival MTN in the ongoing war between the two operators as to who can claim to have the best network in South Africa. In June 2018, the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA) ruled that Vodacoms claim it was SAs best network for 3 years in a row was misleading, and must be retracted. This came after MTN lodged a complaint with the ASA against Vodacoms ad in which it claimed to have South Africas best network citing SA Consumer Satisfaction Index (SAcsi) data. MTN argued that Vodacom previously relied on network speed test data to back its claims, but when data from Ookla and MyBroadband no longer substantiated its advertisements, it switched to SAcsis measures. New Vodacom claim, and an MTN complaint After Vodacom was ordered to withdraw its claim of SAs best network for 3 years in a row, it changed its advertising to say SAs Best Network. This claim appeared in various Vodacom marketing campaigns, which included TV, online, and in-store ads. MTN lodged a breach complaint with the ASA, arguing that Vodacoms claim to have SAs Best Network is in breach of the ASAs ruling in June. MTN said Vodacoms best network claims, which are based on the SAcsi consumer perception surveys, blur the line between customer opinion and true network performance. It added that Vodacom conceded it no longer had SAs Best Network from a network performance perspective, but still uses the claim. Vodacom responds Vodacom responded, saying it removed for 3 years in a row from its initial SAs best network for 3 years in a row claim. Vodacom argued that MTNs breach complaint is against its use of the term SAs Best Network, which was not considered in its initial complaint. The ASA ruled on its use of the term SAs best network for 3 years in a row, and that MTN cannot expect the ASA to now rule on its Best Claim in a breach complaint, said Vodacom. Vodacom added that its claim to have SAs Best Network is made in a non-network performance context. Vodacom further submitted data from Ookla which showed that it had the fastest 4G network in South Africa, and ATIO drive test results which showed that it had the top network speeds. ASA ruling The ASA ruled that while Vodacoms best network claims in some cases point to network performance, the latest network testing data from ATIO and Ookla support its claims. It added that Vodacom has removed for 3 years in a row and is now writing out SA Customer Satisfaction Index as apposed to using the acronym SAcsi. This satisfies the ruling in June, which means that Vodacom is not in breach of the ruling, said the ASA. Old Vodacom advertisements New Vodacom advertisement Mechanical deficiencies tied to fatal water tender crash A California Highway Patrol investigation of the fatal water tender crash on Oakville Grade last October concluded that the truck was mechanically deficient, according to a report Monday by KQEDs The California Report. KQED obtained the CHPs investigation through a public records request. The CHP blamed the crash on the water tenders diminished braking capacity along with the vehicles speed and the sharp turns as the truck came down the steep grade, The California Report said. The crash, which occurred at 7 a.m. on Oct. 16, killed the driver, Garrett Paiz, 38, who was a contract employee from Missouri working for Tehama Transport in Red Bluff. Tehama Transport was one of many private contractors hired by Cal Fire to help fight the conflagrations. Paiz was one of seven people killed in Napa County by the fires that ringed Napa Valley in mid-October. New survey data has leaders thinking about how to better educate Upvalley students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Bhutan recorded the highest footfall of international tourists last year with 62,272 visitors, according to a Kuensel report quoting Bhutan Tourism Monitor 2017. According to the report, this is a growth in international tourists of 14.1 per cent over the previous year. Of the 71,417 international arrivals, 9,145 were official and business arrivals, the report added. The report further added that more than half of the international tourists (54.7 per cent) were from the Asia and Pacific region followed by Europe and North America at 24.8 and 18 percent. Middle-East and Africa comprise less than one per cent, according to the report. Bhutan received a total of 254,704 visitors last year, of which 183,287 were regional visitors from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives. While tourist arrivals increased by 21.5 per cent in 2017, Bhutan saw the highest growth in 2016 with 35 per cent increase in total visitors in the last five years. According to the report, income from tourism has increased by 8.2 per cent or $ 6.07 M compared to 2016 while income from international leisure tourists increased from $ 73.74 M in 2016 to $ 79.807 M last year. Female visitors made up a majority with 59.1 percent and most visitors were between 41 and 60 years, the report added. India remains the main source market with 172,751 arrivals. Bangladesh and USA follow next with 10,536 and 9,220 visitors respectively. A team of Golaghat Police led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Partha Pratim Saikia on Saturday went to Doyang Hydro-Electric Project (DHEP) situated at Wokha district of Nagaland to inquire into the release of water by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO) authority without giving prior information either to the district administration or to the State Government of Assam. The police team served notice to a top NEEPCO official to appear before the Golaghat PS on Sunday. Saturdays development came after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator from Khumtai, Mrinal Saikia, lodged an FIR against the NEEPCO for the prevailing flood situation in Golaghat district due to release of dam water. Based on the FIR, the police have registered a case (No 578/18) under Sections 120 B (punishment for criminal conspiracy), 304 A (causing death by negligence) of the IPC, read with Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, which deals with mischief causing damage to public property and mischief causing damage to public property by fire or explosive substance respectively. Also read: Flood in Assams Golaghat: Khumtai MLA Mrinal Saikia files case against NEEPCO The FIR has been filed against the chairman of NEEPCO and the chief project officer of DHEP. Our team went to DHEP and took the project officer, Priyabrata Das, to Bhandari Police Station in Nagaland where he was served a notice under Section 41 (A) of Criminal Procedure Code and asked him to appear at Golaghat Police Station tomorrow to record his statement, said Dhruba Jyoti Bora, Additional Superintendent of Police, Golaghat. On the other hand, the flood victims from various villages of the district on Saturday thronged the Golaghat Police Station campus and demanded immediate arrest of NEEPCO officials on the basis of the case registered. Earlier, media reports stated that the chief project officer DHEP was arrested by Assam Police on the basis of the FIR lodged at Golaghat PS. Armenia MOD: Air defense troops will be used in accordance with government regulations Russian-Armenian University in Armenia opens Confucius classroom Armenia Security Council head: We are ready to start relations with Turkey Armenia Security Council secretary: Karabakh will never be part of Azerbaijan Armenia planning to exclude double taxation in economic relations with Malta and Singapore Aliyev thanks Erdogan for moral support in aggression against Karabakh Armenia ruling faction leader meets with Russia Ambassador, discusses return of Armenian POWs Ambassador: China, Armenia working to resume bilateral flights Turkish defense minister on Armenia's transfer of mine maps Armenia Security Council: Approach in our perception is that Russia peacekeepers will stay in Artsakh longer Security Council chief: Armenia ready for border delimitation, demarcation with Azerbaijan Ambassador Fan: China may donate new batch of COVID-19 vaccines to Armenia 1 more person dies of coronavirus in Artsakh Irakanum.am: 4 Armenian soldiers injured after grenade explosion in Vardenis Ambassador on China participation in Armenias North-South project: There are issues that will be resolved Armenia government to allocate about $28m to Karabakh PM: Today there is historical minimum number of arrestees, convicts in Armenia Doctor, head nurse detained in Gyumri Armenias Aragatsotn has new provincial governor Armenia health minister on Covid situation: 1,088 in severe, 307 in critical conditions, 152 hooked up to ventilators PM on worsening coronavirus situation in Armenia: We should not resort to lockdowns 2,307 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia President in UAE, meets with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Russia peacekeepers help to provide drinking water to more than 300 families in remote village of Artsakh Armenia government holding Cabinet meeting US, Turkey discuss South Caucasus Armenia ombudsman releases video on Azerbaijan army units unlawful deployment in Gegharkunik Province (VIDEO) Armenia legislature continues regular sittings Newspaper: Every day Azerbaijanis set new order on section of Armenias Goris-Kapan motorway Newspaper: Coronavirus vaccinations to be paid for in Armenia? Deputy PM: Unblocking of communications does not mean expansion of Turkish capital to Armenia Armenia's Pashinyan admits that he personally gave the order to pull out troops from Syunik Province Satanovsky: Moscow was setting forth much more favorable ideas for Armenia than what had to be accepted Armenia PM: Talks with logic of 'corridor' are escalating tension in the region Armenia PM: 72% of Karabakh's territories occupied by Baku were subject for bargain during former administration Ararat Mirzoyan: Team representing Armenia's interests submitted a serious claim to International Court of Justice Satanovsky on 'Zangezur corridor', new war in region and use of Bayraktar in Donbas Pashinyan not ruling out determination of Armenia-Azerbaijan borders based on maps that Putin indicated US Ambassador: American companies in Armenia see that students lack knowledge and skills Armenia Parliament Speaker on demonstration held against him in Cyprus Nikol Pashinyan: Armenia's borders remain unchanged Armenia Deputy PM reports results of negotiations over unblocking of roads in the region Armenia PM invites two opposition parliamentary factions to hold a meeting Armenian FM: No meeting of leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan scheduled yet Azerbaijani army general sentenced to ten years in jail Armenia opposition MP to MOD: Why aren't names of soldiers killed in 44-day war and buried made public? Dollar gains value in Armenia Armenia PM: No positional changes on Mount Pela Premier pays tribute to victims of October 27, 1999 tragedy in Armenia legislature St. Giragos Armenian church in Turkeys Diyarbakir expected to reopen next Easter Two US Senators urge Biden to waive sanctions against India for purchase of S-400s Armenia National Assembly elects Central Bank board new member We hope Iran will act smart in relations with Azerbaijan, says Erdogan US, Indonesia call for new forum to combat future pandemics Erdogan announces what Aliyev said about Israel Lavrov: Russia is checking news about Ukraine using Turkish Bayraktar in Donbas Armenia society knows answers left open to questions on 27 October 1999 parliament tragedy, says speaker Armenia justice minister receives invitation from his Lithuanian counterpart to visit Lithuania for cooperation Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra: Vatican Apostolic Nunciature office opening in Armenia will be symbol of regional peace FM: Vatican has always stood with Armenia Aliyev, Erdogan want to unite Turkic world via Armenia Provincial governor of Armenias Aragatsotn submits resignation Situation at Armenia legislature gets tense Azerbaijanis steal 32 cows, 13 calves of Artsakh town resident, investigation underway Armenia FM meets with visiting Holy See official Vatican Apostolic Nunciature office to open in Armenia Art of Armenian writing is put on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list (PHOTOS) Azerbaijan to allocate $4.5 billion for defense spending in 2022 Armenia legislature forms committee to investigate how Hayastan All Armenian Fund donations were used Forced deportee from Artsakh occupied territory: We prepared humanitarian asylum requesting letter to France President 2,074 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia President in Saudi Arabia, speaks with Crown Prince Armenia parliament ratifies CIS agreement on collaboration in fight against IT crimes Brazil Senate panel votes in favor of bringing criminal charges against President Bolsonaro Armenia legislature starts Wednesdays session by honoring 27 October 1999 parliament tragedy victims Only December 31, January 1 and 6 to be non-working days for New Year, Christmas holidays in Armenia Armenia parliament continues regular sessions Sikh men use their turbans to rescue hikers in Canada Newspaper: What do we have on Armenia parliament fatal shooting case 3 years after change of power? Newspaper: All accused to remain in custody in Armenia ex-defense minister criminal case Newspaper: Armenian ambassador is spreader of US Influence? Istanbul changes name of street named after famous Armenian engineer again US supports Taiwan's participation in the United Nations' system Armenia's economic activity indicator continues to decline Armenia President Armen Sarkissian pays historic visit to Saudi Arabia Turkey's Erdogan: If Armenia "solves problems with Baku", there will be no other obstacle for normalization of relations Honorary Citizen of Yerevan title bestowed upon cultural figures on occasion of city's 2,803rd birthday Yerevan Council of Elders decides to place memorial plaques for four famous people Mayor: There are three times more vaccinated citizens in Yerevan than in the whole country Yerevan mayor: There is no alternative to conservation of trash chutes in apartment buildings Latvia President recovers from COVID-19 Armenia Health Ministry: Foreigners and stateless persons can receive AstraZeneca and Sputnik V vaccines Tert.am: Resident of Armenia's Goris: Azerbaijanis stopped my car, hit it and used swear words Australian MP talks about Azerbaijan's aggression, calls for maintenance of ceasefire Yerevan mayor says he has never made exception for anyone since first day of office Armenia Deputy PM presents Government's Action Plan to ambassadors and representatives of international organizations Trade turnover between Eurasian Economic Union countries grows by 31.3% in eight months of 2021 armtimes.com: Armenia ruling party's candidate in Vedi is ex-governor of Ararat Province Garik Sargsyan MP says only 7% of Armenia's population is vaccinated Turkish FM threatens to resign due to scandal over ambassadors The Armenian National Committee of New Zealand (ANC-NZ) has formally launched to coincide with events in capital Wellington and Auckland, which will raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide and the century-long battle for justice. ANC-NZs inaugural Chairperson will be Ms Hoory Yeldizian, who announced her newly-formed organisations goals at the New Zealand Parliament, where an international delegation is visiting, which includes Boston-based Professor Taner Akcam and her colleagues from the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU), including Executive Director Haig Kayserian. Our primary objectives are to advocate for the interests and concerns of the Armenian-New Zealander community to the New Zealand Government and its agencies, including in relation to local community issues, fostering closer cultural and trade relations between New Zealand and the Republic of Armenia, as well as public awareness in support of a independent Armenia and its security, to advance the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the New Zealand Government, for the recognition of the Republic of Artsakh, and to represent the collective Armenian-New Zealander viewpoint on matters of public policy, Yeldizian said. She added: "We are very grateful to our colleagues across the ditch at the Armenian National Committee of Australia for helping us join the international family of ANCs, and we look forward to working closely with them. And this couldnt have been achieved without the support of the Armenian Society of New Zealand and the Armenian Society of Wellington, who we look forward to working alongside to achieve tangible outcomes for the greater Armenian good." Kayserian, who was present at the inaugural events on behalf of ANC-AU along with Administrator Olivia Dilanchian, congratulated the new ANC-NZ team. We very much welcome and are beyond delighted at the formation of ANC in New Zealand, which is made up passionate Armenian-New Zealanders with outstanding resumes, ready to do their community proud, Kayserian said. An ANC-ANZ Council is also being established to help coordinate closer cooperation and resources between ANC-AU and ANC-NZ, and for their Trans-Tasman activities. Joining Yeldizian, who is a solicitor, on the inaugural Committee is Politics lecturer, Dr. Maria Armoudian, forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Yvette Kelly and digital marketing consultant, Alex Yeldizian. Further additions are expected to be announced in coming months. Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has been accused of Islamophobia after saying Muslim women wearing burkas "look like letter boxes", BBC reported. He said he was against bans on face-covering veils in public places, in his Telegraph column, but added that they looked "absolutely ridiculous". The Muslim Council of Britain accused him of "pandering to the far right". Labour MP Jess Phillips said she would report Mr Johnson to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The Muslim Council of Britain said the comments were "particularly regrettable in this current climate, where Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred is becoming worryingly pervasive". He said he felt "fully entitled" to expect women to remove face coverings when talking to him at his MP surgery - and schools and universities should be able to take the same approach if a student "turns up... looking like a bank robber". He said businesses and government agencies should be able to "enforce a dress code" that allowed them to see customers' faces. But he said: "Such restrictions are not quite the same as telling a free-born adult woman what she may or may not wear, in a public place, when she is simply minding her own business." He said a total ban on face-covering veils would give a boost to radicals who said there was a "clash of civilisations" between Islam and the West and could lead to "a general crackdown on any public symbols of religious affiliation". AQAP Explains Position on Conflict with IS in Yemen North Koreas Foreign Minister will visit Teheran on Tuesday amid flaring tension between Iran and the United States. Ri Yong Ho is due to meet Tuesday with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Teheran, Iranian conservative news agency Fars said on Saturday without further details. Ri is thought to have met with a high-level Iranian delegation at a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Baku, Azerbaijan in April, media including the Korean Central News Agency reports. The Tuesday meeting is taking place against the background of flaring diplomatic tension between the Islamic Republic and the United States (U.S.). The U.S. is due this week to re-impose economic sanctions after President Donald Trump tore the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers. The Trump administration is also carrying a hostile campaign against Irans oil for its abandonment by allies, by November 4. North Koreas leader Kim Jong UN on June 12 reached a denuclearization agreement with Trump. Teheran following the agreement warned Pyongyang against the deal claiming that the US leader cannot be trusted. The deal which received world attention is being contemplated and hoped for by a segment of Iranian politicians who have called on President Hassan Rouhani to accept Trumps early last week offer to meet with authorities in Teheran for talks. Iran and North Korea are accused of collaborating in many fields in the past. In a 2017 report, it noted the presence of designated North Korean weapons traffickers living in Tehran and the similarity between missile designs in the two countries, reports say. Saudi Arabia announced Sunday suspensions of all trade and business deals with Canada over what it termed interference into its internal affairs following a call by the Canadian foreign ministry to free all civil rights activists languishing in prison in the kingdom. The Saudi foreign ministry also gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the kingdom. It also recalled its ambassador in Montreal, state-run news SPA reported. The kingdom also claimed it retained its right to take further action. The strong rhetoric came after Saudi authorities said they were called on by the Canadian foreign ministry and the Canadian embassy to immediately release civil rights activists including the in-law of dual Canadian and Saudi citizen. Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in #SaudiArabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists, Global Affairs Canada said on its Twitter feed on Friday. Samar Badawi is sister of Saudi blogger jailed dissident blogger Raif Badawi whose wife Ensaf Haidar recently obtained the Canadian citizenship. Saudi authorities arrested last week Samar and Nassima al-Sadah in a new wave of clampdown on activists including journalists and clerics. Dozens of women activists who protested for the abolition on a ban on womens rights to drive and male guardianship system have been squatting in prison for several months. Saudi authorities protested against the Canadian foreign ministrys Tweeter post. The Canadian position is an attack on Saudi Arabia that requires a firm stance towards it. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its absolute and categorical rejection of the position of the Canadian government, the foreign ministry statement said. The legitimate rights (of those arrested) have not been denied and they were provided with all guarantees during the investigation and trial stages, The kingdom also threatened to interfere in Canadian affairs should the Ottawa repeat it again. Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as acknowledgment of our right to interfere in the Canadian domestic affairs, the ministry said. In 2014, the Canadian unit of US weapons maker General Dynamics Corp. won a contract worth up to $13 billion to build light-armored vehicles for Saudi Arabia, in what Ottawa said at the time was the largest advanced manufacturing export win in Canadian history, Reuters reports. Saudi Arabia will allow an Iran official to take up position in the kingdom since 2016 the year the largest Sunni country has severed ties with its regional arch rival Iran, reports say. An informed diplomatic source said Sunday that Saudi Arabia had agreed to grant a visa to the head of Irans interests section, state-owned Iran news agency IRNA said on Sunday. Observers saw this as a positive diplomatic step in Tehran-Riyadh relations. The move was confirmed by the foreign ministrys spokesperson, Bahram Qasemi, who called it a breakthrough. Up until two weeks ago, no visa had been issued for the names that we had submitted a long time ago, the official said in an interview. But within the last week or two, there has been a breakthrough and I think there are indications that the office for the protection of interests will be opened, he added. The official who has not been named will be heading the office located in the Swiss embassy, reports say. The move is first ever since 2016 when Saudi Arabia cut off ties with Iran after the Saudi mission in Teheran was stormed and torched in a protest following the execution of top Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia, in January 2016. Both countries agreed to Switzerlands offer of its traditional policy of good offices and to act as a diplomatic channel between the two countries, Reuters reports. Both countries are involved proxy wars in the several countries including Yemen. The Sunni kingdom entered the poorest Arab countries in 2015 with the support of several other Muslim-dominated countries and the west in a move to restore the authority of President Mansour Hadi who has lost the capital Sanaa and vast majority of the north to Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Known for pushing boundaries with regards to the lyrical content of her music, Madonna is now intent on pushing boundaries with regards to philanthropy. As part of her plans to mark her 60th birthday which will fall on 16th August, Madonna is partnering with Ripple in a month-long initiative to raise funds aimed at assisting orphans in Malawi through Raising Malawi, a charity the Queen of Pop founded more than a decade ago. During the fundraising period that started from July 30 and which will run until August 31, Ripple has committed to matching all the public donations that will be made in support of Madonnas cause. Partner with us to sponsor children thru @raisingmalawi and help transform their futures. https://t.co/3oDK7HI4fZ Ripple (@Ripple) July 30, 2018 According to Madonna, the donations will specifically benefit the work of the nonprofit at the Home of Hope orphanage in Malawi. At the time of writing US$28,783 had been raised via Madonnas Facebook page. Hundreds of Thousands of Orphans to Benefit In a statement released by Ripple, the firm noted that Malawi has close to one million children who have been orphaned after their parents died from HIV/AIDS-related complications. Were honored to be a part of Raising Malawis amazing work with some of the worlds most underserved children, Ripples senior vice president of business operations, Eric van Miltenburg, said. Ripples statement did not, however, indicate whether the donations would be matched in XRP or USD. According to Miltenburg, Ripple was introduced to Raising Malawi by its investors at Sound Ventures, a tech investment fund founded by Hollywood actor Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary six years ago. Saving Endangered Species From Extinction Story continues In May this year, as CCN reported, Kutcher partnered with Ripple to donate US$4 million in XRP to the Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund, a nonprofit started by comedian and daytime talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres, with a view of supporting global conservation efforts for species that are critically endangered. I love to make my friends cry tears of joy pic.twitter.com/8bWD21qamv ashton kutcher (@aplusk) May 23, 2018 Earlier this year, Ripple and its executives donated XRP worth approximately US$29 million to support public schools in the United States via the DonorsChoose.org nonprofit. As the nonprofit noted, the Ripple donation was the biggest that DonorsChoose had ever received after being in existence for close to two decades. We cant believe that just happened. With the largest single donation in our history, @Ripple just funded EVERY SINGLE CLASSROOM PROJECT on our site. Happy #BestSchoolDay! https://t.co/HMYS3w9aXV pic.twitter.com/HZHQTpmXEY DonorsChoose (@DonorsChoose) March 28, 2018 The donation by Ripple and its executives fulfilled requests that teachers from over 28,000 public schools had made thus giving the educators and their students access to school supplies books, field trips, technology as well as other resources required for learning. We are awestruck by the generosity of the Ripple team, the founder of DonorsChoose, Charles Best, said in a statement. Their gift will provide learning materials and experiences to more than a million students, overwhelmingly in low-income communities. Featured image from Shutterstock. The post Madonna Partners With Ripple to Help Malawis HIV/AIDS Orphans appeared first on CCN. sure jan it's probably not happening Reply Thread Link According to an insider, it most likely is happening because Henry Cavil is leaving and they want to keep the Kryptonian aspects in the DCEU (or whatever it's called) Edited at 2018-08-06 06:22 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link yep, though it's not so much that he's leaving but that contract negotiations are dragging. they want to maintain a super- persona in the meantime, whether henry stays after lengthy negotiations or they recast. also people need to realize that the films announced under walter hamada are almost certainly going to be made. only the pre-2018 slate is up in the air, chiefly cyborg's solo and further justice league films. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link like those Batman or Green Lantern Corp or Flashpoint movies eh? Reply Thread Link I watched Game Night this weekend and I'm so ready for the flash movie, from the same directors Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Supergirl has always been the #2 most popular female superhero (imo) but has there ever been a successful iteration of this on screen? Reply Thread Link There was a movie made in the 80s, I don't believe it was very popular though. Reply Parent Thread Link The 80s movie was terrible. I loved it. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link It was wretched. It had Helen Slater doing her best plank-of-wood impression, cheesy special effects, a bizarre plot, and Faye-Freakin'-Dunaway as a sorceress who gets her hands on a Kryptonian artifact. I watched it a bunch of times, of course. Reply Parent Thread Link There was only ever the 1 movie. Reply Parent Thread Link !! I never read the comics, but I adored the first season of the show. But taking this with a grain of salt, I guess. Reply Thread Link this will go the same way as the Flash movie Reply Thread Link so filming in february with a full cast and named directors? Reply Parent Thread Link i believe it when i see it Reply Parent Thread Link Not surprised. Henry Cavil is leaving and according to someone with inside knowledge this is their way to keep aspects of Krypton in the DCEU. But Warner Bros and DC in general is such a mess tbh I was reading on twitter that they're looking at Alexandria Daddario to be their Huntress in Birds of Prey i.e. they're not looking for a WOC to play the role. It's like they look for ways to purposely mess things up. Reply Thread Link why is he leaving? He's nothing without the character Reply Parent Thread Link Apparently he wants creative control over the franchise and well WB/DC aren't about that. He sees that they've given Margot Robbie and to an extent Gal Gadot creative control over their characters and he wants that. He's even having his agents tell WB that he's in the running to be the new James Bond and WB/DC are just like "okay." From what I've heard, Mission Impossible doing so well has his head becoming big and thinking it's him so he has all these A-list demands and WB/DC are perfectly fine moving on without him. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link If it does happen though, can we get a woman on the script? I just cannot and will not trust men writing women anymore. Reply Thread Link Is this happening before or after the Nightwing and Batgirl movies? Reply Thread Link Enough of these superhero movies Reply Thread Link fr i do support this one tho and wonder woman. keep the girl ones coming lmfao even tho i dont watch Edited at 2018-08-06 06:45 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link What kind of comment is this??? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link People have been saying this hardcore since 2015. Aint nothing happening. Reply Parent Thread Link no Reply Parent Thread Link No. Not when they finally started to have female and POC as the leads. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link We keep watching them though... Reply Parent Thread Link this sounds like a very good idea and i have no doubt it will be an excellent addition to an already thriving movieverse Reply Thread Link alkjsdflkasf Reply Parent Thread Link divorced Reply Parent Thread Link lmao Reply Parent Thread Link Damn Reply Parent Thread Link You almost sound sarcastic. Reply Parent Thread Link ugh just stop green lighting random movies left and right, take a couple of years, get your shit together, recast everyone and start over. Reply Thread Link looking at that illustration...will men ever understand how real boobs work??? Reply Thread Link lily james looks like she could be henry cavill's cousin, so i'll take that Reply Parent Thread Link Hopefully she got better teeth. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Lily James would be soo good as Batgirl Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Adam Putnam on Monday rolled out a new endorsement from Florida's lieutenant governor. Touting Putnam's experience and qualifications, Carlos Lopez-Cantera embraced the state's commissioner of agriculture and took a veiled shot at his opponent in the Republican primary, U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis. "Adam is a family man, a strong defender of the 2nd Amendment and the only candidate in this race supported by Florida law enforcement," Lopez-Cantera said in a statement released by Putnam's campaign. "While other candidates in this race are too busy with their own agenda, Adam is busy with Floridas Agenda. Our next Governor needs to know the details of Florida better than a they know the details of TV studios in the nations swamp." Endorsements rarely move the needle in elections, and that's probably the case here as Putnam seeks the Republican nomination for governor in the Aug. 28 primary. But the endorsement is interesting in its context for Lopez-Cantera. Florida's Republican lieutenant governor -- a former Miami-Dade property appraiser and state Rep. in Coconut Grove -- is widely expected to run for Miami-Dade mayor in 2020. He's choosing to back Putnam even though polls show he's behind DeSantis -- who is backed by President Donald Trump. Lopez-Cantera is also endorsing Putnam on the same day that the congressman is appearing in Miami. ExxonMobil is close to discovering huge oil reserves in Pakistan near the border with Iran, and those reserves could even be larger than the oil reserves of Kuwait, the Pakistani Minister for Maritime Affairs and Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Hussain Haroon, said over the weekend. Addressing business leaders at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Haroon said that Exxon had drilled for oil close to the Iranian border and that the U.S. supermajor was optimistic about the oil find. Foreign investors are interested in coming to Pakistan, provided we manage to meet their standards and attract them to make investment, the Pakistani minister said in a press release published by the FPCCI. According to Arab News, if the oil discovery in Pakistan turns out to be as large as expected, the country would rank among the worlds top ten oil producing countries, ahead of Kuwait. Kuwaits total proved oil reserves were 101.5 billion barrels at the end of 2017, according to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2018. The Kuwaiti reserves account for 6 percent of the worlds total proved oil reserves, putting Kuwait among the top ten countries in terms of largest oil reserves per country after Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Iran, Iraq, and Russia. In Pakistan, ExxonMobil signed an agreement in May this year to take a 25-percent working interest in the Indus Block G offshore Pakistan, where the other partners in the block are Italys major Eni and Pakistans Government Holdings Pvt Ltd and Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL). According to Arab News, Pakistan currently meets just 15 percent of its petroleum demand with domestic crude oil production, while 85 percent of its demand is met with imports. With the high imports, and the higher oil prices in recent months, Pakistan faces a large current account deficit and spends a substantial portion of its foreign exchange reserves on importing oil. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Indian Oil Corporation, the countrys biggest refining company, plans to invest US$25.5 billion (1.75 trillion rupee) in boosting its oil refining capacity, local media report, citing the companys chairman Sanjiv Singh. Singh said plans are to expand the companys refining capacity to 150 million tons of oil derivatives annually from the current 80.7 million tons by 2030. "As the leading refiner in the country and a dominant player across a diverse portfolio of offerings in energy, IOC is focussing on all emerging opportunities for organic and inorganic growth through vertical integration and strategic diversification, besides pursuing value-creating research areas," the executive said. Some of the projects that make up the investment strategy are already underway, but the majority have yet to be launched. These will include the upgrade of existing IOC refineries as well as the construction of new processing facilities. The largest among them will be the Ratnagiri refinery and petrochemical complex, on which IOC has partnered with Saudi Aramco and Emirati Adnoc. The Ratnagiri refinery will have an annual capacity of 60 million tons of crude oil and will cost US$44 billion. Half of this will be provided by Aramco and Adnoc as the two seek to secure future markets for their crude oil. The expansion strategy will also involve growing IOCs pipeline network, which at the end of the period will stand at 20,000 km, Singh also said. Related: OPEC Oil Production Surges 340,000 Bpd As Saudis Pump Near Record India is the worlds leader in crude oil demand growth, importing most of the oil it consumes. The countrys demand for fuels in June rose 8.6 percent, with consumption hitting 17.99 million tons, according to statistical data for that month released in July. The upward trend is expected to continue. Still, IOC is not relying exclusively on oil: the refiner has begun branching out in natural gas, renewable energy, and EVs. Last month, Singh warned that if oil prices rise above US$80 a barrel soon, this will slow down Indian fuel demand growth, as robust demand growth forecasts for the period until 2040 are based on prices of US$83 for Brent in 2025 and US$113 in 2040. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Late last month, reports emerged from Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies that the Yemen Houthi rebels had attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the strait of Bab el-Mandeb, one of which sustained moderate damage. The Houthis, meanwhile, reported they had in fact attacked a Saudi warship, the Al-Damman frigate. Taking anything reported by either the Houthis or the Saudis at face value is risky business, but defense and security expert Stephen Bryen has written an article for Asia Times on the possibility of each of these narratives being true. The Houthis are aware, Bryen says, that an attack on a Saudi oil tanker would be perceived as a provocation, and this provocation would be a blow to Iran, which sponsors the rebels. The Houthis claim therefore that the Saudi reports of such an attack are a provocationand a deliberate one. This is a possibility: there are those who believe that Saudi Arabia, by claiming that the Houthis tried to sink an oil tanker, might be trying to pull the United States into the Yemen war. The suspension of oil shipments via Bab el-Mandeb, which immediately pushed prices higher, would certainly give the U.S. incentive to intervene. It is important to note, however, that such suggestions are pure speculation at the moment. According to Bryen, whatever the motivation behind Saudi Arabias reports, it is much more likely that the Houthis hit a frigate, based on previous attacks on other Saudi warships and the weaponssuicide boats, missile launchers, and dronesthat the Yemeni rebel group has at its disposal. Whats more, a Houthi military official told Chinese Xinhua that the Saudi ship was in the war zone in the Red Sea. Related: A Price Spike Looms For Natural Gas It is literally anyones guess who is telling the truth and who is lying. There are indeed two sides to every story, but in this story the sides are so hostile towards each other that any report coming from one side or the other needs to be taken with not a pinch, but a spoonful of salt. The latest news from Sanaa has not helped clear the fog around the Red Sea events. The Houthis announced a two-week ceasefire in Red Sea operations, adding it could be extended if the Saudis and the Emiratis respond favorably. Whats more, "it can be renewed and expanded to other fronts if this initiative is well-received and reciprocated." This olive branch just opens more ground for speculation. The ceasefire could be an attempt at reputation management if the attack was indeed against an oil tanker, hence a clear provocation that led to the obvious result of Saudi Arabia suspending oil shipments via the Bab el-Mandeb. Related: Something Strange Is Happening In The Saudi Oil Patch On the other hand, it could just as well be a logical outcome of ongoing peace negotiations mediated by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths who recently described a meeting with Houthi leader as fruitful. The ball is now in the Saudi/Emirati field. The coalition has had a tough time trying to gain control over the critical port of Hodeidah. The ceasefire could provide the coalition with an opportunity to exit this conflict while regaining some dignity in the face of what is quickly turning into the worst humanitarian crisis in recent memory. For Iran, the key sponsor for the Houthis, an end to the war might also be welcomea little good publicity would be a rare boost for Irans international image. As for the tanker/warship mystery, it will probably remain a mystery until the war is over. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: In the latest trade war tit-for-tat, China has included for the first time liquefied natural gas (LNG) in its list of goods up for a potential 25-percent import tariff, should the United States impose additional tariffs on Chinese imports. As the U.S.-China trade spat turns into a full-blown war with tariffs and retaliatory tariffs and threats of further tariffs, U.S. energy exports to China may suffer if Beijing follows through with its threat to slap tariffs on U.S. oil and oil product imports. Up until Friday, China had excluded LNG from the goods that it would hit with an import tariff in retaliation for a possible new U.S. round of tariffs on Chinese goods. The Friday statement from the Chinese commerce ministry has already had Chinese LNG end-users and suppliers saying that they would likely deter spot procurement of U.S. LNG cargoes in the near term if the tariff comes into effect. [A] 25% [tariff] is not something we can absorb even if domestic demand is strong, a source at a state-owned Chinese company told Platts on Monday. So while this uncertainty persists, I doubt buyers will be buying a lot of spot US LNG. Related: Diesel Trucks Arent Going Anywhere For private Chinese companies, a possible 25-percent tariff on LNG imports from the U.S. would completely eat away their margin, and would keep them from being able to afford the cost of importing spot U.S. LNG cargoes in the near term. According to S&P Global Platts Analytics data, Chinas imports of U.S. LNG jumped to more than 1.88 million mt in January to July 2018 alone, up from 1.61 million mt in all of 2017. Yet Chinese imports have declined over the past two months with just four cargoes in June and July versus five cargoes shipped in May alone, according to S&P Global Platts. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A high-voltage power line in Iraq has been targeted by Islamist militants eight times over the past two months, the countrys electricity ministry said, adding the latest attack caused power outages across three provinces. Power outages have been among the reasons for protests in several Iraqi cities over the past month, but at least some of these have been caused by IS attacks, it seems. Although Iraqs PM declared victory over the terrorist group at the end of last year after the battle for Mosul, there are still groups of IS militants remaining in the country, including near Kirkuk, in northern Iraq. While some outages have resulted from terrorist attacks, most of them seem to result from the poor state of the Iraqi grid, which has suffered years of neglect. The country has been hard pressed to find the money to repair and maintain the grid, along with tackling other pressing issues such as unemployment and lack of access to clean drinking waterother drivers of the protests. These, however, seem to have begun to calm down after intervention from the security forces and promises by PM Haider al-Abadi to find the funds for electricity and clean water projects. The most likely source of these funds is, of course, Iraqs oil industry, which provides almost all of the countrys export revenue. The country has made no secret of its plans to boost production capacity in order to garner enough funds for economic recovery projects. The latest news here is a plan to boost production to more than 7.5 million bpd by 2023 and 2024. That would be up from 4.533 million bpd in June, according to the latest Monthly Oil Market Report of OPEC. Iraq is OPECs second-largest producer after Saudi Arabia, with a production capacity of 5 million bpd. The latest export figure, for June, shows that Iraq shipped 3.52 million bpd of crude from its southern ports. There were no exports from the northern Kirkuk region during that month. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: While most of the sanction-bypassing oil trade with North Korea is thought to be originating from China, oil sales from Russia to Kim Jong-uns regime may be much larger than official figures suggest, as shell companies have been set up for illicit oil flows to Pyongyang, The Asan Institute for Policy Studies said in a recent report. The report found that a substantial amount of North Koreas oil imports come from Russia, even though the majority is believed to come from China. According to the Asan Institute, there are indications that 622,878 tons of refined oil was transported to North Korea from Russia between 2015 and 2017, accounting for around one third of North Koreas total refined oil imports during the period. Under the latest United Nations Security Council sanctions regarding oil sales to North Korea from December 2017, North Korea is allowed to import a maximum aggregate amount of 500,000 barrels of all refined oil products for 12 months beginning on January 1, 2018. The sanctions also introduced a limit of 4 million barrelsor 525,000 tonsper a twelve-month period as of 22 December 2017 for the supply, sale, or transfer of crude oil to North Korea. According to the report by the South Korea-based institute, more recently, oil tankers under a number of different national flags were spotted engaging in ship-to-ship transfer of oil, in a clear bid to avoid sanctions enforcement. Russian tankers have been involved in several of these transfers, says the report. The analysis found that in the three years between 2015 and 2017, shell companies and one North Korean state enterprise bought 622,878 tons of Russian oil worth US$238 million. Related: Russias High Risk Global Oil Strategy The entities involved tried to cover up the transactions by falsifying destination countries for the purchases, but the nature of shipping network used and the location where the deliveries took place show that the true destination was North Korea, the report says. Recent reports that China had ramped up sales to North Korea have also raised concerns that Beijing could undermine the international sanctions against Kims regime. After the recent visits of Kim Jong-un to China, Beijing has almost doubled the volume of crude oil pipeline shipments to North Korea, South Koreas newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported last month, citing a source in Beijing. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Heres a quiz. How often in these past weeks have you read about the duplicitous Chinese tricking other governments with false investment promises? Quite a lot, probably, given the volume of reportage on the supposed pullback of Chinese cash in the Philippines. These reports argue that Chinas US$24 billion commitment to the Philippines, comprising US$15 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) and US$9 billion in aid, has barely materialised since an agreement in October 2016 in which the funds were committed. These reports also allude to the Philippines decision to give up its South China Sea claims in exchange for investments, suggesting it was then left high and dry as China turned off the tap. To be sure, the Duterte administration did abandon the Philippines previous position on The Hague tribunal verdict that rejected Chinese claims based on its nine-dash line. The Chinese have since been heavily militarising some of the islands, Filipino fisherfolk have faced harassment and China has gradually increased its presence in the area. But linking these political manoeuvrings to delays and cancellations of Chinese FDI and aid projects as part of Beijings plan to elicit geopolitical concessions overlook the real factors that impact investment. Investment cancellation and delays occur mostly due to factors in the host state. For example, a hydropower project by Power China Guizhou and Philippines Greenergy Development Corp encountered trouble acquiring funds from shareholders because of the uncertainty regarding the recently signed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) that allows a high level of autonomy, including some aspects of sharia law, to the Muslim areas of the southern Philippines. All major investment projects in Mindanao province have been delayed as a result of the new arrangement, as investors are still figuring out the implications for them. A US$780 million proposal to raise four islands in Davao was found unviable after a year-long feasibility study that revealed the projects enormous social, environmental and economic cost. In this particular case, the local government decided to cancel the deal. Story continues A deal between Global Ferronickel, the third-largest nickel ore producer in the Philippines, with Baiyin Nonferrous Group, a Chinese copper supplier, was put on hold due to a moratorium on new mining operations that would make any extractive investment fruitless. This six-year ban on new large-scale mining projects has hindered new mining investments from all companies and countries. Delays or cancellations do also occur on the side of the investor but unless one can furnish proof China has deliberately withheld funding, treating these delays as Chinese betrayal is simply spiteful speculation without empirical proof. Similarly, a careful study of many of the aid projects that did not materialise shows a similar pattern of procedural factors rather than wilful withholding. The total number of aid projects were cut down to three priority projects in January 2017. Some projects in the US$9 billion pledge were cancelled, some were delayed, and others were placed in a queue. Philippine government data shows Chinese aid projects are making some progress, with two signed, four approved, and 14 in the pipeline. The media reportage of stalled Chinese projects ignore that FDI and aid memorandum of understandings (MOUs) are often likely to be cancelled, modified, or delayed after the initial signing process and this is not unique to China. The Duterte administration signed a US$6 billion MOU for FDI from Japan, a US$1.2 billion MOU with India, and a US$650 million MOU with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Data from the Philippines central bank, BSP, shows a huge discrepancy between the committed and actual amount. Signed in January 2018, the MOU with India has resulted in just US$600,000 so far. The MOUs with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which pledged US$465 and US$175 million in April 2017, have resulted in just US$3.5 million in total. And Japans October 2017 commitment has translated into only US$48.3 million. While it is difficult to tell whether these actual investments comprise deals negotiated in the MOUs, these low numbers typify the low commitment-actualisation ratio when it comes to FDI, Chinese or otherwise. There is also a fundamental accounting error when it comes to supposed Chinese commitments in the Philippines. The US$24 billion pledge of investment is misidentified as FDI solely from the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Much of the Chinese FDI coming to the Philippines is actually from Hong Kong. Many Chinese state-oriented enterprises relocate to or create subsidiaries in Hong Kong to take advantage of the liberal currency environment, so when they invest abroad, their investments are recorded under Hong Kong rather than PRC. Between June 2016 and April 2018, deals between China and the Philippines resulted in US$1.02 billion of FDI in the Philippines, reaching nearly 85 per cent of the total amount registered during the previous Philippine administration. This indicates that even if most of the deals in the US$15 billion of promised FDI were delayed or cancelled, Chinese SOEs and private companies continue to invest heavily in the Philippines. In sum, its wrong to fault China and the Duterte government for investment delays and cancellations. Rather, they should be criticised for falsely equating investment commitments and actualisation, and then marketing the deal to generate political capital. In states struggling to develop capacity, such as the Philippines, delays or cancellations of foreign investment or aid deals are common. Indeed, the more complicated and technical the foreign investment and aid projects, the more likely are delays and cancellations. This article What happened to the billions China pledged the Philippines? Not what you think first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. More from South China Morning Post: Saudi Arabia said Monday it was expelling the Canadian ambassador and had recalled its envoy while freezing all new trade, in protest at Ottawa's vigorous calls for the release of jailed activists. The kingdom gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country, in an abrupt rupture of relations over what it slammed as "interference" in its internal affairs. The move, which underscores a newly aggressive foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, comes after Canada demanded the immediate release of human rights campaigners swept up in a new crackdown. "The Canadian position is an overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the Saudi foreign ministry tweeted. "The kingdom announces that it is recalling its ambassador to Canada for consultation. We consider the Canadian ambassador to the kingdom persona non grata and order him to leave within the next 24 hours." The ministry also announced "the freezing of all new trade and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action". Canada last week said it was "gravely concerned" over a new wave of arrests of women and human rights campaigners in the kingdom, including award-winning gender rights activist Samar Badawi. "We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists," the foreign ministry tweeted on Friday. - 'Unprecedented crackdown' - Samar was arrested along with fellow campaigner Nassima al-Sadah last week, the latest victims of what Human Rights Watch called an "unprecedented government crackdown on the women's rights movement". Samar is a vocal campaigner for blogger Raif Badawi, her brother who was arrested in 2012 and sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for "insulting Islam" in a case that sparked an international outcry. The latest arrests come weeks after more than a dozen women's right campaigners were detained and accused of undermining national security and collaborating with enemies of the state. Some have since been released. The Saudi foreign ministry slammed the Canadian statement, signalling its growing irritation over Western criticism of the kingdom's poor human rights record. "Using the phrase 'immediately release' in the Canadian statement is very unfortunate, reprehensible, and unacceptable in relations between states," the ministry tweeted. Prince Mohammed, heir to the region's most powerful throne, has introduced a string of reforms such as lifting a decades-long ban on women drivers in a bid to overhaul the kingdom's austere image as it prepares for a post-oil era. But the 32-year-old has simultaneously pursued a hawkish foreign policy -- including leading a blockade of neighbouring Qatar and a bombing campaign against Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen -- while cracking down on dissent at home. - 'Serious concern' - "The rupture in Saudi diplomatic relations with Canada reinforces how the 'new' Saudi Arabia that Mohammed bin Salman is putting together is in no mood to tolerate any form of criticism of its handling of domestic affairs," said Kristian Ulrichsen, a fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute in the United States. In April, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his "serious concern" over the continued jailing of Badawi to Saudi King Salman. Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar has been granted asylum by Canada, where she is raising their three children now aged 14, 13 and 10 as a single mother. Riyadh's expulsion of the Canadian ambassador was meant to send a strong message to other critical Western governments, observers say. "Canada is easier to cut ties with than the rest," Bessma Momani, a professor at Canada's University of Waterloo, told AFP. "There isn't a strong bilateral trade relationship and poking the Trudeau government likely resonates with Saudi's hawkish regional allies. At jeopardy, are the tens of thousands of Saudi students in Canada." Koalas are fighting off virulent retroviruses with ancient, unrelated retrovirus sequences leftover in DNA. The discovery could explain the origin of some "junk DNA" in humans. Credit: Lauren D. Quinn, University of Illinois The human genome is riddled with endogenous retroviruseslittle pieces of degraded and generally harmless retrovirus DNA passed down through the generations, along with our own genetic information. Because most endogenous retroviruses have been part of our DNA for millions of years, scientists can't explain how they went from their virulent, disease-causing forms to the inert bits of "junk DNA" most of them are today. A new study published today in the journal PNAS looks to koalas for an answer. "In humans, the youngest known endogenous retrovirus groups are around 5 million years old. That makes it very hard to tell what happened. But the koala is one of the few species known to have an ongoing invasion of the germline by a retrovirus," says Alfred Roca, one of the authors of the study and an associate professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois. Like other viruses, retroviruses first attack from the outside. They enter the body, fuse with cells to release their contents, and insert pieces of their DNA into the genetic code of the host, hijacking the host's DNA-replicating machinery to make more copies of themselves. But if they find their way into sperm and egg cells, retroviral genes can be passed on to the host's offspring, becoming a permanent part of the reproductive genome, also known as the germline. Early on, new endogenous retroviruses may continue to replicate with disastrous effects for the host. But over time, the sequences stop coding for disease-causing retroviruses and instead become inert "junk DNA." Until now, scientists could only guess at why and how this happened. "We think the pressure for external viruses is to make lots of copies of themselves and infect more individuals. But once the virus becomes part of the host germline, the pressure is going to be for it to leave the host alone because the host is needed to reproduce the sequence," Roca says. "It has to play nice or otherwise it disappears. The question is how does this process take place?" Because the koala retrovirus is still relatively youngless than 50,000 years oldand not yet in a fixed location within the koala genome, scientists could monitor its interactions with the koala genome in real time. Surprisingly, the koala genome is fighting fire with fire. The researchers found that an ancient and unrelated endogenous retroviral element is inserting itself into the new retrovirus via recombination, deactivating it. Instead of coding for proteins that reassemble into an infectious retrovirus, the recombinant sequence doesn't code for anything. "We might have found evidence for a molecular defense mechanism of hosts against new retroviral attacks, mediated by more ancient retroviral elements," says Ulrike Lober, researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin and the study's first author. Alex Greenwood, also of the Leibniz Institute, led the study. He adds, "The study emphasizes how little we know about the diversity and reservoirs of retroviruses among wildlife. The koala, a species not usually associated with biomedical breakthroughs, is providing key insights into a process that has shaped 8 percent of the human genome, and likely shows us what happened millions of years ago when retroviruses invaded the human germline." Unfortunately for koalas, complete degradation of the koala retrovirus is likely to take a very, very long timeprobably in the hundreds of thousands of years. In the meantime, most koalas, especially in northern Australia, will continue to suffer from retrovirus-linked cancers and immune suppression, leading to secondary diseases like chlamydia. But while the virus-to-virus battle is being waged, there may be ways scientists can help. "The complete koala genome has been instrumental in showing that an individual koala can have manymore than a hundredinsertions of koala retrovirus into its genome. This information will enable us to determine which strains are more dangerous and to assist with development of a koala retrovirus vaccine," says study co-author Rebecca Johnson of the Australian Museum, who led a recent effort to sequence the koala genome. The article, "Degradation and remobilization of endogenous retroviruses by recombination during the earliest stages of germline invasion," is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Explore further Koala study reveals clues about origins of the human genome More information: Ulrike Lober el al., "Degradation and remobilization of endogenous retroviruses by recombination during the earliest stages of a germ-line invasion," PNAS (2018). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Ulrike Lober el al., "Degradation and remobilization of endogenous retroviruses by recombination during the earliest stages of a germ-line invasion,"(2018). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1807598115 Credit: Queensland University of Technology Log on to your laptop. Start swotting up on sea life. Millions of everyday Australians are being encouraged to take a 'dry dive' on the Great Barrier Reef, as part of a first-of-its-kind, citizen science project. Launched to celebrate the International Year of the Reef, and National Science Week (11-19 August), QUT's Virtual Reef Diver project will allow people to work alongside marine scientists, from the comfort of their home computer, to classify underwater images of the reef, for the very first time. QUT Project Leader Dr. Erin Peterson said the information would help scientists to better understand where in the reef hard coral is increasing, or decreasing. "The reef is an amazing and beautiful place to visit and we want to help ensure that it remains one of the world's great natural wonders," said Dr. Peterson. "Professional monitoring data is extremely valuable because it helps us understand how coral reefs are changing over time but the sheer size of the reef means that it is impossible for any one organisation to complete the task alone. "The motivation for the Virtual Reef Diver project was to look for innovative ways to obtain new data in a cost-effective manner and one way is to tap into the power of citizen scientists. We see this as a wonderful opportunity to involve the community, no matter where they live and for those citizen scientists to add real value to our monitoring and mapping. Credit: Queensland University of Technology "The results of this project will help to give marine scientists and reef managers the information they need to make critical decisions about the reef's future. It will also lay the groundwork for creating an up-to-date and comprehensive map of the Great Barrier Reef's coral cover," she said. To classify a reef image, volunteers identify and categorise what they see underneath 15 randomly placed circles on an underwater image of the reef, such as coral, water, sand or algaebut citizen scientists will have their work cut out for them, with hundreds of thousands of images available for classification over the next 12 months. "The good news is that people who want to participate can do as much or as little as they would like. There is no minimum number of images to classify," said Dr. Peterson. "Behind the scenes, we also want to investigate how classification decisions from citizen scientists compare to those produced by artificial intelligence. Are scientists at home going to get the best results? We're going to find out." Unlike other citizen science projects, Virtual Reef Diver uses a web-based platform that combines state-of-the-art software and statistical modelling to integrate citizen-contributed data with data collected by professional monitoring programs, research institutes and private organisations, to produce more accurate reef health maps. Explore further Combination of light and temperature naturally regulate algal abundance More information: The website is now live at virtualreef.org.au State Rep. David Richardson released a new commercial Monday touting a resolution he introduced in January to urge Congress to impeach President Donald Trump. The resolution went nowhere in the conservative state House. But it makes for good campaign fodder as he runs in the Democratic primary for Florida's 27th congressional district. And it allows Richardson to cast himself as tougher on Trump than frontrunner Donna Shalala, who's said she would vote to impeach the president but isn't actively campaigning on the issue. Figure 1: Observed gamma ray emission from the Galactic disk, with the bulge region indicated. The insets show the expected profiles of excess radiation coming from dark matter and stars respectively. The researchers were able to show that the stars profile matches the measurements much better than the dark matter profile. Credit: Christoph Weniger, University of Amsterdam/FermiLAT For almost 10 years, astronomers have been studying a mysterious diffuse radiation coming from the centre of our galaxy. Originally, it was thought that this radiation could originate from the elusive dark matter particles that many researchers are hoping to find. However, physicists from the University of Amsterdam and the Laboratoire d"Annecy-le-Vieux de Physique Theorique have now found further evidence that rapidly spinning neutron stars are a much more likely source for this radiation. Their findings are published today in Nature Astronomy. Observations of gamma-ray radiation from the galactic centre region with the Fermi Large Area Telescope have revealed a mysterious diffuse and extended emission. Discovered almost 10 years ago, this emission generated a lot of excitement in the particle physics community, since it had all the characteristics of a long-sought signal from the self-annihilation of dark matter particles in the inner galaxy. Finding such a signal would confirm that dark matter, which has so far has only been observed through its gravitational effects on other objects, is made out of new fundamental particles. Moreover, it would help to determine the mass and other properties of these elusive dark matter particles. However, a recent study shows that arguably the best astrophysical interpretation of the excess emission is a new population in the galactic bulge of thousands of rapidly spinning neutron stars called millisecond pulsars, which have escaped observation at other frequencies up to now. Where there are stars, there is radiation "Understanding in detail the morphology [the location and shape] and spectrum [the combined frequencies] of the excess emission is of vital importance for discriminating between the dark matter and astrophysical interpretations of the galactic centre excess radiation," says Christoph Weniger, one of the researchers that conducted the study. A new study by researchers at the University of Amsterdam and the Laboratoire d"Annecy-le-Vieux de Physique Theorique, a research unit of the French Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, found strong evidence that the emission actually seems to come from regions where there is also a large amount of stellar mass in the galactic bulge (the 'boxy bulge') and centre (the 'nuclear bulge'). Furthermore, the researchers found that the light-to-mass ratio in the galactic bulge and centre are mutually consistent, so that the gamma ray GeV emission is a surprisingly accurate tracer of stellar mass in the inner galaxy (figure 2). This study was based on a new analysis tool, Sky Factorization with Adaptive Constrained Templates (SkyFACT), developed by the researchers themselves, which combines physical modeling with image analysis. Figure 2: Comparison of the stellar mass (horizontal axis) and gamma-ray luminosity (vertical axis) for the "boxy bulge (in blue) and for the nuclear bulge (in green). The prediction for a population of millisecond pulsars in the Galactic disk (in red) and the bulge of the nearby Andromeda galaxy (M31, in pink) are also shown. Stellar mass and luminosity are proportional to each other in the inner Galaxy (dashed line), which shows that the mysterious excess radiation very likely has a stellar origin and is not coming from dark matter. Credit: Christoph Weniger, University of Amsterdam The findings support the millisecond pulsar interpretation of the excess emission, since neither a dark matter signal nor other astrophysical interpretations are expected to show such a correlation. "The results will help guide upcoming radio searches for this hidden population of millisecond pulsars in the galactic bulge with MeerKAT and the future Square Kilometre Array," said Francesca Calore, another of the paper's authors. "This makes these upcoming searches even more promising." Explore further New study suggests galactic bulge emissions not due to dark matter More information: R. Bartels, E. Storm, C. Weniger and F. Calore, The Fermi-LAT GeV excess traces stellar mass in the Galactic bulge, Nature Astronomy 2018. DOI: Preprint: Journal information: Nature Astronomy R. Bartels, E. Storm, C. Weniger and F. Calore, The Fermi-LAT GeV excess traces stellar mass in the Galactic bulge,2018. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41550-018-0531-z Preprint: arxiv.org/abs/1711.04778 An international team of paleontologists and geoscientists has discovered the first North American co-occurrence of hadrosaur and therizinosaur tracks within Denali National Park in Alaska. Credit: Masato Hattori An international team of paleontologists and other geoscientists has discovered the first North American co-occurrence of hadrosaur and therizinosaur tracks in the lower Cantwell Formation within Denali National Park, suggesting that an aspect of the continental ecosystem of central Asia was also present in this part of Alaska during the Late Cretaceous. This comprehensive cross-disciplinary effort has resulted in a paperentitled "An unusual association of hadrosaur and therizinosaur tracks within Late Cretaceous rocks of Denali National Park, Alaskapublished in Scientific Reports, an online open access scientific mega journal published by the Nature Publishing Group, covering all areas of the natural sciences. Anthony R. Fiorillo, Ph.D., chief curator and vice president of research and collections at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, Texas, is the lead author. Co-authors are Paul J. McCarthy, Ph.D., University of Alaska, Department of Geosciences; Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, Ph.D., Hokkaido University Museum, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan; Carla S. Tomsich, graduate student, University of Alaska, Department of Geosciences; Ronald S. Tykoski, Ph.D., director of paleontology lab, Perot Museum of Nature and Science; Yuong-Nam Lee, Ph.D., School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, South Korea; Tomonori Tanaka, graduate student, Hokkaido University Museum, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan; and Christopher R. Noto, Ph.D., Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, Wisconsin. Fiorillo and a colleague published on a distinct single footprint in Denali National Park in 2012 that they determined to be made by a therizinosaur, an unusual predatory dinosaur thought to have become an herbivore. Therizinosaurs are best known from Asia. Upon his return in 2013 and 2014, they conducted a more detailed analysis of the area, and he and his colleagues unearthed dozens more tracks of therizinosaurs. What surprised Fiorillo and his team most was the co-occurrence of dozens of hadrosaurs, also known as duck-bill dinosaurs. "Hadrosaurs are very common and found all over Denali National Park. Previously, they had not been found alongside therizinosaurs in Denali. In Mongolia, where therizinosaurs are best knownthough no footprints have been found in associationskeletons of hadrosaurs and therizinosaurs have been found to co-occur from a single rock unit so this was a highly unusual find in Alaska, and it prompted my interest," said Fiorillo. "From our research, we've determined that this track association of therizinosaurs and hadrosaurs is currently the only one of its kind in North America." The plant-eating therizinosaurs are rare and unusual creatures in the fossil record. The strange-looking dinosaurs had long skinny necks, little teeth, a small beak for cropping plants, and big torsos accompanied by large hind feet and long arms with "hands like Freddy Krueger." Though therizinosaurs are known from Asia and North America, the best and most diverse fossil record is from Asiaeven up to the time of extinctionand therein is the connection. Fiorillo has long postulated that Cretaceous Alaska could have been the thoroughfare for fauna between Western North America and Asiatwo continents that shared each other's fauna and flora in the latest stages of the Cretaceous. "This study helps support the idea that Alaska was the gateway for dinosaurs as they migrated between Asia and North America," said Dr. Kobayashi. To support the theory, Fiorillo's international team of scientists from across the U.S., Japan and South Korea worked to establish if the tracks were those of a therizinosaur and to study any unique aspects of the ecosystem. The membersincluding a sedimentologist, geologist, paleobotanist, paleoecologist and additional paleontologists including an expert on therizinosaursdetermined that this particular area of Denali was a wet, marsh-like environment and that one fossil in particular looked like a water lily, which supported the theory that there were ponds and standing water nearby. They suspect that both therizinosaurs and hadrosaurs liked these wetter locations. Fiorillo believes that this Alaskan discovery may connect these animals environmentally and perhaps behaviorally to other therizinosaurs in central Asia. An Asian report of these animals being associated also came from an interval of rocks that was unusually 'wet' at the time, relative to rocks above and below it. "This discovery provides more evidence that Alaska was possibly the superhighway for dinosaurs between Asia and western North America 65-70 million years ago," added Fiorillo. More information: Anthony R. Fiorillo et al, An unusual association of hadrosaur and therizinosaur tracks within Late Cretaceous rocks of Denali National Park, Alaska, Scientific Reports (2018). Journal information: Scientific Reports Anthony R. Fiorillo et al, An unusual association of hadrosaur and therizinosaur tracks within Late Cretaceous rocks of Denali National Park, Alaska,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30110-8 Provided by Perot Museum of Nature and Science A statue of Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen whose iconic ship the Maud returned home on Monday 100 years after setting out on a landmark voyage around the North Pole The ship used by Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen finally returned home Monday, completing its journey around the North Pole 100 years after her chaotic expedition started. A precious relic of Norwegian polar expeditions, the Maud was recovered in 2016 after spending 85 years in Canadian Arctic waters where it sank in 1930. The shipwreck was towed across the North Atlantic on a barge after it left Greenland at the end of June and arrived at the port of Bergen in western Norway on Monday morning. "The trip was long, but it went well," Jan Wanggaard, manager of the effort to bring the Maud back to Norway, told AFP. Thanks to funding by three Norwegian brothers and entrepreneurs, the ship will be exhibited in the southeastern municipality of Asker, near Oslo, where it was launched in 1917. "Roald Amundsen is an important historical figure in Norway," Wanggaard said. The first person to reach the South Pole, Amundsen wanted to use the Maud to study the Arctic Ocean by letting her get caught on the ice and drift around the North Pole. "We want to tell the story of this expedition to the Norwegian people," Wanggaard added. In 1906, Amundsen became the first European to sail through the Northwest Passage searching for a shorter shipping route from Europe to Asia, something explorers had been trying to find for centuries. Amundsen sailed through the Northeast Passage with the Maud in 1918-20 and although the journey brought back rich scientific results, he was unable to get far enough north to launch a North Pole expedition. The ship, named after Norway's Queen Maud, was sold to the Hudson's Bay Company in 1925 and rechristened the Baymaud after Amundsen filed for bankruptcy. It ended its days as a floating warehouse and the region's first radio station before sinking at its moorings in 1930 near Cambridge Bay, in the Canadian territory of Nunavut. In 1990, Asker Council in Norway bought the wreck for just $1. Cambridge Bay residents fought its removal but the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board granted an export permit for the ship in 2012. Explore further Arctic explorer's ship to return to Norway 2018 AFP News media members film seawater temperature measurements at Scripps Pier, Aug. 2, 2018 On Wednesday (Aug 1), researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego logged the warmest sea-surface temperature at Scripps Pier since records began in August 1916. The record of 25.9 degrees C (78.6 degrees F) followed a string of days in which individual daily records of sea surface and seafloor temperatures had been set at the pier. It surpassed the previous record of 78.4F (25.8C) set on July 30, 1931. Scripps researchers have taken sea surface temperature and salinity readings at the pier since 1916. In 1925, they began taking seafloor water temperature measurements as well. The daily collection of data is still done by hand and is maintained by the Shore Stations program at Scripps. The program now includes nine stations on the California coast that measure seawater temperature and salinity, its budget funded by the California State Parks Department of Boating and Waterways. The ocean region off Southern California has been experiencing anomalously warm temperatures for the past week and other observational networks farther off the coast have reported record or near-record temperatures as well. Researchers said that the record warmth is consistent with similar records for high temperatures set on land as well as a torrent of extreme weather in 2018. This is how global warming will play out, said Scripps scientists: Records related to heat and intense weather will become easier to break having been given a boost from anthropogenic climate change that has added about 1 degrees C to ocean temperatures over the past century. "Like other climate change trends, background warming enhances the probability and magnitude of extreme events," said Scripps oceanographer and Shore Stations principal investigator Reinhard Flick. Physical oceanographer Dan Rudnick runs a Scripps program that employs underwater gliders to make ocean temperature profiles to points about 200 miles off the California coast as well as in other regions around the world. He has noticed a similar warming throughout Southern California coastal waters. Rudnick is one of several Scripps researchers who has tracked an uptick in ocean temperatures related to El Nino, a phenomenon characterized by the movement of warm waters to the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, which often affects water temperatures off California. The rise began in 2014 during a marine heatwave, then an intense El Nino bore down on the West Coast the following year. In times past, the pattern would have been for ocean water temperatures to return to historical averages following the event but that hasn't been the case. "It looks like we took a step up during 2014-2016 from which we have not completely recovered," said Rudnick. The Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP) also tracks sea surface temperature through a network of wave-measuring buoys deployed throughout U.S. waters, including 14 in Southern California. Near-record high temperature readings for this time of year have been recorded across the Southern California array during the past few weeks. The Scripps Nearshore Buoy, located approximately a half-mile off the coast of La Jolla, recorded its second highest sea surface temperature of 79.7 degrees on Aug. 1, second only to a reading from Sept. 2015, an El Nino year. Shore Stations researchers added that seasonal maximum surface temperatures are generally reached in August each year, so new records may be set if warm coastal ocean conditions persist or intensify over the next few weeks. Explore further Heat wave shattered records this past week in US, elsewhere Experimental structure with a strong toroidal dipole response. Credit: ITMO University Physicists have managed to create an experimental structure with a strong toroidal dipole response of the electromagnetic field over a wide frequency range. This response is associated with a special configuration of electromagnetic currents causing high concentration of the field. A special dielectric metal lattice was created to produce and measure the response. The results can be used to create non-scattering materials, as well as to control electromagnetic fields. The research was published in Advanced Optical Materials. It is not possible to create accurate sensors or data storage and processing devices without controlling electromagnetic field properties such as energy concentration, direction of the oscillations, or polarization of waves. Regulating the interaction of dipole responses associated with different current configurations in the field gives us the opportunity to change electromagnetic features of an object even to extent of making it invisible. This can be achieved by creating a structure combining two dipole types: conventional electric, and more complex toroidal dipole. Until now, the toroidal dipoles experimentally observed by scientists were either very weak or existed only in an extremely narrow frequency range, which created complications for practical use. Moreover, the experimental structures were based on metals, which led to large energy losses. Scientists from ITMO University along with their colleagues from Iran and Australia managed to overcome these difficulties. They were the first to develop a meta-lattice consisting of dielectric material with a toroidal dipole response dominating over a wide frequency range. "We created a periodic structure which we then tested in a series of experiments to make sure that the toroidal dipole was strong enough. When studying the spectrum and distribution of the electromagnetic field, we registered some features typical for toroidal dipole: the field was highly concentrated and had a strong longitudinal component, which means that the direction of electromagnetic field oscillations coincides with its propagation direction. This can be useful for creating molecular sensors or producing nonlinear effects in optics," explains Andrey Sayansky, Ph.D. student at the Faculty of Physics and Technology of ITMO University. To create the meta-lattice, the scientists used indium and gallium phosphides. The refractive index of these dielectric materials is lower than the index of regular ones like germanium or gallium arsenide. However, the results showed that the more affordable "medium" dielectrics can also be used to avoid energy loss. Scientists hope that this will contribute to the more active research and practical application of such structures. Another major finding was that the meta-lattice toroidal response can be excited by any polarization wave. This will help expand the scope of application of meta-lattice-based materials and devices. "We did not develop a non-radiating material, but we laid the foundation needed for its creation. Our findings are also suitable for a variety of other applications. The principle of the toroidal dipole control demonstrated in our research can serve to create sensors, control light and transmit or store information," says Andrey Miroshnichenko, professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia. Explore further Physicists design a nano-resonator with strong nonlinear response More information: AllDielectric Metalattice with Enhanced Toroidal Dipole Response. A. Sayanskiy, M. Danaeifar, P. Kapitanova, A. E. Miroshnichenko. Advanced Optical Materials, 13 July 2018. Journal information: Advanced Optical Materials AllDielectric Metalattice with Enhanced Toroidal Dipole Response. A. Sayanskiy, M. Danaeifar, P. Kapitanova, A. E. Miroshnichenko., 13 July 2018. doi.org/10.1002/adom.201800302 Over generations, foxes have been selected for tame and aggressive behavior at the Russian Institute for Cytology and Genetics. Now that the fox genome has been sequenced, scientists can begin to pinpoint the genetic basis of those behaviors. Credit: Darya Shepeleva, scientist at the Russian Institute of Cytology and Genetics in Novosibirsk. For nearly 60 years, the red fox has been teaching scientists about animal behavior. In a long-term experiment, foxes at the Russian Institute of Cytology and Genetics have been selected for tameness or aggression, recreating the process of domestication from wolves to modern dogs in real time. Today, with the first-ever publication of the fox genome, scientists will begin to understand the genetic basis of tame and aggressive behaviors, which could shed light on human behavior, as well. "We've been waiting for this tool for a very, very long time," says Anna Kukekova, assistant professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois and lead author of the paper. She has been studying the famous Russian foxes since 2002. "In our previous work, we tried to identify regions of the fox genome responsible for tame and aggressive behavior, but these studies required a reference genome and all we could use was the dog genome. For us, the fox genome provides a much better resource for genetic analysis of behavior." After sequencing and assembling the fox genome, the team turned to the famous Russian foxes to look for genetic regions differentiating the tame, aggressive, and conventional populationsfarm-raised foxes ancestral to the tame and aggressive populations but not bred for any particular behavioral trait. The researchers sequenced the genomes of 10 individuals from each population, then compared them to the full fox genome and each other. The three populations differed in 103 genomic regions, some of which turn out to be responsible for the tame and aggressive behaviors. "Finding genomic regions at such resolution was beyond any expectations with our previous tools. Now, for the first time, we could not only pinpoint part of a chromosome which makes foxes more tame or aggressive, but we could identify specific genes responsible for it," Kukekova says. The team compared the 103 genomic regions to those of other sequenced mammals and found some compelling similarities. For example, they identified matches between behavior regions in foxes with regions important in domestication in dogs and with a region associated with Williams-Beuren syndrome in humans, a genetic disorder characterized by extremely outgoing, friendly behavior. "Oddly enough, we found the Williams-Beuren region in aggressive foxes, not tame ones. We thought it would be the opposite," Kukekova says. The mysterious finding underscores how much more research is needed before the regions are fully understood. But the researchers dove deeper. As a test run, they honed in on a single gene, known as SorCS1, which is involved in synapse formation, functioning, and plasticity, as well as additional functions. Although it had never before been known to contribute to social behavior, SorCS1 was clearly associated with a very specific behavior in foxes. Human handlers at the Russian Institute of Cytology and Genetics interact with the foxes in a very controlled way as part of their videotaped fox behavioral assessments. Handlers stand near the enclosures for one minute, hold the door open for another minute, reach toward the fox for a third minute, then close the door, and stand near the enclosure for one final minute. The tamest foxes continue to clamor for human attention during the final minute of the assessment. It's this group of foxes that has a version of the SorCS1 gene not found in the aggressive population. "We think this gene makes foxes more tame, but we don't want to overemphasize ittameness isn't associated with a single gene. The picture is definitely more complex," Kukekova says. Explore further Study links fox domestication to gene activity in the pituitary gland More information: Anna V. Kukekova et al, Red fox genome assembly identifies genomic regions associated with tame and aggressive behaviours, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2018). Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution Anna V. Kukekova et al, Red fox genome assembly identifies genomic regions associated with tame and aggressive behaviours,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0611-6 Credit: CC0 Public Domain A social media platform can be compelled to divulge account information belonging to a woman who anonymously chatted online about plans for last summer's deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, a federal magistrate judge ruled Monday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Spero's 28-page order says the woman's First Amendment rights to anonymous speech don't outweigh the importance of disclosing her identity to plaintiffs' attorneys suing over the rally's violence. Leaked Discord messages indicate the woman, identified only as "Jane Doe" in court papers, likely was involved in planning the event last August, the magistrate said. San Francisco-based Discord, an app that allows for text and voice chats, is popular with video game players. But the service also has been a communication tool for far-right extremists, including organizers of the Charlottesville rally. The woman's attorneys had asked the San Francisco-based magistrate to quash a subpoena for Discord to turn over her account information and content of her communications to the lawyers, who filed a federal suit in Virginia against organizers of the "Unite the Right" rally last August. At the rally last summer, hundreds of people traveled to Charlottesville to participate in the rally and protest the city's plans to remove a statue of Robert E. Lee from a park that was named after the Confederate general. Sunday is the anniversary of the deadly rally is Charlottesville, where white supremacists and counterprotesters clashed in the streets before a car plowed into a crowd, killing 32-year-old counterprotester Heather Heyer. Spero said federal law prohibits Discord from releasing the content of a message without the sender or receiver's consent. But he ruled the plaintiffs' interest in her account information outweighs any impact on her First Amendment rights. The magistrate noted that the woman's personally identifying information can remain confidential, or "highly confidential" and therefore kept from plaintiffs' lawyers, under a protective order issued in the Virginia lawsuit. The woman had asked the court to quash a subpoena for Discord to turn over subscriber information and communications belonging to at least 32 accounts. But the magistrate said the woman only had legal standing to challenge the subpoena on behalf of other users. Lawyers for the user argued the subpoena is a "fishing expedition" designed to expose the identities and destroy the lives of people with "unpopular political views." "Doe has a constitutional right to associate with people who think as she does and to engage in controversial political speech anonymously, and the Plaintiffs have no right to acquire her correspondence or information," her attorneys wrote. But plaintiffs' attorneys say the Discord chat logs are "evidence at the heart of the case" against the Charlottesville rally's organizers, who posted instructions for participants, including what weapons to bring. Jane Doe is a self-described "political dissident" who used the handle "kristall.night" on Discord. Her alias appears to refer to the Nazis' deadly, anti-Jewish Kristallnacht pogroms in Germany before World War II. Leaked excerpts of the Charlottesville chat logs show Jane Doe was involved in planning that weekend's events and shared the rally organizers' "goals of violence and intimidation and their motivation of racial animus," plaintiffs' lawyers claim. "She declared, 'Without complicit whites, Jews wouldn't be a problem,' and 'I hate miscegenation so much more after actually talking to mixed race people about their identity,'" they wrote. Doe's lawyers said her statements were "nothing more than generic advice to others interested in attending" the rally. "Plaintiffs cannot violate Jane Doe's constitutional rights simply because she holds personal viewpoints of which they disapprove," they wrote. Plaintiffs' attorneys served Discord with the subpoena in January. Discord had deleted data sought by the subpoena but created backup tapes that likely included that data, according to the lawyers. Doe's lawyers said a 1958 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court held that a subpoena couldn't be used to identify members of the NAACP because it would have a chilling effect on the First Amendment. They argue that the anonymous Discord users "may not have all the formalities of the NAACP" but are "no less an organization of like-minded individuals sharing their political beliefs and advocating for social change, no matter how noxious Plaintiffs may find this advocacy to be." Doe is represented by Marc Randazza, a Las Vegas-based attorney who specializes in First Amendment cases. Randazza's clients also include neo-Nazi website publisher Andrew Anglin and Infowars radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The Andromeda galaxy. Credit: Adam Evans. German astronomers have conducted a study of the central bulge of the Andromeda galaxy and analyzed its stellar populations. The research could improve our understanding of the bulge's structure and formation history. Results of the study are presented in a paper published July 24 on the arXiv pre-print repository. Located some 2.5 million light years away from the Earth, the barred spiral Andromeda galaxy, also known as Messier 31, or M31 for short, is the nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way. Due to its proximity, M31 is an excellent target to study the detailed evolutionary history of large spiral galaxies. Andromeda's central bulge is crucial for such studies, so recently, a team of researchers from Germany led by Roberto Philip Saglia of the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Garching, decided to analyze the stellar populations of this region in detail. For their research, the team used the 2.7 meter telescope at the McDonald Observatory in Texas to obtain spectroscopic data of M31. The observational campaign allowed the astronomers to uncover simple stellar population properties of the central region of this galaxy, including age, metallicity and alpha-elements abundance. "We observed M31 for 14 nights with the integral-field spectrograph VIRUS-W attached to the 2.7m telescope at the McDonald Observatory, Texas, covering the bulge area with a filling factor of 1/3 and sampling the disk along six different directions, reaching approximately one scalelength along the major axis," the scientists wrote in the paper. According to the study, the stellar populations in the central region of M31 are fairly oldmore than 10 billion years old. In comparison, the stars of the galaxy's disk are younger by 5 to 6 billion years. In particular, the researchers found that the central 100 arcsec of this galaxy is dominated by old, metal-rich stars at the center with a negative gradient outwards and enhanced in alpha elements. The study reveals that M31's bulge as well as bar have solar metallicities. The team also found that the bar and bulge have a mean age of 10 and 13 billion years respectively. The authors of the paper concluded that their result suggest a two-phase formation scenario for the inner region of M31. "A classical stellar bulge forms together with a primordial disk, from a quasi-monolithic collapse or violent instability of the turbulent inner proto-disk. On larger scales, the proto-disk develops a bar. The bar buckles and transforms the proto-disk into the boxy-peanut B/P bulge. The stars in this region are mainly old," the researchers concluded. The team plans further studies of M31 that might shed further light on the sequence of events that built the central regions of this galaxy. Moreover, they will try to calculate the rate of microlensing events expected from the self-lensing of the different populations of the central region of the Andromeda galaxy. Explore further Groundbreaking study sheds new light on galaxy evolution More information: The stellar populations of the central region of M31, arXiv:1807.09284 [astro-ph.GA] The stellar populations of the central region of M31, arXiv:1807.09284 [astro-ph.GA] arxiv.org/abs/1807.09284 Abstract We continue the analysis of the dataset of our spectroscopic observation campaign of M31, by deriving simple stellar population properties (age metallicity and alpha-elements overabundance) from the measurement of Lick/IDS absorption line indices. We describe their two-dimensional maps taking into account the dust distribution in M31. 80% of the values of our age measurements are larger than 10 Gyr. The central 100 arcsec of M31 are dominated by the stars of the classical bulge of M31. They are old (11-13 Gyr), metal-rich (as high as [Z/H]~0.35 dex) at the center with a negative gradient outwards and enhanced in alpha-elements ([alpha/Fe]~ 0.28+- 0.01 dex). The bar stands out in the metallicity map, where an almost solar value of [Z/H] (~0.02+-0.01 dex) with no gradient is observed along the bar position angle (55.7 deg) out to 600 arcsec from the center. In contrast, no signature of the bar is seen in the age and [alpha/Fe] maps, that are approximately axisymmetric, delivering a mean age and overabundance for the bar and the boxy-peanut bulge of 10-13 Gyr and 0.25-0.27 dex, respectively. The boxy/peanut-bulge has almost solar metallicity (-0.04+- 0.01 dex). The mass-to-light ratio of the three components is approximately constant at M/LV ~ 4.4-4.7 Msol/Lsol. The disk component at larger distances is made of a mixture of stars, as young as 3-4 Gyr, with solar metallicity and smaller M/LV (~3+-0.1 Msol/Lsol). We propose a two-phase formation scenario for the inner region of M31, where most of the stars of the classical bulge come into place together with a proto-disk, where a bar develops and quickly transforms it into a boxy-peanut bulge. Star formation continues in the bulge region, producing stars younger than 10 Gyr, in particular along the bar, enhancing its metallicity. The disk component appears to build up on longer time-scales. 2018 Phys.org Rice University's new platform technology can selectively filter contaminants from wastewater, drinking water and industrial fluids. In tests, an engineered coating of resin, polymer and activated carbon removed and trapped harmful sulfate ions, and other coatings can be used in the same platform to target other contaminants. Credit: Kuichang Zuo/Rice University Rice University scientists are developing technology to remove contaminants from waterbut only as many as necessary. The Rice lab of engineer Qilin Li is building a treatment system that can be tuned to selectively pull toxins from drinking water and wastewater from factories, sewage systems and oil and gas wells. The researchers said their technology will cut costs and save energy compared to conventional systems. "Traditional methods to remove everything, such as reverse osmosis, are expensive and energy intensive," said Li, the lead scientist and co-author of a study about the new technology in the American Chemical Society journal Environmental Science & Technology. "If we figure out a way to just fish out these minor components, we can save a lot of energy." The heart of Rice's system is a set of novel composite electrodes that enable capacitive deionization. The charged, porous electrodes selectively pull target ions from fluids passing through the maze-like system. When the pores get filled with toxins, the electrodes can be cleaned, restored to their original capacity and reused. "This is part of a broad scope of research to figure out ways to selectively remove ionic contaminants," said Li, a professor of civil and environmental engineering and of materials science and nanoengineering. "There are a lot of ions in water. Not everything is toxic. For example, sodium chloride (salt) is perfectly benign. We don't have to remove it unless the concentration gets too high. In Rice University's new water-treatment platform, electrode coatings can be swapped out to allow the device to selectively remove a range of contaminants from wastewater, drinking water and industrial fluids. In tests, an engineered coating of resin, polymer and activated carbon removed and trapped harmful sulfate ions and allow most common salt ions to pass by. Credit: Kuichang Zuo/Rice University "For many applications, we can leave non-hazardous ions behind, but there are certain ions that we need to remove," she said. "For example, in some drinking water wells, there's arsenic. In our drinking water pipes, there could be lead or copper. And in industrial applications, there are calcium and sulfate ions that form scale, a buildup of mineral deposits that foul and clog pipes." The proof-of-principal system developed by Li's team removed sulfate ions, a scale-forming mineral that can give water a bitter taste and act as a laxative. The system's electrodes were coated with activated carbon, which was in turn coated by a thin film of tiny resin particles held together by quaternized polyvinyl alcohol. When sulfate-contaminated water flowed through a channel between the charged electrodes, sulfate ions were attracted by the electrodes, passed through the resin coating and stuck to the carbon. Tests in the Rice lab showed the positively charged coating on the cathode preferentially captured sulfate ions over salt at a ratio of more than 20 to 1. Contaminants can be removed from fluids that traverse a maze-like path between electrodes in a technology developed by Rice University engineers. The photo shows Rice postdoctoral researcher Kuichang Zuo placing a separator that channels water through the system. Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University The electrodes retained their properties over 50 cycles. "But in fact, in the lab, we've run the system for several hundred cycles and I don't see any breaking or peeling of the material," said Kuichang Zuo, lead author of the paper and a postdoctoral researcher in Li's lab. "It's very robust." Li said the system is intended to work with current commercial water-treatment systems. "The true merit of this work is not that we were able to selectively remove sulfate, because there are many other contaminants that are perhaps more important," she said. "The merit is that we developed a technology platform that we can use to target other contaminants as well by varying the composition of the electrode coating." The Rice team is developing coatings for other contaminants and working with labs at the University of Texas at El Paso and Arizona State University on large-scale test systems. Zuo said it should also be possible to scale systems down for in-home water purification. Rice University postdoctoral researcher Kuichang Zuo holds an assembled test unit of the lab's ionic water-treatment technology, which selectively removes hazardous contaminants and ignores those that are harmless. Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University Explore further New desalination method offers low energy alternative to purify salty water More information: Kuichang Zuo et al, Novel Composite Electrodes for Selective Removal of Sulfate by the Capacitive Deionization Process, Environmental Science & Technology (2018). Journal information: Environmental Science & Technology Kuichang Zuo et al, Novel Composite Electrodes for Selective Removal of Sulfate by the Capacitive Deionization Process,(2018). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b01868 A hillside smolders after flames passed through during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson) Twin Northern California blazes fueled by dry vegetation and hot, windy weather grew Monday to become the second-largest wildfire in state history, becoming the norm as climate change makes the fire season longer and more severe. The two fires burning a few miles apart and known as the Mendocino Complex have scorched 428 square miles (1,108 square kilometers) since igniting July 27 about 100 miles (161 kilometers) north of San Francisco, the state's firefighting agency said. The blazes are likely to surpass the largest California wildfire on record, which burned 440 square miles (1,140 square kilometers) in December. It killed two people, including a firefighter, and destroyed more than 1,000 buildings before being fully contained on Jan. 12. Hotter weather attributed to climate change is drying out vegetation, creating more intense fires that spread quickly from rural areas to city subdivisions, climate and fire experts say. But they also blame cities and towns that are expanding housing into previously undeveloped areas. More than 14,000 firefighters are battling over a dozen major blazes throughout California, state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Scott McLean said. "I can remember a couple of years ago when we saw 10 to 12,000 firefighters in the states of California, Oregon and Washington and never the 14,000 we see now," he said. A tree burns from the inside during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson) Crews did make progress over the weekend against one of the two blazes in the Mendocino Complex with help from water-dropping aircraft, Cal Fire operations chief Charlie Blankenheim said in a video on Facebook. But the other one is growing after spreading into the Mendocino National Forest. The complex of fires, which has burned 75 homes, has been less destructive to property than some of the other wildfires in the state because it is mostly raging in remote areas. But officials say the twin fires threaten 9,000 buildings and some new evacuations were ordered over the weekend as the flames spread. A helicopter drops water on a burning hillside during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson) Farther north, crews gained ground against a deadly blaze that has destroyed more than 1,000 homes in and around Redding. It was nearly halfway contained, Cal Fire said. The wildfire about 225 miles (360 kilometers) north of San Francisco started more than two weeks ago by sparks from the steel wheel of a towed-trailer's flat tire. It killed two firefighters and four residents and displaced more than 38,000 people. Officials began allowing some residents to return to their neighborhoods. But tens of thousands of others were still evacuated. A spotter plane banks in front of an air tanker as it drops fire retardant on a burning hillside during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson) Another blaze that erupted last week has damaged a historic Northern California resort in the Stanislaus National Forest. The nearly century-old Dardanelle Resort has sustained massive structural damage, though the details were unclear, the Sacramento Bee newspaper reported. The rustic lodge 180 miles (290 kilometers) east of San Francisco is nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains and offers cabin and motel rentals along with RV sites, a store and restaurant. The U.S. Forest Service reported that the fire crossed a highway Sunday evening, forcing crews to retreat from the fire's edge. The resort owners said in a Facebook post that "at this point it has been confirmed that there is 'massive structural damage.' We are heartbroken and struggling with this news." A truck passes by flames during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson) Towering flames approach a home during the Ranch Fire in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson) Explore further Deadly California blaze spawned destructive fire tornado 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. @alextdaugherty Donna Shalala could have a serious fight on her hands. New polling from Matt Haggman's campaign shows that Shalala's lead in the Democratic primary to replace retiring Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is shrinking with three weeks until the Aug. 28 election. The poll, conducted from Aug. 2 to 5 by RABA Research on behalf of the Haggman campaign, shows Shalala with a 10 percentage point lead over Haggman among likely primary voters and state Rep. David Richardson virtually tied with Haggman. A fourth candidate, Miami Beach commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, also captures double digit support in Haggman's poll while 27 percent of voters are not sure who they will vote for. The 10 percentage point lead for Shalala over Haggman is less than half of a 27 percentage point lead Shalala had when her campaign conducted a poll in June. The RABA poll, conducted in English and Spanish via automated and live phone surveys, gives Shalala 26 percent support while Haggman has 16, Richardson 15 and Rosen Gonzalez 11. Michael Hepburn received four percent. The poll's margin of error is 4.7 percent. "To see where were at with just over three weeks left until the primary compared to where we were a few months ago, this is a testament to the strong campaign that has been built," Haggman campaign manager Michael Edwards said in a statement. "As a first time candidate, Matt did not come in with the name recognition Donna Shalala did. When you look at the poll, 59% of likely voters could change their mind and over a quarter of the electorate is still undecided. We will continue to knock on every door and meet voters across the district, drive Matts progressive message forward, and take this race all the way to victory in November." Haggman and Richardson are trying to present themselves as liberal alternatives to Shalala, the former president of the University of Miami and the former Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Bill Clinton. Haggman, the former director of the Knight Foundation, and Richardson both support a "Medicare for all" healthcare system and want to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement, two positions that Shalala does not support. Haggman was one of the first candidates running for congress nationwide to call for abolishing ICE and released television ads on the issue. Richardson and Haggman also have enough financial muscle to continue television advertisements through the primary, though Shalala has shown she can out raise the field and would have the resources to mount a substantial attack against either if she chooses to do so. Though Haggman's polling shows a tightening race, Shalala remains the favorite to win the nomination for a seat that Democrats expect to flip in November, as Ros-Lehtinen's Miami-based seat had the largest margin of victory for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump among all congressional districts held by Republicans in 2016. "The question is, where's Donna?" Richardson consultant Eric Johnson said. Gov. Rick Scott flew to Minnesota Monday to raise more money for his U.S. Senate race, and on Tuesday, he will head south to Bogota, Colombia, to attend the swearing-in ceremonies for that countrys new president. Scott's Minnesota fund-raiser included a number of deep-pocket Republicans with Florida ties, along with Stanley Hubbard, a long-time Republican donor and owner of TV and radio stations in the Twin Cities and elsewhere. According to this MinnPost account, Hubbard morphed from the anti-Trump camp to the pro-Trump crowd in the 2016 election. On Tuesday, Scott will be in Bogota, Colombia, to attend the inauguration of that countrys new 41-year-old president, conservative Ivan Duque. The governor's office said that while in the Latin American nation, Scott will meet with exiled Venezuelan leaders "to discuss ways for Florida to continue to oppose the brutal regime of Nicolas Maduro." Scott has emphasized his efforts to connect with Hispanic voters in his Senate race against Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. On Monday, Scott's campaign unveiled a new Spanish-language ad, "Esperanza" (hope). Community Stories Cambodians Speak of Threats, Intimidation During Election It is villagers rights to go to vote or not vote, said one woman describing pressure from ruling party officials to vote. Although Prime Minister Hun Sens Cambodian Peoples Party won a landslide victory in the recent general election, there is growing affirmation that in the weeks leading up to the vote local authorities carried out surveillance of suspected opposition supporters. In practice, this extended to anyone calling for a boycott of the election, or anyone publicly supporting the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), or the recently formed Cambodia National Rescue Movement (CNRM), which Hun Sen dubbed a terrorist organization. On election day, the surveillance showed no signs of abating, as local officials posing as election monitors stationed themselves outside polling stations to record the names of those who did not turn out to cast a ballot. In Siem Reap provinces Chi Kreng district, local officials and members of Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) had a list of names and they highlighted those who voted. One village administrator said he would pay those who did not turn up a house call. I will go to call those people who didnt come to vote when the polling is about to finish, he said. At two other nearby polling stations, VOA found local officials carrying out the same task, despite local administration officials being barred from taking part in political activities during the vote. A member of Cambodias ruling party uses an illustrated list to check voters at a polling station in Samaki Sopheap Primary School in Kampong Kdei Commune, Chikreng District, Siem Reap Province. (Thida Win | VOA Khmer) The CNRP won more than 40 percent of the popular vote in local elections in 2017, but after the party was banned in November of that year, the hundreds of local authorities they controlled were taken over by the CPP, giving Hun Sens ruling party control of the day-to-day running of local government affairs. After much criticism from the international community, the CPP needed a high turnout at the election to prove its legitimacy. As a result, villagers across Cambodia complained of increased threats and intimidation to participate. However, despite 19 minor political parties contesting the vote, the second largest category of votes cast in the election were for what has been dubbed the Spoiled Ballot Party, with increases in the number of spoiled ballots up by orders of magnitude compared with previous elections. An election officer displays a ballot that was invalidated with cross-outs at the Boeng Keng Kong 2 commune, Chamkamon district, in Phnom Penh on election day. (Khan Sokummono | VOA Khmer) Pech Bottom, a villager in Kampong Kdey commune, said he had not voted as he was a CNRP supporter even though he felt pressured to vote by the local administration. I saw village authorities with lists at the polling station and checking names of people going to vote, he said. Officials threats to withheld public services from those who did not vote had also played a part in the high turnout. Some went to vote, but under duress, he said. They spoiled the ballot. They told us that if we dont go to vote, the authority will not make any documents for villagers when they want them, like for weddings or any ceremonies. Sarin, 39, a villager in Kampong Chhnang province, said local officials threatened to block the signing of documents if they did not vote. The village authority just told villagers to go to vote. They told us that if we dont go to vote, the authority will not make any documents for villagers when they want them, like for weddings or any ceremonies, she said. Why the village authority do like that? It is a threatening. It is villagers rights to go to vote or not vote, said Sarin who asked VOA Khmer not to use her full name because she was afraid. I feel afraid of not going to vote, she added. Some villagers and I discussed and they said they would go to vote thought they dont want to since they dont want authority to notice them. It is pressure. All villagers are afraid of that, added Sarin. As a citizen I dont want it to be like that. Why is our country like that? Cambodian citizens line up to vote on July 29, 2018 a polling station in Takmao town, Kandal Province. (Tum Malis | VOA Khmer) For decades, the ruling party has worked to blur the boundary between the CPP and the state, funding local development projects using state money which are attributed to the CPPs largesse. Thousands of schools carry the prime ministers name. Many were transformed into polling stations on election day. The party, Cambodians are told, gives life. In Botoms family, only the older generation went to vote. Hun Sen is believed to have a strong following among older Cambodians, who may remember the days of genocide and civil war prior to the signing of peace accords in 1991. San Sak, 41, the former CNRP councilor in neighboring Kork Thlork Krom commune, says CPP officials had gone door-to-door on election day, calling on people to vote. The village chief walked from home to home and asked people to go to vote, he said. They [villagers] were scared and tired. It was pressure to go to vote, he said, adding that authorities were more likely to provide administrative services to people whose fingers were stained with the indelible ink used as an anti-election fraud measure. Sok Eysan, CPP spokesman, defended the pressure placed on opposition supporters in local authorities here, saying the officials had not used force to get people to the polling stations. Some 600,000 Cambodians spoiled their ballots during the election, about one in ten of the votes cast. Hun Sen has claimed that the CPP has some 5 million supporters across the country, but won only about 3 million votes in the 2013 election. In response to disappointing results in the 2017 commune elections, the CPP embarked on an ambitious new membership campaign to register entire households as CPP families to ensure support in last weeks election. In a statement on Monday, the CNRP said: Without the party of their choice, millions of Cambodian voters were left with no choice other than to boycott the election. They live in fear with constant threats and intimidation by the ruling party to coerce them to vote. Former CNRP president Sam Rainsy, who has been living in exile since 2015, had called on Cambodians to boycott the election through an online campaign known as the Clean Finger Campaign. On Friday, the last day of election campaigning, Hun Sen said: Now the majority of people will go to vote. For those at the local level who dont go to vote, how will you live with your neighbors? Those who are against voting are the people who destroy the nation and democracy, which must not be forgiven, he added. @alextdaugherty Fred Guttenberg and Manuel and Patricia Oliver, the parents of two children killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, are behind Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine's gubernatorial bid. Guttenberg and the Olivers, who have traveled around the country promoting increased gun control measures since the Valentine's Day shooting, both cut TV commercials for Levine's campaign that will go on the air tomorrow in the Miami-Dade and West Palm media markets as part of a six-figure ad buy according to Levine's campaign. "I am proud to announce my support of Philip Levine for Governor of Florida," Guttenberg tweeted. "I believe firmly that he will strongly support and reinforce the legislation passed after Parkland. # OrangeWaveInNovember." I am proud to announce my support of Philip Levine for Governor of Florida. I believe firmly that he will strongly support and reinforce the legislation passed after Parkland. #OrangeWaveInNovember. https://t.co/eK7WW6UYd8 Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) August 6, 2018 Levine is trying to emerge victorious in a five-way primary later this month that includes former Rep. Gwen Graham, Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum, real estate developer Jeff Greene and businessman Chris King. "I really believe that Philip is a doer, he can show it, he's part of that team that we're looking for," Manuel said in the ad where he appears beside his wife Patricia. Guttenberg in particular gained a national profile after he confronted Sen. Marco Rubio at a televised town hall two weeks after the shooting. He's since appeared at events and protests around the country, arguing that Republicans in Congress aren't doing enough to prevent future mass shootings. "Levine's a doer, not a talker," Guttenberg said in his ad. Watch both ads below: World War I on the homefront By Casey MacLean May 2018 One hundred years ago, German U-boats lurked beneath the waves off the coast of North Carolina, bringing World War I home to the United States. Few Americans believed that German Unterseeboots would be able to traverse the Atlantic to reach our shores but they were wrong. By the end of World War I, German submarines known as U-boats had managed to sink 10 vessels off North Carolina alone, and 200 American ships in total. This summer, North Carolina will remember the 100th anniversary of these historic attacks. This illustration from 1916 depicts a German submarine attacking an American merchant ship. Image: Willy Stower/Library of Congress Since World War I, nautical technology has evolved at a rapid rate, but in 1914 U-boats were considered quite advanced. These vessels could reach maximum depths of 50 meters or 165 feet, achieve speeds of 16 knots at the surface and eight knots underwater, and had a range of up to 25,000 miles. They were armed with deck-mounted guns and up to 16 self-propelled torpedoes. Since torpedoes of this period could be unreliable, surface attacks were quite common; this tactic also allowed U-boat crews to seize supplies and valuables from merchant ships before they sunk. Furthermore, some U-boats were equipped to transport and deploy naval mines. Submarine warfare played an integral role in the mounting international pressures of World War I. After the war broke out in 1914, Great Britain used its powerful navy to blockade German ports to limit food, supplies, and war materials from reaching the German military and people. Great Britain declared German waters a war zone and seized cargoes bound for the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria). Germany then retaliated by creating its own blockade around the British Isles and English Channel and began using a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, destroying all Allied and neutral party ships. This poster from 1915 calls on men to enlist in the Navy following the sinking of the RMS Lusitania. Image courtesy of Library of Congress On May 7, 1915, the German U-20 sank the passenger liner RMS Lusitania off the coast of Ireland, horrifically killing 1,198 passengers, including 128 Americans. This tragedy heightened tensions between the United States and Germany, causing the Germans to temporarily back down on their use of unrestricted submarine warfare. However, in an attempt to quickly end the war by cutting off British supplies, the aggressive U-boat attacks resumed at the beginning of 1917, sinking both military and civilian vessels. In response to this threat, the United States joined the Allies (France, Great Britain, Italy, and Japan) and entered the war on April 6, 1917. After this declaration of war, the United States devoted manpower, supplies, and naval forces to help the Allies in Europe. This left merchant and naval shipping along the East Coast exposed to German U-boats. From April 1917 until November 1918, four German U-boats visited the East Coast of the United States and sank 10 vessels off North Carolinas coast and 200 U.S. vessels in total. One of these U-boats, U-140, was particularly notable for sinking the Diamond Shoals Lightship, LV-71, in August 1918. LV-71 was one of only two U.S. government ships to be sunk by a U-boat during World War I. This wreck is now managed by Monitor National Marine Sanctuary and the U.S. Coast Guard. During the same event, U-140 also sunk the USS Merak. Another U-boat, U-117, sank the British tanker SS Mirlo in a well-known attack off the coast of North Carolina, but this shipwreck remains undiscovered. U-140 was one of four German U-boats that patrolled the East Coast of the United States. Photo: Naval History and Heritage Command The damage inflicted by U-boats during World War I was powerful. Their ability to submerge and to surprise enemies led to massive casualties: Germany and Austria-Hungary sank almost 5,000 merchant ships during World War I, killing approximately 15,000 Allied sailors. The Treaty of Versailles required the Germans to surrender and break up their U-boat fleet, but German naval commanders had learned the value of submarine warfare and continued to improve this technology in peacetime years. German U-boats returned to North Carolina during World War II with a vengeance, leaving even more wrecks off the coast. Although most of World War I took place in Europe, German U-boats brought the war home to the United States. Many shipwrecks of U-boat victims can be found off the coast of North Carolina in the popular shipping area that known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Archaeologists from Monitor National Marine Sanctuary and partners located and explored the German U-576 in 2016. Photo: John McCord, UNC Coastal Studies Institute - Battle of the Atlantic Expedition Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, first established in 1975, protects and honors the wreck of the USS Monitor, which sank in 1862 during the Civil War after battling the Confederate CSS Virginia. In addition to the USS Monitor, Monitor National Marine Sanctuary has researched and documented many shipwreck sites and seeks to honor World War Is history off the coast of North Carolina. The proposed boundary expansion of Monitor National Marine Sanctuary could encompass shipwrecks of World War I and World War II, which would ensure the preservation of our nations maritime heritage for years to come. Casey MacLean is a constituent and legislative affairs volunteer intern at NOAAs Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Lelectricite est devenue, de nos jours, un besoin dune importance majeure, et cela, dans tous les domaines dactivite. Que ce soit dans les maisons ou [] " " Researchers discovered that epithelial cells those covering the surface of many human organs use a new geometric shape, the scutoid, so the tissues can curve. University of Seville Unless you've been living under an oblong spheroid, you probably heard about the latest discovery in shapes: the scutoid. A team of Spanish biologists from the University of Seville modeled the scutoid to determine how epithelial cells pack together to form the barriers of skin, organs and blood vessels. The researchers simply used mathematics to hypothesize a shape in nature a shape necessary for the construction of multicellular organisms. When it became clear that the shape was new to geometry, they named it after the scutellum, the part of a beetle's thorax that vaguely resembles the newly christened scutoid. Advertisement In the example of the scutoid, we can intuit much about the discovery of new shapes: where they come from and why we seek them to begin with. The most basic form of shape discovery is simply viewing them in the natural world. The hexagon (a six-sided polygon), for instance, occurs in everything from soap bubbles and honeycombs to the clouds of Saturn. As writer Phillip Ball explored in the Nautilus article "Why Nature Prefers Hexagons," he explains how it's a geometrically ideal shape for a number of functions. As such, the hexagon emerged from physical interactions and biological evolution. Humans just came along and named it. Other shapes are less common in nature but emerge readily from geometry or even uninformed imagination. Right angles, for instance, are rare in the natural world. A stroll through the wilderness will not present you with squares and rectangles. Indeed, research indicates that we might instead be hard-wired to prefer natural curves over straight lines. Yet we still construct cubes and use them to remake the world. There's a disconnect, however, between the sorts of shapes that can be conceptualized and those that that can be found or reproduced in the nature. Perfect circles, for instance, do not exist in our material realm. From a purely mathematical standpoint, we can easily construct a set of points in a plane that are equidistant from a given point. But, in reality, even the most finely crafted circles and spheres fall short of mathematical perfection. Even the quartz gyroscopic rotors built for NASA's Gravity Probe B are still less than three ten-millionths of an inch from perfection. The scutoid, however, seems to actually exist. We might not be able to see it, but scientists have mathematically modeled it as a solution for a biological problem. As such, should science one day abandon the scutoid in favor of another solution, the shape itself continues to exist geometrically. So, to refresh, one can discover shapes by spotting them in nature, inferring their existence in nature or through an exercise in pure mathematics. It's rare these days, but shape hunters occasionally turn up a new type of pentagon or even a new class of solid shapes. So by all means, go out there and see what you can find though please be aware that we already have quite a few mathematical shapes on file. The trapezo-rhombic dodecahedron is already taken and Clickhole has dibs on the Triquandle. Now That's Impossible Optical illusions such as the Penrose triangle exploit the same visual tendencies that make backward letters such an easy mistake in early grade school. A p and a q are distinctly different on paper, but if we interpret them as 3D images, then they are simply two views of the same object. The Penrose triangle cannot truly exist in 3D space, but we perceive it as a 3D object and this confounding figure is still composed in the shape of a triangle. Still, as Lionel and Roger Penrose proved, you can discover and name such objects even if Oscar Reutersvard created it years earlier. Motley Fool With job openings at or near all-time highs in recent months, it's no surprise that some companies are going to have a harder time than others grappling with the ongoing labor shortage. In this segment of Backstage Pass, recorded on Oct. 15, Fool contributors Toby Bordelon, Trevor Jennewine, and Rachel Warren discuss three companies that could have a rocky road ahead. Toby Bordelon: Continuing with the food theme here, we had some tough news for Domino's. They reported earnings, I think it was last night, yesterday they reported earnings. Singapores Shoebox apartments helps banking sector stability Small residential housing size such as shoebox apartments is good for Singapore banks. You may not know it, but having ever smaller housing is almost institutionalised in Singapores policies on land, and on the Singapore banking and financial sector. Ever smaller housing means rising land prices and that means safer asset values for the banks that lend out home loans and hence greater safety for the value of their secured lending for the Singapores banking industry. shoebox apartments Image Credits: Singapore Financial District at Night, Paul Ho, iCompareLoan.com Singapores Fiat banking System Banks create credit by setting aside a reserve known in Singapore as a Minimum Cash balance. In short, in a fiat currency system, banks can print money (create credit), not exactly print because it has to be repaid. For every dollar that a bank prints, they need to put up a small percentage of the money as a deposit in a MAS account. They have to put the banks equity towards this deposit with MAS. Lets assume that the Minimum Cash Balance (MCB) is 5% (other countries call it Reserve Ratio), that means that to create $100 to lend to a borrower, they will only need $5 to be set aside. The money to be set aside can be from the banks equity. https://www.icompareloan.com/resources/bank-loans-singapore-mortgage/ How do the Singapore banks lend? what is their profit margins? Its not bad right? You create $1,000,000 of loans simply by placing $50,000 deposit in MCB. If banks charge 2% interest on $1,000,000, that means the bank earns (gross): $50,000 deposited into MAS under the MCB funds or otherwise referred to as Invested capital. Gross earning $20,000. Gross returns = $20,000/$50,000 = 40%. In short, the bank does not need to have $1,000,000 to lend you $1,000,000. They can just create digital digits and then place them into the deposit account of the borrower. (Of course, what you learn in the text book is, banks take your deposits and lend it out, yes, this too.) Story continues Note: This is a simplified view of a complex banking system. In reality, banks margins are not that high due to regulatory and compliance and other cost of sales incidentals. Singapore Banks Undertake Risks of Non-Performing Loans (NPL) While banks can create credit (almost like printing money), banks will also need to underwrite any losses from non performing loans or losses from non repayment, so it is not exactly free money. (Though they do lend out from depositors funds too) But its definitely very hard for Singapore banks to lose money from Non-performing loans (NPL) in Singapore from secured lending against residential properties, due to the extremely good residential asset quality supported by Singapores land policies of pushing up asset values and making land ever more expensive. Shoebox apartments play a part in this ecology. Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR), Mortgage Servicing Ratio (MSR) and Low Loan-to-Value Prevents banks from losing money In Singapore Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) and Mortgage servicing ratio (MSR) is used to gauge the ability to service the loan and the earning capacity, so that a default situation never really need to happen. Smaller units such as Shoebox apartments are affordable based on price quantum and hence can potentially be good protection for the banks. Will the banks lose money? Mostly no. This is because MAS restricts the maximum loan-to-value to 75% (previously 80% before 6th July 2018) of the property valuation or transacted price, whichever is lower. What this means is that, if the property prices are firm and appreciating, and even if the prices were to fall a little, the banks will almost always be able to recover their money by selling the property in the open market as mortgagee sale. Since assets are very safe (such as those shoebox apartments) due to the Singapore governments relentless push for higher land values, banks can lend safely, hire bankers, pay bankers commission to promote their packages and do customer acquisition. And in this regard, Mortgage Brokers play a key role in helping banks reach out to more customers in the most cost effective way so that expensive advertising can be minimised and the number of bankers they employ can also be optimised. Mortgage brokers can help you save time to get the best home loans in Singapore and so you also do not waste the banks time to do countless frivolous bank loan applications that you may not have the intention of taking up as a mortgage broker helps you to shortlist the key packages. Singapore Government squeezes people into shoebox apartments for Land Price enhancement Singapore is fortunate in that the government wants its residents to interact closely with each other, and as a result squeezes people into tiny spaces that is built up into shoebox apartments. This is called land use intensification where people live in high rise and crowded space. Perhaps in the future, underground too. Land is released gradually and slowly and deliberately controlled to extract high prices. When demand rises leading to land price rises, only then will the Government consider releasing more land for sale. This makes property developers bid ever higher prices for the land. As affordability has not dramatically increased, the size of residential units are made ever smaller, so as to cover their cost of bidding high. Sometimes, the government releases land so slowly that the land the government releases are getting further and further away, developers take things into their own hands and bid for condominium projects via en bloc sales. This is also good for the government coffers as the Singapore government made away with lots of money from land sales by timing huge releases of land supply at the peak price. This leads to a period of indigestion of land supply that takes several years to digest. High Intensity and crowded living means profitable MRT and Bus services With higher density living, buses and SMRT lines will become very profitable, never mind the frequent breakdowns. Shopping malls being built or commercial land being zoned into these hubs will have a profitable and captive market which in turn makes the shopping malls valuation high and the land it sits on even more valuable. A captive market of residents forced into tight and crowded living spaces means a high concentration of shoppers and consumers. This leads to more facilities and more connectivity (such as roads and SMRT) which serves to reinforce the property price upward pressure. It is exactly this perverse nature of managed scarcity that helps support the property prices and asset values. Squeezing people into tight spaces is good economics. Crowded Living and Ever Smaller Condominiums are good for Singapore So Singaporeans and residents are destined to live in ever tinier spaces as it is institutionalised for financial stability to maintain a stable and sustainable Property market as land price rises means good collateral value and a safe and good banking system and hence maybe a good economy. So do not complain that your house is getting smaller, it is good for you. For advice on a new home loan or Personal Finance advice. To speak to our Panel of Property agents. For refinancing advice. The post Shoebox apartments keeps Singapore Banking Sector sustainable appeared first on iCompareLoan Resources. Trade wars pose the biggest threat to one of the biggest bull runs in the stock market. As the U.S continues to squabble with China and the European Union, over trade tariffs, so have, investors resorted to cautionary tactics when it comes to investments. Double-digit drops in some of the worlds largest stock indexes in the world all but provides a hint on what investors should expect should the trade war standoff get out of hand. While Singapore is not one of the countries that is likely to be adversely affected by such deadlocks, investors still need a game plan given that the effects would undoubtedly spill over into the stock market. Trade conflict is expected to benefit stocks of companies with limited exposure to the U.S, China or Europe. In the event of a full-blown trade war, Singapore investors may have to pay more attention to stocks of companies that generate most of their revenues domestically. That said, it is also essential to focus on companies with news and developments that are so compelling to withstand any full-blown trade war. Some of the stocks to look on to, on escalating trade wars are those of companies in the property sector, consumer market as well as the electronics sector. Stocks of restaurant companies with operation in the country should also remain an affected as well as financial institutions that derive most of their operations and earnings domestically. Property Sector Property Sector remains one of the top performers in Singapore, presenting unique investment opportunities. The fact that the sector has limited exposure to the outside world should make it a safe bet as trade wars escalate. After three years of stagnation, the sector has bottomed out nicely thanks to a rise in private home prices. CapitaLand Limited is without a doubt a top pick in Singapores property sector. After years of underperformance, the company is finally showing signs of resurgence depicted bay 30% increase in net earnings gain last year. The fact that the Singapore property developer is highly diversified means investors stand to gain exposure to some high-quality properties across the region. Story continues City Development Limited is another blue-chip property developer stock worth considering, in times of trade wars. The company boasts of multiple residential projects expected to propel its earnings in the near future. Last year, the company reported an 18% increase in revenues and rewarded shareholders with a dividend of 4 cents a share. Consumer Sector Household income has been increasing steadily, in recent years, as the economy continues to grow at an impressive rate. A booming economy means there is more disposable income for people to spend with the biggest beneficiaries being companies addressing peoples day to day needs. Genting Consumer is one of the stocks expected to stand out in 2018, on increasing consumer purchasing power. The company has diversified its operation into Japan gaming industry. Its universals Studios and hotel occupancies continue to attract huge traffic, which points to further increase in revenues. Last year, the company reported a 100% increase in net profit. The solid performance is expected to continue in 2018, which should see investors walk away with higher dividend payout in addition to share price increases. Leading provider of gateway services and food solutions, SATS, is another stock worth paying close attention to in the consumer spending sector. The company has been expanding its catering business into new markets having recently signed a deal with the Turkish Airlines. After topping earnings estimates last year at 5.9 cents a share, the company is expected to continue outperforming in line with improving consumer spending power. Consumer Electronics Segment Consumer Electronic Segment is another sector worth pursuing opportunities in, as tensions in the global markets spill over. People will always continue to buy gadgets even with the escalation of tensions across the globe. Venture Corporation is one such company that is expected to continue outperforming the market as it did last year. The company is expected to surpass all estimates in 2018 which should see it ramp up its dividend yield as has been the case in previous years. The company is in the process of ramping up its production capacity as it looks to meet increasing demand for electronic gadgets. Increased production should lead to more revenues, which should see an increase in net income, consequently higher earnings per share and dividend offering. Valuetronics is another stock that any investor can look at, in a bid to ride on Singapores booming electronics manufacturing sector. Last year the company reported a 16% increase in revenue that saw earnings increase by 28%. One of the reasons to bet on Valuetronics has to do with the fact that it is a reputable company when it comes to returning shareholder value. Investors love the company for its uninterrupted dividend payouts Health Care Sector Taking into consideration Singapores aging population, demand for healthcare service is on the rise. Companies with operations in the sector are experiencing booming business and in the process passing down returns to shareholders. Raffles Medical Group is one such company with hospital and clinic operations in Singapore. The company is not expected to be affected in any way by escalating trade war tension abroad. Last year, the company raised its dividend payout on growing optimism over earnings prospects. In addition, the company is expanding its operations into China as it looks to strengthen its hospital assets in the race for new revenue avenues. Q&M Dental Group is another stock that investors can use to gain exposure into Singapores booming healthcare sector. The dental clinic operator boasts of a vast network of clinics in a majority of neighborhoods in the island nation from where it generates a good chunk of its revenues The dental clinic operator reported a 23% increase in net profit last year and consequently paid a special dividend to shareholders. Bottom Line The best way to navigate the stock market amidst spiraling trade wars in some of the biggest economies in the world is focusing on stocks of companies with limited exposure abroad. It is also essential to invest in stocks of companies that are positioned to grow over the long run, regardless of what happens. (By Ruchi Gupta) Related Articles - Top 8 REITS to invest in Singapore 2018 - Top 8 ETFs to Invest in Singapore 2018 - Top 8 Mutual Funds or Unit Trust to Invest in Singapore 2018 More than one thousand tourists were being evacuated from Indonesia's tiny Gili islands on Monday after a powerful quake struck neighbouring Lombok, killing 91 people and injuring hundreds. The Gilis are three coral-fringed tropical islands popular with backpackers and divers, a few kilometres off the northwest coast of the larger Lombok island. Footage posted online by rescue officials showed hundreds of panicked tourists and locals crowded onto powder-white beaches desperately waiting for transport off the normally paradise islands. Muhammad Faozal, the head of West Nusa Tenggara's tourism agency, said there were about 1,200 mostly foreign tourists on the Gilis. "We cannot evacuate all of them all at once because we don't have enough capacity on the boats. It's understandable they want to leave the Gilis, they are panicking," he told AFP. He said extra boats, including at least two navy vessels, were on their way. Lombok, a volcanic island that towers over the flatter Gilis, bore the brunt of Sunday's quake, with the vast majority of deaths occurring there. However, a local search and rescue official said there had been at least one fatality on the Gilis and several injuries. "One Indonesian tourist died in Gili Meno, several were injured, mostly suffering from broken bones," rescue official Agus Hendra Sanjaya told AFP, referencing the middle island. The 6.9 magnitude tremor, which triggered panic among tourists and locals on Sunday evening, was also felt on Bali, one of Southeast Asia's leading tourist destinations. At least one person was killed by falling debris and dozens of buildings and temples were damaged on the majority-Hindu island, said I Wayan Karnawan, head of the local disaster mitigation agency in Bangli regency. American model Chrissy Teigen, who is staying in Bali with her children and singer husband John Legend, live-tweeted the quake. "Bali. Trembling. So long," she told her 10.6 million followers. "We are safe, up high and nothing around us. Thinking about everyone around us and in Lombok especially," she added. The main tourist areas of Lombok in the south and west of the island appear to have been spared the worst of the damage. Lombok's beaches and hiking trails draw holidaymakers from around the world. But some fearful tourists were already trying to leave. A French tourist, who gave his name as Jina, told local broadcaster Metro TV he had tried to rush to Lombok's main airport. "But there was no taxi, no transport, no plan for evacuation." "Later I stopped a car and I asked a local to please take me and my family to the airport and he said 'Okay no problem'." National flag carrier Garuda said it would put on extra flights from Lombok to Jakarta to help tourists who wanted to leave. Most of the victims in the latest disaster died in the north and east of Lombok. Thousands were evacuated to outside shelters. Bali's international airport suffered damage to its terminal but the runway was unaffected and operations had returned to normal, disaster agency officials said. (Reuters) - Almost 400 migrants were rescued in the Mediterranean this weekend as they attempted to make the crossing from Morocco to Spain, Spanish rescue services said. While the overall numbers of migrants reaching Europe by sea is down from the peak in 2015, Spain has witnessed a steady increase in sea arrivals that began more than a year ago and has surged in recent months (nL5N1UM7TL.) Through Saturday, 395 people were rescued from nine boats in the Strait of Gibraltar and the Alboran Sea, the two principal sea crossings to Spain, the Spanish coastguard said on Twitter. Two more people were rescued from a small boat on Sunday, it said. Spain, which for the first time in years has overtaken Italy as the preferred destination for refugees, has registered almost 21,000 migrants so far this year, almost more than in the whole of last year, according to figures compiled by the International Organisation for Migration (nL5N1UN58P). The mortality rate for the crossing from Morocco is around one in 70, IOM said, lower than that between Libya and Italy, which is one in 19. (Reporting by Sam Edwards, editing by Larry King) A police officer gestures at the photographer as security patrol outside the headquarters of China's banking regulator in Beijing, China August 6, 2018. REUTERS/Thomas Peter By Elias Glenn BEIJING (Reuters) - China ramped up the police presence in the financial district of its capital on Monday, with officers checking bystanders' identity cards and telling pedestrians to disperse, while at least 50 police gathered outside the banking regulator's office. "There were loads of security people on the street this morning," said one man leaving an office building two blocks from the headquarters of the regulator, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission. Video clips circulating on Chinese social media earlier on Monday showed people gathering outside the regulator's offices being taken away on buses by police. Some of those taken away were heard on the clips identifying themselves as investors in peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms that could not pay them back. Reuters could not independently verify the video clips, and the banking regulator could not be immediately reached outside business hours for comment. P2P platforms collect funds from investors promising attractive returns. The funds are in turn offered to borrowers traditionally not served by risk-averse banks. The number of online P2P platforms has shrunk dramatically in recent years as Beijing has cracked down on risky lending practices in a broader deleveraging campaign. Ezubao, once China's biggest P2P lending platform, folded in 2016 after it turned out to be a Ponzi scheme that collected 59.8 billion yuan ($8.7 billion) from more than 900,000 investors through savvy marketing. By the time police made arrests in early 2016, the company had failed to repay 38 billion yuan. ($1=6.8456 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Elias Glenn; Writing by Ryan Woo; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Ben Davis (left) and Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen. (PHOTOS: Jose Raymond/SPIN & Yahoo News Singapore file photo) There are no valid grounds to approve the application for National Service (NS) deferment by Harvey Davis for his footballer son Ben as there is no commitment to serve Singapore or our national interests, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen. Addressing Parliament on Monday (6 August) in response to queries on the issue from Members of Parliament, Ng added that granting the 17-year-old deferment would be unfair to the many others who have served their NS dutifully as required, and not at a time of their choosing. The minister also said that doing so would erode the basis on which the courts have upheld the Enlistment Act passed by Parliament and punished those for not fulfilling their NS liabilities to pursue personal pursuits. Ben Davis, who has signed a senior contract with Fulham Football Club, is the first Singaporean to be taken on professionally by a top-flight English football club. The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) has rejected his request to defer his NS enlistment date. This decision is currently being appealed by the Davises. Ng claimed that Ben Davis is playing for Fulham as an English national, not a Singapore citizen. Mindef is not privy to the contract signed between them, but we assume this published information is correct and that the father must have his reasons for doing so. Harvey Davis, who runs the JSSL football academy in Singapore, has consistently refused to indicate when his son would return to serve his NS if he is granted deferment, Ng said. He cited the fathers response to the Ministry of Culture Community and Youth, Sport Singapore and the Football Association of Singapore, that stated, We are unable to commit to a date for his return should he be playing professional football in the UK or EuropeThere are a lot of variables all dependent on his development and progression. Harvey also indicated that his son would still proceed to sign the contract with Fulham even if he is not granted deferment. The reason given by the father was that his son would only return to fulfil his NS commitment if he is unsuccessful in his professional career, Ng said. Story continues If Mr Ben Davis will not give up his senior contract, which provides for an allowance of a few hundred pounds a week, to serve his NS, it is even more unlikely that he will return to serve NS if he subsequently gets offered a contract worth many times more, he added. Davis senior has been quite open about his goal to further his sons professional career first, to the extent that he would consider the option of his son renouncing his Singapore citizenship. Singapore and her interests, including his sons NS obligations, are secondary consideration, if at all. There has been no indication, commitment or plans as to how Mr Ben Davis would help football standards in Singapore, if deferred, Ng said. Related stories: COMMENT: Why does Mindef value scholars over sportsmen? Mindef: Benjamin Davis actions are to further own career, not national interest FAS strongly supports Ben Davis NS deferment, seeks balanced solution Fulham signee Ben Davis may not play for Singapore if NS deferment appeal fails, says father DPM Tharman praises French football system that produced World Cup winners AFP News As the chain of events that led to actor Alec Baldwin fatally shooting a cinematographer becomes clearer, the question remains: who, if anyone, will be held responsible for the death of Halyna Hutchins? Reuters BENGALURU (Reuters) -Maruti Suzuki India Ltd's full-year sales and profit expectations have been upended by the global chip shortage and spike in commodity prices, India's biggest carmaker said on Wednesday, as it missed second-quarter profit forecasts. "At the beginning of the year we did not expect to lose so much production in the second quarter because of chips and maybe lose production in the third quarter," Chairman R.C. Bhargava said after Maruti posted a 65.3% plunge in quarterly net profit. Aug 6 (Reuters) - Zhejiang Tianyu Pharmaceutical Co Ltd : * SAYS TAIWAN MEDICAL AUTHORITIES HAS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED ITS VALSARTAN MATERIAL DUE TO IMPURITY NDMA * SAYS ITS VALSARTAN SALES TO TAIWAN WAS 1.37 MILLION YUAN ($200,189.96) IN 2017, IS IN NEGOTIATION WITH IMPORTER TAIWAN'S PHARMANEER CO LTD TO MINIMISE THE IMPACT Source text in Chinese: https://bit.ly/2KwaoL8 Further company coverage: ($1 = 6.8435 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Hong Kong newsroom) Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said building ahead of demand has been one of the factors for Singapores economic success... Artists impression of Jewel Changi Airport. Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said building ahead of demand has been one of the factors for Singapores economic success, with the city-state applying this principle in aviation, industrial and maritime development, reported TODAYonline. For global business, if you dont have the capacity to serve, you lose business to your competitors. Its as simple as that, he said at the official opening of Changi Airport Terminal 4 last Friday (3 Aug). Search for properties for sale near Changi Airport. However, he noted that building ahead of demand requires sound judgment and not simply build and they will come. The aviation industry, for instance, is subject to various disruptions such that following straight line projections may end up in tears. We must be sensitive to potential disruptions and be ready to make strategic changes promptly when warranted, noted Khaw. He cited Changi Airport Group (CAG) chairman Liew Mun Leongs internal memo to his colleagues in 2017 following the soft opening of T4. In the memo, Liew shared that when Changi Airport opened in July 1981, it was handling only about eight million passengers. Nonetheless, a masterplan was drafted for the airport to cater for the maximum demand of 30 million passengers per annum (mppa), despite receiving severe scepticism from senior economists. We were proven right, wrote Liew in the memo, a copy of which was sent to Khaw. Indeed Changi Airport hit that maximum plan of 30 mppa as early as 2004, much sooner than expected. And recently on 18 December 2017, Changi hit 60 mppa. To date, Khaw revealed that Terminal 2 is being expanded, while plans to build Terminal 5 are on-going. He added that T5 is not just another terminal building but is set to become Singapores second airport. To manage the risk of disruptions, we are designing T5 in scalable modules and to build them in phases, he said. This is a practical approach to avoid over-investment and being caught wrong-footed, should our projections turn awry. Story continues Interested in buying property in Changi? Check out our step-by-step guide to buying a condo. Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact him about this or other stories, email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (C), attends an inauguration of a new boat terminal in Phnom Penh, Cambodia August 1, 2018. REUTERS/Samrang Pring/Files By Prak Chan Thul PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Monday he will give a speech to the United Nations General Assembly after claiming victory in a much-criticised election last month. Although official results won't be announced until mid-August, Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) said it had won all 125 parliamentary seats following the July 29 vote. Critics have said the vote was a sham after the only viable opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was dissolved last year by the Supreme Court and 118 members were banned from politics for five years. CNRP leader Kem Sokha was jailed on treason charges in September. He remains in pre-trial detention. Hun Sen, 66, said he would travel to the United Nations if his new cabinet is formed by August to show the world that Cambodia does not need outside approval. "I will go to the United Nations to make a speech for you to see that as a sovereign state, which held its own elections, we don't need stamps of approval from anyone," Hun Sen told a gathering of athletes on Monday in Phnom Penh. Hun Sen last gave a speech to the U.N. General Assembly in September 2015 where he called on developed nations to fulfill their foreign aid pledges. The Office of the U.N. Resident Coordinator in Cambodia said in an email to Reuters that the Cambodian government had not yet communicated to the U.N. who would be attending the annual General Assembly meeting in September. Hun Sen said the National Election Committee (NEC) will announce official results on Aug. 15 and that, if there are no complaints, a new government will be formed in August. Authorities launched a sweeping crackdown in the lead up to the vote targeting non-government organisations, rights groups and independent media. The United States, which already imposed visa curbs on some Cambodian government members close to Hun Sen over the crackdown, said it would consider steps, including an expansion of visa restrictions in response to July's "flawed election". (Editing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Christian Schmollinger) Chrissy Teigen and John Legend. (Photo: Getty Images) Update: A few hours later, it seems the aftershocks are still creating chaos on the islands and for Teigen and Legend. Teigen posted an update asking the earth to please stop. another one small but please stop, earth christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) August 5, 2018 A powerful earthquake occurred off the coast of the Indonesian islands of Lombok and Bali at 6:45 p.m. local time on Sunday, and many learned of it on Twitter thanks to Chrissy Teigen. Oh my god, Teigen wrote at first. Bali. Trembling. So long. Bali. Trembling. So long. christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) August 5, 2018 The model and cookbook author didnt set out to be an international natural disaster correspondent. She had been in Bali on vacation with husband John Legend, 2-year-old Luna and 2-month-old Miles for about a week, when the quakes struck. Measuring at magnitude 6.9, with aftershocks reported at 4.9 and 5.6, the tremblor caused residents and tourists to flee their homes and hotels. Teigen and family have been staying in a house on stilts, which is a great way to enjoy Balis beautiful water, but must not feel great in an earthquake. It felt like a ride, she wrote. 15 solid seconds of hooooooly sh this is happening. Oh man. We are on stilts. It felt like a ride. 15 solid seconds of hooooooly shit this is happening christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) August 5, 2018 Teigen also happened to be in a bit of a compromising situation when it hit: undressed, which is how she feels comfortable when breastfeeding her baby. I very calmly walked outside clutching baby saying, Im naked. Im naked. Im naked. like a naked zombie, she reported. Story continues Then the aftershocks began. Terrifying. im either still trembling or these little quakes wont stop, she wrote, possibly explaining her Twitter updates by adding, IM TRYING TO BE NORMAL HERE. Before the quake struck, Teigen had been sharing bits of her island vacation with followers. She had an elaborate date-night dinner with Legend on Saturday night, and earlier on Sunday was exploring a toy store with Luna. Last week, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Lombok, killing 14 people. Reports on fatalities for this quake are unconfirmed. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: By Dan Whitcomb (Reuters) - Deputies who raided a squalid compound surrounded by tires and an earthen berm in rural New Mexico have arrested two men and taken 11 children into protective custody for their own health and safety, the sheriff said. Three women believed to be the children's mothers also were detained during last week's sweep, which followed a two-month investigation by authorities in New Mexico and Georgia as well as the FBI, Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said in a statement on the department's Facebook page. Hogrefe said in the statement that Siraj Wahhaj, 39, was taken into custody on a warrant accusing him of abducting his 3-year-old son. Lucan Morton was arrested on suspicion of harbouring a fugitive. The missing boy was not found at the compound outside the unincorporated community of Amalia, New Mexico, near the Colorado state line, Hogrefe said, but "it is reasonably believed he was there a few weeks ago." Hogrefe said Wahhaj was armed with an AR15-style rifle and four loaded pistols when he was taken into custody. It was not immediately clear if the two suspects, who are both from Clayton County, Georgia, had retained criminal defence attorneys. The sheriff said the compound was made up of a small travel trailer buried in the ground and covered with a tarp, providing no running water, plumbing or electricity. "The only food we saw were a few potatoes and a box of rice in the filthy trailer," Hogrefe said. "But what was most surprising, and heartbreaking was when the team located a total of five adults and 11 children that looked like third world country refugees not only with no food or fresh water, but with no shoes, personal hygiene and basically dirty rags for clothing." (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Bill Trott) A student walks past rubble of damaged buildings in a rebel-held area in the city of Deraa A student walks past rubble of damaged buildings in a rebel-held area in the city of Deraa, Syria January 25, 2018. REUTERS/Alaa al-Faqir By Arshad Mohammed and Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russia has used a closely guarded communications channel with America's top general to propose the two former Cold War foes cooperate to rebuild Syria and repatriate refugees to the war-torn country, according to a U.S. government memo. The proposal was sent in a July 19 letter by Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the Russian military's General Staff, to U.S. Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to the memo which was seen by Reuters. The Russian plan, which has not been previously reported, has received an icy reception in Washington. The memo said the U.S. policy was only to support such efforts if there were a political solution to end Syria's seven-year-old civil war, including steps like U.N.-supervised elections. The proposal illustrates how Russia, having helped turn the tide of the war in favour of President Bashar al-Assad, is now pressing Washington and others to aid the reconstruction of areas under his control. Such an effort would likely further cement Assad's hold on power. "The proposal argues that the Syrian regime lacks the equipment, fuel, other material, and funding needed to rebuild the country in order to accept refugee returns," according to the memo, which specified that the proposal related to Syrian government-held areas of the country. The United States in 2011 adopted a policy that Assad must leave power but then watched as his forces, backed by Iran and then Russia, clawed back territory and secure Assad's position. The United States has drawn a line on reconstruction assistance, saying it should be tied to a process that includes U.N.-supervised elections and a political transition in Syria. It blames Assad for Syria's devastation. Dunford's office declined comment on communications with Gerasimov. "In accordance with past practice, both Generals have agreed to keep the details of their conversations private," said spokeswoman Captain Paula Dunn. Story continues The Kremlin and Russia's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Syria conflict has killed an estimated half a million people, driven some 5.6 million people out of the country and displaced around 6.6 million within it. Most of those who have fled are from the Sunni Muslim majority, and it is unclear whether Assad's Alawite-dominated government will allow all to return freely or whether they would want to. Sunnis made up the bulk of the armed opposition to Assad. "The United States will only support refugee returns when they are safe, voluntary and dignified," said the memo, which is specifically about the Russian plan for Syria. Rebuilding Syria will also be a massive effort, costing at least $250 billion, according one U.N. estimate. Some U.S. officials believe Syria's dependence on the international community for reconstruction, along with the presence of U.S. and U.S.-backed forces in part of Syria, gives Washington leverage as diplomats push for a negotiated end to the war. MILITARY CHANNEL The exchange offered a rare glimpse into the military communications channel between Moscow and Washington, one that Dunford himself has fiercely sought to keep private. Dunford, who speaks periodically with Gerasimov, has stressed that the two militaries need to be able to have candid, private communications to avoid misunderstandings that could lead to armed confrontation. But it was unclear how reconstruction and refugees fit into military-to-military communications. Gerasimov's letter suggests that channel is also being used by Moscow to broach non-military matters. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Syria, and the issue of refugees, at their July 16 summit in Helsinki. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the talks focused on "how we might get the refugees back." But U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said last week no policy changes came out of the summit. The U.S. government memo explicitly said the Russian proposal was not "an outcome" of the Trump-Putin talks, but cautioned that Russian officials were trying to present it differently. "Russian diplomats and other officials have also been engaging in an aggressive campaign to describe the initiative in other capitals and to insinuate that it is an outcome of the U.S.-Russia meeting in Helsinki, which it is not, repeat not," the memo read. The Russian cover letter for the proposal sent to Dunford recommended the United States, Russia and Jordan repurpose a hub designed to monitor a 2017 ceasefire agreement "to form a joint committee to implement the reconstruction and refugee return plan," the memo said. Jordan is hosting more than 650,000 Syrian refugees. The Russian letter also suggests that the United States and Russia form a joint group to finance infrastructure renovation in Syria, the U.S. memo says. (Additional reporting by Christian Lowe in Moscow; Editing by Warren Strobel; Mary Milliken and Alistair Bell) Higher fuel costs to drag Cathay Pacifics earnings as Hong Kong carrier presses on with cost-cutting to return to profitability Higher fuel costs are expected to slow Cathay Pacific Airways return to profitability, with the airline sending mixed signals on its performance ahead of its half-year results, to be unveiled on Wednesday. Losses for one of Asias biggest airlines are expected to narrow from HK$2.05 billion (US$261 million) for the same period last year, though four analysts who spoke to the Post differed widely in their expectations, with the most optimistic predicting a HK$156 million profit and the most pessimistic a loss of HK$1.8 billion. In a presentation to aviation analysts on June 22, the Hong Kong-based carrier warned of growing external pressure on operating costs. Some of its biggest expenses, including fuel, maintenance and aircraft depreciation writing down the value of new aircraft are expected to keep rising, putting the airline on the wrong side of the profit line. The overall business environment is expected to remain challenging, and the economic environment is getting tougher, Cathay Pacific told analysts. [Our] passenger business will continue to be affected by intense competition. Despite the possible setbacks, the company noted that business was recovering and restructuring benefits continue to be realised in 2018. This remains on target to take us back to being profitable and position us for future growth, it said. In recent years, the airline has come up against mainland Chinese rivals expanding long-haul flights to Europe and North America, undercutting prices and giving customers a credible alternative to a stopover in Hong Kong. Its margins have also been squeezed by regional low-cost carriers forcing down airfares on routes such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, with this challenge unlikely to go away. But the airlines cargo business is set to remain a star performer, offsetting a weaker performance in the passenger airline unit. Profits from Cathays subsidiaries, including loyalty division Asia Miles and associate Air China, in which it has an 18.13 per cent stake, should minimise total losses. Story continues Cathay is past the halfway mark of a three-year restructuring effort that started in 2016 aiming to cut HK$4 billion in costs and boost revenue. So far it has axed 600 of 3,600 head office jobs in Hong Kong and begun consulting selected employees based in its 100 offices worldwide on trimming staff numbers. The company employs about 7,600 staff in locations outside Hong Kong. The big challenge lies in reducing the pay and benefits of its 3,300 pilots by 10 per cent, or HK$1 billion. Corrine Png of transport research firm Crucial Perspective was the most cautious among analysts the Post surveyed, forecasting a HK$1.8 billion first-half loss. The 32 per cent year-on-year spike in spot jet fuel prices in [the first half of 2018] is a huge challenge as fuel is Cathay Pacifics largest cost component, Png said. The 32 per cent year-on-year spike in spot jet fuel prices is a huge challenge as fuel is Cathay Pacifics largest cost component Corrine Png, transport analyst As Cathays fuel hedges were locked in at higher prices, they cannot offset the negative impact of higher spot fuel prices. At the opposite end, a bullish analyst from a major European bank, who declined to be named, predicted a half-year HK$156 million profit, taking into account a big increase in revenue more than covering rising costs. Geoffrey Cheng Bok-hoi, deputy head of research at investment bank Bocom International, said he expected the airline to make a net profit of HK$140 million, citing higher revenue due to improved yields selling more fares which outpaced its rising costs. However, Ajith Kom, UOB Kay Hians director of Asia transport research, forecast a HK$720 million loss as he anticipated strong growth in the carriers passenger and cargo revenues. The Post saw internal data from the airline showing that passenger and cargo revenues for the first seven months of this year were ahead of target by 4.6 per cent and 25 per cent respectively. If Cathay means it has growth [in revenue], this is better than expected, said Kom, who pegged the airlines first-half revenue to be around the HK$50 billion mark. If they have managed to do that, then the loss could be a tad lower, the UOB analyst suggested. Singapore Airlines financial results act as a snapshot of the health of other carriers in the region. Last month, it saw first-quarter profits tumble 59 per cent to HK$803 million on higher fuel costs. In the same period, Japan Airlines saw revenue rise more than costs as profits rose 0.7 per cent to HK$1.75 billion. Only four of the 18 publicly traded full-service airlines in the Asia-Pacific region lost money in 2017: Cathay, which recorded an annual loss of HK$1.25 billion last year, Virgin Australia, Thai Airways and Garuda Indonesia. Chinas three state-owned airlines Air China, China Southern and China Eastern recorded a combined profit of HK$22.4 billion in 2017, up a fifth on the previous year. Among the worlds profitable airlines last year were the parent companies of the top three European airlines, Lufthansa, British Airways and KLM, which reported a combined profit of HK$40 billion, and US carriers Delta, American and United, whose profits totalled HK$59 billion. Global airline profits are on course to reach US$33.8 billion in 2018, down 12 per cent from an earlier estimate made in December last year, due to rising fuel and labour costs, according to the International Air Transport Association. But Asia-Pacific carriers are expected to garner 25 per cent of those earnings, with the region tipped to be the fastest growing sector in terms of passengers. This article Higher fuel costs to drag Cathay Pacifics earnings as Hong Kong carrier presses on with cost-cutting to return to profitability first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. More from South China Morning Post: By Nyimas Laula DENPASAR, Indonesia (Reuters) - At least 82 people were killed when Indonesia's resort island of Lombok was hit by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake on Sunday. The powerful quake triggered panic among tourists and residents, and was also felt on the neighbouring island of Bali. On Lombok, thousands fled from their homes to gather in emergency shelters in open spaces, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency said. The area continued to be rattled by aftershocks from the quake, which occurred days after a 6.4 tremor hit Lombok on July 29, killing 14 people and injuring 162 people. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency placed Sunday's death toll at 82, more than doubling its earlier figure of 32. Many of the dead were from northern and western parts of Lombok. Most of the victims were killed by falling rubble, the agency said, adding that hundreds other were injured and thousands of houses were damaged. "The night condition and some disconnected communication line pose some challenges in the field. Death count is expected to increase still," it said in a statement early on Monday local time. Singapore Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, who was in the Lombok town of Mataram at the time of the quake, wrote on Facebook that his 10th-floor hotel room shook violently and walls cracked. "It was quite impossible to stand up. Heard screams," he wrote. "Came out, and made my way down a staircase, while building was still shaking. Power went out for a while. Lots of cracks, fallen doors." The quake struck Lombok in the early evening at a depth of 10 km (6 miles). Most of Lombok suffered power cuts, local media reported. Travellers at the international airports in Lombok and Bali were thrown into panic and there was minor damage to the buildings but operations were not disrupted, officials said. The quake was felt for several seconds in Bali, where people ran out of houses, hotels and restaurants. Story continues "All the hotel guests were running, so I did too. People filled the streets," said Michelle Lindsay, an Australian tourist. "A lot of officials were urging people not to panic." Other witnesses said the initial quake grew in intensity over several seconds, rattling windows and doors, and there were many aftershocks. The country's disaster management agency urged people to stay away from the sea. However, an initial warning of a tsunami with waves of up to half a metre was later withdrawn. Saffron Amis, a British student visiting the Gili Islands off the northwest coast of Lombok, told Reuters by text message that dozens of tourists were evacuated to a hill after the quake. (Additional reporting by Tabita Diela, Jessica Damiana, Agustinus Beo Da Costa and Kanupriya Kapoor; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor and John Chalmers; Editing by Bill Trott and Susan Thomas) ANKARA (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump and his allies in the Middle East have become isolated by their hostile policies towards Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday, state TV reported. "Today, Trump, (Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad) Bin Salman and (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu have become the symbol of mistrust in the world," Zarif was quoted as saying. "Their oppressive policies and violent measures have made them isolated... The world has distanced itself from their hostile policies against Iran." A first round of U.S. sanctions against Iran, lifted under the 2015 international deal over its nuclear programme, are due to be reinstated on Tuesday. They will cover Irans purchases of dollars, its trade in gold and precious metals and its automotive sector. Under the deal between Tehran and world powers, most international sanctions imposed on Iran were lifted in 2016 in return for Tehran curbing its nuclear programme. Saying the deal had failed to address Irans ballistic missile programme, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 and its role in regional wars, Trump withdrew from it in May in a move that Israel - which Iran refuses to recognise - and Saudi Arabia welcomed. Israel supported the imminent resumption of U.S. sanctions. They "will compel the Iranians to decide between meeting the demands of the United States ... or risking the regimes collapse and fall. The first option is good, the second excellent, Israeli Intelligence Minister Israel Katz said on Twitter. Shiite Iran has also been at loggerheads for decades with Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia, fighting a long-running proxy war in the Middle East and beyond that has influenced conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. "These three countries want to create psychological tension against Iran ... We will overcome this period of hardship," Zarif said. Despite efforts by Russia, China and Europe to salvage the deal, the Trump administration is pushing countries to cut all imports of Iranian oil from November, when the United States reimposes sanctions Irans oil and shipping industries. Fear of sanctions and economic hardship have led to sporadic protests in several cities in Iran in the past days, with ordinary Iranians chanting slogans against Iranian leaders. (Writing and reporting by Parisa Hafezi; additional reporting by Dan Williams in Jerusalem; editing by John Stonestreet) Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Monday that Washington's call for new nuclear negotiations at the same time the US reimposes crippling sanctions "makes no sense". "They want to launch psychological warfare against the Iranian nation and create divisions among the people," he said in a televised interview. "Negotiations with sanctions doesn't make sense. They are imposing sanctions on Iranian children, patients and the nation," the president said. Rouhani referred to fears that essential supplies such as medicines would be affected when sanctions return on Tuesday. He said Iran had "always welcomed negotiations" but that Washington would first have to demonstrate it can be trusted. "If you're an enemy and you stab the other person with a knife and then you say you want negotiations, then the first thing you have to do is remove the knife." "How do they show they are trustworthy? By returning to the JCPOA," he said, using the technical name for the 2015 nuclear deal. US President Donald Trump withdrew from the landmark agreement in May, and the US is set to reimpose sanctions in two phases -- the first on Tuesday and the second on November 5. By Parisa Hafezi ANKARA (Reuters) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dismissed a U.S. call for talks on Monday, hours before Washington was due to impose new sanctions in line with President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of a 2015 agreement over Iran's nuclear programme. Washington has said the only way Iran could avert the sanctions would be to agree to new negotiations to abandon its missile and nuclear programmes. In a televised address, Rouhani said there could be no talks as long as Washington was reneging on the deal. "If you stab someone with a knife and then you say you want talks, then the first thing you have to do is remove the knife," Rouhani said. "We are always in favour of diplomacy and talks ... But talks need honesty," Rouhani said. "Trump's call for direct talks is only for domestic consumption in America ahead of elections ... and to create chaos in Iran." European allies tried and failed to persuade Trump not to walk out of the 2015 agreement, under which Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of international sanctions. Rouhani said Washington would come to rue a move that had been rejected by other countries. "America will regret imposing sanctions on Iran ... They're already isolated in the world. They are imposing sanctions on Iranian children, patients and the nation," he said. The prospect of sanctions has already hurt Iran's economy, with the rial currency falling this year and the government cracking down on protests. Rouhani called on Iranians to unite in the face of hardship. "There will be pressure because of sanctions but we will overcome this with unity," he said. The Trump administration argues that the curbs did not go far enough and it wants to force Iran back to the negotiating table. Iran says that by abandoning the agreement Washington has shown it cannot negotiate in good faith. Last month, Trump said that he would be willing to meet Rouhani without preconditions to discuss how to improve relations. Senior Iranian officials and military commanders have rejected Trumps offer of talks as worthless and a dream, saying his words contradicted his action of reimposing sanctions. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Peter Graff) FILE PHOTO: Employees of the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission check ballot boxes at a warehouse in Baghdad Employees of the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission check ballot boxes at a warehouse in Baghdad, Iraq May 18, 2018. REUTERS/Khalid Al-Mousily/Files BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's election commission said on Monday it had completed a manual recount of May's parliamentary election but was forced to cut the process short in the capital because voting records had been destroyed by a warehouse fire two months ago. The recount was ordered by parliament in June after a government report concluded there were serious violations in an initial count using an electronic vote-counting system. However, within hours of parliament voting for the recount, a fire broke out at a warehouse where voting machines and other records from the capital were kept. The electoral commission spokesman said in a statement the body had been forced to cancel the remaining half of the recount in the capital. For what appears to be the first time, the statement said ballot boxes and actual ballots were among the records destroyed in the fire, contradicting earlier official accounts that ballot boxes had been saved. The fire initially raised concern that an election dispute could lead to violence, although those worries were partly assuaged when cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose bloc won the most votes, declined to call his followers into the streets. Three months after the vote, the winning parties are still embroiled in negotiations over forming the next governing coalition. A group of Iran-backed Shi'ite militia leaders placed second behind Sadr's bloc, with incumbent Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's bloc in third place. After the fire, the electoral commission's leadership was suspended and replaced with a panel of judges who oversaw the recount. It is expected to announce its results in the coming days. "The board of commissioners composed of assigned judges has completed the manual recount process for all voting stations and centres in which there were complaints or appeals in all of Iraq's provinces and abroad," Judge Laith Jabr, the spokesman, said in the statement. The political uncertainty over the makeup of the new government has raised tensions at a time when public impatience is growing over poor basic services, unemployment and the slow pace of rebuilding after a three-year war with Islamic State. (Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein; Editing by John Stonestreet, Angus MacSwan and Peter Graff) Haitian President Jovenel Moise said Sunday he had picked Jean Henry Ceant, 61, to be his next prime minister. Moise unveiled his choice following two days of intense negotiations with leaders of both houses of Parliament, three weeks after riots against rising fuel prices wreaked havoc in Port-au-Prince. "After consultations with the Presidents of the two branches of Parliament, I made the choice of citizen @jeanhenryceant as new Prime Minister," the president said on Twitter. A one-time notary by profession and former presidential candidate in 2016, Ceant leads a political organization called Renmen Ayiti. If he wins approval from Parliament, he will be Moise's second prime minister. Deadly violence hit the Caribbean country last month during mass protests sparked when the government announced major fuel price hikes -- 38 percent for gasoline, 47 percent for diesel and 51 percent for kerosene. The early July demonstrations in the capital Port-au-Prince and other cities saw streets blocked with barricades of debris and burning tires. At least four people were killed as dozens of shops were looted and burned and cars were set ablaze. In a quick about-face the government called off the planned price increases. Former prime minister Jack Guy Lafontant -- a physician who had little political experience before taking office in February 2017 -- had faced widespread criticism even before the spasm of violence. The embattled politician resident in the unrest's wake, triggering a fraught process to form a new government. Diamond Platnumz has finally opened up about his short-lived relationship with model Jokate Kidoti Mwegelo, saying he regrets dumping her. The controversial Bongo star confessed that it was his fault that the relationship failed and admitted that he put Jokate through a lot of trouble. Jokate was very innocent and never did anything wrong to me, said Diamond. I put her through a lot of trouble and created a perception in peoples mind that she was a bad girl who had snatched me from Wema Sepetu. Truth is Im the one who pursued her. I dated her then broke up with her without a reason and ran back to Wema, Diamond recalled. The hitmaker said that he is still friends with Jokate even though he still feels ashamed for leaving her. To date I dont know why I left her, maybe I was bewitched because she did nothing wrong. She is hard working and has built a career for herself. She is still my friend but every time she visits I feel ashamed of the situation. I still feel bad about it, he said. Diamond was speaking during an interview with a Tanzanian TV station as Jokate was being sworn in as the new District Commissioner of Kisarawe District. Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim speaks with the media as former Indonesian President B.J. Habibie (L) looks on during a visit to Habibie's home in Jakarta, Indonesia May 20, 2018. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/Files KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian political leader Anwar Ibrahim won the presidency of the People's Justice Party (PKR) on Sunday, becoming next in line to take over as prime minister when current premier Mahathir Mohamad steps down. Anwar unofficially won the post in an uncontested election, state news agency Bernama reported. Official results won't be announced until Aug. 19. He replaces his wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the deputy prime minister, as the party's president. Anwar's PKR party is part of a coalition that secured a surprise general election victory in May. Mahathir was elected as prime minister, but Anwar has said he would be next in line after Mahathir steps down. Anwar was Mahathir's deputy in the 1990s, but fell out with his mentor during the 1997-99 Asian financial crisis. He was eventually sacked by the ruling party after challenging Mahathir's government, and was arrested and jailed on disputed charges of sodomy and corruption. After being freed in 2004, Anwar was jailed a second time for sodomy in 2015. Both times, he and his supporters said the charges were politically motivated. Mahathir secured a royal pardon for Anwar after he was election to the premiership and promised to step aside for his friend-turned-foe-turned-ally to become prime minister. (Reporting by Emily Chow) With Argentina on the verge of a Senate move on legalizing abortion, women in favor marched, banged pots and made their voices heard Sunday. Ahead of Wednesday's Senate hearing, 32 women in Buenos Aires donned the white bonnets and red cloaks worn by women forced into childbearing servitude on the television drama "The Handmaid's Tale," based on Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel. At the Rio de la Plata, they also raised their green handkerchiefs, a symbol of the struggle for legal abortion. It is a thorny issue in Argentina -- which is mostly Roman Catholic and the home country of Pope Francis, the first pontiff born in Latin America. Many in the country believe the church teaching that life begins at conception and that abortion is murder. "Doing this helps us express what is not being heard -- which is that abortions happen. And we need them to be done in a safe place, open to the community, to all women," Bernardina Rossini, one of the marchers, told AFP. The women embraced, and several wept openly. Most were between 30 and 60 years old, and between them, a girl walked with her mother. "It's a way of saying this: it's our body, and we want to decide on what happens ourselves," Rossini stressed. Approved by Congress' lower house on June 14, the bill sent to the Senate would legalize abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy and provide for conscientious objection for practitioners, but not for hospitals. In the August 8 vote, senators will have to decide on the version of the text adopted by the deputies. The vote is expected to be tight -- but if a majority of the 72 senators approve the text, abortion will be legalized. KUALA LUMPUR: MCA has joined the chorus of objections against the proposed third national car project, with the party claiming that Malaysians would suffer if the government revives Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamads old dream. Party deputy president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said the revival of Dr Mahathirs dream could lead to sky-rocketing imported car prices. He said Malaysia had put in place various unfair policies to restrict and heavily tax imported vehicles and their component and parts to protect Proton, the national car project started by Dr Mahathir during his previous tenure. Wee said this caused many manufacturers to set up their plants in Thailand and Indonesia, which had since gained tremendously from the resulting booming parts manufacturing industry, as well as technology transfer. Look at us now. The protectionist measures had not only contained the development of our auto parts manufacturing industry, but also made us ignorant about the latest technology employed by the automotive giant nations around the world, other than Japan, he said in a statement.. Wee said Thailand and Indonesia exported 1.3 million and 100,000 vehicles per annum, respectively, in stark contrast to Proton, which had churned out its first Saga since 1983, but only manages 20,000 to 30,000 per year. The last quarterly report of Proton before it was taken private even showed a whopping RM88.205 million loss. In 2017, automotive manufacturing industry amounted to only 4 per cent of our GDP, far lacking behind service and other manufacturing industries, he said. He said based on the statistical analysis, a national car with various incentives and privileged treatments will only disrupt the organic development of the automotive industry and bring nothing good at all. He added that the National Automotive Policy was equivalent to a punishment onto non-national car buyers, resulting in Approved Permit (AP) and a hotbed for cronyism and racial discrimination. The people suffer all the consequences. Now, because of one mans move to revive his old dreams, you and I will have to pay for this again. Our automotive industry, which was restricted due to the national car, had been left far behind by our neighbouring countries for so long, will not be able to close the gap by a mere third national car, he said, adding that reality and post-mortem reveal that a third national car will not have a bright future. Wee said the government must answer why it was oblivious to the facts and adamant to build one mans happiness on the peoples sufferings. In order to help Dr Mahathir revive his old dreams, the government has effectively ignored the long conception period of automotive market crisis pointed out by financial experts. The government also kept a deaf ear to Malaysian Automotive Associations claim that the development of automotive parts had been restricted. Instead, it is adamant that its past experience will be sufficient to ensure that the third national car project will not repeat Protons mistakes, and drive the spare-parts industry forward, he said. The Ayer Hitam member of parliaments scathing criticism against the project follows PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramlis earlier warning that nothing good will come out of it. New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd Migrants disembark from the MV Aquarius after it arrived in Augusta on the island of Sicily Migrants disembark from the MV Aquarius, a search and rescue ship run in partnership between SOS Mediterranee and Medecins Sans Frontieres, after it arrived in Augusta on the island of Sicily, Italy, January 30, 2018. REUTERS/Antonio Parrinello/Files By Antonio Denti ON BOARD THE AQUARIUS (Reuters) - Rescue ship Aquarius, which has picked up almost 3,000 migrants from the Mediterranean this year, will carry out rescue missions without waiting for orders from coastguards and will not return people to Libya, its search and rescue head said. "When we see there is a vessel in distress, with a high likelihood of people dying, we will go and rescue them immediately as per international maritime law," Nick Romaniuk told Reuters on board the Aquarius. Over the last year coordination centres asking rescue vessels to go on standby or wait for clarification on certain things had added to the danger of people needing to be rescued, which is why they would no longer wait, he added. The 77-metre vessel, operated by Franco-German charity SOS Mediterranee, set sail from Marseille this week on its tenth mission of the year. The ship will be patrolling between 25-30 miles from the Libyan coast, west of Tripoli, an area that is outside Libya's territorial waters but inside the Libyan search and rescue region. International law states the country responsible for operations in an area has primary responsibility for disembarking rescue ships. Romaniuk said that while Aquarius would continue to abide by international maritime law, it would not be taking people back to Libya because it was not a safe place, putting it at odds with the wishes of the new Italian government. "Libya is still not recognized as a port of safety, so (we)will not be taking people back there, because... a rescue cannot terminate in a place which is not deemed a port of safety," he said. "It has to continue for the time being to be European ports. But again, it's not our decision to make, maritime authorities, they make that decision, but our red line will be not taking people back to Libya," he said. In the past the Aquarius has waited for orders from the responsible authorities before moving ahead to rescue migrants aiming to reach Italy from Libya. Story continues But Italy has toughened its stance since the new government, a coalition including the anti-immigrant League party, took office earlier this year. Interior minister Matteo Salvini, leader of the League, has spearheaded a policy to shut ports to charity ships that pick up migrants from overcrowded smugglers' boats. He now wants as many as possible to be picked up by Libyan coastguards and returned. In June, the Aquarius picked up 629 migrants off the coast of Libya, planning to take them to the nearest European port - the usual practice with such rescue missions. But the Italian government asked the ship to go to Malta rather than Italy, triggering a standoff that drew in the European Union and France. Salvini has accused SOS Mediterranee and other charities of acting like a Mediterranean "taxi service" for the migrants. The Aquarius is one of a number of NGO-supported ships that have carried out rescue operations in the southern Mediterranean, alongside the Italian navy and EU-led missions. A rescue boat operated by the Spanish charity Proactiva Open Arms this week rescued 87 migrants in the southern Mediterranean in international waters. More than 10,000 migrants have drowned in the region since 2014, according to the International Organization for Migration. (Reporting by Antonio Denti, writing by Stephen Jewkes; Editing by Alexandra Hudson) Mother and 4 children drown in Yangtze River as day out turns to tragedy Five members of the same family, including four children, drowned in the Yangtze River as a day out turned to tragedy in central China on Friday, a local newspaper reports. Mother Ding Jinfang had taken her daughter, nine, son, seven, and two nephews, aged 13 and 16, swimming and fishing along a section of the river in Huangshi, Hubei province, Chutian Metropolis Daily reported on Sunday. They had returned to their hometown to celebrate the news that Dings eldest daughter, 18-year-old Yao Xiaomin, had been accepted into university the first in the family to do so. A villager walking along the river called police on Friday evening after finding the familys belongings on the riverbank but seeing no sign of the swimmers. When the clothes were still there after an hour, he found Dings cellphone, which had photos of the children playing near the river and swimming. Police searched the area and by Saturday all of the bodies had been pulled out of the river. Yao told the newspaper the family, who lived in the county, had gone back to their hometown on Thursday to share the news about her going to university with their relatives. They had eaten lunch together, then Yao and her uncle had gone to buy a new laptop while Ding took the younger children to swim and fish. Yao said her father lived in the Maldives, where he is a construction worker, and was on his way back to China. Dad has been working overseas to support us the last time we saw him was in November, but he had to go back to the Maldives before Chinese New Year, Yao said. Hed promised he would be here for the next one. Now he wont see mum and my sister and brother again. After a meeting on Saturday, the Huangshi local government said it would run more safety education campaigns warning people of the dangers of swimming in the river, the report said. This article Mother and 4 children drown in Yangtze River as day out turns to tragedy first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. Former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, who was pardoned last year while serving a long jail sentence for human rights abuses, has been admitted to hospital with heart problems, aides said Monday. "He was rushed to hospital with heart arrhythmia," which is an irregular beating of the heart, one of his aides said late Sunday, adding that Fujimori -- who just turned 80 -- would also undergo cancer screening for the lungs and tongue. The ex-president has had a number of operations as part of a long-running battle with tongue cancer. Fujimori, who was pardoned by presidential decree last December, ruled Peru with an iron fist from 1990 until 2000. He was 12 years into a 25-year jail sentence handed down to him after a court found him responsible for ordering two massacres by death squads between 1991 and 1992. The pardon, issued by then-president Pedro Pablo Kuczynski before he was himself brought down by a corruption scandal, triggered a wave of protests by human rights organizations and by victims of Fujimori's crackdown. It is developing the hub, called Crypto Valley of Asia (CVA), along with private developer Northern Star Gaming & Resorts Inc. Philippines Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP)is set to see the launch of a new fintech and crypto hub; as part of the governments bid to foster a fintech ecosystem attract international blockchain companies to set up shop in the country. The CSEZFP features a transshipment hub with a seaport, airport, and land earmarked for industrial, commercial and industrial development. It is located in the Northern Luzon region, which is about half of the largest island of the PH, with many of its provinces hosting one or two industrial parks. The estate, called the Crypto Valley of Asia (CVA), will be developed by the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) in partnership with private property developer Northern Star Gaming & Resorts Inc. (Northern Star). Northern Star said that it has already secured several international and regional companies to locate within CVA. In addition, it has committed gross investments valued at US$100 million over the next 10 years. The goal is for the CVA to generate an economic boom that will allow more Filipinos to pursue careers in technology. Additionally, the hub will provide employment for third-party business providers (BPO) who service the fintech and cryptocurrency sectors. For example, some BPOs will help with skills training for entrepreneurship. Also Read: Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item. How to build a startup: a quick guide by startup veteran Jon Sugihara CEZA welcomes the launch of the Crypto Valley of Asia as a critical infrastructure that will serve to attract more foreign investors and global fintech players to CEZA and the Philippines. The Philippines can become one of the major off-shoring destinations for Fintech and blockchain related work, said CEZA CEO Sec. Raul L. Lambino, in an official press statement. The CVA will consist of a 25-shop housing development inside the cyberpark developed in compliance with the strict security requirements of licensed overseas virtual exchangess (OVE) locating in CEZA. It will include co-working and living spaces, business incubation and acceleration hubs as well as back offices of (OVEs) and service providers to the global crypto space. Story continues Amongst the many locators and services include: co-working space such as Common Ground of Malaysia; cybersecurity and risk assessment by Horangi (Singapore) and Blackpanda (Philippines); and Blockchain Academy, launched in collaboration with Hanwha of Korea. There will also be an internet data centre, crypto mining firms, and self-contained power production facilities. Crypto Valley of Asia and CEZA will put the Philippines on the global map of fintech and blockchain. Similar to other progressive jurisdictions such as Zug of Switzerland, we will create an environment that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship and critical skills development thru education and BPO training,said Enrique Gonzalez, Chairman of Northern Star. With strong global partners that have confirmed entry into our master-planned development, we are confident in the continued momentum in positioning the Philippines as the leading destination for blockchain off-shoring. Image Credit: The post Philippines government is planning to build a US$100M crypto hub in the country appeared first on e27. By Aislinn Laing (Reuters) - Pope Francis recognised on Monday measures that Chile's bishops said they would take to assist prosecutors investigating allegations of sex abuse that have plagued the Roman Catholic Church in Chile, including that they would work to reach an agreement with prosecutors on an exchange of information. The pontiff wrote in a letter released to media on Monday by the Chilean Church that the steps taken at a conclave last week were "realistic and concrete" and that he was confident they would make a "decisive" difference. After a week-long leadership conclave, the bishops asked for forgiveness, saying in a statement on Friday that they had failed to aid and accompany victims who had suffered "grave sins and injustices committed by priests and clergy." Fernando Ramos, secretary-general of the Episcopal Conference, said last Friday that they also wanted "to reach an agreement [with prosecutors] to assure a fluid exchange of information, one that meets our standards, as well as the requirements of the Public Ministry." Chilean law enforcement is investigating 38 accusations of sexual abuse against 73 bishops, clerics and lay workers, involving 104 victims. "I was impressed by the reflection, discernment and decisions that were made," the pope wrote. "But what struck me most was the example of a unified episcopal community. Thank you for this edifying example." Chilean prosecutors said last week that they had asked the government to submit a formal request to the Vatican for information about nine clergymen and lay workers who have been accused of sexual abuse of children. "We will make public every prior investigation into alleged sexual abuse of children that has occurred in our jurisdictions. We will ask the same of officials at all religious congregations," Santiago Silva, president of the Episcopal Conference, told reporters last week. (Reporting by Aislinn Laing) ANKARA (Reuters) - The United States is isolated in the world and will regret imposing sanctions on Iran, President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday, hours before new sanctions were due to take effect. "America will regret imposing sanctions on Iran ... They are already isolated in the world. They are imposing sanctions on Iranian children, patients and the nation," Rouhani said in a televised speech. (Additional reporting by Dubai newsroom; Writing by Parisa Hafezi and Peter Graff) Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri is set for crunch talks with Thibaut Courtois on Monday after the Belgium goalkeeper's agent claimed he wants to join Real Madrid. Courtois missed Chelsea's 2-0 defeat against Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday while he continues to rest after the World Cup. But the 26-year-old remained a hot topic at Wembley following his agent Christophe Henrotay's call for Chelsea to show "compassion" over Real's attempts to sign the star, whose two children from a previous relationship both live in Madrid. Real are keen to replace their error-prone keeper Kaylor Navas and former Atletico Madrid star Courtois is top of their shopping list, with Henrotay saying the deal would be the "best option" for him. Courtois has only one year left on his Chelsea contract, but the Premier League club are keen to hold onto him despite Madrid's reported 35 million ($46 million, 39 million euros) bid. Courtois is due back for pre-season training on Monday, with the Premier League campaign starting for the Blues at Huddersfield on Saturday, and Sarri is ready to discuss the issue with his player. Hinting he would be willing to sell Courtois if he confirms he wants to leave, Sarri said: "I have no reaction on the agent. I am not interested in the agent. I want to hear Courtois. "If Courtois tomorrow will say the same to me, I have to speak to my club of course. "I want only players with a very high level of motivation." Weve racked our brains and we cant think of a single popular consumer electronics product that goes on sale less frequently than Apples AirPods. In fact, until Amazon discounted them last week, there are only two or three occasions we know of when they got small price cuts at Walmart. But if you missed out on the action last week, youll be happy to learn that the Apple MMEF2AM/A AirPods Wireless Bluetooth Headset is shockingly still available on Amazon at the lowest price ever. Theres no way theyll stay in stock much longer, so definitely get in on the action while you can. Apple MMEF2AM/A AirPods Wireless Bluetooth Headset for iPhones with iOS 10 or Later White: $144.99 Here are some key details from the product page: Just take them out and theyre ready to use with all your devices, put them in your ears and they connect instantly Double-tap either AirPod to activate Siri, without taking your iPhone out of your pocket 5 hours of listening time on a single charge thanks to the W1 chip Made to keep up with you, thanks to a charging case that holds multiple additional charges for more than 24 hours of listening time Need a quick charge? Just 15 minutes in the case gives you 3 hours of listening time AirPods provide rich, high-quality AAC audio. And when you want to be heard, dual beamforming microphones filter out background noise when you make calls or talk to Siri AirPods connect automatically with all your Apple devices. Theyre simultaneously connected to your iPhone and Apple Watch, and sound switches instantly between the devices. Want to listen to your Mac or iPad? Just choose AirPods on those devices. BGR Top Deals: Trending Right Now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com A man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Files SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore's worst cyber attack in its history, in which personal information of about 1.5 million people including the Prime Minister was stolen, has the hallmarks of a state-linked group, the government's communications minister said on Monday. In late June, hackers started stealing personal details and prescription records of patients who visited Singapore's outpatient clinics over the previous three years, authorities announced on July 20. Speaking in parliament on Monday, S. Iswaran said the government would not disclose the attackers' identity for security reasons but had determined the attack was the work of an 'Advanced Persistent Threat' group which is typically state-linked. "This (APT) refers to a class of sophisticated cyber attackers, typically state-linked, who conduct extended, carefully planned cyber campaigns, to steal information or disrupt operations," said Iswaran, Singapore's minister for communications and information. Iswaran said government agencies had a high level of confidence in the identity of the attackers but not enough evidence to take legal action. Health minister Gan Kim Yong added that the attackers had made efforts to remove their tracks, making investigations harder, and that they could strike again. "Despite our security measures, the attackers had been very patient, very persistent and very resourceful," said Gan. "With advanced hacking tools, they eventually succeeded... We take this seriously as there's no reason to believe that they will not try again with even more advanced tools." In the wake of the attack, the government disconnected computers from the internet at public healthcare centres and set up a four-member panel to investigate the incident which will report by the end of December. Professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore are working with the health ministry to identify vulnerabilities in their systems and plug any holes to try and prevent a repeat, Gan added. Major cyber attacks are rare in Singapore, which has invested heavily in cyber security over the past decade. The attack comes as the highly wired and digitalised state has made cyber security a priority both at home and for its neighbours in the ASEAN regional bloc. (Reporting by Fathin Ungku; Writing by John GeddieEditing by Christopher Cushing) The biggest ever cyber attack to hit Singapore was carried out by highly sophisticated hackers typically linked to foreign governments, a cabinet minister said Monday, but did not give names. Hackers broke into a government database and stole the health records of 1.5 million Singaporeans, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong who was specifically targeted in the "unprecedented" hack, the government has said. "We have done a detailed analysis of this attack and have determined that it is the work of an advanced persistent threat (APT) group," Minister for Communications and Information S. Iswaran said Monday. "This refers to a class of sophisticated cyber attackers typically state-linked who conduct extended, carefully planned cyber campaigns to steal information or disrupt operations," he told parliament, which discussed the issue. Iswaran said the APT group "was persistent in its efforts to penetrate and anchor itself on the network, bypass the security measures and illegally access and exfiltrate data". While the attack fitted the profile of "certain known APT groups", Iswaran said he would not publicly give any names for reasons of national security. Hackers used a computer infected with malware to gain access to the database between June 27 and July 4 before administrators spotted "unusual activity", authorities have said. The compromised data includes personal information and medication dispensed to patients, but medical records and clinical notes have not been affected, according to the authorities. Security experts had also earlier pointed to state-actors as the likely culprit, citing the scale and sophistication of the hack. Healthcare data is of particular interest to hackers because it can be used to blackmail people in positions of power, Jeff Middleton, chief executive of cybersecurity consultancy Lantium, told AFP last month. Medical information, like personal data, can also be easily monetised on criminal forums, said Sanjay Aurora, Asia Pacific managing director of Darktrace, a cyber security firm. Iswaran, who is also the minister in charge of cyber security, has convened a committee of inquiry to look into the hack. "We will do our utmost to strengthen our cyber security. But it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of another cyber attack," he said. "This is an ongoing battle with potential cyber attackers who are constantly developing their capabilities and seeking out new vulnerabilities." Iswaran said the attack will not derail the affluent and highly-wired city-state's ambitions to become a "smart nation" through the extensive use of technology in daily activities and transactions. Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam was caught in an earthquake in Lombok Indonesia on 5 August 2018. (Photos via Facebook/K Shanmugam Sc) Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam was caught in the earthquake that occured in Lombok in Indonesia, the Singaporean official posted on social media Sunday night (5 August). Shanmugam said he and his delegation were in Mataram at the weekend for a security conference when the 7.0 quake struck the Indonesian island near Bali. The minister was in his room on the 10th floor of his hotel when the room started to shake violently, the walls cracked, and it became quite impossible to stand up. In his posts, Shanmugam did not mention any injury to himself. The minister emerged from his room as people were screaming and the building still shaking, but everyone in the delegation was safe. The minister wrote that he was told there were casualties among the hotel guests, however. On Monday (6 August), Shanmugam posted that he first went to another, low-rise hotel in Lombok before winding up at the airport where he was met by chaos while awaiting a flight out. Sundays earthquake comes just days after another temblor shook the touristy island. That 6.4-magnitude quake left more than a dozen people dead, including a Malaysian mountain climber. This story is developing. Related stories: At least 82 killed by 7.0 quake in Indonesias Lombok, Bali islands The Latest: Australian minister evacuated from Lombok hotel Chrissy Teigen live tweets from family vacation during earthquake in Indonesia LJUBLJANA (Reuters) - Slovenia's special prosecutor's office indicted 15 people, including eight physicians, and a company over graft in hospitals on Monday in a case that threatens to further shake the troubled health sector in the tiny Alpine country. An indictment was filed against 10 hospital employees for receiving gifts related to the purchase of medical equipment and medicine. Two of the 10 were charged with money laundering and one with forging or destroying business documents to conceal evidence, the state news agency STA reported. Three more people were accused of giving bribes and a further two others for money laundering, the STA said. The prosecutors said their investigation since 2013 in five cities in Slovenia, including the capital Ljubljana, has revealed that suppliers of medical equipment had offered bribes to doctors and other hospital officials to favour them. The prosecutor's office said that these criminal acts had caused 1.18 million euros ($1.36 million) losses to public funds, STA reported. The state of the national health system was a big campaign issue ahead of an election in June because of long waiting-lists for medical examinations and operations and a shortage of money and staff. ($1 = 0.8653 euros) (Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic in Sarajevo; Editing by Richard Balmforth) South Sudan's President Salva Kiir holds hands with South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar as Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir and Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta witness before the signing a ceasefire and power sharing agreement in Khartoum, Sudan August 5, 2018. Picture taken August 5, 2018. Kenya Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS By Denis Dumo JUBA (Reuters) - A peace deal in South Sudan has revived hope not just that the guns will stop firing but that economic stability can return. Since war broke out in 2013, tens of thousands of people have been killed, a third of the population has fled their homes and the economy, which depends on oil, has been ruined. On Sunday President Salva Kiir and his former vice president turned rebel leader Riek Machar signed a ceasefire and power-sharing agreement in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. Previous deals have failed to end the conflict and residents of the capital, Juba, said they are desperate for this one to succeed. "What people want is services. People want peace. People want their children to go to school. (They want) hospitals and security and clean water. These are things now citizens are hoping for from our leaders," John Kenyi, 30, a newspaper vendor in Juba, told Reuters. Sarah Duku, a 38-year-old mother of three, said: "We hope that the parties come back to South Sudan and implement it this time ...As the mothers of this country we need peace so that our economy can improve." Sudan's government on Sunday also said that oil would be pumped from South Sudan's Unity State through Sudan for export from Sept. 1. South Sudan gained independence in 2011 after a bitter struggle but just two years later conflict along ethnic lines erupted because of a dispute between Kiir and Machar. A 2015 peace deal briefly halted the fighting but fell apart after Machar returned to the capital the following year. Other such deals also failed. Kiir said last week the new peace mediated by Sudan and east African nations would hold because it was not imposed by outsiders and other deals had failed because of external pressure. Some smaller opposition groups say they doubt the new deal because it does not allocate power fairly. "The people are tired even if you call them you want to recruit them to go for war, they won't. So the leaders are left alone and there is nothing they can do except to sign peace," said James Okuk, a political analyst and lecturer based in Juba. (Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg) After years of debate, Chinese scientists are close to a consensus on the design for what would be the worlds longest undersea railway tunnel, connecting the mainland to Taiwan. If realised, shuttle trains could be whizzing through a 135km (84 mile) undersea section of the tunnel at up to 250km/h (155mph) by 2030. The ambitious undertaking would include a multi-billion-yuan engineering and technical warm-up project, according to plans the scientists have sent the Chinese government, the South China Morning Post has learned. Despite this technological progress, rising political tensions between the self-ruled island and Beijing, which regards it as a renegade province, mean that the scheme is unlikely to come to fruition any time soon. However, some researchers said it was possible that Beijing would start work on the project in a unilateral, and largely symbolic move. Politics aside, surmounting the projects technical tests would be a huge coup for Chinas scientific, engineering and construction corps, analysts said. It will be one of the largest and most challenging civil engineering projects in the 21st century, said a government scientist who asked not to be named because of the projects sensitivity. The tunnels design, completed last year with funding from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the largest central governmental advisory body on infrastructural construction, has the growing support of both Chinas research community and tunnelling industry, several senior civil engineering experts have told the Post. The idea of a mainland-Taiwan tunnel had been kicking around for nearly a century. It achieved new prominence in 2016, when Beijing included a cross-strait high-speed rail network in its then-new five-year plan. But it was only recently that scientists and engineers figured out how to build it. In the latest plan, the tunnel would be several kilometres longer than envisaged in 2016. Story continues Starting from Pingtan, a pilot free-trade zone area set up by Beijing in Fujian province in 2013 to boost trade with Taiwan, it would dive nearly 200 metres (218 yards), cut through complex layers of rock, including extremely hard granite, dodge at least two major earthquake faults and return to the surface in Hsinchu, a coastal city near Taipei. It would be three and a half times longer than what is currently the worlds longest undersea rail tunnel the 37.9km Channel Tunnel between Britain and France. The Channel Tunnel nicknamed the Chunnel took six years to build and cost the equivalent of 12 billion euros (US$13.99 billion) today. Upon its completion in 1994, the American Society of Civil Engineers dubbed the massive piece of infrastructure one of the modern worlds seven wonders. Chinas project would be laid out in similar fashion to the Channel Tunnel, consisting of a complex of three individual tunnels. Two main passages would be used by trains running in opposite directions. In between them would be a smaller service tunnel that would contain power lines, communication cables and emergency exits. The Chinese project, however, would separate itself from the pack and the Channel Tunnel with the breadth of its main tunnels. They would be nearly a third larger than their European counterparts, extending 10 metres in diameter. Their broader design would allow trains to travel faster and carry bulkier cargos than the Channel Tunnel, which limits train speeds to 160km/h. A potential thorny aspect of the scientists plan is that it would be necessary to create a pair of artificial islands in the middle of the strait for an air treatment station that would pipe fresh air into the tunnel. That requirement might further inflame rising tensions between Beijing and the self-ruled island. Ever since the two sides split in 1949 after a civil war, China has seen self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, by force if necessary; the island sees itself as a sovereign country. Since Taiwans leader, Tsai Ing-wen, took office two years ago, China has stepped up its diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan, as Tsais government refuses to acknowledge that the island is part of one China and many islanders are not keen on reuniting with the mainland. Starting construction without reaching an agreement with the other side will fuel anti-China sentiments on the island, warned Zhao Jian, a Beijing Jiaotong University economics professor who has extensively researched the economic performance of Chinas major transport projects, including high-speed railways. It will push them further away instead of drawing them closer to us. Zhu Hehua, head of tunnelling and underground structure research at Tongji University in Shanghai, said starting work on the strait tunnel on the mainland would likely be a symbolic one-sided move to signal Beijing's determination to achieve unification with Taiwan. It will not wait until complete unification, he said. That will take too long. Given the political climate, the project may look as distant as going to the moon, Zhu said. However, he predicted the tunnel dream would eventually come true. Further complicating construction would be the straits heavy use as an international shipping route. The latest plan has had a long genesis with Chinese researchers and government representatives meeting more than 10 times during the 1990s, producing numerous proposals. In 2005, the central government released a long-term plan for the development of a national transport network that included building a roadway or a railway to Taiwan within three decades. As the relationship between Taipei and Beijing deteriorated, however, the proposed transport system seemed a one-sided wish. Nevertheless, hopes on the mainland that the two parties could resolve their differences kept the dream of completing the tunnel alive. The Post has learned that a research team has been at work off the coast of Pingtan conducting geological mapping, drilling for rock samples, running computer simulations and analysing the potential environmental risks and impact of a large-scale tunnelling project. The work by geologists and engineers from Fujian Communications Planning and Design Institute and China Communications Construction Co is part of a 26 million yuan feasibility assessment for building a road tunnel from Pingtan to Fuqing, a county-level city in Fuzhou. A county official, who declined to give his name because he was not authorised to discuss the project with the media, confirmed those facts for the Post. The teams findings are to be submitted to the government next year. The proposed 12-billion-yuan Pingtan-Fuqing passageway, running more than 11 kilometres under the seabed, would beat the Tokyo Bay Aqua Line as the worlds longest undersea road tunnel. Sufficiently broad to allow three heavy cargo trucks to drive side by side in each direction, it would transform Pingtan into a new frontier of economic development in Southeast China, the county official said. But its greater value would be in paving the way for the official launch of the far more ambitious and challenging cross-strait tunnelling project. Zhu, the Tongji University tunnelling expert, acknowledged that the Pingtan-Fuqing road tunnel would be a warm-up exercise for the construction of the rail tunnel from Pingtan to Hsinchu, Taiwan. The shorter tunnel would be located in roughly the same area as the rail tunnel and require engineers to figure out how to solve similar geological and technical problems, he said. Fundamentally speaking, the challenge is the same, Zhu said. Although the five-year plan issued by Beijing two years ago envisaged the cross-strait tunnel being finished by 2030, that estimate may have been optimistic. Sun Jun, a senior expert on tunnel and underground building engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said work on the tunnel could take three decades to complete. If the project were launched in 2020 with high-performance tunnel boring machines attacking it from both sides, it would be possible to finish construction by mid-century, he said. But he cautioned that his estimate was based on the assumption that a pro-Beijing leader would come to power in Taiwan and negotiate an agreement to build the tunnel. Li Xinggao, a professor of civil engineering at Beijing Jiaotong University who has worked on numerous major tunnelling projects in China, said the Pingtan-Fuqing road tunnel would be a prelude to the launch of the strait crossing project. The 11km length is not short, he said. It will allow us to prove and test some new technological and engineering methods [that could be applied to the cross-strait project]. In addition to using boring machines that have been employed in extensive tunnelling projects such as the Channel Tunnel, China also is considering using drilling and blasting methods to build the Pingtan-Fuqing tunnel to lower costs and speed up the work. If applying a trio of techniques to the project did actually save money and accelerate completion, the approach could be used to build the longer Pingtan-Hsinchu tunnel. But the feasibility of using all three methods to build the Taiwan tunnel was unclear because of the complexity and unpredictability that multiple techniques would add to the process. It was also uncertain whether a hybrid approach actually would be used to build the Pingtan-Fuqing tunnel project. Although tackling the challenges of building the shorter tunnel will provide valuable data, according to Li, the civil engineering professor at Beijing Jiaotong University, the experience from one location cannot be automatically applied to another. Zhao, the Beijing Jiaotong economics professor, said the Taiwan Strait tunnel project would become a financial sinkhole if it failed to attract users. Taiwans GDP ranked sixth among Chinese provinces last year, he said, pointing out that the island has suffered slow economic growth in recent years while some of the richest mainland provinces saw a boom. There wont be many passengers or cargos for the train, Zhao said. Convincing people to take the tunnel train could be challenging at first, since the Taiwanese who work or do business on the mainland mostly travel by plane to cities such as Shanghai, Kunshan and Nanjing, the professor said. Moreover, the fare of freight locomotive though an undersea tunnel is likely to be higher than the cost of shipping goods. And while the tunnel train between mainland cities and Taiwan might be faster than a boat, it still would be slower than a plane. Zhao criticised the plan to warm up for the Taiwan tunnel project by building a shorter Pingtan-Fuqing road tunnel as lacking in economic sense. A tiny island with only half a million residents, Pingtan already has two large bridges linking it to the mainland, one capable of running both train and automobiles, he said. Although the Chinese government turned the island into a free-trade zone, it has no need for a large undersea tunnel six times as long as the Cross-Harbour Tunnel in Hong Kong, Zhao said. The trade war with the United States is giving China enormous pressure from the outside, he said. The domestic environment also faces many challenges. It is no longer possible to stimulate economic growth with large scale investment in infrastructure projects. Illustration: Perry Tse This article Strait ahead: how Beijing is planning worlds longest rail tunnel to link Taiwan to mainland first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. Syrian regime forces bombed late Sunday a desert area under the control of the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group near the province of Sweida in southern Syria, a war monitor said. "The bombing and fighting between the regime forces and IS have intensified during the evening and are continuing," said Rami Abdel Rahmane, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "The regime is advancing to the north and northeast of Sweida", adjacent to the desert zone of the southern province, he told AFP. This military operation would be "the start of a regime offensive to dislodge IS from this pocket" in the Badiya desert of Sweida, he said, adding that "a major military reinforcement (of regime troops) is massing" in the area. The fighting comes as Russia failed in its negotiations to free some 30 civilian hostages of the Druze religious minority taken by IS last month. The kidnappings followed a series of coordinated attacks against Sweida province which left more than 250 people dead. On Sunday, the Observatory and news website Sweida24 announced that IS had decapitated one of the hostages, a 19-year-old male student. This execution, the first since the abductions, came "after the failure of the negotiations with the regime forces", according to the Observatory. The Syrian Democratic Forces, an Arab-Kurd alliance which fought against IS with the support of the United States, indicated Sunday that it was ready to exchange with IS captured jihadists for the remaining Druze civilian hostages. Meanwhile IS, which has not claimed responsibility for the execution or the kidnappings, has been pounded by multiple offensives in Syria and today controls less than three percent of the territory. However, it continues to launch attacks like the bloody strike and kidnappings in Sweida. The Syrian conflict which began in 2011 has claimed more than 350,000 lives and left millions displaced or fleeing as refugees. Six people have been arrested, accused of "terrorism" and attempting to assassinate Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro with explosive-laden drones. Here is a look at how the alleged attack unfolded. - Military Parade - Maduro was speaking at a military parade to honor the National Guard, a body the opposition accuses of being primarily responsible for the 125 deaths during four months of civil unrest in 2017. The president was warning citizens that those who failed to register their cars in a national census would miss out on subsidized fuel when an explosion above his head took away his attention. "What happened?" said Maduro looking upwards worriedly, his wife Cilia Flores flinching as bodyguards jumped in to shield the president, with someone shouting "shelter him!" Maduro was heard saying "let's go to the right" as television pictures cut away from him to the lines military personnel. But the National Guardsmen then scattered in panic after a second explosion was heard, the state television broadcast quickly cutting away from that too. Photos and videos published later showed soldiers protecting the president with plastic shields while a uniformed officer was evacuated with blood pouring from a head wound. - 'Shockwave' - Marco Salgado, a foreign correspondent who's been working in Venezuela for a decade, was close to Maduro at the time of the first explosion and took the picture of the bloodied soldier, one of seven injured according to the government, three of them seriously. "I had my back to the stage when I felt the shockwave. I thought a rocket had exploded very close to me. When I looked at the stage, I saw they were sheltering the president," he told AFP. The obscure National Movement of Soldiers in T-shirts group claimed responsibility for the attack that Interior and Justice Minister Nestor Reverol said was carried out using two drones, each packed with a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of plastic explosive C4. The first became "disoriented by signal inhibiting equipment" and was thus "activated outside the assassins' planned perimeter," Reverol said. The second drone lost control and crashed into an adjacent building, letting off a plume of smoke, he added. That's when armed forces and spectators alike ran for cover. "There was chaos. People running in every direction but many not knowing where to go. Everyone was confused, the spectators as well as the National Guard," added Salgado. A commanding voice telling the troops to stand firm had no effect as panic gripped those fleeing. Maduro, though, kept his calm, believing the explosions to be from the kind of fireworks often set off at officials events. - 'Serenity' - Thereafter there was absolute silence from the government for one hour before Communication and Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez appeared in front of state cameras stating that the president had come under "attack." "Don't worry, he's completely unhurt," added Rodriguez, speaking of a president against whom thousands regularly take to the streets to protest. Three hours after the dramatic episode, Maduro appeared on television to denounce an attempt "to assassinate me," while talking of how he'd reacted with "serenity." "This drone was looking at me," he said, before launching into a series of accusations against the opposition, Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos and the United States, those he calls the "ultra-right." The Turkish lira on Monday hit new record lows against the dollar and euro as strains caused by a diplomatic spat with the United States compounded concerns over domestic economic policy. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said Ankara would sanction two American officials in response to a similar move by the United States against Turkish ministers over the detention in Turkey of pastor Andrew Brunson. Analysts say that while the sanctions themselves are almost meaningless, the strains risk hurting the already embattled currency and could be a harbinger of tougher measures to come from Washington. The lira, which last week hit 5 to the dollar for the first time in history over the sanctions, was trading at 5.17 to the dollar, a loss of 1.8 percent on the day. Against the euro, the lira was trading at 5.97, a loss of 1.7 percent on the day, having earlier tested the 6.0 ceiling for the first time. The currency was also pressured by an announcement by the Office of the US Trade Representative it was reviewing Turkey's eligibility of a scheme that allows the export of certain products to the US duty free. The row with the United States had added to concerns about economic and monetary policy in Turkey after the re-election of Erdogan for a new term with strengthened powers on June 24. One of Erdogan's first moves after his inauguration was to jettison the relatively trusted economic policymaking team and hand a newly expanded finance ministry to his son-in-law Berat Albayrak. Meanwhile, Turkey's central bank -- which is theoretically independent -- disappointed markets on July 24 by leaving rates unchanged despite inflation that has now reached almost 16 percent. Erdogan has repeatedly urged the central bank to lower rates to boost growth, baffling markets by expressing the unorthodox view that lower interest rates can help bring down inflation. "The current level of real policy rate is insufficient to compensate for the heightened geopolitical risk premium after US sanctions, which will keep the lira vulnerable to a further escalation of geopolitical tensions," said Inan Demir, economist at Nomura, in a note to clients He added the central bank's latest comments indicate that it is "not in a position to raise rates and the most that can be expected is to keep rates unchanged for an extended period." "This means the risk-reward profile for the lira is still unattractive," he added. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for the United Arab Emirates, Anwar Gargash, speaks at an event at Chatham House in London, Britain July 17, 2017. REUTERS/Neil Hall/Files DUBAI (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates stands with Saudi Arabia "in defending its sovereignty" after the kingdom froze new trade and investment with Canada, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on Monday on Twitter. Saudi Arabia severed ties after Ottawa urged Riyadh to free arrested rights activists. It also recalled its ambassador and gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country. (Reporting by Ali Abdelaty; editing by John Stonestreet) The UN Security Council on Monday approved US-drafted measures aimed at ensuring that tough sanctions on North Korea do not impede deliveries of humanitarian aid to the isolated country. Nearly half of North Korea's population - 10 million people - are undernourished, according to UN officials, who have reported a drop in food production last year. UN resolutions specify that sanctions should not affect humanitarian aid, but relief organizations argue that strict trade and banking measures are creating bureaucratic obstacles and slowing down the flow of vital supplies. The United States last month proposed new guidelines to allow aid groups and UN agencies to quickly obtain exemptions from the council committee that oversees implementation of sanctions. After weeks of negotiations, the proposal was approved on Monday. Dutch Deputy UN Ambassador Lise Gregoire-van Haaren, whose country chairs the sanctions committee, said the guidelines will hopefully "provide clarity on delivering humanitarian aid to the North Korean people without violating sanctions." "Our ultimate goal is the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the sanctions are very important to that end," she said. A notice will be sent to the UN's 193 member-states by the committee "to provide a clear explanation" of the procedure for exemptions which will "improve the delivery of humanitarian assistance" to North Korea, a committee document said. - Sanctions pressure - The United States has rebuffed calls from China and Russia to ease sanctions, urging instead that maximum pressure be maintained to compel North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to follow through on his pledge to denuclearize the Korean peninsula. A US official said the guidelines would ensure that "only critical, life-saving humanitarian activities needed in North Korea can continue" and that requests for exemptions will undergo a detailed review. The Security Council last year adopted three rafts of sanctions targeting North Korea's economy in response to Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test and a series of ballistic missile launches. Those sanctions ban North Korea's exports of raw commodities while severely restricting imports of a range of goods and supplies of oil -- vital for the country's military. A UN panel of experts reported on Friday that North Korea was able to circumvent sanctions through ship-to-ship transfers of oil products in international waters, arms sales and illegal banking transactions. Despite the move to unblock deliveries, the United Nations is facing a major funding shortfall for its aid operations in North Korea. Only four countries - Switzerland, Sweden, Canada and France -- have made donations to the $111 million humanitarian appeal for North Korea, contributing a total of $12 million. A 26-year-old man who bashed his victims before taking their money had been let down by the citys public health care system, a Hong Kong judge said on Monday as he called for a report on his mental state and background before handing down a sentence. High Court presiding deputy judge Andrew Bruces comments came after he heard the mitigation plea by Limbu Jun-kang, who had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery at Eastern Court. The defence lawyer for Limbu who originally went by the Chinese name Chan King-tung until he adopted a Nepalese name in 2016 as a sign of respect for a Nepalese neighbour who had been kind to him explained how his clients upbringing and a failure to diagnose his underlying condition might have resulted in his offences. In the space of five days, Limbu grabbed and punched two victims before taking a total of HK$1,720 (US$220) from them in the Soho district of Central in November 2017. The accused also hit one of the men on the head with a glass bottle. Defence counsel Steven Kwan Man-wai said on Monday that the Form Two dropout had been a victim of bullying, robbery and, most recently, sexual assault, which led to a drastic change in his character. Despite showing some hyperactivity since he was young, Kwan said, Limbu was not diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder a condition that makes him easily lose his temper until 2012, when he was sent to a reformatory centre for hitting his colleague in a McDonalds outlet. The judge said the case cried out for more in-depth investigation to understand the accuseds violent tendencies so that the court could take into account his mental illness before sentencing him. Bruce said that while he had to look at the interest of the community, and the two victims, he also had to do justice to the accused. The system has failed him in a number of ways, he said, referring the citys public health care system, having heard about Limbus late diagnosis and scattered treatments. Story continues The judge noted, however, that he was not making any criticism of the system as he appreciated how overstretched it could be. Bruce sought several reports on Limbus mental state and background, and adjourned sentencing for a later day. The defendant, who will remain in jail custody, listened to the interpreter patiently in the dock, in stark contrast to his last appearance at Eastern Court, when he had made a break for the metal fences that separated him from the rest of the courtroom. The High Court heard on Monday that Limbu made his first move on November 12 last year, when he pretended to be the friend of a drunk man and walked him into a Wellington Street back lane near Lan Kwai Fong. There, he put his victim, Chan Chun-wa, in an armlock from behind, punching his face and kicking him. Limbu took HK$1,300 from his victim, who was in hospital for three days, the court heard. Five days later, he launched a similar attack on Chan Chung-yin. After snatching HK$420 from the man, Limbu hit him on the head with a bottle before fleeing. Limbu was arrested on November 18, a day later, after police spotted him in Central. He made a confession while in police custody, the court heard. During mitigation on Monday, his lawyer portrayed Limbu as a victim in his own right. Kwan said that when the defendant was young, he and his friends were robbed. Those friends then turned against him and harassed him, blaming him for not protecting them, Kwan said. Limbu had since been practising Muay Thai, but was sexually assaulted by an acquaintance he met online in 2014. That led to a drastic change [in his characater], Kwan said. This article Violent robber failed by Hong Kong health care system, judge says first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. A ComfortDelgro taxi passes Uber and Grab offices in Singapore in March 2018. (File photo: Reuters/Edgar Su) After pioneering ride-hailing app Uber merged with rival Grab in Singapore, Grab has defended itself against monopoly claims in the city-state. However, with the latest news that ride-hailing app Ryde has gotten LTA approval to provide third-party taxi booking services, the market could become more competitive. Other regional rivals like Indonesias Go-Jek are set to enter the private hire vehicle market soon, too. Do you feel that commuters could benefit from more competition? Have your say by voting in our poll, and leave a comment below. Related stories: Ride-hailing app Ryde gets LTAs approval to provide third-party taxi booking service Grab defends position in Uber deal to Singapores anti-monopoly watchdog Grab raises $2 bn to fight ride-hailing competition Indonesia ride app Go-Jek to add 4 Southeast Asian nations In Singapore, a preview of how Grab and Go-Jek will likely face off across Southeast Asia The GOP and Big Oil can't escape blame for climate change Posted on 6 August 2018 by dana1981 Last weeks issue of the New York Times magazine was devoted to a single story by Nathaniel Rich that explored how close we came to an international climate agreement in 1989, and why we failed. The piece is worth reading its a well-told, mostly accurate, and very informative story about a key decade in climate science and policy history. But sadly, it explicitly excuses the key players responsible for our continued failure. Culprit #1: The Republican Party Richs piece immediately goes off the rails in its Prologue, where he argues that the GOP isnt responsible at least not for the climate failures up to 1989: Nor can the Republican Party be blamed during the 1980s, many prominent Republicans joined Democrats in judging the climate problem to be a rare political winner: nonpartisan and of the highest possible stakes. However, his story is peppered with examples that contradict this narrative. The worlds foremost climate scientists had published the groundbreaking National Academy of Sciences Charney Report in 1979, concluding that a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide would most likely cause 3C of global warming (still the consensus today), and as Rich summarizes: The last time the world was three degrees warmer was during the Pliocene, three million years ago, when beech trees grew in Antarctica, the seas were 80 feet higher and horses galloped across the Canadian coast of the Arctic Ocean. But Ronald Reagan was elected president the next year and came in with a stark anti-environment agenda, including an effort to eliminate the Energy Departments carbon dioxide program. In 1983, the National Academy of Sciences published yet another major climate report. It mostly reiterated the Charney report findings, but this time the press briefing was run by Reagan appointee William Nierenberg. In a glaring omission, Richs story failed to note that in 1984, Nierenberg founded the fossil fuel-funded, climate-denying George C. Marshall Institute and proceeded to publish a variety of reports denying mainstream scientific findings. In the key 1983 press briefing, Nierenberg basically lied about the climate reports findings, claiming it found no urgent need for action. Nierenbergs false summary made headlines around the world and stymied climate policy efforts for years to come. Only after 1985 when the discovery of ozone depletion captured worldwide attention was climate change able to ride its coattails back into serious policy discussions. Richs story culminates with the first major global climate conference in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, in 1989. More than 60 countries were deciding whether to endorse a framework for a global climate treaty. George H.W. Bush had been elected president after promising on the campaign trail, Those who think we are powerless to do anything about the greenhouse effect are forgetting about the White House effect. But once he was in the White House, Bush expressed little interest in global warming and appointed John Sununu as his chief of staff. Sununu had earned a PhD in engineering from MIT, but developed a conspiratorial view towards mainstream science: Since World War II, he believed, conspiratorial forces had used the imprimatur of scientific knowledge to advance an anti-growth doctrine. When the Swedish minister briefly emerged from a long and ongoing closed-door negotiation at Noordwijk and was asked by an American environmental activist what was going on, he answered, Your government is fucking this thing up! Sununu had pressured the Bush administration representative to force the conference to abandon a commitment to freeze carbon emissions, and the Noordwijk conference became the first in a long line of international climate negotiations failures, thanks largely to the Republican administration. Culprit #2: the fossil fuel industry In his unfortunate Prologue, Rich also describes the fossil fuel industry as a common boogeyman. He argues that the fossil fuel industry didnt mobilize to kill the 1989 Noordwijk negotiation. Thats true, because it didnt have to; had the treaty even succeeded, it would have just been the very first step in global efforts to cut carbon pollution. Immediately after the Noordwijk shot came across its bow, the fossil fuel industry launched a decades-long, many-million-dollar campaign to undermine public trust of climate science and support for climate policy. For example, the Global Climate Coalition (GCC) fossil fuel industry group formed in 1989. By the time the 1992 Rio Earth Summit rolled around, these polluter industry organizations began heavily investing in disinformation campaigns to undermine international and domestic climate policies. Speaking about the Rio summit, Bush sounded like Donald Trump, saying: Click here to read the rest Chinese film authorities have denied Disneys Christopher Robin a theatrical run in the country, Disneys head of distribution has confirmed, and the reason might be that the films star is something of a resistance leader. No, its not Ewan McGregorwho plays the movies titular character, now all grown upbut Winnie the Pooh who is the subject of controversy. Chinese censors have cracked down on the tubby bear ever since a meme comparing him to President Xi Jinping took off in 2013, and now Chinese audiences will not be allowed to watch Disneys new movie because, an anonymous source tells the Hollywood Reporter, the Communist Party considers the character persona non grata. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christopher Robin, which is already in theaters in the U.S., is the second Disney movie to be rejected in China this year, following A Wrinkle in Time. Another source told THR that Christopher Robin was not necessarily snubbed because it stars Winnie the Pooh, and that the decision likely has to do with the size and scope of the film given the foreign film quota. But it seems silly to dismiss censorship as a factor entirely: Searching for Winnie the Pooh by his Chinese name on the microblogging site Weibo results in error messages, and earlier this year, Chinese censors also banned mentions of John Oliver after HBO aired a Last Week Tonight segment that criticized Xi. Oh, bother. Having met so many 80-plus-year-olds in possession of a bottomless well of stories and life advice, we present the series Interview With an Old Personwhich is, well, exactly what it sounds like. To nominate yourself or an elderly person in your life, email humaninterest@slate.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christina Cauterucci: Whats your very first memory? Eleanor Tom Jaynes: I was born in Hawaiiin Wahiawa, on Oahu. My memories are of being from a large family, and a happy family, and a crazy family. I have three brothers and seven sisters, and you know what its like to have seven girls: They all talk. Im usually the quiet one. We saw Japanese planes come in, and my daddy said, Theres something wrong. My daddy owned a grocery store. And since the six girls [were the oldest], they ended up being the boys in the family they ended up doing a lot of the work that Daddy would expect the sons to do. I was the third girl. Being from Hawaii during the war, we were there during Pearl Harbor when I was 14. People dont really know that the Japanese came into our part of the island, the center part, before they came into Pearl Harbor. We saw the enemy before Pearl Harbor did. As soon as the war hit Pearl Harbor, we were all put under military law. We didnt have rations like they did in the U.S. Our rations were mostly on gasoline. We didnt have to worry about sugar, because we raised our own sugar on the island anyway. Advertisement Advertisement What was that day like for you, the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor? Advertisement When they were coming across the middle of the island, we had no protection. We saw Japanese planes come in, and my daddy said, Theres something wrong. Those arent American planes. So he ran out to the window to look at the planes, and he saw the big Japanese thing on the plane. And he said, We are being attacked. And so we went to look out the window, and the Japanese pilot going by waved to us. There was a kamikaze. And they werent making any noise then because they didnt want to alert people that they had come in the back way. Advertisement When we realized what was happening, we put the radio on. They told us to hurry up, that there was an attack and that we needed to quickly find something to pin on ourselves with our name and our address so they would know who we were in case we were lost or bombed. And that was scary, to think that we had to be protected, that something could happen to us. That night, the military told us to black out our windows and stay inside, not to turn lights on at night at all if we could, just use our flashlights, but not to use them very much. And they said always be prepared to run. But that was stupid, because where can you run in the island? Advertisement What was it like after that? How did people try to recover and move on? As soon as the bombs came, schools all were closed, because there were a lot of Japanese people living on the island then. But for the people living in Hawaii, we were not so afraid of Japanese, because they were the ones we grew up with. Im not JapaneseIm from a Chinese background. But most of my girlfriends and friends on the island then were Japanese. The Japanese people really wanted to help fight for America because they were born and raised in Hawaii, and they really were Hawaiian. Advertisement Advertisement What did you do for fun in Hawaii when you were growing up? Advertisement You know, its sunny all the time. We were outside playing all the time. One funny thingwe roller-skated, but we come from a large family. So one pair of roller skates, you have to divide it with everyone. We went to public school and were all required to learn to speak English. Wed go to school in the morning. And then after that, you rush home, change your clothes or change your books, because youre not finished school yet. We were required by the government to go to public school and to learn English, but we were required by our parents to go to language school. There was Japanese school, and they all had to wear a uniform. And then the Chinese school had Chinese children with a different uniform. And they did have language school for Koreans, and I know they even had a few Hawaiian schools, because when my grandmother first came to Hawaii in the late 1800s, she had to learn to speak Hawaiian, because most people spoke Hawaiian then. Advertisement When did you come to the mainland U.S.? Advertisement Advertisement I wanted to go to college, and I needed to get money. In high school, every time I worked in the store or helped Daddy in the restaurant, everything I earned, I saved my money. And then I had to work two years after I graduated from high school to make enough money so I could go to college [on the mainland]. I saved enough money from working in a public library. The fun thing was, I came to the U.S. with four Japanese girls. I was the only Chinese girl, but it was much more dangerous for them, right after the war, to leave. We all scattered: Two went to a Methodist school in Missouri, I went to a Presbyterian school in Tennessee, one girl went to Kansas, and the other one went to a design school in New York. Advertisement Advertisement Everybody said to me, how did you choose Tusculum, in Tennessee? What, are you going to be a hillbilly? When I was working in the public library, this girl from Poughkeepsie, New York, happened to be in Hawaii the last year I worked in the library. She told me, Why dont you try Tusculum? You would love it. I had no idea where it was. I came by boat to California, and it took me days to get from California to Tennessee on the train. Advertisement Had you ever been to the mainland U.S. before? No, never. Everything, I had to do it on faith. I was not scared, because I was with these four other girls up until Kansas City. Oh, I have to tell you what happened in Kansas City: Thats my first experience of prejudice. I got up on the train, and I wanted to go to bathroom. I asked the bellhop, I need to go to the bathroom, how do I go? One bathroom says white, one says black. He looked at me and said he didnt know, he wasnt sure. Finally, he said, Close your eyes and go in the white one. We didnt have anything like that in Hawaii. Advertisement Did you ever experience any prejudice after the war from people who thought you were Japanese? Yeah, because they couldnt tell the difference. One timeI was glad they said it to me and not to the four Japanese girls, because it would have really hurt their feelings. I was riding on the train, and a little boy was looking at me because I was different. And he wanted to come up and talk to me. His mother, she yelled at him and pulled him and said, Get away, shes a Jap. Advertisement Advertisement Did you experience any discrimination in college? I was very lucky. The soldiers overseas, theyve been all over the world. So when they came to Tusculum, they were not afraid of me, because theyd been fighting in the war. The people in Tusculum that were very timid were boys whod not been to war. And being born in Hawaii, I knew how to deal with men. Advertisement What do you mean by that, that you knew how to deal with men from being in Hawaii? Even before the war, we had 25,000 soldiers in our little town. The soldiers join the Army when theyre 17, 18 years old. They know theyre going to war and they may not come back. They know they may die. And they dont care what they do to the girls in Hawaii. So you need to learn to watch whats happening. There were a lot of girls that were taken advantage of, so many girls that got pregnant, had children by soldiers who never came back. You learn from very young about men. What was your favorite age? Advertisement Every age has a different story. There are so many stories, you dont want to pick the best, because theyre all good. Exceptthis now is not the best time, where you have to depend on somebody. And its hard to depend on someone when you were once so independent. Now, some years are not as good as others. Children, they live so far away. Children are gone, they live in Boston, and one in South Carolina. Advertisement How many times have you been in love? One. [Laughs.] With my husband, Hugh. How did you two meet? Thats another good story. He was in my French class, and he was also in my history class. We didnt know each other then, didnt talk, because hes a country boy, very timidhe wasnt like the soldiers. I always thought, Oh, hes too smart, hes good at French, and I was lousy in French. We didnt go together until my senior year. He said he saw me on the street one day, walking in the country road close to college. He said he saw, again, that I was different. He wasnt afraid. He thought I was interesting. But I didnt see him until senior year, when a friend took me to church and they had a Sunday school game. They were playing touch back, and you were supposed to chase each other around. He would walk slowly so I could catch him. Thats how we met. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He knew it would be difficult, back then, for him to marry an Oriental, because hes a Tennessee boy, and you know how it was then. For me it was easier, because in Hawaii, everyones married to someone of a different race. Advertisement Did Hughs family approve of your marriage? At first it was difficult, so no. But then they finally did. They came to the wedding and were part of the wedding. I think it was mostly about his old church, country churchthe parents were afraid that people wouldnt like me. But they did, so that shows you just never know. I have to trust that if I accept them, they will accept me. Once they get to know you and they know that you can speak English, youre all right. What were some of your first dates? He invited me to go to a Chinese restaurant. And we went to the strawberry festival my senior year. We just kind of grew together. Hugh said he never had trouble talking to me because I am a talker. [Laughs.] Advertisement Whats something you do every single day? Advertisement I like to read the paper to keep up with whats going on outside this wall. I do like to work on sudoku. I used to like to do crossword puzzles, but I realize, at this age and stage, my vocabulary has gone down. Before we came [to this retirement home], Hugh and I were involved with the symphony, opera, and plays. Hugh is very good with words. Now, at this stage, hes lost some of that ability, which is sad. Advertisement Do you use the internet? No. I am dumb and ignorant about anything thats modern. Who is your best friend? Nowadays it would be church people. In Hawaii, one best friend was Jean Teranishi. You know how they always put you in alphabetical order in school? So my last name was Tom, and I sat in front of her. Once, she told me, Do you know why I always liked you? It was because she lived in a pineapple camp, and the people who lived in the camp, they were considered lower-class people working out in the field. She said, You never made fun of me. Before she died, she told me that. I was so glad she told me. Advertisement Whats something youve wanted to pass on to your children? I dont know if I succeeded or not, but I really wanted them to love their family. They should always think about their family first. Thats your legacy. Without them you really have nothing. If you love your family, youre bound to love other people. What advice would you give your younger self, now? To be yourself. Be strong in what you believe. And be kind to others. Because if youre kind to them, they are kind to you. Dear Prudence is online weekly to chat live with readers. Heres an edited transcript of this weeks chat, which was guest hosted by Nicole Cliffe. Daniel Mallory Ortberg will return next week. Nicole Cliffe: Hi everyone! I am not Danny, I am Nicole. I have three children and I usually only answer parenting questions, but I will do my best not to infantilize any of you. Q. Conspiracy theorist father-in-law: My wife and I are having a baby soon, and Im fretting over how to handle my father-in-law. Hes a crazy conspiracy theorist who thinks, among many things, that modern medicine is bogus, that the government uses fluoride for mind control, and that his hillbilly neighbors are highly trained government spies reporting on his movements. He has even tried removing his 30-year-old son, who has profound cerebral palsy, from the machines that keep him alive, because he thinks marijuana and some rainforest supplement will cure him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My wife is disgusted with his behavior but doesnt think hed put our child in danger. However, he was physically and emotionally abusive to her and her mother growing up, so I dont want our child anywhere near him. This has devastated my mother-in-law, who thinks Im taking away her chance to be a grandmother. Im fine with her babysitting by herself, but shes still under his control, which means hell accompany her and tell her what to do. How do my wife and I confront her parents without completely burning bridges? A: Yeah, he cant come to your house. Abusers dont get to be in your house with your children. Because she cant be trusted, your mother-in-law cant babysit without your supervision. She should be welcome to see your child in your home under your watchful eye. Advertisement For the moment, Im more worried about their 30-year-old son, who is already alive and in the world and being impacted by his nonsense. Is he living at home, or are these machines keeping him alive in a hospital? If the former, this is something I would speak to Adult Protective Services about. Do we have any reason to think your wifes mother is no longer being abused? This isnt a great situation for anyone. Advertisement Q. Wicked sister: My sister and I grew up in a very abusive home. In our childhood, my sister was also physically and psychologically abusive to me. She frequently beat me, threatened to kill herself in front of me, choked me multiple times, and killed my rabbit to punish me. (She was often cruel to animals.) She excelled in high school and was loved by her teachers, and is now in college with a great scholarship. We havent lived together in a few years, having each moved out at 16, and my sister says she wants us to have a more genuine relationship, built on our lives now instead of our pasts. This is very difficult because she caused so much trauma for me. When she does things like speak abrasively to waitstaff, or harshly criticize me, which she does frequently, I find it deeply frightening. Whenever we spend time together, I find myself feeling miserable for the rest of the day and having difficulty sleeping that night. She denies abusing me and becomes extremely angry when I attempt to broach the topic. She often talks about wanting us to be closer, but without being able to honestly discuss our past, I dont see how we can be. Neither of us has any contact with our parents, and I want to be able to have a relationship with my only other family member, but I find myself filled with dread at the idea of spending time with her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A: This bitch is no good. I mean! Shes a beloved child of God and everything, but I strongly recommend never seeing her or speaking to her again as long as you live. There are people in this life who are radiators and people who are drains, and your sister is a particularly fetid drain. I see no possible hope of genuine reconciliation, and I would coolly detach until she ceases suggesting getting together. Im so sorry about your childhood, and I hope that youre actively working on your trauma with a trusted therapist. If not, theres no time like the present. How to Get Advice From Prudie: Send questions for publication to prudence@slate.com. (Questions may be edited.) Advertisement Join the live chat Mondays at noon. Submit your questions and comments here before or during the discussion. Call the voicemail of the Dear Prudence podcast at 401-371-DEAR (3327) to hear your question answered on a future episode of the show. Q. How much do I share about my child with my friend, who is struggling with infertility?: My best friend, Julia, and I both started trying to conceive at around the same time. I got pregnant after a few months, and my son is now 18 months old. Julia has struggled with infertility, and recently, her first attempt at IVF ended in an ectopic pregnancy. It has been devastating. Julia is an incredible surrogate aunt to my son. She showers him with love and genuinely adores him when she sees him a couple of times a year (we unfortunately live on opposite coasts). We FaceTime and exchange texts and photos frequently. After my husband abandoned my then 4-month-old son and me for an affair with a college student, Julia flew out to spend a week with us, supporting me and helping me pick up the pieces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive told Julia that I am always there for her to listen if she wants to talk about her fertility struggles. When she has, I try to hold space for her, and just listen and hug her when she cries. I avoid asking her for updates or bringing up the subject myself. I am left with this enormous guilt that I have an incredible son and Julia has struggled so much. It isnt fair, and I wish that there was more that I could do to support her. I do send her frequent updates about my son, but I wonder if thats painful for her, and if it is, if she would ever admit it to me. As a now-single mom, managing work and motherhood can be really hard sometimes. I try to keep my complaints to myself when I talk to her but wish that I could be more open with her about both the highs and lows. How can I support her struggle while still both celebrating, and being honest, about motherhood with her? Advertisement A: Just asking yourself this question elevates you over plenty of parents who cannot possibly envision a situation in which someone might not enjoy hearing about all of Young Joffreys foibles and whimsical hijinks. It seems as though Julia does genuinely care for your son and enjoys being involved in your lives, but it might be wise to let her choose the degree to which he features in your conversation. Advertisement Advertisement In practice, this means cutting down on sending her frequent updates about him, and instead asking her more questions about her life. Let her start initiating any kid talk. After a few weeks, I think youll get a better sense for what her actual comfort level is for delightful child anecdotes, and can calibrate accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement Also, your ex-husband is a real heel. Q. Her too?: I saw something at work today, and Im extremely torn about whether it warrants a quick word with my boss. While chatting to Co-worker 1 (male), Co-worker 2 (young female) walked by on her way to the gym, wearing gym wear (tight clothing). Co-worker 1 interrupted me midsentence to ask Co-worker 2 where she was going, and then blatantlyto my eyes, but perhaps I could have misread it?checked out her butt as she walked away. To me, if thats what he was doing, thats sexual harassment. But is it too gray area to say something to our boss? A: Its not great! Its also probably nothing I would bother telling your boss about. He asked her a question and then looked at her butt as she walked away doesnt land great in person, minus over-the-top facial expressions and miming lewd intentwhich would only make you look like the creeper. I would give him a dirty look and roll my eyes and walk away, thus signaling that youre not, in fact, down to clown, and then keep an eye on him going forward. Advertisement Advertisement Q. Re: Wicked sister: Your sister is using a classic abuser ploy. She is acting nice and loving in order to get you emotionally invested and connected to her, so she can bring you under her control again. She lost you as a victim when you lived separately, so this reconnecting is a way to get back in your life. It will only continue until you are emotionally invested in her, and then the abuse will begin again. She has not changed. Because if she had, the first words out of her mouth would be an apology, ownership of what shed done, and reassurance that she is getting help. As long as she refuses to take ownership of her abusive past, she is still an abuser. The most obvious trait of an abuser is refusing to accept responsibility for their abusive behavior. Its always someone elses fault. Advertisement Advertisement A: Thanks for pointing out the pattern here. The only way to win this game is not to play. Q. Not my circus: My lovely husband has, like us all, a bad quality: Hes pretty lazy. Its not a problem generally. Im fine taking care of most things myself, and he is OK at helping out around the housewe have probably a 70/30 split. While I dont mind pitching in more around the house, I do refuse to manage his family obligations. The result of this is that well often be at Fathers Day with no card, or at a family birthday party with no gift. I dont know if this bothers them, but no one has ever said anything. Advertisement Advertisement Recently, I explained our arrangement to my own mother, who has horrified and said I should make more of an effort. I have a warm relationship with my husbands family, but I dont see why I should have to do all the remembering and emotional labor that generally seems to fall to wives. If its a problem, I feel like he should step up and deal with it. Frankly, the whole thing stinks of sexism. No one would expect him to be in charge of buying my family gifts or remembering to send my sister a birthday card. Am I wrong? A: You are not wrong. I am glad you have asked this question! This happens a lot. The best thing you can do, for yourself and for humankind, is to have a firm you deal with your family, I deal with mine policy, and if anyone says something like I havent gotten a thank-you note or Im surprised you didnt remember it was Chads birthday, give them a warm, confused Have you asked Martin? and then ask if they want some of the bean dip. Advertisement Advertisement Expectation management is key. Ideally, you will only need to have this exchange once or twice before people will get the message. Advertisement Q. Turning up the heat: I live with several housemates in an old Northeastern house, and my bedroom is one of two in the converted attic. When I moved in, my housemates and I believed that the thermostat in my room didnt work, but after some experimentation this winter, I figured out that in fact it does. It actually controls the heat for the entire attic. I feel guilty about it, but I didnt tell the housemate in the other attic bedroom about my discovery. He can be intrusive, and I didnt want to spend seven months dealing with his barging into my bedroom to adjust the heat or, maybe even worse, get stuck in constant negotiations over it. I also, admittedly, liked being able to keep my bedroom at my preferred temperature; I sleep better in a cool room, and hot and stuffy spaces can trigger my asthma. I tried to use my secret power responsibly, and my housemate never mentioned being too cold. However, hes soon moving out and being replaced by a new housemate who seems less socially oblivious. Am I obligated to tell my new housemate about the thermostat? If yes, and assuming shed rather not leave this great and terrible power in my hands alone, whats a fair way to manage a thermostat thats in my private space but affects both of us? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A: What a delicious conundrum! I am so torn. The right thing to do is to tell your new housemate the deal from the get-go, but also I like to sleep at a balmy 65 degrees and would never allow someone elses more orchidlike preferences to overrule that. Advertisement My personal recommendation? While in a communal area of the house, ask if shes cold. Regardless of what she says, respond with People enjoy such different temperatures! Are you a warm or a cold sleeper? and let her reply dictate your next move. Is this a person who can be reasoned with? Youll know what to do next. Discuss this column with Dear Prudence on her Facebook page! More Dear Prudence Im Working With My Ex-Lover. Should I Tell My Fiance? My Wife Wants to Give Our Son the Same Name as a Porn Stars. My Friend Is Throwing the Lavish Wedding of Her Dreams. Shes Also Bankrupt. My Best Friends Son Is Stalking My Daughterand My Friend Calls It Puppy Love And find even more letters in the Dear Prudie archive. An unexpected feud with Saudi Arabia could provide a test of how far Justin Trudeaus government is willing to go to defend its principlesand whether Donald Trumps government has any. In response to the Canadian foreign ministrys criticism of the arrest of two prominent Saudi womens rights activists, Saudi Arabia has given the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country, recalled its own ambassador from Ottawa, and has frozen all new trade and investment between the two countries. The Financial Times Ahmed Al Omran also reports that scholarships for Saudi students to study in Canada have been suspended and that Saudi airlines will suspend flights to Canada starting Aug. 13. Rolling out the measures, the Saudi government accused Canada of blatant interference in the Kingdoms domestic affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Human Rights Watch reported last week, Samar Badawi and Nassima al-Sadah are the latest victims of the Saudi governments crackdown on opposition activists. Badawi won a 2012 International Women of Courage Award from the U.S. government for campaigning against the Kingdoms discriminatory male guardianship systemunder which women require the permission of a male relative to travel, marry, or work in certain jobsas well as prohibitions against women driving and voting. She is also the sister of Raif Badawi, the blogger who was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes in 2015 for writings deemed insulting to Islam, and she has been advocating for his release. Al-Sadah has campaigned against the guardianship system and the driving ban in the Eastern Province city of Qatif. She attempted to run for local office in the 2015 electionsthe first time women were permitted to do sobut her name was removed from the ballot. Advertisement Last week, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland and her ministrys official account tweeted out statements of concern: Very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi, Raif Badawis sister, has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, and we continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi. Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) August 2, 2018 Advertisement Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in #SaudiArabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists. Foreign Policy CAN (@CanadaFP) August 3, 2018 Advertisement Its not surprising that the Canadian government would speak out about the arrests. For one thing, the government is closely involved in the Badawi familys case: Raifs wife has been granted political asylum in Canada and is now a Canadian citizen. Under Trudeau and Freeland, Canada has also prided itself on its feminist foreign policy, which has included initiatives to emphasize womens empowerment in foreign aid and trade deals and prioritized gender equality at this years G7 summit in Quebec. (Donald Trump memorably arrived late for a session on the topic.) Advertisement Advertisement But foreign-policy feminism has limits: Trudeau has struggled to square the policy with his governments support for an $11.6 billion deal, negotiated by the previous, conservative government, to sell armored vehicles to Saudi Arabiaarguably the worlds worst womens rights offender. (Aside from womens rights, theres also growing criticism of Canada for selling weapons to the Saudi military bombing Yemen, even as it touts its humanitarian aid for victims of that same conflict.) This latest affair may blow over soon, but the bigger test for Canada will come the next time the Saudi government does something worthy of criticism. If feminist foreign policy is going to be anything more than a feel-good slogan, its going to have to mean occasionally risking business interests on principle. Advertisement Canada isnt the first country to face this kind of diplomatic dudgeon from the Saudis. In 2015, Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador to Sweden and refused to renew visas from the countrys citizens over criticism of the Raif Badawi case from Foreign Minister Margot Wallstromanother prominent proponent of feminist foreign policy. The spat eventually ended when the Swedish king sent a letter to his fellow monarch. (He hasnt revealed what the letter said.) German companies were also reportedly barred from bidding for Saudi contracts this year in response to German criticism of the sordid Saad Hariri resignation/kidnapping affair. Advertisement Advertisement Saudi Arabias dramatic overreactions to relatively mild criticism in these cases may be primarily for domestic consumption. Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammad Bin Salman has been working, effectively, to portray himself to the world as a bold reformer, dragging his conservative countrys economy into the 21st century and its laws into, well, the early 20th at least. Most notably, this included lifting the infamous driving ban in June. But at the same time, his government has worked to demonstrate to conservatives at home that hes doing these things of his own volition, not because of pressure from activists or foreign governments, which are often portrayed as the same thing. These efforts have included the recent crackdown on civil society activists, including many of the same feminists who were bravely advocating for overturning the driving ban years before the prince wanted a pat on the back for it. It also includes taking grave umbrage when a foreign government deigns to criticize them for it. Advertisement It may not be a coincidence that Saudi Arabia has chosen to pick a fight with two countries that have outspoken feminist foreign ministers and another led by the worlds most powerful female head of state. But Canada, Sweden, and Germany may also just be considered relatively safe countries to temporarily cut off. In contrast, when the U.S. State Departments annual human rights report noted a wide variety of human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia last year, there was nowhere near this level of uproar from Riyadh. Which is why, as the most important ally of both Canada and Saudi Arabia, the U.S. has a role to play here. Advertisement Advertisement Ideally, one would hope the U.S. government would stand up for a democracys right to criticize the human rights practices of an absolute dictatorship. This particular U.S. president, though, has gone out of his way to embrace Saudi Arabias crown prince and tout him as an anti-extremist reformer, while his relationship with Trudeau has been steadily declining. At a time when Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has rightly, if cynically, spoken up for protesters in Iran, including women whove broken the law by publicly removing their hijabs, the contrast with Saudi Arabia has become hard to overlook. The State Department has not yet issued a statement on the CanadaSaudi Arabia controversy and did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Update, 5:36 p.m.: The State Department has finally responded, in less than inspiring fashion. Via Akbar Shahid Ahmed of Huffpost: I refer you to the Canadian and Saudi Ministries of Foreign Affairs for further information." This is, um, kind of shocking. One, as a State Dept friend reminded me for years, the Saudis are *partners* -- not allies. Canada is a treaty ally. Akbar Shahid Ahmed (@AkbarSAhmed) August 6, 2018 Advertisement Advertisement Update, 9:00 p.m.: Full statement from a State Department spokesperson: Teaming up to fight phishing When you think of senior citizens and email scams, you might think of Grandma and a Nigerian prince. However, there's far more at stake when adults over 65 fall for phishing emails just ask John Podesta. At the University of Florida, a professor who specializes in cybersecurity reached out to a psychology professor who studies aging, launching a partnership to find out what makes seniors more susceptible to email scams, and how to help. President Trump has finally weighed in on the devastating wildfires in California and he knows the solution: they just need to use more water. Governor Jerry Brown must allow the Free Flow of the vast amounts of water coming from the North and foolishly being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Can be used for fires, farming and everything else. Think of California with plenty of Water - Nice! Fast Federal govt. approvals. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 6, 2018 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which arent allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized. It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire spreading! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2018 Experts almost universally reject this particular explanation for why the fires have been so severe and hard to put out. Advertisement This is gobbledygook bullshit. Californias forests and rangelands arent dry & burning because of CAs water policies. Theres no shortage of water to fight fires, Peter Gleick, the co-founder of the Pacific Institute, tweeted. There is no connection between the fires and California water issues; shortage of water to fight fires is not a problem. Climate change is the problem, combined with decades of mismanagement of forests, Peter Moyle, the associate director of the Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of CaliforniaDavis, said in an email. Advertisement Moyle did concede that Trump had something of a point in his reference to must also tree clear to stop fire spreading. His afterthought about removing trees makes a bit more sense if it implies better forest management to reduce fire risk, Moyle said. But he needs to follow it up with a pledge to devote billions of dollars to restoring forest health across the country. Healthy forests could also improve water supply. Advertisement So what exactly is Trump talking about with the water? The environmental and energy policy publication E&E News speculated that maybe Trump was referring, albeit obliquely, to a proposal championed by House Republicans, including Trump ally Kevin McCarthy, to heighten the Shasta Dam, which is close to where the Carr Fire is burning. While no experts think a lack of available water is responsible for the fires, it is of course true that if the Shasta Dam were larger, there would be more water sitting around close to the Carr Fire. Advertisement The March federal government spending bill included some money for the project, but Californias state government opposes the project, saying it would violate state law and could endanger a nearby fishery by causing a nearby river to flood annually. The dam is part of Californias massive Central Valley Project, which spans the state from Redding to McCarthys own Bakersfield. Advertisement Advertisement This isnt the first time Trump has weighed in on California water issues in a way that baffled the general public. During the campaign, Trump told an audience that, in the midst of a drought that had lasted for five years, there is no drought and that theyre taking the water and shoving it out to sea. While many national onlookers were mystified by Trumps water-talk, he was parroting longtime gripes by the states largely conservative agricultural interests, who have frequently complained that too much of Californias water is allowed to flow freely to the ocean and through rivers and lakes that support specific fish populations. Theyre trying to protect a certain kind of three-inch fish, Trump said, referring to the Delta Smelt, an endangered native California fish. Another one of Trumps closest congressional allies, Rep. Devin Nunes, who represents a heavily agricultural Central Valley district, is one of the leading conservative voices on water policy in Congress, who early last year lamented laws and environmental regulations that restrict pumping and mandate huge water flows be flushed into the ocean. Many have been sounding the alarm that the increasingly heated rhetoric coming from President Donald Trump against the media could spark violence against journalists. New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger warned the president of that to his face in a White House meeting. But the commander in chief doesnt seem to care. Sunday morning, Trump sent out a tweet calling the media dangerous & sick and said journalists can also cause war. Shortly after Trump posted that tweet, CNNs Brian Stelter aired a clip from C-SPAN in which a caller threatened to shoot both Stelter and his CNN colleague Don Lemon. Trump has long criticized Lemon and even sent out a tweet against him Friday night. Advertisement Threats against reporters on the rise. We decided to broadcast one of those threats on today's @ReliableSources, so everyone can hear it for themselves. pic.twitter.com/kJxGWKOrWI Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 5, 2018 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the video, the C-SPAN caller identifies himself as Don and says Stelter and Lemon call Trump supporters all racists. They dont even know us. Stelter denied that was the case. They dont even know these Americans out here and they are calling us racists because we voted for Trump? the caller went on to say. Come on. Give me a break. They started the war. I see them, Im going to shoot them. Advertisement Stelter said that these types of calls and threats are coming in more often even as he acknowledged some in the media get much worse, and frequent, threats. Im not asking for sympathy, I dont think Im in extreme danger, I know some of my colleagues get much worse threats than I do, Stelter said. CNN has a great security team and we know how to handle this stuff. Stelter also aired a clip of MSNBCs Katy Tur saying she and some of her female colleagues had received emails saying, I hope you get raped and killed. The most recent note she received ended with four letters: MAGA. On Friday, New York Times columnist Bret Stephens quoted a voicemail he had received recently: I dont carry an AR but once we start shooting you fers you arent going to pop off like you do now. Youre worthless, the press is the enemy of the United States people and, you know what, rather than me shoot you, I hope a Mexican and, even better yet, I hope a n shoots you in the head, dead. Stephens conclusion? We are approaching a day when blood on the newsroom floor will be blood on the presidents hands. On Sunday, Donald Trumps lawyer Jay Sekulow admitted that his client, President Donald Trump, ghostwrote, and instructed his son Donald Trump Jr. to issue, a false statement to the press about an active criminal investigation. Then, after the falsity of Trump Jr.s statement was uncovered, the president seemingly lied to Sekulow, telling his lawyer that he had played no role in drafting it, and thereby induced Sekulow to repeat that falsehood to the nation. While Sekulow argues that there was nothing illegal about the presidents conduct here, Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has argued the opposite. According to Kavanaugh and his fellow authors of the Starr Report, actions like Trumps could be criminal, and furthermore may constitute an impeachable offense. Advertisement In July of last year, Trump Jr. told the New York Times that the 2016 Trump Tower meeting between the leaders of the Trump campaign and a Kremlin-connected Russian lawyer was primarily about the adoption of Russian children, a matter that was not a campaign issue at the time. That statement was almost immediately proved to be wholly false by Trump Jr.s own emails, which showed that hed been promised derogatory information about Hillary Clinton, purportedly gathered by the Kremlin as part of Russia and its governments support for Mr. Trump[s] campaign. The president belatedly admitted as much on Sunday morning, tweeting that it was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon after the falsity of Trump Jr.s statement came to light, the president sent Sekulow to appear on television to declare that Trump had played absolutely no role in the drafting of his sons false statement about the Trump Tower meeting. On Sunday, Sekulow appeared on television again, this time to admit that his prior emphatic denials were false. As Sekulow it: I had bad information at the time. Pres. Trump's attorney Jay Sekulow on previously denying that the president was involved in putting out a statement on the Trump Tower meeting: "I had bad information at that time and made a mistake in my statement ... over time facts develop" https://t.co/GlcWTIu29g #ThisWeek pic.twitter.com/rLLHMmOs2K ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 5, 2018 Advertisement The plain implication was that Trump lied to his own attorney about his role in drafting the false statement, and then sent Sekulow out to serve as his dupe by unknowingly repeating Trumps lie to the nation. Advertisement Sekulow, though, contended (both on Sunday and to Special Counsel Robert Mueller) that Trumps serial mendacity cannot give rise to liability. This is because, according to Sekulow, causing a witness to lie to the public or the press (or doing so yourself) is not illegal. In 1998, when he was a member of Independent Counsel Kenneth Starrs prosecution team, Brett Kavanaugh came to the opposite conclusion. Kavanaugh drafted the section of the Starr Report that set out the legal theories supporting the independent counsels claim that Bill Clinton had committed offenses that could merit impeachment. Central to that argument was a claim that Clinton had obstructed justice by attempting to encourage a witness to lie, as well as by lying to the nation himself. Advertisement Advertisement According to the Starr Report, soon after Clinton falsely testified about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky in a civil lawsuit brought by Paula Jones, he made statements about his relationship with Lewsinky to his assistant Betty Currie that Currie knew to be false, including denying that he had been alone with Lewinsky in the White House. The report then said that Clinton anticipated that Currie would become a witness, and his false statements to her amounted to an obstruction of justice by attempting to influence the testimony that Ms. Currie might have been required to give in the Jones case or in a grand jury investigation. The Starr Report also speculatively asserted that Clinton lied about his relationship with Lewinsky to aides who had no knowledge of the matter in the hope they would repeat his lies to the grand jury. Advertisement Advertisement The Starr Reports theory vis-a-vis Currie was a stretch, because at the time of Clintons conversations with Currie it was far from clear that she was going to be called as a witness in the civil case, and Clinton had no reason to believe there was a criminal investigation relating to his relationship with Lewinsky, let alone a grand jury proceeding, at the time of his conversations with Currie.* The claim that Clinton obstructed justice by lying to individuals who had no first-hand knowledge of his relationship with Lewinsky was even more speculative. The Starr Reports obstruction theory, however, is far more compelling when applied to President Trumps role in the Trump Jr. statement. As Sekulow now admits, the president not only sought to influence Trump Jr.s account of the Trump Tower meeting, he went so far as to draft a completely false statement and cause Trump Jr. to release it to the press. Additionally, Trump induced his son to lie in the midst of a grand jury investigation in which the president knew his son was likely to be called to testify. Therefore, the statement appears to be an attempt by the president to lock Trump Jr. into a false statement that would ultimately be repeated to a grand jury. Furthermore, in the years since the Starr Report was authored, Congress has enhanced the reach of the federal obstruction of justice offense to expressly impose criminal liability on a person who obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Sekulow and fellow Trump lawyer Rudolph Giuliani have lately focused on a theory that their client is virtually immune from criminal liability, and therefore can be sanctioned only by impeachment. Yet, even assuming this argument is correct, the analysis put forward by Kavanaugh and the other authors of the Starr Report is, once again, unhelpful to Trumps cause. This is because, as the Starr Report recognized, presidential misconduct need not actually be a violation of criminal law to constitute a high crime or misdemeanor meriting impeachment under Article Two of the Constitution. The Starr Report argued that Clinton could merit impeachment because he lied to the American people and the Congress during a televised address given after his grand jury testimony, asserting that his civil deposition testimony had been legally accurate. Once again, this reasoning applies to Trumps conduct with greater force. At the time Clinton allegedly lied to the nation about his prior testimony, the relevant facts regarding his relationship with Lewinsky were publicly known.Furthermore, The Starr Reports claim that Clinton lied about his relationship with Lewinsky to aides in the hope they might later repeat his lies to the grand jury was tenuous at best. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By contrast, Sekulow has now admitted that Trump schemed to cause Sekulow to repeatedly and publicly lie about Trumps role in authoring his sons false statement about the Trump Tower meeting at a time that the truth was not even known to Sekulow, let alone the public. Indeed, there is substantial reason to believe that Trumps purpose in sending Sekulow out to disseminate the false account was not only to mislead to the nation, but also to encourage other witnesses to lie and otherwise impede the ongoing criminal investigation. In sum, if Muellers investigators want a template for writing a report charging president Trump with acts of obstruction meriting impeachment, they could do worse than using the sections of the Starr Report drafted by Kavanaugh. Advertisement Advertisement There is one caveat to the foregoing analysis. Over the last few decades, Kavanaughs views have changed. As recounted in a New York Times article, Kavanaugh, who became a federal judge in 2006, has expressed regrets about the investigation into President Clinton. Furthermore, Kavanaugh has argued that Congress should pass a law expressly prohibiting a president from being compelled to testify about, and even from being investigated for, criminal activities, and his writings and statements leave open the possibility that he might favor imposing such a bar through a judicial decision should be join the Supreme Court. Advertisement Therefore, if Judge Kavanaugh has his way, Robert Mueller would not be able to investigate President Trump, let alone present a case for his potential impeachment for review by Congress. There is also reason to believe that a number of other members of the current Supreme Court might be attracted to such a position. Accordingly, if Judge Kavanaugh joins the Supreme Court, he might well prevent his own prosecutorial theories from being applied to the president who nominated him. A man swept up in a large Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid in East Tennessee says he lost sight in one eye after an ICE agent didnt believe him when he said he had diabetes. The Tennessean reported Saturday on the story of Gonzalo Chavez, 42, who worked at a slaughterhouse near Morristown, Tennessee, where he is now staying with a family friend as he recovers and tries to navigate the U.S. immigration system. Chavez, who has been in the country for 20 years, had been sending money back to his family in Mexico and had no criminal record, other than two infractions for driving without a license four years ago. Advertisement According to the Tennessean, federal agents raided the rural Tennessee slaughterhouse on April 5, sweeping up 97 workers in what was thought to be the areas largest immigration roundup in a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chavez was brought to a detention center in Alabama, and during his week there, he received no medication or medical treatment of any kind, according to his attorney from the Southern Poverty Law Center. ICE is required to screen new detainees for health issues on their first day and refer them to a follow-up health assessment if the screening shows a problem. After a week, Chavez was transferred to an ICE processing center in Louisiana, where he spent two weeks in the medical clinic, according to the Tennessean. There, Chavezs feet swelled, his blood pressure shot up, and he was taken to a hospital overnight. Advertisement He told the Tennessean that two weeks after he was picked up in the raid, his vision began to blur in his left eye. Eventually, the eye went completely black. I lost everything, he told the paper. I cant see. I cant drive. I feel like a burden. On top of his blindness, Chavez needs dialysis and a kidney transplant, according to the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition, though its unclear how his time in ICE custody affected that condition. Immigration advocates started a GoFundMe page to help Chavez cover his initial bond payment and the cost of his ankle monitor, and he was released July 15. While he was in detention, his landlord rented out his apartment and he lost his clothes and car, leaving him reliant on friends, his savings, and donations from strangers. A report published in June by the Human Rights Watch, the American Civil Liberties Union, and other human rights groups, looked at 15 deaths in immigration detention and found that more than half could have been avoided with proper medical treatment. On Saturday, in a planned protest that some worried would turn out to be another Charlottesville, hundreds of far-right demonstrators gathered in the city of Portland, Oregon, and were met by hundreds of counterprotesters. The demonstrators said they were rallying to support the leader of the Patriot Prayer group, which has been behind contentious far-right rallies in several cities in the past couple years. Supporters of the far-right mens group the Proud Boys also rallied in support. Advertisement But the clash turned out to be relatively nonviolentthere were just four arrestsand it was the Portland police who came under fire on social media afterward for their tactics. According to reports from the protests, the police were out in large numbers in downtown Portland and worked actively to keep the two groups separated. But, police said afterward, the crowds turned violent, and some protesters started throwing rocks and bottles at the officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a dangerous situation for all those involved, including officers, and I am disheartened that this kind of illegal behavior occurred in our beautiful city, Police Chief Danielle Outlaw said in a statement afterward. Police then classified the protests as a civil disturbance and ordered the demonstrators to leave. When the protesters failed to do so, officers began firing flash-bang grenades and, according to some reports, rushing and sometimes shoving the crowd of counterprotesters. Eder Campuzano, a reporter for the Oregonian, was struck in the head during the clash and injured. Advertisement Was just standing next to @Oregonian reporter @edercampuzano, he got hit with something and is bleeding. Medics helping him. Things are getting extremely intense, even for those of us standing back from the center of these groups pic.twitter.com/F4ID7Dj2Zp Tyler Dumont (@TylerDumontNews) August 4, 2018 Advertisement One antifa protester also said one of the police flash-bang grenade canisters cut his head through his helmet. A friend of the victim told HuffPost that he would be dead if he wasnt wearing a helmet. Advertisement People and groups, including the ACLU, quickly criticized police for being too aggressive toward the anti-fascist protesters in order to protect the far-right demonstrators. On Sunday, the Portland police department released a statement announcing an investigation into any injuries that might have been caused by police. This morning I learned of allegations of injury as a result of law enforcement action, Outlaw said. I take all force applications by members seriously and I have directed the Professional Standards Division to begin the intake process regarding these allegations to determine if force was used and if so, was within our policy and training guidelines. The Portland protests came just a week before the anniversary of the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. To mark the occasion, white nationalists are planning an Aug. 12 rally in Washington, D.C. They are expected to be also met with counterprotesters. Coverage of the 2018 midterm elections has been so focused on the question of which party will winwhether Democrats will take the House and, more distantly, the Senatethat the more significant question of what the winning parties would do with the 116th Congress has been oddly overlooked. Its not that complicated on the Democratic side. If they pick up either of the two chambers of Congress, the presidents legislative agenda would be foreclosed and wed have stress-free gridlock, much like the final six years of the Obama administration. Advertisement But what if Democrats come up short? What would Republicans do with a two-year extension of the unified GOP government? A couple of fights will dominate much of the schedule. The current two-year budget agreement will expire, and there will be pressure from the conservative elements in both chambers (and the White House) not to renew the domestic spending boost they conceded to Democrats the last time around. The debt ceiling will have to be dealt with again. There will be more airy jibber-jabber about striking an infrastructure or immigration deal, leading to nothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The best bet for what a unified Republican government would do would be to finish its unfinished partisan business. In other words, they would try health care again. Advertisement Many Republicans assume their party will take another stab at repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act if the midterm elections go their way, Axios reports, even though GOP candidates arent making a big deal about it on the campaign trail. Republicans would be decently well-positioned to repeal and replace Obamacare if the midterms go their way. Going their way would mean theyd only lose, say, a dozen seats in the House, while picking up two or three seats in the Senate. The dozen members that they would lose wouldnt have voted for a repeal bill in the first place, so it wouldnt be a net-loss in the whip count. And if Republicans can hit 53 in the Senatewith, at some point, an actively voting replacement for Arizona Sen. John McCainthat would allow them to write a bill that didnt require the votes of Maine Sen. Susan Collins, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, or Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Advertisement Or they might not even need to worry about Murkowski, and could manage with 52. The legislative model for repeal would be a revamped version of the Graham-Cassidy legislationwhich failed in a last-ditch effort last Septemberthat would replace Obamacare with federal block grants to the states. Murkowksi never explicitly rejected the idea but was irritated with the rush to pass it. And Axios quotes Murkowski as open to the idea of reconsidering repeal-and-replace in the next Congress. Advertisement And then, as Jonathan Chait writes, theres the psychological factor. Republicans will feel invincible if they hold they House and expand their margin in the Senate in this political environment. They will have weathered the worst and be left standing. They could quickly repeal Obamacare early in the next Congress before watching it fade from the conversation as the presidential election, and whats certain to be a sloppy Democratic primary, dominates the consciousness. You should bank on Republicans making another all-out effort to repeal Obamacare if they retain control of Congress. What else are they going to do? Donald Trump today endorsed the former head of his now-disbanded voter fraud commission, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, in this weeks Republican gubernatorial primary: Kris Kobach, a strong and early supporter of mine, is running for Governor of the Great State of Kansas. He is a fantastic guy who loves his State and our Country - he will be a GREAT Governor and has my full & total Endorsement! Strong on Crime, Border & Military. VOTE TUESDAY! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 6, 2018 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some ways, the endorsement is not a surprise: Kobach has spent years laying the groundwork for Trumpian suspicion of electoral results and subsequent crackdowns and restrictions on voter registration. But Axios reported yesterday that senior Republican officials were holding their breath, hoping Trump wouldnt endorse Kobach, because they saw him as the Republican least likely to win in the general election thanks to his across-the-board hardline stances on immigration and voting rights. While Trump endorsing a more right-wing primary candidate isnt typically a surprise, this endorsement is noteworthy not only because it reportedly went against the advice of senior Republicans, but because Kobach is running against incumbent Jeff Colyer, who took office after the previous governor, Sam Brownback, was appointed by Trump to an ambassadorial post. We hear a lot about American exceptionalismthe idea that the United States is different from all other nations, and that, by virtue of its democracy, any of its actions assumes a priori the moral high ground. This is in part grounded in our belief in our Constitution, a document, practically sacred, that we hold up as some kind of insurance policy to the world and ourselves, as a guarantee that our effort to form a more perfect Union and establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, will always be a moral guidepost for our actions and with that a benefit to all humankind. Fascism? It Cant Happen Here, famously wrote novelist and social critic Sinclair Lewis in 1935except it was as the title of a novel suggesting that, with the right combination of charismatic demagogue, dire economic conditions, and savvy use of the media, it might.* Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fast forward to today and Donald Trumps relentless attack on the Constitution and seemingly complete misunderstanding of its basic tenets are forcing us to rethink that insurance policy. Many of usmyself includedheld on to the hope that our institutions and the processes would be able to safeguard the democratic process. But the walls between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches have perhaps never felt less solid. This leaves more than a few of us wondering about the foundations of our great experiment, about whether our country could actually be otherwise, given the constitutional system of rules that we claim must legally bind us and guide us. While the Constitution is hardly a mathematical document, the question of its necessary implicationsand thus the objective and even irrefutable nature of our democratic principlesis a mathematical kind of question. Does democracy follow from the Constitution like a proof of Euclidean geometry? Can we check to make sure it really holds? This was effectively a question asked in 1946 by Kurt Godel, the most famous mathematical logician of the 20th century. Advertisement Godel was Austrian by birth and had come to the United States in 1940 to escape the fascist regime of his homeland to assume a professorship at Princetons Institute for Advanced Study. Following World War II, he was encouraged by many to apply for U.S. citizenship. Despite the assurances of his friends (including the great physicist Albert Einstein and Oskar Morgenstern, the father of game theory) that the process was a formality, Godel addressed the task with diligence and seriousness, taking the time to study local and national law, and finally the Constitution. Advertisement One of Godels most important (and best known) mathematical achievements is his proof of The Incompleteness Theorem, a result that reveals a fundamental incompatibility between the logical properties of completeness and consistency. Completeness means that all statements can either be proved true or false within a basic system of formal reasoning (like the axiom-based deductive proofs of high school geometry). Consistency is the idea that the system does not allow for any statement to be both true and false. Godels Incompleteness Theorem says that if a system is sufficiently complicated, it cannot be both consistent and complete. (Sufficiently complicated means complex enough to encode basic arithmetic.) In most logical systemsand certainly in mathematicswe must have consistency. So that leaves us without completeness, which means we have statements that can neither be proved true or false. The great mystery is that we dont know a priori which ones they are. Advertisement Advertisement Godel proved his theorem by using logical rules to produce the statement This Theorem is False. Try the mental exercise of chasing your tail by assuming that this is either true or false. If the theorem is false, then the statement is true. If the theorem is true, the statement is false. Advertisement Does democracy follow from the Constitution like a proof of Euclidean geometry? Can we check to make sure it really holds? But here is the real kicker: If you did identify any such independent statement, it or its negation could be appended to the system of axioms (fundamental assumed truths), and leave it consistent, thereby producing alternative logical systems, both consistent, but each containing statements that contradict statements in the other. For example, some of you might recall that in good old high school Euclidean geometry there are five axioms, one of which is the parallel axiom. It says that given a line and a point not on the line, you can only draw one line parallel through the point that is parallel to the original line. (Try it out!). Seems obvious, right? Well, for centuries mathematicians tried to prove that this statement actually followed from the other four axioms of Euclidean geometrybut as it turned out, the parallel axiom is actually independent of them. Thus, there is the possibility (and as we now know, the reality) of consistent Euclidean geometries with unique parallel lines and non-Euclidean geometries without unique parallel lines. This was an earthshaking discovery that exploded traditional intuitions and assumptions of the certitude of mathematical work. Advertisement Godels reading of the Constitution seems to have led him to an analogous finding about the United States. As the day of his naturalization interview drew near, Godel horrified Morgenstern by telling him that it would be completely possible within the laws of the Constitution for a dictator to emerge and put a Fascist regime in place. In Godels Incompleteness-primed mind, both democracy and anti-democracy were consistent with the Constitution. Morgenstern and Einstein did their best to steer Godel away from this line of thought, worrying that it would undermine his citizenship application. As luck would have it, during his exam, the subject came up. Godel tried to explain this constitutional conundrum to his examiner. The examiner quickly changed topic and Godel became a U.S. citizen, presumably saved by finding yet another person who didnt like to talk about math. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exact argument that Godel had in mindeffectively a proof of Godels Un-Democracy Theoremis unknown. But in recent months, Ive found myself thinking about it more and more, especially as I think about the United States our children will inherit. From the fascist trappings of many a Trump rally, to the bullying and attempted muzzling of the press that is aligned with a consistent undermining of the very nature of truth and facts, and lastly, the ideological battles that drive the interpretation of the Constitution and affect our fundamental freedoms, Ive found myself wondering what was the weak point that Godel identified? Just what kind of government and country does follow from the Constitution? Advertisement As a mathematician, did Godel immediately understand the implications of the weird non-Euclidean geometry of gerrymandering? Did he see the inherent arithmetic inconsistencies in the Electoral College process and understand how the system could be gamed to empower a minority? Lately, I wonder if he had zeroed in on the potential inconsistencies of the presidential pardon. A full-blown ability to pardon anyoneincluding himself (as Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh might support)might so weaken the separation of powers as to enable a de facto dictatorship. Indeed, the notion of a President who pardons all and only those who cant pardon themselves is strikingly close to the kind of self-referencing logical antinomy (This Theorem is False) that underlies Godels Incompleteness Theorem proof. On the other hand, maybe it was something as simple as the inconsistency of a document about freedom being draftedat least in partby slaveholders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have yet to discover an actual text outlining Godels theory that our Constitution could enable fascism, but the larger lesson is worth considering. Does our Constitution ensure the democratic ideals it espouses? Does the fact of our Constitution and the institutions that have evolved under those who have guarded it, guarantee the freedoms and rights we unconsciously assume? There are plenty of countries with high-minded and floridly written constitutions that would not make anyones top 10 list of homes for safe living and free thought. Since the time of the first modern national constitution (our own), constitutions have on average survived for 17 years before being rewritten. Advertisement Godel is also knownif perhaps less sofor work in mathematical physics, where he discovered a solution to Einsteins equations for the structure of the universe that describe a world very different from the one we live in. Among the possibilities of this world is time travel. Im hoping that we dont need to rely on that discovery in order to avoid the constitutional alternate reality Godel may have foreseen. German market welcomes Slovaks with their businesses Companies do not need to establish a local company to expand in Germany. Poprad-based Tatravagonka is one of the companies with a branch in Germany. (Source: TASR) While the automotive sector is the most significant of sectors in Slovak industry, German companies also play an important role. The strongest EU economy is also the most important commercial partner for Slovakia. The relationship between these two countries enables a mutual exchange of businesses in other areas as well. The interest of companies from Slovakia in moving or opening a branch in Germany is significantly growing now. The Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) records the continuing interest of Slovaks in the German market, particularly in the subcontracting sector for larger German businesses. Read also: Read also: Companies ride on a successful wave Read more The reason is geographical, linguistic and cultural proximity, SARIO wrote for The Slovak Spectator. However, expansion is certainly dependent on the financial conditions that Slovak companies are able to negotiate for work in Germany, said Patricia Tothova, managing partner at the ProfiDeCon consulting company, which mediates business in Germany. Companies have to count profitability after the reimbursement of their labour cost and cost of subcontractors, Tothova told The Slovak Spectator. (Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany, provided by SARIO) Small percentage The current situation of Slovak businesses on the German market reflects the amount of foreign direct investments (FDI). In 2016, there were about 41.321 million in Slovak FDI in Germany, according to the statistics of the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS). 6. Aug 2018 at 6:30 | Peter Adamovsky University of Florida fundraising tops $400 million for the third year in a row Donor support enhances the universitys efforts to address 21st century challenges University of Florida alumni and friends invested $414 million in their university during the fiscal year that ended on June 30, marking the third consecutive time private giving has surpassed $400 million. Those gifts will enable the university to solve some of the worlds greatest challenges, prepare a new generation of leaders and professional workforce to thrive in their chosen career paths, and to continue its ambitious drive to be ranked amongst the nations top 5 public universities. This years contributions sustain an ambitious pace to reach a $3 billion fundraising goal for the universitys Go Greater campaign. Now at the midpoint of the eight-year campaign, Gators have given $1.66 billion during the first four years. Go Greater is the fourth campaign in UFs history and is one of the largest ever in higher education. Fiscal years are July 1-June 30. Private giving to UF supports a wide range of programs and projects. Among the initiatives enhanced this year through the generosity of donors are a campus center to address rapid changes to the natural environment, a sea turtle hospital in St. Augustine, scholarships for first-generation scholars and professorships to recruit and retain the most talented women and men in academia. "Once again, Gators have answered the call to move our university forward and upward so we can improve the lives of people through discovery, outreach and knowledge sharing, UF President Kent Fuchs said. This is an extraordinary moment in UFs history, and because Gators who so strongly believe in this university are embracing that moment, we are on the threshold of once-unimaginable worldwide influence and impact. Increased private support during the past decade corresponds with UFs climb in national rankings. Now ninth on the U.S. News and World Reports list of best public research universities, UFs aspiration is to be among the top 5, Fuchs said. That aspiration and the universitys potential to be an even more powerful global resource inspired 73,929 alumni and friends to make gifts in 2017-18. Some notable investments are: The cornerstone gift from alumni Jon and Beverly Thompson of Fort Myers to promote research-based information and responses to environmental issues such as rising oceans, eroding coastlines, saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies, sunny day flooding in Miami and other seaside cities, disappearing wetlands and lingering droughts. The creation of a sea turtle hospital at UFs Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience in St. Augustine made possible with a gift from Ponte Vedra Beach alumni Nancy and Gary Condron to care for and protect the endangered animals. Fort Lauderdale alumnus Alex Morenos professorship in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering to develop new and more-efficient energies; along with Dallas businessman Walden Rhines newly established fund to elevate work in the materials science and engineering department. Best-selling novelist James Pattersons Literacy Challenge in the College of Education to improve reading proficiency for middle school students in Pattersons hometown of Palm Beach and in other Florida schools. A fellowship in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences from alumna Trish Ring of Memphis to make it easier for doctoral students in psychology to focus on their research and dissertations. A notable fundraising milestone this year is that for the first time UF exceeded $300 million in the Council for Aid to Educations annual Voluntary Support of Education survey, which measures annual cash or cash-equivalent contributions to a university. UFs fundraising total of $339.7 million in this benchmark survey puts UF in the company of the nations most proficient universities in terms of fundraising. When you think about it, theres really nothing Gators cant do when we set our minds to it and work together. Thats the reason the University of Florida will be a top 5 university, the reason we will achieve our $3 billion Go Greater campaign goal and the reason this university will be looked to more than ever as a problem-solver and idea-generator, Go Greater Campaign Co-Chair Anita Zucker said. Together, were truly unstoppable, and this years giving proves it once again. Any investment in education is a contribution to the betterment of the world. Defence minister clears the army of Slovak Levies Minister Gajdos ordered that professional soldiers who were active in the paramilitary group are excluded from the Slovak army. Font size: A - | A + Defence Minister Peter Gajdos (junior coalition party, SNS) ordered the exclusion of professional soldiers who were active in the paramilitary grouping Slovak Levies from army ranks, without stating the precise number. The minister pointed out, as quoted by the Aktuality.sk website, that the group is trying to replace the state's role in defending the nation. Professionals take part in these activities and pass on their experience to civilians, Gajdos explained, as cited by the website. He also informed that the ministry will adopt all possible legislative measures to limit such activities. Read also: Read also: Biker gang complex in Dolna Krupa raises questions Read more He added that a professional soldier must behave so that they do not jeopardize the public's trust. We wont allow the Armed Forces to lose citizens trust after individuals failures, Gajdos summed up. Democracy in jeopardy In Slovakia, activities are formed which can be abused for non-democratic purposes, be it to the benefit of an individual or a small group of people who dont act in compliance with foreign-policy orientation of Slovakia but rather violate the security interests of our homeland, Gajdos noted, as quoted by the Sme daily. The minister stressed that it's a big problem that some of the professionals involved in the Slovak levies hold top ranks within the paramilitary organisation, and are authors of strategic and training documents, thus abusing the knowledge and skills gained during training in the Slovak army. Read also: Read also: Defence Minister Gajdos files motion against paramilitary group Slovak Levies Read more Gajdos also said, as quoted by Sme, that he finds it alarming that Slovak Levies publicly present themselves with military hierarchy, unified terminology, army training and elements, while also using army equipment and various types of arms. Moreover, Slovak levies have publicly questioned the tasks and roles of state security bodies repeatedly when protecting state interests, thus trying to replace the security functions of the state, Gajdos added, as cited by Sme. This, in turn, increases the risk of radicalism and extremism in Slovak society. 6. Aug 2018 at 13:34 | Compiled by Spectator staff Legendary Slovak actor Stano Danciak dies The actor, who continued to work despite his diabetes-caused blindness, died in the hospital at the age of 75. Legendary Slovak actor Stano Danciak died in a Bratislava hospital, aged 75, TV Markiza informed on its website. He allegedly struggled with health issues for years, suffering from diabetes, which gradually led to his blindness. At the beginning of 2014, he was hospitalised with a suspected stroke, the Sme daily wrote. Stano Danciak was born in Bratislava on October 26, 1942. He also graduated from the capital, first from a medical secondary school as dental assistant and later from the Academy of Performing Arts. During his studies, he acted in the Slovak National Theatre where he later worked full- time. He then quit and founded the Divadlo na Korze Theatre with friends, where he was active from 1969 to 1971; the theatre was later closed due to the political situation. He then worked for the Nova Scena theatre for 20 years. Afterwards, he returned to SND (in 1990) where he continued to act, despite having lost his sight. Danciak also played many notable characters in films and TV programmes, and dubbed Alf the extra-terrestrial in the iconic sitcom, as well as the cartoon character Jurosik. In 2011, Stano Danciak was inducted in the Hall of Fame, Sme wrote. 6. Aug 2018 at 13:42 | Compiled by Spectator staff Abduction: President says he does not trust the interior minister General Prosecutor and former prime minister Fico accuse Kiska of abusing the case for politics. Amid the dog days of August, the Slovak political scene was set in hectic motion following a story by the Dennik N daily that voices numerous allegations of Slovak involvement in the abduction of Vietnamese citizen Trinh Xuan Thanh in Germany. Dennik N described, based on the report of German investigators and testimonies of Slovak police officers who say they witnessed the abduction, how the official visit of a Vietnamese delegation was used to transport the kidnapped Thanh from Bratislava to Moscow and then Vietnam. President Andrej Kiska, PM Peter Pellegrini, Parliaments Speaker Andrej Danko, and General Prosecutor Jaroslav Ciznar met on Monday to discuss the matter. Following their meeting, both Ciznar and the head of the ruling Smer, Robert Fico, accused Kiska of abusing the case for politics. Read also: Read also: Abduction: Kalinak says he is ready to take a polygraph test Read more High interior ministry official suspended First, PM Peter Pellegrini met President Andrej Kiska and following the meeting announced that Interior Minister Denisa Sakova suspended the head of the Office for the Protection of Constitutional Officials, Peter Krajcirovic, from his post in order to remove any potential obstacles for the proper investigation of the abduction case and its Slovak circumstances. Police officers who work under Krajcirovic described in their testimonies, as reported by the Dennik N daily last week, how Trinh Xuan Thanh was transferred from a van that brought him from Berlin, where he was abducted, to the Slovak government plane in Bratislava that flew him out of the Schengen zone to Moscow. It is important for me that nobody will be able to question all the steps that will be taken regarding this issue or say that they have not been taken properly, Pellegrini told journalists following the meeting with Kiska. 6. Aug 2018 at 17:14 | Michaela Terenzani Our lives, all of them, are lived in versions. I have a version of my life, my parents have another, my siblings another, and for every person I count as a friend or acquaintance, there are yet more versions of my life. This is not news to anyone. Famous people famously have many biographies written about them, many different versions of who they were and what they did or didnt do. Erna Knutsen was not a famous person, generally. She was a famous person, specifically. The regular world, the world that is not engrossed and consumed by, obsessed and beset by coffee, that world may not know who Erna Knutsen was. The coffee worldand not just the specialty coffee worldknows who Erna Knutsen was, though we may not agree on any one version of her story. But I think we might all agree, or most of us, on a version of the person. She was generous, if not to a fault, then beyond normal, with her time, knowledge, and understanding. For years before the Specialty Coffee Association of America (now the SCA) hired its first professional staff person, Erna was the unofficial spokesperson for the industry, speaking to reporters about the new fad known as specialty coffee. Perhaps because her story can be understood as something of an underdog story, she loved to see people succeed against the expectations if not the odds; and while she was not at all shy of the spotlight, she was likely to drag someone else into the spotlight with her to share it. She had a guffaw that bordered on a cackle and yet was thoroughly charming because it was so genuine, and often surprising, because if anyone could find humor in unexpected places, it was Erna Knutsen. During the discussion after one cupping session, Erna had scored a particular sample much higher than the rest of the jury, so Paul asked her to explain what she liked so much about that coffee. She put on her reading glasses, perused her cupping sheet for a few seconds, then looked up and replied, Oh Im sleeping with the farmer! -career coffee professional Stephen Vick, talking about the Cup of Excellence jury in Nicaragua, 2006 I am writing in the past tense because Erna died in June of this year. At 96, she was well past the age when we ask what it was that caused her death. Enough was enough. She had already lived more than one life by any measure and for those of us who claim coffee as a living, it was her second life that meant the most, her coffee life. Ernas father, Edwin, died just three months before his 100th birthday. Long life was in her blood, is one way to put it. Another way would be to say that long life was in her spirit, and her spirit was needed to launch an industry. To give away the ending, that is what Erna Knutsen did. Some people will tell you she did this by coining a phrase. Some people will tell you she did this by taking a seat at a table where women were not welcome. Both of these things are truethey really happenedbut neither of them sparked a specialty coffee revolution. Erna Knutsen set the fire by reframing the primary transaction within the coffee trade. She understood something so simple to us now; but something that was, for green coffee brokers 50 years ago, like searching for the forest through the trees. Erna saw that green coffee sales could be counted in small bags, not just huge containers. More importantly, she saw the emergence of a roaster class for whom this idea meant something and upon which she could build a business model. They were known as the small trade back then, in the late 60s, townie and regional roasters who couldnt buy a container or half a box of coffee at one time, even for a component in their bestselling blend. As far as the coffee traders of the day were concerned, these roasters were anomalies and throwbacks, odd-ducks in a world full of fat geese roasters that ate containers of coffee for breakfast. Shipping anything in containers was only a decade old at that point, but the steel box had quickly become a metric in coffee since the coffee world was dominated by a handful of large roastersfour of whom owned 70% of the marketwho thought of margins in fractions of a cent and sometimes in fractions of lost cents. Ernas thinking was different. *** To speak of a confluence of events can be dismissive of the components, as if they were all passive players. While it is true that Erna Knutsen first gazed out upon the coffee landscape at a precise and distinct moment in time, ripe for her particular point of view and manner, it might also be true that the moment was made precise and distinct because she was there to take advantage of it. When Erna took a job as secretary to Bert Fulmer, a partner at importer B.C. Ireland, in 1968, she was 30 years into a long career as a secretary. Shed worked in banks, on Wall Street, and, after moving to San Francisco in the 1950s, for lawyers and even the Vice President of Coffee at the American Molasses Company, where coffee sold to giant roasters failed to capture her imagination. A dozen years later, she was vice president of B.C. Ireland, still a rare thing in business even in 1981, and unheard of in the coffee industry. B.C. Ireland was established in San Francisco in 1885 and initially focused on spices, herbs, rice, and peanuts. By the turn of the century they were also importing enough coffee to merit a mention as a player by W.H. Ukers in his seminal All About Coffee as he listed San Francisco importers active in 1905. By the 1950s they were listed among the top non-roasting coffee importers in the United States in terms of volume. They continued to import herbs and spices, however, and this might be why, in 1981, the name B.C. Ireland Coffee Company was established as a business in California. The registering agent? Erna Knutsen, president. Erna had not only gone from secretary to vice president of B.C. Ireland, she was to be president of a new entity devoted exclusively to coffee. Four years later, as she told it, she bought the coffee importing company and renamed it Knutsen Coffees, LTD. Erna liked to add that she fired all the men in the process, but she always said it with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. Because if she did fire all the men, it was with cause. In 1985, the year of its 100th anniversary, B.C. Ireland ceased doing business and Knutsen Coffees LTD. was born. They were all men and they didnt think women deserved the break. But I fooled them. I bought the company and fired them all. No! Did I? Oh! Oh, no. Yeah. Imagine trying to keep a woman out? Anyway, I learned a lot from them. -Erna, during her second SCAA award acceptance speech, 2014 This outcome, in 1985, on the brink of her 65th birthday, would have seemed entirely unlikely for most of her life. Or at least up until 1975, when she predicted it would happen. *** By the time Erna Knutsen arrived at B.C. Ireland, she was in function what we would call an executive assistant today. Shed come a long way from the typing pool at 120 Wall Street in New York, or just taking shorthand, a skill that helped her land her first job at a bank the day after her wedding to her first husband. She was only 18, and got married because, she said, in those days it was the only way for a girl to get out of the house. That was in 1939, and the depression still loomed over the country. A decade or so earlier, in 1926, her family had left Norway to escape one depression, and arrived in American just in time for another. Erna was five. She had never seen an apple, or tasted red sauce. All of her mothers sauces were white, but their Italian neighbors in a tenement building in Brooklyn used red sauces. Two aromas Erna most associated with her childhood were Italian cooking and coffee being freshly ground and brewed by her mother every morning before sunrise. When we moved to New York, she bought coffee once per week from a tall, handsome man with a big top hat who would deliver it fresh-roasted to our house. That man was the grandfather of David Dallis, still in New York and still a small batch roaster. -Erna in a 1994 interview with Kevin Sinnott for Tea & Coffee Trade Journal According to Erna, she was busy as a housewife in the country (i.e. the East Bay) when Bert Fulmer of the coffee Fulmers asked her to help him out part-time at B.C. Ireland. One of her responsibilities was maintaining the position book which kept track of the companys green coffee. Within the comings and goings of green coffee, she discovered what she would come to call her gems. Like most lives long-lived, various versions can come from none other than the person who lived it. Its hard to say at this point exactly how Erna went from part-time secretary to trader specializing in selling broken lots of less than a container, gems, to the rare small roasters of the day. But we know a few things with relative certainty, between 1968 and 1973: Erna became interested in the small coffee roasters who were being largely ignored by traders at B.C. Ireland at the time. Erna saw a way to connect these small roasters to broken lots of coffee. Erna tasted the coffees she sold, but understood that to communicate effectively with these roasters, she needed to cup coffee. Using the most offensive terms imaginable, some men at B.C. Ireland told Bert Fulmer they would quit if she was allowed into the cupping room. Despite this, Bert Fulmer encouraged Erna to continue speaking to small roasters and selling them coffee. The first time she bought a full container of coffee, she had to taste the coffee at her desk in a cubicle, sitting next to the exporter. The boys roasted and brewed the coffee and brought it to her. That first box was Sumatra Mandheling and she sold the entire container in one month, just like she promised Fulmer she would. In 1973, Erna Knutsen was allowed to take a seat at the cupping table at B.C. Ireland. But Ernas reputation was established before she entered the cupping room and it was that same year that Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, taking note of this novelty trend of small roasters looking for better coffees, interviewed Erna. It was in that interview that she famously uttered the phrase specialty coffee. *** What was evident when Erna was finally allowed to cup coffee was evident for the next 40 years of her life until she retired in 2013 at age 93. She had a fine palate. Armed with a cupping spoon and a willingness to sell small lots of coffee, the small trade, now known as her roasters, flocked to Erna and in 1975 she predicted she would buy B.C. Ireland in another 10 years. Thats another thing about Erna Knutsen: she was true to her word. Erna did not invent travel to origin, but she was among the importers that understood early on in specialty coffee that boots on the ground was essential to buying quality coffee. The way I do business is so personal, she said. She wanted to look the farmers in the eye the same way she looked her customers in the eye when she made a commitment, perhaps a necessity for a Norwegian. But this need became a hallmark of trading specialty coffee, the ability to say, not only have I tasted the coffees, Ive been there. Before the emergence of specialty coffee, coffee traders traveled to origin to visit banks and brokers, but not coffee farms. Forgive the borrowing, but there are also many other things which Erna did. If all written down, they would fill the world. She would be the first to laugh long and hard at the suggestion that she was either savior or saint. But some lives count for something more than most among so many people that we should pause long enough to imagine everything we dont know about that person, or even the secret things we do know, because the life, the life of Erna Knutsen, was lived in any case worthy of your consideration. Erna received a lifetime achievement award twice from the Specialty Coffee Association, at ages 73 and 93, something that can only really happen when you outlive expectations. She had played a vital role in the founding of the organization. If you watch the video of Erna accepting her second award in 2014, she is standing next to her business and life partner, John Rapinchuk. If you look closely at the necktie John is wearing, youll see it is decorated with small portraits of Erna. If you knew John, who died last year, you know this sort of thing was not atypical of him. But also, if you knew John, you know he adored Erna and that as he tied his tie that day he smiled not only because the tie was a little funny, but because so many people seeing it would understand and share in the true love behind the funny, and that, more than anything else I can say for right now, almost perfectly describes what it was like to know Erna Knutsen. Mike Ferguson (@aboutferguson) is an American coffee professional and writer based in Atlanta and currently part of the marketing team at Olam Specialty Coffee. Read more Mike Ferguson on Sprudge. Top photo by Zachary Carlsen for Sprudge Media Network, taken at an Equator Coffees cafe opening in 2013. Recently the ASUS ROG Phone was listed on a Finnish telco website for 999(~RM4710) or 759(~RM3584) excluding VAT for the 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage variant. We are not sure whether this is the confirmed price but based on the fact that the e-commerce website is taking pre-orders for the listed price, we might see pricing close to or even below RM3000 as reported by Mr.Anonymous a few days back. Based on Mr.Anonymous statement, the device will most probably be available early October to avoid clashes as smartphone manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung will be releasing their devices around August and September 2018. ASUS ROG Phone listing Based on the listing, the ASUS ROG Phone is running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, 12MP rear camera as well as a wide angle camera, 8MP front facing selfie camera, 6-inch 90Hz display with a screen resolution of 2160 x 1080, and it is powered by a 4000mAh non-removable battery. As always with rumours like these, take every bit of information with a grain of salt and stay tuned to TechNave.com as we report in on more ASUS ROG Phone updates. Made In Chelsea concludes its summer special in Croatia this evening but when does it start and who's on the cast? Season 16 of the E4 series started last month and here's all you need to know about the show, as the gang head out to Hvar Island. Advertisements Made In Chelsea: Croatia start time The air time of the new series of Made In Chelsea in Croatia has now been confirmed. Made In Chelsea will be back on E4 for its new series TONIGHT, Monday, September 10 at 9PM with its final episode. Made In Chelsea 2018's Croatia special aired on E4 for 6 episodes, starting in August. Made In Chelsea 2018 cast Back for series 16 will be MIC favourites Harry Baron, Sam Thompson, Ollie Locke, Digby Edgley, Liv Bentley, Jamie Laing, Mark Francis Vandelli and Victoria Baker Harber. Also a part of the cast for the summer getaway will be Sophie Habboo and Melissa Tattam. After returning to the show last series, Sophie Hermann will be joining the group once again, alongside newbies Miles Nazaire, Tabitha Willett and Jamie's new girlfriend, Heloise 'Ell' Agostinelli Advertisements Meanwhile, jetting out later will be Sam's sister Louise Thompson. She revealed to the Daily Mail newspaper: "I have been coaxed out to Croatia. I've been getting reports back from Hvar about some of the new people. "You'd never imagine that some of the stuff could happen but then it goes and happens. It's why the show remains fresh I guess." Louise teased of her appearance: "I need to go out there and deal with my brother's bulls**t. Just like I had to in Ibiza. "Every time Sam strays from the nest on his own he seems to create havoc." Made In Chelsea spoilers In tonight's final episode, it's the end of the summer and Digby is happily planning his future with Liv back in London, but will Liv believe a summer in Croatia has healed their relationship? Meanwhile, Sam returns to the island with his notoriously protective sister Louise, planning to confront Habbs with proof of her own secret betrayal. And will the fallouts of the summer between Melissa, Harry and their best friends finally be resolved or will these feuds be returning to the Royal Borough? Advertisements Made In Chelsea airs on E4 at 9PM, Monday nights. A new full series is expected to start later this year. 1 hour ago Do You Believe Giving Attracts Wealth? Many Millionaires Do. Here's How to Make it Work for You To some people, the idea that giving money away attracts wealth seems like a lot of hokum, but others firmly believe that living a life of abundance can make you a millionaire. When you give back, the argument is that this type of abundant act flows back toward you. Read Article After a six-year-old boy drowned in the Grevenmacher outdoor pool on 27 July, two eye witnesses shared their experience on Facebook - and were promptly threatened with a defamation lawsuit by the Grevenmacher municipality. Journalists from the German newspaper Trierischer Volksfreund and the Luxembourg newspaper Tageblatt talked to the eye witnesses to get their side of the story. When Natalie and Tania Welch, a German student and her mother from Konz, Germany, first posted their account of the fatal accident to Facebook, they didn't quite expect the wave of support they received from other social media users. Ms Welch was at the swimming pool together with her mother Tania when disaster struck, in an event of which they both said they "would never forget". A six-year-old boy sunk to the bottom of the non-swimmer pool at around 4pm, in front of a large number of other swimming pool visitors. Pool attendants came and tried to resuscitate the boy, but he sadly passed away on 31 July a couple of days after the incident. The prosecutors office has since opened an investigation into the matter. The boy's mother's heart-wrenching reaction of absolute shock and horror is burned into Natalie Welch's mind, she told the Volksfreund newspaper in an interview. In their joint Facebook post, Ms Welch and her mother accused the pool attendants of neglecting their duties: "The lifeguards were all standing next to one of the pools, listening to music and keeping children and teenagers from jumping into the water from the edge. As far as I know, no one was observing the kids' pool and the non-swimmer pool." The 22-year-old student added that pool employees were busy handling their phones and playing reggae music from their wireless loudspeakers when the accident occurred. Tania Welch also shared her account of the incident on RTL Today. / RTL Today, Screenshot The mother and daughter also could not understand why the lifeguards did not close all pool areas immediately. After the accident occurred, the pool employees all rushed to the scene of the incident, allegedly leaving the other areas unattended. Ms Welch described the rescue efforts as "chaotic". Emergency services had trouble getting to the scene of the accident and police allegedly only arrived "after a full hour". The mother-daughter duo said that they tried to point the "neglectful" behaviour out to the lifeguards and police officers, but no one reacted according to Tania Welch. Two days after Tania Welch and her daughter posted their allegations to Facebook, the 54-year-old mother received an email from Grevenmacher mayor Leon Gloden. The municipality runs the outdoor swimming pool. The email, obtained by the Volksfreund newspaper, accuses the Welch family of defamation. According to the mayor's email, the life guards and emergency services did all they could to save the young boy's life and he also dismissed the accusation that pool attendants were listening to music rather than keeping an eye on the water. In his email, mayor Gloden stated that local firefighters and pool employees might want to file a defamation suit against the two women. Tania Welch and her daughter were angered by the mayor's reaction stating that they could not believe that "politicians would try to muzzle" them like that. 22-year-old Natalie Welch said that they were contacted by several other eye witnesses who supported their claims. Last Friday, they received an invitation to make a witness statement to the Luxembourg police. Ms Welch said that their intent was not to pillory pool employees, but to effect change so that the same mistakes would not be repeated again. For the original Trierischer Volksfreund article, click on the link in the links box below: Mountain Shadows in Wayanad is just the place for a dreamy vacation Former Labor Minister Craig Emerson has quit SKY News after United Patriots Front leader Blair Cottrell appeared on The Adam Giles Show. My father fought Nazis in WWII and was interred in a German POW camp. The decision to put Cottrell on Sky News was another step in a journey to normalising racism & bigotry in our country, he wrote on Twitter. I have advised @SkyNewsAust that I have quit as a Sky commentator. My father fought Nazis in WWII and was interred in a German POW camp. The decision to allow Neo-Nazi Blair Cotterell onto the channel was another step in a journey to normalising racism & bigotry in our country. Craig Emerson (@DrCraigEmerson) August 6, 2018 I will refuse all offers to go on Sky until it gives a full apology and clear commitment to never again air this mans hateful views. I hope my Greens colleagues, and all MPs who care about decency, will join me. pic.twitter.com/JHDVSL240S David Shoebridge (@ShoebridgeMLC) August 5, 2018 Other politicians are reportedly planning to boycott the channel and SKY News advertisers are being targeted on social media. SKY News journalists David Speers and Laura Jayes criticised their own network for giving him airtime. SKY News Director Greg Byrnes said on social media, It was wrong to have Blair Cottrell on SKY News Australia. His views do not reflect ours. The interview has been removed from repeat timeslots and online platforms. In the final Interview for the year Andrew Denton speaks with Canadian journalist & author Amanda Lindhout, kidnapped by Islamist insurgents in southern Somalia and held for 15 months in 2008. Amanda Lindhout They say whatever doesnt kill you makes you stronger. Days after landing in war-torn Somalia, Amanda Lindhout, then a young freelance journalist, was kidnapped by professional ransom hunters. She would spend the next 15 horrific months held hostage in captivity, subjected to harrowing tortures, rapes and death threats before being freed. But Amandas heart-wrenching tale of survival is just the beginning. Amazingly, she has chosen to respond to the brutality of a life torn apart with a message of forgiveness for her captors. Amanda is a true survivor. 8:45pm Tuesday on Seven. Nine will broadcast a full telethon on Monday August 20 to support farmers hit by the driest winter on record. It follows a public response to the Drought Relief Appeal on the Today show which has raised over $1.9m. Farm Aid Telethon will be a daytime event pre-empting all Nine content from 5.30am, with the exception of the 11.30am News, including special reports and live interviews from the land. Its a dire situation. We need all Australians to rally together for our farmers who so desperately need our help. Our goal with this Telethon is to raise as much money as possible to assist them, their families and their communities, Karl Stefanovic said. Georgie Gardner said: To see, firsthand what our farmers are experiencing is truly heartbreaking. So much has already been raised but more is needed. I urge all Aussies to dig deep and support the Telethon, with all money donated going directly to the Drought Relief Appeal. Viewers can continue to donate online via todayshow.com.au or by calling 1800 732 165 (Monday to Friday, 5.30am to 8.00pm AEST). Seven has announced a return for The Real Full Monty in 2019 but this time with 8 female celebrities stripping to raise awareness for womens health. The Real Full Monty: Ladies Night follows solid numbers for the showbiz special last week in which 8 male celebs including Kris Smith, Shane Jacobson and Jett Kenny bared all to raise awareness for prostate cancer. Social media lit up with praise for the stars ballsy performance. In the UK the first Real Full Monty special was followed with a two more events including a Ladies Night of female actors and presenters. Seven is yet to announce casting for 2019. The Adam Giles Show has been suspended following a backlash over an interview with United Patriots Front leader Blair Cottrell. After a day of headlines and social media criticism, SKY News boss Angelos Frangopolous has restructured senior editorial roles and put the show hosted by the former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Adam Giles into recess. In an email to staff Frangopolous said editorial quality and approval processes had not met with expectations. Last night we had on air an appearance by someone whose views are abhorrent to me, our staff, our company and the community, he wrote. What this individual stands for I personally find distressing. My own grandfather was killed during the Nazi occupation of Athens. I am deeply saddened that this interview happened on our channel. Sky News features wide debate and discussion from across the political spectrum and will invite guests at times whose views are objectionable, but when we do they must be held to account in the context of respectful discourse, that meets community and our own expectations. Following an investigation News Director Greg Byrne has been appointed to the newly-created role of Acting Program Director and Kaycie Bradford becomes Acting News Director. I have asked that the senior editorial leadership team ensure the production of weekend program and guest appearances meet editorial, journalistic and community expectations. The Adam Giles Show will be in recess as we implement the new processes and review the production format and structure of the program. Former Labor Minister Craig Emerson quit SKY News and politicians have considered boycotts following the interview. SKY News journalists David Speers and Laura Jayes also criticised their own network while sponsors are being targeted on social media. SKY News Director Greg Byrnes also acknowledged, It was wrong to have Blair Cottrell on SKY News Australia. His views do not reflect ours. The interview has been removed from repeat timeslots and online platforms. The Adam Giles Show has been on air since May. Last month SKY was heavily criticised for not challenging Senator David Leyonhjelms remarks about Senator Hanson-Young, whilst recent channel resignations have included Greg Thomson and Samantha Maiden. Frangopolous will himself be departing SKY News in the near future having announced his resignation late last month. Writers including Ryan Griffen (pictured, Cleverman) & Sarah Lambert (Love Child), will travel to Los Angeles for high level meetings and workshops as part of Screen Australias third Talent USA contingent. To be held in September in partnership with the Australian Writers Guild, the focus of this delegation is on making business connections with the US television industry, and learning from established LA-based creators and decisions makers. International perceptions of the kinds of stories Australians can tell has changed dramatically over the past five years, said Graeme Mason, CEO Screen Australia. Being an English-speaking country, major markets like the UK and US are looking to our screen industry for ideas, talent, producing partners and locations. Our Australian stories can absolutely travel beyond our shores, and thats why Screen Australia enables our creators to physically travel abroad to make international business connections. AWG CEO Jacqueline Elaine said, Theres a hunger for unique voices, and Australian creators can offer the global industry top quality scripts that find the balance between the unique and the universal. Australian screenwriters can compete with the best in the world, and theres never been a better time to grasp the opportunity to do so. Talent USA recipients: Ryan Griffen: Within a year of his debut short film You Turn premiering at the Sydney Film Festival in 2015, Griffen had quickly made a name for himself in television as the creator of ABCs Cleverman. Now in its second season, the genre series which draws heavily on Indigenous creation stories, can now be seen on Sundance TV, Netflix and BBC3. Griffen also has two graphic novels in the works with Gestalt Publishing. Spencer and Lloyd Harvey: Siblings and creative partners, the Harveys are established short filmmakers with appearances at the Melbourne International Film Festival (The Gift), Austin Film Festival (Jack & Jill) and Tropfest (Sorry Baby). The duo have already attracted US interest, having been awarded an Academy Nicholl Fellowship by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science as one of five screenwriting award recipients for their work Photo Booth. spencerandlloydharvey.com Sarah Lambert: As the creator, writer and a producer of the Nine Networks hit television show Love Child, Sarahs creative reputation is already firmly established. Lambert has also written for Love My Way, Dance Academy, A Place to Call Home and The Doctor Blake Mysteries. She is currently the writer/showrunner on the highly anticipated new Foxtel drama Lambs of God (2019 premiere), a twisted gothic fairy tale starring Ann Dowd (Handmaids Tale), Jessica Barden (End of the F***World) and Essie Davis (Game of Thrones). Samantha Lang: With her debut feature The Well nominated for a Cannes Palme dOr, and an incredible 11 AFI Awards back home, Langs directing career had a flying start. Remaining on the international stage with The Monkeys Mask (Toronto International Film Festival premiere) and French-language film LIdole (Toronto and Locarno Festival), Lang was tempted home to take the position of Head of Directing at AFTRS (2010-2016). Lang is currently the President of the Australian Directors Guild. samanthalang.com Sam Meikle: As one of Australias most experienced television writers, Meikle boasts an astounding resume including All Saints, House Husbands, The Secret Daughter, Here Come The Habibs, Crownies and iconic soaps Home and Away and Neighbours. Meikle has also worked internationally, including script producing the BBCs Out of the Blue and as a writer on Historys Vikings: Athelstans Journal. Yolanda Ramke: With the distinction of being the writer and co-director of Australias first Netflix Original film (Cargo), Ramkes work is already known the world over. Even more impressive is that the film was Ramkes feature debut and born out of the 2013 Tropfest short by the same name (which was a Finalist and has over 15 million views on YouTube). Prior to Cargo, Ramke had also been co-nominated for Australian Directors Guild and Australian Writers Guild awards for the short film Cold Hearts. Hannah and Eliza Reilly: Starting their careers in radio, the Reilly siblings have gone on to become factual, comedy and musical creators. Their debut series Growing Up Gracefully aired on the ABC in 2017 with a tongue-in-cheek look at life as an Australian woman (which featured viral musical hit 3.43). The sisters then became the first online comedy creators funded by Screen Australias Gender Matters initiative to go into production, with their four-part comedy series Sheilas launching on 21 August 2018. sheilas.tv/ fb.com/iconicduo Giula Sandler: With over 20 years of experience, including as the writer and script producer of the Emmy-award winning Nowhere Boys (season two), Sandler is one of Australias most in-demand writers. Having worked on some of the nations biggest TV exports including Glitch, A Place to Call Home, Wentworth and McLeods Daughters, Sandlers work is seen internationally. Sandler is currently a writer on a yet-to-be-announced ITV true crime drama. Keith Thompson: Best known for his movie adaption of Tony Briggs play The Sapphires which went on to become a global hit at the cinema, Thompson is a three-time winner of the Australian Writers Guild Best Script of the Year. A master of adaptation, he works extensively in Australia and UK developing novels for the screen. In addition to his Sundance-selected feature film Clubland, Thompsons television works include BAFTA nominated childrens series Lockie Leonard, and mini-series bio-pics of Paul Hogan and Olivia Newton John. Christiaan and Connor Van Vuuren: Among Australias first wave of YouTube stars, the Van Vuuren brothers are the writer/directors behind some of the internets most beloved characters including The Bondi Hipsters. The pair made the jump to TV first with MTV (SICK!) in 2012 and then with the ABC (Soul Mates) in 2014. Soul Mates returned in 2016, with both Van Vuurens soon also finding themselves in demand as TV directors, working on Sando, Squinters and The Elegant Gentlemens Guide to Knife Fighting. vanvuurenbros.com Adele Vuko: As one third of comedy troupe Skit Box, Vuko was propelled into peoples news feeds in 2015 courtesy of viral musical hit Activewear. Picked up for a full comedy series (Wham Bam Thank You Maam), Vuko was soon on television in Australia (ABC) and the US (SEESO) as co-star, co-writer and co-director. Further television appearances followed, including on Foxtels sketch comedy show The Slot, with a Google/Screen Australia funded online pilot being released later this year. skitbox.tv Greg Waters: As a writer and producer, Waters resume spans over 15 years, including as the writer of the ABCs recent telemovie Riot, and script producer on dark comedy The Letdown (ABC), The Other Guy (Stan, Hulu) and political drama Secret City (Foxtel, Netflix). With an extended tenure as the Development Manager for Drama at ABC TV, Waters executive produced hits including Rake, plus was a script executive on some of Australias most beloved titles such as Janet King and Secret River. Charles Williams: Williams has written, produced and directed five shorts to date that that have screened at over 100 festivals and twice been nominated for Best Short Fiction Film at the AACTA Awards. This year he was awarded the Palme dOr at the Cannes Film Festival for his short All These Creatures. After the runaway success of True Story with Hamish & Andy season one, Hamish Blake & Andy Lee began to have interviews with US execs, thanks to a deal with Warner Bros. International Television. But while Australia had embraced the format of bizarre tales brought to life with a comedic tone, it was a different experience overseas. Hero-ing the everyday person and the idea that you dont have to be famous to have your own bio-pic is something that was really resonating here. But the United States doesnt buy into that a lot, explains Lee. They buy into how it sounds, offers Blake. They were saying Yeah cool. But in reality we cast the people? You dont really let normal people be on TV! Well put that in the marketing, but obviously well get actors! The fact that it was really real, and not marketing-real, was possibly an element that surprised them! Thankfully Germany got the concept and is proceeding with its own adaptation. Both Blake and Lee are not planning to intervene too much into the German series they created with Tim Bartley & Ryan Shelton -both of whom form part of production company Radio Karate with the duo. What works in Australia doesnt necessarily translate verbatim to Germany. But the fundamentals are the same: the hosts hear a story for the very first time (courtesy of secret-researcher-business), then spend several month scripting it into comedy form and filming as a re-enactment with room for some embellishment. Re-enactments and comedy also drew some parallels to Drunk History (which some US execs thought was a good thing). As Lee explains thats where the similarities start and finish. Its about story-listening as much as it is story-telling Its probably more like Banged Up Abroad where someone is sitting down, first-person telling a story. So there are a lot of documentaries that its like, but were doing the comedy version, he continues. Yes it has re-enactments! But its about story-listening as much as it is story-telling. Thats where we feel the unique-ness lies, adds Blake. Its in the conversation. Re-enactment as a technique is shared by hundreds of shows, and Drunk History is one of them. But its a knee-jerk reaction because they are both comedy shows. Quite often theyre people who are reluctant to tell the story The duo believe this years stories are stronger than the first season. While a call-out on radio & social media elicited some 1500 200 stories for 2017, the power of television resulted in over 8000 submissions for 2018, including a lot more older storytellers. Theres no-one there where you think Youve seen this as a chance to perform. Quite often theyre people who are reluctant to tell the story, because its embarrassing or theyve been dobbed in, Blake reveals. Its so Australian. People are going, Im happy to do this, but I wouldnt choose to do it. Im here because I respect a good story, not for any other reason. While the first season drew solid ratings and universally good reviews, for Lee one of its achievements was that people responded to what the show was trying to achieve beyond a 30 minute chuckle. People identified aspects of the show that we thought were important: these are people on telly you dont often see; it has a sense of warmth to it; its inclusive; and it really felt like their show, not ours. They were the things we wanted to achieve making this show, he explains. The hope was that we could create an environment where someone would come on, perhaps a little bit nervous and unsure, but trusting the joy and fun of telling a good story, agrees Blake. Then we have the bones to make great television. This season again features a shopping list of performing talent: John Waters, Dan Wyllie. Bruce Spence, Rob Carlton, Rob Sitch, Mark Mitchell, Jane Allsop, Anne Edmonds, Dave Lawson, Stephen Hall, Katrina Milosevic, Kate McCartney, Luke McGregor, Mandy McElhinney, Dave Hughes and on it goes. While a lot of favours were drawn upon in the first season, this year big names -including Essie Davis- were making it known they wanted to appear. But for Blake & Lee it is the storytellers who are the stars. There are two in this series that are just unbelievable. I would say there are more surprises this year, Lee observes. There are two in this series that are just unbelievable. The researchers went and did full background checks thinking This cant happen! Then they produced the story in the paper with everybody mentioned by name! adds Blake. True Story with Hamish & Andy airs 8:40pm Tuesdays on Nine. China News Network reported that a woman was held captive against her will in Henan province. She managed to escape her captive after she cleverly called the police to deliver her some takeout food. It was largely due to the quick-thinking presence of mind by the officer who took her call, that police knew it was serious enough to react. This was more especially, as the police are often confused with a take-out service in the area. Captive woman orders food during police phone call The Straits Times reported on the story and explained that Officer Zhang Shujuan took a call at the Xinxiang Public Security Bureau. When she answered the phone, at first she thought the caller had made a mistake as a woman was asking about food being delivered from the take-out. Obviously, she told the caller that she had the wrong number and the police do not make food deliveries. However, the young woman persisted and asked again. The second time, after she was told the police could not make a food delivery, she said, "I know, I know", and repeated, "You send me here, I will make the order later." The third part of the conversation became a little more urgent. Beginning to realize there may be a problem, the police officer kept the woman on the line. The next thing she said to the police was, "Please send me the food, I cannot go out. If I can, I will not need you to send the food." Police officer realizes there's something wrong about the food order It was when the woman said that she could not go out, that she suspected there may something really wrong. That's when she asked where she should send the food delivery to and requested an address. The captive gave the exact location of where she was being held, and gave a perfect description of the clothing she would be wearing. This was supposedly so the delivery people would recognise her. She even described how she wore her hair. Officers rush to the house and find the captive Police officers were notified that there may be a problem with the woman at the address provided, so they rushed to assist her, not sure what was going on, for sure. When they arrived, they found a 20-year-old woman named Li, who recently arrived in Xinxiang. Her backstory was that she had met a man on the internet who promised to help her find a job in the city. Trusting him, she set off, but then he would not allow her to leave. She held her captive in the house against her will until she hit on the idea of calling for a takeout. When she asked if she could order in a take-out lunch the captor said yes, and that's when she called the police to place her food order. The police officer and Li both made some very smart moves to help her out of a difficult and dangerous situation. A family was enjoying a visit to the Africam Safari Park, located in Puebla, Mexico. It turns out a male rhinoceros was in the mood for mating at the time, so just wasnt his usual self. Video footage was taken by another visitor to the park, which shows the rhino repeatedly ramming the familys vehicle, smashing it and trying to overturn the SUV. The video clip also shows three Africam employees watching as the terrifying attack unfolded. They eventually distracted the large male rhino, allowing the family to drive away safely. Familys car attacked by rhinoceros As reported by ITV News, the familys terrifying experience on 30th July involved them making their way through the safari park while viewing the various animals on display. All was fine until they encountered the rhino. It can only be imagined how the family felt as the huge animal repeatedly charged their vehicle, heading to the rear of the car and trying its best to turn it over. Initially, the parks employees watched in horror as the incident unfolded. The employees, who were scarily walking around on foot, eventually managed to distract the rhino, allowing the family to drive off in safety. WATCH: Terrifying moment rhino attacks family's car https://t.co/Jd9vQb1Ukq via @Y7News Good thing today, most cars bodywork are made of plastic & can be easily repaired Billy Bunt (@BillyBunt2) August 4, 2018 The family told the local press that they experienced strong emotions while the rhino charged and attacked their vehicle, but they did say it was an experience they wont soon forget. As reported by The Independent, the video footage was taken by Luis Angel Gonzalez, who was in another car in the Africam Safari Park. The video footage, provided by The Guardian, is included below. Isolated incident due to female rhino in heat According to park officials, the incident happened after the large male rhino scented a female rhino nearby who was in heat and ready to mate. He obviously didnt want a human audience during his romantic approach to the female. The park said in a statement that this was an isolated incident and that the mating pair has now been separated until the female is no longer in heat. The statement continued by saying the park had taken the necessary measures immediately to ensure such an incident never happens again. English family attacked by a bear Sophie Mallaney of Leighton Buzzard would no doubt feel sympathy for the Mexican family. As recently reported, she and her family were enjoying a day out at the Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire when their car was attacked by a black bear. Possibly also suffering from the English heatwave, the bear climbed onto their vehicle and attempted to chew on it before heading to a side window. In that incident, the family claims they hooted for help, but no safari park employees came to their aid. London: Police seek the identity of a man rescued from the Thames River last week. He has unusual and distinctive tattoo marking. They released photos of him and a close-up of a "dragon-like" tattoo, the Guardian noted. He also has a tattoo on his leg. He was rescued by RNLI near the Putney Embankment. According to the police, he may have met with an accident and become injured in the water, so no foul play is attributed at this time. Identification of rescued man The police explained that the man is white, around 30-years-old, dark complexioned, and of medium build. He has dark hair. His camouflage tee-short had the words "Now or never, no regrets, past/present/future printed on it. According to the BBC, his leg tattoo seems to be in a type of tribal style. Other items that may help identify him were his track pant-trousers which were grey. The pockets were trimmed in back. He was wearing blue plimsolls and carried a green and white Dunlop bag. Police seek relatives of the rescued man Det Sgt Samantha Batchelor said in a statement that they have tried all other avenues of identification and have run out of options. They would like to see him reunited with his family, so they called on anyone who knows him to step forward. The rescue took place on 26 July in the early evening and ambulances responded. He was rescued and then airlifted to a hospital. His condition is considered to be stable, but critical. July was a busy time for Thames River rescuers July was a busy month for rescuers as there were a number of incidents involving the Thames River. On 12 July, the Henley Standard reported that "two men were treated for hypothermia after being rescued from the River Thames at Henley in the early hours of [the] morning." On 6 July, a man was just seconds away from drowning when he was pulled from the water during the heat wave. The Mirror reported that he'd become "trapped under a wooden pier." One of the lifeboat members went into the water to get him out the water. On 23 July, a woman cyclist was rescued by a lifeboat crew after she fell 7ft off a path, onto the embankment, Evening Standard noted. The public tried to help, but she had head injuries, and professional help saw her quickly moved away from the encroaching tide and she was removed to a hospital. Summer has been hot and people tend to get out and about more, which may account for many incidents involving the Thames River in the month of July. If you do know the man who was rescued from the Thames River with a tattoo on his hand and leg, police request that you call the missing persons unit on 101. msdf maya aegis destroyer japan Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Japan launched a new destroyer with top-of-the line US missile defense technology earlier this month. Japan's military is a self-defense force and the ship is only meant to do training and diplomatic outreach. But China portrayed it as a menace because it wants to seize control of the South China Sea. Defense cooperation between the US and Japan ushered in an era of peace that enriched the world, and China, but now a powerful China seeks to unseat the US as the world's superpower, and its response to the destroyer demonstrates that. Japan launched a new destroyer with top-of-the line US missile defense technology earlier this month, the Maya, and despite Japan and the ship's mostly defensive nature, China portrayed the ship as a dangerous menace. On August 6, 1945, the world came to know nuclear war with an atomic bomb obliterating the Japanese city of Hiroshima and wiping almost 100,000 lives off the face of the earth in an instant. The seven decades between then and now have seen the rise of a strong US-Japanese alliance and peace across the Pacific. Japan, following its colonization of much of China during World War II, renounced military aggression following its surrender to the US. Since then Japan hasn't kept a standing military, but what it calls a self defense force. Japan's constitution strictly limits defense spending and doesn't allow the deployment of troops overseas. The nuclear and missile threat from North Korea, which has several times overflown the island with nuclear-capable missiles, has spurned a desire in Tokyo for missile defenses, which the US has obliged, manifesting itself in part in the Maya. "It's not a big deal that they have this ship," Veerle Nouwens, an Asia-Pacific expert at the Royal United Services Institute told Business Insider. "Theyre using it for military exchanges or diplomacy. Thats effectively what its doing by going around to India, Shri Lanka, and Singapore." Story continues Japan's new destroyer isn't a radical departure from its old ones and will spend most of its time training with and visiting other neighboring militaries. The destroyer isn't exactly a rubber ducky, but has one of the more peaceful missions imaginable for a warship. One reason it may have drawn rebuke from Beijing is simple geography. This destroyer will have to pass through the South China Sea, which is extremely sensitive for Beijing, as it unilaterally claims almost the whole sea as its own in open defiance of international law. China's Global Times state-linked media outlet responded to the ship's launch by saying it was "potentially targeting China and threatening other countries," citing Chinese experts. "Once absolute security is realized by Japan and the US, they could attack other countries without scruples," one such expert said, "which will certainly destabilize other regions." China's real game map china sea via The Brookings Institution "China seeks full control over the South China Sea. we can say that quite squarely," said Nouwens. "It seeks to displace the US from its traditional position from its regional dominance in southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific more widely." Since World War II, the US, particularly the US Navy, has enforced free and open seas and a rules based world order around the world. This order, imposed at a massive cost to the US, has enriched the world and specifically China, as safe shipping in open waters came as a given to business people around the globe. But now, "China is threatening to lead to a situation where that may not be a given anymore," said Nouwens. China has repeatedly threatened force against countries that seek to undertake simple activities, like fishing, within their own UN-designated maritime borders. But when a US Navy ship passes through the South China Sea, Beijing calls it provocative, unhelpful, or destabilizing. "When other countries do it, its threatening. When China does it to other countries, its fine," said Nouwens. That the only two countries to ever engage in nuclear war can now work together as partners looking to protect the rights of all countries on the high seas should represent a welcome and peaceful development. But for Beijing, that fundamentally seeks to undermine that world order to further its own goals of dominating Asia, it's cause for worry. NOW WATCH: A London hotel makes cakes that are disguised as everyday objects and theyre incredibly realistic See Also: augustin de montesquiou unsplash Tickets, money, passports! We all know what to check for during that last minute packing panic. But preparing for your holidays is about more than what you squeeze into your suitcase. It is about making a political choice. Tourism is an industry tied up with national and international politics like no other. Tourists are a source of foreign exchange, governments promote themselves through visitors, and politicians quite often worry about the social freedom that tourism can nurture. For these reasons tourists are both courted and scapegoated. At the most basic level tourism counts as an export industry. It is a source of foreign currency and can help to prop up a nation financially. However, local people often see few of the benefits of hosting tourists. Large organisations tend to control much of the tourism industry. These frequently pay little in the way of local taxes. Meanwhile local people shoulder much of the burden of sharing their space and facilities with visitors. Some indigenous people have asked foreign tourists to stay away. They have argued that tourism is threatening their culture, damaging their lands ecosystems, and is a form of colonialism. In Hawaii, attempts are being made to reconcile some of the issues arising from the tourism industry over-exploiting an open and hospitable native culture. Where you spend your holiday money therefore contributes to legitimising particular politicians and their policies. However, tourists dont just bring money into a destination. They also bring social and cultural inputs. Tourism has been associated with liberalising social values, empowering minorities, and even spreading democracy. In Spain, for example, the growth of tourism, initiated under the dictator, Francisco Franco, as a means of propping up an ailing economy, has been suggested as helping to usher in democratic change. Ishan @seefromthesky/Unsplash Hosts and guests exchange observations and ideas. They form relationships. And they stimulate mutual creativity. It is only in the past 20 years that China began to allow its people to freely travel abroad after decades of forced isolation. Politicians are frequently fearful of the subversive ideas and awkward questions that travellers might bring back with them. Story continues A residual mistrust of tourists can see them scapegoated by politicians looking to place convenient blame. In Barcelona, a city dependent on tourism for its late 20th-century revival, tourists are being made increasingly unwelcome. They are blamed for increasing costs of living for residents, rather than the broader challenges of inequality and financial stagnation that raise uncomfortable questions about local political capacity. Image control Tourism is also a way for governments to assert their ideologies internally and externally. Visitors to Cuba for example, can visit the Museum of the Revolution, reportedly one of the top things to do in Havana. Research has shown that the exhibits sold as heritage to tourists prioritise certain specific stories and can silence others. Over time the official narrative becomes established and other perspectives may be forgotten. Historic England has, for example, recently begun to try and include the often overlooked queer history of many heritage sites. toa heftiba unsplash Meanwhile tourism can be a means of raising and modifying a countrys image on the world stage. Israel has for many years used gay tourism to soften its international image by making the country seem progressive in a part of the world which generally is not. Dubai has established itself in the same region as a deluxe playground filled with sights and indulgence like nowhere else. However, the commitments of both of these destinations governments to the touristic image they sell is debateable. LGBTQ people in Israel recently had restrictions placed upon their right to surrogacy by their parliament. Meanwhile Dubai is well known for its cases of people facing severe judicial sentences for acts as innocuous as accidentally brushing another mans bum. Having a better holiday On the one hand the image sold to tourists is often not the same as the reality faced by like-minded people living within a country. On the other, tourists may themselves be expected to conform to regulations they would not agree with or accept back home. The power of tourism is not lost on political actors. Recently the Chinese government successfully put pressure on international airlines to stop referring to Taiwan as a country or face retaliation. Tourists should not leave it up to politicians to exploit their desire for exploration for self-interested purposes. We need to appreciate our power as consumers; supporting destinations that celebrate tourism as a means of mutually rewarding host-guest exchanges and boycotting those which do not. Tourists have a lot of potential influence. They should use it to hold politicians to account. So there are a few things to consider when planning your holiday. Find out whether your travel provider committed to investing in local taxes, jobs and suppliers. Research the attitudes of local residents towards tourism beforehand in order that you can be a better guest. Bring back more than a nice tan by swapping ideas, stories and phone numbers. Check the public image of a destination matches its private one and dont support hypocrites. And finally, be aware of politicians using tourism to bully those with whom they dont agree and be prepared to call them out. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. The Conversation Brendan Canavan 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 - In this Saturday, Aug. 5, 1995 file photo, Croatian soldiers celebrate their victory after retaking the town of Dubica, on the northern Bosnian border. Croatia on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018 celebrated a victorious 1995 military offensive in which it retook lands held by rebel Serbs, while Serbia's president compared the operation to the policies of Nazi Germany. (AP Photo/Robert Belosevic, File) ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) Croatia on Sunday celebrated a 1995 military offensive in which its troops retook territory held by rebel Serbs, while Serbia's president compared the attack known as Operation Storm to the policies of Nazi Germany. Top officials attended a ceremony in the former rebel stronghold of Knin to mark the victory's anniversary, hailing the offensive as a flawless military action that ended Croatia's war for independence and reunited its lands. U.S. and Israeli military envoys were among the guests attending the event, while Israeli jets joined Croat air forces in a fly-by, Croatia's defense ministry said. "(Storm) has become a textbook successful military operation," Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic said. "It was the time of total unity of the Croatian people and Croatian soldiers." Meanwhile, neighboring Serbia mourned the hundreds of victims who were killed during the August 1995 attack. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic accused Croatia late Saturday of intentionally expelling Serbs from the country because of their ethnicity. Vucic's comments whipped up tensions between two main Balkan rivals whose conflicting views illustrate the persistent divisions stemming from the 1991-95 war. The war in Croatia erupted when the country declared independence from the former Yugoslavia. Minority Serbs in Croatia, backed by Serbia, took up arms and formed their own self-declared state, rejecting the split from the Serb-led Yugoslav federation and expelling hundreds of thousands of Croats from their homes. More than 10,000 people were killed and many Croatian towns were devastated in the years that followed before Croatia reclaimed control of the Serb-held lands. The Croat blitz sent 200,000 minority Serbs fleeing the country in miles-long columns of tractors, cars and horse-driven carts. In his remarks on Operation Storm, Vucic, who was an extreme Serb nationalist during the war, evoked the fate of Anne Frank, the Jewish diarist who died at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. The teenage Holocaust victim was persecuted for the same reason as the Croatian Serbs, the Serbian president said. Story continues "The intent was the same. Hitler wanted a world without Jews; Croatia and its policy wanted a Croatia without Serbs," Vucic told thousands at a commemoration event in northern Serbia. Croatian officials rejected Vucic's analogy. "This is really too much," Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic was quoted as saying by Croatian public broadcaster HRT. Croatian Defense Minister Damir Krsticevic also responded. "We didn't start the war. We defended ourselves and later liberated Croatia," Krsticevic said. The liberal Index news portal described the Serbian president's statement as "scandalous" and asked if Vucic should be barred from entering Croatia. Vucic has said he wants to boost cooperation with other Balkan nations and lead Serbia toward membership in the European Union, but he also has been increasing military and other ties with Russia. FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises from a storage site in Baghdad, a housing ballot boxes from Iraq's May parliamentary election, Iraq June 10, 2018. REUTERS/Khalid Al-Mousily/File Photo Thomson Reuters By Ahmed Rasheed, Raya Jalabi and Ahmed Aboulenein BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's election commission ignored an anti-corruption body's warnings about the credibility of electronic vote-counting machines used in May's parliamentary election, according to investigators and a document seen by Reuters. The devices, provided by South Korean company Miru Systems under a deal with the Independent High Elections Commission (IHEC), are at the heart of fraud allegations that led to a manual recount in some areas after the May 12 election. The results of the recount have not yet been announced and political leaders are still trying to form a government. Concerns about the election count center on discrepancies in the tallying of votes by the voting machines, mainly in the Kurdish province of Sulaimaniya and the ethnically-mixed province of Kirkuk, and suggestions that the devices could have been tampered with or hacked into to skew the result. Iraq's Board of Supreme Audit (BSA) expressed reservations about the vote-counting system in a report it sent to the IHEC on May 9, three days before the election. The BSA said in the report, seen by Reuters, that the IHEC had not responded to 11 concerns it had raised -- including over contractual procedures, the inspection of company documents and a failure to properly examine the devices for any flaws. "Hereby, we found that ignoring and not responding to the report's findings is considered a clear legal violation contributed to the passage of the electronic vote counting devices despite its unsuitability and easiness of being tampered," the BSA said in the report. The report also referred to a letter from the Iraqi embassy in South Korea saying Miru Systems had assembled but not manufactured the equipment sent to Baghdad, and suggesting the price tag should have been lower. The IHEC's failure to act on the report's findings could fuel calls for the election to be rerun, a concern for populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, leader of the political bloc that won on May 12. Story continues IHEC officials declined to comment. A Miru official who spoke on condition of anonymity dismissed the assertion in the letter, saying the company had manufactured the equipment. He also said the "equipment does not lie" and that he and five other Miru employees had traveled to Iraq to examine the machines and found no evidence of hacking. "We have checked our election device provided to Iraq after the fraud allegation erupted, and found out that there has been no malfunction in the device nor its system," he said. "We have already submitted the report to Iraq's national election commission after making a thorough check on the device." SADR'S CONCERNS Sadr has expressed concern about the situation. "There are fears that the recount process will be a preamble to repeat the election and infringe on people's votes. Thereby it will be a burial of the democratic process and will cut turnout in the future," Sadr said in late June. The election was the first in which an electronic vote-counting system has been used in Iraq. The digitized system was intended to help regulate and speed up vote-counting. The BSA report said the contract with Miru was worth just over $97 million though the man who was the country's chief electoral officer said in April the deal was worth $135 million. Abdul Kareem Abtan, a member of a parliamentary fact-finding committee formed to investigate whether fraud was linked to the devices, said the committee had concerns about the system. "The electronic vote counting devices were useless and completely not secure from tampering, and our conclusion was corroborated by results reached by a professional technical team from the Iraqi National Intelligence Service," he told Reuters, referring to intelligence service representatives who were part of the committee. A BSA official told Reuters an IHEC director had signed the contract with Miru in March 2017. The BSA official spoke on condition he was not named as he is not authorized to speak on the issue. A law passed by parliament suspended the IHEC's nine-member board of commissioners in June and replaced the commissioners with judges. Aziz al-Kheqani, the IHEC's media manager when the fraud allegations surfaced, said he was no longer authorized to comment for the election commission. UNDER SCRUTINY BEFORE Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, whose alliance came third in the election, said on June 5 that a government investigation had found serious violations in the election and blamed the IHEC for most of them. Parliament later ordered the manual recount. Most of the parliamentarians who pushed for the recount had lost their seats in the election. The political uncertainty has fueled tensions at a time when public impatience is growing over poor basic services, unemployment and the slow pace of rebuilding after a three-year war with Islamic State which cost tens of billions of dollars. The frustrations caused protests in some southern cities last month. Miru's electronic voting machines have come under scrutiny elsewhere, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the opposition has raised concerns before an election scheduled for December. The DRC's national electoral commission says Miru Systems have an "excellent record" in providing electoral equipment. (Additional reporting by Haejin Choi and Ju-min Park in Seoul, Aaron Ross in Kinshaha, Luc Cohen in Buenos Aires and Olga Dzyubenko in Bishkek; Writing by Michael Georgy, Editing by Timothy Heritage) See Also: Taylor Hamlin dreamed of winning the Maine Lobster Festivals prestigious Maine Sea Goddess pageant since she was a little girl, but two social media photos deemed inappropriate by competition officials would cause the 18 year old to be stripped of the title just 24 hours after she was crowned. The problematic pictures in question? Hamlin tells PEOPLE one snapshot shows the teenager with a marijuana cigarette, while another depicted her holding a juuling device (or e-cigarette). Both surfaced on Wednesday, after Hamlins coronation ceremony. By Thursday, the executive board of directors and the coronation committee of the Maine Lobster Festival had made the announcement that Hamlin would no longer represent the 71-year-old celebration, saying the images were not in keeping with the behavior and image of the Maine Sea Goddess. I was really upset, Hamlin tells PEOPLE of the decision. Its been tough. I never thought that this would happen. They told me it was disgusting and theyre disappointed. The whole thing made me feel really terrible about myself. Hamlin says the photo of her with the vape pen was taken after she was 18, making her of legal age. However, the picture of her with marijuana recreational and medical use of which is legal in Maine for people over 18 was taken last year when she was underage. At the time, she posted it to a private Instagram account. I had deleted it a while ago so someone must have had it and saved it, recalls Hamlin, who tells PEOPLE she isnt certain how the photographs came to the attention of the festival. Its only my exclusive friends on this private account, so it had to be one of my friends or their parents [who shared it]. Its frustrating. I dont know who it is and at this point, and I dont care. Instead, Hamlin says she is bothered by how the festival has approached her exit. Reps for the festival did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment, but in a statement released on Friday, organizers said Taylor decided to resign her position, adding that Crown Princess Erin Dugan will assume the Sea Goddess duties. Story continues We wish all the best to Taylor Hamlin in her future endeavors, the statement reads in part. This is a terrible situation for everyone involved. We hope that everyone will enjoy the rest of the festival that over 1,300 volunteers have worked so hard to put on to support our local community and the lobster industry. But Hamlin claims she was forced out. Theyre telling everyone that its a mutual agreement and that I resigned, and thats not true, Hamlin tells PEOPLE. They didnt give me an option. They told me, Several of our community members have complained about you. I told them, What other choice do I have? And the lady shrugged her shoulders and didnt say anything. She said, I dont know. Discussing her first meeting with the programs coordinator on Thursday, Hamlin says she was offered the chance to continue to hold her title through the festivals opening. She said to me, If we keep this quiet, you can be Sea Goddess during the whole week, Hamlin alleges. You can ride on the float on the parade. You can go to the grounds and be the Sea Goddess. And then after the week, you can say that you cant fulfill your duties and you need to step down. Why would you make me be a fake Sea Goddess if you dont want me to represent you in the first place? Hamlin says. Why would you do this for politics? It was so ridiculous. That option was allegedly off the table in a second meeting, where Hamlin was joined by her parents. She says she was asked to sign a document that implied it was her choice to resign, but when she asked for the text to be changed, festival officials allegedly refused. Frustrated and hurt, Hamlin gave up negotiating and just signed it, she explains to PEOPLE. [The festival] could have used this situation as a positive thing to make it a learning experience for other people out there. Instead, they wanted it to be negative, she says. They were determined to make me the example so I have to be suffering. Hamlin says her parents were supportive and have been livid at the festival, but even they couldnt get officials to change their mind. My parents asked them, What are we supposed to do with our daughter now? Shes devastated. What do we do? And [the coordinator] just said, Im not your counselor, Hamlin says. To make amends, Hamlin was allowed to keep the $2,000 scholarship prize money. They were telling me, stay quiet. Were giving you the $2,000, Hamlin says. And my mom said, No, were not staying quiet. Were going to take the $2,000 and were going to be loud about this. And thats what Hamlins doing now. On Friday, she wrote an emotional Facebook post about the issue. Everybody is a teen once and awhile, she said. Im sorry to whoever didnt receive the goddess they wanted and felt the need to sabotage this amazing thing that has happened to me. You clearly dont know me well enough or know the real Taylor Hamlin. I am active throughout our community, in sports, church, and school, she continued. I have truly never felt more swept under the rug. I will always be this years sea goddess in my heart and hopefully in all of yours. Social media does really affect you and it can hurt you a lot, Hamlin says. Im learning a lot from it. I honestly feel better now. I wouldnt want to represent someone whos doing this to me anyway. Ultimately, Hamlin who will be starting her freshman year at the University of Maine at the end of the month to study business in hopes of being a fashion stylist is just sad she couldnt have had the chance to give back to the community. Ever since I was 2, I had been volunteering at the Lobster Festival, Hamlin says. My aunt was on the board. She had always been like, Youre going to be up there one day. Shed have me practicing my waves as a little kid. She taught me to volunteer and showed me how to be active in the community. So I knew this was going to be a good opportunity to form a closer bond with this community before I left for school. Too bad. FILE PHOTO - U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un shake hands during the signing of a document after their summit at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore FILE PHOTO - U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un shake hands during the signing of a document after their summit at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore June 12, 2018. Susan Walsh/Pool via Reuters/File Photo By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean state media on Monday urged the United States to drop sanctions, as South Korea said it was investigating nine cases of coal shipments that potentially violated U.N. resolutions. Pyongyang had demonstrated good faith by ending nuclear weapons testing and returning the remains of U.S. troops killed in the 1950-53 Korean War, and the resolutions had lost a reason to exist, said the Rodong Sinmun, a mouthpiece of the ruling Workers' Party. The statements came days after a confidential United Nations report concluded that North Korea had not halted nuclear and missile programmes, in breach of U.N. resolutions, and continued illegal trade in oil, coal and other commodities. South Korea is examining nine cases in which coal from North Korea disguised as Russian products was possibly brought in, Seoul's foreign ministry and customs officials said. They declined to detail the number of ships or identify the companies involved, saying the investigation was in the final phase following raids and forensic analysis, but some cases might prove lawful. North Korea and the United States vowed to work to end Pyongyang's weapons programmes at a landmark summit in June in Singapore, but have struggled to reach a pact to meet that goal. The Rodong Sinmun accused Washington of "acting opposite" to its plan to improve ties, despite goodwill gestures by Pyongyang, such as a moratorium on nuclear and missile tests, the dismantling of a nuclear site, and the return of the remains of U.S. soldiers killed in the Korean War. "There have been outrageous arguments coming out of the U.S. State Department that it won't ease sanctions until a denuclearisation is completed, and reinforcing sanctions is a way to raise its negotiating power," it said in an editorial. "How could the sanctions, which were a stick the U.S. administration had brandished as part of its hostile policy against us, promote the two countries' amity?" Story continues The editorial, which accompanied front-page articles and photographs of leader Kim Jong Un's visit to a catfish farm, was a fresh sign of Pyongyang's frustration over the slow-moving nuclear talks. Under President Donald Trump, the United States pushed the United Nations to impose tough sanctions on North Korea as Kim conducted a string of missile and nuclear tests last year. At a security forum on Saturday, the two sides sparred over the Singapore pact, with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling for sanctions against Pyongyang to be maintained, and his North Korean counterpart, Ri Yong Ho, criticising Washington for "retreating" from ending the war. Pompeo suggested the North's continued work on its weapons programmes was inconsistent with Kim's commitment to denuclearise, but expressed optimism it would be achieved. Returning to Washington, Pompeo played down the exchange with Ri, saying the tone was far different from last year. "The minister made very clear of their continued commitment to denuclearize," Pompeo told reporters travelling with him. "I probably don't have his words exactly right, but it's pretty close. Compare the anger, frankly, over years and years, and hatred, as spewed by the North Koreans; his comments were different." North Korea's propaganda websites on Monday also urged the United States to drop sanctions and build trust. One of them, Uriminzokkiri, lambasted the sanctions and pressure campaign as "anachronistic" and a hurdle to better relations, urging efforts to officially declare an end to the Korean War. The Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving the U.S.-led United Nations forces, including South Korea, technically still at war with the North. The State Department has said it is committed to building a peace mechanism to replace the armistice, but only after the North abandons its nuclear programme. Maeri, another North Korean website, stressed the need for U.S. action to build confidence in response to the North's moves to end weapons programmes and send back the remains. "It takes two to tango," it said. Kim Eui-kyeom, a spokesman for South Korea's presidential Blue House, said on Monday the government was asking the North to hasten denuclearisation and the United States to show sincerity over the North's demands for reciprocal steps. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Clarence Fernandez) MOSCOW (AP) Russia says it has responded quid pro quo to the expulsion of two Russian diplomats from Greece. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Monday that it summoned Greek Ambassador Andreas Friganas to announce Moscow's retaliatory response to the "unfriendly actions" by Athens. The ministry didn't name the Greek diplomats ordered to leave. Greece expelled the diplomats who were based at the Russian Embassy in Athens last month amid allegations they helped fund protests against a pending agreement between Greece and neighboring Macedonia that would enable Macedonia to join NATO. Russian officials have rejected the allegations and argued that the Greek government levied the accusation under pressure from NATO allies. Russia has strongly opposed NATO expansion to countries that once were under Moscow's influence. Reuters LONDON (Reuters) -Britain is fully in compliance with the rules of its post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union, and wants further talks with French and EU officials over why a UK trawler has been detained by France, a government spokesman said on Thursday. Earlier on Thursday Britain condemned France's seizure of a British fishing boat in French waters as "disproportionate" in a dispute over post-Brexit fishing rights that risks spinning out of control. A spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said London's ambassador to France was in touch with Paris's Europe minister over the matter and Britain's Environment, Food and Rural Affairs minister was working with the EU commissioners. Flying Brands has added David Smith to its board to take on the roles of chief operating officer and chief executive of its two operating businesses, StoneChecker Software and Imaging Biometrics, with immediate effect. Smith, who has a 30-year history of building life sciences businesses in Europe and the United States, joined Flying Brands from Biocompatibles, where he initiated the group's ophthalmology and cardiology businesses, resulting in sales growth from nothing to more than 40m per year. Trevor Brown, Flying Brands' group chief executive, said, "I am delighted to welcome David to Flying Brands." "I believe that the company will benefit greatly from the breadth of his experience, not only from his proven ability to actualize strategic vision into strongly growing revenue, but also from applying his deep knowledge of the US medical market to our growing Artificial Intelligence product portfolio," Brown added. Back in July, Flying Brands raised 500,000 as a result of a share placing to fund the design and manufacture of a commercial version of a cloud-based interface for its StoneChecker software. The medical imaging software firm placed 20m shares onto the London Stock Exchange at a price of 2.5p each. Flying Brands will also use the monies raised from the placing to help it obtain FDA clearance for StoneChecker, begin commercial sales of the software in the UK and launch both StoneChecker and its Imaging Biometrics' products commercially in the US, India and China. As of 1040 BST, Flying Brands shares had picked up 2.98% to 2.32p. UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond has reportedly warned senior City figures to prepare for a French-led attempt by the EU to bind Britains financial services sector in red tape after Brexit and grab business from London. He also told businessmen at a private meeting that they should not expect him to cut business taxes for several years, in spite of warnings from US banks that London was losing its competitive edge against New York, the Financial Times reported citing a note made of the discussion. Hammond urged financial services chiefs to work with the Treasury and the Bank of England to develop alternative pathways for growth to compensate for any loss of business in Europe. He also reportedly said that current low US tax rates were unsustainable, according to the note made at the meeting in Hammond's 11 Downing Street residence last month and seen by the newspaper. Some senior figures in the Treasury believe Donald Trump will lose the next US presidential election and that the Democrats will reverse his tax cuts, removing any fiscal edge New York might enjoy over London. Hammond predicted the EU would initially hold Britain close, to minimise disruption to the continents capital markets but Brussels would eventually pass regulations to hobble the City. Britain would then have a choice of whether to comply with the new regulations or ignore them, with a consequent loss of EU market access. It is important that the UK is able to display in parallel, a strategy to grow non-European financial services business, such that the threat to pull out of EU arrangements is seen to be real, Hammond is reported to have said. The chancellor also claimed that it was only France that seemed interested in politically motivated rule changes because of the desire of Paris to seize business from London. In June, France proposed that foreign investment banks based in third countries, such as the UK after Brexit, should not receive a blank cheque to operate in the EU and should face tighter controls. The Trump administration will launch its first round of sanctions against Iran after midnight on Monday, targeting gold, aluminium, pistachios and carpets. Banks and companies in danger of being affected by the reimposition of the sanctions were given 90 days to prepare after President Trump opted to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in May, a move which sent Irans currency plummeting and caused protests in the Middle Eastern nation. Dennis Ross, who has worked on Middle East policy in four US administrations, said: "It's pretty clear the Iranians are suffering a fair degree of anger over the economy." Sanctions on Irans oil exports and energy sector industry, the prime drivers behind its economy, will go back into effect after 4 November, according to a senior US official. Richard Nephew, the lead sanctions expert to the US team that negotiated the 2015 deal, said the harsh nature of the Trump administrations sanctions would end "wishful thinking" that the threat of sanctions was merely a feint to "rejuvenate the diplomatic process". The move has proved internationally divisive, with European officials viewing the agreement as crucial to their national security and international inspectors having concluded that Iran is complying with the 2015 accord. Companies such as Airbus, Boeing and car manufacturer Peugeot have already seen investments and contracts scuppered or endangered by the sanctions despite European attempts to block companies from US imposed penalties. Other countries have been reluctant to adhere to the Trump administrations sanctions as well, with reports last week suggesting that China will reject US demands to scale down imports of Iranian oil. Writing in Foreign Affairs, Dina Esfandiary and Ariane Tabatabai said: "Today, as Washington once again seeks to tighten the screws, Tehran sees its relationship with Beijing as key to remaining afloat. Chinese engagement with Iran might pave the ground for others to follow suit, which would undermine the new U.S. pressure campaign." The White House appears to be gambling on the use of sanctions to secure a better deal with Iran than was managed by the Obama administration, which had agreed to lift sanctions in exchange for the imposition of limitations on Iran's nuclear programme. Trumps additional demands include stricter restrictions on Irans nuclear programme, a halt to its ballistic missile program and release US citizens imprisoned in the country. London stocks finished higher on Monday, but only because of renewed weakness in sterling, which fell to an 11-month low against the US dollar due to Brexit concerns. The FTSE 100 was up 0.06% or 4.68 point at 7,663.78, while the pound was trading down 0.46% against the Greenback to 1.29389 and by 0.4% versus the euro to 1.1195 after international trade secretary Liam Fox said the probability of a no-deal Brexit was now at 60-40. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Fox pinned the blame on the European Commission and Brussels' chief negotiator Michel Barnier. A weaker pound tends to boost the top-flight index as around 70% of its constituents derive most of their earnings from abroad. Investors were also digesting the latest trade war rhetoric from US President Trump over the weekend, after he defended his use of tariffs at a rally in Ohio on Saturday and said he now has the upper hand over China. On Friday, China had unveiled plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on $60bn worth of US imports. IG analyst Chris Beauchamp said: "It has been a classic August session today, as silly season gets into its stride." Miners were on the back foot, weighed down by concerns about China's economic growth and a stronger dollar, with Rio Tinto, Anglo and Antofagasta all in the red. HSBC slipped as it said pre-tax profits rose 5% to $10.7bn (8.23bn), reflecting a net favourable movement in significant items and favourable currency translation. However, adjusted profit before tax of $12.1bn was 2% lower, as revenue growth and lower expected credit losses were partly offset by higher operating expenses. The bank also announced the appointment of Jonathan Symonds, formerly chairman of HSBC Bank plc, as its deputy chairman. IWG slumped after saying it has called off the months-long talks with three suitors, Starwood, Terra Firma and TDR, as the serviced office company's directors believe none of them "capable" of buying the business for a price they could recommend to shareholders. IWG also posted a 7.1% rise in in interim group revenue to 1.2bn, but a 31% drop in operating profit to 60.0m. Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com, said: "If you consider that IWG has been in talks with multiple potential partners but failed to agree terms with any of them; either it's reflective of management's confidence in the future growth or they're holding out for too high a price. "They clearly have an eye on the kind of valuation that WeWork enjoys and think they should be achieving something similar. But this corporate Penelope may be playing it too cool." Spire Healthcare tumbled after warning that 2018 earnings will be "materially" lower than the previous year amid weakness in the NHS business. Low-cost carrier easyJet finished a touch higher as it said passenger numbers rose 4.5% year-on-year and the load factor improved 0.1 percentage points to 96.9%. Wizz Air was also in the green after posting a 23% jump in passenger numbers for July. Ultra Electronics was on the front foot despite reporting a drop in first-half profit as it took a hit from cost overruns on certain development contracts, as its order book increased. Synthomer rallied as it said interim underlying pre-tax profit increased 6.4% and backed its full-year expectations and John Laing Infrastructure Fund advanced as it agreed to a takeover by a consortium of funds for 1.4bn. In broker note action, Morgan Advanced Materials was upgraded to 'buy' at Berenberg , Mitie was upgraded to 'buy' at Stifel, and William Hill was lifted to 'overweight' at Barclays. TP ICAP was boosted to 'buy' by Peel Hunt, while Ferrexpo was lifted to 'outperform' at Credit Suisse. Quilter was initiated at 'neutral' by JPMorgan and at 'buy' by Goldman Sachs, while IG Group was downgraded to 'sell' at Shore Capital. Elsewhere, Credit Suisse downgraded its stance on UK equities to 'benchmark' from 'overweight', noting that since the upgrade at the end of April, they have outperformed euro area stocks by around 3% and global stocks by around 1%. It cited a more cautious view on commodities and said a relatively soft Brexit is likely, which should support sterling. In addition, the bank said the UK equity market is now overbought, adding that it underperforms 70% of the time this happens. Market Movers FTSE 100 (UKX) 7,663.78 0.06% FTSE 250 (MCX) 20,639.38 0.02% techMARK (TASX) 3,601.62 0.36% FTSE 100 - Risers Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) 2,118.00p 1.97% BT Group (BT.A) 238.50p 1.75% GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 1,578.40p 1.62% Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) 3,262.00p 1.49% Ashtead Group (AHT) 2,333.00p 1.21% Barratt Developments (BDEV) 534.80p 1.13% BP (BP.) 566.80p 1.12% Sage Group (SGE) 667.00p 1.06% Ferguson (FERG) 6,041.00p 1.02% Persimmon (PSN) 2,461.00p 0.98% FTSE 100 - Fallers Fresnillo (FRES) 980.60p -3.34% Micro Focus International (MCRO) 1,190.50p -3.13% Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 252.00p -2.25% Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 5,494.00p -2.07% Antofagasta (ANTO) 942.60p -1.77% Rio Tinto (RIO) 3,923.00p -1.73% British Land Company (BLND) 645.60p -1.59% Mondi (MNDI) 2,201.00p -1.57% Just Eat (JE.) 794.00p -1.54% Glencore (GLEN) 314.00p -1.29% FTSE 250 - Risers TP ICAP (TCAP) 292.40p 4.43% Drax Group (DRX) 363.80p 3.71% John Laing Infrastructure Fund Ltd (JLIF) 144.80p 3.43% Sirius Minerals (SXX) 38.70p 3.26% Go-Ahead Group (GOG) 1,563.00p 3.03% Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 1,677.50p 2.88% HICL Infrastructure Company Ltd (HICL) 162.00p 2.79% Synthomer (SYNT) 533.50p 2.60% Sophos Group (SOPH) 517.50p 2.58% Morgan Advanced Materials (MGAM) 360.40p 2.56% FTSE 250 - Fallers Spire Healthcare Group (SPI) 193.40p -21.76% IWG (IWG) 238.50p -20.50% Essentra (ESNT) 477.60p -5.80% Softcat (SCT) 795.00p -5.02% Just Group (JUST) 101.30p -3.89% Millennium & Copthorne Hotels (MLC) 497.50p -3.40% Capita (CPI) 128.85p -3.05% Thomas Cook Group (TCG) 85.65p -2.95% Kaz Minerals (KAZ) 592.80p -2.76% IG Group Holdings (IGG) 894.50p -2.67% An unexpectedly weak reading on German factory orders at the start of the week helped to underline the impact that uncertainty around global trade was already having on the euro area's largest economy. In the background meantime, the news headlines were dominated throughout much of the session by the ongoing trade spat, especially between China and the US, although some equity analysts remained somewhat upbeat. "Trade concerns continue to buffet market sentiment, with the US and China taking turns to threaten further tariffs," said Mike van Dulken at Accendo Markets. Against that backdrop, by the end of trading the benchmark Stoxx 600 had slipped by 0.13% or 0.50 points to 388.66, alongside a fall of 0.14% or 17.55 points to 12,598.21 for the German Dax. The FTSE Mibtel meanwhile was down by 0.26% or 57.09 points to 21,529.80. In parallel, euro/dollar was off by 0.11% to 1.1556 as the Greenback strengthened amid the heightened risk aversion. Data published on Monday revealed an unusually sharp - and very much unexpected - 4.0% month-on-month decline in German factory orders in June, with those coming from outside the single currency bloc shrinking by 5.9%. On the back of those figures, economists at Barclays Research cut their forecast for the quarterly rate of German GDP growth over the three months to June by two tenths of a percentage point to 0.4%. Regarding China, at the weekend, the US president claimed his country had gained the upper hand in its trade dispute with the Asian giant, to which China's Global Times responded in a Sunday editorial that Beijing was prepared for a "protracted war" and did not fear incurring in short-term economic costs. "Considering the unreasonable U.S. demands, a trade war is an act that aims to crush China's economic sovereignty, trying to force China to be a U.S. economic vassal," the Global Times, a tabloid which some observers believe is a pseudo mouthpiece for officials Beijing, said. Also making itself felt in markets, speaking at the Aspen Institute's 25th Annual Summer Celebration Gala on Saturday, JP Morgan boss, Jamie Dimon, said investors should be prepared to see yield on 10-year US government debt reach 5.0% or more. However, Dimon also said the current bull markt for stocks might yet extend for another two or three years. On the corporate front, industrial gases firm Linde was in the spotlight after the US Federal Trade Commission said it and US rival Praxair may need to sell more assets before their tie-up can be approved. Also in Germany, Moody's lowered its rating on Deutsche Bank's senior debt from Baa2 to Baa3. Healthcare and life science company Arix Bioscience has acquired an 11% interest in Australian pharmaceutical research company Pharmaxis , it announced on Monday. The London-listed firm said the AUD 24m (13.4m) primary placing was led by Arix Bioscience, and included participation from existing investors BVF Partners, supported by other existing shareholders. Arix invested AUD 14.2m in a two-tranche placement, and following shareholder approval of the second tranche, would hold around 11% of the total outstanding shares of Pharmaxis. The Pharmaxis board had approved the nomination of Arixs Edward Rayner to join it at the extraordinary general meeting in September. We are very pleased to have led Pharmaxis successful financing as it continues to build its position as a world leader in mechanism-based inhibitors of amine oxidases for patients suffering from fibrotic and inflammatory diseases, said Arix chief executive officer Joe Anderson. This is the first investment in a public company that Arix has led and reflects our flexibility and commitment to providing capital to innovative companies with strong leadership teams. We see a number of opportunities to help build high value companies through our VIPE strategy. In addition, Anderson said it was Arixs first investment in a company based in Australia, which he said demonstrated its growing global reach where the board saw a rich landscape of science and companies. We look forward to supporting Pharmaxis ambitious and internationally-experienced management team in developing these potentially first-in-class treatments for patients while we continue to build value for our shareholders. Britain faces a Japanese-style future of permanently weak economic growth if immigration drops steeply in the years after Brexit, as forecasts indicate the working age population could start to shrink in just nine years time. As a result the economy would stagnate, investment would slow as businesses see their customer base fall, and Government finances would be put under immense strain as larger numbers of pensioners would have to be supported by fewer workers. - Telegraph Downing Street has insisted that Theresa May is confident of securing a Brexit deal with Brussels despite Liam Foxs assertion that the UK appears set to crash out of the EU without reaching an agreement. Whitehall sources said they believed there was only a very small chance of the government failing to secure a deal, but that preparations were being stepped up in what they described as the unlikely event of that taking place. - Guardian Confidence among British business leaders has declined significantly and remains low, according to two reports that suggest the lack of progress over Brexit continues to cast a shadow over the UK economy. A poll of FTSE 350 businesses by ICSA: the Governance Institute found that 55% of UK company board members are predicting a decline in their business over the coming year, down from 24% six months ago. - Guardian The services sector contracted for the first time in eight years last month amid growing fears about a possible no-deal exit from the European Union. The BDO Output Index recorded a drop of more than two points in services output in July, pushing the survey into negative territory for the first time since early 2010. - The Times Brussels will break its own laws if it refuses to compromise on Brexit, ministers have warned their European counterparts. The EU keeps stalling and bringing the prospect of no deal ever closer, they say, even though the Lisbon Treaty requires it to do everything it can to find a workable arrangement with Britain. - Telegraph Women will have to give up work to look after their ageing parents and grandparents unless EU care workers are given priority after Brexit, ministers have warned. The Department of Health said that in a "worst case scenario" if EU migrants are barred from coming to the UK there will be a shortfall of 6,000 doctors, 12,000 nurses and 28,000 care staff within five years. - Telegraph The government is set to boost defence spending by about 800 million this year but has ruled out a new multi-year settlement, The Times understands. Gavin Williamson, the defence secretary, began a review of defence capabilities in January and is fighting behind the scenes for more cash for his department. City tycoon Michael Spencer has quietly become chairman of investment firm FCFM after snapping up more than 90pc of the groups shares. Sources told The Daily Telegraph that the former Conservative Party treasurer, who is selling his business Nex to US exchange giant CME for 3.9bn, has replaced ex-Numis boss Oliver Hemsley as chairman after buying a controlling stake in the Knightsbridge-based business for a valuation of 57m. Rupert Murdoch must table a new 26bn-plus offer for Sky this week or see rival Comcast become the new owner of Europes biggest pay-TV broadcaster. Under UK takeover rules, Murdochs 21st Century Fox has until the end of Thursday to table a new bid to take control of the 61% of Sky he does not already own. - Guardian Landlords have dropped a legal challenge against House of Frasers plan to possibly close more than half its stores, making it easier for the embattled department store to broker a rescue deal. The case, which was due to be heard in Edinburghs court of session next week, was settled over the weekend. The terms of the agreement are not being made public but are thought to include financial compensation. - Guardian The government could be paying Amazon more for web services than the technology giant pays in tax, figures suggest. Public sector bodies spent 11.8 million of taxpayers money with Amazon Web Services in the first three months of this year, suggesting an annual spend of almost 50 million. - The Times Scientists are calling for a temporary ban on oil drilling in Surrey after 12 earthquakes in four months. Four senior geologists say that there are risks to health and the environment from unstable geology that had not been identified when permission was granted for several oil exploration sites, including two a few miles from the earthquake epicentres. - The Times Canadian craft beer makers are facing an aluminium drought amid Donald Trumps trade war. Small brewers are struggling to source cans amid increased demand for the metal and supply chain disruption. In the wake of the tariffs being confirmed, large soft drink makers stocked up on the metal, leading to the current supply shortage, leaving small independent companies in trouble. - Telegraph Applications to build an additional 35,000 homes on green belt land were submitted last year, taking the total number proposed for construction on protected land to a record 460,000. New data from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) released on Monday showed that more than 24,000 homes were constructed in the UKs green belts in the past nine years. - Guardian The Big Four auditors have been prioritising their profits ahead of making the best professional judgments, one of the Citys most influential investors has claimed. Standard Life Aberdeen, which controls 655 billion of assets, has held a series of meetings with the boards of companies in the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 indices to try to convince them to consider appointing a player outside of the Big Four. - The Times Investec is facing a fifth consecutive year of investor revolt after shareholders were urged to oust the chairman for her troubling response to City anger. Influential advisory group Glass Lewis told investors to rebel against Zarina Bassas re-election at Wednesdays annual general meeting over a failure to quell dissent sparked by excessive boardroom pay. - Telegraph The general manager of an offshore company connected with Beaufort Securities has pleaded guilty in the United States to a money-laundering conspiracy and a second defendant has been extradited from Hungary as the net appears to be tightening five months after the collapse of the City stockbroker. Arvinsingh Vinesh Canaye, a Mauritian citizen who ran Beaufort Management from the Indian Ocean island, was one of six individual defendants named in a US indictment issued in March hours after Beaufort Securities had been shut down by the City regulator over fears that it was insolvent. - The Times Virgin has been awarded almost 2bn worth of NHS contracts over the past five years as Richard Bransons company has quietly become one of the UKs leading healthcare providers, Guardian analysis has found. In one year alone, the companys health arm, Virgin Care, won deals potentially worth 1bn to provide services around England, making it the biggest winner among private companies bidding for NHS work over the period. - Guardian The UK economy could benefit from more people of all ages attending university, a report has concluded. It also suggests the advance of automation, robotics, artificial intelligence and digital technology, as well as the challenges of Brexit and an ageing population are creating greater demand for those with qualifications above level 4. - Guardian Miners were on the back foot and dominated the FTSE 100 fallers board on Monday, weighed down by concerns about China's economic growth and a stronger dollar, with Rio Tinto , Anglo , Glancore , Fesnillo and Antofagasta all in the red. HSBC also slipped as it said pre-tax profits rose 5% to $10.7bn (8.23bn), reflecting a net favourable movement in significant items and favourable currency translation. However, adjusted profit before tax of $12.1bn was 2% lower, as revenue growth and lower expected credit losses were partly offset by higher operating expenses. Adjusted profit before tax of $12.1bn was 2% lower, as revenue growth and lower expected credit losses were partly offset by higher operating expenses. Revenue rose by 4% to $27.3bn. Operating expenses of $17.5bn were 7% higher, primarily reflecting investments to grow the business, HSBC said. The bank has poured money into its retail and investment banking units in Hong Kong and China. Low-cost carrier easyJet flew a touch lower as it said passenger numbers rose 4.5% year-on-year and the load factor improved 0.1 percentage points to 96.9%. The airline added that on a rolling 12-month basis, passenger numbers through July were up 6.2% to 83,639,260, while its load factor grew 1.4 percentage points to 93.6%. Ashtead led the risers after a 'buy' recommendation from broker Jeffries. Market Movers FTSE 100 (UKX) 7,645.40 -0.18% FTSE 100 - Risers Ashtead Group (AHT) 2,334.00p 1.26% GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 1,571.80p 1.20% Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) 2,100.00p 1.11% BT Group (BT.A) 236.95p 1.09% Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) 3,246.00p 1.00% InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) 4,751.00p 0.83% ITV (ITV) 165.30p 0.82% Associated British Foods (ABF) 2,462.00p 0.78% Barratt Developments (BDEV) 532.40p 0.68% Berkeley Group Holdings (The) (BKG) 3,699.00p 0.63% FTSE 100 - Fallers Fresnillo (FRES) 970.40p -4.35% Micro Focus International (MCRO) 1,189.00p -3.25% Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 249.90p -3.06% Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 5,474.00p -2.42% Rio Tinto (RIO) 3,905.00p -2.18% Just Eat (JE.) 789.00p -2.16% Glencore (GLEN) 312.45p -1.78% Mondi (MNDI) 2,197.00p -1.74% Kingfisher (KGF) 289.20p -1.70% British Land Company (BLND) 645.80p -1.55% Americans are familiar with the successes and achievements of the presidents in office, but sometimes, the secrets and intricacies of their wives were just as interesting. First Ladies are meant to be revered, or at least they were in times past. Most of them managed to hide any scandal from the press, which was significantly more forgiving in those years. Here are seven First Ladies you may not know had a less than perfect lives. 1) Julia Tyler Julia Tyler was born Julia Gardiner in 1820 to a wealthy state senator, David Gardiner and his wife Juliana, nee McLachlan. They lived in Long Island and she enjoyed a wealthy lifestyle. She later married President John Tyler, who was 30 years older than her. He was the first president to marry while in office. But before she married him, she caused quite a scandal for her family and their wealthy friends. Julia Gardiner Tyler, First Lady USA was thirty years younger than the 10th POTUS, John Tyler - Wiki commons pub domain pic.twitter.com/Z9EHJJcAyL Jane Flowers (@zimkwacha) August 6, 2018 Sent away for a year to quieten the scandal In her biography written by Betty Boyd Caroli, Brittanica noted that when she was 20-years-old she shocked her family and embarrassed friends when she lent her likeness to an advert for a department store. The family was so shocked by this behavior that they sent her away overseas and kept her there for a year until the scandal died down. When she returned, she met, and a soon fell in love with incumbent president John Tyler. Her parents were unhappy as he was so much older than her. A couple of years later her father died when the Princeton Frigate blew up, and the wedding went ahead. Discuss this news on Eunomia She only lived in the White House for eight months, but apparently was very charming. 2) Abigail Fillmore Abigail Fillmore, nee Powers, became the wife of the 13th president of America, Millard Fillmore long before he rose to power. She became a school teacher at the age of 16 in New Hope, NY and met her future husband. He was one of her students and was two years younger than her. They married in 1826 and she continued teaching. Millard's political career took them to Buffalo and she often left the kids at home to travel with him. Abigail Fillmore, First Lady avoided public receptions at the White Hosue and got her daughter to stand in for her. pic.twitter.com/VSbRAsOa2e Jane Flowers (@zimkwacha) August 6, 2018 Disliked White House receptions and got her daughter to stand in for her When Millard became the POTUS, she demanded a library in the White House and got funding for it. She enjoyed entertaining intellectuals like William Thackeray and Charles Dickens. But she disliked and avoided the receptions and public functions, so she trained her daughter to stand in for her. Her health was not good and she died on March 10 from pneumonia after getting a cold at the inauguration of Millard's successor, Franklin Pierce. 3) Lucretia Garfield Lucretia Garfield, nee Rudolph was well-educated and met James Garfield at Western Reserve Eclectic Institute where they were both students. They became married eight years later but James once described her as dull. She was independent-minded, but when James began his tenure in the White House, strangely, she refused to endorse the Woman Suffrage movement. Perhaps this was because she never publicly disagreed with her husband's politics. First Lady Lucretia Garfield was independent-minded but refused to endorse Woman Suffrage movement- Library of Congress - pic.twitter.com/8wqJ0NJfnX Jane Flowers (@zimkwacha) August 6, 2018 Refused to ban alcohol in the White House A little bit more out there, for her time, she also refused to stick with the White House ban on alcohol, despite disapproval from prohibition advocates. But her time in the White House was cut short after James was shot at the train station in 1881 and he died shortly thereafter. 4) Elizabeth Monroe Elizabeth Monroe, nee Kortright. She married James Monroe who became the fifth president. Her time in the White House, from 181725 seemed to mainly annoy people - a lot. She'd spent time in Europe and was considered rather too European for American tastes. In France, she was known as "la belle americaine." She was thoroughly disliked in Washington, although she was admittedly beautiful. First lady Elizabeth Monroe was so insulting, legislators wives complained and it was only resolved at a cabinet meeting - Library of Congress pic.twitter.com/B3ndMjYzFC Jane Flowers (@zimkwacha) August 6, 2018 She was so insulting it was discussed in Congress In fact, she was so insulting to the wives of other legislators that they were enraged and the matter ended up being discussed in Congress. She refused to call on the wives of dignitaries and snubbed society by holding a private wedding for her daughter. 5) Bess Truman Bess Truman, nee Elizabeth Virginia Wallace, was the wife of Harry S. Truman, who was the POTUS from 1945 to 1953. They were childhood sweethearts, though she refused his first proposal. There were no major scandals or even much to gossip about as she was such a quiet and reserved person. People simply hardly ever saw her and during political campaigns, in her own words, she just sat there making sure her "hat was on straight." In fact, she became known for her elaborate hats rather than for an engaging personality. She disliked the lack of privacy in Washington and spent as much time as she could back home in Livingston. Bess Truman First Lady 1945 to 1953 escaped Washington as often as she could and despised the lack of privacy. - Truman Library USA pic.twitter.com/iEXxUIdS3o Jane Flowers (@zimkwacha) August 6, 2018 Bess avoided Washington and only ever gave one press conference She tried to avoid Washington unless it was the social season, and that was when she really was expected to be present and couldn't get out of it. She disliked it intensely and struggled with people and only ever gave one reluctant press conference. She did carry out work with the Red Cross but did only as much institutional work as was demanded of her. These days, people may be more understanding about her desire to be unencumbered with social niceties. Her father committed suicide when she was a child which affected her personality. 6) Rachel Jackson Rachel Jackson never became the First Lady when her husband Andrew Jackson was POTUS between 182937. But she's in here as society and the press would have made her life a pure misery. She died three months before his inauguration. There were all sorts of gossip and scandal about her and her husband, and it even extended to her mother. She came from a Virginia family and later married Lewis Robards. However, he was abusive and committed adultery. They separated in 1790 and he filed for divorce. But unknown to her, the divorce was never finalized. Her lawyer, Andrew helped her through the legal maze. Rachel Jackson never got be First lady and she married POTUS Andrew while she was still married to another man. She was slandered and hated - Wikimedia pic.twitter.com/np0W0dtFNu Jane Flowers (@zimkwacha) August 6, 2018 She married Andrew Jackson while she was still married They mistakenly thought the divorce was done and dusted, but legally she was still married when they got married. She was accused of adultery and they had to get married a second time. Jackson's political campaigning was full of accusations that his wife was not sophisticated as she smoked a corn cob pipe. She was labeled a bigamist, her husband, an adulterer and Andrew's mother was termed "as a prostitute." She died from a heart attack while suffering terrible depression just before Andrews's inauguration. 7) Jane Pierce Jane was born Jane Appleton and married Franklin Pierce who was the 14th POTUS. During his political career in the Senate and House of Representatives, she blamed political connections for his overindulgence in alcohol. She became obsessed with idea that family tragedies like the death of their child were connected to Franklin's political ambitions. In 1842 she convinced him to resign from politics and he later refused other offices like Governor of New Hampshire. When a second son died, she became ill and fainted when the Democrats nominated him for president. First Lady Jane Pierce was convinced God was punishing her husband for being a politician. She never left the living quarters of the WH for two years - Wikimedia pic.twitter.com/2VMCKPsKJn Jane Flowers (@zimkwacha) August 6, 2018 Confined herself to the White House living quarters When a third son died in a train accident, she was convinced God didn't like Franklin in politics. She refused to attend the inauguration and had nothing to do with anybody in Washington. She cloistered herself in the White House living quarters for two years and passed her time writing letters to her dead son. She only did occasional duties thereafter. The latest updates and spoilers for "Avengers 4" reveal the possible future of Captain America villain, Red Skull, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Film directors Joe and Anthony Russo teased the possibility of his next appearance during Vudu's viewing party in "Avengers: Infinity War." Marvel Studios president, Kevin Feige, also revealed his plans for the Phase 4 in the MCU, particularly the actors who are tipped to leave the film franchise due to their contract obligations. The fourth film marks the end of Phase 3 as the surviving heroes must figure out a way to save the universe after Thanos used the full power of the Infinity Stones. The Russo Brothers on Red Skull's return According to Screen Rant, the Russo Brothers answered fan questions about Red Skull during the "Infinity War" viewing party. The questions that were asked include Red Skull leaving planet Vormir and his desire to obtain absolute power. The official "Infinity War" Twitter page posted their answers and it revealed that he is free to leave Vormir and he is after one of the stones. Red Skull is free to leave Vormir, and he is also free to pursue his desire for an Infinity Stone. - Russo Brothers #InfinityWar #VuduViewingParty https://t.co/BoQCFbYPUv The Avengers (@Avengers) August 4, 2018 Red Skull first appeared in "Captain America: The First Avenger" as the leader of HYDRA during World War 2. He was also the product of the failed Super Soldier program that left him disfigured. He used the war as cover up to find the Tesseract and weaponized to conquer the world. Steve Rogers was able to foil his final plan and the Tesseract seemingly destroyed him. However, he survived the encounter the ended up in Vormir as the Soul Stone's guardian. Discuss this news on Eunomia He helped Thanos obtain the stone by telling him to sacrifice the one he loves, his adopted daughter Gamora. Red Skull's return to earth spell trouble for Steve and the Avengers, considering he still craves power and will absolutely do anything to achieve his goal. Replacing actors in the MCU Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige told The Costco Connection that he is aware of the expiration of some of the actors' contracts in the franchise, he has not made any concrete solution for that and plans to pan it out after "Avengers 4." "They do change with the times," Feige told The Costco Connection. "I have no doubt that all of our actors, who are in peak physical shape, have got another 50 years in them to be heroes." Marvel fans are wondering if they will see the deaths of founding members as it is rumored that Tony Stark will make the ultimate sacrifice to undo Thanos's work in the movie. This will also mark the beginning of a new team of Earth's Mightiest Heroes which include Spider-Man, Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, Ant-Man, and The Wasp. Part of the iconic Yellowstone National Park is in Idaho and it is just the beginning of many things to do in this beautiful state. For outdoor enthusiasts, there is fantastic skiing on Schweitzer Mountain, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and fishing on the Big Wood River. If you are traveling with kids, don't miss Roaring Springs Waterpark and Silver Mountain Resort. Art lovers can immerse themselves in the world of visual art at the Boise Art Museum, and garden enthusiasts can head to the Idaho Botanical Garden. Certain attractions may be temporarily closed or require advance reservations. Some restaurants are currently offering pickup only. Hours/availability may have changed. 1. Lava Hot Springs Lava Hot Springs Lava Hot Springs is a curious little city in the Portneuf River valley, on the route of the old Oregon and California Trails, which developed as the popularity of the nearby Lava Hot Springs grew. In the late 1800s, the land and the springs, which were part of the Fort Hall reservation, were bought from the Indians by the United States Government. The hot springs are rich in minerals and were known for their healing properties by the original inhabitants, the Shoshone-Bannock people, who called them Poha-Ba, the Land of Healing Waters. Today, the Hot Springs are under the management of the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation's Lava Hot Springs Foundation. Lava Hot Springs are famous for five hot pools where temperature ranges from 102 to 112, as well as the Olympic pool, water slides, diving platforms, Indoor Aquatic Center and Portneuf Kiddie Cove. 430 East Main, Lava Hot Springs, ID 83246, Phone: 208-776-5221 2. Lake Coeur d'Alene Lake Coeur d'Alene Lake Coeur d'Alene is a natural lake next to the city of Coeur d'Alene. It is 25 miles long, and from 1 to 3 miles wide. In the past, it was used to transport lumber, but today, it is a popular tourist destination for many because of its wonderful beaches, scenic views and endless opportunities for outdoor activities. The North Idaho Centennial Trail runs along the lake's north shore and is very popular among hikers, bikers and joggers. Many other trails circle the lake and offer spectacular views. Water sports are, naturally, very popular. You can boat, kayak, fish, sail, and swim in the crystal clear water. One of the popular activities is watching bald eagles feeding on the kokanee in the Wolf Lodge Bay. Things to Do in Coeur d'Alene You are reading "25 Best Things to Do in Idaho" Back to Top 3. Activities Near Me: Idaho Botanical Garden Idaho Botanical Garden What was once the grounds and the tree nursery of the historic State Penitentiary in Boise's Old Penitentiary Historic District, is today a living museum that holds a diverse botanical collection, educational programs, high quality entertainment and numerous cultural and community events. This lush 15-acre mosaic of pleasant shade and splashes of color contains domestic and Idaho native plants that are well adapted to the local conditions. There are more than 800 species from 42 families, planted in 14 distinct specialty gardens. Some of the specialty gardens are: The Water Conservation Landscape, which focuses on plants that require very little water; The Meditation Garden; and the Lewis & Clark Native Plant Garden, which contains 145 plant species that the two explorers collected between Great Falls in Montana and The Dalles in Oregon. 2355 Old Penitentiary Rd, Boise, Idaho 83712, Phone: 208-343-8649 You are reading "25 Best Things to Do in Idaho" Back to Top 4. Things to Do in Idaho: Museum of Clean Museum of Clean Museum of Clean in Pocatello is not a cleaning museum, it has no detergents or brooms; it is a museum of clean. It is an immense 75,000 square foot complex of education, excitement, and inspiration. It is based on the fact that clean dominates everything that affects our life, such as clean air and water, clean language, health, clean bed and floors, clean politics, teeth, jokes, art, even clean arteries. The museum's goal is to present as many dimensions of clean as possible through displays, artifacts and participation. It takes a minimum of an hour and half for a tour with kids, but much longer if you are a history or art buff. 711 S 2nd Ave, Pocatello, Idaho 83201, Phone: 208-236-6906 You are reading "Fun Things to Do in Idaho this Weekend with Friends" Back to Top or More places to see near me today, what to do, weekend trips 5. Things to See Near Me: Silverwood Theme Park Silverwood Theme Park Silverwood Theme Park is located near Coeur d'Alene, about 47 miles from Spokane, Washington. It was opened in 1988 with a bunch of carnival rides, an original steam train that took guests on a loop around the park's property, and a "main street" with various shops and restaurants. Over the years, Silverwood has grown into a major regional theme park and today, stretched on 413-acres, is the biggest theme and water park in the northwest. In 2003, Boulder Beach Water Park was added with its 65 rides, slides, attractions and shows. Some of the most famous are the new Riptide Racer, Aftershock, Corkscrew and Panic Plunge. Things to Do in Spokane 27843 North Highway 95, Athol, Idaho 83801, Phone: 208-683-3400 You are reading "What to Do in Idaho this Weekend" Back to Top or Restaurants near me, stuff to do near me 6. Activities Near Me: The Route of the Hiawatha The Route of the Hiawatha The Route of the Hiawatha is considered the 'crown jewel' of mountain bike adventures, with views that are among the most beautiful in the country. The trail is 15 miles long and has 10 train tunnels and 7 high trestles. One of the most exciting parts of the trail is the 1.66 mile long St. Paul Pass Tunnel. The trail follows the peak of the Bitterroot Mountains close to Lookout Pass Ski Area. Lookout Pass Ski Area, located at the Idaho/Montana state line, serves as the information center, bike rental and service shop. What makes this trail such a wonderful family adventure is that the entire trail goes downhill - shuttle buses will bring you and your bike to the top. Route of the Hiawatha, I-90, Mullan, Idaho 83846, Phone: 208-744-1301 You are reading "Top Romantic Tourist Attractions in Idaho" Back to Top or More must do for couples, what to do near me, places to visit this weekend 7. Yellowstone Bear World Yellowstone Bear World Yellowstone Bear World is a commercial private wildlife park in Rexburg, Idaho, near Yellowstone National Park. Established in 1998, it is the only wildlife reserve in the area that is drive-through. What it means is that the visitors can see gray wolves, grizzly bears, moose, white-tailed deer, bison and other animals indigenous to North America going on about their lives, in their natural habitat, from the comfort and safety of their cars. As a special activity, the visitors are invited behind the scenes, to participate in feedings of bear cubs, in the company of the park animal keepers. There is also a popular petting zoo, which covers one acre of land, on which farm animals and birds live freely. Occasionally, visitors can participate in bottle-feeding of elk calves and deer fawns. 6010 S 4300 W, Rexburg, Idaho 83440, Phone: 208-359-9688 You are reading "What is There to Do with Kids in Idaho" Back to Top or More tourism, attractions for couples, food, things to see near me today , From LA 8. What to Do in Idaho: Warhawk Air Museum Warhawk Air Museum The Warhawk Air Museum is a 40,000 square foot museum in Nampa, Idaho, that aims to teach and preserve the history of American veterans and their contributions to the country's freedom, as well as to show the relationship between the United States and its citizens and those foreign wars which so immensely impacted the country and the world. The museum's exhibits cover World War I, World War II, the Cold War Era, the Korean War and Vietnam War. The Warhawk Air Museum Education Program has a goal of igniting student's appreciation and respect for the sacrifices made to preserve the freedoms they enjoy. The museum features a range of historical memorabilia and personal stories, but also a large collection of airplanes, including two Curtiss P-40 World War II fighter airplanes and a rare World War II P-51C razorback Mustang fighter airplane. 201 Municipal Way, Nampa, Idaho 83687, Phone: 208-465-6446 9. Things to Do in ID: The Wolf Center The Wolf Center Located in the magical Nez Perce Tribal Wilderness, the Wolf Center is a serene place surrounded by meadows and trees. There are miles of beautiful trails to explore the flora and fauna of the region before or after visiting the wolves. The Wolf Education and Research Center is dedicated to providing public education and scientific research about the gray wolf and its native habitat in the Northern Rocky Mountains. It provides education on the captive wolf care, complex ecology considerations and the fine balance between human recreation, cultures and industry on one side, and the untouched wilderness that is home to top natural predators such as wolves. In 2008, the Wolf Education & Research Center offered home to five out of seventeen wolves rescued from Murphy, Idaho. The center's biologist nursed the wolves back to health and they are today the new public face of the Center's programs as people are free to come and see them in their natural habitat. 518 Joseph Ave, Winchester, ID 83555, Phone: 888-422-1110 "Best Things to Do in Idaho for Locals & Tourists - Restaurants, Hotels" Back to Top or Beautiful places near me, what to do, restaurants for breakfast, travel guide, nearest beach 10. Wallace District Mining Museum Wallace District Mining Museum The small mining town of Wallace, Idaho, located in Idaho's scenic Silver Valley, is known as the "Silver Capital of the World." More than 1.2 billion ounces of silver came out of Shoshone County since 1884. The whole town of Wallace is registered on the National Register of Historic Places. Wallace District Mining Museum &Visitor Center is an Education and Research Center and repository of documents and objects that celebrate the history of silver, zinc, lead and gold production in the district. Artifacts, photographs, models, paintings and techniques and mining activity displays faithfully capture the feel of the mining industry in Northern Idaho from the early gold rush days to the recent world-record silver production periods. Some exhibits are inside a timbered mine, offering an authentic mining experience. 509 Bank St, Wallace, Idaho 83873, Phone: 208-556-1592 11. Roaring Springs Waterpark Roaring Springs Waterpark Located in Meridian, Idaho, about six miles from Boise, Roaring Springs Waterpark is the largest waterpark in the American Northwest. This sprawling, year-round park offers a large range of rides for all ages - a lazy river, speed slides, wave pool, kids slides, family raft ride, a kiddie play area and so much more. They even have swim diapers for the little ones. Pinz Bowling Center and Wahooz Family Fun Zone are located next to Roaring Springs Waterpark, and are connected by a walkway, so when you get tired of being soaked, you can just hop next door and do something else. There are plenty of food and drink offers to replenish your energy. 400 W Overland Rd, MerIdahoian, Idaho 83642, Phone: 208-884-8842 "New cool stuff to do in Idaho" Back to Top or Romantic Getaways, Wedding Ideas close to me this weekend, honeymoon, anniversary Ideas, fun places near me 12. Fun Things to Do in Idaho: The Springs The Springs The Springs in Idaho City, about 45 minutes from downtown Boise, is a luxury day spa that offers ultimate pampering in the natural hot spring pools, in the clean mountain air and under the clear mountain sky. When you arrive, you are welcomed in a swanky lobby with crystal chandeliers and given your own towels, locker room keys and some high quality pampering products. You can soak in a state-of-the-art huge pool or in one of the small, private hot tubs. Lush surrounding forests add to the sense of relaxation and peace. Relax afterwards with a massage, enjoy a steam room, take it easy in one of the many lounge chairs, or have a light meal - a cafe serves light fare such as sandwiches, salads, soups and drinks. The resort limits the number of people who can be in the pool at one time to allow all the guests to enjoy space and privacy, so reserve in advance, spots fill up quickly. 3742 Idaho-21, Idahoaho City, Idaho 83631, Phone: 208-392-9500 13. Must Do in Idaho: Silver Mountain Resort Courtesy of Yan - Fotolia.com Silver Mountain Resort is a year-round resort located in Kellogg, Idaho, about 70 miles from Spokane and 30 miles from Coeur d'Alene. It offers some of the best snowboarding and skiing in the Northwest, world class golfing at Galena Ridge Golf Course and Idaho's biggest indoor waterpark Silver Rapids. While in the winter you can go skiing, snow tubing or snowboarding, in the summer you can enjoy golfing, hiking, mountain biking, gondola rides and so many other fun activities. Since all the activities at the waterpark are indoors, you can enjoy it year round, splashing indoors while it is snowing outdoors. 610 Bunker Ave, Kellogg, Idaho 83837, Phone: 877-230-2193 14. Idaho Things to Do: Burgdorf Hot Springs Burgdorf Hot Springs Burgdorf Hot Springs is a charming rustic resort high up in the rugged mountains of central Idaho, 30 miles from McCall. In winter, access to the springs is possible only on snowmobiles. In summer, the resort can be accessed by car via Warren Wagon Road. There are 15 rustic, historic cabins for rent, each with unique history and charm. They are without electricity and running water, so be prepared to rough it. The resort has a small snack bar with a limited lunch and dinner menu, so guests are advised to bring their own food. The main attraction is the large swimming pool that is always about 100 f. It is fed by a natural hot spring at about 150 gallons a minute. There are two small hotter pools at the nearby inlet and a shallow pool for the kids. The skiing in the area is fantastic, and guests can snowmobile to the top of the mountain and ski back down. The soak in the hot pool after a day of skiing is memorable. 404 French Creek (USFS #246), McCall, Idaho 83638, Phone: 208-636-3036 15. Places of Interest in Idaho: Sacajawea Historic Byway Sacajawea Historic Byway The best way to enjoy scenic Sacajawea Historic Byway drive is by starting at the fascinating Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural and Education Center in the city of Salmon, Idaho. You can learn about Sacajawea, an Agai Dika Lemhi Shoshone woman, who was an interpreter for Lewis and Clark, and helped the expedition find the Salmon River. The byway starts in Salmon, on Idaho 28 going southwest for 120 miles to exit 143. It then follows Idaho 33 for 12 miles until the intersection of Interstate 15 and Idaho 33. The whole byway is about 132 miles long and will take you about two and half hours, without stops. Along the way you will find fossils of the Pleistocene lion, extinct for thousands of years, fantastic Native American rock art, and legacies of the Lemhi-Shoshone people. You will pass through Gilmore, a ghost town of an abandoned mining settlement and you will enjoy spectacular scenery wherever you look. You are reading "25 Best Things to Do in Idaho" Back to Top or Amazing things to do around me & More pictures of fun cheap vacation spots 16. Museum of Idaho Museum of Idaho The Museum of Idaho is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the natural and cultural history of Idaho and, through unique, permanent and temporary exhibits, provides educational opportunities for visitors. The permanent exhibits are: Race for Atomic Power, about the critical political and scientific events that occurred in Idaho; and the local Idaho History Room, with the Andrew Henry Rock, inscribed with the earliest known writing found in Idaho, a flag carried in the Civil War by Joseph Lawyer with his bloodstains on it, Lewis and Clark memorabilia, with American Indian artifacts including a buffalo hide tipi, weapons, a bull boat, clothing, tools and headdresses. The History Room also has a replica of the 1882 school house built in Eagle Rock, with desks, books, slates and a pot-bellied stove. The Museum also has a range of visiting temporary exhibits and activities for children such as summer camps and one day classes. 200 N Eastern Ave, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402, Phone: 208-522-1400 17. Idaho State Capitol Building Courtesy of pngstudio - Fotolia.com The Idaho State Capitol in Boise is the seat of the Idaho government, and a fascinating architectural masterpiece designed by Charles Hummel and John E. Tourtellotte, who used classical examples of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, St Paul's Cathedral in London and the United States Capitol as an inspiration. It is 208 feet high, covers an area of 201,720 square feet and 50,000 square feet of carved marble. Its famous dome is surmounted by a 5 feet 7 inch bronze eagle. There are 219 pillars made of fake marble. The first floor has 13 large stars for the thirteen original colonies. The second floor contains offices of the lieutenant governor, the governor and the attorney general. On the second floor rotunda is a magnificent sculpture of George Washington on a horse. The Senate and the House of Representatives are on the third floor. 700 W Jefferson St, Boise, Idaho 83702, 208-334-2100 You are reading "25 Best Things to Do in Idaho" Back to Top or More weekend getaways, what to do near me, must see attractions, stuff to do near me 18. Schweitzer Mountain Resort Courtesy of likoper - Fotolia.com Schweitzer is the largest and one of the most popular ski resorts in Idaho, with 2,900 acres of amazing terrain for spectacular skiing for all skill levels. Located in the Selkirk Mountains, the resort has magnificent views of Lake Pend Oreille on the southeast, surrounded by the imposing mountain ranges of the Bitterroot and Cabinet mountains. The summit of Schweitzer Mountain reaches 6,400 feet. The mountain has 92 registered runs and open bowls with the average yearly snowfall of more than 300 inches. The longest run is Little Blue Ridge Runat 1.7 miles. There are seven chairlifts and three surface tows. About 20 percent of the terrain is suitable for beginners, 40 percent for intermediate, 35 for advanced, and 5for experts. The resort offers accommodation and a range of activities and restaurants at the Schweitzer's Village. Biking and hiking trails start just outside the hotel door, and the Activity Center offers all sorts of fun for the whole family. 10,000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864, Phone: 208-263-9555 19. Idaho Vacation: National Oregon-California Trail Center National Oregon-California Trail Center The National Oregon/California Trail Center is located in the City of Montpelier, Idaho, on the historic Oregon/California Trail, about half way between Salt Lake City and Jackson/Yellowstone. Visitors can relive the Days of the Oregon Trail through the simulated Wagon Trail Adventure, in which they become members of a wagon train going west. They will ride in a covered wagon and spend an evening at the Clover Creek Encampment in an encircled wagon train. The adventure is guided by actors- pioneers in period costumes who will tell you stories that will make the past seem alive. The Center also features the Peg Leg Smith Trading Post gift shop, various exhibits, the Allinger Community Theatre, Rails and Trails Museum, an art exhibit featuring paintings of scenes from Oregon Trail by Idaho artist Gary Stone, as well as the murals of the Center's artist-in-residence John Wayne Cook. 320 N 4th St, Montpelier, Idaho 83254, Phone: 208-847-3800 You are reading "25 Best Things to Do in Idaho" Back to Top or Getting married, lunch near me, romantic things to do, places around me 20. Idaho Attractions: Bird Aviation Museum & Invention Center Bird Aviation Museum Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center is a 16,000 square foot aircraft museum located in Sagle, Idaho, founded by Dr. Forrest Bird. The museum features approximately 20 aircraft dating from pre-World War I to today. The Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center has a goal to educate visitors about the major impact of innovators and aviators who have contributed to the development of modern technology, and to honor and celebrate individuals who have radically changed the way we live today. Besides the aircraft, the museum contains exhibits of inventions such as the Bird Respirator, the Barbie doll by Ruth Handler and the Apple II by Steve Wozniak, and more. 2678 W Cessna Ave, Hayden, ID 83835, Phone: 208-758-8355 21. Idaho Tourist Attractions: Sun Valley Resort Courtesy of Yan - Fotolia.com Snuggled in the sunny valley near Ketchum, between the slopes of Bald and Dollar mountains, Sun Valley Resort is a winter resort like no other. With spectacular skiing, a 26,000-square-foot family center that takes care of all your needs and a range of gourmet restaurants, no wonder Sun Valley became a winter playground for the rich and famous. It's not only in the winter that Sun Valley offers so much fun,in the summer guests can bike, hike, golf or fly-fish. Catch a breathtaking sunset at the Roundhouse at 8,000 feet, then enjoy a jazz show. There are accommodations for every taste, budget and need, from charming cottages to luxury condos. 1 Sun Valley Rd, Sun Valley, Idaho 83353, Phone: 208-622-2135 22. Old Idaho Penitentiary Old Idaho Penitentiary Between 1872 and 1973, the Old Idaho Penitentiary was a prison for about 13,000 convicts, some of whom were quite notorious and dangerous. It started as a single cell jail and it grew into a multi-building complex surrounded by a 17-foot-high wall made from sandstone quarried by the convicts themselves from the nearby stone ridges. The Old Idaho Penitentiary is today managed and operated by the Idaho State Historical Society. Tourists can visit cell blocks, solitary confinement and even the gallows. There are several exhibitions offered in the historic buildings, such as the J. Curtis Earl Memorial Exhibit of Arms and Armaments. Programs and events are organized for the groups to tell the story of the prison's past, scandals, daring escapes and executions. 2445 Old Penitentiary Rd, Boise, Idaho 83712, Phone: 208-334-2844 You are reading "25 Best Things to Do in Idaho" Back to Top or More romantic weekend getaways, more places of interest in, wedding venues near me, time zone, what to do 23. South Bannock County Historical Center South Bannock County Historical Center The South Bannock County Historical Museum offers a range of permanent and temporary exhibits about the origins and the history of Lava Hot Springs and the surrounding communities of Arimo, Downey, Inkom, Virginia, McCammon and Swan Lake. The area of today's Lava Hot Springs has been known for its healing hot springs and has attracted early health tourists for centuries. One of the major permanent exhibits is Poha-Ba, Land of Healing Water, about the Native American's use of hot waters before the white man. The museum also has a digital theater which shows archival photos of important events in the history of the area. 110 Main St, Lava Hot Springs, Idaho 83246, Phone: 208-776-5254 24. The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho (TAM) is located on the walkway overlooking the scenic Snake River in Idaho Falls. The museum opened its doors in 2002 and since then has been promoting local and regional visual arts and artists through original and stimulating exhibits. The Museum has a strong focus on educational programs in arts. The Art Museum has five galleries, an art classroom and workshop area, a children's interactive, hands-on art learning area, and a gift shop. Visitors can browse on their own, join one of the regular tours, or come for an art lecture, class, family day or any other special event. 300 S Capital Ave, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402, Phone: 208-524-7777 25. Idaho Activities: Seven Stars Alpaca Ranch Courtesy of hookmedia - Fotolia.com Seven Stars Alpaca Ranch is a 40-acre working ranch snuggled in the mountains only 15 minutes from downtown Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The ranch owners raise Suri and Huacaya alpacas for their exceptionally fine wool, and sell fiber as well as alpacas to other breeders. The alpacas share the ranch with a number of horses, chickens, goats, llamas, dogs, cats, more than 100 wild turkeys, deer and elk. The farm is a fantastic place to visit with the kids, and alpacas are exceptionally friendly and docile. It is a working ranch, so the kids can also learn what it means to take care of animals which are not pets but have a job to do. They can even try their hand in a bit of manure cleaning or animal grooming. 2885 S Folsom RIdahoge Rd, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814, Phone: 208-755-4925 25 Best Things to Do in Idaho More Ideas in Idaho: Museum of Clean Located in Pocatello, Idaho, the Museum of Clean is a museum dedicated to the history of cleaning techniques, practices, and industry, featuring the worlds largest collection of vacuum cleaners and devices. Born in 1935 in Twin Falls, Idaho, Don Aslett is an entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker who is best known as the co-founder of Varsity House Cleaning Company. History Aslett co-founded the corporation with his friend Arlo Luke while attending Idaho State University in 1957, offering janitorial, construction, and landscaping services to businesses and private individuals. By 2013, the company, now known as Varsity Facility Services, had expanded its business to all 50 United States and several Canadian provinces, providing services to major corporations such as CenturyLink. Aslett is considered one of the most prolific and influential authors and motivational speakers on the topic of household and professional cleaning, with more than 40 books published in 10 languages, and has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Asletts personal collection started with the purchase of a 19th-century pre-electric sweeper from the Edison Museum in Detroit, which inspired him to begin work on a small museum collection of vintage cleaning equipment for display adjacent to his main Varsity Cleaning Center facility. A 2006 acquisition of 250 pre-electric vacuums prompted the search for a larger permanent facility for the collections. A former 1915 warehouse facility in Pocatello was selected and renovated over the course of five years to meet strict environmental standards, earning the completed facility LEED Certification for its use of recycled materials, energy-saving lighting, and rainwater collection plumbing system. The museum was opened to the public in November of 2011, completed at a cost of $6 million. Permanent Exhibits Today, the six-story museum houses more than 6,000 historical cleaning artifacts, including the worlds largest collection of vacuum cleaning devices. More than 1,000 vacuum cleaners are on display at the museum, including the items from Asletts 2006 acquisition from the collections of Peter Frei. Highlights of the collection include the 1900 Pneuvac, a hand-pumped pre-electric vacuum, a horse-drawn gas-powered vacuum from Great Britain thought to be the first motor vacuum, and a large 1912 model requiring two people for operation. A large number of non-electric carpet sweepers are also on display, showcasing a wide variety of technologies and allowing visitors to try their hand at operation of several models, and a collection of vacuum cleaner art pieces presents works created from the parts of defunct cleaners. Several replica exhibits recreate the working and cleaning conditions of the 19th century, including an Old English City exhibit that details health and sanitation concerns of the Victorian era and an Old-Time Store Display featuring historically-accurate pricing for tools, chemicals, and other cleaning items commonly available for purchase at local general stores. An exhibit on washing machines highlights an early model from 1945, and a vintage toilet collection showcases a model that once belonged to Queen Elizabeth of Austria. Other collections chronicle the history and innovations of bathtubs, brooms, and the cleaning uses of military helmets. A number of exhibits focus on cleaning, recycling, and conservation techniques, including a Texas-sized trash can educational exhibit on environmentally-friendly waste practices. In addition to the museums device collection, an Art Gallery showcases more than 200 advertisements, paintings, models, and artifacts related to cleaning practices, including a collection related to Chinese foot-binding cleaning techniques. A 10,000-square-foot Event Center features an 88-seat theater and may be rented for community events, workshops, and private parties. The museums gift shop, All Things Clean, offers locally-made goods, childrens-sized cleaning equipment, and educational publications. Ongoing Programs and Events The museum serves as a stop on Pocatellos First Friday Art Walk, a monthly event that features exhibits at more than 20 galleries, businesses, and restaurants in the citys Old Town area. Exhibit openings and live artist demonstrations are featured, and complimentary refreshments are provided at many businesses. Past Art Walk openings at the Museum of Clean include exhibits by Lauren Borgholthaus, Catherine Auger, Becky Pickens, Rachel Mayer, and the photography students of Wendy Roberts. An annual Young Artist Winter Fair in February showcases the works of area youth and offers performances, demonstrations, and family-friendly activities. Continuing the museums commitment to sustainability, a number of new and ongoing green initiatives are in progress, including a solar collector along the museums south wall and an 8,000-square-foot rooftop garden available for private event rental, featuring a park-style landscape setting and event seating with views of the surrounding mountain areas. Contributions to green initiatives and donations to museum collections are accepted on a continual basis through the museums website. 711 S 2nd Ave, Pocatello, ID 83201, Phone: 208-236-6906 More Things to Do in Idaho You are reading "25 Best Things to Do in Idaho " Back to Top More Ideas in Idaho: Schweitzer Mountain Resort Whether they are looking to ski, snowboard, snow-tube, or just relax, the Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Idaho offers something for every type of visitor. This family-friendly destination provides excellent powder, outstanding accommodation options, and plenty of activities for a memorable vacation. The Spokane area is known as the home of the Selkirk Loop, which includes two of the areas biggest ski resorts: Schweitzer Mountain and Whitewater Ski Resort. Powder Triangle Spokane Boasting 300 inches of snow annually, both resorts offer ideal conditions for skiing minus the crowds and the expense of their competitors. Due to its small population of just half a million people, Spokane is often underrated as a ski-hub. However, minimal wait times at lifts equate to more time exploring the 13,749 acres of skiable slopes for visitors who chose these mostly undiscovered gems. Travelling to the area is fairly straightforward as Spokane International Airport receives 11 direct flights from some of the biggest cities in the country. History: Schweitzer Mountain was named after a mysterious and reclusive hermit who first arrived there over a century ago. This man was reportedly once a member of the Swiss Army and locals began affectionately referring to him as Schweitzer, the German word for a Swiss person. The Schweitzer Mountain Resort was founded by Jack Fowler in 1963. As the resort grew in popularity, many features were added to make it the premier ski destination that it is today. In 2000, the resort installed a six-passenger chairlift, which greatly improved guest access to 150 acres of ski terrain. The early 2000s saw many further additions, such as White Pine Lodge, the Chimney Rock Grill, and the Schweitzer Activity Center. During this time the resorts skiable terrain also expended, making it the biggest ski resort in Idaho. Sandpoint Idaho Located just 11 miles from Schweitzer Mountain, Sandpoint is a small town with a lot of character. Those visiting the resort in the summer months will find that Sandpoint is a great place to stay due to its proximity to Lake Pend Oreille, which offers a perfect counterpoint to the elevated terrain of the resort. In addition, the town also has an active arts community that presents the Festival at Sandpoint Concert Series during the summer months as well. While the town has many notable eateries, such as Trinity at City Beach, Loaf & Ladle, and MickDuffs, visitors can also try local produce sold through the weekly farmers market. Located just a 20-minute drive from Sandpoint, Silverwood Theme Park is another great north Idaho attraction that draws visitors each year. Sky House at the Summit Offering 360-degree views of the mountain, the Sky House is a perfect place to reflect, relax, and re-fuel. This two-story lodge has two eateries: the Nest Cafe and the Red Hawk. Whether grabbing a snack on the go or sitting down for a light meal, visitors will find a variety of healthy meals that will allow them to comfortably keep active all through their time on the mountain. Activity Center Visiting Schweitzer is not all about skiing or snowboarding, ultimately visitors come to make memories with their loved ones. With this in mind, the activity center located adjacent to the Chimney Rock Restaurant in Selkirk Village provides visitors with a variety of things to do on and off the mountain. Both child-friendly and adult-centered activities are offered. Children can enjoy crafts, movies, and scavenger hunts while adults can partake in village campfires and beer-themed scavenger hunts. Families looking to reconnect can borrow board and video games, books, and much more in order to spend much-needed quality time together. The trained staff at the activity center can offer information about dining and shopping options in the village for those just getting their bearings at the resort. Trails Considered one of the largest ski resorts in North America, Schweitzer Ski Resort offers 2,900 acres of trails to choose from. Both Nordic ski trails and Alpine trails are represented in the bowls, chutes, and cruiser trails available at the resort. The Schweitzer Bowl starts in the village and offers some of the best tree skiing that the resort has to offer. Though it can be a bit difficult to spot at first glance, the Outback Bowl takes up the largest expanse of space on the mountain. Visitors seeking breathtaking views of Lake Pend Oreille can enjoy 32 kilometers of Nordic ski trails that offer just that. Both skate and classic trail systems are represented. 10,000 Schweitzer Mountain Road, Sandpoint, ID 83864, Phone: 208-263-9555 More Things to Do in Idaho You are reading "25 Best Things to Do in Idaho " Back to Top More Ideas in Idaho: National Oregon/California Trail Center Few events are as iconic of the American experience as the pioneer journey westward. The National Oregon Trail center is an organization that is committed to educating and preserving the legacy of pioneer culture through their immersive exhibits, artifacts, and artworks. The 19th century saw one of the most significant shifts in population in American history. By some estimates, over 200,000 men, women, and children followed the Oregon/California Trail by wagon during this era. History: While with modern conveniences, people are able to complete the trail in just 4 days, the same trip took 5 months by wagon. Fueled in part by the Gold Rush and in part by the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, the journey westward was full of hardships and dangers, the likes of which many of the travelers had not seen before. Starting from the Independence Landing in Missouri, migrants would cross the Salt Lake Desert and the Sierra Nevada Mountains into California. Aided by sturdy wagons, trade from Native Americans, and a desire to succeed against all odds, 19th century pioneers achieved the ever-elusive American Dream. Trail Center: Visitors seeking an immersive pioneer experience need look no further than the National Oregon Trail Center. With decorated sets and costumed docents, the trail center offers visitors an inside look at all of the challenges early pioneers would have faced when making the journey to the American West. History buffs will likely already know that this great migration took place between 1842 and 1869, however few among them will know what kind of provisions pioneers would have needed to successfully complete the journey, much less the threats and joys they would have encountered on their way. The rich history of the region and the personalized narratives of those brave men and women who pushed the American frontier are all there for visitors to discuss and discover as they participate in this interactive exhibit. Rails and Trails Museum Showcasing the history of Bear Lake Valley, the Rails and Trails Museum has three collections consisting of historically significant artifacts and accompanying information. Transportation is a key theme in the collection due to its role in the development of the region. The Montpelier Railroad comprises one third of the museums holdings. The Daughters of Utah Pioneer exhibit allows visitors to get a better understanding of the human side of the pioneer lifestyle. The artifacts brought by pioneers are a jumping off point for discussions about the daily struggles of families and individuals who tried to make their way west at a time that offered few of the luxuries that characterize the modern age. As Bear Lake Valley became settled by pioneers who established long-term homesteads, the culture of the area changed. The enduring legacy of the first settlers continues to be a point of pride for the region and is expertly displayed in the Bear Lake County and Historical Society exhibit. Oregon Trail Paintings In addition to the immersive pioneer experience on offer at the trail center, visitors also have the opportunity to view 44 paintings that capture the excitement, hope, and fears of 19th century pioneers. In creating these works of art, artist Gary Stone combined his experience travelling the Oregon/California Trail while reading the diaries and notations left by actual pioneers. The result is an impressive oeuvre of paintings that speak to a pivotal chapter in the American story. Scenic Trails Chuck Wagon Visitors who have ever wondered what it might be like to dine like a pioneer can take advantage of the Scenic Trails Chuck Wagon experience at the trail center to find out. While not technically a restaurant, the Scenic Trails Chuck Wagon facility has seating for up to 80 patrons, who must book the experience in advance. Upon arriving, visitors will be able to enjoy a chef-prepared meal of prime rib served at sunset in modified wagon booths. Each table setting has a screen that displays images of views from the famous Oregon/California Trail. Allinger Community Theatre A focal point for the locality of Bear Lake County, the Allinger Community Theatre is an extension of the trail centers commitment to preserving the history and culture of the area. Visitors are welcome to enjoy a show in their state-of-the-art facility that is decorated in line with the 19th century pioneer era. Featuring both professional and rising talent, the programming is bound to entertain even the most discerning of audiences. 320 North 4th Street, P.O. Box 323, Montpelier, ID 83254, Phone: 866-847-3800 More Things to Do in Idaho You are reading "25 Best Things to Do in Idaho " Back to Top Anita Walz, open education, copyright, and scholarly communication librarian at the University Libraries, was recently awarded a 2018-19 Open Education Resource (OER) Research Fellowship. The fellowship came from the Open Education Group, an interdisciplinary research group that makes the world a better place by increasing the affordability and effectiveness of education. The Open Education Group is supported by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, HASTAC, and The David O. McKay School of Education. During her fellowship, Walz will research the impact of open educational resources on the cost of education, student success outcomes, patterns of usage of OER, and perceptions of OER. My passion is empowering faculty to share their expertise with their students by creating freely and publicly shared learning materials as OER and adapting OER to fit their individual teaching needs at Virginia Tech and beyond, Walz said. OER is a valuable contribution to courses and helps all students, especially those who may not be able to afford traditional textbooks. Open Education Resources are freely accessible openly licensed textbooks, media, course materials, modules, software, and other digital assets that are used for teaching, learning, assessing, and research purposes. They are free to use online, customize, improve, re-mix, and re-purpose by others. These books can be downloaded for free or printed at low cost. The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the fellowship sponsor, describes Open Education as the simple and powerful idea that the worlds knowledge is a public good and that technology in general and the web in particular provide an extraordinary opportunity for everyone to share, use, and reuse knowledge. Many students struggle to afford, ethically access, and retain required learning materials. Both students and faculty have asked for sustainable solutions for learning materials that allow free access, adaption, and broad sharing of original teaching and learning resources and scholarship within and beyond the university. Walz says that open education resources, which utilize Creative Commons license, may be one answer to these requests. In her role at the University Libraries, Walz has worked with faculty to locate, use, adapt, and develop openly licensed or public domain educational resources, including images, print and digital textbooks, interactive digital technologies, video, virtual reality, and augmented reality. She works collaboratively with VT Publishing, the scholarly publishing hub of Virginia Tech, also based in the University Libraries. Walz regularly teaches faculty, staff, graduate, and undergraduate students about copyright, scholarly ethics and impacts, conducting academic research, open access, and OER. She designs all of her own teaching material from openly licensed, public domain, or sources used under fair use. All of her teaching resources and scholarships have a Creative Commons license or are freely available online. The OER Research Fellowship allows Walz to attend the Open Education Conference in 2018 and 2019 and work with a supportive peer group of researchers from around the U.S. This is a relatively new research area with great opportunities, Walz said. Walz recently presented at the Open Textbook Network Summit in Chaska, Minnesota, about open textbook publishing processes. In the fall, Walz will teach several workshops to spread the word about OER. For more information about open education resources, visit guides.lib.vt.edu/oer or contact Anita Walz at arwalz@vt.edu. Written by Elise Monsour Puckett UNITED STATES This past weekend saw yet more rallies and protests in both Portland, Oregon and Berkeley, California, two cities that are targeted by right-wing groups due to their reputation for being the most liberal areas in the country. The Portland rally, held Aug. 4, was sponsored by Patriot Prayer and the Proud Boys, and hosted by Joey Gibson. The Aug 5 rally in Berkeley was dubbed No to Marxism in America 2 / Exposing Communism and was organized by Amber Gwen Cummings. Sundays rally was relatively small with only minor skirmishes and reportedly 17 arrests for carrying banned weapons. Coru Cathudobua priest Brennos was on site as a medic along with five other members of that group; he said there were only about 20 rally supporters, and that the counter-protesters outnumbered the group. The Portland event, however, attracted over 100 right-wing supporters as well counter-protesters, Antifa, and more. The event did result in a skirmish. The police, in an effort to keep the two sides separated, used various forms of force, resulting in injuries to counter-protesters. Due to that fact, Portland police chief Danielle Outlaw is now launching an investigation into the force used. She said, This morning I learned of allegations of injury as a result of law enforcement action. I take all force applications by members seriously and I have directed the professional standards division to begin the intake process regarding these allegations to determine if force was used and if so, was within our policy and training guidelines. In the current highly-charged political climate, protests, marches and rallies will continue to be planned around the country by groups of all kinds, which means more potential violence with potential injury. Brennos, who has attended as a medic at peaceful and violent rallies over the years,has published a blog post on this subject called Five Years (Thats All Weve Got): Packing for Civil Unrest Revisited. In the post, he encourages people to be prepared for extremes, to learn basic first aid, and to keep a well-stocked medical kit. He writes, We live in uncertain times and the possibility of civil unrest, random violence, or natural disaster is higher than its ever been. Having the skills you need to be effective and able to help others in dangerous situations is essential for a communitys survival. Brennos includes suggestions on how to prepare and a list of needs for a basic first aid kit. * * * DUBLIN, Ohio The annual Irish Festival in Ohio was held this weekend, and included Sunday services for attendees. Those services came from array of different religions, including Druidry. Members of Three Cranes Grove ADF, based in Columbus, offered a ritual celebrating Lughnasadh and the goddess Tailtiu. According to the local news, the service has been part of the festival for eight years, and is usually performed by Rev. Michael J. Dangler. This year it was hosted by Rev. Jan Avende. Dangler told the media: [The festival] falls at the time of the year when in Ireland the tribes would gather together in the center and celebrate their commonalities, Dangler said. We bring folks together and honor Irish gods and goddesses and their role in the creation of Ireland. The event was broadcast live on Facebook, and is available to watch on the Three Cranes Grove page. Avende described the ritual as the groups most formal, and Dangler later posted that the event was well. The presence of a Druid ritual during the Sunday morning services made the news at number of local outlets, as it is something that not commonly offered publicly in Ohio. * * * Cherry Hill Seminary, based in South Carolina, offered a unique opportunity to its community July 31, when it invited professor Avi Gold to give a talk on Julian, the last Pagan emperor of Rome. Gold is a visiting scholar, who lives in the south of Israel and teaches Yiddish literature, Greek philosophy, and other subjects. According to the promotional material for the event, Golds first visit to South Carolina was in 2001, as a result of several years correspondence with a Baptist on matters of scripture. He has been back many times since. Golds talk on Emperor Julian was co-hosted by Cherry Hill Seminary, the Interfaith Partners of South Carolina, and the Jewish Federation of Columbia; it was held at the Kahn Jewish Community Center in Columbia. Gold says, Julian lived at a time that Christianity was gaining influence in the empire, but nonetheless, he took a stand as a proud Pagan. He began a policy of restoration of the Pagan temples which had been confiscated in Constantines time. He also proclaimed an edict of tolerance in 362, stating that all religions were equal before the law. The talk was captured on video and now published to YouTube. This programming is part of Cherry Hill Seminarys continued efforts to partner with local organizations to foster education and interfaith efforts. In other news Professor Ronald Hutton offered his take on Witchcraft in the world today for the British Academy podcast From Our Fellows. Hutton is an author and professor of history at the University of Bristol. He is considered to be leading authority on history of the British Isles in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, on ancient and medieval paganism and magic, and on the global context of witchcraft beliefs. The British Academy podcast is available to stream for free. Pagan pride events are well underway around the world. One of the bigger events is Cleveland Pagan Pride, which organizers say can attract over 4,000 people each year and has raised more than 2,000 [pounds] of food for the local hunger center. Unlike some Pagan pride events, which take place over one day, the Cleveland event is hosted for an entire weekend. Organizers say, We have been able to touch many peoples lives. Headliners at this years event include Wendy Rule and Tuatha Dea. Cleveland Pagan Pride will be hosted Aug. 24-26, 2018 in Bedford, Ohio. Crossroad Universal, the parent organization for Cleveland Pagan Pride, also hosts the Cleveland Witches Ball in October. Covenant of the Goddess members are packing up and heading to the airport this week in order to attend their annual conference and business meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Merry Meet begins Thursday, Aug. 9. The Wild Hunt will have a reporter at the event to report back on what the members of the 43-year-old Pagan organization are doing. Another upcoming event is TempleFest hosted, by the Temple of Witchcraft . This annual outdoor festival takes place every August in Hancock, New Hampshire and features local vendors and craftspeople; ritual, classes and workshops; fun and fellowship. According to the website, there will also be a Lughnasadh (Lammas) ritual on Saturday. This years keynote speaker is Courtney Weber. TempleFest takes place Aug. 23-26, 2018. As fall approaches, registration for fall events has begun. EarthSpirit community organizers opened registration for Twilight Covening, a three-day outdoor ritual. The group has been coming together for this event since 1986. The website reads, In the twilight of the year, we gather together to set time apart from our daily lives for study, reflection, dreaming, and seeking visions. The community welcomes anyone who would like to join them. The event takes place in Massachusetts, Oct. 5-8. More details are on the site. Tarot of the week with Star Bustamonte Deck: Spiral Tarot Deck by Kay Steventon, published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Card: two (2) of pentacles This week may offer some challenges in trying to balance things that are diametrically opposed, like vacation time vs income. Be mindful of where you are sourcing your financial advice. Life is always full of ups and downs, but an equitable and even balance is most often achieved through moderation. by Jeroen Bouterse Steven Pinkers 2018 book Enlightenment Now is a reasoned defense of the values of the Enlightenment: of reason, science, humanism and progress. Pinker uses most of his space to demonstrate, positively, how the attitudes and institutions associated with Enlightenment thought have done good in the world. However, he has also woven through his book a clear motif of defense against counter-Enlightenments: the opponents of Enlightenment values. These opponents are, among others, religious faith and some radical kinds of environmentalism. The anti-Enlightenment sentiments that Pinker deals with most extensively, however, are those of the so-called Second Culture: the world-view of many literary intellectuals and cultural critics, who have been criticizing the Enlightenment specifically for its devotion to the sciences. Pinker devotes an entire chapter to this Second Culture and its high-brow war on science (mostly overlapping with this article in The Chronicle of Higher Education). Treatment of science in liberal-arts curricula is pernicious []. Students can graduate with only a trifling exposure to science, and what they do learn is often designed to poison them against it. (395) Pinker complains that science gets blamed for all kinds of crimes, such as 19th-century racism which, if anything, is the brainchild not of science but of the humanities (398). Also, students are made to read Thomas Kuhn. Kuhn famously coined the notion of paradigms in order to make the case that the assessment of progress in science depends on a shared set of assumptions. This way of thinking leads to the cynical conclusion that science does not converge upon the truth at all, says Pinker. Intellectually, this is far from the best part of Enlightenment Now: Pinkers definition of the other side is imprecise, his supporting data uncharacteristically anecdotal and one-sided. (Kuhn had a PhD in physics, and it is hard to find in his work any hostile remarks about science.) The reason Pinker can get away with this is that he seems to be stating the obvious: the existence of a divide between the sciences and the humanities that is not institutional but cultural has been accepted wisdom in Western culture for decades. The Two Cultures: From indifference to hostility The classic formulation of this divide between the two cultures was made in 1959. In a famous lecture, the British scientist, novelist and public intellectual C.P. Snow lamented the lack of understanding between the scientific and the literary culture. At first sight, Snow and Pinker have a lot in common, and indeed Pinker quotes Snow approvingly. Like Pinker, Snow thought highly of the capacity of science to deal with pressing global issues. Like Pinker, he connected this capacity not just to the relation between science and technology, but also to the culture and mentality of scientists. They represented social hope; they had the future in their bones. There are differences, partly explained by historical context. Snow wrote during the Cold War, from a moderately left-wing perspective. His two cultures model served as a stepping-stone in a larger argument, the upshot of which was that if Britain desired to keep up with the Soviets, it had better step up its endorsement of science and technology. Snows beef was not so much with religion or humanistic scholarship, but with the modernist literature of the early 20th century: the alienating writings of James Joyce or Virginia Woolf, which in Snows mind distracted people from the social questions of the day. The worst thing about the literary culture was not its hostility to science, but its indifference. When Pinker refers to Snows two cultures, on the other hand, there is an additional layer of military metaphors. The scientists and the others are not mutually isolated societies, but warring states. This layer is a remnant of the science wars of the 1990s. The opening salvo of these wars was the 1994 book Higher Superstition, in which two proponents of the natural sciences explained how science was under attack from the academic left (3). Paul Gross and Norman Levitt wrote that the prevalence of postmodernism, Marxism, multiculturalism, radical feminism and environmentalism in humanities and social science departments had deepened the rift between the two cultures Snow had identified. These influences had made academic humanists dangerous, in the same way that creation science and New Age ideas were dangerous. Moreover, these humanists had actually gathered the audacity to write about science unconstrained, naturally, by genuine understanding: In order to think critically about science, one must understand it at a reasonably deep level. This task, if honestly approached, requires much time and labor. In fact it is best started when one is young. It is scarcely compatible with the style of education and training that nurtures the average humanist [] (5) Gross and Levitt redefined the second culture as part of a fifth column, working to undermine the status of real science. Science Warriors and Science Studies Of course, these worries did not come out of nowhere. The schools of thought Normann and Levitt identified existed; they did have anti-establishment inclinations, and they did tend to look upon science as part of this establishment. Still, two points need to be made. First: anti-establishment thought and rhetoric are as much part of the Enlightenment as are reason and science. This should give pause to anyone who seeks to dismiss radical criticism in the name of the Enlightenment. Values that went together in the 18th century ancien regime, when science and rationalism served as sticks with which to beat the hegemonic status of the Church, might well be in conflict in the post-WW2 world, where science has itself attained a hegemonic status. Second: many of the science warriors chosen enemies had in fact been making unprecedented steps towards a thorough understanding of science. More often than not, respect for science rather than condescension inspired their efforts. Sociologist David Bloor wrote that it would be paradoxical not to look at our own scientific knowledge scientifically. Anthropologists such as Karin Knorr-Cetina made a point of studying science empirically, by observing scientists at work. Historians like Steven Shapin and Simon Schaffer sought to look at our own scientific culture from the outside. All of these scholars employed the resources and methods of respectable disciplines, and adapted them to look at the heart of Western culture: to turn science into an object of investigation and study it methodically, critically, and empirically. Some of their projects were experimental and tentative, and some went uneasily far in reducing science to its social and cultural determinants, ignoring the question of how science got to be so good at what it does. But all of them represented genuine humanistic and social-scientific interest in science, just like Snow had been hoping for. Rather than seeing the excesses of these nascent academic fields as concomitant to the herculean intellectual task they had set themselves, Gross and Levitt interpreted them as a declaration of war and responded accordingly. Other science warriors followed. In order to prove a point about editorial and intellectual standards in the humanities, Alan Sokal famously tricked an academic journal into accepting a postmodern-y paper of which he did not mean a word. Steven Weinberg took this to show that the gulf of misunderstanding between scientists and other intellectuals seems to be at least as wide as when C.P. Snow worried about it three decades ago. (145) The loss was theirs. In their mature form innovations in science studies turned out to have a lot on offer that has enriched our understanding of science. My own favorite example is Lorraine Dastons and Peter Galisons 2007 study about changing ideals of objectivity in science. There turns out to be nothing hostile, undermining or anti-scientific about turning our attention to the fact that even core scientific values and ideals can be explained by a close look at the historical contexts in which they developed, rather than as eternal verities. In the past decades, historians have provided contextual explanations for the developments of beliefs and institutions related to quantification, statistical methods, scientific materialism, research ethics; and much more. They have, in short, managed to make core features of science rationally understandable rather than miraculous. By contrast, Steven Weinbergs own recent history of science, for all its honest attempts at avoiding historical mistakes, is so attached to an essentialist, timeless definition of science that it fails to come up with any plausible explanations for its development. Its review by professional historian Steven Shapin is mostly a frustrated sigh: will these scientists never learn? The case of science studies is one clear example where humanities and social science scholarship, whether or not you like its sobering tendencies, exhibits obvious innovative and progressive qualities. This belies Snows rhetorical dichotomy between forward-looking scientists and backward-looking humanists. This dichotomy survives now only because of the ease with which we can heap binary oppositions onto one another: we know that scientific culture is essentially progressive, so surely the other culture is reactionary? This assumption was false in Snows time and it is false now. A Much-Needed Infusion Pinker buys into the progressive-versus-traditional dichotomy completely. In a much-debated essay in the New Republic, he suggests that in order to solve their problems the humanities need an infusion of new ideas. What Pinker means, it turns out, is actually an infusion of old ideas a return to the values of the Enlightenment. It is the newer ideas postmodernism, relativism, and political correctness that Pinker finds repugnant, precisely because he believes they are opposed to core Enlightenment values. Foremost among these values is reason. Reason is nonnegotiable, Pinker explains in his book: As soon as you show up to discuss the question of what we should live for (or any other question), as long as you insist that your answers, whatever they are, are reasonable or justified or true and that therefore other people ought to believe them too, then you have committed yourself to reason, and to holding your beliefs accountable to objective standards (8). This is unexceptionable, as a matter of practical ethics: when you join a conversation, you ought to commit to whatever it means to be in a conversation. At the same time, what this means is utterly negotiable: Pinker seeks to be ecumenical by using all of the good words reasonable, justified, true, objective but these concepts dont always point in the same direction. Maybe our opinions are justified but not true; or true but not objective. Maybe they are objective, but our discussion has been flawed in a different way, for instance by excluding voices on an unreasonable basis and we might find ourselves in disagreement about whether this is just an ethical issue or whether our flawed conversation renders our beliefs itself unreasonable. Many fields in the humanities have, in the past half-century, been openly negotiating the concepts of reason, science, humanism and progress. Sometimes the results have been ugly; sometimes, postmodern rhetoric has (like Enlightenment rhetoric) been used as an excuse for sloppy thinking. Often, the result has been an attitude that is at once uncompromisingly reasonable and sensitive to postmodern interests. History of science is the case I happen to know best, but it proves the point pretty much by itself: the science warriors were wrong about the state and direction of scholarship in the humanities, and they have missed out on a much richer and no less enlightened understanding of science as a result. Theres no shame in being wrong. But two decades later, theres little excuse for echoing their belligerent rhetoric, or Snows 1959 lecture for that matter. Thats not where progress is. Works Cited: Paul R. Gross, Norman Levitt, Higher Superstition: The Academic Left and Its Quarrels with Science. Johns Hopkins University Press: Baltimore, London 1994. Steven Pinker, Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress. Penguin Random House: New York, 2018. C.P. Snow, The two cultures and the scientific revolution. The Rede lecture 1959. Cambridge, 1960. Steven Weinberg, Sokals Hoax (New York review of books, 1996) in: ibid., Facing Up: Science and Its Cultural Adversaries. Harvard University Press. Cambridge (Mass), 2001: 138-154. Medical marijuana regulations vary in smaller communities A look at some of the medical marijuana ordinances adopted by cities around the area shows some are only allowing for dispensaries. Not long ago, the United States was a world leader in infrastructure investments. Federal and private funding helped even the most remote communities obtain electricity, running water and access to the rest of the world through telecommunications. However, recent years have not followed the same trend, and too many rural communities have been left behind. The need for improvement is great, especially for rural water and wastewater systems. To put this in perspective, the American Water Works Association estimates that more than $600 billion is needed over the next 20 years to upgrade our nations water and wastewater systems. Unfortunately, many small and rural water systems lack access to affordable financing. But there is hope for the future. This year, USDA Rural Development has more than $4 billion in direct loans available now to help rural communities build or upgrade water infrastructure. This is a substantial increase from last year. In 2017, USDA helped more than 2.5 million rural residents get access to upgraded water and wastewater systems. I am excited to see how many more people we can help with this unprecedented funding opportunity. I encourage rural community leaders and water district operators to apply now for this assistance before the Sept. 30 deadline. USDA state and field offices have technical assistance providers with water and waste expertise who can help complete rural communities applications. USDAs support for rural water infrastructure has made a big impact here in New Mexico. Over the years weve financed both large and small water and wastewater projects. For example, we funded an $8-million wastewater system serving Mesquite and Brazito in southern Dona Ana County. We also provided $288,000 for a water project in Vallecitos in Rio Arriba County. Water districts and rural communities can apply for USDA loans electronically using the interactive RDApply tool on the USDA Rural Development website rd.usda.gov. Also, USDA state and field offices are great resources to use during the application process. Their locations and contact information can also be found on the Rural Development website. USDA is eager to partner with you in this effort to modernize water infrastructure in our states rural communities. A voice crying in the wilderness is supposed to be ignored, not rewarded with accolades and growing influence. Bernie Sanders is the prophet with honor in his own party. The former socialist gadfly is now the socialist trendsetter. At the moment, he has to be counted among the most successful ideological leaders in a generation in terms of moving the terms of the American political debate and putting previously discounted ideas on the agenda. This doesnt mean that hell be the next Democratic nominee for president, or even run. It doesnt mean that his ideas are good I personally consider them godawful. It does mean that when it comes to domestic policy on the left, its Bernies world, and the rest of the Democrats live in it. Sanders was an irrelevance for a couple of decades in Congress. He ran for president to get a higher profile, and succeeded not merely in that, but in seriously challenging Hillary Clinton. He is now a pacesetter in the party, while she rues what might have been. To be sure, much of this was inevitable. Whatever brake on the left Barack Obama represented was going to be released once he went home, especially if Democrats couldnt hold the White House. The advent of President Donald Trump pressed the accelerator on the partys radicalization. In 2016, though, Sanders embodied the first real political expression of a post-Obama left that was disappointed by his alleged incrementalism and determined to move beyond it. Sanders success represents a version of what has happened to center-left parties around the West, as they have collapsed or been eclipsed by new forces. The Democrats arent going anywhere, but Sanders is an interloper. Hillary Clinton is right when she complains that hes not even a Democrat. This doesnt matter in the least to the Democrats in good standing who are vacuuming up Bernies ideas. You can hardly be a U.S. senator who hopes to run for president if you arent co-sponsoring pillars of the Sanders agenda such as Medicare-for-all, free college and the $15 minimum wage. Just a few short years ago, Sanders crowed last year, we were told that raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour was radical. Indeed, he was told that, and for good reason. But he had five co-sponsors for a $15 bill in 2015 and has a majority of Senate Democrats now. The Sanders policies are tangible and substantive if misbegotten. Compare the period of Republican ferment when the party was out of power under Obama. The tea party, for better or worse, didnt have big, signature policy initiatives. Its candidates usually defined themselves by their tactical maximalism and their style, especially a contemptuous attitude toward the establishment. This is why it slid so easily into Trumpism. Bernies own political future is cloudy. If he runs again, he wont have Clinton as a foil, but numerous contenders who want to ape his substance as younger, less quirky, more polished candidates. Significantly, Sanders is a laggard when it comes to identity politics, which is becoming even more important to Democrats in reaction to Trump. A 76-year-old male from the whitest state in the union, who has devoted his life to a rigorously class-based politics, can do his best to play along but will never be a natural. The voters, in the Democratic primaries and the next presidential election will obviously have a say, and they can upset expectations. A few years ago, Paul Ryan developed a thorough, coherent approach to the debt that seemed to define the future of Republican policy, before Trump blew right through it. Few would have guessed it at the time, but events were about to make Pat Buchanan and Jeff Sessions look like the GOP prophets. Who knows how it shakes out for Bernie Sanders two or three years from now? What we do know is that hes out of the wilderness. E-mail: comments.lowry@nationalreview.com>href=http://comments.low>comments.lowry@nationalreview.com. 2017 by King Features Syndicate. A cozy taproom that opened less than two years ago in the Imperial Building has called it quits, and caught some of its fans by surprise. The Monks Corner Taproom on its Facebook page gave no reason for the sudden closure of the 73-seat venue at Silver and Third SW. Made with care and prayer, weve truly enjoyed serving you, your friends and your families at our humble establishment, the post says. Please continue to look for Monks Ales in stores and stay tuned for future updates. The taproom, in the ground floor commercial space at the Imperial, was operated by Abbey Brewing Co., a venture born at Monastery of Christ in the Desert near Abiquiu. The monastery is home to a small brewing system where all Abbey beers are tested and honed. Since the first release of Monks Ale, in 2005, Abbey Brewings beers have been available in New Mexico in both on-premise and off-premise locations. A brew-tiful thing Although one beer purveyor has closed, another will soon be pouring its first suds on the West Side. The first Albuquerque location of craft beer bar Growler USA, scheduled to open this fall, is under construction at Unser Boulevard and La Morada Place NW. Growler USA, which will be run by franchisee Acoma Pueblo, focuses on partnering with growing craft breweries that are looking for another outlet to serve their products. The company takes its name from a container used for beer and has a multipronged approach to ensuring the brews it serves retain their quality. Growler USA is a brewpub dedicated to offering only 100 percent American-made craft beverages and a food menu designed to celebrate the flavors of each drink. Each location offers a variety of regional and nationally recognized beverages, with up to 100 taps of craft beer, lagers, ales, draft wine, and handcrafted nonalcoholic beverages such as root beer and kombucha tea. As the craft beer industry continues to flourish and innovate, Growler USA is seeing immense success and demand in new markets, John Kutac, president of Growler USA, said in a statement. Were excited to bring on these franchise partners to explore new territories, and plan to continue on this path of national expansion. New take on tea A new shop to get a spot of tea has opened in ABQ Uptown. NobiliTea, which carries an assortment of over 120 tea varieties, loose-leaf teas and drinks brewed fresh in the store, has leased a 1,000-square-foot retail space at 2240 Q St. NE. Gavin Fite, a commercial real estate broker with the Albuquerque office of Retail Solutions, represented the tenant in the recent transaction. The store is taking the space of the former Teavana. Sol Rio hits Albertsons shelves Word already is getting out about Sol Rio Coffee, and one large grocer is stocking the product in its stores. Fans of the plucky new brand helmed by Allen Bassett and Jon Preist can now find several varieties at their nearest Albertsons. They include First Flight (light roast), Ladron Peak (dark roast) and a pinon flavor. The company, which launched earlier this year, specializes in hand-roasted, organic coffee in special blends and natural flavors. Bassett and Priest also operate a 7,200-square-foot property at Eighth and Bellamah NW in the Sawmill District. There, they roast and package beans and run a small retail shop in the front. The sweet life We love the best-of lists when it comes to food. Recently, a website called Simplemost set out on a sweet task. The authors scoured countless Yelp reviews, Trip Advisor entries, restaurant websites and drooled over way too many pictures of confections to bring readers the single most delicious dessert in each state. New Mexicos winner is the birthday cake at the Range Cafe in Albuquerque. Every day should be your birthday and the folks at the Range Cafe make it possible for you to have birthday cake every day too, according to the Simplemost posting. The restaurants other desserts are to die for like Life By Chocolate cake, and Death By Lemon tart and supposedly the key lime pie is the best around. Steve Sinovic covers the retail, hospitality and tourism beats for the Journal. He can be reached at ssinovic@abqjournal.com or by calling 505-823-3919. WHEN IS A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD? That question came up after John H. visited the Ruidoso MVD office trying to get a Real ID drivers license. John says in an email they would not accept my Social Security card; the clerk said its more of a receipt than a card and pointed out that at the bottom it states not for identification purposes. She also stated that they had just had a meeting about our despicable cards and they are not good for the Social Security card requirement. A friend in Texas has the same type card and used it last year for his Real ID license. When a lot of us got our Social Security cards, they were not to be used for ID just to show that you were assigned a number which is why it has the ID statement on it. I have had the same card since about 1969 and it is in excellent condition. And this encounter has John asking If N.M. MVD is not going to accept our old Social Security cards, then MVD needs to let people know that. But they are accepting them. Kevin Kelley, communications director for MVDs parent agency, the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, explains the SSA account number card has gone through multiple versions since adopted, and there are times that there may be a question about the validity of a SSA account number card based on all the different cards held by constituents. Staff have been instructed to consult with their chain of command to validate the authenticity of an SSA card, if the validity is in question. And he goes on to say that for Real ID purposes an applicant must present documentary evidence of their identification number. If eligible for Social Security number, a Social Security Administration (SSA) account number card is acceptable. If a Social Security Administration account card is not available, the person can also present one the following documents, provided that the document bears the applicants full Social Security number: (a) a W-2 form; (b) a SSA-1099 form; (c) a non-SSA-1099 form; (d) a pay stub with the applicants name and Social Security number on it. YOU CANT GET TO THE CELLPHONE LOT FROM HERE: Dan Shaffer emails heres an perplexing pair of signs at the entrance to the Cell Phone Waiting Lot at the Sunport. One says Road Closed and the other is pointing the way to the lot. Maybe a paper bag over the Road Closed sign would be helpful if the airport cant afford to remove it! Stephanie Kitts, marketing coordinator for the Sunport, says the Road Closed sign here is actually a permanent sign and has been covered while the cellphone waiting lot is under construction. Based on this photo, it looks to me like the material that was covering the sign may have been removed my best guess would be that it took a beating with the recent weather and hail. I have forwarded the photo to our maintenance team here at the airport to make sure the sign is re-covered while the finishing touches are being completed on the permanent cell phone waiting lot. During the construction, Kitts says drivers seeking to park until the traveler they are picking up arrives and calls or texts should follow signs leading to the temporary lot one of which you can see in the photo Mr. Schaffer sent. Its just northwest of the permanent lot. Editorial page editor DVal Westphal tackles commuter issues for the Metro area on Mondays. Reach her at 823-3858; dwestphal@abqjournal.com; or P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103. Karen Iverson will join the city of Albuquerque as manager of metropolitan redevelopment. She brings more than 15 years of planning and redevelopment experience to her new role. Iverson began her career as a community organizer in San Diego, where she built a coalition to negotiate community benefit agreements on redevelopment projects to ensure affordable housing, local hiring and best environmental practices. Most recently, she was executive director of HomesFund, a Community Development Financial Institution, in Durango, Colo., where she partnered on the development of 85 affordable rental units and doubled the agencys loan fund to $5 million. The measure of any great city is the degree to which people and places are connected, Mayor Tim Keller said in a statement. Karen returned to Albuquerque to take the lead on projects that will create hubs of cultural and economic activity across our city. Our vision is to honor our citys authentic spirit and history with redevelopment projects like the Rail Yards, the multiuse area at Central and Unser, and El Vado and Civic Plaza. In her new position, Iverson will participate in the citys current and future programs with her duties including negotiating public-private partnerships and generating ideas for catalytic projects. Albuquerque is a vibrant, artistic and authentic community, Iverson said in a statement upon her return to her hometown. I am excited to work with the community to create a prosperous city that benefits all. Talent displayed: Participants representing the Alamosa Community Center took first place last week in an annual talent show at Kiva Auditorium hosted by the Department of Family and Community Services division of Community Recreation and Educational Initiatives. About 465 participants representing 14 centers created props and costumes in an effort to win bragging rights for their community center. The talent show challenges participants to express themselves through the arts while challenging other centers to outperform them. Other talent show winners are: 2nd place, West Mesa Community Center; 3rd place, Holiday Park Community Center; 4th place, Taylor Ranch Community Center; and 5th Place, Herman Sanchez Community Center. Steve Knight: sknight@abqjournal.com Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal Dan Garcia, whose father founded Garcias Kitchen, isnt angry. In fact, he made the pews and pews of people at St. Therese Catholic Church laugh Sunday night. Were just hard-working people trying to sell beans and chile, he said jovially. Garcia was one of several speakers at a community meeting co-sponsored by Albuquerque Interfaith and the NM Faith Coalition for Immigrant Justice that followed a string of vandalism last month targeting immigrant or Hispanic-owned businesses. He remembered getting a call from an alarm company last month, alerting him that his business and he would later learn 10 others had been vandalized. Police said at the time that a photocopied, handwritten note to the Mexican Mafia was left at the restaurants. Garcia told the church that rather than anger for the man police initially said was responsible, he has sympathy. Officers told him that they recognized the person caught on surveillance video throwing a rock through a window. Edelidio Wallace, 58, is facing criminal damage to property charges linked to two vandalized businesses, according to court documents. Last month, police said they thought he was linked to several more of the incidents. It is not clear whether Wallace may eventually face additional charges, and a spokesman for the District Attorneys Office did not respond to an inquiry about the case Thursday. Albuquerque police officer Simon Drobik said last month that Wallace, who lists his address as a homeless shelter Downtown, is well-known to police, and officers have repeatedly worked to connect him with mental health services. I hope somehow he can get help, Garcia said. That sentiment was echoed by Maria Ledesma whose restaurant Paleteria La Reina de Michocan was also vandalized. She said she does not judge the person who targeted her business. Mental health resources and immigrant justice were big topics of discussion at the forum Sunday night, with representatives from churches, the Hopkins Center and others advocating for more accessible resources in New Mexico and Albuquerque. The meeting ended with a call to action for community members to support the vandalized businesses, exercise their right to vote and to get involved with immigrant advocacy groups. Prev 1 of 4 Next Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal Witnesses say Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office deputies taking part in the federally funded Project Safe Neighborhoods shot and injured a man who they had been looking for Monday morning around East Central. Sheriff Manuel Gonzales said deputies were conducting surveillance around noon for a man wanted on a felony warrant. He said they found the man at the Bow & Arrow Lodge on Central near Utah SE and he was armed with a gun. A foot chase ensued. At some point shots were fired, Gonzales said in a briefing outside the crime scene tape. We do not know how many shots were fired. We know the subject sustained at least one gunshot wound. We dont know how that gunshot wound happened. Gonzales said he did not know if the man had fired at deputies. But, Barry Lane, who owns a store on Utah and Central, described what he witnessed. I saw a gentleman run from the policemen across the street, Lane said. He wouldnt stop. They fired three times. The police shot him. Joseph Estrada, who also owns a business across from the scene, said he heard three or four shots and went outside to see what had happened. The guy is laying in the street, Estrada said. They pick him up, cuff him and just let him sit there. You can see the whole bottom of his shirt was bleeding. He said about five minutes later, an ambulance came and took the man to the hospital. The man was in surgery Monday afternoon, Gonzales said. He said the man was wanted on a felony warrant for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He did not identify him but said he was in his mid-30s and had been booked into jail around 40 times. Gonzales did not say how many deputies were involved in the shooting, but he said no deputies were injured. Eastbound Central was closed from Texas to Vermont into the evening while deputies combed through the scene. An unmarked SUV could be seen stopped in the middle of Utah SE, across from a preschool and day-care building. A small bundle of clothing lay nearby on the ground. Gonzales said parents had been called to come pick up their children from the day care. The Multi-Jurisdictional Metro Shoot Team made up of BCSO, the Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico State Police and the Rio Rancho Police Department will investigate the shooting. Gonzales couldnt say Monday afternoon how many deputies will be put on paid administrative leave, which is standard in cases in which law enforcement officers fire their weapons. The deputies had been working with the U.S. Marshals Service on the U.S. Department of Justices Project Safe Neighborhood, Gonzales said. He said project focuses on violent offenders. Were going to continue to do proactive law enforcement throughout the metro area, Gonzales said. Its in the best interest of every person who is wanted to turn themselves in and comply with law enforcement. CHICAGO At least 11 people were shot to death and about 70 wounded in a weekend burst of violence in Chicago that instantly became a political issue when President Donald Trumps lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, blamed the carnage on longtime Democratic rule in the city. Police on Monday attributed the dozens of shootings to gangs, the illegal flow of guns and sweltering August heat that drew more people outside. The victims ranged in age from 11 to 63, according to police. One teenage girl died after being shot in the face. A teenage boy was fatally shot riding a bike Sunday afternoon. Other shootings took place at a block party and a funeral. Even for Chicagoans all too accustomed to violence in parts of the city, the weekend stood out. By way of comparison, at least seven people were killed and 32 wounded during the long Memorial Day weekend, the Chicago Tribune reported. Our souls are burdened, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. It is unacceptable to happen in any neighborhood of Chicago. We are a better city. Echoing comments that Trump himself has made repeatedly about Chicago, Giuliani blamed Emanuel President Barack Obamas White House chief of staff and decades of one party Democratic rule in a series of tweets on Sunday and Monday. The former New York mayor also tweeted his support for Chicago mayoral candidate and former Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, referring to him as Jerry and calling him a policing genius. McCarthy plans to run next February against Emanuel, who fired McCarthy in 2015 after the release of dashcam video showing a white police officer kill a black teenager by shooting him 16 times. Misspelling Emanuels last name, Giuliani tweeted: He can do a lot better than Mayor Emmanuel who is fiddling while Chicago burns. Giuliani also falsely claimed that Chicago had 63 murders this weekend. The mayor had no immediate comment on Giulianis attacks. Most of the shootings happened in poor neighborhoods on the West and South Sides where gangs are entrenched, said Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, standing next to the mayor. Johnson noted that homicides in the city are down by around 20 percent from last year. But he said gang members and others arrested on gun charges arent dealt with harshly enough. It is the same people who are pulling the triggers, he said. This is a small subset of individuals who think they can play by their own rules because they continue to get a slap on the wrist when we arrest them. Johnson said at the morning news conference there had been no arrests in any of the weekend shootings. Days before the attacks, some 200 protesters marched through a well-to-do North Side neighborhood and briefly closed Lake Shore Drive, calling for more resources to stem violence in poor areas. Tio Hardiman, one of the organizers of last weeks rally, said members of the black community need to take the initiative by mediating truces between gangs. The violence peaked early Sunday, including one shooting on the South Side that wounded eight people. Security was increased over the weekend at the outdoor Lollapalooza music festival in downtown Chicago, which drew tens of thousands of young people. But Johnson said the officers were on overtime and werent moved from their regular beats in high-crime areas. City officials say new crime-fighting measures over recent years have helped bring homicide numbers down, including greater reliance on technology that can instantly indicate where gunfire came from. Improved intelligence-gathering has also enabled police to quickly dispatch officers to hotspots where gang violence has just occurred to help thwart revenge attacks. Chicago ended 2017 with 650 homicides, down from 771 the year before. Though the drop was significant, last years total exceeded the combined number of killings in New York and Los Angeles, the two U.S. cities bigger than Chicago. In a statement, McCarthy called himself a proud Democrat and distanced himself from Giulianis views and the misguided, divisive tone and policies of Donald Trump. McCarthy said the blame for the bloodshed lies squarely with Rahm Emanuels weak leadership and failed policies, not with Chicago Democrats as a whole. Another active storm pattern is in store for residents in northern and central New Mexico this week, meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque said Monday. Severe weather is possible today and Wednesday across northeastern New Mexico, weather service meteorologist Brian Guyer said, with large hail and damaging wind gusts the main threats. Heavy rain will also be possible, which could lead to localized flash flooding. When we have a northwest flow in place across the northeast portion of the state, we generally know that there is at least some risk that there could be, at least, a strong thunderstorm, if not severe, Guyer said. Showers and thunderstorms will continue to increase in number and intensity through the rest of the workweek. On Wednesday, a disturbance will increase thunderstorm coverage from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains eastward, as well as the high plains from Des Moines and Clayton south to the east-central plains. Increased storms are expected in the Four Corners area Thursday. The best chances for precipitation will take place across northern and western higher terrain. Heavy rain will become an increasing concern throughout the week as soils become saturated and storm motion slows. Localized flash flooding is possible, forecasters said. Higher pressure will continue to build west and northwest of New Mexico on Thursday, Guyer said, gradually drifting toward the north. The low-pressure system over the Texas Gulf Coast is going to start drifting toward the west and give us a surge of mid- and upper-level moisture across the area, too, Guyer said. By Thursday, thats when were going to see concern for flash flooding in the area. Temperatures statewide are expected to trend downward starting Wednesday, and continuing Thursday and Friday as storm chances increase. Most of the state will be looking at (high) temperatures in the 80s, Guyer said. That is about 5 degrees below normal. I know folks will be enjoying that. Albuquerque will have slight chances of precipitation each day through Saturday, according to the NWS forecast, with high temperatures in the 90s today and Wednesday, and highs in the 80s Thursday through Saturday. Customer Logins Obtain the data you need to make the most informed decisions by accessing our extensive portfolio of information, analytics, and expertise. Sign in to the product or service center of your choice. Pentti Sammallahti, a 68-year-old Finnish photographer, enjoys an unusual status, notes The Economist: Though publicly feted, he remains publicity shy. The modest prices for his work prints start at 600 ($702) are part of the explanation. Gallerist Peter Fetterman, who exhibited Mr Sammallahtis work at the Masterpiece fair in London in July, says he is the best photographer whose work you can afford. Fetterman encourages Sammallahti to charge more, because some collectors are put off by the low prices. Some Aiken County Public School students will start the 2018-19 year in a brand new school, and others will attend different schools as part of the redistricting plan the School Board approved in January. The district also will introduce a new accelerated learning program at Aiken High, break ground for a new Ridge Spring-Monetta High, open a new adult learning center and continue construction at Aiken High and North Augusta High this school year. Aiken Scholars Academy The new Aiken Scholars Academy will welcome 50 ninth-graders from across the county when classes start Aug. 20. The Aiken Scholars Academy is based in USC Aiken's Ruth Patrick Science Education Center. A partnership between the school district and USCA, the academy will provide an elite academic experience for qualified students who were chosen by application. The academy will immerse them in the college experience while still in high school; as upperclassmen, students will take classes taught by USCA professors and earn college credit. Redistricting Redistricting will affect students across the county, but especially in the Aiken area. In January, the Aiken County School Board approved rezoning students who live in neighborhoods east of Whiskey Road in South Aiken from Chukker Creek Elementary to Millbrook Elementary. Students who live in the Trolley Run Station neighborhood off University Parkway formerly attended schools in Area 3 in the Graniteville area, but this year, they will attend Aiken Elementary, Schofield Middle and Aiken High. Some students who live in downtown Aiken neighborhoods also will be affected by the new attendance lines. In eastern Aiken County, some students who live along the Barnwell County line adjacent to the Savannah River Site will attend Oakwood-Windsor Elementary in Aiken's Area 1 and then go to New Ellenton Middle and Silver Bluff High in Area 5. The board also approved attendance boundary changes for middle and elementary schools in Area 3, including Leavelle McCampbell Middle in Graniteville, Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle, Byrd Elementary in Graniteville, Warrenville Elementary, Gloverville Elementary, Jefferson Elementary in Bath and Clearwater Elementary. The school district's school zone locator has been updated with new attendance lines for the 2018-19 and 2019-20 school years, according to its website. To access the locator, visit acpsd.net. Ridge Spring-Monetta High On Aug. 17, the school district will break ground for the new Ridge Spring-Monetta High School, which will be funded in part with revenue from the 1 percent sales tax voters approved in November 2014. The school will be built on the existing campus in Monetta. New adult education center On Aug. 21, the district will open the Aiken County Adult Education Center with a new name and a new location on Jefferson Davis Highway near Aiken Technical College. The proximity to the college will allow the center to coordinate workforce training and development programs with ATC. New elementary school During the school year, the district will renovate the former adult learning center, the Byrd Learning Center in Graniteville, as a repurposed and renamed elementary school to help alleviate overcrowding at Byrd Elementary. The new school is expected to open in fall 2019. Continuing construction After the classroom wing, cafeteria and media center opened at Aiken High in December, the school's new sign recently went up on the administration building on Rutland Drive. The floors have been poured and walls are going up for Aiken High's next phase of construction, which includes classrooms for JROTC and the arts and an auxiliary gymnasium. The $16 million project should be compete by early April 2019. Construction continues on new classrooms at North Augusta High. The nearly $40 million project should be complete by early November 2018. Both projects are funded in part with revenue from the 1 percent sales tax. For more back to school coverage, see below. Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. Another piece of Riverside Village is moving toward becoming a reality North Augusta City Council members will hear a presentation regarding Riverside Village Park during their study session Monday evening. The park at Riverside Village is one of many aspects still under construction at the live, work, play development. During their meeting, council will also be holding the second of three votes on an ordinance that has been a contentious issue between the city and residents for a few months. During councils July 2 meeting, the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the text of the citys Neighborhood Preservation Overlay District passed 4-3. Michael Pace, the owner of Mountaineer Pest Services off of Georgia Avenue, has applied for a text amendment that would remove the section of Georgia Avenue where his business is located from the overlay, saying he would like to build to General Commercial standards. The section is between Briggs Avenue and Maddox Avenue. The Neighborhood Preservation Overlay District is in place to provide a smooth transition from residential neighborhoods to commercial areas, and has restrictions on business hours, building size and character. The ordinance was tabled twice by council. Concerned residents have spoken against the amendment, saying it is being ramrodded by the city, and expressing safety concerns. During the July 16 council meeting, mayor pro tempore Ken McDowell told council and those present at the meeting that Councilwoman Pat Carpenter, who was not present, had recused herself from future votes on the ordinance. Carpenter voted in favor of the first reading, but City Attorney Kelly Zier said the recusal would not impact the July 2 vote. Council will also be voting on a resolution that would request a section of Bunting Drive be removed from the State Highway System and ownership and maintenance be transferred to the city. The resolution says South Carolina Department of Transportation denied a permit application from the city for construction of storm drainage piping. +3 City of North Augusta passes first reading of text amendment to neighborhood preservation overlay The air was thick with tension and emotion once again at the North Augusta City Councils me The resolution says the city's engineering department reviewed the plans and recommends the city pursue them. The plans would install underground storm drainage piping within the travel lanes of a portion of Bunting Drive. The resolution, if passed, would state "City Council has determined that it is in the public interest for the city to request that SCDOT remove a portion of Bunting Drive from the state secondary highway system and for the city to acquire the Road and the continuing maintenance obligations from SCDOT." Council will also consider a resolution that would establish a capital improvement program and authorize First Tryon Securities to provided capital planning advisory services to the city in an amount no greater than $60,000. Council will also receive a recommendation from Planning Commission regarding amending the FEMA flood insurance section of the development code. Planning Commission voted unanimously Thursday evening to recommend that City Council amend the section with FEMAs new floodplain maps. So basically, every few years, FEMA comes along and they restudy floodplains said Libby Hodges, the citys Planning and Development director. N.A. Planning Commission recommends City Council amend floodplain maps North Augusta City Council will soon vote on whether to adopt changes to the development cod Hodges said they look at data and re-evaluate floodplain levels, and in order to stay within their system, municipalities must adopt their revised maps. Council will vote on the first two of three readings of the ordinance amending the section. During their study session, council will also hear a presentation from North Augusta Forward. City Council meets Monday on the third floor of the municipal building at 100 Georgia Ave. The study session is at 6 p.m. and the regular meeting is at 7 p.m. Deutsche Post DHL (DP DHL) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are stepping up their training programme for disaster preparedness training for Indian airports. The two organisations are expanding Get Airports Ready for Disaster (GARD) programme with officials and experts from the Airports Authority of India (AAI). This programme will include a new Train the Facilitator element for countries that are at above average risk for natural disasters. This not only supports airport authorities in their efforts to build resilience against future natural disasters, but also enables participants to train others at the national level. At the workshop, facilitators-in-training will learn how to evaluate the current level of preparedness at airports, conduct training exercises, and develop specific recommendations and ready an action plan to ensure that airports are prepared for future disasters. Thereafter, all attendees will be able to conduct GARD workshops at the national level themselves. So far, Guwahati and Chennai airports are already GARD-trained. Channelling relief efforts from airports to affected communities require efficient operational procedures, and appropriate infrastructure capabilities said Subhash Kumar, general manager at the AAI. In addition to reassessing airport facilities and strengthening staff expertise, this workshop will allow us to build up our readiness for any potential emergencies across the country and regionally. Besides having the necessary airport infrastructure and local transport connections to smoothly deliver lifesaving support to impacted communities, airport teams need to be trained in the necessary protocols and know-how to handle the dramatic rise in air traffic and flow of goods and people that typically follows a disaster. With increased vulnerability due to climate change, it is essential to strengthen national capacities and resilience to natural disaster. These include training local authorities in special customs and immigration policies that need to be activated in the event of emergency, and having passenger evacuation plans or accommodation at the airport for the first 72 hours, said Preeti Soni, Assistant Country Director, UNDP. India is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world when it comes to natural disasters prone to floods and landslides during the monsoon season, and a high incidence of cyclones and earthquakes. With climate change, the number and intensity of these disasters are only expected to grow. Read more cargo airport news Sign up to receive Air Cargo News direct to your inbox for free Four of Japans Ussuri brown bears Riku, Kai, Hanako and Amu have safely migrated to their new sanctuary in the UKs Yorkshire Wildlife Park, transported during a 9,000 km journey by DHL Global Forwarding. Relocating from the Japanese island of Hokkaido, the bears voyage saw them travel via special temperature-controlled trucks chilled to 10C for the journey to the New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido. From the Hokkaido airport, they were flown to Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan, where they boarded a connecting flight to Heathrow Airport. A veterinarian and an animal handler travelled alongside the precious cargo. The transport of live animals requires extensive planning and collaboration between various parties, said Paul Chinery, vice president Aairfreight UK, DHL Global Forwarding. Chinery added: We at DHL Global Forwarding are proud to have the chance to support the important work of institutions like Yorkshire Wildlife Park with our wide range of competencies, from rapid multimodal freight to customs clearance of sensitive cargo. Thanks to our extensive expertise of planning and executing challenging transports we could ensure a smooth transition of the four bears to their new sanctuary. Each Ussuri brown bear can weigh up to 550 kg and requires temperatures to be maintained as closely as possible to their native climate in northern Japan and Korea. As such, purpose-built crates that could fit into the aircraft were produced for each of the bears to ensure they were comfortable throughout the trip. DHL Global Forwarding worked closely with the park to plan and orchestrate the complex voyage, optimising and customising transport routes and modes respectively. The company also provided expedited customs clearance for the bears arrival in London while Park staff managed the final leg of the journey from the airport to their new home. Spacious, temperature-controlled environments were a necessity for the bears welfare along the voyage, said John Minion, chief executive of Yorkshire Wildlife Park, adding: DHL took utmost care to ensure the animals arrived with as little stress and risk to their health as possible no mean feat for such a lengthy and complex journey. "The bears will be the first residents in a new Rehabilitation Centre at the Park a 2.5-acre specialist reserve which has been designed for short to mid-term housing of carnivores who have been re-homed before moving into their permanent home at the Park. We are excited to prepare the bears for their new home where they will receive the lifelong care they need. The bears, ranging from 17 to 27 years old, will spend the rest of their lives in the care of expert handlers at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, a world leader in endangered species welfare which also hosts one of the largest polar bear conservation projects in the world. The park and its Foundation support conservation and welfare projects all around the world from the critically endangered Amur leopard in Russia, the black rhino in East Africa to the lemurs of Madagascar. The endangered Ussuri brown bear, also known as the black grizzly bear, is found in many regions in the world but they are extinct across parts of Asia. Reported to be 10,000 left in Japan, the bears are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to their vulnerability to habitat loss, illegal hunting and capture, and being poached for body parts and skins. Sign up to receive Air Cargo News direct to your inbox for free Read more Live animal transportation news Share this story CAIRO Egyptians in general welcome premarital education for Muslim couples, in light of the country's high divorce rate. But courses offered strictly to young women by Salafi groups are raising controversy for their claims that women are solely responsible for their marriages' success or failure. In a statement published July 20 in Egyptian newspapers, Salafi preacher Sameh Abdel Hamid called on the Egyptian government to entrust every authorized marriage officer to propose counseling courses to couples wishing to marry. But reactions were largely unfavorable to an ad distributed in the streets of Cairo for courses targeting only young women. The Qurrat Ayun (Joy of the Eye) association, which organized those courses, ended up canceling classes scheduled for Aug. 2-5. The group cited reasons beyond its control. The ad announced three pre-marriage courses to be held at Qurrat Ayuns office in Mansoura, in Alexandria governorate, for 100 Egyptian pounds ($6) per course. The courses could be taken remotely via teleconference programs and were to focus on Salafi ideas about how to manage marital life. Salafism is a fundamentalist branch of Sunni Islam. Salafi thought promotes a number of ideas that many citizens see as being against womens rights. Salafism is known to promote early marriage, polygamy, the husband's right to beat his wife or prevent her from working, as well as the prohibition of birth control. Egyptian women's rights institutions have been struggling to root out these ideas and practices. The Salafi courses are organized by seven men and one woman whose photo didn't appear in the ad. Instead, the group used a picture of a rose. In the parliamentary electoral campaigns in 2011 and 2015, the conservative Nour Party a Salafi group also used pictures of roses instead of the faces of its female candidates. Pre-marriage courses have gained attention as Egypt's divorce rate rises. Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics said in its annual report, issued in July 2018, that the country's 2017 divorce rate in urban areas was 54.6%, while it stood at 45.4% in rural areas, indicating an overall increase of 3.2% over 2016. The overall 2015 divorce rate in the United States, by comparison, was estimated at 42-50%, the lowest in 40 years. The advertised Salafi training courses, some say, represent an attempt to undermine the pre-marriage courses organized by the state. Egypts ministries of Health and Religious Endowments agreed last year to organize pre-marriage courses for men and women. The first session was held in January. Dar al-Ifta, Egypt's official religious institution tasked with drafting edicts, has offered similar courses regularly for several years. In the Christian sphere, the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria imposed a marital counseling course in July 2017 on couples wishing to get married. A couple must pass the course to obtain the church's "no-objection" certificate as a prerequisite for marriage. A marriage preparation course is widely required in the United States to marry in a Catholic church. Meanwhile, the youth committee of Egypts National Council for Women launched in 2017 an awareness-raising initiative dubbed "Together to Stay, offering counseling courses for prospective couples in a bid to curb divorce rates. Sheikh Mohammed al-Bastawisi, the official in charge of the premarital courses organized by the Ministry of Religious Endowments, welcomes premarital courses but noted they must abide by the curriculum set by the ministry and Al-Azhar. They must let go of the Salafi nonsense ideas and practices, such as early marriages, that they are trying to pin on true Islamic religion and for which they invoke false evidence, he told Al-Monitor. The ministry is offering its courses to both sexes, not only to girls. The success of a marital relationship is the responsibility of both women and men. Limiting premarital courses to girls gives the impression that they are responsible for the high divorce rates. He added, "This is absolutely not true." Bastawisi stressed the need to review the courses offered by these associations. Bastawisi added that these associations should only be allowed to offer their courses if their content is changed so as not to entrench what he said are false religious concepts. Entisar al-Saeed, head of the Cairo Foundation for Development and Law, pointed out that allowing Salafi associations to organize premarital courses could pave the way for legitimizing fallacies in the name of religion. According to her, the Salafi curriculum is full of misconceptions and is hostile to women. This was evident in numerous initiatives launched by this religious current, she told Al-Monitor. Saeed recalled female Salafi activist Ranya Hashem launching an initiative asserting that polygamy is compliant with Sharia. Saeed said, The social media pages and accounts of Salafi figures promote several misconceptions against women in the name of religion. She also referred to a Facebook post by Hashem about how the wives of the Sahabi (the companions of the Prophet Muhammad) accepted being battered by their husbands and, because of their religious commitment, did not seek divorces. Saeed said, These ideas cannot be allowed within the premarital courses for girls. This would mislead them into thinking that their husbands have the right to batter them and that they are religiously bound to tolerate these behaviors. She further pointed out that holding courses just for girls who are about to get married consecrates the idea of women's inferiority and portrays women as responsible for Egypt's high divorce rate. This is unreasonable, she said. Premarital courses are necessary to build happy families. But this must be based on the principle that marriage is a partnership between men and women where affection, compassion and peace of mind prevail. It is not a relationship of submission by a woman to a man, where only the latter has all the rights while the woman is left to assume all duties and be liable for the failure or success of the relationship. Shukri al-Jundi, undersecretary of the parliamentary Religious Committee, pointed out that such courses are deceiving. Jundi told Al-Monitor, Premarital courses must be subject to a permit from Al-Azhar and the Ministry of Endowments and their content must be in line with the curriculum set by the ministry. Jundi warned that there are many different institutes to certify Salafi preachers. The courses offered by some of these institutes, he said, contained extremist ideas and numerous misleading, irregular religious opinions by nonqualified instructors that were not based on any sound religious grounds. He said prospective couples should not fall for these courses and urged them to choose official centers for taking premarital courses. These centers are those affiliated with the Ministry of Endowments and Dar al-Ifta and offer religious content based on valid evidence from Sharia, he added. Qurrat Ayun association officials refused to comment for this story. As Qasem Soleimani bashed the United States for its past and present policies toward Iran at a speech in the western Iranian city of Hamadan on July 26, surrounded by posters of commanders who have died under his command, one woman sat quietly, holding in her hands a framed picture of a young man, listening eagerly to the commander of the powerful Quds Force. You [the United States] are threatening us? You are betting on counter-revolutionaries, Soleimani roared, taking a swipe at Kurdish militants in his 87-minute speech. You are making a big mistake. You know our power in asymmetrical warfare. The picture in the womans hand was of Mohammad Ghafari, a former dentistry student who lost his life in pursuit of Soleimanis asymmetrical warfare. The fallen soldier was a member of the Saberin, a special forces unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that was created in 2000 specifically to be used in counter-guerrilla warfare. In their first major battle, the Saberin faced the fighters of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), an armed group based in the border area between Iran and Iraq. Baran Beritan, once a management student at Urmia University in northwestern Iran, was a PJAK fighter in the summer of 2011, when the Saberin and other IRGC units attacked the group on the peaks of the Qandil Mountains. Ghafari and his fellow soldiers were easy targets for Beritan and other PJAK fighters, who were both experts in guerrilla warfare and familiar with the terrain. Indeed, many Iranian Kurds had been fighting in the ranks of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) against the Turkish army and its counter-guerrilla force since the late 1990s, before they set up PJAK in 2004, specifically for Iranian Kurdistan, referred to as Rojhelat in Kurdish. In the early hours of Sept. 4, 2011, Ghafari and a dozen other Iranian soldiers were killed by PJAK fighters in battle. Iran conceded afterward that many IRGC members including members of the Saberin Unit were killed in fighting that lasted through the summer, though officials did not specify the exact number. PJAK said it lost 23 fighters and that the Iranian side lost hundreds of troops. The fighting finally came to an end with the efforts of officials from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, which got the two parties to declare a cease-fire and refrain from attacking each other, according to Beritan, who offered this account to Al-Monitor without mentioning the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan by name. Iran rebuts claims that it signed a cease-fire with PJAK. Beritan, 36, is now a member of PJAKs 12-member Executive Council. His colleagues are facing a tough choice as the United States ratchets up pressure on Iran. Other Kurdish armed opposition parties, including the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, have expressed a readiness to aid the Donald Trump administration in its attempt to confront the Islamic Republic. But representatives from PJAK, which has a formidable guerrilla force, say they are not sure if a military attack on Iran is a good idea. The group is a member of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), an umbrella organization that brings together all parties influenced by jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalans ideology. The latter includes the Democratic Union Party in Syria and the Freedom Movement (Tevgara Azadi) in Iraq. Many say that the Iranian regime should be toppled," Sarhad Varto, KCK spokesman for foreign relations, told Al-Monitor in Sulaimaniyah, where he was attending a conference about the future of Kurds in the Middle East on July 28. "But look at Syria. After seven years of fighting, now all sides are coming round to negotiate with [President Bashar al-Assad]. He continued, But Iran cant continue like this given the societal and external pressures. It needs to democratize, and that is what the Kurds want. Other Iranian Kurdish armed groups, such as the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, see PJAK as a front for the PKK, but Beritan said his outfit is independent from the PKK, though it sees the latter as a strategic partner. In 2009, the US Treasury designated PJAK as a terrorist organization, saying that the move is geared toward exposing PJAKs terrorist ties to the PKK. The Iranian Kurdish armed groups based in camps in Iraqi Kurdistan have, with a handful of exceptions, avoided major clashes with Iranian security forces since late July 1996, when Iran deployed hundreds of IRGC personnel with heavy guns to attack the bases of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran near Sulaimaniyah. But over the past three years, there have been renewed tensions and confrontations between Iranian Kurdish armed groups and Iranian authorities. In the case of PJAK, things have been particularly complicated. While there have been intermittent clashes between the group and the IRGC since the fierce fighting of the summer of 2011, the parties have until recently avoided serious bloodshed. The uptick in violence in recent weeks appears to have begun after the IRGC on July 11 and 14 ambushed two PJAK units near the Iranian border towns of Marivan and Paveh, leaving four fighters dead. PJAK quickly accused local Kurdish collaborators of spying on their units on behalf of the IRGC. The day after the second ambush, on July 15, one alleged collaborator was killed by unknown gunmen in his home in a village near Marivan. Iranian media blamed the ambush on PJAK. The group has not claimed responsibility for the killing. Two days later, on July 17, unknown gunmen shot and killed a Kurdish activist close to PJAK in the city of Penjwin in Iraqi Kurdistan, across the border from Marivan. PJAK blamed Iran for the attack, with one of the groups officials vowing revenge for both the activist and the four fighters killed in preceding days. On July 21, a large PJAK force sneaked up on an IRGC outpost in the mountains near Marivan, killing at least 11 security personnel, wounding eight and blowing up a major arms cache. Some reports on social media claim that all of the Iranian fatalities were Sunni Kurds, in a display of the fraught complexities of the conflict. The Islamic Republic has promised to retaliate and go after armed groups based in Iraqi Kurdistan. But, despite the saber-rattling, both parties appear to not want to escalate the dispute further. Given that KCK operates in Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran, its leaders have to consider the bigger picture when devising policy. KCK members are currently fighting in Turkey, Syria and the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan and they cannot afford to open another active front with Iran at a time when the Democratic Union Party is trying to negotiate with the Assad regime, a strong ally of Iran. There is another dimension to consider: The clashes between PJAK and the IRGC coincided with increasingly tough rhetoric from Washington after the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal. We have not had any contacts with the Americans, Beritan told Al-Monitor. But our diplomatic channels are open. We dont think a military intervention is the right course of action, but we also realize that unless there is fundamental change in Iran, the problems of the Middle East wont be solved. We have units inside Iran from [the northwestern town of] Maku to Kermanshah province, but we avoid clashing with the IRGC, said Beritan, who joined PJAK in 2008, after finishing his university degree. However, we reserve the right to defend ourselves, meaning that if we come under attack, we will respond. He believes that Iranian opposition groups have no plans for the day after the toppling of the Islamic Republic and that this is partly why PJAK does not support armed confrontation, as it could unleash ethnic and sectarian tensions like in Iraq and Syria. Making war is easy but concluding it is difficult, he said. As US sanctions against Iran resume Aug. 6 after the US exit from the 2015 nuclear deal, Irans top diplomat struck an upbeat tone with reporters. Today we are not under a crisis situation, rather, we have put a crisis situation behind us, said Mohammad Javad Zarif on the occasion of Journalists Day. Zarif said that before the nuclear deal between Iran and five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany, European nations used to sanction Iran even more aggressively than the United States did. He continued, Today, when the US sanctions us, other countries do not follow, and it is America that has been isolated. Zarif added, Today, everyone talks about the isolation of [US President Donald] Trump, [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and [Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed] bin Salman. He emphasized, We are certain that we will pass through this stage. Zarif also rejected US claims that they are trying to help the people of Iran, saying that Secretary of State Mike Pompeos meeting with Iranians in California was with 80% non-Iranians. Zarif asked rhetorically that if the United States cares so much about Iran, Why were the first sanctions [reimposed] on airplanes? Zarif accused the United States of having the primary policy of creating domestic chaos. He conceded that the United States successfully created an atmosphere depicting a negative economic situation inside Iran but said that the economic reality is not like this. He criticized the media for its coverage in reinforcing the negative narrative about the Iranian economy. On the possibility of new US-Iran negotiations, Zarif said, The supreme leader said that if the negotiations go well, we can negotiate on other issues. The nuclear deal came about from the efforts of many people. The US Secretary of State [John Kerry] was outside of his country for 18 days and negotiated nine continuous hours. After all of this, [the United States] voided the deal. Can someone like this be negotiated with? Zarif urged journalists to put aside painting a dark picture and creating hopelessness. He stressed, The country is truly in a good situation, we have passed through much more difficult situations. While Zarif attempted to depict a rosy picture of the state of the Iranian economy, Iranian officials have been working to reverse the plunging currency. The market and economists mostly welcomed a new economic policy by Irans central bank lifting restrictions on exchange rates. In addition to new exchange rate policies, Irans judiciary is aggressively and publicly pursuing cases of economic corruption. The most high profile arrest to take place recently has been of Ahmad Araghchi, the former deputy for currency exchange at the central bank. Araghchi, who was appointed to the important position one year ago, is the nephew of Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Ahmads lack of work experience has brought about accusations of nepotism. According to Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, the spokesman for the judiciary, 45 individuals have been arrested for economic corruption in recent days since the statements by grand ayatollahs calling for swift and firm action. Nasser Shabani, a senior commander for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said that 13 individuals had also been arrested who have links to the intelligence services of the United Arab Emirates. Shabani said these individuals were ordered to purchase dollars and transfer them to Iraq. Israels Security Cabinet on Aug. 5 discussed once again the developing agreement with Hamas. Most details of the deal remain under wraps to avoid a leak that could possibly torpedo it. Egypt and UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov are involved in the negotiations along with the two parties. A source from Hamas' pragmatist camp told Al-Monitor that a deal lifting Israels 11-year siege of Gaza would be a victory for the popular struggle conducted by residents of the enclave in recent months. The multi-stage understandings that Egypt and Mladenov are promoting are nearing the final phase, with the Hamas leadership awaiting decisions by Israel. While Hamas would like to present such an agreement to Palestinians in Gaza as the successful culmination of an armed and popular struggle, Israel is seeking to blur the fact that it is conducting negotiations with a movement it has long excoriated as a terror organization. Instead of saying that these are the first talks in 11 years on lifting the blockade of Gaza, Israeli officials speak of regulation of Gaza. Israel has used similar euphemisms in the past to describe deals with the Palestinians. The 2005 withdrawal of Israeli troops and settlements from Gaza was called disengagement. At the end of the 1990s, the term pulse was used to describe Israels phased withdrawal from parts of the West Bank under the terms of the Oslo Accords. Either way, the latest Security Cabinet session dealt with removing the economic pressure on Gaza and lifting most of the restrictions that Israel has claimed for years were critical in its fight against Hamas. This state of affairs is reminiscent of the arguments Israel made against a pullout from Lebanon until it withdrew in May 2000. At the time, the prevailing political and public narrative said that withdrawing from Israel's self-declared security zone in southern Lebanon was unacceptable because the risks would far outweigh the price Israel had paid to remain there for almost two decades. Israel had invaded Lebanon in a campaign it dubbed Operation Peace for Galilee on June 6, 1982, and eventually it would see 670 Israeli soldiers and other security personnel killed; four were declared missing. The military pullout ordered by the government of Prime Minister Ehud Barak proved that the so-called security zone did not contribute to safeguarding Israels security, certainly not in any way that would justify such extensive loss of life in those years. Has the siege of Gaza, now under discussion by the top government echelons, made any significant contribution to the safety of the communities in southern Israel in recent years? A definitive answer is difficult at this point, but the same decision-makers who have been at the helm of government for the past 11 years and have repeatedly claimed that lifting the siege would encourage Hamas to arm itself and escalate its struggle against Israel are now debating an agreement with that very same Hamas. None is warning of an impending catastrophe. Israel is openly discussing a long-term regulation agreement that would result in a gradual lifting of the Gaza siege. At the crux of the agreement is an issue of principle. Israel is coming to accept Hamas rule of Gaza, recognizing Hamas as the sovereign there and discussing a deal with its leadership. Following the Security Cabinet meeting, a senior Israeli official told reporters that the contacts currently underway focus on one goal: a cease-fire. After all, it is not easy for the government to concede that Israel is conducting negotiations with a terror organization. Clearly, the talks are not only about a truce. They are about an arrangement that would naturally include a Hamas commitment to desist from all violence against Israel. For years, Israel upheld the principle of refusing to negotiate with terrorists, a principle identified primarily with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The recent developments on this issue could have diplomatic repercussions. Israel will no longer be able to reprimand any country or international officials over meetings or contacts with Hamas representatives. The agreement, if approved, will be a clear, undeniable declaration that Israel views Hamas as a political entity representing the residents of Gaza and being responsible and committed to their welfare. In the past, Israel declared that it would not negotiate with Hamas until the organization fulfilled three parameters issued by the Quartet (the European Union, United Nations, United States and Russia): that Hamas recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept existing peace accords, namely Oslo. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh consistently used Arabic terms of negation to emphasize that he would never recognize the existence of the State of Israel. For now, most Western countries still view Hamas as a terrorist organization. They might change their tune if Israel gives the movement its seal of approval. Will the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem be able to condemn the invitation of Hamas representatives to an international forum? The emerging agreement also affects Israels relationship with the Palestinian Authority. Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman have long been dismissive of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Netanyahu has claimed for years that Abbas is not a partner for peace, whereas Liberman often calls him an impediment to peace and urges his removal. Even as they eschew negotiations with Abbas, who has espoused nonviolence throughout his time in office and has continued coordination between his security forces and Israels, they are coming to understandings with Hamas, which openly favors the path of terrorism against Israel. A top Fatah official in the West Bank speaking to Al-Monitor on the condition of anonymity said that Israel continues to prove that it only understands force. Just as the 2005 withdrawal from Gaza was considered a blow to Abbas conciliatory line and a victory for Hamas' rejectionism, Israel, with its emerging deal to lift the siege against Gaza, is showing the Palestinians that the Hamas way is more effective. It happened in the Syrian city of Hama. When Aziz Asber climbed into his car sometime during the night between Aug. 4 and Aug. 5, he had no idea that it would be the last time. The headrest of his seat exploded with an earsplitting blast, killing Asber and his driver instantly. When the smoke cleared, it was discovered that Asber was the head of Department 4 of the Syrian Scientific Research Center, an institute spearheading the Bashar al-Assad regimes development of nonconventional weapons. Its labs in the town of Masyaf in Hama province had been bombed on numerous occasions over the past two years and sustained major damage. These bombings were attributed to Israel and its alleged decision to destroy the joint Syrian-Iranian-Hezbollah Precision Project. The goal of this project was to install a kit on Syrian and Hezbollah missiles, improving their precision considerably and thereby posing a strategic threat to Israels military superiority. It now looks like Israel had decided to take matters up a notch. Sources in the Syrian regime have already blamed Asbers assassination on the Israeli Mossad. While Israel has maintained its silence, it would be hard to find anyone in the Middle East who did not get the hint. From now on, not only are the weapons facilities in danger, but the scientists working there are as well. According to several publications in the West, the Mossads policy is now to deter anyone involved in the development of nonconventional weapons or any other weapons, for that matter, that might pose a threat to Israel. From now on, they bear sole responsibility for whatever happens to them. Asber was a scientist who worked covertly and kept a low profile. His killing is reminiscent of similar incidents that happened a decade ago, such as the assassination of Hezbollahs Chief of Staff Imad Mughniyeh in Damascus in February 2008 and of Syrian Gen. Mohammed Suleiman at his vacation villa in the town of Tartus in August of that year. While Israel has said nothing about those attacks, various publications in the West have placed responsibility on it, and especially on late Mossad chief Meir Dagan. To this day, the killing of Mughniyeh is considered one of the Mossads boldest and most resounding attacks. The Hezbollah chief of staff lived his life under a thick veil of secrecy. There were hardly any pictures of him, and no one actually knew where he was at any given moment. Mughniyeh slept in a different bed every night. He never remained in the same place for longer than two days, and he was fully aware that he was in the crosshairs of both Israel and the United States. The very fact that someone actually knew exactly where to find him in downtown Damascus that late at night and was able to install an explosive device in his car left the central Hezbollah headquarters in Beiruts Dahieh neighborhood in a state of shock. Its probably worth noting that Mughniyeh also was killed when the headrest in his car blew up. The story of Suleimans assassination is even more intriguing. He was killed one year after the destruction of Syrias nuclear reactor in Deir ez-Zor in 2007. An American investigation into the killing, which was released by whistleblower Edward Snowden, attributes the attack to Israels naval commando unit. Suleiman was the person closest to Assad. He was Assads confidante, responsible for Syrias nuclear project. If he was, in fact, killed by Israel, it signaled that Israel would not make do with destroying facilities that manufacture nuclear weapons, but would also call to account anyone responsible for establishing and developing those facilities. In some sense, Asber is the new Suleiman. He also worked in total secrecy on a Syrian strategic weapon project and was responsible for communications about the Precision Project with both Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah. And he was also killed in a highly covert, professional hit without anyone taking responsibility for it. It has been two and a half years since Yossi Cohen became director of the Mossad. In hindsight, his appointment by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been likened to a powerful shot of adrenaline to the legendary espionage organization. It is not as if the Mossad before Cohen was complacent either. On the other hand, foreign publications are under the impression that the audaciousness of the Mossad and Netanyahu as its direct commander has broken new records. About two years ago, Hamas drone engineer Mohamed Zoari was assassinated in Tunis by two unknown assailants, who left no tracks (except for some Bosnian passports). Then, this April, Palestinian engineer Fadi Mohammad al-Batsh, who was also working on the Precision Project to enhance rockets and missiles, was killed in Malaysia by two assassins on a motorcycle. They emptied an entire clip of bullets in him before they disappeared. Early this year, Hamas activist Mohammed Hamdan got into his Mercedes in a suburb of Tyre, Lebanon, and was injured by an explosive device hidden in the vehicle. Hamdan survived. His elder brother, who is believed to be a senior member of Hamas, is also in Lebanon. While they are both alive, it is reasonable to assume that they got the hint. Added to this list is the assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, who was killed in Dubai in January 2010. Mabhouh was in charge of strengthening the Hamas military and acquiring arms, particularly from Iran. The killing of Mabhouh was caught on security cameras and exposed by the Dubai police. Israel did not assume responsibility for this action. But if it really was the Mossad, the exposure of members of the Mossads assassination unit was surely perceived as a resounding failure; a stain on the otherwise almost-perfect record of Dagan, just before he ended his post. By connecting all the dots, a very clear picture comes into focus. Israel is fighting to prevent its immediate enemies from increasing their military capabilities, with particular emphasis on Iran, Hezbollah, Syria and Hamas. It does this by land, sea and air. While the Israeli air force continues its intensive attacks on weapons convoys and deliveries, manufacturing facilities, and the storage facilities for rockets and missiles, the Mossad is focused on killing the people responsible for these systems. While Israel does not usually take responsibility for these attacks, they have been taking place for many years now. At the peak of Israels struggle against the Iranian nuclear project, several Iranian nuclear scientists were assassinated, too, including some in Iran itself, and these attacks were attributed to Israel. Right now, it looks as if Israel is becoming much more confident, not only in its aerial attacks, but also in all matters pertaining to the Mossads offensive operations. This could be because Netanyahu himself is growing more confident or because of the extensive backing, if not encouragement, that he receives from senior US administration officials under President Donald Trump and his national security adviser John Bolton the very kind of backing that Israel sorely lacked during Barack Obamas presidency. Russia is continuing efforts to enforce an agreement designed to stabilize the situation at the border between Israel and Syria. Under the agreement, Iranian forces and their proxies are pulling back from southern Syria in exchange for Damascus' resumption of control of the Syrian-Israeli border and Israeli recognition of Syrian President Bashar al-Assads authority over Syrian territory according to the 1974 borders. Russia also moved to deploy its military police at the Golan Heights frontier between Syria and Israel and plans to set up eight observation posts in the area. This effort is designed to prevent a direct conflict between Iran and Israel. On Aug. 1, Russian President Vladimir Putins special envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, confirmed that Iran's forces and proxies had withdrawn 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Syria's border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. In other words, Lavrentiev declared that Russia managed to seal the deal between Iran and Israel that Moscow had been brokering for the past several months. The last details of this deal were probably finalized July 23, when Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov and chief of the Russian General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov visited Jerusalem to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, General Staff chief Gadi Eizenkot and head of the National Security Council Meir Ben-Shabbat. However, sources close to the Israeli and Russian governments who spoke with Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity said the main principles of the deal were finalized even earlier, during Libermans May 31 visit to Moscow. The visit was timely: Israel and Iran had already been teetering on the edge of a broader possibly direct confrontation. On May 10, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched its first-ever massive missile attack on Israel. Previously, Irans proxies, but not Iranian forces themselves, carried out missile strikes against Israel. This attack was immediately followed by a massive Israeli retaliation: Israeli air forces struck numerous targets in attacks they claimed caused losses among Iranian troops and their allied forces deployed in Syria. Nevertheless, the intensified Israeli-Iranian confrontation did not lead to a broader conflict. The exchange of strikes was largely a political move. Some Iranian officials Al-Monitor interviewed, who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to comment, said Tehran couldn't leave the US-led April airstrikes on Syria unanswered and attacked Israel as an American ally. Israel, in turn, couldn't leave the Iranian attack without its own answer. Yet no one was ready to cross the red lines further, and Russia did its best to defuse the situation, putting some pressure on both sides. Moscow allegedly threatened to withhold air support for Iran's forces and proxies. On the other hand, Moscow demonstrated that if Israel continues its assertive airstrikes against Iranians and their allies who have moved out of southern Syria, it will supply Damascus with additional means to defend its skies, including S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile systems and TOR-M1 short-range systems. Interestingly, in recent months, the effectiveness of Syrias air defenses increased. Some international media rushed to declare that by compelling Iran to leave southern Syria, Russia has taken the pro-Israeli stance. This is not true. First of all, Moscow isn't interested in an Iranian pullout beyond the 50-mile zone, because Russia needs Iranian forces on the ground to ensure Assads military capabilities. Moscow also doesn't want to undermine its ties with Tehran in Syria, as that would backfire on a broader dialogue with Iran on other issues important to the Kremlin. Finally, the deal became feasible not because of Moscows capacity to pressure Iran, but because of Russia's ability to persuade Iran that the deal is in Iran's own interests, as it will help return southern Syria to the control of Damascus and avoid a situation where it might be accused of excessive aggression against Israel. The latter would inevitably give the United States additional reasons to pressure Iran and undermine the European Union and Russias intention to help Tehran save the nuclear agreement despite the US withdrawal. Moreover, though Iran needs some Iranian fighters in Syria, the importance of Iran's physical presence in southern Syria to keep connections with Hezbollah is overestimated. Arms and equipment supplies can still be easily arranged through Syria via the Beirut airport. De facto, the agreement on southern Syria implies concessions and gains for all sides, which makes it unique but hard to sell in the rest of Syria. Russia guarantees that Iran won't control Syria's border with the Golan Heights. Nevertheless, the agreement also deprives Israel of a pretext to launch airstrikes against the Iranians and their allies deep in Syrian territory. Thus, Moscow prevents weakened Iranian proxies in other parts of Syria, where their presence is important to allow the Assad regime to wage war against the opposition. The Kremlin also gets Israel's blessing to re-establish control over the opposition's territories in the south, weakening the opposition and eliminating the area where the alternative government to Damascus could be established by external forces. Finally, Russia defused tensions between Iran and Israel that might have negatively affected the situation in Syria and puts Israel in a situation where it has to recognize Assad as Syria's legitimate ruler. The deal is also in Israel's interest, and any complaining by Israeli officials should be taken with a grain of salt. Indeed, in July, Israeli authorities again undertook some bold military moves against Irans proxies and the Syrian forces and even started to voice official demands to Damascus and Tehran for the withdrawal of Iranian military personnel and Irans proxies from all of Syria. These demands weren't without reason, yet Israel is also acting on the principle of "ask for more, as you will always get less." According to experts close to the Israeli government interviewed by Al-Monitor, Israeli officials understand that it's impossible to eliminate Irans presence throughout Syria and that the current deal provides the Netanyahu government with the only possible opportunity to somehow decrease Tehrans influence in southern Syria. For now, Israel is encouraged by US President Donald Trumps support, Irans weakness and Russia's generally friendly attitude. At the same time, by giving concessions to Moscow and Tehran, Netanyahu ensured Israel won't see a repeat of the IRGC's May missile strikes anytime soon. Currently, Netanyahu is also busy with Palestinian unrest in the Gaza Strip caused in part by Trumps decision to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. There is little doubt this unrest will continue. As a result, Netanyahu wants to minimize other distractions, and the evacuation of Iranian forces from southern Syria will definitely help. All in all, this deal is in the interests of all parties involved, which, in turn, guarantees that the region is taking a step back from a direct confrontation between Iran and Israel at least for the moment. WASHINGTON Senior Donald Trump administration officials said today they hope that renewed US economic sanctions on Iran that go into effect Tuesday will fuel Iranian protests and ultimately pressure the Iranian regime to take up Trump on his offer for talks for a broader deal. If Iran were really serious theyd come to the table, Trump national security adviser John Bolton told Fox News today. Well find out whether they are or not. They could take up the presidents offer to negotiate with them, to give up their ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs fully and really verifiably, Bolton said. US officials from the White House, the State Department and the Treasury Department, speaking not for attribution on a press call today, said they believed that recent protests seen in Iran and the recent sharp drop in the value of the Iranian currency, the rial, show the Iranian people are frustrated with the Iranian governments decisions about how to manage the economy. In particular, US officials said they support Iranian protesters calling on the Iranian regime to stop spending Iranian money and resources on supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Shiite militias and proxy groups that the United States says are destabilizing the region. What were noticing is that so many of the things that the protesters are demanding are very similar to the things that the United States and other nations in the world are demanding, a senior administration official, speaking not for attribution, said on the call. And we have been consistent saying that if Iran will start behaving like a normal country, there are a number of benefits that will follow from that. But for as long as Iran continues to export revolution around the Middle East and to destabilize the region I think youre going to see the Iranian people continually frustrated, and we support their claims, the official continued. So we would like to see a change in the regimes behavior, and I think the Iranian people are looking for the same thing. The Trump administration officials said they were glad to see signs of Iranian economic distress and unrest after Trumps withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in May, contrary to predictions of some experts that unilateral US economic sanctions would not be very effective. Now, at that time we were warned by experts from the EU, even from my alma mater of the University of Pennsylvania very sad that the threat of unilateral sanctions from the United States would not be an effective tool, a second senior administration official said on the press call. But three months out, we have a very different picture in front of us. The rial is tanking, unemployment in Iran is rising, and there are widespread protests over social issues and labor unrest, she said, expressing glee. The five other world powers that negotiated the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China continue to support it, and European foreign ministers expressed deep regret today as the first of two phases of renewed US economic sanctions went into effect. A second phase of more severe US sanctions on Irans energy and banking sectors is set to go into effect in November. We deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the US, due to the latters withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in a joint statement today. The JCPOA is working and delivering on its goal. The lifting of nuclear-related sanctions is an essential part of the deal, they said, vowing that they would intensify efforts to try to enable Iran to continue exporting oil and gas and conduct banking transactions in spite of renewed US sanctions on those sectors set to go into effect in November. But despite the international resistance, the Trump administration officials expressed determination to impose deepening economic pressure on the Iranian regime in the months to come until it changes course. This administration intends to fully enforce our sanctions as they come back into effect in order to impose economic pressure on the Iranian regime to stop its destabilizing activity, and ultimately chart a new path that will lead to prosperity for the Iranian people, a third senior administration official said on the call. Iranian officials, including those deeply involved in negotiations with the United States for the nuclear deal from 2013-2015, said they did not see the right conditions for new talks with the Trump administration at this point. And they expressed skepticism about Trumps July 30 offer to talk with Iranian officials anytime, with no preconditions, suggesting it might be a tactic to reduce international opposition to the US pressure campaign. Negotiations have prerequisites, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Iranian state TV today. The person who says lets negotiate is the man who unilaterally withdrew from several multilateral agreements. America will regret imposing sanctions on Iran, Rouhani said. They are already isolated in the world. They are imposing sanctions on Iranian children, patients and the nation. "If we want negotiations with results, we can't have one side continuously stating it's the stronger side and the other side is weaker, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, a top Iranian nuclear negotiator who serves as an adviser to Rouhani, said in an interview with Irans Tasnim news agency. It shouldn't be such that the other side thinks it's being dictated to." "We don't see any of these conditions, Takht-Ravanchi said. We explicitly say that negotiations in the current environment would be useless, in some ways even harmful. So in regard to Trump's recent comments, not only do we not take them seriously, but we see it as a tactic." "We negotiated on every word on JCPOA, and Trump with one signature voided it, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a press conference with Iranian reporters. And now he comes and talks of negotiations? This is just a propaganda play." Iranian American analyst Amir Handjani also questioned whether the Trump administration would actually be willing to make a new deal with the Iranian regime it is trying to destabilize. There is an inherent contradiction in saying we want to sit down with the Iranians and cut a better deal with them, while at the same time encouraging more unrest and havoc inside Iran, Handjani, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and a member of the board of directors of RAK Petroleum, told Al-Monitor by email. "Either it's poorly thought out diplomatic strategy at best or a disingenuous attempt for rapprochement with Tehran at worst, Handjani said. It's doubtful that Rouhani will sit down with Trump unless the administration clarifies its position and then backs its rhetoric with concrete, tangible steps." He said, The Iranians have their backs against the wall. They can ill afford to have a sit-down with Trump and walk away with nothing in return. From their perspective, they have held up their end of the nuclear deal. They will point to that and say to Trump 'we can deliver what we sign up to, can you Mr. Trump? Authorities are searching for a 12-year-old boy missing from Birmingham. Birmingham police said the boy - whose name hasn't been released - has a pacemaker. He was reported missing after he disappeared from the Huffman ball park at 421 Red Lane Road. The boy was last seen wearing a black shirt with an image of a bald eagle on the shirt. He was also wearing blue jean shorts. He was last seen 6 p.m. Police do not yet have a photo of him. Anyone with information is asked to call 911. The mother of a Selma toddler who died last year, as well as her boyfriend, were taken into custody over the weekend in connection with the boy's death. Almetric Matthews, 33, and Tristan Dial, 31, have been indicted in the Aug. 14, 2017 death of 23-month-old Arkhi Matthews who, according to court documents, who was sick and "gasping for life" for more than 10 hours that day without receiving help. Selma Police Chief Spencer Collier on Sunday said the department Criminal Investigations Division and the Special Operations Unit on Friday arrested Dial on a murder indictment. Additionally, the boy's mother - Matthews - was arrested on an indictment for criminal negligent homicide. Authorities had previously charged Dial with aggravated child abuse in the case. Charging documents against Dial state that on that Monday, Arkhi was left in the care of Dial from 5:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and during that time "Arkhi Matthews was not himself." Dial told authorities the child refused to eat or drink anything. Dial said Arkhi's stomach had become large and hard and he was frequently having diarrhea on that day. "And Tristan Dial did not seek medical attention,'' according to the warrant. "Arkhi Matthews was found stretched on the sofa gaggling, according to his mother Almetric Matthews. She took her son to the hospital. When they arrive Arkhi was unconscious." Collier said Arkhi was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to the emergency room at Vaughn Memorial Hospital. An autopsy conducted by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences determined Arkhi's death stemmed from multiple blunt force trauma and deemed it a homicide. Dial is being held in the Dallas County Jail with bond set at $1 million. Matthews is being held on $20,000 bond for the criminally negligent homicide charge, which is a Class A misdemeanor. Her court records were not yet available. Selma police investigators presented their evidence to the grand jury this month. "The death of this defenseless and innocent child is disturbing,'' Collier said. "With the assistance of the District Attorney's Office, our investigators were persistent in their investigation and we are grateful the Dallas County Grand Jury." Four people were taken into custody Monday morning in an ongoing attack on gang-related activity in Alabama's Fourth Judicial Circuit. The Alabama Drug Task Force, the Alabama Law Enforcement's Tactical Unit, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Demopolis, Brent and Centreville police officers and the Bibb County Sheriff's Office carried out the search warrants between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Monday, said District Attorney Michael Jackson. Those arrested were Michael Boles, Quentin Boles, Billy Brooks and Kendric Griffin. Michael Boles, who is on probation for a burglary conviction in Tuscaloosa, was charged with unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and certain persons forbidden to carry a pistol. His brother, Quentin Boles, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of marijuana. Brooks was charged with first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana. Griffin was charged with first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Their arrests stemmed from the discovery of marijuana, ecstasy, guns, pills, ammo and cash. "The gang crackdown is continuing across the Fourth Judicial Circuit - first Dallas County and now Bibb County,'' Jackson said. "The broom sweeping up these criminals will continue to get bigger." A former Jefferson County attorney will not have his case reviewed by the state's criminal appeals court. Douglas Cooner, 63, was convicted in April 2017 of three counts of second-degree theft, two counts of first-degree perjury, one count of third-degree perjury, and three counts of unauthorized practice of law-- a total of nine charges. Jefferson County Circuit Judge Michael Streety sentenced Cooner to five years, split 60 days to serve, in the county jail for the five felony charges. Cooner was given a six-month suspended sentence for the remaining four misdemeanor counts. He was also ordered to serve two years probation following his jail sentence. Cooner appealed to the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, but the court announced Friday that Cooner's application for a rehearing was overruled. The disbarred attorney was charged in 2015 after he was hired by several Hispanic clients who were trying to achieve legal immigration status. Cooner was first disciplined by the Alabama State Bar in 2010 and ordered not to practice law in the state. That decision was appealed to the Alabama Supreme Court, and went back multiple times to the disciplinary board before Cooner was officially disbarred in Sept. 2013. In 2014, he was suspended from practicing in the Executive Office for Immigration Review, or in immigration courts. That suspension was made final in March 2014. All of Cooner's clients said they wanted permanent status or a green card, but instead Cooner filed for asylum. In the asylum applications, Cooner said each client was facing gangs in their hometowns and were afraid to return to their Mexico. "I didn't say any of that, any of that that's in that paper," Cesar Perez Martinez said about his former lawyer. He told the courtroom during trial that he signed the asylum form when it was blank. "They said, 'just sign it,' and [Cooner] would take care of the rest," Martinez said. "They would figure it out for me." Cooner billed his clients thousands of dollars for his services. He also claimed on the immigration applications to be a lawyer in good standing, even though he had been disbarred and not permitted to practice law in state, federal, or immigration courts. Someone who helps a person file immigration papers does not have to be a lawyer, an expert witness in immigration law testified during trial. However, non-lawyers are not allowed to receive money from the people who they are helping. A lawyer who is not in good standing is also not allowed to file paperwork on the behalf of any client. Update: Homewood police report Natasha Kern was found safe safe Monday night. Earlier: Authorities are asking for the public's help in finding a runaway teen who has been gone for five days. Natasha Kern, 17, left her home at Woodland Village on Aug 1, according to Homewood police. She was last seen in a silver 2002 Buick Century with Alabama tag number 1BR7620. Kern is described as a white female, 5-feet, 5-inches tall and weighing 115 pounds. She has blue eyes and brown hair. Anyone with information is asked to call Homewood police Detective Sergeant Harris at 205-332-6240. A Hale County man has been identified as the person stabbed to death over the weekend in a downtown Birmingham business. The Jefferson County Coroner's Office on Monday identified the victim as LaDaniel O'Neal Willis. He was 22 and lived in Akron, Al. Birmingham police South Precinct officers were dispatched at noon to Birmingham Wholesale Furniture at 2200 Second Ave. South on a report of a stabbing, said Sgt. Johnny Williams. Birmingham Fire and Rescue transported Willis to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Williams said the suspect fled the scene before officers arrived. Authorities said the stabbing happened in the break room at the furniture business. Willis was a temp worker who was assigned to the Birmingham Wholesale. Some kind of altercation between Willis and the suspect erupted. The type of weapon was not immediately known. Birmingham police have no announced any arrests in the case. A Madison County judge has issued a gag order in the criminal case against a Huntsville police officer who is charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a mentally-ill man. Circuit Judge Donna Pate this morning issued the order, which prohibits prosecutors, police and defense attorneys from speaking publicly about the case. A grand jury on Friday indicted Huntsville police officer William Darby for murder in the April 3 fatal shooting of 49-year-old Jeffrey Parker. Parker called police that day, saying he was suicidal and had a gun, according to the police department. The situation was captured on body camera footage, but that hasn't been released to the public. Madison County District Attorney Rob Broussard on Friday said his office took the case to a grand jury for consideration of an indictment because prosecutors were concerned that the shooting wasn't justified. Police Chief Mark McMurray has said the police department stands behind the officer. Darby is on paid leave pending the outcome of his trial. The day of the shooting, officers briefly talked with Parker at the scene on Deramus Avenue and commanded him to drop the gun, the department said. Parker didn't drop the gun, and Darby shot him, the police said. About a month after the shooting, the police department cleared Darby of violating policy, and he returned to work. "The Parker family was surprised but absolutely pleased that the grand jury issued an indictment," Attorney Martin Weinberg said in a statement on Friday. Weinberg represents Parker's estate. "This incident centers on the growing concern about the mistreatment of the mentally ill by law enforcement. We have to put more resources into training law enforcement on how to deal with the mentally ill." In her order issued today, Judge Pate wrote that the parties in the criminal case are prohibited from "making any statements, oral or in written form, which they have reasons to believe will be disseminated to the public through written or electronic media of any kind, as to any aspect of this case with the exception of scheduling and nature of hearings, trial, or other matters before this court." There won't be near as much excitement surrounding the 2018 solar eclipse as the 2017 version but that doesn't mean sky watchers won't be turned in to some excitement later this week. A partial solar eclipse will take place on Aug. 11. A solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow on Earth. During the 2017 eclipse, the path of totality - when the moon blocked out the sun to the greatest degree - stretched from the west coast of the U.S. all the way to the east coast. The U.S. won't be so lucky this time. EarthSky reports the partial solar eclipse will only be visible from the northernmost parts of the world, with the greatest coverage - 65 percent totality - at the North Pole. To see the eclipse, you will need to go to places such as the Swedish city of Kuruna, Yakutsk, Russia or Greenland. How much of the moon will cover the sun depends on your location. Moscow will see only coverage of about 2 percent; the North Pole will see the largest amount of coverage. You can see NASA's animation of that here. The location will start Aug. 11 at 8:02 UTC, or 3:02 a.m. CT. It will reach maximum coverage at 9:46 UTC or 4:46 a.m. CT before ending at 11:30 UTC or 6:30 a.m. CT. Even though the eclipse will be only a partial one, you will still need special glasses or a pinhole camera to view the eclipse. The next total solar eclipse will take place on July 2, 2019 but will only be visible to people I the South Pacific and South America. North America won't be treated to another total solar eclipse until April 8, 2024. The next total lunar eclipse - when the Earth passes between the moon and the sun - will be on Jan. 20, 2019. Livestream information on the eclipse hasn't been released. We'll update with how you can view as soon as it's available. Portland, Ore. - Portland's police chief on Sunday acknowledged allegations of injuries suffered a day earlier as officers cleared streets and fired various crowd-control munitions near crowds of protesters. Chief Danielle Outlaw said any complaints would be forwarded to the Office of Independent Police Review. "This morning I learned of allegations of injury as a result of law enforcement action," Outlaw said in a statement. "I take all force applications by members seriously and I have directed the Professional Standards Division to begin the intake process regarding these allegations to determine if force was used and if so, was within our policy and training guidelines." Reports of injuries appeared on social media during and after the demonstrations. Some were widely shared, but could not be independently confirmed. The police bureau said Saturday that three people were treated by Portland Fire medics, and one was taken by ambulance to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. None of those injuries were the result of police actions, police spokesman Sgt. Chris Burley said. Police officers are required to write reports after using force, the bureau said, and the bureau said it reviews those reports to determine if the actions were within its policies. The statement said complaints about officer conduct could be sent directly to the Office of Independent Police Review for investigation through an online form or by calling (503) 823-0146. Police were stationed in large numbers in downtown Portland on Saturday in anticipation of a face-off between the right-wing group Patriot Prayer and groups of counter-protesters. Police lined Southwest Naito Parkway in an effort to keep the groups separated. Around 2 p.m., officers ordered a group of counter-protesters near the intersection of Southwest Naito Parkway and Southwest Columbia Street to disperse. When the group didn't immediately leave, police fired dozens of flash-bang grenades other crowd-control munitions. Officers rushed toward the crowd, shoving some protesters out of the street. Police said protesters had thrown a "chemical agent" and other objects at officers. An object thrown at police after the dispersal order was given hit Eder Campuzano, a reporter from The Oregonian/OregonLive, in the head. He was bloodied, but is doing fine. The runup to the demonstration took on an ominous tone after Gibson moved it to Tom McCall Waterfront Park, where those with permits to carry concealed weapons could legally arm themselves. Gibson also encouraged his supporters, who were legally able, to bring guns to the protest. Throughout the day, Portland police released images of weapons collected from both sides, including knives, sticks, shields and fireworks. Unlike past demonstrations, however, Saturday's dueling events never turned into the melee that many had predicted. The bureau said earlier it had made four arrests during Saturday's events: Robert J. Majure, 27, on suspicion of harassment and resist arrest; Tracy L Molina, 45, on suspicion of second-degree disorderly conduct and attempted assault on a public safety officer; Tristan I. Rominemann, 28, on suspicion of interfering with a police officer, second-degree disorderly conduct and harassment; and Joseph C. Evans, 34, on suspicion of recklessly endangering another person and unlawful use of a weapon. Oregonian reporters Kale Williams, Eder Campuzano, Shane Dixon Kavanaugh, Anna Spoerre, Hannah Boufford and Jim Ryan contributed to this post. -- Elliot Njus Originally Posted by Judy Originally Posted by Why is it you people want to sanction Russia for "meddling in our elections", an allegation yet to be proved, but you don't want to sanction Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, India, China, Bangladesh and a zillion other countries for invading our nation, which we see for ourselves every single day?! Speaking at a convention of state secretaries of state in Philadelphia on voter registration and election cybersecurity, Nielsen highlighted the Trump administrations efforts to further protect state and local elections from foreign interference and noted Russian election meddling has dropped sharply from 2016. There is little doubt that adversaries and non-state actors continue to view elections as a target for cyber and influence operations, Nielsen told attendees, adding there are no indications that Russia is targeting the 2018 U.S. midterms at a scale or scope to match their activities in 2016. The Homeland Security official did note Kremlin-led efforts to tear at the U.S.s social fabric using online platforms are still present. U.S. intelligence agencies are still witnessing persistent Russian efforts using social media, sympathetic spokespeople, and other fronts to sow discord and divisiveness amongst the American people, though not necessarily focused on specific politicians or political campaigns. Christopher Krebs, the Under Secretary for the Department of Homeland Securitys National Protection and Programs Directorate, testified before members of Congress on Wednesday that U.S. officials have not seen anything, certainly, to the degree of 2016 in terms of specific hacking of election systems. The 2018 midterms remain a potential target for Russian actors, Krebs warned , later noting the intelligence community has yet to see any evidence of a robust campaign aimed at tampering with our election infrastructure along the lines of 2016 or influencing the makeup of House or Senate races. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats in March told Senate Armed Services Committee members that the White House is actively engaged, in election interference matters and has made the issue a high priority. The Hill reports: Homeland Security officials have taken steps in the months since the election to help states secure voting systems, including offering remote cyber hygiene scans and more rigorous assessments that probe for potential vulnerabilities. Federal officials have also stepped up sharing information with state authorities on cyber threats in preparation for the 2018 and 2020 elections. Nielsens remarks come after the Justice Department announced charges on Friday against 12 Russian intelligence officers for hacking offenses during the 2016 presidential election. Federal authorities say the Russian operatives infiltrated the computer systems of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clintons failed presidential campaign and subsequently published documents and emails online leading up to November 8, 2016. In response to the indictment, President Donald Trump criticized former President Barack Obama on Saturday for failing to protect the U.S. elections from Russian interference. The stories you heard about the 12 Russians yesterday took place during the Obama Administration, not the Trump Administration, he tweeted from Scotland. Why didnt they do something about it, especially when it was reported that President Obama was informed by the FBI in September, before the Election? tweeted President Trump. Every day, scores of people cross Nicaraguas porous southern border to seek refuge in neighbouring Costa Rica. In San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, La Merced Park is crowded with newly-arrived Nicaraguans who took part in months of deadly anti-government protests. The majority say they had to escape to elude a crackdown by paramilitary squads and police. The government of embattled President Daniel Ortega has labelled them terrorists. According to the UN, more than 23,000 Nicaraguans have sought refugee protection in Costa Rica since the unrest erupted in April. Some are students. Others are citizens who joined them, or family members who say they are now also being persecuted. But others are former Sandinista or Contra soldiers seasoned in battle and some say they are itching to return to Nicaragua and pick up a gun to overthrow Ortega. Among them is a man, who asked not to be named, from the northern region of Matagalpa, where several police officers were killed in fierce clashes at opposition-manned roadblocks and barricades. While he waited at a soup kitchen where the Salvation Army provides lunch for those arriving, he covered his face to disguise his identity. The only thing for which I thank that b***** Ortega is for teaching me to use a weapon, he told Al Jazeera. {articleGUID} Three others said that while they may be in their 50s, they too still know how to shoot and that they are willing to fight to the death to get rid of Ortega, whom they accuse of being a dictator. They are all farmers who said they fought in the army against the US-financed Contra rebels, who tried to overthrow Ortega in the 1980s. Their comments, at least for now, seem to be rooted in a desire based on deep frustration, rather than a well-articulated plan. War weapons in hands of civilians But if a political solution to the crisis is not reached soon, there is a risk that it could evolve into a more violent confrontation, according to Victor Hugo Tinoco, a former deputy foreign minister under Ortega. Today, Tinoco is a political opponent of the president and founder of the Sandinista Renovation Movement. In Nicaragua, the risk of a civil war, of an armed struggle, is much more real than in Venezuela, because in Nicaragua you have hundreds of thousands of people with military experience, Tinoco told Al Jazeera. In the rural [areas], in urban areas, everywhere. And you also have hundreds and thousands of war weapons in the hands of civilians, he added. Lester Aleman, 20, was one of the student leaders who lit the spark that led unarmed civilians to take to the streets to protest against the Ortega government on April 18. He has since gone underground in Nicaragua to avoid arrest, but he is still actively trying to keep the insurrection alive through mass peaceful protests. We do not support any armed option, Aleman said. Too many times Nicaragua has overthrown governments through violence just to end up with another dictatorship. We need to change that vicious cycle and learn to bring about lasting democratic change through the peaceful mobilisation of our citizens, he added. Ortega overthrew the Somoza dictatorship in the 1970s [Anadolu] Price of war Former Sandinista Commander Dora Maria Tellez, who took up arms to overthrow the Somoza dictatorship in the 1970s alongside Ortega, said that Nicaragua cannot afford to repeat its history. I tell you, we will do absolutely everything, including the impossible, so that the civic movement and peaceful mobilisations will be the means of ridding us of this Ortega-Murillo dictatorship, Tellez told Al Jazeera, referring to Rosario Murillo, the presidents wife and Nicaraguas vice president. I lived through a war and I know just how painful it is and the price that a country has to pay for it, said Tellez, who is also being investigated under Ortegas new anti-terrorism laws. The president claims that right-wing opponents living abroad are financing and directing the unrest, with the support of the US government. However, he has offered no evidence to back this. Sergio Ramirez, a former vice president, said Mexico and especially the United States should be worried about the escalating situation. Instability in Nicaragua impacts all of Central America and brings with it greater migration flows towards the north. That is something that Mexico cannot ignore, nor can the United States, which is ultimately the final destination of these migratory waves, Ramirez said. What is clear is that the wave of discontent and anger in Central Americas poorest country is mounting as Ortega digs in his heels, refusing to consider demands for early elections before his term is due to end in 2021. For a growing number of Nicaraguans, that is too long to wait. How they deal with that frustration will be crucial in determining whether concerns of a new or an even more violent confrontation are well-founded. Federico Finchelstein is professor of history at the New School and author of "From Fascism to Populism in History". Only a couple of months after the formation of its new extremist, anti-system government, Italy appears to be getting increasingly closer to its fascist past. It had already barred rescue boats from bringing desperate refugees to its shores and proposed registering Romani communities in a census and deport those without Italian citizenship, stoking fears of a return to violent racism. But the Italian government is not walking the path from constitutional democracy to a more xenophobic one alone across the Atlantic, Trumps America is leading the way. In his first year in office, Trump introduced a Muslim travel ban, repeated his promises to build a border wall and forcefully separated children from their parents at the US-Mexico border. And as Italys populist government follows in the xenophobic footsteps of the Trump administration, Italy seems to be falling in the same pitfall as the US: allowing fascism to be normalised. Lessons to be learned from Trumps America Throughout his election campaign, Trump was regularly and strongly criticised for being a fascist and a racist, but soon after the election, the discourse in the media and the political sphere softened drastically. Many newspapers hesitated to brand him a misogynist and a racist despite mounting evidence, and the F-word (fascism) was dropped from the lexicon almost completely. It was then believed that institutions, the law and the tradition of legality would force the new president to behave presidentially and respect the countrys core liberal values. Of course, the opposite happened. The Trump administration unapologetically went forward with its xenophobic agenda that is based on the complete abandonment of basic human decency towards minorities and immigrants. As many Americans waited patiently for the office to which he was elected to tame Trump, his xenophobia was gradually normalised. {articleGUID} And today, this sad scenario is repeating itself in Italy, a founding member of the European Union and one of the largest economies in the eurozone. As an extremist government settles in power, many Italians are hoping its actions will be tamed by Italian institutions, democratic traditions and the rule of law. We already witnessed how Trump, after taking power, followed up on all his campaign promises and went even further. He did not refrain from attacking the system of checks and balances, the independent press and even the rule of law and democracy itself. Sooner rather than later, Italians will also see how, when in power, these new populists often behave just like their openly fascist predecessors. The new government of the original birthplace of fascism has indeed already started to resemble the fascist governments of the last century. There is much disrespect for institutional powers and the administrative sector, and the independent media, at times, is considered the enemy of the people (though this was something we already witnessed during Silvio Berlusconis governments). The latest example of this slide towards fascism was far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvinis threat to lift the best-selling author Roberto Savianos police protection. Saviano has been under threat from organised crime since his popular book about the mafia, Gomorrah, was published in 2006. Saviano is also one of the toughest critics of Salvini and the new governments xenophobic policies and is a constant fixture on Italian media. Salvinis threat against Saviano is a clear indication of how the new government plans to deal with media criticism. Italian society should take notice of this, or the next step can be the barring of certain journalists from government pressers, as we have witnessed in the US. Many in Italy are normalising the actions of their government the same way Trumps actions were normalised in the United States over the last year and a half. As they focus on one scandal after the another, forgetting one outrageous remark or policy proposal when a new one comes by, they are missing the big picture and overlooking the apparent racism of their government. They are focusing on the minutiae of excess and vulgarity without analysing the ideology behind the extremism of their elected leaders. Surprise, and maybe even resignation, prevails over historical analysis. A new reformulation of fascism? The world is experiencing a return to the discourse and ideology of fascism, but unlike the 1920s-1930s, the fascists are now wearing the robes of properly elected and apparently democratic officials. Across the Atlantic, racist statements have already started being matched by real practices and the numbers of xenophobic attacks have increased dramatically. In Italy, the heirs of Mussolini have always been in power, but this new populist government is using fascist dog-whistles even more effectively than their predecessors, especially when they talk about polls, banks, immigrants, Roma and the EU. {articleGUID} The linguistic and philosophical affinities between the populists currently in power in the US and Italy and the right-wing movements of the past are strong. When Trump talks about the infection of immigrants, the loss of culture and his longing for a golden past or Salvini suggests a mass cleaning to be made street by street, they are actually referring to the defence of the (imagined) ethnic and cultural purity and homogeneity of their nations. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, Italys famous fascist magazine, Difesa della Razza, was similarly advocating for the unity of race and how religious or ethnic minorities could not be part of the nation. But how should Italians react to this illiberalism and xenophobia in power and stop fascism from becoming the new normal? First, they have to support journalism and, in particular, investigative journalism, because an independent media is the strongest tool we have available to hold politicians to account. Second, the fragmented and weak Italian centre-left should unite against the populists in power, reconnect with ordinary Italians, understand their social and economic problems and offer a progressive and young platform, such as the one offered by Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez in the US. Only young, strong progressive voices like hers can trigger a resurgence of popular grassroots activism and stand a chance against authoritarian, fascistic tendencies of the new government. Recent developments across the Atlantic are, in fact, showing the gap between fascism and populism is rapidly closing. The latter was once an authoritarian form of democracy that does not accommodate fascist, dictatorial racism. But Trump seems to be slowly abandoning this more democratic side of modern populism. By focusing more and more on xenophobia, the new populism of the right is getting closer to fascism and this should be a matter of concern for all of us. This is the lesson Italy, and the rest of the world, should learn from Trumps America. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. On August 1, following the announcement of the parliamentary election results in Zimbabwe, which saw Emmerson Mnangagwas ZANU-PF winning a clear majority, opposition MDC Alliance supporters held a demonstration in and around Harares central business district, claiming the vote was rigged. In response, the Zimbabwe Defence Force (ZDF) soldiers fired live ammunition on the protesters, killing six people. Mnangagwa, who was declared the winner of the highly contested presidential election a day later, called for calm, peace and unity and promised to establish a commission of inquiry into the deadly electoral violence. But the newly elected presidents call did not do much to calm tensions on the ground. The ZDF continued to hound opposition supporters in Harares townships on Friday evening, in actions reminiscent of the political repression and mayhem former President Robert Mugabe often authorised in order to subdue opposition to his oppressive rule. Endorsing a sham election Only a few hours before the start of the deadly post-vote violence, the African Union Electoral Observer Mission to Zimbabwe (AUEOM), the SADC Electoral Observer Mission to Zimbabwe (SEOM) and the COMESA Election Observer Mission, three very important African bodies, had all released individual communiques that endorsed the controversial election process. While all three African observer missions were quick to give their stamps of approval to the July 30 presidential and parliamentary elections, the COMESA mission, had offered the most gushing words of praise. It said the controversial elections were generally peaceful, transparent and adhered to national, regional and international standards. It is a shame that these eminent regional bodies have chosen to side with the military-backed ZANU-PF leadership. Their endorsement of Zimbabwes objectively problematic and unjust election process undoubtedly symbolises the structural, political and electoral ills afflicting African politics. In contrast to the African bodies, and rightfully so, the EU offered a significantly more sombre assessment of what had transpired in Zimbabwe before the election. It said an un-level playing field, intimidation of voters and lack of trust in the process undermined the pre-election environment. Indeed, despite what African bodies had said, Zimbabwes election was a sham, grounded on a military coup and won with the help of illiberal ideas and media-driven distortions and fanaticisms that outrivalled Cambridge Analyticas efforts during the 2016 US presidential elections. How did Mnangagwa win? Mnangagwa and the ZANU-PFs unlikely and still contested victory in the landmark July 30 election was the joint result of several factors. First of all, the ZANU-PF benefited from the leading role it played in the liberation struggle and the land reform programme rural party faithful once again voted in huge numbers for the former liberation party. The power of incumbency also helped Manangawe and the ZANU-PF a great deal. This year, the Presidential Input Scheme, an agricultural assistance programme that usually starts in October, somewhat conveniently, began on June 13, six weeks before the election. The scheme aims to provide assistance to 1.8 million smallholder farmers countrywide to help boost crop and livestock production. Most of these farmers are based in rural areas and farming towns all ZANU-PF strongholds. The sharp divisions within the MDC-T, the biggest opposition party in the country, which emerged after the death of Morgan Tsvangirai and led to the removal of longtime Vice President Thokozani Khupe, also contributed to Mnangagwas victory by causing a significant number of voters to abandon the party. Moreover, the ZANU-PF implemented strong intimidation tactics to win this election the army inexplicably deployed 5,000 soldiers to rural areas months before the polls. Add the estimated three million citizens living in the diaspora, who were denied the opportunity to vote in the historic elections as a result of a Constitutional Court ruling handed down on May 30, to all of the aforementioned factors, and it becomes clear that the election was rigged against the MDC Alliance from the very beginning. State media wins the vote But the quintessential key to the ZANU-PF and Manangawes victory was the gigantic state media machinery. Although the government is no longer clamping down on journalists, bombing independent media houses or shutting down media spaces, it still uses influential and sycophantic state media outlets to shape public opinion. The State-owned TV stations, newspapers and radio stations under the Zimbabwe Newspapers (Zimpapers) stable and Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) operate much like ZANU-PFs 24-hour, all-year-round, nationwide information and publicity department. These outlets have long denied the majority of Zimbabweans the benefit of accurate and valuable information, intriguing debates and candid reflections on important social, economic and political matters. And in the pre-election period, they once again did their best to silence critical point of views and whitewash the many failures of the ZANU-PF government. In the run-up to the election, the state media often ran stories and opinion pieces that tore to shreds the credibility of opposition candidates and policies and promoted government propaganda. Meanwhile, Mnangagwa refused to hold a public debate with MDC-T leader and presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa, in a move meant to shield the longtime Robert Mugabe confidant from open analysis. So in spite of the sad state of affairs designed by ZANU-PF policies no national currency, high unemployment, dilapidated health services, rundown roads and public infrastructure voters, especially in rural areas, backed Mnangagwa and his party on July 30. In light of all this, it is impossible to say Zimbabweans were given a real opportunity to make an informed decision on their future in last months election. The fact that not one but three African institutions deemed the election credible only shows how low the bar for democratic and electoral standards is currently set in Africa. The AU, SADC and COMESA appear eager to wish away the vital role independent media must play in a healthy and functioning democracy. Their endorsement of Zimbabwes election process shows that African statesmen and stateswomen want to ignore the fact that voters cant make informed decisions without regular access to trustworthy and critical sources of information around matters which affect their daily lives. What now for Zimbabwe? In the next five years, with Mnangagwa in office, Zimbabwe may witness a cosmetic change in governance style. But, in essence, the ZANU-PF will continue to rule the country in the very same way it did before this controversial election. After another albeit highly contested electoral victory, the governing party is unlikely to abandon its problematic but also successful political and electoral formula of intermittently appeasing and intimidating both its support base and opponents. Mnangagwa will, in all likelihood, maintain a protective media and information bubble over Zimbabwes rural folks over the next five years and continue to use compliant state media organisations to consolidate its power. The police and army will also remain under the control of ZANU-PF hardliners, so the governments strong grip on any form of dissent will not ease in the foreseeable future. The opposition will now be forced to carry their hopes for change to the 2023 elections. But without having secured the enactment of a law allowing for the diaspora vote, a truly free and vibrant state media and an immensely reformed military complex, they will unlikely achieve a different result. For now, the scene seems to be set for the continuation of Mnangagwas soft dictatorship. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. What are Palestinians to do if deal of the century offers them a state? The deal of the century that President Trump has promised will resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict may be easily dismissed in terms of its substance, considering the extremist views of its authors, but it will have to be dealt with eventually one way or another. For the past 18 months, the presidents senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, along with his cohorts, Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and Middle East Special Envoy Jason Greenblatt, have been preparing the grounds for a great bargain between Israel and moderate Arab regimes, notably Egypt and Saudi Arabia one that would end the Palestinian problem, allow for normalisation of relations, and pave the way for a new strategic alignment against a surging Iran. Judging by their smirks and statements, Kushner and Company have succeeded in tightening the noose around Palestine in complicity with Egyptian and Saudi leaders and are now waiting for the right time to unleash a diplomatic blitzkrieg. But how could such a trio of staunch supporters of Israeli settlement expansion come up with a deal that merits the moniker deal of the century? One that is comprehensive and acceptable to both Israel and the Arabs, who insist on a two states solution that includes East Jerusalem? The answer lies in the timing, packaging and delivery. The Palestinians should prepare for the day the Trump administration offers to be the first Western power to recognise a Palestinian state while simultaneously recognising Israels sovereignty over settlement blocks and accepting its security red lines. The US will ensure Palestine becomes a full member of the United Nations with all the trappings of independence, even if it lacks full control over its borders, skies, ports and immigration. And Washington could also send an ambassador there, encourage Israeli and Arab governments to exchange ambassadors and sponsor joint projects with the two states. The US may also recognise Palestines capital in East Jerusalem with special status for the holy Islamic sites, but leave it to the parties to draw the lines between East and West Jerusalem. Mind you, Israel has redrawn and expanded the borders of metropolitan Jerusalem several times since the occupation five decades ago, and will only agree to withdraw from east of East Jerusalem, if at all. Neither the US nor Israel will object to the Palestinians using grand names and titles that connote authority and prestige as long as these dont translate into reality on the ground. For all they care, the Palestinians may name their new entity the Republic of Great Palestine so long as it has little more than quasi-autonomy. Those with strong memories will recall how the US and Israel had accepted PLO chairman Yasser Arafat calling himself the Palestinian rais or president as long his jurisdiction never extended beyond the Palestinian authority. On the face of it, this appears like a clever move. Or rather clever-clever. It accounts for both Arab and Israeli demands of statehood and security. And it counts on Arab and Western nations to sweeten the deal for the Palestinians with billions of dollars when the time comes. And that time is approaching, albeit with a twist. {articleGUID} This type of shock diplomacy works best in the worst of times, which explains why the Trump administration has launched an all-out sadistic assault on the UN Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, that cares for the survival and education of 4-5 million refugees and their descendants. As Israel expands its illegal settlements, strangles the Gaza Strip, and passes new legislation that legitimises Jewish supremacy in the land of Israel, i.e. all over historical Palestine, as foreign aid shrinks, political divisions deepen, and the Arab world implodes in conflict, the Palestinians find themselves with fewer remedies every day. In this environment, any prescription that promises a new horizon for a healthier future may seem like a necessary medicine, no matter how bitter. Indeed, the entire logic behind this new diplomatic drive is based on the tried but failed idea that economic security makes up for national insecurity and economic peace guarantees political peace. It is no coincidence then that Kushner and Company are bypassing the Palestinian Authority and starting with the terribly impoverished Gaza Strip. In their recent Washington Post article, the trio offered US assistance to the Strip if the financially bankrupt, politically deadlocked Hamas agreed to step aside or accept a long-term ceasefire deal with Israel. Enter Egyptian mediation for a separate deal between Hamas and Israel, promising aid and prosperity, just when the latter blockades, starves and cuts fuel to the more than two million inhabitants of the Gaza Strip. All of which forces the question: what are the Palestinians to do? They cant complain about not being consulted, as it was President Abbas who severed all dialogue with the Trump administration after the latters recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. And they cant just object or abstain as the PLO has done in recent years. American diplomats have already warned President Abbas to either step up or step aside. And to add insult to injury, de facto Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman has also warned the Palestinians to either accept the American proposal or shut up. Despite recent reassurances from his father King Salman, the Saudi leader, just like his Emirati and Egyptian counterparts, is likely to continue to coordinate with Israel, even if that means leaving the Palestinians behind. So, the Palestinian leaders would need to decide when the time comes: accept and negotiate for more albeit within a new tighter framework, or reject and suffer the consequences isolation, retribution, or worse, replacement. But how could the Palestinian leadership accept a demilitarised half state on half of the West Bank and an isolated Gaza Strip, one that lacks contiguity and sovereignty a state that looks more like Swiss cheese than it does the Swiss federation? And how can they forgo a fair solution for the millions of refugees? Palestinian and Arab pragmatists argue, as they did in favour of the Oslo accords a quarter of a century ago, that inaction means isolation and irrelevance, and that theres no choice but to take-and-build, engage and try to extract as many compromises as possible. The realists counter that its the Oslo logic that led the Palestinians to the present dire circumstances, and that the biased Trump administration cannot be trusted as a sponsor of any deal. But as the debate on the merits and mockeries of Trumps deal of the century continues, the Palestinians must first and foremost unite and remain steadfast until the political shock waves of what appears to be a shockingly bad deal withers. Fingers crossed, Trump and Company could be gone in two years. For decades the Palestinians were seen as the torchbearers in the fight against colonialism throughout the world. Today, their struggle for freedom and justice symbolises the struggle against US-supported tyranny throughout the Middle East. It is their historical calling. How will they answer? Programmes and pages removed from online platforms for hate speech and violation of policies, tech companies say. Technology companies Apple and Facebook have deleted content belonging to US far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones from their platforms, alleging hate speech, glorified violence and other policy violations. Social media giant Facebook announced on Monday that it had removed four pages belonging to Jones founder of the pro-US President Donald Trump Infowars brand for repeatedly posting content over the past several days that violates its community standards. In its statement, the company said it removed the pages for glorifying violence, which violates our graphic violence policy, and using dehumanising language to describe people who are transgender, Muslims and immigrants, which violates our hate speech policies. Facebook added that it had also suspended Jones account for 30 days for his role in posting violating content to the pages. Since founding Infowars in 1999, Jones has built a vast audience with his website and radio show. Among the conspiracy theories Jones has peddled are charges that the US government was behind numerous attacks, including the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Sweeping crackdown For its part, Apple removed five of Infowars six podcasts including the shows War Room and the daily The Alex Jones Show from its iTunes and Podcast apps, BuzzFeed News reported on Sunday. Apple does not tolerate hate speech, and we have clear guidelines that creators and developers must follow to ensure we provide a safe environment for all of our users, the tech giant told BuzzFeed in a statement. The moves by Apple and Facebook are the most sweeping of a recent crackdown on Jones programmes by online sites that have suspended or removed some of his conspiracy-driven content. Reacting to the measures, Jones said on Twitter: Weve been banned completely from Facebook, Apple and Spotify. What conservative news outlet will be next? https://twitter.com/RealAlexJones/status/1026481851970592768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Spotify, the streaming music online service, had already removed a number of Jones podcasts last week, for breaking its hate-speech rules. On Monday, the Swedish company went a step further and banned his programme altogether. We take reports of hate content seriously and review any podcast episode or song that is flagged by our community, a representative said on Monday. Facebook had earlier suspended the radio and internet hosts personal profile for 30 days in late July from its site for what the company said was bullying and hate speech. Jones says his shows, which are broadcast on radio, YouTube and other platforms, reach at least 70 million people a week. Among his claims is that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting, which left 20 children and six adults dead, was a hoax. Families of some of the victims have sued him for defamation and he now admits the shooting occurred but says his claims were free speech. Shahidul Alam was picked up by police for provocative comments after media interviews about crackdown on protesters. Bangladesh police arrested an award-winning photographer for provocative comments allegedly made in media interviews about student protests that have gripped the country for more than a week. At least 20 plain-clothes officers picked up Shahidul Alam, 63, at his Dhaka home late on Sunday, hours after his comments were broadcast on Al Jazeera. He has been brought to our office early this morning [Monday]. We are interrogating him for giving false information to different media and for provocative comments, police official Moshiur Rahman said. And he could not give proper answers. He admitted that these are his personal opinion. Police told lawyers and family friends Alam will likely be charged under the International Communication and Technology Act (ICT) on Monday. It is an unclear situation as no one has been able to meet him but the police told us that a case is being filed against him and he will be taken to the court today, said Shireen Huq, a close friend of Alam and a well-known womens rights activist. Al Jazeeras Tanvir Chowdhury, reporting later from Dhaka, said Alam had been charged under section 57 of ICT for spreading propaganda against the government. He has been remanded into police custody for seven days. He will be under detective custody on interrogation, Chowdhury said, adding that a video posted on social media purportedly showed Alam taken to court. He was visibly limping, two people had to hold him. We dont know why is this the case but this is what the video [posted on social media] showed, he added. Rights groups demanded Alams immediate release. There is no justification whatsoever for detaining anyone for solely peacefully expressing their views. His arrest marks a dangerous escalation of a crackdown by the government that has seen the police and vigilantes unleash violence against student protesters, said Omar Waraich from Amnesty International. Road rage The demonstrations began after a speeding bus killed two teenagers on July 29, with student protesters pressing the government to make the countrys chaotic and lethal roads more safe. Alam told Al Jazeera on Sunday the demonstrators were driven by larger factors than road safety alone. He highlighted the looting of the banks, the gaggling of the media, the extrajudicial killings, disappearings, bribery and corruption. Today the police specifically asked for help from armed goons to combat unarmed students demanding safe roads, said Alam. The government has miscalculated. It thought that fear and repression would be enough but you cannot tame an entire nation in this manner. Recently, Alam shot images of the demonstrations by tens of thousands of teenagers in Dhaka and beyond, and discussed the protests on Facebook Live. Clashes continue Protests along with police and pro-government vigilante responses continued in Dhaka on Monday, Al Jazeeras Tanvir Chowdhury reported. Students demonstrating outside a university were met with volleys of tear gas and after retreating back into the campus they were now under siege. There are clashes going on as we speak, he said. Its still quite volatile and intense. Students in Bangladesh are demanding improved road safety rules [Mahmud Hossain Opu/Al Jazeera] On Saturday, more than 100 protesters were injured as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets, and mobs attacked demonstrators, photographers and even the US ambassadors car. More violence raged on Sunday with police firing tear gas into a large crowd marching towards an office of the ruling Awami League party. The Bangladeshi government must end the crackdown on the student protesters and people speaking out against it. The students have a right to peaceful assembly and physical security, Waraich said. The authorities have shut down mobile internet services across swaths of the country and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called on students on Sunday to go home. The United Nations said it was deeply concerned about the reports of violence. Police also arrested an actress after a Facebook post saying two protesters had been killed, and the eye of another was gouged out. David Bergman contributed to this report As far-right contender names general as running mate, jailed-candidate Lula also announces pick two months before vote. Far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro, one of the frontrunners in Brazils upcoming presidential elections, has picked a military general to be his running mate. The 63-year-old, a member of the Social Liberal Party and a former army captain himself, announced his choice of reserve general Hamilton Mourao on Sunday. Mourao, of the conservative Brazilian Labor Renewal Party, told reporters it was an honour and privilege to take part in the countrys reconstruction. Last year, Mourao controversially expressed support for a military intervention into politics in order to clean up Brazils mounting social problems, such as a spiralling murder rate and widespread high-level corruption. Bolsonaro has also attracted criticism for making numerous controversial statements over the years regarding race, gender and sexual orientation. In the lead-up to the October 7 election, he has pledged to crack down on crime and corruption. Bolsonaro is projected to win between 19 and 22 percent of the votes, according to polling data published last week by research institute Data Poder 360. Only former president Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva polled ahead of Bolsonaro, with 31 percent, despite being convicted of corruption charges. The 72-year-old, who ruled Brazil for two terms (2003-2010), was named as the leftist Workers Party candidate last week, but is likely to be barred from running in the election due to being found guilty of a crime. {articleGUID} A candidate must win a majority vote 50 percent plus one to secure an outright victory. Failing that, a second round of voting between the top two contenders will take place two weeks later. With the two-rounds format of the election, and a candidate requiring a majority share of the vote to win office, I dont think Bolsonaro will be able to win, said Professor Francisco Panizza, a Latin American politics expert at the UKs London School of Economics. He added, however, that the far-right candidate could gain enough support to enter a second-round vote. People have a sense politicians are not addressing their grievances and, if we have learned anything over the past few years, following the Brexit vote in the UK and the election of Donald Trump in the US, its that you can never make a safe prediction, said Panizza. Every presidential election in the country since 2002 has gone to a second round. Lulas running mate Bolsonaros nomination of Mourao came as Lulas Workers Party also announced the former presidents running mate former Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad. Lula said Haddad was both his vice presidential candidate and campaign spokesperson until a final court judgment is made on whether the imprisoned politician is allowed to run for a third term in office. O PT anunciou @Haddad_Fernando como vice na chapa de Lula. Ele sera o porta-voz de Lula ate o tramite final da homologacao da candidatura na Justica Eleitoral, quando @ManuelaDavila assumira a posicao de vice na chapa, por indicacao do PCdoB. Fotos: Ricardo Stuckert pic.twitter.com/Vm1T5UxWnH Lula (@LulaOficial) August 6, 2018 Translation: Haddad will be the vice president and his spokesperson until the confirmation of Lulas candidacy. Then Manuela davila will be the [candidate for] vice president because of a coalition between PT [Workers Party] and the PCdoB [Communist Party]. Brazilian law prohibits people with criminal convictions from standing for office within eight years of them being found guilty. Lula was sentenced in August to 10 years in prison for accepting a seaside apartment as a bribe from Brazilian construction company OAS. In January, an appeals court unanimously upheld his conviction and increased the prison sentence to 12 years. The final ruling on Lulas candidacy is expected to be made on August 15, the date by which all parties must register their candidates with the Superior Electoral Court. Corruption of political and business figures is pervasive in Brazil. Last year, the country ranked 96th out of 180 on Transparency Internationals corruption index. Since 2014, more than 150 business leaders, multinational corporations and politicians including Lula have been arrested or prosecuted as part a major corruption investigation known as Lava Jato, or Car Wash. World could be entering warmer period that would see average temperatures rise by between four and five degrees Celsius. The world is at risk of entering hothouse conditions where global average temperatures will be four to five degrees Celcius higher even if emissions reduction targets under a global climate deal are met, according to a new report by top international scientists. The new study was published in the US Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on Monday. It said it is likely that if a critical threshold is crossed, several tipping points will lead to abrupt change. Such processes include permafrost thaw; the loss of methane hydrates from the ocean floor; weaker land and ocean carbon sinks; the loss of Arctic summer sea ice and the reduction of Antarctic sea ice and polar ice sheets, said the report. These tipping elements can potentially act like a row of dominoes. Once one is pushed over, it pushes Earth towards another, said Johan Rockstrom, co-author of the report and executive director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre. It may be very difficult or impossible to stop the whole row of dominoes from tumbling over. Places on Earth will become uninhabitable if Hothouse Earth becomes the reality, he added. Some experts said uncontrolled warming is still uncertain, but not implausible [Reuters] Scientists from the Stockholm Resilience Center, the University of Copenhagen, Australian National University and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research worked on the study. They said that Hothouse Earth is likely to be dangerous to many and uncontrollable. Rivers would flood, storms would wreak havoc on coastal communities and coral reefs would be eliminated all by centurys end or even earlier. Global average temperatures would exceed those of any interglacial period meaning warmer eras that come in between Ice Ages of the past 1.2m years. Melting polar ice caps would lead to dramatically higher sea levels, flooding coastal land that is home to hundreds of millions of people. Wolves in sight A 2015 Paris climate agreement aimed to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celcius, compared with pre-industrial levels. But according to the report, the risk of tipping cascades could be significant at a 2C temperature rise and could increase sharply beyond that point. This cascade of events may tip the entire Earth system into a new mode of operation, warned co-author Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. The carrying capacity of a 4C or 5C degree world, he has said previously, could drop to a billion people. Maximising the chances of avoiding such a hothouse state requires more than just reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the report said. For example, improved forest, agricultural and soil management, as well as biodiversity conservation and technologies that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it underground are all needed. Commenting on the research, some experts said uncontrolled warming is still uncertain, but not implausible. In the context of the summer of 2018, this is definitely not a case of crying wolf, raising a false alarm: the wolves are now in sight, said Phil Williamson, climate researcher at the University of East Anglia. EU diplomats say they will work to protect Irans continued export of oil and gas as US threatens severe consequences. Europes top diplomats have vowed to work together to preserve a multinational nuclear deal with Iran, as US President Donald Trump signed an executive order paving the way for the return of biting sanctions against Tehran on Tuesday. In a joint statement issued on Monday, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and the foreign ministers of France, Germany and Britain said the remaining parties to the 2015 agreement will maintain effective financial channels with Iran and ensure its continued export of oil and gas. We deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the US, due to the latters withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the statement said, referring to Trumps decision in May. Preserving the nuclear deal with Iran is a matter of respecting international agreements and a matter of international security, the statement added. In a statement announcing the sanctions on Monday, Trump said Iran threatens the United States and our allies, undermines the international financial system, and supports terrorism and militant proxies around the world. In a separate statement, the White House said the first round of sanctions will be reimposed on August 7, followed by a second one on November 5. President Trump will continue to stand up to the Iranian regimes aggression, and the United States will fully enforce the reimposed sanctions, it said. It warned that those who fail to abide by the US sanctions against Iran will risk severe consequences. The White House maintained that the deal was defective at its core and failed to guarantee the safety of the US. The joint statement from the European diplomats, however, said that the nuclear agreement is working and delivering on its goal, adding that UN nuclear inspectors have confirmed in 11 consecutive reports that Tehran is adhering to its part of the bargain. It is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, crucial for the security of Europe, the region, and the entire world, said the statement, which signed by Mogherini as well as French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and the UKs Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt. Maximum pressure Ahead of the reimposition of sanctions, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani held a televised interview on Monday night in response to Trumps decision. Under the breakthrough 2015 deal in Vienna, the Iranian government agreed to cut down its uranium stockpile and scale back its enrichment programme far below the level required to build a nuclear weapon. Iran also agreed in perpetuity to notify United Nations inspectors if and when it builds a new nuclear facility. In exchange, UN-approved sanctions were lifted in January 2016, and Tehran was allowed to resume trading oil and gas on the international market. A total of $100bn in frozen Iranian assets was also released. The US was an original signatory to the agreement with Iran, along with Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and the EU. At the time, under then-president Barack Obama, the US had pledged to waive secondary American sanctions as long as Iran continued to abide by the agreement. But Obamas successor, Donald Trump, pulled out of the pact on May 8, fulfilling a 2016 campaign promise to withdraw from a deal which he once described as the worst ever. The reimposition of US sanctions against Iran on Tuesday and in the coming months is a direct result of Trumps decision. On Monday, US officials were quoted as saying that Washington would exert maximum economic pressure on Iran and force it back to the negotiating table. Labourers die in southern Foggia province after the van they were travelling in smashed into a truck. At least a dozen people, including migrant labourers returning home after spending the day working in the fields, have been killed in a crash between a van and a lorry in southern Italy. Italian news agency ANSA reported on Monday that the accident took place on a state highway in the area of Lesina in the province of Foggia. Pictures from the scene showed a white minivan flipped on its roof and lying in the middle of the road following a head-on collision with a truck carrying flour. Citing police sources, ANSA said 12 people were killed in the crash, adding that at least some of the victims were migrant farm workers who were travelling in the van. Three people, including the truck driver, were injured in the crash. AFP news agency quoted the fire service as saying that all the victims came from North Africa. The accident happened two days after four African migrants died in a similar crash in the same region. 14 #migrant workers died in 2 separate car incidents in Apulia. They were working in the agricultural sector and they had just finished their daily shift. In Italy thousands of migrants work in black labour market, often exploited in the fields. https://t.co/Prk8necFcA Flavio Di Giacomo (@fladig) August 6, 2018 Thousands of migrants work in the Italian agriculture sector, harvesting fruit and vegetables. Although most of them have regular papers, they live in squalid conditions and suffer tough working conditions and low pay. {articleGUID} Local reports said that Fai Cisl, an agricultural trade union, was investigating whether these were avoidable tragedies. We want to know if someone is responsible, if the deaths were an avoidable tragedy, the union said on August 4, after the first accident. And if the transport was regulated, or if the workers were crammed into the van as still happens, unfortunately, very often, they added. Flavio Di Giacomo, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration, also expressed concern on Monday, writing on Twitter that in Italy, thousands of migrants work in black labour market, often exploited in the fields. Separately, at two least people were killed also on Monday when a tanker truck caught fire and on a major highway in Bologna, northern Italy. Some people were reportedly hit by flying glass as windows shattered in nearby buildings. More than 60 people were injured some seriously, Deputy Prime Minister Luigi di Maio wrote on Twitter. Rights group calls on Bangladesh to relocate Rohingya refugees at risk from landslides and floods during monsoon rains. Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh Rohingya refugees living in a severely overcrowded mega camp should be relocated by the Bangladeshi government to safer areas, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Monday. A 68-page report by the New York-based group highlighted the dangers the Rohingya face from flooding and landslides during the monsoon season as they wait to return to their homeland in Myanmar, as well as the heightened risks of communicable diseases, fires, community tensions, and domestic and sexual violence to which the densely packed refugees are subjected. These refugees should have sturdier shelters and adequate education for their extended stay, said the report titled, Bangladesh Is Not My Country: The Plight of Rohingya Refugees from Myanmar. It called on Bangladeshi authorities to transfer the Rohingya to smaller, less-congested camps on flatter, proximate land in the same Ukhiya sub-district where the mega camp is located. Since August last year, more than 700,000 Rohingya have fled across the border from Rakhine State in Myanmar, after the army waged a brutal crackdown against the Muslim minority. An estimated 626,000 Rohingya from last years and past displacements are now living in the Kutapalong-Balukhali camp, making it the largest refugee camp in the world. It is severely overcrowded, the report said, with the average usable space at 10.7sq metres a person, far below the recommended international standard of 45sq metres for each individual. The UNs refugee agency estimates 200,000 Rohingya are at risk of floods and landslides. Bangladeshs government said it would soon start relocating 100,000 Rohingya to an uninhabited mangrove-and-grass island [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera] Land scarcity Mohammad Abul Kalam, the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner for Bangladeshs disaster management ministry, told Al Jazeera there is no doubt the camp is definitely overcrowded. But we also dont have much mainland, he said. We are a population of 160 million and suffer from land scarcity. So, settling the refugees in the first place is really remarkable. The Bangladesh government said it would soon start relocating 100,000 Rohingya to Bhasan Char, an uninhabited mangrove-and-grass island. However, HRW said it was not fit for accommodation because of its vulnerability to high waves and tides, and in the event of a cyclone, it would be completely submerged under water. We are very concerned for the plan of relocating Rohingya refugees to Bhasan Char, Nay San Lwin, a coordinator of Free Rohingya Coalition based in London, told Al Jazeera. The refugees in the camps are also not willing to move to Bhasan Char. They would be more comfortable if they were relocated within Ukhiya with easy access to aid agencies. According to HRWs report, there are six practical relocation sites in Ukhiya in an eight-kilometre stretch west of the Kutupalong-Balukhali camp that could accommodate 263,000 people. Yet Abul Kalam said the government is serious about relocating refugees to Bhasan Char as they have invested a lot of money in this. More than 700,000 Rohingya have fled across the border from Rakhine state in Myanmar over the last year [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera] Refugee status and return In addition to relocation, the report said the Rohingya, particularly the recent arrivals over the past year, have a right to a dignified life. Bangladesh should register fleeing Rohingya as refugees, ensure adequate healthcare and education, and let them pursue livelihoods outside the camp, said Bill Frelick, refugee rights director at Human Rights Watch. Nay San Lwin agreed. Granting them refugee status will help a lot in improving the conditions of the camps and lives of refugees, he said. Tarek Mahmud, a local journalist who spent more than 100 days at Coxs Bazar covering the refugee crisis, said authorities need to better organise healthcare and proper education for Rohingya children. But in the case of pursuing work outside the camps, that carries the risk of tensions spilling into conflicts between the locals and Rohingya, he told Al Jazeera. Instead, Mahmud said it would be better to organise skills training and work opportunities in the camps, which would benefit the Rohingya when they go back to their villages in Rakhine. While Frelick recognised Bangladeshs rightfully garnered international praise for shouldering the burden of the Rohingya plight, ultimately it is Myanmar that is responsible for the crisis, he said. Frelick called on international organisations and governments to apply persistent pressure on Myanmar in order to meet the required conditions for safe, dignified, and sustainable returns of the Rohingya refugees. Myanmars failure to take any meaningful actions to address recent atrocities against the Rohingya, or the decades-long discrimination and repression against the population, is at the root of delays in refugees being able to go home, he said. But many Assyrian Christians see no future as a minority and plan to emigrate soon despite Baghdads relative security. Baghdad, Iraq Exactly four years ago, a whole community of Iraqi Christians who lived for decades in the lush plains of the northeast fled their homes, never to return. Displaced by the expansion of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) which rapidly overran vast territories in Iraq, eventually seizing one-third of the country in 2014 Christian families left their homes in the ancient Assyrian towns of Nineveh province to resettle in Erbil and the capital, Baghdad. Samir Petrus, 50, who left Hamdaniya, a district located on the outskirts of Mosul, where the majority of the Iraqi Christian community are Syriac, says he will never return to Nineveh. Theres nothing for me to go back to. No jobs, no home, let alone safety and security, says Petrus, who now lives at an IDP camp in Baghdad. Im here now with my girls and I have to look ahead. ISIL targeted minorities of the Nineveh plains when it stormed northern Iraq, taking over Mosul in 2014. Although other communities in Mosul hope to go home again, Christian and Yazidi minorities say theyve endured enough persecution and refuse to return, even if ISIL has been defeated. A boy stands between cabins at the Zayoon IDP camp set up for Christians displaced from Nineveh in 2014 [Arwa Ibrahim/Al Jazeera] Safehaven in Baghdad Petrus has a vivid memory of the horror on August 6, 2014. As a driver, he helped transport dozens of families out of Hamdaniya the night ISIL moved into surrounding territory. We received a call at 2am from my sister-in-law. She told us that the Peshmerga had been defeated, he says, handing over a fragrant cup of coffee. The Kurdish Peshmerga had been fighting alongside the Hashd al-Shabi, or Popular Mobilisation Units, and the Iraqi Army to try and contain ISILs lightning advance into northern Iraq. It was a matter of hours. We had to leave, he adds, remembering how he fled with his wife Evelyn and five girls in fear of what ISIL might do to them. I knew what they did to the Yazidis. They (ISIL) would have taken my girls and done whatever, then chopped them up into pieces. The whole town fled that night. Just a few stayed behind. Petrus took his family to Erbil before eventually relocating to Baghdad, where he has lived in the Zayoona suburb of Baghdad for four years. Samir Petrus, 50, stands with his wife Evelyn and three of his five daughters at their shop in the camp [Arwa Ibrahim/Al Jazeera] Along with 183 other families, Perus calls an IDP camp set up by the Christian Assyrians at their headquarters in Baghdad since 2014 home. The camp, which was established with the help of Baghdads provincial council and the ministry of displaced families along with international NGOs and churches, provides Petrus family with a portacabin of two rooms and kitchen. To him, Baghdad has become home and he sees no way of going back to Nineveh. When I visited my hometown, I found nothing but a closet in my destructed flat, he says, sitting among his daughters in a small living room inside their cabin, with pictures of Jesus and a large cross adorning the walls. I found safety and security in Baghdad, says Petrus, who now runs a little shop in the camp. Its like how it used to be back home where I could practise my faith openly and everyone Sunni, Shia, Christian or Yazidi got along, he adds. Still in fear Like Petrus, Nahla Khadr, a mother of two, also from Hamdaniya, has no intention of returning to Nineveh. Well either stay in Baghdad or leave the country altogether, says Nahla. But Id never go back. Khadr, who has been living with her husband and children, Abdel Masih, 13, and Maryam, 11, at the camp Baghdad says Nineveh will never feel safe again. I went to visit [Hamdaniya] a few weeks ago, but my son refused to join us. He still remembers what it was like to leave when ISIL stormed our village. Hes afraid to go back. Nahla Khadr, a mother of two from Hamdaniyya, has no intention of returning to Nineveh [Arwa Ibrahim/Al Jazeera] Although ISIL was defeated in December 2017, like Nahla and her family, most of the 148 families at the camp are unlikely to return to Nineveh. They see their future in Baghdad or abroad, where many of Iraqs Christians, and other minority communities, have gradually headed since 2003. According to Yonadam Kanna, a former member of parliament and an Assyrian Christian from Baghdad, religious tensions remain in areas overrun by ISIL, making it difficult for Christians to return. Only 20 families went back, but even some of those returned here. They dont feel safe there and theres no opportunity or means to rebuild a life in Nineveh, he adds. Leaving Iraq altogether Father Martin Dawood, head of the citizens affairs department at the Christian Endowment Office, agrees the main obstacle in the way of Christian families returning is double-pronged: lack of services and trust. Yonadam Kanna, a former member of parliament, says religious tensions remain in areas overrun by ISIL, making it difficult for Christians to return [Arwa Ibrahim/Al Jazeera] The Plains of Nineveh were already neglected by the government even before ISIL came. The tensions have only made it worse there are no basic services or job opportunities. They are also afraid that ISIL or a similar group may return, and that this time they wouldnt be lucky to flee in time, adds Dawood, who says rebuilding trust between the families and the areas from which they fled is essential. Still, Dawood says he believes the families in Baghdad will only remain in Iraq temporarily before migrating abroad. Most families in Baghdad wish to leave the country, he says. Although in Baghdad the situation is better, for years [since the US-led invasion in 2003], Iraqi Christians have been leaving the country. ISILs presence only made this desire to leave more urgent. Follow Arwa Ibrahim on Twitter: @arwaIb ISIL sleeper cell attacks remain a threat in northern Iraq The local government says that the attacks are intermittent and locals do not expect that ISIL will gain any momentum in the Kurdish region of Iraq. Unprecedented number of Muslim Americans candidates includes Abdul El-Sayed whos vying to be the first Muslim governor. Washington, DC If Abdul El-Sayed can pull off an upset win in Michigans Democratic primary on Tuesday, he will be one step closer to becoming the first Muslim governor in the United States. The 33-year-old progressive underdog, who has rejected corporate money, has received endorsements from the Vermont senator and former presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders, and progressive Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whose surprise win in the New York primary elections in late June highlighted a growing divide in their party. While El-Sayed has garnered national media attention, he faces numerous obstacles. Opinion polls give Gretchen Whitmer, the former Democratic leader in the state senate, a double-digit lead. But El-Sayeds supporters point to the upset victory of Sanders over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries in the state as a sign of hope. And if El-Sayed is able to defeat his primary opponents, he will still face an uphill battle in a state won by Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential elections. Despite the obstacles, El-Sayed is part of a broader wave of Muslim Americans running for political office in record numbers, according to Jetpac, a nonprofit that advocates civic engagement among the 3.45 million-person religious minority. Pivotal moment This year has seen more than 90 Muslims, mostly Democrats, enter races for public office on the local, state and national levels, according to Jetpac. The group says this is the more than any other year since the September 11, 2001 attacks. {articleGUID} Of that total, around 40 are still in their respective races, Jetpac says. According to Wajahat Ali, a New York Times writer covering religion, family life and US politics, theres been a trend since 9/11 of Muslims Americans and others from the community becoming more engaged and involved in all arenas of American life from culture to politics. The increased interest in politics came despite or perhaps because of the wave of anti-Muslim sentiment in the wake of those attacks, a phenomenon that has only increased since Trumps electoral victory. The Council on American Islamic Relations documented 300 hate crimes against Muslims in 2017 a 15 percent increase from the previous year, while the Southern Poverty Law Center has observed a mushrooming of anti-Muslim organisations since Trump launched his campaign in 2015. Arguing that Trumps election was a pivotal moment for Muslims, people of colour and immigrants, Ali said: One way to fight back is to run for office, to represent not just Muslims but American values and diverse communities. Nothing compared to where were heading Deedra Abboud, a Democratic hopeful for US Senate from Arizona, is one of those who were motivated to dive into politics after Trumps election. {articleGUID} The lawyer and civil rights activist said, 15 years ago, Muslim Americans much like other immigrant groups debated if they could participate in politics. After 9/11, many kept their heads down as they weathered the wave of resulting Islamophobia, she said. The widespread backlash Muslim Americans faced after September 11 was nothing compared to where we are heading under Trump, she added. More than 90 Muslims, including Deedra Abboud, have entered races for public office on the local, state and national levels [Matt York/AP Photo] Abbouds headscarf has made her a target of Islamophobic harassment online and at rallies. Some come to events to deliberately attack, said Abboud, who also faces an uphill battle in her race later this month. We allow them to stay because when you are running an elected office you dont choose your constituency. Local media outlets across the country have reported similar incidents of discrimination against several other Muslim candidates. Taking their future back Angered by the increasingly heated debate over immigration, anti-Muslim sentiment and xenophobia in the wake of Trumps election, Amr Kotb also joined the tide of Muslims seeking office, even at the local level. I wanted to take that anger and convert it into a positive outlet, where I could seek to reverse these things, Kotb, who is running for advisory neighbourhood commissioner in Washington, DC, told Al Jazeera. I had nowhere to go. Thats when I realised that I needed to adopt a local focus and start with my community. Analysts say Trumps rhetoric is not just driving Muslims to run for office; it has also inspired an unprecedented number of candidacies among Latinos, Native Americans and women. Michiganders are less concerned about how I pray. They care more about what I pray for: my family, my community, my state and my country. There is so much more that we have in common than those who wish to divide us want us to believe. Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Michigan For the first time, people are scared that democracy is being destroyed, said Rula Jebreal, a policy adviser and professor at the University of Miami. [Trump] is destroying principles of equality, she told Al Jazeera. He is turning the country to a police state something our grandparents ran away from. He is making people fear for their lives and for their childrens future. People are trying to take their future back. As Tuesdays primary approaches in Michigan, El-Sayed is more focused on his communitys concerns than his faith. Michiganders are less concerned about how I pray, he told Al Jazeera. They care more about what I pray for: my family, my community, my state and my country. There is so much more that we have in common than those who wish to divide us want us to believe. A military coalition battling Houthi rebels secured secret deals with al-Qaeda in Yemen and recruited hundreds of the groups fighters, a news report said on Monday. For more than two years, a Saudi-led alliance backed by US logistical and weapons support claimed it crushed al-Qaedas ability to carry out attacks from Yemen. However, an investigation by The Associated Press found the coalition has been paying some al-Qaeda commanders to leave key cities and towns while letting others retreat with weapons, equipment, and wads of looted cash. Hundreds of al-Qaeda members were recruited to join the coalition as soldiers, the report said. Key figures in the deal-making said the United States was aware of the arrangements and held off on drone attacks against the armed group, which was created by Osama bin Laden in 1988. The deals uncovered by the AP investigation reflect the contradictory interests of the two wars being waged simultaneously in the southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. In one conflict, the US is working with its Arab allies particularly the UAE with the aim of eliminating al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). But the larger mission is to win the civil war against the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels. And in that fight, al-Qaeda fighters are effectively on the same side as the Saudi-led coalition and, by extension, the US. Elements of the US military are clearly aware that much of what the US is doing in Yemen is aiding AQAP and there is much angst about that, said Michael Horton, a fellow at the Jamestown Foundation. However, supporting the UAE and Saudi Arabia against what the US views as Iranian expansionism takes priority over battling AQAP and even stabilising Yemen, Horton said. A farce Coalition-backed fighters actively recruit al-Qaeda fighters or those who were recently members because they are considered exceptional on the battlefield, according to on-the-ground interviews. Horton said much of the war on al-Qaeda by the UAE and its allied fighters is a farce. It is now almost impossible to untangle who is AQAP and who is not since so many deals and alliances have been made, he said. The Pentagon recently vigorously denied any complicity with al-Qaeda fighters. Since the beginning of 2017, we have conducted more than 140 strikes to remove key AQAP leaders and disrupt its ability to use ungoverned spaces to recruit, train and plan operations against the US and our partners across the region, Navy Commander Sean Robertson, a Pentagon spokesman, wrote in an email. A senior Saudi official said the Saudi-led coalition continues its commitment to combat extremism and terrorism. A UAE government spokesperson did not respond to questions. New recruits Concerned by the rise of the Houthi rebels, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and a coalition of Arab states launched a military offensive in 2015 in the form of a massive air campaign aimed at re-installing the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Al-Qaeda is leveraging the chaos to its advantage. The US is certainly in a bind in Yemen, said Katherine Zimmerman, a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. It doesnt make sense that the United States has identified al-Qaeda as a threat, but that we have common interests inside of Yemen and that, in some places, it looks like were looking the other way. Within this complicated conflict, al-Qaeda says its numbers which US officials have estimated at 6,000 to 8,000 members are rising. In February, Emirati troops and their Yemeni government fighter allies declared the recapture of al-Said, a district of villages running through the mountainous province of Shabwa an area al-Qaeda had largely dominated for nearly three years. It was painted as a crowning victory in a months-long offensive known as Operation Swift Sword. But weeks before those forces entry, a string of pick-up trucks mounted with machine guns and loaded with masked al-Qaeda fighters drove out of al-Said unmolested, according to a tribal mediator involved in the deal for their withdrawal. Under the terms of the agreement, the coalition promised al-Qaeda members it would pay them up to 100,000 Saudi riyals ($26,000) to leave, according to Awad al-Dahboul, the provinces security chief. His account was confirmed by the mediator and two Yemeni government officials. Under the accord, thousands of local tribal fighters were to be enlisted in the UAE-funded Shabwa Elite Force militia. For every 1,000 fighters, 50 to 70 would be al-Qaeda members, the mediator and two officials said. {articleGUID} Unite with the devil For many Yemenis, al-Qaeda is simply another faction on the ground a very effective one, well-armed and battle-hardened. Its members are not shadowy strangers. Over the years, AQAP has woven itself into society by building ties with tribes, buying loyalties, and marrying into major families. Power players often see it as a useful tool. Hadis predecessor as Yemens president, long-ruling strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh, set the model. He took billions in US aid to combat al-Qaeda after the 9/11 attacks, even as he recruited its fighters to battle his rivals. The branch is following guidance from global al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri to focus on fighting Houthi rebels, another top AQAP member said. The impact of the intertwining of al-Qaeda fighters with the coalition campaign is clearest in Taiz, Yemens largest city and centre of one of the wars longest-running battles. In 2015, Houthis laid siege to the city, occupying surrounding mountain ranges, sealing the entrances, and shelling it mercilessly. Taiz residents rose up to fight back, and coalition cash and weapons poured in as did al-Qaeda and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) fighters, all aimed at the same enemy. One liberal activist took up arms alongside other men from his neighbourhood to defend the city, and they found themselves fighting side-by-side with al-Qaeda members. There is no filtering in the war. We are all together, said the activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Abdel-Sattar al-Shamiri, a former adviser to Taizs governor, said he recognised al-Qaedas presence from the start and told commanders not to recruit its fighters. Their response was, We will unite with the devil in the face of Houthis,' Shamiri said. Riyadh also recalls its envoy and suspends trade deals after Canadas foreign ministry denounced jailing of activists. Saudi Arabias state airline has said it is suspending flights to and from Toronto, the latest in a series of measures announced by the kingdom in its diplomatic dispute with Canada. The move on Monday came hours after Riyadh expelled Canadas ambassador over alleged interference in Saudi domestic affairs after Ottawas foreign ministry rebuked Riyadh for jailing human rights activists. Canadian Ambassador Dennis Horak was given 24 hours to leave the country, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. The kingdom also froze new trade and investment with Canada worth billions of dollars and recalled its envoy to the country. Saudi state television later reported that the Education Ministry was coming up with an urgent plan to move thousands of Saudi scholarship students out of Canadian schools to take classes in other countries. The Saudi state airline, Saudia, meanwhile said in a statement on its official Twitter account that it would suspend all flights to Toronto starting next Monday, August 13. The announcements came days after Canada called for the immediate release of rights campaigners detained during a recent wave of arrests in Saudi Arabia, including relatives of naturalised Canadian citizens. The ministry of foreign affairs said Canadas actions were an affront that required a sharp response. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has never accepted any interference in its domestic affairs by or orders from any country, SPA quoted the ministry as saying. Unrelenting crackdown In her first public response to Saudi Arabias actions, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Monday: Let me be very clear Canada will always stand up for human rights in Canada and around the world, and womens rights are human rights. Last week, Canadas ministry of foreign affairs said in a tweet it was gravely concerned about the detention of rights activists in the kingdom, including Samar Badawi. Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in #SaudiArabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists. Foreign Policy CAN (@CanadaFP) August 3, 2018 Samar is the sister of Raif Badawi, a prominent human rights campaigner sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2014 on charges of insulting Islam. His wife and children are naturalised Canadian citizens. The ministrys statement came a day after Freeland called for both members of the Badawi family to be released. Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, Freeland said. Saudi authorities arrested Samar Badawi and fellow activist Nassima al-Sadah last month. {articleGUID} Both campaigned for womens right to drive, which was granted by the Saudi government when it ended a decades-old ban in June, as well as the abolishment of the male guardianship system. More than a dozen female activists have been targeted by Saudi authorities since May, in what Human Rights Watch described as an unrelenting crackdown on the womens rights movement. Riyadhs response to Ottawas criticism marked a significant interruption in relations between the two countries, Hassan Yari, a professor of international relations at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, told Al Jazeera. This [rift] is going to affect trade and exchange between Canada and Saudi Arabia, Yari said. Bilateral trade last year totalled about $4bn and more than 15,000 Saudi students attend Canadian universities. A significant portion of two-way trade is based on Canadas export of military vehicles armed with high-powered weaponry, a deal Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government has received much criticism for making because of Saudis human rights record. Venezuela arrests six over drone attack during Maduro speech Officials say authorities have arrested six people suspected of using explosives-laden drones in a failed bid to assassinate Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Prime minister says he is being hunted and that his deputy, who denies apparent coup attempt, may be involved. Lesothos prime minister has said he had fled for his life across the border to South Africa, as he accused the military of seizing power and leaving his country in flux. Tom Thabane told Al Jazeera on Saturday that the army was all over the streets, and had taken control of government buildings and key installations before he managed to escape. He added that he suspected his deputy, Mothet Joa Metsing, was involved. He said later on Sunday: I have been removed from control not by the people but by the armed forces, and that is illegal. I will return as soon as my life is not in danger I will not go back to Lesotho to get killed. The military on Sunday rejected his claims. Major Ntlele Ntoi said that allegations of a coup was not a new thing, and said Kamoli remained in his post. That is a baseless allegation. There had been an exchange of fire on Saturday between youths, police and the military, he said, but the military has returned to the barracks. I Mother taken place.] Metsing also denied a coup. I would not still be a deputy prime minister; the prime minister would not still be the prime minister if a coup [had] taken place, he told Al Jazeera on Saturday. He said the army had given valid reasons as to why it occupied government buildings. Tensions have been high in the kingdom since June when Thabane suspended parliament to dodge a vote of no confidence. Metsing had vowed to form a new coalition that would remove Thabane. Police disarmed Diplomatic sources said the army made its move after the prime minister fired the army commander, Lieutenant-General Kennedy Tlali Kamoli. The army spokesman said Kamoli was still in charge of the military. South Africas foreign ministry said it was monitoring the situation, adding that an unconsitutional change of government would not be tolerated. Since its independence from Britain in 1966, Lesotho has undergone a number of military coups. In 1998 at least 58 locals and eight South African soldiers died and during a political stand-off and subsequent fighting. The landlocked countrys first coalition government was formed in 2012 after elections ousted the 14-year incumbent Pakalitha Mosisili. The challenge is to understand how and why the West elected to position al-Qaeda as the counterweight to the US. Antonin Scalia on Stage Once again partisanship is rearing its disgusting head at the pre-confirmation debate over Brett Kavanaugh. Long gone are the days when a judges qualifications were the only factors considered. After all, Antonin Gregory Scalia was unanimously confirmed by the Senate in 1986, and in 1993 Ruth Bader Ginsburg had only three dissenting votes. A play about Scalia, The Originalist, shows how Americans should be willing to accept a viewpoint other than their own, something the Senate is unwilling to do. It is now playing in New York, and is also available to stream. With all the divisiveness going on in America today, it is nice to be able to have role models. The Supreme Court justices may not agree on issues but they do it in a rational manner. Justice Ginsberg recently spoke on how the court could bring even ideological opposites together. She spoke about her unlikely friendship with the late Justice Antonin Scalia, a conservative stalwart, I miss him very much, and said last week, "If I had my choice of dissenters when I was writing for the court, it would be Justice Scalia. Sometimes it was like a ping-pong game." Even more important, she is calling for a renewed bipartisanship when it comes to confirming federal judges. Playwright John Strand hopes that this play will open peoples minds, I want someone to listen to their political opposite and do it with respect. Justice Ginsberg and Justice Scalia each had a generosity of spirit. They were civil and cordial colleagues, as well as good friends. It seems almost impossible to have civility between differing views today. What I saw lacking was that people would make vicious commentary without ever having read his opinions beyond the superficial stuff in the press. This is why I had in the play liberal Harvard Law School graduate, Cat, ambitiously embark on a clerkship with Justice Scalia where she discovers him to be both an infuriating sparring partner and an unexpected mentor. Although many thought of Justice Scalia as a monster, the actor playing him, Edward Gero, told American Thinker, People have come up to me and said I dont like any of his decisions, but you made me like him. We have to stop vilifying people we do not agree with. I think the Court offers a model of civil discourse where they can disagree with respect. I became good friends with him and realized it did not matter if you differ with him. But what did matter was stating your thoughts. He always respectfully would listen to the other side. Last year he and Justice Ginsberg were awarded the civility award, although he posthumously. Whatever your political position, Americans need to understand there is a human being there, a man behind the rulings. In the current atmosphere that seldom happens. The play opens with opera music as Scalia states, The notes are exactly what the composer composed, then, now, and a hundred years from now. That is precisely my view of the Constitution and the law. He espoused clear lines of separation among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches with no branch allowed to exercise powers granted the other. Regarding the Constitution, he explained, I am not an ideologue. I am an Originalist, to interpret the Constitution as it is written and as it was understood, and never viewed it as a living document that must change with the times. A very relevant issue that comes up time and again is what will happen with Roe vs. Wade. Viewers of the play will understand that he insisted that the Constitution says nothing about aborting an unborn child. Throughout the play, people realized that Scalia felt that justices should interpret the law, not make it, and that Congress should assume its responsibility to pass laws, that is how a democracy works. At his confirmation hearing he answered Senator Ted Kennedy regarding this ruling, It is not proper to answer questions Senator. I have no agenda. My only agenda is to be a good judge. The play discusses the ruling in the District of Columbia vs. Heller concerning gun control. There was a five-member majority where Justice Scalia summarized the invalidation of Washington D.C.s handgun ban because it violates the Second Amendment. He felt, I do law. I dont do law enforcement. Passion is no match for the text, and violence is a trait of the human species. In the play, he accuses Cat of opposing something she has no knowledge of. A scene has him challenging the clerk Cat to fire a gun that is very similar to an incidnet involving Scalia and Justice Elena Kagan. Gero tells how the audience reaction has changed over time. The play occurs during the 2011-2012 session and has been performed since 2015. There is a line where Cat asks why does he drive a car because he could get in an accident and die. His response, half the country would cheer, and the other half will fight who will replace me on the bench. Before he passed away the first part of his quote would bring laughter, and after, the latter half provoked laughter. Currently, the laughter has been replaced by a rumble. Since Justice Scalia was alive when the play was first staged, did he ever see it? The playwright Strand noted, Scalia believed if he came and said he liked it, people will say he was pandering, and if he said he did not like it he would look childish. He told me, I cant win either way so I am not coming. His son did come and thought it made his dad a hero. Those involved in the play should be applauded for attempting to show Justice Scalia not as a monster, but as someone with humor, intelligence, warmth, and accomplishments. Whether Americans agree or disagree with him, after watching this play maybe they will understand that he had no agenda or bias, and as he once said, I have always wanted what is best for this country. Every day I fight to protect that. The author writes for American Thinker. She has done book reviews, author interviews, and has written a number of national security, political, and foreign policy articles. Britain Confronts the Problem of Sharia Law I get along without you very well, of course I do might have been the song of a Muslim woman who had just won a victory in a court case in the British Family Division of the High Court in London on August 1, 2018, when Justice David Williams issued a landmark decision in her favor. The 46-year-old solicitor, Nasreen Akhter, wanted a divorce from her husband, Mohammed Khan, a successful businessman, whom she married in an Islamic faith ceremony in 1998. Khan wanted to prevent this, arguing that they were not "legally married" under British law and that they are married by sharia law only. The decision can be seen as the first time a British court recognized sharia law. Justice Williams explained that the union was valid and recognized because the vows in the sharia marriage were similar to those in a British marriage contract. As a result, Akhter, and women in general married in an Islamic faith ceremony, can get a divorce in a British court and can claim half the assets of her husband. For Muslim women, it is a landmark victory, making divorce easier and allowing a fair share of family assets. The court decision is not, as some have suggested, recognition of sharia, but it was the first legal ruling allowing British courts to participate in dissolving a marriage that was never officially registered. However, a serious legal and constitutional problem has arisen. A cardinal principle in democratic societies is that laws made by Parliament, the legislature, prevail over other rules certainly over theocratic rules made centuries ago in countries like Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan. The Western rule of law entails that one law should operate within a single legal code, and one that does not disadvantage parts of the community. British politicians have been concerned with the issue. In 2011, then-prime minister David Cameron declared the "multiculturalism has been a failure," and promoted extremism. He criticized the toleration of these (Muslim) segregated communities behaving in ways "that were completely counter to British values." For its part at the same time, Muslim activists in U.K. demanded that sharia law replace U.K. common law in a number of major cities, including Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool. In East London, where 40% of Muslims live, posters declare, "You are entering a sharia-controlled zone," and local imams have threatened women with death if they refuse to wear the hijab. Already, some British financial institutions, to satisfy wealthy Muslims, donate a part of their profits to Muslim organizations. Noticeably, David Cameron in 2013 changed his attitude, announcing that the U.K. would become the first non-Muslim nation to issue sharia "compliant bonds." London, he thought, not only would be a great capital of Islamic finance in the Western world, but could stand alongside Dubai as one of the great capitals of finance. At the core of the issue is that sharia ("way" or "path") appears to inform every part of the life of a Muslim. Sharia law, the legal system of Islam, is derived from the Koran, the main religious text, of Islam, and from fatwas, the rulings of Islamic scholars. It is thus potentially wider in coverage than is Western law, but there are widely different interpretations of Islam. A network of sharia courts has developed to deal with disputes between Muslims. There are now some 130 sharia law courts, many issuing rulings that may be contradictory to U.K. common law. Some are officially recognized by the Arbitration Act and have powers to deal with contract, mainly commercial, disputes; domestic violence; family disputes; and inheritance battles. There are many other tribunals and councils. Marital and family matters are settled by "sharia councils" (S.C.s), often based in mosques. The most controversial issue in sharia is the limit of the rights of women, as the law favors men. In May 2016, Theresa May, then home secretary, though stating that Muslims in U.K. "benefit greatly" from sharia law, called for an independent inquiry on whether sharia court decisions are contrary to U.K. gender laws in making discriminatory decisions. She asked whether sharia law was being "misused" against women. Critics immediately pointed out that May's remark was insufficient. Discrimination against women is due not to "misuse" of sharia teaching, but to the teaching itself. They provided numerous examples: a Muslim male can divorce his wife by saying "I divorce you" three times, and men have the right to "chastise" women. Polygamy is allowed. However, in May 2016, a panel commission was set up, chaired by Pakistani-born Mona Siddiqui, professor of Islamic studies at the University of Edinburgh and including two imams, theology experts, in advisory roles, to inquire into the application of sharia law by sharia councils, to what extent that may be incompatible with British law, and whether there are discriminatory practices against women who use S.C.s. The commission presented its report in February 2018. It pointed out that the S.C.s, numbering between 30 and 85, are councils, not courts, and that they are diverse in dealing with aspects of Islamic law but have no legal status or binding authority under civil law. It defined S.C.s as voluntary associations of scholars who act as advisers to Muslims, especially regarding religious marriage and divorce. They are mainly used by women and exhibit a range of practices of discrimination. The commission recommended that civil marriages be conducted at the same time as Islamic marriages and be civilly registered, giving women full protection in family law and divorce. It also urged cultural change in Muslim communities to encourage women's rights. The existence and report of the commission are evidence of the growth of the Muslim population in Britain, its self-assertiveness, and a rise in extremism. Controversy over sharia law and its influence is contested, as shown by the differences of leaders of the Anglican Church. Inherent in it is the question of whether a unitary legal system can accommodate religious claims. On February 7, 2008 then-archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams asserted that certain provisions of sharia law are already recognized in British society and law, and adopting certain elements is "unavoidable." Ten years later, in February 2018, another archbishop, Justin Welby, stated that Islamic laws are incompatible with British laws and should never become part of the British legal system. Islamic law has a different background of jurisdiction from the development of U.K. law. The issue again became controversial when in March 2014 the British Law Society proposed guidelines for solicitors on drawing up "sharia-compliant" wills. This was the first time that an official legal body was endorsing aspects of Islamic law and recognizing the legitimacy of some sharia principles such as on inheritance and multiple marriages. The inherent problem was that these wills would be recognized by British courts and would involve the denial of an equal share of inheritances to women, and also prevent children born out of wedlock from being regarded as legitimate heirs. After numerous complaints over the guidelines because of the inherent discrimination against women, they were withdrawn. Baroness Cox, a British campaigner against discrimination of women, said, "This [Muslim law] violates everything we stand for. It would make the Suffragettes turn in their graves." Lady Cox was critical of what she considered a quasi-parallel legal system operating in some Muslim communities. This has been shown in some major cities Birmingham, Blackburn, and Sheffield among others that have Muslim mayors. Somewhat ironically, in 2014, all British schoolchildren were required to attend a course on the "History of Islam, the religion of peace." It is important that there be a change in the political weather of Muslim legal practices and a change in the way Muslim law regards women. This abridged dinner talk reflects the mounting impatience Israel advocates have because of a siege mentality set in among Israelis and Anglo-olim (immigrants). It incubates from the politics of fear, and they are just not taking it any longer. I have noticed a palpable shift in attitude in the six years since we made aliyah. For instance, staunch Israel advocate Alan Dershowitz threatens to no longer attend Israel public forums, because audiences, particularly American attendees, boo and shout down critics of Israel. My wife kicks my leg under the dinner table whenever guests rail against anti-Netanyahu and Israel critics. The U.N. and college students are also favorite targets. "Save your contrarian opinions for your articles, not the dinner table," she reproaches me. I'm pretty black and blue, as you might imagine. Israelis give shrinking quarter to the likes of Natalie Portman, Peter Beinart, and Jeremy Ben-Ami. Michael Chabon is now totally out of the picture. One of Israel's most famous Anglo op-ed writers goes so far as to question the loyalty of Israel's military leaders and former elected officials who criticize the government. Israelis scoff when they hear claims from abroad that we love Israel but do "not want to appear as endorsing Benjamin Netanyahu." Israel is becoming an apartheid state. Israel disproportionately punishes Arabs (implying that Israel is militarily strong and Arabs are Keystone Cops). In Israel, this is code for the country and Jewish people being creatio ex nihilo, led by craven schemers with perfidious policies. Israelis are flummoxed when they hear Diaspora critics speak vengefully about Israel's formidable response to terrorists dressed in t-shorts and flip-flops. Israelis believe that Diaspora Jews just don't get it, but Israelis are caring less. Anglo-olim, especially Shabbat-observant vatikiim (antiques or seniors), trend right of center. They are angry and fed up with Jews back home. The largest Anglo-speaking synagogue in our community distributes Moshe Feiglin's weekly newsletter. The rabbi promotes Feiglin's political views from the pulpit. At the risk of overstepping, Feiglin wants to buy out or forcefully remove from all of Eretz Yisroel Arabs unwilling to swear allegiance to the Jewish State. Pundits predict that Feiglin will be a force to reckon with in the next Knesset election. The widening divide between Israel and the Diaspora is taking on new momentum, as Israelis are reacting by writing off Diaspora Jews as family. For Every Action, There's a Reaction: Kiss Mine Tuchus Anglo-olim and many native Israelis are convinced that Likud in general and Netanyahu in particular keep Israel safe from existential threats; effectively spread Israel's hasbara; and corral Europe's innate hatred of Jews, Zionism, and Israel. The Israeli government is admired for its wildly successful strategy convincing the American administration and her people that Israel holds the high moral ground. The U.S. embassy move to Jerusalem impresses Israelis, inspiring chizzuk sustenance and affirmation. Diaspora Jews complain about it. Israelis enjoy a new sense of power and place not enjoyed since the awesome success of the Six-Day War. Four unshakable principles of faith that Diaspora Jews will never appreciate and Israelis will not compromise on: Israel has a legal right to exist as much as any other country recognized in the family of nations. There is no daylight in definitions of terms "anti-Zionism," "anti-Israel," and "anti-Semitic." Palestinians are treated better and are economically well off more than in any Arab country, and they are happier living in Israel. Most Palestinians will choose to become Israeli citizens and assimilate if given the choice without a threat of harm or death from the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, and other roaming gangs of terrorists. Israelis see the secular, Reform, Conservative, domestic, and foreign ultra-Orthodox haredi Jews, and Obama-Clinton liberals, as a claque promoting the Palestinian perspective. Diaspora Jews are a dying breed because immigrating Muslims are turning their new countries anti-Semitic. Jewish youths forsake their heritage through surging rates of intermarriage and Jewish education illiteracy. They are now a non-starter collection of forlorn Jews with no tethers to other Jewish people or Israel despite some keeners. Michael Steinhardt is the co-founder and major funder of Birthright Israel. His action outside the last AIPAC convention reflects this growing KMT attitude to anti-Israel activists. Steinhardt, without saying a word to protesters blocking his entrance outside a gala dinner in honor of the 18th anniversary of Birthright, flashed his middle finger at protesters and triumphantly marched into the hall. Steinhardt's flip of the finger sums up the mood in much of Israel. Don't Talk about Me When I'm Gone Make no mistake: Israelis engage in vigorous debate about Netanyahu's policies and political elbowing. He holds office by a razor-thin majority. The other half of the nation wants the government to aggressively improve domestic life and make peace with the Palestinians. Israelis, though, are largely convinced that land for peace, freeing prisoners for peace, and silk glove (see Urban Dictionary) actions in Gaza and the West Bank are failed projects. Nevertheless, no patriot justifies his own people criticizing their country while abroad and to the foreign media. As the lyrics to the song say: Please don't talk about me when I'm gone Oh honey, though our friendship ceases from now on And listen, if you can't say anything real nice It's better not to talk at all is my advice I am extremely proud of two American gap year students I taught in Mideast politics, who for their final project, made a video that in part is poignantly critical of Israel's failings and missteps but echoes the thoughts of Winston Churchill from1947: [W]hen I am abroad I always make it a rule never to criticise or attack the Government of my own country. I make up for lost time when I come home[.] ... Abroad and speaking to foreigners I have even defended our present Socialist rulers, and always I have spoken with confidence of the future destiny of our country[.] ... At home we must do our duty, point out the dangers, and endeavour so to guide the nation as to avoid an overwhelming collapse. But I have no patience with Englishmen who use the hospitality of a friendly nation to decry their own. I think this is a very good principle, and one which deserves general attention. I tell my students to argue any government policy you want, but never raise Israel's right to exist. I will empower the principle of free speech at home, but not with dinner guests, nor when abroad. I will not try to convince Holocaust-deniers and Israel-haters otherwise. The Steinhardt move, the vaunting finger, will become my common response to Israel-haters. Leftists Love the Memory Hole At a recent rally, President Trump told his audience not to believe what they read and hear in the mainstream media. It was a point he's made in various venues many times before and an eminently reasonable point, considering the repeated waves of inaccuracy and hostility he has endured from those same media. Trump's enemies hate his rallies. They're insanely jealous of his ability to speak ex tempore and captivate his chosen audience. So this challenge to "Fake News" became the occasion for revisiting a tried and false rhetorical trope against the president. Trump's comment was juxtaposed with a passage from George Orwell's 1984, to the effect that the Party required people to deny the evidence of their senses. Wow! How original! Clever leftists had cast Trump in the role of Big Brother. How's that for literacy? Unfortunately for the left, it's evident that, in order to effect such a cool and bookish comparison, the anti-Trump party has to dump almost all of Orwell's dystopian novel down the memory hole. The bone-headedness exhibited here is related to the bone-headedness inherent in the claim that Trump has been attacking the "Free Press." Having survived, so far, the #MeToo purge, bigwigs at major media outlets represent themselves as privileged characters representatives of "The Press," which is absolutely essential to "Our Democracy." How dare that blackguard Trump question their veracity? Why, it's un-American! Or is it? In reality, the Founding Fathers envisioned no establishment of a privileged press. Nobody then attributed special sacred status to The New York Times or CNN. Freedom of the press pertained to anyone who owned a press, and the kind of publisher the First Amendment was designed to protect was, more often than not, cranky, biased, and verbally abusive. He was also the kind of publisher who could appear anywhere on the ideological spectrum. The Constitution does not defend an official press, guys. Or, to put it in terms most likely to enrage, American Thinker has exactly the same free press rights as The Atlantic and MSNBC. Even Alex Jones has the same free press rights. Failure to understand this point leads to tremendous confusion about Orwell's 1984. When the Party demands that its slaves deny the evidence of their senses, it is not demanding that they resist Oceania's official media. On the contrary, the official media what comes through the telescreen is exactly what the Party demands that its slaves accept. They are to substitute the reports of the telescreen for what they see and hear. And they are to love it. It is important to remember here that the single ruling party in Oceania think of Jerry Brown's Democrats in California is governed by a philosophy called Ingsoc, short for English Socialism. It is the Labor Party writ large and "1984" is 1948 as Orwell perceived it. A disillusioned leftist, Orwell saw where his movement was headed and stood appalled. The left on both sides of the Atlantic have been headed in the same direction ever since. Practically every major motif in Orwell's book reflects on the tendencies of the left in this country, on the Democrats and the bureaucratic state. Who strives to prosecute and persecute thoughtcrime? The left through its takeover of academe and condemnation of "hate speech." Are snowflakes protected from "pro-choicers" and "gun control advocates"? No. Snowflakes are pro-aborts and gun-grabbers. They insist on receiving protection from the opposing points of view. Leftists demand speech codes and seek to enforce them even against the president. Who practices Newspeak? The left. A great example is the profusion of terms applying to sexuality. In how many venues are we compelled to accept such terms as "trans woman," "gender identity," and "polyamorist"? How fiercely does the left seek to revise even the pronouns of the English language? Can you say "xe"? If the left gets its way, you're going to have to learn. Talk about denying the evidence of your senses! The ayatollahs of the leftist revisionism look at a crossdresser with a prominent Adam's apple and five o'clock shadow and call him a girl. They demand that you call him a girl. And they demand that you let him participate in girls' sports. I hate the word "Orwellian" but, hey, that's Orwellian! And the memory hole? When does the left in this country not consign past realities down the memory hole? "If you like your plan, you can keep your plan"? Who said that? Certainly not Obama! He always told the truth. Hillary's email scandal? Forget about that! Comey told us it was no big deal. In fact, if a leftist is attacking Trump, and you bring up a parallel from the Obama era, your insight will be consigned to the memory hole with a smug bit of Newspeak especially designed for such a purpose. You're practicing "whataboutism," that's what you're doing! And such a practice is decried by the telescreen every hour of every day. Readers familiar with Orwell can entertain themselves by digging up their own parallels. It won't be hard. The only detail in which Orwell's nightmare fails to correspond to the leftist's dream is in the matter of sexual license. Ingsoc is decidedly anti-sexual and permits intercourse only for the purposes of reproduction. That's not the teaching of today's leftist! Indeed, the modern left frowns on sexual acts only if they result in offspring. Otherwise, anything goes. In this, leftist ideology resembles that highlighted in another dystopian novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Even so, it's hard to pitch Donald Trump as an anti-sex crusader. Making up tall tales about Russia comes a lot more naturally. The main point here is that, in the current version of the "Orwellian" scam, the lockstep left is adhering to its usual practice of projection. How is it even possible to pretend that Trump is a variation on "Big Brother"? Big Brother's very existence depended on the universal support of an enforced, unitary culture. Trump's coverage in the mainstream media is 90 percent negative. Even Obama couldn't really aspire to the position of Big Brother. His ears were too big. But he was far more of a Big Brother figure than Trump could ever be. Still, that's just whataboutism, isn't it? Tom Riley is widely known as a poet of the formalist school and is the author of Love Poems of a Hatemonger. Temperatures are hot most places in the Northern Hemisphere, as they usually are this time of year. The left has conveniently dropped climate change for the moment in favor of more temperature appropriate global warming to explain the inexplicable fact that its hot in the summer. Freezing temperatures in a few months will shift the blame back to the more appropriate term for cold weather, climate change. Dog days of summer doesnt actually have anything to do with dogs, instead the expression refers to the time when the dog star Sirius rises just before the sun, in late July. And we are currently in the dog days of summer. Watching the news this summer reminds me of a 1950s song by Eddie Cochran, Summertime Blues. News readers at CNN and MSNBC are fit to be tied saying to themselves, I'm gonna raise a fuss, I'm gonna raise a holler. Jim Acosta, the smug drama queen from CNN, had his backside handed to him bigly by White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders a few days ago when he whined about President Trump supposedly calling the media the enemy of the people. Oblivious about the abuse Sarah endures on a daily basis, spurred on by CNN rhetoric, Acosta tried to make this about him, as if the sole purpose of the White House media arm is to give Jim a platform to bark out his ignorance. The President, for those journalists who care to actually practice their profession, said that fake news is the enemy of the people, not the media in general. But its hard to make such a distinction between assertions that Trump is a Nazi, a Russian spy, a racist, an idiot, or mentally ill. So, the well-coiffed talkers on cable news just raise a fuss and raise a holler. The economy is roaring, with record low unemployment and GDP growth that the economic geniuses who regularly appear on cable news panels said was impossible. Remember when the NY Times Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman made this prediction after Election Day in 2016? Putting an irresponsible, ignorant man who takes his advice from all the wrong people in charge of the nation with the worlds most important economy would be very bad news. So, we are very probably looking at a global recession, with no end in sight. I suppose we could get lucky somehow. But on economics, as on everything else, a terrible thing has just happened. Mr. Krugman is certainly singing the summertime blues after the recent strong economic news and the fact that he couldnt have been more wrong. President Trumps approval numbers are also causing Democrats to fuss and holler. Rasmussen, one of the more accurate polling organizations, tracks the Presidents popularity in their Daily Presidential Tracking Poll. President Trump has been tracking in the mid to high 40s for his total approval number, hitting 50 percent on August 2. Eight years ago on August 2, 2010, President Obama was only at 45 percent total approval among likely US voters. Trump is more popular than Obama at a similar point in their presidencies despite media coverage of Trump being over 90 percent negative and Obama treated as a deity by the media during his time in office, continuing today. More worrisome for Democrats is Trumps rising support among a core Democrat constituency, minority groups. Black support for the President has doubled over the past year, from 15 to 29 percent, as Thomas Lifson noted on these pages. Not only blacks, but also Hispanics, millennials and gays are increasing their support of President Trump as Karin McQuillan wrote recently. Bad news for Democrats. Leading them to raise a fuss and raise a holler. How does President Trump compare to those wonderful and enlightened European leaders that our media gushes over? Those far more sophisticated and nuanced than our Neanderthal president? French President Emmanuel Macron has a 37 percent approval in France. His neighbor German Chancellor Angela Merkels coalition has only 29 percent support in Germany. These are the elites, the wise leaders bringing peace, love, and understanding to the world. It seems as if average Europeans believe otherwise. In Italy, their recently elected Prime Minister ran and won on Trump-like anti-illegal immigration policies. Google disagrees however, declaring Angela Merkel the leader of the free world, echoing the conventional wisdom of the left, contrary to the view of the American and German electorates. As the Congressional midterms approach, Democrats are hopeful for a blue wave, yet little points in that direction. Rasmussen found that most voters dont see the Paul Manafort trial leading to charges against Trump, despite the media breathlessly reporting every detail of the trial. Only a third of voters think the Mueller witch hunt is good for the country, even as most news outlets report on every rumor and leak that is certain to bring down President Trump. One CNN news reader assured viewers that Mueller supposedly interviewing a Manhattan Madam means that the walls are closing in on Trump. Meanwhile President Trump is holding campaign rallies across the country, in front of capacity crowds, endorsing local candidates who have been crushing it in the primaries, to use the words of CNN. And plenty of more rallies planned for the fall. The reality is that the walls may be closing in on deep state bad actors with upcoming OIG reports, sealed indictments, Hillary Clintons server, and other revelations. All of this talk of Trumps imminent demise is wishful thinking on the part of the media and their fellow leftists. Those who have the honesty to look beyond their propaganda and talking points realize that their fussing and hollering is doing nothing but firming up support for President Trump. His popularity is solid among Republicans; you could say he owns the Republican Party. The issue for the midterms is Republican candidates themselves. Do they run as pro or anti Trump? Are they in favor of his agenda or against it? Those serious about getting reelected and advancing a conservative agenda will be pro Trump. Those who feel otherwise will be sitting on CNN panels with John Brennan and Jeff Flake next year. Despite the summer heat, Republicans have it made in the shade if they hitch their wagons to the winning horse. Leading the Democrats and the media to sing, Sometimes I wonder what I'm a-gonna do. But there ain't no cure for the summertime blues. Brian C Joondeph, MD, MPS, a Denver based physician and writer. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Supply and Demand in the Land of Potatoes and Lobster A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit the rural farmland and majestic forests of northern Maine in a quaint town named Fort Fairfield. Permeated with beautiful natural scenery and smiling, congenial personalities, the town seemed to be the epitome of the traditional American small town. As I explored the remote little village, however, it became eminently clear that this modest community had undergone remarkable changes over the past couple of decades. Talking points and sound bites spewed from pundits across the political spectrum came to life in Fort Fairfield, where farmers and small business-owners have been experiencing the economic ramifications of urbanization for years. And it is no wonder the "forgotten men of women of America" rallied behind President Trump as their champion in 2016. For once, someone had stood up for them. Finally, they were being heard. Concerns in the Fort Fairfield community center on the issues presented by rural flight, when mainly young people leave rural communities for metropolitan hubs. Northern Maine is not the only victim. Pew Research Center reported in 2015 that "[a]lthough 759 rural counties in 42 states lost population between 1994 and 2010, more than 1,300 rural counties in 46 states have lost population since 2010." Such conditions are the natural economic progression in an industrialized, post-agrarian society. As with any economic evolution, some will be left behind. Many more will find prosperity. Broccoli farmers in northern Maine rely heavily on what the locals referred to as "migrant labor." In other words, immigrants from central America traveled to one of the most homogenous areas of the country to find work and, accompanying it, their American Dream. For the farmers in the area, cheaper labor fills the void left by the exodus of young people. For the immigrants, it is an opportunity to provide a life for themselves and their families which had been previously unavailable to them. Despite claims made by a plethora of political leaders, including the president himself, immigration of low-skilled laborers usually complements, rather than substitutes, native-born workers. In other words, they can produce more goods at a lower price due to the influx of labor supply. Even more productive for the economy is the addition of new customers to many American markets. For these reasons, economists generally agree that immigration is nothing but beneficial not just for economic growth, but for the vast majority of Americans, as well. During a comprehensive tour of a 300-acre, multi-generational Maine potato farm, I was intrigued by a topic that has surfaced to the forefront of public dialogue, particularly incessant so far during the 2018 midterm cycle. That topic is the minimum wage and its impact on employment. As we made our way to the packaging and distribution portion of the tour, the owner of the farming property brandished one of the most recent additions to the complex. The new processing machine, he explained, was brought onto the premises as a replacement for two previous employees. The addition of this new machinery expedited the packaging process and accelerated the retail distribution. I asked whether it was cheaper for his business to automate this process than to pay the labor costs for a lengthier duration of packaging. While the initial fixed cost of such a purchase was significant, the state's new $10 minimum wage (which will be raised to $11 next year) proved too costly for his operation. From a business perspective, the automation of such jobs was simply the most economical decision. Public discourse has long misunderstood the real impact of minimum wages on economic efficiency: setting a floor on the price of labor causes unemployment due to higher total costs to employers. While there is some disagreement among economists on the severity of such an effect on employment, neoclassical theorists generally acknowledge the existence of minimum wage-induced unemployment. Economists have studied this question copiously, and their findings typically suggest that an increased minimum wage incentivizes automation of low-skilled labor. More specifically, job loss results from a minimum wage fixed above the market wage, which would be determined based on local supply-and-demand forces, such as cost of living. The national "Fight for $15" would render innumerable losses on American employment and economic growth. It should be pointed out that automation is a healthy and advantageous aspect of economic development. True, existing industries and their employees often lose out. But if protectionist policies descended from Washington every time an innovation occurred, perhaps we'd still be riding in carriages in order to protect carriage-producers. Automation, however, will occur only when economic conditions allow for it; minimum wages create such conditions prematurely by raising labor costs for companies. The above lessons that I learned during my time in agrarian Maine transcend any theory that may be learned in a classroom. They are stark realities that may seem difficult to digest to many on both sides of the aisle. It is important, however, to understand the miracles wrought by free-market policies that enable the entrepreneurial spirit embodied in what we call the American Dream. Immigrants and native-born Americans, factory workers and businessmen, small business-owners and artists all of these groups are empowered to realize their American dream due to the individualistic and innovative spirit of this country. By restricting immigration, raising minimum wage above market levels, placing tariffs on domestic consumption of foreign goods, and subsidizing certain industries at the expense of others, governments of all sizes place a barrier on the efficiency of their economies and happiness of their people. While there is substantial evidence to support these statements based on years of economic studies, there are those in our society who feel the real impacts of economic advancement. The historic election of Donald Trump was the result of years of marginalization of blue-collar workers and rural voters. Their concerns should never be disregarded, and they should never be condescended to or marginalized. The symptoms of these conditions include a delusional belief that it's the end of the world, a disorientation that's beyond the liberal norm, an unhealthy obsession with following every liberal news channel's apocalypse of the day, a deep sense of anxiety and dread, and being prone to unhinged hissy fits if anyone dares to besmirch the sterling reputation of either Hillary Rodham Clinton or Barack Hussein Obama. Fake mainstream news sources have actually succeeded in broadcasting so much unbridled fear into the United States that weak-kneed left-leaning Americans are coming down with a mental illness that goes by two different names: Trump Anxiety Disorder and Trump Derangement Syndrome. While "Trump Anxiety Disorder" (a term originally coined by psychologist Jennifer Panning) and Trump Derangement Syndrome are real, they have been deceivingly misnamed. These mental illnesses have absolutely nothing to do with our 45th president and everything to do with our partisan media, who are ruthlessly and unethically trying to take down our duly elected commander in chief. President Trump's many achievements in the White House are actually serving to elevate the spirits of many Americans who are responsibly receiving their news from reliable sources. Last quarter's 4.1% growth rate, Latino and black unemployment at record lows, greater security at our nation's border, and Trump's historic meetings with Russian president Vladimir Putin and North Korean president Kim Jong-un are all reasons for joy and celebration. These accomplishments are just a few of the reasons why President Trump's approval ratings continue to climb. Trump Anxiety Disorder and Trump Derangement Syndrome should immediately have their names changed to Fake News Anxiety Disorder and Fake News Derangement Syndrome. Never before in the history of the United States have the vast majority of news outlets marched together in lockstep in an apparent effort to gaslight the American populace into believing false narratives about both their country and their duly elected president. Relentless Ad Hominem Attacks Ever since Donald Trump declared his candidacy for the presidency on June 16, 2015, we have been inundated with assertions that Donald Trump is a racist, sexist homophobe who is unfit for elected office. All of those accusations have repeatedly been proven to be unfounded. What kind of a racist would entrust and appoint Dr. Benjamin Carson, Sr. as the United States secretary of housing and urban development? What type of a sexist would ever have made Kellyanne Conway his campaign adviser and then later made her a counselor to the president? And no homophobe would ever have stood in front of the Republican National Convention as Donald Trump did during his acceptance speech and say, "As your president, I will do everything in my power to protect our LGBTQ citizens from the violence and oppression of a hateful foreign ideology." Threats of Nuclear Annihilation Do you remember being told that President Trump was risking nuclear war with North Korea for simply tweeting about "Little Rocket Man"? President Trump later met with President Kim Jong-un on June 12, 2018. The negotiations resulted in the signing of a joint statement where the two leaders agreed on working together to establish peaceful relations between the two countries and also for the Korean Peninsula. President Trump also negotiated the release of the remains of fifty-five United States troops who whose lives were taken during the Korean War. Illegal Alien Children Separated from Parents and Human-Traffickers While the vast majority of the media didn't mind at all when illegal alien children were being separated from their parents and human-traffickers during the Obama administration, it sent the leftist talking heads into a frenzy to see the Trump administration do the exact same thing for the protection of the children. Time Magazine even had the audacity to copy and paste on its cover a photo of a crying two-year-old girl from Honduras standing next to President Trump with the caption "Welcome to America." The photo gave Time the notoriety it desired and also stigmatized our president and our country in a most unfair manner. Just remember that whenever you see the immigration and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) protesters out carrying signs saying, "No borders, no nation, no deportation," we do have a president in the Oval Office doing everything possible to keep those children as safe as possible no matter what country they came from. Turning the Clock Back on Women's Rights The hysterical caterwauling over President Trump's nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court is only going to get shriller the closer we come to his confirmation hearings. Sadly for everyone suffering from Fake Media Derangement Syndrome, the media are getting a loathsome assist from their Democratic political allies, who are helping to bring the pain to those they purport to care for. House minority leader Nancy Pelosi said in a statement, "The President's selection is a clear and disrespectful assault on the fundamental rights of women and on the quality, affordable health care of the American people[.]" Failed 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hilary Rodham Clinton said while speaking to the American Federation of Teachers, "You know, I used to worry that they wanted to turn the clock back to the 1950s, now I worry they want to turn it back to the 1850s" implying that Trump's nominee would take us all the way back to not just back-alley abortions, but the days of slavery. Both the Democrats and the fake media are doing everything they possibly can do to manufacture unfathomable anxiety in their voting base to get them out to the polls for the November midterms. They aren't even the slightest bit concerned that their fear-mongering is resulting in what is now being called Trump Anxiety Disorder and Trump Derangement Syndrome, because they truly don't care about you. They care about only themselves. Jeffery Ford is a widely published author and a frequent guest on numerous talk radio shows, a TED speaker, and the World Genius Directory's 2016 Genius of the Year. Image: Adam Jones via Flickr. Bob Dole puzzles Kansas conservatives prior to primary In the run-up to the Kansas Republican primary to take place Tuesday, there's been a radio commercial playing in Kansas City (and, presumably, throughout the state) that says, "Breaking News! Bob Dole has endorsed Jeff Colyer for Governor. Dole has indicated that Colyer is the only candidate who can defeat Kris Kobach." Jeff Colyer was lieutenant governor under Sam Brownback and succeeded Brownback as governor when Brownback resigned in January to take the post of ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. Prior to Brownback's resignation, secretary of state Kris Kobach was presumed to be Brownback's likely successor. It's hard to imagine anyone more conservative than Kris Kobach, who has been a particular hard-liner on matters of illegal immigration and voter fraud. No one, not Jeff Colyer or anyone else, can be as tough on those issues, or issues of state sovereignty (on which matters he's been a consultant to the Trump administration and to other states), as Kris Kobach. But, because of such uncompromising positions, Kobach inspires almost as much deranged hatred as Donald Trump. That's why the Dole endorsement is strange, but perhaps not as strange as it first appears. While I respect Bob Dole for his service and sacrifice in WWII, I've frankly never felt that he actually stood very firmly for anything. The now 95-year-old former senator, former Senate majority leader, and l996 Republican presidential candidate has always been a compromiser who has long been an advocate of "reaching across the aisle." This time, he seems to have reached all the way into NeverTrump Land. Because Kobach appeals to the same voter base that put Donald Trump in the White House, the same people who oppose Trump (including establishment Republicans and RINOs) seem to be opposing Kris Kobach and wishing to make the Kansas gubernatorial race a referendum on Trump. Also strange is the fact that Colyer has the endorsement of the National Rifle Association. It's hard to imagine a more stalwart defender of the Second Amendment than Kris Kobach, who, while an avid hunter, has made it abundantly clear that the right to keep and bear arms has precious little to do with hunting (nor with collecting, nor with shooting sports), but is enshrined in the Bill of Rights as a deterrent to government tyranny. I find that endorsement not just puzzling, but embarrassing, since I am an NRA Life Member. But I have often remarked that the NRA is just a bit too liberal for my taste. And in what strikes me as a prime example of the old adage that "politics makes strange bedfellows," Jeff Colyer has also been enthusiastically endorsed by the ACLU (an organization that's never been in the NRA's cheering section)! Donald Trump carried Kansas handily in the 2016 election, garnering over 56% of the vote (Hillary received a mere 36%). Establishment Republicans like Bob Dole now seem more concerned with defeating Kris Kobach than with ensuring that Kansas has a stalwart conservative as its governor. Stu Tarlowe has had well over 100 pieces published by American Thinker. His personal pantheon of heroes and role models includes Barry Farber, Jean Shepherd, Long John Nebel, Aristide Bruant, Col. Jeff Cooper, Rabbi Meir Kahane, Hunter S. Thompson, Ed McMahon, G. Gordon Liddy, and Rin Tin Tin. A series of shootings took place in Chicago this weekend, leaving four people dead and at least 40 injured in a burst of gun violence over a seven-hour period from around midnight Saturday to early Sunday morning, according to city police officials. The shootings were "both random and targeted," Chicago Police Department patrol division chief Fred Waller told reporters, Reuters reports. Waller added that most of the shootings were related to gang activity. According to police, gunmen attacked multiple gatherings late Saturday [Obama Day itself T.L.] night, including a block party and a reception following a funeral. Many of the incidents occurred on Chicago's West Side, where 25 people were injured by gunfire. The youngest was an 11-year-old boy, the Chicago Tribune reports. It's time to hold Democrats responsible for Chicago's violence Most Americans are appalled to read that 63 people were shot in Chicago over the weekend, with 10 fatalities. The numbers are huge, downright massacre-level. News coverage says Chicago's hospital and emergency rooms are now crowd scenes. Here in California, we are appalled at the death toll among firemen and other public workers in California's massive wildfires, brought about by eco-wackos and their environmental mismanagement, which have killed 7. In Chicago, seven dead would be a good day. What's going on? All of these attacks are gang-related, according to this report, and are happening in the 6th, 10th, and 11th Districts, all led by Democrats. What a massive sludge of corruption and thuggery rests behind that. Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit has retweeted an invaluable article from the January 2012 issue of Chicago magazine about how the city's famed violence is all the result of gangs and Democrats being in bed with each other, one hand washing the other, and in those very districts named above. Democratic politicians sidle up to gang leaders for votes and use their thugs as substitutes for their political organizations. They muscle voters to the polls for the Democrats, and anyone who rebels gets a beating. Gang leaders in turn make demands of politicians for protection from police and get flows of city funds from these same Democrats, generally as city subcontractors, calling it "jobs for youth" and "second chances" or something. The left benefits, so it gives the gangs what they want. Is this a revolting picture? Obviously, with the stepped up shootings, the Democrats don't seem to be worrying too much, given that they have the votes and deals they want, so word is out that they aren't going to do anything. Meanwhile, the cops have been ordered to stand down because of the political ties of the gangs, and word has gotten out about that, too. Now the gangs are challenging each other because Democrats have made the power so easy to get. When is someone going to say something about how the Democrats have created this gang-hell bacchanal of murder, unknown in few places outside Caracas? This is Democrats' doing, based on that 2012 report, because Chicago's politicians are in bed with Chicago's gangs. It's also a worthy topic for a class-action lawsuit, for one. More important, it's got to become a campaign issue, not just in Chicago, but everywhere. Hold them accountable. Democrats have made their deals with gangs, and this is what has become of the city. Killing coal by private means Coal has become the enemy of city-dwelling, affluent believers in global warming. Yet it continues to be cheap and available for many countries, especially China and India, that want to expand their power grids to raise their standards of living to a level approaching that of the warmists who insist that doom awaits if atmospheric CO2 levels rise. So how can the poorer countries in the world, whose governments insist on improving their citizens' lives with electricity now and worries about hypothetical assertions based solely on computer models later, be forced to comply with the elites' desires? The warmists have discovered a way. Make insurance for power stations and coal mines unavailable, thereby making the risk of building or operating them unacceptable. That can be accomplished by getting the highly concentrated business of reinsurance to reject coal facilities. Reinsurance is a business that spreads the risk of a large policy written by one company over a wide range of companies. It is, in other words, insurance for insurance companies that are unwilling to be exposed to a huge liability if a specific policy for instance a quarter of a billion dollars policy on a bog coal-fired generating plant results in a claim (for instance, hypothetically, if anti-global warming extremists were to blow up a plant). If an insurance company can't reinsure a large policy it wants to write, then it cannot proceed to offer insurance. The reinsurance industry is falling in line. The largest reinsurance company in the world, Munich Re, has just announced that it will no longer reinsure coal mines and power plants and will also not invest in the bonds or shares of companies that generate 30% or more of their sales with coal-related business. Reuters reports: Munich Re (MUVGn.DE), the world's biggest reinsurer, will stop investing in bonds and shares of companies that generate more than 30 percent of their sales with coal-related business, its chief executive said, caving to pressure from investors. "In the individual risk business, where we can see the risks exactly, we will in future in principle no longer insure new coal-fired power plants or mines in industrial countries," Joachim Wenning added in a commentary to be published in German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on Monday. The capitulation of the industry leader caps a successful campaign that already persuaded the number-two competitor in the reinsurance industry to comply: Swiss Re (SRENH.S), world number two by share value, said in July it would not reinsure any company for which thermal coal represents more than 30 percent of its business, following French peer Scor (SCOR.PA). It is clear that pressure was brought to bear on Munich Re, because earlier it had refused to follow Swiss Re: Despite being a vocal supporter of the Paris deal, Munich Re had said as recently as last month that it did not plan to copy Swiss Re in limiting its underwriting of coal companies. It's clear that President Obama's promise in 2008 is being fulfilled by big-money financial elites in Europe: If somebody wants to build a coal-fired power plant, they can. It's just that it will bankrupt them... Hat tip: John McMahon Kris Kobach faces Kansas voters tomorrow in his run for governor Kris Kobach is running for governor of Kansas in the Kansas primary tomorrow. He is, quite simply, a man whose time has come. That's because he's the hands-down expert in these United States on illegal immigration and voter fraud and has been addressing these issues for lo, these many years. Thus, it would hard to exaggerate the level of support he enjoys here in Kansas. We Kansans like that. We like that Kris calls out illegal immigration and does it unequivocally. We're really proud that our secretary of state has been, Churchill-fashion, sounding the alarm over the erosion of U.S. sovereignty for years and years. Not being the hayseed clodpates the MSM think us and I know exactly what they think, because in a previous incarnation, I was a New Yorker, and I thought it too! we're all well aware that the endless invasion of illegals flooding into our beloved country is a disaster of Homeric proportions. It may be hard for the sensibilities of libs on either coast to absorb, but here, we don't think it "diverse" to have previously eradicated diseases (whooping cough, pertussis) breaking out in full fury in our public schools! We don't "celebrate" the leprosy clinics in all our major cities (you can be excused for not knowing that, but Google "Hansen's disease," only not at mealtime). And, most of all, we are sick to death and I mean projectile-vomiting-explosive-diarrhea-fulminating-nausea sick to death of being the emergency room, the welfare state, and the public school to the world, all while hearing our magnificent country excoriated as the cause of every ill and injustice in the world by the very beggars at our door. The United States of America, the most generous nation on Earth! And secretary of state Kris Kobach? He gets that. More to the point, he got it, and he got it ahead of everybody else! I first met the secretary some 12 years ago, when along with hundreds of other Kansans our paths converged in the Kansas Legislature. We the People were there to support yet another anti-illegal alien bill (h/t Sen. Lance Kinzer). Kris was there to provide expert testimony as to why E-Verify is a good thing since it keeps illegals from stealing our jobs. He also was there to point out that, if you're a Kansas state senator, preferring illegals to your own citizen constituents is probably a bad thing. You would have thought such would be self-evident. You would have been wrong. As testimony began, I could not believe my eyes. I watched Kris explain, over and over again, that, instead of deportation, Kansas could turn off the spigot of "benefits" to illegals, causing them to "self-deport." A farmer sitting next to me nudged me and "explained," "Too many pigs for the teats!" And I watched Kris explain that, No, Virginia, instituting E-Verify to protect citizens' businesses and jobs is not the equivalent of committing serial murder. And on, and on, and on... But the real marvel, and what impressed me most, was Kris's unfailing self-control. This was evident because (even while beset by maddeningly deranged questions like "If we don't give away all our jobs and social services to illegals, doesn't that make us all big fat racist sexist Islamophobic bigots?") he resisted the urge to vault over the Senate railing (at six feet, three inches, he could have cleared it easily) to grab any of those interrogators by the throat! I was sold. Another thing, and it matters: Like many Kansans, I often refer to our secretary of state as "Kris." That stands in contrast to his high office, his distinguished background (Oxford University, Harvard, Yale, a W.H. appointment while yet in his 30s, etc.), and his expertise (he is the ultimate authority on constitutional state sovereignty and is consulted by every state and municipality seeking to draft such laws). But that familiarity comes naturally to his constituents because he has been out there among us for so many years, always working, working. We see him. He's here. Then there's his Sunday evening radio show, which he had for some time; it was replete with utterly fascinating topics and great guests, and we'd all call in, and there was laughter amid the ideological debate. We knew him more than the regular pol is known. He wanted us to, which is why it was always "Kris." Lest I be accused of writing a mere puff piece for this gentleman whom I so avidly support and admire, let me now reveal his drawbacks. They are, I tremble to admit, as several as they are grave. The canny reader will by now have divined that the secretary is a man. This in itself is reprehensible, but, even worse, he is a white man! And, most damning of all, his very name fixes him on the Index of Extreme European-ness; I mean, "Kris Kobach" is hardly an aboriginal name, is it? Furthermore, he has the chutzpah to be married, and not to a "same-sex partner," but to a woman, a beautiful woman, in fact. This doubtless establishes another crime of which he is guilty call it "lookism" or something. Despite such egregious faults, I'm far from giving up on him. His crimes, while heinous, are susceptible to amelioration. Where the man thing is concerned, he could call CNN and entertain some (highly publicized) doubts as to his sexual orientation. The white thing too could be addressed. Immediately after opening up to Chris Cuomo on the fluidity of gender, the secretary could confess that merely walking around white is enough to make him want to throw himself into oncoming traffic, so much guilt does it confer! Of course, he need not actually throw himself into the (aforesaid) traffic. It's the feeling that matters. And yet, his man-ness, white-ness, European-ness, and lookism notwithstanding, I'll bet the rent that we Kansans are going to elect Kris Kobach as our next governor. Because this stuff really isn't funny anymore, and Kris Kobach knows that. And he has known it and said it out loud-- for a long, long time! Thanks to Stu Tarlowe for his help with this. Kathy Brown is an attorney and a nurse, and in addition currently teaches American history at a Catholic school. She's a native of NYC who now makes her home in the American Heartland. Caricature by Donkey Hotey, via Flickr. NYT erases 52 million white people The liberal media are in such a desperate hurry to change the demographics in this country that they can't wait for rhetoric to match reality. That's why it's understandable that the New York Times claimed that America is only 60% white. In case you had doubts, the Times even linked to a U.S. Census website to back up its claim. How much more authoritative can you be than that? The only problem is that the webpage the Times linked to does not say the U.S. population is 60% white; it says the U.S. population is 76% white. You might chalk this up to sloppy fact-checking except for two inconvenient facts: 1. Now that the Times has "come out of the closet" by hiring editorial writer Sarah Jeong, whose specialty seems to be writing all the ways in which she despises white people, every article the Times writes must be viewed through the distortive lens of anti-white bias. If an article, like this one, could be the result of either an honest error or anti-white bias, it's probably anti-white bias, given the Times' defense of out-and-out racists like Jeong. 2. The whole premise of the article, despicably entitled "Hollywood Is as White, Straight and Male as Ever," requires the population to be 60% white. The article claims that minority actors are under-represented in films because 70% of acting roles are white. Only by claiming that whites are 60% of the population can the Times claim that whites are overrepresented in films. In fact, at over 76% of the population, whites are somewhat underrepresented in films. If there are 325 million people in America, and 16% have been erased, that's 52 million white people who have been written out of existence. They have become "unpeople," whisked out of existence by doublethink. Liberals want you to think white people are disappearing rapidly, and they are hastening the process by undercounting them every way they can. It's their way of empowering their favorite victim identity groups, and it's just another example of their hatred of white people. When they have to resort to lying about verifiable, statistical facts to buttress their race-baiting arguments, it's seems as though their racial hatred has become nearly pathological. Ed Straker is the senior writer at Newsmachete.com. Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in #SaudiArabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists. Saudi Arabia's response was quick and vehement. The UK Guardian reports: Saudi Arabia has ordered the Canadian ambassador to leave the country and suspended new trade and investment with Ottawa after Canada's foreign ministry urged Riyadh to release arrested civil rights activists. A statement released by the Saudi Press Agency said the foreign ministry gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country and recalled its own ambassador to Canada, adding it retained "its rights to take further action". "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia ... will not accept interference in its internal affairs or imposed diktats from any country," the foreign ministry tweeted. "The kingdom announces that it is recalling its ambassador ... to Canada for consultation." The Foreign Ministry of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia took to Twitter to denounce Canada in a series of tweets, starting with these: #Statement | The negative and surprising attitude of #Canada is an entirely false claim and utterly incorrect. Foreign Ministry (@KSAmofaEN) August 5, 2018 #Statement | We have been briefed by what the #Canadian foreign minister and the Canadian embassy to the #Kingdom released on what they named "civil society rights activists", and we affirm that this negative and surprising attitude is an incorrect claim. Foreign Ministry (@KSAmofaEN) August 5, 2018 #Statement | The Canadian position is an overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of #SaudiArabia and is in contravention of the most basic international norms and all the charters governing relations between States. Foreign Ministry (@KSAmofaEN) August 5, 2018 #Statement | The Canadian position is an overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of #SaudiArabia and is in contravention of the most basic international norms and all the charters governing relations between States. Foreign Ministry (@KSAmofaEN) August 5, 2018 Shortly after these tweets, the KSA government announced that it was freezing new trade and investment ties. The BBC reports: Saudi Arabia has said it is freezing all new trade and investment with Canada over its "interference" in the Gulf Kingdom's internal affairs. ... The Saudi ministry described Canada's position as "an attack" on the kingdom, saying it would now: Freeze all new trade and investment transactions between the two countries Consider the Canadian ambassador persona non grata and order the envoy to leave within 24 hours Recall the Saudi envoy in Canada Reserve the right to take further action It appears to me that Crown Prince Mohammed is worried that his reforms, such as permitting women to drive, could provoke hardcore Wahhabi clerics into urging an overthrow of the Royal Family's autocratic rule. The last thing he wants is for foreign countries to add momentum to those reforms so that the social changes could be portrayed as being driven by infidels in Canada or anywhere else in the West. Of course, I want full rights for Saudi women, as well as many other reforms in that kingdom slowly extracting itself from a seventh-century way of life. But I also realize that these reforms can proceed only within an Islamic version of the Overton Window. Right now, it appears that MbS and his advisers want to keep the pace of change a bit slower than that preferred by Justin Trudeau's minions in Ottawa. Hat tip: John McMahon The final tally from the weekend includes 10 dead Chicagoans and 53 wounded. Area hospitals were overwhelmed with casualties. Somehow, "war zone" doesn't quite describe the carnage. The epidemic of violence raises serious questions about the court-ordered police reform plan that was hashed out at the state and local levels by politicians and community groups including the ACLU and Black Lives Matter. With those two groups involved, you can imagine the nightmare that awaits both residents and police officers. The plan virtually disarms police, allowing them to make fewer arrests and let a lot of crime slide. Chicago Tribune: A coalition of civil rights organizations suing the city, including Black Lives Matter Chicago, the Chicago Urban League and the NAACP, in May released their own 10-point plan that called for a number of reforms. Among other things, the plan called for overhauling the police department's use of force policy and additional officer training in de-escalation strategies. The group also asked to remove officers from public schools and to reserve police intervention for "real and immediate" threats. And, when it comes to officers' use of Tasers, the group called for limitations such as prohibiting their use at schools and on pregnant women, children, elderly people, anyone in medical distress and those who are handcuffed or restrained. The coalition also called for the city to step up its efforts to divert people from the formal justice system by, among other things, limiting arrests for victimless crimes. Under the coalition's proposal, training on fair and unbiased policing would be required, and the department's hiring efforts would have to maintain diversity. The group also called for providing incentives to officers who don't use excessive force, reduce their number of arrests and treat people fairly. There's nothing wrong with making the department more accountable and requiring more training. But what the city needs to head off the kind of carnage seen this past weekend is not less policing, but more. Case in point: the consent decree under which the Baltimore Police Department operates. The reforms were instituted after a black man, Freddie Gray, died in the back of a police van, leading to riots in the streets. That consent decree had the unintended effect of forcing officers to look the other way when it comes to crime. Jack Dunphy: The Baltimore crime wave can be traced, almost to the very day in April 2015, that Freddie Gray, a small-time drug dealer and petty criminal, died in police custody. When Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby made the ill-considered decision to charge six officers in Gray's death, she sent a clear message to the rest of the city's police officers: concerns about crime and disorder will be subordinated to the quest for social justice. As was the case in Los Angeles years ago, the result was entirely predictable. Officers disengaged from proactive police work, minimizing their risk of being the next cop to be seated in the defendant's chair in some Marilyn Mosby show trial. The prevailing thought among Baltimore's cops was something like this: They can make me come to work, they can make me handle my calls and take my reports, but they can't make me chase the next hoodlum with a gun I come across, because if I chase him I might catch him, and if I catch him I might have to hit him or, heaven forbid, shoot him. And if that happens and Marilyn Mosby comes to the opinion that I transgressed in any way ... well, forget it. Let the bodies fall where they may, and I'll be happy to put up the crime-scene tape and wait for the detectives and the coroner to show up. Police in Chicago won't even be able to Taser a suspect unless they can be absolutely certain the individual won't be harmed. So police in Chicago are probably going to react the same way they did in Baltimore: indifference to all but the most serious threats. Ordinary people may be under a greater threat of violence as a result of this deal, but for the gangs, the ACLU, and Black Lives Matter, it's a godsend. It's almost as if MS-13 were sitting at the table with Mayor Emanuel and A.G. Madigan, hashing out what they will be able to get away with. I don't live in the city, but if I did, I would seriously consider moving out as soon as possible. The Natchez City Cemetery in Adams County, Mississippi, is home to several unusual tombstones. There is one called the Turning Angel, which is a statue of an angel thats carved such a way so as to form an optical illusion. When approaching the statue from the correct angle, the angel appears to turn towards the visitor. There is also a large three-tier tombstone whose rather large size is accounted for by the fact that there is rocking chair insideas was the wish of Rufus E. Case, whose remains lie besides his trustworthy chair. However, its the tomb of Florence Irene Ford that has the most touching backstory. Photo credit: Terry Nowell/Flickr Florence died of yellow fever at the age of ten. During her life, she was extremely terrified of thunderstorms and needed comfort from her mother whenever there was a storm. So when she died, her mother, devastated by the loss, had a special coffin constructed for her daughter that had a glass window to display her body. Furthermore, Mrs. Ford had a set of concrete steps constructed that descended down to her buried coffin. Whenever there was a thunderstorm, Mrs. Ford would make her way to the cemetery, descend the steps and sit there besides her daughters coffin to give her soul solace. After the death of her mother, the glass wall was covered by concrete to prevent vandalism, but visitors can still descend the steps to Florence's grave. Related: The Grave With A Window Photo credit: unknown Photo credit: Natalie Maynor/Findagrave.com Android version 9, titled Pie, is out today, and along with Googles own Pixel lineup, one of the first devices to get the official and final version of the newest Android release is the Essential PH-1. Android godfather Andy Rubin created Essential with a few goals in mind, including innovation and timely updates, so it seems quite natural, especially given his relationship to the platform, that the phone he helped create would be one of the first in line for the new update. Essential took to Twitter to announce the news, and the update is rolling out right now. If you have a factory unlocked Essential Phone at hand, try pulling an update; it should reach you by the end of the day. The post did not specify when carrier models would be getting the patch. Android 9 Pie brings a number of new features to the table, and improves on some older features. Adaptive Brightness, for example, improves on Androids old automatic brightness setting by using machine learning to figure out how the brightness should be at the moment according to both ambient light and the content being viewed, among other factors, and learns over time what a users specific preferences may be for different situations. Adaptive Battery, meanwhile, uses the same technologies, taking advantage of onboard machine learning in compatible devices, to dynamically control processor speed and voltage, networking and other factors to help maximize battery life, all while figuring out each persons use cases for their phone and making sure not to cramp them. As with any update, you can check for it and pull it over the air by heading to your phones Settings section and looking for the About phone heading. If checking doesnt do it for you immediately, keep in mind that the update is still fresh and is rolling out as fast as Essential can accommodate its groups of users. It may pull for you later in the day. If you have a carrier-branded model or youre just sick of waiting, you can always head to Essentials website and grab the build to sideload via ADB. As of this writing, however, the Pie build is not up on the site just yet. Advertisement Were proud to bring Android 9 Pie to Essential Phone the same day its released! Check your phone now for the update. pic.twitter.com/pniUDl9yr8 Essential (@essential) August 6, 2018 Two renders depicting whats said to be Fitbits Charge 3 fitness tracker leaked online several days back, having been obtained by Dutch tech blog Nieuwe Mobiel. The images that can be seen in the gallery below show a black, white, and gold variant of the device, in addition to indicating that consumers will once again be given a choice among a wide variety of strap colors, including black, gray, white, and purple. The San Francisco, California-based company may have also decreased the size of the fitness trackers bezels compared to the Charge 2, though the newly emerged images are inconclusive in that regard. One major design change compared to the 2016 gadget is a streamlined case that now lacks a physical button on its left side, which may significantly change the manner in which users interact with the Fitbit Charge 3. The tweak may suggest the Charge 3 is equipped with a proper touchscreen and is an upgrade over its predecessor on that front seeing how the Charge 2 was only able to detect taps on the corners of its screen but was relatively inaccurate in doing so, with that functionality being one of the most common points of criticism aimed against the otherwise highly praised gadget. As Fitbit announced the Charge 2 at the 2016 edition of IFA, the next iteration of the Berlin, Germany-based trade show may also be the even that ends up seeing the introduction of its successor. Regardless of the existence of the upcoming gadget, the consumer electronics manufacturer is presently in the process of moving away from fitness trackers due to an overall decline in sales of this product category and is now committing more resources to full-fledged smartwatches such as the Ionic and Versa, both of which are said to be selling reasonably well so far. Should the Charge 3 end up being announced at IFA 2018 later this month, the wearable is likely to become available for purchase around the world by early fall. The Razer Phone was announced back in November last year, and it seems like its successor may land by the end of this year in China, according to the companys Vice President, Chen Xiaoping. Mr. Xiaoping revealed such news during an annual gaming trade show in China, called ChinaJoy, though it seems like he did not confirm anything just far, as he said may launch, not will launch or anything of the sort, but it seems like the company is definitely working on it. If not by the end of this year, well see it in early 2019, but chances are that Razer is aiming to release it in November, exactly one year after the first-gen model arrived. The Razer Phone more or less started the trend of gaming smartphones, after which a number of other manufacturers decided to join in, including Xiaomi, Nubia, and so on. The Razer Phone introduced the very first display with a refresh rate of 120Hz, which was great to see, especially considering that were talking about gaming here, while the device also included a pair of front-facing stereo speakers. All that resulted in a rather thick set of bezels above and below the phones display, but not many people complained, as this is a gaming smartphone, and you need a way to grip it anyway. The device was made out of aluminum, while it was fueled by the most powerful mobile SoC at the time, the Snapdragon 835. A 4,000mAh battery was also included in the package, while the phone did not sport a 3.5mm headphone jack. On top of everything the Razer phone also included 8GB of RAM. We still do not have any info when it comes to the Razer Phones successor, aka the Razer Phone 2, but Razer will probably utilize the Snapdragon 845, and at least 8GB of RAM, while the phones bezels will almost certainly be at least a little bit thinner. Stereo speakers will almost certainly be a part of the package, and the same goes for a display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The company will include a larger battery on the inside as well, and it remains to be seen what else is Razer planning. Samsungs Galaxy Watch wearable will lack Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) support, a source claiming to be close to one of the companys national retail employee trainers said on Sunday, in addition to revealing a wide variety of details about the upcoming smartwatch, as well as the Galaxy Note 9 Android flagship. While the Gear S3 offered both MST and NFC, its rebranded successor will only feature the latter technology, with the change possibly being a result of a cost-saving effort on the companys part. Samsungs previously released gadgets with MST support only had the functionality enabled in select markets such as North America and South Korea, whereas the MST hardware was disabled in most international models, leaving Samsung Pay users with NFC as their only option for payments. The overall physical footprint of the larger device version is said to be similar to that of the 2017 Gear Sport which was 44.6 x 42.9 x 11.6mm in size, with the Galaxy Watch being set to become available in 46mm and 42mm case sizes catering to both men and women. The new Rose Gold color variant will be part of the series as well, with that particular model already emerging online last month. The 46mm model will be capable of operating up to a week on a single charge, with both offering 40 workout modes, or four times as much as the Gear S3 did. The same source reiterated previous rumors about the Galaxy Note 9 being code-named Crown, adding that the device will be available for stateside pre-orders alongside one of AKGs high-end wireless headphones priced at $299 or a Fortnite gaming package. Consumers will also be able to get both by paying an extra $99 on top of the Galaxy Note 9s price which is expected to start at around $960. Much like the recently announced Galaxy Tab S4, the Galaxy Note 9 will offer built-in support for DeX, meaning youll be able to get a desktop experience by simply connecting the handset to an external monitor via an HDMI cable, without having to buy the companys DeX Pad or Dex Station, with that particular design choice likely signaling the end of Samsungs phone-to-PC gadgets. The Galaxy Note 9 will also allow users to take notes on its screen while running in DeX mode, as per the same report. Advertisement The insider claims the display of the device is slightly larger compared to the 6.3-inch screen of its predecessor as it features a 6.4-inch diagonal, though its overall physical footprint is similar to the point of the new handset fitting inside Galaxy Note 8 cases. Samsung will also sell S Pens separately so that users are able to pick between different colors, with the color of their on-screen notes being identical to the color of their stylus of choice. The Bluetooth-enabled accessory will allow for 30 minutes of use after only 40 seconds of charging, though its maximum battery life remains unclear. Double-tapping the styluss shutter button will allow users to switch between the front- and rear-facing cameras, whereas new AI additions will allow the Galaxy Note 9 to perform better scene recognition and automatic shooting settings calibration, the source claims. Finally, the Camera app pre-installed on the device will warn users about imperfections such as blinking, shaky hands, and blurriness via on-screen speech bubbles. Samsungs Galaxy Note 9 will be officially announced on Thursday, August 9. Authorities in the United States arrested three Ukrainian individuals over allegations that they participated in a cybercrime ring dedicated to stealing credit card information which compromised some 15 million individuals in the country. The people in question Andrii Kolpakov, 30, Fedir Hladyr, 33, and Dmytro Fedorov, 44 are believed to have been senior members of cybercrime group FIN7 which attacked more than 100 American companies to date, the Department of Justice announced earlier this month. The trio is presently in custody, awaiting trials based on federal charges filed with the U.S. District Court in Seattle, Washington. FIN7, also known as the Navigator Group and Carbanak Group, has been conducting malware-based attacks aimed at stealing credit card credentials from unsuspecting U.S. victims since at least 2015, according to three indictments the DOJ unsealed last Wednesday. The criminal ring is understood to have primarily targeted small and medium-sized businesses in the hospitality, gaming, and restaurant industries, having sold stolen credit and debit card info for profit, most likely to identity thieves. American companies across 47 states and the District of Columbia have been compromised as part of FIN7s activities, with the majority of attacks being conducted through malware targeting some 6,500 point-of-sale terminals at approximately 3,600 locations, the indictments read. Besides companies in the U.S., the tech crime group is also understood to have targeted firms in the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. Some of the most high-profile names to have disclosed hacking attacks associated with FIN7s malware are Arbys and Chipotle Mexican Grill. Each arrested Ukrainian national is now facing 26 felony counts of wire fraud, access device fraud, conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, and computer hacking, the DOJ confirmed. The individuals were arrested and extradited by the governments of Poland, Spain, and Germany, with those proceedings starting this January. FIN7 operated under the guise of a front company Combi Security based in Israel and Russia, which claimed to offer white hat hacking services, i.e. penetration vulnerability testing. The firms website claimed some of its most high-profile victims were its former clients, U.S. authorities found. The government of the United Kingdom is concerned over Huaweis use of select American software and the security risks associated with that decision, Reuters reports, citing several sources familiar with the matter. Last month, Londons Huawei Cyber Security Evaluation Center published a report that downgraded its recommendation of the continued use of Huawei-made equipment for the governments critical infrastructure, raising concerns about shortcomings in Huaweis engineering processes, as well as issues related to its supply chain, both of which may create additional security risks for the European country. What the report didnt mention is that one of the main issues identified by its authors was Huaweis use of the VxWorks operating system, a software developed by California-based Wind River Systems that will stop receiving security patches in 2020 despite the fact that its powering Huaweis equipment thats planned to be in operation long thereafter, insiders claim. An outdated OS is likely to leave the companys network solutions more vulnerable to attackers in a matter of months as hackers are continuously making their penetration practices more sophisticated. The report didnt outright name VxWorks but highlighted a broader concern about third-party software tools whose end-of-life dates are significantly shorter to those Huawei attaches to some of its component boards that utilize them. VxWorks itself isnt believed to be a security risk and the investigators still believe its planned usage roadmap may have been unintentionally left too long. Wind River Systems is offering upgrade paths to newer software to its customers, a company spokesperson told Reuters. In a statement provided to AndroidHeadlines last month, Huawei downplayed the concerns raised by the July report but still vowed to address them in the immediate future, stating that digital security remains one of its top product priorities. The governments of the United States and Australia recently accused the firm of posing a national security risk due to its close ties to China that could see it be used as a spying tool by Beijing, with Huawei repeatedly denying that notion as baseless. Bangladeshi students shout slogans as they block a road during a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018. In Melbourne, Australia, a school of music and arts for children of Bangladeshi descent named Anondodhara organized a symbolic protest to show solidarity for the ongoing demands of the students in Bangladesh to have safe roads. Bangladesh's transport sector is widely seen as corrupt, unregulated and unsafe, and as news of the teenagers' deaths spread rapidly on social media they became a catalyst for an outpouring of anger against the government. On Saturday, the protests took a violent turn in Dhaka's Jigatala locality. The attack came after the United States ambassador left the residence of Badiul Alam Majumder, a secretary of a local civil society advocacy group known as Shujan, around 11:00pm (local time) on Saturday. Police had fired tear gas to break up the protests on Sunday and last week beat up some students in a bid to get them to disperse. "It's not true. Nothing happened at Jigatola", Dhaka police spokesman Masudur Rahman told Agence France-Presse (AFP). Many were injured and some were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. "There have also been some cases of injuries consistent with rubber bullets". The move may be an attempt to try and limit the ability of students to mobilise or spread growing online outrage over how the government has handled the protests, hours after police and unidentified men wielding sticks and stones clashed with students. "We all are feeling threatened here". "We can confirm there was a protest near an event the Ambassador was attending this evening". We don't want any trouble occurring around here. "Yet rubber bullets were shot at our brothers", student Sabbir Hossain said. "Will we kiss them if they advance towards Awami League office?" general secretary Obaidul Quader said. Violent clashes continued in Bangladesh as authorities fired tear gas and shut down mobile internet connections after a week of student protests that brought tens of thousands to the streets. But officials have made it clear they wants the protests - which have embarrassed the government of Sheikh Hasina - to end immediately. But their pleas have had little effect. By 1pm (07:00 GMT) on Sunday, thousands of students from various schools and colleges started controlling traffic in the capital, Dhaka, for the eighth consecutive day. Teens as young as 13 were seen on Dhaka's notoriously clogged roadways, checking whether cars and buses had valid licenses. The UN official said students and young people had legitimate right to speak out on issues of concern to them including road safety issues and to have their opinion heard without the threat of violence. An insensitive comment by Shajahan Khan, a government minister with ties to powerful transport unions, only poured oil onto the fire earlier in the week. On 29 July, two schoolchildren in Dhaka - a boy and a girl - were run over and killed by a speeding bus. There have been widespread social media demands for the minister's resignation despite his subsequent apology. The roads of Dhaka are a web of gridlock and chaos. Representatives of the Streit Group, a Canadian armored vehicle manufacturer, have met with Chilean officials to present plans to build a manufacturing facility in Chile. Streit Group "Varan" armored fighting vehicle (Picture source: Army Recognition) Chile is in the early phases of studying an upgrade of its armored vehicle fleet. One possibility is replacing its current fleet with a fleet of new vehicles. Chile's armored vehicle fleet consists of Mowag Piranhas, M113A1 and A2s, and YPR-765s. Chile could purchase up to 300 new vehicles, mostly to replace its aging Piranhas. Chile recently completed a major acquisition of its tactical truck fleet through Project El Alfil and Project El Cahuelmo. Overall, Chile acquired 431 vehicles under the two programs. If Chile does proceed with an acquisition, it would represent a major opportunity for armored vehicle manufacturers. Even if Chile decides to upgrade its Piranhas, Streit would be well positioned to bid on that contract as well since the company has experience working with the vehicle type. That is why Streit Group is moving to establish a relationship with Chilean officials. Streit officials plan to establish an alliance with Chilean firm Fabricas y Maestranzas del Ejercito (Famae) that would cover co-production of the equipment. Statements about a high price of T-14 Armata mai battle tank did not affect production plans of Uralvagonzavod Corporation (UVZ) which designed and produces the vehicle, UVZ spokesman Dmitry Kalinichenko said. T-14 Armata (Picture source: Army Recognition) Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said Armata and K-17 Boomerang IFV were very expensive against existing ones and will be procured when current armor cedes to potential adversary. The statement triggered media reports UVZ will cut Armata production. "The statements did not affect UVZ operations which continue in the previous regime according to the signed contracts," Kalinichenko said adding the corporation produces most of the armor for the Ground forces. It was reported that the Defense Ministry plans to buy a hundred Armata up to 2020. T-14 tank on Armata platform was for the first time demonstrated in Moscow on May 9, 2015. It for the first time in the history of domestic tank industry has an unmanned turret and an isolated armored capsule for the crew. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has been meeting with ministers from the ASEAN bloc of countries in Singapore this past week in preparations for the ASEAN 2018 summit due to be held in November. Several plenary sessions were held, with Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi also in attendance. Neither Russia nor China is members of ASEAN, however, China is part of the so-called ASEAN +3 along with Japan and South Korea, while China has also been ASEANs top trading partner for the past eight years, aiming at the joint target of US trillion in trade by 2020. Russia also has common interests with China when addressing ASEAN as both Moscow and Beijing play major roles in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Singapore meanwhile has been negotiating with Russia over a free trade agreement with the Moscow-backed Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), of which ASEAN member Vietnam has already commenced, with China also agreeing on a non-preferential FTA earlier this year. This means that trade ties between ASEAN and the EAEU can be expected to increase, and especially so with Russia. According to Lavrov, a roadmap for SCO-ASEAN cooperation is currently in the works, and Moscow is hoping that both organizations will benefit from the plan. However, the SCO-ASEAN format is not the only platform for common projects. Moscow sees possible participation in the EAEU as another way for ASEAN, SCO and even the European Union (EU) members to enjoy closer relations. Lavrov commented, Life tells us that this big Eurasian project is more like a goal, a situation where we are trying to reach consensus, and move towards it, and we invite all countries on which represent that geopolitical environment to participate. He also commented on trade ties with the EU, saying Lets not forget that the EU is also part of this geopolitical environment. We always stress that when we are talking about strengthening ties between EAEU, the SCO and ASEAN, we leave doors open for the EU, if the EU is interested. The EU probably should have such interest if its driven by pragmatic economic interests there is no doubt about that. Russias ties with ASEAN started developing in 2005 when Russia joined the blocs East Asia Summit, which includes the US, Australia, New Zealand and other nations at the invitation of Malaysia and with support from India and China. Russia has been promoting the concept of utilizing the EAEU, which shares borders with the European Union, as a thoroughfare via which ASEAN members can access both Russia and the EU. In 2016 the south Russian city of Sochi hosted a two-day Russia-ASEAN summit, and last year Sergey Lavrov took part in the opening ceremony of the permanent mission of Russian Federation to ASEAN in Jakarta. Chris Devonshire-Ellis of Dezan Shira & Associates comments Both Russia and China are taking huge steps to better unite Eurasia, and this includes South-East Asia as well. Ties between Russia and ASEAN are increasing and trade potential can be expected to increase. Vietnams bilateral trade with Russia has grown to US$10 billion in just two years; while similar trade results can be expected elsewhere with ASEAN members if these other nations also agree on FTA with the EAEU. The Russia-ASEAN trade corridor is ripe for development. An English translation of the EAEU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement can be accessed here http://www.vietnam-briefing.com/news/vietnam-eaeu-full-free-trade-agreement.html/ China has once again threatened to slap retaliatory tariffs against the United States in response to the Trump administration's trade policies, this time targeting $60 billion in us imports with tariffs ranging from 5 percent to as high as 25 percent. The Finance Ministry accused the Trump administration of damaging the global economy after it proposed increasing duties on $200 billion of Chinese goods in the second round of a dispute over technology. The world's two biggest economies, United States and China, further escalated trade tensions last week. The U.S. already imposed 25% tariffs on $34 billion in Chinese goods in early July, with another $16 billion to be targeted in coming weeks, drawing an in-kind retaliation from China. Trump's tweets appear to be the latest volley in a budding trade war between the United States and China. In thinking that China will be "broken" by United States tariffs, Donald Trump's nation is rapidly learning that a mutually disadvantageous trade war is far more disadvantageous to USA businesses than to Chinese industries. USA tariffs on another $16 billion worth of Chinese imports are set to be enacted at a later date. "Tariffs are working far better than anyone ever anticipated", Trump tweeted out. The Trump administration is weighing an additional round of tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods. China plans to impose a 25% tariff on imports of US-manufactured solar cells - but the world's biggest manufacture of solar cells now imports few of the cells used to make panels that generate power. The U.S. trade gap is now on track to hit a ten-year high, despite a series of tariffs imposed on products and raw materials around the world by the Trump administration. China's strictly controlled news outlets have frequently rebuked the United States and the Trump administration as the trade conflict has escalated, but they have largely refrained from specifically targeting Trump. More from Bloomberg.com: U.S. The Post reported that China and the United States held unofficial talks last week but a deep and mutual distrust continues to hamper efforts to de-escalate their trade dispute. "Leading China's economy on a stable and far-reaching path, we have confidence and determination", another commentary in the main edition of the People's Daily said. "The U.S. has repeatedly resorted to threatening and deceitful routines, trying to force China to compromise, both overestimating its own bargaining power and underestimating China's determination and ability to defend its national dignity and the interests of its people", said a commentary in the official Xinhua news agency. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, however, remained staunch on Washington's push for fairer trading conditions with China. Wang said on Friday they did not get into details. He also said China was "for the first time doing poorly against us". "Time will prove that the USA eventually makes a fool of itself", the Global Times said. Thynne + Macartney has welcomed Alex Ramsey to the partnership, who joined the firm 10 years ago as a law clerk. This promotion recognises Alexs ability to build strong relationships and his specialised knowledge of the issues facing the agribusiness sector, said Peter Jolly, chairman of partners. With more than 10 years in the sector, Ramsey has extensive experience in large-scale rural and commercial property transactions, estate planning, business structuring, and landholder compensations negotiations. Baker McKenzie has reported its highest ever annual revenue with Asia Pacific contributing more than a quarter. The firm saw revenues rise 10% in constant currency terms to U$2.9 billion (8% in US dollar terms) while profits per partner gained 13% to $1.44 million. The record high for the firm is just short of the $3 billion threshold which has been surpassed by Kirkland & Ellis, and Latham & Watkins. Baker McKenzie is the third richest law firm in the world. Technology and innovation are driving profound change in Australias law firms, as such remained a key focus for the 2017-18 financial year, according to the Mahlab Report 2018. The investment remained distinct from the execution of NewLaw strategies, which was less prevalent, as many firms have already adopted practices of competing businesses. Some firms have also partnered with NewLaw outfits. Firms are collaborating with NewLaw competitors to develop new, efficient ways to deliver legal services, said Liza Gazis, managing director of Mahlabs New South Wales office. This is one of those cases, but luckily, it isnt one with victims. One driver from a Chinese taxi company is a reluctant viral star, after dashacam footage shows him napping behind the wheel for almost 1 full minute.It happened late last month, in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, as he was driving on Baoan Avenue near an airport. Though it was about 6 pm, traffic was very light, which explains why no one was injured.The taxi driver has been identified only as He and, until this video came to light, he used to work for the local Ganglong Taxi Company, the Daily Mail notes. He was fired when his employer came across the video, during the regular employee performance assessment.The video shows He looking drowsy and clearly making an effort to stay awake. However, at one point, he simply gives in, leaning his head on the headrest and napping for almost 1 minute. He only wakes up after his car veers off the road and hits some barriers.It was a good thing this happened, because it was probably the alarm signal He needed to tell him he was in no position to be driving. Unfortunately, it was too late for him by then, as the dashcamera mounted in his car had captured the entire incident.A spokesperson for the Ganglong Taxi Company told the local media that He had been an exemplary driver but that, on the day in question, he was at the end of his shift and exhausted. Still, because he had violated all rules of safe driving, he was sacked.According to reports, he will probably be blacklisted by the Shenzhen taxi association, as well, which means the only driving hell be able to do from now on will be for himself. Produced from 1992 to 1995, the AZ-1 is twinned with the Suzuki Cara because Suzuki manufactured the 657-cc engine among other arrangements between the two parties. Mazda built 4,392 examples of the breed, and Suzuki rolled out 531 units of the Cara between 1993 and 1995.With 64 PS (63 horsepower) and 85 Nm (63 pound-feet) on tap, performance was far from amazing. But on the other hand, dont forget that the curb weight sits at 720 kilograms (1,587 pounds). In addition to the size of the vehicle, the secret to this low weight also comes in the form of fiber-reinforced plastic for most of the body panels.The AZ-1 started getting interesting as of late in the United States for a very good reason. Being born in 1992, the AZ-1 can be legally imported from Japan to the U.S. of A. starting from 2017. Thats the reason a handful of them made the trip to America, thanks to people like Ashley DeLuca.A mechanical engineer who also owns an RX-7 and MX-5, Ashley was invited by Jay Leno to the infamous garage to showcase her pride and joy. Bought while DeLuca was still living in Japan, the car stayed in a parking lot for about a year before she imported the AZ-1 to California.Problems, you ask? DeLuca found one with the starter wiring, and thats about it. These things are extremely reliable, even though theyre more than a quarter of a century old. In regard to aftermarket upgrades, the front strut tower brace and turbo boost gauge add a little extra to the recipe.If you were in the market for some pint-sized JDM goodness from the early 1990s, what would you buy between the AZ-1 and Honda Beat or Suzuki Cappuccino? For the past 12 years, Toyota Motor Corporation has had a 5.89 percent stake in Isuzu for the development of turbodiesel engines. Most notably, Isuzu made significant inputs to the 1.6-liter D-4D mill for the European market. Now the partnership will soon come to an end. Toyota made the announcement official and in their statement, changes in the market environment have prompted the companies to suspend some of the originally considered projects, and little specific progress achieved in other collaborative efforts. With that, Toyota and Isuzu have agreed to re-examine the capital relationship based on the current business situation. The company did say that they will continue maintaining good ties with Isuzu, though. Toyota went as far as saying they will remain open to the possibility of future collaboration. Also, Toyota made an announcement earlier this year that they will stop offering diesel engines in passenger cars over in Europe. Isuzu on the other hand is left with no collaboration with a different manufacturer. Despite that, Isuzu had posted a 16 percent gain in net profit for the first half of the year. In South East Asia alone, Nikkei reports that profits have jumped up to 30 perent, a stron showing. It has been reported that the company is currently looking for a new partner to continue diesel and diesel hybrid development. Twenty people died Saturday when one of the seven remaining airworthy Ju-52 airliners crashed while on a sightseeing trip in the Swiss Alps. The aircraft is reported to be HB-HOT, the same aircraft that visited AirVenture in 2012. There were 17 passengers and three crew onboard when the aircraft went down on a flight from Locarno to Dubendorf. The aircraft is one of three Ju-52s owned by JU-Air, a Swiss company that uses them on sightseeing and charters. The crash occurred near Martinsloch/Piz Segnaz at the 8330-foot level. Flights through the Alps on the old corrugated metal airliners are popular and almost always fly full, according to local reports. This is the first major accident involving JU-AIR. Authorities have ruled out an in-flight collision and said the aircraft hit the ground in a near-vertical attitude. The captain of the aircaft was a 62-year-old airline pilot with 30 years of experience and hed been flying the Junkers since 2004. The Air Force is hoping to ease its pilot shortage by speeding up the training of new pilots using virtual reality simulators. The first class of 20 Pilot Training Next (PTN) candidates, 15 officers and five enlisted personnel, finished their course on Friday and 13 of the officers passed. Two officers washed out and were sent back to the regular pilot training stream from which all the officers were drawn. The enlisted personnel made it through but were returned to their old jobs. The course is an experimental one aimed at gauging the impact of V.R. training on the pace and scope of basic flight training. Those running the program were encouraged by the successes and will learn from the failures. The failures are just as valuable as the successes, Maj. Scott Van De Water, Pilot Training Next deputy director, told Military.com. There are a lot of ways that were finding that the things that were doing here are inadequate to the ends, and the legacy system is exceptional at doing. The V.R. simulators offered a more realistic experience for the participants and they were given unlimited access to them, allowing them to practice whenever they wanted to. The result was that they learned faster and mastered complex flight profiles earlier. The participants were loaded with sensors that recorded biometric data so the researchers could measure the physiological effects of training. The enlisted candidates were never going to actually be pilots. They were put in the group to see how important a college background is. The enlisted participants apparently did just fine. They were flying very complicated profiles during their first check ride, Van De Water added, and in just a fraction of the time on average the traditional check ride provides. A second PTN course starts soon and will be adjusted based on the lessons learned in the first one. Military rescue aircraft were orbiting the site of a plane crash on a remote Alaska mountain ridge Sunday, unable to reach the downed sightseeing aircraft and its five occupants because of bad weather. The pilot of a de Havilland Beaver operated by K2 Aviation reported the crash Saturday about 6 p.m. on his satellite phone and the ELT also triggered. Before the phone signal was lost, the pilot reported there were injuries among those aboard but the call failed before he could report the details. An Air National Guard HC-130 responded and an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter and rescue crew are on standby but the site is solidly socked in. The Beaver left Talkeetna just after 5 p.m. for the sightseeing flight and went down on the knife edge of Thunder Mountain, a mile-long ridge in Denali National Park at almost 11,000 feet. The plane is reportedly equipped with an emergency survival kit including sleeping bags, a stove and pot to boil water, food supplies, first aid kit and other items, National Park Service spokeswoman Katherine Belcher told local media. Flying is often a convenient and valuable means of travel. But it can also be lethal if we fail to abide some simple guidelines designed to keep us safe. Many of these rules, procedures, and limits were explained to us by our instructors, and then followed up by a request that we make a vow such as Promise youll never go below minimums, and that you will divert instead, may have been one of those made, when first learning to fly instruments. We may have also been asked to promise never to fly impaired. Not just from alcohol, but also when were feeling under the weather, or taking medications that may affect our ability to think clearly. When we were asked to make this promise, we certainly would have thought to ourselves, Of course. That makes total sense. Why would I do that? Most of us took these types of oaths seriously. After all, our instructors knew best. They had experience, we didnt. But as the years went by, and we gained experience, we may have bent a few pledges, every now and then (just a little) because in the end there is a fine line between being too conservative and operating an airplane for business. A built-in conflict exists between using an aircraft as a reliable form of transportation, while remaining 100-percent safe. And if we have a lot of experience with a particular airplane or familiarity human factors with airport, it is easy to fall into the trap of bending a rule or two because we have done it before without consequences. Pilot Experience The 50-year-old pilot was the co-owner of a charter operation, which at the time of the accident, had been in business for 22 years. The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with rating for airplane single and multi-engine land. He had a total time of 19,600 hours, of which 17,000 were in multi-engine aircraft, and 15,300 hours were in the Cessna 310. He had more flying time in a single type aircraft than what most general aviation pilots can ever hope to accumulate in a lifetime. The accident aircraft was a Cessna 310R, a venerable aircraft used extensively by charter operators, and part of the pilot-owners fleet. The pilot was certainly experienced with both the airplane and with charter operations. The pilots charter company was based at Portland Municipal Airport (KPLD), in Portland, Indiana. After the accident, investigators interviewed the charter companys chief pilot. According to him, the purpose of the flight was to take a geotechnical engineer to review some field work near Pikeville, Kentucky. The chief pilot mentioned that the accident pilot should have been familiar with the Pike County Airport (KPBX) since he had flown the engineer to the airport a number of times previously. The chief pilot also mentioned the charter company promoted weather safety. One example he gave was the cautions the company made to their pilots about making proper weather decisions. The company even kept a van at the nearby Fort Wayne International Airport (KFWA) for their pilots in case they were unable to land at the companys home base, KPLD, due to weather. IMC Conditions Prevail An hour before departure, the NWS Surface Analysis Chart depicted an area of low pressure in Eastern Kentucky. There was a developing stationary front southwestward into Tennessee, and the Radar Summary Chart indicated light precipitation over Eastern Kentucky. The closest weather station, Julian Carroll Airport (KJKL) 36 miles west, was reporting calm wind, four miles visibility in light rain and mist, with ceilings of 800 feet broken, and 1,600 feet overcast. The relevant TAF at KJKL was forecasting winds out of the north-west at three knots, six miles visibility in light drizzle and mist, a broken ceiling at 500 feet and an overcast sky at 1,500 feet. Nineteen minutes later, the KJKL TAF was amended to winds variable at four knots, visibility at six miles, in light drizzle and mist, with a lowered ceiling forecast of 300 feet. The Cessna 310 left KPLD at 1100 local and uneventfully traveled the short distance to Day ton Wright Brothers Airport (KMGY). The plan was to pick up the sole passenger at KMGY, then fly to KPDX, wait for the passenger to complete his business in the Pikeville area, and then return to KMGY. Once the pilot arrived at KMGY, he filed an IFR flight plan via phone, with flight service. The plan was for a direct flight to KPDX at 7,000 feet. The estimated time enroute was one-hour, and the 310 would have four hours of fuel on-board. The flight departed KMGY at approximately 1148 local. There was no mention of weather during his conversation with Flight Service, but that does not suggest the pilot did not have weather information. He may have simply self-briefed, and it was not noted or discovered by the NTSB. Additionally, the chief pilot stated, the Cessna pilot would have picked up two approach plate books that would cover Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Low IMC Approach As the aircraft approached KPBX, two critical communications occurred. Unfortunately, it is impossible, based on the available NTSB reports, to determine which radio call was made first by the pilota call to the airports CTAF frequency, or the call to the controller requesting a clearance to fly the RNAV GPS RWY 9 approach? This may be significant, since it could have determined the pilots choice for the better approach into the airport. The RNAV approach was more expedient based on the direction of flight, but the ILS to Runway 27 would have allowed for significantly lower minimums. The RNAV RWY 9 approach had minimums of 506 feet AGL and one-mile visibility. The ILS to runway 27 had minimums of 200 feet AGL and one-mile visibility. However, according to the relevant factual provisions, noted in an order arising from a lawsuit, it appears the pilot may have requested a clearance for the RNAV approach prior to receiving weather information directly from an airport employee/observer on the ground. This airport employee recalled the pilot reporting being 20 miles out on the CTAF frequency and requesting weather conditions. The airport employee reported the AWOS as one and one-half mile visibility with a 200- to 300-foot ceiling. The airport employee also told the pilot the weather conditions were worse than reported. During the investigation, a city employee mentioned visibility was so bad and fog so thick he could not see more than thirty feet ahead, and a worker located 200-300 feet below the approach end to runway 9 reported thick clouds at treetop level. The Cessna was flying the approach as published until the last three ATC radar returns. At approximately 1248 local, the radar returns showed the Cessna 310 aligned with the runway at 1,900, 1,800, and 1,700 feet MSL respectively, with the last plot being one-half mile from the runway end. The MDA for the approach was 1,960 feet MSL. Individuals at the worksite below the approach end of the runway saw the 310 appear, from beneath the clouds, on top of a ridgeline and roughly in line with the runway. The 310 then hit trees 1,100 feet right of the runway centerline. Contributing Factor A toxicological exam of the pilot revealed night-time cold medication above therapeutic levels. The NTSB agreed that the self-medication by the pilot may have resulted in his impairment and listed it as a contributing factor to the probable cause of the flight Descending below published approach minimums. The unanswered question is why. The FAA document worth refreshing ourselves on the basics of meds and flying is a short two-page pamphlet: https://tinyurl.com/faamedbrochure When asked by investigators why he thought the pilot descended be-low minimums, the company chief pilot said the pilot may have seen the terrain below the clouds as he approached the airport, but didnt realize that the terrain rose as it approached the airport. He also stated descending below approach minimums was out of character for the pilot, and added The only thing I can think of is that he was running a little late. Look Back To Our Training So many of the accidents I have reviewed could have been avoided by following the simple maxims given to us by our primary and instrument instructorsand of course by the FAA. We have all been guilty of bending a few rules, but before we make the mistake of doing so again, we should remember the promises we gave to our instructorsand ourselves. Armand Vilches is a commercial pilot and instructor who lives in Brentwood, TN. His extensive background in risk management and insurance allows him to bring a unique perspective to aviation and flight instruction. This article originally appeared in the February 2018 issue ofIFR Refreshermagazine. For more great content like this, subscribe toIFR Refresher! USA officials are now travelling the world in a dramatic effort to stop other countries from buying Iranian oil. Beijing has, however, agreed not to ramp up purchases of Iranian crude, according to the officials, who asked not to be identified because discussions with China and other countries continue. Francis Fannon, US assistant secretary of state for the bureau of energy resources, was recently in China to discuss sanctions, Bloomberg said, citing a US government official. "When we decide anything on Iran, we will inform you". Washington also imposed a series of additional sanctions on Iranian entities and individuals, as well as foreign companies in Iran, squeezing Iran economically. The oil market has been speculating about how much of Iran's exports could be eroded by the USA sanctions, with analysts from BMI Research to Mizuho Securities predicting that China might boost its imports of cheap supplies from the state and offset cuts by other nations. WTI settled down 47 cents to $68.49 per barrel, and Brent fell 24 cents to $73.21 per barrel, causing Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch & Associates, to remark, "It's a jittery feel here, as long as we have Iranian sanctions uncertainty and tariff uncertainty, and it doesn't take much to spark a significant swing one way or the other". Recall that President Hassan Rouhani of Iran had earlier warned the U.S. against any attempt to stop Tehran's oil trade. "It shows they have not thought about its consequences", Rouhani was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA while on an official visit to Austria's capital, Vienna, in July. It has warned countries which ignore the policy will face United States sanction, even if they are American allies. China - the world's top crude buyer and Iran's No. 1 customer - has said previously that it opposed unilateral sanctions and lifted monthly oil imports from the country by 26 percent in July. "China will continue to cooperate with Iran adhering to its worldwide obligations". What's next for Iran oil? As reported, the figures for July imports of Iranian oil were about 85 percent higher than last year's shipments for the same period which were about 415,000 bpd. The Saudi-backed coalition, which receives U.S. support, has been working alongside al-Qaeda militants as it fights the Houthi rebels in Yemen, the Associated Press reports. Why it matters: Fighting al-Qaeda has been a primary goal of the U.S. military in Yemen, which faces what has been called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. But according to the AP, the military has looked the other way in some instances as deals were made with al-Qaeda fighters to clear out certain areas in the country. What's happening The U.S. is aligned with the the Saudi-backed coalition in eliminating fighters from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) "the most dangerous branch of the terror network that carried out the 9/11 attacks." At the same time, the coalition is fighting the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. Per the AP, AQAP is "effectively on the same side" as the coalition in their fight against the rebels, and by extension on the same side as the U.S. Al-Qaeda militants have been paid off to evacuate certain areas that were being targeted by the coalition, the AP reports. In one instance, al-Qaeda fighters left major port city Mukalla after being "guaranteed a safe route and allowed to keep weapons and cash looted from the city." Another deal allowed militants to leave six towns in the Abyan region; they were assured that the coalition and U.S. would "cease all bombings as AQAP pulled out with its weapons," five tribal mediators involved in the negotiations told the AP. The big picture AQAP isn't seen as an international terror organization in Yemen, the AP reports, but "simply another faction on the ground." They've aligned with the coalition out of mutual disdain for the Houthis, and are "present on all major front lines fighting the rebels." Two primary coalition-backed commanders are allied with al-Qaeda, per the AP. The bottom line: Michael Horton, a fellow at the Jamestown Foundation, told the AP that the fight against Iranian expansion takes priority for the U.S. in Yemen. "Elements of the U.S. military are clearly aware that much of what the U.S. is doing in Yemen is aiding AQAP... However, supporting the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against what the U.S. views as Iranian expansionism takes priority over battling AQAP and even stabilizing Yemen." Horton, to the AP Argentina's Senate is set to vote on legislation this week that would allow abortions during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, a move that would make it the largest Latin American country to ease its abortion policies, reports the Wall Street Journal. Why it matters: Under current Argentine law, women are only allowed to have an abortion in cases of rape or if theres a health risk. While Wednesday's vote is expected to be close, President Mauricio Macri has said he won't block the measure if approved. The vote could be yet another major defeat for the Catholic Church on the heels of a recent vote by Ireland to repeal its constitutional ban on abortion. The President of the United States admitted, on the record, that he misled the American people about the infamous Russia meeting in Trump Tower. The big picture: Its one of the most striking public reversals in modern presidential history, even though he made a similar point before, and even though it was done casually via an early morning tweet. It involves Russia, Air Force One, a presidential son, shady operatives, allegations of collusion and a federal probe all in one. Trump tweeted: "Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower. This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!" This is the same president who dictated a statement to the media saying the meeting was about primarily about the adoption of Russian children, not campaign dirt offered by shady Russians with connections to Putin. who dictated a statement to the media saying the meeting was about primarily about the adoption of Russian children, not campaign dirt offered by shady Russians with connections to Putin. Why it matters: Its a striking acknowledgment about a central moment in an international debate over international collusion and a central moment being scrubbed for illegalities by special counsel Bob Mueller. Trump implicitly made the same acknowledgment over a year ago, during a press conference in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron: "I think from a practical standpoint, most people would have taken that meeting. Its called opposition research, or even research into your opponent." from a practical standpoint, most people would have taken that meeting. Its called opposition research, or even research into your opponent." "Ive had many people I have only been in politics for two years, but Ive had many people call up 'Oh, gee, we have information on this factor or this person, or, frankly, Hillary.' Thats very standard in politics." I have only been in politics for two years, but Ive had many people call up 'Oh, gee, we have information on this factor or this person, or, frankly, Hillary.' Thats very standard in politics." "Politics is not the nicest business in the world, but its very standard where they have information and you take the information." But the context is new, with Mueller's probe then just ramping up clearly focused on that meeting and the statement that followed: Bob Bauer, a former White House counsel to President Obama who's now a law professor at NYU, said the new tweet weakens an argument for Trump's lawyers "that he shouldnt have to interview with Mueller because he doesnt know anything." a former White House counsel to President Obama who's now a law professor at NYU, said the new tweet weakens an argument for Trump's lawyers "that he shouldnt have to interview with Mueller because he doesnt know anything." Bauer added: "He said something like this before. But one could read into this tweet ... that the meeting was entirely about opposition research, and that is definitely a change." "He said something like this before. But one could read into this tweet ... that the meeting was entirely about opposition research, and that is definitely a change." "That will certainly get the prosecutors attention. Why the course of misrepresentations, if he doesnt have something to hide?" get the prosecutors attention. Why the course of misrepresentations, if he doesnt have something to hide?" Michael Barbaro, host of the N.Y. Times podcast "The Daily," pointed out on Twitter: "One of the strangest things about our free-wheeling Tweet presidency is that Trump routinely admits/acknowledges things, in writing, that might require hard-fought testimony from other presidents." Be smart: Trump insiders believe the president will wind up giving an interview to Mueller. Liam Fox, the U.K.'s international trade secretary, warned in an interview Sunday that there was a 60% chance that the U.K. would fail to reach an agreement with the European Union before it departs from the bloc in March, reports the AP. Why it matters: It puts Prime Minister Theresa May in an unenviable position, as she's torn between a Europe unwilling to compromise on the U.K.'s position in its single market and her Conservative Party, which is increasingly pushing for a "hard," more complete version of Brexit from its right flank. Whatever compromise she ultimately reaches or doesn't could mean fresh elections or even a second referendum. Sen. Rand Paul, currently on a visit to Moscow, told reporters Monday that he has invited Russian lawmakers to Washington for talks, per Bloomberg. The details: Konstantin Kosachyov, chairman of Russia's upper house of parliament, said Paul "has access" to Trump "and we expect that we will be able to convey through him" a desire to establish a dialogue between the U.S. and Russia, according to Russian state media. Notably, Paul's invitation comes just days after Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said that Russian efforts to meddle in U.S. elections remain an ongoing threat. Children on the bridge separating the camp from Bangladesh. Photo: Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh Of the more than 700,000 Rohingya forced from their homes in Myanmar, 4,600 are stranded in bleak conditions at a camp in no-man's land on the Myanmar-Bangladesh border, known to locals as Zero Point. The bigger picture: Many Rohingya, a majority-Muslim ethnic group often described as "the world's most persecuted minority, now live in limbo. Residents of Zero Point have not been given refugee status, as the area in which they have been sheltering for almost a year now is officially under Myanmar control but a fortified border fence rigged with landmines makes a return to their villages in Rakhine state an impossible mission. Twice a month, a team from the International Committee for the Red Cross arrives here with provisions. Under the watchful eye of the Bangladesh Border Guards (BGB), the Rohingya are allowed to cross a newly-built wooden bridge to pick up the aid items and carry out their frugal shopping, before returning to the camp on the other side. This is the third time Nur al-Amin, who used to own paddy fields in Myanmar, has experienced displacement. The first was in 1978, when he was still a child and had to spent a year at a refugee camp in Bangladesh after escaping anti-Rohingya violence by Myanmar's authorities. Then in 1992, he was forced to flee for a second time and ended up living as a refugee for eight years. "There is no work here and nothing to do," he says of life in the camp. "I wake up at dawn to pray, I read Quran, I take naps, I wait for the aid agencies to come. The bottom line: "When we first arrived, we thought that after a few days we would return back to our homeland," says Dil Muhammad, the Rohingya camp leader. "One year has passed, and there has been no solution. The UN has failed us." Go deeper: Read the full Al Jazeera report. The Venezuelan government has arrested six people on Sunday in connection with an apparent drone assassination attempt on President Nicolas Maduro during a nationally televised address to soldiers, prompting fears of a wider crackdown in the crisis-plagued South American country, reports BBC News. The details: Interior Minister Nestor Reverol reportedly said the arrested "terrorists and hired killers," who are facing maximum punishment, are connected to a group that carried out the attack. Reverol, without evidence, has blamed Colombia for the incident and said that several vehicles were seized and hotels raided. Colombia labeled the accusation as baseless. The Trump administration is responding to California's devastating wildfires by blaming environmental regulations, even as evidence shows this isn't a major factor behind the historic fires. Why it matters: Without an accurate diagnosis of the problem, it's less likely the federal government will respond in a way that would help the state battle fires that have overrun communities, killed 9 people and and burned thousands of homes and businesses. The big picture: In two tweets sent Sunday night and Monday, President Trump appeared to tie water allocations for the Central Valley agricultural region of California with resources for firefighters, both times saying that firefighters lack access to adequate water to fight the flames. This comes despite firefighters' statements that they have all the water they need, what they're battling is tinder dry conditions creating extreme fires of the sort they've never seen before. Several of the largest blazes are burning next to large lakes that are at or near average levels, and able to provide water to firefighting aircraft. On Monday, Trump called on California's Democratic Governor Jerry Brown to "allow the free flow of the vast amounts of water coming from the North and foolishly being diverted to the Pacific Ocean." "Think of California with plenty of water Nice!" President Trump Those diversions, as Trump calls them, are meant to save endangered species like the Delta smelt. On Sunday night, Trump aimed more squarely at what he said are environmental regulations that are hampering firefighting efforts, but also referred to the same water issue. "California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which arent allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized," he tweeted. These tweets likely refer to state water allocations to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. In determining these, the state needs to balance agricultural interests with requirements to provide enough water for salmon and other species. California's State Water Resources Control Board voted in July to use more of the state's water allocations for preserving fish populations, meaning farmers would get less than they were receiving. Republican state and federal lawmakers have opposed this plan. What they're saying: LeRoy Westerling, who studies wildfires at the University of California Merced, told the San Francisco Chronicle that he was puzzled over Trump's comments. Climate change is a bigger concern, he said, than the state's water allocations. We do manage all of our rivers in California, and all the water is allocated many times over. So Im not sure what he was recommending, he said. Even if we eliminated all habitat for riparian species and fish, and allowed saltwater intrusion into the delta and set up a sprinkler system over the state, that wouldnt compensate for greater moisture loss from climate change. LeRoy Westerling, University of California at Merced Between the lines: Also on Monday, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who oversees the National Park Service and vast tracts of federal lands across the country, echoed Trump in blaming the severe fires on shortsighted policies, this time preventions to clearing dead trees from areas vulnerable to fire. A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. Behind these tweets lurk the Trump administration's goals to enact broad changes to the Endangered Species Act and to open up federal lands to logging and oil and gas drilling. Trump and Zinke's tweets appear to tie the fires to both policy goals. Be smart: Scientists have told Axios and reported in numerous studies that there is a trend toward larger wildfires and longer fire seasons in many Western states, due in large part to the convergence of several factors, including climate change and decades of fire suppression policies. Go deeper: With the first round of U.S. sanctions on Iran set to resume tonight at midnight, the European Union is taking steps to protect its companies that do "legitimate business" with Iran from being harmed. The big picture: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has refused to grant broad exemptions to European companies doing business with Iran, citing a need to apply "unprecedented financial pressure on the Iranian regime. But the EU, frustrated by President Trump's unilateral withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in May, will exercise a 1996 law to prohibit European companies from complying with sanctions. "The lifting of nuclear-related sanctions is an essential part of the [Iran] deal it aims at having a positive impact not only on trade and economic relations with Iran, but most importantly on the lives of the Iranian people. We are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran, in accordance with EU law and with U.N. Security Council resolution 2231. This is why the European Unions updated Blocking Statute enters into force on 7 August to protect EU companies doing legitimate business with Iran from the impact of U.S. extra-territorial sanctions." European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker The details: Under the "Blocking Statute," which was originally developed (but never implemented) to circumvent a U.S. trade embargo on Cuba, companies that seek to pull out of Iran as a result of the sanctions must first seek authorization from the EU. If they fail to do so, they risk being sued by EU member states. Companies that apply for exemptions must prove that the U.S. sanctions are hurting their business operations. The 1996 law has never actually been exercised, and some diplomats and lawyers have doubts about how effective it can be in protecting firms, per the Financial Times. A senior U.S. administration official told reporters Monday that they were "not particularly concerned" about the statute. The official claimed that "the messages [European] companies and financial institutions are sending" indicate an appreciation for the goal of the sanctions: to expose the Central Bank of Iran's complicity in helping to fund terror. Go deeper: The companies hit hardest by Iran sanctions. By Rashid Shirinov Azerbaijan State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons has released data on missing persons, people taken prisoner and hostages as a result of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as persons released from Armenian captivity. So far, the State Commission registered 3,875 missing persons, of whom 3,610 are males and 265 are females. As many as 3,168 of the missing persons are military personnel and 707 are civilians (67 children, 265 women, 324 elderly people). In addition, the State Commission received information that 871 people were captured, of which 773 are males and 98 are females. Most of these persons, 604 people, are military personnel, and 267 are civilians (29 children, 98 women, 112 elderly people). Moreover, 1,476 people were released from Armenian captivity; 1,113 of them are men and 363 are women. As many as 362 of those released from captivity are military personnel, while 1,114 are civilians (223 children, 363 women, 224 elderly people). The bloody war, which flared up in the late 1980s due to Armenias territorial claims against Azerbaijan led to occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijans territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions by Armenian armed forces. In a brutal war, more than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. Armenia repeatedly refused to submit information regarding the fate of thousands of Azerbaijanis, who went missing or were taken hostage. Azerbaijan has many times declared its readiness to begin negotiations with Armenia to free the captives and resolve the long-standing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, the Armenian side keeps ignoring all attempts of Azerbaijan and international organizations, thereby disrespecting the international law and hindering the settlement of the conflict. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Meanwhile, the Chinese economy is likely to feel a pinch, but that doesn't mean the country will back down, William Zarit, the chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in China, tells NPR. His tweets came amid a new surge in trade tensions with China. In a front-page editorial on Monday, the overseas edition of People's Daily said Trump was "starring in his own carefully orchestrated street fighter-style deceitful drama" in which diplomacy had been reduced to nothing but a "trading game in which everything should follow the rule of America first". The president claims his tariffs are "working big time" in helping pay down the debt, reducing taxes and aiding in trade deals. "Governing a country is not like doing business", the state-sponsored newspaper added. After weeks of half-measure negotiations between the two countries, talks have broken down and now both the White House and Beijing are locked in a rapid escalation of trade threats that experts have predicted could damage both economies. The US and China implemented tariffs on $34 billion worth of each others' goods in July. Washington is expected to soon implement more tariffs on $21 billion in additional Chinese goods, which China has already announced it will match immediately. China has once again threatened to slap retaliatory tariffs against the United States in response to the Trump administration's trade policies, this time targeting $60 billion in us imports with tariffs ranging from 5 percent to as high as 25 percent. On Wednesday, Trump proposed a higher 25 percent tariff on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports. Recent data showed growth has already started to cool. The government has responded by releasing more liquidity into the banking system, encouraging lending and promising a more "active" fiscal policy. China proposed a 25% tariff on imports of copper ore and concentrate from the USA, which shipped about 70 000 tons to the country past year. After the earlier action against $34 billion of USA goods, that left about $120 billion available for retaliation. Most major United States crops were already hit by previously announced Chinese duties, so the fresh duties announced Friday on about $60 billion worth of American goods is leaving the farm largely unscathed. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow warned China after it announced its retaliatory tariffs, saying Beijing should not underestimate US President Donald Trump's determination to act on trade. On Sunday, he tweeted that tariffs "were working big time". Since January of this year, the total equities in China's stock market have tumbled by over $2 trillion, and most of the loss is due to the intensifying trade and tariff disputes with the US started by President Donald Trump. China has now either imposed or proposed tariffs on US$110 billion in United States goods, representing the vast majority of China's annual imports of American products. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (left) and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) shake hands during their bilateral meeting at the 51st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Singapore on Aug 3, 2018. "Market participants foresee a relatively stable Chinese currency in the near term, without fear of impacts from the U.S". The Commerce Department said on Friday the trade gap surged 7.3 per cent to $46.3 billion. On Friday, the People's Bank of China said it would require banks to keep reserves equivalent to 20 percent of their clients' foreign exchange forwards positions from Monday, in a move to stabilise the yuan. The divergence between United States agriculture's collective struggle to retain healthy profits without access to the Chinese market and Huawei beating all of its American competitors to become the second most popular smartphone brand in the world just after South Korea's Samsung, is indicative of the fact that many of China's flagship brands cannot only survive but thrive even when being cut off from the USA market. Trump has threatened to slap tariffs on virtually all of China's exports to the United States in the tit-for-tat trade conflict. By Melvin Sanicas One of the more ambitious targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is the commitment to end preventable deaths of newborns and children over the next decade. If this target is met, by 2030 no country will have a neonatal mortality rate above 12 deaths per 1,000 births a quarter of the current rate in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Given the magnitude of the challenge, huge investments will be needed in health-care infrastructure and planning. Perhaps the most effective way to reduce infant mortality would be to encourage uptake of two readily available resources: maternal vaccinations and breast milk. Protecting children from early deaths begins before they are born. When a woman is vaccinated against common illnesses like influenza, her body creates antibodies that recognize viruses and boost natural defenses against pathogens. When she becomes pregnant, these protective proteins are transferred to her baby across the placenta. Remarkably, the benefits continue after birth. For example, while the flu shot is not approved for infants younger than six months old, clinical trials have shown that children born to mothers who have been vaccinated are better protected against the illness. In one study of mothers and their babies in Bangladesh, researchers recorded a staggering 63% reduction in influenza cases among infants born to vaccinated mothers, a 36% reduction in the number of serious respiratory illnesses for mothers, and a 29% reduction in such illnesses among infants. Maternal immunization against the flu also helps protect infants from pneumonia, a common cause of childhood mortality. A 2018 analysis of flu-vaccine trials conducted in Nepal, Mali, and South Africa found that infants were 20% less likely to develop pneumonia if their mothers had been inoculated. Children too young to be completely vaccinated against Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza were the biggest beneficiaries. Armed with data from these and other studies, governments in low-income countries should be able to plan smarter immunization campaigns and substantially lower rates of infant morbidity and mortality. The second way to reduce childhood mortality, breastfeeding, arguably has a greater impact. Breast milk is the perfect nutrition for a baby, providing all the proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that a young body needs to stay healthy. Best of all, mothers create new antibodies in real time, which help strengthen young immune systems. Unfortunately, rates of breastfeeding and breast-milk consumption are well below desired levels. Only 40% of infants worldwide are breastfed exclusively until they are at least six months old, as the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends. The reasons are complex, but in many countries, lack of education, together with aggressive marketing by makers of baby formula, has contributed to a decline in breastfeeding. Recently, the United States has been accused of siding with the formula industry by opposing a WHO resolution in support of breastfeeding. Convincing mothers to breastfeed should be easier. For starters, breastfed babies are less likely to contract ear infections and meningitis, or to suffer gastrointestinal illnesses and diarrhea. These advantages continue for as long as a baby is breastfed. Mothers also benefit from breastfeeding. Research shows that women who have breastfed during their lives are less likely to develop non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular illness, breast cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Many of these gains derive from the fact that breastfeeding helps break down the extra fat that accumulates in a womans body during pregnancy. In fact, producing milk for a single infant burns as much as 500 calories a day. Even though the majority of new mothers are able to breastfeed, not all women can produce enough milk, owing to exhaustion, depression, or physical weakness following postpartum surgery. Some mothers are simply unable to meet their childs needs, while others lack the medical or social support to navigate the logistics of breastfeeding. Nonetheless, for those who can supply their babies with at least six months of breast milk, the benefits are significant. If the international community is serious about meeting the health targets set by the SDGs, it must redouble its efforts to encourage more mothers to be vaccinated against preventable illnesses and to feed their newborns breast milk. These two practices alone could do more to reduce infant mortality than just about any other global health initiative. Copyright: Project Syndicate: The two best ways to reduce infant mortality --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Rashid Shirinov STAR oil refinery in Turkey has received the first batch of crude oil for processing from Azerbaijan, SOCAR Turkey Enerji informed on August 3. The message says that the volume of Azeri Light oil delivered to the oil refinery was 80,000 tons. Before October, when the plant is scheduled to open, oil refining will be carried out in the test mode. Zaur Gahramanov, the head of SOCAR Turkey Enerji (the Turkish subsidiary of the Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR), called the supply of the first batch of crude oil an important event. Every year our company is rapidly moving towards the goal of becoming the largest industrial group in Turkey. Our strategic investments will continue to strengthen the national economy and industry. Expansion of investment in foreign countries takes an important place among the trends that ensure the strategic growth of SOCAR as a company, he said, adding that Turkey holds a special place among these countries, and SOCAR will continue to contribute to the development of the economy of both Azerbaijan and Turkey. Mesut Ilter, Director General of STAR oil refinery, in turn, noted that the supply of the first batch of crude oil is an example of historical cooperation between the two countries. Our goal is to put the plant into operation as planned, as well as to contribute to the development of the economy of both Azerbaijan and Turkey. The refinery will reduce Turkeys current account deficit by $1.5 billion a year, he said, adding that the enterprise, in which SOCAR invested $6.3 billion, is the largest investment project in the private sector of Turkey. STAR oil refinery will produce naphtha, diesel fuel with ultra-low sulfur content, aviation kerosene, petroleum coke, liquefied gas and other products. The refinery will not produce gasoline and fuel oil. The plant is planned to carry out processing of such oil grades as Azeri Light, Kerkuk and Urals. Presently, the share distribution in the project is as follows: 60 percent is owned by Rafineri Holding (by 100 percent owned by SOCAR Turkey Enerji), which had previously acquired all the remaining 18.5-percent share of Turcas Petrol in the project, and 40 percent belongs to SOCAR. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Naila Huseynli Persimmon is highly recognized economic value in the Azerbaijani agriculture. It is a profitable agricultural product, but the processing of this product still needs coordination and enhancement. The new persimmon processing enterprises are intended to establish in Ganja city soon, said Gadir Yusifov, the chairman of the Azerbaijan Association of Persimmon Producers and Exporters. Initially, such enterprises are required for the development and expansion of export of this product abroad, which is in great demand not only in the domestic market, but also outside of the country, he told Trend. In general, packaging design is required to improve the level and quality of products which are supplied for export. In my opinion, this is an essential point, to which special attention must be paid because qualitatively designed products, firstly, arouse the interest of importers and, secondly, increase the prestige of our domestic products in foreign markets, he said. The persimmons are mainly grown in Azerbaijans regions such as Goychay, Balakan, Agjabadi and Ganja, that is why the corresponding enterprises for the production of semi-dried and dried persimmons have been established in these three regions. Persimmon freezing facilities are gradually being set up in Azerbaijan, which in my opinion will be of great interest to our foreign importers, Yusifov said, adding that the income obtained from persimmon export by the end of this year may exceed last year's figures. Azerbaijan plans to produce 200,000 tons of persimmons by the end of this year, which will slightly exceed last year's figure, according to Yusifov, who added that the revenues obtained from the export of these products in 2017 amounted to $100 million. This is a fairly good result, believes the chairman of the association, since this amount is expected to be stable in monetary terms this year, partly due to the fact that about 90 percent of this output is shipped abroad, including Russia, Belarus, Moldova, the Baltic states, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, while 10 percent of this product is sold in the domestic market, which fully meets the needs of Azerbaijani consumers. In general, the export of persimmons to the mentioned countries did not exceed 180,000 tons in 2017, he said. Presently, Azerbaijans persimmons are mainly exported to Russia, Belarus, Moldova, the Baltic countries, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Persimmon exports from Azerbaijan amounted to $90.8 million by value in 2017, 32 percent rise compared with the last years figures. Russia is always the key market for Azerbaijani persimmons with 102,579 tons valued at $84.8, marking 24 percent and 30 percent in volume and value terms respectively. In 2017, Russia accounted for 87 percent of persimmon exports from Azerbaijan. Persimmon is one of the major crops in the country and it contains large amounts of glucose, fructose, organic acids, vitamin C, and other health properties that make it a natural medicine. It helps to fight weakness, anemia, vitamin deficiency, and chronic gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, it enhances the activity of the digestive process, regulates metabolism, as well as has a good effect on the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system. By Trend The State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) has sold $536.6 million at currency auctions organized by the Central Bank in July 2018, the Fund said in a message Aug. 6. SOFAZ sold to banks $439 million in June. Since the beginning of the year, Azerbaijani banks have bought about $3.5 billion from the Fund. The Oil Fund will continue the sale of foreign currency through auctions in 2018. The sale of currency is carried out as part of SOFAZ transfers to the state budget of Azerbaijan, which are planned to stand at 10.966 billion manats in 2018. The official rate of manat for the next day is determined on the basis of the weighted average rate under transactions concluded with commercial banks in the interbank currency market and auctions. Auctions are held in the format of one-sided currency sale. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova The 3rd Indonesian Cultural Festival will be held in Baku on September 11-16. The festival themed "Keeping the Archipelago the Greatest Culture Alive" is organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Baku. This year the Indonesian Cultural Festival will be held in two venues - Heydar Aliyev Palace, a prestigious concert venue in Baku and Fountain Square, an outdoor shopping venue that is visited by both local and foreign tourists. The festival's program includes art and cultural performances, such as music, dance and Indonesian martial art. It will also showcase the excellence of Indonesian products and provide information about Indonesia and its tourism. The 3rd Indonesian Cultural Festival will feature several side events such as a business matching between Indonesian and Azerbaijani entrepreneurs, visits to some universities in Azerbaijan, multicultural seminars, art dialogue, Indonesian fashion forum, Indonesian music showcase. Famous Indonesian jazz musician Dwiki Dharmawan will perform on the first day of the festival. Besides, students of Azerbaijan University of Languages together with professional dancers will present traditional Indonesian dances. Along with dances, the dancers of "Garuda Baku" and "Sampan Bujana Sentra" clubs will also give their participants special pleasure. The program of the event includes the performance of pencak silat (Indonesian traditional martial art), organized by Indonesian and Azerbaijani Pencak-silat federations. Indonesian traditional martial art pencak silat is quite popular among young people in Azerbaijan. About 30 Pencak-silat schools and 5,000 pupils are registered in Azerbaijan. Numerous exhibitions, various events aims at promotion of Indonesian tourism will be held on the second and third days of the festival. During the events, participants will also be acquainted with Indonesian archipelago cuisine, where they will watch the cultural heritage, diversity and beauty of Indonesia through exhibitions. Within the framework of the festival, visitors have a chance to enjoy colorful Indonesian national costumes, souvenirs, handmade products at the fair. The fourth day of the festival will feature business meetings organized with the support of the Indonesian Embassy in Baku to further expand the trade cooperation between Indonesia and Azerbaijan's businessmen. During the meetings, Indonesian entrepreneurs working in different fields will discuss new business and investment opportunities with Azerbaijani entrepreneurs. About 200 Indonesians will attend the festival. High-ranking officials, prominent scientists, cultural figures are expected to attend the event. The first ever Indonesian Cultural Festival was held in Baku in 2016. The two-day Indonesian Cultural Festival brought together groups of artists who presented traditional music, folk dance-music and more. The second edition of the festival was held last year and featured a fascinating performance of world-famous jazz musician Dwiki Dharmawan, Indonesian traditional dances and much more. In 2017, around 3,500 people attended the festival, enlivened by various art performers from Indonesia, including the famous Indonesian jazz musician Dwiki Dharmawan with his band, the young traditional music group Kunokini, dance performances from some of the provinces in Indonesia, fashion show of Indonesian tenun (Indonesian traditional weaving fabric), performance from Pencak Silat (Indonesian traditional martial art), Indonesian Mural Art Showcase. Indonesia recognized Azerbaijans independence on December 28, 1991. Bilateral relations between the two republics were established on September 24, 1992. The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Indonesia was established in 2006, while the embassy of Indonesia in Azerbaijan was opened in 2010. Indonesia is interested in developing relations with Azerbaijan in the fields of tourism, trade and investment. Azerbaijan is the third largest trade partner of Indonesia. The country is interested in making mutual investments with Azerbaijan in the oil and gas sphere. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The Field Kitchen contest held within the International Army Games 2018 is underway at Moscows Alabino range, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said in a message Aug. 6. The referees of the contest are tasting and evaluating various dishes cooked by military chefs. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Iran and Turkmenistan have taken their dispute over gas supplies to international arbitration, the director of National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) and the deputy minister of oil of the country said. The gas dispute is going to arbitration, Hamid Reza Araki told ISNA news agency on August 6. He added that Tehran and Ashgabat have agreed to binding arbitration. The two nations have been locked in the dispute for years, with Central Asias Turkmenistan claiming it is owed about $1.8 billion in payments for gas delivered to Iran. In December 2016, Iran said it had paid off its debt and the remaining cases have to be reviewed and decided by experts. Iran has imported natural gas from Turkmenistan since 1997 for distribution in the north of the country, furthest from the gas resources in the south. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Jumagylych Jumagylyjov has been appointed chairman of the Turkmenbashi State Commercial Bank, a decree of the president of Turkmenistan reads. Former head of the bank, Ahmet Gylychdurdiyev was dismissed for serious shortcomings in his work. The Turkmenbashi Bank's operations cover oil, gas and energy industries, transportation and communication, construction and construction materials industry, chemical industry and trade. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Kamila Aliyeva An agreement between the governments of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan on mutual provision of transit of goods through the territory of the two countries came into force, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said in a message on August 4. The agreement was signed on December 5, 2017 during the official visit of the President of Afghanistan, Mohammad Ashraf Ghani to Uzbekistan. The document creates legal bases for interaction of the parties on simplification of formalities and definition of mechanisms of cargoes transit through territories of two countries. According to the provisions of this agreement, the sides mutually grant each other the right to transit goods through the territories of their states, and also carry out preliminary coordination of the volumes of transit cargo by rail. The document is intended to help create favorable conditions for cargo transportation, increase the transit potential of Uzbekistan and further strengthen trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. Earlier, Afghanistan put forward the initiative to establish a free trade regime with Uzbekistan. It was also reported that Uzbekistan and Afghanistan are planning to create a border trade zone on the basis of Termez Cargo Center specifically for Afghan consumers with the possibility of introducing simplified currency control, visa, tax and customs regimes on its territory. In recent years, there has been a positive dynamic in the mutual trade of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. So, for example, for six months of this year the turnover has grown by 18 percent. Last year, the trade turnover between the countries increased by 19 percent and amounted to $617.1 million. Today, 110 enterprises with the participation of Afghan capital operate successfully in Uzbekistan. At the same time, eight enterprises have been established in Afghanistan with the participation of Uzbek residents. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Alejandra Juarez, 38, has exhausted all of her options to fight against the deportation that was scheduled by ICE, Associated Press reported. "He thinks he's punishing me, and maybe I deserve it for having come the way I did", she said. Without knowing what she was doing, Juarez signed paperwork in 1998 during an unsuccessful attempt to enter the US that gave away her future rights to come to the country legally, the Sentinel reported. Maney said Juarez has tried to get legal status for years, but when she first tried to enter the country at 19 years old, she got in trouble for making a false claim to a border patrol agent and signed papers that banned her future rights to citizenship. "I don't really want to go to Mexico but I know I need to because I'm too young and also I want to go for my mom ... because I don't want her to be lonely", Estela said. She's raised two American citizen daughters, ages 16 and 8, with her husband Temo Juarez, a naturalized citizen. After being discovered in the country during a 2013 traffic stop, she had been required to check in every six months with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. Even though the policy is hitting close to home, Temo Juarez said he doesn't blame Trump for tearing his family apart. He said she later illegally reentered the United States after being removed - which is considered a felony under federal law. Since then, ICE has supervised her residency. That was before the enforcement of Trump's "zero tolerance" policy toward illegal immigration. As Alejandra departed the USA on Friday, she and her family were joined by Rep. Darren Soto, a Democrat who represents the Florida district where the Juarez's live. U.S. Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.) has been pushing for the "Patriot Spouses Act" legislation to allow Alejandra Juarez to remain in the country but the bill was not taken up by a House committee. "There are many military spouses in the same situation". Juarez declined to reveal where she and her daughter will move but said they will not be living in Mexico City, where she said she grew up in a dysfunctional family and fled because of a death threat. Alejandra recently wrote a letter to President Donald Trump pleading with him to let her stay in the U.S. "What justice does this serve?" "Perhaps we will forgive him". "They're punishing him for something that I did a long time ago". The Jaw-Dropping Sights Below an Oregon Coast Lighthouse Published 08/04/2018 at 5:11 PM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Florence, Oregon) They call it the the most photographed lighthouse in the world. Just about in the very center of the Oregon coast, Florences Heceta Head Lighthouse is an ancient wonder that plays host to a lot of intriguing finds and adventures, with a huge array of beachy wonders that includes a funky cave. While no one really knows what is the most frequently photographed lighthouse on this planet, theres little doubt this one is especially photogenic. Its often viewed from the overlooks a few miles south, around MP 179 and 178, where you can also peek down at a rugged wilderness of secret beaches inaccessible to Man, and the hordes of sea lions that have formed a colony in this area. The park that allows access to the lighthouse is called Heceta Head State Scenic Viewpoint, formerly Devil's Elbow State Park until about the late 90s. Cutting through the state park is Cape Creek, and the southern side of that is still called Devils Elbow. Interestingly, this was the site of a bad horror film made in this area in the 80s, which among other nearby locations featured this beach. Starring Patrick Duffy, Cry for the Strangers actually called this beach Devils Beach, with the premise being it was the site of an ancient native curse. The beach itself is rather small and cove-like, with Cape Creek murmuring its way through it with calming beauty. From some angles, if you block the headland from view, the three sea stacks jutting out from the headland make the place easily mistaken for Oceanside, to the north. An interesting note about the headland and those sea stacks is the first rock structure and the headland were actually connected. Somewhere in the early part of the century, state officials became concerned about the alarming frequency of people who got in trouble traipsing around this area between the first structure and the point. The area was eventually blasted with dynamite to disconnect the two structures and keep people from getting stranded and hurt. Bounce around the tideline, close to the edge of the headland, and given the right tidal conditions, a fascinating cave becomes apparent. Its not very big, but intriguing. But most of all, if the tide is anywhere near it, you dont want to venture in as ocean waves frequently wash into the sea cave. This famed Oregon coast lighthouse is often available for tours in the summer. Check the Oregon State Parks site for availability. MORE PHOTOS BELOW: Lodgings in Yachats - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Photos of Whales Taken from Space: Hopefully Coming to the Oregon Coast Soon Published 08/05/2018 at 4:11 AM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Portland, Oregon) The images are unforgettable. Theyre surreal, wildly new, and engaging in a mesmerizing way when you discover they were taken of something on Earth by something not of this Earth. A few years back, these satellite images were released from a science research group out of Cambridge, England, but theres something incredibly relevant to the Oregon coast about them perhaps even urgent. Yes, whales photographed from space is a thing, and we on the Oregon coast can only hope it comes to this region soon. (Photos courtesy BAS). The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) released their findings on the subject a few years ago and wowed the world with photos of whales from far above, using high resolution tech that latched onto the blue wavelengths of life on Earth. The satellite WorldView-2, launched October 2009, was used for this project. It was really a proof of concept endeavor to some degree at the time, but its something that Oregon coast scientists could benefit from eventually. Currently, theyre working on southern right whales in the seas off South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, all in the south Atlantic Ocean. Whaling there ceased in the 70s, and researchers are now using the technology to see if the species is still recovering from that, among other things. Any plans to share this technology with those on the Oregon coast? Thats unknown. There is much tagging done by the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport in various parts of the world, and certainly there are a multitude of eyes pointed at the coastline by volunteer groups all looking at whales. Still, another method would be helpful. Charlie Plybon, head of the Surfrider Foundation in Oregon, sees a lot of possible ways this kind of technology could assist researchers along the Oregon coast. Not just in counting the number of whales but knowing more about whale behaviors in this area under varied circumstances could prove vital. Where they were moving, where they were spending time feeding, Plybon said. But I think especially with respect to some technologies, as in how whales behave around wave energy sites. There's already a lot of research going on about EMF or hydrophones, how what's emitted from them affects the whales. Plybon added some areas around the Oregon coast are too remote to see whales very clearly or accurately from shore as well. In the end, its the photographs that matter. Its like a photo essay of otherworldly beauty, taken by NASA-born robots in the sky. Thats what well leave you with here. Photos below: Oregon Coast Lodgings in this area - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Following the Santa Fe High School shooting less than 150 miles from Lumberton, where three students were arrested in separate incidents for alleged threats this past school year, the school district has decided to join a handful of Southeast Texas schools arming teachers and staff. "Once, our job was to look at curriculum," said superintendent Gerald Chandler. "Now we have to look at the safety of our schools and ensuring our students can come here to a safe and secure environment." The Lumberton ISD Board of Education adopted the Guardian Plan last month, clearing the way for designated employees to carry firearms on school grounds, board president James Kersh announced at the Thursday evening community school safety meeting. RELATED: SETX districts may start monitoring students' social media for threats The school board will select a group of people to undergo background and psychological checks, work with law enforcement and receive training specific to active shooter events, according to Kersh. "For security reasons, we are not able to give specific details regarding our school safety plan," Chandler said. "If we release that information, that makes us a vulnerable risk." Gretchen Scoggins, Lumberton's coordinator for special programs, said the district hasn't yet determined how many staff members will be armed, partly because it depends on interest. Lumberton ISD will continue to have school resources officers or peace officers patrol campuses along with Lumber-ton Police Department officers, Scoggins said. Comprehensive training for all staff members will be conducted by Rob Flores, former BISD police chief and an incoming Lumberton High School criminal justice teacher. Flores' training includes the philosophy of active shooters and tactical responses to be used during incidents, according to Chandler. Staff also will be trained in the national Stop the Bleed program to equip them to provide medical assistance if needed, he said. "We've been taking this seriously for a couple of years now. This isn't something that just came up because of Parkland or Santa Fe," said Kersh. This past school year, two Lumberton Middle School students were arrested for threatening classmates. Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins reported in May that an eighth-grader was arrested for making a terroristic threat. In early March, a seventh-grader was arrested after threatening a school shooting. The student said he was "mad at everyone and hates everyone" and said he was going to shoot people at Lumberton Middle School, Sullins said in a March 8 interview. Last December, a Lumberton High School student was arrested after a hit list was discovered in the student's belongings, according to previous Enterprise reporting. Under the School Marshal Plan, an alternative to the Guardian Plan, school boards can designate one or more school employees as a school marshal. The school marshal must obtain a concealed handgun license and complete 80 hours of training from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. As a certified peace officer, the school marshal has the authority to make arrests. The Guardian Plan has greater flexibility and fewer training requirements, leaving specifications largely up to individual school districts as long as the requirements are in compliance with existing laws, according to the documents from the Texas House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety. While both the Guardian and School Marshal plans offer schools "two methods of dealing with the first line of defense," Kersh said Lumberton chose the Guardian Plan because it was "the most effective in dealing with school shootings." "The thing is, at the end of the day ... you're having to protect from the inside," Kersh said. "Most of the perpetrators in these shootings are also in the same group that you are bound to protect, so you don't know who they are." Orangefield ISD opted to implement both the Guardian and School Marshal plans in April, according to superintendent Stephen Patterson, making the Orange County schools the first Southeast Texas school district to use marshals. High Island ISD and West Hardin County CISD have already opted into the Guardian Program, according to previous Enterprise reporting. "The attacks have changed over time so your responses have to change over time," Kersh said. In addition to training staff on security and health measures, including CPR and AED training, the district is also addressing the issue of student safety from the technological side "which can play into the physical safety of our students," said Mary Johnson, director of digital learning services. Students "come to school with a weapon every single day," Johnson said, pointing to her cell phone. Each Lumberton student has received instruction on "digital citizenship" and earned a certification from Common Sense education, a national nonprofit dedicated to "harness(ing) the power of social media and technology as a positive force." The Common Sense curriculum covers topics such as cyberbullying, privacy and social media guidelines. "Whereas we have a huge concern of the physical safety of our students, I want you to know ... we're also working on that aspect of it as well," she said. For Flores, "active shooter training is training for the worst case scenario." "That type of training let's say hypothetically there's a hundred dominoes set up that's the hundredth domino to fall," said Flores. "We're focusing heavily on that but also need that comprehensive program that's going to focus on domino one through 99." Phoebe.Suy@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/PhoebeSuy A Texas resident has gone viral after taking her senior pictures with an unusual friend - an alligator. Makenzie Noland, 21, recently posed with a 13 foot alligator at Gator Country in Beaumont for her Texas A&M senior portraits. But seeing her alongside Big Tex isn't as unusual as one might think. "I do this every day with Big Tex," said the Abilene native, who is majoring in wildlife ecology and has been interning at the Beaumont-area park for the past three months. "I just really wanted to show off what I had been doing everyday at this internship and also how proud I am to be graduating from Texas A&M. To bring the two of these things together is just incredible." "(The interns) do that everyday for our shows," said Gator Country owner Gary Saurage. "All she did was put her cap and gown on to do the exact same thing she does everyday." Big Tex is one of the park's largest attractions. "My whole life I knew I wanted to work with animals, and people have always said you're never going to make money but at the end of the day I will be happy, so I want to make that my career," Noland said. The park has very strict rules when it comes to handling the large animals, Saurage said. Interns begin safety regulation training the first day they are on-site, starting with small animals. During her time at A&M, Noland also traveled to Africa to study various mammals, and she hopes to one day work at a large zoo with elephants or big cats. Noland said the only scary moment was putting her prized possession, her senior ring, on the alligator's nose. "At the end of the day I still have my ring and the pictures turned out great, so we're golden," she said. Conway (S.C.) Ophthalmology Associates' Charles Proctor, MD, received city approval for a new office building and surgery center, myhorrynews.com reports. Here's what you should know: 1. The ophthalmology-only surgery center will be located in Conway, across from Conway Ophthalmology Associates' current space. 2. VP Investments, which owns the land and building, will lease space to the Surgery Center of Conway and Conway Ophthalmology Associates. Dr. Proctor and George Magrath, MD, will practice at both. 3. The project is expected to take eight months to complete, with construction beginning in late September. 4. The center will offer cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, surgery for ocular surface neoplasias, corneal surgery, refractive surgery, plastic and reconstructive eyelid surgery and lacrimal surgery. 5. Currently, residents must travel to Grande Dunes Surgery Center in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Georgetown, S.C., or Florence, S.C., for eye surgery. More articles on new ASC development: Cardiovascular surgery center opens in Kansas: 4 things to know Riverview Surgery Center under construction: 5 highlights Construction begins on medical office building, 22K-square-foot multispecialty ASC: 3 key details Royal Bank of Scotland Group (LSE: RBS) will pay a dividend in 2018 for the first time since the financial crisis. RBS plans to pay an interim dividend of two pence per share, though the timing of the payout is subject to the finalisation of its U.S. settlement. For long-suffering investors, including United Kingdom taxpayers who still hold more than 62% of the stock, the token 2 pence per share interim payout, announced with half-year results on Friday, is the first tangible sign that RBS's massive restructuring and fix job is reaching its end. Operating profit before tax was 613m in Q2 compared with 1.2bn in the same period past year. Marking a landmark moment, the dividend is worth 240m and means the Treasury will receive 149m, as RBS is still 62% owned by the United Kingdom government. In May, RBS was fined Dollars 4.9 billion by the US Justice Department over its role in the subprime housing crisis but much of the cost had already been set aside, while the total was less than expected. RBS chief executive Ross McEwan insisted the bank's turnaround "is nearly complete" adding: "We still have a lot more to do to achieve our ambition of being the best bank for customers in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland". Royal Bank of Scotland reinstated its dividend despite posting a fall in first-half profit owing to penalty payments and weaker margins. "Operating profits in the second quarter came in at 613m, some way behind the first quarter figures but well ahead of expectations", he said. Announcing the bank's half-year results, RBS CEO Ross McEwan said the bank was now looking to return further excess capital to shareholders, including via special dividends or share buy backs, from 2019. RBS shares jumped on the news, gaining around 2% in the first 30 minutes of trading in London. Shares jumped on the announcement, gaining around 2.5% in early morning trade. They declined by 3.6% versus the same period of the previous year. "Despite this positive progress, the shares have been weak of late and are beginning to look more interesting to us from a valuation perspective", he added, ascribing fair value to the shares of 285p. The bank's conduct and litigation costs were also lower than some had expected due to an indemnity payment. Robert Masson, MD, Founder of Masson Spine Institute and Director of Ocoee, Fla.-based Orlando Health Health Central Hospital NeuroSpine Center of Excellence, plans to participate in the CMS Medicare Spine BPCI Advanced program. He is working with a convener to participate in the program and will perform participating Medicare cases at Orlando Health Health Central Hospital. The spine bundles program will initiate on Oct. 1 and aim to deliver high quality, cost-effective spine care. The model period will run through December 2023, and CMS will provide a second application opportunity in January 2020. The voluntary model includes single retrospective bundled payments and one risk track for 90-day episodes of care. The payments will be tied to performance on quality measures, and preliminary target prices are provided before the first performance period of each model year. Here, Dr. Masson discusses BPCI Advanced and where he sees bundled payments headed. Question: Why do you want to participate as a first adopter in the Medicare Spine BPCI Advanced program? Dr. Robert Masson: I have been building towards a performance-based spine surgery platform for 20 years, and definitely think that rewards for performance and risk for lack thereof are here to stay. I definitely think that surgeons at large need to be rewarded for taking great care of their patients, to incentivize them to focus on that which matters most: quality, sustainable cost containment and efficiency of care as the ultimate bundle. Q: How did you build the practice so it could support early adoption? What are the key factors allowing you to participate? RM: We moved the practice out of the big trauma metro hospital and [became] hyper focused on community/designation-based microspine surgery platforms. My minimally invasive platform iMAS was built out of this growth period and we started building a 360 degrees of care program at our hospital in the Orlando Health Hospital System, Orlando Health Central Hospital in West Orlando. Since that time Health Central has won top 10 awards in orthopedic and spine surgery, and we have earned JCAHO Center of Excellence status in orthopedic joint replacement and in spine surgery. We track complication, outcome, performance, functionality and quality of stay data on each patient and in spine have a cumulative length of stay average of 1.6 days over several years despite predominantly being a reconstruction practice from an inpatient perspective. Key elements for success include: 1. Common messaging from arrival to discharge 2. Dedicated team members at every point of contact in the facility 3. Direct communication from hospital "team members" and practice team members 4. Clear prehabilitation protocols and preparation for arrival to surgery 5. Extensive patient education pre-episode of care 6. Entirely microsurgical spine surgery platforms to reduce the trauma of surgery Q: Where do you see the biggest opportunity for spine surgeons to succeed with bundled payments in the future? RM: Simplify office management, reward best outcomes and processes, improve time management, simplify patient care and ultimately improve the quality of their practice, all the while improving revenue. We are gradually transitioning away from quantity towards better and rewarding quality practice measures. Overall our practice happiness is improving as a result of these measures. A transgender woman who was told she would be charged $20,080 for prepaid gender confirmation surgery got a bill that was more than quadruple that amount from University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, reports Kaiser Health News. The woman's request that her health insurer not be billed for the surgery also was ignored, Kaiser Health News reported. Here are seven things to know: 1. Wren Vetens enrolled as a doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2016. 2. At the time of her enrollment, she said the university offered insurance coverage for her gender confirmation surgery, according to the report. However, the state discontinued the coverage, and Ms. Vetens and her mother, a physician, shopped around for another plan. 3. After some research estimating the cost of surgery at $19,000 to $25,000, Ms. Vetens and her mother bought coverage from Consolidated Health Plans, which offered a maximum of $25,000 to cover the surgery. But months before the procedure, the hospital told Ms. Vetens the bill was estimated at $100,000, meaning her out-of-pocket costs could be up to $75,000 after insurance. 4. Once Ms. Vetens and her mother complained, the hospital agreed to accept $20,080 for the surgery without charging her insurance, as long as the amount was paid out of pocket and in full before the procedure, according to the report. Ms. Vetens said she was told the procedure would be canceled if the hospital didn't receive prepayment by the end of business on Dec. 21. 5. The payment was made, but Ms. Vetens later received a total bill for $91,850.20. The bill showed an insurance payment of $25,427.91. The $20,080 was deemed a deposit, and Ms. Vetens' remaining out-of-pocket costs were billed at $13,191.95. 6. Ms. Vetens' surgery was a case where the hospital and insurer were each working to determine her procedure's monetary worth, according to the report. A hospital spokesperson told KHN the hospital would base its price on how much the insurer would reimburse. At the same time, Consolidated Health Plans was waiting for a price from the hospital before determining coverage, its president and CEO said. Hospitals often inflate procedure costs because they know insurers will negotiate them down. 7. In the end, the hospital agreed to repay Ms. Vetens' insurance company, reports KHN, and after an appeal from Ms. Vetens and her mother, Consolidated Health Plans reimbursed Ms. Vetens nearly $18,000. The reimbursement, which countered the insurer's previous decision not to pay for care, dropped Ms. Vetens total surgery costs to about $2,100. Read more about the case here. More articles on healthcare finance: T-System appoints Robert Hitchcock documentation chief: 4 things to know Massachusetts lawmakers wrap session without healthcare bill New Jersey finance agency, hospitals partner to support housing The president and CEO of two Lewiston-based Central Maine Healthcare hospitals resigned Aug. 1 one day after CMHC's board voiced their support for system CEO Jeff Brickman, the Portland Press Herald reports. R. David Frum served as president and CEO of Bridgton (Maine) Hospital since 2010 and head of Rumford (Maine) Hospital since 2011, according to the report. CMHC confirmed Mr. Frum's resignation Aug. 6 in a prepared statement to Becker's Hospital Review: "David Frum submitted his resignation as President of Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital on August 1. After 8 years of faithful service to BH and RH and their respective communities, David leaves with a great sense of accomplishment and the respect of many throughout the organization for his leadership and dedication." Mr. Frum's resignation comes after medical staff at all three of the system's hospitals voted no confidence in Mr. Brickman in July. Staffers throughout the health system told the Portland Press Herald they recognize the need for change, but disagree with Mr. Brickman's management style and voiced concern about the system's ongoing financial issues and cuts in services. In an Aug. 1 letter to staff, CMHC Board Chairwoman Deborah Avasthi affirmed the board's support of Mr. Brickman and his plans for the system. After the vote at Rumford Hospital, one physician told the publication the no-confidence vote in Mr. Brickman did not extend to Mr. Frum, as staff do not blame him for the changes and challenges the system faces. The physician said the staff appreciates Mr. Frum's leadership. CHMC also confirmed the resignation of another executive to Becker's. Stacy Goldsholl, MD, chief physician executive for CMHC, resigned before the board's July 31 meeting, during which they issued their support for Mr. Brickman. The health system said it is working to find a full-time replacement for Ms. Goldsholl. To access the full report, click here. The two-week search for Joseph James Pappas, suspected in the fatal shooting of a renowned Houston cardiologist, ended Aug. 3 after the suspect died of apparent suicide, ABC 13 reports. Mark Hausknecht, MD, a cardiologist at Houston Methodist Hospital was shot dead the morning of July 20 while riding his bike to work. Authorities, who pored over surveillance footage hundreds of times, pleaded with the public for information to help them solve the case. On July 30, a tip came in that led police to Mr. Pappas. The mother of Mr. Pappas was a patient of Dr. Hausknecht. Mr. Pappas' mother died during a surgery that Dr. Hausknecht performed 20 years ago. "It appears that this may be a 20-year-old grudge that this man held," Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo told CNN. Mr. Acevedo said a Houston Parks Board employee called police after the worker spotted Mr. Pappas near a senior care center. When an officer arrived to the location, Mr. Pappas had body armor on and a gun in his hand. He refused to comply with the officer's demands and as a second officer approached, Mr. Pappas killed himself with a single gunshot to the head, according to ABC 13. "The potential threat to the city from an accused murderer considered armed and dangerous is now over, closing another chapter of this horrific tragedy," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said, according to ABC 13. New details surrounding the case came to light after Mr. Pappas' apparent suicide the morning of Aug. 3. Surveillance cameras captured Mr. Pappas stalking the victim at least five times since early July. A search of Mr. Pappas' home revealed an extensive intelligence file on Dr. Hausknecht, according to ABC 13. Georgia Hsieh, MD, the wife of Dr. Hausknecht, issued the following statement: "I echo the sentiments of Houston Police Department Chief Acevedo this morning in thanking the numerous departments, communities, and individuals involved whose teamwork and cooperation led to the rapid resolution of this case. Media's role in keeping the public informed is also acknowledged. The family can never adequately thank our friends and neighbors who have loved and supported us. I am most grateful, however, for the many wonderful years our family shared together." Police say an employee at Randolph, Vt.-based Gifford Medical Center was charged with aggravated assault after allegedly attempting to poison a co-worker, according to a My NBC 5 news report. Wayne Parezo, who worked in environmental services at the hospital, allegedly placed a foreign substance into a woman's beverage on July 25. The woman was taken to the emergency room and was released, according to Valley News. Mr. Parezo is no longer employed at the hospital. "Gifford is fully committed to maintaining a safe work environment for our employees, and we are following appropriate channels as we manage this issue," a hospital spokesperson told My NBC 5. "The safety of our staff and patients is our priority." Police still are investigating the incident. Mr. Parezo is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 5. Canonsburg, Pa.-based Mylan argues the U.S. is wasting billions of dollars on name brand anti-HIV drugs, instead of making generic alternatives, according to Science. At the International AIDS Conference July 23-27 in Amsterdam, Mylan CEO Heather Bresch cited 90 percent of the drugs distributed in the U.S. are generics, except in the case of antiretrovirals , which are used to treat HIV. Ms. Bresch told Science: "You're looking at 0 percent utilization." This past February, the FDA approved two Mylan products that contain combinations of popular ARVs. Ms. Bresch claims it currently costs 35,000 a year to treat a person with HIV/AIDS. With the generic brand of ARVs, it will lower that amount by 20 percent. Ms. Bresch attended the conference with Anil Soni, head of global infectious diseases at Mylan. "HIV is a huge source of spend," he told Science. ARVs are a $20 billion market in the U.S., yet the government provides more funding than any other country to supply inexpensive versions of ARVs to poorer countries, according to Mr. Soni. Between 2009-16, Mylan increased the price of their EpiPen from about $100 to about $600, making the drugmaker a surprising addition to the entities calling for lower drug prices, according to Science. "This isnt a campaign," Ms. Bresch told the publication, adding that Mylan was created in 1961 to sell a more affordable version of penicillin to patients. More articles on pharmacy: Allergan sues Pfizer over costs related to opioid lawsuits Teva's revenue drops 18% in Q2 Who knew? There's a trophy for 'most hated' pharma chief: 10 notes CMS will publicly disclose hospital errors, injuries and infections it proposed removing from one of its public reporting programs, the agency said in a new rule published August 2. Under the rule, CMS will collect safety data from hospitals through two Obamacare payment programs, even though it does not have a way to collect and publicly report data through the programs. The information will be published on Hospital Compare and available in a downloadable database. The reports will include dates and details of various safety incidents reported through the Inpatient Quality Reporting Program, including rates of Clostridium difficile, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and sepsis after surgery. The American Hospital Association previously urged the Trump administration to stop publicly disclosing this data in the proposed rule. In a December 2016 letter to then President-elect Donald Trump, the American Hospital Association asked him to remove measures added to CMS programs in the last two years, USA Today reports. AHA CEO Richard Pollack said measures that financially penalize hospitals for safety problems should be removed from the programs. Leapfrog sent a letter to CMS in June, calling the proposal a threat to transparency in hospitals and urging the agency share the information on infection rates and safety incidents. "These kill a lot of people and patients deserve to know how hospitals are doing in preventing them," Leah Binder, CEO of Leapfrog, told USA Today. Along with publicly reporting safety data, CMS said it is also working to improve transparency related to other survey reports, including for hospital accrediting organizations. Denver Health is examining its response time for alerting the public about deadly infectious disease cases after a patient was admitted to the facility July 29 with a potential Ebola diagnosis, the Denver Post reports. Test results confirmed that the patient did not have the Ebola virus, but it took seven hours for the facility to notify the public. Denver Health spokesperson Jennifer Hillman attributed the delay in issuing an alert to coordinating with other agencies to assess the situation and presenting information in a media release in such a way as not to cause a panic. "If I had to look back on it now, I would have liked to have sent the press release out a little earlier," Ms. Hillmann, told the Post. The organization has started conducting debriefings to discuss how it handled the potential Ebola case. "We followed our established protocols, and all Denver Health staff responded efficiently and effectively; however, we use every opportunity we can to learn and improve," Ms. Hillmann said in a prepared statement. The Democratic Republic of Congo experienced an Ebola outbreak from May 8 until July 24 that killed 33 people. Days after the World Health Organization declared the outbreak over, the Congo declared a new outbreak. The patient at Denver Health has just returned from a medical mission to the Congo, according to the Post. More articles healthcare quality: Viewpoint: US lacks reliable reporting system for care quality 3 IT best practices to help reduce medication, testing errors, according to ECRI Joint Commission honors 4 hospitals for advancing electronic clinical quality measures Meriden, Conn.-based MidState Medical Center is celebrating its 20-year anniversary, according to myrcordjournal.com. Here are five things to know about the Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute at MidState Medical Center: 1. The orthopedic institute is regarded as a hospital within the hospital. Its physicians treat patients with joint, hip, back or disc conditions. 2. Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute is a 14,500-square-foot center that was repurposed in 2017 for $12 million. 3. The institute comprises 21 patient rooms, 11 operating rooms, a rehabilitation center and dozens of surgeons. 4. Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute was created when Wallingford-based Connecticut Orthopaedic Specialists joined Comprehensive Orthopaedics, the former orthopedic center at MidState. 5. Surgeons operate in suites on the unit. Farmers are increasing their security to guard against rural crime Rural crime in Northern Ireland is costing 2.6 million a year, a report warns today. Farms are being targeted - in some cases twice in a matter of days - by thieves using increasingly sophisticated methods. Read More It has forced many farmers to change their way of life, with some resorting to "medieval" methods to stop criminals. The stark warning comes as figures show the cost of rural crime is on the rise. The 2.6m bill in 2017 was up 5.3% on the previous year, analysis by insurance firm NFU Mutual found. Its Rural Crime Report reveals quad bikes and ATVs (all-terrain vehicles), livestock and tractors are the biggest targets for thieves. The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has warned that crime is putting some farmers' livelihoods at risk. It has called for the courts to impose tougher sentences for rural crime. According to the latest Agricultural Census in Northern Ireland, there are around 25,000 farms and 30,300 farmers. The number of farms and workers has risen over the last 15 years, but so too has the cost of crime. In 2017, it cost the industry here 2.6m - more than in Wales (1.9m) and Scotland (1.5m). The highest costs were in England, including the Midlands (8.8m) and South East (7.6m), NFU Mutual found. UFU official James O'Brien said thieves are becoming increasingly daring. "Rural crime has a lasting impact on farming families, who can literally find their livelihoods threatened overnight," he said. "Criminals are sophisticated in the homes and businesses they target. They are selective about what they take and will not think twice about targeting the same farm again, sometimes within days. The net result is that across all rural areas, people now feel isolated and vulnerable in their own homes." Mr O'Brien said there was an onus on the courts to take firmer action. "We remain deeply unhappy that despite the efforts farmers take to protect their property and the PSNI targeting of rural criminals, the sentences courts impose do not reflect the scale of this threat to rural life and livelihoods," he added. Today's report reveals that limited police resources and repeat attacks are the biggest fears for people in rural communities. The report also describes how some farmers are combining "medieval methods" with high-tech security to stop crime. Some are using earth banks, fences and high-security single access points to "fortify" their farms. Martin Malone from NFU Mutual said: "There is widespread concern in Northern Ireland that a new breed of brazen criminals are targeting the countryside and they are overcoming electronic security measures to steal expensive equipment and vehicles." He added: "Adapting centuries-old security with high-tech solutions is already proving successful in keeping at bay thieves who don't fear being caught on camera and have the skills to overcome electronic security systems." According to Mr Malone, farmers are also using tracking devices and immobilisers on vehicles, CCTV video, dashcams, motion sensors, infra-red surveillance and SmartWater marking in their farmyards. DNA markers have even been used to protect sheep from rustlers, he explained. The PSNI said that while the cost of rural crime is rising, there was a fall in the number of farm crimes in 2017. Last year 497 crimes were recorded against the farming community - down 63 on 2016. The number of burglary, robbery and theft offences relating to agricultural activity has shown an overall downwards trend since 2010/11. PSNI Superintendent Brian Kee said police remain committed to reducing incidents of crime in rural areas. "In response to this concern, we have been working with our colleagues in the Rural Crime Partnership (RCP), and in May of this year, a subsidised support scheme, especially for people living in rural areas, was launched," he commented. "The scheme aims to help tackle the growing number of quad and trailer thefts by encouraging owners to fit an electronic tracking device to proactively deter theft and assist police with recovery should an item be stolen. "To help combat the trend, RCP subsidises the cost of having a tracking device supplied and fitted to smaller items of agricultural equipment." Thieves took two trailers ... and tried to steal my tractor Gary Kerr, a farmer in Lisburn, had two trailers stolen a box trailer and a flatbed trailer using his own 4x4 pickup truck. The thieves also attempted to load his tractor on to the flatbed and take it away. The flatbed was in daily use and both trailers had been moved away from the building to stop them from being damaged during high winds and stormy weather in November. The trailers werent in their usual place so it would be hard to say whether it was an opportunistic theft, Mr Kerr said. There did seem to be a degree of planning. A neighbour had his car stolen around the same time and that was recovered 40 miles away a few months later, but there was never any sign of the trailers. Mr Kerr has since replaced some of the stolen items. He added: There isnt a farm watch scheme in place, but we do hear about suspicious activity going on from time to time. The initial response from the police and NFU Mutual was good, but we decided to only replace one of the trailers in the end. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday, recalling its ambassador in Canada for consultation, and declared the Ambassador of Canada persona non-grata, giving him 24 hours to leave. Saudi Arabia said Sunday it is ordering Canada's ambassador to leave the country and freezing all new trade and investment transactions with Canada in a spat over human rights. And the ministry says Saudi Arabia is recalling its ambassador to Canada. #Statement | We have been briefed by what the #Canadian foreign minister and the Canadian embassy to the #Kingdom released on what they named "civil society rights activists", and we affirm that this negative and surprising attitude is an incorrect claim. In a statement released through the Saudi Press Agency, Riyadh bluntly condemned the criticism from Ms. Freeland and the department of Global Affairs, calling it "blatant interference in the Kingdom's domestic affairs, against basic worldwide norms and all worldwide protocols" and a "major, unacceptable affront to the Kingdom's laws and judicial process, as well as a violation of the Kingdom's sovereignty". Samar's brother Raif was arrested in 2012 and later sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for criticizing clerics. "We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful human rights activists", Global Affairs Canada said on its Twitter feed. "The rupture in Saudi diplomatic relations with Canada reinforces how the "new" Saudi Arabia that Mohammed bin Salman is putting together is in no mood to tolerate any form of criticism of its handling of domestic affairs", said Kristian Ulrichsen, a fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute in the US. Throughout its long history, Saudi Arabia has not accepted and will not accept interference in its internal affairs or impose dictates on it from any country. Raif Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar lives in Canada and recently became a Canadian citizen. The ministry said it considers Ms. Freeland's actions "as an affront to the kingdom that requires a sharp response to prevent any party from attempting to meddle with Saudi sovereignty", and it chided Canada for what it called undiplomatic language. The statement came after the Canadian foreign ministry and the Canadian embassy urged the Saudi authorities to "immediately release" civil rights activists. There has been a spike in demand for Brexit planning help at InterTradeIreland, the cross-border body said. Its business monitor for the second quarter said that the number of firms on the island of Ireland reporting growth was at its highest level for seven years. But their findings suggested businesses felt there remained "significant" challenges ahead. At the same time, as a growing number of firms reported growth, there were also increasing numbers of firms reporting a decline. There were mixed signals across the board, with uncertainty over Brexit weighing heavily. Energy costs and other overheads, including wages, were major headaches for companies. The going was even tougher for smaller firms and those in retail and construction. However, over a quarter of professional services businesses were preparing for growth. But one in four SMEs said they were putting off investment because of Brexit, while just under a third said they were concerned about sales. One in five had developed plans for when the UK leaves the EU. Aidan Gough, InterTradeIreland's director of strategy and policy, said: "The number of firms preparing for Brexit is increasing all the time. "We see this in the demand for our supports and services. In particular, our Brexit Advisory Service which offers bespoke help and assistance for SMEs, including a 2,000 Brexit start to plan voucher, has seen a big spike in demand. "However, businesses can't afford to be complacent, as 80% of firms still have no plans to deal with Brexit." Stockpiling parts to mitigate the impact of a no deal Brexit would cost Bombardier's Belfast business up to 30 million, the plane maker has warned. (Niall Carson/PA) Stockpiling parts to mitigate the impact of a no deal Brexit would cost Bombardier's Belfast business up to 30 million, the plane maker has warned. Michael Ryan, the head of the aircraft manufacturer's Northern Ireland operation, warned that spending such a sum to store goods is "not how we can afford to run a business", and is "cash that I don't have". There are fears that the movement of goods could be disrupted by long queues at ports if the UK is unable to reach an agreement with the European Union over Brexit. Mr Ryan said his Belfast plant operated a "just in time" supply policy to avoid the expense of stocking excess materials. The company uses hundreds of components which are modified throughout its supply chain, crossing between the UK and the rest of the EU on multiple occasions. There were 1,755 such shipments in 2016. Asked about the implications of a no deal Brexit, Mr Ryan said: "Our customers are expecting of us... the only solution to not having some sort of a deal will be to stockpile parts. "That will cost us about 25-30m to hold a number of months' worth of material to avoid stopping our lines. "That's money that should be being put into new product development, R&D (research and development), to allow us to keep doing business in the future, instead of managing a consequence or an uncertainty or, frankly, a lack of agreement. "It's cash that I don't have." Around 4,000 people are employed at Bombardier's Belfast operation. The factory makes wings for the Airbus A220, which was known as the C Series until Airbus took a majority stake in the aircraft programme amid concerns about the model's feasibility. Bombardier is in the middle of a five-year turnaround plan to improve its finances. "What we do not have is another 25-30m to be sitting in a store somewhere either managing an issue which has happened or because we weren't able to get clarity on what might happen," Mr Ryan said. "That's not how we can afford to run a business." Mr Ryan said the firm will begin arrangements to stockpile goods by the end of the year if it believes that will be necessary after Brexit in March next year. Mr Ryan believes such a scenario would be a "short-term issue", adding: "I don't expect it to destroy our future going forward." Translink has said a service linking north and south Belfast will form phase two of the Belfast Glider scheme. A route linking west and east Belfast as well as a route into the Titantic Quarter will officially go live on September 3 under phase one of the 90m rapid transport project. Read More But Translink chief executive Chris Conway suggested that it could take 70m-80m and several years before three new routes will be added. Phase two is currently only being planned at the minute, so there is no timeline around it. We are hoping that it will be one of the projects in the city deal for Belfast. He confirmed that the next phase will include a route linking north and south Belfast, with some discussion over another service linking the universities. Realistically, if funding was made available in 2019, it would take two to three years before it would be rolled out. Youre looking at that sort of time-frame at least, he said. Translink has already recruited 100 new people to run the new service including 70 drivers and 30 revenue protection officers. The 18 metre Gliders are geared to run at seven minute intervals on new wider bus lanes that had been modified to allow for smoother journeys. Capable of holding 108 passengers, the new vehicles will also get prioritisation at traffic lights. Mr Conway said: Generally everybody is really supportive of it and cant wait to see it running. Theres still a lot of work to do and a lot of things to do, to make that fully operational on September 3, but were very much on plan to do that and committed to deliver that. People will start to see the ticket vending machine coming alive over the next few weeks. The chief executive said the new ticketing system being introduced for the Glider will eventually be rolled out across the Translink network, with the goal of introducing an Oyster card type ticket, similar to London, with contactless option. All the research shows that it encourages more people to use public transport, when they find it easier to use, he said. While there has been some questions over the 90m cost of the new service, Mr Conway said it was 10 times cheaper than introducing a tram service. He also said the Gliders are much more efficient than double decker buses. You want to be able to get 100 people off and on that vehicle very quickly. You have room for wheelchairs and buggies to get on, you couldnt do that in a double decker bus. Holidaymakers are facing hikes of around 90 a seat for last minute getaways as airfares on return flights from the Republic rocket apparently due to Ryanair strikes. Members of the travel industry claim airline prices have taken off due to a lack of competition as passengers shy away from Europe's biggest budget carrier. Chief Executive of the Irish Travel Agents Association, Pat Dawson, said the woes of the low fares carrier have pushed up some prices to popular destinations including Malaga, Faro and Majorca by more than 50 (45) each way. He said flights to Malaga are currently on sale for up to 600 (534) with some airlines. Ryanair's rivals are enjoying a boost in bookings as a campaign of industrial action that began among a minority of pilots in the Irish Republic has spread across parts of Europe. More than 110,000 passengers have already been hit by flight cancellations due to stoppages, variously by certain pilots and cabin crew in Ireland, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Belgium. They are demanding better working conditions. Pilots in the Republic are due to walk out this Friday along with their counterparts in Sweden and Belgium. Ryanair believes those in Germany and the Netherlands will follow suit. Talks are due to take place in the Irish dispute, but are unlikely to happen until after Friday's strike. "There's no doubt about it, prices have gone up because people are afraid to fly with Ryanair," said Mr Dawson. "Because of the uncertainty, other airlines are getting the bookings and, if flights are in demand, the prices automatically go up. "Families have three or four weeks left. They're doing the back to school planning and then heading off. "There are a lot of them searching around and getting quotes compared to three or four weeks ago when the weather was really good." He said Spain and Portugal are the two main routes and can cost 350 (311.39) to 400 (355.87) for a seat at the moment, compared to 250 (222.42) to 300 (266.90) normally. He said there is always a big late market, as 30% of bookings are done in the final week before a flight. But he added that travel agencies are reporting a surge in demand due to a break in the weather here. Although prices for August have jumped, he said September still seems to be well priced. Last week, Chief Executive of Aer Lingus Stephen Kavanagh warned that anything that damages Ryanair's business is good for his, and vowed to capitalise. He said the airline's flights are heavily booked at present, so the opportunities due to Ryanair's problems are not significant. However, he indicated that these difficulties could soon provide opportunities. Meanwhile, Policy and Council Advisor at the Consumers' Association of Ireland Dermot Jewell said passengers' mindsets are changing and they are starting to look for alternatives, even if they are more expensive. Tesco is planning to use the deal with Carrefour to bring down prices (Nick AnsellPA) Tesco has said its strategic partnership with Frances Carrefour will become operational in October. The UK supermarket has now formally entered into its strategic alliance with Carrefour, under an arrangement that has been set out for a three-year period. In a statement, Tesco said the relationship will cover global suppliers, and will allow for the joint purchasing of own-brand goods and store equipment such as trolleys, fixtures and cleaning supplies. Tesco first announced the deal in July, saying it would improve the quality and choice of products available to its customers. The supermarket is also aiming to lower prices on the back of the deal as it fends off competition from the likes of Aldi and Lidl. The move came after Sainsburys promised lower prices on a range of everyday items as part of its planned 12 billion merger with rival Asda. However, French regulators are probing the Tesco-Carrefour relationship to understand what impact it could have on suppliers. The Autorite de la Concurrence said it was looking into the competitive impact of the purchasing agreement to assess its effect on the food sector, both for suppliers and consumers. The regulator is also investigating similar alliances between Frances Auchan, Casino, Schiever, and Germanys Metro, and Carrefour and Systeme U. The probe has been set up because a new wave of agreements between grocers are larger in scale than the deals signed previously. Moodys credit ratings agency has also said that grocery tie-ups will squeeze suppliers. The agency said lower purchasing costs would ultimately lead to lower revenue for suppliers across the board, even if the supermarkets offer to buy in larger volumes as part of new agreements. Sophia Gibson with her parents Darren Gibson and Danielle Davis and brother Mason The parents of a Co Down girl who requires daily doses of medicinal cannabis oil say they are relieved that their "exhausting and stressful battle" to administer the medication at home is over. Danielle Davis and Darren Gibson were speaking a fortnight after their three-and-a-half year fight on behalf of their daughter ended. Seven-year-old Sophia Gibson suffers from Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. The extreme nature of her condition means that she can experience up to 100 seizures a day. However, a Home Office change in policy means that she can now stop having to travel from her Newtownards home to the Netherlands for the crucial treatment. Last month Sophia was admitted to hospital after suffering a seizure so severe that she was placed into a drug-induced coma. Two weeks later she became the first child in the UK to be granted a long-term licence to use of Bedrocan whole plant medicinal cannabis oils, prescribed through the NHS by doctors. Now a prescription has been issued by Belfast Health Trust and sent to staff in the Ulster Hospital Pharmacy, who then administer it weekly to Sophia's family. Reflecting on the breakthrough, Danielle said: "We're just happy that Sophia can be treated at home and that she received the medication in the first place. "It has made our family life so much easier as we don't have to be running up and down to the hospital twice a day for Sophia's treatment. "It's less stressful for her as those trips every day really tired her out." But in terms of noticing an immediate difference in Sophia's condition, Danielle says it's still very early days. "Now it's a case of starting Sophia off on a very small dose again and just building up on that with the consultants involved until we get to a more therapeutic dose that works for her. "As with any anticonvulsant medication, we won't see a difference for a while. "It will be a number of weeks and months before we notice a decrease in the frequency of her seizures. "When she was treated in Holland her seizures reduced by around 80% and we noticed a definite change in her behaviour so we need to slowly work up to that level again. "It's early days but I would imagine that by the start of October we will see that Sophia again who was more alert and focused, talking better and wanting to play." Danielle says staff and pupils at Sophia's school, Clifton Special in Bangor, will notice a difference in her too when she returns there in a couple of weeks. "Usually my heart is in my mouth at this time of year as Sophia prepares to go back to school," she said. "When she would take a seizure an ambulance would have to called by teachers, but this time I'm really excited." Home Secretary Sajid Javid recently announced that specialist doctors in the UK will be able to legally prescribe cannabis-derived medicinal products by the autumn. Those that meet safety and quality standards are to be made legal for patients with an "exceptional clinical need", Mr Javid said. As health is a devolved matter, it will require legislative change before it is enforced in Northern Ireland. Sophia's father Darren knows his family are very fortunate as the fight for access to medical cannabis oil still goes on for many others. "I don't think that we've changed history and we were never in this to do that," he said. "From the very start the only thing we cared about was getting Sophia some relief from the seizures and giving her a normal childhood. "People are congratulating us and telling us that we should feel proud which make us feel embarrassed. "It was quite bittersweet when we finally got the go-ahead after all of the despair. "While yes, I did want to jump up and down with joy, I know of so many other thousands of adults and children who also need this treatment. We know we have been very lucky." A roof-top running track might be installed in the old Belfast Telegraph building, plans for which have been submitted for approval Artist impression of plans for the old Belfast Telegraph building on Royal Avenue. A roof-top running track such as this one in London might be installed in the old Belfast Telegraph building, plans for which have been submitted for approval The former Belfast Telegraph building could become home to the city's first rooftop running track as part of a 75m regeneration plan, it was announced today. Developers Bel Tel LLP, which includes directors from Co Tyrone building firm McAleer and Rushe, said their plans "place user well-being at the centre of a pioneering office and creative workspace development". It's hoped new occupiers of the site would bring 2,000 well-paid jobs. An application has been submitted to Belfast City Council detailing how Bel Tel LLP plans to restore and refurbish the Grade B2 Listed 1886 'Seaver building', which was home to this newspaper until two years ago. Bel Tel LLP also plans a new building on the remainder of the site, with 230,000 square feet of workspace on seven floors and an atrium that will be open to the public. There will also be shops and food and drink options on the site, which has been renamed 'The Sixth' in a reference to Belfast's Telegraph evening edition, "the sixth late Tele". Work is due to begin by the end of the year if the plans get the go-ahead. Stephen Surphlis of Bel Tel LLP said: "Offices and workspace are evolving and UK and international companies are looking to Belfast and the wealth of talent we have on tap from our universities and within our professional, creative and technology sectors. "These firms are placing a premium on employee satisfaction and are seeking working environments that facilitate team interaction, innovation and creativity. "Our plans for The Sixth emphasise quality, heritage-led design that makes a contribution to both user wellbeing, and the fabric of our city." Architecture firm Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), winner of the 2015 RIBA Stirling Prize for its work on Burntwood School in London, has been enlisted to work on the scheme. Paul Monaghan, founding director of AHMM, said: "The Sixth is a bold project, focused on the experience of its users and mindful of the site's landmark status and importance as part of Belfast's built heritage. We have taken cues from the surrounding buildings and the city's lost Victorian arcades, and will restore features removed or lost from the original listed building. "For example, we're planning to reinstate the building's main access onto Royal Avenue and reintroduce dormer windows removed from the original roofline. "New features such as the roof-top running track, roof-top terraces and break-out spaces complement the building's focus on the user. "A new public atrium space serves as walkway through the building, which alongside a range of ground floor retail and food and beverage offers will enliven the street level space around Royal Avenue and Donegall Street. "The Sixth will contribute to the rapid regeneration of the area and with its close proximity to Ulster University, it will be at the centre of an emerging creative district serving the education, culture, media and technology sectors." Councillor Aileen Graham, deputy chair of Belfast City Council's City growth and regeneration committee, said: "The partnership is pleased to have submitted its full planning application for The Sixth. "We've made a commitment in the Belfast Agenda to growing our city's economy and positioning the city to compete internationally. Quality, innovative workspaces like The Sixth will attract the high-value jobs necessary to grow our economy and help our people reach their full potential. "Not only will The Sixth boost the city centre's vibrancy as part of an emerging creative district, it's going to breathe new life into one of Belfast's most loved and iconic buildings." An appeal has been made for witnesses after a reported early-morning sexual assault in Co Down. Police are investigating the alleged incident, which took place in the Merrion Avenue area of Newcastle on Sunday morning. A report was made of a woman having been sexually assaulted at around 2.30am. Anyone with any information is asked to contact detectives in Strandtown Station on 101, quoting reference number 521 5/8/18. The public can also contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. The DUP blew two chances to scupper a border poll, the former leader of the Ulster Unionists has said. Mike Nesbitt made the comments amid a row over remarks by former DUP leader Peter Robinson after he suggested that unionists should make preparations in case a border referendum is called in the future. Read More The Strangford MLA yesterday issued a stinging assessment of the current situation, attacking both the DUP and Mr Robinson. He said there was little merit in Mr Robinson criticising how a border poll should be carried out, as the DUP had two opportunities to influence or change the rules - but had failed to grasp them. Mr Nesbitt said: "Peter Robinson's concerns appear to be more about what we used to call the modalities of conducting a border poll and here he re-writes history with gusto. "In 2007, his party sought the electoral mandate that would propel them into government with Sinn Fein, based on an election manifesto that opened with this stirring claim: 'We have achieved what many of our opponents said was impossible. We have successfully renegotiated the Belfast Agreement'. "Yet in 2018, he rails against the provisions for a border poll: it should not have been negotiated in the first place; it should not be left to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to decide to call one; it should not be possible to hold one every seven years after the first; there should be a role for locally elected representatives in the event of a negative outcome. "That's a long list of failures by Mr Robinson and the DUP negotiating team who claimed they fixed all the Good Friday 'failures' at St Andrews. "It also ignores the fact that the DUP walked away from the 1998 negotiations, preferring instead to stand outside the gates, screaming "Lundy", "traitor" and "sell-out" at those doing their best for the unionist community. "You cannot argue against the assertion the Belfast Agreement would have been better for unionism if the DUP had been at the table, because if you do, you are arguing the DUP are without influence. "Frankly, to bemoan that a border poll could be called under what he calls 'the existing precarious rules and procedures' is to admit a gross failure to address the matter when he could - and he had two chances, in 1998 and 2006." The former First Minister has also said he believed that a simple "majority of one" outcome would be a "recipe for chaos" across the island. But Mr Nesbitt criticised Mr Robinson's suggestion that a simple majority in favour of Irish unity should not be enough to pass it - as the DUP had seen it as acceptable for the EU membership poll. Mr Nesbitt said that "to caution against a border poll that invites a 'yes' or 'no' answer to a simple single choice question is to admit the 2016 Brexit Referendum was a rank bad idea; yet his party spent several hundred thousand pounds promoting a response to that simple single choice question. "And to warn against a 50%+1 formula for change not only attempts to redefine the consent principle that is the jewel in the crown of the Belfast Agreement, it ignores the fact he has very little wriggle room, given the DUP accept 52% is good enough for Brexit." Mr Robinson's recent interventions have also exposed a deep rift in the DUP, with East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson leading criticism of his former leader. The debate began last month when Mr Robinson said unionists should be prepared for the possibility of reunification with the Republic or risk the same kind of chaos that has followed the UK's Brexit vote. Mr Wilson then accused him of giving encouragement to the republican cause by even countenancing the possibility of a vote. However, Mr Robinson hit back, accusing unionists who caution against talking about a border poll of engaging in "claptrap" and "crass folly". Mr Wilson responded by saying that Mr Robinson was "plain wrong". However, hours later, the DUP issued a statement saying that Mr Robinson had worked with the party while writing the opinion piece for the Belfast Telegraph. It was also revealed that Ms Foster had read the final draft before it appeared in the newspaper and agreed with Mr Robinson's comments. A DUP spokesman said: "Peter is a private citizen and is at liberty to express his views." Mr Wilson and the DUP were last night unavailable for comment on the matter. Mr Nesbitt concluded: "Peter Robinson boasted that the Assembly and Executive of 2007 was the first Stormont administration to go full- term since the 1960s. He spoke for the DUP in those days and who knows, maybe he will speak for the party again. "Peter Robinson denies he sees himself as the white knight to put the political pieces back together again, but he is a politician who knows you never say never. Arlene Foster is publicly supportive of her former boss. She might exercise caution in her praise. After all, she might be feeding a crocodile." While en route to OH for a political rally, US President Donald Trump claimed on Twitter on Saturday that "Iran, and its economy, is going very bad, and fast". ABOARD A US GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT, - The United States intends to fully enforce sanctions due to be reimposed against Iran early this week on orders from US President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday. The 2015 agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, of JCPOA, brought a suspension of USA sanctions in exchange for Tehran's agreement to end its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Iranians were bracing on Monday for the return of United States sanctions against the backdrop of angry protests and a corruption crackdown that are roiling the embattled government of President Hassan Rouhani. Reuters reports that Iran announced on Sunday a plan to ease the effects of a plunging currency that has been set into free fall largely by the anticipation of US sanctions. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said last week that Trump's repudiation of the deal was illegal and Iran would not yield to Washington's renewed campaign to strangle Iran's vital oil exports. Sanctions will also be reapplied to U.S. imports of Iranian carpets and foodstuffs and on certain related financial transactions. Sanctions on Iran's oil industry and central bank are set to be restored on November 4. On Friday, Iran's foreign minister took to Twitter to remind U.S. Navy forces that regional waterways were Iran's home turf. Iranian protesters have attacked a religious school in Karaj province near Tehran, a conservative Iranian news agency has said, as sporadic protests simmered ahead of the reimposition of USA sanctions. "That's the ask. It's pretty simple". From Iran, it said it would block off the Strait of Hormuz if it's isolated from the global oil market. The United States has told other countries they must halt imports of Iranian oil starting in early November or face USA financial measures. "We're happy to talk, if there's an arrangement that is appropriate, that can lead to a good outcome", Pompeo said. "They're unhappy with the failure of their own leadership to deliver the economic promises that their leadership promised them". "Perhaps that will be the path the Iranians choose to go down". Saudi Arabia appears to be reluctant to mend ties with Iran, he said, adding, "We believe that the problems originate mostly from inside Saudi Arabia". "And we want the Iranian people to have a strong voice in who their leadership will be". Key Trump administration figures, including national security advisor John Bolton, have called for regime change in the past, although the official line is that Washington only wants a change in its "behaviour". Smoke rises from the former St Patricks Academy building in Dungannon last night A top fire officer has slammed those responsible for an arson attack at a former Northern Ireland school saying they put lives in danger. The former St Patrick's Academy in Dungannon was left devastated after the weekend blaze. Clouds of smoke and flame could be seen rising above the school buildings as firefighters battled the blaze, which is thought to have begun in temporary buildings on the disused site. Five fire engines, one aerial appliance, two water tankers and a command support vehicle were sent to tackle the blaze at Killymeal Road, on the edge of the town. A total of 43 firefighters were at the scene on Sunday night as the operation to bring the incident under control got under way. A number of Portacabins were destroyed. The public was advised to keep windows and doors closed. On Monday morning assistant group commander at the Fire Service Max Joyce said the blaze was deliberate. "This is mindless act that put firefighter lives in danger and could have lead to someone getting hurt," he said. "Those that set these fires need to think about what they are doing and really need to stop it." Police are investigating and have appealed for information. Smoke rises from the former St Patricks Academy building in Dungannon last night A fire has devastated buildings at the former St Patrick's Academy in Dungannon. Clouds of smoke and flame could be seen rising above the school buildings as firefighters battled the blaze, which is thought to have begun in temporary buildings on the disused site. The NI Fire and Rescue Service said it had scrambled five fire engines, one aerial appliance, two water tankers and a command support vehicle to tackle the blaze at Killymeal Road, on the edge of the town. A total of 43 firefighters were at the scene last night as the operation to bring the incident under control got under way. The NIFRS advised the public to stay away from the incident and to keep windows and doors shut as a precaution. Area Commander Dermot Rooney said: "We are dealing with an incident on the Killymeal Road in Dungannon, it is an unoccupied school and the understanding is the fire started in Portakabins and has spread to the main building." There are no reports of anyone being injured at the scene. SDLP councillor Denise Mullen told reporters: "It's such a shame to see this happen. Even if it is now the old school building, many people from Dungannon and the surrounding areas were educated there." Local MP Michelle Gildernew thanked the emergency services for their swift response, and urged people to be cautious. "Whether accidental or deliberate, fires are incredibly dangerous and destructive so I would urge everyone to exercise extreme caution," she said. "I would also like to appeal to everyone to report any suspicious activity, as the deliberate lighting of fires is reckless and completely unacceptable." Graffiti hay bales along the A4 just outside Brookeborough in Co Fermanagh by artist Kev Largey A Northern Ireland graffiti artist is bringing his special brand of street art, which adorns many walls across the world, to a completely different audience - the cows of Co Fermanagh. Belfast's Kev Largey, a popular figure in the city's alternative art scene, is currently putting the finishing touches to three sets of silage bales in Fermanagh's Aghadrumsee and Brookeborough areas. And the results are certainly catching the eye of not only the bovine fraternity, but the rural community as a whole. Kev (37) says the Sliabh Beagh Arts Graffiti Bales Project is designed to enthuse and inspire and bring the arts into the everyday lives of rural communities "Sliabh Beagh Arts in Fermanagh have been engaging with farmers and asking them if they minded if we painted the bales of hay," he said. "We put the painted bales in fields were they would be quite visible, like on the A4, so people can see them driving past. The bales are still used, they still carry out their function so essentially it is ephemeral art. "Once the cows need the feed the bales are chopped up and fed to them and the art disappears. We did some last year and a couple of the farmers decided to keep them. They liked them so much. "This time I've done a couple of sets which were very abstract forms, just colours and strange stuff. People have been responded really positively, thinking it's great. People were so nice, I was well looked after in Fermanagh. "Local farmers have been very supportive of the project and are really embracing the colourful bales which make up part of their working day. People are really loving them, from old age pensioners to young kids. They are coming along and getting their photographs taken." Kev has even bigger plans to bring his unique brand of colour to the rural landscape. "One of the people I met on my adventures in Fermanagh has this massive big container which he is turning into accommodation," he said. "He wants me to paint on that. It's huge. "I also have my eye on a few barn walls on which to paint on. And I am also planning on doing another project with cellophane, wrapping it between two trees and creating a clear wall to fashion a kind of countryside mural." Kev's latest work can be viewed in Aghadrumsee and along the A4 just outside Brookeborough in Co Fermanagh. You can find Kev on Twitter at @KVLR1 A man left for dead at the side of a Northern Ireland road after an apparent hit and run is in a stable condition in hospital. The man aged in his 30s was found by two members of the public close to a grass verge on the Loughgall Road in Portadown on Saturday at around 11.20pm. Police believe he may have been hit by a car. He was taken to hospital where he remains in hospital in a stable condition. Police have asked anyone with information to contact investigators on 101. Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward. A man was slashed across the face and stomach with a sharp object in what police are calling a "sectarian hate crime" in Co Antrim. Police are appealing for information following the assault in the Shore Road area of Newtownabbey on Monday morning. At around 7:25am, it was reported that a man was approached by a male who slashed him across the face and stomach with a sharp object. The man received treatment for injuries that are not believed to be life threatening. The attacker is described as being around 5ft 9' tall, with a slim but muscular build, and aged between 25-30 years old. He was wearing a white/grey hooded top and was cleanly shaven. "At this stage the incident is being treated as a sectarian hate crime and I would appeal to anyone with any information regarding the assault to contact police in Newtownabbey on 101 quoting reference number 312 6/8/18," Constable Philip Kelly said. "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. Northern Ireland will soon be the only part of the UK without an opt-out organ donation system, the Ulster Unionists have warned. UUP health spokesman Roy Beggs MLA yesterday welcomed the announcement from the Government that a new system for organ donation will be in place across England by 2020. The plan shifts the balance of presumption in favour of organ donation, with an opt-out for those who do not wish to take part, the Department of Health and Social Care said. The changes will be known as Maxs Law after Max Johnson, a 10-year-old boy whose life was saved by a heart transplant. But Mr Beggs warned that unless it is also extended here, Northern Ireland will soon be the only part of the UK without an opt-out system. Organ donation is one of the most selfless acts of kindness one person can do for another, he said. Whilst it continues to have strong public support, unfortunately there remains a shortfall between the number of donors and the actual number of organs needed each year. Tragically, that means people are continuing to pass away each and every year in Northern Ireland whilst waiting for a transplant. The decision by the UK Government to introduce an opt-out system in England is therefore very welcome and I am sure it will save hundreds of lives every year. It follows similar decisions already taken in Scotland and Wales. Currently, would-be donors must indicate their intentions on the NHS Organ Donor Register, or grieving families must make the decision if a patients wish to donate is unknown. While research shows that 82% of people in England support organ donation, only 37% have indicated so on the register. And less than half of families give consent for their loved ones organs to be donated. The proposed law will aim to close this gap, and is expected to be rolled out by the Government in spring 2020. But Mr Beggs added: Sadly, however, in the ongoing absence of an Executive at Stormont, and after a previous attempt to introduce an opt-out system here in 2016 was scuppered by the DUP and Sinn Fein for primarily political reasons, Northern Ireland will soon have the most outdated and inadequate organ donation system of any part of the UK. I would urge the Secretary of State therefore to intervene to ensure that this is not yet another example of the health and well-being of the people of Northern Ireland being impeded by the current political impasse. If she can introduce legislation to pass budgets and set rates, then she can introduce a new measure which we know would immediately begin to save lives. Some 411 people in the UK died while on the waiting list for transplants in 2017. Jackie Doyle-Price, parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Mental Health and Inequalities, said: We believe that by making these changes, we can save as many as 700 more lives every year. But organ donation remains a gift. I want to encourage people who wish to give life in the event of their death to take the time to record their wishes and discuss it with their family. Politicians Claire Hanna, Emma Little-Pengelly, Michelle Gildernew, Claire Bailey, Paula Bradshaw and Roy Beggs attend the Global Big Latch On breastfeeding promotion and support event at the Ulster Museum The DUP's only female MP has said the party supports women who breastfeed in public, despite controversial comments by Sammy Wilson who branded it exhibitionism. Emma Little-Pengelly was challenged about the DUP's position on breastfeeding at Breastival in Belfast on Saturday - an annual event to celebrate breastfeeding set up following fellow MP Mr Wilson's contentious remarks in 2016. Outgoing head of the Royal College of Midwives in Northern Ireland, Breedagh Hughes, asked Ms Little-Pengelly to clarify the DUP's position on breastfeeding. Read More The South Belfast MP said: "While I know there has been some comments from my colleague Sammy Wilson, the party did come out very quickly afterwards to make clear that this was a personal view and not a party position. "It is unfortunate that it is those comments that tend to get the media coverage, and people think they know the party position, but it isn't the party position and we are very supportive of breastfeeding." Mr Wilson made headlines when he described women who wanted to breastfeed in the House of Commons as "exhibitionists", saying they should do it in private instead. A Belfast father paralysed in a loyalist terrorist attack nearly 40 years ago has said that "living Troubles legacies" like him are being forgotten. Peter Heathwood (65) said injured victims were "a footnote" in the Northern Ireland Office consultation on Addressing The Legacy Of Northern Ireland's Past, and that he and other victims will be pushing for a pension scheme to be set up to help them. Peter was 26 when gunmen burst into his home and shot him through a door. A bullet ripped through his arm, shattering several ribs and his spine, leaving him paraplegic. His father Herbert (63), who had rushed to the scene from his home on the Ormeau Road, collapsed and died outside Peter's flat, thinking his son had been murdered. The father-of-three said he will never forget that September night in 1979 when his life was destroyed. "I heard the doorbell ring and then my wife Anne started screaming 'gunmen!'," he said. "The gunman had my wife by the hair and she was struggling to get free. I got myself behind a big oak door. "I was 6ft and 14 stone. I shoved the door at the gunman and he stumbled back into the hall, freeing Anne. "I pulled her in, put my weight to the door and they fired through it. Everything happened in slow motion. "I remember Anne putting her hand out to stop my head hitting the hearth as I fell. "I remember asking her to tell my father I was okay before passing out. "My father had angina. He rushed over to our flat. Because the room I was shot in was so tiny the ambulance crew couldn't get a gurney in there and had to use a body bag to transport me to the hospital. "When my father saw me being taken out in the body bag, he said 'my poor Peter', and dropped dead." The shooting left Peter paralysed in his lower body and he is confined to a wheelchair. He wasn't able to return to work as an insurance broker, and instead devoted himself to his late wife Anne - who suffered greatly from post-traumatic stress disorder until her death at 51 - and their three children. Now he is campaigning for a 'pension for the seriously injured' to be introduced. "We, as injured people, seriously injured, whose lives will not get any better, who carry injuries of the Troubles, were seriously annoyed that we weren't considered in the consultation," he said. "We are in there in question 15, which asks people of anything else they think should happen. "We were all young people, going about our own business when our lives were destroyed forever. We weren't able to build up private pensions. "The big thing for us is that injured people are being left behind. Okay, some of the HIU (Historical Investigations Unit) stuff isn't going to deal with the injured, but instead with people who died, and that's good. But at the same time we are living legacies of the Troubles. "The pension for the seriously injured is about needs. People aren't going to get any better. I'm not going to walk again, someone who has lost their legs isn't going to grow legs, people who are blind will never see again. These are injuries that will never improve. "Science will never be able to put us back together the way we once were. And we think that the state should look after us. "It's not a unique thing we are asking for, it does exist in Europe. "This pension is about independent living, about keeping us out of nursing homes as we head into old age. We don't think it's too much to ask. After all, are we not the people who so far have supported prisoners getting out? We just feel we haven't been taken care of and we would like to be taken care of going into old age." Peter added: "It's a real fear for the future. It's about the practicalities of living, of staying alive. "We are an afterthought for the Government. "We realise that things have to be done with regards investigations, (but) we are very worried about where we are going to end up in the next 10 years. "Are we all going to be stuck in a nursing home because we can't afford to live out of it?" Peter says he and other survivors feel like they are "forgotten victims". "The politicians pay lip service. When we have been to Stormont lobbying, we get a cup of tea and a pat on the head and we're told that they will do all they can," he added. "But we go back year after year and it's still the same old mantra. "Nothing is done while they fight among themselves. "It's just ridiculous. "We will just wait and see what happens when the consultation ends in September to see what the NIO comes up with. "We want to know what is in it for those of us who are seriously injured. "Will it be anything or will we be fobbed off again? "It is mentioned under the Stormont House Agreement and Haass Talks reports. But they always say that work needs done, and that refers to the inability of Sinn Fein and the DUP to agree on the eligibility issue. "The issue keeps being kicked down the road. "If they kick it much longer we will all be dead. "Some of us actually think that is what they want, for victims to die off and they won't have to listen to us anymore." In response, a spokesperson for the UK Government said: "The consultation is about the proposed new institutions, set out in the Stormont House Agreement, and an opportunity for everyone to have their say. "The Agreement proposed that the Executive should seek an acceptable way forward on a pension for injured victims. "This is the Executive's responsibility, but the Secretary of State is deeply concerned that injured victims have waited too long for this work to be taken forward. "In the absence of an Executive the Secretary of State has taken action and asked the Victims Commissioner to provide advice on a way forward on the proposal for a pension. "This will allow the issues around a pension to be considered, as well as the issues proposed in the consultation." Peter will be one of the guest speakers at a conference dealing with Post-Traumatic Growth, to be held at the Holywell Trust Building in Bishop Street, Derry, on September 17. A Sinn Fein MLA has condemned the painting of green, white and orange kerb stones in Limavady. Caoimhe Archibald hit out at the those responsible after the appearance of painted kerb stones in the Glens area of the Co Londonderry town. "I condemn the painting of the kerb stones and other surfaces green, white and orange in Limavady," she said. There has been an increase in the numbers of flags, including paramilitary flags, being flown and a surge in kerbs painted red, white and blue in the town. Sinn Fein have consistently stated that kerbs and flags should not be used to mark territory. Mrs Archibald said she and Limavady councillor Brenda Chivers had met with the PSNI and other agencies to ask for action to be taken to address the concerns of residents, and took part in an inter-agency meeting last Tuesday. Last week after St Marys Chapel was daubed with loyalist paramilitary graffiti we appealed for calm and for no retaliation, I would re-iterate that call," she said. I would once again urge all elected and community leaders to come together to show leadership in order to bring an end to the tensions in the area caused by marking territory in this way." St Mary's parish church on Irish Green Street in Limavady was daubed with paramilitary graffiti last week, with 'UDA' and 'UFF' sprayed onto the doors and walls of the church, as well a statue of the crucifixion outside the church. A Sinn Fein delegation has met with Electoral Office representatives to register their objections to the use of three centres for people wishing to sign the petition to recall North Antrim MP Ian Paisley The party said that more centres should have been opened and also raised concerns around what they called "limited opening hours" at the centres. Read More Mr Paisley was suspended from Westminster for 30 days after failing to declare two luxury family holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government. He has also been suspended from the DUP pending investigation by party officers. If 10% of voters in his constituency - approximately 7,700 - sign a petition to recall Mr Paisley, the seat will be declared vacant and a poll held. The petition period will run from this Wednesday, August 8, to September 19. North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan said more must be done to ensure the democratic process is not subverted. A delegation including myself and Sinn Fein MP Francie Molloy registered our objection to the fact that the Electoral Office has decided to only open three centres with limited opening hours for the recall petition," he said. This is simply not good enough." Mr McGuigan said that his party wanted the Electoral Office to reverse their decision. North Antrim is a large constituency and Sinn Fein proposed that the recall petition should be available in as many as ten local government offices," the North Antrim MLA said. We urged the Electoral Office to rethink this decision and to provide more centres and more flexible opening times to ensure that the democratic process is not subverted. We also raised concerns that not all relevant information for the electorate has been adequately publicised by the Electoral Office and they have agreed to consider a further public information campaign to rectify this. Five men and a woman have appeared at a special court in Omagh on charges linked to a 61,000 theft from a cash machine in Fermanagh Five men and a woman have appeared at a special court in Omagh on charges linked to a 61,000 theft from a cash machine in Fermanagh. All six are Romanian nationals with the same address in Crossgar, Co Down. The cash was taken from an ATM at a fuel station in Trory in the early hours of Thursday. Four men and a woman were charged with robbery of the ATM and refused bail. They are Radu Iancu (41), Constantin Dumitra (35), Leonardo Patravici (32), Milan-Adrian Beidac (29) and Anita Petrokci (30), all of Rannoche Close. The remaining suspect, Statche Aluas (51), was charged with possessing criminal property and granted bail. A police officer told the court she believed the five robbery suspects were part of an organised crime gang responsible for around 40 similar robberies. She said five street lights were turned off beside the filling station to facilitate the robbery. The robbers opened a manhole and cut telephone wires to prevent alarms going off. The officer said at least four people were seen on CCTV, and told the court that a black Mercedes had travelled from Crossgar to Irvinestown the previous night, and returned to Crossgar at around 5am on Thursday. The son of a murdered prison officer has backed calls for the Parades Commission to stop a dissident republican march in Belfast city centre after it emerged that a man cleared over the killing is to lead it. Organisers have invited convicted terrorist Damien McLaughlin to play a leading role in the anti-internment parade on Saturday. He had been accused of providing the car that was used in the murder of David Black, who was gunned down on his way to work in Maghaberry Prison in 2012. But McLaughlin, who has a previous conviction for possessing firearms, walked free in June when the case against him collapsed. McLaughlin was recently presented with a trophy by fellow dissidents in celebration of his acquittal. Mr Black's son called the Anti-Internment League parade an "insult to victims of terrorist violence". And Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Rodgers said he was "sickened and disgusted" by news of McLaughlin's involvement. "I was horrified the Parades Commission gave this march the go-ahead," he said. "Whenever I read who was going to lead it, I thought it was being done deliberately to annoy the Black family and his former colleagues in the Prison Service. "I would urge the Parades Commission to have another look at this." He continued: "I'm sickened and disgusted. These terrorist organisations will do anything to make sure there's no peace and reconciliation. "I would also hope that eventually the killers of that decent man, who was shot down on his way to work, will be arrested and properly punished. "This individual (Damien McLaughlin) walked free and I think his involvement in the parade is a real slap in the face to the family." Last night Kyle Black, the son of the murdered prison officer, welcomed the former Lord Mayor's call for a review of the upcoming march. "Personally, I'm glad that people in political life are taking a moral stance on this issue," he said. "While McLaughlin was cleared in connection with my father's murder, he still has terrorist convictions, and for him to have such a prominent place in this proposed parade I feel is immoral. "It raises serious questions about why the organisers chose him. "Why would they want to have such an individual to take such a place in the parade? "Our family has been through the mill in recent months, and this use of McLaughlin is just rubbing more salt into our wounds." Next Saturday's march will be the first time the Parades Commission has allowed the event to proceed into the city centre, scene of many lethal terrorist attacks during the Troubles. DUP councillor Dale Pankhurst also called for a rethink on the granting of permission for the parade to access the city centre. He commented: "It beggars belief that the Parades Commission has allowed this parade to go ahead. This parade is grossly insensitive, and I think a review would be a sensible way for the Parades Commission to proceed. "The organisers glorify IRA terrorism, but the fact that they have placed Damien McLaughlin at the forefront of the parade is highly provocative. "They have no care for the victims of republican terrorism. This parade will pass the spot where two UDR men were murdered in 1988, and there have been many other terrorist incidents in the city centre where people have been killed or injured. "Those victims feel let down by the Parades Commission." Prominent dissident republican Dee Fennell has organised the march and says 1,000 will attend, although the Parades Commission has noted fewer than half this amount attended last year. Damien 'DD' McLaughlin from Dungannon was accused of involvement in the murder of Mr Black in 2012, but his trial collapsed in June and he was cleared of aiding and abetting the killing. He had previously served a two-and-a-half year sentence for possessing dissident republican firearms. Saturday's planned anti-internment march follows increased tensions in Maghaberry Prison after five republican inmates were placed in solitary confinement after clashing with staff. Mr Fennell said the Anti-Internment League (AIL) wanted to highlight "cases of internment" including those incarcerated via revocation of licence by remand, via miscarriage of justice and through 'Garda belief evidence'". However, Department of Justice figures show that just 14 dissidents are currently incarcerated at Maghaberry, with three being held on remand. Two of the 14, Tony Taylor and Niall Lehd, were returned to Maghaberry after having their licences suspended. Another 25 suspected dissidents are currently facing terrorism charges, such as Colin Duffy and Alex McCrory. Both are on bail but must wear electronic tags and observe a curfew. Some of the 5,000 people at the commemmoration to hunger strikers in Castlewellan Some of the 5,000 people at the commemmoration to hunger strikers in Castlewellan Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald underlined her support for a border poll at a major republican commemoration yesterday, a week after saying a referendum on Irish unity shouldn't be held amid Brexit uncertainty. Ms McDonald said the prospect of a referendum was "back at the centre of political discussion" during her speech delivered at an event commemorating the 1981 hunger strike in Co Down. Read More Her comments at the event, marking the deaths of the 10 republican hunger strikers, seemed to copper-fasten her U-turn on the issue. Last week the TD had suggested that a referendum on Irish unity should not be held amid Brexit uncertainty. However, she backtracked on her suggestion less than 24 hours later, prompting mockery from unionists. Ms McDonald's attendance at yesterday's Castlewellan commemoration, which was attended by an estimated 5,000 people, was her first in the capacity of Sinn Fein leader. She used her platform address to reiterate her party's position on reunification, which was greeted by applause from the crowd who gathered in a field following the parade. "The time for a unity referendum is drawing near," she said. "It is not a question of if a unity referendum will happen, but a question of when. The Sinn Fein leader added that there was an "urgent need" for dialogue to get under way, which she said must include unionist political leaders as well as the Irish Government. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Former leader Gerry Adams INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. INPHO/Declan Roughan 5/8/18 PACEMAKER PRESS Mary Lou McDonald talks to the crowd gathered in Castlewellan, County Down for the Hunger Striker Commemoration. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 5/8/18 PACEMAKER PRESS Mary Lou McDonald talks to the crowd gathered in Castlewellan, County Down for the Hunger Striker Commemoration. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 5/8/18 PACEMAKER PRESS Mary Lou McDonald talks to the crowd gathered in Castlewellan, County Down for the Hunger Striker Commemoration. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 5/8/18 PACEMAKER PRESS Mary Lou McDonald talks to the crowd gathered in Castlewellan, County Down for the Hunger Striker Commemoration. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 5/8/18 PACEMAKER PRESS Mary Lou McDonald talks to the crowd gathered in Castlewellan, County Down for the Hunger Striker Commemoration. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 5/8/18 PACEMAKER PRESS Mary Lou McDonald talks to the crowd gathered in Castlewellan, County Down for the Hunger Striker Commemoration. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 5/8/18 PACEMAKER PRESS Mary Lou McDonald talks to the crowd gathered in Castlewellan, County Down for the Hunger Striker Commemoration. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 5/8/18 PACEMAKER PRESS Mary Lou McDonald talks to the crowd gathered in Castlewellan, County Down for the Hunger Striker Commemoration, pictured Gerry Adams. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 5/8/18 PACEMAKER PRESS Mary Lou McDonald talks to the crowd gathered in Castlewellan, County Down for the Hunger Striker Commemoration, pictured Danny Morrison. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 5/8/18 PACEMAKER PRESS Mary Lou McDonald talks to the crowd gathered in Castlewellan, County Down for the Hunger Striker Commemoration. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 5/8/18 PACEMAKER PRESS Mary Lou McDonald talks to the crowd gathered in Castlewellan, County Down for the Hunger Striker Commemoration. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Press Eye - Republican Parade - Castlewellan - 5th August 2018 Photograph by Declan Roughan A major hunger strike commemoration took place in a Co Down town. The march in Castlewellan was attended by Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald. It marks the anniversary of the deaths of 10 republican hunger strikers, including Bobby Sands and Raymond McCreesh in 1981. In previous years tens of thousands of republicans have attended the event, which changes location annually. Relatives of IRA victims have accused Sinn Fein of "insulting" their loved ones memories, saying the commemoration compounds their grief. The latter, she continued, had a responsibility to take a lead on the process. "Political leaders must begin practical preparations for a new, inclusive Ireland beyond partition," she added. "We are entering a defining period in Irish political history. "Change is coming and it must be managed, sensitively and imaginatively. "A process of national reconciliation must be central to any genuine effort to unite the people of this island." Addressing the ongoing Brexit fallout, Ms McDonald said Remainers within the unionist community would be increasingly attracted to being part of a "new and outward-looking Ireland" as the UK continues to "turn away from Europe". She also reiterated Sinn Fein's commitment to forging a united Ireland that would accommodate unionists and their culture. "British identity can and must be accommodated in a united Ireland and I believe nationalist Ireland is open to constitutional and political safeguards to ensure this," insisted the party leader. "The right of unionists to celebrate their history and tradition, to recount their experiences and suffering, and to remember and honour their dead must be, and will be, respected." And to claps and cheers, she added: "Just as our right to remember, to commemorate and honour our dead will be respected." Ms McDonald also stressed that the party would continue to build on its equality agenda in the event of Irish unity as she laid out Sinn Fein's vision. "It will be an Ireland united and at peace with itself. It will be a successful, prosperous Ireland of opportunity for all, regardless of class, colour, religion, gender or sexual orientation," she told the crowd. Reasserting her party's commitment to seeing the Executive and Assembly restored, Ms McDonald said the political stalemate could only be overcome if progress is made on a number of social issues, such as the extension of same-sex marriage legislation to the North, which the DUP is strongly against. "Marriage equality, the right to inquests and language rights are for everyone," she insisted. "Fifty years on from the civil rights movement, sections of political unionism still resist equality and rights, but they will not succeed. "It is not sufficient for the two Governments to only call a talks process. They must bring something to the table. They need to make clear that agreements must be implemented in full." Ms McDonald added that the DUP's 'confidence and supply' agreement with the Tories continued to be a sticking point in getting the Assembly's institutions restored. "We are dealing with a British Government that is dependent on DUP votes and sees Ireland as collateral damage in their desire to remain in office," she added. "That is why we need a strong Irish Government leading on these issues." A west Belfast man charged with allegedly plotting the activities of a violent dissident republican terror group was on Monday granted bail to go on holiday with his wife. A west Belfast man charged with allegedly plotting the activities of a violent dissident republican terror group was on Monday granted bail to go on holiday with his wife. Carl Reilly (42), of Pollard Street, is currently awaiting trial on charges of directing the activities of a terrorist organisation and professing to belong to a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA. The offences were alleged to have been committed on dates between January 1, 2014 and October 17, 2015 at the Carrickdale Hotel in Co Louth. A prosecution lawyer told Belfast Crown Court on Monday that Reilly had a "record with a relevant conviction'' and had been on bail for a considerable period of time on the charges. He told Judge Neil Rafferty QC that the case allegedly revolved around an audio recording made at the Carrickdale Hotel between Reilly and his co-accused Paul Philip Crawford. Crawford (43), of Carrickree Mews, Warrenpoint, Co Down, is awaiting trial on a charge of belonging to the IRA. The prosecutor added: "The Crown case is that the audio shows that this defendant is a high-ranking member of the IRA. "He was talking about incidents that are in the past and about matters of future planning. This was a structured meeting.'' The lawyer told the court that Reilly's bail application was to go on holiday next month for three days to Benidorm. But he said that the prosecution and police did not know whether the trip was "with a group of friends or with family''. "If it is a group of friends, then police would like to know who they are. There is a very real risk, police say, of reoffending and re-engaging.'' The lawyer told the court that in February this year Reilly was tracked by police to the Applegreen Service Station on the M1 motorway where he met up with a number of people known to police. The court heard that although Reilly is allowed a phone, it is not allowed to access the internet. Asked by Judge Rafferty if it was a "boys trip or a family trip'' Reilly wanted to go on, the prosecutor said they had not been made aware of who Reilly was travelling with. Defence barrister Dessie Hutton informed the court: "It is not a boy's trip. It is a trip with his wife to Benidorm for a period of three days'' He said that the dates chosen had now been changed because of the cost and that the defendant and his wife now wanted to travel two days earlier. Mr Hutton stressed to the court that the couple had not booked any flights until the court had made a decision on the bail application. The lawyer explained to the court that as Reilly had surrendered his passport, he would need his passport details to make an online holiday application. Following discussions between the defence and the crown, Judge Rafferty agreed to the application to allow Reilly to travel to Spain next month with his wife for a period of three days. However, the judge added that the application was granted subject to a number of stringent conditions. Reilly must inform police of the details of his flights; he must give details of the hotel or address where he is staying; he must provide the information about who is travelling with him; and he must surrender his passport within 24 hours of returning to Northern Ireland. In a separate application, Judge Rafferty refused to vary Reilly's current bail conditions after the prosecution stated they were "proportionate and proper'' given the seriousness of the charges he faced. Up to a quarter of a million extra train journeys are planned for the biggest Irish event in 40 years as people travel to see the Pope say Mass in Dublin. Rail operator Iarnrod Eireann has laid on extra services on all main routes to the capital and advance booking is mandatory. The papal Mass will be celebrated in Phoenix Park on the edge of the city centre on Sunday August 26 and half a million entry tickets are to be made available. Organisers believe it will be the largest single event the country has hosted since Pope John Paul II visited in 1979. Extra trains will operate from Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Rosslare and Waterford to and from Dublin. High-frequency commuter services will ply routes near Dublin. The Phoenix Park Mass is the largest single event the country has hosted since Pope John Paul II visited in 1979Iarnrod Eireann spokesman The rail company said intercity train tickets will not be available for sale on the day and there will be no access for anyone who does not have a ticket or reservation. The pope will visit Ireland for two days to coincide with the World Meeting of Families. Held every three years, this major international event brings together families from across the world to celebrate, pray and reflect upon the central importance of marriage and the family. Customers can book travel at www.irishrail.ie or 018366222 and are advised to do so as soon as possible, as trains will sell out. Holders of tickets to the papal Mass can travel free of charge from some commuter destinations. An Iarnrod Eireann spokesman said: We are looking forward to playing a major role in bringing customers to and from the World Meeting of Families events. The Phoenix Park Mass is the largest single event the country has hosted since Pope John Paul II visited in 1979. There will also be special rail services from Westport, Ballina and Athlone to/from Claremorris for the Popes Knock shrine event on August 26, including a free bus transfer. David Davis said the UK would not be pushed around by the European Parliament (Stefan Rousseau/PA) The European Union will be making a massive miscalculation if it thinks the UK is not ready to walk away from Brexit talks without a deal, David Davis said. The ex-Brexit secretarys comments followed Liam Foxs assessment that the probability of a no-deal outcome was 60-40. Mr Davis who spent months negotiating with Michel Barnier before quitting over Theresa Mays Chequers plan insisted that EU member states had more to lose from a failure to reach an agreement than the UK. He told the Daily Telegraph: This has great scope for being a massive miscalculation on the part of the EU that could end up with no deal by accident. Its certainly not the intention of the EU to have a no-deal Brexit but they are misjudging us at the moment. The UK Parliament does not want no deal but its certainly not going to be pushed around by the European Parliament. LIVE | Avec Theresa May au Fort de Bregancon. https://t.co/EoQd9SVpVe pic.twitter.com/L1tsQrxUST Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 3, 2018 Ive always thought that no deal is better than a bad deal and while there will be border issues and so on it would give us more freedom. Im still of the view that we have got two things on our side we have got our own currency and we are masters of our own destiny in a way that EU member countries are not. This is a negotiation and it will go to the edge, but we must not panic about this. They have got lots to lose too, and specific countries and specific sectors have got large amounts to lose. As we get closer to the brink, there will be internal pressure within the EU. The Prime Minister met French president Emmanuel Macron for face-to-face talks at his summer retreat on Friday and ministers have been dispatched across the continent to deal directly with their counterparts in what has been seen as an attempt to cut out Mr Barnier and the European Commissions bureaucrats. Expand Close International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said the EU was pushing us towards no deal (John Stilwell/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said the EU was pushing us towards no deal (John Stilwell/PA) Solicitor General Robert Buckland indicated that the Government believes the leaders of the 27 EU states will come to play a more significant role as the deadline for a deal approaches in the autumn. The Governments policy is to get a deal and that chimes entirely with what I think is in the best interests of our country, he told BBC Radio 4s Westminster Hour. The reality is that as we get close to the wire, the views of the member states will become more important. The UK and EU hope to reach a deal by October, in order to give MPs and MEPs chance to scrutinise it. But Mr Buckland said that if that date slipped to November, there would still be time although he hinted the Commons Christmas break could be cut short. The clock is ticking, parliamentary time will be very tight, he said. I dont think that needs to be emergency legislation, I think it can be done on the floor of both Houses, but we are going to have to perhaps look at a few recesses and actually the time that we use in Parliament in order to make sure that everything is thoroughly debated. Government sources have suggested that the EUs own Lisbon Treaty could legally require Brussels to work towards a deal, the Telegraph reported. Article 8 of the treaty states that the EU must develop a special relationship with neighbouring countries, aiming to establish an area of prosperity and good neighbourliness, founded on the values of the Union and characterised by close and peaceful relations based on cooperation. Mr Davis said: The Lisbon Treaty requires them to come up with a workable arrangement and thats certainly not the description of their behaviour at the moment. Labour warned that a no-deal scenario would be a catastrophic failure of government in response to Dr Foxs assessment. The International Trade Secretary used a Sunday Times interview to blame the intransigence of the European Union for the current impasse in Brexit talks. Yes. After the failure of the 2016-18 BrexitCabinet to plan, prepare for and negotiate a sensible smooth and pro-business bespoke Brexit, more & more people coming round to the view that a number of us have been pushing since the collapse of the first #Chequers Deal: EFTA/EEA https://t.co/48iuHH9V8s George Freeman MP (@GeorgeFreemanMP) August 5, 2018 But shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said Prime Minister Theresa Mays reckless red lines had contributed to the difficulties, along with splits in the Tory ranks and fantasy Brexiteer promises. He indicated that Parliament should prevent the UK crashing out without a deal. Pro-EU Tories also suggester Parliament could step in to ensure the UK remains in the single market if no other deal is available. Former Cabinet minister Nicky Morgan said keeping the UK in the single market as part of the European Economic Area (EEA) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was clearly (the) right option, adding will PM move that way or does Parliament have to force issue? Former minister George Freeman said that after the failure of the 2016-18 Brexit Cabinet to plan, prepare for and negotiate a sensible, smooth and pro-business bespoke Brexit, more Tories were coming round to the view that an EEA/EFTA solution was necessary. The Government is set to submit an extradition request to Moscow for two Russians suspected of carrying out the Salisbury nerve agent attack, it has been reported. The Guardian said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which has been preparing papers, has completed the process and was ready to file. While the request is almost certain to be rejected out of hand by the Russian authorities, it will likely reignite the bitter diplomatic row which erupted following the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in March. Neither the Metropolitan Police, which has been leading the investigation into the attack, nor the CPS was prepared to discuss the report. Expand Close Yulia Skripal was contaminated with the nerve agent Novichok (Dylan Martinez/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Yulia Skripal was contaminated with the nerve agent Novichok (Dylan Martinez/PA) The Home Office said that as a matter of long-standing policy and practice, the UK would neither confirm nor deny an extradition request had been made or received until such time as an arrest has been made in relation to that request. The report comes after the Press Association disclosed last month that investigators believed they had identified the suspected perpetrators of the attack and were sure they were Russian. A source with knowledge of the inquiry said they had been identified through cross-checking CCTV footage with records of people entering the country around the time of the attack. The Government has been consistent in pointing the finger of blame at Moscow for the poisoning using novichok a military-grade nerve agent developed by the former Soviet Union. Expand Close Dawn Sturgess died after being exposed to Novichok (Metropolitan Police/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dawn Sturgess died after being exposed to Novichok (Metropolitan Police/PA) Two more people Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley were subsequently treated for exposure to novichok after Ms Sturgess reportedly picked up a discarded perfume bottle thought to have contained the agent. Mr Rowley, like the Skripals, recovered from the attack but Ms Sturgess, his partner, died. In 2007, President Vladimir Putin rejected an extradition request for two Russians suspected of the assassination of the former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London using radioactive polonium. The Guardian quoted a Whitehall source as saying: The CPS has been asked to prepare extradition requests and we understand they are ready to go. This is Litvinenko all over again. Its almost a rerun of the situation. The police have managed to identify the people coming over and going back again. Siraj Wahhaj was jailed on a Georgia warrant alleging child abduction after law enforcement officers searching a rural northern New Mexico compound for a missing three-year-old boy (Taos County Sheriffs Office/AP) Eleven children were rescued by police after they were discovered living in squalid conditions in a makeshift compound in rural northern New Mexico. Taos County Sheriffs officials said the youngsters, ranging in age from one to 15, were removed from the compound in the small community of Amalia, 145 miles (233km) north-east of Albuquerque and in an isolated high-desert area near the New Mexico-Colorado border. Three women, believed to be the mothers of the children, were detained and later released. Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said they were the saddest living conditions and poverty he has seen in 30 years on the job. He said that other than a few potatoes and a box of rice, there was little food in the compound, which consisted of a small travel trailer buried in the ground and covered by plastic with no water, plumbing or electricity. The starving children were handed over to state child-welfare workers. Expand Close Lucas Morten was arrested on suspicion of harbouring a fugitive after officials searching a rural northern New Mexico compound for a missing three-year-old boy found 11 starving children in filthy conditions (Taos County Sheriffs Office/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lucas Morten was arrested on suspicion of harbouring a fugitive after officials searching a rural northern New Mexico compound for a missing three-year-old boy found 11 starving children in filthy conditions (Taos County Sheriffs Office/AP) Sheriff Hogrefe said two men were arrested during the search, which came amid a two-month investigation in collaboration with authorities in Clayton County, Georgia, and the FBI. He said FBI agents had surveilled the area a few weeks ago but did not find probable cause to search the property. That changed when Georgia detectives forwarded a message to Sheriff Hogrefes office that initially had been sent to a third party, saying: We are starving and need food and water. The sheriff said there was reason to believe the message came from someone inside the compound. Siraj Wahhaj was detained on an outstanding warrant in Georgia alleging child abduction, and Lucas Morten was jailed on suspicion of harbouring a fugitive. A three-year-old boy reported missing from Clayton County since December 2017 was not among the 11 children found at the compound but officials believed he had been held there recently. The group appeared to have been living at the compound for a few months, but the sheriff said it remains unclear how or why they ended up in New Mexico. Long-time PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi will step down as the top executive at the worlds second-largest food and beverage company. Ms Nooyi, who was born in India, is a rarity on Wall Street as a woman and a minority leading a Fortune 100 company. She oversaw the company during a turbulent time in the industry that has forced PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Campbell Soup and Mondelez International to shake up product portfolios that had been the norm for decades as families seek healthier choices. Today is a day of mixed emotions for me. @PepsiCo has been my life for 24 years & part of my heart will always remain here. I'm proud of what we've done & excited for the future. I believe PepsiCos best days are yet to come. https://t.co/sSNfPgVK6W pic.twitter.com/170vIBHY5R Indra Nooyi (@IndraNooyi) August 6, 2018 Ms Nooyi, 62, has been with PepsiCo for 24 years and has held the top job for 12. Ramon Laguarta, who has been with the company for more than two decades, will take over as CEO in October, the company said. Ms Nooyi will remain as chairman until early next year. Today is a day of mixed emotions for me. This company has been my life for nearly a quarter century and part of my heart will always remain here, she said. But I am proud of all weve done to position PepsiCo for success, confident that Ramon and his senior leadership team will continue prudently balancing short-term and long-term priorities, and excited for all the great things that are in store for this company. Ms Nooyi took over as CEO in October 2006. Between 2007 and 2017, revenue at Pepsico has risen about 61%. Mr Laguarta, 54, has held various positions in his 22 years at PepsiCo, which is based in Purchase, New York. He currently serves as president, overseeing global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs. Ramon Laguarta has been unanimously elected by the board of directors to succeed @IndraNooyi as CEO, on Oct 3, 2018. Ramon is a strong and proven PepsiCo executive who will help lead our company into the future. https://t.co/gq2LwrwI0Q pic.twitter.com/39lxlswiTg PepsiCo (@PepsiCo) August 6, 2018 He previously served as CEO of the Europe Sub-Saharan Africa region. Prior to joining PepsiCO, Mr Laguarta worked at confectionery company Chupa Chups. He will be the sixth CEO in PepsiCos history, with all of them coming from within the company. Saudi Arabia has ordered Canadian ambassador Dennis Horak to leave the kingdom within 24 hours (David Kawai/The Canadian Press via AP) Saudi Arabia has ordered the Canadian ambassador to leave the ultraconservative kingdom within 24 hours after his nation criticised the recent arrest of womens rights activists. The Saudi Foreign Ministry also said it would freeze all new business between the kingdom and Canada. Some 10% of Canadian crude oil imports come from Saudi Arabia. Canadian officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It was not immediately clear if Ambassador Dennis Horak was in the kingdom. Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as acknowledgement of our right to interfere in the Canadian domestic affairs, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in an extraordinarily aggressive statement. Canada and all other nations need to know that they cant claim to be more concerned than the kingdom over its own citizens. #Statement | Throughout its long history, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has never accepted any interference in its domestic affairs by, or orders from any country. pic.twitter.com/sUrj7XIqTV Foreign Ministry (@KSAmofaEN) August 6, 2018 The dispute appears centred around a tweet by Global Affairs Canada, managed by the foreign ministry, calling on the kingdom to immediately release womens rights activists recently detained by the kingdom. #Statement | We consider the Canadian ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia persona non grata and order him to leave within the next 24 hours. Foreign Ministry (@KSAmofaEN) August 5, 2018 Statement | The KSA announces the freezing of all new trade and investment transactions between the KSA and Canada. The KSA reserves its right to take further action. Foreign Ministry (@KSAmofaEN) August 5, 2018 Among those recently arrested is Samar Badawi, whose brother Raif Badawi was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and later sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for criticising clerics. His wife, Ensaf Haidar, is now living in Canada. Canadian foreign minister Chrystia Freeland similarly tweeted about the arrests on Thursday. Very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi, Raif Badawis sister, has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, she wrote. Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, and we continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi. What an unsettling week for Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald. And she was riding so high at home and abroad. Interviewed sympathetically by the prestigious British liberal weekly the New Statesman, under the headline 'The new face of Sinn Fein', she had dealt skilfully with a query about allegations that she "is in thrall to the party old guard; that Adams and IRA alumni still pull the string". "I don't have to say how misogynistic that is," she responded presidentially. That was just a few days before last Monday when she attracted many plaudits for her sensible statesmanlike and unexpected recommendation that any border poll be shelved until the uncertainties of Brexit were resolved. "It is not my preferred option or our preferred option that we deal with the issue of Irish unity in a climate that is unsteady or unstable or chaotic, in other words in the context of a crash Brexit or a very hard Brexit," she said. There was some squealing from hardline republicans which led to a hasty McDonald tweet: "No policy shift. Unity debate underway. Chaotic/crash Brexit not best mood music 4 referendum. But referendum will happen one way or another." However, within 24 hours, the mighty men of the Falls Road Felons Club had reminded her who was in charge, and she called for a poll as soon as possible. "Well-placed Northern sources contacted on Wednesday noted with some dejection what they saw as a definite rubber-burning U-turn by McDonald," said the Irish Times report. One "dispassionate Northern observer" told the newspaper they had thought her comments "brave and refreshing, that Mary Lou was saying I am a different type of Sinn Fein leader, that I am my own woman, and that was good to see". But, added the source, "by Tuesday it was clear that others in the leadership saw her as going too far. And they hauled her back. And that was very sad to see". The Irish Times, which many of Sinn Fein's critics find far too inclined to wishful thinking and giving the party the benefit of the doubt, said in its editorial that it couldn't "avoid the suspicion that an inner circle of the republican movement made it clear to McDonald her initial response was not acceptable". If that was so, "then the leopard, after all, has not changed its spots", which raised questions about its fitness for coalition in the Republic. As she rushed dutifully around Northern Ireland debating politely with unionists, hurling herself into Pride festivities and eulogising hunger strikers, this woman for all seasons probably didn't have much time to think about the mess in her party on the other side of the border. Allegations of a bullying culture just won't go away. Last week councillor Paul Hogan, a former mayor of Athlone who had just missed being elected Sinn Fein TD for Longford-Westmeath at the last general election, resigned after 20 years of membership "with a very heavy heart". Citing "an unrelenting bullying campaign" - which he alleges included a kangaroo court, threats, intimidation, witch-hunts and whispering campaigns - that he says the party covered up, he predicted that it would "attempt to pigeonhole this hate campaign against me as a localised dispute. All the evidence that I have suggests otherwise". Having kept a close eye on the haemorrhaging of elected representatives in the South - more than 10% of its councillors in three years, a Senator and a TD - I concur. Unhappiness is widespread, and other resignations have come from Cavan, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary and Wicklow. It's the toxic culture that is mentioned time and time again, with allegations including abuse, assault, harassment, hostility, slander, aggression, death threats and "orchestrated bullying". Tipperary councillor Seamus Morris spoke of a "nasty culture in the party who believed in dictating to councillors from darkened rooms". And several have claimed that they were expected to take orders like robots. The defence that all Irish parties behave like this is risible. Only Sinn Fein is run from behind-the-scenes by IRA veterans, who from Northern Ireland run its intelligence department, control its finances and direct its strategy. Ms McDonald did not get where she is today by standing up to them. The latest report on farm security reveals that rural crime in Northern Ireland is costing 2.6 million a year. Some farms are being targeted twice in a matter of days by sophisticated gangs The latest report on farm security reveals that rural crime in Northern Ireland is costing 2.6 million a year. Some farms are being targeted twice in a matter of days by sophisticated gangs. It is hard to credit that these people are so brazenly confident that they return to the scene of their law-breaking with the confidence that they can get away with their criminality a second time. This is an appalling situation, and clearly something needs to be done to help farmers who find themselves in such a confidence-sapping situation despite attempts to help themselves. An analysis by insurance company NFU Mutual Bond shows that the crime bill for 2017 was up 5.3% on the figures for the previous year. The biggest targets were quad bikes, all-terrain vehicles, tractors and livestock. The cost to the industry here in 2017 was much higher than the 1.9m in Wales and 1.5m in Scotland. The Ulster Farmers' Union has warned that the crime spree is forcing its members to change their way of life, and some are using old-fashioned security measures including the construction of earth barriers and high fences. The situation is so bad that many farmers and their families feel that they are living under siege, and that their livelihoods are being put at risk. The PSNI is aware of the problem. Although the number of incidents has fallen marginally, the police underline that they are taking the issue very seriously. However, NFU reports that there is also deep concern that limited police resources, the loss of rural stations, and the shrinking number of officers are understandably leaving farmers feeling vulnerable and isolated. They are already under great economic pressure, especially from the dramatic changes in the weather, from endless rain to prolonged drought, without having to worry about this added burden of organised crime. The PSNI must continue to provide reassurance and practical support to the farming community, while also actively targeting the callous criminals who continue to prey on the rural community. Even more intelligence is needed about those who are suspected of operating a black market in farm equipment. The courts must also play their part in handing down sentences which underline that such lawlessness will not be tolerated. The DUP's former chief hornet has stirred others inside the nest with his views on a border poll and unionist complacency about the future. Peter Robinson can be accused with some justification of raising the profile of a poll on a united Ireland, which has led the new Sinn Fein leader, Mary Lou McDonald, to confuse herself. Even she seems unconvinced about a border poll, while the other main parties in Dublin are running a mile from the idea. Read More Nonetheless undeterred by criticism from his old sparring partner Sammy Wilson, the former First Minister doesn't miss any wall as he never did when in office, accusing unionists of sleep-walking towards a referendum on Irish unity. Where are the contingency plans to meet any threat to the constitutional link with Britain, he asks. And, quoting an old saying, he warns: 'You can't start to fatten a pig on market day.' Too late indeed, when never mind the pig, there is an elephant representing the united Irelanders not only in the room but sitting on unionist laps! Mr Robinson wants to ensure that the case for staying in the UK is sold convincingly to the electorate beforehand. He is warning that the unionist case is in danger of going by default, that the battle for the union is under way, and that nationalists and republicans are already fully engaged in the propaganda war. He laments the fact that those who signed the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 agreed to the possibility of a referendum on Irish unity being at the behest of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Given what has happened over Brexit, the very idea of a referendum on such a potentially explosive subject as a united Ireland hardly bears thinking about. The divisions which have occurred over Brexit would likely be nothing to those in this country over our very constitutional future. Imagine if the vote was close one way or the other. What consequences might unfold for this island to the cost and possibly the lives of many, many people? A referendum on Irish unity is a frightening prospect, all the more so in the current climate of no political consensus. We remain a long way off a united Northern Ireland, never mind a united Ireland. Mr Robinson argues that, under current rules, the decision to call a referendum is outside unionist - or indeed Northern Ireland's - control. It would be determined by a British Secretary of State, almost certainly in consultation and agreement with the Irish government. But, is the DUP, is unionism in general, today prepared for, ready and able, to face that challenge and to win the battle for the Union? Mr Robinson can be accused of premature scaremongering by elements in the DUP and by the Ulster Unionists but there is plenty of evidence today to suggest his warning is timely and should not be ignored. First, Brexit has accelerated the debate on Irish unity. When even unionists start applying for Irish passports, is it any wonder nationalists and republicans are encouraged to believe attitudes are changing. A recent election whittled away the unionists' overall majority for the first time. Opinion polls that hover around the 50:50 split are hardly a good advertisement for the current breed of DUP and UUP leaders, more a reflection on how poorly they are managing to convince people of the benefits of UK membership. Mr Robinson alludes to a speech by Arlene Foster to the Policy Exchange in London in which she set out the virtues of unionism and the Union. What he did not say was that too much of her leadership to date has been clouded in controversy, uncertainty and divisiveness, hardly the message of a confident positive unionism which presumably he would wish to see. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein is unforgiving and remorseless in its pursuit of all things anti-British. If a prize were ever offered for the last time anyone heard a positive remark from republicans about the current British government, it would be a long time without a winner. The SDLP, too, seemingly conscious that it must play the Irish card to withstand the tidal wave of Sinn Fein, has latched onto Brexit. And down south, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Foreign Affairs minister Simon Coveney vie with one another for sound bite comments that are unsettling unionists. Criticism of Britain's role in Brexit and Northern Ireland is played out on a daily basis across broadcast media, often going uncontested because unionism does not appear to have either the communication skills or, even more damning, the will to counter it. The result is an unending anti-British government barrage on the ears of the general public which may raise doubts into even the minds of some pro-union voters. As Peter Robinson asserted in his article in this newspaper: 'Inertia aids the enemy'. So too does the failure of the current DUP to live up to the pro-union ideals delivered by Prime Minister Theresa May during her recent visit to Belfast. She said: "We are absolutely committed to parity of esteem and just and equal treatment irrespective of aspiration or identity. We want to build a stronger, more inclusive and more prosperous Northern Ireland that truly works for everyone." Peter Robinson has come out of his political retirement to deliver a wake-up call to the current crop of unionist leaders and representatives. Stop the siege mentality. Get out there and tell the people why being part of the United Kingdom is still worthwhile. Confront those who increasingly advocate a united Ireland referendum with the obvious question of who can afford and who will pay for the united Ireland to which they aspire. The media too has a responsibility to challenge simplistic calls for border polls. Where are the investigative programmes on the true cost of Irish unity? Why is the question rarely asked of nationalist and republican spokespersons? If the debate on the Brexit referendum has taught us anything, it is that the public deserve accurate information before being required to vote Yes or No on the future. The challenge for those who aspire towards a united Ireland is to produce any economic justification for their case and for abandoning the current link with what is the fifth largest economy on Earth. What Peter Robinson's old party and its new leader also have to do is set about governing Northern Ireland in a truly inclusive, fair-minded, even-handed way that brings the people closer to the rest of the UK and not further away. These are defining days for unionism and the Union, only three years short of the centenary of partition. The battle lost by the IRA to break the UK link is now being engaged on a wider, more subtle political front from Brussels to Belfast and from Dublin to London. Northern Ireland has become a focus of international attention not through its civil conflict as was for so long the case but through the Brexit border deadlock. The future of the Union has been internationalised beyond these shores and those like Sinn Fein see a once in a lifetime opportunity to capitalise on the interest around the world. That is why Peter Robinson's comments are timely, even if a border poll is unlikely, and has the potential to literally blow this island apart again after so many years of relative peace and stability. Decisions in the weeks and months ahead will determine the future of us all, north and south. As of now everything is in a melting pot. The moulds are unset. No one can be sure what shape they will take for unionist and nationalist alike as the Brexit debate reaches its climax and the battle for the Union is engaged in earnest. Maureen from Dublin calls in to BBC Radio 3 to suggest to presenter Ian Skelly on Essential Classics what musical selection might best complement the piece he has just played. "Thank you, Maureen," says Ian, without commenting on the origin of the call. Why, I wondered, would Maureen from Dublin be listening to Radio 3 each morning? Is it not a foreign radio station? The answer, of course, is that it is not a foreign radio station at all, but as native to Maureen from Dublin as Radio Eireann. That got me to thinking of those talented southern Irish who do not just eavesdrop on England, but are actually there, culturally embedded more deeply than I will ever be - Des Lynam OBE and his nephew Joe Lynam, Dara O'Briain, Fergal Keane, or ex-convent schoolgirl Orla Guerin MBE, fixtures of the BBC and thus at the very heart of British educated culture. Are they working for a foreign broadcaster or not? I would like to hear their answer, but alas the one-way cultural exchange between the southern Irish and the English is never brought up. Yet they and stay-at-home Maureen from Dublin may be the keys to a brighter future that could eventually evolve for all of us. My new friend Justice Richard Humphreys readily admits that he, too, listens to Radio 3 each morning. He is a High Court judge in Dublin and has just published a book launched by Bertie Ahern: Beyond The Border: The Good Friday Agreement And Irish Unity After Brexit. This learned, courteous thinker (who was a government adviser in 1996 during the prelude to the Good Friday Agreement) knows in what ways I take issue with his new book, as I did in this newspaper with his previous one, Countdown To Unity: Debating Irish Reunification (2008). He knows my opinion that both books engage in - to use a big word - "teleology", the notion that Irish unity is an ordained political condition to which events are leading us by design. Or as I told him - if we are on a countdown to unification (or, as he prefers, reunification), the only debate is about the details of that unification. Indeed, both books meticulously develop possible scenarios for unification from that standpoint where politics meets the blueprints of civil servants and the articles of lawyers. Richard is politely horrified to think his work could be considered the legal-political flank of a broad front currently engaged during Brexit in mounting an existential threat to Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. But alas it is. My reply is that the Irish-British connection needs to be turned inside out and openly. Even strand 3 of the Belfast Agreement is assumed to run only east to west, existing only to legitimise by indirection the south's design on the north rather than to explore and strengthen the English-Irish bonds. Those bonds, typified by those Irish BBC correspondents and Irish professors at Oxford and Cambridge, could be the keys to a future accommodation. Irish unity with Northern Ireland expelled from the United Kingdom defies cultural reality on these islands. Anti-Brexit agitation in the south concerning the border is a distraction display on a national scale. It draws attention away from a real Irish vulnerability: the vital and rational two-member 'Schengen' area of the British Isles that the English have cheerfully maintained for decades and are trying to do now in the face of short-sighted Irish hostility. Many southerners are in denial about this. But in her Oldie column, Mary Kenny stoutly defended Edna O'Brien from Irish attack for accepting her Dame of the British Empire honour, on the grounds that the Irish were profitably active imperialists, too, and the Empire had been good for the Catholic Irish. O'Brien's reported pro-IRA sentiments seem to me to require far more defence, but Kenny might have mentioned that Dame Edna, like Kenny herself, has been a Londoner for decades. And neither is living in exile. Sports, the arts, pop culture, trade, population interchange, value-systems (increasingly so) - all prove to what extent Ireland and Great Britain form an ever-apparent English-speaking cultural continuum. Brexit is revealing the highly qualified nature of Irish independence. We know about the economic dependence on the EU, but the extent of Irish economic dependence on the UK is about to be exposed. Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney have been playing very foolish hands. Justice Humphreys' book pioneeringly considers how during unification his compatriots will have to acknowledge the strand of Britishness in Irish culture in order to "accommodate" Ulster unionists. I salute him for suggesting this, but the suggestion goes nowhere near as far as it should. Reflecting on the strength of British-Irish inter-culture should be a journalistic and scholarly priority. Light is beginning to shine on the shared horrendous and epoch-making British-Irish Great War experience. But mutualities stretch endlessly on either side of that event. Yeats and the Irish cultural revivalists demanded that Irish artists recoil in life and literature from their British experience (while Yeats himself enjoyed life in London, thank you very much). But that was a century ago, when it was thought necessary in order to achieve independence. Now it is past time for Ireland to cancel that demand. Reflection on Irish-British bonds should be undertaken for its own sake, regardless of Brexit or Northern Ireland. It could help heal what amounts to a country's split cultural personality. The English poet Philip Larkin wrote a poem about his years in Belfast (where he was a librarian at Queen's University). It is called The Importance Of Elsewhere. Living in Belfast allowed Larkin to feel profitably and functionally separate; back in England he discovered that no "elsewhere" underwrote his existence and felt diminished. During Brexit, I think Ireland is feeling a sense of deflation, a withdrawal of something that has paradoxically sustained it: the necessary "elsewhere" that Britain has always been. Brexit is unravelling an intimate co-dependency and I sense anxiety beneath Irish bluster about the border and the backstop. Understandably, for the unacknowledged British connection has underwritten Ireland's sense of independence. By repressing its past and present Britishness (which does not imperil the marvellous distinctiveness of Irishness), Ireland is repressing the source of its true independence. To cease doing so would unleash energy and goodwill. It would also allow Ireland to celebrate openly its extraordinary contribution to cultural life on the other island. The monologue by nationalists on unification should be a duologue (which might become a dialogue) in which unionists encourage nationalists to look east in pleasure instead of just north or south, in pursuit of a much larger cultural reunification. And maybe those BBC success stories in England could be persuaded to confirm that culturally they are very close to home. In turn, unionists would outgrow their childlike fears, become adults in the room and positively recognise their own Irishness. With luck, Maureen from Dublin would be simply another Radio 3 listener which, in rich rather than anomalous fact, she is. John Wilson Foster's Irish Novels 1890-1940 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008) discusses dozens of overlooked Irish novelists who fictionalised the intimate cultural relations between both islands Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has unveiled lately an ambitious plan worth at least 1 billion Euros destined to support the economies of North African countries, help create job opportunities in this region and curb migration flows. In a statement to Sky TG24, Mr. Salvini said these investments would focus on agriculture, fishing and trade. It is not enough to close [ports] and send [migrants] back home, underlined the Italian interior minister, explaining is that the move is part of a wider plan to tackle a number of security issues including the mafia, drug trafficking, terrorism and immigration. Italy should become a main actor on migration policy in Europe, Salvini added, saying that he would soon travel to Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. The new Italian government has closed its ports to charity ships operating in the Mediterranean, saying the European Union must share the burden of hosting hundreds of migrants. In July, the European Commission approved three new migration-related programs in Morocco, Tunisia and Libya totaling 90.5 million. The new programs, endorsed under the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, will provide support to North African countries to improve their ability to manage better their borders, ensure protection and emergency assistance for vulnerable migrants. Through the program on border Management for the Maghreb region worth 55 million, the EU will support efforts of national institutions in Morocco and Tunisia to save lives at sea, improve maritime border management and fight smugglers operating in the region. This program, implemented by the Italian Ministry of Interior, together with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), will focus on capacity building and providing and maintaining equipment. For his part, EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker has promised lately 55 million assistance to help Morocco and Spain tackle the rise of illegal migration in the Western Mediterranean. The EU is considering the idea of setting up migrant processing centers in North African countries which refuse categorically such as a plan saying it will neither work nor solve the issue of illegal migration. Human Rights Watch issued a report calling on the Bangladesh government to open smaller, less densely packed camps for Rohingya than this one in Kutupalong, April 30, 2018. The Bangladesh government should relocate Rohingya refugees from a severely overcrowded mega camp in Coxs Bazar where they face flooding and landslides to safer ground nearby, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a 68-page report issued Monday. About 700,000 Rohingya fled from Myanmars Rakhine state since August 2017 when government forces launched a brutal crackdown in response to attacks blamed on Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army insurgents. The refugees joined 200,000 Rohingya who fled previous waves of persecution, HRW reported. Densely packed refugees are at heightened risk of communicable diseases, fires, community tensions, and domestic and sexual violence. Bangladeshi authorities should relocate Rohingya refugees to smaller, less densely packed camps on flatter, accessible, nearby land within the same Ukhiya subdistrict where the mega camp is located, Human Rights Watch said in announcing the report. Relocation is crucial for the health and well-being of all refugees, HRW said after issuing the report based on a visit to Coxs Bazar in May. It added experts pointed out six feasible relocation sites in Ukhiya subdistrict totaling more than 1,300 acres which could accommodate 263,000 people. Bangladesh and Myanmar last year agreed to a plan to repatriate thousands of Rohingya beginning in January, but efforts have been beset by delays. Bangladeshi authorities, to maintain pressure on Myanmar to agree to the return of the refugees, insist that the camps are temporary. This, however, contributes to the poor conditions in the camps, as the government has blocked the construction of permanent structures, including cyclone-resistant buildings, and has not allowed for other infrastructure that would suggest longer-term stay, HRW said. Government response Bangladeshs commissioner for refugee relief and repatriation responded to HRWs report. Various plans and initiatives have been taken in this regard and are being implemented in phases, Mohammad Abul Kalam told BenarNews about Rohingyas living in the Megacamp. We have already passed the time of floods and landslides, he said of the monsoon season, adding, it was said that thousands of people would die, nothing much has happened. HRW also commented on a government proposal to move 100,000 Rohingya to a low-lying flood prone island, Bhashan Char. It said the island, formed in the last 20 years by silt from the Meghna River, appears to be unsuitable for refugees, and experts predict it could be submerged in the event of a strong cyclone during high tide. No final decision has been taken regarding transfer of Rohingyas to Bhashan Char. The matter is at the planning stage, Kalam said. The committee that has been constituted for verification of its feasibility, has not yet responded. Bill Frelick, refugee rights director at Human Rights Watch and author of the report, pointed out that Bangladesh is being forced to deal with a problem created by its neighbor. It has been nearly one year since Myanmars campaign of killings, rape and arson drove the Rohingya refugees across the border. Responsibility for this crisis lies with Myanmar, even though the burdens of this mass influx have mostly fallen on Bangladesh, Frelick said. Myanmars failure to take any meaningful actions to address recent atrocities against the Rohingya, or the decades-long discrimination and repression against the population, is at the root of delays in refugees being able to go home. In a statement issued Friday, the Bangladesh government said it had recruited 2,720 teachers and set up close to 1,200 educational centers for Rohingya refugee children, in addition to providing shelter, medicine and food to the Rohingya refugee population. Dewa Wijaya, chief of the Water Police of Lombok, takes his picture in front of hundreds of people attempting to leave the Gili Islands after a powerful earthquake struck nearby Lombok Island, Indonesia, Aug. 6, 2018. Updated at 1:06 p.m. ET on 2018-08-06 At least 98 people were killed and more than 200 injured after a magnitude 7.0 quake struck Indonesias Lombok island and rattled neighboring Bali, officials said Monday, while authorities emphasized that the death toll would likely climb as rescuers were still attempting to reach worst-affected areas. Thousands of homes and buildings were damaged, many completely flattened in Sunday's quake, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency. The quake prompted a tsunami warning but the advisory was lifted about two hours later. Last week, a magnitude 6.4 quake also hit the island and killed 20 people. The casualties will most likely increase as the joint search and rescue teams have not reached all areas, Sutopo told reporters. Magnitude 7 is classified as a major earthquake, capable of widespread damage, seismologists said. President Joko Widodo called for more flights to be sent to the affected areas, as social media videos showed tourists running into the streets. He also ordered emergency services to quickly evacuate those with injuries. "I have also asked the authorities for tourists to be taken care of as best as possible," he told reporters in Jakarta. Sutopo said a two-story mosque where residents were praying on Sunday collapsed during the earthquake, but rescuers had not been able to retrieve victims. "There must be casualties but theres no heavy equipment to retrieve the victims," he said. The district of North Lombok, which is just east of Bali, was the hardest hit, with at least 72 people killed, Sutopo said. "Most of the casualties were caused by debris from collapsing buildings," he said. The epicenter of the shallow quake was at a preliminary depth of 15 kilometers (9.3 miles). Depth is a key factor in determining how damaging an earthquake will be, with quakes closer to the surface causing broader destruction, according to the Colorado-based U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake also shook buildings on the neighboring island of Bali, another popular tourist destination, and caused some minor damage to its international airport. The quake has spawned at least 132 aftershocks, USGS said. Local television footage showed patients, many still hooked to intravenous drips, receiving treatment in hospital grounds on Lombok island, where displaced residents have erected makeshift shelters in open fields. Many houses are totally destroyed, North Lombok district chief Najmul Akhyar told Metro TV. Hundreds of anxious foreign and domestic tourists have evacuated from the Gili Islands resort off Lombok to the mainland, officials said. A meeting on counterterrorism to be attended by foreign ministers from Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand and Myanmar and scheduled for Monday on Lombok had been cancelled, chief security minister Wiranto said. Widodo said Wiranto, who was already on Lombok, would lead the relief effort. Australia's Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who was on the island to attend the counterterrorism conference, tweeted that he was safely evacuated from a hotel in Lombok together with members of his delegation. We are not yet aware of the extent of the damage, but thoughts and prayers are with those impacted, he said. He later told Fairfax Media that he was on the hotel's 12th floor during the quake, which he described as powerful enough to put us on the floor. Indonesia was the hardest-hit nation on Dec. 26, 2004, when a magnitude 9.1 quake occurred off the west coast of Sumatra, spawning a series of devastating tsunamis in 14 countries and killing more than 227,000 people. The nation is within the so-called Ring of Fire, a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where about 90 percent of earthquakes occur, according to seismologists. The deadliest earthquake on record took place in Shaanxi province of China on Jan. 23, 1556. It killed 830,000 people, according to USGS. Malaysia Defense Minister Mohamad Sabu and U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis shake hands on the sideline of the 17th Asian Security Summit of the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, June 3, 2018. The Malaysian government has closed the Saudi-backed anti-terrorism center named after the kingdoms ruling monarch, members of parliament were told on Monday. The King Salman Center for International Peace (KSCIP) was announced in March 2017 as King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud wrapped up a trip to Malaysia. In July 2017, officials announced the center would be constructed on a 40-acre site in Putrajaya. What had been Malaysias third counter-terrorism center has been housed in temporary office in Kuala Lumpur as the government had set a two-year timeline for construction. Defense Minister Mohamad Sabu told parliament the center and its temporary office would cease operation immediately. The function suggested for KSCIP will be absorbed by Malaysian Institute of Defense and Security otherwise known as MIDAS, under the Ministry of Defense, he said in a written response to a question posed by a member of parliament. MIDAS, which describes itself as a center of excellence for research and knowledge sharing on issues pertaining to defense and security, was launched in 2010. In Aug. 15, 2017, then-Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told the parliaments upper house that KSCIP would serve as an information exchange center to assist the government against threats of terrorism, amid alarm over the ongoing siege of Marawi, a city in the southern Philippines, by Southeast Asian fighters loyal to the so-called Islamic State. Never in history have terrorists been able to wave their flags in the region. They never used to be able to set foot in this region, Hishammuddin said at the time. What is happening in Marawi has gone beyond our expectations and has proven to us that we need to work together in handling this terror threat. What we thought could be solved within three to four days has become three to four months, and it is still ongoing. On Monday, Sabu also told parliament about plans to remove troops from the Middle Eastern kingdom. Malaysian troops have been stationed in Saudi Arabia since May 7, 2015, he said, adding that 12 tours of duty had cost 16.4 million ringgit (U.S. $4 million). Each tour is between three and four months consisting of 87 to 89 members and two C130 Hercules troop transport planes. In June, Sabu had announced a review of Malaysias military presence in Saudi Arabia, saying its presence in the country indirectly entraps Malaysia in the Middle East conflict. The Luxury yacht "Equanimity" is anchored off Indonesias Batam Island hours before it crossed the maritime border and arrived in Malaysia, Aug. 6, 2018. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad thanked Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo on Monday for handing over a luxury yacht at the center of a multibillion-dollar corruption probe related to state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). The U.S. $250 million Equanimity, allegedly bought by Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho (better known as Jho Low) using funds stolen from 1MDB, is in Malaysian waters after it crossed the maritime border and departed from the Indonesian island of Batam, near Singapore, according to the website Vessel Finder, which tracks boats globally through GPS. I am happy that the Indonesian government has agreed to hand over the yacht to Malaysia and I would like to thank Joko Widodo for the strong cooperation, Mahathir said in a Facebook video. He urged anyone who wanted to claim the vessel to submit proof of purchase. The yacht was bought using the money from 1MDB and the money belongs to the Malaysian people, the 93-year-old leader said. Therefore, those who want to claim the vessel, they must provide a receipt or proof that they own the yacht and they bought it using their own money. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) had listed the yacht in court documents as among the assets bought when associates of former Malaysian leader Najib Razak allegedly embezzled $4.5 billion from the state fund. DOJ investigators consider Jho Low a key figure in the probe, but his whereabouts are unknown. Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng told reporters on Monday that the government would sell the Cayman Islands-flagged vessel, which was expected to arrive at the port of Klang on Tuesday. And the money will be returned to the people, he said. In August 2017, DOJ announced it was pursuing criminal action against those involved in the fraudulent diversion of funds from 1MDB. U.S. federal prosecutors have not charged anyone criminally in connection with the alleged embezzlement. Malaysian officials filed four criminal charges against Najib last month, accusing him of criminal breach of trust and abuse of power in connection with the 1MDB scandal. Formed by Najib in 2009 ostensibly to pursue development projects that would benefit Malaysian citizens, 1MDB is at the center of money-laundering investigations in at least six countries, including Switzerland and Singapore. On Feb. 27, Indonesian police and FBI agents boarded the Equanimity while it was moored in Benoa Bay, off southern Bali, seizing documents and questioning its 34-member crew, in response to request from the FBI. Jho Lows lawyer: Governments action was illegitimate Meanwhile, a Malaysian police source told BenarNews on Monday that officials have yet to receive information on the yachts exact time of arrival. We are still awaiting orders from top brass officers on the time. It was said that the vessel will arrive at noon, but as of now I cant confirm it, the source said. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officials also said they were not involved in the yachts seizure. MACC is not involved. Please check with the police, MACC chief Mohd Shukri Abdull told BenarNews. Before the yacht was handed over to Malaysian authorities, a lawyer for Jho Low argued that the seizure was against court rulings in Indonesia and the United States. The action of the Mahathir government in illegitimately taking this asset shows just how quickly the rule of law disappears in Mahathirs regime, lawyer James Haggerty said in a statement Sunday. It is a violation of an Indonesian law and court decision by a politically motivated Malaysian government bent on advancing its own political agenda with little regard to existing court rulings or basic legal rights, he said. Haggerty claimed the transfer of the yacht goes against a recent U.S. court order. The US DOJ argued that it is critical that they have possession to ensure the asset retains its value until a fair court hearing can determine final ownership and the rights of all the parties involved, he said. Malaysia Defense Minister Mohamad Sabu told parliament on Monday that any action taken by authorities must be in line with the law. Im very proud that the 1MDB asset is coming back, he said, but I hope the police and our authorities will take action in accordance with Malaysian and international law. A protester holds a sign proclaiming "never again to dictatorship" during a rally in the northern Philippine city of Dagupan on the 45th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Sept. 21, 2017. Thousands of human rights victims under the late dictator Philippine Ferdinand Marcos appealed to the government Monday to extend the availability of 800 million pesos (about U.S. $15 million) in reparation funds that is due to expire this month. The fund is currently under the management of the Human Rights Victims Claims Boards account in the state-run Land Bank of the Philippines. But it would only be maintained until Aug. 11, before it reverts back to the governments treasury bureau. But a group of martial law victims, known by its Filipino acronym SELDA, said many of the claimants have not received a cent from the fund largely because of clerical errors related to processing of their documents. After so many hurdles before being able to receive reparation and recognition, we do not want to leave anyone behind, especially the legitimate victims of martial law, the groups leader, Trinidad Herrera-Repuno, told reporters. Ultimately, we should make sure that all funds intended for the victims and their kin should be given to them, said Herrera-Repuno, who was raped and tortured while working as a community organizer in the 1970s at the height of Marcos martial law. We are concerned that many martial law victims from different parts of the country might not be able to resolve these issues before the said date. Ultimately, it would be a disservice and injustice for the legitimate victims to be denied receipt what is justly theirs, she said. It is our responsibility, even when many of us have received reparation, to call on the government to do something to address this, Herrera-Repuno said. The group cited the case of Cresencia Hizarsa, common-law wife of Abner Hizarsa, an anti-Marcos activist who was also tortured and detained but survived. He went missing in 2007, allegedly in a case his colleagues believed could be related to his activism. His wife, Cresencia, filed for claims in his absence. But despite filing all the requirements needed to claim his martial law compensation, the board still issued a check payable only to Abner, making it impossible for his wife to access the money. With the claims board already expiring its mandate, Herrera-Repuno urged Congress dominated by allies of President Rodrigo Duterte to issue a resolution extending the validity of the funds. Duterte is a known admirer of Marcos, and months after he became president in 2016, he defied international and local critics and transferred the late dictators remains to the Heroes Cemetery in Manila. He had credited Marcos eldest daughter, Imee Marcos, for helping him win the presidency and has also actively supported her brother, former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his losing bid for the vice presidency. Officials of a government agency that was trying to recover Marcos ill-gotten wealth believe that the late authoritarian leader plundered up to $10 billion from government coffers during his two decades in power, much of it under brutal dictatorship. Thousands of activists went missing and were presumed dead, while thousands of others had survived to live to tell tales of horror under captivity. In 1983, Marcos arch political rival and former Sen. Benigno Aquino returned to the country from exile in the United States, and was gunned down while under military escort shortly after landing at the Manila airport. His death snowballed into a people power revolt in 1986, forcing Marcos and his family into Hawaiian exile, where he died three years later. But Marcos flamboyant widow, Imelda, and children were allowed to return home, where they eventually consolidated their political clout in the northern Philippines. Marcos Jr. became a senator but lost the vice presidential race in 2016. Imelda, however, won a seat in Congress, while her daughter Imee won as governor of Ilocos Norte province, the familys political bailiwick. Karl Romano in Dagupan City contributed to this report. Bowling Green State University celebrated its 292nd commencement August 4. On a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning, the event marked a return to the traditional summer commencement on the historic University Hall lawn, following the buildings recent renovation. BGSUs August Class of 2018 had 942 degree candidates from the Bowling Green and BGSU Firelands campuses, including 364 graduate degree candidates and 85 undergraduates receiving Latin honors for meritorious achievement. There were 42 associate degree candidates from BGSU Firelands. Ohio Sen. Randy Gardner (R., Bowling Green), who received his Bachelor of Science in education and his Master of Arts in political science from the University, addressed the graduating class. He was presented the Accomplished Graduate Award by BGSUs College of Education and Allied Professions. Gardner has served northwest Ohio in the General Assembly for nearly 33 years. Now in his second term in the Ohio Senate, he is senate majority leader. Gardner serves as chair of the Ohio Senate Finance Subcommittee on Higher Education, where he has advocated for enhanced state support for public education while encouraging efforts to make higher education more affordable in Ohio. Among his many awards and acclamations, Gardner has been named Legislator of the Year by the Ohio Disabilities Council and received the Andrew Carnegie Award from the Ohio Library Association. During his time in the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives, he has maintained a 100 percent voting record on bills, amendments and resolutions more than 10,300 consecutive votes since 1985, for which is he has received the prestigious Watchdog of the Treasury Award numerous times. He and his wife, Sandy, live in Bowling Green. Two of their three children are BGSU alumni. Media Advisory, August 6, 2018 Contacts: J.P. Rose, (408) 497-7675, jrose@biologicaldiversity.org Mary K. Reinhart, (602) 320-7309, mkreinhart@biologicaldiversity.org Federal Appeals Court in Pasadena to Hear Border Wall Challenge Courthouse Rally Will Precede Tuesday Hearing PASADENA, Calif. A federal appeals court will hear an appeal Tuesday brought by the Center for Biological Diversity and the state of California challenging a federal court decision allowing Trumps border wall replacement project near San Diego to proceed. A rally against the wall will precede the hearing. Attorneys are asking the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to rule that the Trump administration illegally waived dozens of laws to build replacement walls and prototypes south of San Diego. The appeal challenges the administrations use of the long-expired waiver to sweep aside more than 30 laws that protect clean air, clean water, public lands and endangered wildlife. Trump is ignoring bedrock environmental protections and relying on a congressional waiver that expired years ago, said Brian Segee, a senior attorney at the Center. Borderland communities and wildlife deserve the same protections as everyone else in the country. Were hopeful that the court will put an end to this lawlessness and executive overreach. What: 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals court hearing challenging Trumps border wall When: Tuesday, Aug. 7: Rally in front of the courthouse at 8:15 a.m.; hearing begins at 9 a.m. Where: U.S. Court of Appeals, 125 S. Grand Ave., Pasadena, CA Media Availability: Attorneys and organizers will be available for media interviews outside the courthouse, before and after the hearing. Background The Department of Homeland Security exempted itself from more than 30 laws to rush construction of border-wall replacement projects and prototypes south of San Diego. But the waiver authority, granted by Congress more than 10 years ago, no longer applies. The Center sued the Trump administration last year and a U.S. District Court judge heard arguments on the matter in February. In March the judge ruled against the Center, the state of California and other conservation groups. This appeal challenges the ruling. The border-wall replacement project would include 14 miles of new primary and secondary border fencing from the Pacific Ocean to Otay Mesa. This region of coastal San Diego County contains wetlands, streams and other rare wildlife habitats, as well as critical habitat for numerous endangered species, including the Quino checkerspot butterfly and coastal California gnatcatcher. A 2017 study by the Center identified more than 90 endangered or threatened species that would be threatened by proposed wall construction along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border. Beyond jeopardizing wildlife, endangered species and public lands, the U.S.-Mexico border wall is part of a larger strategy of ongoing border militarization that damages human rights, civil liberties, native lands, local businesses and international relations. The border wall impedes the natural migrations of people and wildlife that are essential to healthy diversity. The defense ministry Sunday said over 50 suspected militants were killed in the past days in ongoing operation across the restive Sinai Peninsula where authorities are pushing to flash out the Islamic State group (ISIS). The Egyptian army and forces under interior ministry have been conducting since February a major offensive in the Sinai to numb armed groups and the ISIS which have been blooding attacks against regular forces since 2013. A statement by the defense ministry indicated that 13 extremely dangerous takfiris were killed in an operation by security forces in the city of al-Arish, the capital of North Sinai province, Reuters reports. Takfiris is a term used by authorities to refer to Islamist militants. The defense department also said 39 other Islamist militants were killed across northern and central Sinai in various operations. The death toll on the side of militants since the beginning of the operation has exceeded 300 according to state figures. The army and security forces have so far incurred over 30 losses of lives in within their ranks. The figures are difficult to verify as authorities have barred access to the battled fields to private and foreign media. During the recent operations, state forces also destroyed 15 vehicles laden with weapons and ammunitions while trying to infiltrate the western border, and 17 more in the southern military region. ISIS and militant groups rose up against the army and security in 2013 following removal of the countrys first democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi by current President Abdelfattah al-Sisi who was then Defense Minister. Al-Sisi has pledged to crush the insurgency and gave his forces a blank check for the operations after he allowed the army to use bruit force. A Czech tourist died Friday as result shark attack in the Red Sea while spending time with family in the North African country, reports say. The identity of the man has not been disclosed but Czech Radio reported that the 41-year-old man was swimming in the Red Sea off the coast of Marsa Alam in southeastern Egypt, at the moment of the attack. Our consul was informed by telephone that this afternoon; the client of the Exim Tours travel agency had died as a result of a shark attack. Echo24, another Czech media quoted an official as saying. The death is the first over the past three years following the death of a German tourist also killed in a shark attack in 2015. Plus, in 2010 four tourists were wounded and one reported killed in a string of shark attacks. The North African country in 2017 as per government data on shark attacks recorded the lowest number of such incidents over two decades, The New Arab adds. The victims family according to the tour operator requested to travel home soon after the drama. Egypts buzzing tourism industry was hit following the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak. The number of travelers further plumbed in 2015 after Russia and the several western countries suspended flight to the Red Sea resorts following the downing of a Russian passenger jet in the Sinai by the Islamic State group (ISIS). The 14.7 million figure recorded in 2010 slumped to 5.4 million in 2016. 2017 figures have been put at 8.3 million visitors, meaning a slight recovery. Revenues have taken a downwards trend as they are tied to arrivals. Tourism authorities made a gain of $3.8 billion in 2016 against $11.6 billion recorded 2010. Nourish Your Skin With This Amazing Dead Sea Mud Mask Beauty lekhaka-Shabana Kachhi How often do you go to Salons and get impressed by the names of exotic skin treatments done there claiming to give you a flawless skin like the ladies depicted in the glossies? All of us want a clear and radiant looking skin. And to achieve that, we almost believe anything and everything that our beauticians advise us. But most of the treatments come with a hefty price tag, which obviously is a big turn off for most of us. We at Boldsky, understand your need to have a spotless and bright skin and we are here to help you in this endeavour. The treatment that has caught our eye lately is the Dead Sea mud mask. Mud masks are quite common salon treatments. In fact, most of us happily buy packs of mud masks readily available in the beauty stores to pamper the skin at home. But the buzz around Dead Sea mud mask has been doing the rounds lately and we just cannot get over its amazing properties. For all of you who have read about the Dead Sea Mid mask and wonder what it is, here is everything that you need to know about the wonder beauty ingredient. What is Dead Sea Mud Mask? The mud derived from the Dead Sea in the Middle East, which is located between Israel and Jordan, is extremely famous for its amazing benefits on skin and health. What is so healthy about mud from an exotic locale you ask? Well, all the geography enthusiasts would know that the Dead Sea is no ordinary sea. It is located at the lowest sea level known to man, which makes it quite rich in minerals not found in any other mud. The high content of magnesium, sodium, potassium and calcium have extensively been known to contain magical healing powers. These minerals and various other salts also work as an elixir for skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis and eczema. Read on to know more about its amazing benefits. Benefits Of Dead Sea Mud The mineral content of Dead Sea mud helps exfoliate the skin and restore its natural pH balance. Regular application of it is known to improve the overall texture of the skin and keep it away from the signs of ageing. It gently purifies the skin of all the toxins, hidden deep inside the skin pores to reveal and healthy and glowing skin. It also works wonder on acne, as it dries out the pimples, kills the harmful bacteria causing it and helps keep the oil production under control in order to keep away from future breakouts. Impressed with its numerous benefits? You may want to grab a pack of the ingredient now. Not sure how to use it? Well, we can help you with that too. Here is how you can use this amazing ingredient to get that flawless skin you have always wanted. How To Prepare Dead Sea Mud Mask? It is important to source the Dead Sea mud from the right place in order to derive maximum benefits out of it. There are many places online where you can get the authentic products. Once you get your hands on a good brand of Dead Sea mud, the sailing is smooth for you just follow the instructions below and you will see noticeable changes in your skin, in just a few days. Here is an easy Dead Sea mud pack which you can do at home, without spending a bomb. Ingredients - 2 tablespoons of Dead Sea mud - 2-3 drops of tea tree oil (or any other essential oil which suits your skin type) - A clean plastic bowl - An applicator brush - Steam machine How to prepare the pack: 1) Pure Dead Sea mud is a little damp, with some salty water on top for preserving and packaging purposes. Mix it together in the jar itself. If the mud pack comes in a tube form, remember to use a plastic bowl only as it reacts with metals. 2) Dead Sea mud is best used without adding additional water. But you can always add a few drops to your favourite essential oil in order to make it more effective. 3) Your Dead sea mud pack is now ready to use. How to apply: Step 1 - Clean up Wash your face with a mild cleanser in order to get rid of any dirt or make-up residue. You need to be sure that your skin is super clean. Step 2 - Steam Steam your face for a complete of two minutes before applying the pack. This is a very important step for this beauty regime. Steaming your face will ensure that the mud pack reaches the skin pores and sucks out the dirt and grime. In case of absence of a stream machine, boil some water in a vessel. Remove it from the stove and cover your head with a towel to take in the steam. Step 3 - Application of the pack Start applying the pack while steaming your face. Continue to steam for some time even after application. Remember to exclude the under eye area as it may be too drying for such delicate skin. Step 4 - Let dry Leave the pack on until it completely dries and there are no wet patches. The pack may tingle a bit but just will just let you know that it is working its magic. Step 5- Wash up Wash off the pack will ice cold water to close and seal the pores. Step 6 - Moisturize It is always important to moisturize after applying a drying pack as it will help restore the skin's natural moisture. Repeat this routine at least twice a week in order to see results. Different Face Masks Using Dead Sea For Different Skin Problems 1) Dead Sea mud + Coffee pack for an instant glow A teaspoon of freshly ground coffee can be added to the Dead sea mud before applying. This will result in instantly bright and glowing skin, which will certainly be an envy among your friend circle. 2) Dead Sea mud + Aloe Vera pack for nourished skin This combination is made in heaven for dry skin. In case your extremely dry skin is stopping you from using Dead Sea mud, worry not. Incorporating a dollop of freshly extracted aloe gel before applying the mask will provide the extra nourishment your dry skin requires. 3) Dead Sea mud + Lemon extract pack to banish dark spots Though Dead sea mud is effective on its own, adding a teaspoon of lemon extract such as lemon peel powder or a teaspoon of lemon juice will help banish those nasty dark spots and patches on the face. What Are Surinam Cherries? Know All About This Colourful Healthy Fruit! Nutrition oi-Lekhaka Most of us would love to eat fruit or relish fresh fruit juices often, as most fruits have a delicious take, plus, they are healthy, right? Well, what could be more tempting than colourful, pretty fruit, which can also give us good health! In fact, health experts advise people to consume at least a bowl of assorted fruit every day, as most of the fruits have tremendous healing properties, which can not only prevent but also treat a number of ailments that affect people. For instance, banana has the ability to treat depression and keep its symptoms under control, as it contains potassium! Watermelon can prevent dehydration and keep the pH levels of your body health, as it contains water! So, each fruit comes with its own set of health benefits! Now, most of us would be familiar with cherries - the tiny, red fruit, which are very sweet and delicious! However, many of us may not have heard about the Surinam cherries, which are similar to cherries, except that they are more colourful and healthier! So, know all about the Surinam cherries and how they can improve our health, here! The Surinam Cherry And Its Origin: If you have already looked at the pictures of this fruit, you will know just how colourful and eye-pleasing they look! Scientifically known as Eugenia uniflora, the Surinam cherries are also commonly known as Pitanga, Brazilian cherry and cayenne cherry. This fruit grows abundantly in regions such as Suriname, French Guiana, southern Brazil, parts of Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, West Indies, etc. However, it is also cultivated widely, all over the world, for its medicinal benefits and great taste. The Surinam cherry can grow abundantly in countries with tropical climates, such as India. This fruit's taste can range from sweet to sour, depending on how it is cultivated! Apart from using it for medicinal benefits, Surinam cherries are also used to make certain sweet dishes, jams, tarts, etc., in some parts of the world. In addition, the leaves of the Surinam cherry plant are used as insect repellents in farmlands and houses, by crushing them, as they exude a scent which can keep insects at bay. Nutritional Value Of Surinam Cherries: As we read earlier, Surinam cherries are extremely nutritious and comes with powerful nutrients that can benefit our health. About 173 g of Surinam cherries contain the following amount of nutrients: Carbohydrates - 13 g Protein - 1.4 g Vitamin A - 43 g Vitamin C - 45.5 mg Thiamin - 0.1 mg Riboflavin - 0.1 mg Niacin - 0.5 mg Fat - 0.7 g Calcium - 15.6 mg Iron - 0.3 mg Magnesium - 20.8 mg Prosperous - 19.0 mg Potassium - 178 mg Sodium - 5.2 mg Water - 157 g In addition, the fruit also contains antioxidants, gamma-carotenes, lycopene and rubixanthins. Health Benefits Of Surinam Cherries: 1. Reduces inflammation 2. Treats diabetes 3. Prevents cancer 4. Improves immune system 5. Improves digestive health 1. Reduces Inflammation The various minerals, in addition to the antioxidants present in Surinam cherries, give them anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce inflammation of the muscles, tissues, nerves, etc., which have occurred in various parts of the body, thus reducing pain, infection and inflammation. 2. Treats Diabetes Studies have suggested that Surinam cherries can help in reducing the diabetes symptoms in patients, by increasing the production of insulin in the body, as it contains another nutrient known as anthocyanin, thus treating diabetes. 3. Prevents Cancer Consuming Surinam cherries on a regular basis may help prevent cancer, as the antioxidants present in this fruit can help prevent the negative effect of free radicals which cause cancer. 4. Improves Immune System As the Surinam cherries are rich in various nutrients, especially vitamin A, C and minerals, they have the ability to keep your immune system strong and healthy! 5. Improves Digestive Health Surinam cherries come with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which can reduce stomach inflammation, acidity, bloating, diarrhoea, etc., thus keeping your digestive system healthy. Side Effects Of Surinam Cherry: Overeating Surinam cherries, especially the seeds, can cause stomach upset and toxicity in the stomach. So, consuming about 1 cup (100 g) of Surinam cherries in a day is recommended and avoid the seeds. NOTE: Pregnant women must consult their doctors before consuming this fruit. 21-year-old Offered USD 10,000 By Afghan President For A Project Life oi-Staff Sharan K.A., was a final-year journalism student at Christ University when he, along with his debate team, started Dialogue as a platform to introduce good orators, and policy makers, very instrumental in bringing in like-minded youth on a single platform to debate, discuss, brainstorm and create awareness about social economic, civic, political topics and people who could bring about social change. In today's world, people doesn't like to talk much about politics, so they took up this task to get youngsters involved and interested in not only politics but other aspects as well. Diverse, energetic and intense were the terms he used to describe his organization. Dialogue is a non-for-profit organization run by students with the primary purpose of bridging the gap between public and private education in India by bringing them all under the same platform and giving them equal prospects to speak and contribute towards the betterment of the society and the administration. Dialogue believes that the country needs change not just from students in the high end institutions but from the youth as a collective group. The members of Dialogue have been brought together by their accord for debating and desire to change the current paradigm to the entire debating system in our nation. According to him debating should not be just for those who are fluent in a particular language or following only a particular way of going about the debate, but because they are full of ideas that can be appreciated and through this form of interaction, can be put to correct use for the present and the future of the nation. This group is run by students from prestigious colleges in the city and guided by the advisory board that consist of top politicians, social organizations, corporate sectors and educational institutions. Dialogue has engaged with around 10,000 students in 15 institutions through events, online sessions and seminars, with an objective to encourage them in political arena and educate them about government functionaries. His flamboyant involvement in such activities has got him featured in national newspapers. Eminent speakers and think tanks of socio political disciplines like Dr. Sashi Tharoor (MP, Thiruvananthapuram) Ms. Sowmya Reddy (MLA Jayanagar), Mr. Tanveer Ahemad (Spokesperson, JDS), Prof. Rajeev Gowda (politician and academician), Mr. Prakash Belawadi (media personality) were a part of the events organised by Dialogue. Sharan started with B. Pac (Bangalore Political Action Committee) where he used to interact with local leaders. His gradual uprising in B. Pac attracted the summon of the State Working President for Congress where he assisted with legislative research. This way it helped him in preparing press conferences, speeches and research related to civic services. After a year he started with Dialogue where they organized couple of activities in various colleges that gathered upto 10,000 students. He was into debating team at the St. Joseph College Bangalore, where he used to attend conferences in different schools and colleges across the city. He was speaking in a conference at IIM Bangalore, which was attended by students (Law and Medicine) from different corners of the country. Furthermore, students from Afghanistan were also a part of this conference, that helped broker a connection with Sharan. Eventually, the Afghan students pitched some of the like-minded thoughts of Sharan to the President of Afghanistan, Mr Ashraf Ghani, upon returning to Afghanistan. Lula Ghani, spouse of Mr Ghani, invited Sharan to Afghanistan to study the situation in Indian politics, followed by which Mr. Ghani offered 10,000 USD to collectively implement the project. This collaborative project kick-started at the time of Independence Day where one witnessed intensive bombing campaign and a complete shamble of civil harmony that led to the terrible law and order situation. Recollecting a 'do or die' instance Sharan said, "I missed bombings by 5-10 mins at the Inter Continental Hotel which is just unforgetful for the rest of my life." Being an active and vocal personality of socio political issues, an instrumental personality of integrating like-minded youth and a pioneer in representing India on an International platform, and finally an independent political consultant, all at a tender age of 21, Sharan is indeed "juggling between dynamics." GET THE BEST BOLDSKY STORIES! Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 18:10 [IST] Which Flowers Should We Offer To Shiva? Faith Mysticism oi-Renu Sawan 6 , | Flowers to offer Lord Shiv | Boldsky Shravana month is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees worship him with all the dedication and seek the fulfilment of their desires. From observing fasts to visiting the temples, devotees try all they can to please the deity. Most of us have heard that Lord Shiva can be pleased with minimal offerings. But, it is also said that a person can get all his wishes granted by offering just a few flowers to Shiva. Today we are going to tell you some flowers which you should offer to Shiva for his blessings. For 'Vahan Sukha' (Luxuries And Vehicles) Vahan Sukha refers to the occurrence in the birth chart (Yog) due to which a person gets the comfort of vehicles. Whether he owns a vehicle himself or not, he always enjoys a comfortable journey, with the help of friends or family, without an effort of his own. In other cases, when this Yog is not there in his birth chart, the person might not be able to buy a vehicle either because he is not able to save, or due to some other problems. To get blessed with Vahan Sukha Yog, you should offer Jasmine flowers to Shiva. Not just this, it also brings a relief from the various problems we might be facing in the materialistic world. Dhan Vaibhav (To Earn Wealth) Dhan Vaibhav is that Yog in the birth chart which causes the inflow of wealth in a person's life. Offer Shankhpushpi, Belpatra (Bilwa leaves) and a lotus flower to Shiva. This will increase the chances of you becoming rich if the stars are already in your favour. And makes them favourable if they do not seem to help you prosper otherwise. A Bilwa leaf offered to Shiva helps to earn more wealth. Offering Jasmine (Juhi) flowers to Shiva also helps fill the house with prosperity, sufficient wealth and food for the inhabitants. For Early Marriage There can be several reasons for a marriage being delayed. Offering a Bilwa flower (Bel Pushpa) to Shiva creates favourable chances for a person's marriage. While some people might not be able to find a suitable match, the others might not be able to find suitable dates for the marriage. Offering a Bel Pushpa will solve the problem. Along with this, compatibility increases between the couple. To Remove Depression All kinds of big and small problems are common in the modern life. However, problems are a necessary part of life, since they are the stepping stones to success. But handling them becomes a Herculean task sometimes and we end up falling into depression. To remove such problems easily from life, one should offer Shafali (night blooming jasmine) flower to Lord Shiva. To Earn Social Respect To earn respect as well as high designation, one should offer August flower to Lord Shiva. Offering a Cascabela (Kaner) to Shiva also removes hurdles coming in the way of success. Those desiring clothes and ornaments should offer Kaner flowers to Shiva. For A Healthy Long Life It is said that the one who offers Durva grass (Bermuda grass) to Lord Shiva in Shravana, is blessed with a healthy long life. Kamika Ekadashi Date, Importance & Puja Vidhi For Peace In Life And Peace After Death One gets peace in the present life and salvation after death by offering a white lotus to Lord Shiva. People wait outside a Chicago hospital for news on shooting victims on Sunday, August 5. Photo: Antonio Perez/TNS via Getty Images Seventy-three people were shot in Chicago over a violence-filled weekend, with at least 11 people killed, and victims of gunshot wounds ranging from 11 years old to 62. At least 40 people were shot in one seven-hour stretch between Saturday night and Sunday morning, with four killed. City spokesman Dan Regan told the Chicago Tribune that the violence was so bad at one point that the emergency department at Mount Sinai Hospital stopped accepting new victims. The citys South and West Sides, which have seen astronomical rates of gun violence in recent years, experienced the brunt of the bloodshed, which came during a sweltering summer weekend. Targets included a block party and a gathering after a funeral. Bureau of Patrol Chief Fred Waller said that most of the shootings were gang-related. Gun violence has surged in Chicago in the last few years: 2016 was the deadliest in the city in 20 years, with 762 people killed. This year, the rate of gun killings has been decreasing; the Tribune reports that as of August 1, there were 1,700 fewer shootings in the city than in 2017. Still, Chicago has recorded more than 300 murders this year, the most of any American city though it trails several other cities in per capita terms. Chicagos murder rate far outpaces New York Citys, whose population is about three times as large. New York recorded fewer than 300 murders in all of last year. For many right-wingers, Chicago has become a symbol of Democratic hypocrisy on gun reform, since the city is run by a Democratic mayor, Rahm Emanuel, and is home to a famous liberal party machine. (Many of the guns used in Chicago shootings are taken over the border from neighboring states, where lax firearm laws stand in contrast to Chicagos strict rules.) Last January, President Trump threatened to send in the National Guard to quell the violence, before sending in more traditional forms of federal help later in the year. But its not just conservatives who are outraged. Just four days ago, a group of activists shut down Lake Shore Drive, one of Chicagos main thoroughfares, to protest the economic and racial inequality of gun violence the citys ritzier, whiter neighborhoods rarely see murders and call for Emanuels resignation. Activist Simone Zimmerman. Credit: Gili Getz. Photo: IfNotNow Last month, we profiled one of the fastest-growing American Jewish organizations dedicated to combating Israeli policy toward the Palestinians, a group called IfNotNow. Yesterday, one of its co-founders, Simone Zimmerman, joined an exclusive but fast-growing club: Jews detained and questioned by Israeli authorities about their political beliefs. Zimmerman and a friend, both based in Israel on work visas, were traveling back from a weekend getaway in Egypt and were stopped at Taba Border Crossing, which straddles the line between the two countries. There, according to Zimmerman, she and her friend Abby Kirschbaum were held for roughly three and a half hours, had their phones inspected, and were asked a litany of queries about their opinions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, their involvement with human-rights groups, and their interactions with Palestinians, among other topics. All of it was really centered around, Why are you a Jew interested in Palestinians, and who are these Palestinians you know and what do you do with them? Zimmerman told me in a phone interview her first with an American news outlet since the incident from Tel Aviv, where she lives. It felt like the main goal of the questioning was to be gathering information and mostly to scare the shit out of me and ask questions about my relationships with Palestinians. (The spokesperson for the Israeli department that handles border crossings could not be reached for comment, but Israeli immigration authorities confirmed to Israeli newspaper Haaretz that the detention did take place.) Its not entirely surprising that Zimmerman was flagged. Though Kirschbaum isnt well-known, Zimmerman has become a bold-faced name in Jewish circles in the past four years. In the summer of 2014, the Los Angelesborn woman co-founded IfNotNow, a movement of American Jews that aims to end American Jewish support for Israels policies toward the Palestinian populations of the occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. In 2016, she burst onto the international stage when she was named as the Jewish outreach coordinator for Bernie Sanderss presidential campaign. However, her job there only lasted six days due to the resurfacing of an old Facebook post in which she had vehemently denounced Netanyahu. Since then, Zimmerman has moved to Israel to continue her activism and currently works with Gisha, a 13-year-old NGO that focuses on freedom of movement for Palestinians, especially those trapped by Israels blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, but also those who face regular detention and questioning at West Bank checkpoints. Its somewhat ironic that a Gisha activist would be held as Zimmerman was, given that she fights against these sorts of actions when theyre done to Palestinians. While border-crossing problems due to political beliefs are commonplace for Palestinians, theyve historically been rare for Jews from either Israel or the rest of the world. Security agents always do some light questioning of people getting on flights to or from Israel, but thats usually it. Thats all changing. Left-leaning activists in Israel and abroad have noticed and decried the Israeli governments recent tendency to hold or deny entry to American and Israeli Jews due to their activist work or progressive ideologies. The phenomenon began in February 2017, when the American vice-president of the left-leaning New Israel Fund was held at Ben-Gurion International Airport and, in her words, interrogated three times. The story became a scandal in Jewish circles and the government eventually apologized. But detentions of Jews have experienced an astounding spike this summer. On May 31, Israeli anti-occupation activist Tanya Rubinstein was stopped and held by the Israeli security services, the Shin Bet, at Ben-Gurion. On June 10, they detained another left-wing activist, Yehudit Ilani. On July 2, American Code Pink activist Ariel Gold was denied entry to Israel despite her claim that she had already obtained a visa. On July 18, major American Jewish philanthropist Meyer Koplow was questioned at Ben-Gurion because he had a pamphlet about Palestinian issues in his bag. On July 30, an Israeli author named Moriel Rothman-Zecher was held and grilled at Ben-Gurion by the Shin Bet due to his leftist activities. On top of that, a prominent human rights attorney who works on these kinds of cases, Emily Schaeffer Omer-Man, told me there are more cases that havent been reported. I cannot overstate how incredibly big this is, said a spokesperson for Israeli anti-occupation organization BTselem, calling the recent spate of detentions a significant change from previous practice. It was quite unimaginable that the [Shin Bet] would monitor activists in human rights organizations that are all clearly committed to nonviolence. It seems that theres a new policy intended to intimidate activists that oppose government policy that goes hand in hand with other recent legislation and expressions from officials to limit free speech and freedom of political activity. Those policy changes have been a much-discussed feature of the Israeli governments overall rightward drift since Netanyahus election victory in 2009. The central player is the countrys ministry of strategic affairs, which has been cracking down on supporters of the international, Israel-criticizing Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. Last year, the Israeli parliament passed an amendment to the countrys entry laws that barred anyone who actively supported BDS from coming to Israel. The strategic affairs ministry even went so far as to publish a list of 20 pro-BDS organizations whose members are forbidden to enter the country. It all leads to a common response from left-leaning Israelis and progressive observers around the world when it comes to the Netanyahu government: bitter resignation. That a democracy would have political litmus tests at its borders? That wouldve seemed really extreme just a handful of years ago. Now you just shrug and say, This happens now, said New Israel Fund vice-president for public engagement Libby Lenkinski. Israel is often thought of as this super-unique place with super-unique circumstances, and it is in a lot of ways, but also, these measures are part of a right-wing playbook we see in other parts of the world. In light of all that, Zimmerman and Kirschbaums experience begins to make more sense. Zimmerman said she was first questioned by a woman behind the counter at the border crossing. She said she was asked about what she does when she visits the West Bank, why she goes there, why she studied Middle East studies in school, and a barrage of other queries. She asked me, Youre a Jew, so why did you come to Israel to work with Palestinians? Zimmerman recalled. Zimmerman said she was asked whether shed ever made her views public and Zimmerman responded that she had recorded a video with Haaretz decrying the BDS blacklist, which further raised the womans suspicions. Eventually, Zimmerman said, she was transferred to another room where a woman who Zimmerman believed to be the first womans boss further interrogated her and obliged her to unlock her phone, after which the woman searched through the device. Throughout the process, Zimmerman said, she was threatened with being sent back to Egypt. (The Shin Bet confirmed to Haaretz that they were aware of the questioning and provided some questions, but that they didnt advise the border officials to ask about the womens political views. They did vaguely refer to wanting to know whether the women were involved in a violent protest against security forces in Judea and Samaria alternate geographical terms referring to the West Bank but declined to specify what that meant.) According to Zimmerman, when the questioners were done with her, they moved on to Kirschbaum, during which time Zimmerman tweeted extensively about what was going on and contacted various people in her networks. Soon, the attorney Omer-Man was helping them with their situation, and eventually, a parliament member named Mossi Raz got involved. According to Zimmerman, even Raz struggled to get the women released, but he contacted Haaretz reporter Noa Landau, who began reporting on the case. There was more questioning for both of the American women and Zimmerman said she was ordered to write down personal information including such oddities as her father and grandfathers names and phone numbers. As the detention approached the four-hour mark, according to Zimmerman, one of the women questioning her got a phone call. All I heard was her say, Oh, both of them? So why am I working so hard right now? Zimmerman recalled. Then she hung up the phone, looked at me, and said, Okay, were done, you can go. They were dismissed with their passports and that was that. It was 11:30 and they had missed their flight back up to Tel Aviv, so they were forced to take an overnight bus. Zimmerman isnt sure what will come next for her as a result of yesterdays events, but both she and Kirschbaum went out of their way to point out that it could have been a lot worse and would have been if theyd been Arabs. As Kirschbaum put it in an official statement, The level of surveillance and intimidation we experienced tonight was unsettling, but it is a fraction of the lived reality for the Palestinians I know and am proud to work with. Zimmerman is especially haunted by what she judges to be the cynical subtext of the whole interaction. Of the first woman who questioned her, Zimmerman said, For her, the idea that Palestinians and Jews can work together and that that is connected to some kind of belief in the future of this place? I think thats beyond her frame of reference. Thats not something she could even comprehend, so she had to say, I dont want to hear your idealism, I want to hear what your agenda is. But that is my agenda. Overall, Zimmerman is concerned about what her experience portends for the Jewish state, a country she says she loves: This attitude is leading Israel into dark places. Everythings coming up Kobach. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images On Monday morning, President Trump un-shockingly overrode the advice of his advisers and enthusiastically endorsed voter-fraud obsessive and Kansas gubernatorial candidate Kris Kobach. Kris Kobach, a strong and early supporter of mine, is running for Governor of the Great State of Kansas. He is a fantastic guy who loves his State and our Country - he will be a GREAT Governor and has my full & total Endorsement! Strong on Crime, Border & Military. VOTE TUESDAY! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 6, 2018 The endorsement isnt a surprise in July, the AP reported that last spring, Trump was on the verge of tweeting out an endorsement of Kobach but his staff intervened, warning of the repercussions. But it is a big blow to the incumbent Republican governor, Jeff Colyer, whom Kobach will face alongside four other Republicans in a contentious primary on Tuesday. In the closing days of the race, Colyer has attempted to cozy up to the president, who has had a Midas touch in selecting GOP primary candidates of late. Polling is scant, but Kobach is seen as well-positioned to win on Tuesday, and Trumps late-breaking intervention may well put him over the top. (One caveat: early voting has already been under way for weeks.) Trumps intervention is also a godsend for likely Democratic gubernatorial nominee Laura Kelly. She would be delighted to run against Kobach instead of Colyer in the fall, seeing that he comes equipped with a few overhead bins worth of baggage. The former Kansas secretary of state is one of a few Republicans nationwide who can credibly be labeled Trump before Trump. As Gabriel Debenedetti put it in a recent look at the Kansas race, Kobach is the countrys single most notorious antiillegal immigration and voter-fraud crusader, whose legend as the beating heart of distilled proto-Trumpian policy has only grown since he became a semi-national figure earlier this decade. During his days as a Kansas lawmaker, Kobach embarked on a tireless quest to uncover mythical widespread voter fraud, making it more difficult to vote even as the evidence he marshaled to prove his hare-brained theories was routinely ripped apart in court a trend that continues to this day. Kobach rode his extreme views to a spot on President Trumps ill-fated Voter Fraud Commission, which disbanded at the beginning of this year. Kobach also drafted a series of highly restrictive immigration laws that helped pave the way for the GOPs turn into full-on nativism. Then there are his views of Kansass last governor. The state is still reeling from the tumultuous tenure of Sam Brownback, whose radical, supply-side economic vision shredded the states budget, leaving Kansas in a deep financial hole and most voters indignant. Months before Brownback left office to take a religious-ambassador role in the Trump administration, leaving Colyer in his place, a poll showed that 66 percent of Kansans disapproved of his performance in office. But Kobach has praised Brownback as transformative. This embrace of a deeply disliked figure is likely to dog him just as much, if not more, than his fringy attitudes on other matters. In the end, Kobachs dark view of the world was too similar to Trumps for the president not to get involved. (Kobach even attended Harvard and Yale, credentials that act as catnip to the president.) But its safe to say that one of the only Republicans pleased with Trumps late entry into the race is Kobach himself. Trump in Michigan for a MAGA rally in April. He thinks of it as his kind of state. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images As one of the three Rust Belt states that narrowly went for Donald Trump in 2016 and tilted the Electoral College to the underdog, Michigan is understandably of great interest to the 45th president. Accordingly, he has been especially heavyhanded in intervening in that states August 7 Republican primary. He endorsed gubernatorial candidate (and Attorney General) Bill Schuette for governor last September (though misspelling the candidates name in tweeting his praise), which was apparently a reward for Schuette sticking with Trump after the Access Hollywood video was released, even as Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley, now Schuettes chief GOP gubernatorial rival, called for the mogul to drop out of the presidential race. He doubled down on the attorney general at a Michigan MAGA rally this April, and his favorite looks likely to cruise to victory in the primary. More recently, Trump big-footed it into a close Senate primary in which both candidates had sung frequent hymns of praise to POTUS: .@JohnJamesMI, who is running in the Republican Primary in the great state of Michigan, is SPECTACULAR! Vote on August 7th. Rarely have I seen a candidate with such great potential. West Point graduate, successful businessman and a African American leader... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 27, 2018 Its less clear how Trump made this choice, though perhaps he thought having an adulatory African-American ally would be helpful when indulging in race-baiting. In any event, the presidential endorsement seems to have broken the primary contest open for James. But if Trump seems to own Republican primaries in this as in other states, thats not to say his embrace of the Michigan GOP is going to pay off in November. Democrats have their own very vibrant gubernatorial primary, featuring longtime front-runner (and party Establishment favorite) Gretchen Whitmer, a former Democratic legislative leader; former Detroit health director Abdul El-Sayed, who is very much running in the Bernie Sanders lane; and self-funding scientist and entrepreneur Shri Thanedar. A big national buzz has developed over El-Sayeds campaign and persona; the 33-year-old former Rhodes Scholar is right out of central casting to become the next Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Whitmer is considered a likely favorite over Schuette in the most likely November matchup, if only because two-term incumbent GOP governor Rick Snyder is very unpopular (he hasnt shaken responsibility for the Flint water scandal, among other things). Of equal importance, Snyders 35/50 approval ratio in Michigan is only marginally worse than Trumps 44/52. And thats based on Morning Consults relatively sunny picture of Trumps standing in Michigan: NBC News/Marist recently pegged Trump at 36/54. An upset in the Democratic gubernatorial primary would shuffle the deck, though Thanedars money and El-Sayeds charisma and youth support could make either of them formidable as well. And while John James is an intriguing Senate candidate, Debbie Stabenow has consistently held her own in polls and fundraising. The Cook Political Report rates her race as Likely Democratic. Michigan is also a major target in the Democratic drive to win the House. In the southeast Michigan 8th Congressional District, very narrowly carried by Trump, sophomore representative Mike Bishop is in a tossup race against likely Democratic nominee Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA agent with Iraq experience and also high-ranking White House and Pentagon service in both the Bush and Obama administrations. The suburban 11th District is another marginal GOP seat with no incumbent; big fields in both party primaries make this district hard to call (perhaps the best-known Republican is former accidental congressman Kerry Bentivolio, who won the seat after Thad McCotter abruptly resigned; and the best-known Democrat could be Suneel Gupta, brother of doctor and CNN personality Sanjay Gupta. Beyond these two swing districts, there are no fewer than three other Republican-held House seats that could become vulnerable if a serious Democratic wave develops: the Northern Michigan/Upper Peninsula 1st District, represented by Jack Bergman, an area that some have compared to the southwest Pennsylvania district won in a special election by Democrat Conor Lamb earlier this year; the much more traditionally marginal southwest Michigan 6th District, where longtime incumbent Fred Upton may have made himself vulnerable with key pro-Trump votes; and the southeast Michigan 7th District, where incumbent Tim Walberg faces a rematch with Democratic state legislator Gretchen Driskell. The odds are low that Michigan is going to be a big Trump success story in 2018; its more likely to provide Democratic headlines, and plenty of fodder for evaluating the extent to which Republican administrations in Washington and in Lansing have disappointed their voters. That Michigans GOP is distinguishing itself as a Trump stronghold makes it all the more likely that his influence will be heavy up and down the ballot. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 6/8/2018 (1178 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us MELISSA VERGE Weather is expected to be hot in the Westman area over the next few days. Environment Canada issued a special weather statement on Monday morning, warning those in the area of an upcoming period of above average temperatures. The city of Brandon, municipality of Glenboro-South Cypress, municipality of Norfolk Treherne, municipality of North Cypress-Langford, municipality of North Norfolk, municipality of Oakland-Wawanesa, R.M. of Cornwallis west of Shilo and the R.M. of Elton are all included in the special weather statement. Starting Tuesday, toasty temperatures are expected in southern Manitoba, with many places expected to see a four or five day stretch of above 30 C temperatures. Brandon is expected to see a high of 31 C on Tuesday, 30 C on Wednesday, 33 C on Thursday, and 35 C on Friday. It doesnt look like there will be relief going into the weekend, with highs of 34 C and 31 C predicted for Saturday and Sunday. Heat warnings may be issued. TheWeather is expected to be hot in the Westman area over t Environment Canada issued a special weather statement on Monday morning, warning those in the area of an upcoming period of above average temperatures.The city of Brandon, municipality of Glenboro-South Cypress, municipality of Norfolk Treherne, municipality of North Cypress-Langford, municipality of North Norfolk, municipality of Oakland-Wawanesa, R.M. of Cornwallis west of Shilo and the R.M. of Elton are all included in the special weather statement. Weather is expected to be hot in the Westman area over the next few days. Environment Canada issued a special weather statement on Monday morning, warning those in the area of an upcoming period of above average temperatures. The city of Brandon, municipality of Glenboro-South Cypress, municipality of Norfolk Treherne, municipality of North Cypress-Langford, municipality of North Norfolk, municipality of Oakland-Wawanesa, R.M. of Cornwallis west of Shilo and the R.M. of Elton are all included in the special weather statement. Starting today, toasty temperatures are expected in southern Manitoba, with many places expected to see a four or five day stretch of above 30 C temperatures. "Were looking at day time highs in the mid 30 C range, kind of just ramping up throughout the next couple of days tomorrow," said Justin Shaer, meteorologist with Environment Canada. "Were looking at 30 C and then just getting warmer to the mid week and even to later in the work week, and night time lows around 15 C." Brandon is expected to see a high of 31 C on Tuesday, 30 C on Wednesday, 33 C on Thursday and 35 C on Friday. It doesnt look like there will be relief going into the weekend, with highs of 34 C and 31 C predicted for Saturday and Sunday. It will be next Monday before things cool down, Shaer said. "This is going to be happening for basically all week into the weekend before we get any break," he said. "It looks like next Monday cooler air comes in so were not looking at daytime highs in the mid 30 C, were looking more like the high 20s, which will feel like a nice break compared to the other ones." Normally, temperatures for this time of year are in the mid to high 20s, he said. Heat warnings may be issued, and those who are at a higher risk for heat related illnesses like the elderly, young children and those who work outside should take extra precautions. The Brandon Sun Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2018 (1179 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us A highly intoxicated 38-year-old man was seen riding a stolen bicycle in Brandon on Friday. He was spotted on the bike going eastbound on Victoria Ave. The man was apprehended in the 2600 block and arrested. He was taken to the Brandon Correction Centre where he was lodged until sober. He will appear in court in October. The Brandon Sun A highly intoxicated 38-year-old man was seen riding a stolen bicycle in Brandon on Friday. He was spotted on the bike going eastbound on Victoria Ave. The man was apprehended in the 2600 block and arrested. He was taken to the Brandon Correction Centre where he was lodged until sober. He will appear in court in October. The Brandon Sun The president offers some incendiary views on water policy and wildfires in California. Photo: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images Its hardly unprecedented for the president of the United States to say nonsensical or completely mendacious things on Twitter, worded strangely. But this tweet over the weekend was especially odd: California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which arent allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized. It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire spreading! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2018 As, well, just about every expert noted immediately, you dont stop wildfires by spraying them with water like youd do with a house fire in a city. For wildland firefighters, the tools of the trade are Pulaskis, rakes, shovels, and flamethrowers that burn clearings ahead of towering infernos. Instead of fire engines, they use bulldozers. Since these firefighters arent usually using pump trucks and fire hoses, they arent limited by water. When they need to snuff out an area, they often do it by air. And to the extent California firefighters do use water, theyve got plenty of it: Scott McLean, deputy chief for Cal Fire, tells me there's no basis, "at all," for Trump's suggestion that firefighters there are short of water: I can reassure you we have water. There is plenty of water." Daniel Dale (@ddale8) August 6, 2018 The business about water being diverted in the Pacific Ocean is almost too weird to mock. After all, as one tweeter noted: Water running into the Pacific Ocean is called a river. And its unclear what any of this has to do with bad environmental laws. Perhaps aware that readers did not seem to understand his meaning, Trump weighed in a second time to make his complaint a personal one: Governor Jerry Brown must allow the Free Flow of the vast amounts of water coming from the North and foolishly being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Can be used for fires, farming and everything else. Think of California with plenty of Water - Nice! Fast Federal govt. approvals. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 6, 2018 You get a mental image of Brown as some sort of mythic giant bending the course of huge cataracts of water and sending them past parched farmlands and burning forests to dribble off into the distant coastlands inhabited by the hippies and illegal immigrants who are his partys base, in the imagination of MAGA people. But the reference to farmers does provide a hint of where Trump is getting his misinformation: Formally known as California Water Fix, the controversial project would construct two tunnels beneath the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to connect freshwater from the river to aqueducts conveying water south. Its been championed by Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, who is in his final year in office, but vehemently opposed by many conservation groups and other Democratic politicians. No Republican pol is more closely associated with the demands for more water for Central Valley farmers than Trumps staunch ally on the Russian Front, Representative Devin Nunes. But Nunes should probably explain to the president that its Browns refusal to divert more water to the Central Valley via dams and pumping stations thats his main beef. Farms already account for three-fourths of Californias water consumption, and non-agricultural users have been subjected to mandatory conservation measures that exclude farmers. Yes, California Republicans (like their colleagues elsewhere) routinely demagogue about Brown and his hippies protecting useless endangered fish species instead of insatiably tapping the water that supports them. But with trout and salmon now in serious trouble, that argument seems a little less compelling than before. Perhaps Nunes has convinced Trump that allowing water to run into the ocean is an outrage against nature, or maybe Trump is just saying thank you to his California friend for his services against the Witch Hunt and the deep state conspiracy against the president. But its still notable that Trump cant bring himself even to mention a factor that virtually all of the actual experts think is contributing significantly to both the wildfire epidemic and Californias chronic droughts: climate change. Climate writer Umair Irfan nails it: For a state like California thats facing increasing heat and more frequent weather whiplash between extreme rain and drought, the real bad environmental laws worsening the situation are actually Trumps attempts to roll back policies like Californias Clean Air Act waiver that would help mitigate climate change and the threat of more wildfires. The terrible reality is that plutocratic and the populist strains of conservatism that find their most emphatic expression in the 45th president are indifferent or hostile toward any responsible interest in the environment. And so even wildfires become ammunition in the war on proper stewardship of resources. Photo: Luke Sharrett/Getty Images Many Republicans assume that a positive election result for their party will inspire it to attempt another repeal of Obamacare next year, reports Caitlin Owens. It may be difficult to believe that, after a devastating failure that registered historically ruinous approval in public opinion surveys, Republicans would try the same thing again with a presumably narrower House majority. But such an outcome may be more plausible than you might think. If Republicans keep their House majority, albeit a smaller one, the psychological aftershocks would be almost incalculable. Both parties have priced in the near certainty that Democrats will take the House. That expectation is one reason the Republicans have all but given up on legislating after dragging their tax cut past the finish line. The Republicans who survived the anticipated wipeout of the midterm elections to reconstitute a majority caucus would emerge blinking into the sunlight of a transformed landscape. The price of Obamacare repeal would have been paid by the Republican House members who lost. Those who returned to Washington would feel no such constraint. In the Senate, a bill to keep repeal alive failed by just one vote. The surprise margin was supplied by John McCain, who is dying of cancer, and is going to be replaced by a Republican whose loyalty to the party agenda could presumably be ascertained in advance. If Republicans can add a couple more seats, they could give themselves enough margin to overcome the squishy reservations of Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski. If they merely hold their narrow majority, they might simply prevail on the two senators to submit. (Murkowski appeared to have been bought off by a special deal for her state last year.) Trump has never stopped talking about the failed repeal vote nor reliving his anger with McCain. It is hard to think of a legislative priority that would rank higher in his mind. A congressional party shorn of its most prominent Trump skeptics, many of whom are retiring, would behave even more submissively toward its leader. The Trump era has been a tug of war between the Republican Partys ingrained advantages the immovable loyalty of the party base in combination with House and Senate maps that give Republicans disproportionate voting power and the year-and-a-half-long flaming dirigible crash that is the Trump presidency. Events that would destroy a normal presidency seem to have little impact on this one. A Politico retrospective on the Charlottesville imbroglio from last year, after which Trumps approval ratings have mainly held steady, quotes a former White House official observing, The lesson of the Trump presidency is that no short-term crisis matters long term. If Republicans can withstand the president calling Nazis good people, why not take another crack at health care? Repeal is like fight club, one GOP operative told Owens. First rule is not to talk about it. It would be disorienting to the public for Republicans to turn around and implement a wildly unpopular scheme to throw Americans off their insurance after spending a year refusing to bring up the topic in public. But a Republican Congress given a new lease on life by the midterms would conclude that public opinion no longer posed any threat. Trish Dromey talks to an Irish cybersecurity company looking to play hackers at their own game. Dublin startup 4Securitas has entered the cyber security space with an innovative solution which has been designed to alert its customers to the presence of hackers even before they have had a chance to launch an attack. Our system ACSIA (Automated Cybersecurity Interactive Application) can pick up traces of surveillance and cyber activity and trigger an alert in real-time, which prompts a security team to stop the hackers with a single click, said company co-founder and chief operating officer Donal Kerr. Launched in March this year, the software uses artificial intelligence and machine learning and according to Mr Kerr is built around the mind of a hacker which is what greatly differentiates it from many competing systems. Listing the selling points, he said ACSIA is simpler and easier to use than many other systems on the market, as well as being an advance on systems which only alert companies to the presence of malicious entities after an attack has been launched. Our system can also solve the problem of false positives or false alarms generated by current security software, he said, adding that 90% of alerts generated are false alerts which cost organisations both time and money. Marketing ACSIA as a product which can help customers respond to cyber threats faster and manage risk more efficiently, 4Securitas plans to target companies in the FinTech, utility and energy sectors as well as government bodies. We see scope to sell regulated companies with data and dollar to protect, said Mr Kerr. The final pitch of the EDP Starter Spain acceleration program happened today in Madrid. E-save, dotGIS, 4securitas, Koala Lifter and CARTO are the winners and will have the chance to test their pilot projects with EDP! #edpstarter #innovationatedp pic.twitter.com/x2yS7kwCTb Innovation at EDP (@innovationatEDP) June 19, 2018 The company was set up in March by Mr Kerr, who has a business and financial services background along with with IT and security specialist Stefan Uygur. Meeting at a Hackers and Founders group event in Dublin they decided that there was opportunity to create a simple product for the cybersecurity market with more automation that would use technology to replace human decision making. During 2016 they worked on the project in their spare time and in early 2017, Mr Kerr quit a job with Twitter to work full time on the project and enrolled in Enterprise Irelands New Frontiers Programme at the Synergy Innovation Centre at Tallaght IT. In November we secured 50,000 in Competitive Start funding and got space at Bank of Ireland Start Lab. The funding allowed us carry out trials and also to take on four employees increasing the staff size to size six, said Mr Kerr. The company then signed up Boards.ie, one of Irelands largest Internet forums, as its first paying customer in May. In June the company used an Enterprise Ireland innovation voucher to have its product validated IC4 Institute of Cloud computing at DCU. As a result our software is now being piloted by several large enterprises in the cloud computing space including data centres, said Mr Kerr. This summer 4Securitas was one of three companies in Europe chosen to participate in the accelerator programme run by Iberian power company EDP which is now piloting its software. Mr Kerr said that was a major boost for the company which is currently engaged in raising funding to develop global sales. This month our product will be listed on the Amazon web services marketplace this is another significant step for us and will allow customers anywhere in the world to trial our product Customers are offered the software on a monthly subscriptions basis ACSIA Lite, designed for small organisations; and ACSIA Enterprise for large companies which Mr Kerr said are much more affordable options than standard systems. The company raised 80,000 earlier this year via Angel investment and is now planning to raise 800,000 in venture capital funding. Mr Kerr said because of the difficult funding climate in Ireland he expects to raise this overseas. The funding is required to continue R&D, rent office space and build the company. Our aim is to enter the market in both the EU and the US and to have five large clients by the end of this year, said Mr Kerr. Firms should prosper from the EU-Japan trade deal Japan may have the dubious distinction of being the least understood pharmaceutical market in the developed world, writes John Whelan. But Irish suppliers to the market have managed to put aside any misunderstanding and push exports of healthcare products to new heights in the market this year. Exports to Japan have soared by over 50% so far this year, based on latest CSO figures, reaching 1.5bn in the first five months of the year. The breakthrough comes at a time when exports to the UK have fallen by 7%, as Brexit concerns and the associated continuing weakness of sterling piles pressure on margins. Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia have designated Japan as a priority market for supporting companies to expand into, as they continue to push for alternatives to the Brexit-hit UK market Inward investment from Japan has been a stable source for the IDA, creating the highest foreign direct investment from Asia to date and may be a safe haven for more investment if the Trump administration turns sour on Irelands trade surplus with the US. The big winners in the export growth to Japan this year are medical devices manufacturers which accounted for one third of the sales to the market, followed by pharmaceutical companies providing a further 25%. Japans lucrative medical device market, the third largest in the world, ahead of China and Germany, imports 40% of its requirements. A growing slice of the demand is provided by the worlds top 10 medical device companies, many of whom are located in Ireland, with Europes premier cluster of device companies based in the Cork to Galway region. Artificial hip and knee joints produced in Cork by Stryker are in high demand in Japan as are heart stents produced by Depuy in Ringaskiddy and Boston Scientific in Galway and Cork. However, many of Irelands homegrown medical devices companies have made their mark in Japan. Cork-based PMD Solutions is one such manufacturer, known particularly for its RespiraSense, which discreetly measures a patients chest and gut movement when breathing. The Japanese government spends 286bn each year on healthcare, making it the third largest globally. Takeda, the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan, has been using its long-established manufacturing operations in Ireland to supply the market there. Takedas 52bn takeover of Irish-based Shire Pharmaceuticals, which will enable the further expansion of its exports to Japan, is just one of many that can be expected over the coming years, as the recently signed EU-Japan free-trade agreement lowers the regulatory barriers for European manufacturers in the healthcare sector to supply into the market. Astellas, the second largest pharmaceutical company in Japan, with long-established manufacturing facilities in counties Kerry and Dublin, can be expected to accelerate its global search for acquisitions. The recent signing of the landmark new trade deal between the EU and Japan has been welcomed in Ireland with the Government and business groups saying it presents new opportunities for Irish companies looking to do business in what is one of the worlds largest economies. The deal, when approved, will remove tariffs for 99% of the goods traded between the EU and Japan, but more importantly it will provide mutual recognition of standards on medical devices and pharmaceuticals and will eliminate the long process of applying for Japanese regulatory approval for devices and drugs. John Whelan is an expert and consultant on Irish and international trade The Irish Coast Guard has advised people to remain on the cliff path when out walking along the coast in Howth in Dublin. The warning comes after a patrol encountered a group of five people at the weekend who had descended down a dangerous 120-foot cliff to reach the shoreline. Latest: A Dublin City Councillor says gun crime is becoming all too common in communities throughout the capital. A number of gunshots were fired in the Woodlands Estate on the Blakestown Road in the early hours of yesterday morning. Gardai say they found several spent shotgun cartridges in a follow-up search of the area. No one was injured in the incident, but Sinn Fein Councillor Daithi Doolan said the Government must act urgently to stamp out gun crime. He said: "It's becoming all too common that there are gun attacks in our communities. It's wrong and it needs to be stopped. "The way to stop it is to have gardai on the beat that are accessible, that answerable to the community and that are properly and adequately resourced. "We're calling on the Minister for Justice to work with us to eradicate gun crime right across Dublin...we want communities where people feel safe." Earlier: Gardai in Dublin are investigating after a number of shots were fired in a housing estate in the early hours of yesterday morning. No one was injured in the incident which happened at the Woodlands Estate in Mulhuddart at around 3.30am. When gardai arrived at the scene, they found a spent shotgun cartridge on the driveway of the house along with gloves and a bottle of fluid. In a follow-up search, further spent cartridges were discovered in Hartstown Park which is near the original site. No property was damaged in the incident. Map showing the location of the Woodlands Estate in Mulhuddart, Dublin. Photo: Google Maps Digital Desk Update: Keyleigh Loren has been found safe and well. Earlier: A teenage girl is missing from Kildangan, Co. Kildare. 15-year-old Keyleigh Loren was last seen in Geashill, Co. Offaly yesterday at 8.45pm. She's described as being 5' foot 3'' tall, of medium build with blonde hair and green eyes. Gardai believe Keyleigh may be in the Portlaoise area. They are urging anyone with information to contact them at Kildare Garda Station on 045 527730 or any Garda Station. Sinn Fein Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill has broken her leg, her party has confirmed. The former Stormont health minister is said to be recovering well following the incident. On Monday, Ms O'Neill took part in a panel discussion at St Mary's University College in west Belfast about Women and the Good Friday Agreement. The event was part of the West Belfast Festival. Sinn Fein has not disclosed any further detail about the incident. "Michelle O'Neill suffered a leg break in an accident," a Sinn Fein spokesman said. "She underwent a procedure and is recovering well." PA "Restricted area, authorised personnel only": That's the notice on the door of Chennai facility of Symantec which houses one of the largest security operations centres (SOC) globally. Entering this facility, which has a Black Mirror feel to it, is no easy feat. An employee uses his fingerprint on a biometric device at the side of the door and the first door unlocks wide open on its own without any assistance. He leads a bunch of journalists from across the globe through it, who are in Chennai to attend the grand opening of the centre. The tags all of us are wearing, including this writer, say, "Escort required." However, we have to wait for the first door to close as then only the second door would open. As the second door opens we get the first sight of Symantec's Security Operations Centre. Inside, in a large open office floor about 60-70 people are working on dual screen desktops, dashboards all around featured time zones, graphs and maps. The desktop screens are flashing red, black and green number logs, as analysts monitor in real time security devices installed at their customer organisations around the world. This is where 1,000s of cyber breaches are thwarted every day. "The sun never sets here," says Peter Sparkes, Senior Director, Cyber Security Services, Asia-Pacific Japan (APJ). "If you are in the Australian region, and you are during the day working with Australian SOC, when the sun goes down in your region, the work comes here," he elaborates. Symantec has six Security Operations Centres around the world; however, the recently inaugurated facility in Chennai is its largest so far. The facility which is manned by 140 employees, out of which 100 are cyber experts, not only detects threats in real-time but also thwarts them. Besides English, it supports Hindi, Telugu and Malayalam. "This SOC provides managed security services, deep sight, threat intelligence, incident response and more," says Samir Kapuria, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Cyber Security Services at Symantec. "Symantec's SOCs are powered by the world's largest civilian threat intelligence network, harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to comb through trillions of telemetry element. Processing over 150 security billion logs, detecting over 18 million events and analyzing over 64,000 security incidents worldwide daily," he adds. In recent years, organizations have realized the importance of cyber security. While most MNCs have been aware of its vitality for a while now; mid-cap companies, MSMEs and government organizations in India, too, are waking up to this reality. The primary reason being the rise in cyber attacks and breaches. In fact, India has emerged as a frequent target lately. Earlier this year, Symantec, the parent company of Norton anti-virus, had reported that India featured amongst the top ten countries where mobile malware was most frequently blocked in 2017. Global electrical infrastructure company Thales which, recently, surveyed over 100 Indian IT security managers for its Global Data Threat Report 2018, reported that 52 per cent of Indian respondents reported a successful breach last year. This has led to an increase in demand of security professionals and services in the country. While most companies have an in-house security team, the expertise required to tackle incidents is not enough, as the attackers are getting sophisticated by day. The dedicated security operations centres (SOC) and network operations centre (NOC) helps organisations in dealing with cyber attacks and breaches. The demand of such facilities could be understood from the fact that Chennai facility began operations in Chennai 10 years ago with only 15 cyber experts or warriors as the company calls them, but today has 140 experts. "The pace and the velocity of attack are moving at such a great speed that we can't wait, we have to constantly evolve," says Kapuria. He stresses that given the rapid adoption of smartphones in India and its massive user base, the country is at a bigger risk. Clearly there is need for more such operations in the country, as the digital transformation has just started here. Plans for a new pedestrian bridge across the Brisbane River are progressing, with boreholes to be drilled at South Bank in preparation for the bridge landing. A $70 million bridge that would connect the Queens Wharf casino complex to South Bank was proposed as part of the Destination Brisbane Consortiums $3 billion Queens Wharf development. Brisbane City Council wants the proposed Neville Bonner Bridge from the new casino and hotel complex to South Bank near the Wheel of Brisbane scrapped. From Wednesday, seven boreholes will be dug between the Clem Jones Promenade and the Wheel of Brisbane at South Bank, around the location of the future pedestrian bridge landing. A spokesman for Destination Brisbane Consortium said the geotechnical investigations would be completed by the end of August and would inform the final bridge support system design. A fee is a fee of course, of course, unless it is a commission and then ripped off customers can't get a refund. This distinction between a fee and a commission was at the heart of a grilling for National Australia Bank as the banking royal commission began two weeks of hearings into the superannuation sector. NAB was accused of labelling some fees as commissions to avoid refunding customers for services they have not received. Former NAB wealth executive general manager Paul Carter. Credit:AAP NAB is in the process of completing refunds totalling more than $120 million to hundreds of thousands of customers for incorrectly applied fees and fees for no service. Is superannuation a sinister industry more akin to the dark arts than one providing the service of boosting the quality of our retirement? That's how it was characterised at the Royal Commission into financial services. So much for all those advertisements featuring those attractive greying couples enjoying a post retirement cruise down the Danube, the royal commission has painted a picture of an industry cloaked in secrecy and motivated by commercial avarice. How it really operates and what is behind the cloak will be rolled out this week as the commission takes a closer look at the detail. Super, now a $2.6 trillion industry, is vital to our financial future but its both incredibly complex and impregnable - thus ripe for the various participants to take advantage of hapless customers. The man leading Seek's push into high-risk, high-reward emerging markets has defended its focus on growth, after the online recruitment giant was forced to write down its operations in Latin America citing political uncertainty caused by the Trump administration. Seek shares sank $1.92, or 8.8 per cent to $20 on Monday after the company announced a $178 million write-down of its Brazil and Mexican businesses, and said its profits would be flat in fiscal 2019, disappointing investors. Consensus expectations among analysts were for growth in profits of 20 per cent. Seek CEO Andrew Bassat was not pleased to have to deliver write-down news, but thought the business was in good shape. Credit:Eddie Jim "These are very large economies, both larger than Australia, and their populations are massive. They should, over the long term, grow at a much faster rate," Seek's chief executive for Asia Pacific and the Americas, Michael Ilczynski, told Fairfax Media. The Fortescue camp of billionaire Andrew Twiggy Forrest is insisting the white flag has not been raised in relation to its failed bid for Atlas Iron despite selling nearly half of its stake in the mining minnow. On Monday, it announced it had cut its stake from 19.9 per cent to 11.37 per cent, which means it must have dumped its 4.9 per cent derivative interest at a substantial profit given Fortescue picked it up for an average share price of 3.14c as well as selling off some shares it acquired. The downside for Twiggy is that the stock it is dumping will almost certainly end up in the hands of the rival suitor for Atlas, fellow Perth billionaire Gina Rinehart. Illustration: John Shakespeare But it doesnt look like it will do her much good because of the 11.37 per cent stake that Fortescue plans to maintain which will prevent Rineharts troops from getting to the 90 per cent threshold which would lead to compulsory acquisition of the remaining stock. There's a track record of journalists becoming prime ministers of Australia. Think Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott. But the first to go from the fourth estate The Age to the top job was Alfred Deakin, attorney-general in the first federal government in 1901 and successor in 1903 to Australia's first PM, Edmund Barton. Deakin was something of a conundrum. Outwardly engaging and confident, privately intellectually unsatisfied. A politician who was also a spiritualist, a statesman who filed stories on Australian politics for British newspapers. Alfred Deakin and his wife, Pattie. Perfect material for a biographer and Judith Brett has proven the perfect biographer by winning the National Biography Award for The Enigmatic Mr Deakin, presented at the State Library of NSW. Brett is emeritus professor of politics at La Trobe University and author of Robert Menzies' Forgotten People, Australian Liberals and the Moral Middle Class and many other books and essays. "We put a callout for workplace dance teams, and it went viral," goes Dannii Minogue's first line as host of Seven's Dance Boss. It's not supposed to elicit a chuckle, but it does. "You did a what? But why?" you might ask your TV screen, like talking to a two-year-old who's wearing a diaper as a hat. It's not just the off-kilter concept, or the catchy millennial speak trying to convince you the idea was warranted. It's that other sound that echoes in the silence, of Seven's programmers shrugging their shoulders. "Dance Boss, huh? What else we got? Single Wives Club?... Sure, go for it." The idea is Dancing with the Stars meets, uh, work, and no stars. The prize pot for the winner is, somehow, $100,000. For once the concept isn't rehashed from some commercial hit in the US or Europe, it's borne of the minds of our own industry talents, with Minogue's presence promising a potential tilt in the UK. "Australia, you've never seen anything like this before," she says in the premiere, again surprisingly straightfaced. It wasn't only the public who made rescues difficult and put lives at risk, according to a new paper by Royal Life Saving Society Australia with Griffith University. Another passenger decided mid-rescue to return to the car to get a handbag, found researchers who interviewed experts who had rescued people who had driven into floodwaters. A motorist who was stranded in his car after driving into dangerous flood waters resisted being rescued for six hours, causing a "standoff" and making a helicopter wait nearby for 90 minutes. Firefighters, for example, would often "rock up ... and they're wearing their firefighting jacket, which is extremely heavy... and they go walking straight into the floodwater, and you know, they're basically wearing a weight vest," said one expert interviewed by researchers. Untrained personnel also often jumped into dangerous floodwaters. "What causes me concern ... is I'm there to rescue the person out of the car but I'm also there to rescue the police officer and the firefighters because they will want to jump in the water and rescue that person," he said. "Quite often by the time you get there, there's three people in flood water because people ... have attempted to go and rescue and now they're in trouble," he said. Of the 282 unintentional fatal drownings that occur each year, about 13 are flood-related, said the newly published research paper in the Health Promotion Journal of Australia. Despite campaigns such as Turn Around Don't Drown, drownings from driving into floodwaters were the leading cause of death during floods. The Sensex and Nifty started the week on a strong note hitting their lifetime highs in early trade led by strong buying in consumer durables, PSU and banking counters amid firm Asian cues. While the Sensex hit a lifetime high of 37,805, the Nifty touched 11,427, its highest ever level breaching the 11,400 level for the first time in trade today. The Nifty rose 67 points from its Friday record closing of 11,360 level. The Sensex rose up to 249 points in trade today. Major gainers include ICICI Bank, SBI, Yes Bank, Vedanta, Tata Steel, Adani Ports, Bharti Airtel, Axis Bank, Tata Motors, Infosys, Coal India, Hero Motocorp, Tata Motors, ONGC, RIL, M&M, Sun Pharma, Bajaj Auto, NTPC, TCS, ITC, L&T and Power Grid, rising up to 2.59 per cent. At 11:31 am, the Sensex was trading 222 points or 0.59 % higher at 37,778 level. The Nifty stood at 11,410, 0.44% or 50 points higher compared to its previous close. Top Sensex gainers were Axis Bank (3.86%), ICICI Bank (3.08%) and SBI (2.34%). Top losers on the Sensex were HUL(2.04%), Kotak Mahindra Bank (1.37%) and Sun Pharma 1.25%. Besides, fresh buying by domestic institutional investors (DIIs) and strengthening rupee also boosted investor sentiment. Meanwhile, midcap and smallcap indices on the BSE rose 72 points and 100 points, respectively. On Nifty, top gainers were Axis Bank (3.37%), ICICI Bank (3.10%) and UPL (2.52%). Top Nifty losers were HUL (1.62%), Kotak Mahindra Bank (1.26%) and Dr Reddy's (1.19%). The Sensex gained 391 points in the past session on Friday after the weather office said monsoon will be normal in August and September, boosting growth prospects of the rural economy. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net of Rs 87.08 crore, while foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net of Rs 5.87 crore on Friday, provisional data showed. Traders said positive cues from other Asian markets and fresh buying by domestic institutional investors, influenced sentiments. Market breadth was positive with 1,496 stocks trading higher compared with 874 falling on the BSE. Global markets Asian stocks were mostly higher, despite a new Chinese threat of tariff hikes on U.S. goods, after Washington reported solid employment numbers. Japan's Nikkei 225 added 9 points to 22,533.81 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng advanced 0.7 percent to 27,870.07. The Shanghai Composite Index lost 1 percent to 2,713.58 while Seoul's Kospi added 0.2 percent to 2,292.96. Sydney S&P-ASX 200 gained 0.5 percent to 6,266.00 and India's Sensex was 0.5 percent higher at 37,788.60. Benchmarks in Taiwan and New Zealand and Southeast Asia gained while Bangkok and Manila declined. A Sydney pop culture fan facing possible jail time for making replica guns with a 3D printer claims he had no idea his hobby could land him in such strife. Sicen Sun, 28, was arrested in February 2017 after he advertised one of his imitation weapons for sale for "$1 million negotiable" on a Facebook buy, swap and sell group. Sicen Sun outside court on Monday. Credit:AAP The replica SIG Sauer P250 pistol was advertised for three days on the group for military items, and two weeks later police arrived at Mr Sun's home in Waverley with a search warrant. Officers found multiple replica guns, a 3D printer, and blueprints downloaded from the internet which detailed how to make the replicas. A truck and car crash on Tuesday morning in the north Brisbane suburb of Albany Creek has created extensive southbound delays, with an asbestos clean-up underway. The crash happened just after 7am on Old Northern Road, about 500 metres south of Albany Creek Road. The Queensland Ambulance Service attended to reports of minor injuries. Southbound traffic was affected with lanes reduced following the crash. Meanwhile, the Bruce Highway was closed at Tinana in both directions just after 3am following a truck jack-knifing. A 30-year-old Hervey Bay man has been arrested over numerous counts of child expoitation charges including one count of rape. Queensland Police executed a search warrant and charged the man on Friday following an investigation that identified several alleged victims. Police said they believed they had identified more alleged victims and offences elsewhere in Australia, with investigations continuing. The man was charged with 11 counts of indecent treatment of a child, three counts of making child exploitation material, six counts of burglary and two counts of wilful damage and one count of rape. Police alleged they found a "vast quantity" of child exploitation material on a computer at the man's address. Essentially evidence of Roberts as to his whereabouts on the night in question. If ... new evidence is found to be credible by judges of the trial division of the Supreme Court, it would warrant referral of the whole case to the Court of Appeal. The new evidence includes claims of a confession from Debs to murdering the two police officers alone and a description on how it was done. Roberts also says he was at home with his then girlfriend Debs' daughter Nicole at the time of the murders, though he admits assisting Debs to later conceal evidence. A new affidavit has also been submitted whereby Roberts says his delay in airing these fresh claims was because he feared Debs while being held in the same prison. Roberts also admits for the first time to being involved in 10 armed robberies with Debs in the months prior to the murders, Justice Teague said. Mr Pakula said the case was also currently before the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission. He said the appeal process now meant that if the trial division of the Supreme Court ruled the case needed to be retried, it would come back to the Attorney-General who would then refer the matter to the Court of Appeal. Justice Teague has indicated that his recommendation is 'a cautious approach to referral that is sensitive to the interests of victims' and 'based on the combination of evidence in both the first and second petitions', Mr Pakula said. Sergeant Gary Silk. The manner in which the court deals with the referral is a matter for the court. The officers were shot after they pulled over a suspicious car near the Silky Emperor Restaurant in Cochranes Road while on armed robbery stakeout duty. They had been trying to identify two bandits behind a string of restaurant hold-ups. Carmel Arthur, Senior Constable Miller's widow, said her family had always respected the judicial process and would continue to do so until this matter is resolved. Carmel Arthur and Rodney Miller. Credit:The Age. As we prepare for the 20th anniversary of Rod and Garys death, we choose to focus not on how they died, but how they lived. Two great men, she said in a statement released on Monday morning, We will be making no further comment at this time. Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said news of the retrial only added to the burden of those who have fought so long and so hard to forget. Mr Gatt said the association retained full confidence in the work that investigators, past and present, dedicated to bringing their colleagues killers to justice. The impact that the murders of these police officers had on first responders, investigators, colleagues and friends of the slain officers cannot be understated and should be understood. Lives and careers ended on that night, Mr Gatt said. Loading We sincerely hope that one day soon this tragic chapter in the history of Victoria Police can be closed for good. Gary Silk and Rod Miller and their families deserve that. Shadow Attorney General John Pesutto slammed the decision and said his government would never have considered the petitions for mercy. The repurposed Wandoo Rehabilitation Prison has opened in Perth to help female inmates fight their addiction to methamphetamine and other drugs. WA Premier Mark McGowan said the world-leading treatment prison would provide innovative programs to try to break the cycle of drug reoffending, and included follow-up care after an inmate's release. Wandoo Reintegration Facility in Perth. "We all know that drugs, particularly methamphetamine, is a scourge in our community and many people go to prison because they steal, break in, rob and assault in order to fund their habit," Mr McGowan told reporters on Monday. "Therefore, getting them off the methamphetamine when they're in prison is an important part of preventing reoffending." Criminals who can't explain how they got their money will be punished under a national scheme that allows the government to sweep up their assets. A Senate committee unanimously recommended the "unexplained wealth" legislation be passed on Monday despite concerns being raised by the Law Council and Civil Liberties Australia. The legislation will force people convicted of crimes to prove that their wealth was derived from legitimate sources, rather than the onus being on prosecutors to establish that it came from the proceeds of crime. The new scheme will co-ordinate state-based frameworks that Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton had argued were used by criminals to evade jurisdictions. Banks will be forced to hand over any information they have on the unexplained wealth of a convicted client. The banking royal commission has important lessons for all regulators, not only those concerned with banking and finance. As we now know from the commission's work, examples of bad practice are rife among financial institutions. They include overcharging or outright defrauding of customers, misleading advice, exploiting vulnerable Australians and other misdeeds. Even if financial institutions (mostly) do look after their customers, the commission is inquiring into misconduct and finding plenty. The question for regulators is how this blatant and harmful misconduct can happen, and why it appears so widespread. The commission full title, the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry has, during its investigations, considered regulators including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, which regulates corporations and the financial system (including banks), and the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority, which supervises financial institutions to ensure they can meet commitments (for example, banks are able to give account holders their money on request, insurance companies have enough funds to pay valid insurance claims). They, together with the Reserve Bank and the Treasury, come together in a Council of Financial Regulators. The council says it has two roles: "to contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of financial regulation" and "promote stability of the Australian financial system". However, the entries on its website suggest threats to financial stability predominate, with regulation effectiveness coming a distant second. The council's limited role in promoting good regulation was highlighted by a draft Productivity Commission report earlier this year, which found "competition in Australia's financial system is without a champion among the existing regulators". "In a system where all are somewhat responsible, it is inevitable that (at important times) none are". Malcolm Turnbull will not say whether his company tax cuts will be part of his pitch to voters at the next election. Credit:AAP Malcolm Turnbull has declined to say if he will take his company tax cut policy to the next election. Speaking on the ABC's 7.30 program on Monday night, the Prime Minister said he would try again to negotiate with the Senate crossbench when Parliament resumes next week, to win their support to cut the company tax rate from 30 to 25 per cent. Labor has campaigned furiously against the proposal, saying it will only benefit the big banks, multinationals and the big end of town, which includes the independently wealthy Mr Turnbull. Speaking after the recent round of byelections, where Labor held on to two critical marginal lower house seats, Mr Shorten said the result meant voters had rejected Mr Turnbull's "rotten corporate tax cuts". Latest News ANZ posts 72% rise in profits $6bn in NPAT for major lender on back of 179,000 new home loans written Sydney property is pitting investors v first home buyers - and the FHBs are winning Wealthy investors are being pushed out in key areas as supply problems lead to local bidders crowding listings ASIC has approved the Australian Banking Associations new Banking Code of Practice, marking the first comprehensive broad-based industry code approved under the regulators relevant powers. The code will apply starting 1 July next year. Beneficial for small businesses The new Code provides improved protection for small business borrowers, as it expands the reach of legal protections from unfair contract terms. Protection from unfair contract terms apply to small businesses that borrow up to $1m. For businesses that borrow up to $3m, the code ensures lending contracts are free from any potentially unfair and one-sided terms. The code will go through ASICs review within 18 months after its commencement to ensure the code adequately covers the small business sector. The regulator will also gather quarterly data from banks and the Australian Financial Complaints Authority to monitor the reach of the Codes coverage in small businesses. ASIC will publicly release the date every six months. The Code has enhanced consumer protection compared to the 2013 version, and includes: provisions for inclusive and accessible banking, including for vulnerable customers, customers on low incomes and Indigenous customers; protections relating to the sale of consumer credit insurance (CCI) including a deferred sales period of four days for CCI for credit cards and personal loans sold in branches and over the phone; protections for guarantors of loans, for instance, giving prospective guarantors generally three days to consider information about a guarantee and requiring banks to only enforce a guarantee once they have taken action against the borrower; enhanced processes for assisting customers in financial difficulty and processes for resolving complaints Enforcement All ABA member banks will be required to abide by the new code as part of their ABA membership. An independent monitoring body, the Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC), is tasked to administer and enforce the code. Anyone can report a breach of the code to the BCCC, and any consumer or small business owner with arguments about the Code can bring their disputes to the new Australian Financial Complaints Authority. Related stories: "Disappointed, although not surprised" Productivity Commission releases report on industry competition Latest News ANZ posts 72% rise in profits $6bn in NPAT for major lender on back of 179,000 new home loans written Sydney property is pitting investors v first home buyers - and the FHBs are winning Wealthy investors are being pushed out in key areas as supply problems lead to local bidders crowding listings The CEO of one of Australias largest mortgage broking groups has warned that a ban on trail commissions, as outlined in the Productivity Commission report, would result in a consolidated lending base, reduced competition and higher prices. David Bailey, CEO of AFG says that major banks would be the unintended beneficiaries of any move to ban trailing commissions for mortgage products. This is ironic given the tone of the majority of the final report. Consumers have been voting with their feet in greater numbers for over 20 years and increasingly use brokers for better service and less costly, better-suited home loans, Bailey said. Mortgage brokers are encouraged through trailing commission to stay with customers for the life of their loan, to review products and add value. It is in the business interest of brokers to work for their clients through the years to help them continue to gain better finance outcomes as circumstances change. Banning the incentive to work with customers for longer durations would have a detrimental impact on the very services that brokers help provide greater competition. The current structure is not broken. The removal of trail will simply hand more power to the major banks and non-major lenders and consumers will pay the price, he continued. Bailey also noted the recommendations stand in contrast to those made in ASICs Remuneration Review, which drew on extensive research to conclude that there is no reason to remove trail commissions. AFG was one of a number of major industry players to provide the Productivity Commission with evidence of the savings brokers make for their customers through ongoing contact over the life of a loan. It is disappointing the Productivity Commission did not give sufficient weight to this evidence and we invite them again to spend time with some AFG brokers to understand the value a demonstrated level of contact with a customer can deliver. Bailey continued, The ASIC Review was a significant piece of work spread over an 18-month time period and did not identify evidence that remuneration by commission led to detrimental outcomes for consumers. Our stance has always been that brokers add to a competitive industry working in the interests of consumers. He concluded, We cant afford to jettison 20 years of competitive experience without giving regard to the findings of other reviews and ensuring a stable, dynamic, customer focused lending environment remains. Related stories: Productivity Commission releases report on industry competition "Disappointed, although not surprised" Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC Its all that without a bag of chips! Visitors to a swanky Williamsburg park outside an even swankier hotel can now buy expensive bling without dealing with stuffy salespeople thanks to a new vending machine that spits out jewelry like its Doritos or a can of Coke. Manhattan-based designer Marla Aaron set up her gizmo at the privately owned but publicly accessible Vale Park next to the luxury William Vale Hotel on Wythe Avenue between N. 12th and N. 13th streets on June 18, and she says patrons are gobbling up her handmade trinkets while they take in the sites. Im really proud of the fact that our vending machine is offering the experience of our work in a very unexpected place in a beautiful environment, said Aaron. Our jewelry is great, people really love it. But dont expect to pay with spare change the adornments run between $165 for a silver link chain and $1,588 for a lock necklace, and can only be purchased with plastic. Aaron, who said she sells her collection at 40 brick-and-mortar jewelry stores around the world, got the idea for the automated delivery systems while visiting Japan in 2016, where she noticed such machines in their unnatural habitats. I fell in love with vending machines and how vending machines existed in unexpected places, said Aaron. Before arriving at Vale Park, the unorthodox machine debuted at the Brooklyn Museum in November of 2017, where it blurred the line between obscure art exhibit and gift shop. Jewel of a park: Visitors to Vale Park in Williamsburg can buy a new necklace from this vending machine. Marla Aaron Theres certainly an artistic element to putting handmade items in a vending machine, said Aaron, who acknowledges in a video on her website that its crazy to put jewelry in a vending machine. The response so far has been great, according to Aaron, who said visitors have posted pictures of themselves with their new jewelry on social media. Many people have purchased many things, she said. To fend off vending machine raiders, the luxe device which will stay put at the park until October is equipped with security cameras, and weighs hundreds of pounds, so Aaron said shes not worried about some sneaks running off with it, or its pricey goodies inside. The park is locked at night, generally theres lots of people in it, said Aaron. It weighs a ton literally. And the success of the machine has her thinking it is time to expand on the idea. Automated retail is an interesting opportunity and way to sort of present handmade items to the world, said Aaron. We are looking at a variety of different locations both domestically and internationally. Reach reporter Julianne Cuba at (718) 2604577 or by e-mail at jcuba @cngl ocal.com . Follow her on Twitter @julcuba. Holitech Technology, a component manufacturer and solution provider, who is also a key component supplier for Xiaomi smartphones will start local manufacturing in India. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the state of Andhra Pradesh and will start local manufacturing in the city of Tirupati for Xiaomi. The company also plans to invest over $200millions in Andhra Pradesh in three years. This component manufacturing plant would be spread across 75 acres of land in the city of Tirupati and start mass production with a production capacity of nearly 50 million each component per year. The plant will also boast of nearly 50 per cent clean room, which is a contained space where provisions are made to reduce particulate contamination and control other environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity and pressure. The local manufacturing is likely to start in the first quarter of 2019, where Holitech Technology will manufacture Compact Camera Modules (CCM), Thin Film Transistor (TFT), Capacitive Touch Screen module (CTP), Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC), and fingerprint sensor locally at the Andhra Pradesh facility. This will result in generating 6000 jobs in three years. The state of Andhra Pradesh has extended several incentives for the establishment of the manufacturing plants in terms of tax, land and power subsidy along with several other incentives. Holitech Technology was founded in 2004 and has been producing Liquid Crystal Displays, Liquid Crystal Display Modules, Touch Screens, Fingerprint recognition, Smart Wearable Products, intelligent Vehicle Products, Intelligent Micro Controller, Intelligent TLI/TFT Modules, and Embedded Display Modules. The company has developed and produced more than 1,000 different products used in Instruments and Meters, Smart Home Appliances, Communication Products, Smartphones, Industrial Equipment, Medical Equipment, Automotive Electronics, Digital Products, Watches, etc. Flame Chen, Co-Founder and CEO, Holitech Technology said, "The phenomenal growth of Xiaomi along with their initiatives to promote local manufacturing has encouraged us to explore component manufacturing for Xiaomi in India. We are pleased to bring several industry firsts to the state of Andhra Pradesh with the manufacturing of camera modules, TFT, CTP, FPC and fingerprint sensors and high-quality clean room construction and take propel the growth of component manufacturing in India." Nara Lokesh, Minister of Information Technology, says, "Andhra Pradesh is one of the youngest pioneering states of India. The state has a young entrepreneurial spirit and poses an attractive destination for similar minded companies. Our state of the art infrastructural offerings make Andhra Pradesh an exciting investment opportunity and it is heartening to see Holitech Technology come to the state and initiate a big revolution in the market for local manufacturing." This announcement comes after Xiaomi's global Supplier Summit that happened in April 2018, with the objective to encourage its top 50 global suppliers to locally manufacture in India. Manu Jain, Vice President, Xiaomi and Managing Director, Xiaomi India said, "Xiaomi has witnessed significant growth in the country and we are positive that Holitech's plans for India will set a new motion in place for the electronics manufacturing industry in India. Holitech is an important global component supplier of Xiaomi and with their entry in India; we are positive that a new era of local manufacturing will begin with several job creations and other component manufacturers also coming in." This article was first published on November 5, 2014. Business Standard is republishing this article as passed away on August 5, 2018. Driving around Faridabad, on the outskirts of Delhi, is a lesson in the evolution of Indian industry. There is row after row of small unkempt factories. Quite a few have become showrooms or shopping malls. The buzz that envelops the other suburbs of Gurgaon and Noida is nowhere to be seen. Yet, Faridabad was the original industrial hub of Delhi. The government had acquired land, cut these into industrial plots and allocated these to people who had come to India after Partition on which they set up factories. These factories were geared to the 1960s, and had become too small to be commercially viable by the 1990s. Many shut down. Others moved out. One of the that have stayed on is Escorts, a maker of tractors, construction equipment and automotive components. Like Faridabad, it is a pale shadow of its old avatar when it was counted amongst the country's blue-chip enterprises: it has been dumped by partners, sold and shuttered assets, seen a sibling dispute and faced controversy. Escorts started life as a small agency house in Lahore in 1944 started by the Nanda brothers, Har Prasad and Yudi. After Partition, Har Prasad came to Delhi with only Rs 5,000 in his pocket and two cars. Instead of staying with relatives, he booked a suite of rooms in The Imperial, Delhi's most expensive hotel, so that he could revive his business contacts. The trick worked. He was back in business soon, making tractors, motorcycles and components. With ample protection provided by the Licence Raj, the going was good for Escorts. Murad Ali Baig, author and automotive expert, who worked with the company for 18 years, had recounted an incident in 2012 which showed that Escorts' engineering skills were second to none. Escorts had engaged Ricardo of England to suggest improvements to its Rajdoot motorcycle. "At the end, Ricardo said 'this is such a beautiful piece of engineering; please don't change it'," Baig said. Socially too, the Nandas were second to none. Har Prasad's older son, Rajan, got married to Ritu, Raj Kapoor's daughter. (Rajan's son, Nikhil, is married to Shweta, Amitabh Bachchan's daughter.) A motorcycle Escorts made, the Rajdoot GTS, was made famous in Raj Kapoor's Bobby (1973), in what was perhaps the first instance of in-film brand placement. But Har Prasad had left one flank unguarded: he was running Escorts with a stake of 7.5 per cent. So, when Swraj Paul attempted a hostile takeover of the company (also on his radar screen was DCM) in 1983, his vulnerability was exposed. But the pugnacious Punjabi industrialist wasn't ready to give up without a fight. Hectic lobbying followed, and after several anxious months, Paul backed out. It later emerged that it was only after Vivek Bharat Ram of requested Rajiv Gandhi to intercede (the two had studied together at the Doon School in Dehra Dun) that Paul let go of Escorts and However, it isn't clear what gave Paul the courage to raid the two At that time, government-owned banks and financial institutions held a substantial stake in all large companies, Escorts included. No raider could have dared to go ahead without the government's tacit support. In an interaction in July 2008, Rajan had said that Paul was backed by two powerful politicians, one of who was a minister in the first United Progressive Alliance government (2004 to 2009). The next blow came with liberalisation in the 1990s. Most multinationals found local partners of little use and were keen to be on their own. Escorts thus exited ventures with Yamaha (motorcycles) and JCB (construction equipment). Its partner in tractors, Ford, sold the business to New Holland which had its own plans for India. Escorts had diligently built the Ford brand in the Indian tractor market, yet it couldn't use it anymore. That's when it introduced a brand called Farmtrac. Actually, Ford had offered the global tractor business to Escorts. But the country's precarious foreign exchange position made it a tough proposition. In later years, there was some talk that Escorts will sell its tractor business to Mahindra & Mahindra but it remained a rumour. Subsequently, the company, in an attempt to clean up its balance sheet, offloaded its telecom business (it operated mobile telephony in West Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Kerala under the Escotel brand) to Kumarmangalam Birla's Idea Cellular (it had first initiated talks with the Tata group) and the iconic Escorts Heart Institute in Delhi to Fortis Healthcare of brothers Malvidner and Shivinder Singh. Some businesses were folded up after they failed to live up to projections. The Nandas had launched consumer electronics under the Niky Tasha label and the Nanz chain of retail stores (much before Kishore Biyani, India's current retail king) but had to shut both the ventures. "You can't fight destiny" Rajan had said matter-of-factly in an interview. And then controversy struck. Har Prasad's second son, Anil, disclosed that Rajan had converted the Escorts Heart Institute from a charitable trust to a company with the aim of selling it off. Anil said not only was the act illegal, it was also done surreptitiously behind his back. Rajan, on his part, said the conversion was done to unlock the value of the investments in the hospital and everything was above board, everybody was kept informed. Soon thereafter, the two brothers parted ways. Anil exited from Escorts but took with him the very profitable component maker, Goetze. "You are supposed to live together. But if you are not happy, it is best to separate and go your own way," Rajan had said in 2008. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Monday extended the deadline for submission of revised bids for debt-ridden and Steel by one week on the plea of Steel, a resolution applicant in this. Modifying its earlier order, the appellate tribunal has now said all three bidders -- Steel, and JSW -- may file their revised offers by August 13 for and Steel Ltd (BPSL). Earlier, on August 1, an NCLAT bench headed by Chairman Justice S J Mukhopadhaya had allowed all three bidders to file revised offers by August 6. However, NCLAT's August 1 order was challenged by Steel before the last week, opposing the revision of the offer. The Tata Group company was picked as the highest bidder for BPSL a day before that on July 31. During the proceedings of NCLAT, counsel appearing for submitted that as its appeal against the August 1 order is expected to be heard by the Apex Court on Friday this week and requested to extend the time line for submission of the revised bids. According to them, if Committee of Creditors (CoC) take a decision based on the revised offers, then their position may be altered. Following this, NCLAT extended the time line for a week. The NCLAT last month had vacated its stay and asked the CoC to consider resolution plans submitted by three firms -- Tata Steel, and The tribunal on July 20 gave a go-ahead to the CoC meeting, directing it to finalise a bid for the company. However, revised up its offer from Rs 11,000 crore to Rs 18,000 crore ahead of the CoC meeting. put in a bid of Rs 17,000 crore. and Steel owes about Rs 45,000 crore to its lenders. NCLAT had also directed the CoC to call all the three bidders, along with operational creditors and suspended board of directors, in the meeting. Earlier on July 17, the NCLAT had stayed the meeting of CoC when they were going to vote for finalisation of the highest bidder (H1) for BPSL. and Power was among the 12 non-performing accounts referred by RBI for NCLT proceedings. The has proposed that cantonments across the country should be converted into " stations" after separating civilian areas from them, the government said on Monday. At present, 62 cantonments are operational in 19 states across the country in a total area of 157,000 acres. Approximately 2.1 million people are living in the cantonments, according to official data. "The has suggested excision of civil areas of Cantonments and converting pockets into stations," Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said in a written reply to a query in Rajya Sabha, The has been pressing for converting the cantonments into exclusive military stations as part of larger goal of improving operational readiness of the force. The first cantonment was set up by the British and the number grew steadily over the years. "Cantonments, with a 250-year history, are important institutions that bear testimony to the harmonious co-existence of civilians and defence personnel," said Bhamre. Asked whether the government has plans to abolish the cantonments, Bhamre said there is no such proposal. To a separate question on whether the government is considering to introduce compulsory military training for school children, Bhamre said "no". Replying to another question, Bhamre said a joint military exercise between Indian Army and Japan Ground Self Defence Force is planned to be held in India later this year. Senior leader P on Sunday abruptly walked out of a constituency-level party meeting in Tamil Nadu's Pudukottai, after a scuffle broke out between the workers over prior notice regarding the interaction, party sources said. who presided over the consultative meeting organised in Alangudi assembly constituency here ended the meeting and walked out as his attempts to pacify the warring workers went in vain, sources said. The meeting was held to discuss the party's development and its preparations for the general elections next year. Earlier, trouble erupted when a section of participants complained that they were not informed about the meeting and alleged that they were boycotted by the local unit. Following a heated exchange between the workers, a scuffle broke out. India is eyeing to bring back bank fraud accused from Antigua under the provision of a law of the island nation which provides for extradition of a fugitive to a designated Commonwealth country, official sources said. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a gazette notification on August 3 to make the Antiguan law enforceable and bring back Choksi. India and Antigua do not have a bilateral extradition pact. "As per the provisions of the Extradition Act, 1993 of Antigua and Barbuda, a fugitive may be extradited to a designated Commonwealth Country or a State with which there are general or special arrangement or a bilateral treaty," said a source. The notification specified that the provisions of India's Extradition Act, 1962 shall apply to Antigua and Barbuda with retrospective effect from 2001 when the Caribbean nation notified India as designated Commonwealth Country under its extradition law law. India has handed over a request to Antigua for extradition of who is charged in connection with India's biggest banking fraud and is now living in the Caribbean nation after taking its citizenship. The sources said the notification will constitute an extradition arrangement between India and Antigua under the island nation's Extradition Act of 1993. A team comprising officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and other agencies was sent to Antigua a couple of days ago to request the Antiguan authorities to extradite Choksi, wanted in India in the $2 billion bank scam. The team, led by Additional Secretary in the MEA's Consular and Passport Division here, also presented details of the case against Choksi who is one of the alleged masterminds of the scam along with his nephew As per reports, Antiguan authorities cleared Choksi's citizenship in November 2017 after India did not give any adverse report to stall his application for it. Choksi had fled India on January 4 this year and took oath of allegiance in Antigua on January 15. His citizenship was cleared in November 2017. Choksi's application for citizenship in Antigua in May 2017 was accompanied with clearance from the local police as required by norms, Antiguan newspaper the Daily Observer reported, citing a statement from the Citizenship by Investment Unit of Antigua and Barbuda (CIU). It noted the police clearance certificate (PCC) from the Regional Passport Office in Mumbai said that there was no adverse information against Choksi which would render him ineligible for grant of travel facilities including visa for Antigua and Barbuda. When asked about the PCC to Choksi, a spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs had said it was given on the basis of a clear police verification report (PVR) available on his passport that time. Under the Citizenship by Investment Program of Antigua and Barbuda, a person can take their passport on a minimum investment of USD 1,00,000 in the Development Fund. Choksi and his companies allegedly availed credit from overseas branches of Indian banks using the fraudulent guarantees of PNB given through letters of undertaking (LoUs) and letters of credit issued by the Brady House branch which were not repaid, bringing liability on the state-run bank, the officials have said. An LoU is a guarantee given by an issuing bank to Indian banks having branches abroad to grant short-term credit to the applicant. SoftBank posts 60% gain on Flipkart bet, sets aside $650 million STCG tax Masayoshi Son-led Japanese conglomerate SoftBank on Monday showed a gain of 164.25 billion (around $1.48 billion) on its balance sheet owing to an increase in the fair value of its stake in Flipkart, translating to 60 per cent return on its last years investment in the e-commerce firm. This comes ahead of the closure of the deal that will see SoftBank selling its entire 19.95 per cent stake in Flipkart for around $4 billion to Walmart. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor A key bill to provide constitutional status to the Commission for Backward Classes(NCBC) secured Parliament's approval on Monday with the Rajya Sabha approving the measure that will give the panel full powers to safeguard the rights and interests of the Other Backward Classes(OBCs). The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill 2017 was passed after a spirited debate during which several members urged the Centre to make public the findings of the caste census and implement reservation accordingly. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 2 superseding the amendments earlier carried out by the Rajya Sabha. The bill was passed after the House repealed the Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. The NCBC, a statutory body created in 1993, was given limited powers only to recommend to the government inclusion or exclusion of a community in the central list of OBCs. Also, the power to hear complaints of the OBCs and protect their interests remained with the Commission for Scheduled Castes. The Upper House adopted the legislation along with the amendments made by the Lok Sabha, by 156 votes to nil. Over two-thirds majority of those present voted in favour of the bill, which is a necessity for amending the Constitution. The Rajya Sabha earlier passed the measure on July 31 last year, along with an amendment and sent it to the Lower House. The Lok Sabha passed the bill last week with alternate amendments as well as some more changes unanimously with over two-thirds majority. Replying to the debate, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot said the bill would help the backward classes people fight atrocities against them and ensure quick justice to them. "This bill would provide justice to the OBC people, it is the need of the hour," he added, The bill seeks to bring the NCBC on par with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the BJP President Amit Shah hailed the passage of the bill in Parliament as historic and said it fulfilled a long pending demand of the OBCs. "It is a historic legislation that underlines the Modi government's commitment to bring the backward sections to the front row of the country's development," Shah told reporters. In his reply, Gehlot also assured members that the legislation would not encroach upon the rights of state governments as they would have their own backward class commissions. "This commission has no relation with the state governments but is related to the Centre only." He said the state governments had their own lists of castes of OBC people, while the Centre had its own. The NCBC would recommend only to the central government regarding inclusion or deletion of a particular caste in the list. "This is an important issue. There was a demand for a constitutional status to the OBC Commission from the 1980s and Parliament had held discussions several times. It has been discussed by the Standing Committee," Gehlot said, urging the members to pass the bill expeditiously. He said once the bill is passed by Parliament, the government would immediately form the Commission. Participating in the debate, Bhupender Yadav (BJP) urged political parties to shun "vote bank politics" and support these measures. He said the Bill is long overdue and lamented that many states have not implemented 27 per cent reservation to the OBCs, adding that parties should "rise above vote bank politics and work towards social justice". Chaya Verma (Cong) sought reservation in Parliament and Assemblies for the OBCs. Narendra Jadhav (Nominated) demanded that the findings of the socio-economic caste census be made public. He said the Rohini Commission report and the census data should be compared to prepare fresh data of the OBCs. Ram Kumar Kashyap (INLD) said there should be a bill for reservation in legislature for the OBCs. Ashok Sidharth (BSP) alleged that the motive behind the government to bring the Bill now was to woo the electorate in the upcoming assembly elections. Assembly polls are due in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh. Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD) hoped the bill will create a level-playing field, while B Prakash (TRS) said no serious efforts were being made for a caste-based census. T K Rangarajan (CPI-M) said mere Acts will not do as they did not percolate down to the grassroot level, as recent data showed that only 7 out of 100 teachers in the Central Universities belonged to SC/ST and OBC categories. Sambhaji Chhatrapati (Nominated) demanded that Marathas be included in the OBC list to get equal opportunity in jobs. Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) said the government should come out with the caste-based census and implement the reservations accordingly. He demanded that the reservation be also extended to the judiciary. While A Navaneethakrishnan (AIDMK) sought removal of creamy layer from the OBC list, Ahamed Hassan (AITC) said the bill unduly interfered with the affairs of the state governments. Vijila Sathyananth (AIADMK) drew attention towards skewed representation of the OBCs in various committees, commissions, boards and other different fora of government. Ram Chandra Prasad Singh (BJP) demanded another such bill for highly backward classes, while Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena) said "we have to eliminate caste system to strengthen the country's political system." Union minister Ramdas Athawale (RPI-A) favoured more quotas for the backward classes. At least 14 Naxals were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's district on Monday, police said. The gunbattle took place Monday morning in a forest area in south Sukma, around 500 km from Raipur, Deputy Inspector General (anti-naxal operations) Sundarraj P told PTI. So far, bodies of 14 naxals have been recovered from the encounter site, he said. Several firearms were also seized from the spot, he added. Further details were awaited as the search operation was still underway. A 50-year-old Sikh man was beaten up multiple times by two white men who yelled racial slurs that "You're not welcome here!, Go back to your country!" in the US state of California, prompting police to investigate the "heinous" hate crime, authorities said. The incident happened last week near the intersection of Keyes and Foote roads in as the man was putting up campaign signs alone along a rural stretch on the outskirts of Keyes, the police was quoted as saying by The Sacramento Bee. Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said the assault is being investigated as a "This is a random despicable criminal act against a member of the Sikh community," Christianson said. Sheriff Sergeant Tom Letras said the 50-year-old victim was placing signs for local candidates when two white men wearing black hooded sweatshirts ambushed him and beat him to the ground. He was struck multiple times as the assailants screamed, "You're not welcome here!" and "Go back to your country!" They then spray painted his truck, Letras said. "This is a heinous crime and we are aggressively investigating it," Letras said. The victim required medical attention so an ambulance was called and he treated on scene for cuts and other wounds. According to a post, the man was beaten on the head with a rod. But he escaped major injury because of his turban, which is traditionally worn by Sikh men, the report added. Also, the post shared an image of the pickup truck, which was spray painted in large black letters with the words "Go back to ur country" alongside a Celtic cross. The image is a well-known white supremacist symbol, according to the Anti-Defamation League which tracks anti-Semitic and other hate crimes across the country, the report added. The department is looking for help identifying the suspects or witnesses to the crime. The incident is considered an assault with a deadly weapon and The victim's identity is not being released at this time, Letras added. Hate crimes against the Sikh community have raised alarm in the Central Valley numerous times over the years. After 9/11, a spate of local crimes against Sikh people were attributed to misplaced anti-Muslim bigotry. The valley has one of the largest and oldest Sikh populations in the US. The first Sikh temple, or gurdwara, in opened in Stockton in 1912. There are an estimated 500,000 Sikhs in the US and 25 million worldwide making it the fifth most popular religion. Earlier, The Sikh Coalition, a Sikh advocacy and civil rights group, issued a statement saying they were seeing a "new wave of hate crimes" against the Sikh community. It reported that Sikhs in the US are experiencing an average of one per week since the start of 2018. The publication of the second draft of the National Register of Citizens for Assam, may have been a judicially monitored exercise. Its indiscriminate application to deny citizenship to over four million inhabitants of the state is cause for grave national concern. At one end, there have been warnings of a civil war and at the other there has been loose talk about deportations and concentration camps. There is, however, no final solution to a problem that cannot be examined without its historical, geographical, economic and political contexts. History of Assam state Situated at ... Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal. They do not reflect the view/s of Business Standard. A bell tolled on Monday in as marked 73 years since the world's first atomic bombing, with the city's mayor warning that rising nationalism worldwide threatened peace. The skies over Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park were clear, just as they were on August 6, 1945, when an American B-29 bomber dropped its deadly payload on the port city dotted with military installations, ultimately killing 140,000 people. Mayor Kazumi Matsui, standing at the park near ground zero for the annual ceremony, made his annual call for a world without nuclear weapons and warned of the threat of rising nationalism. Without naming specific nations, he warned that "certain countries are explicitly expressing self-centred nationalism and modernising their nuclear arsenals." They were "rekindling tensions that had eased with the end of the Cold War," he added. He urged the abolition of nuclear weapons, in a year when pledged to increase the US nuclear arsenal. "If the human family forgets history or stops confronting it, we could again commit a terrible error. That is precisely why we must continue talking about Hiroshima," Matsui said. "Efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons must continue." His call however highlighted Japan's contradictory relationship with nuclear weapons. Japanese officials routinely argue that they oppose atomic weapons, but the nation's defence is dependent on the US nuclear umbrella. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose government has chosen not to participate in the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, said at the ceremony that Japan's responsibility was to bridge the gap between nuclear and non-nuclear nations. "In recent years, it has become evident that gaps exist among countries about ways to proceed with nuclear arms reduction," Abe told the ceremony, without directly referring to the treaty. "Our nation, while maintaining our (non-nuclear weapons) principles, will patiently work to serve as a bridge between the two sides and lead efforts by the community" to reduce nuclear weapons, Abe said. suffered two nuclear attacks by the at the end of -- first in and then in Nagasaki three days later. The bombings claimed the lives of 140,000 people in Hiroshima and 74,000 people in Nagasaki. became the first sitting US to visit Hiroshima in May 2016. Chilas school attackers trained in Afghanistan: GB IG Police DIAMER: Gilgit-Baltistan police claimed on Sunday that Chilas school attackers were trained in Afghanistan. So far 31 suspects have been arrested over involvement in attacks on schools in the area. Raids are underway in different areas to arrest the rest of the suspects, IG Gilgit-Baltistan Inspector General of Police Sanaullah Abbasi said. Police began conducted raids in various parts of Diamer district Saturday night to track down those responsible for the arson attacks. A police constable was killed and another wounded in a gun battle with armed suspects during a late night raid in Tanger area. The prime suspect believed responsible for the torching of 14 girls schools over a period of two days in Diamer district was also killed during the search operation in the Tanger area, Diamer Police spokespers on Muhammad Wakeel said. Shafiq ? who has no known association with any organised militant or terrorist outfits but is referred to as a militant and militant commander by police officials ? was one of the suspects behind the brazen arson attacks targeting schools in Chilas, Darel and Tanger tehsils of Diamer district. Wakeel said that the militants in Tanger had been attempting to flee the area but locals surrounded them, after which Shafiq was killed. A suicide jacket, hand grenade and arms and ammunition were also seized from Shafiqs house, DIG Diamer Division Gohar Nafees said. Search operations in the area will continue till the elimination of terrorists, he asserted. Police sources said that locals were also taking part in the search operations, and that most of the militants in the area were locals. GB local government spokesman Faizullah Faraq said that miscreants had occupied a road in Tanger and were firing at the passing cars. The car of Sessions Judge Malik Inayat Rehman, who was going from Shatial to attend the funeral of the slain police constable (his cousin) in Tanger, was also fired at as it travelled along the road, his father, former GB Legislative Assembly speaker Muhammad Miskeen, said.Although the car was badly damaged, the judge escaped unharmed, he said, adding that the judge had not been alerted to the security threat by police. GB Information Minister Shams Mir said that a team of forensic experts from Islamabad had arrived in the region to investigate the arson attacks. He said the experts are part of a joint investigation team constituted to probe the incidents and track down those responsible. Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has also taken notice of attack on schools and directed the interior secretary and the secretary for Kashmir Affairs and GB governments to submit reports within the next two days. GB chief minister has ordered the chief secretary to ensure the schools destroyed in the incident are restored to working condition in the next 15 days. According to local government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq, the restoration work will begin soon and the schools will re-open in the last week of August. In 2004 also, half a dozen girls schools had been torched in one go. Girls schools were also targeted by extremist forces in 2011 and 2015. Some traditions and extremism are main reasons for local resistance to female education in the district, which has the lowest literacy rate in Gilgit-Baltistan. Masayoshi Son-led Japanese conglomerate SoftBank on Monday showed a gain of 164.25 billion (around $1.48 billion) on its balance sheet owing to an increase in the fair value of its stake in Flipkart, translating to 60 per cent return on its last years investment in the e-commerce firm. This comes ahead of the closure of the deal that will see SoftBank selling its entire 19.95 per cent stake in Flipkart for around $4 billion to Walmart. Not only that, SoftBank has also set aside 71.75 billion (around $648 million) in taxes to be paid as short-term capital gains to ... US admitted on Sunday that his son met with a Russian lawyer in in 2016 "to get information on an opponent" but defended it as "totally legal." It was Trump's most direct acknowledgement that the motive for the June 2016 meeting was to get dirt on Hillary Clinton, his Democratic rival for the presidency. As he has in the past, Trump insisted in a tweet that he did not know at the time about the meeting between his son Donald Jr. and Natalia Veselnitskaya, a lawyer with links to the Kremlin. "This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!" The meeting has come under intense scrutiny from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating whether members of the Trump campaign coordinated with a Russian effort to sway the 2016 election in the Republican's favour. The Washington Post reported Sunday that Trump has been brooding in private about whether his son unintentionally put himself in legal jeopardy by meeting with Veselnitskaya. Trump called the report "a complete fabrication." Donald Jr. initially said in a statement to the New York Times in July 2017 that the meeting was "primarily" about American adoptions of Russian children. The Post has reported that the statement was dictated by the Donald Jr. later admitted he accepted the meeting with Veselnitskaya in hopes of obtaining damaging information on Clinton, but said nothing came of it. Trump's lawyers argue that the meeting, in and of itself, violated no laws. "The question is how will it be illegal? The real question here is, would ... the meeting itself constitute a violation of the law," Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow said Sunday on ABC's "This Week. President Ram Nath Kovind has pulled out of the launch of the silver jubilee celebrations of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) this week after invitations were sent out saying he would be the chief guest. The invitation for the event at the countrys largest stock exchange was sent by NSE chairman Ashok Chawla and managing director and CEO Vikram Limaye. It had led to some disquiet in official circles as it involved Chawla, who is chargesheeted by the CBI in the Aircel-Maxis bribery case. The event was scheduled in New Delhi on Wednesday but the Presidents press ... Six suspects were detained for an alleged assassination attempt on Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, confirmed Interior Minister Nestor Reverol. Reverol revealed that one of the arrested suspects is accused of involvement in a 2017 attack on a military base, while another suspect was detained earlier in 2014 over involvement in anti-government protests, reported Sputnik. Venezuela's Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez told Sputnik that the attackers were preparing the operation for around six months. Earlier, Maduro accused Colombia's far-right groups and outgoing president Juan Manuel Santos for what he called as an "attempt to assassinate him." Hours after an explosive drone rocked a military ceremony, Maduro appeared on Venezuela's national television saying, "I'm alive and victorious," CNN reported. The 55-year-old leader pinned the blame on American financers and planners for the 'drone attack'. The Venezuelan President was speaking at the celebration of the National Guard's 81st anniversary when the 'attack' occurred. Maduro and other government officials were evacuated immediately. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Naidu's decision comes few days after he called on the general public to donate their organs, in the wake of organ donation week that kicked off from today. Responding to the Chief Minister's call, Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) took up organ donation as a movement. As many as 1.20 lakh people came forward to donate their organs voluntarily. MEPMA collected approval letters from those donors and today handed them over to "Jeevandan" - a government initiative - in presence of Chandrababu Naidu. "Awareness should be spread among the people that in case of any mishap, organs be donated. People should be brought out of their blind beliefs and be asked donate their organs. 1.20 lakh people donating their organs on a single day is a historic incident. I appreciate MEPMA for taking up such great initiative," Naidu said in a statement. "We will keep a lesson on organ donation in academics. We will think of making organ donation compulsory for driving license. Everyone should discuss about organ donation. On the coming Organ Donation Day, huge number of people across the state should pledge to donate their organs," he added. At the event, representative of Delhi based "India Book of Records", Rakesh Verma, announced that they have recognised this as an inspiring record. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dr Fehmida Mirza retained her NA seat after recounting National Assembly former speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza has retained the NA-230 Badin seat following recounting of votes ordered by the Sindh High Court (SHC). Mirza of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) bagged 95,064 votes while Pakistan Peoples Partys Haji Rasool Bakhsh Chandio secured 93,999. According to unofficial results, Mirza retained the seat with a lead of 1,065 votes. On Friday, the SHC had dismissed a petition of the former NA speaker to stop the recount in the NA-230 constituency, from where she has been elected for the fifth consecutive time. She had prayed to the court to suspend the Election Commission of Pakistans July 30 directives to the returning officer to complete the recounting in the Badin constituency. The Mirza family of Badin had disassociated itself from the PPP and contested from the GDAs platform. Her son Hasnain Mirza was also elected from PS-72 with 43,111 votes while his opponent Syed Ali Bux alias Pappu Shah received 35,588 votes. Andhra Pradesh government on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with electronics giant, Holytech. Under the terms of the agreement, Holytech will set up its plant in 75 acres land in Tirupati and Chittoor districts, against an investment of Rs. 1400 crores. With the establishment of the plant, Holytech aims to generate 6000 direct and indirect jobs. The electronics company manufactures thin film transistors, touch screen modules, flexible printed circuits and fingerprint sensors, the production of which is estimated to begin in the first quarter of 2019. Andhra Pradesh's IT Minister Nara Lokesh lauded the company for the first-of-its-kind facility in India, at the inaugural event. The agreement was signed in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, state electronics department officials and company representatives. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the hearing of the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the validity of the Article 35A today. The Apex Court will now hear the matter on August 27. The Top Court was scheduled to hear a batch of petitions today, which challenge the validity of Article 35A of the Constitution that grants special privileges to the residents of the state. The Jammu and Kashmir government had on Friday moved an application before the top court and sought to defer the hearing of the case, citing upcoming panchayat and urban local body elections. Article 370 of the Constitution grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, while Article 35A disallows people from residing in Jammu and Kashmir, buying or owning immovable property in the state, settle permanently, or get state government jobs. A non-governmental organisation, We the Citizens, filed a petitioned in the Apex Court in 2014 to abolish the law on the grounds that it was "unconstitutional". There are apprehensions, amongst sections of Kashmiris, that if the law is repealed or diluted, outsiders would settle in Jammu and Kashmir. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A group of University of Asia Pacific students were assaulted by a group of motorcycle-borne men and vandalised their campus near Farmgate in Dhaka on Sunday. As per eyewitnesses, the men, who are yet to be identified, attacked the students with sticks near the Ananda Cinema Hall in Farmgate at around 12:30 pm (local time), Prothom Alo reported. On being chased by the men, the students, who were protesting along with the school students advocating for safer roads in Farmgate, took shelter in the campus of the University of Asia Pacific. The attackers then shattered the windows of the campus. Later, the students claimed that the miscreants were members from Bangladesh Chhatra League's (BCL) Tejgaon College unit, according to The Dhaka Tribune. For those unversed, two students of Dhaka's Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment College were killed when a speeding bus ploughed through a crowd on July 29. The bus was attempting to overtake another bus when the incident occurred. Following this, a large number of students took to the streets of Dhaka, demanding improved road safety and stricter enforcement of traffic laws, bringing the city to a complete standstill. The two students killed were identified as Abdul Karim Rajib (18) and Dia Khanam Mim (17). Dozens of students have been injured by the police in clashes ever since the protests began, according to several media reports. On a related note, as many as eight journalists were allegedly beaten up by activists of the ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) party, while they were covering the demonstrations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prominent Bangladeshi photographer and social activist Shahidul Alam was detained by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Branch over his Facebook posts on the ongoing student protests. The Dhaka Tribune quoted a source from Drik, Shahidul's photography agency saying that he was picked up from his Dhanmondi residence at around 10:30 pm (local time) on Sunday. Additional Commissioner of DMP Abdul Baten told UNB that a team of detectives detained the 63-year-old photographer for questioning over the Facebook posts on the protests by students on road safety in the Bangladeshi capital. Ramna Division Additional Deputy Commissioner Abdullahel Kafi told The Dhaka Tribune that a family member of Shahidul informed the police that the social activist was picked up from his house. Rejecting the claims, Kafi said, "Police has not detained him, and we do not know anything about this. We are investigating this allegation." Later, Drik issued a statement at around 1 am (local time) on Monday, claiming that Shahidul was forcibly kidnapped from his house. "According to security guards of the apartment building and other eyewitness reports, there were roughly 30 to 35 men, in plain clothes, who claimed to be from the Detective Branch (DB)," the statement said. The men went upstairs and forced a screaming Shahidul out of the house and he was pushed into a waiting HiAce car violently. The words - 'Popular Life Insurance' was written outside the car. The statement added that the men taped up the CCTV cameras and took away the footage. They manhandled with the security guards and locked them up. "His partner Rahnuma Ahmed, was in a neighbouring flat, raced downstairs on hearing the scream, but the car carrying him and two other cars waiting outside, sped away," the Drik statement further said. On Saturday, Shahidul, who is also founder of Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, was filming a video on attack on the students who were demonstrating for road safety near City College in Dhanmondi, when he was allegedly attacked by the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists, The Daily Star reported. Following the incident, Shahidul took shelter at a nearby guesthouse and then he went live on his Facebook page to narrate the ordeal. In the video clip, he said, "I was attacked a little while ago near City College because I was taking a video of Chhatra League students shouting 'Joy Bangla' and slightly before that attacking students." Later, Shahidul posted an image of his vandalised camera on the social networking site and wrote - "Remains of my OSMO" and hashtagged "we want justice. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China has successfully tested its first waverider hypersonic aircraft, which rides on its own shock waves. China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics in Beijing, which designed the aircraft under China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, announced that the first flight-test of its Starry Sky 2 was launched in Northwest China on Friday, reported Chinese News daily Global Times. Launched in a rocket, the hypersonic aircraft successfully separated from its launch vehicle after about 10 minutes. As per the academy, the independent flight maintained speed above Mach 5.5 for more than 400 seconds and reached Mach 6-7,344 kilometers per hour. As per a China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics statement, as quoted by China Daily, in the flight-test announced on Friday, the Chinese waverider reached an altitude of 30 km and carried out large-angle maneuvers. The vehicle also tested a host of advanced technologies such as a domestically developed heat-balance thermal protection system. The designing of Starry Sky 2 took three years and aims to demonstrate new aerodynamic technologies. This was the first time when China officially confirmed its research and development of the waverider. The United States and Russia have been testing waveriders for years, with an aim to make use of such vehicles' potential in military applications. Prior to this, the United States had tested an experimental waverider from 2010 to 2013 that was designed to reach Mach 6. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian government has clarified provisions of the Extradition Act 1962 shall apply with respect to Antigua and Barbuda. In 2001 Antigua and Barbuda notified India as a designated country under Commonwealth country under the provision of Extradition Act. The step by the Government will also help in the extradition of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi in connection with his alleged involvement in the Punjab Bank scam. The Ministry of External Affairs' order read: "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Extradition Act, 1962 (34 of 1962), the Central Government hereby directs that the provisions of the Extradition Act, 1962, other than Chapter 3, shall apply with respect to Antigua and Barbuda with effect from the date of notifying India as a designated Commonwealth Country under the provisions of the Extradition Act, 1993 (12 of 1993) of Antigua and Barbuda, by Statutory Instrument No. 34 of 2001 dated the 17th September 2001." This comes after India, on Sunday, formally handed over an extradition request to authorities in Antigua and Barbuda for fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi. Earlier, Antigua and Barbuda's Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) had earlier clarified that it took all steps to ensure Choksi was a 'fit and proper candidate' for the grant of citizenship as allowed under the country's Citizenship by Investment Act. In a press release, the CIU stated that Choksi's application was received by them in May 2017 with necessary documents, including a police clearance certificate as required by the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Act 2013. The MEA also clarified on misleading news reports about a new extradition agreement with Antigua and Barbuda. "The report is incorrect. As per the provisions of the Extradition Act, 1993 of Antigua and Barbuda, a fugitive may be extradited to a Designated Commonwealth Country or a State with which there are general or special arrangement or a bilateral treaty. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda notified India as a designated Commonwealth country in 2001," the clarification read. "The gazette notification on 3 August 2018 directs that the provisions of Extradition Act, 1962 shall apply with respect to Antigua and Barbuda with effect from 2001 i.e. when Antigua and Barbuda notified India as Designated Commonwealth Country under the provision of its own Extradition Act." "These notifications constitute an extradition arrangement between India and Antigua and Barbuda under their Extradition Act of 1993 and provide the legal basis for extraditing offenders from each other's jurisdiction," it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hollywood stars Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves' upcoming movie, 'Destination Wedding', which was slated to release in August, will now release on September 7. The trailer had earlier showed Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves as two pessimistic wedding guests consistently complaining about everything. Whether finding fault with the airline boarding process or being unhappy with the wedding seating chart, the disgruntled pair regrets their commitment to attend their friends' summer nuptials. Ryder and Reeves are co-starring for the fourth time after appearing together in 1992's Bram Stoker's Dracula, 2006's A Scanner Darkly and 2009's The Private Lives of Pippa Lee. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) United States President Donald Trump on Sunday accepted that his eldest son Donald Trump Jr's meeting of 2016 with Kremlin associated lawyers, was to get information on Hilary Clinton. Defending his son, the United States President termed the controversial meeting "totally legal and done all the time in " Trump, in a series of Tweet, lashed out at the media outlets and Robert Mueller's ongoing investigation into the possible links of Russia in US presidential election. "Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower," Trump tweeted. "This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!" he added. Last year in July, Trump had said that they primarily discussed a program about the adoption of Russian children. However, the statements surrounding the meeting have been changed several times. The United States President's eldest son Donald Trump Jr, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and his then-campaign manager Paul Manafort met Kremlin-linked lawyer on June 9, 2016, in Trump Tower. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hours after senior Congress leader Pratapsingh Rane termed the Goan diaspora as 'toilet cleaners', Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar on Monday demanded an explanation over his statement. While speaking in the Legislative Assembly last week, Rane had said that Goans who work abroad do toilet cleaning jobs. Miffed over Rane's statement, Chodankar took to social media and said "The Congress Party distanced itself from Pratapsing Rane's reference to Goans working in the United Kingdom. To speak disrespectfully about any profession or person is fundamentally against the philosophy and the idea of Congress and therefore the statement was unnecessary and incorrect." The Party further directed Rane to withdraw his statement or justify the same. "The Congress Party leaves it to Rane's wisdom either to withdraw his statement or explain it to the satisfaction of the Goan Diaspora. He is wise and experienced enough to react appropriately to his intentions," the post on Facebook added. Highlighting Goans and their establishment, Chodankar said that they have enriched India as well through valuable foreign exchange remittances. "Goa has a long history of migration. Goans have enriched every country to which they migrated. Many of them have and continue to hold high posts in Civil, Corporate, Government including Military and Education and Research establishments in many Countries. Some have adorned echelons of Democratic, Social, Medical and Banking and Scientific establishments," the post further read. "Some have become Senators and Legislators. They have enriched the Countries they work in. They have enriched our Country as well through valuable foreign exchange remittances. Today's Goa is a gift of present and past Goans who have and continue to slog here and abroad. We do not belittle their sacrifices nor their sweat and blood," the post further read. GPCC also appealed to Goans to work unitedly and fight the devil of unemployment led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government. "We believe in the dignity of labour and consider work as worship. No work is shameful or that can be humiliating. GPCC appeals Goans to work unitedly to fight the devil of unemployment and loss of livelihood let lose by the BJP led Government. Mining ban, Promotion of casinos, drugs, Formalin and a host of other vices are driving Goans towards frustration. Our lands are being sold to land sharks and real estate moguls. No scheme of employment generation is in the offing. This is leading to migration. Let's fight this multiheaded hydra ruling us in the name of BJP and their allies," the post also added. "The very reason for the existence of the Congress Party is to tirelessly struggle to bring equal dignity and opportunity to every human being. Every Goan irrespective whether living in Goa or abroad has every Right and freedom either to support or oppose mining and Congress party respects the same. I sincerely apologise for the hurt we caused to our dear Goans," Chodankar finally noted. According to media reports, Rane's toilet cleaners' remark has not gone down well with party President Rahul Gandhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) British Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay labelled his teacher, the French culinary genius, Joel Robuchon, as the 'God Father of Michelin', hours after the latter passed away. He took to Instagram to express his heartfelt message for Robuchon and also posted a happy picture of his teacher posing with him. "We've Lost The God Father of Michelin the most decorated Chef in the World, he kept all of us on our toes! Even when we were sleeping! Merci Chef, God Bless," the post read. The 32-Michelin starred Robuchon, who died of cancer on August 06, earned the title of 'Chef of the Century' in 1990 Talking about his culinary skills, his mashed potatoes dish was a hit in his restaurants based in Paris, Monaco, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Bangkok and Hong Kong. He is also the only chef with 32 Michelin guide stars. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maulana Fazlur Rehman vacated Ministers Enclave ISLAMABAD: Maulana Fazlur Rehman has vacated his official residence in the Ministers Enclave after staying there for more than one-and-a-half decades. Sources in the Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak-PWD), which maintains Bungalow No. 29 where the Maulana stayed, told media men that the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief left the house on July 31. They said that before leaving the official residence, Maulana Fazl paid all dues of the Pak-PWD. Maulana Fazl was chairman of the Kashmir Committee, who enjoys the status of a federal minister. It has been learnt that the Maulana has shifted to a farm house of his partys Senator Talha Mehmood in Chak Shahzad. Meanwhile, the Capital Development Authority has started renovation of the National Assembly speakers residence in the Ministers Enclave where PTI chairman Imran Khan will stay after taking the oath as prime minister. After the Supreme Court adjourned hearing Public Interest Litigations (PILs) challenging the validity of Article 35A, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Ram Madhav on Monday said one should have full faith in the Top Court's wisdom. "Concerned people who are making a hue and cry about this whole process should remember that it is not political establishment but judicial establishment which is looking into the matter. Some NGOs have approached Supreme Court stating that 35A was inserted in Indian Constitution without due procedure being followed. This issue is before the Supreme Court and the court will look into different aspects of it and will take an appropriate view," he told ANI. Meanwhile, Congress leader Saifuddin Soz said the article protects the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and should not be struck down. "This article protects the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and you cannot remove it just because the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) wants it. The BJP and the RSS are the same, they are against Article 370. However, I am not in favour of adjournment. There should be a solution, as soon as possible," he said. The Top Court was scheduled to hear a batch of petitions today, which challenge the validity of Article 35A of the Constitution, which grants special privileges to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir. The Jammu and Kashmir government had on Friday moved an application before the top court and sought to defer the hearing of the case, citing upcoming panchayat and urban local body elections. Article 370 of the Constitution grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, while Article 35A disallows people from residing in Jammu and Kashmir, buying or owning immovable property in the state, settle permanently, or get state government jobs. A non-governmental organisation, We the Citizens, filed a petitioned in the Apex Court in 2014 to abolish the law on the grounds that it was "unconstitutional". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian diaspora has strongly criticised Pakistan sponsored anti-India protest planned by pro-Khalistan Sikhs here on August 12. It is alleged that Pakistan's spy agency, the ISI, has drawn up elaborate plans to embarrass India during the 71st Independence Day functions in London. British businessman and philanthropist of Indian origin, Rami Ranger said in his tweet: "A rally planned by unelected and self-appointed handful of Sikhs from around the for Independence on August 12th 2018 in London is unwelcomed by the majority of Sikhs. A counter demonstration is planned by pro India supporters which can result in disturbance". He said in another tweet: "These handful of Sikhs are an embarrassment to Sikhs at large and also an impediment to progress in Punjab". Many people have expressed their views by raising objections on pro-Khalistan rallies in the UK. They raised questions by saying: "#Khalistan supporters are planning to do a global rally in London and many parts of the for referendum to vote for creation of Khalistan, but they don't protest for recent Sikh massacre in Afghanistan? They don't protest for Pakistani Sikh policeman who was humiliated?" The ISI is allegedly using discredited Khalistani groups to further its agenda and backing them to organise a pro-Khalistan rally in London. Sikhs for Justice, a pro-Khalistan group recently revealed its plan for August 12 by holding a joint press conference with Kashmiri separatists in London. UK-based known Khalistani activist Paramjeet Singh Pamma, whom India tried to extradite from Portugal, hosted the press conference of the Kashmir Freedom Movement, Kashmir Patriotic Forum International and Overseas Pakistani Welfare Organisation. "On August 12, we will unveil the case for Sikhs right to self-determination as guaranteed in the UN Charter and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights", said Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor of Sikhs for Justice. In furtherance of its campaign for non-binding Referendum 2020, the Sikhs for Justice is holding "London Deceleration" on August 12 at Trafalgar Square. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian Mission in Nepal is monitoring the situation in Simikot in Northern Nepal, where about 200 Indian Pilgrims are stranded for over a month. Speaking to ANI, the spokesperson for the Indian Embassy in Nepal, Roshan Lepcha, said that no flights are being operated due to bad weather conditions. "The Embassy's representatives in Simikot, Hilsa and Nepalgunj are continuously monitoring the situation," he added. About 200 Indian pilgrims are stranded in Simikot as commercial flights to and fro Simikot-Nepalgunj are out of operation due to unfavourable condition. The Indian Embassy has acknowledged that it has taken note of the development and is in contact with the stranded pilgrims. The Indian Mission in Nepal on Monday tweeted, "Embassy is aware that about 200 pilgrims stuck in Simikot due to bad weather & are in continual touch with them and their family members. The situation is under control and all stranded pilgrims would be evacuated as soon as the weather clears up." The Meteorological Forecasting Division of Nepal has predicted that rainfall in the country will reduce significantly. Last month due to the similar weather phenomenon in the Himalayan district of Nepal only accessible via airways trapped about 1500 Indian pilgrims for several days. However, they were rescued after a week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) PepsiCo on Monday announced that its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Indra Nooyi will step down on October 3 after 12 long years of leading the US food and beverage giant. "After 12 years as CEO, Indra K. Nooyi will step down Oct 3, 2018. Her leadership and vision propelled our performance, transformed our company and embedded sustainability into everything we do. Thank you, @IndraNooyi!" the company tweeted. The company also announced that its President, Ramon Laguarta, will replace Nooyi, who was the first female CEO in the company's history. Talking about her 12-year stint with PepsiCo, Nooyi hailed the experience as an "honour of a lifetime". "Growing up in India, I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary company. Guided by our philosophy of Performance with Purpose-delivering sustained performance while making more nutritious products, limiting our environmental footprint and lifting up all the communities we serve-we have made a more meaningful impact in people's lives than I ever dreamed possible," a statement from Nooyi read. She also commended the contribution of Laguarta, who will take over as the CEO, in the company's trajectory. "Ramon Laguarta is exactly the right person to build on our success. He is a terrific executive with a long and proven track record of growing businesses. He has a deep understanding of the changing preferences of consumers and other critical trends unfolding around the world, and he has demonstrated that he knows how to navigate them successfully. Ramon has been a critical partner in running the company, and I'm confident he will take PepsiCo to new and greater heights in the years to come," Nooyi noted. PepsiCo noted that the rest of the company's senior leadership would remain unchanged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In solidarity with students in Bangladesh, the Jadavpur University students on Monday staged a protest in front of the Bangladesh High Commission here. Two college students in Dhaka were killed in a rash driving incident of a speeding bus on July 29 leading to huge protests. The students of Jadavpur University raised slogans against Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and burnt her effigy. The two students, Abdul Karim Rajib (18) and Dia Khanam Mim (17), of Dhaka's Shaheed Ramiz Uddin Cantonment College came under the wheels of a bus that ploughed through a crowd in an attempt to overtake another bus. Following the incident, a large number of students took to the streets of Dhaka demanding improved road safety and stricter enforcement of traffic laws while bringing the city to a complete standstill. Several students have been injured in clashes with the police ever since the protests began, according to several media reports. On Sunday, a group of students of the University of Asia Pacific was also assaulted by motorcycle-borne men near Farmgate in Dhaka. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Few hours after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suspended license of two pilots involved in runway excursion incident at Saudi Arabia, a Jet Airways spokesperson on Monday assured that the airline would continue to adhere to all requirements needed. The spokesperson further said that the matter is now under investigation. The pilots of the Jet Airways mistook a taxiway for a runway, leading to the skidding of the aircraft onto an unpaved area at Riyadh airport following an aborted take-off on August 3. A Jet Airways spokesperson, in his statement, said, "Jet Airways is in contact with DGCA and has extended all co-operation with regard to the said incident. The airline will continue to adhere to all requirements as laid down by the regulator. The matter is currently under investigation and we cannot comment on this issue." The airlines further stated that at "Jet Airways, safety is of paramount importance of its crew and guests." Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's Aviation Investigation Bureau (AIB) had earlier issued a statement saying, "The aircraft accelerated with full take-off power and exceeded the taxiway onto an unpaved area ending up close to the exit of taxiway (G4) north of taxiway (K). Visibility was high and no obstacles or foreign objects were found on the taxiway." It had added that fire and rescue teams were rushed to the spot who carried out an emergency evacuation of all passengers and crew. Nobody suffered injuries. The statement had further said that the AIB was conducting a safety investigation of the incident with the participation of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India. The incident occurred around 12.30 am (local time) when the Mumbai-bound flight 9W-523, carrying 141 passengers and seven crew members attempted to take-off from the taxiway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President S. Thirunavukkarasar on Monday confirmed that following a setback earlier today, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M. Karunanidhi's health was stable and improving. "I came to the hospital in morning. There was some setback in his health in the morning, after that it is improving. As of now the health condition of Karunanidhi is stable. He is still under doctors' observation and treatment. I pray to God for his speedy recovery," he told ANI. Several high-profile politicians, including Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and actor-politician Rajinikanth among others, have visited the five-time chief minister of Tamil Nadu at the Kauvery Hospital in Chennai, where he was admitted due to deteriorating health conditions. Executive Director of the Kauvery Hospital, Aravindaran Selvaraj, in an official statement on July 31, said that an extended period of hospitalisation would be necessary due to age-related overall decline in Karunanidhi's general health, altered liver functions and haematological parameters. The DMK chief was previously admitted in the Kauvery Hospital in December 2016 after he complained of breathing difficulties. He had undergone a tracheostomy, the procedure to enable supply of more oxygen into the lungs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chennai's Kauvery Hospital on Monday said the medical condition of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M. Karunanidhi has declined, and his vital signs are being monitored. "There has been a decline in the medical condition of Kalaignar Dr M Karunanidhi, DMK President and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Maintaining his vital organs functions continues to remain a challenge considering his age-related ailments," read the statement. The medical bulletin released by Kauvery Hospital Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President S. Thirunavukkarasar said Karunanidhi's health was stable and improving after a setback. Several high-profile politicians, including Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and actor-politician Rajinikanth among others, have visited the five-time chief minister of Tamil Nadu at the Kauvery Hospital in Chennai. Karunanidhi was admitted to the hospital following a drop in his blood pressure. The DMK chief was earlier undergoing treatment at his Gopalapuram residence in Chennai. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 23-year-old Communist Party of India (Marxist) worker was stabbed to death on Sunday in Kerala's Kasaragod district allegedly by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers. The local police have identified the prime accused as Aswanth, a BJP worker. According to the police, Aboobacker Sidiq - the victim - was stabbed on his stomach and chest, injuring his internal organs. Sadiq died on his way to the hospital. Further details in the case are currently awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of two priests--Jaise K. George and Father Sony Varghese-- in connection with Kerala's Malankara Orthodox Church case. The Apex Court division bench, headed by Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and also comprised of Justice Ashok Bhushan, asked both the accused priests to surrender before the police by August 13. The court noted that the petitions of the two accused priests are devoid of merits. "The petition of accused persons are devoid of merits and thereby we dismiss their prayers," the two-judge bench of the top court observed. The top court also asked both the accused priests George and Varghese, to surrender their mobile phones to the police to ensure that the investigation would be carried out properly. On July 26, the court had asked the Kerala Government to furnish a status report by today in the case. The two priests, along with others, are accused in the Kerala Church sex scandal case. The key accused, Varghese, along with his associate George, had earlier knocked the doors of the court seeking anticipatory bail in the case. A case was registered in June against four priests of Malankara Orthodox Church for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in Kottayam. The accused allegedly threatened to disclose the victim's confessions, made in church. The incident came to light when the victim's husband recovered an audio clip related to the case, following which investigation was initiated by the church. The Malankara Orthodox Church had suspended all the priests after the complaint was filed. One out of the four priests of accused in the case surrendered on July 12. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SAI to bring back stranded Pakistani from China KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: The ordeal of passengers of the Shaheen Air International (SAI) who have been stranded in a Chinese city since July 29 is hopefully coming to an end as an aircraft of the airline left for Guangzhou in the early hours of Monday morning, it is learnt. SAI representative Zoheb Hasan said that the faulty part (pipe) of the aircraft had been flown in from overseas and the airlines engineers/technicians had installed it in the aircraft, which would bring 46 stranded passengers back home. If everything went as planned, the passengers on board the SAI flight would return by Monday/Tuesday. When contacted, Pakistan International Airlines spokesperson Mashhood Tajwar earlier said that at SAIs request, the PIA was arranging the aircraft and seeking permissions from the countries in the flight path, but now the SAI had informed the PIA that it was sending its own aircraft. Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson Pervez George told reporters that the new spare part had been fixed in the SAI aircraft. He said the CAA staff tested/examined the SAI aircraft and declared it airworthy. He said the entire process had been completed and the aircraft left on Monday early morning. The issue started when the CAA suspended the SAI flight operations, except Haj flights, because of non-payment of its dues of over Rs1.5 billion. On July 29, the SAI flight to Guangzhou was cancelled and over 300 passengers were left stranded at the Chinese airport. Later, some passengers were refunded their tickets, while some others were transferred to hotels and provided food, etc. Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, taking notice of media reports, had ordered immediate repatriation of the passengers. The CAA gave special permission to the SAI to send a plane to bring back the passengers. But on inspection the CAA engineers found out that the aircraft being sent was faulty and declared it non airworthy. Jayaraman, a priest at Chirakkal Bhagavathi Temple in Kerala's Thrissur , was arrested after he allegedly called up the police control room and threatened to assassinate President Ram Nath Kovind. Soon after receiving the call, a police team traced the details and took Jayaraman into custody. According to Thrissur Superintendent of Police (SP), MP Dinesh, the temple priest was under the influence of alcohol when he called the cops and did not remember anything on regaining consciousness the next day. President Kovind is currently in Trivandrum to inaugurate the 'Festival of Democracy' as a part of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Legislative Assembly. He is also scheduled to visit the Guruvayoor Temple in Thrissur on Tuesday. The caller will be kept in police custody till the time President leaves the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) pop titan Lady Gaga has apologised for assuming the death of Canadian artist, Rick Genest, popularly known as 'Zombie Boy', as a suicide. Clarifying her condolences, the Grammy Winner tweeted, "Out of respect for Rick's family, Rick & his legacy I apologise if I spoke too soon as there was no witnesses or evidence to support any conclusion for the cause of his death. I in no way meant to draw an unjust conclusion. My deepest condolences to his entire family and friends." "The art we made was sacred to me and I was emotional, he was an incredible artist and his art and heart will live on. Rest In Peace, you beautiful soul." she added The apology comes days after she mourned Genest's death calling it a suicide in which she also pressed the need to erase the stigma surrounding mental health. Gaga had tweeted then, "The suicide of friend Rick Genest, Zombie Boy is beyond devastating. e have to work harder to change the culture, bring Mental Health to the forefront and erase the stigma that we can't talk about it. " The pop superstar deleted the post soon after. On August 1, Genest was found dead after a fall from the balcony at his Plateau-Mont-Royal apartment. Tattooed as a living skeleton, the 'Zombie Boy' also worked in various sideshows and freak shows across Canada as an illustrated man. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath on Monday said that India's upcoming encounter with England in the second Test of the ongoing five-match series is going to be a tough one, especially after losing the opener. In an exclusive interview to ANI, McGrath said, "It is going to be a tough challenge for the Indian team and there is no doubt about it. They have gone down one-nil against the home team which will make it difficult for them." The 48-year-old, however, said that India have proved themselves in the past and that they are capable of putting up a good performance. "Virat showed that he can still score runs there, while Ishant also took five wickets. So, India have to find a way for rest of the team to perform well. They have got the ability to create chances to bowl the team out. So, it is going to be a good challenge," he added. Reflecting on Indian skipper Virat Kohli's performance in the first Test, the former Australian bowler said that the he is a quality player and deserves to be the number one batsman in the world. The legendary bowler, however, hesitated terming Kohli as the 'all-time great' as he believes that the Indian skipper is just halfway through his career and at the moment he is just a quality player. Commenting on India's chances during their upcoming tour to Australia, McGrath admitted that the absence of suspended former skipper Steve Smith and former vice-captain David Warner from the team would be an advantage for the Indian side and it is likely to create a huge difference. India are scheduled to visit Australia for three-match T20I series, four Test matches and three ODIs later in the year. On a related note, India are slated to take on England in the second Test of the ongoing five-match series, beginning August 9 at Lord's. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Acclaimed filmmaker Karan Johar has given a thumbs up to the recently released trailer of Aayush Sharma and Warina Hussain's 'Loveratri'. The 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' director took to social media to praise the "supremely confident and assured young talent." He wrote, "Banging soundtrack! Supremely confident and assured young talent!!! Vibrant and full of love and magic! This promises to be a big success! Best of luck @aaysharma @khanarpita @BeingSalmanKhan" Apart from Karan, Bollywood star Varun Dhawan too took to Twitter to express his excitement and said he is "looking forward to the film." "I have seen the hard work Ayush has put in from day 1. You and Warina look so good. Can't get the song out of my head, gaana bhi jaldi release kardo. ab #loveratri ka season hain isliye love ka reason hain. Looking forward to the film," tweeted the 'Sui Dhaaga' star. The trailer of Salman Khan's brother-in-law Aayush Sharma's debut Bollywood movie was released today. The romantic drama is set in Gujarat, against the backdrop of Navratri. Aayush plays the role of a happy go lucky boy from Baroda, who falls in love with an NRI, played by Warina, when she visits the town during Navratri. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by the 'Bharat' star under the banner of Salman Khan Films, the flick will hit the theaters on October 5. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As per the recent notification issued by the Road Transport and Highway Ministry on August 2nd, manufacture, storage and sale of non-Indian standard (NON-ISI) helmets for two-wheelers will lead to arrest without warrant. While for first offence the penalty would amount to two years jail or fine of at least Rs. 2 lakh, subsequent offences would attract a higher fine. This will be applicable from next 60 days. Rajeev Kapur, President, Two Wheeler Helmet Manufacturers Association and MD of Asia's largest Helmet manufacturer, Steelbird said, "This move is highly appreciated by the government and this decision would act as a masterstroke and help in doing away with sale, manufacture, storage and use of NON-ISI marked helmets." "Selling NON-ISI marked helmets is equivalent to selling fake medicine. And just as fake medicines are harmful and poisonous so are fake helmets. This decision by the policymakers has a larger and deeper implication. Even the leading international brands who were exporting helmets to India as per European and US standard will now have to adhere to ISI standards. They will not be able to sell otherwise," Kapur added. Also, this notification will be applicable from 60 days from now which means all manufacturers not adhering to ISI standard should stop manufacturing at once. And the dealers should quickly liquidate their stocks. Those who already have bought should not use the fake product as it is dangerous and can lead to fatal injuries. As per the Motor Vehicle Act, each and every two-wheeler rider must use ISI marked helmet only and this notice will further act as reinforcement. Furthermore, as there will be no sale and manufacture of NON-ISI helmets no one will have access to substandard products. Hence injuries due to road accidents will decrease. This will also save a lot of money for the government as they were spending a lot on the police, medical expenditures, hospitals, Insurance etc. Rajeev Kapur said, "Now I am glad that consumers will be buying genuine products. The new two-wheeler helmets under the mandatory certification regime will be lighter and airier for the comfort of bike riders. Once again as a part of this industry, I would really like to thank the government for such an applaudable move." "As per the data, all over in India more than 1.50 lakh people have died in road accident. After this step of govt, millions of lives can be saved in coming years," added Kapur. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday met held discussions over the Maharashtra Reservation issue. According to sources, during the meeting, which lasted for about an hour, Fadnavis informed the Prime Minister about the steps being taken towards resolving the issue, while also clarifying the state government's role in brokering a settlement with the people In addition, he notified Prime Minister Modi that letters had been sent to the respective Superintendents of Police in connection with the withdrawal of cases lodged against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers during the Maratha Reservation agitations. On Thursday, Fadnavis stated that his government would provide reservation to Marathas in accordance with law. Following a meet with state leaders from diverse sections, Fadnavis said, "A joint statement has been signed to give reservation to Marathas lawfully. The state government stands in absolute support for Maratha reservation, and we are following a requisite process to do it at the earliest." The Maratha Kranti Morcha has been agitating across the state demanding reservation in government jobs and education. The major demands of the morcha are - decision on the Maratha quota at the earliest, all cases against Maratha protesters be taken back, action against the officers responsible for firing and lathi charge during the state-wide protest on July 25, resignation or sacking of ministers and MLAs who gave irresponsible statements against the Maratha community. Besides reservation, they have also been demanding loan waiver, justice in Kopardi rape case and a solution to unemployment in their community. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kulsoom Nawaz, wife of jailed Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has regained consciousness but she is still on ventilator, said Sharif's son Hussain Nawaz. Hussain informed that his mother was able to recognise family members and could now communicate with them through gestures. However, she was unable to speak, Samaa TV reported quoting Hussain Nawaz. Kulsoom is undergoing treatment for cancer at the Harley Street Clinic in London. On July 13, Hussain announced that his mother opened her eyes after a month-long coma. He requested people to remember his mother in their prayers. Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz were in London to attend to ailing Kulsum Nawaz. However, they had to leave for Pakistan to serve their respective sentences in connection to the Avenfield reference case. On July 6, Sharif and Maryam were convicted in absentia in the Avenfield reference case by the Accountability Court. While the former was given ten years of imprisonment and slapped with a fine of eight million pounds, Maryam was awarded eight years in jail and fined two million pounds. Upon their arrival at Lahore on July 13, the father-daughter duo was taken to Islamabad by a chartered flight, from where they were taken to Adiala jail in Rawalpindi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Habibur Rahman, one of the handlers of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem, after he was deported from Saudi Arabia. Rahman was arrested by NIA on August 5 at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi upon arrival from Saudi Arabia. He was initially arrested in 2007 while trying to infiltrate two Pakistani and one Kashmiri terrorists into India through Bangladesh. NIA, in a statement, said it had received an input about Rahman travelling to India, but officials in the know of the development said it was an example of cooperation between security agencies of the two countries. "Naeem ditched the police and escaped from custody while he was being taken for court attendance to Maharashtra from Kolkata in August 2014. The escape from custody emboldened Naeem, who kept playing cat and mouse games with agencies for about three years during which he continued with his nefarious activities on the directions of his handlers based in Pakistan and in Saudi Arabia," the NIA added. Rahman was produced in Delhi's Patiala House Court earlier in the day to seek NIA custody for his interrogation. In order to execute the conspiracy, the official said, "Naeem assumed different fake identities and visited different states including Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, and did reconnaissance of possible targets for terrorist attacks. Habibur Rahman, who is affiliated to proscribed terrorist organisation LeT, arranged shelter/hideouts and funds for Naeem on different occasions for carrying out terrorist activities in India on the directions of the LeT commander Amjad alias Rehan who is based in Pakistan". Naeem has been chargesheeted along with 10 other co-accused including, Rahman, by the NIA. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan is working to build up capacity to hack drone signals in order to jam or change direction of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). An Intelligence source said that the Pakistan Air Force is seeking help from China to enhance its capabilities in this regard. Pakistan airforce has shown interest in procuring a new design portable Drone Jx gun from M/s Aries, Beijing SZMD hitech company Limited. The source informed that Drone Jx gun jams the control signal between the ground station and the drone or the UAV, thereby forcing the object to land. The effective range of the device is 1 Km and it costs USD 7000. Talking to ANI an officer shared, "This gun shaped device is portable and comes in a backpack. Once directed towards a drone or UAV, it cuts its signals or video streaming from its ground base. Also, it can be direct the drone to the desired place, thus keeping the flying object intact for forensic investigation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Paper industry celebrated Paper Day on August 1 by launching an awareness campaign on friendliness of paper as against several alternate materials. The campaign titled "Paper is Green" endeavoured to correct several myths regarding the usage of paper. According to Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA), paper is perhaps the only material that is biodegradable, renewable, recyclable and sustainable. Increased use of paper and paperboard in education, packaging and sanitation is also much more environment-friendly, and needs to be promoted vigorously. Celebration of Paper Day offered an opportunity to spread the increased relevance of use of paper in present times. During the campaign on Paper Day, paper industry ambassadors reached out to people at market places, parking lots, malls, metro stations and other public places and apprised them about sustainability of paper. Booklets on myths and realities regarding paper were distributed. "A myth is being created by certain interests that use of paper implies cutting of forests. This is not the case at all, especially in India. The wood for manufacturing of paper comes from cultivated trees grown by farmers. Paper Industry in India is not a forest based industry rather it is an agro based and rural based industry in India. Industry has been joining forces with farmers to grow more and more trees under agro / farm forestry," said Saurabh Bangur, IPMA President. According to IPMA, growing and harvesting trees by Paper Industry is providing jobs for lakhs of farmers in rural areas. Currently, agro forestry initiative of Paper Industry spreads across 9,00,000 hectares and around 90 per cent of the demand for wood by the industry is sourced from industry driven agro forestry. Extensive R&D has been undertaken to produce disease and drought resistant tree saplings which can be grown in different agro climatic conditions. About 5 lakh farmers are productively employed in this agro forestry initiative. No other industry in the country has undertaken this kind of work on such a major scale and in different parts of the country. "Encouraging farmers to grow trees helps in enhancing the country's green cover, carbon sequestration and mitigating the harmful effects of climate change. Usage of paper is thus good for the environment," added Saurabh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Arabia expelled Canadian ambassador Saudi Arabia said on Monday it was expelling the Canadian ambassador and had recalled its envoy while freezing all new trade, in protest at Ottawa's vigorous calls for the release of jailed activists. The kingdom gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country, in an abrupt rupture of relations over what it slammed as interference in its internal affairs. The move, which underscores a newly aggressive foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, comes after Canada demanded the immediate release of human rights campaigners swept up in a new crackdown. In this 2012 photo, Samar Badawi is presented with an International Women of Courage Award by the US Secretary of State and the first lady during a ceremony at the State Department in Washington, DC. The Canadian position is an overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi foreign ministry tweeted. The kingdom announces that it is recalling its ambassador to Canada for consultation. We consider the Canadian ambassador to the kingdom persona non grata and order him to leave within the next 24 hours. The ministry also announced the freezing of all new trade and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action. Canada last week said it was gravely concerned over a new wave of arrests of women and human rights campaigners in the kingdom, including award-winning gender rights activist Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists, the foreign ministry tweeted on Friday. Samar was arrested along with fellow campaigner Nassima al-Sadah last week, the latest victims of what Human Rights Watch called an unprecedented government crackdown on the women's rights movement. Samar is a vocal campaigner for blogger Raif Badawi, her brother who was arrested in 2012 and sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for insulting Islam in a case that sparked an international outcry. The latest arrests come weeks after more than a dozen women's rights campaigners were detained and accused of undermining national security and collaborating with enemies of the state. Some have since been released. The Saudi foreign ministry slammed the Canadian statement, signalling its growing irritation over Western criticism of the kingdom's poor human rights record. Using the phrase 'immediately release' in the Canadian statement is very unfortunate, reprehensible, and unacceptable in relations between states, the ministry tweeted. Prince Mohammed, heir to the region's most powerful throne, has introduced a string of reforms such as lifting a decades-long ban on women drivers in a bid to overhaul the kingdom's austere image as it prepares for a post-oil era. But the 32-year-old has simultaneously pursued a hawkish foreign policy including leading a blockade of neighbouring Qatar and a bombing campaign against Huthi rebels in Yemen while cracking down on dissent at home. In April, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his serious concern over the continued jailing of Badawi to Saudi King Salman. Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar has been granted asylum by Canada, where she is raising their three children now aged 14, 13 and 10 as a single mother. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce on Monday said that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) did not make enough consultations before discontinuing the issue of the Letter of Understanding (LoU)/Letter of Comfort (LoC) while terming the move as a 'knee jerk reaction' by the central bank due to recent bank frauds. The Committee, headed by Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, Naresh Gujral, in its report said the RBI should have done more scrutiny before going ahead with the decision to ban LoU and LoC. It further stressed on the need to streamline and simplify the processing of the Letters of Credit (LC's) issued by the banks. The RBI had in March this year discontinued providing LoU/ LoC as instruments of trade credit in the wake of Punjab National Bank scam. "The Committee notes that the RBI has in a response to the comments sought by the Department of Financial Services about the impact of discontinuation of LoU's/LoC's on credit cost for short term foreign currency loan has stated that there is no comparative reporting to RBI of quantum or cost of trade finance through LoU's/LoC's and other available avenues of raising short term foreign currency finance," the Committee mentioned in its report. "It is a typical case of throwing baby with the bath water and it must be stopped," the Committee said in its report while recommending that the LoU/LoC should be restored at the earliest with proper safeguards," the Committee's report said. Further, the Committee noted that the trade and industry has also been burdened with the demand for higher collateral by the banks which will adversely impact the competitiveness of the sectors. While lauding the efforts by RBI for better prudence and regulations in the banking sector in view of the misappropriation committed on banks, the Committee observed: "It has been noticed that the prudence has often been interpreted as overwhelming caution by the banks and regulations sometimes borders on stifling trade and industry." "Discontinuation of the practice of issuance of LoU/LoC for trade credit by the RBI was a knee-jerk reaction. The Committee feels that the RBI got unnerved with the PNB fraud and it hastened the decision to ban LoU/LoC without much thought and consideration," it added. The statement added that none of the stakeholders representing trade and industry, bank with whom the Committee held deliberations suggested that LoU/LoC was a flawed document. "Moreover, RBI has itself promoted it after thorough verification more than a decade ago. There is also a unanimity that the ban of LoU/LoC has resulted in rise in the cost of credit by two to two and a half per cent. This will certainly affect the cost competitiveness of country's trade and industry and have a cascading effect on jobs, The loss of jobs is something the country can ill-afford," the Committee said. The Committee observed that the RBI should have engaged more in consultations with stakeholders on the matter before discontinuing LoU/LoC and suggested restoring it at the earliest with proper safeguards. "The ban on LoU/LoC takes away the benefit of cheap source of funds availed by the importers. Costly importers shall lead to higher costs of production and erode the competitiveness of the domestically produced goods. The loss of competitiveness takes away the gains that might have accrued to export on account of rupee depreciation," it noted. Adding to this the Committee felt that discontinuation of LoU/LoC as a response to fraud has set conservatism in the banking sector, and they have become stringent in their operation and credit exposures. "The caution has inadvertently made banks becoming inaccessible to MSME sector," it said. The Committee concluded that the Government must take necessary measures in response to the fraud and high risks that are negative for the economy in the long run. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said that Washington DC will enforce renewed sanctions on Iran. Talking to the reporters aboard, on his way home from Asia, Pompeo said the sanctions to be re-imposed on Monday are an important pillar in the US policy toward Iran, reported the Washington Post. "The United States is going to enforce these sanctions," Pompeo said. "It's an important part of our efforts to push back against Iranian malign activity," he added. Pompeo said that "enormous change" is required by the Iranian government to break free of the U.S. sanctions. "They've got to behave like a normal country," he said. In 2015, six countries - Iran, US, Britain, Germany, Russia, France, and China- signed Iran nuclear deal, for lifting economic sanctions on Tehran in exchange for limitations to the country's nuclear programme. However, Trump announced the US' withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or the Iran nuclear deal in May, which limited the country's uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief. Calling the accord as an "embarrassment" that was "defective at its core", the US President then warned of severe consequences if Iran resumed its nuclear programme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has officially been nominated as their candidate for the next Prime Minister of the country as well as the parliamentary leader of their parliamentary committee. In the party meeting, PTI vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi put forth the resolution to nominate Imran as the PTI's formal candidate and the resolution was accepted unanimously by the party members, reported Geo News. Following the nomination, Imran Khan talked about his early days at the party before discussing his own struggles as well as achievements. Continuing his speech, the PTI chairman said that finding the solution to the country's issues and economic crisis is his priority. "The country is in an economic crisis and we need to steer it out of it. We will approach overseas Pakistanis for repayment of debts," Geo News quoted Khan, as saying. Imran further requested the party members to save the money of the country so that it could be used towards public welfare. However, the decision on cabinet members is yet to be taken. "The final decision on cabinet members will be taken by Imran Khan himself,"the Dawn quoted a senior party leader, as saying. The PTI emerged as the single largest party with 116 seats, after the ECP on July 28 released the complete preliminary results for 270 of 272 National Assembly (NA) constituencies. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) which won 64 seats came second, while the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) bagged 43 seats and finished third. Pakistan went to polls on July 25 and the counting of votes began soon thereafter in the evening, which was marred by tedious counting and allegations of rigging by major political parties, including the PML-N and PPP. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Rana Daggubati has started prepping for his upcoming film - a biopic on Telugu actor-turned-politician Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) - in which he will play Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. For the same, he recently met the Andhra CM and took to Twitter to share his excitement. Along with a picture with him, the 'Baahubali' star wrote, "What an honour it is to play the role of the Honourable ChiefMinister of Andhra Pradesh Mr.N.ChandraBabuNaidu @ncbn in the #NTR biopic. Thank you sir for giving us your valuable time." After months of speculation, earlier last week, the 33-year-old confirmed being part of the project on social media. He had posted, "Coming together to tell you a story of an incredible human phenomenon called 'N.T.RamaRao'". The film also stars Bollywood actor Vidya Balan and Bengali actor Jisshu, along with N Balakrishna, Vishnu Induri and Sai Korrapati. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hours after Congress leader Shashi Tharoor stirred a controversy by criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "dislike" towards the Muslim community, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Monday demanded an apology from the Congress Party for the same. Speaking to ANI, Rijiju said "Congress should immediately apologise for Shashi Tharoor's remark. It's a part of our tradition and is our cultural identity". Rijiju also demanded an apology from Tharoor for insulting the people of North-East India. "I demand apology from the Congress Party for insulting the people of India's North East and Tribals. Shashi Tharoor described North-East people and Naga Tribal headgears as funny looking outlandish and hilarious," he tweeted. "Congress Party and Shashi Tharoor Ji please explain what's the English meaning of outlandish and hilarious headgear? You can't get away after insulting the Tribal and North East people," Rijiju said in another tweet. Echoing similar views, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) general secretary Ram Madhav asserted that Tharoor should learn to respect all customs. "Shocking and condemnable he is (Tharoor) making such irresponsible statements on Indian cultures and traditions. He should learn to respect all customs," he said. Tharoor, while addressing a seminar in Thiruvananthapuram, claimed that Prime Minister Modi was averse to dawn a Muslim cap or attire. "The Prime Minister dislikes one particular community and discriminates against them in spite of his party's slogan Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas," the Member of Parliament (MP) from Thiruvananthapuram had said. However, Tharoor clarified that his comment was an observation and there was no need to get outraged about it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended license of two pilots involved in runway excursion incident at Saudi Arabia's Riyadh pending investigation. The pilots of the Jet Airways mistook a taxiway for a runway, leading to the skidding of the aircraft onto an unpaved area at Riyadh airport following an aborted take-off on August 3. Saudi Arabia's Aviation Investigation Bureau (AIB) issued a statement saying, "The aircraft accelerated with full take-off power and exceeded the taxiway onto an unpaved area ending up close to the exit of taxiway (G4) north of taxiway (K). Visibility was high and no obstacles or foreign objects were found on the taxiway." It added that fire and rescue teams were rushed to the spot who carried out an emergency evacuation of all passengers and crew. Nobody suffered injuries. The statement further said that the AIB was conducting a safety investigation of the incident with the participation of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India. The incident occurred around 12.30 am (local time) when the Mumbai-bound flight 9W-523, carrying 141 passengers and seven crew members attempted to take-off from the taxiway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Janata Dal (United) leader Harivansh Narayan Singh is likely to be the Democratic Alliance's (NDA) candidate for the post of the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Earlier today, Rajya Sabha chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu announced that elections to the post of the Deputy Chairman would take place on August 9. Meanwhile, Congress senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said that ideally the Deputy Chairman should be from the opposition parties. Speaking on the issue, Azad said, "We (the Opposition) would prefer to have a Deputy Chairman who is not from the ruling party or their allies. It will be in the fitness of things to have a Deputy Chairman from the Opposition." "The Congress party so far has not decided any candidate; the Opposition as such has not decided any candidate. But, we are very clear about it that it should be a consensus candidate," Azad said. The post has been lying vacant since Congress leader PJ Kurien retired on July 1. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Russian Embassy in New Delhi has denied a news report by a media outlet alleging that Russia would target elections in India and Brazil through their media institutions. The media outlet allegedly quoted "a social media expert" from a British university regarding the report of Russia influencing elections in both the aforementioned countries. The embassy clarified that Russia had never interfered in internal of other countries as it went against the fundamental principles of its foreign policy. "This blatantly false and unfounded assertion is a phoney attempt to drive a wedge between Russia and her BRICS partners following the success of the recent summit meeting of the group in Johannesburg," an official statement said. "It has become a common knowledge that Russia enjoys the camaraderie with India and will never do anything that goes against the interests and dignity of the friendly Indian nation," it added. 13 Russian nationals were indicted by United States Special counsel Robert Mueller for allegedly interfering in the 2016 United States elections. The New York Times reported that along with the 13 nationals, three Russian organisations were also accused of illegally using social media platforms to influence the Presidential elections of the United States. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Korea on Monday asked North Korea to accelerate their denuclearisation process, while asking the United States to faithfully carry out its promises on the same. Asked about a possible breakthrough in the denuclearisation talks between North Korea and the US, Yonhap News Agency quoted Cheong Wa Dae (South Korean presidential office) spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom saying, "We are asking North Korea to speed up its denuclearization process. And to the U.S., we are asking that it to show sincere efforts about corresponding measures that North Korea is demanding." Last month, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who was on a state visit to Singapore urged collective efforts to accelerate North Korea's denuclearisation exercise. "If North Korea comes up with a more detailed plan for its denuclearisation while South Korea and the U.S. swiftly take corresponding measures, the speed (of denuclearisation) will further increase," Moon said this at a special lecture in Singapore. On April 27, Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met at the inter-Korean summit at Panmunjom in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), which separates the two Koreas. The two leaders signed the Panmunjom Declaration, pledging for ceasing hostilities against each other and advocating complete denuclearisation in the Korean Peninsula. Asked about a possible meeting between Kim and Moon, Kim Eui-kyeom said there were no discussions on the same as of now. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who visited North Korea for denuclearisation talks last month, had invited furore from Pyongyang, which later expressed its disappointment over the "gangster-like" attitude and demand of US officials on denuclearisation, calling it "regrettable and really disappointing." In a statement by an unnamed foreign ministry spokesman, carried by North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Pyongyang criticised Washington D.C. for "seeking unilateral and forced and "gangster-like demand for denuclearisation", Yonhap News Agency reported. "The US just came out with such unilateral, robber-like denuclearisation demands as CVID (complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement), declaration and verification that go against the spirit of the North Korean-US summit meeting," the spokesperson said. Despite Kim vowing to give up developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, a confidential report by the United Nations revealed that the country was reportedly continuing to pursue its nuclear weapons programme. Last week, a US official also stated that North Korea was reportedly constructing new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and its missile programme was doing "business as usual. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Micro-finance company Satya MicroCapital Limited on Monday announced raising of funds worth Rs. 43 crores in its latest equity funding round led by Gojo & Company, Inc. The company plans to use the funds to expand its presence across existing as well as new geographies and build a diversified loan book. Gojo & Company, Inc., which is Japan-based holding company of microfinance institutions, marks its first investment in an Indian Micro Finance Institution, having earlier invested in Ananya Finance for Inclusive Growth. "We are certain that the funds raised will enable us to continue growing and empowering more and more Entrepreneurs from the underserved sections of society," said MD and CEO Satya MicroCapital Ltd., Vivek Tiwari. "It gives a great pleasure to partner with a young and dynamic microfinance institution like Satya MicroCapital. Gojo was created to promote financial access across the globe and has already made equity investments in MFIs based in Cambodia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. So, when it came to a highly competitive market like India, we wanted to invest in an NBFC MFI, which had the potential, as well as the required ability to provide financial access to a large client base in the coming years and & we found that partner in Satya," said founder and Chief Investment Officer, Gojo & Company Inc., Sanjay Gandhi. By leveraging technology innovatively and making modifications to its lending model, Satya MicroCapital offers prompt, convenient, and affordable collateral-free credit to people at the bottom of the economic pyramid with a strong credit assessment system. Recently, the company crossed a milestone of one lakh active loan clients and cumulative credit disbursements worth Rs. 300 crores. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As... Saudi Arabia on Sunday recalled its ambassador in Canada and froze all new trade and investment deals with the country after the Canadian foreign ministry called on Riyadh to free jailed civil rights activists. Besides this, Saudi Arabia has also withdrawn its envoy to Ottawa. "Canada and all other nations need to know that they can't claim to be more concerned than the Kingdom over its own citizens," the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement, reports The Hill. As part of its statement, Saudi Arabia has given its Canada's ambassador 24 hours to leave the country. "Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as acknowledgment of our right to interfere in the Canadian Domestic affairs," the statement added. This comes after the Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland urged authorities in Saudi Arabia to release from prison human rights activist Samar Badawi, the sister of Saudi activist and writer Raif Badawi, who is currently in prison. "Very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi, Raif Badawi's sister, has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, and we continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi," Freeland tweeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2018 has been passed in Lok Sabha on Monday. The SC/ST Act protects the marginalised communities against discrimination and atrocities. Earlier in the day, the Congress Party condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for bringing the bill to restore the stringent provisions of the SC/ST law after a long delay. Initiating a discussion on the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said, "It has taken a lot of time to bring the legislation forward. I welcome the bill and support it. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court judgment in March had diluted the original Act, which dalits around the country understood as injustice." Last week, the amendment bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot. Talking about the restoration of the provisions of the original law, Kharge stated that it could have been done through an ordinance earlier. "The Bill was nullified by the Supreme Court in March this year. And in the last four months six ordinances were brought by the government. The government brought the ordinance to help the corporate companies first but did not bring the ordinance to stop injustice to over 24 per cent of the population of the country. They could have brought the seventh ordinance also," Kharge noted. The Congress leader further alleged that the government has now passed the bill thinking that if they do not bring it now then they would have to face its heat in next year's Lok Sabha elections. "Why didn't you bring this Bill earlier? The Congress protested against the top court order on March 27, 2018 before the Gandhi statue in Parliament. If the answers were given four months ago, then this injustice to Dalits would not have happened," Kharge said. Mentioning about the rise in the attacks against Dalits, Kharge stated that killing or violence against SC/ST are on the rise in the country, according to the Crime Record Bureau (NCRB). The apex court, in its March 20 ruling, had barred immediate arrests in cases registered under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. This came after Dalit organisations staged a massive protest across the country on April 2 against the judgment of the top court. Later, the Centre filed a review petition against the ruling, which went in vain as the top court refused to stay its order and asked all parties to submit detailed replies. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 125 students of Institute of Design & Technology got the opportunity to interact with Minister of Textiles - Smriti Zubin Irani at the inaugural ceremony of the very first edition of Yarn Expo at the Surat International Exhibition & Convention Centre (SIECC), Surat. Organized by Southern Gujarat Chambers of Commerce & Industry (SGCCI), the conclave highlighted issues related to textile industries and Smriti came up with an idea that Design Institute should work in conjunction with the textile industries, which will provide future opportunities to the market and unemployed sectors as well. Keeping in mind the Expo, IDT students made Friendship Day Belts, using Yarn as the base. They presented the same to Smriti Irani as a token of respect. IDT feels proud and obliged at the same time to the team members of SGCCI, who provided us with this great opportunity to be a part of the conclave. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Six people were killed and 13 others were injured in two bombings, which rocked Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Sunday. As per the Voice of America, the incident took place outside a coffee shop on the capital's busiest road. Mogadishu officials believe the car was driven by a suicide bomber. Till now no one has claimed responsibility for the blast. This was the second blast in a day. Earlier, two people were killed in a suicide car bomb exploded near a military vehicle in Afgoye. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 200 passengers travelling by Shaheen Air flight who were stranded at Guangzhou airport in China for over a week returned to Lahore on Monday. According to Geo News, Shaheen Air International rescued the passengers by sending in their own aircraft following the reports of Pakistan International Airlines launching a rescue mission for the stranded Pakistani nationals. The passengers were abandoned at the airport after the cancellation of their flight due to a tiff between the airline and Civil Aviation Authority over the payment of dues amounting to Rs1.5 billion. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office of Pakistan had earlier said that around 214 passengers reached home using alternate airlines with the cooperation of the Pakistani consul general, while 46 others preferred to return via Shaheen Airlines. The official further said that the stranded passengers were lodged in a hotel in Guangzhou and were provided food and other facilities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 15 Naxals have been gunned down so far and four Naxals apprehended from the encounter site in Sukma, in possession of seven country-made weapons. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh also congratulated the security forces for successfully conducting the search operations near Sukma's Gonta and Golapalli police limits. "It was a big, successful, and clean operation. The forces were in the jungle for the past two days, it's definitely a big success for the police forces," he said. Furthermore, Special Director General of Anti-Naxal Operations said apart from the Naxals gunned down, an area committee member (ACM) with a bounty of Rs 5 lakh was arrested along with a female Naxal. "We had info of 20-25 people to be in the camp, 1 more operation is underway in the interior area of Sukma," he added. Apart from the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated the Chhattisgarh Police on their successful operations. The encounter broke out earlier this morning when the police patrol party was carrying out a search operation in the area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Monday voiced hope that the Supreme Court will strike down the Article 35-A of the Constitution that grants special privileges to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir. Calling it unconstitutional, Swamy told ANI that the Article 35-A is also against women's right. "We can't be terrorised by all this. This is clear that they (protestors) all are doing it under the instigation of extremist elements and Pakistan to not allow any change. This Article 35A is against the rights for women and is unconstitutional too. Therefore, we would like to see the Supreme Court strike it down," Swamy. Yesterday, the Conference (NC) leaders staged a protest against interference with Article 35A. Former chief minister Farooq Abdullah while addressing a public gathering had asserted that any attempts made to assault Article 35A would be opposed by the NC. Article 370 of the Constitution grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, while Article 35A disallows people from residing in Jammu and Kashmir, buying or owning immovable property in the state, settle permanently, or get state government jobs. A non-governmental organisation, We the Citizens, filed a petitioned in the apex Court in 2014 to abolish the law on the grounds that it was "unconstitutional". There are apprehensions, amongst sections of Kashmiris, that if the law is repealed or diluted, outsiders would settle in Jammu and Kashmir. The matter of 35-A has allegedly united Kashmiri separatists and mainstream politicians. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tripura's Jamiat Ulama-e Hind, one of the oldest bodies of the minority Muslim population of the state, appealed to the new ruling BJP-IPFT government to take necessary appropriate measures so that the Muslim population can celebrate the upcoming Eid al-Adha, also called the 'Festival of Sacrifice', without any fear. Mufti Tayebur Rahaman, president of the Tripura State Jamiat Ulama-e Hind, speaking to reporters in the central mosque Gedu Mia Masjid apprehended that this time during the Eid al-Adha, they may not be able to follow their age-old ritual of slaughtering animals like a cow. He alleged that after the new BJP-IPFT government came to power in Tripura, the Muslim population is being targeted for their food habit of consuming beef. Rahaman further said, "A large section of people in Tripura are connected with the business of selling cow, buffalo and goat, but of late it has come to notice that if any vehicle is carrying a cow, it is stopped and checked. Due to all these, they are facing a loss in their business. We are demanding to the government so that necessary steps are taken to stop all these." According to the Muslim leader, the government has to take advance measures so that sacrifices can be done during Eid al-Adha in a peaceful manner. Rahaman viewed that food habit is the fundamental right of the Muslim people, but a section is also interfering and it should be stopped. He also informed, "I along with other members immediately after the new government came to power met the Chief Minister in his official residence, informing him about these issues. The CM assured to look into them." He mentioned a list of spots where the minority was attacked on the issue of either carrying cattle in vehicles or eating beef. He also demanded change in the Wakaf record. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States of America has decided to reinstate the sanctions on Iran, following its exit from the nuclear deal. The Trump administration will restore the sanctions which were lifted by former president Barack Obama in 2015 to create pressure on Iran while creating a rift with Europe, reported the New York Times. This comes after the United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said that the sanctions to be re-imposed on Monday are an important pillar in the US policy toward Iran. Pompeo further said that the goal of these sanctions is to get Iran to stop supporting the ill- governance and uprisings in the Middle-East, adding that "enormous change" is required by the Iranian government to break free of the U.S. sanctions. "They've got to behave like a normal country," he added. With the sanctions reinforced any transactions with Iran involving dollar bank notes, gold, precious metals, aluminium, steel, commercial passenger aircraft and coal, and the imports of Iranian carpets and foodstuffs into the United States will be prohibited. More sanctions will be imposed on Iran in November including barring Iran's sale of crude oil and transactions with its Central Bank, the report highlighted. In order to protect European companies from any penalties imposed by the United States for doing business with or in Iran, EU has updated a blocking statute. In 2015, six countries - Iran, US, Britain, Germany, Russia, France, and China- signed the Iran nuclear deal, for lifting economic sanctions on Tehran in exchange for limitations to the country's nuclear programme. However, Trump announced the US' withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or the Iran nuclear deal in May, which limited the country's uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief. Calling the accord as an "embarrassment" that was "defective at its core", the US President then warned of severe consequences if Iran resumed its nuclear programme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Few days after a Muslim man was forced to shave off his beard following an altercation in Gurugram, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi has threatened the accused that he would be "converted to Islam". Strongly reacting to the Haryana incident, Owaisi further said that he would make the accused grow a beard. "Muslim man's beard was shaved off. Those who did it, I am telling them and their fathers, even if you slit our throat, we'll be Muslims. We will convert you to Islam and will make you keep a beard," he said. On August 2, Gurugram Police arrested three accused after an FIR was registered by the victim, Yunus in this regard. The incident took place in Gurugram's Sector 29 when three people allegedly dragged a Muslim man to a salon and forced him to shave off his beard. This has come at a time when many political parties are cornering the Centre over rampant incidents of mob lynching, alleging that atrocities against the Muslim community are on a rise across the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jamas nos callaran Fisica y culturalmente Nec plus ultra, nec variatur Precio del Brent To get the BRENT oil price, please enable Javascript. Precio del WTI To get the oil price, please enable Javascript. Paginas vistas en total Dolar USA Vs Euro Sin ellas, no seremos Deja vu Nada que celebrar Hasta cuando? Colombia Hoy Para nunca olvidar 'Parasite' painted on a statue of Queen, Elizabeth in Kent, England Sin palabras La UE le apunta a la paz Cada vez mas solo Precio del Oro To get the gold price, please enable Javascript. LULA y su Pueblo Bye Bye Homenaje al genial Quino Fueron ellos Una imagen que resume Tan bajo ha caido que se deja tocar el trasero? Porky y el Nene (archiconocido narcotraficante) Ladrones al poder Asi mira el perrito a su amo Crazy Clamor popular La nueva inquisicion Bolivia Chile Hoy Eso es todo amigos! Piensalo! Pinerachet No More Trump Adios Macri, hasta nunca La Marioneta se desinfla Asi o mas cinico Almugre Mexico en 1794 Mas arrastrado imposible Hasta cuando! La pura verdad Solidaridad con Palestina Serie Capitalismo Espejismos de la clase trabajadora Asi es! Comerciantes o delincuentes No pasaran! Asi es la vida USA HOY 01/01/1959 La avaricia no tiene limites AYUDA HUMANITARIA? Chile Hoy Asi son las cosas Mapa Electoral de Venezuela Patagonia argentina? Un aniversario mas del mayor genocidio de la Humanidad Retrato del franquismo en Espana Visca Catalunya! El Chulo de Madrid Cuando la policia se roba la democracia Una imagen dice mas que mil palabras La purita verdad Asi gobierna la maldita burguesia Mi pobre clase media Como Chavez nadie Comparte La Colmena via twitter Twittear Programa de la MUD Asi o mas clarito Por que Trump no ataco Corea del Norte? Hace 15 anos Por que la OEA no se pronuncio? Una verguenza nacional La luz que nos guia La Union Europea Premio Nobel de la Paz? Feudalismo ayer y hoy Obama, el mentiroso Curiosa coincidencia Un mundo de cerdos No es extrano? La Marioneta Los ricos protestan, los pobres celebran MARICORI Y OBAMA Cuantas muertes este ano? 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Por culpa de Chavez Cerveza Polar Algun dia Colombia volvera a la ideologia de Bolivar Translate LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares? Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano... Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos: Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias. Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera. No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje. En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio. Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida. Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella. Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal. Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista. Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen. Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che? Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio. Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora. Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo. Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo. Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania. No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar. Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga. Alguna duda? Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia. OZ1 OZ2 OZ3 OZ4 Homenaje a Jason Galarraga La Victoria de Samotracia Odalisca Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008 La Sierra Nevada de Merida Nuestro precioso Churum Meru Homenaje a Picasso Autoretrato Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola? La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar. Mi profesion? Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos. Sal en la Coca Cola? A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar. De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla: Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido) azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa) Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas Mucha Cafeina Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja. Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos. Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja. En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero). Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma. La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate. Bebidas Light? Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal. Publicado por loretahur En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina: 1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias. 2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina. 3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard. 4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos. 5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla. 6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos. Ahora... sobre la margarina: 1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) . 2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias. 3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno). 4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer. 5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna. 6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo. 7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina. Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas: * No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo). * No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!! No a la guerra, Si a la Paz Misterios de la ciencia... Los costos de la guerra medicos y capitalismo... Capitalismo... medicos (2) Quien educa a nuestros hijos? Los Medios... Sin Palabras... Chistes feministas - Cual es el problema, Eva? - Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas. - Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas... - Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti. - Que es un hombre? - Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente. - Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente. - Cual es el truco?. - Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion. - Cual? - Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer. Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas? Porque todos son unos cerdos Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas? Porque todos son unos cerdos Ellas... Ellas (2)... Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1 Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije: -Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro. Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria. Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre? -Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa! VENGANZA NUMERO 2 Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris. A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita: - Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!! Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta. La mujer paso quince dias en Francia. El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla. Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es: - Y amor me trajiste mi francesita?? - Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina. VENGANZA NUMERO 3 El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion. - No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo. - Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz. Te quiero confesar algo. - Esta bien, esta bien. Habla! - He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga. - Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!! machismo y cibernetica Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston. -Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad. El simio hace la sena de OK. -Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?. El simio hace la sena de OK. -Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide. -Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!. .Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti. Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos. Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco. Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas Gol !!!! Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso! Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy! At meeting held on 06 August 2018 The Board of Directors of Caplin Point Laboratories at its meeting held on 06 August 2018 has approved an investment in a step down subsidiary at El Salvador up to a limit of USD 7 million in ordinary shares and/or debt by its wholly owned subsidiary i.e. Caplin Point Far East. The company is currently selling its Generic and Branded Generic products through channel partners in most countries in Latin America. The company's current strategy is to establish better control over the Supply Chain and increase the share of Branded Generics in the revenue stream and reach the end consumer directly. The company plans to acquire the businesses from the channel partner(s) in this region progressively, create and invest in distribution subsidiaries based out of Latin America and bring them into the fold of Caplin Point Laboratories. As a first step towards this endeavour, in order to acquire the business which inter-alia includes inventory of the channel partner at El Salvador, it has now been decided to invest in Ordinary Capital and/ or Debt of FAEMA AMEmCA S.A de CV, a Company incorporated in El Salvador, through Wholly Owned Subsidiary Caplin Point Far East Limited, Hong Kong, such that the entire shareholding is held by Caplin Point Far East Limited. The name of the company will be changed to Caplin El Salvador S.A.de C.V upon making the investment, subject to regulatory approvals at El Salvador. The process is likely to be completed within three months, during which time it has also been agreed to avail the transition services from the channel partner so that the business is not hampered during the switch-over. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Caplin Point Laboratories has signed Co-operation agreement with Hainan Jointown Pharmaceuticals Group, a US$11 billion publicly-traded distribution company in China. This joint venture will focus on trading and manufacturing of various Pharmaceutical products between China, India and South America, for sustainable growth in the short, medium and long term. Caplin will hold 39% stake in the JV which will have an initial Equity of USD 2 million, however, it has been agreed between the parties that the entire business arising out of this entity will be routed through Caplin and/or its subsidiary. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Domestic stocks logged modest gains in a steady session of trade on buying demand in index pivotals. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 135.73 points or 0.36% at 37,691.89. The Nifty 50 index rose 26.30 points or 0.23% at 11,387.10. Domestic stocks saw a gap-up opening on positive Asian stocks. Stocks trimmed gains soon after hitting fresh intraday high in morning trade. The Sensex and the Nifty, both, scaled record high in morning trade. Key benchmark indices once again regained strength in mid-morning trade. Stocks trimmed gains in early afternoon trade. Indices hovered in narrow range in afternoon trade. Firmness prevailed on the bourses in mid-afternoon and late trade. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index rose 0.26%, underperforming the Sensex. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index rose 0.39%, outperforming the Sensex. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was positive. On the BSE, 1,603 shares rose and 1,125 shares fell. A total of 193 shares were unchanged. Hindustan Unilever (HUL) fell 1.67%. HUL announced that it has signed an agreement with Vijaykant Dairy and Food Products (VDFPL) and its group company to acquire its ice cream and frozen desserts business consisting of its flagship brand Adityaa Milk and front-end distribution network across geographies. The announcement was made during market hours today, 6 August 2018. The proposed acquisition is in line with HUL's strategic intent to strengthen its position in the rapidly growing Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert market in India. VDFPL will manage the business until the transaction is completed, and will also continue to manufacture for HUL for an agreed period of time. Sanjiv Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director of HUL, said the acquisition will complement existing portfolio of Kwality Wall's. Bharti Airtel advanced 2.75%. Bharti Airtel (Airtel) and Telecom Egypt, Egypt's first integrated telecom operator, announced a strategic partnership, wherein, Airtel will get IRUs (Indefeasible Right of Use) on Middle East North Africa Submarine Cable (MENA Cable) and TE North Cable Systems. In addition, Airtel will also take large capacities on a long-term basis on two new state-of-the-art Cable Systems (SMW5 & AAE1). The transactions aim to be concluded after the fulfillment of all conditions precedents. The announcement was made during trading hours today, 6 August 2018. The partnership grants Airtel the right to use fiber pairs of MENA Cable from Egypt to India with access to Saudi Arabia and Oman, and other fiber pairs from Egypt towards Italy. It also extends beyond MENA Cable, where Airtel will get the right to use a fiber pair from Egypt to France on TE North along with capacities on SMW5 and AAE1 cable systems. With this, Airtel will be able to further diversify its global network to serve the massive growth in demand for data services, particularly in emerging markets across South Asia, Africa and Middle East, while also benefitting from the favorable economics of Telecom Egypt's existing wide cable systems network. Telecom Egypt is the first total telecom operator in Egypt providing all telecom services to its customers including fixed and mobile voice and data services. TCS shed 0.07%. TCS announced that it fixed 18 August 2018 as the record date for the purpose of determining the entitlement and the names of the equity shareholders who shall be eligible to participate in the buyback offer of the company. The announcement was made on Saturday, 4 August 2018. In June 2018, TCS' board approved buyback of upto 7.61 crore equity shares, aggregating upto 1.99% of the fully paid-up equity share capital of the company, at Rs 2,100 per share, for an aggregate amount not exceeding Rs 16000 crore. L&T was unchanged at Rs 1,291.40. L&T during market hours today, 6 August 2018 said that its construction arm L&T Construction has won order valued Rs 1296 crore across various business segments. Overseas, European shares were trading lower Monday amid a backdrop of renewed trade tensions. Asian stocks were mixed as earnings seasons rolls on. Investors continued to monitor the US-Sino trade spat. On Friday, China said it was preparing retaliatory measures against US tariffs targeting $60 billion worth of US goods with import duties. US stocks closed higher Friday, 3 August 2018, as positive earnings surprises lifted shares. On the data front, the US posted another solid spurt in hiring in July. Some 157,000 new jobs were created last month despite widespread complaints among businesses about a shortage of skilled labor, the Labor Department said Friday. The total number of new jobs created in June and May was upwardly revised by a combined 59,000. Unemployment, meanwhile, slipped below 4% again, to 3.9%, as more people found work. The jobless rate is at a nearly two-decade low. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 1.70 million Maharashtra government employees will strike work for three days from Tuesday to press their demands, including implementation of the 7th Pay Commission report, a union leader said on Monday. Maharashtra State Employees Organisation (MSEO) President Milind Sardeshmukh said all employees right down to the taluka levels, educational and medical institutions and others will join the strike. As a result, work in all government offices at the headquarter, Mantralaya, collectorate, tehsil and taluka levels is likely to be affected, besides in educational, medical and other affiliated institutions. The employee leader said that the Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers Federation will not join the strike as they are hopeful their demands would be met. "The government has been sitting on our demands, including implementation of the Pay Commission report, effective from January 1, 2016, despite the assurance by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis," Sardeshmukh told IANS. The state government is dilly-dallying by saying it is awaiting K.P. Bakshi Committee report in the matter as implementing the Pay Commission recommendation would entail additional burden of a staggering Rs 21,000 crore on the debt-hit state. Other major demands include implementation of five-day week, increasing the retirement age from 58 to 60, and filling up of over 200,000 vacancies in the state. The MSEO, Maharashtra State Class IV Employees Association and other affiliated associations had served a notice for the strike to the General Administration Department on July 16, but there was no response from the government. The unions have said that this time they will not settle for "mere assurances." A meeting between the authorities and the union representatives was underway in Mantralaya till late this evening to sort out the issues, but the outcome was not known. On the major demand of recruitment, a state government official said that the state plans to start a mega recruitment for filling up 70,000 posts, but the unions say it is not enough as there are over 200,000 vacant posts at all levels across the administration. In 1975, state employees went on a 33-day strike. In 1977-1978, they struck work for 54 days in support of various demands. --IANS qn/tsb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police in the US state of New Mexico have rescued 11 malnourished children kept in a filthy and heavily armed remote desert compound. The children, aged one to 15, were so famished they "looked like third world country refugees," Taos county Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said on Sunday, reports CNN. They were kept in an underground trailer, hidden from the outside world. "The only food we saw were a few potatoes and a box of rice in the filthy trailer," Hogrefe said. "But what was most surprising and heartbreaking was when the team located a total of five adults and 11 children that looked like third-world country refugees not only with no food or fresh water, but with no shoes, personal hygiene and basically dirty rags for clothing." Authorities were tipped off to the scene in Amalia, near the Colorado border, after someone forwarded a message believed to be from a third party. The message said: "We are starving and need food and water." After executing a search warrant on August 3, officers found the children, along with three women believed to be their mothers who were taken into custody for questioning and were released, officers said. Authorities also arrested two heavily armed men -- Lucas Morten and Siraj Wahhaj -- at the scene, the sheriff's office said. An AR-15 rifle, loaded 30-round magazines, four loaded pistols and many rounds of ammo were found in the makeshift compound that included a small travel trailer buried in the ground covered by plastic with no water, plumbing, or electricity, CNN reported. Wahhaj was wanted for the abduction of his three-year-old son Abdul Ghani Wahhaj in Georgia, authorities said. --IANS ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fifteen Maoist guerrillas were killed and two others, including a senior cadre and an injured woman rebel, were held after a gun battle with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Monday, police said. The fighting started around 6.15 a.m. near a village forest in Miltkatong area when the District Reserve Guard (DRG) of the Chhattisgarh Police force, who are trained to fight the Maoists -- were out on an anti-insurgency operation. The gun battle took place at a spot situated between Gollappalli and Konta, hotbeds of insurgency around 490 km from here. Police said the firing lasted for around one-and-a-half hours and an unknown number of fighters managed to flee from the spot. Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Vivekanand Sinha told IANS that the operation was conducted by the DRG personnel as they were out on the operation since August 4. Earlier, the Chhattisgarh Police had said that the operation was conducted by a joint team of the DRG and Special Task Force. "The operation lasted till 7.30 a.m. Area committee commander Deva and a woman Maoist were held during the operation," said Sinha, adding that the woman has suffered a bullet injury to her leg. The operation was based on an intelligence input about the presence of a large number of Maoists in the area. The rebels were killed as they retaliated with firing when the police asked them to surrender. Sixteen high-tech weapons, including INSAS rifles, .303 rifles, .315 rifles, 12-bore guns, explosives, detonators, electric wires, battery, medicines, Maoist literature, banners and some posters, were recovered from the site. Sukma Superintendent of Police Abhishek Meena said: "The operation was conducted after we got inputs that the Konta Militia Group was conducting meetings with villagers and trying to recruit them." The operation was launched over the last few weeks. "Last week we missed them by an hour. But this time the police party was on time," Meena told IANS. Eight Maoists, including four women, were gunned down in a similar operation conducted by security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on July 19. In April, eight Maoists -- six of them women -- were killed in a joint operation by Chhattisgarh and Telangana security personnel near the inter-state boundary in Bijapur. --IANS rak/in/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sougata Roy on Monday questioned the "neutrality" of EVM machines and said that 17 opposition parties are planning to represent to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and demand that EVMs should be scrapped and ballot papers should be brought back to ensure fair voting. Speaking during the Zero Hour, Roy said: "In our election system, we now have the EVM, now the neutrality of the EVM has been questioned and we feel that it has been compromised." "TMC has demonstrated outside the Parliament on the demand that ballot papers be brought back in the election process. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee gave a call to all opposition... to demand ballot papers be brought back. "An advanced country like the US, they still have ballot papers... We have no proof that EVMs cannot be compromised," he added. He further said: "Seventeen opposition parties are planning to get together to represent to the ECI. But, this has to be implemented through the Law Ministry which is in-charge of conducting elections and supervises over the ECI, an independent body under Article 324." "That is why... I reiterate the demand of TMC and of all opposition parties that the EVM should be scrapped and ballot papers should be brought back to ensure a fair voting so that there is no hacking, no manipulation of the EVMs by the ruling party or, their cohorts," he added. --IANS sid/qd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two persons have been arrested for stealing hair used for making wigs from a store in Delhi, police said on Monday. The accused, along with their accomplice Rahul, entered a shop in west Delhi's Nangloi, run by two brothers -- Jahangir Hussain and Tajjudin Hussain -- posing as customers and robbed them of the hair worth Rs 25 lakh on July 27, according to the police. The accused also took away Rs 30,000 cash and their mobile phones. "Our team, on August 5, first arrested Mangel Sain, 42, from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, and later nabbed Ajay Kumar, 42, from Delhi in the hair robbery case," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Seju P. Kuruvilla. The police have recovered four bags of such hair, a country-made pistol, some cartridges and a Santro car used in the crime. --IANS mg/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Afghan Public Health Ministry launched a five-day nationwide immunity vaccination campaign on Monday targeting 9.9 million children under the age of five, the Ministry said in a statement. During the campaign, which is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), vitamin A capsules will also be given to over 8.9 million children aged between six months and five years, Xinhua news agency reported. "Vitamin A helps to build a child's immunity and reduces the risk of diarrhea, respiratory infections and measles. It also improves a child's chance of survival by 12-24 per cent," the statement read. The drive was launched after a fresh polio case was detected in Afghanistan in late June, taking the number of confirmed polio virus cases, since January 2018, to nine. But the ongoing insurgency and conflicts have been hindering the efforts of stamping out the infectious disease in the mountainous country. Around 1.2 million children from inaccessible areas will miss the ongoing vaccination drive but we are making continuous efforts to reach these children and protect them from permanent paralysis due to polio, the statement noted. --IANS mag/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Telecom major Bharti Airtel on Monday announced a strategic partnership with Egyptian operator Telecom Egypt (TE), which would allow Airtel to use the Middle East North Africa (MENA) Submarine Cable and TE North cable systems. The partnership would help Airtel to serve the growing demand for data services, particularly in markets across South Asia, Africa and the Middle East, the company said in a statement. "The partnership grants Airtel the right to use fibre pairs of MENA Cable from Egypt to India with access to Saudi Arabia and Oman, and other fibre pairs from Egypt towards Italy," it said. Airtel would also take "large capacities on a long-term basis on two new cable systems (SMW5 and AAE1)" and get the right to use a fibre pair from Egypt to France on TE North cable systems along with capacities on SMW-5 and AAE-1 cable systems. Commenting on the partnership, Ajay Chitkara, Director and CEO, Airtel Business said, "The partnership including MENA Cable and TE's network will be a good addition to our global network portfolio and provide us with a high quality and diversified new route to Western Europe and the rest of the world." "In particular, it will provide impetus to India's emergence as a major regional Internet hub serving customers across Saarc region, with seamless global connectivity," he added. As per the statement, Telecom Egypt's global network was built by investments in international submarine cable systems, namely: TE North, ALETAR, SEA-ME-WE-3, SEA-ME-WE-4, SEA-ME-WE-5, IMEWE, EIG, and AAE-1. --IANS rrb/mag/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actress Ihana Dhillon, who made her Bollywood debut with "Hate story 4" , says that an actor shouldn't have any kind of limitation when it comes to working in films. Ihana was interacting with the media on Monday where she spoke about the kind of roles she wants to portray in films. "I think as an actor, we shouldn't have any limitations. I want to explore each and every kind of role but I would like to work in movies which are based on history. "In future, if I get an opportunity to play a real character then I will be more than happy but apart from that I don't have specific preference because as an actor I feel we shouldn't restrict our self when it comes to working in different genres and languages. I want to explore everything," she said. Being a fan of historical films, Ihana expressed her wish to work with film maker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. "I want to work with everyone but I really want to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. As I said earlier I would love to be part of historical films and he is known for making that kind of successful movies. When it comes to actors, I would like to work with every actor of Hindi film industry," Ihana told the media. Talking about her upcoming projects, Ihana says that after the release of "Hate Story 4", she was busy shooting for her Punjabi films. "I just completed shooting one of my Punjabi films titled 'Gulam' and after that, I will start shooting for another Punjabi film. I will also start shooting for my Hindi film which will be announced very soon," she said. Ihana will also be the narrator in Arjun Rampal's upcoming film "Nastika". --IANS iv/nv/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladeshi students shout slogans and block a road during a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh Photo: PTI Armed men have attacked a convoy of cars carrying the US envoy to in the capital Dhaka, US officials said. Ambassador Marcia Bernicat and her security team were able to get away unharmed, but two cars were damaged following the attack on Saturday night, BBC reported on Sunday. It comes as thousands of students and school children continue a week-long protest calling for safer roads. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds on Sunday. At least 50 protesters have also been injured in street attacks. The Bangladeshi media reported that political activists belonging to the governing party beat students marching towards their offices. The students were demanding to know why protesters were attacked on Saturday, in clashes which left dozens injured. The US ambassador condemned the violence. "Nothing can justify the brutal attacks and violence over the weekend against the thousands of young people who have been peacefully exercising their democratic rights," a statement on the embassy's Facebook page said. "The peaceful demonstrations of the past week in favour of better vehicle and road safety, led by students and school children across Bangladesh, have united and captured the imagination of the whole country." Meanwhile, a prominent photojournalist and human rights activist, Shahidul Alam, was detained by police on Sunday over Facebook posts relating to the protests. Alam had criticised the government's handling of the protests in interviews with media. (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.) At least 67 people were injured when a tanker that was transporting flammable contents along a ring-road exploded in Italy's Bologna city on Monday, emergency sources said. The Hazchem transporter exploded when it passed near a car dealership, triggering a series of explosions among cars in a nearby parking lot and leading to the partial collapse of a highway overpass, Efe reported. "Highway closed between Bologna Casalecchio and the junction with the A14, Bologna to Taranto, in both directions, due to an accident at kilometer three that involved a tanker," Italian Police said on its official Twitter account. "Side roads also closed, rescue services in progress." Images of the explosion showed two thick plumes of smoke billowing upward from the highway and nearby parked cars, while emergency teams were on hand to respond to the incident. A regional healthcare service officials confirmed that 67 people were being treated for first, second and third-degree burns, and did not rule out the possibility of fatalities. The injured were hospitalized in various health care centers in the area, it said. Two people were in serious condition and sent to hospitals in Parma and Cesena, while another 10 were transferred to Bazzano hospital. Italy's firefighting department shared images on social media accounts showing thick smoke emerging from a vehicle on the highway and a second plume appearing to emerge from cars parked nearby. Video footage released by national police showed the remains of the tanker, ripped wide open by the explosion, resting at the bottom of a collapsed and fire-blackened section of the overpass. --IANS qd/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's auto component manufacturing sector on Monday demanded that the industry be brought under a uniform 18 per cent GST rate. According to the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), currently 60 per cent of the components attract 18 per cent GST rate, while the rest 40 per cent, the majority of which are for two-wheelers and tractors, attract 28 per cent. "A benign rate of 18 per cent will not only ensure better compliance, but will also ensure a larger tax base," ACMA President Nirmal Minda was quoted as saying in a statement. Minda spoke at an event here to announce the auto component "Industry Performance Review" for fiscal 2017-2018. "Further, considering the significant technological changes that the industry is undergoing, there is a critical need for creating a fund to support indigenous R&D and technology creation in the component industry as also for technology acquisition from other parts of the world," he said. Minda elaborated the need for a "technology agnostic road-map with clear responsibilities of each stakeholder" to ensure a smooth roll out of electric mobility in the country. On the industry's financial performance, the "Industry Performance Review" showed that the sector's turnover grew by 18.3 per cent to Rs 345,635 crore ($ 51.2 billion) during the last fiscal. Further, exports showed a growth of 23.9 per cent in FY2017-18 to Rs 90,571 crore ($13.5 billion). --IANS rv/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Benelli, global leader in the super bike segment, on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Telangana government to set up an indigenous manufacturing plant near Hyderabad. The Italian motorcycle brand, owned by China-based QianJiang Group, also entered into a strategic partnership with Adishwar Auto Ride India-Mahavir Group to market its product in India. The partnerships were announced by the officials of Benelli, Telangana government and Adishwar Auto Ride India-Mahavir Group at an event here. The manufacturing facility will be set up in two phases at Pochampally. The first phase, spread over 3 acre, will be executed through Adishwar Auto Ride India-Mahavir Group and will be operational by October 2018. The second phase will be a large setup that will span over 20 acre. Established in 1911, Benelli has presence in over 60 countries. Its global product portfolio includes more than 200 variants including motorcycles, scooters and electric bicycles. --IANS ms/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After BJP MLA Om Prakash Sharma on Monday made an "objectionable" remark against AAP legislator Amanatullah Khan in the Delhi Assembly, Speaker Ram Niwas Goel referred the matter to the Privileges Committee of the House. Goel's action came after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators demanded action against the Viswas Nagar MLA's remark which they called an "insult of the House". "The word used is objectionable. I am referring the matter to the Privileges Committee and order them to present a report as soon as possible," Goel said. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also condemned Sharma's language and said it cannot be tolerated in the House. He said those in power at the Centre and in opposition in Delhi have a mentality of dividing the country. "The country belongs to all and not just any one religion. This is not the question of an MLA in power or the opposition," Sisodia said in the House. Sharma was raising water and sewage issues in the assembly during a discussion on the problems faced by the public. During the speech, Sharma also attacked the Delhi government officers. When Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA used objectionable language for an IAS officers, Khan interrupted him. In reaction, Sharma asked Khan to "behave like humans" and used objectionable language for Khan as well. Later, the Speaker expunged the word used by the Sharma from the House proceedings. Demanding apology and action against Sharma, several AAP MLAs gathered near the Speaker's podium. Following rukus over the issue, Speaker adjorned the House for 30 minutes. When the House sat again, Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha proposed to refere the matter of Sharma to the Privileges Committee. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also condemned the language used by Sharma. "BJP wants to divide India into Hindu and Muslims. Pakistan also wants the same," Kejriwal, who was not present in the House, said in a tweet in Hindi. During the Budget Session of the Assembly in March, Sharma was suspended for the session for allegedly using derogatory language in the House. --IANS nks/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ruling BJP in Jharkhand and Trinamool Congress in West Bengal are having a showdown over the colour to be used for painting Jharkhand's Massanjore dam and the 'Biswa Bangla' logo on an adjacent welcome gate. Located in Jharkhand's Dumka district, the dam is maintained by West Bengal's irrigation department. The problem surfaced after some Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists prevented West Bengal government workers from painting the 1950s' structure in blue and white, the "favourite shades" of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. BJP leader and Jharkhand Minorities Welfare Minister Louis Marandi threatened to "gouge out the eyes" of those who dared to look at the barrage on Sunday. BJP activists later pasted the logo of Jharkhand on top of the 'Biswa Bangla' logo on a welcome gate adjacent to the dam. The BJP logo carried a message: West Bengal government's signs would not be allowed inside the Jharkhand territory. "Some supporters and elected leaders of the BJP from Jharkhand are disrupting the maintenance work at Massanjore. We are maintaining this dam since its inception in 1955. If there was any ambiguity about the ongoing repair work, they could have talked to our chief minister," said West Bengal Irrigation Minister Soumen Mahapatra. "In West Bengal, there are offices of different states which are designed and painted according to a state's identity. Is the BJP trying to bring back the feudal system in India by dividing states like this?" he questioned. BJP leaders from Jharkhand have earlier accused the Bengal government of imposing its colour scheme on the dam by painting it in blue and white and warned that they will not allow "any antics" of the Trinamool Congress supremo Banerjee and her party in Jharkhand. "The reality is they are scared of Mamata Banerjee's attempt to create an anti-BJP federal front in the country," he said, adding the repair work at the dam is temporarily stalled. --IANS mgr/ssp/prs/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US National Security Advisor John Bolton has said there was no US government involvement in the recent assassination plot against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Bolton told "Fox News Sunday" that "I can say unequivocally there was no US government involvement in this at all". Bolton on Sunday said he had spoken to the US charge d'affaires in Caracas and was told that "Americans are accounted for", Xinhua news agency reported. Maduro escaped unharmed from an attempted attack of explosive drones on Saturday night during his speech to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the country's National Guard. Later, Maduro called the attack as an assassination attempt, and blamed it on the far-right factions in Venezuela, the Colombian government and conspirators in the US. In an apparent response, Bolton said "if the government of Venezuela has hard information that they want to present to us that would show a potential violation of US criminal law, we'll take a serious look at it." After Maduro's re-election, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning US individuals or entities within the United States from purchasing any debt owed to the Venezuelan government. The US State Department on May 23 announced expulsion of two senior Venezuelan diplomats in the US in retaliation of Caracas' earlier expulsion of two US diplomats. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britannia Industries is looking forward to expand their territory outside adjacent businesses, a company official said on Monday. "I believe that now we are poised to look at businesses outside even our adjacents (adjacent business). Today, we are in a position in terms of management to be able to look at acquisitions if they make sense," company's Chairman Nusli N. Wadia told shareholders at the 99th Annual General Meeting (AGM) here. The company which completed 100 years on March 21, on Monday said its board recommended bonus debentures and proposed subdivide of shares. "This is to inform you that the Board of Directors at its meeting held today (Monday) has recommended and approved issuance of secured redeemable non-convertible debentures, as bonus debentures of Rs 60," the company said in a regulatory filing. It will be in the ratio of one (bonus debenture) for every one equity shares, held by the shareholders of the company on a record date as may be decided, subject to the approval of National Company Law Tribunal, Kolkata, and any other approval as may be required, it said. According to Wadia, the company would be issuing over 12 crore bonus debentures of about Rs 720 crore. During the AGM, Wadia said the board on Monday decided to give notice to the appropriate authority and stock exchanges to subdivide the equity shares of Rs 2. According to the company's annual report, the board recommended a dividend of 1250 per cent and the total dividend payout amounts to Rs 361.84 crore including dividend distribution tax of Rs 61.70 crore. The company reported a 19.6 per cent increase in its consolidated net profit to Rs 258 crore in the first quarter of the current fiscal (2018-19) as compared to Rs 216 crore in the year-ago period and on a comparable basis, its consolidated revenue was up for the quarter by 13.6 per cent. --IANS bdc/anp/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britannia Industries, which is looking forward to expanding its businesses, may shift its dairy project from Maharashtra as the state government has not yet finalised the incentive scheme, a company official said on Monday. "I believe that now we are poised to look at businesses outside even our adjacents (adjacent business). "Today, we are in a position in terms of management to be able to look at acquisitions if they make sense," company's Chairman Nusli N. Wadia told shareholders at the 99th Annual General Meeting (AGM) here. "We planned the (dairy) project in Maharashtra and waited for over one year for finalising the incentive. Unfortunately, they have not done it... We are looking at shifting (the dairy project) to Andhra Pradesh because the Maharashtra government (has) already delayed long enough. If it does not get finalised, then we have to move," Wadia said on the sidelines of the AGM. The company plans to invest Rs 300 crore in a dairy project, he said. Asked whether the company had any discussion with the Andhra Pradesh government, he said: "Of course, many times." The company, which completed 100 years on March 21, said its board recommended bonus debentures and proposed subdivide of shares. "This is to inform you that the Board of Directors at its meeting held today (Monday) has recommended and approved issuance of secured redeemable non-convertible debentures, as bonus debentures of Rs 60," the company said in a regulatory filing. It will be in the ratio of one (bonus debenture) for every one equity share, held by the shareholders of the company on a record date as may be decided, subject to the approval of National Company Law Tribunal, Kolkata, and any other approval as may be required, it said. According to Wadia, the company would be issuing over 12 crore bonus debentures of about Rs 720 crore. He also said the company would invest Rs 400-500 crore of capital expenditure in the coming year with a focus on dairy, rusks and cakes businesses. The company, which launched a new logo of "Britannia" on Monday, would be launching more products in the next six months, Wadia said. The company will launch 50 new products in the next 12 months and enter new catagories including croissants, cream wafers and enhance product offerings in the existing categories. The FMCG major will also relaunch some of its brands in the current year, its Vice President Marketing Ali Harris Shere told reporters later in the day. In the biscuits category, it will have innovations and new product formats along with relaunches of some brands, company's Managing Dirctor Varun Berry said, adding that the biscuit category contributes 75 per cent of its total revenue. At the AGM, the board decided to give notice to appropriate authority and stock exchanges to subdivide the equity shares of Rs 2. According to the company's annual report, the board recommended a dividend of 1,250 per cent and the total dividend payout amounts to Rs 361.84 crore including dividend distribution tax of Rs 61.70 crore. The company reported a 19.6 per cent increase in its consolidated net profit at Rs 258 crore in the first quarter of the current fiscal (2018-19) as compared to Rs 216 crore in the year-ago period. On comparative basis, its consolidated revenue was up for the quarter by 13.6 per cent. --IANS bdc/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday said it has booked 19 persons, including six Customs officials posted at the Trichy International Airport, on charge of involvement in the smuggling of gold and other valuables. The CBI has registered cases against these persons under the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act for alleged criminal conspiracy, public servant taking undue advantage, influencing and bribing public servants and abetment to crime. Among those named in the FIR filed in Madurai are senior Customs officials like Assistant Commissioner M. Venkatesulu, two Superintendents S. Ramakrishnan and Kalugasalamoorthy, and three other Customs officials. The CBI received reliable information that Customs officials at the airport were allowing smugglers to bring in valuables without payment of duties from Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries. The CBI conducted surprise checks on August 5 and 6 at the airport and noticed that people waiting near the airport's arrival gate had paid money to some passengers. These passengers later returned with goods loaded on trolleys. The accused Customs officials allegedly did not open all the baggage for checking. The CBI officials seized Rs 904,000 kept in a safe allegedly belonging to a Customs official Freddy Esward. The accused private persons were regular travellers abroad. --IANS vj/tsb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 11 people have been killed by an outbreak of cholera in Nigeria's northwestern state of Kano in the last seven days, according to media reports on Monday. Forty-seven others have been hospitalized following the outbreak which has affected three villages in Bebeji area, Xinhua news agency reported. All the dead have been buried. None of the villages has a clinic or hospital. The hospitalized victims are being treated in another area of the state. Cholera is an extremely virulent disease characterized in its most severe form by sudden onset of acute watery diarrhoea that can lead to death by severe dehydration. The outbreak is common in Nigeria due to poor water supply systems, especially in densely populated areas. --IANS anp/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" is moving well on the path of success, said Union Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and added that cinema is playing a major role in driving the change. Expressing his views on the Modi's call for a clean India in 2014 at the trailer launch of Nila Madhab Panda's film "Halkaa" here, Puri said: "I felt privileged to have got an opportunity, along with Durga Shankar and other colleagues, to watch 'Halkaa' two months ago. "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is succeeding and it will succeed because of directors and producers like Nila Madhab and Roshni Nadar, who have captured the essence of the message and put it out through a medium which is very strong." "Halkaa" is a take on a slum child's heroism, aspirations and dreams. The child protagonist, Pichku, fights for the basic problem that he faces everyday: defecating in the open amongst others. It is his dream to make a toilet of his own where he can enjoy his privacy and do the deed in peace. It features Ranvir Shorey, Paoli Dam and child actor Tathastu. The film is in sync with Swachh Bharat Mission and supported by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Puri said the film can contribute to the goal of achieving an open defecation-free India and accelerate the pace of achieving Swachh Bharat mission through its powerful messaging. Panda hopes the film "in some way helps the country to become 100 per cent open defecation-free". Talking about how he got associated with the project, he said: "We are delighted to be partnering with this film. It is simple stories like this that leave a lasting impact and we believe Pichku's journey of building his own toilet needs to be seen by everyone out there. He is our hero in the truest sense of the word." Earlier this year, the film bagged the Grand Prix for Best Film at the Kinolub Festival for Children and Youth in Poland. It also won the Grand Prix De Montreal at the 21st Montreal International Children's Film Festival where it had its world premiere in March. The film is presented by Shiv Nadar Foundation and produced by Roshni Nadar Malhotra in association with Akshay Parija and Panda. The film will release on September 7. --IANS sug/rb/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition parties, including Congress and RJD, on Monday staged a walkout in the Lok Sabha demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Muzaffarpur shelter home rapes, and alleging that evidence had been tampered with. "Home Minister is here, why he is not replying," Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said in the Lok Sabha soon after the House resumed its business after a brief adjournment on the issue. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the issue had been raised in the House earlier also and assured the MPs that the CBI inquiry into the matter will be impartial. He said the MPs' concerns will be brought to the attention of the Home Minister. Not satisfied with his reply, Opposition members, including those from Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal and CPI-M, walked out. Earlier, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the government should monitor the CBI inquiry. The House was earlier adjourned for 15 minutes after Congress member from Bihar's Supaul, Ranjeet Ranjan, came near the Speaker's podium and tore the paper she was holding and threw it towards the chair. She also threw books from the table of the Lok Sabha Secretary General. Ranjan alleged that evidence had been tampered with and some of the accused had fled to Nepal. She said the state government did not show seriousness on the issue. Rashtriya Janata Dal member Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav also expressed his concern. As many as 34 minor girls were allegedly sexually assaulted in the Balika Grih, a short-stay girls' shelter home run by an NGO in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district. The shelter home has been sealed after the horror came to light. The state's Social Welfare Department has filed an FIR based on the findings of a social audit conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. --IANS aks-sid/ps/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The countdown to elect the new Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman began here on Monday as Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu announced the dates for the likely contest between the ruling NDA and a united opposition. Janata Dal-United MP Harivansh is likely to be the NDA candidate while the opposition will be meeting on Tuesday to finalise its candidate. Talking to reporters, Harivansh said that he was the candidate of the ruling coalition. "I got to know through the media that I am NDA's candidate for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. I express my gratitude to the parties in the NDA. I am hopeful that I will succeed," he said. Asked about opposition planning to field a common candidate against him, he said that everyone has the right to fight election. Harivansh, a first-timer in the Upper House and a former Editor of Hindi daily Prabhat Khabar, said that there should be a consensus on high constitutional posts and urged opposition parties to work in that direction. Meanwhile, a meeting of opposition parties was held in the chamber of Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad. They decided to meet again on Tuesday to finalise its candidate. The meeting was also attended by TDP, which had parted ways with the BJP earlier this year. Congress leaders Anand Sharma, Ahmed Patel and Kapil Sibal, Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav, TMC's Derek O'Brien, BJP's Satish Chandra Misra, NCP's Praful Patel, RJD's Misa Bharti, DMK's Tiruchi Siva, CPI-M's T.K. Rangarajan, CPI's D. Raja and RSP's N.K. Premachandran also attended the meeting, besides TDP's C.M. Ramesh. Among the names doing the rounds as possible opposition candidates are NCP's Vandana Chavan and DMK's Tiruchi Siva. The election is likely to be a close affair as the opposition bloc has an edge over the BJP-led NDA in terms of numbers. The outcome will depend on the stance of parties such as BJD, AIADMK, Telangana Rashtra Samiti and YSRC Party -- which could ally with the government in certain situations. Opposition sources said that there were 35 "fence-sitters" and the outcome will depend on their stance. The two large parties in the upper house -- BJP and Congress -- were unlikely to put up any candidate. The parties which would support an opposition nominee include the Congress (50), TMC (14), SP (13), TDP (6), CPI-M (5), CPI (2), DMK (4), NCP (4), AAP (3), BSP (4), RJD (5), PDP (2), JD-S (1), Nominated (1), Kerala Congress-Mani (1) and IUML (1). Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu had earlier announced that the new Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman will be elected on August 9. The post of the Deputy Chairman fell vacant after P.J. Kurien retired in July. The election will be held a day before the conclusion of the monsoon session of Parliament. Interestingly, Harivansh lost badly, getting just 26 votes on Monday in the balloting to fill two vacancies in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). TDP's C.M. Ramesh got the highest 106 votes in the Rajya Sabha and was elected to the PAC. The Bharatiya Janata Party's Bhupender Yadav also made it to the Committee with 69 votes. Asked about his loss in PAC election, Harivansh said he fought it in his individual capacity. "I am NDA's candidate (Deputy Chairman) and there will be much more support," he said. The JD-U and BJP are partners in the ruling coalition in Bihar. --IANS bns-mak/tsb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Metro on Monday extended its Pink Line to connect Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus and Lajpat Nagar, bringing four major markets on its network. The latest 8.10-km stretch has six stations including INA, South Extension, Sarojini Nagar and Lajpat Nagar, all of which boast of major and popular markets. "Metro serves a very useful purpose because it takes the pressure off private means of transport and brings more people to an efficient, green mode of public transport," Union Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said at the inauguration at Metro Bhawan. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal described the opening as "a day of happiness" and underlined that with this stretch, the perennial problem of parking in these markets would also be solved. The launch was also attended by Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs Anant Kumar, who appreciated the naming of the Moti Bagh Station after Kannada scholar and educationist M. Vishveshwaraiah. The Pink Line connecting Majlis Park and South Campus was started in March. The remaining section, from Lajpat Nagar to Shiv Vihar, is expected to open later this year. The Pink Line, when fully complete, will cover a considerable section of the busy Ring Road. With Monday's opening, the Delhi Metro network has become 296 km long with 214 stations. --IANS vn/mr/vv (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala CPI-M MP M.B. Rajesh on Monday raised the attempted attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here on Saturday and alleged that Delhi Police failed to provide adequate security to the Marxist leader. "Delhi Police did not take the incident seriously when a man armed with a knife came in front of the room of the Kerala Chief Minister while he was inside," Rajesh told the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour. He said that it were the security guards who overpowered the man with the knife. The Communist Party of India-Marxist member's remarks came two days after a 46-year-old man, identified as Vimal Raj, tried to enter the Kerala House here wielding a knife. --IANS aks/in/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On the first day of the Delhi Assembly monsoon session, the AAP government on Monday passed a resolution to create a Delhi Public Service Commission, which will not only give power to the state government over officers recruited through it but also provide basic "services" in the city. While presenting the resolution, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said the Commission would be created "within a period of six weeks from the date of adoption of this resolution". Taking cognizance of a huge number of vacancies in various sectors of governance, Bharadwaj said: "Unfulfilled vacancies are increasing in number every year due to huge workload on ... UPSC, leading to further deficiencies in delivery of services." Hence, he said, the Delhi Assembly resolves that there shall be a separate Public Service Commission for Delhi. "The government shall take all necessary steps to complete the process of creating this Commission so that the deficiency in providing services - be it in education, health, environment, education, transport or various other general sectors - becomes a thing of past and Delhi emerges as a role model for all those willing to compete in doing good for people," he said. --IANS sd/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday transferred the district magistrate of Deoria following reports of an alleged sex racket being run at a shelter home for women in the district, an official said. In a chilling similarity to the Muzaffarpur shelter home case in Bihar, 24 girls were rescued from the shelter in Deoria late on Sunday after one of them told the police that they were being sexually abused. Officials told IANS that 18 girls are missing from the privately-run shelter home which earlier got funds from the government, but whose affiliation to the women and child welfare department was cancelled last year after a CBI probe revealed some discrepancies. The manager of the 'Ma Vindhyavasini Mahila Prashikshan Evam Samaj Seva Sansthan' and his wife have been arrested. Women and Child Welfare Minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi said on Monday that a probe has been ordered. She said that after a CBI inspection last year, it was discovered that the Deoria shelter home was running illegally. An order was issued to shift the inmates and shut it immediately. The minister said that on August 1, an FIR was lodged to shut it down after reports of the racket surfaced. Deoria District Probation Officer (DPO) Abhishek Pandey has also been suspended and action has also been initiated against former DPOs Neeraj Kumar and Anoop Singh. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has set up a committee comprising Additional Director General (women helpline) Anju Gupta and additional chief secretary (women's welfare) Renuka Kumar to immediately visit Deoria and present before the government its interim report by Tuesday. The Chief Minister has also directed all district magistrates to ensure inspection of children and women shelter homes in their districts and present a report within 12 hours, a government spokesman told IANS. --IANS md/prs/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended two pilots of a Jet Airways flight which overshot the runway at Riyadh prior to take off on August 3, an official said on Monday. "The DGCA has suspended the licence of both the pilots involved in the runway excursion incident at Riyadh, pending investigations," said a top DGCA official on Monday. According to a Jet Airways statement, the incident occurred early on Friday when Flight 9W-523 aborted take-off and departed the runway at the King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi Arabian capital. There were no casualties and all the 142 passengers and seven crew members of the Mumbai-bound flight were evacuated safely and later flew to India. The Aviation Investigation Bureau (AIB) of Saudi Arabia has said that the Jet Airways Boeing 737 aircraft attempted to take-off from the taxiway K, parallel to Runway R33. "While visibility was high and no obstacles or FOD (foreign object debris) were on the taxiway, the aircraft accelerated with full take-off power and exceeded the taxiway, onto the unpaved area ending up close to the exit of taxiway G4, north of taxiway K," an AIB statement said. The AIB is probing the incident jointly with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India. Jet had earlier said it had reported the matter to the DGCA. --IANS qn/in/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Greece has appointed new heads of key emergency services following last month's deadly wildfires near Athens. A statement from the prime minister's office on Sunday said that the heads of the police force and fire brigade had been replaced by their deputies, BBC reported. It comes two days after the resignation of the civil protection minister. The government has been strongly criticised over its response to the wildfires, which claimed the lives of at least 90 people. Fanned by strong winds, the flames spread through the Attica Peninsula, with the resort town of Mati among the worst-affected areas. Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of people were forced into the sea as the fires approached, while others were trapped by the flames. In one area, the bodies of 26 adults and children who appeared to have died hugging each other were found. The government has said the fires were started by arsonists and blamed illegal construction for blocking escape routes. However, a catalogue of errors in the authorities' handing of the fires emerged earlier this week. According to one senior expert, police set up diversions that sent drivers into the path of the fire, while a separate study found that authorities did not raise an alarm to allow residents and tourists to escape. The families of a couple in their 70s who were killed in the fires are suing police, fire, civil defence and regional leaders over their deaths. Nikos Toskas, the minister responsible for both police and fire services, became the first person to leave the government since the fires began when he stepped down from his role last Friday. But he said that no "grave operational mistakes" had been made by the services. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister of State for Health Ashwani Kumar Choubey on Monday inaugurated emergency and trauma services at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-Patna. "This facility will provide much-needed help to those who had to travel to AIIMS-Delhi or hospitals outside the state," Choubey said. Choubey also inaugurated 250 beds in the hospital's indoor department. Union Minister Ram Kripal Yadav and Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey were also present during the inauguration. --IANS ik/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The European Union on Monday said it regretted the US' decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran through the Washington government's withdrawal from a nuclear agreement that had been reached by Iranian leaders, China, France, Russia, the UK, the US, Germany and the EU. The bloc communicated its decision in a joint statement by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and Foreign Ministers Jean-Yves Le Drian of France, Heiko Maas of Germany and UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Efe reported. "We deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the US, due to the latter's withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)," the statement said. US President Donald Trump announced in May that he was withdrawing the US from the 2015 accord with Iran, Germany, France, the UK, Russia and China. The deal, which was negotiated by his predecessor Barack Obama, lifted sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. Instead of immediately reimposing the sanctions in May, the Trump administration gave companies doing business with Iran two "wind-down" periods. Monday ends another 90-day period after which Washington can sanction transactions with US dollar banknotes; trade in gold and precious metals; direct or indirect sales of graphite, raw or semi-finished metals and Iran's automotive sector. Additionally, licenses for exporting commercial aircraft to Iran, as well as related parts and services, are set to be revoked. The EU said it would continue working to ensure that Iran's nuclear programme remained solely peaceful, as had been certified by the International Atomic Energy Agency on 11 occasions. It said the JCPOA was an essential component of the world's nuclear non-proliferation project which was vital for global security. "We expect Iran to continue to fully implement all its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA," the statement added. --IANS qd/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The first schedule of superstar Salman Khan starrer "Bharat" has concluded in Mumbai with two dramatic sequences done. Director Ali Abbas Zafar tweeted on Monday: "First schedule of 'Bharat' completed in Mumbai, two dramatic action sequences done. Thanks you cast and crew. Here we come Malta. Get ready for Desi 'rock n rolla'." The film's cast including actress Katrina Kaif, Disha Patani, Sunil Grover and Tabu will be shooting in Malta for the next schedule. Zafar previously worked with Salman in blockbusters like "Sultan" and "Tiger Zinda Hai" The film is an official adaptation of a 2014 South Korean film "Ode To My Father". It is produced by Atul Agnihotri's Reel Life Production Pvt Ltd and Bhushan Kumar's T-Series. "Bharat" is slated for an Eid release in 2019. --IANS dc/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Google can return to China if it complies with the country's censorship laws, a Chinese state-owned newspaper said in an editorial published on Monday. "Google is welcome to return to the mainland, but it's a prerequisite that it must comply with the requirements of the law," said the article which was published on the website of the People's Daily -- the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party of China. According to a report in The Intercept last week, Google, which has been blocked in China since 2010, was planning to re-launch its search engine in the country with censored results. The censored version of Google will block searches on human rights, religion and peaceful protests, which has led to criticism from non-governmental organizations such as Amnesty International. The editorial said that China's cyberspace "has sovereignty and borders, and must be regulated by national laws and regulations," Efe reported. "No country will allow the Internet to be filled with pornography, violence, subversive messages, ethnic separatism, religious extremism, racism and terrorism," it read. The editorial also criticized Google's decision to exit the Chinese market eight years ago, calling it a huge mistake. "Google has been a politicized brand. This is undoubtedly a tragedy for this well-known multinational company... which made it miss golden chances in the mainland's Internet development," it said. --IANS qd/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Guatemala's Fuego volcano, which caused havoc in June, has erupted again. Authorities on Sunday evening ordered the evacuation of emergency personnel who have been working in the area since it last erupted, reports Xinhua news agency. Residents have been warned to keep away from rivers that might overflow and to be on alert for further instructions from authorities. In addition, according to the US Geological Survey, an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale struck 74 km south of Puerto San Jose in Guatemala on Saturday. The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) of Guatemala described the previous eruption as "the strongest one recorded in recent years", killing around 300 people and displacing thousands. --IANS mag/ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A delegation of the Central Action Committee on Monday met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik demanding a permanent bench of Orissa High Court in the western part of the state. They requested the Chief Minister to send a high-level delegation to hold talks with the Centre regarding the bench and get a Bill passed during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament. "The Chief Minister assured us that he would write another strong letter to the Centre. However, we demanded that a delegation of the state government should visit Delhi and talk to the Centre," convener of the committee Ashok Das told media persons here. Spokesperson of the committee Sureshwar Mishra said the Chief Minister had written a letter to the Central Government in this regard in September 2013. "That letter was received by the then Central Government and also initiated the future course of action. The present Central Government has thrown it into the cold storage. No follow-up action has been taken by the state government here for the last five years," said Mishra. He said Odisha MPs should put pressure on the Central government so that the Bill is passed in the Parliament during the current monsoon session. On the other hand, Congress chief whip Taraprasad Bahinipati demanded that a permanent bench of Orissa High Court should be set up in Koraput. "Naveen Patnaik is doing on the matter. He should recommend setting up two benches-one in western Odisha and one in Koraput," said Bahinipati. --IANS cd/anp/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Monday granted bail to a former director of the Andhra Bank arrested in a Rs 5,000 crore fraud case involving Gujarat-based pharmaceutical company Sterling Biotech. Justice Mukta Gupta allowed bail plea of Anup Prakash Garg asking him to furnish a personal bond of Rs two lakh with two surety bonds of the like amount. The court imposed condition on Garg that he will not leave the country without permission. The court also directed him that he will neither directly nor indirectly influence the witnesses nor interfere in further investigation. Garg has sought the bail saying he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on January 12, after a case was filed against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and he has been in custody since then. Both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) named Garg as an accused in criminal cases. The ED initiated a money laundering probe taking cognizance of the CBI FIR. The CBI booked Sterling Biotech, its Directors Chetan Jayantilal Sandesara, Dipti Chetan Sandesara, Rajbhushan Omprakash Dixit, Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara and Vilas Joshi, Chartered Accountant Hemant Hathi, Garg and some unidentified persons in connection with the alleged bank fraud. Sterling Biotech had taken loans of over Rs 5,000 crore from a consortium of banks led by Andhra Bank which had turned into non-performing assets. Total pending dues of the group companies were Rs 5,383 crore as on December 31, 2016, said the CBI FIR. The ED said that during the probe, it found that "certain entries" in a diary seized by the Income Tax Department in 2011 showed cash payments amounting to Rs 1.52 crore made to one "Garg, Director, Andhra Bank" between 2008 and 2009 by the Sandesara brothers. The agency accused Garg of infusing several crores of rupees of his unaccounted cash in various companies through Kolkata-based bogus shell companies with the help of cash or cheque entry operators in Kolkata to launder the money. --IANS akk/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to file an action-taken report on the unauthorised construction and encroachment around Lord Hanuman's 108-foot statue in central Delhi. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar observed that not a single land-owning authority was willing to claim the ownership of the land on which the giant statue stood and that the temple in the vicinity is being maintained without any authority. "No spirituality can be attached to a criminal activity. Every person involved in this fraud has to be dealt with a heavy hand. Such activity on public land is not at all permissible in the name of religion and this amounts to criminal activity," the bench said and listed the matter for further hearing on September 6. The court was hearing a petition that sought the removal of unauthorised constructions and encroachment in Karol Bagh. The idol has been constructed at the busy Karol Bagh-Pusa Road junction. --IANS akk/tsb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 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 Masi Oka feels the lines differentiating people on the basis of their ethnicity and background are getting blurred. The Japanese-American actor says there are now more opportunities in Hollywood for people from diverse backgrounds -- but there's still a long way to go. Oka has been a pioneer when it comes to Asian-American representation in showbiz with projects like "Heroes", "Hawaii Five-0", "Scrubs", "Along Came Polly", "Friends with Benefits" and the forthcoming Warner Bros Pictures' project "The Meg". "We are definitely seeing a lot (diversity). Do we still have (a long) way to go? Yes, absolutely. But I think people are becoming more conscious... Now, things like people with talent and talent of people of colour -- that line is getting blurred, which is a great thing," Oka told IANS in an interview over phone while talking about diversity in Hollywood. "There are more opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds." Looking back at his journey which started in 2001, he said: "I just feel very grateful and very lucky to be at the right place at the right time. When I was starting, there were not many roles for Asians or Asian-Americans. We looked up to Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan. "But nowadays thanks to shows like 'Heroes', we are seeing Asians and Asian-Americans in the centre. Now, we have great shows that star Asians and Asian-Americans. We also have a movie, 'Crazy Rich Asians', coming up that is backed by Warner Bros. "Times (have) changed and to be able to kind of be the pioneer and to be part of that generation (of) change... I am very proud and honoured to do that." Oka, who has also been working to build bridges between Hollywood and Japan, says there is a need to have "more representation in front of camera as well as behind the camera". But he is sad about one thing though. "The one sad thing though is that I have younger actors coming up to me and saying that 'Hi, I grew up watching you'. So, I think 'Oh, so I am one of those'. I have reached that point in my age when people grew up watching me." With the mention of diversity, the actor points out that "The Meg" -- a horror film which brings Jason Statham and a group of people fighting against a giant prehistoric shark called a Megalodon for survival -- boasts of a diverse cast. It is slated to release on August 10. "'The Meg' is an amazing film. It is a huge film with action, humour and fun, but what we also have is an international, diverse cast. And to be part of that is something which I am really proud of." Talking about the Jon Turteltaub directorial, the actor said: "Working with Jon was spectacular. He made an amazing collaborative environment, and getting to work with such an international crew was great. We were like a family." He is excited to create a "Jaws" like franchise for the younger generation. "I have been a big fan of Jon, and that was definitely the main attraction for me. But also the idea of being able to create 'Jaws' for our generation. "'Jaws was a legendary film when I was growing up but the younger generation don't have their 'Jaws'. So, to be able to create a new franchise with the studio for this generation was fun. Just being part of that vision and process, was an honour and a big motivation for me." (Sugandha Rawal can be contacted at sugandha.r@ians.in) --IANS sug/rb/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Monday urged the Bangladesh government to relocate the makeshift camps where more than 7,00,000 Rohingya refugees have been living in overcrowded conditions for over an year. Members of the ethnic minority fled across the border following an offensive launched by the Myanmar Army on August 25 last year in Rakhine state after Rohingya rebels carried out a series of attacks on government security outposts. The situation of "severe overcrowding" heightens the risk of "diseases, fires and increased community tensions, as well as domestic and sexual violence," warned HRW refugee rights director Bill Frelick at the launch of the report "Bangladesh is not my Country: The plight of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar" in Bangkok, Efe news reported. With the onset of the monsoon rains, the threat of floods and landslides in the refugee shelters of Katupalong-Balukhali near the Myanmar border has increased. According to Frelick, experts have identified six viable relocation sites that could accommodate 2,63,000 people. These sites, spread across more than 5.26 square kilometres, are located near where the Rohinyas are currently based, he said. Frelick said Bangladesh insists the situation is temporary, so it prevents the construction of permanent structures. Bangladesh plans to relocate 1,00,000 Rohingyas to an uninhabited island, Bhasan Char. The artificial island is not suitable for accommodating people due to the risk of it being completely flooded by the arrival of a cyclone, among other problems such as the lack of land for cultivation or aquifers, experts have said. Last week, Myanmar set up a new commission to investigate reports of human rights violations allegedly committed by the military against the Rohingyas. At the report launch, Phil Robertson, deputy director of HRW's Asia division, charged that not much can be expected from the commission as some of its members have publicly rejected any violation by the Army. International organisations including the United Nations have reported killings, torture, rapes and looting and burning of houses among other crimes allegedly committed by the Army. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein has described the campaign as ethnic cleansing with suspected acts of genocide. Myanmar considers the Rohingyas illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and subjects them to various restrictions, including limiting their freedom of movement. Myanmar and Bangladesh signed an agreement in November 2017 for the repatriation of the Rohingyas, according to which the refugees should have started their return to Myanmar on January 23. Frelick said that the repatriation will not take place anytime soon. --IANS anp/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) He is a farmer who comes from a very simple background; he loves ploughing his fields and has been travelling by a state roadways bus from Jaipur to Sikar, his hometown. In Sikar, he wakes up at 4 a.m. to finish his household chores, like washing clothes, on his own. When this humble man was picked as the Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief on June 30, it literally sent shock waves in the state as there were several prominent names in the fray. However, BJP president Amit Shah finally picked Madan Lal Saini. Soon after his appointment, there were whispers that Saini was being made a fall guy by the BJP sensing defeat in the assembly elections later this year. Even Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot commented that Saini has been made a "sacrificial lamb" and was given a task which no one was willing to take up in the face of what many term as imminent defeat. However, unaffected by all such claims, Saini, told IANS in an interview: "I am not here to become a sacrificial lamb. I am here to wipe out the opposition. In fact, time shall prove who has become a sacrificial lamb in the coming elections." The BJP had appeared more like a headless party for over two months after its president Ashok Parnami resigned on April 16. Between April 16 and June 30, the names of proposed candidates were being exchanged between leaders in Delhi and Jaipur. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje visited Delhi frequently to select the right candidate for the coveted post. Meanwhile, with Saini's appointment, things seem to be stablising as he has swung into action sensing the criticality of his position. He is busy forming his own team, strategising and charting a way forward for the BJP. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent visit to Jaipur, had words of praise for Saini. "I have worked with Madan Lal Saini-ji. I have also done many organisational tours with him," he said, adding that Saini had tremendous knowledge of organisational matters. On his part, Saini said: "Modiji took me back to the days when I was rendering my services to BJP's Kisaan Morcha as national general secretary. At that time, Modiji was BJP's national general secretary. We both shared the same headquarters in the same building; Modiji also shared a Sangh background and so did I. As we had the same association's backing, ideology and thoughts... we often used to meet during tea time." "Thereafter, I became the Rajasthan in-charge for the Sardar Patel Sangrahan Samiti and Modiji was Gujarat Chief Minister in those days. He often used to discuss the progress of pending tasks with me. At that time, neither did I think of him becoming the Prime Minister nor did I dream of becoming the party president of Rajasthan," Saini said. "But then, this is how our party works; we promote our grassroots leaders to reach the top if they work with sincerity, honesty and dedication," he added. Interestingly, during Modi's visit in Jaipur on July 7, Saini was standing a little behind the other leaders. Observing this, Modi indicated to him to take step forward and shook hands with him. Saini said he was confident of attaining the 180-plus target set by the BJP in the coming elections to the 200-member house, in which it currently has 160 seats. Reminded of the recent losses during bypolls in Alwar, Ajmer and Mandalgarh, he retorted: "Have you seen a tiger? Before attacking his prey, he takes two steps back and then takes a leap forward. So is the case with the BJP. We went two steps back only to invigorate ourselves to take a big leap and wipe out the opposition." Speaking about the infighting in the BJP cadre on caste lines, he said this was also true of the opposition Congress, with three chief ministerial candidates -- Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot and C.P. Joshi -- in the fray. "They are busy portraying themselves as CM candidates. We have resolved all our crises," Saini added. Asked about party workers' claims that Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje still had an attitude and portrays herself as a queen, Saini countered: "I have seen Vasundhara-ji visiting rural areas to redress the grievances of people. Had she been a queen, she could have assigned the task to any of her party members. But she herself is taking the lead, which is the task of the leader." On the lynching cases in Alwar and Bharatpur, he said people should learn to respect the religious sentiments of different communities. "This is the only way we can retain communal harmony in the nation." "In fact, we should work to ensure our country has a strong presence on the global map. As we discuss America's viewpoint on significant developments of the world, we want the world to discuss India's viewpoint on crucial subjects in the coming days and the party is working to accomplish this aim," Saini said. (Archana Sharma can be contacted at archana.s@ians.in) --IANS arc/vm/tb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iran's Interior Ministry has blamed foreign sources for the anti-government unrest in the country, affecting its economic situation, Press TV reported on Monday. "Bulk of the protest rallies, under the guise of protests against economic woes, in Iran over the past month were originated from outside the country," Xinhua quoted Interior Ministry spokesman Salman Samani as saying. "Only a handful of people were influenced by such propaganda and attended the unlawful protests in a few cities," he added. "The main elements provoking unrest in Iran are mostly individuals or groups who do not care about the economic problems and only seek to foment chaos by taking advantage of problems like price hikes and livelihood issues," Samani said. The Iranian spokesman also said that efforts were underway to control the protests and the situation would be handled with "minimum tensions and through dialogue". Protests were reportedly held in the Iranian cities of Shiraz, Isfahan, Ahvaz and Karaj over the past few days against worsening economic conditions. The protests have been largely described as peaceful without any major instance of violence. --IANS mag/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The issue of lowering the seniority of Justice K.M. Joseph while appointing him to the Supreme Court was raised in the Lok Sabha on Monday by Congress leader K.C. Venugopal. Without naming the judge, Venugopal said the government wants to have its way in the appointment of judges. "...what has happened today (Monday) is all over the national media. Some of the Supreme Court judges are also approaching the Chief Justice of India with regard to appointment of a judge in the apex court," said Venugopal during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha. "As we know, seniority of a Supreme Court judge is decided by the President through issuance of the warrant of appointment by the government. "One of the judges has been appointed and the collegium had actually recommended his name four months ago. The government did not give its assent for his appointment. We would like to know as to what was his fault," asked Venugopal, who had given an adjournment notice. He also said that as per the recommendations of the collegium, he is one of the honest, efficient and eligible judges but the recommendation of the collegium was rejected by the government. "The government's independence is now being questioned. In every appointment of judges, the government wants its own was. The judges are in a different mood. They are against the Chief Justice. The system is not there in this country. "It is happening because of the attitude of the government," he said. A group of top court judges including those from the collegium on Monday met Chief Justice Dipak Misra to express their concern over the Centre altering seniority of Justice K.M. Joseph by placing him at third position, after Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Vineet Saran, in the order of appointment as top court judge. Justice Joseph, along with Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Vineet Saran, will be administered oath on Tuesday by the Chief Justice. --IANS sid/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) IT-savvy Karnataka government is setting up five technology hubs across the state for innovations by start-ups in the product space for domestic and export markets, said a Minister on Monday. "The first K-Tech hub was opened at Belagavi in the northwest region last week and the second hub in Bengaluru today (Monday). Three more hubs are being set up at Mangaluru, Mysuru and Shivamogga," said Karnataka IT Minister K.J. George. Designed as a shared prototyping facility with co-working, the hubs offer office space and amenities to incubate ideas and innovate products by start-ups in the respective regions. "Of the five hubs, four are being located in tier-2 cities across the state to leverage the manufacturing clusters around them and hire local talent from colleges and institutions in the respective regions," said George. The hubs will also create ecosystem to sustain them and attract investments from local entrepreneurs for job creation and all-round development. "The hubs will also engage with stakeholders in the region, attract talent, promote entrepreneurship for more start-ups," said George. The tech hubs will house a knowledge park, a science park and an incubation centre with common instrumentation facility for programme management in a network mode, linked to its hardware product incubator in Bengaluru. "We are keen to set up an ecosystem to benefit stakeholders with infra support and mentoring. With disruptive technologies creating opportunities, the hubs will help our state in retaining leadership position in the country," he added. The innovation hubs will enable tech-based start-ups to access research and development centres and prototyping labs, skilled staff and access to raw materials for manufacturing products. According to state IT Principal Secretary Gaurav Gupta, the disruptive technologies were making enterprises to invest in digital transformation of their operations to sustain their business and compete in a global market. "Spending is shifting from IT services to line of business, with associated technologies like big data, artificial intelligence, robotics, cloud and Internet of Things," added Gupta. The Minister and the IT department officials, however, did not share the cost of setting up the tech hubs for innovation. --IANS fb/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Bangladesh court on Monday granted former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia six months interim bail in a 2015 arson case. A High Court bench of Justices A.K.M. Asaduzzaman and S.M. Mujibur Rahman granted the bail following an appeal filed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chair, reports The Daily Star newspaper. Khaleda however, cannot be released from jail following Monday's order as she is under arrest in some other cases also. Eight people were killed and many injured after a bus was torched in Comilla city's Chauddagram area on February 2, 2015, during a BNP protest. On February 8, Khaleda was sentenced to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. --IANS ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The city of Kolkata will be the venue for the next event of the 'CuppaSchoola' karate tournament, run by the Indian Professional Karate Council (IPKC) and the Boutspro Ultimate Karate League, it was announced on Monday. The IPKC and BUKL on Saturday hosted the 'CuppaSchoola National Capital Region Karate Tournament' at Talkatora Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, with the participation of around 300 competitors from leading schools and clubs from Delhi-NCR and surrounding towns. Young athletes under 15 years of age participated in four different categories in the tournament. The winners of the regional tournament were awarded scholarships worth Rs 8,40,000. IPKC Chairman ensei Rajeev Sinha announced here that the next event will be hosted in Kolkata, West Bengal, in October and it will be followed by the upcoming editions in Chandigarh, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Ranchi. --IANS pur/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Lok Sabha was briefly adjourned on Monday over the Muzaffarpur shelter home rapes with the Congress and RJD alleging that evidence has been tampered with, and seeking a statement from Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Raising the issue, Congress member Ranjeet Ranjan alleged that some of the accused had fled to Nepal. She said the state government did not show the requisite seriousness on the issue. Rashtriya Janata Dal member Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav also raised the issue and alleged that evidences were being tampered. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the matter was being looked into by the Central Bureau of Investigation. However, the Congress and other members continued shouting slogans. Mahajan told them to let the business of the House continue but the members did not relent leading her to adjourn the House for 15 minutes. As many as 34 minor girls were sexually assaulted in the Balika Grih, a short-stay girls' shelter home run by an NGO in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district. The shelter home has been sealed after the horror came to light. The Bihar Social Welfare Department filed an FIR based on a social audit of the shelter home conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. --IANS sid-rak/ps/in/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Lok Sabha on Monday took up for discussion the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2018, which seeks to overturn a Supreme Court order that struck down the provision for immediate arrest. The amendment bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot last week. "The government had filed a review petition in the Supreme Court with regard to its order to strike down the original provisions of The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. "Following the court decision, many SC/ST organisations called for a 'Bharat Bandh', leading to unfortunate incidents. The court decision says that to arrest an accused, the approval of the Senior Superintendent of Police concerned will be required. But this is not possible because in most parts of the country there are no SSPs," Gehlot said while speaking on the bill in the Lok Sabha. He pointed out that in his native state Madhya Pradesh, SSPs are posted only in Gwalior, Bhopal and Indore. He also urged the members to support the bill. Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said that it took 3-4 months for the Modi government to bring the bill in the house and also questioned why it didn't bring an ordinance on the matter for so long. "If the government could bring six ordinances on various other issues to favour a corporate, it also could have brought the 7th ordinance on this matter. But, unfortunately, the government could not bring an ordinance to protect the rights of millions (over 25 per cent population) of such persons in the country," said Kharge. "Why didn't the government bring a law for the SCs and STs soon to nullify the SC order and correct it?" Kharge asked. The Act prohibits the commission of offences against members of the weaker sections and establishes special courts for trial of such offences and rehabilitation of victims. On March 20, the Supreme Court ruled that to arrest persons accused of committing an offence under the said Act, approval of the SSP concerned will be required before an arrest is made. Further, the DSP may conduct a preliminary enquiry to find out whether a prima facie case is made out under the Act. The bill states that the Investigating Officer will not require approval of any authority for the arrest of the accused. Further, it provides that a preliminary enquiry will not be required for the registration of a First Information Report against those accused under the Act. The Bill says that persons accused of committing an offence under the proposed Act cannot apply for anticipatory bail. The bill seeks to clarify that this provision will apply despite any judgments or orders of a court that provide otherwise. --IANS sid/tsb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday penned a poem and posted it on the social media, taking a swipe at the BJP and slamming the draft National Register of Citizens in Assam. The poem, titled 'Identity' and written in both Bengali and English, starts with a series of questions regarding surname, religion, language, food habits and political preferences. Those who failed to come up with satisfactory answers would be termed "traitors," it warns. "Who are you? What's your identity? Where do you live? Where did you study? Tell us. Or, you are a traitor," Banerjee wrote on Twitter. "Whom do you support? Have your previous five generations been registered? What do you wear?... You must be an illegal immigrant," she wrote in the poem, taking a dig at the draft NRC that left out more than 40 lakh persons as they were allegedly not able to produce necessary identification documents. The Trinamool Congress supremo also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's weekly radio address 'Mann ki Baat' as well as centre's many initiatives, including Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation's GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources), Jan Dhan scheme, online payment app Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) and linking of Aadhaar with mobile numbers. "Do you listen to Mann ki Baat? Do you write against the ruler? Does your phone have Aadhaar? Are you against the oppressor? Then there is no place for you. Then you are an extremist," she wrote. Banerjee also maintained that those who have no knowledge about the ruler's power and its agencies and dare to protest against its oppression are often termed "anti-nationals". "Are you vocal in protest? Are you against the ruler? Then you are anti-national. So you get lost," she added. --IANS mgr/tsb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra BJP MP Heena Gavit on Monday demanded a probe into the attack on her vehicle by over 200 pro-Maratha reservation protesters outside the Dhule Collectors office. "I was attacked by over 200 people when I was travelling from Dhule. And only four police personnel were there. My party workers rescued me," the Nandurbar MP told the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour. "Some 15-20 people were arrested but later let-off," she said. The Bharatiya Janata Party member also wanted to know whether she was targeted for being a tribal. Demanding suspension of the Superintendent of Police for not taking action against the 200 protesters who attacked her vehicle, Gavit showed the photographs of the attack and that the culprits were garlanded. The incident took place on Sunday when Gavit was emerging from an official meeting at the Dhule Collector's office. The protesters are demanding reservations in government jobs and education for the Maratha community in Maharashtra. --IANS aks/in/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militant was arrested with explosives in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Monday. A police statement said police recovered from him a huge cache of incriminating materials including explosives intended for terror strikes. Acting on specific input, Muzamil Ahmad Dar, 22, was taken into custody, the police said. During investigation, a huge cache of ammunition was recovered on his disclosure which includes improvised explosive device (IED), Chinese and hand grenades, detonators, mobile phones, 12-volt battery, safety fuse and circuit wire and safety fuse, the police said. "The accused was in touch with other terrorists of JeM and they were planning (terror) attacks," the statement said. --IANS sq/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Korean state media on Monday urged the US to remove sanctions after Washington threatened to retain the punitive measures on Pyongyang for failing to act on its commitments to denuclearize. The White House has accused North Korea of being "inconsistent" with regard to its promise to abandon its nuclear weapons programmes and said it would continue to maintain diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea. North Korean state media accused Washington of acting in a manner contrary to what was agreed upon at the historic summit in June in Singapore, despite goodwill gestures by the regime such as the dismantling of its nuclear facilities and the repatriation of the remains of US soldiers killed in the Korean War, Efe reported. The US sanctions have "only helped the DPRK gain the status of a nuclear power and enhanced its self-development capability," Rodong Sinmun, the official state newspaper of the North Korean ruling party, said in an editorial on Monday. The government of US President Donald Trump is "going back to the past, clinging to the strategy for sanctions and pressure which the successive administrations had insisted on for more than half century but in vain", the article added. "If they are obsessed with the monarchical way of thinking that they can enforce their demands without any fulfilment of their commitments and promises made with their dialogue partner and the conception that 'sanctions' can work on everything, they will never achieve what they want," warned the article. It also urged the US to "attach importance to the trust and respect" to ensure that the dialogue process bears fruit. The White House has said it intends to maintain diplomatic and financial pressure on North Korea after a confidential report by the United Nations said Pyongyang was continuing to develop its nuclear and missile programmes. At the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Singapore over the weekend, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the actions of the North Korean regime to continue building long-range missiles were "inconsistent" with its promise to dismantle its nuclear weapons and violated UN Security Council resolutions. --IANS qd/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NASA's Curiosity rover is celebrating its sixth anniversary on Mars which is currently experiencing a global storm. "I touched down on #Mars six years ago. Celebrating my 6th landing anniversary with the traditional gift of iron oxide. (It puts the red in Red Planet.)," said a tweet sent out by the rover on Sunday. Curiosity, which landed on Mars in 2012, was designed to assess whether Mars ever had an able to support small life forms called microbes. In other words, its mission is to determine the planet's "habitability." The rover is currently keeping its "eyes" on a dust event that had gone global by June 20. Most of NASA's spacecraft are studying the dust storm from above. But the Curiosity rover has a unique perspective: the nuclear-powered science machine is largely immune to the darkened skies, allowing it to collect science from within the beige veil enveloping the planet. Curiosity has a number of "eyes" that can determine the abundance and size of dust particles based on how they scatter and absorb light, NASA said in a statement in July. That includes its Mastcam, ChemCam, and an ultraviolet sensor on REMS, its suite of weather instruments. NASA lost contact with its Opportunity rover due to the storm. Based on the longevity of a 2001 global storm, NASA scientists estimate it may be September before the haze has cleared enough for Opportunity to power up and call home --IANS gb/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nepal's trade deficit crossed the $10 billion mark for the first time in the last fiscal year 2017-18, that concluded in mid-July, due to surging imports against sluggish exports, Nepal's Department of Customs (DoC) said on Monday. According to the statistics released by the DoC, trade deficit of the Himalayan country reached $10.55 billion in fiscal 2017-18. The deficit more than doubled in just five years. In fiscal 2013-14, Nepal witnessed trade deficit of $4.87 billion, Xinhua reported. Nepal's imports almost doubled in the last five years while exports grew slightly during the same period, contributing to the widening trade deficit. Nepal's imports surged to $11.28 billion in fiscal 2017-18 from $5.57 billion in fiscal 2013-14 while exports grew to $737.56 million from $703.14 million during the same period. Former Nepali Commerce Secretary Purusottam Ojha said that Nepal's failure to produce adequate agriculture and manufacturing products was mainly responsible for the stagnant exports. "On the other hand, the government is more liberal on imports because it is heavily depended on import-driven revenues," he said. Nepal has the largest trade deficit with India followed by China, the two largest trading partners and neighbours of the Himalayan country, according to the DoC. --IANS qd/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested senior Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Habibur Rahman after he landed here following his deportation from Riyadh, the agency said on Monday. The anti-terror agency said that Rahman was held at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday when he deboarded an incoming flight. A resident of Kendrapara district in Odisha, Rahman had been residing in Saudi Arabia's capital for a long time, said NIA Spokesperson Alok Mittal, adding that his deportation was a result of cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia. A special NIA court had issued a non-bailable warrant against Rahman last year when his name came up regarding attempts by LeT operatives to activate the proscribed organisation's network in the United Arab Emirates to send money to associates for establishing bases across India and for reconnaissance of targets for attacks. Rahman is among the handlers of LeT terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem, who was initially arrested in November 2007 while trying to help two Pakistani and one Kashmiri terrorist to infiltrate India through Bangladesh, the NIA official said. Naeem escaped from custody in August 2014 while on way from Kolkata for a court appearance in Maharashtra and resumed his activities on the directions of his handlers in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Rahman had arranged shelter and funds for Naeem on different occasions for carrying out terrorist activities in India on the directions of LeT commander Amjad based in Pakistan, said the official. The agency said that a conspiracy was hatched between Rahman and Naeem for targeting vulnerable locations in India with the intent to cause the maximum damage. Naeem was tasked to identify locations where terrorist attacks could be carried out. For this purpose, Naeem assumed fake identities and visited different states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh and did reconnaissance of possible targets. Both Rahman and Naeem have already been named in a NIA chargesheet along with nine co-accused. --IANS rak/tsb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said there was no need for Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma to resign over the Muzaffarpur shelter home horror. Despite repeated demands for her resignation by the opposition and even by two Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, Nitish Kumar gave a clean chit to Manju Verma. "She (Manju Verma) has denied her involvement in the case. A CBI probe is underway. Anyone found guilty, even the Ministers, will be sent to jail. No one will be spared," Nitish Kumar said. Opposition leaders have alleged that Manju Verma was aware of her husband's frequent visits to the Muzaffarpur shelter home where 34 minor girls were raped. Expressing his anguish on the matter, Nitish Kumar called the incident "shameful and painful" and said that from now no NGO would be allowed to run shelter homes in Bihar. Only the government would have that authority. He said that the the High Court should monitor the CBI investigation. The Muzaffarpur case came to light when the Bihar Social Welfare Department filed an FIR based on a social audit of the shelter home conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. --IANS ik/mag/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition candidate C.M. Ramesh of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Monday got the highest number of votes, 106, in the Rajya Sabha and was elected to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Balloting was held to fill two vacancies in the PAC from the Upper House. The Bharatiya Janata Party's Bhupender Yadav also made it to the Committee with 69 votes. However, Harviansh of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), who was also fielded as a NDA (National Democratic Alliance) candidate, lost badly getting just 26 votes. The opposition celebrated its little victory, terming it as a "blow" to the ruling dispensation and as a sign of unity by the opposition. "It was the BJP, particularly its chief Amit Shah, who insisted on an election. We had tried to persuade the BJP that one MP each from the ruling and opposition camps can be named against the two vacancies and an election should be normally avoided. But he insisted on a contest. So here is the result," a senior opposition leader who did not wish to be named commented. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien took to Twitter to celebrate the opposition's unity. "Hurrah! Opposition candidate sweeps PAC election... BJP/NDA candidates left way behind. MPs in Rajya Sabha were the voters. True opposition unity ensured C.M. Ramesh of TDP got 106 votes. BJP got 69, NDA ally JD-U 26," O'Brien tweeted. The PAC, currently headed by senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, draws 15 Members from the Lok Sabha and seven from the Rajya Sabha. --IANS mak/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition parties will meet here on Monday evening to discuss the name of a joint opposition candidate for election to the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman's post on August 9. Sources said the opposition parties are expected to short list candidates at the meeting, which will be held in the chamber of Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad. They would then get back to their leaders about the outcome of the meeting. Another meeting is expected to take place on Tuesday to decide the candidate. The election is likely to be a tight affair even as the opposition bloc has an edge over the BJP-led NDA in terms of numbers. The outcome will depend on the stance of parties such as BJD, AIADMK, Telangana Rashtra Samiti and YSRCP--which could ally with the government in certain situations. Opposition sources said that there were 35 "fence sitters" and the outcome will depend on their stance. The two large parties in the upper house -- BJP and Congress -- are unlikely to put up a candidate. The parties which would support an opposition nominee include the Congress (50), TMC (14), SP (13), TDP (6), CPI-M (5), CPI (2), DMK (4), NCP (4), AAP (3), BSP (4), RJD (5), PDP (2), JD-S (1), Nominated (1), Kerala Congress-Mani (1) and IUML (1). Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu had on Monday announced that the new Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman will be elected on August 9. The post of the Deputy Chairman fell vacant after P.J. Kurien retired in July. The election will be held a day before the conclusion of the monsoon session of Parliament. --IANS mak-ps/vsc/bg . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hamza bin Laden, the son of the late Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, has married the daughter of Mohammed Atta, the lead hijacker and one of the ringleaders of the September 2001 terror attacks in the US, according to the family. The marriage was confirmed by Osama bin Laden's half-brothers -- Ahmad and Hassan al-Attas -- during an interview with the Guardian. "We have heard he has married the daughter of Mohammed Atta," Ahmad al-Attas told the daily. "We're not sure where he is, but it could be Afghanistan." The brothers said they believed Hamza had taken a senior position within Al Qaida and was aiming to avenge the death of his father who was shot dead during a US military raid in Pakistan's Abbottabad town on May 2, 2011. Hamza is the son of one of Osama bin Laden's three surviving wives, Khairiah Sabar, who was living with her husband in Abbottabad when he was killed. He has since made public statements urging followers to wage war on the US, the UK, France and Israel and is seen as a deputy to the terrorist group's incumbent leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri. Western intelligence agencies have been increasingly focusing on Hamza's whereabouts over the past two years. Another of Bin Laden's sons, Khalid, was killed in the Abbottabad raid. A third, Saad, was killed in a drone strike in Afghanistan in 2009. Letters purportedly written by Osama bin Laden and seized from the compound suggested he was grooming Hamza to replace him. The late militant leader's wives and surviving children have returned to Saudi Arabia, where they were given refuge by the former Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef. The women and children remain in close contact with Osama bin Laden's mother, Alia Ghanem, who told the Guardian in a recent interview that she remained in regular touch with surviving family members. --IANS ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More than 43 lakh children, aged between 9 months and 15 years, will be immunised in Jammu and Kashmir under the Measles-Rubella Vaccination (MRV) drive from September 1, an official said here on Monday. "The campaign will be conducted for six weeks, starting with students of all the government and private schools... covering all the districts," Samir Mattoo, Director Family Welfare, Jammu and Kashmir said. Deputy Commissioner - Immunization Division - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Pradeep Haldar, said that physically handicapped, mentally challenged children and students of blind schools will be the first target group. "In the second phase, religious heads and community heads will be involved to make it a successful campaign through outreach sessions. After the completion of the campaign, MRV will be introduced in Routine Immunization and be part of Universal Immunisation Programme in Jammu and Kashmir," he added. The Health Ministry launched the first phase of MVR campaign in February last year in five states -- Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Lakshadweep and Puducherry. According to the government figures, more than 3.3 crore children were vaccinated, reaching out to 97 per cent of the intended age group. The campaign was carried out in schools, community centers and health facilities. The second phase was rolled out in August 2017 in eight states and UTs -- Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana and Uttarakhand -- to cover 3.4 crore children. For the campaign in Jammu and Kashmir, the state government has partnered with WHO and UNICEF to create people's trust in vaccines and address myths around immunization to ensure every child is vaccinated. --IANS som/qd/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rajya Sabha on Monday unanimously passed the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-third Amendment) Bill as passed by the Lok Sabha to give a constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes. Earlier, the upper House had made some amendments to the bill passed by the Lok Sabha and sent it back to the lower House of Parliament. The Lok Sabha, in a rare gesture, adopted the "amendment alternative to the amendment made by the Rajya Sabha" and passed the bill. The bill seeks to grant NCBC the constitutional status on a par with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. Replying to the debate on the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot assured the members that the provision for having a woman member on the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) would be made while formulating the Rules under the new law. The Minister, however, ruled out the possibility of mandatorily having at least one member from the minority communities as the NCBC member, saying there was no provision of religion-based reservation in the Constitution of India. Gehlot also clarified that the NCBC would not undermine the autonomy of the states and the state OBC commissions. "The list of the Scheduled Castes (SC) is the same for the Centre and the states. But the states can have their separate lists of OBC castes. And if a state likes any caste to be included in the central OBC list, it will have to write to the NCBC, which may include that caste after following the due process," Gehlot said. The bill also seeks to provide the NCBC the authority to examine complaints and welfare measures regarding socially and educationally backward classes. He said that the NCBC would have the same powers as the SC and ST commissions. The bill is seen as a push by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to consolidate its support among the OBCs ahead of the state elections this year and the Lok Sabha elections next year. The party is expected to highlight its efforts to get the bill passed in its election campaigns in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where OBCs form a large chunk of population. It is also likely to raise the issue strongly during Lok Sabha election campaigning. During the debate, the BJP members who spoke on the bill accused the opposition Congress of not caring for the interests of the OBCs. Gehlot said that the Modi government has taken a "bold decision" to set up a panel for sub-categorisation of backward classes and will act swiftly on getting the report. "The categorisation will be done actively to undo the injustice done to them," he said. --IANS mak/tsb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Patna High Court on Monday decided to monitor the investigation into the rape of 34 minor girls in a shelter home in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district, a government lawyer said. The court has also ordered a speedy trial of the case. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar last week said that his government is keen for the high court monitored CBI probe into the case. The opposition parties have demanded the Central Bureau of Investigation probe monitored by the high court. In July the court took suo motu cognizance of the case based on media reports and fixed date of hearing. The Muzaffarpur crime came to light when the Bihar Social Welfare Department filed an FIR based on a social audit of the shelter home conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. --IANS ik/in/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian origin business executive Indra K. Nooyi will step down as the Chief Executive of global food and beverages major PepsiCo, Inc. in October, the company said on Monday. According to the US-based multinational, its Board of Directors has unanimously elected Ramon Laguarta, 54, to succeed Nooyi, 62, as Chief Executive Officer. However, Nooyi will remain the Chairman of the company until early 2019. "Nooyi will step down on October 3rd after 24 years with the company, the last 12 as CEO," the company said in a statement. "She will remain Chairman until early 2019 to ensure a smooth and seamless transition. Laguarta was also elected to the company's Board of Directors, effective October 3rd." --IANS rv/bc/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday expressed regret over political violence in Kerala which he said did little justice to the glorious traditions of the state and its people. "It is important for all political groups and enlightened citizens to do their utmost to curb the development of such tendencies," the President said after inaugurating the 'Festival of Democracy', a series of programmes to mark the conclusion of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Assembly. "Violence has no place in our Constitution and it would be appropriate if we could give some thought to this... The people of Kerala, and the citizens of India, deserve that we do serious thinking on the issue," he said. The political violence which plagues certain regions of Kerala was unfortunate, he added. The programmes, attended by the Governor P. Sathasivam, Chief Minister Pinnarayi Vijayan and a host of MLAs from several states, includes a series of national level seminars aimed at strengthening the values of democracy. In his inaugural address, the President commended the Speaker for taking the initiative for this event comprising six seminars on key themes including the relevance and wider applicability of the Kerala developmental model. These, he pointed out, were extremely meaningful themes and a celebration of these ideas was entirely in keeping with Kerala's rich intellectual legacy. The diamond jubilee celebration was a befitting tribute to stalwarts like E.M.S. Nampoothiripaad, E.K. Nayanar and K. Karunakaran amongst others who helped shape the Assembly to its present identity, he said. Focussing on the "Kerala Model", which has achieved a lot in literacy, healthcare and social sectors, the President said it was now time for the youth of Kerala to derive greater benefits from the model. Earlier, presiding over the function, Governor Sathasivan said people often lamented the fall in the standards of democratic institutions and more importantly in the growing disregard for procedure and convention in such bodies. "It may be true that newer issues need to be confronted through novel modes of protest and dissent. But such protests cannot ignore the basic dignity of the democratic institution nor can they hamper the constitutional rights of the members, no matter whether they rule or sit in the opposition," he said. Chief Minister Vijayan said the present LDF Government in Kerala had been making path breaking interventions. He underlined that though the central government had dropped the Plan process, the Special Component Plan (SCP) and the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), Kerala had retained the Plan process as well as the SCP and the TSP. These were essential in ensuring that there was just allocation of resources for the disadvantaged sections, he said. "While vested interests try to weaken our democracy through orchestrated campaigns, it is the duty of all of us who have assumed office having sworn allegiance to the Indian Constitution to protect democracy and strengthen secularism," he said. --IANS sg-str/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajinder Kumar Dhawan, who passed away on Monday at the age of 81, was a close confidant of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and served the Congress and its leaders in different capacities in his long career spanning nearly five decades. A former Union Minister, Dhawan had been a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and a party general secretary. A trusted loyalist of Nehru-Gandhi family, he also worked with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and former party chief Sonia Gandhi. Dhawan was a member of Rajya Sabha twice -- from April 1990 to April 1996, and July 2004 to July 2010. Dhawan joined Indira Gandhi as a personal assistant in 1962 and worked with her until she breathed her last. He was part of Indira Gandhi's innermost circle during the Emergency (1975-77) and a witness to her assassination in October 1984. He later said in an interview that if some bad things had not happened during the Emergency, Indira Gandhi would not have lost the 1977 general elections. Dhawan served as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Urban Development Ministry in the P.V. Narasimha Rao government from September 1995 to February 1996. He faced Shah Commission, Maruti Commission, Thakkar Commission, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and income tax raids and inquiries, and Privileges Committee of Parliament and was jailed during the Janata Party Government in 1977 on refusal to depose against Indira Gandhi. With the Thakkar Commission of Inquiry -- set up to probe Indira Gandhi's assassination -- pointing the needle of suspicion on him, Dhawan in an interview described his facing the panel for four years as the "darkest period" of his life and said he wished he had died with Inidra Gandhi. Dhawan was lodged in Tihar Jail along with Indira Gandhi by a Resolution of the Lok Sabha on the Report of Privileges Committee of Parliament, 1978. Although he did not get any prominent role during the initial years of Rajiv Gandhi government, he was appointed Officer on Special Duty to the PM in 1989. He later joined Approachable and communicative, Dhawan had a rugged grassroots charm and sought to defuse a crisis by intense engagement with key players. Born on July 16, 1937 in Chiniot (now in Pakistan), he got his education in Punjab University, Chandigarh. He got married in 2012 when he was 74. Dhawan was elected to the CWC in 1992 and 1998 and served as the All India Congress Committee General Secretary during 1996-99 and 2003-04. The party used his experience in drafting manifestos for some poll-bound states as also in shortlisting candidates for assembly polls. He was a permanent invitee to the CWC when party President Rahul Gandhi dissolved it earlier this year before the party's plenary to form a steering committee. --IANS ps/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Citing suicide by one more farmer in Rajasthan on Sunday, former state Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday dubbed Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's "Gaurav Yatra" as "Vidai Yatra". In a Facebook post, Gehlot questioned Raje as to which "gaurav" (honour) she is trying to boast of at a time when the state is witnessing a high rate of suicides by farmers. He wrote that it is a shame for Rajasthan that the farmers are killing themselves due to extreme financial hardship. He referred to a physically challenged farmer Mangalam Meghwal (30), who was found hanging at his house on Sunday morning. According the family of deceased farmer, he had taken a loan of Rs 2.98 lakh from the Punjab National Bank, out of which he had returned Rs 1.95 lakh. But as the remaining part was unpaid, on the bank's suggestion, the SDM on August 2 ordered for actioning of his 3.05-hectare land. On August 7, the land was to be auctioned and the stressed man committed suicide two days prior to it. The family of the deceased and farmer leaders refused to collect his body unless the auction order was cancelled. They relented only after the administration assured that they would look into the matter. Gehlot said that at a time when farmers of Rajasthan are facing tough times, such yatra raises several questions on the state government. The state government has failed on all fronts, including providing relief to the farmers. "But surprisingly, the state government seems unwilling to accept the fact that a large number of farmers have committed suicide," he said. The former Chief Minister also said that Raje, it seems, feels honoured to misuse hard-earned money of tax-payers and the government machinery for fake publicity of her so-called achievements. "She has a notion that she shall grab the Chief Minister's seat this year too by making tall claims. But this time, she shall not be successful in her endeavour and this yatra will prove to be her 'Vidai Yatra'," he said. "#Farmers in state are committing suicide n CM Smt. Raje is carrying out #RajasthanGauravYatra," tweeted Gehlot. "Most heart wrenching to know that one more farmer ended his life so tragically in #Nagaur #Rajasthan due to debt burden. BJP govt has totally failed in providing any relief to farmers," he wrote in Twitter. Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sachin Pilot has also asked Raje as to what honour she is claiming after issuing orders of auctioning of the land of a farmer who was finding it difficult to pay the loan instalments. --IANS arc/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In yet another leak, Samsung New Zealand has revealed the official promo video of Samsung Galaxy Note 9 to YouTube which confirms that the upcoming flagship will have massive storage. Approximately halfway through the 30-second ad, Samsung touts the Galaxy Note 9 as being "1TB Ready with expandable memory" and then shows a 512GB microSD card going into the smartphone, the Forbes reported on Sunday. "This is not only a massive and class-leading amount (iPhones top out at 256GB), but it is also a massive U-turn from Samsung which has previously shipped its phones with minimal internal memory and relied upon microSD cards for a bigger boost," the report added. According to last week's leak, the upcoming device will have 3.5-mm headphone jack. The South Korean smartphone major showcased teaser videos for the upcoming device -- highlighting improved performances in terms of battery, storage capacity and speed. Under the title "A lot can change in a day," the company advertised the showcase event slated for August 9 through three different video clips, each depicting everyday problems people face while using smartphones. Industry watchers expect the new Galaxy Note 9 to come with 4,000mAh battery and 512 GB data storage capacity, along with Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 and Exynos 9810 chipsets. --IANS ksc/na/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Colombian forward Santiago Trellez struck late as Sao Paulo returned to the top of Brazil's Serie A standings for the first time in three years with a 2-1 victory over Vasco da Gama. Trellez broke the deadlock nine minutes from time with a looping header into the top corner after Everton's cross from the left on Sunday, reports Xinhua news agency. Joao Rojas had given the hosts an early lead by bundling in from close range following a failed clearance. Yago Pikachu equalized by calmly slotting in after a Giovanni Augusto through ball just before the hour mark. The result at the Morumbi Stadium saw Sao Paulo displace Flamengo at the head of the standings with 35 points from 17 matches. Not since June 2015 have the six-time Serie A champions led Brazil's top division. Meanwhile, Vasco are 13th, 16 points off the pace. In other matches on Sunday, Cruzeiro drew 1-1 at Vitoria, Ceara won 1-0 at Parana, America Mineiro and Palmeiras drew 0-0, Fluminense drew 1-1 at home to Bahia and Chapecoense drew 1-1 at Sport Recife. --IANS gau/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Monday declined a request for anticipatory bail by two priests of the Malankara Orthodox Church facing charges of sexual abuse. Declining the plea, the bench of Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Ashok Bhushan directed both to surrender by August 13 and then move the trial court for regular bail. Justice Sikri said: "This is not a fit case for anticipatory bail." The court directed the trial court to take up for hearing the plea for regular bail on the same day when it was moved. In the last hearing on July 26, the top court had sought the status report of police investigation in the case. The two priests moved the apex court seeking anticipatory bail. Sony (Abraham) Varghese and Father Jaice K. George had approached the court challenging the order of the Kerala High Court which had denied anticipatory bail to three priests, including them. A woman, who regularly visited the Malankara Orthodox Church, has accused five priests of sexually abusing her for a decade. Initially, it was only one priest who first exploited the woman. When she sought help from another priest, he too threatened her and shared her contact with a fellow priest and she was eventually victimized by five of them. One priest, however, escaped action as the victim mentioned only four names. --IANS pk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A group of top court judges including those from the collegium on Monday met Chief Justice Dipak Misra to express their concern over the Centre altering seniority of Justice K.M. Joseph by placing him at third position, after Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Vineet Saran, in the order of appointment as top court judge. Justice Joseph, along with Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Vineet Saran, will be administered oath on Tuesday by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Misra. Upset over the Centre altering the seniority of Justice Joseph by placing him at number three, the aggrieved judges urged the CJI to convey their concern to the government, which they alleged was an interference by the government in judicial appointments. It was learnt that Chief Justice Misra has spoken to the Attorney General to convey the concern expressed by the judges upset over the development. While some judges are expressing concern over government's interference with the appointment process, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Vikas Singh said that the fault lies with the collegium itself. Blaming the collegium for the mess, Vikas Singh said: "When they (collegium) made the recommendation, they should have said that it is a case of reiteration and it should be at the serial number one as his name was recommended earlier." In the case of Justice Joseph, the recommendation for his elevation as top court judge was made by the collegium on January 10 this year which was reiterated on July 17. Prior to reiteration of Justice Joseph's name on July 17, the collegium had earlier decided in principle to reiterate his recommendation after the Centre had returned it for reconsideration, saying that he stood 11th in the seniority of Chief Justices of the High Court. The collegium, while recommending Justice Joseph's name for elevation to top court in January this year, had described him as one of the ablest and suitable judges for consideration for elevation to the top court. "The collegium considers that at present Mr. Justice K.M. Joseph, who hails from Kerala High Court and is currently functioning as Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court, is more deserving and suitable in all respects than other Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges of High Courts for being appointed as Judges of the Supreme Court of India," the top court collegium had said in its January 10 resolution. Ever since the collegium recommended the name of Justice Joseph for elevation to top court in January this, the government and the judiciary are at loggerheads. Justice Joseph earned the displeasure of the government after he set aside the imposition of President's rule in Uttarakhand. Earlier, the government had sat over collegium recommendation transferring Justice Joseph as the Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court. --IANS pk/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) judges who are upset with the Centre altering the seniority of Justice K.M. Joseph for his appointment as the judge, will meet Chief Justice Dipak Misra on Monday over the issue. The judges include collegium members who are unhappy as the Presidential notification listed Justice Joseph at number three in terms of seniority thereby making him the junior most judge of the top court when he will be administered oath on Tuesday along with two other judges - Justices Indira Banerjee and Vineet Saran. The recommendatiableststice Joseph's elevation as a top court judge was made by the collegium in January which was reiterated on July 17. The collegium while recommending Justice Joseph's name described him as one of the most able and suitable. The seniority is not the only criteria for elevation as top court judge, but the government in order to frustrate the appointment of Justice Joseph as top court judges has cited seniority as a consideration. Ever since, the collegium recommended Justice Joseph for elevation, the government and the judiciary are at loggerheads. Justice Joseph earned the displeasure of the government after he set aside the imposition of President's rule in Uttarakhand. Britannia Industries is looking forward to expand their businesses, a company official said on Monday. The FMCG major may shift its dairy project from Maharashtra as the state government has not yet finalised the incentive scheme, the official said. "I believe that now we are poised to look at businesses outside even our adjacents (adjacent business). "Today, we are in a position in terms of management to be able to look at acquisitions if they make sense," company's Chairman Nusli N. Wadia told shareholders at the 99th Annual General Meeting (AGM) here. "We planned the project in Maharashtra and waited for over one year for finalising the incentive. Unfortunately, they have not done it...We are looking at shifting (the dairy project) because the Maharashtra government (has) already delayed long enough... If it does not get finalised, then we have to move," Wadia said on the sidelines of the AGM. Asked whether the company had any discussion with Andhra Pradesh government, he said: "Of course, many time." The company plans to invest Rs 300 crore in a dairy project, he said. The company which completed 100 years on March 21, said its board recommended bonus debentures and proposed subdivide of shares. "This is to inform you that the Board of Directors at its meeting held today (Monday) has recommended and approved issuance of secured redeemable non-convertible debentures, as bonus debentures of Rs 60," the company said in a regulatory filing. It will be in the ratio of one (bonus debenture) for every one equity share, held by the shareholders of the company on a record date as may be decided, subject to the approval of National Company Law Tribunal, Kolkata, and any other approval as may be required, it said. According to Wadia, the company would be issuing over 12 crore bonus debentures of about Rs 720 crore. He also said the company would invest Rs 400-500 crore of capital expenditure in the coming year with a focus on dairy, rusks and cakes businesses. Wadia said the company would be launching more products in September. During the AGM the board decided to give notice to appropriate authority and stock exchanges to subdivide the equity shares of Rs 2. According to the company's annual report, the board recommended a dividend of 1250 per cent and the total dividend payout amounts to Rs 361.84 crore including dividend distribution tax of Rs 61.70 crore. The company reported a 19.6 per cent increase in its consolidated net profit at Rs 258 crore in the first quarter of the current fiscal (2018-19) as compared to Rs 216 crore in the year-ago period and on a comparable basis, its consolidated revenue was up for the quarter by 13.6 per cent. --IANS bdc/in/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) patron Sharad Yadav announced on Monday that his party will ally with the Congress in Rajasthan's Assembly elections to unseat the BJP government. Yadav launched the LJD after breaking terms with his earlier party, the Janata Dal-United, as it went back to the National Democratic Alliance. Addressing a press conference here, Yadav said: "We will have an alliance with the Congress. At this point of time, all (opposition) political parties want to work together for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections." He said the people of Rajasthan gave a strong mandate to Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in 2013. However, instead of working for the people, she was busy taking out 'Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra' when the state was plagued with challenges of mob lynching, unemployment and farmers' suicide, he said. He called the yatra a waste of funds, efforts and time. Yadav said anyone can be the Prime Minister and what was vital for now was to sink all differences to save "our democracy and Constitution as it is in danger from (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi". --IANS arc/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Sooraj Pancholi wrapped up shooting for "Time to Dance", and says he is looking forward to the release of the dance film. Sooraj finished shooting for "Time to Dance", helmed by Stanley D'Costa, on Sunday in London. Remo D'Souza has written the script of the project. "What an amazing journey it has been! And how time flew by working with such a great team ... Just felt like we started shooting for 'Time To Dance' few days back and we have already wrapped it up," Sooraj said in a statement to IANS. "I'm really excited and looking forward to this one," he added. He also took to Instagram to share his excitement about the project. "It's a wrap. What a journey it's been.. feeling so blessed! Thank you so much God, my family and to my supporters!! What an amazing team." The film also stars Katrina Kaif's sister Isabelle Kaif. She also wrote on Instagram: "Thank you everyone from cast and crew who worked endlessly to make it all possible! It was crazy and amazing! Going to miss you all." --IANS sug/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lanka's Prime Minister has appointed a task force to study the possibility of granting visa-free entry to visitors from certain tourist friendly nations in order to boost arrivals, authorities said on Monday. Tourism Minister John Amaratunga said that some of the countries under consideration are India, along with some other European and West Asian nations, reports Xinhua news agency. Amaratunga said this proposal was aimed at encouraging more people to visit and avoid "chaos" at the immigration. Following recommendations from the task force, this proposal may be implemented in the off season months of October to November and March to April, the minister said. He further said the Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) was currently working on this plan. Additionally, the Minister said the government was also in discussion with airlines, tour operators and hotels to provide low cost packages. "These efforts are underway to ensure becomes a destination that would be a visited location throughout the year," Amaratunga said. Sri Lanka's tourism industry, which was once heavily scarred by a 30-year civil conflict, has become one of the leading industries of the country. Tourist arrivals have recorded a growth of 15.3 per cent during the first half of 2018 compared with the same period last year. (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 Sri Lankan Navy on Monday said it has arrested 21 illegal immigrants in a fishing trawler bound for another country. The naval personnel intercepted the trawler during their patrol in the territorial waters off the island nation, Xinhua quoted Navy spokesman Dinesh Bandara as saying. He said the suspects have been brought to the Colombo Port and handed over to the police for investigation. It is not known where they were headed to. --IANS mag/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Benelli, global leader in the superbike segment, on Monday signed a MoU with the Telangana government to set up an indigenous manufacturing plant near Hyderabad. The Italian motorcycle brand, owned by China-based QianJiang Group, also entered into a strategic partnership with Adishwar Auto Ride India-Mahavir Group, a leading automobile dealer, to market its products in India. The partnerships were announced by the officials of Benelli, Telangana government and Adishwar Auto Ride India-Mahavir Group at an event here. The manufacturing facility will be set up in two phases. In the first phase, Adishwar Auto Ride India-Mahavir Group will set up an assembly unit, which will be operational by October 2018. The unit, to come up on 3 acres of land at Gondlapochampally on the outskirts of the city, will have a capacity of 10,000 bikes annually. AARI-Mahavir Group will make the investment in the assembly. Under the second phase, will set up its manufacturing plant over 20 acres, bringing the investment, technology and R&D. The location for the facility will be identified later. While assembly unit will cater to only Indian market, could look at exports to the neighbouring countries after setting up the manufacturing facility. Vikas Jhabakh, MD, India, told reporters that they target to assemble about 3,000 units in the first year. "AARI-Mahavir Groups are Benelli's partners for India but going forward we will have joint venture when second phase comes into effect." Benelli choose AARI-Mahavir Group as the new partners for India after ending the partnership with previous partners. Currently there are about 5,500 Benelli bikes, brought into India on Completely Knocked Down (CKD) platform. The company is currently selling about 2,500 units every year. With two-wheeler market growing at 6-8 percent and the superbike segment growing at 20 per cent every year, he was confident of reaching 10,000 units in 2-3 years. Benelli plans to bring back three models to India in October this year. Overall, it aims to launch 4-6 models by the end of 2019. AARI-Mahavir group will assemble the bikes and supply through dealers across the country. It plans to increase the number of dealers from present 18 to 60-65 by 2020. The cost of Benelli bikes in India range from Rs 2,00,000 (450cc) to Rs 6,00,000 (600cc). Established in 1911, Benelli has presence in over 60 countries. Its global product portfolio includes more than 200 variants including motorcycles, scooters and electric bicycles. Telangana Minister for Industry K.T. Rama Rao said that with a big brand like Benelli, the automobile sector in Telangana will get a good fillip. He said the government was also keen to have ancillary industry so that a strong automobile ecosystem is built in the state. "Currently, we have 21 per cent market share in the super bike segment in India and our aim is to surpass 30 per cent by 2021. We have also established robust after sales service in India to build a relationship of mutual trust and knowledge with our customers," said George Wang, Director, Benelli. A progressive writer, visionary, a social thinker, a philosopher, an educationist - Rabindranath Tagore was a polymath. And it is this vastness that fascinated author Radha Chakravarty to take translate Tagore's writings from Bengali to English. As of today, Chakravarty is credited with translating eight works of the Nobel Laureate including "Essential Tagore" (with two others), "Gora", "Boyhood Days", "Chokher Bali", "Farewell Song: Shesher Kabita", "The Land of Cards: Stories, Poems and Plays for Children" and others. Chakravarty had no formal training in Bengali. Her father had a transferable job which took her to different parts of India apart from West Bengal. "But Tagore always remained as an influence at our home, no matter where we were. It was my grandfather who used to read out stories of his, that is how I started knowing about him," Chakravarty, a Professor of Comparative Literature and Translation Studies in Delhi's Ambedkar University, told IANS. Chakravarty, the wife of former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, recollected her first encounter with Tagore's writing was "Sahaj Path". However, it was "Kabuliwalah" that drew her closer to the writer. "I couldn't realise how and when Tagore became a part of my life. I started reading more and more of his writings. What captivated me more was his choice of simple language and clarity in thought and approach," she said. But what really made Tagore a part of her life was the emancipation of women in the 19th century that reflected in his writing, which was not so prominent in the works of other writers, Chakravarty explained. "His characters - be it Binodini of "Chokher Baali" or Labanya of "Sesher Kobita", all had a distinct identity who tried to break societal norms and stood up for their freedom of expression, they had a question in their mind, they were rebels in their own way," she noted However, it was not Tagore that Chakravarty translated first. "While teaching English literature in Delhi University I was simultaneously doing research work on many other Indian literary figures. I was approached by an upcoming publishing house to do a translation. And the first book happened which was a compilation of the works of 20 contemporary authors," she said. "Chokher Bali" was her first translation of a Tagore work and what appealed her to take it up was the enigmatic personality of female protagonist, Binodini. "The character has multiple layers in her. The book was far ahead of time. The characters challenged the convention and family bounds. This further inspired me to take up his works and translate," she stated. Talking about translation, Chakravarty said that it acts as a major medium in strengthening cross-cultural bonds, adding that the scenario in the literary space has changed quite a lot compared to what it was few years ago. "Now the publishers are welcoming it, which earlier was not there. The publishing houses would never show much eagerness in printing a translated work; it would take quite some effort to convince them, but now it is changing," she added. While translations on the one hand take regional literature to the world, Chakravarty highlighted on the several factors that need to be considered before taking up a literary work, particularly maintaining the ethos and values of the original writing. "The time period of a book matters lot. The book talks about a scenario which existed in 19th or 20th century but the translated work will be read by 21st century readers. Therefore, the language has to be simple which can connect to the contemporary readers," she explained. Chakravarty pointed out that a linguistic barrier will always exist when it comes to translating from one language to English or from any other vernacular language, adding that translation is interpretation rather than mechanical transformation. "Translating certain terms are often difficult like some expressions or words associated with culture or traditions which don't have any alternative. There is a dilemma on how to put that in English. This is often pretty time-consuming," she commented. Although the non-translated words are always defined in summary, Chakravarty added that the certain original words bring in a different flavour to the translation. "If something is left unexplained it adds mystery and generates curiosity among the readers to know what that particular word would mean. It pushes your imagination and in the process one gets a chance to learn a new word as well," she said. (Somrita Ghosh can be contacted at somrita.g@ians.in) --IANS som/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Claiming that there is no political violence in Tripura, the state's ruling BJP on Monday rubbished the observation of a group of pro-Left leaders' that lawlessness prevailed in the state. "Social activist Medha Patkar and other pro-Left leaders' claim was completely false and baseless...(and meant) to malign the BJP government's image. Law and order situation is much better than it was during the Left's 25-year rule," said Pritima Bhowmik, BJP's Tripura state general secretary. "Peace prevails in the state. The new government is pursuing a policy of zero tolerance against crime," she said. She countered the claim of Patkar and other leaders that four Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) members were killed by BJP and RSS workers. "People had witnessed the worst-ever, post-poll violence after Assembly elections in 2008 and 2013. At least 11 BJP activists were killed before February 18 assembly elections. The four people were murdered due to property-related disputes," said Bhowmik. On bulldozing of offices of various political parties, she said out of 423 party offices knocked down, 180 belonged to CPI-M, 151 to BJP, 23 to IPFT and 28 to Congress. "These offices were demolished as they were built on government land," she said. Bhowmik said that when Medha Patkar spoke about the then Left Front government's policy on Singur and Nandigram in Bengal, the Left leaders vehemently criticised Patkar. Now they were using the social activist to get political mileage. A fact-finding team comprising Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) activist Medha Patkar, All India Kisan Sabha President and CPI-M leader Ashok Dhawale were on a three-day visit to the state. The seven-member team said in its report released to the media: "Murder, dacoity, looting, arson and atrocities on women, minorities, Dalits, adivasis and the poor from all communities are rampant and order of the day." Giving facts and instances, Medha Patkar said : "No action was taken by the administration and the police in spite of FIRs having been filed by the victims of political violence. An atmosphere of fear and terror prevails in large parts of the state." Patkar alleged that the entire Opposition in the state is being sought to be wiped out, with the Left being the main target. --IANS sc/prs/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China's official newspaper on Monday accused the US President of acting like a street fighter by imposing import tariffs and said Beijing would not surrender to his "extortion". The attack on Donald Trump comes after Washington and Beijing last week exchanged fresh threats of imposing new tariffs, as part of a trade war kicked-off by the US on July 6, Efe news reported. An editorial of People's Daily, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China, said that the US President was starring in his own "street fighter-style deceitful drama of extortion and intimidation". The article also said that diplomacy has been reduced to a "trading game in which everything should follow the rule of America first" and that China would not bow down to the "blackmail" and will defend its "national interests and national dignity". The article indicates a notable rise in China's rhetoric against Trump, although the government maintained a more restrained tone during the first few weeks of the trade war. They also accused Trump of taking a unilateral path since coming to power, which can be seen from the withdrawal of the US from international pacts and bodies, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Paris Agreement against climate change, the UN Human Rights Council and the nuclear deal with Iran. --IANS mag/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has launched a new round of attacks against the US media, accusing them of being able to "cause war". In a flurry of tweets on Sunday, the President continued to cast the as the "enemy of the people," saying "They purposely cause great division & distrust. They can also cause war!" That came amid heightened tensions between the Trump administration and US media, some which have been labelled by him as "the Fake News," a move heavily criticized by journalists, Xinhua news agency reported. Trump's daughter and presidential adviser Ivanka Trump, however, doesn't share the president's stance, saying last week that she does not think the is the "enemy of the people". Trump also fired another shot at the ongoing Russia probe, led by special counsel Robert Mueller, who's looking into the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election and any potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow. Mueller is reportedly examining the president's elder son, Donald Trump Jr., for his role in arranging a June 2016 meeting in Trump Tower in New York between a Russian attorney offering damaging information on Hillary Clinton and Trump campaign officials, including himself. "This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in -- and it went nowhere," Trump defended his son in relation to the highly-scrutinised meeting. The President also dismissed a Washington Post report that he's concerned about the meeting and his son, while trying to distance himself from the incident. --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 administration will reimpose the first batch of Iran sanctions on Monday since Washington withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal. The more significant tranche of sanctions, including on oil sales, won't however, come into force until November, reports The Hill news. Trump announced in May that he was withdrawing the US from the 2015 accord with Iran, Germany, France, the UK, Russia and China. The deal, which was negotiated by his predecessor Barack Obama, lifted sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. Rather than immediately reimpose sanctions in May, the Trump administration gave companies doing business with Iran two "wind-down" periods. Monday ends another 90-day period after which Washington can sanction transactions with US dollar banknotes; trade in gold and precious metals; direct or indirect sales of graphite, raw or semi-finished metals and Iran's automotive sector. Additionally, licenses for exporting commercial aircraft to Iran, as well as related parts and services, are set to be revoked. The revocation of export licenses for civil aviation, meanwhile, will hit Boeing and Airbus, which had $40 billion deals to sell aircraft to Iran Air. The sanctions will go back into place after Trump first threatened and then expressed an openness to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and as the Pentagon is monitoring Iranian military exercises in the Persian Gulf. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Assistant Sub Inspectors (ASI) were attacked by a biker and a group of robbers in separate incidents early on Monday, police said, adding that two robbers have been arrested in one of the incidents. The accused persons have been identified as Sunny and Sehzad who were arrested soon after the crime took place when a police team nabbed them from their hideout in an under-construction building. The incident occurred at around 3 a.m. in Delhi's Burari area when a resident informed the Police Control Room (PCR) about three robbers who were trying to unlock a bike tied up with a chain. "ASIs Amar Singh Rana and Yashpal reached the spot in a PCR van. Seeing the police, the robbers tried to flee. Two were held while their third accomplice managed to flee after a chase," Special Commissioner of Police (Operations) A.S. Gautam said. "Sehzad tried to flee from the clutches of Amar Singh Rana and hit him with a brick. He then ran to hide in a nearby building. Yashpal immediately informed the control room following which a police team arrived at the spot and nabbed the accused," Gautam added. In a similar incident, ASI Karan Kumar suffered a head injury after an unidentified biker pelted a stone at a PCR vehicle parked in Delhi's Connaught Place area. "ASI Karan Kumar was sitting inside the police vehicle when the incident happened. The biker managed to escape from the spot. Kumar was taken to a hospital and was later discharged," Gautam said. --IANS sp/mag/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iran President Hassan Rouhani has said that the Iranians would make the US regret for re-imposing sanctions against the Islamic republic. "Through unity and solidarity, the Iranians will weather away the return of sanctions," Rouhani said on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported. "(US President) Donald Trump will learn that these kinds of pressures did not surrender Iranians in the past and will never do so in the future." Rouhani also said that the US administration "is not trustworthy for any negotiations" after its withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal. "Talks need honesty," the Iranian president said in a televised speech on Monday, urging the US to prove its will to solve problems through negotiations. "Negotiations with sanctions don't make sense," he stressed, noting that Trump's recent call for direct talks with Iran was only aimed at creating division in the country. The White House said in a statement on Monday that the US will activate on Tuesday a slew of sanctions on Iran's financial and industrial sectors. The action will bring US sanctions against Iran to the level on par with those prior to the major multilateral nuclear deal reached in 2015. US President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on May 8 while other signatories vowed to remain committed to it. The first batch of sanctions, which will take effect on Tuesday, target Tehran's purchase of US banknotes, trade in gold and other precious metals, as well as the use of graphite, coal, aluminium and steel in industrial processes. They also affect transactions related to the Iranian Rial, the issuance of sovereign debts, and the country's automotive sector. Another round of sanctions, to be reinstalled in November, will be on Iran's port, energy and shipping sectors, its petroleum-related transactions, and foreign transactions with the Central Bank of Iran, according to the statement. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AAP leader and former leader of Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira said on Monday that his group was not trying to break the party unit in Punjab and was only trying to ensure that decisions related to the state are taken by Punjab leaders. Khaira said that misinformation was being spread that he and other AAP legislators with him were trying to split the Punjab unit of the Aaam Aadmi Party (AAP). "We are not trying to break the party. We are very much part of the party. Decisions regarding Punjab should be taken by Punjab leaders and not imposed by the AAP central leadership. We are only opposed to some wrong decisions, pertaining to Punjab, taken by the AAP central leaders," Khaira said. Similar views were echoed by senior AAP legislator Kanwar Sandhu. Sandhu said that their camp wanted a probe into allegations that some AAP leaders from Delhi had taken money for giving the party ticket to contest the assembly elections in Punjab in February last year. The Khaira camp, which had organized an AAP volunteer convention in Bathinda last week despite the event being termed as 'anti-arty activity' by the AAP central leadership, got the support of another AAP legislator, Jai Singh Rori, on Monday. Rori told media that AAP leader Durgesh Pathak and others were trying to prevent legislators from joining the Khaira camp. AAP Punjab co-President Balbir Singh said last week that party legislators and leaders who attended the convention in Bathinda are "misguided". He said the convention under the AAP banner without consulting state and central leadership was "illegal". Khaira and six other AAP lawmakers had attended the convention, which adopted several resolutions. Led by Khaira, who organised the convention days after he was removed as the leader of Opposition, the AAP rebels passed resolutions which gave 'autonomy' to the AAP's Punjab unit, dissolved the organisational structure of the state unit and rejected the unceremonious removal of Khaira. The AAP central leadership had picked up Dalit leader Harpal Singh Cheema as leader of the Opposition after Khaira's removal. Eleven out of the 20 AAP legislators in the Punjab Assembly visited Delhi on Thursday and had a breakfast meeting with AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. AAP became the main opposition in Punjab Assembly after the elections in March last year, winning 20 seats in the 117-member House. --IANS js/prs/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese smartphone maker on Monday said that its component supplier Holitech Technology will invest $200 million (nearly 1,400 crore) to set up a manufacturing unit in that could generate 6,000 jobs in three years. Holitech Technology has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with and will start manufacturing for in the city of Tirupati, said in a statement, adding that manufacturing is likely to start in the first quarter of 2019. "Xiaomi has witnessed significant growth in the country and we are positive that Holitech's plans for India will set a new motion in place for the electronics manufacturing industry in India," said Manu Jain, Vice President, Xiaomi and Managing Director, Xiaomi India. ALSO READ: Here is how Samsung regained market leadership title from Xiaomi in Q2 2018 The plant will manufacture manufacturing industry (CCM), Thin Film Transistor (TFT), Capacitive Touch Screen module (CTP), Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC), and fingerprint sensor, the company said. It would be spread across 75 acres of land in and start mass production with a production capacity of nearly 50 million for each component per year. "Our state of the art infrastructural offerings make an exciting investment opportunity and it is heartening to see Holitech Technology come to the state and initiate a big revolution in the market for local manufacturing," Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh said. on Monday took a potshot at the Narendra Modi-led government over the unemployment issue after one of his cabinet ministers conceded that there is a job crunch. "Excellent question (Nitin) Gadkariji. Every Indian is asking the same question. Where are the jobs," Gandhi tweeted attaching a news report in which the Union Road Transport and Shipping Minister questioned the rationality behind a job reservation stir when there were not enough jobs in the first place. Gandhi's remarks came a day after Gadkari on Sunday told reporters in that reservation would not guarantee employment as jobs were shrinking. "Let us assume the reservation is given. But there are no jobs. Because in banks, the jobs have shrunk because of IT. The government recruitment is frozen. Where are the jobs?" Gadkari asked. He also said that the problem with the quota is that "backwardness is becoming a political interest". Gadkari said that one school of thought is that "a poor is poor, he has no caste, creed or language. Whatever may be the religion..., in all communities there is one section which has no clothes to wear, no to eat". Whereas the other school of thought is "we must also consider the poorest of the poor section in every community". This is a "socio-economic thinking" and it must not be politicised, he added. In a tweet late on Sunday, Gadkari also clarified that the government is not planning to change the criteria for reservation from "castes to economic conditions". Twelve migrant agricultural workers were killed today when the van transporting them during tomato harvest season smashed into a lorry in southern Italy, the Italian fire service said. All those who died in the crash, which took place near the city of Foggia in Puglia, were non-EU citizens, the fire service told AFP. It added that three other people were injured, one of them the lorry driver. Every summer thousands of migrants from around Europe and Africa work in the area picking tomatoes. Italian media has reported that the migrants were being taken back to their makeshift homes after their day's work, when their van slammed head-on into a lorry transporting harvested tomatoes. It was almost like another crash on Saturday, in which four African farm workers were killed and four others seriously injured also in a collision with a tomato truck. Although most migrants working the fields in Italy have regular papers, they live in squalid conditions and suffer tough working conditions and low pay. They are often at the mercy of day labourer recruiters sometimes linked to organised crime, who operate as intermediaries to farmers who themselves struggle with large retailers forcing down the price of produce. For years, unions and associations that help migrant workers have called for a public transport system to be created around Foggia for the peak harvest season. Dozens of African agricultural workers living in one of the area's shanty towns yesterday decided to go on strike on Wednesday following Saturday's accident, representative of the USB union Aboubakar Soumahoro told AFP. "At dawn, the workers will march from the countryside to Foggia, in order to claim dignified working conditions," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Foreign tourist arrivals in India has seen a 14 per cent jump in 2017 and foreign exchange earnings in the sector during the same period was Rs 1.77 lakh crore, Union Tourism Minister K J Alphons said today. Alphons also said in Lok Sabha that is a shortage of two lakh rooms in the tourism sector, mostly in the mid-segment. The minister said there has been a 28.8 per cent increase in domestic tourist visits in the country between 2014 and 2017 while 20.4 per cent jump in foreign tourist visits in the same period. As many as 10.04 million foreign tourists have visited the country in 2017 which was a growth of 14 per cent in comparison to the previous year, he said during the Question Hour. The minister said the estimated foreign exchange earnings through tourism in India during 2015, 2016 and 2017 were Rs 1.35 lakh crore, Rs 1.54 lakh crore and Rs 1.77 lakh crore respectively, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 15 Maoists were gunned down today in an encounter with security forces in a dense forest in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, police said. This was one of the biggest anti-Naxal operations in the history of Chhattisgarh, where 15 bodies of rebels were recovered in a single incident, state's Special Director General of Police (anti-Naxal operations) D M Awasthi told reporters here. Two Naxals, including a woman who was injured the gunbattle, were also arrested from the encounter site. Based on intelligence inputs about locations of Naxal camps in south Sukma, two teams of security forces were sent into the forest from different directions last evening, Awasthi said. The teams included personnel of the District Reserve Guard, Special Task Force, Central Reserve Police Force and its elite unit Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA). One of the patrolling teams, comprising around 200 personnel of the STF and the DRG, spotted a Maoist camp this morning at the forest in Nalkatong village, located around 500 km from here, following which it started encircling the place, Awasthi said. A gunbattle took place between Naxals and the patrolling team for about half-an-hour, he said. After guns fell silent, bodies of 15 Maoists and 16 weapons, including 315 bore and 12 bore guns, were recovered from the spot, Awasthi said. Besides, an area committee member and an injured woman Naxal were arrested from the spot, he said. The killed rebels were from three separate militia formations of Maoists active in the tri-junction forest of Konta, Golapalli and Bhejji areas in south Sukma, he said. Militia platoon commander Vanjam Hunga was among the killed naxals, Awasthi said, adding that identities of the other 14 cadres were yet to be ascertained. The injured Naxal was taken to a hospital. Another patrolling team that had launched the operation from Bhejji area was still inside the forest and conducting its task, he said. Intensive search operations were underway in the nearby forest areas, he said. Awasthi said that bodies of 86 Maoists have been recovered in the state so far this year. On July 19, eight Naxals, including six women, were killed in an encounter with security forces in the state's Bijapur district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sixteen foreign agricultural workers died in two separate crashes within the space of 48 hours in southern Italy, prompting the government today to respond to the plight of tomato pickers during harvest season. Both crashes took place near the city of Foggia in the Puglia region, with 12 people -- all non-EU citizens -- killed in a crash today, the Italian fire service said. Italian media reported that the workers were being taken back to their makeshift homes after a day's work when their van slammed head-on into a lorry transporting harvested tomatoes. On Saturday, four African farm workers were killed and four others seriously injured in another collision with a tomato truck. Every summer thousands of labourers from around Europe and Africa work in the area picking tomatoes under the blazing sun. Although most of those working in the fields in Italy have regular papers, rarely do they receive the benefits and salaries required by law and many live in squalid conditions. They are often at the mercy of day labourer recruiters -- sometimes linked to organised crime -- who operate as intermediaries and collect a portion of the workers' pay. Otherwise, the workers are forced to organise themselves independently, coming to wark by bicycle or in dilapidated and overcrowded vehicles. For years, unions and associations that help migrant workers have called for a public transport system to be created around Foggia for the peak harvest season. The Puglia region has now budgeted for such a system, governor Michele Emiliano said on Monday, but he added that cooperation and transparency from the farms was crucial. Farmers in the region are also struggling, with large retailers forcing down the price of produce. Labour minister Luigi Di Maio, who is also co-deputy prime minster and the leader of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement that governs with the anti-migrant League, promised today to increase the number of inspectors in the region. He called the current situation "a shameful system that exploits the desperation of people willing to do anything to work". Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said he would travel to Foggia on Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 180 bags of poppy husk, hidden in a truckload of raw bananas, were seized at the Baghapurana-Jagraon road in Moga district, police said. The consignment of poppy husk, weighing over seven quintals, was coming from Rajasthan, they said. Assistant Inspector General, Counter Intelligence, H P S Khakh said two persons identified as Dharamjit Singh, resident of village Lande-ke, Moga along with Gurbir Singh, resident of village Rattian in Moga have been arrested while the main smugglers Jagdev Singh alias Deban, Shinder Singh, Buta Singh, who belonged to Daulewala village in Moga managed to flee. Counter Intelligence Wing Jalandhar was keeping a close watch on the activities of drug smugglers of Daulewala village. "It came to the notice that a particular module of smugglers led by Deban planned to bring consignment of poppy husk from person identified Rahul, resident of Chittorgarh in Rajasthan," he said. A team of police intercepted the truck coming from Rajasthan to Punjab was intercepted at the Baghapurana-Jagraon road and seized the poppy husk in large quantity. The consignment of poppy husk was hidden under the raw bananas in the truck, he said. The AIG said 1 kg of poppy husk is sold at Rs 3,000. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two men have been arrested for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district, police said today. The girl, who is a Dalit, was in a field when five people allegedly dragged her to a hut and raped her in Reoti -- 436 km east of Lucknow -- last Wednesday, Superintendent of Police Sriparna Ganguly said. An FIR was registered yesterday when the girl informed about the incident to her family members. The victim told the police that she was again called by the accused on Saturday, who were threatening her to upload her video on social media if she did not come, the SP said. Police have arrested two persons, while three are absconding, the SP added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two alleged drug peddlers were arrested with heroin worth crores in Jammu and Kashmir today, police said. Acting on a tip off, police intercepted the two men from Bathindi area here and recovered a large quantity of heroin worth crores of rupees, a police officer told PTI. Both of them have been arrested and a case has been registered, he said. Reports have said at least 50-kg of heroin were recovered. However, the officer said the consignment was being weighed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A sub-inspector (SI) and an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) were arrested for taking bribe of Rs 8,000 from a complainant in Kota, today, an official said. The accused were identified as Sub-inspector Suresh Kumar Sharma, a resident of Kherthal area in Alwar district, and assistant Sub-inspector Rafiquddin, a resident of Keshavpura area in Kota. Both were posted in R K Puram police station. The two police officials had demanded Rs 15,000 for cooperating in a case lodged by one Amralal Gujar, a resident of Borawas area in Kota, additional superintendent of police (ASP), ACB, Baran, Rajendra Singh Gogawat said. When Gujar expressed his inability to pay such a huge amount, the accused asked for Rs 8,000. The complainant reported the matter to ACB, Baran, on Sunday. Following which, the verification of the complainant was carried out. SI Suresh Kumar was arrested today noon at Maharao Bhim Singh Hospital (MBS), when he was accepting the bribe amount of Rs 8,000, said the ASP, adding that ASI Rafiquddin was nabbed from Kota district court premises. The accused will be produced before the ACB court in Kota on Tuesday, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Friendship Day celebration took a tragic turn for three teenaged boys when they drowned in a lake while on a picnic to mark the occasion in Nagpur district, police said today. A group of eight boys went for a swim in the Salai Mendha lake in Hingna area to celebrate Friendship Day last evening. However, three of them -- one aged 14 and two 17 years' old -- ventured deep into the water body and drowned, Hingna police station inspector Moreshwar Barapatre said. The other group members alerted the police, who rushed to the spot but could not save them. The bodies were later fished out from the lake, the official said, adding a case of accidental death was registered. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 6-foot long crocodile was rescued from a pond in Odisha's Malkangiri district today, Forest officials said. The crocodile was caught by people of MV-78 village with the help of a net, Kalimela forest Range Officer Ramachandra Madkami said. The crocodile had been spotted in the village pond a few months ago, triggering panic among local residents who managed to catch it today. After rescuing the crocodile, the villagers informed the forest officials and handed over the reptile to them. The crocodile was later released into the Balimela reservoir in Chitrakonda area around 100 km away, Madkami said. The reptile was suspected to have sneaked in from the nearby Sitaguda dam, forest officials said while the villagers said the reptile was suspected to have been swept into the pond with flood waters two years ago. A 12-foot long crocodile, weighing around 500 kg had been found inside a house at Munsa village in Malkangiri block in November last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 709 people have lost their lives in incidents related to floods and rains in seven states during the monsoon season so far, the Home Ministry said today. According to the Home Ministry's National Emergency Response Centre (NERC), 166 people lost their lives in Uttar Pradesh, 158 people have died in West Bengal, 142 have died in Kerala and 139 have died in Maharashtra. As many as 52 people lost their lives in Gujarat, 44 died in Assam and eight perished in Nagaland. A total of 16 people were also missing in Kerala (10), West Bengal (5) and Nagaland (1), while 207 others received injuries in rain-related incidents in the states. The deluge and rains have hit 26 districts in Maharashtra, 22 in West Bengal, 23 in Assam, 14 in Kerala, 11 each in Uttar Pradesh and Nagaland and 10 in Gujarat. In Assam, 11.45 lakh people have borne the brunt of rains and floods, which also hit crops in 27,552 hectres of land. Altogether 15 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are engaged in rescue and relief operations in Assam, the NERC said. A team of the NDRF comprises 45 personnel. Eight NDRF teams were deployed in Uttar Pradesh, eight in West Bengal, seven in Gujarat, four each in Kerala and Maharashtra and one in Nagaland. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nine smugglers were arrested and 84 bovines rescued from them in four separate incidents in this region of Jammu and Kashmir, police said today. On a specific input, police set up a checkpoint at Nagathub in Rajouri district and intercepted two drug peddlers along with bovines, a police officer said. They were identified as Liaquat Ali of Audhan and Mohd Qasim of Gunda, he said, adding that 25 bovines were rescued from Ali while 20 from Qasim. A police team, which was on a routine patrolling at the Niaka border road, intercepted a vehicle and rescued nine animals from it, the official said. Three smugglers -- Shokat Hussain of Nowshera, Mohd Waqar and Mohd Ashraf of Qila Darhal -- were arrested, he added. A police party intercepted a truck at the Dhar road in Udhampur district of the state and during its checking rescued 21 bovines last night, the police officer said. Nazir Hussain, Kaka and Bikram Singh were arrested and an FIR was lodged in police station Udhampur, he added. Another smuggling bid of bovines was foiled in the Kharpora area of Ramban district and nine animals were rescued last night, the officer said. The vehicle was seized and driver Shahnwaz Ahmed was arrested, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Some 900 tourists were being evacuated from Indonesia's tiny Gili Islands today after a powerful quake struck neighbouring Lombok, killing 91 people and injuring hundreds. National disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told reporters some 200 "domestic and foreign" tourists had already been taken off the islands. "There are 700 more tourists still waiting to be evacuated," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) has urged the Chief Minister Pema Khandu to persuade the Centre not to hold the proposed meeting between the NSCN (IM) and the Union Home Ministry on August 9. The meeting has been proposed without taking the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh into confidence, an AAPSU memorandum submitted to Khandu said yesterday. "The AAPSU welcomes the peace talk between the Centre and NSCN-IM, but not at the cost of territorial and administrative integrity of the state," it said. "It is a pre-meditated attempt on their part to create confusion on the purported peace talk framework and sabotage peace in the state, when the content of the Indo-Naga peace talk framework agreement which was signed on August 3, 2015, is still shrouded in mystery and yet to be made public," the AAPSU said. The students' body apprehended "serious implication" on the proposed meeting and urged him to stop it and immediately constitute an all-party delegation to have parleys with the Centre on the matter. The proposed meeting will be held between Home Ministrys Joint Secretary (NE) Satyendra Garg and NSCN (IM)s vice chairman Gen (Retd) V S Atem along with the collective leadership of the outfit at Deomali in Tirap district in Arunachal Pradesh. The memorandum also expressed concern on NSCN (I-M) demand for creating 'Greater Nagalim' comprising several areas in neighbouring states including Arunachal Pradesh. Condemning violence and atrocities on Arunachalees allegedly by the cadres of the NSCN(I-M), the AAPSU appealed to the Centre to expedite the process of deleting 'any other Naga Tribe' suffixed to the Schedule Tribe certificate issued to tribes such as Wancho, Nocte and Tangsa of Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts. They claimed the term 'any other Naga tribe' was given by the British and then adopted in the Constitution without verification. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Political leaders and social activists today lashed out at saffron outfits and the BJP government at the Centre over incidents of lynching and demanded a legislation to contain such cases. At a protest meet at Jantar Mantar here, senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh accused the NDA government of "inciting" mob-lynching and "spreading" hate-crime. "We want to talk about electricity, water and medical issues but the NDA government wants to talk about cows, goats, cow dung, 'love jihad' and anti-romeo squads," he said. Criticising the Narendra Modi-led NDA government, Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha said that the fours years of the Modi dispensation have been very difficult for the country but "we will ensure that this is their last term". "I had not heard about the word 'mob lynching' until four years back and now I hear about incidents of mob lynching everyday," he said. CPI(M) MP Md Salim accused the Centre of dividing the nation in the name of religion and spreading hate crimes and promoting incidents of mob lynching on the basis of rumours. Nagrik Adhikar Manch convenor Sebha Farooqui alleged that the BJP and the RSS were trying to muzzle the voices questioning the government. "BJP-RSS want to silence anyone and everyone who question or protest against them," she said. The Nagrik Adhikar Manch also submitted a memorandum addressed to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, seeking his intervention into the increasing incidents of mob lynching and demanding a law against it. The memorandum also stressed the need for strict action against individuals and organisations promoting mob lynching and to prosecute those spreading baseless rumours through social media and other platforms. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Debt-laden Air India has not paid salaries to its employees for the month of July and is yet to communicate the possible date of payments, sources said. This is at least the fourth time this year that salaries have been delayed. There were delay in payments in March, April, May and June. The national carrier, which is facing acute financial crunch, is yet to sent out any specific communication on when the payments are likely to made, sources said. Air India has more than 11,000 permanent staff. Sources at Air India told PTI that last month's salaries are yet to be deposited in the bank accounts of employees. An airline spokesperson said salaries for the month of July are likely to be disbursed in a couple of days. Generally, the airline disburses salaries by 30th or 31st of every month. The delay in salary payments also comes against the backdrop of the government seeking Parliament's nod for Rs 980 crore as supplementary grants for equity infusion into the airline. On July 26, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha told the Lok Sabha that there was a short delay in the payment of salaries for May and that the same was paid subsequently. "Salaries have been paid to all employees, including the salary for the month of June, 2018, which was paid on July 2, 2018," the minister had said. At the end of March 2017, the national carrier had a debt burden of more than Rs 48,000 crore. Last month, the Civil Aviation Ministry said that Air India has received Rs 27,195.21 crore worth equity infusion under the Turn Around Plan (TAP) and the Financial Restructuring Plan (FRP) approved back in 2012. After the carrier defaulted on payment of employees' May salary this year, one of its pilots' unions had urged the management to ensure that the situation is not repeated in the future. "It is disheartening to note that the salaries have again been delayed for the month (May). This is for the fourth consecutive month that this has been happening....this definitely does not augur well for any organisation, especially an airline," the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) had said. "We request you to make sure that the present situation is not repeated in the future and we look forward to having a conducive atmosphere for the turnaround," it said in a letter to the management on June 11. In the current fiscal, the state-owned airline received an equity infusion of Rs 650 crore up to June. TAP and a Financial Restructuring Plan (FRP) were approved for Air India by the previous UPA regime in 2012. All government guaranteed loans and interests thereon are being paid by the government by way of equity infusion into the airline. Under the FRP, high cost of working capital loans have been converted into long term debt carrying lesser rates of interest so as to reduce the financial burden on Air India. "The TAP/ FRP includes budgetary support amounting to Rs 30,231 crore spread over 10 years ie. up to FY 2020-21 and also equity support for the payment of principal/ interest of the non-convertible debentures. "Air India has received an equity infusion of Rs 27,195.21 crore till date," Sinha told the Lok Sabha last month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jammu and Kashmir Police today claimed to have foiled an attempt by Al-Qaida linked Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind terror group to disrupt the Independence Day celebrations in Delhi with the arrest of a terrorist. Inspector General of Police, (Jammu) S D S Jamwal told reporters that Irfan Hussain Wani, who hailed from Dangerpora-Awantipora village of south Kashmir, was arrested from Gandhi Nagar locality of Jammu city yesterday. He said a police squad noticed him moving under suspicious circumstances at Chatri point. Eight grenades were seized from his bag after a search and he was immediately taken into custody and interrogated. "He was carrying this cache of grenades to Delhi to hand it over to a contact. These grenades would have been used to disturb the Independence Day celebrations," Jamwal said, adding that he was also carrying Rs 60,000. The Jammu police chief said that during questioning, the 25-year-old revealed his affiliation with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind led by Zakir Mussa and added that he was in touch with number two of the outfit, Rehan. "A BA dropout and radicalised, the terrorist was active in militancy for the last one year. With his arrest, a major chance of disturbing the Independence day celebrations in Delhi and parts of Jammu was foiled," he said. Terming the arrest a "major success", the IGP said it was the result of robust security measures put in place by the police to ensure peaceful Independence Day celebrations in Jammu. The IGP said the interrogation of the terrorist was going on and revealing anything more would hamper the investigation. He said that they were looking into all aspects and they were also checking his mobile phone for more information. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police said that it would be questioning the accused. A team of the Special Cell is in Jammu. In reply to a question, the IGP said that Wani was not onboard a Delhi-bound bus but on foot when he was intercepted by alert policemen. The police official said that Wani had received the consignment in Kashmir and was planning to hand over the same to somebody in Delhi and added that there was no security lapse. "His arrest was the result of the robust security structure which is in place," he said. Asked whether the arrest of the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind terrorist was linked to an intelligence alert about a terrorists' plan to trigger serial blasts in Delhi or Jammu, he said, "Maybe it is a part of that but we have maintained high alert and the major success was the result of that alertness." On a grenade attack at the Jammu bus stand on May 24 which left two policemen and a pedestrian injured, he said it was a separate incident and not linked with this arrest. We have already solved the case and arrested the accused. We will share details of the same separately," the officer said. The policemen were on high alert and Independence Day celebrations would pass off peacefully, the IGP said. About hideout and presence of sleeper cells in Jammu, he said, "Investigation is going on and once we get any concrete information we will share it with you." Asked whether the Amarnath yatra was suspended from Jammu due to the separatist sponsored strike in Kashmir valley in support of Article 35A, he said the annual pilgrimage was going on for the last over one month and had seen a decline in the number of the pilgrims visiting the 3,880 metre high holy cave shrine. "As per our administrative arrangement, once the number of intending pilgrims goes up, the yatra will resume," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) While APEC has long recognised the key role that food security plays in achieving quality growth and prosperity, in PNG rural famers are continually being robbed of their land. In PNG we have more than one million local farmers who feed more than seven million people every day, yet the government continues to allow foreign corporations to steal their land for logging and oil palm plantations. PORT MORESBY - Community advocacy group Act Now! is warning APEC delegates attending the current food security week here that the Papua New Guinea government has a very poor record on protecting rural famers and supporting local agriculture. Despite commissions of inquiry, court rulings and numerous independent reports highlighting the injustice of state facilitated land grabs, the government has failed on its promises to protect rural communities and ensure their land is protected. The most glaring example is the SABL land grab, in which over five million hectares of land was taken from rural communities. Despite numerous promises from prime minister Peter ONeill and APEC and lands minister Justin Tkatchenko, the SABL leases have still not been cancelled and the land has not been returned to local communities. Act Now! is also critical of the role corporations from other APEC countries play in PNGs land grabs. Almost all the logging companies operating in PNG are from Malaysia and 95% of the logs that are taken are exported to China. We would urge these countries to do more to stop the damage being done here. The situation in PNG is growing worse and there are regular reports from around the country of new forest clearance authorities being issued without the consent of local people. Even old timber rights that pre-date the 1991 Forestry Act reforms are being renewed and extended. All these licences deprive local communities of land for farming and traditional food sources. How is our government hosting an APEC meeting on food security when its own actions are the opposite to what APEC polices and declarations demand? APEC must ensure its member economies are genuine about supporting and protecting food security and they should not be engaging in actions which only increase rural poverty and inequality. Attacking the BMC over reports of permissions being denied to Ganesh pandals to erect mandaps, the Shiv Sena demanded today that municipal chief Ajoy Mehta ensure they get the civic body's nod. A Shiv Sena delegation, led by the party's chief whip in the Maharashtra Assembly, met Mehta at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters here and alleged "restrictions" were being imposed on mandals the way West Bengal government had done last during Durga Puja. The West Bengal government had last year reportedly imposed restrictions on idol immersion with Vijaya Dashami being celebrated just a day ahead of Muharram on October 13. The Ganeshotsav will be celebrated next month. Party MLC Anil Parab and other leaders accompanied Prabhu. "The problems in granting permissions to Ganesh pandals should be resolved immediately. Permissions for erecting mandaps should not be denied," Prabhu said after meeting Mehta. Parab added, "Restrictions are being imposed on mandals like West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had done during Navratri last year. A wrong message will be sent out if restrictions are imposed on Hindu festivals." According to media reports, the BMC is denying mandals permissions for erecting mandaps this year. Meanwhile, the delegation also urged Mehta to move a proposal in the civic body to exempt residences ad-measuring 500 sq ft to 700 sq ft each from property tax. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP Yuva Morcha today accused the ruling Trinamool Congress leadership in various districts of intimidating party workers during preparatory meetings for BJP national president Amit Shah's rally here on August 11. BJP Yuva Morcha state president Debjit Sarkar alleged that he has been receiving reports for last few days that TMC workers and the police administration have been threatening BJP activists of dire consequences if they participate in Shah's rally. "We have been organizing small preparatory meetings in various districts of the state ahead of Amit Shah's rally. But either we are stopped from organizing those meetings or are not given permission to hold them," Sarkar said. He said one such preparatory meeting in Howrah district was held after seeking permission from the court. The TMC, however, denied the allegations. The Kolkata Police last week granted permission for BJP president Shah's proposed rally here on August 11. BJP sources said Shah is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on the evening of August 10 and would address a programme of BJP Yuva Morcha next day at Mayo Raod. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a boost to the dissident AAP legislators in Punjab led by Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Garhshankar MLA Jai Krishan Singh Rodi today announced that he is joining their group and accused the central leadership of ignoring the voice of the state unit. With the inclusion of Rodi, Khaira group now has eight legislators on its side. Apart from Khaira, others are Kanwar Sandhu (Kharar), Primal Singh (Bhadaur), Jagdev Singh Kamalu (Maur), Nazar Singh Manshahia (Mansa), Master Baldev (Jaitu) and Jagtar Singh Jagga (Raikot). AAP had won 20 seats in the 117-member House in the assembly elections last year. Rodi however asserted that the dissident MLAs will not quit the party. He said that he had got an assurance from Khaira and other MLAs that they would not join any other party. "We will continue to be in AAP," he said. Seven MLAs had attended the volunteers convention in Bathinda this month in which the dissident group of AAP legislators had declared the party's Punjab unit "autonomous" and "dissolved" its current organisational structure after Khaira was removed by AAP as Leader of Opposition in the Assemby. Addressing a press conference here, Rodi said today that decisions related to Punjab should be allowed to be taken by the state unit. "I want to give a message that decisions related to Punjab unit should not be taken by Durgesh Pathak or Garry Warring (both AAP leaders)," Rodi said. Rodi, who had facilitated meeting between Khaira camp and party leadership in Delhi, said he had tried to end the impasse. "I am sad as our efforts to end the stalemate between state and central leaderships did not bear fruit," he said. He said it was painful that they did not get favourable audience from party leadership in Delhi. Though he asserted that he was still a "fan" of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and with AAP, Rodi said that he felt that the voice of state leaders was not being allowed to reach Kejriwal. "With party suffering a lot in Punjab, I think our voice was not being allowed to reach Kejriwal," Rodi said. "Sisodia also did not listen to us but gave only assurance that everything will be alright," he said. When asked if they believed that Kejriwal was unaware of happenings in Punjab unit, Rodi said, "Either he does not want to listen to us or our voice is not being allowed to reach him. He should listen to inner voice of people," said the MLA. Welcoming Rodi, Khaira said that their fight was not meant for any individual. "This fight is for the interests of Punjab," said the Bholath MLA adding, "We should have the right to take decisions concerning Punjab. Khaira also said despite his opposition, rge party contested Shahkot assembly bypoll. "We got only 1,900 votes in that byelection," said Khaira. Kharar MLA Kanwar Sandhu also asserted that they did not want to break the party. "We are happy being in the party. Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia are our leaders. But we oppose their decisions," Sandhu. He claimed that some people within the party were trying to stop other MLAs from joining them. Sandhu said that at least three to four MLAs wanted to join them. "When we talk to them, we feel that they want to join us," he said while alleging that some leaders were running a "disinformation campaign" against them. Sandhu said that some volunteers had told them that Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann was also among those who were trying to stop MLAs from joining Khaira camp. The Khaira camp also plans to seek suggestions from volunteers through online forum on how to move forward. A large number of volunteers, who had become inactive after the drubbing in assembly polls, were in touch with them, said Sandhu. Meanwhile, the dissident MLAs plan to hold a volunteers convention on August 11 at Garhshankar. An event will also be organised at Issru on August 15. Besides, another volunteers meeting will be held in Gurdaspur on August 25, they said.. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly a year after the defence ministry ordered closure of 39 military farms across the country, the Army has decided to "transfer" all the cattle kept there to government departments or dairy cooperatives at a nominal cost of Rs 1,000 per animal. Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, while replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, said all the cattle in the military farms will be transferred to central and state government departmets or to state cooperatives. He said a cost of Rs 1,000 will be charged per animal. The minister was asked whether high-yielding cows numbering 15,000 have no buyers given their high maintenance cost. In August last year, the defence ministry had announced a series of reform measures for the Indian Army which included shutting down the military farms. These farms are occupying around 20,000 acres of defence land across the country and the Army was spending around Rs 300 crore for their maintenance. The firms were set up by the British to ensure supply of milk to Army units. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An amount of around Rs 6 crore has been approved and allocated for Project Mausam, which aims to collate archaeological and historical research to document the diversity of cultural, commercial and religious interactions in the Indian Ocean region, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma informed Parliament today. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Sharma said while Rs 2.80 crore were allocated for the project for 2018-19, Rs 3.19 crore were allocated for 2019-20. The expenditure for the project in 2017-18 and in the first three months of 2018-19 was Rs 16.75 lakh. Project Mausam, an initiative of the Ministry of Culture, is to be implemented by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as the nodal agency with research support from the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and the National Museum as associate bodies. The project aims to explore the multi-faceted Indian Ocean "world" -- collate archaeological and historical research in order to document the diversity of cultural, commercial and religious interactions in the region. The main objective of the project is to identify places and sites for trans-national nomination for inscription on UNESCO's World Heritage List. As many as 39 countries have been identified under Project Mausam, the minister said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Mental Hai Kya" star Kangana Ranaut believes as a celebrity it is her responsibility to work towards breaking the stigma attached to mental health. When asked about her views on the way Hindi film industry treats the topicon-screen, Kangana told PTI, "I realised there was so much stigma attached to being different. So, I thought we as influencers need to stand-up and break these notions and address this subject." Produced by Ekta Kapoor, "Mental Hai Kya" is Kangana's second collaboration with Rajkummar Rao after "Queen". The actor is full of praise for her co-star, who has been enjoying a great run in Bollywood with back-to-back projects. "He is a star today. He is a brilliant actor and a very hardworking co-star. I have seen his work and it was definitely a great experience," she said. Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Prakash Kovelamudi, the film also stars Amyra Dastur and Jimmy Sheirgill. It will release on February 22. Besides this, she will be seen in "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi", set to release of January 26. "I believe in giving 100 per cent to all the movies I am associated with and I will continue to take up roles which appeal to me, and that will make a difference to the audience," said Kangana. The actor, who has been appointed as the brand ambassador of Global Desi, women's wear brand by House of Anita Dongre, launched their Fall '18 collection 'Gypsy Heart' here last evening. Talking about her personal sense of style, Kangana said she does not believe in following any particular trend. "One way to look happy and feel confident is to be comfortable in what you are wearing. I wear what I like and what I feel I look good in. My style differs from being individualistic, fierce, to feminine, vintage and goddess-like. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Assam government today said it has vacancies of over 3,000 doctors' posts in public health institutions and there was no need for the fresh MBBS pass outs to leave the state. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has called for formulation of policies to retain the MBBS pass outs in the state, an official release said. "On being informed by the Health Department that around 3,000 vacancies of doctors are there in the public health institutions of the state, Sonowal said that policy must be formulated to retain majority of 726 MBBS doctors who pass out annually from the medical colleges for serving the government hospitals," the release said. During a review meeting of the 'Aspirational Districts' programme, Sonowal directed using the platform of 'Gaon Sabhas' to effectively spread messages at the village level. On financial inclusion, the Finance Department informed Sonowal that a total of 2,20,233 Jan Dhan Yojna bank accounts have been opened in the state exceeding the target of 1,94,296 accounts. "On Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna, it was informed that a total of 1,19,411 free LPG connections have been provided in the state till now against a target of 1,33,138," the statement said. The chief minister directed the Power Department to give domestic power connections to government schools instead of commercial connections so that they can continue paying electricity bills and power supply does not get disrupted. "The Aspirational Districts programme launched by the PM is an opportunity for us to rapidly develop the districts lagging behind in key development indicators. The seven districts of Assam shortlisted under this programme must be brought at par with the most developed districts of the nation," Sonowal added. The 'Aspirational Districts' programme has been conceived by NITI Aayog and launched by the Centre in 117 districts of the country, aiming to develop 49 key performance indicators. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi today alleged that attacks on Muslim minorities have increased since the NDA government came to power at the Centre. He said though the Prime Minister was talking about 'sab ka saath, sab ka vikas', Muslims in India were being killed in the name of the cow. He referred to the lynching of Akbar Khan at Alwar in Rajasthan by cow vigilantes and said that after he was killed, a BJP MLA had branded him as a cow smuggler and said this was what was going to happen. "It means death is justified.... what the Prime Minister of India says... 'sab ka saath, sab ka vikas'. "Prime Minister, we are killed in the name of the cow. Since you became Prime Minister, India's Muslims are being killed in the name of the cow. Since you became Prime Minister, false allegations are being levelled against us that we smuggle cows," he said, addressing a public meeting here. "Those who are attacking us in the name of cow, you are not killing us, but you are weakening India," he said. Quoting Khan's family members, Owaisi said the deceased man purchased a cow to make a living by selling milk. The Prime Minister, who tweeted on the bus mishap in Maharashtra, was silent on Khan's death, he said. "We want to ask BJP and the Prime Minister... you tell us whether there is value for the life of a Muslim in India or a cow," he said. The Prime Minister should state what the government's programme of action was to check such incidents, he said. Owaisi said the Right to Life is a right given in the Constitution. He said Indian Muslims should learn a lesson from the Jats in Haryana, Marathas, Patels and Gujjars in Rajasthan and Dalits (for the government planning to make a law on the issue of prevention of atrocities against SCs and STs act) and get united to force the government accept their concerns. Referring to the reported incident of a man's beard being shaved off at Gurugram, he said the youth should not fear such incidents. It was the constitutional right of Muslims to grow a beard, he said. "Those indulging in tyranny and injustice, we will not stop keeping a beard if it is shaved off. We will keep even a long beard....," he said. Referring to criticism against him as 'neo-Jinnah', Owaisi recalled that he was appreciated by many for taking on some Pakistan representatives when they criticized India during a debate on a visit to the neighbouring country. "I say, how long you will judge us on the measure of Pakistan?" he asked. Flaying BJP president Amit Shah for his comments on the NRC issue, Owaisi demanded to know how the head of the ruling party could say that the 40 lakh people left out in the list in Assam are infiltrators. "If infiltrators, get it done in Tripura also. See how many come out.Get it done in Jammu. Heard that Tripura's Chief Minister was born in (19) 71. Get NRC done," he said. Owaisi alleged that BJP has failed on all fronts of governance and it appears it wanted to fight the next parliamentary election by creating an atmosphere of fear. He also flayed Congress president Rahul Gandhi for hugging Modi during the recent debate in Parliament on the no-confidence motion. Congress was not sincere in its commitment towards the welfare of Muslims, he alleged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the arrest of six people, police today claimed to have busted a major racket involving fabrication of documents and arranging guarantors to obtain bail for arrested persons from courts here in Maharashtra. Addressing a press conference, DCP (Crime) Deepak Deoraj said initial assessment revealed that around 150 people benefited from the racket and got relief from courts in the last one year. He said officials of the Ulhasnagar Crime Branch kept a vigil near the Kalyan court and on July 30 picked up three people on suspicion and their interrogation blew the lid off the racket. Three more people were arrested later for allegedly being part of the racket, he said. The gang used to arrange bogus ration cards, tax receipts of gram panchayat and also bogus guarantors for obtaining bail for arrested persons in courts at Ulhasnagar, Kalyan and Thane, the police said. During a search of their premises, 45 rubber stamps, 51 bogus ration cards, 318 tax receipts of gram panchayats and fake Aadhaar cards, among other documents, were seized, they said. The police did not reveal the names of the arrested persons. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A bandh was observed today in Maharashtra's Nandurbar district to condemn the attack on the car of local BJP MP Heena Gavit, allegedly by Maratha quota activists yesterday. Commercial establishments, shops, schools and colleges remained shut in response to the bandh called by some tribal organisations, a police official said. The car of Gavit, who represents tribal-dominated Nandurbar Lok Sabha constituency, was damaged outside the district collector's office in Dhule in north Maharashtra by a group of 15-20 people. Gavit had escaped unhurt in the attack. Protesters took out a morcha today on the office of Nandurbar district collector, said the official attached to the district police control room. In Dhule, a rasta roko protest was held, police said. Heavy police bandobast was in force across Nandurbar city, around 200 kms away from Nashik, police said. The shutdown was observed in Nandurbar city and talukas like Akrani, Akkalkuwa, Taloda, Navapur and Shahada, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a major success against drug trafficking and possible narco-terrorism, the Jammu and Kashmir police today seized 51 kilograms of high-grade Afghan-origin heroin worth over Rs 250 crore from a Punjab-bound truck here. The police also arrested the truck driver and his helper following "the biggest ever catch" in Jammu region and are questioning them to unveil the persons involved in the drug trafficking, Jammu's Inspector General of Police S D Singh Jamwal told reporters here this evening. Without ruling out the possibility of the consignment being part of narco-terrorism with the sale proceeds of the consignment meant for terror funding, the IGP said, It's a matter of investigation and we are on the job. Terming the catch as the biggest surgical strike on the menace of drugs, the Jammu police chief said the truck laden with scrap paper was going to Punjab from Handwara area of north Kashmir's border district Kupwara and was intercepted by the police near Narwal-Bhatindi bypass on outskirts of the city on a specific information. The consignment kept in 51 packets of one kilogram each was concealed in a specially created cavity on the side walls of the truck, he said, adding that the timely seizure of the consignment saved the lives of the youth. It is an alarming situation the drug traffickers are using Jammu as a transit route to smuggle narcotics to Punjab, Delhi and other parts of the country and even abroad, the IGP said, adding 90 per cent of the heroin smuggled to the world comes form Afghan-Pakistan region and "the notorious agency of Pakistan" is involved in its smuggling. Asked how it was possible to smuggle such a huge quantity of heroin through the borders which were being guarded round-the-clock, Jamwal said the geography of the region and tough terrain posed an acute challenge to the security agencies. We are having a great synergy and trying to ensure foolproof security (along the Line of Control). The security is all time high, he said. Jamwal, however, said the police were making an all-out effort to wipe out the menace of illegal drugs and would continue its efforts with double vigour. Asked about the linkages between the narcotics and terrorism, the IGP said the two are closely linked to each other but at this stage we can neither confirm nor rule out anything. Our investigation is going on and it will come to the fore once the investigation is complete. He identified the arrested persons as driver Gurdeep Singh and conductor Ravi Kumar, both residents of Jammu, and said, We are checking our records to ascertain their antecedents and involvement in drug peddling. So far, no such thing has come to the fore. In reply to another question about the possibility of drug dealers roping in people with no criminal background, he said it was quite possible and it was a challenge for the police. The IGP, however, said he was confident that the police with its professional skills and determination would be able to meet the challenge successfully. The IGP said the crack team of the police involved in the operation would be suitably rewarded. The Jammu police made the sensational seizure on a day when it, along with the Excise Department officials intercepted another drug consignment comprising of 1400 kgs of poppy husk from a fruit-laden truck in Kathua district. The Punjab-bound truck was intercepted at a toll post in Lakhanpur bordering Punjab, the police said, adding that the truck driver too was arrested in the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two MPs from Bihar today staged protests in the Lok Sabha demanding justice for victims of the Muzaffarpur sex scandal case, claiming evidence of the crime was destroyed. As soon as the House took up the day's proceedings, Congress member Ranjeet Ranjan and RJD's Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav came to the Well protesting against the alleged sexual exploitation of young girls at the shelter home in Bihar's Muzaffarpur. The two MPs alleged that before the case was handed over to the CBI by the Bihar government, evidence was destroyed and said they wanted to raise the issue. Ranjan and Yadav were supported by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP leader Tariq Anwar besides others. However, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan told them that they can raise the issue during the Zero Hour and continued with the proceedings of the Question Hour. With this, both the MPs returned to their seats. Medical examination of 34 out of the 42 shelter home inmates have confirmed they were sexually exploited. The owner of the shelter home, run by NGO 'Seva Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti', Brajesh Thakur, is the main accused in the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A bill to overturn a Supreme Court order concerning certain safeguards against arrest under the SC/ST law was unanimously passed by the Lok Sabha today. The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill 2018 rules out any provision for anticipatory bail for a person accused of atrocities against SC/STs, notwithstanding any court order. It also provides that no preliminary enquiry will be required for registering a criminal case and an arrest under this law would not be subject to any approval. Replying to the debate on the bill, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot asserted that the NDA government favoured reservation "and will continue to be in favour reservation for SC/ST". The amendment, he said, will strengthen the legislative provisions to protect SC/ST. The move to amend the Bill is being seen by the Opposition as a reach-out by the BJP-led NDA government to Dalits, ahead of their proposed nationwide protest later this month to demand restoration of the provisions of the law which, the Dalit groups allege, were diluted by a Supreme Court ruling of March 20. These groups have been asking the government to overturn a Supreme Court ruling of March 20, saying it had "diluted" and rendered "toothless" the law against atrocities faced by the weakest sections of the society by putting additional safeguards against arrest of the accused. Gehlot said after the Supreme Court put some restrictions on Article 18 of this Act, the law lost its importance. "The review petition filed by the government is still pending. Due to delay in the Supreme Court and rising anger among the Dalit community, there was a need to amend Article 18," the Minister said. He accepted that 6-7 per cent cases under the Indian Penal Code and 10-12 per cent cases under Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were misused. "But citing the misuse of the Act, we can't allow 88 per cent of Dalits to suffer," Gehlot asserted. Participating in the debate, leader of Congress in the House Mallikarjun Kharge said the government should have brought this bill as an Ordinacce much earlier. "In recent times, the government has brought as many six Ordinances, they could have brought the 7th Ordinance as well. If there was no public pressure, then the government would not have brought this bill," Kharge insisted. The Congress leader urged the government to include the SC/ST Act in the ninth schedule of the Constitution so that it goes out of the jurisdiction of the courts. Kharge also urged the government to withdraw cases against those people who had protested against Supreme Court judgement on April 20. Citing National Crime Record Bureau data, he said in the last four years, there was a 40 per cent increase in atrocities against Dalits. "Every minute a dalit suffers atrocities. In every week, 11 dalit gets killed, but unfortunately the conviction rate is too low," he said. Taking a jibe at the government, Kharge said, "There are 24 lakh vacancies in government jobs. So it should first fill all vacant posts." He also alleged that people associated with the BJP were involved in lynching incidents against Dalits and Muslims. P Ravindra Babu (TDP) said the government was not sincere about the concerns of Dalits, else it should have promulgated an ordinance to restore the provisions of the Act following the Supreme Court judgement. Questioning its intent, he said the government had promulgated six ordinances but "waited" for the Monsoon Session to bring the amendment. Besides, he said, the government rewarded the judge by making him chairperson of an important Tribunal. Balka Suman (TRS) said if this government had any sympathy for the dalits, the legislation should be included in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution. He also demanded the reservation in the higher judiciary. Jitendra Choudhary (CPI-M) also pressed for inclusion of this legislation in the 9th Schedule, while Upendra Kushwaha (RLSP) said the legislation has once again proved supremacy of Parliament. He too sought reservation in higher judiciary and removal of 50 per cent cap on the reservation. Tariq Anwar (NCP) also supported the amendment. Demanding setting up of All India Judicial Services, several members stressed the need for to providing space for SC/ST and dalit community in the country's judiciary. Chirag Paswan (LJSP) said that Indian judicial services was need of the hour and the govermment should take it seriously. "There is a need to appoint judges based on competition," he said adding the government should put this law in the ninth schedule of the Constitution. Union Minister Anupriya Patel too said that representation of SC/ST and backward community was very low in judiciary and "till the time we would address this issue, such judgements would haunt us". She also urged the government to set up All India Judicial Services, observing that "we were not able to provide a level playing field and respect to this community". She also said that atrocities against this community has increased over the years. H S Khalsa (AAP) said "we did not provide a system where there could be a meritocracy in judiciary", while Bhagirath Prasad (BJP) demanded setting up of judicial service. Supporting the bill, J P N Yadav (RJD) said that the government brought this bill because of public pressure. He also demanded caste based census. "This government is not for Make in India, but they are Back in India," he added. Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) this was the "Shahbano moment" and sought to know if the government would call it appeasement of dalits. He also demanded that Muslims be included in the SC/SC Act. K Suresh (Cong) said the NDA government has rewarded one of the two Supreme Court judges who delivered the controversial judgement in the matter. Among others who participated in the discussion include E T Mohammed Basheer (IUML), Rattan Lal Kataria (BJP), Kaushlendra Kumar (JD-U), Virender Kashyap (BJP), Dushyant Chautala (INLD), Kirit Solanki (BJP), P S Chandumajra (SAD). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) High drama ensued in Delhi Assembly today after a BJP legislator used an "objectionable" word against his colleague from the ruling AAP during a discussion on water shortage in the national capital. Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel later referred the matter, of BJP legislator O P Sharma using an objectionable word against AAP's Amanatullah Khan, to the House Privilege Committee. The action came after AAP legislators demanded action against the Viswas Nagar MLA of BJP. His remark, they said, was an "insult of the House". Sharma was speaking on water shortage in his constituency. During his speech, he also criticised government officers. When Amanatullah Khan opposed this, Sharma used the objectionable word against him. Later, the Speaker expunged the word used by Sharma from House proceedings. Following this, AAP legislators trooped into the Well of the House, demanding strict action against the BJP legislator. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia too slammed Sharma, saying it cannot be tolerated in the House. "This is not the question of an MLA. How can he use this word in the House? It shows the mentality of his (BJP) party. Strict action should be taken against him," Sisodia said. Following rukus over the issue, Speaker adjourned the House for 30 minutes. When the House sat again, Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha proposed to refer the matter to Previlege Committee of the House. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Accusing the BJP-led Centre of unleashing "super emergency", TMC leaders today protested outside Parliament to voice their objections to the government's "interference" in media houses and the implementation of NRC in Assam. Armed with placards, several Trinamool Congress leaders staged a 'dharna' outside Parliament over the issues. "Prominent media houses are either being bought over or threatened. Resignations of two top executives, editor-in-chief and popular anchor of ABP Network, indicate increasing government interference. Shows are being blacked out and defamation cases have been filed against organisations," TMC MP Derek O'Brien told reporters. Pointing fingers at the BJP, TMC also criticised the ruling party, alleging that the government was using the CBI and the ED to "crackdown" on opposition party leaders. No one can question the government, the party said. Quoting TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, the party lawmakers alleged that every single action of the BJP-RSS was one of "deliberate destructiveness and political vendetta". The ruling party in West Bengal has criticised the BJP-led central government on several other issues, including the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam after nearly 40 lakh people did not find their name on the final draft. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain's former foreign secretary Boris Johnson came under fire today after he described the burqa as "oppressive" and compared Muslim women who wear the clothing to "letter boxes". In his regular column in 'The Daily Telegraph' on Sunday, the Conservative Party MP had laid out his views against a complete ban on the Islamic clothing in line with the recent burqa ban in Denmark. "If you tell me that the burka (burqa) is oppressive, then I am with you I would go further and say that it is absolutely ridiculous that people should choose to go around looking like letter boxes," he wrote. He said businesses and government agencies in the UK should be able to "enforce a dress code" that allowed them to see people's faces. If a female student turned up at school or at a university lecture looking like a bank robber thenthose in authority should be allowed to converse openly with those that they are being asked to instruct, he wrote. But added: "Such restrictions are not quite the same as telling a free-born adult woman what she may or may not wear, in a public place, when she is simply minding her own business." The former Cabinet minister, who had resigned as foreign minister last month amid a clash over the UK's Brexit strategy, said a total ban on face-covering veils would give a boost to radicals and could lead to "a general crackdown on any public symbols of religious affiliation". However, his remarks prompted calls for an apology, with the Muslim Council of Britain accusing him of "pandering to the far right" and Opposition Labour party MPs accusing him of stoking Islamophobia. Labour MP David Lammy said: "Muslim women are having their burqas pulled off by thugs in our streets and Boris Johnson's response is to mock them for 'looking like letter boxes'. "Our pound-shop Donald Trump is fanning the flames of Islamophobia to propel his grubby electoral ambitions." Labour's shadow equalities minister, Naz Shah, added: Boris Johnson's latest racist insults cannot be laughed off, like they often are. Theresa May must condemn this blatant Islamophobia and Boris Johnson must apologise. Another Labour MP, Jess Phillips, said she would report Johnson to the country's Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Denmark last week followed France, Austria and Belgium in imposing face-covering burqa and niqab bans in public places and a fine of about EURO 120 has already been imposed on a woman wearing a full-face veil in a shopping centre in the town of Hrsholm. British Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokesperson said: "The long-standing government position on this is clear, that we do not support a ban on the wearing of the veil in public. Such a prescriptive approach would be not in keeping with British values of religious tolerance and gender equality. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) FMCG major Britannia Industries Ltd today said it may opt for stock split and issue bonus debentures to shareholders. Speaking at the company's AGM here, Chairman Nusli Wadia said the issue of stock split would be decided at the next board meeting. Wadia said the company would incur a total cost of Rs 1,000 crore for issuance of bonus debentures and to pay dividend to the shareholders. The bonus debentures would be issued at Rs 60 each and be non-convertible. The company will launch new products in the next six months and expand business outside India, he said, adding, it is open to acquisitions. Britannia Industries also unveiled a new logo to commemorate its centenary year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Access to high-speed internet may reduce the duration and quality of your sleep, according to a study. The research, published in the Journal of Economic Behaviour and Organisation, found that individuals with Digital subscriber line (DSL) access tend to sleep 25 minutes less than their counterparts without DSL internet. DSL is a technology for bringing high- bandwidth internet to homes and small businesses over ordinary copper telephone lines. The researchers from Bocconi University in Italy and the University of Pittsburgh in the US conclude that access to high-speed Internet reduces sleep duration and sleep satisfaction in individuals that face time constraints in the morning for work or family reasons. "Individuals with DSL access tend to sleep 25 minutes less than their counterparts without DSL Internet," said Francesco Billari, a professor at Bocconi University. "They are significantly less likely to sleep between seven and nine hours, the amount recommended by the scientific community, and are less likely to be satisfied with their sleep," Billari said. The effect that the researchers find is largely driven by individuals that face time constraints in the morning and by the use of electronic devices in the evening, and not by their use throughout the day. "Digital temptations may lead to a delay in bedtime, which ultimately decreases sleep duration for individuals who are not able to compensate for later bedtime by waking up later in the morning," Billari said. The temptations individuals are prone to vary according to age, the study found. Among teenagers and young adults (aged 13-30), there is a significant association between insufficient sleep and time spent on computer games or watching TV or videos in the evening, researchers said. For older adults (31-59) the correlation is with the use of PCs and smartphones, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the aftermath of the alleged sexual assault of minor girls in Muzaffarpur and Deora, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi today asked states to build a single large central facility to house such children in a bid to prevent "abuse and misuse" by NGOs. She said the adoption and skill development programmes in a central facility would be much easier and it would also help in checking "abuse and misuse" by NGOs who are running their own shelter homes with grants from the government. "I have been asking for a scheme where each state should have a single large facility to house all such girls and children which should be run by the state government," she said. Other homes in the state should only provide temporary shelter to women, girls and children in distress situations and after clearance by the Child Welfare Committee, Gandhi said. Her suggestion came in the backdrop of the recent alleged sexual abuse of minor girls in Bihar's Muzzafarpur and Deora districts. She also said that the Women and Child Development Ministry would be happy to fund the construction of these facilities in each state and then it handover to the state government. The case of sexual assault of minor girls at the Muzaffarpur shelter home, run by an NGO, was first highlighted in an audit report submitted by the Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), Mumbai, to the Bihar Social Welfare Department in April this year. The FIR in the case was registered on May 31 against 11 people, including Brajesh Thakur, the owner of the NGO which ran the government-funded shelter home for destitute girls. On July 26, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter. About 34 minor girls were allegedly sexually abused at the shelter home in Muzaffarpur, with medical reports confirming rape of them. The second case of sexual assault against girls in Deora came to light yesterday when a 10-year-old girl managed to flee from the shelter home and informed them about the plight of the inmates, who were reportedly sexually abused by the couple running the shelter home, after which police conducted a raid and 24 girls were rescued. The Uttar Pradesh government swung into a damage control mode by removing the district magistrate and ordering a high-level probe into the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Canada today said it is "seriously concerned" after Saudi Arabia announced it is expelling Ottawa's ambassador and recalling its own envoy in protest over "interference" in its internal affairs. The shock Saudi move, announced by the foreign ministry on Twitter, came in response to Ottawa's vigorous demands that jailed human rights activists be released. "We are seriously concerned by these media reports and are seeking greater clarity on the recent statement from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," said Marie-Pier Baril, a Canadian foreign ministry spokeswoman. "Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, very much including women's rights, and freedom of expression around the world. Our government will never hesitate to promote these values and believes that this dialogue is critical to international diplomacy." The kingdom earlier said it had declared Canadian Ambassador Denis Horak persona non grata and given him 24 hours to leave the country, and that it was recalling its ambassador from Ottawa for consultations. The ministry also announced "the freezing of all new trade and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action." "The Canadian position is an overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the Saudi foreign ministry tweeted. Canada last week said it was "gravely concerned" over a new wave of arrests of women and human rights campaigners in the kingdom, including award-winning gender rights activist Samar Badawi. "We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists," the foreign ministry tweeted on Friday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland today defended her country's call for the release of activists jailed in Saudi Arabia, giving no ground after Riyadh expelled Ottawa's ambassador. "Let me be very clear with everyone here and with the Canadians who may be watching and listening: Canada will always stand up for human rights, in Canada and around the world, and women's rights are human rights," she told an audience in Vancouver. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Haryana government will further increase the capacity of all sugar mills in the state at a cost of about Rs 1,100 crore to benefit sugarcane growers. Minister of State for Cooperation Manish Kumar Grover said the capacity of Sonepat sugar mill will be increased from 1,600 ton crushing per day (TCD) to 2,200 TCD, that of Panipat mill to 5,000 TCD, Karnal mill to 3,500 TCD, and Hafed to 3,300 TCD. It is for the first time in Haryana's history that all sugar mills have crushed about 500 lakh quintals of sugarcane this year as compared to 369 lakh quintals crushed last year, he said. Last week, Rs 200 crore was paid to the sugarcane growers and the pending dues of Rs 110 crore will be released soon, he further said. Grover said Hafed had started the process to set up a mega food project at IMT, Rohtak, for which Rs 50 crore grant was received from the Central government. The project would provide employment to about 1,500 youth, he added. The minister further said that Hafed had purchased 2.75 lakh metric tonnes of mustard from Nafed during the current fiscal. Besides, 36,940 MT of mustard was bought to extract oil, Grover said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI has busted a gang of smugglers at the Trichy Airport in Tamil Nadu, apprehending 19 people, including six customs officials, who were allowing it to operate in return for illegal gratification, officials said today. In a surprise check operation, which started yesterday, the agency has apprehended Assistant Commissioner, Customs, S M Venkatesulu, superintendents Kalugasalamoorthy and S Ramakrishnan, inspectors S Anees Fathima and Prashant Goutam, and one Freddy Edwars, multi tasking staff in the Customs Department. Besides, 13 others, including two persons carrying Sri Lankan passports, were also apprehended by the CBI. The operation was triggered on inputs that Customs officials posted at the Trichy International Airport were indulging in corrupt practices by way of regularly obtaining undue advantage in the form of illegal gratification from smugglers and carriers bringing goods such as cigarette packets, gold, receivers, alcohol bottles etc, which are banned into the country, they said. The agency has apprehended the accused but is yet to make formal arrests, sources said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A CBI team today carried out inspection of the office of District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) here as part of its investigation into the case of sexual abuse of more than 30 girls at a state-funded shelter home here. Sources in the local administration said the CBI team inspected the chamber of Divesh Sharma, the suspended DCPU Assistant Director who was recently placed under suspension for dereliction of duty by the Bihar Social Welfare department. The CBI team is understood to have gone through documents kept there and spoken to other officials posted at the DCPU office, the sources said. Meanwhile, a team of doctors set up at the instance of the superintendent of the Central Jail examined Brajesh Thakur, one of the key accused in the scandal who also headed the NGO which ran the shelter home. According to sources, the CBI is likely to seek Thakur's remand provided he is declared fit for the purpose in the medical report In a related development, a team of Press Information Bureau (PIB) officials also arrived here this morning and inspected the premises where the shelter home and office of the Hindi daily "Pratah Kamal" were located. Pratah Kamal is said to be owned by Brajesh Thakur. Besides the Hindi daily, Thakur is said to be owning an English newspaper Next and an Urdu journal "Haalaat-e-Bihar". The publications have been getting advertisements from the state government for quite long but the same was stopped in June after he was made an accused in the case. Besides, Thakurs accreditation with PIB, New Delhi, was cancelled last week. Earlier in the day, the Patna High Court accepted the Bihar government's request to take up monitoring of CBI investigation into the case and ensure its speedy trial by appointing a special judge. The issue of sexual exploitation was first highlighted in a social audit report submitted by Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai, to the state's Social Welfare Department in April. An FIR was lodged on May 31 against 11 persons, including Brajesh Thakur, the owner of the NGO 'Seva Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti' which ran the shelter home for destitute girls funded by the government. Ten out of 11 accused persons, including Thakur, have been arrested in the case so far and the state police had submitted its charge sheet against them before a before Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Muzaffarpur. The medical examinations of 34 of the 42 inmates of shelter home in Muzaffarpur have so far confirmed that they were sexually exploited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Asom Gana Parishad, an ally of the ruling BJP in Assam, today said the ongoing updation process of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) will be of no use if the Centre passes the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. AGP president and Assam minister Atul Bora said The Foreigners (Amendment) Order, 2015, and the Passport (Entry into India) Amendment Rules, 2015, are "back-handed means" of the Centre to grant citizenship to foreigners of "certain religions" staying in the country illegally. "If the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, is passed, the exercise of updating the NRC will be of no use," Bora alleged at a press conference here. He said, "The central government is trying to grant Indian citizenship to people of certain religions, claiming that they are facing religious persecution in their homelands. The AGP strongly protests any such attempt and we will stop such attempts at any cost." The AGP, Bora said, has been in talks with other parties like the Shiv Sena, who have presence in the Parliament, over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. "We will foil any attempt to make it into a law." Bora, who is the state agriculture minister, said an AGP team, led by its working president and Water Resources Minister Keshav Mahanta, met the NRC State Coordinator Prateek Hajela and submitted a memorandum demanding an error-free NRC, touted to be a proof of Assamese identity. "We want an error-free NRC in which name of no foreigner is included and name of no genuine citizen is excluded. The Supreme Court is monitoring the process and we are hopeful of such a genuine document," he said. Asked to comment on West Bengal chief minister's strong opposition to the NRC complete draft, Bora said, "Politicians like Mamata Banerjee should refrain from trying to create a divide between the people for the sake of vote bank." The Assam government should deal sternly with such people trying to create tension, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Joel Robuchon, the world's most-starred Michelin chef who tore down kitchen walls to give diners new insights into the art of haute cuisine, has died at 73, a French government spokesman said today. Robuchon, who was hailed as one of four "chefs of the century" by the Gault & Millau industry bible in 1990, founded a string of restaurants that revolutionised fine dining across three continents, ratcheting up a record 31 Michelin stars. From Tokyo to Paris and Macau, foodies queue up for seats in his L'Atelier restaurants, where they can watch chefs in action, perched on high stools at a U-shaped bar. According to Le Figaro newspaper, he died of cancer in the Swiss city of Geneva. His death was confirmed by government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux in a tweet. "Joel Robuchon, a visionary chef who was the most starred in the world, leaves us today. "From Paris to Shanghai, his savoir-faire was an art form that made French gastronomy shine and continues to inspire the next generation of chefs," Griveaux wrote. Tributes poured in from other top chefs, already mourning the death earlier this year of French culinary "pope" Paul Bocuse, and more recently globetrotting American celebrity chef and author Anthony Bourdain. "One of the unrivalled masters of world gastronomy has left us," Anne-Sophie Pic, France's only female chef with three stars, tweeted. Born in 1945 in the central city of Poitiers to a bricklayer father and stay-at-home mother, his first vocation was the priesthood. But while cooking alongside nuns for other seminarians he discovered a passion for food and at 15 entered the restaurant trade. A perfectionist from the start, he quickly earned a name for himself in the rarefied world of nouvelle cuisine and by the age of 30 was running a 90-strong kitchen at the Concorde Lafayette hotel in Paris. His signature creations included truffle tart, cauliflower cream with caviar and lobster ravioli -- but he also elevated the humble potato, with his smooth, buttery mash earning rave reviews. The accolades -- and Michelin stars -- came thick and fast, but by the age of 51 he had worked himself to the bone. Declaring he did not want to die of the stress of turning out flawless fare day after day, the father of two announced his retirement in 1996. "I will watch my children and my grandchildren grow up, I will love my wife, my friends and the good things in life," he told Le Figaro. From there it was a short hop to the television studios where Robuchon spent the next few years hosting a popular daily food show that aimed to demystify haute cuisine for the masses. But by 2003 he was back in the kitchen with the Atelier concept, which he debuted in Paris and Tokyo and later took to London, Las Vegas and New York, among other cities. Inspired by Japanese sushi counters -- Robuchon nurtured a lifelong fascination with Japan -- and Spanish tapas bars, he intended the restaurants to be more relaxed and accessible than traditional three-star eateries. "Times have changed, consumers are looking for cuisine that is less sophisticated, a place with ambiance where you eat well," he said. Among his disciples were British star chef Gordon Ramsay. Like Ramsay, he was known to have a short fuse and to be very demanding with his apprentices. In an interview with Paris Match in 2009 he admitted to having battled an "uncompromising" nature. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China has operationalised the prototype of a new generation supercomputer that can execute a quintillion calculations per second as part of its efforts to lead as the most prolific producer of computing technology. The Sunway exascale computer prototype was put in operation yesterday. It has been jointly developed by the National Research Center of Parallel Computer Engineering and Technology (NRCPC), the National Supercomputing Centre in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province and the Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao). The prototype refers to the first or preliminary version of a device. The machine can execute a quintillion (a billion billion or a thousand raised to the power of six)calculations per second. "The Sunway exascale computer prototype is very much like a concept car that can run on road," Yang Meihong, director of the National Supercomputing Centre in Jinan said. "We expect to build the exascale computer in the second half of 2020 or the first half of 2021," Yang was quoted as saying by state run Xinhua agency. The NRCPC led the team that developed Sunway TaihuLight, crowned the world's fastest computer two years in a row at both the 2016 and 2017 International Supercomputing Conferences held in Frankfurt, Germany. Supercomputers are changing people's life in fields such as weather forecast, calculation of ocean currents, financial data analysis, high-end equipment manufacturing, and car collision simulation, Pan Jingshan, deputy director of the National Supercomputing Centre in Jinan said. Pan said the new-generation supercomputers will provide strong support to scientific research in more fields. Another prototype exascale supercomputer Tianhe-3 passed the acceptance tests on July 22. Its final version is expected to come out in 2020. The two prototypes marked a further step towards China's successful development of the next-generation supercomputer, the Xinhua report said. Several countries including the US and Japan are also speeding up the development of the exascale supercomputer, expecting to unveil it in as early as 2021. India has unveiled supercomputer "Pratyush", meaning the sun at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune in January this year. Pratyush has a maximum speed of 6.8 PetaFlops or one thousand million million floating-point operations per second. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China's Holitech Group today said it will set up a production facility in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, with an investment of Rs 1,400 crore (USD 200 million) to supply mobile phone components like camera modules and touch panels to smartphone major Xiaomi. Spread over 75 acre, the facility is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2019, providing employment to about 6,000 people at full-scale in the next three years. "We will set up the plant in two phases with phase I starting in January where we will invest USD 100 million and phase II, an additional USD 100 million. The facility will cater exclusively to Xiaomi," Holitech Technology CEO Guisheng Chen told reporters here. He added that the facility will have an annual capacity of 50 million component sets at the end of phase I and ramp it up to 100 million within three years' time. The components that will be made at the Tirupati facility include camera modules, TFT (thin film transistor), flexible printed circuit, touch panels and fingerprint modules. In April, Xiaomi had hosted a global meet in Delhi that saw participation from 50 of its global suppliers. The company, at that time, had said these suppliers setting up manufacturing base in India would bring in Rs 15,000 crore in investment and create 50,000 jobs. "We are committed to Make in India and our intent is to get our partners to also manufacture locally here. Holitech's plant will cater to significant part of our requirement. We will continue to work on getting more partners to set up base in India," Xiaomi Vice President and India Managing Director Manu Jain said. He added that local manufacturing of components could bring down prices of mobile phones. Holitech, which supplies to other global handset makers also, has 16 factories in China and Taiwan and employs about 30,000 people. The company expects to clock USD 4 billion in revenue this year. "The facility in India is our first international foray. We expect to see revenue of USD 2 billion from here after phase II," Chen said. Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh said the state presents an attractive opportunity for companies looking at setting up manufacturing base. "Our state of the art infrastructural offerings make Andhra Pradesh an exciting investment opportunity and it is heartening to see Holitech Technology come to the state and initiate a big revolution in the market for local manufacturing," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China today announced that it has successfully tested its first cutting-edge hypersonic aircraft which could carry nuclear warheads and penetrate any current generation anti-missile defence systems. The Xingkong-2 or Starry Sky-2, was launched in a target range located in Northwest China on Friday last, the state-run China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA) said in a statement. The United States and Russia have been carrying out similar experiments. Launched in a rocket, China's waverider was released in the air after about 10 minutes. It flew independently, made large-angle turning maneuvers, and landed in the targeted area as planned, the statement said. The flight vehicle reached 30 kms in altitude at Mach 5.5-6, the statement quoted by the official media today said. The hypersonic aircraft was designed by the CAAA in collaboration with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. Waverider is a flight vehicle that flies in the atmosphere and uses shockwaves generated by its own hypersonic flight with the air to glide at high speed, Song Zhongping, a military expert told state-run Global Times. Various parameters were proved and the flight vehicle was fully recovered, which marks the successful launch of Xingkong-2 and the first flight of a Chinese waverider, the statement said. "Announcing the successful test to the public indicates that China must have already made a technological breakthrough with the weapon," Song said. The waverider is expected to be tested more frequently in future before being handed over for deployment to the People's Liberation Army, he said. The current generation of anti-missile defence systems is mainly designed to intercept cruise and ballistic missiles, which are either slower or easier to predict, making them possible to intercept, he said. But the trajectory of a waverider is relatively unpredictable in the glide and it flies so fast that it poses an extreme challenge to current anti-missile defense systems, Song said. Any rocket has the potential of launching a waverider, and the waverider can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, Song said. "The test showed that China is advancing shoulder-to-shoulder with the US and Russia," Song said. In addition to its military use, the hypersonic flight vehicle may also see civil use in the future, an unnamed military expert, told the Global Times. "If the hypersonic technology matures, it may see other applications including industrial transport," the expert said. China whose defence budget this year amounted to USD 175 billion is investing heavily in defence research and development to catch-up with US, Russia and European Union. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China today announced that it has successfully tested its first hypersonic aircraft which could carry nuclear warheads and penetrate any current generation anti-missile defence systems, seen as a breakthrough in developing cutting-edge weapons. The Xingkong-2 or Starry Sky-2, was launched in a target range located in Northwest China on Friday last, the state-run China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA) said in a statement. The United States and Russia have been carrying out similar experiments. Launched by a multi-stage rocket, China's waverider was released in the air after about 10 minutes. It flew independently, made large-angle turning maneuvers, and landed in the targeted area as planned, the statement said. The flight vehicle reached 30 kms in altitude at Mach 5.5-6, the statement quoted by the official media today said. The hypersonic aircraft was designed by the CAAA in collaboration with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. Waverider is a flight vehicle that flies in the atmosphere and uses shockwaves generated by its own hypersonic flight with the air to glide at high speed, Song Zhongping, a military expert told state-run Global Times. Various parameters were proved and the flight vehicle was fully recovered, which marks the successful launch of Xingkong-2 and the first flight of a Chinese waverider, the statement said. "Announcing the successful test to the public indicates that China must have already made a technological breakthrough with the weapon," Song said. The waverider is expected to be tested more frequently in future before being handed over for deployment to the People's Liberation Army, he said. The current generation of anti-missile defence systems is mainly designed to intercept cruise and ballistic missiles, which are either slower or easier to predict, making them possible to intercept, he said. But the trajectory of a waverider is relatively unpredictable in the glide and it flies so fast that it poses an extreme challenge to current anti-missile defense systems, Song said. Any rocket has the potential of launching a waverider, and the waverider can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, Song said. "The test showed that China is advancing shoulder-to-shoulder with the US and Russia," Song said. In addition to its military use, the hypersonic flight vehicle may also see civil use in the future, an unnamed military expert, told the Global Times. "If the hypersonic technology matures, it may see other applications including industrial transport," the expert said. China whose defence budget this year amounted to USD 175 billion is investing heavily in defence research and development to catch-up with US, Russia and European Union. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader K C Rama Murthy today demanded in the Rajya Sabha that the government immediately include Hampi and its temple complexes located in Karnataka in the must-see list of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, Murthy said the union minister concerned has said Hampi was overlooked in the list. However, it is not just an overlook, it is neglect. "I demand GoI immediately include Hampi in the must-see list without further delay." The must-see list contains names of monuments and important sites in the country which are exceptional in terms of art and architecture, planning and design and engineering marvel. "I am sure no one in this House will disagree with me that Hampi in Karnataka qualifies beyond this description. I am shocked how ASI left out Hampi from the list when the UNESCO itself has recognised it as a world heritage site," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress today demanded that the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act be included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to insulate it from legal challenge. A bill to amend the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, to overturn the Supreme Court order that laid down certain safeguards in the law to prevent atrocities against people of scheduled castes and tribes, was introduced in Lok Sabha on Friday. Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters here that the Congress's demand is that the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act be put in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, otherwise courts will continue to interfere. Dalit groups have been asking the government to overturn a Supreme Court ruling of March 20, saying it had "diluted" and rendered "toothless" the law against atrocities faced by the weakest sections of the society by putting additional safeguards against arrest of the accused. The bill introduced by the government rules out any provision for an anticipatory bail for a person accused of atrocities against SC/STs, notwithstanding any court order, while it also provides that no preliminary inquiry will be required for registering a criminal case and an arrest under this law would not be subject to any approval. The government brought this bill because it was under the pressure from the backward classes as people belonging to the Scheduled Castes sat on a protest which pushed the government for introducing this bill, Kharge said. He cited National Crime Records Bureau data to state that every 15 minutes in India, a crime against Dalits is committed. Kharge asserted that the absence of adequate laws emboldens people to commit crimes. There has been a 35 per cent increase in crimes against Dalits in the last four years, the senior Congress leader claimed. He cited various steps taken by the various Congress governments over the years to make the SC/ST law stringent. "This bill which has been brought now is not very different from our bill," Kharge said. In 2015, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi wrote a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the rising atrocities against Dalits, when the NDA let the ordinance, that would have strengthened the 1989 SC/ST Act, to lapse, Kharge said. She questioned Modi about the lapsing of the ordinance which the Congress had brought in 2014 during the Manmohan Singh government, he said. Kharge also attacked the government over its alleged inaction on job creation and "failure" to fill the backlog vacancies reserved for SCs, STs and OBCs. The introduction of the amendment bill in Parliament is being seen as a move by the BJP to reach out to Dalits, days ahead of their proposed August 9 nationwide protest demanding restoration of the provisions of the law. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Crime Branch arrested five people and rescued a minor victim they had kidnapped on Friday, a police official said today. A close relative, who was in financial trouble, had kidnapped the child from near a building in suburban Kurla in order to extort Rs 50 lakh from his parents, the official said. He said that the relative, identified as Shabina Khan, also involved four others in the plan, all of whom have been arrested. The other accused have been identified as Sultan Khan (26), Jahangir Sheikh (28), Sohail Siddiqui (33) and Gufran Sheikh (26), he informed. "The woman called the child near a building in Kurla on Friday night. The four others kidnapped him at knife-point and then kept him, first in the house of accused Sohail Siddique and then in the office of another accused Sultan Khan, both in Govandi," the official said. Acting on specific information, the police raided Khan's office and rescued the child and then arrested the five accused, he said. "They have been handed over to Vinoba Bhave police station where a case of kidnapping has been registered," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A London court has found an American political consultant who worked on Ben Carson's 2016 presidential campaign guilty of groping a fellow passenger on a trans-Atlantic flight last month. Samuel Pimm was convicted of sexual assault Monday following a trial at Ealing Magistrates' Court. He denied touching his female accuser. Prosecutors say the 62-year-old consumed several alcoholic drinks on the Washington to London flight before he put his hands on a woman in the adjacent seat. The woman testified that she was trying to sleep when she felt Pimm touching her arm and breast, then moving toward her crotch. His lawyer suggested she might have been dreaming. Pimm, of Virginia, was fined 720 pounds (USD 930) and ordered to pay 952 pounds (USD 1,231) in compensation and costs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 25-year-old activist of the CPI(M)'s youth wing was allegedly stabbed to death in Kerala's Kasaragod district, police said today, prompting the state's ruling Left party to accuse the RSS-BJP of being behind the murder. Siddique, a Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) worker, was attacked by two motorcycle-borne men in Uppala -- 600 km from Thiruvananthapuram -- late last night. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but his life could not be saved, a police official said. Security in the area has been tightened to prevent any violence and a special police team constituted to investigate the case, the official added. Condemning the attack, the state secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, alleged that the RSS-BJP were behind the murder. He added that the Kerala society should be able to isolate and identify communal forces in the state. State Bharatiya Janata Party president P S Sreedharan Pillai denied the charge and said the attack was not politically motivated. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Syria's government is to set up a committee to coordinate repatriating millions of its nationals who fled the country's seven-year conflict, state media has said. The cabinet yesterday "agreed to create a coordination body for the return of those displaced abroad to their cities and villages," state agency SANA reported. The conflict has displaced more than five million Syrians outside the country, the United Nations says, with more than half displaced to Turkey and most of the rest split between Lebanon and Jordan. The committee "will take the necessary measures to settle the status of all those who were displaced and secure their return as security and basic services return to different regions," SANA said yesterday. It will take steps towards "ensuring they can lead normal lives and practice their jobs as before the war" which broke out in 2011, it added. The coordination body is to "intensify contact with friendly countries to provide all facilitations and take suitable steps towards their return", SANA said. President Bashar al-Assad's regime has ousted rebels and jihadists from large parts of Syria since 2015 when its ally Russia launched a military intervention in the country. But much of Syria lies in ruins, the economy is shattered, and many male refugees voice fear of being drafted into the regime's armed forces. Last month, Russia presented the United States with plans for the coordinated return of refugees to Syria. The proposal includes the establishment of working groups in both Lebanon and Jordan, involving US and Russian officials. Also in July, Russia's chief Syria negotiator Alexander Lavrentiev visited Damascus, Amman and Beirut. According to the Syrian presidency, Assad told Lavrentiev that "Syria is bent on all its children returning". In comments to the Russian media, Assad appealed for Syrian refugees -- especially those who had their own businesses in the country -- to return. Countries hosting Syrians, including Turkey and Lebanon, have ramped up demands in recent months for refugees to return to safe areas in their homeland. Over the same period, hundreds of Syrians have left Lebanon in organised returns, coordinated between authorities in Beirut and Damascus. Several thousand have also independently returned home in recent years. Lebanon's General Security agency today announced it had opened 17 centres across the country that would receive applications for Syrians who want to travel back home. The statement said Syrians in Lebanon could call hotlines and "regularise" their status with authorities in case of outstanding legal or security problems. It did not provide details on what was needed for applications or under what circumstances they might be rejected. The agency insisted that returns were voluntary. Human rights groups have warned that Syrians returning to their homeland should do so voluntarily and with full knowledge of the risks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Commission for Women has set up an expert committee to conduct a detailed social audit of all shelter homes in the capital, after sexual abuse cases at such homes in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh came to light. DCW said the committee, comprising academicians, lawyers, mental health experts and social workers, would be required to submit its report in three months. It will be mandated to inspect and assess the condition of government and private-run shelter homes for women and girls. The move has come after minor girls were rescued from alleged sexual abuse at two shelter homes in Muzaffarpur in Bihar and Deoria in Uttar Pradesh. The two cases have put the safety and security of girls, women and children at shelter homes at the centre of the public discourse. "Muzaffarpur and Deoria incidents have shocked the entire nation. It is the need of the hour to comprehensively audit the functioning of each and every shelter home in the country," DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal said. The committee will give detailed observations on the facilities provided, the security measures and the rehabilitation programme being followed by shelter homes in Delhi. It will ensure surprise inspections of these homes, DCW said in a statement. The members of the expert committee will be required to have detailed interviews with the girls and women at these homes to ascertain the problems existing there. "The commission on its own has conducted several inspections in government-run shelter homes in Delhi. The commission has also inspected several private-run homes on receipt of complaints. This committee shall undertake comprehensive social audits," Maliwal said. In the Muzaffarpur case, the owner of the NGO which runs the shelter home for destitute girls has been arrested. Nine other people have also been arrested after the matter broke into the local media in May. On July 26, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry. He has said that the government was "ashamed" by the incident. Thirty four of the 42 minor girls at the shelter home were sexually abused, their medical examination has confirmed. The Deoria case came to light after a 10-year-old girl managed to flee from her shelter home and informed authorities about the plight of the inmates, who were reportedly sexually abused by the couple running the home. Following that, police raided the facility and rescued 24 girls. The Uttar Pradesh government has removed the district magistrate and ordered a high-level probe into the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) DMK president M Karunanidhi, admitted to a city hospital ten days ago, has suffered a decline in his medical condition and maintaining his vital organ functions "continues to be a challenge", the hospital said today. The 94-year old former Tamil Nadu chief minister was under continious monitoring and treated with active medical support, a press release by Kauvery Hospital said. "There has been a decline in the medical condition of DMK president and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. Maintaining his vital organ functions continues to remain a challenge considering his age related ailments," it said. The DMK patriarch is on "continuous monitoring and being treated with active medical support. His response to the medical interventions over the next 24 hours will determine the prognosis," Executive Director of the Hospital Dr Aravindan Selvaraj said in the release. Karunanidhi was admitted to the hospital on July 28 following a dip in his blood pressure which later stabilised but doctors had later said due to "decline" in his general health his stay would be extended. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid the recurrent tussle between the bureaucrats and the Delhi government ministers, the state legislative assembly today passed a resolution asking the government to set up its own public service commission within six weeks to have state-cadre officials. Before the passage of the resolution, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia alleged "conspiracy" to sabotage the work of AAP dispensation. The resolution directs the government to take all necessary steps to complete the process of setting up such Commission within a period of six weeks so that the "deficiency" in providing services - be it in education, health, environment or other sectors - becomes a "thing of past". AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj moved the resolution which was adopted by the House with a voice vote. "The unfilled vacancies are increasing year after year due to involvement of multiplicity of agencies in recruitment process and huge workload and set priorities of recruiting agencies such as UPSC...," it stated. The unfilled vacancies lead to "deficiency" in delivery of services resulting in lot of difficulties for the political executive in spite of its "demonstrated will" to improve the living standards of the people of Delhi by providing world class services in the national capital territory, the resolution also stated. Before adopting the resolution, Sisodia alleged that the AAP government's works are being "hampered" through services matter even after the July 4 Supreme Court order that clipped the powers of Delhi Lt Governor. Participating in the discussion, the deputy chief minister alleged that services matter is not only limited to the transfer and postings of officers and instead, it extends to every thing like vigilance, creation of new vacancies and among others to execute government's works. "It (services) has been encroached upon to ensure corruption from the back door...it is a conspiracy to hamper the government's works so that corruption continues to prevail," Sisodia said without taking name of anyone. In the past, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders have alleged that BJP-led central government is creating hurdles in the functioning of Delhi government. Explaining problems faced by the political executive, Sisodia said that if Delhi government constructs 8,000 new classrooms in schools, there is also a need of recruiting teachers, but the government does not have the services matter. "It is conspiracy to sabotage the works of Delhi government," Sisodia alleged. Deputy chief minister said that after the apex court's order, the Delhi Cabinet does not need L-G's nod for approval of its decisions, but hurdles are allegedly being created through services matters. He said Delhi government wants to set up 25 skill centres across the city, but in the last three months, "three secretaries and two directors of directorate of higher education have been transferred." "How will government set up skill centres?," he asked. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The APP government will challenge the Delhi High Court verdict that quashed its notification on revision of minimum wages for workers, Labour minister Gopal Rai said today. In its August 4 verdict, the court scrapped the Delhi government's much-touted March 2017 order revising the minimum wages for all classes of workmen in scheduled employment, saying the "hurried" decision was taken without hearing the employers or employees who would be affected and was violative of the Constitution. In a meeting with officers his department, Rai reviewed the court order. "Delhi government will challenge the verdict through a special leave petition in the Supreme Court," Rai told reporters. The strategy to be followed by the government in challenging the High Court verdict will be discussed with the counsel of the department in a meeting tomorrow, he said. The minister claimed that the order impacts the interests of around 50-60 lakh employees, and said opinion of the trade unions will also be sought on the issue through a meeting with them on August 9. The government will also explore administrative ways to find a solution, he said. In its 218-page verdict, the High Court had also set aside the September 2016 notification by which a Minimum Wages Advisory Committee for all scheduled employments was set up, saying that its constitution was "completely flawed". Rai said a study of court verdict showed that the court raised two points- the decision was made hurriedly and the constitution of the committee was flawed- which were "not that strong". "The court has not, however, commented on the formula used by us to hike the minimum wages," he said. The minister claimed that the notification was issued after the revision of wages was deliberated in at least 17 meetings of two committees over a period of over a year. The committee which recommended revised wages was similar in constitution to a committee that had been formed for revision of dearness allowance (DA), he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today inaugurated the Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus-Lajpat Nagar section of Delhi Metro's Pink Line, which links four major shopping centres in the city. The newly-inaugurated section has six stations. Sir Vishveshwaraiah Moti Bagh is an elevated metro station, whereas Bhikaji Kama Place, and INA, Sarojini Nagar, South Extension and Lajpat Nagar - all major market areas - are underground stations. The six stations are platinum rated by Indian Green Building Council for adhering to environment-friendly building norms, DMRC officials said. With the inauguration of this line 7, the Delhi Metro network has expanded to 296 km spread through 214 stations. Puri, the Union minister of housing and urban affairs, said the inauguration of the newly-constructed eight-kilometre section was a moment of pride for people of Delhi. Union minister Anant Kumar was present at the ceremony to inaugurate the metro section remotely from the Metro Bhawan. "The Phase-III has been completed in seven years, which is half the time it took for completion of Phase I and Phase II. The credit for this goes to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DRMC) and not to any political party," Puri said. He praised Japan's cooperation and Japan International Cooperation Agency for developing metro rail network in India. "I have been told that our metro rail network has crossed 500-km mark... Out of the 500 km, more than 300 km has been completed with the cooperation of Japan and JICA," he said, adding that work is underway on another 620 km network. Chief Minister Kejriwal said the new line connecting four major market hubs will help in solving parking problems in the busy areas. Japan's Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu hoped his country's knowledge in the area of public transportation and urban development would meaningfully contribute to efficient planning of metro projects and environment-friendly urban spaces in India. The 8.10-km-long Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus-Lajpat Nagar section has interchange facilities at INA (with Yellow Line) and Lajpat Nagar (Violet Line). This stretch is a part of the 59-km-long Majlis Park-Shiv Vihar Corridor (Pink Line), which falls under the Phase-III network of DMRC. The total operational network of Phase-III after opening of this section has increased to 106 km, DMRC said. The first corridor of the Pink Line, from Majlis Park to South Campus was opened on March 14, connecting the north and south campuses of the Delhi University on the DMRC network. A total of 23 trains will be put into service, with a frequency of 5 minutes and 12 seconds during peak hours and 5 minutes and 45 seconds during non-peak hours, the officials said. DMRC managing director Mangu Singh also attended the inaugural ceremony. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Police will interrogate a militant who was arrested with eight grenades in Jammu late last night, days ahead of the Independence Day. A team of Delhi Police's Special Cell is in Jammu and will be questioning Arfan Wani, a resident of Awantipora in Pulwama district of south Kashmir. Eight live hand grenades and Rs 60,000 in cash were recovered from his possession. Acting on intelligence inputs, police intercepted a bus in Gandhi Nagar area in Jammu late last night and arrested Wani, a police officer said. Police and other security agencies are alert in the wake of intelligence inputs that militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen plan to carry out terror strikes in Jammu and New Delhi on the occasion of Independence Day on August 15. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Directorate General of Civil has suspended the flying licence of two pilots for attempting to take off an aircraft from a taxiway parallel to the runway at airport in last week. As many as 148 people on board the Mumbai-bound flight escaped unhurt after the aircraft went off the runway following an aborted take off from there on August 3, the had said. An official of the regulator DGCA had said that the pilots aborted the take off after they were informed about a "barrier" on the runway. The aircraft was taxing at 100 knots. It veered off the runway due to sudden stopping, the official had said. "The DGCA has suspended flying licence of both the pilots involved in runway excursion incident at Riyadh, pending investigation," a senior DGCA official said today. Earlier today, the Saudi Investigation Bureau in a release said the aircraft aborted taking off on a taxiway that ran parallel to the runway. B737, VTJFS aircraft heading to with 141 passengers and seven crew members overshoot taxiway at the King Khalid International Airport, the AIB said. "Initial factual information confirmed that the aircraft attempted to take off from taxiway (K) parallel to take off designated runway (R33) while the visibility was high and there was no obstacle of FOD (foreign object) on the taxiway," it said. "The aircraft accelerated with full take off power and exceeded the taxiway onto an unpaved area, ending up close to the exit of taxiway (GF), north of taxiway (K)," it added. The AIB is conducting a safety probe into the incident along with India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. Jet Airways in a tweet said on August 3 that its Mumbai-bound flight had aborted the take off and veered off the runway at airport, but the had not specified any reason for it. A doctor of a state-run health centre in North Dinajpur district was today seriously injured after being assaulted by a mob following the death of a patient, police said. The attackers also ransacked the Hemtabad Health Centre. Police said 32-year-old Tabeda Khatun was taken to the health centre with problems of high blood pressure and asthma last night. On-duty medical officer Dr Bipul Ghosh referred her to Raiganj Super Specialty Hospital but Khatun died before being taken there. A mob, including family members of Khatun, attacked the doctor today and ransacked the hospital, police said adding that Ghosh has been admitted at the Raiganj District Hospital in a serious condition. A case was registered against the attackers but none was arrested. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior resident doctors of the state-run Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) Imphal, today went on a day-long mass casual leave protesting against the institute's failure to regularize their jobs. "Preferences are being given to fresh candidates rather than the existing eligible senior resident doctors who have been working in the sole state-run hospital cum institute for so long, Senior resident doctor Brojen said. This is in contrast to other premier medical institutions outside the state which give preference to senior residents at the time of appointment to various posts, he told reporters. Director Th Bhimo, however, told PTI that the casual leave did not affect the normal functioning of the hospital. He said that the move of the senior resident doctors was unexpected and "ethically not in the interest of the patient". He said talks are on and all stakeholders are being taken into consideration to bring an amicable solution and urged cooperation of the senior resident doctors as well. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A professor of the Delhi University's School of Open Learning (SOL) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern about the delay in commencement of the admission process to under-graduate courses at the institute. In his letter to Modi, Secretary Staff Council, SOL, Janmejoy Khuntia, has urged the prime minister to intervene in the matter by instructing the University Grants Commission and the Delhi University to allow the admission process for B.A. and B.Com, and Honours programmes for the current academic session. The faculty members of the SOL, University of Delhi, are concerned about the undue delay in commencement of the admission process for first year, he said. "Despite being a major stakeholder in the system, here at SOL, we have never been informed about this serious academic issue and the causes, thereof by the authorities concerned. "We are never consulted as well to find out solutions to problems facing this great institution," he said in a statement. Khuntia said as many as 1.5 lakh students take admission in SOL. "Most of them come from the marginalised sections of the society/government schools/ who could not get into regular colleges. Normally, the admission process starts in the month of June or beginning of July," he added. Delay in the admission process has created lot of confusion in the minds of the general public and society. A copy of the letter has also been sent to the HRD Ministry. (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 said the economic security of the common people has been jeopardised since the introduction of demonetisation and asked the central government to probe reports of ATM frauds. Banerjee said her party TMC will take up the issue in Parliament "very soon" about the large number of incidents of fraudulent ATM withdrawals in the city and elsewhere. The Finance Ministry should also look into reports of ATM frauds due to which people were affected. Investigations should be held to find out who are behind these frauds, she told reporters here. On the implementation of demonetisation, the TMC chief said, "In a country where there are no bank branches in many remote areas, in a country of poor people, the Centre has introduced plastic economy. Such a move has taken away the economic security of the common people." "Without crosschecking the situation in the country, they (the Centre) have introduced digital economy putting the common man in great difficulty," Banerjee said. State Consumer Affairs Minister Sadhan Pande, after a meeting with bank and police officials, said banks today said a new mechanism in ATM operation would be introduced by 2020 to prevent frauds. The meeting was held to discuss ways to restore the confidence of consumers following the incidents of fraudulent withdrawals from ATMs. "Our primary task is to restore the confidence of the panicky consumers and instil in them a feeling that their money is protected," he told reporters. The minister said he had suggested that all ATMs should be linked with local police stations for direct monitoring to prevent such fraudulent acts. Review of the CCTV camera footage of ATM kiosks should be done on a regular basis by banks, Pande said. The minister said authorities of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have assured cooperation to ensure safe service through ATMs. A senior police official said two nationalised banks have assured people, who lost their money in fraudulent ATM withdrawals in the city, of repaying their lost amounts. A special investigating team has been formed to probe the incidents and two Romanians were arrested from New Delhi for their alleged involvement in the fraudulent withdrawals from ATMs. Investigations are on to ascertain whether the two have links with their fellow countrymen held from other cities in similar cases, police said. The two Romanians were brought to the city from New Delhi on transit remand and were remanded to 14 days in police custody on August 5. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today filed charge sheet against journalist Upendra Rai in a money laundering case related to alleged extortion and dubious financial transactions. The agency filed the charge sheet before Additional Sessions Judge Satish Kumar Arora who posted the matter for consideration on August 8. The Delhi-based journalist was arrested by the CBI on May 3 for allegedly indulging in dubious financial transactions, getting an airport access pass made by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) by furnishing false information, alleged extortion and manipulation of an Income Tax Department case against a Mumbai-based businessman. The ED had registered a money laundering case against him based on the CBI FIR. It had claimed to have recovered, after searches at Rai's premises and those linked to him, call data records of a senior ED official and an IAS officer earlier posted with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, besides confidential communication between a Singapore-based Indian High Commission official and a former ED chief. He was arrested on June 8 by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at the Tihar jail here, moments after he secured bail in a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case related to alleged extortion and dubious financial transactions. The agency had claimed before the court that "top secret documents" were recovered from Rai's possession and it was trying to find out how he procured them. It alleged that the accused had extorted money from various persons claiming he had information against them as he was a journalist. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttarakhand Governor K K Paul today said the system must be future-oriented as he asked students to be familiar with smart campuses. He was speaking during the inauguration of the 'Toppers Enclave' here at Raj Bhawan today. "The main objective of the conclave is to develop an environment of academic excellence and create an interest in technological development and modern learning among students," Paul said. The system must be future-oriented apart from being modern, he said, adding that students must be familiar with smart campuses as well as smart villages. Deliberations and lectures delivered at the conclave would be published in the form of a book and sent to the universities, the governor said. Former ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar, who spoke on the role of scientific and technological research in nation building, told the students not to be afraid of failures but develop a tendency to learn from them. Speaking about the many challenges and failures faced during the early days of the Indian space mission, he said despite this, the Indian scientists, through their determination and hard work, finally succeeded. Kumar said the best use of scientific and technological development was for human welfare. Indian satellites have brought about a revolution in agriculture, navigation, weather forecasting and telecommunications, he said. Toppers conclave began to be held in Uttarakhand after Paul took over as the governor of the state in January 2015. minister Arvind Pandey, Higher Education minister Dhan Singh Rawat and VCs of all state universities were present on the occasion. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Rich McKay ATLANTA (Reuters) - Most of U.S. conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's podcasts from his right-wing media platform Infowars have been removed from Apple's iTunes and podcast apps, the media news website BuzzFeed quoted a company spokesman as saying on Sunday. The move by Apple is the most sweeping of a recent crackdown on Jones's programs by Facebook and other online sites that have suspended or removed some of his conspiracy-driven content. Apple told Buzzfeed that it had removed the entire library for five of Jones's six Infowars podcasts including the shows "War Room" and the daily "The Alex Jones Show." Only one program provided by Infowars, "RealNews with David Knight" remained on Apple's platforms on Sunday, according to media accounts. An Apple spokesperson was not available for comment early on Monday. In other recent actions against Jones, Facebook suspended the radio and Internet host's personal profile for 30 days in late July from Facebook's site for what the company said was bullying and hate speech. Facebook also announced on Monday that it had removed four pages belonging to Alex Jones for "repeatedly posting content over the past several days" that breaks its community standards. The company said it removed the pages "for glorifying violence, which violates our graphic violence policy, and using dehumanizing language to describe people who are transgender, Muslims and immigrants, which violates our hate speech policies." Also, Spotify, a music and podcast streaming company, said on Monday that it had now removed all of Jones's Infowars programs from its platform. Last week it removed just some specific programs. We take reports of hate content seriously and review any podcast episode or song that is flagged by our community," a spokesperson said Monday. "Due to repeated violations of Spotifys prohibited content policies, The Alex Jones Show has lost access to the Spotify platform, the spokesperson said. Since founding Infowars in 1999, Jones has built a vast audience. Among the theories he has promoted is that the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington were staged by the government. He has also promoted a theory that the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre was faked by left-wing forces to promote gun control. The shooting left 26 children and adults dead at a Connecticut elementary school. Jones is being sued in Texas by two Sandy Hook parents, seeking at least $1 million, claiming that they have been the subject of harassment driven by his programs. An elderly woman and a minor boy were among three people trampled to death by wild elephants in two districts of Chhattisgarh, police said today. While the woman, Itwari Bai (60), and the boy, Rohit Kumar (6), were killed by jumbos in Korba district, a man, identified as Laksmi Prasad (37), died in an attack by elephants in Surguja district, they said. Both incidents took place yesterday. In Korba, few families belonging to the Pahadi Korva tribe were shifted from their homes in Futhamuda village to the local anganwadi centre after reports that an elephant has been sighted in the area, Balaco Forest Range (Korba forest division) officer Farukh Siddhiqui said. Last night, two elephants broke the window of the anganwadi building and dragged Itwari and Kumar out with their trunks while they were sleeping and trampled them to death, he said. In the second incident, which took place in the Udaipaur forest range of Surguja district, one Lakshmi Prasad, resident of Lakhanpur village, was trampled to death by wild elephants when he had gone to collect woods in jungle, another forest official said. Families of the three deceased were immediately paid Rs 25,000 each, while the remaining compensation of Rs 3.75 lakh each (as per a government rule) will be given to them on completion of formalitieswithin 15 days, officials added. Notably, the thickly forested northern Chhattisgarh, comprising districts of Surguja, Korba, Raigarh, Jashpur and Korea, is notorious for incidents of human-elephant conflict. The region has witnessed killing of several people and damage to houses and crops by rogueelephantsin the last few years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Scientists have identified a key molecule driving chemo-attraction between sperm and egg cells in marine invertebrates. Over 100 years ago, researchers at the University of Chicago in the US discovered that eggs from marine invertebrates release a chemical factor that attracts sperm, a process called chemotaxis. Sperm, for their part, swim up a chemical gradient to reach the egg, assisted by a pulsatile rise in calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration in the sperm tail that controls its beating, said researchers at Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in the US. In the past years, many of the cellular components that translate chemoattractant stimulation into a Ca2+ response have been revealed, but a crucial ingredient has been missing, according to the study published in the journal Nature Communications. A prerequisite for Ca2+ ions from the sperm's environment being able to enter the tail is that the sperm cell's pH becomes more alkaline. The molecule that brings about this change in pH has been elusive. In the latest study, Benjamin Kaupp, an MBL Whitman Center Scientist from the Center of Advanced European Studies in Germany identified this molecule. The molecule that Kaupp identified allows sodium ions to flow into the sperm cell and, in exchange, transports protons out of the cell. Such so-called sodium/proton exchangers have been known for a long time, but this one is special, researchers said. It is a chimaera that shares structural features with ion channels, called pacemaker channels, which control our heartbeat and electrical activity in the brain. This sodium/proton exchange in the sperm cell, like in the pacemaker channels, is activated by a stretch of positively charged amino acids called the voltage sensor. When sperm capture chemoattractant molecules, the voltage becomes more negative, because potassium channels open and potassium ions leave the cell. The voltage-sensor registers this voltage change and the exchanger begins exporting protons from the cell; the cell's interior becomes more alkaline, researchers said. When this mechanism is disabled, the Ca2+ pulses in the sperm tail are suppressed, and sperm are lost on their voyage to the egg, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Eva Longoria believes the systems which enables sexual harassment of women at workplace should be called out. The 43-year-old actor was talking about the sexual harassment allegations against CBS Corp CEO Leslie Moonves. "I think we need to keep calling out these corporations and the systematic sexism in these institutions and call them out to do full and transparent investigations," Longoria told Variety. "Everybody says, 'But (the allegations) are so old'. No! The timing doesn't matter. What matters is that it happened," she added. In an explosive article published in The New Yorker last Friday, six women alleged their careers suffered when they rebuffed Moonves' unwanted advances. Over two dozen company employees, past and present, also detailed incidents of harassment, gender discrimination or retaliation at CBS. "There were a lot of people corroborating the environment. What happens in these situations is when you uncover one person, you uncover a culture of a company. The whole culture of the company was this way from '60 Minutes' to everything," Longoria said. "If it was one person like a Harvey Weinstein, it's a little easier to contain. But when it's systematic sexism, it's a big thing to change," she added. The actor said Moonves should be "100 per cent" sacked if the allegations against him are proven true. Longoria is currently promoting her next release "Dog Days", a family comedy from director Ken Marino, which also stars Nina Dobrev and Vanessa Hudgens. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress chief Rahul Gandhi today took a swipe at the Narendra Modi government over Union minister Nitin Gadkari's "where are the jobs" remark, saying every Indian was asking the same question. Gadkari, while responding to reporters' questions in Aurangabad on Saturday, on the ongoing agitation by Marathas for reservation and similar demands by other communities in Maharashtra, had said, "Let's us assume the reservation is given. But there are no jobs." "Because in banks, the jobs have shrunk because of IT. The government recruitment is frozen. Where are the jobs?" he had asked. Taking a swipe at Gadkari, Gandhi tweeted, "Excellent question Gadkari Ji. Every Indian is asking the same question." He also tagged a media report carrying Gadkari's remarks. The Congress was attacking the government, alleging that it had "failed" to provide jobs as promised by it before coming to power. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bangladesh's High Court today granted six-month interim bail to former prime minister and opposition BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in a case of firebombing of a bus in 2015, local media reported. Eight people were killed and 20 others were injured when unidentified assailants hurled a petrol bomb at the bus in Comilla's Chouddagram upazila on February 2, 2015, during protests against the government. Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice SM Mozibur Rahman granted the 72-year-old leader the bail today, the bdnews24.com reported. The bail petition was filed at Cumilla Special Court showing the three-time former prime minister as an arrestee in the case under the Special Powers Act, her lawyer Barrister AKM Ehsanur Rahman. Judge KM Shamsul Alam had endorsed the police's move to name Khaleda as an arrestee in the case but did not take any decision about her bail plea, setting August 8 for the hearing. Then Khaleda's lawyers had moved the High Court with a bail petition. The court had ordered the Cumilla court to settle the bail appeal by July 26. But the court rejected the appeal on July 25 and the lawyers filed another bail petition at the court. The court had set today for the decision after hearing the appeal on July 29. Two separate cases one for murder, the other under the Explosives Act were filed over the incident. "A petition was filed on May 28 to dismiss the case. That is on hold for the next hearing," said AKM Ehsanur Rahman, according to the report. As the BNP chief had been in prison since being sentenced to five years in jail in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on February 8, police had promptly shown her arrested. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ship used by Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen finally returned home today, completing its journey around the North Pole 100 years after her chaotic expedition started. A precious relic of Norwegian polar expeditions, the Maud was recovered in 2016 after spending 85 years in Canadian Arctic waters where it sank in 1930. The shipwreck was towed across the North Atlantic on a barge after it left Greenland at the end of June and arrived at the port of Bergen in western Norway today morning. "The trip was long, but it went well," Jan Wanggaard, manager of the effort to bring the Maud back to Norway, told AFP. Thanks to funding by three Norwegian brothers and entrepreneurs, the ship will be exhibited in the southeastern municipality of Asker, near Oslo, where it was launched in 1917. "Roald Amundsen is an important historical figure in Norway," Wanggaard said. The first person to reach the South Pole, Amundsen wanted to use the Maud to study the Arctic Ocean by letting her get caught on the ice and drift around the North Pole. "We want to tell the story of this expedition to the Norwegian people," Wanggaard added. In 1906, Amundsen became the first European to sail through the Northwest Passage searching for a shorter shipping route from Europe to Asia, something explorers had been trying to find for centuries. Amundsen sailed through the Northeast Passage with the Maud in 1918-20 and although the journey brought back rich scientific results, he was unable to get far enough north to launch a North Pole expedition. The ship, named after Norway's Queen Maud, was sold to the Hudson's Bay Company in 1925 and rechristened the Baymaud after Amundsen filed for bankruptcy. It ended its days as a floating warehouse and the region's first radio station before sinking at its moorings in 1930 near Cambridge bay, in the Canadian territory of Nunavut. In 1990, Asker Council in Norway bought the wreck for just USD 1. Cambridge Bay residents fought its removal but the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board granted an export permit for the ship in 2012. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Facebook says it has taken down four pages belonging to conspiracy theorist Alex Jones for violating its hate speech and bullying policies. The social media giant said in a statement today that it also blocked Jones' account for 30 days because he repeatedly posted content that broke its rules. The company said it "unpublished" the four pages after receiving reports that they contained content "glorifying violence" and used "dehumanizing language" to describe Muslims, immigrants and transgender people. Facebook is the latest tech company to take action against Jones, who has been facing a growing backlash on social media. Last week, music streaming service Spotify removed some episodes of "The Alex Jones Show" podcast for breaching its hate content policy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A peasants' body here today sought the introduction of a six-month electricity billing cycle for the farmers instead of the present monthly one, saying they were unable to meet the burden every month. The 'Khet Bachao, Kisan Bachao yatra' convenor Nagendra Singh raised the demand during a farmers' meeting here in the district and threatened that the farmers would stop paying the bill if the six-month billing cycle was not introduced for them by August 20. We demand from the government to prepare bills for farmers every six month instead of every month for their convenience. They are not able to deposit the bills every month," he said. The government should take a positive decision on the issue, or else a 'bijli band' agitation would be launched and no farmer would deposit the electricity bill, he said. He said under the yatra, several meetings of farmers were held in nearly 150 villages in Jaipur district in which their issues were discussed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An umbrella body of 182 farmers' organisations today expressed dismay over the Minimum Support Price declared for Kharif crops by the Centre recently. The Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh said that Centre's MSP formula was not based on the C2+50 (comprehensive cultivation cost plus 50 per cent) recommendation made by the National Commission on Farmers headed by M S Swaminathan. The RKM's core committee member Jagjit Singh Dallewala, while addressing a press conference here, said that the Union government had failed to keep its promise of basing the MSP on the formula recommended by the Swaminathan Commission. "We were promised by the Centre during social activist Anna Hazare's fast in Delhi that the farmers would be provided C2+50 formula (comprehensive cultivation cost plus 50 per cent) as suggested in the Swaminathan (Commission) report. The same was promised by the BJP during the 2014 elections but it has not been fulfilled," Dallewala said. He, along with the RKM's convener Shivkumar Sharma Kakkaji, are in the city as part of the organisation's "Kisan Adhikar Yatra" which began on July 26 from Jammu and Kashmir and will culminate at Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on August 26. Dallewala, who is also the state president, Bhartiya Kisan Union Ekta (Sidhupur), Punjab, said the yatra was being held to demand farm loan waivers as well as the right MSP for crops. He claimed that farmer suicides were on the rise and immediate steps needed to be taken to mitigate the agrarian crisis in the country. Speaking at the press meet, Kakkaji said that the RKM had no political affiliation and would help the forces that helped farmers. He said the yatra was not to appeal for votes but to raise issues of farmers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A father and his twin teenage daughters died today when their light aircraft crashed in central France in as yet unexplained circumstances, the rescue services said. "The accident occurred at 12:30 pm (4 pm IST). The plane crashed and broke up without catching fire," the rescue services said, confirming a report in the local La Montagne newspaper. The circumstances of the accident, which involved a single-engine two-seater aircraft, were not yet clear. "The weather conditions were actually quite good at the time of the accident," the rescue services said. The crash occurred in a mountainous area in the Mazoires commune of the Puy-de-Dome department. The father, who was said to be aged "about 40" and his 14-year-old twin daughters were from the Paris region. An investigation has been launched into the cause of the crash. There has already been a number of accidents involving light aircraft in France this summer, including one in the Ardennes on July 28 in which the pilot and one of three passengers were killed. Two people were also killed on July 17 when their aircraft crashed in Corsica and two others will killed in accident in Les Mureaux, northwest of Paris. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CAIRO/OTTAWA, Aug 6: Saudi Arabia will suspend new trade and investment with Canada after that countrys foreign ministry urged Riyadh to release arrested civil rights activists, it said in a statement released to the official Saudi Press Agency on Sunday. It also gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country and recalled its own ambassador to Canada, the statement by the Saudi foreign ministry said, adding it retained its rights to take further action. The Saudi ministry had been briefed that the Canadian foreign ministry and the Canadian embassy urged the Saudi authorities to immediately release civil rights activists, the statement said. Canadian foreign ministry officials were not available for an immediate comment on Sunday. Last Wednesday, Human Rights Watch said Saudi Arabia had arrested womens rights activists Samar Badawi and Nassima al-Sadah, the latest two to be swept up in a government crackdown on activists, clerics and journalists. More than a dozen womens rights activists have been targeted since May. On Friday, Canada said it was gravely concerned about the arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in Saudi Arabia, including Badawi, the sister of jailed dissident blogger Raif Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful human rights activists, Global Affairs Canada said on its Twitter feed. Raif Badawis wife Ensaf Haidar lives in Canada and recently became a Canadian citizen. Most of those arrested campaigned for the right to drive and an end to the countrys male guardianship system, which requires women to obtain the consent of a male relative for major decisions. The Saudi statement said it confirmed its commitment to refrain from intervening in the internal matters of other countries, including Canada, and in return rejected any intervention in its domestic affairs and internal relations with its citizens. Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as acknowledgment of our right to interfere in the Canadian domestic affairs, the statement said. The fifth accused involved in an unauthorised cow slaughtering racket operational in Rajasthan's Alwar district was arrested, police claimed today. Govindgarh police have arrested Sattar Khan from Bharatpur district who along with Shakil and his family members was allegedly involved in unauthorised cow slaughtering and selling beef, police said. The accused was arrested yesterday from the Bharatpur district, they said. It is the fifth arrest in the case, SHO, Govindgarh police station, Dara Singh said. On July 31, police had seized nearly 220 cow skins, 82 buffaloes and 45 goats from a slaughter house suspected to be carrying out unauthorised activities, officials said. Shakil Qureshi, his wife, mother and sister-in-law were later arrested for slaughtering a cow at their residence and nearly 40 kg suspected beef was seized from them, they added. Based on the information provided by the arrested accused, Salim and then Sattar Khan were arrested, officials said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A fire broke out at the Priya Cinema Hall in south Kolkata's Deshapriyo Park area during a late night show, fire brigade officials said today. Four members of the theatre owner's family and a staff member were trapped on the roof and were evacuated safely by fire brigade personnel. There is no report of any casualty. Cinemagoers managed to exit after smoke filled the theatre at around 10:15 pm yesterday, shortly before the show was to end, officials said. West Bengal Fire Services Minister Sovan Chatterjee, who reached the spot after the incident, said all angles, including the possibility of the fire originating from a ground floor restaurant, would be investigated. The fire was likely caused by a short circuit, sources said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fire Brigade officials today asked the authorities of Priya Cinema here to stop screening films till an investigation into the fire that broke out at the theatre last night was completed. Director General (DG) of Fire Services Jagmohan, who inspected the site, along with forensic officials, told reporters, "There will be no screening today. We will give the go-ahead after getting and examining the forensic department report as well as the reports of the Fire Services department, Kolkata Police and Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC), who have already inspected the hall and other parts of the building and collected samples." "We are conducting the investigation. The cinema hall has been asked not to screen films until the investigation is over. We will give the go-ahead after reviewing the situation," he added. Replying to a question on whether the fire started from a food outlet on the ground floor of the building, Jagmohan said the first floor was not affected by the blaze, the reasons behind which were being ascertained. Forensic personnel had collected samples from the spot, official sources said. The fire had broken out at the theatre located in the Deshapriya Park area of south Kolkata during a late-night show. There was no report of any casualty. The audience had managed to exit after smoke filled the auditorium at around 10.15 pm. Four members of the theatre owner's family, who lived in the same building, and a staff member were trapped on the roof, but were evacuated safely by the Fire Brigade personnel. The owner of the theatre, Arijit Dutta, said screening of films was stopped for the time being. "We are trying to resume it as soon as possible.... If possible, today itself. There is also no damage to the cinema hall in the fire," he told PTI. Dutta claimed that the fire had started from a food outlet located on the ground floor of the building. When smoke entered his office, which is located next to the food outlet, he alerted the theatre employees and managed to evacuate all the members of the audience. Dutta further claimed that the theatre got a clearance from the Fire department in May and followed the safety guidelines laid down by the CESC and other public utilities. West Bengal Fire Services Minister Sovan Chatterjee, who had gone to the spot after the incident, said all angles, including the possibility of the fire originating from the ground-floor food outlet, would be investigated. The fire was possibly caused by a short circuit, sources said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five persons were arrested for allegedly killing a 40-year-old man in Hinjili area of Odisha's Ganjam district, police said today. A few sharp-edged weapons used for the crime were also seized from those arrested yesterday, said Inspector In-charge of Hinjili police station, Prasant Kumar Sahoo. While Bulu Pradhan was killed, his associate Banamali Nahak sustained injuries when the accused attacked the duo on Saturday, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Forty-four people were shot across the Midwestern US city of Chicago yesterday, US media reported, with five killed in a wave of violence police branded "totally unacceptable." Chicago Police chief of patrol Fred Waller told a press conference yesterday afternoon some of the shootings were "targeted" and related to gang conflicts. "The city of Chicago experienced a violent night. Incidents of either random or targeted shooting on our streets is totally unacceptable,"he said. CNN reported multiple shootings took place between midnight and 2:00 pm local time -- with 10 taking place in just three hours from 1:30 am. Gunmen targeted groups including one gathering of people who had attended a funeral repast, police said, adding that one of the injured victims was an 11-year-old boy. Chicago experienced a near 20-year record number of murders in 2016, prompting President Donald Trump to regularly single out the city for criticism. But Waller said so far this year, there has been a reduction in shootings of over 30 per cent in Chicago, while murders are down by 25 per cent. "That's not a victory by any means, or any stretch" he said. "But we continue to head in the right direction." He also said more than 5,500 illegal guns had been confiscated from the city's streets. "I promise this city, we won't be defeated," he vowed during the press conference. "We all live in this city. We all want this city to be safer. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five police have been killed in fresh violence in western Cameroon, where English-speaking separatists have declared an independent state, security sources and witnesses said today. Four gendarmes were killed in Esu, a village near the town of Wum in Northwest Region, when their unit came under attack yesterday, a source close to the regional security services said. "The attack happened in the morning -- they were new recruits who were caught off-guard," the source said, adding that there also were wounded. The inhabitants of Esu fled after the attack, one of them said. "Many people were so afraid that they went off into the bush -- others are trying to get to Bamenda," the capital of Northwest Region, the source said. In neighbouring Southwest Region, a police officer named Ekah Njume was killed yesterday at his home in Mutengene, near the capital Buea, by unidentified assailants, witnesses and local press reports said today. The two regions are predominantly home to English-speakers, a minority comprising about a fifth of the 22 million people in Cameroon, a largely French-speaking West African state. Years of resentment among anglophones at perceived discrimination fuelled demands in 2016 for a return to the country's federal structure. President Paul Biya, 85, took a hard line, ruling out any concessions. As the situation polarised, anglophone militants last October 1 made a symbolic declaration of independence that met with a government crackdown. Since then, the two regions have been hit by almost daily acts of violence and retribution. Scores of police and troops have been killed, as well as more than 100 civilians, according to a government report in July. According to UN data, the violence has caused more than 21,000 people to flee to neighbouring countries, while 160,000 have been internally displaced, with many reportedly hiding in forests. Cameroon's large English-speaking minority is a legacy of the colonial period. The former German colony was divided between Britain and France after World War I. In 1960, the French colony gained independence, becoming Cameroon. The following year, the British-ruled Southern Cameroons were amalgamated into it, giving rise to the Northwest and Southwest regions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 19-year-old man allegedly raped a five-year-old girl residing in his neighbourhood in Maharashtra's Palghar district, a police official said today. The accused has been arrested, he said. The incident occurred yesterday when the girl's parents had gone to work at a farm, leaving the victim and their eight-month-old son at their home in Belghar village under Wada taluka. At that time, the accused entered the victim's home and lured her by offering sweets. He then took the girl to his sister's house located nearby and allegedly raped the minor there, an official at Wada police station said. The girl's parents learnt about the incident after returning home. They immediately filed a complaint with the Wada police following which the accused was arrested last night and booked under relevant IPC sections and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today told the new recruits of the state owned Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) to follow the T3 (team work, transparency and technology) mantra. Patnaik said the recruits should work as a team in a transparent manner by using technology to serve the people and the state. He also praised the management of OPTCL for their expeditious recruitment drive. Patnaik gave away the appointment letters to the recruits while attending the induction programme. Energy Minister Sushant Singh announced that the chief minister has approved the implementation of Seventh Pay Commission Recommendation for employees of OPTCL. Energy secretary and CMD OPTCL, Hemand Sharma said said OPTCL has been implementing Rs 3,843 crore Odisha Distribution System Strengthening Project (ODSSP) funded by state. Sharma claimed that System Availability of OPTCL is 99.99 per cent, which is highest in the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Chief Justices of India Justice R M Lodha and Justice on Monday differed on the issue of seniority of Justice in the Supreme Court, with the former advocating for urgent remedial measure while the latter finding no fault with the Centre. Justice Lodha said the notification can be "altered" if the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra succeeds in convincing the Centre that the collegium's recommendation has not been considered in its true spirit, while Justice Thakur was of the view that the date of appointment as the judges is the basis for determining the seniority of the judges being elevated to the Supreme Court on the same day. Justice Lodha said if Justice K M Joseph's name was sent separately, he should be ranked senior and the grievance of the sitting top court judges, who reportedly met the CJI, should be looked by him. "As far Justice Joseph's elevation is concerned, he should be ranked senior to other judges because his name, I think, was sent earlier to the government for reconsideration. I am told his name was sent separately to the government for reconsideration and other two names followed his name. "So it means the general rule of initial appointment to the will not apply because these are two different recommendations...But if names were sent together and the collegium went by the initial date of appointment then the scenario will be different," he said. Justice Thakur said that the practice is to go by the date of appointment in the for considering the seniority of a candidate for elevation. "Suppose, if three people are getting appointed on the same date then the appointment in the high court is considered to be the basis of the seniority. That has even happened in my own case when I was elevated to the top court. My impression is that seniority depends on the date of the appointment," Justice Thakur said. He said there were two judges, who were junior to him but they were appointed as the Chief Justices of High Court before him but when it came to their appointment in the Supreme Court, his appointment as the judge of the High Court was counted for the oath taking and he was considered senior to two others when all three were sworn in as the judges of the apex court on same day. ALSO READ: Uttarakhand HC Chief Justice K M Joseph appointed Supreme Court judge On the question of notification already issued, Justice Lodha said that the notification can be altered and the CJI can take up the matter with the government and inform it that Justice Joseph's name was sent separately and sent prior in time and his initial appointment date to the high court should not be considered. A senior advocate said now there is not much that can be done as the President has given assent to the appointment of three judges -- Justices Indira Banerjee, Vineet Saran and -- in the order of seniority. The apex court collegium comprising CJI and Justices Ranjan Gogoi, M B Lokur, Kurian Joseph and A K Sikri had on July 16 reiterated its recommendation to elevate Justice as the apex court. The collegium's resolution about its July 16 meeting was uploaded on the apex court's website which showed Justice K M Joseph's name was separated from that of Justices Indira Banerjee and Vineet Saran. According to the collegium's January 10 resolution, when Justice Joseph's name was recommended for elevation, "he stands at Sl. No. 45 in the combined seniority of High Court Judges on all-India basis." His name was recommended along with that of senior woman advocate Indu Malhotra. However, the Centre had returned Justice K M Joseph's name for reconsideration and cleared the name of Malhotra, who is now a sitting judge. Later, on July 16, the collegium stood by its recommendation on Justice K M Joseph and the Centre also cleared his name. According to the July 16 resolution of the collegium, Justice Banerjee stood at Sl. No. 4 and Justice Saran stood at Sl. No. 5 in the combined seniority of high court judges on all-India basis. Justice Joseph became a high court judge on October 14, 2004 and he was elevated as a chief justice of high court on July 31, 2014. He will retire on June 16, 2023 as an apex court judge. Similarly, Justice Banerjee became a high court judge on February 5, 2002 and was made a chief justice of high court on April 5, 2017. She would retire on September 23, 2022. Justice Saran became a high court judge on February 14, 2002 and was made a chief justice of the high court on February 26, 2016. He will retire as an apex court judge on May 10, 2022. Four persons were detained after an alleged incident of cow slaughter was reported from the district today, police said. Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar said that as the spread in Siyarha area under Kotwali police station, police with the help of sniffer dogs "detained" four youngsters of the Naibasti area. "We are interrogating them," he said. Personnel of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and those of the Quick Response Team (QRT) were deployed in the area to prevent any mischief, he said. The additional SP said, "Some people had allegedly slashed the neck of a cow. A liquor bottle and a sharp-edged weapon were found from the spot. It seems that some mischievous elements had slaughtered the cow to vitiate the atmosphere. A case has been registered and four persons are being interrogated." He said the body of the cow had been sent for post-mortem. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Guwahati, August 6 : In a shocking incident that, three minor girls of a SOS Childrens Village in Assam have been sexually assaulted by a senior official of the village. Assam police has arrested a senior official of SOS Childrens Village near Guwahati on charges of molesting three minor girls among the 140 children who live in the village. According to the reports, the Assistant Director of the village located at Azara area, outskirts of Guwahati set up under the SOS Childrens Villages International in 1988 had allegedly molested three minor girls of the village. 44-year-old Paukha Loon Vaiphei, who hails from Manipur, had allegedly molested the three minor girls when he was in a car with them on July 22. The victim girls had informed the village authorities against Vaiphei, but no action has been taken. The entire incident has come to light on August 1, when the victim girls narrated the incident to the members of Rotaract Club, which organised a six-day leadership camp in the village and the Rotaract members had informed to local journalist. A child rights organisation UTSAH had lodged an FIR at Azara police station on August 2 and police had registered a case (no 486/2018) under section 10 of POCSO Act. Police had arrested the accused Assistant Director of the SOS Childrens Village on August 3. Ashok Dutta, Officer-in-Charge of Azara police station said that, the Executive Director of UTSAH organisation had lodged an FIR on August 2 and the FIR stated that, the Assistant Director of SOS Childrens Village had sexually assaulted three minor girls of the village. We have registered a case following the FIR and arrested the accused person and sent him to jail. Investigation is going on, Ashok Dutta said,. Citing improved ridership figures, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri today said another hike in Delhi Metro fares was unlikely, even as he favoured concessions for senior citizens and students. "The (metro) ridership has gone up to 28 lakh in past 20 days and I believe it could go up to 45 lakh although the conservative estimate of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation(DMRC) managing director puts it at 39 lakh," he said. The Housing and Urban Affairs Minister was speaking to reporters after the inauguration of Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus-Lajpat Nagar section of Pink Line. The good is that the Delhi Metro rail is reaching a point of maturity and the ridership is increasing, he said. On being asked about any future hike in the Delhi Metro fares, the minister said, "Let me tell you, this time I am convinced that the steps we have taken and the improved financial condition (of DMRC) as well as good ridership, I do not think we need to increase the fares". The metro fares had almost doubled after two phased hikes in May and October last year, following recommendations of the fourth fare fixation committee which comprises representatives from the Centre and the Delhi government. Puri noted if revenue situation remained good, there was no question of recommending an increase in the fares. He also underlined the need to bring technology-based solutions to provide "respite" to senior citizens and students availing the metro rail services. The Union minister, who was accompanied by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, said solutions to problems like delayed Phase IV would be found in a cooperative manner. He said it was the duty of both the Centre and the Delhi government to support DMRC in its expansion plans. "It is our duty- myself and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal- to support them (DMRC) which we are doing. The remaining problems, regarding the upcoming lines...we will find a solution in a cooperative manner that will be in the interest of citizens of Delhi," Puri said. In reply to a question over Kejriwal's recent letter asking the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to bear Delhi's share of cost of rapid transit project due to inadequate finances, the minister said the two sides appreciated ground realities. "I think, between me and the chief minister, we have sufficient appreciation of the ground realities and we are looking ahead. There is a mature bilateral dialogue between us. We will find a solution to it," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Latching onto Union minister Nitin Gadkari's "where are the jobs" remark over Maratha quota stir, the Congress today said the comment is an "endorsement" of its claim that the Modi government had "failed" in creating jobs. Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi where were the jobs the latter had promised to in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. "What we have been saying from last 4 years on the failure of Modi Govt in Job creation, is now being endorsed by Mr Nitin Gadkari, Modiji nation wants to know #WhereAreTheJobs which you promised," Chavan said on Twitter. Gadkari, while responding to reporters' questions in Aurangabad on Saturday, on the ongoing agitation by Marathas for reservation and similar demands by other communities in Maharashtra, had said, "Let's us assume the reservation is given. But there are no jobs." "Because in banks, the jobs have shrunk because of IT. The government recruitment is frozen. Where are the jobs?" he had asked. Gadkari had also said that there was a "school of thought" which wants policy-makers to consider the poorest of poor in every community. Congress president Rahul Gandhi latched onto the remark made by the senior BJP leader today and said, "Excellent question Gadkari Ji. Every Indian is asking the same question." The Congress was attacking the government, alleging that it had "failed" to provide jobs as promised by it before coming to power. The politically-influential Maratha community, constituting around 30 per cent of Maharashtra's population, has been agitating to press their demand for reservation in jobs and education. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The controversy over Delhi minister Kailash Gahlot's alleged misbehaviour with a senior IAS officer intensified today as the former accused the bureaucrats of trying to put pressure on the ministers with an aim to paralyse the functioning of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. Participating in a discussion in the Monsoon Session of the Assembly that began today, Gahlot cited the names of several senior officers of the Delhi government and accused Transport Commissioner Varsha Joshi of being "adamant" and trying to override his authority. "After the July 4 Supreme Court verdict, the officers are under pressure and now they are trying to put pressure on the ministers. It is a larger conspiracy to stop the Delhi government from functioning," he told the House. Referring to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's inspection visit to the Burari Transport Authority office last month, where he received complaints of corruption, Gahlot alleged that the transport commissioner was "adamant" that there were no irregularities. "I told her to refer to the inspection and observations that irregularities were found. But she was adamant and tried to put pressure that no irregularities were there," he said. A difference of opinion was natural, but "overriding" the opinion of a minister by a secretary was "unprecedented", Gahlot added. Last week, at a meeting to review the answers to be given in the Assembly to questions related to the Transport department, the minister had allegedly misbehaved with Joshi. "This is a dangerous trend. After all, we are answerable to the Assembly and the people, not the officers," Gahlot said. He also alleged that Joshi had "refused" to file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court against a high court verdict staying procurement of buses. "The case was finally filed with my affidavit and we received some respite with the apex court allowing us to procure 500 buses," he said. Joshi was not available for her comments on the charges. However, she had taken to Twitter earlier, posting over 70 tweets, detailing the various initiatives undertaken by the Transport department to simplify the procedures and eliminate corruption. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Glenmark Pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceutical firm Harbour BioMed have entered into an exclusive licence agreement to develop, manufacture and commercialise Glenmark's GBR 1302, for the treatment of certain kinds of cancers for the Greater China territory. Under the terms of the agreement, Glenmark will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive payments for achieving pre-specified development, regulatory and commercialisation milestones, as well as tiered royalties on net sales for any approved products from Harbour BioMed. Glenmark in a regulatory filing said the agreement is potentially worth more than USD 120 million (approx Rs 822.60 crore) in addition to royalties for Glenmark. Harbour BioMed will lead the clinical development and commercialisation of GBR 1302, with the option to manufacture GBR 1302 for the Greater China market. "We are very pleased to begin this strategic relationship with Harbour BioMed for the development and commercialisation of our bispecific antibody, GBR 1302 in Greater China, where the predominance of certain HER2 positive cancers presents a significant clinical need," Glenmark's Chairman and Managing Director Glenn Saldanha said. Dr Jingsong Wang, founder and CEO of Harbour BioMed said, "This collaboration is aligned with our strategy to leverage our clinical development expertise by in-licensing highly innovative clinical stage assets. GBR 1302 is complementary to the internal portfolio we are building through our industry leading transgenic mouse platforms for generating innovative antibody-based therapeutics." The companies will collaborate on the generation of clinical data to support the registration of GBR 1302 in HER2-positive indications in their respective territories. Glenmark's GBR 1302 is currently in a first-in-human study to determine maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in an all-comers population of patients with a variety of HER2-positive cancers. Enrollment for the GBR 1302 clinical study is currently ongoing in the US and Germany. Shares of Glenmark Pharma were trading 0.91 per cent higher at Rs 602 apiece on BSE. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amidst an ongoing controversy over the National Register of Citizens (NRC), former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today asked the Narendra Modi government to publish a 'white paper' on the number of foreigners it has detected and deported during its four-year rule. The senior Congress leader also claimed that the NRC, being updated in Assam, was conceived by his government in 2005, but the BJP has been trying to hijack it for political gain. "I demand that the government publish a white paper on how many Indians were detected and deported in last four years and what action have been taken to seal the border (with Bangladersh). We want a clear picture," he said at a press conference here. Gogoi said it was the Congress government under him that had first launched the process of updating the NRC and set up a committee under the chairmanship of the then Minister Bhumidhar Barnman in 2005. He said that in that committee, the then minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is now a minister in the Assam's BJP government, was a member. Another sub-committee, headed by Sarma, was also constituted in 2007 to expedite the NRC updation process. "The NRC is my baby, the Congress's baby. We are the natural father. (Narendra) Modi is the foster father. We want the NRC to be implemented in a just and fair manner. All genuine Indians must be included in the NRC," he said. The former chief minister said the draft NRC, which was published on July 30 and excluded names of over 40 lakh residents of the state, did not give any indication how many foreigners were found in the exercise. "Till now there is no idea about foreigners". "On one hand the government is saying we could not describe anyone as foreigner and on the other hand BJP president Amit Shah is saying that they were all illegal immigrants. This is a complete contrary view," he said. Gogoi said a pilot project of the NRC was launched in 2010 but it had to be put on hold due to violence. He said the monitoring of NRC by the Supreme Court had started only in 2014 but the exercise was started in 2013 by his government, which also appointed NRC coordinator Prateek Hajela. "Now everybody wants to take credit. The BJP is good in hijacking everything. They hijacked (legacy of Mahatma) Gandhi, (Sardar Vallabhbhai) Patel, Swami Vivekananda and even (B R) Ambedkar. They are expert in hijacking," he said. Blasting BJP president Amit Shah for his reported comments that the 40 lakh people excluded from the draft NRC were "illegal immigrants", Gogoi said how did he know that all were foreigners when there was no data on it. Shah had described the NRC as the soul of the Assam Accord but at the same time his party is the architect of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, which supports citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains who have entered India till 2014, he said. "The NRC and the Citizenship Amendment Bill cannot go together. The cut-off date for NRC is 1971 while the Bill provides for citizenship to those who have entered India till 2014. It is nothing but double standard. The Bill violates the spirit of secularism and the Constitution," he said. The veteran Congress leader claimed that the vast majority of the 40 lakh people who were excluded from the draft NRC were Indian nationals, and at the same time many foreigners were included. "Former chief minister Anowara Taimur's name was excluded. Two security officers of the chief minister (Sarbananda Sonowal) were not in the NRC. They are 'D' (doubtful) voters. There are many defects and leakages in NRC. Vast majority of the 'D' voters are Bengali Hindus. We are fighting for all - Hindus, Muslims everyone," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government has banned six defence firms from doing business with it while 14 others have been put on the list of suspended companies, the government said today. In addition, two other companies have been placed on the restricted procurement list, it said. During the Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said the Defence Ministry had put in place guidelines, which provide for levying of fines, suspension or banning of business entities. According to the information shared with the members today, the defence ministry has put six entities on the list of banned firms. These are: M/s Singapore Technologies Kinetics Limited, M/s Israel Militaries Industries Limited, M/s T S Kisan & Co Pvt Ltd, M/s R K Machine Tools Ltd, Ludhiana, M/s Rheinmetall Air defence (RAD), Zurich and M/s Corporation Defence, Russia. According to the written reply tabled in the Upper House, among the suspended firms were M/s Denel, South Africa, M/s Shanx Oceaneering, M/s Inter Spiro India Pvt Ltd, M/s Experts Systems, M/s Unitech Enterprises, M/s Kelvin Engineering, M/s Agusta Westland International Ltd, Atlas group of companies including M/s Atlas Telecom and M/s Atlas Defence Services. Other companies on the suspended list include M/s Leonardo S.p.A (erstwhile M/s Finmeccanica), M/s IDS, Tunisia, M/s Infotech Design System (IDS), Mauritius, M/s IDS Infotech Ltd, Mohali, M/s Aeromatrix Info Solution Pvt Ltd, Chandigarh and M/s Offset India Solutions (P) Ltd (OIS) and its group of companies, the details provided by the government said. According to the details, two firms - M/s Rolls Royce Pvt Ltd and its allied and subsidiaries and M/s Tatra Trucks A.S. of the Czech Republic. Responding to questions, Bhamre said in some cases a review is held. Citing the case of IAI of Israel, he said after a closure report in the court, the restrictions were removed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government is trying to start work on five river inter-linking projects in the current fiscal and secure financial assistance from the World Bank and the ADB for the Rs 2 lakh crore project, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said today. "We are making efforts that work on all these five projects starts by March in the current financial year itself," the Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation said during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha. Gadkari further said a cabinet note has been moved seeking to accord recognition to it as a National Project. Minister of State for Water Resources Arjum Ram Meghwal said the delay in implementing the river inter-linking projects was due to projects like the Manas-Sankosh-Teesta- Ganga being connected to Bhutan, Kosi-Mechi and Kosi-Ghaghara to Nepal. He said that the government can move forward only when the issue of storage is resolved. Under the Himalayan Component of the National Perspective Plan for Water Resources Development, six links in Bihar are the Manas-Sankosh-Teesta-Ganga link project; Kosi-Ghaghara link project; Chunar-Sone Barrage; Sone Dam-Southern Tributaries of Ganga link project; Kosi-Mechi link project; and Jogighopa-Teesta-Farakka link project. "We have about 30 river inter-linking projects whom we have taken up for PFR, DPR. Out of these, 5 projects are in the advanced stage which include Ken-Betwa; Godavari-Cauvery; Daman Ganga-Pinjal," Meghwal said. Referring to the five projects, Gadkari said in two out of these projects in Gujarat and Maharashtra, Tapi-Narmada and Daman Ganga-Pinjal, some unanimity has been achieved and the agreements will be signed soon. "We planned to do this during the present Parliament Session itself but it will be cleared eventully. Besides, consensus has been arrived on the Ken-Betwa project related to Bundelkhand connected to Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and it will be signed after this Parliament session," he said. Gadkari also said that about Rs 60,000 crore is estimated to be spent on the project related to the building of the Kolavaram dam on Godavari. "The backwaters bring Godavari's water to Krishna river, Krishna's water to Pennar and Pennar's water to Cauvery. When Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are fighting over 40 Tmc and 3,000 Tmc water is flowing into the ocean, this is also very significant. "We are making efforts that work on all these five projects starts by March in the current financial year itself," said Gadkari. Observing that floods across the country lead to a loss ranging between Rs 5,000 crore and Rs 58,000, including in Bihar, he said "But the question arises is there a consensus on this issue" and added that the government is formulating a policy as there is a need to carry out dredging at regular intervals. "There should be balance between ecology, and development. Sand prices have risen at par with cement in Bihar because we are not allowed to extract. We are bringing with a Cabinet note which will aim to address this problem," Gadkari said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court expressed unhappiness today over the functioning of the authorities in restoring Rajghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, and termed it "really unfortunate". A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said it was "saddening" to see the treatment being meted out to the samadhi. "This is very saddening that the samadhi, which is considered as a temple, is being treated in such a way," it said. The bench pointed out that the trees planted by the dignitaries are "dead" now and even the original drawing of the samadhi was not there. "We feel we could have done something for the Father of the Nation," it said, adding that "it is really unfortunate". It also observed that in so many days, what has been transpired was that the authorities were not willing to do anything for restoration of the memorial. The bench was given an assurance by Additional Solicitor General Maninder Acharya, appearing for the Centre, that every step will be taken to restore the samadhi. It also said that the expertise of professor K T Ravindran, former dean of the School of Planning and Architecture, be utilised in the matter and the deficiencies pointed out be rectified. "We expect that every necessary step to restore the samadhi shall be taken," the bench said, and asked the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to file a status report while listing the matter for further hearing on September 19. The bench had earlier observed could a place of worship be kept in an "unhygienic" and "deplorable" manner. The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) which alleged that Mahatma Gandhi's memorial was not being properly maintained. The court had earlier expressed displeasure over keeping a donation box at Rajghat, saying this was a "disrespectful" gesture to the Father of the Nation. Petitioner Shyam Narayan Chouksey had claimed that the memorial "was not at all being properly and cleanly maintained", and despite being brought to the notice of the committee and the Ministry of Urban Development, there has been no change in the situation. In the PIL, Chouksey has submitted photos of alleged deficiencies that he had come across during his visit to the monument in 2014 and then again in 2015 and 2016, when he claimed the situation had worsened. He has alleged there were betel stains at the entrance, broken floor tiles, rubbish lying all around the monument, the white marble has turned black due to lack of cleaning, while the green carpet laid for visitors to walk was damaged. Two toilets were in very poor condition and unclean, and at many places sewage lines are exposed and filled with garbage, becoming "breeding place for mosquitoes and other insects". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court today granted bail to a former Andhra Bank director who was arrested in connection with a money laundering probe in an alleged Rs 5,000-crore fraud case. Justice Mukta Gupta granted the relief to Anup Prakash Garg, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on January 12 in connection with the case involving a Gujarat-based pharma firm. The judge directed Garg not to leave the country without permission from the court concerned. The high court said he will not directly or indirectly influence the witnesses or interfere with the further investigation. Garg has been asked to furnish a personal bond of Rs two lakh and two sureties of the same amount. He had sought bail on the ground that he has been in custody since January and the chargesheet has been filed in the case, so he was not required for further probe. Advocates Amit Mahajan and Nitesh Rana, appearing for ED, had opposed the bail, saying that considering the gravity of the offence, the nature of allegations and the investigation carried out, Garg should not be granted the relief. ED had contended that the officer had granted a loan of nearly Rs 250 crore to the accused firm Sterling Biotech and accepted Rs 1.52 crore illegal gratification during his tenure. Garg was the second person arrested in the case after the agency in November last year held Delhi-based businessman Gagan Dhawan. Besides Dhawan and Garg, the ED has arrested Rajbhushan Omprakash Dixit, one of the directors of the firm. All three were arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The ED had lodged the money laundering case after taking cognisance of an FIR registered by the CBI. The high court noted that the CBI is yet to file a chargesheet in the main case and as per the mandate of the provision of the PMLA Act, the trial in the scheduled offence and the complaint filed by the ED is to be conducted jointly. Co-accused Gagan Dhawan has been granted bail by the trial court on the ground that the case is based on documentary evidence and all the bank transactions are recorded which cannot be erased or tampered with by his influence, the high court noted in its order. The CBI had booked Garg, firm Sterling Biotech, its directors Dixit, Chetan Jayantilal Sandesara, Dipti Chetan Sandesara, Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara and Vilas Joshi, chartered accountant Hemant Hathi and a few unidentified persons in connection with the case. It had alleged that the company took more than Rs 5,000 crore in loan from a consortium led by Andhra Bank, which turned into non-performing assets. The FIR had also alleged that the total pending dues of the group companies were Rs 5,383 crore as on December 31, 2016. It had alleged that "various cash payments were made to Garg, as reflected in the entries, on the instructions of the Sandesara brothers, by withdrawing cash from the bank accounts of several benami companies owned by them". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Patna High Court today issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation, seeking details of its investigation into the case of sexual abuse of girls at a state-funded shelter home in Muzaffarpur city in Bihar. A bench comprising Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice Rajeev Ranjan Prasad directed the CBI to submit the details and posted the matter for hearing after two weeks. The court was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by three individuals - Santosh Kumar, Navneet Kumar and Saleem Madavoor - in connection with the shelter home case. Advocate General Lalit Kishore, who appeared for Bihar government, submitted that the high court should monitor the CBI investigation. He also sought the HC's direction for speedy trial of the people accused in the case. Kishore told the court that the state government has taken departmental action against more than a dozen officials of the Social Welfare Department, who have been put under suspension for alleged negligence and dereliction of duty. The AG said the state police was investigating the matter in a right and earnest way but the Bihar government on its own recommended the Centre for a CBI investigation in the case. The central investigation agency has taken over the probe and is investigating the same, the AG told the court. The issue of sexual exploitation was first highlighted in a social audit report submitted by Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai, to the state's Social Welfare Department in April. An FIR was lodged on May 31 against 11 persons, including Brajesh Thakur, the owner of the NGO 'Seva Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti' which ran the shelter home for destitute girls funded by the government. Ten out of the 11 accused, including Thakur, were arrested on June 3. Police submitted the chargesheet against the 10 accused on July 26 before Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Muzaffarpur. The government on July 26 recommended a CBI inquiry into the matter. Medical examinations of 34 of the 42 inmates of the shelter home confirmed they were sexually exploited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kathmandu, Nepal: Supreme Court (SC), the apex court of the country, has reinstated Tribhuvan University Service Commission (TUSC) member Chintamani Pokhrel. Responding a writ petition filed against of the governments decision to scrap all appointments made by erstwhile Sher Bahadur Deuba led government, a single bench of Justice Dipak Kumar Karki at the Supreme Court made the verdict on Monday. Pokhrel had moved the court to file a complaint against the governments decision demanding reinstatement in the post of TUSC member. The SC has made one after another decision against of the governments decision to scrap the appointments made by the previous government. Annoyed with the lackadaisical investigation in a case involving the death of a man, the Calcutta High Court today directed the police chief of Darjeeling district to submit a progress report in the matter within a week, failing which it might initiate proceedings against the police officers concerned. Hearing the anticipatory bail plea moved by one of the accused in the case involving the death of one Ajit Singh, a resident of Kishanganj in Bihar, at Siliguri seven months ago, Justice Sanjib Banerjee expressed his annoyance at a police sub-inspector for having allegedly kept the mobile phone of the deceased in his possession. The matter will again come up for hearing after a week. Chiding the superintendent of police (SP) of Darjeeling, Justice Banerjee said it was surprising that the higher police authorities had not followed up on the allegation that the sub-inspector had taken away and kept in his possession the deceased's mobile phone, which was a piece of evidence in the case. The court directed the prosecution to submit a progress report of the investigation within a week, failing which proceedings might be initiated against the police authorities concerned. Singh, along with three of his friends, had gone to Siliguri for pandal-hopping on the day of Saraswati Puja on January 22. The next day, his body was found at a spot near the Mahananda bridge in Siliguri with injury marks on it, the lawyer of the deceased's father, Sabir Ahmed, said. The family of the deceased subsequently filed a police complaint, on the basis of which a murder case was lodged. Dipak Kumar Sau, one of the friends who had accompanied the deceased on the fateful day, had moved the anticipatory bail plea before the high court. During the hearing of the plea, it was brought to the notice of the court that the mobile phone of the deceased was taken away by a sub-inspector and was not deposited as evidence. Dissatisfied with the lackadaisical investigation, Justice Banerjee had on Friday directed the Darjeeling SP to appear before his court today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court sought the assistance of a senior law officer today before proceeding with a plea for deletion of references to the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya from a book written by former president Pranab Mukherjee. Justice Valmiki J Mehta appointed Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Maninder Acharya as amicus curiae (friend of the court) and listed the matter for further hearing on November 26. "In order to assist the court to decide on the merits of the appeal, before issuing notice, it would be desirable to appoint ASG Maninder Acharya as amicus curiae as the plea seeks deletion of portions of the book by former president Pranab Mukherjee," the court said. The development came on a plea moved by some lawyers and a social activist, seeking deletion of references to Babri Masjid demolition from Mukherjee's book, "Turbulent Years 1980-1996", claiming that they hurt Hindu sentiments. The book was published in 2016, when Mukherjee was the president. The plaintiffs have approached the high court, challenging the dismissal of their suit by a trial court. They have contended that they have only sought the removal of certain "objectionable" portions from the book on the ground that those hurt the Hindu religious sentiments. In their plea, the plaintiffs have said Mukherjee should not have made such references in the book as the matter was sub-judice. The high court had, in September last year, called for the trial court's records of the suit after the plaintiffs moved an appeal against the lower court's November 30, 2016 order rejecting their plea to delete certain portions of the book. The plaintiffs had contended before the trial court that a civil suit could be filed against the president during his tenure in respect of any act done by him in his "personal capacity". Mukherjee's counsel had opposed the plea, asserting that it was not maintainable. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the government restricting the manufacture of Oxytocin formulations for domestic use to just one public sector company from September 1, the Health Ministry today asked state governments and Union Territories to ensure there is no shortage of the drug after the ban comes into force. State-owned Karnataka Antibiotics Pvt Ltd (KAPL) will be the only company to manufacture and distribute Oxytocin in India from September 1. The meeting, in which KAPL also participated, focused on various issues related to regulation of Oxytocin, including the status of preparedness of state governments for implementing the amended rules in regard to the drug's manufacture, distribution and sale. "The video conference also assessed the stock of Oxytocin in states to ensure that there is no shortage after the restriction order on its manufacture for domestic use comes into effect from September 1," the ministry said in a statement. The states have been asked to ensure availability of Oxytocin injection in all government hospitals and clinics by placing purchase orders with KAPL. "As Oxytocin injection is a lifesaving drug and now with its restricted manufacture and sale through KAPL, all procurement agencies of state governments shall ensure sufficient stocks are available at any given point of time," the statement said. Oxytocin is a naturally-occurring hormone that causes uterine contractions during labour and helps new mothers lactate. But its misuse is widespread in the dairy industry where livestock are injected with oxytocin to make them release milk at a time convenient to farmers. The hormone is also used to increase the size of vegetables such as pumpkins, watermelons, brinjals, gourds and cucumbers. The government has also banned the import of oxytocin and its formulations, besides bringing in some more regulations on the manufacture and sale of the controversial hormone. A health official emphasised that all states keep a vigil on any artificial shortage of Oxytocin injection. State authorities were also asked to ensure availability of Oxytocin injection in all government hospitals by placing orders with KAPL and also have meeting with all stakeholders such as the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India, the Indian Medical Association, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana to ensure its availability in all private clinics also. The states have been advised to assess their requirement of the drug and to place the orders with state-owned company in time. Most states indicated that they have sufficient stock, and would also be placing orders to meet the requirement of government hospitals. The KAPL has requested states to place their orders in advance for bulk procurement. KAPL has also assured that they have the required manufacturing capacity. It also assured to maintain the adequate quality of the drugs. The state-owned company has started a 24-hour helpline number 080-23577595 and also assured that it shall be revising its bulk purchase pricing. The government also asked the states to start awareness campaigns about the government notification on restricting the manufacture and sale of Oxytocin to KAPL. It has asked KAPL to ensure a robust supply chain to prevent stock outs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Separatists today claimed that the hearing of the petitions challenging Article 35-A of the constitution in the Supreme Court was deferred till last week of August in view of the ongoing Amarnath yatra, but vowed to continue protests against any "tinkering" with the provision on permanent residency law of the state. "Hearing of the case regarding the hereditary state subject law of J&K has been simply deferred from today till last week of August by the Supreme Court when the Amarnathji yatra ends. The protest programmes against tinkering with the law will continue as leadership deliberates upon it," the Joint resistance leadership (JRL), which is spearheading the protests, said. The JRL, comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, said the deferment of the case by a few weeks was an indication about the intentions of the court which entertained the "mischievous petitions backed by the RSS, as part of RSS' well known agenda on Jammu and Kashmir". "A strict vigil will be maintained on the situation as we will continue to devise and follow a collective strategy in consultation with all segments of society, including traders, lawyers, civil society members, transporters and others," the separatists added. The JRL had called for a two-day shutdown in the valley, beginning yesterday, to protest against the legal challenge to validity of Article 35-A before the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court today said a three-judge bench would decide whether the pleas challenging Article 35A, which provides special rights and privileges to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, should be referred to a five-judge Constitution bench for examining the larger issue of alleged violation of the doctrine of basic structure of the Constitution. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice A Khanwilkar adjourned the crucial hearing on as many as five petitions "to the week commencing from August 27" on the grounds that they pertained to the challenge to a Constitutional scheme and could not be heard as the third judge, Justice D Y Chandrachud, was not present today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Oil and Natural Gas Corp's (ONGC) highest ever pre-tax quarterly profit (EBITDA) provides cash flow to the state-owned firm to reduce borrowings, Moody's Investors Service said on Monday. For the April-June quarter of the current fiscal, reported 47.2 per cent increase in EBITDA or operating profit to Rs 142.4 billion. "The increase in EBITDA was largely driven by higher crude oil prices, as well as the depreciation of the Indian rupee," Moody's said. In a report, the global rating firm said the government has decided against asking to share in the cost of any fuel subsidies. "If it had done so, such a request could have partly negated the impact of the increase in oil prices." The government's decision, it said, is credit positive because it provides with cash flow to reduce its borrowings. ONGC increased its borrowings by about Rs 250 billion in January 2018, when it acquired a 51.11 per cent stake in Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd for Rs 369.15 billion. "If oil prices stay above USD 70 per barrel for the remainder of the year and the government refrains from asking ONGC to share the costs of any fuel subsidies, we expect ONGC to generate a consolidated free cash flow of more than Rs 200 billion after likely capital spending of Rs 300 billion and dividend payments of Rs 95 billion. The company could reduce part of its acquisition debt by using this free cash flow," it said. The high levels of free cash flow will improve ONGC's financial flexibility, especially at a time when the company is unlikely to reduce its borrowings by selling its 13.77 per cent stake in Indian Oil Corp (IOC), given that the share prices of IOC have fallen by about 25 per cent since September 1, 2017. ONGC's 13.77 per cent stake in IOCL is currently valued at Rs 225 billion. Moody's said the government could, however, ask ONGC to share fuel subsidies in the next few quarters or alternatively, look for higher dividends. "Any such move by the government would constrain ONGC's free cash flow and debt reduction, which will be credit negative," it said. The rating agency in its base case assumed an average oil price for the remainder of the year of between USD 45 and USD 65 per barrel and expects ONGC to maintain retained cash flow/net debt above 30 per cent. Debt reduction from free cash flow generation because of high oil prices and the absence of subsidy sharing will provide the company with a buffer to absorb declines in oil prices, it said. While ONGC has only reported standalone financial results, its consolidated EBITDA which includes the results of ONGC Videsh Ltd, ONGC's international exploration and production business will also benefit from the increase in oil prices. However, the refining businesses of the company (HPCL and Mangalore Refining and Petrochemical Ltd) will likely report weaker earnings for Q1 2019 versus Q4 2018 because regional refining margins were lower by about USD 1 per barrel, Moody's added. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt Ltd has become the first two-wheeler brand to cross the five-lakh mark in sales in the South, between April and June 2018, the company said today. With this, the company has strengthened its leadership position as the number-one two-wheeler brand in the South covering Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, a press statement said here. The statement quoted senior vice-president - sales and marketing, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Yadvinder Singh Guleria as saying that the southern States were also driving the demand in the two-wheeler industry across the country. Honda expanded production capacity in Narsapura plant in Karnataka, making the unit the largest two-wheeler plant in the world, he said. The company has more than one-crore customers in the South riding on the back of an overall double-digit growth with more than 17.6 lakh two-wheelers sold in FY 2017-18, the statement said. The company has a market share of 35 per cent. While Activa continued to rule as the highest selling automatic scooter in the region, CB Shine leads in the 125cc motorcycle segment, the statement said. In the southern region, Karnataka is the biggest market where, in the first quarter of this year, sales have crossed the 1.1-lakh mark posting a double digit growth of 14 per cent, the statement added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An association of employees of the Hindu Religious Charitable Endowments department, today welcomed the state government's order transferring all idol theft cases to the CBI and pledged its full cooperation. Federation of All HR and CE Associations state President N L Sridharan said the officials of the department, which administers several temples in the state, were ready to give full cooperation for a "fair and impartial" probe. Referring to arrests of some officials in connection with the idol theft cases, he charged that they had been detained without proper investigation. "As part of a crackdown on idol thefts many of them, including senior government officials, are being arrested. But arrests are made based on frivolous complaints without proper investigation," he alleged. HR and CE Additional Commissioner M Kavitha was arrested last week by Idol Wing of the Crime Branch CID on suspicion of her involvement in misappropriation of gold and funds collected for making of two idols at the Sri Ekambareswarar temple in Kancheepuram. "We request that a fair investigation be taken up before making arrests... We welcome the government's decision to transfer idol theft cases to CBI. We have confidence in the central agency," Sridharan told PTI. The Tamil Nadu government had last week issued an order transferring all idol theft cases from the idol wing police to the CBI, a decision flayed by the opposition DMK. The G.O, said factors like some cases having both domestic and international 'ramifications,' requirement of extradition in some cases and the involvement of central agencies as part of the investigation were considered for the transfer of the probe. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A court here today sentenced three persons to life imprisonment for raping a woman last year. Additional District and Sessions Judge, Hisar, Pankaj held them guilty for raping the woman on August 2. It also slapped a fine of Rs 5 lakh each on Rishi alias Muchchal, an auto-rickshaw driver and his accomplices Sachin and Nikhil. They are all residents of Haryana's Hisar district. The court also ordered that the amount be given to the woman as compensation. The woman, a mother of three, had boarded an auto-rickshaw from a bus stand in Hisar on December 4, 2017, night to go home. Some passengers were also in the auto-rickshaw, but they got down at a village, according to the prosecution. Rishi stopped the vehicle and raped her inside the auto-rickshaw. Later, two of his accomplices also raped her. They dumped the woman near a cantonment and fled. A case under section 376D (gang rape) of the Indian Penal Code was registered in at the Woman Police Station on the complaint of the woman. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) FMCG Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) today said it has signed an agreement with Vijaykant Dairy and Food Products Ltd (VDFPL) and its group company to acquire 'Adityaa Milk' brand ice cream and frozen desserts and front end distribution network across geographies for an undisclosed sum. "The proposed acquisition is in line with HUL's strategic intent to strengthen its position in the rapidly growing ice cream and frozen dessert market in India," the company said in a statement. HUL said VDFPL will manage the business until the transaction is completed, and will also continue to manufacture for HUL for an agreed period of time. HUL Chairman and Managing Director Sanjiv Mehta said, "Ice creams and frozen desserts is an exciting category and we see great potential for growth. We believe the acquisition will complement our existing portfolio of Kwality Wall's." HUL said Adityaa Milk brings in distribution and portfolio synergies to Kwality Wall's across Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. Post the acquisition of its ice cream and frozen desserts business by HUL, VDFPL will continue to pursue its dairy business. The transaction is subject to fulfilment of certain conditions and the parties will work together to complete this over the next few months, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Accusing the BJP of ignoring the agriculture sector, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress president Sachin Pilot today alleged that hundreds of farmers have committed suicide in the state because of the Raje government's policies. Pilot said Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje should tell people that how farmers' suicides have increased the pride of the state as she is taking out the 'Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra.' Raje began her Yatra on Saturday. She will cover 165 out of total 200 assembly constituencies during the yatra which will culminate in Ajmer's Pushkar town on September 30. He said that chief minister is taking out her yatra but on the other hand, the "pride of the state" is being hurt with incidents of suicide by farmers. "Ignorance towards agriculture and farmers increased in the BJP government's rule. Hundreds of farmers have committed suicide because of the government's policies," he alleged in a statement. Posing another question to chief minister, Pilot said that she should tell people that how suicides by farmers has increased the pride of the state. On the one hand, the chief minister is on her yatra and on the other hand incidents like suicide by the farmers are happening which is hurting the pride of the state, he said. Leader of opposition in the state legislative assembly Rameshwar Dudi also criticised the Raje government and demanded white paper in the upcoming monsoon session of the assembly on the issue of suicide by farmers in the state. The government should present a factual report about the suicide by farmers in the state in the last four-and-a-half years, Dudi said. Meanwhile, district congress committee held a protest at civil lines railway crossing while accusing the government of showing apathy towards the issues of farmers. The district congress committee president Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said that the chief minister should stop her 'fake' yatra and meet the agrieved family of farmer Manglaram Meghwal who committed suicide in Nagaur yesterday. "Manglaram's suicide has exposed the state government which is taking no care of the farmers," he said while addressing the party workers during the protest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kathmandu, Nepal: Two kidnappers have been shot dead at Ghyampedanda in Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur District on Monday afternoon. A team of Nepal Police mobilized from the Metropolitan Police Crime Division (MPCD), Kathmandu shot kidnapers duo Gopal Tamang and Ajaya Tamang. The MPCD has said that both the Tamang were shot dead in an encounter with police. It is said that the duo had kidnapped 11-year-old boy Nishant Khadka from Kandaghari on Sunday. The kidnappers had asked Rs 4 million in ransom shortly after the child was kidnapped. Assam NRC Coordinator Prateek Hajela today likened himself to Mahabharata's Arjun, who saw only the eye of the golden fish, in dealing with political pressure around the historic document. In an exclusive interview to PTI, Hajela said he remained firm in discharging his "constitutional duty" under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court and did not recognise any pressure from "any other authority". "I do not recognise the pressure that comes. It is like Mahabharata's Arjun, who saw only the eye of the fish," he said. "I am doing a constitutional duty and I am doing it under the order of the Supreme Court. When I am firm that I am doing a constitutional duty, no amount of interference from any other authority makes any impact on me," Hajela added. Hajela evaded a direct reply when asked specifically about facing any pressure from the erstwhile Congress government in the north-eastern state after it filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, saying that all the names that appeared in the state's voters' list till 2014 should be considered for inclusion in the National Register of Citizens (NRC). "There may have been an affidavit filed by the government, but I was working under Supreme Court orders. For me, I do not recognise any amount of pressure from any quarter," he said. The senior bureaucrat also dismissed the reported pressure on him by the current BJP-led Assam government as "speculation". "That's all speculation. I do not recognise any such pressure. I am focussed. When I am doing a constitutional duty, that's the only thing that I recognise," he reiterated. Hajela, however, said he had consulted all the political parties and took into account their criticism for the betterment of the system. "I have been in touch with all the stakeholders, which include all the political organisations. I have been interacting with them and taking their feedback, and ensuring that the incorrect apprehensions are removed," he added. The NRC officials viewed the criticism "as a point of view to improve our system, purify it rather", Hajela said, adding, "That is how we are going about it." As many as 2,89,83,677 people of a total of 3,29,91,384 applicants were found to be eligible for inclusion in the complete draft of the NRC, which was published in Assam on July 30, thereby excluding the names of 40,07,707 people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The police in Gautam Buddh Nagar have stepped up security checks across the city ahead of the Independence Day, with public places such as metro stations and shopping malls being priority areas, officials said today. Police are maintaining high alertness following intelligence input from the Delhi Police about the suspected presence of some terrorists plotting attacks in the national capital on August 15, they said. The police are usually on high alert around August 15 and January 26 every year and extra caution is maintained in and around the capital city, Delhi, Superintendent of Police, Noida City, Arun Kumar Singh said. Some forces envious of India's progress try to cause some mischief on such special days, therefore, the security measures have been stepped up, the officer said. "Some alerts were issued from Delhi and keeping that in view, we have stepped up security checks and monitoring here," he told reporters. He said if required, police can deploy drone cameras for monitoring the situation in the city. Singh said places, which are visited by the general public in large numbers, such as metro stations, bus stands, shopping malls, multiplexes are priority, while equal attention is toward other vital installations. "Places where public turns out in huge numbers are soft targets. Any attack there causes more loss to life and property and makes bigger "All places like shopping malls, metro stations, and all vital installations such as Taksaal (a unit of the Government of India Mint), NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) offices, Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) -- both under the state government and central government -- are being continuously monitored," he said. Singh added that anti-sabotage teams and bomb disposal squads have been deployed for security checks at all vital installations. He said, beginning today till the Independence Day, all police units will be on extra alert from Noida city to Greater Noida, including all rural areas which have the vital installations. The civil police and the local investigation unit (LIU) have also stepped up vigilance, he said, adding that police are already on alert due to the ongoing 'kanwar yatra', an annual pilgrimage of devotees of Lord Shiva during the auspicious Hindu month 'Shraavana'. The officer said the police are also trying to seal borders of the district to ensure no suspicious people enter the district or infiltrate into the national capital from Noida. "Once the 'kanwar yatra' is over, we will step up monitoring the in and out movement of people by sealing Noida borders," he said. Police and other security agencies are alert in the wake of intelligence inputs that militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen plan to carry out terror strikes in Jammu and New Delhi on the occasion of Independence Day. The Delhi Police has also sent a team to interrogate a militant who was arrested with eight grenades in Jammu late last night. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid rising instances of auditors quitting audit work at companies, chartered accountants' apex body ICAI has set up a group to look into the circumstances leading to their resignations. In a communication to members, ICAI President Naveen N D Gupta also said the panel would also analyse the recent circular issued by the Reserve Bank on enforcement framework for statutory auditors of commercial banks. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has more than 2.80 lakh members and many of the institute conduct audit works for various companies. In recent times, scores of auditors have left audit work of companies, mostly listed ones, citing various reasons. The Corporate Affairs Ministry is also looking into various cases to ascertain whether there have been any violations of companies law. A group has been formed to "examine the circumstances leading to the resignation of auditors, and also to analyse the recent circular of RBI on enforcement action framework", Gupta said in his latest monthly message posted on the ICAI website. The group would also suggest a suitable mechanism to address the issues/ concerns for guidance of the members, he noted. In June, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) came out with a circular titled 'Enforcement action framework in respect of statutory auditors for lapses in statutory audit of commercial banks'. "... it has been decided to put in place a graded enforcement action framework to enable appropriate action by the RBI in respect of the banks statutory auditors for any lapses observed in conducting a statutory audit," RBI had said. It also came against the backdrop of increasing non-performing assets in the banking system. Besides, the ICAI has constituted a group to look into the consultation paper issued by markets regulator Sebi on fiduciaries in the securities market. Under the norms for fiduciaries proposed by Sebi, defaulters would face stringent penal actions, including ban from securities markets and disgorgement of fees. Those found guilty of providing wrong audit or valuation reports would have to cough up any unlawful gains they might have made in the process, as per the proposals. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Minister said on Monday that if Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma is found involved or if anything is found against her in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal, she may be asked "to go". Kumar said this in response to the Opposition demand for the resignation Verma in the wake of sexual abuse of girls at a state-funded shelter home in Muzaffarpur. Verma is in the eye of a storm after the name of her husband cropped up in connection with the abuse case. The chief minister said his government has decided to run such shelter homes across the state directly. Kumar was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his weekly public interaction programme "Lok Samvad". Indraprastha Gas Ltd today said it has bagged a licence to retail CNG to automobiles and piped natural gas for cooking to households in Meerut, Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts of Uttar Pradesh. IGL already retails CNG and piped natural gas (PNG) in the national capital region that includes Delhi and adjoining cities of Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida. It also has city gas distribution (CGD) licences for Rewari and Karnal in Haryana. "IGL has received a letter of intent dated August 4, 2018, from Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) for grant of authorization to the company for development of CGD network in the Geographical Area of Meerut (except areas already authorided), Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts," the company said in a regulatory filing. It also enclosed a copy of the authorisation letter. PNGRB in the letter asked IGL to submit a performance bank guarantee of Rs 50 crore within 30 days of issue of the authorisation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There is increasing "ignorance of ideologies" and "de-intellectualisation of politics" in India, says former Union minister S Jaipal Reddy, noting that the young today can't tell the difference between socialism and communism, or socialism and democracy. Interest in the intellectual aspects of politics is "almost finished", the veteran politician said ahead of the launch of his book "Ten Ideologies: The Great Asymmetry between Agrarianism and Industrialism" tomorrow. "They (the young) don't know how socialism is different from communism. They don't know how democracy is different from socialism. I am not bothered about wrong ideology or right ideology, I am bothered about the increasing ignorance of ideologies and the de-intellectualisation of politics," Reddy told PTI in an interview here. The Congress leader said his idea behind the book was to rekindle the interest in the intellectual aspects of politics. "Does anybody talk of socialism, does anybody talk of inequality. Does anybody talk of fundamental need of human freedoms, except in the immediate context?" the 76-year-old asked. Asked if the 2019 general election will be a battle of ideologies, Reddy said "it is undoubtedly a battle of ideas". But for it to be an ideological battle, it must be based on economic and social vision. "The fight seems to be between extreme religious nationalism and a moderate modern nationalism," he said. In his view, the definitions of nationalism had undergone a "perverse change". On which ideology has been dominant in India over the years, Reddy said there have been different ideologies in India but never have they been carried to extreme limits. Due to the overarching moral leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, India has always believed in modern moderation, Reddy said. "Generally, Indian ideologies have been divided between moderate rightists and moderate leftists," he asserted. The former Union minister also stressed that right wing should not be confused with religion-inspired nationalism. In his book "Ten Ideologies...", Reddy presents an overview of world history and studies the four great movements that laid the foundation of the industrial revolution -- the renaissance, humanism, protestant reformation, and the scientific revolution. He points out that these movements were themselves influenced by the legacy of China, India and West Asia. According to the former minister, ideology seems to have become irrelevant. If social ideologies are extinguished, he believes, primordial cultural identities on religion, race or nation will resurrect themselves, thereby fragmenting society further. In the book, Reddy discusses 10 major ideologies that shaped the world -- nationalism, democracy, liberalism, capitalism, evolutionary socialism, revolutionary socialism, feminism, environmentalism, nuclear pacifism and globalism. "All these ideologies have something to do either with economic ideologies or social ideologies. None of the 10 ideologies I have talked of (in the book) are based on religion," he said. Reddy was Union minister for Information and Broadcasting in the I K Gujral cabinet in 1998. In 1999, he returned to the Congress party after 21 years. In 2004, he was re-elected to the 14th Lok Sabha and served as Union minister for Information and Broadcasting and Union minister for Urban Development in the United Progressive Alliance-1 government. In 2009, he was re-elected to the 15th Lok Sabha and was Union minister for Urban Development and Union minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas. He also served as minister in the ministries of Earth Sciences and Science and Technology from October 2012 to May 2014. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Markets regulator Sebi has ordered attachment of properties of En Aromatic & Petro Chemicals to recover Rs 61.49 crore in a case related to illegal fund raising through unregistered redeemable preference shares (RPS). The attached property consists of "land, factory, all plant and machineries, material, office premises etc... located at Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh", said the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). The regulator has already attached the demat and bank accounts, and mutual fund portfolios of the firm and its directors after directives asking them to refund the investors were not complied with. In November 2015, the market watchdog had ordered the firm and its directors to refund investors' money and barred them from the capital markets for four years. The company had mobilised Rs 61.49 crore by issuing RPS to more than 89,000 individuals between 2003-04 and 2010-11. Since the shares were issued by the firm to more than 50 people, it qualified as a public issue that requires compulsory listing on recognised stock exchanges. Moreover, the company and its directors were also required to file a prospectus, among other things, which they failed to do so. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Incessant rain for the third consecutive day threw normal life out of gear in Uttarakhand, today. Rivers, including Ganga in Haridwar, Song and Suswa rivers in Dehradun district and Kali river in Pithoragarh district, were flowing close to the danger mark. Fifteen families living along the bank of Song river in Gauri Mafi village had to be evacuated as overlapping waters moved towards residential areas, said the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) here, adding that efforts have been initiated to change the direction of Song and Suswa rivers. With the meteorological department predicting more rain in the next 24 hours, all schools in the state were closed for the day. A total of 117 rural and motor roads were blocked by rubble from landslides in 10 districts, the emergency centre said. The Rishikesh-Yamunotri highway has been blocked for the last several days in Ojri-Dabarkot area with boulders and rocks. Efforts are underway to clear the roads with earth movers and hydraulic machines, the emergency centre said. The MeT department haspredicted rain in Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri, Tehri, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Nainital and Pithoragarh districts in the next 24 hours, prompting the administration to sound an alert to persons living in both high and low altitude regions. In the last 24 hours, Dehradun received 108 mm of rain followed by Bhagwanpur in Haridwar district with 105 mm. Ganga in Haridwar was flowing at 293.30 metres while the danger mark is 294 metres. Kali river in Pithoragarh district was flowing at 888.80 metres, which is two notches below the danger level. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India was one of the highest-growing tourist economies in the world in 2017, Tourism Minister K J Alphons informed Parliament today. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Alphons said in 2017, India had registered a growth of over 14 per cent in the number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) over 2016, along with a 19.2-per cent increase (in US dollar terms) in Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through tourism. "In 2017, Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through tourism were Rs 1.77 crore. India ranks 26th in the world in arrivals of global tourists. India was among the highest-growing tourist economies in the world in 2017," the minister said. He further informed the House that under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, the tourism ministry had sanctioned 69 projects worth Rs 5,711.79 crore for 29 states and Union territories. Under the PRASHAD scheme, the ministry had identified 26 sites in 19 states for development and till date, 24 projects worth Rs 727.16 crore were sanctioned, Alphons said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Armies of India and Thailand today began a two week-long military exercise with a focus on enhancing anti-terror cooperation between the two sides. A senior Army official said focus of the exercise 'Maitree' will be to increase interoperability and enhance coordination in dealing with the challenge of terrorism. "The exercise will emphasise to hone the tactical and technical skills in joint counter insurgency and counter terrorist operations in rural and urban scenario under UN mandate," he said. The official said, "Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well developed tactical drills that may be encountered in an urban warfare scenario. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 175 Indians on their way back home after the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage in Tibet remained stranded in Nepal's Humla district for the second day today as commercial flights could not operate due to bad weather, the Indian Embassy here said. The situation, however, is under control and all the pilgrims will be evacuated as soon as the weather clears up, said Indian Embassy spokesperson Roshan Lepcha. The embassy yesterday had estimated that there were around 200 pilgrims stuck in Humla's Simikot due to bad weather. Heavy rains in central and western Nepal for the past three days have forced domestic airlines to suspend their regular flights. There is basic lodging and fooding facilities for round 500 tourists in Simikot area. In case of emergency, the Indian Embassy could safely evacuate the stranded pilgrims, sources said. Last month, more than 1,500 Indians were stranded at various places in Nepal on their way to Kailash Mansarovar and back. Following the incident, the Indian government on July 5 had issued an advisory for travel to Kailash Mansarovar through the Nepal route. The advisory is still in effect, according to Indian Embassy sources. The advisory had stated that Simikot and Hilsa are places lacking good medical and lodging facilities and therefore, pilgrims should get themselves medically examined before starting their pilgrimage and also carry medicines for up to a period of one month. Simikot and Hilsa are connected to the rest of the world only by small aircraft or helicopters and there is no other way to travel in and out of these places. These small aircraft or helicopters can operate only when the weather is absolutely clear, as the terrain and route is extremely dangerous. The embassy has deputed its representatives at Hilsa, Simikot and Humla for monitoring and taking action in case of emergency. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian tourists visiting Sri Lanka may soon be exempted from visa requirement as the government is mulling granting visa free entry to visitors from countries like India and China, Tourism Minister John Amaratunga said today. Amaratunga said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a task force to study the possibility of granting visa free entry to visitors from certain tourist friendly nations to boost arrivals. India and China along with some other European and West Asian nations can benefit from it, he said. Following recommendations from the task force, this proposal may be implemented in the off season months of October to November and March to April, the minister said. Sri Lanka' tourism industry faced a difficult time until a decade back due to the civil war with the LTTE. However, in the recent years the island nation has emerged as a top tourism destination in Asia. Tourist arrivals have recorded a growth of 15.3 per cent during the first half of 2018 compared with the same period last year. India topped the number of tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka at 206,337 followed by the Chinese tourist whose figures stood at 136,294. All tourists to Sri Lanka must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before their arrival. On the basis of reciprocity, citizens of Singapore, the Maldives and the Seychelles are exempt from the ETA and can obtain a visa on arrival free of charge. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indonesia evacuated hundreds of tourists from popular resorts and sent rescuers fanning across the holiday island of Lombok after a powerful quake killed at least 91 people and reduced thousands of buildings to rubble. The shallow 6.9-magnitude quake sparked terror among tourists and locals alike, coming just a week after another deadly tremor surged through Lombok, killing at least 17 people. Rescuers on Monday searched for survivors in the rubble of houses, mosques and schools that were destroyed in the latest disaster which struck on Sunday evening. "91 people died, 209 suffered from serious injuries," national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said. "There are challenges: the roads were damaged, three bridges were also damaged, some locations are difficult to reach and we don't have enough personnel." An operation was also under way Monday to evacuate some 1,200 tourists from the Gili Islands, three tiny, coral-fringed tropical islands a few kilometres off the northwest coast of Lombok that are particularly popular with backpackers and divers. Local disaster officials said 358 tourists had been evacuated so far. At least one person, an Indonesian holidaymaker, was killed on the Gili islands while another tourist died on nearby Bali, which is a major destination. Denink Ayu, a hotel receptionist on Gili Trawangan, the biggest of the three Gilis, told CNN Indonesia that "everybody was panicking" after the quake hit. "We are fighting for boats now. We are all queueing at the port, but there's not enough boats," she said tearfully. But it was Lombok which bore the brunt of Sunday evening's quake. The shallow tremor sent thousands of Lombok residents and tourists scrambling outdoors, where many spent the night as strong aftershocks including one of 5.3-magnitude continued to rattle the island. The quake knocked out power in many areas, and parts of Lombok remained without electricity on Monday. Nugroho said up to 20,000 people may have been evacuated from their homes on Lombok and that paramedics, food and medication were badly needed. Hundreds of bloodied and bandaged victims were treated outside damaged hospitals in the main city of Mataram and other hard-hit parts of the island. Patients lay on beds under makeshift wards sent up in tents, surrounded by drip stands and monitors, as doctors in blue scrubs attended to them. "Many injured people are being treated outside of hospitals and health clinics because the buildings were damaged," Nugroho said. Upset relatives were huddled around loved ones in front of the main clinic in Mataram, as medical staff struggled to cope with hundreds of patients, many of whom were yet to be seen despite spending the night out in the open. "What we really need now are paramedics, we are short-staffed, we also need medications," Supriadi, a spokesman for Mataram general hospital, told AFP. Outside the hospital, the rubble-strewn streets of Mataram were empty, save for a few survivors picking nervously through the ruins. Most of the victims were in the mountainous north and east of the island, away from the main tourist spots and coastal districts in the south and west. Najmul Akhyar, the head of North Lombok district, estimated that 80 percent of that region was damaged by the quake. "We need heavy equipment because some mosques have collapsed and we suspect some worshippers are still trapped inside," he told Metro TV. As authorities scrambled to assess the extent of damage in Lombok, some tourists were trying to leave. "We tried to go to the airport but there was no taxi, no transport, no plan for evacuation," French tourist Jina told Metro TV. "Later I stopped a car and I asked a local please take me and my family to the airport and he said ''okay no problem'." Singapore's Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, who was in Lombok for a security conference when the earthquake struck, described on Facebook how his hotel room on the 10th floor shook violently. "Walls cracked, it was quite impossible to stand up," he said. Bali's international airport suffered damage to its terminal but the runway was unaffected and operations had returned to normal, disaster agency officials said. Lombok airport was also operating. Indonesia, one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth, straddles the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide and many of the world's volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. In 2014, a devastating tsunami triggered by a magnitude 9.3 undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra in western Indonesia killed 220,000 people in countries around the Indian Ocean, including 168,000 in Indonesia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has returned to work after six weeks of parental leave with her newborn daughter. At the start of a Cabinet meeting Monday, she thanked her colleagues and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters for keeping the government operating while she was away. "The last six weeks have been wonderful, not only because of the birth of our healthy daughter, but because we have been gifted by this cabinet, by the people of New Zealand, this time together and I know that that was guarded by this Cabinet but also by yourself, Minister Peters. So thank you so much," she said. The birth of her daughter Neve on June 21 made Ardern just the second elected world leader in recent history to give birth while holding office. In interviews last week, Ardern said the experience of focusing on her daughter's basic needs helped her appreciate why people with young families may not find time for politics and that it's the government's responsibility to serve people, whether they are engaged politically or not. She said that as she came to the end of her leave, she was anxious to demonstrate that she and her partner Clarke Gayford, who will become Neve's primary caregiver, can create a routine that works. "That I will come back and do the job that I promised to do," Ardern said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A video of an Indonesian imam stoically reciting evening prayers in Bali as a deadly earthquake struck neighbouring Lombok has gone viral on social media, with internet users praising him for his unwavering faith. The white-robed Islamic leader was preaching yesterday night at a mosque in Denpasar on the holiday island of Bali when the shallow 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck. Footage of the imam, recorded on a cellphone, showed him supporting himself against the wall as the room shook violently around him and as some congregants fled the building. Other worshippers can be seen stoically remaining in prayer as the mosque rocked from side to side. The powerful quake killed at least 91 people and damaged thousands of buildings in Lombok. A number of mosques on that island have collapsed with worshippers inside them. It was also felt strongly in the neighbouring Bali, a predominantly Hindu island in the world's largest Muslim majority nation. The clip quickly went viral after the mosque posted it to Facebook. It has been watched more than 130,000 times on Facebook and shared on Youtube and Twitter. "I am crying... he did not even flinch, even though it is allowed to leave your prayer during an earthquake," said Indonesian cleric Yusuf Mansur, who shared the clip to his two millions followers on Instagram. "The faith shown by the Imam and the worshippers is extraordinary," a Twitter user Inyol tweeted to his 39,000 followers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indra Nooyi, Pepsico's Indian-origin CEO, will step down after 12 years leading the US food and beverage giant, the company announced today. Nooyi, 62, will step down on October 3 after 24 years with the company. She will remain as chairman until early 2019. President Ramon Laguarta was elected by the board of directors to succeed her. Laguarta was also elected to the board. "Growing up in India, I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary company," Nooyi said in a statement. Guided by our philosophy of Performance with Purpose delivering sustained performance while making more nutritious products, limiting our environmental footprint and lifting up all the communities we serve we've made a more meaningful impact in people's lives than I ever dreamed possible," she said. "PepsiCo today is in a strong position for continued growth with its brightest days still ahead," she added. Laguarta, a 22-year veteran of the company, has been president since September, overseeing global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs. Prior to that, Laguarta served in leadership positions in the European and sub-Saharan Africa divisions. With Nooyi's departure, the rest of PepsiCo's senior leadership team will remain unchanged, the company said. PepsiCo's premarket stock price declined slightly after the announcement, CNBC reported. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Arabia has granted a visa to an Iranian diplomat to work in a consular office in Jeddah, state media reported, in a rare sign of a thaw between the rival powers. Foreign ministry official Mohammad Alibak has been permitted to serve as head of Iran's Interests Section in the consulate, state agency IRNA reported yesterday. There was no immediate confirmation from Riyadh. Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia and Iran, the predominant Shiite power, have for decades stood on opposing sides of conflicts in the Middle East including the Syrian civil war. The two countries severed diplomatic relations in early 2016 after Riyadh's embassy in Tehran was attacked by militants in response to the execution of a top Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Iraqi court today sentenced a French man and a German woman to life in prison in the latest punishments handed down for belonging to the Islamic State jihadist group. Frenchman Lahcen Gueboudj, 58, and a German woman whose name was given only as Nadia were sentenced separately at the Baghdad central criminal court, according to an AFP journalist. Nadia's mother, a German woman of Moroccan origin, was sentenced to death in January for IS membership but the sentence was later commuted to life, which in Iraq is equivalent to 20 years. The mother and daughter were arrested in July 2017 in Mosul, the jihadists' former de-facto capital in Iraq where the government declared victory over IS in December last year. Wearing a black abaya in court, Nadia said she travelled from Syria to Iraq "to run away from the people of IS". Speaking in German with a few Arabic words, she said she travelled to Syria from Turkey with her mother, her daughter Yamana and her mentally disabled sister who was killed in a bombardment. Nadia's lawyer stressed that she was a minor at the time and that her marriage to an IS jihadist in Syria was "not a decision taken by an adult in full conscience". The French defendant, meanwhile, refuted statements made during his interrogations. "I signed confessions in Arabic without knowing what was written," said Gueboudj, with short grey hair and stubble, wearing a brown prison uniform. "I would never have left France, if my eldest son Nabil, 25-years-old, hadn't gone to Syria," he said in French. "I wanted to convince him to return with us to France," added Gueboudj. The French citizen had travelled with his wife and children to Turkey before entering Syria, and later being arrested in Iraq. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Italian motorcycle-maker Benelli today signed an MoU with Telangana government and Adishwar Auto Ride International (AARI), a subsidiary of Mahavir Group, for setting a manufacturing facility here. The group company would initially start assembling CKD (completely knocked down) kits of the bike here for Benelli and the partnership entitles Adishwar to assemble, manufacture bikes and import exclusive range of the bikes from Italy and SouthEast Asian regions, managing director of Benelli India Vikas Jhabakh said in a press conference. Established in 1911, Benelli is one of the oldest Italian motorcycle-manufacturer andhas presence in over 60 countries such as America, Africa, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. "In 2005, Benelli became part of Qjian Jiang Group, China. As of now, we are selling about 2,500 bikes in India. We aim to assemble 10,000 units in the first phase. Once we reach that figure, we aim to go in for production here," he said. The first bike would roll out in October this year and Benelli plans to roll out four or six models in the Indian market by end-2019, he said. Telangana IT and Industries Minister KT Ramarao assured the bike-maker of cooperation in setting up its facility here. Director of Benelli George Wang said, Our partnership with the Telangana government and Adishwar Auto Ride India reassures their long-term goal of 'Make in India' super bikes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The telemedicine facility in the premier health institute JIPMER here has now added Italy to the list of countries it covers. Already the facility was covering Japan, Korea, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Australia and the UK among others, a release from JIPMER said today. Professor G Saglio of the University of Turin, Italy, delivered a special talk through the telemedicine programme on 'CML in 2018' organised recently by the department of Medical Oncology on "how to treat chronic myeloid leukemia". The lecture was followed by case presentations and discussions between JIPMER, a centrally administered institute, and the Italian university, it said. Director of JIPMER S Vivekanandam said the institute was a regional resource centre for telemedicine for South India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee today demanded a probe into circumstances that led to the killing of a man who allegedly intruded into former chief minister Farooq Abdullah's house in the outskirts of Jammu. According to police, the man rammed his car into the front gate of the residence of Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah at Bhatindi in the outskirts of Jammu on August 4, and vandalised the house before being shot dead by the CRPF personnel guarding the premises. JKPCC chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said the facts and circumstances leading into the unfortunate incident need to be brought out in public domain as the unusual incident has created a lot of panic and mistrust, Sharma said. "Since the boy was unarmed and had no past record of the doubtful nature and looking into manner the incident has taken place, it is a fit case which requires thorough investigation in a fair and transparent manner and the law must take its course in the matter," he added. He also conveyed sympathies to the bereaved family, friends and relatives on behalf of the party. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir government today ordered a magisterial probe into the death of a cattle trader in firing by security forces in Ramban district, a senior official said. Ramban Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ajaz Bhat said the sub-divisional magistrate of Gool will conduct the probe and submit the report to his office soon. Bhat said Rs 5 lakh has been announced as compensation to the family of the deceased, Mohmmad Rafiq Gujjar (28), killed in the firing by Army personnel early Sunday. Another person injured in the incident, Shakeel Ahmed (30), is stable and recuperating at the Government Medical College hospital in Srinagar. An FIR has been registered against the Army personnel involved in the incident. The Army, however, has said that the soldiers opened fire when they came under attack after challenging the two men moving suspiciously in the area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) JD(U) MP Harivansh is likely to be the NDA candidate for the post of Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, sources said today. The election to the post of Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha will be held at 11 AM on August 9, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu announced today. Earlier, Naidu had suggested that the deputy chairman should be elected by consensus. However, as of now, it appears an election would take place for the post with the opposition likely to field a candidate as well, the sources said. The nomination papers will have to be filed before noon on August 8. The post of the Deputy Chairman has been lying vacant since June this year following the retirement of P J Kurien, who was elected to the Upper House of Parliament on a Congress ticket from Kerala. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant was arrested from the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir and explosives recovered from his possession, police said today. "Police arrested a JeM terrorist from the Anantnag district and recovered a huge cache of incriminating material including explosives intended for terror strikes," a police spokesman said. Acting on a specific input, Muzamil Ahmad Dar (22) was arrested, the spokesman said. A case under the relevant sections of law has been registered at police station Bijbehara, he added. The ammunition recovered on his disclosure includes hand grenades, IED, Chinese grenade, detonators, mobile phones, battery, safety fuse wire, cordex wire, safety fuse, black explosive, white explosive and circuit wire, the spokesman said. The accused person was in touch with the other terrorists of JeM and they were planning future attacks, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Accusing JNU VC M Jagadesh Kumar of "muzzling their democratic rights", the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) today called for boycotting the university's convocation on August 8. Almost 46 years after it held its first convocation, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) will be hosting its second convocation this month for awarding degrees to PhD scholars. The JNUSU alleged that for the last two-and-a-half years, they have witnessed a "systematic destruction of our campus led by its VC, M Jagadesh Kumar". "The VC and his political masters, through their anti-student and anti-social justice policies like research seat cut, scuttling reservations, fee hikes, victimisation and targeting of student activists through fines and punishments, have tried their best to demolish JNU and all that this university stands for," the students' union said in a statement. It called the convocation a "photo-op" in the name of distribution of degrees. "We would like to say it loud and clear - Mr. VC, we have earned the degree because of our efforts and the commitment of our teachers. We owe our degrees to the democratic culture of JNU, and the destroyer of JNU has no moral authority to distribute our degrees!" the statement said. The JNUSU appealed the JNU community to "boycott the VC's convocation". The union will also be holding an event inside the campus after the convocation on August 8. Former union members and teachers are expected to attend the event. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The row over government's alleged attempt to affect the seniority of Justice K M Joseph as a Supreme Court judge echoed in the Lok Sabha today with K Venugopal of the Congress raising the issue in the Zero Hour. Without naming Joseph, the Congress member said government wants to have its way in every appointment in the judiciary. He referred to media reports about the proposed meeting of some Supreme Court judges with the Chief Justice over attempts to affect Joseph's seniority. He is said to be an honest and competent judge, Venugopal said, attacking the government. The Centre on Friday last came out with the notification on appointment of three judges to the apex court by putting at number three the seniority of Justice K M Joseph. In the notification, the names of Justice Indira Banerjee, Chief Justice of Madras High Court, was at number one followed by that of Justice Vineet Saran, Chief Justice of Orissa High Court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Justice K M Joseph, the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court, will take oath as a judge of the as scheduled on Tuesday amid a row with the Centre over his seniority being lowered on his elevation. The Centre on its part said it went purely by the "time tested" principle of high court seniority list. It came out with a notification last Friday on the appointment of three judges to the apex court by putting at third position the seniority of Justice K M Joseph. According to apex court sources, the oath-taking ceremony of the three judges elevated to the -- Justices Indira Banerjee, Vineet Saran and K M Joseph -- will take place as scheduled on Tuesday in the order of seniority notified by the Centre. Judges including members of the collegium comprising Justices M B Lokur, Kurian Joseph and A K Sikri met Chief Justice Dipak Misra to raise their concerns on the seniority issue concerning Justice K M Joseph. The judges were reported to be of the view that there was a need to sit together and ponder over the issue. The court sources said that nothing much can be done at this stage and that the concerns raised by some of the judges would be discussed after the three judges are sworn in. The court sources said except for Justice Ranjan Gogoi, a member of the apex court collegium who was on leave, others had "informally" deliberated on the Centre's decision to lower the seniority of Justice K M Joseph. However, it was decided that the oath-taking ceremony should take place. "Let the oath-taking take place. There is no time. The oath-taking can't be deferred. It has to be seen what can be done later," the court sources said about the discussion that was held among the judges in the morning at the judges' lounge before they commenced the day's working in the apex court. They said that the CJI, who heads the collegium, assured the judges that he would consult Justice Gogoi who is the senior most after him and take up the issue with the Centre. Top government sources pointed out that the executive "went purely by the time tested principle of the high court seniority list" in placing below justices Banerjee and Saran. It was also pointed out that none of the three judges will become the Chief Justice of India (CJI) as there are other SC judges who have been elevated to the apex court earlier and they will also retire later. In the notification, the names of Justice Indira Banerjee, Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, was at number one, followed by that of Justice Vineet Saran, Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court. It is the convention that seniority of the judges is determined in accordance with the order of names notified by the government. The warrants of appointment of the three judges were signed by the President on August 3. Justice Joseph's elevation to the apex court put an end to a protracted stand-off between the government and the judiciary. Justice K M Joseph, the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court, headed a bench which had quashed the imposition of President's Rule in the state in 2016. Uttarakhand was then under the Congress rule. The collegium had on January 10 recommended the name of Justice Joseph, along with that of senior advocate Indu Malhotra, for elevation to the apex court. However, the government had returned Justice Joseph's name for reconsideration and gone ahead with the appointment of Justice Indu Malhotra. ALSO READ: Uttarakhand HC Chief Justice K M Joseph appointed Supreme Court judge The collegium had on May 16 in-principle reiterated the decision to recommend Justice Joseph's name for elevation to the apex court. The recommendation was sent to the government in July and it was accepted. The number of judges in the top court after the fresh appointments has gone up to 25. There are still six vacancies. According to the collegium's January 10 resolution, when Justice Joseph's name was recommended for elevation, "he stands at Sl No 45 in the combined seniority of High Court Judges on all-India basis." According to the July 16 resolution of the collegium, Justice Banerjee stood at Sl No 4 and Justice Saran stood at Sl. No. 5 in the combined seniority of high court judges on all-India basis. became a high court judge on October 14, 2004 and he was elevated as a chief justice of high court on July 31, 2014. He will retire on June 16, 2023 as an apex court judge. The condition of ailing DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi has "declined" and keeping his vital organs functioning remains a "challenge", Kauvery Hospital said today, indicating the next 24 hours could be crucial. The 94-year-old five-time Tamil Nadu chief minister was being continuously monitored and treated with active medical support, a press release issued by the hospital said. "There has been a decline in the medical condition of DMK president and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. Maintaining his vital organ functions continues to remain a challenge considering his age related ailments," it said. "His response to the medical interventions over the next 24 hours will determine the prognosis," Executive Director of the Hospital Dr Aravindan Selvaraj said in the terse two-paragraph release. Soon after the of a decline in Karunanidhi's condition spread, hundreds of his supporters gathered outside the hospital, including a large number of women, some failing to control their tears, others waving at the TV cameras, preparing for an overnight vigil at the facility in downtown Alwarpet. Karunanidhi was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital on July 28 following a dip in blood pressure, which stabilised following medical intervention. The hospital had, however, said on July 31 that an extended stay could be necessary due to age-related overall decline in his general health, altered liver function and haematological parameters. A host of dignitaries and political leaders, including President Ram Nath Kovind Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi have visited the hospital over the last few days to inquire about the condition of the DMK veteran. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 45-year-old Kawad pilgrim died due to heart failure, police said today. Vimla Devi, 45, who was carrying holy water from the Ganga river, was on her way to Pura Mahadev when she collapsed last evening, they said. She was rushed to a hospital where she was declared dead, they added. Meanwhile, district authorities imposed a traffic diversion plan for the smooth conduct of the Kawad Yatra. District Magistrate Rajive Sharma told reporters today that traffic from Delhi to Dehradun, Rishikesh and Haridwar was shifted to alternative routes from the highway. He said CCTV cameras had been installed along sensitive areas and heavy police force deployed along the pilgrimage routes. The pilgrimage started from July 28 and would be concluded on August 9. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court today refused to grant anticipatory bail to two priests, accused of sexually abusing a married woman in the Kerala church sex scandal, and asked them to surrender before police by August 13. A bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said the two priests were at liberty to seek regular bail once they have surrendered. The Crime Branch of the Kerala Police had on July 2 registered a case against four priests on the basis of a statement given by a woman belonging to the same church who has accused them of sexually assaulting her on many occasions. The four priests attached to the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church were accused of sexually abusing the 34-year-old married woman by allegedly using her confessional statement. While two of them surrendered, two others -- Father Sony Verghese and Father Jaise K George -- had approached the apex court for anticipatory bail after their plea was rejected by the Kerala High Court on July 11. During today's hearing, senior advocate V Giri, appearing for Kerala police submitted a status report of investigation and said no interrogation has taken place so far of the two priests who were earlier granted protection from arrest by the apex court. The bench said, "We have granted protection from arrest to them but it does not mean that they can't be interrogated." Senior advocate R Basant, appearing for the two priests, said the accused are willing to cooperate in the investigation and record their statements. Counsel for the victim also filed an interlocutory application in the case and informed the court that the accused priest had allegedly uploaded a video on the internet to blackmail the woman. He said that this video contained some disparaging remarks against the victim and was uploaded on the internet even when the investigation in the case was underway. Giri said these allegations are something new, which he did not have any knowledge. "If true, this is a very grave and serious issue," he said. Basant said that he would ensure that these things do not happen again. Giri replied that there is no question of doing it again and the damage has already been done. The bench then asked the counsel for victim to raise these issues before the trial court and said that "it is not a fit case for grant of anticipatory bail" On July 19, the two priests were granted protection from arrest by the apex court till it pronounced a verdict on their anticipatory bail pleas. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Judicial work came to a standstill in more than 20 districts of western Uttar Pradesh today as lawyers began their three-day boycott of the courts, demanding setting up of a bench of the Allahabad High Court in the region. The boycott call was given by the state high court bench action committee. The lawyers of the western districts of the state have long been demanding setting up of a bench of the high court in any district of western UP for the convenience of the litigants of the region, a committee spokesperson said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The licence of two Jet Airways pilots has been been suspended for trying to use taxiway for taking off at Riyadh Airport last week, an attempt that had put at risk the lives of 148 people on board, officials said. Saudi aviation body Aviation Investigation Bureau (AIB) and its Indian counterpart Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are conducting a safety probe into the incident that took place on August 3. The flight was bound for Mumbai from Saudi Arabia's Riyadh International Airport. The Boeing 737 aircraft, carrying 141 passengers and seven crew members on board, aborted the take-off on a taxiway that ran parallel to the runway and in the process overshot the taxiway at the King Khalid International Airport, the AIB said in a press release today. A taxiway is used by an aircraft to facilitate its movement between the runway and parking area. "Initial factual information confirmed that the aircraft attempted to take off from taxiway (K) parallel to take off designated runway (R33) while the visibility was high and there was no obstacle of FOD (foreign object) on the taxiway," the release said. "The aircraft accelerated with full take-off power and exceeded the taxiway onto an unpaved area, ending up close to the exit of taxiway (G4), north of taxiway (K)," it added. A senior official of India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said today that the flying licence of both the pilots "involved in runway excursion incident at Riyadh" has been suspended, pending investigation. Jet Airways, in a statement today, said that it is "in contact with the DGCA and has extended all co-operation with regard to the said incident. The airline will continue to adhere to all requirements as laid down by the regulator." It added that the matter is under investigation. A DGCA official here had earlier said that the pilots aborted the take-off after they were informed of a "barrier" on the runway. The aircraft was taxiing at a speed of 100 knots and it veered off the runway due to sudden stopping, the official had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Loktantrik Janta Dal (LJD) leader Sharad Yadav today said his party would support the 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) of opposition parties against the BJP in the coming parliamentary election. "Congress will be at the forefront of the 'Grand Alliance'. We will support it and anyone can be the prime minister," he said at a press conference here. About the Assembly election due later this year in Rajasthan, he said the LJD will contest on 50 seats. Yadav hit out at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Muzaffarpur rapes case, saying that it should be investigated by a team headed by a retired judge and the state government should act in the matter "responsibly". On the debate over the final draft of the Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC), which excluded over 40 lakh people, the LJD leader said the Centre should hold an all-party meeting to discuss the issue. Attacking Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over her 'Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra', he said despite problems of mob lynching, farmers' suicide and unemployment in the state, she was carrying out the rally to garner votes. Yesterday, Yadav had appealed to opposition parties to resolve their differences and come together to "save democracy and the Constitution", which he claimed was in danger. He had said the opposition parties should "uproot" the BJP at the Centre as well as in Rajasthan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Lok Sabha today paid homage to victims of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which wreaked havoc of unimaginable dimensions in Japan in 1945. As soon as the House met for the day, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said two bombs were dropped on the two Japanese cities 73 years ago which resulted in death of thousands of innocent people, including women and children, and million were injured and crippled for life. "Atom bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945 respectively, which wreaked havoc of unimaginable dimensions. "Today, even after 73 years, the innocent residents of Hiroshima and Nagasaki continue to suffer from the dreadful after effects of nuclear radiations," she said in the obituary references. Mahajan said India has always strived for peace and stability with its long cherished principles of non-violence and spirit of 'ahimsa'. "Let us on this occasion, reaffirm our resolve to strive for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction and to work together for the propagation of peace and brotherhood," she said. The House also stood in silence for some time in memory of victims of the two bombings in Japan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Ramgarh Municipality has issued the death certificate of Alimuddin Ansari, who was lynched by a mob of cow vigilantes in Ramgarh district last year, an official said today. "The Ramgarh Municipality handed over the death certificate of Alimuddin to his widow Mariyom Khatoon," said Sub-Divisional Officer, Ramgarh, Anant Kumar. "The death certificate mentions multiple injuries as the cause of death of Alimuddin," the SDO said. Khatoon had earlier said, "We had approached the RIMS in Ranchi for getting the death certificate but the authorities refused to issue it saying that Alimuddin was brought dead and the RIMS issues death certificates only for patients who died in the hospital. "The authorities suggested that we should approach the district administration for the death certificate." On June 29, 2017, a group of people had lynched 45-year-old Alimuddin Ansari in Bazaar Tand locality of Ramgarh town on the suspicion that he was carrying beef in his car. A fast track court in Ramgarh had convicted 12 persons in this connection and sentenced 11 of them to life imprisonment on March 21 this year. The case of one accused, who was a minor, was under consideration of the Juvenile Justice Board. Of the 11 convicts sentenced to life imprisonment, ten have been granted bail by the Jharkhand High court while one accused is behind the bars. Among the ten convicts out on bail, one convict Sikandar Ram was electrocuted near his home in Ramgarh town in the last week of July this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police will question the lone survivor of the July 28 bus accident in Maharashtra's Raigad district, in which 30 people were killed, but "not as an accused", a senior official said today. Thirty out of 31 passengers in a bus, all staff of the Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapith in Dapoli, were killed on July 28 after the vehicle plunged into a 500-foot deep gorge near Ambenali Ghat on the Poladpur-Mahabaleshwar road, about 180 kilometres from here. Prakash Sawant-Desai was the only passenger who survived the accident after he managed to hold on to the branches of trees when the bus plunged into the gorge. "Since he is the only witness, we are going to question him in connection with the incident, but not as an accused," Superintendent of Police, Raigad, Anil Paraskar, said today. The SP added that Sawant-Desai would be questioned to ascertain the cause of the accident and the chain of events that may have led to it. While there are reports that a relative of one of the deceased had written a letter to the Raigad SP raising suspicion that Sawant-Desai may have been driving the ill-fated vehicle when the mishap took place, Paraskar said he had not received the letter. "I have seen such a message as a WhatsApp forward but I haven't officially received any letter as yet," the SP informed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court today directed authorities to examine deficiencies and suggestions to make Delhi prisons more accessible for differently-abled people visiting the jails or lodged there as inmates. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar was informed that disability audits of Rohini and Mandoli jails were undertaken by Nipun Malhotra, co-founder of Nipman Foundation that works in the area of health and advocacy for persons with disabilities, and submitted the reports. He had also conducted a similar audit for Tihar Jail. "Let the director general (prisons) ensure that deficiencies pointed out and suggestions made are considered and rectified immediately," the bench said. The court's direction came during the hearing of a batch of PILs on the poor living condition in Tihar jail. The bench previously noted that jails in Delhi were housing thousands of prisoners, some of whom suffered from disabilities, and several prison officials were suffering from temporary disabilities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 20-year-old man, carrying a reward of Rs 25,000 on his arrest for his alleged involvement in attempt to murder cases, was arrested along with his associate, the police said today. The accused, identified as Sumit and Harsh, are residents of Bajitpur Thakran in outer Delhi, they added. With their arrest, the police claimed to have solved three cases of attempt to murder and one case of the Arms Act. On October 13, 2017, a man named Nishant, a resident of Bawana, alleged that while he was sitting at the gate of his house, Sumit, along with his two associates Bhushan and a minor, came on a motorcycle and began firing at him, following which the complainant sustained bullet injuries, said Rajneesh Gupta, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini). In another incident, on October 22, 2017, when one Sonu and his two friends were going for an evening walk, the accused, Sumit, and his associate Bhushan came on a bike and opened fire at him and he sustained bullet injuries. Subsequently, Bhushan was arrested. Since Sumit was evading the arrest, he was declared a proclaimed offender and a cash reward of Rs 25,000 was declared on him, he said. In another incident, on July 25, three men came on a motorcycle and entered in the Olympia Gym at Bajitpur village and fired at one Dushyant. On August 4, based on a tip off, a trap was laid near Beri Baag, Pooth Khurd. Subsequently, Sumit was arrested and a country-made pistol and three live cartridges were recovered from his possession, the DCP said. During interrogation, the accused disclosed the name of his associate Harsh, who was also arrested, Gupta added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union minister Maneka Gandhi today warned there could be many more cases of sexual abuse of minor girls at shelter homes that needed to be uncovered and urged states to have a single, large facility for children to prevent their "abuse and misuse" by NGOs. The comments from the women and child development minister on the dubious state of affairs at shelter homes came a day after 24 girls were rescued from one of these homes in Deoria in Uttar Pradesh amid allegations of their sexual exploitation. The issue of sexual abuse of minor girls first made headlines in April after the Tata Institute of Social Sciences submitted its audit report of shelter homes in Bihar to the state social welfare department. It raised the possibility of sexual abuse of girls at a shelter home in Muzaffarpur, which was later confirmed by their medical examination. Following the two back-to-back expose, Gandhi today expressed shock over the incidents and rued there might be many more such cases which have not been uncovered yet. She suggested that a single, large facility in states will make it easier for authorities to check "abuse and misuse" of children by NGOs, who run the shelter homes funded by state governments. She said adoption and skill development programmes at a single facility would be much easier. "I have been asking for a scheme where each state should have a single, large facility to house all such girls and children which should be run by the state government," Gandhi said. "For the past two years, I have been writing to MPs, asking them to inspect shelter homes in their localities. We have even got audits done by NGOs at shelter homes and they didn't report anything unusual which means they have not done it thoroughly," she said. The Union minister said these homes run by NGOs should only provide temporary shelter to women, girls and children in distress only after clearance by the Child Welfare Committee. She said her ministry "would be happy" to fund the construction of a single, central facility in each state and then hand over to the respective state governments. The FIR in the first major sexual abuse case to come to light this year in Bihar was registered on May 31 against 11 people, including Brajesh Thakur, the owner of the NGO which ran the government-funded shelter home for destitute girls. On July 26, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the matter. He has said that the government was "ashamed" by the incident. Thirty four of 42 minor girls at the shelter home were sexually abused. The second case was reported from Deoria in Uttar Pradesh yesterday when a 10-year-old girl managed to flee from the shelter home and informed authorities about the plight of the inmates, who were reportedly sexually abused by the couple running the home. Following that, police raided the facility and rescued 24 girls. The Uttar Pradesh government has removed the district magistrate and ordered a high-level probe into the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Meghalaya is all set to carry out "rigorous" checking of people entering the state following the publication of the NRC complete draft in Assam, a senior police officer said. Superintendent of Police (infiltration), Debangshu Sangma, told PTI that every person entering the state was likely to be checked at the checkpoints. "At the checkpoints, the people need to show any identification document that proves that he is an Indian citizen and the exercise will continue till further orders," Sangma said. The authorities have advised people to carry citizenship proof when they enter the state, failing which they will not be able to go beyond the seven checkpoints bordering Assam. His statement came in the wake of reports of people from Assam getting detained at the checkpoints, especially after the July 30 publication of the NRC complete draft in neighbouring Assam. Sangma also denied claims made by the Khasi Students Union that over 1,500 doubtful citizens were detained by their activists at the border crossings. "It is not a fact. The number of people who were stopped and sent back at the infiltration check gates is less than 100 since August 1," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A militant was arrested and eight grenades recovered from him in Jammu as police foiled a major terror plot to trigger blasts in the winter capital, days ahead of the Independence Day. Acting on intelligence inputs, police intercepted a bus in Gandhi Nagar area here late last night and arrested a youth from Kashmir who was carrying eight hand grenades, a police officer said. The militant was identified as Arfan Wani, a resident of Awantipora in Pulwama district of south Kashmir. Eight live hand grenades and Rs 60,000 in cash were recovered from his possession, the officer said. Police and other security agencies are alert in the wake of intelligence inputs that the Kashmiri militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen plan to carry out terror strikes in Jammu and New Delhi on the occasion of Independence Day on August 15. In view of the arrest, a high alert has been sounded in Jammu. The militant is being put through sustained interrogation to ascertain about the plans and his contacts in the city and its outskirts, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Monsanto India today reported a 21.18 per cent jump in its net profit at Rs 66.02 crore during the first quarter of the 2018-19 fiscal on higher sales. Its net profit stood at Rs 54.48 crore in the same quarter of the last financial year, the company said in its regulatory filing. Net income rose to Rs 264.41 crore during April-June quarter of the current fiscal from Rs 240.29 crore in the year-ago period. Expenses remained high at Rs 192.53 crore as against Rs 180.75 crore in the said period. Monsanto India sells agri-inputs like seeds in the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two more Chinese drugmakers have announced that a blood-pressure medication they exported to Taiwan contained a potentially cancer-causing impurity, a month after the same problem at another Chinese manufacturer prompted a global recall. Tianyu Pharm and Rundu Pharma said batches of valsartan, an active ingredient widely used in medications for high blood pressure and congestive heart failure, contained N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is believed to potentially cause cancer through long-term use. Tianyu Pharm made its announcement in a statement today to the Shenzhen exchange, where both companies are listed, while Rundu admitted the same in an exchange statement on last Friday. Shares of both companies plunged by the maximum daily limit of 10 per cent today. Last month Europe's medical regulator issued an alert over supplies of valsartan produced by another company, Shanghai-listed Huahai Pharmaceutical, followed about a week later by a similar notice from the US Food and Drug Administration. Huahai has since launched a global recall. Tianyu Pharm said the problem was caught before its valsartan was distributed to end-users in Taiwan, while Rundu Pharma said its products made it onto the island's market but would be recalled. China's government is struggling to shore up public confidence in the pharmaceutical sector following the revelation last month that a major Chinese manufacturer of rabies vaccines was found to have fabricated records and was ordered to cease production. The government has said the suspect rabies vaccines did not enter the market, but the case has provoked unusually strong outrage online from consumers fed up with recurring product-safety scandals, particularly in the drug sector. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd today said it has extended the deadline for submission of bids for 33 MWp rooftop solar projects to August 17, 2018, against the backdrop of imposition of safeguard duty on solar equipment in July this year. The state government-run corporation has invited bids for rooftop solar projects with 33 MW capacity under the Renewable Energy Services Company (RESCO) mode. Owing to receiving several requests from aspiring participants, the corporation has extended the date from August 9 to August 17, 2018, a statement said. The revised date is due to the recent imposition of Safeguard Duty, the statement clarified, adding that the time will also be utilised to study data of 577 sites available in the data room and to fill 27 different tenders. The corporation in June had said over 60 prospective bidders from across the country had attended the pre-bid meeting. This pre-bid meeting in New Delhi was organized with support from the World Bank, it said. The vision of the Madhya Pradesh government to implement 2200 MWp of rooftop solar projects is in line with the Government of India's target to achieve 40 GW of solar rooftop installation by 2022. The programme for 33 MWp rooftop projects under RESCO model is the step in that direction, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Under fire over alleged rape of 34 girls at a government-funded shelter home, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today blamed "system flaw" for the case and rejected demands for sacking her social welfare minister Manju Verma only on the basis of allegations by opposition leaders. Kumar also announced his decision to phase out the practice of shelter homes being run by NGOs and said the state government would take over administration of all such centres over a period of time. He said Verma can be asked "to go" only if she is found to have facilitated any wrongdoing and not because of "noises" being made -- a stance that found support from Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi. Kumar also took potshots at his former party colleague Sharad Yadav and other opposition leaders for attending a protest in the national capital on the issue, saying it was amusing to see people having spoken unkindly of women holding candle lights at an event organised by a person facing corruption charges. Soon after Kumar replied some media queries during his weekly public interaction programme "Lok Samvad" while referring specific questions to officials on why the main accused Brajesh Kumar was never taken into police custody, his deputy chief minister also asserted there is no need for resignation of Verma or any other minister "just because some people are giving statements". Verma is in the eye of storm ever since name of her husband has cropped up in the Muzaffarpur sex scandal, in which medical reports have confirmed rape of 34 out of a total of 42 inmates of the shelter home. The opposition parties have been gunning for the minister's head. "Investigations are on. If it is found that she had in any way facilitated any wrongdoing, she may have to go, but (not) because people are making noises," Kumar said. Hitting back at opposition leaders, Kumar said where were these people, who have suddenly grown so sensitive, when the first FIR was lodged on May 31 and wjy have they woken up to the scandal in the last few weeks. Coming in support of Verma of JD(U), Modi said no minister needs to resign just because some people are making noises. "They are voicing their personal opinion and that is not the party line," he said, referring to his party colleague C P Thakur reportedly favouring Verma's resignation. Modi dismissed demand for resignation of another minister, BJP's Suresh Sharma as well. Sharma's name has also been highlighted by the opposition in this case. Kumar dismissed speculation that Thakur favoring Verma's resignation and letters written by Governor Satya Pal Mallik to him and to the Centre hinted towards a strategy by his coalition partner BJP to pin him down. He also launched a scathing attack on opposition leaders, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejrwial, for participating in the sit-in and candle light march at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, saying it showed corruption is no longer an issue for them. Kumar asked how could those leaders take part in an event organized by someone against whom charge sheet has been filed in a corruption case -- an obvious reference to his former deputy Tejashwi. Training his guns at Sharad Yadav, Kumar said it was amusing to see people who have spoken unkindly of women on the floor of the Parliament holding candle lights in New Delhi -- referring to the former JD(U) leader's alleged anti-women remarks in the past. Putting the blame for the Muzaffarpur scandal on systemic issues, Kumar said there is definitely "a flaw in the system" where the shelter homes were run by NGOs but "this system is running for a long time in the entire country." Kumar said his government intends to build its own infrastructure and it has taken strong note of the fact that the Muzaffarpur shelter home was being run from premises where the concerned NGO's patron ran a newspaper. He said steps would be taken for running such homes with the help of the government's own manpower instead of outsourcing these to NGOs, but the transition would happen in a phased manner. Resenting political attacks, Kumar said Bihar was perhaps the first state to have got social audit of all shelter homes done by a reputed body like the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and most states are now following this example. At the nearly hour-long media interaction, the CM asked officials to take over when questions were posed as to why the main accused was never taken into police custody and was allowed to remain in a hospital and newspapers run by him continued to get huge government advertisements. Director General of Police K S Dwivedi said the trial court did not accept the plea for Thakur's police remand and he was sent to a hospital by a court order on the basis of a medical report. Official sources said a three-member team has now been constituted for medical examination of Thakur, who has been in hospital for close to 40 days. Principal Secretary (Social Welfare) Atul Prasad said a number of officials have been suspended for being lax in supervision of such shelter homes. He said it was not possible to make public the TISS report since the law prohibits anything that might disclose the victims' identity. Principal Secretary (Information and Public Relations Department) Atish Chandra said Thakur's newspapers were getting government advertisements since late 80s but it was stopped this June after the scandal came to light. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today took strong objection to Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's "outlandish" Naga headgear remark. Without taking Tharoor's name, the chief minister sought an apology and withdrawal of the statement. "Nagas have rich heritage&vibrant culture.We are proud of our history&traditions. The Naga headgear is renowned&gifted with honour,definitely not outlandish. Mutual respect makes India a great nation. One must apologise & withdraw statements that hurt others sentiments," Rio said on Twitter. Rio heads the Peoples' Democratic Alliance government in Nagaland in which his Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party and BJP are partners. The Thiruvananthapuram MP waded into a fresh row by alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could wear all kinds of headgear, but not Muslim skull cap. "I ask you why does our prime minister wear all sorts of outlandish headgear wherever he goes around the country or around the world? Why does he always refuse to wear a Muslim skull cap? "You see him in Naga headgears with feathers. You have seen him in various kinds of extraordinary outfits which is a right thing for a prime minister to do. Indira Gandhi has also been photographed wearing various kinds of costumes. But why he still always says no to one?" Tharoor said at a seminar in Thiruvananthapuram yesterday. His comments drew a sharp response from Union minister Kiren Rijiju, who said the Congress leader's remarks insulted tribals and people from the North-East. "I demand apology from the Congress Party for insulting the people of India's North East & Tribals. Shashi Tharoor described North-East people & Naga Tribal headgears as funny looking outlandish & hilarious," Rijiju, a native of Arunachal Pradesh, said on Twitter. "Shashi Tharoor insults the proud cultural heritage of the people of North-East. This condescension & arrogance towards the people of India have become hallmarks of @INCIndia," Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore tweeted. BJP general secretary Ram Madhav also took to the microblogging website to criticise the Congress MP. "For Shashi Tharoor, Naga headgear is outlandish and hilarious. In his over zealous love for skull cap, Tharoor doesnt mind insulting d customs of d Nagas n other NE people," he said. Tharoor had recently kicked up a controversy with remarks that the BJP, if voted to power again, would rewrite the Constitution and pave the way for creation of a "Hindu Pakistan". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A special court, hearing the 2002 Naroda Gam riot case, will hold a screening of videos pertaining to the riots on Wednesday in order to ascertain the roles of certain accused. The prosecution, which is at present arguing the case, had requested the court to screen the recordings on CDs in its possession. Judge M K Dave of the special SIT court allowed the request after the defence, as well as the victims' lawyers, consented. The prosecution had asked for the screening of three CDs, including that of "Operation Kalank" in which two accused --former Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi and Jaideep Patel -- are seen making extra-judicial confessions related to the killings during the riots. The "Operation Kalank" CD is part of a sting operation carried out by former journalist Ashish Khetan and published by Tehelka magazine in its November 2007 issue. The video was also aired by some channels. The statements of Bajrangi and Patel, as recorded in the sting carried out on them by Khetan, will help the court ascertain the criminal conspiracy angle, the prosecution argued. The other two CDs, which will be screened in the open court, are videos recorded by investigating agencies of areas that were affected by the riots. While one was recorded by police immediately after the riots, the other was made after the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) took over investigation in 2008. They carry footage of areas in Naroda Gam where the killings took place. The Naroda Gam riot case is one of the nine major 2002 communal riot cases which were investigated by the SIT. Eleven Muslims were killed in the Naroda Gam area of Ahmedabad in 2002 during the violence, which erupted after the Godhra train burning incident. A total of 82 people are facing trial in the case, including Maya Kodnani, once a minister in the Narendra Modi-led state government. She was sentenced to 28 years in jail in the Naroda Patiya riot case before the Gujarat High Court acquitted her in April this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NASA's Curiosity rover - a mission that has spotted evidence of liquid water as well as potential signs life and habitability on Mars - has completed six years on the red planet. "I touched down on #Mars six years ago. Celebrating my 6th landing anniversary with the traditional gift of iron oxide. (It puts the red in Red Planet.)," the rover's social media handle tweeted. The Mars Science Laboratory mission's Curiosity rover landed on the red planet's Gale Crater on August 6 using a series of complicated landing manoeuvres never before attempted. Curiosity's mission is to determine whether the red planet ever was, or is, habitable to microbial life. The rover, which is about the size of a car, is equipped with 17 cameras and a robotic arm containing a suite of specialised laboratory-like tools and instruments. The specialised landing sequence, which employed a giant parachute, a jet-controlled descent vehicle and a bungee-like apparatus called a "sky crane," was devised because tested landing techniques used during previous rover missions could not safely accommodate the much larger and heavier rover. The Curiosity rover is currently experiencing a global storm that has been raging in Mars for weeks. In 2013, the Curiosity rover found that ancient Mars had the right chemistry to support living microbes. The rover discovered evidence of sulphur, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and carbon - key ingredients necessary for life - in the powder sample drilled from the "Sheepbed" mudstone in Yellowknife Bay. The sample collected by the rover also revealed clay minerals and not too much salt, which suggests fresh, possibly drinkable water once flowed there. Shortly after, smooth and rounded rocks were found by Curiosity, indicating that a steady knee-deep stream of water once flowed on the red planet. In 2014, the rover detected a background level of atmospheric methane and observed a ten-fold increase in methane over a two-month period. The finding generated a lot of interest as methane can be produced by living organisms or by chemical reactions between rock and water, for example. In 2015, organic molecules - the building blocks of life - were discovered on Mars after a long search by the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument in a powdered rock sample from the "Sheepbed" mudstone in "Yellowknife Bay." The finding shows that raw ingredients existed for life to get started there at one time. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh to the family of each of the three Odia labourers who were killed in a blast at a granite quarry in Andhra Pradesh. Expressing grief over the death of the three Odia labourers, Patnaik said the Odisha government would bear the cost of treatment of the three injured labourers from the state. Sources in the state labour department said the bodies of three Odia labourers will reach Rambha in Ganjam district tonight from Kurnool. Of the 15 persons killed in the blast, so far three have been identified as from Odisha. The number of Odia labourers killed on Friday may increase after identification of all the bodies, labour department officials said. The three Odisha labourers have been identified as Duryodhan Nahaka, Manoranjan Nahaka and Bhima Nahaka of Ganjam district. Some of the injured labourers were from Odisha. They were admitted at a government hospital in Kurnool and their condition remained critical, the sources said. Odisha government has sent a two-member fact-finding team, comprising the Ganjam District Labour Welfare Officer and the Rural Labour Inspector of Ganjam, to Kurnool. Earlier, the Andhra Pradesh government had announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each to the family of the deceased. There were nearly 30 workers at the quarry when the blast took place on Friday night. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shiv Sangram Party, a constituent of the NDA in Maharashtra, today demanded a Constitutional amendment to increase the existing 52% reservation in the state to accommodate the Marathas under the OBC category. Shiv Sangram leader and MLC Vinayak Mete said the state government should organise a special session of the state legislature and pass a resolution to this effect, which could be submitted to the Central government. The politically-influential Maratha community, constituting around 30 per cent of Maharashtra's population, has been agitating to press their demand for reservation in jobs and education under the OBC category. "All you need to do is create a sub-category under the OBC and allot reservation to the Maratha community. This can be done once the state government organises a special session of the state legislature and passes a resolution. "Once the resolution is submitted to the Union government, it would be brought in both the houses of Parliament and accepted," Mete told reporters. This constitutional amendment will increase the existing 52% quota in Maharashtra, he said. At present, the quota for various castes and communities in the state is capped at 52 per cent Scheduled Castes (13%), Scheduled Tribes (7%), OBCs (19%); Nomadic, Denotified Tribes and Special Backward Category together at 13%. The state government is contemplating to grant 16 per cent quota for the Maratha community. Mete said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has agreed to various demands raised by the Shiv Sangram Party regarding reservation for the Maratha community. "The Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission (MSBCC) is expected to submit its report with the state government by October this year. I think there will be some decision regarding granting reservation to the Maratha community by November," the Maratha leader said. The MSBCC is currently conducting a survey to assess the socio-economic backwardness of the Maratha community, which is divided into sub-sections like Kunbi, 96 kuli etc. One of our demands to rename the Annasaheb Patil Arthik Magas Vikas Mandal (Development Corporation for Economically Backward) as the Annasaheb Patil Maratha Economic Development Corporation has been accepted by Fadnavis, he said. The corporation disburses loans through public sector banks. "Fadnavis has agreed to disburse loans through the scheduled banks, cooperative banks and urban cooperative banks. This move will expand the outreach of the corporation in the larger section of the (Maratha) community," Mete said. NCP chief Sharad Pawar too had recently said that reservations for the Maratha community could be brought about with an amendment in the Constitution. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The NDA and the opposition today appeared to be heading for a showdown in the Rajya Sabha for election to the deputy chairman's post with JD(U) MP Harivansh emerging as the ruling alliance's candidate and the opposition giving a clear indication of fighting the August 9 contest. Hours after Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu announced the date for election to the post, almost all opposition parties held a meeting where they decided to field a common candidate for the contest in the Upper House, where the BJP-led ruling alliance lacks majority. A senior leader who attended the deliberations said all those present were told to discuss the issue within their respective parties and come up with suggestions for a common candidate when the opposition meets again tomorrow. It is learnt that the Congress was open to supporting a nominee from any opposition party. According to opposition sources, Tiruchi Siva of DMK, Vandana Chavan of NCP and nominated member K T S Tulsi are the front runners for the post. While the BJP-led NDA did not make any formal announcement, sources said Harivansh, a first time parliamentarian, is likely to be their choice for the post. The Opposition has often prevailed on the government in the numbers game in the House but the BJP is hopeful that it can get the better of its rivals with the support of regional parties like the AIADMK, BJD, TRS and YSR Congress- all of whom have lent support to it now and then. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu announced in the House that the election will be held at 11 am on August 9. He also suggested that the deputy chairman should be elected by consensus. The nomination papers will have to be filed before noon on August 8. The post of the deputy chairman has been lying vacant since June this year following the retirement of P J Kurien, who had been elected to the Upper House of Parliament on a Congress ticket from Kerala. The BJP's decision to opt for a member of its ally as its choice is driven by its desire to be more accommodative to its partners, many of whom have often expressed their reservations at the treatment meted out to them by the saffron party since the government was formed in 2014. The current strength of the Rajya Sabha is 244 and support of 123 members would be needed for a win in the full House. The BJP is the largest party in the House with 73 members. Its allies JD(U), Shiv Sena, Akali Dal have 6, 3, 3. Besides the nominated and independent members affiliated to it, the BJP is banking on the support of 13, nine, six and two members of the AIADMK, BJD, TRS, YSR Congress respectively, its floor managers said. If all four parties support the NDA candidate, then the numbers add up to 126. However, if parties like BJD or TRS abstain from voting, then things will become more precarious for the ruling alliance. Both these parties had abstained during a vote on the recent motion of no-confidence against the government in the Lok Sabha while the AIADMK had voted with the treasury benches. The BJP is hoping to get support of four of the six Independent members and three of the four nominated members. The Congress has 50 members. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Patti Hoffman has taken over the post of Consul General of the United States of America for the Kolkata Consular District, the US Consulate said in a statement today. Hoffman succeeded Craig Hall and took over charge on August 3. The Kolkata Consular District includes West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Sikkim, and the seven northeastern states. "I am honored to be representing our country here in eastern and northeastern India. I look forward to meeting people across the consular district and to working together to advance the U.S.-Indian partnership at all levels," she was quoted in the statement as saying. Prior to coming to Kolkata, Consul General Hoffman was a student at the National War College at the National Defence University (NDU) in Washington, DC. Previously, she had served as Chief of Staff to the Director General of the US Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources. Hoffman has also served in overseas at the US Embassy Mexico City, US Embassy London, US Embassy Quito, and US Consulate General Rio de Janeiro and served in several positions at the US Department of State in Washington, DC. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Habibur Rahaman, an alleged handler of hardened Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem, after he was deported from Saudi Arabia, officials said today. Rahaman was arrested by the NIA on his arrival from Saudi Arabia, they said. Officially, the NIA has maintained that it had received an input about Rahman travelling to India, but officials in the know of the development said it was an example of cooperation between security agencies of the two countries. Rahman is an alleged handler of LeT terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem alias Nomi, who was arrested in 2007 while trying to help two Pakistani and one Kashmiri terrorist infiltrate into India through Bangladesh. Naeem ditched the police and escaped from custody while he was being taken for court attendance to Maharashtra from Kolkata in August, 2014. The escape from custody emboldened Naeem, who kept playing cat and mouse games with agencies for about three years during which he continued with his nefarious activities on the directions of his handlers based in Pakistan and in Saudi Arabia, the NIA said. "A well-established conspiracy was hatched between the accused for targeting vulnerable locations in India with intent of causing maximum damage. Naeem was tasked to identify locations where terrorist attacks could be carried out," an NIA spokesperson said. In order to execute the conspiracy, the official said, Naeem assumed different fake identities and visited different states including Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, and did reconnaissance of possible targets for terrorist attacks. "Habibur Rahman, who is affiliated to proscribed terrorist organisation LeT, arranged shelter/hideouts and funds for Naeem on different occasions for carrying out terrorist activities in India on the directions of the LeT commander Amjad alias Rehan who is based in Pakistan," he said. The spokesperson said Naeem was arrested by NIA in November 2017 and has been since charge sheeted along with 10 other co-accused including Habibur Rehman by the NIA. "Accused Habibur Rahman is being produced today in Patiala House Courts, New Delhi to seek NIA custody for his interrogation," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is yet to take a decision on removing a portrait of Muhammad Ali Jinnah from the office of its students' union, an issue that had triggered a controversy in May, Parliament was informed today. The information was shared by Satya Pal Singh, Minister of State for HRD, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. "The students' union has been dissolved and any decision on the issue can only be taken by the newly-elected union, when formed," Singh said. BJP MP from Aligarh Satish Gautam had objected to the portrait of the founder of Pakistan on the walls of the AMU students' union office and written to the vice-chancellor of the university, seeking its removal. Violence had broken out on the AMU campus on May 2 as the row over the portrait triggered a right-wing protest and sparring between two leaders of the ruling BJP. At least six people were injured when the police lobbed teargas shells to disperse the AMU students demanding the arrest of those who had earlier barged into the campus shouting slogans. A function to grant life membership of the students' union to former vice-president Hamid Ansari, scheduled on the same day, was called off and Ansari had to return to Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi asserted today that there was no need for the resignation of Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma or any other minister in the aftermath of the Muzaffarpur shelter home scandal "just because some people are giving statements". Modi was responding to queries from journalists about demands having been made by some senior leaders of his party for the resignation of Verma, who belongs to the JD(U). The senior BJP leader made the remark immediately after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's "Lok Samvad" programme. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, Kumar said that if Verma is found involved or if anything is found against her in connection with the shelter home sex scandal, she may be asked "to go". Verma is in the eye of the storm after the name of her husband cropped up in the case of sexual abuse of minor girls at the shelter home in Muzaffarpur. "Making an allegation is different from guilt being proven in an investigation. Some people had even levelled allegations against a minister from our party," Modi said in an obvious reference to Urban Development Minister Suresh Sharma, who is also the Muzaffarpur MLA. "No BJP leader authorised to give a statement that may be deemed the party's official line has made such a demand. State president Nityanand Rai has not made such a demand. So it would be wrong to construe personal opinions of some leaders as being the party's opinion," Modi said. Yesterday, Rajya Sabha MP and former Union Minister C P Thakur had said that Verma, whose department is under the scanner in the shelter home scandal, should resign taking moral responsibility for the sexual abuse of more than 30 girls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) No spirituality can be attached to criminal activities, the Delhi High Court said today, observing that it was "unfortunate and painful" that a 108-foot Hanuman statue was allowed to be raised on public land's pavement in the city. The court, which had earlier directed the CBI to probe how the famous Hanuman statue came to be built on public land in the busy Karol Bagh area of the city, asked the agency to ensure that the matter is dealt with seriously and stringent action is taken against all the law breakers. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said if prosecution is launched against any person, the court concerned shall ensure that the matter is dealt with expeditiously and guilty are brought to book. The court said a "very unfortunate" stand was taken by land owning agencies in this matter as none of them have come forward to say that the land belongs to them. "It is very unfortunate that a 108-foot statue has been allowed to come on a public land...," the bench said. It added that the issue required a closer scrutiny and the facts manifest grave issues of corruption and public fraud. The bench said it was "painful" that this kind of encroachment has been allowed to be raised on a pavement on the main road and every person party to this "fraud" needs to be dealt with a heavy hand. "No spirituality can be attached to criminal activities," it said and directed the CBI to file a monthly status report in the matter. The court also appointed senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and advocate Gautam Narayan as amicus curiae in the matter. It asked the DDA to file a status report in the matter and listed it for further hearing on September 6. The CBI had earlier claimed in the high court that the DDA and the North Delhi Municipal Corporation were not cooperating with its enquiry as to how the statue and a private two-wheeler dealership encroached upon public land. The DDA and the corporation had rejected the CBI's claim. Earlier the North MCD had claimed that the site in question did not come under its jurisdiction and that the New Delhi Municipal Council was responsible for the area. Both the DDA and North MCD had tried to distance themselves from the land in question after they were directed by the court to give a list of their officials who were posted in the area when the famous statue was being built illegally on public land, including a pavement. The court had initially ordered a police probe into the encroachment after a committee appointed by it in May last year to look into illegal constructions all over Delhi had pointed to encroachments of up to 1,170 square yards on DDA land which forms part of the Southern Ridge. The committee had also said that apart from the Hanuman statue, there were unauthorised constructions of multiple small and big buildings of up to four floors, including a residential complex there. The bench had then directed the authorities to take action against the unauthorised constructions on public land and ensure that all encroachments on the Southern Ridge are removed immediately and the Ridge is secured as per the orders of the Supreme Court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Normalcy was fast returning to Maganpur village of Ramgarh district a day after a violent clash erupted between two communities over construction of road on disputed land. At least 10 persons belonging to both communities had sustained injuries in the clash, police sources said. The district administration today called a peace committee meeting, which was attended by representatives of both communities. Sub-divisional officer, Ramgarh Anant Kumar said that a peace committee meeting was called in Gola to solve the dispute between two communities over the issue of construction of road and both parties agreed to it. The construction work of the road on the disputed land was stopped by administration in the wake of violence yesterday.. Both communities agreed to allow construction of road after demand of a boundary wall around the place of worship was accepted by the administration, Kumar said. The administration has deployed additional forces in the village to maintain law and order, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The oath-taking ceremony of three judges elevated to the Supreme Court -- Justices Indira Banerjee, Vineet Saran and K M Joseph -- will take place as scheduled tomorrow in the order of seniority notified by the Centre. Highly placed sources in the Supreme Court said that nothing much can be done at this stage and the concerns raised by some of the apex court judges would be discussed after the three judges are sworn in tomorrow. The sources said except Justice Ranjan Gogoi, a member of the apex court collegium who was on leave, others had "informally" deliberated on the Centre's alleged decision to lower down the seniority of Justice K M Joseph. However, it was decided that the oath-taking ceremony should take place. "Let the oath-taking take place. There is no time. The oath-taking can't be deferred. It has to be seen what can be done later," one of the sources said about the discussion that was held among the judges in the morning at the judges' lounge before they commenced the day's working in the apex court. Judges including members of the collegium comprising Justices M B Lokur, Kurian Joseph and A K Sikri met Chief Justice Dipak Misra. The sources said that the judges were of the view that there was a need to sit together and ponder over the issue. They said that the CJI, who heads the collegium, assured the judges that he would consult Justice Gogoi who is the senior most after him and take up the issue with the Centre. The Centre on Friday last came out with the notification on the appointment of the three judges to the apex court by putting at number three the seniority of Justice K M Joseph. In the notification, the names of Justice Indira Banerjee, Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, was at number one, followed by that of Justice Vineet Saran, Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court. It is the convention that seniority of the judges is determined in accordance with the order of names notified by the government. The warrants of appointment of the three judges were signed by the President on August 3. Justice Joseph's elevation to the apex court put an end to a protracted stand-off between the government and the judiciary. Justice K M Joseph, the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court, headed a bench which had quashed the imposition of President's Rule in the state in 2016. Uttarakhand was then under the Congress rule. The collegium had on January 10 recommended the name of Justice Joseph, along with that of senior advocate Indu Malhotra, for elevation to the apex court. However, the government had returned Justice Joseph's name for reconsideration and gone ahead with the appointment of Justice Indu Malhotra. The collegium had on May 16 in-principle reiterated the decision to recommend Justice Joseph's name for elevation to the apex court. The recommendation was sent to the government in July and it was accepted. The number of judges in the top court after the fresh appointments has gone up to 25. There are still six vacancies. According to the collegium's January 10 resolution, when Justice Joseph's name was recommended for elevation, "he stands at Sl. No. 45 in the combined seniority of High Court Judges on all-India basis." According to the July 16 resolution of the collegium, Justice Banerjee stood at Sl. No. 4 and Justice Saran stood at Sl. No. 5 in the combined seniority of high court judges on all-India basis. Justice Joseph became a high court judge on October 14, 2004 and he was elevated as a chief justice of high court on July 31, 2014. He will retire on June 16, 2023 as an apex court judge. Similarly, Justice Banerjee became a high court judge on February 5, 2002 and was made a chief justice of high court on April 5, 2017. She would retire on September 23, 2022. Justice Saran became a high court judge on February 14, 2002 and was made a chief justice of the high court on February 26, 2016. He will retire as an apex court judge on May 10, 2022. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Odisha government has proposed to raise the minimum wage for daily labourers by at least by 40 per cent, official sources said today. A notification issued by the Labour and Employees State Insurance department proposed to increase the minimum daily wage by 40 per cent from Rs 200 to Rs 280 for unskilled labourers while the semi-skilled labourers will get a hike by 45 per cent from Rs 220 daily to Rs Rs 320. Similarly, Skilled labourers will get a hike by 54 per cent from Rs 240 to Rs 370 per day. The high skilled labourers to get 65 per cent raise in their daily wages. They will get Rs 430 per day instead of Rs 260 daily, the notification said. The department has sought public views and objections on the proposals made by the state government. The notification said that the new wage will benefit about 2 crore daily labourers and help improve economic standard of the working class. The hike in the minimum wage will also help the check the migration of labourers from the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Writer Anna Todd's "After" book series, which initially began as Harry Styles fan fiction, is being turned into "After: The Movie". The movie is set to star Harry Potter's Hero Fiennes Tiffin as Hardin Scott (the original Harry Styles character) alongside Josephine Langford. "I was a struggling army wife going to community college who didn't know what to do with my life," Todd told the BBC. "I would read a lot of fan fiction on (publishing website) Wattpad and felt I had read everything so one day I decided to write a chapter. When I started I had no followers but I did it for fun. After I wrote the first chapter I wanted to know what happened so every day I would write a chapter and it became more popular," she added. Till date the book has sold 11 million copies, while the online version has had 1.5 billion views. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The police today arrested a criminal from Sambalpur district when he was trying to extort money from traders by terrorising them with a gun, a police officer said. The incident happened at Sindurpank Chhak in Sambalpur city, the police officer said. The criminal, a resident of Sonapali locality in the city is a history-sheeter. He is facing as many as 33 cases in different police stations across the state, the police officer said. A patrolling team of Sambalpur police spotted the criminal, he said. On seeing the police, he fired in the air and threatened to kill the traders if the police tried to nab him, the officer said. However, the police overpowered him, he said. A 9 mm pistol along with a magazine, a cartridge, one empty cartridge, a multi utility vehicle and a stolen mobile phone were seized from him, the Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Sambalpur Sadar, Bhawani Shankar Udgata, said. So far, the police have found 33 cases in the name of the accused, he said, adding, the number of cases against the accused may be more, he said. The accused had also looted a bike, a mobile phone and cash from a man at Khulia chhak under the jurisdiction of Sason police station in the district recently, the police officer said. The mobile phone, which has been seized from the criminal today, was looted in that incident, the SDPO said. Earlier, the accused was involved in various criminal activities, such as robbery, criminal conspiracy and extortion in Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Sundergarh, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Cuttack, and Jagatsinghpur districts, he said. "We will initiate proceedings to book the accused under National Security Act (NSA)," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The board of ONGC has, for the second time in just over a month, approved selling its entire 49 per cent stake in helicopter service provider alongside government's privatisation bid, officials with direct knowledge of the development said. ONGC board had first on June 29 approved exiting and its interest being clubbed with the 51 per cent government stake that is already on offer for sale. Officials said ONGC on July 2 wrote to the government communicating the decision of the board but the Department of Disinvestment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), which is managing the sale of government stake, sought certain clarifications from the company. Among others, ONGC was asked to state if the terms on which government stake sale is being sold would be acceptable to it. The company board at its meeting on August 2 endorsed such terms, they said. This now paves way for the government to make a revised offer to sell 100 per cent stake in DIPAM, which floated the offer for sale for government's 51 per cent stake in Pawan Hans twice in the last 10 months, is likely to issue an amended expression of interest (EoI) shortly. Officials said ONGC is of the view that its investment in Pawan Hans is no longer strategic as it charter hires helicopters to ferry staff to its oil and gas locations, mostly offshore, through competitive bidding. Of the 22 helicopters it currently has on hire, just seven or less than a third are from Pawan Hans. Pawan Hans owns a fleet of 46 helicopters. ONGC board wants to consolidate business and focus resources on core oil and gas exploration and production business and not scatter bandwidth of management in unrelated businesses, they said. Officials said when the government had first floated an offer to sell its 51 per cent stake in October last year, ONGC made an offer to DIPAM that its 49 per cent stake be also sold on same terms. At that time, the company was told to get its board approval. Meanwhile, the government in early April withdrew its offer for sale as only two bidders including Indian helicopter major Global Vectra Helicorp and US-based Continental Helicopters made an offer. A revised offer for sale was floated later that month, which fetched about half a dozen bidders. DIPAM is of the view that a revised offer for sale would have to be floated as some bidders may have been deterred by 51 per cent stake and would now prefer to bid when 100 per cent is being offered. Pawan Hans operates seven Dauphin N3 Helicopters for ONGC's offshore operations. These helicopters, based at Juhu airport, Mumbai and Rajahmundry, undertake passenger crew change service and production trips on a regular basis to meet the offshore requirements of the state-owned oil and gas producer. In a district-wide crack down on anti-social elements, the Amethi police has arrested 50 persons accused of various offences, including murder and dowry deaths, an official said today. Additional Superintendent of Police B C Dubey said 50 "offenders" evading arrests were nabbed in an anti-crime drive, "Operation All Out" launched on orders of the state government. In the drive, the police teams led by respective stations house officers of 11 police stations nabbed 50 offenders, he said. The Additional SP said the SHOs of two police stations, Kamrauli and Jamo, who failed to nab the accused with arrest warrants pending in their jurisdictions have also been issued show cause notices to explain the laxity in discharge of duties on their parts. Amethi has 14 police stations including a woman police station which has no arrest warrant pending against anybody with it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Determined to contest the election for the post of Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson on Thursday, opposition parties are likely to finalise their strategy and decide the name of their candidate tomorrow, sources said. A meeting of the opposition parties was held today, during which they discussed the strategy to get the required numbers to defeat the NDA candidate, a source said, but added that no Opposition candidate's name was finalised there. "We have decided every party would discuss the names with their respective party heads and then have a final round of talk tomorrow to finalise our joint candidate. All opposition parties have also decided to talk to other independent members and a few of non-UPA, non-NDA allies," a senior opposition leader told PTI. According to the opposition sources, Tiruchi Siva of DMK, Vandana Chavan of NCP and nominated member K T S Tulsi are front-runners for the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman post. TDP, which walked out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in March, was also a part of the Opposition meeting today. C M Ramesh of the TDP, who won Public Accounts Committee election in Rajya Sabha, attended the meet. The opposition parties are in touch with the BJD, which has not yet specified its stand for the upcoming election, the sources said. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu announced today that the election for the deputy chairman's post will be held at 11 AM on August 9. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's Tiruchi Siva, Bahujan Samaj Party's Satish Chandra Mishra, NCP's Praful Patel, CPI's D Raja, TMC's Derek O'Brien, RJD's Misa Bharti and CPI(M)'s T K Rangarajan also attended the meeting in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad in Parliament House. JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP Harivansh is expected to be the NDA candidate. Naidu had suggested that the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman should be elected by consensus. However, as of now it appears an election would take place for the post with the opposition likely to field its candidate as well, the sources said. The nomination papers will have to be filed before noon on Wednesday. The post of the deputy chairman has been lying vacant since June this year, following the retirement of P J Kurien, who was elected to the upper house of Parliament on a Congress ticket from Kerala. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition parties today held a meeting here to finalise their strategy for the election of the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha. The election to the post of Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha will be held at 11 AM on August 9, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu announced today. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, SP's Ram Gopal Yadav, DMK's Tiruchi Siva, BSP's Satish Chandra Mishra, NCP's Praful Patel, CPI's D Raja, TMC's Derek O'Brien, RJD's Misa Bharti, CPI(M)'s T K Rangarajan and TDP's C M Ramesh were among those who attended the meeting in Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad's chamber in Parliament House. They met to prepare the opposition strategy for the election and discuss various names for zeroing in on a candidate they can jointly field against the NDA nominee. JD(U) MP Harivansh is likely to be the NDA candidate, sources said. Earlier, Naidu had suggested that the deputy chairman should be elected by consensus. However, as of now, it appears an election would take place for the post with the opposition likely to field a candidate as well, the sources said. The nomination papers will have to be filed before noon on August 8. The post of the Deputy Chairman has been lying vacant since June this year following the retirement of P J Kurien, who was elected to the Upper House of Parliament on a Congress ticket from Kerala. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Orient Cement of the CK Birla Group today signed a pact with the Telangana government forexpanding the existing capacity of its plant at an investment of Rs 2,000 crore, said State Minister of IT and Industries K T Ramarao. "I am delighted that Orient Cement is almost doubling their capacity. Cement plantexpansionwill create another few thousands of jobs," the Minister told reporters here. A senior government official said the existing capacity of the cement plant in Devpur was five million tonnes and it would go upto eight million tonnes after the expansion programme. Orient Cement has got the first stage clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for the expansion and final clearance was awaited, an official press release said. The plant was likely to provide direct employment to 4,000 people, apart from generating indirect employment, the release further said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hamza bin Laden, the son of slain Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden, married the daughter of Mohammed Atta, the leader of the hijackers who carried out the deadly 9/11 terror attacks in the US, according to a media report. The family of the deceased Al-Qaida leader confirmed that Hamza married Atta's daughter, the Guardian quoted Osama's family as saying. Atta, an Egyptian national, piloted American Airlines Flight 11, which was the first of the hijackings, into the North Tower of the World Trade Center- killing all 92 onboard and around 1,600 people, including emergency responders, in the tower. Hamza, 29, has assumed a senior position within Al-Qaida and was aiming to avenge the death of his father, who was shot dead during a covert US military raid in Pakistan's Abbottabad seven years ago, Osama's half-brothers Ahmad and Hassan al-Attas were quoted as saying. In May 2011, US Navy SEALs stormed Osama's Abbottabad compound where he was living with three of wives and shot him dead. Hamza's brother Khalid was also killed in the US raid. Hamza is the son of one of Osama's three surviving wives, Khairiah Sabar, who was living with her husband in a compound in Abbottabad, near a large Pakistani military base, when he was killed. "We have heard he has married the daughter of Mohammed Atta," said Ahmad al-Attas. "We're not sure where he is, but it could be Afghanistan." Hamza, the potential successor of al-Qaida chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri, has released several audio speeches calling for attack on Western interests, including one in 2016 in which he vowed to avenge his father's death. Western intelligence agencies have been increasingly focusing on the whereabouts of Hamza over the past two years, seeing him as more likely than anyone else to galvanise followers. His marriage to the daughter of Atta appears to confirm that the 9/11 alumni remains a central hub of Al-Qaida and that the organisation itself continues to be organised around Osama's legacy, the report added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 100 people fell ill after reportedly eating food at a feast organised following a funeral in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district, police said today. The incident happened yesterday in Gadhumariya village in the district, located around 250 kilometres from the state capital Raipur. "Villagers complained of uneasiness and several vomited after consuming food at a community feast held yesterday afternoon after a funeral," Raigarh Additional Superintendent of Police Harish Rathore said. He said that 87 people, including 25 women and children. were rushed to the district hospital while 15 others were taken to hospitals in the vicinity. "Forty people are still undergoing treatment at the district hospital. They are out of danger. Investigations are underway to find out the cause of the incident," Rathore said. In a similar incident on July 28 in the state's Rajnandgaon district, a woman had died and 149 others fell ill after partaking a community feast. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 45 per cent seats remained vacant in AICTE approved engineering colleges across the country in the last four years, the Lok Sabha was informed today. Minister of State for Human Resource Development Satya Pal Singh said 48.79 per cent seats remained vacant during 2014-15 academic session while the percentage of seats that remained vacant during 2015-16, 2017-18 and 2018-19 was 47.68 per cent, 49.70 per cent and 49.30 per cent respectively. "The actual enrolment in technical institutes is based on demand-supply situation which is attributed to the location of the institute, research and infrastructure facilities and placement opportunities," Singh said. The All India Council for Technical (AICTE) had received 239 applications from engineering and technical institutes for closure out of which 51 institutes were granted letter of approval. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seguin, TX (78155) Today Sunny with gusty winds developing this afternoon. High around 80F. Winds NW at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Clear skies. Low 49F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Flaying those who shaved off the beard of a young Muslim man, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi today said 'those indulging in such tyranny and injustice' will be brought into the fold of Islam and made to keep a beard. His comments drew a sharp reaction BJP MLA from Telangana T Raja Singh Lodh, who said that any Muslim sporting a beard would be viewed with suspicion as long as 'Jihadi' Muslims are not boycotted. Owaisi made the remarks at a public meeting here, where he referred to the reported incident of a Muslim man's beard being shaved off at Gurugram and urged youth from the community not to fear such incidents. "If someone is fearing that our Muslim brother's beard was shaved off... No need to worry. I am telling you, who shaved off the beard, I am telling your father... that you cut, not beard, but throat, we will remain Muslim... It is our constitutional right," he said. "Those indulging in tyranny and injustice, we will not stop keeping a beard even if it is shaved off. We will keep even a long beard. We will keep such a long beard that with ourtruthfulness, we will bring you into Islam (daman e Islam). We will bring you and make you keep beard. Lodh, representing Goshamahal constituency here, posted his reaction in a video message on a social networking site, saying there is an atmosphere of fear in the country and anyone with a long beard is viewed with suspicion. "See what is happening in Kashmir, which is part of India and those sporting beard there... they throw grenades and fire bullets on the army and explode bombs among common people, killing them. Maybe this led to fear atmosphere and some people, due to suspicion, may have cut off the beard. He however said the act was wrong and government would initiate action. "People like Owaisi are responsible for creating such a situation.People are viewing even real Muslims with suspicion," he said. On Owaisi's reported statement that those indulging in such tyranny would be brought into the fold of Islam, he said "I would like to tell him you will not able to convert Hindus into Islam". Lodha took potshots at Owaisi and his brother for calling themselves Muslim sevaks and alleged that the duo and their party MLAs had grabbed thousands of acres of Wakf board land in Telangana and sold it. Earlier Owaisi alleged that attacks on Muslim minorities had increased after the NDA government came to power. He said though the Prime Minister was talking about 'sab ka saath, sab ka vikas', Muslims in India were being killed in the name of the cow. He referred to the lynching of Akbar Khan at Alwar in Rajasthan by cow vigilantes and said that after he was killed, a BJP MLA had branded him as a cow smuggler and said this was what was going to happen. "It means death is justified.... what the Prime Minister of India says... 'sab ka saath, sab ka vikas'. "Prime Minister, we are killed in the name of the cow. Since you became Prime Minister, India's Muslims are being killed in the name of the cow." "Those who are attacking us in the name of cow, you are not killing us, but you are weakening India," he said. Owaisi said the Right to Life is a right given in the Constitution. He said Indian Muslims should learn a lesson from the Jats in Haryana, Marathas, Patels and Gujjars in Rajasthan and Dalits (for the government planning to make a law on the issue of prevention of atrocities against SCs and STs act) and get united to force the government accept their concerns. On criticism against him as 'neo-Jinnah', Owaisi recalled that he was appreciated by many for taking on some Pakistan representatives when they criticized India during a debate on a visit to the neighbouring country. "I say, how long you will judge us on the measure of Pakistan?" he asked. Flaying BJP president Amit Shah for his comments on the NRC issue, Owaisi demanded to know how he could say that the 40 lakh people left out in the list in Assam are infiltrators. "If infiltrators, get it done in Tripura also. See how many come out.Get it done in Jammu. Heard that Tripura's Chief Minister was born in (19) 71. Get NRC done," Owaisi said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Chief Justice Saqib Nisar today hinted at constituting a high-power Joint Investigation Team - similar to the one formed in the Panama Papers case against Nawaz Sharif - to probe the money laundering allegations against former president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister, according to media reports. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) approached the apex court after Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur failed to appear before a joint investigation team probing alleged money laundering of Rs 35 billion through fake accounts, the reported. On August 1, the FIA had issued notices to Zardari and Talpur to appear before the JIT in Islamabad on Saturday. But the duo did not appear. During today's hearing by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Nisar, Justice Umar Ata Bandia said that the money stashed in accounts is illegal. On this the chief justice observed that this is black money and the court will not spare anyone, the paper said. Zardari, Talpur, former Pakistan Stock Exchange chairman Hussain Lawai, Summit Bank Senior Vice-President Taha Raza are among those being investigated by a seven-member JIT led by FIA Additional Director General Najaf Mirza for allegedly facilitating 29 'fake' accounts in Summit Bank, Sindh Bank and United Bank Limited. When Chief Justice Nisar asked for the formation of a JIT, defence counsel Aitzaz Ahsan raised objections, the Express Tribune reported. Responding to Ahsan's query if the trial will be heard by the top court or a lower court, the chief justice said the trial can be conducted in SC as well. He added the JIT would be formed in a similar fashion to the one formed the in the Nawaz Sharif case as a "balancing act", the paper said. He also hinted at forming a special court to hear and sought result in a month. On August 4, in their reply submitted to the apex court, Zardari and Talpur had expressed reservations against Mirza leading the investigation team. The Pakistan Peoples Party had called for the court to direct the FIA to conduct a fair investigation without any harassment or defamation. The top judge urged Zardari and Talpur to appear before the FIA and prove their innocence. "If they are declared innocent, I will order an FIR against DG FIA Bashir Memon and others myself," the chief justice said. Zardari served as the 11th President of Pakistan from 2008 to 2013. He rose to prominence after his marriage to Benazir Bhutto in 1987. During the hearing, Chief Justice Nisar remarked that he had been threatened with dire consequences post-retirement. "I am not afraid," he said. DG FIA Memon told court that the Sindh Police was harassing witnesses as the accused were seeking to dispose the case. Chiding the provincial police, Chief Justice Nisar directed IG Sindh Amjad Javed Saleemi to probe the matter and submit a report on August 8. The court adjourned hearing until August 13. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Palestinian shot by Israeli forces on the Gaza border four months ago has died, the health ministry in the coastal enclave has said. Ahmed al-Ayeda, 17, was shot on March 30 -- the first day of months of protests and clashes along the border -- the ministry said in a statement late yesterday. He had been in critical condition since being shot east of Bureij in the central Gaza Strip. At least 160 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the protests began. One Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper. The protests are calling for Palestinians to be able to return to the land they or their families fled in the 1948 war surrounding the creation of Israel. Israel says any such return would mean the end of it as a Jewish state. Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas have fought three wars with Israel since 2008. The United Nations and Egypt are currently trying to secure a deal between Israel and Hamas for a lasting truce. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Parliament today passed a bill to provide constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes, as several members in the Rajya Sabha urged the government to make public the findings of the caste census and implement reservation accordingly. The demand was raised during a debate on the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill 2017 in the Upper House, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 2 superseding the amendments earlier carried out by the Rajya Sabha. Today, the Upper House adopted the legislation along with the amendments made by the Lok Sabha, by 156 votes to nil. Over two-third majority of those present voted in favour of the bill, which is a necessity for amending the Constitution. The Rajya Sabha had earlier passed the measure on July 31 last year, along with an amendment and sent it to the Lower House. The Lok Sabha had passed the bill last week with alternate amendments as well as some more changes unanimously with over two-third majority. Replying to the debate on the bill, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot said it would help the backward classes people fight atrocities against them and ensure quick justice to them. "This bill would provide justice to the OBC people, it is the need of the hour," Gehlot said. Referring to the suggestions by the opposition parties, he said the NCBC would have female representation. He also assured that it would also not encroach upon the rights of state governments as they would have their own backward class commissions. "This commission has no relation with the state governments but is related to the Centre only." He said the state governments had their own lists of castes of OBC people, while the Centre had its own. The NCBC would recommend only to the central government regarding inclusion or deletion of a particular caste in the list. "This is an important issue. There was demand for a constitutional status to OBC Commission from the 1980s and Parliament had held discussions several times. It has been discussed by the Standing Committee," Gehlot said and urged the members to pass it expeditiously. He said once the bill is passed by Parliament, the government would immediately form the commission. Participating in the discussion on the constitutional amedment bill and the National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill 2017, Bhupender Yadav (BJP) urged political parties to shun "vote politics" and support these measures. He charged the Congress of sabotaging the issue earlier and said it had chance to rectify its mistake by ensuring passage of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha. "Last time the Bill fell in Rajya Sabha...UPA in its two terms failed to bring this amendment... OBC is a religion- neutral term and the Bill failed last time because politics defeated social justice," Yadav said. He said the Bill is long overdue and lamented that many states have not implemented 27 per cent reservation to the OBCs and added that parties should "rise above vote bank politics and work towards social justice". Chaya Verma (Cong) sought reservation in Parliament and Assemblies for OBCs said creamy layer should be removed. She asked the goverment how it will implement the quota when it was encouraging contractual jobs. Narendra Jadhav (Nom) demanded that the findings of the socio-economic caste census be made public. He said the Rohini Commission report and the census data should be compared to prepare fresh data of OBCs. Ram Kumar Kashyap (INLD) said two panel members must be taken from extreme backward classes and there should be a bill for reservation in legislature for the OBCs. Ashok Sidharth (BSP) allged that the motive behind the government to bring the Bill now was to woo the electorate in the ensuing assembly elections. Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD) expressed hope that this will create a level-playing field, while B Prakash (TRS) said no serious efforts have been made for caste-based census. T K Rangarajan (CPI-M) said mere Acts will not do as they did not percolate down to the grassroot level, as recent data showed that only 7 out of 100 teachers in the Central Universities belonged to SC/ST and OBC categories. B K Hariprasad (Cong) said although the government has made provision for a female member, it has left out representation for minorities. Observing that that the Supreme Court has mandated that the qualification of the Chairperson, Vice Chairman and Members and prescribed that a former or sitting judge of the Supreme Court or high court should be the Chairman of the commission. "But unfortunatley, there are hardly any OBC or SC judges in the Supreme Court. There may be some in the High Courts," he said, adding there was a huge disparity in this matter. Sambhaji Chhatrapati (Nom) demanded that Marathas be included in the OBC list to get equal opportunity in jobs. "It is not clear that why Marathas have been excluded in one or the other commission," he said, adding they were identified as backward class by the British rulers also. Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) also supported the bill and said the government should come out with the caste-based census and implement the reservations accordingly. He demanded that the reservation should also be extended to the judiciary. While A Navaneethakrishnan (AIDMK) supported the bill and sought removal of creamy layer from the OBC list, Ahamed Hassan (AITC) said the bill unduly interfered with the affairs of the state governments. Vijila Sathyananth (AIADMK) suggested that there should be one woman member and one member from minorities on board of the commission. She also pitched for representation from each region of the country. She also drew attention towards skewed representation of OBCs in various committees, commissions, boards and other different fora of government. Ram Chandra Prasad Singh (BJP) supported the bill and demanded for another such bill for highly backward classes, while Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena) said "we have to eliminate caste to strengthen country's political system." T K S Elangovan said (DMK) suggested that the word Governor should be replaced by government for consultation by the commission because government knows better about backward classes in a state than an executive appointed. He also said that the power to list out OBCs should lie with the states. Ramdas Athawale (RPI-A) sought that the total quota for backward classed should be increased from 50 per cent at present to 75 per cent. Ripun Bora (Cong) also suggested that there should be representation of women and minorities in the commission, while D Raja (CPI) was of the view that there is no point of having commissions whose recommendations are not biding on the government. He said "NITI Aayog is promoting public private partnership and privatisation of public sector undertakings. Where is the scope of reservation? The commission should not be devised to hoodwink people". Madhusudan Mistry (INC) said the commission should not suffer shortage of funds, while Ritabrata Banerjee (IND) was of the view that this bill interfered with the freedom of the state. Biswajit Daimary (BPF) also supported the bill. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Parliament today passed a stringent legislation prescribing death penalty to those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years and making the law against such sexual offences harsher. The Bill replaces the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance promulgated on April 21, following an outcry over the rape and murder of a minor girl in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir and the rape of another woman at Unnao in Uttar Pradesh. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2018, which was passed in the Lok Sabha on July 30, was approved by a voice vote in the Upper House. While replying to a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju assured the House that the concerns and issues raised by the members would be looked into by the government, even as he did not agree with the demand of several MPs to send the bill to a Select Committee for scrutiny. Terming the bill as one of national importance, Rijiju said the law is aimed at providing safety to minor girls as he highlighted various aspects of the measure. He said the government brought the bill, as in the last few months, several heart-rending incidents of rape of under- aged girls have taken place in the country. Rijiju said four states had already brought a law in their respective assemblies for capital punishement those who commit rape gainst the girl child who are under the age of 12. The states are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh. "We have introduced certain changes in the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Court Procedure, Evidence Act and there are consequential effects on prevention of atrocities against children," the minister said. The bill stipulates stringent punishment for perpetrators of rape, particularly of girls below 12 years. Death sentence has been provided for rapists of girls under 12 years. The minimum punishment in cases of rape of women has been increased from rigorous imprisonment of seven years to 10 years. According to the bill, in case of rape of a girl under 16 years, the minimum punishment has been increased from 10 to 20 years, extendable to imprisonment for rest of life, which means jail term till the convict's "natural life". Stringent punishment for rape of a girl under 12 years has been provided with the minimum jail term being 20 years which may go up to life in prison or death sentence. Gangrape of a girl under 12 years of age will invite punishment of jail term for the rest of life or death. The measure also provides for speedy investigations and trial. The time limit for investigation of all cases of rape has been prescribed, which has to be mandatorily completed within two months. The deadline for the completion of trial in all rape cases will be two months. A six-month time limit for the disposal of appeals in rape cases has also been prescribed, the bill says, adding that there will also be no provision for anticipatory bail for a person accused of rape or gangrape of a girl under 16 years. Participating in the debate, several members made a case for sending the bill for scrutiny to Select Committee, saying there were several shortcomings in it. Some members argued that the provision of death penalty could affect reporting of cases of sexual assault as in many cases the accused happened to be relatives or known persons. There was also an opinion that the provision of death penalty could endanger the life of the victim. Many members suggested that the government change the term 'woman' in the bill appropriately and make it gender- neutral as such crimes do happen with boys as well. Sukhendu Sekhar Ray (TMC) wondered why there are different punishment according to the age of the vicitm. He also expressed concern over the large pendency of cases in courts in the country. Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD) expressed concern that provision of death penalty may endanger victim's life, while Kahkashan Perween (JD-U) suggested that like in Bihar, there should be women police stations in all states. Chhaya Verma (Cong) said punishment should be the same for those convicted for rape, irrespective of the gender of child victim. Ravi Prakash Verma (SP) said the bill should be sent to a select commitee as it took care only of girls and not boys. Citing a survey, he added that the cases of sexual violence were more against boys. Rajeev Gowda (Congress) also aked the government refer it to a select committee. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will be flying to the US on August 9 from Delhi for a medical check-up and is expected return by the end of this month, a senior official said today. Parrikar is scheduled to be in Delhi tomorrow and is expected to meet the Centre's Group of Ministers to place before it a resolution on mining passed in the Goa Legislative Assembly on August 3, the official from the Chief Minister's Office said. Parrikar (62) is suffering from a pancreatic ailment and had flown to the US on March 7 for treatment. He returned to the country on June 14. The Goa Legislative Assembly had, on August 3, passed a resolution urging the Centre to suitably amend the Goa, Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, to allow mining leases in the state to be operational till 2037. The resolution also wanted the Union government to amend the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act in order to give mining leases in Goa a 50-year tenure of operation. The state's mining sector has been shut since March 16 this year after the Supreme Court, in an order in February, cancelled 88 leases and banned the extraction of fresh ore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP president Amit Shah today hailed as "historic" the passage of a bill which grants constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes and said it underlines the Modi government's commitment to the progress of Other Backward Classes (OBC). Soon after the Rajya Sabha passed the bill, Shah was joined by several Cabinet ministers as he told reporters that the government has fulfilled a demand which the backward classes had been making since 1955 but no other government paid heed to. It has given respect and justice to the OBC community by fulfilling their long-pending demand, he said. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given justice to the backward community, which was deprived of developments for decades since independence, with the legislation that grants constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes," he said. The passage of the bill will herald a new chapter in the development of the backward community, he said, claiming that it will be written in "golden letters" when the history of Dalits, tribals and backward community is written. The OBC community has now got a constitutional forum to address their grievances, Shah said. The Modi government has taken a number of steps for the development of the poor, villages, Dalits, tribals and the backwards, he said. The Lok Sabha had passed the bill last week. The BJP believes that the legislation will be a major political plank for the party to woo numerically strong OBC as it gears up for key state elections followed by the Lok Sabha polls next year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today termed as "historic" the passage of a bill which grants constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes. The Rajya Sabha today adopted the legislation along with the amendments made by the Lok Sabha. Over two-third majority of those present voted in favour of the bill, which is a necessity for amending the Constitution. "A historic moment for our country! I am glad that Parliament has passed the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, which grants Constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes. This will contribute to the empowerment of the OBC communities across India," the PM tweeted. The government feels it would help people from backward classes fight atrocities against them and ensure quick justice to them. There has been a demand to grant constitutional status to OBC Commission from the 1980s. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The police today attached the property of three wanted Maoists in Jharkhand's Khunti district, a police release said. The property of Lodro Lohra, a member of Sub-Zonal committee of the CPI(Maoist), 'Area Commander' Vimal Lohra alias Nilesh and 'Area Commander' Mahendra Munda alias Ritesh Munda were attached, the release said. The three Maoists carry a reward of Rs 2 lakh on their head each, it said, adding that hunt was on to apprehend them. While 18 naxal-related cases were registered against Lodro, six cases were pending against Nilesh and five against Mahendra Munda. The property attachment process were carried out in connection with a case registered against them at Arki police station in May 2017 for allegedly allegedly planting an IED in Gitilbeda jungle under Arki Police station limit to target the security personnel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police claimed to have rescued 14 oxen from a truck while they were being illegally transported in Rajasthan's Bundi district today, officials said. Police have lodged a case under sections of Cow Protection Act against unidentified persons, however, they managed to flee the spot, Station House Officer Laxman Singh said. Acting on a tip-off, a police team intercepted a truck carrying 14 oxen, aged between four and five, on NH-52 in Hindoli town here, he said. The rescued oxen were sent to a goushala in Bundi city, he said, adding a hunt is on for the accused. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prison Nurseries? | Main | The War on Kids Post #4 August 6, 2018 The War on Kids Post #3 As Dougs readers know, in recent years the Supreme Court has limited the extent to which states can expose kids to the most serious sanctions on the books. In a series of cases known as the Miller trilogy (Roper v. Simmons, Graham v. Florida, and Miller v. Alabama) the Court has held that states cannot execute people for juvenile crimes (Roper); that the Eighth Amendment bars life without parole for juvenile, non-homicide offenders (Graham); and that it similarly precludes mandatory life without parole even for juveniles who commit homicide (Miller). With these decisions, the Court has underscored the idea that kids are different for constitutional purposes and state sentencing practices must reflect that fact. While I address these decisions in some detail in The War on Kids, I know that most of Dougs readers are familiar with the basics of these decisions and the social science on which they relied. So I want to focus this post on the implementation of the Miller trilogy. Implementing the Miller trilogy has been messy. First, there was the question of who benefitted from these cases. Roper and Graham were clearly retroactive decisions they took off the table a form of punishment as it applied to a category of individuals and each case affected a relatively small pool of prisoners. At the time of Roper, there were 72 death row inmates who had been convicted as juveniles, and according to the Supreme Court, there were 129 juvenile non-homicide offenders serving LWOP at the time of Graham. Miller, on the other hand, called into question the validity of approximately 2,500 cases nationwide. After some initial confusion among lower courts, the Supreme Court clarified in Montgomery v. Louisiana that the Miller decision applied retroactively. As a result, those 2,500 prisoners whose cases were squarely within the purview of Miller became eligible for some modification of their sentence. (Ill return in my next post to the Montgomery Courts suggested and yet problematic method for compliance, parole). In addition, youth offenders across the nation who had been sentenced to de facto life sentences or to sentences of life with parole began to seek judicial relief, arguing that the reasoning of Miller applied to their cases too. In sum, there are now thousands of individuals across the country with legitimate claims to relief under the Miller trilogy. Second, states have grappled with how to implement a Miller remedy: what should it be? and who should provide it? In recent years, many state legislatures have banned JLWOP. In 2011, the year before Miller, only five states banned JLWOP; today 20 states and D.C. ban the sentence. At the same time, states like West Virginia and Nevada have enacted legislation that not only bans JLWOP, but also permits ongoing, periodic review for youth serving lengthy terms and requires sentencing judges to consider the mitigating aspects of youth. Courts have also focused on the rehabilitative ideals of the Miller trilogy and have struck down lengthy term-of-year sentences as the de facto equivalent of JLWOP. The Massachusetts high court has banned JLWOP and held that youth offenders seeking parole have the right to counsel and expert assistance. The Iowa Supreme Court found that the Miller rationale precludes any mandatory sentence for youth. In sum, many courts and legislative bodies are grappling with when youth offenders should receive a second-look, what term of year sentence is appropriate in lieu of LWOP, and what procedural safeguards apply post-Miller to inmates seeking relief. As I discuss in the book, this implementation process has been slow and the results have been mixed. Not all states have embraced the science and reasoning behind the Miller trilogy. For example, Michigan incarcerates 363 of the roughly 2,500 inmates nationwide serving JLWOP. Under Miller, those 363 individuals should receive a new sentence that takes into account their youth and other relevant mitigating factors. Moreover, the Miller Court expressly said that, given what we know about adolescent brain development, appropriate occasions for sentencing juveniles to this harshest possible penalty will be uncommon. Yet prosecutors in Michigan are seeking to resentence more than half of these individuals to LWOP over great protest from the defense community. Some prosecutors in counties of Pennsylvania and Louisiana have taken equally harsh positions on resentencing JLWOP inmates. At the same time, courts have been split on the question whether Graham and Miller apply to aggregate juvenile sentences that result in a death-in-custody term. And prisoners feel the geographic disparity post-Miller. Consider Florida, where Terrence Graham originally received JLWOP for the attempted armed robbery of a barbeque restaurant. After the Supreme Court found his JLWOP sentence unconstitutional in 2010, he received a resentencing hearing and a 25-year sentence for his non-homicide crime. In contrast, juvenile homicide offenders in Massachusetts are now parole eligible after serving 15 years and they enjoy a number of procedural rights in the parole process. Post-Miller it is clear that justice can be slow and uneven as a function of federalism. In my next post, Ill focus specifically on state attempts to use parole in order to comply with Miller. August 6, 2018 at 12:44 PM | Permalink Comments States should resit Miller etc. will all their might. Posted by: federalist | Aug 6, 2018 9:06:40 PM Is the overheated rhetoric of war really necessary? I think it detracts from your message. Posted by: justme | Aug 7, 2018 8:06:06 AM justme - I think we can accept that the US is unusual in the degree, by some degrees in fact, in both the criminalization of children and in its penalization policies, which even in the lesser categories from those to which Miller was an attempt by the Supreme Court to address, destroy young lives, cause untold grief to families, and impact adversely on the future prospects for resettlement into communities. The "war on kids" requires a war on a resistant judiciary to resolve, in the interests of fairness and justice, as some of the examples in article #3 illustrate. As Donald Trump seems to go to war with someone new every day, the readership will hardly be surprised at the choice of title. Were the Supreme Court so stirred to enact an immediate transformation of this mess! Posted by: peter | Aug 7, 2018 8:43:03 AM I think that there is a difference between 17 years old murderer (or killer) and a real 13-15 years old child. While for a late teenager sentence review 15-20 years is OK (to me 10-13 years is enough) the young children must to have their chance much more sooner. 5-7 years is enough to see if a child is rehabilitated. Posted by: Severin M | Aug 7, 2018 10:34:18 AM "in the interests of fairness and justice" There's so much question begging going on there that it's hard to know where to begin. But it is odd that nowhere in your analysis is there any discussion of fairness and justice to the victim's family or society. Posted by: justme | Aug 8, 2018 3:27:38 PM thanks justine---your comment is a breath of fresh air Posted by: federalist | Aug 10, 2018 7:22:28 AM Post a comment Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi today hit back at Chief Minister V Narayanasamy for questioning her powers and said such statements were "hurting the speed of progress" of the union territory. Bedi, who has been having a running battle with the Congress government here, was reacting to Narayanasamy's remarks yesterday that she had been issuing instructions to officials during her field visits "without authority". In a message to the media, she said by making such regular negative statements about the responsibilities and accountability of the Lt Governor's officethe chief minister "is always hurting speed of progress of Puducherry." Narayanasamy had also said officials need not listen to Bedi's instructions. She said, "If progress has been his interest then he would not make such statements." The former IPS officer said the responsibilities of the office of the Lt Governor were clearly laid down under the law and the rules, and anyone want to know them they may read them. She cited the recent judgment of the Supreme Court on the tussle between Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lt Governor Anil Baijal and said judges in the apex court had said the verdict does not apply to Puducherry. Bedi said she has so far spent more than 26 months as Lt Governor of Puducherry, which would have emerged on top among union territories on all parameters if the chief minister had not hindered the collective efforts. She said, "whatever orders were issued were from the office of the Lieutenant Governor, not my orders." Narayanasamy had yesterday said of late Bedi had been issuing warnings through social media to officers and intimidating them that stern action would be taken if they were found wanting in implementation of schemes like Swachh Bharath Abhiyan in the union territory. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Power Mech Projects said today that it has bagged two orders worth Rs 1,385.49 crore from the Andhra Pradesh government. The company said in a BSE filing that it got an order to provide infrastructure including additional class rooms and electrical facilities in all government Schools, KGBVs and Bhavitha buildings in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram & Visakhapatnam districts, on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM). The project cost is Rs 872.71 crore, under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan. The project would be completed within 24 months. The operations period is for five years from the date of completion of the construction. The company said that it has received a similar order for Krishna and Guntur districts at project cost of Rs 512.78 crore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The preparations for the proposed final phase of Bru repatriation from North Tripura to Mizoram, from August 14 to September 10, have almost been completed, a senior Mizoram home department official said today. The Brus are in six relief camps in North Tripura at present. The district core committee on Bru repatriation along the Mizoram-Bangladesh-Tripura border in Mamit district, the Assam border in Kolasib district and in south Mizoram's Lunglei district were making arrangements to receive the 32,876 Brus belonging to 5,407 families and resettle them, the Additional Secretary for Home Lalbiakzama said. While 4,199 Bru families would be resettled in 48 villages in Mamit district, 824 and 384 families would be resettled in 10 villages Kolasib and four villages in Lunglei districts respectively, Lalbiakzama said. According to the agreement, inked in Delhi during the first week of July this year, between the Centre, the state governments of Mizoram and Tripura and the Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF), all Bru refugees were to be repatriated to Mizoram before September 30. The MBDPF is the apex body of the Bru community in the relief camps. All the repatriated Bru families would get Rs 5,000 each through direct benefit transfer every month and a free ration for two years. The Centre would deposit Rs 4 lakh in the bank accounts of each of the repatriated families and the money could be withdrawn after three years and a housing assistance to the tune of Rs 1.5 lakh would be disbursed to each family. Thousands of Brus had been lodged in relief camps in Tripura since late 1997 in the wake of a communal tension triggered by the brutal murder of Lalzawmliana, a forest guard inside the Dampa Tiger Reserve on October 21, 1997 by Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF) militants. The first attempt to repatriate them from November 16, 2009 not only failed but triggered another wave of exodus after Bru militants gunned down a youth at Bungthuam village three days before the commencement of the repatriation process. Though some Bru families had already returned to Mizoram during a number of repatriation processes and on their own, many of them continued to refuse to leave Tripura till date despite many attempts. Meanwhile, a large number of Bru families in the relief camps are likely to oppose the moves as they were making other demands and had forced MBDPF president A Sawibunga, one of the signatories of the July agreement to withdraw his signature. MBDPF secretary Bruno Msha told PTI over phone from Naisingpara, the largest relief camp in North Tripura district, that many Bru families opposed the proposed repatriation process while some families agreed to return to Mizoram in accordance with the agreement. Msha said that the situation in the relief camps is still extremely sensitive with some people vehemently opposing the repatriation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Ram Nath Kovind today tweeted in Malayalam about his engagements in Kerala. Kovind, who greeted the audience in Malayalam at the inauguration of "Festival on Democracy", in a series of tweets in the mother tongue of Keralites highlighted some of the points of his address at the function. He also expressed his happiness on his meeting with veteran communist leader K R Gowri, an official release said. The "Festival of Democracy" programme was held at the state assembly complex as part of the valedictory of diamond Jubilee celebration of the Kerala assembly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Violence has no place in the Constitution, President Ramnath Kovind said today, and voiced concern over recurring political clashes in Kerala on a day the came of a CPI-M youth wing activist being stabbed to death allegedly by BJP-RSS cadre. Inaugurating the 'Festival of Democracy', a conference to mark the conclusion of diamond jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Assembly in Thiruvananthapuram, Kovind said all parties and enlightened citizens should do their best to check political violence. He said the history of "debate, mutual dignity and respect" for each other's point of view has been the "hallmark" of Kerala society, prominently placing Malayalees among the thought leaders of the country. "Nevertheless there remains the paradox of political violence in Kerala, especially in some regions of the state. This is unfortunate and does little justice to the glorious traditions of the state and its people. "Debate, dissent and disagreement are perfectly acceptable and should be welcomed in our polity. But violence has no place in our Constitution," he said. Kovind's remarks followed reports that a 25-year-old Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) worker, was attacked by two motorcycle-borne men in Kasargod district's Uppala, about 600 km from Thiruvananthapuram, late last night. Siddique was rushed to a nearby hospital but could not be saved, a police official said. Kerala's ruling CPI-M's state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan blamed the killing on the BJP-RSS combine. He said such "communal forces" should be identified and isolated by the society. The state's BJP chief P S Sreedharan Pillai, however, rejected the allegation. Several workers of the Left parties and those affiliated to the BJP and RSS have been killed in the state over the past few years, particularly in Kannur district. President Kovind said political violence should be a topic of discussion at the 'Festival of Democracy'. "The people of Kerala and the citizens of India deserve that we do serious thinking on the issue," he said, adding politics, public life and the quality of democracy are a reflection of the essential ethos of a society. Kerala's social framework always encouraged debate and dialogue, which was also the way shown by reformers like Adi Shankaracharya, Sri Narayana Guru and Ayyankali. He said there always was the motivation for discourse between people of various faiths and spiritual traditions, including Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and others who made Kerala among their earliest homes. "A person may believe in one faith or the other, or he or she may not believe in any faith at all. That is not important. What is important is the culture of educated and informed debate and of mutual accommodation that has been part of Kerala's DNA continues to be preserved," he said. The president lauded the 'Kerala model' of development, right from the land reforms to panchayati raj, literacy and health care. The president also planted a sapling in the assembly premises to mark the occasion. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Indian democracy sustains itself on the foundation of secularism. In the Indian context, he said, there cannot be democracy without secularism and freedom without democracy. "In this era of 'post truth politics', we ought to examine how our democracy is being affected by such tendencies which seek to subdue facts by misusing emotions. "Especially with the widespread use of social media, falsehoods aimed at fostering hatred and enmity are being propagated at will," Vijayan said. Governor P Sathasivam, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala and Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan were among those who spoke at the event which is being attended by legislators of other states and union territories. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A low-intensity blast occurred at a government school in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district today, leaving the principal and a staff member injured, officials said. According to reports, Principal Hoshyar Singh and Sharifa Begum, a non-teaching staff, were sitting in the staff room along with half a dozen teachers when an inverter battery exploded at their school in Shiva village here. People in panic rushed to the school and informed the police, they said. "After receiving information, a police team rushed to the spot and found that two persons were injured and furniture had also caught fire," the Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda, Mohammad Shabir Khatana, said. Singh and Sharifa Begum, who received minor burn injuries, were rushed to a hospital where they were undergoing treatment, he said. A special team, including SP (Operations) Ravinder Pal Singh, SDPO Tousif Ahmed Rishu and SI Sunil Parihar, has been constituted to investigate the matter, the SSP said. Meanwhile, a case has been registered and Foreinsic Science Labortary (FSL) from Jammu called to carry out investigation, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Health Minister Brahm Mohindra today flagged off five vans to make people aware about the state government's de-addiction programme. These vans would provide information about treatment facilities and the ill-effects of drugs and opiate products, according to an official release. Mohindra said the state government has launched five information, education and communication (IEC) vans to sensitize people about the de-addiction programme as well as to motivate them to come forward to join the Punjab government's anti drug-campaign. "We have designed the route map and all districts have been divided into five clusters," he said. Mohindra said the vans will visit interior areas of each cluster, covering at least 30 stations (villages and blocks) in a period of one month. He said the motive is to reach the doorstep of drug users and make them aware about the treatment and counselling facilities. The minister said free treatment is being provided to all patients at government de-addiction and rehabilitation centres, and OOAT clinics. The necessary instructions have already been issued in this regard to all the districts, he said. Giving details about the Out Patient Opioid Assisted Treatment ( OOAT) clinics, the minister said after witnessing the high success rate of these clinics across the state, the Punjab government started 37 clinics in July at Mohali, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana, Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot and Ferozepur districts. Now, a total of 118 OOAT clinics are functional in the state to provide OPD treatment services at the door step of patients suffering from drug addiction. "Around 100 more OOAT clinics will be started at CHCs (Community Health Centres) and Rural Dispensaries at the remaining districts of Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Moga by September," he said. He said there was seven times increase in terms of patient's registration in July with 15,782 patients. The total OPD footfall at OOAT clinics is 5,37,562 so far, the minister said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Pradesh Youth Congress members today staged a protest outside Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's residence here, accusing the government of favouring Anil Ambani's Reliance Group through the Rafale jet fighter deal, police said. Around 100 protesters gathered outside Sitharaman's residence at Safdarjung Road between 4 pm and 4.30 pm, and 23 of them were later detained at the Tughlak Road police station. They were released around 6.45 pm, police added. The protesters alleged that the Rafale contract, which was to be given to state-owned Aerospace and Defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, established for over 50 years, was all of a sudden given to Reliance Defence Ltd. "Is it a mere coincidence that just a few days prior to the signing of the deal between India and France, this Reliance Defence Ltd was established and a coincidence that this valuable contract of manufacturing 36 Dassault Rafale twin-engine fighter jets was handed to 'Modi-Ambani Reliance Defence Ltd'?" a statement from them said. They demanded an answer from the defence minister over escalation of costs of Rafale fighter jets under the NDA government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi would be on a one-day visit to Jaipur on August 11. "The party president will address Pradesh Congress Committee members during his visit on August 11, according to a party spokesperson. Elections are due in Rajasthan in a few months and Gandhi's visit comes close on the heels of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje embarking on a 58-day political yatra ahead of the polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rain lashed different parts of Punjab and Haryana today, providing relief from humid conditions. Maximum temperatures also fell several notches below normal in many parts of both the states. Chandigarh recorded a high of 25.4 degrees Celsius, seven notches below normal. The city received rainfall of 16.6 mm, the Met department said. In Haryana, Ambala witnessed 5 mm of rainfall with maximum settling at 26.2 degrees Celsius, five notches below normal. Bhiwani, Hisar and Karnal recorded maximum temperature at 32.2, 30.2 and 26 degrees Celsius respectively, up to seven notches below normal. Hisar and Karnal received 0.3 and 23 mm of rainfall. Narnaul's maximum was 32.7 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal. In Punjab, Amritsar's maximum was 31.9 degrees Celsius while Ludhiana and Patiala recorded their respective high at 28.6 and 26.8 degrees Celsius, up to seven notches below normal. According to the Met department, light to moderate rain may occur at many places in in both states in next 24 hours. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The participants came from 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), 10 dialogue partners (Australia, Canada, China, the EU, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the US), along with Papua New Guinea, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan, Timor-Leste, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh led the Vietnamese delegation to the event. The ministers shared the view that after 25 years of development, the ARF has continued to affirm its role as one of the key forums for dialogue and cooperation in politics-security, building trust, and implementing preventive diplomacy in the region. They noted that the ARF needs to persist in the agreed basic principles, including decision making by consensus, moving at a pace comfortable to all members and respecting the ASEANs central role. The ARF members should continue carrying out trust building measures in tandem with preventive diplomacy while fully and effectively realising the Hanoi Plan of Action to Implement the ARF Vision Statement 2020 through practical activities to effectively cope with security challenges which are becoming more and more complex in the region. Additionally, the ARF should enhance coordination with other security-defence cooperation frameworks and mechanisms of the ASEAN and the region, and maintain relations with research agencies to make use of their consultancy. At the forum, the ministers agreed to adopt the ARF statement on disaster relief cooperation, the list of the ARFs activities in 2018 and 2019, and the ARFs work plans on maritime security and disaster relief in 2018-2020. Discussing the regional and global situation, they underscored the importance of a rule-based international order and the role of multilateral organisations, considering these as pillars of international peace, stability and development. The ministers welcomed the recent progress in regional issues and called on relevant parties to fully and seriously implement the reached agreements to ensure sustainable peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The ministers also voiced concerns about emerging security challenges, including terrorism, trans-national crimes, marine security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters. They agreed to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the ARF and other regional mechanisms to better cope with these challenges. Regarding the East Sea issue, the ministers reaffirmed the significance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea. Many of them voiced concerns over activities which have eroded trust, including militarisation, increased tension and may undermine peace, security, and stability in the region. Thus, the ministers laid stress on the restraint and settlement of disputes based on international laws and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS) as well as respect of the diplomatic progress and legal procedures. They said that concerned parties must not use or threaten to use force, and not carry out militarisation activities, while fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), towards reaching an effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea. At the event, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh lauded the ARFs role and contributions in the past time, including the promotion of dialogues, and cooperation to build trust and respond to security challenges. He recommended the ARF to continue focusing on effectively implementing the Hanoi Plan of Action and other agreed plans. More reforms in the ARFs operations are needed to respond to regional and global changes, Minh said. Expressing his concern over the activities which escalate tension in the East Sea, erode trust and undermine regional and global peace, Minh said that the involved parties must not have actions that further complicate the situation and tackle the disputes by peaceful measures based on international laws and the UNCLOS 1982. Also, he informed Vietnams initiatives to host an ARF workshop on enhancing cooperation among law enforcement forces at sea, and another seminar on applying the UNCLOS 1982 and international legal tools to cope with marine challenges.VNA Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot today accused Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje of giving priority to her 'Gaurav Yatra' instead of addressing the crucial issue of farmers' suicides. The fresh attack by the AICC General Secretary comes after a 36-year-old farmer Mangalram Meghwal allegedly committed suicide in the state's Nagaur district on Saturday. Farmers in state are committing suicide and Raje is carrying out Gaurav Yatra," Gehlot said a day after terming the chief minister's rally her vidai (farewell) yatra. "Most heart wrenching to know that one more farmer ended his life in Nagaur due to debt burden. The BJP government has totally failed in providing any relief to the farmers, the former chief minister tweeted. He further said, the suicide of Meghwal was a matter of "huge shame" for the state government which has failed to curtail the unabated suicides by farmers. Meghwal had taken a loan of Rs 2.98 lakh from the bank and had repaid Rs 1.75 lakh to them. Expecting the balance to be written off under the state government's loan waiver scheme, he received a seizure notice from the bank instead. After arriving in Jodhpur on Sunday, Gehlot had said that without doing any work, the chief minister was taking out a 'Gaurav Yatra' which was a "joke" and a "waste of public money". Taking a dig at Raje for allegedly asking voters to re-elect BJP else the development work will stop in the state, Gehlot said, You go to Gwalior forever, (development) work will never stop. On his second day in Jodhpur on Monday, a large crowd gathered to meet Gehlot at circuit house. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As heavy rain pounds the state, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has urged the capital's slum dwellers to postpone their rally to thank the government for sparing them from the court ordered demolition drive. Asking concerned MLAs to stay put in their constituencies, Rawat said ensuring fast and efficient relief work in the affected areas must take precedence over the felicitation rally. People are facing a lot of problems due to continuous heavy rain in Dehradun for the last few days, Rawat said. Right now, our priority should be to provide relief to people rather than organising a felicitation programme, he added. The BJP government had brought in an ordinance exempting the residents of Malin Bastis (slum dwellers) from the demolition drive being carried out in the city in compliance with a high court order. The slum dwellers were scheduled to hold an 'Abhaar' (thanksgiving) rally at the Parade Ground here tomorrow to thank the state government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP's Scheduled Caste Morcha today asked its members to reach out to the Dalit community to counter the negative campaign of opposition parties, as it launched various social media initiatives to spread awareness about welfare schemes of the central government. Addressing the members, BJP national general secretary(organisation) Ram Lal said that whenever the BJP has come to power, the party worked for the uplift of the Dalit community. "National Scheduled Caste Front has conducted satisfactory work and I appreciated their work. The Morcha should reach out to the Dalit community to end the disinformation spread among Dalit societies by other political parties against the BJP government. Spread awareness regarding welfare schemes launched by the Centre and states," Lal said. The SC wing also launched its dedicated website, Facebook page and Twitter account to connect with booth-level workers all over the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The European Union today said that new measures are ready to take effect to protect European businesses from the impact of US sanctions on Iran. The measures also aim to save the agreement meant to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions after the US abandoned the pact. The EU insists the deal is important for global security and is trying to keep economic and financial supply lines to Tehran open. The EU's executive Commission said today that the "blocking statute" will take effect beginning at midnight Washington time (0400 GMT Tuesday). The mechanism stops European companies from complying with the US sanctions unless they have authorisation from the Commission. National governments could impose "effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties" on any of their companies that cave in. The statute also blocks the effects of U.S. court actions in Europe and allows European firms to recover damages arising from the sanctions from anyone who causes them. In a statement, the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany the European guarantors of the Iran nuclear deal together with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said, "We deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the U.S." They said the deal "is working and delivering on its goal" and that "we are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran." US President Donald Trump decided in May to pull out of the UN Security Council-sanctioned agreement, saying it did nothing to stop Iran developing missiles or destabilizing the Middle East and Gulf regions. The Europeans argue that it was only ever meant to curb the development of nuclear weapons. A first set of US sanctions that had been eased by the Obama administration under the terms of the landmark 2015 deal take effect again late today. Those sanctions target Iran's automotive sector as well as gold and other metals, but EU officials say it remains unclear exactly what impact they will have on European companies. A second batch of U.S sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector and central bank are set to take effect in early November. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today apprised a visiting MP from Bangladesh, who raised the issue of ongoing update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, that the exercise was being carried out under the supervision of the Supreme Court, the Home Ministry said today. Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Bangladesh Tariqat Federation, Al Haj Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary met the minister of state for home here and discussed various issues including NRC, Rohingya refugees and matters of bilateral interest in social, political, cultural and economic fields. On the NRC issue in Assam, Rijiju informed him that it is a process undertaken under the supervision and direction of Supreme Court of India, an official statement said. The NRC is being updated in Assam and the draft list of the Assam's citizens was published on July 30, leading to a huge controversy after over 40 lakh people were excluded. The BJP has maintained that only illegal immigrants from Bangladesh will be excluded but the opposition claimed that most of those omitted were Indian nationals. When the visiting Bangladeshi MP raised the issue of the Rohingya refugees, Rijiju said India was fully aware of the heavy burden imposed on Bangladesh as a result of the exodus of lakhs of displaced people form the Rakhine state of Myanmar and is fully supportive of the efforts being made to resolve the crisis. The Indian government has extended assistance to the Mynamar government and will continue efforts to persuade Myanmar government to provide safety and security to the Rohingyas, he said. During the meeting, both sides discussed various issues of bilateral interest in social, political, cultural and economic domains and security related matters. Other issues such as connectivity to the Northeastern states via Bay of Bengal and trade prospects were also deliberated upon during the meeting. Emphasising the importance of Bangladesh for India, Rijiju said peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh is of high importance for the prosperity of India and the Indian government continues to make efforts in this direction, the statement said. Rijiju said the prosperity of the Northeastern states is linked with the prosperity of Bangladesh because these states share common economic, social and cultural linkage with the neighbouring country. The Union minister recalled his visit to Bangladesh as a member of an all-party delegation in 2010 and said he had travelled to the bordering Indian states along Bangladesh. India is committed to provide security and stability in these bordering areas, specially in view of the upcoming Bangladesh elections, he said. Both sides emphasised that it is important to work together for development and to have an action plan for countering terrorism-related activities across border, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russia today dismissed as "false" a social media expert's claim that Moscow may interfere in elections in countries such as India through their media and said it will never act against Indian interests. The strong reaction from the Russian Embassy here came after Philip N Howard, an Oxford University social media expert, last week made the claim during a hearing of the US Senate Intelligence Committee on Foreign Influence on Social Media platforms. The Russian Embassy said the country has never interfered in internal of other nations as it goes against the fundamental principles of its foreign policy. "This blatantly false and unfounded assertion is a phoney attempt to drive a wedge between Russia and her BRICS partners following the success of the recent summit meeting of the group in Johannesburg," the embassy said in a statement. It is common knowledge that Russia enjoys camaraderie with India and will never do anything that goes against interests and dignity of the "friendly Indian nation", it said. Howard's mention of likely Russian interference in the Indian and Brazilian elections through their media, without any further explanation, had come in response to a question from US Senator Susan Collins after he gave some examples of such an interference in the Hungarian media. The situation could be more dangerous in those countries where the media is not as professional as that of the US, the statutory Professor of Internet Studies at the Oxford Internet Institute and Balliol College had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today announced the second phase of 'Pol-Khol' rallies across Punjab to "expose" the Congress government for "betraying" the people by reneging on its poll promises. It also said to corner the Amarinder Singh government on a host of issues, four "big conferences" will be held across the state in the coming days. SAD vice-president and spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said the holding of 'pol-khol' rallies, which were been postponed at the onset of the harvesting season, would be resumed. "16 assembly constituencies were covered during the first phase of 'pol-khol' rallies and the remaining constituencies would be covered during the second phase," he said. Cheema said how the Congress government has allegedly betrayed every section of the society by reneging on its promises made to farmers, Dalits and the youth to get their votes would be "exposed". He said the first conference would be held on August 15 at Eesru (Khanna), while the second, to mark the martyrdom day of Shaheed Harchand Singh Longowal, would be organized at Longowal on August 20. On the occasion of 'Rakhar Punia' and 'Chhappar mela', conferences would be held on August 26 at Baba Bakala and on September 25 at the Chhappar village in Ludhiana, respectively, the SAD leader said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Salman Khan-Anushka Sharma-starrer "Sultan" is all set to release in China on August 31, two years after its release in India. Yash Raj Films has collaborated with distribution company E Stars China for a release in the country, which has emerged as a new market for Hindi films thanks to the success of Aamir Khan's "Dangal" and "Secret Superstar" and Irrfan-starrer "Hindi Medium. The movie will be screened in over 11,000 screens, targeting around 40,000 shows a day, said a release. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the film revolves around a wrestler who comes from a self-imposed retirement to win back the love of his life. "Every time a film releases and newer set of audiences see it, you get a different perspective altogether. China is a fast growing market for Indian Cinema. I'm really excited and looking forward to people's reaction to 'Sultan' in China," Zafar said in a statement. Avtar Panesar, Vice President, International Operations, YRF, added, "China is without doubt the new frontier for Indian cinema today and our collective successes there ratifies the belief that art has no boundaries/borders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government today quoted a UN report to say that the sanitary conditions had improved in the country, saving the lives of lakhs of children. During the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, members had asked about the use of soak pits in toilets. One of the members even asked about the poor sanitary conditions finding mention in a UNDP report. Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said a recent report by the UNDP had indicated improvement in the situation. He said the cleanliness levels had shown improvement from 38 per cent to 89 per cent which had led to the saving of lives of as many as three lakh children. Some of the members also suggested a hike in the funds provided for construction of toilets. To this, the minister said the Rs 12,000 provided for toilets was to encourage their construction. He said due to these efforts 421 districts, over 4 lakh villages and 19 states had declared themselves to be open defecation free (ODF). To another query, Minister of State Arjun Meghwal said according to a report published in 'Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 2018', 16 Indian states were reported to have high concentration of uranium in the groundwater. These states were Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. The minister said the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre had also tested 10,000 samples. In two per cent of these, the concentration level was above the World Health Organisation standards, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Arabia has suspended scholarships to Canada and will relocate students already there, state media said today, after the kingdom abruptly cut ties with Ottawa over criticism of its jailing of rights activists. Riyadh, which suspended diplomatic relations with Canada today, will "stop training, scholarship and fellowship programs" there, state-run Al-Ekhbariya television reported. The government was also putting together an "urgent plan" to transfer students and interns already in Canada to other countries, it said. The kingdom early today gave Canada's envoy Dennis Horak 24 hours to leave the country, in an abrupt rupture of relations over what Riyadh slammed as "interference" in its internal affairs. The decision came after Canada demanded the immediate release of human rights activists detained in a new crackdown, including the sister of jailed blogger Raif Badawi. Badawi's wife and children currently live in Canada. Ottawa said it was "seriously concerned" and was seeking "greater clarity" on the move, which was announced on Twitter by the Saudi foreign ministry. More than 8,000 students from Saudi Arabia are enrolled in programmes in Canada, according to figures released by the official Saudi Press Agency in 2017. These students, many of them studying medicine, are accompanied by more than 6,400 dependents. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Iran acquired five new commercial aircraft on Sunday, a day before the U.S. begins restoring sanctions that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear accord with world powers. The arrival of the ATR72-600 airplanes at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport represented perhaps the last benefits Iran will see under the nuclear deal after President Donald Trump withdrew from it in May. Economic woes are sparking sporadic, leaderless protests across the country. The rhetoric between the U.S. and Iran remains heated, despite Trump tweeting last week that he would be willing to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard on Sunday acknowledged conducting recent naval exercises near the crucial Strait of Hormuz after renewing threats to cut off the waterway to oil traders. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported the arrival of the five ATR72-600 airplanes, which are twin-engine turboprops used for short-distance regional flights. Their arrival means state carrier Iran Air has received 13 of the 20 it ordered from the French-Italian manufacturer in April 2017. The deal had a list value of $536 million, though buyers and manufacturers typically negotiate lower prices. ATR, jointly owned by European consortium Airbus and Italy's Leonardo, has been pushing U.S. officials to allow it to finish its delivery of aircraft to Iran. The U.S. Treasury must approve the sale of airplanes whose components are at least 10 percent American-made, like the AT72-600. The Toulouse, France-based firm did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The nuclear deal lifted international sanctions in return for Iran limiting its nuclear program and allowing regular inspections. U.N. inspectors said Iran was complying with the deal, but Trump felt the agreement did not go far enough. He has called for a new accord that would include a radical transformation of Iran's policies, including its military support for the Syrian government and regional militant groups, two issues not covered by the 2015 deal. Iran "has treated its people very poorly, and that's led to terror. They're the world's largest state sponsor of terror. That's what America is trying to get Iran to stop doing. That's the behavioral change that we're looking for from the Iranian regime," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Metro TV in Jakarta. "The president has always said he is prepared to talk, but it's important that Iran has to be committed to changing its ways in order for those discussions to prove of any value," he added. Trump himself was more blunt in a tweet he posted Saturday, writing: "Iran, and it's economy, is going very bad, and fast! I will meet, or not meet, it doesn't matter - it is up to them!" Iran had hoped the lifting of sanctions would allow it to replace its aging commercial airline fleet, but the U.S. withdrawal has halted billion-dollar deals struck with Airbus and Boeing. European countries, along with Russia and China, remain committed to the nuclear deal, but European companies are unlikely to risk U.S. sanctions to do business with Iran. Iran's economy has rapidly deteriorated in recent months due in part to uncertainty over the atomic accord, fueling protests. The Iranian rial has fallen to 99,000 to the U.S. dollar despite a government-imposed rate of 44,000. In recent days, protests have broken out in several cities, with at least one person shot and killed. Some protesters have shouted "Mullahs get lost!" and "Death to the dictator!" the semi-official Fars news agency has reported. U.S. sanctions targeting Iranian trade in automobiles, gold and other key metals will be re-imposed on Monday, while sanctions targeting the country's energy and banking sector will resume Nov. 4. The sanctions targeting Iran's oil industry could cut off a crucial source of hard currency. The U.S. has been pushing its allies to halt their import of Iranian oil ahead of the November deadline. Among the top importers of Iranian oil are China, India, Turkey and South Korea. Rouhani has suggested Iran might block the Strait of Hormuz in response to a shutdown of its oil exports. The strait at the mouth of the Persian Gulf is crucial to global energy supplies as about a third of all oil traded at sea passes through it. Iran's navy and its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard routinely conduct seaborne exercises in the Gulf and the strait. U.S. officials last week said Iran carried out a similar exercise, though Tehran did not immediately acknowledge it. On Sunday, the semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted Guard spokesman Gen. Ramezan Sharif confirming that its forces held a military drill in the Persian Gulf and the strait. He said the exercise, which he described as an annual drill, was aimed at maintaining the security of the international waterway. He did not elaborate. The Supreme Court today adjourned hearing on a batch of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35-A, which gives special rights and privileges to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, saying one of the three judges on the bench was not present. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice A M Khanwilkar said the matter has to be heard by a three-judge bench and Justice D Y Chandrachud, a part of the bench, was not in court. The bench also said a three-judge bench has been hearing the case and will consider whether it has to be referred to a larger bench. The apex court has listed the matter for hearing in the week commencing August 27. CJI Misra observed that the apex court has to consider whether Article 35-A goes against the basic structure of the Constitution. Article 35-A, which was incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state It also denies property rights to a woman who marries a person from outside the state. The provision, which leads to such women from the state forfeiting their rights over property, also applies to their heirs. "Once you have challenged the constitutional validity of Article 35-A, it has to go before a Constitution bench. A three-judge bench will determine it. A three-judge bench has been dealing with it," the CJI said. "A three-judge bench will consider whether it has to go before a Constitution bench." The Jammu and Kashmir government had on August 3 moved the apex court seeking adjournment of today's hearing on petitions challenging the validity of Article 35-A, citing the upcoming local body elections. During the hearing today, the counsel appearing for the petitioners challenging the validity, opposed the state government's move seeking adjournment. The local body elections in the state are likely to be held in September. Several interlocutory petitions have been filed in support of Article 35-A by various individuals and civil society groups seeking continuance of special status to the state. The apex court is hearing a batch of petitions in the matter, including the one filed by the NGO We the Citizens, seeking quashing of the article, which confers special status to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. Political parties, including the National Conference and the CPI-M, have moved the Supreme Court in support of Article 35-A that empowers the state assembly to define "permanent residents" for bestowing special rights and privileges to them. The NC had moved the apex court in support of the Article, saying it serves as an important link between the state and the Union and its people and maintains a fine balance of constitutional federalism. On July 31, CPI(M)'s J-K unit had said in its petition that it was of the unequivocal opinion that the Article shall in "no circumstance be annulled, modified or repealed". On May 14, Attorney General K K Venugopal had informed the apex court that the Centre's interlocutor for Jammu and Kashmir is currently discussing with all stakeholders the "sensitive" issues relating to the challenge to Article 35-A. He had said the interlocutor, appointed by the Centre to hold talks with stakeholders to resolve the Kashmir issue, was discussing these issues and it was an "ongoing process". The state government, while defending the Article, had cited two verdicts by the Constitution benches of the Supreme Court in 1961 and 1969, which had upheld the powers of the president under Article 370(1)(d) of the Constitution to pass constitutional orders. The Article was incorporated in the Constitution in 1954 by an order of president Rajendra Prasad on the advice of the then Jawaharlal Nehru Cabinet. It empowers the state legislature to frame any law without attracting a challenge on the grounds of violation of the right to equality of people from other states or any other right under the Constitution. The apex court had on August 14 last year said a Constitution bench may examine whether Article 35-A was gender-biased and violative of the basic structure of the Constitution. The court while hearing a plea earlier by Charu Wali Khanna, a Kashmir resident, had indicated that the issue may be dealt with by a five-judge bench if the Article violated basic structure of the Constitution or was ultra vires. It had tagged the plea challenging Article 35-A with a similar petition that is pending for hearing by a three-judge bench. The state government had earlier said the issue has already been "prima facie settled" by a full bench of the High Court in its verdict in 2002. In the case, the high court had, by a majority view, held that a daughter of a permanent resident of Jammu and Kashmir marrying a non-permanent resident will not lose the status of a permanent resident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned hearing on a batch of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35-A, which gives special rights and privileges to people of Jammu and Kashmir, saying its three-judge bench has been hearing the case and will consider whether it has to be referred to a larger bench. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice A M Khanwilkar said the matter has to be heard by a three-judge bench and Justice D Y Chandrachud, who is also a part of the bench, was not present. The apex court has listed the matter for hearing in the week commencing August 27. CJI Misra observed that the apex court has to consider whether Article 35-A goes against the basic structure of the Constitution. Article 35-A, which was incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of and denies property rights to a woman who marries a person from outside the state. The provision, which leads to such women from the state forfeiting their rights over property, also applies to their heirs. "Once you have challenged the constitutional validity of Article 35-A, it has to go before a Constitution bench. A three-judge bench will determine it. A three-judge bench has been dealing with it," the CJI said. "A three-judge bench will consider whether it has to go before a Constitution bench." The government had on August 3 moved the apex court seeking adjournment of today's hearing on petitions challenging the validity of Article 35-A, citing the upcoming local body elections. During the hearing today, the counsel appearing for the petitioners challenging the validity of Article 35-A opposed the move by the state government seeking adjournment of the matter. Several interlocutory petitions have been filed in support of Article 35-A by various individuals and civil society groups seeking continuance of the special status to The Supreme Court today cancelled the interim protection from arrest given to two clergymen, accused of sexually abusing a married woman, and asked them to surrender by August 13. A bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said the two priests were at liberty to seek regular bail once they surrendered. The counsel for victim alleged that some videos were uploaded by the accused on the Internet and they used the same to blackmail her. The court had earlier asked the state police to file a status report on the probe done so far into the sexual abuse case, involving four priests attached to the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church. On July 19, the two priests -- Father Sony Verghese and Father Jaise K George -- were granted protection from arrest by the apex court till it pronounced a verdict on their anticipatory bail pleas. The clergymen had moved the apex court seeking anticipatory bail in the case after their plea was rejected by the Kerala High Court on July 11. Four priests attached to the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church were accused of sexually abusing a 34-year-old married woman by using her confessional statement. The court was earlier informed that two of the accused had surrendered, while two were before the court seeking anticipatory bail in the case. The Crime Branch of the Kerala Police had on July 2 registered a case against Father Varghese and three other priests on the basis of a statement given by the woman belonging to the same church who accused them of sexually assaulting her on many occasions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ten months after its verdict, the Supreme Court today notified its guidelines for according 'senior' designation to lawyers and constituted a five-member permanent committee headed by Chief Justice of India to shortlist the candidates. The names will then be sent to the Full Court, comprising all the apex court judges, for a decision. The candidates will have to file an application or the committee can also recommend a candidate to the full court on its own, according to the guidelines. The apex court has notified the norms in pursuant to its judgement on October 12, last year by which it had laid down guidelines for itself and 24 high courts to govern the exercise of designating lawyers as seniors. The committee which will meet twice a year in January and July will have a permanent secretariat which would facilitate collating the details of the probable candidates. The finalised guidelines are titled "Supreme Court Guidelines to regulate Conferment of Designation of Senior Advocates, 2018". Besides the Chief Justice of India as Chairperson, the permanent committee will have two senior-most judges of the apex court, the Attorney General as members and a member of the Bar as nominated by the Chairperson and other members. The committee can suo motu recommend a lawyer's name for designation as senior as well as interested advocates can also submit their application for the designation. The guidelines said that all the names cleared by the permanent committee will be forwarded to the full court and the full court will not resort to voting by secret ballot unless it is unavoidable. "If the Chief Justice or any other judge is of the opinion that an advocate by virtue of his standing at the Bar or special knowledge or experience in law is deserving of such distinction, the Chief Justice/ judge may, in writing, recommend the name of such advocate for being considered for designation as Senior Advocate," the notification read. It said that an advocate-on-record or advocate seeking conferment o senior gown will have to submit an application in the prescribed format to the Secretariat. The notification says that every year, in the month of January and July, the Secretariat will invite such applications and at least 15 days time shall be given to file the applications. On receipt of applications from advocates, advocates-on-record or suo-motu application by CJI or any Supreme Court judge, the Secretariat will compile the relevant data including integrity, reputation, conduct, participation in pro-bono work, judgments in which the concerned candidate appeared etc, the notification said. It also said that a lawyer shall not be eligible for designation as Senior Advocate unless he or she has 10 years combined standing as an advocate or a District and Sessions Judge or as a judicial member of any tribunal in India or has been a Chief Justice or a judge of a High Court. The Secretariat will also publish the proposal for designation of the candidate on the Supreme Court website inviting suggestions from stakeholders. The Committee will interact with advocates and make an overall assessment and list the names cleared by it to go to the full court. The notification made it clear that the names of the judges and Chief Justices of high court will go directly to the full court for consideration. The final decision of the Full Court will be communicated individually to the applicants. In case of any misconduct, the full court "may review its decision to designate the person and may recall the same", the notification said. The person concerned will be given an opportunity to be heard before any action is taken in this regard, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court warned today that those obstructing the government officials from carrying out sealing of unauthorised and illegal constructions in Delhi would be sent directly to the Tihar jail from the court. The stern warning came from a bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta, which accepted an unconditional apology tendered by Mukesh Suryan, the chairman of the wards committee of the Najafgarh zone, against whom allegations were levelled that he had threatened the officials. The Forum of MCD Engineers had alleged in the apex court that Suryan had threatened the officials when they had gone to seal unauthorised constructions as per directions of the court-mandated monitoring committee. During the brief hearing, Suryan's counsel told the bench that an affidavit tendering unconditional apology has been filed by Suryan and he would not repeat any such thing in the future. "Make sure that it is not repeated and if you will do it again, then come to the court with a suitcase as you will go directly to Tihar jail from here," the bench said. The apex court had earlier warned against threats given to officials, who were carrying out sealing of unauthorised constructions, and said that such kind of 'dadagiri' (bullying tactics) would not work. The bench had said that affidavit filed by Suryan earlier was "not at all satisfactory" since he was tendering an unconditional apology on one hand and trying to justify his action on the other. During the hearing today, an advocate, assisting the court as an amicus curiae, told the bench that the Forum of MCD Engineers has said that they were appointed as grid officers for areas where the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has no jurisdiction. "They (forum) are saying that they should not be made responsible for area where the MCD has no jurisdiction," the amicus said. The counsel appearing for the forum said they have filed an application in this regard. The bench said that the matter would be heard on August 14. The apex court had last month directed that there would be "no stopping of sealing or demolition" of unauthorised constructions in Delhi after the Centre said it had not given any instructions to the civic bodies to go slow or stop the sealing drive against offending structures. The top court is dealing with the issue of validity of the Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2006, and subsequent legislations that protect unauthorised constructions from being sealed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Security forces have arrested two militants and an arms smuggler in Manipur, police said today. A team of Manipur Police and Assam Rifles arrested one active cadre of proscribed militant outfit People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) on Saturday from Thoubal Bazaar in Thoubal district, a press release issued by PRO of Manipur Police said. An active member of the banned militant outfit Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) was arrested from Irong Makha Leikai area in Thoubal district yesterday, the release said. A combined team of Manipur police and JK Rifles arrested one arms smuggler from Lilong Litan in Thoubal district on Saturday and seized one pistol, some 7.63 ammunition and 9 mm ammunition, the release added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shiv Sena asked the BJP today not to celebrate its win in two civic polls in Maharashtra, saying it did not show that voters' mood was turning in its favour ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The Sena sought to downplay the BJP's win in the Sangli and Jalgaon municipal polls held last week, saying that leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav, convicted in a corruption case, win elections. The BJP won the Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad Municipal Corporation election last week by defeating the Congress-NCP alliance and also swept the Jalgaon civic body where it trounced the Shiv Sena. This is for the first time that the BJP has come to power in the two civic bodies. "If the victory in Sangli and Jalgaon is being seen as an indicator for the next general elections, then why did the BJP struggle to win the Palghar Lok Sabha seat bypoll?" the Sena asked in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'. It also reminded the BJP that it had lost the bypoll to the Bhandara-Gondiya Lok Sabha seat in May. The BJP had won the Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll in May this year, albeit with a reduced margin compared to votes it garnered in 2014. The Sena said in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee is winning almost every election and that it seems BJP president Amit Shah is going to spend some days in Kolkata to ensure her party's defeat. Elections are being won by leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav, convicted in a corruption case, while Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is the "role model" of clean and good governance, is facing setbacks, it said. Citing these instances, the Sena asked Maharashtra revenue minister Chandrakant Patil, who is credited for the BJP's win in Sangli civic polls, to be cautious. The Sena said that after the civic poll results, Patil had taunted the opposition parties for not blaming their defeat on the Electronic Voting Machines. It reminded the minister that it was the BJP which had levelled similar charges about EVMs a decade ago. The Sena further said that ahead of these civic polls, there was an influx of leaders from other parties into the BJP, including several "tainted personalities". Those who were criticised by the BJP as people responsible for downfall of the infrastructure in Jalgaon and Sangli districts are now in the party and members of the respective civic bodies, it said. Even Sambhaji Bhide -- the Sangli-based right wing activist accused of instigating violence against Dalits on January 1 near Pune -- helped the BJP to win polls, it said. "Those who have joined the BJP because the party is in power, will switch to some other party once the BJP is dethroned," the Marathi publication said. The Sangli-Miraj civic body was controlled by the Congress and the NCP. But the BJP won in the recent polls because many leaders of both the Congress and the NCP switched to the saffron party, the Sena said. "This is not a sign of healthy politics," it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One of Singapore's most popular Indian-origin owned one-stop shopping complex, Mustafa Centre, is under investigation for alleged employment offences, according to media reports here. The Mustafa Centre, which is registered as the Mohamed Mustafa and Samsuddin Company, is a 24-hour retail hub selling 300,000 products in Singapore's Little India. The iconic store was established by India-born Mustaq Ahmed as a 900 square feet shop in Serangoon Road in 1973, and grew to a 40,000 square feet space in Serangoon Plaza in 1985. The retail giant is being investigated following several complaints against it recently, a spokesman of the Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in statement. "The MOM has received complaints that Mohamed Mustafa and Samsuddin Co may have infringed the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. Investigations are ongoing," the spokesperson was quoted as saying by 'The New Paper', without elaborating about the nature of complaint. The probe against the company was not limited to specific violations but covers offences under the entire Act, which include work pass violations and receiving of kickbacks, such as partial return of salaries by the employees to the company, the report said. Most of the Mustafa's foreign employees are from India. A company's former employee had alleged that the human resource (HR) department of the Mustafa Centre had been collecting "cashbacks" from its employees. "No one knows where the money goes to," the employee, identified as Abdul Haq Siddique, was quoted as saying by The Online Citizen (TOC). He claimed that he was not the only worker who had to give back part of his salary, and added that the practice was stopped in October last year after the owner's families got embroiled in a legal dispute. Siddique and other former store employees also alleged that the Mustafa Centre had stopped renewing S-passes (Special Pass) in May this year, affecting about 100 foreign employees. The MOM issues Special Passes to the affected workers so that they can remain in the country to assist in investigations. The MOM spokesperson, however, declined to comment on Siddique's allegations, citing the ongoing investigations. Those convicted of kickback offences can be fined up to 30,000 Singapore dollar and/or jail term for up to two years on each charge. The company's managing director, Mustaq Ahmed was reportedly ranked 37th in Forbes magazine's list of the 40 richest people in Singapore in 2011, with a reported worth of USD 240 million. He was recently in the over a high-stakes lawsuit against him and five others by his family. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Some fertility treatments may increase the risk of autism in children, a study has claimed. Researchers from the Mount Sinai Hospital in the US and Karolinska Institute in Sweden, conducted a study of 108,548 boys, as boys have a higher risk of developing autism than girls. They found that, in the case of progesterone hormone therapy, the odds of having a child on the autistic spectrum were 1.5 times higher than among those who did not undergo fertility treatments. Progesterone is hormone needed for brain development. There is a hypothesis that it activates a genetic mechanism for the development of autism. It was found that progesterone delivery before pregnancy may affect critical stages in foetal brain development, 'Xinhua' reported. In recent years, efforts have been made to identify the environmental factors that influence the development of autism. The effect of fertility treatments, however, has not been thoroughly studied. While some studies have found no connection between fertility treatments and autism, others have linked individual hormones to autism. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Qoros Auto delivered 6,115 vehicles in July, achieving high year-on-year growth for 7 consecutive months since Baoneng Group joined as a new strategic investor, and handed over 36,639 vehicles for the first seven months in total, the automaker reported in recent days. Inspired by the vigorous sales momentum, the company has elevated its 2018 sales goal to 100,000 units in late June from the initial goal of 80,000 units and intends to achieve a 120,000-unit annual sales target in the future. Qoros Auto signed cooperation agreements with another 51 tier-one dealers on June 14 after the company achieved a massive year-on-year growth of 366% in Jan-to-May sales. At the same time, the automaker forged strategic partnerships with Yixin Group, Souche Automotive Services as well as Guazi.com to promote the balanced development of traditional sales channels and new retail sales channels. In addition, Qoros Auto has drawn up the MILE Project, aiming to launch upgraded powertrains, new ICV (intelligent-connected vehicle) technologies, brand-new vehicle designs and fully upgraded models. The company also entered into a strategic partnership with Banma, a comprehensive ICV solution provider co-built by SAIC Group and Alibaba Group, to develop ICV products and services. As for NEV area, the company plans to launch 1 to 2 electric vehicle models per year. The first EV model will boast a mileage up to 450km and this number will be progressively increased by 100km year by year. Going forward, Qoros Auto is about to let its product lineup cover such segments as 7-seat SUV, 7-seat MPV and mid-full size sedan model and continue to improve the C-class, D-class and BEV (battery-electric vehicle) platforms. The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless. The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well. By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism. The SOS Children's Village today said it has suspended its arrested Guwahati assistant village director for his alleged misconduct against three minor girls who were inmates of the Village here. The police arrested the assistant village director on August 3 and he was suspended by the SOS Village authorities the same day, according to a release issued by the organisation. It said it was regrettable that such an act has allegedly been committed by an employee and SOS India would cooperate with the authorities so that justice is delivered to the girls who were aged between 12 and 13 years. The three girls have recorded their statements before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Kamrup (Metro). The Village is providing counselling support to the three girls. SOS Children's Villages International, the umbrella organization of which SOS Children's Villages India is a member, is also closely monitoring the situation through its Regional Office for Asia, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 23-year-old student of a private university here allegedly committed suicide by jumping from the seventh floor of a building in the college premises, police said today. The deceased was identified as Vishal Bhardwaj, a resident of Balabhgarh in the Faridabad district of Haryana. He was living at a rented accommodation here, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Pargat Singh said. Bhardwaj was a final year student of Fine Arts in Lovely Professional University(LPU), Chaheru, eight kilometres from here on the Phagwara-Jalandhar National Highway 1. He was rushed to a private hospital where doctors declared him brought dead, the ASI said. The reason behind the suicide could not be ascertained, he said, adding the body was sent to Civil hospital for post-mortem. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Syrian regime forces have bombed a desert area under the control of the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group near the province of Sweida in southern Syria, a war monitor said. "The bombing and fighting between the regime forces and IS have intensified during the evening and are continuing," said Rami Abdel Rahmane, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "The regime is advancing to the north and northeast of Sweida", adjacent to the desert zone of the southern province, he told AFP. This military operation would be "the start of a regime offensive to dislodge IS from this pocket" in the Badiya desert of Sweida, he said, adding that "a major military reinforcement (of regime troops) is massing" in the area. The fighting comes as Russia failed in its negotiations to free some 30 civilian hostages of the Druze religious minority taken by IS last month. The kidnappings followed a series of coordinated attacks against Sweida province which left more than 250 people dead. Yesterday, the Observatory and website Sweida24 announced that IS had decapitated one of the hostages, a 19-year-old male student. This execution, the first since the abductions, came "after the failure of the negotiations with the regime forces", according to the Observatory. The Syrian Democratic Forces, an Arab-Kurd alliance which fought against IS with the support of the United States, indicated Sunday that it was ready to exchange with IS captured jihadists for the remaining Druze civilian hostages. Meanwhile IS, which has not claimed responsibility for the execution or the kidnappings, has been pounded by multiple offensives in Syria and today controls less than three per cent of the territory. However, it continues to launch attacks like the bloody strike and kidnappings in Sweida. The Syrian conflict which began in 2011 has claimed more than 350,000 lives and left millions displaced or fleeing as refugees. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A task force has been set up to devise a strategy to develop an early warning system for air pollution in Delhi-NCR region, the government said today. Minister of State for Mahesh Sharma said the task force, which met in July, has representatives from expert institutions. "A task force under the chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Earth Science with representatives of expert institutions has been set up to build a strategy for developing an early warning system on air quality as well as the dissemination of warning to public," Sharma said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. The minister said a meeting of the task force was convened on July 28 this year and accordingly, "MoES is coordinating the development of an early warning system for air quality over Delhi and NCR region." He said the development of an early warning system for air pollution is aimed at further strengthening the air quality forecast. "Establishing early warning system and dissemination protocol to inform public and enforcing agencies about episodic high pollution events in advance is amongst the priorities identified for improving management of air pollution," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TDP members today brought placards in the Lok Sabha to protest the Centre's alleged withdrawal of funds for Andhra Pradesh and demanded the Union government immediately release them. Ram Mohan Naidu raised the issue but his party members were pulled up by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan for bringing placards inside the House and then their attempt to show it after she allowed Naidu to speak. "What do you want to show the people of India," she asked angrily. A TDP member later tore some papers and threw them in the air as party MPs staged a walkout after Naidu's speech. Naidu said the Centre had promised Rs 22,000 crore for seven backward districts of the state but has agreed to give only Rs 2050 crore, which is a "grave injustice". The Centre had recently credited Rs 350 crore to the state's account but then withdrew it, he said, terming it as "unprecedented and shameful". He alleged that it was done at the behest of the Prime Minister's Office. He said it is being projected that the state's TDP government was not furnishing utilisation certificate and insisted that it was wrong as it is at the third position among all states in submitting proof of utilisation. Among other issues, Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena raised the matter of deteriorating quality of public sector telecom companies BSNL and MTNL and wondered if they were hit by sabotage. The BSNL still gets some government attention but the MTNL none, he said, demanding that the Centre give them as much financial assistance as required. BJP's Om Birla said the Rajasthan Eastern Canal Project should be declared a national project. Trinamool Congress' Saugata Roy batted for using ballot papers in elections, saying the neutrality of electronic voting machines has been questioned and his party feels that they have been compromised. EVMc should be scrapped so that there is "no manipulation by the ruling party and its cohorts". Even advanced countries like the US and Germany use ballot papers, he said. There is no proof that EVMs cannot be tampered with, he said, adding 17 opposition parties are planning a get together over the issue and approach the Election Commission. CPI's M B Rajesh sought a probe into an alleged attempt to target Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during his recent overnight stay in the national capital. A man armed with a deadly weapon reached right outside the room the chief minister was resting in but the Delhi Police did not intervene, he claimed. The chief minister's security guards caught hold of him, he said and added threats to his life have been made. BJP MP Santosh Ahlawat expressed concern over the threat of stray cattle to standing crops, causing anxious farmers to spend day and night in their farm land. A solution must be found, she said. Raghu Sharma of the Congress attacked the government over lack of water in toilets built under the Swachh Bharat campaign. He said people borrowed money to build toilets due to pressure of government officials but many of them have not got the promised Rs 12,000 and are forced to pay interest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TDP MP CM Ramesh was elected to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament today after the opposition unitedly voted for him. Ramesh, whose party has only six members in the Upper House, got maximum 106 votes out of the three candidates who were in contention. While BJP leader Bhupender Yadav bagged 69 votes and JD(U) leader Harivansh, who is likely to be the NDA's candidate for the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman's post, received only 26 votes. Both Yadav and Ramesh got elected to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which audits the revenue and the expenditure of the government. "It is a victory of morality against arrogance," Ramesh said. Sources said the entire opposition, including the Congress, supported Ramesh's candidature. The victory comes days ahead of the election to the post of deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha where the opposition is contemplating to field a common candidate. The PAC comprises of not more than 22 members, of which 15 are from the Lok Sabha, seven from the Rajya Sabha. MPs from both the houses elected members of the PAC from among themselves through election. It is formed every year and its chairman is appointed by the speaker of the Lok Sabha. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A local court today awarded the death sentence to a teenager for raping a three-year-old girl. Chhatarpur Additional Sessions Judge Naurin Nigam awarded capital punishment to Tauheed Musalman, 19, after convicting him under section 376 (A)(B) of the recently-introduced Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance 2018, said district prosecution officer S K Chaturvedi. He said on April 24, the culprit was caught raping the victim after he had sneaked into her house while the child's mother was talking to her brother-in-law outside. The child's mother found her in a pool of blood and Musalman was nabbed by the people and handed over to the police, Chaturvedi said. A case was registered with Rajnagar Police station in this district, the prosecution officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today cut short his visit to Delhi and returned here following the demise of his elder sister. On his return, Rao paid homage to Leelamma who died at a private hospital after a brief illness, official sources said. During his visit to Delhi, Rao met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought Centre's nod for various matters, including transfer of certain defence lands here to the state government for construction of a new Secretariat, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A temple priest was arrested for allegedly threatening to plant a bomb at St Thomas College here where President Ram Nath Kovind is scheduled to attend a function tomorrow, police said today. At around 1 am last night, the man, who was in an inebriated state, called up the police control room here and threatened to plant a bomb at the college where the president would inaugurate the centenary celebrations tomorrow, they added. Thrissur District Police chief Yatish Chandra said the accused, Jayaraman, was picked up after his mobile phone was tracked down. During interrogation, he admitted to have made the call in an inebriated state. He is a priest at the Chirakal Bhagavathy temple here. A case was registered against him for criminal intimidation, the police said. The president, who was on a three-day visit to Kerala, arrived in the state capital yesterday. Kovind would be inaugurating a function at the Assembly complex in Thiruvananthapuram to mark the conclusion of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Legislative Assembly today. Tomorrow, the president would also have breakfast with the chief justice and judges of the Kerala High Court at Kochi. He would offer prayers at the famed Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple before returning to Delhi on August 8. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has plunged headlong into a fresh row with remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi donning "outlandish" Naga and other headgear on his trips but refusing to sport a Muslim skull cap, comments the BJP dubbed as insulting to the people of the North-East. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also demanded that the Congress apologise for Tharoor's comments. "I ask you why does our prime minister wear all sorts of outlandish headgear wherever he goes around the country or around the world? Why does he always refuse to wear a Muslim skull cap? "You see him in Naga headgears with feathers. You have seen him in various kinds of extraordinary outfits which is a right thing for a prime minister to do. Indira Gandhi has also been photographed wearing various kinds of costumes. But why he still always says no to one?" Tharoor said. The former union minister was addressing a seminar on "Standing up to hatred, violence and intolerance in contemporary India" here yesterday. Tharoor, who had recently kicked up a controversy with remarks that the BJP, if voted to power again, will rewrite the Constitution and pave the way for creation of a "Hindu Pakistan", said Modi shunned the green colour as he felt it was associated with Muslim appeasement. "Why does he refuse to wear green, the colour that he says is identified with Muslim appeasement? What kind of talk it is?" he said. Tharoor's comments drew a sharp response from Union Rijiju, who said the Congress leader's remarks insulted tribals and people from the North-East. "I demand apology from the Congress Party for insulting the people of India's North East & Tribals. Shashi Tharoor described North-East people & Naga Tribal headgears as funny looking outlandish & hilarious," Rijiju, a native of Arunachal Pradesh, said on Twitter. "Shashi Tharoor insults the proud cultural heritage of the people of North-East. This condescension & arrogance towards the people of India have become hallmarks of @INCIndia," Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore tweeted. BJP general secretary Ram Madhav also took to the micro-blogging website to say,"For Shashi Tharoor, Naga headgear is outlandish and hilarious. In his over zealous love for skull cap, Tharoor doesnt mind insulting d customs of d Nagas n other NE people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today said that those out to defend Section Article 35-A were tacitly accepting that future of the state lies within the Constitution of India. A batch of petitions is before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the provision which confers special status to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. "Protecting #Article35A is a tacit acceptance that J&K's future lies within the Constitution of India, otherwise how would it matter if it were struck down or diluted," Omar asked on Twitter. The National Conference leader was apparently referring to separatist groups, who called for a two-day shutdown to protest against the legal challenge in the apex court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Some 3,000 pieces of military equipment, including guns, swords and grenades believed to date back to World War II have been found buried at a Tokyo elementary school, officials said today. Construction workers found the weapons last month when they excavated the grounds of Tanashi Elementary School in the city of Nishitokyo in metropolitan Tokyo to build a new storehouse. The weapons included 1,400 firearms, 1,200 swords, eight grenades and 302 bullets. "We were totally surprised to be informed about the discovery," said Masaki Fujisawa, a city official. "The items are all rusted away and nothing can be used anymore." "I suspect they were buried during or after the war but we will investigate the case," Fujisawa told AFP. reports said the weapons may have been discarded after Japan surrendered in 1945. Unexploded bombs and weapons are still occasionally found in Japan, more than 70 years after the conflict ended. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three major ports, including Paradip in Odisha, may acquire a stake in Dredging Corporation of India (DCI) based on availability of surplus funds lying with them, Parliament was informed today. "During a meeting chaired by Secretary (Shipping) with Chairmen/Chairmen I/C of the Major Ports held on June 18, 2018, divestment proposal of DCI was discussed and it was suggested that Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT), Paradip Port Trust (PPT) and New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) based on the availability of surplus fund lying with them may strive to acquire shares of DCI given the linkage of dredging activity with the ports," Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh L Mandaviya told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. A committee to understand the modalities with regard to proposal of acquiring shares of DCI by three ports has been constituted, he said. Currently, the government holds 73 per cent stake in the company. The company is under the administrative control of the Shipping Ministry. It is involved in maintenance dredging, capital dredging, beach nourishment, land reclamation, shallow water dredging, project management consultancy and marine construction. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court today allowed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to withdraw his plea seeking quashing of a trial court order summoning him in a criminal defamation complaint filed by a constable and await the lower court's decision on whether to frame charges against him for the alleged offence. Justice R K Gauba gave Kejriwal the liberty to move the high court if the trial court framed charges of defamation against him. During the brief hearing, the lawyer for the AAP convenor sought adjournment of the matter to await the trial court's decision on whether to frame charge of defamation against the chief minister. However, the judge was of the view that there cannot be parallel proceedings in the high court and the plea against the trial court summons cannot be kept pending. Subsequently, Kejriwal's lawyer told the judge that he had instructions to withdraw the matter and the court gave him liberty to approach the high court if charges were framed against the chief minister. The court had earlier stayed the trial court order summoning Kejriwal in the defamation complaint filed by Delhi Police constable Anil Kumar Taneja, who had sought dismissal of the chief minister's petition seeking stay and quashing of the trial court order summoning him. Opposing the chief minister's plea, the constable in his reply, filed through advocate L N Rao, had alleged that Kejriwal had "crossed all limits of decency" by using the insulting word 'thulla' for a policeman in an interview to a channel. Taneja, who had filed the criminal defamation complaint on July 23, 2015, claimed that by using the slang, Kejriwal had "intentionally insulted the Delhi Police force as a whole and caused unnecessary provocation to the police personnel in Delhi". The high court in July last had asked Kejriwal to explain the meaning of the word 'thulla' he had allegedly used against policemen, while staying the trial court's order. The word used by Kejriwal is a Hindi word and the high court wanted to know its meaning as it does not exist in the dictionary. Earlier, Kejriwal's counsel had told the court that the word 'thulla' was not used against all policemen, but against those indulging in wrong practices. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The firebrand Hindutva leader Pravin Togadia today demanded scrapping of minority status to muslims in the country besides making two-child norm mandatory. He was here on a two-day programme of his newly floated organisation "Antarashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP)". "The government should make two-child norm a mandatory provision by bringing a legislation in this regard," the former VHP leader told reporters. Asserting that minority status tag to muslims should be scrapped, Togadia said that "religious minority status is given to the community whose population is around 2-4 per cent but muslims constitute 14-15 per cent of the country's total population...How can they with such a huge population be given minority status." Talking about his recently launched outfit's charter of demands, Togadia said that the government should bring law on Kashi, Mathura, Ayodhya, civil code and cow protection. Togadia said that he has planned to get 20 crore signatures to press for the implementation of his charter of demands in favour of Hindus. The former VHP leader was critical of both central government and the BJP for not constructing Ram temple at Ayodhya and termed it as "betrayal" with the people with whom they had promised to construct the temple. "When they (BJP, RSS) were not in power, they used to talk of enacting a law for construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya but when they came to power, these people are now talking that the matter would be resolved through court verdict... The matter was in court even then when L K Advani began his rath yatra," he said. In reply to a query, he said that "Modi ji will have to construct Ram temple. It is not a matter of one's liking or willingness, he (Narendra Modi) will have to construct it." Announcing that his outfit will open a "Hindu Kendra" in one lakh villages within six months, Togadia said that 2000 such kendras have already been opened across the country. These Kendras would work to strengthen Hindu community by giving needy persons food, medicines,employment opportunities, he added. Togadia said that he would take out yatra from Lucknow to Ayodhya on Vijayadashmi in October to press for his demand for construction of Ram temple through legislation. Asked about the relations with Pakistan if Imran Khan becomes Prime Minister, he said "We have no expectation from Pakistan then what can we expect from Imran Khan. Our army must be ready (for any eventuality)." There is an "undeclared emergency" in the country, he said adding that democracy will be in perils if journalism comes under threat. On incident of sexual abuse at shelter home in Muzaffarpur in Bihar, Togadia said that there should be "zero tolerance" vis-a-vis crimes against women especially rape cases as they should be tried in fast track court. Togadia was accompanied by cancer specialist Dr J K Singh, who is his outfit's state unit chief in Bihar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president N Uttam Kumar Reddy today reviewed the arrangements for Congress president Rahul Gandhis visit to Hyderabad on August 13 and 14. He held a meeting with senior leaders and later inspected the places where Gandhi is likely to address meetings. A specially-designed bus likely to be used by Gandhi was also inspected, a party release said. Gandhi would be accorded a grand reception at the Rajiv Gandhi International airport here on August 13, it said. He will be taken in a massive rally of over 5,000 bikes to the venue, where the Congress president would interact with members of women Self Help Groups, Congress sources said. Nearly 10,000 women are expected to participate in the programme. Gandhi is also likely to hold an interactive meeting with intellectuals of the Muslim community. He is expected to dwell on issues like alleged failure of the TRS government in realising the promise of 12 per cent reservation for Muslims and the alleged rise in attacks on minorities under BJP rule, the sources said. The Congress president is also expected to have an interactive session with the business community, they said. The final schedule of Gandhis visit would, however, be announced in a day or two, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A major tragedy was averted today when the police recovered a 25-kg Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near a national highway and arrested a person, owing allegiance to the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group, in south Kashmir, officials said. The accused was identified as 22-year-old Muzamil Ahmad Dar hailing from Tral area of south Kashmir, they said. The IED was recovered from a field, barely a few hundred metres from the national highway at Sangam in district Bijbehara of south Kashmir, police said. The annual Amarnath yatra passes through this area besides routine convoys of the Army and paramilitary forces. Besides the IED, police recovered mobile phones, a 12-Volt battery, safety fuse wire, cordex wire, safety fuse, black explosive, white explosive and circuit wire, which is required in fabrication of IEDs, police said. The accused person was allegedly in touch with other JeM terrorists and they were planning attacks, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A CMO official today clarified that Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb was born in India and not in Bangladesh, contrary to repeated edits on his Wikipedia profile page. Deb was born on November 25, 1971 at Jamjuri in Gomati district of Tripura, he said. "We have observed that since August 2, some erroneous facts were incorporated on the profile page of the chief minister. It was a mischievous attempt," Sanjoy Mishra, the media advisor to the chief minister, told PTI. There were a number of edits on the Wikipedia page between August 2 and August 4, through which Deb's birthplace was continuously changed, he said. According to the citizenship certificate of Deb's father Hirudhan Deb, he is a citizen of the country since June 27, 1967. The certificate, which was made available to the media, showed that Hirudhan Deb was a resident of Jamjuri and his occupation was cultivation. Mishra said the government believed in the freedom of the mainstream as well as social media as these were the fourth estate of democracy. "But we (Tripura government) want that the social media platforms adopt a self-regulatory mechanism to stop such malicious activities. We have also observed that there were several attempts on the social media to malign his (chief minister's) image, which is not desirable," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump today reimposed sanctions on Iran, which were lifted as part of the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, but said he remains open to forging a new nuclear deal with Tehran. In May, Trump had announced to withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal. The reimposition of sanctions on Iran, will have major impact on countries like India, with which it has traditional and historic trade relationship. "Today, the US is taking action to reimpose nuclear-related sanctions with respect to Iran that were lifted in connection with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action of July 14, 2015 (the JCPOA)," Trump said. He said all remaining US nuclear-related sanctions will resume effective November 5, 2018. These include sanctions targeting Iran's energy sector, including petroleum-related transactions, as well as transactions by foreign financial institutions with the Central Bank of Iran. Trump, however, said he remains open to reaching a more comprehensive deal that addresses the full range of the Iranian regime's malign activities, including its ballistic missile programme and its support for terrorism. "The US welcomes the partnership of likeminded nations in these efforts," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two men were arrested for allegedly robbing wigs worth Rs 25 lakh in outer Delhi's Nangloi area, police said today. The accused were identified as Mangel Sain (42) and Ajay Kumar (42) in connection with the incident that was reported on July 27, they said. During investigation, it was found that Kumar is a wig trader and had even carried out a recce of the shop 3-4 days before the incident. He had met the victims and told them that he would come back to buy 10 kg of hair. On July 27, police were informed at 8:40 am about hair robbery. A man named Jahangir Hussain alleged that he, along with his brother Tajjudin, reside at the first floor of the premises. Three men posing as customers visited their shop and began inspecting the wigs. Suddenly, one of them threatened the complainants with a country-made pistol and overpowered them. The accused confined them in a room and robbed 5-6 gunny bags of hair, Rs 30,000 along with their mobile phones, Seju P Kuruvilla, Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer), said. Based on the technical inputs, a police team was sent to Rampur, Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh and call detail records of the accused were analysed, he said. During investigation, it was learnt that after using one SIM card for a few days, the accused used to change the SIM cards. Subsequently, raids were conducted at Sain's address in Bareilly, but he was found to be absconding from his house. On August 5, police apprehended him from Rampur and recovered three mobile phones from him, the DCP said. During interrogation, Sain disclosed that on July 25, he along with one Rahul, Rajesh and two other men came from UP in an Omni Van and remained stationed at GT Road, he said. On July 26, the accused, along with Rahul came to Nangloi and hatched conspiracy of robbery with Kumar. As per plan, on July 27, Sain along with two men entered inside the premises of complainants' house posing as customers and executed the plan, while the other remained in a car which was parked outside the complainant's house, the officer said. The accused disclosed that the robbed hair were kept with Kumar. Subsequently, he was arrested. He disclosed that the robbed hair is kept in Laxmi Nagar, following which a raid was conducted and 118 Kg robbed hair was recovered from Ganesh Nagar, Pandav Nagar, Delhi and from his godown in the presence of complainants, he added. Four bags containing 118 kg of robbed hair and a country-made pistol with two live cartridges were recovered from their possession, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (WB) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has released from its custody 14 transgender women who are seeking asylum in the U.S. The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts in a July 31 press release that announced the trans womens release said they had been detained at the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, N.M. The press release notes the ACLU of Massachusetts Immigrant Protection Project, 18 lawyers and two law students in June petitioned ICE through a New Mexico organization to release 20 trans women who were seeking asylum in the U.S. The ACLU of Massachusetts says the trans women left El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala and arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border in May. The press release notes ICE detained them once they entered California. The women suffered harm because of their gender identity in their home country, and were found by federal immigration officials to be at serious risk of persecution if they were returned to their home country, reads the press release. We kept fighting and we won, said ACLU of Massachusetts Immigrant Protection Project Coordinator Javier Luengo-Garrido in the press release. This victory has changed the lives of 14 women, and has energized us to continue fighting for peoples basic human rights. Violence and persecution based on gender identity remains pervasive in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. An activist in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, who has previously received death threats told the Washington Blade last month during an interview at her office that insecurity and a lack of economic opportunity are among the reasons that prompt trans Hondurans to migrate from the country. Advocates in El Salvador with whom the Blade spoke last month also said violence and poverty prompt LGBTI Salvadorans to seek refuge in the U.S. People are not going to the U.S. because its cold, said Andrea Ayala, executive director of Espacio de Mujeres Lesbianas por la Diversidad, an advocacy group known by the acronym ESMULES, during a July 13 interview in the Salvadoran capital of San Salvador. President Trumps zero tolerance immigration policy that includes the separation of migrant children from their parents continues to spark outrage in the U.S. and around the world. The wall that marks the Mexico-U.S. border from the beach in Tijuana, Mexico, on July 20, 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers) Roxana Hernandez a trans Honduran woman with HIV who U.S. Customs and Border Protection took into custody on May 9 when she asked for asylum at the San Ysidro Port of Entry south of San Diego was at the Cibola County Correctional Center before she died at a hospital on May 25. U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) in June said after he traveled to South Texas there are no policies in place that specifically address the needs of trans, gay, lesbian, bisexual and intersex migrant children who the Trump administration has separated from their parents. A picture of Roxana Hernandez, a transgender Honduran woman with HIV who died in ICE custody in May, hangs on a wall inside the offices of Colectivo Unidad Color Rosa, an LGBTI advocacy group in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on July 11, 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers) Two persons have been arrested for reportedly demanding Rs 50 lakh from a Faridabad-based entrepreneur, a police spokesperson said today. The accused have been identified as Gurudutt and Anil, he said, adding both were working in a private company in Noida. While Gurudutt is a distant relative of the complainant, the other accused is a friend of the former. The duo made an extortion call to Ashwani Panchal and threatened him to arrange for Rs 50 lakh or else they said they would abduct his son, the spokesperson said. The accused were traced after two others, arrested in a mobile snatching incident, said they sold the stolen mobiles to Gurudutt and Anil, police added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly a dozen people were injured today after a clash broke out between two groups at a village in Greater Noida here over the conduct of the Kanwar pilgrimage, police said. The incident took place this evening in Panchayatan village when the two groups, from the same community, indulged in violence and brickbats, they said. "The two groups had together carried out the Kanwar last year but this year there was some conflict between them over donation collections in the village and the bhandara (community feast), Superintendent of Police, Noida Rural, Aashish Shrivastava said. He said when one of the groups decided to take out their own separate kanwar yatra and held a prayer at a village temple, members of the other side arrived there and heated arguments ensued. Soon both sides engaged in stick fights and brickbats, resulting in injuries to members of both parties, he said. The injured were taken to a hospital for treatment, he added. The SP said that the police were in the process of filing complaints based on inputs from both parties. Greater Noida Police Station House Officer Dharmendra Sharma said six people from one group and five from the other side were injured in the clash. As a precautionary measure security was stepped up in Panchayatan and some senior police officials visited it, the SHO, who was present in the village tonight, told PTI. Thousands of Kanwarias (devotees of Lord Shiva) from across the country carry out the 'kanwar yatra' an annual pilgrimage during the auspicious Hindu month 'Shraavana'. Hindu pilgrimage places including Sultanganj in Bihar, Haridwar, Gangotri and Gaumukh in Uttarakhand, Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi witness huge crowds of Kanwarias from different states. They carry 'Kanwars' on their shoulders, wearing saffron dresses and walk hundreds of miles barefoot to bathe the 'Shivaling'. The devotees go a long way to fetch 'Ganga Jal' to offer it to Lord Shiva. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two kanwariyas drowned in the Rapti river while taking a holy dip at Haliyapur ghat here this morning, police said. The deceased - Pankaj Verma (22) and Subhash (24) - had gone to the ghat along with other kanwariyas to take water when the accident occurred, Superintendent of Police Sabharaj said. The bodies were later fished out with the help of divers, the SP said, adding that they have been sent for post-mortem. An ex-gratia of Rs four lakh each will be extended to the families of both the deceased, officials said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ujjivan Financial Services registered a consolidated net profit of Rs 45 crore in the first quarter ended June, mainly on account of healthy increase in revenues from operations. It had posted a net loss of Rs 74.90 crore in the corresponding April-June period of 2017-18. However, compared sequentially, the profit was lower than Rs 64.90 crore posted in the March quarter of the previous financial year 2017-18. Total income during April-June 2018-19 increased by 28.4 per cent to Rs 459.60 crore as against Rs 358.10 crore in the same period of 2017-18, Ujjivan said in a regulatory filing. Net interest income grew by 61 per cent during the June quarter grew to Rs 222.40 crore. While net interest margin, a key gauge of profitability, improved to 11.6 per cent in June 2018 from 9.2 per cent a year ago. Company's asset quality improved as the gross non-performing assets (NPAs) as a percentage of gross lending fell to 2.7 per cent as on June 30, 2018, from 6.2 per cent as of June 2017. Net NPAs or bad loans also fell to 0.3 per cent from 2.3 per cent. There was a fall in provisions and contingencies by 68.2 per cent to Rs 37.90 crore in June quarter from Rs 119.20 crore a year ago, helping the company to register gains. Ujjivan Financial Service began its fully owned small finance banking services through the launch of Ujjivan Small Finance Bank in early 2017. On the banking outlets rollout plan, Ujjivan Financial said it converted 87 of its asset centres into banking outlets in the June quarter of 2018-19 and added one unbanked rural centre (URC). For the full year, a total of 475 banking outlets are being planned with 219 assets centres to be converted into bank branches, opening of 7 new outlets and 62 new URCs in West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Remaining 49 asset centres will be converted in 2019-20, it said. Samit Ghosh, MD & CEO, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, said: "The transition to a bank from a microfinance institution has stabilised and last year we completed the clean-up of our portfolio post demonetisation. We are now focussed on scaling up different business verticals of the bank and multiple distribution channels. This quarter we also witnessed a good momentum on the retail deposits as we have reduced our reliance on CDs." Cost of funds has reduced and with continued efforts the gross NPAs have reduced significantly, said Ittira Davis, MD & CEO, Ujjivan Financial Services. Calculated on average cost of borrowings and deposits, company's cost of funds fell to 8.6 per cent during the quarter from 9.8 per cent in year ago same period. However, it was up at 8 per cent from 7.5 per cent year ago when calculated on the basis of marginal cost of interest of borrowings. Stock of Ujjivan Financial Services closed 3.30 per cent up at Rs 399.45 on BSE. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The British government is preparing to ask Moscow to extradite two Russian citizens suspected of carrying out the Salisbury nerve agent attack, a media report said today. The Guardian newspaper, citing unnamed government and security sources, said state prosecutors had prepared the extradition request and were ready to file it to Moscow. It said police and intelligence agents had identified two Russians believed to have carried out the attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in March. The pair were poisoned by Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, in the southwestern English city of Salisbury. Both survived, but on June 30 a British couple were poisoned by Novichok in a nearby town, one of whom, 44-year-old mother-of-three Dawn Sturgess, subsequently died. London and its allies have accused Moscow of trying to kill the Skripals and says the two cases are likely linked. Russia has angrily rejected any involvement, plunging diplomatic relations into crisis. Any extradition request put to Russia is likely to be rebuffed, and The Guardian said there had been intense debate within the British government about whether to bother trying. In 2007, after Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko was murdered with polonium in London, Moscow refused Britain's request to extradite two Russian suspects in the case. England's state prosecutors, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), declined to comment on The Guardian's story when contacted by AFP, while police said only that the investigation was ongoing. Britain's domestic Press Association agency reported last month that police had identified two Russian suspects in the Salisbury attack, but there has been no official confirmation of this. An unnamed government source told The Guardian: "The CPS has been asked to prepare extradition requests and we understand they are ready to go. "This is Litvinenko all over again. It's almost a rerun of the situation. The police have managed to identify the people coming over and going back again." Police believe the Novichok was smeared on the door of Sergei Skripal's house and perhaps discarded in a container that Sturgess's boyfriend Charlie Rowley then picked up. Rowley said he had found a perfume bottle which he gave to Sturgess, which she sprayed on her wrists. She died eight days later, but he has since been released from hospital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Born in Chennai, Indira Nooyi has successfully changed the face of beverage major Pepsico with her agenda of "performance with purpose" by offering more nutritious products. During her 12-year stint as CEO, PepsiCo saw its revenue grow by more than 80 per cent and added a new billion-dollar brand almost every other year. Nooyi (62) invested in the future of the company and during her tenure Pepsico's spendings on R&D almost got trebled. She focused on delivering sustainable long-term growth while leaving a positive imprint on society and the environment. This included transforming PepsiCo's portfolio and offering healthier options while making food system more sustainable. PepsiCo today announced that Indra Nooyi will step down as its CEO after heading the world's second-largest food and beverage giant for 12 years. Nooyi, a graduate from Madras Christian College and MBA from IIM Calcutta, who had been at the helm of affairs of USD 63.5 billion Pepsico for almost 12 years, oversaw a number of key restructurings during her 24 years' tenure at New York-Headquartered food and beverage giant. She joined PepsiCo in 1994 and had an immediate influence on the company's strategic direction. She was instrumental in PepsiCo spinning off its Pizza Hut, KFC and Taco Bell restaurants for USD 4.5 billion. Nooyi also played a key role in PepsiCo's acquisition of Tropicana and Quaker Oats. Besides, under Nooyi's tenure, PepsiCo focused on reaching out to the emerging markets and rapidly expanding middle classes there. Issuing a statement, PepsiCo said: "Under Nooyi's leadership, our revenue has grown by more than 80 per cent and we have added a new billion-dollar brand almost every other year." Moreover, during her tenure, PepsiCo "developed new design and eCommerce capabilities, a business which generated $1 billion in annual retail sales last year". Terming her as "truly a pioneer" Pepsico said she was responsible for spearheading its 'performance with purpose' vision. This was to offer "more nutritious products, limit environmental impact and support people and the communities". PepsiCo is presently globally the second-largest food and beverage company and her admirers credit it to Nooyi. During her stint, PepsiCo Inc, along with its partners, had on November 2013 announced to invest USD 5.5 billion (Rs 33,000 crore) to double its manufacturing capacity in India by 2020. "I am especially proud of the great work we have done in India to transform our portfolio to include more nutritious products, working with and supporting thousands of Indian farmers, and providing an inclusive workplace in which our associates in India can bring their whole selves to work everyday. That will not change," said Nooyi in her statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 28 Islamic State group jihadists were killed today in coordinated strikes by the US-led coalition and allied fighters in eastern Syria, a monitoring group said. "At least 28 IS jihadists were killed in air and artillery strikes" in Deir Ezzor province, said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. He said the coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters, had carried out the attacks in the Bir al-Meleh region of the province, which borders Iraq. He said IS-held territory in eastern Syria had been reduced to a "small pocket" since the SDF in early May launched the final phase of an offensive to expel the jihadists from eastern Syria. IS, which once controlled swathes of Syria and Iraq, has been pounded by multiple offensives and today controls less than three percent of Syria's territory. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A group of US senators, on a visit to Moscow today, said they have invited Russian lawmakers to Washington later this year in a bid to help ease tensions between the two countries. On the second trip by US politicians to the Russian capital in just over a month, the delegation is this time being led by high-profile Republican lawmaker senator Rand Paul. Paul said that members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the upper house of the Russian parliament, the Federation Council, had been invited "to come to the United States to meet with us in Washington." "I think this is incredibly important," the US lawmaker was quoted as saying in translated comments by Interfax agency. The "main aim of the trip" was to "create a dialogue" and "improve relations" between Moscow and Washington, Paul added. US President Donald Trump has come under fire for failing to challenge Vladimir Putin over election meddling at their summit in Helsinki last month. And Paul is the only Republican lawmaker to stand by Trump during that controversy. The head of the Federation Council's foreign affairs committee, Konstantin Kosachev, suggested that a meeting in Washington might take place "as early as during the fall session, that is, before the end of this year". He said he saw the current trip by US senators to Moscow as "especially valuable when other American politicians are making efforts to portray any contact with Russian politicians as toxic". Kosachev dismissed new accusations that Russia had meddled in US elections. "There was no meddling in 2016. Certainly it will not happen during the ongoing election campaign either," he said. Rand Paul later met with Russia's deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov. "During a conversation the two sides exchanged views on current issues of bilateral relations, as well as some aspects of arms control," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. It added that "special attention was given to the possibility of developing inter-parliamentary contacts". At the beginning of July, a group of US senators met with Russian officials ahead of the Helsinki summit between Trump and Putin. They also met with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed on Monday that the would "enforce the sanctions" it is reimposing against after President pulled out of the 2015 nuclear pact. As of 9.31 am IST on Tuesday, the government can no longer buy banknotes and broad sanctions will be slapped on Iranian industries, including its rug exports. Asked if Tehran would be able to evade the measures, Pompeo told journalists "the is going to enforce the sanctions," speaking en route to Washington after attending a security forum in Singapore. Pompeo said heaping pressure on Tehran was meant to "push back against Iranian malign activity," saying Iranians "are unhappy with the failure of their own leadership to deliver the economic promises that their leadership promised them." "The Iranian people are not happy, not with the Americans but with their own leadership," he said. "This is just about Iranians' dissatisfaction with their own government, and the President is pretty clear, we want the Iranian people to have a strong voice in who their leadership will be." The walked out of the 2015 nuclear deal in May and is bringing back "maximum pressure" sanctions for most sectors on August 6, and the energy sector on November 4. Presidency University Vice Chancellor Anuradha Lohia today met the agitating boarders, who had been holding an indefinite sit-in for the past three days over hostel accommodation. A university spokesman said Lohia told the 50 agitating boarders that every effort was being made to complete renovation of the rundown building at the earliest but the state PWD has informed it will take five months to complete work. "We need to take care of proper sanitation and water supply facilities and build rooms for the support staff which will take some more time," the V-C told the students, the spokesman said. He said the agitating boarders refused to buy the logic of the V-C and said that some parts of the building have already neared completion and should be opened for their stay. "We tried to explain to them that this was not possible as a building can be opened for use after it is declared fit for use by the concerned departments which we hope to get after the entire Hindu Hostel is renovated in another five months. We are open for further negotiations," the spokesman said. Ujan, a spokesman of the agitators and member of Independent Consolidation (IC) students union, said "We had waited for three years. It is not possible for us to wait indefinitely for getting berth in the new hostel." He claimed two blocks of the hostel have already been renovated and 50 students of Presidency and 10 researchers may already be housed there. The agitating students had been seeking room allotment at a hostel, which is currently undergoing renovation. The students have brought pillows and mattresses to the campus building for the sit-in. They have not left the campus even for bathing or food," Ujan said, adding that the university authorities were not sensitive to their situation. The students had been protesting outside the registrars office since 2 pm on August 3. The hostel adjoining the College Street institution was shut down for repairs on July 29, 2015, and 150 boarders were shifted to a rented accommodation at New Town, which is around 18km from the university. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (WB) With fewer than 100 days remaining before the 2018 congressional mid-term elections, LGBT groups are ramping up efforts to channel the resist movement into action on Election Day and elect a new Congress able to place a check on President Trump. Chief among those efforts is the Human Rights Campaigns #TurnOUT campaign, a $26 million effort that seeks to mobilize and get to the polls the estimated 10 million Americans who identify as LGBT and 52 million Americans who support pro-LGBT policies. Leading the effort is Geoff Wetrosky, the campaign director for HRC Rising who came to the organization last year after serving as national campaign manager for the AFL-CIO with more than a decade of experience. In a briefing with the Washington Blade last week, Wetrosky said the campaign is engaging HRC members and calling on them to volunteer and put together a training curriculum to make sure that were strengthening our political organizing muscles. Additionally, HRC is touting its doubling of staffers to 130 the hiring of another 45 organizers and the deployment of 50 more to join the 35 already on the ground to contribute to get-out-the-vote efforts. Ive referred to some of them as the cavalry, Wetrosky said. They go where the fight needs to be fought at any given moment. They cover large regions of the country. They do live out in the field, but theyre responsible for several states, and if theres a legislative battle or particular election thats competitive, then they go to that state and work on that race. Wetrosky called the 2018 elections a historical moment for the LGBTQ community at a time when unlike in decades past support for LGBT rights will drive people to the polls in opposition to Trump. Were now at a point where we can no longer be used as a wedge issue to turn out anti-equality voters in support of anti-equality candidates, Wetrosky said. That is an outdated playbook. As evidence that opposition to LGBT rights is a losing position for candidates, Wetrosky pointed to the defeat in 2016 of North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, who signed into law the anti-trans House Bill 2, the loss in Alabama last year of Roy Moore, whose call to disregard the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling for same-sex marriage nationwide animated his political career. Both candidates were running as Republicans in traditionally red states, but were unable to achieve victory. Meanwhile, support for same-sex marriage, once an unpopular concept, has reached 67 percent, and popularity of non-discrimination laws that would protect LGBT workers is even higher. That level of support across demographic groups would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, Wetrosky said. The #TurnOUT campaign has identified six states Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin on which to focus its efforts. The commonality in each of these states is elections for seats in the U.S. Senate. Political candidates Jacky Rosen in Nevada and Kyrsten Sinema in Arizona offer the chance for pickups to claim seats formerly held by Republicans. (Sinema would also be the first openly bisexual person elected to the U.S. Senate.) In the four other states, U.S. senators who support LGBT rights Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) are defending their seats. Baldwin, the first out lesbian elected to the U.S. Senate, is seeking re-election against efforts to unseat her by the Koch brothers, who have already spent around $10 million in the effort and are likely to spend more. Those six states, Wetrosky said, also offer opportunities beyond the races for U.S. Senate, such as statewide contests to become the next governor, attorney general and secretary of state, as well as two dozen congressional races and races for seats in the state legislature. Chris Sgro, a spokesperson for HRC, said victories in those elections will be key to halting the Trump administration and the anti-LGBT policies it has enacted. The road to pulling an emergency break on Trump and Pence runs through the six HRC Rising states, Sgro said. The Senate races there, key House races there, and subsequently the road to altogether stopping Donald Trump and ending his presidency runs though the 81 electoral votes in those states. Baldwins race in Wisconsin could be a nail-biter. The good news for her in three separate polls was she had a sizable lead over either of her potential Republican opponents Leah Vukmir and Kevin Nicholson that in some cases was double-digits. The Aug. 14 primary in Wisconsin will decide which Republican Baldwin will face. The flip side is that in 2016 Democratic candidate Russ Feingold had the same lead over Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) before ultimately losing to the incumbent. (It was the second time Feingold lost to Johnson in a U.S. Senate race. The Republican ousted Feingold from the seat in 2010 during the Republican wave that year.) Moreover, buried in one of the three polls one conducted by Marquette University was other revealing information: Baldwin was viewed unfavorably by 43 percent of Wisconsin residents, slightly more than 41 percent who viewed her favorably. An additional 15 percent said they didnt know her enough to form an opinion. As reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Baldwins opponents will likely see those numbers as an opportunity to define her for Wisconsin voters and continue massive spending on TV ads in the effort to unseat her. Other LGBT groups are joining in the effort to encourage LGBT people to head to the polls on Election Day to vote against Trump in the name of LGBT rights. The LGBT media watchdog group GLAAD is unable to endorse specific candidates as a 501(c)3 designated non-profit, but is nonetheless undertaking efforts. Chief among them is GLAADs Amp Your Voice LGBT youth voter engagement campaign, which seeks to focus on increasing LGBTQ youth turnout for the midterm elections. Additionally, GLAAD during Pride month sent a traveling billboard throughout the country reading, GLAAD is Counting: 75 Attacks on our community, 1 every 6 days since January 2017, Its Time to Stop, to encourage awareness and voter turnout. Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of GLAAD, said the participation of LGBT youth and allies will be crucial to achieving change in the upcoming election. Young people in this country are at the forefront of articulating the connection between the perilousness of their rights and safety under the Trump administration and the power of their own voices to create change. Ellis said. GLAADs Amp Your Voice campaign will further empower young people, especially LGBTQ youth and allies, in their leadership roles. For LGBT rights supporters who are seeking to back Republicans who support LGBT rights, you would have to turn to Log Cabin Republicans. Gregory Angelo, president of Log Cabin Republicans, said his organizations political action committee will largely base its support for candidates in 2018 on co-sponsorship of the Fair & Equal Housing Act, LGBT housing non-discrimination legislation introduced by Rep. Scott Taylor (R-Va.). Our main legislative push in this 215th Congress has been Congressman Taylors Fair & Equal Housing Act, and the priorities of our PAC will largely be aligned with supporting those Republican members of Congress who co-sponsored this historic legislation, Angelo said. Generally, our efforts will be geared toward assisting incumbent allies. In years past, the Human Rights Campaign has faced criticism from progressives for endorsing Republican candidates, such as former Sen. Mark Kirk in Illinois in 2016. (HRC ended up dropping that endorsement in favor Tammy Duckworth after racially charged comments from Kirk.) In response to whether the Human Rights Campaign has endorsed any Republican candidates in 2018, Sgro said via email the organization maintains its bipartisan approach and additional endorsements are forthcoming. Weve endorsed a record number of pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot this year in key races across the country, Sgro said. We will continue to make and announce our endorsements throughout the cycle. HRC is a bipartisan organization that has endorsed candidates from both parties who support LGBTQ rights. Wetrosky cautioned that supporters of LGBT rights seeking change in the congressional mid-term elections cant just talk about Trumps anti-LGBT policies, but also policies that have hurt Muslims, immigrants and other marginalized groups. Theres always more that we can do, Wetrosky said. But theres also been a recognition that we need to go beyond self-identified LGBTQ voters and talk about our issues because somebody being anti-equality is a motivating factor in turning out our voters as well. What will LGBT supporters seek after victories in the mid-term elections? Wetrosky said HRC wont just stick it to Trump, but work to advance LGBT rights. Were not building political power just for the sake of having political power, Wetrosky said. We want to use it to advance equality. Theres so much still to be done. We know from polling the public understands that marriage wasnt the end of our movements work to achieve full legal equality. Theres still so much more to do thats at the federal level and the state level. In the event Democrats take control of the U.S. House, Sgro said a top priority of HRC would be advancement of the Equality Act, comprehensive legislation that would prohibit anti-LGBT discrimination in every aspect of federal civil rights law. But that all depends on victories on Election Day. Despite the efforts to achieve change in 2018, Wetrosky cautioned the anticipated blue wave may fizzle out if Trump opponents arent energized. If we dont make sure the wave is large enough, the wave will crash right into the sea wall, Wetrosky said. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was expected to make his first public appearance today since being targeted over the weekend by drones that he said were sent to "assassinate" him during a military parade. Tense ties between Venezuela and neighboring US ally Colombia are plumbing a new low after Maduro claimed his Colombian counterpart, Juan Manuel Santos, was behind Saturday's attack. Santos, who hands over power to elected successor Ivan Duque tomorrow, has categorically rejected the accusation. A live broadcast of the incident on Venezuelan state television showed Maduro interrupted in mid-speech by an explosion and looking up in confusion. Dozens of soldiers on parade are then seen breaking ranks and running away in panic. Maduro and his government said the president had been targeted by two flying drones carrying explosives. They blamed the attack on Colombia, working with the "ultra far-right" Venezuelan opposition, and financed by unnamed figures in the US state of Florida. No evidence was given to support the allegations. Thousands of exiled Venezuelans live in Colombia and in Florida. Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab told a conference on Monday that several suspects were in custody and authorities "will pursue under the law all those who conspire against public peace." He said the drone attack was "an attempted massacre." Seven soldiers were wounded. "All the material perpetrators of the act and their accomplices have been identified," Saab said. He added that two of the suspects were "caught in the act" guiding one of the drones from a car close to the parade. He did not identify any of the suspects but said that "initial international connections have been established." Interior Minister Nicolas Reverol said on Sunday that six suspects had been arrested. He said two drones had been used, each carrying a kilogram of C4 explosive. One went out of control and flew into a building, and the other was jammed and exploded before reaching the president's podium, Reverol said. Maduro's supporters marched through Caracas today. The 55-year-old Socialist leader was expected to appear in public to address them. Several questions hover over Saturday's incident, with some inconsistent information coming from various sources. No drones could be seen in Saturday's broadcast, which was cut moments after the soldiers were seen scattering away from dias where Maduro was standing flanked by military chiefs and his wife. Some accounts on the ground said a fire at a nearby building was caused by the accidental explosion of a gas cylinder. An unauthenticated statement from a rebel group calling itself the "National Movement of Soldiers in T-Shirts" claimed responsibility in a statement passed to an opposition journalist based in the US. Maduro and his allies, however, insist it was a drone assassination bid. Cuba, Bolivia, Syria, Iran and Russia condemned the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) R K Dhawan, a close confidant of Indira Gandhi and known to be part of her inner circle during the Emergency years, died here this evening at a local hospital. He was 81. He breathed his last at the B L Kapur hospital around 7 pm, sources close to the family said. Rajinder Kumar Dhawan, a former Union minister, was admitted to the hospital last Tuesday for age-related ailments, they said. "Our homage to veteran Congress leader, Sh. R.K.Dhawan, who breathed his last today. His tireless spirit, immeasurable commitment & untiring dedication to the Congress ideals will always be remembered. RIP," Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala tweeted. Former President Pranab Mukherjee also expressed grief at Dhawan's demise. "Deeply shocked at passing away of Shri RK Dhawan. Though he was ailing I had never expected that the end will come so soon. A close associate and colleague in Party and Government, he will forever be fondly remembered," Mukherjee tweeted. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said he was shocked and saddened at the demise of Dhawan and recalled that he had worked closely with him. "I would always remember him as an astute politician and loyal soldier of the party. May he rest in peace and may God give his family the courage to bear the loss," he said on Twitter. During his years as Indira Gandhi's personal secretary, from 1962 to 1984, Dhawan reportedly wielded immense clout, with some claiming that he controlled information and access to the then prime minister. During the Emergency years (1975-77), Dhawan was among Indira Gandhi's inner circle of leaders. After Rajiv Gandhi took over the reins of the Congress party and the government following his mother's assassination, there was talk of Dhawan being sidelined. However, later Dhawan returned to party affairs and was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1990. He had also been a member of the Congress Working Committee. He was appointed Minister of State (independent charge) Housing and Urban Development (1995-1996). Dhawan also served as a member on various parliamentary committees. He tied the knot at the age of 74 with Achla in 2011. He is survived by his wife. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police say weekend shootings in Chicago have left at least 11 people dead and about 70 wounded. The violence peaked early yesterday, including one shooting on the city's South Side that injured eight people. The Chicago Tribune reports that by comparison, at least seven people were killed and 32 were wounded during the long Memorial Day weekend, often one of the most violent weekends of the year. Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson planned a conference today to discuss the violence. Patrol Chief Fred Waller said yesterday that gangs sometimes use large summer crowds as cover. Police have said violent crime has declined overall in Chicago. Still, anti-violence protesters have blocked freeways to voice their outrage. Chicago's gun violence has drawn national scrutiny, including from President Donald Trump. His lawyer, ex-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, tweeted yesterday blaming Chicago's longtime "Democratic rule. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : A group of veterans of the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars today urged President Ram Nath Kovind to extend them medical facilities and applicable pension as per their rank and years of service. The seven war veterans, who assembled here under the aegis of 'Voice of War Veterans', told reporters that they have been urging successive governments at the Centre and also the Defence Ministry to extend medical facilities to non-pensioner war veterans ofthe 1965 and 1971 wars. They said they feel "let down" by the Army and also the union government over non fulfilment of their long pending demands. "The Army informed us that our case is pending with the Ministry of Defenceand it has been dragging its feet," they alleged. L Pandu Ranga Reddy, (75), representing 'Voice of War Veterans', said around 12,000 youth joined the army as Emergency Commissioned Officers in 1962, following an appeal by the Indian Government to the youth to join the force. Of them, only 610 were still surviving across the country, he said. "We fought both the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars and were later released (retired as captains) from the army without any pension and medical benefits. We have been urging the army for the past 30 years to extend medical benefits. Most war veterans are septuagenarians and are suffering from old-age ailments," Reddy said. He said they had made several representations to former DefenceMinister Manohar Parikkar to extend medical facilities. Another war veteran, 81-year-old N S Narayana, said the Adjutant General's Branch had sanctioned their request for medical benefits, but it was rejected by the Medical Services Branch on the plea that non-pensioners arenot eligible for medical treatment. The veterans alleged that the government utilised their services while they were young and had now "left them in the lurch". They urged the government to extend medical facilities to non-pensioners and also to grant pension applicable as per their rank and depending upon the number of years of service rendered, "at least at the last stage of our lives". Asked about their next course of action, the veterans said "We can only pray to the government. We are not going for any agitation as of now". The war veterans pointed out that Members of Parliament get pension, family pension, railway passes and medical benefits. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court today said that Delhi was facing an "emergency situation" due to mountains of garbage as it expressed dissatisfaction over the response of authorities on waste management. "Will there be any person alive in Delhi in such a situation?" an irked apex court said and sought details of how plans on management of solid waste could be implemented, especially on segregation of household waste. The bench comprising justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta also sought details from authorities on pilot project for segregation of household waste launched in some areas like Defence Colony, Green Park and Maharani Bagh here and also about the problems being faced by the agencies in its implementation. The court fumed at Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Pinky Anand's submission on residents of Sonia Vihar objecting to a landfill site, saying the people had every right to question the decision and and even went on to say that the civic body should dump the "waste on the Raj Niwas Marg", where Delhi Lieutenant Governor's official residence is located, instead of treating people like this. It said that segregation of waste at household level was an important issue and asked the authorities to inform the apex court as to whether an awareness campaign in this regard could be started throughout the city. "It is an emergency situation and unfortunately your reactions are not indicating any solution," the bench told the ASG. The bench took exception that area falling under the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) was generating 3,600 tonnes of waste everyday out of which 1,800 tonnes was thrown at the landfill site. The ASG told the bench that the authorities were working on it and taking steps in this regard and by December 2019, all the waste generated in SDMC area would be sent to waste to energy and processing plants. "Ganga Ram Hospital has done a study which says that 50 per cent of population of Delhi has a chance of having lung cancer even if they do not smoke. The Niti Aayog says that in 2019, there will be shortage of water in Delhi. Will there be any person alive in Delhi in such a situation? 1,800 tonnes a day is huge. What will happen from now till December 2019," the bench observed. The ASG said that in East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), the issue of having a landfill site at Sonia Vihar was being opposed by residents of the area. "Are you suggesting that people cannot raise this issue like what was done in 1975 that if you ask something, you will be put in jail?," the bench asked. When the ASG said that they were not suggesting anything like that, the bench said, "Then put it (garbage) on the Raj Niwas Marg. Do not treat people like this. In Sonia Vihar, perhaps the underprivileged people live." "Lives of people are going to be affected if you will put garbage in front of their house. They have a right to say that do not put garbage in front on my house. It is an criminal offence. People will object to it. You will have to find a solution. You cannot just shift the garbage like this," the bench observed. The ASG said that waste treatment and waste to energy plants have to be set up and there might be some inconvenience to the people but that have to be dealt with by the agencies. The bench asked the authorities to apprise it about the scheme for segregation of waste and noted that there were four kinds of waste -- wet, dry, hazardous and construction and building waste. It also sought details as to whether penalty could be imposed on people dumping construction debris or for not following plan on segregation of waste, including household waste. "You can perhaps have some penalty if people will not follow it (segregation plan)," the bench said, adding, "People who create construction debris and a person who pulls down his house should pay for it". The bench also observed that the primary responsibility should be of the people to segregate waste at household level and asked why cannot solid waste management begin at home. The apex court told the authorities to give details about issues related to segregation of waste, including manpower, vehicles to carry wastes, the people involved in the process. It said these details should be placed before it by August 14 and posted the matter for hearing on August 17. During the hearing, the ASG told the court about the steps being taken with regard to management of waste. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, assisting the court as an amicus curiae, said that they have conducted a study on the Ghazipur landfill site in East delhi which reflected that official data about it was "very misleading". When an issue was raised that the municipal corporations were dumping all types of waste in same vehicle, the ASG said different vehicles were used for collecting separate kind of wastes. Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (LG) had earlier told the court that his office was regularly reviewing and monitoring the garbage disposal plans and actions of municipal bodies. The issue of waste management had cropped up when the court was dealing with a matter in which it had in 2015 taken cognisance of death of a seven-year-old boy due to dengue. The victim had been allegedly denied treatment by five private hospitals here and his distraught parents subsequently committed suicide. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australia's racism watchdog says the country is experiencing a resurgence in lawmakers exploiting race to advance political agendas and listed ethnic Chinese and Sudanese among minorities who are suffering. Tom Soutphommasane today said in the final speech of his five-year tenure as race discrimination commissioner that as politicians take advantage of voter fears of some ethnic groups, sections of Australian media are exploiting racism to earn revenue from racist audiences. Conservative government Sen. Eric Abetz said Soutphommasane's speech was an example of him "pushing his ideology at the expense of good public policy." Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull often describes Australia as the most successful multicultural society in the world. But public debate has heightened about the rate of population growth and how some ethnic groups are blending in. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police have registered a rape case against a senior official of the Uttar Pradesh Commercial Tax Department based on a complaint made by his colleague, an official said today. The complainant has told the police that the accused allegedly raped her in a hotel here on Thursday night and then repeated the act last night, he said. She has also alleged that the accused did not allow her to leave the hotel, though she was scheduled to fly back to Delhi yesterday. The official added that the two, who are colleagues and have known each other since 2010, were staying in separate rooms in the hotel. The woman filed the complaint with the police this morning, in which she also claimed that the accused had beaten her up. "We have registered an FIR and are investigating further into the woman's complaint," said Rahul Kumar Lodha, Bhopal South Superintendent of Police. He added that a case had been registered under section 376 (rape) and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Wrestler-turned-actor Dave Bautista has once again come out in support of "Guardians of the Galaxy" director James Gunn saying it will be"pretty nauseating" to work for Disney after they fired the filmmaker. The former WWE star, who features as Drax in the "Guardians of the Galaxy" franchise, was the first to defend Gunn after he was terminated from directing the third film in the series. Bautista was asked by a fan on Twitter if he will be ok being part of the franchise if if Disney declines to re-hire Gunn for the film. "I will do what I'm legally obligated to do but @Guardians without @JamesGunn is not what I signed up for. GOTG w/o @JamesGunn just isn't GOTG," replied the actor. "It's also pretty nauseating to work for someone who'd empower a smear campaign by fascists #cybernazis. That's just how I feel," he added referring to right-wing commentator Mike Cernovich, who unearthed Gunn's 10-year-old tweets. In his tweets Gunn had joked about rape and pedophilia. The ousted director apologised for his posts hours after the firing. "Guardians" cast members Chris Pratt, Bradley Cooper, Bautista and Zoe Saldana have since signed an open letter asking the studio to bring back the director. Veteran actor Kurt Russell, who played Ego in the second installment, has also defended Gunn saying "we're getting a little too sensitive on maybe some of the wrong people". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indonesia has returned to Malaysia a luxury yacht linked to the multi-billion dollar 1MDB financial scandal, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said today, a move seen as bolstering a corruption probe involving ex-leader Najib Razak. The Cayman Islands-registered Equanimity, believed to be worth some USD 250 million and belonged to a fugitive Malaysian financier with links to Najib, was seized in February off the Indonesian tourist island of Bali. Indonesian authorities detained the super-yacht following a request by the US Department of Justice, which is investigating alleged massive misappropriation involving the 1MDB state fund. "We are happy since the Equanimity yacht has been handed over to us by Indonesia," Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who is on a tour to Japan, said in a Facebook post. A spokesman for the prime minister's office said the yacht would arrive in Port Klang, west of the capital Kuala Lumpur, within the next 48 hours. Mahathir also thanked Indonesian President Joko Widodo for his cooperation. Ties between Malaysia and Indonesia are close with Mahathir visiting Jakarta in June, his first official tour of the region after a stunning election victory in May over Najib. A total of USD 4.5 billion was allegedly misappropriated by top-level 1MDB officials and their associates, according to civil lawsuits filed by the US justice department. The suits allege that USD 1.7 billion worth of assets were allegedly bought with the stolen funds, which US officials are seeking to recover. Those assets include the 300-foot (90-metre) super-yacht owned by Low Taek Jho -- popularly known as Jho Low -- a close Najib associate and former unofficial adviser to 1MDB. Low, a flamboyant playboy known for partying with Hollywood A-listers, was believed to have been sailing around Asia on the yacht before it was seized. Najib, who set up 1MDB in 2009 and served as chairman of its advisory board, was charged in Malaysia in July with corruption offences linked to the scandal. He denied all four charges and is currently out on bail. Mahathir has vowed to recover the stolen loot. The country's anti-corruption authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Jho Low. Legal experts said the return of the yacht would bolster the case against Najib and other people linked to the scandal and could be used to prosecute Jho Low after the fugitive is caught. "Of course it will help the prosecutors. It is part of the evidence of the crime committed. It is certainty a positive development in the investigations," N. Surendran, adviser to a group called Lawyers for Liberty, told AFP. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Again and again over the past two years, a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the United States has claimed it won decisive victories that drove al-Qaida militants from their strongholds across Yemen and shattered their ability to attack the West. Here's what the victors did not disclose: many of their conquests came without firing a shot. That's because the coalition cut secret deals with al-Qaida fighters, paying some to leave key cities and towns and letting others retreat with weapons, equipment and wads of looted cash, an investigation by The Associated Press has found. Hundreds more were recruited to join the coalition itself. These compromises and alliances have allowed al-Qaida militants to survive to fight another day and risk strengthening the most dangerous branch of the terror network that carried out the 9/11 attacks. Key participants in the pacts said the US was aware of the arrangements and held off on any drone strikes. The deals uncovered by the AP reflect the contradictory interests of the two wars being waged simultaneously in this southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. In one conflict, the US is working with its Arab allies particularly the United Arab Emirates with the aim of eliminating the branch of extremists known as al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP. But the larger mission is to win the civil war against the Houthis, Iranian-backed Shiite rebels. And in that fight, al-Qaida militants are effectively on the same side as the Saudi-led coalition and, by extension, the United States. "Elements of the US military are clearly aware that much of what the US is doing in Yemen is aiding AQAP and there is much angst about that,"said Michael Horton, a fellow at the Jamestown Foundation, a US analysis group that tracks terrorism. "However, supporting the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against what the US views as Iranian expansionism takes priority over battling AQAP and even stabilizing Yemen," Horton said. The AP's findings are based on reporting in Yemen and interviews with two dozen officials, including Yemeni security officers, militia commanders, tribal mediators and four members of al-Qaida's branch. All but a few of those sources spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals. Emirati-backed factions, like most armed groups in Yemen, have been accused of abducting or killing their critics. Coalition-backed militias actively recruit al-Qaida militants, or those who were recently members, because they're considered exceptional fighters, the AP found. The coalition forces are comprised of a dizzying mix of militias, factions, tribal warlords and tribes with very local interests. And AQAP militants are intertwined with many of them. One Yemeni commander who was put on the US terrorism list for al-Qaida ties last year continues to receive money from the UAE to run his militia, his own aide told the AP. Another commander, recently granted USD 12 million for his fighting force by Yemen's president, has a known al-Qaida figure as his closest aide. In one case, a tribal mediator who brokered a deal between the Emiratis and al-Qaida even gave the extremists a farewell dinner. Horton said much of the war on al-Qaida by the UAE and its allied militias is "a farce." "It is now almost impossible to untangle who is AQAP and who is not since so many deals and alliances have been made,"he said. The US has sent billions of dollars in weapons to the coalition to fight the Iran-backed Houthis. US advisers also give the coalition intelligence used in targeting on-the-ground adversaries in Yemen, and American jets provide air-to-air refuelling for coalition war planes. The US does not fund the coalition, however, and there is no evidence that American money went to AQAP militants. The US is aware of an al-Qaida presence among the anti-Houthi ranks, a senior American official told reporters in Cairo earlier this year. Because coalition members back militias with hard-line Islamic commanders, "it's very, very easy for al-Qaida to insinuate itself into the mix," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity under the terms of the briefing. More recently, the Pentagon vigorously denied any complicity with al-Qaida militants. "Since the beginning of 2017, we have conducted more than 140 strikes to remove key AQAP leaders and disrupt its ability to use ungoverned spaces to recruit, train and plan operations against the US and our partners across the region," Navy Cmdr Sean Robertson, a Pentagon spokesman, wrote in an email to the AP. A senior Saudi official commented by saying that the Saudi-led coalition "continues its commitment to combat extremism and terrorism." An Emirati government spokesman did not reply to questions from the AP. The coalition began fighting in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis overran the north, including the capital, Sanaa. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are determined to stop what they consider a move by their nemesis, Iran, to take over Yemen, and their professed aim is to restore the internationally recognized government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (WB) A summit at the U.S. Justice Department on Monday ostensibly intended to promote religious freedom, including the creation of a Religious Liberty Task Force, often highlighted efforts to enable anti-LGBT discrimination. At the summit in the Justice Departments Great Hall, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of the task force to implement religious freedom guidance he issued last year. The task force will help the department fully implement our religious liberty guidance by ensuring that all Justice Department components and we got a lot of components around the country are upholding that guidance in the cases they bring and defend, the arguments they make in court, the policies and regulations they adopt and how we conduct our operations, Sessions said. According to the Justice Department, Sessions will serve as chair of the task force, which will be co-chaired by Acting Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio and Associate Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy Beth Williams. Sessions said a primary mission of the Religious Liberty Task Force will be ensuring Justice Department employees know their duty is to accommodate people of faith. This administration is animated by the same American view that has led us for 242 years that every American has a right to believe and worship and exercise their faith in the public square, Sessions added. The underlying guidance on which the task force is based seeks to allow individuals and businesses to act in the name of religious freedom often used as an exercise for anti-LGBT discrimination without fear of government reprisal. Nowhere in the guidance is there a limiting principle assuring the right to free exercise of religion should be an excuse to engage in anti-LGBT discrimination. Announcing the new task force, Sessions referenced the Masterpiece Cakeshop case in which a Colorado baker was sued after he refused to make a custom-made wedding cake for a same-sex couple. The U.S. Supreme Court narrowly ruled in his favor based on the facts of his case, citing anti-religion sentiment on the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Sessions commended Phillips for having endured an ordeal faced so gravely, touting an amicus brief the Justice Department filed on his behalf before the Supreme Court. U.S. Solicitor General Noel Francisco also argued in favor of Phillips before justices in oral arguments. Lets be frank: A dangerous movement, undetected by many, but real, is now challenging and eroding our great tradition of religious freedom, Sessions said at the start of his remarks. There can be no doubt, its no little matter. It must be confronted intellectually and politically, and defeated. LGBT rights supporters said in response to the creation of the Religious Liberty Task Force its purpose was to further the Trump administrations goal of compromising LGBT rights. Louise Melling, deputy legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union, said the agenda of the Religious Liberty Task Force isnt consistent with religious freedom. Religious freedom protects our right to our beliefs, not a right to discriminate or harm others, Melling said. Jeff Sessions Department of Justice is again turning that understanding of religious freedom on its head. Lucas Acosta, director of LGBTQ media for the Democratic National Committee, said in a statement the task force is just the latest assault in this administrations continued campaign against LGBTQ people and our civil rights. By creating this task force, Sessions is establishing a unit dedicated to undermining LGBTQ rights and giving anti-LGBTQ far-right extremists like task force head Jesse Panuccio a taxpayer-funded platform to push their anti-equality agenda, Acosta said. Rather than ensuring every person has equal protections and opportunities, Sessions is shamefully doubling down on bigotry. But the creation of the Religious Liberty Task Force was just one portion of the summit, which also included the voices of participants who urged a commitment to religious freedom to advance anti-LGBT discrimination. Archbishop of Louisville Joseph Edward Kurtz, who formerly served as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said religious freedom is facing challenges that amount to power-seeking for the purpose of imposing ones will on others. Kurtz cited as an example Catholic adoption agencies being targeted for closure for refusing to place children with LGBT families out of religious objections. One of the biggest concerns is the ability of our child welfare providers to continue to be able to place children with foster and adoptive families consistent with our teaching, Kurtz said. Although no government is actively seeking to close Catholic adoption agencies, they have threatened to shut their doors on their own in the wake of the legalization of same-sex marriage because they feel theyll be forced to place children with gay couples who marry. As a result, a growing number or states have enacted anti-LGBT adoption laws allowing taxpayer-funded agencies to refuse to place children with LGBT families over religious objections. House Republicans have inserted an amendment in a pending appropriations bill that would penalize states and localities for having policies barring anti-LGBT discrimination among adoption agencies. Phillips, the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, was himself present at the summit and took part in a panel of individuals who say they are facing challenges to their religious freedom. Moderating his panel was Justice Department spokesperson Kerri Kupec, formerly a spokesperson for the anti-LGBT Alliance Defending Freedom. At a time when that term is used as justification for anti-LGBT discrimination, Kupec said in her introduction of the panel religious freedom is often housed in scare quotes, as if its not a real thing, or even worse, a bad thing, which is tragic. Much of Kupecs questioning of Phillips sought to elicit sympathy for him, which meant his act of refusing to make a custom-made wedding cake for a same-sex couple who entered his store was glossed over as he explained his commitment to his religious views. In addition to refusing to make a same-sex wedding cake, Phillips said his religious beliefs compel him to close on Sundays, refuse to service Halloween celebrations or make cakes with denigrating messages. Its the message of the cake that I evaluate, not the person who ordered the cake, Phillips said. In one instance, I had a man who wanted me to make a cake basically telling his boss that he was a jerk, so I wouldnt do that, but Ive also had people asked me to do cakes that would disparage gay people, the gay lifestyle, but I wouldnt do that either because theyre hurtful cakes. As the litigation went forward, Phillips said he received death threats as well as a threat over the phone against his daughter. As a result, Phillips said he wouldnt allow employees to answer the phone at Masterpiece Cakeshop and would only take calls himself. Noting the U.S. Supreme Court only takes a few select cases each year, Phillips became emotional when he recalled news that justices had agreed to take up his petition after the state of Colorado ruled against him. Even though the result of the case was narrowly in his favor and didnt open up a First Amendment right for anti-LGBT discrimination, Phillips said it was worth the effort. True tolerance has to be a two-way street, Phillips said. Were thrilled that the United States ruled in our favor, this ruling solidifying religious freedom in our country, but its not just for me, its for all us, every American should now be able to live and work freely and according to their conscience without fear of punishment from the government. Other speakers at the summit expressed concerns about threats to religious minorities in a manner that progressives would likely agree is a threat to religious freedom. Among them was Harpreet Singh, who works with Muslim, Arab, Sikh, South Asian and Hindu religions on behalf of the Justice Department, and Asma Uddin, senior scholar at the Religious Freedom Center of the Freedom Forum Institute, who talked about anti-Muslim sentiments. Singh said his agency has found hate crimes against minority religions have been increasing, which he said is substantiated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations annual reports and studies from universities, although theres a lot of underreporting going on. But other speakers on the panel railed against efforts to uphold LGBT rights as they face compromise in the name of religious freedom, including Emilie Kao, director of the Richard & Helen DeVos Center for Religion & Civil Society at the anti-LGBT Heritage Foundation. Kao was critical of litigation filed by the ACLU against the Michigan law enabling Catholic adoption agencies to refuse placement to LGBT families over religious objections. Asserting same-sex couples seeking to adopt face no problem in access to adoption, Kao said the plaintiff in the lawsuit drove past four other adoption agencies to reach St. Vincents Catholic Charities, which she said still holds the belief that they should put every child with a mother and father. The lesbian couple says they were personally offended by St. Vincents not placing a child with them, Kao said. I think its important for us to recognize that throughout the history of our country and the Supreme Courts cases, we have always protected the right of people to follow their religious beliefs, and weve never protected the right not to have your feelings hurt. Michael McConnell, a law professor at the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford University, warned of the growing compromise that religious liberty faces in the wake of growing sexual freedom. An extremely popular argument in religious circles has been that religious accommodations are necessarily unconstitutional if they lead to so-called third-party harm, McConnell said. If theres anyone whose rights or interestsare interfered with, that that means the accommodation is simply unconstitutional. To my mind, thats an extremely implausible argument because virtually every accommodation, and indeed, virtually any application of any constitutional right free speech, property, due process theres always someone on the other side of ledger whos interests are being harmed. NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Bharat Petroleum Corp will shut its 120,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) joint venture Bina refinery from mid-August for 45 days, a month ahead of the previous plan after a minor fire at the delayed coker, two sources said on Monday.The refiner has shut the delayed coker after a fire during the weekend and has decided to advance the September shutdown, one of the sources said. The sources did not wish to be identified as they are not authorised to speak to media.During the 45-day shutdown, BPCL will carry out modifications at various units to raise capacity of the plant to ... By Aziz El Yaakoubi and David LjunggrenRIYADH/OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada on Monday refused to back down in its defence of human rights after Saudi Arabia froze new trade and investment and expelled the Canadian ambassador in retaliation for Ottawa's call to free arrested Saudi civil society activists.In her first public response to Saudi Arabia's actions, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said, "Canada will always stand up for human rights in Canada and around the world, and women's rights are human rights."Riyadh on Sunday recalled its ambassador from Canada and gave the Canadian ambassador ... (Reuters) - China's Xiaomi Corp said on Monday its component supplier Holitech Technology would invest about $200 million in three years in India which is the world's second-biggest smartphone market.Xiaomi had said in April that it wanted its global smartphone component makers to set up base in India, in what could potentially bring as much as $2.5 billion of investment and create as many as 50,000 jobs.India imposed a 10 percent tax on imports of key smartphone components, including populated printed circuit boards, in April as it moves to step up local assembly of mobile devices. Holitech ... By Oksana Kobzeva and Sandrine BradleyMOSCOW/LONDON (Reuters) - Russia's Gazprom suspended its external borrowing programme earlier this year because of a deepening legal dispute with Ukraine's Naftogaz over gas supplies, three banking sources told Reuters. A London court in June froze the gas giant's assets in Britain at the request of Naftogaz. The Ukrainian company was seeking to enforce an earlier arbitration ruling from Sweden that ordered Gazprom to pay it $2.6 billion. The British verdict is likely to have spooked Western banks that traditionally work with Gazprom because it raises ... HONG KONG/LONDON (Reuters) - HSBC Holdings Plc said on Monday its pretax profit rose 4.6 percent for the first half of the year, as Europe's biggest bank showed early progress in its strategy of returning to growth mode after years of restructuring.HSBC reported a pretax profit of $10.7 billion in the six months through June, up from $10.2 billion in the same period a year earlier.In June, John Flint, HSBC's group chief executive, set out a three-year plan to invest $15 billion-$17 billion in areas such as technology and in China, as part of the bank's swing from a strategy of cost-cutting to ... KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Indonesia handed over to Malaysia on Monday a $250 million luxury yacht, impounded earlier this year as part of an international hunt for assets purchased with billions of dollars allegedly siphoned off from state fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd.Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad thanked Indonesian President Joko Widodo, in a video posted on his Facebook page, for facilitating the yacht's handover.Malaysian authorities are seeking to arrest Low Taek Jho, the financier who allegedly bought the Equanimity, a 91 metre (300-foot) yacht registered in the Cayman ... By Adriana BarreraMEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's economy minister Ildefonso Guajardo said on Monday the country has put forward a proposal to update the North American Free Trade Agreement's contentious rules of origin, and in turn was studying the U.S. position. The United States has demanded tougher rules of origin, particularly on what percentage of a car needs to be built in the NAFTA region to avoid tariffs than outlined in the current trade deal."We have a proposal on the table, we're analysing some characteristics of the U.S. position, and we're doing it clearly in line with our ... By Daphne Psaledakis and David LawderWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Negotiators for Mexico and the United States have reached agreement on about 20 topics during talks to revamp NAFTA, Mexico's economy minister said on Thursday, although he conceded that some of the thorniest issues remained unresolved. Ildefonso Guajardo said after leaving a meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer that the group had yet to discuss issues such as the "sunset clause," a provision sought by the United States under which the agreement would have to be renegotiated every five years. But he was upbeat ... By Amanda CooperLONDON (Reuters) - Oil rose on Monday after Saudi crude production unexpectedly fell in July and U.S. drilling appeared to slow, although the price is still almost 10 percent below its 2018 high of more than $80 a barrel. Markets also anticipated an announcement from Washington later on Monday on renewed U.S. sanctions against major oil exporter Iran. So-called "snapback" sanctions are due to be reinstated at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, according to a U.S. Treasury official.Saudi Arabia pumped around 10.29 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude in July, two OPEC sources said ... By Stephanie KellyNEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil futures rose on Monday after OPEC sources said Saudi crude production unexpectedly fell in July, raising concerns about global oil supplies as the United States prepares to reinstate sanctions against major exporter Iran.Brent crude futures rose 94 cents to $74.15 a barrel, a 1.3 percent gain, by 11:25 a.m. EDT (1525 GMT).U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose $1.23 to $69.72 a barrel, a 1.8 percent gain.Saudi Arabia pumped around 10.29 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude in July, two OPEC sources said on Friday, down about 200,000 ... By Duncan MiririNAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's dominant telecoms operator Safaricom does not hinder competition, its chief executive Bob Collymore told lawmakers on Monday as he returned to work after a nine-month absence for medical treatment.The country's industry regulator recommended in a draft proposal in May that Safaricom, which controls 67 percent of Kenya's mobile market, should offer rivals access to its transmission sites and its vast network of mobile money outlets to increase competition in the sector. "Thirty million customers have made a conscious decision to come onto Safaricom's ... SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore's Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd beat market estimates on Monday with a 16 percent rise in quarterly profit as increased loan volumes and higher net interest margins drove up net interest income.The results came after biggest-listed regional bank DBS Group Holdings Ltd missed market estimates last week, while the smallest lender, United Overseas Bank, beat estimates.Analysts say an easing of Singapore's economic growth amid an international trade row, as well as new property curbs imposed last month, have clouded the outlook for banks after they reported ... GENEVA (Reuters) - The United States has asked the World Trade Organization to let it impose sanctions on Indonesia after winning a trade dispute that it said cost U.S. business up to $350 million in 2017, a U.S. filing published by the WTO showed on Monday.The United States and New Zealand both won WTO rulings last year against Indonesian import restrictions on food, plants and animal products, including apples, grapes, potatoes, onions, flowers, juice, dried fruit, cattle, chicken and beef. Indonesia also lost an appeal.The latest U.S. filing said Indonesia had not complied with the ruling, ... WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration will aggressively enforce economic sanctions that is it re-imposing on Iran this week and expects the measures to have a significant impact on the Iranian economy, senior U.S. administration officials said on Monday.The so-called snapback sanctions would target Iran's purchases of U.S. dollars, metals trading and other dealings, coal, industrial-related software and its auto sector. The officials added that Trump was ready to meet with Iran's leaders at any time in an effort to forge a new agreement with Tehran after President Donald Trump ... Walmart is on a massive hiring spree in India. Just 10 days ago, Walmart India announced that it expects to create at least 30,000 direct and indirect jobs by setting up 15 wholesale Cash and Carry stores in Uttar Pradesh. The latest buzz is that it is also looking to ramp up tech hiring. According to The Economic Times, the world's largest retail firm will hire about 1,000 more people for technology roles in India to hold off competition, especially from e-commerce behemoth Amazon. Significantly, the company also wants to drive more product ownership out of India. "We are trying to be more product-oriented. We have taken whole projects and moved them over to drive the Indian ownership of the product," Walmart chief information officer Clay Johnson told the daily, adding that "A lot of our Internet-of-things work that sits in our stores, a lot of those end-to-end products is done here, with the sensors and the data". For example, Walmart's return process for its 5,000 US stores was completely developed in India. This strategy is also helping the company to retain talent. According to the report, Walmart's technology attrition is at industry levels, witnessing normal attrition spikes around the two-year and seven-year marks. The company currently boasts technology operations in Bengaluru and Gurugram, with about 1,800 employees. "We have Walmart Labs, which is e-commerce. You have My Group which is global business services," explained Johnson. With an IT spend pegged at about $10 billion a year by analysts, Walmart is among the world's largest tech spenders. But the company recognises that it is not enough to just spend big on tech - one has to invest in the "right technology" in order to drive competitive advantage. So the company is reportedly working with a slew of Indian IT services providers to co-innovate solutions. India, incidentally, is the only country apart from Ireland to host Walmart Labs outside the US. Edited By Sushmita Choudhury Agarwal After her 12-year stint as the CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi will pave the way for Ramon Laguarta to be the top boss of the American multinational food, snack, and beverage corporation. The 54-year-old Laguarta, who's going to be the sixth CEO in PepsiCo's 53-year history, will officially take over from Nooyi on October 3. Laguarta's appointment marks the company's tradition of appointing CEOs from within the organisation. Laguarta, who hails from Barcelona in Spain, was appointed the CEO of PepsiCo Europe in 2014. He moved to the US in 2017 when he was appointed the company President. "I'm incredibly humbled and privileged to be appointed the next CEO of PepsiCo. I want to thank Indra for her overwhelming support. She has transformed the company with her bold vision and outstanding leadership, and I feel fortunate to have her as a mentor and a friend," said Laguarta. Laguarta did his MBA from ESADE business school in Barcelona. He also holds a master's degree in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in the US. Before joining PepsiCo in 1996, he worked for Chupa Chups, a Spanish leading confectionery company, where he held a number of international roles in Europe and the US. He oversaw the company's food and beverage business across Europe and food business in Sub-Saharan Africa during his initial years with PepsiCo. Ramon Laguarta has been unanimously elected by the board of directors to succeed @IndraNooyi as CEO, on Oct 3, 2018. Ramon is a strong and proven PepsiCo executive who will help lead our company into the future. https://t.co/gq2LwrwI0Q pic.twitter.com/39lxlswiTg - PepsiCo (@PepsiCo) August 6, 2018 "Ramon Laguarta is exactly the right person to build on our success. He has a deep understanding of the changing preferences of consumers and other critical trends unfolding around the world," said the outgoing CEO Indra Nooyi. Analysts suggest Laguarta's major challenge will be to drive the company's growth in nutritious product segment. In one of his recent videos on video-sharing website Vimeo, Laguarta said: "Future is not going to be easy... innovation is going to be key." (Edited By Manoj Sharma) India and China have demanded the developed nations at WTO to cut down the farm subsidies under the agreed multilateral trade rules. In WTO parlance, the subsidies are called Aggregate Measurement of Support (AMS) or Amber Box support. Under the WTO, the AMS is capped at 5 per cent of the value of production for developed countries. However, developed countries exceed this ceiling in giving subsidies to its farmers. India and China want this trade-distorting subsidies to stop, the Economic Times reported. Earlier on June 18, India and China jointly submitted a proposal to the WTO calling for the elimination - by developed countries - of the most trade-distorting form of farm subsidies. In a statement issued then, the Commerce Ministry said that the proposal countered the efforts by some countries to target the subsidies of the developing countries while letting the developed countries retain their huge farm subsidies. The joint paper revealed that developed countries including the US, the EU and Canada, have been consistently providing trade-distorting subsidies to their farmers at levels much higher than the ceiling applicable to developing countries. Developed countries have more than 90 per cent of global AMS entitlements amounting to nearly USD 160 billion. Most of the developing countries, including India and China, do not have AMS entitlements. The paper listed out the most heavily and frequently subsidised products by the US, the EU and Canada since 1995, and called for elimination of such subsidies. The numbers reveal that subsidies for many items provided by the developed world are over 50 per cent and some even more than 100 per cent of the value of production of the product concerned, while developing countries are forced to contain it within 10 per cent of the value of production. India and China believe that elimination of AMS should be the starting point of reforms rather than seeking reduction of subsidies by developing countries - some of which like India provide a subsistence amount of about USD 260 per farmer per annum compared to over 100 times more in some developed countries. Billionaire diamantaire Mehul Choksi can be extradited from Antigua under Commonwealth law. According to a report in the Economic Times, Antigua recently informed India that in the absence of a bilateral treaty, Mehul Choksi can still be extradited to New Delhi as both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. The Antiguan authorities are of the view that Section 7 of its Extradition Act, 1993, provides scope for acting on India's request to send back the fugitive jeweller, the report said. The view of the Antiguan government was shared with the Indian envoy when he called on the country's Foreign Minister EP Chet Greene and solicitor general Martin Camacho, the business daily reported. The CBI has already initiated the process to extradite the fugitive businessman from Antigua and Barbuda. The probe agency recently sent a request to Antigua under the UN Convention against Corruption as both countries are part of the convention. The UN Convention against Corruption is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument. The Convention covers five main areas: preventive measures, criminalisation and law enforcement, international cooperation, asset recovery, and technical assistance and information exchange. It also covers many different forms of corruption, such as bribery, trading in influence, abuse of functions, and various acts of corruption in the private sector. The UN Convention aims at returning assets to their rightful owners, including countries from which they have been taken illicitly. According to reports, a team comprising officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and other agencies was sent to Antigua a couple of days ago to request the Antiguan authorities to extradite Choksi. The team met the Foreign Ministry officials of the Caribbean nation and handed over the request to extradite the jeweller to India. The team, which was led by Additional Secretary in the MEA's Consular and Passport Division, also presented details of the case against Choksi who is one of the alleged masterminds of the multi-billion PNB scam along with his nephew Nirav Modi. The reports suggest that the Antiguan authorities cleared Choksi's citizenship in November 2017. This year on January 4, Choksi fled India and took oath of allegiance in Antigua on January 15. Under the Citizenship by Investment Program of Antigua and Barbuda, a person can take their passport on a minimum investment of USD 1,00,000 in the National Development Fund. (With inputs from PTI) At a time when Modi government is taking a barrage of criticism from Opposition parties for lack of jobs in the country, answers to various questions in the Parliament have revealed that there are over 24 lakh posts lying vacant with the central and state governments. According to data compiled by The Times of India, a Rajya Sabha question answered on February 8 shows that the largest chunk is the over 10 lakh vacant positions for teachers in elementary (9 lakh) and secondary schools (1.1 lakh). The centrally sponsored Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan provides financial assistance to states under Right to Education Act. On March 27, a query answered in Lok Sabha citing numbers from the Bureau of Police Research & Development stated that there are 4.4 lakh vacancies in civil and district armed police. It added that an additional 90,000-odd jobs are vacant in state armed police, taking the total vacant positions in police forces to 5.4 lakh across the country. Since police forces come under the states, these job vacancies are under various state governments. India not only lacks police personnel but also judicial officers. According to the report, a Lok Sabha question answered on July 18 suggests that there are over 5,800 vacancies in courts. Answers to Rajya Sabha questions on March 14 and 19 and a Lok Sabha question on April 4 showed that there are over 1.2 lakh vacant positions in the defence services and paramilitary forces, the report added. Indian Railways, the largest employer in the country, has around 2.5 lakh vacancies for non-gazetted positions, an answer to a Rajya Sabha question on March 16 had revealed. However, two notifications have been issued in February to fill more than 89,000 of these vacancies. Similarly, a Lok Sabha question answered on March 28 talked about over 54,000 vacancies in the postal department. The healthcare sector is also lagging behind in terms of filling vacant positions. A Rajya Sabha question answered on February 6 shows that there are about 1.5 lakh vacancies in health centres across the country. Troubles seem to be mounting for Pakistan as the US has decided to cut its financial aid by over 75 per cent to $150 million from $1 billion. Amid Pakistan's poor economic conditions, the US decision could deeply hurt its shaking economy. Under the defence spending bill passed by the US Senate, the US could cut aid to Pakistan as the country is no longer required to take actions against terrorist groups inside the country. Pakistan's total public debt stands at $199 billion, of which $134 billion is domestic debt while the rest is external liabilities. The National Defence Authorisation Act, 2019, states that Pakistan is not required to take any action against Haqqani Network or the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Pakistan will also not get any reimbursement for its counter-terrorist activities in the country. The bill was passed by 87 to 10 votes in the US Senate, following which it now awaits US President Donald Trump's approval. "The legislation reduces the total amount of funds provided for reimbursement to Pakistan to $150 million. This is a significant reduction from the $700 million that was authorised through Coalition Support Fund (CSF) last year," Anish Goel, who was part of Barack Obama's White House National Security Council, said. The Pentagon no longer had any tools to put pressure on Pakistan to undertake counter-terrorism activities or action against the Haqqani Network, said Goel, who till recently was a senior staffer in the Senate Armed Services Committee. The previous Obama administration used to disburse $1.2 billion per year to Pakistan under the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, also known as the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act, but Trump has taken a tough stance against Pakistan's inability to handle terrorism activities on its soil. Before this, the US had cut $1.5 billion worth of aid to Pakistan in January over its closeness to China and its failure to act against terrorist groups like the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network. As Pakistan's PM-elect Imran Khan is about to take oath on August 11, the country is reportedly drawing up a plan to seek a massive $12 billion bailout package from the IMF, a move that has been strongly opposed by the US. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had last week cautioned the IMF against a possible fresh bailout for Pakistan's new government to pay off Chinese lenders who have invested in the strategic China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Both Islamabad and Beijing have worked together on this "flagship" project under the ambitious Belt and Road initiative to build railway projects, roads and maritime links. Over 20 CPEC projects worth over $27 billion are currently being implemented all across Pakistan. In the name of CPEC, China has been consistently helping Pakistan with financial loans. But Pakistan has no concrete plan to pay them back. The country needs around $3 billion of immediate funds to avoid default on loans from the IMF, China and the World Bank. Its ever-expanding trade deficit and declining foreign reserves leave no option for the new government but to knock on the IMF's door. The US, which is the highest contributor of funds to the IMF, has warned the global fund body, saying it should "think twice". Joshua White, who was also a part of Obama's White House National Security Council team and worked on Pakistan, said: "It makes Pakistan ineligible for Coalition Support Funds (CSF), but adds Pakistan to a list of countries that can receive a related form of assistance designed to help partner nations bolster border security. This legislation is a mixed blessing for Pakistan." Imran Khan, whose party won 115 of the 270 National Assembly seats, gained victory in the recent National Assembly polls on the promises of ending corruption and bringing economic stability. With PTI inputs Also read: Imran Khan's worst nightmare will be Pakistan's crumbling economy After decades of deadlock, there seems finally to be some diplomatic movement on the Korean Peninsula. The June summit between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump the first between a North Korean leader and a sitting U.S. president produced a joint statement in which Kim agreed to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in exchange for security guarantees from Trump. Of course, while some cheer the development, others remind us of the Norths long history of broken promises. But even if Kims pledge was sincere, his regime will benefit from such guarantees and from an end to crippling international sanctions only if it can manage to repair North Koreas broken economy. Could it use Vietnams experience as a model? In 1986, Vietnam initiated the Doi Moi policy, a set of economic reforms that, much like Deng Xiaopings reforms in China, aimed to create a market economy under the firm rule of the Communist Party. The government disbanded agricultural cooperatives, removed price controls on agricultural goods, and allowed farmers to own land. It also privatized many companies, eased foreign investment regulations, created a more-supportive environment for private business, established export-processing zones, and promoted labor-intensive manufacturing industries. Over the subsequent 30 years, Vietnams economy grew at an average annual rate of 6.7%. By 2017, the per capita gross domestic product (GDP) stood at $2,340, and exports exceeded $210 billion nearly on par with Australia and Brazil. Foreign investors, including South Korean conglomerates like Samsung, have played a pivotal role in this process. At the inter-Korean summit on April 27, Kim reportedly expressed an interest in following Vietnams economic-reform model. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo echoed that sentiment, declaring that the North could replicate Vietnams path toward economic prosperity and normal relations with the United States. If North Korea the worlds most isolated country did decide to embark on such reforms, it would undoubtedly face significant hurdles. Its centrally planned economy has long been stagnant, with an average growth rate of less than 1% over the last decade and per capita GDP of just $1,300, according to estimates by South Koreas central bank. Sanctions are eroding economic performance further: In 2017, GDP contracted by 3.5%, and total exports plummeted by 37% to a paltry $1.77 billion. Nonetheless, the North possesses relatively good economic fundamentals, thanks to well-educated workers, abundant natural resources, and geographic advantages like natural seaports. With comprehensive market reforms that enable large-scale foreign investment and technological adoption, replicating Vietnams economic miracle would be feasible. In this scenario, the North could secure double-digit GDP growth that drives per capita income to up to $10,000 within 30 years. Normal trade and direct investment relations with South Korea alone could increase the rate of annual GDP growth by 3 percentage points. The real question, then, is how willing the North is to take this route. Here, too, there is some reason for hope, as Kim does seem more reform-minded than his predecessors. His signature domestic policy, byungjin, entailed pursuing the nuclear program and economic growth in parallel a shift from his fathers songun (military first) policy. As part of that effort, he has granted more autonomy to farms and factories and opened some markets. In April, Kim announced the end of byungjin, saying at a Workers Party meeting that it was time to focus the countrys resources on rebuilding the economy. But the extent of that commitment remains unclear, not least because there is no reliable information about the countrys economic situation. Unlike in Vietnam, where public demands were translated into action by a collective leadership, in North Korea a single, unpredictable tyrant makes all essential decisions. That does not rule out economic reform. But if the North is to follow Vietnams path, it will need sustained political and economic stability as it pursues comprehensive privatization and liberalization. First, however, North Korea needs to take significant and credible steps toward denuclearization a prerequisite for easing the economic sanctions on the country. Once sanctions are relaxed, the two Koreas can strengthen cooperation on humanitarian, health, and environmental issues, and discuss reopening the Kaesong industrial complex. Sanctions will be eliminated only after complete denuclearization. At that point, the North could create real trade and investment partnerships with the rest of the world and, potentially, secure financial aid from multilateral lenders such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, and neighbors, most importantly South Korea. Among other things, the South Korean government would construct inter-Korean rail, road, and energy networks. Normalization of the Norths relations with South Korea and other Asia-Pacific economies, including Japan and the U.S., would spur a deeper economic transformation. This would substantially improve the well-being of the North Korean people, who are suffering under the current closed system. To be sure, given the Kim regimes systematic, widespread, and gross human rights violations, it will be a long time before North Korea can even dream of being treated like a normal country by the international community. But that is no reason to wait; on the contrary, it demands urgent action to put the country on a new path not just denuclearization, but also smart and sustained reforms. Above all, success requires easing the pressures of economic and diplomatic isolation (much like those faced by Vietnam in the early 1980s), which could deplete what little resources North Korea retains. What happens next on the Korean Peninsula will affect everyone. That is why the international community must push the North to seize the moment, stop wasting resources on nuclear weapons and missile development, and launch a comprehensive economic-reform program. Vietnam should be its model. Lee Jong-Wha is a professor of economics and the director of the Asiatic Research Institute at Korea University. His most recent book, co-authored with Harvards Robert J. Barro, is Education Matters: Global Gains From the 19th to the 21st Century. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2018. news, latest-news ACTION Buses increased the weight limit for drivers to make it the same as the safe working limit for the driver's seats installed in many public buses, removing a buffer zone despite a warning that overloading the seats could be fatal. On the back of concerns raised by two drivers that going to work was "like playing Russian roulette", Fairfax Media can reveal that ACTION increased the weight limit for drivers by 10 kilograms in 2014. One driver injured by a damaged seat in 2016 said removing the safety buffer was perplexing, and ACTION needed to start weighing drivers and enforcing its own weight limit policies. Application forms for drivers from that year show that ACTION required drivers to weigh less than 120 kilograms, but recruitment information brochures distributed in 2015 and ever since say drivers must maintain a weight below 130 kilograms at all times. The safe working limit for the ISRI 6500/517 seats installed in many ACTION buses is 130 kilograms, and ISRI seat instruction manuals contain a warning that failure to follow the manufacturers' specifications could result in serious or fatal injury. ACTION does not weigh its drivers to ensure they comply with the specifications, and while some buses are equipped with driver's seats that can withstand up to 150 kilograms, there is no program in place to ensure that drivers who weigh more than 130 kilograms only drive those buses. In response to questions, Transport Canberra and City Services, which is responsible for ACTION Buses, said the weight limit was increased in 2014 in line with new manufacturer specifications. But Isringhausen, which manufactures the driver's seats in ACTION buses, said the weight limits had never changed. "The 6500/517 seats have always been 130 kilos," said Kavi Naicker, from Isringhausen's sales department. Two worried drivers spoke out last month about concerns that overweight drivers were damaging seats, creating a risk that they could "bottom out" or come loose mid-trip, putting drivers and passengers' safety at risk. One of the drivers, who did not want to be identified, has already been injured. He had to take more than a year off work after a damaged seat "bottomed out" during a test run that he was directed to undertake in 2016, after raising concerns about the seat three days earlier. Comcare accepted liability for the driver's lower back injury, which was described as an aggravated lumbar sprain. The injured driver said the increase in the weight limit was perplexing because it removed a 10-kilogram buffer zone, leaving no room for error. "We started raising these issues in 2014 and all of a sudden they changed [the weight limits]," he said. "You can't be red-lining any mechanical device's safe working limits. There needs to be risk mitigation." While he was disappointed by the increase in the weight limit, the injured driver said he was more worried by the fact that ACTION did not weigh its drivers to enforce either the old or new limit. "I find it quite perplexing that any organisation would take the risk to allow this kind of hazard to continue in the workplace when there's a risk of serious or fatal injury," the driver said. "You've got a mechanical device with a manual that tells you what weight it can handle, and you should stick to that, 100 per cent, or the ramifications could be dire. "It's a black and white issue. It's quite simple, really." Fairfax Media asked Transport Canberra and City Services whether ACTION should have to weigh drivers, given the warnings in the seat manual that failing to follow the instructions could result in serious or fatal injury. The manual also warns that if the specifications are not followed, "the liability, warranty and possibly the general operating permit will be lost". A Transport Canberra spokesman said in an emailed response that the directorate made every effort to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its drivers and the public, but did not address specific concerns that current policies could put drivers and the community at risk. The spokesman also said ACTION buses travelled about 26 million kilometres a year and had a strong safety and maintenance record. He said seats were periodically refurbished and replaced. All drivers were required to undergo an annual medical assessment to confirm they were medically fit to do their job safely, according to the spokesperson. Drivers have told Fairfax Media that test does not include being weighed. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/f2fde3a9-950d-4757-858c-c21f5e3afd8a/r0_67_1000_632_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news They've been immortalised on mugs, playing cards and even as earrings, but some of Canberra's iconic concrete bunker bus shelters could soon get a change of scenery. Bus stops cut off from Canberra's new bus network will be relocated to new areas when the new timetable begins, Transport Canberra has revealed. About 400 bus stops will become redundant when the new network begins running in 2019. A total of 3138 stops are in use across the city under the current network, some of which are school-only stops. But after concerns about students getting stranded, school-only stops have been dumped in favour of sending more regular buses past schools more often. Some streets - like Hodgson Crescent in Pearce, between MacFarland Crescent and Melrose Drive - will also lose a dedicated bus, with passengers forced to walk further for a bus that comes more regularly. However other areas, including Ashley Drive in Tuggeranong and Moncrieff, will be getting new stops. The list of which stops will go will be finalised once community consultation closes this weekend, however Transport Canberra's commercial policy manager Patrick Fischer-Reid said they would not be left to languish. "Old bus stop infrastructure including the iconic concrete shelters will be relocated across the network to areas of identified demand and need from the community," Mr Fischer-Reid said. "We are asking the community where shelters can be introduced to provide a better experience on the network." There are about 500 of the cylindrical, concrete bus shelters across the city. The first appeared in 1975, and - unlike Canberra's 12 remaining timber bus shelters - are not heritage-listed. Artist Trevor Dickinson, most famous for his quirky drawings of iconic Canberra places, will exhibit more than 50 drawings of the bus shelters at CMAG in October. The new network has come under fire from elderly residents and parents alike concerned about the prospect of walking further and changing buses more frequently. However Mr Fischer-Reid said around 98 per cent of the Canberra residents will be 500 metres to a local bus stop and 800 metres to a rapid bus stop. "This compares to 99 per cent coverage under the existing network. Both figures are exceptionally high. Access to a rapid route within 800 metres increases from 38 per cent to 55 per cent under the proposed new network," Mr Fischer-Reid said. He said the network had been developed to ensure the best connection possible to transport hubs, to connect schools with their priority enrolment areas wherever possible and to allow people to reach the maximum number of destinations with just one connection. The network was also designed to ramp up the frequency of buses within the same funding envelope. There will be 4200 trips each week day under the new network, up from 3400 currently. There'll also be 1800 trips on a Saturday and 1600 trips on a Sunday when the new timetable begins, compared to 1345 trips on a Saturday and 999 trips on a Sunday. Trip frequency is expected to increase even more when the timetable is finalised, Mr Fischer-Reid said. Have your say on the new bus network until August 12: yoursay.act.gov.au/rapid-bus-network /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/cc3a6a85-8a2f-45d4-bee3-0309143a1c19/r0_229_4500_2771_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news A national network providing support to police experiencing trauma should be established to better deal with officers' mental health, the national police unions has said. In its submission to a senate inquiry examining the mental health of emergency workers, the Police Federation of Australia recommended an independent service provider network be set up in every state and territory specifically for police officers suffering trauma. Writing in the federation's submission, its chief executive Mark Burgess said the service would focus on early intervention, diagnosis and treatment. "Such a provision would need access to dedicated hospitals or potentially separate wings of an existing hospital," Mr Burgess said. "It would be beneficial to have such facilities for police, as it separates them from patients who might have had negative interactions with police due to their own mental health issues." The federation's submission, made on behalf of more than 62,000 police officers across the country, also recommended the welfare of officers should also be considered in coronial inquiries. Mr Burgess said inquests into incidents such as the 2014 Lindt cafe siege saw major stress for officers and their families. "The Lindt cafe coronial inquiry was the exception rather than the norm, however, since that inquiry, we have witnessed inquiries in other states that appear to have little concern for the welfare of police appearing before them," he said. "In doing so, they have caused major stress for officers involved and their families, even when it was evident that none of the officers had acted inappropriately." Among the other recommendations was the mental health and welfare of emergency workers be brought up as an agenda item by the Council of Australian Governments. In its own submission to the inquiry, the AFP also said a national dialogue should be started about the mental health of first responders. "There is a clear need for first responders to have direct and timely access to mental health support, in a coordinated manner," the submission said. "A federal framework on first responder mental health that provides for best practices, research, education, awareness and treatment would greatly benefit Australia's first responder community." A recent report conducted by the Phoenix Australia Centre for Post-traumatic Mental Health found almost one in four AFP officers suffer from psychological distress, while almost one in 10 has had suicidal thoughts. The AFP-commissioned research found many officers were reluctant to seek help for mental health issues, with many indicating they were concerned about it impacting on their career. The submission to the inquiry from the federal police also called for changes to the workers' compensation process for officers submitting claims for mental health conditions. "The AFP workforce is reliant on Commonwealth workers' compensation arrangements to support non-liability health care for mental health conditions," the submission said. "This process requires police to 'prove' their condition is related to work and is arguably adversarial, can exacerbate illness and cause lengthy delays, often resulting in delayed access to treatment and poorer health conditions." Public hearings are scheduled in coming weeks, with a final report due to be handed to parliament by December. Lifeline: 13 11 14 /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/be05dbdd-0548-46a4-8d19-89da3663193f/r0_293_5760_3547_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news A father killed in an explosion as he waited to pick up his child from a south Canberra primary school was standing beside a work ute at the time of the blast. ACT work safety commissioner Greg Jones said early investigations into the incident indicated that an acetylene gas bottle had leaked into a compartment at the back of the ute. Mr Jones said an ignition source then caused the explosion, which happened in the car park of St Clare of Assisi Primary School in Conder about 4.55pm on Thursday. Bystanders rushed to help the 51-year-old father, who had just arrived to collect his child from an after-school care program. The man, described by school principal Matthew Egan-Richards as "a down-to-earth, good bloke", died in hospital later that night. The incident, which police are not treating as suspicious, prompted WorkSafe ACT to issue a reminder on Monday about how to store and transport gas cylinders safely. Mr Jones said while flammable gas cylinders were most commonly transported by tradespeople for jobs like refrigeration, welding and gas fitting, residents often took their LPG cylinders to have them swapped or refilled. If there is a leak of gas, then any ignition source - often the vehicles electrical system - it can cause a significant explosion, Mr Jones said. Mr Jones said gas cylinders must be secured in an upright position, valves must be tightly closed and the regulator, hoses and torch disconnected. He said it was crucial to make sure cylinders were not struck by other objects like loose tools during transport, that there was no leakage around the main valve test area, and that there was a dry powder fire extinguisher in the vehicle. Gas cylinders must not be carried in the passenger compartment of any vehicle, and good ventilation is essential. If cylinders must be carried in closed areas of vehicles, a storage cabinet with outlets in the base of the cabinet, vented outside the vehicle, must be used, he said. Acetylene is a fuel gas which, when combined with oxygen, is generally used for welding, cutting, localised heating and flame hardening. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/c73156dd-af3e-4d5d-b6e6-3a13691818d6/r0_273_5307_3271_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news A series of tweets railing against Australia's treatment of asylum seekers took seconds to write, but the prolonged battle that followed between their author and the federal government has stretched for years. As Michaela Banerji learned she would be at the centre of a High Court case testing freedom of speech, the former Immigration Department official entered another uncertain chapter since her sacking in 2013. On a Sunday evening she meets at her home in Canberra's suburbs and is weighing up what could happen after Attorney-General Christian Porter intervened in her stoush with the federal government over her dismissal for the social media posts. More than a week on from Mr Porter's decision in July to send the case to the nation's highest court interpreting constitutional matters, Ms Banerji is glad it will avoid the routine of appeals and legal argument that would have made its route there tortuous. She also thinks it's a "two-edged sword". There's a cloud over what the High Court's judges might make of the government appeal against an Administrative Appeals Tribunal decision in April that set social media alight by finding the Immigration Department had unlawfully sacked Ms Banerji and intruded on her right to free political expression. The tribunal's Deputy President Gary Humphries, and member Bernard Hughson, found almost all the reasons behind the restrictions in a code of conduct limiting freedom of speech for government officials did not apply to anonymous expressions of opinion. "The burden of the code on Ms Banerjis freedom was indeed heavy the exercise of the freedom cost her her employment," they said. "In our opinion, there is no significant justification available to the employer here for the law which exacted that cost." Ms Banerji was caught off-guard by the appeals tribunal's blasting of the Immigration Department decision to dismiss her, which deputy president Humphries and Dr Hughson described as an Orwellian move resembling "thoughtcrime" in the dystopian novel 1984. Previous court battles had lowered her hopes of success at the appeals tribunal. Federal Circuit Court judge Warwick Neville in 2013 rejected Ms Banerji's application for a stay on her dismissal, in a decision thought likely to curtail bureaucrats' use of social media. Judge Neville found Australians had no ''unfettered implied right (or freedom) of political expression'', and she was later sacked for using Twitter to post anonymous but critical tweets about Australia's immigration detention policies. Her tweets, sent between about January and July 2012, also criticised the government, the then-minister, and Ms Banerji's senior manager. The dismissal still hurts Ms Banerji, who was unable to work in the Australian Public Service afterwards. She said colleagues abandoned her, and that she had to sell her unit as mortgage payments grew unmanageable. Depression and anxiety followed her sacking, the tribunal found. "It drives a stake through you. It means everything you've believed in and worked hard for is just trashed," Ms Banerji said of her dismissal. "It makes you feel ashamed and the internal conflict is ghastly because on the one hand you believe or want to believe or do believe that you've done nothing wrong and yet all these things externally are coming at you telling you that you've done something terribly wrong and you're being punished for it." Ms Banerji approached her lawyer, Canberra-based Allan Anforth, believing her dismissal was unlawful by trespassing on her freedom of speech. Today she says the AAT decision agreeing with that - and finding the government's workplace insurer Comcare owed her compensation - initially made her feel worse. "Psychologically, the AAT decision had an unsusual effect," she said. "Right up until that point, there was always doubt in my mind that I could've been wrong, that I had done something wrong. "But when the AAT said that I hadn't, that kind of made me feel worse for a while. For a while I kind of got over it but the immediate thing was, 'oh, I've been right all along, they were wrong all along' and the harm was real all along." Comcare lost the appeals tribunal case, despite arguing it didn't owe compensation because the Immigration Department took reasonable administrative action by dismissing Ms Banerji. The federal government is appealing the tribunal's decision, saying the Australian Public Service laws the department dismissed her under were reasonably designed to uphold public confidence in the bureacuracy and keep it impartial, apolitical and professional in serving ministers. The Attorney-General's Department did not comment for this article although has previously said the case would influence how the government administered the Public Service Act across the public sector. The Immigration Department (renamed Home Affairs in December) said it did not comment on individual employment matters or cases before the courts. Court documents show the government is arguing the appeals tribunal was right to find public service laws restricting officials from making political statements were reasonably appropriate for "open" comments, but that it erred in finding a distinction between these and "anonymous" comments not found in the statute. The tribunal wrongly construed the legislation as laws trying to prevent anonymous expressions of opinion, regardless of the circumstances the opinion was expressed, the government says. Its lawyers will also argue the tribunal failed to consider whether there was any alternative measure that would have also upheld the public service's impartiality and professionalism. Ms Banerji was working in the then-Department of Immigration and Citizenship, under the Gillard government, when she directed criticisms at Australia's asylum seeker policy under her pseudonym @LaLegale. "Where states fail to offer legal asylum to refugees, that state fails," she said, among other tweets. She exhorted then-opposition Immigration spokesman Scott Morrison and then-Labor government Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare to read the international convention on refugees. "DIAC doesnt see the steps: 1. Is Oz first place of asylum? 2. Is person security cleared? 3. Is person risk persecution? #getitright," she posted. In its findings, the appeals tribunal said Ms Banerji appeared to have taken care not to have used information which could only have been in her possession as an Immigration employee. She said her tweets were meant to explain Australia's role as a signatory to the Refugee Convention, and to point out it was shirking the responsibilities this created. "It was always about the law, it was always about the legal provisions," she said. Ms Banerji said the points she made were even more important for Australia than for asylum seekers. "It's Australia's integrity that's at stake here, Australia's legal and moral integrity." Asked if her tweets undermined the department's ability to serve ministers in an impartial, apolitical way, Ms Banerji said the cynic in her believed the Gillard government had done enough to trash its own reputation and that the department had afforded her tweets more power than they really held. "That's the kind of question that really doesn't have an answer, because you could take it from so many points of view," she said. Ms Banerji said she had been committed to her department and always respected public servants. Her lawyers want the federal government to pay her court costs regardless of the outcome, which they said would let them find a senior counsel experienced in High Court cases and equipped to argue her cause against the government's legal team. The five-year battle with the government has at times left her exhausted but Ms Banerji says she would wake up after feeling dejected the night before and regather the motivation to fight on. "I suppose if there's ever a story to be told, it's about the effect of litigation on a person which can actually be worse than the original insult, and have broader consequences," she said. "People have said to me I'm brave. It's not really brave because at lots of points in the process you feel as though you can't go on or you don't want to go on," she said. Later she says, "You get caught up and you keep on going", a comment that needs unpacking. Ms Banerji is aware what the High Court's decision on her case could mean for the federal government's 152,000 employees, and her lawyer Mr Anforth says it could also affect free speech for private sector and state government workers. Since her dismissal the Coalition last year released a new social media policy limiting what public servants can say on forums like Facebook and Twitter, a move described as draconian by Labor and unreasonable by the Community and Public Sector Union. Ms Banerji said she wished public servants would get on board with her cause. "But the political atmosphere is not one that encourages that kind of participation. "It's a Damoclean sword hanging over public servants' head, and if they have children they have to pay school fees for, they're not going to take a risk to make public commentary about government if it means that they're going to get the sack next week." The Australian Human Rights Commission is also aware of the case's potential meaning, and intends to enter it making submissions about human rights issues it raises, including the right to freedom of expression and the right to participate in public affairs, while not representing Ms Banerji. Coming back to her cryptic comment, she says she's motivated in her long fight by the influence it could have on free speech for public servants once the High Court reaches a decision. "You start to see it as having repercussions outside your own experience and your own existence, and you can see that if you keep on going, that you might make a change that will affect others in a really good way." /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/f7bba7b9-7f97-4cbb-a40e-18045b0ec0cb/r0_131_3989_2385_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news Outgoing public service commissioner John Lloyd took his leave from the federal bureaucracy saying he found the process by which he remained under an unfinished investigation "most unsatisfactory". In marking the end of his tenure, he ended his valedictory speech on Monday noting he had "copped criticism", but earlier made light of his connection to a right-wing think tank that put him under scrutiny after he sent emails to the group while using a work address. Mr Lloyd, who began as public service commissioner under the Abbott government in 2014, lamented the state of workplace laws in farewelling senior public servants at an Institute of Public Administration Australia function at the National Gallery. He also took aim at political correctness and said the nation's traditional scepticism about authority had eroded. "We are deluged at every turn by do-gooders telling us what we should eat and drink, how we should exercise, how we should think, how we should spend our money, what type of dwelling we should live in," Mr Lloyd said. "It seems every day is a world day for either genuine or mindless causes for good. "This concerns me. I think there is a danger the diversity of views and opinions that go to good policy advice could be stifled by pervasive group think dictated by what is politically correct. "The Canberra setting can be particularly vulnerable to this." Mr Lloyd urged public service leaders to be vigilant about "group think", and to express views and pursue ideas that may challenge accepted opinions. "Just as importantly, support others that have the courage to stand up and question the prevailing orthodoxy," he said. Mr Lloyd, a member of the think tank the Institute of Public Affairs, began his address with a joke about his connection to the free market group and the scrutiny directed towards the link by Labor senators led by Penny Wong. "I thank the IPAA for organising this event. I have to be careful with the various institutes I engage with. If I omitted the second A, I may make Senator Wong more unhappy." He later said he had a fulfilling career and had stayed true to his values, but referred to an inquiry into complaints about his conduct. The allegation raised in one complaint has not been described publicly. Another alleged Mr Lloyd breached a code of conduct by using his public service commission email address in October when writing to the head of the IPA following questioning by senators about his links to the group. Mr Lloyd, who will resign on Wednesday, noted in closing his speech he had copped criticism. "Some recently that still has not been brought to conclusion following a process that I have found most unsatisfactory," he said. The former Australian Building and Construction Commission head also warned against abolishing the construction industry watchdog, scrapped by the Gillard government and re-established under Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. He said his time leading the commission showed him that the construction industry had been "ruthless and corrupt". "Without the ABCC many of the industry participants would once again prove they are singular in their disregard for the law and the use of brutal and unfair practices." Mr Lloyd, part of the Victorian Department of Business and Employment under the Kennett government, described it as one of the best organised and most reformist administrations he had worked for. He was later Western Australian Labour Relations Department head and Victoria's Red Tape Commissioner. Mr Lloyd on Monday also took aim at unions and said that the workplace relations system was too regulated and inflexible. "This is a risk that will only be amplified if the Australian Council of Trade Unions agenda of more and deep regulation gains traction. In that case employment prospects would be damaged." He said clarity of expression, purpose, role and responsibility was often missing from how the Australian Public Service went about its business, adding he would like this to be a focus of the major federal bureaucracy review led by former Telstra chief executive David Thodey. Mr Lloyd, whose term was due to expire in December 2019, abruptly announced in June he would resign but denied the timing was influenced by a possible investigation. The Australian Public Service Commission said then he had "for some time" considered departing before his term as commissioner ended, and Mr Lloyd later told senators he had felt it was time to resign after a long career. Under public service legislation there is no power to investigate Mr Lloyd once he departs the commission. Mr Turnbull's chief of staff Peter Woolcott will take over as commissioner on Thursday. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/a254119e-2ffa-4267-b4dd-2dd875761799/r0_298_5568_3444_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. With his proposal to roll back fuel economy and emissions standards for cars and trucks Thursday, President Donald Trump drew a line in the California sand. The nations most populous state wasted no time crossing it. California will fight this stupidity in every conceivable way, California Governor Jerry Brown said in a tweet. The dispute which rattled automakers, among others centers on an element of the Trump proposal that would revoke Californias authority under the Clean Air Act to set rules more stringent than the federal ones limiting tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions as well as an electric-vehicle sales mandate. The state has since 1970, when smog in Los Angeles became a rallying cry for the nascent environmental movement, employed tailpipe emissions rules that have been tougher than the federal governments. For 48 years since one of my heroes, then-Governor Ronald Reagan, requested it California has had a waiver from the federal government to clean our own air, action-movie star and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger tweeted. If the president thinks he can win this fight, hes out of his mind. In a desert state long at war with the whims of Mother Nature, emissions regulations are not just legal or regulatory issues. Theres a great irony in Trump releasing this plan just as California is burning, said Ann Carlson, a University of California at Los Angles law professor. Were already seeing catastrophic forest fires as a result of climate change, and the administrations answer is that everyone should drive a Hummer. The rollback is especially hard to take, Carlson said, because Trump officials invoked concern for human life lost in traffic accidents to justify it, while conspicuously failing to show the same concern for fire victims. According to Trump officials, freezing the requirements will slow the pace at which new cars are getting more expensive, and so, allow people to replace older and less-safe vehicles more rapidly. Why Trump Attacks Californias Anti-Pollution Powers: QuickTake If he can undermine the waiver, Trump would destroy the states ability to require manufacturers to sell zero emission cars. ZEVs are the states best available tool, Carlson said, to limit not just greenhouse gases that fuel climate change, but also pollutants like ground-level ozone which contribute to smog. Some of the nations worst smog, she said, continue to plague both Los Angeles and the states San Joaquin valley. ZEVs need to make up as many as 40 percent of sales by 2030 if California is to meet its CO2 reduction targets, according to estimates by the states Air Resources Board staff. But on a call with reporters Thursday, Bill Wehrum, the assistant administrator for the Environmental Protection Agencys Office of Air and Radiation, said the agency only wants to limit Californias right to regulate greenhouses gases, and not pollutants like ozone. Theres pretty strong evidence that Congress intended the federal government to be the primary regulator for both fuel economy and emissions, he said, adding that the Trump team hopes Washington and Sacramento can still negotiate a unified set of emissions regulations. It makes no sense in the world to have a two-car world. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Tata Motors has hinted at its plans to end the production for the Nano at the recently concluded 73rd annual general meeting. Tata Motors Chairman, N Chandrasekaran reportedly claimed that upgrading the Nano to Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) will be a costly affair, thereby hinting on plans to end the journey of the struggling model. The company had sold a total of 65 units in April-June 2018, of which only three units were sold in June with just one unit produced. In July, the company has however managed to produce 50 units at its Sanand facility in Gujarat. Moreover, upgrading the Nano as per latest crash test norms which will come into effect on 1 October, 2019 involves high costs. Along with plans of discontinuing the Nano, the company is also planning on working on two new modular platforms, namely the ALFA and OMEGA, for its future models. Tata has been selling the Nano for a decade now, however it has been witnessing low sales for a very long time. The company has also phased out older cars like the Indica and the Indigo in the country while other products like the Safari, Zest and the Bolt have also been witnessing a considerable decline in demand. On the bright side, newer cars like the Tiago and the Nexon have been generating good numbers and attracting potential new buyers to the brand. Tata Nano N/A Onwards Tata | Nano | Tata Nano Photo: Contributed Score one for the little guy. Thats how Pentictons Carolyn Roy is feeling these days after her business scored a significant event recently. Roy owns Okanagan Cosmetology Institute, and on July 22 it hosted a Red Seal practical exam for the hairstylist trade. She says it was the first time such an exam was hosted in a B.C. location other than Victoria or Vancouver. The Red Seal Program, formally known as the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program, is a program that sets common standards to assess the skills of tradespeople across Canada. What kudos for the school. What a benefit to have in the Okanagan, Roy says. I have to blow my own horn while I can because as soon as this catches on the larger schools are going to take it, like MC College or Interior Academy out of Kamloops, but I dont want to be forgotten for the work that weve done here in little old Penticton. They had been having this exam at either UVic or through (Vancouver Community College), but never at a private school. So I started to be the squeaky wheel, saying were never going to get people from the interior of B.C. when we always have to be going to the Island or Vancouver for these events. If we want to be recognized we need to hold the exam here. Hairstylist was finally recognized as a Red Seal trade in B.C. in 2016, so Roy immediately got to work in an attempt to bring the best of the best to OCI. She brought in not only two top hairstylist instructors, but one of them is a Red Seal invigilatorthe one who oversees the examin Courtneys Stacey Rexin. So anybody that comes to Okanagan Cosmetology Institute gets a premier education from not only an actual Red Seal stylist, but one of the invigilators, Roy said. She takes her trade very, very seriously. Roys daughter Nathania was also a driving force behind OCIs getting a Red Seal exam. She became a teacher and went on to earn the designation herself, at age 22 becoming one of the youngest to do so. Carolyn Roy hired Laura Makeiff, who is also from Courtenay, to be a level one instructor at OCI, while Rexin is the head mentor and a level two teacher. Its a three-year process to earn your Red Seal designation, and Roy hopes to have many more exams at OCI. Theyre gonna rock, Roy says of her instructors. Theyre really gonna make this a boutique destination school. (WB) The annual Jerusalem Pride parade that took place on Thursday drew tens of thousands of people. Media reports indicate the parade took place under heavy security. The Jerusalem Post cited a police spokesperson who said four people were arrested for causing public disturbances in the area during the parade. Haaretz, another Israeli newspaper, published a picture that shows two police officers removing an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man from the parade route. An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man stabbed to death Shira Banki, a 16-year-old teenager, during the 2015 Jerusalem Pride parade. The man who killed Banki had just completed a 10-year prison sentence in connection with stabbing three people during the same event in 2005. This years parade took place less than a month after the Israeli Knesset passed a highly controversial bill that prevents gay couples from using surrogates. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem which the Trump administration now recognizes as the capital of Israel opened in May. It had previously been located in Tel Aviv, a city on the countrys Mediterranean coastline that is known for its large and visible LGBTI community. The Israeli governments policies towards the Palestinians continue to spark outrage in the country and around the world. Photo: Jeremy Cook UPDATE 6:15 p.m. The B.C. Wildfire Service says calmer winds have allowed them to achieve 40 per cent containment around the Snowy Mountain wildfire. Fire information officer Claire Allen says lines have been established on the east flank on the fire across the river from Cawston and in the Chopaka Road area, where the blaze has forced evacuations of homes on the Lower Similkameen Indian Band land. Thats where our crews have been putting in a lot of work over the past few days. Theyve successfully completed burnoffs, tying it into containment lines adjacent to properties, she said, explaining most of the sage brush and grass fuel in the valley bottom has been eliminated. Give the fact that the fire is upslope, and everything below it is removed or burned, the fire is no longer a threat to coming down into those homes, she added. Progress has also been made on the north edge of the fire, where some lines have been established by tying together rocky slopes. Allen said the fire did not grow on Monday, but plenty of work remains to be done and still a lot of active fire behaviour. The blaze was remapped Monday morning at 12,000 hectares. Bulldozers are now working in the Roberts Creek area to build containment lines on the south flank, in anticipation of stronger winds that may continue to push the fire toward the United States. Allen said the Similkameen Valley saw an inversion Monday, which kept smoke in the valley bottom and relative humidity up. However above that inversion line, we do have higher temperatures and thats where the fire is most active right now. Photo: BCWS ORIGINAL 9:45 a.m. The Snowy Mountain wildfire outside of Keremeos has been remapped at a little over 12,000 hectares. The fire did not grow overnight, according to the BC Wildfire Service, and the increase in size from 10,900 hectares is due to improved mapping visibility now that smoke has dissipated off of recent growth. The most visibly active part of the fire yesterday was within a mountainous bowl and ravine on the northeast of the fire, with a smoke column noticeable from the surrounding area, the BCWS said online. Today, crews will work to secure the north flank and tie it into rocky slopes in order to keep the fire from wrapping around towards Keremeos. Other teams will continue to work on the east flank and mop-up and patrol along Chopaka Road, using an existing road system in the Roberts Creek area to develop containment lines. The fire is still burning south towards the United States, where the U.S. Forest Service is working in conjunction with B.C. Ninety-seven firefighters are being supported by five pieces of heavy equipment. Thirteen helicopters are being shared between the Snowy Mountain and Placer Mountain wildfires. All evacuation alerts and orders remain in place. Pakistan cement sales up 5% YoY in July ICR Newsroom By 06 August 2018 Cement sales in Pakistan increased 5.1 per cent in the first month of FY18-19. In July, total cement dispatches rose to 3.554Mt from 3.382Mt in July 2017, according to the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association. While in the wake of elections, economic and construction activity slowed down, it did not significantly affect sales growth. Exports rose by 9.3 per cent from 0.476Mt in July 2017 to 0.52Mt one year later while domestic dispatches were up 4.4 per cent from 2.906Mt to 3.035Mt over the same period. Seaborne exports advanced 133.7 per cement from 0.144Mt in July 2017 to 0.336Mt in July 2018, offsetting declining exports to Afghanistan and India, which fell by 45 and 44.4 per cent, respectively. Published under Ethiopian cement industry faces persistent challenges ICR Newsroom By 06 August 2018 While the Ethiopian cement industry has expanded significantly and changed from being a net importer to a net exporter, the industry faces continued challenges, according to Haile Assegide, president of the Ethiopian Cement Producers Association in a key note address at the third annual East African Cement, Concrete and Energy Summit. A shortage of skilled manpower, lack of foreign currency and erratic power supply all continue to haunt domestic cement plants. Mr Assegide said that there is no adequate number of professionals in the local cement industry.Our engineers start training in our factories. So we are forced to cover this gap by bringing experts from China, India and other countries. Moreover, the expatriates salary paid in foreign currency escalates the cost of the cement factories. He added that the Ethiopian Cement Producers Association is closely working with the Ministry of Industry to alleviate the issue. The ministry is looking to establish a cement technology training centre with the aim to replace expatriate labour in three years time. All the major cement plants, including Derba, Dangote and National Cement are run by Chinese and Indian engineers. The Ethiopian Cement Producers Association hopes that the Adama Science and Technology University and the Addis Ababa Institute of Technology will work on cement technology education. The shortage of foreign currency affects the imports of spare parts, which need to be ordered before the annual maintenance campaigns start, said Mr Assegide. The Ethiopian Cement Producers Association is holding talks with the National Bank of Ethiopia to find ways that the bank could ensure foreign currency is made available to the cement producers. While there is no shortage in supply of electricity, cement plants are affected by the limited capacity of power transmission lines and substations. The Ethiopian Electric Utility is currently building new transmission lines and substations to alleviate the issue. Published under Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese state-owned automaker SAIC Motor posted a year-on-year sales growth of 6.4% with 483,726 vehicles delivered in July. Meanwhile, the automaker Jan-to-July sales amounted to 4,003,744 units, climbing 10.3% compared with the same period in previous year. SAIC Volkswagen, SAIC-GM and SAIC-GM-Wuling occupied the first three places among the group's subsidiaries by their July sales. Apart from SAIC-GM and Sunwin Bus whose July sales dropped over a year ago, the other subsidiaries all attained positive year-on-year increase. SAIC-CP saw its sales skyrocket 342.5% and 127.4% from the previous year in terms of its July sales and year-to-date sales, enjoying the biggest sales growth among all subsidiaries. With respect to the cumulative sales, the top 3 companies were SAIC-GM-Wuling, SAIC Volkswagen and SAIC-GM. SAIC Motor PV witnessed its sales in July jump 29.8% year on year to 48,110 units. Driven by the strong performance of the Roewe RX Series, the MG6 and the Roewe ERX5, the Jan-to-July sales of the SAIC Motor's self-owned subsidiary soared 50.4% from a year earlier to 407,117 units. As for the major joint ventures, SAIC Volkswagen maintained a strong sales momentum into the second half of 2018, with its national sales up 15.2% year on year to 152,155 units. The all-new Lavida, which went on sale on May 25 , substantially contributed to the automaker's overall blooming sales. SAIC-GM saw its sales decline 5.3% year on year last month to 135,448 units, while its year-to-date sales grew by 8.2% to 1,093,128. In July, the monthly sales of the Buick GL8 and the Cadillac brand presented a year-on-year jump of 24.3% and 19.1%, with around 14,000 units and 14,300 units delivered respectively. However, the sales of the Excelle plunged 56% from a year ago, which partially caused the company's sales decrease . SAIC-GM-Wuling delivered 130,219 vehicles in July, basically the same volume as the year-ago period. In addition, the automaker ranked first in terms of year-to-date sales with a total of 1,181,854 units handed over throughout July. (WB) HIV/AIDS activists in the U.S. and around the world are urging the International AIDS Society to relocate the 2020 International AIDS Conference that is scheduled to take place in the San Francisco Bay Area. HIPS, a D.C.-based group that advocates on behalf of sex workers, and the Trans [email protected] Coalition in Los Angeles are among the more than 200 HIV/AIDS service organizations and advocacy groups that have signed an open letter to the International AIDS Society and the committee that is organizing the conference. The letter specifically criticizes the Trump administrations policies towards people with HIV/AIDS, the LGBTI community, immigrants and other marginalized groups. It also notes the prohibitively expensive registration fees that are as high as $1,200, the cost of travel and the lack of affordable accommodations in the Bay Area make the conference will be unaffordable and inaccessible for the vast majority of U.S. advocates who most need to attend. Hosting AIDS 2020 in the U.S. flies in the face of ample and undeniable evidence that the Trump administrations violation of human rights, targeting of vulnerable communities for harm, and exacerbating HIV-related stigma worldwide, coupled with drastic budget cuts, threatens the advancements we have made in the domestic and global epidemics, reads the letter. The conference is scheduled to take place in San Francisco and Oakland from July 6-10, 2020, roughly four months before the 2020 presidential election. We anticipate that the U.S. political climate will only be worse in 2020, in the final months of a presidential election year that, like 2016, may well be marked by heightened violence, intentional promotion of stigma and the need to mobilize to protect our communities, reads the letter. The letter says the U.S. has become increasingly militarized in its approach to immigrants, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is specifically targeting California because of its failure to comply with Trump administration policies on undocumented immigrants. The letter also notes U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on March 7 filed a federal lawsuit against California over its status as a so-called sanctuary state for undocumented immigrants. The International AIDS Society on March 13 announced the Bay Area would host the 2020 International AIDS Conference. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) who represent San Francisco and portions Oakland and the East Bay respectively both applauded the decision in an International AIDS Society press release. San Francisco is an inseparable part of the story of HIV/AIDS, said Pelosi. It is fitting and deeply inspiring that advocates, researchers and survivors will return to the Bay Area for the 2020 International AIDS Conference. Lee in the press release noted the Bay Area has long been at the forefront of the AIDS epidemic. While San Francisco and Oakland emerged as an early epicenter of the crisis, these cities have also been a hub for AIDS activism, research and community support, she said. This isnt just about our personal distaste of Donald Trump HIV/AIDS advocates who attended the 2018 International AIDS Conference that took place in Amsterdam last week urged the International AIDS Society to relocate the 2020 International AIDS Conference from the U.S. Mark King, a Baltimore-based HIV/AIDS activist who publishes the blog My Fabulous Disease, attended the 2018 International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam. He also signed the letter that urges the International AIDS Society to relocate the 2020 conference from the Bay Area. King on Tuesday noted to the Washington Blade during a telephone interview the International AIDS Society relocated the 1992 International AIDS Conference that was to have taken place in Boston to Amsterdam because the U.S. at the time would not allow people with HIV/AIDS into the country. This is far worse than the HIV travel ban, said King. This is an environment that is far worse. King told the Blade the White House continues to target lesbians, gays, bisexuals, immigrants and those who use drugs. He also said transgender people are being systematically stripped of their human rights in this country by the Trump administration. This isnt just about our personal distaste of Donald Trump, said King. It is the administration and those policies run deep. They run deep into these agencies that have profound influence over every aspect of what we stand for as activists. Trans [email protected] Coalition President Bamby Salcedo echoed King. The immigration policies this admin has have been absolutely ridiculous, Salcedo told the Blade on Wednesday. There are going to be many people who are the most marginalized who arent going to be able to get into the country. She also said the conference registration fee is too costly. It really is the exclusion of the most marginalized, said Salcedo. A Pelosi spokesperson on Wednesday declined to comment. The International AIDS Society and Lees office did not respond to the Blades requests for comment. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks at the U.S. Conference on AIDS at the Marriott Marquis on Sept. 7, 2017. A spokesperson for the California Democrat declined to comment on calls to relocate the 2020 International AIDS Conference from the San Francisco Bay Area. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key) Daniel Bruner, senior director of policy for Whitman-Walker Health in D.C., on Wednesday said his organization understands the concerns about holding the conference in the U.S. Bruner told the Blade conference organizers and HIV/AIDS advocates should dedicate ourselves to making sure that everyone can get there and any attempt to raise barriers or keep people out (of the U.S.) is vigorously resisted if the International AIDS Society decides not to relocate it from the Bay Area. There are many reasons to host the 2020 International AIDS Conference in the U.S. in fact, we think that a big reason is to demonstrate continued opposition to the Trump Administrations policies on health care, LGBTQ rights and womens rights, he said in an emailed statement. However, the overriding reason to consider relocating the conference outside the U.S. is to ensure that all people can attend and all voices can be heard. The administrations hostile immigration policies would likely be a barrier to many people who should attend. The 1990 International AIDS Conference took place in San Francisco. The 2012 International AIDS Conference took place in D.C. A number of HIV/AIDS activists who attended the D.C. conference protested U.S. policy that bans known sex workers and drug users from entering the country. Others urged American officials to do more to combat the domestic epidemic. We can't seem to find the page you are looking for. You may have typed the address incorrectly or you may have used an outdated link. New York, August 6, 2018 (SPS) - United Nations Envoy for Western Sahara Horst Kohler will brief the Security Council on his recent visit to the region to relaunch negotiations between Polisario Front and Morocco. Former Germany's president will inform the Security Council about his recent activities, according to the Council's monthly forecasts for August. The meeting will be held behind closed doors, while the final statement will be read to the press by the Council's president for August, Karen Pierce (UK). Wednesday's meeting would be Kohler's second briefing since his appointment as the UN Secretary General's personal envoy for Western Sahara. In his first briefing in March, the UN envoy explained his mission, which consists in finding a solution to the conflict through the resumption of direct negotiations, at the standstill since 2012, between the two parties to the conflict, Morocco and Polisario Front. (SPS) 062/SPS/APS He said areas of the country are effectively a "black hole" for information. There are often lethal attacks where actual death tolls go unreported, so the group uses a standard estimate of 10 deaths for larger-scale events and three for smaller-scale ones. Although this approach could result in inflated tolls, he said the group's use of conservative figures and the likelihood it underestimates fatalities in some cases limit the chances of overstating the overall death toll. Public safety, street repairs and growth priorities for Pueblo budget Sales tax and economic activity in a growing city contributed to the largest proposed budget in the City of Pueblo's history. The New York Sire Stakes roadshow changes its downstate cast of characters Tuesday, Aug. 7 with Yonkers Raceways hosting the $166,499 Mike Cipriani Trot for three-year-old fillies. The races again honour the memory of the Raceways long-time, award-winning photographer. Post time for the 12-race wagering card is the usual 6:50 p.m., though the $54,833 first division of the sire stakes goes as the last of the four pre-program non-bettors beginning at 5:30 p.m. The $55,833 second division is the sixth race, including Lima Novelty, driven by Scott Zeron from post four, returning to the Empire. The daughter of Chapter Seven, owned by Ken Jacobs and trained by Linda Toscano, is four-for-six since adding hopples. Overall, shes 4-for-9 this season, earning $97,394. Ciao Dolce, piloted by Ake Svandtedt from post two, chased Lima Novelty around Vernon Downs in her last try and has two wins, two second and two thirds from eight starts. The $55,833 third division of the Cipriani goes as the eighth race, with defending statebred-champ Lucky Ava winning the draw among the half-dozen. The daughter of Lucky Chucky has offered another solid season, with four wins and three seconds in eight starts and $107,618 in earnings. Svanstedt co-owns (with Little E LLC and Van Camp Trotting) and trains the lass whos won half of her 18 career starts, good for $311,214 in earnings. Tribute to Seven, driven by Scott Zeron from post two, has won thrice this season, hitting the board in all but one of her seven tries while Dew To Win, with Trond Smedshammer aboard from post 5, blew away a sire stakes field at Monticello as part of her resume. (With files from Yonkers Raceway) When I was in Sunday school in third grade, my teacher seemed ancient. Each Sunday, with hair a bit askew, hed pump our hands as we walked in the door because he was so glad to see us. Wed earn full-size Snickers bars for Bible memorization, and hed take us on a fishing trip at the end of the year. His wife would sit down next to a tinny classroom piano, and wed sing hymns at the close of each class. But the crowning glory of that year was receiving a hymnal of our very own, with gold embossed lettering, to continue our Christian education at home. It became a coveted object, one valued for its history. It signified our growing belonging to the church. Yet once in my possession, it simply sat atop the piano only my mother could play. We are formed by the hymns and songs we sing. We are (perhaps more than we realize) formed, too, by the tangible objects of our faith. We are people of the booknot just people of the Word of God, but also people who have been corporately, theologically, devotionally, and socially formed by hymnbooks. It is this history that Christopher N. Phillips artfully articulates in The Hymnal: A Reading History. This book is the only large-scale history and literary reading of hymnals, those small companion[s] that traveled with parishioners from church, home, and school. Phillips leads us like an artful detective through the early reading practices and religious life of the 18th and 19th centuries, in America and across the Atlantic. Creating a Visible Identity From our modern vantage point, perhaps we might see hymnals as outdated accessories of a worship service. But hymnbooks have served (and still may serve) a larger purpose. These books were the way children learned to read, the way illiterate congregants were able to apply a sermon, the way families instructed their children (and paved the way for childrens literature), the way poetic careers began, and the way that disparate individuals became the worshiping people of God. Hymnbooks helped to bind the people of God together. Because readers can be both individual and corporate, writes Phillips, hymnbooks in worship nurtured the achievement of corporate personhood. For new religious groups or fringe groups (the ones Phillips examines are African Methodists, Reform Jews, and Latter-day Saints), hymnbooks were one of the first acts of creating a visible identity. For denominations, too, hymnbooks were used to wage war or create peace by what was included, what was excluded, and how the books were published and circulated. Phillips traces the history of the genre and its use in three sacred spaces: the church, school, and home. Hymnbooks traveled with parishioners as personal devotional objects, aided in the emergence of the private self within a larger body (whether family or church), and even offered a handy tool for passing notes or disciplining children talking during a worship service. Hymnbooks were a sort of grocery sack for the growing American selfthey held together different aspects of the experience of faith and provided familiar contours of religious and literary expression. Phillips helps us see accomplished hymn writers like Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley, and William Cowper in the context of their times. More broadly, he reimagines for his Christian reader how the methods and practices of our reading form our loves and attention. It is not simply the content of hymns sung, read, gifted, or memorized that informs our thinking and spiritual appetites. The books themselvesand how theyre read, circulated, used, and travelshape us. To put it quite simply, we are formed not only by what we read but by how (and with whom) we read. Article continues below Phillips reminds us that books have lives too, and for the modern-day reader, we must consider what weve lost personally and collectively by neglecting the hymnal as a tangible object. The Bible of course, like the hymnal, straddle[s] the worlds of literary and religious reading, of song and private reflection. But what is our experience of worship: Are we being formed in our bodies into the family of God? With the Bible on our phones and words on the screen in most evangelical churches, are we being molded into the church by the objects we touch, hold, and memorize? Or is it too easy to be a group of loosely networked individuals, where devotional practices and worship are experienced in an individualized manner? Hymnbooks were so well-worn prior to 1820 that many havent survivedthey were touched, held close, and their covers, spines, and bindings show what Phillips, quoting another scholar, calls hand piety. The hand piety we exhibit most often today manifests in sore pinkies from holding our phones and hunched backs from staring at screens. It might seem easy to harken back to a golden age of hymnals or pews, but for the time period Phillips chronicles, hymnbooks were innovative and divisive. Instead, believers today should begin to consider, through Phillipss history, larger questions about how our reading informs us. After all, the form an object takes is never neutral: It always creates meaning. And for those of us who read hymn and song lyrics projected onto screens each Sunday morning, have we lost something? If hymnbooks helped to form marginal groups into a people with a distinct identity, then what forms of corporate and private worship can bring us together as Gods people today? The Furniture of Worshipping Christians This summer, with my family, I visited a small mining town in Colorado without a single stoplight. Sunday morning, we stepped into the little stone Episcopal church off the main street. Though our own weekly Sunday liturgical practice is less formal than that of the church we visited, my children easily adapted to the readings and the prayersbecause the words were familiar. The creeds, the hymns, and the Scripture readings aligned with what they knew church to be. Yet, as I flipped between the Book of Common Prayer, the Bible, and the hymnal in the pew, I wondered what it would look like to be formed by books like these so thoroughly, so consistently. Would the prayers, hymns, and responsive readings grow repetitive and rote? Or would they create a texture and tapestry to faith that grew in resonance the more we returned to them? How would the weekly flipping of pages, with a small brick of a book (Phillipss words) nestled in ones palm, inform my spiritual practices? Would faith feel more solid with a book in my hand? These books, Phillips writes, were the furniture of worshipping Christians a century or two ago. What have we lost and what have we gained by trading out our furniture? For those of us today who are apt to pick up our phones as a source of virtual community, The Hymnaltells an important story: a story of formation by books, traced through families and religious groups and across racial, socio-economic, and national lines. Its a story I hope will help us to begin to recover our sense of being spiritually formed peopleas families and as the family of God from every tribe, tongue, and nation. Ashley Hales is a writer living in Southern California. She is the author of a forthcoming book, Finding Holy in the Suburbs: Living Faithfully in the Land of Too Much (InterVarsity Press). August 6, 1945: A prayer for Hiroshima Day On August 6, 1945, the Little Boy atomic bomb was dropped from the US Air Force B-29 bomber Enola Gay on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. It is estimated that 140,000 people died from the immediate blast and radiation poisoning that year, with many more dying in the aftermath. Three days later, after the Japanese failed to surrender, Nagasaki was bombed. The morality alongside the military necessity of the Allies' act has been extensively debated ever since then. But it marked the beginning of a nuclear arms race that has cost billions and is an enduring threat to the very fabric of the earth. This is a prayer for Hiroshima Day. God our Father, we acknowledge the terrible responsibility of the knowledge of good and evil. We have not always chosen well. We grieve for those who died on this day 73 years ago, and in the days and years since then. We acknowledge that the hearts of human beings are tainted by sin, that we do not see clearly or love purely, and that we are sometimes misled by fear, hatred and despair. We grieve for the lost opportunities of these decades: the misdirected resources, the wasted energies, the financial and moral cost of human sinfulness. We acknowledge our fear of the future, as tensions rise again between the US and North Korea and the world seems as far away as ever from nuclear disarmament. And we pray for a world in which the threat of global devastation is lifted as the nations put aside their weapons of terror. Give peace, O God, we pray. Amen. Bishop calls for government action on rural crime The Bishop of St Albans has called for government action on rural crime following the publication of a report revealing farmers are resorting to 'medieval' security methods. The report from NFU Mutual says rural crime cost the UK 44.5 million last year, an increase of 13.4 per cent on the previous year. As well as livestock theft, agricultural vehicles, quad bikes, tools and machinery are also targeted. Fly tipping affects two-thirds of farmers, who are forced to clear the rubbish themselves, sometimes at a cost of thousands of pounds. Many farmers have resorted to building earthworks and reinforced gates to try to deter thieves. The report also draws attention to the under-resourcing of rural police, leading to farmers believing it is a waste of time to report crime. Rt Rev Alan Smith, the Church of England's lead bishop on rural affairs, said: 'This is no surprise for those of us who are in touch with rural areas and highlights the scale of crime in the countryside. 'One important aspect is the increasing incidence of fly tipping, which is a problem I hear raised repeatedly in my diocese which covers parts of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. 'The Government claims that it has given councils sufficient powers to deal with the problem. 'Yet Defra's own figures reveal that 51 per cent of local authorities have yet to have a single prosecution and there have been no fines imposed by 44 per cent of local authorities. 'If local authorities are not prepared to act then surely central government needs to take more drastic action to tackle this crime?' Zimbabwe's churches urge lifting of international sanctions The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has urged the lifting of 'punitive' sanctions on Zimbabwe following last week's disputed election, which saw incumbent president Emmerson Mnangagwa returned with a decisive majority. In a 'pastoral statement', the ZCC said: 'We plead with the international community not continue the isolation of Zimbabwe on the basis of shortcomings of this election. You are fully aware that the punitive measures on the new government will not affect those in leadership but the ordinary Zimbabweans. We believe that it is in the opportunities for Zimbabweans' access to health care, education and basic social services that the nation will flourish and grow a robust democracy.' The statement acknowledged the perception that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), which pronounced the elections broadly free and fair, was 'not fully independent' and that 'the electoral playing field remains uneven whilst favouring incumbents'. However, it backed the ZEC's 'technical conclusions' and urged the release of supporting data. It also reflected on the divisions that marked the election, saying: 'The deepening polarization between urban and rural voters, younger and older voters, as well as richer and poorer voters requires urgent redress through a holistic process of nation building and envisioning. The cry of different sectors of our populationrequires both a pastoral and prophetic response.' The statement urged the ruling Zanu-PF party to pursue policies aimed at unity and reform, and issued a thinly-veiled warning to the opposition Movement for Democratic Change to eschew violence and beware of incendiary rhetoric. It refers to 'the pressing need to maintain peace and not take actions that may easily deteriorate to chaos. Volatile situations tend to deteriorate and attain a life of their own beyond anyone's control.' Downtown Berkeley on Sunday became, once again, the site of a conflict between right-wing protesters and counterprotesters, crushing the hopes of city officials for a mellow day. For most of the afternoon, flocks of protesters surged along Berkeleys central streets, defying police officers attempts to corral them. Meanwhile, in Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park, a small group of anti-Marxists sparred with those who came out to denounce them as white supremacists. The afternoon ended with more than a dozen arrests, several small fires being set and a lot of screaming and slogan chanting but by evening, the commotion was over. The confrontation stemmed from an announcement earlier in the week from the Proud Boys and another right-wing group that they might stage a gathering Sunday at Civic Center Park, the site of previous clashes. A Proud Boys posting on Twitter indicated that the gathering was canceled, but nonetheless, approximately 400 counterprotesters gathered in Ohlone Park at 11 a.m. and marched along downtown Berkeley streets, heading toward the location of the originally proposed rally. Some of the marchers were dressed in black, the common uniform of antifa (anti-fascist) activists. They held up signs such as Hatefully targeting marginalized groups is not political discourse and chanted slogans in support of a host of leftist political positions. We want to show them that hatred is not welcome here, said Levon Johnson of Berkeley, who came to protest right-wing groups. The Berkeley Police Department had prepared for possible violence by setting up barriers in Civic Center Park and by closing surrounding streets to vehicle traffic. The city also banned items that could be used as weapons, as well as face-covering masks, from the protest. Were going to do what we can to keep people safe, said Matthai Chakko, a city spokesman. Neither the conservative nor the opposing groups had obtained city permits. By 12:30 p.m., several dozen right-wing demonstrators amassed at the marchers intended destination, wearing Make America Great caps and waving signs with slogans such as No to Marxism in America and Slave labor made America great. With the group was Eddy Brock, 30, who said his parents were both immigrants from socialist countries, and he was there to protest communism and Marxism. He pointed at the police barriers, saying, All these barriers arent for the 30 to 40 patriots who showed up. Arguments between the sides, not surprisingly, grew heated. Counterprotesters surrounded right-wing activists chanting, Nazi scum, well shut you down, Berkeley is an immigrant town. Film crews from the conservative media outlet InfoWars, flanked by bodyguards, prowled around the park in search of controversy. Around 1:45, a series of explosions erupted near the intersection of Center Street and Shattuck Avenue, several blocks from the park. According to Berkeley police spokesman Byron White, marchers threw fireworks at officers, who deployed handheld smoke canisters and fired rubber bullets in response. In a statement Sunday evening, the department reported that officers arrested 20 protesters mostly for possession of weapons in parks and on streets and sidewalks. Earlier in the day it posted photographs on its Twitter account of objects police confiscated, including rocks and hammers. They also reported that protesters started three dumpster fires, set one car on fire and vandalized an additional 20. By 3 p.m., the marchers had largely dispersed and the smaller rally in Civic Center Park devolved into loud, but nonviolent, discussions between sides. The Berkeley actions came on the heels of a rally organized by Patriot Prayer and the Proud Boys on Saturday in Portland, Ore. There, activists on the right squared off with counterprotesters, occasionally engaging in scuffles. Police arrested four people, and a reporter was injured covering the event. Created by Vice Media co-founder Gavin McInnes in 2016, the Proud Boys adopt a somewhat coy relationship with white nationalism, saying they are Western culture chauvinists rather than racist but sharing members and actions with some white supremacist organizations. Its initiation rites include Fight Club-style beatings, and McInnes reportedly endorses violence as a political tactic. The Southern Poverty Law Center classifies the Proud Boys as a hate group. Michael Cabanatuan and Jonathan Kauffman are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com, jkauffman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan, @jonkauffman William Beau Wrigley Jr., billionaire heir of the Wrigley chewing gum company where he served as chairman, president and CEO, now leads a medical cannabis business soon to operate an Austin dispensary. Surterra Wellness, one of three companies licensed to cultivate and sell medical cannabis in Texas, named Wrigley its new chairman on Monday. Wrigley also invested $65 million into the Georgia-based company with existing dispensaries in Florida. Wrigley becomes the latest executive bringing high-level corporate experience to the growing legal cannabis market. The U.S. industry, valued at about $11 billion this year, is projected to grow to $23 billion by 2022. I havent been this excited about a business in a very long time, Wrigley said in a statement. We have an incredible and incredibly professional team that is approaching this industry with a great deal of discipline. Since Mars Inc. acquired the Wrigley Co. in 2008, Beau Wrigley has served on the board of various technology, media, and health and wellness companies. Surterra CEO Jake Bergmann said Wrigleys reputation and expertise in building trusted consumer brands should boost the image of both Surterra and the U.S. cannabis industry as a whole. It validates a lot of what weve been working on, Bergmann said. Wrigleys involvement with Surterra did not surprise Heather Fazio with Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy. In recent years, other leaders have publicly expressed interest in the growing legal market. Former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner this spring joined the board of a New York-based cannabis company. News of appointments such as Wrigleys is likely to become the norm, Fazio said. Its only a matter of time, she said. For now, though, Texas legal cannabis remains limited. Under the Compassionate Use Program, only three companies, including Surterra, have licenses to operate dispensaries in the state. They can serve only patients with intractable epilepsy. But patient advocacy groups are pushing for legislation to expand the programs reach by adding qualified diagnoses and expanding the number of providers. Fazio said business leaders like Wrigley, who say they are committed to patients who could benefit from legal cannabis, can be strong advocates for an expanded program here. Suterra plans to roll out the first batches of medicine in Texas in the coming weeks. Its goal is to open a wellness center where patients can pick up their prescriptions. With the $65 million from Wrigleys investment firm, the company plans to conduct clinical research trials focusing on cannabinoid treatment of anxiety, pain, post-traumatic stress disorder and other medical conditions. This is about helping people, Wrigley said in a statement. It can give people a normal life, let them go to school and be a normal member of society. ileana.najarro@chron.com twitter.com/IleanaNajarro Mary Altaffer, STF / ASSOCIATED PRESS Houston's Deep Gulf Energy is being sold for more than $1.2 billion to Dallas-based Kosmos Energy in a major Gulf of Mexico transaction. Kosmos, which operates almost exclusively in Africa and South America, is entering the Gulf in a big way with the move. The Connecticut-based private equity firm First Reserve is selling Deep Gulf after funding it from its inception in 2005. Blaffer Art Museum director Toby Kamps has resigned less than a year into the University of Houston job to work with one of the worlds leading commercial art galleries. He plans to leave Houston in September to become the director of external projects at Londons White Cube gallery in October. Kamps praised the Blaffers extraordinary record and potential and said the universitys Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts is a great thing, but he is the second director to exit the institution since it was incorporated into the college a few years ago. The job also included teaching. His predecessor, Claudia Schmuckli, held the job seven years before leaving to become a curator at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco in 2016. The Blaffer was rudderless for nearly a year. Kamps move takes him out of the non-profit world where he has worked for nearly 30 years. Hes been a major presence in the Houston museum scene for about a decade, including seven years as a curator at the Menil Collection and several before that as a curator at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. He came to Houston after stints at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and the Maine College of Arts Institute of Contemporary Art in Portland. But he also has wet his feet in the art market, overseeing the Frieze art fairs Spotlight section in New York and London since 2016. Kamps will lead White Cubes artist relations work, looking for exhibition opportunities in the public sphere around the world, as well as recruiting new talent. That work dovetails with old, old interests that have intrigued him since he wrote his honors thesis decades ago, he said. The gallerys stable includes leading artists such as Anselm Kiefer, Theaster Gates, Mona Hatoum, Robert Irwin, Georg Baselitz and Doris Salcedo. According to ArtNews, White Cube is expanding globally, recently adding a New York office to its London and Hong Kong operations. The offer came out of the blue, and things happened very quickly. It was a difficult decision but a fantastic opportunity that makes sense for me and my family, Kamps said. He and his wife, Ina Kamps, have an infant son, Felix, who is not quite five months old. ArtNews adds Kamps to a wave of museum directors leaving the non-profit world. White Cube nabbed Eric Shiner from Pittsburths Andy Warhol Museum to lead its New York Office. Directors and curators from Paris Centre Pompidoux and the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland have also recently resigned to join for-profit companies. Andrew Davis, dean of the McGovern College, said he was thrilled for Kamps, who was instrumental in pointing the Blaffers programming in interesting, compelling new directions that engaged not only with the current contemporary art scene but also with current issues facing our society and our world. Davis said the college will conduct a national search for its next director. Kamps first shows for the Blaffer are up through Saturday, including a mesmerizing film trilogy by Anton Vidokle. The museums fall season begins Sept. 7 with shows featuring new digital portraits by Alfred Leslie, inspired by literary characters; and sculpture by Richard Rezak. molly.glentzer@chron.com Before Syria was devastated by war, its population displaced and ancient cities ruined, Anissa Helou would show visitors a different side to the country. Starting in Damascus, her tour groups wove northeast through Bosra and Palmyra, admiring the sites before entering Aleppo, a city she would showcase as the Middle Easts gastronomic capital. Seven years later, the celebrated food writers new cookbook, Feast, pays homage to the city from the get-go, its cover adorned with a picture of its lamb and sour cherry kebab piled among pine nuts and crisp shards of bread. The book is Helous ninth, and a veritable compendium, with more than 300 recipes. Taken together, the recipes chronicle how a history of trade routes and migration throughout the Islamic world plays out on the dinner table, from simple suppers to festival fare. Helou, 66, is a Lebanese native with Syrian roots. She grew up in Beirut on a street running down to the sea. But eventually, chafing at the small citys constraints, she moved to London to begin a life as an art consultant. It was not until summer 1992 that she thought for the first time of writing a cookbook, the notion striking her one afternoon as she sat at the dinner table with Lebanese friends displaced by the countrys civil war. It occurred to me then to write a book for all the young people who did not get the chance to experience Lebanese food like I had, she recalled. The upper-middle-class Helou household came alive on cooking days. Fish vendors and milkmen brought their freshest produce to the door. Street carts were piled with fruit. You were just immersed in food, she said. Cooking with your mother and your grandmother, you saw everything. Lebanese Cuisine, the book that followed, went on to win international acclaim, bringing the dishes of Lebanon to a global audience in much the same way that Madhur Jaffrey has done for Indian food and Edna Lewis for that of Americas South. The publication of Feast marks a broadening of that endeavor, after Helou realized that no single compendium existed to showcase the recipes of the Muslim world. And so her travels took her through a global crescent of 1.8 million people, searching for grilled fish in Zanzibar, sweet couscous in Morocco and the best festive lamb in Jordan. Although Helou herself isnt Muslim, decades of experience have made her a rare authority on Islamic regions cuisines. In the back-cover-blurb words of London chef-author Yotam Ottolenghi, she is just the kind of cook you want by your side when baking a Moroccan flatbread. As Naomi Duguid, the celebrated food writer and author of Taste of Persia, put it, We need more books like this. Writing about the food of other cultures with respect and empathy is important, because its an entry point. We all have to eat. This gives a sense of the rich range and also the interconnectedness of everything people are eating. Divided into sections on foods that play a central role in Islamic culture, the book opens with those breads, underscoring their importance in almost all Muslim countries. Usually baked in a pit oven or on a concave metal hot plate, flatbreads can be used in place of cutlery or laid on the plate as a starchy bed for curry or stews. Against the backdrop of wars in the Middle East and President Donald Trumps travel ban for residents of five Muslim-majority countries, Helou sees the publication of Feast as a political act. The Islamic world has such a rich history that I wanted to do something to portray its positive side, she said. Especially in this moment, it felt important. On trip after trip, she found that food offered a way to connect with the lives of strangers, with the simplest of inquiries yielding surprising encounters. In Aleppo, before the war, a chance meeting with a group of heavily covered women ended with tea and date-stuffed sweets in their home. In Dakar, it led her to a former prime ministers home, where she dined on Senegals national dish of thieboudienne. The version that made it into Feast features whole grouper or sea bream laced with a spicy marinade of parsley and Aleppo peppers. Everywhere you travel, you find food is a unifier, she said. It doesnt matter who you are and whether you live to eat or eat to live, these dishes are like a connective tissue between people. Feast is also a testament to how recipes can morph from country to country, or even between cities, as spices are added and techniques change. Unable to pick just one, Helou offers recipes for seven biryanis, from the slow-cooked, one-pot dish of Hyderabad to a Kolkata variation with potatoes. Even the United Arab Emirates has a version, albeit with fewer spices and no meat. You could see the commonalities, but each time its different, wonderful, Helou said. But it is the food of the Levant particularly Lebanon and Syria for which the book reserves the greatest affection, with references to the grilled Syrian kibbe that Helou ate during childhood visits to her aunts house in the town of Majd al-Helou, and a sumac version she ate with friends in Aleppos Old City. Much of the splendor of those areas is destroyed now. Wide swaths of Aleppo, in particular, have been shattered under Syrian government bombardment, and the districts in which she once enjoyed plates of kibbe and quince now resemble a post-apocalyptic ghost town. But as in centuries and decades before, the city is already rebuilding, and even outside Syrias borders, mass displacement has caused the recipes found along Helous onetime culinary tour route to proliferate, as families now share them in exile. Even in the refugee camps of Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, groups of Syrian women gather each evening to prepare the meals of their homeland, some working on a steady production line, others bickering over the best recipes to adopt. There is something about the cuisine of these places there that is almost mythical, because of how many cultures have passed through them, she said. Her favorite meal, even after years of traveling the world, is still Aleppos glistening sour cherry kebab. RECIPE: Malabar Chicken Biryani from Feast: Food of the Islamic World NEWTOWN - From the beginning, families that lost loved ones in the Sandy Hook massacre were drawn to the simple serenity of the sacred sycamore growing in a reflection pool, surrounded by the names of the 26 first-graders and educators who were lost. In the end, the design was also the favorite of the Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial Commission - the group thats been deliberating for five years about how to honor the victims of the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook School. The commission expects to formally recommend the design, entitled The Clearing to Newtowns Board of Selectmen on Thursday. The decision is an important step for grieving families, and the larger community, in turning the corner on a loss that no one here can forget. The process has involved not only narrowing down design options from a field of 188 choices, but finding the right location for a solemn monument in a town that doesnt want to be defined by the tragedy. I give a lot of credit to the commission for being very methodical with the amount of public input that it has invited and accounted for, said Dan Rosenthal, the towns top elected leader. The design theyve landed on is something that not only rated very high with the public, but one that was the consensus of most of the families of loss. The winning designer, a San Francisco-based firm called SWA, declined to comment until the decision is made official on Thursday. SWA in its presentation impressed Newtown with the design questions it posed and the design answers it offered. How could we possibly speak to such a horrific tragedy which was felt by the nation and beyond, and yet was deeply intimate to the community of Newtown? SWA asked in the narrative of its proposal. Its answer was a walk in nature. SWA tailored its design to 5 secluded acres in the heart of Sandy Hook, near enough the new Sandy Hook School to hear the sounds of children on the playground. Walking clears the mind and promotes reflection and aids in the healing process, SWAs proposal says. Members of the commission agreed last week, shortly before their unanimous vote to recommend The Clearing as the right design for Newtown. It will be up to the Board of Selectmen to bid the project and oversee its construction, with the goal of dedicating the memorial on Dec. 14, 2019 - the seventh anniversary of the tragedy. We think this design will allow for privacy, and speak to peoples need to connect with the site and reflect, Rosenthal said. rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342 GREENWICH A trauma surgeon who works closely with police yet fears for his safety if pulled over by officers will take on the issue of race in a talk Tuesday night in Greenwich. The Nantucket Project working with the Westport-based nonprofit The Common Ground Committee will host the discussion, A Doctors Dilemma: Race, Violence and Medicine, with Dr. Brian Williams at 7 p.m. at 123 Mason St. The talk is billed as a night of discussion about coming together on what could tear us apart. Williams was at work at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas on July 7, 2016, when a shooter ambushed officers at the end of a rally protesting police brutality. Williams treated seven of the 14 officers who were shot; three of them were among the five who were wounded fatally in the deadliest incident for law enforcement since Sept. 11, 2001. That deadly shooting marked a turning point for Williams in terms of how he faces the difficult questions created by the racial divide in America. There are a lot of people talking at each other, talking over each other, trying to shout each other out, Williams said in a past interview on CNN. But I dont see people truly listening to the other side. Until we are ready to do that, there probably wont be any truly substantive change. As part of Tuesdays discussion, Williams will be interviewed by Bruce Bond, chairman of The Common Ground Committee and will take questions from the audience. Our goal is to bring light, not heat, to public discourse, Bond said. We exist to open up conversations like this one on race and work toward finding common ground. We believe it is possible for all sides to come together to find clarity, understanding and progress in a respectful manner without compromising fundamental principles. The audience will hear about the issues from Williams perspective, engage on the issue and gain understanding. That is vital when it comes to such a difficult topic, Bond said. Bond said audience members can take a step toward healing as Williams shares the experience of treating those wounded officers while still addressing the larger issues involved. He is really the personification of this issue as he spends his day at work bridging that divide and working side by side with law enforcement and yet he knows things can become different when he goes home from work, Bond said. His speaking out is very important if were going to have this conversation about this issue. The Nantucket Project has made its home in Greenwich through its Mason Street Project initiative as a satellite of the main organization. For tickets and more information, visit https://commongroundcommittee.org The Nantucket Project also put together a 2017 event in town with The Common Ground Committee about bringing civility back into the national discourse through finding common ground. The discussion focused on how people can work together instead of being in conflict, a situation complicated by todays hyper-partisan political climate. Scott Williams, president of The Nantucket Project, noted how the two groups missions dovetail. The Nantucket Projects goal is to bring fresh ideas to curious audiences through discussions, short films and unforgettable experiences. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com BRIDGEPORT The citys teachers union has bypassed a city school board member to endorse Aaron Turner in the Democratic Primary for state senate in the 23rd district. The Bridgeport Education Association issued a statement this weekend and union president Gary Peluchette said Turner supports public schools, attended city schools and sought the unions endorsement. Turner is challenging school board member Dennis Bradley, the party-endorsed candidate. Bradley never sought our support and clearly supports charter schools, Peluchette said. At one time, Turner was one of Peluchettes students in the districts Talented and Gifted program. Turner said he honored by the endorsement. Many of the challenges that I faced as a student persist today, Turner said. That being said, I am also incredibly proud of being a product of Bridgeport public schools. There is a grit that comes with graduating from here and when I was able to attend UCONN, I may not have been as prepared as my suburban counterparts, but I was able to make up the difference with determination. Bradley, meanwhile, said he was extremely surprised the union backed Turner, adding he was not even invited to interview with the BEA. A local attorney, Bradley has been on the school board since 2015. In his first year, he served as its chair. Two years ago he ran against Gomes for state senate and lost. Bradley said he still very much supports public school teachers in the city and will fight for increased funding in Hartford. As for charter schools, Bradley said he is a supporter of education and what it can do to equalize the playing field for individuals. The 23rd senate district covers parts of Bridgeport and Stratfords south end. Turner worked as legislative aide to Senator Ed Gomes who currently represents the 23rd. In a few months, Woodcreek Middle School principal Bryan Applegate will be heading to the Middle East, where he has been called to active duty. Applegate has been in the U.S. Army Reserves for 22 years and is currently a Major. He serves as a preventive medicine officer. I essentially do medical investigations, Applegate said. Its totally different than what I do here on the civilian side, but its a lot of fun. Its pretty interesting. I get an opportunity to go in and help ensure that our troops over there are taken care of; in the right environments. So, Ill do health inspections, making sure theyre in the right environments, and when theyre in austere environments, that theyre doing the right things to make sure theyre staying healthy. He has been deployed state-side once in the past, but this will be his first deployment overseas. His home base will be in Qatar, he said, which is a small peninsula country next to Saudi Arabia. Applegate just completed his first year as principal at Woodcreek Middle School in Humble ISD. During his time in this role, he developed a strong relationship with students, staff and the community something he intends to continue throughout his deployment which is scheduled to last from September 2018 to July 2019. Humble ISD has been incredibly gracious, Applegate said. They plan to reinstate me as principal as soon as I return. We want to make sure were providing some consistency for the community; making sure that I stay close to that community, stay close to the kids, the teachers. Weve already started some great momentum this first year of me being principal here and we want to continue that. To the knowledge of Humble ISD assistant superintendent of middle schools, Melissa Hayhurst, Applegate is the first Humble ISD principal to be deployed to active duty service. Hayhurst is sad to see him go, but commends him for serving his country. Hes just a really great leader and great leaders do what is necessary and what theyre called upon to do, but it is a struggle, Hayhurst said. I respect and value what hes doing. What hes doing, not just anybody can do. Hes got special skills that the military needs right now. Applegates deployment has sparked the interest of his students. One of their frequently asked questions is whether it will be safe for him while serving on active duty. Im going to be OK, Applegate said. Im going to be in a pretty good environment, so I dont think they need to worry. Another popular question that students ask is whether theyll get to talk to him over the course of his deployment. Applegate assures his students that hell be keeping in touch. Absolutely, Applegate said. Well do snail mail for sure; some electronic mail; I can directly FaceTime or do WhatsApp so that they can see me and I can talk to them. Well try to connect with different modes of media, just whatever works depending on where Im at and what Im doing at the time. Hayhurst sees the potential for teachable moments in Applegates deployment and multiple schools in the district may end up utilizing this educational opportunity. Ive already had an elementary school reach out to me and want to try to find a way for students to write him letters because if you think about it, its a great learning opportunity, Hayhurst said. They can practice their writing skills and they can learn some geography and history and all sorts of things. I look for Woodcreek Middle School to do some of those things as well. On top of staying connected with students during his deployment, Applegate said students can look forward to some additional plans he has up his sleeve. Weve got a few surprises planned for them already, Applegate said. An interim principal of Woodcreek Middle School will be named for the 2018-2019 school year. Once the interim is determined, they will work together with Applegate and Hayhurst to ensure a smooth transition. Well need to be three minds that think alike to make sure the interim will be able to keep the momentum moving forward and make sure that were doing the right thing for our kids and our community, Applegate said. Hayhurst said that ideally shed like to be able to recommend a candidate for interim principal to human resources by the Aug. 14 school board meeting so that the interim can work on campus with Applegate until his deployment. I want it to truly be as seamless a handover as we can possibly make it, Hayhurst said. Some qualities she wants candidates to display include an understanding of the age groups general characteristics, the ability to continue implementing the structures and systems currently in place at Woodcreek and a propensity for community engagement. mfeuk@hcnonline.com Don't settle for free Taco Bell, try these Houston spots instead On Nov. 4, anyone in America can claim one free Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Taco at any participating Taco Bell, in-store, online or in the app. We recommend you reject the fast food giant's World... An ambitious plan to boost Mexico's oil and gas production could potentially slow the country's energy sector reforms and hinder trade opportunities for U.S. refiners and pipeline companies that have ramped up exports to meet growing demand there, according to research firm Morningstar. Mexican president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced late last month a plan to invest billions of dollars in Pemex, the country's state-owned energy company, in an effort to reverse years of declining production. He also reaffirmed his intent to review more than 100 exploration and production contracts awarded to private oil and gas companies since the 2013 reforms, which opened the country's energy sector to foreign investment for the first time in decades. Mexico's energy reforms are enshrined in its constitution, and Lopez Obrador has said that he will he will honor existing contracts so long as they don't reveal corruption. But Morningstar noted that any effort to scale back the reforms or increase Mexican energy production could jeopardize some $200 billion in outside investments planned for the country's oil and gas, power, refining and distribution sectors. Part of Lopez Obrador's plan involves investing $2.6 billion to upgrade the nation's six existing refineries as well as building a new, $8.6 billion refinery at the oil port of Dos Bocas in Tabasco. The country's existing refineries have been operating at less than 70 percent capacity since 2012, according to Mexico's energy department, requiring the country to import more gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined products. RELATED: Populist v. populist as election shifts U.S.-Mexico relations American companies have covered much of the shortfall. U.S. exports of finished gasoline products and diesel have more than tripled since 2010 amid a boom in oil and gas production from shale fields in West Texas and elsewhere. Morningstar oil and products research director Sandy Fielden wrote that Mexico's attempt to overhaul its energy sector could have particular ramifications for U.S. refiners and pipeline companies. Both sectors have expanded operations in recent years to support growing demand from Mexico. "There is no denying that consequences for U.S. refiners could be considerable," Fielden wrote. "The expansion of Gulf Coast refining during the shale era is closely bound to growing export demand, with Mexico being the largest customer." Mexico's election early last month came during a pivotal time for both North American trade negotiations and the U.S. oil and gas industry. Texas in particular has benefited from the country's energy reforms, last year shipping nearly $100 billion in goods, including petroleum products, south of the border under the North American Free Trade Agreement. RELATED: Mexico's reliance on Texas natural gas depends on NAFTA More than 25 cross-border pipeline projects, headed by major companies including Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners and Houston-based Kinder Morgan, are also underway as Mexico has emerged as one of Texas' largest natural gas customers. Lopez Obrador will take office in December, around the time President Donald Trump is expected to resume NAFTA negotiations. Crude closed at the highest in a week after Saudi Arabian production cuts heightened concerns about tightening worldwide supplies. Futures in New York advanced 0.8 percent on Monday. OPEC's largest producer curbed output last month, according to OPEC delegates, despite Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih pledge to add about 1 million barrels to forestall any shortages. Labor strikes also resumed in the North Sea, fueling worries about an additional supply hitch. "Reports that the Saudi output in July had dropped, seemed to catch a bid in the market," said Gene McGillian, manager of market research at Tradition Energy. The U.S. benchmark crude hasn't recovered from a July retreat triggered by the U.S.-China trade spat that imperiled demand for energy in the world's biggest economies. Despite Saudi Arabia reducing oil output last month, investors are waiting for clearer indications of the global supply situation after Russia's largest oil producer said it has the capacity to continue lifting production. "Are we going to continue to see strong demand growth and only the barrels that the Russians and Saudis put on really making up for what is lost through Iran and Venezuela?" said McGillian. "That continues to point towards a tight fundamental picture." See also: Hedge Funds Unnerved by Trade War Cut Oil Bets to 2-Year Low West Texas Intermediate crude for September delivery rose 52 cents to settle at $69.01 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Total volume traded was about 38 percent below the 100-day average. Brent for October settlement added 54 cents to end the session at $73.75 on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The global benchmark crude traded at a $5.81 premium to WTI for the same month. Meanwhile, the strengthening U.S. dollar eroded some of crude's rally during the session. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose as much as 0.3 percent. Saudi Arabia pumped 10.3 million barrels a day in July, according to the delegates, down from the 10.489 million the kingdom reported to the cartel for June. Saudi Arabia may be having "a hard time getting the marginal barrel out of the sand," said Bill O'Grady, chief market strategist at Confluence Investment Management LLC in St. Louis. The decrease in output might not have been intentional, he said. Meanwhile, the Trump administration moved to restore some U.S. sanctions on Iran and reaffirmed plans to impose tougher penalties on the Islamic Republic's oil sales in November. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised address that Iran is open to talks with the U.S., but not under sanctions. Oil-market news: Gasoline futures closed little changed at $2.0651 a gallon. U.S. crude inventories probably declined by 3 million barrels last week, according to the median estimate of analysts in a Bloomberg survey. Crude stockpiles at the key pipeline hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, probably dropped 1 million barrels last week, according to a forecast compiled by Bloomberg. Commodities trader Trafigura Group Ltd. said it plans to build a terminal in the waters off Texas that will allow supertankers to fully load U.S. crude cargoes for export. --With assistance from Tsuyoshi Inajima, Heesu Lee and Grant Smith. 2018 Bloomberg L.P. The race is on to build Texas first offshore oil-exporting terminal that could accommodate the worlds largest crude-carrying vessels. The global commodities trading firm Trafigura Group will announce Monday that it plans to build the Texas Gulf Terminals Project in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast from Corpus Christi. An offshore terminal would avoid port traffic and float in waters deep enough to handle the largest ships. Trafigura is unveiling the project almost three weeks after the Houston energy company Enterprise Products Partners said it plans to build an even larger offshore oil exporting terminal south of Galveston. PREPAREDNESS: Offshore rigs getting ready for hurricane seasons worst Corpus Christi and the Houston Ship Channel have led the nation in oil exports ever since Congress lifted the nations decades-old crude export ban at the end of 2015. The timing coincided with a boom in U.S. oil production, especially in West Texas Permian Basin, pushing crude volumes to record highs this summer. More of that oil is exported because domestic consumption remains relatively flat. Just as theres a rush to build pipelines hundreds of miles from the Permian to port and refining hubs near Houston and Corpus Christi, theres also competition to construct oil exporting terminals to ship out the crude. The Port of Corpus Christi is expanding to handle the flood of oil, and several companies along the Houston Ship Channel are expanding terminals. But the ports still arent able to handle the largest oil tankers, known as very large crude carriers, or VLCCs. Despite ongoing dredging efforts, the channels at Texas ports arent deep enough for the giant ships to leave the ports filled to capacity. Very large crude carriers can only fill up partially at Texas ports, and then receive the remaining oil volumes from another ship in deeper waters. Its a more time-consuming and expensive process. EFFICIENCIES: Texas oil patch breaks records with fewer workers The Texas Gulf Terminals Project will give U.S. crude oil producers, particularly Texas operators, safer, cleaner and more efficient access to very large crude carriers, ensuring that the economic and employment benefits of increasing domestic crude production can be fully realized right here at home, said Corey Prologo, director of Texas Gulf Terminals Inc. and Trafigura. The Swiss commodities trading firm is no stranger to U.S. oil exports. In early 2016, Trafigura chartered the ship for the first U.S. crude export shipment to Europe in more than 40 years, and Trafigura has continued as a leading exporter of crude and petroleum products from the Gulf Coast. Trafigura has offices in downtown Houston at the 5 Houston Center building. The United States exports nearly 2 million barrels of oil daily, and Trafigura projects those volumes to grow to almost 5 million barrels a day by 2022. Overall, the United States is producing almost 11 million barrels of oil a day. Trafigura said its project would export about 400,000 barrels of crude a day. The competing Enterprise Products offshore terminal project could be almost five times the size of the Trafigura proposal. Enterprise envisions a terminal that could load 2 million barrels of crude a day. Enterprise plans to build pipelines to run about 80 miles from its Houston-area network to the offshore terminal where the water is naturally deeper. The project could be years in the making. Enterprise expects the state and federal permitting processes alone to take roughly a year before it can commence construction. Trafigura said it filed its first project permit in July with the U.S. Transportation Departments Maritime Administration, but the oil trading firm isnt providing projected costs or a timeline just yet. The company, however, estimated that the terminal would create about 700 temporary construction jobs and 50 permanent positions. DEAL: Houston's Deep Gulf Energy sold for $1.2 billion to Kosmos Energy Trafigura previously invested close to $1 billion in Buckeye Partners Corpus Christi processing and exporting hub in Corpus Christi. But Buckeye, a Houston pipeline company, recently bought out Trafiguras 20 percent stake. Now, Trafigura is moving forward with its own project. Earlier this year, Trafigura also signed a contract with another Houston company, Plains All American Pipeline, to ship up to 300,000 barrels of crude a day on Plains pending Cactus II oil pipeline from the Permian to Corpus Christi. The pipeline is expected to be completed in about a year from now. The only offshore terminal operating in the Gulf is the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, called LOOP. But the 37-year-old LOOP was built for imports and only now is conducting test runs with export shipments. LOOP tentatively plans to expand and focus on exports, representing another potential competitor to the proposed Texas projects. The folks at supercar headquarters Hennessey Performance in Sealy recently celebrated the building and tuning of its 10,000th vehicle since 1991. The milestone event at the complex located between Houston and Austin was marked with the unveiling of a special 2019 Hennessey Heritage Edition Mustang PREVIOUS: Hennessey in Sealy shows off its $1.6 million Venom F5 hypercar Founder John Hennessey and his team have been making fast cars even faster since 1991, fabricating warrantied, track-tested high-performance cars, trucks and even the occasional motorcycle. The cars are tested on the adjacent Lonestar Motorsports Park, home to a quarter-mile strip. The new race red Mustang created by Hennessey is a monster with a 5.0L supercharged V8 engine. The vehicle has a top speed of more than 200 miles per hour and can make it 60 miles per hour in just 3.3 seconds. Only 19 of the Mustangs will be made and orders are currently being accepted for the car which starts out at $89,950. Full specs on the car can be found at the company's official website. "This is one of the most beautiful Mustang we've ever built, and it has the power and performance to match its gorgeous looks," Hennessey said in a statement. The car comes with a 3-year, 36,000 mile warranty. Most Hennessey creations are treated with expert TLC once they are delivered to their new owners. FAST TIMES IN SEALY: Need speed? Come to Sealy, where cars turn into racing demons Each vehicle that is built by Hennessey comes with an average of 650 horsepower, which means that over 10,000 cars the company has introduced the possibilty of 6.5 million horsepower to the world. "This is an exciting time for the company and we look forward to building the next 10,000 Hennessey cars and trucks in the years to come," Hennessey added. Hennessey doesn't just build cars. Recently the founder told Chron.com that he and his team have been modifying more and more trucks, including the popular Ford Raptor pickup. According to Hennessey in the past year they have built around 400 trucks and SUVs for customers. Craig Hlavaty covers Houston history and pop-culture. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | craig.hlavaty@chron.com Every year, Jessica Johnson stands before a room full of new employees and steps away from her role as the superintendent and transforms the ball room at the Dayton Community Center into a classroom. This year she employed many of her instructional strategies to be as interactive and informative as she possibly could. Her highly engaged presentation elicited responses from new teachers and staff to Dayton ISD at the Dayton Chamber of Commerces Annual New Teacher Luncheon. Each year, without fail, Johnson always begins with a brief history and some useless facts as her son might say, about the city of Dayton. Johnson says its an important component that cant be skippedever. My parents taught me the importance of community service and building relationships through kindness. As I grew up, I saw both of my parents always giving back to the community, to the church, to the various organizations, and helping their neighbors and friends, the superintendent said. It was her parents and many other men and women upon whose legacy the present community stands. I am proud of our rich history, she said. Teddy Roosevelt once said, The more you know about the past, the better you are prepared for the future. Johnsons passion for sharing Daytons history is founded upon her desire for her teaching staff to have a clear understanding of who Dayton is as a community. Effective teachers take the time to build relationships and get to know their students, she told the newbies. I believe that we, as adults, should be doing the same--building partnerships at all levels. Therefore, I want our teachers to become involved in our community by shopping and eating local, and attending community and school events, she said, in other words, immerse themselves in the culture and life of the town. It was the largest gathering of new teachers, chamber members and administrators since the chamber has been hosting the event. We had over 200 for the luncheon and we couldnt be more excited about it, said Paula Moorhaj, chamber director. The lunches are sponsored by businesses in the chamber and Moorhaj said sponsors come from outside the chamber as well. We have people in the community who will bring by $10 and sponsor a teacher or some even more than that, she said. Everyone wants to help our teachers and its exciting. Area businesses sponsor tables with gifts on each of them for the teachers. Then were giving out a lot of door prizes and some of the businesses just go crazy with their gifts, she said. Moorhaj said you could tell how much the teachers who won appreciated the sentiment by the smiles on their faces. The luncheon began with the chamber handing out seven $500 scholarships. The first was to Isabella Jauregui and that one was sponsored by Waste Management, the City of Dayton, and the Dayton Chamber of Commerce. Six other scholarships were handed out to the Junior Ambassadors. Each year, they do the tailgate part in August and any profits from the event go straight back into scholarships for those students, she added. The large attendance was yet another sign of the growth in the community. Forty-nine of this years crop of new teachers came in the elementary level, 15 at Woodrow Wilson Junior High, one at DAEP, and 15 at Dayton High School. The number of new teachers is about the same number as last year and significantly lower from two years ago. Keep in mind that does include new positions that have been added due to increased enrollment and or to meet new state or federal mandates, the superintendent said. While some positions that were vacated through attrition or retirement, Johnson said they absorbed a few of those, but most of the retirees had been replaced. The attrition rate remains fairly flat and Johnson had a theory for why teachers were leaving Dayton. Most of the teachers who leave Dayton ISD are leaving due to one of three main reasons: (1) most of the time, they are taking a position closer to home, (2) some decide to be a stay-at- home mom, and (3) a few are getting out of education altogether. Sadly, there is a teacher shortage in Texas, therefore, it has become a business for some, she explained. The district has grown steadily over the last 10 years, since 2008, with the exception of last year where they saw a slight decline they attribute to Hurricane Harvey and displaced students. The growth, she said, has been manageable. Its trending upward for various reasons, but mainly because the entire Houston/Baytown areas continue to grow, and we are seeing the results of that growth, the superintendent said. The district has finished up their last bond and Johnson said she looks to partnerships with the city of Dayton, Liberty County officials, and her board to work together for a good plan for the future of her beloved town. dtaylor@hcnonline.com BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. During its initial run, which concluded in 1998, Murphy Brown wasnt shy about addressing controversy. That legacy remains intact in the highly anticipated reboot of the classic TV sitcom, which was the focus of a panel presentation at the Television Critics Associations summer press tour Sunday morning. In opening remarks addressing the CBS shows return, executive producer Diane English also referenced a recent New Yorker article by Ronan Farrow that included allegations of sexual misconduct against network chief Leslie Moonves and reports of a culture of harassment at CBS. On behalf of everybody on our show, we take the allegations of sexual misconduct extremely seriously, she said. We actually had developed an episode on the #MeToo movement months ago. Following the article, the CBS board of directors ordered several law firms to investigate the allegations of misconduct by Moonves. So we support the investigation fully. None of us have had any negative experience in that regard at CBS, English said. I never experienced any kind of sexual misconduct personally or misogyny, and as far as I know, no one on the crew has. Id much rather talk about our show coming back. Thats the only comment we will have until the investigation is complete. English didnt offer further details on the #MeToo-inspired episode, other than to say that it would be the fourth to air and that it was titled #MurphyToo. The reboot reunites members of the original cast and introduces a few new characters. Candice Bergen is back in the title role of the sharp-edged news reporter, and is also an executive producer. Also returning are Faith Ford, Joe Regalbuto and Grant Shaud. In the original series, Murphy and her colleagues worked on a news magazine; this time, theyll be working on a morning show. Having only begun production late last month, the cast was fresh from shooting the first episode of the reconvened series, which English said will draw a lot from a climate where the media is frequently described by those in power as the enemy of the people. But there have been more changes to the culture since the series last aired. When we left these characters in 1998, there was no internet, there was no social media, said English. Cable news was just getting started. To take these characters and put them in the world of 24-hour cable news was very rich for us. They dont like being sidelined, Bergen said of the shows characters. Theyve all been in retirement the last few years, and they want to get back in action, especially now when theres so much action. English said the show will open on Election Day 2016 and quickly move up to present day with the goal of remaining topical, so much so that only nine of the planned 13 episodes have been developed to allow for updates in the news cycle. Some things are going to drop in September, I can feel it, she said. The presentation also introduced Jake McDorman as Murphys son, Avery, who works as a liberal voice at a network modeled after Fox News, and Nik Dodani, who portrays the social-media specialist on Murphys new show. My job is to be the voice of the younger generation, he said. Ford happily noted that he is the same age she was when she started on the show as perky anchor Corky Sherwood. Charles Kimbrough, who played stiff anchorman Jim Dial in the original series, also will appear for a few episodes. The series also promises to feature more cameos from the real world of news, including one in the first episode that English said was top secret. Weve always tried to blur the lines between fiction and reality, and we were so successful in doing that in the first iteration of the show that the vice president thought Murphy was a real person, she said. Bergen said the tone of the reboot is set from the first episode, which continues the shows topical legacy. This show has no fear of anyone, she said. We really stick our head in the lions mouth. Murphy Brown returns Sept. 27. Texas' Department of Transportation is warning drivers to drive right or face the consequences. TxDOT implored drivers Thursday to only use the left lane on a divided highway to pass "so you don't hold up traffic," the department said in a viral tweet. NJ Senator Cory Booker needs an eye exam, ASAP. Or maybe he needs a better excuse for pandering to the Nutroots, er, Netroots Israel-hating crowd. Via NY Post. Memo to Sen. Cory Booker: Next time youre caught committing a politically embarrassing faux pas, man up and own it instead of offering ridiculous excuses. The New Jersey Democrat was one of several presidential wannabes who trekked to New Orleans last weekend for the lefty Netroots Nation conference, where he delivered a predictably overwrought speech. He also posed for photos, including one where he held a sign reading: From Palestine to Mexico. All the Walls Have Got to Go. The US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, which coined that slogan, was quick to post the picture on Twitter. Booker, for all his recent sharp left turn, fancies himself a supporter of Israel. So why did he happily pose with a sign denouncing Israels security wall, which has virtually ended terrorist attacks? He didnt have time to read the sign and didnt realize it had anything to do with Israel, said Bookers spokesman. Really? The word Palestine on the very top line wasnt a tipoff? This, when Bookers spokesman says the senator had no trouble noticing Mexico further down. But thats his story, and hes sticking to it while also stressing that he hopes for a day when there will be no need for security barriers in the State of Israel, which he now calls unfortunate but necessary to protect human lives. A little something for everyone: Thats Cory. Hunters Creek 7/28/18 at 0015 Hours. 200 Block of Voss Road. Possession of Controlled Substances, Concealing Identity and Active Warrants. Officers initiated a traffic stop after observing a traffic violation. Upon approaching the vehicle officers could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the passenger area of the car. A subsequent search located heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana and paraphrenia. A passenger was also found to have an outstand warrant for her arrest. Two subjects were arrested and booked in to the Harris County Jail. 7/31/18 at 1300 Hours. 10600 Block of Tarleton. Burglary of a Building. Victim reported that unknown persons had entered her garage and removed a scooter without her permission. No other items were missing other than the scooter. The stolen vehicle was entered into NCIC and detectives were notified and are following up on the investigation. Bunker Hill 07/29/2018 at 0045 Hours. 11000 Block of Monica. Concealing Identity/Possession of Paraphrenia, Possession of a Deadly Weapon-Firearm and Outstanding Arrest Warrants. Officer observed a traffic violation and initiated a traffic stop. The driver presented false information to the officer that resulted in an in-depth investigation that found the driver had outstanding arrest warrants, was in possession of drug paraphernalia and a firearm. The driver was placed under arrest and booked into the Harris County Jail. 7/30/18 at 0215 Hours. 200 Block of Gessner. Driving While Intoxicated. Officer initiated a traffic stop after observing a vehicle run a red light at Gessner and Memorial. Upon approaching the driver officer observed signs of intoxication. The driver was given sobriety tests which he failed. A check of his driving history showed that he had prior arrests for DWI. The 41-year-old male was placed under arrest and booked into the Harris County Jail. Piney Point 7/29/18 at 0800 Hours. 11110 Block of Wickwood. Felony Theft. A resident reported finding several mailboxes open in the morning and mail being on the ground. While investigating the incident, officers learned that Houston PD and been involved in a chase with suspects the prior night who had been caught stealing mail in Houston. The vehicle had gotten away but not before the license plate was captured by an automated license plate reader. HPD and MVPD detectives are currently working the case. 7/29/18 at 2315 Hours. 100 Block of Windemere. Public Intoxication. Residents reported a suspicious vehicle parked in the area. Upon arrival, officers located a heavily intoxicated male passed out inside of a parked car. The 25-year-old subject was arrested and booked into the MVPD Jail. 8/2/18 at 0215 Hours. 200 Block of Kinkaid School Road. Driving While Intoxicated. Officer observed a vehicle stopped in the roadway. Upon approaching the driver, officer observed signs of intoxication. After conducting an investigation, the driver was determined to be intoxicated. The 36-year-old female driver was placed under arrest and booked in to the Harris County Jail. Memorial Villages residents could see fewer traffic problems and better emergency response during disasters because their police department is now using drones. The Memorial Villages Police Department received two drones about six weeks ago as a donation from the MVPD Police Foundation. The aerial technology is helping to manage traffic, solve crimes and find missing persons. HARVEY FOOTAGE: Drone photos show hurricane's impact on Houston MVPD Chief Ray Schultz said he really started to see the value of drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, last year during Harvey when Police Officer and UAV Pilot Larry Boggus brought his personal drone to work. It was a huge asset for us because very quickly we were able to see the amount of houses that were damaged, Schultz said. We were also able to determine which roads were impassable, so we didnt send equipment down roads they couldnt get out of, which is important especially here in the villages [where] a lot of our streets are dead ends and cul-de-sacs. During the storm, Boggus drone was able to see which homes had towels hanging out front to alert first responders that the families inside needed assistance. It also helped with surveying damage at the flooded wastewater treatment plant. But Schultz said the biggest benefit came after the flooding receded, when traffic through the villages sharply increased as Houstonians tried to navigate the city around many bridge and road closures. We had 100,000 cars a day coming through the villages, so we had the drone up almost every day looking for where our bottlenecks were, he said. Schultz said using the drone, the department could quickly see where broken down cars were, alert tow trucks and tell the tow drivers the best way to get there. MVPD and Boggus entered into an agreement about six months ago for him to work using his drone, Schultz said. Boggus is the departments first UAV pilot, But Schultz said other officers are interested, and some have been investing in their own personal drones to learn. The department hosted a sUAS (small unmanned aircraft system) symposium for about 30 first responders July 30-31 at the Boy Scouts facility located at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. First responders from the Bellaire, Pearland, Freeport, METRO and Memorial Villages police departments; the Alvin, Austin, Bryan and Houston fire departments; and Texas Search & Rescue and CrowdSource Rescue attended. The training event allowed the attendees to fly some drones and learn about FAA rules and permitting. They also got to learn from one another. The department hosted the training to get all the agencies together to share information as everyone is developing policies, so it makes more sense to all be talking together because all the policies are similar, Schultz said. The drones can fly up to 400 feet per Federal Aviation Administration regulations and travel quickly. Within a couple of minutes, one drone at the event was 256 feet up in the air and 889 feet away. The department has a patrol vehicle that is specially outfitted for the drones and equipped with a large television screen in the back to see what they drone is seeing. Boggus said he has not heard much opposition from residents since the department started using drones, perhaps because many see the benefits the technology offers. There hasnt been [much] because I started off during Harvey showing footage, showing water levels and doing search and rescue a whole lot. I was buzzing rooftops with someone over my shoulder radioing in what we were seeing, Boggus said. He said he tries to take the drones out into the community to show people and to dispel the negative rap the devices tend to get because of privacy concerns. I go to lemonade stands and show the technology, so they get to see the practical uses of it, that were not using it to spy in the backyard or look at someones wife or whatever or follow people around, Boggus said. Every time a department drone is used, Schultz said it is well documented, listing where the drone went and why it was deployed. He said so far, the department has deployed the drones about half a dozen times and that one was used about six weeks ago to inspect what was going on at a potential active shooter situation at Bunker Hill Elementary. As we were trying to determine if that was real or not, we would launch a drone very quickly and start doing assessments to see, Do we have something? So as officers are starting to search, we can do a very quick 360 search from overhead, Schultz said. It improved our response time and allows you to do assessments. He also mentioned how recently a drone was used to look for a suspect in an attempted robbery at Memorial City Mall. The suspect ran into the villages on foot, and Schultz said a Houston Police helicopter searched up high while the drone searched from a lower vantage point. Schultz said the suspect got away because someone gave him a ride out of the area. He said drones add to the effectiveness of the department because they provide some of the benefits of having a helicopter without the huge price tag. It provides an aerial platform for the officers to assist them. Its everything from checking a large property on an alarm to being able to look for a lost or missing person or an animal, he said. It basically does everything a helicopter or an airplane can do but at a fraction of the cost. Whats nice is that it can be deployed at the site where its needed, so you dont have large travel costs. tracy.maness@hcnonline.com Bellaire-area parents and students learned about good practices and tips to stay safe online July 26 at the Safety Series at the Park. The second event of the series at Evelyns Park was presented by Crime Stoppers of Houston and focused on cyber safety. Parents and their children divided up and heard from two speakers who discussed topics ranging from social media to the permanece and lasting effects of what people say online. Michelle Sacks, Crime Stoppers Safe Schools Institute director, told the parents that cyber safety is very important and that educating people about the subject makes up 50 to 70 percent of what Crime Stoppers does. We dont want our kids to become victims of crime. Secondarily, were also trying to keep them out of trouble, Sacks said. At the end of the day, we want these kids to make better informed decisions and stay safe. She said children should be careful what they do online because they can be charged with a crime and arrested beginning at 10 years old. Even if the law is not involved, she said schools can use their codes of conduct to suspend or expel students for their behaviors online. Two main things people have to remember, Sacks said, are that internet is a space shared by others, from young children to criminals, and that nothing on the internet is ever really private. Theres no such thing as internet privacy. So even if you have each of your accounts on lockdown, everything is private and you send things privately through, lets say, Snapchat, and you think it just disappears in three seconds, thats also all false because it just takes one person to screenshot or show someone else something you posted, Sacks said. Sacks said if parents follow none of her other advice, they should turn off location services on devices when it comes to social media, games and cameras because anybody can use the feature to see their childrens whereabouts at any given moment. You can see exactly where your kids are, and everyone else can see them, too. Thats really dangerous, she said. Sacks went through a number of apps that each could make children and students vulnerable. On Snapchat, for instance, they earn points, called streaks, for keeping up with their friends on a daily basis. Sacks cautioned parents that when they go out of town without cell service or take away their phones, the students are most likely making themselves handing over their passwords to their buddies. They share their passwords with their friends because they dont want to lose these streaks, and that can be dangerous because at the end of the day, they are going to be legally responsible for what happens on their accounts and their phones, Sacks said. She suggested not asking if their children are sharing their passwords but with whom. Sacks said child predators and traffickers will often engage children through private messaging, so parents should have privacy settings at the highest levels and closely monitor who their children are talking to. Parents can use resources like www.commonsensemedia.org, which Sacks said gives helpful and specific information about the content and age-appropriateness of social media, movies, books and games. Sacks said parents should start an ongoing conversation with their students about their online activities and that she likes to bring up the discussion in the car because at that point, they are a captive audience. She encouraged parents to report any criminal activity through the Crime Stoppers tip line at 713-222-TIPS because if you just ignore it and you block these people, they will move on to someone elses kid. Crime Stoppers Community Education Specialist Sydney Zuiker spoke to the students at the event. She urged them to be careful who they talk to online just like they would out in real life. People dont always tell the truth about who they are and what their purpose is in talking to students. Weve told little kids stranger danger for decades, but oftentimes students forget that simple phrase also applies online, Zuiker said. Its important for students to keep their personal information private and never put themselves in a situation that would allow someone to harm them in any way. Zuiker said students should also think before they post because their online choices could have lasting impacts on their lives. We would hate to see students hinder their future opportunities by posting hurtful, inappropriate or distasteful things of themselves or others, Zuiker said. By reminding them that what they post now in their teenage or preteen years really can affect their current and future lives, we hope to keep them out of trouble, keep them safe and keep them on the track to success. The Safety Series at the Park will continue 6-7 p.m., Thurs. Sept. 13, with a session on human trafficking and wrap up 6-7 p.m., Thurs. Oct. 11, with a session on everyday safety and crime trends. All events take place at Evelyns Park at 4400 Bellaire. For more information about how to keep your children safe online, visit http://crime-stoppers.org/get-informed/resource-center/cyber-safety/. tracy.maness@hcnonline.com Rotarians enjoyed a very sociable month in July, entertaining governors and donors and all in between. New Rotary District 5910 Governor John Hathaway, a member of the Rotary Club of The Woodlands, has begun his governor visits close to home. Last week he visited the RC of Lake Conroe for an evening meeting at Ransoms Steak House in Montgomery. John has been a Rotarian for more than 22 years and has perfect attendance. He has hosted several exchange students and looks forward to meeting the new group of inbound students who will be arriving soon. John is bringing the message of The 3 Peas in a Pod to the clubs this year Participation, Peace and Polio (Rotarys End Polio Now Initiative). John has challenged the district clubs to make a combined contribution of 167,000.00 to the Polio Eradication Campaign, and has agreed to shave off his beard if we make it Hubba! The Rotary Club of Conroe hosted an evening social at Pacific Yard House last Tuesday and a great time was had by all. In addition to the attending spouses, several Rotarians brought other family members Jim Wiggins and his wife Sylvia were joined by their grandkids, Chris Sadler brought his younger brother Josh Sadler, and my brother Tommy Nordstrom was in from the bustling metropolis of Broadus, Texas and joined us too. In one of those small world moments chatting with club member club member Derrick McCarley, Tommy learned that Derricks family is from Zavala (down the road from Broadus) and that they have some common ties. Yes, small world. Such a lovely evening of Rotary fellowship! Earlier in the month, my hubby Michael and I were honored to host the long awaited Jamaican Dinner we auctioned at RCCs Spirits of Texas fundraiser last year. Club member Yolande Edwards is a proud Jamaican and a fabulous cook, so she did all the heavy lifting (cooking), with an able assist from her Mom and best friend, both visiting from Jamaica at the time. The dinner was purchased by club President Elect Denny Buckalew and his lovely wife Melanie, so they, along with six friends, were our guests for the evening. From the rum tasting to the Jamaican fruit cake dessert, it was an evening of fun and laughter. And by the way, that fruit cake is actually a dense chocolate cherry dream, doused in rum YUM! South of the river, The RC of The Woodlands continues to host their RAH Rotary After Hours Satellite Club on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 5 to 6:30 pm. This is a very social happy hour club designed for professionals that may not be able to attend the weekly Rotarian luncheon meeting on Thursdays due to work schedules, commute times, etc. Ideal members are community professionals that are highly motivated to be service oriented in giving back to the community with Rotary Club of The Woodlands. For more information on the club, check the clubs website for contact information. RCW is having great success with this meeting format. Our congrats to local Rotarians celebrating more than 20 years of Rotary membership from the Conroe Club, Jim Cheatham, 39 fabulous years (wow!) and from The Woodlands, Kevin Brady - 32 years, Scott Wolford - 27 years and Sheila Dowell - 21 years. To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, or text 713 825-0141. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org. Multi-agency investigations have led to the arrest of two men for allegedly possessing child pornography. Newton Wesley Shows, 58, of Conroe and Conor James Crabtree, 24, of Magnolia, were arrested by different agencies on Aug. 3 as search warrants were served at their residences. Both remain in the Montgomery County Jail on a $150,000 bond for five counts of possession of child pornography each. SPRING: Man charged with robbing two Walgreens pharmacies of meds According to Conroe Police Sgt. Scott McCann, the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators served a search warrant at Shows' home on Lakeway Street in Conroe. Shows previously lived in Harris County where he was suspected of possessing, downloading and viewing child pornography, McCann said. He moved to Conroe before investigators with the Houston Police Department serving a search warrant in Harris County. In Conroe, investigators allegedly found at least five images of child pornography at Shows residence. The Conroe Police Department along with the Montgomery County Precinct 1 and Precinct 2 Constables Offices, HPD, Homeland Security Investigations, the Panorama Police Department, the Fort Bend County and Montgomery County District Attorneys Offices and the Texas Department of Public Safety worked together on this case. Montgomery County Hospital District EMS also assisted by providing an EMS crew. Additionally, Montgomery County Constable Precinct 5 investigators along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at Crabtree's home in Magnolia, located at 3200 block of Autumn Forest Court in the Lake Windcrest Subdivision. A search of the home resulted in finding images of child pornography and Crabtree was arrested and charged with five counts of possession of child pornography - a third-degree felony in Texas, Precinct 5 Chief Chris Jones said. The Precinct 5 Constables Office is part of a countywide task force targeting internet crimes against children (ICAC) and will continue to locate and apprehend those that choose to harm innocent children in and around the community. These two arrests come on the heels of a Montgomery County Sheriffs Office arrest of a 19-year-old man accused of having sex with an underage girl in a park-and-ride lot near The Woodlands. MCSO deputies were patrolling in the Woodlands Express park-and-ride lot in the 700 block of Westridge Road when they spotted 19-year-old Nicholas Hamauei, of Houston, and a 14-year-old girl allegedly having sex inside a parked car on July 31. Hamauei started to drive away, but was caught a short time later, deputies said. He was charged with second-degree felony sexual assault of a child. He has since bonded out of jail. To provide information about someone engaging in crimes against children, contact the Montgomery County Precinct 5 Constables Office at 281-259-6493 or Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-392-STOP (7867). jennifer.summer@hcnonline.com A night of drinking ended in an arrest and a couple of felony charges for a Texas woman early Saturday morning. The Odessa Police Department responded to a call about 1 a.m. Saturday after a woman told a dispatcher she had stabbed her husband. Perhaps the biggest showstopper at the weekends Hunters Extravaganza was the team from Gator Country Adventure Park in Beaumont. Wearing a Quick hands or no hands shirt, owner Gary Saurage wrangled a live, eight-foot American alligator and showed off a variety of rattlesnakes and other animals. If you get bit by this, you better find God, Saurage said, while holding a canebrake rattlesnake. Nearly 20,000 people attended the 42nd annual event in Houston with exhibitors touting everything from dove hunting in Texas to big-game elephant hunting on South African safaris. Guns were not sold at the Texas Trophy Hunters Association event at the NRG Center, so it was all about the seemingly countless accessories and technological advances used by hunters, from laser sights and range-finding binoculars to bigger equipment like hunting blinds and all-terrain vehicles. These are all designed to help the hunter without removing the actual challenge of the hunt there were no sales of equipment for remote-controlled or computer-assisted hunting, which is illegal in Texas and most other states. Texas Trophy Hunters Association spokeswoman Lauren Conklin emphasized that the organization and its events arent really about big-game hunting; theyre much more focused on ethical hunting practices in Texas and in attracting the next generation of young hunters. Its becoming more family friendly, she said. This is about conservation and tradition and learning to live off of the land. Its not just about the trophy. And indeed there were plenty of child-friendly activities like kid-sized bull riding and catch-and-release fishing games with live catfish. Everything is sold from hundreds of varieties of venison and beef jerky to merchandise like T-shirts reading, I pray. I stand. I hunt. featuring pictures, respectively, of a cross, an American flag and a buck. Maybe the biggest showstopper was the team from Gator Country Adventure Park in Beaumont. Wearing a Quick hands or no hands shirt, owner Gary Saurage wrangled a live, eight-foot American alligator and showed off a variety of rattlesnakes and other animals. If you get bit by this, you better find God, Saurage said, while holding a canebrake rattlesnake. Of course, the event is really about the hunting though. Texas-based Convergent Hunting Solutions touted Nikon-manufactured LaserForce range-funder binoculars that help people see their hunt while simultaneously getting a digital reading of the exact distance. The binoculars sell for at least $1,000. Swedish company Aimpoint advertised its new Micro S-1 laser-sight shotgun mount that puts a large red target dot on a deer or another animal from at least 200 yards away. The battery life lasts for five years if continually left on. The equipment is used by hunters, law enforcement and military. Aimpoint marketing manager Dory Schoby said its all about killing an animal with a single shot or if a second shot is needed putting it down as quickly and mercifully as possible. Its the most ethical thing to be able to shoot accurately and quickly in those situations, Schoby said. Arguably the most pure form of hunting was touted by the family-run Raised at Full Draw bow-hunting organization. The group was qualifying potential finalists for a competition with a $10,000 prize in September at the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum in Springfield, Missouri. More qualifying will occur at the upcoming Hunters Extravaganza events in Fort Worth and San Antonio. Raised at Full Draws Amy Perryman, her husband, Jason, and their four daughters are all avid bow hunters. Amy Perryman said Jason even hunts bear with his bow, but she hasnt yet worked up the nerve to take that risk. Shell stick with deer for now. I like bow hunting because the animals are so much closer. Its more personal when the deer is just 20 or 30 yards away, she said. Its rewarding in that sense. It makes the experience a little more intimate. And then there were the more hotly debated big-game safari hunting trips in Africa. Intrepid Safaris promoted everything from safaris featuring buffalo to elephants.. One company representtive argued that a challenging buffalo hunt on a massive, 15,000-acre ranch in South Africa is more ethical than killing deer on a small, enclosed site with feeders drawing them straight to hunters.The official, however, declined a formal interview. By coincidence, the Extravaganza showcase was next to the separate Jurassic Quest animatronics dinosaur exhibit at the NRG Center, theoretically offering the ultimate in big-game hunting with a wink and a nod. Brothers Wyatt, 10, and Bennett Wuertz, 8, of Houston said if they could theyd want to hunt the massive spinosaurus, debatably the largest-known carnivorous dinosaur. Taking down the biggest dinosaur would be amazing, Wyatt said. jordan.blum@chron.com twitter.com/jdblum23 After Hurricane Harvey, the "for sale" signs in people's yards didn't tout the pool or the school districts. The biggest selling-point was in bold, capital letters: DID NOT FLOOD. Potential home buyers in the Houston-area are paying closer attention to flood zones after Harvey dumped more than 51 inches of rain on the city last year, destroying homes and businesses and causing about $150 billion to $180 billion in damage. A tool from Federal Emergency Management Agency may help residents find low-risk housing options. A gas station in North Houston received the highest fine between May and July for allegedly selling alcohol to minors, according to publicly available data from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). Love's Travel Stop #419 at 210 Patton St. was fined $6,600, the most out of the 22 Houston-area businesses cited by TABC, according to the data. When Atascocita-area teens wanted to buy alcohol and not worry about getting carded, they knew exactly where to go, they told law enforcement investigators: They'd head for the Humble Handi Stop on FM 1960, especially if Gumaro Munoz Campos known as "Romeo" was behind the counter. The teens told authorities about the store after a July 25 drunk-driving crash that killed two Atascocita High School students, said officials from the Harris County District Attorney's Office and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, who held a press conference Monday to discuss charges against Campos. Campos, 29, was charged Sunday with one count of sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor, a misdemeanor. The TABC will issue an administrative case against the store for the sale of alcohol to a minor, said Lt. Oliver Johnson with the agency's Houston office. Campos is accused of selling four bottles of MD 20/20 to 17-year-old Jaggar Clayton Smith at the convenience store, at FM 1960 East at Pinehurst Trail, without checking for identification, according to court documents. About an hour later, investigators determined, Smith lost control of his car and hit a tree on Timber Forest Drive, a crash that split his Nissan Altima in half and killed both of his passengers, 16-year-old Salma Gomez and Chloe Robison. Smith faces two counts of intoxication manslaughter, and could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted on both charges. The convenience store is about 2.8 miles away from the crash site. If convicted, Campos could face up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000, and his license suspended for up to 180 days. ADDING UP: Here's how many drunken-driving crashes occurred in each Houston-area suburb in 2017 The store has been cited once before for selling alcohol to a minor. The Humble Handi Stop faced a fine in 2012 for violating the law, according to records kept by the TABC. Store owners paid a $2,400 fine for selling or serving an alcoholic beverage to a minor, the records show. At that time, the store also had its license to sell alcohol suspended for eight days, Johnson said. The TABC has conducted five minor stings at the store since the 2012 incident and found no violations, Johnson said. An employee at the store declined to comment on Monday, saying they were not answering any questions about the incident. MISSING: Have you seen this Baytown police officer? Investigators started asking witnesses the night of the crash about where Smith obtained alcohol, Sean Teare with the Harris County District Attorney's vehicular crime division said Monday Several friends of Smith, Gomez and Robison told investigators that the store, and specifically Campos, were the go-to source for buying alcohol without getting carded, he said. "Every single one of these kids we talked to, they knew he was the guy you go to," Teare said. "Over a number of years, this was the place where Atascocita High School children and Kingwood High School children obtained alcohol - not just this night, but a lot of nights, from this defendant." Campos had one prior charge in Harris County, although it was dismissed in 2017. Investigators said that Campos had five eight-liners at a gas station game room, according to court records. Campos might not be the only party held responsible. Teare said Monday that authorities will continue to probe the case, going "up the chain" to see who else might be culpable. "We are announcing this arrest - we are not announcing that this case is over with," he said. "Investigation will continue in this case." Texas leads the nation in lives lost to drunken driving crashes, with 1,438 drunken-driving related fatalities in 2016. That same year, Houston led the state with 89 fatal DUI crashes, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The arrest is the latest in a series of similar prosecutions meant to crack down on establishments that flout state liquor laws or serve alcohol to teens or impaired patrons. After a drunken driving crash in February that claimed the life of a 36-year-old Clear Lake woman and her infant son, prosecutors arrested three people - including a Clear Lake bartender - and charged them with crimes ranging from criminal negligence, failing to check IDs, knowingly purchasing and providing alcohol to a minor and lying to a grand jury. "We've always gone after the driver," Harris County DA Kim Ogg said in April, "but we think communities want more. This is extraordinary and (the defendants) are going to face serious criminal penalty." COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Fundraiser nets $1,200 for families of Salma Gomez, Chloe Robinson In June, prosecutors filed a civil lawsuit to shut down a Houston bar Ogg labeled a "crime factory" because of repeated criminal behavior linked to over-serving alcohol to customers. The establishment, Bombshells, along the Gulf Freeway, closed briefly, and was allowed to reopen only after agreeing to a joint temporary restraining order that requires the bar to employ off-duty police officers and keeping a computerized tally of drinks consumed by customers, among other restrictions. A civil trial is set for next year that could force permanent closure of the business. The most recent case, with Campos and the Handi Stop, is the latest example of the DA's attempt to "go to the source of these terrible crimes," Teare said. The size of the problem calls for an "outside the box solution," he said. "And that's what we're doing: We're going up the chain on every one of these crashes, from here on out." twitter.com/stjbs samantha.ketterer@chron.com alyson.ward@chron.com twitter.com/alysonward See the classic horror film Carrie in the South Bay building where it was partially filmed Arkema attorney Rusty Hardin said Monday the French national company stands "totally behind" two executives indicted last week for the "reckless" release of toxic chemicals during Hurricane Harvey last August. Those two individuals, CEO Richard Rowe and plant manager Leslie Comardelle, on Monday had their initial appearance in Harris County District Court, where bail was set at $20,000 each. EARLY WARNING: Arkema officials told of flood risks a year before Both individuals will continue working for the company despite the charges, and Arkema is paying their legal fees. The company also was indicted by a grand jury Friday. Monday's proceedings focused solely on the two executives, however. The next court hearing is set for Oct. 22. The Harris County District Attorney's Office on Friday said said the company, Rowe and Comardelle put residents and first responders at risk when the Crosby plant caught fire as Harvey dumped record rainfall on the Houston area. And the grand jury charged Arkema, Rowe and Comardelle with reckless emission of an air contaminant under the Texas Water Code. The charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison for the individuals and a fine of up to $1 million for the corporation. "This is the most outrageous, dumbest, wrong, unfair indictment I've ever encountered in my 43 years of dealing with the criminal justice system," Hardin said, adding that he's "comfortable" that a jury will find the two executives not guilty. HURRICANE HARVEY: A closer look at Houston's biblical floods, only on HoustonChronicle.com The last time a chemical company faced criminal charges for a major incident in Texas was 2005, when an explosion at BP's Texas City refinery killed 15 workers and injured almost 200. BP paid $50 million in fines for the incident, but no one from the company served prison time. Hardin called the charges against Rowe, Comardelle and the company "tremendously unfortunate," especially because Arkema had a hurricane preparedness plan. "No one anywhere in Houston anticipated a storm like this," he added. "This is an indictment that charges the victim, just like everyone else in the community, and I've never seen the victim of a national catastrophe charged with a crime." But federal documents showed Arkema wasn't even prepared for a much smaller flood, despite being partially in a flood plain. The company's emergency plan provided little direction to employees on how to handle major floods, and as a result, it couldn't keep combustible organic peroxides cool. Its main power transformers and backup generators were not high enough off the ground. Neither was its backup liquid nitrogen cooling system. And Arkema's last line of defense failed when water inundated the fuel tanks that power freezer trucks. Over the next week, nine trailers of organic peroxides erupted in flames, sending pillars of fire and thick plumes of black smoke into the air. More than six first-responders were sickened, according to civil suits filed against the company. A federal Chemical Safety Board investigation said Arkema was warned of flood risks a year before Harvey hit by its insurer at the time. Hardin expects the trial to take place early next year. Rowe became the CEO of Arkema's North America division in 2015. He's worked with the company for the last 16 years. Tim Johnson, Rowe's attorney, said Monday that suggesting anybody was reckless during this historic flooding event "is just ridiculous." And Paul Nugent, Comardelle's lawyer, said his client is innocent and that no one committed a crime during this "natural disaster of historic proportions." Comardelle has worked for Arkema more than 25 years. He was part of the ride-out crew that tried to prevent the release. "At the end of the day [Comardelle is a hero, we've indicted a hero for a felony," Hardin said. Rowe "was in Philly running the company, and he can't even get into Houston to try to help until like that Friday or so." Alex Stuckey writes about science and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey. Danish prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into Danske Bank, acting on multiple complaints that the Estonian unit of the country's biggest bank was used to funnel billions of kroner of dirty money. The economic crime unit's probe is "aimed at building a criminal case against Danske Bank for violating money laundering laws," State Prosecutor Morten Niels Jakobsen said in a statement. The decision by the Danish State Prosecutor for Serious Economic and International Crime (SOIK) follows in the footsteps of a similar investigation launched in Estonia last week. The probes come after Bill Browder, co-founder and chief executive officer of Hermitage Capital, filed a criminal complaint in July alleging that Danske was guilty of "gross negligence and money laundering and related offenses." According to Browder, Danske became a hub for financial crime from 2007 to 2015, as more than $8 billion in illicit funds from Russia, Moldova and Azerbaijan were funneled through its Estonian operations and into Europe. The case takes its starting point in $230 million that Browder says can be traced back to transactions linked to the death of his lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky. He says the full amount laundered through the bank may exceed $9 billion. Commenting on the deepening of Danske's legal jeopardy, Browder said it was "shameful" that the lender had not suffered any consequences so far. Danish prosecutors said in their statement that they had been following "the case very closely" for a long period "due to the very serious nature and scope of the case." They confirmed they had received several criminal complaints against Danske and vowed to "turn every stone in this case." The state prosecutor said it was too early to say if the investigation would result in charges. Danish anti-money laundering legislation allows for financial penalties tied to the number of suspicious transactions, meaning fines may "significantly exceed profits," prosecutors said. With the case having spooked investors, Danske Chief Executive Officer Thomas Borgen has apologized publicly for Danske's failure to act sooner to put an end to the laundering. Borgen said in June that he and the board had discussed whether he should step down, but that it was decided his experience was needed to steer the bank. Danske said it would be assisting prosecutors in their investigation. "We have a good and constructive dialog on an ongoing basis with the authorities, and we will be at the service of SOIK if it needs further clarification on specific matters," Flemming Pristed, Danske's general counsel, said in a statement. Danske Bank said last month it will donate the gross income from suspicious transactions in its Estonian non-resident portfolio (roughly 1.5 billion kroner, or $233 million) to support social programs, including combating financial crime. The lender agreed in December to pay a $2 million fine after prosecutors charged the bank with breaching rules requiring monitoring of transactions with correspondent banks. In May, Denmark's financial supervisor raised Danske's capital requirements by 5 billion kroner as part of a scathing report on the bank's multiple failures to halt the laundering. Business Minister Rasmus Jarlov welcomed the probe and said the government would "tighten anti-money laundering even more" later this year. For 18 years, the International Space Station, the orbiting zenith of global scientific cooperation, has hosted a continuous human presence and thousands of science experiments in its microgravity environment. But the $100 billion laboratory won't last forever and President Donald Trump's proposal to withdraw federal funding in 2025 has jolted a discussion about its future. The idea of ending the U.S. taxpayer's role-the station costs more than $3 billion annually in a partnership with Russia, Europe, Canada and Japan-has stirred congressional opposition. It also raises a perplexing question: Who might run the place if the U.S. government doesn't? The Trump administration is betting on private enterprise to take over, freeing up billions to spend on a Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, a planned outpost designed to return U.S. astronauts to the moon in the 2020s and to Mars the following decade. "I do believe there's an opportunity for a commercial consortium to manage it and I believe that if we can make that transition then the money that we're currently spending on the ISS can go toward the Gateway and get us to the surface of the moon," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said last month in an interview with Bloomberg News. In his budget request, Trump also sought $150 million from Congress to promote new commercial developments in space. This plan has an array of doubters, who don't see low earth orbit as commercially viable by 2025. NASA's Inspector General, Paul Martin, is one such skeptic. "We question whether a sufficient business case exists under which private companies will be able to develop a self-sustaining and profit-making business independent of significant federal funding within the next six years," Martin wrote in a July 30 report about the station's management, reiterating comments he made before Congress in May. NASA will confront "significant challenges" in trying to get companies interested in taking over an "extremely costly and complex enterprise," especially as it creeps toward its planned retirement in 2028, the Inspector General said. Bridenstine rebutted the naysayers. "That's seven years [away], and there's a lot of time for development between now and then," he said. Trump's proposal has also catalyzed conversations in Washington about when the platform should be shut down. In 2014, Congress voted to extend ISS operations until September 2024, giving the lab an additional four years beyond its initial closing date. For Trump and Bridenstine, the issue is money-every dollar the ISS gets after 2024 is a dollar that NASA won't have for its Martian ambitions, absent dramatic new funds from Congress. Yet the space station remains critical for NASA's eventual missions to Mars, hosting research into the human health risks and technology needed for future deep space exploration missions. The agency has conceded that it won't finish all of its planned research by the end of 2024. Some lawmakers are angling for another extension given that the station's primary contractor, Boeing Co., has certified the platform as operationally sound until at least 2028. On July 26, three Senators-Texas Republican Ted Cruz and Democrats Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Bill Nelson of Florida-introduced a bill to keep the ISS operating until 2030. "It would be foolish to waste that investment, to cut it short, to invent an arbitrary deadline like 2025 and say, 'Never mind that we had additional good, productive use out of it,'" Cruz said this summer at a hearing he convened on the station's future. International partners contribute 23 percent of the ISS's annual operating cost. Of that, operations and maintenance total about $1.1 billion. Boeing, for its part, says it has shaved 30 percent off the operations bill since 2008. The company has a $1.2 billion contract for ISS work through September 2020. "You can save $100 million here or $100 million there but it's not dramatic," said Michael Suffredini, a former NASA engineer who managed the space station for 13 years. "It's the transportation cost" to and from the ISS that accounts for most of its expense. One of the critical unanswered questions is among those NASA itself posed in a March 2018 report about how to "transition" the space station to a commercial future: Will industry be able to create "self-sustaining business cases" to operate in low-earth orbit? Probably not. "We don't lack capacity for commercial opportunities with the ISS, but the likelihood that those opportunities can fund the entire ISS by 2025 is very low," Jim Chilton, senior vice president of Boeing's space and launch division, testified in June at a Senate subcommittee hearing on the ISS. If a company were to step forward and assume the role of ISS landlord, Boeing would be among the leading contenders given its long history and intimate knowledge of the space station. "We continue to look at all the options and what makes sense" given NASA's plans to transition the ISS to a commercial future, Boeing spokesman Steven Siceloff said. "We're also working on the utilization side of the ISS to understand and foster the commercial market." Even if NASA found a commercial partner, a robust financial infusion from the government would almost certainly be required to make the station viable. "And if you have that [guarantee] how do you not eliminate and elbow out private investments" in other projects aimed at creating a truly commercial space market, asked Jeff Manber, chief executive of NanoRacks LLC, which offers hardware and services for conducting research aboard the space station. "They need to make sure they set criteria in place so this subsidized entity does not end up being able to take business away from the truly commercial guys in the future," said Suffredini, founder and CEO of Axiom Space, which wants to be one of those guys with its plans for a private space station and luxury resort. The space station is already a unique research-and-development environment for a variety of companies. A Massachusetts-based biotech startup called Angiex Inc. plans to begin researching its vascular-targeted cancer therapy on the ISS this summer. Delta Faucet Co. plans to start testing water flows and droplet formation in microgravity this November aboard the space station with the hope of reducing water consumption while still providing a satisfying shower. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Procter & Gamble Co., and Merck & Co., have all used the station for research, including Merck's use of microgravity last year to investigate new manufacturing techniques for its cancer drug Keytruda. Such companies need stability and a firm time frame before they're ready to commit to using the station for research, Cynthia Bouthot, director of commercial innovation and sponsored programs for CASIS, which runs the laboratory, said at the June hearing. "They're not looking at a one-shot deal, they're looking at a research roadmap, especially when we're talking about our pharmaceutical companies that are doing work," she said. Regardless of the space station's eventual fate, those at NASA, Congress and private industry are in near-unanimous agreement that the United States needs a continued research platform in low-earth orbit. Says Suffredini: "We don't want to lose ISS before there's a replacement available of some sort, commercial or otherwise." --With assistance from Bloomberg's Eric Roston . Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On August 5, Geely Auto announced the opening of 149 new 4S dealerships in Jiangxi Province. At the same time, the automaker said that the all-new compact sedan Geely Binrui, which will officially hit the market at the end of August, is priced between RMB 90,800 and RMB 118,800 for presale. Geely Auto has invested a total of RMB 1 billion in the development of 149 new dealerships. Reportedly, the newly-established 4S shops will introduce the brand new visual image for their sales channels and to fully upgrade the 4S shop's facilities in compliance with the sales channel and service standards of the Geely's 3.0 Era. Dealers' confidence in such great amount of investments has been backed not only by Geely Auto's blooming development momentum, but also by the profitability elevation for the automaker's dealers. It is reported that each Geely's 4S shop delivered 1,314 vehicles in average throughout 2017. Besides, 95% of dealerships achieved balance of payments or positive gains. Geely Auto has attained constant sales growth year by year, which is why plentiful dealers choose to partner with Geely Auto. In the first half of this year, the automaker saw its cumulative sales surge 44% year on year to 766,630 units, completing 49% of its 1,580,000-unit sales goal. According to the profit forecast released before, Geely might obtain a year-on-year jump of 50% in its net profits for the first six months. It is noteworthy that Geely Auto's dealers (including NEV dealers) have amounted to 965 nationwide by the end of July, according to relevant data. Particularly, 125 dealers had focused on joint venture brands before they cooperated with Geely Auto. Reportedly, Geely Auto aims to expand its sales channels to over 1,200 dealerships countrywide by 2020, with the capacity to sell 2 million vehicles and serve 7 million vehicles per year. Airtel and Telecom Egypt announced a strategic partnership, wherein, Airtel will get IRUs (Indefeasible Right of Use) on Middle East North Africa Submarine Cable (MENA Cable) and TE North Cable Systems. In addition, Airtel will also take large capacities on a long-term basis on two new state-of-the-art Cable Systems (SMW5 & AAE1). The transactions aim to be concluded after the fulfillment of all conditions precedents. The partnership grants Airtel the right to use fiber pairs of MENA Cable from Egypt to India with access to Saudi Arabia and Oman, and other fiber pairs from Egypt towards Italy. It also extends beyond MENA Cable, where Airtel will get the right to use a fiber pair from Egypt to France on TE North along with capacities on SMW5 and AAE1 cable systems. With this, Airtel will be able to further diversify its global network to serve the massive growth in demand for data services, particularly in emerging markets across South Asia, Africa and Middle East, while also benefitting from the favorable economics of Telecom Egypts existing wide cable systems network. Ajay Chitkara, Director and CEO Airtel Business said, The partnership with Telecom Egypt underlines our commitment to provide world-class service experience to our customers. The partnership including MENA Cable and TEs network will be a good addition to our global network portfolio and provide us with a high quality and diversified new route to Western Europe and the rest of the world. With the explosion of data usage in emerging markets, including India and Africa, this asset will provide us a scalable and diverse high capacity highway to serve our customers. In particular, it will provide impetus to Indias emergence as a major regional internet hub serving customers across SAARC region, with seamless global connectivity. Ahmed El Beheiry, Chief Executive Officer of Telecom Egypt commented, Telecom Egypts global network was built over the years through investments in consortiums as well as private international submarine cable systems. Our reach and position as an international hub with tens of Tbps lit capacity, makes us the partner of choice for Euro-Asian and Euro-African transit traffic. Telecom Egypt signed the agreement with OTMT to acquire MENA Cable with the aim of capitalizing on the growing traffic from India and Saudi Arabia to Europe and to obtain a new gateway to Europe through Italy. We are pleased to be able to sign the MoU with Airtel as well as to be able to bundle MENAs assets with existing assets of the TE network. We aim to come back to the market with more details on the MoU and its financial impact once the deal is closed. Egypts distinctive geographic location on the Red and Mediterranean seas has enabled Telecom Egypt to connect more than 11 cable systems from the East and 13 from the West linked with the Red-Med Corridor consisting of 7 diversified routes across Egypt. Telecom Egypts global network was built over the years through investments in international submarine cable systems, namely: TE North, ALETAR, SEA-ME-WE-3, SEA-ME-WE-4, SEA-ME-WE-5, IMEWE, EIG, and AAE-1. Airtels global network portfolio includes ownership of i2i submarine cable system connecting Chennai to Singapore, consortium ownership of SMW4 submarine cable system connecting Chennai and Mumbai to Singapore and Europe, and new cable system investments like Asia America Gateway (AAG), India Middle East & Western Europe (IMEWE), Unity, EIG (Europe India Gateway) and East Africa Submarine System (EASSy). It also has terrestrial express connectivity to neighboring countries including Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh and China. Technuter.com News Service RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - The storm started with a tweet by Canada's foreign minister last week expressing alarm at the recent arrest of a women's rights activist in Saudi Arabia who had relatives living in Canada, and calling for her release. On Monday, the Saudi government responded, with fury. The Canadian ambassador was ordered to leave within 24 hours, and the Saudi government halted trade and investment deals between the two countries. Saudi media reported that educational exchange programs would be suspended - affecting 12,000 Saudi students studying on state-sponsored scholarships in Canada. And Saudi Arabia's national airline said it was suspending flights to Canada, beginning on Aug. 13. It was hardly the first time the kingdom, an absolute monarchy, had been chided for human rights abuses, or even the first time Canada had criticized the Saudi government since it started arresting the female activists in May. But under Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's young crown prince, a kingdom once known for its go-slow approach to foreign affairs has frequently reacted to perceived challenges from abroad with haste, spit and fire, analysts said. Canada's criticism had highlighted Saudi Arabia's ongoing crackdown on perceived dissidents, including a group of prominent female activists who campaigned for the lifting of a driving ban on women and other rights. Prosecutors have accused some of the women of suspicious contact with unnamed foreign parties but kept silent on the reasons for other arrests. Human rights groups have speculated that the sweep is intended to send a message that the Saudi leadership will not tolerate any hint of political activism. A State Department official said Monday that the United States had "asked the Government of Saudi Arabia for additional information on the detention of several activists" and encouraged the Saudis to "respect due process and to publicize information on the status of legal cases," according to Reuters. In a statement early Monday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry described Canada's criticism of the arrests as "blatant interference in the Kingdom's domestic affairs, against basic international norms and all international protocols," and an "unacceptable affront to the Kingdom's laws and judicial process." The statement expressed particular anger at Canada's call for the release of the activists, calling it "reprehensible." Beyond the feud, the lightning escalation highlighted Saudi Arabia's increasingly assertive foreign policy under Crown Prince Mohammed. While he has won praise for shaking up the hidebound kingdom, trying to diversify its economy and easing some social restrictions, he has also helped entangle Saudi Arabia in foreign conflicts - including a civil war in Yemen and a feud with neighboring Qatar - that the kingdom has struggled to exit. In a strange episode in November, Saudi authorities detained Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri and forced him to resign his post. (He later reclaimed the position.) When Germany's foreign minister appeared to criticize the Hariri episode, Saudi Arabia summoned the German ambassador and complained of "shameful and unjustified remarks." Saudi Arabia has said its intervention in Yemen was necessary after a rebel group allied with Iran, Saudi Arabia's regional rival, ousted the Yemeni government. "It's becoming a pattern. Over the last three years, the leadership is becoming more unpredictable, more volatile," said Kristian Ulrichsen, a Middle East fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute. "It's injecting a lot of uncertainty at a time when they need people to enter Saudi Arabia and engage with it." But the Saudi decision to confront Canada was not without its logic, Ulrichsen added. "It sends a message to others who would think of criticizing Saudi policy, as several European countries have been doing over Yemen," he said. And it was "cost-free, in their analysis - l ess costly in terms of their political, strategic and economic relationships than taking a stand against the U.S. or the U.K., for example." Two more activists were arrested last week, according to Human Rights Watch. One of the women, Nassima al-Sadah, had run for local elections and campaigned for abolishing so-called guardianship laws, which require women to seek approval from a male relative to travel or to marry. The other, Samar Badawi, received the U.S. secretary of state's International Women of Courage Award and is the sister of dissident blogger Raif Badawi. Raif Badawi had been sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail in Saudi Arabia for "insulting Islam through electronic channels." His wife, Ensaf Haidar, and their three children became Canadian citizens on Canada Day last month and live in Quebec. Chrystia Freeland, Canada's foreign affairs minister, said in a tweet Aug. 2 that she was "very alarmed" to learn of Samar's arrest and that the government would "continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi." Three days later, the Canadian Embassy in Saudi Arabia posted the Foreign Ministry's statement calling for the release of the women's rights advocates on its Twitter account, in Arabic, ensuring it would be more widely read by Saudis. "That could have been what triggered this response and made it so visceral in nature," Ulrichsen said. In a statement on Monday, Freeland said, "Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, including women's rights, and freedom of expression around the world." Saudi Arabia is Canada's second-largest export market in the Persian Gulf region; Canadian exports to the kingdom exceeded $1.4 billion Canadian in 2017, according to Statistics Canada data. The overwhelming majority of the exports to Saudi Arabia are vehicles and equipment, which included a $11.5 billion deal to sell more than 900 light armored vehicles to the Saudis. That agreement, struck in 2014 by the Conservative government of then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper, was heavily criticized by civil rights groups, who said it was opaque and raised concerns that the weapons would be used to carry out human rights abuses. Justin Trudeau, Harper's successor, approved the deal in the spring of 2016 when his government began issuing export permits, arguing that he had little choice but to respect contracts signed by the previous government. Freeland said in February that her department's investigation into reports that Saudi Arabia was using Canadian-made arms to perpetrate human rights violations turned up "no conclusive evidence" to support those claims. At a news conference Monday in Vancouver, Freeland said that Canada's diplomats have asked "procedural questions" of their Saudi counterparts and are "waiting for answers on how Saudi Arabia intends to go forward with the relationship." She said her message to Saudi students is that they are welcome in Canada and that "it would be a shame if they were deprived of the opportunity." - - - Coletta reported from Ottawa. In less than a year, Saudi Arabia has curbed ties with two members of the Group of Seven nations as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman implements an increasingly assertive foreign policy. Saudi Arabia suspended diplomatic ties and new trade dealings with Canada on Sunday in response to Canada's call for the release of women's rights activists. In November, the kingdom recalled its ambassador to Germany and cut back commercial ties with some German companies after the then-foreign minister suggested the kingdom had orchestrated the surprise resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, a charge it denies. Under Prince Mohammed, King Salman's son and the power behind the throne, Saudi Arabia has reacted more aggressively against countries that it perceives as intervening in its internal affairs. The kingdom has also led a four-country coalition that severed ties with neighboring Qatar for more than a year. The move against Canada "seems intended to convey that Saudi Arabia's government will not yield to external pressure on what it views as national security issues, including how the government decides to limit the freedom of activists who have disagreed with the government in the past," said Emily Hawthorne, Middle East and North Africa analyst at Texas-based advisory firm Stratfor Enterprises. "I wouldn't classify this as an overly aggressive move, as it's largely symbolic, but I think it will definitely stoke uncertainty for investors, until we can gauge how long this chill will last," Hawthorne said. The Saudi Foreign Ministry cited remarks last week by Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland and the Canadian embassy in Riyadh criticizing the arrests of women's rights activists including Samar Badawi. Her brother Raif Badawi, a blogger who was critical of the government, was already in a Saudi jail. Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador to Ottawa and ordered the Canadian envoy to Riyadh to leave within 24 hours, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. Canada is "seeking greater clarity" about the matter, a spokeswoman for Freelandsaid. Saudi foreign policy began to change when King Salman succeeded his late brother Abdullah in 2015, and positioned his son, known as MBS, as the most powerful prince in the kingdom. Under previous leaders, the kingdom largely chose subtle diplomacy and relied mainly on its financial firepower to gain influence. Critics of that policy say the kingdom struggled to achieve its objectives. U.S.-Saudi ties, which had suffered under President Barack Obama, are also on the upswing under his successor Donald Trump, who shares the kingdom's antipathy toward Iran. "MBS is clearly taking a more nationalist and more aggressive foreign policy than previously," said Paul Sullivan, a Saudi specialist at Georgetown University in Washington. "Taking Canada and Germany to task could disrupt things for a bit, but my sense is this will blow over and at the moment this is an example of signal-sending by MBS." Canada and Germany are members of the G-7, a trading bloc that also includes France, Germany, Italy, the U.K. and the U.S. Canada is also a member of the Five Eyes, an intelligence alliance also comprising Australia, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S. The standoff pits a Saudi government that's slowly opening the door to women's rights against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, an outspoken champion of women's advancement, who named a gender-balanced cabinet shortly after his 2015 election. Just two months ago, Saudi women were given the right to drive, yet several of the country's most prominent women's rights activists -- including some who fought for years to drive -- were arrested earlier this year on national security grounds. "We are seriously concerned by these media reports and are seeking greater clarity on the recent statement from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Marie-Pier Baril, a spokeswoman for Freeland, said in an email. Saudi investments in Canada include G3 Global Holdings, a joint venture between Bunge and Saudi Agricultural & Livestock Investment Co., which purchased the former Canadian Wheat Board in 2015. Saudi Arabia has invested about $6 billion in Canadian businesses since 2006, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Tanks, armored vehicles and parts and motor vehicles accounted for about 45 percent of Canada's 2016 exports to the kingdom, while crude oil and copper ores made up about 98 percent of imports, according to a Canadian government report. Saudi Arabia supplies oil to the Irving refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick. So far this year, Canada has exported C$1.4 billion ($1.08 billion) in merchandise goods to Saudi Arabia and imported C$2 billion in imports, leaving it with a cumulative year-to-date trade deficit with the kingdom of about C$640 million, according to Statistics Canada data. "The Canadian government was only voicing a frustration that other Saudi allies privately feel with the Kingdom's reform process, but was unwise to do it in comparatively strident language," said Neil Partrick, a Saudi expert and editor of "Saudi Arabian Foreign Policy: Conflict & Cooperation." Because the Trudeau government isn't a significant ally, "MBS probably decided that Canada was, for the time being at least, expendable," he said. - - - Bloomberg's Stephen Wicary, Doug Alexander, Kevin Miller , Shikhar Balwani and Scott Deveau concluded. Xiaomi has announced that Holitech Technology, its key component supplier will start component manufacturing in India. Holitech Technology has signed an MoU with the state of Andhra Pradesh and will start local manufacturing in the city of Tirupati for Xiaomi. Holitech Technology would be investing nearly 200 million USD over three years in the country and would be the first manufacturer in India manufacturing Compact Camera Modules (CCM), Thin Film Transistor (TFT), Capacitive Touch Screen module (CTP), Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC), and fingerprint sensor locally. The local manufacturing is likely to start by Q1 2019 and it aims to generate 6000 jobs in three years. The component manufacturing plant would be spread across 75 acres of land in the city of Tirupati and start mass production with production capacity of nearly 50 million each component per year. The plant will also boast of nearly 50% clean room, an industry first which is being extended as an incentive by the state of Andhra Pradesh. A cleanroom is a contained space where provisions are made to reduce particulate contamination and control other environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity and pressure. The state of Andhra Pradesh has extended several incentives for the establishment of the manufacturing plants in terms of tax, land and power subsidy along with several other incentives. Mr. Nara Lokesh, Honorable Minister of Information Technology said, Andhra Pradesh is one of the youngest pioneering states of India. The state has a young entrepreneurial spirit and poses an attractive destination for similar minded companies. Our state of the art infrastructural offerings make Andhra Pradesh an exciting investment opportunity and it is heartening to see Holitech Technology come to the state and initiate a big revolution in the market for local manufacturing. Manu Jain, Vice President, Xiaomi and Managing Director, Xiaomi India said, Xiaomi has witnessed significant growth in the country and we are positive that Holitechs plans for India will set a new motion in place for the electronics manufacturing industry in India. Holitech is an important global component supplier of Xiaomi and with their entry in India, we are positive that a new era of local manufacturing will begin with several job creations and other component manufacturers also coming in. As a brand dedicated to the cause of Make in India, we are proud to be leading this initiative from the front for the entire nation and hope everyone can make best specs, highest quality products accessible to the country at honest pricing. Flame Chen, Co-Founder and CEO, Holitech Technology said, The phenomenal growth of Xiaomi along with their initiatives to promote local manufacturing has encouraged us to explore component manufacturing for Xiaomi in India. We are pleased to bring several industry firsts to the state of Andhra Pradesh with the manufacturing of camera modules, TFT, CTP, FPC and fingerprint sensors and high-quality cleanroom construction and take propel the growth of component manufacturing in India. We hope to further boost this initiative by setting an example for other component manufacturers, and being a part of Xiaomis growth in India. This comes shortly after Xiaomi India organized a first of its kind global Supplier Investment Summit in April 2018. The objective of this summit was to encourage its top 50 global suppliers to locally manufacture in India. With the purpose of exploring investment opportunities, the suppliers had visited potential locations for establishing manufacturing units in the state. They had also paid a visit to the state of Andhra Pradesh where they were addressed by Sh. Nara Lokesh, Minister of Information Technology, Govt of Andhra Pradesh and Honorable Chief Minister, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu where they spent time discussing electronics manufacturing industry opportunities in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The suppliers had also visited the manufacturing facilities of Foxconn in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh including the recently announced plants in the state, dedicated towards manufacturing of smartphones for Xiaomi. Holitech was founded in 2004 and is a leading electronic component manufacturer. The company majorly produces the following products: Liquid Crystal Displays, Liquid Crystal Display Modules, Touch Screens, Fingerprint recognition, Smart Wearable Products, intelligent Vehicle Products, Intelligent Micro Controller, Intelligent TLI/TFT Modules, Embedded Display Modules etc. Since Holitech was founded, it developed and Produced more than 1,000 different products used in Instruments and Meters, Smart Home Appliances, Communication Products, Smartphones, Industrial Equipment, Medical Equipment, Automotive Electronics, Digital Products, Watches etc. Technuter.com News Service Chris Brown came to Midland College in the summer of 2017 to teach technical and business writing and English composition. He moved 1,400 miles from Minnesota to West Texas in three weeks leaving his new home in disarray. His office supplies took over his kitchen, so he did what we all do when moving into a new place: eat out. Then, he got an idea. I realized I had eaten at quite a few restaurants, so months later I thought, I will try to eat at as many restaurants as I can, Brown said. He has now eaten at more than 120 Midland restaurants. He keeps a meticulous list and highlights in yellow those he likes just a little bit more. He said he does not have favorites. You cannot read his reviews anywhere; he keeps his opinions to himself. I am hesitant to blog or write reviews on social media because I do not want to be negative, Brown said. Some reviews can be nasty, and I think there is no need for that unpleasantness. As for his ordering preferences, he is low-maintenance. I have no food allergies,. Brown said. I can eat anything. If I am around a vegetarian I can eat whatever they eat, if I am around people obsessed with meat I can eat steak and ribs. I do not take home doggie bags. I also like to try new things. If I see something on the menu I have never had before, I will order it. The most unusual dish I have eaten is lingua (beef tongue). Chefs cut it into cubes or strips to prepare it, and it is very tender. I like it. I would recommend it. However adventurous he is, Browns mainstay is on-campus dining. I save a lot of money eating breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Jack E. Brown Dining Hall during the week, Brown said. Eating there singlehandedly allows me to indulge myself in trying so many restaurants on weekends. The home-cooked meals at Jack E. Brown are great, but I also enjoy it because I get to eat with and get to know people outside of the division where I work. While it is a no-brainer to eat on campus, Brown hesitates when asked who his dream dinner guest (dead or alive) would be. I do not want to eat with Shakespeare or Chaucer, he said. If I could meet artists I admire I worry I would be disappointed. I do not want to know the truth about their works. I am sure those great writers would exclaim, That is not what I meant! I am just happy to be around thoughtful, sensitive, intelligent, funny people. Brown is originally from south Alabama. The graduate of Faulkner State Community College (which has been renamed Coastal Alabama Community College) says his associate degree opened doors. I received a creative writing scholarship. I wrote a poem, and that scholarship helped make all my subsequent education possible. Since then, I have always been a fan and supporter of community colleges. I am really happy to be working at one. Brown got his bachelors and masters degrees in English at the University of South Alabama. His first graduate class was in Shakespeare while studying abroad in London. That opportunity was a life-changing experience, he said. After I took that class, I knew I wanted to work in higher education, and I started building my life around making it happen. He received his doctorate from Indiana University in English medieval studies with a minor in literary theory. For those students interested in following his footsteps, Brown recommends becoming a bookworm. You should always be reading books to push and challenge you, Brown said. One of my favorites is Fearless Speech by Michel Foucault. Lately, I have been reading books about West Texas to learn more about where I live. Brown has immersed himself in West Texas culture. He enjoys the arts. Outside of work he enjoys attending events at the Wagner Noel, the Midland Community Theatre, the McCormick Art Gallery and Midland College student recitals. He also likes to support student athletes by attending their games. I keep hearing people lament, There is nothing to do in Midland, Brown said. That remark surprises me because between work, eating out and attending cultural events, there are more things to do than I have time to do them. Stacey Hewitt is part-time coordinator for the Institutional Advancement department at Midland College. Police are investigating after a man was found shot to death in a house in south central Houston early Sunday morning. At around 5:30 a.m. Sunday, police responded to a welfare check at 3647 Noah Street in the South Side neighborhood after witnesses reported hearing gunshots, the Houston Police Department stated in a news release. The man accused of killing three people in a weeklong crime spree in July allegedly shot one of the victims point-blank at her workplace in the Willowbrook area, then used her bank card, prosecutors said Monday. Jose Gilberto Rodriguez appeared in court Monday in the death of Allie Barrow at a Mattress Firm in Willowbrook. Handcuffed, he showed no emotion as prosecutors read the list of evidence against him. Rodriguez, 46, is accused of "intentionally" murdering the 28-year-old woman during an attempted robbery. Barrow was slain on July 14. According to reports, her body was later discovered by the store manager, stuffed between two mattresses in the back of the store. MOM'S STATEMENT: Mother of accused serial killer says son 'had a good heart' Barrow's purse and vehicle were missing from the store, according to prosecuting attorney John Wakefield, who presented evidence for probable cause Monday morning. Her bank card was used twice after her death, on July 14 and 15, at a Chevron station and a Walmart. Authorities have found security surveillance video of Rodriguez at both locations, including footage of him making a purchase at the Walmart electronics counter. Barrow died of one gunshot wound to the head, and Wakefield said the medical examiner described the wound as a contact wound, "which usually means the gun was actually touching the skin." BUSTED: How Texas' most notorious serial killers were caught Rodriguez, a sex offender who cut off his ankle monitor, has also been charged with capital murder in the deaths of two other people: Pamela Johnson, who was killed at her home in Cypress, and Edward Magana, who was killed at a Mattress One store where he worked. Rodriguez is being held with no bond in the death of Barrow, which is consistent with his other two capital murder charges. He is due back in court Sept. 19. Late Friday a video from the Houston Humane Society went viral, showing an Australian shepherd and border collie mix male named Hunter in the hours after his previous owners surrendered him. In the video Hunter can be seen nuzzling one of the volunteers at the shelter and within hours the video was viewed more than 40,000 times and shared thousands of times across various social media platforms. HOUSTON PUPS: Houstonians have a preferred dog breed, according to the American Kennel Club The 6-year-old dog apparently hadn't been adapting well with his owners' new canine additions to the home and they gave him to the Houston Humane Society. "His original family said he's not good with young children or small dogs, although he seems more scared of them than mean," Monica Schmidt with the Houston Humane Society said Sunday. "He seems to enjoy going for walks once he really gets to know and trust a volunteer, and he's pretty good on a leash." INSTADOGS: Wanna turn your dog into an Instagram star? Read this story... Over the course of the weekend the shelter received numerous inquiries about Hunter and many prospective owners have filled out applications to give him a new home. He spent most of the past weekend being checked out by staff and getting the occasional visitor interested in bringing him home. Hunter is also heart worm positive but with proper treatment and care that can be fixed. On Sunday afternoon Chron.com went to the shelter to visit Hunter and get a look at him as he was meeting with one of those prospective masters. "He's definitely people-oriented, as you saw yesterday and he loves hugs and attention," Schmidt added. Craig Hlavaty covers Houston history and pop-culture. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | craig.hlavaty@chron.com Four relatives of a man convicted in a pair of honor killings portrayed him Monday as generous, doting and loyal, as his lawyers began making their case to jurors that he should be sentenced to life in prison rather than death for separate 2012 slayings of his son-in-law and his daughters best friend. Two weeks ago, the state District Court jury convicted Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan, 60, in the shooting deaths of Coty Beavers, 28, and Gelareh Bagherzadeh, 30. Prosecutors said Irsan, who is Muslim, planned the slayings to restore the family honor after his daughter married a Christian. Two of the defendants younger sisters traveled from his native Jordan to testify for the defense Monday and several other relatives are expected to testify later this week via videolink from abroad. Despite his lawyers advice to the contrary, Irsan chose to testify during the guilt phase of the trial. His lawyers have not yet determined if will take the stand again later this week as testimony comes to an end. His 53-year old sister Insaf Rawabdeh, a food testing engineer who wore a hijab, locked eyes with her brother when defense lawyer Allen Tanners asked how his client treated her. A broad smile spread across her face. He was the most compassionate, affectionate person, and he was the best person in the world for me, she told jurors through an Arabic translator. She said he was solicitous when she had complications during a pregnancy and years later offered money to get her son out of jail. He was very affectionate to everybody and generous even if he has something in his mouth he would give it away, she said. Under cross examination, she admitted that she didnt see her brother often after he left Jordan in the late 1970s. Isaf Rawabdeh, 58, a retired school principal also wearing a hijab, told jurors through an interpreter the defendant was one of 10 children raised in a home where their father beat his wife and children with any object at hand, but usually a belt or shoe. She patted her eyes with a tissue as she explained that when their father, an illiterate soldier and devout Muslim, beat their mother the defendant would put himself in between his parents. He used to tell him, Hit me. Hit me. Dont hit my mom, she said. He worked hard selling vegetables and his father ultimately kicked him out of the house, his sister said. But Irsan still paid for two family funerals, and when he received inheritance money after his fathers death, he gave it to his mother, she testified. A prosecutor later questioned her about where he got the money to cover family needs if he didnt have a job. She said she did not know. Rawabedeh also told the jury that when the defendant and his first wife, Robin, came to live with her in Jordan, she observed how loving and attentive he was. Since Robin is blind, her brother helped her eat and go to the bathroom and washed her clothes, which surprised Rawabedeh, she said, because it is uncommon for a man to do that in Jordan. Rawabedeh denied earlier testimony by Irsans daughter that she had been sexually assaulted by another brother, calling her a liar. Two of Irsans sons, who testified previously, also took the stand denying earlier testimony that their father supported the 9/11 attacks or Osama Bin Laden. Nile Irsan, 22, also said his father never beat his mother or sisters, as previous witnesses had testified. He treated his daughters like queens or princesses, Nile said. Nader Irsan, 20, told the jury he thought of his father as a candle: It gives light to others around it at the expense of burning itself down. When Leon Valley police got a call over the weekend that someone had stolen a shark from the San Antonio Aquarium, they initially thought it was a hoax. After all, it was Shark Week. Youd never think (of) something like that, Leon Valley Police Chief Joseph Salvaggio said. But the theft was no joke. Now, a man accused of stealing the shark is facing a state felony theft charge and possibly federal charges. Salvaggio said Antone Shannon, 38, has admitted taking Miss Helen, a small gray horn shark. Shannon was released on bond Tuesday afternoon. RELATED: Police make 'shocking' discovery inside the home of alleged shark thief Police said Shannon, working with a woman and another man, snatched Miss Helen out of her tank, wrapped her in a blanket and pushed her out of the aquarium in a baby carriage. In the process, Salvaggio said, Shannon dumped a bucket of a bleach solution into a water filtration system and used the bucket to help move the shark. Our marine husbandry team was able to counter that in time for it to not do any damage to the other exhibits, said Jenny Spellman, general manager of the aquarium. As the thieves started to leave the aquarium, Salvaggio said staff noticed water dripping from the carriage, prompting them to follow the trio. In the parking lot, Shannon brushed off requests to look inside the carriage, saying they were heading out to get their baby medication (because) it was sick, said Spellman, one of the staffers who went after the thieves. After the three left, she said staff reviewed security footage and confirmed a theft had occurred before calling the police. Salvaggio said the other man and the woman have been identified and admitted their roles, but charges havent been filed yet. The trio consists of a married couple and a neighbor, Salvaggio said. We will be filing on them at large and letting the District Attorneys Office issue warrants for them if they deem so, Salvaggio said. After smuggling the shark out of the aquarium, police say Shannon drove her to his house, where he had a personal aquarium. But authorities tracked down the license plate of the pickup that Shannon drove away in and contacted its owner one of the other two suspects which led them to Shannon, Salvaggio said. RELATED: Dawkins, the monkey who escaped at the San Antonio airport, could use your help Initially, (Shannon) wasnt giving up information, Salvaggio said. But when we released the information through the media, we got calls and he knew it was done. Once he saw the pictures of himself, he knew we knew and he decided to cooperate. Over the phone, Salvaggio said, officers gave Shannon a choice: Let them into the house willingly, or theyd come in with a search warrant. When Shannon chose the first option, Salvaggio added, police went to his house and he took them directly to the shark. After first showing the officers a doctored receipt for the shark, Shannon confessed to the theft, according to police. An arrest warrant was not issued, Salvaggio said instead, Shannon was filed on that night based on his confession. Authorities say Shannon told them he was trying to replace a pet horn shark that had died, adding that evidence suggests this is the truth. Salvaggio said there was no evidence of an attempt to sell the shark, and Spellman said the primary market is for marine life enthusiasts like Shannon anyways. Miss Helen, for her part, is doing fine. Shes still doing well, Spellman said. She hasnt eaten today, but thats not out of the ordinary after shes been through such stressful events. The theft seems to have involved lots of preparation. Salvaggio said Shannon previously visited the aquarium under the guise of a quality control tester, allowing him to test the salinity of the sharks water tank so he could replicate it in his setup at home. One of the employees confirmed that it was the same person, Spellman said. So I dont know if he actually works for the company or not, but he was able to get in and kind of look around the back areas that way. RELATED: Homeowner facing charges after authorities seize dead, neglected animals in Central Texas Shannon also visited the aquarium multiple times in the weeks leading up to the heist, Salvaggio said. Shannon now faces a state felony charge for theft of property valued at between $2,500 and $30,000. Although the shark previously has been valued at $2,000, Salvaggio says the aquariums investment puts the value at around $3,000. In addition to the state theft charge, Salvaggio said Shannon could also be facing federal charges for other animals found in his home aquarium. Texas Parks and Wildlife and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have been notified, Salvaggio said, and the Leon Valley Police Department has requested that an investigation be started. Theres some animals (in there) that they shouldnt have, Salvaggio said including more sharks. According to online court records, Shannon has a lengthy criminal history in Bexar County. He's been convicted of at least six charges, including vehicle theft, drug possession and evading arrest. Brian Contreras is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. | brian.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @_B_Contreras_ The Harris County Flood Control District on Monday released its complete list of projects that would be funded by the county's $2.5 billion flood infrastructure bond proposal, two days before early voting on the measure begins. The 237 projects include $1.2 billion for channel improvements, $401 million for detention basins, $242 million for floodplain land acquisition, $12.5 million for new floodplain mapping and $1.25 million for an improved early flood warning system. Matt Zeve, the flood control district's operations director, said the vast majority of projects will address problems engineers identified years or decades ago but lacked the funding to tackle. The flood control district's budget totals just $120 million annually. "It's always been OK, how do we afford to solve these problems?" Zeve said. "With the bond, we'll have funds to solve some of these drainage and flooding issues. If approved, the bond would be the largest local investment in flood infrastructure since Hurricane Harvey flooded more than 154,000 Harris County homes a year ago. Voting begins Wednesday and concludes on Saturday, Aug. 25, the one-year anniversary of the storm's landfall. The bond also would put $184 million, coupled with more than $500 million in outside funding, to purchase around 3,600 buildings in the floodplain. It would not pay for a third reservoir to complement the Addicks and Barker reservoirs in west Houston, but would chip in $750,000 to help the Army Corps of Engineers study the idea. UH POLL: Majority of Harris County voters support flood bond Thirty-eight projects were added based on ideas from residents at more than two-dozen public meetings this summer. These include $6 million to improve flow in Horsepen Bayou, $15 million to do the same in Brays Bayou and $30 million to design and build new bridges over Buffalo Bayou. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said the additions to the projects list proved that the flood control district was serious about incorporating ideas from residents. "We said from the start that we recognized that this effort was going to have to be as transparent as anything the county has ever done," Emmett said in a statement. More than 4,500 residents attended the meetings, according to the flood control district's head count. They submitted around 2,400 comments and made 682 requests for flood infrastructure maintenance. BARNSTORMING TOUR: Flood control district gets an earful at flood bond public meetings The flood control district left $500 million un-allocated on the projects list. Zeve said while engineers initially planned to draw down that sum as more projects were added, the flood control district decided to leave room for new projects over the 10- to 15-year lifespan of the bond. "We want to give ourselves some wiggle room," Zeve said. The proposal is a gamble by Harris County Commissioners Court, whose members are betting residents see the value in a significant investment in the area's flood management system. There is no option for skeptical voters to approve a smaller sum. If different funding sources become available, such as through the state or federal government, the county may not need to borrow the full $2.5 billion. Emmett said last month that $700 to $900 million of the bond would be used to secure federal matching funds, potentially netting the county an additional $2 billion to spend on flood infrastructure. The bond will increase property taxes for homeowner 2 to 3 cents per $100 of assessed home value, according to county budget analysts. Those who are disabled or above the age of 65, and whose home is worth less than $200,000, would pay no additional taxes. Zach Despart covers Harris County for the Chronicle. You can follow him on Twitter or email him at zach.despart@chron.com. AUSTIN -- Longshot Democratic gubernatorial challenger Lupe Valdez, pushing hard to close her double-digit gap in polls behind incumbent Republican Greg Abbott, has a new national endorsement: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Warren, a liberal icon, is a Democrat that conservatives like Abbott love to hate. In a fundraising letter for Valdez, Warren called the former Dallas County sheriff "a new leader emerging who can put Texas back on track." "The daughter of migrant farmworkers, Lupe is ready to fight for all Texans, not just the wealthy few," Warren stated in her message, underscoring the Average Texan theme that Valdez has emphasized in recent weeks. WEIGHING IN: Obama endorses two Texas candidates for Congress "But winning this race won't be easy, especially because Lupe's going up against the incumbent Republican governor's massive war chest, filled with cash from the special interests who spend big to get their way in Austin." Noting that Valdez won four terms as sheriff in Dallas, where Republicans held most local offices for years, Warren insisted that "with our support, Lupe can make history again and be the first Latina and LGBTQ governor of Texas." What does a liberal Massachusetts Democrat have to do with Red State Texas? Though she grew up in Oklahoma, Warren spent several years in Texas teaching law at the University of Texas in Austin. She was reported to have been on a short list to be Hillary Clinton's running mate in 2016 and has been repeatedly mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2020. Think about animals that travel and hunt in packs. Digital technologies seem to work the same way. Wolves, hyenas and wild dogs, for instance, are smaller and less powerful than larger animals such as mountain lions. Hunting in packs enables them to conquer animals larger than themselves. They work together to find the right opportunity. Similarly, digital technologies dont come in isolation. They quickly demand a level of competence across a broad set of companion technologies and some of these additional technologies also have their own sets of companion technologies. Typically, companies that adopt digital technologies end up spending much more time and money and building much more expertise than they initially anticipated. Consider the following three examples of what typically happens. Example: Artificial Intelligence technology Perhaps your company is like others that believe Artificial Intelligence (AI) can contribute to their business. But youll find that as soon as you start to think about AI, you start to think about data and data sources. That unleashes a substantial amount of work in building data warehouses. You may encounter a hurdle that many companies often find: data sources are less reliable and less precise than you had hoped. As a result, your company will need to build new data sources or improve the existing data sources. That effort will likely move your company to implement cloud technologies, along with the analytics software and data-management software that comes with cloud. So, what appears to be a commitment to exploring just one digital technology leads to implementing a whole pack of other new technologies. The problem is that each technology requires a learning curve of its own and often sets up a cascading effect of its own. Its like the dominoes effect one thing leads to another, leads to another and leads to another. Example: RPA technology and cloud technology Robotic Process Automation (RPA) technology is a hot digital technology that seems simple to implement. But its another example of digital technologies hunting in packs. Your company will likely encounter a typical situation once you start to get value from RPA, you find you need to quickly move implement a whole family of digital technologies to get the real value from RPA. For instance, cloud technologies are typically part of an RPA solution, as moving more of your RPA and other apps into a cloud environment makes it easier to be agile. But in a cloud environment, your company will need to manage multiple clouds, according to the best fit for your application suite. This will necessitate going down the path of implementing a whole new set of technologies around APIs and microservices, which allow the applications to talk across clouds and back into the legacy suite. Then to manage this world of diverse environments, youll need to build advanced analytics and in some cases AI technology. In addition, youll probably need to implement Application Performance Management (APM) digital platform technologies such as AppDynamics, which allow companies to dynamically monitor their end-user experience and applications performance across this diverse environment. So, even a seemingly simple decision such as modernizing IT infrastructure by implementing cloud leads to implementing a whole set of new technologies that are related to the first decision to move to the cloud. Now back to RPA. This wildly popular digital technology with a set of limitations, such as an inability to process unstructured data or deal with situations that do not match the pre-compiled rules. This leads to the need to deploy cognitive technologies (often including AI) and then to developing shared libraries of reusable automation. Like other companies on the RPA journey, your company likely will need to implement advanced analytics and AI/cognitive technologies to achieve higher automation rates. Youll likely need Business Process Management (BPM) tools to help identify automation opportunities in business processes and achieve end-to-end process orchestration and handle exceptions. Example: Digital marketing Another use case of digital technologies hunting in packs is digital marketing. Many companies today see the advantages of moving to leverage the internet and social media to a greater extent in their marketing strategies. If your company moves down this path, youll first build a website. But then youll realize you need to understand who is coming to the website; so, youll put technology like Marketo in place, which allows you to put cookies on the computer drives of customers or prospects. Typically, then youll decide that alone is not enough and decide that you need to build databases of Personal Identifying Information (PII) about every person coming to the website. That will lead to building or buying access to sophisticated databases of PII. Then youll need to navigate the GDRP laws. So, youll need to increases the level of investigation and sophistication of digital tools to allow your company to use PII appropriately. Finally, as you build out a database of what your company can use and what it can keep, youll likely want to implement AI technology with the capability to make the next-best offer to attract a prospects interest. Leaning on third-party capabilities The three examples I described illustrate the domino effect or the analogy of the hunting wolf pack a ravenous group of technologies that move together to achieve their goals. That is the mind-set your company needs to absorb when looking at digital transformation and IT modernization. Digital technologies may appear to start as bolt-ons to existing legacy applications. But once you start to focus on getting business value, you often find it requires not just one technology but multiple technologies. As I mentioned at the beginning of this blog, companies typically end up spending much more time and money and building much more technical expertise than they initially anticipated. However, many companies are unable to develop all that capability in house at once. Therefore, they increasingly must lean on third-party service providers that can bring the huge spike in expertise and capability required. Keep in mind also that implementing digital technologies is not a one and done. Youll need to keep the digital capabilities moving forward, and that will involve companion technologies continuing to multiply. This is leading to a different kind of dependence on third parties than companies are accustomed to in a mature IT environment. An explosion of drive-by shootings erupted on Chicagos South and West sides this weekend. At least 74 people were shot, and 12 killed, between 3 p.m. on Friday and 6 a.m. on Monday. In one seven-hour stretch, starting around midnight on Saturday, at least 40 people were shot, four fatally, as gunmen targeted a block party, the aftermath of a funeral, and a front porch, reports the Chicago Tribune. Over two and a half hours that morning, 25 people were shot in five multiple-injury shootings, including a 17-year-old who died after being shot in the face. An 11-year-old boy, a 13-year-old boy, and a 14-year-old girl were also hit over the course of the weekends bloodbath. Mt. Sinais emergency room shut down for several hours due to the overload of bodies; in May, the entire hospital went into lockdown following a virtual riot in its lobby among gangbangers, reported Tribune columnist John Kass. Meantime, Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and Illinois attorney general Lisa Madigan recently celebrated the issuance of a 232-page draft consent decree for the Chicago Police Department, possibly the longest police consent decree ever written. Among numerous other red-tape-generating provisions, it requires the CPD to revise its protocols regarding transgender, intersex, and gender non-conforming individuals, to make sure that the CPD policies properly define these terms and that officers address intersex, transgender, and the gender non-conforming with the names, pronouns and titles of respect appropriate to that individuals gender. Last Thursday, a so-called anti-violence march shut down Lake Shore Drive to demand that the CPD hire more black officers and that City Hall spend more on social programs in the black community. Few voices, in other words, are tackling the actual cause of Chicagos violence: the breakdown of the black family structure and a demoralized police department. If the mayor signs the consent decree, the police department will have to divert further resources from on-the-ground enforcement toward collection of racial data and training in the phony theory of implicit bias. A court granted the ACLU of Illinois and Black Lives Matter Chicago permission to intervene in the consent decree negotiations. This is the same ACLU that muscled the CPD into introducing a new three-page stop, question, and frisk form in January 2016 that contributed to Chicagos shooting spike, already accelerating due to Black Lives Matter-driven anti-cop hatred. The ACLU and BLM Chicago will also be able to enforce the new consent decree in court, spelling further trouble for professional policing. To be sure, shootings are down this year, compared with the high-water marks of 2016 and 2017, but thats cold comfort for the 1,700 peoplemore than eight dailyshot through the end of July. But while shootings have crested at least temporarily, other indications of chaos and disorder are up. Carjackings have nearly tripled since 2015, with an increasing share committed by juveniles, thanks to a law exempting young carjackers from adult penalties. In downtown Chicago, youth mobs have been running riot. Large groups of teens regularly swarm across major intersections, jumping on the tops of cars caught in the stampede. Over the 2018 Memorial Day weekend, teens ran down Michigan Avenue, punching people and vandalizing stores; a group of eight to ten boys knocked a fifteen-year-old boy to the ground, then stomped on his head and kicked his ribs, back, and face, before emptying his pockets and taking his shoes. The police made almost no arrests during the melee, preferring to avoid confrontation. In March, gunfire erupted during a fight between two groups of youths in the Water Tower Place mall. The city is lost, a federal prosecutor tells me. We have never had crimes like this downtownpeople getting shoved and robbed at 3 p.m. Its just brazen. This prosecutor has started avoiding the Magnificent Mile on Saturday afternoons. Im scared to be downtown, she says. A Chicago police detective with 24 years on the job observes: The kids who are mobbing downtown are the same ones doing the carjackings. This generation of kids has grown up with no one daring to touch them. Chicagos mayoral contenders seized on this weekends violence to further their campaigns. Sadly for Chicago, a leader in Black Lives Matter, JaMal Green, is one of those mayoral candidates. If Green has ever seen a police officer whom he supports, he is not letting on. Black Lives Matter was front and center during the protests against the CPD following an officer shooting of an armed man last month. Predictably, Green called for more government investment in inner-city neighborhoods. Garry McCarthy, who headed the CPD when Laquan McDonald was infamously shot in 2014, blasted Emanuel for ignoring the violence in favor of downtown development. (The McDonald shooting triggered the consent-decree process, initially prosecuted by the Obama Justice Department but thankfully halted by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, only to be resurrected by Madigan and Emanuel.) But McCarthy engaged in some fake news, suggesting that the public should not buy the fact that the murder rate is actually down, in light of this weekends violence. McCarthy ran Compstat (the revolutionary police-accountability system) for the New York Police Department; he of all people should know that both facts can be true: murder and shootings can be down from the 2016 and 2017 rates and still be unacceptably high. McCarthy should be talking about two things on the campaign trail: getting out of the street-stop agreement that he himself signed with the ACLU, and halting the impending consent decree. Until the shooting of McDonald, the academic Left had celebrated the CPD as a model of progressive policing. It still is. What it needs is support from the public and Chicagos political class and the confidence to go back to proactive enforcement. But policing is only a second-best solution to the anarchy in inner-city communities. The best solution is a culture of marriage that expects boys to take responsibility for the children they conceive. As long as more than three-quarters of Chicagos inner-city children are raised without their fathers, black-on-black violence will continue. And the national press will take notice only when the numbers are too egregious to ignore. Photo by Joshua Lott/Getty Images Less than a year ago, Lindsay Shepherd was an unknown graduate student in communications at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, who enjoyed shopping in thrift stores. Then the university accused her of making her undergraduate students unsafe by airing a debate on gender pronouns in class, and she found herself at the epicenter of an international debate on academic freedom. Shepherd is using her newfound fame to advance the cause of open inquiry and free speech on campus, even if it means taking her university to court. Last November, Shepherd secretly recorded a disciplinary meeting in which she was interrogated by two professors and an administrator. The issue: her screening of five minutes from a public television debate on gender pronouns, featuring controversial University of Toronto psychologist Jordan Peterson. Shepherd was accused of legitimizing Petersons arguments as a valid perspective and thereby creating a toxic climate for some of the students. She had violated Canadian human rights law, the administrators said, as well as the universitys gendered violence policy. Shepherd went public with her recording, which quickly became a sensation, particularly for conservatives. A public relations disaster ensued for Laurier, prompting them to quickly launch an independent investigation. The outside inquiry revealed a series of institutional failures, and Shepherd was cleared of wrongdoing. Deborah MacLatchy, the universitys president, apologized and promised to take steps to ensure that the mistakes wouldnt be repeated. Since then, Shepherd has become almost a folk hero to young conservatives. Shes gained tens of thousands of followers on Twitter and is frequently invited to give speeches across Canada and the U.S. On campus, she started a free-speech student group. She has also courted additional controversy: in March, she invited Canadian alt-right figure Faith Goldy to speak on campus; the event sparked mass Antifa protests and was shut down before Goldy could take the stage. On social media, Shepherd has mocked white privilege training campaigns. And in June, she announced a lawsuit against Laurier. She alleges that far from finding redress following MacLatchys apology, shes been subject to continuing abuse and a toxic climate from the university and its representatives. The lawsuit seeks $3.6 million (in Canadian dollars) for harassment and other damages. Is Shepherd the first victim of Federal Bill C-16, a vaguely worded law that added gender identity and expression to the Canadian Human Rights Act, or is she a provocateur and transphobe, as her detractors claim? I met Shepherd last month in New York ahead of her appearance at a conference. We spoke in front of a large window in a hotel adjacent to Times Square. With the bright lights of the street illuminating her photogenic features, she looked more like a Broadway performer star than a grad student. I think I would have been more ignored by the media and public if I were a white male who played a Jordan Peterson clip in my class, she joked. Laurier launched another investigation into Shepherd earlier this year. She declined to give details, but according to court documents, one of Shepherds peers, a trans activist, accused her of discrimination and harassment, which she denies. Shepherds only comment on the matter is that this is an attempt to silence her. Shepherds accuser did not respond to repeated inquiries for comment. Laurier sent me a prepared statement saying that it has provided Shepherd with redress. This includes the public apology but also a review and update of university policies, including a university-approved statement on freedom of expression similar to the University of Chicagos free-expression principles. The statement says that Laurier will vigorously defend itself against Shepherds claim. Shepherd has found support from the man whose views got her in trouble in the first place: Jordan Peterson. He announced a defamation lawsuit against Laurier for C$1.5m in late June. In Shepherds recording, her professors compared Peterson to Adolf Hitler and questioned his academic credentials. I didnt go after [Laurier] for eight months until it was absolutely crystal clear that they learned nothing whatsoever, Peterson told me. So maybe two lawsuits is a better lesson than one. Peterson is in the middle of an international tour to promote his best-seller 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos. Like Shepherd, hes seen by his admirers as a free-speech hero who fights political correctness. I asked Peterson if its hypocritical to sue based on what individuals say about him in a private conversation. He looked annoyed. It was a disciplinary meeting at a university. Thats not private, he said. Those people were operating under what should have been appropriate administrative guidelinesdozens of which they violated simultaneously. It wasnt a dinner party between friends. He added that free speech doesnt mean that one can lie and slander with impunity. Thats the sort of caricature of free speech that someone who hates it would generate to interfere with the integrity of the idea. Some of Shepherds actions continue to raise eyebrows and give fodder to her detractors. Earlier this year, she was interviewed by Brittany Pettibone, an alt-right-sympathetic YouTuber who, like Faith Goldy, opines frequently about immigration and European identity. In March, Shepherd disavowed the Left in a video thats been viewed more than 800,000 times. And she has completed the Canadian right-wing media circuit, speaking to Mark Steyn and others. But she rejects political labels, pointing out that she still has the same socially progressive views as before. She says that standing up for the principle of free speech means engaging with those she may disagree with. Is she a right-winger? She said no, but I sensed some enjoyment in the ambiguity. I like to leave a little mystery. I asked her if she regretted releasing the recording. She is persona non grata on campus and even in some quarters of Waterloo. Her goal of working in academia is in doubt at this point. But she didnt hesitate to answer. At the end of the day, I would probably do this all again. How can you ever regret something that made you into the person you are? Top Photo: Lindsay Shepherd South-east London-based charity Age Exchange has become a subsidiary of national social care charity Community Integrated Care. The charities say there will be no changes in terms of staffing or organisational structure at either organisation as a result of the merger. Age Exchange had an income of 733,000 in the year to March 2017, a slightly higher amount than in previous years, and an expenditure of 724,000. It has 16 members of staff and more than 100 volunteers. Community Integrated Care has an income of 115m and more than 4,000 staff. Age Exchange will retain its own identity, board of trustees and governance agreements and services at its centre in Blackheath will remain the same. The two charities were legally joined on 27 July following due diligence processes and the unanimous ratification by the boards of both organisations. No money exchange hands as part of the deal. Sustainability review Rebecca Packwood, chief executive of Age Exchange, said her charity began looking for a parent organisation after it undertook an internal review of its sustainability in 2016/17. She said: We set out to find a national partner that provided both the infrastructure we needed to grow and synergy in terms of values and ambition - Community Integrated Care was the perfect candidate. This partnership will allow us to replicate the work we do in our Blackheath centre across the UK, dramatically increasing the number of beneficiaries we are able to reach. Community Integrated Care will benefit from our expertise in Reminiscence Arts, allowing it to further develop its award-winning dementia services using Age Exchanges impactful strategies, which are the blueprint for the ambitious plans for this partnership. 'We hope it will be the first of many partnerships' Mark Adams, chief executive at Community Integrated Care, said the merger supports his charitys five-year strategy, which includes a plan to partner with more local charities. He said: Having already successfully ventured into dementia and reminiscence projects to improve the lives of people we support, our partnership with Age Exchange will now allow us to further improve those projects by sharing knowledge, learning from Age Exchanges industry-leading strategies and expanding our offer to deliver genuine social impact to communities across the country. We hope Age Exchange is the first partnership of many to come, as we help more charities increase the reach of their incredible work. Chief executive Relate, the relationship support charity, has appointed Aidan Jones as its new chief executive. He was previously director of WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017, an exhibition of skilled professionals worldwide held in the Middle East last year. He will take up the role on 3 September. Read the full story here. Finance and operations Tearfund has appointed Nigel Gavin as finance and IT director. He joined from Save the Children where he was director of financial governance. Fundraising and communications The RSPCA has appointed Lewis Coghlin as director of income generation. He has been director of fundraising at Cats Protection for the last seven years and will join RSPCA on 8 October. Sally Cornish, who joined RSPCA as interim director of income generation in 2016, will leave the charity in September. Non-executive roles International Alert has appointed a new chair and three new trustees. Carey Cavanaugh, a retired US ambassador who is now a professor of diplomacy and conflict resolution at the University of Kentucky, has been named as chair. Hans Bolscher, a climate change adviser, has joined the board and also become the chair of International Alert Europe. Abir Haj Ibrahim, a co-founder of a network of social activists in Syria, and Erin Segilia Chase, who has over 25 years' experience in philanthropy, have also joined the board. Chris Mullin, Helena Puig Larrauri and Gordana Duspara Moriarty will be stepping down after serving their terms. Julie Bell has been announced as deputy chief guide by Girlguiding. She volunteers in Lancashire and has been involved with the charity since joining Brownies when she was seven. For the past four and a half years she has been the chief commissioner for Girlguiding North West - the senior voluntary role in the region. To tell us about your charity's latest appointments please email: [email protected]. Travelers Insurance is seeking a full Sixth Circuit court reconsideration of its three-judge panel ruling that said the insurers crime insurance policys computer fraud clause covered a loss due to money transfer involving fraudulent emails. In seeking an en banc review or rehearing, Travelers argues that the panels decision in favor of American Tooling directly conflicts with the federal courts own precedent in another case decided in 2012 (Tooling, Manufacturing & Technologies Assn v. Hartford Fire Insurance) over what the term directly caused by means in a crime insurance policy. According to Travelers, while the previous ruling held that Michigan law requires a direct means direct standard when determining whether the directly caused by or directly resulting from requirement in commercial crime policies was satisfied, the recent panels decision instead applies a tort-based proximate-cause standard, relying on a case that Tooling rejected. Travelers is on the hook for $800,000 to Michigan-based American Tooling Center as a result of that ruling on July 13. In its decision on July, 13, the Sixth Circuit appeals court found that Travelers was wrong to deny the claim of American Tooling Center that wired $800,000 in funds to a fraudsters account in the belief the account belonged to one of its Chinese subcontractors. While a lower court agreed with Travelers that the loss was not a direct loss caused by the use of a computer and thus the crime policy did not apply, the Sixth Circuit panel reversed that on appeal (American Tooling Center, Inc. v. Travelers Casualty and Surety). in its request for a full court review, the insurer argues that the word directly in crime policies means immediately and without any intervening space, time, agency, or instrumentality in accordance with the earlier case and no Michigan court has held otherwise until earlier this month. Travelers seeks rehearing because the panels decision, which squarely conflicts with Tooling, creates uncertainty as to how Michigan law applies to crime policies, the insurer says in its request. Travelers also disagrees with a section of the Sixth Circuits ruling where it found several exclusions in the crime policy did not apply. The insurer said the appeals court improperly applied the exclusions and should not have ruled on those at all because the lower court did not. Travelers is asking the court to remand the issues related to the exclusions to the lower court. The operator of a canoe that recently capsized in a swift moving river in southeast Alaska, killing one man, has been identified as a company with a history of allegations. Prior to the Monday death, the Skagway-based Alaska Excursions faced public scrutiny earlier this year after former employees claimed the company has unsafe tour practices and poor maintenance habits, the Chilkat Valley News reported. Nevada pastor Steven Todd Willis was in Alaska celebrating his wedding anniversary when he died after the canoe rolled in the Davidson Glacier River. The rivers water level on the day of the incident appeared to be higher than normal, according to an Alaska State Trooper dispatch. It appeared the engine didnt start immediately when they got into the rapid water and were overcome by the current, Alaska State Trooper spokesperson Tim DeSpain said. (The canoe) overturned in high water not long after it was launched from the head of the river. All of the passengers who fell into the water, including Willis, were wearing life jackets. Alaska Excursions owner Robert Murphy issued a statement this week offering condolences to everyone involved in the incident. Willis death comes months after 10 former employees of the tour company publicly criticized it when it applied for a new commercial ATV tour permit with the Haines Borough. Former manager Sam Edwards and other guides wrote to the borough assembly, informing it of the companys negligence in maintaining skiffs used to transport guides to and from Glacier Point. The maintenance on the skiffs, busses, ATVs, and canoe motors was extremely spotty and it was often very hard to get a mechanic to come out, even when we were on the verge of not being able to run the trip, Other guides claimed they were pressured make trips during unsafe weather. Murphy and other employees disputed the groups claims. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Three years after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency triggered a massive mine spill that polluted rivers in three states, the federal government still has not repaid any of the victims for the millions of dollars in economic damage they claimed. The EPA said this week it is making progress on reviewing about 380 claims for lost income, fallen property values and other losses from the 2015 spill at the Gold King Mine in southwestern Colorado. But the agency has not said when it might finish the review or when anyone might be paid. Some business owners say they feel misled and doubt theyll ever be compensated. Lawmakers are impatient. The EPAs response to the Gold King Mine spill has been unacceptable, New Mexico Democratic Rep. Ben Ray Lujan said Friday. This spill had devastating consequences for Navajo Nation and northwestern New Mexico, spilling millions of gallons of toxic, contaminated wastewater. An EPA-led contractor crew was doing excavation work at the entrance to the Gold King near Silverton, Colorado, on Aug. 5, 2015, when workers inadvertently unleashed 3 million gallons (11.4 million liters) of wastewater pent up inside the mine. The water sent a yellow-orange plume of pollution into rivers in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. The Navajo Nation and other tribal lands were also affected. The EPA estimated the water carried nearly 540 U.S. tons (490 metric tons) of metals, mostly iron and aluminum. Farmers, rafting companies, fishing guides, homeowners and others filed for about $318 million in economic losses, according to EPA documents reviewed by The Associated Press. State, tribal and local governments said their losses were higher. We werent asking for the sky. We were asking for what we lost, said John Flick, co-owner of Duranglers, a fishing guide service and store in Durango, Colorado, about 50 miles downstream from Silverton. Flick and his partner, Tom Knopick, filed a claim for about $98,000 in lost income from guiding and retail sales when authorities put the rivers off-limits for several days. Even if wed got half of that, wed have been happy. We got nothing, Flick said. The EPA paid out millions of dollars to state, tribal and local governments for the cost of responding to the spill and for water tests. But the Obama administration, which was in charge at the time of the spill, said in January 2017 it could not pay for any economic damages. The administration cited sovereign immunity, which prohibits most lawsuits against the government. That provoked a furious political backlash, and the new Trump administration said it would reconsider. One year ago, then-EPA chief Scott Pruitt visited the Gold King mine and promised to review all the claims. As far as I can tell, that was just talk, said Alex Mickel, co-owner of Mild to Wild Rafting, which offers float trips and four-wheel-drive tours in Durango and in Moab, Utah. Mickel filed a claim but declined say how much. He said the EPA has never acknowledged getting it. He said he feels misled by both the Obama and Trump administrations. Under Obama, the EPA promised to compensate for the damage. `Were going to make people whole, that was their words, Mickel said. Pruitt resigned amid a storm of ethics scandals in July, and the EPA is regrouping under acting chief Andrew Wheeler. But the review is making headway, agency spokesman James Hewitt said. The EPA sent letters in June to 54 people who filed claims, or to their attorneys, asking for clarification or more information, Hewitt said in an email to the AP Thursday. Only a few have responded, he said. John Swartout, a policy adviser to Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, said he has been brief by the EPA on the review and believes the agency is making progress, but its slow going. The compensation requests were submitted under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which allows people and businesses to ask the federal government to repay them for economic losses and injuries caused by negligence or wrongful action by federal employees. Separate from the tort claims, at least four lawsuits have been filed against the EPA over the spill. Utah is seeking $1.9 billion, the Navajo Nation $162 million and the state of New Mexico $130 million. About a dozen New Mexico residents also sued, seeking a combined $120 million. The lawsuits are pending in federal court in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A deadly Northern California wildfire burned so hot in dry and windy conditions that it birthed a record-breaking tornado of flame, officials said Friday. They also warned of worsening conditions throughout the region. Winds in the fire whirl created July 26 near Redding reached speeds of 143 mph (230 kph), a speed that rivaled some of the most destructive Midwest tornados, National Weather Service meteorologist Duane Dykema said. The whirl uprooted trees and tore roofs from homes, Dykema said. The whirl measured a 3 on the five-level Enhanced Fujita scale, which scientists use to classify the strength of tornados, he said. California has not recorded a tornado of that strength since 1978. That fire continues to burn about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of the Oregon border as firefighters there and throughout Northern California brace for worsening conditions this weekend. The weather service issued warnings for critical fire weather conditions into Saturday, saying a series of dry low-pressure systems passing through the region would bring afternoon wind gusts. This is a particularly dangerous situation with extremely low humidity and high winds. New fires will grow rapidly out of control, in some cases people may not be able to evacuate safely in time should a fire approach, the weather service said in its bulletin for the Mendocino area north of San Francisco. Forecasters said areas with the highest threat include the massive blaze near Redding and two fires burning next to each other around Clearlake about 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of San Francisco. The Redding fire has grown to 206 square miles (533-square-kilometer) and has destroyed 1,060 homes and many other structures. Two firefighters and four other people have been killed since the blaze, which ignited July 23, raced with extraordinary fury toward the regions largest city. More than 1,300 homes remained threatened. Wildfires typically create whirls but rarely of the strength of the one recorded July 26, Dykema said. Whirls are created when hot air rises and twists tightly, he said. The hotter the fire, the faster the air rises and the tighter it twists until it takes off as a tornado. To the southwest of Redding, new evacuations were ordered late Thursday at the Mendocino Complex, where twin fires have ravaged a combined 250 square miles (621 square kilometers), destroyed 41 residences and threatened 9,200 homes. The combined fires have prompted about 15,000 people to evacuate their homes. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokeswoman Jane LaBoa said wildfire remains several miles from the evacuated communities along the eastern shore of Clear Lake, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Sacramento. But she said trajectory and the weather forecast prompted officials to evacuate the communities Friday out of an abundance of caution. It looks like theres dicey weather on the way, LaBoa said. The wildfire has grown to 175 square miles (280 square kilometers) and is a few miles from connecting with a second blaze that has grown to 64 square miles (105 square kilometers). The twin fires have destroyed 41 homes. In Sierra Nevada, firefighters achieved 41 percent containment of a 115-square-mile (298-square-kilometer) forest fire that has shut down Yosemite Valley and other adjacent portions of Yosemite National Park at what is normally the height of summer tourism. The fire has reached into remote areas of the countrys third-oldest national park. Workers who live in Yosemites popular Valley region were ordered to leave Friday because of inaccessible roads. The fire also killed two firefighters. A new report says the first firefighter, a California bulldozer operator, nearly slipped off a steep mountain trail three times before his vehicle finally rolled into a ravine and fatally crushed him. Each earlier slip alone qualified as a near miss warning that the century-old mining trail could collapse, according to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protections preliminary report. Braden Varney, 36, was working alone overnight July 14 fighting the wildfire while his assistant went to get a new hydraulic hose. Varneys radio wasnt communicating with headquarters, so his assistant relayed messages until they lost contact. The report says the death of the 10-year veteran highlights the need for better risk assessment, communication and supervision. Officials have not said how the other three firefighters died fighting blazes near Yosemite and Redding. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. AKRON, Ohio - Summit County nonprofit Akron Summit Community Action is changing its name to Community Action Akron Summit and launching a new look to better reflect its mission. The organization manages a number of community programs -- Head Start, Foster Grandparents, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Circles, the Akron Summit Earned Income Tax Credit Program, Summit County Pathways HUB and Neighborhood Development -- that work to reduce poverty and promote self-sufficiency in Summit County. In addition to the name change, the organization has a new logo meant to symbolize unity. A rising rainbow in the logo represents hope and indicates the group is united in its mission to help people improve their lives. "It is important for those who rely on us for help to know that nothing will change about the programs we provide through our organization," Community Action Akron Summit President and CEO Malcolm J. Costa said in a news release. "We will continue to operate all of our programs. Nothing will change. In fact, other than the name change, it's business as usual." Community Action Akron Summit has locations in Akron, Barberton, Macedonia and Tallmadge. The organization is one of more than a thousand community action agencies across the country that work to help American create better lives. With the rebranding, the group wants to ensure families new to the area know they can connect with vital services through CAAS. "For more than 50 years, Community Action Network has been a beacon of hope for families and individuals living in poverty all across the country," Costa said in the release. "This change puts the emphasis on our work first and makes it easier for people who need our services to find us easily." A new website is under development. The organization's rebranding will soon appear on signage and other materials across the county. "We are looking forward to the transition," Costa said in the release. "We believe that, with a new look and the same mission, we will be able to reach more Summit County-area residents and create brighter, more hopeful futures." 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. CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Twenty years ago, a library card could snag you a few books and a chat with your local librarian. But now, Ohio's 251 public libraries and branch locations are embracing technology more than ever, serving as community hubs while offering new resources to residents. "Books are still a major constant," said Michelle Francis, the Ohio Library Council's director of government and legal services. "But we have libraries who are lending musical instruments now; they're doing programming on how to use drones. Libraries today aren't even what they were five years ago." Thumb through the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Libraries' program guide and you'll find class offerings on topics from LEGOs to LinkedIn. The staff plans a wide array of free programming for kids, teens and adults about six months in advance, leaning heavily into visitors' evaluations and attendance numbers for guidance. It hosts several lectures dubbed "Tech Talks," focusing on topics such as coding basics and mastering virtual assistants. One of its most popular installments is a class dedicated to learning the ins and outs of how to ditch cable television and move to Internet-based streaming services. Roughly 20 to 30 students enroll each time the class is offered, according to library staff members. "I think this is where the neutrality of the library really appeals to people," said Heights Library Communications Manager Sheryl Banks. "We're not trying to sell them anything, so I think coming to something like that they're just going to get completely honest, sensible information on this issue." The state recently announced a partnership with online learning platform Lynda.com. Ohio's 8.7 million cardholders can now access classes on the site for free, choosing from more than 12,000 courses on topics such as cybersecurity, time management and photography. The Heights Library chain also offers several courses aimed at job seekers, along with computer banks with high-speed internet access. "It's absolutely crucial for low-income people, older people to have access to those things, otherwise they'd be completely cut out of the job application process," said Banks. And it's a helpful space for those looking for a new hobby, too. There are three innovation centers in the Cuyahoga County Library System. According to the CCLS's Hallie Rich, the centers are ideal for entrepreneurs, small business owners or tinkerers struck by their next great idea. Each location is slightly different, but a sampling of equipment includes a heat press, large format printers and computer numerical control, or CNC, machines. Visitors must complete an orientation session led by library staff before accessing the machinery. Accessing the centers is free to cardholders, though users have to pay for the cost of materials. But for some, it's a springboard to a side hustle. "A gentleman was using the laser engraver at our Garfield Heights branch to engrave different pieces, jewelry and keychains, and he was selling those things online," said Rich. "We had another woman who was starting her own catering and event business. She came in and used our design software to do her logo, printed it out using the vinyl cutter, and then used the heat press and created the staff's uniform T-shirts they'd be wearing when they were catering different events," Rich said. Area libraries have gone digital, too, offering downloadable e-books, magazines and movies. It's all a part of helping to meet people where they are. "I'm so glad our libraries are embracing and evolving, but they're evolving based on the needs of their customers in their local community," Francis said. AKRON, Ohio -- A Massachusetts chemist pleaded guilty Monday to federal drug charges that authorities say stemmed from him receiving shipments of synthetic opioids and other drugs from China to then send to drug users and dealers in Ohio and the United States. Bin Wang, a Canadian citizen and native of China, was part of an operation where people ordered drugs on a series of foreign websites, officials say. The drugs were shipped to Wang, who worked in the Boston suburbs. Wang then shipped packages domestically. Wang, 43, was arrested in 2017 before boarding a plane to Toronto. He pleaded guilty to 10 counts, including charges of conspiracy, distribution of synthetic drugs and use of a communication facility for drug dealing. Prosecutors and Wang have entered into a plea agreement in which both sides agreed to seek a prison sentence of between 57 and 71 months. Wang's agreement says he agreed to allow the destruction of lab equipment and items that Drug Enforcement Administration agents found at his home and his warehouse. He also agreed to forfeit an unspecified amount of money. U.S. District Judge John Adams will sentence Wang on Nov 13. Wang is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. He appeared at Monday's hearing in an orange jail jumpsuit, with a shackle around his waist that restrained his arms. Prior to the hearing, Adams held a meeting between Wang, his attorney Mark DeVan and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Cronin in a conference room. Upon his return, Wang answered Adams' questions as he affirmed that he wanted to admit to the charges in lieu of taking his case to trial. He acknowledged that he understood that his convictions could lead to his deportation. Wang also acknowledged that he and the government are seeking a lower sentence than what federal law may require. The agreement to what is known as a "safety valve" means the case and defendant must meet certain requirements, including that Wang has provided investigators all information he has about the offenses in his schemes. Federal prosecutors say Wang worked with a man in China named Gordon Jin to bring drugs into the United States. Jin was linked to shipments that Wang received in Massachusetts, the DEA says. Local and federal investigators pursued Wang and Jin after prosecutors charged Akron couple Leroy Steele and Sabrina Robinson in relation to the death of Thomas Rauh, according to a story published in August 2017 by cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Steele, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence, purchased the fentanyl he sold from China and later showed authorities how he purchased the drugs online, according to federal officials. From there, authorities found Jin, who communicated online with undercover federal investigators inquiring about buying synthetic drugs, and Wang, officials said. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Monday's crime and courts comments section. CINCINNATI, Ohio -- A biology teacher at a school district in Cincinnati arrived on England's southwest coast on Saturday, safely completing a solo row across the North Atlantic Ocean and possibly setting a record as well. Bryce Carlson, 37, a teacher at Seven Hills School, needed 38 days, six hours and 49 minutes to travel from from St. John's, Newfoundland, to St. Mary's in the Isles of Scilly in England, according to the Associated Press, a trip of more than 2,000 miles. He left from Newfoundland on June 27, WCPO Channel 9 reports. "I feel llke I had a lot of luck along the way and a lot of help from friends, family, the community, some higher power I don't know, a lot of help," Carlson said, according to WKRC Channel 12. He is believed to have set the record for the crossing despite capsizing several times while getting pummeled by high waves and the remnants of a hurricane. The previous record was 53 days, eight hours and 26 minutes. Carlson expected the trip to take about 50 to 60 days, reports say. The teacher spent about $75,000 of his own money on the specialized boat, which he named Lucille, after his grandmother. WASHINGTON, D.C. - When Sherrod Brown first sought re-election six years ago, his race drew more spending from outside groups than any other Senate race in the nation, with conservative groups dropping more than $19 million in an unsuccessful bid to oust the Ohio Democrat. So far this year, less than $1 million has been spent in that race, according to tallies compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics, which indicate the most money has gone toward contests in Alabama, Wisconsin, Missouri and Florida. But more money will likely go into the contest between Brown and Wadsworth Republican Rep. Jim Renacci as November draws closer, if Monday's announcement from the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Victory Fund and United Steelworkers (USW) Works is any indication. A coalition formed by the two groups, which calls itself the New American Jobs Fund, announced what it called "an initial $3.1 million investment" to mobilize voters in Ohio, Arizona, Nevada and Montana elections whose outcomes will help decide control of the U.S. Senate. The effort will include $500,000 in Ohio to back Brown through "persuasion and mobilization field programs" that aim to reach 58,500 voters through canvassing and direct mail in Cincinnati and surrounding Hamilton County, the group said. "Control of the U.S. Senate is in play, and this effort will directly communicate with the tens of thousands of voters who will decide the outcome of the election in these key states," said a statement from United Steelworkers International President Leo W. Gerard. "To ensure that Congress supports the jobs and economic security our communities need, we need to elect leaders who will help build a clean energy economy that works for everyone instead of politicians who are only beholden to their corporate backers." "We don't have to choose between good jobs and clean air and water, and that's why conservationists and labor are coming together once again to elect senators who share those values," added a statement from said LCV President Gene Karpinksi. "We know that face-to-face conversations about what's at stake bring voters to the polls, and our combined efforts will be key to retaking a pro-environment majority in the U.S. Senate that will invest in the clean energy jobs of the future and ensure that our health and safety take priority over corporate greed." LCV Victory Fund and USW Works first partnered on voter mobilization through the New American Jobs Fund in 2016. That effort helped elect Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto in Nevada, after Harry Reid's retirement. Renacci spokeswoman Leslie Shedd said she was unsurprised to see "outside groups running to the rescue of career politician Sherrod Brown." "They know Sherrod Brown's ultra-liberal voting record is more in line with Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Schumer than it is with the people of Ohio, putting him in serious jeopardy of losing his Senate seat," said a statement from Shedd. Most of the outside money that's been spent in Ohio this year has gone towards Tuesday's Columbus-area special election for the congressional seat vacated by Republican Pat Tiberi's departure to lead the Ohio Business Roundtable. The special election contest between Franklin County's Democratic recorder, Danny O'Connor, and Republican state Sen. Troy Balderson of Zanesville is viewed as a barometer of whether Republicans will face an electoral backlash from voters who might be dismayed by President Donald Trump's actions. Republican groups have spent more than $3.7 million so far on ads that try to link O'Connor, to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and claim that he supports higher taxes and lower border security. Trump and Vice President Pence have visited to campaign for Balderson. Featured stories Trump acknowledges purpose of 2016 Trump Tower meeting with Russians (New York Times) Ohio special election poses major test for Trump, as Dems threaten upset for district held by GOP for decades (Fox News) Hundreds crowd beach, await rescue after massive quake in Indonesia (CNN) National news More than a dozen arrested as protesters, counter-protesters clash in Berkeley (The Hill) Protests converge in Portland, but remain mostly peaceful (oregonlive.com) California fire explodes in size over weekend, is now 4th largest in state history (CNN) Large portions of Yosemite National Park remain closed as heavy smoke lingers (NBC News) Hurricane Hector is headed toward Hawaii, where a volcano is erupting (CNN) Baby's body found floating in East River near Brooklyn Bridge, police say (CBS News) 11 kids found on 'filthy' New Mexico compound during search for missing 3-year-old boy, sheriff says (Fox News) 17-year-old boy killed on bike among 6 shot in Chicago since Sunday afternoon (Chicago Tribune) Body of a white woman in her 20s discovered in rural Lee County is not Mollie Tibbetts, officials say (Des Moines Register) Small plane crashes in Southern California parking lot; 5 killed, authorities say (Fox News) The spot where Emmitt Till's body was found is marked by this sign; people keep shooting it up (Washington Post) World news Experts urge caution over latest North Korean move (The Hill) Trump poised to reimpose sanctions on Iran (The Hill) Corbyn 'sorry' for hurt inflicted on Jewish people by antisemitism row (The Guardian) 6 arrests in failed plot to assassinate Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (Associated Press) Saudi Arabia slashes economic ties with Canada over civil rights activists (CNBC) Switzerland crash: Twenty dead in WW2 plane crash (BBC) Zimbabwe opposition face wave of detentions, beatings after election loss (The Guardian) Afghanistan: Taliban suicide bomber kills NATO troops in Parwan (Al Jazeera) Israel says Gaza truce talks focus on easing closure in return for calm (Reuters) COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio's next attorney general will inherit its high-profile opioid lawsuit, and Democratic candidate Steve Dettelbach says he won't have a conflict of interest in prosecuting the case if elected. Dettelbach and BakerHostetler, where he's a partner and which represents a defendant in the case, told cleveland.com they have taken steps to wall-off the candidate from accessing case files and receiving compensation from the company. A Cincinnati legal ethics specialist analyzed the arrangement and concluded Dettelbach would have no conflict in prosecuting the case as the state's chief law enforcement official. "The duty of loyalty and confidentiality to clients and former clients is a cornerstone of the law," attorney George Jonson said in an interview. "What the rules are designed to do is make sure information is never disclosed to an opposing party or used against them. This walling off satisfies this goal, as Steve has never had any access to this information." Dettelbach became a partner at BakerHostetler after resigning as the U.S. attorney for Ohio's northern district in 2016. Baker is representing pharmaceutical company Endo Health Solutions in Ohio's lawsuit against opioid manufacturers the state claims are partially responsible for an expanding opiate abuse crisis. The lead attorney on the case is Carole Rendon, Dettelbach's longtime colleague who he recruited to the U.S. attorney's office and later to Baker. Dettelbach and Rendon, while in the U.S. attorney's office, were recused from the Cuyahoga County corruption case because Baker and Rendon's previous employer each represented clients implicated in the wide-ranging probe. Republican state Auditor Dave Yost, Dettelbach's opponent in the November election, has made the possibility of a conflict of interest a key campaign issue and on July 16 publicly called on Dettelbach to release more details. Days before, Dettelbach's campaign reached out to Jonson for analysis of the legal and monetary firewall created at the firm. The campaign declined to release a copy of the analysis. Baker declined to share details of the arrangement with cleveland.com. Yost said it's unacceptable that Dettelbach's campaign won't release any documents relating to the firewall. "Ohioans deserve transparency -- and after weeks of stonewalling, this response is as transparent as a brick wall," Yost said in a statement. "Here's what is transparent: We can't expect him to protect and defend Ohioans when his friends and business partners are on the other side." Dettelbach spokeswoman Liz Doherty said the campaign also has barred campaign contributions from opioid companies, while Yost's campaign has accepted at least $15,000 from pharmaceutical companies, including two named in Ohio's opioid litigation. What's the issue? When an attorney leaves a firm, he or she is still obligated to former clients. If the attorney or new firm represents a new client adverse to a former client, the attorney may have to be recused under state legal ethics rules. Dettelbach's new firm would be the attorney general's office. If Dettelbach were recused from the case, other attorneys in the office would continue to prosecute it, as was done when the U.S. attorney's office handled the Cuyahoga Corruption case. But there's no conflict if the attorney lacks "actual knowledge" of protected information about a client, according to state rules of professional conduct for attorneys. The rules read: "Under Ohio Rule 1.9(b), if a lawyer had no actual knowledge of protected information concerning the client represented by the lawyer's former firm, there is no primary disqualification of the lawyer, and thus there is nothing to impute to the lawyer's new firm." Jonathan Adler, a law professor at Case Western Reserve University, said the issue is not uncommon, especially in large firms or when one firm acquires another. Adler said it's reasonable to ask whether Dettelbach was involved with the client to the point recusal is necessary, but he hasn't seen any evidence of that. "If you're someone who cares about this particular issue, do you want this to be handled by the attorney general or a career attorney in the office?" Adler said. Walled-off Dettelbach announced his candidacy on May 30, 2017. Attorney General Mike DeWine sued Endo and four other companies the next day. At the time, Dettelbach saw an internal email at work indicating Baker was seeking clients in the case. He immediately told his managing partner he wanted no involvement in representation of any defendant in the case and asked that electronic and ethical firewalls be set up. According to Jonson, who reviewed statements describing the firewalls from Baker and Dettelbach, a three-fold firewall was established: Files relating to the case cannot be accessed by Dettelbach. Dettelbach's colleagues were made aware of the issue and instructed not to communicate with him in any way about the firm's work on the lawsuit. Baker calculated the ratio of the fees received from Endo to the firm's overall fees and reduced Dettelbach's total compensation by that percentage. Jonson said he has never met Dettelbach or contributed to his campaign, and he won't accept any payment for the analysis. Dave Freel, an ethics professor at Ohio State University and retired director of the Ohio Ethics Commission, said Dettelbach took the proper actions to wall himself off from any true conflict. "Steve has wisely done what any highly competent, ethical lawyer, prosecutor or judge does -- consult ethics advisers when alleged as having a conflict of interest -- especially in highly complex cases, involving many individuals who inevitably want the best law firms and lawyers representing all sides, some of those lawyers they may well know or have worked with," Freel said in an emailed statement. Details not made public Baker employs more than 900 attorneys at offices in Cleveland and a dozen other cities. Jonson and Adler said they wouldn't expect the firm to release documents detailing the arrangement, which could contain confidential information. Baker declined to answer questions but issued a statement through a firm spokeswoman: "At Steve Dettelbach's request, BakerHostetler has taken appropriate steps to wall off Mr. Dettelbach from any type of involvement in opioid-related litigation it handles for any client. Steps have also been taken, also at Mr. Dettelbach's request, to ensure that his compensation is reduced by any fees received as a result of any opioid litigation." "From their point of view, they're the lawyers representing this defendant, so their goal is to absolutely protect this defendant," Jonson said. "Part of the protection of that client is to make sure none of that information is available to Steve, so it's in their duty to their existing client to say, 'we're going to do a good job of this.'" COLUMBUS, Ohio--A picture of two Ohioans in matching shirts at a Donald Trump rally last weekend has caught fire on the Internet. The cleveland.com photo features James T. Alicie and Richard M. Birchfield, two friends from Delaware, Ohio, in T-shirts saying "I'd Rather Be A Russian Than A Democrat" during Trump's rally in southern Delaware County on Saturday evening. The picture of the two, posted Saturday night after the rally, quickly went viral, circulating around Twitter and Facebook and appearing on the front page of Reddit.com. Asked about their shirts, Alicie - who did most of the talking - said he didn't understand why Trump is getting so much criticism about Russia when Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama weren't similarly scrutinized. "Russia would be a lot better off being our friend and ally than an enemy," Alicie said. Asked what he would tell Democrats, Alicie said, "To jump on board this train and give him a chance." To that, Birchfield said: "Amen." Both Alicie and Birchfield said they intended to vote in Tuesday's special election for Troy Balderson, the 12th Congressional District Republican nominee that Trump touted during his rally. "Anytime I pull the lever, it's going to be a Republican," Alicie said. Alicie said that he voted for Ohio Gov. John Kasich in the 2016 GOP presidential primary, but he was disappointed that the governor didn't go to the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland for Trump's nomination. "It broke my heart, and I thought it was really wrong not giving support," Alicie said. "I wouldn't vote for Kasich to clean the latrine now." Model and author Chrissy Teigen used the photo of the men to troll her anti-Trump dad on his birthday. Other celebrities also weighed in on Twitter: America First? Not so much. pic.twitter.com/WmgWKFLt6v Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) August 5, 2018 T Shirts reveal catchy new slogan. No longer Americans. https://t.co/Q7WtLHXlxj Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) August 6, 2018 PARMA, Ohio -- Remaining flexible, adding technological capacity, creating community-friendly environments and allowing student-teacher innovation and collaboration are just a few of the recommendations from the Harrison Planning Group's educational visioning report, which was recently presented to Parma City School District officials. "This report is really about what we'd want to see in the district if we were able to pass a bond issue," Superintendent Charles Smialek said. "This is not looking backwards." Board of Education President John Schweitzer added, "The educational visioning report is one leg in a process guiding the district to put a well-thought-out, educationally sound and financially sustainable school district on a solid foundation as we move forward." During the 2017-2018 school year, more than 60 students, teachers, parents, community members, administrators and board members collaborated with Harrison Planning Group to develop visions of the facilities they feel will be critical to advance future student learning. The educational visioning report, which cost the district $23,000, is a precursor to the district's upcoming master planning process. "The Parma City Schools kicked off this process with our Focus on the Future Committees, followed by a thorough facilities report from the state of Ohio," Schweitzer said. "The data received from those efforts led to our educational visioning workshops held this past winter. "The last piece of the puzzle is our master planning process that will begin shortly. Master planning will take into consideration all three of the aforementioned pieces of this process," he said. The four-part process culminates with final recommendations regarding the future of Parma City Schools. There's no secret that the district's 18 buildings -- the majority of which were built in the 1950s and 1960s -- are in need of replacement. The notion was confirmed in an assessment presented by Thomas Porter Architects to the Board of Education earlier this year, as part of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) Classroom Facilities Assistance Program. "The reality is a consolidation plan or rebuilding plan is obviously a huge financial investment from the community," Smialek said. "So everything we've been going through with the education visioning piece, that's all geared towards if we do build new buildings, what's important? We certainly don't want to build a school that is obsolete when it opens its doors." Added Schweitzer, "The school administration and board are doing their due diligence, staying true to a solid process and are committed to planning and implementing a school district designed for 21st century teaching and learning based upon data, community input and the needs of our students, rather than a temporary quick fix." ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- City Council, in a special meeting on July 30, awarded the contract for designing the new police station and remodeling City Hall to Richard L. Bowen and Associates of Shaker Heights. The seven-member council passed the award with one council member absent and one abstention, by Councilman David Furry. The meeting had been postponed for a week after some discussion about the total financial commitment. Mayor Pam Bobst said the project will remain under $10 million, including the Bowen fees that total approximately $876,000. Furry said that amount was not put into writing. Furry had raised questions about Bowen's fees and the scope of the project in the prior meeting. "Do we need a new police station?" said Furry. "Yes, we do." But he said council needs "a firmer construction project" within the context of the amount to be paid to Bowen. Furry said he had voted for a needs assessment, which Bowen did, and said he had no disagreement with the result of the assessment. But, he said, "My only differing opinion, before we voted, was that we need firmer numbers. It's a special build out, two to three years out, that may have unique challenges." Furry said no other council members had comments on his reason for abstaining during the vote. Calls to Bowen and to Bobst were not returned by press time. Sunday Express (Link: Saudi Arabia expels Canadian Ambassador in human rights row) SAUDI ARABIA has expelled the Canadian Ambassador and recalled its Ambassador after the Canadian government issued a statement of concern over the detainment of civil society and womens rights activists. The statement, published by Canada's Foreign Office, stated: Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in Saudi Arabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful human rights activists. The Middle Eastern nation has also frozen all new trade and investment sanctions with Canada, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The Canadian Ambassador was also declared persona non grata, and issued 24 hours to the country The leading womens rights activist Samar Badawi, sister of imprisoned blogger Raif Badawi, was detained by Saudi police last week, according to Amnesty International. Canadas Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland commented on Ms Badawis arrest, stating: Very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi, Raif Badawis sister, has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, and we continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi. Mr Badawi was arrested in 2012 for criticism of the regime, and was subjected to 50 lashings in 2015. His wife, Ensaf Haidar, and three children were granted Canadian citizenship earlier this summer, and live in Quebec's Eastern Townships. Amid all the bad news about low ratings, low attendance and sponsors leaving the sport, NASCAR had a perfect day on Sunday. Watkins Glen was filled with fans and RVs, there was an exciting race from start to finish and the popular Chase Elliott, the man who has both old school and new school fans, won his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race. That rare bit of good news for the sport lasted about 18 hours until news broke that NASCAR CEO Brian France got arrested for DWI and Oxycodone possession Sunday night in Long Island. According to TMZ, France was stopped for driving through a stop sign in the Hamptons. And after failing a field sobriety test, France was found to have a blood alcohol level of twice the legal limit and had Oxycodone pills on him in a search. France also supposedly tried to name drop his famous and powerful friends during the stop, including President Donald Trump. NASCARs Brian France spends night in jail after being charged with a DWI & possession of a controlled substance that is being reported as oxycodone. Arrest happened at 7:30p.m. pic.twitter.com/tMdDbCgE1Q Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 6, 2018 This isnt Frances first incident with alcohol and driving. In 2006, according to the Daytona Beach News Journal, France was reportedly driving erratically to his Florida condo but because of a technicality and police interviewed France in his home, they could not arrest him even though France admitted to the officers that he was drinking earlier that night. Honestly, I hope Brian France sees this as a wake up call and becomes a better person as a result. Yes, this is bad but sometimes its about how you react to something thats bad. If France sees this as a means to get help, gets that help and shows that he has changed, we are a forgiving society and we will support him through his recovery. Having said that, I also hope NASCAR sees this as the catalyst to finally get rid of Brian France as CEO of NASCAR. Even if he may do a lot behind the scenes, France has been an absent leader for years by rarely being at the track. That gives off the impression to fans, the media and those at the track, that he doesnt care about NASCAR if he cant be bothered to show up at the track more than a few times a year. Now, he has just ruined a very rare piece of good news for the sport within 24 hours of it happening. Does anyone remember Chase Elliott winning yesterday? That seems so long ago. And its all Brian Frances fault. Those two statements are mutually exclusive. Theres nothing I want more than to see Brian France get help, get well and come out of this a better person. And when that happens, I want him to find a great job and prosper, just not as CEO of NASCAR. The time for change is now. [TMZ] CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here is the preview and pitching matchups for the Indians' series against the Twins. Where/when: Progressive Field, Monday through Thursday. TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio, WTAM/1100 and WMMS/FM 100.7 will carry the series. Pitching matchups and starting times: RHP Kyle Gibson (5-8, 3.47) vs. RHP Trevor Bauer (10-6, 2.34) on Monday at 7:10 p.m.; RHP Adalberto Mejia (1-0, 2.60) vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco (13-5, 3.66) Tuesday at 7:10 p.m.; RHP Jake Odorizzi (4-7, 4.60) vs. RHP Mike Clevinger (7-7, 3.48) at 7:10 p.m. and RHP Jose Berrios (11-8, 3.51) vs. RHP Corey Kluber (14-6, 2.643) Thursday at 1:10 p.m. Series: The Twins lead the Indians, 7-5, this year. The Indians lead, 1,144-1,004, overall. Hot pitchers: Kluber has won his last two starts, allowing one run in 16 1/3 innings. Twins reliever Trevor Hildenberger has not allowed a run in 26 of his last 31 appearances, posting 14 holds in the process. Hot hitters: Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez leads the big leagues with 12 homers and 30 RBI in the first inning this season. Minnesota CF Jake Cave is hitting .305 (25-for-82) with 15 RBI over his last 30 games. Team updates: The Indians have won their last three series, going 6-3 against Detroit, the Twins and Angels. The Twins are coming off a three-game sweep of the Royals after losing two of three last week to the Indians at Target Field. Disabled list: Twins - C Jason Castro (right knee), RHP Michael Pineda (right elbow) and RHP Aaron Siegers. Indians - CF Tyler Naquin (right hip), RHP Josh Tomlin (right hamstring), OF Lonnie Chisenhall (left calf), RHP Evan Marshall (right elbow), RHP Nick Goody (right elbow), RHP Danny Salazar (right shoulder) and RHP Cody Anderson (right elbow) are on the disabled list. C Yan Gomes (right hamstring) is day to day. Next: The Indians open a six-game trip with a three-game series against the White Sox on Friday night at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Undead Archives I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world. Foreign tourists in veils seen on a passenger boat with the Iranian flag amass in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz on May 2, 2017 near Hormuz Island, Iran. An oil tanker is seen on the move in the background. Kaveh Kazemi | Getty Images The first round of U.S. nuclear sanctions on Iran officially snapped back into place on Tuesday, and although that turn of events pales in comparison to a raft of penalties yet to come, experts say it sends a clear signal that Washington is willing to pummel the Iranian economy. President Donald Trump gave banks and companies 90 days to prepare for the return of some sanctions after he abandoned the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in May. Since then, Iran's currency, the rial, has plummeted and the Iranian economy is faltering, sparking protests across the country. The Trump administration is wagering that the sanctions can pile enough pressure on Iran that they will lead to a better deal than President Barack Obama secured, even though Obama enforced the same penalties and marshaled far more international support for them. "I am pleased that many international firms have already announced their intent to leave the Iranian market, and several countries have indicated that they will reduce or end imports of Iranian crude oil," Trump said in a statement on Monday. "We urge all nations to take such steps to make clear that the Iranian regime faces a choice: either change its threatening, destabilizing behavior and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation. I think that come Monday, a lot of that speculation, a lot of that wishful thinking will have been put to rest when those sanctions are back in place. Richard Nephew senior research fellow, Center on Global Energy Policy Under the 2015 agreement, the international community lifted wide-ranging sanctions on Iran in exchange for the oil-rich Middle Eastern country accepting limits on its nuclear program. The Trump administration wants Iran to accept a dozen additional concessions. "One of the things I've heard an awful lot of over the course of the last couple of months is whether or not this is still all a feint, and all intended to rejuvenate the diplomatic process that had otherwise been stalled," said Richard Nephew, the lead sanctions expert to the U.S. team that negotiated the nuclear deal. "I think that come Monday, a lot of that speculation, a lot of that wishful thinking will have been put to rest when those sanctions are back in place," Nephew, now a senior research scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy, said during a conference call with reporters. The initial volley of sanctions aims to block the Iranian government from accessing U.S. dollars, making significant rial transactions, maintaining overseas bank accounts or issuing sovereign debt. Iran also faces renewed barriers to transacting in gold, precious metals and other commodities like graphite and types of aluminum and steel. Those measures weren't designed to level a hammer blow at Iran's economy, but to close loopholes that would help Tehran evade sanctions on Iran's lifeblood energy industry, according to Nephew. For that reason, their impact on the Iranian economy will be limited, Nephew said. But the end of the 90-day grace period does contain some measures that will have a direct impact on Iran's economy, namely sanctions on Iran's automotive and civil aviation sectors. The automotive industry is the nation's biggest employer after the energy sector, and the government had plans to ramp up production in coming years. But the sanctions have forced European automakers like Peugeot to suspend investments In Iran. Similarly, the sanctions dashed a $20 billion deal to sell Boeing aircraft to Iran and threaten to wipe out billions in orders for Airbus. Iran's aging fleet of air carriers is notorious for its high accident rate. Against that backdrop, European countries trying to salvage the nuclear deal have been seeking to temper Iran's expectations for the benefits the accord can deliver, said Jarrett Blanc, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, who oversaw U.S. commitments to the agreement in the Obama administration. The U.S. sanctions are most effective on big multinational companies because Washington can use them to lock companies out of the American market. If companies don't do much business with the U.S., they have little to lose by trading with Iran, though they need a bank willing to process the transactions. The question boils down to whether Iran can continue to sell enough oil and sustain enough trade with small and mid-size firms to avoid recession, Blanc told reporters on the conference call. "They're questions that have much more to do with Iran's non-European trading partners, so India, China, and the rest," he said, "The Europeans have a role to play here, but it's by no means the largest role." Paul Manafort and Richard Gates arrive at the Prettyman Federal Courthouse for a bail hearing November 6, 2017 in Washington, DC. Lawyers for Paul Manafort, the former campaign chairman for U.S. President Donald Trump, will face a major test on Monday when they cross-examine an accountant who testified that she helped Manafort to prepare fraudulent tax returns. The jury in the Alexandria, Virginia, trial heard testimony on Friday from Cynthia Laporta, who described how Manafort and longtime business associate Rick Gates doctored financial statements and backdated loans. Manafort has pleaded not guilty to 18 counts of bank and tax fraud and failing to disclose foreign bank accounts. The charges largely predate his five months on the Trump campaign. Since the trial started on Tuesday, Manafort's lawyers have kept their cross-examinations brief and at times shied from addressing seemingly damaging testimony in detail. But Laporta's testimony raised the stakes for Manafort, legal experts said. Testifying under immunity, she was the first witness to admit she knew accounting maneuvers Manafort and Gates requested of her were wrong and could be crimes. One accounting trick saved Manafort $500,000 in taxes, she said. David Axelrod, a former federal prosecutor who is now a defense attorney, said Manafort's lawyers need to hammer home that Laporta received immunity for providing potentially incriminating evidence against Manafort, and highlight her own admission that she went along with the accounting for fear of losing a lucrative client, an acknowledgement she lied for money. "You make her say 'I lied' as many times as you can," Axelrod said. Judge T.S. Ellis told Manafort's lawyers on Friday they could dig into Laporta's immunity agreement on cross. "You're entitled to go into that in any detail you want to," he said. Laporta was the 14th witness called by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller, whose case against Manafort arose out of his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign. The charges against Manafort do not address collusion, although a second trial set for September in Washington could reveal new information on that issue. Contradicting earlier statements, Trump acknowledged on Sunday that his son met with Russians in 2016 at Trump Tower to get information on election opponent Hillary Clinton. Manafort also attended the meeting, along with other campaign aides. Donald Trump tweet Packaging company Amcor will absorb U.S. rival Bemis in a $5.25 billion all-stock deal, the Australian company announced Monday. "We will establish a listing on the New York Stock Exchange with a market capitalization of about $17 billion," Amcor CEO Ron Delia told CNBC about the deal. The deal will give Amcor deeper access to the rigid-plastic packaging business in North America. That segment of Amcor's business represented about 32 percent its sales before the deal, focused in Europe and Asia. Amcor will issue 5.1 of its shares for each Bemis share, valuing the stock at $57.75 per share, and Bemis shareholders will end up with 29 percent of the combined company. The transaction is subject to approval by regulators and shareholders of both firms, which expect it to be completed in the first quarter of 2019. Packaging firms are jostling to buy growth with acquisitions and Delia emphasized Amcor's ability to still keep its checkbook open. "With this structure of the deal, the company will continue to have an investment grade balance sheet," Delia said. "It's the right time in the cycle to be using stock." Delia did not say if any jobs would be cut as a result of the acquisition, instead calling the deal "overwhelmingly about adding capability and talent." Activist investor Starboard Value had four directors added to the Bemis board of directors in March. None of those Starboard-related directors will join the combined Amcor board after the deal, Delia said. Reuters contributed to this report. Global energy and services business Centrica made what it described as a "multi-million pound" investment in an Israeli start-up Monday. The business, Driivz, specializes in end-to-end software solutions for electric vehicle (EV) charging. The investment in Driivz was co-led by Ombu Group and is part of a 9 million ($11.67 million) funding round, Centrica said in a statement. Driivz, which has offices in both California and Tel Aviv, was set up in 2012. It has developed an EV charging operating system that is cloud based and used by more than 200,000 drivers worldwide. Centrica's investment was made through Centrica Innovations, which was established in in 2017 with the goal of investing 100 million in new innovations and technologies. "With 14 million EVs expected on U.K. roads by 2030, there can be no doubt that e-mobility will have a significant impact on how we manage the delicate balance of supply and demand to the grid," Jonathan Tudor, Centrica Innovations' director of technology and innovation strategy, said. "This investment is a key opportunity for Centrica to support growing customer demand and work in partnership with Driivz to explore new offers for customers that connect home, work and on-the-road car charging, while also evaluating the role of EVs and potential vehicle-to-grid applications as part of the future energy landscape," Tudor added. Centrica's investment in Driivz represents the latest example of a big business investing in the EV sector. In June, for example, BP entered into an agreement to buy EV charging business Chargemaster. BP described Chargemaster as operating the largest EV charging network in the U.K. Founded in 2008, the company runs a public network of more than 6,500 EV charging points and designs, builds, sells and maintains EV charging units, BP said. Of Centrica's investment in Driivz, the Israeli firm's CEO Doron Frenkel said that by working together the two businesses would be able to "expedite the adoption of EVs and become a leading force in the distribution of energy." US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) arrive prior to a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, July 8, 2017. China is staying calm and rational in the face of an escalating trade dispute with the United States, Chinese state media claimed in editorials. That came after Beijing announced on Friday that it was preparing to retaliate in the trade war with new tariffs on about $60 billion worth of U.S. goods. "China's countermeasures are rational, and the emphasis can be found in their quantitative and qualitative aspects," said the Global Times, a nationalistic newspaper linked to the Chinese Communist Party. China's import taxes would range in rates from 5 percent to 25 percent, the country's Ministry of Commerce said in an announcement on its website. Many of the goods are agricultural-related, with others on various metals and chemicals. "China's recent counter-response is a restrained one, and the country is reserving the right and its ability to announce more against the U.S. China's countermeasures aim to minimize the detrimental impact on domestic production and living standards. China is balancing short-term gain with long-term interests, risk versus opportunity, along with core and marginal interests," the Global Times said in the op-ed on Saturday. The tax rate countermeasures were made after listening to public opinion and thoroughly evaluating potential impacts, the Global Times claimed. "Public welfare, domestic business stamina, maintenance of the global industrial chain, and other factors were considered when deciding each countermeasure," it said. China declared it will impose the new tariffs if the U.S. places more tariffs on Chinese imports. President Donald Trump's administration has proposed new tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods that could potentially be 25 percent levies. Chinese state media also emphasized the official position that trade disputes should be resolved through discussions. As Communist Party-owned China Daily put it: "China has long insisted that trade disputes should be settled through talks and a trade war is naturally the last thing it wants." "In the face of the bullying of the Donald Trump administration, Beijing must remain sober-minded and never let emotion override reason when deciding how to respond to the US administration's unreasonable and insensible self-promoting hullabaloo," China Daily said in its Sunday editorial. The powerful People's Daily, however, was less measured in a Monday morning editorial published in Chinese, as the Communist Party-owned newspaper lashed out at President Donald Trump. Trump has turned international trade into a "zero-sum game" by unilaterally stoking trade tensions, said the editorial. In fact, the editorial added that Trump is starring in his own carefully-orchestrated "21st century 'Street Fighter'-style deceitful drama" and his expectation that others play along is simply "wishful thinking." "Governing a country is not like doing business," said the People's Daily editorial. CNBC's Michael Sheetz contributed to this report. An officer of local market regulation administration inspects freeze-dried vaccines for human use produced by Liaoning Chengda Biotechnology Co., Ltd at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on July 23, 2018 in Rong an County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. The drug safety scandals in recent weeks have underlined the risks to international consumers posed by weak oversight in China, the world's largest supplier of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Chinese manufacturers account for 40 percent of the global production of such ingredients, according to the UK's medicines regulator. It was an API was behind the first of the scandals in July. The European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration issued alerts over a cancer-causing ingredient used in a blood pressure medication, supplied by Chinese company Zhejiang Huahai, resulting in a recall of affected drugs. Then Beijing announced that hundreds of thousands of substandard vaccine doses had been sold in China, prompting a public outcry. Senior executives were arrested at the pharma company, Changsheng Biotech, which was also accused by authorities of forging data during the production of rabies vaccines. China is home to thousands of API producers, with exports worth $29bn last year, according to Beijing, and its producers supply ingredients for generic drugmakers such as Teva Pharmaceutical and multinationals including Johnson & Johnson and Novartis. About 80 percent of APIs used in the US come from China and India, according to industry estimates. "Many [Chinese] API companies do not strictly follow established [manufacturing] processes, and do not strictly record data," said John Lin, a partner at EY in China. "Regulatory authorities do not conduct enough spot checks on API producers due to insufficient staff," he added. Domestic regulators are not required to inspect companies that produce solely for export. Companies importing Chinese APIs are expected to carry out their own tests and report irregularities to regulators such as the FDA and the EMA, who can inspect Chinese producers in China and impose import bans. The number of FDA warnings to Chinese pharmaceutical manufacturers, a prelude to being placed on an import blacklist, has jumped from five in 2014 to 22 last year. Indian companies have also received regular warnings but Chinese companies have received more than their Indian counterparts for the past two years. The letters are feared by Chinese manufacturers, whose executives call Peter Baker, a director of the FDA's Beijing office, "the killer", people in the industry said. The FDA has issued 11 warning letters to Chinese manufacturers this year so far, while the EMA has issued six complaints. But analysts say the oversight of overseas agencies still falls short because of a lack of staff in China. The FDA had just 17 employees in the country overseeing the 700 facilities that supply the US, according to a 2016 report from Raps, an industry body that focuses on regulation in healthcare. "Concerns over how FDA can adequately track the drug and API supply chain is starting to worry Congress," Raps wrote at the time. The FDA has confirmed that it now employs 22 staff members in China, including six local hires, suggesting the number of inspectors has barely changed. FDA inspections in the US are unannounced, whereas in China they are generally known about in advance. "The FDA has made significant progress in its oversight of drugs manufactured in China," the FDA said. "As in other areas around the world, some Chinese companies meet US product quality standards but some sites do not meet our requirements." EU national authorities conduct 20-40 inspections of Chinese API manufacturers every year, according to the EMA, with about 10 percent of inspections finding non-compliance. Warnings to Chinese companies published by the FDA and EMA in recent years show that dozens have violated standards, mainly relating to record-keeping during the manufacturing process. In several cases the exporters shipped large volumes of product before the infractions were discovered. In a warning sent last year to China's Changzhou Jintan Qianyao Pharmaceutical Raw Materials, for example, the FDA said the company did not have any quality-related procedures in place before 2016, even while it was shipping drugs to the US. Company staff told an FDA inspector that they lacked written records because "warehouse employees accounted for incoming raw material handling, sampling, and testing 'in their heads'". Rosemary Gibson, an adviser at The Hastings Center, a healthcare think-tank, said cost-cutting by the drug industry was the true culprit for lowered standards. "Globalisation is de facto deregulation," she added. China is trying to improve matters. Inspections are becoming more regular and professional as China aims to build a world-class biotech sector and export more finished drugs. In 2015, the China Food and Drug Administration introduced a regulatory framework comparable with developed countries, an achievement recognised last year when China became the eighth member of ICH, the global drug standards body. The regulations require random inspections of pharmaceutical manufacturers, which resulted in the revocation of manufacturing certification from 32 companies last year. Recent scandals "can be a major setback for China's pharma industry", said Chen Xi, a professor at the Yale School of Public Health. "On the other hand, this scandal can be a good chance if the Chinese government takes this crisis as an opportunity to reform." But critics say local officials still protect small producers, while the low salaries of inspectors make them vulnerable to bribes. "It's all there on paper now it's the time for enforcement," said David Deere, chief commercial officer at PaizaBio, a US company that helps multinational pharmaceutical companies expand in China. "You've got to get the bad players out of the business. That is going to blow through the local interests. Its going to take them years." More from the Financial Times: Police lock down Beijing's financial district to thwart protests China private equity funds suffer wave of closures China millennials' love of credit cards raises debt fears Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Jared Evans, a member of the Indianapolis City-County Council, is proud that the city is among 20 finalists for one of the most coveted prizes in the country: the planned second headquarters of Amazon. He does, however, have one small question: What financial incentives did his city dangle in front of Amazon? "What have I been told?" Mr. Evans said. "Absolutely nothing." Across the country, the search for HQ2, as the project has been nicknamed, is shrouded in secrecy. Even civic leaders can't find out what sort of tax credits and other inducements have been promised to Amazon. And there is a growing legal push to find out, because taxpayers could get saddled with a huge bill and have little chance to stop it. "The only time the public may become aware if the city has promised Amazon incentives is if we win and then we need to get those incentives passed," Mr. Evans said. A primary reason for the information blackout is that, in many cases, the bids were handled by local private Chamber of Commerce affiliates or economic development groups that aren't required to make their negotiations public. Many of the groups are also not covered by Freedom of Information Act or state open-records requests. More from the New York Times: Steel Giants With Ties to Trump Officials Block Tariff Relief for Hundreds of Firms 'Too Little Too Late': Bankruptcy Booms Among Older Americans As Google Maps Renames Neighborhoods, Residents Fume But another reason is gamesmanship. Some cities say they want their Amazon proposals to remain confidential to avoid showing their hand to rivals. And Amazon required the finalists to sign nondisclosure agreements that forbid the local groups to release proprietary information about the company. "I don't know what we offered Amazon in terms of financial incentives, but I believe Amazon wants to see the biggest incentive package that any city will offer them," said Leslie Pool, a member of the Austin City Council. The city, also a finalist, submitted a bid put together by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, which had no consultations with the City Council. With so much secrecy and bids like Austin's that involve unelected officials making promises there is the risk that taxpayers and their civic leaders will be forced to accept the proposed terms or live with turning down an enormously lucrative opportunity. Amazon, which is expected to make $235 billion in revenue this year, promises to bring the winning location up to 50,000 high-paying jobs and a $5 billion investment in construction. When the competition was announced last year, 238 places vied to be considered. In January, that list was winnowed to 20 finalists, which are now waiting to find out whether their communities will land the project. There is widespread speculation that the company could cut the field down again as soon as this month, asking for best-and-final offers. Amazon has not offered any updates, and a spokesman declined to answer questions about the process or the company's plans on the record. The few bids that have become public are breathtaking financial packages that indicate just how much states are willing to pony up to woo Amazon. Maryland put together an $8.5 billion tax incentive and infrastructure bid, and local and state officials in New Jersey got legislative approval to offer Amazon $7 billion in tax credits and incentives to pick Newark. But that kind of transparency is the exception. Cowen bumped its rating on shares of Qualcomm to "outperform" from "market perform" on Monday. "Several potential catalysts could unlock significant value within the Qualcomm franchise," Cowen analyst Matthew Ramsay wrote in a note, adding that the risk vs. reward analysis of the chipmaker makes it a "compelling" buy. Shares of Qualcomm rose 0.5 percent after the report, closing trading at $65.73 per share. A settlement with "either Apple or Huawei" in ongoing litigation was among the catalysts Cowen identified, Ramsay wrote. Cowen says it believes "Qualcomm is in a favorable negotiating position" as it heads toward court dates with Apple before the International Trade Commission. "Apple's influence over Qualcomm's business is now minimal," Ramsay said. "We believe the risk/reward heading into non-standard patent ITC case against Qualcomm is unfavorable for Apple." The semiconductor company could also benefit from the "execution of a significant buyback" Qualcomm announced $30 billion of share buybacks during its most recent earnings report and "a potential infusion of new ideas into management," the analyst wrote. "At current valuation levels, we believe the risk/reward set up is attractive as we believe investors are not currently valuing significant traction in any of these potential catalysts," Ramsay wrote. Cowen raised its price target on Qualcomm stock to $80 per share from $64 per share. The parent company of Mercedes-Benz is in talks to build electric versions of its tiny Smart branded cars in China with a local partner, Bloomberg reported Monday, citing anonymous sources. Daimler is in talks to start a joint venture with Chinese manufacturer BAIC Group subsidiary Beijing Electric Vehicle, or BJEV, Bloomberg reported. Foreign companies wishing to do business in China typically must set up partnerships with Chinese companies. It is a sign that Daimler is continuing to step up its electric vehicle efforts, and take further advantage of the increasingly hot market for electric cars in China. Daimler was not immediately available for comment to CNBC and declined to comment to Bloomberg. Daimler's Smart car subsidiary makes small vehicles known as "microcars" and subcompact cars. Smart cars have been a tough sell in many markets particularly in the United States. But Daimler has been betting the cars will appeal to consumers looking for efficient and nimble vehicles well-suited to crowded environments, such as dense cities. The size of Daimler's stake in the joint venture was unclear, Bloomberg reports. But the two companies have a history of collaboration. Daimler took a nearly 4 percent stake in BJEV in March specifically to further development of electric vehicles. In February, the German manufacturer signed a deal with BAIC to build a $1.9 billion factory for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. China's electric vehicle market is dominated by local companies, but non-Chinese carmakers have sought to gain a slice of the world's largest car market through joint ventures or other strategies. For example, Tesla is looking to build a factory in China, which it plans to fund through a loan from a Chinese bank, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said when the company reported second-quarter earnings last week. Daimler is also investing in electric vehicles outside of China. The company has been building electric freight trucks and plans to release several electric vehicles over the next few years under the Mercedes-Benz brand name. Read the full story at Bloomberg. Construction crews prepare a set of border wall prototypes along the U.S. border with Mexico on U.S. Customs and Border Protection property near San Diego, California. The Trump administration's plan to build its long-promised border wall is "proceeding without key information," including any assessment of costs, according to a government study published Monday. This shortcoming could waste time and money, according to the study from the Government Accountability Office. "DHS faces an increased risk that the Border Wall System Program will cost more than projected, take longer than planned, or not fully perform as expected," the GAO concluded. The Department of Homeland Security also failed to document its plans for a section of the proposed barrier in San Diego as required, the report said. The GAO audit was sparked by a request from Democrat lawmakers Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Reps. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and Filemon Vela of Texas. "To be blunt, this Administration has no clue what it is doing and must be held accountable," Thompson said. "Simply put, the White House has not done their homework; they are gambling taxpayer money while operating on incomplete information," Vela said in a joint statement with Thompson. DHS says it concurred with the report's recommendations to analyze the costs of future wall segments and document certain plans. But in a letter to the watchdog office included in the appendix of the report, DHS official Jim Crumpacker pushed back. "It is misleading and inaccurate for GAO to say that progress is not being documented or to imply that progress is not being tracked," Crumpacker said in the letter. Crumpacker also disagreed that DHS should analyze costs before looking at operational risks. "There is nothing in the guidance prohibiting an approach that first looks at the operational priorities based on risks/threats," he said. In a statement to CNBC, a DHS spokeswoman defended the push to build a border wall. "Americans deserve a secure border that protects our communities and keeps America safe and this administration is doing so by constructing the first border wall in a decade," the spokeswoman said. The department received $1.34 billion for "fencing" along the southern borders of the Rio Grande Valley and San Diego in the latest government spending bill. Trump wanted as much as $25 billion for the border wall and had reportedly proposed funding it through the military. DHS has requested an additional $1.6 billion for the construction of a "wall system" covering about 65 miles of the Rio Grande Valley sector in the next spending bill, according to the report. Countries espousing free trade in response to U.S. trade war threats should just drop all their own tariffs to zero but they won't, St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President James Bullard told CNBC on Monday. "The positioning here is that the other countries are all free trade and the U.S. is not. If that's really what we're saying then just drop all tariffs and all nontariff barriers. Go down to zero. That would be better outcome for the whole world," Bullard told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe." "Why is that not going happen? Because they're protecting their industries, that's why it's not going to happen. So, they're protectionist." Markets have been on edge ever since President Donald Trump launched a trade conflict with China and allies in the EU, Canada and Mexico over what he deemed an unfair trade deficit between America and its trading partners. The U.S. and other countries have so far slapped new tariffs on $85 billion worth of goods, with Washington and Beijing threatening more. Chinese officials, in response to Trump's moves, have called for compliance with World Trade Organization rules and opposition to protectionism. But a look at Chinese policies shows that the country has long engaged in protectionism of its own industries, Bullard said. Six Democrats in Kansas are vying this week to challenge a Republican incumbent in an unusually crowded primary for a typically safe GOP seat, in the latest test of whether Democrats in red states will embrace left-wing ideals. The race for the Kansas 3rd District has gained national attention, as the jam-packed Democratic field jockeys to challenge GOP Rep. Kevin Yoder in his quest for re-election. Some of the Democratic candidates have focused on more liberal policy planks, with one candidate getting support from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a leading voice on the left. Others have focused on a more centrist approach, stoking a debate over whether primary voters in red states should focus more on their ideals or who would be most effective in a general election. One of the leading candidates, former White House fellow Sharice Davids, would be the first Native American woman elected to Congress and one of few openly gay lawmakers if she goes on to defeat Yoder in November. Her two strongest opponents are Brent Welder, a labor lawyer endorsed by Sanders, and Tom Niermann, a high school history teacher backed by local elected officials. Other candidates include Sylvia Williams, a banker, Mike McCamon, a former tech executive, and Jay Sidie, the 2016 Democratic nominee for the seat. Yet despite the debate, experts argue that the surge of Democratic enthusiasm in the district, which is located in the northeast part of the state, could be a big warning sign for Yoder. "It's the first contentious primary for Democrats with an uncertain outcome in Kansas, period," said Patrick Miller, a political science professor at the University of Kansas. "Republicans are losing in races where they outspent absolute nobodies by incredible margins. Yoder can't afford to take the re-election for granted." Welder and Davids will likely appeal to more liberal voters. Niermann and Williams could draw more moderate voters who believe they have the best chance to replace Yoder in a GOP-leaning area. "It's unusual to have a candidate stressing LGBT issues, and another that is endorsed by Bernie Sanders, doing so well in Kansas," said Michael Smith, political science professor at Emporia State University in Kansas. "In fact, it's unusual for Democrats in Kansas to have a primary race at all. Usually they just run one candidate per race." President Donald Trump makes a statement before saying goodbye to North Korea leader Kim Jong Un after their meeting in the Capella Hotel after their working lunch, on Sentosa island in Singapore June 12, 2018. North Korean state media called on Monday for the United States to drop sanctions, saying Pyongyang had demonstrated good faith by ending its nuclear weapons testing and handing over the remains of U.S. troops killed in the Korean War. The statements came just days after a confidential United Nations report concluded North Korea has not stopped its nuclear and missile programs, in breach of U.N. resolutions, and has continued to conduct illegal trades of oil, coal and other commodities. North Korea and the United States vowed to work to end Pyongyang's weapons programs at a landmark summit in June in Singapore, but have struggled to reach an agreement to accomplish that goal. The North's state media accused Washington of "acting opposite" to its plan to improve ties, despite Pyongyang making goodwill gestures, including a moratorium on nuclear and missile tests, the dismantling of a nuclear site, and the return of the remains of U.S. soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War. Such "practical measures" had already deprived U.N. Security Council resolutions of their reason for being, said the Rodong Sinmun, a ruling Workers' Party mouthpiece. "There have been outrageous arguments coming out of the U.S. State Department that it won't ease sanctions until a denuclearization is completed, and reinforcing sanctions is a way to raise its negotiating power," the newspaper said in an editorial. "How could the sanctions, which were a stick the U.S. administration had brandished as part of its hostile policy against us, promote the two countries' amity?" The editorial, which was run along with front page articles and photos of leader Kim Jong Un's visit to a catfish farm, was a fresh sign of Pyongyang's frustration over the slow-moving nuclear negotiations. Under U.S. President Donald Trump, the United States pushed the United Nations to impose tough sanctions on North Korea as Kim conducted a string of missile and nuclear tests last year. At a security forum on Saturday, the two sides sparred over the Singapore agreement, with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling for maintaining sanctions against Pyongyang, and his North Korean counterpart, Ri Yong Ho, criticizing Washington for "retreating" from ending the war during a speech. Pompeo suggested the North's continued work on its weapons programs was inconsistent with Kim's commitment to denuclearize, although he expressed optimism the process would be achieved. On his way back to Washington, Pompeo played down the exchange of remarks with Ri, saying the tone was far different than it was last year. "The minister made very clear of their continued commitment to denuclearize," Pompeo told reporters traveling with him. "I probably don't have his words exactly right, but it's pretty close. Compare the anger, frankly, over years and years, and hatred, as spewed by the North Koreans; his comments were different." North Korea's propaganda websites on Monday also urged the United States to drop sanctions and build trust. One outlet, Uriminzokkiri, lambasted the sanctions and pressure campaign as "anachronistic" and a hurdle for better relations, calling for efforts to officially declare an end to the Korea War. The Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving the U.S.-led United Nations forces, including South Korea, technically still at war with the North. The State Department has said it is committed to building a peace mechanism to replace the armistice, but only after the North abandons its nuclear program. Maeri, another North Korean outlet, stressed the need for U.S. action to build confidence in response to the North's moves to close its weapons programs and send back the soldiers' remains. "It takes two to tango," the website said. Kim Eui-kyeom, a spokesman for South Korea's presidential Blue House, said on Monday the government had no information regarding suspected sanctions evasion by North Korea as detailed in the confidential U.N. report. South Korea is asking the North to speed up the process of denuclearization while asking the United States to show sincerity concerning North Korea's demands for reciprocal steps, Kim said. The number of women leading some of America's largest companies, already tiny, shrunk even more Monday. PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, an iconic leader, announced she would step down in October and Pepsi President Ramon Laguarta would succeed her. With the departures of Nooyi, Mattel's Margo Georgiadis and Campbell Soup's Denise Morrison this year, women will lead just 24 out of the 500 companies in the S&P 500. That means women represent less than 5 percent of chief executives in the group. "The reality is that we have more work to do if we want to see progress for women in the very top level of companies," said Heather Foust-Cummings, senior vice president of research at Catalyst, a nonprofit that promotes women in the workplace. Nooyi became PepsiCo's first female chief executive in 2006 and pushed the company toward a more nutritious portfolio and a more diverse business in her 12-year tenure. She's spoken about the challenges women leaders face, including how they're held to a different standard than men, as well as the need to find a solution for women balancing corporate careers and families. Women make up more than half of the workforce, according to Department of Labor statistics, but fewer make it to the top of the corporate ladder. Some leave their jobs to care for children or aging parents. Others who stay in the corporate world tend to lose ground compared with their male peers, according to a report from McKinsey & Co. and nonprofit organization Lean In. Their latest study found women hold only 21 percent of senior vice president roles and "since the vast majority of CEOs come from line roles, this dramatically hurts women's odds of reaching the very top." "I think in any organization, people are more comfortable with people with similar backgrounds, perspectives," said Karen Kosiba Edwards, a partner at Boyden executive search firm. "Those are the easiest people to choose, mentor and promote. But what's easy is not necessarily going to make you a leader or a winner in the kinds of challenges that we're all facing today. I think we've all gotta stretch ourselves a little bit." Some industries have seen more female leaders than others. Four of the top five U.S. defense companies will soon be led by women: Northrop Grumman incoming CEO Kathy Warden, Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson, General Dynamics CEO Phebe Novakovic, and Boeing Defense, Space and Security CEO Leanne Caret. Once Northrop Grunman's Warden starts Jan. 1, her addition will offset Nooyi's departure in the S&P 500's list of female leaders. At this year's J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, STAT News found men named Michael outnumbered female CEOs presenting at the annual industry gathering. Anthem's Gail K. Boudreaux and Mylan's Heather Bresch are two of the 24 S&P 500 female CEOs. In addition to Pepsi's Nooyi and Campbell's Morrison, the consumer products industry lost Mondelez CEO Irene Rosenfeld late last year. Campbell has not yet picked Morrison's successor, though one likely candidate is Luca Mignini. If he or another man is chosen, that will mean each of the three females will be replaced by a man. "Progress isn't linear," Shannon Schuyler, spokeswoman for the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion organization, said in a statement. "That said, we need to address the complex mix of issues that contributes to the lack of advancement for underrepresented groups, which includes increasing the talent pipeline, helping boards prioritize diversity in succession planning, as well as acknowledging how the intersection of race and gender can impact progression into management." Boyden's Edwards said companies are trying to hire diverse people in both the C-suite and corporate boards. Some shareholders are even demanding it. BlackRock, the largest money manager in the world with more than $6.28 trillion in assets under management, earlier this year said companies it invests in should have at least two female board members. State Street last year said it would push companies to hire more diverse board members. So far, it appears progress is being made. Women accounted for 31 percent of new board directors at 3,000 of the largest publicly traded U.S. companies, according to a data analysis by corporate governance firm Institutional Shareholder Services. However, Catalyst's Foust-Cummings said companies need to do more than simply hire more women. Instead, they need to invest in improving the corporate culture. "If you simply change the numbers but do nothing to change the culture, you're unlikely to see numerical changes to the company over time," she said. PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi will step down after 12 years leading the food and beverage giant, ending a tenure marked by efforts to adapt to changing consumer tastes and fending off pressure from activist investors. President Ramon Laguarta, 54, will succeed the 62-year-old Nooyi effective Oct. 3, becoming Pepsi's sixth CEO. Nooyi will remain as chairman until early 2019. "Growing up in India, I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary company," Nooyi said in a statement. "PepsiCo today is in a strong position for continued growth with its brightest days still ahead." Pepsi stock gained cumulatively 79 percent since she assumed the CEO role in October 2006, according to FactSet. That's less than both the S&P 500, which gained 112 percent, and Coca-Cola, which gained 108 percent. It grew net revenue from $35 billion in 2006 to $63.5 billion in 2017. It also faced challenges from upstart brands that continue to threaten its market share, including once-dominant drinks like Gatorade. Pepsi's North American beverage business has been more challenged than its stalwart snacking business, continuing to provoke questions about whether the giant would consider splitting the two. Activist investor Nelson Peltz had taken a stake in the Pepsi and pushed for a split of the two businesses before backing off and exiting the company in 2016 after a multi-year battle. Under Nooyi, Pepsi steadfastly kept the two businesses together, arguing in favor of the combined leverage it gives the company over retailers. It sought to revive its North American drink business by throwing more support behind its core brands. It said it erred in giving up prime shelf space in favor of supporting its younger drinks and lagging behind Coca-Cola in advertising spend. Efforts to reinvigorate its largest brands include its Pepsi Generation advertising campaign, the re-release of Mountain Dew Baja Blast and the launch of calorie-free Gatorade Zero. It has also continued to support its snack business, announcing in May the acquisition of baked fruit and vegetable company Bare Foods. The deal may also serve as a building base for the broader business of plant-based snacks. Nooyi is the second female CEO of a food and beverage company to leave the post since May, following Campbell Soup's Denise Morrison. She is also the latest in a growing list of departures of chief executives across the food and beverage industry, as it faces the unprecedented challenge of remaking decades-old companies under the glare of the public eye. Laguarta, a 22-year veteran of the company, has been president since September, overseeing global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs. Prior to that, Laguarta served in leadership positions in the European and sub-Saharan Africa divisions. The international markets have been a strong point for Pepsi amid slowing growth and tougher retailers in countries like the U.S. Pepsi this quarter reported 7 percent organic revenue growth in Europe Sub-Saharan Africa and 6 percent growth in Asia, Middle East & North Africa. With Nooyi's departure, the rest of PepsiCo's senior leadership team will remain unchanged, the company said. PepsiCo's premarket stock price rose slightly after the announcement. The most anticipated witness in the first trial to come from special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe could take the stand as early as Monday. It's a crucial development for President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, whose lawyers have placed his longtime business partner, Rick Gates, at the heart of the fraud and conspiracy trial. Gates, 46, has already pleaded guilty to lying to investigators and conspiracy against the United States and has agreed to fully cooperate with Mueller's team, making him a valuable voice for the prosecution. But Manafort's lawyers, too, have utilized Gates in their argument, framing him as the donkey on which to pin all willful wrongdoing. Manafort's lawyers contend that it was Gates who intentionally misled Manafort to embezzle money. Prosecutors spent the first week of the trial leading more than 12 witnesses and dozens of exhibits through the courtroom, seeking to show that Manafort broke U.S. finance laws to maintain a lavish lifestyle. Gates was Manafort's right-hand man for years during the former's career as a lobbyist and political consultant in Ukraine for the pro-Russian Party of Regions. Some experts think Mueller's team faces risks in bringing Gates to the witness stand. He could be viewed as an unreliable source who can't be trusted to tell the truth. "I think it's a little bit risky" for the prosecutors, said Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney in Michigan, who believes Mueller's team might be able to win without calling Gates to testify. "He has to admit he lied," and could be viewed as an unlikable figure by the jury, she said. Defense attorneys posed the trial as a test of credibility between Manafort and Gates. In his opening statement last week, Manafort lawyer Thomas Zehnle said his client "placed his trust in the wrong person" by allowing Gates to handle his finances. Zehnle accused Gates of embezzling money from Manafort and asked the jury to assess Gates' credibility. Some of the witnesses in the case appeared to bolster that argument. On Friday, accountant Cindy LaPorta, testifying under a grant of immunity, told prosecutors that it was Gates who directed Manafort's tax preparers to change loan amounts so that Manafort would be able to pay his 2014 tax bills. She went along with it, though she said in court that "I very much regret" doing so. But another witness, bookkeeper Heather Washkuhn, said that Manafort had approved "every penny" of the bills she paid for him. She and others said they were unfamiliar with the names of foreign companies that Manafort is alleged to have used to pay for lavish personal items, including "closets full" of ultra-expensive clothing, cars and landscaping worth millions of dollars. Still, most experts say the government has no choice but to call its star witness. Brett Kappel, a campaign finance expert with law firm Akerman LLP, said Mueller's lawyers should not rest their case without calling Gates. He suggested that "the prosecution will put him on to demonstrate that he was a conduit for instructions from Manafort to the accountants and bookkeepers." Gates could face nearly six years in prison, though the special counsel could ask the court to reduce his sentencing time depending on his willingness to cooperate with investigators. Facing dozens of charges in Washington and Virginia federal court cases centered around his and Manafort's roles in an alleged scheme to hide foreign lobbying money from U.S. authorities, Gates struck the plea deal with Mueller's team in February. Manafort, however, has pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against him by the special counsel. In a separate civil case, Manafort had accused the Justice Department and Mueller, who is tasked with investigating potential coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia, of exceeding their authority. The trial resumed Monday afternoon. Judge T.S. Ellis has been pushing prosecutors to expedite their case and drop extraneous evidence. As a result, prosecutors said Wednesday that they were ahead of schedule, and expected to conclude their case in chief this week. The most serious charges against Manafort are nine counts of bank fraud and conspiracy. If convicted, Manafort could be sentenced to as much as 30 years in prison for each count. Rick Gates, the star witness in special counsel Robert Mueller's fraud and conspiracy trial against former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, took the stand Monday to testify that he committed crimes with his former business partner. In a blow to the case being laid out by Manafort's defense team, Gates then told prosecutors that Manafort directed him to report overseas income as loans as a way to lower his taxable income. Since their opening statement last week, Manafort's lawyers have sought to blame Gates for breaking finance laws, framing him as a liar who abused Manafort's trust and embezzled millions of dollars from him. Gates, clad in a blue suit and sporting an uncharacteristically clean-shaven face, did admit in court that he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from Manafort by filing false expense reports. But while sitting just a few feet from Manafort, Gates testified that Manafort worked with him to commit financial crimes, including filing false tax returns. Manafort directed him to commit other crimes, Gates said, such as not disclosing foreign bank accounts and omitting information from a court deposition. Manafort reportedly stared directly at Gates, while Gates avoided eye contact with Manafort. Gates listed 15 foreign entities that he said were not reported to the government. He told prosecutors that the money in those accounts came from Manafort's work as a consultant and lobbyist in Ukraine for ex-leader Viktor Yanukovych and his pro-Russian Party of Regions. Prosecutors have alleged that Manafort made millions of dollars for his efforts in Ukraine, but resorted to bank fraud after Yanukovych was deposed in 2014, which dried up Manafort's cash flow and made it difficult to maintain his pricey spending habits. Gates pleaded guilty in February to lying to investigators and conspiracy against the United States, and struck a plea deal to fully cooperate with the special counsel. His potential sentence was drastically reduced to nearly six years, and the special counsel holds the power to petition the court to further reduce his sentencing time based on his cooperation. In court on Monday, Gates said that under sentencing guidelines he could face as few as 57 months for his crimes. Manafort has pleaded not guilty to the 18 criminal counts against him in the Virginia federal criminal case, as well as similar charges in a case set to go to trial in September in Washington district court. Mueller's team lodged charges against Manafort in both cases, though neither are directly related to the special counsel's ongoing probe of potential coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia. The absence of a direct connection between so-called collusion and Manafort's alleged crimes has not gone unnoticed by Trump. He tweeted on the Aug. 1 the second day of Manafort's trial that "these old charges have nothing to do with Collusion - a Hoax!" Trump tweet In fact, in a February 2018 indictment, the special counsel accused Manafort of hiding his ties to foreign bank accounts as recently as 2016. In a follow-up Twitter post two hours later, Trump compared Manafort's treatment by federal authorities with notorious mobster Al Capone. Trump tweet 2 Gates was questioned in court on Monday by U.S. attorney Greg Andres, who has taken a leading role in questioning witnesses and fielding both questions and criticisms from presiding Judge T.S. Ellis. Gates follows more than a dozen witnesses brought in by the U.S. attorney to testify against Manafort. Prosecutors have highlighted dozens of invoices, email threads and financial statements to bolster their accusations that Manafort filed false tax returns and committed bank fraud to maintain his lavish spending habits. The most serious charges against Manafort are nine counts of bank fraud and conspiracy. If convicted, Manafort could be sentenced to as much as 30 years in prison for each count. Reuters and NBC News contributed to this report. There's no such thing as a free lunch. And in San Francisco, where complimentary in-house meals have become one of the most attractive perks that some tech companies based here offer their employees, local restaurants are paying the price. Some businesses and city supervisors are arguing that the company cafeterias are keeping workers inside the office during meal times, discouraging them from patronizing local eateries. The trend of eating in has prompted two San Francisco supervisors, Ahsha Safai and Aaron Peskin, to propose a ban on companies moving into new office space in the city offering their employees free meals. "We are confronting and are about to enable 6 more million feet of office space in what we call Central SoMa, closer to the south of downtown," Safai told CNBC. "And so at this particular time, thinking about one of the things that could have been different about the mid-market tax break, I decided to put forth a policy to say let's limit these or completely ban them in certain areas that are offering essentially free food and that's OK, I'm not trying to take away anyone's lunch. We really want to encourage people to get out of their silos, get out of their offices, and go interact and contribute to what makes for a healthy city." About 40 office cafeterias offer untaxed food throughout San Francisco, according to Safai and data from the San Francisco Department of Health. Those providing free grub include Twitter, Uber and Square. Thousands of affluent tech workers staying at work for lunch instead of visiting local restaurants is not what the city had in mind when offered companies in its Mid-Market district hefty tax breaks. Yet companies providing free meals also likely didn't intend for the collateral economic damage caused by what they see as a competitive advantage in retaining top talent. "So when you have thousands and thousands of people taking up all of the real estate, but they don't ever leave, it makes a very weird dynamic for other businesses in the area that kind of didn't think it all the way through and banked on the number of office space, the number of employees, the number of people, and how their patterns probably should have been," said Ryan Cole, partner at Hi Neighbor Group, which owns and operates four restaurants and cafes in San Francisco. "But these tech companies are so smart that they disrupted the normal patterns, because it is a benefit for themselves." Some say that the proposed ban on future businesses giving free in-house food to employees falls short because it isn't retroactive, meaning companies already offering the perk won't have to stop the practice. Others argue the ordinance would be regulatory overreach and will deter tech companies from coming in to the area. "I appreciate the ordinance in that it wants to support local restaurants, I think that's great," said Vanessa Brown, a city worker. "But I think it's a little too regulatory to tell people they can't eat in their place of business." Solutions to the lunch feud have started to surface. Twitter, for example, sometimes invites and pays businesses to cook in their kitchen to provide them exposure to its employees. And Square shuts down its cafeteria roughly two Fridays a month in an effort to encourage workers to eat outside of the office. Katherine Chiao the owner of Kagawa-Ya Udon, a Japanese restaurant in the Mid-Market district and Cole said they see a noticeable boost in business on those Fridays. "It's like day and night," Chiao said. "It's already fairly busy on Fridays, but when Square has their culinary shutdown days, we see an increase in sales by 20 percent." San Francisco would join Mountain View, home of Alphabet's main headquarters, as the second Bay Area city to ban new tax-free office cafeterias if the proposed legislation passes. "I think tech has been a phenomenal contributor to San Francisco," Safai said. "But that does not mean that we can't be reflective and think about ways in which we can strengthen certain aspects of our economy and our society, and encourage those to look at their business model and say, 'Maybe that worked in Silicon Valley, but it does not work in an urban environment.'" Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA, BRKB) reported quarterly profit of $4190.13 per "A" share, beating the consensus estimate of $3386.62, while revenue also topped estimates. Warren Buffett's firm saw profits jump 67 percent from a year earlier, helped in part by a rebound in Berkshire's insurance business. (Reuters) Corporate earnings out this morning include the latest numbers from Cardinal Health (CAH), Cooper Tire (CTB), Henry Schein (HSIC), Newell Brands (NWL), Sotheby's (BID) and Tyson Foods (TSN). After-the-bell reports today include Marriott (MAR), Etsy (ETSY), Hertz Global (HTZ), Mosaic (MOS), Tenet Healthcare (THC), Twilio (TWLO), Weight Watchers (WTW) and Zillow Group (ZG). (CNBC) U.S. stock futures were slightly lower this morning, but recent momentum has been decidedly positive. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq have both posted five consecutive weekly gains, and the Nasdaq has a four-day win streak. (CNBC) * Cramer's game plan: 'Stick to your knitting' and keep an eye on consumer data, earnings (CNBC) The White House is not ruling out imposing auto tariffs on Canada, a senior administration official told CNBC. Ford (F), General Motors (GM), Honda (HMC) and Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) are among the automakers with operations in Canada. * Steel giants tied to Trump block tariff relief for other firms (NY Times) * There is 'zero' engagement between US and China as trade tensions escalate, official says (CNBC) North Korean state media today called on the U.S. to drop sanctions, saying Pyongyang had demonstrated good faith by ending its nuclear weapons testing and handing over the remains of U.S. troops killed in the Korean War. (Reuters) President Donald Trump called an infamous 2016 meeting at Trump Tower between his son, Donald Trump Jr., and Russian lawyer "totally legal." However, he acknowledged that its real purpose was to obtain damaging info on Hillary Clinton. (CNBC) The most critical moment in the financial fraud trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort will likely arrive this week with the testimony of his "right-hand man." Rick Gates has been a key cooperator for special counsel Robert Mueller's team. (AP) At least 91 people are dead after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake erupted near the Indonesian resort island of Lombok. The island was hit a week earlier by a quake that killed 17 people and briefly stranded several hundred. (Reuters) Charlotte Rae, beloved as the good-natured housemother Mrs. Garrett on TV's "Facts of Life" and "Diff'rent Strokes," has died at 92. Rae died Sunday at her Los Angeles home, surrounded by family. (USA Today) David Solomon, who takes over from current Goldman Sachs (GS) CEO Lloyd Blankfein on October 1, will name Jim Esposito global co-head of the firm's trading division as soon as today, a person with knowledge of the plans told CNBC. American tech companies, including Facebook (FB) and Amazon (AMZN), are hoping to get ahead of the public and legal fallout on personal data by working with policy makers to help shape potential new federal privacy legislation. (WSJ) * Amazon slammed for 'insult' tax bill in the UK despite record profits (CNBC) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), which makes chips for Apple's (AAPL) iPhones, suffered a computer virus outbreak and warned it could cause shipment delays as well as hit revenue. (CNBC) Economic fundamentals are healthy, but distractions, such as trade war tensions and President Donald Trump's daily tweets, may be taking a toll on the markets, leading strategists told CNBC on Monday. "If not for trade policy and concerns over trade war and tariffs, the market would be doing much better. The fundamental backdrop is a lot better than what the market looks like right now," Art Hogan, chief market strategist for B. Riley, said on CNBC's "Power Lunch." J.P. Morgan Chase chief Jamie Dimon made polarizing comments on Saturday that the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note should be 4 percent today and people "better be prepared to deal with rates 5 percent or higher." Amid market volatility stoked by U.S.-China trade tensions, Dimon's remarks reflect his belief in a stronger economy, despite the yield struggling to stay above the 3 percent level. Peter Andersen, owner of Andersen Capital Management, agreed that the economy is stronger than the market may be letting on, and that hype surrounding a U.S.-China trade war, including the president's sometimes market-moving tweets, could be negatively impacting stocks. "Maybe we can actually decouple the U.S. economy, if I dare say so, from all the noise that we're seeing. The day-to-day changes, the tweets, etc., make investors really uncomfortable with the direction the U.S. economy is going in," Andersen told CNBC. "For Mr. Dimon to zero in on the U.S. treasury rates I think is pretty smart, because I think what he's implying is, while we've got all this noise going in this three-ring circus, in the center ring the U.S. economy looks pretty good," he added. Hogan echoed Dimon and Andersen's sentiments that the fundamentals are good but shied away from their bullishness, citing fears tensions could drag on for longer than anticipated. Hogan said the Trump administration is leaning on a strong economy to accomplish its objective of fairer trade policy and that the administration "might as well do it when the economy is strong." And as Hogan predicts trade war tensions may "drag out longer than just the fall," he recommended investors take a different approach to stocks as they ride out the bull market than they did when they entered it. "I think ... we're probably correct in thinking that what got us here probably doesn't take us out," Hogan said. "To avoid or at least to shelter yourself from some of the volatility around trade, I would stay small and domestically focused and avoid the large multinationals until this settles out," he added. Hogan recommended investors avoid the FAANG trade and predicted the Russell 2000 will outperform the . Joe Duran of United Capital Financial Advisers went so far as to suggest the markets are due for a 15 percent correction, which he called "increasingly more likely as we get further from the tax cuts." "I think for the next six months you want to be in defensive names. Still participate, still be long, but be prepared for more noise than we've had in the last few years," Duran told CNBC's "Power Lunch." The U.S. has imposed tariffs on $34 billion in Chinese imports, which were met with retaliatory charges by China. After Trump instructed U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to consider raising tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods to 25 percent from 10 percent, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce responded with a retaliatory threat on Friday. To this day, economists pointing out that fundamental problem have been ridiculed as hopelessly naive because, as the mantra goes, the European project has always been, and always will be, a political construct to keep the Europeans off each other's throats. That charge is not only false, but it also bears the seeds of its own destruction. Taking hundreds of billions of euros of purchasing power out of the monetary union, Germany makes it virtually impossible for other euro area economies to grow and create jobs as they struggle to bring down their public debts and deficits. Instead of accumulating enormous wealth on the back of its euro partners, Germany should stimulate its domestic spending to buy more goods and services from them. At the same time, Germany can relieve its growing labor shortages by offering jobs to more than 17 million EU people that are currently looking for work and a meaningful future. And there is more: Recycling some of last year's roughly $300 billion trade surplus through direct investments in the rest of the EU Germany would boost economic growth and employment in other countries in the bloc, solve the problem of its shrinking manpower and adjust its overflowing external accounts. Those would be appropriate economic policies for a country running large and systematic trade surpluses. Such policies would also even out the intra-area growth dynamics and stabilize the monetary union in a more homogeneous manner. And none of that would be actions of EU solidarity loathed by the tight-fisted German government. It is no wonder that the "everyone for themselves" attitudes have led to the revival of nationalism, alienation from the European project and an increasing popularity of "my country first" slogans even in places like Italy, where the traditional idea of a united, peaceful and prosperous Europe inspired generations. Three rich pals of President Donald Trump contributed most of more than $200,000 raised by a legal defense fund set up for White House officials and former campaign aides caught up in special counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing investigation but that fund has not spent any money on legal fees, according to reports. Instead, the Patriot Legal Expense Fund Trust from the beginning of 2018 through the end of June spent more than $42,000 on "insurance" from an Alabama-based risk management company, and another $6,500 on accounting services from a large accounting firm, according to tax records posted online by The Daily Beast. Representatives of the Patriot Legal Expense Fund Trust did not immediately respond to requests from CNBC to discuss the nature of its expenditures, including the question of why it has not spent any of the funds raised on actual legal work. The fund was created earlier this year "to provide assistance paying legal expenses for persons involved in the investigations by special counsel" Mueller, as well as inquiries by congressional intelligence committees "regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election and related matters," according to the agreement forming the group. Those related matters include a probe of whether members of the Trump presidential campaign colluded with Russians to meddle in the election. The Wall Street Journal on Monday noted that around 50 Trump administration employees and ex-campaign staff have been interviewed for those investigations. Tax records filed by the fund posted Monday by The Daily Beast show that the fund raised $202,532 from January through June. Geoffrey Palmer, a Los Angeles real estate developer who was one of the biggest donors to Trump during the 2016 election, kicked in the most to the fund: $100,000. Palmer did not respond to a request for comment. Billionaire casino owner Phillip Ruffin contributed $50,000 to the fund. Ruffin owns the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, as well as half of the Trump International Las Vegas Hotel along with Trump. Michelle Knoll, a spokeswoman for Ruffin, said Ruffin "always supports whatever the Trumps ask him to support." "That's why he made the contribution," she said. Knoll said that Ruffin cannot recall as of now who asked him to contribute to the fund, but that it was either the president himself or "it was a member of the Trump family." Knoll said she was not aware of reports that the fund had not, as of June, disbursed any money for its ostensible purpose, that is, for legal fees. But she said Ruffin "trusts the Trumps to make the decisions based on whatever the need is, so he never gets involved with the distribution." Continental Resources, the publicly traded oil and natural gas company headed by Trump buddy Harold Hamm, donated another $25,000. Hamm is on the board of the nonprofit group America First Policies, which pushes Trump's political agenda. Continental Resources did not respond to a request for comment. Another $22,000 came in contributions from Proactive Communications, a firm headed by Mark Serrano, who has appeared as an advocate for Trump on cable television, and who is spokesman for the legal defense fund. Serrano's firm did not respond to a request for comment. The fund had just one other identified donor, Ashley Long, a financial analyst in Virginia who contributed $200. He did not respond to a request for comment. Petra RMS, a Birmingham, Alabama, risk management company that received more than $42,000 from the fund for insurance, told CNBC: "In February 2018, Petra RMS brokered a standard directors and officers insurance policy. As of June 2018, Petra RMS is no longer the agent of record for this standard insurance policy." CliftonLarsonAllen, the accounting firm, also did not immediately respond to a request for comment when CNBC contacted the firm to asked about the $6,500 it received from the fund. This week the Treasury Department will auction $34 billion of threeyear notes (+$3 billion vs. the previous auction), $26 billion of 10year notes (+$4 billion, and a record per BMO Capital Markets), and $18 billion of 30year bonds (+$4 billion). Inflation data in the form of producer prices and consumer prices are expected Thursday and Friday, receptively. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note was slightly lower at around 2.945 percent at 4:06 p.m. ET, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond slipped to 3.093 percent. Bond yields move inversely to prices. U.S. government debt yields fell slightly on Monday ahead of a week of large Treasury auctions and inflation data. Markets around the globe pulled back Monday, as concerns surrounding trade tensions continued. Last week, China said it was ready to retaliate with tariffs on around $60 billion worth of U.S. goods, amid a mounting trade war with the States. Beijing added that import taxes would be within the range of 5 percent to 25 percent in rates, with many of the goods listed linked to agriculture. The U.S. administration revealed last Wednesday that President Donald Trump had spoken with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and asked him to consider increasing the proposed levies on $200 billion of Chinese goods up to 25 percent, from 10 percent. Markets in Asia and Europe came under slight pressure on Monday morning, as investors awaited more news on the retaliatory tariffs. While no major speeches by the U.S. Federal Reserve are scheduled to take place Monday, St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President James Bullard spoke with CNBC on the first trading day of the week. "The positioning here is that the other countries are all free trade and the U.S. is not. If that's really what we're saying then just drop all tariffs and all non-tariff barriers. Go down to zero. That would be better outcome for the whole world," Bullard told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe." The U.S. government reported on Friday that payroll growth slowed in July. The Department of Labor said that total nonfarm payrolls increased by 157,000 for the month, below the 190,000 expected by economists polled by Reuters. The unemployment rate fell one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.9 percent, as expected, and is around its lowest level in nearly 50 years. A tightening labor market and healthy domestic demand have spurred worries of an overheating economy and continued interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve. But despite the robust labor market, wage growth remains sluggish; average hourly earnings rose 2.7 percent over the same period a year ago, or 0.26 percent over the last month. CNBC's Natasha Turak and Michael Sheetz contributed to this report The U.S. Department of Justice released its written argument explaining why it's appealing AT&T's $85 billion acquisition of Time Warner, a deal that was approved by U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon in June. The government argues Judge Leon ignored "mainstream economics" in his decision because he refused to see a deal as having "an appreciable danger" of raising prices on consumers in the future. The government said Judge Leon ignored economic theory by claiming Time Warner wouldn't have increased bargaining power over pay-TV distributors by linking up with AT&T. This was one of the DOJ's primary arguments during the initial case to the District Court -- that AT&T could charge companies such as Comcast, Charter and Dish more money for Time Warner with the fallback of blacking out networks such as CNN, TNT and TBS and offering them on DirecTV, which AT&T owns. If pay-TV operators refused to pay more, customers could switch their service to DirecTV, setting up a "win-win" for AT&T. AT&T successfully defended against this charge, arguing that the economics behind buying Time Warner only made sense if the company made programming available to as many people as possible. Ken Scicluna | AWL Images | Getty Images When John Miller stepped away from his consulting position at Accenture in 2001, he didn't pursue a traditional retirement. Miller went on to put his consulting expertise including helping companies resolve supply chain management issues to work on both a part-time and full-time basis. He eventually gave that work up to travel the world with his wife. The couple's trips have since included two cruises around the globe. Miller's travels have helped inspire his next venture: importing wines from the Tuscan and Piedmont regions of Italy. Miller, 68, co-founded the company, named Terra Toscana, with a friend from his coffee klatch after they discovered a shared passion for the region and for wines. The company, which was launched last year, just recently brought in its first wine shipment a little more than 1,300 bottles. The wine supply is aimed at giving Miller's fellow residents in his suburban Atlanta community access they wouldn't otherwise have to Italian culture, via tasting and dinner events. John Miller wants to make his business a top importer of Italian wines. John Miller And even if they don't soak in the culture, they can still enjoy the beverage. "I think a lot of people just like drinking wine," Miller said. Ultimately, he wants the business to become the go-to importer for Italian wines in Georgia. The endeavor is just one example of how baby boomers are reshaping their retirements so that they can see new dreams come to fruition. Often, these efforts have nothing to do with their former careers. "What happens is a lot of successful people do a great job in whatever profession they're in and make enough money to make their job optional and want to pursue a different passion," said Howard Joe, a wealth management advisor at Merrill Lynch. Where to start When Miller first got the idea to import wines, he consulted the experts he knows. That included someone who imports wines, who shared his advice on how to limit costs associated with running a warehouse. Miller also consulted his financial advisor, Joe at Merrill Lynch, to make sure his cash flow lined up with what he was taking on. Joe encourages his clients to make a plan for the dreams they want to achieve in retirement now, even if they are nowhere near their golden years. That is because, at most, you have five years in your life to accomplish what you really want to, according to the financial advisor's estimation. If you live until you're 90, for example, you spend 30 years of your life working and 30 years sleeping. That leaves 30 years, Joe said, the first 10 of which are spent in childhood and the last 10 in old age. Of the remaining 10 years, you lose half of that time waiting in line and commuting to work. "Too many of us get caught up in the cycle of life where you basically do the same thing every day," Joe said. "You don't realize how short life is until it's too late." To start, Joe usually has his clients picture they are at the end of their lives staring at a hospital ceiling. The regrets they identify through that exercise help determine the priorities they should have for their lives now. Planning your next phase YouTube has removed Alex Jones' page, following bans earlier Monday from Apple and Facebook. The Alex Jones Channel, which counts 2.4 million subscribers, still appeared in YouTube search results by midday Monday, but presented only a take-down notice when users clicked in. "This account has been terminated for violating YouTube's Community Guidelines," the notice said. Google had previously declined to comment on the InfoWars host's standing, but said in a statement to CNBC in response to the removal of the page: "All users agree to comply with our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines when they sign up to use YouTube. When users violate these policies repeatedly, like our policies against hate speech and harassment or our terms prohibiting circumvention of our enforcement measures, we terminate their accounts." YouTube counts "strikes" against pages for posts that violate the company's policies. Jones received a strike in July when he posted four videos that violated YouTube policies against child endangerment and hate speech, the company said in a statement to CNBC. A page with one strike against it is suspended from live streaming for 90 days, YouTube said, but Jones attempted to circumvent the suspension by live streaming on other channels. As a result, his page was terminated, the company said. The InfoWars YouTube page, which has significantly fewer subscribers, was still live as of noon ET. Jones and his controversial radio show have for several weeks been at the center of a debate around fake news and misinformation on digital platforms. Facebook and CEO Mark Zuckerberg drew criticism last month for declining to remove the InfoWars page. Music streaming service Spotify removed InfoWars podcasts last week, and Apple and Facebook each cited violations of company policies regarding hate speech in banning Jones on Monday. Jones confirmed on Twitter that he had been banned by Facebook, Apple and Spotify. "What conservative news outlet will be next?" he tweeted. The government is planning to establish eight special courts under NCLT to deal with insolvency cases, reported Business Standard. The idea was put forward by the Corporate Affairs Ministry, said the report. These courts will be set up in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad, a senior ministry official was quoted in the report. The report added that three of the courts will be set up in Mumbai, while two are likely to come up in Delhi. This in turn will make the number of courts in Mumbai climb up to seven and that of Delhi to six. According to the report, the decision comes at the backdrop of the large volume of insolvency cases that NCLT has to deal with. As per a government statement in the parliament, a total of 9,073 cases were under consideration in the NCLT as on January which included 1,630 cases of merger and amalgamation, 2,511 cases of insolvency and 4,932 cases under other sections of the Companies Act, 2013. This number, later doubled in the following months, burdening the tribunal even further, the report added. Alex King: Corbyns critics must learn that less is more when using his track record against him Alex King formerly worked in Parliament for the Policy Research Unit, and is now a public affairs consultant. One of the most frustrating things about the 2017 General Election campaign was watching as Jeremy Corbyn seemingly became impervious to attacks on his shameful record. As the campaign progressed (or, more appropriately, regressed), attacks on Corbyns previous positions began to lose impact, and almost looked churlish. It felt as though such attacks had already got the backing of as many voters as would be persuaded by them, while the swing voters the Tories desperately needed to win had tuned out such relentless negative coverage. Besides, who could believe that a man who was appalled by the London Bridge terror attack and promised an extra 10,000 new police officers to help keep us safe was the same man who described members of terrorist organisations as his friends? Readers do not need yet another recap of Corbyns past behaviour and comments, and any regular visitor to this site will presumably have their own favourite Corbyn anecdote. Much as there is always a Trump tweet bemoaning or criticising a problem that he himself now faces, there always seems to be a Corbyn comment which reveals the disparity between what he says now and what he previously thought. Nonetheless, I had still hoped that come polling day most voters would not have been able to stomach putting a man in Number 10 with such a dodgy history of tacit sympathy with those who wished and still wish Britain harm. Yet while more voters resisted than did not, not enough did so to win an outright majority. Perhaps it was naivete and wishful thinking to hope that Corbyn would be hoist by his own IRA and Hezbollah petard. A highly effective narrative was spun by the Labour Party machine that Corbyn was just a man who only ever wanted peace on earth and mercy mild. Complex issues that have developed over centuries couldnt be properly distilled into damaging body blows. Enough dust was kicked up to obfuscate the truth. Suddenly, previous calls to shut down NATO became a desire to reduce tensions on the Russia/NATO border and support dialogue to reduce the risk of international conflict. Sympathy with the IRA throughout the Troubles was nimbly compared with Sir Michael Fallon going on a fact-finding mission to Syria once in 2007. Secret meetings by the Government with the Sinn Fein leadership to bring an end to bloodshed and sectarian violence in Northern Ireland were suddenly morally equivalent to meeting with convicted IRA terrorists mere weeks after the Brighton bombing killed five people. Swing voters ignored the political noise and too many chose to believe the more sympathetic version presented, of a man who consistently associated with sinners because he felt it necessary to further the cause of peace, rather than because he didnt think they were sinning. Even now, with Corbyns direct involvement in Labours ongoing anti-Semitism row, the Partys polling numbers remain fairly consistent. Admittedly Corbyns personal approval ratings are low, but this is not having the knock-on effect on Labours wider position in the polls that might be desired. For any Conservative, the above is of course utterly infuriating. The initial reaction is one of righteous indignation, and a disbelief that he continues to get away with it all. But this must be resisted at all costs. Voters were not and will not be persuaded by blind outrage. However, neither should attacks on Corbyns record be abandoned altogether. What is needed going into the next General Election campaign, whenever that may be, is the realisation that purely negative campaigning doesnt win elections. Attacks on Corbyns past, just like Labours attacks on the Conservatives record on the NHS, work only to motivate the base rather than lure in new voters. Previous Conservative attempts to scare voters into backing them at past elections havent worked well. Churchills predictions in 1945 that Labours socialism would introduce some form of Gestapo, no doubt very humanely directed in the first instance was treated with disdain by the voters, just as the demonic eyes and profession of a new danger didnt damage Tony Blair in 1997. Voters ignored such assertions, and instead took them as indications of weakness on the part of those who suggested them. Blair, in his autobiography, talking about how he defined politically each Tory leader he faced, wrote: Its not like calling your opponent a liar, or a fraud, or a villain or a hypocrite, but the middle ground voter kind of shrugs their shoulders at those claims. They dont chime. Theyre too over the top, too heavy, and they represent an insult, not an argument. Whereas the lesser charge, because its more accurate and precisely because its more low-key, can stick. And if it does, thats that. Because in each case, it means theyre not a good leader. So game over. Negativity doesnt sell. People still want to vote for something, rather than simply against someone. However, as Blair highlights, if you can frame your opponent as something less sinister, but more undermining, that is where you can strike electoral gold. This is why Corbyns past should not be disregarded as useful political fodder. Instead, Conservatives must resist painting him as a bogeyman and treat him as an absurdity. Rather than calling him an anti-semite, he should be painted as too weak to challenge the prejudice to which he has clearly been party. His past associations with friends and brothers in Hamas and Hezbollah should not be used as evidence of support for terrorists, but rather held up as stunning naivete which makes him unfit to lead the country. Accusing Corbyn of spying for the enemy during the Cold War, as some wrongly attempted to do, is absurd, but finding him guilty of consistently exercising poor judgement in his associates and causes is far less so. At the turn of the 19th Century, George Canning founded the Anti-Jacobin Magazine and Review to, among other things, pour scorn on political opponents who seemed to care more for the interests of foreign powers than for Britain. His verse The New Morality perfectly encapsulates how the Conservative Party should now be tackling their own Jacobin problem: Five years ago, the TaxPayers Alliance reported that in the last year, five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories. Since then, the figures have varied, and some Conservative members or supporters have been selected to fill important posts. Nonetheless, it remains the case that, since it took office in 2010, our Party has punched beneath its weight when it comes to public appointments. One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply dont apply in the same number as Labour supporters. To help remedy this, every week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies, so that qualified Conservatives might be aware of the opportunities presented. Oil & Gas Authority Chair You will lead the OGA Board as it regulates and promotes the UK oil and gas industry and your responsibilities will include: effective, cooperative and inclusive leadership of the Board that will provide sound strategic direction. This includes enabling a high standard of discussion, helping to steer the OGA by collaborative working across Government and industry, ensuring that systems are in place to provide Board members and the Executive team with the support they need to carry out their roles; working with the Board and Nominations Committee to ensure that the Board and Executive team have an appropriate and diverse range of skills, experience, and outlook; offer support and counsel to the Executive team while providing constructive challenge on the delivery of the OGA Plan Time: Two days per week. Remuneration: 200,000 per annum pro rata plus expenses. Closes: 12 August East West Rail Company Non-Executive Directors East West Railway Company is a new and exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of the changing landscape of the rail industry, delivering substantial fast-paced improvement to modernise the railway. East West Rail is a proposed new rail link between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Cambridge and potentially beyond. As part of the wider plans for this strategically important corridor, it is one of the most high profile infrastructure projects in the UK today. The new railway will improve local connectivity and serve as a catalyst for economic development and the creation of new housing, as well as significantly reducing existing journey times. In the 2017 Budget, it was announced that the East West Railway Company would be established to bring new drive and focus to the project. Time: 15-20 days per annum. Remuneration: 15,000 per annum. Closes: 16 August Health Education England Chair East West Railway Company is a new and exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of the changing landscape of the rail industry, delivering substantial fast-paced improvement to modernise the railway. East West Rail is a proposed new rail link between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Cambridge and potentially beyond. As part of the wider plans for this strategically important corridor, it is one of the most high profile infrastructure projects in the UK today. The new railway will improve local connectivity and serve as a catalyst for economic development and the creation of new housing, as well as significantly reducing existing journey times. In the 2017 Budget, it was announced that the East West Railway Company would be established to bring new drive and focus to the project. Time: 2-3 days per week. Remuneration: 63,000 per annum. Closes: 28 August British Hallmarking Council Council Members The British Hallmarking Council (BHC) is a regulator responsible for supervising hallmarking in the United Kingdom. It is an executive non-departmental public body of BEIS. The BHC was established under the Hallmarking Act 1973 to protect consumers, including businesses acting as consumers. It ensures that there are adequate facilities for hallmarking in the UK and advises the Secretary of State for BEIS on hallmarking matters and hallmarking legislation. The BHC supervises the hallmarking activities of the four UK assay offices (London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Edinburgh) and the UKs hallmarking system, guaranteeing the purity of precious metals to protect the consumer and the trade. Time: Up to three meetings per annum. Remuneration: Travel, subsistence, and other reasonable expenses. Closes: 02 September Civil Aviation Authority Non-Executive Members The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the UKs specialist independent aviation regulator and is a public corporation. It is our responsibility to safeguard aviation safety and security, manage UK airspace, oversee economic regulation of some airports and air traffic control, enforce consumer protection rules, and, to manage the ATOL financial protection scheme for holidaymakers. Do you have board experience and seek a Non-Executive role in a public corporation? The Secretary of State for Transport is seeking two Non-Executive Members, on a four-year term, to join the Board of the CAA. Your role would be to provide independent and constructive challenge to the CAAs executive team and help ensure the CAA delivers its strategic objectives. Time: 2-3 days per week. Remuneration: 22,000 per annum. Closes: 05 September NHS Counter-Fraud Authority Non-Executive Director As a Non-Executive Director of the NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA), you will be responsible for ensuring the sound governance of the NHSCFA, including ensuring robust and effective systems of financial control and risk management are in place. Along with the Non-Executive team, you will contribute to the development of the strategy and annual objectives to be approved by the Secretary of State. You will also ensure that the NHSCFA promotes the values of the NHS by setting a high standard for ethics and responsible business, and by building, maintaining and enhancing NHSCFAs reputation as an open and independent body that places a high priority upon the safety of patients and staff. Time: 2-3 days per month. Remuneration: 7,883/13,127 per annum. Closes: 10 September Chloe Westley is the Campaign Manager of the TaxPayers Alliance. Last week The Guardian, Open Democracy, and other left wing blogs launched an attack on Britains best known right-wing think tanks including the TaxPayers Alliance. This is nothing new. In fact, there have been various attempted hit jobs on groups like ours before. I knew that when I joined the TPA it would involve being relentlessly smeared, targeted and attacked. Weve been portrayed as some kind of dark and dangerous group of multi-billionaire tax dodgers who regularly meet the Prime Minister for drinks to discuss how to privatise the NHS. Our ideas are so dangerous that a Liberal Democrat MEP has even started a petition to ban me from appearing on TV! The truth is, were a team of ten and have the operating budget of a local pub. Were funded by thousands of people, many of whom give less than 100. Our press team is just me and my colleague, James Price. We get a lot of coverage because James and I work our butts off and our research team (of three) write awesome papers. Our biggest ground campaign this year has been on council tax, which has been increasing all over the country and that ground campaign and our activists are managed by Harry Fone. Most of our day-to-day work is on exposing wasteful spending in local government and going on local radio to talk about things that really matter to people, like bin collections. We get a lot of airtime on national TV and radio, too, and I think thats because were often the only people willing to say that taxes should be lower. Compare our small team with The Guardian, which employs over 900 staff and has a turnover of over 200 million. Or Greenpeace, who employ more than a thousand staff across Europe and an operating budget in the UK of nearly 20 million. Think tanks like the TPA and IEA are tiny in comparison, and yet were somehow made out to be all-powerful and rolling in money. I really wish that was the case. Left-wing organisations are far more influential in the corridors of power. And theyre winning a lot of the key arguments the tax burden in Britain is at a 49 year high, and the Government is set to put up taxes even more at the Budget in the Autumn. Groups like ours are a minority in Westminster. I cant tell you how many times Ive been the only person at a networking event who doesnt agree with a varying degree of socialism. Even Conservative MPs are out there advocating for higher taxes these days. Last week on Any Questions, I suggested that lowering income tax could help people with the cost of living and the other three panellists scoffed at me. Sarah Wollaston even went so far as to attack me and the TPA live on air before smiling in agreement with the Labour MP on stage that we need to put up taxes. The difference between myself and those trying to silence the TPA is that I believe our society is enriched by a diversity of opinions. I dont think that everyone who disagrees with me is a bad person. In fact, if theyre involved in politics, theyre probably the kind of person who wants to make the world a better place. I want the people who fiercely oppose my position on Brexit and taxation to have their voices heard. I dont want to shut down any political commentator or political group. I want the chance to respectfully debate them and have a proper battle of ideas. Ad hominem attacks on right-wing think tanks like the TPA may temporarily embolden some on the left, but the fact they feel the need to try to silence us shows that there are people out there who believe in a low tax economy; who dont like it when their taxes are squandered by faceless bureaucrats; and who want to pay for good public services but otherwise want to be left alone to get on with their life. People hold such views because they can see for themselves what works. Free market capitalism has brought millions of people out of poverty. In China, for example, the abandonment of central government planning (which Corbyn would advocate introducing in Britain) and the adoption of more free market policies has lifted 800 million people out of poverty since 1978. Freedom is worth fighting for. Empowering individuals to have more control over their income and their lives is an entirely legitimate moral cause. There is a consensus in Westminster amongst MPs and commentators that more state control and spending is the only way to solve societys problems. Surely the left can handle one or two activists like me challenging this statist consensus? No amount of Guardian hit jobs, criticism, abuse on social media, or online petitions to ban the TPA from TV are going to shut down debate. There will always be people out there who believe in our ideas and who will give up their time and money to campaign for a freer society. So instead of trying to shut us down, perhaps our critics should come along to an action day and debate some of our activists. They might even change their mind on a few things. 100% Website dbkeukens.nl uses latest and advanced technologies. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 82456 bytes (80.52 kb uncompressed) and 14068 bytes (13.74 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2020-06-18, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 100% Website euromac2.com uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 88971 bytes (86.89 kb uncompressed) and 17391 bytes (16.98 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2019-09-24, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. We are analyzing the site. Please wait a few seconds.. 100% Website vecteezy.com uses latest and advanced technologies. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 3207 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 414709 bytes (404.99 kb uncompressed) and 66242 bytes (64.69 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-10-05, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. Taipei, Taiwan, August 3rd, 2018 GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd, a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, announced the release of new BIOS updates which provide support for the highly-anticipated Intel 9000 processors. GIGABYTEs engineering teams have developed BIOS updates for the Z370, H370, B360, H310 motherboards to provide the best support for Intels next-gen CPUs. The newest BIOS updates are now available on the official GIGABYTE website for users to download and upgrade their systems. The complete lineup of motherboards and their corresponding download links are listed below: Au tour dede parler des processeursa venir avec une petite information sur son site concernant de nouveaux BIOS pour quelques cartes meres actuelles.Et comme on peut le constater,signifie. La gamme entiere de cartes enetest concernee, sans discrimination en fonction du positionnement tarifaire de la carte. Two IT vendors are already warning their channel partners about supply chain price increases or the potential for such increases due to planned tariff actions by the Trump administration. IBM in late July told its business partners that it raised the prices for a wide range of its tape drives and related products by 25 percent due specifically to tariffs put in place on certain imports from China. And Gigabyte, the Taiwan-based manufacturer of a wide range of IT products from keyboards and mouse pads to servers and PCs, told its solution provider and system builder clients that it may raise prices by 10 percent this month depending on the outcome of talks between U.S. and Chinese officials. [Related: Silicon Valley: One Earthquake Away From IT Disaster?] IBM storage executives did not provide any further information about its price increase to CRN by press time. Gigabyte spokespeople did not reply to a CRN request for more information by press time. IBM last month sent a memo to its business partners entitled "Price Change(s): China Tariff Increase Resulting In Price Increase on Selected Tape Products." The memo, which was examined by CRN, said that new prices for tape automation and related products ordered starting July 24 were raised by at least 25 percent. The memo included a list of 137 products affected by the price rise -- ranging from $19 power cords to tape drives such as the IBM TS1155 model 3592 FFE Ethernet-based tape drives, which list at $65,125. The prices for these two products are the post-tariff-related prices. For most products on the IBM list, the price increase was 25 percent. However, for a few products, the price increase was 26 percent or 27 percent. In particular, all the products originally priced at $15, including the power cords, are now priced at $19, an 27-percent increase. Prices were not raised for products ordered before July 24, or for products covered by existing IBM volume commitments or special bids. Gigabyte, with U.S. headquarters in City of Industry, Calif., warned channel partners that a number of its products may be heading towards a 10-percent price increase, depending on the outcome of the final actions of the U.S. Trade Representative, or USTR, on Section 301 action. According to the USTR, the organization initiated an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 into China's trade policies. "However, please note that the tariffs will not go into effect immediately, but will be under a two-months review process, with hearings on August 20-23 by USTR," Gigabyte wrote in its memo. Gigabyte said its motherboards, graphics cards, SSDs, mouses, keyboard/mouse bundles, CPU coolers, power supplies, and chairs are subject to a potential 10-percent tariff. However, its PCs, servers, notebooks, keyboards, memory, headsets, PC cases, and mouse pads are not subject to the price increase. Solution providers and system builders are watching the tariff situation closely, hoping that nothing will come of it but preparing for the possibility of price rises. One U.S.-based IBM solution provider told CRN on condition of anonymity that the IBM price increases will likely delay purchases at the worst. "My gut feel is the people believe that this tariff fight is a temporary situation that will return to normal within the next couple of months," said the solution provider, who did not want to be named as to not jeopardize any relationship with IBM. "Only time will tell." Bruce Geier, president and CEO of Technology Integration Group, a San Diego-based solution provider, said his company is not expecting price increases from tariffs. "Most [high-end systems] manufacturing is done in the U.S., but component prices may change depending on where they are sourced," Geier told CRN. "We're still hopeful things will work out." It's hard to predict how the price increases from potential tariffs might impact channel partners given that they would all be susceptible to the same increases, Geier said. "For us, the price is the price," he said. "We don't really get hurt." One system builder who partners with Gigabyte told CRN on condition of anonymity that Gigabyte is the first components manufacturer to warn of potential higher prices from trade actions. However, the system builder said, it is still too early to know what will happen. "A lot of companies are moving manufacturing out of China," the system builder said. "I think the tier-one manufacturers are impacted the most. A lot of manufacturing is done in China. But a lot of the smaller guys are having parts made in multiple locations in Taiwan, China, and Europe, and so they can shift manufacturing to other countries. One motherboard maker I know is looking at moving manufacturing back from China back to Taiwan." If the tariff actions go on long enough, there will be issues, another system builder told CRN under condition of anonymity. That system builder said the impact has not yet materialized. "But we're putting in a new furnace at home," the system builder said. "We talked with three dealers, and all of them talked about furnace sheet metal costs going up. The same metal is going into computer cabinets." While prices may rise for all solution providers because of tariffs, the impact may differ according to market, the system builder said. "In education, budgets are extremely tight," the system builder said. "There could be a big impact to sales there. But then again, that's a seasonal business. Selection for bids won't come until next year." The price increases from tariff actions could dampen demand across the board, the system builder said. "However, not all prices are heading north," the system builder said. "AMD is back, helping moderate Intel prices. And Intel has joined Mellanox in the high-performance fabric business, helping moderate prices there." Channel-focused companies last week were peppered with investor questions about how tariffs could hurt business during their financial analyst conference calls. Thomas Richards, chairman, president, and CEO of Vernon Hills, Ill.-based CDW, said Thursday that CDW has yet to see a business impact on its own business or that of its partners from any tariff actions. However, on Thursday in response to an investor question during CDW's second fiscal quarter 2018 earnings conference call, Richards said that tariffs are one of the unknowns that could hurt its outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year. "If you look at our results, it would suggest that while there clearly is a lot of rhetoric out there and everyday it seems like a new bit of news, people seem to continue to focus on their business. We haven't seen what I would call meaningful impact as a result of the tariffs at this point," he said. Mike Long, CEO of Centennial, Colo.-based components distributor Arrow Electronics, said Thursday in response to investor questions at the company's second fiscal quarter 2018 earnings call that tariffs are "crazy" and hurt all US businesses across the board. "None of us like tariffs," Long said. "None of these businesses like tariffs. These tariffs that are coming in and I'll tell you the same thing I told the senators, all they do is they hurt American businessmen. They're not doing anything to the Chinese right now. So that's the only message I wanted to get across. So I think they're crazy." Long said customers so far are not buying ahead of the tariffs or otherwise changing purchasing behavior to adapt to what he called a "pretty ludicrous" foreign trade policy. "These tariffs are not material to the electronics industry at this point," he said. "I think virtually every supplier that came out said the same thing I do. Right now, we're not seeing a slowness in demand." Long also hinted at a workaround he would consider in the event tariffs became too onerous to business: "If they want to start something up, we can redirect [our] supply chain completely out of the U.S. in a moment's notice and totally eliminate the tariffs. So I'm not worried." Teneo doesn't do networking switches. The strategic service provider's forte instead is identifying new, disruptive technologies that can provide a business with a competitive advantage and then working with customers to get the most out of the technologies. "We're an integrator of next-generation technologies," said Chief Technology Officer Marc Sollars in an interview with CRN, in which he says the company doesn't sell commodity products like networking switches. "Our mission as a company is to open minds to new possibilities," he said. Teneo is apparently opening a lot of minds these days. With a two-year growth rate of more than 346 percent, the company is No. 4 on the 2018 Fast Growth 150, CRN's annual ranking of the fastest-growing solution providers, technology integrators, IT consultants and strategic service providers in North America. The CRN Fast Growth 150 ranks solution providers, with gross annual sales of at least $1 million, by their two-year growth rate. The top 25 companies appear on the next page, and the full ranking is available online at www.crn.com/fastgrowth. Overall, this year's Fast Growth 150 recorded an average two-year growth rate of 83 percent compared with the 102 percent average two-year growth rate for the 2017 Fast Growth 150. And the 150 companies on this year's list collectively generated revenue of $50.59 billion compared with $16.69 billion last year. These statistics indicate that there are more large companies on this year's list than in years past. Of the 150 companies on this year's list, 43 have never been on the list before. For Teneo, growth has come thanks to its focus on leading-edge ITparticularly in networking, security, data storage and applications. Sollars, as CTO, helps identify IT that's early in its adoption curve and "evangelizes" it, working with customers to determine the technology that can provide customers with a competitive edge. One good example is software-defined WAN, which has become one of Teneo's key technology practices. "SD-WAN is really disrupting the market right now," Sollars said. "We've been an early mover in this space." Teneo then offers comprehensive system design and implementation and managed and professional services around those technologies. "We don't just sell products. We have a services-first mentality," the CTO said of the company, which has offices in Dulles, Va., Reading, U.K., and other locations. Meanwhile, New Signature, a rapidly growing strategic service provider based in Washington, D.C., is making a name for itself in providing cloud solutions and services focused on Microsoft's Azure cloud platform, Dynamics 365, Office 365 and other Microsoft products. The company, No. 29 on the Fast Growth 150, is a leading partner in Microsoft's Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program. As cloud computing gained traction, New Signature focused on helping customers migrate their applications and data to the cloud. And that remains part of the company's services. "There's still an awful lot of migrating yet to happen," said CEO Jeff Tench in an interview with CRN. But a major factor behind New Signature's growth is its expansion beyond cloud migration to offering customers a comprehensive line of consulting and advisory servicesfor both IT and business practices and processesthat precede any migration. And once customers understand what they need, New Signature can develop solutions on the Microsoft cloud platform and operate the IT for customers through a range of managed services, what Tench calls "plan, build and operate." "We help clients figure out how to change their businesses in a digital economy," Tench said. "We're not just selling software. We're taking a more holistic approach." New Signature's size also provides an advantage: It's bigger than traditional VARs, but smaller -- and more nimble -- than global systems integrators. "We have the ability to 'out-big' the smaller players and 'outsmall' the bigger players," Tench said. Windstar Cruises has announced the hiring of Mary Beth Wressell as the cruise companys new Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, where she will oversee brand communications, digital marketing, customer relationship marketing, partnerships, and public relations, the company said. Wressell has more than 25 years in the travel and luxury travel segments, most recently as Vice President of Marketing Communications for Holland America Line, where she was instrumental in launching many brand initiatives including a highly-visible partnership with O, The Oprah Magazine. Wressell spent nearly 13 years with Holland America Line, starting as Manager of Advertising and advancing through the organization into roles with increasing scope and responsibility. Prior to joining Holland America Line, Wressell held several marketing roles at Virtuoso, the worlds largest consortium of luxury travel agencies, including Director of Creative Services. During her time at Virtuoso, she managed direct mail campaigns for more than 30 luxury travel suppliers, including many cruise lines such as Seabourn, Crystal, Regent, Silversea and Princess Cruises. She also spent nearly a decade in a variety of account management roles at Elgin DDB Advertising in Seattle, the company responsible for developing Windstars tag-line of 180 Degrees from Ordinary. Mary Beth brings tremendous depth and experience to our leadership team, and were thrilled to welcome her to the Windstar family, said Windstar President John Delaney. In addition to leading our marketing and public relations efforts, she will also focus on new strategic partnerships to enhance the brand. At Windstar, we are in the business of creating vacations that exceed expectations, so having someone as skilled as Mary Beth as the architect behind even more amazing partnerships and experiences is a plus not only for our leadership and operations teams, but also for our guests. She holds a degree in communications and advertising from the University of North Dakota. A native of northern Minnesota, Wressell has called Seattle home for years and enjoys being outdoors in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. The strong demand for cybersecurity talent has inspired many of the leading colleges and universities to develop new degree programs in the area. Many are offered online, so anyone seeking to enter the field or take their skills to the next level has access to quality security education. All of the programs listed here have career services focused on helping graduates find employment. We've also provided links for employers to learn more about how they can recruit from those programs. Trends in cybersecurity degree curricula Most of the undergraduate programs listed here cover cybersecurity basics, including pen-testing, network security, risk assessment and forensics. Some are designed to meet the Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) requirements set forth by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This program funds programs that provide training that the NSA and DHS deems necessary to reduce the vulnerability of the US information infrastructure. Several programs have concentrations in secure software development, covering state-of-the-art tools and development methodologies. Schools that offer development courses typically have concentrations in security ethics, too. Many of the graduate programs are designed with the assumption that its graduates could end up in management positions. You see courses and concentrations that have a business focus, teaching, for example, how to estimate costs, communicate with executive management, or plan a budget. Bachelors Programs American Military University The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity provides students with both theory and know-how required to strategically assess, plan, design, and implement effective cybersecurity defenses in the public and private sectors. Through this online IT bachelors program, students learn research, writing, math, and analytical skills, along with an in-depth understanding of cybercrime. Notable specialties: Coursework in AMUs bachelors degree aligns to the general objectives of the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS) certification and meets the topical requirements for the Department of Defense Directive 8570.1M Information Assurance Management (IAM) Technical I, Technical II, Technical III, Management I, Management II, and Management III categories. Location: Online I want to recruit from AMU I want to enroll at AMU Excelsior College Bachelors in Cybersecurity Degrees programs at Excelsior College will prepare you to protect critical information and cyber assets through organizational prevention, detection, countering and recovery methods. Excelsior's cybersecurity degrees are also aligned with the academic requirements for cybersecurity set by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Notable specialties: The program has two tracks to choose from: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (Without Concentration) and Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (Cyber Operations). Location: Albany, NY I want to recruit from Excelsior College I want to enroll at Excelsior College Liberty University Liberty University created the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with Data Networking and Security Specialization to help develop IT cybersecurity professionals. Liberty offers information systems (IS), IT, and computer science (CS) degrees that prepares students for the IT field, specifically related to cybersecurity. Notable specialties: Liberty offers three cybersecurity career paths: Security GRC: Get involved in the security governance, risk management and compliance (GRC) of an organization. Get involved in the security governance, risk management and compliance (GRC) of an organization. Security technology: Prepares students to provide a security architecture of the enterprise network and systems. The security architecture will be based on a risk assessment. Prepares students to provide a security architecture of the enterprise network and systems. The security architecture will be based on a risk assessment. Secure development: Prepares students to solve tomorrow's cybersecurity challenges. Location: Online I want to recruit from Liberty University I want to enroll at Liberty University Regent University The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, offered online and on campus, prepares students to begin or advance technology and network security careers in government, military, manufacturing, service, education and other private, public and nonprofit sectors. The programs course work teaches students to create and execute a digital security strategy that supports and defends data resources managed by your employer. Notable specialties: Students learn how to gather data and evidence employed in prosecuting cybercrimes, and to develop security safeguards and disaster recovery plans; develop ethical, innovative and practical intelligence, and networking solutions based on strategic technology applications and data-driven assessments; and learn how to defend computer networks against attacks by worms, viruses and other criminal acts. Location: Virginia Beach, VA, and online I want to recruit from Regent University I want to enroll at Regent University Saint Leo University Online The BS Cybersecurity program in Saint Leos School of Business exposes students to the fundamentals needed for entry-level positions involving cybersecurity. Students will experience and learn security tools and technologies that are used by cybersecurity professionals in their daily work activities. This is done through a virtual lab environment where students have the unique opportunity to fully immerse themselves in a mock IT infrastructure and real-world software tools with realistic security scenarios. Notable specialties: The program introduces students to the principles of cybersecurity, penetration testing and ethical hacking, various computer and network protection controls, and managing the implementation and maintenance of security devices, systems, procedures and countermeasures. Location: Saint Leo, FL, and online I want to recruit from Saint Leo University I want to enroll at Saint Leo University Southern New Hampshire University The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity online program teaches skills to defend and protect networks and information systems. SNHU's online cybersecurity degree provide a foundation in computing and security principles, and hands-on critical application using industry standard tools. Notable specialties: SNHU offers a cybersecurity concentration: Secure Programming. It helps students gain a foundation in cybersecurity principles and practice; use industry-standard programming tools and methodologies to develop and assess software systems and programs; and determine appropriate models, methodologies, and strategies that maximize product quality and security within the software development lifecycle. Location: Online I want to recruit from SNHU I want to enroll at SNHU University of Arizona South The Cyber Operations, Bachelor of Applied Science program gives students extensive hands-on experience and develops the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to succeed in defense, law enforcement and private industry. Notable specialties: This technical, interdisciplinary program offers two degree tracks: The Engineering Track is grounded in the computer science, networking and cybersecurity disciplines, and it conforms to the National Security Agency (NSA) Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO) academic requirements for low level programming; software reverse engineering; operating system theory; secure software development and security analysis; mathematics and algorithms; networking; cellular and mobile technologies; cloud computing; offensive and defensive cyber operations; and cyber law, ethics and policy. The Defense and Forensics Track encompasses offensive and defensive cyber operations, cyber threat intelligence, malware analysis, networking and digital forensics. It conforms to the academic requirements for the NSA Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO) and Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) for fundamental security principles, vulnerabilities and networking; digital forensics; offensive and defensive cyber operations; introduction to cryptography; probability and statistics; and cyber law, ethics and policy. Location: Online I want to recruit from University of Arizona South I want to enroll at University of Arizona South University of Illinois at Springfield In the UIS Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Security (ISS) program, students will learn the fundamentals of information security including design and implementation of secure systems, security assessment, and computer security ethics. The B.S. in ISS is offered in both on-ground and online formats. Notable specialties: Students will learn the fundamentals of information security including design and implementation of secure systems, security assessment, and computer security ethics. Location: Springfield, IL I want to recruit from UIS I want to enroll at UIS University of Maryland University College The UMUC BS Cybersecurity program offers an array of cybersecurity bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and certificates in subjects ranging from digital forensics to cyber policy. Notable specialties: The UMUC Cyber Padawans competition team provides students with real-world experience and networking opportunities. Location: Largo, MD, and online I want to recruit from UMUC I want to enroll at UMUC Walden University The Criminal Justice: Computer Information Systems and Security bachelor of science program is designed to help students understand the technology infrastructure that underlies information systems. Students will learn to prevent information security network attacks; study criminal theories and behavior to discover the proper way to conduct a criminal investigation; explore standard operating procedures for identifying, planning for and responding to terrorist threats, and identify patterns and trends related to terrorism. Notable specialties: Course concentrations include: Computer information and security; criminal investigation; homeland security. Location: Online I want to recruit from Walden University I want to enroll at Walden University Western Governors University WGUs online B.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree program was designed with input from cybersecurity experts and leading IT employers to meet the most recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and National Security Agency (NSA) guidelines. Notable specialties: This degree program includes multiple industry-recognized certifications including those from CompTIA, CIW, EC-Council and ISC that are built into the curriculum and do not add time or cost. Location: Online I want to recruit from WGU I want to enroll at WGU Wilmington University The B.S. in Computer and Network Security program prepares who are capable of protecting networks from intrusion, protecting computers from viruses, and retrieving data as evidence from computers used in the commission of fraud and other corporate crimes. It has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity through academic year 2021 by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Notable specialties: Gain the technical and forensic training to locate, recover, and analyze digital evidence with Wilmington University Digital Evidence Discovery and Digital Evidence Investigation certificates. These certificates offer forensic training for students to provide the skills to locate, recover, and analyze digital evidence. Location: New Castle, DE, and online I want to recruit from Wilmington University I want to enroll at Wilmington University Masters Programs Berkeley School of Information UC Berkeley School of Informations (I School) Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS) is an accredited program designed to train students with professional experience for a career in cybersecurity. Delivered online, MICS provides the technical skills and contextual knowledge students need to assume leadership positions in private sector technology companies as well as government and military organizations. Notable specialties: The leadership-focused interdisciplinary MICS curriculum teaches students how to develop solutions for complex cybersecurity challenges. Students will learn how to manage cyber risk in the service of strategic decision making. The MICS program offers students mastery of core technical skills and fluency in the business, political, and legal context for cybersecurity. Location: Online I want to recruit from Berkeley School of Information I want to enroll at Berkeley School of Information Boston University Metropolitan College The Master of Criminal Justice, Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity Concentration allows students to develop competency and practical knowledge, enabling them to work with various issues related to cybercrime. Students who successfully complete the concentration are eligible to take the forensic examiner exams. BU offers both campus and online programs. Notable specialties: This program focuses on these skills: Insight into cybercriminology and legal practices, practical digital investigative knowledge, an understanding of the policies related to cybersecurity risk assessment, and a command of leadership theories and skills pertaining to the management of criminal justice organizations. Location: Boston, MA I want to recruit from Boston University I want to enroll at Boston University Columbia University in the City of New York / Columbia Engineering The Computer Science Master's Degree - Computer Security track is intended for students who wish to develop state-of-the-art knowledge of computer and network security technologies. Notable specialties: Required courses include: Operating Systems; Advanced Software Engineering; Network Security; Security Architecture and Engineering; Introduction to Cryptography; and Intrusion and Anomaly Detection Systems. In addition, students are required to choose courses from three groups, systems, theory and artificial intelligence and applications. Finally, two electives are required from an extensive list. Location: New York, NY I want to recruit from Columbia University I want to enroll at Columbia University George Mason University The MS in Management of Secure Information Systems (MSIS) provides a path to enhance students leadership career and be at the forefront of addressing cybersecurity challenges. Notable specialties: The MSIS program includes courses on financial management and accounting, networking principles, organizational behavior, and governance, regulation and compliance. Location: Fairfax, VA I want to recruit from George Mason University I want to enroll at George Mason University Harvard Extension School (HES) Harvard University The Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate allows students to build knowledge of the tools and protocols needed to navigate, use, and manage security technologies as well as gain insight into the legal, social, and political dynamics of the cyber universe. Notable specialties: Build an understanding of data network device and communications technology, architecture, and management. Develop knowledge of technical and organizational information security risks and communication tactics to mitigate these risks for both traditional and cloud-based environments. Learn to develop and articulate effective enterprise information security policies that address internal and external national and international threats. Gain insight into the strategies and protocols needed to secure and monitor computer networks in global organizations. Location: Boston, MA I want to recruit from HES I want to enroll at HES New York University The Master of Science in Cybersecurity Risk and Strategy is a one-year program for experienced professionals from a range of backgrounds who seek to deepen their understanding of cybersecurity risk and strategy. Cybersecurityboth prevention and responsefrequently requires coordination between public- and private-sector organizations and expertise in technology, law, and policy. NYUs program will create managers with the integrated expertise needed to play a leadership role in the field. Notable specialties: Spanning all three semesters is the Integrative Cybersecurity Management capstone, a team-based project that will allow students to demonstrate their ability to take an integrated view of cybersecurity risk and strategy. Working in groups, students tackle difficult challenges of technology, law, risk, and strategy. As students refine their projects, teams meet and discuss issues related to the capstone with the faculty or industry mentor. Location: Brooklyn, NY, and online I want to recruit from NYU I want to enroll at NYU Penn State University World Campus Penn States Master of Professional Studies in Information Sciences - Cybersecurity and Information Assurance incorporates real-world business issues and simulations. The program takes a multidimensional perspective on cyber-domains that is defined by using a socio-technical approach to generate solutions to complex problems. Notable specialties: Courses include two requirements: Web Fundamentals and Network Management and Security. Students may choose three from the following: Web Security and Privacy; Network Security; Computer and Cyber Forensics; Information Security Management; and Crisis, Disaster and Risk Management. Location: Online I want to recruit from Penn State University World Campus I want to enroll at Penn State University World Campus Syracuse University The Online M.S. in Cybersecurity prepares students to identify, prevent and counteract cybercrime. Syracuse University believes that it is insufficient for systems to be merely secure; they must also be assured. A secure system exhibits the traditional properties of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. An assured system is a secure system whose properties are verified or proven. Students in the M.S. in Cybersecurity program develop the expertise to design and develop secure, assured systems. Notable specialties: Curriculum focuses on five major objectives: Design of new systems that are inherently secure; protection of systems such as web, mobile, and critical infrastructures; systems assurance through application of mathematical logic; analysis and detection of malware and other cyberattacks; and data mining and anomaly detection to identify suspicious cyber behavior. Location: Online I want to recruit from Syracuse University I want to enroll at Syracuse University University of Maryland The Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity is offered in collaboration with Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of Computer Science, and the Maryland Cybersecurity Center. These cybersecurity engineering degree programs merge engineering applications with computer science principles. Notable specialties: The Maryland Cybersecurity Center takes a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity education, research, and technology development, stressing "more-than-tech," interdisciplinary solutions. The center brings together experts from computer science and engineering with colleagues from across campus to establish broad-based cybersecurity initiatives. Location: College Park, MD I want to recruit from UMD I want to enroll at UMD University of Massachusetts Lowell The Online Graduate Certificate Program in Cybersecurity addresses the growing demand for advanced-level studies in IT. Individuals interested in advancing their knowledge of network threats, data encryption, wireless network security, data authentication, data recovery and forensics, network architecture and emerging network technologies will benefit from this program. Notable specialties: The UMass Lowell program consists of four graduate online courses in network security, digital forensics, network infrastructures, and secure mobile networks. Offered through the University's Computer Science Department, this program differs from traditional graduate computer science courses in its focus on application-specific details, case studies and the operational framework required by today's IT professionals. Location: Lowell, MA, and online I want to recruit from UMass Lowell I want to enroll at UMass Lowell Utica College The Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity teaches students to proactively address ever-changing attack and infiltration techniques. Utica designed the program in response to calls from cybersecurity professionals for a graduate-level program that combines state-of-the-art practices in intelligence, forensics and cyber operations. The online M.S. in Cybersecurity offers students advanced knowledge and hands-on experience in intelligence, critical infrastructures, and investigative principles as they relate to cybercrime. Notable specialties: The cybersecurity program offers five specializations targeted to students with different interests in this field: intelligence, computer forensics, cyber operations, electronic crime, and malware analysis. Location: Online I want to recruit from Utica I want to enroll at Utica This story, "Top bachelors and masters cybersecurity degree programs" was originally published by CSO . Indra Nooyi is stepping down in early October as CEO of PepsiCo after a dozen years leading the Purchase, N.Y.-based food and beverage giant, with the company promoting its corporate president Ramon Laguarta as her replacement. Nooyi, 62, is the fifth CEO in PepsiCo history, having increased revenue more than 80 percent since taking the role in 2006 to $63.5 billion last year. In addition to its namesake cola, Pepsi owns Aquafina, Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Quaker Oats and Tropicana among other brands, with its acquisitions over the years including Sobe, a maker of juice and teas based at the time in Norwalk. A Greenwich resident, Nooyi has been a fixture on Forbes annual list of the 10 powerful women in the world, becoming CEO in October 2006 replacing Steven Reinemund and adding the board chair role the following year. Forbes ranked PepsiCo this year the third most powerful food and beverage company globally, behind only Anheuser-Busch and Nestle. Nooyi has been a vocal supporter of Connecticuts economic efforts, playing a hand in connecting the state with the information technology giant Infosys, which is now adding 1,000 jobs in Hartford, while supporting local causes like Sandy Hook Promise. Through acquisitions and regular hiring during the Nooyi years, PepsiCo has expanded its U.S. workforce by some 51,000 people to 113,000 in all, while adding 55,000 more in other countries to give it a global workforce of 263,000 entering this year. Speaking in 2015 at the University of Maryland, Nooyi described the vision she had sought for PepsiCo during her tenure. At PepsiCo ... the whole company operates under this vision of performance with purpose its our simple idea that short-term profits need not come at the expense of long-term sustainable growth, Nooyi said. It means that we expand our portfolio of products to include healthier options; it means being a good steward of the environment; and it means truly caring for our employees so they feel they are making a living in PepsiCo and having a life. But Nooyis influence has extended far beyond PepsiCo in multiple marketing trends she has helped bring about, according to Ravi Dhar, a professor of management and marketing at Nooyis alma mater the Yale School of Management and director of the Yale Center for Customer Insights research center. One relates to elevating the importance of design and its integration with product and marketing to deliver a superior customer experience, Dhar told Hearst Connecticut Media. Another ... is impacting what companies like PepsiCo do in-house versus (relying) on their partners. Third, PepsiCo is a leader in understanding where the consumer is going and has invested in building (a) world-class consumer insights organization to drive its innovation agenda. From an adjusted price of about $65 when Nooyi was elevated to CEO, Pepsi shares trade today above $116, trailing the performance of its Atlanta-based rival Coca-Cola, where shares have more than doubled. As of April, Nooyi held PepsiCo shares valued at $168 million, with the company estimating her compensation last year at $31.1 million. Alongside its successes during the Nooyi era, PepsiCo has absorbed criticism, as well, to include last year when it apologized after the activist movement Black Lives Matter faulted PepsiCo for trivializing a significant social issue, after PepsiCo briefly ran an ad online depicting celebrity Kendall Jenner mollifying protesters in offering a can of Pepsi to a police officer. Like Laguarta, Nooyi was promoted to the top spot, having been president and chief financial officer since 2001 and before that leading corporate strategy. Earlier in her career, she worked for Motorola, Boston Consulting Group and Johnson & Johnson, among others. In addition to a masters degree in management from Yale, Nooyi has an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management in Calcutta and an undergraduate degree from Madras Christian College. A native of Barcelona, Spain, Laguarta ascended PepsiCo in the companys European operations. He has an MBA from ESADE Business School in Spain and a masters from Arizona State Universitys Thunderbird School of Global Management. Dan Haar contributed to this report. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman CLINTON A California-based utility company has sweetened the deal in its effort to convince Connecticut Water Service shareholders to suport its offer rather than one being proposed by Eversource Energy. The $70 per share that San Jose-based SJW Group is offering represents an $8.14 increase on the offer that it made in March for Clinton-based Connecticut Water. But the original deal was a stock swap and SJWs latest proposal calls for that utility to purchase Connecticut Water shareholders stock. David Benoit, president and chief executive officer of Connecticut Water, said he doesnt view SJW Groups amended agreement as a deal sweetner. This really represents an attempt to clear up any distractions that Eversources offeer may have created with our stock price, Benoit said. This (was) designed to facilitate the closing of our companies transformative transaction, which we believe remains the better deal. Eversource officials made a counter offer for Connecticut Water in mid-April, offering to acquire all outstanding shares of Connecticut Water for either $63.50 a share in cash and/or Eversource common shares. Eversource completed its acquisition of Bridgeport-based Aquarion Water Co. in early December 2017. Caroline Pretyman, a Boston-based Eversource spokeswoman, said company officials are aware of SJW Groups latest offer for Connecticut Water. We are evaluating our options and as we have made clear, well be disciplined in pursuit of this or any other transaction, Pretyman said. We believe our offer is more compelling. Robert Van Valer is the lead independent director of SJW Groups board of directors and trustee of the Roscoe Moss Jr. Revocable Trust, which is the largest stockholder of SJW Group. Van Valer said the amended agreement reflects our continued and shared commitment with Connecticut Water to combine our two companies to create a leading national water and wastewater utility. Under the revised terms, the combination will substantially enhance our long-term value and significantly benefit our shareholders, employees, customers and local service area communities, he said. Together, we will have a multi-state presence with a broader and more attractive growth platform and capacity to invest in our infrastructure, maintain our local operations and focus, provide greater opportunities for our employees and increase shareholder value over the immediate- and long-term. The merger of equals is scheduled to close during the first quarter on next year. Benoit said the merger agreement already is making its way through regulatory hearings before the states Public Utilities Regulatory Authority holds it first public hearing on the application Aug. 15. Connecticut Water serves 450,000 people in this state and Maine. In Connecticut, the utility serves 56 towns, including 10 in the New Haven area. The company also provides wastewater service to more than 10,000 people in Connecticut. luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com BRIDGEPORT - A Fairfield teen, accused of seriously injuring another teen when he drove off with the victim on his car, was ordered on house arrest on Monday. Although Andrew Bantle, 18, wanted to continue working his landscaping job until he began his senior year in Fairfield Ludlow High School later this month, Superior Court Judge Tracy Lee Dayton said that would not be a good idea based on the alleged incident. By your actions you showed you area a danger with a motor vehicle, stay in your grandmothers home and help her with things in the house, the judge continued. She also ordered him to wear an electronic monitoring anklet until his next court hearing on Aug. 28. When Bantles lawyer, Thomas Cocco, told the judge that his client intended to go with his family on a vacation to Iowa prior to the start of school the judge retorted, Thats not going to happen. The other young man suffered a serious brain injury and wont be going on vacation and neither will your client. Bantle, who lives with his grandmother on Stevenson Road, is charged with reckless driving and evading responsibility in a case of a serious injury. Shortly after 5 p.m. on May 7, police said Bantle drove his grandmothers 2002 Toyota Camry into the parking lot at Lake Mohegan in Fairfield where he encountered a group of friends. Police said while talking with his friends a 16-year-old boy sat on the trunk of Bantles car. At some point police said Bantle began to drive off with the teen still on the trunk and then suddenly accelerated causing the boy to fall head first onto the pavement. Bantle, aware that the boy had fallen, continued to drive away, police said. The younger boy suffered a severe brain injury in the fall, police said. Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim on Monday called for an amendment to the state Constitution to protect the reproductive rights of women. Ganim, during a news conference on the grounds of the State Capitol, warned that the pending U.S. Supreme Court nomination of conservative Brett Kavanaugh could soon threaten the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that guarantees access to abortions. Reproductive rights are under siege all over this country, and we in Connecticut cannot let a narrow-minded administration in Washington, D.C. threaten nearly 50 years of progress and legal precedent that women have the right to choose what happens inside their own bodies, said Ganim, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in the August 14 party primary. Even though we have strong statutes preserving reproductive rights, laws can change and we should be prepared to put that language into our state constitution so these rights can never be under threat in our state, the mayor said in a statement. More News Confirmation opponents wary of Kavanaugh on health care In 1990, the General Assembly approved a state law assuring abortion rights. The legislation was signed into law by Gov. William A. ONeill. A constitutional amendment could further strengthen the guarantee, particularly if conservative state lawmakers were to attempt to repeal the law in the future. Last week, during a forum on womens issues in New Haven, Ned Lamont, the party-endorsed candidate for governor, stressed a variety of economic opportunities he wants to pursue, including increasing the minimum wage to $15; closing the so-called gender-wage gap; and creating a family and medical leave system that people can pay into. During the the event, Lamont accepted the endorsement of longtime 3rd District U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro. States that have approved similar constitutional amendments include Alaska, California, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey and New Mexico, Ganim said. It is also being being considered by lawmakers in Maryland. To place such an amendment on a statewide Connecticut ballot for voter ratification, legislative proponents would need simple-majority votes in the state House and Senate in successive years, or win the support of three quarters of the House and Senate in a single legislative session. Currently, Democrats hold a narrow 79-72 majority in the House, while the Senate is tied at 18, although Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman has broken deadlocks for fellow Democrats. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT 3 1 of 3 Emilie Munson / Hearts Connecticut Media file Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Endorsed Democratic candidate for governor Ned Lamont teamed up with the states retiring attorney general, George Jepsen, to decry the Trump administrations proposal to roll back federal greenhouse gas emissions standards. As Governor, I would work closely with the states Attorney General to bring a lawsuit against the Trump administration for weakening fuel-efficiency standards for cars and light trucks, Lamont said, adding that he would encourage the use of alternative fuels for private and public transportation. NORWALK Connecticut authorities are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the 2011 killing of Rickita Smalls and Iroquois Alston. Smalls and Alston were shot and killed on August 6, 2011 on Avenue B in Norwalk. Police are still investigating the incident. Republican David Stemerman released the latest in his series of plans for the state, this one directed at eastern Connecticut. The plan addresses the crumbling foundation crisis, job and economic growth and tourism. An estimated 34,000 homes in 36 towns might be affected by crumbling foundations caused by a mineral found in a state quarry. Replacing a home's foundation can cost $150,000 to $250,000 Stemerman, the Greenwich hedge-funder and candidate for governor, spoke from a crumbling basement in Willington. The plan includes an independent investigation into who is responsible for the disintegrating foundations issue as well as the scope of the problem. Stemerman also plans to hold private businesses and insurers financially responsible for their role in the crumbling foundation crisis, and bring in state and federal partners to address the issue. He also plans to establish a commission to oversee financial assistance to the families affected. You work hard all your life and people can relate to that everywhere, he said. Its not about Eastern versus Western, its not about rich versus poor, its not about urban versus rural. This is about us and this is a problem that everybody can relate to. A bill passed this year and signed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will add a $12 surcharge to certain homeowners insurance policies effective Jan. 2019. The money will collect about $8.75 million with 85 percent directed to a Crumbling Foundations Assistance Fund. The remaining 15 percent will be used to assist homeowners whose homes are sinking in New Haven and others dealing with lead and radon abatement. kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt HAMDEN It was peaceful on the Tower Trail at Sleeping Giant State Park Thursday, with birds and cicadas calling and the thrum of traffic and tools off in the distance. On top of the namesake tower, turkey vultures rested easily, then flew off into the summer sky. With your eyes closed, you could believe the May tornado never happened. But evidence of the calamity that reshaped and shuttered the park was plain to see logs and branches piled alongside the path, broken trees in the brush, potholes gouged by machinery. Crews are working to repair Sleeping Giant State Park and its showcase trail, but theres more to do. Theres still a substantial amount of work to go. This is going to be a little bit, said Chris Collibee, spokesman with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. I understand, we understand, how much people love this park, but the critical thing is that the park is made safe for park-goers. Collibee said progress is being made appropriately this process takes time. The aim is to restore the park holistically, not haphazardly, he said. He said the lower picnic area has been cleared the sea of trees that previously greeted visitors as they entered the park, damaged in the storm, is now gone, to be replaced by grass for the time being and the Tower Trail also has largely been cleared. But the side trails are still damaged, with the Sleeping Giant Park Association working on them; the parking and picnic area is being redesigned; and the Tower Trail will be widened, allowing vehicles to clear the wood and brush that remains there and ultimately speeding travel for emergency responders, he said. Even today, those working in the park still hear trees and limbs falling to Earth, he said. Park Supervisor Jill Scheibenpflug said though that while the storm was devastating and sad, it provided new opportunities as well. Workers can plant hardwood trees in the picnic grove, which will hold up better than pine. The restroom building will be replaced a task that needed to be done, pressed to the fore by a falling tree. Im trying to look at the good things, because its just so devastating, you have to kind of find the silver lining, said Scheibenpflug. At some point, you have to come up with a positive side of it, too. Its a blank slate and hopefully well make the right decisions and make the park look really nice. Itll be different, but that doesnt mean it wont be nice. Collibee said there is no timeline for re-opening Sleeping Giant. He stressed that people should stay out of the park at this time, as it remains hazardous, and suggested people try the other parks maintained by DEEP, which have their own beautiful views. Wharton Brook State Park in Wallingford will hopefully re-open by the end of summer, he said. And while the face of the Giant has changed and work remains, the place will restore itself, Collibee said. The park does look different. But, in time, it will heal itself, said Collibee. Ultimately, well get this park re-opened and the park will come back. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com With Brazil's political party conventions having wrapped up on Sunday, no other candidates are expected to join the race for the presidency, barring exceptional circumstances. Politicians must formally register their candidacies with the electoral authorities by Aug. 15, before the campaign gets underway the following day. Here are the six leading candidates in the race for the presidency. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (imprisoned for corruption and likely to be barred from standing): --Candidate for the left-wing Workers' Party, or PT. --President of Brazil from 2003-2010. --Former metalworker and trade union leader in Sao Paulo. --Currently leads the opinion polls for the presidential election. --Promises to undo the market-friendly reforms of the Temer administration, and oppose the sale of state companies such as Petrobras and Eletrobras . Jair Bolsonaro: --Candidate for the small, rightwing Social Liberal Party, or PSL. --Ex-Army captain renowned for his provocative attacks on progressive values. --Sympathetic to the military dictatorship in Brazil and highly critical of affirmative action. --Second-placed in opinion polls behind Lula. --Pledges to revoke gun control laws, loosen oversight of police, sell some state companies. --Motto: "Brazil above everything, and God above everyone." Marina Silva: --Candidate for tiny Rede Sustentabilidade party. --Mixed-race woman born to a family of poor rubber-tappers in the Amazonian state of Acre. --Illiterate until age of 16, contracted hepatitis, malaria and leishmaniasis as a child --Former environment minister in Lula government. --Calls for a "necessary state"-arguing that while the public finances must be brought under control, Brazil's current spending cap is "unreasonable." --This is her third campaign for the presidency-in both 2010 and 2014 she came third. Ciro Gomes: --Candidate for the leftwing Democratic Labor Party or PDT. --A former governor of the north-eastern state of Ceara and a former minister of national integration in the Lula government. --Spent four months as finance minister in 1994 during the presidency of Itamar Franco. --Running for the presidency for the third time, Gomes is known for his mercurial temperamant. --Struggled to forge alliances with other leftwing parties in this election. --Pledges to revoke labor reform and all the oil contracts signed in Temer administration. Geraldo Alckmin: --Candidate for the Brazilian Social Democracy Party, or PSDB. --Four times governor of Sao Paulo and co-founder of PSDB. --Trained as a doctor, with a specialization in anesthesiology. --Lost to Lula in 2006 presidential elections. --Considered the most business-friendly of the main candidates, he is backed by an extensive coalition of centrist parties, but so far he only attracts single digit voter intentions. --He proposes cutting corporate taxes and allowing rural residents to carry guns. Alvaro Dias: --Candidate for the Podemos party --Born in the state of Sao Paulo, raised in Parana state, where his political career began --He has switched parties half a dozen times over the course of his career, which he argues is proof of his consistency and their lack of ideological backbone --His main proposal consists of what he describes as the 'refoundation of the Republic', with a reduction in the number of ministries --He also wants to sell off dozens of state companies, except the oil company Petrobras, energy utility Eletrobras, and state banks Caixa Economica Federal and Banco do Brasil Building, supporting and scaling a sustainable business with sound policies is no easy feat, regardless of industry. Some fields may be more competitive than others, and businesses that break the mold have something in common -- they look outside their industry for inspiration on best practices. I believe this kind of external benchmarking is key for any company that hopes to not only survive, but flourish, in todays market. At our company, Pacesetter, this has been something Ive been militant about since starting as CEO years ago. The steel industry, like many subsets of manufacturing, has done things a certain way for a long time. Its useful to study the competition to see what works and doesnt work. Ive also had success looking outside of steel to identify, not just the best industry practices, rather the best practices, period. Related: Don't Study the Competition. Study Winners in Other Industries. Heres how business leaders can think outside the box in order to really push the envelope, innovate, and get ahead of the competition. 1. Putting the best in best practice. Whats best in your industry is not necessarily the model for the absolute best. This is especially true because there are plenty overlaps between industries, jobs, culture and policy that we tend to ignore when siloed in our own fields. What doesn't work for one may very well work for another and yield surprising results. It all depends on what it is you are trying to create, improve or solve. Are you a shoe store that wants to achieve excellence in customer service? If so, you would be limiting yourself just to turn to Payless and DSW. Find out which companies, regardless of industry, really are the best of the best in customer service, and see how you can emulate or adopt their practices. As Craig Richardville of Carolinas Healthcare System wrote, We tend to look outside of health care to other industries ...In the digital world, health care has more in common with other industries than we used to, so I spend a lot of time talking with non-health care CIOs. These have included diverse businesses from energy companies to pillow manufacturers. 2. Drawing on different knowledge pools. Its no wonder Richardville looks outside of health care for solutions. Sometimes, the best ideas come when you introduce an entirely new pool of knowledge into the equation. For instance, an experiment by Harvard Business Review recruited roofers, carpenters and inline skaters to contribute their insights to the problem of workers reluctance to use safety gear because of discomfort. The study found that each group was significantly better at thinking of novel solutions for the other fields than for its own. Outside minds, then, can help business leaders improve their companies by offering insight they lack the experience and perspective to provide. By being insiders, we can all lose objectivity and face a lot of creative blockage. Shaking up the status quo by introducing new pools of knowledge is a productive way to solve old problems with untapped insights. People in analogous fields, HBR concludes, are well-suited to bring novel ideas to the table untethered by procedural biases. Related: The Power of Innovation 3. Innovation and problem solving. When it comes to creative problem solving, looking to other industries can be especially fruitful, as HBRs study suggested. The study cites other examples, including when 3M developed a breakthrough concept for preventing infections associated with surgery after getting input from a theatrical-makeup specialist who was knowledgeable about preventing facial skin infections. Innovation can come from anywhere, and creativity is fueled by a healthy flow of new information -- like the knowledge pools mentioned above. How exactly does this solve problems? It takes the right type of brainstorm -- one that mixes depth and context with freshness. In other words, if you simply ask someone in an analogous field for ideas, without your expertise in the mix, they wont have the familiarity to be useful. Thats why looking beyond your industry must be strategic, specific and collaborative. Pair insiders with outsiders to identify best practices that address specific areas or concern. Otherwise, you may just be in for an interesting conversation without much business potential. 4. Knowing where to look. One reason business leaders fail to look outside their industry may be the uncertainty of where exactly to look. Its easy to stay inside a box because you know whats in it and what to do with it. Once you step outside, there are dozens or more boxes you could explore. How on earth is one to choose, especially if the entire point is to examine unexpected correlations? According to Upsize, a magazine for small business owners, a cross-industry review can help leaders identify best practices outside of their own industries. Wendy Ruyle, co-owner of 5 by 5, suggests a six-step approach: identifying goals, identifying best practice industries, discovery, reporting back, implementing, and testing and refining. Related: With a Global Mindset and Flexibility You Can Outpace Any Competitor With this logic, the first place to look is, in fact, inward. By realizing your own limitations and issues, you can set goals and begin to search for exemplary analogous fields and businesses. The authors of the HBR study suggest a similar process. Clear away the details and ask yourself: What is the essence of the problem? Then describe it in such a way that potential solvers from analogous markets can connect their knowledge to it. You might take Richardvilles approach and set up a conversation, executive to executive. Or you might task trusted members of your team with research and exploration. Or you might sponsor a mutually-beneficial ideation session during which respective industry insiders put aside whats plaguing their own fields and apply their insights elsewhere. However you go about it, it is important that you never settle for best in your industry when there are countless other great examples to draw from. Even better, emulating companies outside your industry may allow you to disrupt your field through profound and thoughtful change. Related: After 12 Years, Indra Nooyi to Step Down as PepsiCo CEO 4 Psychological Reasons Entrepreneurs Should Embrace Procrastination Is there a Business Opportunity in Happiness? Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved ORANGE Its First Selectman Jim Zeolis first year selling USDA approved beef through his Shamrock Farm business and already hes got a winning burger on the specials menu of a popular local restaurant. Cristian Mortali, 21, who has worked for many years at Shamrock Farm, was the brainchild behind the idea to promote putting the grass-fed, hormone-free and antibiotic free meat on a menu, Zeoli said. Mortali , who is friends with Orange Ale House and Grille owner Jim Hassenmayer, said he approached Hassenmayer because locally grown products are popular and theres nothing more locally minded than the ale house, a popular venue that draws from other communities, as well. The Orange Ale House and Grille, 517 Boston Post Road, is known for accommodating fundraisers of all kinds and for being community-minded all around. I thought there would be no better way to promote, an orange grown burger, Mortali said. Eating local a big deal he was immediately interested. And so, the Shamrock burger was born described on the specials menu as a fresh half pound locally sourced, grass-fed, hormone-free beef from Shamrock Farm in Orange (USDA inspected). The burger is topped with lettuce, tomato, onion on a brioche or sesame bun. Cheese is optional, and a side is included. The price is $14.99. Zeoli has sold livestock through Shamrock Farm for many years, but this is his first year selling the meat, which is available at the Orange Farmers Market Thursday nights, at the Oxford Farmers Market Mondays or by arrangement can be ordered and picked up at Shamrock Farm. Zeoli said he sells all kinds of cuts including ground beef, filet mignon, ribs, roasts and more. A woman who works for him raises lambs and sells all kinds of cuts of those as well. Zeolis cows roam the pasture eating grass so they are not too fatty and arent given growth hormones or antibiotics. Mortali said not only is Zeolis ground beef healthier than cheap feed lot beef, its also tastier and leaner. Theres definitely a difference, he said. Mortali, a graduate of University of Connecticuts two-year agriculture program, said that while he got the burgers on the menu, he had nothing to do with the recipe. I told them, Im not a chef, Im a cow person, Mortali said. On Facebook, Hassenmayer Orange Ale House promoted the Shamrock burger with these words: Introducing our newest burger addiction, no, it didnt say addition. The post warns of limited availability. On customer, Steven Chagno, commented on the Facebook Post: Now this is a burger I can make a special trip for! Another customer, Craig Stahl, wrote on Facebook, I had one tonight....Great Burger from Orange Ale House Grille and Burger Bar....and Shamrock Farm Stand.....It took 2 Jims to make it happen.. There is no mention of Zeoli on the menu or his status as first selectman. While hes had Zeolis burgers, Mortali hasnt had a chance yet to try a Shamrock burger yet, he said, because hes up milking cows at 5 a.m. and goes to bed early but he plans to try one at the Ale House this weekend. The restaurant just started selling Shamrock burgers early this week and theyre selling fast, Mortali said, as he had to make a second, unexpected delivery Thursday. Its pretty exciting, Zeoli said of having one his farms cuts on a local menu. Zeoli added: Its a new venue for the next generation, of farmers. Its absolutely wonderful. Mortali, who wants to be a farmer someday, but recognizes the obstacles such as land costs, said agriculture is an important part of Orange history and thats another reason to celebrate the Shamrock burger. Under the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, the United States agreed to relax sanctions on Iran. But the Trump administration has now begun to put them back in place, with the first batch to be reimposed Monday. Those sanctions target a range of economic sectors, including automobiles, gold, steel and other key metals. After 90 days, a heftier tranche of sanctions on Iran's oil industry is set to go back into effect. This has all been a fait accompli since May, when President Donald Trump decided to formally renege on American commitments under the nuclear accord. The president rejected the assessments of U.N. monitors, who had repeatedly said Iran was in compliance with the terms of a deal that had placed strict curbs on its nuclear activities. He also dismissed the entreaties of numerous European allies, who wanted to preserve what they saw as a successful and hard-won nonproliferation pact. Now, European efforts to shield European companies that may still want to do business in Iran - and thereby risk falling afoul of U.S. sanctions - are flagging. The chance that these firms may face "secondary sanctions" from Washington could stoke tensions between the United States and its Western allies; it has already compelled various prominent European energy companies to scale back or fully cut their operations in Iran. Javad Zarif tweeted "Iran & US had 2 yrs of talks. With EU/E3+Russia+China, we produced a unique multilateral accord-the JCPOA. It's been working. US can only blame itself for pulling out & leaving the table. Threats, sanctions & PR stunts won't work. Try respect: for Iranians & for int'l commitments" In Iran, meanwhile, the prospect of a return to sanctions has caused the rial, Iran's currency, to plunge in value. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has tacked toward the country's hard-liners, who had derided both him and the nuclear deal he helped broker. Over the weekend, the Iranian military said it staged naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, a pivotal sea lane for global oil shipments. The nuclear deal had presented Iran with an opening to the West after years of tensions and deepening isolation. But with that window now closing, Iran's theocratic leadership is reverting to the vows of "resistance" and self-sufficiency that have animated the regime for nearly four decades. It's a return instigated by Trump, who came to power vowing to unravel his predecessor's signature diplomatic achievement. "The U.S. election in 2016 was always a cloud over the agreement, and in the end it produced the worst possible result," Farid Dehdilani, international affairs adviser for the Iranian Privatization Organization, a government agency, told Agence France-Presse. Trump administration officials and Iran hawks in Washington believe sanctions will further squeeze the Islamic republic and weaken the regime. Over the weekend, Trump gloated about reports of expanding economic protests in Iran - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has also championed the protesters - and linked the worsening political climate in Tehran to his decision to reimpose sanctions. All of this turmoil, he says, is added leverage that will force Iran to negotiate a new nuclear deal. Trump tweeted "Iran, and it's economy, is going very bad, and fast! I will meet, or not meet, it doesn't matter - it is up to them!" Analysts aren't so confident. "Trump implies he is a) fueling Iranian popular discontent but b) willing to throw Iranians under the bus to cut a deal w/ their leaders," tweeted Karim Sadjadpour, an Iran expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "In reality Iranian demands for economic/political/social dignity long predate Trump; he can neither aid nor extinguish these aspirations." Moreover, despite the mounting difficulties it faces, the regime is not about to crack apart. Experts say the sanctions coming back online are less asphyxiating than those in place before the forging of the nuclear deal. And while European partners may reluctantly heed pressure from the White House, key importers of Iranian energy, including India and China, may not go along so easily. "China has announced it will likely continue importing oil from Iran, even after the United States moves to cut down Iranian oil sales down to zero by November," Dina Esfandiary and Ariane Tabatabai wrote in Foreign Affairs. Beijing also looks set to broaden its cooperation with Iran through its ambitious global infrastructure project, known as the One Belt, One Road initiative, as well as investments in Iran's nuclear energy sector. "Today, as Washington once again seeks to tighten the screws, Tehran sees its relationship with Beijing as key to remaining afloat," Esfandiary and Tabatabai noted, adding that "Chinese engagement with Iran might pave the ground for others to follow suit, which would undermine the new U.S. pressure campaign." None of this will be helped by the Trump administration's ongoing trade dispute with China. "Trying to enforce a strangulating sanctions regime on Iran without even a de facto cooperative relationship with China is going to be very, very difficult," Jarrett Blanc, a former State Department official who worked on the Iran deal under the Obama administration, said in a phone call last week with reporters. "There's no question that the United States can do damage to Iran's economy," he added, but he said that Iran is no less resilient than it was in the years before the nuclear deal was agreed. My colleague Jason Rezaian, who was The Washington Post's correspondent in Tehran while the nuclear deal was being forged, wrote about the immense hardship endured by Iranians living under sanctions. Prices rose, supplies of lifesaving medicines dwindled, and middle- and working-class Iranians suffered while well-connected regime elites grew rich through the black market. But this should not give regime-change proponents in Washington too much cause for optimism, he warned. Iran's leaders know how to circle the wagons and preserve power, even as public disquiet grows. "The struggles of surviving daily life will make political organizing more of a challenge than it already is. The protests are still not anything like a mass movement," Rezaian wrote. "They are the legitimate and disparate demands of people living under the weight of immense pressure." Trump is only adding to that strain. For credit unions seeking to make their board elections more efficient, cost-effective and convenient, adding an electronic voting option likely makes good sense. E-voting can help credit unions increase participation in elections by improving voting access for geographically remote or time-constrained members. The technological efficiencies also can cut down significantly on staff time while allowing credit unions to eliminate the problem of invalid ballots. And evoting can help a credit union elect board members who are more representative of an expanding membership. The following case histories detail benefits three credit unions have gotten through implementation of CUES electronic voting offering, eVote: Elect and Educate. Geographic Representation Since the 2008 introduction of electronic voting at $3.25 billion Veridian Credit Union, member participation in the annual election has increased about six-fold over elections in which only paper ballots were available. However, Brett Engstrom, VP/information technology, says that increased voting was not the primary reason that the Waterloo, Iowa-based credit union opted to implement the technology. What drove it more for us is that we were expanding geographically, and we wanted our board to reflect the membership we served, Engstrom says. When I first started here, almost 20 years ago, we were located in a fairly tight geographic area encompassing 14 counties. At the time, it was reasonable to expect everyone who wanted to vote in our board elections to come to our annual meeting. Such expectations changed over the next two decades, as Veridian credit unions field of membership grew to encompass all 99 counties in Iowa and six counties in Nebraska. To accommodate members farthest from headquarters, it initially rented facilities so that its annual meeting could be multicast to all regions served. After making that investment, wed have something like five to seven members show up in Des Moines, Engstrom says. It was not a cost-effective solution, and we did not get the voter turnout we were hoping for. Thats when we started looking seriously at whether online voting could help us, and fortunately it has. Today, a third of Veridian credit unions 15 board members are from the credit unions newer FOM regions. Our board of directors is a more accurate representation of our membership, and I would attribute that almost completely to the fact that members are able to vote online, says Engstrom. Candidates can campaign and get people in their area to vote without expecting them to travel to Waterloo to cast a paper ballot. While increased voter participation among Veridian credit unions 210,000 members was not the driving rationale for electronic voting, the upward trajectory has been encouraging nonetheless. Before using eVote, the credit union would typically receive between 200 and 275 paper ballots. In 2008, our first year with eVote, we had 713 online votes and 74 paper votes for a total of 787, Engstrom reports. So, even in our first year, we saw an immediate shift from paper ballots to e-votes as well as a higher vote total overall. In 2017, Veridian credit union had its best vote totals yet, with 1,614 electronic votes and 51 paper ballots for a total of 1,665. Were seeing more e-votes even among those who come to our in-person annual meeting, Engstrom says. Many of them choose to vote online because its easier and more convenient. Its something they can do from the comfort of their homes. Veridian credit union board member Ginger Shirley, a CUES Director member who chairs the nominating committee, applauds the use of e-voting to increase participation. The democratic election of a volunteer board is fundamental to the credit union difference, and eVote has made it easier for Veridian members, she says. Engstrom says Veridian credit unions promotion of the e-voting option was more prominent this year, which helped drive its record numbers. The cred also helps boost participation through email blasts, conducted through CUES, with reminders sent out to those who had yet to cast their ballots. The voter turnout rate is largely based on how much the individual credit union wants to invest in it, Engstrom says. If you have e-voting as your main banner message on your website for a month, youre going to get a lot more participation than if its buried somewhere. Your success will depend upon how much you market it and how prominent you make it. More Efficient Voting Electronic voting has improved the election process for $4.5 billion Bank-Fund Staff Federal Credit Union in several ways. It has made the voting process more efficient, given our members more voting options, and increased participation, says Stephanie Day, chief operating officer for the Washington, D.C.-based credit union with worldwide membership of 85,000 members. Its become a fairly easy turnkey process for us. Since giving its members the e-option in 2007, Bank-Fund Staff FCU has continued to send paper ballots to all of its members. Electronic voting is particularly convenient for the 20 percent of the credit unions members who are outside of the United States; the overseas ballots can be received more efficiently online than via international mail. Paper ballots are accompanied by a cover letter, which gives members instructions on how to vote electronically. Bank-Fund Staff FCU also notifies members of the electronic voting option via email and on its website. The credit unions field of membership encompasses those who work within or have retired from the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank Childrens Center and the Bretton Woods Recreation Center. A lot of credit union elections are pro forma, but ours is not, says Day. Theres a lot of member involvement. The positions on our board are highly sought after. In the most recent election, we had 35 candidates for three seats. In its most recent election, Bank-Fund Staff FCU averaged approximately 5,100 votes, with more than 45 percent being cast electronically. Prior to implementing electronic voting a decade ago, elections typically garnered a total of 2,500 votes. Another improvement that the credit union has experienced is a dramatic reduction in invalid paper ballots. Invalid ballots were occurring either because members didnt put in their correct member number or birthday or because they didnt sign the ballot, Day reports. We worked with CUES on a solution, with the end result being a unique random ID number on each ballot to identify the member. As a result, the invalid rate dropped from in excess of 20 percent to 1.45 percent. There were only 71 invalid ballots in 2017, due to either a missing signature or the member voting for too many people, Day reports. Members voting online get an error message if they enter the wrong member number or neglect to enter their birthday. These identity verification requirements are used in lieu of an electronic signature; members also have to click a submit button affirming their choices and get a receipt. Bank-Fund Staff FCU now has set its sights on reducing the cost of its elections by reducing the number of paper ballots mailed out each year. A significant portion of the $100,000 spent on the election each year goes toward postage. The cost is especially high for overseas ballots, which are sent by international priority mail. For 2018, the credit union anticipates eliminating mailing paper ballots to the 50,000 members who are e-statement subscribers. The rationale is that these members would be more receptive to the elimination of the paper voting option. Day acknowledges that there are some members who prefer voting by paper ballot. For that reason, Bank-Fund Staff FCU will continue offering members this optionat least for the foreseeable future. Positive Feedback East Coast Credit Union in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, used eVote for the first time this year and has already received positive feedback from its members. We had members tell us it was easy to use, very convenient, and it was nice to have that option, says CUES member Caroline Dickie, executive assistant to CEO Ken Shea, a CUES member, at the $680 million credit union. Before implementation of electronic voting, the only option for East Coast credit unions 41,000 members was to vote in person at one of its 20 branches, open a variety of hours between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, with one branch offering evening hours on Fridays (until 8 p.m.) and two other branches offering Saturday hours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Its a great option for our members to be able to vote at their own convenience and not be restricted to the hours we are open, Dickie says. We also have a lot of members whom we never see in a branch because they only do online banking. Many of them have left the province for work or school. That is another appeal of electronic votingto help those members still feel a connection to their credit union. In this transitional year, East Coast credit union had slightly fewer votes for its board election than last year. However, we still had more e-votes than paper ballots,she says. To get the word out about the e-voting option this year, the credit union posted information in the branches as well as on its website and through social media. We didnt send out emails, but we did send messages through the online banking system, Dickie reports. Next year, East Coast credit union will expand some of those promotional efforts with the goal of encouraging more members to vote. Some of the things we are considering are buttons, stickers and contestspossibly giving members who vote the opportunity to participate in a drawing, Dickie says. Were also considering creating a business card that our staff can hand to members as a physical reminder for them to e-vote. The credit union is looking at implementing some new procedures to increase efficiency next year, including expansion of electronic voting to the in-branch environment. We felt that our in-branch paper voting process was too cumbersome and took up too much staff time, says Dickie. Our goal is to eliminate paper voting entirely and have members who come into a branch use an iPad or computer to vote electronically. This will eliminate the need to track votes and ensure there are no duplicates between the paper ballots and electronic voting. East Coast credit union Chair Mary Oxner, whose board is a member of the Center for Credit Union Board Excellence (cues.org/ccube), sees electronic voting as a way to meet the increased expectations of members in this technology-driven world Providing members with access to e-voting allowed for members distributed by geography, accessibility and interests to exercise their right to vote for representatives on their board of directors, she says. We were delighted to be the first credit union in our region to offer e-voting to our members. Authored by: Diane Franklin is a freelance writer based in Missouri. Simply attending an event like Microsoft Inspire reminds you how incredible it is to be a part of the tech community today. Being on stage at such an event well thats a whole other ballgame. More than 20,000 technology leaders from every conceivable industry attended the Inspire conference in Las Vegas. They came to get a first look at the innovations being created by the best and the brightest in the Microsoft Partner Network. AdvantEdge Analytics was among those invited to demonstrate an incredible honor, and if Im being honest, a little intimidating. Lucky for me, I was joined on stage by one of the leading innovators in the credit union space, BCU, and the credit unions VP/Chief Data Officer, John Sahagian. BCU has been an incredible partner throughout the development of our platform, helping us understand what it will take to enable business agility from the credit union perspective. The level of data maturity BCU has ushered in at their credit union is leading in the nation. Aside from overcoming the usual demo jitters, John and I faced another potential hurdle. Because the audience came from such a wide range of industries and backgrounds, we wondered how well they would be able to relate to the credit union industrys intensely fragmented ecosystem. On August 7, 1998, President Bill Clinton signed into law the Credit Union Membership Access Act (HR 1151). This followed a massive, 17-month advocacy campaign: The Credit Union Campaign for Consumer Choice. A coalition of credit union and cooperative organizations launched the campaign after a Supreme Court decision severely limited credit unions fields of membership. Lobbying efforts involved thousands of credit union members signing petitions and rallying in Washington, D.C., and other cities, urging Congress to produce legislation that would allow for the expansion of credit unions fields of membership. Although HR 1151 passed the House on a 411-8 vote and in the Senate on a 92-6 vote, the outcome was anything but certain during the campaign. Years ago, a small group of officials had a problem. They were trying to get President Reagans attention on a matter. A new Soviet tank factory had started production, and military officials were worried that the massive scale of the factory could create a strategic problem for the U.S. and NATO. They tried briefings. Memos. But they werent able to get the attention of the President or his close advisors on this matter. As you can imagine, plenty of people try to jam their way into the Presidents day with their agenda. The President has a number of gatekeepers to try to limit unnecessary interference. Then someone had a crazy ideato use a map. The next time they tried to get the Presidents attention, they laid down a map of downtown Washington, D.C. The map focused on the monuments, and the Washington Mall. Fair enough. But what was their point? Then they placed an overlay of the tank factory on top of the map. The factory was larger than the Washington Mall. There were a few gasps. The President asked if the overlay was accurate. Yes, sir, was the reply. The President paused and then said something along the lines ofyou have my support. We need to do something. I love that story. I read it years ago (and struggled, and failed to find the source last evening). But it reminds me time and time again that When communicating, your goal is not to write long memos, be funny, sound smart, or use fancy words. Your goal is to communicate ideas effectively. Not everyone consumes information the same way. Or the way that you do. President Reagan was very visual. That isnt surprising for someone so successful in cinema. Whenever anyone is presented with something new, the first thoughts in their head iswhy do I care? Why am I reading this? How does this help me? If they cant figure those things out, theyll tune out. The word policy, uttered in the presence of a small credit union leader, can send shivers down the spine. They the policies, oh the policies must be reviewed each year. The board must approve them each year. Rinse, wash and repeat. And policies are only a sliver of the compliance gauntlet that a small credit union must navigate to keep the lights on. Worse yet, hiring a professional to handle these requirements to tackle regulatory changes, and to conduct audits and training is, typically, unattainable for many small credit unions. Unless. Unless youre one of the 14 credit unions in New York that has joined arms with support from the New York Credit Union Association to hire a shared compliance professional to completely manage that work. Billie Zahurak plans annual event to continue husband's pledge of support to the United Way The first Bob Zahurak Memorial Painting Event in March raised $3,000 for the United Way of the Laurel Highlands. Bob's wife Billie plans to continue the event each year in his memory. Protest politics has always been at the forefront of what is now called Bangladesh ever since Bangla consciousness occupied the political space. In what was East Bengal then, later East Pakistan, saw a flurry of activities since pre-1947, including protests in Calcutta (now Kolkata), mostly spearheaded by the Muslim League and its affiliates when Bangla leaders like HS Suhrawardy and AK Fazlul Haq dominated the political domain. Barely five years after the creation of Pakistan, its eastern arm, organised the Language Movement in 1952 in Dacca (now Dhaka), leading to indiscriminate firing by Pakistani authorities that killed many who upheld the "Bangla cause" and opposed the imposition of Urdu in East Pakistan. This violent attempt to quell the agitators also saw the steady emergence of Bangla nationalism, which was later responsible for attaining freedom, and Bangladesh becoming a reality, rejecting the two-nation theory propounded by Mohammed Ali Jinnah. The Bangla spirit of agitation still resonates and was amply demonstrated on July 29, when two young students were crushed by speeding vehicles in Dhaka leading to mass protests, albeit peaceful, by youths. While thousands of students and adults have been out on Dhaka's roads stopping traffic and intercepting over the last one week, US ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicats vehicle was attacked in Dhaka by a group of armed adult men on August 4. The envoy and her staff members were unharmed, but the diplomatic fraternity is reeling under the fear of insecurity with the law and order situation deteriorating even as incidents of clashes and intervention by the student group, Jubo League or Chhatra League (affiliated to the ruling Awami League) have been reported. Students stop a vehicle to check driver's licence in Dhaka. (Credit: AP photo) It is widely perceived that the US ambassador, not happy with the Hasina-led government, has been contacting human rights groups for a pro-active role which is seen by the Awami League supporters as a subtle move to dislodge Hasina by indirectly supporting the agitators. The US' weakness for BNP leader Khaleda Zia and her party is an "accepted view" in Dhaka. Pro-Awami League activists reckon that the US ambassador, when attacked, was returning home after meeting Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Shujan, a civil society group. Many Bangladesh watchers are of the view that the attempt was a mark of protest questioning the role of the US ambassador what was the envoy doing with an office-bearer of a civil society so late at night? The US ambassador enjoys heavy official security and is generally trailed by intelligence officials. How could the National Security Intelligence (NSI) miss such attempt to target an ambassador? Moreover, meetings with human rights and civil society leaders are normally held at neutral locations, away from the glare of intelligence and security radar. Why did the envoy decide to go all the way to Mohammadpur to meet the activist knowing full well that the city has been struck with sporadic incidents of violence? Fortunately, the US ambassador was unhurt but the US-Bangladesh ties will take a hit, even if temporarily. Diplomatic efforts must be made on priority to repair the damage before it goes out of control. In view of this development and upcoming elections, Bangladesh should move with abundant caution ensuring security of the diplomats, especially US envoys, to avoid being attacked by the Opposition party alleging governments failure to maintain law and order. The prevailing scene in general is bad and the government needs to act fast or else it will have to pay a heavy price. Also, the ongoing political and social developments seem to be stirring the youth and the general populace to take to the streets and intensify their protests. Social media is agog with appeals to the youth to continue their agitation against traffic mismanagement. The government seems to be really at a loss to deal with this new wave of protests. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself seems rattled and is often seen in a huddle with her close advisors to address the problem. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which is struggling to find space in the mainstream politics with its leader Khaleda Zia still in custody on corruption charges, is clearly in a mood to exploit the current situation keeping in view the electoral challenges. BNP leaders, in the meantime, have started pledging support to the agitating students describing the development as a mass movement. Senior leader Moudud Ahmed, while addressing a conclave in Dhaka on August 3, lambasted the ruling Awami League (AL) for its failure to contain the ongoing student uprising. Students block a road as they take part in a protest over recent traffic accidents that killed a boy and a girl, in Dhaka. (Credit: Reuters photo) Clearly, the protests have been politicised to score brownie points. The BNP seems to have bounced back, or in the process of doing so, before formally jumping into the election fray. Several important members of the party leadership have started warming up to India and to the BJP senior leadership, signalling to elicit support in some measure. Political activities are as hectic in Bangladesh as among a segment of Indias ruling dispensation. Also, in a proposed major shift in the partys poll strategy, many BNP activists are now calling for severing ties with the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) as any proximity with the fanatic outfit will irk India for JeI's consistent anti-India and pro-Pakistan stance. If this divorce fructifies, India may not be forthrightly dismissive of the BNP overtures. Having said this, the developments arising out of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam has given enough food for thought and ammunition to the BNP and to Hasinas detractors. The BNP, in likelihood, will raise these issues showing Awami League in poor light for its alleged surrender to the Indian diktat in rendering 4,00,000 people stateless, labelling all of them as Bangladeshis. India, though, has been doing the balancing act rather deftly. Meanwhile, fresh reports indicate that there is a tacit understanding between the Indian home minister and his Bangladesh counterpart that these 40 million people will not be deported to Bangladesh. Such acts of diplomacy and understanding must continue to pre-empt any Bangladesh angst against India which could add to other issues between the two neighbouring nations, including Teesta water-sharing. Any inadvertent misstep may lead to Bangladesh slipping out of Indias ambit of friendship and possibly falling into hostile quarters. In the meantime, Bangladesh politicians continue to flock to India cutting across party lines and this trend is likely to be maintained until the completion of elections. After the successive visits of the BNP and Awami League teams, a senior ally of the ruling party from the Left block was here till a day ago, meeting a wide range of people and parties. Such political visitors not only meet the MEA officials, but also interact rather elaborately with various Delhi-based think-tanks ostensibly trying to prove their credibility. Yet, their principal focus is to woo the ruling BJP. Coming back to the ongoing agitational politics and continued protests, in Indian geo-political interests, it would appear advisable for the Awami League not to give any breathing space to its rival BNP, which has several issues already lined up to capitalise on agitational activities. They include: stepping up of protest rallies demanding release of Khaleda Zia, withdrawal of cases against her, pressurising India for fair sharing of Teesta waters, review of the NRC process impeding any move to deport Bangladeshis from India. There are enough political ammunition for the BNP to churn the protests into a major roadblock for Awami League. To add to Hasina's woes, the Bangladeshi media also seems upbeat over the student protests. Hasina, therefore, must tread with caution in dealing with all the emerging issues. At this point in time, the police and other administrative authorities of the establishment seem to be moving gingerly as Hasinas directives to them is to handle the agitations with care. Hasina should alert the intelligence arms, both the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and National Security and Intelligence (NSI), to identify all actionable signs. Government orders must not go unheeded to keep things well under control. Also read: Why Bangladesh needs to ask India about the fate of 4 million people not on NRC draft list In Assam, we are on the brink of a horror of unimaginable magnitude. One that is likely to surpass even the horror of Partition and is likely to spread to the neighbouring states and evoke retaliation from Bangladesh. Violence because of a clash between linguistic and communal identities took a huge toll on human lives between 1979 and 1985 amid political instability, collapse of the state government, and President's Rule. The Assam Accord was signed between Rajiv Gandhi and the leaders of the Assam Movement in 1985. (Source: India Today) The Assam Accord was signed between Rajiv Gandhi and the leaders of the Assam Movement in 1985. A six-year agitation, demanding identification and deportation of illegal immigrants, was launched by the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) in 1979. The accord then stated that all foreigners who had entered Assam between 1951 and 1961 were to be given full citizenship, including the right to vote. Immigrants who entered after 1971 were to be deported. Those who entered between 1961 and 1971 were to be denied voting rights for 10 years, but granted all other rights of citizenship. Ram Pradhan, the then-Union home secretary, who had negotiated the accord, has said that the Congress government (and one presumes the subsequent governments) did not follow up the matter. "This was part of the accord, but they realised that the survey would seriously impair the vote bank of the Congress There was huge anger among the Muslims and the Bengalis living in Assam as they felt that they had been living and working there, but were being asked to prove their identity," Pradhan said. As mentioned in The Sentinel on January 1, 2018, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government at the Centre in 1999 granted a sum of Rs 20 lakh to proceed with the procedure of NRC updation. As much as Rs 5 lakh of this amount was granted to the state government. Section 5.8 of the accord clearly states, "Foreigners who came to Assam on or after March 25, 1971, shall continue to be detected, deleted and expelled in accordance with law. Immediate and practical steps to be taken to expel such foreigners (sic)." On April 26, 2017, AASU general secretary Lurin Jyoti Gogoi, along with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, met Home Minister Rajnath Singh with a memorandum of demands that ran into 90 points. Speaking to the press, he said, "One of the most important decisions taken Wednesday [April 26] was to constitute special task forces at the state and district levels to identify illegal migrants." Rajnath Singh with Sarbananda Sonowal (Source: PTI) Thus, the Pandora's box was reopened and according to many in the Opposition, by the BJP at an opportune moment in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, when their position is shaky with unkept promises, policy U-turns, communal unrest, loss of control on law and order nationwide, and a palpable decline in the popularity of their leading election campaigner, PM Narendra Modi. Considering the bloody history of Assam, and its continuous demographic tensions between indigenous people and tribes, and settlers from outside a vast number of whom are from Bangladesh (and Muslim) this revival of the NRC exercise would give a clear signal to both Assam and the rest of India that the BJP means business. That, unlike the Congress, it cares for the indigenous population and does not shy away from alienating the Muslim vote bank. However, after 30 years of the Centre letting sleeping dogs lie, and at least two more generations being born and brought up on the soil of Assam, the numbers have grown manifold. It is not only a humongous and challenging task to separate the wheat from the chaff, but one might dare say, well-nigh impossible. Who is a resident and who is an illegal immigrant? There are two requirements for inclusion of names of any person in the updated NRC: a) The first requirement is collection of any one of the following documents of List A issued before midnight of 24th March, 1971 where name of self or ancestor* appears (to prove residence in Assam up to midnight of 24th March, 1971). 1) 1951 NRC OR 2) Electoral roll(s) up to March 24, 1971 (midnight) or 3) Land and tenancy records or 4) Citizenship certificate or 5) Permanent residential certificate or 6) Refugee registration certificate or 7) Passport or 8) LIC or 9) Any government issued licence/certificate or 10) Government service/employment certificate or 11) Bank/post office accounts or 12) Birth certificate or 13) Board/university educational certificate or 14) Court Records/Processes Given the prevailing wretched state of illiteracy and poverty, how will the progeny of the poorest of the poor, or the landless, procure any of the above? Though some refugees might still be lucky to have some documentary evidence, one doubts whether at their socio-economic level, in their daily grind for survival, they would be in a position to preserve such documents. Ask any LIC agent or CA and s/he will exasperatedly relate stories about even well-to-do clients unable to locate documents by year-end. One is certain that if one carries out this exercise in the rest of India among 'bonafide' citizens, one would have to exclude a large chunk of the population. Moreover, a large number of those excluded from the NRC on these grounds have voter ID cards, ration cards as well as Aadhaar cards. Navaid Hamid, president of The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, has condemned the whole exercise as full of faults for ignoring genuine and valid documents like passports and Aadhar cards as proof of citizenship. Describing it as a tragedy on a massive scale, he asks, "What about families of freedom fighters, descendants of great people who had confronted the accession of areas of Assam state to then East Pakistan whose names have been excluded in the proposed NRC list?" K Surendran, a senior BJP state general secretary, claimed on August 2 that thousands of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants had reached the state with the help of fake documents and some were engaging in criminal and anti-national activities, affecting the safety and security of the people in the state. He said many of them had obtained ration cards and some had even enrolled themselves in the electoral list in the state. Even if that were true, how is that possible without official collusion? Firstly, the authorities would need to prove that people holding voter ID cards and with their names on voter lists are prima facie non-citizens. Once the government of India issues you a ration card/voter ID card/Aadhaar card, you have been recognised as an Indian citizen whether your grandfather jumped the fence or not. Once the government of India issues someone a ration card/voter ID card/Aadhaar card, the person has been recognised as an Indian citizen. (Source: PTI) Due diligence at the time of issuing these markers of civilian and citizenship identity is the government's onus. Retrospective action going back generations is not legitimate. This should be the legal thrust of the argument by activists. More to the point, if repatriations are directly proportional to immigration, here's government data to prove that migration has actually plummeted over the years. In a piece in The Print, Yogendra Yadav points out that according to Census data, between 1991 and 2001, the Assamese speaking population in the state dwindled from 58 per cent to 48 per cent, whereas the Bengali-speaking population went up by seven per cent. Indeed, there is an economic thrust to the argument for including many people who have been left out from the NRC too. For a significant number of years, in no matter how meagre a way, irrespective of the above, if one has contributed to the economy and GDP of the land one has made one's home, even if one has been selling tea by the roadside, one should ethically be recognised as a bonafide citizen and useful member of society. In comparison, the UK has a more realistic approach as opposed to the knee-jerk and ad hoc approach India is adopting. If an individual has resided in the United Kingdom long enough, he or she may be eligible to apply for a visa or even settlement. Here are the main routes when a person may be entitled to remain in the UK conditionally or indefinitely. Essentially, continuous residence means residence in the United Kingdom for an unbroken period (including absence from the United Kingdom for a period of six months or less at any one time) provided that the applicant has an existing visa upon their departure and return. The period is considered to have been broken in few circumstances, including if the applicant has been removed, deported or has left the UK having been refused a visa, has been convicted of an offence and was sentenced to a period of imprisonment, has spent a total of more than 18 months absent from the UK during the period in question. Leaving and entering the UK is permitted, as long as the person: 1) Has a valid visa when he or she leaves the UK; 2) Does not remain outside the UK for more than six months at any one time; and 3) Has a valid visa when he or she returns to the UK Any absence of more than six months will break continuous residence. Total absence of up to 18 months in aggregate over the 10 years is permitted, but any more than that will break continuous residence. The person is not allowed more than 18 months outside the UK in total, which is a period of 540 days. Days of departure and return do not count towards the total; it is only whole days outside the UK which count. However, if absences exceed the allowed limit, the Home Office may deem it appropriate to exercise discretion in compelling or compassionate circumstances, for example, where the applicant was prevented from returning to the UK through unavoidable circumstances. Caseworkers are instructed to consider the reason for absences and whether the applicant returned to the UK as soon as s/he was able to. There is little further elucidation of when discretion might be exercised, suggesting that it will be rare. Even UK has a better system (Source: Reuters) Finally, does India have the wherewithal and the power to push back 40 lakh 'illegal immigrants' into Bangladesh in a unilateral decision? A senior Bangladeshi minister has made a statement that the so-called 'illegal immigrants' were never citizens of the country, nor will Bangladesh accept them. No, Bangladesh is not amused. (Source: Reuters) Xenophobia, in the service of tribalism, ethnolingualism and subnationalism, has been fanned and old divides that bring to mind the Tarapur railway shootings of 1961 and the Nellie massacre of 1983 have been revived in this NRC exercise the very thing that stopped past governments to move ahead with an agreement that was essentially a fire-fighting move in a very difficult situation. BJP president Amit Shah flatly declared that those whose names do not figure in the rolls of the NRC are "intruders". T Raja Singh, a BJP member of the Telangana Legislative Assembly, representing the Goshamahal constituency in Hyderabad, says, "If these people don't leave our country peacefully, I believe that there is a need to make them understand in another language, just like in other countries, they are shot and made to flee. In India as well, if they don't leave, there is a need to shoot them and make them leave with bullets." LINK His sentiments are reflected by Abhijeet Sharma, a businessman and the head of an NGO called Assam Public Works (APW). A muscular supporter of the NRC, he has made roughly 50 trips to the Supreme Court of India from Guwahati, following up on a petition that demands at least 40 lakh residents of Assam be declared stateless, be stripped of civil rights and struck off the electoral rolls. Consider his comment: "Their land will be snatched, they will not get any medical benefits or other amenities that Indians do. They can't become government employees. The government can give them job cards. They will show us the job cards and they can work as labourers for us. Children of illegal immigrants will not get to become doctors, engineers or IAS officers." There is no way this government can implement an exodus like this. You can't just wish away so many people. What the exercise will achieve is more polarisation between communities, the demonisation of minorities and another big diversion in the run-up to the 2019 elections on faux nationalism. If the exercise is being initiated with an eye on the 2019 polls, the BJP should keep in mind that this may well backfire with several disenfranchised groups who form their voter base as well. "An analysis of the last rural polls clearly shows that the BJP fared well mostly in places dominated by the Namasudras. It is because we as a community supported them," said Mukul Chandra Bairagya, working president of Sarva Bharatiya Namasudra Vikas Parishad However, in Assam, as many as seven lakh members of Namasudra community have been excluded from citizenship. We do not trust the BJP anymore." (sic) Also read: Muddying the Brahmaputra: How both Congress and the BJP are using Assam NRC draft for their own political ends Global News, by Rebecca Joseph(Link Saudi Arabia cancels educational exchange program after spat with Canada) The Saudi Arabian government is expelling Canada's ambassador and freezing all trade and investment transactions with Ottawa after Canada criticized the arrest of women's rights and other civil society activists in the Arab Kingdom. Mercedes Stephenson reports the question on the highly unusual move and language by the Saudis. Saudi Arabia has suspended an educational exchange program with Canada, according to foreign media reports. The news comes after Canadas ambassador to the kingdom was expelled Sunday after Foreign Affairs minister Chrystia Freeland called for the release of Samar Badawi, the sister of jailed dissident blogger Raif Badawi, and Nassima al-Sada, another prominent female activist. Badawis husband lives in Canada. The Saudi ambassador to Ottawa was summoned back on Sunday, and it was announced that the kingdom will also freeze all new trade and investment transactions with Canada. READ MORE: Saudi Arabia expels Canadas ambassador, freezes trade with Ottawa The Saudi foreign ministry said it wouldnt stand for outside intervention and called the arrests lawful. Saudi-owned Al Arabiya reported that the kingdom suspended the training, scholarships and fellowships to Canada and said all its students in Canada would be transferred to other countries. Article 35A gives special rights to the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. It prohibits people from outside the state from buying or owning immovable property, settling permanently, or becoming beneficiaries of state-sponsored scholarship schemes. Will the smoke spread? A woman tries to cover a tear gas cannister in Kashmir. (Source: Reuters) It also forbids the J&K government from hiring people who are non-permanent residents. Article 35A was added to Article 370 by a Presidential order in 1954. To be precise, Article 370 of the Constitution grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, while Article 35A empowers the state legislature to define the state's 'permanent residents' and their special rights and privileges. Even though the hearing over Article 35A has started in the Supreme Court on August 6, tension over it became palpable on the ground in Kashmir almost a week ago. People, irrespective of their particular ideologies, have rallied behind the call given by the separatists on this issue. The issue of Article 370 and Article 35A has always been associated by Kashmiris with their identity, irrespective of their demography or political leanings. All political parties in the Valley, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference (NC), are on the same page when it comes to the two provisions which are seen as contentious across the rest of India. The PDP leader and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has warned that no one will be left in the state to hold the national flag if Article 35A is fiddled with. THe NC leader Omar Abdullah, on his part, has said that questioning the validity of Article 35A would be as good as challenging the accession of J&K to India. The Centre should take the statements of these leaders as an eye-opener because these do show how seriously the matter is being taken on the ground in the state. Pakistan's Prime Minister to-be, Imran Khan, now wants to improve relations with India. Fractured normalcy: Women leave a hospital in Srinagar amid wide shutdowns. (Source: Reuters) The government of India should respond positively to his peace overtures and start a dialogue to bring normalcy to the Valley. This would help reduce militancy and give new hope to the people of the state. Keeping in view the prevailing situation in Kashmir, the Centre should not make any attempt to tinker with Article 35A. Such moves only deepen the sense of alienation on the ground and push Kashmiri youths towards militancy abrogating Article 35A may permanently alienate the people of Kashmir. In fact, intelligence agencies have warned that the abrogation of Article 35A could create a divide within the rank and file of the state's police force, which has been at the forefront of bravely fighting militancy in the Valley. For the first time, the police are allowing protests while appealing for peace. The Director General of Police, Shesh Paul Vaid, said: "I am sure people will express their views peacefully and will not take to violence. I am hopeful that things will pass off peacefully." Vaid also said that the separatists are also fighting to safeguard a provision of the Indian Constitution and that this was "a good change". The timing to scrap the Constitutional provision is certainly not opportune. It has not been very long since the BJP-PDP alliance ended and Governor's Rule was enforced. There is a belief among the people that the Centre is ruling the state through the Governor. The abrogation of Article 35A, even the heated discussions around the same, will only deepen the belief and cause widespread discontent. The BJP and its allies need to understand that if the situation in the Valley turns ugly, it will have an impact on the whole nation. So, instead of trying to score political points before the 2019 elections, the BJP should be concerned about how to prevent any conflict from flaring up in the country and how to bring the whole nation together through development. Also read: What Mehbooba Mufti Warned - Tampering with Article 35A will be a disaster for J&K and India American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at [email protected] | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. Genesee & Wyoming Inc. owns and leases freight railroads. It operates through three segments: North American Operations, Australian Operations, and U.K./European Operations. The company transports various commodities, including agricultural products, autos and auto parts, chemicals and plastics, coal and coke, food and kindred products, lumber and forest products, metallic ores, metals, minerals and stone, petroleum products, pulp and paper, waste, and other commodities. It owns or leases 122 freight railroads, including 105 short line railroads and 2 regional freight railroads located in the United States, 8 short line railroads located in Canada, 3 railroads located in Australia, 1 railroad located in the United Kingdom, 1 railroad in Poland and Germany, and 2 railroads in the Netherlands with a total of approximately 16,200 miles of track. The company also operates 6,200 additional miles of track that is owned or leased by others. In addition, it operates deep sea maritime containers and provides bulk haulage, including coal, aggregates, cement, and infrastructure services. Further, the company provides rail service at approximately 40 ports; rail-ferry service in North America, Australia, and Europe; and contract coal loading and railcar switching for industrial customers. Genesee & Wyoming Inc. was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Darien, Connecticut. Read More Ormat Technologies, Inc. operates as a holding company. The firm engages in the provision of geothermal and recovered energy power business. It operates through the following segments: Electricity, Product and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment focuses in the sale of electricity from the company's power plants pursuant to PPAs. The Product segment involves in the manufacture, including design and development, of turbines and power units for the supply of electrical energy and in the associated construction of power plants utilizing the power units manufactured by the company to supply energy from geothermal fields and other alternative energy sources. The Energy Storage segment consists of battery energy storage systems as a service and management of curtailable customer loads under contracts with U.S. retail energy providers and directly with large commercial and industrial customers. The company was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Reno, NV. Read More 3 hours ago The Top 3 Stocks to Buy for November These 3 Stocks Could Be in for a Big November As we head into the month of November, many investors are trying to digest some of the latest earnings releases from the biggest names in the market and want to determine if an end-of-year rally is on the cards. Read Article Systemax Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a direct marketer of brand name and private label industrial and business equipment and supplies in North America. It sells a range of maintenance, repair, and operation products, including storage and shelving, material handling, janitorial and maintenance products, furniture and office products, workbenches and shop desks, HVAC/R and fans, safety and security products, outdoor and grounds maintenance products, tools and instruments, and office and school supplies. The company also sells plumbing products and pumps, packaging products and supplies, electrical and lighting products, food service products and appliances, raw materials and building supplies, motors and power transmission products, pneumatics and hydraulics, medical and laboratory equipment, metalworking and cutting tools, vehicle maintenance products, and fasteners and hardware. It offers its products under the Global, GlobalIndustrial.com, Nexel Paramount, and Interion brand names. The company offers its products to businesses, educational organizations, and government entities through relationship marketers, catalogs, and e-commerce sites. Systemax Inc. was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Port Washington, New York. Read More Total Energy Services Inc. provides various products and services to the oil and natural gas industry primarily in Canada, the United States, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Contract Drilling Services, Rentals and Transportation Services, Compression and Process Services and Well Servicing. The Contract Drilling Services segment offers contract drilling services to oil and gas exploration and development companies. As of December 31, 2020, it operated a total fleet of 98 drilling rigs. The Rentals and Transportation Services segment provides drilling, completion and production rental equipment, and oilfield transportation services in western Canada and in the United States. This segment owned and operated a fleet of 87 heavy trucks. The Compression and Process Services segment offers gas compression services; and designs and packages skid style compressors and proprietary trailer-mounted compressors under the NOMAD brand in Canada and the United States, the European Union, Australia, and Mexico. It had 54,800 horsepower of compression in its rental fleet. The Well Servicing segment offers well services. This segment operated a total fleet of 83 well servicing rigs across Western Canada, mid-western United States, and Australia. It has a strategic alliance with Pason Systems Inc. to develop and deploy drilling automation and optimization technologies. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at [email protected]at.com | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen Coding GmbH, Allen France SAS, Alpine Automation Limited, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Holdings Inc., Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Arylux Hungary Elektromechanikus Alkatreszgyarto Kft, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix (Suzhou) Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Holdings Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel (Ireland) Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Buell Industries Inc., CAPMAX Logistica S.A. de C.V., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS (Australia) Pty Limited, CS (Finance) Europe S.a.r.l., CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, CSMTS LLC, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures (Australasia) S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur (Shanghai) Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Dorbyl U.K. (Holdings) Limited, Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO (Holding) AG, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elga Skandinavian AS, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, FEG Investments L.L.C., Fasver, Filtertek, Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech (Taicang) Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart (Japan) K.K., Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart Foster Belgium, Hobart International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW (China) Investment Company Limited, ITW (Deutschland) GmbH, ITW (EU) Holdings Ltd., ITW (European) Finance Co. Ltd., ITW (European) Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW (European) Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW (Ningbo) Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Alpha Sarl, ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components (Chongqing) Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components (Langfang) Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium, ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS (UK) Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Contamination Control (Wujiang) Co. Ltd., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Delta Sarl, ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.A., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Finance Designated Activity Company, ITW Finance Europe S.A., ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW France Finance Alpha S.A.S., ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments II Inc., ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics (Thailand) Ltd., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Italy S.R.L. in liquidazione, ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France (Luxembourg) S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings UK, ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW Hungary Finance Beta Kft, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Finance Srl, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lombard Holdings Inc., ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW M FILMS II LLC, ITW MH LLC, ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology (China) Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Plastic (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers (Wujiang) Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Philippines Holdings LLC, ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Spraytec, ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Servicios Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Ideal Molding Technologies LLC, Illinois Tool Works (Chile) Limitada, Illinois Tool Works (ITW) Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Norway AS, Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron (Shanghai) Ltd., Instron (Thailand) Limited, Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Holdings Limited, Instron International Limited, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, International Leasing Company LLC, International Truss Systems Proprietary Limited, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kester Components (M) Sdn. Bhd., Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems (Canada) Inc., Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MOA Enterprises Inc, Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, Norden Olje AB, North Star Imaging Europe, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited (Enping), Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Penta Dnepr LLC, Penta Sever OOO, Penta Volga OOO, Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., Ramset Fasteners (Hong Kong) Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco (Nederland) B.V., Simco Japan Inc., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes (Hong Kong) Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Taiwan) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes BVBA, Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek (China) Limited, Teknek (Japan) Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode (Kunshan) Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V.B.A., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta (Guangzhou) Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Vesta Global Limited, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, ZF TRW (Engineered Fasteners and Components), and Zip-Pak International B.V.. Anadarko Petroleum Corporation engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of oil and gas properties. It operates through three segments: Exploration and Production, WES Midstream, and Other Midstream. The company explores for and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). It is also involved in gathering, processing, treating, and transporting oil, natural-gas, and NGLs production, as well as the gathering and disposal of produced water. The company's oil and natural gas properties are located in the United States onshore and deepwater Gulf of Mexico; and Algeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Colombia, Peru, and other countries. As of December 31, 2018, it had approximately 1.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent of proved reserves. The company was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas. Read More WEX Inc. provides financial technology services in North America, the Asia Pacific, and Europe. It operates through three segments: Fleet Solutions, Travel and Corporate Solutions, and Health and Employee Benefit Solutions. The Fleet Solutions segment offers fleet vehicle payment processing services. Its services include customer, account activation, and account retention services; authorization and billing inquiries, and account maintenance services; premium fleet services; credit and collections services; merchant services; analytics solutions with access to web-based data analytics platform that offers insights to fleet managers; and ancillary services and tools to fleets to manage expenses and capital requirements. This segment markets its products directly and indirectly to commercial and government vehicle fleet customers with small, medium, and large fleets, as well as with over-the-road and long haul fleets; and indirectly through co-branded and private label relationships. The Travel and Corporate Solutions segment provides payment processing solutions for payment and transaction monitoring needs. Its products include virtual cards that are used for transactions where no card is presented and that require pre-authorization; and prepaid and gift card products that enables secure payment and financial management solutions with single card options, access to open or closed loop redemption, load limits, and with various expirations. This segment markets its products directly and indirectly to commercial and government organizations. The Health and Employee Benefit Solutions segment offers healthcare payment products and software-as-a-service consumer directed platforms for healthcare market, as well as payroll related and employee benefit products in Brazil. The company was formerly known as Wright Express Corporation and changed its name to WEX Inc. in October 2012. WEX Inc. was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Portland, Maine. Read More The Boeing Co. is an aerospace company, which engages in the manufacture of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space and Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital. The Commercial Airplanes segment includes the development, production, and market of commercial jet aircraft and provides fleet support services, principally to the commercial airline industry worldwide. The Defense, Space and Security segment refers to the research, development, production and modification of manned and unmanned military aircraft and weapons systems for global strike, including fighter and combat rotorcraft aircraft and missile systems; global mobility, including tanker, rotorcraft and tilt-rotor aircraft; and airborne surveillance and reconnaissance, including command and control, battle management and airborne anti-submarine aircraft. The Global Services segment provides services to commercial and defense customers. The Boeing Capital segment seeks to ensure that Boeing customers have the financing they need to buy and take delivery of their Boeing product and manages overall financing exposure. T Read More Wall Street analysts have given Bonavista Energy Co. (BNP.TO) 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 Bonavista Energy Co. (BNP.TO) wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Wall Street analysts have given BlackRock Long-Term Municipal Advantage 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 Long-Term Municipal Advantage Trust 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 Humana: 154th Street Medical Plaza, 516-526 West Main Street Condominium Council of Co-Owners, 54th Street Medical Plaza, American Eldercare, American Eldercare of North Florida, Anvita Health, Arcadian Health Plan, Arcadian Management Services, Atlantis Physician Group, CAC Medical Center Holdings, CAC-Florida Medical Centers, CDO 1, CDO 2, CHA HMO, CHA Service Company, Care Partners Home Care, CareNetwork, CarePlus Health, CarePlus Health Plans, Cariten Health Plan Inc., Certify Data Systems, CompBenefits, CompBenefits Company, CompBenefits Corporation, CompBenefits Dental, CompBenefits Direct, CompBenefits Insurance Company, Complex Clinical Management, Concentra Managed Care, Continucare Corporation, Continucare MDHC, Continucare MSO, Continucare Medical Management, Dental Care Plus Management, DentiCare, Emphesys, Emphesys Insurance Company, Enclara Healthcare, FPG, FPG Acquisition Corp., FPG Acquisition Holdings Corp., FPG Senior Services, Family Physicians of Winter Park, Go365, HUM Provider Holdings, HUM-e-FL, Harris Rothenberg International, Health Value Management, Humana Active Outlook, Humana At Home (Dallas), Humana At Home (Houston), Humana At Home (San Antonio), Humana At Home (TLC), Humana At Home 1, Humana Behavioral Health, Humana Benefit Plan of Illinois, Humana Dental Company, Humana Digital Health and Analytics Platform Services, Humana EAP and Work-Life Services of California, Humana Employers Health Plan of Georgia, Humana Government Business, Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Humana Health Company of New York, Humana Health Insurance Company of Florida, Humana Health Plan, Humana Health Plan of California, Humana Health Plan of Ohio, Humana Health Plan of Texas, Humana Health Plans of Puerto Rico, Humana Healthcare Research, Humana Inc., Humana Innovation Enterprises, Humana Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company of Kentucky, Humana Insurance Company of New York, Humana Insurance of Puerto Rico, Humana Management Services of Puerto Rico, Humana MarketPOINT, Humana MarketPOINT of Puerto Rico, Humana Medical Plan, Humana Medical Plan of Michigan, Humana Medical Plan of Pennsylvania, Humana Medical Plan of Utah, Humana Pharmacy, Humana Pharmacy Solutions, Humana Regional Health Plan, Humana Veterans Healthcare Services, Humana WellWorks LLC, Humana Wisconsin Health Organization Insurance Corporation, Humana at Home, HumanaDental, HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humco, Hummingbird Coaching Systems LLC, Independent Care Health Plan, KMG America, Kindred Healthcare, MCCI Group Holdings, MCCI Holdings, MCCI Medical Group, MCCI Specialty, MCCI/Lifetime of Aventura, MD Care, METCARE of Florida, Managed Care Indemnity, Medical Care Consortium Incorporated of Texas, MetCare, Metropolitan Health Networks, Naples Health Care Specialists, North Region Providers, Nursing Solutions, OSF HealthCare, PHP Companies, Partners in Integrated Care, Preferred Health Partnership, Preservation on Main, Primary Care Holdings, Primary Care Holdings II, Primary Care Specialists of the Palm Beaches, RMA Medical Centers of Florida, RMA Medical Group of Florida, ROHC, SeniorBridge, SeniorBridge Family Companies (CT), SeniorBridge Family Companies (FL), SeniorBridge Family Companies (IN), SeniorBridge Family Companies (MO), SeniorBridge Family Companies (NY), SeniorBridge-Florida, Texas Dental Plans, The Dental Concern, Transcend Population Health Management, and Transcend Population Health Management II. Wall Street analysts have given Dividend 15 Split Corp. 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 Dividend 15 Split Corp. II wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Hannover RAck SE, together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance products and services worldwide. It operates through Property & Casualty Reinsurance, and Life & Health Reinsurance segments. The Property & Casualty Reinsurance segment offers specialty lines comprising marine, aviation, facultative and direct business, credit, surety, and political risks reinsurance products; and treaty, catastrophe XL, and structured reinsurance, as well as insurance-linked securities. This segment also provides risk solutions for agricultural, livestock, and bloodstock businesses; aviation and space business; and marine and offshore energy business. The Life & Health Reinsurance segment offers group and individual credit life, enhanced annuities, group life and health, and Sharia-compliant Takaful reinsurance products. This segment also provides risk solutions in the areas of critical illness, disability, health, longevity, long term care, and mortality and morbidity, as well as underwriting services. In addition, it offers various financial solutions, including new-business financing; monetization of embedded value; reserve and solvency relief; and divestiture of non-core businesses. The company was formerly known as Hannover RAckversicherung AG and changed its name to Hannover RAck SE in March 2013. The company was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Hanover, Germany. Hannover RAck SE is a subsidiary of Talanx AG. Read More Ralph Lauren Corp. engages in the design, marketing, and distribution of premium lifestyle products. The firm offers apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and other licensed product. It operates through the following segments: North America, Europe, and Asia. The North America segment consists of sales of Ralph Lauren branded apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and related products made through the Company's wholesale and retail businesses in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Club Monaco. The Europe segment caters to sales of Ralph Lauren branded apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and related products made through the Company's wholesale and retail businesses in Europe and the Middle East, excluding Club Monaco. The Asia segment covers the sales of Ralph Lauren branded apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and related products made through the Company's wholesale and retail businesses in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The company was founded by Ralph Lauren in 1967 and is headquartered in New York, NY. Read More Wall Street analysts have given iShares Russell 1000 Growth 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 Russell 1000 Growth ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Wall Street analysts have given JPMorgan Alerian MLP Index ETN 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 JPMorgan Alerian MLP Index ETN 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 Sysco: 2234829 Alberta ULC, 2234842 Alberta ULC, A. M. Briggs Inc., A.M. Briggs, Almacen Fiscal Frionet Caldera S.A., Almacen Fiscal Frionet Limon S.A., Appert's Foodservice, Arnotts (Fruit) Limited, Asian Foods, Bahamas Food Holdings Limited, Bahamas Food Services Limited, Brake Bros, Brake Bros Foodservice Ireland Limited, Brake Bros. Foodservice Limited, Brake Bros. Holding I Limited, Brake Bros. Ltd., Brakes Foodservice NI Limited, Buchy Food Service, Buckhead Beef Co., Buckhead Meat & Seafood of Houston Inc., Buckhead Meat Company, Buckhead Meat Midwest Inc., Buckhead Meat of Dallas Inc., Buckhead Meat of Denver Inc., Buckhead Meat of San Antonio LP, Buzztable Inc., CAKE Corporation, Central Seafood Co., Christys Wine & Spirits Limited, Clafra Aktiebolag, Colorado Boxed Beef Co - Specialty meat-cutting division, Corporacion Frionet Sociedad Anonima, Crossgar Foodservice, Crossgar Foodservice Limited, Crown I Enterprises Inc., Cucina Acquisitions (UK) Limited, Cucina Finance (UK) Limited, Cucina French Holdings Limited, Cucina Fresh Finance Limited, Cucina Fresh Investments Limited, Cucina Lux Investments Limited, Curleys Quality Foods Limited (Third Party), Davigel Belgilux S.A., Davigel Espana S.A., Desert Meats & Provisions, Distagro, Doerle Food Service, Doughtie's Foods Inc., Dust Bowl City LLC, Eko Fagel Fisk o mittemellan AB, Enclave Insurance Company, Enclave Parkway Association Inc., Enclave Properties LLC, European Imports, European Imports Inc., Figg Inc., Freedman Meats, Freedman Meats Inc., Freedman-KB Inc., Fresh Direct (UK) Limited, Fresh Direct Group Limited, Fresh Direct Limited, Fresh Holdings Limited, FreshPoint, FreshPoint Arizona Inc., FreshPoint Atlanta Inc., FreshPoint California Inc., FreshPoint Central California Inc., FreshPoint Central Florida Inc., FreshPoint Connecticut LLC, FreshPoint Dallas Inc., FreshPoint Denver Inc., FreshPoint Hawaii LLC, FreshPoint Inc., FreshPoint Las Vegas Inc., FreshPoint North Carolina Inc., FreshPoint North Florida Inc., FreshPoint Oklahoma City LLC, FreshPoint Pompano Real Estate LLC, FreshPoint Puerto Rico LLC, FreshPoint San Francisco Inc., FreshPoint South Florida Inc., FreshPoint South Texas Inc., FreshPoint Southern California Inc., FreshPoint Tomato LLC, FreshPoint Vancouver Ltd., Freshfayre Limited, Fruktservice i Helsingborg AB, GHS Classic Drinks Limited, Gilchrist & Soames Inc., Gilchrist & Soames UK Limited, Guest Packaging LLC, Guest Supply, Guest Supply Asia Limited, Guest Supply Singapore Pte. Ltd., International Food Group, Isakssons Frukt & Gront AB, J & M Wholesale Meats, J. Kings Food Service Professionals, J. Kings Food Service Professionals Inc., Kent Frozen Foods, Les Ateliers Du Gout, Liquid Assets Limited, M&J Seafood Holdings Limited, M&J Seafood Limited, Manchester Mills LLC, Mayca Autoservicio S.A., Mayca Distribuidores S.A., Menigo Foodservice AB, Mitshim Etatu Supply LP, Newport Meat Company, Newport Meat Northern California Inc., Newport Meat Pacific Northwest Inc., Newport Meat Southern California Inc., Newport Meat of Nevada Inc., North Star Holding Corporation, North Star Seafood, North Star Seafood Acquisition Corporation, North Star Seafood LLC, PFS de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Palisades Ranch Inc., Pallas Foods, Pallas Foods Farm Fresh Unlimited Company, Pallas Foods Unlimited Company, Pauleys Produce Limited, Promotora del Servicios S.A. de C.V., Restaurangakdemien AB, Restaurant of Tomorrow Inc., Rohan Viandes Elaboration SAS, SMS Bermuda Holdings, SMS GPC International Limited, SMS GPC International Resources Limited, SMS Global Holdings S.a.r.l., SMS International Resources Ireland Unlimited Company, SMS Lux Holdings LLC, SOTF LLC, SYY Netherlands C.V., SYY Panama S. de R.L., Serca Foodservice, Servicestyckarna I Johannes AB, Servicios Ameriserve S.A. de C.V., Shenzhen Guest Supply Trading Co. Limited, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Bianchi Montegut, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Boiseau, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Garcelles, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) J.D. Lanjouan, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Le Dauphin, Specialty Meat Holdings LLC, Stockflag Limited, Stockholms Fiskauktion AB, Supplies on the Fly, Sysco Albany LLC, Sysco Asian Foods Inc., Sysco Atlanta LLC, Sysco Autoservicio S.A., Sysco Baltimore LLC, Sysco Baraboo LLC, Sysco Bermuda Partners L.P., Sysco Boston LLC, Sysco Canada Holdings S.a.r.l., Sysco Canada Inc., Sysco Central Alabama LLC, Sysco Central California Inc., Sysco Central Florida Inc., Sysco Central Illinois Inc., Sysco Central Pennsylvania LLC, Sysco Charlotte LLC, Sysco Chicago Inc., Sysco Cincinnati LLC, Sysco Cleveland Inc., Sysco Columbia LLC, Sysco Connecticut LLC, Sysco Corporation, Sysco Corporation Director's Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Employee's 401(k) Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Good Government Committee Inc., Sysco Corporation Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Plan Trust, Sysco Detroit LLC, Sysco Disaster Relief Foundation Inc., Sysco EI VI S. s.r.l., Sysco EU II S.a.r.l., Sysco EU III S.a.r.l., Sysco EU IV Capital Unlimited Company, Sysco EU IV S. s.r.l.., Sysco EU V S. s.r.l., Sysco Eastern Maryland LLC, Sysco Eastern Wisconsin LLC, Sysco Foundation Inc., Sysco France Holding SAS, Sysco France SAS, Sysco George Town II LLC, Sysco George Town Limited S. s.r.l.., Sysco Global Finance LLC, Sysco Global Finance LLP, Sysco Global Holdings B.V., Sysco Global Resources LLC, Sysco Global Services LLC, Sysco Grand Cayman Company, Sysco Grand Cayman II Company, Sysco Grand Cayman III Company, Sysco Grand Rapids LLC, Sysco Guernsey Limited, Sysco Guest Supply Canada Inc., Sysco Guest Supply Europe Goods Wholesalers LLC, Sysco Guest Supply Europe Limited, Sysco Guest Supply LLC, Sysco Gulf Coast LLC, Sysco Hampton Roads Inc., Sysco Hawaii Inc., Sysco Holdings II LLC, Sysco Holdings LLC, Sysco Indianapolis LLC, Sysco International Food Group Inc., Sysco International Inc., Sysco Iowa Inc., Sysco Jackson LLC, Sysco Jacksonville Inc., Sysco Kansas City Inc., Sysco Knoxville LLC, Sysco Labs Europe Limited, Sysco Labs Pvt. Ltd., Sysco Leasing LLC, Sysco Lincoln Inc., Sysco Lincoln Transportation Company Inc., Sysco Long Island LLC, Sysco Los Angeles Inc., Sysco Louisville Inc., Sysco Memphis LLC, Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Canada Inc., Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Inc., Sysco Metro New York LLC, Sysco Minnesota Inc., Sysco Montana Inc., Sysco Nashville LLC, Sysco Netherlands Partners LLC, Sysco North Central Florida Inc., Sysco North Dakota Inc., Sysco Northern New England Inc., Sysco Philadelphia LLC, Sysco Pittsburgh LLC, Sysco Portland Inc., Sysco Raleigh LLC, Sysco Resources Services LLC, Sysco Riverside Inc., Sysco Sacramento Inc., Sysco San Diego Inc., Sysco San Francisco Inc., Sysco Seattle Inc., Sysco South Florida Inc., Sysco Southeast Florida LLC, Sysco Spain Holdings SLU, Sysco Spokane Inc., Sysco St. Louis LLC, Sysco Syracuse LLC, Sysco Technologies Cayman Ltd., Sysco Technologies LLC, Sysco UK Holdings Limited, Sysco UK Limited, Sysco UK Partners LLP, Sysco USA I Inc., Sysco USA II LLC, Sysco USA III LLC, Sysco Ventura Inc., Sysco Ventures Inc., Sysco Virginia LLC, Sysco West Coast Florida Inc., Sysco Western Minnesota Inc., The SYGMA Network Inc., Upsys, Victua SAS, Walker Foods Inc., Waugh Foods, and Wild Harvest Limited. 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.. Paris, TX (75460) Today Mostly cloudy and windy with rain that should be ending for the afternoon. High near 65F. Winds NW at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Gusty winds diminishing after midnight. Low around 50F. Winds NW at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. 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. Ltd., AIG Global Asset Management Holdings Corp., AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp., AIG Global Reinsurance Operations, AIG Holdings Europe Limited, AIG Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, AIG Insurance Company China Limited, AIG Insurance Company JSC, AIG Insurance Company of Canada, AIG Insurance Company-Puerto Rico, AIG Insurance Hong Kong Limited, AIG Insurance Limited, AIG Insurance Management Services Inc., AIG Insurance New Zealand Limited, AIG International Holdings GmbH, AIG Investments UK Limited, AIG Israel Insurance Company Ltd, AIG Japan Holdings Kabushiki Kaisha, AIG Kenya Insurance Company Limited, AIG Korea Inc., AIG Latin America I.I., AIG Latin America Investments S.L., AIG Lebanon SAL, AIG Life Holdings Inc., AIG Life Insurance Company (Switzerland) Ltd, AIG Life Limited, AIG Life South Africa Limited, AIG Life of Bermuda Ltd., AIG MEA Holdings Limited, AIG MEA Limited, AIG Malaysia Insurance Berhad, AIG Markets Inc., AIG Matched Funding Corp., AIG PC Global Services Inc., AIG Philippines Insurance Inc., AIG Property Casualty Company, AIG Property Casualty Inc., AIG Property Casualty International LLC, AIG Property Casualty U.S. Inc., AIG Re-Takaful (L) Berhad, AIG Resseguros Brasil S.A., AIG Seguros Brasil S.A., AIG Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., AIG Shared Services Corporation, AIG South Africa Limited, AIG Specialty Insurance Company, AIG Technologies Inc., AIG Travel Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., AIG Travel Assist Inc., AIG Travel Assist Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., AIG Travel EMEA Limited, AIG Travel Inc., AIG Uganda Limited, AIG Vietnam Insurance Company Limited, AIG WarrantyGuard Inc., AIG-FP Pinestead Holdings Corp., AIG-Metropolitana Cia. de Seguros y Reaseguros S.A., AIGGRE EOLA LLC, AIGGRE Europe Real Estate Fund I GP S.a r.l., AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund I GP LLC, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund I LP, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund II GP LLC, AIU Insurance Company, AM Holdings LLC, Ageas Protect, AlphaCat Managers Ltd., American General Corporation, American General Life Insurance Company, American Home Assurance Co. Ltd., American Home Assurance Company, American Home Assurance Company Escritorio de Representacao no Brasil Ltda., American International Group Inc., American International Group UK Limited, American International Overseas Association, American International Overseas Limited, American International Realty Corp., American International Reinsurance Company Ltd., American International Underwriters del Ecuador-Holding S.A., American Security Life Insurance Company Limited, Arthur J. Glatfelter Agency Inc., Avondhu Limited, Blackboard Customer Care Insurance Services LLC, Blackboard Insurance Company, Blackboard Services LLC, Blackboard Specialty Insurance Company, Blackboard U.S. Holdings Inc., Chartis Takaful Enaya B.S.C. (c), Commerce and Industry Insurance Company, Crop Risk Services Inc., Eaglestone Reinsurance Company, Ellipse, Fortitude Group Holdings LLC, Fortitude Life & Annuity Solutions Inc., Fortitude Reinsurance Company Ltd., Franklin Life Insurance Company, Fuji Fire and Marine, Glatfelter Insurance Group, Globe and Rutgers Insurance Group, Grand Isle SAC Limited, Granite State Insurance Company, Group Risk Services Limited, Group Risk Technologies Limited, Illinois National Insurance Co., Jefferson Eola Venture LLC, Johannesburg Insurance Holdings (Proprietary) Limited, Laya Healthcare Limited, Lexington Insurance Company, MG Reinsurance Limited, Mt. 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.. CRH Medical Corporation provides anesthesia services for patients undergoing endoscopic procedures in ambulatory surgical centers in the United States and Canada. It offers CRH O'Regan system, a single use, disposable, and hemorrhoid banding technology to treat various grades of hemorrhoid. The company distributes CRH O'Regan system, treatment protocols, and operational and marketing expertise as a turnkey package directly to gastroenterology practices. It also offers a hemorrhoid banding ancillary program, cybersecurity, and a consumer-centric digital application. The company was formerly known as Medsurge Medical Products Corp. and changed its name to CRH Medical Corporation in April 2006. CRH Medical Corporation was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. As of April 22, 2021, CRH Medical Corporation operates as a subsidiary of WELL Health Technologies Corp. Read More Intertek Group plc provides quality assurance solutions to various industries worldwide. It operates in three segments: Products, Trade, and Resources. The Products segment offers assurance, testing, inspection, and certification services (ATIC), including laboratory safety, quality and performance testing, second-party supplier auditing, sustainability analysis, products assurance, vendor compliance, process performance analysis, facility plant and equipment verification, and third party certification. This segment serves a range of industries, including textiles, footwear, toys, hardlines, home appliances, consumer electronics, information and communication technology, automotive, aerospace, lighting, building products, industrial and renewable energy products, food and hospitality, healthcare and beauty, and pharmaceuticals. The Trade segment provides cargo inspection, analytical assessment, calibration, and related research and technical services to the petroleum and biofuels industries; inspection services to governments and regulatory bodies to support trade activities; and analytical and testing services to agricultural trading companies and growers. The Resources segment offers technical inspection, asset integrity management, analytical testing, and ongoing training services for the oil, gas, nuclear, and power industries. This segment also provides a range of ATIC service solutions to the mining and minerals exploration industries covering the resource supply chain from exploration and resource development, through to production, shipping, and commercial settlement. The company also offers cyber security services. Intertek Group plc was founded in 1885 and is based in London, the United Kingdom. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of IDEX: ADS Corp., ADS Environmental Services Pty Limited, ADS Environmental Technologies Inc., ADS LLC, AEGIS Flow Technologies, AEGIS Flow Technologies L.L.C., AWG, AWG Fittings GmbH, Abel Pumps, Advanced Thin Films, Advanced Thin Films Inc., Airtech Group, Akron Brass, Akron Brass Company, Alfa Valvole, Alfa Valvole S.r.l., Band-It Clamps (Asia) Pte. Ltd., Band-It Company Limited, Band-It-IDEX Inc., Banjo Corporation, Banjo Europe S.r.l., BarbIDEX International SRL, CIDRA Precision Services, CVI Laser, CVI Laser LLC, CVI Laser Limited, CVI Melles Griot, Corken Inc., ERC, Eastern Plastics, FAST & Fluid Management S.r.l., FM Delaware Inc., FM Investment Inc., FMD Distribution and Service LLC, FMD Fabrication Services LLC, FTL Seals Technology Limited, Fast & Fluid Management B.V., Fast & Fluid Management Eastern Europe Sp. Z O.O., Fast and Fluid Management Australia Pty. Ltd., Flow Management Devices, Flow Management Devices LLC, Fluid Management Canada Inc., Fluid Management Inc., Fluid Management Operations LLC, Gast Group Ltd, Gast Manufacturing Inc., Godiva Limited, Godiva Products Limited, Hale Products Europe Limited, Hale Products Inc., Hurst Jaws of Life Inc., IDEX Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., IDEX Dinglee Technology (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., IDEX Europe GmbH, IDEX Health & Science KK, IDEX Health & Science LLC, IDEX Holdings GmbH, IDEX Holdings Inc., IDEX India Private Limited, IDEX Italy S.r.l., IDEX Japan GK, IDEX Korea Ltd, IDEX Leasing GmbH, IDEX MPT Inc., IDEX Mexico S.A. de C.V., IDEX Middle East FZE, IDEX Pump Technologies (Ireland) Limited, IDEX SAS, IDEX Service Corp., IDEX Sourcing Corporation, IDEX Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., IDEX Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, IDEX UK Investment Ltd, IDEX UK Ltd., IDEX do Brasil Servicos e Vendas Ltda., IETG, Isolation Technologies, KNIGHT LLC, KVT-Koenig Holding Limited, Knight (Canada) Limited, Knight Inc., Knight UK Ltd, LUKAS Hydraulik GmbH, Liquid Controls, Liquid Controls LLC, Matcon, Matcon (R&D) Limited, Matcon Group Limited, Matcon Limited, Melles Griot B.V., Melles Griot GmbH, Microfluidics, Microfluidics International Corporation, Micropump Inc., Nova Technologies, Nova Technologies Corporation, Novotema, Novotema S.p.A, OBL, OBL Srl, Oil & Gas Process Solutions LLC, PP AWG GmbH, PPE International LLC, PPE LLC, Precision Photonics, Precision Polymer Engineering Limited, Project Gold Acquisition Corp., Pulsafeeder Inc., Quadro Engineering Corp., RV Acquisition Corp., Richter Chemie-Technik, Richter Chemie-Technik GmbH, Richter EP (Nanjing) Co. Ltd., Richter Pumps & Valves Inc., Roplan AB, Roplan GmbH, Roplan Holding AB, Roplan Ltd, Roplan Machinery (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., Roplan Machining AB, Roplan Sales (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., Roplan Sales AB, Roplan Sales Inc., Roplan Trading AB, S.A.M.P.I. S.p.A., SFC KOENIG, SFC KOENIG Flow Control (Suzhou) Co. Limited, SFC Koenig AG, SFC Koenig Beteilgungs GmbH, SFC Koenig GmbH, SFC Koenig LLC, Scivex, Seals Limited, Semrock, Steridose Sales AB, The Fitzpatrick Company, Toptech Systems, Toptech Systems Inc., Toptech Systems NV, Trebor International Inc., Velcora, Velcora Holding AB, Vetter GmbH, Viking Pump Inc., Viking Pump of Canada Inc., Warren Rupp Inc., Wright Flow Technologies Limited, XAM Swiss Holding I GmbH, iPEK, iPEK International GmbH, iPEK Spezial TV GmbH, thinXXS Microtechnology, and thinXXS Microtechnology AG. Toyota Motor Corp. engages in the manufacture and sale of motor vehicles and parts. It operates through the following segments: Automotive, Financial Services, and All Other. The Automotive segment designs, manufactures, assembles and sells passenger cars, minivans, trucks, and related vehicle parts and accessories. It is also involved in the development of intelligent transport systems. The Financial Services segment offers purchase or lease financing to Toyota vehicle dealers and customers. It also provides retail leasing through lease contracts purchase by dealers. The All Others segment deals with the design and manufacture and sale of housing, telecommunications and other businesses. The company was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda on August 28, 1937 and is headquartered in Toyota, Japan. Read More William Lyon Homes (NYSE:WLH) announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November, 6th. The construction company reported $0.37 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.30 by $0.07. The construction company had revenue of $466.90 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $487.15 million. William Lyon Homes had a net margin of 3.04% and a trailing twelve-month return on equity of 6.98%. The company's revenue was down 12.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.68 EPS. View William Lyon Homes' earnings history. Have you ever listened to a classical symphony and thought the music needed more distortion? Or have you ever read a newspaper and believed it would have been improved if it had more disinformation? Most of us dont appreciate distortion in our music or disinformation in our news. Yet far too many do favor distortion and disinformation when it comes to pricing. Prices signal information in markets. A market is a summary term for a variety of voluntary exchange for tangible commodities or nontangible services. In fact, one of the most important functions of a market is to use pricing to serve as an information system (creating, collecting, filtering, processing, and distributing information). When we describe a market as a free market one of things meant is the prices are largely free of distortions and disinformation. This is one of the main reasons free market advocates oppose government intervention into markets: they inject distortions and disinformation into the pricing system. Almost always, the distortions result in an advantage of the strong over the weak, the big over the small, and the rich over the poor. A prime example is government subsidies to farmers. During the Depression, the government began subsidizing crops to save family farms. As one of the cornerstones of FDRs New Deal, the federal government created the the Commodity Credit Corporation. The program is now run by the USDA, but its description sounds like something devised by the Soviet Union: The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is a Government-owned and operated entity that was created to stabilize, support, and protect farm income and prices. CCC also helps maintain balanced and adequate supplies of agricultural commodities and aids in their orderly distribution. When the program was created in 1933, it still seemed plausible that central control over some marketssuch as the markets for agriculturecould be effective. Decades of famine and starvation in communist countries, though, showed how foolish it was to believe that distortions could lead to prosperity. Yet despite the evidence subsidies dont work, some New Deal socialists still believe they are essential. After discovering his trade wars were inflicting harm on U.S. farmers, President Trump now wants to use the CCC to send them $12 billion. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the USDA will use CCC and other authorities to implement a Food Purchase and Distribution Program through the Agricultural Marketing Service to purchase unexpected surplus of affected commodities such as fruits, nuts, rice, legumes, beef, pork and milk for distribution to food banks and other nutrition programs. The USDA acts as if no one could have forseen the unexpected surplus caused by Trumps intervention. But they are exactly what free market advocates warned would happen. Unfortunately, this new round of subsidies (which will go toward increasing the federal debt) is in addition to the current farm subsidy programs. The billions in welfare benefits big agricultural companies, and can even harm family farms. In an interview with Business Insider, farmer Kevin Smith, co-owner of upstate New Yorks Sycamore Farms, explained how farming subsidies distorts information and destroys the market for his crops: When the government subsidizes corn and grain in the Midwest, a farmer can afford to grow 10,000 acres of corn, no matter the demand. All of the corn is pre-contracted and supplemented on the back-end. It would make no sense for a small farmer to try to grow that much corn because you cant sell that much at market. There is only a fixed amount of materials like seeds and fertilizer in the market. As subsidized farms buy and buy materials (which they can because of the subsidies), resources get scarce and prices go up. The scarcity drives up the cost of materials, but it doesnt drive up market prices of produce. Notice that the subsidies not only distort the pricing information for the crops, but also distort the information all the way down the production chain. Because the government is giving some farmers money to produce more corn than people want, the price of corn seed is artificially inflated for all farmers. The result is that it cost small farmers much more to produce the crop but they cant charge more to make up for the additional cost. Over time, small farmerseven those who get subsidies themselvesare pushed out of the market altogether. In 1985 musicians Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on the land. In a few weeks theyll host the 33rd annual festival to once again try to raise money to save small farms. Maybe this will be the year the concert finally calls for the one change that can actually save the farm: tell the federal government to stop trying to control the market. Case Combine by StevanBaird is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0 Ijara Company Kyrgyzstan (ICK), a top Islamic leasing firm, has hired global Sharia Advisory firm Shariyah Review Bureau (SRB) to manage its Sharia certification and Sharia supervisory structure in line with international practices. Ijara Company Kyrgyzstan (ICK), the Islamic leasing flagship of Kyrgyzstan, has hired global Sharia Advisory firm Shariyah Review Bureau (SRB) to manage its Sharia certification and Sharia supervisory structure in line with international practices. ICK offers its customers leasing facility (Ijara Muntahia Bitamlik). As an IDB funded company, ICK is supported by ICDs more than 30 year history as the trusted leasing company to deliver services for SME financing support in Kyrgyzstan. Ulan Satyvaldiev, chief executive, said: ICK is a growing leader of the Kyrgyzstans leasing and financing market since 2015. To continue this growth, we have decided to invest in our Sharia compliance infrastructure by hiring Shariyah Review Bureau. "We keenly look forward to bringing their Sharia advisory expertise and Sharia audit capabilities to our market on a managed basis. We will be leveraging on their proficiencies, which allows for dynamic and rapid certification deployment so as to effectively support our new products and risings client demands. Shariyah Review Bureau offers financing companies with enterprise-grade Sharia solutions helping them uncover operating efficiencies in Sharia compliance management by lowering their overall cost of Sharia Board management, reduce fee leakage for ad-hoc consultation and improve Sharia auditing and Sharia compliance reporting. This has allowed not only financing companies but dozens of banks, and Takaful companies to focus on their businesses, and save cost. Outsourcing Sharia advisory services have become a critical resource in rapidly-evolving Islamic financial markets. It is often the most efficient way to upgrade or maintain Sharia compliance functions stated Yasser S Dahlawi, CEO of SRB. Speaking on the new engagement in Kyrgyzstan, he added: We look forward to working with ICK, and manage their entire Sharia compliance lifecycle efficiently and transparently. TradeArabia News Service The General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (Cibafi), the global umbrella of Islamic financial institutions and the World Bank have announced their second joint international conference. The summit on Corporate Governance of Islamic Financial Institutions: Overcoming Challenges and Implementing Best Practices will be held on the sideline of the Global Islamic Finance Forum 2018 (GIFF) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on October 2. This 2nd edition of the International Conference on Corporate Governance of Islamic financial institutions is in succession to a highly successful first joint conference organised by Cibafi and the World Bank in 2015 in Amman, Jordan. The objective of the conference is to reinforce both Cibafi and the World Bank commitment to help foster the development of Islamic finance globally through the enhancement of corporate governance practices in Islamic financial institutions. The conference brings together various Corporate Governance stakeholders from the Islamic finance industry, multilateral institutions, international and national regulatory bodies, policy-makers, and academia to discuss emerging issues and discuss best practices to ensure industrys continued success. The delegates of the conference would have an exceptional opportunity to gain key insights into the most significant areas of corporate governance including discussions on key challenges and opportunities. The conference, which is being organized under a collaborative MoU between Cibafi and the World Bank, also falls under Cibafis Strategic Objective, in increasing the awareness of Islamic Finance and promoting information sharing among its members and the industry stakeholders. The MOU between Cibafi and The World Bank resulted in the launch of their first joint publication titled Corporate Governance Practices in Islamic Banks 2017. The publication breaks new ground in the field of corporate governance for Islamic banks, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of CG practices in IFIs and proposing policy recommendations to improve these practices. The Report reveals that overall, Islamic banks perform well in terms of their Transparency and Disclosure and Internal Control and Audit. However, at the other extreme, they face challenges in areas of Risk Governance, Shariah Governance, and the operation of Board of Directors. The upcoming conference will discuss issues such as board effectiveness, risk management, transparency and reporting requirements, as well as the role, accountability and independency of Shariah Supervisory Boards (SSB) in the light of strengthening regulatory regimes. TradeArabia News Service The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) has successfully completed hot functional testing (HFT) on Unit 2 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This significant pre-operational testing process incorporated all lessons learned from the same test on Unit 1 in order to achieve the highest international standards of quality, safety and efficiency, said a statement from Enec. Enec worked closely with the Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco), the joint venture partner and prime contractor for the Barakah project, and under the observation of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), the UAEs independent nuclear regulatory body, to achieve this major milestone in the testing and commissioning of Unit 2, it said. Engineer Mohamed Al Hammadi, chief executive officer of Enec, said: We are proud to have maintained our track record of safety and efficiency with the successful completion of Hot Functional Testing on Unit 2. By incorporating the lessons learned from the same tests on Unit 1, we continue to establish Barakah as the benchmark for new nuclear construction projects worldwide. Keeping construction progress approximately one year apart for each of the units at Barakah makes it possible for us to implement all lessons learned from one unit to the subsequent ones, in line with international best practices in the management of megaprojects, he said. HFT takes place over a number of weeks and consists of almost 200 individual and integrated tests performed on major systems to check their performance under normal operational conditions, without the presence of nuclear fuel in the reactor. The test includes the first time that most of the reactors systems experience the operational temperature of nearly 300 degrees Celsius and operational pressure of more than 150 kg per sq cm, which is the equivalent of 1,500 m below water. It is also the first time that the turbine is spun at its maximum speed of 1,500 revolutions per minute (rpm), demonstrating its readiness to operate once the reactor starts up for normal operations. Al Hammadi continued: This most recent round of testing ensures that Unit 2s systems and components are on track to reliably and safely perform their intended functions when the plant becomes operational. The pre-operational commissioning phase of a nuclear energy plant is a complex and critical step towards starting to operate the plant. It is essential that it is tested under operational conditions without nuclear fuel to demonstrate that the highest standards of safety, security and quality are achieved, he added. During the HFT, components were checked for thermal expansion, vibration and wear. The results demonstrate that all systems perform in accordance with the highest quality and safety standards under normal operating conditions. Most notably, the pressuriser safety valve test, pre-core reactor coolant system flow measurement test and main turbine system test were performed, proving that major components and systems work as designed and meet all requirements for normal operation. JongKap Kim, chief executive officer, Kepco, said: We continue to achieve major milestones at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, working together with Enec and our joint venture subsidiary Nawah. The completion of HFT on Barakah Unit 2 in an efficient and timely manner is the result of incorporating the experience we have from Unit 1, but also from having completed the same test on the APR1400 reactors at Shin Kori 3 and 4, as well as Shin Hanul 1 in the Republic of Korea. These successful tests clearly demonstrate the safety, reliability and technological robustness of the reactor design, Kim added. Along with testing the performance of a wide range of components, the HFT provided plant operators from Nawah Energy Company (Nawah), the joint venture subsidiary in charge of operations, the opportunity to control pressure and temperature safety-related equipment, start and place the turbine in service, and complete various other operating procedures. This gives operators a unique ability to identify any issues with procedures or the equipment and take corrective actions to ensure that once it is started up, the plant will operate safely and sustainably for the coming decades. Construction of Unit 2 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant began in April 2013, one year after Unit 1. All four units at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant are progressing safely and steadily, with Unit 1 construction completed and turned over to Nawah for preparation to operate, pending regulatory approval. As of end of June, the construction of Unit 2 of the Barakah Plant is 93 per cent complete and overall construction progress rate for the four units is now more than 89 per cent. All four units will deliver safe, clean, reliable and efficient electricity to the UAE grid, and prevent the release of more than 21 million tons of greenhouse gas emission every year, it stated. TradeArabia News Service Cavendish Maxwell, a major independent firm of chartered surveyors and property consultants, focusing on property services throughout the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, has appointed Benjamin Walker MRICS as the new associate partner in the project and building consultancy. He brings with him over 13 years of building surveying and project management experience gained in both the UK and more recently in New Zealand, said a statement from Cavendish Maxwell. Prior to this, Walker was heading the building consultancy department for the New Zealand arm of a global real estate firm. During his time there, he was instrumental in providing advice to top-tier international clients on some of the largest acquisitions in both New Zealand and Australia. In his new role, Walker will be responsible for day-to-day management of the project and building consultancy team supporting the head of department, Craig Ross, to further develop the business line. He will also add extensive international experience and knowledge which will strengthen the capabilities of the team. Welcoming the appointment, Ross said: "He brings with him a wealth of experience and his skills will be a great asset in our goal of providing the best possible service to clients. Its an exciting time for Walker to join us as we are finding an increasing demand for our core building surveying services both in the local and international market and will therefore look to establish him as a key leader in the team and also the wider building surveying profession in the Middle East as a qualified RICS APC assessor." Walker is a specialist in technical due diligence, lifecycle costing, condition surveys, dilapidations and project management of alteration and refurbishment projects. On the appointment, Walker said: "I'm thrilled to have joined a forward thinking and technologically-advanced company like Cavendish Maxwell which has gone from strength to strength since its establishment in 2008." "The company has secured some fantastic instructions and been involved with some high-profile projects and I thoroughly look forward to adding value to an already thriving team. Cavendish Maxwell has an excellent reputation in the GCC and I'm excited to be a part of the journey," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Al Salem Johnson Controls (York), a provider of integrated HVAC solutions and equipment, has succeeded in devising new technologies that have contributed to cutting energy consumption at Al-Shallal Theme Park in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. These technologies enabled the theme park to achieve an annual power saving of up to SR1.5 million ($399,960), by using water steam instead of the traditional production of electricity to operate its cooling system, said a statement from the company. Al Salem Johnson Controls is a multi-industry company and a pioneer in providing integrated solutions that include HVAC, fire safety and security systems, building management and control systems for the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. Al Salem Johnson Controls chief executive officer Dr Mohanad AlShaikh stated that innovation is the cornerstone of the company's business and they always embrace an environment in which new ideas, technologies and processes are explored to create diverse solutions and services. Located on Jeddah's Corniche over an area of 60,000 sq m and visited annually by one million visitors, Al-Shallal Theme Park, a subsidiary of Fakieh Hospitality and Leisure Group - Tarfeeh Fakieh, aims to become the best amusement park in Saudi Arabia, it said. Jamil Attar, executive director of Fakieh Hospitality and Leisure Group, said: Since the beginning of the design phase of the project, there had been extensive research to select a world-class company that offers cooling, ventilation and air-conditioning solutions by taking advantage of seawater to reduce energy consumption. Al Salem Johnson Controls (York), having repeatedly proven its experience in designing and engineering sustainable solutions and services, helped us improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon footprint, and achieve environmental goals, he said. Dr AlShaikh said that Al Salem Johnson Controls (York) has engineered and designed solutions for the theme park, characterised by energy and operation efficiency to ensure that the park - which includes open and closed areas - is cooled in all climatic conditions and has great operational performance during the holiday seasons when the Theme Part witnesses huge numbers of visitors. With innovation in mind, Al Salem Johnson Controls team took advantage of the strategic location of the theme park, using saltwater instead of fresh water, thus saving 50,000 gallons per day (190,000 litres/day) of fresh water, sufficient to satisfy thirst of 1,000 people a day. The cooling plant comprises of three York absorption chillers, each with a cooling capacity of 750 tonnes, along with condensers, pumps and firefighting systems, it added. In the same building, diesel boilers use seawater to produce steam; as the chillers are operated by steam instead of electricity, which contributes to saving the energy consumption of the AlShallal Park, equivalent to SR1.5 million ($399,960) a year. AlShaikh said: The seawater is used in a complete cycle; it is withdrawn and filtered to ensure that it is free of small fish and other marine organisms before entering the cooling system (either in chiller or in the boilers). It is important to stress that our cooling system does not use any chemicals in the water, thus does not affect the life and the marine environment after the water is being pumped back to the sea again after completing the cooling cycle, he added. As for the Fakieh Aquarium project, which is part of Fakieh Hospitality and Leisure Group - Tarfeeh Fakieh, Al Salem Johnson Controls (York) supplied three chillers (each with a cooling capacity of 250 tonnes) and eight air handling units, and succeeded in cooling and controlling the temperature of the fish tanks and the dolphin lake, in proportion to the temperature of the aquatic environment, so as not to adversely affect the lives of fish and other marine creatures, it stated. TradeArabia News Service More than 500 participants will discuss latest developments in the regions energy sector at the 4th Jordan International Energy Summit (JIES 2018), to be held later this year, in Amman. The summit, being hosted under the patronage of Jordans Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources, will take place on December 10 and 11, at the Grand Hyatt. Investments in the regions energy sector are at an all-time high and this prestigious event will once again provide a platform for the worlds energy professionals and local governments to engage with international and local investors, to examine and understand the huge opportunities for the future of Jordans energy mix, said a statement from the organisers. The JIES programme is compiled under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources in conjunction with industry partners and our expert conference production team. The programme will address the Middle East and North Africas (Mena) and Jordans achievements in the energy sector to-date, review current projects and look at future prospects. Attracting a senior delegation of over 500 participants the regional importance of Jordan and pivotal role of the country has been reflected by the number of minister-led delegations that attend the event annually including Algeria, Egypt, Hungary, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen, it stated. TradeArabia News Service Locally manufactured Kwackers will be exported to Africa and Latin America; new small capacity bikes around the corner too! Japanese motorcycle maker Kawasaki is planning on making India its export hub for the African and Latin American market, according to multiple reports. Its vision is on increasing production, localising component production, introducing a sub-200cc motorbike and increasing its footprint in the market. Kawasaki, which began its Indian innings with Bajaj Auto by assembling motorcycles at its Akurdi plant, moved to an independent 10,000 sq. metre facility in Chakan, Pune in September last year. Currently, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer is in the process of setting up the infrastructure required to locally assemble more models from their existing lineup. Additionally, it is also looking at developing new low capacity motorcycles for the Indian market. The company is also scouting for local vendors to manufacture components to further reduce production costs. According to Kazuo Ota, president of Kawasakis motorcycle and engine division, the company aims to sell around 5,000 motorcycles in India by 2020. They also intend to double the number of dealerships in the same time period. Currently, Kawasaki has a total of 30 dealerships across the country. To help reach its target for 2020, Kawasaki plans to introduce new, low-cost motorcycles in India very soon. What this means for India? For starters, expect prices of Kawasakis motorcycles to go down drastically. They are currently brought to our shores either via the CBU (completely built units) route or as CKD (completely knocked down) kits. Local manufacturing using locally sourced components should make these motorcycles even more affordable. Japanese bike manufacturers are renowned for the quality of their products. So, dont expect Kawasaki to compromise on locally sourced components either. To generate volumes, Kawasaki is likely to focus more on its entry-level offerings such as the Z250, Ninja 250, Ninja 300, Ninja 400and Versys X 300. Introducing smaller capacity motorcycles should also make the brand more accessible to the masses, increase visibility and drive up sales. To top it off, an increase in the number of dealerships along with locally sourced components should make Kawasakis after-sales services more reachable and easy on the wallet as well. Stay tuned to know more. Source: BikeDekho.com The company had posted a net profit of Rs 216.12 crore in the April-June period a year ago. New Delhi: FMCG major Britannia Industries on Monday reported a 19.41 per cent rise in consolidated net profit at Rs 258.08 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, driven by double-digit volume growth. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 216.12 crore in the April-June period a year ago. Its total income stood at Rs 2,585.84 crore in the quarter under review. It was Rs 2,375.01 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal, Britannia Industries said in a BSE filing. The company said reported revenue, part of total income, for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, is not comparable to the revenue reported in the previous period due to implementation of GST with effect from July 1, 2017. "Excise duty has subsumed into GST, and hence revenue from sale of goods for the period commencing July 1, 2017 does not include excise duty," it added. "We have witnessed positive momentum in the market over the last few quarters. Our double-digit growth for the quarter is backed by a double-digit volume growth primarily due to our investment in brands and widening our distribution network through focus on direct reach, rural market and weak states," Britannia Industries MD Varun Berry said. Britannia said its international business remained flat due to slow-down in geographies like Middle East and Africa. "The growth in dairy business has been subdued due to our focus on driving value added products and reducing our play in the less profitable commoditised products, which has helped us improve our profitability," Britannia said. The company said in its 100th year it will enter into "many unchartered territories" to secure disruptive growth. In a separate filing, the company said its board of directors has recommended and approved issuance of secured redeemable non-convertible debentures as bonus debentures of Rs 50 in the ratio of 1 bonus debenture for every 1 equity shares held by the shareholders of the company. Shares of Britannia Industries were trading at Rs 6,318.95 apiece, down 1.19 per cent, on BSE. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Monday extended the deadline for submission of revised bids for debt-ridden Bhushan Power and Steel by one week on the plea of Tata Steel, a resolution applicant in this. New Delhi: The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Monday extended the deadline for submission of revised bids for debt-ridden Bhushan Power and Steel by one week on the plea of Tata Steel, a resolution applicant in this. Modifying its earlier order, the appellate tribunal has now said all three bidder -- Tata Steel, Liberty House and JSW -- may file their revised offers by August 13 for Bhushan Power and Steel Ltd (BPSL). Earlier, on August 1, an NCLAT bench headed by Chairman Justice S J Mukhopadhaya had allowed all three bidders to file revised offers by August 6. However, NCLAT's August 1 order was challenged by Tata Steel before the Supreme Court last week, opposing the revision of the offer. The Tata Group company was picked as the highest bidder for BPSL a day before that on July 31. During the proceedings of NCLAT, counsel appearing for Tata Steel submitted that as its appeal against the August 1 order is expected to be heard by the Apex Court on Friday this week and requested to extend the time line for submission of the revised bids. According to them, if Committee of Creditors (CoC) take a decision based on the revised offers, then their position may be altered. Following this, NCLAT extended the time line for a week. The NCLAT last month had vacated its stay and asked the CoC to consider resolution plans submitted by three firms -- Tata Steel, Liberty House and JSW Steel. The tribunal on July 20 gave a go-ahead to the CoC meeting, directing it to finalise a bid for the company. However, JSW Steel revised up its offer from Rs 11,000 crore to Rs 18,000 crore ahead of the CoC meeting. Tata Steel put in a bid of Rs 17,000 crore. Bhushan Power and Steel owes about Rs 45,000 crore to its lenders. NCLAT had also directed the CoC to call all the three bidders, along with operational creditors and suspended board of directors, in the meeting. Earlier on July 17, the NCLAT had stayed the meeting of CoC when they were going to vote for finalisation of the highest bidder (H1) for BPSL. Bhushan Steel and Power was among the 12 non-performing accounts referred by RBI for NCLT proceedings. The popular messaging app is under fire over abuse of its platform for circulation of fake news that have incited mob fury. New Delhi: WhatsApp has informed the government that it is building a local team, including India head, as part of steps to check fake news circulation but has not met the key demand of identifying message originators, according to official sources. The popular messaging app is under fire over abuse of its platform for circulation of fake news that have incited mob fury. The IT Ministry official said that WhatsApp has responded to the government last notice, outlining initiatives being taken to curb fake news circulation including education and advocacy efforts. It is also building an India-based team, the official said but noted that the measures do not meet the government's expectations on 'traceability' and attribution of such messages. WhatsApp, on its part, has maintained that message attributions would "undermine the private nature" of the platform, and leave it vulnerable potentially to "serious misuse", a company official said. When contacted, a WhatsApp spokesperson said: "To support our users in India and continue our investment in the country, it's our top priority to hire a local leader who can help us build a team on the ground." The two senior leadership roles that are currently open for India are -- Head of India and Head of Policy. "People rely on WhatsApp for all kinds of sensitive conversations, including with their doctors, banks and families. The police also use WhatsApp to discuss investigations and report crimes. "Attributing messages on WhatsApp would undermine the private nature of WhatsApp and create the potential for serious misuse. Our focus is on improving WhatsApp and working closely with others in society to help keep people safe," the spokesperson added. WhatsApp said it believes the challenge of mob violence requires government, civil society, and technology companies to work together. "It's why we've already made significant product changes to help slow the spread of misinformation and are working to educate people on how to spot fake news," WhatsApp said. Expressing its deep commitment to helping people across India communicate in a safe, secure, and reliable manner, WhatsApp noted that its Chief Operating Officer Matt Idema had recently travelled to India and met with representatives of IT Ministry. Meanwhile, the Ministry official who did not wish to be named said WhatsApp, in its response, has informed the government that it has registered a legal entity in India. But the platform has not committed itself on 'traceability' and attribution of messages, the official said, adding that this had been one of the key demands of the government. Hence the ministry's concerns have not been addressed, and the potential for misuse still remains, the source said. Last month, the government had expressed dissatisfaction over measures previously listed by WhatsApp for checking fake news that have, in several cases, triggered mob violence. The IT ministry, in its missive, had said that the platform cannot escape its responsibility for such rampant abuse and needed to find originators of provocative messages. The government, in its second notice to the Facebook-owned messaging service, had warned that in the absence of adequate checks, it will treat the messaging platform as abettor' of rumour propagation and legal consequences will follow. Rumours on WhatsApp have sparked off a spate of incidents involving mob violence The incidents have raised eyebrows, and the Supreme Court, last month, asked Parliament to consider enacting a new law to effectively deal with incidents of mob lynching, saying "horrendous acts of mobocracy" cannot be allowed to become a new norm. Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has also informed the Rajya Sabha that he will hold a discussion with stakeholders, including political parties, to evolve a policy to deal with the misuse of social media. Over the last few weeks, WhatsApp has introduced a new feature to let its users identify the forwarded messages, restricted number of forwards at a time, and brought out full-page ads giving "easy tips" to spot fake news. But the IT ministry has directed WhatsApp to bring more effective solutions to the table, to ensure greater "accountability and facilitate enforcement of the law" beyond the existing efforts towards labelling forwards and identifying fake news. Some 10,000 people have been evacuated on the Indonesian island of Lombok after a powerful 6.9 magnitude quake left more than 90 people dead, reported BBC. The tremor struck at 19:46 local time (11:46 GMT) on Sunday at a fairly shallow depth of 31km, it stated. Witnesses spoke of chaos and terror as buildings collapsed and power and communication lines were cut, said the report. Boats have been sent to evacuate more than 1,000 tourists from the nearby Gili islands. Aid agencies said the priority was to provide shelter for residents too scared to return to their homes, added the report. According to senior authorities, the impact was far bigger than another quake that hit Lombok region last week, killing 16 people. Lombok is a roughly 4,500 sq km island east of the slightly larger island of Bali. The two islands are home to about three and four million people respectively. Both are popular with tourists who visit beaches and hiking trails, the BBC reported. The earthquake was of magnitude 6.9, according to the US Geological Survey. There have been more than 130 aftershocks since the quake hit, it added. New Delhi: An Indian company will start producing thermal batteries from May 2019, as the South Asian nation looks to promote the use of electric vehicles and reduce its carbon footprint. It should take about six to eight months to complete the plant and we plan to go into commercial production by May 2019, B.V.S Prakash, managing director of Bharat Energy Storage Technology (BEST) which is building a factory for the power sour-ce in Andhra Pradesh, said on Monday. BEST will build high energy density storage devices, which it says last longer than lithium ion batteries and can be used to power electric vehicles and telecom towers. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday unveiled the first new high energy storage device. Mr Prakash said the new factory will cost Rs 660 crore ($96.13 million) and create 3,000 jobs in three years. The plant will initially have an annual capacity of 1000 megawatt and will be ramped up to 10 gigawatts in the next 6-7 years. The components that will be made at the Tirupati facility include camera modules, TFT (thin film transistor), flexible printed circuit, touch panels and fingerprint modules. Vijayawada: Chinas Holitech Group on Monday said that it will set up a production facility in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, with an investment of Rs 1,400 crore ($200 million) to supply mobile phone components like camera modules and touch panels to smartphone major Xiaomi. Spread over 75 acre, the facility is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2019, providing employment to about 6,000 people at full-scale in the next three years. We will set up the plant in two phases with phase I starting in January where we will invest $100 million and phase II, an additional $100 million. The facility will cater exclusively to Xiaomi, Holitech Tech-nology CEO Guisheng Chen said. He added that the facility will have an annual capacity of 50 million component sets at the end of phase I and ramp it up to 100 million within three years time. The components that will be made at the Tirupati facility include camera modules, TFT (thin film transistor), flexible printed circuit, touch panels and fingerprint modules. Govt data suggests that CSR spending increase has continued in FY17 with corporate sector expenditure reaching Rs 4,719 crore in the first eight months of the year. New Delhi: As their profit margin improves in tune with higher growth in economy, the corporate sector has become more responsible by increasing their CSR spending. CSR spending by public sector and private sector entities has grown by 44.57 per cent between FY15 and FY16 and continues to grow. As per data collected by the ministry of corporate affairs, the total CSR spending by companies registered with it increased to Rs 13,827.86 crore in FY16 from Rs 9,564.77 crore in FY 15, the first year after the introduction of new rules on corporate social responsibility (CSR). The CSR rules, implemented in April 2014 under Section 135 of the Companies Act, direct that companies with a networth of Rs 500 crore, a revenue of Rs 1,000 crore or a net profit of Rs 5 crore spend 2 per cent of their average profit on social development activities such as education, health and womens empowerment. The money can be spent by setting up a CSR department within the company or by partnering with not-for-profit organisations. The government data suggests that CSR spending increase has continued in FY17 with corporate sector expenditure reaching Rs 4,719 crore in the first eight months of the year. With large chunk of spending coming in the last quarter, sources said, FY17 numbers would be as big as previous year and a tad higher too. We find that following the implementation of CSR rules, there has been an increase in the number of firms that are spending on these social initiatives as well as the total amount spent on CSR activities. However, the distribution of CSR expenditures amongst firms continues to be unequal, an area that needs to be looked at by policy makers, said a corporate sector analyst who did not wish to be named. If one looks at MCA data, public sector undertakings take the lead in terms of growth seen in their CSR spends over the years In fact, between FY15 and FY16, PSUs increased their CSR spend by over 56 per cent. During the same period, the private sector firms have had higher share of contribution but their spend has increased by about 40 per cent. But even as annual CSR spend is on the rise, the impact on the ground and effective deployment of the funds remain a matter of debate. The government data suggests that a large portion of CSR money has flown into various government programmes, including under the Sansaad Adarsh Gram Yojana that are more politically driven with little concern towards societal uplift. The data suggests that between FY15, FY16 and FY17 (April-November period), contribution made towards rural development projects qualified for CSR spending stood at Rs 1,031.02 crore, Rs 1327.57 crore and Rs 628.56 crore respectively. Among the activities getting maximum CSR spending are health, education and rural development projects. Surprisingly, the NDA governments Swachh Bharat Kosh still gets low corporate funds (to the tune of RS 300 crore annually), though in per centage terms the money has increased in last three years. Corporates are also spending paltry sum (mere Rs 30 crore annually) towards clean Ganga project. Even though we are seeing a steady increase in the amount of money being allocated by firms under CSR, there appears to be a disconnect in what the requirements on the ground are and what the companies are allocating money towards, said a official associated with NGO handling several CSR projects for companies. As is evident from the MCA data, companies often choose certain causes over others, not always based on the needs on the ground. It is mostly politically driven, with the need to be in the right books rather than bringing about tangible benefits to society. As per the recent notification issued by the Road Transport and Highway Ministry on August 2nd, manufacture, storage and sale of non-Indian standard (NON-ISI) helmets for two-wheelers will lead to arrest without warrant. New Delhi: As per the recent notification issued by the Road Transport and Highway Ministry on August 2nd, manufacture, storage and sale of non-Indian standard (NON-ISI) helmets for two-wheelers will lead to arrest without warrant. While for first offence the penalty would amount to two years jail or fine of at least Rs 2 lakh, subsequent offences would attract a higher fine. This will be applicable from next 60 days. Rajeev Kapur, President, Two Wheeler Helmet Manufacturers Association and MD of Asia's largest Helmet manufacturer, Steelbird said, "This move is highly appreciated by the government and this decision would act as a masterstroke and help in doing away with sale, manufacture, storage and use of NON-ISI marked helmets." "Selling NON-ISI marked helmets is equivalent to selling fake medicine. And just as fake medicines are harmful and poisonous so are fake helmets. This decision by the policymakers has a larger and deeper implication. Even the leading international brands who were exporting helmets to India as per European and US standard will now have to adhere to ISI standards. They will not be able to sell otherwise," Kapur added. Also, this notification will be applicable from 60 days from now which means all manufacturers not adhering to ISI standard should stop manufacturing at once. And the dealers should quickly liquidate their stocks. Those who already have bought should not use the fake product as it is dangerous and can lead to fatal injuries. As per the Motor Vehicle Act, each and every two-wheeler rider must use ISI marked helmet only and this notice will further act as reinforcement. Furthermore, as there will be no sale and manufacture of NON-ISI helmets no one will have access to substandard products. Hence injuries due to road accidents will decrease. This will also save a lot of money for the government as they were spending a lot on the police, medical expenditures, hospitals, Insurance etc. Rajeev Kapur said, "Now I am glad that consumers will be buying genuine products. The new two-wheeler helmets under the mandatory certification regime will be lighter and airier for the comfort of bike riders. Once again as a part of this industry, I would really like to thank the government for such an applaudable move." "As per the data, all over in India more than 1.50 lakh people have died in road accident. After this step of govt, millions of lives can be saved in coming years," added Kapur. With a little help from his bodyguard, Akshay jumped up on one of the short pillars outside the airport and balanced himself atop it on one leg. Akshay Kumar, soon going to be seen in Gold, has been focusing on movies which promote social service like basic sanitation through Toilet: Ek Prem Katha in 2017 and Padman, which focuses on women hygiene through pads, which released in the beginning of 2018. On the same, Akshay told DNA, Brand India is much more important than Brand AK. Im a small cog in a wheel and I dont give myself that kind of importance to even think that Im the one who is doing anything significant. If you are seeing a change in the kind of cinema Im currently dabbling in, its because I have started to meet a lot of people, who have so many stories to share. When asked about switching with Housefull 4, Akshay says, I cant leave those films either. I need those, too. And I will be doing such movies every once in a while. When I started my career, for about 15 years I suffered as the media only called me an action hero. I used to ask producers to give me a comic role or a romantic character or even a serious part. After a long time, filmmaker Priyadarshan gave me a chance with Hera Pheri (2000) and later Dharmesh Darshan gave me Dhadkan in the same year. When I tasted success during this phase, I swore that I will never let anyone tag me or stereotype me. So, I continue to dabble in genres. Ask Akshay if he helps his daughter to do her homework and he laughs uncontrollably, saying, Never. That is my wife Tinas department. She is the brain in our home, I am the brawn. And I have no qualms about admitting it. I definitely participate in a lot of sport with my children. My wife is slightly weak in that department (smiles). Speaking about whether he wants to be a director, Akki laughs, No, I dont want to venture in that direction. I want to be happy. In a hilarious twist of events, we now have Swara Bhaskar as the Prime Minister of the country, well at least on Twitter. The Nil Battey Sannata actress, who doesnt shy away from voicing out her opinions against the present establishment, has yet again found herself at the receiving end of trolls, this time it is laced with humour. On Sunday, when Swaras fans and netizens discovered an exchange of tweets between her and journalist Rohit Sardana, the hashtag #SwaramustResign began trending with some demanding her resignation from the Prime Ministers post. In a tweet, Rohit asked why Bollywood celebrities have maintained a stoic silence on the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case in which almost 40 inmates were sexually molested over the period of two years. Responding to him, Swara pointed out the misdirection of this intended question as actors are not the parliamentarians, or a part of the current government, which has also largely maintained silence on the issue. Since then, the netizens took it upon themselves to have her back through what can be accorded as positive trolling. Realising the absurdity of Rohits and few other Twitter users tweets, they pointed out the shortcomings of the current government, including demonetisation, the hypocrisy, corruption, the Nirav Modi scam, hike in petrol and diesel prices among others, and directed it to Swara, asking her to quit. They also referred to her as PM Swara, pointing at the ridiculous misdirection of the questions, which should have been asked to the actual PM. Some netizens also indulged in their creativity, with images, gifs, and memes that had Swaras face photoshopped on Modis. Even the actress joined the banter, retweeting and responding on the social media handle. It was really funny and unexpected when I saw the #SwaraMustResign trend while holidaying in Spain. I didnt know it would organically become such a trend and Twitterati would creatively use it to express their opinion on current affairs. Its funny and creative and also shows the power of humour as a tool of protest. And I thank everyone who stood up for me against the random and unfair questioning, says the actress. Although, as serious and sharp the undercurrent of the trolling is on social media, this time its being taken in good humour. The actress, who has been subjected to incessant trolling in the past was delighted to jump on this bandwagon of sarcastic tweets and jibes. The Internet can be a volatile space, especially the social media sites and often have to bear the brunt of trolling. Earlier the actress was trolled for a masturbation scene in Veere Di Wedding, with trolls targeting the supposed immorality of the scene. The same tweet has been shared by a number of people, which says, Hey @ReallySwara just watched #Veer DiWedding with my grandmother. We got embarrassed when the masturbation scene came on the screen. As we came out of the theatre my grandmother said Im Hindustan and I am ashamed of #Veere-DiWedding (sic). Not the one to take things lying down, Swara retorted, Looks like a certain IT cell sponsored the tickets, or definitely the tweets!!!! HT01 Washington: A new study has concluded that bacteria can sense amino acids and regulate their metabolism in response to the available nutrients. Researchers at the University of Leicester said that gathering knowledge about such bacteria could help in the development of drugs and antibiotics to combat a range of diseases, including tuberculosis. They have identified functions of a specific protein (Kinase G) that allow groups of bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis to detect amino acids in their surroundings, allowing the bacteria. This protein is found in a large and important group of bacteria that includes the causative agent of tuberculosis in humans, as well as bacteria important for food and antibiotic production. The research identified the types of nutrients that can be sensed (aspartate and glutamate) as well as the sensor protein that recognises the nutrients. This understanding of how bacteria detect and respond to amino acids in their local environment provides useful information to scientists in terms of understanding how bacteria function and how drugs could target specific proteins. "Serine threonine protein kinases are found in all organisms, from humans to bacteria, but they are less well understood in bacteria. The findings represent one of the first instances in bacteria where it has been possible to identify the stimuli that trigger signaling," said a lead researcher Helen O'Hare. "A bacterial pathogen can 'taste' the same amino acids that humans can. The sensor has a similar structure to human glutamate receptors but the way the information is transmitted into the bacterial cell is different and involves a different set of proteins, unlike signaling systems that have been studied previously," she added. The team was able to work out which proteins helped bacteria sense nutrients by deleting specific genes for signaling proteins from a bacterial genome. With the genes removed, they found that this disrupted the ability of the bacteria to sense nutrients, confirming the function of the genes. "Our findings have broader significance for other Actinobacterial pathogens, such as non-tuberculous Mycobacteria, as well as Actinobacteria used to produce billions of dollars of amino acids and antibiotics every year," O'Hare added. Financial support for the research was provided by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and the Medical Research Council. The study appears in the mBio journal. New Delhi: Turns out, uterine defects or the problems related to uterus affects the chances of a woman to conceive or carry the fetus to term. Mullerian Anomalies referred to as the defects associated with abnormal development of the uterus or the fallopian tube accounts to infertility in around 10% of the female trying to conceive. IVF expert, Dr Arvind Vaid explained that uterine anomalies, a condition where the structure and contour of the uterus differ from normal, is the main cause of infertility. He said, "Studies show that one in every 20 women seeking IVF treatment to conceive is affected by uterine anomalies. Though such uterine abnormalities are not directly linked to infertility many a times the condition is misunderstood until recurrent miscarriages occur. Timely intervention can help prevent miscarriages and help treat the condition to have a healthy course of pregnancy." Sometimes infertility is attributed to congenital anomalies where defects in the uterus start occurring during the fetal development (birth defects) of the uterus. The abnormalities can vary, ranging from the absence or even duplication of the uterus, cervix, and vagina. Agenesis, a condition where there is the absence of the vagina or uterus or both, is usually diagnosed during a missing menarche. The condition can be treated with surgery. Surrogacy may be the only way for women with agenesis to have a baby. Talking about menarche, Gynae surgeon and IVF expert, Dr Sowjanya Aggarwal said, "In most of the cases, there may not be any symptoms as such until menarche. If a uterine anomaly is associated with a rudimentary uterine horn with no outlet, menstrual outflow will be obstructed, resulting in very painful menses. If left untreated the blood gets accumulated inside the uterus and may become infectious leading to infertility, miscarriages, ectopic pregnancy and abnormal bleeding." A unicornuate uterus is a condition where there may be two ovaries but only one will be connected to the uterus due to the absence of one fallopian tube. The condition may pose a risk of miscarriage and preterm deliveries, possibilities of healthy conception increases with IVF treatment. Similar is the other condition known as the Bicornuate uterus with the presence of two uterine cavities. Sid Ouared claims that he is facing discrimination because of a hairstyle that is considered appropriate for women but not men (Photo: Pixabay) People across the world are breaking gender stereotypes when it comes to fashion and style. From experimenting with hairstyles to men wearing skirts, nothing seems out of bounds for people based on their gender. But there are also incidents that show how we have a long way to go and stories of people ready to hit back at regressive norms. A British Airways customer service worker has alleged that his bosses are sexist since they sacked him for sporting a man bun. The 26-year-old even said that one of them pulled him aside and told him that his hair is like a girls hair. He has accused them of terminating his contract after asking him to cut his hair since it breached uniform policy. They also advised him to put his hair in a turban or turn them into dreadlocks if he didnt want to cut his locks. Sid Ouared claims that he is facing discrimination because of a hairstyle that is considered appropriate for women but not men. Siddique, a Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) worker, was attacked by two motorcycle-borne men in Uppala -- 600 km from Thiruvananthapuram -- late on Sunday night. Kasargod (Kerala): A 25-year-old Communist Party of India (Marxist) worker was stabbed to death on Sunday in Kerala's Kasargod district allegedly by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers. The local police have identified the prime accused as Aswanth, a BJP worker. According to the police, Aboobacker Siddique - the victim - was stabbed in his stomach and chest, injuring his internal organs. Siddique, a Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) worker, was attacked by two motorcycle-borne men in Uppala -- 600 km from Thiruvananthapuram -- late on Sunday night. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but his life could not be saved, a police official said. Security in the area has been tightened to prevent any violence and a special police team constituted to investigate the case, the official added. Condemning the attack, the state secretary of the CPI (M), Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, alleged that the RSS-BJP were behind the murder. He added that the Kerala society should be able to isolate and identify communal forces in the state. Meanwhile, Kerala BJP president P S Sreedharan Pillai denied the charge and said the attack was not politically motivated. Further details in the case are currently awaited. UAEs Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) has partnered with the Statistical Centre of GCC for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC-Stat), as it prepares to host the second UN World Data Forum in the UAE on October22. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) took place at the Authoritys headquarters in Dubai, with Abdullah Nasser Lootah, FCSA director general and chairman of the Organising Committee of the UN World Data Forum 2018, and Saber bin Saeed Al Harbi, director general of GCC-Stat, as signatories. This MoU is a tangible result of the wise leaderships directives to build bridges of cooperation between the UAE and the GCC. The agreement outlines the framework of collaboration that will enhance the UAEs readiness to host the UN World Data Forum 2018, which seeks to achieve the United Nations2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda), not only in the UAE but also across the region and the world. The effort to bring together local and regional organisations to work together reflects our commitment to producing a premium platform for the forum one that befits such a prestigious global event, said Lootah. Al-Harbi explained that the agreement is a confirmation of GCC-Stats commitment to supporting initiatives and events related to statistics, in general, and the UN World Data Forum 2018, in particular. He described the MoU as one of the most important to facilitate a global platform for seamless Gulf-wide statistical work, and one that stands to benefit all related stakeholders in the region. Dr Fahad Bin Sulaiman Al Tekhaifi, president of the General Authority for Statistics (GaStat), asserted that the forum brings together leaders, decision makers and experts in the field of data science and statistics, as well as data producers and users from around the world. He reiterated that it represents an ideal opportunity to highlight the most important topics and introduce the latest technologies related to statistics in an interactive environment that endorses the exchange of information and ideas, as well as promotes innovative initiatives aimed at strengthening the capacity of participating states to harness data and statistical systems, and implement the 2030 SDGs globally. We are delighted to join hands with the UAE and to support it with the hosting of the UN World Data Forum 2018. This joint venture will help ensure the success of the2018 Forum an event that will enhance the position and stature of GCC statistics agencies globally, said Othman Abdullah Al-Othman, acting general director of the Central Statistics Bureau and Assistant Undersecretary for the Statistics Sector, Kuwait. The collation of accurate statistical data is a fundamental pillar for the development process, as it provides indicators that play a pivotal role in decision-making, planning and the preparation of economic, social and environmental policies. Strong and effective statistical systems are vital to generate the large amount of data that is required to plan effective policies that cover all aspects of community activity, he added. Through the UN World Data Forum, we look forward to addressing important issues, such as national capacity-building and financing, improving data collection, integrating non-traditional sources of data and reviewing the progress of the Cape Town Global Plan of Action for Sustainable Development Data, which was agreed upon at the first World Data Forum. By addressing challenges in global data collection and collation, we can examine the solutions that will enable us to meet the 2030Agenda, Al Othman concluded. The second edition of the UN World Data Forum 2018 will provide an opportunity to network with organisations, companies, institutions, universities and experts from all over the world, all the while promoting the 2030 Agenda. With global leaders in data and statistics attending, along with a large number of officials from government and business sectors, the forum is expected to receive wide media coverage from various local, regional and international media agencies. TradeArabia News Service The accused entered the victim's home and lured her by offering sweets. (Representational Image) Palghar (Maharashtra): A 19-year-old man allegedly raped a five-year-old girl residing in his neighbourhood in Maharashtra's Palghar district, a police official said on Monday. The accused has been arrested, he said. The incident occurred on Sunday when the girl's parents had gone to work at a farm, leaving the victim and their eight-month-old son at their home in Belghar village under Wada taluka. At that time, the accused entered the victim's home and lured her by offering sweets. He then took the girl to his sister's house located nearby and allegedly raped the minor there, an official at Wada police station said. The girl's parents learnt about the incident after returning home. They immediately filed a complaint with the Wada police following which the accused was arrested last night and booked under relevant IPC sections and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the official said. During the course of the investigation, it came to light that Tamilselvis 15-year-old nephew had allegedly murdered her. Chennai: In a shocking incident in the city, the police arrested a 15-year-old boy on Sunday, three days after his aunt was found dead in her house. It transpired that the boy had a crush on her eight-year-old daughter and the woman had reprimanded the boys intent and that infuriated him. According to the police, Tamilselvi, a resident of Vallalar Nagar in Aminjikarai and the wife of Shankara Subbu who runs a provision store in the locality, was found dead in her house on Thursday afternoon. When the latter went home for lunch, she was lying in a pool of blood with her wrist cut, according to the police. Based on Shankara Subbus complaint, the Aminjikarai police registered a case of suspicious death and were interrogating a few suspects. During the course of the investigation, it came to light that Tamilselvis 15-year-old nephew had allegedly murdered her. The boy, who is living in the same locality, used to visit his aunts house frequently and play with her son and eight-year-old daughter. Subsequently, the boy had developed a crush on the pre-tween girl and was allegedly trying to woo her, the police said. The boy is the son of Shankara Subbus sister. Knowing his intent, the concerned mother asked him to stay away from her daughter and it is said that she had once even beaten the boy for his behaviour. Infuriated by this, the boy developed a grudge against her and went to her house on Thursday while she was sleeping. He allegedly suffocated her with a Teddy Bear doll to death. He also cut her wrist to make sure his aunt died, before fleeing the house, the police said. Based on his reported confession, the Aminjikarai police arrested the boy on Sunday and sent him to borstal school. The man was arrested from Shahdara, police said. (Representational Image | ANI) New Delhi: A man allegedly shot at a 24-year-old woman in Delhi's Bharat Nagar area after she broke-up with him, police told on Sunday. The incident took place on Saturday night, following which the man was arrested, they said. They were in a relationship but the woman ended it. He attacked the victim at her relative's house, police said. The condition of the woman, who is a chartered accountant, is stable. The accused, who works with a jagran mandal, had been harassing the woman, they said. On Saturday, when he learnt that the woman was at her relative's house, he went there, and shot at her as soon as she opened the door, police said. Hearing the gunshots, the victim's relatives rushed to the spot and took her to a hospital, they said. The man was arrested from Shahdara, police said. Anissia had jumped to death from the terrace of her house in south Delhi's Panchsheel Park. (Facebook | Screengrab | Anissia Batra) New Delhi: People from various walks of life held a candle light vigil on Sunday at Parliament Street in memory of flight attendant Anissia Batra, who allegedly committed suicide last month. Anissia had jumped to death from the terrace of her house in south Delhi's Panchsheel Park. Read: Air hostess jumps off terrace in south Delhi, dies; family cries foul Her husband, Mayank Singhvi, was later arrested on charges of harassing her for dowry and abetting her to commit suicide. The case was recently transferred to Crime Branch from the district police. Also Read: Cant repair what Mayank has done: Delhi air hostess last WhatsApp to friend Over 500 people, including Anissia's family and friends, were part of the vigil organised to demand justice for her. Anissia's family, which has been demanding a fair probe into the alleged suicide, rued that the case was handed to the Crime Branch after a delay of 21 days. The extent of damage, which has already been caused, has scarred them for life, said the family members, adding they still hope for a fair probe. Anissia's family said they were planning to approach the Crime Branch on Monday to seek a speedy probe into the case. Deoria Police have arrested Girija Tripathi, the manager of the Vidhvansani Mahila and Balika Sanrakshan Griha and her husband Mohan after a raid by the local police late on Sunday. (Representational Image | AFP) Deoria (Uttar Pradesh): Eighteen girls are still missing from Uttar Pradeshs Deoria shelter home for women while 24 others have been rescued by authorities. The license for the home was cancelled in June last year, but the home remained open following a court stay order. The girls were rescued after a 10-year-old girl escaped the shelter home on Sunday night and revealed that after four o'clock in the evening, several people in black and white cars would come and take girls between ages of 15 to 18 from Madam and they would return late at night, crying. The minor also alleged they were being forced to engage in sexual activities and work as servants by the couple. Also Read: UP shelter home license cancelled after girls complain mistreatment, 24 rescued The girl suggested that other dubious activities were taking place in the shelter home. "The girl who escaped had been staying at the home for the last three years. She said they treated her like a servant. She also told us many girls were taken away in cars at night. They returned in the morning and cried through the day. Adoptions were also happening in an illegal manner here. We are looking into it and searching for the missing girls," Superintendent of Police Rohan P Kanay said. Investigations are underway, he added. After hearing the ordeal, the police raided the shelter and rescued the girls. Deoria Police have arrested Girija Tripathi, the manager of the Vidhvansani Mahila and Balika Sanrakshan Griha and her husband Mohan after a raid by the local police late on Sunday. During the raid, 18 of the total 42 women enrolled were found missing. We have arrested the women operator and her husband as they could not give any satisfactory answer, SP Rohan P Kanay said during a press conference late on Sunday. The girls have been sent for medical examination and their statement will be recorded before a magistrate, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Anand Kumar said. "The Women and Child Development Department is also coordinating. The inquiry will be done under proper legal procedure," he said. Uttar Pradesh Women and Child Welfare Minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi said a directive was issued to shift the inmates and shut the shelter home after the CBI inspection last year established that it was running illegally. She added that the order was not followed. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has sent a two-member high level committee to Deoria for the investigation. The delegation will be staying in Deoria today and will submit a report, following which action will be taken, Rita Bahuguna Joshi said. SP Rohan P Kanay said that trouble regarding the shelter home started way back when an order to close the institution was made and the organisations director misbehaved with the police team. After that incident, a girl came running from that same institution and this explains the state of things back at the shelter home, Kanay added. Till its license was cancelled in 2017, the privately run shelter in Deoria used to receive funds from the government. However, the couple continued to run the home even after their license was cancelled. When a team of police went to inspect the home last week, the duo misbehaved and turned them away. A First Information Report or an FIR was filed against them. The horrific incident comes to light amid massive outrage over the sexual abuse of girls at a state-funded shelter in Bihar's Muzaffarpur. Over 30 girls, one as young as seven years, put up at the shelter were sedated, tortured and raped allegedly by the man made in charge by the government. Allegations have also been made against the husband of a minister in Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's government. The opposition parties have lashed out at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh and demanded a CBI probe into the case and strict action against the accused. Deoria's district magistrate Sujeet Kumar has been removed from his post. Devasagayams rival in the ganja business, Nirmal, who was waiting at the bus stop, confronted her and tried to snatch the bag containing 60kg of ganja. Chennai: In a cinematic turn of events in the city, a 23-year-old woman ganja smuggler, who took refuge at a police station while fleeing from a rival, was let off by the police and later arrested in another police station, on Sunday. The woman, identified as Renuka (23) of Chikkala in Andhra Pradesh, is the wife of Devasagayam, a notorious ganja smuggler of Chetpet. On Sunday morning at around 8.30 am, Renuka alighted from a private bus at Sholinganallur from Visakhapatnam with a man. She had befriended the man during the journey and he tagged himself with the woman after she promised him accommodation, a source said. Devasagayams rival in the ganja business, Nirmal, who was waiting at the bus stop, confronted her and tried to snatch the bag containing 60kg of ganja. She, along with the new-found friend entered Semmenchery police station seeking refuge from the Nirmal. But Nirmal called the police control room informing the presence of the woman with ganja at the police station. The police reportedly checked one of her bags and luckily for her, found nothing, the source said. Trusting Renukas claims in Telugu saying that she was from Andhra Pradesh and she got down at Sholinganallur instead of Porur, the police let her go with her baggage. She reached Porur at around 1 pm and again confronted by Nirmal, who was trailing her all along. Again he tried to snatch the baggage. As she shouted for help, passers-by gathered to help her. Terrified by the attention they educed, Nirmal and gang fled the spot before silting Renukas chin with a blade, the source said. Porur police who rushed to the spot on information and handed her over to Valasaravakkam police as the incident occurred under their jurisdiction. Renuka was admitted to a nearby private hospital and got seven stitches. After she gained consciousness, the police opened her baggage and found about 60 kg of ganja hidden inside. The contraband was seized and Renuka was arrested. However, the police let off her newfound friend after interrogation. A search has been launched to nab Nirmal and gang. Efforts were made to trace and apprehend Ramulu and he was arrested on Monday. (Image DC) Hyderabad: The Gopalapuram police have found a womans bag that went missing with Rs 30 lakh, and arrested a GHMC worker on Monday. The accused, Kalvakol Ramulu, 48, was apprehended by the crime staff of Gopalapuram police at RTC crossroads, police said, adding that he hid the money at home and had kept aside some of it for his wifes medication and his sons bike. Bhagavathula Mohini, a resident of New Nallakunta, complained on August 1, stating that her bag containing Rs 30 lakh went missing from a running autorickshaw, said DCP North Zone, B. Sumathi. Upon receiving the complaint, the Gopalapuram crime team zeroed in on the autorickshaw and the driver was summoned to the police station, said the official. The autorickshaw driver was ruled out as the accused, as the bag had fallen off the auto. The crime team looked at CCTV footages and searched 42 cameras. Footage of the auto was found in 22 cameras. They then saw the footage of the bag falling off the auto near Bawarchi hotel in RTC crossroads and observed a GHMC worker picking it up, the official added. GHMC supervisor Srinivas was called in and the worker was identified as Ramulu, a contract employee. Efforts were made to trace and apprehend Ramulu and he was arrested on Monday. During interrogation, he confessed to picking up the bag and Rs 5 lakh was recovered from the nearby dumping yard. The team then proceeded to Gangaram and recovered Rs 23,40,300 from his house. He also confessed that he had given Rs 59,700 to his son K. Srisailam for buying a two-wheeler and Rs 1 lakh for his wifes medical expenses, concluded the official. The police added that, while checking the car, the team had found nearly 1.5 ft panchaloha Amman idol with mangalsutra weighing 20 kg. Chennai: Amid fracas regarding the governments order of transferring the idol theft cases to CBI, the idol theft wing police team led by IG Pon. Manickavel chased a car in auto-rickshaws and recovered a stolen panchaloha Amman idol and arrested four persons in Chennai on Monday evening. The arrested were identified as Gopi, Ganesh, Yuvanathan and Sakthivel. Based on a tip-off from one of the accused lodged in Puzhal central prison, IG Pon. Manickavel and his team hired three auto-rickshaws and waited for the suspects on Arcot Road in Karambakkam near Porur. When the police tried to stop a car, the car did not stop and sped past the police team. The team chased the car and stopped it near a nationalized bank in the locality, the police said. The police added that, while checking the car, the team had found nearly 1.5 ft panchaloha Amman idol with mangalsutra weighing 20 kg. The mangalsutra suggest that the idol was worshipped and perpetrators would have stolen the idol from a temple in Tiruvallur district the idol wing team said. The arrested persons were taking the stolen idol to sell it for Rs 50 lakh. 'The gunbattle took place on Monday morning in a forest area in south Sukma, around 500 km from Raipur.' (Representational Image) Raipur: At least 14 Naxals were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Monday, police said. The gunbattle took place on Monday morning in a forest area in south Sukma, around 500 km from Raipur, Deputy Inspector General (anti-Naxal operations) Sundarraj P told news agency PTI. So far, bodies of 14 Naxals have been recovered from the encounter site, he said. Several firearms were also seized from the spot, he added. Further details were awaited as the search operation is still underway. Advisian, a global consulting unit of WorleyParsons, has been selected as the owners engineer on a 700 MW concentrating solar power project in Dubai. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) awarded the 700 MW concentrating solar power (CSP) fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai to a consortium formed by Acwa Power and Shanghai Electric. The consortium together with Dewa have formed the Noor Energy 1 entity to design, build and operate what will be the largest CSP project in the world. Noor Energy 1 has appointed Advisian as the project owners engineer. Advisian will provide a review of the basic and detailed engineering; will help manage technology risk and provide technical support as required for the factory acceptance tests and during the construction and commissioning of the plant. Advisian will deliver the project using the specialised CSP technology team based in the Renewable Energy Center of Excellence in Madrid, Spain, with support from Shanghai-based engineers, to interface with the power block design, and will draw on the Dubai office for site supervisory support, said the company. Our recent work in the renewable energy sector, in solar, floating offshore wind, microgrids and green hydrogen is directly aligned to our organisational strategy. This partnership between Noor Energy and Advisian further demonstrates our shared organisational commitment to paving the way forward for the renewable energy sector, said Tony Frencham, group managing director of power, WorleyParsons. Were indeed proud of our cooperation and integration of the Advisian CSP Center of Excellence with our project company team for the design and engineering of the worlds largest CSP Project, said Abdulhameed AlMuhaidib, executive managing director of Noor Energy 1. Were confident that such partnership will be the key to overcoming the most important milestone of the project and successful delivery of the 4th Phase of Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park on time. - TradeArabia News Service Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also ordered adequate security in all shelter homes in Bihar, including those for women. (Photo: Twitter | ANI) Patna: After horrific tales of rape and abuse emerged from several Bihars shelter homes for girls and boys, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday ordered a thorough inspection of all state shelter homes. Kumar also ordered adequate security in all shelter homes in Bihar, including those for women. Nitish Kumar said the horrific rapes of young girls 34 of the 44 in the Muzaffarpur shelter home alone should be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He said the High Court should monitor this investigation. Read: 'Shameful', a 'sin': Nitish Kumar breaks silence on Bihar shelter home rapes Kumar also said allegations that Bihar minister Manju Vermas husband frequently visited the Muzaffarpur home would be probed. If someone related to the minister is involved, they won't be spared. But why is this issue being raised now? We had called her and she denied any involvement. How is it justified to level baseless allegations? he asked. The Bihar Chief Minister also said the social audit by the Tata Institution of Social Sciences (TISS), which exposed these rapes, was ordered by the state. Also Read: CBI takes over investigation, books staff in Bihar shelter home rapes No one will be spared, he said. The Supreme Court last week took cognisance of the Muzaffarpur rapes after a Patna resident detailed the incident in a letter to the top court. The apex court said it was extremely disturbed by the letters contents and asked, Is this the way we are treating our girls? Also Read: Cant compel to relive trauma: SC bans morphed images of Bihar shelter rape victims The top court also issued notices to the state government and the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development. Also Read: Sedated, woke up naked with pain in private parts: Bihar shelter home rape survivors The Bill replaces the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance promulgated on April 21, following an outcry over the rape and murder of a minor girl in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir and the rape of another woman at Unnao in Uttar Pradesh. (Representational Image | AFP) New Delhi: Parliament on Monday passed a stringent legislation prescribing death penalty to those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years and making the law against such sexual offences harsher. The Bill replaces the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance promulgated on April 21, following an outcry over the rape and murder of a minor girl in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir and the rape of another woman at Unnao in Uttar Pradesh. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2018, which was passed in the Lok Sabha on July 30, was approved by a voice vote in the Upper House. While replying to a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju assured the House that the concerns and issues raised by the members would be looked into by the government, even as he did not agree with the demand of several MPs to send the bill to a Select Committee for scrutiny. Terming the bill as one of national importance, Rijiju said the law is aimed at providing safety to girls as he highlighted various aspects of the measure. He said the government brought the bill, as in the last few months, several heart-rending incidents of rape of under-aged girls have taken place in the country. Rijiju said four states had already brought a law in their respective assemblies for capital punishment those who commit rape against the girl child who are under the age of 12. The states are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh. "We have introduced certain changes in the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Court Procedure, Evidence Act and there are consequential effects on prevention of atrocities against children," the minister said. The bill stipulates stringent punishment for perpetrators of rape, particularly of girls below 12 years. Death sentence has been provided for rapists of girls under 12 years. The minimum punishment in cases of rape of women has been increased from rigorous imprisonment of seven years to 10 years. According to the bill, in case of rape of a girl under 16 years, the minimum punishment has been increased from 10 to 20 years, extendable to imprisonment for rest of life, which means jail term till the convict's "natural life". Stringent punishment for rape of a girl under 12 years has been provided with the minimum jail term being 20 years which may go up to life in prison or death sentence. Gangrape of a girl under 12 years of age will invite punishment of jail term for the rest of life or death. The measure also provides for speedy investigations and trial. The time limit for investigation of all cases of rape has been prescribed, which has to be mandatory completed within two months. The deadline for the completion of trial in all rape cases will be two months. A six-month time limit for the disposal of appeals in rape cases has also been prescribed, the bill says, adding that there will also be no provision for anticipatory bail for a person accused of rape or gangrape of a girl under 16 years. Participating in the debate, several members made a case for sending the bill for scrutiny to Select Committee, saying there were several shortcomings in it. Some members argued that the provision of death penalty could affect reporting of cases of sexual assault as in many cases the accused happened to be relatives or known persons. There was also an opinion that the provision of death penalty could endanger the life of the victim. Many members suggested that the government change the term 'woman' in the bill appropriately and make it gender-neutral as such crimes do happen with boys as well. Sukhendu Sekhar Ray (TMC) wondered why there are different punishments according to the age of the victim. He also expressed concern over the large pendency of cases in courts in the country. Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD) expressed concern that provision of death penalty may endanger victim's life, while Kahkashan Perween (JD-U) suggested that like in Bihar, there should be women police stations in all states. Chhaya Verma of Congress said the punishment should be the same for those convicted for rape, irrespective of the gender of the child victim. Ravi Prakash Verma (SP) said the bill should be sent to a select committee as it took care only of girls and not boys. Citing a survey, he added that the cases of sexual violence were more against boys. Rajeev Gowda (Congress) also asked the government to refer it to a select committee. Congress president Rahul Gandhi praised Union minister Nitin Gadkari in a tweet on Monday but the compliment was nothing more than sarcasm directed at the government. (Photo: File | ANI) New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi praised Union minister Nitin Gadkari in a tweet on Monday but the compliment was nothing more than sarcasm directed at the government. The tweet was posted with a news report that quoted Nitin Gadkari as saying, to questions on the Maratha agitation for job quota: "Where are the jobs?" Rahul Gandhi tweeted: "Excellent question, Gadkariji". Excellent question Gadkari Ji. Every Indian is asking the same question.#WhereAreTheJobs?https://t.co/2wfhDxuA10 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 6, 2018 The Congress party also put out a tweet with the same hastag, #WhereAreTheJobs? We applaud Nitin Gadkari for being the first BJP Minister to speak the truth and courageously raise the question that we and the people of India have been asking, #WhereAreTheJobs?https://t.co/DC98xujWcd Congress (@INCIndia) August 6, 2018 Union Road Transport and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday had made the comments in Maharashtra, where the Maratha groups are protesting for quota in jobs and education since last week. Train services were disrupted and traffic in most parts of the state came to a standstill during the agitation. Seven people have also committed suicide during the agitation. Nitin Gadkari's point -- reservations would not guarantee employment as jobs are shrinking and there is a freeze on government hiring. Also Read: There are no jobs: Nitin Gadkari on demands for reservation "Let us assume the reservation is given. But there are no jobs. Because in banks, the jobs have shrunk because of IT (information technology). The government recruitment is frozen. Where are the jobs?" Nitin Gadkari asked, responding to reporters' questions. The Union minister also criticised the quota protest saying "backwardness is becoming political interest. Everyone says I am backward. In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Brahmins are strong. They dominate politics, (and) they say they are backward." In a tweet, Nitin Gadkari also clarified that the government was not planning to change the criteria for reservation from "castes to economic conditions". Indian Star Tortoises seized by DRI officials from three smugglers on their way to Bangladesh. Hyderabad: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) sleuths have on Sunday caught three persons at Vizag Railway Station, while they were smuggling Indian Star Tortoises in five bags. According to officials, the trio was travelling in the Yashvantapur Howrah Express from Vijayawada to Howrah when the sleuths searched their baggage after a tip-off. The forest officials confirmed that the tortoises seized were Indian Star Tortoises (zoological name Geochelone elegans). The three persons admitted that the 1,125 Indian Star Tortoises found in their possession were collected by people from Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh and handed over to them at Chelur, near Balegowdanahalli village, Karnataka. They were asked to take the tortoises to Howrah and hand them over to a person for export to Bangladesh, the DRI officials maintained. The Indian Star Tortoises are protected under CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and have been declared vulnerable by IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature. They are also listed in Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and prohibited for export under Foreign Trade Policy. Those found violating this order are liable to face action and have the tortoises seized under the Customs Act 1962, officials said. The officers seized the tortoises and handed them over to the Forest Range Officer, Vizag for safe custody. The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill 2018 rules out any provision for anticipatory bail for a person accused of atrocities against SC/STs, notwithstanding any court order. (Photo: File | PTI) New Delhi: A bill to overturn a Supreme Court order concerning certain safeguards against arrest under the SC/ST law was unanimously passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday. The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill 2018 rules out any provision for anticipatory bail for a person accused of atrocities against SC/STs, notwithstanding any court order. It also provides that no preliminary enquiry will be required for registering a criminal case and an arrest under this law would not be subject to any approval. Replying to the debate on the bill, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot asserted that the NDA government favoured reservation "and will continue to be in favour reservation for SC/ST". The amendment, he said, will strengthen the legislative provisions to protect SC/ST. The move to amend the Bill is being seen by the Opposition as a reach-out by the BJP-led NDA government to Dalits, ahead of their proposed nationwide protest later this month to demand restoration of the provisions of the law which, the Dalit groups allege, were diluted by a Supreme Court ruling of March 20. These groups have been asking the government to overturn a Supreme Court ruling of March 20, saying it had "diluted" and rendered "toothless" the law against atrocities faced by the weakest sections of the society by putting additional safeguards against the arrest of the accused. Gehlot said after the Supreme Court put some restrictions on Article 18 of this Act, the law lost its importance. "The review petition filed by the government is still pending. Due to delay in the Supreme Court and rising anger among the Dalit community, there was a need to amend Article 18," the Minister said. He accepted that 6-7 per cent cases under the Indian Penal Code and 10-12 per cent cases under Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were misused. "But citing the misuse of the Act, we can't allow 88 per cent of Dalits to suffer," Gehlot asserted. Participating in the debate, leader of Congress in the House Mallikarjun Kharge said the government should have brought this bill as an Ordinance much earlier. "In recent times, the government has brought as many six ordinances, they could have brought the 7th Ordinance as well. If there was no public pressure, then the government would not have brought this bill," Kharge insisted. The Congress leader urged the government to include the SC/ST Act in the ninth schedule of the Constitution so that it goes out of the jurisdiction of the courts. Kharge also urged the government to withdraw cases against those people who had protested against Supreme Court judgement on April 20. Citing National Crime Record Bureau data, he said in the last four years, there was a 40 per cent increase in atrocities against Dalits. "Every minute a Dalit suffers atrocities. In every week, 11 Dalit gets killed, but unfortunately the conviction rate is too low," he said. Taking a jibe at the government, Kharge said, "There are 24 lakh vacancies in government jobs. So it should first fill all vacant posts." He also alleged that people associated with the BJP were involved in lynching incidents against Dalits and Muslims. P Ravindra Babu (TDP) said the government was not sincere about the concerns of Dalits, else it should have promulgated an ordinance to restore the provisions of the Act following the Supreme Court judgement. Questioning its intent, he said the government had promulgated six ordinances but "waited" for the Monsoon Session to bring the amendment. Besides, he said, the government rewarded the judge by making him chairperson of an important Tribunal. Balka Suman (TRS) said if this government had any sympathy for the Dalits, the legislation should be included in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution. He also demanded the reservation in the higher judiciary. Jitendra Choudhary (CPI-M) also pressed for inclusion of this legislation in the 9th Schedule, while Upendra Kushwaha (RLSP) said the legislation has once again proved the supremacy of Parliament. He too sought reservation in higher judiciary and removal of 50 per cent cap on the reservation. Tariq Anwar (NCP) also supported the amendment. Demanding setting up of All India Judicial Services, several members stressed the need for to providing space for SC/ST and Dalit community in the country's judiciary. Chirag Paswan (LJSP) said that Indian judicial services were need of the hour and the government should take it seriously. "There is a need to appoint judges based on competition," he said adding the government should put this law in the ninth schedule of the Constitution. Union Minister Anupriya Patel too said that representation of SC/ST and backward community was very low in judiciary and "till the time we would address this issue, such judgements would haunt us". She also urged the government to set up All India Judicial Services, observing that "we were not able to provide a level playing field and respect to this community". She also said that atrocities against this community has increased over the years. H S Khalsa (AAP) said "we did not provide a system where there could be a meritocracy in judiciary", while Bhagirath Prasad (BJP) demanded setting up of judicial service. Supporting the bill, J P N Yadav (RJD) said that the government brought this bill because of public pressure. He also demanded caste-based census. "This government is not for Make in India, but they are Back in India," he added. Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) this was the "Shahbano moment" and sought to know if the government would call it appeasement of Dalits. He also demanded that Muslims be included in the SC/SC Act. K Suresh (Cong) said the NDA government has rewarded one of the two Supreme Court judges who delivered the controversial judgement in the matter. Among others who participated in the discussion include E T Mohammed Basheer (IUML), Rattan Lal Kataria (BJP), Kaushlendra Kumar (JD-U), Virender Kashyap (BJP), Dushyant Chautala (INLD), Kirit Solanki (BJP), P S Chandumajra (SAD). NIA has maintained that it had received input about Rahaman travelling to India, but officials in the know of development said it was an example of cooperation between security agencies of 2 countries. (Representational Image | AFP) New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Habibur Rahaman, an alleged handler of hardened Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem, after he was deported from Saudi Arabia, officials said on Monday. Rahaman was arrested by the NIA on his arrival from Saudi Arabia, they said. Officially, the NIA has maintained that it had received an input about Rahaman travelling to India, but officials in the know of the development said it was an example of cooperation between security agencies of the two countries. Rahaman is an alleged handler of LeT terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem alias Nomi, who was arrested in 2007 while trying to help two Pakistani and one Kashmiri terrorist infiltrate into India through Bangladesh. Naeem ditched the police and escaped from custody while he was being taken for court attendance to Maharashtra from Kolkata in August 2014. The escape from custody emboldened Naeem, who kept playing cat and mouse games with agencies for about three years during which he continued with his nefarious activities on the directions of his handlers based in Pakistan and in Saudi Arabia, the NIA said. "A well-established conspiracy was hatched between the accused for targeting vulnerable locations in India with the intent of causing maximum damage. Naeem was tasked to identify locations where terrorist attacks could be carried out," an NIA spokesperson said. In order to execute the conspiracy, the official said, Naeem assumed different fake identities and visited different states including Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, and did reconnaissance of possible targets for terrorist attacks. "Habibur Rahaman, who is affiliated to proscribed terrorist organisation LeT, arranged shelter/hideouts and funds for Naeem on different occasions for carrying out terrorist activities in India on the directions of the LeT commander Amjad alias Rehan who is based in Pakistan," he said. The spokesperson said Naeem was arrested by NIA in November 2017 and has been since charge sheeted along with 10 other co-accused including Habibur Rehman by the NIA. "Accused Habibur Rahaman is being produced today in Patiala House Courts, New Delhi to seek NIA custody for his interrogation," he said. The Supreme Court after taking on record the status report filed by the state government observed that this was not a fit case for grant of anticipatory bail. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of two priests of Malankara Orthodox Church, who were alleged to have blackmailed and sexually assaulted a married woman in Kerala. Dismissing the applications, a bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan directed Father Sony Varghese, the main accused in the case, and Father Jaise K George to surrender before the trial court by August 13 and then seek regular bail. The court during the course of hearing of the applications had granted them protection from arrest but on Monday it asked them to surrender. The four priests Abraham Varghese (A1), Job Mathew (A2), Dr Johnson Mathew (A3) and Jaise K George (A4) belonging to the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church were booked by the state crime branch for allegedly raping and molesting the woman devotee. Father Johnson Mathew and Father Job Mathew are already on bail. The bench after taking on record the status report filed by the state government observed that this was not a fit case for grant of anticipatory bail. On behalf of the two priests, it was submitted that it was consensual sex and there was no rape. But the Kerala police contended that it was rape and opposed grant of anticipatory bail when the probe has not been completed. The bench asked the two priests to cooperate with the probe and surrender their mobile phones as well. The bench however made it clear that after they surrender and file regular bail petitions, the trial court shall consider them on the same date. In the FIR, the four priests of the Malankara Orthodox Church have been accused of blackmailing and sexually abusing a married woman for a decade. The womans husband, who came to know about the crime in February this year, filed a complaint against the priests before the Crime Branch, which is investigating the case. In the complaint, Father Abraham Varghese has been accused of sexually abusing the woman since she was 16. The woman, in her statement to the Crime Branch, had said that she was in a relationship with him in 1999. At that time, she was 16 years old. He went on to become a priest but forced her to continue the relationship, even though they were married to separate individuals. The SOS Village is providing counseling support to the three girls. (Representational Image) Guwahati: The Assam police arrested a senior official of SOS Childrens Village here on charges of molesting three minor girls who are among 140 children living in the shelter home. Police said that the assistant director of SOS Childrens Village, Guwahati, Loon Vaiphai (44), allegedly assaulted the three minor girls when he was in a car with them on July 22. The children had also complained to the authorities who are running the shelter home against Vaiphai, from Manipur, police said adding that the incident came to light on August 1, when the girls narrated their ordeal to members of Rotaract Club, which was organizing a six-day leadership camp at the village. The members reached out to a local journalist, who then approached child rights activist Miguel Das Queah. Miguel, also the founder of child rights organisation Utsah, filed an FIR at the Azara police station, following which the police lodged a case against Vaiphai. Azara police station officer-in-charge Ashok Dutta said that Vaiphai has been charged under Section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (aggravated sexual assault). The village at Azara was set up under the international organization, SOS Childrens Villages International, in 1988. The SOS Villages organisation claims that its aim is to protect and care for children who have lost parental care, or stand to lose it. Meanwhile, SOS Village authorities in a statement on Monday said that the Assistant Village Director of SOS Childrens Village Guwahati has been suspended by SOS Childrens Villages of India on August 3, 2018, for his alleged misconduct against three minor girls (aged 12 to 13) from the Village. The matter is being internally assessed. Pointing out that following standard procedures, the three girls were taken away from the Village by the authorities on August 2, the authorities said that they (victims) appeared before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Kamrup (Metro) on August 3 to record their statements. By the order of the Judicial Magistrate, the girls were sent back to their SOS families the same evening, as the girls had requested. The Village is providing counseling support to the three girls. The press statement claimed that the SOS Childrens Villages of India has a zero-tolerance policy against any kind of abuse or misconduct against children under its care. Its first and foremost concern is the safety and wellbeing of the children. It also deeply regrets that such an act has allegedly been perpetrated by an employee. SOS India is extending every possible support and cooperation to the authorities on this matter so that justice is delivered. SOS Childrens Villages International, the umbrella organization of which SOS Childrens Villages India is a member, is also closely monitoring the situation through its Regional Office for Asia, the statement sent on e-mail said. It was cleared by the Lok Sabha on August 2 superseding the amendments earlier carried out by the Rajya Sabha. (Photo: File) New Delhi: A key bill to provide constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) secured Parliament's approval on Monday with the Rajya Sabha passing the measure that will give the panel full powers to safeguard the rights and interests of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill 2017 was passed after a spirited debate during which several members urged the Centre to make public the findings of the caste census and implement reservation accordingly. It was cleared by the Lok Sabha on August 2 superseding the amendments earlier carried out by the Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah termed as "historic" the passage of the bill. "A historic moment for our country! I am glad that Parliament has passed the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, which grants Constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes. This will contribute to the empowerment of the OBC communities across India," Modi tweeted. Shah said the bill fulfilled a long pending demand of the OBCs. "It is a historic legislation that underlines the Modi government's commitment to bring the backward sections to the front row of the country's development," Shah told reporters. The bill was passed after the Upper House repealed the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. The NCBC, a statutory body created in 1993, was given limited powers only to recommend to the government inclusion or exclusion of a community in the central list of OBCs. Also, the power to hear complaints of the OBCs and protect their interests remained with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. The Rajya Sabha adopted the bill along with the amendments made by the Lok Sabha, by 156 votes to nil. Over two-thirds majority of those present voted in favour of the bill, which is a necessity for amending the Constitution. It earlier passed the measure on July 31, 2017 along with an amendment and sent it to the Lower House. The Lok Sabha approved the bill last week with alternative amendments as well as some more changes unanimously with over two-thirds majority. Replying to the debate, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawarchand Gehlot said the bill would help the backward classes people fight atrocities against them and ensure quick justice to them. "This bill would provide justice to the OBC people, it is the need of the hour," he added. The bill seeks to bring the NCBC on par with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. In his reply, Gehlot also assured members that the legislation would not encroach upon the rights of state governments as they would have their own backward class commissions. "This commission has no relation with the state governments but is related to the Centre only." He said the state governments had their own lists of castes of OBC people, while the Centre had its own. The NCBC would recommend only to the central government regarding inclusion or deletion of a particular caste in the list. "This is an important issue. There was a demand for a constitutional status to the OBC Commission from the 1980s and Parliament had held discussions several times. It has been discussed by the Standing Committee," Gehlot said, urging the members to pass the bill expeditiously. He said once the bill is passed by Parliament, the government would immediately form the Commission. Participating in the debate, Bhupender Yadav (BJP) urged political parties to shun "vote bank politics" and support these measures. He said the Bill is long overdue and lamented that many states have not implemented 27 per cent reservation to the OBCs, adding that parties should "rise above vote bank politics and work towards social justice". Chaya Verma (Cong) sought reservation in Parliament and Assemblies for the OBCs. Narendra Jadhav (Nominated) demanded that the findings of the socio-economic caste census be made public. He said the Rohini Commission report and the census data should be compared to prepare fresh data of the OBCs. Ram Kumar Kashyap (INLD) said there should be a bill for reservation in legislature for the OBCs. Ashok Sidharth (BSP) alleged that the motive behind the government to bring the Bill now was to woo the electorate in the upcoming assembly elections. Assembly polls are due in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD) hoped the bill will create a level-playing field, while B Prakash (TRS) said no serious efforts were being made for a caste-based census. T K Rangarajan (CPI-M) said mere Acts will not do as they did not percolate down to the grassroot level, as recent data showed that only 7 out of 100 teachers in the Central Universities belonged to SC/ST and OBC categories. Sambhaji Chhatrapati (Nominated) demanded that Marathas be included in the OBC list to get equal opportunity in jobs. Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) said the government should come out with the caste-based census and implement the reservations accordingly. He demanded that the reservation be also extended to the judiciary. With Nooyi's departure, the rest of PepsiCo's senior leadership team will remain unchanged, the company said. (Photo: File) Mumbai: After serving PepsiCo Inc for 12 years as the chief executive officer (CEO), Indra Nooyi would step down from the post in October. PepsiCo President Ramon Laguarta will replace Nooyi, the company said in a statement. Laguarta was elected by the board of directors to succeed Nooyi. 62-year-old Indra Nooyi will step down on October 3, 2018 after 24 years with the company. She will remain as chairman until early 2019. "Growing up in India, I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary company. Guided by our philosophy of Performance with Purpose - delivering sustained performance while making more nutritious products, limiting our environmental footprint and lifting up all the communities we serve - we've made a more meaningful impact in people's lives than I ever dreamed possible," Nooyi said in a statement. "PepsiCo today is in a strong position for continued growth with its brightest days still ahead," Nooyi added. With Nooyi's departure, the rest of PepsiCo's senior leadership team will remain unchanged, the company said. UAE conglomerate Al Habtoor Group is looking to tap into Saudi Arabia's lucrative hospitality sector, a report said. Mohammed Al-Habtoor, chief executive and vice chairman of the family-owned conglomerate, said he will be going on a "fact-finding mission" to the kingdom soon and is already in talks with potential business partners, a report in Arab News said. Hotels and leisure developments are a major element of the economic transformation of Saudi Arabia, which is seeking to diversify away from oil dependency. Projects such as Neom, the Red Sea Resort and Al-Qiddiya present big business opportunities for leisure companies as the kingdom aims to keep more tourist riyals in the country, rather than being spent abroad, the report said. Supreme Court adjourned hearing petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A which empowers Jammu and Kashmir that guarantees special privileges to the residents of the state. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned hearing on pleas challenging Constitutional validity of Article 35A pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir. "Petitions on Article 35A will now be heard in week commencing August 27," Chief Justice Dipak Misra said. CJI Dipak Misra said the crucial hearing on Article 35A was adjourned as Justice DY Chandrachud, one of three judges in bench, was not present. CJI Misra said that Article 35A has been in vogue for more than 60 years. "An argument about strike by lawyers can't now be a ground to speed up the case," he added. CJI Misra observed that the apex court has to consider whether Article 35A goes against the basic structure of the Constitution. Article 35A, which was incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and denies property rights to a woman who marries a person from outside the state. The provision, which leads to such women from the state forfeiting their rights over property, also applies to their heirs. "Once you have challenged the constitutional validity of Article 35-A, it has to go before a Constitution bench. A three-judge bench will determine it. A three-judge bench has been dealing with it," the CJI said. "A three-judge bench will consider whether it has to go before a Constitution bench," he added. The Jammu and Kashmir government had on August 3 moved the Supreme Court seeking adjournment of today's hearing on petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A, citing the upcoming local body elections. During the hearing on Monday, the counsel appearing for the petitioners challenging the validity of Article 35A opposed the move by the Jammu and Kashmir government seeking adjournment of the matter. Several interlocutory petitions have been filed in support of Article 35A by various individuals and civil society groups seeking continuance of the special status to Jammu and Kashmir. "Protecting #Article35A is a tacit acceptance that J&Ks future lies within the Constitution of India otherwise how would it matter if it were struck down or diluted?" tweeted former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah. (With inputs from PTI) Hyderabad: Ahead of National handloom day on August 7, minister of handlooms and textiles K.T. Rama Rao urged citizens to look at the Telangana State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Societys (TSCO) website tsco.co.in. In a tweet on Sunday, Mr Rama Rao urged, As we approach the National Handloom Day on August 7, request you all to support the Handloom weavers or artists. (sic). He called upon citizens to Tweet their pictures wearing Handloom with a hash tag #WearHandloom. Mr Rama Rao has been campaigning relentlessly for handlooms and religiously adorns handloom shirt on every Monday. It may be mentioned here that TSCO runs 46 showrooms in the state and the refurbished website is expected to have additional features which is expected to be showcased on Tuesday. With an objective to emphasise the contributions of handloom and increase the income of the weavers, this years celebrations are expected to be on a large scale. Hyderabad: Chief Minister Mr K Chandrasekhar Rao is likely to skip the flagging off tradition of a convoy of Haj pilgrims. As a practice, a Chief Minister visits the Haj House at Nampally and flags of a convoy of pilgrims bound for Saudi Arabia. According to the sources, Mr Rao is in Delhi to meet important leaders, including the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi on pending issues of the State. Similarly, he will be meeting other leaders and is likely to camp for a couple of days there. On return, he will be busy with some other assignments, it is learnt. Since the CM has come to power, he has visited the Haj House twice to send off the pilgrims. Sources said that the KCR is not visiting the Haj House as he feels that heavy security arrangements have to be made for him which could inconvenience Haj pilgrims and their families. Tiruchy: Tamil Nadu has been maintaining its first position in arrivals of domestic tourists in the last five years, while it regained its top slot in arrival of foreign tourists in the last four years, said Tourism minister Vellamandi Natarajan. The minister was speaking to reporters here on Sunday after going through the state-of-art police control room set up in Tiruchy at a cost of one crore. His cabinet colleague, Mrs. Valarmathi, and district collector, K Rajamani were among those present on the occasion. He said the State will approach the Union Government for availing adequate funds under Prashad scheme to develop more facilities and boost tourism at Mukkombu (Upper Anicut) and Grand Anicut in Thanjavur district. The Centre had already given financial assistance under Prashad scheme for kancheepuram and Nagapattinam (Velankanni), he said. To a question, Mr. Natarajan said after consulting the Forest Minister road and other infrastructural facilities will be added at the butterfly park at Srirangam-Tiruchy. Mr. K. Rajamani said the administration has sent a proposal to the government for widening the Tiruchy-Karur National highway between Tiruchy city and Thiruparaithurai at an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore, including a new bridge across Kudamurutti river at a cost of Rs 10 crore. City police commissioner, Mr. A. Amalraj explained the salient features of the modernised control room to the ministers and others present. Bhopal: In a pre-dawn swoop, security forces on Monday raided a Maoist camp in Gumma forest in Chhattisgarhs south Bastar district of Sukma, killing 15 ultras. This was the biggest blow suffered by ultras in the three-decade-long Left-wing insurgency history of Bastar, a sprawling region of 40,000 sq km, in south Chhattisgarh. An area commander of the outfit was arrested during the encounter that took place near Tolkatong village early on Monday morning. This was the most successful counterinsurgency operation carried out in Bastar so far, special director general of police (Naxal operation) DM Awasthi said. This is a second setback suffered by Maoists in Bastar region in last fortnight. On July 19, eight ultras were gunned down in an encounter with security forces in south Bastar district of Dantewada. Chennai: In the wake of revaluation scam that rocked the university and state, the university has decided to keep all answer scripts for a minimum period of one year. It further instructed examination officials to give strict instruction to students to strike down unwritten answer scripts to prevent malpractices in the examination. As of now, the university is disposing of answer scripts of previous semester exams during the start of next semester exams due to lack of space. But, they have to keep the disputed answer scripts (scripts which were sought revaluation) for a long time as per the rules. We have decided to keep all the answer scripts for a minimum period of one year. It will soon be placed before our syndicate committee for approval, sources in the university said. The university officials are trying to find space for storing the answer scripts. Around 12 lakh candidates appearing for each semester exams and over 70 lakh answer scripts have to be kept for each semester. The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has registered a case against former controller of examinations G.V. Uma and nine others for allegedly taking the bribe to boost the students marks during the revaluation. In the FIR, DVAC has alleged that Uma and others have illegally destroyed all the disputed answer scripts and thereby wiping out the evidences for the scam. The Anna university has suspended Uma and two others after finding evidence against them for their involvement in the scam. Following the recommendations from the internal inquiry committee, the university has instructed all officials involved in the exam process to give instructions to students to not to leave any unwritten pages in the answer scripts. After scrutinizing the disputed answer scripts which were awarded more marks after revaluation, the committee members suggested that striking out unwritten answer sheets will reduce a majority of malpractices in revaluation. One answer sheet booklet contains 44 pages and on an average, the students are writing 30 to 35 pages only. The inquiry has revealed that in many answer scripts which were manipulated, the blank space was used by the scamsters to write answers during the re-evaluation process, sources said. All the engineering students will be asked to fill a separate column in which they have to give the number of pages they had written in the front page of the booklet, sources added. It would be the responsibility of every hall supervisor to ensure that all the blank pages are stricken. The evaluation system will also be overhauled and one chairman will oversee 10 examiners instead of 15. During the tenure of vice-chancellor convener committee headed by higher education secretary Sunil Paliwal, the valuation system was completely overhauled. We will improve it further and make every chairman responsible for the lapses, a source said. Meanwhile, the experts pointed out that adopting digitisation in evaluation process could solve the universitys revaluation problem. If the answer scripts are scanned and stored in digital format, they can dispose of the hard copies while keeping the originals as soft copy. They can retrieve the original answer scripts any time. If the university moves to digital evaluation method, the malpractices will be checked, they suggested. Forward only worthy forms, principals told To prevent the huge number of applications seeking revaluation, the university has instructed all the principals of engineering colleges to forward only if they sure that the students will get the upward revision in the revaluation. The rule says that the expert should forward only the worthy applications. But, due to the pressure from the college management, the principals are forwarding all the applications they receive from the students resulting in huge applications for revaluation, officials said. The university has received 1,98,000 application for revaluation and it was reduced from 2,21,597 in the previous semester. During April/May 2017 it has received 3,02,379 applications for revaluation. Guv seeks report about scam Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit who is also chancellor of varsities has sought a report from Anna University on the revaluation scam. While registering a case on cash for marks scam against former controller of examinations Uma and nine others, the directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption is also looking at the MoU between university and startup to provide transcripts online and on how the varsity awarded Rs 62 crore contract to a firm that was only two weeks old. Sources said the Governor had asked for a report about the extent of the scams and how took place in the university. Meanwhile, the university is also conducting a separate internal inquiry regarding the irregularities committed by former CoE during her tenure from 2015 to 2018. HYDERABAD: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi strongly reacted to the incident in which the beard of a Muslim man was forcefully shaved off by three persons earlier this month. I am telling those who did it, I tell them and their fathers, even if you slit our throats we will remain Muslims. We will convert you to Islam and make you keep a beard. he asserted at a public meeting. On Thursday last, three people in Haryanas Gurgaon district allegedly dragged a Muslim man to a salon and forced him to shave off his beard. The three accused have been arrested. Since 2014 when the BJP came into power, there has been an 86% rise in mob lynchings and 96% of the victims were Muslims who were killed in the name of cow protection. Since 2014 when the BJP came into power, there has been an 86% rise in mob lynchings and 96% of the victims were Muslims who were killed in the name of cow protection. The culprits showed regard for the right to life of a cow but not of a human being. Muslims are being targeted in the name of cow, but PM Narendra Modi is keeping mum. he pointed out. Mr. Owaisi also took a dig at the Congress President Rahul Gandhi over his hand shake with the PM. A No-Confidence Motion was moved against Mr Modi and they (Rahul Gandhi) hugged the same person against whom they moved the motion. If I had gone and shaken hands with Mr Modi, a fatwa would have been issued against me. But when he (Rahul Gandhi) hugged Mr Modi, Congressmen didnt utter a word. he said. Before Hitler sent 10-20 lakh Jews to concentration camps, many Jews embraced him. Despite that, the Jews were killed in gas chambers. So Congress should drop the charade. Speaking in a lighter vein, the AIMIM chief also gave his tongue-in-cheek take on the hug. As both of them do not have anyone to hug in their homes, they go around hugging people outside. From Turkeys Erdogan to Abu Dhabis ruler, Modi hugs everyone on foreign tours. That is why marriage is so important. Mr Owaisi said. Owaisi vowed that not only would he win the Hyderabad seat in the next general elections, but would also snatch the Secunderabad seat from the BJP. Owaisi dared the BJP government at the Centre to conduct survey under the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Mizoram and Jammu & Kashmir. He lambasted the BJP Chief Amit Shah for branding 40 lakh people excluded from the draft list of NRC in Assam as 'infiltrators' and challenged the BJP government to take up the exercise in other states. He recalled media reports that the present Tripura CM was born in 1971 in Bangladesh. HYDERABAD: Telangana state governments flagship drinking water project Mission Bhagiratha has been causing a water war in districts, thanks to deficit rainfall for the past two months. Sri Ram Sagar Project (SRSP) has become a war zone with clashes between police and farmers since the past three days. Farmers have been demanding to release water from the project to save their standing crops from withering away but officials have been rejecting this on the ground of maintaining minimum level in dam for Mission Bhagiratha. Though 16TMC of water is available in the dam, the officials are not heeding to the farmers demand to release 0.5 TMC water to save crops. The government issued instructions to officials of irrigation department in all districts, to maintain minimum water levels in all dams, to ensure water supply for Mission Bhagiratha. Farmers are on a warpath demanding that available water be released from dams to save their standing crops as there has been no adequate rain since two months. However, officials expressed helplessness to do so as they are mandated to ensure water for Mission Bhagiratha first. Projects in Krishna and Godavari basins have only minimum water-levels at present. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had fixed August 15 as the deadline for Mission Bhagiratha water to reach all villages and officials stopped water release for agricultural purposes to meet this goal which has now become a bone of contention between farmers and the government. Mr Rao held two review meetings with ministers and senior officials in July, instructing them that the Minimum Draw Down Level (MDDL) should be maintained in all projects. Only after ensuring sufficient water for drinking purposes, water for irrigation should be released and orders are to be issued accordingly, the CM had ordered. To meet the CMs deadline of August 15, the Irrigation Department officials have been diverting water to Mission Bhagiratha. Due to scanty rainfall, water levels in irrigation projects are at lower levels. Even available reserves are due to rains in upstream states and not due to rainfall here. If water is released to agriculture at this stage, Mission Bhagiratha project will be hit, officials said. President Ram Nath Kovind and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during the inauguration of Festival on Democracy at the legislature complex in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday (Photo: A.V. MUZAFAR) Thiruvananthapuram: President Ram Nath Kovind has said that political violence was affecting the glorious traditions of Kerala and urged the political parties to curb the trend. The political violence in Kerala, especially in some regions of the state, is unfortunate and does little justice to the glorious traditions of the state and its people, he said. He was inaugurating the Festival on Democracy, a two- day event held as part of the diamond jubilee celebrations of Kerala Legislative Assembly here on Monday. The history of debate, mutual dignity and respect for anothers point of view has been a hallmark of Kerala society. It has made Malayalis among the thought leaders of our country. Nevertheless, there remains the paradox of political violence which is unfortunate, he said. He hoped that the Festival on Democracy would give some thought to ending political violence. It is important for all political groups and all enlightened citizens to do their utmost to curb the development of such tendencies. Debate, dissent and disagreement are perfectly acceptable and should be welcomed in our polity. But violence has no place in our Constitution. It would be appropriate if we could give some thought to this at a Festival on Democracy. The people of Kerala and the citizens of India want that we do serious thinking on the issue, he said. The Presidents remarks assume significance in the background of the series of political killings that have been happening in the state involving all major political parties, especially the CPM and the BJP-RSS. The BJP Kerala unit had also repeatedly sought central intervention in the matter. Governor P. Sathasivam said on the occasion that protests against issues should not ignore the basic dignity of the democratic institution and constitutional rights of the members, no matter whether they rule or sit in the opposition. "Legislators have an obligation to set high standards of conduct for future members...The greatest celebration of a democracy is when every ordinary citizen respects democratic values and cultural diversity, stands up for one's legitimate rights and does not succumb to sectarian or communal thought. Our task is to empower our people to rise to such levels of thought and action so that we can truly celebrate our democracy," he said. Incidentally, the Governor's mention came on the premises of the Assembly complex that witnessed LDF MLAs in the previous Assembly ransacking the Assembly hall and even throwing away the Speaker's chair. The present LDF government has even decided to withdraw a police case in this regard. The President also said that the next stage of Kerala-model development should ensure greater opportunities for the youth of Kerala in their home state itself. The gap in the incubation of entrepreneurial and business capacities in Kerala itself needs to be addressed by all stakeholders. Talented people from Kerala have been contributing not just for our nation but in different parts of the world. Young people from Kerala are much sought-after in various sectors like health care, construction and tourism. Highlighting the religious harmony in the state, the President said that the culture of mutual accommodation in Kerala DNA continued to be preserved. "A person may believe in one faith or the other - or he or she may not believe in any faith at all. That is not important. What is important is that the culture of educated and informed debate and of mutual accommodation that has been part of Kerala's DNA continues to be preserved. It must be preserved in public life and it must be preserved in this Assembly," he said. Hailing the contributions of Kerala society, the President recollected that Kerala gave to the nation a towering personality like former President K.R. Narayanan, who rose to the highest office from extremely challenging circumstances. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who spoke, lamented the widespread use of social media for spreading falsehoods aimed at fostering hatred and enmity and weakening our democracy. "Sadly, many who fall for such propaganda do not even bother to ascertain the facts. It is worrying that we, who ought to develop a scientific temper and the spirit of inquiry, fall prey to such devious designs,"he said. Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan, Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala, Law Minister A.K. Balan and Deputy Speaker V. Sasi also spoke. The festival will discuss the topic 'Challenges in the empowerment of SC/ ST in Independent India.' Guv bats for high standards of conduct Governor P. Sathasivam said protests against issues should not ignore the basic dignity of the democratic institution and constitutional rights of the members, no matter whether they rule or sit in the opposition. "Legislators have an obligation to set high standards of conduct for future members, he said. Kochi: The indifference shown by the successive state governments in the affairs of unaided schools under private managements has caused concern to those connected with education in the state. The absence of a policy has led to a free for all in the sector, they said. Kerala CBSE School Managements Association president T.P. M. Ibrahim Khan said that currently the state government does not have any powers to intervene and control the fees in CBSE schools in the state. The CBSE schools are governed by CBSE affiliation and examination bylaws which clearly stipulate that the CBSE affiliated schools are at liberty to levy the fees commensurate with the facilities they provide, said Mr Ibrahim Khan. He said that the implication is that the fees will vary from school to school. The schools in the rural areas will not have the same facilities that are available in schools in the urban areas. So the fees will change. One percent of schools may be charging higher fees and they are using it for their infrastructure development which is allowed, said Mr Ibrahim Khan. In any case, CBSE schools are struggling these days and the number of students in the schools is coming down each year with state government offering a lot of facilities in government schools, including smart classrooms, free meals and others. This year there was a fall of 1.80 lakh students in CBSE schools in the state. Earlier, around 1400 CBSE schools had 15 lakh students, he said. However, informed people send their wards to CBSE schools. This year 15,000 students qualified in the NEET-UG exam out of the 16,000 CBSE students who appeared from the state. This is in contrast to 5000 state stream students who qualified in the exam out of 76,000 who appeared, he said. KSU state president K. M. Abhijith said that it was high time the government regulated the sector in terms of fees charged from unaided school students. There is heavy exploitation in the sector, especially by CBSE schools. Parents who suffer in this do not reveal it fearing repercussions, including denial of admission or other impact. Some parents flaunt it as part of social status while some others who are afraid of being belittled among social groups also do not come forward to complaint, Abhijith said. There should be an audit of the income and expenditure of the schools before fixing a fee for the schools. The State Government should pass a law to appoint a fee regulatory committee for the same, Abhijith said. SFI state secretary K.M. Sachin Dev said that his organization wanted to promote public educational institutions. The present LDF governments policies were aimed in that direction. The curbs now in place for giving NOC to unaided schools, including CBSE schools, are part of this policy. There is no doubt that the fees in the existing schools should also be regulated. Many are influenced by money power and we are of the opinion that money power should not be allowed in the educational sector. A regulatory body appointed by the state government is needed to regulate their fees and we welcome any step in that direction, said Sachin Dev. Many managements that could not successfully run self-financing engineering colleges were closing them down and starting CBSE schools. This trend also should not be allowed, he said. Mr Shajar Khan, secretary, Save Education Committee Kerala Unit, told DC that the successive state governments had shown a criminal negligence in fixing the fee structure of unaided private schools. The government has the responsibility to fix a structure in the unaided school sector. The governments cannot turn away from such a responsibility, he said. According to Mr. Khan apart from the exorbitant amounts collected as tuition fees, the private school managements also extract huge amounts as capitation fees. Some of the schools in the unaided sector in the state are charging a capitation fee of `2 lakh for admissions to LKG, he said. Apart from the capitation and tuition fees, most schools also fleece students with development fees, festival fees etc, he said. He also lamented the inhuman treatment meted out to students and the parents by the school authorities. The Save Education Committee on several occasions had to intervene following the requests made by agonizing parents. In most cases, we found the attitude of the managements and school authorities utterly inhuman, he said. It is a matter of shame that some of these schools are run by persons speaking about spiritual values and harmony, he added. Mr N. Sreekumar, general secretary of All- Kerala School Teachers Union, feels that the implementation of Rights to Education Act in letter and spirit will help address the problems caused by the unaided private school managements. Mr. Sreekumar however also cautions about the government getting into the role of fee regulator without a thorough study of the situation. The government should intervene in the sector without bringing the burden of the responsibility of these schools into its shoulders, he said. The role of the government is to protect and promote government and government -aided schools. The current fad about the unaided schools will end if the quality of education and facilities in the publicly-owned schools gain strength. The focus should be on education in public schools, he said. Majority of the privately-owned unaided schools are for private entities. The primary motive of the promoters of these schools is profit and it is for the parents and students to realize this before making a decision, he said. The government is unable to implement the provisions of the Right to Education Act in letter and spirit, he added. Although the state government has declared that it would close down the 3,500-odd schools functioning without recognition, action in this matter has been progressing at a snails pace, he added. Arne Duncan, President Barack Obamas longest-serving education secretary, made some communications mistakes as secretary of educationbut when it comes to his signature policies, like the Common Core State Standards and teacher evaluation through test scores, he wishes he had pushed even harder. Thats according to Duncans new memoir How Schools Work: An Inside Account of Failure and Success From One of the Nations Longest Serving Secretaries of Education, which officially drops August 7. Duncan rehashes the ups-and-downs of his early tenure at the department and his prior work as CEO of Chicago city schools. And in the 256-page book he explores impact of race and poverty on schools the current gun debate. Want some quick highlights? Heres a rundown: On Race to the Top and Common Core: Duncan wrote that he loses sleep over some of the things that happened during his tenure in Washington, but not Race to the Top, or at least not anymore. Race to the Top, which was created through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, rewarded 12 states with for adopting the common core standards, teacher evaluation through test scores, dramatic school turnarounds, and more. Duncan said the program changed the education landscape in America. ... Since Race to the Top, 46 states and the Washington, D.C., [school system].. have either adopted common core or developed their own high standards. Its true that the common core is still on the books in more than 30 states and the District of Columbia. And plenty of states have kept teacher evaluations through student outcomesalthough six states have ditched them since the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act, which prohibited the federal government from monkeying with teacher performance reviews. Duncan writes that he tried to stay out of the political fray when it came to the common core standards. But the secretaryand especially Obama, in his re-election campaigntook credit for the widespread adoption of the common core. Thats part of the reason the standards ended up facing such widespread opposition On his mistakes: Duncan acknowledges some missteps in communicating his agenda. He notes that his administration didnt do such a great job of explaining what, exactly Race to the Top was, and why it would help children succeed. In the midst of such rapid change we proved terrible at explaining the Races goals and methods to teachers, and even worse at explaining them to parents, he wrote. We could have done a much better job, and spent a little money, helping states explain and publicize what they were attempting and what the goals were. Duncan says his department made similar communications mistakes around teacher evaluation through student outcomes. He also thinks he and his team didnt do a great job of explaining a basic principle: why parents should be willing to test their kids. That, he said, helped fuel the opt-out movement. On teacher evaluation. The Obama administration was criticized, big time, for rolling out teacher evaluation through test-scores at the same time states were adopting new, college-and-career ready standards. Duncan said some people in his administration wanted to move slower, giving the tests and standards time to take root before tying them to teacher evaluations. Duncan isnt sorry though, that his administration pushed for so much change, all at once. Each difficult change inevitably would have been punted further down the road, and in the end, nothing would improve, he wrote. Students would still be short-changed, the country would continue to fall behind its international peers, and there would still be plenty of pushback. For me then, it was all or nothing. (Actually, if I had it to do all over again, I would push even harder than we did; theres never a right time for fundamental change.) On gun control: This was, and is, a big issue for Duncan, who the National Rifle Association called the most anti-gun member of Obamas cabinet. Particularly poignant is a section on attending the funeral of Dawn Hochsprung, the principal at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the site of a mass shooting in 2012. The Sandy Hook Massacre took five minutes and three seconds, Duncan wrote. I wish I could say those five minutes and three seconds changed America, but we know, they didnt. ... These were babies who had been executed in their classroom. When the dust settled, we choose to protect our guns, not our kids. Things left out: Theres not much in the book on ESSA, which passed in 2015, at the tail end of Duncans tenure. The law arguably took aim at Duncans legacy, with a list of restrictions on the education secretarys power. Duncan doesnt get into his feelings about thator the way backlash to his agenda helped fuel a shift in the federal role. Photo Credit: Andrew Harnik/Associated Press Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India has suspended two Jet Airways pilots for attempting to take off an aircraft from a taxiway in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a report said. The incident occurred on August 3 when Flight 9W-523, bound for Mumbai, aborted take-off and departed the runway at the King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi Arabian capital, a report in Economic Times said. All 142 passengers and seven crew members were evacuated safely and no casualties were reported. Earlier today, the Saudi Aviation Investigation Bureau said the aircraft aborted taking off on a taxiway that ran parallel to the runway, a report in Saudi Press Agency confirmed. "The plane was accelerating with full takeoff power along the ground passage, exceeding the taxiway onto an unpaved zone, stopping near the exit of G4 ground passage," the Bureau said. The Saudi Aviation Investigation Bureau, along with the Indian Aviation Incidents Investigations Bureau, is probing into the incident, it added. HYDERABAD: Congress President Rahul Gandhis proposed visit to Osmania University this month has triggered a lot of criticism from local student leaders and Joint Action Committee (JAC) in Osmania University. The OU-JAC said that they will not allow Rahul Gandhi to enter the university as many students sacrificed their life as Congress party delayed a separate Telangana state. Dudimetla Balaraju Yadav, chairman of the JAC, Osmania University said, Rahul Gandhi never even took the name of Telangana state. Then, why is he visiting Osmania University now? He is just coming to ask for votes from people of Telangana. If Rahul Gandhi wants to enter OU, then he should rub his nose on Gun Park. Then, we will allow him to enter the varsity. Rahul Gandhi should also meet the families of Telangana martrys and apologise. We will strongly condemn his visit to the university and we will never let him enter the OU campus. If he tries to visit the campus, we will conduct huge protests against him and will gherao him and will prevent his entry into the campus, he said. However, Krishank Manne, a spokersperson of OU-JAC alleged the students who are opposing were never a part of the OU-JAC and that they are from TRS Vidhyarthi Vibhagam. Students who are opposing were never a part of OU-JAC. They are mouthpieces of TRS, from their student outfit, and BJP fears that Rahulji's visit would attract students and unemployed youth towards Congress, which is the only alternate in Telangana, and students have invited Rahul Gandhi to thank Congress Party without which Telangana would not have been a reality, Krishank Manne said. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant anticipatory bail to two priests, accused of sexually abusing a married woman in the Kerala church sex scandal, and asked them to surrender before police by August 13. A bench of Justices A.K. Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said the two priests were at liberty to seek regular bail once they have surrendered. The Crime Branch of the Kerala Police had on July 2 registered a case against four priests on the basis of a statement given by a woman belonging to the same church who has accused them of sexually assaulting her on many occasions. The four priests attached to the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church were accused of sexually abusing the 34-year-old married woman by allegedly using her confessional statement. While two of them surrendered, two others Father Sony Verghese and Father Jaise K George had approached the apex court for anticipatory bail after their plea was rejected by the Kerala High Court on July 11. During hearing, senior advocate V Giri, appearing for Kerala police said no interrogation has taken place so far of the two priests. The government paid over Rs 600 crore to LIC towards premium on behalf of the farmers at Rs 2,271 for each farmer. In case of the death of the farmer, the LIC would pay compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the nominee of the farmer within 10 days. Hyderabad: Over 14 lakh farmers across the state became ineligible for the Telangana state government's free Rs 5 lakh life insurance cover even as the government started distribution of the LIC insurance bonds to farmers on Monday. The government paid over Rs 600 crore to LIC towards premium on behalf of the farmers at Rs 2,271 for each farmer. In case of the death of the farmer, the LIC would pay compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the nominee of the farmer within 10 days. According to LIC norms, farmers in the age group of 18 to 59 years are eligible for life insurance due to which 14 lakh farmers, who are aged above 59 years, lost the benefit. The government, however, wanted to extend the life insurance scheme to all farmers who were given Rythu Bandhu cheques and sanctioned funds accordingly. The age norm has resulted in 14 lakh farmers losing out on the benefit. The state government has distributed Rythu Bandhu cheques to extend Rs 4,000 per acre financial assistance for the kharif crop in May and June. The cheques were distributed to 48.77 lakh farmers. The government wanted to extend free insurance schemes to all these farmers and had asked the agriculture department to take up a door-to-door campaign and enroll farmers for the scheme. Officials have approa-ched 47.31 lakh farmers so far and found that only 27,00,416 were eligible as per norms. Due to the age restriction, 14.48 lakh farmers became ineligible. Another two lakh farmers have refused to take the insurance cover due to lack of awareness. The LIC has so far printed 20.80 lakh insurance bond certificates and handed them over to the agriculture department. The department has dispatched them district-wise and started distribution. Ministers on Monday started distribution of bonds in their respective districts. The government has set a target to complete distribution of the bonds by August 14. The government will renew the policies every year by paying the premium to LIC. HYDERABAD: Announcement of election to Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman post on August 9 has created political heat in the national capital. Ruling BJP and main Opposition Congress are planning ahead to grab the post for their allies. BJP or Congress does not have enough strength to win the post. Therefore, the support of TRS and TD, including BJD is important. Usually, in a 245-member Rajya Sabha, halfway mark to win deputy chairman Post is 123. The present strength of Rajya Sabha is 244 (one is vacant) and to win the deputy chairman Post, the support of 122 members is required. The BJP or the Congress does not have enough strength to win the post on their own. In this crucial election, the support of TRS and TD, including BJD is important. Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday announced that the election will be held on Thursday. The last date for filing nominations will be 12 noon on Wednesday. The post has been vacant for over a month after Mr P.J. Kurien of the Cong-ress retired on July 1. Opposition parties said that they would not support a BJP candidate. Even within the Opposition, several parties said that they will not support a Congress candidate for this post. Both the BJP and the Congress have decided to field a candidate from their allies. The ruling BJP-led NDA has 108 members support and the Opposition, led by Congress, has 121 members support. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) with nine MPs and the TRS with six MPs did not open their stand. The TD with six members is likely to support an Opposition candidate, in the present political scenario. If BJD and TRS support the ruling party, the NDAs strength will go to 123. In the recent no-confidence motion against the NDA government, both the BJD and the TRS abstained from voting. Currently, the BJDs stand is to maintain equal distance from the BJP and the Congress in National politics. If only the TRS supports, NDAs strength will become 114. Sources in the BJP said that it was planning to field an Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral as its candidate. The reason behind this is that BJD chief Navin Patnaik and TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu have close relations with Naresh Gujrals family and they may support him for the deputy chairman post. But Naresh Gujral has made it clear that he will contest only if he is a candidate selected on consensus. With this, now the BJP is trying to field Prasanna Acharya of BJD as its candidate. Meanwhile, Congress is planning to field a candidate from National Congress Party Sharat Pawar or from Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerjee. VIJAYAWADA: Telugu Desams Rajya Sabha member C.M. Ramesh was elected as member of Public Accounts Committee (PAC), with the support of the Congress and other opposition parties namely AIADMK, CPM and CPI on Monday. Mr Ramesh got 106 votes. BJP MP Bhupendra Yadav also got elected as PAC member with 69 votes. C.M. Ramesh won his second consecutive Rajya Sabha term in 2018. Calling this the result of opposition unity, a senior TD leader said that National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidates were way behind Ramesh in the election. In Rajya Sabha, the NDA has 89 members, out of which BJP has 73 members. The UPA has strength of 57 members, of whom 50 members belong to the Congress. The Telugu Desam has six members, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have four members each and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and CPM have three and five members respectively. The Samajwadi Party and Trinamul have 13 members each. APCC chief Dr N. Raghu-veera Reddy said that he was trying to reach K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao to know what exactly had taken place. However, Telugu Desam has denied reports that Congress had voted for Telugu Desam MP C M Ramesh. We will not agree that Congress has voted for us. It is the votes from the anti-Modi camp of BJP, TD spokesperson Lanka Dinakar said and added that the election for PAC was meant for limited purpose and a capable man had been elected for the PAC. However, former Chief Secretary I Y R Krishna Rao had a different observation over the development. Telugu Desam party is primarily an anti-Congress platform. It is strange that both Congress and Telugu Desam are coming together. In a way both are responsible for the division of the state. One openly and the other party silently, I.Y.R Krishna Rao said, and added that now the hidden understanding between TD and Congress was exposed, which could be termed as a pre-poll understanding. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is a committee of selected members of Parliament, constituted by the Parliament of India, for auditing the revenue and the expenditure of the Government of India. The PAC is formed every year with a strength of not more than 22 members, of which 15 are from the Lok Sabha, and seven from the Rajya Sabha. Kuruppassery Varkey Thomas is the current Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. He was elected for a second term of one year. With over 40 lakh people rendered homeless in Assam, authorities expect a greater influx of illegal immigrants in other parts of the country. The arrest of Manirul Sheikh, from the banned terrorist organisation JMB, who lived here for a year before he was picked up by police, emphasises the need to keep track of illegal immigrants. Shanties by Bangladeshis in parts of South Bengaluru are well-known, as are Rohingya camps in Northern parts of the city. Certain communities of illegal immigrants are also known for their involvement in activities like drug peddling and prostitution, which MLA Arvind Limbavalli explained in his letter to Union Home Minister Kiren Rijiju. Police however, say that too many illegal immigrants continue across the porous West Bengal border to be tracked without a database. Shweta Singh reports. The petition to update the National Register of Citizens of India in Assam has caused a nationwide stir and left 40 lakh people homeless. Citizenship for Bangladeshi immigrants has become a critical issue with several political and relgious underpinnings. Closer home, Bangladeshi immigrants are known to gather in southern parts of the city, especially near lakebeds like Varthur and Bellandur, where it has been alleged that they have a hand in the garbage mafia. The arrest of Manirul Sheikh, one of the "most wanted" men from the banned organisation Jamaat-ul-Muhajideen from Bengaluru, where he has lived for a year, has only sharpened the focus on illegal immigrants here. Iqbal Hussain Ripon, who hails from Habigang district in Bangladesh, had an Indian passport, an Aadhaar card and a Voter I.D. Iqbal had crossed the border successfully and had been living in Bengaluru for one year, camouflaging himself amongst construction workers at BEML Layout, Basaveshwara Nagar. This is cause for concern, given that he used forged documents to get a passport and other documents to validate his Indian citizenship, said an Immigration official. With the recent NRC initiative by the Assam state, Bengalurus headcount of Bangladeshi illegal immigrants is cause for renewed concern. Although there is no data available or maintained to keep track of illegal immigrants, residents from South Bengaluru claim that the lakebeds at Varthur and Bellandur have been encroached by the illegal immigrants, who have often been spotted in league with the garbage mafia, they allege. Read | Guest column: Across the border at Rs 3,000 per head... According to Jagdish Reddy, an environmental activist who operates around Varthur and Bellandur, there are over 6,000 illegal Bangladeshi migrants in the area. They are mainly found involved in garbage mafia and human trafficking. With the current NRC initiative by the state of Assam, the implications will push more illegal immigrants towards different part of India. It's evident with reports of more shanties being built around Bellandur and Varthur. Reddy says, We have around 35,000 illegal immigrants who have been issued with Voter ID's by all the major party leaders in Mahadevapura Constituency alone. These immigrants are believed to reside in camps at Bellandur (behind the lake), Iblur, Devarabeesanahalli, Somasundarapalya, Mulle kolalu and other areas. They do menial jobs like daily wage labour and live in makeshift tents. They are usually not involved in criminal activities. Meanwhile, Mahadevapura Constituency MLA Arvind Limbavali, wrote to Union Home Minister for State Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, on July 31. The MLA apprised the minister that the number of illegal Bangladeshi and African illegal Immigrants in Bengaluru is rising with thousands of the latter calling this city their home. Bangladeshis comprise more than twice that number and often make their homes in and around lakes in the city. The letter read, These illegal Immigrants have become a great threat to the security and peace of Bengaluru. They are involved in various illegal activities like drug peddling, prostitution, online fraud, house thefts and robberies. If they are not detected and deported to their respective countries situation will go out of control. The Foreigners Act of 1946 empowers the Central Government with powers to deport a foreign national under section 3(2) (c) of the Foreigners Act. l946. These powers, which include the identification and deportation of illegal foreign nationals, have also been delegated to state governments. Without a comprehensive strategy and time-bound action plan, the problem will continue to grow. The major handicap in facilitating the departure of illegal immigrants is also absence of a deportation center in Bangalore. 7 held with fake Aadhaars December 2017: Officials of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), with the help of Bellandur police arrested seven persons, including six Bangladeshi nationals, who had obtained Aadhaar cards by forging documents to secure housekeeping jobs in IT firms in and around. According to an official, the total number of foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas in Bengaluru is 1,076. The number of foreign nationals includes African nationals, nationals from Gulf countries and Bangladesh. However, it is believed that the number of Bangladeshi illegal immigrant is far higher as these are the official numbers of those immigrants who are registered with FRRO. Bangladeshis enter without visas, documents, how do we track them? Bengaluru is known to be home to thousands of Bangladeshi immigrants, who make a living off daily wage labour and reside in shanties. A large number of these people live in South Bengaluru and said to be involved with the garbage mafia responsible for contributing to the pollution in Varthur and Bellandur lakes as well as with several petty crimes. According to police, there is no system to maintain a headcount of illegal immigrants. They work in unorganized sector and earn their livelihoods as rag pickers, automobile mechanics, scrap dealers and construction workers. Police admit that it is difficult to spot a Bangladeshi from a crowd of Bengali speaking people who all belong to the same socio-economic sector. There are certain pockets in the city where some Bangladeshi families have made their temporary settlements. They are migrant workers and are on the move. In North Bengaluru, they share an uneasy neighbourhood with the Rohingyas, who are also on the run. They are under surveillance of the jurisdictional police, said an official source. According to a senior official, the illegal immigrants from Bangladesh mostly come on tourist or business visas. According to the rules, they need to register with the FRRO if they need to stay over six months. However, they arrive with short term visas and simply abscond with them. The illegal immigrants from Bangladesh dont come with visas, they cross the border and enter India. Keeping a check on them is a herculean task as they use various modes of transportation. B02 New Delhi: United States of America President Donald Trump is unlikely to visit India next year in January as the chief guest for Republic Day celebrations. According to highly placed sources, while Washington has acknowledged the invitation sent by New Delhi, it is reliably learnt that the visit may not happen owing to his other engagements during that period. Sources further said that the visit to India by Mr Trump in the near future is currently not on the radar of the US administration. The Government is keen to invite Mr Trump as chief guest for 2019 Republic Day function, which would be the NDA regimes last before the Lok Sabha polls. It had invited then US president Barack Obama as chief guest during the Republic Day function in 2015. Considering the fact that there have been differences between India and the US over trade issues, the ties are currently going through a uneasy phase, and therefore this could also be a reason behind keeping the visit on the backburner. HYDERABAD: BJP MLA from Goshamahal T. Raja Singh reacted strongly to the comments of AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi who said that those who cut beard of Muslims will be forced to grow beard and become a Muslim. Seven generations of your family cannot do anything to Hindus. The only thing you can do is to gather public and bark. Why his brother (Akbaruddin) does not grow a beard, he asked. He also said that soon they will launch a Ghar Wapasi programme in the country. Seven generations of your family cannot do anything to Hindus in the country. The only thing you can do is to gather public and bark. Why his brother (Akbaruddin) does not grow a beard, he asked. He went ahead and said that soon they will launch a Ghar Wapasi programme in the country and all Muslims whose ancestors were Hindus will again return to Hinduism, he said. Raja Singh further said that the Muslim should introspect why the people are targeting their community member who are having beard. He viewed that people are viewing suspicion every Muslim who is having beard. I blame Asaduddin Owaisi for the present situation for because of such people there is fear in the country. A man who is having beard is throwing grenades on army in Kashmir. I agree it was wrong step by the people who had cut the beard of a Muslim man. The police will initiate action there, he said. He suggested that Muslim who are secular, should boycott the Jihadi Muslims and send them out of the country. Mr Singh said Asaduddin Owaisi says that Islam followers should be obey the Islamic principles. Let me know whether TS Wakf Board land encroaching is gunnah (sin) in Islam or not. What is the AIMIM leadership and its party men doing, he asked He urged the Muslims in the city to choose another Muslim as their Member of Parliament. He asked people to select some other party in the old city and vote them to power. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamys controversial statement on the ability of North Karnataka to fund its own projects, has led to a raging controversy and even triggered the call for a North Karnataka bandh, though it failed to make much of an impact. But the statement has definitely rekindled statehood sentiments though the coalition partners JD(S) and Congress tried to turn the tables on the BJP saying former ministers Umesh Katti and B. Sreeramulu were the prime movers of this campaign, intended to embarrass the coalition. Mr Katti, one of the so-called villains in this episode, spoke to Deccan Chronicle and raised issues which he felt, demanded answers from the government-particularly the failure of the previous Congress government to bring industries to the N-K region. Here are excerpts from his interview. You along with B. Sreeramulu, have become fall guys in the north Karnataka statehood controversy. Both former chief minister, Siddaramaiah and the incumbent, H.D. Kumaraswamy targeted you and Mr Sreeramulu.. Let them say whatever they want to say but their lackadaisical attitude towards North Karnataka projects and programmes is more than evident. Thats why people are upset. For instance, Mr Siddaramaiah did not complete the Upper Krishna Project (UKP). What was the primary reason that made you take up the statehood campaign? I will make one thing clear. I am not the one for a separate state. There is no need to create a new state if they address the pending grievances. I am for a united Karnataka. Do not ignore our contribution in making Bengaluru a big city. Let Bengaluru be the capital, no issues. But let them ensure all round development of the state. Both the Congress and JD (S) claim no injustice was done to North Karnataka... It is sad to say that the Congress party, after joining hands with the JD(S) to form the government, is singing the same tune. Let us take the case of Upper Krishna Project. The height of Almatti dam could have been raised after the tribunal's final award gave us that right. As result, we could not utilise 130 tmc of water allocated to us. After the final award was delivered, the BJP government was in power and we gave cabinet approval for nine irrigation projects. But what happened later? The Siddaramaiah government did not do anything for five years. There are nine projects which are due for implementation in the Krishna basin and some of the proposed projects are lift irrigation projects for which we have to make jackwells and other facilities. Surprisingly, former water resources minister, M.B. Patil built canals without going for full project implementation. The government needs to acquire 50,000 acres of land. They did not do anything. Anyone who is acquainted with this issue can easily say that UKP was not only mishandled, rather they swindled money openly. Is this not injustice? The Siddaramaiah government miserably failed to bring any big industry to this part of the state. If injustice has not happened, then why does large scale migration happen from here? Why does South Karnataka not witness such a phenomenon? What about other sectors? I can give you an example from my own constituency, Hukkeri. I think 244 rooms in various schools are in a dilapidated state. Who will be responsible if these rooms collapse when the children are inside? Of the 1,500 teachers' posts, over 300 are vacant. I wrote several letters asking for a primary health centre. Then, I spoke to the minister and the officer concerned. Nothing happened. Now, you tell me, what can we do? It is quite natural that people will get upset. I will tell you another interesting fact The previous government acquired 1,700 acres of land near my constituency for setting up industry. And another 3,000 acres of land was acquired near Dharwad. You, as a government, have a duty to attract investors here. Why do you want to promote industries around Bengaluru? If that is your intention, then why did you acquire land here? What about sports and other activities? You know a new stadium was built by KSCA in the heart of the city in Belagavi. Unfortunately, not even a single big state level event was hosted there let alone hosting a national match or event. But Mr Kumaraswamy keeps saying that voters of North Karnataka did not remember him while casting votes but are now asking for everything. How do you want to react to this? (Laughs) Frankly, they did not have good candidates. Neither his father, H.D. Deve Gowda nor he came for campaigning. Then, how can you expect people of North Karnataka to vote for your party? Is there a desire in you to become CM if a new N-K state is formed? I told you very clearly that if they wipe out injustice, no one will demand a separate state. I can also give you in writing on bond paper that neither I nor my son will become CM. We are not interested. Let them develop these areas. That is more than enough. You were a minister for some time. What did you do for North Karnataka? I was given the horticulture portfolio. I brought the Horticulture University to Bagalakote. And Basavaraj Bommai was the water resources minister. He did a good job in the irrigation sector in this region. Do you think moving departments to Belagavi will give more thrust to development? Yes, certainly. They can move the agriculture department here, they can bring the sugar directorate. Similarly they can bring some more departments. That will certainly help. Bengaluru: In a significant change of guard, former MP and Hunsur MLA Mr A.H. Vishwanath was unanimously chosen as JD(S) state president replacing Chief Minister Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy, who already has a lot on his plate. Announcing this on Sunday, JD(S) patriarch Mr H.D. Deve Gowda said that the party will be giving more opportunity to youth, backward classes, minorities and the Lingayat community too. He said party leaders will start their state tour from August 11. In the next 10 days, the party will release a list of new office bearers and during the tour, the defunct local units would be changed. Taking a dig at BJP State President Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa, Mr Gowda said that a national party was trying to misinterpret the farm loan waiver scheme. The JD(S) will bring out a booklet on the issue and place it before the people, he said and added that Mr Kumaraswamy was not chief minister for just three districts and was CM of the entire state. I have worked as irrigation minister, chief minister and prime minister. I have not worked on caste or community lines and I would like to remind Mr Yeddyurappa about this. I have nothing to say to him, I will talk to my people, he remarked. Taking over as the new JD(S) president, Mr Vishwanath said that he had been given a big responsibility. The first agenda before him was to make people understand the truth behind government decisions and he would work to reach them to more people. The party will give more representation to people from all castes and religions and youth too,' he said. Mr Vishwanath, a former Congress leader, had joined the JD(S) ahead of the assembly elections in May last. A former MP and three-time MLA, he is considered a master strategist. A former Congress leader, he had joined the JD(S) ahead of the assembly elections in May last. A former MP and three-time MLA, he is considered a master strategist. Union Minister for Road and Transport Nitin Gadkari interacts with DMK working president M.K. Stalin and MP Kanimozhi in Chennai on Monday. Dayanidhi Maran is also seen. (Photo:DC) Chennai: DMK president M Karunanidhi suffered serious decline in health condition on Monday with the Kauvery Hospital revealing that maintaining his vital organ functions continues to be a challenge and the next 24 hours could be critical. The 94-year-old DMK patriarch has been in the hospital ICU since July 28 when he was rushed in late night following dip in blood pressure, which stabilised after medical intervention but subsequent setbacks saw the gladiator putting up tough fight. There has been a decline in the medical condition of DMK president and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. Maintaining his vital organ functions continues to remain a challenge considering his age related ailments, said Kauvery's executive director Dr Aravindan Selvaraj in a bulletin released at 6.30 pm. Stating that Karunanidhi is on continuous monitoring and being treated with active medical support, Dr Selvaraj added, rather ominously: His response to the medical interventions over the next 24 hours will determine the prognosis. The entire family was at the hospital ICU through the day and most part of the night, except his wife Dayalu Ammal who was brought in wheelchair earlier in the day to Kauvery for a brief final goodbye. The 83-year-old frail woman might not have understood the heaviness in the ICU air, herself being down with Alzheimer. DMK working president M.K.Stalin, an epitome of the doting son that he has been all these years, has been spending most of his time in the hospital-discussing treatment with the doctors and briefing the visiting dignitaries who included President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Union Ministers Nitish Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, Suresh Prabhu and Pon Radhakrishnan, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu and State ministers led by Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami and Deputy CM Panneerselvam. Sister Kanimozhi, Rajya Sabha Member, lent ample support to Stalin in the hospital. So did the rest of the family and the DMK seniors. Outside, the crowd of DMK cadres and Kalaignar fans kept swelling through the day, particularly after the statement made before the potent TV cameras by the state Congress president Su. Thirunavukarasar in the forenoon that his health condition had suffered a setback. Ezhunthu Vaa Thalaivaa (Leader, Get Up, Come), they kept chanting, many with tears flowing down the cheeks. There were several women cadres who camped on the pavement outside the hospital for hours, through the night. Karunanidhi was admitted to the hospital late night on July 28 following a dip in his blood pressure, which stabilised within a few hours following medical intervention. Doctors of different specialties combined their expertise with the best of medical technology, but the biggest help came from the stout patient himself as he refused to give up despite the heavy odds of failing organs, fever due infection and his advanced years. Amid such seesaw fortunes, the hospital came out with a statement on July 31 saying an extended period of hospitalisation would be necessary due to age-related overall decline in his general health, altered liver function and haematological parameters. Since then he continues to be monitored by a team of specialists. Trump insisted in a tweet that he did not know at the time about the meeting between his son Donald Jr and Natalia Veselnitskaya, a lawyer with links to the Kremlin. (Photo: File) Washington: US President Donald Trump admitted on Sunday that his son met with a Russian lawyer in Trump Tower in 2016 to get information on an opponent but defended it as totally legal. It was Trumps most direct acknowledgement that the motive for the June 2016 meeting was to get dirt on Hillary Clinton, his Democratic rival for the presidency. As he has in the past, Trump insisted in a tweet that he did not know at the time about the meeting between his son Donald Jr and Natalia Veselnitskaya, a lawyer with links to the Kremlin. This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it! Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower. This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2018 The meeting has come under intense scrutiny from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating whether members of the Trump campaign coordinated with a Russian effort to sway the 2016 election in the Republicans favour. The presidents tweet about the meeting was one in a thread in which he reiterated criticism of Mueller, calling his probe the most one sided Witch Hunt in the history of our country peppered with lies and corruption. The Washington Post reported on Sunday that Trump has been brooding in private about whether his son unintentionally put himself in legal jeopardy by meeting with Veselnitskaya. Trump called the Post report a complete fabrication. Illegal meeting? The Trump Tower meeting was arranged by British music promoter, Rob Goldstone, who told Donald Jr that he had information that would incriminate Hillary and her dealings with Russia and would be very useful to your father. Young Trump responded I love it when first offered the dirt on Clinton, the Democratic nominee. News of the meeting, which Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner and top campaign official Paul Manafort also attended, broke in July 2017. Donald Jr initially said in a statement to The New York Times that the meeting was primarily about American adoptions of Russian children. He later admitted he accepted the meeting with Veselnitskaya in hopes of obtaining damaging information on Clinton, but said nothing came of it. The Post had reported that the statement to The Times was dictated by the president, though at the time Trumps lawyers denied his involvement. They later reversed course in a memo to Mueller and said Trump was indeed behind the statement that omitted the prospect of collecting dirt on Clinton. Lawyers described the statement as short but accurate, according to The Post. Asked on Sunday why he had denied the presidents involvement, one of Trumps lawyers Jay Sekulow told ABC that I had bad information at that point. I made a mistake in my statement, he said. That happens when you have cases like this. The presidents lawyers argue that the meeting, in and of itself, violated no laws. The question is how will it be illegal? Sekulow said Sunday. What law, statute, rule or regulation has been violated? Colombo: The Sri Lankan government is reworking on the draft of a memorandum of understanding to hand over the management of Mattala Rajapaksha International Airport at Hambantota to Indian airport operator, according to a media report today. Built with high interest commercial loans from China by the Mahinda Rajapaksha government, the MRIA is dubbed as the worlds emptiest airport due to lack of flights. It was officially opened in March 2013 and the only international flight operating from there was halted in May. The Sri Lanka government had announced that it will go ahead with the deal with India to jointly operate the USD 210 million Mattala Rajapaksha International Airport (MRIA) at Humbantota, about 241km south-east of Colombo, through a joint venture with the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The government had last month asked the Indian airport operator to submit its business plan for operating the loss-making airport. A draft MoU on handing over of the MRIA to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) was recently presented before the Sri Lankan Cabinet and is now being reworked at the Indian governments request, the Sunday Times reported. The talks for management control of the MRIA are continuing between India and Sri Lanka, at no point during the negotiations with India was the proposal withdrawn or denied despite what the media reported, it said, quoting an unnamed official. The Sri Lankan governments terms only allow for management control of the commercial activities of the airport while ownership and statutory functions including air traffic control and air traffic rights will be under the control of Sri Lankan authorities, said another official. The AAI is to enter a deal with Sri Lanka Civil Aviation Authority to run the MRIA, named after Rajapaksa in his home district. The AAI is to have a 70 per cent stake while Sri Lankas CAA will invest 30 per cent, Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva had said in the parliament. The private-public-partnership will allow AAI to enter into a 40-year lease agreement to take up the management control of the airport. Hamza, 29, has assumed a senior position within Al-Qaida and was aiming to avenge the death of his father, who was shot dead during a covert US military raid in Pakistan's Abbottabad seven years ago. (Photo: AP) London: Hamza bin Laden, the son of slain Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden, married the daughter of Mohammed Atta, the leader of the hijackers who carried out the deadly 9/11 terror attacks in the US, according to a media report. The family of the deceased Al-Qaida leader confirmed that Hamza married Atta's daughter, the Guardian quoted Osama's family as saying. Atta, an Egyptian national, piloted American Airlines Flight 11, which was the first of the hijackings, into the North Tower of the World Trade Centre- killing all 92 onboard and around 1,600 people, including emergency responders, in the tower. Hamza, 29, has assumed a senior position within Al-Qaida and was aiming to avenge the death of his father, who was shot dead during a covert US military raid in Pakistan's Abbottabad seven years ago, Osama's half-brothers Ahmad and Hassan al-Attas were quoted as saying. In May 2011, US Navy SEALs stormed Osama's Abbottabad compound where he was living with three of wives and shot him dead. Hamza's brother Khalid was also killed in the US raid. Hamza is the son of one of Osama's three surviving wives, Khairiah Sabar, who was living with her husband in a compound in Abbottabad, near a large Pakistani military base, when he was killed. "We have heard he has married the daughter of Mohammed Atta," said Ahmad al-Attas. "We're not sure where he is, but it could be Afghanistan." Hamza, the potential successor of al-Qaida chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri, has released several audio speeches calling for attack on Western interests, including one in 2016 in which he vowed to avenge his father's death. Western intelligence agencies have been increasingly focusing on the whereabouts of Hamza over the past two years, seeing him as more likely than anyone else to galvanise followers. His marriage to the daughter of Atta appears to confirm that the 9/11 alumni remains a central hub of Al-Qaida and that the organisation itself continues to be organised around Osama's legacy, the report added. Islamabad: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khans step-daughter was among the two new members who joined the party on Monday. Mehru Hayat, daughter of Imrans wife Bushra Maneka, and her friend Farah Khan congratulated the prime minister designate for the win in elections and expressed contentment over the partys leadership and manifesto. Crediting Imran Khan for his political understanding in youth, Mehru Hayat said he has the ability to pull the country out of the crisis. Mehru induction in PTI raises pertinent questions over nepotism in the party ranks since Imran Khan has vehemently opposed nepotism and dynastic politics for the way electoral tickets were awarded. The flow of investment proposals into Karnataka has almost halved in the first half of the calendar year 2018 owing to uncertainty in the recent state elections. Till June 2018, the state had got investment proposals worth Rs 77,007 crore, down 45% on year on year (YoY) basis, data available with Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) reveals. In 2017, till June, the state had seen investment proposals amounting to Rs 1.41 lakh crore. It may be because of elections this year. During those days, both ministers and state officials were busy in election preparation. Plus the long model code of conduct is a problem, Industries Minister KJ George told DH. Even though Karnataka, like previous years, is topping all the 29 states in terms of investment proposals, second-placed Gujarat with Rs 47,064 crore seems to be catching up fast with the southern state, unlike the previous year when it lagged far behind. While on the national level, the investment proposals have grown by a negligible 0.1% to Rs 2,56,340 crore, yet Karnataka has seen the second highest decline in the percentage terms among the major states. Telangana with decline of 72% has seen the highest decline among major states in the investment interests. In absolute terms, Karnataka has seen a decline of investment intenstions by Rs 63,676, the highest in the country. Experts attribute this to the uncertainity surrounding the elections, along with aggressive marketing by neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and national investment climate for this steep fall, "Yes, the uncertainity with election would have certainly played role in it. But, we have seen lot of investments going to neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh due to their aggressive campaign. Also, most of the investments come to Bengaluru in Karnataka. So, the lack of good infrastructure also plays role in it," Govind Rao, Member Fourteenth Finance Commission said. In first half 2018, Karnataka contributed 30% of the tolal investment proposals investments in the country, down from 54.9% in first half of 2017. Historically, most of the investment intentions into the state have been flowing in the months of April and May. However, this year Karnataka witnessed one of the most fiercely fought elections in recent times. After a high-intensity campaign for six months, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which considered the state as its gateway to South India, fell eight seats short of the majority. Seizing this opportunity, Indian National Congress-- offered support to regional party Janata Dal-Secular (JDS). After Governor Vajubhai Vala invited the BJP to form the government, first giving them two weeks times to prove majority, the Congress took the battle to Supreme Court in a rare post-midnight hearing. After a suspense of 12 days, with allegations flying thick from both sides, JDS HD Kumaraswamy took oath as Chief Minister on May 24, 2018. Implementation issues persist On the implementation part, though the state has seen doubling of implementation in the first half of 2018, the state saw projects worth Rs 4,286 crore being implemented, up 221% from Rs 1,337 crore implemented till June 2017. However, the amount is a minuscule part of the proposals that the state has been receiving. Also, the implementation is 42% lower than 2016 levels when it saw projects worth Rs 7,371 get operational till June 2016. However, in a good news for state, Apple Incs Taiwanese contract manufacturer Wistron Corp would be investing Rs 3,000 crore to set up a greenfield smartphone manufacturing plant in Karnataka. The plant is expected to generate 10,000 jobs in the state. The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday claimed to have foiled an attempt by Al-Qaida linked Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind terror group to disrupt the Independence Day celebrations in Delhi with the arrest of a terrorist. Inspector General of Police, (Jammu) S D S Jamwal told reporters that Irfan Hussain Wani, who hailed from Dangerpora-Awantipora village of south Kashmir, was arrested from Gandhi Nagar locality of Jammu city on Sunday. He said a police squad noticed him moving under suspicious circumstances at Chatri point. Eight grenades were seized from his bag after a search and he was immediately taken into custody and interrogated. "He was carrying this cache of grenades to Delhi to hand it over to a contact. These grenades would have been used to disturb the Independence Day celebrations," Jamwal said, adding that he was also carrying Rs 60,000. The Jammu police chief said that during questioning, the 25-year-old revealed his affiliation with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind led by Zakir Mussa and added that he was in touch with number two of the outfit, Rehan. "A BA dropout and radicalised, the terrorist was active in militancy for the last one year. With his arrest, a major chance of disturbing the Independence Day celebrations in Delhi and parts of Jammu was foiled," he said. Terming the arrest a "major success", the IGP said it was the result of robust security measures put in place by the police to ensure peaceful Independence Day celebrations in Jammu. The IGP said the interrogation of the terrorist was going on and revealing anything more would hamper the investigation. He said that they were looking into all aspects and they were also checking his mobile phone for more information. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police said that it would be questioning the accused. A team of the Special Cell is in Jammu. In reply to a question, the IGP said that Wani was not onboard a Delhi-bound bus but on foot when he was intercepted by alert policemen. The police official said that Wani had received the consignment in Kashmir and was planning to hand over the same to somebody in Delhi and added that there was no security lapse. "His arrest was the result of the robust security structure which is in place," he said. Asked whether the arrest of the Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind terrorist was linked to an intelligence alert about a terrorists' plan to trigger serial blasts in Delhi or Jammu, he said, "Maybe it is a part of that but we have maintained a high alert and the major success was the result of that alertness." On a grenade attack at the Jammu bus stand on May 24 which left two policemen and a pedestrian injured, he said it was a separate incident and not linked with this arrest. We have already solved the case and arrested the accused. We will share details of the same separately," the officer said. The policemen were on high alert and Independence Day celebrations would pass off peacefully, the IGP said. About hideout and presence of sleeper cells in Jammu, he said, "Investigation is going on and once we get any concrete information we will share it with you." Asked whether the Amarnath yatra was suspended from Jammu due to the separatist-sponsored strike in Kashmir valley in support of Article 35A, he said the annual pilgrimage was going on for the last over one month and had seen a decline in the number of the pilgrims visiting the 3,880-metre high holy cave shrine. "As per our administrative arrangement, once the number of intending pilgrims goes up, the yatra will resume," he said. The opposition MPs on Monday staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha after the government did not concede to their demand for a statement from Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the issue of alleged rape of minor girls at a shelter home in Bihar. The MPs of the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Trinamool Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) walked out after an uproar in the House over the alleged rape of 34 minor girls at a shelter home at Muzaffarpur in Bihar. Ranjeet Ranjan of the Congress and Jai Prakash Yadav of the RJD raised the issue in the House during Zero Hour. Ranjan alleged that efforts were being made in Bihar to hush up evidence against the culprits responsible for the ordeal of the minor girls at the shelter home. She expressed apprehension that efforts could be made to influence the probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation. She also demanded that adequate arrangements should be made to ensure the security of the victims. Yadav blamed the Janata Dal (United) Government in Bihar for the failure to protect the girls at the shelter homes. Ranjan, Yadav and other opposition MPs demanded a statement from the Home Minister. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, however, said that the Home Minister had already given a statement in the House on the issue. She wondered what else Home Minister could say now as the CBI had already started an investigation. The opposition MPs were not convinced and kept on demanding a statement from the Home Minister. Ranjan and Yadav came to the well of the House. As the House witnessed ruckus over the issue, the MPs of the Telugu Desam Party also trooped into the well demanding the return of Rs 350 crore that the Centre had given to the Government of Andhra Pradesh as special assistance for the development of the state after its bifurcation, but had taken it back. As the ruckus continued, the Speaker adjourned the House for about 10 minutes. But the opposition MPs continued to demand a statement from Home Minister even after the House reassembled at 12:30 p.m. Mahajan told Ranjeet and Yadav that not only them but the entire House shared their concerns over such incidents of atrocities on women. She said that she would ask the government to ensure a fair probe into the alleged sexual assault on minor girls at Muzaffarpur in Bihar is conducted. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar also told the House that he would convey the concerns expressed by the opposition MPs over the incident. Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, however, reiterated the demand for a statement from Home Minister. He later led the Congress MPs to walk out of the House. The MPs of the RJD, the Trinamool Congress and the CPI (M) too staged a walkout. All eyes will be on the Opposition in the Parliament on Monday on how it uses the issue of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam to corner the BJP government after the Congress has nuanced its stand by toning down its shrill rhetoric. It is also keenly awaited whether the Congress will return to the issue of suspected corruption in Rafale in the last week of the monsoon session, which ends on Friday, amid intense discussion among the Opposition parties over holding a joint press conference on the issue. Trinamool Congress (TMC) has indicated that it will continue to raise the NRC issue in the Parliament vociferously as they were not happy with the response from Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the issue as well as the police action against their leaders who visited Assams Silchar. TMC leaders said that they have not accepted Singhs reply to the discussion on the NRC issue and several issues raised by them were still not addressed. We will see how it evolves on Monday. We have some concerns and we will surely raise it, a senior TMC leader said. While the Lok Sabha has seen brief adjournments over the issue, the Rajya Sabha has witnessed vociferous protests. Singh could not respond on the same day when the issue was raised first and could do it only on his third attempt. All the Opposition parties have been coordinating on issues, the Congress Working Committees (CWC) Saturday meeting suggested that it should tone down the rhetoric on the NRC to counter the BJPs charge questioning the Congress stand on the issue. Opposition leaders said discussions were also held among parties on raising the pitch over Rafale jets. Post the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in July 2016, the Kashmir valley was on the boil. The young and old, men and women flooded the streets in thousands. The anger was building. For months, they fought with stones. The protests were not new and Kashmir had seen several over the years. But this time, it was different scores were killed and hundreds were blinded. A huge outcry resonated across the country: inside Parliament, among human rights activists and elsewhere. The call was for a ban on the use of pellet guns, especially against common people. Government and security agencies did not budge, saying it is a non-lethal weapon. But hospitals said a different story. It was not the first in 2016 that the pellet guns, manufactured at the Ordnance Factory in West Bengals Ishapore, had made its entry in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2010, these were introduced in the Valley when Omar Abdullah was the chief minister. Then Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) raised a hue and cry over its use but when it came to power later, it did not do anything to withdraw it from the arsenal. A pellet gun is actually a 12-bore shotgun with cartridges having around 500 lead shots. Once fired, a cartridge disperses the pellets over a few hundred metres. They have short ranges but when fired from close range, it could be lethal. It can penetrate soft tissues. Experts claim that one cannot control the trajectory of the shotguns beyond a limited range, which makes them inherently inaccurate and indiscriminate. As images of blinded victims with pellet injuries on their face made it to newspapers, weeklies and Television, a section felt there was an indiscriminate use of pellet guns, which are intended to injure and cause pain. Pressure built on the government for a tweak in strategy but nothing much changed. Parliament continued to witness emotional appeals to ban its use. The government made it clear it will not ban its use but would direct the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to use it in the rarest of rare instances. This instruction went in August 2016, almost a month and a half into the raging protests. Months later in April 2017, it again instructed security personnel in the valley to increasingly use plastic bullets and resort to pellet guns only as a second last resort. Three weeks into the protest, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on July 26, 2017 set up a seven-member expert panel headed by a Joint Secretary-level officer to explore possible alternatives to controversial pellet guns. But nothing much changed as security forces felt that use of chilli-based PAVA(Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide) shells did not have the desired impact and insisted on pellet guns. These instructions on using it rarely is rubbish. There is no restraint, Amnesty International India (AII) Executive Director Aakar Patel told DH. On April 1, 2018, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a report based on a confidential information provided to it, around 40 people were reportedly injured, including 35 who were hit in the eyes, by pellet shotguns used against people protesting against the killing of civilians in Shopian and Anantnag districts. The government told Parliament last year that it decided that the security forces will resort to various measures such as using PAVA-Chilli (Shells and Grenades), STUN-LAC (Shells and Grenades) and Tear Smoke Shells to disperse the rioters and if these measures prove to be ineffective in dispersing of rioters, use of pellet guns may be resorted to. One of the damning observations was in the OHCHR report on Kashmir, which India described as rubbish when it called the pellet guns one of the most dangerous weapons used against protesters in the valley. It also said the pellet guns used in Kashmir was not listed in the Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Bureau of Police Research and Development in March 2011 while an RTI request seeking to know its efficacy and impact was rejected citing that this was sensitive information related to national security. In its report Losing Sight in Kashmir: The Impact of Pellet-Firing Shotguns, the AII said a weapon meant to be deployed for crowd control has been responsible for blinding, killing and traumatising people in Kashmir. It summed up what pellet guns did to Kashmiris: School-going boys and girls have lost vision in one or both eyes, and have difficulty reading, playing with their friends, or watching cartoons. College students have had to give up their dreams of pursuing higher education. Young men and primary breadwinners of families say that they cannot earn a living any more, that they are now a liability to their families. And, this is the cost a nation paid and continues to pay. Read more: Losing sight to pellet guns in Kashmir A never-ending problem... Former minister H Vishwanath was unanimously appointed state unit president of the JD(S) in Bengaluru on Sunday. The post was held by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. The JD(S) leadership has been maintaining that it wants to relieve Kumaraswamy of organisational responsibilities so that he can focus on state administration. Kumaraswamy completed the formalities by handing over the party flag to Vishwanth in the presence of JD(S) national president and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda. Vishwanath (68), was once a close associate of former chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah. It is said that Vishwanath was one of those responsible for Siddaramaiahs inclusion in the Congress. Both Siddaramaiah and Vishwanth hail from the Kuruba community. The duo fell out and Vishwanth quit the Congress to join the JD(S) in 2017. Vishwanath's appointment is seen as a political strategy by Gowda to counter Siddaramaiah, who is also the chairman of the coordination and monitoring committee of the coalition government. Initially, Vishwanath, who was keen on getting a ministerial berth, had expressed reluctance to accept the responsibility, citing age factor. He was persuaded by Deve Gowda to take up the challenge. The move is also being seen as an attempt to woo the Kuruba community, ahead of Lok Sabha polls. Gowda said the party will come out with a new list of office-bearers in 10 days. Priority will be given to youth, people from backward classes, minorities and Lingayats, he said. WEST JORDAN Alton Thacker's factory fabricates nothing less than the secret of life. "The secret of happiness is, make somebody else happy," Thacker said. For the past 16 years, Thacker and his team of relentless retirees have turned planks of wood into grins of gratitude for children all around the world. "I was Santa Claus in Mexico, and I saw what a little toy could do for a little mind," he said. "Mrs. Claus said, 'Hey, did you see that? We've got to make toys.'" Thacker turned his back on retirement and founded Tiny Tim's Toy Factory (tinytimstoys.org) building wooden cars out of scraps, then handing them out for free to children across Utah and all around the world always surrounded by a group of aging volunteers. "I retired at age 63, and I got really tired of sitting at home," Thacker said. "I learned quickly that if you want to be happy, you go do something to make somebody else happy. When I come in at 9, some of the guys have been here for two or three hours." Thacker may not be able to recall how many hours he and his friends have spent crafting their toy cars, but there's one thing he keeps meticulous track of: the number of toys they've made. He's streamlined the process over the years, cranking out as many cars as he can. "When we started, we were making toys with 11 cuts of the band saw to make one toy," Thacker said. "Over the years, we said, 'Hey. We're never going to make it if we don't cut them down to one cut, one toy.'" All those years of work are finally paying off. "We don't want to get any dust on it," Thacker said, while lifting a piece of glass from a toy car he's especially proud of. "That's our 1 millionth toy. And once we reached it, the guys all cheered and patted themselves on the back and said, 'It'll only take us eight years to make the next million.'" But the years haven't been without their worries, as is the case with many nonprofits. In 2017, the man who'd been paying the rent on his factory space in West Jordan had to stop, leaving Tiny Tim's in danger of shutting down. After a story aired on KSL-TV, people stepped in to pick up the tab on his rent, even holding fundraisers in his honor. Thacker's bits of local publicity also led him to receive a small bit of international fame. A few months ago, Thacker appeared on Mike Rowe's "Returning the Favor" show on Facebook Watch, which has racked up 8.5 million views. Arranged by the city of West Jordan, Mike Rowe's producers, and Thacker's granddaughter, he was surprised with a parade in his honor. "The Mike Rowe show sent the word all over," Thacker said. Which sounds fantastic on the surface but notoriety can breed complications, like more demand from people wanting to hand out his toys. "A mission president in the Philippine Islands told his missionaries to come and get a box of toys," Thacker said. "I haven't kept track of how many, but I'm guessing 2,000 have gone to the Philippine Islands since March." If there's one thing Thacker knows, it's numbers. And since his appearance with Rowe, the number of cars he's been making has only gone up. "We do our regular Primary Children's, Shriners, the Road Home, Ronald McDonald House, Operation Give and Zimbabwe," he said. "We do that, and all of the sudden, we're having to do 2,500 more and then the next month, 3,500 more. So we're doing over 9,000 a month now." Which has left his once spacious warehouse more than a little cramped and moving isn't easy, considering many of his volunteers are elderly and can't travel very far from the West Jordan area. Thacker's main concern is about the well-being of his helpers. "We've got stuff piled on stuff," he said. "The worst fear old men have is falling." Although Thacker is grateful for all the help he's gotten over the years, and is proud of the increased demand that came about following his appearance with Mike Rowe, he says "Returning the Favor" also brought back an old problem. At the end of the show, Rowe presented Thacker with an ATV made up to look like one of his toy cars, prepped and ready for appearances in local parades along with a much bigger gift. Rowe handed Thacker and his wife a giant check, made out in the amount of $10,000. Although he was thrilled, he soon received some bad news. "The people that were paying my rent said, 'Well, you've got 10,000, we don't need to pay it anymore,'" Thacker said. "So we're back where we were a year ago." With the increased demand and the everyday expenses his foundation faces, Thacker's giant check continues to shrink. He thinks he has enough to keep going through December, which leaves the man who manufactures merriment right back where he started fighting to keep the lights on. But until the day help comes knocking, Thacker and the rest of his band of volunteers will keep working to make sure his biggest secret becomes as public as possible. "The secret is, make somebody else happy," he said. "And you're happy." SALT LAKE CITY Lung cancer is a growing concern in Utah, with one physician calling it "a silent epidemic." "Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer malignant out there," said Dr. Thomas Varghese, director of thoracic surgery and chief value officer at Huntsman Cancer Institute. He said more people in the world die from lung cancer than from breast, prostate and colon cancers combined. "In the United States, 433 people die each day from lung cancer, and yet, nobody really knows about it," Varghese said. Part of the problem, Varghese said, is public misconception, as lung cancer is largely believed by the public to be caused by smoking, yet the disease is killing more and more people who have never smoked. The American Cancer Society estimates that 154,000 people will die from lung cancer in 2018 and about 470 of those will be Utahns. Utah's air quality, which can reach dangerous levels during inversion or wildfire seasons, is partly to blame. An April report from the American Lung Association revealed that people with lung cancer, asthma, cardiopulmonary obstructive disorder, cardiovascular disease and diabetes are at higher risk when air is more polluted in Utah. Another report indicates that up to 3 percent of lung cancer cases in Utah can be attributed to poor air quality, or, more specifically, high levels of particulate matter that makes its way into critical tissue in the lungs. The Utah Geological Society reports high levels of radon gas throughout much of the state, as well. Radon gas becomes a hazard when it concentrates indoors. It is believed to be a major cause of lung cancer in Utah, as the state has some of the highest radon levels in the U.S., Varghese said. "We really need to highlight the prevalence of the disease," he said, adding that decreased exposure and increased detection is key. Lung cancer is the second-most common cancer in men and women, and the leading cancer killer among women, according to the American Lung Association. Varghese said concerning symptoms would include a cough that doesn't go away, sudden hoarseness and/or new onset of shortness of breath that cannot be explained by another illness. A low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan, available at Huntsman, can find if the lungs are affected. Beyond that, he said, there are a number of treatments that can be employed depending on the stage of the cancer. Treatment varies from surgical intervention, both minimally invasive and more so, including robotic thoracic surgery, a new advance in technology that Varghese calls "the next leap forward." Huntsman is the first program in the Intermountain West to implement the robotic intervention. "The biggest benefit is early recovery, shorter hospital length of stay and more quickly getting back to the things you enjoy doing," Varghese said. Varghese encourages anyone with symptoms or a family history of the disease to be tested. He said treatment is promising, even in later stages, and many have dedicated their lives "to the pursuit of treating and eradicating the disease." Lung cancer, he said, "is a deadly disease, and as with any other deadly disease, the efforts done to detect it at an earlier stage, you have better outcomes." SALT LAKE CITY Heres a look at the news for Aug. 6. Trump changes purpose of key meeting President Donald Trump reportedly changed his story about a 2016 meeting at Trump Tower that is a key point of the ongoing Russian investigation, according to The Associated Press. Trump tweeted that his son met with a Kremlin-connected lawyer to gain information on Hillary Clinton, the 2016 presidential candidate who lost to Trump in the election. "Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower," Trump wrote. "This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!" Trump and Donald Trump Jr. released a statement 13 months ago that told a different story. That statement said, "We primarily discussed a program about the adoption of Russian children that was active and popular with American families years ago." Read more. Lung cancer a silent epidemic Dr. Thomas Varghese, the director of thoracic surgery and chief value officer at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, called lung cancer a silent epidemic in the state of Utah, according to the Deseret News. "Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer malignant out there," he said, adding, "In the United States, 433 people die each day from lung cancer, and yet, nobody really knows about it. Varghese said the public has a misconception about lung cancer, believing it to be caused by smoking, even though the disease kills plenty of people who never smoked. Close to 154,000 people will die from lung cancer in 2018, with 470 of those people coming from Utah, according to the American Cancer Society. Read more. World Mission Society Church of God responds to Utah blood shortage The World Mission Society Church of God worked to help send more blood to Utah hospitals over the weekend, according to the Deseret News. Members of the church donated blood after the American Red Cross called to fill a summer shortage across the state. "We're one day out with O positive and a week out with all the other blood types," said Sheri Van Bibber, an American Red Cross donor recruiter. "Every summer we tend to get into this position." Red Cross volunteers worked double shifts to help keep up with the amount of donated blood. Read more. Sunroc Corp.s CEO donates $25K Sunroc Corp.s CEO Jeremy Hafen donated $25,000 to Shelter the Homeless, the future owner of the homeless resource centers in the Beehive State, according to the Deseret News. Hafen said the funds will help run the shelters, which are due to open on July 1, 2019. Hafens company worked as a subcontractor for the location at 131 E. 700 South. "We're seeing the foundation here, but there's a tie to the foundation of building something better for this community," he said. "It will help people change their lives." He added, "It's just starting from the ground up. And the fact that we're the ones that are building the foundation for this ... it's pretty amazing." Read more. AROUND THE WEB: Trump admits son met Russian for information on opponent [BBC] Indonesia earthquake: Hundreds await rescue as quake hits resort islands Bali and Lombok [CNN] Police raid compound in New Mexico, rescue 11 emaciated children living in squalor [NPR] 6 arrests in failed plot to assassinate Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro [CBS] Mineral never seen on Earth found inside Russian meteorite [Fox News] SALT LAKE CITY Utah has joined with 28 states fighting to preserve a historic cross honoring World War I veterans in Maryland as part of a case that they say has broader First Amendment implications. The bipartisan group of states is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to consider and ultimately protect veterans memorials that include religious symbolism. The states filed a friend of the court brief last week seeking to overturn a lower court ruling that found government funding for the 40-foot cross is an unconstitutional endorsement of religion. Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes said the case focuses on a war memorial honoring 49 soldiers who died but is much bigger than that. This Supreme Court decision will impact all of us in the manner in which we remember our history and honor our dead," he said in a statement. "Utah understands that the U.S. Constitution should never force Americans to jettison faith, the First Amendment or our sacred military history. Built in 1925 with money from local families and the American Legion, the memorial lists the names of 49 Prince George's County veterans on a plaque and includes the words "valor," "endurance, "courage" and "devotion" around the base. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission took over the land in 1961 because of its location at the busy intersection of U.S. Route 1 and Maryland Route 450 in Bladensburg. The state agency pays for maintenance and repairs. The American Humanist Society sued the park and planning commission seeking to remove or tear down the cross. A federal appeals court recently sided with the society, prompting the commission to petition the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case. The Bladensburg Cross was rededicated by the commission in 1985 to honor all war veterans, but it does exactly the opposite Monica Miller, American Humanist Society lead attorney on the case, said in a recent statement. This towering symbol of Christianity discriminates against patriotic non-Christians who died serving our country. If the Supreme Court were to review the case, its decision could impact hundreds of memorials across the nation, including those at Arlington National Cemetery, according to Reyes. Utah joined the West Virginia court brief with attorneys general from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Kartikeya Gummakonda To Work In Kalaipuli S Thanu's Film It seems that Tamil actor Kartikeya Gummakonda has hit a jackpot. The star has recently announced in an interview that his next film which will be directed by TN Krishna of Nuvvu Nenu Prema fame. Interestingly, the film project will be bankrolled by Kalaipuli S Thanu, who last produced the Rajinikanth starrer Kaala. As far as the actor is concerned, Kartikeya made his debut this year with the intense love story RX 100. The movie is directed by Ajay Bhupati which was released on July 12. The movie is still running successfully in theatres. If we go by the reports, the makers of this upcoming yet to be titled film headed to Hyderabad to narrate the story to Kartikeya. And the actor gave an immediate nod to come on the board. For now, the film is in its pre-production stage which will go on floors soon. Moreover, the film will have a star-studded cast and Kartikeya is said to be essaying an interesting role in the film. If things go well, the film is expected to arrive in cinemas by the end of this year. For latest movie reviews, ratings and trailers, download the Desimartini App. Source: telugu.itsmajja.com Indias Supreme Court has cleared Reliance Communications to sell off assets worth INR250 billion ($3.63 billion) after it resolved a legal spat with Ericsson with a settlement of INR5.5 billion ($80.06 million). Ericssons open legal challenge resulted in RCom receiving an interim order in March this year that prohibited the operator from selling off its wireless and fixed assets to Reliance Jio. Ericsson argued that RCom owed it INR11.56 billion in unpaid service charges. The legal dispute lasted 11 months, but pressure from Indian authorities eventually brought it to its resolution. In September last year, Ericsson attempted to initiate bankruptcy proceedings against RCom in a last resort attempt to settle the matter. The debt-stricken operator is selling its assets and infrastructure, including fibre, spectrum and towers, in order to pay down its debt it has pledged to pay back Ericsson by the end of August. Across the course of the dispute, it appeared on several occasions that the two parties were nearing an agreement, but even last week Ericsson was claiming that it could abandon their previously agreed deal. China Towers IPO has raised $6.9 billion, making it the most valuable offering globally since 2016. The infrastructure firm was set up by combining assets from China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom. Its float of a quarter of its equity is the largest international offering since Postal Saving Bank of Chinas IPO in 2016. Despite this, the amount generated fell well short of the expected $8.7 billion, coming in at the lower end of the estimated range despite a number of major investment companies pledging in July to provide China Tower funding worth $1.4 billion. China Tower is the worlds largest tower company with 1.87 million sites. Its IPO follows Xiaomis listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange, which raised $3.1 billion slightly more than half the desired sum. Gilat Satellite Networks has partnered with satellite firm Hispasat to commercialise the latters Ka band satellite capacity over Brazil. Hispasat is a leading global distributor of content in Spanish and Portuguese. The contract enables its subsidiary Hispamar to deliver consumer broadband and enterprise services to local Internet Service Providers (ISPs). This will enable the delivery of quality internet access nationwide, even to remote areas, with an estimated potential revenue of tens of millions of dollars over a period of several years. Hispasat and Gilat are joining forces to develop the satellite broadband market in Brazil. Hispamar will utilise the recently launched Amazonas-5 multi-spot-beam Ka satellite capacity, as well as Amazonas-3 Ka capacity, while leveraging Gilats SkyEdge II-c multi-service platform, versatile VSAT equipment, Network Operation Center (NOC), and field support services. Ignacio Sanchis, Chief Commercial Officer at Hispasat, said: Gilat has proven the superiority of its HTS platform and we are confident that Gilats leading technology and services will provide Hispamar with a competitive edge for successful service expansion throughout Brazil. With this joint effort, we will bring high quality connectivity to any point in the country and open the doors to digital world to the people living there. Ron Levin, VP Mobility and Global Accounts at Gilat, said: Hispasats widespread Ka HTS capacity across Latin America is the perfect fit for materialisation of our vision and commitment to deliver quality, plentiful and affordable broadband to unserved and underserved areas in Brazil and in the region. An influential drugs advisory body is calling for medicinal cannabis to be made available to treat medical conditions in the UK. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has advised the government to allow cannabis-derived products to be given to certain people with health conditions who could benefit from the drug. Several studies have linked cannabis to positive effects in diabetes, and it will be interesting to learn whether diabetes is one of the conditions where cannabis-derived products may be introduced. Reduced inflammation and pain from neuropathy, as well as improved blood sugar control, are among the reported benefits of cannabinoid substances. Moreover, several users on our Diabetes Forum have reported benefits from cannabidiol oil (CBD oil), which became legally available in Europe for the first time in 2015. CBD oil does not contain the psychoactive substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The ACMD recommendations were made after two boys with rare forms of epilepsy Billy Caldwell and Alfie Dingley were granted short-term licences to use cannabis oil to control their seizures, with the cases making national headlines. The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 Act has two schedules. The first contains a list of substances deemed illegal and the second indicates drugs which can be prescribed by doctors. The council has proposed a definition to be created for cannabis-based products which are medicinal, and that this would act as a test to decide on movement to schedule 2. The government would need to create the definition, and Home Secretary Sajid Javid said the recommendations would need to be carefully considered. Another recommendation put forward by ACMD was for clinical studies to be undertaken to and gain more knowledge about medicinal cannabis-based products and establish their safety and effectiveness. ACMD chair Dr Owen Bowden-Jones, said: At present, cannabis-derived products can vary greatly in their composition, effectiveness and level of impurity. It is important that clinicians, patients and their families are confident that any prescribed medication is both safe and effective. The ACMD recommends that an appropriate definition be agreed by DHSC [Department of Health and Social Care] and MHRA [Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency] promptly. Only products meeting this standard and definition should be given medicinal status. Earlier this month Professor Dame Sally Davies, Englands chief medical officer, said clinicians should be able to prescribe medicinal cannabis because there was strong evidence to back up its therapeutic benefit. If you are one that uses Google Maps regularly, you know how easy it is to navigate using the service. The trade-off in using the service to navigate is that it projects the world as flat. Thats ok for navigating especially since maps uses Mercator projection. Mercator projection essentially makes it easy to print the map on to a flat surface and adds the convenience of making a right turn look like a right turn when reading the map on your device. The new update to Google Maps brings a hybrid approach to the service. Sadly, as of writing this story, this change is for the desktop version of Google Maps and not mobile. As you start zooming out of Google Maps, the world gradually becomes round. When you zoom out completely, the world becomes a complete round globe, like it should be. Another problem with the Mercator projection is that objects around the equator are to scale, but objects closer to the poles appear larger than they really are to maintain uniformity. Google maps on twitter has mocked this trade-off with an interesting example the size of Greenland and Africa. On a Mercator map, Greenland appears larger than Africa, while the truth is that Africa is about 14-times larger than Greenland. On twitter Google has said, With 3D Globe Mode on Google Maps desktop, Greenland's projection is no longer the size of Africa. Just zoom all the way out at Google Maps has seen a series of updates in the recent past. The service has received an India specific update where Google Maps now shows a two-wheeler mode and displays locations of public toilets in the area. However, this update is limited to the Android version of Maps. You can read more about the update here. Google is also expected to add augmented reality directions to Google Maps on the phone. It announced this feature at Google I/O 2018, along with a host of cool features for Google Maps. You can check out the list of features here. With an aim to empower the rural population in India and give them access to digital banking and financial services, either with the help of a mobile app or by visiting a post office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) on August 21. According to an official, there will be at least one branch in every district. The IPPB has been setup under the Department of Post, Ministry of Communication with 100 percent equity owned by the Indian government. The Prime Minister has given time on August 21 to launch IPPB. Two branches of the bank are already operational. Rest of the 648 branches will be launched across country in every district. Government is trying to link all the 1.55 lakh post office branches with IPPB services by the end of this year, a senior official of the communications ministry told PTI, claiming that the launch will make the IPPB countrys largest banking network with direct presence at village level. Last week, IPPB CEO Suresh Shetty said that the bank will go live with 650 branches in addition to 3,250 access points co-located at post offices and around 11,000 postmen both in rural and urban area will provide doorstep banking services. IPPB has permission to link nearly 17 crore postal savings bank (PSB) accounts with its account. The banks can accept deposits of up to Rs 1 lakh per account from individuals and small businesses who will be permitted to carry RTGS, NEFT and IMPS transactions for money transfer. The payments bank will be used by the government to distribute MGNREGA wages, subsidies, pension, etc. The govt seems to be trying to earn good favour by making digital payment services accessible to rural India. While the idea is noble, feature phones still rule the roost in the country and they obviously do not have access to apps. Smart feature phones like the JioPhone could change that, but Jio has its own payments bank to think about and users will have to depend on Jio to get more apps into its ecosystem. In the feature phone segment, Reliance Jio topped with a massive 35.8 per cent share in the first quarter, Counterpoint Research said. According to International Data Corporation (IDC), the Indian feature phone market is expected to show a double-digit growth in 2018. More feature phones could mean lesser access to apps or monopoly of smartphone OEMs over the apps that reside on their phones. With 30 million smartphones shipped in January-March quarter, this has been the strongest beginning to the year which is showing a growth of 11 per cent year-on-year. Curiously, Jio does not allow any other payments bank app other than JioMoney on JioPhones. Recently, Reliance Jio and SBI entered into a partnership to increase SBIs digital customer base with JioPhone. With an increasing base, it is still uncertain whether Jio, or any other feature phone company, will allow the IPPB app to be installed (or pre-installed) on the device. The other option that the government is offering to rural population is to visit a post office to complete the transactions. People in rural areas have already been practicing this since long. It still needs to be seen how the IPPB bank will ease the process of financial transaction services for the rural population. US-based specialty glass maker Corning Inc. has already launched the next generation of Gorilla Glass, the Gorilla Glass 6. During its launch in the US last month, the technology giant did not provide any information regarding smartphone that will sport the newest tough glass. It was widely expected that the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 will get the Gorilla Glass 6 ahead of the others due to its August 9 launch date, but tCorning has now announced that it will be Oppos flagship device that will get to show off Gorilla Glass 6 first. The said smartphone was not named by Corning, but the company said that it is slated for release in the coming weeks. According to rumours and the spate of leaks making the rounds on the internet, Oppo could bring the Gorilla Glass 6 to either the Oppo F9 or the Oppo R17. Last week, the Chinese smartphone-maker uploaded a poster on Twitter teasing the F9 smartphone with an unconventional teardrop notch design. Meanwhile, a report claimed that Oppo is working on the R17 smartphone that is expected to have 10GB RAM. Both phones seem like potential candidates for Gorilla Glass 6. We are excited to have OPPO adopt Gorilla Glass 6. OPPOs new flagship model will provide consumers, who depend on their smartphone for every interaction in their digital lives, increased protection against multiple drops, John Bayne, Vice President and General Manager, Corning Gorilla Glass, said in a statement. Oppo was one of the early and leading adopters of Gorilla Glass 5. It has used this glass in a variety of smartphones, including its recent flagship Oppo Find X and R15. OPPO and Corning have always maintained a close working relationship, which has enabled a superior user experience for consumers through multiple versions of OPPO smartphones, added Andy Wu, Oppo Vice President. Snake pattern on Corning Gorilla Glass 6 Corning says that the Gorilla Glass 6 is its most durable cover glass to date. To improve cover glass performance, Corning scientists developed and engineered an entirely new material to address the challenge of multiple drops. According to the company, in lab tests, Gorilla Glass 6 survived 15 drops from one meter onto rough surfaces. Under the same test conditions, competitive glass compositions, such as soda lime and aluminosilicate, did not even survive the first drop. This time around, Gorilla Glass 6 comes with the ability to display new designs and textures. At the launch of Gorilla Glass 6, Corning showed us some really cool samples of glass panels, the texture of which can be made to feel like wood or even snake skin by using the company's proprietary process. During the launch, the company also announced Gorilla Glass DX and Gorilla Glass DX+ for wearables. One of the features of the Gorilla Glass in that its customisable, and it is claimed to be twice as strong as the Gorilla Glass 5. The company says that Corning Gorilla Glass has been designed into more than six billion devices by more than 45 major brands. Sunita Williams, an Indian-origin U.S. astronaut, is one of the nine astronauts selected by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) to fly the first missions into space on commercially provided rockets and capsules. The flight to space will kick off early next year. This will be the first crewed test flights and missions on a commercial spacecraft. The spacecraft, Dragoncapsule, has been built jointly by the Boeing Company and Elon Musks SpaceX. In a tweet NASA said, Future Commercial Crew astronauts will be riding to space on partner vehicles built by SpaceX & BoeingSpace. The Dragoncapsule will take off for the International Space Station in the beginning of 2019. It seems that NASA has worked closely with the Boeing and SpaceX with regards to design, development and testing of the Dragoncapsule. This is to ensure that it meets safety and performance requirements. The men and women we assign to these first flights are at the forefront of this exciting new time for human spaceflight. It will be thrilling to see our astronauts lift off from American soil, and we cant wait to see them aboard the International Space Station, said Mark Geyer, Director of NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston. Speaking of Sunita Williams, she was selected as an astronaut in 1998. Since then she has spent 322 days aboard the International Space Station. This is for Expeditions 14/15 and Expeditions 32/33. She has also commanded the ISS along with performing seven spacewalks. In 2014 Boeing and SpaceX were awarded a combined total of $6.8 billion to develop a space craft to fly a crew to the ISS. This contract was from NASA. Once the flight test with the crew is complete, NASA will review the flight data to verify and check whether the systems meet the agency's safety and performance certification requirements. After that, NASA will be ready to begin regular servicing missions to the space station. Speaking of other members of the Astronaut team travelling to ISS aboard the SpaceX-Boeing flight, Josh Cassada will fly with Sunita Williams. This will be his first spaceflight. NASA astronauts Robert Behnken, Douglas Hurley, Eric Boe, Nicole Mann, Victor Glover, and Michael Hopkins will also be a part of the crew. It will be Victor Glovers first space flight as well. Former astronaut and now Boeing executive Christopher Ferguson will also be a part of the crew. Before the crewed missions, both Boeing and SpaceX plan uncrewed test flights in late 2018 or early 2019. Source Bharti Airtel and Telecom Egypt have announced a partnership, wherein, Airtel will get IRUs (Indefeasible Right of Use) on Middle East North Africa Submarine Cable (MENA Cable) and TE North Cable Systems. With this, Airtel will be able to diversify its network to serve the demand for data services, particularly in emerging markets across South Asia, Africa and Middle East. Read the complete press release below Bharti Airtel (Airtel), a leading global telecom services provider, and Telecom Egypt, Egypts first integrated telecom operator, announced a strategic partnership, wherein, Airtel will get IRUs (Indefeasible Right of Use) on Middle East North Africa Submarine Cable (MENA Cable) and TE North Cable Systems. In addition, Airtel will also take large capacities on a long-term basis on two new state-of-the-art Cable Systems (SMW5 & AAE1). The transactions aim to be concluded after the fulfillment of all conditions precedents. The partnership grants Airtel the right to use fiber pairs of MENA Cable from Egypt to India with access to Saudi Arabia and Oman, and other fiber pairs from Egypt towards Italy. It also extends beyond MENA Cable, where Airtel will get the right to use a fiber pair from Egypt to France on TE North along with capacities on SMW5 and AAE1 cable systems. With this, Airtel will be able to further diversify its global network to serve the massive growth in demand for data services, particularly in emerging markets across South Asia, Africa and Middle East, while also benefitting from the favorable economics of Telecom Egypts existing wide cable systems network. Ajay Chitkara, Director and CEO Airtel Business said, The partnership with Telecom Egypt underlines our commitment to provide world-class service experience to our customers. The partnership including MENA Cable and TEs network will be a good addition to our global network portfolio and provide us with a high quality and diversified new route to Western Europe and the rest of the world. With the explosion of data usage in emerging markets, including India and Africa, this asset will provide us a scalable and diverse high capacity highway to serve our customers. In particular, it will provide impetus to Indias emergence as a major regional internet hub serving customers across SAARC region, with seamless global connectivity. Ahmed El Beheiry, Chief Executive Officer of Telecom Egypt commented, Telecom Egypts global network was built over the years through investments in consortiums as well as private international submarine cable systems. Our reach and position as an international hub with tens of Tbps lit capacity, makes us the partner of choice for Euro-Asian and Euro-African transit traffic. Telecom Egypt signed the agreement with OTMT to acquire MENA Cable with the aim of capitalizing on the growing traffic from India and Saudi Arabia to Europe and to obtain a new gateway to Europe through Italy. We are pleased to be able to sign the MoU with Airtel as well as to be able to bundle MENAs assets with existing assets of the TE network. We aim to come back to the market with more details on the MoU and its financial impact once the deal is closed. Egypts distinctive geographic location on the Red and Mediterranean seas has enabled Telecom Egypt to connect more than 11 cable systems from the East and 13 from the West linked with the Red-Med Corridor consisting of 7 diversified routes across Egypt. Telecom Egypts global network was built over the years through investments in international submarine cable systems, namely: TE North, ALETAR, SEA-ME-WE-3, SEA-ME-WE-4, SEA-ME-WE-5, IMEWE, EIG, and AAE-1. Airtels global network portfolio includes ownership of i2i submarine cable system connecting Chennai to Singapore, consortium ownership of SMW4 submarine cable system connecting Chennai and Mumbai to Singapore and Europe, and new cable system investments like Asia America Gateway (AAG), India Middle East & Western Europe (IMEWE), Unity, EIG (Europe India Gateway) and East Africa Submarine System (EASSy). It also has terrestrial express connectivity to neighboring countries including Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh and China. US senators quiz Google about Chinese search engine plans A bipartisan group of six US Senators, including Florida Republican Marco Rubio, have written to Google chief executive Sundar Pichai asking about the tech giant's reported plan to create a censored Chinese version of its search engine. Seeking details about a reported plan to develop a censored Chinese version of the companys search engine, the letter says the unconfirmed project is deeply troubling and risks making Google complicit in human rights abuses in China. See: "What has changed since 2010 to make Google comfortable cooperating with the rigorous censorship regime in China?" asked the senators ( Google threatens to exit China after cyber attacks ). The Intercept first reported on Googles Chinese search project last week. According to the report, the tool takes the form of an Android app, and has already been demonstrated to the Chinese government. The project, reportedly codenamed Dragonfly, would be a profound reversal for the company, which in 2010 refused to comply with Chinese government censorship requirements on ethical grounds, and essentially abandoned the market. Google has not officially confirmed or denied the projects existence, though The Intercepts report was based on internal documents, and multiple subsequent media reports suggest employees have also seen the app firsthand. The senators letter seeks clarity about the projects existence, and details about its operation. The letter also functions as a laundry list of reasons Googles possible involvement in such an effort is so disturbing. Most pointedly, the letter focuses on Googles recent technology-sharing agreement with Chinese tech giant Tencent, its first such agreement in China. The senators ask whether the agreement was connected in any way with [Googles] efforts to enter the Chinese market via the custom search app. Google is clearly broadening its push for a presence in China this weekend, reports claimed it is considering offering cloud services such as Docs and Drive through Chinese partners. According to The Information, the company is also developing a news-aggregation app for use in China that will comply with the country's censorship laws. The senators letter also asked "which 'blacklist' of censored searches and websites" Google would use in a Chinese search product. The state-owned China Securities Daily, however, last week refuted the report that Google is building a search engine for China. The senators letter emphasizes widespread claims that Tencent and other Chinese tech giants are closely tied to the Chinese government. Those relationships raise the possibility that Google technology could either be stolen outright or more subtly used to create products that obscure Googles involvement to insulate the company from reputational damage in the US. China is home to 772 million Internet users - the biggest online community in the world. Google, which has hundreds of people working in China, has launched its Artificial Intelligence lab in the country. Chinese internet censorship is active and far-reaching, both blocking thousands of specific websites, and certain discussion topics on social media. Broadly, the goal of the Great Firewall is to suppress dissent against the Chinese Communist Party, and prohibited topics include information about domestic scandals, as well as pro-democracy movements and criticism of authoritarian regimes in general. Uprooted Palestinians are at the heart of the conflict in the M.E Palestinians uprooted by force of arms. Yet faced immense difficulties have survived, kept alive their history and culture, passed keys of family homes in occupied Palestine from one generation to the next. Baleno to be first Suzuki-Toyota cross breed in India Japanese auto makers Suzuki and Toyota are taking their cross-badging collaboration in India to next level with Maruti Suzuki getting ready to invest around Rs7,000 crore in Toyota Kirloskar Motors Bidadi plant near Bengaluru. Part of the investment will go towards refurbishing the plant to suit Marutis production requirements. Maruti Suzuki will also supply roughly 25,000 Maruti Baleno premium hatchbacks to Toyota Motor Corp every year. Baleno will thus become the first Maruti car to be sold as a Toyota in India. Being the largest car maker, and also the fastest car maker in the country, Maruti knows how to build its cars efficiently. Toyota will also be selling the Maruti Baleno premium hatchback and the Vitara Brezza compact SUV through its network of dealerships. The first Baleno with the Toyota logo will be launched in the first quarter of the next financial year. The Baleno that will be sold by Toyota Motor Corp will get some cosmetic changes to have its own identity. The exterior is likely to come with a new set of bumpers, a new grille, and updated headlamps and tail lights. Even the interior will get some changes. Reports quoting sources close to the developments said the changes to be made have already been approved and both the companies have already decided on the number of vehicles to be supplied. Toyota currently operates through the joint venture Toyota Kirloskar Motors and doesnt have any major investment plans until 2020. Since Baleno is a product which is being exported to other countries, including Japan, there will be no issue regarding quality either. Toyotas Bidadi facility has an installed capacity of 3 lakh units per year, of which only 50 per cent is being utilized. Officials of both Japanese manufacturers have reportedly visited Bidadi site to assess capability of further investment. In addition to refurbishing the plant, Maruti will also bring its entourage of suppliers to Karnatakas Japanese Industrial Township located at Tumakuru. This will increase direct and indirect employment in the state. Maruti Suzuki currently operates 3 production facilities in India (2 in Haryana, 1 in Gujarat) and the Bidadi plant would help the company have a better reach among South Indian customers. The automaker is reported to commence production of most of its models at Bidadi by 2022. The two models which Toyota will be selling under their badge are Vitara Brezza and Baleno. Both these cars will be produced at the Toyota plant. Teams from Toyota and Maruti are working together on various aspects of cross-badging partnership which will see Toyota gaining access to Marutis best selling products like Baleno and Vitara Brezza, and Maruti taking advantage of its compatriots hybrid and electric vehicle technology besides gaining permission to sell the Corolla sedan with Maruti Suzuki badging. A co-engineered product is also said to be in the works, according to unconfirmed reports. Rivals at home and in several segments of the Indian market, the two Japanese carmakers were forced to come together to explore all possible synergies that would help both to achieve significant cost savings in the long run and fend off rivals in a highly competitive market. Maruti Suzuki to invest $1 billion in Toyota's Karnataka plant Maruti Suzuki India Ltd plans to invest a billion dollars in Toyota Indias under-utilised Bidadi plant in Karnataka. Toyota's Bidadi plant's capacity is 3 lakh per year and the company is now availing only half of it, Takayuki Kitagawa, the Japanese consul-general, was quoted in the media. There is an idle capacity of 1.5 lakh at the plant and Maruti will make further investment to manufacture their cars at the facility. The two Japanese auto majors had in March agreed to jointly produce and sell cars in India. Maruti Suzuki had agreed to supply its popular models including Baleno hatchback and the Vitara Brezza compact SUV to Toyota, while the latter is to produce the Corolla sedan for Suzuki. Maruti Suzuki and Toyota had also agreed to share their factories and dealer networks in India, enabling the former to use under-utilised facilities of Toyota in India. A Japan External Trade Organisation official has been quoted as saying that Maruti which has four plants in India plans to boost its presence in the south. Over the next decade, it plans to boost its production capacity by 2.5 million vehicles in India. Under the new deal between the two Japanese companies, Suzuki will supply about 25,000 Balenos to Toyota every year. The Baleno would be sold through Toyotas India dealership, according to sources. Maruti Suzuki, Indias largest automaker with an over 50-per cent market share, launched the Baleno in 2015 and has seen it emerge as a hugely popular model with sales of 15,000 units every month. It is produced at its Gujarat plant. Indra Nooyi to step down as PepsiCo CEO, Ramon Laguarta to take over PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi will step down after 12 years at the helm of the food and beverage giant, steering the company through consumers changing tastes and adapting to the demands of the environment, while also fending off pressure from activist investors. Indra Nooyi (left) and successor Ramon Laguarta PepsiCo Inc today announced that its board of directors has unanimously elected Ramon Laguarta, 54, to succeed the 62-year-old Nooyi effective 3 October. He will be Pepsi's sixth CEO. Nooyi will remain as chairman until early 2019. Since Nooyi took over as CEO, PepsiCo has delivered total shareholder return of 162 per cent between 31 December 2006 and 31 December 2017. Total cash returned to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases since the beginning of 2006 till the end of 2017 stood at $79.4 billion/ Dividends per share nearly tripled from $1.16 in 2006 to $3.17 in 2017, a compound annual growth rate of nearly 10 per cent. Net revenue increased from $35 billion in 2006 to $63.5 billion in 2017, a compound annual growth rate of 5.5 per cent. "Leading PepsiCo has truly been the honour of my lifetime, and I'm incredibly proud of all we have done over the past 12 years to advance the interests not only of shareholders, but all our stakeholders in the communities we serve," said Nooyi. "Growing up in India, I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary company. Guided by our philosophy of Performance with Purpose delivering sustained performance while making more nutritious products, limiting our environmental footprint and lifting up all the communities we serve we've made a more meaningful impact in people's lives than I ever dreamed possible. PepsiCo today is in a strong position for continued growth with its brightest days still ahead." On his successor, Nooyi said, "Ramon Laguarta is exactly the right person to build on our success. He is a terrific executive with a long and proven track record of growing businesses. He has a deep understanding of the changing preferences of consumers and other critical trends unfolding around the world, and he has demonstrated that he knows how to navigate them successfully. Ramon has been a critical partner in running the company, and I'm confident he will take PepsiCo to new and greater heights in the years to come." PepsiCo has faced challenges from upstart brands that continue to threaten its market share, including once-dominant drinks like Gatorade, more so in the North American market. PepsoCos beverage business has been more challenged than its snacking business, raising the prospects of a splitting of the two businesses. In fact, activist investor Nelson Peltz who had taken a stake in the company, had pushed for a split of the two businesses before backing off and exiting the company in 2016. Nooyi is the latest in a growing list of departures of chief executives across the food and beverage industry, as it faces the unprecedented challenge of remaking decades-old companies under the glare of the public eye. Laguarta will become the sixth CEO in PepsiCo's 53-year history. All have been appointed from within the organization, a testament to PepsiCo's strong bench of talent and succession planning. Laguarta, a 22-year veteran of the company, has been president since September, overseeing global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs. Prior to that, Laguarta served in leadership positions in the European and sub-Saharan Africa divisions. Laguarta has held a number of executive and general management roles in his 22 years at PepsiCo. Since September 2017, Laguarta has served as president of PepsiCo, overseeing global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs. Previously, Laguarta served as chief executive officer, Europe Sub-Saharan Africa, one of PepsiCo's most complex businesses with operations spanning three continents and comprised of developed, developing and emerging markets. Prior to that, he served as President, PepsiCo Eastern Europe region and served in a variety of sales, marketing and other commercial roles across Europe. Prior to PepsiCo, Laguarta worked for Chupa Chups, S.A, a leading confectionery company based in Spain, where he held a number of international roles in Europe and the US Laguarta holds an MBA from ESADE Business School in Spain and a Master's in International Management (M&M) from Thunderbird School of Global Management in the U.S. A Barcelona native, he speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German and Greek. With Nooyi's departure, the rest of PepsiCo's senior leadership team will remain unchanged. Laguarta's direct reports will be: Hugh F Johnston, vice chairman and chief financial officer; Mehmood Khan, vice chairman and chief scientific officer, Global Research and Development; Albert P Carey, chief executive officer, PepsiCo North America; Vivek Sankaran, president and chief operating officer, Frito-Lay North America; Kirk Tanner, president and chief operating officer, North America Beverages; Laxman Narasimhan, chief executive officer, Latin America and Europe Sub-Saharan Africa; Silviu Popovici, president, Europe Sub-Saharan Africa; Mike Spanos, chief executive officer, Asia, Middle East and North Africa; Dave Yawman, executive vice president of government affairs, general counsel and corporate secretary; Jon Banner, executive vice president, global communications and president, PepsiCo Foundation; and Ruth Fattori, executive vice president and chief human resources officer. Two SC judges meet chief justice on lowering of seniority of newly-sworn in K.M. Joseph Two Supreme Court judges met chief justice Dipak Misra on Monday and expressed concerns over the Centres decision to lower the seniority of justice K M Joseph among the three new judges to be sworn in on Tuesday. According to reports, the chief justice told them he would consult justice Ranjan Gogoi, the senior-most judge after him and who wasnt present at the meeting on Monday and take up the matter with the government. Justices M B Lokur and Kurian Joseph met chief justice Misra in the morning and reportedly complained to him about the government action. On Friday, the government issued a notification on the appointment of three judges and Josephs name was ranked third after Indira Banerjee, the former chief justice of Madras high court and Vineet Saran, the former chief justice of Orissa high court. The Supreme Court collegium had recommended Josephs name for elevation to the apex court in January. However, the government refused on the grounds that he lacked seniority and that there would be over-representation of judges from Kerala in the Supreme Court. The recommendation was resent by the collegium to the government in July. This time, it was accepted, but his name came up third after the other two judges. As chief justice of Uttarakhand high court, Joseph had struck down the dismissal of the Congress government and imposition of Presidents Rule in the state in 2016. Plans for coping with disruptions on ITER The sixth Annual Theory and Simulation of Disruptions Workshop at the US Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) made substantial progress toward planning a system for mitigating disruptions on ITER, the international experiment under construction in France to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion power. Disruptions, the sudden loss of heat in plasma that halts fusion reactions, can seriously damage ITER and other doughnut-shaped fusion facilities called tokamaks, and are among the major challenges facing the international experiment. Design of a disruption mitigation system for ITER is a primary responsibility of US. fusion scientists, said Amitava Bhattacharjee, head of the Theory Department at PPPL ad organizer of the June 16-19 workshop attended by some 35 US and international physicists. Fusion, the process that powers the sun and stars, is the fusing of light elements in the form of plasma the hot, charged state of matter composed of free electrons and atomic nuclei that generates massive amounts of energy. Scientists are seeking to replicate fusion on Earth for a virtually inexhaustible supply of energy to generate electricity. Topics discussed during the three-day event covered theoretical and experimental research on issues ranging from runaway electrons searing laser-like beams of high voltage and current that can damage tokamaks to machine-learning software for predicting disruptions in time to tame them. "Controlling disruptions, particularly runaway electrons, is among the most important challenges confronting ITER," Bhattacharjee said. "Working closely with our colleagues at ITER, we must develop a plan over the next few years for a reliable disruption mitigation system for this facility." Shattered pellet injection A key method outlined during the workshop is injection of shattered pellets, composed of elements such as boron or beryllium, to control ITER disruptions. The technique has chiefly been tested on the DIII-D national fusion facility that General Atomics operates for the DOE in San Diego, and important results from this facility were presented by DIII-D scientists. United Kingdom's Joint European Torus (JET), the largest and most powerful tokamak in operation today, will begin shattered pellet testing in December. Workshop presenters included Daniele Carnevale of the University of Rome Tor Vergata, who discussed control of runaway electron beams on the Frascati Tokamak Upgrade (FTU) in Frascati, Italy, and the TCV tokamak in Lausanne, Switzerland, two medium-sized fusion facilities. Carnevale said the experiments demonstrated improved control of runaway electrons through use of a fast-control feedback system that held the plasma in place, but full control of runaways has yet to be achieved. Feedback control will next be tested on JET, he said. Among theory speakers was physicist Dylan Brennan of PPPL and Princeton University, who serves as principal investigator of the Simulation Center for Runaway Electron Avoidance and Mitigation (SCREAM). The two-year-old center combines simulations and data from worldwide experiments to explore the causes and solutions for runaway electrons. Brennan said the group has developed a rigorous way to couple large codes that simulate runaway electron generation with codes that simulate disruptions. Such coupling requires coordination of experts in these codes, he said. Simulation tools are rapidly advancing, according to Bhattacharjee. Such tools are being developed to simulate and predict the behavior of plasmas in ITER. "Predictive capability is what we must have for ITER," he pointed out. "ITER cannot be used for learning about disruptions -- it must avoid or mitigate disruptions and operate successfully." This might be one of the first Chinese car makers to launch a solid attack on the established premium car market. Revealing the third and aptly named 03 before its production debut next month, automaker Lynk & Co has rivals like Audi and Mercedes-Benz set in its sights. Owned by Chinese automotive goliath Geely, the compact sedan benefits from sitting on Volvos newest Compact Modular Architecture platform. Harnessing the Swedish makers engine line-up, it will also bring a variety of drivetrains to market from petrol to electric power. But while electrification is a key area for the brand, it will focus on delivering cutting-edge technology and connectivity thats permanently connected to compete against the likes of the upcoming Mercedes A-Class and its brand-new MBUX platform. 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. At least 98 people have died and another were 200 seriously injured after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the Indonesian resort island of Lombok Sunday evening. Nearly 20,000 people were displaced by the powerful temblor and housed in temporary shelters, the New York Times reported on Monday, citing Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for Indonesia's National Disaster Management Board. Footage on social media shows structures shaking and panicked people fleeing towards safety. About 2,700 mostly foreign visitors have also been evacuated to nearby islands, the Guardian reported. Victims are being treated at makeshift wards set up in tents. "Many injured people are being treated outside of hospitals and health clinics because the buildings were damaged," Nugroho told AFP. Indonesian authorities measured the quake at a magnitude of 7.0. The U.S. Geological Survey, which measured it as a 6.9, said it happened as the result of shallow thrust fault on or near The Flores Back Arc Thrust. The deadly quake, which occurred off the north coast of Lombok and felt in neighboring Bali and parts of East Java, comes not long after a magnitude 6.4 quake hit Lombok on July 29, killing 16 people and damaged hundreds of buildings. A tsunami warning was issued but later cancelled. Indonesian President Joko Widodo expressed his condolences to the earthquake victims. "To the people of Lombok and surrounding areas, please keep calm," he tweeted Monday. "Our brothers are not alone in facing this ordeal. We are with you all." He also said in a press conference that he has ordered the Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs to coordinate rescue and recovery efforts on Lombok "so that the handling of this earthquake crisis can be done as fast as possible. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who recently left Jakarta after an official visit, offered "deepest sympathies" to all affected by the earthquake. "We are closely monitoring the aftermath," he added. By Lisa Archer Friends of the Earth recently released a brief that raised important questions about laboratory-created animal replacement products (in vitro meat and genetically engineered proteins) that are in development or on the market ahead of robust health and environmental assessment, oversight and labeling. Some of the coverage and responses to our report created confusion and obscured our support for safe and sustainably produced plant-based meat and dairy alternatives. In fact, Friends of the Earth is a prominent proponent of delicious, healthy, non-GMO and sustainably produced plant-based products that make it easy for people to get the protein they need without having to eat factory farmed animal products that make up more than 95 percent of the market. The factory farming industry is an ecological and public health nightmare. Raising 9 billion animals to produce 100 billion pounds of meat every year uses a staggering amount of land, GMO seed and toxic pesticides, fertilizer, fuel, antibiotics and water. Factory farming is driving the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, polluting our air and dumping toxic waste into our waterways. The top five meat and dairy companies emit more greenhouse gases than Exxon, Shell or BP; the world cannot meet its climate targets without drastically curbing meat consumption. That's not to mention the unthinkable toll factory farms have taken on the well-being of neighboring communities, the safety of workers and the welfare of animals. The top five meat and dairy companies emit more greenhouse gases than Exxon, Shell or BP. IATP The situation is indisputably dire. The question at hand is, how can we get on a pathway toward a truly equitable, resilient, sustainable and humane food system? There are three primary approaches to curbing the most harmful impacts of factory farming: One: through stricter regulation that has so far evaded our country due to the enormous political clout of the highly consolidated meat, pharmaceutical and agrichemical corporations; Two: by greatly reducing consumption of animal products and moving toward plant-based diets; Three: by transitioning to more sustainably and humanely produced animal products, raised via organic and regenerative pasture-based methods. At Friends of the Earth, we believe that all three strategies must be part of the solution. For years, Friends of the Earth has been a leader within the environmental community advocating for a shift in diets toward more sustainably produced plant-based foods and less and better meat and dairy. We've worked with cities and counties, k-12 school districts and universities, urging the purchase of fewer and better animal products and more plant-based proteins. We helped lead the fight to incorporate a strong recommendation for less meat consumption and sustainability into the 2015 "Dietary Guidelines for Americans," and we recently exposed the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef's shameful greenwashing. Fortunately, these strategies and great work from animal welfare, health and environmental organizations are working, and the market is starting to reflect consumers' growing demand for healthy, plant-based, climate-friendly food. According to Nielsen, plant-based foods grew 20 percent in the 52 week period ending in June 2018, compared to sales of all foods, which grew just 2%. U.S. retail sales of plant-based milk alternatives grew 9 percent and plant-based meat substitutes grew 24 percent. We whole-heartedly applaud this progress as great news for the environment, public health and animal welfare. Why are we concerned about GMO animal replacement foods? A small but growing number of animal replacement products contain genetically engineered proteins. Products, such as the Impossible Burger, are entering the marketplace ahead of adequate assessments and regulatory oversight and without GMO labels that allow consumers to make informed choices. In vitro meat products are still in development with goals to enter the market in the near future. Both in vitro meat and genetically engineered proteins, as well as all new food ingredients, should be shown to be safe for our health and environment, have proper oversight and be labeled for a consumer's right to know before they end up on our plates. Genetically engineered proteins present novel risks to our health and environment that require additional consideration. The Impossible Burger. Impossible Foods Given their recent track record, people rightly don't trust big food companies or the increasingly consolidated power of agribusiness corporations like Bayer, which just merged with Monsanto. If investors and the tech companies producing genetically engineered animal replacement products want to create a viable alternative to factory farming and gain any measure of consumer trust, they need to be radically transparent with robust oversight, in sharp contrast to the secretive and dangerously under-regulated factory farming and agrichemical industries. If we rush these so-called "silver bullets" to market based on investor hype, without ensuring they are the healthiest, safest and most sustainable alternativesthat people will actually trust and want to eatit may backfire. A growing number of people don't trust food with thousands of unassessed chemicals that end up in food via the flawed GRAS process that according to the American Academy of Pediatrics should be greatly strengthened or replaced because it is "insufficient to ensure the safety of food additives" and does not "contain sufficient protections against conflict of interest." Consumers are abandoning the center aisles of grocery stores in favor of less processed, less packaged, healthier, fresh food at the perimeter. The growth in organic, non-GMO and "clean label" food is part of this trendand the same consumers that are driving it are also the most likely to adopt a flexitarian, vegetarian or vegan diet. According to Mintel, "consumers are more likely to seek plant-based protein products with no artificial ingredients (41%), that are high in protein (35%) and fiber (28%), and those that are non-GMO (28%). Non-GMO claims in particular are driving innovation in the category, as US launches of foods and beverages with plant-based proteins with a non-GMO claim grew from 3.8% in 2012 to 19.6% in 2017." Clearly there are immense benefits to people, animals and the planet from eliminating the factory farming industry. These benefitsthat include a massive reduction in the need for pesticide intensive GMO corn and soymust be weighed against costs. Fortunately for our planet and people's health, there are few costsand many benefitsgenerated by replacing factory farmed animal products with non-GMO or organic, sustainably produced plant-based proteins and a smaller amount of meat that comes from well-managed, regenerative, organic, pasture-based or higher welfare systems. We have good evidence that these foods are safer and healthier, that consumers want them and that the planet can sustain their production. That's why Friends of the Earth is working to accelerate these solutions. On the other hand, genetically engineered animal replacements have not been adequately assessed for their impacts on human health and the environment. Because altering organisms at the genetic level can create unexpected changes in the compounds they produce, genetically engineered animal replacement ingredients produced by GMO yeast or algae could also pose novel health risks. In fact, documents by the FDA express concern about the potential of some of the new GMO proteins to be allergens. Aside from feedstocks (like pesticide-intensive industrial GMO corn and sugarcane) and other direct environmental costs of producing these proteins at scale, there are other environmental risks not currently assessed. For example, due to their microscopic size and capacity to become airborne, engineered organisms like yeast or microalgae will inevitably escape from any industrial cultivation facility. Complete containment is not feasible. Because they reproduce and many can crossbreed with related organisms or even, in the case of microbes, "swap genes" with unrelated species via horizontal gene transfer, the escape of genetically engineered organisms could have pronounced negative ecological consequences. These include genetic contamination of wild species and disruption of natural ecosystems. Which begs the question: why do we need genetically engineered proteins when many other safe, sustainable and healthy non-GMO or organic plant-based meat and dairy replacements, and other plant proteins, are available and growing in popularity? Until these genetic engineering methods are proven safe for our health and the planet through rigorous assessment and are subject to oversight and labeling, they will continue to take us on a path away from proven solutions. Transforming our food system will take all of us, and for it to be successful, we can't afford missteps. Only more democracy, sustainability, equity and transparency will get us thereand of course, more plants! Local governments in England and Wales have said that only about a third of the plastic food containers recycled by their constituents are actually able to be processed in recycling facilities, BBC News reported Saturday. The Local Government Association (LGA) found that 525,000 metric tons (approximately 578,713 U.S. tons) of plastic pots, trays and tubs are used by English and Welsh households, but only 169,000 metric tons (approximately 186,291 U.S. tons) can actually be recycled. The rest end up in landfills. The rejected plastics are usually low-grade mashups of polymers or black plastics that cannot be scanned by recycling machines because of their color. "It's time for manufacturers to stop letting a smorgasboard of unrecyclable and damaging plastic flow into our environment. We've been calling for producers of unrecyclable material to develop a plan to stop this from entering the environment for years," LGA environment spokesperson Judith Blake told The Guardian. The LGA proposed five fixes that would reduce the number of unrecyclable plastic food containers, according to The Guardian. 1. Make yogurt containers with the same material as plastic water bottles, instead of a hard-to-recycle mix of polypropylene and polystyrene. 2. Also make margarine and ice cream tubs from the same plastic as water bottles, instead of polypropylene. 3. Make fruit and vegetable baskets from fewer, more easily recyclable materials instead of a mix of polymers. 4. Make bakery trays from more easily recyclable materials, instead of a mix of polymers. 5. Change the color of black plastic packaging for microwave goods so that it can be scanned and recycled more easily. The use of black plastic is especially ridiculous because it is only used for aesthetic reasons, LGA councillor Peter Fleming told BBC News. "It's almost criminal to think that some of the plastics being used are difficult to recycle, and black plastic is almost impossible to recycle," Fleming said. Blake also suggested that the government consider banning single-use, low grade plastics. The UK grocery industry is in the process of trying to make a change. More than 40 companies signed the "UK Plastics Pact" in April, promising, among other things, to make sure all packaging was reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. The plastics industry says that a much as 80 percent of existing packaging could be made more recyclable, BBC News reported. Globally, a 2017 study found that only 9 percent of all plastic waste has been recycled, with 79 percent ending up in landfills or the environment, National Geographic reported. The same study found that 8.3 billion metric tons (approximately 9.2 billion U.S. tons) of plastic have been generated in just six decades. "This kind of increase would 'break' any system that was not prepared for it, and this is why we have seen leakage from global waste systems into the oceans ," University of Georgia environmental engineer Jenna Jambeck told National Geographic. (Photo: Peter Kenny)Jerusalem religious signs for Christians, Jews and Muslims on Feb. 14, 2016. Tens of thousands of protesters packed Tel Aviv's Rabin Square at the weekend in the largest protest yet against Israel's controversial nation-state law which is opposed in some cases by Jews, Christians, Muslims, and significantly members of the country's Druze community. Led by Israel's Druze minority, the crowd, filling nearly every square foot of the city's central square, repeatedly cheered "Equality!" as speakers railed against the recently passed legislation, CNN reported on Aug. 5. Druze leaders say the nation-state law makes them feel like second-class citizens because it doesn't mention equality or minority rights. The law focuses almost exclusively on enshrining Israel as the Jewish people's nation-State. "The nation-State law in its current form does not recognize all Israeli citizens as equals," said Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai at the protest. "For the love of the nation, I call all of us to cancel or amend the law that leaves the 'other' outside the circle and to remove this ugly stain from the face of our state of Israel." Palestinian citizens of Israel have leveled strong criticism of the law since even before it was passed. DRUZE SPECIAL PLACE IN ISRAEL But CNN noted that Druze hold a special place in Israeli society. The Druze, a religious group spread throughout Israel, Lebanon and Syria, make up a subset of Israel's Arab population. They are known to be fiercely loyal Israel. Numbering fewer than 150,000, Israeli Druze nonetheless participate in every aspect of Israeli society. They support the State of Israel, are active in parliament and, crucially, serve in the Israeli army. "All our lives we took pride in an enlightened, democratic, and free state of Israel with the freedom and dignity of man as a supreme value. We never questioned the Jewish identity of the state," said Sheikh Muafak Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze in Israel. "No one can teach us about sacrifice. No one can preach to us about loyalty. Military cemeteries and hundreds of fallen soldiers will testify to it. "The same way we fight for the existence of the state, we are determined to fight for the right to live in equality and dignity. We are Israelis. We are brothers," Tarif said at the rally. Last week, two Druze officers resigned from their positions in the Israel Defense Force in protest against the law. Male members of the Druze community consistently serve in the military, in keeping with the their group's values of loyalty to the State. On the same day as the Tel Aviv protest, Bedouins joined Druze in high court petitions against the Nation-State Law According to the Bedouin petitioners, the law grants additional civil rights to Jewish citizens of Israel on the sole grounds of their ethnic and religious identity, The Jerusalem Post reported. Two Bedouin Israeli citizens filed a petition to the High Court of Justice on Sunday against the recently passed controversial Nation-State Law, following previous petitions by Druze MKs and the Meretz party. The petition was submitted by attorney Mohammed Rahal. One of the petitioners is a lieutenant colonel in reserves in the IDF. The plea seeks to have the Nation-State Law declared null and void, due to its articles contradicting Israel's Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty, a pseudo-constitutional law (equal in legal status to the Nation-State Law) that has been in place since 1992. They further claim that the Nation-State Law defies the status quo that has existed in Israel since its establishment, and which is anchored "in its Declaration of Independence and in its spirit." (Photo: Peter Williams/WCC) Jerusalem skyline showing al-Aqsa Mosque. They also demanded a court order be issued that would instruct the Knesset and government to explain why the law should not be repealed, and in the event that it is not repealed, why it should not be amended to ensure equality for all citizens of Israel. The Bedouin petitioners said the new law grants additional civil rights to Jewish citizens of Israel on the sole grounds of their ethnic and religious identity. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Apostolic Administrator of Jerusalem and Palestine, released a statement on July 31 regarding the Basic Law: "Israel as the Nation State of Jewish People," which Vatican News said is a new and controversial law which defines Israel as a Jewish State. PALESTINIANS EXCLUDED He said the new law is a "cause of great concern (...) the law fails to provide any constitutional guarantees for the rights of the indigenous and other minorities living in the country," and noted that Palestinian citizens are completely excluded from this act. The World Council of Churches noted that the heads of churches in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories reacted with dismay and concern to the Knesset's adoption on July 19 of the new law. They observed that the new Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People, which specifies that "The right to exercise national self-determination in the State of Israel is unique to the Jewish people." The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III observed that the new law does not mention the Christians and Muslims who have lived on the land before and ever since the establishment of the State of Israel. He said that the new law "strengthens the institutionalization of racism and dispels hopes of equality/" Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land called it "fundamentally divisive, racist, and destructive." Azar remarked that the new law "deliberately excludes the 1.5 million citizens of Israel who identify as Arab Israeli" and "ignores the presence of citizens and residents who are members of other religious groups and the significant contributions they make to Israeli society." The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem; statement stressed that "the law fails to provide any constitutional guarantees for the rights of the indigenous and other minorities living in the country" and "sends an unequivocal signal to the Palestinian citizens of Israel, to the effect that in this country they are not at home." The downgrading of Arabic from an official language to a language with "a special status" strengthens that signal. Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, stressed "this is about the Holy land and holy places of three religions. Jerusalem must be a shared one. "It cannot be the exclusive possession of one faith over against the others, or of one people over against the other. Jerusalem is, and must continue to be, a city of three religions and two peoples." "Jerusalem is regarded as a holy city and loved, genuinely and deeply loved, by all three Abrahamic faiths Jews, Christians and Muslims," Tveit underlined. "That love and profound attachment must be respected and affirmed in any solution that might be envisaged, if it is to be viable." And Jewish leaders in Israel and around the world have also voiced concerns about the implications of the new Basic Law for Israel's democracy. Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt is reported to have commented that the new law "raises significant questions about the government's long-term commitment to [Israel's] pluralistic identity and democratic nature." This summer I attended a literacy conference near my school district. The agenda was jam-packed with strategies and insights, inspiring teachers to develop literacy-rich practices for the upcoming year. The conference brought in big name educators and consultants: Harvey Smokey Daniels , Kate Roberts , and Ralph Fletcher . Each speaker was engaging and informative. Yet my biggest takeaway did not come from these professionalsit came from talking and reflecting with other educators. Early in his keynote, childrens book author Ralph Fletcher invited members of the audience to turn and share, using a 1 to 10 scale, how comfortable they feel teaching writing. I was shocked to hear people mumble and laugh at their low numbers: 1s, 2s, perhaps a 4. A woman behind me bemoaned that teaching writing was the worst part of her daya time when kids melted down, cried, and threw tantrums. When asked to explain more, she said that her 1st graders hated the assignments. All year long shed had them writing thesis statements backed up by three points and concluded with a wrap-up sentence. Over and over and over again. First graders. Honestly, Id cry, too. I quickly realized that I was the anomaly in the room: an elementary school teacher whose favorite subject to teach is writing. The more I listened to others, the more clear it became that we, as educators, need to rethink our writing practices. Finding Joy Within the Standards Writing grounds us in our humanity. We hear so muchand for good reasonabout the importance of reading in elementary schools. But Id argue that writing is just as important as reading for fostering a sense of identity and creativity. Think about the Thai boys who were trapped in a cave. The first mode of communication to their families was delivered through letters . Or consider the recently released letters Nelson Mandela wrote to his wife and children over the years he spent in prison. In both instances, writing was a means to process and communicate with those they loved. Yes, educators must teach to certain writing standards. But reaching standards and finding joy, creativity, and a sense of identity through writing are not mutually exclusive. Rather, I feel more confident that my students are reaching the standards when they find joy in what they write. Where I teach, in Minnesota, one of the 1st grade writing standards declares that students should write narratives and other creative texts in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events, include some details regarding what happened, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide some sense of closure. Note that the word creative is right there in the standard! The standard is also quite broad and allows room for children to write in various forms and styles. When teachers dictate what or how students write during a school year, it limits their potential. Creating Max and Dragons Fletcher said in his keynote at the conference that you want writers to play. Ideally, they should have fun, take risks, and find enjoyment while writing. Kids love playing, and so this seems like an easy and natural idea to bring into a writers workshop. Truth be told, a teacher doesnt need to put a lot of work in behind this: Kids will play any chance they get. I can think of countless times this has paid off in my classroom. This spring, for example, my 1st grade students were working on writing narratives. One student created a character named Max. The student wrote story after story about Max, each one building upon, and getting more ridiculous than, the last. Fast forward to the end of Juneweeks after the school year ended. Before boarding the bus after a day of summer school, Maxs creator came rushing up to me with a picture of a robot he painted during art that day. My initial reaction was, Cool robot! But when I looked closer I saw the name MAX scrawled across the robots chest. Hey, it says Max. Is this the same Max from your series? I asked him. Yes! In my new story, Max is a robot! He beamed. Its important to note that I was not his teacher for summer school. I was not in the art room with him. It was not even writing time. Yet this student continues to play with Max any chance he gets. He feels a sense of ownership with this new character and engages with him even after the last day of school. This young 1st grader wont soon forget Max. Other 1st graders enjoy playing with their writing form and style, too. I think about a different student who engineered a dragon whose tail moves on the page, thanks to some strips of paper and a bit of tape. Had I insisted that he write the words of his story first or put strict guidelines on the assignment, he never would have created that dragon. Another 1st grader realized that she is truly in charge of her characters by placing me into her stories. She had me doing all sorts of quirky things, like eating my own hair and jumping over buildings. She giggled while writing, finding pleasure in placing her teacher in strange scenarios. Playing with writing is crucial to finding ones voice and enjoying the creative process. Its nearly impossible to dislike something once youve played around with it. Early in the school year, students in my class saw writing as an enjoyable part of the day. I certainly knew something was going well with our writing workshop when many began to choose to write instead of participate in our brain break time. I often overheard a couple of students planning their work: You write and Ill illustrate. And one day another studentmy most reluctant writerasked if he could keep writing instead of dance to get his wiggles out. A Safe Space to Process Emotions Ironically, when students play with their writing, they are also more likely to take it seriously. During our poetry unit, I modeled how poets think of things that are important to them and then reflect upon why those items are important. I decided to write about a quilt my grandmother made me before she passed away. While I was writing, a student raised his hand and began sharingfor the first timeabout his father who died unexpectedly earlier in the school year. He asked questions about my grandmothers funeral and compared it with his dads. The other 1st graders in the room sat silently, listening to the student process. Later, the student wrote about when he saw his dad in the coffin: His skin didnt seem real / he had a different smell. I doubt this student would have written such powerful lines had he not felt comfortable taking risks with his words. I had no intention of having a conversation about death when I chose to model writing about my grandmothers quilt. Yet writing provided this child a safe space to grapple with his fathers death and an opportunity for others in the room to support him through his pain. Teachers: As the days of summer start to slip away, consider when in your day you will build time for students to write next year. When will they have time to play with language and form? When will they collaborate with others? Where will emotion seep onto the page? With intentionality, the standards will be taught. But it is the joy, playfulness, and humanity of writing that students will remember. To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of whats happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. We welcome your comments. The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020. Coastguard teams search for vessel in distress Two of the Island's coastguard teams were called out after Belfast Coastguard received a distress call. The location of the vessel was unclear, so Peel and Ramsey crews were asked to take part in a search. The callout was received shortly before 1.30pm yesterday, but both teams were stood down at 3.10pm after finding nothing, while Belfast Coastguard continued with the search. 2018-08-03 Maeci Germany: Berlin hosts the first Italian-German conference on smart cities The Italian Embassy in Berlin recently hosted the first Italian-German conference on smart cities. The event was attended by more than 150 personalities, including the competent city councillors and managers of the Municipalities of Milan, Florence, Turin, Munich and Berlin, in addition to the top executives of Enel, Prysmian, BMW and of the Intesa San Paolo Innovation Center. The leitmotif of the conference focused on the growing importance of metropolitan areas as the primary players in sustainable development and on the contribution that large Italian and German cities may make to the development of policies on sustainable mobility, digital transformation and participatory urban development. Particularly appreciated among the German participants was the presentation of three Italian metropolitan areas (Turin, Milan, Florence), each of which is a model of good practices (in terms of electric mobility, connectivity and social innovation) in several areas of excellence achieved by Italian administrations, which are in a more advanced phase of development than those of German local administrations. The conference offered a high-level forum of comparison with interesting spin-offs in terms of future cooperation opportunities between Italian and German local authorities. Transplantation followed by antiviral therapy cured hepatitis C in 100 percent of patients receiving kidneys from infected donors Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M18-0749 Editorial: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M18-1781 URLs go live when the embargo lifts Twenty patients who received kidneys transplanted from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected donors experienced HCV cure, good quality of life, and excellent renal function at one year. These findings offer additional evidence that kidneys from HCV-infected donors may be a valuable transplant resource. Results from the single-group trial are published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Organs from HCV-infected deceased donors are often discarded. However, preliminary data from two small trials suggest that HCV-infected kidneys could be safely transplanted into HCV-negative patients. Researchers from Penn Medicine report 12-month HCV treatment outcomes, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and quality of life for 10 kidney recipients in the THINKER-1 (Transplanting Hepatitis C kidneys Into Negative KidnEy Recipients) trial, and 6-month data on 10 additional recipients. All of the participants underwent lifesaving transplant with kidneys infected with genotype 1 HCV and received antiviral therapy on day 3 after transplantation. The 20 recipients achieved a 100 percent cure rate, excellent renal function, and stable to improved quality of life. According to the researchers, these findings suggest that kidneys from HCV-infected donors may represent an important opportunity to expand the donor pool. Patients without HCV should be well-informed about the benefits and risks so that they may engage in shared decision-making. Media contact: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Lauren Evans at laevans@acponline.org. To interview the lead author, Peter P. Reese, MD, MSCE, please contact Abbey Anderson Hunton at Abbey.Anderson@uphs.upenn.edu. Women internists earn less than men whether they are generalists, hospitalists, or sub-specialists ACP Research Report Calls for Gender Equity in Physician Compensation and Career Advancement Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M18-0693 Editorial: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M18-1879 URLs go live when the embargo lifts Women internists earn less than men whether they are generalists, hospitalists, or subspecialists. Factors that contribute to disparities in compensation may include choice of occupation, time taken away from work due to family obligations, gender discrimination, and productivity levels. A brief research report from the American College of Physicians (ACP) is published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Women comprise over one third of the active U.S. physician workforce, an estimated 46 percent of all physicians-in-training, and more than half of all medical students. Despite progress toward gender diversity in the U.S. physician workforce, disparities in compensation and career advancement persist. Researchers for ACP conducted a cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative panel of ACP nonstudent members in the U.S. to describe physician compensation by gender. They found that female internists earn less than their male counterparts. The disparities existed even when controlling for specialty, number of hours worked, and practice characteristics. Median annual salary for men was on average $50,000 higher than women--with females earning 80 cents for every dollar earned by men. Further, the data highlighted that female physicians earned less than men in every specialty, ranging from a salary difference of $29,000 for internal medicine specialists to $45,000 for subspecialists. According to the authors, this research is a step forward in ensuring that physicians are compensated equally and fairly at all stages of their professional careers in accordance with their skills, knowledge, competencies, and expertise regardless of their characteristics or gender. Promoting gender equity and eliminating the inequities in compensation physicians can face is a longstanding goal of ACP. In April, the College published a paper, Achieving Gender Equity in Physician Compensation and Career Advancement, in the Annals of Internal Medicine calling for the adoption of equitable compensation policies in all organizations that employ physicians, investment in leadership development, negotiation and career development programs, and parental and family leave policies. Media contact: For an embargoed PDF or to speak with an author from ACP, please contact Julie Hirschhorn at jhirschhorn@acponline.org. Bariatric surgery linked to significant reduction in microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M17-2383 URLs go live when the embargo lifts Compared with usual care, bariatric surgery was associated with half the incidence of microvascular disease at 5 years for adults with type 2 diabetes. These findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that bariatric surgery not only improves glucose, blood pressure, and lipid control, but is likely to reduce macrovascular and microvascular complications, as well as improve survival in patients with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes. Results from a matched cohort study are published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Research has shown that about half of people with diabetes and severe obesity who get bariatric surgery maintain long-term glucose control without medication. But for many patients, avoiding microvascular complications affecting the nerves of the feet and hands (neuropathy), the kidneys (nephropathy), and the eyes (retinopathy) is of greater concern. Researchers from Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute studied more than 4,000 obese patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent bariatric surgery to determine its effect on microvascular complications. They found that the risk of all microvascular complications at 5 years after surgery was less than half that of a matched control group of more than 11,000 obese patients who received usual medical care for their diabetes that did not include surgery. Overall, bariatric surgery was associated with a two-thirds decrease in neuropathy, one-half decrease in nephropathy, and one-third decrease in retinopathy. According to the researchers, these results suggest that everyone with diabetes and severe obesity should have a conversation with their doctor about whether bariatric surgery is a reasonable treatment option for them, weighing the risks and benefits. Media contact: For an embargoed PDF or author contact information, please contact Lauren Evans at laevans@acponline.org. To speak with the lead author, David Arterburn, MD, MPH, please contact Rebecca Hughes at Rebecca.F.Hughes@kp.org. Patient characteristics an important factor in determining optimal blood pressure target Clinicians go 'Beyond the Guidelines' to debate treatment for an elderly patient who does not fit neatly within parameters of current guidelines Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M18-1312 URLs go live when the embargo lifts Current guidelines differ on the optimum threshold above which to begin antihypertensive therapy and what the target blood pressure should be after treatment has begun. A primary care physician and a gerontologist, both from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), debate care for an elderly patient with hypertension in a multicomponent educational article being published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Hypertension is prevalent and the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Guidelines from the American College of Physicians/American Academy of Family Physicians recommend initiating antihypertensive therapy for patients aged 60 or older if systolic blood pressure is 150 mm Hg or higher and to treat to the same target. However, they recommend a lower threshold for high-risk patients and these patients should begin therapy at 140 mm Hg. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline, which is based largely on SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial), advises a target systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg for patients 65 years or older. In a recent BIDMC Grand Rounds, two experts debated care for a 79-year-old man with a mean blood pressure value of 157/68 over 2 years of readings. The patient was overweight with some comorbidities, but felt that he was in relatively good health. The patient reported than in the past he had taken a blood pressure medication and did not tolerate it well. Internist Jennifer Beach, MD, and gerontologist Lewis Lipsitz, MD, both considered the patient's diagnosis, comorbidities, and cardiovascular risk factors before suggesting a target blood pressure and treatment strategy. Dr. Beach recommended a target blood pressure below 140 mm Hg, considering the patient's risk for adverse events. However, Dr. Lipsitz felt that the patient's risk for cardiovascular disease warranted a lower blood pressure target of 130 mm Hg. Both Dr. Beach and Dr. Lipsitz agreed that if treatment were needed, an ACE inhibitor or ARB should be the first line therapy. All 'Beyond the Guidelines' papers are based on the Department of Medicine Grand Rounds at BIDMC in Boston and include print, video, and educational components. A list of topics is available at http://www.annals.org/grandrounds. Media contact: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Lauren Evans at laevans@acponline.org. To speak with someone regarding BIDMC Beyond the Guidelines, please contact Jennifer Kritz at jkritz@bidmc.harvard.edu. Also new in this issue: Value-Based Health Care Meets Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Joel Tsevat, MD, MPH, and Christopher Moriates, MD Medicine and Public Issues Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M18-0342 ### DALLAS, Aug. 6, 2018 -- Screen time from computers, phones, tablet computers, video games, TV and other screen-based devices is associated with an increased amount of sedentary behavior in children and teens, according to a new scientific statement released by the American Heart Association and published in its journal Circulation. Sedentary behaviors include sitting, reclining or laying down while awake -- activities which exert little physical energy - and contribute to overweight and obesity in children and teens. American Heart Association scientific statements are developed by a panel of experts who review existing scientific literature and evidence to provide an overview of a topic related to cardiovascular disease or stroke. In this review, the writing group found that the available scientific literature is based almost entirely on self-reported screen time, with very few breaking down the type of device or the context in which it is used, which means that the studies are not designed to prove cause and effect. The writing group determined that over the last twenty years, TV viewing by children and adolescents has declined but the recreational use of other screen-based devices, such as smart phones, tablet computers and others has resulted in a net increase in screen time overall. Current estimates are that 8- to 18-year-olds spend more than 7 hours using screens daily. "Still, the available evidence is not encouraging: overall screen time seems to be increasing -- if portable devices are allowing for more mobility, this has not reduced overall sedentary time nor risk of obesity," according to Tracie A. Barnett, Ph.D., a researcher at the INRS-Institut Armand Frappier and Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, in Montreal, Canada, and the chair of the writing group. "Although the mechanisms linking screen time to obesity are not entirely clear, there are real concerns that screens influence eating behaviors, possibly because children 'tune out' and don't notice when they are full when eating in front of a screen. There is also evidence that screens are disrupting sleep quality, which can also increase the risk of obesity," Barnett said. The message to parents and children is to take steps to limit screen time. "We want to reinforce the American Heart Association's long-standing recommendation for children and teens to get no more than 1-2 hours of recreational screen time daily. Given that most youth already far exceed these limits, it is especially important for parents to be vigilant about their child's screen time, including phones." Barnett said. Recommended interventions to minimize screen time emphasize the importance of involving parents. Parents can help their children reduce screen time by setting a good example with their own screen use and by establishing screen time regulations. "Ideally, screen-based devices should not be in bedrooms, especially because some studies have found that having screen-based devices in the bedroom can affect sleep. Maximize face-to-face interactions and time outdoors," Barnett said. "In essence: Sit less; play more." According to Barnett, more research is needed because the patterns of screen-based media use and their long-term effects on children and teens are not yet known. In addition, the authors report that not much is known about how to help youth be less sedentary and the appeal of screens is making this an even greater challenge. Future research should focus on how to achieve greater balance. Detailed information on the overall impact of today's sedentary pursuits - especially with respect to screen-based devices - is needed, Barnett said. ### Co-authors are Aaron S. Kelly, Ph.D.; Deborah R. Young, Ph.D.; Cynthia K. Perry, Ph.D.; Charlotte A. Pratt, Ph.D., M.S., R.D.; Nicholas Edwards, M.D., M.P.H.; Goutham Rao, M.D.; and Miram Vos, M.D. M.S.P.H. Author disclosures are on the manuscript. Additional Resources: Available multimedia located on the right column of the release link: https://newsroom.heart.org/news/new-tools-old-rules-limit-screen-based-recreational-media-at-home?preview=87a5e3aab8bce40e6d75402c589eac9b After Aug. 6, 2018, view the manuscript online. Healthy Kids Follow AHA/ASA news on Twitter @HeartNews The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association receives funding mostly from individuals. Foundations and corporations donate as well, and fund specific programs and events. Strict policies are enforced to prevent these relationships from influencing the association's science content. Financial information for the American Heart Association, including a list of contributions from pharmaceutical and device manufacturers and health insurance providers are available at http://www.heart.org/corporatefunding. 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. DURHAM, N.C. -- Relief may be on the horizon for anyone who has ever jumped around a room like a jack-in-the-box to get motion-sensing lights to turn back on, thanks to a new motion sensor based on metamaterials that is sensitive enough to monitor a person's breathing. In a pair of new studies, researchers from Duke University and Institut Langevin, France, have shown that patterns made by radio waves can detect a person's presence and location anywhere inside a room. The findings appeared recently in Scientific Reports and Aug. 6 in the Physical Review Letters. This new motion-sensing technology could lead to new smart home devices for energy savings, security, healthcare and gaming. "Energy companies don't love infrared motion detectors because they have lots of problems," said David R. Smith, the James B. Duke Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke. "The amount of space they can cover is limited, a person has to be within their line of sight to be detected, and probably everyone has had the experience where the lights have gone off because they've sat still for too long. Radio waves can get around all of these limitations." In their initial paper published earlier this year, the researchers took advantage of patterns created by radio waves bouncing around a room and interfering with themselves. These unique patterns change with the slightest perturbation of the room's objects, allowing a sensitive antenna to detect when something moves in or enters the room. And by comparing how these patterns change over time, they can also be used to detect cyclical movements like a fan blade turning -- or even a person breathing. In the latest paper, the team shows that with a bit of training, the system can also extract information necessary to locate objects or people in a space. The demonstration system was taught the pattern of radio waves scattered by a triangular block placed in 23 different positions on a floor. That calibration is enough not only to distinguish between the learned 23 scenarios, but to also distinguish the positions of three identical blocks placed in any one of 1,771 possible configurations. The technology works by taking advantage of the way radio waves behave in an enclosed room. Their ability to continuously reflect off multiple surfaces creates complex interference patterns throughout a room. In the past, this complexity has been an obstacle for systems trying to locate the origin of a signal. But Smith and his colleagues have now shown that this same complexity can be tapped to detect movement and locate objects within a room. "The complexity of the way radio waves bounce around a room and interfere with themselves creates a sort of fingerprint," explained Philipp del Hougne, a researcher visiting Smith's laboratory from Institut Langevin in Paris, France. "And each time an object within a room moves, even a little bit, that fingerprint changes." The challenge lies with finding the most efficient way to ink that fingerprint in the first place. It requires a lot of information, del Hougne explained, and there are multiple traditional ways it can be done, but they all have drawbacks. A large number of antennas could be installed in many places around a room to take multiple measurements, but this would be costly and inconvenient. Another tactic would be to measure many different frequencies, as each bounces around a room in a unique way. This approach, however, would likely create interference with other radio wave signals like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth operating within a room. The researchers' solution is to dynamically control the shape of the waves using metamaterials -- artificial materials that manipulate waves like light and sound through properties of their structure. A flat-panel metamaterial antenna can shape waves into arbitrary configurations and create many different wave fronts in rapid succession. "It doesn't even matter what those particular wave shapes are," said Smith. "As long as they're diverse, the detector will pick up enough different patterns to determine if something is there and where it is." "There are other technologies that could achieve similar wave front shaping capabilities, but they are much more expensive both in cost and energy usage," said Mohammadreza Imani, a postdoctoral fellow in Smith's lab who also worked on the papers. "Studies have shown that the ability to adjust a room's temperature when people leave and come back can reduce power consumption by around 30 percent. But if you're trying to save energy by spending more energy changing the antenna pattern, then you're not helping." And energy savings may be just the tip of the iceberg. The ability to count the number of people in a room, distinguish body positions and monitor breathing patterns also has potential applications in security, healthcare and gaming. The French scientists on the project have created a related startup company called Greenerwave. "While we're definitely still continuing with the energy angle, we'll also see where the research takes us," Smith said. ### This work was supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-12-1-0491). CITATIONS: "Dynamic Metasurface Aperture as Smart Around-the-Corner Motion Detector," Philipp del Hougne, Mohammadreza F. Imani, Timothy Sleasman, Jonah N. Gollub, Mathias Fink, Geoffroy Lerosey, and David R. Smith. Scientific Reports, 2018. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24681-9 "Precise localization of multiple noncooperative objects in a disordered cavity by wave front shaping." Philipp del Hougne, Mohammadreza F. Imani, Mathias Fink, David R. Smith, and Geoffroy Lerosey. Phys. Rev. Lett., 2018. LINK: https://journals.aps.org/prl/accepted/b307fY31A5a13c5579fc4252303f8b2e5e024fc00 Brussels, 6 August 2018 : The genetic screening of fertilised eggs for embryo selection in assisted reproduction makes no difference to live birth rates, according to results from the largest published study of its kind. Results from this multicentre randomised controlled trial are reported today in the journal Human Reproduction (1) and, say the authors, confirm the "widely accepted" view that preimplantation genetic testing for chromosome abnormality (PGT-A) will not increase live birth rates in IVF.(2) The study, which recruited its first patients in 2012, was performed in 396 women of "advanced maternal age" (aged between 36 and 40), a patient group considered likely to benefit from preimplantation genetic testing by chromosome screening. The women, treated in nine centres in seven countries, were randomly allocated to PGT-A (205 subjects) or no PGT-A (thus, a control group of 191 subjects). Results of the study showed that up to one year after randomisation and after a first cycle of treatment 24% of the PGT-A group had had a baby, and 24% of the control group. This - measured as "cumulative live birth rate" - was the study's primary endpoint. There was a difference, however, in the miscarriage rate (a secondary endpoint) between the two groups: significantly fewer subjects with a miscarriage in the PGT-A group than in the control group (7% versus 14%). The similarity in live birth rates was not only achieved with fewer miscarriages in the PGT-A group, but also with fewer embryo transfers (and fewer double embryo transfers, as the protocol allowed). This, say the authors, would point to "a greater efficiency of transfers with PGT-A", even if not an improvement in live birth rate. However, they add, "it remains to be seen" whether this benefit of efficiency and reduced miscarriage risk are sufficient to outweigh the drawbacks of cost and an invasive procedure in PGT-A. It is now 20 years since first reports suggested an increased pregnancy rate from embryos screened for chromosomal abnormality, and since then the practice has continued to prove controversial. The early forms of testing - when the procedure was known as preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) - were limited by the small number of chromosomes in the analysis. This problem was later resolved by technologies which allowed "comprehensive chromosome screening", and thus the detection of abnormality in any of the full complement of 23 chromosomes. The study reporting today also analysed a full complement of chromosomes, as found in the two polar bodies of recently collected eggs fertilised by ICSI. Polar bodies are the first non-functional "by-product" cells found in the egg as it prepares for its first division after fertilisation. Although the two extruded polar bodies contain only genetic material of maternal origin, they do reflect the chromosomal content of the egg, which accounts for 90% of all chromosomal errors found in fetuses and live births.(3) The study's principal investigator, Professor Karen Sermon from the Research Group Reproduction and Genetics of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium, explained that embryo biopsy for embryo selection was not allowed in two of the study countries at the time (Germany and Italy) and that anyway polar body biopsy was perceived as less invasive. She described the results as "extremely robust", noting the large number of subjects and rigorous multicentre study design. She added that the results, although derived from polar body analysis, could confidently be extrapolated to other techniques of PGT-A in this patient population (women of advanced maternal age). "There is now a growing consensus that the most important chromosomal abnormalities interfering with implantation are of meiotic origin - that is, they are derived from the egg or the sperm," she explained. Commenting on the trial's findings, Professor Sermon "saw no benefit" of now offering PGT-A to the patient population of this study, especially in cases where only few eggs have been retrieved. She advised that similarly rigorous trials should now be performed in other patient groups. Otherwise, the benefits of PGT from this trial are confined to fewer miscarriages and fewer treatment cycles, which, said Professor Sermon, "may still tip the controversy scale in favour of PGT-A". But these benefits, she added, must still be balanced by the cost of PGT-A and the invasive nature of the procedure. Chromosome screening in assisted reproduction 1. Following a pilot study, the ESHRE Study into the Evaluation of oocyte Euploidy by Microarray analysis (ESTEEM) was started in 2012. The study was financially supported by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). 2. The rationale for the chromosomal testing of embryos before transfer was (and remains) the undisputed fact that the prevalence of chromosomal abnormality (aneuploidy) in embryos increases dramatically with female age, and is recognised as the principal reason for miscarriage and some genetic disorders (such as Down syndrome), rates of which both increase with advancing age. In the ESTEEM trial, for example, in a study population of advanced maternal age, 525 out of 811 eggs analysed (65%) were found to be aneuploid. This rate is consistent with aneuploidy rates found in other studies. 3. Current PGT-A practice, as the ESTEEM investigators acknowledge, is not by analysis at the very early stage of polar body extrusion, but at the later blastocyst (five-day) stage of embryo development, when a small cluster of surface cells are removed by biopsy for testing. The technology of PGT-A has now moved through three phases of analysis but its benefit as an adjuvant treatment in IVF has remained controversial, mainly because the weight of evidence in support of improving delivery rates is still considered questionable. ### * When obtaining outside comment, journalists are requested to ensure that their contacts are aware of the embargo on this release. For further information on the details of this press release, and a PDF copy of the full paper, please contact: Christine Bauquis at ESHRE Mobile: +32 (0)499 25 80 46 Email: christine@eshre.eu Working with the example of koalas, the researchers have now identified key stages in the process, called "endogenization", by which a host is invaded by exogenous retroviruses. The scientists also uncovered a process by which the host genome mounts a defense against the invaders. The results have now been published in the scientific journal PNAS. By using the enzyme reverse transcriptase, retroviruses convert their RNA genomes into DNA in order to integrate retroviral genes into the genome of the host. If the retroviruses manage to infect germ cells, the infected host will then transmit the viral sequences to its offspring. Sequences of human endogenous retroviruses, referred to as HERVs, comprise around eight percent of the human genome. Although recombination, and later mutations, led to the inactivation of most HERVs in the distant past, some viral sequences are still being read and encode for proteins. They are thought to trigger cancer and autoimmune diseases in some cases. As was the case with all mammals and birds, our ancestors were infected by these viruses millions of years ago. "The original viruses have long become extinct, and the sequences integrated into the host germ line have been altered so considerably by mutation that it is hard to determine which changes were important and which processes were initially involved," explained Alex Greenwood, head of the Department of Wildlife Diseases at the Leibniz-IZW and senior author of the study. "With koalas, however, we are able to follow this process live, as it were, since the retrovirus is currently transitioning into the koala genome and the process has not yet been completed." The sequencing of the koala genome (published recently in Nature Genetics), also conducted with the involvement of the Leibniz-IZW scientists, featured the use of a high-throughput sequencing method known as long-read sequencing. This method enabled the researchers to identify not only repetitive DNA regions such as retroviruses, but also to identify flanking sequences from the host genome, and to explore the process of their invasion using the example of this marsupial. For their latest study, the team examined DNA samples from 169 wild koalas, as well as from two zoo koalas and six historic museum specimens. The koala genome project and other previous studies had discovered that the quantity of endogenous koala retroviruses (KoRV) differs greatly by region, which can be explained by the natural barriers along the east coast of Australia. These barriers prevent the mixing of populations, and therefore also unchecked proliferation of the virus: whereas in the northeast in Queensland all animals are already infected, the researchers found that the further south they went, the lower the number of KoRVs per koala. Even in koalas from less infected populations, the scientists found highly modified viral sequences (recKoRV) in the koala genome that differed from the intact virus. These sequences appear to be the result of recombination with very old viral genomic elements also present in other Australian marsupials. What are the implications of these findings? "We believe that the first ancient viral components - that became fixed in the koala genome and are no longer pathogenic - defend the host genetic material: by recombining, they incapacitate the new viral sequences, even if the older viruses now have only little resemblance to their original sequences," stated Alex Greenwood. "That's good news for the koalas! Because recombinant virus sequences are likely to be less harmful than the original." In addition, 17 independent recombination events between KoRV and an old, degraded virus fragment (PhER) must have taken place - exclusively between KoRV and PhER. One of these recombinants (recKoRV1) is very common in koalas, with several copies existing in each animal. This suggests that recKoRV1 was independently created several times at different points in the past. "Regardless of which region of Australia the sample came from, some sequences of endogenous KoRV were always recombinant and highly degraded. We assume that this process represents a very early stage in the endogenization of exogenous retroviruses," stated Alex Greenwood. ### Publications: Loeber U, Hobbs M, Dayaram A, Tsangaras K, Jones K, Alquezar-Planas DE, Ishida Y, Meers J, Mayer J, Quedenau C, Chen W, Johnson RN, Timms P, Young P, Roca AL, Greenwood AD (2018): Degradation and remobilization of endogenous retroviruses by recombination during the earliest stages of a germ line invasion. PNAS Johnson RN, O'Meally D, Chen Z, Etherington GJ, Ho SYW, Nash WJ, Grueber CE, Cheng Y, Whittington CM, Dennison S, Peel E, Haerty W, O'Neill RJ, Colgan D, Russell TL, Alquezar-Planas DE, Attenbrow V, Bragg JG, Brandies PA, Chong AJJ, Deakin JE, Palma FD, Duda Z, Eldridge MDB, Ewart KM, Hogg CJ, Frankham GJ, Georges A, Gillett AK, Govendir M, Greenwood AD, Hayakawa T, Helgen KM, Hobbs M, Holleley CE, Heider TN, Jones EA, King A, Madden D, Marshall Graves JA, Morris KM, Neaves LE, Patel HR, Polkinghorne A, Renfree MB, Robin C, Salinas R, Tsangaras K, Waters PD, Waters SA, Wright B, Wilkins MR, Timms P, Belov K (2018): Adaptation and conservation insights from the koala genome. Nature Genetics 50, 1102-1111. Contact Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) in the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17 10315 Berlin Germany Alex Greenwood greenwood@izw-berlin.de Tel. 030 51 68 255 Steven Seet seet@izw-berlin.de Tel. 030 51 68 125) In a new study appearing in the August issue of Health Affairs, Corrina Moucheraud of the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health evaluated five low- and middle-income countries' readiness to handle the growing burden caused by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The study, using 2013-15 data collected by the Demographic and Health Surveys Program, examined service availability and readiness for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic respiratory disease in Bangladesh, Haiti, Malawi, Nepal, and Tanzania. According to the author, both factors were found to be very low in all five countries, despite their governments having existing policies to provide NCD care throughout their health systems. Shortages of trained health workers and essential medicines proved to be critical barriers to readiness. "This study indicates that these countries' health systems are not well equipped to address [the NCD] burden," Moucheraud says. She suggests new opportunities for policymakers to consider, including multisectoral partnerships, such as those previously undertaken to combat communicable diseases like malaria and AIDS. Medicines' procurement, regulation, and supply; financing and marketing of services; and contracting with and training providers are areas in which the private sector might be constructively engaged to address NCDs, Moucheraud concludes. ### Also of interest in the August issue--a related People & Places report: Unleashing New Data On Health System Readiness; Margaret Saunders, Health Affairs deputy editor Health Affairs is the leading peer-reviewed journal at the intersection of health, health care, and policy. Published monthly by Project HOPE, the journal is available in print, online, and on mobile phones. Additional and late-breaking content is found at http://www.healthaffairs.org. Monday, July 6, 2018 - Johns Hopkins researchers in collaboration with Insilico Medicine, a biotechnology company based in Rockville Maryland, identify that silencing of the GULP1 gene expression by methylation plays an important role in ovarian carcinogenesis. In a report published in Cancer Letters journal the authors, including researchers from both Johns Hopkins and Insilico Medicine, used an integrated approach by coupling identification of genome-wide expression patterns in multiple cohorts of primary ovarian cancer samples and normal ovarian surface epithelium with innovative computational analysis of gene expression data, leading to the discovery of novel cancer-specific epigenetically silenced genes. The study reveals 43 genes abnormally methylated in the ovarian cancer and identifies methylation of an engulfment gene, GULP1, as potential biomarker of ovarian cancer. It was found that in at least one third of over 400 ovarian cancer cases analyzed, GULP1 is methylated. Inverse correlation of GULP1 methylation with expression was also observed in the TCGA data set, further validating these findings. Furthermore, GULP1 methylation was associated with late stage disease, and worse overall survival, suggesting that GULP1 expression plays an important role in ovarian cancer pathogenesis. This also sheds light on the mechanisms underlying GULP1-mediated growth suppression. The authors used iPANDA, a bioinformatics software suite for analysis of intracellular signaling pathway activation based on transcriptomic data (developed by InSilico Medicine, a biotechnology company located on the Johns Hopkins University of Montgomery County Campus that focuses on artificial intelligence-driven drug and biomarker discovery platforms), to compare signaling profiles between GULP1-low-expressing and GULP1-high ovarian tumors in TCGA ovarian cancer dataset. This analysis has predicted that mitogenic and survival signaling pathways, such as AKT, MAPK/ERK, RAS, ILK, PAK/P38, WNT and JNK were significantly upregulated among GULP1-low tumors. These pro-survival signaling axes play a crucial role in cancer initiation, progression and maintenance in various solid tumors, including ovarian cancer, and may contribute to acquisition of an aggressive phenotype via inhibition of apoptosis and induction of cell proliferation. In line with these observations, pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative pathways including those associated with TP53 and TGF- signaling were predicted to be downregulated in most of the GULP1-low tumors. In accordance with the in-silico analysis, reconstitution of GULP1 expression in vitro resulted in marked suppression of MAPK and AKT phosphorylation, along with concomitant reduction in cell proliferation, survival and invasion, while GULP1 depletion led to opposite effects. Taken together, these findings indicate that GULP1 may assert tumor suppressive activities by tethering members of multiple, cross-talking pathways involved in cell growth and survival control. While this study implicates that epigenetic regulation of GULP1 expression may play an important role in ovarian cancer, and suggests its potential clinical value as a promising prognostic biomarker, other possible mechanisms for GULP1 down-regulation may include microRNA-mediated silencing, transcriptional regulation, or homozygous deletions. Therefore, deeper understanding of the role of GULP1 in the development of ovarian cancer may offer additional possibilities for the management of this disease, and further studies are planned to fully elucidate the role of GULP1 in tumorigenesis. ### Insilico Medicine is regularly publishing research papers in peer-reviewed journals. The company was first who applied deep generative adversarial networks (GANs) to the generation of new molecular structures with specified parameters and published seminal proof of concept papers in the field. The paper published in Molecular Pharmaceutics in 2016 demonstrated the proof of concept of the application of deep neural networks for predicting the therapeutic class of the molecule using the transcriptional response data, received the American Chemical Society Editors' Choice Award. A recent paper published in November 2017 described the application of the next-generation AI and blockchain technologies to return the control over personal data back to the individual. One of the latest papers published in the Journals of Gerontology demonstrated the application of the deep neural networks to assessing the biological age of the patients. For further information, images or interviews, please contact: Contact: Qingsong Zhu, PhD zhu@pharma.ai Website: http://www.Insilico.com About Insilico Medicine, Inc Insilico Medicine is an artificial intelligence company headquartered at in Rockville, with R&D and management resources in Belgium, Russia, UK, Taiwan and Korea sourced through hackathons and competitions. The company and its scientists is dedicated to extending human productive longevity and transforming every step of the drug discovery and drug development process through excellence in biomarker discovery, drug development, digital medicine and aging research. Insilico pioneered the applications of the generative adversarial networks (GANs) and reinforcement learning for generation of novel molecular structures for the diseases with a known target and with no known targets. In addition to working collaborations with the large pharmaceutical companies, the company is pursuing internal drug discovery programs in cancer, dermatological diseases, fibrosis, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, diabetes, sarcopenia, and aging. Through a partnership with LifeExtension.com the company launched a range of nutraceutical products compounded using the advanced bioinformatics techniques and deep learning approaches. It also provides a range of consumer-facing applications including Young.AI. In 2017, NVIDIA selected Insilico Medicine as one of the Top 5 AI companies in its potential for social impact. In 2018, the company was named one of the global top 100 AI companies by CB Insights. In 2018 it received the Frost & Sullivan 2018 North American Artificial Intelligence for Aging Research and Drug Development Award accompanied with the industry brief. Brief company video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l62jlwgL3v8. A new study from Lund University in Sweden shows that small birds migrating from Scandinavia to Africa in the autumn occasionally fly as high as 4 000 metres above sea level - probably adjusting their flight to take advantage of favourable winds and different wind layers. This is the first time that researchers have tracked how high small birds fly all the way from Sweden to Africa. Previous studies have successfully logged the flight height of larger migratory birds. "We only followed two individuals and two species. But the fact that both of them flew so high does surprise me. It's fascinating and it raises new questions about the physiology of birds. How do they cope with the air pressure, thin air and low temperatures at these heights?", says Sissel Sjoberg, biologist at Lund University and the Zoological Museum in Copenhagen. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the measuring method itself works on small birds, that is, to measure acceleration, barometric pressure (air pressure) and temperature throughout the flight using a small data logger attached to the bird. The data logger was attached to two individuals of different species: the great reed warbler and the red-backed shrike. Among other things, the results show how long it takes for each bird to fly to their destination. The measured barometric pressure showed that the great reed warbler occasionally flies at 3 950 metres, and the red-backed shrike flies at 3 650 metres. Both individuals flew the highest above ground across the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara, but the shrike reached higher flight altitudes closer to its winter grounds in southern Africa. Sissel Sjoberg thinks it is likely that other small birds fly as high, maybe even higher. But there is no evidence of that yet. "In this study, we only worked with data collected during the autumn, when the small birds migrate to Africa. There are other studies that indicate that the birds fly even higher when they migrate back in the spring, but we cannot say for sure." ### The small transmitter was developed by technicians at the Centre for Animal Movement Research, CanMove, at Lund University. The study published in the Journal of Avian Biology is a collaboration between Lund University, the University of Copenhagen and the Nature Research Centre in Vilnius. Study published in Scientific Reports provides more evidence that Alaska was possibly the 'superhighway' for dinosaurs between Asia and western North America 65-70 million years ago Paper published in Scientific Reports details the first North American co-occurrence of hadrosaur and therizinosaur tracks in the lower Cantwell Formation; discovery provides more evidence that Alaska was possibly the "superhighway" for dinosaurs between Asia and western North America 65-70 million years ago DALLAS (Aug. 6, 2018) - An international team of paleontologists and other geoscientists has discovered the first North American co-occurrence of hadrosaur and therizinosaur tracks in the lower Cantwell Formation within Denali National Park, suggesting that an aspect of the continental ecosystem of central Asia was also present in this part of Alaska during the Late Cretaceous. This comprehensive cross-disciplinary effort has resulted in a paper - entitled "An unusual association of hadrosaur and therizinosaur tracks within Late Cretaceous rocks of Denali National Park, Alaska" - published in Scientific Reports, an online open access scientific mega journal published by the Nature Publishing Group, covering all areas of the natural sciences. Anthony R. Fiorillo, Ph.D., chief curator and vice president of research and collections at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, Texas, is the lead author. Co-authors are Paul J. McCarthy, Ph.D., University of Alaska, Department of Geosciences; Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, Ph.D., Hokkaido University Museum, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan; Carla S. Tomsich, graduate student, University of Alaska, Department of Geosciences; Ronald S. Tykoski, Ph.D., director of paleontology lab, Perot Museum of Nature and Science; Yuong-Nam Lee, Ph.D., School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, South Korea; Tomonori Tanaka, graduate student, Hokkaido University Museum, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan; and Christopher R. Noto, Ph.D., Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, Wisconsin. To view the article, which is now available online, go to http://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-30110-8 . Fiorillo and a colleague published on a distinct single footprint in Denali National Park in 2012 that they determined to be made by a therizinosaur, an unusual predatory dinosaur thought to have become an herbivore. Therizinosaurs are best known from Asia. Upon his return in 2013 and 2014, they conducted a more detailed analysis of the area, and he and his colleagues unearthed dozens more tracks of therizinosaurs. What surprised Fiorillo and his team most was the co-occurrence of dozens of hadrosaurs, also known as duck-bill dinosaurs. "Hadrosaurs are very common and found all over Denali National Park. Previously, they had not been found alongside therizinosaurs in Denali. In Mongolia, where therizinosaurs are best known - though no footprints have been found in association - skeletons of hadrosaurs and therizinosaurs have been found to co-occur from a single rock unit so this was a highly unusual find in Alaska, and it prompted my interest," said Fiorillo. "From our research, we've determined that this track association of therizinosaurs and hadrosaurs is currently the only one of its kind in North America." The plant-eating therizinosaurs are rare and unusual creatures in the fossil record. The strange-looking dinosaurs had long skinny necks, little teeth, a small beak for cropping plants, and big torsos accompanied by large hind feet and long arms with "hands like Freddy Krueger." Though therizinosaurs are known from Asia and North America, the best and most diverse fossil record is from Asia - even up to the time of extinction - and therein is the connection. Fiorillo has long postulated that Cretaceous Alaska could have been the thoroughfare for fauna between Western North America and Asia - two continents that shared each other's fauna and flora in the latest stages of the Cretaceous. "This study helps support the idea that Alaska was the gateway for dinosaurs as they migrated between Asia and North America," said Dr. Kobayashi. To support the theory, Fiorillo's international team of scientists from across the U.S., Japan and South Korea worked to establish if the tracks were those of a therizinosaur and to study any unique aspects of the ecosystem. The members - including a sedimentologist, geologist, paleobotanist, paleoecologist and additional paleontologists including an expert on therizinosaurs - determined that this particular area of Denali was a wet, marsh-like environment and that one fossil in particular looked like a water lily, which supported the theory that there were ponds and standing water nearby. They suspect that both therizinosaurs and hadrosaurs liked these wetter locations. Fiorillo believes that this Alaskan discovery may connect these animals environmentally and perhaps behaviorally to other therizinosaurs in central Asia. An Asian report of these animals being associated also came from an interval of rocks that was unusually 'wet' at the time, relative to rocks above and below it. "This discovery provides more evidence that Alaska was possibly the superhighway for dinosaurs between Asia and western North America 65-70 million years ago," added Fiorillo. ### About the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. The top cultural attraction in Dallas/Fort Worth and a Michelin Green Guide three-star destination, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a nonprofit educational organization located in Victory Park in the heart of Dallas, Texas. With a mission to inspire minds through nature and science, the Perot Museum delivers exciting, engaging and innovative visitor and outreach experiences through its education, exhibition, and research and collections programming for children, students, teachers, families and life-long learners. The 180,000-square-foot facility opened in December 2012 and is now recognized as the symbolic gateway to the Dallas Arts District. Future scientists, mathematicians and engineers will find inspiration and enlightenment through 11 permanent exhibit halls on five floors of public space; a children's museum; a state-of-the art traveling exhibition hall; and The Hoglund Foundation Theater, a National Geographic Experience. Designed by 2005 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Thom Mayne and his firm Morphosis Architects, the Museum has been lauded for its artistry and sustainability. To learn more, please visit perotmuseum.org. CONTACT: Becky Mayad becky@mayadpr.com 214-352-1881 or 214-697-7745 cell A clinical trial has begun which will use stem cell transplants to grow a new immune system for people with untreatable Crohn's disease -- a painful and chronic intestinal disease which affects at least 115,000 people in the UK A clinical trial has begun which will use stem cell transplants to grow a new immune system for people with untreatable Crohn's disease - a painful and chronic intestinal disease which affects at least 115,000 people in the UK. The study, led by Queen Mary University of London and Barts Health NHS trust, is funded with 2m from a Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research partnership, and will be recruiting patients from centres in Cambridge, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London, Nottingham, Oxford and Sheffield. The trial is coordinated through the Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Sheffield. Crohn's disease is a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive system, and results in diarrhoea, abdominal pain, extreme tiredness and other symptoms that significantly affect quality of life. Current treatments include drugs to reduce inflammation but these have varying results, and surgery is often needed to remove the affected part of the bowel. In extreme cases, after multiple operations over the years, patients may require a final operation to divert the bowel from the anus to an opening in the stomach, called a stoma, where stools are collected in a pouch. Chief investigator Professor James Lindsay from Queen Mary University of London and a consultant at Barts Health NHS Trust said: "Despite the introduction of new drugs, there are still many patients who don't respond, or gradually lose response, to all available treatments. Although surgery with the formation of a stoma may be an option that allows patients to return to normal daily activities, it is not suitable in some and others may not want to consider this approach. "We're hoping that by completely resetting the patient's immune system through a stem cell transplant, we might be able to radically alter the course of the disease. While it may not be a cure, it may allow some patients to finally respond to drugs which previously did not work." Helen Bartlett, a Crohn's disease patient who had stem cell therapy at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, said: "Living with Crohn's is a daily struggle. You go the toilet so often, you bleed a lot and it's incredibly tiring. You also always need to be careful about where you go. I've had to get off trains before because there's been no toilet, and I needed to go there and then. "I've been in and out of hospital for the last twenty years, operation after operation, drug after drug, to try to beat this disease. It's frustrating, it's depressing and you just feel so low. "When offered the stem cell transplant, it was a complete no brainer as I didn't want to go through yet more failed operations. I cannot describe how much better I feel since the treatment. I still have problems and I'm always going to have problems, but I'm not in that constant pain." The use of stem cell transplants to wipe out and replace patients' immune systems has recently been found to be successful in treating multiple sclerosis. This new trial will investigate whether a similar treatment could reduce gut inflammation and offer hope to people with Crohn's disease. In the trial, patients undergo chemotherapy and hormone treatment to mobilise their stem cells, which are then harvested from their blood. Further chemotherapy is then used to wipe out their faulty immune system. When the stem cells are re-introduced back into the body, they develop into new immune cells which give the patient a fresh immune system (see diagram in Notes to Editors). In theory, the new immune system will then no longer react adversely to the patient's own gut to cause inflammation, and it will also not act on drug compounds to remove them from their gut before they have had a chance to work. Professor Tom Walley, Director of the NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies programmes, which funded the trial, said: "Stem cell therapies are an important, active and growing area of research with great potential. There are early findings showing a role for stem cells in replacing damaged tissue. In Crohn's disease this approach could offer real benefits for the clinical care and long term health of patients." The current clinical trial, called 'ASTIClite', is a follow up to the team's 2015 'ASTIC' trial, which investigated a similar stem cell therapy. Although the therapy in the original trial did not cure the disease, the team found that many patients did see benefit from the treatment, justifying a further clinical trial. There were also some serious side effects from the doses of drugs used, so this follow-up trial will be using a lower dose of the treatment to minimise risks due to toxicity. Patients will be recruited to the trial through Barts Health NHS Trust, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Lothian, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital NHS Trust and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The trial will involve academics from the University of Manchester, University of Nottingham, University of Sheffield, Nottingham Trent University, University of Edinburgh, University of Oxford, King's College London, as well as Queen Mary University of London. ### The study was funded by a Medical Research Council and NIHR partnership created to support the evaluation of interventions with potential to make a step-change in the promotion of health, treatment of disease and improvement of rehabilitation or long-term care. For more information, please contact: Joel Winston Public Relations Manager - Medicine and Dentistry Queen Mary University of London Tel: +44 (0)207 882 7943 Mobile: +44 (0)7970 096 188 j.winston@qmul.ac.uk Notes to the editor A diagram of the stem cell transplant process can be found here: http://bit.ly/2JPu4ZX About Queen Mary University of London Queen Mary University of London is one of the UK's leading universities with 25,332 students representing more than 160 nationalities. A member of the Russell Group, we work across the humanities and social sciences, medicine and dentistry, and science and engineering, with inspirational teaching directly informed by our research. In the most recent national assessment of the quality of research, we were placed ninth in the UK amongst multi-faculty universities (Research Excellence Framework 2014). As well as our main site at Mile End - which is home to one of the largest self-contained residential campuses in London - we have campuses at Whitechapel, Charterhouse Square, and West Smithfield dedicated to the study of medicine and dentistry, and a base for legal studies at Lincoln's Inn Fields. Queen Mary began life as the People's Palace, a Victorian philanthropic project designed to bring culture, recreation and education to the people of the East End. We also have roots in Westfield College, one of the first colleges to provide higher education to women; St Bartholomew's Hospital, one of the first public hospitals in Europe; and The London, one of England's first medical schools. Barts Health NHS Trust With a turnover of 1.4 billion and a workforce of around 16,000, Barts Health is the largest NHS trust in the country, and one of Britain's leading healthcare providers. The Trust's five hospitals - St Bartholomew's Hospital in the City, including the Barts Heart Centre, The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, Newham University Hospital in Plaistow, Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone and Mile End - deliver high quality compassionate care to the 2.5 million people of East London and beyond. NIHR and MRC The study was funded by an MRC and NIHR partnership created to support the evaluation of interventions with potential to make a step-change in the promotion of health, treatment of disease and improvement of rehabilitation or long-term care. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR): improving the health and wealth of the nation through research. Established by the Department of Health and Social Care, NIHR: funds high quality research to improve health trains and supports health researchers provides world-class research facilities works with the life sciences industry and charities to benefit all involves patients and the public at every step http://www.nihr.ac.uk The Medical Research Council is at the forefront of scientific discovery to improve human health. Founded in 1913 to tackle tuberculosis, the MRC now invests taxpayers' money in some of the best medical research in the world across every area of health. Thirty-two MRC-funded researchers have won Nobel prizes in a wide range of disciplines, and MRC scientists have been behind such diverse discoveries as vitamins, the structure of DNA and the link between smoking and cancer, as well as achievements such as pioneering the use of randomised controlled trials, the invention of MRI scanning, and the development of a group of antibodies used in the making of some of the most successful drugs ever developed. Today, MRC-funded scientists tackle some of the greatest health problems facing humanity in the 21st century, from the rising tide of chronic diseases associated with ageing to the threats posed by rapidly mutating micro-organisms. The Medical Research Council is part of UK Research and Innovation. https://mrc.ukri.org/ Nottingham Trent University Nottingham Trent University was named University of the Year 2017 at the Times Higher Education Awards and Modern University of the Year in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018. The award recognises NTU for its strong student satisfaction, quality of teaching, overall student experience and engagement with employers. NTU has been awarded the highest, gold, rating in the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework for its outstanding teaching and learning. NTU is one of the largest UK universities with nearly 28,000 students and more than 3,500 staff across four campuses, contributing 496m to the UK economy every year. It is one of the most environmentally-friendly universities, containing some of the country's most inspiring and efficient award-winning buildings. The University is passionate about creating opportunities and its extensive outreach programme is designed to enable Nottingham Trent to be a vehicle for social mobility. NTU is the sixth biggest recruiter of students from disadvantaged backgrounds in the country and 95.6% of its graduates go on to employment or further education within six months of leaving. NTU is home to world-class research, winning The Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2015 - the highest national honour for a UK university. It recognised the University's pioneering projects to improve weapons and explosives detection in luggage, enable safer production of powdered infant formula and combat food fraud. With an international student population of approximately 2,600 from around 100 countries, the University prides itself on its global outlook. NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre The NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is improving the health of millions of people with common diseases like asthma and arthritis. We drive innovation in experimental science and translate research into breakthrough treatments, innovative technologies and new medicines. Our world-leading research is in six areas including gastrointestinal and liver diseases?and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) which supports all areas of research. The NIHR Nottingham BRC is a partnership between Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, supported by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust. It is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). About The University of Manchester The University of Manchester, a member of the prestigious Russell Group, is the UK's largest single-site university with more than 40,000 students - including more than 10,000 from overseas.It is consistently ranked among the world's elite for graduate employability. The University is also one of the country's major research institutions, rated fifth in the UK in terms of 'research power' (REF 2014). World-class research is carried out across a diverse range of fields including cancer, advanced materials, global inequalities, energy and industrial biotechnology. No fewer than 25 Nobel laureates have either worked or studied here. It is the only UK university to have social responsibility among its core strategic objectives, with staff and students alike dedicated to making a positive difference in communities around the world. Manchester is ranked 29th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2018 and 6th in the UK. Visit http://www.manchester.ac.uk for further information. Facts and figures: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/facts-figures/ Research Beacons: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/beacons/ News and media contacts: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/ The University of Nottingham The University of Nottingham is a research-intensive university with a proud heritage, consistently ranked among the?world's top 100. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our 44,000 students -- Nottingham was named?University of the Year for Graduate Employment?in the?2017?Times?and?Sunday Times Good University Guide, was awarded gold in the?TEF 2017?and features in the top 20 of all?three major UK rankings. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia -- part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement. We are ranked eighth for research power in the UK according to?REF 2014. We have?six beacons of research excellence helping to transform lives and change the world; we are also a major employer and industry partner -- locally and globally. HOUSTON - (Aug. 6, 2018) - Rice University scientists are developing technology to remove contaminants from water - but only as many as necessary. The Rice lab of engineer Qilin Li is building a treatment system that can be tuned to selectively pull toxins from drinking water and wastewater from factories, sewage systems and oil and gas wells. The researchers said their technology will cut costs and save energy compared to conventional systems. "Traditional methods to remove everything, such as reverse osmosis, are expensive and energy intensive," said Li, the lead scientist and co-author of a study about the new technology in the American Chemical Society journal Environmental Science & Technology. "If we figure out a way to just fish out these minor components, we can save a lot of energy." The heart of Rice's system is a set of novel composite electrodes that enable capacitive deionization. The charged, porous electrodes selectively pull target ions from fluids passing through the maze-like system. When the pores get filled with toxins, the electrodes can be cleaned, restored to their original capacity and reused. "This is part of a broad scope of research to figure out ways to selectively remove ionic contaminants," said Li, a professor of civil and environmental engineering and of materials science and nanoengineering. "There are a lot of ions in water. Not everything is toxic. For example, sodium chloride (salt) is perfectly benign. We don't have to remove it unless the concentration gets too high. "For many applications, we can leave non-hazardous ions behind, but there are certain ions that we need to remove," she said. "For example, in some drinking water wells, there's arsenic. In our drinking water pipes, there could be lead or copper. And in industrial applications, there are calcium and sulfate ions that form scale, a buildup of mineral deposits that foul and clog pipes." The proof-of-principal system developed by Li's team removed sulfate ions, a scale-forming mineral that can give water a bitter taste and act as a laxative. The system's electrodes were coated with activated carbon, which was in turn coated by a thin film of tiny resin particles held together by quaternized polyvinyl alcohol. When sulfate-contaminated water flowed through a channel between the charged electrodes, sulfate ions were attracted by the electrodes, passed through the resin coating and stuck to the carbon. Tests in the Rice lab showed the positively charged coating on the cathode preferentially captured sulfate ions over salt at a ratio of more than 20 to 1. The electrodes retained their properties over 50 cycles. "But in fact, in the lab, we've run the system for several hundred cycles and I don't see any breaking or peeling of the material," said Kuichang Zuo, lead author of the paper and a postdoctoral researcher in Li's lab. "It's very robust." Li said the system is intended to work with current commercial water-treatment systems. "The true merit of this work is not that we were able to selectively remove sulfate, because there are many other contaminants that are perhaps more important," she said. "The merit is that we developed a technology platform that we can use to target other contaminants as well by varying the composition of the electrode coating." The Rice team is developing coatings for other contaminants and working with labs at the University of Texas at El Paso and Arizona State University on large-scale test systems. Zuo said it should also be possible to scale systems down for in-home water purification. ### Rice graduate students Jun Kim and Amit Jain are co-lead authors of the paper. Co-authors include Tianxiao Wang, a Rice graduate student; Rafael Verduzco, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and of materials science and nanoengineering; and Mingce Long, an associate professor at China's Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The research was supported by the Rice-based, National Science Foundation-backed Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment, the Welch Foundation and the Shanghai Municipal International Cooperation Foundation. Read the abstract at https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.8b01868. This news release can be found online at http://news.rice.edu/2018/08/06/rice-u-system-selectively-sequesters-toxins-from-water/ Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews. Related materials: Qilin Li Research Group: http://qilinli.rice.edu Verduzco Laboratory: http://verduzcolab.blogs.rice.edu Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment: http://www.newtcenter.org Rice Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: https://ceve.rice.edu Rice Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering: https://msne.rice.edu Rice Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: https://chbe.rice.edu Images for download: http://news.rice.edu/files/2018/08/0806_SULFATE-1-WEB-290slvm.jpg Rice University's new platform technology can selectively filter contaminants from wastewater, drinking water and industrial fluids. In tests, an engineered coating of resin, polymer and activated carbon removed and trapped harmful sulfate ions, and other coatings can be used in the same platform to target other contaminants. (Credit: Illustration by Kuichang Zuo/Rice University) http://news.rice.edu/files/2018/08/0806_SULFATE-2-WEB-2k8wyde.jpg In Rice University's new water-treatment platform, electrode coatings can be swapped out to allow the device to selectively remove a range of contaminants from wastewater, drinking water and industrial fluids. In tests, an engineered coating of resin, polymer and activated carbon removed and trapped harmful sulfate ions and allow most common salt ions to pass by. (Credit: Illustration by Kuichang Zuo/Rice University) http://news.rice.edu/files/2018/08/0806_SULFATE-3-WEB-2hajrg6.jpg Rice University researchers are developing ionic water-treatment technology that saves money and energy by selectively removing only hazardous contaminants and ignoring those that are harmless. From left: Kuichang Zuo, Qilin Li, Amit Jain and Rafael Verduzco. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) http://news.rice.edu/files/2018/08/0806_SULFATE-4-WEB-1pfygaf.jpg Contaminants can be removed from fluids that traverse a maze-like path between electrodes in a technology developed by Rice University engineers. The photo shows Rice postdoctoral researcher Kuichang Zuo placing a separator that channels water through the system. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) http://news.rice.edu/files/2018/08/0806_SULFATE-5-WEB-1utuam1.jpg Rice University postdoctoral researcher Kuichang Zuo holds an assembled test unit of the lab's ionic water-treatment technology, which selectively removes hazardous contaminants and ignores those that are harmless. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,970 undergraduates and 2,934 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for quality of life and for lots of race/class interaction and No. 2 for happiest students by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. To read "What they're saying about Rice," go to http://tinyurl.com/RiceUniversityoverview. Interviews with pediatricians show that providing remote medical consultations is highly stressful and challenging, but this can be managed with extra skills and training Doctors who provide pediatric care over the telephone - known as "telemedicine" - face a range of challenges that do not come with traditional face-to-face contact. In a qualitative study led by Motti Haimi of Clalit Health Services at the Children's Health Center in Haifa in Israel, researchers found that physicians in a pediatric telemedicine service frequently face difficulties and challenges. Physicians described the difficulties with diagnosing from a distance (especially of children), treating unfamiliar patients, working alone, and managing the urgency and volume of calls. They also often faced technological hurdles, as well as a moral conflict between the desire to meet parents' expectations and maintain standards of care. The research is published in the Springer Nature journal Pediatric Research. Telephone consultations allow patients to have contact with healthcare professionals remotely so that there is no need for travel. This type of telemedicine service allows doctors to assess how urgently a patient needs help and make recommendations for treatment. Researchers estimate that up to 25 per cent of doctor-patient encounters occur through telemedicine. Telemedicine is considered a high-stress clinical activity because doctors often need to make urgent decisions in uncertain circumstances. Haimi and his colleagues wanted to investigate the experiences and attitudes of physicians working in this service and gauge whether non-medical factors also play a role in clinical decisions in this setting. Haimi and his colleagues interviewed 15 randomly selected pediatricians who work for a pediatric telemedicine service in Israel. The service provides remote consultation for parents who need urgent medical advice about their children out of community clinic hours. Doctors working for this service conduct an initial telephone conversation with parents, but can additionally use live video chat via computers or mobile devices. They also have access to the medical records of the child. Analysis of the interview results showed that there were six main areas that presented challenges for pediatricians. Almost all physicians said that they were worried about making a misdiagnosis or failing to assess the severity of a patient's illness because they were not physically able to examine the child. Other concerns included the fact that the doctors work at home alone and are unable to share thoughts with colleagues. The urgency and load of calls also put some of the doctors under pressure. "To overcome the problems mentioned above, the physicians in this study used different strategies, including use of intuition, their experience, and taking protocols. They confessed that they used non-medical or contextual factors to make decisions in this high-stress environment," explains Haimi. The physicians also suggested practical tips and concrete ways in which the telemedicine process could be improved. "It is clear that doctors working in this pediatric telemedicine service should have special qualities and skills beyond those required from standard physicians," says Haimi. "Decision-makers should be aware of the challenges and special skills and training required to succeed in this setting." ### Reference: Haimi, M. et al (2018). Physicians' experiences, attitudes and challenges in a Pediatric Telemedicine Service, Pediatric Research DOI: 10.1038/s41390-018-0117-6 A team's study of Twitter posts found both robots and real human underplay the health risks associated with e-cigarettes Social media accounts run by internet robots may be driving much of the discussion around the health threats posed by e-cigarettes, according to a study led by San Diego State University researchers, who also found most of the automated messages were positive toward vaping. More than 70 percent of the tweets analyzed in the study appeared to have been put out by robots, also known as bots, whose use to influence public opinion and sell products while posing as real people is coming under increased scrutiny. The discovery of the apparent bot promotion of vaping was unexpected. The team originally set out to use Twitter data to study the use and perceptions of e-cigarettes in the United States and to understand characteristics of users discussing e-cigarettes. "Robots are the biggest challenges and problems in social media analytics," said Ming-Hsiang Tsou, founding director of SDSU's Center for Human Dynamics in the Mobile Age, and co-author on the newly published study. "Since most of them are 'commercial-oriented' or 'political-oriented,' they will skew the analysis results and provide wrong conclusions for the analysis." The findings come amid announcements by Twitter recently that it would be removing suspicious and fake accounts by the millions and also introduce new mechanisms to identify and fight spam and abuse on its platform, among other measures. "Some robots can be easily removed based on their content and behaviors," Tsou said. "But some robots look exactly like human beings and can be more difficult to detect. This is a very hot topic now in social media analytics research." Led by SDSU researcher Lourdes S. Martinez, findings of the study appear in the article, "'Okay, We Get It. You Vape': An Analysis of Geocoded Content, Context, and Sentiment regarding E-Cigarettes on Twitter," published in the July issue of the Journal of Health Communication. Partially funded by the National Science Foundation, the study's two other authors are SDSU alumnae Sharon Hughes, who originated the idea for the project while a student, and Eric R. Walsh-Buhi, an associate professor in School of Public Health. The study--one of the first known to rely on geocoded tweets to investigate perceptions of e-cigarettes--raises important questions about misinformation regarding public health issues and potential covert marketing of nicotine-based products. "We are not talking about accounts made to represent organizations, or a business or a cause. These accounts are made to look like regular people," said Martinez, an assistant professor in SDSU's School of Communication. "This raises the question: To what extent is the public health discourse online being driven by robot accounts?" For the study, the team compiled a random sample of nearly 194,000 geocoded tweets from across the United States posted between October 2015 and February 2016. A random sample of 973 tweets were analyzed for their sentiment and source (an individual versus an organization, for example). From these, 887 tweets were identified as posted by individuals, a category that includes potential bots. The team found that more than 66 percent of tweets from individuals carried a supportive tone about the use of e-cigarettes. The team also found that about 59 percent of individuals also shared tweets about how they personally used e-cigarettes. Also, the team was able to identify adolescent Twitter users, finding that more than 55 percent of their tweets were positive in tone related to e-cigarettes. In tweets that gave reference to the harmfulness of e-cigarettes, 54 percent asserted e-cigarettes are not harmful or are significantly less harmful than traditional cigarettes. Martinez said agencies and public health organizations must be far more attuned to conversations happening in the social media domain if they are to be effective in communicating information to the general public. "The lack of awareness and need to voice a public health position on e-cigarettes represents a vital opportunity to continue winning gains for tobacco control and prevention efforts through health communication interventions targeting e-cigarettes," the team wrote in the paper. Martinez said the team did not set out to identify potential robot accounts. After observing anomalies in the dataset, namely related to confusing and illogical posts about e-cigarettes and vaping, the team reviewed user types and decided to reclassify them--specifically identifying accounts that appeared to be operated by robots. The large presence of robot accounts raises questions of whether other health topics are being driven by these accounts, she said. "We do not know the source, or if they are being paid by commercial interests," Martinez said. "Are these robot accounts evading regulations? I do not know the answer to that. But that is something consumers deserve to know, and there are some very clear rules about tobacco marketing and the ways in which it is regulated." ### Blocking receptor of single molecule could control both pain and itch in skin diseases A new study of male mice published in JNeurosci uncovers two distinct pathways through which a single molecule can cause both itchy and painful skin. The research could inform the development of drugs for a variety of skin diseases. Diana Bautista and colleagues show that sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) -- a molecule implicated in skin conditions such as psoriasis as well as other inflammatory diseases including asthma and multiple sclerosis -- triggers itch in addition to its known role in pain. Their work identifies a receptor of this molecule, S1PR3, expressed in sensory neurons is responsible for these sensations. The findings suggest that blocking this receptor may represent a promising therapeutic approach for managing both pain and itch. ### Article: S1PR3 mediates itch and pain via distinct TRP channel-dependent pathways DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1266-18.2018 Corresponding author: Diana Bautista (University of California, Berkeley, USA), dbautista@berkeley.edu About JNeurosci JNeurosci, the Society for Neuroscience's first journal, was launched in 1981 as a means to communicate the findings of the highest quality neuroscience research to the growing field. Today, the journal remains committed to publishing cutting-edge neuroscience that will have an immediate and lasting scientific impact, while responding to authors' changing publishing needs, representing breadth of the field and diversity in authorship. About The Society for Neuroscience The Society for Neuroscience is the world's largest organization of scientists and physicians devoted to understanding the brain and nervous system. The nonprofit organization, founded in 1969, now has nearly 37,000 members in more than 90 countries and over 130 chapters worldwide. Threat dissolves the human tendency to readily accept good news over bad, according to experiments conducted both in the lab and with on-duty firefighters. The findings, published in JNeurosci, provide a potential mechanism by which levels of optimism are adapted to the relative safety or danger of the environment. In general people tend to be overly optimistic. The opposite is true in psychiatric conditions such as depression, in which some patients place a premium on negative information. Neil Garrett, Tali Sharot, and colleagues now show that the ability to flexibly shift between these two patterns can be a healthy, adaptive response to changing environmental demands. The researchers induced stress in a controlled laboratory experiment by telling participants they will need to give a surprise public speech. They then asked participants to estimate their likelihood of experiencing 40 different aversive events in their life, such as being involved in a car accident or becoming a victim of card fraud. Participants were then given either good news (being told that their likelihood of experiencing these events was lower than they had estimated) or bad news (that it was higher). They then asked participants to provide new estimates. The control group showed the well-known optimism bias; a tendency to take more notice of good news compared to bad news. In contrast, the stressed participants showed no such bias and became better at processing bad news. The researchers obtained similar results in a study of Colorado firefighters, who naturally experience fluctuating periods of stress as part of their job. ### Article: Updating Beliefs Under Perceived Threat DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0716-18.2018 Corresponding authors: Neil Garrett (Princeton University, NJ, USA), ngarrett@princeton.edu and Tali Sharot (University College London, UK), t.sharot@ucl.ac.uk About JNeurosci JNeurosci, the Society for Neuroscience's first journal, was launched in 1981 as a means to communicate the findings of the highest quality neuroscience research to the growing field. Today, the journal remains committed to publishing cutting-edge neuroscience that will have an immediate and lasting scientific impact, while responding to authors' changing publishing needs, representing breadth of the field and diversity in authorship. About The Society for Neuroscience The Society for Neuroscience is the world's largest organization of scientists and physicians devoted to understanding the brain and nervous system. The nonprofit organization, founded in 1969, now has nearly 37,000 members in more than 90 countries and over 130 chapters worldwide. Children in Canada who are battling neuroblastoma, a form of cancer, have been granted new hope toward a better prognosis and long-term survival. Helen DeVos Children's Hospital's consortium, known as Beat Childhood Cancer (BCC), announced today that through a partnership with The C17 Council, the organization's first Canadian clinical trial site, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, has been approved to begin recruiting patients for a pivotal clinical trial investigating the potential of a repurposed drug to prevent relapse in patients diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma who are currently in remission. DFMO (eflornithine HCl) has been commissioned by the World Health Organization for decades in the treatment of patients with African sleeping sickness and has a robust safety profile for use in children. Through translational research, it was discovered that a common pathway in neuroblastoma tumors may be inhibited by DFMO. This discovery led to a Phase I clinical trial in a handful of patients. The results were promising, and led to a subsequent trial that further demonstrated possible patient benefit. Historically, about 40 percent of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma relapse within four years; on the initial study less than 15 percent of children receiving DFMO relapsed. The current trial has enrolled 132 patients from around the world at centers in the United States. Now children in Canada will have easier access to this potentially lifesaving drug, making it more readily available to patients who do not have the means to travel to the United States for treatment. "We are thrilled to be able to offer our study to children across Canada and work with their clinical teams," said Giselle Sholler, MD, chair of Beat Childhood Cancer and Haworth Director of Innovative Therapeutics at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. "Collaboration and partnerships are essential in pediatric cancer to make a difference for our children." "Parents and doctors in Canada are very excited to announce that the DFMO trial developed by the Beat Childhood Cancer group is now available in Canada for all children suffering from high risk neuroblastoma," said physician investigator for the study Pierra Eteira, MD, MSc, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Montreal. "This new treatment appears very promising and very well tolerated. As a pediatric oncologist, I'm convinced that this new collaboration with Dr. Giselle Sholler and her team at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital will help to cure children with neuroblastoma in Canada." Andrew Cuttle, a father of a child who battled neuroblastoma who has recently completed this study traveling from Canada to Michigan for the past two years, and a key parent advocate who helped bring DFMO to Canada, shared the following: "What this means to families is monumental. As this clinical trial rolls out to more hospitals across Canada, families can make the choice to enroll without the barrier of financial burden, travel and time away from their families. It gives parents a voice, a choice and to most, a glass full of hope. We need to break down the borders when it comes to children and their rights to access some of the most promising treatments towards life threatening cancers." The availability of DFMO through this study in Canada is already expanding, with five additional hospitals currently in the process of seeking approval to recruit patients as well. The data collected from patients enrolled in this trial will be presented to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to create a compelling argument to make DFMO available to patients without the need to enroll in a clinical trial. Through the support of patient advocates like Andrew Cuttle, funding through Beat NB Foundation and partnerships with organizations like The C17 Council, hope for these patients and their families is reaching further every day. BCC is a growing consortium of more than 40 research centers and children's hospitals headquartered at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI that offers an international network of childhood cancer clinical trials. The mission is to act as a national and international collaborative effort of researchers, oncologists and family advocates to bring forward new therapies and technologies with the goal of improving the survival and quality of life of children with childhood cancers. ### About Spectrum Health Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system, based in West Michigan, offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of 12 hospitals, including Helen DeVos Children's Hospital; 180 ambulatory and service sites; 3,600 physicians and advanced practice providers, including 1,500 members of the Spectrum Health Medical Group; and Priority Health, a health plan that served 996,000 members in fiscal year 2017. Spectrum Health is West Michigan's largest employer, with 26,000 employees. The organization provided $372 million in community benefit during its 2017 fiscal year. Spectrum Health was named one of the nation's 15 Top Health Systems--and in the top five among the largest health systems--in 2017 by Truven Health Analytics, part of IBM Watson HealthTM. This was the sixth time the organization received this recognition. 'According to paleoclimatologists, the main cause of the majority of climatic extremes of that period was volcanic activity. Often these changes occurred on a global scale,' explains Rustam Ganiev. 'The main consequences of natural disasters - in our case in the territory of the Turkic Kaganate - were the cooling and prolonged droughts of 536, 581 and 679, as well as an early and protracted winter with heavy snowfalls. The most critical situation was noted among the Turks in 627-630, when the Khaganate practically ceased to exist because of the mass death of livestock and hunger.' The authors of the article singled out several periods during which the most important events that changed the course of Turkic history took place: 534-550 - The first mention of the Turkic Khaganate and its "Golden Age"; 581-583 - Separation of Khaganate into the Western and Eastern Khaganates; 627-630 - The conquest of the eastern Turks by China; 679-687 - The Second "Golden Age" of the Eastern Turks. In the first period 536, 537, 541, 543 and 545 years were anomalously cold. The consequences were severe for many people of Middle Ages: one of the most serious epidemics occurred - the Justinian Plague - the first historically known pandemic, with millions of victims. 'It was believed that the plague started in Egypt in 540-541, reached Constantinople through the Mediterranean channels and spread through Byzantium, North Africa, Europe, Central Asia, and Arabia,' explains Rustam Ganiev. 'However, according to recent studies, the causative agent of plague appeared in Central Asia, where the Turks lived. As the Silk Road ran through this territory, traders could spread the pandemic: Byzantium was the main trading partner of the Khaganate and China; about 80% of the population in the northern part of which died at that time. It was at the end of this period that the Turks began to strengthen their position: they subjugated their neighbors, concluded trade and military-political agreements with China, and by 551 became independent, and their ruler receive the title "khagan". During the study, the authors of the article used data from tree-ring chronologies (show climatic differences), samples of ice cores of Greenland and Antarctica (volcanic eruptions). The third set of data formed the Chinese dynastic chronicles, which reflect the main historical information about the ancient Turks. 'The Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Science has the largest in Europe, and perhaps in the world, amount of fossil wood. For nearly 40 years, the Institute's employees have been collecting semi-fossil wood on the Yamal Peninsula. To build the "Yamal chronology," they have studied more than 3,500 samples,' explains Vladimir Kukarsky. 'In the study, we rely on ice core data, the Yamal, Altai, Mongolian tree-ring chronologies, which can be found in the public domain. There was a large number of materials, and we had to choose the ones suitable for our research: to select chronologies that react to changes in temperature, humidity of the territory, extreme events. For example, a volcanic eruption in the tropics can be traced in tree rings in both Altai and Yamal: a huge amount of ash creates the effect of a "volcanic winter," and thin rings form in the trees, and sometimes the cellular structure is broken.' According to the researchers, dendrochronology is one of the most accurate ways to date extreme events in nature. 'We plan to apply for a grant to extend the chronology of research to the millennium. A more global goal is to create a historical and climatic chronology for the nomadic societies of Central Asia in the first millennium of our era. This is a very complex, large, labor-intensive and expensive project,' says Rustam Ganiev. ### The results of the study are published in the journal Climatic Change (Impact Factor - 3.57, Springer Nature publishing company): https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-018-2236-9 The National Science Foundation awarded a $999,029 grant to a team of University of Houston researchers for a new program aimed at studying the impact of scholarships, engagement and other support on low-income students and their academic success. The program, titled "Engineering/NSM Student Success Program Serving Low-Income Academically Talented Students," is a collaboration of two existing UH STEM programs -- the Program for Mastery in Engineering Studies (PROMES) in the Cullen College of Engineering and the Scholar Enrichment Program (SEP) in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM). It is funded through the NSF's S-STEM program. "Low income students don't have the time nor can they often afford to be engaged," Diana de la Rosa-Pohl, instructional assistant professor at the UH Cullen College of Engineering. "We want to give them a little bit of a breathing room and support to get more engaged on campus because we know that's really what moves the needle on student success." De la Rosa-Pohl is familiar with the challenges faced by low income students. As a high school student, she worked at a restaurant in South Padre Island, almost an hour's drive from her home in Brownsville. She juggled the long commutes, school responsibilities and work on a regular basis. She went on to earn two master's degrees - in physics and electrical engineering - and a doctorate in education. Now she wants to help other students in their journey. The project will fund 80 two-year scholarships over five years for students pursuing undergraduate degrees in the Cullen College of Engineering and NSM. "This is going to give a lot of money to a large number of deserving students. About 64 percent of the grant money will go straight to student scholarships," said Stuart Long, Cullen College professor of electrical and computer engineering and associate dean of the Honors College and Undergraduate Research at the University of Houston. But the program goes beyond providing financial help, emphasizing long-term support through college and beyond. "We're trying to do something different with the scholarship program," de la Rosa-Pohl said. "Instead of focusing on the financial side of it, we wanted to focus on the engagement side of it and use the financial piece as an incentive to attract the students." There is growing evidence indicating that students from low-income backgrounds have lower graduation rates and are less likely to find jobs in their respective fields compared to their peers from higher-income families. "We find that a lot of low income students are missing social capital in their backgrounds," de la Rosa-Pohl said. "Social capital is comprised of a lot of things, it's those things you expect the wealthier students to have - more connections, more emphasis on education in their social circles, their parents are probably better educated and have higher degrees, and also higher economic status. Just many things that give [the students] that support structure when they get to college." "We want to fill those gaps," she added. The research aspect of the project aims to show that increasing access to such factors will help students be more successful. The primary investigators on the project are de la Rosa-Pohl and Long, both with the electrical and computer engineering (ECE) department at the Cullen College. Andrew Hamilton, associate dean for student success in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Jerrod Henderson, PROMES director, are the non-ECE investigators on this project. "By the end of five years, we hope to be able to prove - with data - that we have increased the students' level of engagement, not in just one measure but multiple measures and on different levels," de la Rosa-Pohl said. "Engagement with their classes, engagement in research and engagement with the campus community." ### - Story written by Rashda Khan URBANA, Ill. - The human genome is riddled with endogenous retroviruses - little pieces of degraded and generally harmless retrovirus DNA passed down through the generations, along with our own genetic information. Because most endogenous retroviruses have been part of our DNA for millions of years, scientists can't explain how they went from their virulent, disease-causing forms to the inert bits of "junk DNA" most of them are today. A new study published today in the journal PNAS looks to koalas for an answer. "In humans, the youngest known endogenous retrovirus groups are around 5 million years old. That makes it very hard to tell what happened. But the koala is one of the few species known to have an ongoing invasion of the germline by a retrovirus," says Alfred Roca, one of the authors of the study and an associate professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois. Like other viruses, retroviruses first attack from the outside. They enter the body, fuse with cells to release their contents, and insert pieces of their DNA into the genetic code of the host, hijacking the host's DNA-replicating machinery to make more copies of themselves. But if they find their way into sperm and egg cells, retroviral genes can be passed on to the host's offspring, becoming a permanent part of the reproductive genome, also known as the germline. Early on, new endogenous retroviruses may continue to replicate with disastrous effects for the host. But over time, the sequences stop coding for disease-causing retroviruses and instead become inert "junk DNA." Until now, scientists could only guess at why and how this happened. "We think the pressure for external viruses is to make lots of copies of themselves and infect more individuals. But once the virus becomes part of the host germline, the pressure is going to be for it to leave the host alone because the host is needed to reproduce the sequence," Roca says. "It has to play nice or otherwise it disappears. The question is how does this process take place?" Because the koala retrovirus is still relatively young - less than 50,000 years old - and not yet in a fixed location within the koala genome, scientists could monitor its interactions with the koala genome in real time. Surprisingly, the koala genome is fighting fire with fire. The researchers found that an ancient and unrelated endogenous retroviral element is inserting itself into the new retrovirus via recombination, deactivating it. Instead of coding for proteins that reassemble into an infectious retrovirus, the recombinant sequence doesn't code for anything. "We might have found evidence for a molecular defense mechanism of hosts against new retroviral attacks, mediated by more ancient retroviral elements," says Ulrike Lober, researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin and the study's first author. Alex Greenwood, also of the Leibniz Institute, led the study. He adds, "The study emphasizes how little we know about the diversity and reservoirs of retroviruses among wildlife. The koala, a species not usually associated with biomedical breakthroughs, is providing key insights into a process that has shaped 8 percent of the human genome, and likely shows us what happened millions of years ago when retroviruses invaded the human germline." Unfortunately for koalas, complete degradation of the koala retrovirus is likely to take a very, very long time - probably in the hundreds of thousands of years. In the meantime, most koalas, especially in northern Australia, will continue to suffer from retrovirus-linked cancers and immune suppression, leading to secondary diseases like chlamydia. But while the virus-to-virus battle is being waged, there may be ways scientists can help. "The complete koala genome has been instrumental in showing that an individual koala can have many - more than a hundred - insertions of koala retrovirus into its genome. This information will enable us to determine which strains are more dangerous and to assist with development of a koala retrovirus vaccine," says study co-author Rebecca Johnson of the Australian Museum, who led a recent effort to sequence the koala genome. ### The article, "Degradation and remobilization of endogenous retroviruses by recombination during the earliest stages of germline invasion," is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences [DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1807598115]. Authors include Ulrike Lober, Matthew Hobbs, Anish Dayaram, Kyriakos Tsangaras, Kiersten Jones, David Alquezar-Planas, Yasuko Ishida, Joanne Meers, Jens Mayer, Claudia Quedenau, Wei Chen, Rebecca Johnson, Peter Timms, Paul Young, Alfred Roca, and Alex Greenwood. Support for the research was provided by the Australian Museum Foundation, BioPlatforms Australia, New South Wales Environmental Trust, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), the Morris Animal Foundation, and the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst. URBANA, Ill. - For nearly 60 years, the red fox has been teaching scientists about animal behavior. In a long-term experiment, foxes at the Russian Institute of Cytology and Genetics have been selected for tameness or aggression, recreating the process of domestication from wolves to modern dogs in real time. Today, with the first-ever publication of the fox genome, scientists will begin to understand the genetic basis of tame and aggressive behaviors, which could shed light on human behavior, as well. "We've been waiting for this tool for a very, very long time," says Anna Kukekova, assistant professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois and lead author of the paper. She has been studying the famous Russian foxes since 2002. "In our previous work, we tried to identify regions of the fox genome responsible for tame and aggressive behavior, but these studies required a reference genome and all we could use was the dog genome. For us, the fox genome provides a much better resource for genetic analysis of behavior." After sequencing and assembling the fox genome, the team turned to the famous Russian foxes to look for genetic regions differentiating the tame, aggressive, and conventional populations - farm-raised foxes ancestral to the tame and aggressive populations but not bred for any particular behavioral trait. The researchers sequenced the genomes of 10 individuals from each population, then compared them to the full fox genome and each other. The three populations differed in 103 genomic regions, some of which turn out to be responsible for the tame and aggressive behaviors. "Finding genomic regions at such resolution was beyond any expectations with our previous tools. Now, for the first time, we could not only pinpoint part of a chromosome which makes foxes more tame or aggressive, but we could identify specific genes responsible for it," Kukekova says. The team compared the 103 genomic regions to those of other sequenced mammals and found some compelling similarities. For example, they identified matches between behavior regions in foxes with regions important in domestication in dogs and with a region associated with Williams-Beuren syndrome in humans, a genetic disorder characterized by extremely outgoing, friendly behavior. "Oddly enough, we found the Williams-Beuren region in aggressive foxes, not tame ones. We thought it would be the opposite," Kukekova says. The mysterious finding underscores how much more research is needed before the regions are fully understood. But the researchers dove deeper. As a test run, they honed in on a single gene, known as SorCS1, which is involved in synapse formation, functioning, and plasticity, as well as additional functions. Although it had never before been known to contribute to social behavior, SorCS1 was clearly associated with a very specific behavior in foxes. Human handlers at the Russian Institute of Cytology and Genetics interact with the foxes in a very controlled way as part of their videotaped fox behavioral assessments. Handlers stand near the enclosures for one minute, hold the door open for another minute, reach toward the fox for a third minute, then close the door, and stand near the enclosure for one final minute. The tamest foxes continue to clamor for human attention during the final minute of the assessment. It's this group of foxes that has a version of the SorCS1 gene not found in the aggressive population. "We think this gene makes foxes more tame, but we don't want to overemphasize it - tameness isn't associated with a single gene. The picture is definitely more complex," Kukekova says. ### The article, "Red fox genome assembly identifies genomic regions associated with tame and aggressive behaviors," is published in Nature Ecology & Evolution [DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0611-6]. The full list of authors includes Anna Kukekova, Jennifer Johnson, Xueyan Xiang, Shaohong Feng, Shiping Liu, Halie Rando, Anastasiya Kharlamova, Yury Herbeck, Natalya Serdyukova, Zijun Xiong, Violetta Beklemischeva, Klaus-Peter Koepfli, Rimma Gulevich, Anastasiya Vladimirova, Jessica Hekman, Polina Perelman, Aleksander Graphodatsky, Stephen O'Brien, Xu Wang, Andrew Clark, Gregory Acland, Lyudmila Trut, and Guojie Zhang. Funding was provided by National Institutes of Health grant GM120782, USDA Federal Hatch Project 538922, the Russian Science Foundation grants 16-14-10009 and 16-14-10216, the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences grant 0324-2018-0016, grants from Campus Research Board and Office of International Programs of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The project was also supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (grant XDB13000000). In India and other countries in Southeast Asia, curcumin is often used as a spice in cooking, particularly chicken or fish. It is known for its therapeutic effect and as a way to kill germs present in raw meet. Recently, scientists have also discovered that curcumin, a naturally occurring substance isolated from the Curcuma long plant, to be an effective agent for killing cancer cells. "Until now, however, curcumin is what we call in pharmaceutical science as a 'false lead' - it is therapeutic, but the full effect can't be utilized because it's poorly soluble in water," noted Dipanjan Pan, an associate professor of bioengineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who leads the Laboratory of Materials in Medicine. "When you try to deliver a drug, it requires solubility in water, otherwise it won't flow through the bloodstream," added Santosh Misra, a post-doctoral researcher working with Pan. Recently, however, Pan's laboratory collaborated with Peter Stang, the editor-in-chief of the Journal of American Chemical Society, and Distinguished Professor of chemistry at the University of Utah on ways to be able to render curcumin soluble, deliver it to infected tumors, and kill cancer cells. The team has created a sophisticated metallocyclic complex using platinum that has not only enabled curcumin's solubility, but whose synergy has proven 100 times more effective in treating various cancer types such as melanoma and breast cancer cells than using curcumin and platinum agents separately. They published their results in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America "It's a combination of clever chemistry and nanoprecipitation utilizing host guest chemistry," Pan explained. "We know that a drug is going to bind to a certain 'host molecule' if the proper pocket is present. We have shown here that a pumpkin-shaped macrocyclic molecule Cucurbituril by virtue of its glycoluril monomeric linkages, that attracts curcumin, which gets bound and comes off once it gets delivered to the cell. That is the key to demonstrating the effectiveness of the therapy and in solving a long-standing problem with curcumin's insolubility." "In order to make it available to the system, it was necessary to put curcumin in a larger complex where it can be soluble in water," Misra said. "This complex has a very unique ability to take on different forms of material -- from a spherical nanoparticle to longer elongated threads of nanometer size. In both cases, curcumin is present in the system, which what is important for to its medicinal value." "We knew platinum is a commonly used cancer therapeutic agent in the clinic," Pan said in explaining the road to discovery. "We wanted to exploit that property as well in addition to curcumin. Our results demonstrate that curcumin works completely in sync with platinum and exert synergistic effect to show remarkable anticancer properties." The team detailed a hierarchical approach to solubilize a hydrophobic anti-cancer drug, curcumin in water via a combination of coordination-driven self-assembly and host-guest interactions. The team detailed a hierarchical approach to solubilize a hydrophobic anti-cancer drug, curcumin in water via a combination of coordination-driven self-assembly and host-guest interactions. Curcumin has shown to prevent the phosphorylation of STAT3, a well-known signaling pathway that triggers the growth of cancer cells and allows them to survive, in in vivo studies. The platinum-curcumin combination kills the cells by fragmenting its DNA. Although the researchers have only tested the method in delivering curcumin, its contribution to cancer treatment will ultimately also come from the likelihood the method will work with other drugs as well. "In cancer therapy, one of the measures that constrains a number of the drugs is their poor solubility," Pan said. "Viability only becomes prominent when the drug becomes soluble in water. So, no matter how the drug is given, intravenously or orally, it needs to eventually be absorbed by the organs in the body." Pan's team also hopes to prove that this method will be effective in killing cancer stem cells, in effect cancer's root system. "More and more it is becoming obvious that cancer stem cells are responsible for all these cancers to regrow," Pan said. "Even if you are killing all the cells in the tumor, there would be a tiny population of cells with 'stemness' properties that could enable cancer cells to grow back and spread to other parts of the body. That is why even if a patient has been declared cancer free, doctors continue to monitor to see if cells regrow. However, if we can deliver therapy to cancer stem cells, we can prevent that from happening. As an ongoing research in our laboratory to find agents for stopping the growth of cancer stem cells, we will be looking into using these highly sophisticated self-assembled metallacycles for targeted therapies" ### While history has cast Adolf Hitler as a trailblazing propagandist, he has also been portrayed as a successful political campaign speaker - but does this narrative stand up to scientific scrutiny? Political scientists from the University of Konstanz and the Hertie School of Governance have now revisited the question as to how effective Adolf Hitler's public campaign appearances were in garnering electoral support in Weimar Germany. Research findings, to be published in the American Political Science Review (APSR), suggest that Hitler's appearances actually had a negligible impact on the Nazi's electoral fortunes before their seizure of power in 1933. Five German parliamentary (Reichstag) elections and one German presidential (Reichspraesident) election were carried out in Germany between 1927 and 1933. During this time period, the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) increased its vote share from a marginal three to an extraordinary 44 percent. New research results from Professor Peter Selb at the University of Konstanz and Dr Simon Munzert from the Hertie School of Governance show, however, that Adolf Hitler's 455 public appearances during this period had a surprisingly small effect on the electoral outcomes. Peter Selb and Simon Munzert base their findings on election statistics from 1,000 counties and districts as well as from 3,864 municipalities. For their analyses they include information on Hitler's campaign locations, attendance figures at individual events, and NSDAP party membership numbers. They also take campaign event appearances of Joseph Goebbels - the second most important speaker for the Nazi movement - into account. By using the statistical method of "difference of differences" (DID), the researchers compare election trends in areas where Hitler gave public speeches with the electoral trends from similar areas where he did not appear. "We are surprised about how marginal the effect of Hitler's election appearances was, especially when one considers contemporary witnesses and historians who have confirmed his exceptional rhetorical abilities", explain Selb and Munzert. Overall, their data assessment demonstrates only minor electoral effects, which were very limited in terms of geography and time. According to the researchers, Hitler's personal involvement only had a positive effect in the run-off election for the office of German president in 1932. This election took place after an unusually short, intensive and one-sided election campaign - competitor Hindenburg did not make any public appearances - leading Hitler to garner an estimated additional one to two percentage points in terms of vote share in counties and districts in the immediate vicinity of locations where he made a public appearance before the election. The fact that Hitler's campaign is considered a most likely case for campaign effects makes these results all the more extraordinary. In contrast to his political rivals, Hitler utilised new and sophisticated techniques, including modern technology such loudspeakers and airplanes, with which he traveled throughout Germany. These provided Hitler an unparalleled geographic penetration and an unprecedented level of public attention. "It is remarkable that Hitler's public appearances and speeches as an early populist and party leader were not very influential, especially when one considers the growing body of empirical evidence confirming his propaganda successes as dictator", explain Selb and Munzert. Research on Germany after 1933 - when the Nazis had begun to gain totalitarian control over the state apparatus, societal organizations, and the emerging mass media - has demonstrated that Nazi propaganda had strong and long-lasting effects on the collective perceptions, attitudes and behaviour of people. According to Selb and Munzert, "other studies stress the crucial role that economic and political circumstances played during this time - which includes mass unemployment and economic hardship, a lack of support for democracy, the alienation between established parties and the electorate, as well as weak state institutions - for the rise of the NSDAP. When compared to these conditions, we can confirm that Hitler's importance as a charismatic speaker is less significant." Based on this historical evidence, the researchers recommend that one should view the accepted opinion that charismatic leaders play a key role in the rise of right-wing populist movements, for example, with skepticism. Peter Selb is Professor of Survey Research at the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Konstanz with expertise in survey methodology, public opinion and political behaviour. He is a former principal investigator for Swiss National Election Studies and a contributor to the research area and proposed Cluster of Excellence "The Politics of Inequality" at the University of Konstanz, which is currently participating in the German Excellence Strategy competition. ### Simon Munzert is Lecturer of Political Data Science at the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin and completed his Bachelor's, Master's and doctoral studies at the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Konstanz. His research interests include the dynamics of public opinion and the role of new media in political processes. He is a fellow of the Daimler and Benz Foundation and head of the international collaboration project "Media Exposure and Opinion Formation in an Age of Information Overload", which is funded by the Volkswagen Foundation. Original publication: Selb, P., & Munzert, S. (2018) Examining a Most Likely Case for Strong Campaign Effects: Hitler's Speeches and the Rise of the Nazi Party, 1927 - 1933. American Political Science Review Until the article is published in the APSR, you may access the pre-print version using the following link: https://osf.io/vyds8/ Facts: - Political scientists from Konstanz and Berlin examine the effect of Hitler's election campaign appearances on the rise of the Nazi party in Weimar Germany, 1927-1933. - Professor Peter Selb at the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Konstanz and Dr Simon Munzert at the Hertie School of Governance find that Hitler's campaign appearances had a negligible impact on the Nazi's electoral fortunes. - Findings are based on expansive historical data, including information relating to 455 public appearances by Hitler, as well as election statistics from 1,000 counties and boroughs, and 3,864 municipalities. - Researchers utilise the "difference in differences" (DID) statistical method with which they compare electoral trends in areas where Hitler gave public speeches with the trends from similar areas where he did not appear. - Authors note that their empirical findings support a skeptical view of the idea that right-wing populist parties require a charismatic leader to rise to power. Note to editors: You can download the following photos: Photo link: https://cms.uni-konstanz.de/fileadmin/pi/fileserver/2018/Bilder/Hitler_Reden_Selb/karte_oeffentliche_auftritte.jpg Caption: Locations of Hitler's public appearances between March 1927 and March 1933 during five election periods. Copyright: Simon Munzert und Peter Selb Photo link: https://cms.uni-konstanz.de/fileadmin/pi/fileserver/2018/Bilder/Hitler_Reden_Selb/nsdap_wahlanteilveraenderungen.jpg Caption: Changes in the proportion of NSDAP voters in counties and county boroughs from the German parliamentary (Reichstag) elections in September 1930 to those in July 1932. Red dots mark Hitler's appearances between the two election dates. Copyright: Simon Munzert und Peter Selb Photo link: https://cms.uni-konstanz.de/fileadmin/pi/fileserver/2018/Bilder/Hitler_Reden_Selb/reden_zeitleiste.jpg Caption: Hitler's public appearances between March 1927 and March 1933. He held up to five a day, with an increased frequency as election day approached. Copyright: Simon Munzert und Peter Selb Photo link: https://cms.uni-konstanz.de/fileadmin/pi/fileserver/2018/Bilder/Hitler_Reden_Selb/Selb.jpg Caption: Dr Peter Selb, Professor of Survey Research at the Department of Politics and Public Administration at the University of Konstanz Copyright: Universitat Konstanz Photo link: https://cms.uni-konstanz.de/fileadmin/pi/fileserver/2018/Bilder/Hitler_Reden_Selb/Munzert.jpg Caption: Dr Simon Munzert, Lecturer of Political Data Science at the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin Copyright: University of Konstanz Contact: University of Konstanz Communications and Marketing Phone: + 49 7531 88-3603 Email: kum@uni-konstanz.de Facebook is partnering with the National Urban League to provide digital skills training to entrepreneurs and small business owners across the U.S., the company announced this week. Sheryl Sandberg, Facebooks chief operating officer, unveiled the partnership during a league conference in Columbus, Ohio, this week. With more computing and digital jobs opening in the U.S., the company wants to help more people learn the skills they need to thrive in the digital world, said Sandberg, whose organization has faced a torrent of criticism recently over its data-collect and privacy policies. As part of the partnership with the National Urban League , Facebook will offer in-person training on the tools available on the social media platform, such as the Business Pages, Messenger and Instagram, to help small business owners better connect with customers, manage a digital presence and grow their business, according to an announcement. The training program will also explore the different advertisements that small businesses can create to drive more people into their stores and build awareness of their brand by using Facebook or Instagram. Starting in 2019, the free biannual training program will be available at 13 National Urban League chapters: Atlanta, Ga., Baltimore, Md., Chicago, Ill., Cincinnati and Cleveland, Ohio, Houston, Texas, Jacksonville, Fla., Kansas City, Mo., Las Vegas, Nev., Los Angeles, Calif., New Orleans, La., Philadelphia, Pa. and Washington, D.C. These hubs were picked because they are tied most closely to the Leagues Small Business Matters Initiatives. The joint effort helps Facebook reach small businesses and underserved communities that need support, and contribute to their continued growth and health. Its part of the Facebook Community Boost program introduced last November to equip more people with digital skills they need to stay competitive in the economy. The National Urban League is a civil rights organization that advocates on behalf of African-Americans and an urban advocacy group devoted to empowering communities. The New York-based organization will also join Facebook as a national advisor to help the social media giant toward its goal to train 1 million people and small business in digital skills by 2020, according to the statement. Were grateful to partner with such an effective civil rights organization helping change lives for the better, Sandberg said at the conference. Facebook has been under a lot of scrutiny lately over its data practices and allegations that certain groups and foreign nations have exploited the platform to influence elections. Despite concerns, many K-12 schools were generally reluctant to join the #DeleteFacebook movement , in part because they view it as a valuable tool for communicating with parents and the public. The social-media companys founder, Mark Zuckerberg, has also sought to make his mark on K-12 through the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative , a limited-liability corporation he launched three years ago with this wife, Priscilla Chan. The organization has invested in several ed-tech companies -- particularly those involved in personalized learning -- and provided grants to organizations across the K-12 space. In the wake of the data-privacy scandal, the social media company has made over the past few months an effort to win back its users trust. As EdWeek reported this week, the social media giant has entered the digital literacy education space , unveiling a new Digital Literacy Library to help people learn to be critical consumers of digital information. Facebook has also released new tools that allow users to manage their time on the platform, as well as resources for teenages like the Bullying Prevention Hub. The digital skills training program will be marketed by the National Urban League. This partnership with Facebook perfectly encapsulates the focus of our mission on the intersection between digital technology and economic opportunity, National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said. The theme of our conference is Save our Cities: Powering the Digital Revolution, and empowering our entrepreneurs through the use of digital tools is a great example of how to make that happen. EdWeek has been reporting on the intersection of school, technology, and the job market. See our recent special report, Schools and the Future of Work , which looks at how disruptions wrought by articificial intelligence, automation, and shifting workforce demands are changing the skills and training students need. See also: Scientists believe the solar system was formed some 4.6 billion years ago when a cloud of gas and dust collapsed under gravity possibly triggered by cataclysmic explosion from a nearby massive star or supernova. As this cloud collapsed, it formed a spinning disk with the sun in the center. Since then scientists have been able to establish the formation of the solar system piece by piece. Now, new research has enabled scientists from The University of New Mexico, Arizona State University and NASA's Johnson Space Center to add another piece to that puzzle with the discovery of the oldest-ever dated igneous meteorite. The research titled, Silica-rich volcanism in the Early Solar System Dated at 4.565 Ga, was published today in Nature Communications. This research provides direct evidence that chemically evolved silica-rich crustal rocks were forming on planetsimals within the first 10 million years prior to the assembly of the terrestrial planets and helps scientists further understand the complexities of planet formation. "The age of this meteorite is the oldest, igneous meteorite ever recorded," said Professor and Director of the Institute of Meteoritics Carl Agee. "Not only is this just an extremely unusual rock type, it's telling us that not all asteroids look the same. Some of them look almost like the crust of the Earth because they're so light colored and full of SiO2. These not only exist, but it occurred during one of the very first volcanic events to take place in the solar system." The research started to unfold at UNM when graduate student and lead author Poorna Srinivasan, asked Agee for ideas on her Ph.D. thesis. Agee had a yet-to-be studied crustal rock that was found in a sand dune in Mauritania by a nomad that he received from a meteorite dealer. The rock was lighter in color than most meteorites and was laced with green crystals, cavities and surrounded by quench melt. He gave the sample to Srinivasan who began to study the mineralogy of the rock, Northwest Africa (NWA) 11119. Using an electron microprobe and a CT (computed tomography) scan at UNM and Johnson Space Center facilities, Srinivasan started to examine the composition and mineralogy of the rock. Srinivasan started to note the intricacies of NWA 11119 and noted the unusual light-green fusion crust, silica mineral-rich achondrite meteorite containing information substantially widening scientific knowledge involving the range of volcanic rock compositions within the first 3.5 million years of solar system creation. "The mineralogy of this rock is a very, very different from anything that we've worked on before," said Srinivasan. "I examined the mineralogy to understand all of the phases that comprise the meteorite. One of the main things we saw first were the large silica crystals of tridymite which is a similar to the mineral quartz. When we conducted further image analyses to quantify the tridymite, we found that the amount present was a staggering 30 percent of the total meteorite - this amount is unheard of in meteorites and is only found at these levels in certain volcanic rocks from the Earth." Part of Srinivasan's research also involved trying to figure out through chemical and isotopic analyses what body the meteorite could be from. Utilizing oxygen isotopes done in collaboration with Dr. Karen Ziegler in UNM's Center for Stable Isotope (CSI) lab, she was able to determine that it was definitely extraterrestrial. "Based on oxygen isotopes, we know it's from an extraterrestrial source somewhere in the solar system, but we can't actually pinpoint it to a known body that has been viewed with a telescope," said Srinivasan. "However, through the measured isotopic values, we were able to possibly link it to two other unusual meteorites (Northwest Africa 7235 and Almahata Sitta) suggesting that they all are from the same parent body - perhaps a large, geologically complex body that formed in the early solar system." One possibility is that this parent body was disrupted through a collision with another asteroid or planetesimal and some of its ejected fragments eventually reached the Earth's orbit, falling through the atmosphere and ending up as meteorites on the ground - in the case of NWA 11119, falling in Mauritania at a yet unknown time in the past. "The oxygen isotopes of NWA11119, NWA 7235, and Almahata Sitta are all identical, but this rock - NWA 11119 - stands out as something completely different from any of the over 40,000 meteorites that have been found on Earth," said Srinivasan. Further, research using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was performed in the Isotope Cosmochemistry and Geochronology Laboratory (ICGL) at the Center for Meteorite Studies at Arizona State University to determine the precise formation age of the meteorite. The research confirmed that NWA 11119 is the oldest-ever igneous meteorite recorded at 4.565 billion years. "The purpose of this research was to understand the origin and formation time of an unusually silica-rich igneous meteorite," says co-author and ASU's Center for Meteorite Studies director, Meenakshi Wadhwa. "Most other known igneous asteroidal meteorites have 'basaltic' compositions that have much lower abundances of silica - so we wanted to understand how and when this unique silica-rich meteorite formed in the crust of an asteroidal body in the early Solar System." Most meteorites are formed through the collision of asteroids orbiting the sun in a region called the asteroid belt. Asteroids are the remains from the formation of the solar system formation some 4.6 billion years ago. The chemical composition ranges of ancient igneous meteorites, or achondrites, are key to understanding the diversity and geochemical evolution of planetary building blocks. Achondrite meteorites record the first episodes of volcanism and crust formation, the majority of which are basaltic. "The meteorite we studied is unlike any other known meteorite," says co-author and ASU School of Earth and Space Exploration graduate student Daniel Dunlap. "It has the highest abundance of silica and the most ancient age (4.565 billion years old) of any known igneous meteorite. Meteorites like this were the precursors to planet formation and represent a critical step in the evolution of rocky bodies in our solar system." "This research is key to how the building blocks of planets formed early in the solar system," said Agee. "When we look out of the solar system today, we see fully formed bodies, planets, asteroids, comets and so forth. Then, our curiosity always pushes us to, to ask the question, how did they form, how did the Earth form? This is basically a missing part of the puzzle that we've now found that tells us these igneous processes act like little blast furnaces that are melting rock and processing all of the solar system solids. Ultimately, this is how planets are forged." ### PITTSBURGH, August 6, 2018 - To improve communication about pain between patients and physicians, a team led by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC has developed a mobile application called "Painimation" that has the potential to assess and monitor pain better than any previously used measurement tools. Results of the clinical trial were published today in the Journal of Medical Internet Research. "Currently, our only available tools for patients to communicate their pain is to either give them 0 to 10 scales or a selection of words and phrases to describe their pain, methods that have been used for more than 50 years," said lead author Charles Jonassaint, Ph.D., M.H.Sc., assistant professor of medicine, social work and clinical and translational science. "Many pain patients will say their pain can't be measured on the 0-to-10 scale and that it is too challenging to describe their pain using words. As a result, their pain is misunderstood and patients in pain may be prescribed more opioids without always knowing whether they are needed or if they are working." Painimation is an electronic assessment tool that uses animations to assess pain quality, type and location. With this app, patients are first provided with a selection of animations that they can use to describe the severity of their pain. These animations can then be increased or decreased in speed, color saturation, focus and size to accurately match their pain experience. The app also provides users with the opportunity to label their pain on a human body, allowing them to identify where and how much of their body is affected by pain. "By using animations, we have the potential to more quickly and accurately understand a person's pain experience, and, more importantly, provide treatments that work and stop those that don't," Jonassaint said. Jonassaint led a multidisciplinary team that included psychiatrists, technology designers and anesthesiologists as they examined 202 patients with chronic pain -- pain more days than not for three months or more. Once the app was fully developed through three phases of testing, the patients used Painimation to characterize the quality and intensity of their pain, alongside the completion of the McGill Pain Questionnaire and the PainDETECT questionnaire, the current standards for assessing pain. Study results showed that more than 80 percent of patients found the app to be enjoyable, and they would use the app to communicate their pain with their medical care providers. Also, Painimation was completed more quickly than either the McGill or PainDETECT questionnaires, and provided just as much or more information about the type and cause of pain. "We believe using animations to measure pain can allow patients to not only describe pain sensations in a similar manner to how they experience them, but minimize potential barriers to pain assessment because the effects of language and literacy are taken out of the equation," Jonassaint said. "Further, we can decrease the burden of long, detailed pain assessments while collecting pertinent information on each patient's pain experience through an easy to administer, novel and engaging medium." "Painimation gives patients an opportunity to describe their pain to physicians in ways not possible with conventional pain rating scales," said Ajay Wasan, M.D., M.Sc., vice chair of pain medicine and anesthesiology at UPMC. "While much development works remains to be done, these early results are very encouraging to the push for better ways to describe the pain experience." ### Additional authors of this research include Galen Switzer, Ph.D., Laura De Castro, M.D., M.H.Sc., Gregory Kato, M.D., and Jude Jonassaint, R.N., all of Pitt; Nema Rao, M.Des., Alex Sciuto, M.Des., and Zakia Hammal, Ph.D., all of Carnegie Mellon University; and Nirmish Shah, M.D., of Duke University. This research was funded by the Virginia Kaufman Endowment Fund and the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at Pitt, grant number K23 HL135396 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and grant number K12HS022989 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. About the University of Pittsburgh A nonsectarian, coeducational, state-related, public research university founded in 1787, the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a member of the prestigious by-invitation-only Association of American Universities and internationally renowned as a leading center of learning and research in the arts, sciences, humanities, professions, and health sciences. Comprising a Pittsburgh campus, which is home to 16 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, and four Western Pennsylvania regional campuses, Pitt offers nearly 400 distinct degree programs and confers more than 7,500 degrees annually. Pitt has ranked among the top 10 recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health since 1998, and is ranked among the top 10 American research universities nationally in terms of total federal science and engineering research and development obligations. For more information, visit http://www.pitt.edu. About UPMC A $16 billion world-renowned health care provider and insurer, Pittsburgh-based UPMC is inventing new models of patient-centered, cost-effective, accountable care. UPMC provides more than $900 million a year in benefits to its communities, including more care to the region's most vulnerable citizens than any other health care institution. The largest nongovernmental employer in Pennsylvania, UPMC integrates 80,000 employees, more than 30 hospitals, 600 doctors' offices and outpatient sites, and a 3.4 million-member Insurance Services Division, the largest medical insurer in western Pennsylvania. As UPMC works in close collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside on its annual Honor Roll of America's Best Hospitals. UPMC Enterprises functions as the innovation and commercialization arm of UPMC, and UPMC International provides hands-on health care and management services with partners around the world. For more information, go to UPMC.com. http://www.upmc.com/media Contact: Lawerence Synett Office: 412-647-9816 Mobile: 412-302-4127 E-mail: SynettL@upmc.edu Contact: Wendy Zellner Office: 412-586-9777 Mobile: 412-973-7266 E-mail: ZellnerWL@upmc.edu Patients who experienced childhood trauma were also more likely to be diagnosed with advanced cancer Among individuals with head and neck cancer (HNC), those who experienced childhood trauma were more likely to have advanced cancer, to have higher alcohol consumption, and to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings indicate that childhood trauma history should be considered during treatment for HNC. Individuals may experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression during and after cancer diagnosis and treatment. Patients with HNC display emotional responses that may affect their adherence to treatment, and the maintenance of smoking and alcoholism. Traumatic events in childhood have also been linked with the occurrence of anxiety and depression in adulthood. To evaluate the occurrence of childhood trauma in HNC patients and its association with anxiety and depression, a team led by Daniel Bernabe, PhD, of Sao Paulo State University, in Brazil, analyzed information on 110 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after they were diagnosed but before they started treatment. Among the 110 patients, 105 (95.5 percent) had experienced at least one type of childhood trauma. The most common childhood trauma reported was emotional neglect (43.8 percent), followed by physical child abuse (30.5 percent), emotional child abuse (15.2 percent), and physical child neglect (8.6 percent). Only two patients (1.9 percent) reported sexual abuse. Emotional neglect (absence of emotional support, as well as negligence related to child's complaints) was linked with advanced cancer stage and higher alcohol consumption. Experiencing child physical neglect (not receiving necessary care so that physical health is endangered) was a predictive factor for increased anxiety levels. Also, patients who had a higher occurrence of traumatic events in childhood had an almost 12-times higher likelihood of having increased depression levels before starting cancer treatment. "Assessing traumatic events experienced in childhood may be of great value in understanding neuropsychological mechanisms related to alcohol abuse and anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with cancer. Therefore, the life history of the cancer patient, including their traumatic memories and derived feelings should be considered by the health team during the treatment of cancer patients." said Dr. Bernabe. ### Additional Information NOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. A free abstract of this article will be available via the Cancer News Room upon online publication. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Dawn Peters (US) +1 781-388-8408 sciencenewsroom@wiley.com Follow us on Twitter @WileyNews Full Citation: "Childhood trauma is predictive for clinical staging, alcohol consumption, and emotional symptoms in head and neck cancer patients." Bruna Amelia Sarafim-Silva, Gabrielle Duarte, Maria Lucia Sundefeld, Ricardo Eder Biasoli, Glauco Miyahara, and Daniel Bernabe. CANCER; Published Online: August 6, 2018 (DOI: 10.1002/cncr.31597). URL Upon Publication: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/cncr.31597 Author Contact: Daniel Galera Bernabe, Assistant professor in the Psychosomatic Research Center, Oral Oncology Center and Department of Pathology, Aracatuba Dentral School Sao Paulo State University, danielbernabe@foa.unesp.br About the Journal CANCER is a peer-reviewed publication of the American Cancer Society integrating scientific information from worldwide sources for all oncologic specialties. The objective of CANCER is to provide an interdisciplinary forum for the exchange of information among oncologic disciplines concerned with the etiology, course, and treatment of human cancer. CANCER is published on behalf of the American Cancer Society by Wiley and can be accessed online at http://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cancer. Follow us on Twitter @JournalCancer About Wiley Wiley, a global research and learning company, helps people and organizations develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Our online scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, combined with our digital learning, assessment and certification solutions help universities, learned societies, businesses, governments and individuals increase the academic and professional impact of their work. For more than 210 years, we have delivered consistent performance to our stakeholders. The company's website can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com. this news is not available MajorClanger said: Le Bon coin ? Is that a French version of ebay ? Excuse my ignorance Click to expand... NoIn France, life revolves around 'le bon coin'.Why the Dordogne? Well it is a region I have known all my life... when I was a child I lived just outside Cahors .. yes I know its not in the Dordogne but not very far... I love sarlat and have friends therIn fact it should be the first site you should be using to find a house !!!! I hope you are not using those muppet English property websites !!! You will pay over the odds for a houseIn fact, you could buy a top of the range Mercedes in France with the money you would saveIf you are moving to France, then sell the Mercedes in the UK and hire a car every time you come to France to look for a house.Don't keep a RHD in France !!!Still have not answered the question, why the Dordogne ?The British are obsessed with the Dordogne for no logical reason other than other Brits live there.Are you really sure you want to live there ? That is a serious question !!! Privacy Settings This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. You may change your settings at any time. Your choices will not impact your visit. NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using. The small Central Texas town of Fredericksburg is about to get a big, multi-million dollar, tourist destination. The Houston-based Murphree and Company and the Austin office of the Beck Group will oversee design and construction of the $78 million Seven Hills Resort and Conference Center, at U.S. Highway 87 North and U.S. Highway 290 West, this fall, John Davies, vice president of marketing for Benchmark Global Hospitality, told Chron.com. C.H. Guenther & Son has acquired a Utah bakery, the San Antonio companys first acquisition since it was purchased by a Chicago investment firm earlier this year. Guenther bought Cookietree Bakeries, a Salt Lake City producer of cookies, brownies and scones for restaurants, club stores and other retailers, for an undisclosed price. Guenther announced the deal in a statement Monday. Cookietree, which has about 150 employees, will continue to operate under its brand at its existing production facility. The purchase increases Guenthers workforce to more than 3,000 employees in 21 food manufacturing locations in the U.S., Canada and Western Europe. The company is a supplier of gravies and sauces, seasonings, artisan breads, desserts and other products. Chicagofamily investment firm PPC Partners and others bought Guenther in March. PPC was formed by Pritzker Private Capital Group. PPC is led by Tony Pritzker and Paul Carbone. Pritzker is the brother of J.B. Pritzker, the Democratic candidate for governor of Illinois. A PPC spokeswoman said Tuesday J.B. Pritzker is not involved in the firm. The deal ended more than 166 years of family ownership at Guenther, the parent company of Pioneer Flour Mills and the historic Guenther House restaurant and museum. A shareholder who voted on the PPC purchase said it was valued at as much as $1.4 billion. Guenther CEO and President Dale Tremblay said in an interview at the time that partnering with PPC would give Guenther significantly more capital so that we can buy larger companies and expand our portfolio a lot quicker. In the statement, Tremblay called Cookietree a market leader in the dessert space. We look forward to leveraging our combined capabilities and providing value for customers for years to come, he said. PPC Partners principal Chris Trick said in the statement the Cookietree deal demonstrates PPCs commitment to (Guenther) and to partnering with industry leaders to deliver innovative products and excellent customer service. This article has been updated to correct the description of PPC Partners and to reflect that PPC says J.B. Pritzker has no involvement in the firm. Patrick Danner is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pdanner@express-news.net | Twitter: @AlamoPD Richard Campas four-year degree in drama and psychology wasnt getting him many bites on the job front, and working part time at Toys R Us wasnt paying the bills. So when he and his between-jobs dad, David Campa, saw a news story about Rackspaces Open Cloud Academy boot camp, both decided to sign up. It was a tough eight weeks, but the two were driven to graduate. Eighteen months later, both are working at Rackspace. Richard, 24, already has been promoted to a level 2 Linux system administrator. The salary difference? Humongous, Campa said at a Thursday event at the academy to launch San Antonios participation in a $100 million federal initiative to move people into tech jobs. Known as TechHire, the program is aimed at helping low- and moderate-income women, minorities, and veterans land positions such as Campas. Being selected as a TechHire grant recipient means that programs like ours can expand faster, Rackspace co-founder and board Chairman Graham Weston said. I think the raw talent is here in San Antonio. With a little bit of training, we can transform a lot of lives. Rackspaces Open Cloud Academy is an intense, typically two-month-long, training program that offers training and certification for information technology positions. The TechHire program is being funded by the H1-B user fees employers pay to import tech workers from India and other foreign countries. According to the White House, there are an estimated 500,000 unfilled high-tech jobs, which pay about 50 percent more than the average private-sector job. In Campos case, his pay is now in the $50,000 to $70,000 range. San Antonio was one of 22 cities chosen to participate, thanks to a successful collaboration between the city, Open Cloud and the nonprofit Project Quest to train people in tech, said Sister Pearl Ceasar, Project Quests executive director. The White House called us, she said. They chose San Antonio because of the innovation here, Ceaser said Thursday. Innovation No. 1 was in the boot camp approach, meaning (taking) eight to 10 weeks (to) get em in, get em out, and get em to work. The Obama administration was likewise impressed with industry involvement, said Ceasar, who was among those invited to the White House for the TechHire announcement in March. No one group can do it by itself, she said. The collaboration was between the city, industry, nonprofits and people in the city like the Richards of the world, who want to move from where they are into higher-paying jobs. The Open Cloud collaboration started in 2012, when Rackspace told Project Quest and city officials they couldnt find the workers they needed to expand. The city gave Project Quest $400,000 to help with Open Cloud tuition for 200 students. Richard and David Campa were beneficiaries of that grant. Its not the first time Project Quest has attracted federal interest. In October, Project Quest announced a $6 million federal grant to fund tech-industry-directed training for 475 long-term unemployed or underemployed workers. In December, Project Quest members found themselves in Washington, held as an example of a city that already had developed a successful approach. Thursdays event was to ask hiring managers from some of the citys employers, including Accenture, USAA, H-E-B, Frost Bank and Austin-based WordPress hosting firm WP Engine, to weigh in on what training was needed locally. Were actually asking for local companies to come compete with Rackspace for the graduates of the Open Cloud Academy and to collaborate with us on the curriculum that we teach here, Weston said, adding that such collaborations were in the industrys interest. Weston said Open Cloud hoped to expand from graduating 200 people a year to graduating 2,000. Ultimately, Project Quest hopes to work with local colleges and other companies that have boot-camp-style training, such as Accenture. Accenture, a global management consulting, technology and outsourcing services company, has 1,700 employees in San Antonio, more than 700 of whom are working tech jobs. Thanks to San Antonios low cost of living, high population of millennials, and environment the city is seismically stable, a major considerations since earthquakes are a huge threat to tech servers the company hopes to double its size here in the next two years. If I can grow from seven, eight hundred to 1,600 in two years, Im going to do some of it, but I need help from the community to do the rest of it, said David Stich, Accentures San Antonio director. Accenture needs workers trained in Java, SAP and Oracle, which is different from the server administration training at Open Cloud. The company is working with Project Quest on its own curriculum to train workers with funds from the TechHire grant. USAA plans to participate with its VetFIT program, a collaboration between the company, Project Quest and the Texas Workforce Commission that provides veterans 600 weeks of Java development services over 14 weeks of paid training. Providing they successfully complete the program and eight-week paid internship, 100 percent of graduates are hired on with a starting salary of $57,000. Between USAA paying for labor and benefits and Project Quest and Texas Workforce Commission helping to offset the training costs, all these veterans have no money coming out of their pockets whatsoever, said Brian Parks, USAAs director for information technology workforce strategy. In fact, theyre making money because theyre attending training as employees. MCALLEN - With a fresh flurry of tweets and comments, President Trump has thrown his long-sought border wall back on the national agenda, with vows to shut down the U.S. government if he can't get it built soon. It's time we had proper border security, the president said last week. We're the laughingstock of the world. Those words already may have faded for many Americans amid the drumbeat of crises and controversy that punctuate public life these days. But here on the lower reaches of the Rio Grande, Trump's demands have served up a new thump of worry about a long-looming threat. Now, landowners and anti-wall advocates are suiting up for another round, bolstering their argument with liberals and conservatives alike with calls for both protecting the environment and respecting property rights. Were ground zero. Ground zero-zero, says Becky Schuster Jones, who has been told by federal officials that any new fencing will first go up through the border-front farmland her family owns downriver from McAllen. Its like a lava flow, she said. You know its coming. Now what do you do to stop it? National debate about Trump's wall has dwindled since Congress reached a funding compromise in March to allocate $1.6 billion for new wall construction, far short of the presidents demand for up to $25 billion. Public concern faded even further amid this summer's crisis involving the plight of Central American migrant families separated at the border. Related: The business of owning real estate for immigration detention centers While prohibiting a wall through a three-mile stretch of the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, which had been slated for the first new section of it, the March agreement provided enough money for building it most everywhere else on this stretch of border. Because of the river's snaking path as it nears its mouth, 25 miles of new wall in Hidalgo County will be built on flood control levees, often a mile or more from the border itself. That will leave thousands of acres of land, and the homes of U.S. citizens, on the Mexican side of the wall. The Rio Grande here wriggles past cities that are some of the most violent in Mexico. A multisided war between criminal gangs and security forces killed more than 31,000 people across Mexico last year, and officials say this year will be worse. The Lower Rio Grande Valley serves as the primary destination for migrants crossing illegally into the U.S. Few here question the need for security. But many simply don't believe a wall is the way to guarantee it. This idea that if youre against the border wall youre for open borders is a fallacy, says Marianna Trevino-Wright, executive director of the National Butterfly Center, a 100-acre river front reserve outside the city of Mission through which new fencing is planned. If anyone thought that the wall was a solution, you wouldnt have the vigorous opposition you have had. The levee fence as currently designed will leave as much as 70 percent of the butterfly preserve the most important in North America on the Mexican side of the wall. The same will happen to a neighboring federal wildlife refuge and the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, just upriver. The three refuges, which total more than three square miles of border-front habitat, are part of a wildlife corridor that stretches along the Rio Grande. Wright and other advocates say only 5 percent of the regions natural habitat remains intact. Once completed, a border wall will maroon 95 percent of it on the Mexican side. Still, scuttling plans for more wall is not about the butterflies and birds, Wright argues. Its about protecting property rights, defending our actual border. Carter Smith, executive director of Texas Parks and Wildlife, sent a letter last week to Border Patrol officials advising that putting a wall through the Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park would substantially disrupt operations there. Arguing that it is a biologically rich and exceedingly unique area hosting species found nowhere outside the region, Smith said that ensuring the continued future viability of the state park is of paramount importance. Related: Immigrant families separated at border arrive with complex stories Border Patrol officials did not respond to requests for comment. Despite the heavy traffic of illicit drugs and undocumented migrants passing through them, McAllen and other Texas border cities rank as among the safest in the U.S. Many residents argue that security has been more effectively won with boots on the ground and electronic surveillance. It would be better if they just brought in more agents, says Yolanda Hernandez, 66, a retired school secretary who has lived her entire life in a tiny cluster of houses called Rancho Viejo, staked to the cotton and sugar cane fields two miles downriver from the Santa Ana refuge. They are doing a good job. As plans stand now, Hernandez's house, those of her neighbors and the 85-year-old Pentecostal church where many of them worship will be on the far side of the new fencing. Residents have heard that their area will be among the first areas for new levee wall construction. Yet, no one from the government has come to explain when the fence will be built here or exactly where, Hernandez and others said. Surveyors have recently been spotted working on the levees nearby. They said they were going to start, that they were just waiting the green light, said Angel Anguiano, 56, the pastor of the church, called La Hermosa. It's really going to interfere with what we do here. It's just very inconvenient. Landowners along the river began receiving requests to survey their property this summer, with some agreeing and others refusing to cooperate. Anti-wall advocates point out that scores of lawsuits are still being litigated by landowners whose property was taken for portions of the wall built a decade ago. They promise fresh court fights over the latest wall building. Right now they have the money to build all the levee walls in Hidalgo County, said Scott Nicol, the McAllen-based co-chair of the Sierra Club's borderlands campaign. But its going to take them a while because they are going to have to sue everybody. They cant start building until they take that property from landowners. AUSTIN Most state employees in Texas are not giving political contributions to their bosses in this election season, but two administrators from the Texas Department of Agriculture did, giving more than $18,000 to Commissioner Sid Millers campaign. The biggest check, $13,500, came from a top Miller staffer for a used Cadillac Escalade that the campaign purchased several months earlier. It is common for state employees to take a leave of absence to work on their bosses re-election campaigns. But while the employees are also free to contribute money to the campaigns, few have done so this election cycle, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis of finance records of statewide office holders. The analysis found no employee contributions to the governor, the attorney general, the land commissioner, comptroller or railroad commissioner. Miller is the exception. It was an assistant agriculture commissioner, Walt Roberts, who bought the 2007 Escalade, campaign finance records show. The SUV was the lesser of two vehicles Miller bought with campaign money last year in his hunt for the perfect ride this election season. Seized in a drug bust, the Cadillac was purchased by Miller sight unseen from the state for $10,000 before Miller realized it needed thousands of dollars of work, according to campaign spokesman Todd Smith. The Texas Facilities Commission described the truck as in poor condition, with engine or transmission issues that caused the truck to shake badly, a cracked windshield and dashboard, broken door handles, stains throughout the interior and other problems. Millers campaign spent nearly $4,000 to fix up the truck last fall and sold it to Roberts in April, Smith said. A similar Escalade in fair condition is worth about $12,500, according to Kelley Blue Book. Roberts, whose annual salary is $184,500, was one of Millers most generous supporters ahead of the commissioners 2014 election, giving the campaign nearly $58,000 worth of free media production and consulting. MILLERS WHEELS: Questions arise over Sid Millers purchase of a Chevy Tahoe Another employee who cut a check for Miller is Freddy Vest, a rodeo cowboy who says he met Jesus. Vest, the departments liaison for field operations, wrote a book in 2014 about the experience after falling off a horse while having a heart attack, titled The Day I Died: My Astonishing Trip to Heaven and Back. Miller hired him a year later. Vest wrote Millers campaign a $5,000 check in March. Vests state salary is $125,000 a year, according to state records. Neither Vest nor Roberts responded to requests for comment. Miller, a Republican, is a farmer and rancher running for election to his second term leading the Department of Agriculture, an agency that regulates gasoline pumps, grocery and barbecue scales and agricultural operations. His opponent is Democrat Kim Olson, a retired Air Force colonel, farmer and lecturer. Alejandra Matos contributed to this report. Andrea Zelinski is a staff writer who covers politics. Read her latest stories here . Follow her on Twitter and Facebook . Send her tips at andrea.zelinski@chron.com . andrea.zelinski@chron.com Twitter.com/andreazelinski Much like a quilting bee, the small circle of women at University Presbyterian Church gather each Thursday to sew in a room filled with colorful swaths of cloth, new and old, from projects long ago completed or never realized. Among their supplies are fabric remnants, patches of applique and embroidery and tiny works of art created by using Citra Solv to alter colorful magazine pages. At some point, everything will adorn one of their sacred works. The groups members chat, joke and sometimes disagree, but only about stitches or seams or sewing machines. They also stop to break bread, pray and reflect as they have since 2016, when their pastor, the Rev. Kelly Allen died unexpectedly and inspired the project. In her honor, the six women hand-stitch small, rectangular fabric collages in the style of Tibetan prayer flags. Each is different, and each is sold for a $25 donation to the backpack ministry of the Interfaith Welcome Coalition, a group Allen co-founded. IWC assists immigrants newly released from detention centers in South Texas, and last week hosted a group of volunteers from Boston. Related: Mayor of San Juan in S.A. to extend an invitation to all of us The flaggers, as the groups founder Mary Lance calls them, go back to the day Allen died. She was at a conference, delivering remarks on womens history of resistance. She reportedly talked about a woman who did anti-lynching work; about immigrants; about practicing Christianity by welcoming the stranger. Lance heard the news and recalled reaching for a piece of fabric. A ceramicist who has done some fiber arts work, she quickly created a few collages. Kelly was already on her way to be an organ donor, she said. Lance gave away those first efforts to Allens friends and family as a way to comfort them. So far, the project has produced about 400 prayer flags. Theyve been exhibited at the UPC, Northwood Presbyterian Church and are on view at Travis Park United Methodist Church until mid-September. Theyre strung across walls, held in place by clothespins. On Aug. 12, a batch will go up at Christ Lutheran Church, Lance said. Prayer flags are made mostly by hand, but some sewing is done by machine. Some embroidery work is also machine-made. But each flags colors, textures and design make it one of a kind. Each member can produce one prayer flag at a Thursday sitting, though some members take work home. They say its therapeutic and it energizes them. Lance first saw an image of a Tibetan and Buddhist prayer flag in a magazine. But Rae Dachille, assistant professor of religious studies and East Asian Studies at the University of Arizona, said the fluttering flags strung outdoors in Tibet, especially near pilgrimage sites, have pre-Buddhist roots. Related: OLLU stages play on immigration They were a fixture of Bon indigenous culture in Tibet before Buddhists arrived in the seventh century, she said. The flags are essentially prayers, hung up everywhere, marking a space as sacred, as well as, sometimes, in the case of high mountains, ensuring safe passage, she said. Theyre imprinted with prayers that are dispersed by the wind and are associated with bringing good fortune to a community or to oneself, Dachille said. Each member of the sewing circle has reasons for latching on to the project. Most like sewing and had mothers who sewed, quilted or embroidered. They like color, texture and pattern. Carlene Schleider, who drives in from Corpus Christi each week, heard Allen speak, learned about IWCs work and found the prayer flag project. Hanna Kuykendall, who as a child was a Pakistani refugee to India, recalls her mother used to embroider and make handkerchiefs for her father. I forget everything when working on a prayer flag, said Kuykendall, who served on the nominating committee that brought Allen to UPC. Its not only good for us, but Im at least helping. The groups newest member, Mary Norris, sees prayer flags as she does prayer shawls made for chemotherapy patients. Theyre bathed in prayer, she said. That prayer flags ultimately benefit immigrants is compelling to me, she added, that I had a hand in something to help a child coming to our country. My mom was a home economics teacher, and we used to sew together, said Carolyn White, who recalled she was often charged with fetching, a chore the sewing group shares. Tamara Apgar echoed why so many of them put sewing on their calendars each week. Its still about Allen. It feels so good to do something loving, she said, because theres so much hurt in our world now. Elaine Ayala covers religion and minority affairs in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | eayala@express-news.net | Twitter: @ElaineAyala The Montenegrin government has adopted plans to put its two international airports in Podgorica and Tivat up for concession. A public call for the expression of interest is expected to be issued soon. The Montenegrin Minister for Transportation and Maritime Affairs, Osman Nurkovic, said the two airports will be offered up for a concession ranging between 25 and thirty years. "The airports will be offered to credible, experienced and proven global concessionaires. This way we can make a great deal for the airports and the state", Mr Nurkovic said. Turkey's TAV Airports Holding, which has become a global brand in airport construction projects and operations, held talks with Mr Nurkovic on two different occasions late last year in order to examine suitable concession models. The Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dusko Markovic, previously said, "Several well established companies have already shown serious interest for the airports. The concession is vital in order for Tivat Airport to follow through with its plans to build a new passenger terminal, extend its runway and overhaul its taxiways". Last year, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was set to approve a fifty million euro loan for the development of Tivat Airport, however, it requested for the Montenegrin government to guarantee the airport would remain in state hands over a period of ten years following the completion of the expansion project. Mr Markovic's administration was unable to agree to such terms. Montenegro's opposition parties have slammed the government's concession plans, noting that operator Airports of Montenegro is one of the country's most profitable public enterprises. It recorded profit before tax of 5.2 million euros last year. Montenegro's two airports handled a combined total of 1.3 million passengers during the January - July period. Last month alone, the two welcomed 422.220 travellers through their doors. Last Sunday, Tivat Airport broke its 24-hour record by handling 11.233 passengers, while Podgorica saw its busiest day in a decade on July 22 with 7.670 travellers. GREENWICH A fitness center will be opening at a Greenwich shopping center that has been coping with vacancies and a challenging retail climate. A 3,000-square-foot space in the North Greenwich Shopping Center will be filled as Greenwich Fitness takes over as the main anchor store in the retail complex on North Street. An IGA closed supermarket there in 2010, significantly reducing the number of shoppers in the shopping plaza. The new business will be operated by Craig DeCollibus, who has a background in the the fitness and gym business. It will be opening in early fall, according to the leasing agent, Diane Roth, of the Allied Property Group. Word of the new tenant came as a welcome boost to other merchants in the neighborhood just south of the border with North Castle, N.Y., and the hamlet of Banksville. Were looking forward to it, said Alfonso Criscuolo, owner of Banksville Pizza and Pasta. We hope it brings in customers. It sounds like a nice business, and the community could use something like that. Its definitely better than nothing. The owner of the site, Sutton Properties, had been working to keep the shopping center looking good through various renovations, Roth said. Its all new and fresh-looking, and people are giving it a second look. Thats what did it, she said. The town Planning and Zoning Commission also played a role, the listing agent said. The site is zoned for local business-retail, which legally did not allow group fitness as an allowed use. The planning and zoning commissioners were able to make a change to allow the business to operate there. The new tenant is community-oriented and has a concept for the fitness club to be attractive to all ages. Its for children, right up to seniors. Its a family fitness center, Roth said. Not only does it add value to the shopping center, it adds value to the community, she said. After the supermarket closed, efforts to find another chain store to move into the space were unsuccessful. Despite the lack of a major tenant, a number of small retail businesses have been continuing to operate, and the Happiness Is cafe and bakery expanded its operation there in recent months. Other businesses have come and gone. In the main building where the fitness center is due to open, 3,000 square feet of space is still available. Wall Street analysts have given Botswana Diamonds 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 Botswana Diamonds wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Wall Street analysts have given iShares MSCI Norway ETF a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but iShares MSCI Norway ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Wall Street analysts have given iShares MSCI Sweden ETF a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but iShares MSCI Sweden ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Experian plc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a technology company. The company operates through two segments, Business-to-Business and Consumer Services. It provides data services to identify and understand their customers, as well as to manage the risks related with lending. The company also offers analytical and decision tools that enhance businesses to manage their customers, minimize the risk of fraud, comply with legal requirements, and automate decisions and processes. In addition, it provides financial education, free access to Experian credit reports and scores, online educational tools, and applications to manage their financial position, access credit offers, and protect themselves from identity fraud. The company serves customers in financial service, direct-to-consumer, health, retail, automotive, software and professional services, telecommunications and utility, insurance, media and technology, government and public, and other sectors. It operates in North America, Latin America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Experian plc was formerly known as Experian Group Limited and changed its name to Experian plc in July 2008. Experian plc was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Read More 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 Wall Street analysts have given Mongolia Growth Group 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 Mongolia Growth Group wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Wall Street analysts have given iShares Short-Term National Muni 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 Short-Term National Muni Bond ETF 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 DaVita: Aberdeen Dialysis LLC, Accountable Kidney Care LLC, Adair Dialysis LLC, American Fork Dialysis LLC, American Medical Insurance Inc., Animas Dialysis LLC, Arcadia Gardens Dialysis LLC, Ashdow Dialysis LLC, Atlantic Dialysis LLC, Austin Dialysis Centers L.P., Barnell Dialysis LLC, Barrons Dialysis LLC, Barton Dialysis LLC, Bastrop Dialysis LLC, Beachside Dialysis LLC, Beck Dialysis LLC, Bellevue Dialysis LLC, Bemity Dialysis LLC, Beverly Hills Dialysis Partnership, Birch Dialysis LLC, Bladon Dialysis LLC, Bliss Dialysis LLC, Bohama Dialysis LLC, Bowan Dialysis LLC, Braddock Dialysis LLC, Bridges Dialysis LLC, Brimfield Dialysis LLC, Brook Dialysis LLC, Brownsville Kidney Center Ltd., Brownwood Dialysis LLC, Bruno Dialysis LLC, Buckhorn Dialysis LLC, Buford Dialysis LLC, Bullards Dialysis LLC, Bullock Dialysis LLC, Calante Dialysis LLC, Campton Dialysis LLC, Canyon Springs Dialysis LLC, Capes Dialysis LLC, Capital Dialysis Partnership, Capron Dialysis LLC, Carlton Dialysis LLC, Carroll County Dialysis Facility Inc., Carroll County Dialysis Facility Limited Partnership, Cascades Dialysis LLC, Caverns Dialysis LLC, Cedar Dialysis LLC, Centennial LV LLC, Central Carolina Dialysis Centers LLC, Central Georgia Dialysis LLC, Central Iowa Dialysis Partners LLC, Central Kentucky Dialysis Centers LLC, Channel Dialysis LLC, Cheraw Dialysis LLC, Chicago Heights Dialysis LLC, Chipeta Dialysis LLC, Churchill Dialysis LLC, Cinco Rios Dialysis LLC, Clark Dialysis LLC, Clayton Dialysis LLC, Cleburne Dialysis LLC, Clinica Central do Bonfim S.A., Clinton Township Dialysis LLC, Clyfee Dialysis LLC, Columbus-RNA-DaVita LLC, Conconully Dialysis LLC, Continental Dialysis Center Inc., Couer Dialysis LLC, Court Dialysis LLC, Cowell Dialysis LLC, Cowesett Dialysis LLC, Crossings Dialysis LLC, Crystals Dialysis LLC, Cuivre Dialysis LLC, Culbert Dialysis LLC, DC Healthcare International Inc., DNP Management Company LLC, DPS CKD LLC, DV Care Netherlands B.V., DV Care Netherlands C.V., DVA Healthcare - Southwest Ohio LLC, DVA Healthcare Renal Care Inc., DVA Healthcare of Maryland LLC, DVA Healthcare of Massachusetts Inc., DVA Healthcare of New London LLC, DVA Healthcare of Norwich LLC, DVA Healthcare of Pennsylvania LLC, DVA Healthcare of Tuscaloosa LLC, DVA Holdings Pte. Ltd., DVA Laboratory Services Inc., DVA Renal Healthcare Inc., DVA of New York Inc., DaVita - Riverside II LLC, DaVita - Riverside LLC, DaVita - West LLC, DaVita APAC Holding B.V., DaVita Brasil Participacoes e Servicos de Nefrologia Ltda., DaVita Care (Saudi Arabia), DaVita Dakota Dialysis Center LLC, DaVita Deutschland AG, DaVita Deutschland Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, DaVita El Paso East L.P., DaVita Germany GmbH, DaVita HK Holdings Limited, DaVita HealthCare Brasil Servicos Medicos Ltda., DaVita International Limited, DaVita Nefromed Servicos de Nefrologia Ltda., DaVita Nephron Care Servicos de Nefrologia Ltda., DaVita Rien Servicos de Nefrologia Ltda., DaVita S.A.S., DaVita Servicos de Nefrologia Asa Sul Ltda., DaVita Servicos de Nefrologia Distrito Federal Ltda., DaVita Servicos de Nefrologia Guarulhos Ltda., DaVita Servicos de Nefrologia Jardim das Imbuias Ltda., DaVita Servicos de Nefrologia Taubate Ltda., DaVita Servicos de Nefrologia de Araraquara Ltda., DaVita Sp. z o.o., DaVita Sud-Niedersachsen GmbH, DaVita Transrim Servicos de Nefrologia Ltda., DaVita UTR Servicos de Nefrologia Ltda., DaVita VillageHealth Inc., DaVita of New York Inc., Dallas-Fort Worth Nephrology L.P., Damon Dialysis LLC, Dialysis Holdings Inc., Dialysis of Des Moines LLC, Dialysis of Northern Illinois LLC, Dierks Dialysis LLC, Dolores Dialysis LLC, Dome Dialysis LLC, Doves Dialysis LLC, Downriver Centers Inc., EURODIAL - Centro de Nefrologia e Dialise de Leiria S.A., East End Dialysis Center Inc., East Ft. Lauderdale LLC, Ebrea Dialysis LLC, Edisto Dialysis LLC, Eldrist Dialysis LLC, Elgin Dialysis LLC, Elk Grove Dialysis Center LLC, Empire State DC Inc., Etowah Dialysis LLC, Ettleton Dialysis LLC, Eufaula Dialysis LLC, Falcon LLC, Family Health Care of Central Florida, Fanthorp Dialysis LLC, Federal Way Assurance Inc., Fields Dialysis LLC, Five Star Dialysis LLC, Fjords Dialysis LLC, Flagler Dialysis LLC, Flamingo Park Kidney Center Inc., Forester Dialysis LLC, Freehold Artificial Kidney Center L.L.C., Fremont Dialysis LLC, Frontier Dialysis LLC, Fullerton Dialysis Center LLC, GDC International LLC, Gambro Healthcare, Ganois Dialysis LLC, Garner Dialysis LLC, Garrett Dialysis LLC, Gaviota Dialysis LLC, Gebhard Dialysis LLC, Genesis KC Development LLC, GiveLife Dialysis LLC, Glassland Dialysis LLC, Glosser Dialysis LLC, Goliad Dialysis LLC, Grand Home Dialysis LLC, Greater Las Vegas Dialysis LLC, Greater Los Angeles Dialysis Centers LLC, Green Country Dialysis LLC, Green Desert Dialysis LLC, Griffin Dialysis LLC, Groten Dialysis LLC, Harmony Dialysis LLC, Hart Dialysis LLC, Hawn Dialysis LLC, Healthcare Partners, Helmer Dialysis LLC, Hennepin Dialysis LLC, Hewett Dialysis LLC, Hilgards Dialysis LLC, Hochatown Dialysis LLC, Home Kidney Care LLC, Honeyman Dialysis LLC, Houston Kidney Center/Total Renal Care Integrated Service Network Limited Partnership, Hummer Dialysis LLC, Hunter Dialysis LLC, Huntington Artificial Kidney Center Ltd., Hyde Dialysis LLC, IDC -International Dialysis Centers Lda, ISD Bartlett LLC, ISD Corpus Christi LLC, ISD I Holding Company Inc., ISD II Holding Company Inc., ISD Las Vegas LLC, ISD Lees Summit LLC, ISD Renal Inc., ISD Schaumburg LLC, ISD Spring Valley LLC, ISD Summit Renal Care LLC, Iroquois Dialysis LLC, Jacinto Dialysis LLC, Jenness Dialysis LLC, Kamiah Dialysis LLC, Kanika Dialysis LLC, Kavett Dialysis LLC, Kenai Dialysis LLC, Kershaw Dialysis LLC, Kidney Home Center LLC, Kimball Dialysis LLC, Kingston Dialysis LLC, Kinnick Dialysis LLC, Kinter Dialysis LLC, Kiowa Dialysis LLC, Knickerbocker Dialysis Inc., Lakeshore Dialysis LLC, Landing Dialysis LLC, Landor Dialysis LLC, Lassen Dialysis LLC, Leasburg Dialysis LLC, Leawood Dialysis LLC, Lees Dialysis LLC, Legare Development LLC, Liberty RC Inc., Lifeline Pensacola LLC, Lifeline Vascular Center-Albany LLC, Lincoln Park Dialysis Services Inc., Livingston Dialysis LLC, Llano Dialysis LLC, Lofield Dialysis LLC, Logoley Dialysis LLC, Lone Dialysis LLC, Long Beach Dialysis Center LLC, Lord Baltimore Dialysis LLC, Lory Dialysis LLC, Lourdes Dialysis LLC, Lyndale Dialysis LLC, MVZ DaVita Alzey GmbH, MVZ DaVita Aurich GmbH, MVZ DaVita Bad Aibling GmbH, MVZ DaVita Bad Duben GmbH, MVZ DaVita Cardio Centrum Dusseldorf GmbH, MVZ DaVita Dillenburg GmbH, MVZ DaVita Dinkelsbuhl GmbH, MVZ DaVita Dormagen GmbH, MVZ DaVita Duisburg GmbH, MVZ DaVita Elsterland GmbH, MVZ DaVita Emden GmbH, MVZ DaVita Falkensee GmbH, MVZ DaVita Geilenkirchen GmbH, MVZ DaVita Gera GmbH, MVZ DaVita Iserlohn GmbH, MVZ DaVita Monchengladbach GmbH, MVZ DaVita Neuss GmbH, MVZ DaVita Niederrhein GmbH, MVZ DaVita Nierenzentrum Aachen Alsdorf GmbH, MVZ DaVita Nierenzentrum Berlin-Britz GmbH, MVZ DaVita Nierenzentrum Hamm-Ahlen GmbH, MVZ DaVita Prenzlau-Pasewalk GmbH, MVZ DaVita Rhein-Ahr GmbH, MVZ DaVita Rhein-Ruhr GmbH, MVZ DaVita Schwalm-Eder GmbH, MVZ DaVita Viersen GmbH, Madigan Dialysis LLC, Magney Dialysis LLC, Magoffin Dialysis LLC, Makonee Dialysis LLC, Marlton Dialysis Center LLC, Marseille Dialysis LLC, Mason-Dixon Dialysis Facilities Inc., Mazonia Dialysis LLC, Mellen Dialysis LLC, Melnea Dialysis LLC, Memorial Dialysis Center L.P., Meridian Dialysis LLC, Mermet Dialysis LLC, Milltown Dialysis LLC, Minam Dialysis LLC, Minneopa Dialysis LLC, Mountain West Dialysis Services LLC, Mulgee Dialysis LLC, Nansen Dialysis LLC, Natomas Dialysis LLC, Nauvue Dialysis LLC, Navarro Dialysis LLC, Nephrology Medical Associates of Georgia LLC, Nephrology Practice Solutions LLC, New Bay Dialysis LLC, Nicona Dialysis LLC, Norbert Dialysis LLC, Norte Dialysis LLC, North Austin Dialysis LLC, Northwest Physicians Network, Oasis Dialysis LLC, Ohio River Dialysis LLC, Okanogan Dialysis LLC, Olive Dialysis LLC, Ordust Dialysis LLC, Owyhee Dialysis LLC, Palo Dialysis LLC, Palomar Dialysis LLC, Panther Dialysis LLC, Parkside Dialysis LLC, Pattison Dialysis LLC, Patuk Dialysis LLC, Pearl Dialysis LLC, Pendster Dialysis LLC, Percha Dialysis LLC, Pershing Dialysis LLC, Pfeiffer Dialysis LLC, Philadelphia-Camden Integrated Kidney Care LLC, Physicians Choice Dialysis LLC, Physicians Choice Dialysis Of Alabama LLC, Physicians Dialysis Acquisitions Inc., Physicians Dialysis Ventures LLC, Physicians Dialysis of Lancaster LLC, Physicians Management LLC, Pible Dialysis LLC, Pinson Dialysis LLC, Pittsburgh Dialysis Partners LLC, Piute Dialysis LLC, Plaine Dialysis LLC, Platte Dialysis LLC, Pluribus Dialise - Benfica S.A., Pluribus Dialise - Cascais S.A., Pluribus Dialise S.A., Prairie Dialysis LLC, Prineville Dialysis LLC, Purity Dialysis, RMS Lifeline Inc., RNA - DaVita Dialysis LLC, RV Academy LLC, Ramsey Dialysis LLC, Rayburn Dialysis LLC, Red Willow Dialysis LLC, Redcliff Dialysis LLC, Refuge Dialysis LLC, Renal Center of Beaumont LLC, Renal Center of Fort Dodge LLC, Renal Center of Lewisville LLC, Renal Center of Morristown LLC, Renal Center of Newton LLC, Renal Center of Port Arthur LLC, Renal Center of Tyler L.P.L.L.L.P., Renal Center of West Beaumont LLC, Renal Center of the Hills LLC, Renal Life Link Inc., Renal Treatment Centers - California Inc., Renal Treatment Centers - Illinois Inc., Renal Treatment Centers - Mid-Atlantic Inc., Renal Treatment Centers - Northeast Inc., Renal Treatment Centers - Southeast LP, Renal Treatment Centers - West Inc., Renal Treatment Centers Inc., Renal Ventures Management LLC, RenalServ LLC, Riddle Dialysis LLC, River Valley Dialysis LLC, Rocky Mountain Dialysis Services LLC, Rollins Dialysis LLC, Roose Dialysis LLC, Rophets Dialysis LLC, Roushe Dialysis LLC, Routt Dialysis LLC, Royale Dialysis LLC, Rusk Dialysis LLC, Rutland Dialysis LLC, SAKDC-DaVita Dialysis Partners L.P., Saddleback Dialysis LLC, Sahara Dialysis LLC, San Marcos Dialysis LLC, Santiam Dialysis LLC, Sapelo Dialysis LLC, Saunders Dialysis LLC, Seabay Dialysis LLC, Secour Dialysis LLC, Sensiba Dialysis LLC, Shadow Dialysis LLC, Shayano Dialysis LLC, Shelling Dialysis LLC, Sherman Dialysis LLC, Shetek Dialysis LLC, Shining Star Dialysis Inc., Siena Dialysis Center LLC, Simeon Dialysis LLC, Skagit Dialysis LLC, Soledad Dialysis Center LLC, Somerville Dialysis Center LLC, South Central Florida Dialysis Partners LLC, South Fork Dialysis LLC, Southern Hills Dialysis Center LLC, Southlake Dialysis LLC, Southwest Atlanta Dialysis Centers LLC, Sprague Dialysis LLC, Springpond Dialysis LLC, Star Dialysis LLC, Stevenson Dialysis LLC, Stewart Dialysis LLC, Stines Dialysis LLC, Storrie Dialysis LLC, Sugarloaf Dialysis LLC, Sun City Dialysis Center L.L.C., Sunapee Dialysis LLC, Sunset Dialysis LLC, TRC - Indiana LLC, TRC El Paso Limited Partnership, TRC West Inc., TRC of New York Inc., TRC-Georgetown Regional Dialysis LLC, Talimena Dialysis LLC, Terre Dialysis LLC, The Woodlands Dialysis Center LP, Tortugas Dialysis LLC, Total Renal Care Inc., Total Renal Care Texas Limited Partnership, Total Renal Care of North Carolina LLC, Total Renal Laboratories Inc., Total Renal Research Inc., Toulouse Dialysis LLC, Transmountain Dialysis L.P., Tross Dialysis LLC, Tugman Dialysis LLC, Tunnel Dialysis LLC, Turlock Dialysis Center LLC, Tustin Dialysis Center LLC, Twain Dialysis LLC, Tyler Dialysis LLC, USC-DaVita Dialysis Center LLC, Unicoi Dialysis LLC, University Dialysis Center LLC, Upper Valley Dialysis L.P., Valley Springs Dialysis LLC, Victory Dialysis LLC, VillageHealth DM LLC, Villanueva Dialysis LLC, Vively Health LLC, Vogel Dialysis LLC, Volo Dialysis LLC, Waddell Dialysis LLC, Wakoni Dialysis LLC, Walker Dialysis LLC, Walton Dialysis LLC, Watkins Dialysis LLC, Weldon Dialysis LLC, West Elk Grove Dialysis LLC, West Sacramento Dialysis LLC, Weston Dialysis Center LLC, Whitney Dialysis LLC, Willowbrook Dialysis Center L.P., Winds Dialysis LLC, Wood Dialysis LLC, Woodford Dialysis LLC, Wyandotte Central Dialysis LLC, Yards Dialysis LLC, Ybor City Dialysis LLC, Yucaipa Dialysis LLC, and Zephyrhills Dialysis Center LLC. United Technologies Corporation provides technology products and services to building systems and aerospace industries worldwide. Its Otis segment designs, manufactures, sells, and installs passenger and freight elevators, escalators, and moving walkways; and offers modernization products to upgrade elevators and escalators, as well as maintenance and repair services. The company's Carrier segment provides heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration, fire, security, and building automation products, solutions, and services for commercial, government, infrastructure, residential, and refrigeration and transportation applications. This segment also offers building services, including audit, design, installation, system integration, repair, maintenance, and monitoring. Its Pratt & Whitney segment supplies aircraft engines for commercial, military, business jet, and general aviation markets; and provides aftermarket maintenance, repair, and overhaul, as well as fleet management services. The company's Collins Aerospace Systems segment provides electric power generation, power management, and distribution systems; air data and aircraft sensing systems; engine control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems; engine components; environmental control systems; fire and ice detection, and protection systems; propeller systems; engine nacelle systems; aircraft lighting, seating, and cargo systems; actuation and landing systems; space products and subsystems; avionics systems; flight controls, communications, navigation, oxygen, and training systems; food and beverage preparation, and storage and galley systems; and lavatory and wastewater management systems. The company offers its services through manufacturers' representatives, distributors, wholesalers, dealers, retail outlets, and sales representatives, as well as directly to customers. United Technologies Corporation was founded in 1934 and is headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut. Read More Wall Street analysts have given Alerian MLP 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 Alerian MLP ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Farmers are fortifying their farms in the face of an increased threat from repeated and determined criminals. The startling comments follow the release of figures by rural insurer NFU Mutual today (6 August) which show that the cost of rural theft is at the highest level for four years. Rural crime cost the countryside an estimated 44.5m in 2017, leading farmers to combine medieval security with high-tech solutions to protect their farms. In its 2018 Rural Crime Report, NFU Mutual looks at the impact that crime is having on rural communities up and down the UK. With an increase of 13.4% on the previous year, rural crime is rising at its fastest rate since 2010. Across the UK, the cost of rural crime has risen most sharply in Wales, up 41% on the previous year, followed by the Midlands which is up 32%, while the South East has seen a rise of 30%. The cost of rural theft in Scotland has fallen 3.8%, while the North East is the only English region showing a fall, down 6.5%. Fortify The report reveals that farmers are putting up earth banks, dry ditches, stockade fences and high-security single access points to fortify their farms against criminals who use 4 x 4 vehicles to get onto farm land to commit crimes and evade police. Protective animals such as geese, llamas, and dogs are being used to provide a useful low-tech alarm system, much as they did hundreds of years ago. Faced with repeated and determined attacks from a new breed of brazen thieves, farmers and country people are turning to history books to re-purpose security measures from medieval times, said Tim Price, Rural Affairs Specialist at NFU Mutual. Adapting centuries-old security with high tech solutions is already proving successful in keeping at bay thieves who dont fear being caught on camera and have the skills to overcome electronic security systems, explained Mr Price. Farmers are also using hi-tech tracking devices and immobilisers on vehicles, CCTV video, dashcams, motion sensors, infra-red surveillance and SmartWater marking in their farmyards and even DNA markers to protect sheep from rustlers. Repeat attacks The report has also found that limited police resources and repeat attacks are the biggest fears for people in rural communities, with many forced to change the way they live and work as a result of rural crime. With police facing huge challenges including budget cuts and extra workload forces are finding it hard to resource rural policing and this may be one of the reasons for the rise in thefts we are seeing, said Tim Price. However social media is fast becoming the new eyes and ears of the countryside, strengthening the community ties that help in the reporting and recording of crime and bringing thieves to justice. As the main insurer of the countryside, NFU Mutual has responded to its members concerns and has invested more than 1.2m to tackle the menace of rural crime. The results of initiatives we support show clearly that when police, farmers and other rural organisations tackle rural crime in an organised way these schemes can be extremely effective, said Mr Price. Quads and ATVs Quads and ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) are disappearing from farms in large numbers thanks to being easy to transport and lack of registration plates The cost of Quad and ATV theft claims to NFU Mutual rose from 2m in 2016 to 2.3m in 2017 CESAR marking and tracking devices are the most effective security measures, once basic measures of keeping vehicles out of sight in a building with the machine secured have been addressed Tractors Thieves are increasingly cloning the identity of tractors to make detection more difficult The cost of agricultural vehicle theft claims to NFU Mutual rose to 5.9m, an increase of 500,000 from 2016 Thieves are stealing small, older tractors to export to third world countries as well as expensive large models NFU Mutual goes to extreme lengths to trace and recover stolen tractors which have been exported to send a strong message to thieves Livestock The estimated cost of livestock theft reported to NFU Mutual increased from 2.2m in 2016 to 2.4m in 2017 Thefts of large numbers of lambs are raising concerns that stock is being stolen for slaughter and processing outside regulated abattoirs before illegally entering the food chain Technology - including DNA testing and electronic chips - now offers robust evidence to help bring rustlers to justice Ewe Hostels which provide secure housing for sheep seized by police while investigations are made, are being funded by NFU Mutual. Police are re-appealing for the publics help to trace a missing farmer who has now been missing for two months. William Bill Taylor was last seen at around 9pm on Sunday June 3 at his home in Gosmore, North Hertfordshire. Since going missing, he has turned 70 years old a milestone birthday that he has not been able to celebrate with his family. The police are continuing to search the farmland surrounding Williams property and extensive enquiries are being carried out. Search efforts have been described as " difficult " due to the heatwave and the height of crops. North Hertfordshire Chief Inspector Julie Wheatley said: Its been two months since he was last seen and his family are extremely concerned. I would like to re-appeal to the public to continue contacting us with reports of any sightings or information that might help us find William. In particular, we would like to hear from anyone who might have seen or spoken to William in the months leading up to him going missing. Chief Inspector Wheatley added: If you spoke to him, how did he seem? Did he mention any new hobbies or interests? Did he speak about any places he was intending to visit? William is described as white and around 5ft 11in tall. He is of a medium build and has short grey hair. He was last seen wearing a baby blue-coloured shirt, jeans and black wellies. It is believed that William may be wearing a navy blue boiler suit. Anyone who has seen William since he went missing, or has information that might help officers find him, should contact Hertfordshire Constabulary on the non-emergency number 101. For immediate sightings, please call 999 straight away. The impact of the summer heatwave on livestock and growers will be felt for months to come. According to a leading agronomist from the Royal Agricultural University, the 2018 heatwave will have long-term consequences for crops and livestock nutrition with farmers having to reach into winter reserves of food and forage. The most important months for crop growth in the United Kingdom are May to August as temperatures, day length and weather are normally optimal for plant growth. But water has been scarce this summer, leading to slow growth rates for crop coupled with reduced productivity levels. Dr Nicola Cannon, Principal Lecturer in Agronomy at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) explained: Some stressed cereal plants like spring barley can have almost pink straw which is thought to be a result of drought stress on the leaves during growing conditions. Many plants have been hit particularly hard by the hot dry weather whilst some deeper rooted plants have fared a bit better. Arable crops are generally being reported as about 20% down on normal yields, she said. Serious implications Many farmers with livestock on their farm are also struggling as there is insufficient grass and forage currently growing to meet their nutritional requirements. Dr Cannon said this has serious implications due to the extra job of feeding livestock food that was being preserved for winter feeding. This is creating uncertainty about what livestock will eat later in the year, she said. Not only this, but grass and other forage crops have had very limited regrowth following first silage cut meaning there is little available to take subsequent cuts to store for winter feed. Whilst most of the arable crops for 2018 have now completed the majority of their growing and have either already been harvested or are ripening up for harvest, fruit and vegetable growers are suffering. Water for irrigation has almost run out and temperatures have been so high in the day that it can be difficult to apply water without damaging the plants. Harvest is earlier than usual as crops died off prematurely due to water stress, Dr Cannon explained. Oilseeds and grains have been harvested at very low moisture contents, and so have not required drying, but this means that farmers have lower yields to sell as there is less water retained in the crop. She added: There are some crops which are better adapted to these hot dry conditions including maize and miscanthus (elephant grass used for biofuel) as they can carry on photosynthesising even in hot conditions. Completely different A major challenge for UK farmers is not knowing what the weather will be like around the corner. For example, in 2017 conditions were dry throughout April and early May which caused problems with spring sown crops, but then it was particularly wet in August. This year has thrown up completely different challenges with extremely cold weather, including the beast from the east during the first few months and a very late spring, Dr Cannon said. Many farmers could not start planting spring crops until early May and from almost this period it has been very dry and hot meaning that growth has been limited. Its now time to look ahead to the 2019 harvest and the first fields of oilseed rape would normally be planted from 15 August. However, where soils are so dry it can require greater quantities of fuel and power to cultivate the soil and there is such limited moisture in the soil that any seed planted is unlikely to germinate quickly. She added: That means it is more prone to pest problems, often has reduced vigour and uneven establishment - if it can establish at all. YFCs offered new support to upgrade club buildings Clubs will also be offered help with new builds 2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning -- 4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS. We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover. We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come. Mental Hai Kya star Kangana Ranaut believes as a celebrity it is her responsibility to work towards breaking the stigma attached to mental health. When asked about her views on the way Hindi film industry treats the topic on-screen, Kangana told PTI, "I realised there was so much stigma attached to being different. So, I thought we as influencers need to stand-up and break these notions and address this subject." Salman Remembers Aishwarya; Spills His Favourite Navratri Memory That Includes Her Produced by Ekta Kapoor, Mental Hai Kya is Kangana's second collaboration with Rajkummar Rao after Queen. The actor is full of praise for her co-star, who has been enjoying a great run in Bollywood with back-to-back projects. "He is a star today. He is a brilliant actor and a very hardworking co-star. I have seen his work and it was definitely a great experience," she said. Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Prakash Kovelamudi, the film also stars Amyra Dastur and Jimmy Sheirgill. It will release on February 22. Besides this, she will be seen in Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, set to release on January 26. "I believe in giving 100 per cent to all the movies I am associated with and I will continue to take up roles which appeal to me, and that will make a difference to the audience," said Kangana. The actor has been appointed as the brand ambassador of Global Desi, a women's wear brand by House of Anita Dongre, which launched its Fall '18 collection 'Gypsy Heart' last evening. Talking about her personal sense of style, Kangana said she does not believe in following any particular trend. "One way to look happy and feel confident is to be comfortable in what you are wearing. I wear what I like and what I feel I look good in. My style differs from being individualistic, fierce, to feminine, vintage and goddess-like." Salman Reminisces Aishwarya Rai When asked about his favourite Navratri memory, Salman Khan said, "My favourite Navratri memory is from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. It's Dholi Taaro song." Ahem ahem! Aishwarya Rai, are you listening? We're totally loving this honest answer of Mr Khan. Salman Also Revealed His Favourite Actor When Salman Khan was asked to pick one name, who made it in Bollywood with sheer hard work and talent, Salman said, "Govinda is the most talented actor I feel." Salman Also Revealed How Arpita Introduced Aayush To Him "Sohail (Khan) met Aayush in his gym and came to me and said that he has found a perfect guy for one script as he looks good, is fit and respects others. After 6 months, Arpita got Aayush home and told me that she wants to marry Aayush and Sohail was left stumped and he said that he is the same guy I was talking about." Salman Pulls Aayush's Leg At the trailer launch event, when Salman was asked if he wants Aayush to learn anything from him, he said, "I don't want Aayush to learn anything from me or do what I did as he is married to my sister now." Salman On Priyanka's Exit From Bharat When Salman was shot with the questions of Priyanka Chopra's exit from Bharat, he said, "I have not been reading the newspapers from the past few days as I have been busy with Loveratri. Once I read it, I will call you and tell you about it." Salman On Bharat's Progress Salman was in no mood to talk about his project at Loveratri's trailer launch and said, "I think you have come to the wrong press conference, I have a doubt. There are no talks of Bigg Boss or Bharat but you will surely be called for that when it happens." Salman On If A Film Gets Flopped Salman said, "We are always confident about the film. But if it flops what can we do? If a movie made of 170-crore flops then what can we do about it?" Best Actor Mollywood's own Mohanlal was adjudged as the Best Actor at the 3rd Anand TV Film Awards. The actor had as many as 4 releases in the year 2017 and he had come up with solid performances in each. His performance in the films Villain and Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol fetched him a lot of praises upon their big releases. Best Actress Parvathy is continuing her tryst with awards. The actress, who came up with a memorable performance in the film Take Off, bagged the title for the Best Actress at the 3rd Anand TV Film Awards as well. Best Film Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum was one of the most appreciated films of the year 2017, and it continues to fetch laurels. The movie won the title of the Best Film at the 3rd Anand TV Film Awards. Best Character Actor Suraj Venjaramoodu had an impressive 2018 with the actor coming up with spectacular performances in movies like Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum and Varnyathil Ashanka. Suraj Venjaramoodu was adjudged as the Best Character Actor at the 3rd Anand TV Film Awards. DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / August 5, 2018 / JCE Capital Management, L.P., a crypto-asset hedge fund and private equity firm, announced today the launch of its JCE-CM2 (the "Fund"). The Fund is an actively managed portfolio of concentrated, high-conviction positions, focused on active management with medium-term time horizon. The investment objective of the fund is to achieve capital appreciation and maximize absolute returns by offering investors exposure to a broad range of Crypto-assets, whose value is secured by cryptography and other blockchain technologies. "Blockchain and Crypto-assets are revolutionizing how business is being done because it offers new ways to accumulate, govern, store, and transfer value," said Chris de Diego, JCE CM's Managing Partner. "Blockchain and Crypto-currencies are the most recent innovation in 'money', since possibly the invention of double-entry accounting in the 1400's. Our charter is to capitalize on the transformative elements of this new monetary invention and provide investors exposure to this new asset class." Awareness of Crypto-assets as an alternative asset class has continued to grow, including currencies such as Bitcoin, Ether (the token of Ethereum), and others. A recent market cap analysis done by RBC Capital Markets, and featured on Yahoo Financial, stated, "Longer term, we think Crypto-currencies are here to stay and will likely become a large market (our long-term estimate for the Crypto-currency space is in the $10 Trillion range versus $300B today)." Founded by entrepreneur and lead-investor Chris de Diego, JCE Capital Management's (JCE Capital Management, L.P.) fund seeks to maximize risk-adjusted returns by active management of 15-35 high-conviction portfolio positions. The company uses defined Crypto-asset classes to assist in the portfolio asset allocation and rebalancing processes. Chris is a forward-thinking entrepreneur and a successful business-thought leader, with a gift for market timing. For over two decades Chris has provided strategic vision and leadership by implementing successful tactics in building, growing, and leading entrepreneurial organisms, from startups to established partnerships, and in numerous industries. As a proven leader, his involvement at the onset of new emerging markets has repeatedly generated millions to the bottom line that have substantially benefited investors and stakeholders alike through his executive leadership. JCE Capital Management, L.P. is a hedge fund and private equity firm that is well positioned to maximize investor returns through our specialized knowledge and experience in traditional investments, through public markets and the exciting investment opportunities in the alternative investments of ICO's and Bitcoin Technology. The Company offers ICO alternative asset advisory services, equity, debt capital markets, credit portfolio, and direct investment in "Day One ICO's" to qualified investors, hedge funds, family offices, family-owned companies, corporate investors, and institutional investors. JCE Capital Management, L.P. serves customers worldwide. To learn more, please visit our website: JCECAPITAL.COM CONTACT: Terry Williams | terry@jcecapital.com | Phone: 303.591.2185 SOURCE: JCE Capital Management, L.P. Two-Day Conference Features Top AI and Data Science Experts Discussing Latest Business Trends and Comprehensive Hands-On Training MOUNTAIN VIEW, California and LONDON, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- H2O.ai, the open source leader in AI, today announced plans for H2O AI World London 2018, a must-attend event focused on AI, machine learning (ML) and deep learning for data science and business leaders. Following on the heels of the sold-out New York event, the two-day H2O AI World London starts on October 29, 2018 at the London Hilton on Park Lane with a day of hands-on training for H2O.ai's suite of products, including open source machine learning platform, H2O, open source Apache Spark integration solution, H2O Sparkling Water, and enterprise-ready automatic machine learning platform, H2O Driverless AI. Day two of the conference will feature presentations from H2O.ai CEO and founder, Sri Ambati, as well as a number of industry experts designed to teach attendees how to harness the full value of AI, ML, deep learning and data science across multiple industries from both a business and technical perspective. H2O AI World speakers come from every industry and have included executives from companies such as IBM, Google Cloud, NVIDIA, PwC, Capital One, and Dun & Bradstreet. They will present their unique experiences in AI and data science, focusing on real-world business use cases, the challenges of maximizing the value of AI and how their organizations are able to successfully leverage new tools to improve business processes and make a lasting impact on the world. View video recordings of presentations from H2O World NY 2018 here. If you have any questions regarding the event, or are interested in submitting an abstract for a potential session at the event, please contact events@h2o.ai. If you are a member of the press or analyst community and are interested in attending the event, please contact press@h2o.ai to get registered. H2O AI World 2018 London When:Monday, October 29 - Tuesday, October 30, 2018 Where: London Hilton on Park Lane, 22 Park Ln, Mayfair, London W1K 1BE, UK Cost: 349 for general admission, 99 for students Register now to take advantage of an early bird rate of 149 through August 10: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/h2o-ai-world-london-2018-tickets-48016161632tickets Connect with H2O.ai Download Driverless AI for a free 21-day trial: https://www.h2o.ai/try-driverless-ai/ https://www.h2o.ai/try-driverless-ai/ Visit us to learn more: www.h2o.ai www.h2o.ai Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/H2Oai www.twitter.com/H2Oai Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/0xdata/ About H2O.ai H2O.ai is the open source leader in AI. Its mission is to democratize AI for all. H2O.ai is transforming the use of AI with software with its category-creating visionary open source machine learning platform, H2O. More than 14,000 companies use open-source H2O in mission-critical use cases for Finance, Insurance, Healthcare, Retail, Telco, Sales, and Marketing. H2O.ai recently launched Driverless AI that uses AI to do AI in order to provide an easier, faster and effective means of implementing data science. In February 2018, Gartner named H2O.ai, as a Leader in the 2018 Magic Quadrant for Data Science and Machine Learning Platforms. H2O.ai partners with leading technology companies such as NVIDIA, IBM, AWS, Azure and Google and is proud of its growing customer base which includes Capital One, Progressive Insurance, Comcast, Walgreens and PayPal. For more information and to learn more about how H2O.ai is transforming business processes with intelligence, visit www.h2o.ai. Media Contact: Erika Kamholz press@h2o.ai 949-282-8560 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/681933/h2oai_Logo.jpg 6 August 2018 Clear Leisure Plc ("Clear Leisure" or "the Company") Bondholder Meeting Clear Leisure (AIM:CLP) wishes to notify that it has written to the holders of the 9.9m Bonds (the "Bonds") calling a meeting at 10.00 am on Wednesday29 August 2018, at the Company's registered office seeking Bondholders approval to amend the conversion price of the Bonds as follows (the "Proposal"); The wording: "The "Conversion Price" means an amount equal to not less than 20 per cent and not more than 60 per cent of the Company's reasonable assessment of average closing mid-market price for the Shares on AIM in the ten working days immediately prior to the date upon which the Conversion Notice is despatched." shall be replaced by the wording: "The "Conversion Price" means an amount equal to not less than 125 per cent and not more than 500 per cent of the Company's reasonable assessment of average closing mid-market price for the Shares on AIM in the ten working days immediately prior to the date upon which the Conversion Notice is despatched converted from sterling into euros at the Company's reasonable assessment of the mid-market exchange rate on that date." All Bondholders are entitled to vote on the Proposal. Eufingest SA ("Eufingest"), which holds approximately 43.48% of the Bonds, has confirmed to the Company that it intends to vote in favour of the Proposal. Eufingest is a substantial shareholder of the Company's issued share capital as defined by the AIM Rules for Companies, therefore the Proposal is a related party transaction pursuant to AIM Rule 13 of the AIM Rules for Companies. The directors of Clear Leisure, having consulted with its nominated adviser, consider that the Proposal is fair and reasonable insofar as its shareholders are concerned. The Bondholders' meeting requires a quorum of 75% of the Bondholders. If the meeting is inquorate, it will be adjourned to 12 September 2018 at which time any number of Bondholders will represent a valid quorum. Bondholders who wish to vote and whose Bonds are held in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee institution (including as CDIs) must contact such nominee promptly and instruct or make arrangements with such nominee to vote in accordance with the customary procedures of the clearing systems on behalf of the bondholders. Proxies are due no later than 10.00 am on 28 August 2018. -ends- For further information please contact: Clear Leisure Plc Francesco Gardin, CEO and Executive Chairman +39 335 296573 SP Angel Corporate Finance (Nominated Adviser & Broker) Jeff Keating / John Mackay +44 (0)20 3470 0470 Leander (Financial PR) Christian Taylor-Wilkinson +44 (0) 7795 168 157 About Clear Leisure Plc Clear Leisure plc (AIM: CLP) is an AIM listed investment company with a portfolio of companies primarily encompassing the leisure and real estate sectors mainly in Italy. The focus of management is to pursue the monetisation of all of the Company's existing assets, through selected realisations, court-led recoveries of misappropriated assets and substantial debt-recovery processes. The Company has recently launched a joint venture initiative in the cryptocurrency mining sector. For further information, please visit, www.clearleisure.co.uk 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. The Australian share market opened higher this morning following positive leads from Wall Street. It is now tracking at 0.75 per cent higher at noon. The materials sector is leading the way and the consumer discretionary sector is trailing behind. Iron ore price rose 0.9 per cent to US$67.45 and its futures are pointing to a rise of 4.6 per cent. We are seeing the likes of Galaxy Resources, Pilbara Mineralsand SEEK, dropping 8.9 per cent. The S&P/ASX 200 index is 47 points up at 6282. On the futures market the SPI is 35points higher.ANZ job ads are up 1.5 per cent month on month. This almost reverses the decline of 1.7 per cent recorded last month.Packaging company Amcorhas requested a trading halt fuelling speculation the company may make a bid for a large US company. Reports say Amcor is finalising a $7 billion buyout of rival Bemis Company, a plastics packaging group. Last traded at $15.28International oil and gas company, Range Resourceshas been awarded a contract with Touchstone Exploration Trinidad. Range will provide turnkey services for initially drilling one well on Touchstone's onshore WD8 block in Trinidad. Shares in Range Resourcestrading is trading flat.The Internet of Things, data management platform Buddyis pleased to be onboard the 2019 Airstream vehicle product line which start delivery this month. Airstream - the manufacturer of the world's most iconic recreational vehicles is a wholly owned subsidiary of 5.5 billion dollar company Thor Industries. Airstreams Smart Control Technology helps keep customers connected to the comforts of their home even when they are away from it. Shares in Buddyare 12.9 per cent higher at $0.10The best performing sector is materials adding 1.5 per cent while the worst performing sector is consumer discretionaryshedding 0.1 per cent.The best performing stock in the S&P/ASX 200 is Galaxy Resources, rising 4.4 per cent to $2.87, followed by shares in NIB Holdingsand Pilbara MineralsThe worst performing stock in the S&P/ASX 200 is SEEK,dropping 8.9 per cent to $19.98, followed by shares in Appenand XeroJapans Nikkei has added 0.2 per cent, Hong Kongs Hang Seng has added 1 per cent and the Shanghai Composite has lost 0.1 per cent.Gold is trading at $US1,217 an ounce.One Australian dollar is buying 74.04 US cents.Some of the most traded cryptocurrencies are trading higher. Bitcoin has gained 2.7 per cent to US$7163, Ethereum gained about 2.4 per cent to US$415 and EOS gained about 2.5 per cent to US$7.17 Currently, 60 percent of the auto components attract 18 percent GST rate, while the rest 40 percent, the majority of which are two-wheelers, and tractor components attract 28 percent New Delhi: Auto component industry on Monday sought uniform 18 percent GST across the sector stating that low taxation would lead to better compliance and larger tax base. The industry, which reported a growth of 18.3 percent to Rs 3.45 lakh crore in 2017-18, said the lower tax levy would also help in curtailing flourishing of grey operations in the aftermarket. "One of the key demands of the industry has been a uniform 18 percent GST rate across the auto component sector. Currently, 60 percent of the components attract 18 percent GST rate, while the rest 40 percent, the majority of which are two-wheelers, and tractor components attract 28 percent," ACMA President Nirmal Minda told reporters here. Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) further sought the creation of a fund to support indigenous research and development (R&D) and technology creation in the component industry. "There is a critical need for creating a fund to support indigenous R&D and technology creation in the component industry as also for technology acquisition from other parts of the world," he added. Besides, it also sought a clear technology agnostic roadmap for the electric mobility in the country. "As we prepare for the introduction of electric mobility in the country, a well-defined, technology agnostic roadmap with clear responsibilities of each stakeholder will go a long way in ensuring a smooth rollout as also leading to the creation of a local supply base for the same," Minda said. The industry body also advocated for notification for change in the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) definition as that would allow for a larger number of companies to avail government incentives. Commenting on the performance of the auto component industry, ACMA Director General Vinnie Mehta said 2017-18 witnessed an upswing in the overall performance of the vehicle industry, despite it facing several regulatory challenges. The component industry, in tandem, posted an encouraging performance with significant growth of 18.3 percent over the previous fiscal, registering a turnover of Rs 3,45,635 crore ($51.2 billion), he added. Further exports, grew by 23.9 percent in 2017-18 to Rs 90,571 crore ($13.5 billion), he added. The automotive component industry contributes 2.3 percent to India's GDP and has a share of 4 percent in the country's overall exports. Glenmark will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive payments for achieving pre-specified development, regulatory and commercialisation milestones New Delhi: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceutical firm Harbour BioMed have entered into an exclusive licence agreement to develop, manufacture and commercialise Glenmark's GBR 1302, for the treatment of certain kinds of cancers for the Greater China territory. Under the terms of the agreement, Glenmark will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive payments for achieving pre-specified development, regulatory and commercialisation milestones, as well as tiered royalties on net sales for any approved products from Harbour BioMed. Glenmark in a regulatory filing said the agreement is potentially worth more than $120 million (approx Rs 822.60 crore) in addition to royalties for Glenmark. Harbour BioMed will lead the clinical development and commercialisation of GBR 1302, with the option to manufacture GBR 1302 for the Greater China market. "We are very pleased to begin this strategic relationship with Harbour BioMed for the development and commercialisation of our bispecific antibody, GBR 1302 in Greater China, where the predominance of certain HER2 positive cancers presents a significant clinical need," Glenmark's Chairman and Managing Director Glenn Saldanha said. Dr Jingsong Wang, founder and CEO of Harbour BioMed said, "This collaboration is aligned with our strategy to leverage our clinical development expertise by in-licensing highly innovative clinical stage assets. GBR 1302 is complementary to the internal portfolio we are building through our industry leading transgenic mouse platforms for generating innovative antibody-based therapeutics." The companies will collaborate on the generation of clinical data to support the registration of GBR 1302 in HER2-positive indications in their respective territories. Glenmark's GBR 1302 is currently in a first-in-human study to determine maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in an all-comers population of patients with a variety of HER2-positive cancers. Enrollment for the GBR 1302 clinical study is currently ongoing in the US and Germany. TRAI has recommended that India must aim to achieve the objective of 'net zero imports of telecommunication equipment' by 2022. While domestic telecom gear makers have applauded regulator TRAI's recommendations on boosting indigenous manufacturing of products used in telecom networks, global companies say there's little to cheer about. Global telecom companies, according to The Economic Times, believe the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) plan to push local manufacturing will not be feasible 'in [the] absence of economies of scale and a supporting components ecosystem.' If the government is serious about boosting indigenous telecom gear production, it needs to first incentivise component manufacturing in a big way in India so that the cost of locally churning out finished telecom products comes down, a senior executive at a global telecom company was quoted as saying by the newspaper. The regulator's recommendations - 18 in all - issued on 3 August are aimed at transforming the telecom manufacturing sector from being "import-dependent" to a global hub of indigenous manufacturing. TRAI noted that while telecom services have grown at a scorching pace, telecom equipment manufacturing has not kept up. TRAI has recommended that India must aim to achieve the objective of 'net zero imports of telecommunication equipment' by 2022. "The Trai recommendations to promote local telecom equipment manufacturing is a welcome move by the regulator. The aim to make India net zero importer of telecom equipment by 2022 is particularly noteworthy," Sanjeev Kakkar, vice chairman, Telecom System Design and Manufacturing, said in a statement last week. "It is now critical that these recommendations are implemented in true spirit for the benefit of the domestic manufacturers and thereby the country," Kakkar said. The watchdog has favoured the creation of a Telecom Research and Development Fund with an initial corpus of Rs 1,000 crore to give a fillip to research, innovation, design, testing, certification and manufacturing of indigenous telecom equipment. The regulator has also asked the Department of Telecom (DoT) to consider setting up a Telecom Entrepreneurship Promotion Fund (TEPF) and a Telecom Manufacturing Promotion Fund (TMPF). The recommendations also pitched for the creation of a Telecommunication Equipment Development Board (TEDB) under the department for faster decision making on funding and incentives. TRAI has called for the streamlining of permissions for trials or pilots of new technologies or products. "Alternate Dispute Resolution Framework for time bound resolution of patent licensing disputes should be institutionalised in the country," TRAI said. Mandatory testing and certification of telecom equipment in the country should be started at the earliest, it said. The regulator has recommended that the progress of indigenous telecommunication equipment manufacturing in the country be monitored in the Telecom Department at least at the level of the member, Telecom Commission. "Of prime value is TRAI's suggestion that the local manufacturing be looked after at the level of a member in Telecom Commission. In fact, earlier Member Production was solely responsible for the promotion of local manufacturing. Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association of India (TEMA) requests that this post be filled up immediately," NK Goyal, Chairman Emeritus, TEMA, said last week. With inputs from PTI Although the decision on the pilot project has been taken, it will take some time for implementation as software for the purpose will have to be developed and the states will have to decide on it before the benefit reaches the people. New Delhi: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council in its meeting on Saturday decided to start a pilot project to give cash back to consumers in order to incentivise digital payments in the country. The pilot project, which proposes 20 percent cash back on GST component of transactions, will be rolled out by states who voluntarily come forward and based on their experience, the Council may take a call to implement it across the country. "Under the project, consumers will get a 20 percent cash back subject to a cap of Rs 100 on all UPI and USSD transactions as well as transactions made using RuPay card and BHIM app," Finance Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters here after the GST Council meeting. Although the decision on the pilot project has been taken, it will take some time for implementation as software for the purpose will have to be developed and the states will have to decide on it before the benefit reaches the people. "We have decided a broad framework of the pilot project which is aimed at promoting digital transactions. We believe that this will help in increasing compliance and give a boost to the formal economy," Goyal said. The GST Council also decided to form a Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Union Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla to deliberate on issues facing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The GoM will submit its recommendations in the next meeting of the Council. The GoM on MSMEs will comprise Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac and Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal. Goyal, who presided the meeting to primarily discuss difficulties faced by MSMEs across the country, said the GoM will take the discussion further and interact with the stakeholders before submitting its recommendations. The Council also decided to refer all law and procedure-related issues to the Law Committee and issues related to GST rates to the Fitment Committee. Both committees would also file their recommendations before the next GST Council meeting. Delhi's Finance Minister Sisodia said the MSME sector was facing several issues since the rollout of the GST last year in July. The government should not ignore small businesses -- which create employment -- while making rules for the big businesses that pay more taxes, he added. Employees are not in favour of a pay cut to help the airline firm to tide over financial woes faced with several challenges including a surge in fuel prices, a weaker rupee, and intensifying competition. Mumbai: Contrary to news reports Jet Airways (India) Ltd won't be going in for a salary cut of its employees. Staff salaries for July were released on Friday, media reports said. Employees are not in favour of a pay cut to help the airline tide over financial woes faced as it is with several challenges including a surge in fuel prices, a weaker rupee, and intensifying competition. Last week, the company had proposed up to 25 percent pay cut for employees but the proposal was rejected by pilots and engineers, sources said. The full-service carrier was in discussions with certain sections of employees on the salary cut proposal, which had been mooted amid efforts to save costs. Not only staff in India, but also the expat pilots would have to take a pay cut, sources tod The Times of India, according to a report. Jet Airways has more than 16,000 employees. Salaries of employees were put on hold, according to The Economic Times, but was subsequently released after Chairman Naresh Goyal assured them that there will be no pay cut. Goyal was present in the company's meeting with employees in Mumbai, a ET report said. He is said to have told employees to 'help him out' and that he would not forget their gesture. He is also reported to have told them that the airline's reputation was hit due to the 'salary cut' report in the media and this had led to increase in cancellations, the report said. However, the staff refused to comply with his request. The Naresh Goyal-led airline, in which Gulf carrier Etihad holds 24 percent stake, has already slashed by 25 percent the salaries of its senior management, one of the sources told PTI in Mumbai. Senior management executives are those holding general manager post and above level positions. Jet Airways won't be able to fly beyond 60 days unless cost-cutting measures, including pay cuts, are put in place, and it has approached investment bankers again to help sell a stake in the carrier, local media reports said on Friday. The management team, including Goyal, had informed employees in face-to-face meetings in recent days in Mumbai and Delhi that the airlines financials are in a bad shape and drastic measures needed to be taken to cut costs, the ET daily reported, citing two company executives. At a meeting held with Jet Airways' CEO Vinay Dube in Mumbai on 2 August, pilots made it clear that the proposed pay cut was not acceptable. The management had told the pilots that they should go along with engineers and other employees by taking a 25 percent wage cut due to the prevailing financial health, the source added. Engineers have also rejected the salary cut proposal, it said. Earlier, Mint had reported that Jet Airways has approached investment bankers again to help sell a stake in the carrier, citing two people with direct knowledge of the matter. Jet Airways is looking to raise immediate cash and the transaction may include Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal offloading a part of the promoters stake in the company, one of the sources told Mint on condition of anonymity. Sitharaman announced a 'Defence India Startup Challenge', a national contest for startups to develop arms and technologies for the defence sector Bengaluru: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday called upon startups to develop technologies and weapons for the Indian armed forces. "We (Ministry of Defence) want you to provide Indian solutions to problems faced by the armed forces. By indigenisation, India doesn't need to import many of the products that we do," Sitharaman told startups in this tech hub. "India wants its sectors disrupted through technological advancements," she said at the launch of "Defence India Startup Challenge", a national contest for startups to develop arms and technologies for the defence sector." "Indigenisation has been a priority for India, however, we did not indigenise sufficiently enough," the Minister added, addressing a gathering of 200 startups, incubators and defence officials at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Convention Centre in the city centre. Through the contest, startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual researchers and academic institutions can take part in 11 different categories of creating technologies and products that can be used by the armed forces. The 11 categories in which the startups and researchers can develop products or solutions include building see-through armour for the army, development of 4G-based tactical Local Area Network for the Navy, and laser weaponry and unmanned surface and underwater vehicles development for the Air Force, among others. Select few startups will also receive a funding of up to Rs 1.5 crore through the Ministry for developing their ideas, and given access to test their products. As part of the event, a Bengaluru-based firm Tonbo Imaging has been given an order to make night fire control system for Russian-made grenade launcher AGS-30. "The Ministry will ensure the startups working on their ideas get the orders," Sitharaman said. Noting that unmanned drones with missiles are the envy of many countries, the Minister added it is not beyond India's capacity to develop them. The Defence Ministry, on the occasion, also tied up with five business incubators to promote and support the startups, including Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship with Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad; Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay; T-hub startup incubator in Hyderabad; 'Forge' incubator in Coimbatore; and IIT Madras. "The contest is in line with the Innovations for Defence Excellence (IDEX) scheme announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in April during Defence Expo in Chennai, to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in defence sector," an official statement said. The competition will also give a fillip to the country's innovation potential and create networks for collaboration between defence sector and startups, it added. Over 200 startups, 50 SMEs and 12 business incubators took part in the defence-business gathering. Pawan Hans provides seven choppers to ONGC for its off-shore helicopter requirements for crew change and production tasks, including night ambulance. New Delhi: The government will soon invite fresh bids for 100 percent stake sale in Pawan Hans by issuing an addendum to the disinvestment document as ONGC is ready to sell its entire stake in the company, an official said. Helicopter services provider Pawan Hans is a joint venture between the government, which holds 51 percent stake, and state-owned ONGC, which owns the remaining 49 percent shareholding. Pawans Hans has a fleet of 46 choppers. On 13 April, the government had issued the information memorandum for the 51 percent strategic stake sale in Pawan Hans and had sought Expression of Interest (EoI) from interested bidders by 18 June. About half a dozen bidders are believed to have submitted bids. On 2 July, ONGC wrote to the government saying that its board has resolved that it would prefer to exit Pawan Hans simultaneously with the government. Against this backdrop, the senior government official said an addendum to the existing document would be issued soon, seeking bids for 100 percent stake in Pawan Hans. "An addendum would be issued to the EoI (Expression of Interest) document issued on 13 April. The addendum would state that ONGC has expressed its interest in selling its 49 percent holding and fresh bids can be put in for the entire 100 percent stake," the official told PTI. According to the official, the existing bids for the government's 51 percent stake would stay. "We want to give other investors a chance in case they want to bid for entire 100 percent stake," the official added. SBI Capital Markets is the transaction advisor for strategic disinvestment of Pawan Hans. The government had first floated an offer to sell its 51 percent stake in October last year, but in view of subdued response from bidders, the EoI was withdrawn in April this year. At that time, some investors had suggested that the government and ONGC should sell their stakes together. "Potential investors had then suggested that ONGC's 49 percent stake too should be sold along with government's 51 percent. They feared that ONGC holding 49 percent could mean government interference in some way," the official said. Later on 13 April, the government came out with a fresh information memorandum for the strategic sale of Pawan Hans wherein bidders need to have a minimum net worth of Rs 500 crore. Among others, Pawan Hans provides seven choppers to ONGC for its off-shore helicopter requirements for crew change and production tasks, including night ambulance. President Ramon Laguarta was elected by the board of directors to succeed Indra Nooyi. Indra Nooyi, Pepsico's Indian-origin CEO, will step down after 12 years of leading the US food and beverage giant, the company announced on Monday. Nooyi, 62, will step down on 3 October, 2018, after a 24-year stint with the company. She will remain as chairman until early 2019. President Ramon Laguarta was elected by the board of directors to succeed her. Laguarta was also elected to the board. "Growing up in India, I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary company," Nooyi said in a statement. "Guided by our philosophy of Performance with Purpose delivering sustained performance while making more nutritious products, limiting our environmental footprint and lifting up all the communities we serve we've made a more meaningful impact in people's lives than I ever dreamed possible," she said. "PepsiCo today is in a strong position for continued growth with its brightest days still ahead," she added. Laguarta, a 22-year veteran of the company, has been president since September, overseeing global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs. Prior to that, Laguarta served in leadership positions in the European and sub-Saharan Africa divisions. "Ramon Laguarta is exactly the right person to build on our success. He is a terrific executive with a long and proven track record of growing businesses. He has a deep understanding of the changing preferences of consumers and other critical trends unfolding around the world, and he has demonstrated that he knows how to navigate them successfully. Ramon has been a critical partner in running the company, and I'm confident he will take PepsiCo to new and greater heights in the years to come," Nooyi said. It isnt immediately clear as to why Nooyi decided to step down. With her departure, the rest of PepsiCo's senior leadership team will remain unchanged, the company said. Just 25 women currently run an S&P 500 company, according to research group Catalyst, a level that has not changed much in the past decade even though women account for half of the US workforce. Nooyi's exit is the latest in a series of high-profile CEO departures in the food and beverage industry, as big brands lose shelf space to smaller, trendier entrants, and established players scramble for growth. Nooyi joins several other prominent women CEOs, including Campbell Soup's Denise Morrison, Hewlett Packard's Meg Whitman and Mondelez's Irene Rosenfeld, who quit their roles recently. PepsiCo's premarket stock price declined slightly after the announcement, CNBC reported. NASDAQ-traded PepsiCo Inc's shares have gained 78 percent since Nooyi took the top job in 2006, Reuters reported. In 2017, Nooyi was ranked 'No 2' on the US Fortune's list of 'The Most Powerful Women in Business' outside the US. She also topped the list of highest-paid female CEOs. With inputs from PTI On 5 August, India handed Antigua a request for Choksi's extradition, who is wanted in India in connection with the $2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam. Notwithstanding the absence of a bilateral treaty, authorities in Antigua and Barbuda should be able to extradite Gitanjali Gems boss Mehul Choksi to India as the two countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, according to a media report. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a 3 August 2018, notification, has clarified that Indias Extradition Act (1962) applies to the Caribbean nation because Antiguan authorities have already notified India as a Designated Commonwealth Country under the provision of the Antiguan Extradition Act (1993), the ANI reported. Indian government directs provisions of Extradition Act 1962 shall apply with respect to Antigua & Barbuda. In 2001 Antigua & Barbuda notified India as designated country under Commonwealth country under the provision of Extradition Act. pic.twitter.com/kdi0SrVXvr ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2018 And according to The Economic Times, the government of Antigua and Barbuda is of the view that Section 7 of its Extradition Act (1993) provides scope for acting on Indias request to extradite Choksi. On Sunday, India handed Antigua a request for Choksi's extradition. Official sources said a team comprising officials from the MEA and other agencies went to Antigua a couple of days ago to table a request for his extradition. Choksi is wanted in India in connection with the $2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam. "The team met the foreign ministry officials of the Caribbean nation yesterday and handed over the request to extradite Choksi to India," an official source said. The team, led by an Additional Secretary in the MEA's Consular and Passport Division in New Delhi, also presented details of the case against Choksi who is one of the alleged masterminds of the scam, along with his nephew Nirav Modi. Choksi took an oath of allegiance in Antigua on 15 January. He fled India on 4 January, 2018, and his citizenship was cleared in November 2017. As per reports, Antiguan authorities cleared Choksi's citizenship as they did not receive any adverse report to stall his application for it. Choksi's application for citizenship in Antigua, in May 2017, was accompanied with clearance from the local police as is required by norms, Antiguan newspaper the Daily Observer reported, citing a statement from the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) of Antigua and Barbuda (CIU). It noted that the police clearance certificate (PCC) from the Regional Passport Office in Mumbai said that there was no adverse information against Choksi, which would render him ineligible for grant of travel facilities including a visa for Antigua and Barbuda. When asked about the PCC to Choksi, a spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs has said that it was given on the basis of a clear police verification report (PVR) available on his passport at that time. Under Antigua and Barbuda's 'Citizenship by Investment Program', an individual can secure an Antiguan passport on a minimum investment of $1,00,000 in the National Development Fund. Choksi and his companies allegedly availed credit from overseas branches of Indian banks using fraudulent PNB guarantees given through letters of undertaking (LoUs) and letters of credit issued by the PNB's Brady House branch, in Mumbai, which were not repaid, bringing liability on the state-run bank, officials have said. With inputs from PTI Dubbed as the 'world's emptiest airport' due to lack of flights, the Mattala Rajapaksha International Airport was built with high-interest commercial loans from China by the Mahinda Rajapaksha government Colombo: The Sri Lankan government is reworking on the draft of a memorandum of understanding to hand over the management of Mattala Rajapaksha International Airport at Hambantota to Indian airport operator, according to a media report on Sunday. Dubbed as the "world's emptiest airport" due to lack of flights, the MRIA was built with high-interest commercial loans from China by the Mahinda Rajapaksha government. It was officially opened in March 2013 and the only international flight operating from there was halted in May. The Sri Lanka government had announced that it will go ahead with the deal with India to jointly operate the $210 million Mattala Rajapaksha International Airport (MRIA) at Humbantota, about 241km south-east of Colombo, through a joint venture with the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Last month, the government had last month asked the Indian airport operator to submit its business plan for operating the loss-making airport. A draft MoU on handing over of the MRIA to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) was recently presented before the Sri Lankan Cabinet and is now being reworked at the Indian government's request, the Sunday Times reported. The talks for management control of the MRIA are continuing between India and Sri Lanka, at no point during the negotiations with India was the proposal withdrawn or denied despite what the media reported, it said, quoting an unnamed official. "The Sri Lankan government's terms only allow for management control of the commercial activities of the airport while ownership and statutory functions including air traffic control and air traffic rights will be under the control of Sri Lankan authorities," said another official The AAI is to enter a deal with Sri Lanka Civil Aviation Authority to run the MRIA, named after Rajapaksa in his home district. The AAI is to have a 70 percent stake while Sri Lanka's CAA will invest 30 percent, parliament was told. The private-public-partnership will allow AAI to enter into a 40-year lease agreement to take up the management control of the airport. The company was scheduled to open its first store in India next week on 19 July. Hyderabad: Swedish furniture maker IKEA aid that its first Indian outlet will be launched here on 9 August. The strategically-located, 13-acre store here is close to HITEC City, the IT hub. The next store will come up in Mumbai, where the company has purchased 24 acre land. "We will be joined (on the opening day) by key IKEA leaders, including IKEA Group, CEO Jesper Brodin," IKEA said in a release. IKEA Retail India had earlier said it decided to move the date to 9 August from 19 July as it needs some more time to live up to its expected quality commitments towards customers and co-workers. The company was scheduled to open its first store in India next week on 19 July. According to the company, its main priority is to create an inspiring and safe experience for both customers and coworkers. "Opening the first Indian IKEA store in Hyderabad means a lot to IKEA and we want to offer the best possible meeting with IKEA for the many Indian customers," said IKEA Retail India CEO Peter Betzel, according to a report earlier. IKEA's Hyderabad store has come up with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore. This would provide 1,000 direct and 1,500 indirect jobs at the store, and 50 percent of the employees would be women. The company officials had earlier said that the store, spread over 13 acres with a built-up space of 4,00,000 square feet, will feature over 70,00 IKEA products of which almost 2,000 will be priced below Rs 200. The store will also have a 1,000-seater restaurant which is IKEA's largest in over 400 stores it has globally.. Headquartered in The Netherlands, IKEA designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchen appliances and home accessories, and is considered to be the largest furniture retailer in the world. The company officials said last year that they plan to open 25 stores in India by 2025. The next store will come up in Mumbai in 2019. This will be bigger than the Hyderabad store with five lakh square feet. --With inputs from agencies Tech Mahindra reported attrition at 19 percent (last 12-month basis), while utilisation levels were at 81 percent (including trainees). New Delhi: Tech Mahindra indicated at hiring around 4,000 freshers over the next three quarters as the IT services major focuses more on "demand-based" hiring instead of creating an inventory. The company has already hired about 1,800 fresh graduates in the first quarter of the ongoing fiscal, Tech Mahindra Chief Financial Officer Manoj Bhat said in a recent investor call. "I think over the next three quarters, I do not have a ready number, but our estimate would be about 4,000 people roughly, but it could vary a bit so do not take that as a number, but it is just an indicative view," he said. The Mumbai-based company had a total headcount of 1,13,552 people at the end of June 2018 quarter, an addition of 745 people over the preceding quarter. The software headcount was 72,462 people, while those in BPO were 34,700 and 6,390 people in sales and support function in the said quarter. Tech Mahindra CEO and MD C P Gurnani said trends suggest that hiring is no longer linear to the growth of companies. Also, fresher hiring is distributed ie a centre in Plano, Munich or the UK is just as important for hiring as the Indian market is. "...the focus is more on demand-based hiring instead of creating an inventory," he explained. Talking about high attrition rates at the firm, Bhat said the company is concerned about attrition of key talent but is it something that wouldn't impact its ability to execute. "As of now it is still probably under control and we will continue to monitor it closely," he added. Tech Mahindra reported attrition at 19 percent (last 12-month basis), while utilisation levels were at 81 percent (including trainees). Tech Mahindra COO L Ravichandran said the company is looking at different kinds of training and very specific online-based training so that the trainees can become billable very quick. "...so you are not going to see a huge number of headcount increase and we continuously hire some specific skills both in India and overseas... I do not want it (hiring) to become linear and we want to push ourselves to deliver more with less number of people," he added. India can focus on numerous goods for expanding its exports to the US and China markets following the hike in duties by both countries on imports from each other, CII said. New Delhi: With the US imposing additional 25 percent duty on imports worth $34 billion from China, certain Indian products may become more competitive, CII said on Sunday. An analysis by the industry chamber revealed that India should focus on the US market for items in the categories of machinery, electrical equipment, vehicles and transport parts, chemicals, plastics and rubber products. India can focus on numerous goods for expanding its exports to the US and China markets following the hike in duties by both countries on imports from each other, CII said. Top exports from India to the US which are covered in the list of items for which tariffs have been hiked include pumps, parts of military aircraft, parts for electrodiagnostic apparatus, passenger vehicles of 1500-3000 cc, valve bodies and parts of taps, said the chamber. Exports of these items stood at over $50 million in 2017, according to CII, and can be increased with concerted efforts. Countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia have increased their exports of these products to the US in recent years, the chamber noted. Based on India's current exports to the US in these categories, products such as intermediate parts for the defence and aerospace sector, vehicles and auto parts, engineering goods, etc. have a higher potential for export, it said. "Sectors like apparel and textiles, footwear, toys and games and cell phone manufacturing are becoming competitive industries in India and need to be encouraged," CII said. The chamber suggested that the trade dialogue with the US should be strategised taking into account India's competitive advantage in these products. Moreover, foreign direct investments from the US should be encouraged by boosting the confidence of US firms in India's business climate, said CII, adding that this might necessitate addressing their concerns regarding non-tariff barriers in India for better long-term outcomes. In the domestic industry, it stated that it is important for India to enhance productivity while adding technology to its domestic production in the identified products. CII examined 818 product lines where the US has raised tariffs for imports from China. Between 2012 and 2017, China's exports to the US have moved up the value chain with accelerated growth in high-technology items such as telecommunications equipment, automotive, cell phones, etc. Once the vehicle scrap policy is approved, India could emerge as a hub for automobile manufacturing as the key raw material available from scrapping like steel, aluminium and plastic, Nitin Gadkari said. New Delhi: The proposed policy for scrapping 20-year old commercial vehicles will go for another round of consultations with stakeholders as per the PMO directions, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Monday. The proposal aims to pave the way for the mandatory scrapping of such vehicles from 1 April, 2020. "PMO has asked us for another round of consultation with stakeholders. Accordingly, we will be doing consultations with stakeholders, industry and consumers," Road Transport Minister Gadkari told PTI on the sidelines of an event on Monday. He said that after "taking everyone's views" it will be sent back to the PMO for approval, he said. Once the policy is approved, he said, India could emerge as a hub for automobile manufacturing as the key raw material available from scrapping like steel, aluminium and plastic are bound to be recycled, bringing down automobile prices by "20 to 30 percent." India is already a leading place for automobile industry with a turnover of Rs 4.5 lakh crore, he said. "I think there is a huge potential." In May 2016, the government had floated a draft Voluntary Vehicle Fleet Modernisation Programme (V-VMP) that proposed to take 28 million decade-old vehicles off the road. A committee of secretaries (Cos) recommended to the ministry redesigning of the scheme for greater participation of states with partial support from the Centre. The CoS suggested that the "scheme may dovetail a calibrated and phased regulatory approach for capping the life of vehicles together with the stricter implementation of emission norms and accordingly a revised consultation paper got in principle nod at PMO." Two unidentified white men attacked a 50-year-old SIkh man in California yelling racist slurs at him said authorities New York: A 50-year-old Sikh man was beaten up multiple times by two white men who yelled racial slurs that "You're not welcome here!, Go back to your country!" in the US state of California, prompting police to investigate the "heinous" hate crime, authorities said. The incident happened last week near the intersection of Keyes and Foote roads in California as the man was putting up campaign signs alone along a rural stretch on the outskirts of Keyes, the police was quoted as saying by The Sacramento Bee. Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said the assault is being investigated as a hate crime. "This is a random despicable criminal act against a member of the Sikh community," Christianson said. Sheriff Sergeant Tom Letras said the 50-year-old victim was placing signs for local candidates when two white men wearing black hooded sweatshirts ambushed him and beat him to the ground. He was struck multiple times as the assailants screamed, "You're not welcome here!" and "Go back to your country!" They then spray painted his truck, Letras said. "This is a heinous crime and we are aggressively investigating it," Letras said. The victim required medical attention so an ambulance was called and he treated on scene for cuts and other wounds. According to a Facebook post, the man was beaten on the head with a rod. But he escaped major injury because of his turban, which is traditionally worn by Sikh men, the report added. Also, the post shared an image of the pickup truck, which was spray painted in large black letters with the words "Go back to your country" alongside a Celtic cross. The image is a well-known white supremacist symbol, according to the Anti-Defamation League which tracks anti-Semitic and other hate crimes across the country, the report added. The department is looking for help identifying the suspects or witnesses to the crime. The incident is considered an assault with a deadly weapon and hate crime. The victim's identity is not being released at this time, Letras added. Hate crimes against the Sikh community have raised alarm in the Central Valley numerous times over the years. After 9/11, a spate of local crimes against Sikh people were attributed to misplaced anti-Muslim bigotry. The valley has one of the largest and oldest Sikh populations in the US. The first Sikh temple, or gurdwara, in America opened in Stockton in 1912. There are an estimated 500,000 Sikhs in the US and 25 million worldwide making it the fifth most popular religion. Earlier, The Sikh Coalition, a national Sikh advocacy and civil rights group, issued a statement saying they were seeing a "new wave of hate crimes" against the Sikh community. It reported that Sikhs in the US are experiencing an average of one hate crime per week since the start of 2018. If the Maharashtra government failed to act swiftly, the Maratha quota stir might turn into a 'naxalite movement' in no time, NCP MP Udayanraje Bhosale said in Pune on Sunday. Pune: If the Maharashtra government failed to act swiftly, the Maratha quota stir might turn into a "Naxal movement" in no time, NCP MP Udayanraje Bhosale said in Pune on Sunday. He expressed apprehension that the situation might spiral out of control if the BJP-led government continued to drag its feet on the issue, as the youth are in no mood to listen. The Maratha royal said the government, bureaucracy and judiciary could sit together and come out with a solution to resolve the issue. "Today, the (Maratha) youth is fighting for justice and if they failed to get it, they will take the law in their hands...so do not let this agitation go the way of a Naxal movement, because if the decision is not taken immediately, it will not take much time for this agitation to go the way of a Naxal movement," Bhosale said while appealing to the government. He also appealed to the community members to desist from resorting to violence or committing suicide for the quota cause. Bhosale, who represents Satara Lok Sabha seat, was speaking at the Maratha Arakshan convention held on Sunday to chalk out a strategy for the August 9 protests for the quota demand. The Maratha community has been demanding 16 percent quota in government jobs and education under the OBC (Other Backward Classes) category. Maratha groups had in July observed bandhs in Mumbai and rest of the state for the demand and held violent agitations. The Maratha Kranti Morcha (MKM), an umbrella organisation of various Maratha bodies, had last week warned the state government of fresh wave of protests from 9 August, if it fails to grant the quota by 7 August. "Today's meeting was conveyed to discuss the further course of action and an appeal was made to the youth not to resort to the violence and not to take law into their hands and not to take any drastic steps such as suicide," the MP said. Bhosale said a memorandum for expediting the process of granting reservation to the Marathas would be forwarded to the state government soon. He said the sentiments of the Maratha community are running high for the quota. Meanwhile, the Maratha Yuva Kranti (MYK)announced lending of its support to the 9 August stir. MYK leader Nitin Deshmukh said in Mumbai that a large section of the society as well as various political parties have collectively decided to back the upcoming agitation. "We held a meeting at suburban Ghatkopar and took a collective decision to lend our all-out support to the statewide agitation and to implement the decision taken by the central Maratha morcha leadership effectively," Deshmukh said. He said the protesters will ensure that the 9 August agitation passes off peacefully. "We have submitted our proposal to senior leaders (of Maratha morcha) that this government should be forced to take the decision by the winter session of the legislature, or else we will not let the House function. We will protest at the Manrtalaya," Deshmukh said. Around 17 lakh employees of the Maharashtra government would go on a three-day strike beginning Tuesday to press for demands like implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission. Mumbai: Around 17 lakh employees of the Maharashtra government would go on a three-day strike beginning Tuesday to press for demands like implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission. However, around 1.5 lakh gazetted officers withdrew from the strike after a Government Resolution (GR) was issued Monday night stating that the pending arrears of the Dearness Allowance (DA) for a period of 14 months will be paid to them. Another GR was issued stating that the Seventh Pay Commission will be implemented from January 2019. "The demand of employees for a five-day week and raising the retirement age from 58 years to 60 years will be taken up during Diwali," an official said Monday. The arrears will be paid in the salaries of employees for August month, as per the GR. "If the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission is delayed, the employees will get the benefit as per the wage structure of the Central government employees from January 2019," it stated. Earlier on Monday, state Government Employees Organisation President Nitin Sardeshmukh said class III and class IV employees of Zilla Parishads, state hospitals, staff working at Mantralaya (secretariat) will participate in the strike. "The employees of the Central government have been getting the benefits of the Seventh Pay Commission since 2016. Seven state governments have implemented the pay commission," he said. Sardeshmukh said the employees are yet to receive the arrears accrued to them since the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission by the state government. He said 1.85 lakh posts of class III and class IV employees are lying vacant in Maharashtra. "Moreover, the demand for filling up 30,000 posts on compassionate grounds is also not accepted by the state government," Sardesmukh claimed. He said around 30 to 40 percent of total posts are lying vacant in hospitals and other essential services departments. A General Administration Department (GAD) official said the employees working in essential services deparments like hospitals, fire brigade, water supply etc. have been directed not to join the strike, or else provisions of Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) will be invoked against them. The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the hearing on pleas challenging Constitutional validity of Article 35-A pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir. Auto refresh feeds Supreme Court adjourns hearing petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A which empowers J&K state's legislature to define 'permanent residents' of the state and provide special rights to them. SC to hear the matter on August 27. Omar Abdullah says, "Protecting Article-35A is a tacit acceptance that J&Ks future lies within the Constitution of India otherwise how would it matter if it were struck down or diluted?" CJI Dipak Misra says Article35A has been in vogue for more than 60 years. "An argument about strike by lawyers can't now be a ground to speed up the case," he says. Jammu and Kashmir seeks matter to be adjourned to December. The matter will now be listed on 27 August, CNN-News 18 reported. The separatist groups who are protesting against any tampering with Article 35A have ended up defending a law that is part of the Constitution of India, something which the Hurriyat leadership never considered sacrosanct. Life in Kashmir remained severely affected on Monday for the second consecutive day due to a complete shutdown called by separatists against the legal challenge in the Supreme Court on the validity of Article 35A. CJI says the SC will hear AG of India as J&K government "may not have much to say". J&K counsel has opposed the observation. ASG Tushar Mehta & Rakesh Dwivedi reply, saying that the state has "a lot to say in this matter". CJI says the SC will hear AG of India as J&K government 'may not have much to say' Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi slams the Centre for Article 35-A, asks,"Why are BJP supporters still blaming Congress for #Article35A? We are not even in power. Please don't make a fool of yourself and ask your party which has a majority in Parliament to fulfil your wish." A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice A M Khanwilkar said the matter has to be heard by a three-judge bench and Justice DY Chandrachud, who is also a part of the bench, was not present. The apex court has listed the matter for hearing in the week commencing 27 August. CJI Misra observed that the apex court has to consider whether Article 35-A goes against the basic structure of the Constitution. Article 35-A, which was incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and denies property rights to a woman who marries a person from outside the state. The provision, which leads to such women from the state forfeiting their rights over property, also applies to their heirs.- PTI On Saturday, the National Conference (NC) and its arch rival People's Democratic Party (PDP) had taken out separate protest rallies in Srinagar ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on petitions challenging Article 35-A of the Constitution, which confers special status to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. #Article35ADebate -- Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appears for Jammu and Kashmir government and seeks an adjournment of hearing on Article 35A. Chief Justice Dipak Misra says that a two-judge cannot hear it #Article35A LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/l0k5Poijli #Article35ADebate -- A 2-judge bench can't hear the matter, only a 3-judge bench can consider this case. #Article35A didn't come in the constitution a day ago, we can't hear it in one day. This will have to be argued: Chief Justice of India LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/l0k5Poijli Supreme Court adjourns hearing petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A which empowers J&K state's legislature to define 'permanent residents' of the state and provide special rights to them. SC to hear the matter on August 27. Protecting #Article35A is a tacit acceptance that J&Ks future lies within the Constitution of India otherwise how would it matter if it were struck down or diluted? Omar Abdullah says, "Protecting Article-35A is a tacit acceptance that J&Ks future lies within the Constitution of India otherwise how would it matter if it were struck down or diluted?" CJI Dipak Misra says Article35A has been in vogue for more than 60 years. "An argument about strike by lawyers can't now be a ground to speed up the case," he says. Jammu and Kashmir seeks matter to be adjourned to December. The matter will now be listed on 27 August, CNN-News 18 reported. #Article35ADebate -- Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called for "resistance and readiness" to go on an agitation ahead of Supreme Court's hearing on Article 35A. #Article35A LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/HkVfxzY4zA pic.twitter.com/BDTb6LjFUR The separatist groups who are protesting against any tampering with Article 35A have ended up defending a law that is part of the Constitution of India, something which the Hurriyat leadership never considered sacrosanct. Life in Kashmir remained severely affected on Monday for the second consecutive day due to a complete shutdown called by separatists against the legal challenge in the Supreme Court on the validity of Article 35A. CJI says the SC will hear AG of India as J&K government "may not have much to say". J&K counsel has opposed the observation. ASG Tushar Mehta & Rakesh Dwivedi reply, saying that the state has "a lot to say in this matter". CJI says the SC will hear AG of India as J&K government 'may not have much to say' Why are BJP supporters still blaming Congress for #Article35A ?We are not even in power. Please dont make a fool of yourself and ask your party which has a majority in Parliament to fulfill your wish. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi slams the Centre for Article 35-A, asks,"Why are BJP supporters still blaming Congress for #Article35A? We are not even in power. Please don't make a fool of yourself and ask your party which has a majority in Parliament to fulfil your wish." A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice A M Khanwilkar said the matter has to be heard by a three-judge bench and Justice DY Chandrachud, who is also a part of the bench, was not present. The apex court has listed the matter for hearing in the week commencing 27 August. CJI Misra observed that the apex court has to consider whether Article 35-A goes against the basic structure of the Constitution. Article 35-A, which was incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and denies property rights to a woman who marries a person from outside the state. The provision, which leads to such women from the state forfeiting their rights over property, also applies to their heirs.- PTI On Saturday, the National Conference (NC) and its arch rival People's Democratic Party (PDP) had taken out separate protest rallies in Srinagar ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on petitions challenging Article 35-A of the Constitution, which confers special status to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. Life in Kashmir remained severely affected on Monday for the second consecutive day due to a complete shutdown called by separatists against the legal challenge in the Supreme Court on the validity of Article 35A. The two-day strike called by the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik comes as the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a PIL challenging the validity of Article 35A later in the day. Supreme Court hearing on Article 35-A Latest updates: The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the hearing on pleas challenging Constitutional validity of Article 35-A pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir. Petitions on Article 35-A will now be heard in week commencing 27 August, said Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. A three-judge bench led by CJI Dipak Misra was supposed to hear the petitions but later it was reported that Justice DY Chandrachud was not going to be on the bench. CJI Misra said, "Article 35-A did not come in the Constitution a day ago and a two-judge bench cannot hear it." Misra said that the court will examine whether Article 35-A violates basic structure of the Constitution. Attorney General will be heard at length, CJI further added and adjourned the matter for two weeks. The CJI added that Article 35-A been in vogue for more than 60 years. "An argument about the strike by lawyers can't now be a ground to speed up the case," he said. #Article35ADebate -- A 2-judge bench can't hear the matter, only a 3-judge bench can consider this case. #Article35A didn't come in the constitution a day ago, we can't hear it in one day. This will have to be argued: Chief Justice of India LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/l0k5Poijli News18 (@CNNnews18) August 6, 2018 CJI said that the Supreme Court will hear the Attorney General of India as Jammu and Kashmir government "may not have much to say". The Jammu and Kashmir counsel has opposed the observation. ASG Tushar Mehta and Rakesh Dwivedi replied, saying that the state has "a lot to say in this matter". "An argument about strike by lawyers can't now be a ground to speed up the case," CJI said as the Jammu and Kashmir government demanded that matter be adjourned to December. Earlier on Monday, Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for Jammu and Kashmir government and sought an adjournment of the hearing. Article 35-A, which was added to the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir and denies property rights to a native woman who marries a person from outside the state. It also bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state. The main petition demanding to scrap Article 35A was filed before the apex court in 2014 by Delhi-based NGO 'We the Citizens'. Several advisors in official positions have cautioned the Centre about the fiery reaction that might ensue in Kashmir if Article 35A ceases to be a part of the Constitution. Outspoken IAS officer Shah Faesal on Sunday said repealing of Article 35A of the Constitution would end Jammu and Kashmir's relationship with the rest of the country. With inputs from PTI Life in Kashmir remained severely affected on Monday for the second consecutive day due to a complete shutdown called by separatists against the legal challenge in the Supreme Court on the validity of Article 35A. Srinagar: Life in Kashmir remained severely affected on Monday for the second consecutive day due to a complete shutdown called by separatists against the legal challenge in the Supreme Court on the validity of Article 35A. The two-day strike called by the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik comes as the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a PIL challenging the validity of Article 35A later in the day. Article 35A, incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, confers special status to the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir, and bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state. Educational institutions, shops and business establishments remained closed across the Valley, while all kinds of transport remained off the roads due to the strike. The state government has filed an application before the registrar of the Supreme Court, informing that it was going to seek the adjournment of the hearing in view of the "ongoing preparations" for the upcoming panchayat and urban local body and municipal elections in the state. Officials said the security forces had been deployed at vulnerable places in the city and elsewhere in Kashmir for maintaining law and order. The situation across the Valley is peaceful with no untoward incident reported from anywhere so far on Monday, the officials said. Stone-pelting incidents were reported from some places on Monday, with six people getting injured in Kulgam district in a clash between protesters and security forces. Various organisations. including the state bar association, transporters and traders' bodies have extended support to the shutdown call. Protests have been held across the length and breadth of Kashmir over the past few days, with mainstream parties like National Conference and People's Democratic Party (PDP) also holding rallies in support of continuing Article 35-A. Reacting to a Muslim man being allegedly forced to shave his beard following an altercation in Gurugram, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday said that even if a Muslim's throat was slit, the person will continue to be a Muslim. Owaisi also issued a warning saying that those who try to humiliate Muslims would be forced to convert to Islam and grow long beards. Reacting to a Muslim man being allegedly forced to shave his beard following an altercation in Gurugram, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday said that even if a Muslim's throat was slit, the person will continue to be a Muslim. Owaisi also issued a warning saying that those who try to humiliate Muslims would be forced to convert to Islam and grow long beards. Muslim man's beard was shaved off. Those who did it,I am telling them & their fathers, even if you slit our throat,we'll be Muslims.We'll convert you to Islam & will make you keep beard: A Owaisi. Muslim man registered FIR (2 Aug) when his beard was forcibly shaved off in Haryana pic.twitter.com/MONqKeKllP ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2018 On Thursday, three men had allegedly shaved off a Muslim youth, Jafruddin Hamid's beard in Sector 29 Gurugram following a verbal fight with him. According to media reports, the youth was dragged to a nearby salon where his beard was shaved off. The victim then registered an FIR in DLF Sec-29 police station after which an investigation was initiated and the accused were arrested. Owaisi had earlier raked up a controversy he tried to pick-out a communal angle in the killing of Indian soldiers. Out of the seven killed in Jammu, five were Kashmiri Muslims. However, nobody is saying anything now. This should be a lesson to those questioning the loyalties of Muslims and call them Pakistanis. We are laying down our lives for you, he had said. However, the Indian Army had hit-back at him saying that it is above religion and does not communalise martyrs. Owaisi had even criticised the Congress party for not opposing Rahul Gandhi's act of hugging Narendra Modi in the Parliament. "No-Confidence Motion was moved against Modi and they hug the same person against whom they moved the motion. If I had gone and shook hands with Modi, fatwa would have got issued against me. But when he (Rahul Gandhi) hugged Modi, Congressmen didn't utter a word," Owaisi had said. Widescale fear mongering led Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to issue statements repeatedly to allay fears and also send 22,000 security personnel to Assam to control any possible law and order situation in the state. New Delhi: The people who are alleging that Muslims are being targeted in the process of ongoing work of National Register of Citizens update in Assam, are not helping the state or the nation, says Maulana Badruddin Ajmal leader of the All India United Democratic Front, a political party that bases its politics around the immigrant Muslim identity in Assam. Different persons have been making different claims about the existence of illegal Bangladeshis in Assam. Former minister of state for home Sriprakash Jaiswal said in Parliament that there are 50 Lakh illegal Bangladeshis in Assam. Prior to that former Assam Governor Lt Gen SK Sinha in a report to the President of India also claimed that there was a sizable population of illegal Bangladeshis in Assam. But the NRC process leaves only 40 lakh out of the draft, he said. During the UPA regime, Jaiswal in 2004 told Parliament that there were 50 lakh Bangladeshis in Assam though he later withdrew his statement. Prior to that in the year 1998, the then governor of Assam Lt Gen (Retd.) Sinha in his report to the president marked illegal immigration from Bangladesh a threat to national security and not a regional issue. Ajmal also added that many out of the 40 lakh people who did not find their names in the NRC would be included in the final list after the formalities related to claims and objections are over. The NRC process should not be linked with religion or language. It is only about identifying Indians and foreigners, he added. The final draft of the NRC was published on 30 July amid rampant fear mongering that the exercise would wipe out a rather big number of Muslims out of the voter list. An organisation named Avaaz launched a global campaign in a petition titled India: Stop deleting Muslims. The petition began saying, In a few days India will delete as many as 7 million Muslims in Assam state from its master list of citizens because they speak the wrong language and worship the wrong God. Widescale fear mongering led Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to issue statements repeatedly to allay fears and also send 22,000 security personnel to Assam to control any possible law and order situation in the state. On the other hand, the opposition created a ruckus over non-inclusion of many Indian citizens in the final draft. Congress leader Anand Sharma had said, It was important for the opposition to register its concern with regard to disenfranchising our own citizens who have been from other states or from Assam as indigenous people should be rendered refugees in our country. This is a humanitarian aspect. West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress president Mamata Banerjee went to the extent of claiming that the NRC is an exercise of divide and rule policy and a game plan to throw out Bengalis and Biharis out of Assam. On 3 August, a Trinamool Congress delegation of eight members that went to Assam from West Bengal to assess the situation there was detained by Assam Police at Kumbhirgram Airport and the delegates had to return without interacting with the people. When asked about his reaction to the statement by the West Bengal chief minister, Ajmal declined to answer saying, I cannot comment on her statement. Despite all the politicking around NRC, the AIUDF leader was seen unagitated. Rather he claimed that more than 94 percent of the people in his constituency Dhuburi have found their names in the second list. This number is likely to increase after the claims and objection procedure is over as people would submit more documents to prove their citizenship, he added. When asked what would be the political future of his party if a big number of Bengali Muslims finally lose their citizenship, he said, All the parties would have to face the change if the number of voters itself decreases substantially, because victory is normally decided in 5 percent to 10 percent of votes. He also said that people would be mobilised to provide legal assistance to the ones whose names did not appear in the final list. Many lawyers have assured me that they would provide legal assistance to people to prove their citizenship free of cost. Young men and women have come out assist people to provide legal help, the AIUDF president said. When asked what according to him should be done to ensure the rights of the people who even after observing all procedure fail to prove their citizenship, Ajmal said, It is a call to be taken by the Supreme court of India. So we hope that people would meet justice. We as a party will come up with suggestions to the government. The AKRSU in Assam were demanding the inclusion of the Koch Rajbongshi community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category and disrupted trains across the state. Guwahati: Twelve persons were injured in Assam's Kokrajhar district on Monday as police tried to disperse a mob disrupting train movement. The agitated people were demanding the inclusion of the Koch Rajbongshi community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. Police resorted to baton charge and firing blank shots in the air in Choutara, under Gosaigaon area, to disperse the protesters whose "Rail Roko" agitation had disrupted train traffic across the state. "The incident took place around 11.30 am when the police suddenly resorted to lathicharge. At least 15 leaders of Koch Rajbongshi Sanmilani were arrested," AKRSU leader Hitesh Barman told IANS. The Sanmilani is an umbrella organisation of the Koch Rajbongshi community and All Koch Rajbongshi Students' Union (AKRSU), who had organised the rail blockade. Hundreds of people came out and sat on railway tracks at Soutara early on Monday following the shutdown call given by the Sanmilani. The call was supported by AKRSU and other organisations. Those arrested include Koch Rajbongshi Sanmilani President Ranjit Rai and AKRSU General Secretary Bipul Rai. "We had to resort to Rail Roko as the BJP governments both at the Centre and state are not paying heed to our legitimate demand for including the Koch Rajbongshis into the ST category. The BJP-led NDA had assured us of the ST status within six months of their coming to power in 2016, but has forgotten its commitment after winning the elections," said Rai. Movements of a large number of long-distance trains were disrupted and stopped at different locations. The down Rajdhani Express and Guwahati-Bangalore Express have been diverted to run via alternative routes, Northeast Frontier Railway chief spokesman Pranav Jyoti Sharma said. Two passenger trains Alipurduar-Kamakhya-Alipurduar and New Jalpaiguri-Rangiya of Rangiya and Alipurduar division were cancelled due to the protest at Choutara, he said. That Mulk attempts to restore the honour of an Indian Muslim family accused of treason and ties with the Pakistanis based on a true event, is precisely the reason why the ban on Mulk seems ironic and deplorable. "Agar aap meri daadhi aur Osama Bin Laden ki daadhi mein farq nahi kar pa rahe hain, to bhi mujhe haq hai apni Sunnat nibhane ka" (If you cant differentiate my beard from Osama Bin Ladens beard, I still have every right to follow my Prophets path (sunnat) in this country). This is the punch line in Rishi Kapoor and Taapsee Pannu-starrer movie Mulk which has reportedly been banned in Pakistan. Even before the release of the movie, the trailer of Mulk was banned. The News reported: The chairman of Pakistans Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC), Danyal Gilani has stated that members of the CBFC unanimously decided not to approve the trailer of Mulk as its contents flout the Censorship of Film Code, 1980. Echoing the essential message well-embedded in this court-room drama, directed by Anubhav Sinha, another punch line that encapsulates the films key theme goes like this: "Hum aur woh is mulk ko nahi banate, balki hum sab (mil kar) is mulk ko banate hain." (Us and them does not make this country. Rather, we all do.) These two messages were respectively articulated in Rishi Kapoors lucid tone and then in Tapsi Pannus succinct tenor countering Islamophobia replicated in the anti-Muslim rhetoric triggered by Santosh Anand (Ashutosh Rana) acting as a lawyer in the movie. An engaging courtroom debate on 'religion and terrorism' stimulated great interest and applause in the movie itself, as well as in the audience in the packed cinema halls on last Friday. Inevitably, the judge in the movies courtroom (Kumud Mishra) is forced to think it over, and finally, he makes this significant comment: "The Constitution of India grants religious freedom and expression to every community in the country" But whats utterly surprising to note is the decision of Pakistans Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) to ban Mulk despite the fact that the movie avowedly aims to counter the growing Islamophobia. And more ironically, it is being banned in the Naya Pakistan which aspires to become an Islamic welfare state under the PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan, who is now the prime minister-in-waiting. That the movie attempts to restore the honour of an Indian Muslim family accused of treason and ties with the Pakistanis based on a true event, is precisely the reason why the ban on Mulk seems ironic and deplorable. Revolving around a terror recruit Shahid Mohammed (Prateik Babbar), his father Bilal Mohammad (Manoj Pahwa), uncle Murad Ali Mohammed (Rishi Kapoor) and the defense lawyer, Aarti Mohammed (Taapsee Pannu), the movie seeks to highlight the tough battle of a Muslim family faced with terror accusations and community distrust in a small town in Varanasi. The movie sheds light on the communal harmony of multi-cultural Muslims with Hindus in Varanasi and thus, tries to reclaim the glorious past of the Hindu-Muslim brotherhood in India. It conclusively gives this message: Though the country is going through a dark phase, we should look to the past optimistically and unite as people of a syncretic culture and vibrant tradition. In fact, Aarti's rebuttal to the communal dichotomy of us versus them reminds us that together we will lead this country, out of this storm, towards peace, pluralism, progression and national integration. But the Federal Censor Board of Pakistan has banned this emotionally raw courtroom drama without citing any legitimate reason. Inevitably, the filmmakers have issued a strongly-worded statement which says: "We are disturbed by this prejudiced verdict and it is such an irony because our film talks about this very prejudice. We urge the Pakistani Censor Board to reconsider their decision. They will realise how essential it is to the well-being of the human race across the world." Sinha, in fact, wrote a letter to Pakistan: A letter to Pakistan. Sorry a question really!!! #MULK in Theaters tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/Ak1MogByWK Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) August 2, 2018 Tellingly, Pakistan's ban on the recent releases of Bollywood is currently a trend. Mulk is not the first time Pakistan has banned a Hindi film. Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Raees was also banned in Pakistan. Even before the release of the movie, Pakistan newspapers, like The Express Tribune reported that the "much-awaited Mahira and Shah Rukh Khan starrer Raees" would not be released in Pakistan. The Censor Board of Film Certification said that the Rahul Dholakia directorial, which marked Mahiras Bollywood debut was not to be released in the country due to its objectionable content. The Pakistan censors had cited two major reasons for banning Raees. One, the movie inappropriately portrayed the Muslim community, as Shah Rukh played a Muslim entity who indulged in the trade of liquor. Second, the content of the movie undermined Islam. But even a layman would conclude that the Shah Rukh-starrer movie did not defame Islam and that it was sheer hyper-religiosity of the Pakistani censors to ban Raees. One deduction that can be made from these bans is this: Indian movies which talk of Islam and Muslims, even positively and constructively with a view to dispelling the anti-Muslim stereotypes, dont go down well with the film censors in Pakistan a country with an overwhelming number of aficionados for the Bollywood. Hence, Sinha has rightly asked this question in his open letter to Pakistani audience: Why is it so that they do NOT want you to see the film that talks about co-existence. I know, sooner or later, you will have access to the film. Please do watch it and give me your opinion why did the Pakistan Censor Board ban the film. It is not pro Muslim or Anti Muslim. Pro Pakistan or Anti Pakistan. It is about love that all of us as individuals should have, amongst us. It is about You. It is about Me. You have Hindus as a minority in your country and we have Muslims as a minority in ours. We all must work towards coexisting in peace and harmony, he wrote. The Congress also faces the risk of conceding that it is no longer a pan-India party and has lost significant base to regional outfits. At the extended Congress Working Committee meeting on 22 July, the All India Congress Committee authorised Rahul Gandhi to seal alliances with like-minded parties for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. While the Congress hopes to checkmate the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Narendra Modi government with this strategy, it could have far-reaching implications for the party's presence as a pan-India entity as well as Rahul's chances of fulfilling his dream to become prime minister of the country in 2019. Before the coalition era from 1951 to 1996, the Congress contested nearly all Lok Sabha seats. During this period, it was only in 1971 that the party fielded candidates from only 85 percent of the constituencies. This was the result of a split in the Congress, when Morarji Desai and other members of the "Syndicate" left the party to form the Indian National Congress (Organisation), or INC(O). In this election, former prime minister Indira Gandhi had entered into strategic alliances in Tamil Nadu and Kerala and backed a few candidates in other states to defeat Desai's Syndicate and establish her dominance over the party organisation and machinery. The lowest number of seats the Congress contested was in 2004 (77 percent of the total) when it tied up with several regional parties to defeat the National Democratic Alliance. In 2014, the Congress contested from 464 constituencies. 2019 Alliance story The Congress' alliance strategy for the 2019 general elections is two-fold: One, it aims to tie up with regional parties in states where it is weak to defeat the BJP. This would be in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The second is to form alliances with regional parties in states where there is a triangular, quadrangular, or multi-corner contest to strengthen its chances of victory. This would be in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir.The four states where the Congress is weak are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, which account for 200 Lok Sabha seats. Here, the party is likely to get not more than 40 seats to contest. In other states where the Congress will probably seal alliances, it could get another 70 to 80 seats to contest, according to the table below. On an average, the party is likely to contest from 115 constituencies in these 10 states. State Alliance Partner Total No. of Seats No. of Seats Congress is likely to contest Bihar RJD, HAM 40 8-10 Uttar Pradesh BSP, SP, RLD 80 8-10 West Bengal Trinamool Congress 42 8-10 Tamil Nadu DMK 39 7-9 Andhra Pradesh Telugu Desam Party 25 8-10 Telangana Telugu Desam Party 17 10-12 Maharashtra NCP 48 24-26 Jammu and Kashmir National Conference 6 3 Jharkhand JMM 14 10-12 Karnataka JD(S) 28 20-22 Total 339 106-124 Congress could contest considerably fewer seats in 2019 If the Congress can firm up these alliances, it is likely to field candidates from 319 constituencies its lowest contesting tally ever at just 59 percent of the Lok Sabha seats. While it all looks good, with the Congress making compromises for a united Opposition and the larger cause of defeating the BJP, it jeopardises the party's hopes of leading the grand alliance. The number of seats it is likely to contest in 2019 in around 150 lower than the figure from 2014. 2014 2019 No. of Seats % of Seats No. of Seats % of Seats Congress 464 85% 319 59% Allies 79 15% 224 41% Total 543 100% 543 100% Possibility of rebellions and end of Rahul's prime ministerial hopes This strategy is fraught with risks as it encourages rebels (150 odd in number) who could jump boat to contest on tickets from other parties, or as independents, and harm the party and its alliances. The figure is around one-third of total number of candidates the party fielded in 2014. With its plan, the Congress also faces the potential risk of conceding that it is no longer a pan-India party and has lost significant base to regional outfits.Contesting from a significantly lower number of Lok Sabha seats also raises the risk of the party ending up with fewer seats than the regional parties it joins hands with. The Congress needs to win around 150 seats (+100 vs 2014) to seek the prime minister's chair in case the grand alliance wins the polls. It requires a very high strike rate of 47 percent (150 of 319) to achieve this. Since 1996, the average strike rate of the Congress has been 29 percent. Even after removing the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from the count considering it an outlier its average strike rate comes to only 33 percent. In 2009, the party did manage this figure, but the conditions were much different at the time. Back then, the Congress was in the driver's seat, not the allies, contesting from 440 seats. With Congress being the main Opposition party, what complicates matters are the regional outfits that may not join the grand alliance. This includes the Shiv Sena, Communist Party of India, Aam Aadmi Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Biju Janata Dal and Telangana Rashtra Samithi. If such a scenario does arise, many may not back the Congress because of the dynamics in their backyard. To sum up, the strategy of sealing state-level alliances could put a significant dent in the Congress' ability to push for Rahul as the prime ministerial candidate for the grand alliance. The author is a former corporate and investment banker. He tweets @politicalbaaba A 25-year-old activist of the CPM's youth wing was allegedly stabbed to death in Kerala's Kasaragod district, police said on Monday. Kasaragod: A 25-year-old activist of the CPM's youth wing was allegedly stabbed to death in Kerala's Kasaragod district, police said on Monday, prompting the state's ruling Left party to accuse the RSS-BJP of being behind the killing. Siddique, a Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) worker, was attacked by two motorcycle-borne men in Uppala 600 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram late Sunday night. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but his life could not be saved, a police official said. Security in the area has been tightened to prevent any violence and a special police team constituted to investigate the case, the official added. Condemning the attack, the state secretary of the CPM, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, alleged that the RSS-BJP were behind the murder. He added that the Kerala society should be able to isolate and identify communal forces in the state. State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president PS Sreedharan Pillai denied the charge and said the attack was not politically motivated. With controversy over Justice Joseph's appointment to Supreme Court to legal trouble for Kamal Hassan, here are the top stories for the day Justice Joseph's appointment: Several senior justices of the Supreme Court are upset with the Union government for altering the seniority granted to Justice KM Joseph while clearing his appointment as a top court judge last week. A few senior judges will informally meet CJI Dipak Misra on Monday to discuss the issue and urge him to try and remedy what they consider to be interference by the government in judicial appointments, added the people cited above. Bangladesh protests: Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina urged students Sunday to go home as police fired tear gas at teenage protesters during an eighth day of unprecedented demonstrations over road safety which have paralysed parts of Dhaka. Nirav Modi- Mehul Choksi probe: SEBI is probing alleged violations of capital market regulations by Mehul Choksi-Nirav Modi, their associates and some brokers in connection with two listed firms - Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Gitanjali Gems. SEBI could dispatch a notice to Choksi, who's reportedly in Antigua. Bengaluru-headquartered Britannia Industries will put out its earnings update today. The Mumbai-traded firm, India's second-largest biscuit-maker, could be added to the benchmark Nifty50 index this month. Samsung Galaxy Note 9 to be launched this week: After a series of leaked images and weeks of rumours about the upcoming Galaxy Note 9's features, Samsung will finally launch its flagship phone on 9 August. The phone is touted to have a 3.5-mm headphone jack, and is expected to come with a 4,000mAh battery and 512 GB data storage capacity, along with Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 and Exynos 9810 chipsets. Tech firms' reaction to govt's move to localise cloud storage data: A panel working on the governments cloud computing policy wants data generated in India to be stored within the country, according to its draft report a proposal that could deal a blow to global technology giants such as Amazon and Microsoft who offer such services. It could not only raise their costs because they will need to ramp up the number and size of data storage centers in India, where power costs remain high, but at least some of those increases are likely to be passed onto customers who include everyone from small start-ups to large Indian corporations. It is yet to be seen how all these stakeholders, including the major tech firms, respond to this move. Kamal Haasan in legal trouble ahead of Vishwaroopam 2 release: The Madras High Court on Friday directed the actor-turned-politician to file his reply by 6 August to a petition filed by Pyramid Saimira, a movie production company. Pyramid Saimira has alleged that Kamal Haasan owed them Rs 7.75 crore. The company says the dues cannot be recovered from the actor if Vishwaroopam 2 is allowed to release. It would not be wrong to say that Muzaffarpur is a microcosm of India today and Brajesh Thakur, who ran a girls-shelter house there and stands accused of raping them, is a symbol of morbid depravity that afflicts the countrys social and political life. On 18 April, 1917, in a rare deposition before the Motihari court after he was arraigned on the charges of defying the governments order, Mahatma Gandhi said, I have disregarded the order served upon me, not for want of respect for lawful authority, but in obedience of the higher law the voice of conscience. With this formulation, Gandhi began his new journey in India which was always guided by the voice of conscience. But before moving to Motihari and Champaran (which formed part of Tirthut division of Bihar) for his first Satyagraha campaign after returning to India, Gandhi was received at Muzaffarpur station by Acharya JB Kriplani who was teaching at the Langat Singh College, now known simply as LS College. The tell-tale signs of Gandhis stay in Muzaffarpur are still visible in the college as some places are marked as legacy of the Mahatma. The entire Tirhut division, of which Muzaffarpur used to be the headquarters, played a critical role in the shaping of Gandhis persona. Take for instance yet another evocative description from him about poor peasants of the region: It should be remembered that no one knew me in Champaran. The peasants were all ignorant. The world outside Champaran was not known to them. And yet they received me as though we had been age-long friends. It is not exaggeration, but the literal truth, today in this meeting with the peasants I was face to face with God, Ahimsa and Truth. In essence, Gandhi found his political and spiritual bearing in this region for his onward political and spiritual journey. Nothing could be as cruel an irony as remembering the Mahatma at a time when the context of Muzaffarpur is maligned beyond imagination. This came close on the heels of celebrations that marked the centenary of Gandhis Champaran Andolan. It would not be wrong to say that Muzaffarpur is a microcosm of India today and Brajesh Thakur, who ran a girls-shelter house there and stands accused of raping them, is a symbol of morbid depravity that afflicts the countrys social and political life. Muzaffarpur is a small yet very old city that is conjoined to a place called Vaishali which has a pride of place in Indian history for running the ancient republic. Its civilisational linkages are quite at odds with its modern evolution which is marked by intense criminality, corruption and extreme perversity. Brajesh Thakur who ran newspapers and many NGOs in the name of the shelter house for girls thrived in this degenerative socio-political milieu. It is next to impossible that people were not aware of his conduct. But, then, many of them might have seen his perversity and criminality as his strength. And in the given political milieu in the Tirhut region, Thakur is not an exception as he has many examples like Anand Mohan Singh, Rama Singh to emulate. In fact, those with criminal background only find more respectability than a professional and seasoned politician. This is perfectly exemplified by the fact that Brajesh Thakur had been seen in the company of all chief ministers of recent times, including Nitish Kumar. He was regarded too close to Lalu Prasad Yadav. And in one instance, he lost the assembly seat by a narrow margin when he contested from Anand Mohan Singhs party. The fact that he was a newspaper publisher entitled him to be a member of the state accreditation committee that is tasked with discriminative powers to grant or not grant state recognition to journalists. It is also unbelievable that none of the journalists were aware of Thakurs true character. In fact, not only politicians but also media, bureaucracy, NGOs and society as a whole were quite indulgent towards a charlatan who camouflaged his criminality with ease and passed it off as social work. People preferred to be deceived by Thakur than be guided by the voice of conscience. Chief minister Nitish Kumar who professes to be guided by Gandhism in his politics is absolutely right when he expressed his shock and shame at the happenings in Muzaffarpur. But shock and shame appear to be quite inadequate in responding to the enormity of what has happened in Muzaffapur. It requires a genuine soul-searching and introspection by leaders like Nitish Kumar as well as the bureaucracy, media, civil society and the judiciary if they are still mindful and in obedience of higher law the voice of conscience, as the Father of the Nation had discovered in his struggle in neighbouring Champaran. Perhaps, the least they could do is arrest the movement towards the precipice to which Muzaffarpur is constantly pushed as it has travelled from Mahatma Gandhi to a dreaded gangster like Munna Shukla. When the accused learnt that the woman was at her relative's house, he went there and shot at her as she opened the door. Her family took her to a hospital. New Delhi: A man allegedly shot at a 24-year-old woman in Delhi's Bharat Nagar area after she broke up with him, police said. The incident took place Friday night, following which the man was arrested, they said. They were in a relationship but the woman ended it. He attacked the victim at her relative's house, police said. The condition of the woman, who is a chartered accountant, is stable. The accused, who works with a jagran mandal, had been harassing the woman, they said. On Sunday, when he learnt that the woman was at her relative's house, he went there, and shot at her as soon as she opened the door, police said. Hearing the gunshots, the victim's relatives rushed to the spot and took her to a hospital, they said. The man was arrested from Shahdara, police said. A fire broke out on Monday at the Priya cinema hall in the Deshapriyo Park area during a late night show on Sunday, fire brigade officials said. Kolkata: A fire broke out on Monday at the Priya cinema hall in the Deshapriyo Park area during a late night show on Sunday, fire brigade officials said. The audience made a hasty exit after the smoke filled the auditorium at around 10:15 pm, shortly before the show was to end, they said. There is no report of any casualty, the officials said, adding that five fire tenders were pressed into service. Four members of the cinema hall's owner's family and a staff were trapped on the roof. They were evacuated by fire brigade personnel, sources said. Fire-fighters gave them oxygen masks as they were been brought down by the stairs, they said. West Bengal fire services minister Sovan Chatterjee and senior fire brigade officials are at the spot. Chatterjee said all those trapped on the roof were evacuated safely. The sources suspected that the fire was caused by a short circuit. The minister said all angles, including the possibility of the fire originating from a ground floor restaurant, would be investigated. Noted Bengali actor Dev also visited the spot. Gujarat government will implement the Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection scheme for the poor to avail free medical treatment said chief minister Vijay Rupani Vadodara: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Sunday said that the state government will implement the Centre's Bharat Ayushman programme which is expected to roll out across the country in August. The Ayushman Bharat- National Health Protection Scheme aims to provide over 10 crore poor families coverage upto 5 lakh rupees per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. Rupani was speaking at Vadodara at a function to distribute 5,000 Mukhyamantri Amrutam cards to beneficiaries. Under the Mukhyamantri Amrutam and Vatsalya Yojana, a state government scheme, people living below the poverty line are provided free medical treatment up to Rs 3 lakh in government as well as several private hospitals. Rupani also asked legislators to launch "Jan Seva Yagna" (service oriented camps) to provide free medical aid to members of Dalit and poor communities. Deputy chief Minister Nitin Patel, speaking at the function, said that 64.06 lakh families, comprising 3.24 crore people, were covered under the Mukhyamantri Amrutam and Vatsalya Yojana. He said that, as part of the scheme, medical assistance of Rs 1,700 crore had been provided 12.10 lakh people in the state. This included 72,000 people in Vadodara district, Patel added. Speaking about the Ayushman Bharat programme, Patel said that the state's latest Socio-Economic and Caste Census data would be considered to arrive at its beneficiaries. Gujarat Speaker Rajendra Trivedi also spoke at the function which was organised by one of his local fan clubs. The District Reserve Guard (DRG) of the Chhattisgarh Police has eliminated 15 Maoists at Miltkatong village in Sukma district on Monday morning. In a major anti-Naxal operation, the District Reserve Guard (DRG) of the Chhattisgarh Police has eliminated 15 Maoists at Miltkatong village in Sukma district on Monday morning. The sudden and unexpected encounter happened at a time when Naxals in the Bastar region are putting up banners and posters appealing to tribal youth to join them. According to police sources, in the encounter on Monday, 15 Maoists who belonged to the Jan Militia platoon were killed and four have been apprehended, including a woman member. Of the three male Jan Militia members apprehended, one Madkami Deva is an area committee member and carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh. The police have recovered 16 country-made weapons and four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the encounter spot. This operation, which began in the early hours on Monday and lasted for about two hours, was conducted exclusively by the DRG of Sukma district. In an interview, special director general (Anti-Naxal Operations), Chhattisgarh, DM Awasthi had told Firstpost that Maoists have been pushed to their core areas like south Sukma, as half of the Sukma district borders Telangana. Sukma continues to be a stronghold of Maoists and in their core areas, Maoists run a state within a state known as Janatana Sarkar (peoples council). Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh on several occasions has appealed to Maoists to give up arms and join the mainstream, or else face action. Since 2016, the state government has adopted an offensive strategy to combat the Naxals. Operation Monsoon In an operation named loosely as Operation Monsoon, a team of 80 DRG jawans began a combing operation on 4 August, after getting local intelligence inputs about the movement of a Jan Militia platoon between Konta and Golapalli tribal villages in Sukma. The encounter began at 6.15 am on Monday at Miltkatong, 20 kilometres north-west of Konta, and after an exchange of fire for about two hours, the DRG neutralised 15 Maoists. Police sources said that there were about 45 to 50 ultras in the platoon. The Chhattisgarh Police considers this encounter as a big success of the DRG, which is a force created within the state police by recruiting local tribal youth as jawans. The operation was conducted exclusively by the DRG and is a big success. As jawans in the DRG are local youth, they are well-acquainted with the hilly jungle terrain of Bastar. During the monsoon, this terrain becomes quite tough for security forces, as rivers, canals and nullahs get flooded and operations come to a halt. In this case, we got a window of four days, as there was no rain and based on inputs, the operation was conducted, inspector general of police, Bastar range, Vivekananda told Firstpost. The area between Konta and Golapalli is considered as a tough terrain. According to Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) official sources, a troop belonging to 217 battalion of CRPF was rushed for reinforcement and corridor protection. Weapons recovered The superintendent of police, Sukma district, Abhishek Meena confirmed the elimination of 15 Maoists during the encounter and the recovery of 16 country-made weapons. According to police sources, the Jan Militia platoon of the Maoist cadre uses 12-bore rifles and country-made guns. The Jan Militia cadre usually dont possess sophisticated weapons, unlike the members of the Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) of CPI (Maoist), the source said. Jan Militias These are the supporters and sympathisers of Maoists living in villages, and often remain unidentified. The members of Jan Militias act as eyes and ears for Maoist cadres and are responsible for gathering intelligence, monitoring movements of security force personnel, spreading of LWE ideology, indoctrination of tribal villagers, especially youths and striking when the need arises. They are often considered as the backbone of CPI (Maoist). Jan Militia cadre is considered as the backbone of the Maoists. The Maoist cadre conducts big ambushes and attacks with the help of Jan Militia. In this encounter, DRG has apprehended a woman member of Jan Militia, who got shot in her leg and has been sent for treatment, the IG added. Recruitment drive of Maoists The governments two-pronged strategydevelopment offensive and aggressive action by security forceshas forced the ultra-Left cadres on the backfoot. The choking of funds has added to their woes. According to the police, there has been a decline in the membership in the Maoist cadre, which has become a matter of concern for the ultras. The Naxal cadre had recently put up banners and posters in the villages of Kanker district, appealing to tribal youth to join the cadre. Every year during the Martyrs Week observed by the CPI (Maoist) between 28 July and 3 August, the Maoists, besides damaging public properties and blocking public transport, also go on a recruitment drive. This is in addition to PLGA Week (2 to 8 December), when Maoists conduct a recruitment drive. Every year, during Martyrs Week, Maoists undertake a recruitment drive. This time too, they had put up posters and banners in the villages of Kanker district, including at Pakhanjur, superintendent of police, Kanker district, KL Dhruv told Firstpost. According to DM Awasthi, security forces recovered bodies of 208 Maoists in more than 500 encounters between August 2016 and July 2018. A report by the Niti Aayog states, India is suffering from the worst water crisis in its history and millions of lives and livelihoods are under threat. This past week, I, like many parents across the country, was revising history with my son for his test, which happened to be about the kingdom of Mesopotamia. More than 5,000 years ago, the kingdom came into being on the lower reaches of the Euphrates river. The river carried and placed rich silt deposits there, which allowed farmers to grow more than what they could consume. They then sold their surplus produce for stuff, sowing the seeds for growth, innovation, and finally, civilisation. The link between water and society goes back all the way to the dawn of human civilisation. But alas, the Mesopotamian kingdom died, my sons textbook says, because the river Euphrates changed course and they ran out of the water. Soon, the desert sands swallowed them up. Civilisation, it appears, cannot exist without plentiful and readily available water. The opening line of the Executive Summary of the Niti Aayog Composite Water Management Index states, India is suffering from the worst water crisis in its history and millions of lives and livelihoods are under threat. While we will, in the course of this mini-series, delve into the report and what it does, the impact of climate and what we can do; we first need to understand what brought us here. To this place, where farmers lose income and yield because of the lack of water, and millions of urban Indians live in a Day Zero of sorts planning their lives and homes as they try to squeeze out the last drop of utility out of the water. Ancient India Indians rightly point out they have had a rich history of managing water. While India has three major sources of water the rain, the ice and snow in the mountains, and the groundwater rain in India has never been an everyday occurrence. As the World Bank puts it: India has a highly seasonal pattern of rainfall, with 50 percent of precipitation falling in just 15 days and 90 percent of river flows occurring in just four months. This means water management has been, more than in other places, central to the functioning of Indian civilisations. Our ancestors have learned to eke out the water that was given by the monsoons over the remaining dry months in the year. The exposed brickwork of the surviving sites of the Indus Valley Civilisation acts as a mute witness to their expertise, as do the tanks, the step wells and the Kallanai or Grant Anicut that the Cholas built around 1800 years ago. Underlying the water management of ancient India was the belief that water was a communal, and might I add, a non-free resource to be managed by the community for the wellbeing of all. Chanakya clearly states that water belongs to the kingdom, and users had to pay a water rate or tax to use water from irrigation systems. Moreover, by charging a higher proportion of the crop as a tax when using mechanical or civil means (as opposed to manually), such a water tax or price was progressive. Many of the water management structures, like the system of tanks or eris in Tamil Nadu, were social in nature, depending on strong community rights married with strong community responsibilities, with the king or the ruler enforcing rules. Groundwater remained out of reach, so communities had to design their infrastructure and water use around the naturally occurring patterns of rain. This lead to storage systems like the Johad that captured seasonal rainfall and stored it in underground aquifers. Forests too formed an essential part of ancient Indias water infrastructure. Water, forest and community interdependence worked in hand in hand and allowed multiple civilisations to flourish in India. What happened to break this equilibrium? Disruption#1: Philosophy Many of the seeds of the current crisis were sown during the British colonisation of India. Let us start with the philosophical disruption first. The British replaced dispersed, decentralised water management with a more centralised, authority-driven one with maintenance falling to the Public Works Department, or the PWD. Importantly, such a change meant that people gave up the responsibility of managing canals and the rights to the water they provided, and instead saw water as a dole given by the powers that be then the British, now the elected officials, or the bureaucracy. Keep this point in mind, it will become important later. Also, this usurping of responsibility by the PWD was not necessarily a positive thing: The fascinating report of Dr AJ Voelcker, a chemist who was tasked by the British government to tour India and suggest agricultural improvements, states that, even in the 1890s, farmers from Madurai complained of the delay in getting their tanks repaired by the PWD! The second important philosophical legacy of the British was the Common law principle under which a landowner owned all water resources held under his land. This set the stage for the groundwater revolution that came decades later. Disruption#2: Topography The British altered, in no uncertain terms, the topography of India. While we can further divide this alteration into two parts deforestation and grand water infrastructure building both of which have a common underlying philosophy. Depending on your own inclinations (and where you fall in the right/left spectrum), you could call this large-scale modification of a nation as either (a) precipitate action that emanated from an incomplete understanding of the ecosystem services provided by forests and riverine systems or (b) overwhelming hubris of a conqueror subjugating Nature to serve the will of Man. Let us tackle deforestation first. Indian forests provided the building blocks of the Indian railway to cart resources from the hinterland to the ports, and thence to export and add to the might of the British empire. Clearing forests gave coal and timber so important in the British scheme of things as well as created new lands (with new revenue). Entire forests were cleared to provide deodar, sal, and teak to build sleepers for the Indian railway, and for firewood. The real tragedy was that in older, richer, mixed forests, the commercially exploitable species accounted for less than 10 percent of the crop, and vast tracts of forest and forest produce were wasted. In Punjab alone, the hill forests that peppered the Chenab and Ravi valleys were nearly exhausted, causing the creation of reserved forests not just for the sake of the environment, but to more sustainably serve the needs of the railways. But by reserving forest, the British again broke the link between the forest (or natural infrastructure) and the community. Many tribes considered the forest as their home. At that time, their lifestyle was consonant with the active functioning of the forests, and tribal groups saw the reserves as an intolerable intrusion into their way of life. This often led to uprisings, and the creation of a reserve was the final grievance that led to the Bhumkal rebellion of 1910. Deforestation damaged water collecting infrastructure like the Johads, which silted up when the tree roots that held soil in place were removed. Also, forests were the origin of many peninsular rivers and supplemented the flow of larger rivers in the Indo-Gangetic plain. Thus, the clearing of forests set the stage for water shortages. The Government knew about the link between trees and water, even trees and climate, especially rainfall. As Dr Voelcker writes, Previous to 1870, Ootacamund and its neighbourhood were nearly bare of trees, so much so that a photograph taken about that time has no resemblance whatever to the now thickly-wooded Station, The returns show that, taking first the rainfall for the months of March, April, and May (when the rains are purely local), there were, during the five years 1870-4, 121 rainy days in all, while in the same months of the five years 1886-90 (by which time the" Station had become fully wooded) there were no less than 147 rainy days. Not only did the number of rainy days go up when there were more trees, so did the quantum of rainfall. Also, the increase of rainfall for these months during the period 1886-90 has been about three inches a year, a not inconsiderable difference, though, from an agricultural point of view, the distribution of rain over a greater number of days is more important than a mere increase of rainfall. But the then-Government did not heed the words of its own expert. More forests were cleared for the two World Wars with 2,28,076 tonnes of timber (apart from railway sleepers) being supplied in 1917-18. The second way in which the British altered the topography was in large-scale canal building. Some, like the system of canals built in erstwhile Punjab (now in Pakistan), was wonderfully successful in improving crop productivity in previously dry districts. In other cases, interventions did not pay sufficient heed to local conditions and left the farmers (especially in terms of soil quality) worse off. To blame the British alone would be unhelpful in crafting future solutions, because it gives an incomplete picture of what brought us to the sorry mess. Because both deforestation and canal building were carried forward with gusto post-Independence. Forests were felled to make way and feed industries, and to create space for grazing and crops as populations rose. In an increasingly land-scarce India, forest lands were the lowest hanging fruit for development or re-allotment. Early India was also fascinated with giant engineering programmes, especially with the temples of modern India the dams. These, however, did not work as they were supposed to for many reasons, including delays in construction and corruption. The topographical changes made India more vulnerable to what, in my mind, was the biggest disruptor of all: technology. Disruption#3: Technology The discovery of Penicillin, the importance of sterile technique in operations and in infancy, and the widespread adoption of vaccines caused Indias population to rise. India added nearly 10 million people a year to its population between 1951 and 1971 (See above). With the Bengal famine not erased from the memory of the decision makers, the powers-that-be decided India needed to stock grain to guard against famine. But why was wheat chosen as the grain of choice as opposed to say millets which many of the farmers in drier regions of the country were used to? Was it because of the PL (Public Law) 480 programme of the US, which made wheat so readily available? Or was it a colonial hangover, where Punjab had become the breadbasket of the Empire? In any case, the grain came as wheat from the United States, as part of the PL 480 programme in the United States a scheme by which America would sell its grain to friendly developing countries and allow them to pay for it in their own currencies. Called Food for Peace, it was a programme that married international diplomacy with a great sales programme for Americas surplus grain. But this cosy agreement went sour in 1965/66, after the India-Pakistan war and when India dared to criticise the US actions in Vietnam. India had just gone through two droughts and needed the grain desperately. The US, however, played hardball demanding payment in US dollars, tightening supply windows, and asking for other concessions in lieu of wheat. India literally lived ship to mouth. Finally, Indira Gandhi, the then-Prime Minister of India, had to plead for the grain to be released. Indian agriculture had been dozing, lulled to slumber by soothing imports of American wheat. But the 1966 experience set the stage for the Green Revolution, which improved crop yields by using improved seeds, manufactured fertilisers, and a regular application of water to irrigate the fields. Higher yields were impossible without regular and predictable watering. Indias poorly designed, poorly maintained canal systems that often failed to follow good practices (like ensuring tail-end farmers got water first), looked far better on paper than from the point of view of the smallest farmer. The loss of forests and the poor maintenance of tanks made tank-based irrigation systems less attractive. So, farmers turned to the tube well. The tube well appeared as the saviour to the individual farmer ready to give water at a flip of a switch (if you were lucky enough to get a connection). Groundwater appeared to be a vast, seemingly inexhaustible resource of water, just waiting to be tapped. The sheer convenience, and the cost-benefit logic made groundwater irrigation the leading source of irrigation in Indian agriculture. Disruption#4: Politics The technology of the tube well was helped by the politicians, who discovered a new political lever. Many states, such as Uttar Pradesh, provided a direct subsidy for borewell pumps, while many others provided free electricity to run the pumps. Politicians have discovered that giving free water by providing free electricity to run pump sets (while also being lax in collecting irrigation charges) was a wonderful electoral gambit. Farmers, long conditioned to expect water as a dole, complied and voted those who gave the biggest benefits to power. Water, available so cheaply, was wasted, and the state electricity boards made thousands of crores in losses as a direct result of this. And groundwater, our insurance against drought, was being frittered away. This is important, as the experiences of Punjab and Tamil Nadu show, the genie of free electricity cant be put back (easily at least) into the lamp, even when the groundwater is running out. Finally, the government role in influencing the crop choice of an individual farmer has deep implications on the countrys water resources. In the 19th century, most farmers practised multi-cropping, but that changed when the Empire needed wheat for its daily bread, and cotton for the mills that were sprouting up. The monocropping practise continued even after India became independent. Crop choice became narrower after the 1966 Food crisis, which led to the formation of the Food Corporation of India which was tasked to buy two crops rice and wheat at remunerative prices. Now, put yourself in the shoes of a Punjab farmer when you have patient handholding by the Punjab university in the best strains to grow and the best practises to follow for wheat and rice, ready procurement of the same at good prices, free electricity to run the pumps why go for multi-cropping and try to save water and care about soil quality (when you get subsidised fertiliser as well)? Moving to the present Why should we care? Because the history provides a useful lens through which to view the suggestions for solving our present water crisis. An area of concern is the worldview: Indians have been conditioned for over a century to see water as an entitlement not something for them to manage and have rights and responsibilities for, but as something that will be doled out by rulers. Another thing history teaches us is that if we want to move to a more water safe future, we will need to shift our equilibrium which means moving multiple pieces at once forests, water management, crop procurement, electricity pricing and so on. To any politician, changing any one of these things looks like political suicide. Indian voters need to understand that unless we vote for unpopular measures, like pricing electricity and setting aside inviolate land (from any special interest tribal or industrial) for forests, our water future is unlikely to be secure. The Niti Aayog report also highlights the dire water situation in Indian cities. Accordingly, next time, we will focus on the history of water in our cities. The writer is the founder of the Sundaram Climate Institute, cleantech angel investor and author of The Climate Solution - India's Climate Crisis and What We Can Do About It published by Hachette. Follow her work on her website; on Twitter; or write to her at cc@climaction.net The Supreme Court on Monday cancelled the interim protection from arrest given to two clergymen, accused of sexually abusing a married woman, and asked them to surrender by 13 August. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday cancelled the interim protection from arrest given to two clergymen, accused of sexually abusing a married woman, and asked them to surrender by 13 August. A bench of Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said the two priests were at liberty to seek regular bail once they surrendered. The counsel for victim alleged that some videos were uploaded by the accused on the internet and they used the same to blackmail her. The court had earlier asked the state police to file a status report on the probe done so far into the sexual abuse case, involving four priests attached to the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church. On 19 July, the two priests Father Sony Verghese and Father Jaise K George were granted protection from arrest by the apex court till it pronounced a verdict on their anticipatory bail pleas. The clergymen had moved the apex court seeking anticipatory bail in the case after their plea was rejected by the Kerala High Court on 11 July. Four priests attached to the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church were accused of sexually abusing a 34-year-old married woman by using her confessional statement. The court was earlier informed that two of the accused had surrendered, while two were before the court seeking anticipatory bail in the case. The Crime Branch of the Kerala Police had on 2 July registered a case against Father Varghese and three other priests on the basis of a statement given by the woman belonging to the same church who accused them of sexually assaulting her on many occasions. Updated. When a former student now on trial for a shooting in a Parkland, Fla., high school opted out of special education services in November 2016, Broward County Schools began treating him like a general education student and he quit receiving the extensive counseling and support services hed used to navigate school since he was 3 years old. Nikolas Cruz, then 18 and a junior, revoked his consent for special education services, and district officials were forced to comply, despite their knowledge of his history of overlapping developmental, behavioral, and emotional issues, a consultants review of his educational history, released Friday, found. He made that choice in order to remain at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School , rather than being transferred to a special education school, as educators had recommended. Months later, then enrolled at an alternative school to catch up academically, Cruz asked for special education services to be reinstated, the report says, but district officials mishandled his request. In November 2017, Cruzs mother died, removing another layer of support (his father had died when he was a young child). Three months later, on Feb. 14, he entered Stoneman Douglas with an AR-15 rifle, killing 17 people and wounding 17 others. In the aftermath of the tragedy, questions have been raised regarding the districts response to the students repeated disciplinary infractions, the report says. As everyone struggles to understand the reason for this devastating act, many members of the public have asked why, with his history of behavioral problems, this student was allowed to attend regular classes on a traditional school campus. The district commissioned the outside review by Collaborative Educational Network of Tallahassee to examine Cruzs educational history and the policies that were in place during his time as a student. The consultants were not charged with identifying the cause of the gunmans actions. Throughout this time period [Cruzs time in the district], available evidence indicates that, with isolated exceptions, the district adhered to procedural and substantive requirements when implementing this students exceptional education program, the report says. Those exceptions: The district misstated Cruzs options when he decided to opt out of special education services, and it failed to adequately follow up when he asked to have them reinstated, the report says. The district released the heavily redacted document Friday after a court overruled opposition from the suspects attorney, who said it was designed to absolve the district of responsibility and that it would undermine Cruzs right to a fair trial. Citing student privacy laws, the school officials blacked out blocks of text throughout the 46-page document, including around 27 pages of specific information related to Cruz. But the redactions were done improperly, leaving the complete text visible when it is copied and pasted into a fresh document, a mistake first discovered by reporters at the Sun-Sentinel Friday night. Hours later, the district pulled the report from its website. The consultants interviewed administrators and teachers, reviewed records like IEPs, and consulted notes from Cruzs mother to make their findings. Superintendent Robert Runcie previously told the Sun Sentinel that Cruz rejected special education services once he turned 18, his right under state and federal laws, but Fridays report is the first revelation that Cruz later asked to reinstate those services. The consultants analysis was based on the information available to school and district staff at that time, the report says. The appropriateness of their decisions was assessed based on the students then-current status rather than through the lens of hindsight, the report says. That said, the resulting recommendations are informed by this tragedy. They seek to identify ways district policies and procedures can provide more flexibility while maintaining the individual protections required by law, and to ensure necessary social/emotional and behavioral supports are available to address the increasingly complex needs of todays students. Emotional and Behavioral Challenges Broward County Schools offered Cruz extensive supportsincluding in-home family counseling, out-of-classroom tutoring, speech therapy, mentoring, and special behavior plans since his mother first identified concerns with his behavior as a 3-year-old when he was kicked out of a pre-kindergarten program for behaviors like running, kicking, and biting, the report says. Evaluators identified developmental delays, speech impairments and, later, an emotional disability. It must be noted that in particular, [the student] seems to identify as an animal, an evaluator noted when Cruz was 5-years-old. He often crawls on the floor or ground, pounces on another student, makes seemingly animal-like growling sounds and grimaces while holding his hands in a paw-like manner.... With high levels of reinforcement, the behaviors reduced, but his aggressive behaviors appeared to be unpredictable; thus, [positive behaviors] could not be constantly reinforced. With the help of enrollment in special education schools, Cruz made progress, even thriving academically at times, the report states, though periods of progress were often followed by some backtracking. Educators consistently noted problems with impulse control and forming relationships with peers. Educators first noticed an abrupt change in behavior when Cruz was a student at Westglades Middle School, the report says. At that point, he was disciplined repeatedly for verbal disruptions and use of profanity. Later, he was put on escort-only status, which meant an aide was required to escort him throughout the building, including on trips to the restroom. Cruz was later transferred to Cross Creek, a school for special education students that offered special supports. After he began succeeding academically and achieving a 3.14 GPA, educators supported Cruzs desire to transfer to Stoneman Douglas, taking a few classes there at first before attending full-time. In September 2016, a classmate reported that Cruz had spoken to her about depression and suicidal thoughts, and that he said he drank gasoline in an effort to hurt himself and had engaged in cutting behavior, the report says. The district then initiated a threat assessment process to determine what supports Cruz needed. The resulting plan prohibited Cruz from carrying a backpack and included a referral to an outside mental health agency. That agency determined it was not necessary to pursue a court-ordered psychiatric commitment. Stoneman Douglas on-site sheriffs deputy, who was also legally qualified to request such a commitment, chose not to do so. Mother was called this morning and all the incidents were discussed, the report says, quoting a comment on a school form. Student is begging mom to get him a Florida ID so he can buy a gun. Mom thinks it is not a serious matter at all. Educators later recommended transferring Cruz back to Cross Creek. In an emotional meeting, he refused to do so and withdrew his consent for special education services. Recommendations for Broward County Schools The report recommends the district update its policies related to placement in special schools and when students or parents revoke consent for special education services, particularly when those students have special social and emotional needs. Broward County schools released the document late Friday afternoon, saying it had used a multi-disciplinary approach, including [exceptional student education] programming, school counseling/guidance and other related services in an effort to meet the ongoing and evolving needs of this student. The District looks forward to the release of the full report as soon as it is legally appropriate, Runcie said in a statement before the failed redactions were discovered. We accept the recommendations regarding procedural improvements, and are pleased with the overall review, recommendations and findings. We are actively reviewing our policies and procedures, training protocols and data systems in an effort to implement the recommendations in a timely and effective way. A visiting delegation of Left leaders and social activists in Tripura alleged that a 'reign of terror' was let loose by the hoodlums and goons 'sponsored by the ruling BJP' after it came to power in March 2018. Agartala: A visiting delegation of Left leaders and social activists today alleged that a "reign of terror" was let loose by the hoodlums and goons "sponsored by the ruling BJP" after it came to power in March 2018. The BJP-Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) government assumed office on 9 March, ending 25 years rule of Left Front government in the state. Addressing a press conference in Agartala, the leader of the delegation, KK Rages, also a member of Rajya Sabha (CPM), alleged that after the Assembly elections in Tripura the law and order has collapsed in the state and a sense of fear is prevailing. A four-member delegation including Rages, Medha Patkar, a social activist and Rajaram Singh, a CPI-ML politburo member and president of All India Kishan Sabha visited the alleged terror-stricken areas of Tripura for the last three days. "The scenario of Tripura is terrible. The way people were beaten, murdered and physically attacked and assaulted including women by the goons of BJP-IPFT are inhuman and unimaginable," Singh said. He alleged that the ruling party workers were destroying the democracy in the state and they would raise the matter in the Parliament. Singh said, The BJP was using Tripura as "laboratory, where they are experimenting to target opposition, let loose terror, commit murder and dacoity, looting and torture women, minorities, Dalits and poor", Singh said. Patkar expressed concern about the future of the state. "The BJP and RSS workers are spoiling the livelihood of common people in the name of politics. They are murdering democracy in the name of forming development committees in different localities. Entire social and democratic fabric is being destroyed, Patkar said. Lok Sabha paid homage to the victims of atomic bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan called for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Monday paid homage to victims of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which wreaked havoc of unimaginable dimensions in Japan in 1945. As soon as the House met for the day, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said two bombs were dropped on the two Japanese cities 73 years ago which resulted in death of thousands of innocent people, including women and children, and million were injured and crippled for life. "Atom bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August, 1945 respectively, which wreaked havoc of unimaginable dimensions. Today, even after 73 years, the innocent residents of Hiroshima and Nagasaki continue to suffer from the dreadful after effects of nuclear radiations," she said in the obituary references. Mahajan said India has always strived for peace and stability with its long cherished principles of non-violence and spirit of 'ahimsa'. "Let us on this occasion, reaffirm our resolve to strive for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction and to work together for the propagation of peace and brotherhood," she said. The House also stood in silence for some time in memory of victims of the two bombings in Japan. Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge also asked why the government did not bring a law for the SCs and STs to nullify the apex court order New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Monday took up for discussion the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2018, which seeks to overturn a Supreme Court order that struck down the provision for immediate arrest. The amendment bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot last week. "The government had filed a review petition in the Supreme Court with regard to its order to strike down the original provisions of The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Following the court decision, many SC/ST organisations called for a 'Bharat Bandh', leading to unfortunate incidents. The court decision says that to arrest an accused, the approval of the Senior Superintendent of Police concerned will be required. But this is not possible because in most parts of the country there are no SSPs," Gehlot said while speaking on the bill in the Lok Sabha. He pointed out that in his native state Madhya Pradesh, SSPs are posted only in Gwalior, Bhopal and Indore. He also urged the members to support the bill. Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said that it took three to four months for the Modi government to bring the bill in the house, and also questioned why it didn't bring an ordinance on the matter for so long. "If the government could bring six ordinances on various other issues to favour a corporate, it also could have brought the 7th ordinance on this matter. But, unfortunately, the government could not bring an ordinance to protect the rights of millions (over 25 percent of the population) of such persons in the country," said Kharge. "Why didn't the government bring a law for the SCs and STs soon to nullify the Supreme Court order and correct it?" he asked. The Act prohibits the commission of offences against members of the weaker sections and establishes special courts for trial of such offences and rehabilitation of victims. On 20 March, the Supreme Court ruled that to arrest persons accused of committing an offence under the SC/ST Act, approval of the SSP concerned will be required before an arrest is made. Further, the DSP may conduct a preliminary enquiry to find out whether a prima facie case is made out under the Act. The bill states that the Investigating Officer will not require the approval of any authority for the arrest of the accused. Further, it provides that a preliminary enquiry will not be required for the registration of a First Information Report against those accused under the Act. The bill also says that persons accused of committing an offence under the proposed Act cannot apply for anticipatory bail. The bill seeks to clarify that this provision will apply despite any judgments or orders of a court that provide otherwise. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday called the Muzaffarpur incident 'condemnable' and said that the Central Bureau of Investigation is doing an inquiry in the case. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday called the Muzaffarpur incident "condemnable" and said that the Central Bureau of Investigation is conducting an inquiry into the case. He added that the state government acted on information received from TISS but had no knowledge prior to that. The case was handed over to the CBI to avoid any confusion, the chief minister said. Nitish further said that if someone at a minister-level is found to be involved, they will be punished. Referring to reports of Bihar minister Manju Verma's husband being accused of regularly visiting the shelter home, Nitish said that Verma has denied any involvement. However, if someone related to the minister is found guilty, they won't be spared too, he said in response to Opposition demand for Verma's resignation. Nitish also asked if it's justified to level baseless allegations. "No one who had committed a crime will be spared," he said. Putting the blame on the long-standing "flaw in the system" of such shelter homes being run by NGOs in the entire country, Kumar announced his decision to phase out this practice in Bihar and said the state government would take over administration of all such centres over a period of time. He said Verma can be asked "to go" only if she is found to have facilitated any wrongdoing and not because of some "noises" a stance that found support from his deputy and BJP leader Sushil Modi. Taking a dig at people raising questions, he asked who knew about the Muzaffarpur incident before their investigation. In an apparent reference to the Opposition protest, the chief minister said that the protest was held to scuttle the debate on corruption. He added that the political leaders protesting against the incident are not concerned about the girls but, only want to change the debate. Kumar also took potshots at his former party colleague Sharad Yadav and other Opposition leaders for attending a protest in the national capital on the issue, organised by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, saying it was amusing to see people having spoken unkindly of women holding candle lights at an event organised by a person facing corruption charges. #BREAKING -- I don't feel that the politicians who are protesting are concerned about the girls who have been sexually assaulted in Muzaffarpur, they just want to change the debate: @NitishKumar on #BiharHomesOfHorror pic.twitter.com/SB6uBFNbQZ News18 (@CNNnews18) August 6, 2018 Earlier also, Nitish had said that "no leniency will be shown towards" the guilty. "We are ashamed of the incident which has taken place in Muzaffarpur. CBI is investigating the case and the high court should monitor it," he had said. Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha has been marred with protests over the Muzaffarpur shelter home case. Two MPs from Bihar on Monday staged protests in the Lok Sabha demanding justice for victims of the Muzaffarpur case, claiming evidence of the crime was destroyed. As soon as the House took up the day's proceedings, Congress member Ranjeet Ranjan and RJD's Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav came to the Well protesting against the alleged sexual exploitation of young girls at the shelter home in Bihar's Muzaffarpur. The two MPs alleged that before the case was handed over to the CBI by the Bihar government, evidence was destroyed and said they wanted to raise the issue. There has been uproar in the Lower House of Parliament with the Congress demanding Union minister Rajnath Singh's response. With inputs from PTI Follow LIVE updates on Monsoon Session of Parliament Sushil Kumar Modi responded to queries from journalists about demands having been made by some senior leaders of BJP for the resignation of Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma Patna: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi asserted that there was no need for the resignation of Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma or any other minister in the aftermath of the Muzaffarpur shelter home scandal on Monday "just because some people are giving statements". Modi was responding to queries from journalists about demands having been made by some senior leaders of his party for the resignation of Verma, who belongs to the Janata Dal United or JD(U). The senior BJP leader made the remark immediately after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's "Lok Samvad" programme. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, Kumar said that if Verma is found involved or if anything is found against her in connection with the shelter home sex scandal, she may be asked "to go". Verma is in the eye of the storm after the name of her husband cropped up in the case of sexual abuse of minor girls at the shelter home in Muzaffarpur. "Making an allegation is different from guilt being proven in an investigation. Some people had even levelled allegations against a minister from our party," Modi said in an obvious reference to Urban Development Minister Suresh Sharma, who is also the Muzaffarpur MLA. "No BJP leader authorised to give a statement that may be deemed the party's official line has made such a demand. State president Nityanand Rai has not made such a demand. So it would be wrong to construe personal opinions of some leaders as being the party's opinion," Modi said. Sunday, Rajya Sabha MP and former Union Minister CP Thakur had said that Verma, whose department is under the scanner in the shelter home scandal, should resign taking moral responsibility for the sexual abuse of more than 30 girls. The Tata Institute of Social Sciences pointed at the sexual exploitation and abuse at six short-stay homes and 14 shelters and brought to notice the sexual abuse in the Muzaffarpur shelter home. A shelter home in Bihar's Muzaffarpur is at the centre of an alleged sex scandal where the victims are minor inmates and the one of the abusers is the owner of the non-government organisation (NGO) operating it. The alleged sexual exploitation in the facility was first highlighted in a social audit report submitted by Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), to Bihar's social welfare department in April. In view of the report, an FIR was lodged on 31 May against 11 persons, including Brajesh Thakur, the owner of the NGO 'Seva Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti' which ran the shelter home for destitute girls funded by the government. What did the TISS report say? The Bihar government had told TISS to conduct an audit of the government-funded shelter homes in August 2017. The TISS report, which pointed at the sexual exploitation and abuse at six short-stay homes and 14 shelters, brought to notice the sexual abuse in the Muzaffarpur shelter home. According to The Times of India, the audit report said that the home was found to be running in a "highly questionable manner" and several of its residents had reported "grave instances of violence". It also demanded further investigation and legal action into the allegations. After the probe was launched, medical examinations of 34 of the 42 inmates of the shelter home confirmed they were sexually exploited. India Today reported that TISS found almost all 110 government-funded institutions running in violation of the several schemes and the Juvenile Justice Act. The audit found that the girls at Muzaffarpur shelter home were locked up in their wards and had no access to open space. The only time they were allowed to go outside their wards was to take their meals. There were no vocational training and recreation means provided to the girls. The report also pointed at abuse in boys' homes including those in Motihari Bhagalpur, Munger, and Gaya. The 100-page report is yet to be made public. What action has been taken so far? Ten out of the 11 accused, including Thakur, were arrested on 3 June, and the police submitted the chargesheet against the 10 accused on July 26 before Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Muzaffarpur. The social welfare department also blacklisted Thakur's NGO. On 26 July, the government recommended a CBI inquiry into the matter. On 3 August, the Supreme Court restrained the electronic media from showing, even in morphed form, images of the alleged victims of assault at the Muzaffarpur shelter home. It said that it was a cause for serious concern that the victims were interviewed a number of times and observed that they cannot be compelled to "relive the trauma" again and again. The Bihar social justice department, which drew flak for delayed action in the matter, has suspended 14 officials so far. The suspended officials include seven assistant directors of Child Protection Units, six district child protection officers and superintendent of a remand home for juvenile prisoners. Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma is in the eye of the storm after her husband's name cropped up in the case. On Sunday, Rajya Sabha MP and former Union minister CP Thakur demanded that Verma should resign taking moral responsibility for the incident. Amid the Opposition's demand for the Verma's resignation, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Monday that if Verma is found involved or if anything is found against her in connection with the scandal, she may be asked "to go". However, Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi said that no minister should resign "just because some people are giving statements". With inputs from PTI Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Sunday could not conduct the aerial survey to assess the flood and landslides-hit areas in Nagaland where 10 people have been killed and lakhs affected due to inclement weather. Dimapur (Nagaland): Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Sunday could not conduct the aerial survey to assess the flood and landslides-hit areas in Nagaland where 10 people have been killed and lakhs affected due to inclement weather. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and central and state government officials boarded an Mi17 Indian Air Force helicopter from Dimapur airport to assess the damages in Kiphire district bordering Myanmar and Nagaland state capital Kohima. They were also to inspect the Doyang hydro-electric project in Wokha developed by North Eastern Electric Power Corp Limited to see the rise of water level which has been affecting downstream including Assam's Golaghat district. However, a few minutes after taking off, the entourage returned to Dimapur airport as it could not land in Kohima due to bad weather condition. "The aerial survey was called off as the helicopter could not land in Kohima due to bad weather but the chief minister along with the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority has briefed the Union minister of the disaster," Chief Secretary Temjem Toy told IANS. Toy said the Union minister was shown visual and photographic presentation of the massive damages across Nagaland caused due to erratic nature of rainfall and the situational report of the most severely hit districts. Promising Chief Minister Rio all possible help from the home and defence ministries, Rijiju said that an internal ministerial team would be sent to Nagaland within a week to prepare a correct projection of the financial requirement. "Very soon we will send the team to Nagaland and once they submit the report, relief would be released immediately," Rijiju said. Expressing concern that basic commodities must reach the far flung areas, Rijiju said that Indian Air Force would be kept on standby to aid the state. He was visibly surprised to learn about the magnitude of devastation in Nagaland's capital Kohima. "This is one of the worst natural disasters Nagaland has witnessed. Ten people have died and lakhs have been affected. My government is making all efforts to reach out to every affected family," Rio told IANS over phone. He said that he had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking immediate help to tackle the crisis. "We have briefed Rijiju and showed him photographs of the landslides and affected people. We are hopeful that the central government will extend all its help to the state," the chief minister said. Rio also requested the minister of state to grant ex-gratia to the 10 who died. He said the ruling People's Democratic Alliance members have decided to contribute one month's salary and all party workers will give voluntary donations to manage the immediate requirements. The chief minister also sought voluntary contributions from all government servants. Its hardly surprising that any discussion on Assams so-called citizen verification process quickly degenerates into an argument about Bangladeshi Muslims in particular. Meet Prasen Raptan, 42, who lives in Sindhanur in Karnatakas Raichur district. His father Abinash Raptan had fled to India from Muslim persecutors in Bangladesh during the 1971 war. He was among the thousands India accepted as refugees and housed in camps in several states including Karnataka. The son went on to get a doctorate and win an Outstanding Young Indian award. Not all refugees from former East Pakistan or their childrenthere are some 20,000 in Karnatakaare as lucky as Prasen, but they at least have a country they call their own. And now meet Nurul Islam. The 55-year-old schoolteacher in Assam doesnt find his name on the National Register of Citizens (NRC), though his father had been on the voters' list in 1966 and 1970. How can I be a Bangladeshi when I was born and raised in Barpeta? Islam asks. He has been paying taxes and has all possible documents to support his citizenship. Islams wife and two teenage children are also off the NRC. What do the two examples show, on the face of it? India wants Hindus but not Muslims from Bangladesh. If a Hindu came here to escape Muslim tormentors in Bangladesh he is welcome. If a Muslim came here to find a job, he is a foreigner, even if he stayed long enough to produce children and grandchildren here. National Register of Chaos And, of course, its not Muslims like Islam alone who find themselves excluded from NRC, which has turned out to be a National Register of Chaos. Reports suggest that at least a quarter of the 40 lakh people whose names dont figure on the register and who face some action or the other are Hindus because they havent been able to prove that they rightfully lived in India before the cut-off date of 25 March 1971. But thats no problemfor the Hindus, that is. The government has in the pipeline the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, that will take care of such Hindus. Before a joint House Committee now, the Bill seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan after six years of staying in India instead of the statutory 12 years without the necessary documents. Without a doubt, the Bill is a blatantly partisan move, a brazen violation of the fundamental principles of a modern civilisation and the tenets of a fair democracy that India claims to be or must strive to be. No amount of analysis of the NRC is meaningful unless its seen together with this disgraceful piece of proposed law. Together, the NRC and the bill point to the only thing: the headcount in Assam is the beginning of a process that is aimed at weeding out Muslims while keeping Hindus back. Its hardly surprising that any discussion on Assams so-called citizen verification process quickly degenerates into an argument about Bangladeshi Muslims in particular, but not about all migrants. And the social media is filled with poisonous gibberish about Muslim migrants jeopardising national security. It takes the most depraved kind of creative imagination to even suspect that lakhs of Muslims crossed the border into Assam with the sole intention of exploding bombs and killing Indians. If thats the case, Indias border with Bangladesh must be as porous as a spaghetti sieve that allows people to walk in as they please, and that only reflects a complete collapse of the machinery that is expected to guard the nations boundaries. Madness in other states In the aftermath of the shambolic NRC farce, repugnant voices against Bangladeshi immigrants are being heard in many states with renewed viciousness. Meghalaya and Nagaland are taking precautions against the entry of non-NRC migrants from Assam. Bigoted theories about an entire lot of Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators being part of nefarious crimes including terrorism floated even earlier, are now being circulated with an even more perverted sense of righteousness. The most startling example is that of a BJP leader in Kerala who has demanded the deportation of Bangladeshis from Kerala which has some 30 lakh migrant workers who arrived from Assam and other northeastern states. There have been indeed a handful of cases of migrants being involved in crimes in Kerala but banding all of them, especially the Bangladeshis, as born criminals is a ridiculous proposition that threatens peace, the livelihood of millions of workers and a substantial part of the states economy that depends on them. What the BJP in Kerala and elsewhere must know is that criminals or terrorists have the resources to lay their hands on all the documents they need, usually fake, to legalise their stay in India, but its the poor man eking out a hand-to-mouth living who suffers, because he either never thought of proving his bona fides or has no means to do it. Its nobodys case that a country must roll a red carpet to invite illegal immigrants with open arms. Indeed, the number of people who moved into Assam from Bangladesh was large enough to spark what some consider to be the largest mass movement in India after Mahatma Gandhis Quit India agitation against the British. The Assam Agitation lasted from 1979 to 1985 after the influx of foreigners turned upside down the states economic, ethnic and political equilibrium. But the agitators never distinguished between Hindus and Muslims among the migrants. Indiras vote-bank politics Congress under Indira Gandhi was unwilling to act because she saw migrants as potential vote-banks. And the Left, with its own fake communist ideology and a depraved sense of justice, was noncommittal. The Assam Accord of 1985 that then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi reached with the agitators meant that the foreigners who moved in on or after 25 March, 1971 would be expelled. But he lacked the courage to implement it. And forced by the Supreme Court, the BJP, with governments at the Centre and in Assam, is going through the NRC process but is not covering itself with any glory, guided by its own visions of vote-bank politics. The tragedy now centres around two things: the timing of the NRC process and the unmistakable bias in it. Deciding in 1985 to deport Bangladeshis who entered India after 1971 was probably practical at that time. But after allowing thembe they Hindus or Muslimsto stay on for so long, and now branding them as foreigners by sticking to the same cut-off date is a travesty of natural justice that has few parallels in the world. And what makes this inhumane exercise even more unacceptable is the targeting of Muslim migrants with the help of a Bill that seems to be a cheap tit-for-tat against Bangladesh kicking Hindus out in the past. Your Muslims, our Hindus? The proportion of Hindus in Bangladesh dwindled from 28 percent in 1941 to 13 percent in 1974 and then to about nine now. Clearly, most, if not all, of them found homes in Assam and West Bengal. Its not surprising that barring Lakshadweep and Jammu and Kashmir, Assam has Indias highest proportion of Muslims at 34.22 percent followed by West Bengal with 27.01 against the national average of 14.3, according to 2011 census. Muslim-majority districts in Assam went up from six in 2001 to nine in 2011. All this can in no way legitimise a retaliatory action to throw out Muslim migrants from Indianot after so long in any case. Modern democracies arent driven by eye-for-eye policies. Throwing out large numbers of people out of their homes, jobs and the country they have come to regard as their own isnt the same thing as kicking out a few diplomats for whatever reason. There may be some merit to the argument that a migrant persecuted for religious reasonslike the Bangladeshi Hindu forced into Indiadeserves more sympathy than a Muslim who illegally crossed the border for a job. But 47 years after he found that job? That would be a silly joke if it wasnt so tragic. The author tweets @sprasadindia This might be a moment to pause, re-examine the way we have been thinking about this and articulating it to see it beyond a policy problem and solution. At the outset let me state that I am an "outsider to Assam, and my engagement with the place over the past five years is through my films What the Fields Remember on the Nellie massacre and Shadow Lines, which maps the vexed question of citizenship in Assam since the Partition (in-production). As a filmmaker, I have been interested in looking at what happens to peoples individual histories, memories and lived experience in the face of a complex socio-political situation that exists in Assam. Where is the space for accounting for the individual violence and trauma that different ethnic, linguistic and religious groups have been through? How do these individual and collective narratives become legible in the face of a complex place that does not provide any easy answers or reading? A lot has been written already around the National Register of Citizens (NRC), a citizenship mapping exercise in Assam that has been going on for the past three years, but has its roots that go way back to 1985, or perhaps even earlier to colonialism and the Partition of Assam. I am not going to get into the history of the NRC, which is linked to the anti-foreigner agitation led by the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and the terms of the Assam Accord that was signed between the AASU and the Rajiv Gandhi government to bring peace, (and granted amnesty to perpetrators of violence during the period, including those who were responsible for the Nellie massacre), that has in many ways produced this moment. That is for another time. My own critique of the NRC, apart from an ethical one of the very idea of the nation-state itself, comes from a place of distrust of bureaucratic exercises and the way in which class and power have always historically favoured those who can work with it, or around it. We do not know yet what the final figures of those who will be rendered Stateless will be, but currently, the figure of four million being left out of the list shouldnt really come as a surprise to anyone. So I would ask those who have been rooting for free and fair NRC, and see it as a way of settling the long-standing citizenship question how did they imagine it happening, where the dynamics of class, language and ethnicity was never going to be off the table? It has been said that those whose names have been left can submit the 'Claims and Objection' form, so that "genuine" Indian citizens whose names might be off the list, can be included. Anybody in India who has tried to access the bureaucracy has her own version of a Frankensteins tale to tell. The further down you are on the class ladder, the lesser your chances of accessing the system. How do the votaries of free and fair NRC imagine those who are poor (irrespective of the community they come from) and have possibly submitted all the identity documents that prove their citizenship, but do not find their names on the list, taking this forward? What new documents can they further furnish to prove that they are who they say they are? Where do they imagine that those who will finally be rendered Stateless as a result of this exercise go, and the social cost of being branded foreigner that people are already being made to pay. And finally, how do they imagine that the ruling party at the State and the Centre (BJP), whose very ascent to power in Assam and rest of India has been through a divisive politics, not use it to further its political agenda in the current moment? The final figures of those who have been rendered Stateless might perhaps be less. But this might be a moment to pause, re-examine the way we have been thinking about this and articulating it to see it beyond a policy problem and solution. Some of my Assamese friends have been upset with the ahistorical way in which the NRC issue has been covered in the print and social media; of how the outsiders narrative does not take into account the history of colonisation, land distribution among indigenous people and their own struggle to carve out an identity independent of the upper caste Hindu Assamese, the trauma that Partition has produced in some communities in Assam that remains unacknowledged even today, cross-border migration that has led to enormous pressure on limited resources, the role of the Congress in creating this mess, and the easy way in which we, the left-liberal class, see everything only through the lens of a Hindu-Muslim conflict. To most of this critique, I would agree. I think anyone can/should write, think, make films, create art, poetry and academic papers on any place we would like to. To deny a person this desire to engage and create, is a kind of masculine parochialism that we are perhaps better off without. But having said that, those of us who work on Assam need to broaden our myopic gaze and understanding of history. Assam is not Gujarat, Delhi, Punjab, Bengal or even Manipur. Assam has its own specific history of colonisation, migration and redrawing of physical borders that have produced its own violence that different linguistic identities have inflicted on each other, both physical and psychological that continues even today. Merely to see it as a Hindu-Muslim conflict in the current moment, denies the specific history/struggle, including the vehement protest to the amendment to the Citizenship Bill 2016 (which allows for persecuted religious minorities from a certain number of countries, except Muslims, to enter India) that the BJP government tried to sneak in and was resisted by most people/groups in Assam. And online petitions like the one that avaaz.org circulated with the tagline, Stop Deleting Muslims only exacerbates it. Anyone can engage with or have an opinion on any place, but I think its incumbent upon all of us to read, understand, educate ourselves and listen to each other, especially when we disagree and that would perhaps be true for everyone insider or outsider. The phrase Fearless speech requires fearless listening couldnt be more the need of the hour. To return to what I began the piece with individual histories and experiences Moinuddin Ahmed (name changed), lost all his daughters except his oldest one, and close to 50 people in his extended family during the Nellie massacre on 18 February 1983, where more than 2,000 Muslims of Bengali origin were killed. He was born in Assam, studied in Gauhati University in the 1960s and lived in the town of Nellie. In early 2000, he was notified as Doubtful citizen, a term that in Assam has a long history. In 2016, the Foreigners Tribunal declared him an Indian citizen. Farhana Bibi (name changed), lives in Goalpara district. In December 2016, she was picked up in the middle of the night from her house after a long day of work in the field. In her own words, I was tired, but my husband insisted that we eat. I didnt want to but he kept insisting. Perhaps Allah knew what was in store for me. We were watching the film Diljale and each doing our own thing. The police took her away, and she spent the next 8 months 20 days in the Kokhrajhar jail, which also acts as a Detention Centre for women. When being gently prodded upon her memories of her time in the jail/detention centre, she seems to hold no anger towards any individual in particular (or so it seemed to me). She remembers the detention centre in broken down everyday routine, the camaraderie she built with her fellow Doubtful voter detainees (Hindus and Muslims), and equally the jailers as well. She was able to get out as it finally surfaced that the police had picked up the wrong Farhana Bibi, a case of mistaken identity. The Farhana Bibi I spoke to, says the only thing that haunts her is the image of the other woman entering the Kokhrajhar jail/detention centre, as she was leaving. She says she haunts her dreams very often. Sanjukta Das (name changed), lives at Rowmari village in Kamrup rural district, drives a vehicle for a living. She has a 10 year-old-son and recently lost her husband to cancer. Her name and her sons names do not feature in the National Register of Citizens list that was announced on 30 July, 2018 to determine the status of Indian citizenship for those who live in Assam. Her parents names, on the other hand, figure in the list. Sanjukta says she had submitted all the best documents that she had that would maker her count as a citizen. She is not sure what further proof she can furnish, in the next month or so. Moinuddin Ahmed, Farhana Bibi and Sajukta Das are all people I spoke to with while making my film What the Fields Remember and during research for my forthcoming film Shadow Lines, which attempts to trace the citizenship question in Assam in the context of the NRC. How do we account for what they have been through (and still going through), and their individual trauma? Where do we go from here? I do not know. And perhaps it might be hubris on my part to say this, but I do not think anybody does neither those rooting for the NRC or those against it, and definitely not the Indian State. Which brings me to my final point of this piece. How does one find a language of engagement with each other, especially when we disagree, that goes beyond name-calling and self-righteousness? How can our politics encompass empathy without losing critical perspective? While it is important to keep in mind what the history of colonialism in Assam and what it has created, how do we not get trapped by it and break the cycle of violence? How do we keep reminding ourselves that potentially millions of people can become Stateless, and no matter which side (or sides) of the ideologically divide we come from, their lives will change forever in some fashion or the other. Perhaps, how we use language with each other, in how we think, write, create might be a good place to start. In rethinking in how we perform our politics through language, whether in writing, film or art, we might begin to accord the humanity to those around us, even if we disagree with them. Maybe then we could move beyond terms like insider, outsider, genocide, that have been bandied about so easily by so many in the past few months. Language, like everything else, has a history but it is not static and can/does change. To reshape and renegotiate it so that it goes beyond finger pointing I believe is critical, not just in Assam but in the rest of India as well, because how we use language whether, in speech, writing or filmmaking isnt just about form, but politics itself. Subasri Krishnan is a filmmaker whose films have dealt with the question of identity documents, the figure of the citizen and nation-state. Her forthcoming film Shadow Lines (in production), is a continuation of these issues in Assam. 'Could I have held an elected post if I was not a citizen of this country? says former ward commissioner Samrat Bhowal, his voice choking with emotion. Editor's Note: Of the 4 million who didn't make it to NRC, 2.48 lakh have been marked as 'D' voters. The Supreme Court has asked Assam government not to take any coercive action on those who are found to be without proper documents as required under recent National Register of Citizens. NRC, a product of Assam Accord, is expected to solve the fear of Bangladeshi immigrants that has been prevalent in the state for quite some time now. The Centre proposed in 1999 an updated NRC in Assam to solve the problem of "illegal immigration" and two pilot projects were conducted in Dhubri and Barpeta districts. But breaking out of a riot in Barpeta grounded the project. In 2005, when All Assam Student Union opposed the prime minister's visit to the state, tripartite talk between AASU, State government, and the Centre resulted in a decision to prepare a model for the NRC process, which was delayed yet again by over 5 years by the state government. It was only when Abhijeet Sharma of Assam Public Works (APW), an NGO, filed a writ petition in 2009 that the SC's direct intervention led to the start of NRC process in 2014. Firstpost will run a series which will feature 30 profiles in 30 days of those residents of Assam who have not been covered under the final draft of NRC which will decide if they continue to live in the state that they call 'home'. *** Bongaigaon: Samrat Bhowal made history when he was elected the youngest ward commissioner in the 2009 municipal polls in Bongaigaon district of Assam. A prominent figure in local politics, Bhowal has since then also established himself as a leader of the Bengali community in the region. But the 36-year-old was in for a rude shock when he found his name missing from the second and final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) released on 30 July. I had not expected to be left out of the list. Im very disappointed. I had submitted all necessary documents required to prove my citizenship. Could I have held an elected post if I was not even a citizen of this country? says Bhowal, his voice choking with emotion. Bhowal had fought on a Congress ticket and won a seat in the municipal polls in 2009 with a record margin. In 2011, he was elected the Youth President of Bodoland Peoples Front in the district. Later, Bhowal decided to take a break from politics and started working towards the welfare of Bengali Hindu residents of the state under the aegis of All Assam Bengali Youth Students Federation, an organisation where he serves as General Secretary. Bhowal says that Bengali-speaking residents of Bongaigaon are a linguistic minority and are often labeled as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh due to their linguistic and cultural similarities to people from the neighbouring country. According to Deputy Commissioner of Bongaigaon, Babulal Sharma, 78 percent people from the district have been included in the final draft of the NRC. This includes Bhowals wife Shubhra. The 33-year-old is the daughter of Mohit Ranjan Sarbabaidya, owner of the oldest fair price shop in Bongaigaon, which was allotted by the then Assam government in 1966. Shubhra says, I dont know how this happened. My name was there in the first list of NRC but it is not there in the final draft. Bhowal says that his familys fight for citizenship status has been a long-drawn one. Bhowals father, Sridam, who was born in Dhaka in 1944 moved to Assam as an eight-year-old in 1952 soon after Indias independence, and was included in the voter list in 1961. But the transition was not smooth, says Bhowal, adding that both his parents fought cases in the Foreigners Tribunal to prove their status as Indian citizens. My mother was suspected to be an illegal immigrant in 2003, while the same charges cropped up against my father in 2008. My mother was certified as an Indian national in 2004 and father in 2013 from the Foreigners Tribunal court, he says. Bhowal says that the voter list in many districts of Assam has not been updated, so people do not have voter identity cards to show as proof to get their names into the NRC. We had gone to the election office last year to procure the election certificate from 1961 to show that my father was a voter. But we were given the list from 1971 as the deputy commissioner told us that data had been damaged and was being restored. How can the government initiate the process of NRC without having the complete record of voter lists in Assam? he asks. Bhowal may have suffered a setback but it has only made his intent to fight for peoples rights stronger. He is now helping others like him whose names have not appeared in the NRC. Im fighting for genuine citizens of India to be recognised. There are people who were orphaned at a very young age and dont have identity proofs. There are some retired employees of Indian railways in this area who have lost their documents in accidents and thus could not make it to the list. Im helping them collect documents to establish their identity, Bhowal says. Read previous parts of the series Of no fixed abode: Assam NRC turns Jorhat's oldest bookstore owner into a 'foreigner' overnight Of no fixed abode: Off NRC after living in Assam for 100 years, teacher's family says govt harassing genuine citizens Of no fixed abode: Named in first NRC, missing in final draft, former MLA claims he was left out 'intentionally' Of no fixed abode: Silchar woman now 'officially' a citizen, but earlier detention over misspelt name continues to haunt her (Syeda Ambia Zahan is a Guwahati-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters) Turkey, Russia, Germany and France, four countries with strong economies and military capabilities, are coming together to seek solutions for crises in the region, particularly Syria and Iraq. Two countries currently in the region, the United States and Iran, have, however, been left out. As Daily Sabah writes in an article "Turkey, Russia, Germany, France take major initiative to solve regional crises", a summit focusing on Syria and the wider region will be held in Istanbul on Sept. 7 with the participation of the most senior representatives from Turkey, Russia, France and Germany. Considering the key role these countries play thanks to their economic and military power, experts argue that this step is significant and it signals a joint initiative to create a new framework for regional issues regarding security, economy and defense. "The summit will be a turning point, and it will shape diplomatic talks for the upcoming period as a road map for concrete steps will be discussed in the summit," said Talha Kose, an academic from Ibn Haldun University. The summit was first announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on July 28 in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he attended the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit. Erdogan underlined that the four countries will take up a wide-ranging set of issues, including Iraq. "By attending the summit, countries that have strong economic and military power might be sending the message that they can sit together as regional powers to resolve some issues," said Hakk Uygur, the deputy chair of the Center for Iranian Studies in Ankara, adding that this is the first time the four powers will hold such a meeting. In relation to the summit, the absence of the U.S. in talks regarding significant issues draws attention. Commenting on the issue, experts pointed to recent conflicts stemming from the U.S. administration. They highlighted that Germany and France have been objecting to arbitrary steps taken by the U.S. and added that Russia and Turkey also do not welcome these steps. Kose underlined, "These four countries might attempt to set a framework for issues of security, defense and economy that is different than that of the U.S." He said: "Recently, the [Donald] Trump administration has been having some problems with its relations with the European Union. There is a decrease in U.S. support of EU security compared to the stance of previous presidents. Thus, discussions concerning security will be the most significant part of the summit." Referring to recent U.S. steps to impose sanctions on countries and using a threatening voice, Kemal Inat, an academic from Sakarya University, said that the Istanbul summit might enable talks to discuss ways of maintaining international stability in the face of current problems. He added, "Even though France and Germany are disturbed by the U.S.' arbitrary steps, it is difficult to estimate to wh at extent they are in favor of an alternative political system that questions the leadership of Washington." Inat stressed that Germany and France tend to be patient "until Trump leaves." Yet, their participation in a summit where the U.S. is absent shows that they will act more independently of Washington, Inat added. Turkey previously had some problems with the four countries expected to join the summit. Now that relations are normalizing, European countries are directly engaging with Turkey, seeking common ground on various issues, Kose said. He also highlighted that given its current stance toward the EU and its Brexit process, it is difficult to expect the participation of the U.K. in the Istanbul summit. He stressed that the country has long been struggling to manage the Brexit process. While the Syrian crisis will be on the table during the summit, Iran, which has been highly involving in the crisis, will not be attending the summit as well. The underlying reason of this could be that some countries in the region have described polices followed by Iran as "sectarian and divisive." New period ahead in Syrian crisis to be discussed Recent developments in the Syrian civil war and the current situation of the refugees are expected to top the agenda at the summit. "As we enter a new period in the Syrian crisis where diplomatic talks will prevail more, the Istanbul summit will be significant. Germany and France can be the countries that can contribute the most to return refugees to their homes and rebuilding Syria will be high on the agenda," Inat said. He underlined, "It is not difficult to estimate that Germany and France will be the most eager countries to resolve the refugee crisis given the deep fissures this crisis created in European politics." Turkey has been substantially affected by the Syrian crisis that erupted in 2011 as it shares a 911-kilometer border with the war-torn country. Turkey has been hosting over 3.5 million refugees, providing all kinds of support to alleviate the suffering of people who fled a civil war. In the Istanbul summit, the refugee deal between the EU and Turkey is likely to be discussed. Turkey and the EU signed an agreement on March 18, 2016 to stem the inflow of refugees to Europe, which is considered unbearable by the EU. Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe since the beginning of the civil war in Syria. With the agreement, irregular arrivals decreased by around 99 percent, thus preventing the loss of many lives at sea. The deal included a 6-billion-euro aid package to help Turkey care for millions of refugees hosted in the country, and the EU promised to initially allocate 3 billion euros in its first tranche to support Syrian refugees. The deal was also to provide visa-free travel for Turkish citizens to the Schengen area; however, this has yet to be implemented as relations between Turkey and the EU have been strained and await resolution. Turkey also has been involved in efforts to reach a political solution to the crisis. It is a guarantor country along with Russia and Iran in the Astana process, which has been deemed as more successful when compared to the U.N. brokered Geneva talks. The trilateral Astana talks on Syria complement the U.N.-brokered talks in Geneva as both have focused on bringing an end to the civil war in Syria. Leaders and officials from Turkey, Russia and Iran have held a series of summits in Sochi, Russia to bring together the conflicting parties in Syria, including the moderate opposition and the Syrian regime, excluding groups listed as terrorists by the three countries. Meanwhile, a meeting between Turkish, Russian and Iranian leaders on Syria will be held in Tehran. Sanctions on Iran not welcomed by four countries In relation to the U.S.' decision to impose sanctions on Iran, experts stated that the four countries attending the summit oppose the decision and might discuss the issue in Istanbul. "European countries, Turkey and Russia have observed that the U.S. scratching the issue of Iran's nuclear program, which was actually resolved justly, has been causing the country to pursue more radical policies. They are in favor of continuing the deal with Iran as they believe that not only the region but the world would face great turmoil if Iran descends into chaos," Inat said and added that to prevent stoking tensions, the countries might be coming together to urge the U.S. to step back from its decision. On May 8, President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of a 2015 nuclear pact with Iran reached by his predecessor Barack Obama and other world powers, the U.K., France, China, Russia and Germany and ordered tough U.S. sanctions on Tehran. The decision has drawn criticism worldwide. U.S. Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing Marshall Billingslea was in Turkey on Friday to participate in negotiations with Turkish authorities and hold meetings with Turkish companies that have been operating in Iran for years. As Billingslea put it, he was in Turkey "to educate Turkish companies" on behalf of the American administration. "We definitely are encouraging companies to wind down their businesses. That's why we gave them 180 days. It is up to the individual companies to make their business decisions. We are not in a situation where we try to dictate to Turkish companies what to do," he had told Daily Sabah in an interview. In relation to the U.S.' decision, Erdogan stated ahead of his visit to South Africa on July 25 that Turkey is against severing economic ties with Iran. Turkey is not obliged to go along with sanctions imposed by the U.S. or Britain against Iran, according to the Turkish foreign minister on July 24. "As Germany and France are disturbed by the sanction decision on Iran, they might discuss what can be done if they decide not to implement the decision. In this case, Turkey would play a significant role as it is a neighboring country of Iran," Uygur said. Indian politicians raising questions about the Assam NRC can learn a thing or two from the rest of the world on addressing illegal immigration. Illegal immigration of Bangladeshis is back on India's national agenda, courtesy the final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam. Opposition parties are either criticising the list or adding riders to question the implementation of the move, which is aimed at identifying illegal immigrants in Assam and deporting them back to their country. The implementation of the NRC is in its initial stages, and being such a mammoth exercise, there are bound to be a few glitches. However, these glitches have been turned into a bogey to raise questions about the basic concept of identifying and deporting illegal immigrants largely Bangladeshis from India. In the wake of this controversy, it would be interesting to see how the rest of the world is tackling the issue of illegal immigrants. On this subject, author Thomas Nail almost prophetically writes in his authoritative work The Figure of the Migrant: "The 21st Century will be the century of the migrant. At the turn of the century, there were more regional and international migrants than ever before in recorded history. Today, there are over 1 billion migrants." Sharp decline in non-EU citizens in member states A large number of countries are grappling with this issue, which is not a regional concern anymore but has become a global challenge. The European Union has been at the forefront of addressing the issue of illegal migrants. According to a recent report by Eurostat, an official agency of the European Union (EU), "In 2017, almost 6,20,000 non-EU citizens were found to be illegally present in the EU; this was down by 37 percent compared with one year before and by 71 percent when compared with the unprecedented levels of 2015." One of the key reasons for this dramatic fall in the number of illegal immigrants is the national policies to check immigration that EU nations adopted separately. The Eurostat report further mentions, "Following the receipt of an order to leave the territory of an EU member state, some 2,13,500 non-EU citizens were returned to another country in 2017: the vast majority of these (1,88,900) were returned to non-member countries." "The number of non-EU citizens who were refused entry into the EU stood at 4,39,500 in 2017; this was the highest figure recorded since 2009." This indicates that EU nations are tackling the problem of illegal immigration with clear focus and producing productive results. The flow of irregular migrants entering the EU had reached unprecedented levels in 2015, peaking at 2.2 million people found to be living in member states illegally. But within two years, the figure has fallen sharply to 6,18,780. "These declines reflect not only a reduction in the number of irregular migrants following the exceptional migration flows of recent years, but also changes in national policies among the EU member states in reaction to these events, which may have impacted how checks on illegally present non-EU citizens were performed/enforced," the Eurostat report says. The number of non-EU citizens who were issued with orders to leave fell for five consecutive years between 2008 and 2013, but then rose in successive years to reach a relative high of 5,33,400 in 2015. The two most recent reference periods for which data is available revealed that the number of non-EU citizens who were issued with an order to leave the Union fell and then rose again, hitting 5,16,100 in 2017. If we look at individual countries in little more detail, Greece and Germany witnessed a marked spike in the the number of illegally present non-EU citizens in 2015. This figure peaked in Greece that year, at 9,11,470, but then dropped rapidly to 2,04,820 in 2016 and again to 68,110 in 2017. In contrast, the number of non-EU citizens identified in Germany rose to a high of 3,76,435 in 2015, remained near unchanged in 2016 at 3,70,555, and fell by more than half to 1,56,710 in 2017. In France and the United Kingdom, the number of non-EU citizens found to be illegally living there rose in 2014 and 2015 and fell in 2016 as these countries had made cracking down on illegal immigration a high priority. Glaring difference in India In stark contrast, if one looks at the trends in India, there has been an increase of nearly 8 million illegal immigrants from Bangladesh between 2004 and 2016, according to government's own admission. The government of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance had mentioned in a reply to a question in Parliament that there were 12 million illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India at the time. Till December 31, 2001, around 5 million lived in Assam alone, while West Bengal topped the list with 5.7 million, according to the then Minister of State for Home Affairs, Sriprakash Jaiswal. In 2016, incumbent Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party-led led National Democratic Alliance, told the Rajya Sabha, "As per available inputs, there are around 20 million illegal Bangladeshi migrants in India." In his book, Nail wrote that the percentage of the total number of migrants who are "non-status or undocumented" was rising, which "poses a serious challenge to democracy and political representation". It is clear that there is a global consensus on how to deal with this matter, with many countries quelling the flow of illegal migrants successfully. The key to this has been a national consensus on tough immigration laws and strong processes of identifying and deporting illegal migrants. As a result, several countries have been able to trim the number of illegal immigrants significantly. The Indian political class raising questions about the NRC can probably learn a thing or two from the rest of the world. The author is the CEO of the Indraprastha Vishwa Samvad Kendra and author of Know About RSS. The views expressed are personal Parliament passed a bill on Monday to provide constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) New Delhi: Parliament passed a bill on Monday to provide constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), as several members in the Rajya Sabha urged the government to make public the findings of the caste census and implement reservation accordingly. The demand was raised during a debate on the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill 2017 in the Upper House, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on 2 August superseding the amendments earlier carried out by the Rajya Sabha. Monday, the Upper House adopted the legislation along with the amendments made by the Lok Sabha, by 156 votes to nil. Over two-third majority of those present voted in favour of the bill, which is a necessity for amending the Constitution. The Rajya Sabha had earlier passed the measure on 31 July 2018, along with an amendment and sent it to the Lower House. The Lok Sabha had passed the bill last week with alternate amendments as well as some more changes unanimously with over two-third majority. Replying to the debate on the bill, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot said it would help the backward classes people fight atrocities against them and ensure quick justice to them. "This bill would provide justice to the OBC people, it is the need of the hour," Gehlot said. Referring to the suggestions by the opposition parties, he said the NCBC would have female representation. He also assured that it would also not encroach upon the rights of state governments as they would have their own backward class commissions. "This commission has no relation with the state governments but is related to the Centre only," he said. He said the state governments had their own lists of castes of OBC people, while the Centre had its own. The NCBC would recommend only to the central government regarding inclusion or deletion of a particular caste in the list. "This is an important issue. There was demand for a constitutional status to OBC Commission from the 1980s and Parliament had held discussions several times. It has been discussed by the Standing Committee," Gehlot said and urged the members to pass it expeditiously. He said once the bill is passed by Parliament, the government would immediately form the commission. Participating in the discussion on the constitutional amedment bill and the National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill 2017, Bhupender Yadav (BJP) urged political parties to shun "vote politics" and support these measures. He charged the Congress of sabotaging the issue earlier and said it had chance to rectify its mistake by ensuring passage of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha. "Last time the Bill fell in Rajya Sabha...UPA in its two terms failed to bring this amendment... OBC is a religion-neutral term and the Bill failed last time because politics defeated social justice," Yadav said. He said the Bill is long overdue and lamented that many states have not implemented 27 percent reservation to the OBCs and added that parties should "rise above vote bank politics and work towards social justice". Chaya Verma (Congress) sought reservation in Parliament and Assemblies for OBCs said 'creamy layer' should be removed. She asked the goverment how it will implement the quota when it was encouraging contractual jobs. Narendra Jadhav demanded that the findings of the socio-economic caste census be made public. He said the Rohini Commission report and the census data should be compared to prepare fresh data of OBCs. Ram Kumar Kashyap of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) said two panel members must be taken from extreme backward classes and there should be a bill for reservation in legislature for the OBCs. Ashok Sidharth (BSP) allged that the motive behind the government to bring the Bill now was to woo the electorate in the ensuing assembly elections. Manoj Kumar Jha of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) expressed hope that this will create a level-playing field, while B Prakash (TRS) said no serious efforts have been made for caste-based census. TK Rangarajan (CPM) said mere Acts will not do as they did not percolate down to the grassroot level, as recent data showed that only seven out of 100 teachers in the Central Universities belonged to SC/ST and OBC categories. BK Hariprasad (Congress) said although the government has made provision for a female member, it has left out representation for minorities. Observing that the Supreme Court has mandated that the qualification of the Chairperson, Vice Chairman and Members and prescribed that a former or sitting judge of the Supreme Court or high court should be the Chairman of the commission. "But unfortunatley, there are hardly any OBC or SC judges in the Supreme Court. There may be some in the High Courts," he said, adding there was a huge disparity in this matter. Sambhaji Chhatrapati demanded that Marathas be included in the OBC list to get equal opportunity in jobs. "It is not clear that why Marathas have been excluded in one or the other commission," he said, adding they were identified as backward class by the British rulers also. Ram Gopal Yadav of Samajwadi Party (SP) also supported the bill and said the government should come out with the caste-based census and implement the reservations accordingly. He demanded that the reservation should also be extended to the judiciary. While A Navaneethakrishnan (AIDMK) supported the bill and sought removal of 'creamy layer' from the OBC list, Ahamed Hassan (AITC) said the bill unduly interfered with the affairs of the state governments. Vijila Sathyananth (AIADMK) suggested that there should be one woman member and one member from minorities on board of the commission. She also pitched for representation from each region of the country and drew attention towards skewed representation of OBCs in various committees, commissions, boards and other different fora of government. Ram Chandra Prasad Singh (BJP) supported the bill and demanded for another such bill for highly backward classes, while Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena) said "we have to eliminate caste to strengthen country's political system." TKS Elangovan said (DMK) suggested that the word Governor should be replaced by government for consultation by the commission because government knows better about backward classes in a state than an executive appointed. He also said that the power to list out OBCs should lie with the states. Ramdas Athawale of Republican Party of India (RPI-A) sought that the total quota for backward classed should be increased from 50 percent at present to 75 percent. Ripun Bora (Congress) also suggested that there should be representation of women and minorities in the commission, while D Raja (CPI) was of the view that there is no point of having commissions whose recommendations are not biding on the government. He said "NITI Aayog is promoting public private partnership and privatisation of public sector undertakings. Where is the scope of reservation? The commission should not be devised to hoodwink people". Madhusudan Mistry of Indian National Congress (INC) said the commission should not suffer shortage of funds, while Ritabrata Banerjee (IND) was of the view that this bill interfered with the freedom of the state. Biswajit Daimary (BPF) also supported the bill. A temple priest was arrested for allegedly threatening to plant a bomb at St Thomas College where President Ram Nath Kovind is scheduled to attend a function on 7 August. Thrissur: A temple priest was arrested for allegedly threatening to plant a bomb at St Thomas College here where President Ram Nath Kovind is scheduled to attend a function on 7 August, police said on Monday. At around 1 am on Sunday night, the man, who was in an inebriated state, called up the police control room here and threatened to plant a bomb at the college where the president would inaugurate the centenary celebrations tomorrow, they added. Thrissur District Police chief Yatish Chandra said the accused, Jayaraman, was picked up after his mobile phone was tracked down. During interrogation, he admitted to have made the call in an inebriated state. He is a priest at the Chirakal Bhagavathy temple in Thrissur. A case was registered against him for criminal intimidation, the police said. The president, who was on a three-day visit to Kerala, arrived in the state capital yesterday. Kovind would be inaugurating a function at the Assembly complex in Thiruvananthapuram to mark the conclusion of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Monday. On 7 August, the president would also have breakfast with the chief justice and judges of the Kerala High Court at Kochi. He would offer prayers at the famed Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple before returning to Delhi on 8 August. Pravin Togadia Monday demanded scrapping of minority status to Muslims in the country besides making two-child norm mandatory Patna: The firebrand Hindutva leader Pravin Togadia Monday demanded scrapping of minority status to Muslims in the country besides making two-child norm mandatory. He was here on a two-day programme of his newly floated organisation "Antarashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP)". "The government should make two-child norm a mandatory provision by bringing a legislation in this regard," the former Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader told reporters. Asserting that minority status tag to muslims should be scrapped, Togadia said that "religious minority status is given to the community whose population is around 2-4 percent but muslims constitute 14-15 percent of the country's total population...How can they with such a huge population be given minority status." Talking about his recently launched outfit's charter of demands, Togadia said that the government should bring law on Kashi, Mathura, Ayodhya, civil code and cow protection. Togadia said that he has planned to get 20 crore signatures to press for the implementation of his charter of demands in favour of Hindus. The former VHP leader was critical of both central government and the BJP for not constructing Ram temple at Ayodhya and termed it as "betrayal" with the people with whom they had promised to construct the temple. "When they (BJP, RSS) were not in power, they used to talk of enacting a law for construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya but when they came to power, these people are now talking that the matter would be resolved through court verdict... The matter was in court even then when LK Advani began his rath yatra," he said. In reply to a query, he said that "Modi ji will have to construct Ram temple. It is not a matter of one's liking or willingness, he (Narendra Modi) will have to construct it." Announcing that his outfit will open a "Hindu Kendra" in one lakh villages within six months, Togadia said that 2000 such kendras have already been opened across the country. "These Kendras would work to strengthen Hindu community by giving needy persons food, medicines,employment opportunities," he added. Togadia said that he would take out yatra from Lucknow to Ayodhya on Vijayadashmi in October to press for his demand for construction of Ram temple through legislation. Asked about the relations with Pakistan if Imran Khan becomes Prime Minister, he said "We have no expectation from Pakistan then what can we expect from Imran Khan. Our army must be ready (for any eventuality)." He said there is an "undeclared emergency" in the country, adding that democracy will be in perils if journalism comes under threat. On incident of sexual abuse at shelter home in Muzaffarpur in Bihar, Togadia said that there should be "zero tolerance" vis-a-vis crimes against women especially rape cases as they should be tried in fast track court. Togadia was accompanied by cancer specialist Dr JK Singh, who is his outfit's state unit chief in Bihar. A militant was arrested and eight grenades recovered from him in Jammu as police foiled a major terror plot to trigger blasts in the winter capital, days ahead of the Independence Day. Jammu: A militant was arrested and eight grenades recovered from him in Jammu as police foiled a major terror plot to trigger blasts in the winter capital, days ahead of the Independence Day. Acting on intelligence inputs, police intercepted a bus in Gandhi Nagar area late on Sunday night and arrested a youth from Kashmir who was carrying eight hand grenades, a police officer said. The militant was identified as Arfan Wani, a resident of Awantipora in Pulwama district of south Kashmir. Eight live hand grenades and Rs 60,000 in cash were recovered from his possession, the officer said. Police and other security agencies are alert in the wake of intelligence inputs that the Kashmiri militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen plan to carry out terror strikes in Jammu and New Delhi on the occasion of Independence Day on 15 August. In view of the arrest, a high alert has been sounded in Jammu. The militant is being put through sustained interrogation to ascertain about the plans and his contacts in the city and its outskirts, police said. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday that reservations and quotas will not guarantee employment for many, because the number of jobs is declining. Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter on Monday and responded to Union minister Nitin Gadkari's statements about the ongoing Maratha agitation for reservation and similar demands by other communities in Maharashtra. Taking from Gadkari's statement to reporters in Aurangabad, Gandhi started a national trend on Twitter by asking #WhereAreThe Jobs. Excellent question Gadkari Ji. Every Indian is asking the same question.#WhereAreTheJobs?https://t.co/2wfhDxuA10 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 6, 2018 Gadkari said on Saturday that reservations and quotas will not guarantee employment for many. "Let us assume the reservation is given. But there are no jobs. Because in banks, the jobs have shrunk because of IT. The government recruitment is frozen. Where are the jobs?" he asked. He added that there is a "school of thought" that wants policymakers to consider the poorest of poor in every community. Gandhi tweeted a report from NDTV and added #WhereAreTheJobs in his tweet, sparking a national trend on the social media site. Congress members, as well as party supporters, started tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP in their tweets, repeatedly asking the same question. Modi's promise of generating 2 crore jobs in the country is the prime focus of the tweets. Adding that "backwardness is becoming a political interest", Gadkari also said that "Everyone says I am backward. In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Brahmins are strong. They dominate politics. (And) They say they are backward. "So one school of thought is that a poor is a poor, he has no caste, creed or language. Whatever may be the religion or caste, in all communities there is one section which has no clothes to wear, no food to eat. One school of thought also is (that) we must consider the poorest of the poor section in every community," he said. This is a "socio-economic thinking" and it must not be politicised, the Union minister said. My request is, we should stop politics over caste, religion and language. Poverty and hunger don't see caste or community. He also urged agitators to maintain peace, stating that the Devendra Fadnavis-led government is working to resolve the Maratha reservation demand. Gadkari said that the talks are being held with relevant parties. With the latest case of Justice KM Joseph, a new ground seems to be ready for the judiciary and executive to make new assertions of their powers with regard to judges' appointments. The ongoing tussle between the judiciary and executive over judicial appointments has taken several turns in the past few weeks. When the government returned the Supreme Court Collegium's recommendation of Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice KM Joseph for reconsideration, it was an indication of the ensuing clash between the government and judiciary. While the matter is still under debate on whether the Centre's decision to return Justice Joseph's name amounts to "unacceptable intervention" by the executive, the government's message was clear it was in no mood to cede ground. This the Centre indicated by raising the issue of nepotism in judicial appointments. Earlier this year, it had pointed out that at least 11 of the 33 names the Allahabad High Court Collegium had recommended for elevations in February were advocates with links to sitting and retired judges. However, after the collegium reiterated Justice Joseph's name for elevation to the Supreme Court and the Centre consented to his appointment, it seemed that an amicable solution could be on the anvil. But now, the new row triggered by the Centre indicates that the fight is far from over. The government notification released on Saturday, which confirmed the appointment of three high court judges to the top court, placed Justice Joseph's name in the third spot below justices Indira Banerjee and Vineet Saran. Every intervention by the Centre has been touted as an attack on the independence of the judiciary. However, the working of the collegium itself has attracted severe criticism from various quarters, and the issue of nepotism in judges' appointments has critically dented the image of the higher judiciary. On these concerns, Senior Advocate Rajeev Dhawan said nepotism was a reality in judicial appointments, and the way to address the problem was to add more rigour to the selection process. "There is nepotism in judicial appointments. Many worthless people have entered high courts and the Supreme Court," he said. "The only answer to such nepotism is a rigorous process at both collegiums (high courts and Supreme Court). Referring to the 2013 case of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where the collegium's recommendation of eight advocates for elevation had attracted strong criticism for promoting nepotism, Dhavan said: "In the Punjab and Haryana High Court case, there was an uproar, and lawyers and others protested. Collegiums should not be blind to such criticism. Maybe when there is a balanced National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) unlike the last one, then more rigour can be added to this process." However, he pointed out that "after the KM Joseph affair, one is very suspicious about any veto the government exercises". "In Justice Joseph's case, they claimed seniority as the reason for returning his name. That is why the government notification places his name below those of two judges, though he has been elevated," Dhavan explained. "In other cases, they bring in this relative issue. Ideally, relatives should not practice in the same court. But the norm is that they do not practice in front of their relatives. Therefore, one needs to know the real reason behind any recommended name being blocked. We have to see whether the judge in the collegium actually sponsored his relative and favoured counsels of his ilk." The senior advocate added: "A blanket reason can never be a reason for veto. Like in other professions, there are second and third generations of professionals even in the legal sector. Barring people from entering a profession simply because family members are in the same profession is a policy that will not pass the muster. However, individual nepotism has to be rigorously examined." While the government's initial decision to not elevate Justice Joseph was considered an attempt to subvert the judiciary, the fact remains that in the past, multiple such attempts have been made not just by the government but by the judiciary itself in some cases. Responding on both these points, Dhavan said: "The appointments to the Supreme Court has been whimsical in many cases, even when the judges have seniority. At times, the appointments were made when the seniority principal did not apply and were made simply because of the whims of the collegium." "We cannot keep hopping back to the bad practices of the Congress. That is not justification to appoint judges the Union of India likes. A glaring example is of the non-appointment of GP Singh of the Madhya Pradesh High Court (in the eighties) to the Supreme Court as he had refused to be part of the government's attempt to appoint committed judges. It is not a question of which regime has done what in the past; I am fed up of these comparisons. The question is: what should happen now, and how do we move on?" The collegium has exposed severe flaws, made apparent in "wrong" appointments, and government intervention is not desirable in any way. So what is the way out of this deadlock? "On judicial appointments, the Union government has a hold on the Supreme Court in exercising its veto," Dhavan said. "The statement of Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad that he is not just a postman is shocking. We need to ask him what he believes his role is. I think if they know anything (more on the judges), they should pass on the information to the collegium. That's it." The senior advocate stressed that there was undoubtedly a "need for a much more open discussion", but not one like the American confirmation procedure. "The loudest organised voice cannot be given the most credence," he said. Not ignoring the multiple errors collegiums have made in making good appointments, Dhavan pointed out that at the sesquicentennial celebrations of the Allahabad High Court, former Chief Justice of India JS Khehar had said that when he became a judge, his legal knowledge was only service law. "I had asked then, and I ask now: how did he got appointed then?" In 2015, the Supreme Court had struck down the NJAC Bill, which was meant to replace the collegium. Dhavan said: "Right now, we have to understand that the new NJAC will require constitutional and statutory change. For the moment, we have to deal with the collegiums. That process should become more rigorous, and this government should stay in its hand. However, I am not waiting for the new NJAC to deliver soon, as it involves a long political process including a constitutional amendment to a Bill." Lack of wider deliberations and transparency has been one of the biggest criticisms of the working of the collegium system, and Dhavan cites a perfect case to drive home the point. "I was once told by a Supreme Court judge that he often heard about judicial appointments through newspapers. When I went to the then chief justice and asked why he doesn't consult all judges, he said there was no need to do so after judgments," he said. "One way to strengthen the procedure and (get more) inputs could be for the collegium to consult the whole court (before making recommendations and appointments). A number of Supreme Court judges met Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra on Monday as they are "anguished" by Justice Joseph's seniority being lowered. Misra has decided to consult the attorney general on the matter. Now, as the ground is ready for the judiciary and executive to make new assertions of their respective powers, it would be most desirable that a full court is actually convened, and all issues related to the judiciary are taken for a comprehensive debate. As a civil curfew has crippled normal life in Kashmir, the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday said that any attempt to repeal the Article 35-A of the Indian Constitution would tantamount to 'marital rape' and that it will transform the relationship between the Union of India and state of Jammu and Kashmir into 'occupation.' As a civil curfew has crippled normal life in Kashmir, the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday said that any attempt to repeal the Article 35A of the Indian Constitution would tantamount to "marital rape" and that it will transform the relationship between the Union of India and state of Jammu and Kashmir into "occupation." Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the hearing on pleas challenging constitutional validity of Article 35A pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir. Petitions on Article 35A will now be heard in week commencing 27 August, said Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. Senior PDP leader and former public works minister in Mehbooba Mufti-led BJP-PDP government, Naeem Akhter, wrote on Twitter: Repealing it will be like a marital rape. Converting a constitutional relationship into occupation https://t.co/rlyv1yALyf Naeem Akhtar (@shangpal) August 5, 2018 The Kashmir Valley, and for the first time, the Muslim majority region of Chenab Valley and even parts of Jammu region are witnessing protests amid a shutdown call given by Joint Resistance Leadership to protest against any tinkering with Article 35A, which grants special privileges to residents of the state. And in recent years no such call has evoked such a massive response given by Hurriyat leadership on any issue. "I have never witnessed such a strong response to anything related to the Constitution of India in Kashmir in the last 29 years, said Mubeen Shah, the member of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "It is an indication what could be in offing if any tinkering is allowed with this provision. It doesnt matter which institution of the state, be it judiciary or legislative, the whole state will erupt." For the first time in 29 years of conflict in Kashmir, the ski tourist resort of Gulmarg is also observing a complete shutdown. This has never happened before, not even during the peaks of three mass agitations in Kashmir during 2008, 2009 and 2010 that left hundreds dead. Shutdown is in effect in the tourist resorts of Pahalgam and Sonamarg too. "I dont remember the last time when such a response was generated to the strike call given by Hurriyat leadership, not in Gulmarg at least," Ali Mohammad Mir, the president of business association of Tangmarg said. In almost all parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar, shops, educational institutions, business establishments and fuel stations are closed. The public and private transport is off the roads. Even three-wheelers that ply normally during shutdown are off roads. The roads are deserted and only dogs can be seen roaming on the streets. The Muslim regions of Doda, Kishtwar and Baderwah in Chenab Valley are also witnessing complete shutdown and massive protests. "People across the state, including Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Baderwah, Kishtwar, Kargil and Kashmir staged exemplary protest against moves intended at abrogating or tinkering with the hereditary state subject law in the garb of 35A," the Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, said in statement. JRL has called for a two-day strike on Sunday and Monday. To prevent any deterioration in law and order situation, thousands of security personnel have been fanned across Kashmir to deal with the emerging situation. "As Hurriyat leadership and activists stand caged in homes while our offices raided, complete protest strike being observed throughout against the mischief to change the demography of the state and its disputed status through legal challenge to Art 35A," Mirwaiz wrote on Twitter. The Jammu and Kashmir government has filed an application before the Registrar of the Supreme Court, informing that it is going to seek adjournment of the hearing of the petition in view of the "ongoing preparations for the upcoming Panchayat and urban local body and municipal elections in the state". The traders on Sunday took out protest rally in Srinagar in support of Article 35A, and said they oppose any tinkering with the law tooth and nail. They took out a protest rally from Regal Chowk to Hari Singh High Street in Srinagar. Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Kashmir Economic Alliance and Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation president, said had there been mass movements since the beginning to protect the identity of the Kashmiri people Article 370 would have become a shell. "It is the slow dilution of the Article 370 which has made it a shell over these years. Now they want also repeat the same thing with Article 35A," Mir said. "The response to the shutdown is a message that people wont allow any tinkering or dilution of Article 35A," he said. National Conference leader and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah tweeted on Monday: 'Protecting #Article35A is a tacit acceptance that J&Ks future lies within the Constitution of India otherwise how would it matter if it were struck down or diluted?' Protecting #Article35A is a tacit acceptance that J&Ks future lies within the Constitution of India otherwise how would it matter if it were struck down or diluted? Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 6, 2018 After much protests over the hearing of Article 35-A in Supreme Court, the apex court on Monday adjourned the hearing on pleas challenging the Constitutional validity of the law saying 'two-judge bench cannot have a hearing'. As civil curfew crippled Jammu and Kashmir for the second day over repealing Article 35A, the Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the hearing on pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the law saying "two-judge bench cannot have a hearing". Petitions on Article 35A will now be heard in week commencing 27 August, said Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra. A three-judge bench led by CJI Dipak Misra was supposed to hear the petitions, but it later was reported that Justice DY Chandrachud was not going to be on the bench. CJI Misra said, "Article 35A did not come in the Constitution a day ago and a two-judge bench cannot hear it." Misra said that the court will examine whether Article 35A violates basic structure of the Constitution. The attorney general will be heard at length, CJI further added and adjourned the matter for two weeks. The CJI added that Article 35A been in vogue for more than 60 years. "An argument about the strike by lawyers can't now be a ground to speed up the case," he said. #Article35ADebate -- A 2-judge bench can't hear the matter, only a 3-judge bench can consider this case. #Article35A didn't come in the constitution a day ago, we can't hear it in one day. This will have to be argued: Chief Justice of India LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/l0k5Poijli News18 (@CNNnews18) August 6, 2018 CJI said that the Supreme Court will hear the Attorney General of India as Jammu and Kashmir government "may not have much to say". The Jammu and Kashmir counsel has opposed the observation. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta and Rakesh Dwivedi replied, saying that the state has "a lot to say in this matter". "An argument about the strike by lawyers can't now be a ground to speed up the case," CJI said as the Jammu and Kashmir government demanded that matter be adjourned to December. Earlier on Monday, the ASG had appeared for the Jammu and Kashmir government and sought an adjournment of the hearing. Article 35A, which was added to the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir and denies property rights to a native woman who marries a person from outside the state. It also bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state. The main petition demanding to scrap Article 35A was filed before the apex court in 2014 by Delhi-based NGO 'We the Citizens'. Several advisors in official positions have cautioned the Centre about the fiery reaction that might ensue in Kashmir if Article 35A ceases to be a part of the Constitution. Outspoken IAS officer Shah Faesal on Sunday said repealing of Article 35A of the Constitution would end Jammu and Kashmir's relationship with the rest of the country. Several interlocutory petitions have been filed in support of Article 35A by various individuals and civil society groups seeking the continuance of the special status to Jammu and Kashmir. With inputs from PTI The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the plea challenging the validity of the Article 35-A, that gives special rights and privileges to the Jammu and Kashmir natives, on Monday. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the plea challenging the validity of the Article 35-A, that gives special rights and privileges to the Jammu and Kashmir natives, on Monday. A three-judge bench led by CJI Dipak Misra will hear the petitions on Monday, CNN-News 18 said. Article 35A, which was added to the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir and denies property rights to a native woman who marries a person from outside the state. It also bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state. The main petition demanding to scrap Article 35A was filed before the apex court in 2014 by Delhi-based NGO 'We the Citizens'. #TopStory: Supreme Court to hear petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A which empowers J&K state's legislature to define 'permanent residents' of the state and provide special rights to them. pic.twitter.com/MhsgUO9xaV ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2018 On Sunday, an RSS-linked NGO, which has moved the Supreme Court for scrapping Article 35A, said it would seek hearing of its plea by a Constitution bench. There is no need to defer the hearing again We are going to tell the Supreme Court through our counsel on Monday that our petition on Article 35A should be decided by a Constitution bench, Chetan Sharma, convener of the Jammu and Kashmir chapter of the civil society 'We the Citizens', told reporters. Several advisors in official positions have cautioned the Centre about the fiery reaction that might ensue in Kashmir if Article 35A ceases to be a part of the Constitution. Outspoken IAS officer Shah Faesal on Sunday said repealing of Article 35A of the Constitution would end Jammu and Kashmir's relationship with the rest of the country. Meanwhile, the separatist groups who are protesting against any tampering with Article 35A have ended up defending a law that is part of the Constitution of India, something which the Hurriyat leadership never considered sacrosanct. On Saturday, the National Conference (NC) and its arch rival People's Democratic Party (PDP) had taken out separate protest rallies in Srinagar ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on petitions challenging Article 35-A of the Constitution, which confers special status to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. With inputs from PTI Georgia's Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze said that the nominee for the Georgian Supreme Court chairperson should be "apolitical and have a good reputation among professional circles and wider society." "This is my position and I am sure that the majority of population shares my point of view," Bakhtadze told journalists in Batumi. Nino Gvenetadze, the first female chairperson of the Georgian Supreme Court, has announced her resignation on August 2, citing health reasons. Gvenetadze, who was selected for the role by the country's President Giorgi Margvelashvili and approved by parliament in 2015, said in a special statement that her treatment requires a several-month stay abroad, Agenda.ge recalled. Margvelashvili has started consultations to select a new candidate with the involvement of the public and is holding the first meeting with his advisers and academics at the presidential palace today. Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that those out to defend Section Article 35-A were tacitly accepting that future of the state lies within the Constitution of India. A batch of petitions is before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the provision which confers special status to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. "Protecting Article 35-A is a tacit acceptance that Jammu and Kashmir's future lies within the Constitution of India, otherwise how would it matter if it were struck down or diluted," Omar asked on Twitter. The National Conference leader was apparently referring to separatist groups, who called for a two-day shutdown to protest against the legal challenge in the apex court. Twenty-four girls were rescued from a shelter home in Uttar Pradesh's Deoria after allegation of their sexual exploitation came to light, police said on Monday. Deoria (UP): Twenty-four girls were rescued from a shelter home in Uttar Pradesh's Deoria after allegation of their sexual exploitation came to light, police said on Monday. Girija Tripathi and her husband Mohan Tripathi, who operated the shelter home, and its superintendent Kanchanlata were arrested, they said. This case comes close on the heels of alleged sexual abuse of young girls at a state-funded shelter home in Bihar's Muzaffarpur. "Twenty-four girls were recused yesterday from the shelter home at station road in the name of Ma Vindhyawasini Mahila Prakishan evam Samaj Sewa Sansthan, which has 42 inmates. Eighteen inmates are still missing. We have sealed it," Superintendent of Police Rohan P Kanay said. The activities at the shelter home came to the fore when a girl managed to flee from there. She reached a police station and informed them about the plight of the inmates. "Many times white, black and red cars used to come and take away the girls. When they returned in the morning, they used to cry," the girl alleged. The 10-year-old girl belongs to Bihar's Bettiah city and she also told the police that she escaped because of heavy workload. There have been complaints against this shelter home for a long time," Kanay said. Kanay was directed by the UP Police Headquarters in Lucknow to take stern action against the culprits. "The entire matter will be investigated and the local administration is already taking action. The Women and Child Development Department is also coordinating. The inquiry will be done under proper legal procedure," ADG Law and Order Anand Kumar said in Lucknow. The medical test of the children would be carried out by a woman doctor and their statement would be recorded before a magistrate, Kumar said. A case has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to human trafficking, flesh trade and child labour", he said. According to a News18 report, the licence of the shelter home had been revoked in 2007 after a CBI investigation found irregularities in its functioning, but it continued to operate after getting a stay order from the Allahabad High Court. According to Kanay, police personnel were misbehaved with when they went to conduct a check following the order to close the institution. The administration had also given an order to shift all the inmates from there but the police said that the manager was running the home and told the them that the High Court has given a stay. "When she was not able to show the court order, the administration sent a team to the shelter home to shift the girls but the manager did not cooperate," Kanay said. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has sacked the District Magistrate of Deoria Sujit Kumar for the lapse in ensuring the shelter home's closure. The chief minister has also asked the probe team to prepare a report by Monday night. When asked for her comments on the issue, Uttar Pradesh Women and Child Development Minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi said, "The recognition of the NGO was revoked one year back and funds were stopped. We will probe how it was functioning till now and see who is responsible for this. CM Yogi Adityanath has sent a high-level probe team for on-the-spot inquiry." However, the manager Girija Tripathi, told reporters that the charges were baseless and payment of the last three years was pending, that is why she was running the shelter home. Meanwhile, the incident gave fresh ammunition to the opposition parties to attack the Yogi Adityanath-led government. While the Congress demanded a CBI probe into the incident, the Samajwadi Party alleged that the present government not serious about the issues of women. "The entire matter should be probed by the CBI. A probe by the central agency should be immediately ordered. Such an incident shows that government is not doing its job seriously," Congress leader Ashok Singh said. SP leader and MLC Udayveer Singh said the incident showed "insensitiveness" of the government towards women. "Why is the chief minister shying from take action against lax officers. Who is saving such officers? Immediate action is needed on such issues to give a strong message," Singh said. The alleged sexual abuse of young girls at a state-funded shelter-home in Bihar's Muzaffarpur recently came to light, following which 14 officials were suspended on account of their "negligence and dereliction of duty" after a massive public outcry and opposition attack. With inputs from PTI President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday said that the best scientific universities and institutions of learning are not just teaching shops or degree factories but increasingly they are sources of innovation and incubators of technology and technology-driven start-ups. Hyderabad: President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday said that the best scientific universities and institutions of learning are not just teaching shops or degree factories but increasingly they are sources of innovation and incubators of technology and technology-driven start-ups. He was speaking at the seventh convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad at Kandi in Sangareddy district. "The knowledge ecosystem of public investments in science, academic institutions and universities, research laboratories, commercial applications and private enterprise has an almost magical potential. Its best example is, of course, Silicon Valley in the US. At the core of Silicon Valley are basic science and technology campuses and their talented faculty and students," he said. The president advised IIT Hyderabad to remain relevant to the fourth industrial revolution that he said will write the script of the 21st century. He said that as a second generation IIT, it should borrow from as well as learn from the models of the past. Kovind was happy to note that IIT Hyderabad had made a start by setting up a network of centres for research and promotion of entrepreneurship. The president said that IIT Hyderabad had been set up in a city and in a metropolitan area where several elements for knowledge ecosystem already exist. Hyderabad had a long tradition of scientific discovery and application, he added. He noted that in Hyderabad there were as many as 19 research facilities and laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Biotechnology, the Department of Atomic Energy, the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Space Research Organisation. The president said that individually, many of these entities were doing excellent work but there was a need for cross-pollination. "IIT Hyderabad is not envisaged as just an add-on to this ecosystem. Rather, it needs to be the hub of this ecosystem. It must be the connecting tissue and the catalyst for a greater synergy." Kovind urged IIT Hyderabad to break out of silos and to encourage others to break out of silos. He said that India will judge the success of IIT Hyderabad by the vitality and the output it can ensure for not just itself but for the entire Hyderabad knowledge ecosystem. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governor ESL Narasimhan, Telangana deputy chief minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali, irrigation minister Harish Rao and others attended the convocation. Uttar Pradesh has arrested two men accused of raping a 15-year-old girl in Ballia district. Three other accused are absconding Ballia (Uttar Pradesh): Two men have been arrested for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district, police said on Monday. The girl, who is a Dalit, was in a field when five people allegedly dragged her to a hut and raped her in Reoti 436 km east of Lucknow last Wednesday, Superintendent of Police (SP) Sriparna Ganguly said. An FIR was registered on Sunday when the girl informed about the incident to her family members. The victim told the police that she was again called by the accused on Saturday, who were threatening her to upload her video on social media if she did not come, the SP said. Police have arrested two persons, while three are absconding, the SP added. Gogois effort to get hold of the NRC narrative did not meet his desired consequence as the Congress leadership began protesting the NRC in Parliament without calculating the consequences. Congress is now pinning its hope on party veteran and former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi to salvage its NRC narrative which was crippled due to a faux pas committed by senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad. Gogoi is the third leader from the state who is addressing the issue at the national level after state Congress president Ripun Bora and former minister Prodyut Bordoloi. The party believes that the leaders from Assam are best suited to represent the Congress' stand on the issue as they are far more familiar with it compared to party leaders from other states. But the move is unlikely to help the party as the issue has already debunked the party leaderships lack of knowledge about the NRC procedure and the delink with its regional leaders. It is noteworthy that Gogoi who led Assam for three terms claimed the NRC to be his brainchild on the very first day in which the final draft NRC was published. Ironically, the Congress leadership was creating a ruckus in Parliament opposing the NRC at that time along with the Trinamool Congress and the Samajwadi Party. The NRC is my brainchild. There was no such demand in the state, there was nothing even in the Assam Accord about the setting up of NRC.During the Congress regime, there were objections that multiple illegitimate people were given the right to vote,that is why the NRC was set up. Tarun Gogoi (@tarun_gogoi) July 30, 2018 Though there are not many takers for Gogois claim in his home state, still it was seen as a matured attempt to capture the NRC narrative. As a veteran politician, Gogoi knows that identification of Bangladeshis is an issue close to the heart of indigenous people in Assam. The NRC process has infused such a sense of security among the indigenous people in Assam that many organisations in other states have also demanded similar exercises in their states. The North East Students Organisation has already held a press conference demanding the extension of the NRC procedure in those states. Gogois effort to get hold of the NRC narrative did not meet his desired consequence as the Congress leadership began protesting the NRC in Parliament without calculating the consequences. Even worse was Azads goof-up in his speech on NRC in the Rajya Sabha. In a bid to prove the NRC exercise to be a nasty procedure he said that the real number of people who are at risk of losing their citizenship would be far more than the estimated 40 lakh. According to the Congress leader, minors were not included in the list. But in reality, minors are also included in the estimate of 40 lakh people. To correct this error former Assam minister Bordoloi had to hold a press conference admitting that it was a mistake due to ignorance of the party's leadership. The NRC episode has shown that the Congress has practically no idea about the issues in the northeastern region, a political terrain which it claimed to be his bastion till a couple of years ago. Had it any idea of the issues it would not have supported a protest right after the publication of the final draft NRC, without taking peoples view on the count. The Congress on Sunday accused the BJP-led Maharashtra government of trying to 'politicise' the Maratha quota protests. Mumbai: The Congress on Sunday accused the BJP-led Maharashtra government of trying to "politicise" the Maratha quota protests. Hours after the chief minister announced that the Constitutional obligations to grant quota would be completed by November this year, state unit Congress president Ashok Chavan said he hoped Devendra Fadnavis walk the talk. "It's the government, and not the Opposition, which is politicising the quota agitation. We hope Fadnavis will walk the talk," Chavan said in a statement. He said the Congress had repeatedly appealed to agitators against resorting to violence and destructing public property. Chavan appealed to the Maratha youth to desist from extreme steps like committing suicide for the quota demand. The Maratha community has been demanding 16 percent reservation in government jobs and education under the OBC (Other Backward Classes) category. The stir took a violent turn following the death of a youth on 23 July and since then it has seen arson and stone-pelting in several districts of the state. The five-day Monsoon Session of Delhi Assembly will begin from Monday where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is expected to table bills on installation of CCTVs, menace of stray dogs and a separate public service commission for Delhi. Meanwhile, the BJP, which is in Opposition, plans to corner the Kejriwal government on the alleged bus procurement scam, demands of National Register of Citizens-like exercise in the city and the issue of water-logging. The five-day Monsoon Session of Delhi Assembly will begin from Monday where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is expected to table bills on installation of CCTVs, menace of stray dogs and a separate public service commission for Delhi. Meanwhile, the BJP, which is in Opposition, plans to corner the Kejriwal government on the alleged bus procurement scam, demands of National Register of Citizens-like exercise in the city and the issue of water-logging. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Vijender Gupta said BJP MLAs would also raise the "falsehood" of government on honouring women, as he accused Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot of "humiliating" a senior woman IAS officer during a meeting. Meanwhile, the ruling AAP seeks to target the BJP-ruled civic bodies over the dog and monkey bite menace besides installation of CCTV cameras and implementation of an IIT Delhi report to overcome waterlogging in the city. AAP spokesperson and MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj said party legislators will raise the issues of CCTV camera project and doorstep delivery of ration during the session. For the first day of the session, three topics including installation of CCTV cameras, SC verdict on powers of the elected government and a separate PSC for Delhi have been listed for discussion. The ruling party is also expected to discuss the alleged "misinformation" given by IAS officers to media and courts, thereby "defaming" the committees of the Assembly. AAP legislators may also seek to attack the bureaucrats trying to boycott meetings of the Assembly committees, Bhardwaj said. During the Assemblys last session in June, AAP legislators had alleged the IAS officers had not given complete answers to their questions. This was taken up by the Speaker of the House Ram Niwas Goel after which the matter was referred to the Assemblys privilege committee. But Bharadwaj hopes that the MLAs will get all their answers this time. The Monsoon session of Delhi Assembly is scheduled from 6 August to 10 August. The 70-member House is dominated by AAP, whereas the opposition benches are occupied by only four BJP MLAs. With inputs from agencies Among the many issues that the state of Jammu and Kashmir faces today, Monday's hearing of the revocation of Article 35A has become a major concern for its citizens, mainstream politicians and separatist leaders alike Among the many issues that the state of Jammu and Kashmir faces today, Monday's hearing of the revocation of Article 35A has become a major concern for its citizens, mainstream politicians and separatist leaders alike. All have come together to oppose any fiddling with this constitutional article, that defines the "permanent residents" of the state. Article 35A was brought into the Indian Constitution under Article 370 in 1954, adding to the earlier presidential order of 1950. The article gives rights to the "permanent residents" of the state and without it, the region will lose its special status something mainstream politicians have been claiming to have been taking care of. But for separatist leaders, safeguarding this constitutional right has also become an issue for all, including traders, state government employees, civil society groups and lawyers. All of them have been protesting and threatening to go on strike. If the act is indeed revoked, it will heavily impact the mainstream politics in the state, while separatist politics will remain the same perhaps even intensify, proving the pro-freedom leaders' argument that the Central government is undemocratic as always. Such a move will not only intensify the anti-India sentiment manifold, but also turn it more violent. This issue will further disintegrate the region and hurt it economically and in terms of human lives and sentimental values. Leaves mainstream politics with nothing The Peoples Democratic Party and the National Conference have always sailed on the plank of safeguarding what has remained unique to the state the special status granted by the Constitution. The PDP even went on to claim that the alliance with the BJP was to secure this, since only regional parties can relate to the peoples issues, especially in the Kashmir Valley. On Friday, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said that fiddling with state' special status will have catastrophic ramifications for the entire country. "My father took great pride in the special status that Jammu and Kashmir enjoys under Article 370. He would often mention that while the people of the state have made great sacrifices for larger goals, we need to safeguard what we already have." This is the common stand taken by the state's mainstream political parties. For NC, that won the 1996 election, the special status is a foundation for its never-accepted "Autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir" demand. Without special status, the state loses any of the tiny constitutional autonomy it had left leaving nothing for mainstream parties to protect. Both the PDP and NC will have no relevance in the state if the Article is gone. But for the separatist leaders, this vindicates their stand against India. Greater impact on Ladakh and Jammu While the state is divided into three regions Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh, the major impact of this act is also likely going to be on the latter two. In Kashmir, the era of protests and uncertainty has neither stopped and is unlikely to end in near future. Whoever is planning to benefit from the revocation of this Article, has her/his eyes are on Ladakh and Jammu, where possibilities increase. It was in this context that more than 300 lawyers from Jammu division unanimously passed a resolution for "strengthening and retention" of Article 35A on Friday. During the meet, advocate KK Pangotra said that it is only the people of Jammu who will be "adversely affected by the influx of a huge population from other states of India as no one will settle in the Kashmir Valley". He stressed that only the "resources of Jammu will be exploited" and "at the cost of Jammu people". The sense of worry has increased even for people in Jammu, who see the influx as a major threat. The issue of article 35A is not one for the Valleyites or separatist leaders alone, as it is perhaps the only issue that brings together the people of the state irrespective of caste, religion and political ideology. In Ladakh, which has been a prominent space for tourists from all over the world, the move will have an impact as any private company or non-state person will be able to move and set up base, which will lead to constant crisis and conflict in the mountainous region. The Kashmir Valley continues to be up in arms against the Central government and it will continue doing so, whether the Article remains or goes away. However, the change is only that it will turn violent to a much larger extent than even the 2016 uprising. As already reported, even the police force that is supposed to maintain law and order, may also go on revolt. Monday will be crucial for the future of Jammu and Kashmir as a state, its mainstream politics, separatist leadership and the state legislature's relationship with India and the ongoing conflict. The author is a journalist and editor of The Kashmir Walla A furore in the Lok Sabha over the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape cases led to an adjournment of 10 minutes in the Lower House of Parliament. The Lok Sabha was briefly adjourned for 10 minutes on Monday after rgw Congress and other Opposition members created a ruckus in the Lok Sabha over the alleged sexual exploitation of girls at a shelter home in Bihar's Muzaffarpur. During the Zero Hour, Congress leader Ranjeet Ranjan wanted to talk about the case and was allowed by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. After Ranjan, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) member Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav also spoke about the same issue. The alleged sexual abuse of young girls at a state-funded shelter-home in Muzzafarpur recently came to light following which 14 officials were suspended. Medical examination of 34 out of the 42 shelter home inmates have confirmed they were sexually exploited. The owner of the shelter home, run by NGO 'Seva Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti', Brajesh Thakur, is the main accused in the case. The Speaker did not allow Opposition members to continue discussing the case, saying since it is already being probed by the CBI there was no need to discuss the issue every day. However, an agitated Ranjan walked into the Well and began speaking in a loud voice. A few minutes later, she also threw a book and some papers kept on the table of Secretary General Snehlata Shrivastava. Ranjan also demanded a reply from Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was present in the House. Later, a few Congress members and Narayan Yadav joined her in the Well. Holding placards, TDP members were already there as they sought to raise issues related to Andhra Pradesh. Amid the ruckus, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings for around 10 minutes till 12.30 pm. Bill to amend Juvenile Justice Act introduced in Lok Sabha A bill seeking to empower district magistrates to pass orders for adoption of children to reduce the time taken for issuing such directions was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday. Currently, there is an inordinate delay in issuing adoption orders by the courts due to "heavy work load". Against this backdrop, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill, 2018, was introduced by Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi. As of 20 July, as many as 629 cases relating to passing of adoption orders are pending in various courts. The bill seeks to amend the Juvenile Justice Act to empower district magistrates to issue orders for the purpose of adoption. "This would ensure timely processing of adoption cases and provide orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children with familial care and protection," the bill's Statement of Objects and Reasons said. Besides, the bill provides for transferring of all the proceedings pending before any court relating to adoption orders under certain provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act to the district magistrate having jurisdiction over the concerned area. "Due to delay in issuing the adoption orders by the courts, the child continues to languish in the child care institutions, even after getting a family," the statement said. Under the Juvenile Justice Act, the adoption proceedings should be disposed of by the court within two months from the date of filing of an application. The Act came into effect from 15 January, 2016, with comprehensive provisions for the children allegedly found to be in conflict with law as well as those in need of care and protection. Election for Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha on 9 August The election to the post of Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha will be held at 11 am on 9 August, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu announced on Monday. The nomination papers will have to be filed before noon on 8 August, he said in the House soon after it assembled for the day. The post of the Deputy Chairman has been lying vacant since June 2018 following the retirement of PJ Kurien, who was elected to the Upper House of Parliament on a Congress ticket from Kerala. Guard people's personal data, TMC tells Centre The government should safeguard the data shared by people while booking railway tickets and other services through online platforms, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien said in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. Raising the issue during the Zero Hour in the Upper House, O'Brien also demanded that the Aadhaar identification not be made mandatory for farmers to get crop loans. He also expressed concern over the personal details of members of Parliament being at the risk of being exposed as they are allowed to submit Zero Hour issues and questions via email. He said that even the IRCTC railway database was exposed while booking tickets. Maintaining that there was no data protection, the TMC leader mentioned that whenever one shares data, he or she gets alerts. With inputs from PTI TDP members on Monday brought placards in the Lok Sabha to protest the Centre's alleged withdrawal of funds for Andhra Pradesh. New Delhi: TDP members on Monday brought placards in the Lok Sabha to protest the Centre's alleged withdrawal of funds for Andhra Pradesh and demanded the Union government immediately release them. Ram Mohan Naidu raised the issue but his party members were pulled up by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan for bringing placards inside the House and then their attempt to show it after she allowed Naidu to speak. "What do you want to show the people of India," she asked angrily. A TDP member later tore some papers and threw them in the air as party MPs staged a walkout after Naidu's speech. Naidu said the Centre had promised Rs 22,000 crore for seven backward districts of the state but has agreed to give only Rs 2,050 crore, which is a "grave injustice". The Centre had recently credited Rs 350 crore to the state's account but then withdrew it, he said, terming it as "unprecedented and shameful". He alleged that it was done at the behest of the prime minister's office. He said it is being projected that the state's TDP government was not furnishing utilisation certificate and insisted that it was wrong as it is at the third position among all states in submitting proof of utilisation. Among other issues, Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena raised the matter of deteriorating quality of public sector telecom companies BSNL and MTNL and wondered if they were hit by sabotage. The BSNL still gets some government attention but the MTNL none, he said, demanding that the Centre give them as much financial assistance as required. BJP's Om Birla said the Rajasthan Eastern Canal Project should be declared a national project. Trinamool Congress' Saugata Roy batted for using ballot papers in elections, saying the neutrality of electronic voting machines has been questioned and his party feels that they have been compromised. EVMs should be scrapped so that there is "no manipulation by the ruling party and its cohorts". Even advanced countries like the US and Germany use ballot papers, he said. There is no proof that EVMs cannot be tampered with, he said, adding 17 Opposition parties are planning a get together over the issue and approach the Election Commission. CPI's MB Rajesh sought a probe into an alleged attempt to target Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan during his recent overnight stay in the national capital. A man armed with a deadly weapon reached right outside the room the chief minister was resting in but the Delhi Police did not intervene, he claimed. The chief minister's security guards caught hold of him, he said and added threats to his life have been made. BJP MP Santosh Ahlawat expressed concern over the threat of stray cattle to standing crops, causing anxious farmers to spend day and night in their farm land. A solution must be found, she said. Raghu Sharma of the Congress attacked the government over lack of water in toilets built under the Swachh Bharat campaign. He said people borrowed money to build toilets due to pressure of government officials but many of them have not got the promised Rs 12,000 and are forced to pay interest. Members of the Armenian Association of Blind are demanding to investigate the facts of corruption and thefts committed in the organization for many years. Today they are holding a protest near the monument to A. Isahakyan in the center of Yerevan. Its goal is to bring these problems to the new authorities of Armenia. The protesters are demanding the resignation of the Armenian Association of Blind's leadership, from which they have not received any support for a long time. "We are convinced that they (the leaders of the organization) had dealings with the former authorities and demand an independent investigation," Sputnik-Armenia cited the union's member Sipan Asatryan as saying. He noted that every blind person should receive 1000 drams from the association every month, but they received nothing for many years. "It was despite the fact that in 2017 the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs allocated 51.7 million drams to the associations," Asatryan said. Another member of the association, Aristakes Margaryan, drew attention to the fact that the work centers under the Armenian Association of Blind were idle for a long time: the association's management sold the property of the enterprises, the premises were leased, but this money was not received by the association. The people with visual disabilities, who participated in the action, noted that the leadership does not conduct meetings of the organization, although they should be convened once a year. Elections of the association's chairman are also not organized, despite the fact that the former leader, who is already about 90 years old, resigned in January. "Now the society is run by the deputy chairmen," the protesters said. They require holding elections for a new governing body. The protesters marched along the central Yerevan. The demonstrators also want to show that they are able to function and ready to work in order to make a living. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has plunged headlong into a fresh row with remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi donning 'outlandish' Naga and other headgear. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has plunged headlong into a fresh row with remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi donning 'outlandish' Naga and other headgear on his trips but refusing to sport a Muslim skull cap, comments the BJP dubbed as insulting to the people of the North East. Union minister Kiren Rijiju also demanded that the Congress apologise for Tharoor's comments. Tharoor had said, "I ask you, why does our prime minister wear all sorts of outlandish headgear wherever he goes around the country or around the world? Why does he always refuse to wear a Muslim skull cap?" "You see him in Naga headgear with feathers. You have seen him in various kinds of extraordinary outfits which is a right thing for a prime minister to do. Indira Gandhi has also been photographed wearing various kinds of costumes. But why he still always says no to one?" Tharoor said. Several BJP leaders and Union ministers took to Twitter to slam the Congress MP's remarks I demand apology from the Congress Party for insulting the people of India's North East & Tribals. Shashi Tharoor described North-East people & Naga Tribal headgears as funny looking outlandish & hilarious. Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 6, 2018 Dear @ShashiTharoor,this smacks of outlandish mindset,particularly a mocking affront to rich traditional culture of people of Northeast,including those of Nagaland whom you specifically choose to mention. Its this Congress mindset,which treated Northeast with disdain for 70 yrs. pic.twitter.com/oFAHFh5u5I Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) August 6, 2018 Shashi Tharoor insults the proud cultural heritage of the people of North-East. This condescension & arrogance towards the people of India have become hallmarks of @INCIndia. pic.twitter.com/vul4SOtpVN Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) August 6, 2018 The former union minister was addressing a seminar on "Standing up to hatred, violence and intolerance in contemporary India" in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. Tharoor, who had recently kicked up a controversy with remarks that the BJP, if voted to power again, will rewrite the Constitution and pave the way for creation of a 'Hindu Pakistan', said Modi shunned the green colour as he felt it was associated with Muslim appeasement. "Why does he refuse to wear green, the colour that he says is identified with Muslim appeasement? What kind of talk it is?" he said. Responding to Rathore's comments, Tharoor said, "Dear Rajyavardhan, you know better: I was obviously referring to the ceremonial headdress offered to visiting dignitaries, not daily wear. But you're sidestepping the point: when the prime minister wears all types of headgear...why does he avoid just one? With inputs from PTI IANS Bengaluru: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday called upon startups to develop technologies and weapons for the Indian armed forces. "We (Ministry of Defence) want you to provide Indian solutions to problems faced by the armed forces. By indigenisation, India doesn't need to import many of the products that we do," Sitharaman told startups in this tech hub. "India wants its sectors disrupted through technological advancements," she said at the launch of "Defence India Startup Challenge", a national contest for startups to develop arms and technologies for the defence sector." "Indigenisation has been a priority for India, however, we did not indigenise sufficiently enough," the Minister added, addressing a gathering of 200 startups, incubators and defence officials at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Convention Centre in the city centre. Through the contest, startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual researchers and academic institutions can take part in 11 different categories of creating technologies and products that can be used by the armed forces. The 11 categories in which the startups and researchers can develop products or solutions include building see-through armour for the army, development of 4G-based tactical Local Area Network for the Navy, and laser weaponry and unmanned surface and underwater vehicles development for the Air Force, among others. Select few startups will also receive a funding of up to Rs 1.5 crore through the Ministry for developing their ideas, and given access to test their products. As part of the event, a Bengaluru-based firm Tonbo Imaging has been given an order to make night fire control system for Russian-made grenade launcher AGS-30. "The Ministry will ensure the startups working on their ideas get the orders," Sitharaman said. Noting that unmanned drones with missiles are the envy of many countries, the Minister added it is not beyond India's capacity to develop them. The Defence Ministry, on the occasion, also tied up with five business incubators to promote and support the startups, including Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship with Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad; Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay; T-hub startup incubator in Hyderabad; 'Forge' incubator in Coimbatore; and IIT Madras. "The contest is in line with the Innovations for Defence Excellence (IDEX) scheme announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in April during Defence Expo in Chennai, to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in defence sector," an official statement said. The competition will also give a fillip to the country's innovation potential and create networks for collaboration between defence sector and startups, it added. Over 200 startups, 50 SMEs and 12 business incubators took part in the defence-business gathering. Asheeta Regidi Editor's note: The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018, was released by the Justice BN Srikrishna panel on 27 July. Pertaining to that we are doing a multi-part series explaining the finer nuances of the data protection bill. This is Part VI of the series. The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 prescribes a number of provisions legalising the non-consensual processing of data, by both State and non-State actors. Laws often contain provisions which provide certain exemptions for State-related activities. These stem from an assumption that the State acts in the best interests of the people, and is founded on trust. This equation between the citizen and the State, however, has taken a turn for the worse, in particular since Edward Snowdens revelations of mass surveillance in the US. Closer home, several activities of the State are provoking similar concerns be it with the Aadhaar system and the State Resident Data Hubs, the Central Monitoring System, or the proposed and now withdrawn Social Media Communications Hub. The clearest evidence of this mistrust is with the uproar seen on 3 August on the discovery of the UIDAI helpline on peoples smartphones, instantly raising fears of surveillance and unauthorised access by the government. The nature of these activities raises major concerns with the extent of access and uses of data that can be legalised by the State. A privacy law, then, would play a key role in alleviating these concerns. Under the Personal Data Protection Bill, these concerns are alleviated only to a limited extent. The application of the Bill to State and non-State actors means that the protections under the law, including rights granted against data fiduciaries and penalties, apply equally to both. However, the Bill also creates specific exceptions to State relating processing, allowing non-consent based processing as well as exempting certain activities from the Bill. These undermine the protections given to the people. Non-consent based processing for State functions Firstly, Section 13 allows the processing of personal data without consent for any function of the Parliament or State legislature. Next, it allows processing without consent when necessary for a function of the State, which is authorised by a law, and is required for: The provision of any service or benefit to the data principal from the State; or The issuance of any certification, license, etc. for any action/activity of the data principal by the State. Section 19 also allows the processing of sensitive personal data for any function of the Parliament/legislature, or for the provision of any benefit or service. While the actual interplay between the Aadhaar Act and the data protection law is still to be decided, the processing of data under Aadhaar would be completely legal under this section. The only protection then, would be a finding that the law is illegal. However, the case against Aadhaar has been pending for several years, and in the meanwhile, most of the Indian population has been brought into the Aadhaar ecosystem, on a mandatory basis. Thus, even if the Supreme Court finds Aadhaar to be invasive of privacy, the invasion has already been committed. This delay in the Aadhaar case makes it clear that the requirement of a law alone will not serve as a guarantee against State violations. The mandatory collection of biometric data and its use as an authentication mechanism, given its unreliability and the risks involved, for instance, is a place where the people would actually like a choice. This choice could have been provided through the requirement of consent, but this has been denied to them through these provisions. Security of State exemption The permission for State-related processing has further been supported by an exemption under Section 42 for activities for the security of the state. This exemption continues to be subject to certain requirements, including that there must be a law, there must be procedures established and it must be necessary and proportionate to the interests sought to be achieved. Exemption related to prevention, detection, etc. of offences Other exemptions for state-related processing include an exemption for activities in relation to prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of contraventions of the law. This applies to non-State actors as well. However, this is subject to the same requirements as for the security of state exemption. This will apply to, say the interception and monitoring requirements laid down under laws like the Telegraph Act and the IT (Interception, Monitoring and Decryption) Rules, 2009. Retention of this data has not been permitted except where necessary for the maintenance of records or database. This is likely to allow the retention of most of the data processed in this respect. Collection of DNA and storage in a DNA databank, for instance, as proposed under the DNA bill, will be valid under this. Other grounds for non-consensual processing of data Processing for employment Other grounds for non-consensual processing of data are also prescribed for State and non-State actors. A broad exception for employment-related processing has been drawn out under Section 16. Personal data can be processed on this basis when consent would not be appropriate or would require a disproportionate effort. Under this, such processing may be done on a non-consensual basis for recruitment/termination of employment, provision of a benefit/service to, verifying attendance, or any other activity relating to the assessment of the performance of the employee. These are very broad categories, covering several employer activities such as, say, processing financial data for paying salaries. However, it also allows more invasive activities including employee monitoring and surveillance activities, which necessitate more safeguards. It is to be noted here that the processing of sensitive personal data has not been authorised under this head. As a result, use of biometrics for verifying attendance will have to be done on the basis of explicit consent only. Processing for reasonable purposes Next, the Bill under Section 17 allows the Data Protection Authority of India to allow processing for reasonable purposes. This includes a wide range of activities including for whistleblowing, mergers and acquisitions, credit scoring, debt recovery and the processing of publicly available data. While the data protection authority (DPA) is required to lay down safeguards, it can also determine whether or not notice is required. The Report gives some examples of this such as fraud prevention activities by an insurance company, where obtaining consent would defeat the purpose. The issue with this provision, however, is that the term reasonable purposes is very vague, and is without any restriction or boundary as to the activities it can constitute. This could possibly legalise a wide range of activities. It is also to be noted here that the Bill does not directly permit the processing of publicly available data. However, the extent of the safeguards determined for this processing of such data will have to be watched. Exemption for research or archival purposes In addition to the Social Media Communications Hub, several suggestions have been made for the largescale use of data. This includes similar social media monitoring proposed by the UIDAI, the suggestion of a data sandbox, and the proposal for a National AI Marketplace. The Report accompanying the Bill also talks of community data, which is data sourced from multiple individuals, and will be akin to a natural resource. An activity like Google Maps would constitute an example of community data. These suggestions clearly indicate that the government envisages massive collection and use of data. This exemption has been discussed in detail in Part IV of this series. Processing for compliance with law/court order Another ground is for the processing of personal or sensitive personal data for compliance with a Court order, or if explicitly mandated by an Indian law. The Report confirms that this will not include foreign laws and international treaties. Normally, an exception for such processing is required, taking into account say account/record keeping or related obligations prescribed under the law, which ensure the legal running of a business, or assist in fraud prevention. However, these same exceptions also authorise the processing of data by various actors under the Aadhaar Act or under the proposed DNA Bill, without bringing in the concept of consent. An exemption has also been drawn for the processing of data in relation to legal proceedings, such as a legal right or claim. Processing for prompt action Another ground for non-consensual processing is for that needed for a medical emergency, for the provision of health services during an epidemic, or for any measure taken during a disaster. Such an exemption is commonly found in many data protection laws. Certain categories of sensitive personal data may also be processed for this includes processing of passwords, financial data, health data, official identifiers, genetic data and biometric data. Other exemptions Other exemptions under the Bill include for personal or domestic purposes, which will not apply if the processing involves disclosure to the public or is undertaken in connection with a professional or commercial activity. Processing for journalistic activities has also been exempted. This, however, will be subject to the processing being in accordance with a code of ethics issued by the Press Council of India or any other media self-regulatory organisation. Exemption for manual processing by small entities Lastly, the Bill also exempts manual processing by small entities from certain provisions, including the need to provide notice, data quality requirements and data storage limitation provisions. A small entity under the Bill is one with a turnover of fewer than twenty lakhs, which doesnt process the data of more than 100 persons in a single day, and does not collect personal data for the purpose of disclosure to others. For most of the exemptions under the Bill, the following provisions will continue to apply despite the exemption the requirement for fair and reasonable processing under Section 4, and the requirement for security safeguards under Section 31. The offences and penalties, to the extent applicable, will continue to apply to such exempted activities as well. For instance, failure to process in a fair and reasonable manner will still attract the prescribed penalty, which is either Rs 15 crores or 4 percent of the annual global turnover. This does provide some safeguards for violations. The next part of the series will deal with the rights granted to data principals. You can read the previous parts as follows: Part I: Quick overview of India's draft data protection law Part II: Understanding jurisdiction within and outside the country Part III: The importance if defining personal data Part IV: Data protection obligations on data fiduciaries Part V: Standard of consent and processing of data The author is a lawyer specialising in technology, privacy, and cyber laws. She is also a certified information privacy professional. Reuters Foreign payment firms could keep copies of customer data in India while retaining offshore storage operations, the government said, as a way to resolve a row with MasterCard, Visa and American Express over the localization of such information. A decision by Indias central bank in April that all payments data should, within six months, be stored only in the country for unfettered supervisory access has led to furious lobbying by global firms that worry it would cost them millions of dollars. Indias Economic Affairs Secretary SC Garg said that keeping data copies in the country had emerged as a possible solution during a meeting with officials from the Reserve Bank of India and executives from the payment firms. One of the options which emerged in that meeting was maybe mirror copies might be a potential solution, Garg told Reuters in an interview on Saturday. He said the Reserve Bank of India had to take a final decision on the matter but keeping mirror images of the data in India would mean all the customer information would be available to local authorities. The RBIs directive comes as more people in India are switching to plastic, partly driven by Prime Minister Narendra Modi governments decision to replace high-value currency notes in November 2016, since when the government has aggressively discouraged cash transactions. In March, Indians clocked up transactions worth $52 billion using their 900 million credit and debit cards, nearly double the amount recorded in November 2016, data from the RBI showed. But rising fraud is a concern too. The RBI in April said the payment ecosystem in India had expanded considerably, making it necessary to ensure the safety and security of data. Garg said the government was trying to find a consensus over data localization at a time of heightened scrutiny of how companies globally handle their customers data. What we do is we listen to different stakeholders, what they say, what their stance is and where can we can find a landing zone ... That is the reason why it was suggested to have mirror copies, he said. Reuters previously reported that Indias finance ministry has proposed relaxing the RBIs directive following weeks of intense lobbying by U.S. companies and trade bodies. During the June meeting, representatives from U.S. lobby group U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) said that storing the data exclusively in India would be a security risk, as in the event of a natural disaster no-one would have access to it if it was all stored in one place. Stronger Economy Garg said Indias strong economic and fiscal performance warranted a sovereign rating upgrade by leading rating agencies, including Standard & Poors, and reiterated that the economy was on course to achieve its 3.3 percent fiscal deficit target for 2018/19. Of course we would want an upgrade. There is no question. Everything (economically) is strong, he said adding that S&P might assess Indias sovereign rating next month. In November last year, S&P affirmed Indias sovereign rating at BBB minus along with a stable outlook. S&P has kept India at the lowest investment grade since 2007 while Moodys Investors Services has upgraded Indias credit rating to Baa2, a notch higher than S&Ps rating. Press Trust of India What better place to watch a new film than the location where its final moments were shot even if it means scaling a 2,000 feet mountain. That's what some of Tom Cruise's die-hard fans did in Norway where Paramount Pictures had organised a special screening of Mission: Impossible - Fallout at the famed Pulpit Rock. The steep cliff, also known as the Preikestolen and sitting at a height of about 2,000 feet, served as the location for the film's final set piece. Around 2,000 fans made it to the mountaintop after a two-hour-long hike to get the amazing view and watch the sixth movie in the franchise. Cruise, who can be seen hanging for his life from the cliff in one of the most crucial scenes from the movie, did not attend the screening but encouraged fans via Twitter. 2,000 feet, 2,000 people, 4 hours of hiking. The most impossible screening of #MissionImpossible Fallout. Thank you all for coming! I wish I could have been there. pic.twitter.com/ufi1FkP6KI Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) August 2, 2018 The film's last sequences were shot in New Zealand and Norway, where the makers recreated India's Kashmir. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie and also starring Henry Cavill, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg and Angela Bassett, the film released on 27 July. Indo-Asian News Service Google's admission that it had in 2014 inadvertently coded the 112 distress number and the UIDAI helpline number into its Setup Wizard for Android devices triggered another controversy on 4 August, as India's telecom regulator had only recommended the use of 112 as an emergency number in April 2015. After a large section of smartphone users in India saw a toll-free helpline number of UIDAI saved in their phonebooks by default, Google issued a statement, saying its "internal review revealed that in 2014, the then UIDAI helpline number and the 112 distress helpline number were inadvertently coded into the Setup Wizard of the Android release given to OEMs for use in India and has remained there since". However, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended only in April 2015 that the number 112 be adopted as the single emergency number for the country. According to Google, "since the numbers get listed on a user's contact list, these get transferred accordingly to the contacts on any new device". Google has yet to comment on the new development. Meanwhile, French security expert Elliot Alderson, who has been at the core of the entire Aadhaar controversy, tweeted on Saturday: "I just found something interesting. I will probably do a full disclosure tomorrow". "I'm digging into the code of the @Google SetupWizard app and I found that". "As far as I can see this object is not used in the current code, so there is no implications. This is just a poor coding practice in term of security," he further tweeted. I'm digging into the code of the @Google SetupWizard app and I found that. In the gsf package, this unused LoginData object contains the attributes mEncryptedPassword and mPassword pic.twitter.com/5SMAkvWOVz Elliot Alderson aka Vested Interest (@fs0c131y) August 4, 2018 On 3 August, both the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) as well as the telecom operators washed their hand of the issue. While the telecom industry denied any role in the strange incident, the UIDAI said that some vested interests were trying to create "unwarranted confusion" in the public and clarified that it had not asked any manufacturer or telecom service provider to provide any such facility. Twitter was abuzz with the new development after a huge uproar due to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman RS Sharma's open Aadhaar challenge to critics and hackers. Ethical hackers exposed at least 14 personal details of the TRAI Chairman, including mobile numbers, home address, date of birth, PAN number and voter ID among others. Sheldon Pinto Samsungs Galaxy Note 9 launch is a big deal this year compared to past launches. The Note series has seen its fair share of trouble in the past, especially with the Galaxy Note 7 that went up in flames, almost ruining Samsungs reputation in the smartphone space. The Galaxy Note 8 came to Samsungs rescue last year, showcasing Samsungs new Infinity Display with an almost bezel-less design. It also included a dual camera set up along with the mandatory S Pen. While nothing is known about how well it faired in terms of sales, it was a good device, that was kind of cannibalised by Samsungs own Galaxy S8+ model, which offered more internal storage and a similar amount of RAM save for the dual cameras. The Galaxy S9+ made things even difficult for the Note 8, with its dual aperture camera, super slow-motion video and more. So why is the Note 9 so important to Samsung? Samsung really wants its upcoming phablet to stand out. So much so that it even wrapped up the launch of its premium tablet the Galaxy Tab S4 a week before the launch of the Note 9. No other distractions are expected at the Unpacked event save for a new Gear smartwatch. And it is a big deal as recent reports shed light on how the Galaxy S9 did not fair well in the market in terms of sales, leading a not so exciting quarter in terms of earnings. Indeed, this was expected to happen. While Apples marketing and software additions keeps swaying buyers, Samsung showing up with an identical looking Galaxy S9 model, clearly did not find too many buyers (or upgraders), save for those who were interested in the dual aperture camera. So yes, the Note 9 should hopefully be Samsungs saviour when it comes to sales this year. Then again, as per recent leaks, Samsung seems to be on the same path with the Note 9, a smartphone that again from the leaks and rumours looks the same as the Note 8. So lets take a deep dive into all the leaks and rumours and see if its makes any sense to even consider staying up late to catch the launch of the Note 9 live in New York. Design and Display From the various leaks its clear that the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 will look similar to its successor, the Note 8. If Samsung follows the same formula like it did with the Galaxy S9 this year, you can expect the Note 9 to arrive in matte-colours as compared to the chrome and shiny options we saw last year. As for the design, Samsung sales reps will have a hard time explaining which handset is which, at Samsungs retail stores, as both devices will look the same on the front with the almost bezel-less look. While it may have turned heads last year, 2018 is indeed the year of bezel-less devices, so with smartphones like the Vivo Nex S and the Oppo Find X, the Note 9's design may appear dated if it indeed looks like what the renders have shown us. The QHD+ sAMOLED display has grown by a teensy bit (from 6.3-inches to 6.4-inches) with the overall expected dimensions of the device being slight shorter (at 161.9 x 76.3 x 8.8 mm) hinting at smaller bezels. Whats expected to look slightly different is the back, where the placement of the fingerprint reader, now finally makes some sense like it did on the Galaxy S9 and S9+ earlier this year. According to most leaks, the fingerprint reader has been separated from the camera setup and now sits just below it, which should make it less confusing and easier to reach out to than on the Note 8. Specifications The Note 9 will be an upgrade in terms of the SoC and is expected to feature an Exynos 9810 SoC as found on this years Galaxy S9 devices. US markets will get the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC and both versions are expected to be paired with 6 GB RAM. As per a recently leaked image of the retail box, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 will feature 128 GB of internal storage with an expected 512 GB option as well. A recent teaser also hinted at 1 TB of storage, which will probably come in the form of an SD card slot (hopefully not a hybrid SIM slot). Moving to the cameras, they are a bit of a mystery. While earlier rumours hinted at drastic improvements to the cameras on the Note 9 over the Galaxy S9, the recent image of the box now shows that device will feature a 12 MP (f/1.5-f/2.4) + 12 MP (f/2.4), which is the same as the Samsung Galaxy S9+. The front-facing camera gets a familiar 8 MP unit with autofocus, but the rear camera as per rumours will allow for longer duration slow-motion recordings. As for the battery, its finally expected to get a bump up in capacity. The upcoming Note 9 is expected to feature a 4,000 mAh battery as per several leaks, so you can expect it to last longer than its Galaxy S sibling. Oh yes, the 3.5 mm headphone jack also reportedly makes it to the Note 8 this time so expect a lot of ports at the bottom end of the device (check the image below). Lastly, I also expect the device to come with an IP68 rating, similar to last years model. S Pen What is expected to be a lot different this year is the S Pen. According to several leaks, the good old S Pen will come in a different colour that will stick out from finish of the device. Several leaks have revealed one single image showcasing a purple Galaxy Note 9 along with a yellow S Pen. From what we have heard, the new S Pen will come with its own battery and will allow for music playback controls as well. Add to this the ability to use the S Pen as a shutter button for the camera and it automatically appeals to smartphone camera enthusiasts who frequently use their smartphones for shooting using a tripod. Another mystery feature is the ability to unlock the Note 9 using the S Pen. Its a mystery because it isnt clear how Samsung has gone about it. Either the S Pen features a fingerprint reader or the device would simply unlock using Googles smart unlock feature. Pricing According to a Dutch website, the Note 9 will see Samsung step up into the ultra-premium smartphone segment. The phablet will be available in three storage variants starting from a 128 GB base model to a 256 GB mid configuration and a 512 GB top of the line configuration that will reportedly be priced at 1,250 which is approximately Rs 1,00,000! Thankfully, the base model with 128 GB internal storage starts from 1,050 which converts to around Rs 84,000. While this sounds like a hefty price tag, Samsung could be placing the Note 9 alongside Apples premium iPhone X, that starts from Rs 95,390 (MRP) and goes all the way up to Rs 1,08,930 (MRP) for the 256 GB model. So yes! This years Note 9 will be an ultra-premium device. From what I can tell, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 should do well, provided Samsung has fixed and figured out how to use that dual aperture system accurately which was a bit problematic on the Galaxy Note 9. The S Pen finally seems practical to users apart from artists, but then again, its not a big leap unless you love scribbling on your smartphone using a stylus. In short, not much has changed over the earlier Note 8 in terms of design and the Galaxy S9+ in terms of features. But lets wait for the official launch and hope that Samsung has included some worthy software add-ons, such as the DeX support, that add value to the user experience, else the Note 9 will see the same sales as the Galaxy S9, which does not paint a pretty picture for Samsung. Press Trust of India WhatsApp has informed the government that it is building a local team, including India's head, as part of steps to check fake news circulation but has not met the key demand of identifying message originators, according to official sources. The popular messaging app is under fire over abuse of its platform for circulation of fake news that has incited mob fury. The IT Ministry official said that WhatsApp has responded to the government last notice, outlining initiatives being taken to curb fake news circulation including education and advocacy efforts. It is also building an India-based team, the official said but noted that the measures do not meet the government's expectations on 'traceability' and attribution of such messages. WhatsApp, on its part, has maintained that message attributions would "undermine the private nature" of the platform, and leave it vulnerable potentially to "serious misuse", a company official said. When contacted, a WhatsApp spokesperson said: "To support our users in India and continue our investment in the country, it's our top priority to hire a local leader who can help us build a team on the ground." The two senior leadership roles that are currently open for India are Head of India and Head of Policy. "People rely on WhatsApp for all kinds of sensitive conversations, including with their doctors, banks and families. The police also use WhatsApp to discuss investigations and report crimes. "Attributing messages on WhatsApp would undermine the private nature of WhatsApp and create the potential for serious misuse. Our focus is on improving WhatsApp and working closely with others in society to help keep people safe," the spokesperson added. WhatsApp said it believes the challenge of mob violence requires government, civil society, and technology companies to work together. "It's why we've already made significant product changes to help slow the spread of misinformation and are working to educate people on how to spot fake news," WhatsApp said. Expressing its deep commitment to helping people across India communicate in a safe, secure, and reliable manner, WhatsApp noted that its Chief Operating Officer Matt Idema had recently travelled to India and met with representatives of IT Ministry. Meanwhile, the Ministry official who did not wish to be named said WhatsApp, in its response, has informed the government that it has registered a legal entity in India. But the platform has not committed itself on 'traceability and attribution of messages, the official said, adding that this had been one of the key demands of the government. Hence the ministry's concerns have not been addressed, and the potential for misuse still remains, the source said. Last month, the government had expressed dissatisfaction over measures previously listed by WhatsApp for checking fake news that has, in several cases, triggered mob violence. The IT ministry, in its missive, had said that the platform cannot escape its responsibility for such rampant abuse and needed to find originators of provocative messages. The government, in its second notice to the Facebook-owned messaging service, had warned that in the absence of adequate checks, it will treat the messaging platform as an abettor of rumour propagation and legal consequences will follow. Rumours on WhatsApp have sparked off a spate of incidents involving mob violence The incidents have raised eyebrows, and the Supreme Court, last month, asked Parliament to consider enacting a new law to effectively deal with incidents of mob lynching, saying "horrendous acts of mobocracy" cannot be allowed to become a new norm. Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has also informed the Rajya Sabha that he will hold a discussion with stakeholders, including political parties, to evolve a policy to deal with the misuse of social media. Over the last few weeks, WhatsApp has introduced a new feature to let its users identify the forwarded messages, restricted number of forwards at a time, and brought out full-page ads giving "easy tips" to spot fake news. But the IT ministry has directed WhatsApp to bring more effective solutions to the table, to ensure greater "accountability and facilitate enforcement of the law" beyond the existing efforts towards labelling forwards and identifying fake news. Agence France-Presse Norwegian authorities have urged motorists to watch out for reindeer that are seeking refuge in tunnels to cool themselves amid extreme heat in the nation's far north. "It has been very hot for weeks in northern Norway," Tore Lysberg, a senior official at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, told AFP on Thursday. "The animals retreat to colder places, both reindeer and sheep find refuge in tunnels and shaded areas to cool down," he said. Although this phenomenon is nothing new, it could be intensified by record temperatures in Norway's northernmost regions. The Norwegian Meteorological Institute posted a temperature of 31.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday in Finnmark, a major reindeer herding region located within the Arctic Circle. The region is so hot that it has experienced 12 "tropical" nights with evening temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius so far this year, according to the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration said no serious accidents involving animals have been reported yet but described the situation as "a challenge". The government agency, which has multiplied its messages to raise awareness among motorists, should be helped by the weather, which is expected to return towards normal starting this weekend. tech2 News Staff Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) heaviest satellite so far the GSAT-11 which the space agency had cleared for launch in June, will take off a spaceport in French Guiana on 30 November, media reports said. In June, ISRO had cleared the launch of GSAT-11, the satellite which was recalled from Kourou in French Guinea for more thorough checks, after losing contact with another satellite that was launched from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh in March this year. "After a series of negotiations, Arianespace has finally agreed to launch GSAT-11 this year itself and fix 30 November as the date of the launch." The Times of India quoted ISRO chairman K Sivan as saying. The report said that GSAT-11 carries 40 transponders in the Ku-band and the Ka-band frequencies, and is capable of providing high bandwidth connectivity with up to 14 GB per second data transfer speed. The 5,700-kg GSAT-11 satellite was initially slated for launch on 26 May from Kourou, a site in South America which India uses to launch its heavy-weight satellites. In a major setback to ISRO, the space agency lost contact with its GSAT-6A satellite after it was launched in March 2018. Although ISRO had been trying to establish contact with GSAT-6A, a satellite meant for military communication, it has found little success. This also directly led to the ISRO recalling GSAT-11 for conducting thorough checks. "After a thorough check and additional tests, it was found fit for launch," an ISRO official said. The European Union will block the anti-Iran sanctions on its territory imposed by the United States to protect European countries, the European Commission said. "We deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the U.S., due to the latters withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," the EUs high representative for foreign affairs, Federica Mogherini, said in the statement, also signed by the foreign ministers Jean-Yves Le Drian of France, Heiko Maas of Germany, and Jeremy Hunt of the United Kingdom said in a joint statement. The JCPOA is working and delivering on its goal, namely to ensure that the Iranian program remains exclusively peaceful, as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency, they said. "This is why the European Union's updated Blocking Statute will enter into force on August 7 to protect EU companies doing legitimate business with Iran from the impact of US extra-territorial sanctions," the statement reads. The statute will forbid European businesses from complying with the US sanctions, nullifying any foreign court rulings against them and allowing them to recover damages from the penalties. The European politicians also confirmed their commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as Iranian Nuclear deal. "The remaining parties to the JCPOA have committed to work on, inter alia, the preservation and maintenance of effective financial channels with Iran, and the continuation of Iran's export of oil and gas," the statement added. The senior research fellow at the European Research Centre of the International Relations Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladimir Olenchenko, speaking with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that the procedure for such a blockade of US sanctions have not yet been worked out. "The issue is acute, because the EU has developed extensive cooperation with Iran, and the US has started to exert pressure on Iranian partners, including the sanctions regime. Recently, the US ambassador in Germany threatened that German companies would be punished for cooperating with Tehran. As for a response to US threats, it remains vague. For example, the EU may introduce a tit-for-tat response against US companies in Europe, in particular against Microsoft," he said. The absence of a text of new US sanctions against Iran adds an additional layer of uncertainty. "It is not yet known whether they will freeze assets, or create difficulties for conducting transactions with Iranian companies. By the way, the EU can easily do the same thing for US companies whose assets are located in Europe. But so far this statement should be regarded only as a warning for the US that if they take any measures, it will not go unanswered," Vladimir Olenchenko stressed. A suspect wanted in India for his alleged involvement in bombings in Punjab in 2010 is organising a pro-Khalistan rally at Trafalgar Square next week, according to a UK media report. London: A suspect wanted in India for his alleged involvement in bombings in Punjab in 2010 is organising a pro-Khalistan rally at Trafalgar Square on 12 August, according to a UK media report. Paramjeet Singh Pamma, a Birmingham-based refugee, is among the key organisers of the rally dubbed as a "London Declaration" for a "Referendum 2020" campaign seeking a "sovereign state of Khalistan", the Sunday Times reported. Pamma is wanted in India for twin bomb blasts in Patiala and Ambala in 2010 and is the alleged mastermind in the killing of Rulda Singh, head of the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, in 2009. Pamma, who was granted asylum in Britain in 2000, denies the allegations as "false charges". He claims that up to 10,000 Sikhs are expected at the Trafalgar Square event next Sunday, many of whom are being bussed to London from other parts of Britain, the newspaper reported. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had issued a statement as news of the rally emerged last month and said it had registered a formal protest with the British government. "We expect that the UK government will not allow any such group, whose intention is to spread hatred and impact our bilateral relations, to use its country," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said at the time. However, the UK government had indicated it has no plans of banning the rally, saying "people have the right to gather together and to demonstrate their views, provided that they do so within the law". The rally is being funded by a US-based group called Sikhs for Justice and is being billed as the first-ever referendum of the global community of around 30 million Sikhs. "We are doing this rally with the power of the democratic word," Pamma said, adding that he will "die a refugee if we (Sikhs) don't get our own country". The rally is intended to raise awareness for a non-binding referendum in 2020, calling for the Sikh-majority state of Punjab to be granted independence. Organisers believe a high turnout will put pressure on the UN to ask India to hold a plebiscite. "An appropriate and proportionate policing plan is in place," a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said, ahead of the rally. Tens of thousands of teenage students who have paralysed the capital Dhaka and elsewhere for the past nine days and torched eight buses are pressing for better road safety after a speeding bus killed two teenagers on 29 July. Dhaka: Bangladesh on Monday promised to introduce the death penalty for deliberate road deaths in a bid to quell more than a week of demonstrations calling for better road safety, as new student-led protests were met with tear gas and rubber bullets. Over the weekend scores of people were hurt as police fired tear gas and mobs apparently loyal to the government attacked demonstrators, photographers and even the US ambassador's car. The tens of thousands of teenage school pupils and university students who have paralysed the capital Dhaka and elsewhere for the past nine days and torched eight buses are pressing for better road safety after a speeding bus killed two teenagers on 29 July. The latest clashes on Monday in the Rampura neighbourhood saw police use tear gas to dispel hundreds of students from a private university, local police chief Rafiqul Islam said. "They tried to set ablaze a police camp. We fired tear gas to disperse them," he said, adding four police officers were injured. Students said that police fired rubber bullets at protesters in an area home to two private universities and that members of the student wing of the ruling Awami League party attacked the protesters with sticks and bricks. "The situation is very bad. We have carried at least three students to the nearby Apollo Hospital," one student, Z Mallick, said. The lengthy standoff, attracting foreign media interest and criticism from the UN and rights groups, has turned into a major test of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government ahead of December elections. On Monday, Law and Justice Minister Anisul Huq said the Cabinet has approved a new law allowing for the death penalty "if an investigation finds that the death in a road accident has been caused deliberately". Scores injured The protests took a violent turn in Dhaka on Saturday, with more than 100 people hurt as police fired rubber bullets at demonstrators, according to students and doctors who treated the injured. The authorities have shut down mobile internet services across swathes of the country and Hasina urged students to go home, but to no avail. A car carrying US ambassador Marcia Bernicat was on Saturday attacked by armed adult men, but she escaped unscathed, the embassy said. On Sunday dozens of protesters were attacked by people alleged to be ruling party activists, some armed with machetes, leaving scores injured including half a dozen photographers. The US embassy said separately that while it did not condone "senseless property destruction... nothing can justify the brutal attacks and violence over the weekend against the thousands of young people who have been peacefully exercising their democratic rights in supporting a safer Bangladesh." Photographer detained Rights group Amnesty International called on the government to stop its "violent crackdown" on "overwhelmingly peaceful student protesters". It also called for the immediate release of Shahidul Alam, 63, a renowned Bangladeshi photographer who was detained on Sunday night after giving an interview to Al Jazeera about the protests. "We are interrogating him for giving false information to different media and for provocative comments," police official Moshiur Rahman said, stressing he had been detained not arrested. According to his colleague Abir Abdullah, Alam, whose photos have appeared widely in Western media, was taken away from his Dhaka home by at least 20 plainclothes police. Alam is the founder and managing director of the Drik Gallery and the creator of the Patshala South Asian Media Academy, a photography school in the capital Dhaka that has spawned hundreds of photographers. In recent days, Alam shot images of the demonstrations by tens of thousands of teenagers in Dhaka and beyond, and discussed the protests on Facebook Live. Noted photographer from Bangladesh, Shahid Ul Alam has been arrested by the country's police for 'provocative comments' during an interview to Al Jazeera. Editor's note: Shahidul Alam, a noted photographer from Bangladesh, was on Thursday granted bail by a high court. This article is being republished in this context. Noted photographer from Bangladesh, Shahidul Alam was on Thursday granted bail by a high court after having spent more than a hundred days behind bars. The order was passed by a bench of Justice Sheikh Abdul Awal and Justice Bhishma Devi Chakraborty Alam had been arrested by the Bangladesh Police on 5 August, hours after his interview with Al Jazeera regarding students protests happening in the country. Alam had also been sharing photos of the protests on his Facebook profile and discussing them through Facebook Live. At least 20 plainclothes officers had picked up Shahidul Alam, 63, from his Dhaka home, his colleague Abir Abdullah told AFP. Alam had shot images of the demonstrations by students in Dhaka and other places, and discussed the protests on videos which he shared on Facebook. At around midnight of 5 August, a Facebook page belonging to Drik Gallery (of which Alam is the founder) uploaded a post alleging that Alam was 'abducted' from his home in Dhaka on Sunday night, allegedly by officials from the city polices Detective Branch, for posts supporting the ongoing student protests. Drik's statement stated,"According to security guards of the apartment building and other eyewitness reports, there were roughly 30 to 35 men, in plain clothes, who claimed to be from the Detective Branch (DB), who went upstairs, brought down Dr Alam who was screaming as he was forcibly pushed into the waiting car, a HiAce, with the words Popular Life Insurance, written on the outside." "They taped up the CCTV camera, and took away the CCTV camera footage. The guards were manhandled and locked up. His partner Rahnuma Ahmed, was in a neigbouring flat, raced downstairs on hearing the scream, but the car carrying him and two other cars waiting outside, sped away," the statement further mentions. Shahidul Alam, @shahidul the well known Bangladeshi photographer, was abducted from his Dhaka house last night by the Detective Branch of police. Is it because the truth he said on tv? Listen to him (from 2.40 min.). https://t.co/leuk2nveIo taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) August 6, 2018 Shahid Ul Alam, a photojournalist from Bangladesh, has been abducted from his home. The Bangladeshi government should help us find and release him swiftly. @hrw @amnesty https://t.co/usszUnn7lq Ammara Ahmad (@ammarawrites) August 6, 2018 #Bangladesh Government must immediately release #ShahidulAlam UNHARMED. it is unconscionable he should have been arrested in the first place. pic.twitter.com/SNLFdMvSqQ Agnes Callamard (@AgnesCallamard) August 6, 2018 Deeply concerned: Bangladeshi photojournalist & human rights activist @shahidul has been detained last night "for interrogation over his @Facebook posts on ongoing student protests". We his friends & admirers demand his safety & due process #ShahidulAlam https://t.co/L0cJnQSTQm Nalaka Gunawardene (@NalakaG) August 6, 2018 Amnesty released a statement demanding that the Bangladeshi authorities should unconditionally and immediately release Alam. One of the paragraphs in statement mentions, "Shahidul Alam, the photographer who was detained by the Detective Branch of the Bangladesh police, has not thus far been charged with any offence. Journalists covering the massive student protests being staged in Bangladesh had reportedly come under attack by members of the ruling party's student wing. A senior journalist from a leading newspaper in Bangladesh told Firstpost that journalists had been asked to not communicate with any foreign publications regarding the protests, as random arrests are taking place. Thousands of students from schools and colleges had taken to the streets and demanded action from the authorities for road safety across the country. The protests took a violent turn as students were dispersed after repeated attacks launched by law-enforcement agencies and Bangladesh Chhatra League, the ruling party's student wing for the past few days. Firstpost reported earlier that several journalists including an Associated Press photojournalist were attacked and injured while covering the students' protest, on Sunday in Dhaka. They were reportedly assaulted by the armed Chhatra League men in the Science Laboratory area. The incident took place at around 2 pm when a number of journalists and photojournalists were covering the protest in front of Dhaka City College, eyewitnesses and local businessmen said. Local media also reported that another group of journalists was attacked on Dhanmondi Road 2 as well. With inputs from agencies California's deadly Carr wildfire now the state's sixth most destructive has claimed another life with a power linesman killed on the job its seventh fatality Clearlake Oaks (US): California's deadly Carr wildfire now the state's sixth most destructive has claimed another life with a power linesman killed on the job its seventh fatality, officials said on Monday. The Carr Fire, located some 322 kilometers north of San Francisco, is still growing, CalFire said on Monday. Its intensity was so great at one point, that it generated a tornado-like whirl of fire as well as its own weather system. PG&E power company identified the worker today as Jairus Ayeta, who was killed in a remote area of Shasta county where crews were working to restore electricity. "The safety of our employees and our customers is PG&E's top priority. Our thoughts and prayers are with our fallen team member, his family and our extended team," the company said in a statement. "We are working with law enforcement to investigate the circumstances of the incident," it added. The Carr Fire has scorched 154,524 acres of land since 23 July, when authorities say it was triggered by the "mechanical failure of a vehicle" that caused sparks to fly in tinderbox-dry conditions. The fire has also razed more than 1,600 buildings, including some 1,000 homes, making it the sixth most destructive blaze in the history of the fire-prone western state, state officials say. More than 4,200 firefighters have been deployed to battle the conflagration but they have only succeeded in containing 41 percent of it so far. Other fires raging in the state include the Mendocino Complex, comprised of two blazes: the River Fire and the Ranch Fire. Several thousand people have been evacuated as the fires swept across the state, although some have been given permission in recent days to return to their homes. President Donald Trump blamed the fires' destruction on "bad environmental laws," but did not mention evacuees or victims of the inferno. "California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which aren't allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized," he tweeted. "It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire spreading!" The US president drew international outrage last year after withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate change pact that is aimed at combatting global warming. Iran said the US was 'isolated' in its hostility to the Islamic republic on Monday, as it braced for the return of sanctions against a backdrop of political turmoil inside the country. Tehran: Iran said the United States was "isolated" in its hostility to the Islamic republic on Monday, as it braced for the return of sanctions against a backdrop of political turmoil inside the country. "Of course, American bullying and political pressures may cause some disruption, but the fact is that in the current world, America is isolated," foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters, according to the semi-official ISNA news agency. Washington is set to reimpose sanctions on Iran on Tuesday following President Donald Trump's decision to abandon the 2015 nuclear deal in May a move opposed by all other parties to the agreement. "We deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the US," said EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini in a statement jointly signed with the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany. "We are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran," the statement added. But the renewed hostility has already sparked a run on Iran's currency, which has lost around half its value since Trump's announcement. And it has added to tensions inside Iran, which has seen days of protests and strikes in multiple towns and cities over water shortages, high prices and wider anger at the political system. Severe reporting restrictions have made it impossible to verify the swirl of claims coming through social media, but journalists did confirm a heavy build-up of riot police on Sunday night in the town of Karaj, just west of Tehran, that has been a focal point of unrest, and said mobile internet had been cut in the area. Rouhani is due to give a televised address to the nation at 21:40 pm on Monday to outline plans for tackling the currency decline and impact of sanctions. His government eased foreign exchange rules on Sunday, allowing unlimited tax-free currency and gold imports, and reopening exchange bureaus after a disastrous attempt to fix the value of the rial in April led to widespread black-market corruption. With senior religious authorities calling for a crackdown on graft, the judiciary said Sunday it had arrested the vice-governor of the central bank in charge of foreign exchange, Ahmad Araghchi, along with a government clerk and four currency brokers. Sanctions and talks Sanctions are due to return in two phases on 7 August and 5 November with the first targeting Iran's access to US banknotes and key industries including cars and carpets. The second phase blocking Iran's oil sales is due to cause more damage, although several countries including China, India and Turkey have indicated they are not willing to entirely cut their Iranian energy purchases. After months of fierce rhetoric, Trump surprised observers last week when he offered to meet with Rouhani without preconditions. But Zarif suggested it was hard to imagine negotiating with the man who tore up an agreement on which Iran and world powers had spent the "longest hours in negotiating history". "Do you think this person (Trump) is a good and suitable person to negotiate with? Or is he just showing off?" he said. There have been ongoing rumours that Trump and Rouhani could meet in New York later this month, where they are both attending the UN General Assembly though Rouhani reportedly rejected US overtures for a meeting at last year's event. Over the weekend Trump once again floated the idea of meeting, tweeting "I will meet, or not meet, it doesn't matter it is up to them!" But that came less than a fortnight after a bellicose exchange between the two presidents, with Rouhani warning of the "mother of all wars" and Trump responding with a Twitter tirade against Iran's "DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE". Trump has stated he wants a new deal with Iran that goes beyond curbing its nuclear programme, and ends what America calls its "malign influence" in the region, including its support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and militant groups in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. Iran hawks believe the pressure is already showing results, pointing to a surprising lack of harassment by Iranian naval forces against American warships in the Gulf this year. If Iran senses "American steel they back down, if they perceive American mush they push forward and right now they perceive steel," said Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington think tank that lobbied against the nuclear deal. ANKARA (Reuters) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dismissed a U.S. call for talks on Tuesday, the eve of the imposition of new sanctions that follows Washington's decision to pull out of an agreement over Iran's nuclear programme. ANKARA (Reuters) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dismissed a U.S. call for talks on Tuesday, the eve of the imposition of new sanctions that follows Washington's decision to pull out of an agreement over Iran's nuclear programme. The United States is due to impose new sanctions against Iran on Tuesday intended to cripple its economy, implementing President Donald Trump's decision to break with European allies and exit the 2015 agreement. Washington has said the only way Iran could avert the sanctions would be to agree to new negotiations over its missile and nuclear programmes. "We are always in favour of diplomacy and talks ... But talks needs honesty," Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state television. "The U.S. reimposes sanctions on Iran and pulls out of the (2015) nuclear deal, and then wants to hold talks with us," he said. "Trump's call for direct talks is only for domestic consumption in America ahead of elections ... and to create chaos in Iran." Under the 2015 agreement Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of economic sanctions. The Trump administration argues that the curbs did not go far enough and it wants to force Iran back to the negotiating table. Iran says that by abandoning the agreement Washington has shown it cannot negotiate in good faith. Last Month, Trump said that he would be willing to meet Rouhani without preconditions to discuss how to improve relations. Senior Iranian officials and military commanders have rejected Trumps offer of talks as worthless and a dream, saying his words contradicted his action of reimposing sanctions. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Peter Graff) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Islamic State executed one of its dozen hostages captured from Sweida. This has prompted SDF to offer negotiations Beirut: The Islamic State jihadist group has executed one of dozens of Druze hostages abducted from Syria's southern province of Sweida last week, a journalist in the area and a monitor said on Monday. The killing prompted an offer from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to exchange captured jihadists for the remaining Druze civilians. Islamic State went on a rampage in Sweida on 25 July, killing more than 250 people mostly civilians in the deadliest attack ever to target the mostly government-held province and its Druze religious minority. The jihadists also kidnapped more than 30 people, most of them women and children, from a village in the province, which had previously remained largely isolated from Syria's seven-year civil war. On Thursday, Islamic State killed a 19-year-old male student who was among the hostages, the head of the Sweida24 news website Nour Radwan told AFP. Quoting relatives, Radwan, who was speaking from Sweida, said the young man was taken from the village of Al-Shabki on 25 July along with his mother. His family received two videos, the first showing him being decapitated and the second of him speaking before being killed as well as images of his body after his death, Radwan said. Sweida24 posted online part of a second video, seen by AFP, showing a bearded young man who appeared to be sitting on the ground in a landscape of grey rocks. He is wearing a black T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms, and his hands are tied behind his back. The video could not be independently verified. Islamic State has not claimed the kidnappings and did not publish the video on its usual channels. Islamic State jihadists have lost much of the territory they once controlled in Syria after overrunning large swathes of it in 2014, but they retain a presence in the east of the country and in the country's vast Badiya desert. The regime has been fighting in recent weeks to expel Islamic State fighters from a patch of the neighbouring province of Daraa. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said the young man's execution was the first since the kidnappings. The execution came "after the failure of talks between Islamic State and regime forces over the transfer of Islamic State fighters from the southwest of Daraa province to the Badiya" desert, the Observatory said. It also follows the execution of 50 Islamic State fighters and civilians in Daraa province earlier in the week at the hands of rebels, according to the monitor, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria. Stepping in with an offer on Sunday, the SDF, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters, told AFP that it was "fully prepared" to exchange jihadists for the Sweida civilians. "We assure our people in the town of Sweida and the families of the hostages that we are fully prepared for any exchange with Daesh," SDF spokesman Redur Khalil told AFP, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. "This initiative does not replace Russia's mediation," he said. On Friday, a top Druze religious leader said Syrian regime ally Russia was in talks with the jihadists over the release of those abducted in Sweida. North Korea and US came to blows at ASEAN Regional Forum on Saturday over the denuclearisation deal. Pyongyang accused Washington of being 'alarming' with its insistent moves Singapore: North Korea and the US on Saturday sparred over an agreement reached at a landmark summit in June for the Asian country to end its nuclear program, as Washington called for maintaining sanctions pressure against Pyongyang, which in turn said it was alarmed by US intentions. The discord at a regional forum in Singapore was the latest reminder of the difficulties that have long impaired efforts to negotiate an end to North Koreas nuclear and missile programs, despite commitments made at an unprecedented summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in the city state less than two months ago. The DPRK stands firm in its determination and commitment for implementing the DPRK-US Joint Statement in a responsible and good-faith manner, North Koreas Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho told the ASEAN Regional Forum, using his countrys official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. What is alarming however is the insistent moves manifested within the US to go back to the old, far from its leaders intention, he said. Ri made the statement after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had left the Singapore conference center for Indonesia having pressed Southeast Asian nations to maintain sanctions on North Korea until it gives up a nuclear weapons program that now threatens the US. At the 12 June summit, Kim, who is seeking relief from tough sanctions, committed to work towards denuclearisation, but North Korea has offered no details on how it might go about this. Pompeo suggested on Friday that continued work on weapons programs by North Korea was inconsistent with Kims commitment to denuclearize. On Saturday, he nevertheless said he was optimistic a North Korean denuclearisation could be achieved although it would take some time. Ri said North Korea had made goodwill gestures, including a moratorium on nuclear tests and rocket launches and the dismantling of a nuclear test ground. However, the US, instead of responding to these measures, is raising its voice louder for maintaining the sanctions against the DPRK and showing the attitude to retreat even from declaring the end of the war, a very basic and primary step for providing peace on the Korean peninsula, he said. On Saturday, Pompeo said Washington took very seriously any relaxation of U.N. sanctions, calling out Russia for possibly violating a UN resolution by issuing work visas to North Korean workers. Warning to Moscow: I want to remind every nation that has supported these resolutions that this is a serious issue and something that we will discuss with Moscow, he said. We expect the Russians and all countries to abide by the UN Security Council resolutions and enforce sanctions on North Korea. Russia has denied a report by the Wall Street Journal that said Moscow was allowing thousands of fresh North Korean laborers into the country and granting them work permits in a potential breach of UN sanctions. Russias ambassador to North Korea also denied Moscow was flouting UN restrictions on oil supplies to North Korea. According to a confidential UN report seen by Reuters on Friday, North Korea has not stopped nuclear and missile programs in violation of UN sanctions. Although Pompeo has been leading US negotiating efforts with North Korea, he had no formal meeting with Ri in Singapore. However, at a group photo session on Saturday, he walked up to the North Korean and shook hands and exchanged words and smiles. He told Ri: We should talk again soon, the State Department said. I agree, there are many productive conversations to be had, Ri replied, according to the State Department. Pompeo later tweeted that it had been a quick, polite exchange and there had been the opportunity to deliver a letter for Kim Jong-Un from Trump. US Ambassador Sung Kim handed Ri the letter, which the State Department said was in return for one from Kim to Trump that the White House said was received on Wednesday. The State Department has not said what is in Trumps letter to Kim. Trump posted a note on Twitter on Thursday thanking Kim for returning the remains of US soldiers from the Korean War and saying he looked forward to seeing Kim again soon, although the White House said no second meeting was currently planned. It is not the first time since the summit that North Korea has appeared to offer a more negative impression of the progress of talks with the US that Washington. Following a trip to Pyongyang in July, Pompeo spoke of progress, but as soon as he had left the country North Korea accused him of gangster-like diplomacy, casting doubts about the future of the discussions. Even so, Trump has continued to hail progress, emphasizing the halt in bomb and missile tests and North Koreas return of purported American war remains. A senior State Department official sought to play down Ris statement, saying it was to be expected. Much of the intervention was positive and thats an improvement from the past, the official said. Were building a relationship with North Korea after years of difficult relations. Since US talks with North Korea resumed in 2018, Pompeo has primarily engaged with Kim Yong-chol, a top North Korean party official and former spy agency chief, not Ri. Pompeo told a Senate committee hearing on 25 July that North Korea was continuing to produce fuel for nuclear bombs in spite of its denuclearisation pledge. On Monday, a senior US official said US spy satellites had detected renewed activity at the North Korean factory that produced the countrys first intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the US. At a security forum, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo suggested the Norths continued work on its programmes went against Kims commitment to denuclearise. Seoul: North Korean state media called for the United States to drop sanctions on Monday, saying Pyongyang had demonstrated good faith by ending its nuclear weapons testing and handing over the remains of US troops killed in the Korean War. The statements came just days after a confidential United Nations report concluded that North Korea has not stopped its nuclear and missile programmes, in breach of UN resolutions. North Korea and the United States vowed to work to end Pyongyangs weapons programmes at a landmark summit in June in Singapore, but have struggled to reach an agreement to accomplish that goal. The Norths state media accused Washington of acting opposite to its plan to improve ties, despite Pyongyang making goodwill gestures, including a moratorium on nuclear and missile tests, the dismantling of a nuclear site, and the return of the remains of US soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War. Such practical measures had already deprived UN Security Council resolutions of their reason for being, said the Rodong Sinmun, a ruling Workers Party mouthpiece. There have been outrageous arguments coming out of the US State Department that it wont ease sanctions until a denuclearisation is completed, and reinforcing sanctions is a way to raise its negotiating power, the newspaper said in an editorial. How could the sanctions, which were a stick the US administration had brandished as part of its hostile policy against us, promote the two countries amity? The editorial, which was run along with front page articles and photos of leader Kim Jong-uns visit to a catfish farm in a display of his shift in focus to the economy, was a fresh sign of Pyongyangs frustration over the slow-moving nuclear negotiations. Under President Donald Trump, the United States pushed the United Nations to impose tough sanctions on North Korea as Kim conducted a string of missile and nuclear tests last year. At a security forum on Saturday, the two sides sparred over the Singapore agreement, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling for maintaining sanctions against Pyongyang, and his North Korean counterpart, Ri Yong Ho, criticising Washington for retreating from ending the war during a speech. Pompeo suggested the Norths continued work on its weapons programmes was inconsistent with Kims commitment to denuclearise, although he expressed optimism the process would be achieved. North Koreas propaganda websites on Monday also urged the United States to drop sanctions and build trust. One outlet, Uriminzokkiri, lambasted the sanctions and pressure campaign as anachronistic and a hurdle for better relations, calling for efforts to officially declare an end to the Korea War. The Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving the US-led United Nations forces, including South Korea, technically still at war with the North. The State Department has said it is committed to building a peace mechanism to replace the armistice, but only after the North abandons its nuclear programme. Maeri, another North Korean outlet, stressed the need for US action to build confidence in response to the Norths moves to close its weapons programmes and send back the soldiers remains. It takes two to tango, the website said. A spokesman for South Koreas presidential Blue House told reporters on Monday that We would want North Korea to speed up denuclearisation, and the United States to show a sincere attitude toward what North Korea demands as corresponding action. A man was stabbed in Ayntap village of the Armenias Ararat province. Armenian police received a report at 06:50am, informing that a body of a 28-year-old man was found today near a nightclub VARDA. An operative team was dispatched to the scene. It was found out that an unidentified person had stabbed the man on the same day at 5:30am, News.am reported. A forensic medical examination has been commissioned. The circumstances behind this incident are being ascertained. This decision comes after Canada demanded the immediate release of jailed human rights campaigners. The kingdom gave Horak 24 hours to leave the country. Riyadh: Saudi Arabia said on Monday that it was expelling the Canadian ambassador Dennis Horak and had recalled its envoy while freezing all new trade, in protest at Ottawa's vigorous calls for the release of jailed activists. The kingdom gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country, in an abrupt rupture of relations over what it slammed as "interference" in its internal affairs. The move, which underscores a newly aggressive foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, comes after Canada demanded the immediate release of human rights campaigners swept up in a new crackdown. "The Canadian position is an overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the Saudi foreign ministry tweeted. "The kingdom announces that it is recalling its ambassador to Canada for consultation. We consider the Canadian ambassador to the kingdom persona non grata and order him to leave within the next 24 hours." The ministry also announced, "the freezing of all new trade and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action". Canada last week said it was "gravely concerned" over a new wave of arrests of women and human rights campaigners in the kingdom, including award-winning gender rights activist Samar Badawi. "We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists," the foreign ministry tweeted on Friday. Samar was arrested along with fellow campaigner Nassima al-Sadah last week, the latest victims of what Human Rights Watch called an "unprecedented government crackdown on the women's rights movement". Samar is a vocal campaigner for blogger Raif Badawi, her brother who was arrested in 2012 and sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for "insulting Islam" in a case that sparked an international outcry. The latest arrests come weeks after more than a dozen women's rights campaigners were detained and accused of undermining national security and collaborating with enemies of the state. Some have since been released. The Saudi foreign ministry slammed the Canadian statement, signalling its growing irritation over Western criticism of the kingdom's poor human rights record. "Using the phrase 'immediately release' in the Canadian statement is very unfortunate, reprehensible, and unacceptable in relations between states," the ministry tweeted. Prince Mohammed, the heir to the region's most powerful throne, has introduced a string of reforms such as lifting a decades-long ban on women drivers in a bid to overhaul the kingdom's austere image as it prepares for a post-oil era. But the 32-year-old has simultaneously pursued a hawkish foreign policy including leading a blockade of neighbouring Qatar and a bombing campaign against Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen while cracking down on dissent at home. "The rupture in Saudi diplomatic relations with Canada reinforces how the 'new' Saudi Arabia that Mohammed bin Salman is putting together is in no mood to tolerate any form of criticism of its handling of domestic affairs," said Kristian Ulrichsen, a fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute in the United States. In April, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his "serious concern" over the continued jailing of Badawi to Saudi King Salman. Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar has been granted asylum by Canada, where she is raising their three children now aged 14, 13 and 10, as a single mother. Riyadh's expulsion of the Canadian ambassador was meant to send a strong message to other critical Western governments, observers say. "Canada is easier to cut ties with than the rest," Bessma Momani, a professor at Canada's University of Waterloo, told AFP. "There isn't a strong bilateral trade relationship and poking the Trudeau government likely resonates with Saudi's hawkish regional allies. In jeopardy, are the tens of thousands of Saudi students in Canada." The students' non-violent movement in Bangladesh that erupted on 29 July following the death of two students in a road accident in Dhaka seems to have come to an end after a series of violent incidents Dhaka: Bangladeshi students' non-violent movement that erupted on 29 July following the death of two students in a road accident in Dhaka seems to have come to an end after a series of violent incidents. Thousands of outraged school and college students laid siege to the streets of the National Capital for a week demanding road safety across the country; they've now been dispersed following repeated attacks launched by law-enforcement agencies and the ruling party's student wing for the past few days. The protesting students in the port city of Chittagong on Sunday afternoon announced that they would go back to classes from Monday following assurances from authorities to meet their demands. The announcement came after a meeting between agitating students and port city deputy commissioner Mohammad Elias Hossain at around 4.30 pm, the DC's office said. "The district administration will try to fulfil the demands of students as many as possible in collaboration with the Chittagong City Corporation and other local administrations. The rest will be forwarded to the government for implementation," Hossain said. Meanwhile, in Dhaka, the students of Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University and Jagannath University along with some private university students staged a demonstration protesting the government's role regarding road safety of students. The movement was foiled by the leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League as they chased the protesters with lethal weapons. Hundreds of armed Chhatra League men ran riot on the streets of Shahbagh Intersection, Mirpur Road and Elephant Road to stop the students' movements from Sunday morning resulting in terror among citizens. On Saturday, agitating students reportedly came under attack by Chhatra League men and law enforcing agencies. More than a hundred protesting students received severe injuries during the attacks around Dhanmondi area. They were later admitted to local hospitals, sources said. On Sunday, at a programme in the capital's Banani area, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said, "Will we kiss them if they attack Awami League's party office?" He told the media that a vested political quarter with an evil motive was carrying out the wrongdoings by using the children. Obaidul, also road, transport and bridges minister claimed citizens feel very annoyed as a result of the misconduct and called upon all to resist the evil forces. Journalists under attack While covering the students' protest, on Sunday in Dhaka, several journalists including an Associated Press photojournalist were attacked and injured reportedly by the armed Chhatra League men in the Science Laboratory area. The incident took place at around 2 pm when a number of journalists and photojournalists were covering the protest in front of Dhaka City College, eyewitnesses and local businessmen said. "A group of armed and helmeted Chhatra League goons, who were patrolling around the area from morning, launched the attack on journalists in presence of police," a street vendor said seeking anonymity. "They beat them indiscriminately and broke cameras and other equipment of the journalists," he added. The injured journalists were identified as AM Ahad of The Associated Press, Ahmed Deepto of Bangla daily Prothom Alo, Palash of Banik Barta, Ibnul Asad Zawad of Janakantha, Rimon of Zuma Press and Rahat Karim, a freelance journalist. Another group of journalists was attacked at on Dhanmondi Road 2, local media reported. While contacted, Deputy Commissioner (Ramna Zone) Maruf Hossain Sardar said that they were not informed about the incident. "No one has informed us that journalists were under attack. If we had been informed, we would surely have take steps," he told reporters. Shahidul Alam picked up from home Noted Bangladeshi photographer Shahidul Alam, also the founder of Pathshala South Asian Media Institute was picked up by unidentified people from his residence on Sunday night. According to a source from Shahidul's photography agency Drik, he was picked up at around 10.30 pm in a car. While contacted, Dhaka Metropolitan Police's additional deputy commissioner (Ramna Zone) Abdullahel Baki confirmed the matter saying that his family members had informed the police about the incident. "Shahidul is not detained by the police. We know nothing about the incident but are investigating the allegations," he said. The celebrated photographer also came under attack while taking pictures of the student protests and recently spoke against the Bangladesh government with Qatari news organisation Al Jazeera. Syrian regime forces bombed the southern Badiya desert on Monday to draw out Islamic State jihadists according to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights Beirut: Syrian regime forces have bombed a desert area under the control of the Islamic State jihadist group near the province of Sweida in southern Syria, a war monitor said. "The bombing and fighting between the regime forces and Islamic State have intensified during the evening and are continuing," said Rami Abdel Rahmane, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "The regime is advancing to the north and northeast of Sweida", adjacent to the desert zone of the southern province, he told AFP. This military operation would be "the start of a regime offensive to dislodge Islamic State from this pocket" in the Badiya desert of Sweida, he said, adding that "a major military reinforcement (of regime troops) is massing" in the area. The fighting comes as Russia failed in its negotiations to free some 30 civilian hostages of the Druze religious minority taken by Islamic State in July. The kidnappings followed a series of coordinated attacks against Sweida province which left more than 250 people dead. On Sunday, the Observatory and news website Sweida24 announced that Islamic State had decapitated one of the hostages, a 19-year-old male student. This execution, the first since the abductions, came "after the failure of the negotiations with the regime forces", according to the Observatory. The Syrian Democratic Forces, an Arab-Kurd alliance which fought against Islamic State with the support of the US, indicated Sunday that it was ready to exchange with Islamic State captured jihadists for the remaining Druze civilian hostages. Meanwhile Islamic State, which has not claimed responsibility for the execution or the kidnappings, has been pounded by multiple offensives in Syria and on Monday controls less than three per cent of the territory. However, it continues to launch attacks like the bloody strike and kidnappings in Sweida. The Syrian conflict which began in 2011 has claimed more than 350,000 lives and left millions displaced or fleeing as refugees. By Kanupriya Kapoor PEMENANG, Indonesia (Reuters) - Rescuers used diggers and heavy machinery to clear debris and search for survivors on Monday after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake killed at least 98 people on Indonesia's resort island of Lombok, prompting an exodus of tourists. By Kanupriya Kapoor PEMENANG, Indonesia (Reuters) - Rescuers used diggers and heavy machinery to clear debris and search for survivors on Monday after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake killed at least 98 people on Indonesia's resort island of Lombok, prompting an exodus of tourists. The island was further rattled by a magnitude 5.2 earthquake on Monday evening. Reuters witnesses said the quake woke up residents and tourists, who ran out of their hotels. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said it expected the death toll to rise once the rubble of more than 13,000 houses was cleared away after the second powerful quake in a week. Power and communications were severed in some areas, with landslides and a collapsed bridge blocking access to areas around the epicentre in the north. The military said it would send a ship with medical aid, supplies and logistics support. Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and is regularly hit by earthquakes. In 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami killed 226,000 people in 13 countries, including more than 120,000 in Indonesia. Officials said more than 2,000 people had been evacuated from the three Gili islands off the northwest coast of Lombok, where fears of another tsunami spread. Michelle Thompson, an American holidaying on one of the Gilis, described a scramble to get on boats leaving for the main island during which her husband was injured. "People were just throwing their suitcases on board and I had to struggle to get my husband on, because he was bleeding," she said. BNPB spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said emergency units in its hospitals were overflowing and some patients were being treated in parking lots. The main hospital in the town of Tanjung in the north was severely damaged, so staff set up about 30 beds in the shade of trees and in a tent on a field to tend to the injured. A boy with a heavily bandaged leg wailed in pain, an elderly man wore a splint improvised from strips of cardboard on a broken arm, and some hurt by falling debris still had dried blood on their faces. BABY BORN The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) said more than 120 aftershocks were recorded after Sunday evening's quake. Lombok had already been hit on July 29 by a 6.4 magnitude quake that killed 17 people and briefly stranded several hundred trekkers on the slopes of a volcano. At magnitude 6.9, Sunday's quake released more than five times the energy of the earlier one, the United States Geological Survey website said. The tremor was powerful enough to be felt on the neighbouring island of Bali where, BNPB said, two people died. (For graphic on earthquake in Indonesia, click tmsnrt.rs/2vmA8oJ) Despite it being a popular tourist destination, no foreigners were recorded among the dead, BNPB spokesman Nugroho told a news conference. Some 236 people were injured and more than 20,000 displaced, he said. "We have yet to ask for help from the international(community). But if there's any friendly country who wants to offer help, please do," Nugroho said. British-based charity Oxfam said it was providing clean drinking water and tarpaulin shelter sheets to 5,000 people and planned to intensify aid delivery. The United Nations has offered to support rescue and relief efforts if required. The Indonesian Red Cross said on Twitter it had helped a woman give birth at a makeshift health care station after the quake. One of the names she gave the baby boy was "Gempa", which means earthquake. Among those displaced were residents of a northern village called Mentigi, who fled to nearby hills. Blue tarpaulins dotted the landscape as people prepared to spend the nights outdoors because of aftershocks or because their homes were destroyed. "We are getting some aid from volunteers, but we don't have proper tents yet," said a 50-year-old villager sheltering with his wife and children, who gave his name only as Marhun. Sengiggi, a seaside tourist strip on Lombok, looked abandoned. Amid collapsed homes, most hotels seemed to have shut and beaches were deserted. The few restaurants left open were rationing food. Long lines formed at the airport of Lombok's main town, Mataram, as foreign visitors cut their holidays short. BNPB said 18 extra flights had been added for leaving tourists. "I was at the rooftop of my hotel and the building started swaying very hard ... I could not stand up," said Gino Poggiali, a 43-year-old Frenchman, who was with his wife and two children at the airport. His wife Maude, 44, said the family was on Bali for the first quake and Lombok for the second. "This is it for me in Indonesia. Next time we will stay in France, or somewhere close," she said. Dutch tourist Marc Ganbuwalba injured his knee in a stampede of diners from a restaurant after the quake. "We are cutting short our holiday because I can't walk and we're just not in the mood anymore," said the 26-year-old, sitting on a trolley at the airport with his leg bandaged. (Additional reporting by Fransiska Nangoy, Gayatri Suroyo, Fanny Potkin, Agustinus Beo da Costa, Bernadette Christina Munthe, Tabita Diela, Cindy Silviana and Jessica Damiana in JAKARTA, Jamie Freed and Jack Kim in SINGAPORE, and Colin Packham in SYDNEY; Michelle Nichols in NEW YORK, Writing by John Chalmers; Editing by Alison Williams and Robin Pomeroy) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. US president Donald Trump admitted on Sunday that his son met with a Russian lawyer in Trump Tower in 2016 'to get information on an opponent' but defended it as 'totally legal.' Washington: US president Donald Trump admitted on Sunday that his son met with a Russian lawyer in Trump Tower in 2016 "to get information on an opponent" but defended it as "totally legal." It was Trump's most direct acknowledgement that the motive for the June 2016 meeting was to get dirt on Hillary Clinton, his Democratic rival for the presidency. As he has in the past, Trump insisted in a tweet that he did not know at the time about the meeting between his son Donald Jr and Natalia Veselnitskaya, a lawyer with links to the Kremlin. "This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!" Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower. This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2018 The meeting has come under intense scrutiny from Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating whether members of the Trump campaign coordinated with a Russian effort to sway the 2016 election in the Republican's favor. The president's tweet about the meeting was one in a thread in which he reiterated criticism of Mueller, calling his probe "the most one sided Witch Hunt in the history of our country" peppered with "lies and corruption." The Washington Post reported on Sunday that Trump has been brooding in private about whether his son unintentionally put himself in legal jeopardy by meeting with Veselnitskaya. Trump called the Post report "a complete fabrication." Illegal meeting? The Trump Tower meeting was arranged by British music promoter, Rob Goldstone, who told Donald Jr that he had "information that would incriminate Hillary and her dealings with Russia and would be very useful to your father." Young Trump responded "I love it" when first offered the "dirt" on Clinton, the Democratic nominee. News of the meeting, which Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and top campaign official Paul Manafort also attended, broke in July 2017. Donald Jr initially said in a statement to The New York Times that the meeting was "primarily" about American adoptions of Russian children. He later admitted he accepted the meeting with Veselnitskaya in hopes of obtaining damaging information on Clinton, but said nothing came of it. The Post had reported that the statement to The Times was dictated by the president, though at the time Trump's lawyers denied his involvement. They later reversed course in a memo to Mueller and said Trump was indeed behind the statement that omitted the prospect of collecting dirt on Clinton. Lawyers described the statement as "short but accurate," according to The Post. Asked on Sunday why he had denied the president's involvement, one of Trump's lawyers Jay Sekulow told ABC that "I had bad information at that point." "I made a mistake in my statement," he said. "That happens when you have cases like this." The president's lawyers argue that the meeting, in and of itself, violated no laws. "The question is how will it be illegal?" Sekulow said on Sunday. "What law, statute, rule or regulation has been violated?" LG has announced new Q8, the companys latest smartphone in the Q series soon after the introduction of Q7. It has the same 6.2-inch FHD+ FullVision Display, is powered by an Octa-core Snapdragon 450 SoC with 4GB of RAM, runs Android 8.1 (Oreo), has a 16-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera. It also comes with built-in stylus with pop-memo, GIF editing and more. It has military grade durability with MIL-STD 810G and is also IP68-certified for water and dust resistance. It also has Portrait mode, QLens, Hi-Fi quality audio, DTS:X 3D Surround Sound, and comes with Hi-Fi Quad DAC. It has a fingerprint sensor on the back, and a 3300mAh battery with support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0. LG Q8 (2018) specifications 6.2-inch 18:9 FHD+ (2160 x 1080 pixels) FullVision 389ppi Display 1.8GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 450 14nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 506 GPU 4GB RAM, 64GB internal storage, expandable memory up to 2TB with microSD Android 8.1 (Oreo) 16MP rear camera with LED Flash, PDAF 5MP (100-degree Super Wide Angle) front-facing camera 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio, Hi-Fi audio, DTS:X 3D Surround, Hi-Fi Quad DAC Fingerprint sensor, Built-in stylus Water and Dust Resistant (IP68), MIL-STD 810G certified Dimensions: 160.1 x77.7 x 8.4mm ; Weight: 172g 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth 4.2 LE, GPS / GLONASS, USB Type-C 2.0 3,300mAh built-in battery Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 with fast charging The new LG Q8 comes in Aurora Black and Moroccan Blue colors, is priced at 539,000 won (US$ 470 / 32,869 approx.) and will go on sale soon starting from Korea. Source Amazon and Flipkart have announced their Independence Day sale for this year. Amazons Freedom Sale n Sale is scheduled from August 9th till 12th. Flipkarts 72-hour Big Freedom Sale starts a day later on August 10th and continues till 12th. Amazon said that it will have 20,000 deals on Smartphones, Consumer Electronics,Large Appliances, TVs and more from over 170 million products across hundreds of categories on Amazon.in. The company will offer deals across brands such as OnePlus, Huawei, Honor, Samsung, Vivo, RealMe, JBL, Sony and many more. Amazon Echo devices, Fire TV Stick and Kindle e-readers will be available at great discounts on all four days of the sale. There will be up to 40% off on Mobile phones & accessories and up to 50% of on Consumer Electronics. Amazon will also offer 10% instant discount for SBI card users. You can check out more details on Amazon Freedom Sale page here. Flipkart is offering deals on smartphones, laptops, cameras and more. There will be blockbuster deals and price crash which will refresh every 8 hours, revolutionary deals from 12 to 2AM on August 10th, Freedom countdown price drop from 7:47PM to 8:18PM during the sale, and 24 deals for 24 hours. It is also offering 10% cashback for Citi bank credit card users. You can check out more details on Flipkarts The Big Freedom Sale page here. Airtel and Telecom Egypt have announced a strategic partnership, wherein, Airtel will get IRUs (Indefeasible Right of Use) on Middle East North Africa Submarine Cable (MENA Cable) and TE North Cable Systems. Airtel will also take large capacities on a long-term basis on two new state-of-the-art Cable Systems (SMW5 & AAE1). The partnership grants Airtel the right to use fiber pairs of MENA Cable from Egypt to India with access to Saudi Arabia and Oman, and other fiber pairs from Egypt towards Italy. It also extends beyond MENA Cable, where Airtel will get the right to use a fiber pair from Egypt to France on TE North along with capacities on SMW5 and AAE1 cable systems. With this, Airtel will be able to further diversify its global network to serve the massive growth in demand for data services, particularly in emerging markets across South Asia, Africa and Middle East, while also benefitting from the favorable economics of Telecom Egypts existing wide cable systems network. Airtels global network portfolio includes ownership of i2i submarine cable system connecting Chennai to Singapore, consortium ownership of SMW4 submarine cable system connecting Chennai and Mumbai to Singapore and Europe, and new cable system investments like Asia America Gateway (AAG), India Middle East & Western Europe (IMEWE), Unity, EIG (Europe India Gateway) and East Africa Submarine System (EASSy). It also has terrestrial express connectivity to neighboring countries including Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh and China. Ajay Chitkara, Director and CEO Airtel Business said: The partnership with Telecom Egypt underlines our commitment to provide world-class service experience to our customers. The partnership including MENA Cable and TEs network will be a good addition to our global network portfolio and provide us with a high quality and diversified new route to Western Europe and the rest of the world. With the explosion of data usage in emerging markets, including India and Africa, this asset will provide us a scalable and diverse high capacity highway to serve our customers. In particular, it will provide impetus to Indias emergence as a major regional internet hub serving customers across SAARC region, with seamless global connectivity. Xiaomi today announced that Holitech Technology which is its key component supplier will start smartphone component manufacturing in India. Holitech has signed an MOU with the state of Andhra Pradesh and will start local manufacturing in the city of Tirupati for Xiaomi. Holitech Technology said that it would invest nearly US$200 million over the next three years in Andhra Pradesh and would be the first manufacturer in India who will be manufacturing Compact Camera Modules (CCM), Thin Film Transistor (TFT), Capacitive Touch Screen module (CTP), Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC), and fingerprint sensor locally. The local manufacturing is likely to start by Q1 2019. The company is aiming to generate 6000 jobs in three years. #MakeInIndia. A historic day for @XiaomiIndia! We & our partner Holitech have signed an MOU with AP Govt to start local manufacturing of 5 components: Camera Modules, TFT Screen, Touch Screen, Flexible Printed Circuits & Fingerprint Sensors.#ProudIndian #India #Xiaomi (1/4) pic.twitter.com/DTsVzKU0A7 Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) August 6, 2018 The component manufacturing plant would be spread across 75 acres of land in Tirupati and the mass production will start with the production capacity of nearly 50 million each component per year. Commenting on the same, Nara Lokesh, Honorable Minister of Information Technology said: Andhra Pradesh is one of the youngest pioneering states of India. The state has a young entrepreneurial spirit and poses an attractive destination for similar minded companies. Our state of the art infrastructural offerings make Andhra Pradesh an exciting investment opportunity and it is heartening to see Holitech Technology come to the state and initiate a big revolution in the market for local manufacturing. Manu Jain, Vice President, Xiaomi and Managing Director, Xiaomi India said: Xiaomi has witnessed significant growth in the country and we are positive that Holitechs plans for India will set a new motion in place for the electronics manufacturing industry in India. Holitech is an important global component supplier of Xiaomi and with their entry in India, we are positive that a new era of local manufacturing will begin with several job creations and other component manufacturers also coming in. As a brand dedicated to the cause of Make in India, we are proud to be leading this initiative from the front for the entire nation and hope everyone can make best specs, highest quality products accessible to the country at honest pricing. Flame Chen, Co-Founder, and CEO, Holitech Technology said: Russia's economy is able to withstand even the unlikely scenario of the U.S. expanding its economic sanctions on the countrys sovereign debt, Bloomberg reported on Monday citing International rating agency Moodys Senior Vice President and analyst Kristin Lindow. Lindow said that the Russian governments measures to reduce investment in U.S. treasuries and to cut dependency on the U.S. dollar made the economy less sensitive to the threat of large-scale restrictions. Russia is ready to neutralize any possible impact from the new U.S. sanctions, according to Lindow. The analyst also assumed that the sanctions would unlikely cover Russias sovereign debt after the U.S. Department of the Treasury had warned senators that the sanctions may destabilize global markets. The example with aluminum giant UC RUSAL, when U.S. sanctions hit many markets outside Russia, should have become a lesson for them, Lindow said. On August 2, a group of U.S. senators introduced a draft law on new anti-Russian sanctions, including sanctions against sovereign debt and politicians as well as caps for energy investment and restriction of uranium imports. Chairman of Russias Federation Council Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev held a meeting with visiting US Senator Rand Paul in Moscow today. The sides discussed bilateral relations during the meeting. The US delegation also includes a member of the Senate of the legislative Assembly of the state of Texas Peter Hettler and Texas Sen. Don Huffines. Members of Russias Federation CouncilForeign Affairs Committee and Rand Paul have discussed the possibility of a meeting at the level of the committees of the Federation Council and US Senate by the end of this year. "Since Mr. Paul is a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, we paid special attention to contacts between the relevant committees and agreed on some specific aspects of developing this cooperation," Kosachev said, adding that "of course, Mr. Paul is yet to discuss these ideas with his colleagues after returning to Washington." "However, the issue at hand is trying, perhaps, to organize a new meeting, this time at the level of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the Federation Councils Foreign Affairs Committee during the autumn session, that is, before the end of this year," Kosachev noted. "Whether it can be organized prior to the November elections to the US Congress or after that election campaign, we will discuss that additionally," he added. For his part, the US senator invited members of the Federation Councils Foreign Affairs Committee to visit Washington to develop inter-parliamentary dialogue. During the meeting in Russias Federation Council, the parties also discussed the possible agenda for these talks. Kosachev noted that the two countries parliamentarians could possibly meet several times. "The issue at hand is helping to revive the Russian-American dialogue on strategic stability issues, arms control and disarmament, first and foremost," he stressed. Besides, the two countries lawmakers could discuss ways of "reviving a working dialogue between the relevant ministries and government agencies on combating terrorism and security in cyberspace," along with trade and economic cooperation amid sanctions. "The preliminary agenda is clear, while the schedule of our meetings is yet to be discussed. It can likewise be specified in the immediate future," Kosachev stated. He once again refuted allegations about the so-called Russian meddling in the US elections, both the 2016 presidential election and the current election campaign ahead of the midterm elections to the Congress. Kosachev recalled that Moscow had suggested discussing this issue at the expert level more than once, but there was no response from Washington. "It is more advantageous for those who keep this version afloat to work in a unilateral manner, in the form of a monologue," he emphasized. He later told reporters that Rand Paul is pretty close to US President Donald Trump and recalled that Paul was one of the two senators who did not support the law on tougher sanctions against Russia a year ago. Head of Russias State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky has asked at a meeting with Rand Paul for his assistance in resolving the situation with Russian national Maria Butina arrested in the US. "We ask you to help in the situation with Butina who was arrested on trumped-up charges for no good reason. She is facing grave accusations, she has been placed into custody, TASS cited Slutsky as saying. "We are grateful for your unchanged rhetoric in favor of dialogue with Russia. Today she [Butina] is accused of failing to register as a foreign agent, but her activities in an American NGO did not imply such a mandatory registration," he added. The head of Russias State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee assured the US senator that Russia is ready to provide all data concerning this case. "If you raise your voice in Butinas defense, in favor of at least changing her pre-trial restriction, that is, release from custody and an opportunity to return to her home country, you will show yourself as a person with a big heart," Slutsky said. 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. Most assume that heading to a festival is only for young people with little responsiblity, but here's a couple of guys that show you are never to old to head to a festy! Two elderly men plotted an escape from their nursing home to attend a festival, and it's probably the best thing we've heard all day. In Germany, police found the two men in amongst the crowd of the Wacken Open Air music festival after worried staff had called on them. A local officer reported they were "both disoriented and apathetic" but definitely had enjoyed themselves. Sanctions imposed on Russia by the US authorities hinder bilateral relations. However, they are not the reason for their immediate termination, Chairman of Russias Federation Council Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev said at the meeting with visiting US Senator Rand Paul. According to Kosachev, his fellow lawmakers and he would like to discuss with their US counterpart relations between the two countries with due account for Washingtons sanctions pressure. "Of course, sanctions hinder [our] relations but by no means end them," TASS cited the Russian senator as saying. The Russian senator emphasized that members of the upper house of the Russian parliament were glad to accept the offer to arrange such a meeting due to absence of regular contacts between the two countries legislators. He noted that "certain forces in the US" are opposed to establishing dialogue with Russia in order to create space for their short-term considerations and superficial initiatives. Kosachev added that the Russian side would also like to raise the issues of Syria, North Korea and Iran at the meeting. Georgias accession to NATO may trigger "a terrible conflict", Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with the Kommersant FM radio station, a portion of which was broadcast. He pointed out that the 2008 armed conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia, which also involved Russia, could have been prevented. "It was not inevitable," TASS cited Medvedev as saying. On July 12, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated NATOs intention to grant membership to Georgia. However, he did not say when it could happen. At the 2008 NATO summit held in the Romanian capital of Bucharest, member states pledged that Ukraine and Georgia would join the alliance in the future. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow would view NATOs further expansion, including the accession of Georgia and Ukraine, highly negatively. How to check IRCTC Train status on WhatsApp Tips Tricks oi-Sandeep Sarkar A user can also check the live status of their train, all they need to do is send a message stating Live Train Status of ' to the MakeMyTrip's WhatsApp number. WhatsApp has over 1.5 billion monthly active users and the company has released a plethora of features for its platform. WhatsApp has recently introduced a new feature for the users where it will allow them to check their train stats online using the chat application. The new feature allows the users to make use of the platform in order to get the status of the train tickets online. The company has collaborated with MakeMyTrip which is an online travel service provider in order to roll out the new feature. The newly released feature offered by the Indian Railways allows a user to check the PNR status of the booked tickets along with the live running status of the trains with the help of a simple text message. This feature saves users time and saves their efforts of logging into the IRCTC website and go through the menus so that they can check the live status of their trains. In order to utilize this feature, a user will first need to save the MakeMyTrip's official mobile number "7349389104" on their devices. Once the number is saved on the device all a user will need to do is memorize a few texts commands so that they can request for the information on their train schedule and booking status. To check the IRCTC ticket booking status a user will need to send a message 'PNR status for PNR number' to MakeMyTrip's WhatsApp number. Once the user has sent the message he/she will get a reply which will consist of the train number, name, the source and the destination station. The status will further show that 'your tickets are confirmed' when the seat has been allotted to the user. If in case the seat is not allotted then the user will see the updated waiting list number for their ticket. A user can also check the live status of their train, all they need to do is send a message stating 'Live Train Status of ' to the MakeMyTrip's WhatsApp number. If their train has departed the station then they will get a reply which will have the information whether the train is running on time or not, when it has departed from a recent stop, and how long it will take to reach to the next destination. If the train has not departed then the user will get a response that his/her train has not started from the source station and will also show the expected departure information. MakeMyTrip has also said that a user's reservations will also appear in this conversation and it will also send the user messages regarding vouchers, refunds and cancellation, flight web check-in status and more. 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 Pricing and Availability As of now, there is no information on the pricing of the LG G7 ThinQ. However, considering the price of the LG V30+, the LG G7 ThinQ is expected to launch in India at Rs 39,990. The company might launch the LG G7 Thinq as the LG G7+ ThinQ with 6 GB RAM to compete against the likes of the OnePlus 6 and the Asus ZenFone 5z. According to our source, the company might launch the LG G7+ ThinQ in India on the 6th of August. LG G7+ ThinQ specifications On the front, the LG G7+ ThinQ has a 6.1-inch IPS LCD display with a notch design offering QHD+ resolution (31201440 pixels) with Corning Gorilla Glass protection. Under the hood, the smartphone is running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC with 6 GB RAM and 64 GB storage with a micro SD card slot for storage expansion. The smartphone is IP68 certified against water and dust resistance and also offer super loudspeaker setup with Hi-Fi Quad DAC for the enhanced audio experience. On to the optics, the smartphone has a dual camera setup with a 16 MP primary sensor with an f/1.6 aperture and a 16 MP wide-angle lens with an f/1.9 aperture. Similarly, there is an 8 MP front-facing camera on the front with 1080p video recording capability, whereas the primary camera can record 4k videos as well. The camera capabilities of the LG G7+ ThinQ are being elevated using AI features. AI will help the smartphone to capture images with low noise, which works even in low-light conditions. The smartphone also supports Face Unlock via front-facing camera, which even works in low light conditions. The smartphone has a 3000 mAh Li-ion battery with support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 via USB type C port and also supports wireless charging as well. Conclusion At the price of Rs 39,990, the LG G7+ ThinQ is a great smartphone, which can compete against the likes of the Asus ZenFone 5z and the OnePlus 6, as the LG G7+ has features like wireless charging and IP68 certification, which are missing on the other affordable flagship smartphones. No more free audio jack dongles with the Apple iPhones News oi-Vishal Kawadkar Apple will no longer bundle the headphone jack dongles. It seems that the iPhone users will soon live in a dongle-free world. Or, at least a future in which audio jack dongles will no longer be bundled with the device. According to a report by MacRumors, the new 2018 iPhones will not be bundled with the lightning port-to-headphone jack adapter. The maker of the dongle, Cirrus Logic, apparently confirmed the change to Barclays. "Cirrus didn't update its FY19 guide... but they did finally confirm the dongle loss, adding more support for our below estimates," the Barclays note reads. Apple introduced the dongle alongside the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in 2016. The same year it decided to do away with the audio jack, in an attempt to move towards a wireless future. But the dongle has been a source of ire and annoyance to a lot of users. It only allows one port for the phone to juice up, headphones, or connect to anything such as a car, has led to total dongle dependence. It's also very easy to lose, considering the size of the dongle is small. The wireless future is certainly coming, but it's not here yet. This also means that users will have to spend the $9 if they want to be a part of the dongle world. Besides, the company recently became the first company in the US to hit the one trillion worth mark. But soon after that, the company was also slapped with a $145 million fine over patent infringement. The patents deal with wireless communication technology. Apple has also confirmed that it plans to appeal against the decision. The company previously rejected the claims of infringement during the pre-trial filings. This dates back to 2013 when US jury ruled in favor of the Cupertino giant in which WiLan had sought $248 million in damages. This time around both the companies are in a patent infringement case. There isn't much known about the lawsuit, so it remains unclear whether the firms reach a conclusion. Previous, Apple was ordered to pay $502.6 million to VirnetX Holding Corp. after the company lost a patent infringement lawsuit. The verdict was announced by the grand jury in Texas after finding that Apple infringed patents that were related to secure communications 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 OnePlus 6 Screen Flickering Issue: Company acknowledges the issue and promises a fix News oi-Vivek OnePlus 6 is available in four colors OnePlus 6 is one of the most affordable flagship smartphones that anyone can buy, the smartphone has a great set of features with a premium design as well. The OnePlus 6 smartphone has faced several software related issues. And now, the OnePlus 6 is being haunted by the screen flickering issue. The issue According to a set of OnePlus 6 users, the smartphone has a new problem related to the display, where the screen will start to flicker under the bright light when the adaptive display is turned on. As a large number of users started to complain about the same issue, the company has assured that a software update is on its way, which should fix this issue. The update package will also include the security patch for the month of August as well. This issue was found when the users update their OnePlus 6 devices to the latest available software update. OnePlus 6 specifications The OnePlus 6 has a 6.3-inch Optic OLED display on the front with FHD+ resolution protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The smartphone has a glass sandwich design with a metal mid-frame. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Octa-core chipset with 6/8 GB RAM and 64/128/256 GB internal storage for a price of Rs 34,999, Rs 39,999, and Rs 44,999, respectively. The smartphone has a dual camera set up at the back with a 16 MP primary sensor and a 20 MP secondary sensor to improve low light photography. The smartphone does support 4K video recording up to 60fps and also supports super slow motion video recording at 480p. The device has a 16 MP front-facing selfie camera which has the fastest face unlocking feature on any Android smartphone. The device has a 3300 mAh battery with support for Dash Charging, which can charge the device from 0 to 100% in less than 90 minutes via USB type C port. The device also has a 3.5 mm headphone jack as well. Finally, the smartphone runs on Android 8.1 Oreo with the custom Oxygen OS (a light skin on top of stock Android) and the device also supports Android P developer's beta. OnePlus is very prominent in providing the software update, where the company recently confirmed that the OnePlus 3 and the OnePlus 3T will receive Android P update instead of Android 8.1. However, as of now, there is no information on the exact date or month of Android P update release for the OnePlus 3 or the OnePlus 3T. 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 After contract negotiations between the Los Angeles teachers union and the school district reached an impasse, the union announced it will conduct a strike authorization vote from Aug. 23 to 30. The Los Angeles Unified school district and the United Teachers Los Angeles have been negotiating a new contract for more than 16 months. On Aug. 3, the California Public Employees Relations Board confirmed that negotiations were in a deadlock. A state mediator has been appointed. In the meantime, the union is threatening, and preparing for, a strike. While a strike authorization vote would not automatically mean that teachers will head to the picket line, it would give union leaders the authority to call a strike if needed. Its a common tactic by unions to pressure the district during tense contract negotiations. While we move forward with a state mediator, and continue to try to reach an agreement with the districtone that respects students, educators, and the communitywe also must mobilize our members for a strike, if one becomes necessary, said Arlene Inouye, the chairwoman of the UTLA bargaining team, in a statement. Teacher Strikes: 4 Common Questions Los Angeles teachers have been without a contract for about a year. The union is seeking a 6.5 percent pay raise retroactive to July 1, 2016. The union also wants class-size reductions, changes to the teacher-evaluation system, and more school nurses, librarians, and restorative-justice advisors. Other demands : add more ethnic studies and multicultural literature classes, give teachers complete discretion to determine which standardized assessments are used in their classroom (beyond those required by the state and federal government), and involve the union when deciding whether to house a charter school on the same campus as a traditional public school. According to the union, the district has proposed a 2 percent ongoing salary increase, an additional one-time 2 percent bonus, and a $500 stipend for teachers to buy classroom supplies. The district has also offered to create a UTLA-LAUSD Ethnic Studies Task Force. LAUSD has not given any proposals to reduce class sizes, decrease the number of tests, or add more school nurses, counselors, social workers, and librarians, according to the union. We must continue to fight for a sustainable future, yet we dont have a partner in the very school district we are trying to save, UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl said in a statement. We have been pushing for real change, they are keeping the status quo. But in an interview with the parent advocacy group, Speak Up , LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner pushed back against some of these demands. For example, he said, UTLA wants fewer magnet schools. But student outcomes at those schools are good, and the district wants more of them. LAUSD would not bargain with union leadership over which tests students take, Beutner said. And many of the unions demands are just too expensive, he added. They would like lower class sizes. So would we. Theyd like a counselor in every school. So would we. They cost money, OK?, Beutner said. On the economic issues, if you add up what they proposed as a packagethey told us this is a package, take it or leave itthe entire package would cost about $1 billion a year. We had no choice but to say no. If we had said yes, we would be bankrupt right now. The last teacher strike in Los Angeles was in 1989. At the American Federation of Teachers conference this summer, Caputo-Pearl said that being a fighting union is one of the best tools union leaders have to recruit new members , after a U.S. Supreme Court decision made it so unions can no longer charge agency or fair share fees to nonmembers. (That means teachers can reap most of the benefits of union membership without paying any union dues or fees.) Union analyst Mike Antonucci is predicting that the Los Angeles teachers union will strike during the second week of October. Corrected: A previous version of this article misstated who conducted the interview with LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner. It was conducted by Speak Up, a grassroots organization for parents, and republished by the LA School Report. Image: UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl speaks at the American Federation of Teachers convention in July. Photo by Elliott Cramer/AFT. Courtesy of the American Federation of Teachers, all rights reserved. Traffic of all types of vehicles along the Georgian Military Road, which connects Russia with the countries of the South Caucasus, is gridlocked, Armenian deputy transport, communication and information technology minister Armen Pambukchyan warned. "There have been problems both in the Russian and Georgian sectors of the Verkhny Lars crossing post: on the Russian side, the length of the line is 9-10 km (5 kilometers of which are trucks), and 200 trucks have gathered in the Georgian part of the road," Pambukchyan wrote on his page in Facebook. The deputy minister also noted that work is underway to improve the situation. "I ask you to avoid the option of coming to Armenia through this road, as you will have to stand in line for a long time," Sputnik Georgia cited Pambukchyan as saying. Pambukchyan also notes that drivers and entrepreneurs are urging the relevant structures to solve the problem urgently, as their losses double every hour. According to the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations in Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, there are no signs of declining or increasing the queue, as the influx of tourists to the South Caucasus continues. Earlier it was reported that the head of North Ossetia, Vyacheslav Bitarov, discussed the problems of Verkhny Lars with the head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations Yevgeny Zinichev. The deputy spokesman of the Department of Highways of the Georgian Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia Irakli Kobidze, speaking with the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, could not explain the reasons for such a massive summer traffic jam on the Russian-Georgian border. "We have no information about whether this traffic jam was caused by road maintenance or any natural phenomenon. Perhaps it was due to the work of the State Border Guard Service," he said. "In general, it is now a normal summer season, we did not have any natural disasters, the road is open for normal operation." We will keep the situation under control," Irakli Kobidze assured. The press service of the State Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia in North Ossetia, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, also said that there are no technical reasons for delaying the traffic on the Georgian Military Road. "Currently, the road is open, the security of the participants of the movement is not in danger," the press service said. A traffic jam could have been caused by the actions of the customs service. Xiaomis component supplier Holitech to invest $200 million in India News oi-Priyanka The component manufacturing plant would be spread across 75 acres of land in the city of Tirupati and start production with nearly 50 million components per month. Chinese smartphone maker Xioami announced that Holitech Technology, one of its main component suppliers, will start component manufacturing in India. Holitech Technology signed a MoU with Andhra Pradesh today in Amaravati in the presence of to start component manufacturing at Tirupati. The Holitech Technology will invest nearly $200 million for manufacturing camera modules, thin film transistor, capacitive touchscreen module, flexible printed circuits, and fingerprint sensor to provide 6000 jobs in three years. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the company starting major operations for the first time outside China. He said AP has more potential with abundant resources and infrastructure. He said a better ecosystem was created in the state to encourage industries. The component manufacturing plant would be spread across 75 acres of land in the city of Tirupati and start production with nearly 50 million components per month. Manu Jain, vice president, Xiaomi, and Managing director, Xiaomi India said: "Holitech is an important global component supplier of Xiaomi and with the entry in India a new era of local manufacturing will begin with several job creations." Flame Chen, co-founder, and CEO, Holitech Technology said, "We are pleased to bring several industry firsts to the state of Andhra Pradesh with the manufacturing of camera modules, TFT, CTP, FPC and fingerprint sensors and high-quality cleanroom construction and take propel the growth of component manufacturers in India. We hope to further boost this initiative by setting an example for other component manufacturers, and being a part of Xiaomi's growth in India." Best Mobiles in India Apple pulls off InfoWars podcasts from iTunes News oi-Sandeep Sarkar Apple has been stringent with the policies and instead of taking down a few episodes the company has removed the entire library of the InfoWars podcasts. In an effort to aid the tech companies to curb the spread of fake news and conspiracy theories on their respective platforms, Apple has removed at least five InfoWars podcasts from its iTunes online marketplace. Apple has removed the War Room podcast from the iTunes which is hosted by the infamous InfoWars co-founder, Alex Jones. Alex's radio shows, podcasts, and websites publicize the controversial theories like the ones of the 9/11 attacks and also the Sandy Hook school massacre. Jones had claimed that the Sandy Hook school massacre was a hoax and has been slammed with a content ban on the platforms like the YouTube and Spotify. The InfoWars podcasts that is still available on the iTunes is the Real News with David Knight. This podcast is broadcasted on weekday mornings and is a three-hour long radio show. The development of the show was confirmed an Apple spokeswoman. In a statement issued by the Apple spokesperson to The Washington Post mentions that the action is taken in line with the company's policy against the hate speech. The spokesperson said that "Apple does not tolerate hate speech, and we have clear guidelines that creators and developers must follow to ensure we provide a safe environment for all of our users." Also read, Apple products worth Rs 2 crore stolen from a showroom in Indore It is being reported that Apple has been stringent with the policies and instead of taking down a few episodes the company has removed the entire library of the InfoWars podcasts. "Podcasts that violate these guidelines are removed from our directory making them no longer searchable or available for download or streaming. We believe in representing a wide range of views, so long as people are respectful to those with differing opinions," the spokesperson further added. See also, Apple iPhone 9 live image shows single rear camera and glass back Earlier, Facebook had also announced that it will be removing four of Alex Jones' pages for breaching its platform's content guideline by uploading hateful content. Prior to that Facebook had also removed four videos uploaded by Jones and also imposed a 30-day ban on his own profile following the violation of its policies by him as the content consisted of hate speech and bullying content. With the latest move, Apple has become the latest tech company that has taken an action against Alex Jones and has pulled off his shows after Facebook, Spotify, YouTube, and others. 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 Honey Pot: RAF Staffer Leaks F-35 Secrets on Tinder - Report Sputnik News 21:57 05.08.2018(updated 22:58 05.08.2018) A perpetrator hacked a female RAF staffer's dating app profile, using her online presence to sweet-talk a male Royal Air Force employee and stealing secret information about the US fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter just weeks after the first four jets entered service, according to a report by Mail Online. Information about the state-of-the-art US jets was leaked to mysterious wrongdoers in a movie-like plot, the UK military confirmed to the British tabloid. The perpetrator set a classic honey trap for a crew members working on F-35 fighter project. Someone hacked the Tinder profile of a female RAF staffer, then contacted another servicemen posing as this woman and sweet-talked him to sharing information about the expensive US stealth fighter. It is unclear who the perpetrator was or what international powers may have orchestrated the plot. The woman whose account was hacked quickly reported the incident, enabling prompt follow-up and an investigation, according to an RAF warning memo, cited by the Daily Mail. "Fortunately, little information was disclosed and the individual whose account had been hacked reported this matter expediently [] Nevertheless, this incident serves to highlight the risk of social engineering and online reconnaissance against social media profiles that disclose links to HM Forces," the memo, written by the RAF's Principal Security Advisor, reads. The memo, cited by the British outlet, warns military staffers against the risks of what it calls social engineering (SE), what it describes as "psychological manipulation to elicit confidential or sensitive information." "SE can be instigated over the phone or in a social setting (i.e. in a bar) as well as online. A skilled and convincing operative will aim to elicit information through friendship, sympathy and/or obligation in order to accumulate pieces of information to build up a bigger picture," the RAF claims, warning that "UK military posture, policy and capabilities continue to be significant targets of interest for hostile state and non-state actors." Commenting on the memo, the RAF told the Daily Mail that it cannot discuss security measures. "However, we can confirm that our procedures are under constant review and are regularly updated to ensure correct guidance is available for our people. This has recently been completed with respect to online use," the authority stated. According to the report, the incident occurred just weeks after the first four aircraft were delivered to RAF Marham base in Norfolk, England. The total cost of the US-led program to purchase and maintain the fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II for the UK is set to reach some $11.7 billion. The British military plans to purchase 138 of the jets, each costing about $120 million. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel seeks limited ceasefire with Gaza, officials hint Iran Press TV Sun Aug 5, 2018 06:17PM The Tel Aviv regime may agree to a limited ceasefire with Palestinian resistance groups in the besieged Gaza Strip, Israeli officials have hinted. An unnamed Israeli official said Sunday that there might be talks focusing on a proposal to ease the blockade of Gaza if the Palestinians calm their side of the fence that separates the occupied territories from the blockaded coastal sliver. "A complete ceasefire (by the Palestinians) will lead, on Israel's part, to the reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing and renewal of the permits given in respect to the fishing zones," Reuters quoted the official as saying. The offer would be the focus of later deliberations, the official said, adding that any eventual broader agreement over Gaza would require a guarantee for the return of the remains of two Israeli soldiers killed in the 2014 Israeli war on Gaza. Hamas and other resistance groups have linked their fate to Israel freeing Palestinian security detainees. Hussam Badran, one senior Hamas official, during a Sunday interview with Gaza radio station said, "Hamas has conducted internal meetings that have not yet ended." "The suffering of our people, and the 12-year blockade imposed with no guilt on their part, requires that all Palestinian leaders search for a real solution to this suffering ... without giving concessions when it comes to the known and outstanding positions and rights of our people," the Hamas official said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier convened his cabinet to possibly approve proposals made by the United Nations (UN) and Egypt for preventing another war on Gaza. The UN and Egypt have not publicly detailed the proposals. They have spoken generally of a need to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Gaza has seen a surge in tensions since Palestinians launched weekly protests along the fence. In response to the protests, Israel on July 9 tightened the blockade by shuttering Gaza's main commercial terminal and limiting a Palestinian fishing zone off the enclave. It offered to reverse the measures on Sunday. The Fatah movement of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who holds sway in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, earlier said any deal risked ending hopes of achieving Palestinian statehood. "(A deal would bring about a) separation of Gaza from the rest of the homeland and would create a mini-state which will be the graveyard of our national project," said Munir Al-Ghaghoub, a spokesman for Fatah. But after a meeting of the representatives of Palestinian factions, including Fatah, Badran said, "There will be no state in Gaza and no state without Gaza." Tensions have been running high near the fence since March 30, which marked the start of a series of protests dubbed "The Great March of Return." Palestinian protesters demand the right to return for those driven out of their homeland. The clashes in Gaza reached their peak on May 14, the eve of the 70th anniversary of Nakba Day, or the Day of Catastrophe, which coincided this year with Washington's relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied Jerusalem al-Quds. Israeli fire has taken the lives of at least 157 Palestinians since March 30. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Sudan's president, rebel leader sign final power-sharing deal Iran Press TV Sun Aug 5, 2018 06:03PM South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and his archfoe Riek Machar, the leader of the main rebel group in the African country, have signed a final power-sharing deal in an attempt to end a bloody civil war that engulfed the youngest nation in the world during the past five years. The two rivals, in neighboring Sudan, signed the deal, under which Machar is set to return to a unity government as the first of five vice presidents. The deal, which attempts to pave the way for a final peace accord, was inked in the presence of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his counterparts from Kenya, Uganda and Djibouti, along with several foreign diplomats. If the final peace deal is reached, the rivals will have three months to establish a transitional government under the new format, which will then maintain power for a another 36 months. The power-sharing deal stipulates that there will be a total of 35 ministers in the bloated transitional government, including 20 Kiir's allies and nine allied with Machar, along with representatives of other rebel groups. South Sudan, the youngest country in Africa, has been gripped by a bloody civil war since December 2013, when Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup. The two sides then involved in a cycle of retaliatory killings that have split the impoverished country along the ethnic lines. Tens of thousands have been killed and millions displaced in the conflict. Frequent attacks on humanitarian convoys and personnel have been reported in South Sudan's conflict and both warring sides have been blamed. A similar deal, which returned Machar to vice presidency, was reached in 2015 but fell apart a year later in a deadly clash that forced Machar into exile. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No US govt. involvement in drone attack against Venezuela president: Bolton Iran Press TV Sun Aug 5, 2018 04:30PM A senior White House official has denied any US involvement in an assassination attempt on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a military parade in Caracas. "I can say unequivocally there is no US government involvement in this at all," said John Bolton, national security advisor to the White House, in an interview with "Fox News Sunday". He noted that no Americans have been injured in the drone attack and expressed his country's readiness to "take a serious look at" any Venezuela's "hard information" of a potential violation of US law. "If the government of Venezuela has hard information that they want to present to us that would show a potential violation of US criminal law, we will take a serious look at it," the White House advisor pointed out. Bolton said the Venezuelan president "has blamed the United States," but the US officials denied the accusation. Venezuela's president and his wife as well as top government officials escaped unharmed from the assassination attempt, which was carried out with explosives-laden drones. However, the government said seven soldiers were wounded. Maduro blamed Colombia for the attack, though an unknown rebel group later claimed responsibility. The Venezuelan president often claims that the United States, which has imposed sanctions against officials in his government, is orchestrating attempts to topple him as part of a wider offensive against Latin American leaders defying the US hegemony. Bolton further said he had spoken to the US charge d'affaires in Caracas and that he was informed that the embassy was secure and American staff "accounted for." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Egypt's military kills 52 militants in Sinai Iran Press TV Sun Aug 5, 2018 02:23PM The Egyptian military has killed at least 52 militants in recent days across the Sinai Peninsula in line with a push for the elimination of the Daesh Takfiri terrorists there. The Egyptian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday that 13 "extremely dangerous Takfiris" were killed in an operation by security forces in the city of el-Arish, the capital of North Sinai province. The remaining 39 militants were killed in various military operations across northern and central Sinai. Elsewhere in the statement, the ministry said the troops also destroyed 15 vehicles laden with weapons and munitions while trying to infiltrate the western border. The latest operation brings to more than 300 the number of militants killed by the Egyptian military since February, when it began a campaign to eradicate insurgents behind a wave of violence in the desert region. Over 30 Egyptian military personnel have also been killed ever since. The campaign was ordered by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in the wake of an attack on a mosque in November 2017, when hundreds of worshippers died. The Sinai Peninsula has been under a state of emergency since October 2014, after a deadly terrorist attack left 33 Egyptian soldiers dead. Over the past few years, terrorists have been carrying out anti-government activities and fatal attacks, taking advantage of the turmoil in Egypt that erupted after the country's first democratically-elected president, Mohamed Morsi, was ousted in a military coup in July 2013. The Velayat Sinai group, which is affiliated with Daesh, has claimed responsibility for most of the assaults. The group later expanded its attacks to target members of Egypt's Coptic Christian community as well as foreigners visiting the country, prompting Cairo to widen a controversial crackdown, which critics say has mostly targeted dissidents. Ridding the region of militancy after years of unrest has been a promise of Sisi, who was re-elected in March in a landslide victory against no real opposition. Sisi's critics say his presidency has brought a harsh crackdown on dissent. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 3 Somali troops killed in al-Shabab attack Iran Press TV Sun Aug 5, 2018 02:01PM At least three Somali servicemen have been killed when members of al-Shabab terrorist group attacked a military base near the capital Mogadishu with an explosive-laden vehicle. The attack occurred in Afgoye district, located about 30 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu, on Sunday, according to police. The government has deployed forces to Afgoye to ensure security in the region ahead of a presidential visit. A Somali police officer told Reuters that the security forces opened fire at a hurtling car that blew up in Afgoye. "So far we know three soldiers died," Captain Nur Ali said. Al-Shabab, however, has given a different account of the attack, saying 11 Somali soldiers have been killed. In another incident, Somali forces killed two militants in a gunfight at a checkpoint in Mogadishu early Sunday, police said. "Somalia's military killed two armed militants at Benadir checkpoint. Two soldiers were slightly injured in the exchange of fire," Major Mohamed Abdullahi, a police officer, told Reuters. Despite being ousted from large parts of the south and central Somalia, al-Shabab continues deadly attacks across the country, which has been plagued by war and poverty for decades. The terrorist group aims to topple the Western-backed government in Mogadishu and drive out African Union peacekeeping troops. It has been engaged in militancy since 2006. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bomb attack kills 3 NATO soldiers in eastern Afghanistan Iran Press TV Sun Aug 5, 2018 09:56AM Three NATO soldiers have been killed in a bomb attack during a routine foot patrol in eastern Afghanistan. The attack was carried out in the Khalazai area of Charikar, the capital city of eastern Parwan Province on Sunday. Four other soldiers, including two Afghans, were wounded in the attack. The Taliban who were ousted from power by the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 claimed responsibility for the Sunday bombing attack. The group claimed it had killed eight "US invaders." Eastern Afghanistan, where units of US Special Forces have regularly been deployed against militants, continues to be one of the deadliest areas for the US military since its main combat operation against the Taliban ended in 2014. Despite the US-led invasion of the country, which was conducted as part of Washington's so-called war on terror, militants continue to wreak havoc across the country. The Daesh terrorist group, too, has gained a foothold in Afghanistan. Both Taliban and Daesh militants frequently attack civilian and government targets. The United States has reportedly started direct talks with the Taliban in Qatar. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The United States is trying to change Iran's behavior, which is the worlds largest state sponsor of terror, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, according to the the State Department website. "The Islamic Republic of Iran, a Shia-dominated government, has treated its people very poorly, and thats led to terror. Theyre the worlds largest state sponsor of terror. Thats what America is trying to get Iran to stop doing," Pompeo told Metro TV in Jakarta. "That thats the behavioral change that were looking for from the Iranian regime," he added. 'The President has always said he is prepared to talk, but its important that Iran has to be committed to changing its ways in order for those discussions to prove of any value," the Secretary of State stressed. Suicide Bomber Kills Three Czech NATO Troops In Eastern Afghanistan RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan August 05, 2018 A suicide bombing in eastern Afghanistan has killed three Czech members of NATO's Resolute Support force. In a Twitter post, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis hailed the three soldiers killed early on August 5 as "heroes" and sent his condolences to their families. Taliban militants claimed they carried out the attack, which took place near the Bagram military base in Parwan Province. The U.S. military said in a statement that the soldiers were targeted by a suicide bomber while on a routine foot patrol alongside Afghan forces. A U.S. soldier and two Afghan troops were also wounded in the blast, the statement added. The Czech government has recently approved a plan to deploy 390 troops in Afghanistan through 2020, up from the current 230, as part of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission. U.S. Army General John Nicholson, commander of Resolute Support and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, said in a statement, "Their sacrifice will endure in both our hearts and history and further strengthen our resolve." NATO formally concluded its combat mission in Afghanistan in 2014, but thousands of troops are still providing support and training to the Afghan National Army, and carrying out counterterrorism missions. In the eastern province of Nangarhar, officials said on August 5 that a suicide bomber killed an Afghan soldier in the provincial capital, Jalalabad. Three security personnel and one civilian were also injured in the attack, said Attahullah Khogyani, spokesman for Nangarhar's governor. No one immediately claimed responsibility, but both Taliban and the Islamic States group are active in the province. Eastern Afghanistan remains one of the deadliest areas for the U.S. military since its main combat operation against the Taliban ended in 2014. Last month a U.S. soldier was killed and two others wounded in an "apparent insider attack" in southern Afghanistan, NATO said. Meanwhile, hundreds of mourners have buried the victims of a twin suicide attack on a Shi'ite mosque in eastern Afghanistan, as the death toll rose to 35, officials said. Two suicide bombers dressed as women struck a Shi'ite mosque in Gardez, capital of Paktia Province, on August 3 as it was crowded with worshippers for weekly prayers. With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/suicide-bomber- kills-three-nato-troops-in-eastern -afghanistan/29413358.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Six People Detained Following Maduro Drone Assassination Attempt - Minister Sputnik News 18:29 05.08.2018(updated 21:44 05.08.2018) CARACAS (Sputnik) - On Saturday, a blast occurred during Maduro's address at a military parade in Caracas. Venezuela's Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said after the incident that Maduro had survived an assassination attempt with the use of explosive drones. Six people have been detained in connection with Saturday's drone explosion, Venezuela's Interior Minister Nestor Reverol reported. According to the minister, one of the arrested suspects is accused of involvement in a 2017 attack on a military base, whereas another suspect was already detained in 2014 over involvement in anti-government protests. Earlier in the day, Venezuela's Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez told Sputnik that the attackers behind the assassination attempt against President Nicolas Maduro had been preparing the operation for at least six months. "Quick reaction of President Maduro's security services not only allowed him to evacuate but also to quickly apprehend several perpetrators at the crime scene Now they are providing us with all the details of the operation, which they had been preparing for at least six months," Rodriguez said Maduro said that he was attacked by several drones loaded with explosives during his address at a public event in Caracas. The president and the officials, who were present at the demonstration, were unhurt in the incident. However, a total of seven servicemen were injured in the attack, according to Venezuelan Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez. Argentine icon Diego Maradona accused the Venezuelan right-wing opposition and some foreign powers of what he called an "assassination attempt against the nation." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Suicide Attack Kills 3 NATO Soldiers in Afghanistan By Ayaz Gul August 05, 2018 NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan announced Sunday three of its soldiers were killed when a suicide bomber attacked a combined, dismounted patrol with local forces. An American service member and two Afghan National Army soldiers were also injured in the blast, the mission said. "My thoughts and prayers, along with those of all of the 41-contributing Resolute Support nations, are with the families and friends of our fallen and wounded service members, and our injured Afghan brothers and their families," said U.S. Army Gen. John Nicholson, who commands the non-combatant mission and U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The Resolute Support mission later confirmed the slain soldiers were from the Czech Republic. "Their sacrifice will endure in both our hearts and history, and further strengthen our resolve," said Nicholson. The NATO mission did not say where the attack took place. Afghan officials said the suicide bombing occurred in Parwan province, nearly 60 kilometers north of the capital, Kabul. Taliban claims Just hours before NATO's announcement, the Taliban claimed it carried out a "tactical blast" against an American military convoy in Charikar, the capital city of Parwan. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed the attack killed or wounded eight U.S. soldiers, though insurgent claims are often inflated. The province houses the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan, known as Bagram Air Base, located 11 kilometers southeast of Charikar. US forces deployed to Farah Sunday's attack came on a day when the Afghan Defense Ministry confirmed U.S. military trainers and advisers have been deployed to restive western Farah province, which borders Iran. The is the first deployment of American personnel in the region in recent months. Ministry spokesman Mohammad Radmanish told VOA American personnel will train and advise Afghan officers, including those in troubled districts, under the command of the Resolute Support mission, The Taliban has recently made battlefield gains in the Afghan province, allegedly with covert assistance from Tehran, charges Iranian officials reject. Farah is located along the route of an international gas pipeline that aims to connect Central Asia to South Asia via Afghanistan. Fighting in eastern Paktia Province Separately on Sunday, Afghan security officials said Taliban insurgents attacked several police outposts in a remote district of eastern Paktia province, killing eight Afghan troops. The ensuing ongoing clashes also killed more than 20 assailants, they said. Meanwhile, Islamic State has taken responsibility for Friday's gun-and-suicide bomb raid on a Shi'ite mosque in Paktia's capital, Gardez. Police and hospital officials said the attack in the city killed 35 worshipers and injured more than 90 others. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN: Attacks on Yemen's Port of Hodeidah Would Be Catastrophic By Lisa Schlein August 05, 2018 United Nations aid agencies are renewing appeals to Yemen's warring parties to spare the Port of Hodeidah, warning attacks against the vital lifeline would be catastrophic. The United Nations warns that Yemen, where the world's worst humanitarian crisis is unfolding, would suffer even more if the vital Port of Hodeidah were attacked and ceased to operate. More than three years of civil war have destroyed the country's economy, forced more than two million people to flee their homes and made 22 million people or 75 percent of the population dependent upon international aid for their survival. Around 80 percent of Yemen's food and medicine is imported through the Port of Hodeidah. Jens Laerke is Spokesman for the U.N. Organization for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs or OCHA. He said fuel and other essential humanitarian relief also arrive via the port. "OCHA warns that sustained hostilities in Hodeidah city, interruptions to the port operations, which are critical for vital imports of food and fuel or a siege of the city would be catastrophic. There is no contingency plan that can effectively protect civilians from the humanitarian consequences if the conflict escalates further. The response capacity of international organizations on the ground would quickly be overwhelmed," he said. To further complicate matters, the World Health Organization warns the country may be on the brink of another major cholera epidemic. WHO emergency response chief, Peter Salama told VOA essential medications needed to fight this fatal disease are imported through the Port of Hodeidah. "So, for humanitarian perspective, but also for commercial perspective, the Al Hodeidah port is absolutely central to the survival of the civilian population in Yemen.So, any attacks on that port are something that would lead to catastrophic consequences," he said. The United Nations reports more than 28,000 Yemenis either have been killed or injured since March 2015. That was when Saudi Arabia began bombing Houthi rebels in support of the government. The U.N. attributes the majority of the 9,500 civilian deaths to airstrikes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deadly Blasts Hit Somalia By Harun Maruf August 05, 2018 At least six people were killed and 13 others were wounded in two bombings in Somalia on Sunday, ambulance services and officials said. The deadliest blast occurred in the capital, Mogadishu, where at four people were killed in a car bombing outside a coffee shop on the capital's busiest road. Dr Abdulkadir Abdirahman Aden of the Mogadishu ambulance services told VOA Somali that they have evacuated the dead bodies. Officials believe the car was driven by a suicide bomber. The blast caused huge damage to the coffee shop and nearby buildings, according to the witnesses. No one claimed responsibility for the blast Earlier in the day, two people were killed and four others were wounded after a suicide car bomb exploded near a military vehicle in Afgoye. Deputy Governor of Lower Shabelle region Ali Nur Mohamed told VOA Somali that all victims were government soldiers. The suicide bomber chased the pickup truck transporting the soldiers but detonated when it was unable to catch up with, officials said. The al-Shabab militant group claimed responsibility of the attack in Afgoye, 30 km west of Mogadishu. Meanwhile, the Somali government said two militants killed in a shootout with security forces were responsible for the assassination of a young business entrepreneur in Mogadishu on Tuesday. The killing of the business entrepreneur Mohamed Mohamoud Sheikh Ali led to public protests in Mogadishu by activists and youth members who demanded accountability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Army Takes Control of Key Roads, Buildings in Troubled Ethiopian Region By Harun Maruf August 05, 2018 Ethiopian soldiers have taken control of major highways, government buildings and the airport in the eastern Somali region after violence in the capital of Jigjiga left at least 29 people dead. Fighting broke out Friday after an apparent rift between local authorities and the central Ethiopian government. It is unclear exactly what led to the violence. A senior official with the region's Somali People's Democratic Party, Khadar Abdi Ismail, tells VOA the federal forces are responsible for the deaths. He blames the violence on what he calls public anger over "the illegal entry of the dangerously armed troops" into the city. Ismail says non-Somali ethnic communities were targeted, shops looted, buildings burned and at least one church destroyed. Ethiopia's military has vowed to take the "necessary measures ... to restore order in the Ethiopian Somali regional state." The government recently accused regional officials of carrying out human rights abuses The U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia is urging Americans in the region to shelter in place and pay attention to local news reports for updates on the situation. There are several thousand regional paramilitary fighters known as the Liyu police, a force created in 2007 primarily to quell the rebellion of the Ogaden National Liberation Front. Liyu police have been accused of committing brutality and torture against supporters of ONLF. Ethiopia's Somali region was the first area visited by new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed after he was selected by the ruling party last April At the time of the visit, Ahmed was trying to ease tensions between the ethnic Somali and Oromo communities, which have been engaged in deadly tit-for-tat attacks that have claimed the lives of dozens of people. Kenneth Schwartz contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pompeo Wraps Up Southeast Asia Tour By Cindy Saine August 05, 2018 U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has wrapped up his Southeast Asia tour. Before leaving Sunday to return to Washington, he met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, telling him the U.S. values its ties with Indonesia, one of the world's largest democracies. Saturday, the top U.S. diplomat met with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi. The secretary and the foreign minister discussed bilateral cooperation and multilateral engagement on regional security challenges, including North Korea and counterterrorism, as well as other foreign policy issues of mutual interest. North Korea Pompeo arrived in Jakarta Saturday from Singapore, where there were mixed messages on relations between the U.S. and North Korea amid talks over de-nuclearization. On the plane to Jakarta, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters Pompeo and North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Hu approached each other during the "family photo" session and shook hands. Pompeo said, "We should talk again soon," to which North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Hu responded, "I agree. There are many productive conversations to be had." After that, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim delivered to Ri a letter from President Donald Trump to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The contents of the letter were not disclosed. A senior U.S. administration official said the brief encounter between Pompeo and his North Korean counterpart was not surprising. "This is to be expected. Much of the intervention was positive and that's an improvement from the past. We're building a relationship with North Korea after years of difficult relations," the official said. Pyongyang statement Pompeo left the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to head to his final stop in Jakarta. After he left the room, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri delivered a statement saying his country is committed to adhering to the agreements made between Trump and Kim at the Singapore summit in June. But he called the U.S. attitude on urging other countries to keep up the sanctions on North Korea "alarming" and said it was not what Trump wants. Ri's remarks followed the release of a United Nations report warning that North Korea has found ways to navigate around the sanctions. The report said North Korea has had a "massive increase" of illegal ship-to-ship transfers of oil products at sea to evade sanctions. The report also documented violations of a ban on North Korean exports, including coal, iron and seafood, all of which generate millions of dollars of revenue for Pyongyang. There also are indications the North is continuing to build rockets, and concerns the nation has not been clear about when and how it will disarm. Sanctions taken seriously Pompeo said the U.S. is taking any infringement of the sanctions very seriously. "We have seen reports that Russia is allowing for joint ventures with North Korean firms and granting new work permits to North Korean guest workers," Pompeo said. "If these reports are proven accurate, and we have every reason to believe that they are, that would be in violation of U.N. sanctions," he said. Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department said it imposed sanctions on a Russian bank for helping North Korea avoid U.N. Security Council actions intended to restrain Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. The agency said Moscow-based Agrosoyuz Commercial Bank expedited "a significant transaction" with an individual who the U.S. blacklisted for being involved in North Korea's weapons development programs. Treasury said the Russian bank conducted the transaction for Han Jang Su, the Moscow-based head of North Korea's Foreign Trade Bank (FTB), Pyongyang's primary foreign exchange bank. Han's deputy, Ri Jong Won, who also is based in Moscow, also was targeted by the sanctions. The department said both Han and Ri should be expelled from Russia under U.N. resolutions designed to pressure North Korea for its weapons programs. And Treasury targeted what it said were two FTB front companies, China-based Dandong Zhongsheng Industry & Trade Co. Ltd. and Korea Ungum Corporation. Reuters journalists Before leaving the ASEAN summit in Singapore, Pompeo met with Myanmar Foreign Minister Kyaw Tin and called for the immediate release of two Reuters journalists detained in the Southeast Asian country. State Department spokesperson Nauert told VOA that Pompeo raised the issue during a sideline meeting and added that the U.S. is very concerned about their detention. The journalists were charged with possessing documents linked to security operations against Rohingya militants in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state. Additionally, Pompeo also met Saturday with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. He signed a memorandum of understanding with Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan for the U.S.-Singapore Third Country Training Program, which supports community-building efforts among the 10 ASEAN member states. Tariff threats Pompeo met Friday with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Singapore. The two men did not speak to the press after the meeting, but shortly thereafter China warned it would impose new tariffs on $60 billion worth of U.S. goods if the Trump administration follows through with its latest trade threats. The Commerce Ministry said the proposed tariffs of 5 percent to 25 percent on more than 5,200 U.S. goods are restrained, and maintained it has the right to take retaliatory action in the escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies. On Thursday, the Chinese Foreign Minister told reporters the U.S. needed to calm down and consider its own consumers, responding to threats by the Trump administration to raise its proposed tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from the initially planned 10 percent to 25 percent. The U.S. says it wants China to stop stealing U.S. corporate secrets and stop subsidizing Chinese companies with cheap loans that give them an unfair advantage. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Brazil's Lula nominated for president despite detention Iran Press TV Sun Aug 5, 2018 05:45AM Brazil's Workers Party (PT) has officially nominated its founder, former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, for the upcoming presidential election, in a largely symbolic move since he remains in prison on a 12-year sentence on corruption charges. On Saturday, some 2,000 members of the leftist party gathered for a convention in Sao Paulo and declared him their candidate to rerun for office in the October presidential election. Lula was the 35th president of Brazil from 2003 to 2011, with an approval rating of above 80 percent, and has been serving a 12-year prison sentence since April after being found guilty of corruption. The 72-year-old veteran politician dismisses his conviction as part of a plot to prevent him from returning to power. Lula leads most opinion polls in the Latin American country but may not be allowed to stand. Under Brazilian electoral law, politicians are not authorized to run for office within eight years of being found guilty of a crime. In the convention of party members, many of whom wore Lula masks, a letter from the former president was read out. "Today, our democracy is threatened. They want to make the presidential election a rigged card game, excluding the name that is ahead in popular preference in all polls," Lula wrote. "They want to scrap the people's right to choose the president. They want to create a democracy without the people. We have an enormous responsibility ahead." The leftist party has until Monday to name Lula's running mate. PT leaders, including Party President Senator Gleisi Hoffmann, denied they have an alternative candidate to stand in Lula's place should he be barred from running, as is widely expected. Lula was convicted of taking $1.2 million in bribes from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht in return for granting the company public contracts. He also faces another six trials for other corruption allegations but has denied any wrongdoing. Lula has been battling to overturn his sentence in the hopes of making another presidential bid in the election. According to a recent poll, he could win more than twice the support of his nearest challengers if he runs in the vote. Two other candidates were also nominated on Saturday, namely Marina Silva by the center-left Brazilian Sustainability Network Party (REDE), and Geraldo Alckmin by the center-right Social Democracy Party. They are placed second and third respectively behind far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro in early polling that excludes Lula. Brazil's electoral court will decide by next month whether Lula can run in the election. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korean FM Slated To Visit Iran As U.S. Tensions Rise For Both Countries RFE/RL August 04, 2018 North Korea's foreign minister is scheduled to visit Iran on August 7, as both countries deal with stepped up political and financial pressure from the United States over their nuclear programs. Ri Yong Ho is set to make the trip following his attendance at the ASEAN summit in Singapore, where he lashed out at the United States for "alarming" actions, including "raising its voice louder for maintaining the sanctions against" North Korea. The United States is pushing Pyongyang to denuclearize after the summit between President Donald Trump and North leader Kim Jong Un. Trump hailed an agreement for North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, but Pyongyang appears to have made slow progress toward that goal in the weeks since. U.S. officials have urged all countries to maintain sanctions until Pyongyang achieves "the final, fully verified denuclearization" to which it has agreed. Meanwhile, the United States has ramped up pressure on Tehran since Trump pulled his country out of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, which provided Iran with some relief from financial sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear program. Media have reported on a growing number of protests on Iranian city streets as economic woes, many tied to U.S. sanctions against Tehran, have intensified. According to media reports, United Nations and U.S. nuclear experts have expressed concern about interactions between North Korean and Iranian officials. According to the Korean Central News Agency, Ri met with a high-level Iranian delegation at a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Baku, Azerbaijan, in April. A delegation from Pyongyang also attended Iranian President Hassan Rohani's August 2017 inauguration. A 2017 report cited the presence of sanctioned North Korean weapons traffickers living in Tehran and similarities spotted between missile designs in the two countries, specifically Iran's Shabab-3 and Khorramshahr missiles and North Korea's Nodong and Musudan weapons. Iran has said its nuclear program is strictly for civilian services. With reporting by AFP, ChannelNews Asia, and TASS Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-north-korea-ministers- meet-amid-us-tensions/29412766.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPRK Foreign Minister Makes Speech at ASEAN Regional Forum Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, August 5 (KCNA) -- DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho Saturday made a speech at the Ministerial Meeting of ASEAN Regional Forum held in Singapore. He said: The summit meeting and talks held here in Singapore, the first of its kind in the history of the DPRK-U.S. relations, served as a landmark milestone that had the most profound and positive impact on the situation in Asia and the Pacific. A remarkable significance of international dimension wrought by the Singapore summit meeting lies in its demonstration that once mutual confidence is built, even the countries with long-standing hostility could resolve the regional and global peace and security issues through dialogue and negotiation. The DPRK remains committed to actively developing friendly and cooperative relations with all the regional countries on the principles of respect for sovereignty, equality and mutual benefit and making continued contributions to the common efforts of the ARF to implement confidence-building and preventive diplomacy. The new trend of peace and stability created on the Korean Peninsula is a precious green shoot to be carefully attended to and jointly cultivated by all the regional countries for the sake of stable and constructive development of the situation throughout Asia and the Pacific. The present situation of the Korean Peninsula can be said, in a word, to be a moment of history when the old is overthrown and the new is emerging. Here on Sentosa Island in June, the leaders of the DPRK and the U.S. reached an epoch-making agreement. The DPRK stands firm in its determination and commitment for implementing the DPRK-U.S. Joint Statement in a responsible and good-faith manner. Confidence building is the key to the full implementation of the Joint Statement. Confidence is not a sentiment to be cultivated overnight. In order to build full confidence between the DPRK and the U.S., it is essential for both sides to take simultaneous actions and phased steps to do what is possible one after another. We believe that the only practical way for moving forward is to take a new approach of giving priority to confidence-building and implementing all items of the Joint Statement in a balanced, simultaneous and phased way. Only when the U.S. ensures that we feel comfortable with and come close to it, will we be able to open our minds to the U.S. and show it in action. This is the core essence of the spirit of the agreement shared by the leaders of the DPRK and the U.S. What is alarming, however, is the insistent moves manifested within the U.S. to go back to the old, far from its leader's intention. The DPRK-U.S. Joint Statement should not be permitted to fall prey to the American internal politics, inviting an adverse wind at odds with the intentions of the leaders. We thought of doing something in response, if the U.S. would come with constructive ideas. However, as long as the U.S. does not show in practice its strong will to remove our concerns, there will be no case whereby we will move forward first unilaterally. There is a Korean proverb which says "slow yet at bull's pace". A fastest and most reliable shortcut to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is to build confidence in good faith through taking one-by-one and phase-by-phase simultaneous actions. In April this year, the DPRK has put forward a new strategic line of concentrating all its efforts on economic construction. Economic revival and improved people's livelihood in our country will be good for peace, security and economic growth of the region at large. It will never be the contrary. The international community should respond to our goodwill measures already taken for denuclearization with its constructive steps that would encourage and promote peace and economic development of the Korean Peninsula. Availing myself of this opportunity, I express my expectation and conviction that all the ARF member states at this meeting would value this hard-won epoch-making chance for turnaround of the situation on the Korean Peninsula and do helpful work conducive to fundamentally resolving the Korean issues. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has protested in connection with Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Crimea, according to the ministry's statement posted on its website. The ministry stressed that Kiev considers this visit a grave violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Interfax reported. On August 4, Putin arrived in Sevastopol to attend the Opera in Chersonese festival. IRGC confirms holding drills in Persian Gulf IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Aug 5, IRNA -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman Brigadier General Ramezan Sharif approved the military exercise in the Persian Gulf over the last week. Sharif also referred to IRGC commander's emphasis on promoting defense readiness to safeguard Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz waterways to confront enemies' adventurism. The military drill aimed at controlling the security of the international waterways and in line with the IRGC scheduled programs, he said. The event was held with the attendance of Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad-Ali Jafari, he added. 9376**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's IRGC confirms holding drill in Persian Gulf Iran Press TV Sun Aug 5, 2018 09:55AM The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says it held a military drill in the Persian Gulf this week with the aim of securing the strategic waterway and deterring potential threats posed by the enemies. "The exercise was conducted with the aim of controlling and safeguarding the security of the international waterway within the framework of the IRGC's annual calendar exercises program," the force's spokesman Brigadier General Ramezan Sharif said Sunday. IRGC chief Major General Mohammad Ali Ja'fari expressed satisfaction with the exercise and commended the naval and aerospace units which participated in the drill, Sharif said. The IRGC chief "emphasized the need to maintain and enhance all-faceted defense readiness in order to secure the strategic waterway of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz and to proportionately counter potential threats and adventurism by the enemies." Last month, the IRGC said it was ready to act after President Hassan Rouhani said that if Washington pressed ahead with its goal of bringing Iranian oil exports down to zero, no oil would pass through the Straight of Hormuz. "The Americans have claimed they want to completely stop Iran's oil exports. They don't understand the meaning of this statement, because it makes no sense for Iranian oil not to be exported, while regional oil exports continue," he said. His statements were interpreted as a hint at Iran's readiness to block the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil shipping route, in retaliation for any hostile US action against Iran. The Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf provides the only maritime passage in the region to the open seas and is one of the world's most strategically important choke points. US officials were quoted as saying Thursday that they believed Iran had started carrying out naval exercises in the Persian Gulf, apparently moving up the timing of the annual drills amid heightened tensions with Washington. One US official was quoted by Reuters as saying that possibly more than 100 vessels, including small boats, were involved in the drills. "We are monitoring it closely, and will continue to work with our partners to ensure freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce in international waterways," said Navy Captain Bill Urban, the chief spokesman at Central Command, which oversees US forces in the Middle East. US officials said the drills appeared designed to send a message to Washington, which is intensifying its economic and diplomatic pressure on Tehran after withdrawing from a landmark nuclear deal in May. The first wave of sanctions, including a unilateral ban on Iran's access to the US dollar and trade in gold and other precious metals, will kick in on Monday. The second raft of sanctions, to begin on November 4, will target Iran's oil exports and its banking transactions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Gets Foreign Aircraft a Day Ahead of Restoration of US Sanctions Sputnik News 18:15 05.08.2018 On Monday, the US is due to re-introduce a number of sanctions to target Iran's automobile industry as well as gold and other key metals. The move comes a few months after Washington's withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The five ATR72-600 commercial aircraft arrived at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport on Sunday, according to Iran's state-run news agency IRNA. The arrival of the twin-engine turboprops is in line with a 536-million-dollar deal clinched between state carrier Iran Air and the French-Italian manufacturer ATR in April 2017 on the delivery of 20 ATR72-600 planes to the Islamic Republic, which currently has 13 such aircraft. Jointly owned by European consortium Airbus and Italy's Leonardo, ATR has repeatedly called on Washington to allow it to finish its delivery of aircraft to Iran before the US anti-Iranian sanctions enter force. The Sunday arrival comes just a day ahead of the re-imposition of the first round of US sanctions against the Islamic Republic, which aim to affect its automotive and mining sectors. Earlier this week, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini signaled the bloc's willingness to continue and even step up its trade and economic cooperation with Tehran, despite the US decision to re-impose anti-Iranian sanctions. The official reiterated that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s verifications indicated that Tehran complied with its commitments under the deal, which meets the security interests of the EU. On May 8, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would pull out of the Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). In addition, Trump said that he would reinstate the previously-lifted sanctions on Iran, including secondary ones, which target other countries for doing business with the Islamic Republic. According to the US Treasury Department, following a wind-down period, three different rounds of sanctions will be imposed on Iran, including those scheduled for August 6, November 4 and November 5, respectively. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's Revolutionary Guard Holds Drills in Persian Gulf - Reports Sputnik News 15:15 05.08.2018(updated 15:25 05.08.2018) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) held large-scale military drills in the Persian Gulf, local media reported on Sunday. Reports of Iran's increased activity in the Persian Gulf appeared earlier this week. The US Central Command said on Wednesday that the US military was aware of the Iranian operation and monitoring it closely. The drills were part of the annual exercises framework, Tasnim news agency reported, citing Ramezan Sharif, the spokesman for the IRGC. Sharif reportedly said that IRGC Chief Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari was satisfied with the results of the drills. According to Sharif, the chief commander stressed the need to increase capabilities in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. In early July, the IRGC said they were prepared to disrupt other countries' oil shipments via the strait if Iran's own exports were impeded. In June, the US Department of State urged oil companies to stop buying oil from Iran by November to avoid US sanctions. The reinstatement of US sanctions against Iran follows Washington's announcement of withdrawal from Iran's nuclear deal. Under the 2015 agreement, Iran pledged to keep its nuclear program peaceful in exchange for a gradual lifting of international sanctions. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq's south witnesses new protests against corruption, power cuts Iran Press TV Sun Aug 5, 2018 04:15PM Less than a month after a surge of unrest in Iraq over poor public services, particularly power cuts and rampant corruption, residents in southern areas of the Arab country have once again staged protests. The Iraqis, angry with constant blackouts and the central government's mismanagement of the situation, poured into the streets of southern Iraqi cities on Sunday. In Samawah, protesters have been holding a sit-in for more than a week, deploring what they call misappropriation of billions of dollars from the state budget in the last couple of years. Elsewhere in the important city of Basra, an oil-rich port in the southeasternmost corner of Iraq, tribal chiefs and religious leaders joined several hundred demonstrators in front of the provincial headquarters. Security forces were deployed to the southern areas to handle the unrest. There were no reports of clashes over the weekend, but a total of fourteen people have been killed since the protests started in July. Civil protests in Iraq have not subsided despite the Baghdad government's pledge to pump billions of dollars into the energy-rich south. Anti-corruption rallies were even held in Baghdad's central Tahrir Square, but they later waned to just a few dozen protesters. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi visited Basra last month to help restore calm, promising to take "necessary measures against infiltrators and pursue them in accordance with the law." The Iraqi premier also dismissed Electricity Minister Qassem al-Fahdawi al-Abadi on July 29 at the request of uneasy demonstrators. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A New Bill May Boost US Military Aid to Israel to More Than $3.8 Bln Reports Sputnik News 09:09 05.08.2018(updated 10:07 05.08.2018) The document was clinched in the wake of a memorandum of understanding on security assistance between Washington and Tel Aviv in 2016. US senators have passed a bill which is paving the way for military aid to Israel that may exceed 3.8 billion dollars, according to the Minnesota-based website Mint Press News. The proposed United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018 would provide Israel with 3.3 billion dollars in military aid along with over 500 million dollars for missile defense in the next twelve months. The document also envisages an additional one billion dollars for US weapons stockpiles in Israel. If approved by the House of Representatives next week and signed into law by President Donald Trump, the bill will represent the "single largest military aid package in American history", Mint Press News reported. The bill was clinched as the result of the 2016 US-Israel memorandum of understanding on security assistance, which stipulated Washington allocating 3.8 billion dollars for Israel on an annual basis over the next ten years, a number that would amount to 23,000 dollars per year for every family in Israel. Haaretz cited the American Israel Public Affairs Committee as saying in a statement that the United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018 "seeks to ensure that Israel has the means to defend itself, by itself, against growing and emerging threats including Iran's presence close to Israel's northern border." The past several years have seen the US boost its military aid to Israel, in what was followed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying in 2017 that "we do not have a greater friend than President Trump" and the opening of a new US embassy in Jerusalem. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian Army targets Daesh gatherings in Sweida desert IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Aug 5, IRNA -- The Syrian Air Force raided Daesh (ISIS) gatherings and axes of movement deep into the desert of Sweida province, killing scores of terrorists, SANA reported. The Syrian Air Force carried out airstrikes on Daesh in the direction of al-Kra'a, Beir Qinyan and Sneim Gharaz about 30 km east of the villages of Sweida's northeastern countryside, SANA's reporter said. The reporter added that scores of Daesh terrorists were killed, others were injured and their vehicles and ammunition were destroyed as a result of the raids. Army units carried out intensive strikes against dens and positions of Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization and the affiliated groups in Hama northern countryside. SANA reporter in Hama said that army units carried out bombardments against dens and supply routes of Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization and the affiliated terrorist groups in the villages of Zaizoun, al-Ziyara, al-Zakat, al-Arba'ain and al-Janabra in the northern countryside. The reporter added that a number of terrorists' positions were destroyed in the bombardments, in addition to cutting their supply routes, and killing a number of them including terrorist Taisir al-Essa. 1396**1396 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daesh beheads one of hostages kidnapped in southern Syria Iran Press TV Sun Aug 5, 2018 08:57AM The Takfiri terror group of Daesh has executed one of more than 30 people it abducted from the city of Suwayda in southern Syria during a brazen attack last month. According to local media and a war monitor on Sunday, images circulated by Daesh showed Muhannad Dhouqan Abu Ammar, a 19-year-old student, had been executed by the group. Daesh kidnapped mostly women and children from the village of al-Shabki during its deadly rampage on July 25. Relatives said the young man had been taken hostage along with his mother. His family reportedly received two videos, one showing the victim being decapitated and the second of him speaking before being killed as well as images of his body after his death. The Takfiri group carried out a series of simultaneous bombing and armed attacks against Suwayda and three villages surrounding it, killing more than 250 people. The Suwayda area is mostly inhabited by people from the Druze sect. According to the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 36 people were kidnapped from one village but four women have escaped ever since while two have died. There have been negotiations between Druze authorities and Daesh for the release of the hostages but they have failed so far. The terrorist group took the hostages in a bid to force the government to halt an ongoing military push which has liberated much of the Syrian land bordering Jordan and territories occupied by Israel in the Golan Heights. The operation has returned Suwayda and the neighboring provinces of Dara'a and Quneitra to government control. On Friday, the Israeli military said it had shut down a field hospital specialized in treating militants as Syrian government forces continued to liberate more areas in the Golan Heights. In a statement, the military said it had started evacuating the Mazor Ladach clinic set up in August 2017 to provide medical care to terrorists fleeing Syrian territories to Israel. Syria and its allies defeated Daesh late last year but the terror group's remnants have been trying to regroup and have mounted a series of hit-and run attacks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian scientist assassinated in car bombing: Report Iran Press TV Sun Aug 5, 2018 10:13AM A Syrian scientist has reportedly been assassinated in a car bomb attack after he survived Israeli attacks on his research center. Aziz Azbar, the head of the Syrian Scientific Research and Studies Center in the city of Masyaf, was killed along with his driver in a bombing Saturday night, Syrian and Lebanese news outlets reported. The scientific center, run by Azbar, had been the target of at least two Israeli aerial assaults over the past months. Israel frequently attacks military targets inside Syria in an attempt to prop up terrorist groups that have been suffering defeats against Syrian government forces. Israel has also been providing weapons to anti-Damascus militants as well as medical treatment to Takfiri elements wounded in Syria. Western countries accuse the Syria government of possessing chemical weapons, an allegation rejected by Damascus. Syria surrendered its chemical stockpile in 2013 to a mission led by the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Damascus has repeatedly accused Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey of providing militants with banned weapons. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SDF Drives Daesh Out of 'All Border Points' in Eastern Syria Reports Sputnik News 14:07 05.08.2018 The developments came a few days after the Syrian Army completely eliminated terrorists in the southwestern Daraa province while the Syrian Democratic Forces wiped out a Daesh stronghold in the country's northeast. All border points controlled by Daesh* near the strategic city of Albukamal in eastern Syria have been captured by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), according to Al-Masdar News. The newspaper cited a SDF spokesperson as saying that the SDF seized "the entire desert of eastern Deir ez-Zor province" and managed to secure the Al-Hasakah provincial border earlier this week. The spokesperson added that the SDF plans to completely drive Daesh militants out of Deir ez-Zor in the coming days. Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters walk with their weapons during an offensive against Daesh terrorists in northern Raqqa province, Syria Earlier, the Kurdish Firat News Agency reported that the SDF had wrestled control from Daesh over the town of Dashisha, located near the Iraqi border, during a major offensive launched in northeastern Hasakah province on June 3. READ MORE: SDF Fire at 'Unidentified Aggressor' Near Syria's Deir Ez-Zor US-Led Coalition On May 1, the SDF and the US-led coalition launched the al-Jazeera Storm operation to clear Syria's eastern border of the Daesh terrorists, who had regrouped there after losing control over Raqqa. The first stage of the operation ended successfully, in the liberation of the town of al-Baghuz Fawqani in Deir Ez-Zor province, the coalition said. The US-led coalition of more than 70 members is conducting military offensives against Daesh militants in Syria and Iraq. The coalition's activities in Iraq are conducted in cooperation with Iraqi officials, but those in Syria are neither coordinated with Damascus, nor authorized by a UN Security Council resolution. *Daesh, a terrorist group banned in Russia and an array of other countries Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At the end of the last month, the Special Investigative Service of Armenia accused former President Robert Kocharian of overthrowing the constitutional order within the criminal case related to a crackdown on antigovernment protesters on March 1, 2008. While he was placed into custody, observers recall what Kocharyan had done or could have done while he was president of Armenia and the self-proclaimed NKR. One of these dark, steeped in secrecy stories is the murder of the Chairman of the Supreme Council Artur Mkrtchyan. Expert at the Civilitas Foundation Tatul Hakobyan recalls in his book 'The Karabakh Diary: Green and Black', published in 2008, that on December 28, 1991, the Dashnaktsutiun party won the parliamentary election in the unrecognized 'NKR', with which the Pan-Armenian National Movement, which was the ruling party in Armenia back then, and the first president of Armenia Levan Ter-Petrosyan had serious disagreements. Prior to August 1992, a de facto dual authority existed in the unrecognized 'NKR' - the Presidium of the Supreme Council was predominantly composed of Dashnaks, and executive power was exercised by those who collaborated with Yerevan, according to Ter-Petrosyan - "the local network of the Pan-Armenian National Movement" (Robert Kocharyan, Serge Sargsyan). Early in January 1992, at the sitting of the "NKR parliament" the 32-year-old candidate of historical sciences Artur Mkrtchyan, who finished his graduate studies in the Moscow Institute of Local History and Ethnography, was elected chairman of the Supreme Council. It came as a surprise to many. But Mkrtchyan served in this office for only 97 days - a bullet in his temple put an end to his political career and his whole life. According to the official version, Mkrtchyan was killed by his wife out of jealousy. In Yerevan, Mkrtchyan's death was regarded as a "murderous murder", "the aim of which is to weaken the people who embarked on the path of the national liberation struggle." And soon the experts started talking about the fact that individual acts of terrorism became a method to deal with problems both in the 'NKR' and in Armenia. The murder of Arthur Mkrtchyan was never solved. They said that Robert Kocharyan could be responsible for the massacre, who soon assumed the position as head of the State Defense Committee of the NKR, and then the president. Critics of this point of view argue that in the 1990s real power in the 'NKR' lied in the hands of the commander of the Defense Army Samvel Babayan, while Kocharian's presidency was only a political sign of the dictatorship. The leading role of the army in the unrecognized 'NKR' contributed to the rise of the general, and soon Babayan started to play an increasing role in the political life of both 'NKR' and Armenia. In any case, according to observers, Kocharyan was never held in great affection in Karabakh, and even if he was not Babayan's puppet, he owed his posts in the occupied territories thanks to Mkrtchyan's killing. Alleged Syrian Chemical Weapons Chief Killed in Car Blast - Reports Sputnik News 10:22 05.08.2018(updated 10:47 05.08.2018) Dr. Aziz Asbar was at the helm of a scientific development center in the Syrian city of Masyaf, which was reportedly attacked several times before. Aziz Asbar, a prominent Syrian "patriot scientist," who was allegedly involved in the development of chemical weapons, has been killed in the city of Masyaf in northwestern Syria after his car exploded, according to the Lebanese news network Al-Manar. Asbar's personal driver also died in the explosion, which took place minutes after Asbar left his house in Masyaf on Saturday. The Syrian opposition accused the country's government of staging the car-bombing attack against Asbar, who they alleged was familiar to the authorities allegedly using chemical weapons against civilians. In April, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Syria had eliminated its chemical weapons stockpiles and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed that. "Chemical weapons in Syria are used by extremists and militants. This is a proven fact and every time, when yet another settlement, another town is liberated by the Syrian army, the servicemen find depots with chemicals there. This has been proven by life, this has been proven by facts," she underscored. Zakharova's statement came after the United States, Britain and France accused the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad of an attack with the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian town of Douma earlier that month. The international community has voiced concerns about the use of chemical weapons inside of Syria since the alleged use of sarin gas in Damascus in 2013. Following the incident, Syria joined the OPCW and agreed to destroy its chemical weapons arsenal. On January 4, 2016, the OPCW issued a statement confirming that the destruction of the Syrian chemical weapons had been completed. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan will not yield an inch to Chinese pressure: president ROC Central News Agency 2018/08/05 17:25:18 Taipei, Aug. 5 (CNA) China has assumed an even more overbearing manner toward Taiwan aimed at undermining the morale of the Taiwanese people and causing disruption to society, but Taiwan will not yield an inch, no matter how great the pressure, President Tsai Ing-wen () said Sunday. Tsai, who is also chairwoman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), made the remarks on the campaign trail in Tainan for the party's nominee for city mayor, Huang Wei-che (), and its city councilor candidates. Speaking to about 1,000 DPP supporters, Tsai enumerated her administration's achievements in domestic affairs and said that the government has not let everyone down, even under very difficult circumstances associated with China's suppression of Taiwan. "We all see that China has become more overbearing recently," Tsai said, citing Beijing's demand that international airlines change their designation of Taiwan, its forced cancellation of the East Asian Youth Games, and its pressure on Taiwanese actress Vivian Sung () to apologize for naming Taiwan as her favorite country. However hard China has tried to pressure Taiwan, Tsai said, her administration has stood steadfast against the pressure, adding that her handling of the situation has garnered support for Taiwan from the international community. (By Lu Hsin-hui and Shih Hsiu-chuan) Enditem/J NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address British trade minister says EU is pushing UK to no-deal Brexit Iran Press TV Sun Aug 5, 2018 09:20AM British trade minister Liam Fox says the UK is likely to leave the European Union without a trade deal. "I think the intransigence of the (European) commission is pushing us towards no deal," Fox said in an interview with the Sunday Times. "We have set out the basis in which a deal can happen but if the EU decides that the theological obsession of the unelected is to take priority over the economic wellbeing of the people of Europe then it's a bureaucrats' Brexit not a people's Brexit (and) then there is only going to be one outcome." He went on to say that the chances of Britain divorcing the bloc without a deal are at 60 percent. Britain has until March 2019 to negotiate a divorce deal with Brussels, but if it cannot agree the terms of the deal with EU, it would revert to trading under World Trade Organization rules in March 2019. The remarks by Fox come two days after Bank of England Governor Mark Carney warned that Britain faces a "high" risk of leaving the bloc with no deal. "I think the possibility of a no deal is uncomfortably high at this point," Carney said in an interview with BBC radio on Friday. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has also warned that chances of his country leaving the EU without a deal are increasing by the day. He called on European powers France and Germany to push the EU toward a deal that could guarantee the interests of both London and Brussels. Hunt said that Germany and France had a role to play to prevent the EU from imposing its approach on Britain during the final phases of Brexit negotiations, saying a no-deal Brexit would harm both Britain and the EU. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hiroshima - 06 August 1945 At 2:45 a.m. on 06 August 1945, the Allies' B-29 "Enola Gay" left the island of Tinian near Saipan. Its primary target was Hiroshima, where the 2nd Japanese Army stood poised to defend against an expected Allied invasion of their homeland. The Enola Gay was carrying "Little Boy," a 9,700-pound uranium bomb. Piloted by the commander of the 509th Composite Group, Colonel Paul Tibbets, the B-29 flew at low altitude on automatic pilot before climbing to 31,000 feet as it neared the target area. The weather over the target was satisfactory, and the bombardier, Major Thomas Ferrebee, was able to use a visual approach. August 6th began with a bright, clear, summer morning. About 7 AM, there was an air raid alarm which had become an almost daily event, and a few planes appeared over the city (the weather plane). No one paid attention, and at about 8:00 AM the all-clear sounded. At approximately 8:15 AM Hiroshima time the Enola Gay released Little Boy over the city. Tibbets immediately dove away to avoid the anticipated shock wave. Forty-three seconds later, a huge explosion lit the morning sky as Little Boy detonated directly over a parade field where soldiers of the Japanese Second Army were doing calisthenics. The bomb's detonation point was only approximately 550 feet from the aiming point, the Aioi Bridge, an easily identifiable location near the center of the city. The bomb detonated at an altitude of 1800 feet. The yield of the bomb was 12.5 KT (kilotons, the equivalent of 12,500 tons of TNT). Though already eleven and a half miles away, the Enola Gay was rocked by the blast. At first, Tibbets thought he was taking flak. After a second shock wave (reflected from the ground) hit the plane, the crew looked back at Hiroshima. "The city was hidden by that awful cloud . . . boiling up, mushrooming, terrible and incredibly tall," Tibbets recalled. On the ground moments before the blast it was a calm and sunny Monday morning. By 8:15 the city was alive with activity -- soldiers doing their morning calisthenics, commuters on foot or on bicycles, groups of women and children working outside to clear firebreaks. Those closest to the explosion died instantly, their bodies turned to black char. Nearby birds burst into flames in mid-air, and dry, combustible materials such as paper instantly ignited as far away as 6,400 feet from ground zero. Pika Don Those who survived called the A-bomb "pika don". "Pika" referred to the flash of light, and "Don" was an onomatopoeic reference to the tremendous sound. Survivors close to the hypocenter, the point directly beneath the detonation, heard no sound, and called it meerely "pika". The detonation formed a high-temperature, high-pressure fireball which rapidely expanded to a diameter of about 400 meters in the first second. The fireball emitted intense heat for three seconds, and glowed brightly for about ten seconds. The temperature on the ground near the hypocenter reached thousands of degrees Celsius. On the ground near the hypocenter the overpressure reached tons per square meter. The fireball created a supersonic shockwave, which was followed by winds blowing hundreds of meters per second. The shock wave traveled eleven kilometers in 30 seconds. The white light acted as a giant flashbulb, burning the dark patterns of clothing onto skin (right) and the shadows of bodies onto walls. Survivors outdoors close to the blast generally describe a literally blinding light combined with a sudden and overwhelming wave of heat. (The effects of radiation are usually not immediately apparent.) The blast wave followed almost instantly for those close-in, often knocking them from their feet. Those that were indoors were usually spared the flash burns, but flying glass from broken windows filled most rooms, and all but the very strongest structures collapsed. One boy was blown through the windows of his house and across the street as the house collapsed behind him. Within minutes 9 out of 10 people half a mile or less from ground zero were dead. People farther from the point of detonation experienced first the flash and heat, followed seconds later by a deafening boom and the blast wave. Nearly every structure within one mile of ground zero was destroyed, and almost every building within three miles was damaged. In the case of wooden houses, those which were within one kilometer of the hypocenter were smashed at the moment of the explopsion. In the case of reinforced concrete buildings, the roofs of those near the center of the explosion collapsed. Some of the buildings were flattened and became piles of rubble. A fierce fire followed destruction by the violent blast caused by the explosion. Every building within one kilometer of the hypocenter was totally destroyed by the fire whether it was wooden or reinforced concrete. Wooden houses in the area between one kilometer and two kilometers from the hypocenter were completely destroyed. The buildings located one to two kilometers from the center were mostly destroyed by the fire. Wooden houses in the area two to three kilometers away were severely damaged. Even houses three to four kilometers from the center of the explosion were badly damaged. The buildings two to three kilometers from the center were partially destroyed. Less than 10 percent of the buildings in the city survived without any damage, and the blast wave shattered glass in suburbs twelve miles away. The most common first reaction of those that were indoors even miles from ground zero was that their building had just suffered a direct hit by a bomb. The firestorm eventually engulfed 4.4 square miles of the city, killing anyone who had not escaped in the first minutes after the attack. One postwar study of the victims of Hiroshima found that less than 4.5 percent of survivors suffered leg fractures. Such injuries were not uncommon; it was just that most who could not walk were engulfed by the firestorm. The Day After The A-bomb destroyed all levels of administration, transportation facilities, including railroads, the communication system, journalism, offices, factories of private and public corporations, and all other facilities. The total destruction of these facilities caused such great confusion that it was utterly impossible to grasp the number of dead and wounded. On the evening of August 6, Vice Inspector General Hattori of the Chugoku District Superintendent's Office, Director of Hiroshima Prefectural Police Ishihara, and Governor Genshin Takano, who had returned from a business trip, gathered at Tamon-in Temple at the entrance to Hijiyama Park. They formed both a temporary prefectural government office and a temporary air-defence headquarters. Thirteen hours later they reported the disastrous situation and asked for help from the central government and other related organizations. Therefore relief activities on the day of the explosion were almost limited to the Akatsuki Corps sent from Ujina, naval personnel sent from the naval base at Kure, and a few small hospitals which survived the disaster. Small ad hoc rescue parties soon began to operate, but roughly half of the city's population was dead or injured. In those areas most seriously affected virtually no one escaped serious injury. The numerous small fires that erupted simultaneously all around the city soon merged into one large firestorm, creating extremely strong winds that blew towards the center of the fire. Even after the flames had subsided, relief from the outside was slow in coming. For hours after the attack the Japanese government did not even know for sure what had happened. Radio and telegraph communications with Hiroshima had suddenly ended at 8:16 a.m., and vague reports of some sort of large explosion had begun to filter in, but the Japanese high command knew that no large-scale air raid had taken place over the city and that there were no large stores of explosives there. Eventually a Japanese staff officer was dispatched by plane to survey the city from overhead, and while he was still nearly 100 miles away from the city he began to report on a huge cloud of smoke that hung over it. The first confirmation of exactly what had happened came only sixteen hours later with the announcement of the bombing by the United States. Relief workers from outside the city eventually began to arrive and the situation stabilized somewhat. Power in undamaged areas of the city was even restored on August 7th, with limited rail service resuming the following day. Several days after the blast, however, medical staff began to recognize the first symptoms of radiation sickness among the survivors. Soon the death rate actually began to climb again as patients who had appeared to be recovering began suffering from this strange new illness. Deaths from radiation sickness did not peak until three to four weeks after the attacks and did not taper off until seven to eight weeks after the attack. Long-range health dangers associated with radiation exposure, such as an increased danger of cancer, would linger for the rest of the victims' lives, as would the psychological effects of the attack. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Latest Headlines nib expands its travel insurance business Monday, August 6th 2018, 11:32AM nib holdings is to buy QBEs travel insurance business for a total of up to A$25 million. The acquisition includes the distribution and claims capability of QBE Travel, but excludes capital supporting the business and the QBE brand. Consistent with nibs strategy to grow its World Nomads Group (WNG) travel insurance business, the acquisition will provide greater scale and distribution reach. Final total consideration is dependent on the level of business generated. The acquisition is expected to complete in the first quarter 2019. QBE Travel has an extensive distribution network including partnerships with well-known Australian brands, as well as a national network of more than 2,000 travel insurance agents. The business also includes a 24-hour emergency assistance service, claims management and medical underwriting capability. On completion of the acquisition, WNG annual domestic gross written premium has the potential to increase by up to 40%. nib Managing Director, Mark Fitzgibbon, said the acquisition builds further momentum within nibs travel insurance business which aside from this transaction, has already seen sales lift by 7% for FY18. Since acquiring WNG in mid-2015, weve made no secret that we like the fundamentals and growth prospects that underpin the travel insurance market, Fitzgibbon said. Travel insurance is much closer to health insurance than most imagine given more than 60% of travel insurance claims are medically related. And of course, people travelling internationally more and more is a mega-trend. Special Offers Comments from our readers No comments yet Sign In to add your comment Pierre Gasly has expressed his pleasure at the reliability of his Honda engines with Toro Rosso this season after he secured an impressive sixth place in Hungary. McLaren experienced a torrid time with Honda as their engine supplier for three season between 2015 and 2017 but Toro Rosso have reaped the rewards of Hondas McLaren experience, with a more powerful and more reliable engine than the Woking based team ever received. Gaslys points scoring finishes show a strange pattern this season, being well inside the top ten on every occasion he has scored. 4th in Bahrain, 7th in Monaco and last weeks 6th in Hungary give the Frenchman a solid return of 26 points so far this season. Despite Hondas improvements, it is no surprise that he has scored points on the least power-based tracks, Monaco and Hungary, as Honda try to improve their product ahead of Red Bull taking it on next season. Gasly was speaking about Hondas performance, and said: I think its promising. With Budapest, we knew that it's a track that's a bit less power-sensitive and in a way it would make things a bit closer between everyone. Honda did a fantastic job in qualifying in the wet conditions. Driveability was great. Then again in the race, we didn't have any issues at all. It is the best way to motivate them and show them that we have potential and to push them forward, especially coming before the summer break, just to give a big boost to everyone. Hopefully we get more performance on their side for the second half of the season. The McDonnell-Douglas Phantom II has a long and proud heritage in air arms around the world. While her role in Britains Royal Air Force is well known, perhaps less so is that a small number of the type also served in the Royal Navy as the Phantom FG.1 aboard the carrier HMS Ark Royal. When the Royal Navy retired The Ark in 1978, the last of the services fleet carriers, all of the remaining Royal Navy Phantom IIs were transferred to the RAF. Only five former Royal Navy Phantoms now remain, and one of these is FG.1 XT864, which has undergone a radical transformation over the last five years. The dedicated and highly skilled volunteers at the Ulster Aviation Society in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, have restored the Phantom from a dowdy, weatherbeaten shell into a glorious example of the breed, resplendent in her original Royal Navy uniform. Ian Hendry, a former RAF painter and finisher, was the museum volunteer primarily responsible for applying her new livery, and kindly agreed to write about the experience for Warbird Digest News. We hope you enjoy his efforts as much as we did! Phantom Phantastic! A Royal Navy Phantom II is Reborn by Ian Hendry It wasnt going to be a simple job, or a quick one, to make the newly-arrived Phantom look beautiful again. But painter Ian Hendry had a strong example to follow; his colleagues at the Ulster Aviation Society had worked long and hard from 2015 to 2018 to dismantle the big fighter, haul her from Scotland to Northern Ireland and re-assemble her in the groups No.2 hangar. If they could rebuild her, he could repaint her. Once completed, she would be a proud addition to the Societys collection of 30 vintage aircraft. He would see to that. Phantom FG.1 XT864 joined the Royal Navy in 1968, serving with all three Fleet Air Arm squadrons to operate the FG.1, 700(P), 767 and 892 (the only operation unit). With the retirement of HMS Ark Royal in 1978, XT864 was transferred to the RAF. She initially went into storage at RAF St.Athan, before transfer to RAF 111 Squadron. In December, 1988, not long before Treble One was to replace their Phantoms with the Tornado F.3, XT864 received damage from a fuel bowser which struck her tail, effectively damaging her beyond repair, and ending the aircrafts flying days. She was patched up cosmetically, and then placed on display as a gate guard at RAF Leuchars in Scotland, the first of the RAFs fleet to do so. She spent the next 25 years on the gate at Leuchars, but when that RAF station closed in 2013, it didnt look good for 864. Thankfully, the UAS stepped in and brought the Phantom home to Northern Ireland, where so many examples had received work Here is a brief selection of images showing the disassembly of XT864, her transport to and then arrival at the UAS facility in Lisburn, Northern Ireland * * * The mission set out by hangar boss Ray Burrows was clear: A rebuilt Phantom in her new livery, ready for unveiling by May, 2018. She would be the key restoration exhibit to mark the Societys 50th year as well as the 50th year since XT864s arrival in the U.K., and the 100th anniversary of the RAFa lot to celebrate. But meanwhile, much work to be done. The wing section of the Phantom is one piece; the central wing box, a massive chunk of precise engineering, holds it all together. The restoration team repaired corrosion, and sanded where necessary. Then came the anti-corrosion treatment, primer and sealing, because once re-joined with the fuselage, the wing box couldnt be accessed. The safety briefing, then months of work would follow. First came the mating of fuselage with wing section, then undercarriage legs joining the wheels, more checking for corrosion, fitting of panels, tail section secured, outer wings attached, more checks, plus other bits and pieces, and all of it rubbed down and ready. What a team! And what a joy to see XT864 standing there, maybe outshone only by the grins from volunteers and visitors. So now it was down to the finishing prep. It started in March, 2017. It had already been decided XT864 would wear the same livery she wore while serving with 892 Squadron aboard HMS Ark Royal back in 1977. The special port-side nose emblem would be a tribute to the Silver Jubilee the 25th anniversary of the Queens coronation which took place that year. To make the deadline on time, I went into the hangar on Saturdays and Sundays. The first stages were de-greasing the nose and forward fuselage, stabilator and outer wings. By the summer, it was primer time. Two coats did the job. Careful research of manuals, photos and tech drawings indicated exactly what was needed for the finish. Again, two coats, Extra Dark Sea Grey Gloss on top and sides, Gloss White undersurfaces. On to the tail fin: marking out the distinctive flash and omega symbols, standing back, re-measuring repeatedly. A scratch of the head, then masking. Finally, the spraying of paint, Gloss White and Red. Masking removed and time to stand back againthis time to modestly admire! Smiles all round. Now I could see real progress. It was the same procedure, basically, section by section of the aircraft, weekend by weekend through the autumn and winter. I contacted Pistol Peter MacKean at the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum for advice as well as the printing and supplying of the vinyl graphicsa labour taking him many hours, often working into the night. His efforts were well appreciated. I applied roundels, serial numbers, squadron i.d. numbers and Fleet Air Arm markingsRoyal Navy on the port side and Fly Navy on the starboard, just as XT864 wore back in 77. Then came the safety and maintenance markings, plus the large underwing serials before installing the newly-painted outboard fuel tanks. Vinyl graphics were applied and used as stencils for the spray painting of the markings. By spring of this year, all but the tiniest of markings were ready. With the big unveiling ceremony approaching, this was a relief. Id had visions of me working through the night before, just to get the job done in time. Wed already stopped posting pictures on Facebook, so as to keep XT864s finished appearance a surprise at the event itself. Meanwhile, to hide the big beauty from the public, Mal Deeley and I came up with a scheme to suspend huge sheets of thin, light masking film from a long cord attached overhead to both sides of the hangar. Over 500 guests, dignitaries and UAS members attended the debut event on April 28th, 2018. Special guests were about 45 retired members of RAF 23 Maintenance Unit (23MU), based near Belfast, who had maintained and upgraded more than 100 British PhantomsXT864 among thembetween 1969 and 1979. The band was in place and ready, speeches said, fingers crossed and the holding cord was cut. For a moment, nothing seemed to happen. But the music reached a crescendo and down came the drape to disclose XT864 in all her finery. Cheers and applause roared through the hangar, as a few misty eyes gazed in awe. It was a moment of amazement. So 70 litres of paint later, Ray Burrows had an aircraft painted in Royal Navy coloursbut with a little personal twist from myself: the roundels on the wings upper surfaces were painted to RAF detail. Whoops? Well I am an ex-RAF painter and finisher, after all! Even now, though, the job continues, with some minor fitting and painting to be done, e.g. with the missiles. If you are over our way in Northern Ireland, please come down and visit us at the Ulster Aviation Society. Our aircraft are housed in two Second World War hangars at Maze/Long Kesh Development site, at the west edge of Lisburn. Meanwhile, drop into our website for a look at our Phantoms restoration and unveiling videos. The website is www.ulsteraviationsociety.org. Were also on Facebook. Ian Hendry, Ulster Aviation Society 30 July, 2018 Warbird Digest News wishes to thank Ian Hendry for taking the time to prepare this article for us, and to gather some marvelous images to support the piece. We wish to offer a hearty congratulations to all at the Ulster Aviation Society for their efforts to preserve history. The museum is also coming close to finishing the restoration of an extraordinarily rare, and very original former Royal Navy Grumman Wildcat Mk.V JV482 (FM-1 Bu.15633). We look forwards to hearing more about this restoration in the future. Anyone wishing to help the Ulster Aviation Society with their important efforts should click the following link HERE. STAMFORD Police say they are looking for a man wanted for several thefts from St. Johns Episcopal Church. City police released surveillance footage on Saturday that shows the suspect during one of repeated larcenies from the church at 628 Main St. They say the man was caught on camera stealing items from the Main Street church on May 15. The Rev. James Wheeler, rector, said Sunday that other videos show the same man stealing from the church since October. We have videos of him. Its definitely the same guy every time, Wheeler said. Wheeler said the burglar has stolen a cell phone, two mobile land lines and $500 from the Over 60 Club, a group of seniors that meets regularly at the church. He said he doesnt know who the suspect is, but that the church sexton, who maintains the property, has seen the man around town. Weve added more cameras, weve locked more doors, we limited the amount of hours the church has been opened, unfortunately, Wheeler said. However, he said, We still have ways for people to come in and pray from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. There is also access on Saturdays and the church is open for worship on Sundays, Wheeler said. Police said no one should approach the suspect if they see him but should call the Police Department. Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip for Stamford police at 203-977-4407. Tips can also be sent in via Facebook message. Back in May LG unveiled a trio of Q7 smartphones as a more affordable alternative of the G7 ThinQ. Today the company announced with a press release the unveiling of LG Q8 (2018) as the cheaper solution of the V35 ThinQ. The new Q8 (not to be confused with last years Q8) has a huge 6.2 FullVision display and comes bundled with a built-in stylus. The chipset of the Q8 (2018) is the 14 nm Snapdragon 450 that arrives with octa-core CPU at 1.8 GHz. Memory is 4/64 GB, but there is microSD for up to 2 TB storage (realistically it can't go higher than 512 GB). LG keeps including a tremendous wide-angle lens in its flagship devices, but sadly, this phone has a single regular sensor on the back - 16 MP with PDAF, coupled with an LED flash. At least the 5 MP selfie camera comes with a Super Wide Angle of 100 degrees so you can include all your friends in the selfies. Connectivity includes USB-C, Bluetooth, and all the modern Wi-Fi 802.11 standards. There is 3.5 mm audio jack on board if you want to listen to FM Radio, while LG has equipped the Q8 (2018) with DTS:X 3D Surround Sound and Hi-Fi Quad DAC for all the audiophiles out there. The phone is also IP68 and MIL-STD 810G compliant. The LG Q8 (2018) is 160.1 x 77.7 x 8.4 mm in size and has a QC 3.0-compatible battery with 3,300 mAh capacity. LG Director of the mobile division Ahn Byung-deok said the phone will become a new choice for domestic mid-sized smartphones. We have to wait and see how the phone, offered in Aurora Black and Moroccan Blue, will perform on the market with its price tag of KRW539,000 which is around $480 or 415. Source (in Korean) These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Razer launched its first gaming smartphone back in the beginning of November and we were there to witness the historical event. The next iteration of the Razer Phone is poised to arrive by the end of 2018, according to company VP Chen Xiaoping. Speaking at the annual game conference China Joy 2018 in Shanghai, he said the new phone should be expected in China by December, revealing such a device is already in the pipelines. Chinese media suggest the phone might be the first with Snapdragon 855 since Qualcomm usually also announces its flagship chipset in early December. Chen Xiaoping was quoted to say the new phone will use the latest chipset, without clarifying which one. Back when the first Razer Phone was announced, it arrived with Snapdragon 835, 8 GB RAM and a top-tier 5.7 QHD IGZO LCD screen with 120 Hz refresh rate. The battery was 4,000 mAh with support for Quick Charge 4+ and the OS was Android Nougat, although Oreo arrived in Q1 2018. Pricing of the Razer Phone was around $699 for the United States and 699 for Continental Europe and there was a limited edition with a fancy green Razer logo on the back. The new Razer Phone 2 will likely stay in the similar price range of competitors flagships - not as high as the Samsung Galaxy S9+ that goes for no less than $800, but not as low as OnePlus 6 that can be found for $529. Source (in Chinese) | Via Havre Police Department A Fourth Avenue caller reported Friday at 10:12 p.m. someone had slashed a tire on her car. -- Jasmin Shay Demontiney of Great Falls, 22, was arrested on charges of shoplifting, driving with a suspended or revoked license and driving without vehicle insurance after an 11th Street West business caller reported Friday at 12:59 p.m. someone had stolen beer. -- A caller at a Second Street business reported at 1:20 p.m. Friday a man would not leave. -- An arrest was made after probation and parole reported Friday at 2:30 p.m. a man with a pick up and hold was in the office. -- Jaime Dawn The Boy of Havre, 42, was issued a summons on charges of criminal contempt and violation of conditions of release after a probation officer reported a 24/7 Sobriety Program and Pharmacy and Chemical Drug Patch Program violation Friday at 3:29 p.m. at the police station. -- A sexual assault was reported from the Havre area Friday at 3:56 p.m. -- Helena Police Department called Friday at 4:16 p.m. to report a lottery scam. -- Sybil Cochran Lonebear of Havre, 40, was arrested on a charge of driving without vehicle insurance and on a Justice or City court warrant on 10th Street West Friday at 4:36 p.m. -- Suspicious activity was reported at the police station at 5:12 p.m. Friday -- Justin Earl Graham of Havre, 34, was issued a summons on a charge of endangering the welfare of children after an officer stopped to speak with a young child on First Street Friday at 6:41 p.m. -- Jessica Ann Eder of Wolf Point, 36, was arrested on an open container charge Friday at 6:54 p.m. at Carpenter Park. -- Claudine Chiefstick of Rocky Boy, 54, was arrested on a criminal mischief charge after a caller on Ninth Avenue reported Friday at 10:49 p.m. a tire was popped on his Ford Mustang. -- Someone stopped at the police station Saturday at 11:25 a.m. about a bike. -- Kim Allen Norquay Sr. of Hays, 59, was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge after a caller reported Saturday at 3:01 p.m. four people at Pepin Park were intoxicated and they had scared her children. -- Jennifer Jean Longknife of Havre, 27, was arrested on First Street Northeast on two Justice or City court warrants after she called Sunday at 8:02 p.m. saying she "wants help getting baby," the dispatch log says. -- Tanessa Amber Bennett of Havre, 30, was arrested on charges of partner or family member assault, reckless driving and disorderly conduct after a caller on 16th Street West reported a disturbance at 9:11 p.m. -- A 16-year-old was arrested on charges of probation violation, resisting arrest, juvenile curfew violations and disorderly conduct; Stewart Ruben James of Havre, 21, was arrested on a charge of obstructing a peace officer or other public servant; and a 17-year-old was issued a summons on a charge of juvenile curfew violations when an officer initiated investigation after reporting Sunday at 11:45 p.m. someone was hiding in the back of a pickup truck on Sixth Street. -- Leona Marie Chiefstick of Box Elder, 51, was arrested on a trespass to property charge after a caller at a First Street West business reported at 5:53 this morning a woman was refusing to leave. Hill County Sheriff's Office Sheldon Jae Oats of Box Elder, 50, was arrested on a trespass to property charge after a caller at a Box Elder establishment reported a man creating disturbance at 11:37 a.m. Friday. -- Mercedes Rose McDowell of Havre, 23, was arrested on a charge of violation of conditions of release after a warrant was served to her at Hill County Detention Center Friday at 5:24 p.m. -- Thomas Jay Parker Jr. of Havre, 32, was arrested on charges of driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license, operating a vehicle without valid registration and driving without vehicle insurance, and Benjamin James Kaval of Havre, 28, was arrested on a probation violation charge during a vehicle stop on River Road Friday at 7:35 p.m. -- Clyde Brandt of Havre, 62, was issued a summons on a charge of careless driving after callers started reporting at 6:45 p.m. Saturday a driver eastbound on U.S. Highway 2 West was driving all over the road and, finally, was reported in the ditch. -- Harold Patrick Mitchell of Box Elder, 39, was arrested on charges of "other" traffic crime, driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license, driving without vehicle insurance and headlamp violation, during a vehicle stop at Second Avenue Northwest and Main Street in Box Elder Saturday at 8:42 p.m. -- A caller at Fresno Lake reported Sunday at 4:40 p.m. someone stole camping equipment. -- Deputies provided backup on a Havre Police Department call on Sixth Street. Havre Fire Department Emergency medical personnel responded to four calls Friday, two calls Saturday and three calls Sunday. Havre Animal Shelter This morning the shelter held one medium-hair cat with sex listed as "unknown," two medium-hair male cats, two medium-hair female cats and two female short-hair cats. -- The shelter also held this morning a 1-year-6-month-old male German shepherd, a 2-year-old female pit bull terrier-German shepherd cross, a 2-year-old female Chihuahua-dachshund, an 8-year-4-month-old male Labrador retriever, 1-year-old female spaniel-pit bull terrier cross and a 3-year-1-month-old male Labrador retriever. Births A girl was born Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, to Natasha Lohman and Darren Keith of Havre. Thousands attended Rocky Boy's 54th Annual Celebration powwow with more than 800 registered dancers participating in the event. Dancers and visitors from all over the United States as well as from Canada attended the powwow, which had many events and competitions for people to participate in. One of the masters of ceremony was Dale Old Horn from Montana's Crow Agency, who has been a public speaker since 1969 and has attended the Rocky Boy powwow off and on since the its beginning in 1964. He said many things have changed since he was young, such as the dancing styles, the singing and some dances being added, such as the women's jingle dance. He added that the powwow has grown incredibly since 1964, with this year being one of the largest, and he was happy to see the younger generation being involved. In 1964 Native American people all across the nation could not afford the materials to create such beautiful regalia, Old Horn said, adding that an all-over war on poverty in recent years has lifted up tribal communities. The Crow population has grown from 2,450 people in 1964 to around 14,500 today, he said, with other tribal communities seeing a similar rise in population. Old Horn said additional health care and better environments on reservations have helped the population grow, but the credit goes to the strength of the tribal people. Old Horn said any expression of culture is important and that he likes all the dances. "It gives a sense of purpose that God has instilled on the earth," Old Horn said. He added that it gives him hope that at least this part of Native culture will remain strong, although other aspects of the culture have declined, such as Native languages and religions. With those two parts of Native culture in decline, Old Horn said, he fears that the dances may lose the meaning behind them. At 24 percent, The Crow Tribe has one of the largest percentages of Native speaking people, he said, adding that it is important to teach the youth about everything that goes into the dance in addition to the dance itself. One of the dancers at the event, Cakta Clairmont from Denver, Colorado, said he has attended many of the Rocky Boy powwows over the years. He said he had been dancing since he was a young boy starting with boy's fancy but is now a grass dancer. When he was a young boy he first saw a grass dancer and did not know what style it was but was very interested in learning, he said, adding that the grass dance had almost died out by then. Since then he has been asking a lot of questions and has worked with Rocky Boy champion dancer Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, to learn more about grass dancing, he said. Windy Boy is facing a challenge from former Rep. Gilbert Bruce Meyers, R-Box Elder, in his bid to keep his seat representing House District 32. Clairmont said the grass dance has many different stories tied to it. Traditionally, grass dancers beat down the grass before celebration; the dance was for the elderly, children or disabled who couldn't dance themselves, he said. Every part of his regalia has meaning, he said. The beads hanging from his headband were made to represent tears, he said, while the mirrors he stuck all over himself reflect off bad feelings. The regalia, which he said he made himself, took six months to prepare. He added that his favorite part of the powwow is the community, being able to see people he hasn't seen in a long time including family separated by distance. Another dancer at the event was Kishey Baker from Rocky Boy. She said she is a northern buckskin dancer, originally from Saskatchewan, Canada. Baker said she made her own regalia with what she had learned from her mother when she was a young girl. She said that the design is a family tradition with the floral pattern and the eagle being sacred and passed through generations. The dress' colors and design are made to honor and represent family, she said, adding that she, her husband, Harlan Baker, and her family have a camper at the powwow grounds that is open to visitors from long distances and other dancers to come and visit. Havre Daily News/Ryan Welch Ronald Windy Boy stands with other veterans of the United States Armed Services during a grand entry at Rocky Boy's Powwow Saturday. She said she had started making her first dress by herself in 2000 but had made a dress with her mother's help in 1988. She added that the dress that she was wearing for the powwow was now four to five years old. Baker said it is important to pass on these traditions to the next generation because it helps express individuality and celebrates life. "We're all song searching," Baker said. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., who faces a challenge in his re-election bid from Republican Montana Auditor Matt Rosendale, was at the powwow Saturday. Tester said he often goes to the Rocky Boy powwow and that he enjoys the regalia more than anything else at the event. He added that he also enjoys going to the rodeo. Dale Old Horn spoke about Tester to the crowd, saying Tester was crucial in Native American water settlement acts, which fixed water rights issues for many reservations. Old Horn described Tester as a "champion of the people." 060818MOMIS CONGRATULATES FATHER ORSBORNE New Dawn FM News ABG President Chief DR.JOHN MOMIS has thanked the people of Solos for presenting another child to Religious Life that will serve the people of God as a priest. Speaking at the Ordination ceremony last Saturday, President MOMIS said a priest is like a bridge that connects the people to GOD their creator. He said that an ordained person gets this special calling to serve the people to get closer to their creator. President MOMIS also thanked the parents of Father Osborne Bunn for allowing their son to become a priest to serve the people wherever he will be sent. Ends A 38-year old Japanese watchmaker who makes a living specialising in watch repair, Daizoh Makihara started making his own timepieces in 2012, though they were basic, time-only watches. His latest creation is his most elaborate yet, one that fuses traditional Japanese craftsmanship and culture with traditional movement decoration. Named Kiku-tsunagi-mon sakura (), or chrysanthemum pattern cherry blossoms, the wristwatch features a hand-engraved, clear crystal glass dial, as well as a movement Mr Makihara produces himself at his workshop in the Japanese city of Saitama. Notably, Mr Makihara is a graduate of the Hiko Mizuno College of Jewelry in Shibuya, Tokyo, the same college where fellow Japanese watchmaker Masahiro Kikuno learnt the trade. The dial is made of Edo-kiriko, a traditional Japanese cut-crystal glass that originated in the 18th century. Classified by the Japanese government as a traditional craft, Edo-kiriko, like all other artisanal crafts in Japan, is hand-made. That means an artisan manually engraves a piece of glass freehand by pressing it against a spinning, abrasive wheel, creating the motif one stroke at a time. Any mistake renders the dial useless, and requires starting afresh on a new disc of glass. A watch dial can take up to a days worth of work to complete. The dial motif is where the watch gets its name: Kiku-tsunagi-mon sakura translates as chrysanthemum pattern cherry blossoms. Both the chrysanthemum and cherry blossom (or sakura) are national symbols of Japan, and are repeated in hand-engraved on the crown and also the bridges of the movement. While the mechanics and layout of the movement are based on the Unitas 6498, Mr Makihara makes most of the movement himself, including the base plate and bridges, which are in German silver. The bridges finished with a grained surface that resembles the tremblage engraving found in European watchmaking, and also engraved with cherry blossoms. Care was put into ensuring that the bridges have broad, pronounced anglage, or polished bevelling. The watch case is 18k pink gold and 42mm in diameter. Produced by a case maker in Japan, the case has soldered lugs with a polished finish, while the case middle is brushed; each component is finished before the lugs are joined to the case band. Mr Makihara no doubt took some inspiration from the watch cases of A. Lange & Sohne. Price and availability Limited to eight pieces, the Kiku-tsunagi-mon sakura wristwatch is priced at 5.58m including Japanese tax, which is equivalent to about US$49,900. Its available direct from Mr Makihara, with a delivery time of eight months. Montana Auditor Matt Rosendale, second from right, talks to people during a campaign swing in Chester. Rosendale is the Republican candidate attempting to unseat Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., in his bid for a third term. Republican Montana Auditor Matt Rosendale spoke to a crowd of more than 35 people at Stricks Ag office in Chester Saturday about his campaign to unseat U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont. "We need your help, we need your prayers, because it is a tough battle out there, and if you are inclined, we need your contributions," Rosendale said. Others in attendance included Montana Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, who will be facing Democratic challenger Paul Tuss of Havre in his bid to keep the seat in Senate District 14, and Republican House candidate Josh Kassmier, who is facing fellow Fort Benton resident Dan Nelson, Democrat, in the race for the seat in House District 27. Stricks Ag co-owner Jillien Streit said she was very excited to have Rosendale at the event and to meet him. Rosendale thanked everyone for coming out to the event and said he appreciated everyone in attendance. He added that agriculture is the number one industry in Montana and that when it comes to the security of the country, people have to look at agriculture and energy. He said he was raised with the idea that if somebody can do something they have a responsibility to do it, adding that the people of Dawson County had approached him eight years ago asking him to run for Montana Legislature and since then he has been in political offices working for Montanans. Rosendale said he supports term limits and that if elected he only plans to serve two terms in the U.S. Senate. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., had approached him, Rosendale said, and asked him to run for the state auditor's office, adding that he believed that office was the best place for him to serve at the time. He said he has spoken many times since then to the House and Senate in Washington, D.C., trying to explain that health care could be better-delivered and better-controlled at the state level than the federal level. The "one size fits all" federal health care plan, Rosendale said, was not going to work and was driving costs up and denying access to people. He added that while he was in Washington most of the politicians who he met did not know what they were doing. "The more time that I spent there, the more I recognized that they really, most of the members, didn't have an idea of what they were doing up there," Rosendale said. He added that that was when he decided to run for U.S. Senate. "There is a lot of work that still needs to continue to be done," Rosendale said. He said President Donald Trump's administration had been doing a great job and is improving the country by expanding the economy. Rosendale said the GDP numbers, that had come out last week, show a 4.1 percent growth. That that was the largest amount of growth that the nation has seen in years, he added. The growth is directly tied to the the tax reform legislation that was passed, he said, which he said is adding money to all Montanans' pockets. Rosendale spoke on justices for the Supreme Court as well as federal circuit courts, saying those justices are in office for life, and it is important who is selected for these positions. He said he has been receiving a lot of support because he is trying to push big government away from Montana so the people can make the decisions locally. Rosendale also said that the support he has received put him and his opponent at a tie but what will determine the upcoming election is for his supporters to campaign with him. "What it will take in order for us to get across the finish line is for folks, like you, to make sure you go out and post signs, that you make some phone calls to your neighbors," Rosendale said. "If you can help with the state party, knocking on some doors and getting some extra folks committed to help us, to vote for the Republican party, myself and (U.S. Rep. Greg) Gianforte, to make sure we continue to get the president's agenda moved forward." He added the U.S. House is important and that if the nation loses the House the Democratic party will attempt to impeach the president, in order to keep the president from reaching his goals, which are expanding the economy and protecting the nation. This election will be determined by the truth, he said, and that he has a team that will assure the office is in touch with the people. "We're there to fight for you," Rosendale said. "I will do this work, and with your help, we will keep the president's agenda going, which I have said, 'It's not only good for America it's great for Montana.' It will be great for Montana." In her session, Moore will discuss how HR impacted the successful execution of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Click here to view the most up to date conference schedule and list of speakers. HRD readers interested in attending can book online and save on all registrations made by close of business Friday 17 August. Further discounts are also available on group bookings of four or more delegates. The HR Summit Brisbane will be held at the Stamford Plaza on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 October. Find out more and register at http://brisbane.hrsummit.com.au/index.php The masterclasses brought to you by HRD has been designed for HR leaders by lawyers from some of Australias top law firms. Topics covered include mental health and the workplace, discipline and unfair dismissal and adverse action claims. The one-day conference will also provide delegates with updates on the workplace health and safety case law and rules around casual workers. Kuek had hired several ex-military personnel in 2012. One of whom was former colonel Gerard Koh, who is now SMRTs chief corporate officer. According to the Straits Times, Koh had begun his career in SMRT as director of HR but now oversees group corporate functions in information technology, procurement, human resources and training. How will a strong background in the military affect how HR is run in the organisation? David Leong, managing director of human resource firm PeopleWorldwide Consulting, said the SMRT's reliance on people with a military background for its key posts will make SMRT like a quasi-military outfit with an entrenched protocol. However, Low Boon Seong, managing director of human resource consultancy Align Group, disagrees. He said it does not matter where managers are from, but whether they can effectively align the team with the company direction (and) at the same time build trust and empathy to foster a positive culture. 'The Herald has learned that officers investigating the incident believe a criminal from the area randomly fired a number of shots into the air.' (stock photo) An armed garda alert was sparked at the weekend after a criminal allegedly fired a number of shots in a west Dublin housing estate. Gardai received reports of a shooting in the early hours of yesterday near the Blakestown Road in Mulhuddart. Armed units rushed to the scene and found a number of spent cartridges in the driveway of a house, as well as in the nearby Hartstown Park. No injuries were reported, and the matter is under investigation. It is understood that neighbours reported the incident after hearing a number of gunshots. The Herald has learned that officers investigating the incident believe a criminal from the area randomly fired a number of shots into the air. No one was specifically targeted. The man, who is in his late-20s, is well-known to local gardai and is the chief suspect in an armed robbery earlier this year, during which a number of shots were fired. "Gardai believe he is involved in dealing drugs, and has recently had a falling out with his associates in the Blanchardstown area," a source said. "At this stage it appears he was randomly firing shots into the air, and no one was being targeted. "Obviously, the matter is being taken very seriously given that shots were fired in a residential estate. "This man has fallen out with criminals in the area, so there is a possibility he has armed himself for protection, but at the moment it appears that the shots were fired at no one in particular." Among the crimes the man is suspected of is a botched robbery of a west Dublin pub several weeks ago during which staff were threatened with a sawn-off shotgun. Balaclava A number of shots were also discharged during the early morning attempted robbery at The Paddocks, Clonee, on June 11. A man wearing a balaclava entered the pub with a sawn-off shotgun and demanded money from two employees, as well as threatening them at gunpoint He then fired a number of shots before fleeing the scene empty-handed. The botched raid took place at around 8am and no injuries were reported to gardai. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will express his concerns to the Pope about the Catholic Church's history of sexual and physical abuse when Francis visits Ireland later this month. The Taoiseach also said he intends to tell him that Ireland accepts gay parents. Pope Francis will visit Dublin and Knock on the weekend of August 25 and 26 at the invitation of the World Meeting of Families 2018. As part of his visit, he will go to the Capuchin Day Centre for the homeless in Dublin and the Knock Shrine. However, it is not yet clear whether he will meet victims of clerical abuse. Mr Varadkar said that while his meeting with the Pope could be short, he will express his concerns about issues such as the Church's involvement in Magdalene Laundries. "I'm really glad the Pope is visiting Ireland, the visit is very welcome," Mr Varadkar said. "He is the religious leader of a billion people and head of state and I'm pleased he is saying Mass in Phoenix Park and at Knock. You can see the huge interest from the general public. Legacy "I'm not sure of the exact details of my interaction with him. It may be very short, but first of all I will want to welcome him to Ireland on behalf of the Irish people. "If the opportunity arises, I will certainly want to express to him the real concerns that Irish people have on the legacy of the past, in relation to issues such as the Church's involvement in Magdalene Laundries, in mother and baby homes and sexual and physical abuse and relay that to him. "And also our views in society and the Government's view that families come in all sorts of different forms and that includes families led by same-sex parents and one-parent families." In June, Culture Minister Josepha Madigan criticised the Catholic Church, saying women should be allowed to be ordained. Her comments came after she stepped in to lead prayers at a church in Dublin. Mr Varadkar added his support for the ordination of women as Catholic priests, but said the Government has no proposals to enforce this. "When I say my view is that women in the Catholic Church should be allowed to become priests, of course that applies in the synagogues and mosques," he added. "But I also believe in the freedom of religion and the fact that we should have separation of religion and State and the religious bodies make their own laws. "There's a big difference between saying what you think and deciding on whether you are going to use the power of the law to enforce on it, and we have no proposals to force these things on any religion." Mr Varadkar also said he does not like burqas, but has no plans to ban them like some other EU countries have done. "I don't like it, but I think people are entitled to wear what they want to wear," he said. The sun shone on Croke Park yesterday as Dublin powered to a 14-point victory against Roscommon in the final round of the Super 8s. The Dubs had a comfortable afternoon, beating their rivals 4-24 to 2-16. Expand Close Fergal and Ann OGara with granddaughter Ella Banvill OGara. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fergal and Ann OGara with granddaughter Ella Banvill OGara. Eoghan O'Gara scored the second and third goals for the Boys in Blue, with his parents Fergal and Ann looking on proudly from the sidelines. Speaking about Dublin's chance of taking their fourth All-Ireland in a row, Fergal said things are looking bright. "The odds are good. It's fantastic to follow the Dubs," he said. He went on to predict Dublin will face Tyrone in the final. "I thought Kerry would have a big challenge," he said. "There's more to come from Tyrone, I think. I thought they were very good." Confident Lusk man Jason Cromwell (39) was among the Dubs fans enjoying a day out at Croker, and while he thinks next week's match against Galway will be close, he sees Dublin winning. "They've been going through the motions, building up for the final two weekends. I think we'll have four in a row this year," he said. Meanwhile, there was a distinct lack of Roscommon jerseys around Croke Park yesterday as fans geared up to watch the match. "They haven't had a great tournament," said Jason, "but there are plenty of Dubs fans here, that's the main thing. We don't care if there's no Roscommon fans as long as the Dubs are out in force." Castleknock woman Charlene Murray reckons many Roscommon fans didn't want to make the pilgrimage to Croker. "I suppose it's the last game of the Super 8s and Roscommon haven't been performing as well as they'd hoped," she told the Herald. "I don't think people would want to travel, but for the Dubs it's a nice day out in Croke Park. Bring on Galway next week and we'll see what happens." Like most fans, Charlene reckons it will be no easy feat for the Dubs against Galway, but she's confident a fourth successive All- Ireland title is on the horizon. "I think number four is on the way," she said. "Galway will be a tough match, but we'll pip them to the post, definitely." Deborah Ryan had taken a Valium on the day, a court heard A new mum who stole bed sheets and clothes four weeks after giving birth had taken a Valium at the time, a court has heard. Deborah Ryan (28) avoided a theft conviction after she admitted taking the goods at a west Dublin shop. Judge David McHugh struck the charge out at Blanchardstown District Court. Ryan, of Cashel Road, Crumlin, pleaded guilty to stealing bed sheets and clothes worth 48. The shoplifting took place at Penneys in Liffey Valley Shopping Centre last June 29. Gda Sgt Geraldine McManigan said the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed a summary trial of the matter in the district court. Security Sgt McManigan said Ryan entered the store at 5.50pm, picked up a number of items and passed all points of payment, leaving the store without attempting to pay for them. The defendant was stopped by security staff as she left the store. Gardai were called. The court heard Ryan had no prior convictions, other than for a road traffic offence in 2014. She had no record for theft. Ryan was a single mother who had given birth to her first child weeks earlier, her solicitor Brian Coveney said. She had taken a Valium on the day in question. Ryan worked as a caterer and was currently on maternity leave, Mr Coveney said. Her workplace was in an establishment that required garda vetting. He asked the judge to be as lenient as he could and leave the defendant without a conviction. Judge McHugh agreed to strike the charge out. 'Judge John Lindsay sentenced him to four months in prison, with another two months suspended.' (stock photo) A father-of-three who was told to stop begging outside a DIY store showed the doorman a knife and said: "This is how I deal with the likes of you." David Canning (26) opened his jacket to show the security guard the Stanley knife before making the remark. Judge John Lindsay sentenced him to four months in prison, with another two months suspended. Canning, of Buttercup Park, Darndale, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Stanley knife. Gda Paula Cater told Dublin District Court that Canning was begging outside Woodie's at the Malahide Road Industrial Estate, Coolock, last October 30 when a security guard told him to move on. It was then that the defendant opened his jacket, showed him the knife and made the remark. Gardai were called and he was arrested. The court heard he no longer had the knife on him at that stage and was co-operative with gardai. Gda Carter agreed with Cath- al O Braonain, defending, that both gardai and security had experience with Canning begging in the area and he had never caused any difficulty before. Surprise It was "uncharacteristic" of him, the garda said, and the relationship was usually "civil". Mr O Braonain said Canning had been begging in the area on many occasions before, had never reacted in that way and it came as a surprise to those who dealt with him. Separately, gardai were called to a Dublin Bus at the Malahide Road last October 31, when Canning broke a window, causing 320 worth of damage. The driver made the call and Canning waited for gardai to arrive. Canning was under stress at the time of the incident and taking tablets, Mr O Braonain said. Gda Aisling McGeown said that, in a separate incident on Kilmore Road last February 24, Canning was searched and found to be in possession of a kitchen knife. Canning was in prison for other offences when his case came before the court and he was anxious to get back to his children, Mr O Braonain said. He had 21 convictions for offences including possession of a knife. He was drug-free since going into custody. Judge Lindsay backdated the six-month sentence to when Canning went into custody, suspending the final two months. 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14 Jun (13) 31 May - 7 Jun (13) 24 May - 31 May (13) 17 May - 24 May (15) 10 May - 17 May (16) 3 May - 10 May (11) 26 Apr - 3 May (21) 19 Apr - 26 Apr (17) 12 Apr - 19 Apr (20) 5 Apr - 12 Apr (16) 29 Mar - 5 Apr (19) 22 Mar - 29 Mar (17) 15 Mar - 22 Mar (23) 8 Mar - 15 Mar (22) 1 Mar - 8 Mar (21) 22 Feb - 1 Mar (22) 15 Feb - 22 Feb (25) 8 Feb - 15 Feb (25) 1 Feb - 8 Feb (21) 25 Jan - 1 Feb (23) 18 Jan - 25 Jan (19) 11 Jan - 18 Jan (35) 4 Jan - 11 Jan (23) 28 Dec - 4 Jan (27) 21 Dec - 28 Dec (28) 14 Dec - 21 Dec (23) 7 Dec - 14 Dec (22) 30 Nov - 7 Dec (19) 23 Nov - 30 Nov (22) 16 Nov - 23 Nov (19) 9 Nov - 16 Nov (15) 2 Nov - 9 Nov (17) 26 Oct - 2 Nov (10) 19 Oct - 26 Oct (12) 12 Oct - 19 Oct (13) 5 Oct - 12 Oct (19) 28 Sep - 5 Oct (14) 21 Sep - 28 Sep (17) 14 Sep - 21 Sep (19) 7 Sep - 14 Sep (22) 31 Aug - 7 Sep (15) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (14) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (9) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (5) Warehouse cinemas leitersburg will bring movies and more to theater "There's only so many movies you can watch at home," said Rich Daughtridge, CEO of Warehouse Cinemas. In a strange way, the debate on Assams draft National Register of Citizens (NRC) is echoing some of the tensions recently witnessed in the context of the refugee crisis in Europe. Although the history and contexts are different, the politics and possible solutions surrounding the issue are not entirely dissimilar. In the midst of arguments concerning illegal migrants and infiltration, Bengal chief minister Mamata Benerjee is emerging as a strong leader in India. This is similar to the way German chancellor Angela Merkel stood firmly in Europe. When many centralist leaders in Europe were not able to counter the onslaught of Right-wing parties, Merkel showed the courage to defend her open border migration policy. Banerjee has confronted the issue head on. Knowing Assams history, the issue she knows is more of anti-outsiders (read mainly Bengalis) rather than a Hindu-Muslim issue. She has been accused of playing vote bank politics as if other parties are innocently concerned only about migration issues. Despite having a number of agreements with third countries and committing huge resources, the European Union (EU) is not able to deport any significant number of migrants to other countries. The 2016 EU-Turkey migration agreement included Euro three billion in aid and easier visa restrictions to 75 million Turks. The results are very modest so far and chaotic migration towards Europe has not stopped. When India does not have even an agreement with Bangladesh, hardly anything could be achieved on that front. Some analysts are suggesting that once we know the final numbers of illegal migrants, they could be distributed among different states. Despite having a Common European Asylum System, many countries within the EU have been strongly opposed to accepting refugees from frontline states like Greece and Italy. In India, it could be opening another Pandoras box. It is not that only Assam has a migration problem. Many other states have also received millions of migrants from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and other countries. So in this case, Assam may also need to receive migrants from other states. Despite the Assam Accord, if we are not able to tackle just Assam problem in decades, is it feasible to expect any national policy in near future? The issue has been made more complicated with linking it with the pending Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016, which excludes Muslims from neighbouring countries. Even in Europe, some politicians were talking of accepting only Christians or non-Muslim migrants. Despite making some headlines, this never made it in to any policy agenda. In India with a huge Muslim minority, this will only vitiate political atmosphere. It may not be acceptable even to the Assamese elite. In Europe, the migration crisis created serious divisions between member states of the EU. When no centralised solutions were acceptable, free movement under common Schengen border system came under stress. At the height of the crisis, many countries re-introduced border controls. In India, Nagaland has already deployed additional troops at the Assam border to check influx. There are reports that in Meghalaya vigilant groups have set up check posts to stop illegal migrants from entering their state. Despite a mature institutional framework and resources, the EU has not still been able to find a reasonable and acceptable solution. One of the main reasons for this has been rising graph of right-wing political parties throughout Europe. Although many of them have not made huge electoral success, rhetoric has not subsided. In an election year in India, a sober political consensus on Assams migration is hardly expected. The only saving grace is that complexity of Assams migration issue may push us for a meaningful debate in the coming months. Gulshan Sachdeva is Jean Monnet chair at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University The views expressed are personal Indias policy makers and investors look to Silicon Valley as the model for innovation and believe what its venture capitalists (VC) say. This is not a wise thing to do because these VCs often propagate false stereotypes and live under the delusion that they know it all. For India to build an innovation economy, it needs to dispel the many myths. 1. Only the young can innovate: One Silicon Valley VC went as far as to say at a NASSCOM event: People under 35 are the people who make change happen, and those over 45 basically die in terms of new ideas. In fact, the average and median age of successful technology company founders in the US is 40, as my research and subsequent studies have shown. Twice as many are older than 50 as are younger than 25; twice as many, over 60 as under 20. And the older, experienced, entrepreneurs have the greatest chances of success. Marc Benioff was 35 when he founded Salesforce.com, and Reid Hoffman was 36 when he founded LinkedIn. Steve Jobss most significant innovations iMac, iTunes, iPod, iPhone, and iPad came after he was 45. Qualcomm was founded by Irwin Jacobs, when he was 52, and Andrew Viterbi, when he was 50. The greatest entrepreneur today, transforming industries including transportation, energy, and space, is Elon Musk; he is 47. 2. Entrepreneurs are born, not made: As my teams at Duke and Harvard documented, the majority, 52%, of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs were the first in their immediate families to start a business; about 39% had an entrepreneurial father, and 7% had an entrepreneurial mother. (Some had both.) Only a quarter of the sample we surveyed had caught the entrepreneurial bug when in college. Half hadnt even thought about entrepreneurship then, and they had had little interest in it when in school. Look at Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, and Jan Koum. They didnt come from entrepreneurial families. Their parents were dentists, academics, lawyers, factory workers, or priests. Anyone can be an entrepreneur. The next Infosys will probably be stared by an older and experienced employee of Infosys. 3. Higher education provides no advantage: Believe it or not, some Silicon Valley investors also say that degrees are not needed because a few college dropouts like Zuckerberg have achieved success. On an average, companies founded by college graduates have twice the sales and employment compared to the companies founded by people who havent gone to college. What matters is that the entrepreneur completes a baseline of education; the field of education and ranking of the college dont play a significant role in entrepreneurial success. The founders education reduces business-failure rates and increases profits, sales, and employment. 4. Women cant succeed: Women-founded firms receive hardly any venture capital investments, and women face blatant discrimination in the technology field in both the US and India. This is despite the facts that women now match men in mathematical achievement; that 140 women enrol in higher education for every 100 men; and that women earn more than 50% of all bachelors and masters degrees and nearly 50% of all doctorates in the United States. Research by my teams at Duke and Harvard also revealed that there are almost no differences in success factors between men and women company founders. Both sexes have exactly the same motivations; are of the same age when founding their startups; have similar levels of experience; and equally enjoy the startup culture. They actually have the advantage: women-led companies are more capital-efficient, and venture-backed companies run by a woman have 12% higher revenues than the others. 5. Venture capital is a prerequisite for innovation: Many would-be entrepreneurs believe that without VC funding, they cant start a company. This was the reality a few years ago when capital costs for technology were in the millions of dollars. But that is no longer the case. A $500 laptop has more computing power today than a Cray 2 supercomputer, costing $17.5 million, did in 1985. For storage, back then, you needed server farms and racks of hard disks, which cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and required air-conditioned data centres. Today, one can use cloud computing and cloud storage, costing practically nothing. With the advances in robotics, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing, the technologies are becoming cheaper, and no longer require major capital outlays for their development. And if entrepreneurs develop new technologies that customers need or love, money will come to them. Because venture capital always follows innovation. Vivek Wadhwa is a Distinguished Fellow at Harvard Law School and Carnegie Mellon University at Silicon Valley. His forthcoming book, Your Happiness Was Hacked, explains how you how you can live a more balanced technology life. The views expressed are personal Alia Bhatt decided to celebrate her 23 million followers on Instagram with a fun Q&A session on Sunday. Her fans and friends asked a lot of quirky questions about her life and work and she gave the most wholesome answers. While most asked her about what she likes to eat or her favourite books, someone also asked her about her plans after marriage. Will you give up acting after your marriage? Hope not, asked a fan. Alia replied, There is no need to give up anything but your status. I shall act and act as long as I can. That should surely bring a big relief to her fans. Alia is in a relationship with Bollywood star, Ranbir Kapoor who confirmed their relationship GQ magazine in May. Its really new right now, and I dont want to over speak. It needs time to breathe and it needs space. As an actor, as a person, Alia is whats 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 Im aspiring to for myself. Its new for us, so let it cook a bit, Ranbir had said. However, Alia has still not spoken publically about their relationship but has accepted in an interview that she had a crush on him. In her Q&A, she said her favourite book was When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, she is a fan of home cooked food, loved watching Sacred Games on Netflix, is obsessed with moisturisation and cant wait for people to watch Ranveer Singh in Gully Boy. Ranbir and Alia will soon be seen together in Ayan Mukherjis Brahmastra. Alia recently returned from Bulgaria where she was shooting for the film with Amitabh Bachchan, Mouni Roy and Nagarjuna. She recently posted a few pictures of herself, clicked by Ranbir, on Instagram. The couple is often spotted together -- at Mukesh Ambani sons engagement last month, Alia and Ranbir were photographed together. Alia hosted an intimate party at home where Ranbir and her dad were present. Alia has two more big projects lined up Kalank with Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Dutt, Varun Dhawan and more and Gully Boy with Ranveer Singh. Ranbir will be seen as dacoit in Samshera and has also signed a film with director Luv Ranjan. Follow @htshowbiz for more Businessman Rajan Nanda, father-in-law of Amitabh Bachchans daughter Shweta Bachchan Nanda, passed away on Sunday night in Gurgaon. Taking to social media, Amitabh who was shooting for Brahmastra in Bulgaria with Ranbir Kapoor wrote, My relative Mr Rajan Nanda, Nikhils father and father-in-law of Shweta, just passed away. Leaving for India. The actor also wrote a blog on his way to India where he spoke about the personal tragedy. Yes, the personal tragedy is now in discloser and transmitted but it had a lead a lead of distress and anxiety and apprehension from a time of some immediate length the obvious nested facts were not pressed into the print of this page, but there were hidden hints of them in it. My hidden heart can bleed within unseen but it takes not away the pain of its emission, he wrote. T 2891 -" Nothing is perfect... the sooner we accept it, the happier we will be."~ Ef ; , ~ ab pic.twitter.com/nszmLeftZg Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) August 6, 2018 Shweta is married to Rajan Nandas son Nikhil Nanda. Shweta and Nikhil Nanda are parents to daughter Navya and son Agastya. The family is also related to the Kapoors as Rajan Nanda was married to Ritu Nanda nee Kapoor, the eldest daughter of Raj Kapoor. Rishi Kapoor and his daughter Ridhima Sahni Kapoor also took to Twitter to pay their tributes to Rajan. You were are and will always remain a legend! Thank you for all the love always - will miss you so much uncle - until we meet again RIP uncle Rajan, Ridhima wrote. Thank you Soniya https://t.co/i9FnU5iZXr Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) August 5, 2018 Amitabh Bachchan wrote in his blog .. an extended family it is .. but at times distended, with matter, is its inventor architect, with what and how much needs attention therein .. how to or not to, convey, state, condition .. pretend ? convey all ? subtlety put in words that convey but do not convey ..? what ? how then to react to adverse , mounting to near admonition by the family towards the inventor, for neglect, disinterest , non notice , complain of giving to others and not to person particular .. what ..? how then to keep the quiet of what transpires within, and not be opened to all ? how to responsive be, for the sarcasm and use of language, that at times attracts verbiage rambling, harbouring sarcastic cynicism, distasteful and filled with dismissive adjectives ..? how ..? .. there is not all that can find itself on pages of post in the describe, that is yearned by all .. all cannot be disclosed, not for any reason particular .. not for the reverse intent .. but for the factual concern that the page does not in confidence rely on any one Ef , but that the platform does form the excited and freedom free content for its own pages with the multitudinous others ..!! news and information causes the building of the greatest invention in modern times after the prehistoric discovery of the wheel .. wherefrom to obtain it , what to discolour it in the varied rainbow across the horizon, and in which pret-a-porter design to run it in a fashion board walk among glittering flashes and applauding humanity on either side .. ! yes the personal tragedy is now in discloser and transmitted .. but it had a lead .. a lead of distress and anxiety and apprehension from a time of some immediate length .. the obvious nested facts were not pressed into the print of this page, but there were hidden hints of them in it .. my hidden heart can bleed within .. unseen .. but it takes not away the pain of its emission .. instead .. it pleads not for attention but gets beaten for the absence of its attention about .. .. this be the burden that shall be ever carried .. this be the beast that shall never be vanquished .. this ogre shall remain wrapped in attached splendour about us .. and if not understood , stop being that pedestal that they who wonder are put on .. I .. i be that .. i be that bear .. i better be .. that is the summation for all in generation .. Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and the team of Bharat have wrapped the first schedule of the much-anticipated film. Director Ali Abbas Zafar shared the team has shot two dramatic action sequences in Mumbai and that they are now gearing up for the next schedule in Malta. First schedule of @Bharat_TheFilm completed in Mumbai, two dramatic action sequences done .... thanks you cast & crew ... Here we come Malta .. get ready for Desi rock n rolla, tweeted Zafar. First schedule of @Bharat_TheFilm completed in Mumbai, two dramatic action sequences done .... thanks you cast & crew ... Here we come Malta .. get ready for Desi rock n rolla... ali abbas zafar (@aliabbaszafar) August 6, 2018 This movie is the directors third collaboration with Salman after the 2016 film Sultan and the recent Tiger Zinda Hai. After Priyanka Chopra walked out of the film, Katrina Kaif was roped in to play the lead opposite the Dabangg star. Bharat also stars Tabu and Disha Patani. Follow @htshowbiz for more Veere Di Wedding star Sumeet Vyas has confirmed that he is engaged to marry his girlfriend, Mere Angne Mein actor Ekta Kaul. Sumeet popped the question earlier this week, a report says. According to Bombay Times, Ekta said yes immediately, but there was only one glitch: The size of her engagement ring was wrong. Ekta is a beautiful person. I decided to pop the question a few days ago and slipped a ring on her finger before she could change her mind! I am glad she loved it and has accepted my proposal. Unfortunately, I got the size of the ring wrong, which can be expected from a guy like me, Sumeet said. Ekta also expressed excitement at the good news, and spoke about how Sumeet first took her parents blessings before asking for her hand in marriage. Marrying the man you love is a great feeling, but tying the knot with your crush is an achievement. I am happy that I am marrying Sumeet. Actually, before slipping the ring, he had come to Jammu to speak to my parents and then he proposed marriage to me. I dont know why he felt I would not say yes immediately. I will never say no to him, she said. My family really adores Ekta, Sumeet said. When we met her folks in Jammu, we were floored by their love and hospitality. We were like, lets not try to compete with them. We are planning a warm and intimate wedding ceremony. The couple has reportedly asked their industry friends to reserve dates in September - Sumeet and Ekta have finalised September 15 as their wedding date. Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor-producer Salman Khan, who is launching his brother-in-law Aayush Sharma with Loveratri, on Monday said that he was pissed off with the debutant actor as he rejected around 9-10 film scripts before agreeing to do this film. Interacting with the media at the trailer launch of Loveratri, along with film's actors Aayush Sharma and Warina Hussain, and director Abhiraj Minawala in Mumbai, Khan said: "This film has nice love story of a local boy and an NRI girl in a festive backdrop." Elaborating on why he was pissed off with Sharma, Khan said: "When Abhiraj (Minawala) and Aayush (Sharma) heard the story, they agreed to do the film. Before that, I was getting kind of pissed off with him (Sharma) because I sent him about 9-10 scripts but he didn't like those. "After hearing this (Loveratri) script, he told me that I see myself playing this character, while I didn't see myself playing those characters... So, that's how we moved ahead with this film." Loveratri is a love story which revolves around nine days of Navratri festival. Asked what prompted him to produce this film, Khan said: "Love is supreme and ultimate. You love your family, girlfriend, wife, brother, sister and friends, and sometimes we fight with them. But during festival times or at a time when the person needs you emotionally or in bad times like illness or accident, everyone comes back and stands together and forgets all the enmity. That's how I thought of making a film with festive background." Asked whether current generation of actors faces more heat when it comes to delivering back to back hits as compared to his generation of actors, Khan said: "Yeah...it's a big challenge and the challenge is not to launch that person but it lies in what he or she will do to survive in the industry. In the times of Mr Bachchan (Amitabh Bachchan), they could survive lots of flops and today after one or two flops, it's like over for you. "I think Bachchan Sa'ab got his first hit in the form of Zanjeer when his 12-13 films had flopped at box-office. So, launching is okay because you believe in the script and the actor. Now, I feel younger generation is really talented. They act really well, they have amazing bodies, they look good and they do dance and action phenomenally. So you know that these guys are going to make it. But, god forbid, if the film does not do well, then you need to stand by them and support them." Loveratri is a romantic-drama produced by Salman Khan under his banner Salman Khan Films and directed by Abhiraj Minawala. The movie marks Hindi film debut of Salman Khan's brother-in-law Aayush Sharma and newcomer Warina Hussain in lead roles. It will be released on October 5, 2018. Follow @htshowbiz for more PepsiCo Inc said on Monday Indra Nooyi would step down as chief executive officer after 12 years at the helm and named President Ramon Laguarta as her replacement. Laguarta will take over from Nooyi on Oct. 3 and will also join the board, the company said in a statement. Nooyi, 62, who has been with the company for 24 years, will continue as chairman of the board until early 2019. After 12 years as CEO, Indra K. Nooyi will step down Oct 3, 2018. Her leadership and vision propelled our performance, transformed our company and embedded sustainability into everything we do. Thank you, @IndraNooyi! https://t.co/gq2LwrwI0Q pic.twitter.com/uhEIeRaWfv PepsiCo (@PepsiCo) August 6, 2018 Laguarta, a 22-year veteran of PepsiCo, oversaw global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs in his role as president. He also served as CEO of the companys Europe Sub-Saharan Africa division before becoming president. The companys shares have gained 78 percent since Nooyi took the top job in 2006. Born in a small village of Pithoragarh, she fell in love with the mountains at an early age. At the age of 22, Sheetal Raj has become the youngest woman to scale Mount Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. When our Sherpa told me we have reached the top, my body was suddenly renewed with energy. It was like a live wire coursing through me. I got extremely overwhelmed, broke down and hugged the Sherpa. It was unbelievable, said Raj describing her experience of being on the top of the 8,586-metre high summit on May 21. Raj, daughter of a taxi driver father and homemaker mother, was in love with the mountains since childhood. I used to accompany my mother when she used to go into the jungles of mountains looking for wood. The view from there and the silence made me feel very peaceful, she said. She got her first opportunity to be a part of a climbing expedition in 2014. I was a member of the NCC unit of my college. They informed us about this expedition and I really wanted to go. I told my parents it was a trip, but even then they refused. I convinced them somehow. Once I came back, they got to know it was a mountain expedition and I got a lot of backlash from my family, she said. After much difficulty, Raj got her parents on board and regularly started going on expeditions. She completed a basic mountaineering course from Darjeelings Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in 2015. We were a batch of 150 girls. During the course, we had to climb a peak called Rinok. Only 53 of us managed to do that. After that we had another expedition, which I also cleared. The final one, also known as the pre-Everest was Mount Trishul. Only 15 of us scaled that summit, Raj said. When she came back from the expedition, Raj learned that she had not been selected for the expedition to Mount Everest. The news shook me completely. I couldnt believe it. It had a deep impact on my mental condition. I dropped out of my college as I didnt feel like doing anything. It almost took me a year to come out of that depression, Raj said. In the meantime, Raj applied for a membership at Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), the apex national body for organising and supporting mountaineering expeditions. Many young boys and girls volunteer for taking part in expeditions organised by IMF. Last year, we had planned an expedition to Satopanth Glacier for ONGC. Sheetal Raj was one of the five members from IMF who went on the expedition, said Colonel (retired) HS Chauhan, the president of IMF. Chauhan said Rajs performance in the expedition was exemplary and was appreciated by all. When I talked to her, I got to know she comes from a financially weak background. We were then planning the Kanchenjunga expedition for ONGC. So, I recommended her name to ONGCs authorities and they agreed to include her as a part of the expedition and cover all her costs, he said. The Kanchenjunga expedition was flagged off in April. The expedition takes place in Nepal. Once we reached Hapur Khola, we started our trek to the base camp. It took us 15 days to finish that, Raj said. Raj and her team made the first attempt to scale the summit on May 12. From base camp, we had travelled up and crossed camp 1 and 2. We were at camp 3 when we suddenly heard a loud explosion and the ground beneath our feet started trembling. We got to know an avalanche had hit, Raj recalled. Following bad weather, Raj and the team retreated back to the base camp. The leader was suggesting that we should drop the idea of scaling the summit. I was crushed when I heard that. Coming so close, I did not want to lose this opportunity, Raj said. The team, however, decided for the weather to clear and started their ascent again on May 18. They crossed camp 1, 2 and 3 and reached camp 4 on May 20. From there, they began their ascent to the summit at 7pm. We reached the top at 3.30am on May 21. I felt like I was home, but it was too dark to see anything. We waited for the sky to get light. When finally the sun rose, it was surreal to watch. On one side, we could see India, on the other, it was Nepal and in front of us was the China border. The experience was surreal, Raj said. She later learnt that she had become the youngest female climber to scale the peak. We were informed by Nepal tourism department that Sheetal Raj became the youngest female in the world to scale the summit at the age of 22. We are extremely proud of her, Chauhan said. Raj plans to scale Mount Everest in 2019 and is currently seeking sponsorship for the same. The expedition can cost up to 20-25 lakh rupees and I cant afford that. Im looking for sponsors so that my dream comes true, she said. Rescuers had on Sunday evening managed to fish out two bodies while they were looking for two more hours after four boys, all 14, from Haryanas Sonipat slipped into the Yamuna River in outer Delhis Alipur area. Police said Ankit Maan, his cousin, Aaditya Maan, Nitin Pal and Lalit had gone to the Yamuna banks in Palla village around 7 am along with their three other friends, Kshitij, Mukul and Abhay. The police control room received a distress call at 7.20 am reporting that the four had slipped and drowned. The four were classmates at Amar Siksha Sadan in Sersa village. When a police team reached the spot, a few local men, who had been alerted by the three teenagers, who saw their four friends drown, told police that they tried to save the kids but failed. Soon, firefighters, divers, disaster management and civil defence teams were alerted and all of them arrived at the spot, said a police officer, who was part of the rescue operation. He spoke on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media. A detailed rescue operation was launched and following two hours of thorough search, the divers managed to fish out the bodies of two children Ankit and Lalit. Additional deputy commissioner of police (Rohini) Gaurav Sharma could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. The rescue operations continued until late in the evening but Aaditya and Nitin remained untraceable. Police said they fear the two boys too had drowned. Delhi fire services chief fire officer Atul Garg said two fire tenders were rushed to the spot after they received a call around 7.20 am. We were informed bodies of two kids were taken out while two remain untraced. Our teams are continuing the rescue operation. Police said Kshitij alerted locals and rushed to nearby houses seeking help. It was then the residents of the area gathered and attempted to save the children and also called the police, the police officer said. We have sent the bodies for post-mortem. The rescue operation is on. The officer said there was nothing suspicious about the drowning. Families of these kids have told police that they left the house early in the morning like every Sunday saying that they are going to play at a nearby stadium. Their family members did not know that they were going for swimming in the Yamuna. Statements of the other friends has been recorded. A 24-year-old woman, working as a chartered accountant for a private company in Gurugram, was shot at allegedly by her jilted lover in northwest Delhis Ashok Vihar Phase-IV on Saturday. The bullet grazed past the victims chest and did not pierce her skin. Police said the incident took place at the womans maternal grandmothers house. Police said the accused, identified as 30-year-old Harish Sharma, was enraged because the woman had reportedly snubbed him and had spurned his marriage proposal. Deputy commissioner of police (northwest) Aslam Khan said Sharma fled after the shooting but was caught from his house in east Delhis Shahdara on Sunday morning. A countrymade pistol used for the crime was recovered from him. He had purchased the pistol for Rs 45,000 from Uttar Pradeshs Muradnagar 20 days ago for allegedly killing the woman, said DCP Khan. A CCTV camera installed in the victims neighbourhood recorded Sharma fleeing the crime spot.. Police said the crime was reported to the police around 10.30pm. The woman was at her grandmothers C-block house when someone rang the doorbell. She opened the door and found Sharma standing outside. Sharma wanted to talk to her. But she asked him to leave. This apparently angered Sharma who whipped out a pistol and shot at the woman even as she tried to close the door. He then fled, said a police officer. The woman survived as the bullet allegedly grazed past her body, causing injuries to her chest. Hearing the gunshot, the womans neighbours rushed to the scene. Her sister and brother-in-law, who live in the neighbourhood, then rushed her to a nearby private hospital, where her condition was stated to be stable and out of danger. A case of attempt to murder was registered at the Bharat Nagar police station and investigation taken up. During the probe, the womans family members said they suspected the role of Sharma, who according to them had been stalking and threatening to kill her for some months. The woman in her statement also alleged that Sharma used to harass and stalk her. He used to follow her to her office in Gurugram. She had complained about the same to her office management, the officer added. The investigating team analysed the CCTV footage and Sharma was identified as the man fleeing from the crime scene. A trap was laid outside his home in Shahdara. We nabbed him when he returned home around 3am on Sunday, added the DCP. DCP Khan said Sharma had told them that he was annoyed with the woman as she had got engaged to another man around five months ago. Sharma and the woman knew each other as they were neighbours and friends for the last ten years. The woman has not filed a police complaint against Sharma, said Khan. Sharma claimed that they were in a relationship. He told us that she snubbed him and decided to marry somebody else. He claims the woman was engaged to him. He has, however, failed to produce any evidence to prove his claims, Khan said, adding the womans fiance had also asked Sharma to stay away from her. Police said Sharma is unemployed. Police said Sharmas family members claimed that they had disowned him last month because of his obsession for the woman. He had quit his private job and started playing musical instruments in religious events as his part time work. The DCP said the womans mother and brother live in their Shahdara home while she mostly stayed with her maternal grandparents at their Ashok Vihar home since childhood. The toughest task that Imran Khan will have to grapple with soon after he becomes Pakistans new prime minister is not the security situation or political tensions; it is the issue of seeking another bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to shore up its currency reserves and plug an external financing gap. Some reports have suggested that Pakistani officials are finalising a plan to seek a $12 billion package from the IMF, while others have suggested that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief could turn to China, Pakistans iron brother ally, for financial assistance in view of the worsening relations between Islamabad and Washington. The Donald Trump administration, which has already ensured that security aid for Pakistan has come down from the historic levels of more than $1 billion a year to a few hundred million dollars, has made it clear that any IMF bailout cannot be used to pay back Chinese loans. Secretary of state Mike Pompeo said the US will be watching what the IMF does as there is no rationale for IMF tax dollars to go to China. Pakistans economy has struggled in the past decade, largely due to a mix of poor security conditions following a spate of terrorist attacks and poor governance. If it showed signs of picking up in the last few years, it was largely because of Chinese investments in the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of the One Belt, One Road initiative. Pakistans current account deficit has already risen because of massive imports of Chinese equipment and materials for CPEC and the country has already taken loans worth almost $5 billion from China and its banks. Latest reports from Islamabad suggest Beijing has agreed to give another loan of $2 billion that will boost foreign currency reserves, which the State Bank of Pakistan reported last month had fallen to $9 billion. While it may be tempting for Pakistan to turn to China for help in the face of its worsening relations with the US, even an inexperienced administrator such as Mr Khan will be aware of the complications, including debt traps, that have arisen in countries which aligned themselves too closely with Chinas Belt and Road Initiative. Any IMF bailout is expected to come with stringent conditions. Mr Khan will also be aware of the need for tax reforms, with only about one per cent of Pakistans population of nearly 200 million paying taxes, and the need to rein in external debt that has soared to 31% of the GDP. All in all, Mr Khan has his work cut out for him on the economic front. At a reception held for Wild Wild Country, directors Chapman and Maclain Way and producer Mark Duplass hinted at a possible feature film adaptation of Netflixs breakout documentary series. The six episode series was released in March and quickly became a popular talking point. There have been some people interested in the feature and were like, Awesome go do your thing, Maclain told Variety at the event, which was hosted by the brothers uncle, actor Kurt Russell. Russell recalled that he lived in Oregon around the time the Rajneeshees set up their town there. I happened to be in Portland when a lot of this was going on so when they started talking about it, I was like, Oh, yeahthe Bhagwan! He was around, Russell said. The brothers spent four years making the series, and three of them trying to convince the shows breakout character, Ma Anand Sheela, to appear on camera. Theyre ready to hand over the reins to other filmmakers. Sheela was sentenced to two years in prison for her role in the mass poisoning of an entire town ahead of important elections. Osho later distanced himself from her actions, and Sheela went into exile in Switzerland. Mark Duplass thinks Keegan-Michael Key and Mindy Kaling would be perfect as Osho and Ma Anand Sheela. Duplass, who co-produced the series with his brother Jay, even offered casting advice. Keegan-Michael Key as Bhagwan, he said. Hes actually a very serious person and a great dramatic actor when given the chance. As for Sheela, Mindy Kaling. Everybody sees Mindy as sweet, but shes a f***ing killer. I know it because Ive been on set with her. It would be fun for people to see that. It has long been rumoured that for his Thugs of Hindostan follow up, actor Aamir Khan will be playing the controversial guru in a biopic. His representatives have made no official announcements, however. Follow @htshowbiz for more Twelve Indian tourists of a family were stranded on an island in quake-hit Indonesia and had to spend Sunday night without food and water. They are safe and unharmed, according to a relative. The tourists 10 from the north Bengal city of Siliguri and two of their relatives from Mumbai and Amritsar had just touched the shore at Gili Trawangan Island in Indonesia when the earth shook on Sunday evening. We had just touched the shore after reaching the island in a speedboat from Bali when the earth shook under our feet, said Neekita Jain over phone. The aftershocks in intervals of 5-10 minutes heightened the panic, she said, adding that they did not go into the hotel considering the risk. We were apprehending that the structures made of earth may collapse any time. More than 40 aftershocks, following the quake recording 6.9 on the Richter scale, were registered on the island. According to reports, the powerful earthquake that struck the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok, killed at least 91 people and injured more than 200 even as rescuers were struggling to reach some of the worst-hit areas. The Jains were just 15 km away from the epicentre of the quake, said Bharat Bhusan Rakhecha, a relative. Back at their home in Siliguri, Neekitas father Bhojraj Jain, a businessman, said, I could speak with my daughter only hours after the disaster. Though all the 12 people including my grandson are safe, their ordeal is beyond description. The Jains had gone on a vacation to Indonesia from August 3 and were to return on August 8. The tourists said that the speedboat that ferried them to the island was also abandoned by its crew after the first tremor. Neekita, who is accompanying her elder brother Shreyansh, his wife Bhagyasree and son Aadityaraj, wants to come back at the earliest. The consulate general in Bali said the evacuation of Indians from the Gili islands was almost complete. Evacuation of stranded tourists from Gili islands almost complete. Authorities report only small number remains to be brought back to mainland. They also confirm all Indian tourists have been taken off the Gili islands. @IndianEmbJkt @MEAIndia @SushmaSwaraj @IndianDiplomacy India in Bali (@cgibali) August 6, 2018 Earlier, the consulate had asked Indian tourists to not panic and follow safety instructions from local authorities. Gili Trawangan is a popular holiday destination considered suitable for families. Rajnarayan Basu, a key figure of the 19th century Bengal Renaissance, was among the initiators of a Hindu Mela (fair) in 1867 to celebrate the glorious past of Indian civilisation. The fair, which became known as the Jatiya Mela (national fair) and Swadeshi Mela (indigenous fair) as well, was billed as the beginning of Hindu Revivalism. Scientist and nationalist entrepreneur Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy authored, among other books, the History of Hindu Chemistry From the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D, a book that documented Indias indigenous chemical practices starting from the Vedic era. Prominent 20th century intellectual Rezaul Karim was a liberal nationalist and a staunch opponent of the Muslim Leagues two nation theory. He held that a common culture unified Hindus and Muslims of India. Ramananda Chatterjee, who edited Prabasi and Modern Review journals, became a vocal supporter of Hindu mobilisation during the late 1930s and early 1940s. Now, the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) has decided to highlight the legacy of Basu, Roy, Karim and Chatterjee, apart from litterateur Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and Bharatiya Jana Sangh-founder Shyama Prasad Mookerjee. Others include revolutionaries belonging to the terrorist organisations Jugantar Dal and Anushilan Samiti who drew inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita and Vande Mataram. Just before the saffron camp plans to launch the campaign for Bengal in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, this is an initiative aimed at changing Bengals public psyche and redefining the Bengali identity. The aim is to counter the propaganda that BJP and its brand of Hindu nationalism belong to the cow belt and are alien to Bengali society and culture. I have written to Amit Shah saying that Jai Hind and Jai Maa Kali resonates far better in Bengal than Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Jai Shri Ram, said Chandra Kumar Bose, Bengal BJP vice-president and a nephew of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. BANKING ON THE PAST The BJP is trying to counter the perception that its brand of Hindu nationalism belongs to the cow belt and is alien to Bengali culture BJPS BENGAL ICONS Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, novelist Swami Vivekananda, religious leader Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Rajnarayan Basu, writer Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy, Scientist Ramananda Chattopadhyay, journalist Rezaul Karim, educationist Upendra Nath Bandyopadhyay, freedom fighter TRINAMOOL CONGRESS HIGHLIGHTS Rabindranath Tagore Kazi Nazrul Islam, poet Subhas Chandra Bose Ramkrishna Paramhamsha, Spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda, Religious leader Freedom fighters such as Benoy Bose, Badal Gupta, Dinesh Gupta novelistreligious leaderBharatiya Jana Sangh founderwriterScientistjournalisteducationistfreedom fighterpoetSpiritual leaderReligious leaderFreedom fighters such as The Delhi-based BJP think-tank Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation (SPMRF), will organise a series of small, medium and large scale events centering on these personalities in different districts of Bengal over the next couple of years. When Rajnarayan Basu and members of the Tagore family supported its naming as Hindu Mela, they referred to the Indian culture. That is what we mean when we say Hindu, said Anirban Ganguly, who heads SPMRF and is a member of BJPs central policy research wing. SPMRF is consulting Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta and Shiv Prakash, the partys Bengal in-charge. People mock at us for highlighting Indias ancient knowledge and achievements. But when they read it from Roys book, their mindset will change, Ganguly said. The first big event was conducted on June 27, when BJP president Amit Shah delivered a speech on Bankim Chandra. The next are scheduled this month in Burdwan and Birbhum districts where Bengali academics and scholars from different parts of the country will speak on Bengali revolutionaries. Among those expected to address the events are Dasgupta and economist Bibek Debroy. Organisations named after Mookerjee are being formed in districts to rope in locally influential teachers, doctors and lawyers for small scale events. We are not importing nationalism. We are reminding people that Bengal is one of the places from where the idea of nationalism spread across India, said Syed Tanvir Nasreen, a member of the SPMRF and professor of history and head of womens studies, University of Burdwan. A BJP leader said Shah had instructed the party to do a careful study of Bengals history. During 2014-15, we were stepping up cow vigilantism. But the partys policy makers found out that a similar movement in the early 1950s found no resonance in Bengal. So, our cow protection cell was asked to maintain a low key, said a state committee member who spoke on condition of anonymity. The gradual shift to identifying with the Bengali psyche will also see more and more BJP leaders taking an active role in organizing Durga Puja and Kali Puja. The Sangh parivars main religious events in Bengal so far have been Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti. Winning at least 22 out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state is one of BJPs key objectives. In the Lok Sabha elections held in 1952, the newly-founded, Mookerjee-led Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the political wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, won three seats, two of which were from Bengal. Currently it has two MPs from Bengal and never had a higher number. In the 294-seat Assembly it has three MLAs, the highest since the Jana Sangh won nine seats in 1952. According to Dasgupta, Mookerjees untimely death in 1953 left the Jana Sangh in Bengal leaderless and the Left, taking this opportunity, brought under its fold the refugees from East Pakistan whom the Hindu nationalists hoped would be their largest constituency. Thereafter, Leftist influence overwhelmed Bengals collective thinking. Winning over Bengal intellectually is no less important than winning votes. A Left liberal consensus in Bengali psyche is undeniable. Winning it over is going to take time, said Dasgupta. The saffron camp has also decided not to antagonise Left supporters. None can deny the sacrifice and contribution of Left leaders of early days. We are pointing out degeneration among present-day leaders, Jisnu Basu, general secretary of south Bengal RSS, said. It is with Left supporters and sympathisers that we want to engage in debate. According to political analyst Debasish Sarkar, principal of Chandernagore College, BJP is bringing forth socio-cultural issues to duck economic questions. They are trying to make an entry by striking a cultural connect, but what will they answer when the youth ask them about ({Prime Minister Narendra) Modis promises in 2014? Economic questions will haunt them even without the existence of an opposition, remarked Sarkar. State Congress chief and Berhampore MP Adhir Chowdhury thinks BJPs plan will fail. Highlighting a particular part of history is part of their divisive agenda. However, in Bengal, the common people believe in secular and liberal ideals unshakably, he said. The Left agrees. If the BJP wants to present a partial view of history, it will be soon thoroughly exposed, said Sujan Chakraborty, leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) legislative party in the state Assembly. A CPI(M) worker was stabbed to death in north Keralas Kasaragod district on Sunday night, triggering tension in the area. Police said four motorcycle-borne people waylaid and stabbed Abubaker Siddique while he was returning to his home in Uppala. He succumbed to his injuries soon after being rushed to a hospital in nearby Mangaluru. Although the CPI(M) district leadership has blamed the RSS for the attack, the latter denied responsibility. The ruling party has called for a shutdown in Mancheswaram taluk on Monday to protest the murder. Police said they have identified four suspects, and a hunt has been launched to arrest them. The RSS is trying to vitiate peace in the area. Its cadres are provoking our party workers, said CPI(M) district secretary M V Balakrishnan. District police superintendent Dr A Sreenivas said a strict vigil is being kept over the area. The enmity between the two cadre-based parties in north Kerala dates back to over three decades, and at least 300 people from both camps have been killed in retaliatory attacks. The Deoria shelter home, whose operators were arrested for allegedly running a sex racket, was functioning illegally for more than a year in connivance of district officials who ignored orders to take action against it,a senior state government official wishing anonymity has said. State women and child welfare minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi on Monday said 20 letters were sent to the district administration and social welfare department to take action against the shelter homes management and shift the children to a proper accommodation, but they were all ignored. At least 24 inmates were rescued from the home on Sunday night following a police raid which found 18 others missing. The raid came after a 10-year-old girl escaped the home and narrated about sexual abuse and exploitation there. Girija Tripathi, who ran the home, her husband Mohan Tripathi and their daughter were arrested after the raid. The homes licence was cancelled in June 2017 by the states women and child welfare department after large-scale irregularities were detected, the official said. The district administration was directed to shift the children to a proper accommodation, but that was not done, the official said. The district child welfare committee which is supposed to check protection homes and ensure proper treatment of children too remained inactive, the official said. Notices were also sent to the protection home management to hand over the children to the district administration but they too ignored the direction, she said. On July 30, the women and child welfare department lodged an FIR against the homes management. Again the district administration and police officers were told to take action against Girija Tripathi, manager of Maa Vindhyavasini Mahila and Balika Sanrakshan Griha, an NGO running the protection home, for not handing over the children to the local administration. Surprisingly, no action was taken against Tripathi, she said. The revelation came after the national outrage over the sexual abuse of girls at a state-funded shelter home in Bihars Muzaffarpur prompted UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath to direct district magistrates to inspect all child and women protection homes. However, the district magistrate of Deoria as well as of other districts did not inspect the homes or apprise the state government about the inspection, Joshi said, adding that the DMs have been directed to submit their reports immediately. The minister also said that they were told that the managements of protection homes claimed to have gotten a court stay against the state government order, but that was found to be false. We are checking the facts. Strict action will be taken against the officers for allowing the protection home to operate even after the court rejected its petition, she said. Reacting to BSP chief Mayawatis criticism of the state government, Joshi said during the BSP government, licences were given to NGOs to run the protection homes without verifying their credentials. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday refused to give in to oppositions demands for the resignation of social welfare minister Manju Verma after her husbands name cropped up in connection with the sexual exploitation of inmates of a girls shelter in Muzaffarpur, and asked the opposition to stop levelling baseless allegations against her. We called her, and she denied any involvement. How is levelling baseless allegations (against her) justified? A CBI probe is underway. Anyone found guilty, even the ministers, will be sent to jail. If someone related to the minister is involved, they wont be spared, Nitish assured. Opposition leaders and even two BJP leaders have called for resignation, alleging that she was aware about her husband, Chandeshwar Vermas frequent visits to the Muzaffarpur shelter home where 34 girls were raped in connivance with main accused Brajesh Thakur without anybody accompanying him. Manju strongly defended her husband on Saturday, stating that she would personally hang him if he was found guilty of the crime. Some people are busy levelling baseless charges against me and my husband with ulterior, political motives. My husband has absolutely no role in what has happened If he is found guilty, I will have no qualms in hanging him at a public square, the minister had said at an event in Begusarai. The Bihar government had earlier suspended six officials of the state social welfare department in connection with the case. More heads are likely to roll in the days to come. Expressing his anguish on the matter, Nitish Kumar called the incident shameful and painful and said that from now no NGO would be allowed to run shelter homes in Bihar. Only the government would have that authority. He said that the High Court should monitor the CBI investigation. The Muzaffarpur case came to light when the Bihar Social Welfare Department filed an FIR based on a social audit of the shelter home conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. (With IANS inputs) The much-awaited election for the post of the Rajya Sabhas Deputy Chairman will be held on August 9, House Chairman Venkaiah Naidu announced on Monday, setting the stage for an electoral battle between the ruling National Democratic Alliance and the Opposition. As things stand, the NDA has support from 93 members while the Opposition has 118 MPs on its side in the 244-member strong Upper House. But the former is banking of 33 fence-sitters including members of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Biju Janata Dal to sail through. The Opposition is banking on cross voting of disgruntled ruling-coalition lawmakers in the poll where no party whip is applicable. The Deputy Chairmans poll will see the second electoral battle between the two camps in this session. Last month, the Opposition was defeated in the no-confidence vote in the Lok Sabha where it secured 135 votes to the NDAs 330. On Monday, Naidu informed the house that the poll would be held at 11 am on August 9 and nominations would have to be filed before noon on August 8. HT reported on Sunday that at a meeting with a top NDA leader, Naidu had asked the ruling side to expedite the process to elect the new Deputy Chairman if possible, in the ongoing session itself. Amidst reports that the NDA will field Janata Dal (United) lawmaker Harivansh for the post, the Congress, Trinamool Congress and some other Opposition parties have indicated that there is little chance of them supporting a ruling coalition nominee for the coveted post. We expect a consensus will be built around an Opposition member for this post. If the NDA puts up a candidate, then we Opposition parties will sit together and decide on fielding our common candidate, leader of the Opposition in the Upper House, the Congress Ghulam Nabi Azad said. Opposition leaders went into a huddle on Monday evening to decide their poll strategy. Three names have been shortlisted: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagams Tiruchi Siva, Nationalist Congress Partys Vandana Chavan and nominated member KTS Tulsi. But Chavan is seen as a frontrunner, said a senior leader who asked not to be identified. Another meeting will be held on Tuesday. A large section of the Opposition including the Congress feels that if an NCP candidate is fielded, it might help in winning over NDA allies such as the Shiv Sena. Pawar is one of the most influential political figures of this time. He may even get votes from some other regional parties who would never vote for a Congress candidate, said another Opposition leader who too asked not to be identified. The post of the Deputy Chairman has been lying vacant since June this year following the retirement of P J Kurien who was elected the Deputy Chairman during the UPA governments tenure. I am not surprised that the deputy chairmans post is headed for an election. I think in the present day politics, it is difficult to build consensus between the NDA and the Opposition. The way ruling party is playing politics, it also makes it difficult to take the Opposition along with them, said Sanjay Kumar, director, Centre for the Study of the Developing Society. After former finance minister Manmohan Singh launched major reforms in 1991, then Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao was so frustrated with bureaucratic delays that he sent what the UK government considered an unusual enquiry to London. Rao circumvented usual channels and sought advice on how the British PMs private office is organised through the then London representative of the Confederation of Indian Industry, Mohit Sarobar. Confidential documents declassified and released by National Archives show the request was first made to the department of trade and industry, which forwarded it to 10 Downing Street. David Melville of the department wrote to Stephen Wall in the PMs office on June 29, 1992: We spoke about the request from the Indian Prime Minister via Mr Sarobar of the Confederation of Indian Industries for a brief explanation of how our Prime Ministers Private office is organised... The Indian Prime Minister apparently finds his office over bureaucratic, and is looking for ideas on how to make it more efficient... Our officials feel the request is quite genuine. Raos request was taken forward by Christopher Prentice of the foreign office in a letter to Wall on July 27, 1992. The letter stated that London had an interest in encouraging the Indian governments economic and liberalisation reforms. Prentice wrote: We know that Mr Tarun Das, director-general of the CII, has regular private meetings with the Indian Prime Minister. We understand from Tarun Das that Narasimha Rao has indicated privately to him some frustration at bureaucratic delay in implementation of policy, particularly over economic liberalisation and privatisation. We have no reason to doubt that this unusual enquiry is genuine, and the reason why it has been addressed via the unconventional route of Mr Sarobar is presumably to circumvent likely bureaucratic obstacles within Narasimha Raos own office. Das said on Monday that he did not have regular meetings with Rao, but added that he did have regular meetings with Principal Secretary to PM, AN Verma. The PMO was driving the reforms and CII was trusted to provide data, analysis and suggestions. All this was done quietly, out of media attention. 1991-1996 was a period of close working between the government and CII to push the reforms. In this work, CII offices in Washington, London and Singapore were also involved, he added. Both Melville and Prentice suggested that Wall arrange to give an informal account of the way the UK Prime Ministers Office is organised, with the latter adding: This should give the Indians some food for thought. The reforms unleashed by Singh in the budget on July 24, 1991 were backed politically to the hilt by Rao and closely monitored by the West. His landmark budget came in the context of an economic crisis when India had to pledge gold with the Bank of England. The reforms brought about the expansion of the services sector helped by a liberalised investment and trade regime. The external services division of All India Radio (AIR) is caught in a turf war between the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB), which runs it and the ministry of external affairs (MEA), which is expected to fund it. While the MIB wants the service to continue and even expand; MEA has been suggesting shutting down the programmes, pointing out that the service offered through short wave transmission has outlived its utility and does not attract listeners abroad, said an MIB official aware of the developments. According to this MIB official, the service, which was started soon after the outbreak of World War II has emerged as a bone of contention between the two ministries, as the cost of running the shows is high and the MEA has been unwilling to pick the tab. AIR is a broadcast arm of public broadcaster Prasar Bharati and anchors the external services division (ESD). As per the Prasar Bharati Act, which was passed in Parliament, the external services division has to be completely funded by the MEA. However, the ministry has not paid since the service started, despite the fact that it plays a crucial role in diplomacy and outreach, an official of the Prasar Bharati said. The official said the broadcaster has also raised the issue of revamping the infrastructure with the MIB, pointing out how the installations are outdated and need replacement. The MIB too has not released funds for replacement of equipment, the official said. On the need for the service, the official said feedback from listeners abroad acts as eyes and ears of the government and allows them a peek into perceptions abroad. The short wave transmitters are used to send content meant to popularise and propagate Indian point of view on contentious issues, the official said. Another official of Prasar Bharati said feedback on issues raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his radio show Man Ki Baat; policy decisions or bilateral issues are duly shared with the PMO, MEA and the home ministry. The feedback that we received during the trial of Kulbhushan Jhadav (Indian national accused of being a spy by Pakistan) gave us a valuable insight into what people abroad, including in Pakistan felt about the issue, he said. To keep the service alive, AIR has asked the MEA to pay Rs 97 crore for the financial years 2017-18 and 2018-19 and the same amount going forward year on year, but so far the MEA has so far not responded. According to the information provided by AIR about the service, the external broadcasts were started on October 1, 1939 purely as a tool for propaganda for the Allies during the World War II with a service in Pushto language to counter the German Radio Blitzkrieg in the region and supplement the efforts by the BBC in this part of the world. Since then, the service offers news bulletins and other programmes across 108 countries in 27 languages as a vital link between India and rest of the World, specially with those countries where the interest of India are intertwined because of Indian population, AIR website says. The foreign language services include Arabic, Baluchi, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, French, Indonesian, Persian, and Baloch; plans are under way to start services in German, Japanese and Bhutanese. A former Prasar Bharati official who had concurred with MEAs suggestion to shut down the service told HT: No one outside India ever hears Akashvani external services over short wave or medium wave. Its a waste of public funds. A few years ago as a test case we had asked a few ambassadors to give us feedback on the popularity of the shows; at least two wrote back saying that the frequencies of the programmes in their respective countries could not be found. This official went on to add that maintaining short wave transmission installation is a huge drain on the exchequer as they guzzle power and the equipment is expensive to maintain. While an official of the MEA, requesting anonymity said the issue of shutting down the service is under consideration, director general of AIR F Shehryar said the biggest problem being faced by the division is that the infrastructure has not been upgraded. Declining to comment on whether the service is being shut down, he said: We have not been able to replace about three-decade old short wave transmitters which are directed to beam signal to the strategic locations. Usually one transmitter has a life of 8-10 years and once they cross this limit, the valves go off and the transmitters stop catering to the service area. Fire brigade officials on Monday asked the authorities of Priya Cinema in Kolkata to stop screening films till an investigation into Sunday nights fire was completed. We are conducting the investigation. The cinema hall has been asked not to screen films until the investigation is over. We will give the go-ahead after reviewing the situation, said Jagmohan, the director general of the fire brigade. Jagmohan and forensic officials visited the spot Monday morning and inspected the area. Official sources said forensic personnel have collected samples from the spot. The owner of the hall, Arijit Dutta, said the film screening has been stopped for the time being. We are trying to resume it as soon as possible... If possible, today itself. There is also no damage to the cinema hall in the fire, he told PTI. The fire had broken out at the movie theatre in Deshapriya Park area of south Kolkata during a late-night show. There was no report of any casualty. Cinemagoers had managed to exit after smoke filled the auditorium at around 10.15 pm in the middle of the show. Four members of Duttas family and a staff member were trapped on the roof, but were evacuated safely by fire brigade personnel. West Bengal Fire Services Minister Sovan Chatterjee, who had reached the spot after the incident, said all angles, including the possibility of the fire originating from a ground-floor food outlet, would be investigated. The fire was likely caused by a short circuit, sources said. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.) Police said on Monday they have arrested a terrorist on his way to Delhi with eight grenades, which could have been used in Jammu or in the national capital during the Independence Day celebrations next week. The arrested militant has been identified as Irfan Wani, the son of Ghulam Husain Wani and a resident of Dangarpora in Awantipora of Pulwama district in Kashmir, inspector general of police (Jammu) SDS Jamwal said. Wani was arrested from a Delhi-bound bus late on Sunday, when officials of the special operations group (SOG), the anti-insurgency arm of the state police, intercepted it at posh Gandhi Nagar area of Jammu and took him in their custody. Officials said they also found Rs 60,000 from him. They could have been used in Delhi or parts of Jammu on the eve of Independence Day. With his arrest, a major terror plot has been foiled, Jamwal said. We are interrogating this terrorist, who belongs to Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind outfit headed by Zakir Musa but he was in touch with the number two named Rehan, he added. The latest incident comes close on the heels of a grenade attack on Jammu Bus Stand on May 24 in which four people, including three policemen, were injured. A senior intelligence official said on the condition of anonymity that terrorists from Kashmir are regularly travelling unchecked all the way from Kashmir to Jammu. We all know that there are only two routes: NH 44 and Mughal Road that connect Kashmir with Jammu. Therefore, these militants travelling all the way from Kashmir to Jammu with arms and ammunition raise a serious question mark on the security grid, a senior intelligence official said on the condition of anonymity. One cannot rule out the possibilities of moles in the system, who are helping them to reach Jammu, the officer added. A high alert has already been sounded following intelligence inputs of terrors strikes by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen in Jammu and New Delhi on Independence Day. Rajya Sabha adjourned Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 11 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2018. Rajya Sabha passes bill to grant constitutional status to OBC panel The Rajya Sabha passed a bill to provide constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes, as several members urged the government to make public the findings of the caste census and implement reservation accordingly. The demand was raised during a debate on the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill 2017, passed by the Lok Sabha on August 2 superseding the amendments earlier carried out by the Rajya Sabha. The Upper House adopted the legislation, along with the amendments made by the Lok Sabha, by 156 votes to nil. Over two-third majority of those present voted in favour of the bill, which is a necessity for amending the Constitution. Justice KM Joseph seniority issue echoes in Lok Sabha The row over governments alleged attempt to affect the seniority of Justice KM Joseph as a Supreme Court judge echoed in the Lok Sabha with Congress K Venugopal raising the issue in the Zero Hour. Without naming Joseph, Venugopal said government wants to have its way in every appointment in the judiciary. He referred to media reports about the proposed meeting of some Supreme Court judges with the Chief Justice over attempts to affect Josephs seniority. TDP demands release of funds for Andhra Pradesh TDP members brought placards in the Lok Sabha to protest the Centres alleged withdrawal of funds for Andhra Pradesh and demanded the Union government immediately release them. TDPs Ram Mohan Naidu said the Centre had promised Rs 22,000 crore for seven backward districts of the state but has agreed to give only Rs 2050 crore, which is a grave injustice. A TDP member later tore some papers and threw them in the air as party MPs staged a walkout after Naidus speech. Question Hour, Zero Hour conducted smoothly in Rajya Sabha After repeated adjournments last week over the Assam NRC issue, normalcy returned to the Rajya Sabha on Monday with the smooth conduct of the Zero Hour and Question Hour. During Question Hour the members sought answers pertaining to defence procurement, Delhis air pollution and derecognisition of sports federations. Privilege notice agnst Assam Home Sec under consideration:Speaker Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said a notice for breach of privilege moved by TMC leader Saugata Roy against Assam Home Secretary and DGP for allegedly manhandling four party members was under her consideration Govt introduces bill in LS to amend Juvenile Justice Act A bill seeking to empower district magistrates to pass orders for adoption of children to reduce the time taken for issuing such directions, was introduced in the Lok Sabha. Guard peoples personal data: TMC to Centre The government should safeguard the data shared by people while booking railway tickets and other services through online platforms, says a TMC leader. Derek OBrien also demands that the Aadhaar identification should not be made mandatory for farmers to get crop loans. Govt extends e-visa facility for citizens of 165 countries Government says it has extended e-visa facility for citizens of 165 countries at 25 airports and five seaports. Tourism minister K J Alphons also says the government has launched the Incredible India 2.0 campaign, marking a shift from generic promotions to market-specific promotional plans. 14 per cent jump in foreign tourist arrivals: Govt tells LS Foreign tourist arrivals in India has seen a 14 per cent jump in 2017 and foreign exchange earnings in the sector during the same period was Rs 1.77 lakh crore, says Union tourism minister K J Alphons. Govt sets up 2 task force for making aircraft, UAVs The government has set up two task force to prepare roadmap for manufacturing aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles in India, Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu told the Lok Sabha. Demand to control population made in Rajya Sabha Ashok Bajpai (BJP) says India will by 2022 overtake China to be the worlds most populous country in the world and by 2050 would house 1.66 billion people. Some steps need to be taken to control the population, he says. Population growth will outpace development work, he says. Bihar MPs protests in LS over Muzaffarpur shelter home case Two MPs from Bihar stage protests in the demanding justice for victims of the Muzaffarpur sex scandal case, claiming evidence of the crime was destroyed. Congress member Ranjeet Ranjan and RJDs Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav are in the Well protesting against the alleged sexual exploitation of young girls at the shelter home in Bihars Muzaffarpur. LS adjourned Lok Sabha adjourned briefly amid protests over Muzaffarpur shelter home case Elections to the post of RS deputy chairman to be held on August 9 Elections to the post of deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha to be held on August 9: Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. LS pays homage to victims of bombing in Hiroshima, Nagasaki Atom bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945 respectively, which wreaked havoc of unimaginable dimensions. Today, even after 73 years, the innocent residents of Hiroshima and Nagasaki continue to suffer from the dreadful after effects of nuclear radiations, says speaker Sumitra Mahajan in the obituary references. Proceedings begin in both Houses Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha sessions start. Congress submits adjournment motion over Muzaffarnagar shelter home rape cases main witness Congress leader Ranjeet Ranjan has given adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over Muzaffarpur shelter home cases main witness missing from Bihars Madhubani. The Patna High Court on Monday decided to monitor the investigation into the rape of 34 minor girls in a shelter home in Bihars Muzaffarpur district, a government lawyer said. The court has also ordered a speedy trial of the case. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar last week said that his government is keen for the high court monitored CBI probe into the case. The opposition parties have demanded the Central Bureau of Investigation probe monitored by the high court. In July the court took suo motu cognizance of the case based on media reports and fixed date of hearing. The Muzaffarpur crime came to light when the Bihar Social Welfare Department filed an FIR based on a social audit of the shelter home conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. The Rajasthan High Court has acquitted a woman accused of murdering a child more than three decades ago on the ground that she was suffering from insanity triggered by premenstrual stress syndrome (PMS) at the time of the crime. The bench of justice Mohammad Rafiq and justice Goverdhan Bardhar, in a judgment delivered on August 1, stressed on the fact that three doctors spoke in favour of Kumari Chandra, a resident of Nasirabad in the states Ajmer district. In the present case, not one but three doctors, who treated her on different occasions, have deposed in favour of such plea of insanity set up by the defence, a copy of the court judgment accessed by HT on Monday reads. Chandra was accused of pushing three children, two boys and a girl, into a well in August 1981. One of the boys and the girl were saved by people who witnessed the incident but the other boy had drowned. Although the law has not much developed in India as to the premenstrual stress syndrome (PMS) being set up as the defense of insanity, yet the accused has a right to plead and probabilize such defence to show that she was suffering from premenstrual stress syndrome when the crime was committed and because of her such condition, the offence that she committed was an involuntary act on her part, states the judgment. A trial court in Ajmer had convicted Chandra in January 1987 under sections 302 (punishment for murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 374 (unlawful compulsory labour) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and ordered to undergo life imprisonment under section 302 with a fine of Rs 100. Her lawyer VR Bajwa argued that the trial court had committed an error in holding that the accused had kidnapped the children with the intention to kill them. He pleaded she was suffering from a mental disease known as premenstrual stress syndrome, which made her dangerously aggressive some days prior to the beginning of her menstrual cycle. Bajwa cited reports of doctors who had treated her with one of them stating that some women do not remain normal in the days preceding their cycle. Another doctor claimed Chandra had such severe symptoms of PMS that he had to induce her with tranquillizers. The bench, in its judgment, quoted extensively from research papers and reports by international experts including one by Dr Patricia Easteal, senior criminologist, Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra and also referred to an article on PMS published in the Duke Law Journal and a paper by Catherine Dolton, an international authority on the syndrome. PMS is a condition that affects a womans emotional and physical health, and her behaviour during certain days of the menstrual cycle, generally just before her periods. According to Mayo Clinic, it has a wide variety of signs and symptoms, including mood swings, tender breasts, food cravings, fatigue, irritability and depression. Its estimated that as many as three of every four menstruating women have experienced some form of premenstrual syndrome. The Bharatiya Janata Party has accused Congress leader Shashi Tharoor of insulting Indias northeast states by saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wears outlandish headgear. I ask you why does our Prime Minister wear all sorts of outlandish headgear wherever he goes around the country or around the world? Why does he always refuse to wear a Muslim skull cap? Tharoor was quoted by news agency PTI as saying on Sunday in Thiruvananthapuram, his Lok Sabha constituency. You see him in Naga headgears with feathers. You have seen him in various kinds of extraordinary outfits which is a right thing for a prime minister to do. Indira Gandhi has also been photographed wearing various kinds of costumes. But why he still always says no to one? said Tharoor at a seminar, referring to Modis visit to Nagaland in December 2017. Tharoor said Modi shunned green because he felt the colour was associated with Muslims. Why does he refuse to wear green, the colour that he says is identified with Muslim appeasement? What kind of talk it is? he said. I demand apology from the Congress Party for insulting the people of India's North East & Tribals. Shashi Tharoor described North-East people & Naga Tribal headgears as funny looking outlandish & hilarious. Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 6, 2018 Kiren Rijiju, Union minister of state for home affairs, said Tharoor had insulted tribals and people from the Northeast. I demand apology from the Congress party for insulting the people of Indias North East & Tribals. Shashi Tharoor described North-East people & Naga Tribal headgears as funny looking outlandish & hilarious, said Rijiju, who is from Arunachal Pradesh, on Twitter. Shashi Tharoor insults the proud cultural heritage of the people of North-East. This condescension & arrogance towards the people of India have become hallmarks of @INCIndia, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore on Twitter. BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, too, protested the statements. For Shashi Tharoor, Naga headgear is outlandish and hilarious. In his over zealous love for skull cap, Tharoor doesnt mind insulting d customs of d Nagas n other NE people. As someone who first became a legislator 52 years ago, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar is one of Indias most experienced and widely respected leaders. He has been Maharashtras chief minister and a Union cabinet minister multiple times, holding portfolios as varied as defence and agriculture. Considered a key player in the move to bring opposition parties together, Pawar spoke to Vinod Sharma and Prashant Jha about the 2019 elections, Opposition unity, Narendra Modis performance as Prime Minister and farm distress, among other things. Edited excerpts: Nine months before the next general elections, how do you read the national political situation? The situation is basically like it was in 1975-76. I was a junior minister in the Maharashtra cabinet in those days, but in the party I was effectively in the Youth Congress. It was the Emergency, and we Congressmen were continuously projecting only Shrimati (Indira) Gandhi, and of course the young man (Sanjay Gandhi), but it was really her. Everywhere it was Gandhi, Gandhi, Gandhi. That was the atmosphere created by Congressmen. The control of Mrs Gandhi as PM on the media, the government, and government agencies was just like it is today. I was the home minister and I was unhappy because of the Emergency and arrests, and so I asked the CM (SB Chavan) for agriculture. I concentrated on agriculture, food productivity and associated farmer issues and kept away from politics. For six days a week, I was travelling in villages. My observation was that initially, the weaker sections were totally for Mrs Gandhi, but gradually the situation started changing. There was misuse of authority by various forces during Emergency and weaker sections began getting unhappy with the government. When Modi started his stint, for the first few years, the mood of the country was just Modi, Modi, Modi. But now, gradually, the situation is changing like it changed in 76-77. How will this play out electorally? In 1977, Mrs Gandhi suddenly announced the elections. There was no viable alternative, there was no party. The difference is there was one leader Jayaprakash Narayan. Political leaders and people were willing to accept his advice. Ultimately, on his advice, most leaders forgot their parties. There was no force, platform, and organisation. But they started working together and got massive support from the masses. And ultimately, Mrs Gandhi and the Congress were defeated. The alternative was found after the elections. The Janata Party was formed after the elections. No one was projected as PM candidate. After the formation of the Janata Party, they elected Morarji Desai. Today, everyone is asking where is the leader, what is the platform, where is the alternative. We dont have to worry about that. Today, the only question is to bring various forces together. Is it possible at the national level? My assessment is no. Is it possible at the state level? I am in close dialogue with various state leaders and my own assessment is yes. But some parties, particularly the Congress, will have to take a rational approach. We cannot ignore the Congress. It is a force, it is important, and it has reach in many states. But simultaneously, the Congress should not forget that the old days have gone. The Congress will need to accept the days of its total dominance from Kashmir to Kanyakumari are over. I have spoken to Rahul Gandhi twice or thrice. And he is in a mood to realise this is the ground-level situation. He has accepted it? I will not say fully accepted, but I discussed it with him. Today, the country is not in the mood to accept one alternative to Modi. Anyone who can compare to Modi that type of leadership with reach in all states is not there. You have to accept this. What is the solution? The solution has to be found state wise. In Tamil Nadu, we all have to accept the force is Stalin or Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The Congress or other parties have to take a secondary position. In Kerala, whether the Congress likes it or not, it has to accept that the Left has the upper hand. The Congress has to take a secondary position. In Maharashtra, the NCP and the Congress have to work together but we have to take the Left and Ambedkarites together. In Gujarat, the Congress has the upper hand, and others have to accept that the Congress is the force. In Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Haryana, the Congress is the force and others have to accept a secondary position. In UP, the Congress has to accept Mayawati and Akhilesh (Yadav) as the force and both of them have to provide some seats to Ajit Singh and some seats to the Congress, but a major chunk will be with the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party. In Delhi, whether Congress likes it or not, the Aam Aadmi Party has to be accepted in the number one position. In Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu has to be accepted as number one. In West Bengal, Mamata (Banerjee) has to be accepted as number one. This is how we have to move in each state. This is the loose constellation. I feel they will get good numbers. After the election, they can sit together and provide an alternative front. They should elect the leader among the MPs. The Congress, or any other political party, must not say I am the leader, I should be projected. I was glad when I recently saw a statement by Rahul Gandhi where he categorically mentioned there is no question of projecting XYZ or me as PM candidate and our total thinking is to replace the current government. It is important because it was not easy for the Congress to accept this. The Congress has taken this stand this is the correct, sensible approach, which will ultimately be able to bring everyone together. Some Congress people understand this. The Congress president told me that what I said is correct. But he said there are some states where it is difficult for my colleagues to accept or digest this situation, particularly Kerala and West Bengal. In Kerala, they feel our fight with the Left is equal. In West Bengal, the position is not like Kerala, but the overall thinking of the leadership of the Congress party about Mamata is such that it is difficult for them to accept her. He (Rahul) told me that it is difficult in these two-three states. I told him, you are the leader, and it is your job to convince. I think he is in a mood to take a pragmatic position. That is a good sign. If that approach is taken by all of us, it will be good. I am the NCP chief and I have some colleagues in Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and MP; there are some MLAs too. But I have to accept that the Congress is the force there. A similar approach is needed by all of us. Then we can show some kind of alternative in the next 9-10 months. Also, I honestly feel that there are some leaders like Sonia Gandhi, (HD) Deve Gowda and, while I should not say it, myself also... we have no ambition to become Prime Minister. At least I am speaking for myself. But I have ambition to bring all these forces together and provide a viable alternative. For that, some of us the names I have mentioned can travel throughout India and give confidence to the people of India because today, there is no JP (Jayaprakash Narayan). We have to provide a sort of confidence in the minds of the public at large. PM Modi will project this as a presidential contest and the Bharatiya Janata Party will ask Modi versus who. How will you deal with that? In 77, it was only Indira, Indira, Indira. We in the Congress used to ask Indira versus who George Fernandes? (LK) Advani? But the people did not accept it. People had made up their minds about wanting an alternative. Have you mooted the idea of Sonia, Deve Gowda and you constituting this circle to them and other leaders? I have not done it yet. But I want to discuss it with others. You have gone back to 1975 and referred to Indira Gandhi repeatedly. Having known all prime ministers for the last 40 years, do you think Modis style resembles her style? Indira jis style was also to control everything under her grip, in the party and government. It was totally controlled by one person. We are seeing a similar situation today. I have seen Modi as a very effective CM in Gujarat, my neighbouring state. I was also a CM. A person who is CM can work in the state in a manner where he can control everything. As the Maharashtra CM, I was closely associated with the states industrialisation and industry; I was associated with the agriculture sector, cooperative sector and education sector because I can look after the state. To run Gujarat, for a person who is effective and capable, is easy. But to protect the interests and manage the affairs of the country as a whole is different. The issues of the northeast, of the south, are different. There are new issues in Andhra and Karnataka, there are protests in Maharashtra. To manage a state as a capable leader is one thing, and to manage a vast country like India in the same style is different. See what is happening in Assam. Our observation is that the country and the BJP is in the grip of Modi and his party chief (Amit Shah). I feel if power is controlled by many hands, it benefits people. If power is concentrated in one man or one hand, it ultimately becomes corrupt and authoritarian. I dont say it has got to that stage today. But I can say it is going towards an authoritarian route. And that is what we are watching at the national level... Too much concentration of power does not do justice to various sections of society. The BJP has also been able to create a formidable organisation as has the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Is this a challenge for you? In 1977, there was no organisation. I have contested 14 elections. My observation on elections is it is ultimately hawa a mahaul, an environment, gets created. The mahaul today is in not in favour of the Modi government. Day by day, it is going against them. The problem with alliances is that they have been short-lived. There is a distrust of coalitions involving many parties. The 77 coalition, the 96 coalition did not last. Do you think you will be able to get beyond this? I will give you an example. In the 1960s, most northern Indian states had coalition the SVD (Samyukta Vidhayak Dal) governments. They could not survive. But in the next election, when people wanted to change the Congress, despite seeing the old SVD coalition, they still voted for the coalition. When people decide they want to change, then an environment gets created. What do you think of Rahul Gandhis evolution as a leader? He gave an aggressive Parliament speech. I had a few one-to-one talks with him. Every time I feel, there is a substantial improvement. You also worked with Sonia. What is the difference between the two? I fought against her. But still, we worked together extremely well and our equation was very good. She was trying to understand all issues carefully; she was giving respect to all other political leaders. Today, Rahul is also showing it. Definitely, there is an improvement. Is there also a need for former Congressmen to come together? The issue on which you split does not exist. That issue is not there. We are working together in many states. But on many occasions, the Congress does not take rational approach about their partners and thinks like a zamindar (landlord). That psyche has not completely gone. So a distinct identity helps? Yes. You referred to 77. Back then, the only agenda was anti-Indira. So will 2019 be pro-Modi or anti-Modi election? It will be anti-BJP. The Opposition often says the BJP will use polarisation. Are you on the defensive on the question of secularism? I dont think so. Polarisation will be there, but this will be restricted to some pockets or areas. But doesnt the Opposition need a robust counter-narrative? Thats why I say some of the senior leaders who have no ambition to be number one will have to work together to create that atmosphere in the country and campaign. Do you think resources will a factor in the election, particularly for the Opposition? Resources will be a constraint, 100%. We dont see such financial support from the corporate sector because there is fear. They feel if we support and it gets reflected, what will happen... but if there is a mass movement, it wont matter. You have said twice you have no ambition left to be PM. But you are among the tallest leaders in the Opposition combine. What would you do if all other parties propose your name as PM? I dont think that way. Irrational thinking has no meaning in politics. There has to be rational thinking. My party will ultimately contest 30-35 seats throughout India. I may get 50% maximum. With that number, if anyone dreams of becoming PM of this country, he is quite away from reality. Mamata Banerjee will contest 42 seats, but she seems to harbour ambitions. She has categorically said leadership is not an issue. Have you met Mayawati recently? What is your impression? Yes, last week, I had a long meeting. She has consolidated the position in UP with the Samajwadi Party and others. But she expects other parties to take a rational approach in other states. She is totally for a change and she is ready to work hard. Have you discussed broadening the Maharashtra alliance and including her as well? I have not discussed it with her. I will be happy. Her association will pay dividends in the Vidarbha region. Will the Shiv Sena and BJP split? I cant say it. As of today, the Shiv Sena leadership is definitely giving indications of disassociating from the BJP. They are attacking the BJP. But simultaneously, they are also a part of the Maharashtra and central government. You mentioned the protests in your home state. You have been agriculture minister. Why are farmers in the country angry? I was agriculture minister and I should not say it. I try to avoid speaking in Parliament also on this. But our regime (United Progressive Alliance) did a lot of things for the farming community. I saw suicides at that time also. I visited villages, I took Manmohan Singh to villages. We deputed independent organisations to go in-depth, like Tata Institute (of Social Sciences). And too much financial burden was a major reason. So we consciously decided to waive more than Rs 71,000 crores of liability for the farming community. Second, we improved minimum support prices (MSPs). For the first few years, we were giving Rs 10 or Rs 15 per quintal for rice. We went up to Rs 100. The situation changed. I was also looking after the food ministry. In the first few years, I had to import wheat and sugar from outside. When we left power, India became the largest exporter of rice, the second-largest exporter of sugar, wheat, cotton, and the largest producer of milk and horticulture products. Today, I dont see that type of situation. The government is claiming we have done this, but on the ground, unhappiness in the farming community is growing. You understand corporate India well. The Opposition attacks the BJP for being a suit-boot ki sarkar, while corporates complain that the government has not been very favourable. Whats your reading? Initially, in the first few years, the corporate sector was extremely happy. But as of today, along with the farming community, it is the trading community and corporates who are unhappy. They feel this government has not done anything; it has not done justice; its actions are against the interests of the corporate sector. This suit boot ki sarkar is for three-four families. I dont want to name the families. I come from that state and have extensive relations with everyone. But the whole country knows. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has proposed that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and he three senior leaders with no ambition to become Prime Minister should come together to unite the Opposition, travel throughout the country, give confidence to the people, and provide a robust counter-narrative to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Pawar has also, for the first time, opened the doors of the NCP-Congress alliance in Maharashtra to the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and said that while he had not discussed the issue with BSP chief Mayawati, he would be happy since this association will pay dividends. In an interview to HT, Pawar laid out a detailed roadmap for the Opposition for 2019. He compared the current political situation to 1975-77; argued that disillusionment has set in against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, like it had against Indira Gandhi; and suggested that the Opposition focus should be on state-wide alliances instead of a national alliance. Pawar called for the leadership question to be left for after the elections, and while urging the Congress to adopt a rational approach on state partnerships, said that he has felt over recent conversations that Rahul Gandhi has substantially improved. Emphasising the parallels between the current political climate and the situation in 1975-77, when he was a minister in the Maharashtra government, Pawar said that like Indira Gandhi, Modi too had control of media, government and government agencies. At that time too, he said, people were pointing to the lack of an alternative platform, organisation and leader to pose a genuine challenge. The difference is there was one leader Jayaprakash Narayan. Political leaders and people were willing to accept his advice. And ultimately on his advice, most leaders forgot their parties. Pawar said that it was eventually after the election that the Janata Party came together and Morarji Desai was elected the leader. He added, I honestly feel that there are some leaders, like Sonia Gandhi, (HD) Deve Gowda and, while I should not say it, myself alsowe have no ambition to become Prime Minister. At least I am speaking for myself. But I have ambition to bring all these forces together and provide a viable alternative. For that, some of us the names I have mentioned can travel throughout India and give confidence to the people of India because today, there is no JP (Jayaprakash Narayan). The BJP did not comment on Pawars remarks. Pawar said his assessment was it was not possible to bring all forces at the National level. Is it possible at the state level? I am in close dialogue with various state leaders and my own assessment is yes. Pawar then laid out the architecture of the state-wide alliances, which would have to rest on other parties conceding space to Congress where it was the dominant force and Congress recognising its era of total dominance was over and giving space to regional parties in other places. In Kerala, West Bengal and Delhi, he spoke of the Left, Trinamool Congress and Aam Aadmi Party respectively as the number one forces around which the Opposition should rally. Congress president Rahul Gandhi had broadly agreed with him, claimed Pawar, praising Gandhis approach of not projecting any leader before elections as the correct, sensible approach. He (Rahul) said there are some states where it is difficult for my colleagues to accept or digest this situation, particularly Kerala and West Bengal. In Kerala, they feel our fight with the Left is equal. In West Bengal, the position is not like Kerala, but the overall thinking of the leadership of the Congress party about Mamata is such that it is difficult for them to accept her. He told me that it is difficult in these two-three states. I told him you are the leader, and it is your job to convince. Comparing Sonia and Rahul, the NCP chief said that even though he had fought with Sonia Gandhi, they shared an excellent equation, she tried to understand issues and gave respect to other leaders. Rahul is also showing it. There is a definite improvement. Pawar also said that he had recently met Mayawati. She has consolidated the position in UP with Samajwadi Party and others. But she expects other parties to take a rational approach in other states. She is totally for a change and she is ready to work hard. When asked if he would be open to allying with her in Maharashtra, he replied, I have not discussed it with her. I will be happy. Her association will pay dividends in Vidarbha region. Pawar categorically ruled himself out of the PM race. Irrational thinking has no meaning in politics. There has to be rational thinking. My party will ultimately contest 30-35 seats throughout India. I may get 50 percent maximum. With that number, if anyone dreams of becoming PM of this country, he is quite away from reality. Milan Vaishnav, senior fellow and director of the South Asia programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said: Pawars assessment broadly strikes a chord with the mantra other opposition leaders have uttered: localise, localise, localise. While the BJP pushes to nationalise and make 2019 about Modi, the best bet for the Opposition is to make this 543 unique elections. State-specific alliances avoid tricky pan-Indian questions about leadership that the opposition is in no place to answer right now. Vaishnav added that a big looming question is whether the Congress would be willing to take a backseat in electorally critical states. Recent moves Karnataka is a case in point suggest it might be. The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned a scheduled hearing into a clutch of petitions questioning the constitutional validity of Article 35A and said a three-judge bench needs to determine whether the matter should be heard by a five-judge Constitution bench. Article 35A of the Indian Constitution prohibits non-permanent residents of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) from acquiring immovable property, government jobs, scholarships and aid in the state, among other related provisions. The matter was deferred on Monday by a bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra and Justice AM Khanwilkar after both the Centre and the Jammu & Kashmir government, which is under Governors Rule since June 20 after the fall of the Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party (PDP-BJP) coalition government, asked for the matter to be taken up later because of upcoming municipal elections in the state. Let it be listed before a three-judge bench in the week commencing August 27 to determine whether it should be heard by a Constitution bench or not, the court ordered. Today there are only two judges. These petitions challenge a 60-year-old provision of the Constitution. Only a Constitution bench can hear it. But the reference cannot be made by us. Only one thing is to be heard whether Article 35A goes against the basic structure or doctrine of the Constitution. No other argument can be made, CJI Misra said. Justice DY Chandrachud, the third member of the bench, was absent. Read | What is Article 35A and why the controversy Attorney general KK Venugopal submitted to the court that the situation in the state was sensitive.The three interlocutors are carrying out dialogue and also panchayat elections are due. The situation is sensitive, as you saw it on television. So please adjourn it, Venugopal said, referring to the shutdown in the Valley called by separatist leaders on Saturday and Sunday to protest against the hearing. Additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta, representing J&K, made a similar plea. Four petitions, three clubbed with the main plea filed by non-government organisation We The Citizens, have challenged the legality of the law on the grounds that it was implemented on the Presidents orders in 1954 without being presented before Parliament. Much of Kashmir valley remained shut down despite the Supreme Court adjourning the matter. On Monday, attendance was thin in government offices and police and paramilitary forces were deployed in full strength to avoid and law and order situation. Deferment of the case by a few weeks is an indication about the intentions of the court which entertained these mischievous petitions backed by the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), as part of RSSs well known agenda on J&K, Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said in a statement. Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the deferment of the hearing was no solution. It has brought interim relief to the people of J&K. But with uncertainty looming over its status, it has unleashed a wave of anxiety and panic amongst the people of J&K, she tweeted. The National Conference vice president and former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah said the states future lies within the Constitution. Kashmir has shut down to protect a provision of the Indian Constitution. When was the last time anyone was able to frame that headline? #Article35A, Abdullah said in a tweet. The Supreme Court on Monday cancelled the interim protection from arrest given to two clergymen, accused of sexually abusing a married woman, and asked them to surrender by August 13. A bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said the two priests were at liberty to seek regular bail once they surrendered. The counsel for victim alleged that some videos were uploaded by the accused on the Internet and they used the same to blackmail her. The court had earlier asked the state police to file a status report on the probe done so far into the sexual abuse case, involving four priests attached to the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church. On July 19, the two priests -- Father Sony Verghese and Father Jaise K George -- were granted protection from arrest by the apex court till it pronounced a verdict on their anticipatory bail pleas. The clergymen had moved the apex court seeking anticipatory bail in the case after their plea was rejected by the Kerala high court on July 11. Four priests attached to the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church were accused of sexually abusing a 34-year-old married woman by using her confessional statement. The court was earlier informed that two of the accused had surrendered, while two were before the court seeking anticipatory bail in the case. The Crime Branch of the Kerala Police had on July 2 registered a case against Father Varghese and three other priests on the basis of a statement given by the woman belonging to the same church who accused them of sexually assaulting her on many occasions. The Supreme Court is set to start hearing petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A of the Constitution on Monday. The matter will be taken up amid a statewide shutdown declared by Kashmiri separatists and a number of organisations. Article 35A which confers special rights on permanent residents disallows outsiders from settling permanently, buying immovable property or availing of state-sponsored scholarships in Jammu and Kashmir. Separatists believe that removal or dilution of the law will enable the countrys right-wing groups to change the demographic character as well as the disputed nature of the state. Four petitions, three clubbed with the main one filed by an NGO called We The Citizens, have challenged the legality of the law on the grounds that it was implemented on the Presidents orders in 1954 without being presented before Parliament. The provision appears as an appendix in the Constitution and not an amendment under the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order-1954. The two-day statewide shutdown called by separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership began on Sunday. Summer capital Srinagar woke up to desolate roads and markets, with shops and commercial establishments keeping their shutters down and public transport staying off the roads amid heavy deployment of security forces. While the Valley is no stranger to shutdowns, residents said they havent seen one this severe in the last 30 years. Even auto rickshaws an otherwise-ubiquitous element on Srinagars roads did not venture out, and the iconic shikaras (leisure boats) at Dal Lake lay moored in the jetties. There was a palpable fear that court could revoke the states special status, opening the floodgates for people from other parts of the country to pour in. Meanwhile, separatists as well as organisations across the spectrum including trade, tourism and civil society groups have threatened to launch mass agitations if the article is revoked by the apex court. We are ready to shed our blood for safeguarding our rights. Attempts are being made to remove Article 35A through the legal route, and we are not going to tolerate it, said Kashmir Economic Alliance chairperson Yasin Khan. Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said Indias judicial bodies lack the jurisdiction to take a call on Kashmirs special status. No court be it in India or Pakistan has the authority to take decisions that can affect the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir because its original citizens are yet to exercise the right to determine their final dispensation as promised by the UN and backed by India and Pakistan, he said after chairing a high-level meeting on the issue. Any attempt to change the demographic character of the state and its disputed nature is intolerable. Our cadres and activists, along with the people, are ready for all-out mass agitation if any tinkering with 35A is allowed under the legal garb, he added. The Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association has already filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court to defend the constitutional provision that allows the state legislature to define permanent residents and confers special rights on them. Officials aware of the development said governor NN Vohra has also sought deferment of the hearing, and approached Union home minister Rajnath Singh in this regard. He wants the court to hear the issue only after an elected government comes back to power in the state. The administration has taken several steps, including the temporary suspension of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra from Jammu to the cave shrine in the Valley, in view of the shutdown call. Police said no pilgrim is being allowed to leave Jammus Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas. However, pilgrims camped at the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps in the Valley will continue on the yatra. Over 2.71 lakh pilgrims have performed the pilgrimage this year since it opened on June 28. Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi twice in over a month the second meeting was in New Delhi on Saturday in what is being seen as a sign that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) is moving closer to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and might even join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in a post-Lok Sabha polls scenario. The BJP has been looking for the TRSs support since parting ways in March with the Telugu Desam Party from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. The TRS has 14 Lok Sabha members. The submission of memoranda on various issues is obviously just a formality. The actual agenda of the meeting was to work out the new political equations within the NDA in the wake of the ongoing attempt of the opposition parties to team up against the BJP, a TRS leader said on the condition of anonymity. The leader was referring to a list of demands KCRs office cited in a communique about the issues he raised when he met Modi. Almost all the issues including the demand for a separate high court for Telangana and allotment of defence land for secretariat construction were also on the earlier list submitted to Modi on June 15. Both the leaders discussed the political situation in the country in general and the Telugu states in particular, said the TRS leader quoted above, adding that KCR also discussed with the prime minister the probability of holding early Lok Sabha and Telangana assembly elections. KCR could not be reached for comments. TRS MP B Vinod declined to comment on what transpired in KCRs latest meeting with Modi. In any case, it is too early to speculate on the post-poll scenario and the stand TRS will take, he said, when asked about a post-poll scenario. But KCRs son, KT Rama Rao, who is a minister in Telangana, dismissed speculation about a possible post-poll arrangement as fiction in a Twitter post. The BJPs Telangana unit said KCRs overtures to Modi were part of his strategy to create confusion among their ranks. By claiming proximity to Modi and the central ministers, KCR wants to create an impression among the people that the BJP is not his rival in Telangana and the fight is only between the TRS and the Congress. But, as far as we are concerned, TRS is our number one enemy in Telangana, BJP spokesman Krishna Sagar Rao said. But the local Congress unit said it was a sign that KCR would ultimately join hands with the BJP. There is no surprise in KCR meeting Modi so frequently. We have been saying right from the beginning of the TRS regime in 2014 that it is cosying up to the BJP, as was evident from the support it extended to the saffron party in the election of president and vice president and its neutral stand in the recent no-confidence motion, Congresss Telangana chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy said. Political analyst K Nageshwar said the reason for the TRS getting closer to the BJP was that it is fighting against the Congress in Telangana and the BJP was no big force. It is a win-win situation for both the TRS and the BJP because the Congress is their common enemy. However, the TRS might not join the BJP camp before polls because they will lose minority votes as well as that of Andhra settlers in Telangana, Nageshwar said. Veteran Congress leader and a close confidant of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, RK Dhawan, died in Delhi on Monday. He was 81. Ailing for some time, he was dropped from the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the highest decision-making body of the party, last month. Dhawan had joined Indira Gandhis office in 1962 and remained with her till her assassination on October 31, 1984. In fact, Dhawan accompanied Indira Gandhi on her way to give an interview to British playwright and actor Peter Ustinov when two of her bodyguards pumped bullets into her body. The one-man commission of retired Supreme Court judge MP Thakkar appointed to investigate Indira Gandhis assassination had in its report indicted Dhawan for his role in posting back Beant Singh and Satwant Singh after they were removed from her security. Dhawan was then special assistant to Indira Gandhi. However, the Congress rejected the charges and he went on to hold key positions both in the government and the organisation. Dhawan had once described the four years of the Thakkar commission probe as the darkest period of his life and wished that he died with Indira Gandhi. He remained a part of Indira Gandhis close circle in the Emergency period and was jailed in 1977 during the Janata Party government for his refusal to depose against the then Prime Minister. Dhawans bio-data says he was lodged in Tihar jail along with Indira Gandhi by a resolution of the Lok Sabha on the report of privileges committee of Parliament in 1978. Dhawan also served as a minister of state (independent charge) for urban development in the PV Narasimha Rao government from September 1995 to February 1996. A two-term Rajya Sabha member, he also held the post of Congress general secretary from 1996 to 1999 and then in 2003-04. His tireless spirit, immeasurable commitment and untiring dedication to the Congress ideals will always be remembered, partys chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said on twitter. The Union government has gone by a transparent seniority principle in the elevation of three judges to the Supreme Court earlier this month, and it would have been completely improper, unreasonable and unfair to have made Justice KM Joseph senior to justices Indira Banerjee and Vineet Saran because they are both two-and-a-half years his senior as high court judges, a top government functionary said on Monday on the condition of anonymity. The appointments of justices Banerjee, Saran and Joseph to the apex court were cleared by the government on August 3. But the government notification placed justice Joseph below justices Banerjee and Saran, thereby granting them seniority to him in the courts internal hierarchy. On Monday morning, some senior Supreme Court judges took up the issue of altering justice Josephs seniority vis-a vis the other two judges with chief justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra. We said the CJI should look into the matter as justice Josephs file for elevation to the Supreme Court was sent in January 2018, much before that of justice Banerjee and justice Saran, one judge said on the condition of anonymity. The CJI assured the judges he would take up the matter with the government after consultations with the attorney general of India, KK Venugopal, the judge added. But the SC registry in its List of Business for August 7 said that the order of swearing-in of the three judges will be justice Banerjee, justice Saran, and justice Joseph - in line with the governments notification. The government believes that the concerns of a section of Supreme Court judges over the seniority issue are unfounded. The government has only gone by a transparent seniority principle in this case. Justice Banerjee ranks number four in the all-India seniority list of high court judges; justice Saran ranks number five on the list; and justice Joseph is at number 39 of the list, said the government functionary quoted above. He added that justice Banerjee was appointed as a high court Judge on February 5, 2002, justice Sharan was appointed as a high court judge on February 14, 2002, and justice Joseph on October 14, 2004. Therefore, the first two are more than two-and-a-half years senior to justice Joseph. It would have been completely improper, unreasonable and unfair to make high court judges two-and-a-half-years his senior as junior to him in the Supreme Court, the functionary said, arguing that who becomes a high court Chief Justice first is not a relevant consideration in the decision at all. There are ample precedents. Justice Dipak Misra and justice J Chelameswar were appointed on the same day. But the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government made justice Misra senior because he was one-and-a-half years senior to justice Chelameswar as a high court judge, even though the latter had become a high court chief justice before Justice Misra. What matters is their seniority as a judge. The functionary also said there was no logic to the argument that justice Joseph should be granted seniority because his name was propsed first by the collegium. He also said that the SC collegium often defers recommendations sent by the high court. Subsequently, their names are cleared for appointment. They cannot claim they should get seniority on the basis of the date of deferment. Justice Josephs appointment was first cleared by the Supreme Court collegium this January. The government sent back the file for reconsideration in April on the grounds that justice Joseph was not senior enough and that having two judges from the Kerala high court would be against the principles of regional representation. In July, Justice Josephs name was reiterated by the collegium, eventually leading to the government clearing his appointment. The seniority issue is particular important if a judge is line to become the future Chief Justice of India, but that scenario does not apply in justice Josephs case. The suicide by a debt-ridden farmer in Rajasthan, allegedly after a sub-divisional magistrate issued orders to auction his land, took a political colour on Monday with Congress asking chief minister Vasundhara Raje to explain what gaurav (pride) was she talking about during her ongoing Gaurav Yatra. Chief minister Vasundhara Raje should explain how Rajasthans gaurav has increased with the death of a farmer who was compelled to commit suicide after an order was issued for attaching his land? asked Sachin Pilot, the Rajasthan Congress president. The Rajasthan Congress has announced to pose one question each day during Rajes 40-day yatra. This is the fourth question. A resident of Charanwas village in Nagaur district, Mangalram Meghwal, 37, had taken a loan of Rs 2.98 lakh and repaid a part of it. His family was expecting the balance to be written off under the state governments loan waiver scheme, but received a seizure notice from the SDM allegedly following which he committed suicide. Pilot said due to the faulty policies of BJP governments in state and at Centre, hundreds of farmers have committed suicide. The CM claims of waiving of crop loans upto Rs 50,000, but the truth is that farmers are still committing suicide. The CM is on a gaurav yatra but the truth is that the pride of Rajasthan is being dented. Since 2013, when the BJP formed government, Rajasthan has witnessed many natural calamities but lakhs of farmers were yet to get any relief. Farmers were beaten over demanding ferltilizers, seeds, water and electricity, Pilot said, adding the government reduced the subsidy on agricultural equipment and even reduced assistance provided for constructing basic structures. He said agricultural produce such as garlic, groundnut, cumin, and gram were not purchased in right quantity and on right price by the government. Demanding right price, farmers held protests and seven of them have committed suicide in last fortnight. The farmers are sell their produce at 20% less than the minimum support price, the Congress leader said. Senior party leader and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot too accused Raje of giving priority to her gaurav yatra instead of addressing the crucial issue of farmers suicides. Farmers in state are committing suicide and Raje is carrying out Rajasthan gaurav yatra, Gehlot said in a tweet, a day after terming the chief ministers rally her vidai (farewell) yatra. Most heart wrenching to know that one more farmer ended his life in Nagaur due to debt burden. The BJP government has totally failed in providing any relief to the farmers, Gehlot said. He further said, the suicide of Meghwal was a matter of huge shame for the state government, which has failed to curtail the unabated suicides by farmers. After arriving in Jodhpur on Sunday, Gehlot had said that without doing any work, the chief minister was taking out an yatra which was a joke and a waste of public money. Taking a dig at Raje for allegedly asking voters to re-elect BJP else the development work will stop in the state, Gehlot said, You go to Gwalior forever, (development) work will never stop. I have a friend, who cant have a drink in the evening unless it comes with a plate of peanuts with onions and minced garlic on the side. He is quite a master when it comes to mixing the peanuts. He puts the ingredients together and then squeezes some lime juice over them. Once seasoned, he takes a spoonful of the mix and pops it into the mouth before taking a swig. Clearly, thats like nirvana to him. People have their own choice of finger food when it comes to drinks. The nibbles come in a wide range from the absolutely basic pinch of salt to elegant tapas, which are small Spanish starters that are served with drinks. I have eaten some delicious tapas over the years, and quite a few were rustled up by the chefs at Sevilla, the Spanish restaurant at The Claridges Hotel. Some consisted of small pieces of goat cheese and olives, while some were elegant preparations of Iberian ham and foie gras. Tapas means to cover, or is a word for a lid. Legend has it that tapas came to being because Spanish bars used to serve the drinks with a lid on top of a glass possibly to keep out the flies. Soon the bar-owners started putting some food mostly a piece of cheese or ham or olives -- on the lid to woo customers. And the customers were happy because it meant they could line their stomach while having their drinks. Sevilla has a wide variety of tapas both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. You can bite into a chilli garlic mushroom with baked brie or spear a grilled asparagus, served with green garlic and tomato salsa. They have small charcoal grilled lamb chops with honey garlic aioli, chickpea and chorizo stew with potato chips, or bacon wrapped dates stuffed with manchego, a variety of cheese originally made in the La Mancha region. Anything served in small quantities -- can lead to a tapa. These are dishes that the Indian palate should enjoy. Strangely, there are not enough restaurants serving Spanish food in the metros. You have everything else from Italian and Vietnamese to Japanese and even Armenian but hardly any which serve only Spanish. And thats odd because some of the top chefs in the world are from Spain. A chef at Sevilla shows us how to make the perfect Prawns al ajillo. (HT File) But The Claridges corporate chef S Tarun Dacha hopes to focus more on Spanish cuisine now. He tells me the menu will include various kinds of Spanish dishes, including, of course, a wide range of tapas. I find that chefs like to be innovative in preparing tapas. I have earlier had at Sevilla sherry pickled salmon, a smoked halibut slice with a cucumber egg salsa, a sliced chorizo salami and melon wrapped in a roll of ham. Among the exotic tapas that come to mind are thinly slices salted whole cod or bacalao bianco, brushed with virgin olive oil and presented with cubes of salmorejo - tomato puree frozen with the help of liquid nitrogen and smoked eel, presented with foie gras and green apple. Tapas are like Indian snacks there is something for everybody. Just choose your favourite tapa and pop it into the mouth. And youll hear the sounds of a thousand Flamenco guitars in the air. RECIPE: Prawns al ajillo (Prawns with garlic) Ingredients 80g of peeled prawns 30ml extra virgin olive oil 15g garlic flakes 5g chilli flakes 3g Spanish paprika Salt and pepper to taste Method Heat the oil in a pan and add the garlic flakes and the chilli. Once the garlic is slightly golden, add prawns and stir cook for two minutes. Add the paprika and the salt and pepper. Stir for a few minutes and then serve. (I like to squeeze some lime juice over the prawns gives it a nice kick.) Follow @htlifeandstyle for more A 61-year-old man attacked molested his neighbour, a doctor, hit her with a hammer in a posh locality in Goregaon (West) and hours later killed himself by jumping from a mall on Sunday morning. The victim, who is 35 years old, has been admitted in hospital with injuries in her head, hand and leg. Police said that doctors told them she is out of danger and has good chances of survival. According to Goregaon police, the man and the doctor are neighbours and live on the second floor of a posh housing society. The doctor, who holds an MD, is unmarried and lives with her senior citizen mother. She works at a private hospital. The accused lived with his wife, son and daughter. Officials said the accused used to stare at her while sitting below the society building when she returned home from work. He also used to get into the lift with her at times. The victim told the police that while all this was happening she never realised that her neighbour had any evil intentions for her. Police said on Sunday, around 10.30am, the doctor was alone at her home. The accuseds wife and children too were not at home. The senior citizen rang the doorbell of the doctors house. The victim at first did not open the door and asked the accused what he wanted. But when he insisted he wanted to talk to her, she opened the door. Police said the accused then entered the victims house and started molesting her. He also assaulted her with a small hammer on her head, hands and leg. When she tried to stop him, he tore her clothes. The womans screams alerted fellow residents, who rushed to her help. The accused, however, managed to escape from the spot. Meanwhile, the residents informed the family of the doctor and the accused. The police were also informed and a team rushed to the spot. Meanwhile, the doctor was rushed to a nearby hospital by the residents. Around 12.30pm, the accused went to a mall in Malad (West) and jumped off from its second floor. He was later declared dead at a hospital. Investigations into an illegal foreign exchange racket have found that the ten arrested accused used to earn more than a crore every month by duping people. The Mumbai crime branch learnt this after scrutinising the bank accounts of those arrested in connection with the case on July 27, along with the accounts of their company, CapitalTrade.com, located opposite Pritam Dhabha in Dadar (East). The police had raided the office after they found that the men duped 500 people of Rs 6.36 crore. Fifty-three worked at the call centre run by the masterminds who are three brothers Tanveer Tahirali Shaikh, Asad Tahirali Shaikh and Shahrukh Tahirali Shaikh. Tanveer was a share broker before he created the website moneytrading.com which promised huge profits on foreign exchange trade. Initially, he ran a small office in Wadala with his two brothers. In the past two years, Tanveer has duped thousands of people from Kolkata, Punjab, Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Rs 3.65 crore has been seized while scrutinising the two bank accounts of the company. Nearly Rs 2 crore was found in the bank accounts of five merchants, said inspector Sanjay Nikumbhe. Further investigations revealed that the accused used to spend Rs 20 lakh every month, which included the salaries of the 53 employees, office rent and other expenses. Each employee was paid a minimum of Rs 15,000 and the accused occupied the second floor of the building which was rented for Rs 2 lakh every month, said Nikumbhe. The accused kept a low profile to avoid raising suspicions regarding their business, said inspector Jagdish Sail. MODUS OPERANDI Ads to invest in forex trade would pop up on websites. People had to register with their mobile numbers The accused would call up the interested customers through voice over internet protocol or (VoIP) and make offers. Customers would be asked to deposit money through Pay U app. The minimum investment amount was USD 100. Five merchants would transfer the investments into own accounts The accused: Tanveer Tahirali Shaikh, Asad, Shahrukh, Vyankatchalam Mariappa, Fayyaj Umar Shaikh, Sanjay Kapoor Vaishnav, Parvez Maqbool Khan, Mohammad Jafar Shaikh, Imran Maqbool Khan, Azahruddin Daudali Shaikh. Ads to invest in forex trade would pop up on websites. People had to register with their mobile numbersThe accused would call up the interested customers through voice over internet protocol or (VoIP) and make offers. Customers would be asked to deposit money through Pay U app. The minimum investment amount was USD 100. Five merchants would transfer the investments into own accountsTanveer Tahirali Shaikh, Asad, Shahrukh, Vyankatchalam Mariappa, Fayyaj Umar Shaikh, Sanjay Kapoor Vaishnav, Parvez Maqbool Khan, Mohammad Jafar Shaikh, Imran Maqbool Khan, Azahruddin Daudali Shaikh. Around 30 victims have approached the police in the past five days after Tanveer, along with nine others, including his brothers, five merchants Vyankatchalam, Fayyaz, Sanjay, Parvez, Mohammad Zafar accounts manager Imran and call observer Azaruddin were arrested. The eleventh accused, David Nadar, who was part of the marketing team and trained employees on how they should talk and convince customers on the phone, was arrested on July 28, said an officer. A crime branch team on Sunday arrested Amit Satija, the senior vice president of Earth Iconic Infrastructure Private Limited, in connection with a fraud perpetrated against buyers of Earth Titanium project in Greater Noida. Satija was arrested by a special team of the Noida Crime Branch, when he had come to Noida for a work-related meeting. Scores of homebuyers have alleged that Satija had sold them flats in an unfinished Ansal Builders project through dubious means, and falsely promised them assured returns. The police said that the accused has been involved in a fraudulent case involving crores of rupees and as many as 1,200 homebuyers. According to the police, he has been booked under the Indian Penal Code sections 420, 406, 463, 468, 471, 504, 506 and 120B for cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery, forgery for purpose of cheating, using a forged document as genuine, intentional insult, criminal intimidation and criminal conspiracy. We have arrested Satija based on a first information report lodged against him at the Sector 20 police station. Acting on a tip-off, we picked him up from his Noida office. He has been accused of selling studio apartments and other flats in an unfinished project belonging to Ansal IT City and Parks Limited to buyers through dubious means. He had also assured them of a 12% return if the buyer paid the total amount in advance, Ashok Kumar, superintendent of police (crime), said. According to the police, the Greater Noida authority had granted a lease deed to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Tech Zone 6to Ansal IT City and Parks Limited, with effect from February 2006. In 2012, Earth Iconic Infrastructures Limited was signed on as a co-developer by the Ansal group and the possession of the plot meant for Earth Titanium Project was given to the former in May 2013. Earth Iconic Infrastructures Limited was given the task to complete the project by 2016 on two conditions. One, that the entire cost be taken up by the group, and two, the flats will be leased to people only from IT industry. However, Satija and his company started leasing unfinished studio apartments/other flats to all types of buyers under the fake assurance of a 12% cash return if the buyer paid the entire amount in advance. They took all the money even before starting the project, and till date, the company neither completed the project nor gave anyone the assured return, Harsh Thapa, a homebuyer of Earth Titanium Project, said. The police said that four directors of Earth Iconic Infrastructures Limited, namely Atul Gupta, Vikas Gupta, Avdhesh Gupta and Rajneesh Mittal, are currently in Tihar jail for different cases of fraud registered against the company in the past three or four years. Bushra Aslam, the associate vice president of the company, was also arrested in a fraud case in 2017 and later released on bail. Sarabhai vs Sarabhais Rupali Ganguly says she was attacked by two men at a traffic signal in Mumbai on Saturday. The television actor was at Bharat Nagar Signal, near Banana Leaf in Versova when the men broke her cars window and hurled abuses at her. In an interview to SpotBoye, Rupali said she was with her son and house help in her car when the incident happened at around 8 am. They were on their way to drop her son to school. My son tried to take my mobile by lunging forward and just while taking care of him, my foot from the brake went back a little and the car moved forward, but mind you not more than an inch. Consequently, my car happened to touch a bike, she said. Rupali says the men got angry and one approached her car to hurl abuses at her. It was nauseating. My child was hearing them. I told him Kuch nahin hua hai, why are you overreacting?I even apologized, but he was in no mood to listen, she added. The man then hit her window hard enough to break the glass. The shattered pieces hit her hand and she began bleeding. I told him Itna gussa kis baat ka hai? In turn, he started going off towards the backside of my car. It was clear he wanted to smash the rear windscreen. Frankly, I dont know what he wanted to do, she added. Happy Dhanteras A post shared by Rups (@rupaliganguly) on Oct 17, 2017 at 4:01am PDT Before he could break another window, Rupali rode away from the scene. She said that once they reached the school, her son was crying profusely and refused to go to inside. The school authorities also told her to take him home. She even said that no one at the traffic light or even at school tried to help her and only asked her what happened. Would you believe nobody reacted even when I got down from the car near the school. Bas kuch log were very curious to know Kya hua?. Nobody even offered to take me to a doctor for medical assistance. Thats the spirit of our Mumbai, she said. Rupali said she immediately went to a nearby police station and report the incident. The police apprehended the men with the help of CCTV footage and she was asked to identify the men at the police stations. She said that the men asked her for forgiveness and were accompanied by their mothers at the police station. The women tried to appease Rupali by saying Aap bhi maa hain (You are also a mother). Leave our kid. I told them if my son had misbehaved and attacked in this manner, I myself would have brought him to the police station, she said. She then walked out of the station after filing her complaint. Rupali played Ratna Pathak Shahs middle class daughter-in-law Monisha in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. She was also recently seen in the shows reboot. Follow @htshowbiz for more Saudi Arabia suspended diplomatic ties and new trade dealings with Canada in response to Canadas call for the release of womens rights activists a dramatic escalation that highlights the kingdoms increasingly assertive foreign policy under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador to Ottawa and ordered the Canadian envoy to Riyadh to leave within 24 hours, according to a foreign ministry statement. Canada is seeking greater clarity about the matter, a spokeswoman for foreign minister Chrystia Freeland said. The Saudi foreign ministry cited remarks last week by Freeland and the Canadian embassy in Riyadh, criticizing the arrests of womens rights activists including Samar Badawi, whose brother Raif Badawi, a blogger who was critical of the government, was already in jail in the kingdom. Canadas remarks are an affront to the kingdom that requires a sharp response to prevent any party from attempting to meddle with Saudi sovereignty, the ministry said. Under Prince Mohammed, King Salmans son and the power behind the throne, Saudi Arabia has reacted more aggressively against countries that it perceives as intervening in its internal affairs. In little more than a year, the kingdom has led a four-country coalition that severed ties with neighbouring Qatar, recalled its ambassador to Germany and cut back its trade dealings with some German companies amid a diplomatic row. It was also widely blamed for forcing Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri to briefly resign, a charge it denies. The rupture in Saudi diplomatic relations with Canada underscores how the new Saudi Arabia that Mohammed bin Salman is putting together is in absolutely no mood to tolerate any form of criticism of its handling of its domestic affairs, said Kristian Ulrichsen, Middle East fellow at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy in Texas. Saudi foreign policy began to change when King Salman succeeded his late brother Abdullah in 2015, and positioned his son as the most powerful prince in the kingdom. As defence minister, Prince Mohammed is also in charge of the kingdoms military involvement in Yemen against Iranian-backed rebels. Under previous leaders, the kingdom largely chose subtle diplomacy and relied mainly on its financial firepower to gain influence. Critics of that policy say the kingdom struggled to achieve its objectives. Canadian Standoff The stand-off pits a Saudi government thats slowly opening the door to womens rights against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, an outspoken champion of womens advancement, who named a gender-balanced cabinet shortly after his 2015 election. Just two months ago, Saudi women were given the right to drive a car, yet several of the countrys most prominent womens rights activists -- including some who fought for years to drive -- were arrested earlier this year on national security grounds. We are seriously concerned by these media reports and are seeking greater clarity on the recent statement from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Marie-Pier Baril, a spokeswoman for Freeland, said in an email. Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, very much including womens rights, and freedom of expression around the world. Our government will never hesitate to promote these values and believes that this dialog is critical to international diplomacy. Saudi investments in Canada include G3 Global Holdings Ltd., a joint venture between Bunge Ltd. and Saudi Agricultural & Livestock Investment Co., which purchased the former Canadian Wheat Board in 2015. Saudi Arabia has invested about $6 billion in Canadian businesses since 2006, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Tanks, armored vehicles and parts and motor vehicles accounted for about 45 percent of Canadas 2016 exports to the kingdom, while crude oil and copper ores comprised about 98 percent of imports, according to a government report. Saudi Arabia supplies oil to the Irving refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick. The arrests were in line with Saudi laws, and those detained have been provided with due process during investigation and trial, according to the foreign ministry statement. Freeland said in a tweet Aug. 2 that she was very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi, Raif Badawis sister, has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. Canada, she said, stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, and we continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi. So far this year, Canada has exported C$1.4 billion ($1.08 billion) in merchandise goods to Saudi Arabia and imported C$2 billion in imports, leaving it with a cumulative year-to-date trade deficit with the kingdom of about C$640 million, according to Statistics Canada data. Chinese authorities have demolished dissident artist Ai Weiweis studio in northeast Beijing. Ai, who has been living in Berlin since 2015, released a series of photographs on Instagram showing his studio in a locality called Caochangdi Art District being torn down over the weekend. Bidding farewell to the studio he had used since 2006, the 60-year-old artist said that neither he nor his colleagues in Beijing were given any warning before the demolition began. Ais studio in Shanghai was destroyed in 2011. Gang Ra, one of Ais assistants, told the AFP news agency that although the rental contract for the building had ended last year, it simply wasnt possible to move out at the time because of the number of works still present. Clips released by Ai showed the studio described by him as an East German-style socialist factory building turning into a heap of bricks and stones with a cloud of dust covering the rubble. The Hindustan Times had interviewed Ai at the same studio in 2012. Ai Weiwei lived under house arrest in Beijing for four years until 2015, when he was allowed to leave for Germany. (AP photo) Ai had helped establish the Caochangdi Art District nearly two decades ago, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post newspaper reported. In late July, several galleries in the area were asked to relocate to make way for redevelopment, it quoted the Art Newspaper as saying. The artist lived under house arrest in Beijing for four years until 2015, when he was allowed to leave for Germany. During this time, he was allowed to have visitors but prevented from exiting the country. Ai had designed the famous Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing but fell out with the authorities soon after. Ai established a studio in Berlin after moving there in 2015 but announced his plans to move elsewhere in May. He has mostly been working on refugees over the past few years. Democracy is the answer, Ai had told HT when asked about political systems, but added that there was no standard way of zeroing on one particular democratic system practised by one country that could suit all societies. Thatll be a problem, he had said. There is no standard democracy (but) democracy is the most efficient way; peoples way rather than that of the elite or someone who controls your rights. We are born as individuals, we need to participate, contribute our energy and passion. A leading news portal controlled by the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) has withdrawn an article that said Arunachal Pradesh was a state in India and not part of south Tibet, as is officially claimed in China. It was mentioned in an article written by an Indian journalist who is visiting Beijing on a Chinese government fellowship. The article titled Indias old age population hits all time high since independence, was carried by the CPC mouthpiece, Peoples Dailys English portal, en.people.cn. The state with the least old age people is Arunachal Pradesh, with only 4.6 per cent of its population above the age of 60. It is followed by Meghalaya at 4.7 per cent, said the article posted on the website on August 3. Hindustan Times had tweeted about the marked departure in the narrative of the tightly-controlled state media in China. Less than a day later, the article could not be accessed anymore; a click on existing links to the article showed an error message. It had triggered some speculation online whether it was an inadvertent error on the part of the editorial team of the news portal. China has never acknowledged the existence of Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining that it is a disputed region and part of southern Tibet. First of all on the border issue our position is clear and consistent. We never acknowledged the existence of so called Arunachal Pradesh, Geng Shuang, ministry of foreign affairs (MFA) spokesperson had told a media briefing earlier this year. In February, Beijing strongly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Arunachal Pradesh and warned of lodging a diplomatic protest. The MFA had then China does not recognise so-called Arunachal Pradesh and India should not complicate the festering boundary row. The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh and is firmly opposed to the Indian leaders visit to the disputed area, Geng was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency. Last November, China had similarly criticised President Ram Nath Kovinds visit to the state, saying China-India relations were at a crucial moment and New Delhi should not complicate the dispute. Xinhua had then described Arunachal as being illegally established in areas of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). Thousands of angry young people took to the streets of Bangladeshs capital again Sunday to demand safer streets, facing police firing tear gas and pro-government activists who attacked them with clubs. Protests have flared repeatedly in Dhaka since two students were killed last week by speeding buses. The pro-government activists, members of a political youth league, also attacked at least five journalists, including an Associated Press photographer who was briefly hospitalized with a head injury. Footage of the attack on social media showed him surrounded and beaten by nearly a dozen men in the citys Dhanmondi neighbourhood. The protests have become a serious embarrassment to the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ahead of a general election due in December. Her party is blaming the main opposition, led by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, for using the student anger to create chaos for political gains. Political feuding between the two political leaders has dominated Bangladeshs politics for more than a decade. Zias party has formally extended its support to the protesters, but Hasina has also reached out to the demonstrators by pledging to improve road safety. Bangladeshi police stand guard during a student protest in Dhaka on August 5. (AFP Photo) Meanwhile, on Saturday, an official car carrying the US ambassador to Bangladesh, Marcia Bernicat, was attacked by a group of armed men, some riding motorcycles, as it drove through Dhaka, according to a Sunday statement from the embassy. No one was injured. Badiul Alam Majumdar, a prominent local activist and government critic, said the attack happened as the ambassador left a dinner party at his home. On Sunday, the US Embassy said in a statement on its Facebook page that the protesters have united and captured the imagination of the whole country, noting that nothing can justify the brutal attacks and violence over the weekend against the thousands of young people who have been peacefully exercising their democratic rights in supporting a safer Bangladesh. The roads of Dhaka are a web of gridlock and chaos. Unlicensed drivers, unregistered vehicles and speeding buses are commonplace, police corruption is rife and traffic enforcement often nonexistent. At least 12,000 people die each year in road accidents in Bangladesh. The demonstrating students have stopped thousands of vehicles during the protests, including those of top officials, checking if the cars were registered and the drivers licensed. Police in Bangladeshs capital fired tear gas and rubber bullets Monday to disperse hundreds of demonstrating students, while a prominent human rights group demanded the release of an activist arrested for criticizing the government during more than a week of protests. Shahidul Alam, a well-known photographer and activist, was arrested Sunday by plain-clothed police after giving a television interview in which he said prime minister Sheikh Hasina had no credibility and was using brute force to cling to power. A court in Dhaka ordered him to be confined for seven days for questioning on charges of spreading false information and propaganda against the government. Amnesty International called for Alams immediate release, with deputy South Asia director Omar Waraich saying in a statement that the arrest marks a dangerous escalation of a crackdown by the government. The traffic chaos of the past week began easing on Monday, as immense demonstrations gave way to sporadic protests, though hundreds of students clashed with police in Dhakas Bashundhara area where some private universities are located. Police fired rubber bullets and protesters said at least 40 people, mostly students, were injured. Elsewhere, police used tear gas against protesters at Dhakas East West University and students marched through the Dhaka University campus chanting anti-government slogans and demanding justice. The protests, set off by the deaths of two students killed by speeding buses, grew last week to tens of thousands of people, becoming a major embarrassment to Hasinas government, which faces a general election later this year. On Monday, Bangladeshs Cabinet endorsed a draft law that would increase the maximum punishment for an accident leading to death to five years in jail, up from the current three years. Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said the bill will be submitted to Parliament soon for passage. The student protesters have demanded tougher punishment for offenses involving road accidents. On Sunday, pro-government youth groups attacked protesters and at least five journalists, including an Associated Press photographer. Hasinas party is blaming the main opposition party, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and its main ally Jamaat-e-Islami, saying they are manipulating student anger to foment trouble. Authorities have warned of tougher measures if the protests are used to create chaos. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.) Appointment 6 August 2018 Sabre Corporation, the travel and tourism industry technology provider, has appointed Sumit Chaudhary as head of finance for Sabre Travel Network Middle East (STNME). Chaudhary will lead financial operations for the Middle East, a key growth area for Sabre. He is tasked with optimising financial performance across the region, as well as identifying and executing commercial and financial opportunities to help accelerate growth and create value for customers and shareholders. Chaudhary brings more than 15 years of experience to his and role and holds a degree in chartered accountant, and holds an MBA in Analytical Finance from ISB Hyderabad. Appointment 6 August 2018 Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Grand Rapids, owned and operated by Suburban Inns, today announced Brian Behler has been appointed as the hotel's new general manager. Embassy Suites by Hilton is a global brand of upscale, all-suite hotels from Hilton (NYSE: HLT). Prior to joining Embassy Suites by Hilton Grand Rapids Downtown, Behler was general manager of another full-service hotel in Grand Rapids. He is a graduate of Davenport University and holds a degree in Business Administration and Management. Appointment 6 August 2018 Mr Sokoun Chanpreda, Managing Director of Hospitality Management and Development Asia (HMD Asia) and owner of Shinta Mani Hotels, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Kien Wagner as Executive Chef for Bensley Collection - Shinta Mani Wild, opening on 1 November 2018. Kien trained as an Apprentice Chef at the Hotel Sullberg in Hamburg, Germany from 2004-2007 and for the next few years worked his way up in various culinary roles within hotels and restaurants in his native country. In August 2010 he moved to Australia as Chef de Partie at the upscale Hayman Island Resort in Queensland's Whitsunday region. After a brief return to work in Germany followed by a year in Spain, Kien moved to Cambodia as Chef Trainer and Advisor for Friends International in Phnom Penh, an international social enterprise and registered non-governmental organization focusing on children's empowerment. Remaining in Cambodia, he held consulting Chef roles with The Blue Pumpkin and the Metropolitan Group before joining the Knai Bang Chatt Resort as Executive Chef in August 2015. Prior to joining Bensley Collection - Shinta Mani Wild, he was Executive Chef at Anantara Angkor Resort in Siem Reap. Kien has developed a great passion for Cambodia and its people and it was there he learned that food is medicine and began his personal journey to explore the important relationship between nature, food and well-being. He only consumes fresh natural food, avoiding anything processed or with a barcode. He is adventurous and curious; drilling down to the origins of local cuisine to discover its history. He loves to explore local markets and discover new ingredients and incorporate them into his skillfully created dishes with the utmost attention to detail. Supplier News 6 August 2018 Registration is now open for the 2019 HotelTechAwards (www.hoteltechawards.com), the industry's only data driven awards platform that recognizes best of breed hotel technology companies who win in the eyes of the judges that matter most - their customers. Winners last year included top hotel technology companies such as TrustYou (Munich), IDeaS (Minneapolis), ALICE (New York), Screen Pilot (Denver), Oaky (Amsterdam) and Amadeus Hospitality (full 2018 winners list here) and winner of "The Best Places to Work in Hotel Technology" was San Francisco based Suiteness (10 Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech). "Revenue generation and operations have become very complex for hotels, threatening profitability and detracting from the customer experience. The answer lies in innovative technology solutions, which can disrupt the disruptors. The HotelTechAwards recognize these technologies and their beneficial impact on the future of our industry." says Mark Heyneker, CEO at Revinate, one of the hotel tech industry's most recognized brands and current leader in the "Email Marketing & CRM" category. Companies are competing for category leadership across marketing, revenue management, guest experience, operations and sales technology. Hotel technology companies ranging from hardware to software and service businesses like digital marketing agencies are eligible for nomination. More than 40 companies around the world have already pre-registered for the competition. Registration closes on September 15th. Voting will take place through December 31, 2018 and winners of the 2019 HotelTechAwards will be announced on January 15, 2018. "As a former hotelier there was ultimately one thing my team wanted to know about prospective technology partners," says Jordan Hollander, co-founder of Hotel Tech Report, "We wanted to know what other hoteliers like us thought about the service providers, that they were tried and true and that the company could deliver on their sales promises. The HotelTechAwards were designed to do exactly that - they help hoteliers see what people like them honestly think about products and services to help them make better decisions for their properties." Learn more at www.hoteltechawards.com Performance 6 August 2018 PORTSMOUTH, NH -- In the second quarter of 2018, analysts at Lodging Econometrics (LE) report that the top franchise companies with the largest construction pipelines are: Marriott International with 1,351 projects/177,743 rooms, Hilton Worldwide with 1,327 projects/147,728 rooms, and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) with 932 projects/95,018 rooms. Development projects in these three franchise companies comprise 66% of total construction pipeline rooms. The largest brands for each of these companies are Marriott's Fairfield Inn with 284 projects/27,584 rooms, Hilton's Home2 Suites by Hilton with 384 projects/40,240 rooms and IHG's Holiday Inn Express with 430 projects/40,162 rooms. These three brands alone make up 17% of the total construction pipeline rooms. Other high volume brands in the pipeline for each of these franchises are: Marriott's TownePlace Suites with 201 projects/20,737 rooms and Residence Inn with 190 projects/23,443 rooms; Hilton's Hampton Inn and Suites with 302 projects/30,700 rooms and Tru by Hilton with 298 projects/28,776 rooms; and IHG's Staybridge Suites with 143 projects/15,206 rooms and Avid Hotel with 121 projects/11,187 rooms. You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser Other Hosting Offers This forum is intended for web hosting companies to publish their special hosting offers for services that don't fit in any other advertising category: email, backup/storage, streaming, adult, website builder solutions, SEO hosting, etc. NOTE: 10 days of membership and 15 relevant and valuable posts are required in select community forums in order to start a thread in this forum. Non-value posts, added with the sole purpose of increasing your post count, will be deleted and infraction issued. Asset managed by TNB Hotels of Boise, Idaho, Four Points by Sheraton Salt Lake City Airport, previously under the name Comfort Inn and Rodeway Inn Salt Lake City Airport, offers 155 spacious guest rooms, over 550 sq. ft. of meeting space, a 24-hour fitness center, business center and fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Marriott International, Inc. today announced the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Salt Lake City Airport. Catering to the needs of today's everyday traveler, the hotel offers approachable design, stylish comfort and all the brand's popular extras including a 24-hour fitness center, heated pool, fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and the Best Brews & BBQ program, detailed below. Asset managed by TNB Hotels of Boise, Idaho, Four Points by Sheraton Salt Lake City Airport, previously under the name Comfort Inn and Rodeway Inn Salt Lake City Airport, offers 155 spacious guest rooms, over 550 sq. ft. of meeting space, a 24-hour fitness center, business center and fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Guests will enjoy full-service dining at the hotel pub and the brand's iconic Best Brews and BBQ program, which serves guests refreshing, curated local beers and seasonal BBQ-style appetizers. Polygamy Nitro and Evolution Amber Ale from Wasatach Brewery are the Best Brews at Four Points by Sheraton Salt Lake City Airport. Four Points by Sheraton Salt Lake City Airport is just a short drive from the Salt Palace Convention Center. It is also within driving distance of Temple Square, downtown Salt Lake City and is roughly four miles from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) for a convenient trip. "Designed with the everyday traveler in mind, Four Points by Sheraton Salt Lake City Airport will be a convenient stay for anyone looking to enjoy the world-class attractions of Salt Lake City," said Callette Nielsen, Vice President & Global Brand Manager of Courtyard, Fairfield, Four Points, and SpringHill Suites. "Accessible to families and business travelers alike, the friendly design of the property will make anyone's stay comfortable." Owner of Four Points Salt Lake City Airport, Jay Nijjer, stated, "We are pleased to strengthen our relationship with the Marriott International Family while opening the first Four Points in the vibrant Salt Lake City market. We look forward to welcoming guests to our hotel and The Glowbal Bite, a new restaurant concept to TNB Hotels as a destination of choice for business and leisure travelers from all over the world. TNB Hotels knowledge, experience and management of Four Points Salt Lake City Airport will set us apart and provide a unique and memorable experience for guests." Four Points is the most globally distributed brand in Marriott's Classic Select category, boasting nearly 250 hotels in more than 40 countries and territories. The brand has more than 120 signed hotels in the pipeline, with nearly 50% of Four Points' current portfolio of rooms located outside of North America, and over 65% of its signed pipeline expected to open outside of North America. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource As senior vice president, global head of wellbeing, Kyricos will be responsible for shaping a multidimensional global wellbeing strategy, providing leadership and subject matter expertise to help establish the vision, objectives and strategic priorities for wellbeing at Hyatt. Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that Hyatt has selected Mia Kyricos as senior vice president, global head of wellbeing. Kyricos will report to Mark Vondrasek, Hyatts chief commercial officer. As a pioneer in the business of wellbeing, Mia is uniquely qualified to further define Hyatts wellbeing efforts across all 14 brands to ensure colleagues, guests and customers can be their best, Vondrasek said. She is a respected leader in the wellbeing industry and her expertise across wellness, hospitality and brand strategy will fervently support and expand Hyatts already robust wellbeing offering. Mia will also be instrumental in the continued immersion of World of Hyatt members to the Miraval and exhale brands, as well as the integration of elements of both these brands throughout the organization. As senior vice president, global head of wellbeing, Kyricos will be responsible for shaping a multidimensional global wellbeing strategy, providing leadership and subject matter expertise to help establish the vision, objectives and strategic priorities for wellbeing at Hyatt. The newly created position builds on steps Hyatt has already taken on its wellbeing journey, such as: Investing in the growth of its Miraval and exhale wellbeing brands, including investing in the renovation of existing resorts and studios as well as the opening of new Miraval resorts in Austin, Texas and Lenox, Mass. Launching a World of Hyatt Credit Card that provides additional bonus points for spend on fitness Evolving the future guest experience at Hyatt Place hotels to include on-demand exhale video content, exclusive exhale privileges and rates, enhanced fitness and wellbeing environments and collaborations with wellbeing apps Curating exclusive World of Hyatt member experiences designed to benefit the mind, body and spirit on Hyatts FIND experiences platform Hyatts dedication to implementing wellbeing practices throughout all facets of the organization demonstrates just one of the ways Hyatt continues to lead the way in the hospitality industry, said Kyricos. This is the first time Ive seen a company of its kind establish a cohesive position on wellbeing that fully encompasses all parts of the organization. I am excited to join such a forward-thinking leadership team to help meaningfully implement innovative wellbeing strategies for Hyatts colleagues, guests and members of the communities in which Hyatt hotels operate around the world. Most recently, Kyricos served as President and CEO of Kyricos & Associates LLC, a boutique advisory firm providing guidance to wellness-driven hospitality, tourism and healthy lifestyle companies. Prior to that, she was chief brand officer at Spafinder Wellness, Inc., where she co-founded the Wellness Travel Awards program which was previously issued annually across 40 countries at the World Travel Market. She also held leadership roles at Core Performance, the workplace wellness division of EXOS, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide where she created six international spa brands and signature wellness experiences. Kyricos holds a masters degree in hospitality administration from Cornell University and sits on the advisory boards of the Global Wellness Summit, Wellness for Cancer and The University of California Irvine. She also chairs the Wellness Communities Initiative on behalf of the Global Wellness Institute, a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational foundation that she helped to found. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource South Africa has continued to strengthen its ties with China, to ensure that the economic engagement was mutually beneficial, continued to lead to infrastructure development, greater economic participation and the greater good of both countries. Over the past decade, South Africa has continued to strengthen its ties with the Peoples Republic of China. Many Chinese companies operating in South Africa are geared towards the rising number of Chinese tourists who visit the country each year. South Africa is also home to a large number of Chinese immigrants: Yoon Jung Park, a researcher on Chinese migrants in South Africa, estimates that the numbers are between 350 000 and 500 000. But due to irregular immigration and poor record-keeping, its hard to say exactly how many Chinese immigrants there are in the country. While Chinese arrivals in South Africa saw a dip in the first few months of 2017, the tourism industry reports that the market has now stabilised and is forecast for growth. Significantly, following erratic arrivals over the last four years, visitor numbers from India and China are growing, both up from their February 2017 numbers. Source Statistics SA According to Statistics South Africa, the number of Chinese visitors to the country shows an overall decline in arrivals between April last year and April 2018, with the country seeing 6% fewer arrivals. Additionally, the year-to-date numbers have also dropped by 1%, with total arrivals thus far for 2018 sitting at 958 311. According to SA Magic Tours, 2016 was a bumper year for Chinese arrivals, particularly due to the very low selling price of some of the bottom-end packages offered by a number of large operators. The dip in Chinese arrivals to South Africa in the first few months of 2017 was as a result of a correction in the pricing of the courier service, a RN65 (8.30) charge that was added to Chinese visa applications. Concerns regarding the publicity surrounding follow-home crime also impacted on the safety-sensitive Chinese market during the first half of 2017. What could be in favour of South Africa is the fact that the country is not affected by acts of terrorism and could be viewed as a safer travel option. While crime exists, the crime rate affecting tourists is not as high as many are led to believe. Visas might be a larger barrier to entry for the Chinese market, as Chinese travellers book 14 to 10 days before they want to leave. As a result, they cannot afford to experience a delay in visa applications. Nor are they willing to travel or spend significantly to secure a visa. Morocco was South Africas biggest competing African destination for Chinese tourists in 2017, after they relaxed their visa regulations. They now allow Chinese travellers entry with no requirement for a visa and, as a result, their arrivals grew by over 350%. However, 2018 has seen numbers picking up again as both government, SA Tourism and the trade industry have introduced a number of initiatives to increase Chinese arrivals. Tour companies have introduced Mandarin-speaking guides, along with promotional materials in Mandarin. Tourism operators and department stores are beefing up their Chinese language service for shopping guides. For ease of shopping, shopping malls are increasingly catering for Chinese visitors by adopting Alipay. In November 2016, about 20 South Africans working in the tourism sector were awarded certificates in Johannesburg after a three months intensive training in Mandarin. They were taken from various parts of the country to be trained in Mandarin so that they can communicate effectively with the Chinese tourists. Some are front line staffs in hotels and lodges while some are tour guides. Credit card discounts are also offered with the launch of a new Bank of China BOC Inspirational South Africa FIT Credit Card in partnership with SA Tourism, along with another new card called I Go South Africa, being launched by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China ICBC in partnership with Standard Bank of South Africa. One things is for sure, with only approximately 5% of all Chinese people holding passports, yet 135M Chinese taking foreign trips in 2016 (up from 8.4M in 1997) the potential is huge and growing rapidly. UNWTO estimates the Chinese outbound tourism expenditure grew to $261Bn in 2016, 21% of the world market and with South Africa only so far securing 0.08% of that spend it is worth all parties time, money and efforts to focus on attracting and welcoming more guests from China. About Nomfundo B Zonke Nomfundo Zonke has been Office Manager for the Cape Town office since June 2016. She is in charge of organizing and coordinating the office operations and ensuring the efficient operation of the office, including utilities. She obtained an Event Organising Principle Certificate from Cape Peninsula University of Technology and got a Project Management Certificate from Central Business Academy. For further information, please contact: nzonke@hvs.com +27 (0) 83 784 1081 Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Having just dropped off her latest EP Survive The Summer on Friday, miss Iggy Azalea has tapped one of her long-time friends, and "Kream" collaborators, Tyga, to grab some R&R on a yacht in Miami. The duo was seen posted up on restaurant entrepreneur David Grutman's boujee boat, before their evening performance at LIV on Sunday night - check out the photos below. In other news surrounding her latest project, the 28-year-old Australian born rapper recently discussed her choice of dropping a mixtape over a full album. I felt like I was in a way taking a risk by going back to my mixtape vibe, she told RapUp. I was going against what had been my recipe for success for the last few years. Being on a bigger platform now, how would those people feel about mixtape Iggy? On the topic of her and Tyga's friendship, having met back in 2009, she gave him a few words of advice when he was readying his track "Taste." People wanna see basically Rack City Tyga, she told Tyga at the time. I was like, People wanna see you get your dick out and just smack someone across the face with it. Musically, thats what we want from you. A few months a go, Adam22 of No Jumper announced that he'd be launching his own record label. It made complete sense since his podcast has become a platform for up-and-coming artists to get their name heard. Adam has a great ear for emerging talent and a lot of the artists he's praised became massive. Today, No Jumper shares a new record featuring Smooky Margielaa and KILLY. KILLY and Smooky Margielaa join forces on No Jumper's "Rivals." The song serves as the second track released from the label following Tay-K and BlocBoy JB's "Hard" which recently received a visual treatment. The song finds the two rappers flexing their melodic delivery over a dark and grim beat. Peep their new song below and let us know what you think in the comments. Quotable Lyrics Got the shit jumpin' like Jordan VIP, very important Backwoods come imported 24/7, No problems Orlando Brown has had a rough two years. He was once a bright Disney star, but drugs have damaged his career. He was arrested in 2016 for striking his girlfriend while also carry meth on him. Then, he was arrested earlier this year due to a domestic dispute between him and his girlfriend's mother. The drama doesn't stop there. Brown was then dragged out of his residence by bounty hunters in April after an arrest warrant was issued for the former Disney star in connection with his 2016 case. The arrests continued, and just two months ago Brown was locked up yet again in Las Vegas for narcotics possession, drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest after he was caught with meth. Now, TMZ is reporting that a new arrest warrant for Brown has been issued in connection with his Las Vegas case. Brown just can't seem to get it together, or bring himself to court, and he missed his day in front of the judge. Most likely tired of the actor's antics, the judge issued the warrant immediately. Brown is definitely going through a rough patch in his life, but he will continue to be wrapped up in the justice system until he gets his act together. With his debut album Life's A Trip set to drop on August 10th, Trippie Redd has dropped off another offering from the album, "Taking A Walk." While turning in a more muted effort than some of his notable hits, it's great to see Scott Storch once again holding it down on the keys. This time around, he opts for a subdued turn on a Rhodes-like organ, providing Trippie with plenty of space to lay down his angst-laden lyricism. Despite frequent allusions to suicide, Trippie does add a little bit of levity to the proceeding. "Get this green then smoke this green, gotta stay potent," raps, "pussy n***a talking shit but he ain't know shit, chicken noodle ass n***a, man, you boneless." In truth, "Taking A Walk" is actually somewhat more self-aware than we've seen from Trippie. In the song's chorus, he acknowledges a perceived fascination with his own mortality, joking that his casket will be lavish in comparison to standard wood. What do ya'll think? Is this the one? Quotable Lyrics Ayy, rule number 1 never trust no bitch Get this green then smoke this green, gotta stay potent Pussy n***a talking shit but he ain't know shit Chicken noodle ass n***a, man, you boneless Yeah, I keep my ratchet, boy, you pole-less Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle A journalist for a London newspaper sued CenterPoint Energy for injuries he received when a rescue boat tangled with live power lines during Hurricane Harvey, killing four of the seven people in the boat. Alan Butterfield, a reporter with Daily Mail who lives in Salt Lake City, accused CenterPoint of failing to shut off power in the neighborhoods along Greens Bayou, which was flooded by Hurricane Harvey. The group was headed to rescue a wheelchair-bound resident and Butterfield came along to report on the mission. Houston's Splice Records will host its annual River Revival Music Festival Sept. 27-30 in New Braunfels. The Gulf Coast R&B/funk/soul band the Suffers -- enjoying a breakout year with new album "Everything Here" -- are among the event's headliners. Other headlining acts: Bonerama, Jackie Venson, Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys and Tomar and the FCs. The rest of the lineup draws further from a deep pool of local and regional talent: Full Service, John Evans, Buxton, Folk Family Revival, Hector Ward and the Bigtime, Maggie Belle Band, Arthur Yoria, Bayou City Funk, Flower Graves, Tightn' Up and Swimwear Department. Family friendly fare will be provided by Andyroo and the Andyrooniverse. Now Playing: Houston's Splice Records will host its annual River Revival Music Festival Sept. 27-30 in New Braunfels. The Gulf Coast R&B/funk/soul band the Suffers -- enjoying a breakout year with new album "Everything Here" -- are among the event's headliners. Video: Splice Records TX ONLY IN HOUSTON: The time Steve Miller asked me to take him to see some posters The event will also host Late Nite Fireside shows, unamplified events for those not yet ready to call it a day. Late Nite performers include Craig Kinsey, Dem, Ancient Cat Society, VODI, Pecos Hank and Tighn' Up. River Revival was dreamed up by Shaun Brennan, a Houstonian who runs Splice Records. His goal was to pick a quiet weekend on the Guadalupe River when summer traffic has waned for a modestly-sized event. River Revival is capped at 1,000 attendees, so it avoids many of the trappings of a congested festival. It also offers the opportunity to float in a river. "It's funny how elementary it is," Brennan said. "But like the label, I like it to feel personal, even as we try to expand what it is and can be. Of course, at some point, you have to stop with the ideas. No more ideas. At some point, you have to say, 'OK, it's all execution from here.'" He talked about both pursuits with the Houston Chronicle earlier this year. Tickets and more information on River Revival can be found on the Splice website. Walking amongst the 800 weathered Corten steel columns at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Ala., in early June, I could not shake the feeling that the dead were among us. Each column bears the name of a county and the names of racial terror victims who were lynched there, and as you walk through the pavilion, the columns slowly rise until they are hanging a few feet off the ground. Southern trees bear strange fruit echoed through my head as I walked past each county, unconsciously searching for names that I recognized. Loudoun County, Orleans Parish, Plaquemine Parish ... Harris County. The steel columns, which have been exposed to the elements since the memorial's opening in April, have already weathered in a way that looks eerily like dried blood. The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), an Alabama-based nonprofit that provides legal representation to those who might have been denied a fair trial, opened the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in April 2018. Known to many simply as the Lynching Memorial, it was unveiled in conjunction with the Legacy Museum, a masterful transformation of an former slave warehouse into a museum that documents the dehumanization and commodification of black people that persisted through Jim Crow and into our present era of mass incarceration. The memorial, designed by MASSDesign group and EJI director Bryan Stevenson, gracefully answers the questions posed by architect Julian Bonder: "How do we convey the critical significance of design in conceiving and creating democratic public spaces and democratic memorial spaces? How can we elaborate on the ethical implications of Hannah Arendt's description of the public sphere as 'the space of appearance'?" Memorials need not be flashy or explicit to be moving. In fact, they are often at their most poignant and most democratic when they choose a seemingly simple approach that can be interacted with on multiple levels, engaging their viewer in a peaceful act of remembrance without having to relive the trauma of the past, much like the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe or the Vietnam War Memorial. On the 10-hour drive from Alabama back to Houston, I could not help wondering why we as a country had taken so long to do something so necessary. *** HOUSTON IS a city that is fiercely proud of its possibility. We tout our Medical Center, on the forefront of advances in cancer research. The Kinder Institute touts census numbers that show us as the most diverse region in the country. We are proud of our resilience in the face of recessions and catastrophic storms. Our can-do attitude keeps us hurtling into the future, determined to be a city upon a hill. But this forward gaze can keep us from adequately remembering our past, which though inspiring is also fraught with racial violence. The memorial in Alabama also includes duplicates of each of the steel columns, lined up along the path outside the pavilion like coffins. The EJI has invited counties around the country to claim their monuments and give them permanent homes so that we might more honestly reflect our history. The monument installation is just one arm of their Community Remembrance Projects, an ongoing campaign to recognize the victims of racial terror lynchings that also includes collecting soil from lynching sites and erecting historical markers. Though the Equal Justice Initiative will not begin distributing the memorial monuments until 2019, the preliminary work to erect a historical marker here in Harris County is well on its way. Debra Blacklock-Sloan, an African-American genealogist, historical researcher and member of the Harris County Historical Commission, has taken the lead on local efforts to commemorate the victims of racial terror lynching. She initiated the project to place the Harris County monument on behalf of the Willie Lee Gay Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society as well as the Friends of the African-American Library at the Gregory School. Blacklock-Sloan feels that lynching is an undertold story here in Houston, both for younger generations as well as for nonblack communities. "Houston is a great city, but there's a lot of history that a lot of us are not familiar with," she said. "My only goal is to get that history out." THAT HISTORY: Four people were lynched in Houston. We should lay claim to their memorial. Blacklock-Sloan first heard about the memorial project from Bill Milligan, with whom she was working on a historical marker for Emancipation Park. Bill put her in touch with his son Evan, a Law Fellow at the EJI. She has been involved with the process ever since. After learning that Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis was interested in the project, Blacklock-Sloan contacted his office, and a coalition has met on multiple occasions to advance the project. Efforts at Commissioner Ellis' office have been spearheaded by Kathryn Kase, Senior Advisor, Strategic Development and Initiatives Department, and Sherea McKenzie, the Director of the Strategic Development and Initiatives Department. "I look forward to working with my colleagues on Commissioners Court to bring this monument to Harris County," Commissioner Ellis said in a written statement. "It's important that we, as a community, properly acknowledge those who unjustly suffered under a system of terror and oppression. We also must acknowledge how it continues to affect present racial disparities and injustice." Blacklock-Sloan echoed this desire, noting that she hopes that the memorial will serve as a place of reflection and ongoing dialogue: "I hope there will be some racial healing and reconciliation. It's not just about putting the marker out there, we want people to be aware." These sentiments speak to the power that physical space can serve as an act of witness and acceptance of the public's vulnerability in the healing process. The multistep process that the EJI requires for historical marker and monument installation reflects this ongoing dialogue that public reconciliation necessitates. In their guidelines for the installation process, they outline a one- to three-year educational process involving a diverse coalition of historians and community members with a history of restorative justice efforts. The marker must include two sides, one commemorating the county-specific victims and the other detailing the history of racial terror lynchings as a national phenomenon rooted in myths about inferiority and superiority. JOHNATHON KELSO, STR / NYT This commitment to education is visible in every aspect of the EJI's work. After I viewed the National Memorial and came home to Houston, I decided to take up their call and look into the stories of the four men (the four whose murders we have documented, that is) who were victims of racial terror lynchings in Harris County: John Walton, Bert Smith, Robert Powell and an unknown victim. For all but Powell, whose murder took place shortly before Houston hosted the 1928 Democratic Convention, information is minimal. For the most part, the history of lynchings in Harris County is found only in the work of academics like John Raymond Ross, who wrote about the lynching of John Walton in his 1983 history dissertation at Texas Tech, or John D. Marquez, who told the story of the lynching of Bert Smith in a section of his book, "Black-Brown Solidarity: Racial Politics in the New Gulf South." What information I found largely centered on the lynching victims' deaths and not their lives. I wanted to know their birthdays, their hometowns, their livelihoods. I wanted to know who they left behind. In the absence of that information, and in the face of a feeling that looks a lot like loneliness, I know I owe it to them to remember as best I could. These are the stories I could find. *** I DON'T know much about John Walton, aside from the fact that according to John Raymond Ross' "At the Bar of Judge Lynch: Lynching and Lynch Mobs in America," he was suspected of burglary and attempted rape in 1890. Before he could be arrested or even questioned, Henry Roth, the owner of the burglarized home, rounded up four neighbors and followed him. Henry Wichmann, Roth's brother-in-law and a Houston policeman, joined the group and eventually found John hiding under a house. Wichmann crawled under the house in pursuit, and John fled into the nearby woods. There he was shot down in a shower of bullets from the four neighbors. The four lynchers were arrested but released on bail and never convicted. According to Marquez's "Black-Brown Solidarity: Racial Politics in the New Gulf South," Bert Smith worked as a cook in the oil fields of Goose Creek, an area known today as Baytown. Stories differ about how exactly Bert was implicated in his alleged crimes (a refrain common to extralegal justice). On Sept. 21, 1921, a wife of a white oil worker alleged that a black man entered her tent at the camp while she slept. Bert became the prime suspect. According to a Lee College oral history interview with Garrett Herring, who was present when Bert was hung, "This colored man ... evidently got some whiskey somewhere and stumbled into a tent, a tent that presumably was occupied by a man's wife. Whether he did or not, no one ever really knew." Bert was arrested and put in jail, but the very next morning, a mob of nearly 1,000 oil workers swarmed the jailhouse, broke in and took him to hang. A journalist, Frank Allen, tried to take photos of the lynching, but these photos never emerged some accounts say his camera was destroyed. Others just say that the pictures were confiscated. After the mob killed him, they brutalized, then burned his body. By his own account, Herring stood on at the window of the town drug store and watched Bert die. "I had never seen a mob before," he said. During this era in Baytown, the Ku Klux Klan had a prominent presence, and according to Wanda Orton, a former managing editor for The Baytown Sun, was known to hold weekly parades down Texas Avenue. It's no surprise then, that after Bert's very public death, many blacks fled the area. This effect is precisely why these lynchings are described as acts of racial terror: One man might have died, but an entire community was plunged into fear for their lives. Though 15 men 15 men out of 1,000 that constituted the mob were arrested, none were convicted. We do not know the name of the third documented victim of racial terror lynching in Harris County (the only place I have been able to find his death documented was on the EJI Memorial). We do not know what crime (if there even was one) he was accused of. He was murdered on October 27, 1919. Last was Robert Powell. In the early hours of June 17, 1928, two police officers asked a group of black men (including Robert) on a street corner downtown what they were doing out so late. The two detectives, Henry Bradshaw and A.W. Davis, hassled and roughed up the men, and a gun allegedly fell out of the clothing of one of the suspects. Robert ran. Detective Davis chased after him, and shots were exchanged. Davis was killed by a shot to the head, and Robert was severely wounded and retreated to his mother's home in the Fourth Ward. After an aggressive search through the neighborhood, police took Robert to Jefferson Davis Hospital. In the early hours of June 20, the mob came for Robert Powell. According to Dwight Watson's article in Houston History Magazine, witnesses reported that seven or eight armed White men charged in and took the Black prisoner they believed had shot Detective Davis from the custody of the Harris County Sheriff Department's watchman. The mob took him out to what we know today as the intersection of I-10 West and Loop 610 on Post Oak Road, what was then six miles from downtown Houston but still in the city limits. Around dawn, his battered body was discovered hanging from a bridge. Some witnesses alleged that the police stood by and watched him hang. *** FOR FAR too long, the burden of remembering has lain with the communities directly impacted by racial terror. Blacklock-Sloan leads a tour group to notable African-American historic sites multiple times a year and noted that on her most recent trip to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, some were unable to get out of the bus, they were so moved by lynching's violent history; for many on the trip, racial terror lynching was not a historical phenomenon but an all-too real part of their family's history. The legacy of racial terror lynching lives on not just with them but also with the black men who live every day of their lives knowing all too well how it feels to be a black body in public space, gunned down for wearing a hoodie like Trayvon Martin or carrying a cellphone like Stephon Clark, justifications not too far off from the reasons men like Bert Smith were lynched not even 100 years ago. If to be black in public is to be fearful, to still not be free, as Christina Sharpe says in her book "In the Wake: On Blackness and Being," "in the wake of the unfinished project of emancipation," then a monument is necessary here in Houston to publicly reckon with this reality. We can valorize the lived experience of the mourning and fear that lives in the bodies of black folks and still recognize that this knowledge can be unbearably lonely. THIS KNOWLEDGE: Lynching memorial draws 100,000 visitors in first 3 months Monuments and memorials relieve the individual of the burden of remembrance. Architectural historian Alberto Perez-Gomez has written about the concept of a "memory theater," a place capable of embodying truths that make it possible to affirm life and conceptualize a better future. Erecting a memorial to the victims of racial terror in the public domain implicates the role the public played in supporting the systems that reinforced racial terror and calls upon all who view it to reckon with that past and take up the mantle of restorative justice. The structure itself is a physical act of witness and provides a site for continued witness and commemoration to take place. The question then becomes: What would a memory theater for the victims of racial terror look like in Houston? And where would it go? The beauty of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice lies in its capaciousness. The open-air pavilion allows air and light into an experience that is otherwise dark. It breathes life into its viewers, reminding us that even though the past might have been repressive and violent, we have lived to remember those who were killed, and we will go on living. Go on striving for something better. Urban Land Institute As for my two cents, I propose putting Harris County's memorial marker at Bethel Church Park in the Fourth Ward. The historic Fourth Ward already serves as a destination for those seeking out Houston's history, as the site of Freedmen's Town and the Rutherford B. H. Yates Museum and would bring the marker the visibility it needs. The site is less than 10 blocks from the corner of Andrews and Genesee streets, where Robert Powell was harassed by police in the encounter that would lead to his death. Most importantly, Bethel Church Park invites us into a consecrated space of resilience. Freed slaves founded the church in the 1890s, and after the building was devastated by a fire in 2005, the City of Houston purchased the property and transmogrified it into an indoor/outdoor park with church-pew-style seating and stained glass windows that depict the church's history. The black church has long been a place of witness and collective burden-sharing. The memorial would provide site-specific thought into what it means to be destroyed, to be burned, to live again. Irene Vazquez is a sophomore at Yale University. She is pursuing an Ethnicity, Race, and Migration and English double major and serves as creative director of WORD: Performance Poetry at Yale as well as a staff writer for Broad Recognition, Yale's premier feminist publication. This article originally appeared on OffCite, a publication of the Rice Design Alliance, the community engagement program of Rice Architecture. Get the Gray Matters newsletter. Go on striving for something better. \Military 3D Printing Market\ Military 3D Printing Market Report Information by Offering (Printer, Material, Software, Service), Application (Functional Part Manufacturing, Tooling, Prototyping), Platform (Airborne, Land, Naval, Space), Process, Technology, & RegionForecast till 2023 Market Highlights: Military 3D Printing Industry 2018 Global Market research report provide detailed analysis of growth factors of the Military 3D Printing industry as well as it gives analysis of market share, trends, size, Business Methodologies, Financial Overview, Growth Prospects and forecast till 2023. The Military 3D printing industry report has studied key Strategies in the market i.e Emerging and Manipulating factor which is useful to the Sales revenue and business Generation. 3D printing is the process of building three-dimensional objects based on a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) digital model. It is used to create aircraft parts that are lightweight and reduce the raw material consumption.. It covers various technologies such as binder jetting and digital light processing. Additive manufacturing is the broader term that includes 3D-printing, material extrusion, and sheet lamination. However, in the industry the two terms are used interchangeably. Technology advancement in additive manufacturing would require highly accurate 3D printing technology. Significant investments have been made on the development of 3D printing technology, which would lead to rapid growth of the market during the forecast period. However, primary restraints of the military 3D printing market are the high cost of 3D printing parts and lack of standard process control. Request a Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6276 Major Key Players The key players in the global military 3D printing market are Stratasys (U.S.), 3D Systems Corporation (U.S.), The Exone Company (U.S.), EOS GmbH (Germany), Arcam AB (Sweden), Norsk Titanium AS (U.S.), American Elements (U.S.), Cimetrix Solutions (Canada), Artec Europe (Luxembourg), 3T RPD (U.K), Optomec Inc. (Mexico), Initial (France), Markforged (U.S.), Smg3D (U.K), and Engineering & Manufacturing Services (U.S.). The increasing need for advanced 3D printing technologies and development of portable printers will offer new growth opportunities to the market players. The factors responsible for market growth are increasing investments by defense entities, reduction in manufacturing cost of parts, and high demand for lightweight parts and components in the defense industry. Several contracts have been signed to bolster the growth of the market. In 2017, Stratasys Ltd signed a contract with Airbus to produce 3D printed polymer parts for A350 XWB aircraft. In 2015, 3D Systems signed a contract with Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop advanced aerospace and defense 3D printing manufacturing capabilities. Segmentation: The global military 3D printing market has been segmented by offering, application, platform, process, technology, and region. Direct energy deposition is the most widely used type and thus, the segment has the largest market share due to the requirement for printing small-to-medium sized and highly-complex functional parts of defense equipment. On the basis of application, the military 3D printing segment is estimated to witness the largest demand during the forecast period, owing to the high adoption of 3D printing technology to develop complex parts with minimum wastage. On the basis of platform, the airborne segment is estimated to witness the largest demand during the forecast period, owing to the increasing usage of 3D printing technology to develop lightweight and durable components of aircraft and drones. Regional Analysis On the basis of region, the market is segmented into North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. North America is expected to dominate the market in the coming years, due to the increasing applicability of 3D printing technology in various industries. Asia-Pacific follows North America in the global military 3D printing market and is estimated to trail North America during the forecast period due to the increased military spending in countries such as India and China. The global military 3D printing market is estimated to witness a CAGR of 28%, from 2018 to 2023. Browse Complete Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/military-3d-printing-market-6276 The report for Global Military 3D Printing Market of Market Research Future comprises extensive primary research, along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts and key opinion leaders; it helps the reader gain a deeper insight into the market and industry performance. The report gives a clear picture of the current market scenario, including historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macroeconomic and governing factors in the market. The report provides detailed information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also contains a broad study of the different market segments and regions. 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Media Contact Company Name: Market Research Future Contact Person: Abhishek Sawant Email: Send Email Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Address:Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar City: Pune State: Maharashtra Country: India Website: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/military-3d-printing-market-6276 Craig Brooks noted a rare find in his graduate-level science classes at the University of Houston-Clear Lake: Other African-American classmates. The City University of New York graduate earned a spot at UHCL in 2016 through the American Physical Society Bridge Programs common application to a network of 36 partner universities that recruit and mentor students in underrepresented racial and ethnic groups to masters programs. The burgeoning effort appears to be paying off for UHCLs masters physics program, which attracted Brooks with its faculty connections and proximity to NASA, the Lunar Planetary Institute and aerospace contractors. Even when I was in New York while my program was diverse, I think I was the only African-American there were a lot of South Asians and East Asian people in my department, Brooks said. Coming to Clear Lake, I think this is the first time Ive had other African-Americans. Besides myself, theres two other African-American males. So that was interesting. He is currently one of about 25 graduate students in the UHCL program, which he commends for its supportive and welcoming educational environment as well as higher-than-expected diversity levels. Nationally, an average of 67 underrepresented minorities earned doctorates in physics each year from 2013-2015, according to the American Physical Society. About 2,000 PhDs were awarded in the U.S. in 2015 with nearly 45 percent of those going to international students. That hasnt improved much since Physics professor David Garrison, director of graduate programs for the College of Science and Engineering at UHCL, earned his doctorate in 2002. I think there was a total of 13 African Americans graduating with a Ph.D. in physicsout of probably a couple thousand people, he said. I mean it was on the order of 1 percent, maybe And the Hispanic numbers werent much better. Garrison created UHCLs master of physics program in 2004. In 2014, it partnered with APSs Bridge program in to help recruit and retain underrepresented students. Theodore Hodapp, the director of project development and senior adviser to the Department of Education and Diversity for the American Physical Society, cited three main reasons for the underrepresentation of minorities. First, students with low socioeconomic status often fall victim to poor quality schooling that does not prepare them adequately for graduate school. Additionally, minority students are often unable to get the support or the advising they need either in school or at home to prepare themselves for graduate education. Finally, the Graduate Record Exam may be biased against women and minorities, making students unsure of their own capabilities and biasing admissions committees against them. I dont think that the United States can afford to waste good talent, he said. So if were missing individuals who could be contributing to the creativity and resourcefulness of the scientific enterprise, then we all lose out Admissions committees right now are making decisions that are not necessarily reflecting the promise of individuals, theyre reflecting their preparation. The ability to apply a physics masters degree to a path other than a Ph.D. is easier at UHCL, Garrison said, because of UHCLs proximity to Johnson Space Center and Houstons many contractors in tech, engineering and business. Nontraditional students with little interest in a physics Ph.D., Garrison said, have been a part of the masters program since its inception, and include astronauts, astronaut trainers, mission control staff, doctors, aviators, people with business backgrounds, and even a former chemistry professor from a different university. Garrison explained that the surprisingly broad applicability of a physics masters degree lies in the essence of physics itself. Physics is about a thought process more than anything else, he said. A lot of people dont really understand what physics is or what physicists do. But essentially, physicists are people who are trained to solve really, really hard problems, often impossible problems. (A masters degree is) very good training for that how to approach these problems, how to address them, how to solve them, and the people at NASA, theyre expected to solve these impossible problems every day. So theres kind of a natural fit. UHCLs first Bridge student in 2014 was an example of how the Bridge Program successfully connects minority students to the nontraditional career opportunities that UHCL offers. Upon his acceptance, the student, a Miami native who had never been to Texas, reporedly said that if he had known the program existed he would have applied directly. According to Garrison, he went on to work at the Naval Surface Warfare Center near Washington, D.C. When the Bridge program first started, Hodapp was hoping to help 6 to 7 students each year. Now, around 40 students nationwide are accepted per year to the Bridge program, and UHCL takes 4 to 5 of them. Brooks is one of about 8 Bridge students currently at UHCL. While that signals that the Bridge Program is working, Brooks points out that there is still more work to be done. Id like to see more women (in the program), he said. And Id like to see more women of color, particularly black and Latina women There are only two women in this graduate program now. The APS plans to not only continue the Bridge Program for physics, but is also looking to expand to other disciplines that face similar diversity issues, including chemistry, geology, astronomy and material science. The implementation of additional programs, Hodapp said, could be as early as this coming fall. We wanted to make sure that anyone who wants to complete a Ph.D has the opportunity to do that, he said. And this program make(s) that opportunity available to a much broader selection of individuals. alex.park@chron.com Houston police arrested a possible drunken driver who is accused of leading officers on a chase in the Energy Corridor Sunday night. Now Playing: Possibly drunken driver arrested in Energy Corridor Video: Metro Video The driver was eastbound on Interstate 10 when police noticed he might have been drunken and tried to stop him, around 11 p.m. He is often the shorter, well-dressed man in the news pictures and TV broadcasts, frequently appearing to be the least important among local activists who are decrying injustices in the Houston area. And thats the way Johnny Mata likes it. Taking credit is not the style of the 82-year-old director of the Greater Houston Coalition for Justice, even though he is considered an iconic civil rights leader who helped spark significant changes in a city once infamous for police misconduct and unequal treatment of minorities. Mata has always focused on assisting others, and friends say he is reluctant to ask for help or discuss his own challenges. After his many public battles and campaigns, Mata is now facing a private struggle after being diagnosed in June with a rare but curable form of leukemia. Friends, such as activist Carlos Calbillo, refer to Mata as the little guy with the giant heart. What Johnny is good at doing is holding our feet to the fire, and I mean elected elected officials like myself and urge us to make changes, said Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston. Johnny could tell us about people that were impacted by injustices, and it was bringing those stories to life that helped those of us in elected positions to improve public policy, Alvarado said. Hes meant a lot to us in the community. Mata and his fellow activists have brought attention to some of the most intractable problems that face Houston. He has worked since the late 1970s to reform the grand jury system, establish an independent agency to investigate police misconduct, increase the number of black and Hispanic attorneys in the prosecutors office and change county bail practices that favor the wealthy. Hardships filled his early years, growing up on a cotton farm outside the Wharton city limits. He was the youngest of 11 brothers and sisters, orphaned when their mother died when he was 6. Mata, his father and several siblings moved to Houstons Second Ward shortly after her death. He attended school while working as a paperboy, helping out in a tailor shop, and doing chores at a small factory. You name it, I worked anywhere I could, Mata recalled. He didnt finish his formal education until much later, after was drafted into the U.S. Army and served overseas patrolling the borders in Germany during the Cold War era. Mata returned to Houston in his mid-20s and plunged into community activism. He soon headed the Civil Rights Committee for District 8 of the League of United Latin American Citizens, the nations largest and oldest Hispanic service organization. It was that work in the near Northside district, where he said his life took a turn that defined my call, dedicated to coalition building and community enhancement. On May 5, 1977, the Cinco de Mayo holiday celebrated by Mexican-Americans, a young Vietnam veteran named Joe Campos Torres was drinking in an eastside bar when a fight broke out. Houston police arrived and took a resisting Campos into custody, and he was beaten while in handcuffs by a group of six police officers. Jail officials refused to book the battered Torres into a police lockup, saying he needed to go to a hospital. Instead, the officers returned him to Buffalo Bayou near the criminal courts building and threw him off a pier. His body washed up three days later. Mata was among the activists instrumental in mobilizing the Hispanic community for widespread protests over Campos death, and national attention was focused on police brutality in Houston. The outcry forced Houston police to quickly establish an internal affairs unit to investigate excessive use of force and other claims of misconduct. When you serve in the military, we are brothers, we are buddies and look after each other, Mata said. It was very painful two years later after you come home to see such an incident that was racially motivated; he was killed by the same people that were supposed to serve and protect us. The Moody Park Riot the bloodiest protest in modern Houston history erupted in Matas LULAC district on the first anniversary of Torres murder during protests over the lenient punishments given the police officers involved. Those years were very tense, but we were able to build coalitions with other communities, like the African Americans, Mata recalled. All you have to do He was very involved, he was right up front because he is not afraid to tackle and seek justice, says Berta Urteaga, a fellow LULAC member and longtime friend. With Johnny, all you have to do is call him; we say, if you have a problem, call Johnny., Mata also lobbied for better salaries and working conditions for police. They have families and they risk their lives every day for others; we cant paint a group with one brush because some of them are bad officers, Mata notes. Isidro Garza, an engineering consultant with LULAC, said Mata took on working conditions at the Texas City petrochemical complex in the 1970s leading to in a successful effort to boost better salaries and increase minority hiring. With him, we attracted the attention of the higher management and all of a sudden the economic status of many people increased in Texas City and surrounding areas in the south of Houston, Garza says. Among Matas achievements, he co-founded the Latino Learning Center, Inc., a nonprofit serving low income, elderly and the disabled with educational, housing and daycare programs. For decades, Mata had pushed for a change in the selection of grand jury members, arguing that the pick-a-pal method used by judges resulted in jurors who were friendly to law enforcement. In June 2015, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill changed grand jury selection following a series by Houston Chronicle columnist Lisa Falkenberg. The columns, which won a Pulitizer Prize, documented the treatment of witnesses by a grand jury foreman who was also a Houston police officer during a grand jury investigation of the shooting death of a Houston officer. Johnny has been a constant advocate of criminal justice reform, grand jury reform and overall social injustices, said Alvarado, one of the sponsors of the grand jury reform law. He has impacted legislation I have carried in the past including the grand jury reform bill that did away with the pick-a-pal system for grand juries, and now a grand jury is selected at random. Adrian Garcia, former Harris County sheriff and Houston police officer, recalled that Mata was never a strident or impulsive activist when civil rights and law enforcement actions collided. Johnny was always the reasonable mind in the room, said Garcia. Johnny would bring people together, sit down, describe the issue at hand that was always well defined, and methodically worked through the process to create the change that we would all agree to. They worked together, for example, to allow for residents to file complaints about sheriffs office operations from their communities without having to go to the headquarters and deal with a bureaucracy. Credit to others Mata, however, doesnt like to talk about his leadership and accomplishments. He always gives credit to everyone around him for many things that he himself came up with and carried them out, said Garza, his fellow LULAC official. He is selfless. Its not about him ever. Its always about serving other people. Johnny is the ideal person that we would want to emulate. He never complains, or shows pain or asks for help when he needs it, says his friend Berta Urteaga. Mata is receiving chemotherapy treatment, daily going back and forth to the hospital on public transportation and coming home tired, and still showing a dignifying, pleasant attitude. He sits down in a humble couch at home, in front of the shelf that served as the living room centerpiece crowded with books, documents, a diminutive older model TV, and the recognitions that he only shares in private. There isnt much else in the way of material possessions. His activism brought him a richness of the intangible success gained by working for others. It was a deliberate choice, since during his life he has received more lucrative job offers, he said. You know, a lot of people got rich at the expense of others, but I chose this life, and Ive been rewarded many times because its something that really is in your heart, Mata says. Asked about his legacy, he characteristically turns the attention to others. I am so proud of what younger activists are doing; students here and everywhere fighting for their right to be safe, the women marches, the immigration rallies there will be changes in our country that people cannot even imagine when all these groups come together, Mata says. The civil rights leader accepts that we all have to die, but I really havent put much thought into it. I am living through the Lords hands, and I hope he has plans for me to stay a little longer, Mata said. Friends have mobilized to help Mata pay $10,000, his parrt of the medical expenses and created a fundraising account at https://gofundme.com/johnny-mata-civil-rights-hero. olivia.tallet@chron.com Twitter.com/oliviaptallet Arkema attorney Rusty Hardin said Monday the French national company stands "totally behind" two executives indicted last week for the "reckless" release of toxic chemicals during Hurricane Harvey last August. Those two individuals, CEO Richard Rowe and plant manager Leslie Comardelle, on Monday had their initial appearance in Harris County District Court, where bail was set at $20,000 each. EARLY WARNING: Arkema officials told of flood risks a year before Both individuals will continue working for the company despite the charges, and Arkema is paying their legal fees. The company also was indicted by a grand jury Friday. Monday's proceedings focused solely on the two executives, however. The next court hearing is set for Oct. 22. Now Playing: Grand jury indicts Arkema over post-Harvey disaster Video: Fox 26 Houston The Harris County District Attorney's Office on Friday said said the company, Rowe and Comardelle put residents and first responders at risk when the Crosby plant caught fire as Harvey dumped record rainfall on the Houston area. And the grand jury charged Arkema, Rowe and Comardelle with reckless emission of an air contaminant under the Texas Water Code. The charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison for the individuals and a fine of up to $1 million for the corporation. "This is the most outrageous, dumbest, wrong, unfair indictment I've ever encountered in my 43 years of dealing with the criminal justice system," Hardin said, adding that he's "comfortable" that a jury will find the two executives not guilty. HURRICANE HARVEY: A closer look at Houston's biblical floods, only on HoustonChronicle.com The last time a chemical company faced criminal charges for a major incident in Texas was 2005, when an explosion at BP's Texas City refinery killed 15 workers and injured almost 200. BP paid $50 million in fines for the incident, but no one from the company served prison time. Hardin called the charges against Rowe, Comardelle and the company "tremendously unfortunate," especially because Arkema had a hurricane preparedness plan. "No one anywhere in Houston anticipated a storm like this," he added. "This is an indictment that charges the victim, just like everyone else in the community, and I've never seen the victim of a national catastrophe charged with a crime." But federal documents showed Arkema wasn't even prepared for a much smaller flood, despite being partially in a flood plain. The company's emergency plan provided little direction to employees on how to handle major floods, and as a result, it couldn't keep combustible organic peroxides cool. Its main power transformers and backup generators were not high enough off the ground. Neither was its backup liquid nitrogen cooling system. And Arkema's last line of defense failed when water inundated the fuel tanks that power freezer trucks. Over the next week, nine trailers of organic peroxides erupted in flames, sending pillars of fire and thick plumes of black smoke into the air. More than six first-responders were sickened, according to civil suits filed against the company. A federal Chemical Safety Board investigation said Arkema was warned of flood risks a year before Harvey hit by its insurer at the time. Hardin expects the trial to take place early next year. Rowe became the CEO of Arkema's North America division in 2015. He's worked with the company for the last 16 years. Tim Johnson, Rowe's attorney, said Monday that suggesting anybody was reckless during this historic flooding event "is just ridiculous." And Paul Nugent, Comardelle's lawyer, said his client is innocent and that no one committed a crime during this "natural disaster of historic proportions." Comardelle has worked for Arkema more than 25 years. He was part of the ride-out crew that tried to prevent the release. "At the end of the day [Comardelle is a hero, we've indicted a hero for a felony," Hardin said. Rowe "was in Philly running the company, and he can't even get into Houston to try to help until like that Friday or so." Alex Stuckey writes about science and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey. SUTHERLAND SPRINGS Recovering from heart surgery, Paul Buford clutched his still-tender chest as he quietly wept in the Sutherland Springs Historical Museums new memorial gallery. Its still hard to believe it even happened, but here you know that it did, he said, gesturing to the small room of memorabilia. To think something like that, to think it was ... in our community. Its just, unfathomable. Buford, pastor of River Oaks Church, knew almost all the people who died in the November mass shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, which is just 2 miles from his church. He moved his hands to his mouth to stifle the sobs. Another resident entered, taking off his hat as a hard line creased his forehead at the sight before him. Twenty-six framed obituaries, stuffed animals, a quilt and other tributes lined the walls of the room. More for you Relatives of nine killed in Sutherland Springs sue Air Force The mass shooting took 26 lives and wounded 20 other people in First Baptist Churchs worship hall Nov. 5. THE GUNMAN'S WIFE: Danielle Kelley speaks for first time about her husband, Devin Kelley, and the day of the massacre The congregants were having a church service just like any other Sunday when Devin Kelley, 26, arrived with a Ruger AR-556 and opened fire in the church, which is some 35 miles southeast of San Antonio. In such a small town, the ripple effect of those affected by the largest mass shooting in modern Texas history has seemingly no end. The memorial gallery opened Saturday. Its in a former storage space that Tambria Read, chair of the museum, spent three weeks straight this summer taking apart and putting back together for a memorial. I could live anywhere I want to. I love Denton, Id live there. Id live in the Hill Country. But this is home. And how dare somebody do this in my home, Read said Saturday, shaking. There were only two people who died in the shooting that she didnt know. Sparkling painted stars hang at the entrance to the gallery, decorated with flowers and suns, overlaid with words of support. We love you and hope that you find peace, Create your own sunshine and Strength through unity, some of them read. They rotate and swing as people walk inside, showing the names of students who made them, coming from as far as California. The museum also unveiled its new sign Saturday and received an award from the Wilson County Beautification Association for transforming the building from an auto repair shop into the communitys only museum. Read said that in the weeks after the shooting, when media overran the community, she tried to keep the museum as open as possible to bring Sutherland Springs history and culture to the public as well. It used to be a hot springs resort, attracting vacationers from across the country, and had a large concrete pool that was known to be the biggest in the South. Framed news articles from the Wilson County News and the San Antonio Express-News honoring the victims who died hang on the walls of the memorial gallery. Many of the donated items came from a makeshift memorial at U.S. 97 and FM 359 half a block from the church that formed in the days, weeks and months after the tragedy. This is beautiful. This is going to be history here forever, said Val Junior Bayer, a fourth-generation Wilson County resident. The favorite angel of Lou White, grandmother of the gunmans wife who was also killed, stood in a corner, its gold figures poised playing a harp. It was donated by her daughter Michelle Shields, who had received threatening texts from the gunman months before he committed the shooting. The memorabilia pulled Buford, the pastor, back to that day. Unprompted, he spoke of it in the gallery. I had just started preaching when the call came in to the first responder of the church, he said. That call set off a series of events that trauma and adrenaline have obscured and distorted in his memory, leaving it all a messy, painful blur. I mean, Bryan, you could not have asked for a sweeter guy. Always had a smile. And she was always joking, he said of Bryan Holcombe and his wife, Karla Holcombe. The Holcombes lost nine of their own that day. Memories unspooled of Bryan Holcombe arriving at his church with a patch kit to fix a broken water slide, of him and Karla greeting Buford at community gatherings. Thank goodness I have lots of oxygen inside, Buford said, patting his chest. Frank Pomeroy, pastor of First Baptist Church, and his wife, Sherri Pomeroy, glanced inside the memorial. And then withdrew. Im not ready, Sherri Pomeroy said later. They werent in the church the day of the massacre, but their 14-year-old daughter, Annabelle, was. She was killed. You all right, sir? Pomeroy asked as Buford exited the memorial. Yes, Buford said. Pomeroy hugged him. Meanwhile Christina Lilly, a local resident, was just walking into it. She looked up at the floating stars. Faith, hope and stars, she said with a sigh. Theyre miraculous. sfosterfrau@express-news.net | @SilviaElenaFF AUSTIN -- Longshot Democratic gubernatorial challenger Lupe Valdez, pushing hard to close her double-digit gap in polls behind incumbent Republican Greg Abbott, has a new national endorsement: U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Warren, a liberal icon, is a Democrat that conservatives like Abbott love to hate. In a fundraising letter for Valdez, Warren called the former Dallas County sheriff "a new leader emerging who can put Texas back on track." Now Playing: Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren may have hinted at her interest in running for president in 2020. Video: GeoBeats "The daughter of migrant farmworkers, Lupe is ready to fight for all Texans, not just the wealthy few," Warren stated in her message, underscoring the Average Texan theme that Valdez has emphasized in recent weeks. WEIGHING IN: Obama endorses two Texas candidates for Congress "But winning this race won't be easy, especially because Lupe's going up against the incumbent Republican governor's massive war chest, filled with cash from the special interests who spend big to get their way in Austin." Noting that Valdez won four terms as sheriff in Dallas, where Republicans held most local offices for years, Warren insisted that "with our support, Lupe can make history again and be the first Latina and LGBTQ governor of Texas." What does a liberal Massachusetts Democrat have to do with Red State Texas? Though she grew up in Oklahoma, Warren spent several years in Texas teaching law at the University of Texas in Austin. She was reported to have been on a short list to be Hillary Clinton's running mate in 2016 and has been repeatedly mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2020. Science fiction writer William Gibson famously declared in 2003, "The future is already here - it's just not evenly distributed." But after using my watch to buy a bottle of water at a truck stop on the way to Corpus Christi, I can report that the future's ubiquity is a lot more complete. I used the touchless payment system called Apple Pay on an Apple Watch at the Love's Travel Stop in Edna, on U.S. 59 midway between Houston and Corpus. While I use it all the time in town - even on the coffee machines here at the Houston Chronicle HQ - its appearance in this rural context kind of blew my mind. CHIPS: iPhone chipmaker TSMC races to recover after crippling computer virus It also got me thinking. While Apple Pay and other types of mobile payment systems are increasingly common, it's interesting who is not yet using them. Why wouldn't a merchant adopt this technology? Using a smartphone or watch to handle a retail transaction is a great customer experience - fast, simple and secure - regardless of whether you're using Apple Pay or its Android-based competitors Google Pay and Samsung Pay. There's a little learning curve, but once you set it up on your device, it's much faster and safer than using a credit card. These systems employ microprocessors that enable a technology called Near Field Communications, or NFC, in which radio signals communicate with merchants' payment terminals in a secure fashion. Once you register one or more credit cards with the digital wallet on your device, all that's needed is a tap on the terminal and a verification of identity to complete the transaction. With Apple Pay, verification is done either through fingerprints with Touch ID, or with facial recognition (Face ID) on the iPhone X. The chip is also built into the Apple Watch, which is why I was able to pay without even pulling my iPhone out of my pocket in Edna. The verification comes because the Watch has constant contact with my body, which is established when I first put it on and enter a PIN to unlock it. Apple Pay's adoption was slow when it launched in 2014, but it gained momentum as merchants switched over to payment terminals that took cards with built-in security chips. Retailers had to upgrade anyway, and many added terminals that allowed for tap-to-pay systems. MILESTONE: iPhone triumph: Apple cracks trillion-dollar mark During Apple's second-quarter earnings call with analysts last week, CEO Tim Cook said Apple Pay had a record billion-plus transactions during that period. In addition, he said, Apple Pay was coming to two big holdouts - the 7-11 and CVS chains. It will also soon be available in Germany. Why don't more retailers offer it? It's not necessarily more expensive, because Apple takes its reported 0.15 percent cut at the bank level, not from the retailer. Merchants do need to invest in terminals that support it, but many of the chip-reading terminals can handle NFC transactions out of the box. In some cases, big retailers want to develop their own smartphone payment schemes. Walmart, for example, has its own system called Walmart Pay that uses QR codes generated on the phone for making payments. CVS and 7-11 were using a similar system called CurrentC, but that was sold to JP Morgan Chase. "Basically, they don't want to get sucked into Apple's big black hole," said Roger Kay, tech market analyst and co-founder of Endpoint Technologies Association. "Once you're stuck with Apple, well, you're stuck with Apple. You have to do it their way." Kay added that, "in a strictly rational world", merchants should have no issue with it because of lowered costs and the convenience to the customer. TYPING: Apple quietly fixed its sticky MacBook Pro keyboard problem In Houston, two of the largest grocery chains - San Antonio-based H-E-B and Kroger - don't accept Apple Pay. I asked the companies for an interview to explore their reasons but they demurred, sending along prepared statements that generically said they are always evaluating new technologies. H-E-B is the most surprising holdout, because it has terminals prominently displaying the symbol for NFC payments at many of its checkouts. I often look to see if it's working when I check out at my neighborhood H-E-B in Montrose, and express my dismay to the checker. The response I usually get: "Yeah, a lot of people tell us they want it. Maybe someday." H-E-B is testing a self-checkout app called H-E-B Go at two of its stores in San Antonio and one in New Braunfels. It lets users scan the bar codes on products and then pay using a QR code. That may be why the company isn't opting to use Apple Pay, but there's no reason why the two systems couldn't co-exist, should H-E-B roll it out to all its stores. Grocers in the Houston area that support it include Randall's, Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe's. Even some independent grocers, such as 99 Ranch Market on Interstate 10 at Blalock - a giant supermarket that specializes in Asian foods - take it. Kay said the grocery business operates on very slim margins, which might be another reason Kroger and H-E-B are balking. Indeed, Kroger recently announced it would drop support for Visa credit cards in one of its smaller, discount-store chains, citing the cost of transactions, and may expand the ban to all its stores. Love's added support for Apple Pay, Google Pay and other NFC-based systems a year ago in May and recently tweaked terminals to make it more obvious that it's available, said Dave Frankenfield, vice president of marketing at the Oklahoma City-based company. APP FOR THAT: How Apple's app store changed our world It was added as Love's upgraded its pumps and in-store terminals to provider other high-tech support, including an app that lets truckers configure gas pumps from the comfort of their cabs, he said. Drivers of both passenger vehicles and big rigs are using it, he added. "We didn't have high expectations for" Apple Pay, Frankenfield said. "But it has exceeded our expectations." Dwight Silverman is the technology editor for the Houston Chronicle and the grillmaster for the TechBurger tech news site. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. Get more tasty tech news at TechBurger. And follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe to the Chronicle for regular access to TechBurger stories and to be able to comment. Continues Hunt for High Grade Gold with Commencement of RC Drilling Program --------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 1: Proposed Drilling --------------------------------------------------------------------- Prospect Drill Type No of Holes No of Metres Kat Gap RC 12 1,200m Lady Lila RC 5 360m Lady Magdalene RC 5 500m --------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 22 2,060m --------------------------------------------------------------------- Perth, Aug 6, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - WA-focused gold exploration and development company Classic Minerals Limited ( ASX:CLZ ) ("Classic", or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has commenced RC drilling at its Forrestania Gold Project (FGP) in Western Australia.Highlights:- ~2000m of RC drilling underway at Kat Gap, Lady Lila, Lady Magdalene after highly successful campaign in June/July 2018- Assay results expected early September- Extending strike and dip of Kat Gap high grade mineralisation- Targeting additional high-grade cross-cutting lodes at Lady Magdalene- Testing Lady Lila extensions at depth and along strike1. INTRODUCTIONClassic CEO Dean Goodwin said:Following the outstanding results of our last drilling program, including multiple high-grade gold hits at Kat Gap and Lady Magdalene, we are very excited to be heading back to the FGP to undertake an aggressive follow up drill program. As you will see, this drill program is focussed more so on our 100% Kat Gap project which delivered outstanding results during the previous 2 drill campaigns and is shaping up to become a prolific shallow high-grade gold deposit with so much remaining upside potential. We have only tested 140m of 3.5km of potential strike along this granite-greenstone contact and intersected a new zone of mineralisation in the granite.We are also very happy to be continuing the extensional drilling at Lady Magdalene and Lady Lila which remain flagship assets in our FGP portfolio.Over the past 12 months, the Company has been busy gaining a thorough understanding of the local geology and controls on mineralisation. All of the drill programs undertaken at FGP by Classic have yielded high grade gold hits. There is no doubt in my mind that this is a major gold camp containing significant undiscovered resources and we are on the right path to discover and delineate these ore bodies.2. DRILLING PROGRAMFollowing the encouraging results (see ASX announcements dated 24 May 2018 and 15 May 2018 ) from its last programs at Kat Gap, Lady Magdalene and Lady Lila, the Company will be targeting these areas again with additional drilling.The Company plans to undertake the following drilling activities in early August 2018:3. KAT GAP DRILLING - 3.5KM OF HIGH GRADE STRIKE TO TESTKat Gap contains a shallow unmined gold deposit discovered in the 1990s, which was the subject of resource estimations and scoping study by Sons of Gwalia in 2003. High grade RC drill intercepts include 15 m @ 15.1 g/t Au from 39 m depth and 6 m @ 19.1 g/t from 17 m depth. The open-ended deposit lies within a 5 km long geochemical gold anomaly that has seen very little drill testing, and after the previous drill program just completed, Classic sees great potential for the discovery of a substantial shallow high-grade gold deposit within the Kat Gap project area and the upcoming program will be testing for extensions of the high grade system. Recent drill holes FKGRC006 - FKGRC010 (inclusive), FKGRC012, FKGRC013 and FKGRC015 all tested the main contact lode with hole FKGRC008 drilled close to the Proterozoic dyke. Better results from these holes included: 8m @ 19.05 g/t Au from 32m including 4m @ 28.80 g/t Au from 32m in FKGRC008; 12m @ 7.52 g/t Au from 39m including 2m @ 20.20 g/t Au from 48m in FKGRC006; 12m @ 5.39 g/t Au from 30m including 1m @ 20.80 g/t Au from 30m in FKGRC012 and 4m @ 9.53 g/t Au from 70m including 1m @ 26.60 g/t Au from 72m in FKGRC014.As part of the August drilling campaign, Classic has 12 holes planned at Kat Gap for a total of 1,200m - these holes will test a further 100m - 200m extent of the 3.5km contact zone. In addition, the drilling will continue to probe the extent of high-grade mineralisation up against the Proterozoic dyke.4. DRILLING AT LADY MAGDALENE - CHASING ADDITIONAL HIGH-GRADE MINERALISATIONLady Magdalene is a large, modestly graded deposit which appears to host high-grade, cross-cutting gold lodes within existing drill lines that are 100-200m apart (see ASX announcement dated 22 March 2018). Previous diamond and RC drilling (see ASX announcement dated 24 July 2018) successfully confirmed the existence of such lodes and the planned drilling will further test the extent of strike, dip and grade of these high grade cross-cutting lodes. During the most recent drill campaign at Lady Magdalene, Classic drilled 10 RC holes for 938m on two north-south oriented traverses, as opposed to all historical drilling which is east-west, in an attempt to locate east-west striking Lady Ada style high-grade cross-cutting quartz veins. Of the 10 holes completed, 3 intersected quartz veining in a potential east-west orientation. These holes returned high-grade results including: 1m @ 13.40 g/t Au from 64m in MARC058; 1m @ 9.36 g/t Au from 44m in MARC059 and 4m @ 3.90 g/t Au from 46m in MARC056. The 3 new cross-cutting quartz veins initially appear narrow but have the potential to thicken rapidly over short strike lengths similar to Lady Ada.As part of the August drilling campaign, Classic has 5 holes planned at Lady Magdalene for a total of 500m.The upcoming RC drilling program is designed to further delineate the east-west strike extent of the new high-grade quartz veins recently discovered within Lady Magdalene.5. LADY LILA DRILLING - ANOTHER BOUNTY GOLD MINE?Lady Lila is a BIF hosted gold deposit that is similar in geological characteristics to Bounty and Blue Vein (held by KDR) which are prolific, high grade gold deposits in the region. Previous drilling by Classic at Lady Lila confirmed the existence of a thick, steep east dipping ore zone warranting additional follow up. The upcoming drill program (5 RC holes for 360m total) will focus on extending the mineralisation along strike and at depth. Drilling at Lady Lila was historically on 100m - 200m spaced drill lines. Classic's recent drilling at Lady Lila was focused on extending high grade air-core/RC hits on the 6429860N line. Drilling either side of this section, Classic confirmed mineralisation extending both North and South along strike. Importantly, mineralisation remains open at depth and additional follow up drilling will be undertaken immediately to continue to grow this deposit.In May 2018, Five holes (FLLRC001 - FLLRC005 inclusive) for 366m were drilled at Lady Lila with all holes intersecting gold mineralisation. Drill highlights include: 14m at 3.70 g/t Au from 71m including 1m at 13.20 g/t Au from 79m.A cross section of Lady Lila is displayed in Figure 4(see link below). The present gold mineralisation models indicate a steep easterly dip; future drilling will be to test a possible vertical dip, as gold deposits in the area have been known to steepen at depth (e.g., Bounty and Blue Vein (>1M oz Au) held by Kidman Resources).The upcoming drill program (5 RC holes for 360m total) will focus on extending the mineralisation along strike and at depth.6. ABOUT THE FORRESTANIA GOLD PROJECTThe FGP Tenements (excluding Kat Gap and Lady Lila) are registered in the name of Reed Exploration Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of ASX listed Hannans Ltd ( ASX:HNR ). Classic has acquired 80% of the gold rights on the FGP Tenements from a third party, whilst Hannans has maintained its 20% interest in the gold rights. Hannans' 20% interest is free-carried, meaning Hannans is not required to fund any activities on the FGP until a decision to mine has been made. For the avoidance of doubt Classic Ltd owns a 100% interest in non-gold rights on the Kat Gap and Lady Lila Tenements including but not limited to nickel, lithium and other metals.The FGP contains an existing Mineral Resource of 5.3 Mt at 1.39 g/t for 240,000 ounces of gold, classified and reported in accordance with the JORC Code (2012), with a recent Scoping Study (see ASX Announcement released 2nd May 2017) suggesting both the technical and financial viability of the project. The current post-mining Mineral Resource for Lady Ada, Lady Magdalene and Lady Lila is tabulated below (see link below).Additional technical detail on the Mineral Resource estimation is provided, further in the text below (see link below) and in the JORC Table 1 as attached to ASX announcements dated 14th March 2017 and 21st March 2017.To view tables and figures, please visit:About Classic Minerals Limited Classic Minerals Limited (ASX:CLZ) is an exploration and development company focused on gold deposits in Western Australia's famous Goldfields region. In March 2017, Classic acquired the Forrestania Gold Project, with seven tenements stretching across 450km2. Strategically located in a very prospective region, the FGP is an underexplored package surrounded by multimillion ounce deposits such as Bounty (2Moz) and Yilgarn Star (1.5Moz). Seven in 10 respondents across Asia said that their direct managers treat their colleagues from various generations differently. Additionally, communication has been the biggest gripe among age-diverse teams, with almost half of employees finding it difficult to communicate with co-workers who are not from their generation or age group. This may be a cause for concern as currently more than eight in 10 said that they are already working in a multi-generational team with colleagues that share about 10 to 15 years of difference in age. It is also no longer possible to avoid working in an age-diverse workforce in a country with an ageing population, said Jaya Dass, managing director at Randstad Singapore. A multi-generation workforce works best only when people put aside age differences and focus on the determining factors of a future leader such as leadership skills, competency, learnability and ability to influence. If an employees conduct on social media outside of work and outside of work equipment is unacceptable then an employer may still be able to discipline or dismiss an employee, said Kynaston. Again, there has to be some connection to the workplace and some impact on the employer that might be abusive comments that undermine work, that undermine colleagues, that harass or bully. The comments might have an impact on the trust that the employer has on the employee. In those circumstances an employer can have a genuine interest and discipline or dismiss if the conduct is unacceptable. A notable case in New Zealand involved a childcare centre manager who was dismissed for 'liking' a negative Facebook post about her employer. The case highlights the need for having social media policies for employees, on and off the job. Coca-Cola has apologized to an Edmonton family after an unacceptable message was found underneath the cap of one of its drinks. Blake Loates was shocked to find the words YOU RETARD printed inside the cap of a Vitamin Water bottle while out for dinner with her husband Tuesday night. Advertisement We immediately thought You have got to be kidding me, she told the Huffington Post Alberta. We thought it might have been a disgruntled employee or someone in a (bottling) plant playing a joke. Her father, Doug, was equally shocked at the message, considering his younger daughter Fiona has cerebral palsy and autism. Advertisement My dad had taught our family what an awful word the r-word is. So he was really upset about this. Doug, who lives in Washington state, stayed up all night penning a letter to Coke. You see,the R word is considered a swear word in our family. We dont use it. We dont tolerate others using it around us. We ARE over-sensitive but you would be too if you had Fiona for a daughter! Read Doug Loates full letter to Coca-Cola. Story continues below Advertisement Blake says Coke contacted her family Wednesday to explain the bottle cap is part of a contest being held by Vitamin Water where they randomly print one English word and one French word on their caps. We did not mean to offend at all, Shannon Denny, director of brand communications for Coca-Cola Refreshment Canada, told Metro Calgary. We are certainly very apologetic for this oversight. When you look at the same word in English, it takes an offensive connotation, Denny explained. Retard in French translates to late or delayed. Coke told us they reviewed the words before the contest, so were still a bit confused about why, after sitting down and looking at the word list, they would decide to keep it. Its English meaning is offensive and they should have realized that, said Blake. The company, however, is working to make things right. Blake was told Coke plans to suspend the promotion and that all the remaining caps have been destroyed. She was also told Coca-Cola will recall any remaining related products. Our family feels like the Little Engine That Could, said Blake, adding a photo posted to her Facebook page of the bottle cap has gone viral with hundreds of shares and messages of support. Were just really glad were getting a chance to let people know how hurtful the r-word is. Trawling ban did not hurt fishing communities in the Adriatic Sea by NICOLE KRAVEC August 02,2018 | Source: STANFORD CENTER FOR OCEAN SOLUTIONS Fishing bans dont have to hurt fishing communities, according to a new study led by Stanford researchers. The group tracked vessels during a short-lived trawling moratorium in the Adriatic Sea and found that fishers maintained their catch levels by fishing elsewhere. The findings suggest that such bans can protect overfished regions without hurting peoples livelihoods and could influence efforts to protect other sensitive regions. Our findings demonstrate how even in areas where theres intense and complex use, it is possible for different parties to achieve success, said study co-author and Stanford marine biologist Fiorenza Micheli. The findings informed a European Union decision to extend the protection. The study, published in Frontiers in Ecology and Environment, tracked fishing vessels through a common onboard technology, Automatic Identification System, that regularly transmits data as a way of preventing collisions. By tracking the boats, researchers found fishing vessels that complied with a one-year fishing ban maintained their catch levels by moving to other areas. In addition to supporting more permanent protection in the Adriatic, the results hold promise for other highly exploited areas around the world where enforcement is challenging. The Adriatic Sea hosts a large fraction of all recorded Mediterranean marine species. Because of its richness, the sea has long been exploited and suffers from habitat damage. In particular, the intensely exploited Jabuka-Pomo area in the central Adriatic serves as an important breeding ground for a number of commercially valuable species like European hake and Norway lobster. To protect these resources, Italy and Croatia enacted a one-year ban in the area against trawling the sea floor with large nets. The ban, enacted in 2015, came after decades of scientific investigation. At the time, the fishing industry voiced concerns about potential lost income from not being able to access their traditional fishing grounds. Based on the groups findings that the ban did not hurt yields, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean Sea and the European Union extended the closure for an additional three years. Pending evaluation of the bans benefits, it may be extended further. The decision to extend protection was a significant step forward, but the challenge remains where conservation and socioeconomic goals conflict, said lead author Robin Elahi, a postdoctoral fellow. The study found that some of the displaced fishing affected other sensitive habitats a downside that Elahi and Micheli plan to examine more closely in upcoming research. The group said its approach could be used to observe fishing behavior around other marine protected areas and to track whether the bans force fishers into other sensitive ecosystems. It could even serve as a deterrent to violating fishing restrictions. If we want to continue to catch fish, we have to create places where there is no fishing, said Micheli. Were protecting the seas ability to heal itself and ensuring our own economic health in the process both in the short and long term. Stanford University. Stanford, California 94305 Theme(s): Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods. Ecological apocalypse, or billions sinking in Baikal, Volga and Moscow River August 05,2018 | Source: The CrimeRussia In July, an environmental forum Soobschestvo (Community) was held in Tula, organized by the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation. The topic of the forum was Nature and society: How to achieve harmony. The event passed almost unnoticed in the mass media, while in fact, during the forum, it was found out how huge the gap between environmentalists and public officials is: The first ones are more advanced in environmental matters than those who are obliged to resolve socio-environmental conflicts with budgetary money and not only. The almost total absence of any kind of legislators was touching: neither the federal deputies nor the regional deputies reached the forum. The complete prevalence of representatives of the executive authorities, who complained that our law is no good, the enforcement is not good, the supervisor is engaged in something incomprehensible, i.e, the pants of the lieutenant Rzhevsky are permanently crapped by some kind of anonymous villain. But the new Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology, Dmitry Kobylkin formed a new department in the structure of the ministry for the preserved near-shore territories and Lake Baikal immediately after his appointment, as his deputy Ivan Valentik stated proudly. Apparently, after this Baikal has started blooming, for the first time in history, a participant of the forum, Moscow social activist Daria Mitina commented. So, according to the data of ex-minister of ecology and natural resources (1991-1996), Viktor Danilov-Danilyan, 16 cubic meters (1 cubic meter = 1 billion tons) of polluted sewage are discharged only through the pipes. And not through the pipes? Adequate monitoring is not available, but, according to the same ex-minister, 90% is non-point (diffuse) pollution. The paradox is that the money that companies pay for the negative impact on nature is purely symbolic because that law regulating the size of these payments was adopted in December 1991. And now about Baikal, 60% of the coast of which is overgrown with Spirogyra, algae dangerous for the pond. Environmentalists have been beating the alarm for years on the fact that its pollution is becoming catastrophic. Now, because of the excess of nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, the lake has bloomed. This is due to discharges of untreated wastewater and the use of detergents containing phosphates. More than 60% of the polluted runoff is from the housing and utilities sector. Deteriorated sewage treatment plants do not save the situation the unique lake is dying. Is there a way out? Ex-Minister Viktor Danilov-Danilyan, in particular, offers to sell detergents with a content of no more than 1-2% of phosphorus in the Baikal area. It is known, for example, that producers of imported products, such as BASF, Rhone-Poulenc, and others, sell us products containing 17-18% of phosphorus, and they produce phosphorus-free detergents for themselves, that is, without phosphorus. He estimated that with the purchase of free products, the difference in budget financing will amount to several million rubles, but nevertheless, it will be much cheaper than saving the waters of Lake Baikal from chemistry. With such an offer, Danilov-Danilyan appealed to Sergei Ivanov, the Authorized Representative of the President for Environmental Protection, to which he received a notification that the letter has been sent to the Ministry of Natural Resources. A month later an answer came from the Ministry of Natural Resources, It is not up to us, write to the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. And the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, after months of silence, said that the problem will be solved within the framework of the Customs Union, but Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, which are part of the CU, object. That's all. Few people know, but it turns out that there is a federal program Protection of Lake Baikal. In the period of 2012-2020, it is planned to allocate almost 26 billion rubles ($410mln) for this program. More than ten billion has already been allocated. The effect is not even zero, but the reverse: apparently, the allocated funds literally go to the deepest bottom of the planet, where they are lost. Meanwhile, the Baikal has become shallow to a critical level: the drought in the basin continues for several years, but the restrictions on the drainage of water remain at the level of Soviet calculations and amount to no less than 1.3 thousand cubic meters per minute. The functioning of coastal enterprises is designed for a certain amount of water, and it does not bother their leadership, as well as power engineers that such draining can no longer be considered a norm. Exactly one year ago, during a working trip to the Far East, Vladimir Putin instructed the Prosecutor General's Office to investigate illegal and environmentally harmful activities on Lake Baikal and identify those responsible for the pollution of the unique lake. Also, the president ordered to pay special attention to the effectiveness and priorities of spending and by March 2018 to adjust the boundaries of the water protection zone of Lake Baikal. On August 31, 2017, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office even sent a commission to Baikal to inspect objects that have a negative impact on the Baikal natural territory, as reported by the official representative of the department Aleksandr Kurennoy. And already in November last year, the prosecutor's check issued impressive figures. However, June 28 this year at the departmental board in Irkutsk deputy prosecutor of the Russian Federation Aleksandr Buksman said that the Prosecutor General's Office in conjunction with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Rosprirodnadzor ('Federal Service for the Oversight of Nature') intend to equate the discharge of hazardous wastewater into the Baikal to the location of waste. It is necessary to prepare regulatory proposals that equate the discharge of hazardous wastewater into the reservoir to the disposal of waste. Licensing this activity is necessary, Interfax quotes Buksman, who, among other things, stressed that the Prosecutor General's Office should initiate criminal cases upon the discharge of waste into Baikal. It is interesting, what did the specialized departments do in the past years in general and a year after the presidential commission in particular? How long will it take them to equate the discharge of wastewater to the disposal of waste, while these same runoffs will safely complete their journey in the bowels of Lake Baikal? And then, how can a criminal case brought against a polluter clean a pond? One thing is clear: Russia is losing the unique lake at a cosmic pace. Its water turns into green slime, and the blooming is already noticeable from the orbit: the pictures of the ScanEx confirm that it spreads in the thickness of the open waters as well. 2009-2018 Crime Russia Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. Notice of Meeting for Finsure Transaction Perth, Aug 6, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Goldfields Money Limited ( ASX:GMY ) ("Goldfields Money" or the "Company") refers to its previous announcements regarding the Finsure Transaction.The Board of Goldfields Money has today approved the Notice of Meeting in relation to a meeting of shareholders to be held at 235 St Georges Terrace, Perth at 11am on Friday, 7 September 2018 to consider the Finsure Transaction.It is anticipated that the Notice of Meeting (which incorporates an explanatory statement and an independent expert's report) will be dispatched to shareholders on or before 8 August 2018.A copy of the Notice of Meeting is attached. All information the Board considers is required by Goldfields Money shareholders to allow them to make an informed decision in respect of the Finsure Transaction is contained in the Notice of Meeting. The Board recommends that Goldfields Money shareholders read the Notice of Meeting and accompanying documents in full.The table below shows the currently anticipated transaction timetable. The remaining conditions to completion of the Finsure Transaction are set out in the Notice of Meeting.Release of Notice of Meeting: 6 August 2018Shareholder meeting: 7 September 2018Completion: 14 September 2018If you require assistance, you can call the Goldfields Money Shareholder information line on 1300 308 375 (within Australia) or +61 8 6314 6314 (outside Australia) at anytime between 9:00am and 5:00pm (AWST) on Monday to Friday.Goldfields Money's financial adviser is Azure Capital and its legal adviser is Lavan.Finsure's financial adviser is Aura Capital and its legal adviser is Ashurst.WHO IS FINSURE?Established in 2011, Finsure Holding Pty Ltd ("Finsure") had set out to build a competitive and holistic offering for mortgage brokers in Australia with the aim to become a dominant player in the industry. Since inception, Finsure has positioned itself as a leader in the market in offering a diverse lending panel, flexible commission models, lead generation and mortgage broker support services. Through the acquisition of LoanKit in 2013 and a growing brand presence in the marketplace, Finsure has become one of the fastest growing aggregation business in the industry. Finsure was also recently named Aggregator of the Year for 2017 at the Australian Mortgage Awards.At the very core of the Finsure business ethos is the desire to provide the strongest value proposition to all partners and clients. It is this principle that underpins who Finsure is as an organisation, and why they are able to provide the maximum value to those who align with us. As at 31 March 2018, Finsure has a network in excess of 1,400 loan writers across Australia, and a historical book of ~$31.8 billion.To view the Investor Presentation, please visit:To view the Notice of Meeting and Explanatory Memorandum, please visit:About Goldfields Money Ltd Goldfields Money (ASX:GMY) is Australia's new revolutionary digital bank, distributing first class products through a largely branchless distribution network. A bank without the bank. This digital banking platform is built on the recently implemented mobile first, world class core banking system provided by Temenos and our proprietary mortgage distribution software "Loankit". Goldfields is ASX listed (ASX:GMY) with two key divisions: Banking (operates under "Goldfields Money" and "Better Choice" brands) - an APRA regulated bank that offers deposit and loan products that are funded either on-balance sheet or off-balance sheet through a range of third party lenders. Our deposits are all guaranteed by the Australian Government Deposit Guarantee for up to $250,000 per customer. We are the new approach to banking in Australia, we're honest, with transparent bank practices and a straightforward approach to you and your money. It's all yours, honestly. Mortgage Aggregation (operates under "Finsure" and "Loankit" brands) - an ASIC regulated mortgage aggregation and software technology platform with over 1,475 loan writers as of 31 August 2018. Finsure puts brokers first and is a leader in the market in offering a diverse lending panel, flexible commission models, training, lead generation, proprietary SaaS and mortgage broker support services. Finsure was also recently named Aggregator of the Year for 2017 at the Australian Mortgage Awards. You can read more about us at www.goldfieldsmoney.com.au and www.finsure.com.au. Imperial Valley News Center Departments of Justice and Labor Formalize New Partnership to Protect U.S. Workers From Discrimination and Combat Visa Abuse Washington, DC - Tuesday, the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division and the Department of Labor (DOL) expanded their collaboration to better protect U.S. workers from discrimination by employers that prefer to hire temporary visa workers over qualified U.S. workers. This new partnership, memorialized in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), establishes protocols for the agencies to share information, refer matters between them, and train each others employees, with the goal of better protecting U.S. workers. This partnership will enhance the Civil Rights Divisions efforts to stop companies from discriminating against U.S. workers and assist the Department of Labors Employment and Training Administration in identifying noncompliance with its foreign labor certification process. In 2017, the Civil Rights Division launched the Protecting U.S. Workers Initiative, which is aimed at targeting, investigating, and taking enforcement measures against companies that discriminate against U.S. workers in favor of foreign visa workers. Under this Initiative, the Civil Rights Division has opened dozens of investigations; filed one lawsuit; and reached settlement agreements with three employers. Since the Initiatives inception, employers have agreed to pay or distributed over $285,000 in back pay to affected U.S. workers. The Employment and Training Administration has assisted the Divisions efforts under this Initiative and todays partnership expands and formalizes that relationship. The Civil Rights Division has also increased its collaboration with other federal agencies, including the Departments of State and Homeland Security, to combat discrimination and abuse by employers improperly using temporary visa workers. Todays MOU expands on the Divisions existing partnership with DOL. In 2017, the Division entered into a similar ongoing partnership with DOLs Wage and Hour Division to combat discrimination and violations of other federal worker protection laws by facilitating the agencies information sharing. Employers should hire workers based on their skills, experience, and authorization to work; not based on discriminatory preferences that violate the law, said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Civil Rights Division. Our partnership with DOL, formalized today, significantly enhances the Civil Rights Divisions ability to identify employers that favor temporary visa holders over U.S. workers who can do the job. Streamlining the process for information sharing between the Department of Labor and the Department of Justice will help protect U.S. workers from unlawful discrimination, said Rosemary Lahasky, Deputy Assistant Secretary for DOLs Employment and Training Administration. This partnership will help ensure U.S. workers are prioritized to fill jobs. The Employment and Training Administrations Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has statutory and regulatory authority to certify employers seeking certain employment-based visas, including H-2A and H-2B visas. These visa programs require employers to first seek and hire available U.S. workers before hiring visa workers. The Civil Rights Divisions Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Among other things, the statute prohibits citizenship status and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; retaliation; and intimidation. An employer that prefers to hire temporary visa workers over available, qualified U.S. workers may be discriminating in violation of this law. For more information about protections against employment discrimination under immigration laws, call IERs worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); call IERs employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); sign up for a free webinar; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (link sends e-mail); or visit IERs English and Spanish websites. Applicants or employees who believe they were subjected to retaliation; different documentary requirements based on their citizenship, immigration status or national origin; or discrimination based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin in hiring, firing, or recruitment or referral for a fee, can file a charge or contact IERs worker hotline for assistance. Imperial Valley News Center Wells Fargo Agrees to Pay $2.09 Billion Penalty for Allegedly Misrepresenting Quality of Loans Used in Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities Washington, DC - The Justice Department announced Wednesday that Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and several of its affiliates (Wells Fargo) will pay a civil penalty of $2.09 billion under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) based on the banks alleged origination and sale of residential mortgage loans that it knew contained misstated income information and did not meet the quality that Wells Fargo represented. Investors, including federally insured financial institutions, suffered billions of dollars in losses from investing in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) containing loans originated by Wells Fargo. This settlement holds Wells Fargo accountable for actions that contributed to the financial crisis, said Acting Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio. It sends a strong message that the Department is committed to protecting the nations economy and financial markets against fraud. Abuses in the mortgage-backed securities industry led to a financial crisis that devastated millions of Americans, said Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California, Alex G. Tse. Todays agreement holds Wells Fargo responsible for originating and selling tens of thousands of loans that were packaged into securities and subsequently defaulted. Our office is steadfast in pursuing those who engage in wrongful conduct that hurts the public. FIRREA authorizes the federal government to seek civil penalties against financial institutions that violate various predicate criminal offenses, including wire and mail fraud. The United States alleged that, in 2005, Wells Fargo began an initiative to double its production of subprime and Alt-A loans. As part of that initative, Wells Fargo loosened its requirements for originating stated income loans loans where a borrower simply states his or her income without providing any supporting income documentation. To evaluate the integrity of its increasing volume of stated income loans, Wells Fargo subjected a sample of these loans to 4506-T testing. A 4506-T form is a government document signed by the borrower during the loan approval process that allows the lender to obtain the borrowers tax transcripts from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 4506-T testing involves comparing the tax transcripts of the borrower with the income stated on the loan application. Wells Fargo implemented 4506-T testing on two of its programs. This testing revealed that more than 70% of the loans that Wells Fargo sampled had an unacceptable variance (greater than 20% discrepancy between the borrowers stated income and the income information reflected in the borrowers most recent tax returns filed with the IRS), and the average variance was approximately 65%. After receiving these results, Wells Fargo conducted further internal testing. This additional testing, performed by quality assurance analysts, was designed to determine if plausible explanations existed for the unacceptable variances over 20%. This additional step revealed that nearly half of the stated income loans that Wells Fargo tested had both an unacceptable variance and the absence of a plausible explanation for that variance. The results of Wells Fargos 4506-T testing were disclosed in internal monthly reports, which were widely distributed among Wells Fargo employees. One Wells Fargo employee in risk management observed that the 4506-T results are astounding yet instead of reacting in a way consistent with what is being reported WF [Wells Fargo] is expanding stated [income loan] programs in all business lines. The United States alleged that, despite its knowledge that a substantial portion of its stated income loans contained misstated income, Wells Fargo failed to disclose this information, and instead reported to investors false debt-to-income ratios in connection with the loans it sold. Wells Fargo also allegedly heralded its fraud controls while failing to disclose the income discrepancies its controls had identified. The United States further alleged that Wells Fargo took steps to insulate itself from the risks of its stated income loans, by screening out many of these loans from its own loan portfolio held for investment and by limiting its liability to third parties for the accuracy of its stated income loans. Wells Fargo sold at least 73,539 stated income loans that were included in RMBS between 2005 to 2007, and nearly half of those loans have defaulted, resulting in billions of dollars in losses to investors. The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Divisions Commercial Litigation Branch and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California, with investigative support from the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General. The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only, and there has been no admission of liability. Imperial Valley News Center Business Executive Arrested on Foreign Bribery Charges in Connection With Venezuela Bribery Scheme Miami, Florida - A dual U.S.-Venezuelan citizen who controlled multiple companies was arrested Tuesday on foreign bribery charges for conspiring to make, and making, corrupt payments to an official of Venezuelas state-owned and state-controlled energy company, Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), in exchange for favorable business treatment with PDVSA. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick of the Southern District of Texas and Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston Field Office made the announcement. Jose Manuel Gonzalez Testino (Gonzalez), 48, was arrested at Miami International Airport, on an arrest warrant based on a criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Texas that was unsealed yesterday. He made his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lauren F. Louis of the Southern District of Florida. Gonzalez is charged with conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and paying bribes to a foreign official in violation of the FCPA. According to the criminal complaint, Gonzalez and a co-conspirator paid at least $629,000 in bribes to a former PDVSA official in exchange for the official taking steps to (1) direct PDVSA contracts to Gonzalezs companies, (2) give Gonzalezs companies priority over other vendors to receive payments, and (3) award Gonzalezs companies PDVSA contracts in U.S. dollars instead of Venezuelan bolivars. The charges contained in the complaint are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. With the arrest of Gonzalez, the Justice Department has announced charges against 17 individuals, 12 of whom have pleaded guilty, as part of a larger, ongoing investigation by the U.S. government into bribery at PDVSA. HSI in Houston is conducting the ongoing investigation with assistance from HSI in Boston and Miami. Trial Attorneys Sarah E. Edwards and Jeremy R. Sanders of the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys John P. Pearson and Robert S. Johnson of the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristine Rollison of the Southern District of Texas is handling the forfeiture aspects of the case. The Criminal Divisions Office of International Affairs also provided assistance. Imperial Valley News Center New York Man Charged With Theft of General Electric Trade Secrets New York - Xiaoqing Zheng, 55, of Niskayuna, New York, was arrested Wednesday in connection with a criminal complaint charging him with stealing trade secrets belonging to General Electric (GE). The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Grant C. Jaquith for the Northern District of New York, and, Acting Special Agent in Charge Charles Margiotta of the FBIs Albany Division. The criminal complaint alleges that on or about July 5, Zheng, an engineer employed by General Electric, used an elaborate and sophisticated means to remove electronic files containing GEs trade secrets involving its turbine technologies. Specifically, Zheng is alleged to have used steganography to hide data files belonging to GE into an innocuous looking digital picture of a sunset, and then to have e-mailed the digital picture, which contained the stolen GE data files, to Zhengs e-mail account. The defendant appeared today in federal court in Albany, New York, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel and was ordered detained without bail pending a hearing scheduled for August 2, at 1:30 p.m. The charge filed against Zheng carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted of any offense, the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The charge in the complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. This case is being investigated by the FBI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss of the Northern District of New York, and Trial Attorneys Jason McCullough and Matt Chang of the National Security Divisions Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. Carpentaria's Managing Director, Quentin Hill (right) and Hawsons Technical Director Ray Koenig at the company's Hawsons Iron Project, Broken Hill Brisbane, Aug 6, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - In a major advance for Broken Hill's next new mine, emerging iron producer Carpentaria Resources Limited ( ASX:CAP ) announced today an agreement with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Mitsui) ( OTCMKTS:MITSY ) to drive development of its flagship Hawsons Iron Project (Hawsons).Highlights- Blue-chip Japanese trading house Mitsui & Co., Ltd. secures off-take from Carpentaria's Hawsons Iron Project in 2 stage financing package- Mitsui to obtain an option of securing off-take by contributing A$5.4m to Hawsons bankable feasibility study, which cost is estimated to be A$27.0m- Mitsui to exercise the option and to secure 2 million tonnes per annum of Hawsons Supergrade(R) product off-take for 20 years by contributing US$60 million to Hawsons construction funding- Deal significantly reduces the project's funding risk and is expected to accelerate discussions with other potential off-takers and funding partiesUnder the agreement, the blue-chip Japanese trading house will contribute A$5.4 million towards the cost of the project's bankable feasibility study (BFS) for an option over 2 Mtpa of Hawsons Supergrade(R) product off-take.Significantly, the BFS funding A$5.4 million provided is non-dilutive to shareholders and is equivalent to 20% of the estimated BFS funding requirements.This off-take will be secured by Mitsui subject to Mitsui's option exercise with a US$60 million (at current exchange rates, A$81 million) contribution to the debt funding package for the construction of a new magnetite mine just 60km south-west of "the Silver City."CAP's Managing Director, Quentin Hill, said Mitsui's financing provided a major vote of confidence in Hawsons as the world's leading high-quality iron ore concentrate/pellet feed project."We are delighted to welcome Mitsui to the project, given its status as one of the largest international investors in Australia's resources industry, including major iron ore developments. This investment confirms Hawsons' position as the world's leading undeveloped high quality iron ore project and supports our view that the Hawsons can satisfy the demand from customers in the high quality, high-value and high-growth iron ore markets of direct reduction iron (DRI) and pellet feed," Mr Hill said."Importantly, the financing reduces the project's financing risk and enhances its bankability, combining binding investment grade off-take with funding support. This model is highly beneficial to CAP shareholders, as it avoids dilution, addresses key project delivery risks and adds significant value to the project. We have a clear plan for development that is on track and we will continue to pursue non dilutive arrangments where possible."We now expect our current discussions with blue-chip off-takers and fund managers to accelerate ahead of securing the remaining BFS funding and develop Hawsons into a major new mine. "The Hawsons BFS is targeted to be completed within the next 12-15 months.Deal summary- Binding A$5.4m payment to the Hawsons joint venture directed to BFS works, available once the balance of BFS funding is secured by the joint venture- Mitsui gains option to secure 2.0 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of Hawsons Supergrade(R) pellet feed off-take for a 20-year period and exclusivity to sell the pellet feed product in Japan- Product price to be in line with market practice at the time, which today is consistent with CAP's pricing formula in its PFS and based on the 65% Fe index, plus additional value for extra iron units and then adjusted for chemical and physical properties, which are subject to negotiation (refer ASX announcement 28 July 2017)- Option exercise condition is for Mitsui to commit a US$60m mezzanine debt facility for Hawsons construction following the BFSMr Hill said: "CAP has previously secured 120% demand for Hawsons' initial planned production of 10 Mtpa from steelmakers and trading houses across Asia and the Middle East. Mitsui is the first-mover with a funding commitment, and the additional competition for the product is expected to drive development, raising the stakes for those seeking to secure Hawsons off-take."Today's announcement demonstrates that Hawsons is capable of winning international investment. From our successful PFS announced last year, to our recent award of Major Project Status by the Federal Government, and the recent appointment of a highly-credentialled resources industry Director, CAP and Hawsons are building significant momentum towards development."This is another well planned step in our off-take led strategy that exploits the global long term flight to high quality iron ore. For Broken Hill, the new investment and creation of jobs would be a real boost this heritage-listed mining city, and we look forward to securing additonal strategic partners," he added.About Mitsui & Co., Ltd.Founded in 1947, Tokyo-based Mitsui & Co., Ltd. is one of the world's most diversified trading, investment and services enterprises. The company is a leading exporter of natural resources and agricultural commodities from Australia, accounting for around $8 billion in total exports annually as the nation's fourth largest exporter.In the past decade, Mitsui group companies have invested around $15 billion in Australia, backed by its network of 137 offices in 66 countries/regions.For more information on Mitsui & Co. (Australia), see: http://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/SY7BWC0T About Hawsons Iron ProjectThe Hawsons joint venture (CAP 68.69%, Pure Metals Pty Ltd 31.31%) is currently undertaking development studies based on the low cost, long-term supply of a high grade, ultra-low impurity iron concentrate to a growing premium iron market, including the direct reduction (DR) market.The project has a clear technical and permitting pathway. It is located 60km south-west of Broken Hill, an ideal position for mining operations with existing power, port, rail and road infrastructure sufficient for a 10 Mtpa start-up operation. A mining lease application has been lodged with the NSW Government.The project's soft rock is different from traditional hard rock magnetite and allows a very different approach to the typical magnetite mining and processing challenges (both technical and cost-related). The soft rock enables simple liberation of a product of rare quality without complex and expensive processing methods.The Company is targeting the growing premium high-grade product market, both pellets and pellet feed, which is separate to the bulk fines market and its prefeasibility study has shown its targeted cost structure is very profitable at consensus long-term price forecasts for this sector.CAP has secured off-take intent from blue-chip companies comprising Taiwan's Formosa Plastics; China's Shagang Steel; Japan's Mitsubishi Corporation RtM; Bahrain Steel, Emirates Steel and Kuwait Steel from the Middle East; and trading house Gunvor Group.In April 2018, the Hawsons was awarded Major Project Status by the Federal Government, one of only 14 projects nationwide to receive such recognition, in a move expected to expedite regulatory approvals and increase investor confidence.To view figures, please visit:About Carpentaria Resources Ltd Carpentaria Resources Ltd (ASX:CAP) is focussed on delivering the best quality iron concentrates into the growing premium end of the iron ore market. The Company aims to build a long term, low cost premium quality iron ore business from the development of its flagship asset, the Hawsons Iron Project, utilising existing infrastructure. Imperial Valley News Center Forecasting model could predict which bills get passed West Lafayette, Indiana - When the United States pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord last year, 20 statesincluding New York and Californiaresolved to form a new, nonfederal agreement to address climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. According to Purdue University professor of political science Eric Waltenburg, many meaningful policy decisions such as this take place at the state level but are largely ignored by the public. He is collaborating with Dan Goldwasser, assistant professor of computer science, to help people better understand the impact of decisions made at the state level. Together they lead a project focused on developing a forecasting model to predict state legislator voting behavior. If our project works like Im hoping it does, it will open up the policy-making process and people will have a better sense as to what legislative outcomes may be, Waltenburg said. It would demystify the state legislative process for the public. State legislatures are assemblies of elected members who vote on laws and policy for their state. In a roll call vote, each legislators name is called, and they must indicate on record whether they are for or against a particular piece of legislation. Using public sources such as Twitter, political blogs, newspaper accounts and historical roll-call data from the past decade, computer scientists working with Waltenburg will use machine learning techniques to predict which way a legislator may vote on a particular bill. What were trying to do is identify key forces I refer to them as revealed preferences among legislators and use those preferences to predict outcomes, Waltenburg said. We have huge amounts of historical roll-call data at the state level, and with that data were able to produce relational matrices for how each legislator votes in relation to every other member of the legislature. Ultimately, they aim to produce a website where people could go to predict the outcome of a particular piece of legislation. Goldwasser added that the impact of decisions made at the state level are more significant than people think, despite the fact that they will not get the same coverage as those made at the national level. Were really hoping that this would be a public service that allows people to hold their representatives accountable and at least make more informed decisions when they go to the polls, Goldwasser said. By the end of the summer, their project will have expanded beyond the state of Indiana to Oregon and Wisconsin, where they will test their forecasting model on the lower-level chambers of those states. Ultimately, they would like to transform their model from static to dynamic, bringing in real-time data from Twitter and other online sources so that the model can adapt the relational matrix as the revealed preferences come in. One of the questions we are asking is, how can we use online resources such as Twitter or news coverage to dynamically update the model that we have about those preferences? Goldwasser said. When how a state legislator is going to behave is not explicitly mentioned, we can learn to infer their behavior. The team has a static model for the Indiana House but would ultimately like to develop a forecasting model for all states and their chambers. Their project was one of eight selected by the Purdues Integrative Data Science Initiative to be funded for a two-year period. The initiative will encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and build on Purdues strengths to position the university as a leader in data science research and focus on one of four areas: health care; defense; ethics, society and policy; and fundamentals, methods, and algorithms. The research thrusts of the Integrative Data Science Initiative is hosted by Purdues Discovery Park. Although the idea of predicting legislative votes is a pretty conventional political science topic, Dans expertise allows us to develop a forecasting model that goes well beyond where most political scientists have gotten, said Waltenburg. The project we are working on is a great example of how Purdues resources and faculty help each other implement ideas and collaborate across campus and disciplines. About Discovery Park Discovery Park is an open laboratory for interdisciplinary collaboration focused on global challenges. Its mission is to accelerate world-changing interdisciplinary research, enrich transformative education and advance the translation of innovation to commercialization activities of faculty, students and staff. Attorney General Becerra Secures Victories In Two Legal Challenges to Californias Gun Safety Laws Sacramento, California - California Attorney General Xavier Becerra Friday issued the following statement after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected challenges to California's Gun-Free School Zone Act in Gallinger v. Becerra, and California's Unsafe Handgun Act in Pena v. Lindley. "The Court ruled in favor of protecting our children, our law enforcement, and our public safety, said Attorney General Becerra. California will continue to lead and remains committed to protecting its residents and reducing gun violence. In Pena v. Lindley, the Ninth Circuit rejected a Second Amendment and equal protection challenge to Californias Unsafe Handgun Act. The Act requires handguns sold in the State to come equipped with basic safety features. The plaintiffs challenged the requirements that certain new handgun models must include a chamber load indicator and a magazine detachment mechanism. These features are designed to limit accidental discharges that occur when someone mistakenly believes that there are no more rounds in a guns chamber. Plaintiffs also challenged the microstamping requirement, which is intended to help solve crimes by providing law enforcement with identifying information about the handgun used at a crime scene. In Gallinger v. Becerra, the Ninth Circuit similarly rejected an equal protection challenge to a portion of Californias Gun-Free School Zone Act. Under the Act, individuals who obtain a concealed-carry weapon license may not carry loaded firearms onto school properties. The Act, however, does permit specified retired peace officersand specified others, including current peace officersto carry loaded firearms onto school properties. The Ninth Circuit ruled that it was reasonable for the Legislature to conclude that allowing retired peace officers to carry weapons on school premises promoted those officers safety and that of the general public. Two-Hour Border Patrol Chase Ends near San Diego Ocotillo, California - U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Border Patrol Station arrested a man who led agents on a two-hour chase Tuesday night. The incident occurred at approximately 7:45 p.m. on Highway S2, north of Ocotillo. Border Patrol agents assigned roving patrol, encountered a white Dodge Magnum parked on the side of the highway. Agents approached the driver of the vehicle to conduct an immigration inspection, and observed two passengers in the back seat lying down. Before contact was made, the driver sped off and drove north on S2. Agents attempted to perform a vehicle stop, but the driver failed to yield to the agents lights and sirens. Additional agents responded to assist. A few minutes into the pursuit, the Dodge slowed abruptly causing the lead pursuit vehicle to swerve to the side of the road. The Dodge, then rammed into the side of the Border Patrol vehicle, forcing it to the shoulder of the road. The pursuit continued as the Dodge stopped and pulled alongside another Border Patrol vehicle. Again, the suspect rammed into that Border Patrol vehicle, this time causing it to crash into a berm, disabling it. The welfare of the agent who was forced off the road was checked, and the pursuit continued north on Highway S2. Shortly after, agents witnessed the vehicle stop on the side of the highway as two individuals exited and ran into the desert. Because of the dangerous elements involved, the pursuit was terminated, while assistance from other Border Patrol stations was requested. Agents from San Diego sector acquired the location of the vehicle traveling on Highway 78 towards Ramona. After following the vehicle to Highway 67 and west on Highway 8, agents attempted another vehicle stop. The Dodge did not yield. The driver then traveled on Highway 125 and southbound on Highway 805 toward Mexico. Agents performed a successful pursuit interdiction technique (PIT maneuver), and the pursuit came to a safe conclusion at Telegraph Canyon Road in Chula Vista. The driver, a 28-year-old United States citizen, was taken into custody and will be charged with assault against a federal agent and alien smuggling. The two female passengers, both citizens of Mexico, were taken into custody and will serve as material witnesses in the smuggling case. Border Patrol agents everywhere face dangers like this every day, said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David S. Kim. As we witnessed, this smuggler had no regard for the people he was smuggling, or for the agents pursuing him. New Guide Prepares Juvenile Offenders for Reentry Washington, DC - The Office of Justice Programs Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention today released Reentry Starts Here: A Guide for Youth in Long-Term Juvenile Corrections and Treatment Programs, a toolkit to help youth prepare for return to their communities after confinement. The publication covers steps youth can take to plan for reentry while they are in confinement, and steps they can take to overcome common barriers to reentry once back in their community, including how to request a school transfer, apply for housing, gain employment, and seek support services. This is a way to empower youth to advocate for themselves while also preparing for their lives post-release, said OJJDP Administrator Caren Harp. This guide helps them visualize their own success, to think through what steps they need to take to get their lives back on track and become productive members of their communities. The guide was specifically designed to be practical, and easily understood by detained youth, their families, and those assisting youth transition back into society, such as probation officers, counselors, and mentors. In short, the guide is meant to set incarcerated youth up for success before they are released, while also reducing the chances they will reoffend. The guide is available at https://www.ojjdp.gov/pubs/251193.pdf The Office of Justice Programs, headed by Acting Assistant Attorney General Laura L. Rogers, provides federal leadership in developing the nations capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice and assist victims. OJP has six bureaus and offices: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking (SMART). Three Members of Notorious International Cybercrime Group Fin7 In Custody for Role in Attacking Over 100 U.S. companies Seattle, Washington - Three high-ranking members of a sophisticated international cybercrime group operating out of Eastern Europe have been arrested and are currently in custody facing charges filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes for the Western District of Washington and Special Agent in Charge Jay S. Tabb Jr. of the FBI Seattle Field Office. According to three federal indictments unsealed today, Ukrainian nationals Dmytro Fedorov, 44, Fedir Hladyr, 33, and Andrii Kolpakov, 30, are members of a prolific hacking group widely known as FIN7 (also referred to as the Carbanak Group and the Navigator Group, among other names). Since at least 2015, FIN7 members engaged in a highly sophisticated malware campaign targeting more than 100 U.S. companies, predominantly in the restaurant, gaming, and hospitality industries. As set forth in indictments, FIN7 hacked into thousands of computer systems and stole millions of customer credit and debit card numbers, which the group used or sold for profit. In the United States alone, FIN7 successfully breached the computer networks of companies in 47 states and the District of Columbia, stealing more than 15 million customer card records from over 6,500 individual point-of-sale terminals at more than 3,600 separate business locations. Additional intrusions occurred abroad, including in the United Kingdom, Australia, and France. Companies that have publicly disclosed hacks attributable to FIN7 include such familiar chains as Chipotle Mexican Grill, Chilis, Arbys, Red Robin and Jasons Deli. Additionally in Western Washington, FIN7 targeted other local businesses. The three Ukrainian nationals indicted today allegedly were part of a prolific hacking group that targeted American companies and citizens by stealing valuable consumer data, including personal credit card information, that they then sold on the Darknet, said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. Because hackers are committed to finding new ways to harm the American public and our economy, the Department of Justice remains steadfast in its commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to identify, interdict, and prosecute those responsible for these threats. Protecting consumers and companies who use the internet to conduct business both large chains and small mom and pop stores -- is a top priority for all of us in the Department of Justice, said U.S. Attorney Hayes. Cyber criminals who believe that they can hide in faraway countries and operate from behind keyboards without getting caught are just plain wrong. We will continue our longstanding work with partners around the world to ensure cyber criminals are identified and held to account for the harm that they do both to our pocketbooks and our ability to rely on the cyber networks we use. The naming of these FIN7 leaders marks a major step towards dismantling this sophisticated criminal enterprise, said Special Agent in Charge Tabb. As the lead federal agency for cyber-attack investigations, the FBI will continue to work with its law enforcement partners worldwide to pursue the members of this devious group, and hold them accountable for stealing from American businesses and individuals. Each of the three FIN7 conspirators is charged with 26 felony counts alleging conspiracy, wire fraud, computer hacking, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft. In January 2018, at the request of U.S. officials, foreign authorities separately arrested Ukrainian Fedir Hladyr and a second FIN7 member, Dmytro Fedorov. Hladyr was arrested in Dresden, Germany, and is currently detained in Seattle pending trial. Hladyr allegedly served as FIN7s systems administrator who, among other things, maintained servers and communication channels used by the organization and held a managerial role by delegating tasks and by providing instruction to other members of the scheme. Hladyrs trial is currently scheduled for Oct. 22. Fedorov, a high-level hacker and manager who allegedly supervised other hackers tasked with breaching the security of victims computer systems, was arrested in Bielsko-Biala, Poland. Fedorov remains detained in Poland pending his extradition to the United States. In late June 2018, foreign authorities arrested a third FIN7 member, Ukrainian Andrii Kolpakov in Lepe, Spain. Kolpakov, also alleged to be a supervisor of a group of hackers, remains detained in Spain pending the United States request for extradition. According to the indictments, FIN7, through its dozens of members, launched numerous waves of malicious cyberattacks on numerous businesses operating in the United States and abroad. FIN7 carefully crafted email messages that would appear legitimate to a business employee, and accompanied emails with telephone calls intended to further legitimize the email. Once an attached file was opened and activated, FIN7 would use an adapted version of the notorious Carbanak malware in addition to an arsenal of other tools to ultimately access and steal payment card data for the business customers. Since 2015, FIN7 sold the data in online underground marketplaces. (Supplemental document How FIN7 Attacked and Stole Data explains the scheme in greater detail.) FIN7 used a front company, Combi Security, purportedly headquartered in Russia and Israel, to provide a guise of legitimacy and to recruit hackers to join the criminal enterprise. Combi Securitys website indicated that it provided a number of security services such as penetration testing. Ironically, the sham companys website listed multiple U.S. victims among its purported clients. The charges in the indictments are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The indictments are the result of an investigation conducted by the Seattle Cyber Task Force of the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Washington, with the assistance of the Justice Departments Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Office of International Affairs, the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance, numerous computer security firms and financial institutions, FBI offices across the nation and globe, as well as numerous international agencies. Arrests overseas were executed in Poland by the Shadow Hunters from CBSP (Polish Central Bureau of Investigation); in Germany by the LKA Sachsen - Dezernat 33, (German State Criminal Police Office) and the Polizeidirektion Dresden (Dresden Police); and in Spain the Grupo de Seguridad Logica within the Unidad de Investigacion Technologica of the Cuerpo Nacional de Policia (Spanish National Police).. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francis Franze-Nakamura and Steven Masada of the Western District of Washington with assistance from Trial Attorney Anthony Teelucksingh of the Justice Departments Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section. Staying Chill, Even When Disaster Strikes Gaithersburg, Maryland - When most people prepare for a hurricane, they buy food and water. But when scientist Amanda Moors sees one of those big, red, pinwheel-shaped storms appear on the weather map, she buys liquid nitrogen. Moors spends a lot of time thinking about failure. Not career failure or experiment failure, but equipment failure. And thats where the liquid nitrogen comes in. Because if a hurricane hits her lab and theres a power outage, a lot of the biological and environmental specimens archived there could be lost if she and her colleagues dont adequately fill up the liquid nitrogen freezers and make sure the backup generators are ready. The best thing for us to do is to have a plan in place for evacuation and be prepared enough to know whats going to happen and what to do to keep our samples safe and our freezers maintained, says Moors, a scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) who works at the Hollings Marine Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina. The specimens she and her colleagues maintain in the labs special specimen bank (often referred to by the more technical term biorepository) are incredibly rare, perhaps almost irreplaceable. There are bits of marine mammal and sea turtle tissue, mussels and oysters, and eggs from sea birds and peregrine falcons collected from several time points from the late 20th century through today. There are dolphin samples collected after the Deepwater Horizon Gulf of Mexico oil spill of 2010, and human liver tissue from EPA studies in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Many of these specimens are already being actively used to investigate changes in pollutants, among other things. By studying what was in the blubber of a whale back in the 1980s, for example, and comparing it to whats in the same kind of whale blubber now, researchers can assess if environmental changes across long time periods have impacted these creatures. In this way, the bank provides snapshots of what was happening under the ocean or inside humans during different periods of time. And as technology evolves and better analytical methods are developed, those snapshots of the past can be re-examined and used as reference points to reveal new insights. Without a doubt, Moors loves the location of this place. When asked, shell tell you how the buildings are nestled near historic Fort Johnson, an important site in both the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War. The Morris Island Lighthouse no longer blinks on and off, to warn boaters and ship captains about the proximity of James Island and its shallows and swamps, but still stands tall. Huge live oaks draped in Spanish moss are home to owls and ospreys, and azaleas bloom along the nearby roads each spring. Its a beautiful drive in to work each day, she says with pride. In many ways, the site is also ideal for conducting marine science investigations because of its access to the open ocean. It is convenient to get marine samples into the bank quickly and process them in a short period of time. But that proximity is also one thing that makes the lab vulnerable, especially since this coastal city has been hit by a major storm system about once every two or three years. Being on a peninsula in a hurricane-prone location means the staff is often evacuated, not just from the building itself but from the city. Each time that happens, the people can head for higher ground, but the samples must stay behind. Specimens arrive here from any number of collection points. In some cases, a specimen is gathered from a stranded animal on the beach, and the tissue is carefully prepared for freezing. In other cases, samples are the byproducts of a harvest from villages in the Arctic that depend upon subsistence food for nourishment. There are also samples voluntarily submitted by humans for previous environmental studies. Importantly, no animals were killed for the sake of filling the bank. Everything here was gathered under strict federal collection guidelines, permitting regulations and protocols involving species protection. NIST Biorepository The processing of samples is done with extreme care. Once the specimens enter the building, they are brought to the first of three certified clean room laboratories, where all researchers who enter must don hooded, protective, particle-free suits over their street clothes; protective booties over their shoes; and safety goggles over their eyes so that they dont contaminate the sample. Utmost care is also taken to ensure that no one working in the lab is exposed to potentially diseased or bacteria-laden tissues. HEPA filters and special HVAC systems keep dust particles out and make the air oxygen-rich, too. In this first room, any samples that havent already been put into the correct long-term storage container (i.e. plastic, polytetrafluoroethylene, glass) are addressed and labelled properly. In an adjoining clean room, an assortment of long-term storage units awaits. There are 26 liquid nitrogen vapor-phase freezers with a temperature of -150 C (-238 F), six -80 C (-112 F) mechanical freezers, and two vapor-phase freezers that can be set to wide-range, user-defined temperatures anywhere between -50 C (-58 F) and -150 C (-238 F). People often ask if we get cold working in there, Moors says. But the room itself is set to always be a steady 23.6 C (74.5 F). The samples are instead kept cold through cryogenic means; giant metal tubs that look like brewers kegs use the power of liquid or vaporized nitrogen to maintain a steady, frozen state for important specimens. When the tubs lids are lifted, white clouds of gas puff out dramatically. The samples could be damaged if any part of the system goes down in the lab building and temperatures in the storage areas change. Consistent supplies of nitrogen are a must to keep the system going, and Moors says theyve learned over the years that as soon as they know the city is in the path of a storm they should immediately check supplies and consider ordering a refill. Delivery can be tricky to schedule. Although fighting evacuation traffic to get to the lab with a tank or two is not always easy for suppliers, the lab likes to plan arrival so that they can get as much time as possible on the back end of a storm, in case theres a loss of power. The team also works with their own facility manager to ensure that the backup generators are ready to kick on and run for as long as needed. Moors and other staff members must remain tethered to their smartphones even when off-campus, much like medical doctors on call. If the conditions in the clean rooms or storage freezers fluctuate outside of alarm set points, the system calls a preselected phone list until someone answers, prompting them with a recording that asks: What do you want to do about this problem? If possible, an employee must then come to the facility to see what is causing the trouble. This is true during long holiday weekends and even during those times that the government has shut down. And sometimes, even on bright sunny days with good weather when the system senses something is not working up to par. It has happened at every hour of the day you can imagine, Moors says. New Years Eve you might get a phone call. 2 a.m. 4 a.m. Anytime. When a hurricane sends them fleeing, they hope their backup system will perform as designed and stay cool even if the power grid goes down. The entire system is designed to keep specimens safe for weeks, and so far, it has performed as designed. The field of emergency planning really came alive after Hurricane Katrina, says Zisis Kozlakidis, president of the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER). The level of devastation was so significant. Before that, even in the best practices there werent specific sections devoted to it. There are now. Kozlakidis and ISBER highly recommend that anyone running a repository develop a backup plan like the one that Moors and the team at the Hollings Marine Lab have implemented. No matter how big or small and no matter what the collection methods might have been, the chances of power outage or other kinds of failure are very big. We realize that as the biobanks grow bigger, the investments in getting the samples becomes a lot larger so there needs to be a concerted effort to protect them. Technically, there is no definition of what makes a repository, although ISBER soon hopes to have one. For five years, members of ISBER and other organizations have been hard at work on an ISO standard that will help to formalize the term and guide people with appropriate best practices for running such a facility. The resulting ISBER Best Practices are now freely available online to the benefit of the entire scientific community. Gathering together professionals such as Moors for discussions and to develop best practices has been key. This past May, she led a workshop at the groups annual meeting on collection methods, for example. One thing that most in the field have agreed upon is that a biorepository need not be an ultracold storage unit. A dry cabinet filled with seeds can qualify as one, as can a regular freezer with just a few samples in vacuum bags, depending upon research goals. The difference between plain storage facilities and repositories, Kozlakidis explains, is the collection of data related to the samples. And while there is no official registration, count or census regarding repositories, they do seem to be growing in number as more and more people need to work with organic tissues. Precision medicine has put a lot of work on our plates, he says. Although in tight budget times it may be tempting to cut corners on something so seemingly tangential to the actual research as an emergency plan or backup generators, Kozlakidis says he often makes the argument that it is cheaper to prepare for a crisis than it is to replace an entire set of samples or start an entire study over from the beginning after a loss. Despite an increase in big storms, hes gratified to have seen a decrease in incidents of catastrophic specimen loss, something he thinks is a direct result of better planning. Even so, the most experienced people in the field find that they need to keep fine-tuning the process. In 2016 when Hurricane Matthew lashed the South Carolina coast, NIST had not yet finished upgrading the monitoring software associated with its storage areas, causing problems in monitoring capacity. As the fierce storm landed and the staff evacuated, many agonized over not being able to check in on the status of the samples left behind in real time. As it turned out, the liquid nitrogen tanks did their job and were fine, even if no one could follow along remotely via smart phone. The temperatures did not fluctuate. But two lessons were learned from that experience, says Steve Choquette, who runs NISTs large standard reference material (SRM) program: Equipment upgrades should be done on a regular basis, and keeping all the NIST samples in one location can be risky. Choquette is based at NISTs Gaithersburg, Maryland, campus, and understands all too well how important storage equipment is for biological and chemical samples. We protect literally millions of dollars worth of SRMs, so we take it seriously. Youve got people with years of their lives invested in experiments and they depend on those samples, says Choquette. The thought of losing themit makes me sick. In 2017, Choquette worked closely with Rebecca Pugh at NIST Charleston to develop what is known as a splitwhereupon some important samples that had been portioned-off and designated for long-term archival storage were carefully transferred from Charleston to Gaithersburg. The A subsamples were always stored in separate freezers from their duplicate representatives in the B subsample group, Pugh notes. But a true best practice is to split the samples and store them in two geographic locations, she explains. Locating the space and identical storage equipment in Gaithersburg gave us peace of mind, too. An independent cryogenics company was then hired to pick up two liquid nitrogen freezers from the Gaithersburg SRM warehouse and transfer them by truck to Charleston, where staff carefully moved the B group samples into the freezers for transfer back to Maryland. The companys moving team monitored the freezer temperatures and nitrogen fill levels during the trip to make sure they stayed stable. We realized we dont want to put all of our eggs in one basket, says Moors. The next step will be to develop more extensive backup plans for the SRM storage in Gaithersburg. Although to date no emergency has ever made it impossible to get on campus to check on the ultra-important storage facility in a timely manner, needs are changing and demand is growing as new SRMs make it to market. As more biologic [pharmaceuticals] come onto the scene, Choquette says, well need more space and a more robust electrical backup plan. He also notes that the design of the storage space is important. At NIST and most large labs, the drawers used for storage are like giant, room-sized thermoses, and are designed to keep things safe and stable for over two full weeks, even without power. Moors is also quick to point out that many of the things you can do to protect biobank specimens involve no outlay of extra money. They simply involve making a thoughtful plan with fellow scientists, and sticking to it. The NIST Charleston team, for example, conducts a mandatory meeting each year at the start of hurricane season to review their emergency preparedness plan and what they all will do when a storm does arrive. They also realized a while back that fatigue could be an issue for those in charge of babysitting the facility each and every week. Nonchalance could take over, and the temptation to ignore a buzzing alarm in the wee hours of the night could be overpowering. As such, they make sure to rotate staff responsibilities regarding the alarm phone tree list on a frequent basis, meaning no one gets burnout, and no one feels uniquely burdened. Moors and her team were pleased when a freak storm this past winter proved that their plan was working. It is rare to ever get snow at all in South Carolina, so it was a surprise to wake up one morning and find several inches of heavy white stuff blanketing the seaside enclave, and many large branches from those beautiful live oaks falling on power lines and blocking roads. Driving was a challenge, and it took several days to get everyone back to the lab for work. Our specimens were just fine, though, says Moors. To handle big data, shrink it Cambridge, Massachusetts - As anyone whos ever used a spreadsheet can attest, its often convenient to organize data into tables. But in the age of big data, those tables can be enormous, with millions or even hundreds of millions of rows. One way to make big-data analysis computationally practical is to reduce the size of data tables - or matrices, to use the mathematical term - by leaving out a bunch of rows. The trick is that the remaining rows have to be in some sense representative of the ones that were omitted, in order for computations performed on them to yield approximately the right results. At the ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing in June, MIT researchers will present a new algorithm that finds the smallest possible approximation of the original matrix that guarantees reliable computations. For a class of problems important in engineering and machine learning, this is a significant improvement over previous techniques. And for all classes of problems, the algorithm finds the approximation as quickly as possible. In order to determine how well a given row of the condensed matrix represents a row of the original matrix, the algorithm needs to measure the distance between them. But there are different ways to define distance. One common way is so-called Euclidean distance. In Euclidean distance, the differences between the entries at corresponding positions in the two rows are squared and added together, and the distance between rows is the square root of the resulting sum. The intuition is that of the Pythagorean theorem: The square root of the sum of the squares of the lengths of a right triangles legs gives the length of the hypotenuse. Another measure of distance is less common but particularly useful in solving machine-learning and other optimization problems. Its called Manhattan distance, and its simply the sum of the absolute differences between the corresponding entries in the two rows. Inside the norm In fact, both Manhattan distance and Euclidean distance are instances of what statisticians call norms. The Manhattan distance, or 1-norm, is the first root of the sum of differences raised to the first power, and the Euclidean distance, or 2-norm, is the square root of the sum of differences raised to the second power. The 3-norm is the cube root of the sum of differences raised to the third power, and so on to infinity. In their paper, the MIT researchers Richard Peng, a postdoc in applied mathematics, and Michael Cohen, a graduate student in electrical engineering and computer science demonstrate that their algorithm is optimal for condensing matrices under any norm. But according to Peng, The one we really cared about was the 1-norm. In matrix condensation under any norm the first step is to assign each row of the original matrix a weight. A rows weight represents the number of other rows that its similar to, and it determines the likelihood that the row will be included in the condensed matrix. If it is, its values will be multiplied according to its weight. So, for instance, if 10 rows are good stand-ins for each other, but not for any other rows of the matrix, each will have a 10 percent chance of getting into the condensed matrix. If one of them does, its entries will all be multiplied by 10, so that it will reflect the contribution of the other nine rows its standing in for. Although Manhattan distance is in some sense simpler than Euclidean distance, it makes calculating rows weights more difficult. Previously, the best algorithm for condensing matrices under the 1-norm would yield a matrix whose number of rows was proportional to the number of columns of the original matrix raised to the power of 2.5. The best algorithm for condensing matrices under the 2-norm, however, would yield a matrix whose number of rows was proportional to the number of columns of the original matrix times its own logarithm. That means that if the matrix had 100 columns, under the 1-norm, the best possible condensation, before Peng and Cohens work, was a matrix with hundreds of thousands of rows. Under the 2-norm, it was a matrix with a couple of hundred rows. That discrepancy grows as the number of columns increases. Taming recursion Peng and Cohens algorithm condenses matrices under the 1-norm as well as it does under the 2-norm; under the 2-norm, it condenses matrices as well as its predecessors do. Thats because, for the 2-norm, it simply uses the best existing algorithm. For the 1-norm, it uses the same algorithm, but it uses it five or six times. The papers real contribution is to mathematically prove that the 2-norm algorithm will yield reliable results under the 1-norm. As Peng explains, an equation for calculating 1-norm weights has been known for some time. But the funny thing with that definition is that its recursive, he says. So the correct set of weights appears on both the left-hand side and the right-hand side. That is, the weight for a given matrix row call it w is set equal to a mathematical expression that itself includes w. This definition was known to exist, but people in stats didnt know what to do with it, Peng says. They look at it and think, How do I ever compute anything with this? What Peng and Cohen prove is that if you start by setting the w on the right side of the equation equal to 1, then evaluate the expression and plug the answer back into the right-hand w, then do the same thing again, and again, youll quickly converge on a good approximation of the correct value of w. Its highly elegant mathematics, and it gives a significant advance over previous results, says Richard Karp, a professor of computer science at the University of California at Berkeley and a winner of the National Medal of Science and of the Turing Award, the highest honor in computer science. It boils the original problem down to a very simple-to-understand one. I admire the mathematical development that went into it. Former Virginia High School Science Teacher Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison for Producing Child Pornography Washington, DC - A Charlottesville, Virginia man was sentenced Monday to 276 months in prison for production of child pornography, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen of the Western District of Virginia and Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Lechleitner of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. field office. Richard Wellbeloved-Stone, 57, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia to one count of production of child pornography. Senior U.S. District Judge Norman K. Moon presided over the sentencing and ordered him to serve a lifetime of supervised release following his prison sentence. Wellbeloved-Stone, a high school teacher in Charlottesville, was discovered by law enforcement after chatting online with an undercover agent from the United Kingdom about sexually abusing a young child. A search warrant executed at Wellbeloved-Stones home recovered several images of child pornography produced by Wellbeloved-Stone of at least two young minor victims. As a high school science teacher, the defendant held a position of great trust in our society a trust he abused when he produced horrific images of young children, said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. Todays sentence reflects the unwavering commitment of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners to combat child pornography and to hold offenders accountable for their deplorable crimes. This defendant, through his heinous acts, betrayed the trust of the Charlottesville community, said U.S. Attorney Cullen. We are grateful for the hard work of our federal, state, and local law-enforcement partners in bringing him to justice and making our community safer. Child predators are the worst type of criminals, said HSI Special Agent in Charge Lechleitner. They prey on innocent children for their own self-gratification. While we cant undo Wellbeloved-Stones actions, todays sentence ensures he cant victimize anyone else. This case was investigated by HSI Washington, D.C., the Charlottesville Police Department, the Virginia State Police, the Albemarle County Police Department and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Sections (CEOS) High Technology Investigative Unit. This case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Leslie Williams Fisher of the Criminal Divisions CEOS and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy Healey. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. ASEAN Day 2018 Washington, DC - Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo: "On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I am honored to congratulate the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Secretariat on the organizations 51st anniversary on August 8th. For over 40 years, U.S.-ASEAN engagement has helped foster a stable, prosperous, and peaceful Southeast Asia. I welcome ASEANs role as a centerpiece of the Indo-Pacifics regional architecture and its contributions to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. "The United States is proud to support collaborative programs with ASEAN to advance the rules-based order and address shared concerns over the regions most pressing challenges, including maritime security, terrorism, cybersecurity, and other transnational issues. Our U.S.-ASEAN Connect framework is a testament to our commitment to ASEANs economic integration and our cooperation in business, energy, and innovation remains expansive and mutually beneficial. Our ongoing support for the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) and other cultural, academic, and professional exchanges demonstrates the importance of building both local capacity and dynamic, meaningful people-to-people ties. "I congratulate ASEAN once again on its 51st anniversary and anticipate many more years of friendship and collaboration with ASEAN and the peoples of Southeast Asia." Selvaraghavan Posts Photo With Father, Brother; All You Need to Know About Their Next Finniss Lithium Project Diggers and Dealers Presentation Adelaide, Aug 6, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Core Exploration Ltd ( ASX:CXO ) provides the Company's Diggers and Dealers Presentation.Grants Pre-Feasibility Study Highlights- CXO on pathway to low-capex lithium concentrate production near Darwin - targeting late 2019- Development of the high grade (1.5%) Grants deposit only modelled in the PFS- Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) delivers strong financial outcomes:o Capital Cost only $53.5 milliono A$168 million in free cashflow generatedo Low Operating Cost US$279/t concentrate delivers 57% operating profit margino NPV10 of A$140 million (pre-tax)o IRR of 142%o Payback in less than 12 months- Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) expected later this year aiming to include:o Increased resourceso Increased concentrate grade and optimised recoveryo Increased offtake commitmento Increased prepayment (customer) finance- Binding US$20 million prepayment facility and offtake agreement with Yahua and recent non-binding agreement for US$35 million pre-payment and concentrate with Ruifu (announced post-PFS)- Potential to grow Resource base across a number of high grade prospects- Arguably the best logistics chain to Asia and supporting infrastructure of any Australian lithium project, providing significant strategic advantages- Enterprise Value of $24 million offers substantial leverage to Development and ExplorationFinniss Lithium ProjectCore's dominant position in this emerging lithium province- First mover advantage- One of Australia's highest grade lithium resources- Over 100 historic pegmatite occurrences- Large area -500km2 of tenements- Granted Mining Lease over historic pegmatite mine- Widespread high grade spodumene drill intersections at multiple prospects- Existing and new large pegmatite targets to be tested- Easy trucking distance by sealed road to Darwin PortTo view the full presentation, 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. Amazon in the U.K. reportedly gives warehouse workers insufficient time for bathroom breaks. The former CEO of Uber loudly berated one of the company's drivers. In Silicon Valley, 66 percent of senior-level women report being excluded from important networking events because of their gender. Tales of discrimination and disrespect in the workplace are ubiquitous today. Leaders struggle to fix broken cultures, policies, and--in some cases--their own pernicious behavior. While that work is difficult, the guidelines are simple, says Donna Hicks, an associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard. At the heart of every conversation about diversity and empowerment, toxic workplaces, and equitable treatment, lies a single concept dating back to the earliest religious and philosophical writing. It's a word virtually never heard in business settings and one that company leaders find difficult even to define, says Hicks. Her book, Leading With Dignity: How to Create a Culture That Brings Out the Best in People, publishing August 21 from Yale University Press, is filled with lessons that she learned in 25 years working in international conflict resolution. "For a leader to understand what it means to lead with dignity, they first have to recognize that every human being has value and worth," says Hicks. "And that value and worth are vulnerable to being harmed." Some leaders get impatient when employees complain about hurt feelings. But employees' reactions when their mistakes are publicized, their ideas disparaged, or their contributions ignored are very real, says Hicks. Neuroscience shows that the part of the brain illuminated when people experience a violation of their dignity is the same part affected when they experience physical injury. "When you cause people embarrassment or shame it has a significant effect on us physically," says Hicks. "It is not just a psychological it-is-all-in-your-head type of thing." From hundreds of interviews, Hicks identified 10 elements of dignity and what it looks like when leaders honor or violate those elements. Three elements emerged repeatedly during her work with companies. 1. Safety About 80 percent of employees Hicks interviewed are uncomfortable or downright scared to complain to their bosses about ill treatment, she says. It's hardest when the CEO or another high-level leader is at fault. In the worst cases, employees fear that bringing up such behavior may cost them their jobs. More often they're afraid of inciting resentment and tainting relationships that affect both their daily lives and career trajectories. The fear chokes off critical feedback. "Nine times out of 10 the leader is not even aware they're doing it," says Hicks. "Employees have invaluable information that can help you with your own personal development and leadership skills." Leaders must create environments where people feel comfortable reporting--without fear of repercussion--words and deeds that undermine their worth. Leaders should acknowledge employees' concerns and, if appropriate, take corrective action. When the CEO herself is the problem, she should suppress her defense mechanisms and treat the feedback as a growth opportunity. Throughout their conversation, both CEO and employee should prioritize protecting and promoting a strong working relationship. 2. Fairness In hierarchical organizations, employees differ in status. They don't differ in innate worth. Preferential treatment for an individual or group of employees hurts the dignity of those not afforded it. A sense of injustice sows anger and resentment against both the employees favored and the leaders who favor them. Favoritism can be a problem, particularly for entrepreneurial CEOs who often have much closer relationships with early employees than with those hired much later. But such founders also have an opportunity to create--from scratch--an organization whose practices and policies are governed by fairness. "With every policy you are developing, consider: Does this discriminate against one group or another," says Hicks. For example, how will unlimited parental leave affect employees who are left to cover for an absent colleague? How will the company determine who is eligible to work from home? "Just ask the simple question: what effect will the policy have on this group and this group and this group?" says Hicks. "And is that fair?" 3. Acceptance of identity Hand in hand with fairness goes equal treatment and acceptance for all, regardless of race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Hicks points out that some people arrive in new jobs with their dignity already damaged by past bias. Leaders should be sensitive and strive to counteract the effect of those old hurts. Simply hiring a diverse workforce and creating non-discriminatory policies, while necessary, is not sufficient, says Hicks. "Employees must be made to feel free to express their authentic selves without judgment," says Hicks. "The goal is to honor everyone's individuality and to unify the company around that." Sometimes major airlines seem like they're intentionally looking for bad publicity. Consider Jingjing Hu, a cellist and student at DePaul University School of Music. This summer, she had arranged to play at a Florida music festival and so needed to travel there with her cello. The cello is reportedly worth $30,000 so she was understandably reluctant to check it through baggage claim. So she did what musicians who play large instruments have always done, she bought it a seat of its own on the plane, in accordance with American Airlines policy. Her husband, Jay Tang, says in a Facebook post that he purchased the tickets for Hu and her cello back in April, that he bought the tickets directly from the airline and explained to them that she would be carrying a cello. "I was told it is absolutely allowed and she won't have any problem," he writes. And indeed, she didn't have any problems on her flight from Chicago to Miami. But on Friday she was supposed to fly home. She checked in, arrived at the airport with her cello, boarded the plane, settled the cello in its seat, and buckled herself into her own seat. Only then did a flight attendant inform her that she would have to get off because the plane, a 737, was too small for the cello. According to American Airlines representative Alexis Aran Coello, this was an error on the part of gate personnel. They apparently thought the cello was a "bass cello" although there is actually no such thing. (An upright bass is a much larger instrument.) In fact, she should have been allowed to remain on the flight. Instead, she was told that a second plane would be departing one hour later, and she could take that flight. So she got off, but then it turned out that the second flight was also a 737, and she was told she couldn't bring a cello onto that flight either. At that point, airline staff also called the police, "because my wife was 'not being understandable,'" according to Tang's Facebook post. With three police officers surrounding her, he writes that she was told that she had only one option--to buy business class seats for herself and the cello. A quick look at American Airlines' last-minute fares for travel from Miami to Chicago suggests that two business class tickets would have cost somewhere between $900 and $2,500. Tang writes that his wife was told unless she paid for these more expensive seats, she simply could not fly home. "So basically you either have to be rich to purchase the tickets, or just settle in Miami," Aran Coello says she does not know whether anyone said this to Hu, or why they would have. More than 2,000 shares. Tang's post about the situation went viral. It has been shared more than 2,000 times. A hashtag about the incident became the most-searched hashtag on the Weibo, which is sometimes described as China's version of Twitter. Meantime, Tang contacted the news media, and some ran stories about his wife's predicament. A few hours after the original post, American Airlines discovered that it could fly Hu home after all, even if she didn't spend thousands on an upgrade. She would have to wait until a flight the following morning and they would put her up in a Holiday Inn for the night. Hu and her cello are now home safe. American sent a statement to my Inc.com colleague Chris Matyszczyk attempting to explain what happened. It begins: "A passenger on flight 2457 from Miami to Chicago was traveling with her cello. Unfortunately, there was a miscommunication about whether the cello she was traveling with met the requirements to fit onboard the particular aircraft she was flying, a Boeing 737." The airline goes on to say that it rebooked the passenger onto a larger plane the following day and put her up at its own expense. That's fine, so far as it goes. But it leaves some questions unanswered. Another passenger observed that the seats vacated by Hu and her cello were immediately filled by other people, which makes it seem probable that the flight was overbooked. If so, American could likely earn more by replacing Hu and her cello with other passengers and moving her to a different flight. And speaking of earnings, why was Hu apparently told that the only way she could get home was to spend the money on two business class seats? What would have happened to Hu and her cello if the incident hadn't gotten so much media and social media attention? Aran Coello says the decision to rebook Hu and pay for her hotel night was made by gate personnel at the time of the incident. She says they wouldn't have been aware of social media or media attention and in any case the post didn't go viral until Friday afternoon when Hu was already on her way home. On the other hand, Hu's husband says in an update to his post that she was only offered the morning flight and hotel room hours after he posted his account to social media and began contacting local news outlets. Two elderly men had to be picked up by police after sneaking out of their nursing home to attend the world's biggest metal music festival, according to German media reports. Wacken Open Air, which takes place in the northern German town of Wacken, took place over the weekend of 2-4 August. According to public radio broadcast NDR, nursing staff contacted police after they noticed that two of the home's residents were missing. The pair were found at the festival at 3am in a state that police spokesperson Merle Neufeld described as "disoriented and dazed". "They obviously liked the metal festival," she continued. "The care home quickly organised return transport after police picked them up." Artists performing at this year's Wacken Open Air included Judas Priest, Danzig, Red Hot Chili Pipers and In Flames. The festival is notorious for its mud, however this year there were warnings of wildfires and dust storms as the heatwave around Europe continues. As the sun dips below the horizon at Brighton Pride, Britney Spearss signature breathy vocals echo across Preston Park: Its been a while, I know I shouldnt have kept you waiting, but Im here now, she whispers as her third track, Break The Ice, begins to play. But it turns out many of the 57,000 fans who travelled to see Spears perform at the UKs biggest Pride event have been waiting a lot longer than a while to see her. I feel like my entire life has been leading up to this moment, says 23-year-old Martin Wilson. My gay life is finally complete. Martins words are typical of the fans that The Independent speaks with, whove covered their bodies in glitter and put on costumes for this very special occasion. Many express a deep emotional bond with her: I cried when she came out and when she left, says Sean Barter, 26. It was a childhood dream come true and Pride was the perfect place to see her. Theres no denying Spearss status as an LGBT+ icon. Over the course of her career, her LGBT+ fans have shown immense loyalty to her, especially when her personal struggles have made headlines. As strong as her musical contribution has been, to them, her influence transcends music: It sounds cliche but Britney has always given me the strength to push through the bad times in my life, particularly growing up gay in the middle of nowhere, Barter explains. For people such as this writer, who grew up listening to Spearss music on cassette tape, rewinding Oops!... I Did It Again hundreds of times to perfect the dance routine and learn that Titanic-inspired speaking interlude, Brighton Pride is a cherished memory in a special friendship. Seeing her perform at a Pride event feels like an acknowledgement of the support the LGBT+ community has given her. Spearss Piece of Me tour, which she has performed throughout her four-year residency at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas, features 27 of her greatest hits. Considering the sheer volume of hit pop songs in her repertoire, from Baby One More Time to Toxic and Circus, youd be forgiven for forgetting that she is still only 36 and less than two decades into her career. After making stops at Scarborough, London, Manchester and Glasgow, Spears will continue the final leg of the tour in mainland Europe. Britney Spears performs in Las Vegas for last time ending four year residency Particular highlights include the crowd screaming in unison Who is it?! for Britney to respond with Its Britney, bitch, on the intro for Gimme More. Originating from a viral video, this is an in joke that fans now share with her and never fails to generate a laugh from Spears herself, piercing the shows hyper-rehearsed exterior. Before returning for an encore, two of her most screamable songs Stronger and (You Drive Me) Crazy close the set, preceding yet more shrieks during Till the World Ends, the final song of the night. Confetti canons fire and Britney waves a Pride flag. I must confess that a tear or two is rolling down my cheek by this point and Im certainly not the only one. Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up It is Spearss strength and vulnerability in the face of her troubles that most endears her to her fans. She is instantly forgiven for things that would would normally sink other stars, such as her well-known aversion to live singing. Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Show all 20 1 /20 Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Britney Spears performs BCU18/Getty Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show BCU18/Getty Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show (Credit too long, see caption) Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show PA Despite seeming more at home in an era gone by, this performance style is all part of the Britney package. No one goes to her concerts expecting live vocals or much in the way of spontaneity. They want to see the hits even if it means braving the potentially deadly travel conditions of this years Brighton Pride. At times Spears appears slightly robotic and distant, but you cant help but be moved by her performing in front of a record-breaking, supportive crowd when it once seemed as though her life was spiralling out of control. In her own words, shes been Miss American Dream since I was 17. Piece Of Me is a survivor story, an underdog tale, and, for her LGBT+ fans, its a coming out story as well. The decision to give Spears, a cisgendered heterosexual woman, such a central role in a Pride event was always going to generate criticism from some sections of the LGBT+ community. This is understandable given Prides origins as a protest and the debate over what it should be today. Unlike Madonna or Lady Gaga, Spears is not known for making political statements, or even regularly acknowledging her LGBT+ fans. But going to the concert was by no means mandatory for attendees, with a selection of free events across the city for those looking to explore Prides radical political roots. More of an acknowledgement of the occasion from Spears during the show, such as a few words about why she thinks Pride is important, would have been a way ingratiate herself with her doubters. Wherever Spearss career goes next, her glittery performance at Brighton Pride proves that few people can match her cultural impact, or personify the words icon or megastar quite like her. Twenty years on, people still want a piece of Spears. After succeeding when it once seemed like the world wanted her to fail, shell keep her fans dancing till the world ends. After all, its Britney, bitch. Dave Bautista has hit out at Disney following reports it won't be reinstating James Gunn as Guardians of the Galaxy director despite an open letter signed by all of its lead cast supporting the filmmaker. The actor, who has played Drax the Destroyer across three Marvel films including Avengers: Infinity War, was one of the first cast members to speak out against the studio who fired Gunn after offensive tweets he wrote up to a decade ago were unearthed by an alt-right website. Bautista, when asked what he'd do should Gunn fail to be reinstated as director of the forthcoming third Guardians film, said: I will do what I'm legally obligated to do but @Guardians without @JamesGunn is not what I signed up for. GOTG w/o @JamesGunn just isnt GOTG." He added: It's also pretty nauseating to work for someone whod empower a smear campaign by fascists #cybernazis. Thats just how I feel. Walt Disney Studios has faced a huge backlash in the wake of its decision to let Gunn go after an alt-right site unearthed controversial tweets he made joking about paedophilia and rape. Gunn has long been critical of Donald Trump. Recent reports state there are no plans to re-hire him as director. Bosses announced they had - somewhat hypocritically - severed its ties with Gunn as his comments were indefensible and inconsistent with its values. Gunn previously apologised for the ill-judged tweets ahead of his employment by Disney for the first Guardians of the Galaxy back in 2012. Despite this, Disney claims it had no idea they existed and only learned about them when they recirculated. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 Show all 34 1 /34 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 1. Captain America: Civil War Release date: 6 May 2016. Iron Man and Captain America are set to face off in this superhero blockbuster that will feature nearly all the Avengers but wont be an Avengers film. It will also mark the first time Spider-Man will feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Sony having made a deal with Marvel Studios. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 2. X-Men: Apocalypse Release date: 27 May 2016. Following the success of Days of Future Past, Apocalypse will follow the young X-Men team as the battle against Oscar Isaacs titular villain as he gathers his four horsemen; Magneto (Fassbender), Angel (Hardy), Storm (Shipp), and Psylocke (Munn). Expect carnage and no Wolverine. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 3. Suicide Squad Release date: 5 August 2016. The first supervillain film, Suicide Squad is also based in the DCEU (DC Extended Universe, where Batman and Superman live) and will introduce the world to Margot Robbies Harley Quinn and Jared Letos Joker. One of the more exciting upcoming DC films thats for sure. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 4. Doctor Strange Release date: 4 November 2016. Benedict Cumberbatch will debut in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe, where Captain America and Iron Man live) as the Sorcerer Supreme. The film already has an incredible cast, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachael McAdams and Tilda Swinton. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 5. Untitled Lego Batman film Release date: 20 February 2017. Kicking off 2017 is the Lego version of Batman, who will lead his own spin-off, having already featured in the amazing Lego Movie. Will Arnett voices the titular character, while Zach Garfianakis - from the Hangover - will voice The Joker. But will he better than Leto? 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 6. Untitled Wolverine film Release date: 3 March 2017. Having not starred in X-Men: Apocalypse, Wolverine will return to the big screen in a solo film which was recently made R-Rated following the success of Deadpool. It is expected to be Hugh Jackmans last outing as the titular character. Fox 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 7. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Release date: 5 May 2017. Chris Pratt and the crew are returning to space in the sequel to the surprisingly successful Guardians of the Galaxy. According to director James Gunn, the film will not feature Thanos, even though he will to play a major role in phase MCU Phase 3. Cast includes newcomers Kurt Russell and Pom Klementieff, as well as, rumour has it, Sylvester Stallone. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 8. Wonder Woman Release date: 23 June 2017. Gal Gadot is returning to the DCEU in her very own film, marking the first female-led superhero film on this list. Chris Pine is on board to play Wonder Womans love interest. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 9. Untitled Spider-Man reboot Release date: 7 July 2017. Yes, it is another Spider-Man reboot, having previously been redone with Andrew Garfield as the lead. However, this time it is part of the MCU, with Tom Holland as the titular character, and a heavily rumoured cameo by Iron Man could be in the pipeline. We can dream. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 10. Untitled Fox film Release date: 6 October 2017. In a strange announcement, Fox decided to withhold the release of Gambit until a future, as-yet unannounced date, which could be here, or this could be a completely separate project. Many suspect Deadpool 2 could nicely fit here, Fox capitalising on the success of the first film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 11. Thor: Ragnarok Release date: 3 November 2017. Chris Hemsworth will be returning as the Norse God in his third solo MCU film. Flight of the Conchords Taika Waititi is on board to direct, and promises a fun adventure that will likely lead into Marvels next project, Infinity War. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 12. Justice League Part One Release date: 17 November 2017. Hot on the heals of Thor comes Justice League Part One, the first DCEU team-up flick which will see Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg work together to fight bad guys. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 13: Untitled Fox film Release date: 12 January 2018. Kicking off 2018 will likely be the second Deadpool film, but then again, this could very well be another X-Men team-up. Theres also talk of an X-Force film, with Deadpool and other mutants teaming up to fight evil. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 14. Black Panther Release date: 16 February 2018. The first non-white male-led superhero film in the MCU comes in the form of Black Panther, with Chadwick Boseman reprising the titular role, having also starred as the Panther in Civil War. Creeds Ryan Coogler is on to direct what could be a very exciting film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 15. The Flash Release date: 16 March 2018. The Flash will be the first DCEU film since Justice League, and sees Ezra Miller take the lead. Phil Lord and Chris Miller were supposed to pen the film before Disney snapped them up for the Han Solo-film, leaving Seth Grahame-Smith to take charge. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 16. Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 Release date: 4 May 2018. And so, we finally get to the point of all these Infinity Stones! Thanos will be the big bad, with the Avengers needing to team up to defeat their biggest foe yet. It has previously been described as the end of the Avengers as we know it. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 17. Ant-Man and The Wasp Release date: 6 July 2018. Peyton Reed will be back to direct this surprise sequel to one of the better received MCU films. While the name is ridiculous, at least Marvel are finally having a leading female superhero. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 18. Untitled Fox film Release date: 13 July 2018. Again, not much word on this one except it is thought to be X-Men spin-off New Mutants, something Josh Boone has been hit up to write. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 19. Animated Spider-Man Film Release date: 20 July 2018. Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and Amy Pascal - the team behind the live-action Spider-Man films - are producing this unrelated animated adaptation of the hero. Because you can never have too much Spider-Man, right? 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 20. Aquaman Release date: 27 July 2018. Another Justice League spin-off, Jason Momoa plays the leading man. Furious 7s James Wan is on to direct, but little else is known about the film. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 21. Captain Marvel Release date: 8 March 2019. Weve hit 2019, and the first confirmed superhero film will be the first proper female-led MCU film. No-one is confirmed to be in the titular role of Carol Danvers just yet. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 22. Shazam Release date: 5 April 2019. Dwayne Johnson stars as the villain in this DCEU film which will be somewhat separate to the other DC films. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 23. Avengers: Infinity War Part 2. Release date: 3 May 2019. The conclusion to the long drawn MCU saga. Expect a big finish with at least a few planets being destroyed. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 24. Justice League Part Two Release date: 14 June 2019. Soon after the Infinity War story reaches its conclusion, so will the Justice Leagues. Not much is known, except Darkseid will likely be the villain for at least one of the parts. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 25. Inhumans Release date: 12 July 2019. The concept of Inhumans (or Marvels mutants) has already been introduced in TV, through Marvels Agents of Shield, yet the film is expected to introduce the Royal Family who have yet to be seen in the show. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 26. Cyborg Release date: 3 April 2020. Having debuted in Justice League Part One three years previously, Cyborg will finally be making his own outing, with Ray Fisher as the titular character. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 27. Untitled MCU film Release date: 1 May 2020. The first of three untitled Marvel films. There are a couple of contenders, the first is a likely sequel to Spider-Man with Sony, or a third Guardians of the Galaxy film, thus finishing the trilogy. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 28. Green Lantern Corps. Release date: 19 June 2020. Before you start to worry, this has nothing to do with the Ryan Reynolds-starring flick that hit cinemas a little while ago. Instead, this will be another DCEU film that will likely spin-off from Justice League after the Green Lantern Corps cameo in one of the parts. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 29. Untitled MCU film Release date: 10 July 2020. As well as Spider-Man or Guardians of the Galaxy sequels, a Doctor Strange or Black Panther one could fit in nicely here. Or perhaps Black Widow may finally get the solo-film she deserves. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 30. Untitled MCU film Release date: 6 November 2020. Some speculators also think a Blade film could fit in here, marking over 20 years since the first Blade. But many believe the character may be better suited to a Netflix series, as with Daredevil and Jessica Jones. Theres also talk of a Runaways film reaching cinemas at some stage. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 31. Untitled Ben Affleck Batman film Release date: TBA. Now were onto the TBA release dates, the first of which is a Batman solo film, written and directed by Ben Affleck. When this is due, no one is quite sure but expect it sooner rather than later if Batman v Superman is a success. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 32. Suicide Squad 2 Release date: TBA (rumoured 2017). A sequel to Suicide Squad is expected to come in 2017 according to recent reports, but nothing has been confirmed. If the first is successful, it should come as no surprise for Warner Bros to rearrange their schedule to fit in this surefire hit. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 33. Venom Release date: TBA. This is an odd one, as it has been confirmed Sony are wanting to release a Venom film completely unrelated to the upcoming Spider-Man reboot. Venom, as you may know, is a Spider-Man villain, intrinsically linked to Spider-Man, so it seems odd they would release a film unrelated to the rebooted project and not linked to the MCU. 33 Superhero films set for release between 2016 and 2020 Anything else? Well, now you mention it, theres also that sequel to Fantastic Four that has seemingly been dropped by Fox. Plus, theres the Gambit film which has been put on hold (but will likely fill an untitled Fox slot so we havent added it extra). Then again, it could be shoehorned in somehow Marvel His Guardians cast, including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana and Michael Rooker, pledged their full support of Gunn, but Disney is said to be standing its ground. There has been no word on who could replace James Gunn, though many are calling upon Disney to hire a female director in his place. The latest episode of Who Is America? saw the reported appearance of former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio - and it was as controversial as you'd expect. Sacha Baron Cohen introduced a brand new character in the fourth instalment of his comedy series which continues to dupe political figures into performing controversial acts. He welcomed Arpaio onto a chat show hosted by eccentric Finnish YouTuber OMGWhizzBoyOMG during which the Republican Senate candidate - pardoned by Trump in 2017 after being charged for his extreme racial profiling in the US - lectured a toy doughnut on the benefits of guns. Cohen's character - who revealed he bought 43 guns in preparation for the "upcoming race war" - was told by Arpaio that Trump would be a fan of his ideas. The most striking moment, however, came towards the end of the interview when Cohen's character asked Arpaio if he'd accept a blow job from the president to which he replied: "I may have to say yes." Arpaio became aware he was duped by the Borat funnyman following Sarah Palin's realisation. H told The Arizona Republic he believed OMGWhizzBoyOMG to be a famous journalist and sat through it despite the questions "zeroing in on sex." Other disturbing moments in the fourth episode saw conservative activist Shaun McCutcheon transform his office into a "mosque" in a bid to defend himself from potential terrorist harm. A British lingerie brand has launched a new campaign that encourages women to speak about how great their bodies are. Features six advocates who each share their stories about finding body acceptance, the #MyBodyVictory campaign by Curvy Kate celebrates women in all their forms. A photoshoot features plus-size model and actress Hayley Hasselhoff, mother-of-two Chanel Ambrose and blogger and wheelchair user Clara Holmes. Mental health advocate and brain surgery survivor Grace Latter, plus-size fashion blogger Lauren Tallulah, and Be Real Ambassador and creator of She Aspires UK Jenny Okolo also appear. Each of the women have shared their personal body victories in a series of short videos. Hasselhoff says in hers: I feel like I've got a couple different body victories. I feel like it's really always changing for me. Which is just an example of knowing that you're always growing into your body and you're always going to find a new thing to have to overcome and love. Plus-size model and actress Hayley Hasselhoff says she has a number of different body victories (Curvy Kate) The daughter of American actor David Hasselhoff also revealed that she used to dislike her bust because she was big chested at a young age. She said she was previously insecure about a scar on her leg that was caused by an accident. Model and wheelchair user Clara Holmes said: I wanted to be party of #MyBodyVictory because I think its important for women to celebrate their bodies and feel comfortable in the skin their in. I went from being a self-conscious walker, I say that because Im now a wheelchair user, to being quite down about my condition. Jennifer Okolo, Clara Holmes and Chanel Ambrose have all shared their personal body victories (Curvy Kate) I thought enough is enough. Ive spent too many years being miserable and not happy with who I am that I decided that, you know what, life is too short not to be happy with who you are. The campaign has already inspired hundreds of women to use the hashtag by posting it alongside their very own lingerie selfies on Instagram and Twitter. My body is great because it has done some incredible things for me, its got me through the best times, some tough times, its allowed me to run, to grow a child, to become uniquely me. Every curve, every wobble, every mark, its all me! And I wouldnt change it for the world, one wrote. The campaign features mental health advocate and brain surgery survivor Grace Latter (Curvy Kate) Another added: My body victory is surviving cancer. And my boobs still look awesome after all these years. The lingerie firm hopes that the campaign will encourage more women to discuss their bodies in a positive light. Influencers have a personal reach to their followings and we often follow those people we relate to, this is often because of the stories they have shared with us online, Aneela Ashraf, a PR and content executive at the company. She added that it was "all about encouraging everyone to share their body victory, whether it is something monumental or seemingly minor, our stories shape us and can often be empowering to others. The campaign follows in the footsteps of a series of other lingerie brands that also celebrate body diversity. Lingerie retailer Figleaves recently joined forces with MiLK Models for a campaign called #BeautyHasNoBounds that features 12 women who each represent different faces of beauty across age, body shape, ethnicity and disability. Similarly, Rihannas new lingerie line called Savage X Fenty offers a body-positive message through its extensive sizing range. The collection, which is comprised of 90 pieces, sells bras available from a 32A to 44DD, with lingerie, bottoms, and loungewear coming in sizes from XS to 3XL. French master chef Joel Robuchon has died at the age of 73 in Geneva, his spokeswoman has said. The legendary restaurateur died of cancer, according to Le Figaro. Robuchon was the worlds most Michelin-starred chef and ran several gourmet restaurants in cities across the globe, including Paris, Bangkok, Las Vegas and Hong Kong. Robuchon with Wolfgang Puck at the annual Chefs Grand Tasting Dinner (Rex Features) Among his many signature dishes, Robuchon was renowned for his rich and silky mashed potatoes, widely-hailed as the best in the world. However, his pommes puree recipe is far from complicated and is alleged to contain just four ingredients: ratte potatoes, milk, butter and salt. He was named chef of the century by the prestigious Gault et Millau restaurant guide in 1990 and was awarded 32 Michelin stars across his restaurant empire in total. He trained and mentored some of the best-known contemporary chefs, including Michael Caines, Eric Ripert and Gordon Ramsay, with whom he worked in Paris. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph in 2013, Robuchon revealed that Ramsay was the only person he had ever thrown a plate at: I remember it was a dish of langoustine ravioli, he recalled. He hadnt made it properly. I told him so and Gordon reacted in a very arrogant manner. He went on to describe Ramsay as very talented but criticised his difficult attitude. At the end of every service, he used to fling his pan down on the stove and threaten to resign because I was so demanding, he continued. This time, it really got on my nerves and so I threw a plate at him. Ramsay recalls working for Robuchon in his biography, Humble Pie, describing the experience as arduous and likening it to working for the SAS. Born in Poitiers, France, in 1945, Robuchon started working in kitchens at the tender age of 15. Tributes to the chef have flooded in on social media, with fans praising him as the genius of gastronomy. A very sad day for any of us in our industry and for the millions of others who were touched by this amazing man, tweeted US chef and TV host Andrew Zimmern. When I was 23 I almost crapped myself being part of a team cooking him a birthday dinner in NYC. Over the years he was beyond kind to me. RIP Joel Robuchon, added British chef and food writer Gizzie Erskine on Twitter. Have entered into a brilliant Robuchon history hole on the internet and I suggest you do too. So many brilliant dishes that have inspired so many brilliant dishes from other chefs. True talent and visionary. Goldman Sachs is deliberating a plan to hold bitcoin and other digital currencies on behalf of funds betting on cryptocurrency, according to a report. The plan would see the banking giant take its most significant step yet into the nascent world of digital assets, and has resulted in bitcoin analysts predicting positive market movements for the cryptocurrency due to increased investor interest. The crypto fund would reduce risk for investors and could potentially lead to other cryptocurrency-based ventures An inside source revealed the plans to Bloomberg, who said that a timeline for launching the custody fund is yet to be put in place. A spokesperson for Goldman Sachs told the publication: "In response to client interest in various digital products we are exploring how best to serve them in this space. At this point we have not reached a conclusion on the scope of our digital asset offering." Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Satoshi Nakamoto creates the first bitcoin block in 2009 On 3 January, 2009, the genesis block of bitcoin appeared. It came less than a year after the pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto detailed the cryptocurrency in a paper titled 'Bitcoin: A peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System' Reuters Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin is used as a currency for the first time On 22 May, 2010, the first ever real-world bitcoin transaction took place. Lazlo Hanyecz bought two pizzas for 10,000 bitcoins the equivalent of $90 million at today's prices Lazlo Hanyecz Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Silk Road opens for business Bitcoin soon gained notoriety for its use on the dark web. The Silk Road marketplace, established in 2011, was the first of hundreds of sites to offer illegal drugs and services in exchange for bitcoin Screenshot Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures The first bitcoin ATM appears On 29 October, 2013, the first ever bitcoin ATM was installed in a coffee shop in Vancouver, Canada. The machine allowed people to exchange bitcoins for cash Reuters Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures The fall of MtGox The world's biggest bitcoin exchange, MtGox, filed for bankruptcy in February 2014 after losing almost 750,000 of its customers bitcoins. At the time, this was around 7 per cent of all bitcoins and the market inevitably crashed Getty Images Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Would the real Satoshi Nakamoto please stand up In 2015, Australian police raided the home of Craig Wright after the entrepreneur claimed he was Satoshi Nakamoto. He later rescinded the claim Getty Images Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin's big split On 1 August, 2017, an unresolvable dispute within the bitcoin community saw the network split. The fork of bitcoin's underlying blockchain technology spawned a new cryptocurrency: Bitcoin cash Reuters Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin's price sky rockets Towards the end of 2017, the price of bitcoin surged to almost $20,000. This represented a 1,300 per cent increase from its price at the start of the year Reuters Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures What goes up... Bitcoin price crashes spectacularly, losing half of its value in a matter of days Getty Images Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin plunges The cryptocurrency eventually bottoms out below $4,000 in 2019 before slowly rebuilding momentum to outperform more traditional assets Getty Images The Wall Street firm has previously expressed interest in cryptocurrency and was rumoured in May to be setting up a bitcoin trading desk. The venture, first reported by The New York Times, would make Goldman Sachs the first major Wall Street bank to open a cryptocurrency trading desk. Cryptocurrency analyst Matthew Newton, who works for the online trading platform eToro, told The Independent at the time that the news "shouldn't come as a huge surprise to anyone who has been paying attention to cryptocurrencies." (REUTERS (REUTERS) Bitcoin's recently experienced a month-long price rally, which came crashing to a halt at the beginning of August when the cryptocurrency fell by 15 per cent in less than seven days. Having briefly traded above $8,000 at the end of July, a single bitcoin is worth $6,988 at the time of writing. Despite this price drop, experts and analysts are optimistic about bitcoin's future. "Having followed bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for the last year and a half, I came to a realisation that the crypto markets are maturing and are mimicking traditional equity markets in terms of sentiment," Isaac Marks, a cryptocurrency enthusiast and co-founder of blockchain-based recruitment firm Bhired, told The Independent. "All markets are driven by sentiment and the cryptocurrency world is no different. The players are all the same human beings reacting to present and mostly forward-looking price analysis. We think that the prices can potentially reach $10,000 to $12,000 in the near term as bad projects and ICO's are being vetted out, and the crypto community begins to instil trust and confidence by taking self-regulating action." Other analysts were less positive about bitcoin's prospects, with BlockStar CEO Christian Ferri warning that the latest drops may precede even lower prices. "We'll still see some volatility in the next few months, with the possibility of the price dropping even further than the recent $6,000 low, to around $5,000, before bitcoin can start its next run," Ferri told The Independent. "There were no major news or updates that could justify the recent price spike to over $8,000. It's probable that the recent high was caused by new money coming into the market, creating a short squeeze for traders buying bitcoin to cover their losses." Investor Presentation ASX:APC Perth, Aug 6, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Australian Potash Ltd ( ASX:APC ) provides the Company's latest Investor Presentation.Australian Potash Limited (APC is focused on the production of the premium specialty fertiliser potassium sulphate ("SOP") from at Lake Wells in the Eastern Goldfields of Western AustraliaSOP is used in the production of high value, chloride-sensitive crops such as fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts- Being assessed for Development Approval by the EPA- MOUs in place with two of China's largest agricultural companies for up to 200,000 tpa- JORC Mineral Resource Estimate of 12.7m tonnes of SOP- 280kms from bulk rail infrastructure with road access- Not subject to Native Title- Two stage developmento Stage 1: 150,000 tpa - CAPEX A$174mo Stage 2: 150,000 tpa - CAPEX A$160m- Project LOM NPV10 of A$500m and IRR of 33%To view the full presentation, please visit:About Australian Potash Ltd Australian Potash Limited (ASX:APC) is an ASX-listed Sulphate of Potash (SOP) developer. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Lake Wells Potash Project located approximately 500kms northeast of Kalgoorlie, in Western Australia's Eastern Goldfields. Following the release of a Scoping Study in 2017, APC has been conducting a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) into the development of the Lake Wells Potash Project. The Company is aiming to release the findings of the DFS in H2 2019. The Lake Wells Potash Project is a palaeochannel brine hosted sulphate of potash project. Palaeochannel bore fields supply large volumes of brine to many existing mining operations throughout Western Australia, and this technique is a well understood and proven method for extracting brine. APC will use this technically low-risk and commonly used brine extraction model to further develop a bore-field into the palaeochannel hosting the Lake Wells SOP resource. A Scoping Study on the Lake Wells Potash Project was completed and released on 23 March 2017. The Scoping Study exceeded expectations and confirmed that the Project's economic and technical aspects are all exceptionally strong, and highlights APC's potential to become a significant long-life, low capital and high margin sulphate of potash (SOP) producer. The kiwi is in swift decline, disappearing at a rate of 2 per cent per year. Around 200 years ago, millions of kiwi inhabited New Zealand, but in 50 years time there may be none left. Old Mout Cider has joined New Zealand-based charity Kiwis for kiwi in the fight to help save this extraordinary species a nocturnal, colour-blind bird that has survived millions of years against the odds. In fact, its heritage is special: the kiwi shares DNA with the tyrannosaurus rex. There are five species of kiwi formerly recognised today, all thought to have evolved from a single ancestor, the proto-kiwi, which lived 50 million years ago. These species all diverged from the original on account of their habitats changing landscape. The sudden emergence of such geographical obstacles as mountains, glaciers, seas and rivers saw the flightless kiwi one of just five flightless birds left on Earth struggle to stick together; groups became separated and splinter populations gradually developed. Now, the different species are indigenous to different regions: the little spotted kiwi inhabits New Zealands offshore isles; the great spotted kiwi, the northwestern region of the South Island; the brown kiwi, the North Island; the rowi, the westcoast of the South Island; and the tokoeka, the South and Stewart Islands. Their DNA may be different, but in appearance and character, scientists once couldnt tell some of them apart. Indeed, it was only when genetic research was carried out in the Eighties that the five species were identified before then, it was thought there were just three. What a tragedy it would be for this resilient, remarkable bird to be wiped out. With environmental wellbeing and sustainability at the heart of its ethos, Old Mout Cider is determined to stop this happening. Join Old Mout Cider in the fight to help save the kiwi by signing up to the campaign. Loading.... Take the quiz: What endangered animal are you? *This content was commissioned and approved by Old Mout Cider Leading universities should be more open to vocational qualifications and degrees if they want to improve diversity in higher education, the chair of Education Select Committee has said. Conservative MP Robert Halfon has also called for all students to be offered work experience and careers guidance by universities, as he argues that poorer students will only risk the expense of higher education for the purpose of getting a job at the end. His comments come after Tim Bradshaw, head of the Russell Group, which represents the most selective UK universities, used an interview with The Independent to call on the government to bring back maintenance grants for the poorest students to help widen access to university. The Tory MP said he had a lot of sympathy for maintenance grants which were scrapped by the government in 2016-17 being reintroduced for the most disadvantaged students. But Mr Halfon added that it was not a magic panacea to solve the problem and he called on universities to do more to boost the number of students from different backgrounds. The group of 24 elite universities which includes Oxford and Cambridge are in the spotlight for failing to admit sufficient numbers of students from ethnic minorities and poorer backgrounds. Speaking to The Independent, Mr Halfon said: I think there needs to be a lot more acceptance of vocational qualifications from the Russell Group. The Russell Group publishes a list of facilitating subjects at A-level maths, English, sciences, languages, geography and history which are more frequently required for entry to degree courses. The advice does not include BTEC qualifications which are alternatives to the traditional A-levels. Mr Halfon added that introducing degree apprenticeships at all universities would be transformative, saying that disadvantaged students would be able to earn while you learn. There is no debt. You are virtually guaranteed that you will get a job at the end. I think this would be transformative, he said. The chairman of the Education Select Committee which recently held an inquiry into value for money in higher education added that work experience and careers advice at university was vital. He said: People from disadvantaged backgrounds are only going to take the risk of taking out a loan or maintenance grant for the purpose of getting a job at the end and being secure in their lives. A spokesperson for the Russell Group said: Encouraging more disadvantaged students into higher education is a complex challenge with no single solution. Reintroducing targeted maintenance grants is one potential part of the overall picture. A number of Russell Group universities have been involved in the development and delivery of degree apprenticeships, with many taking a lead in pioneering new provision in this space. Many new degree apprenticeships are particularly targeted to increase participation from under-represented groups including students from less advantaged backgrounds and women in STEM disciplines. Scientists have found clues in an ancient meteorite that could explain the origins of life not just on our planet but elsewhere. The new discovery looked at rocks that formed during the very birth of our solar system, 4.5 billion years ago. By peering back into that ancient time, astronomers can try and understand how our Earth came to support life. And by using those same findings, researchers might be able to understand whether there could be life in other solar systems. The research confirms that important organic materials appear to have been formed at the beginnings of our solar system. By looking at the isotopic signature of the compounds within the rocks, they can find the "fingerprints" of key elements including carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur, all of which are both central to the beginnings of life and have been found inside those rocks. If such organic materials can be formed through relatively simple processes in the early solar system, then they might be widespread elsewhere, too. That might mean that life could be found more often in other planetary systems than we had expected, the researchers suggest. The kind of ancient meteorite studied by the University of Manchester scientists are incredibly rare: known as carbonaceous chondrites, they comprise only a few per cent of all known meteorites. And they are an incredibly important and unusual way of looking back at the very beginnings of the solar system that surrounds us, since the Earth tends to wipe out such records. Earth is a dynamic planet processes such as plate tectonics and erosion have erased most of the early Earth records, said Romain Tartese of Manchesters School of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Show all 30 1 /30 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An image from Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows a 200,000 mile long solar filament ripping through the Sun's corona in September 2013 Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa Celebrates 50 Years of Spacewalking For 50 years, NASA has been "suiting up" for spacewalking. In this 1984 photograph of the first untethered spacewalk, NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless is in the midst of the first "field" tryout of a nitrogen-propelled backpack device called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Hubble Cosmic Couple The spectacular cosmic pairing of the star Hen 2-427 more commonly known as WR 124 and the nebula M1-67 which surrounds it ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Veil Nebula Supernova Remnant Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled in stunning detail a small section of the Veil Nebula - expanding remains of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago Nasa's most stunning pictures of space The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launch The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, carrying three new astronauts to the International Space Station. It also took caviar, ready for the satellite's inhabitants to celebrate the holidays Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth from the ISS From the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry W. Virts took this photograph of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Gulf Coast at sunset Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Black Hole Friday Nasa celebrated Black Friday by looking into space instead sharing pictures of black holes Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space NuSTAR X-rays stream off the sun in this image showing observations from by NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, overlaid on a picture taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Cassiopeia A c A false colour image of Cassiopeia A comprised with data from the Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes and the Chandra X-Ray observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Orion Capsule splashes down The Orion capsule jetted off into space before heading back a few hours later having proved that it can be used, one day, to carry humans to Mars Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth Observations From Gemini IV in 1965 This photograph of the Florida Straits and Grand Bahama Bank was taken during the Gemini IV mission during orbit no. 19 in 1965. The Gemini IV crew conducted scientific experiments, including photography of Earth's weather and terrain, for the remainder of their four-day mission following Ed White's historic spacewalk on June 3 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Frosty slopes of Mars This image of an area on the surface of Mars, approximately 1.5 by 3 kilometers in size, shows frosted gullies on a south-facing slope within a crater. The image was taken by Nasa's HiRISE camera, which is mounted on its Mars Reconaissance Orbiter Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Yellowstone from space NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shared this image of Yellowstone via his twitter account Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Saturn This near-infrared color image shows a specular reflection, or sunglint, off of a hydrocarbon lake named Kivu Lacus on Saturn's moon Titan Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Worlds Apart Although Mimas and Pandora, shown here, both orbit Saturn, they are very different moons. Pandora, "small" by moon standards (50 miles or 81 kilometers across) is elongated and irregular in shape. Mimas (246 miles or 396 kilometers across), a "medium-sized" moon, formed into a sphere due to self-gravity imposed by its higher mass Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An X1.6 class solar flare flashes in the middle of the sun in this image taken 10 September, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy An image of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy seen in infrared light by the Herschel Space Observatory. Regions of space such as this are where new stars are born from a mixture of elements and cosmic dust Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Mars Rover Spirit Nasa's Mars Rover Spirit took the first picture from Spirit since problems with communications began a week earlier. The image shows the robotic arm extended to the rock called Adirondack Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Morning Aurora From the Space Station Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station Nasa/Scott Kelly Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Launch of History - Making STS-41G Mission in 1984 The Space Shuttle Challenger launches from Florida at dawn. On this mission, Kathryn Sullivan became the first U.S. woman to perform a spacewalk and Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space. The crew of seven was the largest to fly on a spacecraft at that time, and STS-41G was the first flight to include two female astronauts Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Fresh Perspective on an Extraordinary Cluster of Galaxies Galaxy clusters are often described by superlatives. After all, they are huge conglomerations of galaxies, hot gas, and dark matter and represent the largest structures in the Universe held together by gravity Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Sees a Galactic Sunflower The arrangement of the spiral arms in the galaxy Messier 63, seen here in an image from the Nasa Hubble Space Telescope, recall the pattern at the center of a sunflower ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Pluto image Four images from New Horizons Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) were combined with colour data from the Ralph instrument to create this enhanced colour global view of Pluto Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Fresh Crater Near Sirenum Fossae Region of Mars The HiRISE camera aboard Nasa's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter acquired this closeup image of a "fresh" (on a geological scale, though quite old on a human scale) impact crater in the Sirenum Fossae region of Mars. This impact crater appears relatively recent as it has a sharp rim and well-preserved ejecta Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Peers into the Most Crowded Place in the Milky Way This Nasa Hubble Space Telescope image presents the Arches Cluster, the densest known star cluster in the Milky Way NASA & ESA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space An Astronaut's View from Space Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman tweeted this photo from the International Space Station on 2 September 2014 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Giant Landform on Mars On Mars, we can observe four classes of sandy landforms formed by the wind, or aeolian bedforms: ripples, transverse aeolian ridges, dunes, and what are called draa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Expedition 39 Landing A sokol suit helmet can be seen against the window of the Soyuz TMA-11M capsule shortly after the spacecraft landed with Expedition 39 Commander Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Jupiter's Great Red Spot Viewed by Voyager I Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and perhaps the most majestic. Vibrant bands of clouds carried by winds that can exceed 400 mph continuously circle the planet's atmosphere Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Chandra Observatory Sees a Heart in the Darkness This Chandra X-Ray Observatory image of the young star cluster NGC 346 highlights a heart-shaped cloud of 8 million-degree Celsius gas in the central region The researchers studied the meteorite for more than two years to determine its exact makeup. They found a series of clues as to how the building blocks of life formed discovering, for instance, that the clues about oxygen appeared to suggest that the key materials were formed by themselves in our solar system, rather than having come from somewhere else. The oxygen isotope pattern was similar to the relationship linking the composition of the Sun, asteroids and terrestrial planets," said Dr Tartese. "Therefore, this likely implies that carbonaceous chondrite organics were formed through chemical reactions in the early Solar System, rather than having been inherited from the interstellar medium. A no-deal Brexit will put public safety at risk and reduce policing capacity in Britain, leaders of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) have warned the government. In a letter they said the loss of key EU databases, the European arrest warrant system and full Europol membership could pose significant risks to our local communities. These shared tools, measures, initiatives and capabilities which have been developed over the last 40 years of cooperation across the EU have saved many lives, said the document, which was seen by The Independent. Considerable additional resource would be required for policing to operate using non-EU tools and that such tools would be suboptimal potentially putting operational efficiency and public safety at risk. It is also recognised that recruitment, vetting and training of staff to use these tools would take a substantial amount of time. The letter, which was sent to the Home Office last week, said ongoing Brexit negotiations come at a time when the threat posed by foreign offenders targeting the UK from abroad is increasing. Britain risks losing access to systems including Europol, the European arrest warrant and Schengen Information System II (SIS II) a huge database containing information on terrorists, criminals, missing people and objects, to which the police say there is no alternative. Michel Barnier: UK government needs dose of realism about EU security cooperation post-Brexit British officers checked it 539 million times in 2017 alone, with their equipment currently searching SIS II and the police national criminal database simultaneously. At the end of 2017, there were 76.5 million alerts in relation to people and objects on the system, including 1.2 million from the UK. The UK could also be excluded from the European arrest warrant system, which drives the extradition of up to 10,000 foreign offenders every year as well as allowing British criminals to be brought back to face trial. The government has proposed a security treaty that it claims would allow information sharing to continue, but its refusal to be governed by the European Court of Justice could block transfers because of data protection laws. Michel Barnier, the EUs chief Brexit negotiator, said the UK would be locked out of policing and security databases in June, adding: If you leave this ecosystem you lose the benefits of this cooperation. He said that while there would still be some security cooperation, it would rely on effective and reciprocal exchanges, but not on access to EU-only or Schengen-only databases. The APCCs Brexit working group, which contains Conservative, Labour and independent commissioners, said 32 law enforcement and national security measures are currently used on a daily basis in the UK. Unless the government is able to negotiate the retention of these measures following the UKs withdrawal from the EU, police and law enforcement agencies face a significant loss of operational capacity, the groups letter read. A no-deal scenario could cause delays and challenges for UK policing and justice agencies. It called on the home secretary to prioritise access to EU-wide systems, while developing effective contingency plans for a no-deal Brexit and give the work the funding needed. 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 The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) said Europe-wide systems had made British officers better at protecting the public and improved their response to crime and terrorism. For every one person arrested on a UK issued European arrest warrant, the UK arrests eight people on warrants issued by other member states, said deputy assistant commissioner Richard Martin. It is in the interests of both sides to negotiate an arrangement that allows for continued close working, whether as part of existing mechanisms or negotiated alternatives. Without such arrangements, both UK police and EU member states will lose capabilities including identifying criminals and missing persons who cross our borders, detaining and swiftly surrendering suspects under EAWs, quickly identifying previous history of offending or the sharing biometric data. The NPCC said a small team is currently working on contingency plans in the event that access to some or all European systems is lost. But Mr Martin warned: The contingency measures we are considering will be slower and less effective, and ultimately will reduce the ability to identify risk and prevent harm on both sides of the channel. The letter came after the Home Affairs Committee condemned both UK and EU negotiators for putting the safety and security of their citizens at risk by refusing to cross political red lines. MPs said the UK was on course for a catastrophic Brexit security deal that could see criminals and terrorists go free, threatening the ability to prevent serious crime and effectively secure borders. A Home Office spokesperson said: There is widespread recognition that the UK and EU can most effectively combat security threats when we work together. It is important we maintain operational capabilities after Brexit and we will continue to make this case to the European Commission. We are confident that an ambitious agreement on future security cooperation can be reached but it is the duty of any responsible government to prepare for every eventuality, including no-deal. With that in mind, we are working closely with operational partners on contingency planning so we can ensure the safety and security of our citizens in all scenarios. A man allegedly threatened to stab train passengers and said gay people needed to be killed as thousands of people left Brighton Pride the largest LGBT+ event in the UK. On a packed carriage, the man is said to have harangued those returning to London from the event early on Sunday morning, and was captured on film saying why are you so gay? and calling people f******. Journalist Benjamin Butterworth was on the train and filmed the man shouting and acting aggressively. Writing on Twitter, Mr Butterworth said: On train back from @PrideBrighton, a man threatened to pull a knife on me and others and stab us for being gay. He called us paedophiles and dirty and shouted gay people need to all be killed. The video is a fraction of what he said, as was too scared & shaken to film. Mr Butterworth said he was on the 4.33am train from Brighton to London Victoria and the man joined the train at a later station while most of the passengers were asleep. Speaking to The Independent, he said: We were woken up by him shouting down the carriage youre poofs, youre f******, youre all disgusting, youre perverts, youre paedophiles. This was based on people wearing glitter and rainbow facepaint and hes obviously made an assumption an accurate assumption that it was gay people. The man then told passengers he had a knife, Mr Butterworth said. He had one hand down his pants, which, whether on purpose or not, definitely made me more concerned that he really did have a knife. He said he would get the knife out, and that he would stab every gay person on the train. It was quite a bold pledge because almost everyone on the train was gay. It was scary. The entire incident lasted about half an hour and the train stopped at two stations before the man was handcuffed at Clapham Junction and led away by police, Mr Butterworth said. I felt completely terrified to stand up to him because of the threat of a knife. It was exhausting to be with someone like that for so long. Mr Butterworth added: I live in Vauxhall in south London and Id been to Brighton Pride. These are said to be the two gayest places in the country. The idea that you can face violent homophobia here shows not only that it still exists, but that its absolutely everywhere. A giant rainbow flag is carried along the sea front during Brighton Pride (Getty) In a statement, British Transport Police said: We are aware of a video on social media which appears to show a man making homophobic comments towards passengers on a train. We were called at 5.53am on Sunday, 5 August, following reports of homophobic abuse towards passengers on a train bound for London Victoria station. Officers met the train and a 28-year-old man was arrested for a public order offence. He has been released under investigation. Officers are viewing the footage and making enquiries to establish the full circumstances of the incident. Anyone who witnessed the incident should contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference 107 of 5/8/2018. Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Show all 20 1 /20 Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Britney Spears performs BCU18/Getty Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show BCU18/Getty Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show (Credit too long, see caption) Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show Getty Images Brighton Pride: Britney Spears steals the show PA The incident comes after chaos at Brighton train station on Saturday night following a sell-out headline set by Britney Spears at the festival. Thousands of people trying to leave were locked out of the station and made to stand for hours in dangerously large crowds, with some people reportedly passing out as they were forced to wait. Pride organisers blamed Govia Thameslink (GTR), the rail operator, for its inability to provide sufficient services, which they said put peoples safety in jeopardy. A spokesperson said: We were appalled to see that Pride-goers were standing for long periods of time, at the end of the event, while waiting to access Brighton Station, and with almost no information provided by GTR." A Govia Thameslink spokesperson said the company ran 15 extra trains to cope with "unprecedented visitor numbers, in addition to the plan we had agreed with the event organisers". They added: "Access to Brighton station was closed for a period by the police to help with crowding in the town. Everyone who needed to get home last night did so." A British tourist found dead in Ibiza has been named as London business consultant Anwaar Lahrichi-Greenwood. The 24-year-old's body was discovered floating near San Antonio's port on Sunday afternoon. He had been reported missing after leaving a party in the resort town during the early hours of Saturday morning. A friend told police she had last seen him at around 4am. The cause of death has not yet been confirmed, with the post-mortem expected to take place on Monday. His sister Lula paid tribute to her gentle brother. I feel so dead inside knowing I'll never see you again, she wrote. Knowing you went on holiday and died in the sea alone... I tried to find you with all my power my love. My bro bro, my best friend. You were the best brother and you made me feel important and special. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 26 October 2021 Activist Steve Bray demonstrates with a toilet outside the gates of Downing Street, after MPs voted in Parliament against the Environment Bill, allowing companies to pump raw sewage into UK rivers and seas, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 October 2021 Second World War veteran James White, 96, at the opening of the Edinburgh Garden of Remembrance, marking the start of the remembrance period PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2021 Richard Ratcliffe holds up a photo of his wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe as he protests outside the Foreign Office while on hunger strike, part of an effort to lobby the UK foreign secretary to bring his wife home from detention in Iran Getty UK news in pictures 23 October 2021 Partner of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, Stella Morris and Editor in Chief of WikiLeaks Kristinn Hrafnsson attend a protest ahead of the appeal hearing over Assange's extradition, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 22 October 2021 Palace Gardener Justine Howlett adds the finishing touches to pumpkins bearing the face of Henry VIII and his wives, at Hampton Court Palace. PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2021 Flooded fields near Lingfield in Surrey, after southern England was hit overnight by heavy rain and strong winds from Storm Aurore moving in from France PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2021 A wing surfer enjoys the strong winds as they surf in the sea off of Hayling Island in Hampshire PA UK news in pictures 19 October 2021 Actor Jude Law holds hands with Little Amal, a 3.5-metre-tall puppet of a nine-year-old Syrian girl, as it arrives in Folkestone, Kent, as part of the Handspring Puppet Company's 'The Walk' PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2021 A view over Southend-on-Sea in Essex, which is set to become a city in tribute to Sir David Amess MP, who spent years campaigning for the change Getty UK news in pictures 17 October 2021 Members of the Essex Bangladeshi Welfare Association pay their respects by floral tributes laid at the scene where Sir David Amess MP was killed at Belfairs Methodist Church, in Leigh-on-Sea Reuters UK news in pictures 16 October 2021 Boris Johnson, Sir Keir Starmer, Priti Patel and Lindsay Hoyle pay respects to Sir David Amess at Belfairs Methodist Church, in Leigh-on-Sea, the site of his death EPA UK news in pictures 15 October 2021 A person lays flowers at the scene near the Belfairs Methodist Church in Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, where Conservative MP Sir David Amess has died after he was stabbed several times at a constituency surgery. A man has been arrested and officers are not looking for anyone else PA UK news in pictures 14 October 2021 A red deer stag during rutting season in Bushy Park, Richmond, south west London, which is home to over 300 red and fallow deer PA 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 She had appealed for information on Mr Lahrichi-Greenwoods disappearance before his body was discovered. If anyone is in Ibiza at the moment (San Antonio) or has seen or is with my brother Anwaar please contact as he's been missing since 3am leaving a party," she wrote in an earlier message. It marks the third British death in the Ibizan resort of San Antonio in the past few weeks. Jack McDonnell, 22, from the West Midlands town of Salford, died on 20 July after collapsing in the street. Two days earlier a seasonal worker named as Birmingham-born Harry Kingsland, 21, was killed in an altercation at a flat in the resort. Mitchell Loveridge, also 21 and from Llwynypia in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, was arrested and remanded in custody after appearing in court. Maxine Peake has hit back over claims of hypocrisy after it emerged she had been paid to voice an NHS recruitment advert. The Silk star was accused star of taking public money despite being an outspoken critic of the level of funding for the health service in a Mail on Sunday article in which Conservative MP, Simon Hart said she was hypocritical to attack the government over spending cuts and then take taxpayers money to voice over an advertisement for more nurses. He said: I'd have more respect for Maxine if she had forgone the fee and left it with the health service to recruit another nurse. However, Peake revealed she had donated her fee to The Salford Foundation Trust, a charity that supports the vocational, personal, social and academic development of young people and adults in Salford and other boroughs of Greater Manchester Even if she had returned the fee, she said it would have gone back to the advertising agency hired to produce the commercial. "I was not employed by the NHS, but by an advertising agency who hold a pre-agreed budget of the whole of the campaign," she wrote on Twitter. "If I had refused the fee, the money wouldn't have been returned to the NHS, but to the commercial agency." NHS at 70: A timeline of the National Health Service and its crisis The advert to which she lent her voice was launched last month to highlight the work and dedication shown by staff in the NHS. Last year, the 44-year-old starred in a Labour Party broadcast in which she accused the government of putting the NHS and social care in a state of emergency. An NHS England spokesman said: "We Are The NHS is a major multimillion pound campaign to encourage potential recruits to consider a career in the NHS and help fill the 100,000 vacancies that exist in the service. Maxine offered her support at a significantly reduced rate to that which would normally apply. NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary Show all 18 1 /18 NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, addresses demonstrators following the march AFP/Getty NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary EPA NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary Reuters NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary REUTERS NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary EPA NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary REUTERS NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary PA NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary REUTERS NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary REUTERS NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary PA NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary AFP/Getty Images A spokesperson for Peake said: "Maxine has participated in a number of charity voice overs over the last few years including MacMillan Nurses, the NSPCC and Cancer Research, which have either paid a nominal fee or in some cases no fee at all. "The fees she has received for any organisations within the charity or public sector have been much lower than market rate." David Davis, the former Brexit secretary, has claimed the EU will be making a "massive miscalculation" if it thinks the UK is not ready to walk away from the negotiations in Brussels without a deal. The remarks from Mr Davis followed Liam Fox's assessment that the probability of a no-deal outcome was "60-40", as he claimed the "intransigence" of the European Commission was pushing the UK towards a no deal. Mr Davis - who spent months negotiating with Michel Barnier before quitting over Theresa May's Chequers plan - insisted that EU member states had more to lose from a failure to reach an agreement than the UK. "This has great scope for being a massive miscalculation on the part of the EU that could end up with no deal by accident," he told the Daily Telegraph. "It's certainly not the intention of the EU to have a no-deal Brexit but they are misjudging us at the moment. The UK Parliament does not want no deal but it's certainly not going to be pushed around by the European Parliament. "I've always thought that no deal is better than a bad deal and while there will be border issues and so on... it would give us more freedom. I'm still of the view that we have got two things on our side - we have got our own currency and we are masters of our own destiny in a way that EU member countries are not. He added: "This is a negotiation and it will go to the edge, but we must not panic about this. They have got lots to lose too, and specific countries and specific sectors have got large amounts to lose. As we get closer to the brink, there will be internal pressure within the EU." His comments came after the prime minister met French president Emmanuel Macron for face-to-face talks at his summer retreat last week and ministers have been dispatched across the continent to deal directly with their counterparts in what has been seen as an attempt to cut out Mr Barnier and the European Commission's bureaucrats. Robert Buckland, the solicitor general, indicated that the Government believes the leaders of the 27 EU states will come to play a more significant role as the deadline for a deal approaches in the autumn. Brexit casualties Show all 10 1 /10 Brexit casualties Brexit casualties Andrea Jenkyns - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary at the ministry for housing, communities and local government role May 2018 - The Morley and Outwood MP said: We want to see a new relationship with Europe, with a new model not enjoyed by other countries nothing that leaves us half-in, half-out. And in order to achieve this, we need to leave the customs union. Ms Jenkyns also said she wished to dedicate more of her time to Parliaments influential Exiting the European Union select committee, after a series of unbalanced reports produced by MPs PA Brexit casualties David Davis - Resigned from Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union role July 2018 - quit following a major row with May over her plans for post-Brexit relations with the EU. Davis resignation letter said: As you know there have been a significant number of occasions in the last year or so on which I have disagreed with the Number 10 policy line, ranging from accepting the [European] Commissions sequencing of negotiations, through to the language on Northern Ireland in the December Joint Report. At each stage I have accepted collective responsibility because it is part of my task to find workable compromises, and because I considered it was still possible to deliver on the mandate of the referendum, and on our manifesto commitment to leave the Customs Union and the Single Market. I am afraid that I think the current trend of policy and tactics is making that look less and less likely. He went on to argue that the general direction of Ms Mays policies would leave the UK in at best a weak negotiating position, and possibly an inescapable one. AFP/Getty Brexit casualties Steve Baker - Resigned from Minister at the Department for Exiting the European Union role July 2018 - Mr Baker, a key Tory figure in the Leave campaign, was David Daviss main lieutenant at Dexeu, and was hailed as courageous and principled by other Brexiteer Tories as he also left. Reuters Brexit casualties Boris Johnson - Resigned from Foreign Secretary role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. In his resignation letter to the prime minister, Mr Johnson said: "On Friday, I acknowledged that my side of the argument were too few to prevail and congratulated you on at least reaching a Cabinet decision on the way forward. "As I said then, the government now has a song to sing. "The trouble is that I have practised the words over the weekend and find that they stick in the throat." Reuters Brexit casualties Conor Burns - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary to Foreign Secretary role July 2018 - A Brexit supporter who worked alongside Boris Johnson stated in his resignation letter: I've decided it's time to have greater freedom. I want to see the referendum result respected. And there are other areas of policy I want to speak more openly on. Rex Brexit casualties Chris Green - Resigned from Department for Transport role July 2018 - The Bolton West MP said: "Parliament overwhelmingly decided to give the decision of whether to leave or remain in the European Union to the British people and they made an unambiguous decision that we ought to leave. "I have always understood the idea in 'Brexit means Brexit' is that the final deal should be clear to me and my constituents - that we have, in no uncertain terms, left the European Union. Twitter Ads info and privacy "The direction the negotiations had been taking have suggested that we would not really leave the EU and the conclusion and statements following the Chequers summit confirmed my fears. "I recognise that delivering Brexit is challenging, however I had hoped at tonight's meeting that there would be some certainty that my fears were unfounded but, instead, they have been confirmed. "I have been grateful for the opportunity to serve as Parliamentary Private Secretary and it is with regret that I offer my resignation with immediate effect." PA Brexit casualties Maria Caulfield - Resigned from Conservative Party vice-chair for women role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. Lewes MP warned that the direction of travel did not fully embrace the opportunities that Brexit can provide. Ms Caulfield said in her letter to the PM: The policy may assuage vested interests, but the voters will find out and their representatives will be found out. This policy will be bad for our country and bad for the party. The direct consequences of that will be prime minister Corbyn. PA Brexit casualties Ben Bradley - Resigned from Conservative Party vice-chair for young people role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. The Mansfield MP said: I admit that I voted to Remain in that ballot. What has swayed me over the last two years to fully back the Brexit vision is the immense opportunities that are available from global trade, and for the ability for Britain to be an outward looking nation in control of our own destiny once again. I fear that this agreement at Chequers damages those opportunities; that being tied to EU regulations, and the EU tying our hands when seeking to make new trade agreements, will be the worst of all worlds if we do not deliver Brexit in spirit as well as in name, then we are handing Jeremy Corbyn the keys to No10. PA Brexit casualties Robert Courts - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. MP Mr Courts said: I have taken a very difficult decision to resign my position as [parliamentary private secretary] to express discontent with the Chequers [plans] in votes tomorrow. I had to think who I wanted to see in the mirror for the rest of my life. I cannot tell the people of Woxon that I support the proposals in their current form. Getty Brexit casualties Scott Mann - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. "I fear elements of the Brexit white paper will inevitably put me in direct conflict with the views expressed by a large section of my constituents. I am not prepared to compromise their wishes to deliver a watered-down Brexit. "The residents of North Cornwall made it very clear that they wish to have control over our fishery, our agricultural policy, our money, our laws and our borders. I will evaluate those principles against the Brexit white paper and ensure that I vote in line with their wishes." Rex "The Government's policy is to get a deal and that chimes entirely with what I think is in the best interests of our country," he told BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour. "The reality is that as we get close to the wire, the views of the member states will become more important." The UK and EU hope to reach a deal by October, in order to give MPs and MEPs chance to scrutinise it. But Mr Buckland said that if that date slipped to November, there would still be time - although he hinted the Commons' Christmas break could be cut short. "The clock is ticking, parliamentary time will be very tight," he said. "I don't think that needs to be emergency legislation, I think it can be done on the floor of both Houses, but we are going to have to perhaps look at a few recesses and actually the time that we use in Parliament in order to make sure that everything is thoroughly debated." Labour warned that a no-deal scenario would be a "catastrophic failure of government" in response to Dr Fox's assessment. But shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said Theresa May "reckless red lines" had contributed to the difficulties, along with splits in the Tory ranks and "fantasy Brexiteer promises". He indicated that Parliament should prevent the UK crashing out without a deal. Former foreign secretary William Hague has warned Emmanuel Macron that it is not in French interests to stand in the way of Britain's attempts to secure a favourable Brexit deal. After Theresa May cut short her holiday to meet the French president at Fort de Bregancon, Lord Hague said it was clear ministers had identified France as the "biggest national obstacle" to an agreement. Writing in The Daily Telegraph, the former Tory leader predicted the president would continue to maintain a "hard line" on the negotiations - comparing him to Charles de Gaulle who blocked Britain's membership of the Common Market in the 1960s. However, he argued that at a time of global change, the two countries needed each other more than ever while the failure by the European Union (EU) to secure a "special relationship" with the UK after it has left would damage its own chances of survival. "In the world of a rising China and a less reliable America, Britain and France will need each other more," he said. "Brexit is a big complication, but if the EU is incapable of forging a special relationship with its closest, largest democratic neighbour, even when it is offered one, its chances of surviving the 21st century will be diminished." Lord Hague acknowledged the president's advisers would probably tell him France stood to gain by attracting banking jobs from London while shutting out the UK from the Galileo satellite system. "Like us, they try not to choose between their conflicting feelings about a historic foe, but when they have to, they put Europe's unity and a chance to get ahead of the UK before their fondness for us," he said. "That was dramatically illustrated by de Gaulle in the 1960s, even though no French leader has ever had more cause to be grateful to us. In all probability, Macron will demonstrate it again." Brexit casualties Show all 10 1 /10 Brexit casualties Brexit casualties Andrea Jenkyns - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary at the ministry for housing, communities and local government role May 2018 - The Morley and Outwood MP said: We want to see a new relationship with Europe, with a new model not enjoyed by other countries nothing that leaves us half-in, half-out. And in order to achieve this, we need to leave the customs union. Ms Jenkyns also said she wished to dedicate more of her time to Parliaments influential Exiting the European Union select committee, after a series of unbalanced reports produced by MPs PA Brexit casualties David Davis - Resigned from Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union role July 2018 - quit following a major row with May over her plans for post-Brexit relations with the EU. Davis resignation letter said: As you know there have been a significant number of occasions in the last year or so on which I have disagreed with the Number 10 policy line, ranging from accepting the [European] Commissions sequencing of negotiations, through to the language on Northern Ireland in the December Joint Report. At each stage I have accepted collective responsibility because it is part of my task to find workable compromises, and because I considered it was still possible to deliver on the mandate of the referendum, and on our manifesto commitment to leave the Customs Union and the Single Market. I am afraid that I think the current trend of policy and tactics is making that look less and less likely. He went on to argue that the general direction of Ms Mays policies would leave the UK in at best a weak negotiating position, and possibly an inescapable one. AFP/Getty Brexit casualties Steve Baker - Resigned from Minister at the Department for Exiting the European Union role July 2018 - Mr Baker, a key Tory figure in the Leave campaign, was David Daviss main lieutenant at Dexeu, and was hailed as courageous and principled by other Brexiteer Tories as he also left. Reuters Brexit casualties Boris Johnson - Resigned from Foreign Secretary role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. In his resignation letter to the prime minister, Mr Johnson said: "On Friday, I acknowledged that my side of the argument were too few to prevail and congratulated you on at least reaching a Cabinet decision on the way forward. "As I said then, the government now has a song to sing. "The trouble is that I have practised the words over the weekend and find that they stick in the throat." Reuters Brexit casualties Conor Burns - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary to Foreign Secretary role July 2018 - A Brexit supporter who worked alongside Boris Johnson stated in his resignation letter: I've decided it's time to have greater freedom. I want to see the referendum result respected. And there are other areas of policy I want to speak more openly on. Rex Brexit casualties Chris Green - Resigned from Department for Transport role July 2018 - The Bolton West MP said: "Parliament overwhelmingly decided to give the decision of whether to leave or remain in the European Union to the British people and they made an unambiguous decision that we ought to leave. "I have always understood the idea in 'Brexit means Brexit' is that the final deal should be clear to me and my constituents - that we have, in no uncertain terms, left the European Union. Twitter Ads info and privacy "The direction the negotiations had been taking have suggested that we would not really leave the EU and the conclusion and statements following the Chequers summit confirmed my fears. "I recognise that delivering Brexit is challenging, however I had hoped at tonight's meeting that there would be some certainty that my fears were unfounded but, instead, they have been confirmed. "I have been grateful for the opportunity to serve as Parliamentary Private Secretary and it is with regret that I offer my resignation with immediate effect." PA Brexit casualties Maria Caulfield - Resigned from Conservative Party vice-chair for women role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. Lewes MP warned that the direction of travel did not fully embrace the opportunities that Brexit can provide. Ms Caulfield said in her letter to the PM: The policy may assuage vested interests, but the voters will find out and their representatives will be found out. This policy will be bad for our country and bad for the party. The direct consequences of that will be prime minister Corbyn. PA Brexit casualties Ben Bradley - Resigned from Conservative Party vice-chair for young people role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. The Mansfield MP said: I admit that I voted to Remain in that ballot. What has swayed me over the last two years to fully back the Brexit vision is the immense opportunities that are available from global trade, and for the ability for Britain to be an outward looking nation in control of our own destiny once again. I fear that this agreement at Chequers damages those opportunities; that being tied to EU regulations, and the EU tying our hands when seeking to make new trade agreements, will be the worst of all worlds if we do not deliver Brexit in spirit as well as in name, then we are handing Jeremy Corbyn the keys to No10. PA Brexit casualties Robert Courts - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. MP Mr Courts said: I have taken a very difficult decision to resign my position as [parliamentary private secretary] to express discontent with the Chequers [plans] in votes tomorrow. I had to think who I wanted to see in the mirror for the rest of my life. I cannot tell the people of Woxon that I support the proposals in their current form. Getty Brexit casualties Scott Mann - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. "I fear elements of the Brexit white paper will inevitably put me in direct conflict with the views expressed by a large section of my constituents. I am not prepared to compromise their wishes to deliver a watered-down Brexit. "The residents of North Cornwall made it very clear that they wish to have control over our fishery, our agricultural policy, our money, our laws and our borders. I will evaluate those principles against the Brexit white paper and ensure that I vote in line with their wishes." Rex However, while most economists predicted the UK would be the biggest losers in the event of a "no deal", Lord Hague questioned whether the French could be sure that they would not also suffer as well. "Is France so sure of an expanding economy that it can afford that? The eurozone actually grew a little more slowly than the UK in the most recent quarter. And, come the next recession, fragile Italian banks are going to need access to London's capital markets," he said. There were "countless other reasons" why a French leader should worry, he added, including the hundreds of thousands of citizens potentially caught in a legal limbo and the disruption to ports and airports. "Within Britain, many of us who have advocated pragmatic solutions to Brexit would switch to calling for this country to maximise its competitive advantage against the rest of Europe in every way possible - open the freeports, make financial regulation more attractive for those locating in the UK and halt payments to the EU budget," he said. Nevertheless Lord Hague acknowledged that Mrs May and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt were right to "throw everything" at influencing Mr Macron in their efforts to "unlock a change of attitude" in Brussels. "Around the EU, other leaders lack the will, the power or the imagination to break the deadlock," he said. "Angela Merkel shows few signs of taking ownership of any European vision of future relations with Britain. Dutch and Nordic leaders are well disposed but not powerful." Press Association Nicola Sturgeon will demand to know if Theresa May has a plan B to avoid a catastrophic no-deal Brexit when the two leaders meet today. The Scottish first minister hit out at the prime ministers strategy for withdrawing from the EU, ahead of welcoming her to Edinburgh to what looked likely to be frosty talks. Ms Sturgeon attacked crashing out without an agreement as utterly unacceptable but also warned of the growing and equal danger of what has been dubbed a blind Brexit. This outcome would see the UK secure a withdrawal treaty but only a vague blueprint for a future trade deal, leaving the public in the dark about the countrys long-term economic prospects. Parliament cannot be asked to make the decision on withdrawal without details on what the future relationship will look like, Ms Sturgeon warned. With the Chequers proposals falling flat, even if a withdrawal agreement can be secured, there is a very real risk that we end up with a blind Brexit which will see the UK step off the cliff edge next March without knowing what landing place will be. That would do as much harm to jobs, investment and the economy as a no-deal Brexit and would leave the country directionless through the transition period. "Given this lack of clarity and real concerns of no agreement, it is time the prime minister told us what her plan B is. We cannot have no deal and we cannot have a blind Brexit. Brexit casualties Show all 10 1 /10 Brexit casualties Brexit casualties Andrea Jenkyns - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary at the ministry for housing, communities and local government role May 2018 - The Morley and Outwood MP said: We want to see a new relationship with Europe, with a new model not enjoyed by other countries nothing that leaves us half-in, half-out. And in order to achieve this, we need to leave the customs union. Ms Jenkyns also said she wished to dedicate more of her time to Parliaments influential Exiting the European Union select committee, after a series of unbalanced reports produced by MPs PA Brexit casualties David Davis - Resigned from Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union role July 2018 - quit following a major row with May over her plans for post-Brexit relations with the EU. Davis resignation letter said: As you know there have been a significant number of occasions in the last year or so on which I have disagreed with the Number 10 policy line, ranging from accepting the [European] Commissions sequencing of negotiations, through to the language on Northern Ireland in the December Joint Report. At each stage I have accepted collective responsibility because it is part of my task to find workable compromises, and because I considered it was still possible to deliver on the mandate of the referendum, and on our manifesto commitment to leave the Customs Union and the Single Market. I am afraid that I think the current trend of policy and tactics is making that look less and less likely. He went on to argue that the general direction of Ms Mays policies would leave the UK in at best a weak negotiating position, and possibly an inescapable one. AFP/Getty Brexit casualties Steve Baker - Resigned from Minister at the Department for Exiting the European Union role July 2018 - Mr Baker, a key Tory figure in the Leave campaign, was David Daviss main lieutenant at Dexeu, and was hailed as courageous and principled by other Brexiteer Tories as he also left. Reuters Brexit casualties Boris Johnson - Resigned from Foreign Secretary role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. In his resignation letter to the prime minister, Mr Johnson said: "On Friday, I acknowledged that my side of the argument were too few to prevail and congratulated you on at least reaching a Cabinet decision on the way forward. "As I said then, the government now has a song to sing. "The trouble is that I have practised the words over the weekend and find that they stick in the throat." Reuters Brexit casualties Conor Burns - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary to Foreign Secretary role July 2018 - A Brexit supporter who worked alongside Boris Johnson stated in his resignation letter: I've decided it's time to have greater freedom. I want to see the referendum result respected. And there are other areas of policy I want to speak more openly on. Rex Brexit casualties Chris Green - Resigned from Department for Transport role July 2018 - The Bolton West MP said: "Parliament overwhelmingly decided to give the decision of whether to leave or remain in the European Union to the British people and they made an unambiguous decision that we ought to leave. "I have always understood the idea in 'Brexit means Brexit' is that the final deal should be clear to me and my constituents - that we have, in no uncertain terms, left the European Union. Twitter Ads info and privacy "The direction the negotiations had been taking have suggested that we would not really leave the EU and the conclusion and statements following the Chequers summit confirmed my fears. "I recognise that delivering Brexit is challenging, however I had hoped at tonight's meeting that there would be some certainty that my fears were unfounded but, instead, they have been confirmed. "I have been grateful for the opportunity to serve as Parliamentary Private Secretary and it is with regret that I offer my resignation with immediate effect." PA Brexit casualties Maria Caulfield - Resigned from Conservative Party vice-chair for women role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. Lewes MP warned that the direction of travel did not fully embrace the opportunities that Brexit can provide. Ms Caulfield said in her letter to the PM: The policy may assuage vested interests, but the voters will find out and their representatives will be found out. This policy will be bad for our country and bad for the party. The direct consequences of that will be prime minister Corbyn. PA Brexit casualties Ben Bradley - Resigned from Conservative Party vice-chair for young people role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. The Mansfield MP said: I admit that I voted to Remain in that ballot. What has swayed me over the last two years to fully back the Brexit vision is the immense opportunities that are available from global trade, and for the ability for Britain to be an outward looking nation in control of our own destiny once again. I fear that this agreement at Chequers damages those opportunities; that being tied to EU regulations, and the EU tying our hands when seeking to make new trade agreements, will be the worst of all worlds if we do not deliver Brexit in spirit as well as in name, then we are handing Jeremy Corbyn the keys to No10. PA Brexit casualties Robert Courts - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. MP Mr Courts said: I have taken a very difficult decision to resign my position as [parliamentary private secretary] to express discontent with the Chequers [plans] in votes tomorrow. I had to think who I wanted to see in the mirror for the rest of my life. I cannot tell the people of Woxon that I support the proposals in their current form. Getty Brexit casualties Scott Mann - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. "I fear elements of the Brexit white paper will inevitably put me in direct conflict with the views expressed by a large section of my constituents. I am not prepared to compromise their wishes to deliver a watered-down Brexit. "The residents of North Cornwall made it very clear that they wish to have control over our fishery, our agricultural policy, our money, our laws and our borders. I will evaluate those principles against the Brexit white paper and ensure that I vote in line with their wishes." Rex The meeting comes amid an increasingly bitter war-of-words between London and Brussels about the growing likelihood that the negotiations will fail. It also follows relations between the government and the SNP plunging to a new low, after nationalists staged a mass walkout from the Commons in June. Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, was expelled in a protest over what he called a failure to debate a Brexit power grab from Scotland. Visiting Edinburgh, partly to mark the start of the Scottish capitals annual festival, Ms May will seek to argue that Brexit can deliver a brighter future for the whole of the UK. She will announce a 1.2bn city deal for Edinburgh and the southeast of Scotland, with both the Scottish and UK governments committing 300m towards this. And she will confirm that two of the six new science centres being developed across the UK will be north of the border. As we leave the EU, the UK government is working in partnership with business, academia and the devolved administrations to create more good jobs and spread economic prosperity across the country, the prime minister will say. But the talks are certain to be dominated by Brexit and Edinburghs long-running criticism of London for ignoring its call for softer exit terms. A looming Supreme Court ruling on the legality of the EU withdrawal act, after Holyrood voted to withhold consent, will determine the extent of the constitutional clash. Ms Sturgeon added: The whole of the UK deserves answers from the prime minister and we cannot continue without a backup plan. Medicine is being stockpiled in the United Kingdom in preparation for a messy Brexit. French drugmaker Sanofi and its Swiss rival Novartis confirmed Wednesday that they're stockpiling treatments to prepare for a scenario where Britain crashes out of the European Union without a Brexit deal. Hugo Fry, managing director for the United Kingdom at Sanofi, said the company had secured additional warehouse capacity to increase its stock of medicine in Britain to 14 weeks from the usual 10. "Sanofi is confident that its contingency plans will ensure that people in the United Kingdom can access the treatments they need," Fry said in a statement. The action by Sanofi was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. Novartis said in a statement that it was planning to "hold increased inventories" in Britain. The slow pace of Brexit negotiations has heightened fears in recent weeks that Britain may leave the European Union in March 2019 without a transition deal to keep it temporarily in the bloc's single market and customs union. Crashing out of the bloc would mean additional red tape and border checks for businesses including drugmakers. According to Germany's Merck, 35 million packages containing medicines are shipped from the European Union to the United Kingdom each month. Some 45 million packages travel in the opposite direction. Merck declined to comment on specifics, but said it was planning for a variety of scenarios. Pfizer said that it has "carried out detailed assessments of the supply of all our medicines with the focus on ensuring we will continue to have them available." UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the UK parliament last week that the government is working to ensure the "health sector and industry are prepared in the event of a no deal [scenario]." "We're working with industry to prepare for a potential need for stockpiling this is exactly the type of contingency planning that you would expect us to be doing," he said. Related: Messy Brexit could lead to food shortages and grounded flights Sanofi said that without a transition deal, the European medicines regulator will consider the United Kingdom a third country and place extra controls on any imported medicines. To prepare for that, it's shifting some jobs in testing, quality control and labeling from the United Kingdom to other European Union countries. UK pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline also said it would boost its operations in the rest of the European Union ahead of Brexit. The British government has been accused in recent days of not doing enough to prepare for a messy Brexit. One battle is over potential food shortages, and whether the government or businesses should be stockpiling supplies. The Food and Drink Federation said this week that the industry does not have the capacity to stockpile supplies. Brussels has hit back at Theresa Mays government, insisting it will not be to blame if the UK crashes out of the EU without an agreement. Negotiators are working day and night, 24/7, for a deal, the European Commission said rejecting Liam Foxs allegation that its intransigence was making a no-deal Brexit odds-on. The comment came as No 10 declined to say whether any progress had been made in the prime ministers Friday night talks with the French president, beyond describing it as a good meeting. Ms Mays spokesperson listed several key EU figures he claimed had given a positive response to aspects of her Brexit plan but, strikingly, did not mention Emmanuel Macron. At the weekend, Dr Fox, the trade secretary, put the odds of the talks failing at 60-40, saying: I think the intransigence of the commission is pushing us towards no deal. And David Davis, the former Brexit secretary, also ramped up the pressure, warning the EU will be making a massive miscalculation if it believed the UK was bluffing about walking away. But a commission spokesperson defended its approach, saying: We are working constructively, day and night, to reach a deal with the United Kingdom and I think this is also reflected in the fact that the next negotiation round is scheduled for 16 and 17 August. People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Show all 30 1 /30 People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Rex People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty Images People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal A young protestor shouts as she takes part in the People's Vote demonstration against Brexit Getty Images People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Reuters People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal A protester's pro-EU t-shirt EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty Images People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Gina Miller and Caroline Lucas EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Tens of thousands of people march through London EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Demonstrators at the People's Vote March Getty People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal 'Two months too young to decide on my future' REUTERS People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal A young girl joins in the march PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal An EU flag is draped across the statue of Winston Chruchill in Parliament Square REUTERS People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty Images People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Vince Cable MP, Pro-EU campaigner Gina Miller, Tony Robinson and Caroline Lucas MP join with crowds PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Crowds gather on Pall Mall PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal A man resembling Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, joins EU supporters Reuters People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Reuters People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal People gather in Trafalgar Square REUTERS People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Pro-EU campaigner Gina Miller and Tony Robinson PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EU supporters, calling on the government to give Britons a vote on the final Brexit deal, participate in the 'People's Vote' march REUTERS An agenda will be published in due course and the chief negotiator is as he has always been by the way based on the negotiating position agreed by the 27 member states and thats reflected in the European Commission guidelines. Downing Street declined to back Dr Foxs odds on crashing out, saying: We continue to believe that a deal is the most likely outcome, because reaching a good deal is not only in the interests of the UK, it is in the interests of the EU and its 27 members. However, the spokesperson added: The trade secretary is right to say there is a risk of the negotiations not succeeding and the government has to prepare for all eventualities. Labour insisted that a no-deal Brexit if it threatened to become a reality would be a catastrophic failure of government. Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, said Mrs Mays reckless red lines had led to the crisis, along with splits in the Tory ranks and fantasy Brexiteer promises. Ms May and Mr Macron met on Friday evening, at an island fortress off the French Mediterranean coast, as the prime minister desperately tried to rescue her Chequers proposals. She is believed to have issued a Chequers deal or no deal message, insisting she could not compromise further on the package thrashed out in June, which sparked two cabinet resignations. However, even in advance, the Elysee Palace had ruled out Mr Macron breaking ranks to help the UK, insisting the meeting was not a negotiation. Speaking early on Monday, No 10 insisted Michel Barnier, the chief EU negotiator; Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliaments co-ordinator; and Leo Varadkar, the Irish prime minister, had welcomed a step forward. However, there was no mention of Mr Macron. Asked if any progress had been made on the French coast, the spokesperson replied: It was a good meeting. The UK has agreed to work with the EU to try to block the impact of Donald Trump's new sanctions against Iran. Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, signed a joint statement with other EU foreign ministers to ensure European companies doing business with Iran will be protected. The ministers promised to introduce a "blocking statute" to ban European firms from abiding by the US sanctions, which were reimposed by Mr Trump on Monday. Recommended Trump signs order reimposing sanctions on Iran The US president decided to reintroduce the penalties after withdrawing from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama. The European foreign ministers said the lifting of Western sanctions was "essential" to the deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which involved Iran agreeing not to pursue development of nuclear weapons. Mr Hunt signed the statement along with EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and foreign ministers Jean-Yves Le Drian of France and Heiko Maas of Germany. They said they "deeply regret" Mr Trump's decision to reimpose sanctions and argued that 11 consecutive reports bythe International Atomic Energy Agency confirm the Iran deal "is working". The statement said: "It is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, crucial for the security of Europe, the region, and the entire world. We expect Iran to continue to fully implement all its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA. "The lifting of nuclear-related sanctions is an essential part of the deal it aims at having a positive impact not only on trade and economic relations with Iran, but most importantly on the lives of the Iranian people. We are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran." 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 EU's Blocking Statue will come into effect on Tuesday and will allow European firms to recover damages incurred as a result of the US sanctions. EU companies will also be banned from complying with Mr Trump's sanctions unless they get special permission from the European Commission. The foreign ministers said the statute would "protect EU companies doing legitimate business with Iran from the impact of US extra-territorial sanctions", adding: "Preserving the nuclear deal with Iran is a matter of respecting international agreements and a matter of international security." Mr Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, has previously suggested the US could also impose sanctions on European countries that do business with Iran. European leaders criticised Mr Trump after he walked away from the Iran deal, which he claimed did not prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb. Following the announcement in May, the leaders of the UK, France and Germany issued a joint statement expressing their "regret and concern". Theresa May, Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel said:"Together, we emphasise our continuing commitment to the JCPOA. This agreement remains important for our shared security. We recall that the JCPOA was unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council in resolution 2231. This resolution remains the binding international legal framework for the resolution of the dispute about the Iranian nuclear programme. We urge all sides to remain committed to its full implementation and to act in a spirit of responsibility. Grassroots Labour activists will attempt to force Jeremy Corbyn to shift his Brexit stance by asking the partys annual conference to back calls for a referendum on the final Brexit deal. They are calling on party members across the country to back a motion to stop Tory Brexit and commit Labour to holding a Peoples Vote on the final deal. It comes as pressure for another referendum mounts and a petition in support of The Independents Final Say campaign in favour of another public vote passed 580,000 signatures. The new grassroots campaign demands that Labour MPs and peers vote against the deal Theresa May negotiates with Brussels and instead push for a general election at which the partys manifesto would promise another Brexit referendum. If attempts to force an election fail, the motion says, Labour should instead campaign for a Peoples Vote. The campaign is being organised by Labour for a Peoples Vote, which hopes to force a vote on the motion at Labours annual conference in Liverpool in September. The group said more than 130 constituency Labour parties (CLPs) across the country will discuss the motion on Brexit and vote on whether they want to propose it for discussion at the conference. Some have already agreed to do so. Each CLP is allowed to propose one motion for discussion at conference, with those receiving the most support from delegates at the gathering likely to be put to a vote. The window for submitting motions opened today. The motion could become party policy if passed, but the Labour leadership is likely to strongly resist attempts to force it to change tack. Last year, grassroots attempts to have Brexit debated by delegates at party conference were seen off by Mr Corbyns team and trade union Unite, who feared they could force a change in party policy. The latest campaign was endorsed by a number of prominent Labour figures. Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA trade union, said: Brexit is a Tory con trick for the benefit of the richest one per cent. It will rob workers and drive down wages. The wealthy chums of Boris, Gove and Fox will line their over-filled pockets on the back of burning workers rights and attacking the rest of us. Its them the ruling class of this country that are to blame for the fact that their austerity has seen our living standards fall. Yet they have the gall to try and pin the blame on migrants for their class war which is making us poorer. Labour cannot collaborate with their Brexit agenda as its out of Bannons fascist notebook Mr Cortes has already backed The Independents Final Say campaign. People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Show all 30 1 /30 People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Rex People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty Images People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal A young protestor shouts as she takes part in the People's Vote demonstration against Brexit Getty Images People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Reuters People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal A protester's pro-EU t-shirt EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty Images People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Gina Miller and Caroline Lucas EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Tens of thousands of people march through London EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EPA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Demonstrators at the People's Vote March Getty People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal 'Two months too young to decide on my future' REUTERS People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal A young girl joins in the march PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal An EU flag is draped across the statue of Winston Chruchill in Parliament Square REUTERS People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal AFP/Getty Images People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Vince Cable MP, Pro-EU campaigner Gina Miller, Tony Robinson and Caroline Lucas MP join with crowds PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Crowds gather on Pall Mall PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal A man resembling Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, joins EU supporters Reuters People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Reuters People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal People gather in Trafalgar Square REUTERS People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal Pro-EU campaigner Gina Miller and Tony Robinson PA People's Vote march demanding vote on final Brexit deal EU supporters, calling on the government to give Britons a vote on the final Brexit deal, participate in the 'People's Vote' march REUTERS Ann Pettifor, an economist who advises John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, said: I am no fan of the EU elite. I voted out in 1975 and I have fought the advance of neo-liberal orthodoxy for decades. But Brexit isnt just about Britains membership of the EU. Its right wing proponents are the British franchise of a global movement, stretching from Trump in America to Orban in Hungary, Salvini in Italy and Marine Le Pen in France. Its effects will be to bolster these far-right and neo-fascist movements internationally, and domestically to further deregulate the economy and attack working class people. Thats why Ill be backing a Peoples Vote at this years Labour conference. The move to have the issue debated at Labour conference is likely to raise pressure on Mr Corbyn to soften his Brexit stance. A number of senior Labour figures, including shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, have suggested the party could join calls for a Peoples Vote. But the Labour leader has insisted: Its not our policy to have a second referendum, its out policy to respect the result of the referendum. It comes amid signs of growing support for a fresh referendum among left-wing supporters of Mr Corbyn. The influential Momentum campaign group is set to vote on a motion calling for a Peoples Vote after a petition started by a member in the London borough of Tower Hamlets received the 4,000 signatures needed to trigger a ballot of all Momentum members. If passed, it would put Momentum at odds with Mr Corbyn, who the organisation was founded to support. Jacob Rees-Mogg suggests a second Brexit referendum would be acceptable in clip from 2011 The Labour for a Peoples Vote motion says the Brexit strategy being pursued by Theresa May is a threat to jobs, freedom of movement, peace in Northern Ireland, and the future of the NHS and public services. It continues: Tory Brexit will wreck the British economy, will commit us to a series of long-term trade deals which will enforce American-style deregulation, and will undermine the rights, freedoms and protections currently enshrined in EU law. All of this will bind the hands of a future Labour government, and will make it far harder for us to deliver on our promises. It says Labour must oppose any Brexit deal that does not satisfy Labours six tests and instead call for an immediate general election, and make a manifesto commitment to call a public vote on the Brexit deal with an option to remain in the EU if the public rejects it. If the party cannot get a general election, the motion says it should campaign for a public vote on the deal with an option to remain in the EU; and following a defeat for the government, call for an immediate general election. The launch of the campaign coincides with a nationwide Left Against Brexit tour to encourage left-wing activists to speak out against Brexit. Organised by the cross-party Another Europe is Possible group, events have been held in a number of major cities and many more are planned for the coming weeks. Marina Prentoulis, a spokesperson for Another Europe is Possible, said: Time is up on the Brexit process, and the only version of Brexit we are going to get is a Tory one. If Labour comes to power before exit day, we will be faced with a choice between no deal and an off-the-shelf Norway-style deal a choice between economic catastrophe and a becoming a rule taker with no say in the making of EU rules. No one voted for this, and implementing it isnt the democratic option. Democracy means giving the people the right to determine their own future, with a referendum on the terms of the Brexit deal with an option to stay in the EU if it is rejected. Labour has dropped its investigation into Dame Margaret Hodge amid accusations the probe was fuelling the damaging antisemitism row engulfing the party. No further action will be taken against the senior backbencher in relation to reports she confronted and shouted at Jeremy Corbyn over anti-Jewish abuse, The Independent has been told. The ex-minister, who is herself Jewish and lost family members in the Holocaust, faced the probe because of an altercation following an angry party meeting on antisemitism. A source said Dame Margaret had expressed regret to Labours chief whip, Nick Brown, for the manner in which she raised her views. Recommended Margaret Hodge threatens to take Labour Party to court over probe As a result, Labours general secretary, Jennie Formby, has written to her to inform her that no further action would be taken. The MP had already been reprimanded by Mr Brown. Responding to news that the investigation will be dropped, Dame Margaret said: Im pleased that the Labour Party has finally dropped their action against me. After 55 years of LP membersship, going after me instead of addressing the issue was wrong. In 2018 antisemitism has again reared its ugly head and the campaign against it goes on. She thanked supporters for their messages, which have kept me going, but insisted: Just to be clear: there have been no apologies on either side. The investigation was opened after a row between the Labour grandee and Mr Corbyn in Parliament, during which Dame Margaret accused her party leader of being a racist and anti-Semite and said he did not want people like me in the Labour Party. It followed Labours decision not to adopt in full the internationally-recognised International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism - a move that was widely criticised by Jewish groups and Labour MPs alike. Mr Corbyns spokesman told reporters action will be taken in relation to the outburst and Dame Margaret received a letter the day after the incident notifying her that she was under investigation by Ms Formby. Protests against Labour antisemitism Show all 14 1 /14 Protests against Labour antisemitism Protests against Labour antisemitism Protesters clashed during the demonstration Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Members of the Jewish community hold a protest against Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn and antisemitism in the Labour Party AFP/Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism Protesters hold placards and flags during a demonstration, organised by the British Board of Jewish Deputies for those who oppose antisemitism, in Parliament Square Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Hundreds of people gathered in Parliament Square to protest against antisemitism in the Labour Party EPA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour MP Luciana Berger speaks during the protest PA Protests against Labour antisemitism A protester blows through a shofar during the demonstration Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism Members of London's Jewish community protest in support of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn outside parliament EPA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour MP John Mann speaks during a protest against antisemitism PA Protests against Labour antisemitism People protest against antisemitism in the Labour Party as Jewish community leaders have launched a scathing attack on Jeremy Corbyn, claiming he has sided with antisemites again and again PA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour politicians Stella Creasy and Chuka Umunna leave after attending the demonstration Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism A pro-Jeremy Corbyn protester holds a placard during a counter-protest Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism A support of the Labour Party hold up a placard during the demonstration Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Jeremy Corbyn supporters during the demo Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism A protester holds up a sign reading For the many, not the Jew AFP The Labour leadership had come under mounting pressure to drop the probe, with John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, and Momentum founder Jon Lansman joining numerous Labour MPs in criticising the decision to open an inquiry. Dame Margaret last week published a heated exchange of letters between her lawyers and Ms Formby, in which her representatives threatened to take the Labour Party to court if the investigation continued. In a strongly worded letter, they wrote: "In the event that you take the misguided step of continuing with this investigation, we would expect any further steps to comply with principles of natural justice and fairness. "We will be monitoring this, and reserve all of our client's rights to refer this matter to Court under the contractual relationship between our client and the Party, and the obligations (express and implied) which follow from this." The MP, who has spoken of having lost relatives in the Holocaust, used a parliamentary debate earlier this year to recount antisemitic abuse she had received. Jeremy Corbyn releases video apologising for antisemitism in the Labour party In their latest letter to Ms Formby, her lawyers raised a series of concerns about the nature of the investigation, including asking why the MP had been asked to apologise before the supposedly "fair" investigation found she had committed any wrongdoing. In a letter suggesting the investigation would be "brought to an end" if Dame Margaret apologised for her actions, Ms Formby said: "We are currently at the beginning of the process. Nobody has prejudged the outcomes, nor is there any improper motive for the investigation." In response, Dame Margaret's lawyers wrote: "You claim that your investigation has not been pre-judged and that under the Labour Party Rules a fair process can still be followed, but that investigation would be dropped if our client apologises. "For our client to be forced into an apology, this would mean that you have pre-determined that she has done something wrong." Strict government controls on immigration drive up the number of people entering a country illegally, a new study has found. While visa restrictions cut overall migration, academics said they can be "ineffective and counterproductive" because they force more people to find unlawful ways to cross borders. The study also found that restricting the number of visas granted to students and highly-skilled workers does little to cut overall migration. Recommended Doctors told to leave UK after Home Office refuses to issue them visas Tighter restrictions on low-skilled workers does appear to reduce migration, but also leads to a "significant portion" of prospective immigrants turning to illegal ways to enter a country, it said. The study was conducted by academics at University College London (UCL), in conjunction with colleagues at the Royal Holloway and University of Birmingham, and was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The findings are likely to be seized on by campaigners demanding the government relax its immigration rules. Ministers have come under pressure to ease strict visa restrictions and abandon their promise to cut net migration to the "tens of thousands". The Independent's "Drop the Target" campaign also calls on the government to ditch that pledge. Theresa May has already agreed to lift restrictions on the number of doctors and nurses allowed to enter the UK each year after sustained lobbying from NHS leaders and some of her own cabinet ministers. The government's "hostile environment" for illegal immigrants was also widely criticised earlier this year after a number of Windrush generation migrants were wrongly caught up in the clampdown. The new study found that restrictions on family migration were especially unhelpful, leading around a quarter of people who would have moved country legally to instead do so via illegal channels. Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Show all 15 1 /15 Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK The ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush' arriving at Tilbury Docks from Jamaica, with 482 Jamaicans on board, emigrating to Britain. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Jamaican immigrants being welcomed by RAF officials from the Colonial Office after the ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush' landed them at Tilbury. PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Alford Gardner who arrived in Britain in 1948 on the first Windrush ship to dock in Tilbury, Essex, speaking at his home in Leeds PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Alford Gardner in Leeds shortly after he arrived in Britain in 1948 on the first Windrush ship to dock in Tilbury, Essex PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Gardner was 22 years old when he boarded the ship in Kingston, Jamaica, with his brother Gladstone before they and hundreds of Caribbean migrants called on to rebuild post-war Britain disembarked the ship in Tilbury Docks PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Alford Gardner (right), during his RAF service in 1947 PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK The son of Ruth Williams, a Windrush-generation immigrant, wants to the leave the country after threats of deportation. According to his mother, Mr Haynes applied for British citizenship in 2016 but was rejected, despite Ms Williams having lived in the UK almost permanently since arriving from St Vincent and the Grenadines in 1959. Ruth Williams, 75, said she felt "betrayed" by Britain after the Home Office twice turned down applications for her 35-year-old son, Mozi Haynes, to remain in the country. Ms Williams is understood to have cancer and said she relies heavily on her son for support. PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK The British liner 'Empire Windrush' at port in 1954. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Ruth Williams, 75, with her British passport. "I feel betrayed and a second class citizen in my own country," she said. "This makes me so sad and the Home Office must show some compassion. "I am unwell and almost 75, I live on my own and I need my son to stay here. I need my family around me and I cant face being alone. He has applied to the Home Office and been refused twice." PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK From the top, hopeful Jamaican boxers Charles Smith, Ten Ansel, Essi Reid, John Hazel, Boy Solas and manager Mortimer Martin arrive at Tilbury on the Empire Windrush in the hope of finding work in Britain. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Jamaicans reading a newspaper whilst on board the ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush' bound for Tilbury docks in Essex. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK After half a century in Britain, Anthony Bryan decided it was time to go abroad. But the decision set off a nightmare that saw him lose his job, detained twice and almost deported to Jamaica. AFP/Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Jamaica-born Anthony Bryan poses outside his home in Edmonton, north London. Now 60 and a grandfather, Bryan thought the issue could be resolved swiftly, as he legally moved to Britain with his family as part of the Windrush generation of Caribbean migrants after World War II. In 1948, the ship Windrush brought the first group of migrants from the West Indies to help rebuild post-war Britain, and many others followed from around the Commonwealth. A 1971 law gave them indefinite leave to remain, but many never formalised their status, often because they were children who came over on their parents' passports and then never applied for their own. AFP/Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Three Jamaican immigrants (left to right) John Hazel, a 21-year-old boxer, Harold Wilmot, 32, and John Richards, a 22-year-old carpenter, arriving at Tilbury on board the ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush', smartly dressed in zoot suits and trilby hats. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Newly arrived Jamaican immigrants on board the 'Empire Windrush' at Tilbury in 1948. Getty UCL academic Miranda Simo, who led the study: We show that even minimal visa requirements can significantly reduce immigration, but this comes at the cost of reorienting aspiring migrants towards unauthorised channels. The largest reorientation towards unauthorised channels happens when the family route is closed, because it is the most easily accessible out of those considered. When restricting immigration policy, governments need to consider that they are also reducing aspiring migrants already limited options for legal migration. Co-author Professor David Hudson, from the University of Birmingham, said: Our research clearly demonstrates that, while restrictions on immigration do decrease legal migration, this has unintentionally led to an increase in illegal immigration flows which results in a costly and unsustainable need for greater border enforcement. The study found that restrictions on low-skilled and family migration cut total immigration by 21 per cent and 32 per cent respectively but also drove up illegal immigration by 14 per cent and 24 per cent respectively. The authors said taking action against illegal immigration was "not efficient" because 80 per cent of all illegal migrants would need to be caught in order to offset the increased number resulting from stricter immigration rules. The photographer behind a viral image of a starving polar bear has addressed the complexity of the story which seemingly connected that particular polar bears dying state to an effect of climate change. Cristina Mittermeiers recent article for the National Geographic talked about images and videos that captured an emaciated polar bear in the Canadian Baffin Islands that went viral after they were published last year. Ms Mittermeier wrote that the visuals of the animal seen around the world, may not have told the full story. In the article titled Starving-Polar-Bear Photographer Recalls What Went Wrong, Ms Mittermeier explained that she and fellow photographer Paul Nicklen had set out on a mission to capture images that spoke to the dangers of climate change. In 2014, Ms Mittermeier and Mr Nicklen co-founded SeaLegacy, an organisation that uses visual storytelling to spread awareness on ocean conservation. Last year, Mr Nicklen spotted the polar bear while on a scouting trip before helping to assemble a SeaLegacy rescue team to the animals location. Mr Nicklen described the experience filming the starving polar bear as soul-crushing and haunting in a caption of a video published to Instagram December 2017. My entire SeaLegacy team was pushing through their tears and emotions while documenting this dying polar bear, he wrote. Indeed, the troubling images and video resonated with people around the world; Ms Mittermeier estimated that the footage reached 2.5 bn people. But Ms Mittermeier wrote that the photographers had lost control of the narrative as the footage went viral. The mission was a success, but there was a problem: We had lost control of the narrative, she wrote. She added: We had sent a gut-wrenching image out into the world. We probably shouldnt have been surprised that people didnt pick up on the nuances we tried to send with it. Ms Mittermeier wrote that when the National Geographic picked up Mr Nicklens video, they added subtitles to the footage, such as This is what climate change looks like. She said the publication had initially gone too far with the captions as was unclear what caused that particular polar bears dying state. In his Instagram caption, Mr Nicklen wrote "this is what starvation looks like," as he urged people to implement global warming solutions. The National Geographic has not immediately responded to The Independents inquiry on a statement regarding its initial messaging around the starving polar bear and climate change. National Geographic issued the following editors note: "National Geographic went too far in drawing a definitive connection between climate change and a particular starving polar bear in the opening caption of our December 2017 video about the animal. We said, This is what climate change looks like. While science has established that there is a strong connection between melting sea ice and polar bears dying off, there is no way to know for certain why this bear was on the verge of death. Above is an updated version of the video". Ms Mittermeier also noted that while the cause of that particular polar bears gaunt state was unknown, climate change can have grave effects on wildlife nonetheless. "Climate change kills slowly and by proxy: through fire, drought, cold, and starvation," she wrote. "The connection between an individual animals death and climate change is rarely cleareven when an animal is as emaciated as this polar bear." Lisa Murray's climate change photography Show all 12 1 /12 Lisa Murray's climate change photography Lisa Murray's climate change photography Dinka cattle herders starting their migration in South Sudan Lisa Murray Lisa Murray's climate change photography A Dinka woman fetches water in South Sudan Lisa Murray Lisa Murray's climate change photography Veronica in South Sudan preparing tea outside her home, recently ravaged by heavy flooding Lisa Murray Lisa Murray's climate change photography Children playing in Vietnam. When it floods, transport to and from school is a major challenge Lisa Murray Lisa Murray's climate change photography Sugeng, a fish and crab farmer from Indonesia who suffers financially every time the area floods Lisa Murray Lisa Murray's climate change photography Tan, a vegetable farmer, learning new methods through Oxfam in Vietnam Lisa Murray Lisa Murray's climate change photography Maluk, a 19-year-old from Tonj South, South Sudan Lisa Murray Lisa Murray's climate change photography Normally this farmer in South Sudan would be harvesting sorghum, but rains are late so the hunger season continues Lisa Murray Lisa Murray's climate change photography Herders bringing home their cattle in Afar, Ethiopia Lisa Murray Lisa Murray's climate change photography Farmers harvesting chilli in Ethiopia Lisa Murray Lisa Murray's climate change photography A woman in Tigray, Ethiopia, scares birds away from her crops with a slingshot Lisa Murray Lisa Murray's climate change photography Irula tribe woman in Tamil Nadu Lisa Murray The US Department of Agriculture has concluded that climate change can alter the ecosystem and food supply for wildlife. Furthermore, studies have revealed that theres a scientific consensus that the Earths climate is warming and its extremely likely due to human activity. I cant say that this bear was starving because of climate change, but I do know that polar bears rely on a platform of sea ice from which to hunt, Ms Mittermeier wrote. She added: A fast-warming Arctic means that sea ice is disappearing for increasingly longer periods of time each year. That means many more bears will get stranded on land, where they cant pursue the seals, walruses, and whales that are their prey and where they will slowly starve to death. A group of seven castaway puppies have been rescued after being dumped on a remote Canadian island. The litter, thought to be around four months old, were discovered last week on the tiny isle by a boater near the rural community of Cross Keys, Manitoba. Concerned, he contacted Norway House Animal Rescue, which began drawing up a plan to get the dogs back to safety. Deb Vandekerkhove, director of the centre, said the boat driver had first heard noise coming from the island the evening before the discovery of the puppies. All the dogs rescued from the island will be made available for adoption (Norway House Animal Rescue) He and his friend were out and it was getting dark already, and they heard some noises on the island, she told CBC. They took their binoculars and they couldn't see anything but some dark shadows, and they heard a bunch of crying. They thought originally it was wolves. The dogs were delivered food for several days until they were rescued from the island on Saturday and have since made the 330-mile trip to Winnipeg, where they will be offered for adoption. They were a little bit skittish at first when the volunteers that went up there found them on the island, Jessica Boeckler, adoption coordinator at Norway House told CTV News. The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 Show all 14 1 /14 The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 A young elephant seals looks shocked at his friends revelation in George Cathcart's "WTF?!", taken in San Simeon, California George Cathcart / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 A Green Turtle vs a Napoleon Maori Wrasse in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia Troy Mayne / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 Andrea Zampatti won the On The Land category with this precious snap in Italy Andrea Zampatti / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) mother with cub hitching a ride on mama's bum. Wapusk National Park in Manitoba, Canada Daisy Gilardini / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 A sea otter pictured cheering after sleep in early morning in Elkhorn Slough, California Penny Palmer / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 An owl struggles to keep his grip as his owl friends look the other way in Tibor Kercz's "Help!!!" in Opusztaszer, Hungary Tibor Kercz / CWPA / Barcroft Im The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 A red fox surveys his shot in Douglas Croft's "Must Have Three-Putted" Douglas Croft / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 Two mudskippers sing their hearts out on tidal mudflats, taken in Krabi, Thailand Daniel Trim / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 Jean-Jacques Alcalay was highly commended for his snap of a blue wildebeest appearing to ride a wave of hundreds of other wildebeest in Masai Mara, Kenya Jean-Jacques Alcalay/ Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 A wild rabbit seen collecting nesting material in Belgium Flanders, Bredene Olivier Colle / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 Three king penguins approach the only church on South Georgia Island appearing to be headed for services. Titled as Mom, do we always have to be the first ones at church? Carl Henry / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 The Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) tried to hide in the bush for a quick tryst, but they were surely caught in the act Bence Mate / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 A bunch of Widgeon pictured flying but one was seen flying exactly in front of a high airline plane, taken in Preston John Threlfall / CWPA / Barcroft The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2017 These two monkeys broke away from their group to 'test drive' a motorbike parked near the entrance to the reserve in Tangkoko Batuangus Nature Reserve, Indonesia Katy Laveck Foster / CWPA / Barcroft It did take them a little bit of time to gain their trust, but with food anything is possible with hungry dogs right? All puppies now appear to be in good health compared to when they were first discovered on the island looking thin and hungry. Rescuers have few clues as to how the dogs ended up stranded on the small island, which is around a 25-minute boat ride from the nearest inhabited area. But they have used the situation as inspiration to name the puppies after characters from Gilligans Island, a 1960s sitcom about a group of shipwrecked castaways, with names including Jonas, Wentworth, Ginger, Professor Roy Hinkley, Thurston, and Gilligan. Chinese state media has mounted an uncharacteristically personal attack on US President Donald Trump as the trade war between the two countries enters its sixth month. The ruling Communist Partys daily newspaper on Monday claimed the US had intentionally inflamed frictions with China, turning international trade into a "zero-sum game, according to Reuters. The president was starring in his own carefully orchestrated street fighter-style deceitful drama", the People's Daily newspaper said, adding that it was "wishful thinking that anyone else would play along. "Governing a country is not like doing business," the paper said in an editorial. Mr Trump has already placed a 25 per cent tariff on $34bn worth of Chinese goods, and threatened sanctions on $200bn more, claiming the country is stealing American intellectual property and threatening US jobs. He has also set his sights on lowering the approximately $375bn trade deficit between the two countries. These products may become more costly in the trade war Show all 9 1 /9 These products may become more costly in the trade war These products may become more costly in the trade war Orange Juice, which Florida is known for, may soon be subject to import tariffs Getty Images These products may become more costly in the trade war The EU lists 'footwear with outer soles of rubber or of plastics and uppers of plastics' amongst the goods that may soon be subject to import tariffs Getty Images These products may become more costly in the trade war Cosmetic products, such as US brands Maybelline, MAC and Avon, may soon be subject to import tariffs Getty Images for Rebekka Ruetz These products may become more costly in the trade war Jeans, the all-American trousers, are on the EU's list of goods that may be subject to import tariffs Getty Images These products may become more costly in the trade war Bourbon whiskey is on the EU's list of over 100 US products that may be subject to import tariffs Getty These products may become more costly in the trade war US peanut butter products are on the EU's list of goods that may soon be subject to tariffs Getty Images These products may become more costly in the trade war US motorcycles, such as the Harley-Davidson, may soon be subject to import tariffs Getty Images These products may become more costly in the trade war Cranberry products, a major US crop export, may soon become more expensive Getty Images These products may become more costly in the trade war All tobacco products are on the EU's list of US goods that may be subject to import tarifs AFP/Getty Images China has retaliated with matching tariffs on $34bn worth of American goods like tobacco, whiskey and motorcycles. On Friday, in response to Mr Trumps threats, it unveiled plans to place additional sanctions on $60bn worth of American imports. Factoring into the Trump administration's calculations is the yuans six per cent slide since the start of the summer, according to the Wall St Journal. Also affecting the dispute is the lack of communication from either side. Larry Kudlow, Mr Trumps chief economic adviser, told Marketplace last week that "virtually nothing has happened in a trade dialogue with China in a month or six weeks. Missouri soy farmers fear the implications of a trade war with China after Trump announces trade tariffs Representatives for US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He were looking for ways to restart talks last week, according to Bloomberg News. But Mr Mnuchin said only that there were "some quiet conversations" taking place, telling CNBC: We're prepared if [Beijing] is going to make serious moves to negotiate." The president, meanwhile, tweeted on Sunday that the tariffs were working big time. Every country on earth wants to take wealth out of the US, always to our detriment, he tweeted. I say, as they come, Tax them. Donald Trump has signed an executive order reimposing a number of sanctions on Iran a move the European Union said it deeply regretted and which will complicate relations with Tehran for scores of nations. Three months after he revealed he was pulling the United States out of the seven party Iran nuclear deal, Mr Trump announced the reimposition of a wide range of sanctions against the Middle Eastern nation. A second set will be reimposed in a further three months. [The Iran nuclear deal] a horrible, one-sided deal, failed to achieve the fundamental objective of blocking all paths to an Iranian nuclear bomb, and it threw a lifeline of cash to a murderous dictatorship that has continued to spread bloodshed, violence and chaos, Mr Trump said in a statement. Since the deal was reached, Irans aggression has only increased. The regime has used the windfall of newly accessible funds it received under the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] to build nuclear-capable missiles, fund terrorism, and fuel conflict across the Middle East and beyond. White House national security adviser John Bolton said Iran should pay heed to the fact Mr Trump has said he is willing to negotiate. They could take up the presidents offer to negotiate with them, to give up their ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programmes fully and really verifiably, Mr Bolton told Fox News. If the ayatollahs want to get out from under the squeeze, they should come and sit down. The pressure will not relent while the negotiations go on, said Mr Bolton, one of the administrations main hawks on Iran. Irans president Hassan Rouhani responded that Iran could hold talks with the US only if Washington proved its trustworthiness. Mr Rouhani implied that if the US signed up again to the nuclear deal and lifted sanctions, then that could pave the ground for negotiations. If you stab someone with a knife and then you say you want talks, then the first thing you have to do is remove the knife, Mr Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state television. We are always in favour of diplomacy and talks... But talks need honesty, Rouhani said. He called on Iranians to unite in the face of hardship. There will be pressure because of sanctions, but we will overcome this with unity, he said. Trump says he would meet with Iran's leaders without preconditions In the aftermath of Mr Trumps unilateral decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal in May, the other parties to the 2015 deal Russia, China, Germany, France, the UK and the EU vowed to stick with the deal and to continue to trade with Iran. Several companies, such as French-based Airbus, felt obliged to pull out of a deal with Iran, rather than risk sanctions from Washington. The revoking of licensees to the company and its rival, Boeing, saw the aircraft manufacturer lose out on a $39bn deal with Tehran for new planes. Easing sanctions such as this was a major inducement to get Tehran to sign the JCPOA in 2015 under President Barack Obama. The executive order signed on Monday, which will come into effect at midnight EST, relates to the purchase or acquisition of US currency in Iran, the trade in gold and other precious metals, materials such as graphite, aluminium, steel and coal, and software used in industrial processes. They also target the countrys automotive sector. The remaining sanctions to be reimposed on November 5 relate to Irans port operators, and energy, shipping and shipbuilding sectors. Crucially, they will also target its oil industry and foreign financial institutions with the Central Bank of Iran. A group of EU foreign ministers issued a statement saying they deeply regretted the new sanctions and said that Iran was abiding by the agreement when Mr Trump withdrew. It is working and delivering on its goal of limiting Irans nuclear programme, they said. Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif claimed Mr Trump and US allies, Israel and Saudi Arabia, had become isolated by their hostile policies towards Tehran, state TV reported. Their oppressive policies and violent measures have made them isolated... The world has distanced itself from their hostile policies against Iran, Mr Zarif was quoted as saying. The Trump administration has been pressuring nations to abide by the sanctions and cut their imports of Iranian oil to zero. Many countries, among them India, which is the second biggest importer of Iranian oil after China, have began reducing how much they buy. 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 During a briefing with reporters, a Trump administration official was asked if the US would offer any waivers to countries. It is our policy to get as many countries to zero as quickly as possible, the official said. We are going to work with individual countries on a case by case basis, but our goal is to reduce the amount of revenue and hard currency going into Iran. In addition to the sanctions, the Trump administration has engaged in a propaganda war against Iran. Officials claim it does not have a policy of regime change, but rather wants to change the actions of the authorities in Tehran. In a speech last month in California, secretary of state Mike Pompeo launched a scathing attack on Irans clerical and military rulers, calling them a kleptocracy similar to the mafia. The level of corruption and wealth among regime leaders shows that Iran is run by something that resembles the mafia more than a government, Mr Pompeo said in speech made to a largely Iranian American audience at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library outside Los Angeles. President Rouhani responded that if the US was to engage in military conflict, it would result in the mother of all wars. Mr Trump in turn said on Twitter that Iran would suffer consequences the likes of which few throughout history have ever suffered before, if it did anything negative. At the same time, Mr Trump has recently offered to meet with the Iranian leadership, with no pre-conditions. The offer was repeated on Monday by the official briefing reporters. The official said the president will meet with the Iranian leadership at any time to discuss a real comprehensive deal that will contain their regional ambitions, will end their malign behaviour and deny them any path to a nuclear weapon. Critics of Mr Trumps actions said the seven party deal, designed to limit Irans nuclear weapons ambitions in a verifiable manner, was one of the most effective arms control deals of recent years. Opponents of the deal, among them Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, praised Mr Trumps decision to withdraw. Commentators have pointed out that the very modest deal Mr Trump touted after his summit with Kim Jong-un in Singapore in June was light on detail and merely pledged to work towards denuclearisation. Authorities on the earthquake ravaged island of Lombok were allegedly demanding money from tourists before they would let them onto rescue boats. After the 6.9-magnitude quake struck, killing more than 100 people, some survivors attempted to flee the Indonesian island. Katy Flay, who was on holiday with her partner, told her brother authorities were demanding money before they would allow tourists onto rescue boats. "We have tried to get on many boats. Boats [are] leaving half empty as you need a ticket... no boats for everyone, just selected people," the 333-year-old said in comments he later relayed to The Guardian. "People are punching and hitting each other." American holidaymaker Michelle Thompson also described a scramble to get on boats leaving for the main island during which her husband was injured. "People were just throwing their suitcases on board and I had to struggle to get my husband on, because he was bleeding," she said. Valentin Valla, a French tourist in the town of Mataram, said the quake woke up tourists who ran out of their hotel, but there was no apparent damage. Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said it expected the death toll to rise once the rubble of more than 13,000 houses was cleared away after two powerful quakes in a week. Power and communications were severed in some areas, with landslides and a collapsed bridge blocking access to areas around the epicentre in the north. The military said it would send a ship with medical aid, supplies and logistics support. Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and is regularly hit by earthquakes. In 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami killed 226,000 people in 13 countries, including more than 120,000 in Indonesia. Lombok earthquake: more than 500 climbers trapped on Indonesia volcano Officials said more than 2,000 people had been evacuated from the three Gili islands off the northwest coast of Lombok, where fears of another tsunami spread. BNPB spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said emergency units in its hospitals were overflowing and some patients were being treated in parking lots. The main hospital in the town of Tanjung in the north was severely damaged, so staff set up about 30 beds in the shade of trees and in a tent on a field to tend to the injured. A boy with a heavily bandaged leg wailed in pain, an elderly man wore a splint improvised from strips of cardboard on a broken arm, and some hurt by falling debris still had dried blood on their faces. The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) said more than 120 aftershocks were recorded after Sunday evening's quake. Lombok had already been hit on July 29 by a 6.4 magnitude quake that killed 17 people and briefly stranded several hundred trekkers on the slopes of a volcano. At magnitude 6.9, Sunday's quake released more than five times the energy of the earlier one, the US Geological Survey website said. The tremor was powerful enough to be felt on the neighbouring island of Bali where, BNPB said, two people died. Despite it being a popular tourist destination, no foreigners were recorded among the dead, Mr Nugroho told a news conference. Some 236 people were injured and more than 20,000 displaced, he said. "We have yet to ask for help from the international (community). But if there's any friendly country who wants to offer help, please do," Mr Nugroho said. Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Show all 55 1 /55 Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Rescue workers extract a woman, who survived after being trapped in rubble since the earthquake in Lombok, Indonesia Antara Foto/Ahmad Subaid/Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A man inspects the ruins of houses AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A ten-month old baby girl survivor, Refi, is aided by volunteer doctors at an emergency hospital in Tanjung EPA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A man riding a motorcycle passes by a damaged house at Sira village in northern Lombok AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Rescuers with sniffer dogs search for victims at a mosque damaged by the earthquake AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Indonesian search and rescue teams look for victims at a collapsed mosque Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Search and rescue personnel look for victims AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Indonesians carry an elderly woman at a temporary shelter in Pemenang Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A woman prays near her temporary tent near Tanjung hospital Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Search and rescue personnel look for victims AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Rescue teams search for victims in the rubble caused by an earthquake at a Mosque in North Lombok AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Tourists sleep while waiting to depart from the Praya Lombok International Airport on the West Nusa Tenggara AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A doctor and paramedics give medical treatment to a man injured in the earthquake AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Rescue teams search for victims AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Tourists sleep on the floor as they wait to depart from the Praya Lombok International Airport AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Indonesian search and rescue personnel work on a collapsed mosque in Pemenang, North Lombok AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island An elderly man rests in a makeshift hospital after surviving a major earthquake in Kayangan on Lombok AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Tourists affected by a strong earthquake line up on a beach as they wait to be evacuated on Gili Trawangan AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Indonesian rescuers search for victims under the ruin of a collapsed house after an earthquake struck in North Lombok, Indonesia EPA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A father accompanies his injured child outside of Tanjung hospital, Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A damaged in Pemenang, North Lombok AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Makeshift tents are erected to be used as a temporary shelter for those affected AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Usable items are salvaged from a home destroyed in an earthquake in North Lombok AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island According to media reports, a 7.0 magnitude quake hit Indonesia's island of Lombok on 5 August, killing at least 91 people AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Hospital patients are moved to an emergency tent outside of a hospital building in Denpasar, Bali EPA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island EPA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Map locating the earthquake in Lombok Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Indonesian soldiers carry the body of an earthquake victim Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Evacuation from Gili Trawangan in Indonesia James Kelsall/PA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Workers cleanup parts of a shopping mall building which collapsed after an earthquake, in Denpasar, Bali EPA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Recovered items sit next to destroyed buildings in Pemenang in northern Lombok AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Hundreds of people attempting to leave Gili Trawangan AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Indonesian local residents stay outside of their collapsed houses EPA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Rescue personnel stands next to a motorcycle that fell down at a mall in Bali's capital Denpasar AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Hospital staff treat patients outside a hospital after a major earthquake rocked Indonesia's Lombok island, in Mataram AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island People affected by the earthquake rest at a temporary shelter in Lombok AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A man removes debris outside a mall in Bali's capital Denpasar AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island People react following an earthquake in Ampenan district, Mataram, Lombok Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A hospital patient is moved outside of the hospital building in Denpasar, Bali EPA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A policeman gestures as he walks next to damaged bikes and debris at a mall in Bali's capital Denpasar AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island People next to an ambulance near the Golden Palace Hotel after an earthquake hit Lombok Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Residents stand next to bikes and debris at a mall in Bali's capital Denpasar AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Indonesian soldiers tend to a woman injured in the earthquake at a makeshift hospital in Lombok AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Tourists wait outside a hotel in Denpasar AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island People clean up debris following a strong earthquake on nearby Lombok island, in Denpasar Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island An ambulance near Golden Palace Hotel after an earthquake hit Lombok Island Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Indonesians stand on road outside a mall in Bali's capital Denpasar AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Security and mall personnel walk over debris AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Residents wait as they evacuate to higher ground AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island An ambulance rushes out of the hospital AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Hospital patients and relatives wait outside in Mataram AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Hospital patients and relatives stand outside after being evacuated in Mataram AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A hospital patient is moved outside EPA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Residents evacuate by motorcycle Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A hospital patient is moved outside EPA British-based charity Oxfam said it was providing clean drinking water and tarpaulin shelter sheets to 5,000 people and planned to intensify aid delivery. The United Nations has offered to support rescue and relief efforts if required. The Indonesian Red Cross said on Twitter it had helped a woman give birth at a makeshift health care station after the quake. One of the names she gave the baby boy was "Gempa", which means earthquake. Among those displaced were residents of a northern village called Mentigi, who fled to nearby hills. Blue tarpaulins dotted the landscape as people prepared to spend the nights outdoors because of aftershocks or because their homes were destroyed. "We are getting some aid from volunteers, but we don't have proper tents yet," said a 50-year-old villager sheltering with his wife and children, who gave his name only as Marhun. Sengiggi, a seaside tourist strip on Lombok, looked abandoned. Amid collapsed homes, most hotels seemed to have shut and beaches were deserted. The few restaurants left open were rationing food. Long lines formed at the airport of Lombok's main town, Mataram, as foreign visitors cut their holidays short. BNPB said 18 extra flights had been added for leaving tourists. "I was at the rooftop of my hotel and the building started swaying very hard ... I could not stand up," said Gino Poggiali, a 43-year-old Frenchman, who was with his wife and two children at the airport. His wife Maude, 44, said the family was on Bali for the first quake and Lombok for the second. "This is it for me in Indonesia. Next time we will stay in France, or somewhere close," she said. Additional reporting by Reuters. Amid escalating tensions that are damaging economic and diplomatic ties between the countries, Saudi Arabia said Monday that it would relocate about 7,000 Saudi scholarship recipients studying in Canada. The move is in response to Canadian officials accusing Saudi Arabia of human rights violations and demanding the release of activists imprisoned in the kingdom, Saudi Education Ministry spokesman Mubarak al-Osaimi wrote on Twitter. Activism Arrests Canada Continents and regions Crime, law enforcement and corrections Criminal law Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Government departments and authorities International relations International relations and national security Law and legal system Law enforcement Middle East Middle East and North Africa North America Saudi Arabia Society State departments and diplomatic services The Americas Asia Philippines Samar Southeast Asia Business, economy and trade International trade Trade and development Demographic groups Females (demographic group) Feminism Gender equality Population and demographics Sex and gender issues Companies Twitter United States The Saudi government has said it considers the Canadian position an assault on its sovereignty. "We will be able to accommodate this number of students in excellent countries such as the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand," Jasser bin Sulaiman Al Harbash, Saudi Arabia's deputy minister of education for scholarship, told state-run television. This is in addition to suspending training programs and fellowships in Canada, two Saudi Education Ministry officials said. Saudi Arabia has already frozen all new trade and investment deals. State airline Saudia said it is suspending flights to and from Toronto starting August 13. In a Sunday statement, its Foreign Affairs Ministry gave Canadian Ambassador Dennis Horak 24 hours to leave the country. Saudi Arabia also recalled its own envoy. "The Kingdom views the Canadian position as an affront ... that requires a sharp response to prevent any party from attempting to meddle with Saudi sovereignty," read the statement, adding that it retained the "right to take further action." Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said she was "deeply concerned" about the planned expulsion but stressed Canada will continue to advocate for the protection of human rights. Bahrain, a staunch Saudi ally, said it backed the Saudi move in a statement on Monday. The country's foreign ministry slammed what it called "unacceptable intervention in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," according to Bahrain's official news agency. The statement follows a series of tweets from the Canadian Foreign Ministry last week urging the Saudi authorities to "immediately release" civil-rights activists. A recent Saudi government crackdown has seen a number of high-profile activists detained, including women's rights campaigner Samar Badawi, whose brother Raif has been behind bars since 2012 and is sentenced to receive 1,000 lashes. According to Human Rights Watch, Badawi was arrested August 1 as part of an "unprecedented government crackdown on the women's rights movement that began on May 15, 2018, and has resulted in the arrest of more than a dozen activists." Amnesty International also has sided with Canada and called on states with influence in Saudi Arabia -- namely, the United States, United Kingdom and France -- to end their silence with regard to Saudi Arabia's treatment of "human rights defenders." "The world cannot continue to look the other way," said Samah Hadid, Amnesty's Middle East director of campaigns. "It is now time for other governments to join Canada in increasing the pressure on Saudi Arabia to release all prisoners of conscience immediately and unconditionally, and end the crackdown on freedom of expression in the country." In a tweet Thursday, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said she was "very alarmed" to learn of Badawi's arrest and that "Canada stands together with the Badawi family." On Friday, Canada's official foreign policy account followed up, tweeting that "Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and women's rights activists in #SaudiArabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists." Samar Badawi is one of the most high-profile women's rights activists in Saudia Arabia, a country governed by a strict interpretation of Sunni Islam that limits the roles women can play in society. Women were only recently granted the right to drive and are required to get approval from a male guardian for most basic activities. Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and first lady Michelle Obama presented Badawi with the US Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Award in 2012 for her advocacy work. Badawi previously served seven months in jail in 2010 for disobeying her father, who she said had physically abused her from the age of 14 after her mother died of cancer. The statement released by the Saudi Foreign Ministry on Sunday accused the Canadian government of "blatant interference in the Kingdom's domestic affairs." "The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed disbelief by this negative unfounded comment, which was not based in any accurate or true information," the statement read. "It is quite unfortunate to see the phrase 'immediate release' in the Canadian statement, which is a reprehensible and unacceptable use of language between sovereign states." The Saudi Foreign Ministry said those arrested were "lawfully detained by the Public Prosecution for committing crimes punishable by applicable law, which also guaranteed the detainees' rights and provided them with due process during the investigation and trial." Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir reiterated those remarks in a Monday tweet and added that Canada's claims are "based on misleading information." He did not elaborate. Trade between the two countries exceeded $3 billion last year, according to the Canadian government. At least 98 people have been killed after a powerful magnitude-7 earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Lombok, prompting tourists to flee. It was the second deadly quake to hit the island in a week after 16 were killed and hundreds of houses damaged on 29 July. A spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency told a news conference the damage was massive in the north of Lombok, and the agency said the death toll was expected to rise. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said the dead included no foreigners and there were 236 people injured, with thousands of homes and buildings damaged and 20,000 people in temporary shelters. Some areas are still to be reached, with rescuers hampered by collapsed bridges, electricity blackouts and damaged roads strewn with debris. Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Show all 55 1 /55 Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Rescue workers extract a woman, who survived after being trapped in rubble since the earthquake in Lombok, Indonesia Antara Foto/Ahmad Subaid/Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A man inspects the ruins of houses AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A ten-month old baby girl survivor, Refi, is aided by volunteer doctors at an emergency hospital in Tanjung EPA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A man riding a motorcycle passes by a damaged house at Sira village in northern Lombok AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Rescuers with sniffer dogs search for victims at a mosque damaged by the earthquake AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Indonesian search and rescue teams look for victims at a collapsed mosque Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Search and rescue personnel look for victims AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Indonesians carry an elderly woman at a temporary shelter in Pemenang Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A woman prays near her temporary tent near Tanjung hospital Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Search and rescue personnel look for victims AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Rescue teams search for victims in the rubble caused by an earthquake at a Mosque in North Lombok AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Tourists sleep while waiting to depart from the Praya Lombok International Airport on the West Nusa Tenggara AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A doctor and paramedics give medical treatment to a man injured in the earthquake AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Rescue teams search for victims AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Tourists sleep on the floor as they wait to depart from the Praya Lombok International Airport AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Indonesian search and rescue personnel work on a collapsed mosque in Pemenang, North Lombok AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island An elderly man rests in a makeshift hospital after surviving a major earthquake in Kayangan on Lombok AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Tourists affected by a strong earthquake line up on a beach as they wait to be evacuated on Gili Trawangan AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Indonesian rescuers search for victims under the ruin of a collapsed house after an earthquake struck in North Lombok, Indonesia EPA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A father accompanies his injured child outside of Tanjung hospital, Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A damaged in Pemenang, North Lombok AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Makeshift tents are erected to be used as a temporary shelter for those affected AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Usable items are salvaged from a home destroyed in an earthquake in North Lombok AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island According to media reports, a 7.0 magnitude quake hit Indonesia's island of Lombok on 5 August, killing at least 91 people AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Hospital patients are moved to an emergency tent outside of a hospital building in Denpasar, Bali EPA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island EPA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Map locating the earthquake in Lombok Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Indonesian soldiers carry the body of an earthquake victim Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Evacuation from Gili Trawangan in Indonesia James Kelsall/PA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Workers cleanup parts of a shopping mall building which collapsed after an earthquake, in Denpasar, Bali EPA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Recovered items sit next to destroyed buildings in Pemenang in northern Lombok AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Hundreds of people attempting to leave Gili Trawangan AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Indonesian local residents stay outside of their collapsed houses EPA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Rescue personnel stands next to a motorcycle that fell down at a mall in Bali's capital Denpasar AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Hospital staff treat patients outside a hospital after a major earthquake rocked Indonesia's Lombok island, in Mataram AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island People affected by the earthquake rest at a temporary shelter in Lombok AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A man removes debris outside a mall in Bali's capital Denpasar AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island People react following an earthquake in Ampenan district, Mataram, Lombok Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A hospital patient is moved outside of the hospital building in Denpasar, Bali EPA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A policeman gestures as he walks next to damaged bikes and debris at a mall in Bali's capital Denpasar AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island People next to an ambulance near the Golden Palace Hotel after an earthquake hit Lombok Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Residents stand next to bikes and debris at a mall in Bali's capital Denpasar AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Indonesian soldiers tend to a woman injured in the earthquake at a makeshift hospital in Lombok AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Tourists wait outside a hotel in Denpasar AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island People clean up debris following a strong earthquake on nearby Lombok island, in Denpasar Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island An ambulance near Golden Palace Hotel after an earthquake hit Lombok Island Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Indonesians stand on road outside a mall in Bali's capital Denpasar AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Security and mall personnel walk over debris AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Residents wait as they evacuate to higher ground AP Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island An ambulance rushes out of the hospital AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Hospital patients and relatives wait outside in Mataram AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Hospital patients and relatives stand outside after being evacuated in Mataram AFP/Getty Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A hospital patient is moved outside EPA Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island Residents evacuate by motorcycle Reuters Powerful earthquake rocks Indonesia's Lombok island A hospital patient is moved outside EPA The quake, measured at a magnitude 7 by Indonesian authorities and a still powerful 6.9 by the US Geological Survey, struck early on Sunday evening at a depth of 10.5km (6 miles) in the northern part of Lombok. Soldiers and other rescuers carried injured people on stretchers and carpets to evacuation centres. Many victims were treated outdoors because hospitals were damaged. People panicked and scattered on the streets, and buildings and houses that had been damaged by the previous earthquake had become more damaged and collapsed, Mr Sutopo said. The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics said more than 120 aftershocks were recorded after the tremor. The earthquake triggered a tsunami warning, and frightened people poured out of their homes to move to higher ground, particularly in north Lombok and Mataram, the capital of West Nusa Tenggara province, but the warning was lifted on Sunday after only small waves were recorded. Mr Sutopo said there were no fatalities among the local and foreign tourists, and a joint search and rescue team had deployed three ships to rescue people. A tourist stands near damaged buildings as he tries to flag down a car after the earthquake (Antara Foto/Ahmad Subaidi/ via Reuters) (Antara Foto/Ahmad Subaidi/ via REUTERS) Australias home affairs minister tweeted to say he and his delegation were safely rescued in darkness from a Lombok hotel where they had been staying during a regional security conference. Peter Dutton told Fairfax Media he was on the hotels 12th floor when the quake struck. He said the earthquake was powerful enough to put us on the floor and cut power. Singapores law and home affairs minister, K Shanmugam, who was on the 10th floor of a hotel in Mataram when the quake struck, said his room shook violently and walls cracked. It was quite impossible to stand up. Heard screams. Came out, and made my way down a staircase, while building was still shaking. Power went out for a while. Lots of cracks, fallen doors, he wrote on Facebook. Silverius Tasman, from Yayasan Sayangi Tunas Cilik, a partner of Save the Children in Indonesia, said: There were a significant number of aftershocks throughout the night so our staff on the ground are scared and traumatised not to mention the children living on the island who have now experienced their second earthquake in a week. Despite the tsunami threat being removed, people are still confused and fleeing in fear. Across Lombok there is no power, which is making communications challenging. He added: Its quite clear the death toll will increase in the coming days as authorities continue to conduct search and rescue operations. During all emergencies, children are the most vulnerable and we hold concerns for their safety, security and overall wellbeing. Their particular needs must be taken into account, as agencies and the government respond in the aftermath of this disaster. We have launched a response and are sending supplies. We will continue to help children in the immediate vicinity to make sure they are safe and protected during this difficult time. Chrissy Teigen, who was in Bali with her husband, John Legend, and their two children, live tweeted the shaking. Bali. Trembling. So long, the model tweeted to her 10.6 million followers. British tourists were caught up in the chaos on Lombok and the nearby Gili islands after the earthquake on Sunday. A subsequent tsunami warning sparked panic, and tourists flocked to the beaches in a desperate bid to be rescued. Young families and couples on their honeymoon were among those stuck on the islands. Helen Brady, 29, a writer from Manchester, said she and her boyfriend had narrowly escaped death after the earthquake began on the tiny island of Gili Trawangan. She said: All the lights went out and most buildings [were] demolished. If wed have been one minute slower wed have been dead, or at the very least severely injured. Many were forced to flee to higher ground amid fears the earthquake would be followed by a tsunami. James Kelsall, a 28-year-old from Woodford Green in London, had been visiting Gili Trawangan with his partner, Helen. He said: There were lots of injuries and pain on the island from buildings that had collapsed onto people. All the locals were frantically running and screaming, putting on life jackets. We followed them up to higher ground, which was a steep, uneven climb to the top of a hill in darkness. He added: It was literally the most terrifying thing I have experienced, and the uncertainty of the tsunami; I had pictures of Thailand in my head from when it happened there. Ash Flay, whose sister Katy was stuck on Gili Trawangan with her partner, Stef, said the rescue effort had been a disgrace, and authorities were demanding money from tourists. He said: I received a phone call from Katy whilst the earthquake was happening, she was distressed crying and screaming. All I could hear was crashes, she then called again and said a tsunami warning is out, and shes climbed a tree, doesnt know whats happening and then she was uncontactable for two hours. Katy climbed up one of the trees and then somebody kicked her out of it, so she had to climb another one, and injured her foot when she was running to high ground during the tsunami warning. It was the worst two hours of my life. In a message to her brother, Ms Flay, from Leeds, said: Boats [are] leaving half empty as you need a ticket... no boats for everyone just selected people. People are punching and hitting each other. Others stuck on the island included a family of four from Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. The group included two children, aged five and seven, according to a relative, who asked to keep their identities anonymous. The kids are quite traumatised, Ive spoken to my daughter and shes clearly very frightened and very scared frankly they just want to come home, he said. The Foreign Office advised tourists to monitor local media, exercise caution and follow the advice of local authorities. Like Bali, Lombok is known for its pristine beaches and mountains, with hotels and other buildings not allowed to exceed the height of coconut trees. Indonesia sits on the geographically active Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines regularly hit by earthquakes. In December 2004, a massive 9.1 magnitude earthquake off Sumatra triggered a tsunami that killed 226,000 people in 13 countries, including more than 120,000 in Indonesia. Additional reporting by agencies Sky News Australia has admitted it was wrong to broadcast an interview with a far-right activist who has previously expressed sympathies for Adolf Hitler. The network later pulled the segment, featuring former United Patriots Front leader Blair Cottrell aired during the Adam Giles Show on Sunday evening, conceding it had been an error of judgement. His appearance on the programme to discuss immigration prompted widespread backlash among viewers, politicians and journalists, who objected to the platform he was given. It was wrong to have Blair Cottrell on Sky News Australia, the channels news director Greg Byrens said in a statement posted on Twitter. His views do not reflect ours. The interview has been removed from repeat timeslots and online platforms. Many voicing objections pointed to Cottrells criminal history, including his convictions for stalking and arson. He was also found guilty last year of inciting contempt for Muslims after he and other nationalists staging a protest against the building of a mosque performed a mock beheading. Cottrell has in the past praised Hitler, calling for schools to display pictures of the leader of Nazi Germany and for children to be issued with copies of his book Mein Kampf. He has denied supporting nazism. New South Wales Green MP David Shoebridge said he would refuse to appear on Sky programming until the company issued a full apology for allowing Cottrell on its network. He also filed an official complaint with the broadcasting regulator the Australian Communications and Media Authority, saying questions needed to be raised over the culture of an organisation that meant that an active white supremacist was booked, interviewed, filmed... without concerns being raised about the offensive and dangerous content. Former Australian government minister Craig Emerson resigned from his role as a Sky commentator over the incident. My father fought Nazis in WWII and was interred in a German POW camp, he wrote on Twitter. The decision to allow Neo-Nazi Blair Cotterell [sic] onto the channel was another step in a journey to normalising racism & bigotry in our country. Meanwhile, Sky News political reporter Laura Jayes described Cottrell as an arsehole, condemning the decision to allow him to appear on the programme. Blair Cottrell is a far right-wing fascist whos a self confessed Hitler fan, she said. Hes boasted about using violence and terror to manipulate women. His rap sheet includes arson, burglary, racial vilification. Sky has since issued a second statement announcing that Cottrell will never be invited to appear on its network again. The activist has hit out at the decision to axe repeats of his slot on Twitter, claiming the broadcaster had caved in to leftist abuse. I suppose my ideas are so irrefutable, that the only recourse is to silence me. He wrote. How pathetic. More than 1,100 firefighters have mobilised in Portugal as wildfires continue to burn into a fourth day. As the sweltering weather continues in Europe, a four-day wildfire has battered the south coast of Portugal. At least 44 people required medical assistance as the blaze passed by the outskirts of Monchique, 155 miles south of Lisbon, the Civil Protection Agency said. Authorities said that more than 1,100 firefighters with 327 vehicles and eight aircraft were battling the fires that had erupted amid a heatwave caused by a mass of hot air from North Africa. "We are facing a new reality," EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Christos Stylianides said. As a result, the EU must "collectively (be) better prepared and stronger in responding to multiple disasters across the continent," he added. After four days of intense heat that broke records in Portugal, with temperatures surpassing 45C, a slight dip in temperature is expected. This could help create "much more favourable" conditions for firefighters tackling the Monchique blaze, local fire chief Abel Gomes told a news conference. Parts of the south and northeast of the country did however remain at "extreme risk" of wildfires, according to the national weather agency's forecast. Spain sent two Canadair water-dropping planes across the border Monday to help efforts around Monchique. Overnight, dozens of homes and a hotel were evacuated around the town of about 2,000 people, which is known for its spa. Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Show all 30 1 /30 Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens A house threatened by a huge blaze during a wildfire in Kineta AFP/Getty Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens A woman reacts as she tries to find her dog Reuters Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens A helicopter flies over a wildfire raging in the town of Rafina, near Athens REUTERS Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens An aerial view shows burnt houses following a wildfire in the village of Mati AFP/Getty Images Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Firefighters, soldiers and local residents carry a hose as a wildfire burns in the town of Rafina REUTERS Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens A man walks on the beach where burned trees hug the coastline in Mati east of Athens AP Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens People bring supplies for residents rescued from the wildfire in the village of Nea Makri AP Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Flames rise as a wildfire burns in the town of Rafina AFP/Getty Images Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Firefighters carry a dead person AFP/Getty Images Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras speaks to the media during his visit to the fire brigade's operational center in Athens EPA Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens An aerial view of a burnt urban area following fire in Kineta Hellenic Ministry of Defence/AFP/Getty Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Reuters Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Residents react as they look at their burned house EPA Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Rescuers and volunteers push an inflatable boat as locals are evacuated REUTERS Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens An aerial view of an urban area burnt following fire in Mati Hellenic Ministry of Defence/AFP/Getty Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens AP Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Asimina Psalti, 87, reacts as she sits outside her burned house in Mati east of Athens AP Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens A burnt forest following a wildfire in the village of Neos Voutzas AFP/Getty Images Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens People cover their faces from the smoke that fills the sky near Kineta AP Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Smoke rise over an avenue during a forest fire in Neo Voutsa, a northeast suburb of Athens EPA Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Melted metals from burned cars after a fire in Argyra Akti, Mati EPA Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Firefighters look for missing persons REUTERS Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Smoke fills the sky as members of the emergency services block a road near Kineta, west of Athens AP Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Burnt cars at the village of Mati AFP/Getty Images Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Cars are blocked at the closed National Road AFP/Getty Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens A woman sprays water outside her house that was damaged in the wildfires near the village of Neos Voutzas AP Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Smoke from a wildfire burning outside Athens is seen over the Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill REUTERS Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens An aerial view shows burnt houses following a wildfire in the village of Mati AFP/Getty Images Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens Flames are seen next to firefighting vehicle during a forest fire in Neo Voutsa EPA Greece wildfire: deadly blaze rages across holiday resorts near Athens People look inside a burnt car REUTERS The wind-driven fire has been racing across tinder-dry pine and eucalyptus forests in a largely inaccessible hill range behind the famous beaches of Portugal's Algarve vacation region. Plumes of black smoke have blown across beaches popular with European tourists. The rest of Europe has also felt the torrid recent weather. In France, where four nuclear reactors have been temporarily closed due to the heat, three cities banned the most polluting cars from the roads because of heat-linked ozone pollution. The heat wave in France is expected to last until Thursday, with temperatures peaking Tuesday. In Norway, authorities warned motorists to watch out for reindeer and sheep taking shelter from the heat in tunnels. Neighbouring Sweden has been fighting an uncommon number of wildfires this summer, even above the Arctic Circle, and a European Union official pointed his finger at climate change. Canadas foreign ministry has said it is seriously concerned and seeking greater clarity from Saudi Arabia after the conservative kingdoms decision to expel the Canadian ambassador and freeze all new trade between the two countries. The statement on Monday from spokesperson Marie-Pier Baril also reiterated Ottawas commitment to international human rights after Canadas initial comments on the detention of Saudi womens rights activists, which sparked the escalating diplomatic row. Riyadhs diplomatic community was left reeling on Sunday night after a royal statement carried by the Saudi state news agency announced the expulsion of Canadian ambassador Dennis Horak and a suspension of business ties. Saudi womans new car set on fire by young men who harassed her Both Mr Horak and the Saudi ambassador to Canada, who was also recalled, are believed to be on holiday. The extreme measures come after Canadas diplomatic department tweeted criticism of the arrests of two Saudi civil society activists last week, the latest detentions in a crackdown that began in May. Any other attempt to interfere with our internal affairs from Canada means that we are allowed to interfere in Canadas internal affairs, a Saudi foreign ministry statement said. Saudi news outlets reported on Monday that the country had also halted joint academic exchange programmes and scholarship agreements with Canada, and would transfer Saudi students currently in the country elsewhere. Saudia, the state airline, announced late on Monday it had suspended flights to Toronto. On social media networks, pro-Saudi accounts believed to be automated bots have begun tweeting support for Quebecs secession from Canada and criticism of Canadas high rates of domestic violence. Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive Show all 8 1 /8 Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman gestures while driving in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman drives at night in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive Saudi women embrace as they celebrate the lift of the female driving ban in Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman straps in Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman drives to work in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive Fadya Fahad is one of the first female drivers for Careem, a ride sharing company in Saudi Arabia Getty Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman stops at a petrol station while driving to work in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman waits for coffee on the commute in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Reuters A tweet from an official government account did not mention Canada, but scolded those who stick ones nose where it doesnt belong. The tweet, accompanied by a picture of what appeared to be an Air Canada passenger plane flying towards a city skyline, was widely criticised for its echoes of the 9/11 terror attacks. It was later deleted. The muted Canadian response so far may be calculated to try and calm the situation, Professor Thomas Juneau, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa and former department of national defence official, told The Independent. This is an excessive reaction on Saudi Arabias part to what were really quite standard comments from a Western ally, he said. Generally speaking, the kingdoms foreign policy has been much more aggressive and impulsive under new crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. We have seen this in Saudis role in Yemen, in Lebanon and across the region. Canada said last week it was gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in Saudi Arabia, including Samar Badawi. Recommended Saudi Arabia expels Canadian ambassador over criticism of arrests Ms Badawi is a lawyer and sister to blogger Raif Badawi, who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison in 2012 for criticising the countrys clerical establishment. His wife Ensaf Haidar and three children now live in Quebec. The whereabouts of Ms Badawi along with Nassima al-Sadah, arrested on the same day, are currently unknown. Several other prominent female activists remain in prison near Jeddah, where no charges have been brought against them. If convicted under counterterrorism legislation they could face up to 20 years in prison. Since the powerful Mohammed bin Salman was appointed crown prince by his father last June the kingdom has ushered in dozens of social and economic reforms designed to wean the country off dependence on oil. Among the most high profile moves was the lifting of the long-standing driving ban for women, although critics noted it was accompanied by a spate of arrests targeting the countrys tiny activist community. Analysts say the crackdown was intended as a signal that only the royal family can decide the pace of Saudi modernisation. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, neighbours and allies of the kingdom, have both supported Riyadhs decision to defend its sovereignty in the row with Canada, but the rest of the international community has remained notably silent. Saudi rapper Leesa A releases song about women being allowed to drive Saudi Arabia may be trying to establish a new precedent with western states, Dr Hisham A Hellyer, senior non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council and the Royal United Services Institute in London, told The Independent. The Saudi strategy appears to be that If such states wish to have a fully normalised relationship with Riyadh, they should remain silent on domestic abuses in Saudi Arabia. And if western capitals so much as think twice before they issue such comments in the future, Riyadh would have gained something, he said. For all the media frenzy about Saudi reforms, these relationships internationally are far more about trade than anything else. Samah Hadid, Middle East director of campaigns at Amnesty International, called on Riyadh to end its crackdown rather than lash out with punitive diplomatic and trade sanctions. Now is the time for other governments like the UK and US to join Canada in increasing the pressure for genuine, lasting human rights reforms in Saudi Arabia, she added. Relations between Ottawa and Riyadh have deteriorated since Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau was sworn into office in 2015. The new premier decided to leave a controversial arms deal worth $13bn (10bn) in place, but then chose to stop talking about Saudi Arabia completely, much to the Saudis frustration, said Prof Juneau. It is not clear where the dispute is going next, but Sundays decision could be difficult to walk back, at least in the short term, he added. This spat is nowhere near as costly as, say, Saudi Arabias involvement in the war in Yemen. But so far what weve seen from Mohammed bin Salmans Saudi Arabia is impulsiveness, and he doesnt like to back down. Saudi Arabia's state airline is suspending flights in and out of Toronto amid an intensifying diplomatic row with Canada. Ottawa refused to back down in its defence of human rights after Riyadh froze new trade and investment and expelled the Canadian ambassador in retaliation for the country's call to free arrested Saudi civil society activists. In her first public response to Saudi Arabia's actions, foreign minister Chrystia Freeland said, "Let me be very clear... Canada will always stand up for human rights in Canada and around the world, and women's rights are human rights." Later the airline, Saudia, made the announcement on its Twitter account that it was suspending flights from the 13 August. The news prompted users to ask how Saudis already on holiday in Canada were going to get back. "Can I know how my family and I get back after the holiday?" one Twitter user asked Saudia. "We have a confirmed reservation and return tickets on August 24 from Toronto to Riyadh!" Over the weekend, Riyadh recalled its ambassador from Canada and gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave. The Saudi government also banned new trade with Canada, although it was unclear if it would affect existing annual Saudi-Canadian trade of more than 3bn billion and a 10bn defence contract. Saudi rapper Leesa A releases song about women being allowed to drive The moves were a stern rebuke to Canada after the country expressed concern over the arrests of activists in Saudi Arabia, including prominent women's rights campaigner Samar Badawi, and called for their release. Riyadh said that amounted to "a blatant interference in the Kingdom's domestic affairs, against basic international norms and all international protocols." In recent months Saudi Arabia has lifted a ban on women driving, but it has also arrested activists, including more than a dozen high profile campaigners for women's rights. Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir again criticised Canada's calls to free arrested civil society activists as a position built on "misleading" information on Monday. Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive Show all 8 1 /8 Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman gestures while driving in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman drives at night in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive Saudi women embrace as they celebrate the lift of the female driving ban in Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman straps in Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman drives to work in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive Fadya Fahad is one of the first female drivers for Careem, a ride sharing company in Saudi Arabia Getty Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman stops at a petrol station while driving to work in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman waits for coffee on the commute in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Reuters The moves, carried on the official Saudi Press Agency caught diplomats in Riyadh off guard. Both the Saudi and Canadian ambassadors were away on leave when it was made. The kingdom will suspend educational exchange programmes with Canada and move Saudi scholarship recipients to other countries, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya reported on Monday. Neighbours and allies Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates said they stood with Riyadh, although they did not announce similar measures. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a loose association of the six Gulf Arab countries, Arab League and Palestine also supported Saudi policy. But Qatar, which is locked in a diplomatic rift with Saudi Arabia and other neighbours for over a year, said on its foreign ministry's official Twitter account that the GCC secretary general's statement did not represent its view of the situation. Additional reporting by Reuters. Toes in the sand and caipirinha in hand, I watch the jaw-dropping sunset paint the Atlantic pink and gold as the DJ mixes up tropical house. Its hard to believe this is the Portuguese coast, which Ive long associated with sprawling resorts, pumping nightclubs and shopping malls instead I am surrounded by endless beaches, pine forests and paddy fields. Its easy to be seduced by the relaxed vibe in Comporta, the antithesis of the Algarve, located just over an hours drive south of Lisbon. Its at the base of the Troia Peninsula, a narrow strip of land sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the Sado River estuary in the Alentejo, Portugals rural heartland. Unlike the Algarve, Comportas beaches are fairly undeveloped (Sarah Gilbert) Every summer it becomes an under-the-radar celebrity haunt you might bump into Madonna, shoe guru Christian Louboutin or designer Philippe Starck as stars are lured by the lack of paparazzi and the areas abundant natural beauty, including a 12km stretch of sand so pristine its hard to believe youre in Europe. The buzzy Cafe Comporta sits on an expanse of custard-coloured sand, lapped by dazzlingly blue water. Seafood is the star of the show here and Ive just feasted on clams in a garlicky white wine sauce, jumbo-sized prawns and a steaming pot of coriander rice, washed down with a jug of sparkling white sangria. The Portuguese owners, Patricia and Luis, first came to Comporta more than 35 years ago. For me, its still a paradise, Luis tells me. No one wants Comporta to turn into the Algarve. Recommended Why Lisbon is the ideal city for foodies The Herdade da Comportas the official name of this stretch of coastline is made up of seven sleepy villages, where strict planning laws have kept development low-key and away from beaches. One morning, I go wild dolphin spotting with Vertigem Azul from the tip of the peninsula. A family of around 30 bottlenose dolphins have made the Sado River their permanent home, and multiple generations swoop alongside the boat. Another day, I cross the dunes and ride along a deserted stretch of beach perched above the rice paddies just outside Comporta, where Jose Ribeira keeps a stable full of handsome former polo ponies for hire. Cafe Comporta is all about fresh seafood (Sarah Gilbert) I drive the 20 minutes to Pego Beach, just beyond Carvalhal village, for a leisurely lunch at Restaurante Sal or Sals as the locals call it where the breezy terrace is the perfect place to linger over crispy calamari dipped in homemade aioli and grilled sea bass deftly prepared at the table and delicious with just a squeeze of lemon, all rounded off with a zesty lime tart and washed down with a glass of local rose. Late afternoon is perfect for exploring Comporta village, where the unassuming narrow streets are lined with whitewashed buildings topped with terracotta-tiled rooftops or traditional thatch, home to stylish boutiques that have me reaching for my credit card. I dip into Cote Sud, where Lemlems hand-woven summer dresses sit next to Pippa Holts Mexican-influenced kaftans and Guanabana espadrilles. At the labyrinthine Loja do Museu do Arroz the eclectic stock includes shaggy Moroccan rugs, finely woven Ecuadorian straw hats and Malian mud cloth; at Lavanda I browse floaty beachwear and hip homeware, before picking up a mojito at the adjoining bar. Comporta village is ripe for exploring (Sarah Gilbert) Even the family-owned Gomes, Comportas mini-supermarket, is more Harrods food hall than SPAR, with global gourmet goodies such as Russian caviar and pink Himalayan salt alongside brightly coloured tins of sardines. Vintage-Department, filled with covetable retro furniture, global accessories and outsized images from YellowKorner, wouldnt look out of place in London or New York. Comportas changed over the years, but for the better, Miguel, who escapes Lisbon to work there every summer, tells me. The people that come here and invest respect nature, and its still a simple place, in spite of the chic shops. The area can be explored on horseback (Sarah Gilbert) The fishermen would protect this land with their life and they still knock on my door to offer me the catch of the day. That evening I head to Comportas oldest restaurant, the Museu do Arroz, housed in a lofty ceilinged former rice mill. I drink a local G&T on the terrace, and watch the storks fly back to their chimney-top nests as the sun set over the rice fields. The owner, well-travelled Lisboeta Isabel de Carvalho, first came to Comporta around 25 years ago. She opened a simple bar on the beach, followed by the restaurant at a time when there was nothing but rice fields and fishermen. Soon it became the living room of Comporta for locals, before word-of-mouth success attracted more and more visitors. Vintage-Department is one of the areas chic boutiques (Sarah Gilbert) The focus is, unsurprisingly, on rice whether its her own-recipe rice balls, moist morsels coated in sesame seeds and served with soy sauce, or delicate razor clams and ink-black cuttlefish rice. Theres always rice on a Portuguese table, she tells me. This is more a Portuguese risotto than a take on Spanish paella. Lisbon may be where Isabel comes from, but Comporta is home. Sals has a beachside terrace People come to Comporta because it reminds them of St Tropez or Ibiza before the crowds arrived, she adds. Or its compared to Brazils Trancoso and Uruguays Jose Ignacio. But really theres nowhere else like it. Travel essentials Getting there A car is essential for exploring; try Europcar at Lisbon airport. Staying there The Pestana Troia Eco Resort has stylish two, three and four-bedroom villas from 130 a night. More information Alentejo Tourism An American Airlines passenger was kicked off her flight due to the size of her cello, despite purchasing an additional seat for the instrument. In a Facebook post detailing the incident, Jay Tang explained that his wife Jingjing Hu, a music student at DePaul University School of Music in Chicago, was flying to Miami to perform in a music festival. Tang purchased a return ticket for Hu and her cello and was assured that the instrument was allowed and that she was authorised to travel. Hus outbound journey passed without note and cabin crew even provided her with a special strap to secure the cello, which is worth $30,000. After Hu was seated on her return leg from Miami to Chicago, however, she was directed to disembark the plane by cabin crew, who insisted that the aircraft was too small for the cello. As Hu was getting off the plane, her cello case touched the pilot, who allegedly claimed he was bleeding, despite Hu being unable to see any blood or injury. Recommended The funniest reasons passengers have been kicked off flights Hu then took a picture of the pilot, who can be seeing holding up two fingers. While Tang believed this was a victory sign, other commenters believed this was a signal to airline staff that two seats were now vacant. This theory was backed up by Hus friend, who remained on the flight and confirmed that two passengers were seated in the two spaces reserved by Hu after she departed the flight. Despite being assured that she could board the next flight to Chicago an hour later, Hu was then informed that the next flight was also too small to accommodate her cello. Hu was told she should purchase first or business class tickets for her return journey or not fly back on American Airlines. She and her cello were eventually flown back by American Airlines the following morning. They just kick off passengers when they oversell their tickets using FAA regulations as an excuse, said Tang. Recommended NAACP issues advisory for travellers on American Airlines I could have been told those regulations when purchasing the ticket. My wife could have been told those regulations when flying from Chicago to Miami, at check in counter in Miami International Airport, at the gate or even when boarding the plane. Yet they chose to kick her out last minute after she was seated and her cello safely secured. Federal regulations allow passengers to carry instruments such as cellos in the cabin, providing they purchase an additional seat, leading the couple to suspect that Hu was removed because the flight was overbooked. In a statement to Fox News, American Airlines said: A passenger on flight 2457 from Miami to Chicago was travelling with her cello. Unfortunately, there was a miscommunication about whether the cello she was travelling with met the requirements to fit on-board the particular aircraft she was flying, a Boeing 737. We rebooked our passenger on a flight the next morning on a larger aircraft, a Boeing 767. We provided her a hotel and meal accommodations for the inconvenience. We apologise for the misunderstanding and customer relations has reached out to her. Christmas travellers heading from the UK to Asia and Australasia have a new budget option. China Eastern has announced a new route from Gatwick to its hub at Shanghais Pudong airport, starting on 7 December 2018. The three-times weekly flight will leave the Sussex airport at around noon on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, arriving in Chinas commercial capital at 7.30am next day, local time. Return flights will leave Shanghai at 1.45am on the same days and fly through the night, arriving at Gatwick at 6.30am, local time. Stewart Wingate, chief executive of Gatwick Airport said: Im delighted to welcome China Eastern to Gatwick and look forward to the start of this vital new link to Shanghai. Connections to China and other non-European countries will take on extra significance in a post-Brexit Britain as we become more reliant on them to generate vital growth through trade and by exploiting the other business opportunities that they provide. The new link will operate in addition to China Easterns existing daily service from Heathrow to Shanghai. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic also compete on the route from Heathrow. Gatwick lost out to Heathrow in a bid to build the next runway in southeast England. The move is the latest in a series of long-haul airlines setting up or restoring routes from Gatwick in parallel with existing Heathrow links. Two years ago, Cathay Pacific re-launched services from Gatwick to its hub in Hong Kong with four flights a week, and in June 2017 the link became daily. In May 2018, Qatar Airways restored its route from Gatwick to Doha, with twice daily flights to the Gulf hub. The link had been abandoned in 2011. British Airways, which once ran a global long-haul network from Gatwick, has been adding routes that duplicate those from its main hub, Heathrow. Also in May it launched a three-times-weekly service from Gatwick to Toronto. To Canada, WestJet has established a nationwide route network from Gatwick, including services to Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. At the same time, Norwegian has been building up a portfolio of routes from Gatwick in competition against BA and other airlines from Heathrow. The present network includes Austin, Boston, Chicago, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, Seattle and Singapore. But in terms of frequency, Heathrow is way ahead of Gatwick on most long-haul routes where they compete. Between them, Norwegian and British Airways have four flights a day to New York from Gatwick, compared with almost 30 from Heathrow. And this winter, while Heathrow will have nine daily flights to Dubai, on Emirates, BA and Virgin Atlantic, Gatwick has only three all on Emirates. Gatwick has some long-haul routes which Heathrow lacks, particularly for leisure destinations in Florida and the Caribbean. But recent analysis from OAG suggests that Barbados, Cancun and Orlando could get links from Heathrow once the third runway opens. A spokesperson for Heathrow said: Gatwicks growth is welcome news for the UK aviation industry and for passengers. However, it is misleading to infer its operations are anywhere near Heathrows. We are proud to serve as the countrys only Hub airport and biggest port by value, connecting Britain to over 200 destinations, including 78 long-haul services operating at least three times per week, 365 days of the year. We have nine long-haul routes to China and are set to welcome a new route to Chongqing this summer. When our new runway opens, well have the capacity to add up to 40 new long-haul connections making Britain the best connected country in the world. All other things being equal, fares from Gatwick tend to be lower than Heathrow, reflecting lower airport charges. For example, on the simultaneous Qatar Airways departures to Doha and onwards to Hong Kong on 1 September at 9.30pm, the outbound fare from Heathrow is 400, while the Gatwick service is 31 cheaper. Ryanair pilots in Germany, Sweden, Belgium and Ireland have voted to stage a 24-hour strike on Friday 10 August, grounding more than 400 flights and wrecking the travel plans of at least 70,000 passengers. The walkout is part of an ongoing dispute over working conditions, which has already seen pilots who are members of the Irish trade union FORSA stage four separate one-day strikes. Passengers whose flights have been cancelled should have already been informed via text or email, but all those travelling to/from the affected countries with Ryanair are advised to check with the airline. Follow all the latest updates below Large numbers of species are at risk of global extinction from climate change. As a result, some governments are trying include wildlife in their plans for how to adapt the management of natural landscapes to a warming world. The problem is we still know very little about the sorts of environments that could help wildlife survive adverse climate shifts. But we do know that, during the Ice Age, pockets of warmer conditions protected species such as red squirrels and even red deer from the extreme cold. So, could modern versions of these refugia: locally cool habitats such as bogs, alpine environments or shaded valleys give species what they need to survive todays warming? 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Show all 10 1 /10 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A group of emperor penguins face a crack in the sea ice, near McMurdo Station, Antarctica Kira Morris 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Floods destroyed eight bridges and ruined crops such as wheat, maize and peas in the Karimabad valley in northern Pakistan, a mountainous region with many glaciers. In many parts of the world, glaciers have been in retreat, creating dangerously large lakes that can cause devastating flooding when the banks break. Climate change can also increase rainfall in some areas, while bringing drought to others. Hira Ali 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Smoke filled with the carbon that is driving climate change drifts across a field in Colombia. Sandra Rondon 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Amid a flood in Islampur, Jamalpur, Bangladesh, a woman on a raft searches for somewhere dry to take shelter. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable places in the world to sea level rise, which is expected to make tens of millions of people homeless by 2050. Probal Rashid 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Sindh province in Pakistan has experienced a grim mix of two consequences of climate change. Because of climate change either we have floods or not enough water to irrigate our crop and feed our animals, says the photographer. Picture clearly indicates that the extreme drought makes wide cracks in clay. Crops are very difficult to grow. Rizwan Dharejo 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Hanna Petursdottir examines a cave inside the Svinafellsjokull glacier in Iceland, which she said had been growing rapidly. Since 2000, the size of glaciers on Iceland has reduced by 12 per cent. Tom Schifanella 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A river once flowed along the depression in the dry earth of this part of Bangladesh, but it has disappeared amid rising temperatures. Abrar Hossain 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A shepherd moves his herd as he looks for green pasture near the village of Sirohi in Rajasthan, northern India. The region has been badly affected by heatwaves and drought, making local people nervous about further predicted increases in temperature. Riddhima Singh Bhati 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A factory in China is shrouded by a haze of air pollution. The World Health Organisation has warned such pollution, much of which is from the fossil fuels that cause climate change, is a public health emergency. Leung Ka Wa 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Water levels in reservoirs, like this one in Gers, France, have been getting perilously low in areas across the world affected by drought, forcing authorities to introduce water restrictions. Mahtuf Ikhsan Using 5 million records of plants and insects collected by citizen scientists in England, my colleagues and I looked for signs that refugia are protecting species today. We found that quite a number of sites around the country are already beginning to act as refugia. This was particularly the case in areas where the landscape is hilly or steep, where the local climate conditions (microclimate) vary more often. We estimate that these areas of variable microclimate have reduced the risk of extinction for insects and plants that are particularly sensitive to warming by an average of 9% and 22% respectively. Incorporating these key wildlife areas into our plans for climate change could help save more species and local populations from extinction. Our research indicates that inside these refugia, the microclimate can vary over very short distances. This can be as little as few hundred metres across a shaded valley. But a variable microclimate can also develop in hummocky terrain, which has lots of slopes facing different ways both towards and away from the sun. These local differences can be as much as 7C during the hottest parts of the day. For some species, that can be the difference between extinction or survival. A surprising aspect to the work was that the refugia we found werent necessarily forming in the coolest parts of the landscape. Instead, they formed in those areas that had the most variable microclimate. It is therefore quite possible that there are lots of alternative habitats for threatened species close to where they already live. This would mean that the species that live in these refugia wouldnt have to move far to make use of them. This could be particularly important for plants and, as we already know, they cant shift their geographical range as quickly as animals in response to warming. But we found that animals also benefit from refugia and, in most cases, animal species will be able to make use of numerous alternative thermal habitats within the lifetime of an individual. So how can we protect refugia from climate change, to make sure they are available for wildlife to use in the future? In some ways, the areas weve identified are quite different to the expansive, continuous areas of habitat that we currently prioritise for wildlife conservation, such as large areas of moorland or bog. But there is certainly some overlap with areas we have already protected for wildlife. This is particularly the case within the UKs network of Sites of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSIs), the highest category of legal protection we can give to parts of the landscape. So at least we wont be starting from scratch when we adapt our conservation plans to the huge challenge of climate change. But some important sites for refugia lie outside these networks, and we should aim to protect as many of these as we can. Recommended We can all do little things to look after our wildlife this summer In regions with fewer, naturally occurring refugia flatter, often low-lying areas such as the east of England we might even want to be more radical and consider using mechanical diggers to create hummocky terrain from scratch. This might sound expensive, but becomes far more attractive if it can be done where there is building or engineering work already going on, as the equipment and expertise will already be available and on site. For example, we could add the creation of refugia to plans for new housing developments. There are particular wildlife benefits to be had where digging exposes more alkali minerals such as as chalk to the air. This allows rarer, specialist plants and animals to move in and make use of the unusual soil conditions that arise. As the world warms up, much of our wildlife is facing a future of warming temperatures in landscapes which, thanks to human activity, are already hostile to many species. Refugia wont save species from climate change, but finding and protecting the sorts of areas that give our flora and fauna the best chance of survival seems like a first and perhaps obvious step towards a more integrated approach to managing our environment. This would help us to safeguard its value as the provider of the food we eat, the water we drink and the natural landscapes we enjoy. Andrew Suggitt is a post-doctoral researcher in ecology at the University of York. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. It must rank as something of a record. Brexit is still some 235 days away, but already the blame game for its failure has begun. The international trade secretary, Liam Fox, coupled his estimation that a no-deal Brexit is now a 60 per cent chance, with the claim that that is because of intransigence on the part of Brussels. For its part, the European Commission says it has been working day and night, 24/7, for a deal. Not so long ago we heard Boris Johnson, implicitly, blame the prime ministers indecision for the mess. The prime minister, no less tacitly, indicated her frustration with David Davis and the Brexit department by bringing the talks and most of the staff under her personal control. Some thought Mr Davis lacked application; he felt marginalised. Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines Show all 10 1 /10 Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines The Sun, March 9 2016 This wholly false headline merited the first ruling by IPSO (the press regulator) under clause 1 of the revised Editor's Code of Practice. Clause 1 makes specific reference to newspapers printing "headlines not supported by the text" Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines Daily Mail, November 4 2016 In perhaps the most notorious front page of the past few years, the Mail derides the High Court judges who ruled that parliament must have a vote on whether to trigger article 50 and start the Brexit process Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines Daily Express, November 4 2016 In the Express' take on the same story, they manage to incorporate the Union Jack, allude to First World War propaganda, invoke memories of Churchill and, of course, state "Brexit means Brexit" Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines The Sun, March 29 2017 The Sun marked the day on which Mrs May triggered article 50 by projecting a huge and terrible pun on to the Cliffs of Dover Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines The Sun, April 4 2017 Referencing their notorious eurosceptic headline from 1990 (See: Up Yours Delors), the Sun stokes the flames of the brief Gibraltar dispute, a dispute in which Spain, the supposed aggressors, only joined to note that there was "no need for it" Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines Daily Mail, April 19 2017 This headline followed Mrs May's snap election announcement, which gave the Mail hope that dissenting opinions on Brexit would disappear Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines Daily Mail, December 14 2017 In recent months, the Mail has often forgone catchy headlines in favour of rambling rants, this is an early example aimed at Tory Brexit rebels Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines Daily Mail, January 31 2018 This headline (?) takes aim at the Lords over their repeated amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines The Sun, June 12 2018 On the day that the EU Withdrawal Bill is to be debated in the Commons, the Sun offers two choices to MPs, desperately including all conceivable imagery that might make Brits feel patriotic, which apparently includes the Loch Ness Monster Brexit: 10 of the most ridiculous headlines Daily Express, June 12 2018 On the same day, the Express lets MPs know what the consequences of the vote may be Others prefer to point to pesky Remoaners who have undermined the British negotiating position. Closely allied to them, in the demonology, are various components of the liberal or metropolitan elite, often talked of as treasonous or in terms of betrayal: the House of Lords, the Supreme Court, the supposedly Svengali figure of Olly Robbins, the PMs Europe adviser, the Conservative rebels and, indeed, Labour rebels. Few it seems, are prepared to lay the blame for the mess of the Brexit negotiations on Brexit itself, and the sovereign British people who voted for it in the referendum. Moreover, having voted for Brexit, they then voted in effect against a hard Brexit in the snap election called by the prime minister a little over a year ago: the worst of all worlds, you might say. More appositely, nor, even now, with the weight of two years experience behind us, do many people on the other side of the divide make sufficient allowance for the fact that Brexit contains certain logical certainties that cannot be undone by even the most brilliant, cunning and persuasive of negotiators. If the EU Commission is intransigent, then it is simply telling the UK that it cannot have its cake and eat it. That is not intransigence except in the sense that a schoolteacher tells a dim child that two and two only ever make four, and refuses to compromise on the point. Thus, the UK cannot be both a member of the customs union and outside it. The prime ministers facilitated customs arrangement attempts, very cleverly, to square that circle but the technology to operate it hasnt anywhere been discovered. That the commission is intransigent in pointing this out seems odd. Moreover, the commission insist that the taxes owed to the EU are collected by the EU and not a third party. Again, that seems a reasonable request. There are other logical puzzles in Brexit that cannot be wished away on any legally sound, sustainable basis, simply by forms of words, good faith and lashings of goodwill. The British government, and Theresa May in particular, feel a sincere and special obligation to resolve the Irish border question. So does Michel Barnier, on behalf of the EU27, including Ireland. So do all the parties in Ireland and Northern Ireland. No one wants to have the return of physical infrastructure. All recognise the political dangers and the cost to Irish trade. Of course. Theresa May meets Emmanuel Macron in bid to win support for Brexit plans And yet, with all of that momentum behind it, and some of the cleverest people in Europe focusing their vast brain power upon it, no one has yet found the answer to the conundrum. That, again, is not anyones fault, to which blame may be attached. It is simply inherent in the nature of the exercise. At least Mr Johnson, we have learned from leaks, is frank enough to admit the inconsistency of the two positions. The EU Commissions backstop idea, the economic border down the Irish Sea that sees Northern Ireland remain in the single market and customs union, is perfectly logical, just as the prime ministers statement that no British leader could accept it is also a perfectly apparent statement of political reality. None of that, though, is an answer, and no one can be blamed for failing to reconcile the irreconcilable. Nor, in all fairness, can the British negotiators be expected to achieve much against an economic power 10 times their size. Donald Trump and Jean-Claude Juncker can settle a minor trade war in a matter of days to some mutual satisfaction because they are both huge trading powers. The UK and the EU27 are far beyond such an even balance of power; the British need the EU, broadly, more than the EU needs Britain. That is not to say the UK has no negotiating cards: the financial contribution and defence are areas where the British have a little muscle. Overall, though, its has always been apparent that, rightly or wrongly, the integrity of the single market means more to the EUs politicians and industrialists than queues at Calais. Where is this leading? If Brexit does turn out to be as unsatisfactory as many expect, then scapegoats will be need to be found. For the Brexiteers, a stab in the back myth will arise. Mr Johnson has already penned the first few sentence of the tale. A fog of doubt has allowed the dream of Brexit with all its immense promise to die. Ukip and Nigel Farage supply the next lines the Brexit dream was killed by a Remain conspiracy, by a prime minister who was a secret Remainer all along, allied to her colleagues such as Philip Hammond and Greg Clark, who made little secret of their contempt for the exercise. In this they were, so the story will run, abetted by some vast conspiracy of the BBC, courts, academics, big business, the Bank of England, Gary Lineker, Sir John Major and others who, it is darkly hinted, have an agenda. This, we are invited to assume, is because they are unpatriotic, do not believe in the British people, do not care about those outside their elite, wish the UK to be run as a vassal state and generally hate Britain. From there it is but a sort step to treachery and treason. The underlying reason for this apparent betrayal is never explicit. The option that Remainers might simply have a different notion of the national interest is dismissed. Enoch Powell, who has been much studied of late, said in his famous Rivers of Blood speech: Those the gods wish to destroy they first make mad. This, the British are now engaged upon, enraging themselves with the great myth of Brexit betrayal. To borrow Mr Johnsons phrase in his resignation speech, it is not too late to save our sanity. With decades of mutual national recrimination awaiting the British, it is imperative for them to have the final say, to acquit themselves and for them to take the next step in their story with eyes open after a fair and well-informed debate about knowable outcomes. Then the myth of Brexit blame may be laid to rest. Tickets, money, passports! We all know what to check for during that last minute packing panic. But preparing for your holidays is about more than what you squeeze into your suitcase. It is about making a political choice. Tourism is an industry tied up with national and international politics like no other. Tourists are a source of foreign exchange, governments promote themselves through visitors, and politicians quite often worry about the social freedom that tourism can nurture. For these reasons tourists are both courted and scapegoated. At the most basic level tourism counts as an export industry. It is a source of foreign currency and can help to prop up a nation financially. However, local people often see few of the benefits of hosting tourists. Large organisations tend to control much of the tourism industry. These frequently pay little in the way of local taxes. Meanwhile local people shoulder much of the burden of sharing their space and facilities with visitors. Some indigenous people have asked foreign tourists to stay away. They have argued that tourism is threatening their culture, damaging their lands ecosystems, and is a form of colonialism. In Hawaii, attempts are being made to reconcile some of the issues arising from the tourism industry over-exploiting an open and hospitable native culture. Where you spend your holiday money therefore contributes to legitimising particular politicians and their policies. However, tourists dont just bring money into a destination. They also bring social and cultural inputs. Tourism has been associated with liberalising social values, empowering minorities, and even spreading democracy. In Spain, for example, the growth of tourism, initiated under the dictator, Francisco Franco, as a means of propping up an ailing economy, has been suggested as helping to usher in democratic change. Hosts and guests exchange observations and ideas. They form relationships. And they stimulate mutual creativity. It is only in the past 20 years that China began to allow its people to freely travel abroad after decades of forced isolation. Politicians are frequently fearful of the subversive ideas and awkward questions that travellers might bring back with them. Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2018 Top 10 Cities Show all 10 1 /10 Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2018 Top 10 Cities Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2018 Top 10 Cities 1: Seville, Spain 12019 Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2018 Top 10 Cities 2: Detroit, USA Vito Palmisano Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2018 Top 10 Cities 3: Canberra, Australia Jason Tong Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2018 Top 10 Cities 4: Hamburg, Germany Falco Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2018 Top 10 Cities 5: Kaohsiung, Taiwan Getty Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2018 Top 10 Cities 6: Antwerp, Belgium Getty Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2018 Top 10 Cities 7: Matera, Italy Turkish414 Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2018 Top 10 Cities 8: San Juan, Puerto Rico Sam Valadi Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2018 Top 10 Cities 9: Guanajuato, Mexico Bud Ellison Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2018 Top 10 Cities 10: Oslo, Norway Corinna A residual mistrust of tourists can see them scapegoated by politicians looking to place convenient blame. In Barcelona, a city dependent on tourism for its late 20th-century revival, tourists are being made increasingly unwelcome. They are blamed for increasing costs of living for residents, rather than the broader challenges of inequality and financial stagnation that raise uncomfortable questions about local political capacity. Tourism is also a way for governments to assert their ideologies internally and externally. Visitors to Cuba for example, can visit the Museum of the Revolution, reportedly one of the top things to do in Havana. Research has shown that the exhibits sold as heritage to tourists prioritise certain specific stories and can silence others. Over time the official narrative becomes established and other perspectives may be forgotten. Historic England has, for example, recently begun to try and include the often overlooked queer history of many heritage sites. Meanwhile tourism can be a means of raising and modifying a countrys image on the world stage. Israel has for many years used gay tourism to soften its international image by making the country seem progressive in a part of the world which generally is not. Dubai has established itself in the same region as a deluxe playground filled with sights and indulgence like nowhere else. However, the commitments of both of these destinations governments to the touristic image they sell is debateable. LGBTQ people in Israel recently protested when their parliament refused to extend surrogacy rights to gay couples and single men. Meanwhile Dubai is well known for its cases of people facing severe judicial sentences for acts as innocuous as accidentally brushing another mans bum. On the one hand the image sold to tourists is often not the same as the reality faced by like-minded people living within a country. On the other, tourists may themselves be expected to conform to regulations they would not agree with or accept back home. Simon Calder explains the travel industry's misery, as Summer 2018 holiday prices tumble The power of tourism is not lost on political actors. Recently the Chinese government successfully put pressure on international airlines to stop referring to Taiwan as a country or face retaliation. Tourists should not leave it up to politicians to exploit their desire for exploration for self-interested purposes. We need to appreciate our power as consumers; supporting destinations that celebrate tourism as a means of mutually rewarding host-guest exchanges and boycotting those which do not. Tourists have a lot of potential influence. They should use it to hold politicians to account. So there are a few things to consider when planning your holiday. Find out whether your travel provider committed to investing in local taxes, jobs and suppliers. Research the attitudes of local residents towards tourism beforehand in order that you can be a better guest. Bring back more than a nice tan by swapping ideas, stories and phone numbers. Check the public image of a destination matches its private one and dont support hypocrites. And finally, be aware of politicians using tourism to bully those with whom they dont agree and be prepared to call them out. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article The article has been updated to clarify that LGBTQ surrogacy rights in Israel were not "restricted" by parliament. Rather, they were not extended in recent legislation that did extend surrogacy rights to single women and women unable to bear their own children. A draft of the legislation had proposed to extend the same rights to gay couples. 8/8/18 On both the left and the right, British politics appears to be in thrall to the conspiracy theorist and the grim consequences of obstinacy worthy of Mohamed Al Fayed are clear to see. The Conservatives and Labour are respectively beset by the ongoing shambles of Brexit and antisemitism. In the past week, Jeremy Corbyn has apologised twice for his partys failure to act quick enough to deal with its antisemitism problem. But even Corbyns own acknowledgement fails to convince his army of keyboard warriors to accept the problem is there. To criticise Corbyn, even to write down the words of his own apology, is to have become a Blairite, or a Tory, or Murdoch scum. Criticise Corbyns woeful handling of a shocking scandal that has been 30 years or more in the making, and your real motivation is simply to bring the Dear Leader down. At this point you have apparently been exposed and then the real abuse can begin. Meanwhile in Brexitland, when the governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, says the possibility of a horrendous no-deal Brexit is substantially up, it is all just Project Fear 2. There are howls of outrage. The Bank is not worth listening to. Weve heard it all before. Never mind that by its own forecasts, as global growth has surged in the past two years and left Britain behind, the national coffers are 40bn behind where they might otherwise have been. (Just imagine a Labour government doing that, to settle its own internal scores, to stretch its private Europe neurosis on to the nation. The outrage would be mind-bending.) Brexit casualties Show all 10 1 /10 Brexit casualties Brexit casualties Andrea Jenkyns - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary at the ministry for housing, communities and local government role May 2018 - The Morley and Outwood MP said: We want to see a new relationship with Europe, with a new model not enjoyed by other countries nothing that leaves us half-in, half-out. And in order to achieve this, we need to leave the customs union. Ms Jenkyns also said she wished to dedicate more of her time to Parliaments influential Exiting the European Union select committee, after a series of unbalanced reports produced by MPs PA Brexit casualties David Davis - Resigned from Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union role July 2018 - quit following a major row with May over her plans for post-Brexit relations with the EU. Davis resignation letter said: As you know there have been a significant number of occasions in the last year or so on which I have disagreed with the Number 10 policy line, ranging from accepting the [European] Commissions sequencing of negotiations, through to the language on Northern Ireland in the December Joint Report. At each stage I have accepted collective responsibility because it is part of my task to find workable compromises, and because I considered it was still possible to deliver on the mandate of the referendum, and on our manifesto commitment to leave the Customs Union and the Single Market. I am afraid that I think the current trend of policy and tactics is making that look less and less likely. He went on to argue that the general direction of Ms Mays policies would leave the UK in at best a weak negotiating position, and possibly an inescapable one. AFP/Getty Brexit casualties Steve Baker - Resigned from Minister at the Department for Exiting the European Union role July 2018 - Mr Baker, a key Tory figure in the Leave campaign, was David Daviss main lieutenant at Dexeu, and was hailed as courageous and principled by other Brexiteer Tories as he also left. Reuters Brexit casualties Boris Johnson - Resigned from Foreign Secretary role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. In his resignation letter to the prime minister, Mr Johnson said: "On Friday, I acknowledged that my side of the argument were too few to prevail and congratulated you on at least reaching a Cabinet decision on the way forward. "As I said then, the government now has a song to sing. "The trouble is that I have practised the words over the weekend and find that they stick in the throat." Reuters Brexit casualties Conor Burns - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary to Foreign Secretary role July 2018 - A Brexit supporter who worked alongside Boris Johnson stated in his resignation letter: I've decided it's time to have greater freedom. I want to see the referendum result respected. And there are other areas of policy I want to speak more openly on. Rex Brexit casualties Chris Green - Resigned from Department for Transport role July 2018 - The Bolton West MP said: "Parliament overwhelmingly decided to give the decision of whether to leave or remain in the European Union to the British people and they made an unambiguous decision that we ought to leave. "I have always understood the idea in 'Brexit means Brexit' is that the final deal should be clear to me and my constituents - that we have, in no uncertain terms, left the European Union. Twitter Ads info and privacy "The direction the negotiations had been taking have suggested that we would not really leave the EU and the conclusion and statements following the Chequers summit confirmed my fears. "I recognise that delivering Brexit is challenging, however I had hoped at tonight's meeting that there would be some certainty that my fears were unfounded but, instead, they have been confirmed. "I have been grateful for the opportunity to serve as Parliamentary Private Secretary and it is with regret that I offer my resignation with immediate effect." PA Brexit casualties Maria Caulfield - Resigned from Conservative Party vice-chair for women role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. Lewes MP warned that the direction of travel did not fully embrace the opportunities that Brexit can provide. Ms Caulfield said in her letter to the PM: The policy may assuage vested interests, but the voters will find out and their representatives will be found out. This policy will be bad for our country and bad for the party. The direct consequences of that will be prime minister Corbyn. PA Brexit casualties Ben Bradley - Resigned from Conservative Party vice-chair for young people role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. The Mansfield MP said: I admit that I voted to Remain in that ballot. What has swayed me over the last two years to fully back the Brexit vision is the immense opportunities that are available from global trade, and for the ability for Britain to be an outward looking nation in control of our own destiny once again. I fear that this agreement at Chequers damages those opportunities; that being tied to EU regulations, and the EU tying our hands when seeking to make new trade agreements, will be the worst of all worlds if we do not deliver Brexit in spirit as well as in name, then we are handing Jeremy Corbyn the keys to No10. PA Brexit casualties Robert Courts - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. MP Mr Courts said: I have taken a very difficult decision to resign my position as [parliamentary private secretary] to express discontent with the Chequers [plans] in votes tomorrow. I had to think who I wanted to see in the mirror for the rest of my life. I cannot tell the people of Woxon that I support the proposals in their current form. Getty Brexit casualties Scott Mann - Resigned from Parliamentary Private Secretary role July 2018 - resigned over May's Chequers plan. "I fear elements of the Brexit white paper will inevitably put me in direct conflict with the views expressed by a large section of my constituents. I am not prepared to compromise their wishes to deliver a watered-down Brexit. "The residents of North Cornwall made it very clear that they wish to have control over our fishery, our agricultural policy, our money, our laws and our borders. I will evaluate those principles against the Brexit white paper and ensure that I vote in line with their wishes." Rex And yet on Sunday, when Liam Fox mentions the likelihood of no deal has risen to 60-40, the howls of derision are silent. Fox is not a Project Fear merchant. The algorithm must have misfired. How does either party escape from these absurd positions? Online, the Labour party can barely be described as a zoo: it would be too disrespectful to the chimpanzees. The coordinated #ResignWatson attack on Labours deputy leader last night, which incorporates some 50,000 tweets, marks a low-point for Project Corbyn, though it will undoubtedly go lower. The government is self-immolating. No prime minister has ever been given such an impossible ride, and by contrast no opposition leader has had such an easy one. And yet, here they were, launching waves of vitriolic and deeply personal abuse at Labours deputy leader for having the temerity to speak out on antisemitism. He had traduced Corbyn. He is, we learn, a Blairite, despite being the chief MP responsible for the toppling of Tony Blair in 2007, and despite personally forcing Blair to publicly name the date he would leave. Corbyn has bought hundreds of thousands of new people in to the Labour fold. Perhaps we should not be surprised then at the sheer political naivety shown by its members. To think that the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail, have no right to relentlessly attack and expose Corbyns past and present transgressions on antisemitism. As if the leader of the opposition should just be left alone. Or that their revelations are somehow undermined by their wider political objectives. Where does it lead? The antisemitism row is merely the symptom of a disease that could yet be terminal for Labour. The party has been taken over by a leader, his acolytes and his following who do not, and have never, shared the founding values and principles of the Labour Party. The Labour Party does not approach the world from the starting position that the West will be in the wrong. It doesnt take the opposite side to the countrys historical alliances, even at the current moment, when they could not be more gravely tested. It doesnt indulge in revisionist history on Stalinism, and pose the question of whether America can be defeated, as Seumas Milne has in the Guardian. Protests against Labour antisemitism Show all 14 1 /14 Protests against Labour antisemitism Protests against Labour antisemitism Protesters clashed during the demonstration Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Members of the Jewish community hold a protest against Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn and antisemitism in the Labour Party AFP/Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism Protesters hold placards and flags during a demonstration, organised by the British Board of Jewish Deputies for those who oppose antisemitism, in Parliament Square Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Hundreds of people gathered in Parliament Square to protest against antisemitism in the Labour Party EPA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour MP Luciana Berger speaks during the protest PA Protests against Labour antisemitism A protester blows through a shofar during the demonstration Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism Members of London's Jewish community protest in support of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn outside parliament EPA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour MP John Mann speaks during a protest against antisemitism PA Protests against Labour antisemitism People protest against antisemitism in the Labour Party as Jewish community leaders have launched a scathing attack on Jeremy Corbyn, claiming he has sided with antisemites again and again PA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour politicians Stella Creasy and Chuka Umunna leave after attending the demonstration Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism A pro-Jeremy Corbyn protester holds a placard during a counter-protest Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism A support of the Labour Party hold up a placard during the demonstration Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Jeremy Corbyn supporters during the demo Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism A protester holds up a sign reading For the many, not the Jew AFP It is for this reason that many are whispering about the possibility of a formal split, coming this autumn. A large number of Labour MPs cannot countenance campaigning for Jeremy Corbyn to be prime minister. He shares almost none of their values, never has done and never will. As for the Conservatives? The EU, in the end, will probably do a deal, at the last minute. That is the way it functions. But the atmosphere in those rarefied moments before it will be so febrile that the usual suspects of Conservatives, the ones traditionally branded traitors on the front of various newspapers, will have to publicly state their intention to vote down a no-deal Brexit. That is a split too, of a kind. And who knows, it could be then that the long overdue bus finally comes crashing down the middle of British politics. That these two parties that cannot manage their internal divisions are simultaneously set asunder. What happens then? Anyone who tells you they know the answer to that question is not telling you the truth. For those convinced that Robert Muellers investigation into alleged links between the Russian state and the Trump presidential election campaign will ultimately prove a conspiracy, the meeting between Donald Trump Jr and a lawyer with links to the Kremlin, Natalia Veselnitskaya, has long been positioned as a kind of smoking gun. Back in June 2016, Trump Jr along with Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort, who at the time was managing Trump Seniors campaign hosted a group including Veselnitskaya at Trump Tower, after it was suggested that information could be provided about Hillary Clinton. Since campaign finance rules prohibit the receipt of assistance from foreign governments or nationals, the gathering had (and still has) the potential to get Trump Jr into hot water. From the moment last summer that the New York Times revealed the meeting had taken place, the Trump camp has maintained that in the event no material information about Clinton was discussed. Instead, they contended, Veselnitskaya simply wished to discuss concerns about the Magnitsky Act (used by the US to punish Russian officials suspected of human rights abuses) and in particular an associated adoption programme. Nonetheless, Trump opponents have long argued that the outcome of the meeting is irrelevant. When Donald Jr was offered dirt on his fathers rival for the presidency by a group of Russian nationals he should say critics have told the FBI, not got his diary out. The latest twist is that the president has finally admitted himself that the reason the meeting took place was to get information on an opponent, adding that it was totally legal and done all the time in politics. While Donald Jr has previously acknowledged after an initial denial that he went into the meeting expecting to receive material that would prove detrimental to Clinton, his dads admission is the first occasion we have heard it from the White House. Given that Trump Snr dictated his sons original disavowal of the claim, it seems significant. It also follows hot on the heels of Trump tweeting that the Mueller inquiry (aka this Rigged Witch Hunt) should be stopped right now before it continues to stain our country any further. This, said the presidents press secretary, was not a presidential order to the attorney general Jess Sessions, mind you, but simply Trumps opinion. On the one hand, then, we have what appears to be an effective admission by both the president and his son that the meeting was set up because it was believed a Russian national with known links to the Kremlin had some juicy goss on Hillary Clinton. And on the other, we have the inquiry established to investigate alleged links between the Trump campaign and the Russian state constantly attacked by those it is investigating. It is, to say the least, a bizarre situation. But of course, Donald Trump is a bizarre president. He is as likely to believe that Mueller and his team will not in the final analysis find enough to tie him into a conspiracy, as he is to think that he will be able to find a way to shut the inquiry down just as its about to deal him a fatal blow. If his mind is as confused as his Twitter feed suggests, it is almost impossible to work out what he is thinking. The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Show all 14 1 /14 The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Time for a break-up? Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Sometimes simplicity works best. The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Theres no place for Trump's other policies in our society. Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Many were quick to point out that in the UK, Trump means 'fart'. Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Some people were looking out for The Queen Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests There's a Mean Girl's quote for every occasion Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests There were a lot of hair references at the march toupee. Sorry, today. Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Frack off. The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Try and read this out without singing it... Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests A message all Brits will understand. Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Simple, and to the point Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests We don't entirely understand this one, but we do rather like it Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests The Inbetweeners sends a hilariously petulant message Harriet Hall The best anti-Trump placards from the London protests Never underestimate Cher Horowitz Harriet Hall However, what is certain is that Trump has managed consistently to keep the publics attention and considerable political pressure on the inquiry. True, just as his criticisms of Muellers work infuriate his opponents, they are accepted at face value by his supporters: so few minds are likely to be changed. Nonetheless, would it not be sensible to consider whether the constant barrage of tweets on the inquiry are whether deliberately or not providing a distraction from Trumps day-to-day approach to domestic and foreign policy? The presidents favoured narrative is that the media and his opponents regularly fail to give him his dues when things are going right, concentrating instead on the fake news of Russian collusion. This allows him to assert his many supposed achievements, while maintaining the worlds focus on issues that are contentious but which may never be resolved (or at least not so clearly as to bring Trump down). So what of these achievements? There is widespread agreement that the US economy is in better shape now than it was two years ago although where the credit for that lies is the subject of heated debate. Whats more, Trumps much heralded trade war has hardly paid off in the spectacular way he promised. Meanwhile, his programme of tax cuts (arguably the main legislative achievement of Trumps presidency) have not produced the kind of swift boost to business investment that Republicans said it would while at the same time increasing the budget deficit. When it comes to immigration, Trump has managed to secure legal backing for his travel ban from several Muslim-majority countries: but since the premise for that ban was largely rhetorical, its practical impact for Americans has been minimal. Meanwhile, at the Mexican border where there is no sign of Trumps promised wall the administration responded to rising levels of illegal immigration by locking children in cages, denting Americas global image while having seemingly little impact on potential future migrants intentions. In his foreign policy approach, too, big talk has not led quite to big achievements. Trumps direct involvement in negotiating with North Korea may indeed have reduced tension on the Korean peninsula, but it remains to be seen whether it was a case of Trump being a global player, or simply being played by his rocket man pal, Kim Jong-un. Robert Muellers inquiry must, whatever the president says, be permitted to reach a proper conclusion. If a conspiracy to affect the course of the last election is eventually proved there must, indeed, be a reckoning. But nor should Muellers investigations which will take months yet and which may ultimately be inconclusive blind us to Trumps deeply flawed policy record. Ultimately, the president should be held to account for what he does in office, not only the way he got there. Less than a fifth of Ireland's SMEs have faced up to the Brexit timebomb by laying battleplans for the UK's exit from the European Union next March. But with the risk of a hard Brexit increasingly likely, more small and medium-sized businesses across the island of Ireland are preparing for the fallout. That's according to a new survey from InterTradeIreland, the cross-border body that's funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, and Northern Ireland's Department for the Economy. The latest quarterly business monitor from InterTradeIreland found that SMEs are increasingly deferring investment until there's clarity about Brexit, with almost a quarter of them on the island saying that it's influencing their investment decision-making process. Of the firms surveyed, 30pc said they're concerned about the potential impact on sales because of Brexit. With just seven months to go until Brexit, the survey also found that only close to 20pc of firms have put measures in place to plan for the UK's departure from the world's biggest trading bloc. "The number of firms preparing for Brexit is increasing all the time," said InterTradeIreland's designated officer and director of strategy, Aidan Gough. "We see this in the demand for our supports and services. In particular, our Brexit Advisory Service." He warned that businesses can't afford to be complacent in drafting plans for Brexit. The Government recently revealed that 151 applications have been made for funding under the Brexit Loan Scheme, a 300m pot of loan finance that's delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland. It was launched at the end of March. But only 10 applications have so far been approved under the scheme, with loans made totalling 2.5m. Under the terms of the fund, at least 80pc of a granted loan must be spent on research and innovation, with the remainder of the loan used to establish those activities. The latest InterTradeIreland business monitor, where firms were surveyed between April and June, showed that the number of firms across the island reporting growth remains high, at 46pc. That's the highest figure since 2011. But InterTradeIreland said the number masks a "more complex" economic picture, "with significant challenges on the horizon and mixed sentiment across sectors". The survey also showed that energy and overhead costs - most likely wages - are the biggest concerns for businesses across Ireland. "On a sectoral level, the number of retail businesses reporting to be in difficulties has increased," it noted. "This is also true for construction firms. Interestingly in the building sector, 53pc are reporting that new competitors are entering the market while over half say profit margins remain tight." It added that 27pc of manufacturing businesses have reported spare capacity. InterTradeIreland said this was a significant increase compared to the previous quarter. "We do also see a rise in the number of firms struggling to recruit for the appropriate skills. This stands at just over a quarter of businesses across the island," it added. But more than a quarter of professional services firms plan to boost staff training and upgrade their IT systems. "This sense of mixed signals from the wider economy is compounded by the lack of clarity around Brexit, as the outcome of Britain's negotiations with the EU remain unclear," noted the agency. UK prime minister Theresa May met French president Emmanuel Macron last Friday at his retreat in the south of France. She was hoping to persuade him to soften France's Brexit position. I recently spoke at an IFA county executive meeting with my headline topic being how to stretch scarce fodder supplies and alternative feed options this winter. Judging by the feedback from those in the audience, no livestock farmer, regardless of their stocking rate, has been untouched by this drought and the consequences will reverberate well into 2019. On the night and over the past number of weeks I have been reiterating the importance of conducting an accurate feed budget, which will determine whether forage is in deficit and if so, by how much. Beef industry standards here in Ireland generally budget a minimum of 40pc of the animal's intake from forage in a finishing diet, 80pc forage in a weanling and lactating suckler cow and 90pc in the diet of a dry suckler cow. The balance of these intakes can be made up of long fibre such as straw and hay, root crops, distillery and brewing by-products, cereals, proteins and digestible fibre sources. In many cases, the above standards will have to be adjusted this winter due to the obvious shortages of forage and straw. Where silage supplies are at a premium but straw is available, then the forage content can be halved across all categories of stock. For finishing cattle, reducing the forage content to 10pc of their intake is possible, provided the energy, protein and digestible fibre sources are correctly selected and balanced. It appears that a number of merchants have acted quickly and taken the lead in the importation of high quality straw, straw pellets and nutritionally enhanced straw. This will hopefully help to avoid any panic buying and importation of inferior quality straw deeper into the winter. It is well documented that the amount of Irish grain and straw available from this year's harvest is reduced in comparison to previous years. This is due to a number of factors, including the reduced acerage of grain - not helped by the difficult spring conditions, reduced yield potential of all crops and the sizable amount of cereal crop area that has been harvested as wholecrop. This shortage has highlighted the importance of the Irish cereal sector and how a sustainable tillage industry is required by all livestock farmers here. The shortfall in Irish cereals will be made up with the importation of grains, mainly maize grain. The most popular form of maize grain found on Irish beef farms is fine ground maize meal (aptly named fine meal in the south of the country and yellow meal in the north). When maize is ground into this form, there is a limitation as to the amount that can be fed, roughly 40pc of the total concentrate component. When maize grain is toasted or alkaline treated, the feed rates can be significantly increased. There is currently a huge demand for all digestible fibre sources. Beet pulp, soya hulls and citrus pulp have been used throughout the drought to help satisfy animal intakes and extend grass supply, particularly by dairy farmers. There is now a fear that there will be shortfalls in supply of these feeds during the winter months. Tight supplies have resulted in huge prices rises to the unlikely point where they are currently trading above the price of cereal grains such as barley, maize and wheat. Animal performance With reduced amounts of digestible fibres available, balancing rations, without compromising ration quality, rumen health and animal performance will be a challenge. The use of a quality rumen buffer and yeast will offset the lack of digestible fibre. I hope we won't witness a scenario where low energy, poorly digestible feed ingredients that carry anti-nutritional values become the norm. I have noticed sunflower hulls, rice bran, faba bean hulls, wheat feed and the dreaded palm kernel beginning to take a more prominent position on feed dockets. The protein feed markets have remained moderately stable in comparison to energy and digestible fibre feed sources. Soya bean meal, at the top end of the price market, has increased approximately 10pc since the turn of the year. This in turn has increased the prices of other protein feeds such as rapeseed meal, distillers and corn gluten. Unfortunately, feeds which were commonly available to cattle finishers to stretch or replace fodder such as potatoes, vegetables and by-products are also very difficult to source. Gerry Giggins is an animal nutritionist based in Co Louth Dairy farm worker Jorge Salazar is milking cows at Mancebo Holsteins in Tulare, California, U.S., July 24, 2018. Picture taken on July 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jane Ross Stephen Mancebo, a fourth-generation California dairy farmer with 2,300 cows, has battled ups and downs in his temperamental industry for a quarter-century only to find himself a casualty of a U.S trade war with one of his biggest customers - Mexico. Mancebo, 47, represents one of approximately 1,300 dairy farm families eking out a living in California on the narrow margins of an enterprise that increasingly relies on exports. For Mancebo and other U.S. dairy farmers and processors who turn milk into cheese, butter and other products, the trade war is threatening to snuff out a nascent rebound from three years of slumping prices that have driven nearly 140 California dairies out of business. In retaliation for tariffs that President Donald Trump imposed on imports of steel and aluminum, Mexico in late May announced duties on cheeses, other farm products and metals from the United States. Expand Close Cows are feeding at Mancebo Holsteins in Tulare, California, U.S., July 24, 2018. Picture taken on July 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jane Ross / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cows are feeding at Mancebo Holsteins in Tulare, California, U.S., July 24, 2018. Picture taken on July 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jane Ross Milk and cheese prices on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, a key part of the formula that determines what dairy producers are paid, faltered immediately on expectations Mexico's tariffs would translate into U.S. surpluses. The extent of export disruption has yet to be quantified. But sudden downturns in demand are challenging for dairy farmers, whose means of production need to be fed and milked on a daily basis. "Our product is perishable. I can't sit on my milk for a month or two months," Mancebo told Reuters outside his dairy in Tulare, in California's Central Valley. "These cows can't be shut off." After several years of showing little if any profit, Mancebo said he had been looking forward to a turnaround in prices that might have netted his operation $50,000 to $80,000 a month later this year, allowing him to break even for 2018. "Most months I don't make anything, so to take that, it's a considerable loss at this time," said Mancebo, whose support for Trump has been undiminished despite the effect of the trade policies. CALIFORNIA MOST VULNERABLE The United States is Mexico's leading foreign supplier of dairy goods, including nearly $400 million in cheese last year. Dairy operators in California, the nation's top milk-producing state, are especially vulnerable to Mexico's 25 percent cheese tariffs. Expand Close Dairy farm worker Jorge Salazar is milking cows at Mancebo Holsteins in Tulare, California, U.S., July 24, 2018. Picture taken on July 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jane Ross / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dairy farm worker Jorge Salazar is milking cows at Mancebo Holsteins in Tulare, California, U.S., July 24, 2018. Picture taken on July 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jane Ross California dairies, like Mancebo's, export 30 percent of all they produce, compared with 17 percent for U.S. dairies on average, and Mexico is their No. 1 buyer. California accounted for 35 percent of U.S. cheese exports to Mexico alone last year, estimated at 33,600 metric tons (74 million-plus pounds), said economist Annie AcMoody of the trade group Western United Dairymen. But beyond immediate price swings, U.S. dairy exporters worry about losing hard-earned market share to the European Union, which has just reached a free-trade accord with Mexico. In a letter sent to the White House last month, 65 dairy producers, processors and cooperatives from around the country urged Trump to reach an accommodation with Mexico. Expand Close Cows are feeding at Mancebo Holsteins in Tulare, California, U.S., July 24, 2018. Picture taken on July 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jane Ross / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cows are feeding at Mancebo Holsteins in Tulare, California, U.S., July 24, 2018. Picture taken on July 24, 2018. REUTERS/Jane Ross The $12 billion aid package Trump announced this week to offset damage to farmers from the trade war could potentially replace some short-term income losses, but it will do nothing to rebuild any market share seized by foreign competitors, said Bill Schiek, economist for the Dairy Institute of California. Concerns also are growing that China could retaliate against U.S. tariffs with a fresh set of duties on U.S. dairy. Schiek said anecdotal evidence shows orders are being canceled in anticipation of export demands softening as Mexico's duties add to the cost of made-in-America cheese, and buyers there turn elsewhere for supplies. AcMoody said that even minor fluctuations can undercut American dairy producers because international pricing is so competitive. Mancebo said that even as Trump's policies are hurting him, he backs the measures: "Our trade deficit needed to be addressed. "And it was going to be a struggle whenever it happened," he said. "So it's kind of like holding our breath. Problem is, we're holding our breath underwater." 'The European Union itself last week extended aid to farmers as extreme heat and drought slashes grain output to the lowest in at least five years.' Getty/Stock Image Germany is waiting for the European Commission to rule on whether its farmers can get income tax relief to help offset the effects of drought on this year's harvest, weekly magazine 'WirtschaftsWoche' has reported, citing an unidentified German agriculture ministry spokeswoman. The German government first passed the measure in late 2016, but it potentially runs foul of EU State Aid rules. The European Union itself last week extended aid to farmers as extreme heat and drought slashes grain output to the lowest in at least five years. Farmers will be able to receive part of their direct and rural development payments earlier than usual to help alleviate the impact of this year's drought, the European Commission said on Thursday. That comes after the bloc's regulatory arm last month relaxed two key environmental rules in some countries. European Union grains output is forecast to fall by 13.6m tonnes to the lowest in commission data, going back to the 2014-15 season. The drought could cost German farmers at least 2bn, according to the nation's GDV private insurers' lobby. The fall in cereal yields is likely to feed through into higher food prices. (Additional reporting Bloomberg) Investment banks have earned $280.55m (242m) advising on large Irish mergers and acquisitions and capital raising deals so far this year, according to data provider Thomson Financial. Last week Smurfit Kappa said it has spent 12m on its successful defence against a 9bn takeover bid from rival International Paper. New York-based Citi and home-grown financial advisers Davy acted for Smurfit Kappa on the deal. Earlier in the year accounts for Eir showed it spent 12m preparing its sale to NJJ and Iliad, firms linked to French billionaire Xavier Niel. The Thomson Reuters data suggest so-called bulge bracket global investment banks - JP Morgan, UBS, Goldman Sachs, Citi and Bank of America Merrill Lynch - were the biggest earners on Irish deals, which included large cross-border deals by the likes of CRH and Smurfit Kappa. Globally, investment bankers are enjoying pay increases of an average of 5pc to 10pc across financial services this year, according to New York-based analyst Johnson Associates. The biggest increase will likely be in equity sales and trading, where bonuses could climb as much as 20pc. The exception is tipped to be merger advisory work, where incentives could fall. Chico, Calif. In week number ten of the Chico Police Departments Street Crimes Unit, officers on special patrol are sending a strong message to those committing habitual crimes in the community. That message is simple: we are watching for illegal activity and we will arrest you. Over the weekend, officers working in the unit performed the latest round-up, by targeting what are considered street-level crimes which have a negative impact on quality of life. Those crimes include illegal activity such as car burglary and theft, drug dealing and possession, bike theft, outstanding warrants and habitual retail theft. In the ten weeks since the Street Crimes Unit began operating, officers have made a total of 250 arrests. This weekends operation was in addition to Chico Police offering assistance to law enforcement personnel in Shasta County, as officers logged over 200 hours for anti-looting patrols as a result of the Carr Fire evacuations. Chief Michael OBrien says due to the success of the specialized Street Crimes Unit, Chico City Council members are expected in coming week to discuss the possibility of identifying long-term funding to continue the pro-active unit, which is slated to end after one more week of operations. Donna Fenn bought shares of Apple Inc in the 1980s on the recommendation of a stockbroker a good friend of hers was dating. She'd heard of the company because its co-founder Steve Jobs had appeared on the cover of the magazine she worked for. At the end of 1985, not long after Fenn, now 59, made her investment, shares of Apple were trading at the equivalent of 39 cents each, adjusting for subsequent stock splits. Little could she imagine that the value of Apple shares bought then would climb more than 50,000pc. On Thursday, the market capitalisation of Apple hit $1trn (860bn) as its shares rose 2.8pc to a high of $207.05. Apple, whose initial public offering was in December 1980, is the first US company to reach that milestone. Fenn and other Apple shareholders who first picked the stock in the 1980s and 1990s said they maintained a strong appreciation for the company, its products and its co-founder Jobs even as Apple teetered on the brink of bankruptcy in the late 1990s. "It's now an iconic American brand," said Fenn, who lives in Pelham, New York. For much of the 1980s, Bruce Pfeffer used an Apple IIe computer to help run his company, which teaches children to perform circus arts such as juggling and fire-eating. He's owned Apple computers almost exclusively since then and travels in his RV, where he lives and works, with an array of iPads and iPod Touches. Pfeffer (59) first bought Apple's stock in 1998, the year after Steve Jobs rejoined the company as chief executive. At the time, Pfeffer wasn't aware of the company's struggles. "I didn't realise how bad off the company was at the time," he said. "I was just part of that cult that just loved Apple." Elliot Levin, on the other hand, was quite aware of Apple's challenges and anxious about its survival. As a teenager in Seattle, he enjoyed tinkering with computers and longed to buy a Mac for college. In 1997, his parents bought him Apple shares for his 15th birthday. Levin specifically requested the gift, in what he viewed as a small gesture to help keep the company alive. "It almost felt like an act of solidarity," Levin, now 36 and living in Portland, Oregon, said. At least one shareholder Reuters contacted anticipated Steve Jobs's return to Apple in 1997 would mark a turning point for the company. John Wallner (61), a consultant in Portland, Oregon, had seen Jobs's business acumen first-hand. From 1983 to 1992, he worked at Apple, first as a product cost accountant for the original Macintosh and later as a factory manager. While at Apple, Wallner routinely sold the shares he bought through the company's employee stock purchase plan, because he didn't want both his income and the bulk of his investments to come from a single company. But he kept the shares he acquired in his last few years at Apple. When Jobs returned to Apple, Wallner sensed rosier days ahead. "I had no motivation to get rid of (the stock)," Wallner said. "At the time, I said, 'Well, let's just keep it lying around and watch what he does.'" Even since Jobs's death in 2011, long-time Apple shareholders said they have kept confidence in the company under Tim Cook, its current chief executive. "I see big upside, both for the products they're going to work on as well as the stock price," Wallner said. Robert Emnett (76), a retired management consultant in Manchester, Missouri, first bought Apple shares in 1996. He keeps nearly his entire investment portfolio in stocks and picks them according to criteria developed by BetterInvesting, a non-profit that supports investment clubs. The average annual return for his Apple shares has exceeded that of most of his other holdings. Those strong returns have come in handy for several long-time shareholders. Emnett and his wife retired earlier than planned and have used their portfolio to supplement their employer-provided pensions. Pfeffer has sold some of his shares in order to fund his circus-arts education company, whose business is seasonal. Wallner used a portion of his stock to pay off loans he and his wife took out to finance their twin sons' college educations. But even as Apple's market capitalisation has breached the $1trn mark, they say they don't plan to sell off the entirety of their shares any time soon. Over the years, Emnett and Fenn have even given shares to their children. "I think I will always hold on to a little bit," Fenn said, "so I can be that old lady who bought it when I was 25 years old." (Reuters) Paddy Power Betfair will publish interim results on Wednesday. Of particular interest to investors will be the impact, if any, of the fixed odds betting terminal regulation introduced in the UK earlier this year, and guidance around the potential of a liberalising US market. Tomorrow, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) will publish industrial production and turnover figures for June. This will be followed by consumer price index figures for July, due out on Thursday, while on Friday the CSO is due to release the vehicle registration figures for July. In tech news Samsung will unveil its next Galaxy Note smartphone on Thursday. It features an improved camera and an upgraded processor from Qualcomm. The new model is expected to be called the Note 9. The first phase of reimposed US sanctions on Iran comes into effect this week. US President Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw the US from the international nuclear deal with Iran in May and is seeking a tougher stance on Iran from European allies. Meanwhile on Friday the US Department of Agriculture publishes its world agriculture supply and demand report. The actress shot to mainstream stardom with the TV show, which was targeted at a teenage audience. She portrayed Marissa Cooper before her character died in season three and this year marks the ten-year anniversary of its debut. "You know - never say never," she told Us Weekly. "But, I think things have to feel right [for a reunion] and it doesn't feel right." Mischa believes she missed out on some career opportunities by appearing on television screens between the years of 2003 and 2006. There is a chance the thespian's talent may be overshadowed if she draws fan's attention back to her past. "You can't say that you feel one way or another about things," she continued. "But before The O.C. I was on track to do some great films, as well, and one thing happens and then I got this mega stardom all from this show. It is what it is, but I'm not looking to get sucked back into the limelight of it." During her appearance on the programme, Mischa's co-stars included Benjamin McKenzie, Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson. Now she isn't close with her former work pals because she chooses to steer clear of Hollywood most of the time. "I don't," she admitted about staying in touch with her former colleagues. "I mean, I run into people every once in a while, but I'm doing my own thing. I work a lot, so I feel like I'm never around in L.A. and I know that Ben and Rachel work on shows here." While Mischa is grateful for the opportunities the show opened up for her, she has since branched out into a fashion career. Video of the Day The accessories designer hopes this year's soap-related festivities won't outshine her current work ventures. "I was like, 'I hope everyone doesn't start watching it again!'" she exclaimed. THE ex-partner of Gerry The Monk Hutchs nephew Alan Hutch has avoided jail for a second time for punching a woman in the face. Model Emily Jane Stewart (22) left Shannon Ryan with a cut lip during the attack on a Dublin street in 2016. Just weeks ago, Stewart admitted assaulting Ms Ryan in a separate incident in 2017. The 2016 attack happened amid very bad feelings between the two women, Dublin District Court was told. The court heard that Stewarts father had started a new relationship with the victims mother, and that there was animosity between Stewart and her putative stepsister. Stewart, of Belcamp Avenue, Coolock, admitted assaulting Ms Ryan on August 3, 2016. Judge John Lindsay put Stewart on a one-year peace bond. SERIOUS It was the second time Stewart had come before the courts in recent weeks accused of assaulting Ms Ryan. On July 23, she was given a six-month suspended jail sentence by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court when she admitted more serious assaults on Ms Ryan and her mother, Sabrina Ryan. Those attacks happened in March last year on buses between Coolock and the city centre. Her 2016 assault case was originally heard before another judge last year and came back before last weeks court for finalisation. Defence solicitor Declan Fahy asked Judge Lindsay to read a probation report on the accused that had been prepared. Garda Daniel Eccles told the court that the 2016 offence was a lesser charge of common assault. She punched the injured party in the face, Gda Eccles said. As a result, she had a laceration on the inside of her lip. The court was told that the victim had fully recovered from the assault, which happened in Glin Road, Coolock. Judge Lindsay was told that there had been animosity between the two women and that they had been arguing, not getting on over the past number of years. The women were of a similar age, the court was told. This person is [Stewarts] putative stepsister and there is very bad feeling between them, said Mr Fahy. The solicitor added that there was some degree of provocation. The court was told that Stewart had mental health and addiction problems. If you keep this up, if you dont take your medication and allow situations like this to develop, you may not intend it but you could very well hurt somebody seriously and the next thing that happens is you are given a custodial sentence, said Judge Lindsay. I dont want to do that and nor does anybody else. You have got to look after yourself, take your medication and do what the doctors say, not what you think. Mr Fahy said the bad feelings with the victim had been resolved, in that they dont really have any interaction at all. Stewart had the support of her family and psychiatric and drug treatment services. She had been through a bad period but was now on a good path, said Mr Fahy. The judge told Stewart that under conditions of the bond, she had to keep all medical appointments and comply with directions of her doctors. I will, thank you, Stewart replied. In the 2017 assaults, the circuit court had heard Stewart left Shannon Ryan bleeding from scratches to her face after a frightening unprovoked attack. Stewart went on to assault the womans mother on a bus on the same route two days later, diving on her, biting her finger and punching and scraping her face. Judge Martin Nolan suspended a six-month sentence after hearing of tensions between the two families. Stewart was injured two years ago while travelling in a car driven by criminal Kieron The Wolf Ducie. She was a passenger in his vehicle when it overturned in Meath. Ducie was jailed for five months for uninsured driving. The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) has promised it will start referring complaints about nursing homes to the Ombudsman. It emerged that almost 700 allegations of mistreatment of residents were not forwarded by Hiqa to the independent investigator, despite a requirement for it to do so. Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd previously revealed how no nursing home complaint was forwarded by the health watchdog to the Ombudsman over the last three years. This was despite a memorandum of understanding between the two organisations relating to the transfer of complaints. Deputy O'Dowd said he has spoken with Ombudsman Peter Tyndall, who in turn met with Hiqa about the referral of complaints. "Following our meeting, the Ombudsman Mr Peter Tyndall met with Hiqa and Hiqa has now agreed to forward directly to the Office of the Ombudsman all appropriate unsolicited nursing home complaints received by them for investigation with the consent of the complainant. "This is a very welcome development and long overdue. "In 2017 alone there were almost 700 unsolicited complaints - some of which expressed great concern and worry at the deaths of residents, physical abuse, sexual abuse and financial abuse. "Many of these complaints are very disturbing indeed and needed independent investigation and effective and appropriate action," Mr O'Dowd said. He said a formal memorandum of understanding was "urgently" needed between Hiqa and the Garda "so that all possible criminal investigations arising can commence as soon as possible". Latest figures from the health watchdog show 697 people died unexpectedly in nursing homes last year, compared to 726 the previous year. An unexpected death is defined as one that was not anticipated or occurred earlier than expected. Nursing homes are required by law to notify unexpected deaths to Hiqa. In 2017 the watchdog received 4,846 notifications, including more than 200 outbreaks of notifiable diseases and 182 cases of unexpected absences of a resident from nursing homes. There were 104 allegations of misconduct against staff members while there were 16 cases where a staff member was the subject of a review by a professional body. Stephen McMahon, director of the Irish Patients Association, said the number of unexpected deaths are disturbing and was not receiving attention. "We call on the Minister for Health, in the public residents' interests, to set up an independent review of these patient events that we have received from Hiqa," he said. "What analysis has Hiqa conducted on each of these events?" The environmental law organisation has sent detailed legal letters to the regulator about Admiral, Lancashire Holdings Limited and Phoenix Group Holdings. Climate change is a principal risk or uncertainty affecting these companies, and as a result they are legally obliged to report this in their annual reports. However, there is no mention of the risks posed by climate change in any of the companies annual reports. The FCA could fine or publicly censure the insurers as a result of the complaints. The companies could also be made to publish information which rectifies the omissions in their annual reports. ClientEarth insurance lawyer Stephanie Morton said: Given the myriad climate change-related risks these companies are exposed to, we were surprised to find that they were not communicating this to investors. We think the law is quite clear on this and by omitting financially material climate risks from their annual reports, these companies are not giving the full picture. Without this information, how can investors make a fully-formed investment decision? Insurance companies are exposed to four main types of risk. There are physical risks from climate change, which are likely to result in more claims and a reduction in the value of insurers assets. The transition risks caused by changing consumer preferences, technological advances, and new governmental policy could also reduce the value of their investment portfolios. It may also negatively affect demand for insurance from carbon-intensive sectors. Insurers also face liability risks. If losses are suffered as a result of climate risks, insurance companies could find themselves on the hook for third-party liability claims against their corporate customers. Finally, there is a reputational risk for the insurance sector as the role it plays in underwriting and financing the fossil fuel sector comes under increased public scrutiny. The insurance sector is particularly vulnerable to these climate risks, as they affect both sides of their balance sheets. The FCA has recently responded to the Environmental Audit Committees Green Finance report, listing proactive steps it was taking with regard to climate change-related disclosures. As part of this, the FCA said it will highlight to issuers the need to make adequate disclosures regarding materially important information, including information that allows investors to understand how ESG matters affect the valuation of a listed companys securities and how these matters are managed by the company. Morton added: The FCA has moved swiftly this year in understanding the risks that climate change presents to the economy. This is an opportunity for the FCA to send a strong market signal that climate disclosures are essential for enabling investors to assess climate-related financial risks, and we look forward to a speedy and robust response. Aras hopeful Joan Freeman has refused to say whether she will look to take the full presidential pay packet, as another prospective candidate said that he would take the current salary amount to meet election costs. Michael D Higgins currently takes a pay package of 249,014 a year. When elected, Mr Higgins wrote to the Department of Finance outlining his wish to have 23.5pc of the 325,507 salary donated to the State. Currently legislation sets out that the president's pay is to be set at 10pc higher than the pay of a chief justice. The next person to be elected to the office will be entitled to a salary of just under 262,000 at current rates. Businessman Gavin Duffy has said that he will take the salary currently paid to Michael D Higgins of 249,014 in order to recoup the costs of mounting an election campaign. Expand Close Gavin Duffy. Photo: Kyran O'Brien / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gavin Duffy. Photo: Kyran O'Brien In a statement he said the costs incurred by a non-party president were "almost prohibitively expensive". Sipo, the public office watchdog, advised the maximum allowed spend on presidential election was 750,000 in 2011. That figure might be 1m when the regulations are updated for 2018 by Sipo later this month. However, Mr Duffy said that he would "take direction" from the Government if a further reduction was needed, such as if there was an economic downturn. When contacted by the Irish Independent, a spokeswoman for Ms Freeman declined to say if she would be looking to take the full salary. "Joan is solely focused on securing a nomination at the moment. "Issues such as salary will be considered after she secures a nomination," said the spokeswoman. As a senator, appointed in May 2016, Ms Freeman initially donated her salary to the charity she founded in 2005, Pieta House. But that arrangement later ended, as she had left the charity and said she had no other income. The deal ended in 2017 as Ms Freeman left Pieta House on December 31 that year. Canvassing Meanwhile, a spokesman for President Higgins did not respond when asked if the sitting President will continue to take the reduced pay of 249,041 if re-elected to serve a second term. Both Mr Duffy and Ms Freeman are canvassing local councillors in a bid to shore up support for a nomination in order to challenge Mr Higgins in the October election. A prospective candidate must have the backing of four local authorities to lodge nomination papers. Their first public pitch was made in Waterford, where they were each faced with difficult questions. Questions posed to Mr Duffy focused on his business dealings and his work for politicians through the years. He has provided consultancy services to four Taoisigh, but has not done so since 2011. He has never been a member of a political party and has not donated to any parties. Meanwhile, Ms Freeman was asked about the suggestion that she is a pro-life candidate. Two of her relatives, her sister Theresa Lowe and her niece Maria Steen, were high-profile campaigners on the No side in the recent referendum on the Eighth Amendment. Ms Freeman said that she voted No, but would be happy to carry the voice of the people in signing the legislation into law. Transport Minister Shane Ross has dug his heels in over his proposal to pay 1,000 a year to grandparents who provide childcare - and he issued a stinging rebuke to his critics. In an extraordinary defence of the proposed payment to those who provide 10 hours or more of childcare to their grandchildren, Mr Ross attacked Fine Gael, opposition parties, "conservative Ireland" and the childcare industry. The suggestion, put forward in the Independent Alliance's pre-Budget submission, is to be costed by the Department of Finance. However, sources have raised serious concerns over the projected cost. The scheme, dubbed the 'granny grant', has also faced criticism from opposition parties and lobby groups for doing little to address the high cost of childcare facing parents. However, in a scathing rebuttal published in the 'Sunday Independent', Mr Ross said that following the suggestion "the establishment went to work". "Anonymous Fine Gael sources were widely quoted as rubbishing the suggestion and its proposers. Official Ireland circled the wagons. Conservative Ireland took to the airwaves," he wrote. "A threatened childcare industry joined forces with an incoherent Fianna Fail. 'Kill this one dead before it gets legs'. "All of them sang from the same hymn sheet. The mantra was identical: where had this project ever been attempted before?" Mr Ross defended the idea as a "proud experiment" and said questions about the detail of the scheme, such as how compliance would be monitored, were "fair questions about detail, which happily do nothing to denigrate the merit of the big idea". Mr Ross referred to a number of opinion polls carried out during the week, including by Independent.ie, which showed a majority in favour of the proposal. Fianna Fail senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee, who came in for special mention in Mr Ross's column as having "tied herself and her party up in knots", hit back at the minister, describing his claims as "complete nonsense". "He is trying his best to portray himself as someone who is a maverick and an outsider - he has been decades in the Oireachtas," she said. Ms Clifford-Lee accused the minister of using the plight of young families to earn some easy headlines. She said she took issue with the sum of 1,000 because it was not enough to compensate grandparents for the work they do, but clarified she doesn't think they should be paid at all because they shouldn't have to be stepping in to provide childcare. Mary Lou McDonald speaking at the National Hunger Strike Commemoration in Co Down yesterday. Photo: PA Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has doubled down on her Irish reunification U-turn, saying a unity referendum is now at the centre of political discussion. The comments come a week after Ms McDonald said a poll on Irish unity should not be held while uncertainty around Brexit remains. Ms McDonald said: "It is not a question of if a unity referendum will happen, but a question of when." She made the remarks during her keynote speech at the 37th annual National Hunger Strike Commemoration in Castlewellan, Co Down. Ms McDonald added that the Government here had a responsibility to lead the discussion. "As Britain turns away from Europe, the appeal of being part of a new and outward-looking Ireland will, I believe, prove ever more attractive to some within the Unionist community." The Sinn Fein leader added that the party was committed to re-establishing the Executive and Assembly in Northern Ireland. "The Irish and British governments have said there will be a new round of talks in the autumn. That is welcome. "However basic rights, respect and equality cannot be disregarded, they are not bargaining chips. They are for all in society," she said. "Marriage equality, the right to inquests and language rights are for everyone. "The way to unlock the political process is to make clear that rights enjoyed in the rest of Ireland and across Britain will be implemented in the North." Ms McDonald added that there were more republicans across Ireland now than at any time since partition. The Sinn Fein leader drew ire when contradicting herself on the issue of the Border earlier this week. Ms McDonald said on Monday last that while the "dangers" posed by Brexit were present, it was not the time for a Border poll. The following day, Ms McDonald said that if there was to be a hard Brexit next year, the British government would have to hold a Border poll. Both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael seized on the apparent abrupt U-turn, questioning what prompted Ms McDonald to suddenly change her view. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said Ms McDonald's U-turn "indicates the 'hard men' are not far away". The photographer Art O'Callaghan had left Higgins's pub near the junction of Liffey Street and was making his way back to the newspaper's office in Middle Abbey Street, Dublin when a whirling mass of Chinese men spilled out of the doorway of a narrow little restaurant known as The New Universal brandishing meat cleavers, long kitchen knives and iron bars. His photographs, published in the following morning's Irish Independent, show blood-spattered bodies lying around the street. There is a dramatic picture of a man lying badly injured in a doorway while another man, wearing a bloodied white shirt, stands in the background. It was the night the Triad wars came to Dublin... but at first most onlookers believed they were watching the shooting of a new kung fu movie in the city centre. Tony Lee, a Cork businessman and restaurant owner, had his throat slit and died in hospital. Michael Tsim, based in Dublin, was found stabbed to death in a nearby doorway. Another man, Ricky Sam, was blinded after being shot in the head. In Hughes's pub the following night, after a late-night sitting of Dublin District Court where some of those involved were charged, detectives whispered stories of the astonishing violence that had erupted that Tuesday night. One detective told me they had several severed fingers but didn't know who they belonged to; their owners had been spirited away as the rival gangs scattered around Dublin, back to Birmingham or to Hong Kong. Another detective maintained, perhaps somewhat fancifully, that Ricky Sam had been expertly shot so that the bullet took out both his eyes, but didn't kill him - so even if the shooter was caught, he couldn't be convicted of murder. The New Universal Chinese restaurant at 112 Middle Abbey Street re-opened a couple of days after the violence with a new name: The Friendly House. About three months before the incident on July 17, 1979, a problem had arisen around a Chinese restaurant called the Bamboo House in Dorset Street, Dublin. Allegations would later be made in court that Steven Sam, a chef in the New Universal, "started a campaign to close the Bamboo House", harassed staff and attempted to enforce a protection racket on the premises. It was something he denied. His brother Ricky Sam said he "discussed the problem" with Cork businessman Tony Lee. Lee was described by his wife as "a respectable businessman" and a pillar of the local Chinese community, but identified by others as a "big man" in the 14K - a Chinese Triad, or Mafia-style, gang whose power stretched from Hong Kong through Liverpool to Dublin, Belfast and Cork. Ricky thought things were 'sorted' until Lee's brother and 10 other Chinese men came looking for him in Dublin. Tsoi Foh Sing, one of the Cork gang, who would later be accused of murder, said during his trial at the Central Criminal Court that about three months before the fatal affray in Dublin, he had a phone call from his uncle, Alex Choy, who told him he had a problem in his restaurant, the Bamboo House - the Sam brothers had asked for protection money and threatened to close the place if he didn't pay. The court heard that on July 17, tension had been brewing from early in the day. Chef Steven Sam had heard that Tony Lee was in Dublin and so was carrying a boning knife wrapped in a tablecloth. When he met his brother Ricky and the others, he told them to arm themselves with knives. Andy Yip, whose father owned the New Universal, had gone to South Richmond Street to collect some curry powder when he saw Tony Lee's Cork-registered black Mazda car parked on the street outside. He didn't go in, he told the court, because he didn't want to meet him. But when he got back to the New Universal in Middle Abbey Street some time later, Tony Lee and five others had arrived in the Mazda and a silver Fiat. Mr Yip went into the restaurant, where Tony Lee was sitting at a table near the kitchen with Tsoi Foh Sing, two Chinese men from Birmingham and two 'gentlemen' from Hong Kong. The older of these introduced himself as Tak Shea Wong and said he held a high position in the 14K Triad. "I told him I was also in the 14K and gave him the name of my section and superior," said Yip. As they spoke, he noticed that one of the younger men from Hong Kong sitting with Tony Lee had a knife strapped to his leg. Outside the restaurant, Wan Tan Cheng had been left on 'lookout' duty. He had been brought to Dublin by Tony Lee who told him they were going hunting. When Michael Tsim, Steven and Ricky Sam and others got out of a black car and started walking towards the restaurant, he ran inside and shouted a warning. The two groups confronted each other and words were exchanged. The elder Mr Yip, owner of the New Universal, then ordered them all out of the premises. The Dublin group backed away down the narrow passageway between tables followed by the Cork gang - but as the door opened knives began to slash the air, blood was drawn and the fighting spilled out onto Middle Abbey Street. "I thought it was a kung fu movie until one young man was stabbed in the eye," said passer-by Helen Finnegan. "The older man got it in the throat," said Jean Doherty. "It wasn't until I saw the blood gushing from his throat that I realised this was for real," said another witness, "they were shouting and screaming; it was just like a kung fu film." "It was hard to believe it was happening it was so savage," said off-duty garda Bernard Masterson who was passing in his car. "In the middle of the street there were 12 men fighting. One man ran out of the restaurant swinging a meat cleaver and there were men with long knives. The older man got it in the throat, then a young fella went to the back of a car and took out a rifle - he just fired it. I saw a fella fall near the Curzon cinema." Steven Sam told the court he saw Tsoi Foh Sing run at his friend Michael Tsim with a knife. When he went to stop him, he was hit by a long bar. His brother Ricky said that Tsoi Foh Sing came at him with a knife wrapped in newspaper. He said to him: "You have a knife and I have a knife." He was trying to defend himself from another attack, when he turned and suddenly he couldn't see anything. "All the other crowd (from Dublin) began to attack us with knifes," countered Tsoi Foh Sing. "I saw Tony Lee pick a knife off the ground and fighting with Steven and Ricky Sam and Freddie Lau and someone else. I backed away to our car. I wanted to see if there was anything there to use to protect myself. I saw the gun (on the floor in the back), opened the case and picked it up. "I saw Tony Lee in a doorway; they were chopping at Tony Lee about a street width away from me. I think there were more than three people chopping at him. I saw him put his hands up to protect himself. I saw he was in danger so I pointed the gun. I told them to move but maybe they didn't hear me. I did not know what I was doing because I was very frightened." After the shot went off, those who could still walk scattered. Wan Tan Cheng carried Lee to the car, "blood flowing from his body". Two others jumped in and Tsoi Foh Sing drove off, turning left at O'Connell Street and left again into Parnell Street before pulling up in front of the Rotunda Maternity Hospital where they deposited Tony Lee. As the crew from an ambulance got him on to a trolley, the knife he was holding clattered on the ground. The ambulance man shouted at a passing woman to pick it up, but she was afraid because the car was still there. The car then roared off. The occupants intended to try to get back to Cork, but the two men in the back were so badly injured that they went to relatives in Tallaght instead. Tony Lee died from the catastrophic injuries to his throat. Michael Tsim was found with two knives by his side, dead in the doorway of the Curzon cinema from shock and haemorrhaging due to stab wounds. Ricky Sam was also found lying in a nearby doorway, his eyes and head smeared in blood from the gunshot. Detective Garda Thomas Foley found another badly injured man lying under a car with a meat cleaver by his side in Bachelors Walk. The following day a car with Cork number plates was found in Belgard Heights in Tallaght with two lengths of gun barrel piping in the boot. The search later moved to Tibradden Heights, where several Chinese men were found, two of them lying on a mattress, badly injured with slash wounds. The .22 rifle used in the fight and ammunition wrapped in a blood-stained newspaper were found behind the settee. On Friday, November 13, 1981, after a nine-day trial in the Central Criminal Court, Tsoi Foh Sing, with an address in Washington Street, Cork, was found not guilty by an all-male jury of the murder of Michael Tsim and the attempted murder of Ricky Sam. "Ireland is no place for justice," wailed Ricky Sam as Judge Roderick O'Hanlon tried to shush him. "The doctors have told me I have a bullet in my head, I can feel it there." Outside the Four Courts, he told Irish Independent reporter Paul Thomas: "Not only have I lost my sight, I have lost my wife, my daughter and my business." Since the fight, his marriage had turned sour and his Irish wife had left him, taking their 12-month-old baby girl. His business had also collapsed. "Money means nothing to me now - it cannot bring back what I have lost," he said mournfully. The fight of the Triads in Ireland was as short and bloody as a scene in one of the kung fu movies that graced the silver screen at the time. The participants in the battle of Middle Abbey Street melted back into the Chinese community and were never heard of again. Current arrangements in the EU require that the clocks are changed twice per year Remembering to set your alarm clock an hour later or earlier twice a year and the confusion that ensues could soon be a thing of the past as the European Commission has launched a public consultation on whether the daylights savings time should be kept or scrapped. But time is not on your side. People only have until Thursday, August 16th to have their say in the consultation that was requested by citizens across the EU. The practice of putting the clocks forward by an hour between March and October is decades old in the majority of EU member states, with the European body requiring that the clocks are changed twice per year to cater to the changing patterns of daylight and to take advantage of the available daylight in a given period. But not everyone is convinced of its effectiveness. Following a number of requests from citizens and the European Parliament, the European Commission has decided to assess whether or not they should be changed and you can play your part in its decision. Deirdre Clune, Ireland South MEP, who is in favour of scrapping the clocks changing entirely, describes the exercise as a relic from a bygone era that no longer serves a useful purpose. Having brighter evenings in winter would lead to improved outcomes for road safety as the roads are statistically more dangerous from the hours of 4-7pm, she said. There are obvious economic benefits such as reduced energy consumption because of less need for artificial light in the evenings with a consequent reduction in CO2 emissions. Brighter evenings in winter would have a positive benefit for public health. MEP Clune said: I would encourage anyone who would like a say in this consultation to offer their views on the public consultation. Summertime arrangements at EU level exist since the 1980s and are currently governed by Directive 2000/84/EC. Energy levels have been one of the main driving points for the implementation of the current arrangements, along with road safety, increasing leisure opportunities stemming from longer daylight during evenings or simply to align national practices to those of neighbours or main trading partners. Currently, Finland has asked that the bi-annual time switch be abandoned and Lithuania has called for a review of the current system in order to take into account regional and geographical differences. To have your say check out: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/2018-summertime-arrangements A giant scarecrow version of the Pope has won joint-first prize in a competition in County Laois competition. The pontiff is due to visit Ireland later this month. The massive model of Pope Francis in his popemobile was created by a group of men in Durrow, Co Laois, for the popular annual Durrow Scarecrow Festival. Chairwoman of the Durrow Development Forum, Evelyn Clancy, said there had been a huge amount of interest from across Ireland. Expand Close The scarecrow pope even has his own popemobile (Niall Carson/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The scarecrow pope even has his own popemobile (Niall Carson/PA) The festival is known for its topical depictions, from Donald Trump to King Kong. Ms Clancy added: People expect it, King Kong was higher than a two-storey house, people have that expectation from this group of men. Expand Close The annual festival has previously featured a King Kong scarecrow (Niall Carson/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The annual festival has previously featured a King Kong scarecrow (Niall Carson/PA) The talented and creative group behind the creation includes engineers and carpenters who have put many evenings of work into their scarecrow. Chairman of the Conahy Vintage Club, Michael Bergin, told the Leinster Express they enjoyed the camaraderie. We always think that big is beautiful. There was work for everybody in it from steel to straw, overalls, shoes down to making tea and having a chat. You make it up as you go along. The group added lights to the popemobile and when you press a button the scarecrow Pope waves. Money raised from visitors to the festival is reinvested in the community, Ms Clancy said. Three years ago, Aisling Kerr was driving home from the month's mind Mass for her late dad Matt, when she turned quietly to her photographer husband Colm and said: "Family is everything, really, isn't it." Colm knew exactly what she meant, as in that simple sentiment lay the hopes and dreams they had buried years earlier of having children. Aisling (47) and Colm (50) have been together for 26 years, and once they married in 1996 in their 20s, they started trying immediately for a baby. It didn't happen for them, and they sought medical help in their 30s. They were advised that getting pregnant would be challenging as Aisling's left ovary wasn't working to capacity, and they had five attempts at IVF that were sadly unsuccessful. They didn't even get to the implant stage, and after the last failed attempt, they reluctantly concluded that the stress of injections and hormones and constant disappointment was taking a greater toll on them than they could bear. "I said to Colm, 'Are we saying we're happy to be just us?'" recalls Aisling, recognising that Colm was also at breaking point. After talking it over and weighing up the situation from all angles, the devoted pair made the sad decision to stop trying and accept that becoming parents wasn't going to happen for them. Among their friends and family, they had always been the live-wire couple, beloved by nephews and nieces and always up for fun. They didn't tell people about the struggle or treatments, apart from Colm's late mum Bridie and Aisling's late dad Matt, who was a carer for her mum Patsy, who has dementia. They were relieved that after the initial "anything stirring?" comments when they first got married, nobody pried about whether they were having children as the years went on. As the youngest of their respective families, of course it hurt when friends became parents and older siblings became parents and even grandparents, but they coped because they're a strong unit. They have plenty of friends and ran the busy creative communications company, ARC Studios. Colm was also in a band and Aisling was involved with Chernobyl Children International, and they lived very fulfilling lives. They had been able to sideline the disappointment until Aisling's dad Matt died from cancer in Harold's Cross Hospice, and the repressed sadness and longing for a family came bubbling to the surface again. Aisling was by now 44 and Colm was 47, so they knew it wouldn't be easy, but they decided to go ahead and try again for their much-longed-for baby. Aisling had heard about Institut Marques, a clinic in Barcelona that offered unlimited IVF tries over a two-year period for a fixed fee. What she found encouraging was that they would refund 70pc of the fee if success wasn't achieved during this time, and she felt that this underlined their commitment to, and expertise at, trying to make a pregnancy happen. They embarked on treatment in the Spanish capital, and after rigorous tests and procedures, Aisling managed to get pregnant twice, but sadly both pregnancies ended in early miscarriages. At one point, she and Colm were on holiday 1,200km away on the other side of Spain, when the clinic phoned and said they wanted to do another test and procedure. How soon could they get there, they were asked, to which they replied they'd be there by the following day. They got into the car and drove the entire 1,200km in one day to the clinic, had the procedures and then drove back the same distance the following day. In December 2016, they had another round of IVF, and to their great joy, this time the procedure resulted in a successful pregnancy. "I enjoyed every second of being pregnant - morning sickness, swollen ankles and all," laughs Aisling. The baby was born by Caesarean section at the Rotunda in August 2017, and they were utterly thrilled at the safe arrival of their beautiful daughter. She is called Darci Miah (Miah after Colm's former garda dad Jerry, short for Jeremiah) and at her naming ceremony, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Aisling's older brother Ciaran made a speech in which he said Colm and Aisling had been such a fantastic auntie and uncle to all the nephews and nieces, it would have been desperately unfair if they hadn't been able to have a family of their own. While meeting other new parents can remind Aisling and Colm that they are slightly older embarking on this particular journey, they feel that they have a wisdom born of the experiences they have had in life, which will benefit their little girl. They have been through some difficult times, including Colm's 10-year struggle with depression and the sad loss of his sister. Colm suffered with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of being abused as a youngster by a member of a religious order, who was prosecuted for other similar crimes and is now deceased. The acute phase of his illness lasted four years and resulted in three spells in St Patrick's Mental Health Services, but he came through it and is completely well again. When it began, he and Aisling had just moved near Mullingar, and she found the experience very isolating and was terrified that Colm would never recover. "It hasn't been an easy ride, but our love is so strong, it has overcome a lot of obstacles," she says. "For such a wild, mad, spontaneous fella, it was really tough for Colm to go through depression." Now thankfully recovered, Colm oozes wisdom and compassion and people often phone him for advice around their own struggles. "Being open and sharing problems is a way of resolving them," he says, adding that Aisling was a tower of strength to him during that time. They feel they will be better parents to Darci now, because they are in such a good place in their lives and have a lot of life-experience under their belts. So how did this clearly devoted pair meet in the first place? Well, Celbridge was where it all began in 1992, as Leixlip girl Aisling was working there and Colm, who comes from Smithborough in Monaghan, was staying locally with his brother. He had returned from London, where he went after studying industrial engineering in Dundalk. Having bumped into Colm in a friend's boutique, Aisling thought, "He's a bit of an alright." Shortly afterwards, Colm joined her group one evening in the pub as he was working with Aisling's friend's husband. They talked all night and she enjoyed his sense of humour, and liked that he was a "wild boy" - he was a metalhead at the time. "I was so attracted to her," he says."She looked amazing and so elegant and I didn't think I'd have a hope with her, but the conversation was so easy between us." There was a slight hitch, in that Colm was dating another girl at the time, who later joined them in the pub. As the evening drew to a close, Aisling invited them both to go clubbing with herself and her pals, but they declined. "Colm told me that he was going back to his girlfriend's house to break it off with her, and was going to return and ask me out," Aisling recalls. "I was mortified and told him not to bother. He ended that relationship in June and it took him until September to pin me down to go on a date, because every time he walked into the pub and joined us, I picked up my jacket and left." Colm was undeterred by the fact that she kept running away, even though their pals could feel the sparks flying between them. "The chase was on," he laughs. Eventually, Aisling gave in to being caught and they began dating, and from then on they were inseparable. She loved his pure honesty and particular brand of fun madness. Colm told Aisling he loved her and asked her to marry him after four weeks, and they got engaged that Christmas Eve. Actually, he hadn't saved enough to afford the ring by then, and his sister Marie insisted on lending him the money. Aisling, then 21, wanted to wait until she was 25 to get married but she and Colm were a very tight unit immediately. Four months before they were due to marry, Colm's sister Marie sadly died, aged 29, through suicide. They all adored her and were devastated, and when they married that summer in August 1996, the happy occasion was tinged with sadness at her absence. Aisling started off her career in the printing industry, later opening a stationery company, and Colm joined her in that venture. Then they opened a print and design company called ARC Studios, which stands for Aisling or Colm, and through this, Colm discovered his passion for photography. He had always been creative and written music and poetry, but he fell in love with the art of photography and excelled at it. ARC Studios is a creative communications company specialising in branding, creative concepts, brochure production, photography and videography. While it works with many companies in different fields, it has a strong association with the hospitality industry and has done photography shoots for many leading hotels such as The K Club, Ashford Castle, Dromoland Castle and Luttrellstown Castle. While Colm does the photography, Aisling styles the shoots and they have become renowned for their creative approach and meticulous attention to detail. The fact that both are very personable helps too, because shoots by their very nature can be stressful affairs for businesses. With Colm and Aisling at the helm, everything goes off calmly and efficiently and with wonderful results produced. Now that Darci has come along, Colm and Aisling are even busier, but they're loving it all and are filled with a renewed passion for life. Conscious of staying well for his child, Colm recently lost 25lbs and says he was blown away by the unconditional love they both feel for their little girl. Given that Darci's youngest cousins are teenagers and they don't want her to be on her own, they haven't ruled out the possibility of trying for a sibling for the beautiful little girl, who turns one later this month. "We have two little frozen embryos back in Barcelona, so who knows?" Aisling smiles. "We don't miss going out because we're so in love with Darci, we sit there just looking at her and going, 'Imagine, she's ours'." www.arcstudios.ie Beach reads mean different things to different people. For some, it immediately calls to mind the latest twisty thriller, yet for others, it can be a prize-winning classic-in-the-making. Whatever your preference, we have something for you, be it a new title or an old favourite. Happy reading! David McRedmond If abroad, for escapism I don't read books set in Ireland. Last summer in Sicily, my big read was The Leopard (Vintage, 11.20) by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, the great novel about Garibaldi's march through Sicily, which immortalised the line about regime change: "For things to stay the same, everything must change." This year I have just read A Small Town in Germany (Penguin Modern Classics, 10.10), a typical John le Carre story about a British defector, set (and written) in 1968, with the backdrop of the British government's "obsession" to get admitted to the Common Market (now EU). My wife has had me reading the brilliant Japanese writer Murakami's new book Men Without Women (Vintage, 10.10), about the loneliness of men (was it a hint?). Finally, breaking my rule of only fiction on holidays, as I was in America, I read Patti Smith's gorgeous recent memoir Just Kids (Bloomsbury, 11.20), which captures New York Village life and will make you cry. David McRedmond is CEO of An Post, the new sponsor of the Irish Book Awards. Breda Brown Crime is my 'go to' genre and some of my recent favourites include The Confession (Quercus, 8.95) by Jo Spain, The Missing Ones (Sphere, 8.95) by Patricia Gibney and The Killing House (Headline, 16.80) by Claire McGowan. They feature brilliantly structured plots that keep you guessing right to the end. All three authors have written other novels, which I would also highly recommend reading. And, yes, they are all Irish authors. We have a wonderful crime-writing scene in Ireland at the moment and I can honestly say that the quality is streets ahead of other crime work I have read from right across the world. While you're at it, look out for Catherine Ryan Howard, Sinead Crowley, Sam Blake and Liz Nugent. Looking further afield, I loved The Woman in the Window (HarperCollins, 14.60), a slick and intelligent debut by American author AJ Finn. It's a psychological thriller that unfolds like a classic suspense movie, not surprising when you realise the author studied mystery and suspense fiction at Oxford University and has a particular appreciation of Hitchcockian cinema. Breda Brown is co-founder of Unique Media and presents the Inside Books podcast. Sinead Moriarty Claudia Carroll's wonderful new book, The Secrets of Primrose Square (Bonnier Zaffre, 12.60) is full of well-drawn, loveable characters. It made me laugh and made me cry. It is layered, tender, warm, funny and heart-breaking. A great summer read. The Blamed (Hachette Books Ireland, 15.70) by Emily Hourican is a very skilful, evocative and moving portrayal of a carefree, selfish young summer. This is one of those books that stays with you after you've read it. In Violet Hill (Hachette Books Ireland, 15.70) by Henrietta McKervey, a page-turning detective novel, two worlds and timelines co-exist and eventually collide. Set in London, it features two very unique female detectives. The skill and attention to detail in this book allows you to escape into the post-World War I era and then back to current day with ease. Sit back and enjoy. Sinead Moriarty is an author. Her latest book is Our Secrets and Lies (Penguin, 14.60). She is co-curator with Rick O'Shea of the new Eason Must Reads list. Bob Johnston Stacks of great books to recommend again this summer - our holiday picks' tables are overflowing! The Mountain (MacLehose Press, 8.95) by Luca D'Andrea is my pick for thriller lovers - a huge hit across Europe. Set in the Italian Dolomites, a New Yorker investigates the murder of three students in a close-knit community. The Immortalists (Tinder Press, 10.10), by Chloe Benjamin, is a brilliant novel about four siblings who are each told the day on which they will die - but how much can we control our own fate? Spoonbenders (riverrun, 10.10) by Daryl Gregory, is a great one for fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (HarperCollins, 8.99) - funny and clever, it's the story of a 1970s' mind-reading act after the magic fades. I'm reading all of Dorothy L Sayers's Lord Peter Wimsey (Hodder, 10.10) crime novels this summer - witty and brilliantly written, I've read seven with eight to go! Bob Johnston is the owner of the Gutter Bookshop in Temple Bar and Dalkey. Dawn Behan The book I've been most looking forward to reading this summer is Calypso (Little, Brown, 19.05), David Sedaris's latest book. Packed with his usual outrageously funny anecdotes, it is tinged with sadness following the death of his sister, Tiffany. Although out a while, A Gentleman in Moscow (Windmill Books, 10.10) by Amor Towles, is worth investigating. It is a captivating story of a Russian aristocrat forced to live under house arrest in a hotel for 30 years. For a gentler read, The Lido (Orion, 14.50), by Libby Page, is a heart-warming story of the friendship struck up by a young journalist and older lady when they try to save their local swimming pool. Young adult books are always worth a read, no matter what your age, and one of our current favourites is White Rabbit, Red Wolf (Walker Books, 8.95) by Tom Pollock, an intricate thriller in which a maths prodigy must navigate a world of espionage, secret codes and murder. Dawn Behan is the co-owner of Woodbine Books, Kilcullen, Co Kildare. Bert Wright For my first long-anticipated trip to Berlin, I'll be taking Killers of the Flower Moon (Simon & Schuster, 10.10) by David Grann, the story of how the discovery of oil on their land brought untold wealth but also death and destruction to the Osage Indians of Oklahoma. John Boyne's brilliant satire on the writing life, Ladder to the Sky (Doubleday, 14.80, out August 9), is so good I plan to re-read it to catch any nuances I may have missed first time around. Sure to be among the most talked-about books of 2018, incidentally. Olivia Laing's Crudo (Picador, 14.60) has been receiving rave notices but I have an ulterior motive in hoping it just might cure my chronic aversion to tricksy experimental fiction. Finally, after a recent visit to Seamus Heaney's HomePlace in Bellaghy, I'm taking the new anthology, 100 Poems (Faber, 12.35). We may have lost the great man but the great poems will be forever there to enrich us. Bert Wright curates several Irish literary festivals, including Murder One, Ireland's new crime-writing festival, which will take place at Dublin's Smock Alley, November 2-4. Jo Spain As a crime writer, I tend to eat, breathe and sleep the genre - so for my holidays, I like to mix it up and books with humour are my favourite. This year, there are two I'm really looking forward to. This is Going to Hurt (Picador, 10.10) by Adam Kay and Grace After Henry (Corvus, 14.60) by Eithne Shortall, both of which I'm advised will make me laugh, cry and switch off nicely. If I were to recommend books that I've already read, I'd say get your hands on Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (HarperCollins, 8.99). A feel-good, hilarious, delight of a novel - I haven't felt so warm inside since The Help (Penguin, 10.10). And, because I can't leave the genre alone, the best crime book of the summer for me is JP Delaney's Believe Me (Quercus, 14.60). An original writing style and a roller coaster of a page-turner, what more could you ask for on the beach? Jo Spain is a crime author, whose latest novel is The Confession (Quercus, 8.95). She has also written Taken Down, a new crime drama, which will air on RTE television in the autumn. Daniel Bolger Follow Me To Ground (New Island, 11.95), by Sue Rainsford, is one of the best books I've ever published. Haunting and stunningly written, it's about Ava, an odd girl who heals the locals in some backwoods town. She begins a taboo relationship with a local man, which changes everything, and not for the better. I promise it will blow you away. Shift (New Island, 10.95) by Mia Gallagher, one of Ireland's greatest living authors, is about as good as you're likely to find when it comes to short stories. It is beguiling, enveloping, and the prose will get you addicted. And I'm way late to the party, but I'm currently reading Grief is the Thing with Feathers (Faber, 8.95), by Max John Porter, which everyone is rightly raving about - it's phenomenal. I just finished The Largesse of the Sea Maiden (Jonathan Cape, 16.80) by Denis Johnson (RIP), which was wonderful - funny and human and dark in the right places (or check out Jesus' Son (Granta, 10.10), which changed the way I approach literature). Daniel Bolger is editorial director at New Island Books. Susan Tomaselli My girlfriend June Caldwell and I are off on a 10-day cruise to the Norwegian Fjords, so I'll be bringing Tomas Espedal's Bergeners (Seagull Books, translated by James Anderson, 19.05) with me. An underrated Norwegian writer, Espedal's work straddles genres and is somewhere between autobiography and fiction, and Bergeners is pitched as his Dubliners, so I'm keen to see how his mirror holds up. Talking of James Joyce, I'm reading Dedalus (Henningham Family Press, 14.60) Chris McCabe's sequel to Ulysses, beautifully produced by Henningham Family Press, and Lucia (Galley Beggar Press, 11.20), Alex Pheby's fictional autobiography of Lucia Joyce, which has caused some upset amongst Joyceans. Susan Tomaselli is editor of gorse literary journal. 'There's a marvellous and irresponsible wit to these pieces a stubborn refusal to take reality seriously." So writes Tommy Tiernan on the back cover of Karl MacDermott's new volume of comic vignettes. On the front cover there's a similar endorsement from Ardal O'Hanlon (Father Dougal) describing the book as "peculiarly Irish and true". O'Hanlon has nailed it. This collection is very Irish, but then so is Father Ted. So is Moone Boy. Juggling With Turnips is similar to both in flavour - no pun intended - and excels in passages of 'oul' sod' nostalgia. "Carry On Doctor", for instance, describes a failed first date with Maeve, a med student living in a flat on Whitestrand Avenue. Armed with a bottle of Liebfraumilch stolen from the scullery at home, our 19-year-old hero sets off towards Maeve's flat. "Doubt momentarily enters my mind. Will she like Liebfraumilch? Maybe she's a wine snob. No it's OK. She's from Tuam." In another story, an entire life is played out against the perpetual soundtrack of Red Hurley Doing A Gig At The Red Cow Inn. "The past", he writes in an exquisitely crafted piece entitled 'Mother's Day', "is like Hotel California. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave." His sense of place is immaculate. Mostly set in Ireland, even his characters' names are straight out of a medium-sized parish somewhere in the midlands. There's his beleaguered agent Sisyphus O'Shea, of SOS Management, an over-eager Louis Walsh type, but a lot more antsy and infinitely more foul-mouthed. There's Colm Killeen, botching an attempt to rob a smalltown shop. Things get tricky when the shopkeeper informs Colm that she knows him and also knows his aunt's family, the Horgans from outside of Kilbeggan. She suggests he become a hitman instead of a robber and Colm "prevaricates with Hamlet-like aplomb" in a coffee shop in Kilmallock, wondering if he should tell his friends - Pimple McNicol and Eejit Atkins - about his predicament. A word-association piece is one of the real joys in this very funny book. In "Karl Visits his Psychoanalyst", the shrink decides to try some word association, starting with 'Tipperary'. First response is, unfortunately, 'A long way' but it takes off from there, where every county in the Republic (but curiously not the North) is followed by a fitting answer. Let's not mention the retort when the Royal County is mentioned, but given his replies for Monaghan, Cavan and Louth, it could be argued that Meath got off lightly. MacDermott first made a name for himself with his one-man shows in the Edinburgh Festival in the early 1990s, a festival that launched the careers of Dylan Moran and Tommy Tiernan among others. In the latter part of the 1990s he was commissioned to script a radio sitcom for BBC4 - The Mahaffys - which he himself once described as "Ballykissangel meets The Simpsons", with Pauline McLynn playing the matriarch of a family from the obscure fictional town of Tubberbiggle. Back then if it was funny and it was Irish, it was practically obliged to be rural, parochial, highly dependent on farce and similar in setting to Father Ted. Our younger writers have moved on somewhat with the likes of The Young Offenders and Derry Girls. But still we like to watch Bridget and Eamon! Part of Turnips' charm is its vivid tapestries, painting pictures of Dublin and London alongside Borris-on-Ossary, gliding from Boy George to Beckett and Proust without ever dropping a stitch. The writing is clever, self-deprecating in a kind of Irish-Catholic-Woody-Allen manner, and at times it's as tender as it is riotous. The ruling, which can be found here, relates to a Police officer who transferred his Police pension out into a new scheme where he fears that the money (in the words of the ruling) may have been lost or misappropriated. The Ombudsman decided that the Northumbria Police Authority had failed the Policeman in two ways they failed to send him the official anti-scam Scorpion literature prepared by the Pensions Regulator and they failed to do proper checks on the pension scheme into which the money was being transferred. A particular issue was that the receiving scheme an occupational scheme called London Quantum had been set up relatively recently and it should have been obvious that a Northumberland police officer was unlikely to have a work relationship with a London-based occupational scheme. The Ombudsman ruled that the Police scheme was guilty of maladministration and ordered them to reinstate the police officers pension rights as far as possible. Whilst an Ombudsmans ruling relates only to a specific case, this ruling shows that schemes have important responsibilities towards their members, not only in alerting them to the risk of scams but also in performing proper checks on the receiving scheme. It is possible that scam victims who have complained to schemes and been turned away might now find that they get a chance of redress via a complaint to the Pensions Ombudsman. Commenting, Steve Webb said: This is a very important ruling. Whilst individuals obviously have a responsibility to take good care of their pensions and to take proper advice, this ruling shows that pension schemes also have important duties to protect members. Not only should they flag the risk of scams, but they should also be undertaking thorough checks about where the money is going to be transferred to. It might be the case that some past victims of scams who have complained to a pension scheme and been turned away could still get redress if the Ombudsman thinks that their scheme trustees did not do a proper job in protecting them. Members of the travel industry claim airline prices have taken off due to a lack of competition as passengers shy away from Europes biggest budget carrier. Photo: REUTERS Holidaymakers are facing hikes of around 100 a seat for last-minute getaways as airfares rocket due to Ryanair strikes. Members of the travel industry claim airline prices have taken off due to a lack of competition as passengers shy away from Europe's biggest budget carrier. Chief executive of the Irish Travel Agents Association Pat Dawson said the low fares carrier's woes have pushed up some prices to popular destinations including Malaga, Faro and Majorca by more than 50 each way. He said flights to Malaga were currently on sale for up to 600 with some airlines. Ryanair's rivals are enjoying a boost in bookings as a campaign of industrial action that began among a minority of pilots in Ireland has spread across Europe. More than 110,000 passengers have already been hit by flight cancellations due to stoppages, variously by certain pilots and cabin crew in Ireland, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Belgium. They are demanding better working conditions. Pilots in Ireland are due to walk out this Friday along with pilots in Sweden and Belgium. Ryanair believes those in Germany and the Netherlands will follow suit. Talks are due to take place in the Irish dispute, but are unlikely to happen until after this week's strike. "There's no doubt about it, prices have gone up because people are afraid to fly with Ryanair," said Mr Dawson. "Because of the uncertainty, other airlines are getting the bookings and if flights are in demand, the prices automatically go up. "Families have three or four weeks left. They're doing the back-to-school planning and then heading off. "There are a lot of them searching around and getting quotes compared to three or four weeks ago when the weather was really good." He said Spain and Portugal were the two main routes and could cost 350 to 400 for a seat at the moment. Normally, it would be 250 to 300. Mr Dawson said there was always a big late market, as 30pc of bookings were done in the final week before a flight. But travel agencies are reporting a surge in demand due to a break in the weather. Although prices for August had jumped, he said September still seemed well priced. Chief executive of Aer Lingus Stephen Kavanagh warned last week that anything that damages Ryanair's business was good for his - and vowed to capitalise. He said the airline's flights were heavily booked at the moment, so the opportunities due to Ryanair's problems were not significant. However, he indicated that these difficulties could soon provide opportunities. Aer Lingus used to face regular strikes but there has been a sharp fall in industrial action since staff and management agreed to set up a Registered Employment Agreement. Meanwhile, policy and council adviser at the Consumers' Association of Ireland Dermot Jewell says passengers' mindsets are changing and they are starting to look for alternatives, even if they are more expensive. A man has been charged with vandalising Donald Trumps star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) A man has been charged with vandalising Donald Trumps star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, authorities have said. Austin Mikel Clay, 24, is accused of using a pickaxe to smash the presidents star on Hollywood Boulevard on July 25. The defendant left the scene but turned himself into a police department the following day, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney. Expand Close Donald Trumps star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame was allegedly vandalised on July 25 (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Donald Trumps star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame was allegedly vandalised on July 25 (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) Clay, from Glendale, California, is expected to be arraigned on August 15. If convicted, Clay could face a possible maximum sentence of three years in jail. Bail is recommended at 20 thousand US dollars (15,400). The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, Hollywood Station. Mr Trumps star has become a battleground for his supporters and opponents and has been attacked multiple times since the 2016 presidential campaign. In October 2016, a man was filmed hitting the star with a sledgehammer while it has also been spray-painted and spat on. A woman who found an old photograph of herself with another girl dressed as Baby Spice at a Spice Girls gig in 1997 has just realised the Baby Spice wannabe is very famous indeed. Bria Madrid shared the photograph on Twitter, explaining that she found the photo of herself aged five at her first ever concert and only just realised the girl she is photographed with is actress Blake Lively. Lively would have been around 10 at the time. She's dressed in a mini skirt with her long blonde hair in pigtails like Emma Bunton. The concert was at the Glen Helen Amphitheater in San Bernadino County, California in 1997, the same year the group released their second studio album, Spiceworld. Bria's photo has garnered a whopping 117,000 likes and almost 15,000 retweets and among those commenting on the photo was Blake Lively herself. The A Simple Favour star retweeted it with the comment, "My secret is out...". At least 11 people were shot and killed and about 70 others were wounded over the weekend in Chicago, in a spate of gun violence that police attributed to gang confrontations. The violence peaked early on Sunday, including one shooting on the citys South Side that wounded eight people. By comparison, at least seven people were killed and 32 were wounded during the long Memorial Day weekend, which is often one of the most violent weekends of the year for the city, the Chicago Tribune reported. LIVE: Supt Eddie Johnson is joined by @ChicagosMayor, addressing the media about weekend violence in Chicsgo. Head to https://t.co/tLdsQnpVdW to watch LIVE pic.twitter.com/gQ6zVeFzrq Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) August 6, 2018 Gang members are using large summer crowds as cover in some cases, police Patrol Chief Fred Waller said. They take advantage of that opportunity and they shoot into a crowd, no matter who they hit, he said. Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson planned to discuss the violence at Monday news conference. Police have said violent crime has declined overall in Chicago. But anti-violence protesters have blocked highways to voice their outrage. Chicago ended 2017 with fewer homicides, 650, than 2016 when there were 771. Although the drop was significant, it exceeded the combined number of killings in New York City and Los Angeles, which are the two US cities bigger than Chicago. Chicagos gun violence has drawn widespread attention, including from President Donald Trump and his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, who blamed the problem on Chicagos long time Democratic rule in a series of tweets on Sunday and Monday. 63 murders this weekend in Rahm Emmanuels Chicago. His legacy more murders in his city than ever before. Its only because of Democrat brain washing that he has even a chance of remaining. Support police professional Garry McCarthy. Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) August 6, 2018 The former New York City mayor also tweeted his support for Chicagos former superintendent, Garry McCarthy, referring to him as Jerry and calling him a policing genius. Mr McCarthy announced this year that he plans to run for mayor next February against Democratic Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who fired Mr McCarthy in 2015 after the release of dashcam video showing a white police officer shoot a black teenager 16 times. Doves fly over the cenotaph dedicated to the victims of the Hiroshima atomic bombing (Shingo Nishizume/AP) Hiroshima marked the anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city with a sombre ceremony to remember those killed and injured and a call to eliminate nuclear weapons amid hopes of denuclearising North Korea. Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui opened his speech by describing the hellish scene of the blast that morning 73 years ago and the agony of the victims, telling the audience to listen as if you and your loved ones were there. Then he raised concerns about the global rise of egocentrism and tensions, and urged Japans government to take more leadership toward achieving a truly nuclear-free world. Expand Close Hiroshima following the dropping of the atomic bomb (Crown Copyright/Imperial War Museum/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Hiroshima following the dropping of the atomic bomb (Crown Copyright/Imperial War Museum/PA) Certain countries are blatantly proclaiming self-centred nationalism and modernising their nuclear arsenals, rekindling tensions that had eased with the end of the Cold War, Mr Matsui said, without identifying the nations. Nuclear deterrence and nuclear umbrellas are inherently unstable and extremely dangerous approaches that seek to maintain international order by only generating fear in rival countries, he said, urging world leaders to negotiate in good faith to eliminate nuclear arsenals instead. The US attack on Hiroshima killed 140,000 people, and the bombing of Nagasaki killed more than 70,000 three days later, leading to Japans surrender and ending Second World War. Expand Close A woman burns a stick of incense at the cenotaph dedicated to the victims of atomic bombing at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (Yohei Nishimura/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A woman burns a stick of incense at the cenotaph dedicated to the victims of atomic bombing at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (Yohei Nishimura/AP) Mr Matsui said in his speech that Japans government should do more to achieve a nuclear-free world by helping the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons take effect. Japan, which hosts US troops and is covered by the US nuclear umbrella protecting it from attack, has not signed the treaty. Japan should live up to the spirit of its pacifist constitution to lead the international community toward dialogue and cooperation for a world without nuclear weapons, Mr Matsui said. About 50,000 people, including Hiroshima residents and representatives from 58 countries, including US Ambassador William Hagerty, attended this years ceremony 73 years after the August 6 1945 attack. We in civil society fervently hope that the easing of tensions on the Korean Peninsula will proceed through peaceable dialogueKazumi Matsui, mayor of Hiroshima Survivors, their relatives and other participants marked the 8.15am blast with a minute of silence. The anniversary comes amid hopes to denuclearise North Korea after President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made vague aspirational statements of denuclearising the peninsula when they met in Singapore in June. We in civil society fervently hope that the easing of tensions on the Korean Peninsula will proceed through peaceable dialogue, Mr Matsui said. Expand Close Smoke 20,000 feet above Hiroshima after the bombing (US Air Force/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Smoke 20,000 feet above Hiroshima after the bombing (US Air Force/PA) Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, who also was at the ceremony, said differences between the nuclear and non-nuclear states are widening. But he pledged to do more to bridge their gap. In order to gain cooperation from both sides, it is important for everyone to understand the reality of the tragedy of nuclear attacks, he said, reiterating Japans pledge to maintain its pacifist and non-nuclear principles. Siraj Wahhaj was jailed on a Georgia warrant alleging child abduction after law enforcement officers searching a rural northern New Mexico compound for a missing three-year-old boy (Taos County Sheriffs Office/AP) Eleven children were rescued by police after they were discovered living in squalid conditions in a makeshift compound in rural northern New Mexico. Taos County Sheriffs officials said the youngsters, ranging in age from one to 15, were removed from the compound in the small community of Amalia, 145 miles (233km) north-east of Albuquerque and in an isolated high-desert area near the New Mexico-Colorado border. Three women, believed to be the mothers of the children, were detained and later released. Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said they were the saddest living conditions and poverty he has seen in 30 years on the job. He said that other than a few potatoes and a box of rice, there was little food in the compound, which consisted of a small travel trailer buried in the ground and covered by plastic with no water, plumbing or electricity. The starving children were handed over to state child-welfare workers. Expand Close Lucas Morten was arrested on suspicion of harbouring a fugitive after officials searching a rural northern New Mexico compound for a missing three-year-old boy found 11 starving children in filthy conditions (Taos County Sheriffs Office/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lucas Morten was arrested on suspicion of harbouring a fugitive after officials searching a rural northern New Mexico compound for a missing three-year-old boy found 11 starving children in filthy conditions (Taos County Sheriffs Office/AP) Sheriff Hogrefe said two men were arrested during the search, which came amid a two-month investigation in collaboration with authorities in Clayton County, Georgia, and the FBI. He said FBI agents had surveilled the area a few weeks ago but did not find probable cause to search the property. That changed when Georgia detectives forwarded a message to Sheriff Hogrefes office that initially had been sent to a third party, saying: We are starving and need food and water. The sheriff said there was reason to believe the message came from someone inside the compound. Siraj Wahhaj was detained on an outstanding warrant in Georgia alleging child abduction, and Lucas Morten was jailed on suspicion of harbouring a fugitive. A three-year-old boy reported missing from Clayton County since December 2017 was not among the 11 children found at the compound but officials believed he had been held there recently. The group appeared to have been living at the compound for a few months, but the sheriff said it remains unclear how or why they ended up in New Mexico. Midwife Samantha Eastwood, 28, disappeared after finishing her shift last Friday morning (Staffordshire Police/PA) Samantha Eastwood who was last seen leaving work at Royal Stoke Hospital at 7.45am on Friday, July 27. A man will appear in court charged with the murder of midwife Samantha Eastwood. Michael Stirling, 32, from Cromer Road, Stoke-on-Trent, will appear at North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court on Monday, Staffordshire Police said. Expand Close Screengrab from CCTV footage dated 27/07/18 issued by Staffordshire Police which shows missing midwife Samantha Eastwood (left) leaving work at the Royal Stoke University Hospital at 7.43am. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Screengrab from CCTV footage dated 27/07/18 issued by Staffordshire Police which shows missing midwife Samantha Eastwood (left) leaving work at the Royal Stoke University Hospital at 7.43am. Stirling is reported to be the brother-in-law of Ms Eastwood's ex-fiance John Peake. The body of the 28-year-old midwife was found by officers near Caverswall on Saturday - eight days after Ms Eastwood was reported missing. She had been last seen in uniform leaving work at Royal Stoke Hospital at 7.45am on Friday July 27. Two other men, aged 28 and 60, who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, have been released on conditional bail while inquiries continue. In a statement released by Staffordshire Police, Ms Eastwood's family thanked supporters for their efforts. They said: "The family of Samantha would like to ask that their privacy is respected at this terrible time. "We would like to say 'thank you' to all the people who followed Samantha's story and tried their best to help." A post-mortem examination took place on Sunday, but further tests are required. All 20 people on board were killed when a small vintage plane crashed in the Swiss Alps, police said yesterday. Three Austrians and 17 Swiss were on board the trimotor Ju-52 aircraft, built in the late 1930s as a military aircraft and later used to operate scenic and charter flights, when it crashed shortly before 5pm (1500 GMT) on Saturday on the west side of the Piz Segnas mountain in the canton of Grissons. The plane had been returning from Locarno near Switzerland's southern border. Police said those killed were couples from the Swiss cantons of Zurich, Thurgau, Lucerne, Schwyz, Zug and Vaud, along with a three-member family from Austria and three crew members from Thurgau and Zurich. "Yesterday was the worst day in the 36-year history of JU-Air," the airline's chief executive Kurt Waldmeier said at a news conference in nearby Flims yesterday. "We have all suffered a very great loss." Police said they were not aware of any distress call and had not yet determined the cause of the crash, which occurred hours after a family of four was killed when their small plane went down further west in the Alps. The investigation, complicated by the vintage plane's lack of a 'black box' flight recorder, will take several days. "One can ascertain that the aircraft hit the ground nearly vertically at high speed," Daniel Knecht, who heads the aviation division of the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board, said. "What we can rule out at this point is a mid-air collision before the crash, either with another aircraft or with some other obstacle such as a cable," Mr Knehct said. There was no indication of any external interference with the flight, he added. Established in 1982, JU-Air offered sightseeing, charter and adventure flights with its three mid-century Junkers Ju-52 aircraft decommissioned by the Swiss Air Force and known affectionately in German as 'Auntie Ju' planes. It was the first time the airline had experienced an accident that resulted in death or injury to passengers or crew members, Mr Waldmeier revealed. The airline suspended flights until further notice. The plane that crashed had its last maintenance check in late July, Mr Waldmeier said, at which time no defects had been found. The wreckage of the plane was in a basin at 2,450 metres above sea level surrounded on three sides by peaks, a Reuters witness said. Rescuers and helicopters were at the scene. The airspace above the crash site was closed by the Federal Office for Civil Aviation and access to popular hiking trails in the surrounding area was blocked. Regus owner IWGs shares have plunged after it said it will not continue talks with a number of private equity firms which were looking to buy the company. The serviced office provider has walked away from discussions with Starwood, Terra Firma and TDR, saying that none of them could deliver a deal at the right price. As the stock market opened, IWGs shares fell by 23% or 68.7p to 231.3p. In a statement, IWG said: The board remains confident in the long-term value of and opportunities for IWG. It is the global leader in the co-working and flexible workspace sector, a market that is experiencing its most exciting stage of growth in over 30 years as increasing numbers of companies look to capture the strategic and financial advantages of flexible working. As we reposition our UK business through talent and refurbishment investments, there will be a short term effect on revenue performance.Mark Dixon The group also released its half-year results, which showed IWGs profits were knocked by weakness in the UK market, which the firm said would be short lived. IWGs revenue rose 7.1% to 1.2 billion in the six months ended June 30. However, operating profit fell 29% to 60 million as IWG took a hit on its UK business and invested in new staff, marketing and its continued growth. The London-listed group has serviced offices in around 120 countries, and operates brands including Regus, Open Office and Signature. Mark Dixon, chief executive of IWG, said: To fully participate in the market potential, we have made significant investments into our infrastructure, growth related resources and the continued development of our strategic corporate account activities. As we reposition our UK business through talent and refurbishment investments, there will be a short term effect on revenue performance. US President Donald Trump's national security adviser has said the US played no part in the apparent attempt on the life of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. Venezuelan officials say drones armed with explosives detonated while Mr Maduro was delivering a speech to hundreds of soldiers which was being broadcast live on television. Mr Trump's adviser John Bolton stated "unequivocally" "there was no US government involvement in this at all". As to what happened in Caracas, Mr Bolton said: "It could be a lot of things, from a pretext set up by the Maduro regime itself to something else." Mr Maduro did not directly blame the US, pointing instead at Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. However, he asserted the "intellectual authors" and financiers behind the plan are resident in Florida. Mr Maduro added that the attack's goal was "what US imperialism is seeking" - "a Venezuela in conflict, in civil war". He called on Mr Trump to arrest the terrorists. In response, Mr Bolton said: "If the government of Venezuela has hard information that they want to present to us that would show a potential violation of US criminal law, we'll take a serious look at it." Nato formally concluded its combat mission in Afghanistan in 2014, but some 16,000 US and other Nato soldiers are providing support and training to Afghan troops and carrying out counter-terrorism missions. (Stock photo) A Taliban suicide bomber killed three Nato force members on a foot patrol in eastern Afghanistan yesterday in an attack that also wounded a US soldier and two Afghan troops. The Czech military confirmed that the three killed were Czech service members. The Taliban claimed the attack, which took place near Charakar, the provincial capital of the Parwan province. "My thoughts and prayers, along with those of all of the 41-contributing Resolute Support nations, are with the families and friends of our fallen and wounded service members, and our injured Afghan brothers and their families," said US army general John Nicholson, the commander of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan. "Their sacrifice will endure in both our hearts and history, and further strengthen our resolve." Czech Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar also offered his condolences. The Czechs had recently approved a plan to deploy 390 soldiers in Afghanistan through 2020, up from the current 230, as part of the Nato-led Resolute Support mission. Nato formally concluded its combat mission in Afghanistan in 2014, but some 16,000 US and other Nato soldiers are providing support and training to Afghan troops and carrying out counter-terrorism missions. Last month, the Taliban struck a Nato convoy with a suicide car bomb in the eastern Logar province. The attack killed two civilians and damaged a Nato vehicle. Elsewhere in Afghanistan, the Taliban attacked a newly constructed district headquarters in the southern Uruzgan province early on Saturday, killing four Afghan soldiers, according to Mohammad Maruf Ahmadzai, the provincial police chief. He said nine Taliban fighters were killed in the ensuing gun battle. The Taliban claimed the attack and said it captured soldiers alive. Both the Taliban and a local Isil affiliate regularly target Afghan security forces. The Isil affiliate has also carried out several attacks targeting the country's Shiite minority. Yesterday, Isil claimed a suicide attack two days earlier on a mosque in the city of Gardez, south of Kabul, that killed at least 29 people. Alex Schenck attempts to fight the wildfire at his home near Clearlake Oaks, California. Photo: Getty US President Donald Trump has declared a "major disaster" in California and ordered federal funding to be made available to help recovery efforts in areas affected by wildfire. The White House said Mr Trump had "ordered Federal assistance to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires and high winds". Seven people died in northern California on Saturday, officials said. "Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property loses and other programmes to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster," the White House said. More residents were ordered to evacuate their homes this weekend as weary firefighters endured high temperatures and gusting winds. The fire in Carr, about 261km north of Sacramento, claimed the life of a power company lineman. One of the most destructive wildfires in the state's history had already killed six people, including a great-grandmother and two children, and a firefighter and bulldozer operator. Two other blazes - called the Mendocino Complex - burned in Mendocino, Lake and Colusa counties, about 150km north of San Francisco. The River and Ranch fires had grown to cover a total of 229,000 acres (92,600 hectares) and were considered 32pc contained. This year, wildfires have burned more land earlier in the "fire season" than usual, said Cal Fire director Ken Pimlott. "Fire season is really just beginning. What seems like we should be in the peak of fire season, historically, is really now the kind of conditions we're seeing really at the beginning," said Mr Pimlott. California Governor Jerry Brown, who visited some of the devastated areas on Saturday, said: "This is part of a trend, the new normal, that we've got to deal with." Through last week, California fires had torched about 290,000 acres (117,300 hectares), more than double the five-year average over that same period. The Mendocino Complex blazes cover more than two-thirds the size of Los Angeles, forcing more than 20,000 residents to evacuate and destroying more than 100 structures. As firefighters had contained 41pc of the Carr blaze by Saturday evening, some evacuees were being allowed to return. Both areas remained under a "red flag warning" for strong winds, low relative humidity and temperatures topping 32C, all conditions that can drive the growth of wildfires. So far this year, US fires have burned five million acres, much more than the 10-year average. Three men were given summons for refusing to leave an area where firefighters wanted a tanker plane to make an air drop, causing the plane to be diverted. The men were watering their marijuana plants, police said. The Trump administration is supposed to release a revised decision on the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline by the end of the week. In a status report filed in federal court in June , the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers promised a decision by August 10. As of Monday afternoon, there have been no changes to that deadline. A revised decision is needed because a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration approved the final portion of the pipeline without considering all of the impacts. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe , the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe , the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Yankton Sioux Tribe have raised concerns about oil spills, water resources and their treaty rights. Ironically, the revised decision comes just after the tribes marked the 150th anniversary of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 . The Trump administration did not send any senior officials to the historic gathering, Reuters reported. "They (the United States government) ought to be ashamed of themselves," Cheyenne River Sioux Chairman Harold Frazier told Reuters. "They have a moral obligation to uphold the honor of the Great Sioux Nation." The seven tribes of the Sioux Nation rode hundreds of miles from their respective reservations in North Dakota and South Dakota to Fort Laramie in Wyoming, where the treaty was negotiated and signed in 1868. According to Reuters, it was the first time the tribes officially met in one place since the breakup of the #NoDAPL encampment in early 2017. "People think Standing Rock has come and gone," said Danielle TaSheena Finn, a spokesperson for Standing Rock, told Reuters. "But we will continue this fight until we are heard and the world knows what happened to us." Four days after taking office, President Donald Trump ordered the Army Corps "expedite" consideration of the final portion of the pipeline. He did so without consulting any of the affected tribes. Two weeks later, the Army Corps approved the last segment while the then-chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe was in an airplane on his way to the White House for a meeting. Cheyenne River leaders were told after the fact in a phone call. The swift action -- which Trump had promised during the presidential campaign -- enabled the wealthy backers of the pipeline to complete their $3.8 billion infrastructure project. Oil began flowing on June 1 but two weeks later, Judge James Boasberg ruled that the Army Corps did not address all of the tribal concerns. Still, Boasberg repeatedly refused tribal requests to halt operations of the pipeline. It continues to transport crude oil through Sioux Nation territory. Read More on the Story: Out of Spotlight, Tribes Keep Fighting Dakota Pipeline (Reuters August 2, 2018) Riding with Native Americans to mark pact anniversary (Reuters August 2, 2018) Treaty reservations (Reuters August 2, 2018) A 400-Mile Ride to Mark 150 Years of the Fort Laramie Peace Treaty (The Atlantic August 2, 2018) Join the Conversation Related Stories 1. Nawazuddin Siddiqui To Buy A Plot In Maharashtra For Farming, Aims To Educate Farmers On New Techniques Nawazuddin Siddiquis brother Shamas Siddiqui told IANS that he is scouting a land for past few months and considering to go back to the roots. With farming, Nawazuddin aims to educate the farmers about the new techniques available and how they can help them for the better. 2. Emraan Hashmi To Play A Detective Who Solved 120 Kidnapping Cases For Free In His Next Movie Suryakantjis story is heartbreaking but very inspiring. Its rare to find a person who has dedicated his whole life to helping find the kidnapped children of others, that too for free. I am proud to be playing him in the film. 3. Here's Why Akshay Kumar Totally Deserves The Tag Of A Best Husband And Perfect Father So, recently, in conversation with DNA, Akshay opened up about his life apart from films. Talking about what he likes to do when he is not shooting, he said, Frankly what I enjoy most is picking up my children from school. I also love to stay fit, so I keep trying out new fitness regime from time to time. And he has won us over again. Taut files of a top cop! An original series on the life and case files of former Mumbai CP, #RakeshMaria. 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Pretty evident from the videos (um yes Im posting another one) that Im FULLY LOSING IT with excitement, and I cant thank @bryanadams enough, Taylor Swift captioned the video. For the first time, a known transgender activist from the state has been appointed as a conciliator in a Lok Adalat. The position is equivalent to a member judge. She is set to hear her first case today. The appointment of 27-year-old Swati Bidhan Baruah comes after the appointment of Joyita Mondal in West Bengal in 2017 and Vidya Kamble in Maharashtra this year. Baruah will be a member of the bench presided over by a retired district and sessions judge and will hear cases in Lok Adalat. Generally, the position of conciliator in a Lok Adalat is given to advocates, social workers or mediators. Baruah said that the appointment comes with huge responsibility. I am happy that the judiciary has trusted me after seeing my commitment and work for the community. I will do my best to provide justice and try to not keep cases pending, she said. Baruah was in news in 2012, after the Bombay High Court allowed her to undergo a sex-change operation, despite opposition from her parents. Setting an example of communal harmony, the members of a Muslim organisation, Awaz-e-haq have set up camps to help Kanwariyas in their yearly pilgrimage of carrying ganga-jal on foot. Devotees of Lord Shiva from across India travels by foot with holy water to Haridwar and Gomukh. The camps have been set up in Muzaffarnagar where the Kanwariyas are being offered food and foot massages to relax them after covering the long distance. IndianExpress Shadab Khan, chief of Awaz-E-Haq, told News 18, We are setting up camps for Kanwariyas for many years, where arrangements of food, medical assistance and other things are made." Our Muslim brothers also give a foot massage to all the Kanwariyas who are exhausted on their long journey; after all, they are our brothers. I dont care what people will think or say about it, we all are humans and humanity should be our priority. The members of the minority community have a long history of assisting the pilgrims during the Kanwar Yatra, but Muzaffarnagar riots damaged the age-old fabric between communities. However, now the situation seems to be getting better. Senior Superintendent of Police, Muzaffarnagar, Anant Dev Tiwari said, Efforts are being made to bring all the people together with the help of community policing and we have also been successful to some extent in it. It is a great example of brotherhood when Muslims are helping Kanwariyas, no doubt the effort if commendable. The Indian Navys decision to pit its frontline fighter MiG-29K against an equally jaw-dropping Lamborghini Huracan Performante had netizens across the country puzzled and thrilled. A 44-second video, which has captured social media attention, shows the Russian-made fighter aircraft screaming down the runway at INS Hansa, closely pursued by the Italian supercar. The Indian Navy wanted to inspire and encourage youth to join the Armed forces, especially the aviation wing of the Indian Navy, and that is why, the top brass in the naval force granted permission for the publicity stunt. twitter It is a subtle comparison between one beast against the fighter jet which is a bigger beast, an Indian Navy official speaking to STOI said. Sources said that the Navy was collaborating with a magazine for an exclusive story which compares the performance of the aircraft and the car. The official claimed that the Navy was preparing an advertisement campaign-cum-promotional video for recruitment of pilots for which the video was shot. The Indian Navy has joined hands with a leading automotive magazine to document the race. "Todays youth admire gadgets, fast cars and we want to inspire them to choose the Navy, a naval officer said, explaining the rationale behind the video. The video shows the Rs 3.97 crore sportscar lined up on the taxi track with the Russian-made MiG 29K alongside on the runway. In a few seconds both the machines burst away from standstill with engines screaming but as the video shows, the naval fighter jet is in a different league altogether, a point made clear when the aircraft performs a near vertical take-off. Afterall, the MiG 29K is a twin engine air superiority fighter jet and the Indian Navy owns 45 such aircraft. This aircraft has come in for a lot of flak regarding its maintenance and we wanted to show that the MiG-29K remains a formidable fighter in the Navys arsenal, another naval officer said. A Mig-29K aircraft from the Indian Navys White Tigers squadron crashed in Goa's Dabolim airport in January this year after going off the runway. Motorists on the Bengaluru-Nelamangala highway witnessed an unusual drama on Saturday: Two men bashing up each other for a woman in her presence! But it did not end there. The climax was even more filmi: While cops booked cases against both the men, the 38-year-old woman claimed shes not married to either of them, but to someone else. And eventually, she walked away with a friend of hers. The entire episode was filmed by scores of onlookers on their cellphones. The drama unfolded at 11am at Bavikere Cross, a tiny village junction on National Highway-48 (Bengaluru-Pune) between Tumakuru and Nelamangala. reuters/representational image Traffic towards Bengaluru was affected for some time as the curious crowd, mostly vehicle occupants, stopped to see the action. Police said the woman, identified as Shashikala, was living with Chikkabidarukallu Murthy, a tractor driver. Shashikala tied the knot with Rangaswamy in 2000 and the marriage was over in 2010. Then, Shashikala lived with Ramesh Kumar, a supervisor at a garment factory. In 2015, she found another man, Kumar, but got separated from him in six months. Since 2017, Shashikala has been living with Chikkabidarukallu Murthy, a married man with two children, police said. unsplash/representational image Meanwhile, Siddaraju, a cab driver in the garment factory where Shashikala worked, proposed to marry her. Since Murthy was married and Siddaraju a bachelor, Shashikala decided to marry the latter. On Saturday, Shashikala was standing with Siddaraju at a bus stand when Murthy came and attacked him, police said. As Siddaraju and Murthy exchanged blows, passersby made futile attempts to stop them. The fight came to a halt only after Nelamangala police intervened and took all the three to the police station. Shashikala told police: Both are my friends and are jealous of each other. When asked if she would marry any one of the two, she replied in the negative. By then, a man, claiming to be a friend of Shashikala arrived and she walked away with him. A massive student protest in Bangladesh, sparked by the death of two teenagers mowed down by a speeding bus in the capital, has alarmed the government ahead of a general election and prompted a warning against opposition meddling. In the latest violence, an angry crowd set a bus ablaze on Friday after it hit a motorcycle and killed the rider in heavily congested Dhaka, where traffic has been paralysed and 317 buses burnt in protests that have injured 51. Tens of thousands of uniformed students have turned out to demand a crackdown on reckless bus drivers since Sunday, when a privately run bus hit the college students, provoking fury. afp We have assured them that all their demands will be fulfilled and a law will be proposed in the next session of parliament, Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told Reuters. But we fear the movement may turn violent as there is a conspiracy to...make the government inoperative. Well take stern action against those conspiring to exploit this by inciting the minors. Law enforcement agencies had proof that activists of the student wing of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had been told to mix with protesters, Khan added, urging parents to steer children away from the protests. afp The BNP rejected the accusation of instigation. The government should resign immediately for failing to tackle road accidents and solve the crisis of mass commuting, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, its secretary general, told Reuters. This is a pretence to cover up its failure. reuters The protests spreading across Bangladesh have highlighted traffic risks in the densely populated country, where more than 4,000 people die in road accidents each year, one of the worlds highest rates, the World Bank says. Police said they had arrested the bus driver in Fridays incident. reuters Spontaneous student protests are rare in Bangladesh and the government should handle them carefully ahead of elections due by December, said Mahbubur Rahman, a political science professor at Dhakas North South University. Their movement acted as a spark and within a short time it spread all over the country, Rahman said. If the government fails to control and manage it, then it will be judged as a failure of the administration and government. While hand sanitizers are popular enough on their own, apparently theyre also favoured in a few hospitals at least. Unfortunately, researchers have now determined that this has had the adverse effect of strengthening bacteria exposed to this over long periods. Researchers from the University of Melbourne studied bacteria samples gathered from two hospitals in Australia between 1997 and 2015. They found that, over time, the bacteria seemed to be getting better at surviving the purifying alcohol in the hand sanitizers being used there. Even worse, as the hospital stepped up its sanitizer usage to improve sanitation, the bacteria ironically seemed to get even stronger at resisting its effects. This was confirmed by another series of experiments involving mice, showing the bacteria was actually developing its tolerance to alcohol over time, creating a drug-resistant strain of the pathogen. Infectious disease expert Paul Johnson and microbiologist Timothy Stinear leading the study wrote, We have proposed here that the significant positive relationship between time and increasing alcohol tolerance is a response of the bacteria to increased exposure to alcohols in disinfectant preparations and that the more tolerant strains are able to displace their less alcohol-tolerant predecessors. The study itself came to be after the team noticed an uptick in infections contracted in local hospitals, coinciding with them attempting to improve sanitation with hand sanitizers. While the hygiene product was certainly killing germs like Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA, it was strengthening others like Enterococci bacteria. These are usually harmless bacteria found in our stomachs, but which have the capability to carry infections and wreak havoc on immunocompromised patients. One particular species, Enterococcus faecium, is the main source of hospital infections in Asia, Europe, Australia, and the US, thanks to its resistance to many powerful antibiotics, built up by a gradually increasing tolerance to sanitizer alcohol. Market's Resiliency Faces a Test Blue Line Futures - 2 minutes ago Actionable fundamental and technical landscape on ES, NQ, YM, RTY and more . . . Poetic License. The Energy Report 10/28/2021 The PRICE Futures Group - 48 minutes ago Crude oil prices are taking it on the chin after supplies surprisingly increased against the backdrop of the reality that oil prices, in the shoulder season, might be just a bit ahead of themselves. The... The Dont Stop Believin' Stock Market (and Sentiment Results) HedgeFundTips.com - 1 hour ago Ive never seen a market that felt so frothy (and in some pockets overvalued) that simultaneously had so many high quality stocks that were still on-sale, dramatically undervalued, and persistently... Cotton Futures Continue Rebound Barchart - 1 hour ago Cotton futures are continuing their move to re-test or validate life of contract highs, up 75 to 185 points this morning. December closed 181 points in the black, above $1.10 but still ~6 cents below the... CTZ21 : 112.47 (+1.76%) CTH22 : 110.41 (+1.63%) CTZ21 : 112.47 (+1.76%) European Central Bank keeps pandemic support going AP - 1 hour ago FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) The European Central Bank decided Thursday to keep its pandemic stimulus efforts unchanged even as consumer prices spike and central banks in other parts of the world look to... $SPX : 4,551.68 (-0.51%) $DOWI : 35,617.02 (+0.36%) $IUXX : 15,598.39 (+0.25%) Silver and Crude OIL Intraday: Elliott Wave Analysis EW-Forecast.com - Thu Oct 28, 6:11AM CDT Silver is coming down, now seen in a contra-trend movement in three waves so ideally, it's wave 4 that is also retracing for 38.2% of wave 3 ^XAGUSD : 24.080 (+0.13%) CLZ21 : 82.25 (-0.50%) In a submission made to a senate economics committee, TAL proposed an activity test to find out whether or not a member is eligible for life insurance cover within super, so active or working members can still continue to be covered even if their balance is less than $6,000. Active membership in a simplistic sense is defined by contributions being made by an employer to a super account. Thats generally accepted as a key element of being an active member, Clark told The Australian Financial Review. The changes we are proposing to the legislation are, in our mind, very modest... wed still need a material change and reduction of insurance provided through super. That by its very nature would change the underlying insurance pool and perhaps prices in time too. Some industry experts said the measures could result in up to a 30% spike in premiums. Interestingly, while a Productivity Commission draft report backed the governments plan to make insurance opt-in for fund members aged under 25, and agreed that accounts which had been inactive for 13 months should be subject to cessation of cover, it did not agree with the low-balance measures, AFR said. Clark said it would be easy for super funds to track their active members, adding that there is broad agreement across funds insurers, consumer groups, and regulators, that active members should retain their insurance. The TAL boss also tagged the short window to the July 01, 2019 deadline as reckless. There is broad alignment across different parts of the industry, and of course not everyone agrees on everything, but there is alignment around implementation, Clark told AFR. Related stories: Group insurers warned against massive premium hikes Australia's biggest supplier of life insurance revealed Gross written premium 1,066.4 million, up from 1,063.8 million in the same period last year Operating profit 87.8 million, up from 74.7 million Combined operating ratio 94.8%, compared to 96.5% I am pleased with the way we have maintained our trading focus while at the same time committing considerable resources to the joint venture with LV=, commented Dye. To put this into perspective, communications about the new arrangements have gone out to 1,600 brokers, new relationships have been created between 167 brokers and Allianz, and the transfer of personal home and motor business to LV= began on schedule. Some commercial schemes business has already come over from LV= and we will start to issue new commercial lines business invitations from August 06 for former LV= business with effective dates of September 20 onwards. By the end of the transfer process, almost 600,000 policy details will have been exchanged between ourselves and LV=. The CEO believes all this points to a great start to the year for Allianz UK. As for the commercial lines portfolio transfer, it has been called an exciting prospect, since not only will it increase the size of Allianz UKs book but also provide the opportunity to broaden underwriting knowledge. For instance, new truck and taxi products will be launched this year while a London Market presence through a new specialist London motor team offers the potential to learn from an uncharted channel. These are exciting times for the business and our journey to becoming a top three general insurer by 2020 is making strong progress, said Dye. Related stories: Allianz Group suffers drop in operating profit Allianz unit bags after-the-event insurance deal Jones was served with restraining orders twice one in Placer County where the firm is located, and another at his home in El Dorado County. He was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. However, the firm still had to hire private security for about a month. At one point, the threats got so bad that employees were ordered to evacuate the building and go home, Fox40 reported. Jones was arrested, and police obtained a search warrant against his home. They found more than a dozen assault-type rifles, two ballistic vests and about 6,000 rounds of ammunition, according to Erwin as quoted in the report. Investigators described Joness case as premeditated, as deputies found weapons inside his vehicle, parked a mile from the courthouse, which was also in proximity to Liberty Mutual. They really feel like that he was dead set on committing this crime if he didnt get what he wanted, Erwin said. So I feel like we have saved some peoples lives with this arrest. After several years, Bailey assumed the role of global head of cyber risk for commercial insurance. With her expertise in various aspects of financial lines and cyber liability, she has been a source of industry insight through panels, forums, and blogs. Insurance Business reached out to Bailey to get to know her insights on the biggest challenges the cyber insurance industry is facing. In this interview, she shares how the rapid advancement of technology is paving the way for cyber risks to evolve. Bailey also gives her thoughts on how women can break through the glass ceiling. Tell us briefly about your company and its role in the insurance industry. What makes it different from other companies in the same space? As a company, Zurich is a leading global insurer with over 53,000 employees and products and services in 210 countries. But what makes Zurich really unique is its core values of integrity, innovation and teamwork, and how these values are integrated as part of our corporate culture. Zurich also has a strong commitment to its people to inspire confidence and help them reach their full potential something which I have been fortunate to experience during my tenure with the company. What do you think are the most challenging issues facing cyber insurance and the overall insurance industry today? The cyber insurance industry has undergone a rapid pace of change just in the last few years. The underlying perils, scope of coverage, and even the underwriting methodologies have all advanced dramatically and will continue to do so over the next several years with advancements of technology and the interconnectedness of risk. Unlike other segments of insurance where the past is often a predictor of the future, cyber presents unique challenges for the industry because the threats, exposures and risks are constantly evolving thus requiring a great deal of flexibility and innovation on the part of the industry. It also presents obstacles due to lack of consistent data which is necessary from a portfolio management standpoint. But this also creates opportunity and compels us to think about insurance in new and different ways than we had previously; and arguably makes this one of the most exciting areas of insurance today. What are your hopes for the cyber insurance industry moving forward? The cyber insurance industry has expanded at such a rapid pace in the last few years, but it is often misunderstood and is still viewed as a discretionary product by many businesses. To that end, companies are asking for help in understanding the types of cyber risks that they face in addition to how they can best protect themselves from such risks. My hope is that every business will develop a mindset of resilience and implement best practices to protect against cyber-related incidents. That, coupled with evolving technologies and innovation, will result in cyber insurance becoming an integral part of a companys overall insurance program. Do you believe that a glass ceiling exists and hinders women from taking on opportunities in the insurance space? How do you deal with this concept and what advice would you give to women in the industry? The number of women in insurance, particularly in leadership positions, has increased dramatically since I started in the industry over 20 years ago but there is still more progress to be made if we are going to achieve gender parity. I have been especially lucky over the years to have many female role models in the insurance industry and am extremely proud that Zurichs board of directors has 45% representation by women. Increased awareness and proactive engagement by both male and female colleagues are helping to close this gap, as are the emergence of employee resource groups. At Zurich, I have the privilege to lead our Womens Innovation Network (WIN) which aims to support gender equity at Zurich by providing a professional network for both men and women to inspire, develop and connect with each other. Through WIN, we have been able to raise awareness of these issues, but also proactively engage in constructive discussions and effectuate solutions to drive this forward. You worked for AIG for more than 10 years. How did that experience help you in your journey? Working for AIG provided me with a great knowledge base and skillset for which I have been able to draw from throughout my career. I also had the opportunity to work with many talented individuals who have served as mentors (both formal and informal) even to this day. If you had the power to change one thing about the insurance industry, what would you change? I would love to see greater diversity in the insurance industry. And not just inherent diversity such as gender or race, but also acquired diversity such as background, education and experiences all of which form a part of who we are and what we contribute. By having greater overall diversity, we will bring new and fresh ideas to the industry which will further accelerate innovation. If you were not working in the insurance space, what would you be doing now? Although my dream job as a child was to be a television news anchor, one of the aspects Ive always enjoyed throughout my career is the ability to teach and educate colleagues. As such, if I were not working in insurance, I would mostly likely be a teacher. If you could witness one event (past, present or future) what would it be and why? On a personal note, my husband and I adopted our children a little over 11 years ago. We have witnessed the joy of watching them grow and develop over the last decade and have shared many firsts with them, but I always wish we had been there on the day that they were born. Related Stories: Gallagher veteran looks back at her biggest challenge Helping underwriters strengthen their knowledge on loss assessment NEW YORK, New YorkI just got finished reading Melinda Wenner Moyer's Op-Ed in the New York Times, Anti-Vaccine Activists Have Taken Vaccine Science Hostage, and I must say that was one of the more unusual and contradictory pieces of journalism I've ever read in my time as an autism activist. While a casual reader may in some way leave the article thinking that "anti-vaccine activists" are ruining the party for everyone, I think many more will leave puzzled, confused, and suspicious. On the one hand, Ms. Moyer tries to convince her reader of one of the more preposterous cause-and-effect relationships I've ever seen. Namely, she wants you to believe that the reason scientists studying the safety of vaccines are scared to publish negative results is because anti-vaccine activists will exaggerate or spin the results and scare the public. This strains credulity to the point that I think if you surveyed 1,000 people and asked this question: You'd get 997 people to choose "A" and three peopleMs. Moyer, Dr. Paul Offit, and Dr. Peter Hotezwould choose "B." The pharmaceutical industry is the most financially powerful and ruthless commercial opponent the world has ever seen. I know that sounds dramatic, but consider the recent news that pharmaceutical executives knowingly conspired to create an opioid addiction epidemic. In their compelling critique, The Opioid Epidemic: Fixing a Broken Pharmaceutical Market, Harvard medical scholars Ameet Sarpatwari, Michael S. Sinha, and Aaron S. Kesselheim put the behavior of pharmaceutical companies in painful relief: READ MORE HERE. Ridesharing company Lyft is beefing up its background checks after a driver arrested for rape was found to be in the United States illegally. The companys enhanced detection processes will apply to new applicants and existing drivers, Lyft spokeswoman Kate Margolis said. She declined to discuss the changes in detail. San Francisco Police arrested Lyft driver Orlando Vilchez Lazo, 36, in July and charged him with raping four women who he lured to his car pretending to be their rideshare driver. The company fired Vilchez Lazo, Margolis said. Margolis and police investigators said theres no evidence Vilchez Lazo was on duty when the attacks occurred. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said Vilchez Lazo was living in the country illegally and that it planned to deport him to his native Peru if he was ever released from jail in the United States. He is being held without bail and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted. Vilchez Lazo fraudulently represented himself when he applied for a job and and passed the companys background check, Margolis said. Uber and Lyft hire private background companies that run a drivers name, license and Social Security number through local court records, national criminal databases and a federal sex offender registry. Searches can take as little as 24 hours and none would flag a worker in the country illegally using bogus documents. In California, after heated debate, the state Public Utilities Commission ordered the companies to run criminal background checks annually on all of its drivers. Previously, the companies ran only a single check before hiring a driver. The commission, however, resisted calls to require the fingerprinting of drivers. The commissioners said hiring accredited security companies to search criminal databases and run credit checks of prospective drivers was sufficient. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Following its placement into liquidation by the South Dakota Division of Insurance in late June, the Texas Department of Insurance removed ReliaMax Surety Co. from the list of eligible surplus lines insurers in Texas, the Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas (SLTX) reported. According to SLTX, ReliaMax is ineligible to write insurance in Texas, as of July 13, 2018. A South Dakota circuit court placed the company in liquidation proceedings on June 27, 2018, and as such, ReliaMax may not write any new business and will be liquidated. The company was found to be in hazardous financial condition, according to the order of liquidation. The South Dakota-based insurance company specialized in surety bonds covering student loan repayment to financial institutions throughout the U.S. Due to the liquidation order, ReliaMaxs domestic license was rescinded. Under the Texas Insurance Code, surplus lines insurers in Texas are required to hold authorization to conduct business in their domiciliary states. ReliaMax no longer meets these requirements. Topics Texas Excess Surplus South Dakota PowerGuard Specialty Insurance Services, a renewable energy program manager based in the U.S., has hired warranty and service agreement specialist Dan Cantafi as the firms senior vice president of sales and marketing. He will be based in Glastonbury, Conn., and report to PowerGuard Co-Founder Mike McMullen and Chief Operating Officer Scott Gunnison. Cantafi joins PowerGuard from The Warranty Group, where he spent the past nine years as its vice president of sales in North America. He previously spent six years as director of national sales at Service Net Warranty, delivering warranty management administration, extended service programs, customer service support, service network management, claims processing services and service contract underwriting. PowerGuard is a specialty renewable energy program manager specializing in the design and underwriting of insurance and risk management solutions for wind, solar and other alternative energy companies. Source: PowerGuard Specialty Insurance Services Topics Excess Surplus Connecticut Hub International Limited (Hub), the Chicago-based insurance brokerage, announced it has acquired Southland Insurance Brokers Inc. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. With Ontario offices in Leamington, Tecumseh and Harrow, Southland has been providing customers in Windsor and Essex County with home, auto, travel and commercial insurance for more than 50 years. Southland offers a variety of specialized insurance programs for its clients and these programs will continue to diversify in the coming years. Southland will join Hub Ontario under the leadership of Rob Keilty, CEO of Hub Ontario. Hub has a large practice in Southwestern Ontario and we are excited to expand our capabilities in the region with the acquisition of Southland, said Keilty. Southwestern Ontario is an important area for economic development in Ontario and Hub Ontario is committed to growing our presence in this region. We are very happy to welcome the Southland team to the Hub Ontario family. Our clients can continue to rely on our dedication to service that has earned us a reputation of a widely respected insurance organization and community supporter, said Stephen Savage, president of Southland. And theyll gain the added benefits and value from Hubs focus and willingness to invest in areas that help deliver the best products and services. Source: Hub International Related: Topics Mergers Agencies A federal agency says a massive refinery fire that forced the temporary evacuation of homes in the coastal Wisconsin city of Superior in April was caused by an explosion that sent debris hurtling into an asphalt storage tank. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board released an update on Aug. 2 on the explosion and fire at the Husky Energy refinery in Superior in late April. According to the report, the explosion sent a piece of debris about 200 feet (61 meters) into an above-ground storage tank of asphalt. The tank was punctured and spilled hot asphalt, which ignited about two hours later. The report says 36 people sought medical attention after the explosion, including 11 refinery and contract workers. A large part of Superior was evacuated. Canada-based Husky Energy said in its second-quarter earnings statement last week that the refinery is not expected to restart until 2020. Related: Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Wisconsin Some 1,139 people are likely to have perished after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in September, far more than the official death count of 64, according to a Pennsylvania State University study published Thursday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study underscores the extent to which President Donald Trump initially underestimated the tragedy during an Oct. 3 visit when he compared it favorably to a real catastrophe like Katrina, the storm that hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, because the official death toll was less than 20 at the time. The report also suggests that 680 of the deaths occurred in October and November as much of the island remained without electricity. But the report also adds to a cacophony of conflicting numbers, from the commonwealths double-digit official estimate to a Harvard University study in May that put the total at around 5,000, even more than the 1,833 who perished in Katrina. The latest report used official death statistics from January 2010 through December 2017 to estimate excess mortality after the storm. The authors, led by Penn States Alexis Santos-Lozada, said their analysis of vital records provided more reliable results than the widely-cited Harvard study, which relied on a survey method. Jeffrey Howard of the University of Texas at San Antonio also contributed to the research. Amid criticism of the official count, Puerto Ricos government tapped researchers at George Washington University to conduct a review of the death count, but thus far no results have been published. Related: Hurricane Maria Death Toll Much Higher Than Official Count Said: Harvard Study Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Hurricane AmWINS Group Inc., the Charlotte, N.C.-based independent wholesale distributor of specialty insurance products, announced that Robert Bob Petrilli has been named president of the firms underwriting division, effective immediately. AmWINS underwriting division offers a variety of P/C programs for specific product lines, industry segments, and business types. With decades of experience in highly specialized markets and industry niches, AmWINS underwriters have earned the trust of major carriers. As president of the division, Petrilli will oversee 11 operating companies that offer more than 60 in-house programs, representing over $1.7 billion in underwritten premium and the largest MGA platform in the United States. Our underwriting division has seen incredible expansion over the last 24 months, and we expect that this accelerated growth will continue, said Scott M. Purviance, chief executive officer of AmWINS. Based on his vast leadership experience and underwriting expertise, as well as his record of creating profitable growth, we believe that Bob is the ideal leader to guide the strategic direction of the division. An industry veteran, Petrilli served as CEO, North America for Swiss Re Corporate Solutions and Group Managing Director for Swiss Re Group from 2006 to 2017. Prior to his tenure at Swiss Re, Petrilli worked at General Electric Industrial Risk Insurers (IRI) and GE Global Asset Protection Services (GE GAPS) in a variety of leadership roles, including chief underwriting officer and chief operating officer. Petrilli also served on the board of directors for Westport Insurance Corp., First Specialty Insurance Corp., Industrial Risk Insurers, and NAS Group. I am excited to join AmWINS, the premier wholesale distributor in the United States, said Petrilli. I look forward to helping the underwriting division achieve new levels of success while creating and maintaining strong and sustainable bonds with our carrier partners. Petrilli received his Juris Doctor from Creighton University School of Law and his bachelors degree in Economics from Iona College. Source: AmWINS Group Topics Underwriting The North American subsidiary of a French chemical manufacturer and two senior staff members were indicted in connection with last years explosion at the Crosby, Texas, plant in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Arkema North America, its CEO Richard Rowe and plant manager Leslie Comardelle were charged in the Harris County indictment with recklessly releasing chemicals into the air. The charge carries up to $1 million in fines and five years imprisonment. Indictments against corporations are rare, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said in a statement. Those who poison our environment will be prosecuted when the evidence justifies it. After Arkemas plant lost power, its organic peroxides began heating and decomposing. The compounds, used in a variety of products from plastics to paints, caught fire and partially exploded, sending plumes of smoke skyward. First responders and neighbors said they were sickened after the incident at the plant near Houston. Arkema spokeswoman Janet Smith said the corporation would fight the indictment, citing a U.S. Chemical Safety Board report released last May that credited it for having safeguards that likely wouldve worked in a low-level flood event. Arkema officials have insisted since the incident last August that they planned as best they could but that the rainfall was unprecedented. The agencys lead investigator Mark Wingard said Arkema crews worked to the best of their ability to keep equipment that cooled and stabilized its organic peroxides from losing power as six feet of water engulfed the plant. An internal watchdog at the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it will audit the agencys response following several high-profile accidents and spills after the historic storm, including the explosions and fire at the Arkema plant. Related: Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Texas Pollution Chemicals A judge has dismissed a lawsuit which claimed police officers didnt do enough to stop the gunman responsible for a massacre at a Florida nightclub, but he gave survivors and family members two weeks to file another complaint. U.S. District Judge Paul Byron said Aug. 1 that the claims werent specific enough to allow the city of Orlando and the police officers to make an adequate defense. The lawsuit named just one police officer who was working security off-duty at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Thirty other officers are merely referred to as John Doe. Gunman Omar Mateen opened fire inside the gay nightclub in June 2016 in a massacre that left 49 people dead. At the time, it was the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Legislation Law Enforcement Low levels of cancer-causing chemicals have been found in three wells of a Florida town. Satellite Beach City Manager Courtney Barker said Wednesday that the chemicals are similar to ones used in fire extinguishing foams, Teflon and other consumer products. Florida Today reports that even in low levels the chemical compounds are associated with some types of cancer and thyroid defects. Satellite Beach doesnt use groundwater for drinking, but sprinkler systems used to irrigate yards and parks draw from groundwater. Fire foams with the dangerous chemicals had been used at neighboring Patrick Air Force Base, and other military installations, until being phased out in recent years. The testing was conducted after an oncologist questioned whether her cancer and others were caused by environmental exposure. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Florida Chemicals A few days ago, on 29 July, online news site Perfect Edition informed about a shocking document that famous physicists Albert Einstein and Robert Oppenheimer wrote more than 70 years ago, and that has been recently rediscovered. The document, entitled Relationship along with Inhabitants of Celestial Bodies, shows that both scientists believed in the existence of extraterrestrial civilisations and UFOs. Exactly what Oppenheimer, as well as Einstein, were attempting to connect through their own report is the fact that genuine disclosure of aliens would trigger great harm on community and perception systems all over the world. Authorities all over the world may know about the existence of extraterrestrials. It is really probable that these were elected to retain that info a secret, the article published on Perfect Edition states. Oppenheimer, as well as Einstein, additionally looked at the chance that if the extraterrestrial entities are much more superior compared to us, would it not be feasible to co-exist in harmony upon this planet? And when these creatures actually found Earth, exactly what would their own purpose have been, taking into account they are more complex than we could ever be?, it adds. The article also shows that Mr Einstein and Mr Oppenheimer were very concerned about the consequences of a unique state to rule the universe. However, they think it might be advisable in order to grant this to all other people capable of achieving a different celestial body, says the report. The actual document additionally talks about Mysterious Flying Objects as well as their existence on Earth, a thing the army all over the world is extremely familiar with. Oppenheimer as well as Einstein problem if the existence of celestial astroplanes in the environment is an immediate result of our own testing atomic weapons, the article says. Both scientists think about the chance that extraterrestrial entities may have shown up to planet Earth to keep track of our development, it continues. Draw your own conclusions For more information: http://www.perfectedition.win/einstein-and-oppenheimer-top-secret-record-on-extraterrestrials-and-ufos/ Gov. Jerry Brown over the weekend called on President Donald Trump to help California fight and recover from another devastating wildfire season. Brown, who inspected neighborhoods wiped out by a wildfire in the Northern California city of Redding, said he was confident the president he has clashed with over immigration and pollution policies would send aid, which Trump did last year when Californias wine country was hit hard. The president has been pretty good on helping us in disasters, so Im hopeful, said Brown, a Democrat. Tragedies bring people together. Browns call for help came shortly before authorities called on residents in Glenn and Colusa counties in Northern California to evacuate as a wildfire there continues to grow. Cal Fire issued the evacuation order Saturday night for people who live in several parts of the counties, including an area just east of the boundary of Mendocino National Forest. The blaze, known as the Mendocino Complex fire, has grown to 357 square miles and is 32 percent contained, according to Cal Fire. The National Weather Service forecasts hot and windy conditions to persist in Northern California. There are 17 major fires burning throughout California, authorities said. In all, they have destroyed hundreds of homes, killed eight people including four firefighters and shut down Yosemite National Park. The fire had reached into remote areas of the countrys third-oldest national park. Workers who live in Yosemites popular Valley region were ordered to leave Friday because of inaccessible roads. The biggest blazes continue to burn north of San Francisco, including twin wildfires fueled by dry vegetation and hot, windy weather. Those fires destroyed 55 homes and forced thousands of residents to flee their neighborhoods about 100 miles north of the city. They have grown to a combined 300 square miles. Related: Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe California Natural Disasters Wildfire The imminent arrival of the super budget brand, EasyHotel, into Dublin is timely, writes John Daly. With the growth in the capitals business-and-tourism market, the lack of accommodation has hampered the sectors potential growth. The hotel chain, which was founded in 2004 by Stelios Haji-Ioannou, nine years after his launch of EasyJet, has acquired a freehold site in central Dublin to develop a 130-bedroom property. Located on the corner of Benburb Street and Wood Lane, the site has planning permission for a 96-bedroom hotel, and was acquired for 9m. Development costs are an additional 9m, and this will be the groups third new property, since its successful fundraising in March, 2018. In support of an ambitious growth plan, EasyHotel is expanding its development pipeline of hotels in key tourist and city centre destinations across Europe and the UK. Recent research by hospitality analytics firm, STR Global, showed Dublin has amongst the highest occupancy rates in Europe, with a lack of accommodation pushing up prices. Dublins already high occupancy levels have left little room for year-over-year growth, the report stated. However, the markets popularity as a destination, and consistent demand for rooms, continue to result in record-breaking performance, it said. In the first quarter of this year, the average daily room rate of Irelands hotels increased 6.2% on the same period last year, to 113.67, far outstripping a European growth of 2.6% and an average daily rate of 100.61. Similarly, in the revenue-per-available-room metric, Ireland increased 9.7%, almost double the European average of 4.8%. A report, last year, by Failte Ireland, expected an additional 5,000 hotel rooms to come on-stream in Dublin by 2020, which should ease the supply bottleneck, as growth in tourist numbers continues to outpace hotel supply. Demand for accommodation has grown by over 50% since 2010, but supply has remained unchanged. Prices are going up, and value-for-money is a key concern in light of Brexit, said Caeman Wall, head of research with Failte Ireland. EasyHotels Dublin site takes the companys pipeline of owned/leased projects to 1,280 rooms, in addition to 1,782 franchise rooms currently under development. Europe holds a number of attractive opportunities for the EasyHotel brand and we are keen to achieve a balance in our development pipeline between the UK and Continental Europe, as we look to accelerate our presence in these markets, said the companys chief executive, Guy Parsons. With a strong UK development pipeline already confirmed, EasyHotels is expected to open four new hotels, comprising 517 rooms, by the end of the current calendar year. EasyHotel Maastricht opened at the beginning of July, taking the total number of hotels in the group to 28. Ireland had 4.9m overseas visitors from January to June of this year, with just over one million visitors from North America, up 10.7%, and 1.78m from mainland Europe, up 10.2%. British visitor numbers also increased by 2.3%, to 1.79m. This growth in international visitor numbers and revenue is not only great news for employment, but also for government finances, with 23 cent in every euro of tourism spend finding its way to the exchequer, Failte Irelands chief executive, Paul Kelly said. The tax take from tourists is now the equivalent of over 1,000 for every household in Ireland. There is still huge opportunity to further grow the contribution tourism can make to our economy, through public and private sector investment and by expanding both the regional and seasonal spread of tourism, he said. With 80% of tourist bed nights in just five counties, there is significant opportunity for further growth, particularly if a hard Brexit becomes a reality. The prospect of the UK not reaching a deal on its departure from the EU has risen in recent weeks, amid tight votes at Westminster and Brussels, expressing opposition to UK prime minister, Theresa Mays latest proposals on customs. The Irish food industry has been watching politicians battle it out for the past two years. There has been no resolution or concrete proposal. But with seven months to go until the UK is to leave the EU and with warning commentary from Bank of England governor, Mark Carney, a no-deal exit is increasingly likely, and so executives in the agri-food industry are accelerating their damage-limitation plans. The purchase of the UKs 2 Sisters food group by the Meath-based Kepak group is a typical example of the industrys proactivity in ensuring that whatever the outcome of the negotiations between Theresa Mays government and Michel Barniers EU, they will maintain their market share in Britain. Kepaks acquisition gives it a further five facilities across the UK: three sites in Cornwall, in south-west England, as well as one in southern Wales and another in the north-east of Scotland. Kepak described the deal as a strategic growth acquisition. It said the move would be a hedge against Brexit and currency fluctuations, and would support its meat-based, value-added business. This is typical of the strategic decisions being taken by Irelands major food businesses to ensure they maintain their UK retail, food-service, and manufacturing relationships. Others in the meat sector are doing similar. In June, the Larry Goodman-owned ABP Food Group announced 19m for the planned redevelopment of its Perth processing plant, in Scotland. Last year, Dawn Meats entered into a strategic partnership with rival, Dunbia, which will see the establishment of a joint venture in the UK, comprising the UK operations of both organisations. Dunbias considerable presence in the UK it has two large plants in the North and seven in Britain provides Waterford-based Dawn with a Brexit buffer, as well as cementing its UK supply chain. These diversifications give hedging options against the anticipated, high-frequency currency fluctuations, as the Brexit process works its way through the economy. Of course, it also provides useful options to arrange suitable transfer pricing between supplies of meat from farmers and abattoirs in Ireland and their wholesale outlets in the UK, to militate against the anticipated, 40% customs tariff, if the World Trade Organisation fall-back occurs. The transfer pricing tactic has been used by multinationals the world over to limit the damage to pricing when trade wars suddenly result in tariffs on goods crossing borders To give an extreme example, Irish companies with subsidiaries in the UK can opt to sell a 200 side of beef by means of a transfer pricing arrangement to their UK subsidiary for, say, 20. In the process, they are paying 40% import tariff into the UK on 20, as opposed to paying the high tariff on the open market price of 200. There is additional benefit, in that the higher profits are declared in the Irish-based company attracting the 12.5% corporation tax, rather than the higher rate, if declared by the UK subsidiary. The enormity of the unique exposure of the meat industry to Brexit can be gauged from the Bord Bia report that some 50% of all Irish beef exports went to the UK last year, valued at 1.25bn. The critical importance of the market continues to be reflected in the export figures for the five months to May, when Irish beef exports accounted for 70% of the UKs total beef imports. The interconnectedness of the agri-food industry, across the UK and Ireland, is even more evident in the dairy sector, where Glanbia, Ornua, Lakeland Dairies, Dairygold and the rest of Irelands dairy industry, dominate the British market. Glanbias UK division, Glanbia Cheese, with headquarters in Cheshire, is the outstanding example. It is the largest mozzarella manufacturer in Europe. Glanbia Nutritionals also has a manufacturing facility in Middlesbrough. It sources its milk across the island of Ireland, but also across England, Scotland, and Wales. Disruption soft or hard to the complex supply chains to feed these plants will be a sobering challenge, says Jim Bergin, chief executive of Glanbia Ireland, who warned that the effects of Brexit could turn into a crisis situation. Like many in the industry, he recognises that even if agreement is reached on the UK Chequers proposals, they will no longer be an EU member state, after withdrawal on March 29 next year, and will no longer enjoy the same benefits as all other members. Import tariffs on dairy and cheese, of up to 50%, could apply to Irish exports to the market in a worst-case scenario, but considerable delays along the supply chain, to comply with EU regulations at border crossings, will be a minimum that can be expected. Some businesses, such as Dairygold, which ships the bulk of its cheddar cheese to the UK, are hedging against the possibility of increased trade friction, by looking further afield. Dairygold plans to shift production from making cheddar destined for British consumers to cheese popular in other markets, such as North America, Australia, and the rest of the EU. The Irish firm has teamed up with Tine, Norways largest farmer-owned dairy co-operative, to build a new plant in Mogeely, in Cork, capable of processing 20,000 tons of Jarlsberg, a cheese very popular in the US market. Michel Barnier, the EUs chief Brexit negotiator, referring to the latest difficulty in getting agreement with the UK in time for an orderly exit from the EU and with particular reference to the private sector stated that everyone must now step up preparations for all scenarios and take responsibility for their specific situation. In other words: youre on your own from here Executives at some of Irelands largest dairy companies paint a familiar picture, planning to get around the border issues by acquiring processing plants in the UK or diversifying into new markets. However, there is no panacea for Irelands exposure to the British market, should Brexit trade talks go sour. Up to 65% of Irelands cheddar cheese exports go to the UK, along with large shipments of butter and infant formula. In total, 30% of Irelands dairy production is sold to the UK. With this level of exposure, despite the best planning and strategising, there will be damage to the industry, unless the UK stays within the EUs single market or gets an equivalent deal to match. Most at risk are the farmers who are dependent on the processing plants to find new markets, or ways around the cross-border tariffs and customs paperwork. Agriculture Minister, Michael Creed, may have to take a leaf out of US president, Donald Trumps book, which recently supported US farmers hit by the Chinese import tariffs on agri-food products with $12bn in aid. Now must be the time for Minister Creed to lobby for the setting-up of an EU Brexit support fund for the agri-food sector for those countries most exposed, such as Ireland. John Whelan is an expert and consultant on Irish and international trade Joe Dermody West Cork's fishing industry is to gain a new 23.5m, 216m-long quay development following approval of the project and associated works on Dinish Island, Castletownbere. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, attended the signing of the contract with L&M Keating builders. Minister Creed: said: When completed, the new facilities will be on a par with the best in Europe, and will significantly drive forward the fishing industry and local economy on the Beara Peninsula and allow for a major expansion of the seafood support sector and other marine-related industries in the South West. "The expanded landing facilities and increased quay space will also provide opportunities for further economic diversification. The project will double the workable quay space on Dinish Island and will enable significant expansion in fish landings, on-shore processing and general marine activity at the port. Minister Creed added: Government Policy is to substantially increase the landings into Ireland from all vessels that fish in the waters around Ireland. "We want to see Ireland become the hub for all the marine activities that can be generated by the sustainable harvesting of these renewable resources in our marine sphere. As well as the 216m of extra landing berth, the project will deliver 2.2 acres of highly usable reclaimed quay storage area, two new major breakwater structures at the entrance to the harbour, and dredging works to further facilitate landings by vessels up to 100m long. The last major landing quay development in Castletownbere was completed in 2010. Since then, overall landings into Castletownbere have increased by 60% in volume from 19,030t to 30,522t and 232 % in value from 29.9m to 99.4m in 2017. The number of landings from other large EU fishing trawlers has increased by 317% from 370 to 1,543 per annum over the same seven-year period. The Dinish Island project has been proposed for part funding under Irelands European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme, co-funded the Government of Ireland and the European Union. The Irish Prison Service has sought expressions of interest for a prison visitors centre (PVC) in Cork Prison, two years after an initial plan failed to deliver a similar facility. The Irish Prison Service said the centre would operate six days a week. This facility will provide a hospitable, safe, caring and supportive environment for children and families of prisoners, some of whom are in a vulnerable state, prior to and after prison visits, it said. It is envisaged that the facility will employ a full-time family-support worker and a sessional child-support worker (30 hours per week) to provide childcare and family support services, and link with community services and with the prison-based multi-disciplinary team. It is also considering a 24-month contract. Back in late 2015, the IPS also sought expressions of interest for a visitors centre, with work underway, at that point, on the 35m revamp of the prison. However, the tender did not result in a visitors centre, although the St Nicholas trust has been providing hospitality services. Fiona Donson, law lecturer and director of the Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights at University College Cork, said the expression of interest for the PVC was overdue, but was to be welcomed. After that tender, two years ago, nothing was put in place and that was deeply disappointing, she said. Dr Donson said the revamped Cork Prison was much-improved, compared with the old building, and that staff there had been doing brilliant work, including in the community. She said a PVC would be a hugely positive development for prisoners, their families, and particularly children affected by having a family member in jail, and that this was backed by literature on the subject. If we provide services that do the right thing, we can make a huge difference to these children and their families, she said. There is a sense that we are coming from such a low base that it will be incredibly important. It needs to be child-centred, it needs to be about hearing the children, working with them, and hearing their voices. Dr Donson said that she knew of families who did not visit the prison with their children, because the existing services were not sufficiently family-friendly and that she also knew of prisoners who did not want their children to visit, because it would be too traumatic. Dr Donson said it was a shame the initial plan had not come to fruition and she was delighted that the IPS was trying to deliver a visitors centre now. A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service said: Given the time that has elapsed since the last EOI process, we are exploring what interest there may be, with a view to putting in place a professional family support service at Cork Prison Visitor Centre, similar to other closed prisons. The Agriculture Minister has hit out at Fianna Fail for voting down new EU fishing laws in a move set to cost Ireland 40m, and says any new deal supporting the Government must contain a clause preventing the opposition from blocking other important legislation. Fine Gael will only accept a new confidence and supply agreement if Fianna Fail expands its support to vital legislation, Michael Creed suggested. In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Mr Creed said his department had suffered as a result of what he previously described as the reckless decision by Fianna Fail to vote down the statutory instrument, understood to be the first time this has happened since the foundation of the State. Fianna Fail opposed an EU regulation to impose penalty points on fishermen which could cost up to 40m in lost funding. We are facing the potential loss of very significant funds from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, which goes into funding the industry in all its manifestations, because of the Dails failure to ratify a regulation that ironically was negotiated by Fianna Fail, said Mr Creed. Ireland has already received a rap on the knuckles for non-compliance, the EU Commission suspending 2.6m funding in 2017 and 4m this year. This accrues to 37m in the event of continued non-compliance. He said he would like the confidence and supply agreement extended for two more years, but further stipulations would have to be put on Fianna Fail as part of a deal. He said a commitment to support secondary legislation would have to be tied into an extension of the confidence and supply. In the context of renegotiations, t That would be one of the issues that we would want some reassurances on, on secondary legislation, said Mr Creed. The three-budget deal with Fianna Fail expires after Octobers budget with an option to renegotiate an extension of the agreement towards the end of the year.However, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has indicated that he would like a new deal hammered out before October, which Fianna Fail is vehemently opposed to, claiming the Budget must be passed first.Citing Brexit, Mr Creed said: I think confidence and supply has worked very well, it has enabled Government to face challenges like it has never faced before with a degree of confidence about its own security of tenure.He said it would be inconceivable that any Government would be able to face into critical Brexit negotiations and deadlines if it had a tenuous grasp on its own position of power.Its not power for powers sake, its about being able to effectively protect the national agenda on an international stage in the context of Brexit, he said.However, Mr Creed said Fianna Fail must be given some credit for assisting in creating a stable Government here. News: 4 By Christy Parker A newlywed woman, just weeks after her marriage, went into the sea to save her younger sister from drowning, but both died. That was 100 years ago in Youghal, Co Cork, but the siblings are to be commemorated at Masses in the seaside town and also in Kanturk, on the anniversary of the tragedy. Their heartbreaking story has been traced through Irish Examiner archives for their descendants, who want the story to serve as a warning on water safety. Norah Kirk, also known as Annie, aged 21 and her 17-year-old sister, Emilie Guinee, were from a large farming family from Lismire in north Cork. They were also nieces of scholar James G OKeefe, noted for his work in translating the medieval tale, Buile Suibhne (The Madness of Sweeney). Both women were teachers in London and had been holidaying in Youghal with their mother, Mary Ellen. Six weeks earlier, Norah had married a British army officer, a Lieutenant Kirk. Among subsequent generations of the family, the deaths were rarely spoken about. However, three nieces and three nephews now plan to recognise the aunts. James OKeeffes son, also James, and a nephew of the two women, continues to run the farm. Masses will be held at 10am on Monday, August 20, in Youghals Holy Family Church and on the following Wednesday at the Church of Immaculate Conception, Kanturk. Family members, most in their senior years, said they were delighted to remember the aunts they never got to know. The tragedy occurred on a summer holiday to Youghal. On Tuesday, August 20, 1918, they visited a small inner beach, called Green Hole, adjacent to Green Park, about 10.30am, hoping to learn to swim, an inquest heard. Next day, the Cork Examiner reported the tide was fully out, rendering the place most dangerous. Due to very strong currents, the Green Hole remains a red flag area. The inquest had heard that warning signs had been inappropriately located. The beach was near deserted, except for a small boy, andthe sisters cries for help went unheard at first. An eyewitness recalled them near to each other, trying to swim to safety. Reverend Sheehan, from Doneraile, and Constable Fox became aware and, partly stripping, took to the water, but the women had disappeared. Another priest, Reverend McSwiney, called the men ashore, fearful for their safety. Others ran 400 yards to the towns quayside. Fisherman James Mangan recovered the bodies with nets. The inquest returned a verdict of accidental death and particularly praised Constable Foxs bravery. The sisters were buried in Kilbin graveyard two days later. Lt Kirk walked eight miles behind the coffin, from Kanturk church. Their heartbroken mother, Mary Ellen, died months later. The problem of irregular border crossings into Canada have become an increasingly worrisome issue in Canada especially after it was found that over 31,000 people claimed asylum in the country within a year, most of them coming into Canada after crossing the long land border with the United States. Spotniknews reports that, a poll taken by independent research institute Angus Reid has found that 65% of Canadians believe their country has received "too many" irregular border crossers "for Canada to handle," with just 29% saying the number was "manageable." The poll was taken in the midst of increasing pressure by the Conservatives and provinces demanding that Ottawa that actions to address irregular border crossers. According to the report, barring a snap election, Canadians will go to the polls in 2019 to elect a new government. A July Ipsos poll showed the Conservative Party leading the Liberals 37% to 33%. Citizens also believe the liberals made a lot of election promises that had then graced the pages of the openness and transparency section of the Liberal platform, this includes promising to overhaul the Access to Information Act and to create an all-party national security oversight committee. They also vowed to run an open government which according to them, had been hitherto run secretively. Transparent government is good government. They said If we want Canadians to trust their government, we need a government that trusts Canadians. It is said that lack of trust was one of the problems that led to the defeat of the conservatives.From muzzled scientists to the Mike Duffy affair, the government stood accused of both silence and spin. The media seized on the narrative as well. In 2012 the Canadian Association of Journalists awarded the Tories the dubious Code of Silence Award, and after the Liberals were elected, the Toronto Star editorial board urged them to reverse Harpers legacy of secrecy. Said the report of ipolitics. This made many assume that the liberal government was going to take over with a strategy that is open with information sharing, including negative findings on its government. That is the only way to judge the parts fulfillment of its promises on openness. However, this openness have also been found to be missing from Trudeaus government. When elected in 2015, the Trudeau governments promises bordered on delivering change to the nation. Some of the key issues he promised to change are the relationship with Canada's aboriginal communities, policies to help reduce climate change, hope about the future, the immigration system, the opportunities for young people to find good jobs, our economy, your access to quality of healthcare services, Canada's finances, the level of tax you pay, hope about the future. However, Ipsospoll reports that the poll finds priorities impacting Canadians daily lives such as the work commute, taxation levels, and overall affordability are not getting any better. While the Trudeau government has tackled other hot topics, the issues that are impacting the average Canadian are perceived to be untouched. U.S. Loan Recommended Article By Sean McCarthaigh A garda operation to establish the identities of bodies found off the west coast of Britain is to be expanded to include France, Spain, and Portugal. At the weekend, Operation Runabay confirmed a DNA match with the body of an Irishman who disappeared 33 years ago. Seven missing person cases have now been solved as part of Operation Runabay, after DNA analysis verified that a body washed up on the Welsh coast in November 5, 1985, was Brendan Dowley, who had disappeared three weeks earlier. The unidentified remains of the 63-year-old father-of-four had lain buried in a cemetery on Anglesey for over three decades. Mr Dowley was last seen boarding a bus in Kilkenny on October 17, 1985, on his way to get the Dun Laoghaire-Holyhead ferry to return to London, where he was living. As a result of Operation Runabay, police in North Wales agreed to the exhumation of the body, in June, to allow for a comparison of DNA samples from Mr Dowleys family. The results showed that there was a one in a billion possibility that the remains were not Mr Dowley. The news was confirmed to Mr Dowleys family, including his 97-year-old wife, at the weekend. Last December, gardai were also able to close the file on another missing person, Pauline Finlay, who disappeared while walking her dogs on the beach at Kilmuckridge, Co Wexford, in 1994, after DNA tests on an exhumed body from a cemetery in Wales confirmed it was her. Gardai said it was envisaged that Operation Runabay would be extended to examine missing persons cases from all coastal regions of Ireland. As a consequence, it is expected that it will be expanded to include enquiries with the relevant authorities in Spain, Portugal, and France. Gardai said vital assistance had been provided to the operation by Dr Eleanor ORourke, the oceanographic services manager at the Marine Institute of Ireland, in relation to information on tidal currents in the seas around Ireland. It will, hopefully, assist in identifying probable locations, where remains may be found, a garda spokesperson said. According to gardai, a number of other potential investigative opportunities have been identified. Operation Runabay was launched by the Gardas Missing Persons Bureau in January, 2017, to identify the remains of persons found along the west coast of Britain, but who might have been reported missing in Ireland. The operation involves ongoing liaison between gardai, the UKs National Crime Agency, the North Wales Police, and Forensic Science Ireland. Gardai said DNA samples had been provided by families of individuals reported missing so that comparative analysis could be carried out. A total of 81 different DNA samples were collected last year which resulted in four matches. Personnel from the Missing Persons Bureau are available to take DNA samples from relatives of missing people who wish to provide them. Alternatively, samples can be provided to local gardai. The operation has and will hopefully continue to successfully provide closure to some of the families of long-term missing persons, the Garda spokesperson said. Increasing access to and availability of contraception is and will remain public health policy, insisted Health Minister Simon Harris, responding to a bishops comments about birth control. Bishop of Elphin, Kevin Doran, sparked outrage when he said the principles of Humanae Vitae, which banned artificial contraception, had been ignored for too long. Please just make it stop, the minister tweeted when he read the bishops comments, that were reported in the Irish Times over the weekend. Religion plays an important role for many on an individual basis, but it will not determine health and social policy in our country, Mr Harris wrote. Please just make it stop! Increasing access to & availability of contraception is and will remain public health policy. Religion plays an important role for many on an individual basis - but it will not determine health and social policy in our country any more. Please get that. https://t.co/BMwIL4fNEE Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) August 5, 2018 Amen to that, Simon, added Fine Gael senator Catherine Noone, former chair of the Oireachtas committee on the Eighth Amendment. In another tweet, Ms Noone wrote that keeping the Catholic Church out of sex education was long overdue. We are in the process of bringing sex education into [the] 21st century and will not be deterred, she wrote. Bishop Doran was speaking at an event in Dublin on Saturday marking the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, an encyclical written by Pope Paul VI, about birth control. About 150 people attended the conference organised by the Nazareth Family Institute, that promotes Catholic teaching on marriage, sexuality and family life. The bishop said: The principles of Humanae Vitae have been ignored for too long and need to be presented in a fresh way There is undoubtedly a place in schools for an appropriate presentation of the Churchs teachings on human sexuality. In a world which has embraced abortion and is flirting more and more with euthanasia, it may seem almost foolish to even suggest at this time that we should attempt to regain the ground that has been lost. Bishop Doran, who chairs the Episcopal Task Group on Bioethics and Life and is a member of the Council for Marriage and the Family, also said contraception impinged on the dignity of women. The fact that women were less likely to become pregnant because of contraception also took away from them one of the principal motives or freedoms for saying no to unwanted sex. He also believed that the contraceptive mentality in society was linked to the surprisingly high number of people in favour of same-sex marriage. If the act of love can be separated from its procreative purpose, then its also very difficult to explain why marriage needs to between a man and a woman, he said. Athiest Irelands human rights officer, Jane Donnelly, described the bishops speech as hard and uncaring. Ms Donnelly said the Church had a lot of control over publicly-funded schools and continued to present its teaching on contraception. By Gordon Deegan An IT engineer, who left a trail of debt behind him after borrowing a total of just under 50,000 from six colleagues at his firm, has been sacked for violating the companys expenses policy. Initially, the man received a loan of 3,000 in April 2017 from his employer "on a humanitarian and exceptional basis" after the IT engineer in his urgent loan request said that he required the money for hospital treatment fees for his father who was diagnosed with cancer. The IT engineer then secured a loan of $20,000 from his immediate boss in June of last year after telling him that he needed the money to pay for an additional hospital stay after his father had to go through a triple heart by-pass. During this time on a business trip to the US, the IT specialist ran up a $5,651 expense bill on the company credit card and had not entered an expense report for approval. It was during the Irish based company's investigation into the unpaid expense bill that the scale of the mans loan spree with colleagues was laid bare. Along with the $20,000 that his boss had provided for the IT engineers fathers hospital treatment, the company learned on August 14 last that three other employees had lent the man money in the amounts of $3,000, $3,500, $5,000 and $12,000. On August 22, another company employee came forward to say that had lent the IT specialist 9,000 and only 900 was paid back. Three days later, another employee came forward to say that he had lent the man 3,000 towards the end of July and said that the IT engineer was not reachable and had unfriended the employee on Facebook. In total, the man borrowed $43,500 (37,671) from four work colleagues along with an additional 12,000 from two others giving a total of 49,671. During the investigation, the man claimed that the $20,000 borrowed from his boss for his fathers cancer treatment had been repaid but the Irish based IT specialist company discovered that the money has not been repaid and the sum is still outstanding. The company also learned that the IT engineer approached a senior leader outside his own normal management chain for a loan of 20,000 in July as his father had complications arising from his cancer treatment On July 27, 2017, another employee reported that he had been approached by the IT specialist for a loan of 12,000 and he had advised HR of this as he thought that the approach was highly unusual. No money changed hands in either case. During the course of the investigation, the IT engineer said: "Please don't ask me anything about my Dad, that is personal and you know the story there . Well I know these things can go one way or another, so if it is headed in a certain direction, then maybe it would be better now to reach an agreement and we close things off nicely. Could we talk about that?" When asked what he meant by this, the IT engineer went on to suggest that the company could come to a financial arrangement based on him being given stock options in the company. The man also revealed that LinkedIn had told him to stop spamming other LinkedIn users while his employer had refused a request for him to post a link on the company's website seeking public funding for a personal matter. On August 24, the company sacked the man for gross misconduct as a result of violating the companys expense policy. The firm stated that the dismissal was warranted by the IT engineers calculated deception to get money from his employer. The firm stated that the man has not repaid the company. During the disciplinary process, the IT engineer said that he would repay the money but he never has. The firm stated that the IT engineer owed considerable sums of money, most of which he had borrowed from his work colleagues and this was a fact that he never disclosed to his employer. The man sued for unfair dismissal at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the WRC has found that the mans claim was not well founded. The man claimed that he was not afforded the principles of natural justice in the company's disciplinary and disciplinary proceedings against him. However, the man did not turn up at the WRC hearing to advance his claim. According to WRC Adjudication Officer, Gerald McMahon the man provided no excuse for his non-attendance. The Minister for Health has welcomed a warning from the new President of the Medical Council, over misleading information following the Cervical Check scandal. Dr Rita Doyle tonight said she is concerned that the positive impact of cancer screening programmes is being lost in the issues that have emerged. Musician Tommy Peoples was a master of his craft said President Michael D Higgins, upon hearing of his death. I have learned with great sadness of the death of Tommy Peoples, the renowned Donegal fiddle player and composer, said President Higgins. Regarded as a master of his craft, Tommy engaged audiences at home and abroad with his unique style of music, playing with the Kilfenora Ceili Band, the Bothy Band, and many other legendary figures in the world of traditional music. The musician, who was aged 70, died on Friday according to his website, which describes him as the most influential fiddler of his generation. Tommy Peoples A legend has left us. A great fiddle player and composer. #TommyPeoples #RIP pic.twitter.com/6IgKPvLo2z Irish Trad and Folk (@Tradandfolk) August 4, 2018 President Higgins said Peoples received two TG4 Granam Awards Traditional Musician of the Year in 1998 and Composer of the Year in 2013 a feat that had not been achieved before or since. Peoples also had a great love of the Irish language, considering it to be a very important part of Irish life. I, with so many others, have the warmest memories of Tommy as a friend over many decades and we shall all greatly miss him, said President Higgins. The musician was born near St Johnston in East Donegal in 1948 and had his first fiddle lessons from his older first cousin, Joe Cassidy, who had been taught by their grandfather, Jimmy Peoples. Very sad to hear of the passing of Tommy Peoples. A major influence, particularly to Cormac. Our thoughts to all of his family and loved ones... ...and if you've never heard of the man, do yourself a huge favour. RIP#TommyPeoples pic.twitter.com/34Gm4SRnlD LANKUM (@LankumDublin) August 4, 2018 After moving to Dublin in 1965 where he was employed as a member of An Garda Siochana, he moved to Co Clare and married Mary Linnane, daughter of Kitty Linnane, long-time leader of the Kilfenora Ceili Band. Peoples lived in Toonagh near Ennis, Co Clare, for over 30 years. His daughter, Siobhan is a noted fiddler. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, and two sons. Another son predeceased him. His funeral Mass takes place tomorrow at noon in Ennis Cathedral with burial afterwards at Drumcliffe Cemetary. A public consultation on whether EU states should change their clocks for summertime is due to close shortly. People have until Thursday, August 16 to have their say in the European Commission consultation that was requested by citizens across the union. Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune is in favour of scrapping the clocks, describing the exercise as a relic from a bygone era that no longer serves a useful purpose. Having brighter evenings in winter would lead to improved outcomes for road safety as the roads are statistically more dangerous from the hours of 4-7pm. "There are obvious economic benefits such as reduced energy consumption because of less need for artificial light in the evenings with a consequent reduction in CO2 emissions. Brighter evenings in winter would have a positive benefit for public health, she said. Deirdre Clune The Commission said that following a number of requests from citizens, from the European Parliament, and from certain EU Member States, it has decided to investigate the functioning of the current EU summertime arrangements and to assess whether or not they should be changed. It added that in this context, it is interested in gathering the views of European citizens, stakeholders and Member States on the current EU summertime arrangements and on any potential change to those arrangements. MEP Clune said: I would encourage anyone who would like a say in this consultation to offer their views on the public consultation. Summertime arrangements in the EU require that the clocks are changed twice per year. They exist at EU level since the 1980s and are currently governed by Directive 2000/84/EC. Finland has asked that the bi-annual time switch be abandoned and Lithuania has called for a review of the current system in order to take into account regional and geographical differences. Digital Desk By Lynne Kelleher Irelands famous access to the White House on St Patricks Day is all thanks to one ambassador pain- stakingly tracing Ronald Reagans Tipperary ancestors, according to a new RTE documentary. The origin of the nations unfettered admission to the American president every March which is the envy of many countries around the world is revealed in the compelling documentary on John Humes instrumental role in the peace process. The Irish ambassador to the US from 1978 to 1981, Sean Donlon, told how former Hollywood star Reagans connection to Ballyporeen was key to the opening of the White House door to the Irish taoiseach every March 17. I had met Ronald Reagan when he was running for president and I asked him, as I would ask anyone with a name like that, how far back his Irish connections went. To my surprise he wasnt sure. We were able to eventually get the shipping records and were able to trace the president back to Ballyporeen. He had said to me during the election campaign, if you find Im Irish, I will mark it on the first St Patricks Day if Im in the White House. The documentary details how John Hume quietly but ingeniously forged links to powerful US political brokers as far back as 1972 when he got a loan from the credit union to take up an invitation to meet Ted Kennedy in Bonn, Germany. His relationship with him was very close. He trusted him absolutely, said Jean Kennedy Smith of her younger brothers friendship with the Derry teacher.It was a friendship which was to prove pivotal to the Irish cause as Humes growing influence with leading Americans led to US pressure on the British to sort out the Troubles. Nearly a decade later in 1981, Irish ambassador Sean Donlon told how President Reagan was true to his word and turned up for a St Patricks Day reception at the Irish embassy in Washington during his first year in the White House. It was also attended by legendary house speaker Tipp ONeill, and by Ted Kennedy. Tipp ONeill said to President Reagan, Next year Ill do the lunch if youll come. There was a tradition in Washington that the president never visited the Hill except for his state of union speech once a year, but on the spot, he agreed. Ever since then the speaker has had a lunch on St Patricks Day and so far, every president has attended, Mr Donlon said. Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny told how Hume had a structure and a strategy to mobilise the Irish American influence in the Senate and on Capitol Hill. Once he got that foot in that door, he kept it open. Maurice Fitzpatricks 90-minute documentary about Nobel Peace Prize-winner Mr Hume includes interviews with Bertie Ahern, two former US presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter along with former British prime ministers Tony Blair and John Major. Footage ranging from Mr Hume on the frontlines bravely trying to reason with rubber bullet-firing soldiers, to detailed accounts from all the major players in the peace process over the past five decades, leave no doubt as to his pivotal role. Bill Clinton summed up the esteem in which the softly-spoken Mr Hume is held, when he called him the Irish conflicts Martin Luther King. All the behind-the-scenes machinations by Hume in America laid the ground work for Reagans unwelcome but persistent pressure on Margaret Thatcher on the Irish issue which resulted in the Anglo-Irish Agreement which was signed in 1985.Ambassador to the US from 1997 to 2002, Sean OHuiginn, credits American pressure for the signing of landmark agreement. He said: The improbable development of Mrs. Thatcher signing the Anglo-Irish Agreement essentially came from her exasperation that every time she got together with Ronald Reagan, to manage the free world between them or for her to manage the Free World through him, he would tiresomely come up with this Irish issue In that Ronald Reagan was channelling Tipp ONeill and Ted Kennedy who were in turn were channelling John Hume. Liam Neeson narrates letters send from Tip ONeill to Ronald Reagan persistently lobbying him to bring up Ireland with Mrs. Thatcher The documentary tells of the English Prime Minister later told one of her closest association, Lord McAlpine: It was the Americans who made me do it. Jeffrey Donaldson said it was a mistake that Unionism didnt recognise earlier the way Hume was using Washington to put pressure on London to do business with Dublin. Mr Clinton related how Mr Hume never gave up on the peace process. He just believed he was on the right side of history and had read the Irish psyche properly, said the former US president. John Hume In America is on RTE One tomorrow tonight on Tuesday at 9.35pm. People are moving into a new family hub in Cork city, as details of a homeless charitys fundraising sleep-out on Spike Island were announced. Focus Ireland will host the Cork element of its annual Shine A Light sleepout on the Cork Harbour island visitor attraction on October 12, as part of its nationwide campaign to raise 1m to help more families at risk of homelessness. It hopes to encourage dozens of business people to get involved. They will be transferred from Kennedy Pier, in Cobh, to Spike Island for the night. By sleeping out for one night, you can help change the life of a man, woman, or child experiencing homelessness locally, a spokesman said. There are 10,000 homeless people in Ireland today, with children accounting for one-in-three of those accessing Focus Ireland services. The charity said it provides 38 homes in the Cork area, but plans to treble this next year. Focus Irelands Cork manager, Ger Spillane, said that there has been a 32% increase in family homelessness, and a 98% increase in youth homelessness, over the last year. From our South Mall office, our dedicated colleagues work with 124 people on a monthly basis, offering a variety of services, including advice and information, tenancy resettlement, and youth services, he said. With 317 people homeless each night in Cork city alone, our work locally is challenging, but we are committed to finding solutions, and stable, long-term accommodation for people and families. To do this, we need the continued backing of Cork people, who have already been hugely supportive. Crucially, 89c of every 1 we spend goes directly back into the services we deliver. Spike Island manager, John Crotty, said they were delighted to support the sleep-out. I feel that our location lends itself to highlighting just how isolating life can be for people who are homeless, or in danger of falling into homelessness. Meanwhile, the new family hub a temporary, supported accommodation facility has been developed in a former hostel on the Western Rd. It was acquired by Cork City Council, following funding approval from the Department of Housing. Families currently living in bed-and-breakfast or hotel accommodation have now begun moving into the 72-bed facility, which is expected to be at full occupancy within a matter of weeks. The day-to-day running of the hub is being managed by the Good Shepherd Services Ltd. Families will be able to access a family support worker and get help identifying and accessing long-term accommodation. They will also get advice on life-skills, including budgeting, parenting, meal planning, and recreation. Last year, Focus Ireland supported 191 people in Cork. It provides 180 homes for men, women, and children across the south-west and mid-west of the country. And seven young people from its youth education programmes in Cork are set to start third-level at UCC and CIT next month. Full details on the Shine A Light event are on focusireland.ie/shinealight. Funding of 1m has been announced for upgrades on our islands, including five off the Co Cork coast. The grants have been sanctioned for Sligo, Cork, Mayo, Donegal, and Galway county councils, and will fund road upgrades, pier developments, car parks and other improvement works. The Co Mayo island of Inishturk will receive a helipad, a resource that will provide further support for its population. Cork County Council has been awarded 300,000 from the Department of Heritage, Culture and the Gaeltacht, to carry out road-resurfacing and drainage works on Sherkin Island, Long Island, Whiddy Island, Bere Island, and Heir Island. The minister of state for the Irish language, the Gaeltacht, and the islands, Joe McHugh, said: These kinds of investments are about improving the lives of islanders, improving accessibility, investing in the future of island communities, and in works that will sustain and develop vital tourism offerings. Our islands are truly at the heart of what is best-loved and admired about Irish culture, and these kinds of investments demonstrate how highly we value these communities. As part of the Governments National Development Plan, my department will be investing 27m in island marine infrastructure over the next 10 years. Coney Island, off the Co Sligo coast, has been allocated 18,750, three Co Mayo islands have received 339,000 between them, while four islands off Donegal will be given 359,000. Inisbofin is the only Co Galway island to be allocated funding, of 43,613. However, a department spokesman said this is because discussions are still ongoing with Galway County Council on what other works should be done. The five selected islands off the Cork coast will receive a total of 313,500. Welcoming the announcement, Cork South West TD, Jim Daly, said the funding shows the Governments commitment to investing in rural Ireland. This investment of over 300,000 will give Cork County Council the means to begin the roadworks shortly, said Mr Daly. Karen Murray talks to a fundraiser who has personal reasons for getting on his bike to help raise vital monies for Down Syndrome Ireland. Enda OBrien takes the expression get on your bike to a whole new level. On Thursday, August 9, he will join hundreds of others to participate in the Tour de Munster, a 640-km, four-day cycle across the province in aid of the Munster branch of Down Syndrome Ireland. The first day of the 18th Tour de Munster will start in City Hall Cork takes the cyclists through Cork, Waterford, Tipperary and Limerick and on to Killaloe, Co Clare. Day two, they will meander through Limerick, Clare and north Kerry to Tralee; then day three will see them face more big climbs over the Conor Pass and Molls Gap as they make their way via Dingle and Killarney toward Kenmare. They will start the final day with a climb over the Caha Pass and finish in Cork city. The event, established by Douglas man Paul Sheridan (just call him St Paul, jokes Enda), has had a life-changing impact on the lives of countless people through its fundraising efforts. Since its inception, Tour de Munster has raised approximately 2 million for its beneficiaries; and for DSI alone, it has raised almost 1.5m. Tralee man Enda and his wife Jill are both heavily invested in the work of the DSI. Their son Hugh, now 24, has Down Syndrome the family knows first hand what kind of supports are required and how important fundraising is at grassroots level The organisation receives no state funding everyone who participates in the Tour de Munster has to pay their own way, as well as raise sponsorship and pay for their own training. Enda, who is the grandson of Antarctic explorer Tom Crean, has been involved with the Kerry branch of DSI for a long time and acted until treasurer until recently. Hes been pretty active already this year. To mark the official partnership between Tour de Munster and DSI Munster branches as the main beneficiary, Kerry DSI hosted a 75km event called the Unsung Hero Cycle which paid homage to his famous grandfather and also remembered DSI Kerry member Emily Keohane who died last year. Enda says: Last year, the Tour de Munster raised 259,000. It will be used to fund things the HSE cant provide, like physio for example. Jill explains that their involvement with DSI Kerry goes back to shortly after having Hugh, their second child. The couple have three other adult children, Maeve, 26, Marcus, 21 and Pierse, 18. When Hugh was born, we went to the local support group and I ended up being committee secretary for a few years, Jill explains. Things were different then there was less focus on children with Down syndrome going into mainstream education or on early intervention services. Now change is afoot but it has taken a lot of time and effort. English-born Jill trained as a teacher but was unable to teach here as she has no Irish. But through her work with the support group, she trained in special needs education and now works in this field. What is so important is that parents want their children to go to the same school, they dont want their child to have to travel 20 miles away to a special needs school, she emphasises the importance of allowing children with Down syndrome to be integrated into mainstream schools. For the first 10 years involvement with the DSI, Jill acted on an advisory capacity for parents of babies born with Down syndrome. The hospital passed on her number to new parents and she was available to give advice on supports or just lend a friendly ear. As her own boy grew into adulthood, this advisory role has passed on to other parents with younger children. The support within the DSI and particularly at local level is invaluable, she says. She has a lot of friends who are supportive but believes only people who have a Down syndrome child can truly grasp the situation. We all have a special brand of understanding about Down syndrome that is really beyond words. When you have a special needs child, you have to be very proactive. You will only get what you want if you make a lot of noise. The money that events such as the Tour de Munster raises goes towards paying for various services, such as speech and language therapy and physical therapy. Children with Down syndrome can often have delayed speech and problems with movement. If you miss the critical window, it can impact the childs entire development, explains Jill. The children and young adults with Down syndrome are at all different levels - some are independent, some are not, but they have a right to develop to their maximum. And the support doesnt end when they reach 18. DSI also runs a two-year course for adults with Down syndrome entitled Latch On, which originated in Queensland, Australia, and focuses on literacy and technology. We employ teachers and assistants to teach life skills and self-esteem its a holistic approach, says Jill. Its important to see people with different levels of ability be able to take an active part in life. They have an absolute right to do this. Enda agrees: Everything we do is focused on the child, he says. The cycle is a big operation logistically and the training is intense. Yes, its tough but theres great camaraderie. Visit www.tourdemunster.com and check out their Facebook and Twitter pages. The declining numbers of clergy and of church-goers, and our new, multicultural society pose challenges to our Catholic-identity communities, says Fr Eamonn Fitzgibbon. The notion of parish is deeply embedded in Irish culture. A parish gives us a sense of where we are from and where we belong. It is tied up with our sense of identity and place. Partly because of the GAAs parish rule and the proliferation of clubs throughout Ireland, and partly as a means of marking territory and setting boundaries, the Irish parish has always been about more than religion. But being Irish and being Catholic were conflated and the Catholic Church was such a dominant cultural presence that ones parish was only ever partly the worshipping community to which one belonged. It was also your club, your community, and your home place. Because the huge majority in Ireland were Catholic, the geographical territory of the parish was synonymous with the Catholic parish. The Irish parish was primarily territorial. Sporting rivalries generated pride in the parish. But the GAAs club/parish system has come under pressure, particularly in rural areas, as clubs amalgamate and deep (and sometimes bitter) inter-parish rivalries are set aside to create new clubs, formed from a number of parishes. And many Catholic dioceses are grouping ecclesial parishes into clusters and pastoral areas. The changes in Irish society have resulted in a similar change in how we understand parish. Because of a rapidly declining number of clergy, and a parallel decline in religious practice and in the numbers of people who self-declare as Catholic, one can no longer presume that the people within a particular territory equate with the membership of a Catholic parish. Marriage is a good touchstone of the change in Ireland; Catholic ceremonies regularly accounted for 90% of marriages in the 1990s. Today, the figure stands at 50% The provision of education in faith-based parish schools has also generated much debate and there is a recognition that, here, too, change is needed to reflect the more pluralist society in which we now live. Increasing numbers of immigrants have resulted in a far more varied religious demography. The declining numbers of clergy available to work in parish ministry have also had a very significant impact. The local priest was traditionally at the centre of the parish and often when people said we have a great parish, one could safely conclude they had a great priest. Parishes were clergy-dependent and overly-identified with the parish priest. In surveying what the Irish parish has become, and in recognising how dramatically this is changing, we can legitimately ask if the Irish parish does, in fact, have a future at all. Is it simply an out-dated and redundant way of being Church? Encouragingly, in Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis says that the parish is not an outdated institution. However, he also warns against becoming a useless structure out of touch with people and says that the relevance of the parish depends on its flexibility, adaptivity, openness, and ability for self-renewal. There is an urgent need to now rediscover what, in fact, the parish is meant to be. A few weeks after visiting Ireland, in 1979, Pope John Paul II said [The parish] must rediscover its vocation, which is to be a fraternal and welcoming family. Primarily, parish is about people. It is, as Pope Francis reminds us, a community of communities. The Irish parish in the future will be less about administration, clericalism, the institution, rules and regulations. A parish is not a commercial franchise or a local branch office. Neither is it a service station, where clients call for a weekly top-up or to avail of other services, as required. It is, in fact, the living body of Christ, made up of believers who care for each other as a vibrant, faith-filled community. Parishes are essential to the universal Church, as they guarantee the Churchs presence locally. Our parishes in the future will be lay-led and we will experience far more ministry exercised at local level by lay people giving full expression to their baptismal call In the past, Ireland, throughout the monastic period and the more recent missionary movements, brought its experience and learning to many parts of the world. It is now time for us to look to the experience elsewhere and receive the wisdom garnered by others. Other countries have faced and addressed the challenges now confronting the Catholic Church in Ireland. We need to be open, generous, and humble enough to allow that learning to inform us, as we try to ensure parishes can be all that they are called to be. Fr Eamonn Fitzgibbon is director of the Irish Institute for Pastoral Studies at Mary Immaculate Colleges campus in Thurles. The institute hosts a two-day conference, the Future of the Irish Parish, on August 28 and 29, with speakers including Cardinal John Dew, Dr Margaret Lavin, and Bishop Michael Wuestenberg. irishinstituteforpastoralstudies.com A societys response to a social problem depends on the resources available and its commitment to social obligation. These ideas are neatly, albeit vaguely, captured in that challenged philosophy, the social contract. The sidelining of that idea, one that strengthened the West for nearly a century, is a reason dangerous extremism is again such a threat. A society as rich as Oman can confront population growth and a housing shortage by building a city. Five years ago Duqm, about 480km from Muscat, was a dusty village. Today it is a city in the making. It shows how to engineer a positive response to a social problem. Shannon in a desert, if you like. A symptom of a far less positive response was Londons Grenfell Tower catastrophe last year. This was a building in an affluent area for people whose housing options, because of their income, were limited. Materials used in the building and a very loose local authority commitment to maintenance meant the fire spread very quickly. To describe Grenfell Tower as Kensingtons servants quarters may not be entirely accurate but it is pretty close to todays harsh truth. London offers a stark example of how housing costs are changing the character of the city. More importantly, housing costs are changing the lives of ordinary Londoners in a life-draining way. Grenfell Tower. Many cannot afford to live in the communities where they were born, raised, and now work, so they are condemned to be commuters, stuck on a mind-numbing hamster wheel because workers on average pay nurses, teachers, police, retail workers and local authority employees, societys backbone cannot even dream of buying a home in greater London. Dublin is caught in this developers and banks pincer movement, as was highlighted when musician David Kitt spoke about having to leave the city because he cannot afford a home there. He joins tens of thousands who work in Dublin but live as far away as Carlow or Portlaoise, Drogheda or Belfast. What a sentence this is for citizens and their families, whose only crime is to earn an average wage. Last week, Fr Peter McVerry warned that our Government was ideologically incapable of resolving the housing crisis. That charge may be made, too, about the hamster-wheel commuting, average-income housing crisis. This is confirmed by figures that show that a third of more than 100m first-time buyers grants covered properties costing up to 300,000. That some 5.61% went on homes costing more than 450,000 raises another set of questions, especially as there are so many empty buildings and sites in our cities. It is not too late to crack this nut in most Irish cities. Decentralisation has a role to play, as have taxes on empty sites and buildings. Maybe the idea of ring-fencing a proportion of land in any given area for affordable housing is worth consideration. However, unless we adopt a new attitude towards development, finance, wages, and social equity, we will have only ourselves to blame when this polarisation turns our lives into something far, far grimmer. Once again we face a choice between property rights and social justice, a choice weve long-fingered for far too long. From the Archive The Price of Disunity The article, The Price of Disunity, as it appeared in The Irrawaddy Magazine's August 2008 issue. To mark the 30th anniversary of the 1988 uprising, The Irrawaddy is revisiting some of its past articles about the event. In this article from August 2008, the author reflects on what the countrys democracy movement had achieved over the first 20 years. In this 20th year of Burmas democracy movement its time to ask what it has achieved in those two decades. Is it any nearer now to its goal? For answers, one only needs to look at the fates of five veterans of the events of August 1988. They marched together in those days of hope and bloodshed. And where are they now? In hiding somewhere in Rangoon is Tun Myint Aung, a 20-year-old student in 1988. Since then he has been in and out of five different prisons. Now hes on the run, a 40-year-old activist who has seen enough of prison life. In exile in Mae Sot, ThailandTin Aye, who spent 16 years in jail after participating in the 1988 uprising. Exile offers him his only hope of freedom now. In a cell in Insein Prison, RangoonNoble Aye, Tin Ayes girlfriend, finds herself serving a second sentence in Burmas most notorious jail. In Chiang Mai, ThailandAung Naing Oo and Nyo Ohn Myint, who also chose exile rather than a life on the run from a ruthless regime. Back in Rangoon, the youth wing of the National League for Democracy (NLD) that Nyo Ohn Myint helped to found still works against all odds to keep the movement alive. Aung Naing Oo used to be foreign affairs secretary of Burmas only student army, the All Burma Students Democratic Front, which was founded in 1988. These five individuals, representatives of thousands facing oppression in Burma and hardship abroad, provide a picture of Burmas pro-democracy movement and of the political makeup of a country ruled for the past 46 years by authoritarianism and militarism. Although their individual lives took different routes, they share one common goalthe establishment of democracy in their tortured country. After 20 years, that aim seems as elusive as ever. But why? Its no longer a question of the inability of an incapable junta to run the country or of its ruthless repression of its own people. Nor is it a question of the failure of pressure by the international community and sanctions. Perhaps 20 years is not long enough for fundamental change to occur in a country ruled for so long by a repressive regime, even though it seems like an eternity for dissidents who have devoted their lives to the pursuit of democracy. Many believe its time for serious soul searching, which could lead to a new impetus. I think our politicians are naive and no more than activists, said activist-turned-political analyst Aung Naing Oo. They dont know how to take power and they have no strategic policies. In the 1988 uprising, political leaders just followed the people, they didnt lead the people. It wasnt for want of trying, however. Soon after students initiated the popular uprising, influential figures and politicians joined the movement and tried to lead itincluding Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of independence hero Aung San. The country was overwhelmed by a mood of exuberance and a general hope for democratic change and the end of authoritarian rule. But it was all a mirage. Never in our history did we have such an excellent combination of influential political figures, such as Daw Suu, U Aung Gyi and U Nu, said Aung Naing Oo. But sadly, those leaders couldnt grab that opportunity. Such a window of opportunity at the right moment could not stay open for long. Unfortunately, those three influential figures followed their own path, ignoring unity. If they had been united, the story might have turned out differently. When the military couldnt control the country anymore, they should have been united, forming an interim government or offering negotiations under a civilian government. There was a civilian government in place, led by Dr Maung Maung who was appointed president after the overthrow of Ne Win and his successor Sein Lwin, the butcher of Rangoon. One of the 1988 movements terrible failures was indeed its lack of unity. Most activists and politicians approached on that question by The Irrawaddy admitted as much. Unity wasand still isthe one thing that strikes fear in the heart of any authoritarian government. It was the most effective weapon Burmas pro-democracy forces could hope to wield, yet it never came within their grasp. The lack of unity provided room for the authoritarian, military regime. Even the main opposition party, the NLD, formed under the leadership of such influential figures as Aung San Suu Kyi, former Brig-Gen Aung Gyi and former Gen Tin Oo, was unable to achieve unity. Aung Gyi, for instance, broke ranks and formed his own party. Divisions within the anti-authoritarian forces existed long before the events of 1988, noted Tin Aye, a leader of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions during the uprising. We were divided since we resisted British rule in the early 20th century, he said. Tin Aye recalled one meeting in 1988 where an initiative for cooperation again failed because of lack of unity. People say its because of the divide-and-rule policy practiced by the British colonizers. But if youre strong and united enough, no one can divide you. Standing for truth and justice isnt enough, according to Tun Myint Aung, a leader of the influential 88 Generation Students group, all of whose leaders are now in prison. We firmly hold to truth and justice. But I saw that just holding those virtues in our hands didnt work. No one can deny that we are on the side of truth and the people. And we continue to think that thats why we have to win this struggle one day. But the question is: when will that day come? In the days of our great-grandchildren? The opposition movement was prepared to make more sacrifices, he said. But what we have to consider seriously is whether our sacrifices alone will actually bring victory. Since 1988, thousands of political activists were thrown into the juntas notorious prisons and jails and at least 137 political prisoners have died behind bars, according to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma). Following the harsh crackdown on the 1988 uprising, hundreds of thousands of activists were forced into exile. Tun Myint Aung said that apart from being prepared for personal sacrifice, political leaders should focus more on practical strategy, clear leadership and unity. One of the policies almost all political leaders stuck to in the 1988 uprising and in later years, particularly after the 1990 election, was to push the military back into the barracks, its natural home. Suu Kyi was among those who pressed this policy, recalling that when her father founded the Burmese army he had said its role was not to oppress the people. Nyo Ohn Myint, now head of the foreign affairs committee of the exiled National League for Democracy (Liberated Area), said: I think that approach was extreme. One of our weak policies was to say: you are with us or against us. There was no middle position. You couldnt become a political leader unless you used ruder, harsher, more insulting words against the military regime. Consequently, both sides always approached each other with annihilation rather than compromise in mind, he said. The NLD was proud of itself after winning a landslide in the 1990 elections, Nyo Ohn Myint said. The result of the election made the party members ambitious beyond reality. They wanted the political upper-hand. Viewing the result of the 1990 election as an end game was totally wrong, he said. Most NLD politicians wanted the regime to hand over the power to the party, but this only resulted in the military leaders moving still further away from national reconciliation, according to Nyo Ohn Myint. Burma in 1988 and the early 1990s was a battlefield, he said. Daw Suu resembled a commander and our soldiers were the people. We appeared to be waging war against a real, strong army. When our troops were destroyed by the military, we couldnt rebuild our forces. At that time, most of us [activists as well as politicians] just had three or four months experience in politics, but we became policy makers in the NLD, said Nyo Ohn Myint. Wrongly, we injected our emotions into NLD policy. In fact, it was just a bull fight. The majority of the Burmese people approved of such a strong stance and were against compromise, Nyo Ohn Nyint said. All of us thought the perfect victory would come soon after seeing the huge uprising of 1988. Aung Naing Oo said: Bogyoke [independence hero Aung San] liked a line from the poem Invictus by the British poet William Earnest Henley: My head is bloody, but unbowed. Weve also grown up with such courage. Then he added: On the other hand, we need engagement. Aung Naing Oo said it was hardly surprising that opposition political leaders were against compromise with the military regime since they couldnt achieve it among themselves. His appeal was: Dont isolate the army and dont put them in the dark. We need to try to get them out into the light. Otherwise, change wont happen. No one knew how to persuade the military leaders to move into the light, however. History has shown that the junta has never had the political will. Aung Naing Oo believed the NLD should announce a clear power-sharing proposal to the junta rather than call for unconditional dialogue for national reconciliation. Burmese politics is polarized, he said. Perhaps we might need to find extreme solutions. Can we annihilate the junta by bombing it? Its impossible. How about complete engagement with the junta? Thats impossible too. A middle way of negotiation doesnt work either, he said. So we seriously need to do some soul searching. We need a result-oriented way of thinking about how to proceed. It would be fine to have made mistakes for just one or two yearsbut not for 20 years. From the Archive An Unsung 88 Hero Gets His Due U Nay Win displays a certificate he was awarded in 2014 for assisting journalists in 1988. / The Irrawaddy This month marks the 30th anniversary of the nationwide protests in 1988 that launched Myanmars pro-democracy movement. For four months that year, and at great personal risk, U Nay Min served as an unofficial stringer supplying information about the ongoing protests and government crackdowns to foreign journalists. In commemoration of his contribution to the struggle, the The Irrawaddy revisits a profile of U Nay Min published in 2014. RANGOON To an old telephone at his home in Rangoon, for four months he received four calls a day, at specified times. Already knowing who was on the other end of the line, Nay Min picked up the receiver to dictate information that he had from newsgathering in a country hardly welcoming of such activities. Outside, students were staging protests against the government of Gen. Ne Win and his heavy-handed tactics to suppress their pro-democracy demonstrations. It was late July, 1988. For all his efforts to inform the world about demonstrations that would culminate in a nationwide protest known as the 8888 Uprising on Aug. 8, 1988, Nay Min is not among the canonized pro-democracy crusaders who helped topple Burmas single-party rule system more than 25 years ago. At that time, I had to keep my identity secret for fear of government retribution, the 68-year-old told The Irrawaddy. Plus, I feel embarrassed to say, You see, thats what I did. But his preference for anonymity suddenly came to an end during a panel discussion at the East-West Center International Media Conference in Rangoon on Monday, when he was surprised by a trio of fellow journalists who honored him with a certificate recognizing his courage and conviction in 1988. For four months that year, and at great personal risk, Nay Min served as an unofficial stringer supplying information about the ongoing protests and government crackdowns to Christopher Gunness from the BBCs World Service, who was based in neighboring Bangladesh as an international correspondent. Veteran journalist Bertil Lintner, who writes extensively about Burma and was one of the three journalists who honored Nay Min this week, told The Irrawaddy that he felt the Burmese who supplied news from within the country to journalists on the outside should be remembered and honored. We would not have been able to do our job without their support, Lintner said. U Nay Min was the one who had to suffer the most because of the job he did, therefore we wanted to honor him and the work he did. Back in 1988, Burma was known as one of the most reclusive countries in the world, and press freedom was nonexistent. Foreign journalists were barred from entering the country. As much of the outside world remained in the dark on happenings in Burma, public discontent over the regimes mismanagement of the national economy was mounting. University students took to the streets en masse and were brutally suppressed. The countrys situation at that time was on the brink of explosion, Nay Min recalled. Trained as a lawyer, Nay Min found himself in early months of 1988 serving as a volunteer advocate for students unlawfully arrested by the regime for their participation in anti-government protests. He had no journalism background, but showed an uncommon aptitude for newsgatheringand discretion. U Nay Min is also a man of great integrity and would often say, I heard this, but dont use it until I have checked it, the BBCs Gunness told The Irrawaddy. As anti-government protests gathered steam in late July, Nay Min was contacted by Gunness and managed to send information to him via a land-line telephone. Prior to Aug. 8, and based on Nay Mins work, the BBC reported that there would be a nationwide demonstration against the Ne Win regime on that fateful day, and the predicted protest came to fruition. As a result, more and more people in Burma tuned into the BBC to glean the latest information on the protest movement. Nay Min even got a personal call from Aung San Suu Kyi, who rang him to clarify rumors that she was leading protests on the streets of Rangoon. She told me, Please say in your report that Im not taking part in the protests, he remembered. Gunness acknowledged that Nay Mins eyes and ears on the ground in Rangoon a quarter-century ago were pivotal to the BBC reports closely followed by the Burmese audience in 1988. When I was in Burma in August [for the Silver Jubilee celebration of the 8888 Uprising last year] people kept telling me about my own role, but the true hero of 1988 is U Nay Min, he told The Irrawaddy in an email. Of course there were many students and activists of all ages who were brave beyond imagination, but U Nay Mins role was pivotal, as I told journalists and others repeatedly when I was in Burma and as I now say again, the former BBC correspondent said. But when the government staged a bloody crackdown on demonstrators on the night of Aug. 8 in downtown Rangoon, Nay Min said he faced a moment of deep moral uncertainty. When I learned about the crackdown, I broke into tears as I felt guilty because it was me who broke the news that there would be a huge protest on that day, he said. If I hadnt said anything, people wouldnt have known and they wouldnt have joined it. For his reporting he was arrested twice, spending 16 years in prison and suffering severe torture at the hands of authorities. During stints in solidarity confinement, he slept on a concrete floor and used a plate as a pillow. I no longer have my molars. They are gone not because of my old age but because of interrogation sessions I went through, he said. These days, in his late 60s, Nay Min spends most of his time meditating, and said he holds no grudge against the former military government for what its leaders did to him. But, like most other former political prisoners, he insisted that the military government has to admit to their wrongdoing. Asked to consider the ethics and impact of his actions nearly 26 years ago, he said he believed he had done the right thing, helping to show the world what was happening inside Burma and contributing to the countrys transition from single- to multi-party rule. Nobody can deny that the single-party rule was toppled by the 88 Uprising, he said. And all these years later, is Nay Min pleased with Burmas political landscape today? No. So far weve only got what the government wants to give, from political prisoners [release] to constitutional amendment issues. Its quite despairing. Food Bookworm? Foodie? Both? This New Yangon Eatery Caters to You Quick and Easy Food and Books in Yangons Sanchaung Township. / Aung Kyaw Htet YANGONIn Yangon, the number of new restaurants, bars and coffee shops is increasing daily, and their owners are trying to distinguish themselves with their own themes. One new spot, Quick and Easy, is doing this by offering a fun mix of food and books. The shop is located on Shan Kone Street in the citys Sanchaung Township. Its easy to find; just look for the large Q&E sign out front. Last week, I visited the shop during the afternoon and a few guests were there. The shops entrance is decorated with some plants and a few digital art versions of famous movie posters. But what really grabbed my attention were the three big bookshelves. Q&E was opened by three young men looking to create a place where people can come to discuss books, movies, art and food, said co-founder Nay Thar, a doctor and former program presenter at MRTV-4. The shop was opened three months ago. We created it as a place to chill for foodies, bookworms and art lovers, but the main focus is food and books, he said. He added, Whether spending time with friends or alone, we hope customers will find great conversation or something else to enjoy while visiting our shop. We have excellent Wi-Fi; some foreigners are constantly searching for shops with decent Wi-Fi for work or just to browse online. We just hope our customers get something worthwhile from visiting. The decor is a mix of books, art, movie posters and other decorative items and is an Instagram-friendly place to take photos, catering to the popular youth trend. Social media is one of the main ways we market ourselves. Some customers visit the shop, take a photo and upload it onto social media. So, word of mouth has spread quickly and the shop has become popular during the past three months, Nay Thar said. So, I thank all of our customers. The shop has many quality books both in Myanmar and English, some of them translated, including fiction titles, comic series, books on famous movies and many others. You can also buy the books. I want to create a library but I need more books before I can call it that. So, I will collect them first, then I will loan the books out to our regular customers using membership cards or something like that, Nay Thar said. Bookstores have only begun to spring up in Yangon in the past few years, and book rental outlets are few and far between. So the culture of reading is still unfamiliar to many youth, he added. Young people love to read; the problem is that bookstores are scarce and no one wants to travel a long way to buy a book. People want something nearby. Our long-term plan is to open branches in different townships, Nay Thar said. The shop has an extensive food menu including Thai, Chinese and Korean dishes. Actually, our initial plan was to offer a few light dishes, in line with our name, but Im a foodie, so I couldnt help adding more items, including some more elaborate dishes, Nay Thar said. The shop has a Rakhine chef and offers a few dishes from the region. Some of the ingredients are specially ordered from Rakhine State, he said. The Tea Leaf Chicken Curry (4,500 kyats) features traditional flavors prepared in a new-wave style. The bitter taste of the tea leaves nicely complements the tender, sweet chicken. I loved it and it goes perfectly with rice. The Arakan-Style Vegetable Salad (2,000 kyats) is a spicy salad with dried trumpet flowers and glass noodles. I cant eat spicy food but this one was really tasty. If you have a taste for hot dishes, I recommend it. I tried a new item on Q&Es menu that was trending on social media, the Korea Yangnyeom Spicy Chicken (4,500 kyats). It features chicken pieces dipped in tempura powder and cooked with yangnyeom sauce. Despite the name, its not that spicy, and the flavor is sweet. This one was fine but I would have preferred less yangnyeom sauce. Dishes cost between 2,000 and 4,500 kyats. Given the great flavors, excellent service and pleasant vibe on offer at Q&E, these are very reasonable prices. They also have inexpensive coffee and soft drinks, so Quick and Easy is a great place to spend some quality time with good food and books. Nay Thar said the shop reflects his favorite things and hobbies. He tries to communicate with customers in a very personal way and he believes that like-minded people will love it. He said he is still working on creating a place thats chock full of books, movie memorabilia, art, food and a great atmosphere. There are many new shops opening in Yangon with a similar theme, but Im not trying to compete with them. I will focus on providing my customers with the best possible service. Get Directions Asia South Korea's Diehard Trump Supporters Hail 'Guardian of Liberty' Members of a conservative right-wing civic group salute to an American flag during an anti-North Korea and pro-US protest in Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday. / Reuters SEOUL Every time an image of US President Donald Trump appears on TV in South Korea, 69-year-old Vietnam War veteran Chung Seung-jin solemnly salutes. The US flag Chung keeps in his home in Seoul gets similar respect every morning. I salute President Trump and the US flag every day to show how much I trust him, Chung told Reuters as he attended a recent anti-North Korea rally in sweltering summer heat in downtown Seoul. I salute to pay respect to Mr. Trump, supporting his reign as the leader of the world and guardian of liberty. For many South Korean conservatives who liked Trumps initial tough talk against North Koreas Kim Jong Un, his abrupt embrace of the autocratic leader at their historic Singapore summit in June was nothing short of a betrayal. Trump, who ridiculed Kim as rocket man last year, has since called the North Korean leader funny and smart and even praised his ability to retain his authoritarian grip on power. Trump said Kim is an amazing leader, thus legitimizing him. This makes us, the patriotic citizens, feel betrayed, said Cho Won-jin, leader of the right-wing Korean Patriots Party. But for a colorful handful of Trump supporters who gather regularly on the streets of Seoul to call for aggressive action against North Korea, faith in the US president is unshaken. I have saluted Trump today as always with utmost sincerity, said 76-year-old demonstrator Lee Yoon-jo, nodding at a large picture of a beaming Trump at a demonstration in downtown Seoul. As he saluted, demonstrators held giant US and South Korean flags in front of the US Embassy, alongside banners in Korean and English reading The United States is a thankful brother country that has been devoted to a free Korea. Gratitude for US support in the 1950-1953 Korean War as well as anti-communist rhetoric used by the Souths military rulers in the 1970s still resonate with many older South Koreans, said analyst Jeong Chan-dae of Sungkonghoe University. To these elderly conservatives, the US is more than just an ally and more of a savior,' he said. Holding a faded black-and-white photograph from his time he fought alongside American allies in the Vietnam War in 1968, Chung said: Without the US, South Korea would never have been able to exist. Trump and Kim met in Singapore in June, where they announced an agreement in which Kim reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to denuclearize. Little progress on that front has been made in the weeks since. A Gallup Korea poll conducted just after the summit found 48 percent of South Korean conservatives thought the meeting went well, compared to 79 percent of progressives. Standing on a corner in Seoul, surrounded by flags and anti-North Korean banners, the small knot of demonstrators are unfazed by the shift in tone, noting that Trump could still resort to regime change if a denuclearization deal doesnt pan out. President Trump has always masterfully guided and protected South Korea and the free world and always will, Lee said, again giving a military salute. Thank you, Mr. President. Burma 30 Years On, Aspirations of '88 Uprising Still Elusive People attend an event marking the 30th anniversary of the '88 uprising at Yangon University on Monday. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy YANGON Thirty years ago this week, the rain-slicked roads of downtown Yangon ground to a halt as Myanmar trembled with the peoples determination to oust dictator Ne Win, who had been oppressing them since 1962. On Aug. 8, the entire country took to the streets with columns of demonstrators from all walks of life joining in, demanding democracy and asking the authorities to abolish the dictators one-party rule. Named after that nationwide protest on Aug. 8, 1988, the 8888 uprising was a major shift in Myanmars modern history. Political analysts at home and abroad agree that, despite ending in a bloody military coup, the uprising raised the publics political awareness, which in turn paved the way for changes that brought Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) to power 28 years later. We joined it because we could no longer bear the rule. All we wanted at the time was to kick the government out, said Ko Mya Aye, one of the student leaders from Yangon University who joined the protest. He is one of the members of the 88 Generation Students, a prominent former student activist group named after the uprising they were an important part of. With the country now gearing up to mark the 30th anniversary of the uprising on Wednesday, this is the time to reflect on the legacy of a movement that saw hundreds of protesters shot dead or sentenced to long prison sentences for their involvement. I have to say that Myanmar now is not fully where we envisioned it would be in 1988, Ko Mya Aye said on Monday. Despite their unanimous call for full-fledged democracy in 1988, Ko Mya Aye said, Myanmar today is coping with a guided democracy based on a military-drafted constitution and is still accused of being undemocratic despite an elected civilian government led by the NLD. As we dont have a full-fledged democracy, equality among ethnicities and their self-determination are still far away, he said. Fellow student leader U Ko Ko Gyi agreed with his friend but said that Myanmar has seen some political progress over the past three decades. He noted the end of one-party rule, vibrant student and trade unions across the country and a democratically elected government as positive changes brought about by the uprising. But with 25 percent of reserved seats for the military in Parliament and three important ministries [defense, border affairs and home affairs] in its grasp, full-fledged democracy in Myanmar has a long way to go, he said. U Ko Ko Gyi also lamented that there has been little progress settling the ongoing fighting between ethnic armed groups and the military or forming a democratic federal union. We all have to work hard for them, he said. Celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the 88 uprising are now underway at Yangon University and will run until Wednesday with exhibitions and public discussions on topics including ethnic equality, federalism, dictatorship, Myanmar politics and the three decades of the democratic movement. Burma Kyaukphyu SEZ Project Awarded to China for Lack of Options, Ex-Minister Says A China National Petroleum Corporation gas terminal, part of the Kyaukphyu SEZ, is seen on the outskirts of Kyaukphyu Township, Rakhine State, in 2016. / Moe Myint / The Irrawaddy NAYPYITAWMyanmars government did not want Chinese investment in the deep-sea port and special economic zone (SEZ) projects in Rakhine States Kyaukphyu, said U Kan Zaw, who served as minister for national planning and economic development under U Thein Seins administration. The previous government expected investment from the US and EU in the two projects, U Kan Zaw, who also served as chairman of the Kyaukphyu SEZ project tender selection committee, told The Irrawaddy in an exclusive interview. We invited tenders from international developers. Frankly speaking, we didnt want China to come, but Hong Kong developers submitted tenders. We expected US and EU developers to come, but they didnt, the former minister said. China International Trust and Investment Corporation (CITIC) won contracts for the two projects in 2015. The deep-sea port project was initially valued at $7.3 billion and the SEZ at $2.7 billion. Under the terms of the deal, CITIC will build and then operate the project for 50 years with a potential extension of an additional 25 years. According to the initial agreement signed with U Thein Seins administration, CITIC took an 85 percent stake in the deep-sea port and a 51 percent stake in the SEZ. However, amid political sensitivity surrounding Chinese investment in Myanmar, CITIC agreed to drop its ownership stake from 85 to 70 percent, according to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. New ownership stakes in the SEZ have yet to be finalized. U Kan Zaw said that over 95 percent of lawmakers voted in favor of the project during the Union Parliament session on Dec. 31, 2015. The project was explained to the Union Parliament in detail. The state counselor [who was then a lawmaker] was also present during the decision-making process at the parliament session and related meetings chaired by U Shwe Mann [former Lower House speaker], he said. There was a 95 percent yes vote because the NLD [National League for Democracy] also supported it, he added. The decision was made according to the majority vote, which included votes by the Arakanese lawmakers, he said. I dont agree that the project was not transparent. I have a clear conscience and can take responsibility for it, said U Kan Zaw. U Ba Shein, however, a Lower House lawmaker representing Kyaukphyu Township, said that Arakanese lawmakers did not support the 85-15 stake ratio between China and Myanmar. Lawmakers were, however, able to debate with concerned ministers about the projects under President U Thein Seins administration, he added. We could debate with concerned ministers about the project under the previous government. But under this government we are informed about nothing. We dont know more than what is reported in newspapers, he said. The NLD hasnt informed our ANP [Arakan National Party] of anything. The value [of the project] has dropped because China has dropped it. So it is clear that the owner of the project is China, U Ba Shein added. Due to concerns over the projects potential to become a debt trap, the NLD-led government has decided to reduce the value of the deep-sea project from $7.3 billion to $1.3 billion, said U Set Aung, deputy minister for finance and planning and chairman of the Kyaukphyu SEZ management committee. At a meeting in Beijing in December, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to establish an economic corridor connecting Kyaukphyu to Kunming, in Chinas landlocked Yunnan Province. Burma Myanmar's Indigenous People Fight 'Fortress' Conservation A view shows Ei Thu Ta, a camp for displaced Karens, along the Salween River in Myanmar on Nov. 17, 2014. / Reuters BANGKOK Saw Ma Bus family has lived in the mountainous forests of Myanmars Karen State for generations, farming and fishing in the Salween River, even as a decades-long armed conflict raged in the region. Now, he says, they fear their way of life is under threat as the government declares swathes of forest in indigenous Karen homelands as protected areas. Saw Ma Bu and other community leaders have drawn up their own plan to conserve the forest, preserve their traditions and livelihoods, and be a model for indigenous lands elsewhere in the country. Under their proposal, the Karen people would manage the Salween Peace Park, a 5,200-square-km area on Myanmars eastern frontier with Thailand. The Peace Park is built on the culture and traditions of the indigenous Karen people. Conservation and coexistence with the environment is a fact of life for us, and essential for our survival, said Saw Ma Bu. Myanmar officials have not yet agreed to their proposal. Saw Ma Bu has seen protected areas uprooting indigenous people elsewhere in the country and is keeping a close watch on neighboring Tanintharyi Region, where Karen people also live. Civil society groups there have opposed the creation of large protected areas, saying they could force people from their homes and prevent those who fled fighting from returning. Saw Ma Bu said the Peace Park would ensure that his community retains the rights to their traditional land. In the governments plans for conservation there is no recognition of the territorial rights of our customary land and forest, or our traditional agricultural methods, he said. His concerns are mirrored amongst indigenous groups around the world, according to the advocacy organization Rights and Research International (RRI). Indigenous and local communities own more than half the worlds land under customary rights. Yet they only have secure legal rights to 10 percent, RRI said. The rapid growth of protected areas from Peru to Indonesia is exacerbating their vulnerability: More than 250,000 people in 15 countries were evicted because of protected areas from 1990 to 2014, according to data compiled by RRI. Careful negotiation Land under protected areas tripled between 1980 and 2005, and as much as 80 percent of those areas overlapped with indigenous land, RRI said in a report published in June. This creates a near-constant state of confrontation and potential for conflict and violence, including evictions and killings, said Janis Alcorn, a co-author of the report. Indigenous people and local communities have been conserving their land and forests for centuries. But the rise of fortress conservation is forcing them from their homes, hurting people and forests alike, she said. In Karen State, where the Karen National Union (KNU) fought for autonomy for more than six decades, the conflict has killed hundreds and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes, rights groups say. The KNU and the Myanmar government reached a ceasefire agreement in 2012, ending their armed confrontation, although relations remain tense. Government plans for protected areas in the region could undermine the fragile peace by jeopardizing the livelihoods and wellbeing of Karen people, said Hsa Moo at the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN). That is one reason the Peace Park is so important, she added. Community organizers have held consultations with the nearly 10,000 households within the proposed park and have mapped their customary land and community forests with careful negotiation and consensus, she said. It is our hope the Myanmar government will recognize that respecting indigenous and community rights and strengthening local livelihoods is a step towards achieving meaningful and equitable peace, she said. A government official pointed out that a law passed this year enables indigenous people and villagers to apply for a permit to establish a so-called community conserved protected area. Engagement with the local communities lies at the very heart of safeguarding key biodiversity areas, Win Naing Tha, director of Myanmars forests department, said in an email. Local communities will be active participants of community forestry and promoting community conserved areas, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Ridge to reef That promise is being tested as the government launches its ambitious Ridge to Reef Project, which covers about one third of Tanintharyi Region and overlaps with some areas that the KNU says are contested. The $21-million project covers 1.4 million hectares and includes forests, mangroves, islands and marine systems. Officials say that declaring the area as protected is essential to conserve threatened wildlife and mitigate damage from deforestation, illegal logging and industrial development. Campaigners say the protected area proposals were made without the free, prior and informed consent of communities. The protected area could make farming illegal, prevent refugees from returning and uproot more than 16,000 indigenous people, including many Karen, according to the advocacy group Conservation Alliance Tanawthari (CAT). Last month, CAT submitted a formal complaint to the United Nations and the Global Environment Facility which has funded projects in developing countries since it was established at a UN conference in 1992 asking that they suspend the plan. In the name of conservation, the local people will lose their ancestral lands and livelihoods, CAT said. CAT has called for a moratorium on establishing protected areas until customary rights of indigenous people are recognized and a comprehensive peace deal is reached with the KNU. An official from the UN Development Program (UNDP), which is backing the project, said a wide range of consultations were held and that feedback had been incorporated. The project will identify and realize opportunities for co-managing with local communities, said Peter Batchelor, of the UNDP in Myanmar. Campaigners say they will continue to protest the project and push for recognition for the Salween Peace Park. By supporting indigenous communities to preserve their cultural heritage and secure tenure claims over land and forest, conservation can take place with, rather than in spite of us, said KESANs Hsa Moo. Burma Patheingyi Officials Demolish Structures Illegally Built on Farmland Authorities demolish a structure built illegally on farmland in Patheingyi Township on Aug. 4. / De Hlaing Winn / The Irrawaddy MANDALAYAuthorities in Mandalays Patheingyi Township have razed a number of structures built illegally on farmland. At the instruction of the regional government, a combined team of lawmakers, farmland management committee members, police and Patheingyi Township officials began inspecting bridges and residential buildings on farmland in several villages in the township from the third week of July. Last week, township authorities demolished seven concrete bridges built over irrigation channels, and two buildings under construction. For financial and other reasons, local farmers have sold farmland in the villages to individual buyers and businessmen, who subdivided the land into plots and put it up for sale. Weve put up warning notices against illegally selling farmland as residential land. But some have continued to do so, forcing us to demolish those buildings. Well continue to take action in line with existing laws if they keep it up, a municipal official said. You are not allowed to use farmland for other purposes unless approved by the government. Weve told them it is illegal to create new housing areas out of farmland. But some didnt listen, so we demolished those buildings, said U Thaung Htay Lin, a lawmaker representing Patheingyi Township in the Lower House. The ultimate victims in all of this are the people who bought the land to live on, said Ko Than Cho of Aung Chan Tha village in Patheingyi. Most of them are low-income families. They cant afford to buy a plot in the town, so they used their savings to buy plots [of farmland] that are cheaper. He believed property speculators were behind the illegal sale of farmland for residential use. Creating new housing areas, whether legally or illegally, drives up land prices in those areas and ultimately benefits the speculators, he said. The government should identify and take harsh against those who manipulate property prices, he said. In Yangon Region, the local government has temporarily stopped permitting non-agricultural use of farmland, which has dwindled in the face of rapid development. Other regional and state governments are also planning to stop allowing fertile land to be used for other purposes. Mandalay Region has over 500,000 acres of rice plantations and over 2.2 million acres of other crop plantations. BlackBerry's Workspaces file sync and sharing system is gaining a feature that allows ransomware-encrypted files to be selectively replaced without causing a potential loss of work to unaffected users. Ransomware was the most common type of malware in 2017, according to the Verizon data breach report, and "recovery can be time-consuming and expensive". Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that the aggregate yearly cost of repairing ransomware damage will reach US$11.5 billion by 2019. BlackBerry's contribution to addressing this pervasive issue is the addition of a ransomware recovery feature to Workspaces. The idea is to freeze the accounts of affected users in the event a ransomware attack encrypts their synced files. Rather than having to enforce an organisation-wide rollback, administrators can then examine user logs to determine exactly which items have been affected, and then selectively roll them back to pre-attack versions. This approach is said to help organisations avoid the loss of work and productivity that often come with system-wide recovery mechanisms. Beyond data loss, opportunity costs, and reputational risks, downtime resulting from ransomware attacks can inflict real harm on customers in any industry, including healthcare or public safety, where the consequences of any delay can be catastrophic, said executive vice-president of enterprise products, Billy Ho. Organisations need to have a strong culture of security to minimise the risk of an attack something that our cyber security consulting team has been supporting for the last several years. And in a worst-case scenario, its critical that organisations also have a layered defence model in place and an enterprise technology stack that is designed with the inevitable breach in mind. The new ransomware recovery feature will be available in the Collaborate and Secure Plus editions of BlackBerry Workspaces at no extra cost. A webinar featuring a step-by-step demonstration of BlackBerry Workspaces' ransomware recovery feature is scheduled for 3am on 22 August. Registrations are being taken here. Watch this space for information about possible replays that better suit Australia. The City of South Perth has inked an eight-year software-as-a-service deal with enterprise software provider TechnologyOne as it undergoes significant digital transformation. The deal will see the City replacing its on-premise legacy solution with TechnologyOnes OneCouncil SaaS solution, developed specifically for local government. OneCouncil will provide the City with a single, integrated enterprise software solution, allowing the council to draw on a single source to drive operational efficiencies and deliver quicker response times to customers. City of South Perth chief executive Geoff Glass said the project which is expected to go live in mid-2019 will initially deliver dramatic internal improvements, before rolling out online services to customers in the third year of the project. This isnt just an IT implementation, its so much more than that. We are expecting OneCouncil to completely transform our business and facilitate the delivery of excellent digital services to our customers, giving them unprecedented access to self-service anytime, anywhere, Glass said. Glass said that after significant due diligence, the City was confident in its decision to shift to an end-to-end SaaS solution, describing it as the best option. Rather than starting with a blank slate, OneCouncil is a preconfigured software solution, which will allow us to accelerate our implementation and experience efficiencies sooner, Glass said. Switching to SaaS will also see the City benefit from significant year-on-year cost savings, world-leading data security, and the ability to stay at the forefront of innovation through regular system upgrades. We know that TechnologyOnes impressive commitment to research and development means the solution will continue to evolve, adapt and move with the times. TechnologyOne chief operating officer Stuart MacDonald said the deal solidified the company's position as a leading enterprise SaaS provider. TechnologyOne is providing the future of enterprise software today by delivering SaaS. Once the project is live, the City of South Perth will no longer have to worry about the complexity of running or updating their software and infrastructure. We take care of that for them, so they can focus on serving the community." The impact of artificial intelligence on regional telecommunications, higher education and the urban environment will be the focus of a new research group launched today as part of a new alliance between Optus Business and Curtin University. We're told the five-year alliance "will develop an artificial intelligence research group embedded in the School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences at Curtin University, with strong links to the Curtin Institute for Computation. "The alliance will leverage synergies between Curtins excellent research, teaching and learning capabilities, and Optus market-leading technology and infrastructure capabilities. "It will involve the appointment of an Optus Chair in Artificial Intelligence and three Optus Research Fellows focusing on applying artificial intelligence technologies in areas such as regional telecommunications, improving higher education student outcomes and the urban environment, as well as funding for PhD scholarships and student projects. "Todays formal announcement was made by Optus Business managing director John Paitaridis and Curtin University vice-chancellor Professor Deborah Terry. Professor Terry said "Curtin was proud to enter into what was an exciting, future-looking partnership with Optus. This five-year alliance is built on a shared vision and strong track record of industry engagement and innovation. It will also help Curtin University to train the highly skilled and industry-ready students of the future. The development of artificial intelligence is among the most exciting and emerging areas of research and as a leading science and technology research university, Curtin is the perfect partner for this project. Paitaridis said "digital transformation remained a top priority for most Australian enterprises and governments. Fully realising the application of technology, like artificial intelligence, is critical in how were helping organisations address digital disruption. Great innovation comes from collaboration, which is why we are so pleased to be joining with Curtin to create a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence by bringing together the experience and expertise of industry and academia. Importantly, this partnership will help build real-world solutions while growing the skills of the future workforce." Global payments companies MasterCard, Visa and American Express are furiously lobbying the Indian Government in a bid to avoid having to store customer data locally as mandated back in April. In an attempt to sort out the issue, the government has proposed that copies of the data be stored in India, while the companies continue with their offshore storage, Reuters reported. The three firms will have to spend a few million dollars apiece to ensure that they conform to the Reserve Bank of India's demand that all payments data should be stored within India's borders for unfettered supervisory access. The report quoted India's Economic Affairs Secretary S.C. Garg as saying that keeping copies of the data had emerged as a possible way out during a meeting in June between RBI officials and payment company executives. Garg said: "One of the options which emerged in that meeting was maybe mirror copies might be a potential solution." Concerns over data localisation have grown in recent years as multinational companies obtain business contracts abroad. In February, Apple agreed to store iCloud data of Chinese customers with a local firm as a condition of doing business in the country. Recently, when Microsoft acquired code repository GitHub, there were fears expressed that the American spy agency NSA could have access to all the source code residing on the hub. Microsoft has in the past provided the NSA with access to its systems. The RBI's order comes as people switch to credit cards, with the memory of scarcity of cash after Prime Minister Narendra Modi suddenly decided to replace currency notes in November 2016 still fresh in their minds. Some say that the US Government, working through global financial institutions and big tech organisations, such as eBay, Microsoft, MasterCard and Visa, is the key driving force behind the push to eliminate cash from the global financial system. In March, Indians spent about US$52 billion using their 900 million credit and debit cards, according to RBI data. This was almost double the amount spent using cards in November 2016. The American lobby group, US-India Business Council, said at the June meeting that keeping the data only in India would mean that in the event of a natural disaster, there would be no access to it at all. Garg said the government was attempting to arrive at a solution acceptable to both sides. What we do is we listen to different stakeholders, what they say, what their stance is and where can we can find a landing zone ... That is the reason why it was suggested to have mirror copies, he said. Western hysteria over Huawei Technologies and any one of a number of either Chinese or Russian companies is not uncommon these days. But it is somewhat painful to see a news agency which claims to have credibility as Reuters does, just refusing to ask a few questions before running what is essentially a stupid story about Huawei. Sunday's yarn said Huawei was being put under the microscope in the UK because it was using "an aging software component sold by a firm based in the United States, one of the countries where lawmakers allege its equipment could facilitate Chinese spying". And then there was this paragraph: "The fact that the British misgivings stem in part from Huaweis relationship with a US company shows how trade wars and heightened national security concerns are making it harder for technology firms and governments to safeguard products and communication networks." Now if anyone can figure out what the hell the writers were trying to say, you are a cleverer person than I. The software in question is VxWorks, a real-time operating system which is proprietary software sold by Wind River Systems and designed for use in embedded systems. It is used by industries such as such as aerospace and defence, medical devices, industrial equipment, robotics, energy, transportation, network infrastructure, automotive, and consumer electronics. The last version of VxWorks was released in March 2014. Reuters threw in a few mentions to a recently released British report, which found some shortcomings in Huawei's products. This again is bog standard; any security survey of a company's products will find shortcomings. This has been the case since day one in the software and hardware industries. It is not uncommon for companies to use older versions of proprietary software in their hardware; if everyone had to ensure that hardware sold, say in 2018, had only software released the same year or a year earlier, then the whole proprietary software business model would break down. Reuters' "sources" which in this case could well be a drunk leaning against a lamp-post said that the version of VxWorks used by Huawei would stop receiving patches and support from Wind River in 2020. Would such software be susceptible to security issues after that year, as Reuters claimed? Absolutely. That's how companies make money; they support the hardware and the software they sell for a few years and then expect their customers to buy new hardware, which would come with appropriate software. There are plenty of companies out there still running Windows XP which was issued 17 years ago; indeed, when the WannaCry ransomware made its appearance, Britain's NHS suffered badly because it was running this very version of Windows. But the chance to use the words "Huawei", "security" and "British report" was, perhaps, a little too tempting on a day when there wasn't much going on. Throw in a couple of references to the absurd American allegations about Huawei and the fact that Australia is likely to bow to Washington in its dictates to ban the telco from participating in the 5G rollout, and reporters Jack Stubbs and Joseph Menn probably felt they had done a good day's work. There was a time when Reuters set the standard. But these days its staff appear to have lost the ability to be sceptical anymore. Especially when it comes to the realm of technology. As an old saying goes, "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." Despite the abysmal security record of its Android mobile operating system, Google loves to boast of its prowess in the field of security. Most of the time it does this by trying to show it is superior to other technology companies, with the latest example being Samsung. Under the guise of writing about so-called "adventures in vulnerability reporting", Natalie Silvanovich of Google's Project Zero took a number of pot-shots at Samsung over its vulnerability reporting process completely forgetting that when it comes to communications, it is easier to get in touch with the man in the moon rather than Google. Silvanovich wrote that when she tried to report a bug to Samsung she was taken to a sign-up page, which then led her to a page in Korean. She then went back to the sign-up page and on to an English sign-up page which took her to the English account creation page. Here she found that she had to agree to many terms and conditions. "Clicking the links led to over twenty separate agreements, most of which had nothing to do with vulnerability reporting," Silvanovich complained. She skimmed the text and agreed to it and was taken to the account creation page which required her birth date and zip code, "which I wasnt thrilled to have to provide to report a vulnerability, but I wanted to get the issue reported, so I entered them". I guess she must have forgotten that her employer is in the data collection business. When she crossed this barrier, she was greeted by another set of T&Cs in Korean. She just pressed "confirm" to get past it but found that after she filled in the form with the bug information and found more terms to be agreed to. In Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, the emperor was very pleased with his new clothes, not realising that he was starkers. There's a lesson somewhere there for Google... Among them was this: "You MUST hold off disclosing the vulnerability in reasonable time, and you MUST get Samsungs consent or inform Samsung about the date before disclosing the vulnerability. "In some cases, Samsung may request not to disclose the vulnerability at all." Silvanovich says she did not report the bug. "I was not able to submit this form without agreeing to allow Samsung some level of control over disclosure of reported vulnerability. I looked around Samsungs security page to see if they provided an email address I could report the issue to, but they did not provide one. I was not comfortable reporting this bug through the mechanisms Samsung provides for vulnerability reporting on their website." I think Silvanovich forgot that she works for a company that has pioneered the art of not taking responsibility for anything, a company that does not have an official figurehead as spokesperson, the way Facebook has Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft has Satya Nadella. When was the last time Sergey Brin or Larry Page fronted up to the media and took some questions? I can only recall Page being called as a witness in the case filed by Oracle. Brin... does he really exist? Thus, when one is employed by a company that has an extremely poor track record when it comes to communication, it is better to hold one's peace. Some questions for Silvanovich to ponder: Where can anyone find an email address to report something that is bothering them on any of Google's vast Internet presence? How often does Google respond to an email which is sent after locating an address with great difficulty? How many pages does Google's privacy policy run to? Is it drafted in plain language? How many people who use Google's services have found it easy to make a complaint when something goes wrong? Google has in the past tried to show up Microsoft by reporting vulnerabilities in products put out by the latter. At times, Microsoft responds in kind. The people who are put at a disadvantage in this pissing contest are ordinary Internet users, as dangerous bugs in everyday software are publicised increasing the dangers they face. Earlier this year, Google tried to take exclusive credit for the discovery of two bugs in Intel processors. In fact, the company broke an embargo in order to project itself as the main actor in the play. Silvanovich's blog post is a low-key example of this kind of grandstanding. The next time Google staffers think of trying to act smart by criticising other companies, they might do well to remember one thing: people in glass houses should not throw stones. The Australian Government is investing more than $600,000 in a program aimed at training high school students in digital security skills. The initiative will see investment directed to better equipping high school teachers to teach digital security skills to students across the country as part of the first round of the governments AustCyber Projects Fund. More than 1000 students across the country are expected to benefit from the program. Developed by the University of Sydney and Australias banking sector, the program is one of seven industry-led grant recipients to share in almost $3 million. ANZ Bank, CommBank, NAB, Westpac and British Telecom will participate in the project, which will directly address part of the Digital Technologies stream of the Australian curriculum. Jobs and Innovation Minister Senator Michaelia Cash said the increasing importance of cyber security for businesses and governments around the world opened career paths for students in Australia. The Turnbull Government is ensuring Australians are skilled and Australian businesses are well-positioned to take advantage of the burgeoning global cyber security market, with its $30.5 million investment in AustCyber, she said. The government is supporting innovative projects that address workforce development, education, and detection and defensive technology needs to make sure Australia can realise the full potential of our globally competitive digital economy. Other cyber security sector projects to receive government funding include: IT system down time can happen at any time and for a variety of reasons ranging from user error to a region-wide natural disaster. Every business operating in todays online world needs to have preventative measures in place to ensure they can continue to operate while recovering from a down time incident. Down time can happen at any time: Be prepared The cloud has made enterprise disaster recovery affordable Disaster Recovery solutions and services have been around for many years. However, investing in a Disaster Recovery solution was an expensive option and way out of reach of many smaller organisations. They simply did not have the financial resources and could not warrant the investment needed for true enterprise disaster recovery. The increase of cloud services in recent years has brought with it cost-effective disaster recovery services which conform to true enterprise standards. Today innovative services give organisations the ability to replicate their entire on-premise IT environments to the cloud at fraction of the cost. The primary goal of disaster recovery has changed The ultimate objective of any disaster recovery solution has always been to protect business from a systems failure. In the past, a systems failure may not necessarily have had a serious impact on an organisations ability to operate. Because of this, the primary goal of traditional disaster recovery plans was the protection of the organisations revenue stream and perhaps its voice and digital communication platforms. In an online world where near perfect uptime is the expectation of every online user, organisations have had to alter their disaster recovery plans to ensure they protect any system which has an impact on the organisations online availability. Disaster recovery plans now need to include a business continuity component to ensure your organisation stays online while a disaster recovery restore process is in effect. Geo-diverse availability zones add an extra layer of crucial resiliency The utilisation of cloud based geo-diverse availability zones, as the underlying architecture of a high availability disaster recovery plan, is a cost effective but highly resilient solution to the challenges facing organisations with regard to availability in an online world. If an outage impacts an organisations IT operations in a particular zone due to a Ransomware attack, network administration error or even a natural disaster, their IT can be up and running within minutes in a different zone until the primary site recovers. Zettagrid - protecting cloud and on-premise environments Zettagrid is Australias most advanced self-service cloud infrastructure platform and is built on industry leading innovative cloud solutions powered by VMware. Zettagrids cloud platform offers Virtual Data Centre and Virtual Servers which you can create in any configuration you require on Zettagrids cloud-based VMware platform. In addition, Zettagrid offers industry leading data protection solutions which complement, enhance and protect services on the Zettagrid cloud platform. These services consist of a cloud backup and replication service and an enterprise grade disaster recovery solution aptly named SecondSite. Customers can choose to replicate their on-premise VMware environment to SecondSite by simply enabling replication to Zettagrids SecondSite disaster recovery service. For organisations already operating a VMware powered infrastructure, SecondSite is the perfect solution. Zettagrid SecondSite Interzone geo-redundancy through replication Customers who already house their primary infrastructure on Zettagrid can now easily and efficiently protect their environment from a disaster with SecondSite Interzone. SecondSite Interzone, launched in July 2017, enables customers who are already on the Zettagrid cloud platform to replicate their cloud environment to other Zettagrid availability zones located in Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne. Zettagrid SecondSite ensures business continuity and data integrity Zettagrids SecondSite platform not only offers every enterprise feature required of a disaster recovery solution but also delivers true redundancy with its Interzone replication service and multiple availability zones. Zettagrids service also offers the option to journal transactional data back to before the event took place which means minimised financial and operational impact to the business as no transactional record is ever lost. In addition, as the SecondSite service is cloud based, the organisations staff and customers can connect to it from anywhere ensuring business continues while the disaster is moderated and ultimately resolved. Getting started with Zettagrid SecondSite Interzone SecondSite allows you to replicate from on-premise into Zettagrid, however we now offer SecondSite Interzone. SecondSite Interzone now allows you to replicate your VDCs between Zettagrid Zones. Once you have purchased a VDC you can simply enable replication of any of those VM's for only $109/VM/mth to a different geographical availability zone. Why not trial our cloud services for free and let our services do the talking? Click here for a 30 Day free trial. About Zettagrid Zettagrid is an award-winning Australian cloud provider of IT Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) for businesses. Zettagrid offers enterprise grade, on-demand data centre infrastructure with direct network connectivity. All services are fully automated and delivered without contracts to help lower customers' capital expenditures ensuring the reliability and flexibility businesses need. A subsidiary of the Zetta Group, Zettagrid operates in more data centres than any other cloud provider in Australia, with zones currently in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Jakarta. As a result, Zettagrid provides true operational diversity to any organisation nationally. Learn more at www.zettagrid.com. Australia Post has teamed up with educator Coder Academy to launch a dedicated tech academy, aimed at providing a pathway to a career in the technology sector. The newly launched academy offers a two-year development program designed to train emerging talent from a diverse background including parents who are returning to work and people with non-technical skills. Billed by Australia Post as the first of its kind in the country, the academy will provide 20 successful applicants on-the-job training and industry placements within the organisations tech and digital spaces. Commencing in February 2019, associate trainees will receive a 12-week tech boot camp, a two-week placement across Australia Posts retail and operations sectors, and four five-month tech rotations, with opportunities for ongoing employment within a tech or digital team at the conclusion of the two-year period. Australia Post chief information cfficer John Cox said the innovative program would nurture new talent, and enable people to build their skills across emerging technologies. We know the tech industry is continuously growing and demand for talent is increasing. Meeting employment shortages within the sector has become increasingly challenging," he said. This program is open to anyone, regardless of technical backgrounds, including return-to-work parents, veterans, mid-career professionals, and graduates. Cox said Australia Post was looking to grow its tech and digital capabilities by developing talent in emerging technologies such as machine learning, the Internet of Things and blockchain. Companies abroad have received high acclaim for their ability to deliver a workforce in line with future organisational needs and diversity, and we want to bring that to Australia Post," he said. We are hoping this program will set the standard across the country, and will attract people who want to learn and have a strong sense of community, to help us improve the way we deliver our products and services for our customers. Applications for the Australia Post Tech Academy opened on Monday and close on 2 September, with the first intake beginning in February 2019. The Commonwealth Bank is partnering with Amazon, Google, Salesforce, Mastercard, Phoria, and UsTwo in delivering a program aimed at assisting small businesses in Victoria realise the benefits of embracing innovation and digital technologies. CommBank announced the program on Monday at the launch of the 2018 Small Business Festival Victoria. The bank, as principal partner of the Small Business Festival, hosted the opening event with The University of Melbourne and the Victorian Government. During the month-long festival CBAs Innovation Lab is running a series of workshops and events, aimed at equipping small business owners with world-leading tools of innovation to develop new ideas for their business alongside some of the worlds best technology experts. As part of the program, Amazon, Google, Salesforce, Mastercard, Phoria, UsTwo and CBA will deliver a "collective impact" approach, with small business owners having access to industry leaders who will discuss topics such as search experience, user experience, payment experience, cloud experience, customer experience, and developing an entrepreneurial mindset. And the small business owners will also be able to workshop their innovative business solutions. According to Heath Brown, executive manager of CBAs Innovation Lab, delivering clarity around business challenges and opportunities is the first step towards innovation and success for small businesses. We interviewed hundreds of small business owners and many said they feel invisible in the Australian innovation eco-system, meaning they get no resource or cash investment in comparison to start-ups," he said. Many small businesses dont have a chief technology officer, chief information officer, chief marketing officer or an innovation team business owners wear all of those hats which means they need tools, tactics and approaches to compete, stay relevant and respond to disruption. This is why we are thrilled to be working with global tech giants, government and leading academic institutions to help small business owners get the know-how to remain competitive in the future economy. On the importance of a so-called "collective impact approach", Claire Roberts CBAs executive general manager, business banking SME, said: No single brand, or government department, has enough horsepower to help small businesses solve the increasingly complex brand and economic problems we face as a business community. It is crucial to take a collective impact approach, and band together as big brands to help small business owners prepare themselves for the future of work. Telstra says any pay deal it has proposed to employees is aimed at protecting what it calls its "industry-leading terms and conditions" in order that it can provide certainty "over a period of significant change". The company was responding to claims by the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union that it was forcing employees who would not be affected by sackings, announced in June as part of its new Telstra2022 strategy, to take a cut in their take-home pay. The union also accused Telstra of walking away from negotiations, but iTWire understands that all issues raised have been negotiated. Steve Carey, Telstra's general manager, Media and Creative Services, told iTWire in response to queries that the firm was a leader in the industry when it came to pay and other terms and conditions compared to its competitors. "We have proposed a pay increase of 4.5% over the next three-year period. This includes a guaranteed pay pool of 1.5% this year (and again in both 2019 and 2020)," Carey said. "While the pay proposal is less than what Telstra employees have seen historically, importantly we are protecting our industry-leading terms and conditions to provide certainty over a period of significant change. "Since we started negotiations, we confirmed we are seeking minimal change and intend to protect our terms and conditions including 80-week redundancy cap; full-time hours of work at 36.75 per week; leave entitlements, including sick and carers leave at 15 days/year, the Telstra Additional Day, Family and Domestic Violence Leave and an ongoing commitment to flexible work arrangements." Carey said the company also offered incentive-based pay, with most employees under the enterprise agreement eligible for annual bonuses between 6% and 12.5% of what they were usually paid. "Telstras current EA and the proposed EA include strong protections around redundancy. We are committed to supporting our workforce through this period of change, including redeploying people where possible," Carey said. "The proposed EA specifically states that Telstra will consider voluntary measures (such as requests for voluntary redundancies and voluntary swaps) in order to mitigate the effect of redundancies." He said the company had now asked employees to vote on the proposed pay agreement between Monday and Friday. Stating it is taking the "telco war on price from mobile to NBN", Vodafone says it is "making high speed Vodafone NBN available to new and existing customers for under $60 per month" with savings of "up to $480 per year". Vodafone said its price drop comes as the company "champions better value for Australians, combined with industry leading 4G back-up, 30-day Network Satisfaction Guarantee and no lock-in contracts". The new Vodafone NBN offer comes in "three simple plans with nothing to pay up front, making it the best value unlimited broadband on the market": Essential NBN (25 tier) $58 per month Essential+ NBN (50tier) $69 per month ($59 for existing post-paid mobile customers) Premium NBN (100 tier) $89 per month ($79 for existing post-paid mobile customers) Vodafones chief commercial officer Ben McIntosh said: "Vodafone spearheads more value and better choice for mobile customers and now its time to take this to fixed broadband market. There has never been a better time to revaluate your broadband plan to look for the most affordable way to get the speed you need. Over six million Australians say they are unlikely to switch, even though they know they can get a better deal. People are losing out on up to $480 of savings every year. Our $58 NBN25 plan is outstanding value with nothing to pay up front. And to further reward our post-paid mobile customers, they can upgrade to our NBN50 plan for just a dollar more per month. For the 30% of Australians that are currently paying too much, now is the time to act. Thirty-four percent of Australians said they are dissatisfied with the speed of their traditional home Internet. We agree. Thats why we no longer promote NBN12 and have introduced substantial discounts on our other Vodafone NBN plans. As part of Vodafones "commitment to raising the industry standard for flexibility and value", the company says "all existing customers will be proactively transitioned onto the new price points". We believe in offering great value for everybody, so if you are already a Vodafone nNBNbn customer you wont miss out on the savings, McIntosh said. The new Vodafone NBN plans are available from today with more information here. Additional research findings Galaxy Research August 2018: Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or making a contribution. Subscribe or contribute This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. Summerville, SC (29483) Today Rain showers early then thundershowers for the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High around 70F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 57F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Reddit Email 415 Shares Saudi Arabia is attempting to bully Canada for criticizing the abysmal Saudi human rights record. (That is, if something as non-existent as Saudi human rights can be called abysmal). Riyadh has expelled the Canadian ambassador and has frozen all new purchases and investments in Canada. The Canadian foreign ministry had tweeted on Friday, Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in Saudi Arabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful human rights activists. Saudi Arabia simply is not very important to Canada. Saudi Arabia only really has its petroleum and its sovereign wealth fund going for it. Canada has its own petroleum, and a diversified industrial economy. It is being said that Riyadh is also pulling its 16,000 students out, who are at Canadian universities. Theyll be replaced by other foreign students, since Canada has great universities, but Saudi human capital will be damaged. Anyway, what is the point of giving people a college education if you thereafter forbid them from thinking critically, in an absolute monarchy where they cant even vote? Canada is about 1.5 times more populous than Saudi Arabia if you dont count guest workers. Canadas gross domestic product is almost 3 times bigger than Saudi Arabias. Canada is a member of NATO and its military is seasoned, having fought in most of the major wars of modern times, including Afghanistan. Saudi Arabias military is largely untried and despite its sophisticated weapons purchases, its significant war, in Yemen, has been fought from the skies rather than hard slogging on the ground. Indeed Riyadhs army may not be capable of hard slogging. The air war in Yemen has been notable for its failure and the many strikes on civilian targets. Here are the comparative statistics: Population (citizens): Saudi Arabia: ~20 mn. Canada: 36 mn. GDP: Saudi Arabia: $888 bn. Canada: $ 2.145 trillion GDP per capita:$27,429.20 Canada $58,542 Saudi Arabia as an important country is living on borrowed time. Petroleum is worst than worthless, which will become obvious over the next decade as people switch to electric cars and renewable energy. When the oil is outlawed, as it likely will be when the catastrophe of climate change becomes completely apparent, Saudi Arabia will have to find some other way of making a living. It is unclear what that will be. Riyadh is said to have blown through a third of its sovereign wealth fund when the price of oil collapsed. Canada on the other hand has a real economy and vast non-oil resources. It is a largely service economy, but manufacturing is about 13% and it has agriculture. Energy exports are only about 3% of the economy. Not only is Saudi Arabia no match for Canada economically or militarily, but Riyadh has a severe celebrity deficit in comparison. Canada has Ryan Gosling, Justin Bieber, Ellen Page, William Shatner, Diana Krall, Keanu Reeves, Celine Dion, Jim Carrey, Avril Levine, and a galaxy of other popular celebs. Saudi Arabia has that guy that lashes bloggers a thousand blows at a time. Human Rights Watch in its annual report on Saudi Arabia covering 2017 wrote, Reddit Email 103 Shares Abbas office reiterated that Trumps peace plan is aimed at stripping the Palestinian people of their legitimate rights. Palestinian National Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas office on Saturday responded to a report by Foreign Policy, a U.S. journal, which had claimed that U.S. President Donald Trumps son-in-law, senior adviser Jared Kushner was involved in devising a plan to dissolve the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), saying that the plan reaffirms that the U.S. is planning to take away Palestinians refugee status. The report also claimed that Kushner pressured Jordan to strip the refugee status of nearly two million Palestinians residing in the country. Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trumps son-in-law, and senior advisor has quietly been trying to do away with the U.N. relief agency that has provided food and essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees for decades, according to internal emails obtained by Foreign Policy, the journals report indicated. It is important to have an honest and sincere effort to disrupt UNRWA, Kushner wrote about in one of the emails dated Jan.11, about the UN agency, addressing several other senior officials, including Trumps Middle East peace envoy, Jason Greenblatt. This [agency] perpetuates a status quo, is corrupt, inefficient and doesnt help peace, he wrote. According to the Foreign Policys report, in the same January email, Kushner wrote, Our goal cant be to keep things stable and as they are. Sometimes you have to strategically risk breaking things in order to get there. The Palestinian presidents office on Saturday said the U.S. journals report proved that Kushner was trying to undermine the work by the UNRWA, the UN refugee agency which has aided Palestinians by dissolving the UN agency and that it was proof the U.S. administration was plotting to push the issue of Palestinians as refugees off the negotiations table at the White House. The refugee issue is a final status issue, which will only be resolved through negotiations leading to a just and agreed solution in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative, the PAs office noted, according to the Palestine News Agency and the Palestinian News & Info Agency, Wafa. The PA statement issued Saturday the Foreign Policy which was privy to the emails by White House advisors, also stated that Abbas has been warned of and called it the deal of the century. The determination of the Palestinian leadership and the steadfastness of our people will foil all conspiracies to end the Palestinian cause, and our people have thwarted all previous attempts to undermine their legitimate rights, the PAs office said in a statement, according to Wafa. Abbas office reiterated that Trumps peace plan is aimed at stripping the Palestinian people of their legitimate rights. The Palestinian Authority affirmed in a statement that this transformation of the Palestinian national issue was a humanitarian issue. Bonus video added by Informed Comment: The Palestinian Authority has destroyed Kushners plan to disband UNRWA Reddit Email 95 Shares By David Cortright | Sanctions are much in demand these days as a tool of American foreign policy. Members of Congress want tough new sanctions against Russia for its interference in American elections. Sanctions will remain in place against North Korea, the White House says, until Pyongyang shows progress toward denuclearization. After tearing up the Iran nuclear accord, the Trump administration is imposing what Secretary of State Pompeo has called the strongest sanctions in history, seeking to get a better deal on restricting Tehrans weapons and change its policies in the region. And even NATO ally Turkey faces sanctions for imprisoning several U.S. citizens and employees of its diplomatic mission. Policymakers claim that sanctions are an effective means of achieving policy goals, but is that true? Are new measures against Moscow and Tehran likely to be successful? Research on sanctions by myself and others has shown that they can sometimes be effective. But there are three key elements: allies, a willingness to enforce them and incentives to bargain. The absence of all three means they probably wont work with Russia and Iran. Unilateral sanctions rarely work Allies supporting and reinforcing sanctions are usually pivotal to making them stick. Unilateral sanctions such as the proposed measures against Russia and Iran are seldom successful. Although the European Union has placed sanctions on Russia because of its actions in Ukraine, the latest legislative measures proposed in Congress would be unilateral. In an increasingly globalized world, unilateral sanctions face huge obstacles even when imposed by the largest economy. A landmark study published in the 1990s by the Peterson Institute for International Economics found that unilateral U.S. sanctions achieved their foreign policy goals only 13 percent of the time. The rare instances when unilateral sanctions work involve countries that have extensive trade relations with the U.S., clearly not the case with Russia or Iran. Russia is low on the list of U.S. trading partners, and Iran has had virtually no economic or commercial relations with the U.S. Neither country is dependent on U.S. trade or likely to submit to American economic pressure. In addition, when a country faces sanctions, it can often seek commercial ties elsewhere. This was the case with Cuba. When the U.S. imposed sanctions on its former trading partner after Fidel Castro came to power, Havana turned to Moscow for help and became a part of the communist bloc. Iran, for its part, has diversified its economy in the face of sanctions from the U.S. and other Western countries, shifting trade to the East and increasingly selling oil and buying goods in China, India and other Asian countries. Washington is responding to Tehrans circumvention strategy by threatening to impose secondary sanctions against foreign companies that trade with Iran, barring them from doing business in the U.S. Extraterritorial sanctions such as these are opposed by other countries as a violation of international law. European nations especially disagree with this approach and have vowed to maintain trading relations with Iran despite secondary sanctions. Russia and China also oppose the new U.S. policy. Willingness to follow through This raises a second factor that influences whether sanctions work: Is the country issuing the sanctions willing and able to assure compliance with those measures? The prospect of losing Irans 2 million barrels of oil a day is already roiling global markets. To calm investors, the U.S. State Department quietly announced in early July that Washington would allow countries like China, India and Turkey to reduce oil imports from Iran on a case-by-case basis, signaling the U.S. will allow some states to maintain imports, thus limiting the impact of the sanctions. In other words, the desire to mitigate the potential impact of new sanctions on global financial markets may outweigh the goals of imposing them in the first place. A similar problem of weak compliance is affecting continued U.N. sanctions against North Korea. In the wake of the Trump-Kim summit and the presidents claim that Pyongyang is no longer a nuclear threat, China and Russia have shown reluctance to continue enforcing sanctions. They recently blocked an effort within the U.N. Security Council to condemn North Korean oil smuggling. Coercion and compliance A third factor affecting success is the need to combine sanctions with diplomatic bargaining. My research with George Lopez, a professor emeritus of peace studies, shows that sanctions work best within a bargaining framework in which the imposition of coercive measures is combined with incentives for compliance. The offer to lift sanctions can be an effective bargaining chip for persuading the targeted regime to accept compromise and alter its policies. This was the case in the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement, when the offer to lift sanctions served as an inducement for Serbia to end its aggressive policies and accept a political settlement. The irony in the case of Iran is that precisely this form of sanctions-based diplomacy was successful in achieving the 2015 nuclear deal. Rigorous U.S., U.N. and European Union sanctions were combined with an offer to lift them if Iran complied with demands to restrict its nuclear program and accept intrusive inspections. The International Atomic Energy Commission verified on 10 separate occasions from 2016 through the early part of 2018 that Iran kept its side of the bargain, and sanctions were removed. The lonely road For all these reasons, I believe the new U.S. policy of reimposing unilateral sanctions abandons a multilateral approach that was working in favor of a unilateral policy that has little chance of success. The U.S. and EU sanctions on Russia for its policies in Ukraine may have some continuing effect, but the new measures under consideration in Congress are unlikely to have a major impact. Policymakers may talk tough about threatening sanctions, but their policies are weak if they are unilateral and costly to implement. Sanctions work best when they are part of a multilateral diplomatic effort like the Obama administration took on Iran in which the offer to lift sanctions is used as an incentive to achieve a negotiated settlement. The Trump administration may think that it can go it alone in foreign policy, but on sanctions, as on nonproliferation and other policies, multilateral cooperation is often the key to success. David Cortright, Director of Policy Studies, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Bonus video added by Informed Comment: CBS Evening News: First set of sanctions hit Iran tomorrow NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. WIRE SERVICES VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thor Explorations Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: THX) (Thor or the Company) is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Coates as Non-Executive Chairman with immediate effect. Adrian joined the Companys board as a Non-executive Director in December 2016 and has been Chairman of the Companys audit committee since February 2017. The Company is also pleased to announce that it has strengthened its board by the addition of Mr Collin Ellison as a Non-executive Director. Collin has a wealth of experience in mine construction and project implementation and has built a number of mines around the world, including significant experience in building mines in West Africa. Collin brings over forty years experience managing, building, implementing and operating multiple open pit and underground mines globally. During his career, Mr. Ellison has built and operated resource projects and companies in Africa, Australia, S.E. Asia, Central Asia and North America. His West African roles included President & CEO of Goldbelt Resources developing the Inata Gold Project in Burkina Faso and President & CEO of PMI Gold Corporation, developing the Obatan Gold Project in Ghana which was successfully taken over by Asanko Gold, Canada. Segun Lawson, President & CEO, commented, " I am delighted that Adrian has assumed the position as Chairman of Thor. He is an experienced businessman with an extensive and outstanding track record in natural resources capital markets and corporate governance. We look forward to Adrian chairing the Board as Thor embarks on its next phase. "I am also delighted to welcome Collin to Thors Board. His particular skill set is very relevant to the task immediately ahead of us at Segilola, where we are completing our Definitive Feasibility Study and will be progressing to project construction immediately after. I believe Thors board is now perfectly positioned to develop Segilola and meet the Companys strategic objectives as it plans to transition from an explorer to a gold producer. Adrian Coates Adrian has over 25 years experience in the mining sector. He served as the Global Sector Head of Resources and Energy Group, Global Banking and Markets Division of HSBC Bank plc until 2008 with strategic responsibility for its relationships and businesses with major clients globally in the resources and utilities sectors. He was the Lead HSBC Banker on a number of large-scale metals and mining transactions. At HSBC, his advisory clients included Randgold Resources. He was cited in the press as HSBCs star advisory banker and named in Financial News Top 20 European Dealmakers in late 2007. He has also held roles in UBS, Warrior International and Credit Suisse First Boston with a specialisation in the resources sector. He served as Managing Director, Metals and Mining at UBS Investment Bank, London and was responsible for originating the landmark Billiton IPO, a deal which both restarted the London mining market and set a precedent for the subsequent influx of emerging market companies. He currently serves as Senior Independent Director and Audit Committee Chairman of JKX Oil & Gas plc. Previously Adrian has served as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Petropavlovsk PLC, Regal Petroleum plc and Kazakhgold Group Limited. He also served as a Senior Independent Non-Executive Director of Polyus Gold International Limited until the company was taken private in late 2015. In his non-executive career, he has also served as an Adviser to a number of leading mining companies. Mr. Coates holds an MA degree in Economics from Cambridge University and an MSc (MBA) from London Business School. Definitive Feasibility Study Update DFS activities covering resource drilling, metallurgical testwork, process design, geotechnical evaluation and mining engineering have advanced on time and within the projected budget. The overall DFS is on on track for delivery by Q4 2018, paving the way for financing and development of the Project. About Thor Thor Explorations Ltd. is a Canadian mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties located in Nigeria, Senegal and Burkina Faso. Thor holds a 100% interest in the Segilola Gold Project located in Osun State of Nigeria and a 70% interest in the Douta Gold Project located in south-eastern Senegal. Thor also holds a 49% interest in the Bongui and Legue gold permits located in Hounde greenstone belt, south west Burkina Faso. Thor trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol THX. THOR EXPLORATIONS LTD. Segun Lawson President & CEO 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. This press release does not constitute an offer to purchase securities. The securities to be offered in the offering 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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented constitutes forward looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, and is subject to important risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the completion of the acquisition of the Segilola Gold Project and the use of the proceeds of the private placement. The words may, could, should, would, suspect, outlook, believe, anticipate, estimate, expect, intend, plan, target and similar words and expressions are used to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in this news release describes the Companys expectations as of the date of this news release and accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time. LONDON / August 7, 2018 / JMN Wire / Condor Gold (AIM: CNR; OTCQX: CNFGF; TSX: COG) is pleased to announce that it has received an environmental permit for the development, construction and operation of a processing plant with a capacity of up to 2,800 tonnes per day (tpd) and associated mine site infrastructure at its wholly-owned La India Gold Project, located in the Department of Leon, Nicaragua. Mark Child, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Condor, commented: I am delighted that the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA) has granted Condor Gold the key Environmental Permit for the development, construction and operation of a processing plant with capacity to process up to 2,800 tpd. Gold production is expected to be approximately 80,000 oz gold per annum from a single open pit, represents a US$120 million investment and creates 1,000 new jobs. The receipt of the Environmental Permit is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of Condor Golds team on the ground, they are 100% Nicaraguan nationals; I am proud of their achievements. It also marks the culmination of 11 years of detailed scientific geological work and technical mining studies at La India Project, including three years of the permitting process. The local team share the Companys vision of working with the local communities to alleviate poverty, provide employment and significantly raise living standards in a former mining community by building a new gold mine. The grant of the permit is also an important sign of commitment by the Nicaraguan Government to the mining industry in the Country. Following the grant of the Environmental Permit the Companys objective is to progress the redesigned mine site infrastructure for La India Open Pit to a bankable level of Feasibility Study (BFS). In addition, under the conditions of the Environmental Permit, the Company has to submit to MARENA final engineered designs for several key components of the mine prior to construction. For example, the final design and operations manual for the Tailings Storage Facility. Subject to financing, completion of a BFS and completion of the final engineering designs, construction is expected to commence within 18 months of the grant of the Environmental Permit. The construction period is expected to take 18 to 24 months. Background On 13th July 2018, the Company held its Public Consultation Meeting in the village of La Cruz de La India. The Public Consultation is a key step in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) permitting process. The meeting was attended by representatives from MARENA, the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), the National Forestry Institute (INAFOR) and a variety of businesses, municipal authorities, a non-governmental organisation, local judicial and political party representatives, as well as members of the public. The Public Consultation was attended by 499 people who voiced overwhelming support for a new mine. 600 people have registered to be considered for new jobs to work in the mine. See announcements on 26 February 2018, 15 May 2018, 6 July 2018 and 16 July 2018. Condor is re-permitting an old mine area, adjacent to a former mining community, in which 40.5% of households can be categorised as being in poverty. Noranda Mining produced an estimated 576,000 ounces of gold with a grade of 13.4 g/t gold over an 18-year period prior to the closure of the underground La India Mine in 1956. Since the closure of the mine, the village of La Cruz de La India has hit hard times. It is located in a hilly, dry corridor of Nicaragua with few alternative forms of employment. An independent economic report produced in October 2017 by FUNIDES, a local economic study group, estimated that the former mining town of La Cruz de La India has a 40.5% Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index (the index used by Santo et al., 2015, to measure the poverty of 17 Latin American countries and which measures five wellbeing dimensions: living conditions, basic services, income, education and employment). The construction and operation of a new gold mine will significantly reduce poverty, as it will create 1,000 jobs; for every job in the mine there is an additional three to five times more indirect jobs providing services to the mine. The upfront capital cost of building the project of approximately US$120 million would have a significant positive impact on the economy. The Government and local communities would benefit significantly from future royalties and taxes. During the past 12 months, Condor has significantly increased and strengthened its social team. Contributions to the local community have increased significantly via the weekly distribution of 360 five-gallon drinking water containers and material contributions to local healthcare, education, sport, the elderly and artisanal miner projects. The Company has listened to the concerns of the local community and redesigned the mine site infrastructure to avoid any resettlement. The La India open pit disclosed in the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) has an existing probable mineral reserve of 6.9 million tonnes (Mt) at 3.01 g/t gold for 675,000 oz gold, as set forth in the Technical Report (as defined below) that was prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). Revised mine scheduling studies have been significantly advanced in recent months. Gold production is expected to be approximately 80,000 oz gold per annum. The Company does not expect that the changes to the La India Project as detailed in the amended ESIA will materially change the mineral reserves, mineral resources and the production rate disclosed in the Technical Report. The amended ESIA describes a processing plant that will have a capacity of up to 2,800 tpd (1.0 million tpa). The amended ESIA continues to include processing of an additional 10,000 oz of gold p.a. sourced from artisanal miners through the main processing plant. Next Steps Following the grant of the Environmental Permit the Companys objective is to progress the redesigned mine site infrastructure for La India Open Pit to a bankable level of Feasibility Study (BFS). In addition, under the conditions of the Environmental Permit, the Company has to submit to MARENA final engineered designs for several key components of the mine prior to construction. For example, the final design and operations manual for the Tailings Storage Facility. Subject to financing, completion of a BFS and completion of the final engineering designs, construction is expected to commence within 18 months of the grant of the Environmental Permit. The construction period is expected to take 18 to 24 months. The Current Situation in Nicaragua As a British company, listed on both the London AIM and Toronto TSX stock markets, Condor Gold believes in, and promotes, constructive dialogue for a peaceful resolution of the current political upheaval in Nicaragua. The situation has stabilised in recent weeks. The Company's focus has been, and still is, to support its 70 direct and indirect employees, and their families, who have confirmed their desire to continue to work and maintain stability within their communities as much as possible. Condor has been operating in Nicaragua since 2006 and, as a responsible gold exploration and development company, continues to add value to the local communities and environment by generating sustainable socio-economic and environmental benefits. Despite the current political situation in Nicaragua, Condor has completed a permitting process that has taken three years. The Company held very constructive meetings in recent months with the key Ministries, which resulted in approval of the technical studies, a successful Public Consultation and the grant of the key environmental permit for the development, construction and operation of a new gold mine at Mina La India. MINUSCA, the United Nations mission in the Central African Republic, has called on the nations judicial authorities to investigate grave crimes committed in the southeast of the country and take steps to ensure the perpetrators are brought before national courts, including the Special Criminal Court. The call came in a MINUSCA statement on July 31. It is urging prosecutions for grave crimes committed between May and December 2017 in that part of the Central African Republic (CAR). Stressing that some of these abuses could amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity, the document points the finger at the Anti-balaka mainly Christian militia and the Union for Peace in the CAR (UPC), one of the factions in the mainly Muslim ex-rebel coalition Seleka. It says that during the period in question, both sides committed murder, rape, forced displacement of the population, looting and destruction of public buildings, places of worship, private houses, shops and commercial premises. In some places Muslims or leaders of the Catholic church were deliberately targeted, says the UN mission. Peoples courts in DRC? In the Democratic Republic of Congo, many serious crimes remain unpunished, or are forgotten as witnesses and victims die, taking with them precious evidence. To help shed light on these crimes, a group of Congolese and international civil society actors have been campaigning since April for the establishment of so-called peoples tribunals. This project, inspired by the Russell Tribunal, aims to give a voice to victims of grave crimes so that they can tell what they have seen and seek reparations, says Congolese lawyer Sylvestre Bisimwa. We will invite perpetrators, witnesses and experts to come and speak, so as that truth and justice can prevail, Bisimwa continues. The decisions of the peoples courts are not legally binding but they can have a very important moral and symbolic value for affected communities and for the State authorities to whom they are generally submitted, explains Daniele Perissi, director in the DRC for the Swiss NGO TRIAL International. Childrens rights in the Middle East Three UN officials in the Middle East meanwhile issued a joint statement on August 1 reminding both Israeli and Palestinian parties of their obligation to protect the rights of children during conflict. Jamie McGoldrick, Humanitarian Coordinator in the occupied Palestinian territory, James Heenan, head of the UN human rights office in Palestine, and Genevieve Boutin, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine, said they were deeply concerned by reports of children, some younger than 11, being killed or seriously injured in the Palestinian administered territories. They also deplored the fact that children in Israel are exposed to fear, trauma, and grave injuries. Respecting the rights of children and refraining from instrumentalizing their plight should be a priority for all, they said. This context is not an exception. The African Union on Monday called for the rights and freedoms of all Congolese to be upheld, amid mounting tensions over the countrys presidential race. Candidates must submit their applications to run in DR Congos long-delayed election, due on December 23, by Wednesday evening. At this crucial stage of the electoral process, the Chairperson of the Commission (Moussa Faki Mahamat) reiterates the need for all stakeholders to ensure peaceful, transparent and truly inclusive elections are held, the AU said in a statement. (Mahamat) calls on all political actors to act responsibly and in the best interests of their country, which must prevail over all other considerations. It was crucial that the rights and freedoms of all Congolese voters be respected and a level electoral playing field be ensured, it added. The statement was issued after opposition leader Moise Katumbi was blocked from returning home last week to file his bid. Katumbi, 53, a wealthy businessman and former governor of the province of Katanga, was barred from entering the DRC and charged with offences against state security, officials said. He has been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium since May 2016 after falling out with President Joseph Kabila. Another Kabila rival, former warlord and ex-vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba, 55, returned home last week. He officially launched his bid for the presidency on Thursday. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has never known a peaceful transition of power since it gained independence in 1960. Kabila, 47, has been at the helm since 2001, presiding over a vast mineral-rich country with a reputation for corruption, inequality and unrest. He was scheduled to stand down at the end of 2016 after his second elected term, technically the last permitted under the constitution. He has refused to spell out whether he will seek a new term or perhaps declare his support for a chosen successor. st-bmb/mbb/jpc/ecl/ri In a telegram to Church and civil authorities in Indonesia, Pope Francis expresses his sorrow for the tragic loss of life Author: Staff | Source: Vatican News In a telegram to Church and civil authorities in Indonesia, Pope Francis expresses his sorrow for the tragic loss of life caused by Sundays 7.0-magnitude earthquake on Lombok island. Pope Francis on Monday expressed his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by the massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Indonesias Lombok island on Sunday. In a telegram sent to Indonesias Church and civil authorities, the Holy Father said he felt great sadness when informed of the tragic loss of life and destruction of property caused by the earthquakes. The Pope said he is praying for the repose of the deceased, the healing of the injured, and the consolation of all who grieve the loss of their loved ones. Pope Francis encouraged the search and rescue efforts and invoked upon the people of Indonesia divine blessings of consolation and strength. Widespread damage on Lombok and Bali Vatican News correspondent, Alastair Wanklyn, says at least 98 people died when the earthquake struck the Indonesian islands of Lombok and Bali. He said homes collapsed, and one aid agency is calling for blood donations to help the injured. Here is his report: Panicked residents fled buildings, on the islands of Lombok and Bali, Indonesia. One survivor said people were injured by falling debris. Thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed, and even hospitals were affected. Indonesia's president told authorities to help survivors. Military planes delivered tents and communication equipment. The Indonesian Red Cross called for donations of blood. It said it is flying in tarpaulins and mattresses for survivors made homeless. Tourists evacuated Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo told authorities to help foreign tourists get home. Bali and Lombok are popular destinations for tourists from Europe and Australia and from Muslim nations in the Middle East. Around 1,000 tourists were being evacuated from three small islands, reported one Indonesian newspaper. The magnitude-7 quake came a week after a similar-sized tremor. The earlier one left around 20 people dead. Across the region a large number of buildings are now so damaged they may need to be rebuilt. At least one Catholic parish church in the city of Mataram in Lombok is damaged. And at the cathedral in Bali's capital, Denpasar, the ceiling fell. But local media quoted a priest saying the tremor struck after Mass ended, and there were no casualties. The US State Department approved on August 3rd a possible Foreign Military Sale to Latvia of four UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $200 million, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said. A US Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter assigned to the 2-149th General Support Aviation Battalion, Task Force Saber, lands at Erbil, Iraq, July 12, 2017 (Credit: U.S. Army/Capt. Stephen James) According to the DSCA, the deal would include UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters in standard USG configuration with designated unique equipment and Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), as well ten T700-GE-701D engines, ten Embedded Global Positioning Systems/Inertial Navigation Systems. Also included is one Aviation Mission Planning System, five Talon Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR), ten AN/ARC-201D/E, ten AN/ARC-231 radios, five AN/APX-123A Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponder, five AN/ARC-220 Radio, twenty AN/AVS-6 Helmet Mounted Night Vision Devices, and other related elements of logistics and program support. "The sale of these UH-60 helicopters to Latvia will significantly increase its capability to provide troop lift, border security, anti-terrorist, medical evacuation, search and rescue, re-supply/external lift, and combat support in all weather. Latvia intends to use these helicopters to modernize its armed forces and expand its existing Army architecture in its efforts to provide multi-mission support in the region," the DSCA added. The prime contractors will be Sikorsky and General Electric Aviation Company (GEAC). Indonesia is waiting to receive the first Su-35 Russian fighter jet by October this year, Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Mohammad Wahid Supriyadi has said. "We expect the first out of eleven S-35 fighter jets to be delivered by October this year," he said. "We mark the Indonesian National Armed Forces Day in October and we want to time the aircrafts delivery to coincide with this date," the Indonesian diplomat said. A Russian Air Force Su-35 flying at MAKS 2017 air show Indonesia hopes to receive the aircraft as soon as possible. "The sooner the better," the ambassador said, but the sides are now discussing technical details. Previous reports said that Jakarta wanted to buy 10 multirole Su-35 fighter jets to replace the outdated U.S. F-5 Tiger aircraft, which have been in service with the Indonesian army since 1980. The Russian State Corporation Rostec reported later that Indonesia had received a commercial offer, which mentioned 11 aircraft. The fighter jet is supposed to be handed over to the Indonesian side before October 5 when a parade usually takes place in Indonesia to mark the 73rd anniversary of foundation of the Indonesian National Armed Forces. The Su-35 fighter jet is expected to participate in the parade. It is not the first time that Indonesia is going to demonstrate new military hardware at a parade. The tradition goes back to 1959 when the Soviet MiG-17 and MiG-19 fighter jets participated in the parade for the first time. Indonesia demonstrated the Soviet-made S-75 Dvina anti-aircraft missile system at another parade, which took place in 1962. Su-35 is a Russian multirole super-maneuverable generation 4++ fighter jet equipped with onboard phased antenna array radar and steerable thrusters. It can develop a speed of 2500 km/h. The range is 3400 km and combat radius is close to 1600 km. The aircraft is armed with 30mm gun and has 12 suspensions for bombs and missiles. Copyright 2018 TASS. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 2K Shares Share Recent research from Florida Atlantic University and Cleveland State University have found a direct correlation between preventative health care and the number of paid sick leave days a worker gets. Workers with more than 10 paid sick days annually access preventative care more frequently than those without paid sick days. Preventative care, in turn, leads to better overall mental and physical health. Doctors that are in private practice function like small business owners, when they are out for any reason, including sickness, they must pay overhead without collecting income. Doctors in academic practices and those employed by hospitals may have sick days in their benefits that range from 2 to 3 weeks paid sick leave per annum. However, most doctors never take any of their sick days. This is not because doctors dont get sick. Taking sick days is highly frowned upon in the medical world, and residents are taught from the start not to call in sick no matter what the impending illness might be. If you live and work in the medical profession, Im sure you know what Im talking about. Half-way through my residency (pre 80-hour work week regulations), I called in sick and was asked if I was sure that I was really sick (I was, I had the flu with full-fledged vomiting and all the fixings). I did call in sick that day but never really did it again until this year (at the age of 46) when I had visible shingles. Enough of the unspoken rule that doctors dont call in sick. Still commonplace Im at a point in my career now where I can call in sick and not worry whether or not my own impairment will result in being fired or given less hours. Unfortunately this isnt the case with most doctors that I know, and Im fairly certain that residents are still urged not to call in sick. Ive seen surgeons with the flu operate, stop to vomit, and continue operating. Ive seen doctors walk into hospitals with sky-high fevers and strange diseases. Ive seen doctors attached to IV bags sitting in hospital hallways mid-shift just to get through the rest of the day while beating back illness. This insanity has to stop. Doctors everywhere are making people more sick by not calling in sick. Heres what needs to happen in order to give doctors a break when it comes to resting, feeling better, and having permission to call in sick. 1. Responsibility. Doctors should cover for each other when one doctor is sick, another doctor in the same group should be able to fill a shift creating a culture of support is imperative. 2. Patient education and understanding. Patients must understand that doctors are human and can call in sick. Its not in anyones best interest when a sick doctor treats a sick patients. 3. Transparency. Its commonplace for clinic or hospital staff to tell patients that doctors are busy, on-call, or out for other reasons when doctors take a sick day. Offices should be allowed to tell patients that a doctor has taken a sick day. This will help people to understand that doctors are not superhuman. 4. Self-care. Doctors should have their own primary care physicians, and should be responsible for routine health visits and measures such as colorectal screening, pap smears, mammograms, flu shots, etc. 5. Surgeons. Rescheduling an urgent surgery is difficult to do, but this is where a peer or partner network comes into vital play. One surgeon should be able to call in sick and know that a partner or peer can perform the necessary surgery. If surgery is elective, rescheduling on a day that the surgeon is healthy should not be taboo. Jennifer Weiss is an orthopaedic surgeon and can be reached at her self-titled site, Jennifer Weiss MD. Image credit: Shutterstock.com As we approached our sixties, we got serious about the idea and quietly planned our transition, says David. After David retired, the couple moved to Moldova for a two-year Peace Corps stint when both were 63. David and Champa Jarmul met 40 years ago, when he was a Peace Corps volunteer teaching English in Nepal at a school where she taught. The couple always wanted to serve in the Peace Corps together, but careers and childrenthen grandchildrenkept them busy. Flexibility, an open mind and a willingness to learn are strong qualities that make successful volunteers, says Olsen. Depending on the program, service can last from three months to two years. About 6% of volunteers are age 50 or older. There is no upper age limit to Peace Corps service, says Olsen. The oldest volunteer is an 83-year-old woman who works at a health clinic in Malawi. Looking for a way to give back and experience a life-changing adventure in your second act ? Joining the Peace Corps may fit the bill. Retired Americans can use the life skills and professional experience they gained during their careers to make a lasting impact in communities around the world, says Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen. Moldova is a small former-Soviet country between Romania and Ukraine near the Black Sea. The Jarmuls, who just finished their stint, lived in the small city of Ialoveni on the second floor of their host familys house. David worked in a local library, where he taught classes in computer coding, robotics and English conversation and helped create a childrens room for families. Champa taught English at a local school and also volunteered at a local center for kids with special needs. My favorite thing was my students, says Champa. I love walking down the street and everyone says Hello Miss Champa! Moldovas economy is based primarily on agriculture, and the country is famous for its wine. However, it is the poorest country in Europe, says David. A lot of the kids we see in the library or at school are being raised by their grandparents while their parents work abroad to earn money. The Jarmuls became friends with other volunteers from the U.S. who come from a variety of backgrounds, including a real estate broker, a city administrator, a restaurant manager and a small-business owner. All of us joined Peace Corps because we wanted to give back and serve others, says David. Its also a great way to learn about new cultures, broaden your horizons and have an adventure. David chronicles his experiences in a blog. Preparing to Go Abroad David and Champa prepared financially for a few years before they joined the Peace Corps. He stayed in his job long enough to qualify for the retirement health plan, which theyll use now that theyve returned, and they accelerated their monthly mortgage payments before they left so they could pay off their house, which they rented out while they were gone. The Peace Corps provides volunteers with housing and a living stipend, as well as medical and dental care, so the couple barely had to touch their retirement savings for two years. We had no medical premiums, no car insurance, no utility bills, nothing at all except for some travel and personal expenses. We were able to hold off starting Social Security, too, says David. The programs application process can take several months. They review your job experience, check references, do a background check and look into every detail of your medical history, says David. To get started, visit peacecorps.gov and speak with a recruiter or returned volunteers to find out more about the experience. Also, review the living conditions and medical considerations of a particular volunteer opportunity before applying.Peace Corps is not for everyone, says Champa. You give up a lot of the luxuries we take for granted in America. But its also an experience that will open your eyes and change your life. Due farmacisti e un chimico catanesi hanno fondato un'azienda che, con criteri di economia circolare, utilizzano e valorizzano piante aromatiche e agrumi del territorio da cui ricavano prodotti con proprieta fitoterapeutiche, antibatteriche e antimicotiche United Nations, Aug 7 (AFP) The UN Security Council today approved US-drafted measures aimed at ensuring that tough sanctions on North Korea do not impede deliveries of humanitarian aid to the isolated country. Nearly half of North Korea's population - 10 million people - are undernourished, according to UN officials, who have reported a drop in food production last year. UN resolutions specify that sanctions should not affect humanitarian aid, but relief organisations argue that strict trade and banking measures are creating bureaucratic obstacles and slowing down the flow of vital supplies. The United States last month proposed new guidelines to allow aid groups and UN agencies to quickly obtain exemptions from the council committee that oversees implementation of sanctions. After weeks of negotiations, the proposal was approved today. Dutch Deputy UN Ambassador Lise Gregoire-van Haaren, whose country chairs the sanctions committee, said the guidelines will hopefully "provide clarity on delivering humanitarian aid to the North Korean people without violating sanctions." "Our ultimate goal is the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the sanctions are very important to that end," she said. A notice will be sent to the UN's 193 member-states by the committee "to provide a clear explanation" of the procedure for exemptions which will "improve the delivery of humanitarian assistance" to North Korea, a committee document said. (AFP) CK (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Sukma, August 6: In a major breakthrough for security forces, 15 Naxals were killed today in an encounter in Chhattisgarhs Sukma district. The gunfight took place this morning in a forest area in south Sukma, around 500 km from Raipur. Till now 15 bodies of Naxals have been recovered, and a large amount of firearms were also seized from the encounter site. The encounter is still underway. Four naxals were also apprehended from the area including an area committee member who had a bounty of Rs five lakh. On August 3, One Naxal was killed and two policemen were injured in an encounter with security forces at a weekly market in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district. The encounter started when a police team was patrolling the area to ensure protection to the weekly market. Earlier this month, Naxal zone commander of Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC), Brahmdev Ganjhu, who had Rs 3 lakh bounty on his head, also surrendered before the Latehar police. Brahmdev, became a Maoist at the age of 10 due to some land issue. In March also, Ten Naxals, including a woman had surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Kondagaon district. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2018 01:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Srinagar, August 6: The Jammu police on Sunday arrested a terrorist who had eight grenades in possession, the police said on Monday. The arrest comes just days ahead of the Independence day and the police claims to have foiled a major terror attack bid in the capital, Delhi. According to intelligence sources, terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed has been planning an attack in New Delhi on the occasion of Independence day. The arrested terrorist has been identified as Arfan Wani, and is a resident of Awantipora in Pulwama district of south Kashmir. Eight live hand grenades and Rs 60,000 in cash were recovered from his possession, an officer was quoted saying by news agency PTI. On Sunday, there were media reports that Jaish Chief Masood Azhar's brother named Abdul Rauf Ashgar's ex-bodyguard, Ebrahim Ismail alias Lambu is reported to have received training and is behind the planning of attack on 15 August in Delhi. Reports also say that Jaish has sent two of their commandos in Kashmir valley so as to prepare for the attack. The other terrorist who has crossed over along with Ebrahim Ismail or Lambu is Masood Azhar's elder brother's son named Umar. On July 19, there were reports of Pakistan-based jihadist group Jaish-e-Muhammed, reportedly training its cadres in deep sea diving with the aim to target "strategic assets" of the Indian Navy. A Srinagar-based terror operative, apprehended in June this year by the Indian forces, has revealed the plot being hatched across the border by anti-India terror forces - Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen - to boost insurgency in Kashmir. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2018 03:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Copenhagen, August 5: Danish police fined a 28-year-old woman for wearing a niqab in a shopping centre. It was the first such incident when a woman was or violating the country's law banning full-face Islamic veils in public places which came into effect on August 1. The woman was asked either to remove the veil or to leave the place. After this, she left the shopping complex. police duty officer David Borchersen told the Ritzau news agency, Police were called to a shopping centre in Horsholm, north of Copenhagen, where the woman had become involved in an altercation with another woman who had tried to tear her niqab off. She wore the niqab again before the police arrived. Police clicked a photograph of the woman wearing the niqab and also collected footage of the incident from the shopping complex. Police informed her that she would receive a fine of 1,000 kroner, about $156, in the mail. The cops also went through the footage obtained from the shopping complex to going through surveillance video to determine if the other woman deliberately ripped off the niqab. From August 1, wearing a burqa, which covers a person's entire face, or the niqab, which only shows the eyes, in public carries a fine of 1,000 kroner. Repeated violations are fined up to 10,000 kroner. The ban also includes other accessories that hide the face such as balaclavas, masks and false beards. Human rights campaigners have slammed the ban as a violation of women's rights. The supporters of this ban are of the opinion the ban enables better integration of Muslim immigrants into Danish society. Belgium, France, Germany and Austria have also imposed bans or partial bans of full-face veils. (With agency inputs) (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 05, 2018 09:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Last week Pope Francis amended the Catholic Church's position on the death penalty, calling it an "inadmissible" act that attacks the dignity of humankind. Unlike his predecessors -- some of whom argued against capital punishment but said governments could invoke it in limited situations -- Francis called for its abolition worldwide, without exception. It's uncertain whether the change in the church's catechism will have an impact in the nations, including the United States, that allow the death penalty. What do you think? Is the pope right to call for the end of the death penalty? Have a say in our informal poll, and feel free to join the conversation in the comments section. An 81-year-old man died Sunday afternoon after his car was struck as he attempted to make a turn onto Route 611 from a private driveway in Lower Mount Bethel Township. Pennsylvania State Police in Belfast said the crash happened at 2:23 p.m. in the 4600 block of South Delaware Drive. Bradley Keough, 55, of Easton, was headed south in a 2010 Mazda CX7 at the same time Anthony Sabella was attempting to pull onto South Delaware from a private driveway in a 2003 Honda Civic, according to police. The front end of the Mazda struck the driver's side of the Civic, police said. Sabella was pronounced dead from blunt force chest injuries at 3:30 p.m. at St. Luke's University Hospital in Fountain Hill, Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim said, ruling the death an accident. Police said Sabella lived in Lower Mount Bethel, but Grim said Sabella lived in Bethlehem. Keough was not injured. Police said Keough was wearing a seat belt and it was unclear if Sabella was wearing his seat belt. Also responding to the crash was Suburban Emergency Medical Services, the Lower Mount Bethel Fire Dept., Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Forks Township Fire Police. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A 41-year-old Roseto woman is charged in a July 29 hit-and-run crash in Bangor, police confirm. Joeann Theresa Comunale faces a summary count of accidents involving damage to an unattended vehicle or property, police Chief Scott Felchock said. Video of what happened last night Posted by Cory Degroat on Sunday, July 29, 2018 Authorities allege Comunale was behind the wheel of a vehicle that crashed into a parked vehicle that then hit another parked vehicle early in the morning on Broadway not far from Third Street, then drove off. The summary charge carries up to 90 days in jail and a $300 fine, Pennsylvania sentencing guidelines say. A hearing will be scheduled once Comunale advises District Judge Alicia Rose Zito's court of a plea. A listed phone number for Comunale was out of service so she couldn't be reached for comment. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. School supplies can be expensive, putting a strain on many families who already struggle to make ends meet. That's why the United Way of Northern New Jersey, which serves Warren County along with several other counties in the region, is kicking off its annual Tools for School drive, giving students the chance to start the school year with the basic tools needed for academic success. The nonprofit estimates its drive will benefit more than 11,000 students from low-income or poverty-level families in northern New Jersey. Many of these students lack basic supplies -- pencils, notebooks, backpacks and the like -- required by their elementary and middle schools. "For (low-income) families who are already living paycheck to paycheck, spending money on school supplies is not an option," said Kiran Handa Gaudioso, chief operating officer of UWNNJ, in a news release. "By uniting as a community, we can help ease the financial struggle of these hardworking families and give students the basics to start the school year on the right track." Donations can be made online or by visiting drop-off locations in Warren, Morris, Suburban Essex, Somerset and Sussex counties. Warren County: Morris County: Somerset County: Suburban Essex County: Sussex County: Suggested donations include book covers, spiral notebooks, colored pencils, scissors and other items. School nurses have also requested personal care items like toothbrushes, deodorant and bandages, and kindergarten and first grade teachers have requested children's underwear and socks. Gift cards that can be used to purchase things like shoes and clothing will also be accepted. Those seeking more information about making donations, holding a Tools for School drive or volunteering with sorting supplies can visit the UWNNJ's website, email Lisa.Galonardo@UnitedWayNNJ.org or call (973) 993-1160, ext. 503. Jake Holland may be reached at jholland@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jakewholland. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. English people sometimes ask me why Sunday nights were once such a big deal in Ireland. Its a question to which Ive tried to offer different explanations, like how it very easily became a much longer than anticipated hangover cure from the Saturday night before. Or, even, a self-destructive act of protest in opposition to the next days work. Neither ever seemed totally satisfactory. But then maybe the explanation that has often made the most sense is how we were willingly corrupted by crazy deals like one pound a drink in the Attic on Sunday nights. One pound? Yep, you heard right. I remember waiting outside the notorious nightclub come night-loft in 2000 after Kildare beat Dublin in the Leinster final. It was already the early hours of Monday morning and a line of white jerseys queued all the way up Fairgreen Street. Vanessa Amorosi had a hit then called Absolutely Everybody and it feels quite apt writing that now, in light of the size of the queue. It was a song that pulsed down the stairs of the venue and beckoned us in from the street. I remember a local builder stopping on his way home after spotting one of his workers in the queue. Youll be in in the morning now, wont you, he asked, reasonably? Ah yeah, I will of course, replied the worker. Will ye now? he said, checking to be sure. Definitely, hundred per cent came the reply. You wont be there, will you, the builder concluded after looking up and down the street to survey the scene. Actually, to be honest, I probably wont be, in all reality like, declared the worker. Now, after a hiatus of I dont know how many years, beers taps are set to pour again on the site of the old Attic. Did I say beer-taps? Sorry, it would probably be more appropriate to say Vodka Jellies, something Ill forever associate with the Attic. There was three busy nightclubs in the town then, and in comparison with the Court and the Bauhaus, the Attic always had a deal on and at the back end of the 90s it was vodka jellies carried about on round trays by good-looking lounge girls. They were a pound too, now that I think of it. It was like Ayia Napa in Greece, but without the sun and half of Peterborough. I cant remember whether you drank them or ate them, but I know a man claimed to have had 32 one night. Thirty two? someone asked the next day. Well, he said he had one of every county in Ireland, it was explained. Today, the vodka jelly king lives in New Zealand. And the Attic was like Doctor Whos telephone box the Tardis in that it was infinitely bigger inside than its external dimensions suggested. Its a construction riddle Ive yet to solve. But then it was tough to figure such an equation of architecture against the soundtrack of Moving Too Fast by Artful Dodger, If This Aint Love by Groovejet, and Spinning Around by Kylie Minogue. Music tremors pulsed upwards out of the sky lights and downwards into the foundations and there was always the potential of a big earthquake on the nights when the mini-bus from Newbridge pulled up outside. I dont know if doormen were paid danger money, but certainly they should have been. Just imagine trying to maintain order in a vodka jelly drunk landscape that then got a hit of industrial strength curry power from the Yankee Express next door? People went crazy. And without question, the Attic is the only nightclub in the world Ive ever visited where you could expect to be spoken to fairly sternly not when you were being chucked out, but when you were trying to get in. And it didnt warrant a flinch if you saw the person in front of you warned to cop the f**k on. That was before they even paid their fiver. I put that heavy handedness down to post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), a condition not alone suffered by the bouncers after years of toil, but possibly everyone who suffered the sensory overload that accompanied the arrival of Robbie Williams then hit Rock DJ, full belt at 2am. You never would have guessed everyone had to be up for work in a few hours. In our then burgeoning Celtic economy, I can tell you the builders labourer wasnt the only casualty. Robert Mulhern is a London based journalist contracted to RTE's The Documentary on One I must send a serious message to anyone thinking of engaging in this activity, said Judge Kevin P Kilrane prior to sentencing Patrick Stokes, 8 Castle Meadows, Trim, Co Meath to 11 months in prison, with the final four months suspended in relation to the theft of cable wires from Eir, Cortober on August 8, 2017. A co-accused, Johnny Stokes, 6 Castlemeadows Ring Road, Trim, Co Meath was remanded on continuing bail until December 18. Giving summary evidence Insp Dennis Harrington told last weeks sitting of Carrick-on-Shannon District Court shortly after 1am on the date in question Gda Murray and Gda Burke were on mobile patrol turning in the direction of Lidl when they observed a vehicle parked on waste ground. The rear doors of the Ford Transit were open and a male came from behind the van who was said to have been sweating profusely and was startled to see the Gardai. The back of the van was said to have been packed to capacity with heavy duty cable while three handsaws were placed near the door. Two plastic bags were discovered in the footwell containing footwear and a change of clothes while a beaten track of grass to a perimeter fence was discovered with a ladder placed at the perimeter fence. Insp Harrington said the value of the stolen property was 3,400 and he said it was An ongoing problem in the area. Entering a plea on behalf of the accused, defending solicitor Gerry McGovern said, This thing with scrap metal has become a big thing with people of the travelling community in recent years. It has become very valuable. These men have to realise it is not scrap it is valuable. Mr McGovern said the defendants received Hardly one tenth of the value, adding, There should be a clampdown on the agents purchasing from them. Asking for leniency Mr McGovern added, They put up their hands. You could say they were caught red handed. I ask you to deal with them other than throwing away the key and locking them up. In relation to John Stokes, who is a 23-year-old, father of one, and whose only previous convictions are for motoring offences, Judge Kilrane said, It appears he wasnt the owner or the driver of the vehicle. Judge Kilrane adjourned matters against John Stokes until December 18 saying he did not need a probation report to be prepared. In relation to Patrick Stokes, who has 12 previous convictions, Judge Kilrane said he is A hardened criminal. Judge Kilrane continued, There may be some hope of rehabilitation for Johnny Stokes. If there is anything against him or a credible allegation (before the case is revisited in December) he may face prison. Patrick Stokes organised matters, Im quite certain. Mr McGovern has attempted to paint the best light. He referred to members of the travelling community dealing with scrap metal. This is a serious larceny of Eir copper wiring. We must start with the stealers. Judge Kilrane paid tribute to the work of Gda Murray and Gda Burke saying, I congratulate the Gardai on detecting these two rascals. Prior to giving his ruling in relation to Patrick Stokes, Judge Kilrane said, I must send a serious message to anyone thinking of engaging in this activity, noting that very serious damage could be caused to active cables. The question of rehabilitation must always be considered, the chances of rehabilitation are slim. Judge Kilrane imposed an 11 month prison sentence with the final four months suspended on condition Patrick Stokes is not convicted of any indictable offence for a period of three years post-release. A request from Insp Harrington for a ban from driving to be imposed as Patrick Stokes drove from Meath for the purpose of committing the offence was rejected by Judge Kilrane. Recognisance was fixed at 100 own bond, not cash and 6,000 independent surety, 2,000 of which must be cash with surety to be approved. Charges of possession of an article with the intention that it be used in the course of or in connection with a theft/burglary were struck out against both defendants. A YOUNG man who pulled a woman from her car and repeatedly punched her has been jailed for two years. Sanjay OBrien, aged 21, who has an address at Radharc na Feile, Abbeyfeale had pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman at Convent Street, in the town on April 3, 2015. The woman was driving to work shortly after 5am when she was flagged down by a youth who was standing in middle of the road. The defendant, who was with another youth, kicked her car and after opening the door he repeatedly punched her in the face with his fists. Detective Garda Jerry OSullivan said while she did not require treatment in hospital, the woman sustained facial bruising and was prescribed anti inflammatories and painkillers by her GP and could not work for a week. In a victim impact, she said she expressed her frustration that the accused had remained free in the immediate aftermath of the incident. I wonder how could he be walking the streets happy and laughing with his friends after attacking me in such a vicious way, she said. Detective Garda OSullivan told Lily Buckley BL, instructed by state solicitor Aidan Judge, the defendant was apprehended shortly after the incident after the victim spotted him in a house in the town. He said that Mr OBriens knuckles were covered in blood and that he made some admissions in relation to what happened. Questioned by gardai, the defendant said he had been drinking through the night and did not fully remember the incident. Brian McInerney BL said Mr OBrien, who has a young child, did not know the woman prior to the incident and that he accepts what happened was a disgraceful episode which cannot be explained. Judge Tom ODonnell commented that what happened was absolutely shocking and that people should be entitled to go about their lawful business with being attacked at random. He said the use of violence and the random targeting of the woman were aggravating factors. He noted the age of the defendant, his level of intoxication on the morning and the lack of pre-meditation. The judge said his previous good record was also something he had to take into consideration. ALMOST 1.5 million in European Research Council funding has been awarded to a University of Limerick lecturer to lead a five-year research project investigating the influence of social media. Dr Mike Quayle, from the Department of Psychology at UL, is one of just six early-career researchers in Ireland to have been awarded an ERC grant. The council granted a total of 603 million to 403 researchers across Europe as part of its plans to enrich the European research field. As we have seen with Brexit and the election of the US president Donald Trump, social influence works differently in digital societies, Dr Quayle said. Our online communities are packed with bots that seem like real people but are producing social influence for commercial or political interests. Right now, we don't know how much influence they have or how to resist, he added. For example, in the British referendum on leaving the EU, Vote Leave breached spending limits to double down on their social media campaigns but they now claim that the extra spend could not have changed the result of the Brexit referendum. So which is it? Dr Quayle asked if our societies are vulnerable to social media influence by companies like Cambridge Analytica, or are these worries over-hyped. The project will combine the expertise of ULs Centre for Social Issues Research and the Mathematics Applications Consortium for Science and Industry (MACSI) in an attempt to unlock a key issue facing contemporary society with the latest developments in Network Science. Understanding the structure of group attitudes in networks will help us to understand how networks can be resilient or vulnerable to social influence in digital social networks, Dr Quayle said. With this understanding, we will be able to suggest better policies to safeguard robust and cohesive collective attitudes. He added, that UL will shortly be recruiting two postdocs for five-year roles as well as two generously funded four-year PhD scholarships. ERC Starter Grants were also awarded to Trinity College Dublin, NUI Galway and the Science Foundation Ireland funded research centre AMBER, of which UL is a partner. Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said: In addition to supporting early stage European researchers, the ERC Starting Grants also help enrich the European research field by attracting and retaining foreign scientists in Europe. More than one in ten grantees come from outside the EU or its associated countries. A LIFE-saving wonder drug that was piloted in Limerick prevented two potentially-fatal heroin overdoses, thanks to swift responses from the emergency services. Last Saturday morning (July 28), a woman in the city centre suffered a respiratory attack, secondary to a heroin overdose. Within 15 minutes, two ambulance units and Limerick Fire Service were at the scene and stablised the woman by administering the drug naloxone. The following day, an individual in the city centre suffered from a heroin overdose, but was stabilised by McGarry House staff when naloxone was administered five times. Sinead Carey, of Novas, which oversees McGarry House homeless service on Alphonsus Street, said the two incidents show how valuable the ambulance service is and how badly needed it is. Overdose deaths are preventable with training and education and peer prevention programmes, as well as the intervention of naloxone. She said she thinks that if the drug were not made available, there would have potentially been a number of fatalities due to overdoses. Limerick was selected as one of the HSEs pilot project sites for the use of the drug in 2016. Since then, the HSE has launched its general naloxone project. When users consume opioids, such as methadone or heroin, they stick to receptors in the brain that control the breathing system. If opioids come into contact with too many receptors, a persons breathing can shut down. Naloxone, when administered, removes the opioid receptors in the brain. Since the project was launched in 2016, naloxone has been administered via injection. But to coincide with International Overdose Awareness Day at the end of August, naloxone will be available in the form of a nasal spray. This will make it even more accessible for the lads and for the staff team, she said. Novas worked closely with Dr Patrick ODonnell who was the leading GP in the Mid-West region to work with the life-saving drug. There are now several GPs, affiliated with Slainte Drug and Alcohol Counselling Services on Mungret Street. In a previous interview with the Limerick Leader, Dr ODonnell, who has a clinic on Cecil Street, described naloxone as a wonder drug. McGarry House has been able to integrate the naloxone programme with their peer prevention project, Topple, where clients can administer the drug in the event of an overdose. Ana Liffey Drug Project was also instrumental in promoting the project in Limerick, Ms Carey said. On Wednesday morning, Dr Patrick ODonnell met with members of Ana Liffey Drug Project, Novas and metropolitan mayor Cllr Daniel Butler to discuss Limericks plans to mark International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31. Details are to be announced soon. A YOUNG man who was extradited from the UK earlier this year has admitted his role in a burglary during which property worth more than 60,000 was stolen. Bernard Casey, aged 29, who has an address at Templegreen, Newcastle West fled to the UK in the days after he first appeared in court on February 27, 2015. He was arrested by police in Birmingham last May on foot of a European Arrest Warrant. He was formally deported in early June. Lily Buckley BL, instructed by state solicitor Aidan Judge, said Casey was one of three men who were prosecuted in relation to the break-in at 5 Crossroads, Croagh on June 25, 2012. Garda Denis Waters told Limerick Circuit Court the alarm was raised at around 8.50pm while the occupants were away in Dublin. It was later established that a mans Rolex watch, worth 27,000, as well as a girls Rolex , worth 6,650, were among the items taken. Various other items of jewellery were stolen along with two designer handbags a Louis Vuitton and a Coco Chanel. Several household items, including a television, items of Waterford Crystal and candlesticks were also reported missing. During a sentencing hearing, Garda McCarthy said the Casey and another man entered the property after they broke a glass panel in a back door. A third man remained outside in the getaway car. Garda McCarthy said the defendant initially told gardai he could not remember the day when arrested and interviewed a number of weeks later. However, he later acknowledged he had broken a window at the house and had taken some property. Casey also admitted damaging a door at another house near Ballingarry on the same day. Kenny Kerins BL said his client made frank admissions following his arrest and was not seeking to reduce his culpability. He said Casey, who has a large number of public order convictions, has issues with alcohol and that his young child suffers from some health difficulties. He said his client had travelled to the UK for own safety due to issues with other travellers. Mr Kerins said the birth of his clients son has given him a focus in life. He has been a general nuisance, he has lived a life of petty crime up to now, he said. Judge Tom ODonnell noted there were a number of matters for him to consider before he finalises the matter in October. Last year, one of the other defendants was sentenced to two years imprisonment while the second received a three year prison sentence which was suspended in its entirety. LIMERICK city, Castleconnell and Montpelier are so well hidden in Irelands Hidden Heartlands there is no mention of them. Failte Irelands newest tourism brand focuses on the route of the river Shannon. Cllr Seighin O Ceallaigh said that he is appalled that Limerick has once again been ignored on a major tourism scheme. Irelands Hidden Heartlands covers the region surrounding the river Shannon and its lakes, but doesnt include any of Limerick. Once again we see Limerick being ignored in terms of tourism. We were ignored for the Wild Atlantic Way, and now we are being ignored for Hidden Heartlands. Limerick people are known as the Shannonsiders yet we are not included on a tourism route along the river Shannon? said the Sinn Fein councillor. Cllr O Ceallaigh said one of the most bizarre situations is along the Limerick-Clare border. OBriens Bridge is included but it doesn't extend across the river to Montpelier. Its a no-brainer. Montpelier, Castleconnell and Limerick city should be included. We are looking at developing a Greenway for this particular route which runs along the river, and this would be an excellent addition to Irelands Hidden Heartlands, said Cllr O Ceallaigh, who vowed to work with the local authority to rectify it. Although Limerick seems to be so far down the agenda that it will take a lot of work to rectify this blatant mistake. We have so much to offer and as a council invest so much in tourism. We deserve to be treated fairly. A CENTRE in Limerick which provides a safe space for grieving youngsters and their families received a welcome boost after securing two lots of vital funding. The Childrens Grief Centre, based at the South Circular Road, has received 30,000 from the HSE and Tusla in order to address the services long waiting list. And in a further boost, it has received another 2,000 from petrol retailer Applegreen, as part of its Blossom Fund partnership with the Irish Youth Foundation. Thanks to @Nick468official of @Limerick_Leader for today's article confirming much appreciated funding of 30,000 from @HSELive. This money will help us to reduce our waiting list so that more children suffering loss & grief can be seen by the centre pic.twitter.com/fQhBF6O4mK Children's Grief Centre (@children_grief) August 1, 2018 All this comes on the same day the Pride of Place judges paid a visit to its centre, which allows children to explore their feelings in a different manner to counselling, through art and play. The centre headed by Limerick Person of the Year St Helen Culhane is nominated in the Communities Reaching Out Initiative section of the national awards. Senator Maria Byrne has welcomed the funding boost, saying: It provides an invaluable service which has helped more than 1,000 children affected by loss through death, separation and divorce. We have a responsibility as a state to ensure every child facing loss through death, separation or divorce, receives the care and treatment they require and deserve in an appropriate environment. The Childrens Grief Centre is one of 62 community and voluntary projects chosen by Applegreen for its funding boost from 300 entries. Adrian Griffney, head of the firms charitable fund, said: Applegreen is thrilled to focus on local community-based projects offering support to children locally which is something we are passionate about. We are excited to see how the funding will help this project. WELL-KNOWN author and historian Michael Quinlan passed away on Saturday shortly after his neighbours and friends had gathered in Lough Gur for the launch of a new publication in his honour. The archaeologist and former headmaster of Lough Gur National School took his last breath at his home at Baggotstown, Knockainey surrounded by his loving family. He was 80-years-of-age. Titled This is Lough Gur The Jewel of an Antique Land, the book was the last publication overseen by Michael in the weeks leading up to his final day. Editors included his daughter and Chairperson of Lough Gur Development, Aine Barry, who through a labour of love worked with her father over the last number of months to ensure that his memories and accounts of Lough Gur were recorded in this treasured keepsake. Additional editors included Chairperson of the Lough Gur Historical Society, George Finch, lead tour guide, Brian Collopy, and Manager of Lough Gur Development, Kate Harrold, who all brought together the stories, images, songs, poetry and folklore in a handbook format for local and international visitors. However, it was Michael Quinlan who inspired the production of the publication and this new edition is dedicated to him in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Lough Gur. Only last week Michael commented that the new publication was one to be proud of. Manager of Lough Gur Development, Kate Harrold, remembers Michael fondly commenting that since starting with the group almost six years previously Michael often spoke of standing back and leaving a new generation to continue his work. However, Kate says that she would not accept this preposterous suggestion as Michael was the very essence of Lough Gur and of vital importance to her role. Predeceased by his granddaughters Niamh Meany and Sofie Kate Quinlan, Michael Quinlan is deeply regretted by his loving wife Anne, nee Cotter, daughters Mary (OGrady), Aine (Barry), Niamh (Hynes, Cork), Emer (Mooney, New York), Nollaig (Coleman), Siobhan (Meany) and son Micheal, sister Barbara (Keane, Dublin), brother James (Athlone), sons in law, daughter in law, 20 grandchildren, relatives and a wide circle of friends. Reposing at Daverns Funeral Home, Hospital this Monday, August 6 from 3pm to 7pm. Arriving for funeral Mass in St Patricks Church, Lough Gur, at 11.30 am on Tuesday. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Family flowers only donations if desired to Milford Hospice Home Care Team. *For more on the life and times of Michael Quinlan, see our weekend editions THE man hailed as the future of Irish folk is back in Limerick for a gig later this year. The soulful Declan ORourke returns to play a concert on Thursday, December 20 at Dolans Warehouse, the venue has announced. The highly successful artist, with five albums to his name, produces soulful music, rooted in folk and trad, and has attracted the praise of countless industry giants, including John Prine, and Paul Weller, among others. His songwriting style moves faultlessly between impressionism, and storytelling, and can be at home in almost any form. A dynamic performer, he is at once as comfortable fronting a 50-piece orchestra, as playing solo with a guitar. The Dubliners legend John Sheahan, declared recently that, after 50 years I have decided its time to put a lid on the The Dubliners, but Im sure youll all agree that with Declan, and Damien (Dempsey), the future is in good hands. His sixth studio album, the long awaited Chronicles Of The Great Irish Famine, 16 years in the making, was released last year, attracting praise from scholars and reviewers alike. Tickets for the show are on sale, see www.dolans.ie. Posted on: August 6, 2018 4:48 PM The General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia has expressed his profound grief and condolences following the deaths of more than 100 people following a series of earthquakes in Indonesia. A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit the island of Lombok, a popular international tourist destination, around 7.00 am WITA (Midnight, GMT) last Sunday (29 July). It resulted in the deaths of 16 people. Yesterday (Sunday) at 7.46 pm (11:46 pm GMT) a magnitude 6.9 earthquake 19 miles below the island damaged thousands of houses and buildings, and caused the deaths of at least 98 people. There have been at least 130 aftershocks. Since yesterdays earthquake, some 20,000 people have been evacuated to unaffected areas of the island; while a fleet of boats have been sent to rescue tourists from Lombok and other islands in the area. Today (Monday), Dr Mathews George Chunakara, the General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia, an ecumenical body which includes all Anglican provinces in region as well as churches of many other denominations, offered his prayers for the victims and their families. In a statement issued by the CCA, Dr Chunakara expressed his profound grief and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families. He also spoke of his appreciation for the efforts made by Indonesian authorities to bring help to the affected people and communities in Lombok and the surrounding areas. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the people affected by the earthquake, he said. The Anglican Church in Indonesia is a missionary deanery of the Diocese of Singapore in the Province of South East Asia. Posted on: August 6, 2018 12:23 PM The ecumenical body representing the Christian churches in Zimbabwe has called for an end to sanctions and international isolation imposed on the country. In a pastoral statement issued on Friday (3 August), after the announcement of the countrys presidential election results, the Churches include a message to the international community in which they say punitive measures imposed on Zimbabwe will affect ordinary Zimbabweans rather than the countrys leaders. We plead with the international community not [to] continue the isolation of Zimbabwe on the basis of shortcomings of this election, the ZCC said. You are fully aware that the punitive measures on the new government will not affect those in leadership but the ordinary Zimbabweans. We believe that it is in the opportunity for Zimbabweans access to health care, education and basic social services that the nation will flourish and grow a robust democracy. We plead with the international community to continue accompanying our new government and civil society and churches with the effort of strengthening these mutually enriching institutions for the maturation of our democracy. The Pastoral Statement begins with an acceptance that the results announced by Zimbabwes Electoral Commission (ZEC) are consistent with the Sample Based Observation Projections produced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network. But it calls on ZEC to publish polling-level results for all elections including the Presidential election, for transparency and accountability. And it calls on all Zimbabweans to be peaceful and for aggrieved parties to seek peaceful and legal redress and exercise restraint. They say that the Churches, which acted as independent election observers, may not have the means to accept or rejection the objections to the election results raised by the opposition MDC Alliance. We pray that these objections will be expressed in a peaceful and legal manner, they said. We also pray that they will receive a fair and just hearing in accordance with the nations laws and constitution. In a section addressed to the leaders of Zanu-PF, the victorious party in the elections, the ZCC asked them to create avenues for inclusive dialogue and engagement as well as to heed the complaints raised by the MDC Alliance. They said: The nation needs you to commit to a nation building dialogue process aimed at uniting the nation and creating an inclusive way forward. And they called for formal constitutional recognition of the leader of the main opposition leader consistent with practices in other developed democracies. They also addressed the leaders of the MDC Alliance, saying: We acknowledge your frustrations and dissatisfactions regarding the electoral environment in Zimbabwe and say that they are praying that you may address your dissatisfactions through the courts of law with the aim of seeking just redress. If this is not possible, they say, the Church leadership makes itself available to facilitate other platforms of engagement as to bring mutually satisfactory closure to the current situation. They add: We also plead with the MDC Alliance leadership to bear in mind the pressing need to maintain peace and not take actions that may easily deteriorate to chaos. Volatile situations tend to deteriorate and attain a life of their own beyond anyones control. National peace is a mutual responsible endeavour that requires you to play your part towards its full attainment. They conclude their Pastoral Statement with a message to the people of Zimbabwe. Drawing inspiration from the story of Hagars well in Genesis 21, they said: Peace is not going to be achieved in the absence of justice. As long as there are Zimbabweans crying, as long as there are Zimbabweans who feel excluded and marginalised, as long as there are Zimbabweans who are thirsty, as long as there are Zimbabweans who are wondering in the diaspora longing to come home but are afraid of uncertainties, God looks and hears their cry from heaven. God is saying the solution is not far away, the fountain is just close by. Let us all open our eyes, we have the solution. The solution lies not in our separation but in our reconciliation on the basis of justice. The Zimbabwe Council of Churches brings together a number of Christian Churches, including the Anglican Dioceses of Central Zimbabwe, Harare, Manicaland, Matebeleland, and Masvingo in the Church of the Province of Central Africa. Yesterday (Sunday), the churches in Manicaland came together for an ecumenical prayer service for peace to prevail in Zimbabwe. During the service, they called on all leaders to seek peace and pursue it for Zimbabwe to become a united, just and prosperous nation. Gizas Great Pyramid and those Electromagnetic Secrets Yes, its officially here, silly season for the newspapers. The entire Northern world is off on their holibubs and theres near nothing to write about. Therefore near nothing does get written about. For example, this story that the Great Pyramid at Giza has some special electromagnetic energy thing going on. That it concentrates waves in secret chambers. That this can all be used to make better solar cells and the like. No, really, just no. This is getting much too close to the idea that you sharpen your razor blades by putting them under a cardboard pyramid: The Great Pyramid of Giza can focus electromagnetic energy through its hidden chambers No, this isnt what is being said at all. At least, not by the researchers it aint: The Great Pyramid of Giza may be able to focus electromagnetic radiation into pockets of energy inside its network of internal chambers and underneath its base, a new study has suggested. Theoretical research by a team of Russian scientists aimed to understand how the pyramid would respond to radio waves directed at it, with the goal of recreating its shape at a nanoscale. Thats getting closer but the initial claim is still wrong. Its ability to concentrate electric and magnetic energy was discovered by a team of researchers led by scientists from ITMO University in the Russian city of St Petersburg. No, the whole thing works the other way around. Assume that the shape of a pyramid can concentrate electromagnetic radiation. Then look at the size of the Great Pyramid. So, what sort of electromagnetic radiation would be concentrated by it? Radio waves of a particular wavelength. OK, good, now we want to go play with light. How big should our pyramid be? Nanoscale, thats how big. Were not actually saying anything at all about what the Great Pyramid can do. Were saying that this shape can, in certain circumstances, now, given the wavelength we want to play with how big should the pyramid be? And we already know that the shape can indeed filter and concentrate electromagnetic spectrum. What does anyone think a prism it? That white light in, rainbow out and the rainbow in, white light out as Newton showed is exactly that. This is all science thats been known for hundreds of years. Its only the details of size that are being worked out now. So, no, its still true that youre going to need new razor blades, that pyramid wont sharpen them. Tim Worstall Posted: 1st, August 2018 | In: News, Strange But True Comment | TrackBack | Permalink Here, the Great Synagogue after it was destroyed by fire during the Nazi German occupation of Lithuania during World War II. Parts of a Nazi-destroyed Jewish synagogue in Lithuania are seeing the light of day again after archaeologists unearthed the religious center's buried bimah, or central prayer platform, in a recent excavation. The find is the culmination of a three-year project to excavate the former site of what was known as the "Great Synagogue of Vilna," a title that comes from an old name for the city of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. While the Nazis destroyed many Jewish synagogues during World War II, the Great Synagogue of Vilna was a tremendous loss, as it had served as the spiritual center of the Jewish community in Vilnius for hundreds of years, from the 1600s until the 1940s, said Jon Seligman, an archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority who is leading the international team of archaeologists carrying out the excavations. [Photos: Unusual Mosaics Decorated Ancient Synagogue in Israel] The synagogue was burned down during the Nazi German occupation from 1941 to 1944, when most of the tens of thousands of Jews who lived in Vilnius were murdered, Seligman told Live Science. Vilnius mayor Remigijus Simasius (left) and excavation leader Jon Seligman inspect the bimah, or prayer platform, of the Great Synagogue, now buried beneath a former school. (Image credit: Vilna Great Synagogue and Shulhoyf Research Project) After World War II, when Lithuania was part of the Soviet Union, the ruined synagogue was leveled and then built over, first with a kindergarten and later with a primary school. Over the past few years, archaeologists have surveyed the site with ground-penetrating radar, hoping to discover and study remnants of the famous synagogue, Live Science previously reported. That project was a success: During the recent excavations, archaeologists located the bimah of the Great Synagogue, along with some of the floor tiles surrounding that platform, in a part of the structure buried beneath the former school principal's office, Seligman said. The bimah (pronounced bee-mah) was a raised platform at the geometrical center of the square-shaped sacred building, where passages from the Torah, the Jewish holy book, were read aloud. Congregants would have marveled at this structure during services; the bimah was made with green and brown bricks, in a "Tuscan Baroque" style that was popular when the Great Synagogue was built, in the 1630s, Seligman said. "Jerusalem of the North" Jewish people began moving into Vilnius in the 14th century, when the King of Lithuania first gave them permission to live there, Seligman said. The site archaeologists are now excavating has been used as a synagogue by the city's Jewish community since the 1440s. Excavations at the site of the Great Synagogue of Vilna in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. (Image credit: Vilna Great Synagogue and Shulhoyf Research Project) At first, all the buildings in the city were made of wood, including the synagogue. But in the 1600s, architects were brought to Vilnius from Italy and Germany to rebuild the city in brick. The famed Great Synagogue was built at that time, Seligman said. During the 17th century, Vilnius attracted many Yiddish-speaking writers and scholars, earning the city the nickname the "Jerusalem of the North," Seligman said. The Great Synagogue towered over the streets and alleyways of the "Shulhoyf," the name given to the Jewish neighborhood in Vilnius. The synagogue suffered a destructive fire in 1748, but it was rebuilt by benefactors, according to Jewish Heritage Europe, which tracks news about Jewish monuments and heritage sites in Europe. Lithuania's early Christian authorities may have unknowingly helped protect the lower parts of the synagogue from complete destruction in the 20th century. "The authorities demanded the synagogue not be higher than the churches in the city," Seligman said. And so, the floor of the Great Synagogue was built below the ground level, which allowed the architects to maximize the internal height of the stately central chamber without breaking the external height restriction. [Images: The Church of the Holy Sepulchre] That feature helped, in turn, to protect the lowest levels of the synagogue when the Nazis burned it down in 1941 and the Soviet authorities built over the site in the mid-1950s, Seligman said: the floor and bimah of the buried synagogue were found about 9 feet (3 meters) below the current ground level, the archaeologists reported. Nazi destruction Until World War II, around half of Lithuania's 240,000 Jews lived in the capital Vilnius, but Nazis and their sympathizers killed most of the Jewish population during the occupation of Lithuania by Nazi Germany between 1941 and 1944. Diagrams comparing the excavated bimah, or prayer platform, with reconstructions of the interior of the Great Synagogue. (Image credit: Vilna Great Synagogue and Shulhoyf Research Project) Although the Nazis used a system of concentration camps for the imprisonment and murder of Jews in Western Europe, in Vilnius and other Eastern European cities, Jews were forced to live in closed-off "ghetto" districts. Death-squads of German and Lithuanian paramilitary troops frequently raided the Vilnius ghetto, and by late 1944, up to 70,000 Jews had been shot to death beside mass graves in the Paneriai (or Ponary) Forest a few miles from Vilnius, according to Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. Tens of thousands more perished in the ghettos themselves and in Nazi work camps in Eastern Europe. Seligman said that the last three years of excavations at the Great Synagogue site in Vilnius, by a team of by Lithuanian, Israeli and U.S. archaeologists, was paid for mainly by Lithuanias Good Will Fund, which is funded by compensation from the Lithuanian government for Jewish property seized by the Nazis and then kept by the Soviet regime. The news agency AFP reported that the bimah and other artifacts from the Great Synagogue will become part of a Jewish memorial center on the site of the former school, which closed last year. "The school will be demolished within two years, and we'll create a respectful site, displaying rich Jewish heritage by 2023, when Vilnius celebrates its 700th birthday," the mayor of Vilnius, Remigijus Simasius, told the AFP. Seligman said that other parts of the Great Synagogue found in the recent excavations included two ritual baths, or mikvahs. And there's more to come: Archaeologists hope to locate the external walls of the synagogue and excavate its floor level, he said. Original article on Live Science. Residents look under the ruins of a mosque in Pemenang, North Lombok, Indonesia, on Aug. 6, 2018, the day after a 6.9/7-magnitude earthquake struck the area. A magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck right along the coast of the Indonesian island of Lombok, near Loloan village Sunday night local time (Aug. 5), according to Indonesian authorities. At least 91 people are reported dead from the quake, with shaking felt as far away as the island of Bali, the Associated Press reported. Damage in the north of Lombok was "massive," Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesperson for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency in the area, told a news conference, as reported by the AP, that also noted the damage included collapsed bridges, blackouts and roads blocked by debris. The U.S. Geological Survey clocked the quake as a magnitude 6.9, just shy of the magnitude registered by the Indonesian authorities. Just days earlier, on July 29, another deadly earthquake, this one a magnitude 6.4, hit the same area. That quake killed at least 16 people and injured more than 300, according to The Washington Post. Some 800 hikers were nearby when that earthquake struck and caused parts of a crater ledge and nearby plateau (holding several hikers and guides) at the summit of Mount Rinjani in Lombok to collapse into the volcano's mouth, according to news reports. [7 Ways the Earth Changes in the Blink of an Eye] "People were climbing on top of each other because the plateau was just falling away," Mackenzie Irwin, who was at the summit during the quake event, told The Washington Post. Both earthquakes occurred along faults in an area where tectonic plates are colliding, with one diving beneath the other. "In this area, there's subduction, so the Australian plate is moving under the Sunda plate, and the Australian plate is moving to the north underneath the Sunda plate," Paul Caruso, a USGS geophysicist, told Live Science. The many islands that make up Indonesia are not novices to the hazards of Mother Nature. That's because the region sits smack-dab along the so-called ring of fire an imaginary, horseshoe-shape line that follows the rim of the Pacific Ocean and marks spots where several tectonic plates collide. These subduction zones, where one of the plates dips beneath the other during collisions, occur offshore of Washington, Canada, Alaska, Russia, Japan and, yes, Indonesia. (Image credit: USGS.) "We've had a lot of really big quakes in that area," said Caruso, referring to the Indonesian region. For instance, a magnitude-7.7 earthquake and related tsunami hit off the nearby island of Java on July 17, 2006, and on June 2, 1994, a magnitude-7.8 earthquake and related tsunami hit the area, according to the USGS. A short-lived tsunami warning was reportedly issued for some time Sunday when the quake hit, but only small waves were recorded around Lombok, according to the AP report. According to Caruso, even though the Lombok earthquake occurred on land, it struck right along the coastline, where subsequent landslides into the sea could trigger tsunamis. Caruso said he expects more aftershocks from the magnitude-7 earthquake, though those shocks will be of a lower intensity than the main quake. Originally published on Live Science. It's the year 2300. Extreme weather events such as building-flattening hurricanes, years-long droughts and wildfires are so common that they no longer make headlines. The last groups of humans left near the sizzling equator pack their bags and move toward the now densely populated poles. This so-called "hothouse Earth," where global temperatures will be 7 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit (4 to 5 degrees Celsius) higher than preindustrial temperatures and sea levels will be 33 to 200 feet (10 to 60 meters) higher than today, is hard to imagine but easy to fall into, said a new perspective article published today (Aug. 6) in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. [Top 9 Ways the World Could End] In the article, a group of scientists argued that there is a threshold temperature above which natural feedback systems that currently keep the Earth cool will unravel. At that point, a cascade of climate events will thrust the planet into a "hothouse" state. Though the scientists don't know exactly what this threshold is, they said it could be as slight as 2 degrees C (around 4 degrees F) of warming above preindustrial levels. Sound familiar? The 2 degrees C mark plays a big role in the Paris Agreement, the landmark 2016 agreement signed by 179 countries to combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions (the same one that the U.S. announced it would withdraw from last year). In that accord, countries agreed to work to keep global temperature rise well below 2 degrees C, and ideally below 1.5 degrees C, above preindustrial levels this century. "This paper gives very strong scientific support that we should avoid coming too close or even reaching 2 degrees Celsius warming," article co-author Johan Rockstrom, director of the Stockholm Resilience Center and a professor of water systems and global sustainability at Stockholm University in Sweden, told Live Science. Changing Earth's rhythm For the last million years, Earth has naturally cycled in and out of an ice age every 100,000 years or so. The planet left the last ice age around 12,000 years ago and is currently in an interglacial cycle called the Holocene epoch. In this cycle, Earth has natural systems that help keep it cool, even during the warmer interglacial periods. But many scientists argue that due to the immense impact of humans on climate and the environment, the current geological age should be called the Anthropocene (from anthropogenic, which means originating with human activity). Temperatures are almost as hot as the maximum historical temperature during an interglacial cycle, Rockstrom said. If carbon emissions continue unabated, the planet might leave the glacial-interglacial cycle and be thrust into a new age of the "hothouse Earth." Today, we emit 40 billion tons of carbon dioxide a year from burning fossil fuels, Rockstrom said. But roughly half of those emissions are taken up and stored by the oceans, trees and soil, he said. However, we are now seeing signs that we are pushing the system too far cutting down too many trees, degrading too much soil, taking out too much fresh water and pumping too much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, Rockstrom said. Scientists fear that if we reach a certain temperature threshold, some of these natural processes will reverse and the planet "will become a self-heater,"Rockstrom said. That means, forests, soil and water will release the carbon they're storing. "The moment the planet becomes a source of greenhouse gas emissions together with us humans, then as you can imagine, things are accelerating very fast in the wrong direction," he said. [Doom and Gloom: Top 10 Postapocalyptic Worlds] Many tipping points In their perspective paper, Rockstrom and his team corroborated existing literature on various natural feedback processes and concluded that many of them can serve as "tipping elements." When one tips, many of the others follow. Nature has feedback mechanisms, such as a rainforest's capability to create its own humidity and rain, that keep ecosystems in equilibrium. If the rainforest is subject to increasing warming and deforestation, however, the mechanism slowly gets weaker, Rockstrom said. "When it crosses a tipping point, the feedback mechanism changes direction," Rockstrom said, and the rainforest morphs from a moisture engine into a self-dryer. Eventually, the rainforest turns into a savanna and, in the process, releases carbon, he said. This, in turn, can become part of a cascade that would influence other processes around the world, such as ocean circulation and El Nino events. Other tipping points include the thawing of permafrost, loss of Arctic summer sea ice and the loss of coral reefs. A global call for help The first big goal should be to completely stop carbon emissions by 2050, Rockstrom said. But that won't be enough, he added. In order to stay away from these tipping points, the "whole world [needs to] embark on a major project to become sustainable across all sectors," he said. That could be a challenge, as countries around the world grow increasingly nationalistic, he said. Instead of focusing on narrow national goals, the world should collectively work to reduce carbon emissions for instance by creating investment funds that can support poorer nations that don't have as much capacity to reduce emissions as richer countries do, he said. All of this means "that it's, scientifically speaking, completely unacceptable that a country like the U.S. leaves the Paris Agreement, because now more than ever, we need every country in the world to collectively decarbonize in order to secure a stable planet," Rockstrom said. The new paper is an opinion article that includes no new research but rather draws on the existing literature, Michael Mann, a distinguished professor of meteorology at Pennsylvania State University who was not part of the study, told Live Science in an email. "That having been said, the authors do, in my view, make a credible case that we could, in the absence of aggressive near-term efforts to reduce carbon emissions, commit to truly dangerous and irreversible climate change in a matter of decades," Mann said. Originally published on Live Science. Kuehne + Nagel buys perishables business of Panatlantic Logistics, consolidating its position in one of South Americas key export markets Kuehne + Nagel has completed the acquisition of the perishables business of Panatlantic Logistics, one of Ecuadors market leaders in in the transport of perishable products by air freight. The European group said the acquisition would enable Kuehne + Nagel to strengthen its position in the export market to the United States, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Yngve Ruud, Airfreight director of Kuehne + Nagel International, commented: Perishables Logistics is a strong growth driver for Kuehne + Nagel. After the integration of two market leaders in 2017 the acquisition of the perishables business of Panatlantic Logistics marks another important step in our global strategy. He said the companys KN FreshChain product offered scalable solutions and highest standards for transportation of temperature sensitive perishable products, noting: With Panatlantics Logistics on board, we further strengthen and expand our fresh chain network the largest in the logistics industry for perishables connecting key production countries to major markets. Panatlantic Logistics was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Ecuadors capital city, Quito. Operations are carried out in a temperature-controlled warehouse at Quito airport. The combined volume of Kuehne + Nagels current business portfolio and Panatlantics will account for 32,000 tonnes of air export perishables per annum out of Ecuador. Together with the perishables business managed in Colombia, Peru, Brazil and Chile, Kuehne + Nagel controls over 120,000 tonnes per annum of air export perishables in the South and Central America region. Raul Aragundi, CEO and shareholder of Panatlantic Logistics, commented: We are very proud to become part of the Kuehne + Nagel Group. By joining forces, we will co-create an enormous potential of opportunities for our customers. Our position in Ecuador will add and generate new and multiple chances for growing perspectives and services. Ingo Goldhammer, Kuehne + Nagel s resident for the South and Central America region, commented: By acquiring this specialised player, Kuehne + Nagel consolidates its leading position in one of South Americas key perishables export markets, and, at the same time, considerably strengthens its position in the regional airfreight markets. Beyond combined volumes and generation of synergies with our existing operations, we will enhance the service and value add offering to our customers, using the experience of both companies. Three real estate agents at a Danville firm were among the five people killed when a small plane crashed in a Southern California parking lot, authorities said Monday. The Orange County coroners office said those killed in crash Sunday were Lara Shepherd, 42, and Scott Shepherd, 53, of Diablo; Floria Hakimi, 62, of Danville; Navid Hakimi, 32, of Los Angeles; and Nasim Ghanadan, 29, of Alamo. Scott Shepherd was the pilot, officials said. The plane, a twin-engine Cessna 414, took off from Concords Buchanan Field and was headed to John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana when it crashed at 12:28 p.m. about a mile short of the runway in a shopping center parking lot. Video showed the plane plunging virtually straight down into the parking lot. No one on the ground was hurt. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash. Three of the victims Floria Hakimi, Lara Shepherd and Ghanadan were real estate agents for Pacific Union in Danville, according to the company. Scott Shepherd was Laras husband and a real estate developer in the Bay Area, and Navid Hakimi was Florias son, according to a statement from Pacific Union. Roya Winner, a friend of the Hakimi family, said Floria Hakimi treated everybody like family. She just was truly remarkable and gracious and kind and loving ... and that was contagious. Winner said Hakimi was the no-brainer choice to be her real-estate agent when Winner moved back to the Bay Area because we knew she would be honest and have integrity. But Hakimi was more than her agent, Winner said. She was a friend and the first person outside her family whom Winner told she was pregnant. She took us on like a mama bear, Winner said. She was a friend to my family and so many people in the community. Winner said Hakimi was prominent in the local Iranian American community. She supported several causes, including Mothers Against Poverty, Operation Smile and Families Without Borders, according to her agent profile. She lived life with passion and grace and love, Winner said. Hakimis son, who went by Navid Izadi, was a San Francisco-based DJ, producer and vocalist, according to Billboard. It said Hakimi was a member of Wolf + Lamb and Soul Clap musical collectives. Floria Hakimis co-worker Ghanadan was the heart of our family, said her sister, Nazanin Ghanadan. I mean, full of life, full of laughter, she said through tears. She was the biggest people person, Ghanadan said. She loved helping people buy their dream home and make a home for themselves. Nasim Ghanadan loved to dance and travel and took a special interest in children, her sister said. She taught young people to read and write Farsi, was a Persian dance instructor, and did volunteer work with children in Guatemala. Nazanin Ghanadan said her sister was always the one to prompt relatives to dance at family gatherings. She just always wanted to bring people together, she said. Lara Shepherds Pacific Union profile described her as a mother of two, a third-generation real-estate professional and an active member of community fundraising and youth programs. On Sundays flight, Scott Shepherd spoke with an air traffic coordinator just before the crash and had been cleared for landing, said a spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board. This type of communication is typically the last before a plane touches down, spokesman Peter Knudson said. A short time later, however, the Cessnas pilot declared an emergency but didnt explain the nature of it, Knudson said. Knudson said the safety board will release a preliminary report within the next two weeks and a full report in one to two years. Investigators will look into whether the plane had mechanical problems and will examine the pilots flight experience, medical history and 72-hour timeline before the flight, among other factors, Knudson said. We start with every possibility on the table, and eliminate them if they didnt play a role, Knudson said. Megan Cassidy and Michael Cabanatuan are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com, mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy, @ctuan Migrants: UNHCR says migrant arrival emergency in Spain Syrians make up 13.5% of migrants who arrive by sea (ANSAmed) - ROME, AUGUST 6 - The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR said the migrant crisis has moved from Italy to Spain, with 23,500 people who have arrived in Spain by sea since the beginning of the year, compared to 18,500 in Italy and 16,000 in Greece. It said Syrians make up 13.5% of new arrivals to Europe by sea, showing "the desperation of these people, who are experiencing the most serious refugee crisis in the world".(ANSAmed). Warner Bros. Hollywood is looking at a potentially lackluster August with just a couple of potential bright spots and one of those is "Crazy Rich Asians," the rom-com based on the bestselling novel by one-time Clear Lake resident Kevin Kwan, says Variety. The film, opening Aug. 15, is the first major Hollywood film with an all-Asian cast since "The Joy Luck Club" in 1993. It's also a rom-com in an era when rom-coms haven't been faring well at the box-office. So, this adds just another layer of pressure for the film that experts expect to rake in between $18 million and $24 million in its opening five-day "weekend," according to Variety. Nearly 900 students at Laredo-area schools were disciplined for getting into fights during the 2016-17 school year slightly less than the year prior, according to records obtained from the Texas Education Agency. Records from the agency show that at least 863 students were involved in a fight during the school year at districts in the Laredo area. The agency listed 561 total fighting or mutual combat incidents, but did not include incidents if the school district had fewer than four. Two men died after a multiple-vehicle crash late Sunday on Texas 36 in Fort Bend County, officials said. The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office first responded to the crash just before 8:30 p.m. at Texas 36 and Long Lane, west of Rosenberg. Five vehicles were involved, the sheriff's office reports. By 9:23 p.m., Life Flight helicopters were on the way to transport injured people to hospitals. The fatal crash occurred after either a pickup truck or a Ford Explorer crossed over the middle lane, said Sgt. Danny Beckworth of the sheriff's office. The pickup truck and Ford Explorer collided head-on, killing the men driving each of the cars. ATASCOCITA CRASH UPDATE: Store clerk accused of selling minor alcohol before fatal crash The fatal wreck caused three other cars to crash behind it, Beckworth said. None of those drivers had life-threatening injuries, he said. The highway was shut down after the crash Sunday night. Major technology companies including Apple, Facebook and YouTube deleted years of content from conservative conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and his Infowars platforms over allegations of hate speech, a sudden clampdown that is fueling the growing debate over how big technology companies choose to censor. The move was unusual for its sweep and speed, suggesting a new assertiveness by technology companies that in the past have worked to avoid alienating conservatives, who often assert that left-leaning Silicon Valley is biased against them. The removals appeared to be prompted by more users flagging Infowars content for policy violations. Jones' shows long have sparked complaints because of many elaborate and unsupported claims, including that mass shootings such as the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary may have been staged and that the government orchestrated the Sept. 11 attacks. In July, YouTube banned one of his videos from June entitled "How to Prevent Liberalism," which depicts a man shoving a kid to the ground. But in acting against Jones in recent days, the technology companies cited unspecified violations of their rules against hateful language. Facebook said in a statement Monday it was removing four of Jones' pages "for glorifying violence, which violates our graphic violence policy, and using dehumanizing language to describe people who are transgender, Muslims and immigrants, which violates our hate speech policies." Facebook, YouTube and Twitter have long clung to the claim that they are neutral platforms and that they don't want to be in the business of deciding what is true or false. The action echoed the abrupt removal of the accounts of some white supremacists a year ago, a few days after the far-right rallies in Charlottesville, Virginia. But companies are increasingly willing to limit free speech, after the backlash from Charlottesville and Russian manipulation. The recent actions by the technology companies also highlight the opaque nature of their decision-making, with most not publicly specifying what content by Jones violated their policies or how they decided what posts to block and which to leave online. Jones has treaded close to some definitions of hate speech for years, and it wasn't clear from the companies if or when he finally crossed the line. Both Facebook and YouTube said that Jones had posted new objectionable content over the weekend that influenced their decision to take the content down. YouTube said in a statement, "When users violate these policies repeatedly, like our policies against hate speech and harassment or our terms prohibiting circumvention of our enforcement measures, we terminate their accounts." "Apple does not tolerate hate speech, and we have clear guidelines that creators and developers must follow to ensure we provide a safe environment for all of our users," Apple said in a statement. "We believe in representing a wide range of views, so long as people are respectful to those with differing opinions." The actions came in a cascade, starting with Spotify removing some podcasts last week. Then, late Sunday, Apple removed the majority of Jones' podcasts from iTunes and its podcast apps. On Monday morning, Facebook followed by blocking four of Jones's pages, and then YouTube deleted his Infowars page, with 2.4 million followers. Both companies had already temporarily suspended InfoWars since late July. The backlash was swift, with Jones saying in a text message to The Washington Post Monday morning that the removal of his shows amounted to an assault against "the First Amendment in this country as we know it." He blamed China, Democrats, "establishment" Republicans and mainstream news organizations for seeking to mount a "counter-strike against the global awakening." He warned, "You sold the country out, and now you're going to pay for it." Some rallied to his side, including those who do not ordinarily support Jones but expressed worry about the power Silicon Valley has rapidly developed to squelch unpopular voices without formal due process or alternatives that are capable of commanding similarly large audiences. Legal experts said the issues raised by the companies' actions are complex. "While private platforms aren't bound by the restrictions of the First Amendment -- generally only the government is -- there's a question about how much discretion they should choose to exercise over what speech they allow to flow through them," said Jonathan Zittrain, faculty director of Harvard's Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society. "That question can't be wisely answered without noting how unfortunately central just a few intermediaries are -- like Apple for podcasts, or YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for videos and links." But technology has also enabled the rise of such polarizing personalities as Jones and Milo Yiannopoulos, who may have struggled to develop large audiences in an era before widespread adoption of social media. Conservatives have expressed particular fear about the power of technology companies, arguing that the predominantly liberal workforce in Silicon Valley and other industry centers such as Seattle puts them at a disadvantage in the battle for ideas in crucial online spheres. "Conservatives are increasingly concerned that InfoWars is not the end point for those who want to ban speech. It's just the beginning," said Brent Bozell, President of the conservative Media Research Center based in Reston, Virginia. "I don't support Alex Jones and what InfoWars produces. He's not a conservative. However, banning him and his outlet is wrong. It's not just a slippery slope, it's a dangerous cliff that these social media companies are jumping off." Twitter stood out Monday as the one of the few social media platforms to not take action against Jones. Twitter has come under particular attack from conservatives who claimed that the company is targeting them as its seeks to weed out fake accounts and automated bot networks. Twitter declined to comment. Jones, 44, heads what amounts to a sprawling conspiracy theory empire from his base in Austin, Texas, home to The Alex Jones Show, and a variety of Infowars online platforms. That includes a website, Infowars.com, not affected by the actions of recent days. Jones gained influence in recent years through his support of President Donald Trump, but he also has drawn intense criticism for spreading provocative theories without providing evidence to support them. He claimed that the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School was "completely fake with actors" and now faces defamation lawsuits brought by some of the families whose children were killed there. He also promoted the false conspiracy theory known as "Pizzagate," involving allegations of a child sex-abuse ring tied to Democratic party officials, eventually prompting a man to fire an AR-15 rifle inside of a pizza restaurant in Washington, D.C. YouTube sanctioned Jones earlier this year for raising questions about whether the teen survivors of the Parkland, Florida, shooting were actors, but didn't delete his channels. Technology companies have faced growing public pressure since July 18, when Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, speaking on the tech podcast Recode Decode, defended his company's decision to leave Jones' content up. "The approach that we've taken to false news is not to say, you can't say something wrong on the internet," he said. "I think that that would be too extreme." Zuckerberg then drew a parallel to Holocaust deniers, saying that they weren't "intentionally getting it wrong." Since then, Silicon Valley companies have received a flood new of reports from users who flagged Jones' content as hate speech, according to people familiar with the companies' deliberations. On July 24, YouTube issued a 90-day strike against Jones for videos that the company said included hate speech against Muslims and transgender people. Facebook followed suit and issued a 30-day ban. "You are starting to see these platforms act as a coherent field," said Daniel Kreiss, a professor at the school of media and journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "They are likely all having similar internal debates and watching what each other are doing. There is safety in numbers in that." After Jones' video channels were banned, he turned to Twitter to direct fans to his podcasts, which were distributed on iTunes, Spotify, and the podcast distribution company Stitcher. Spotify and Stitcher combed through their archive of podcasts and moved last week to ban some. Sleeping Giants, a social-media activist group that has pressed tech companies to enforce policies on abusive content, praised Apple's move. "Last week, we asked @Apple how the harassment of Sandy Hook parents and Vegas shooting victims didn't violate their Terms of Service. Tonight, they decided that it did. Massive kudos to @Apple for doing what most tech companies have so far refused to do," the group said in a tweet late Sunday. Some at the tech companies said it appeared felt as if Jones was purposefully trying to test the companies and their policies, by walking right up to a line that they haven't quite made clear, according to three people familiar with deliberations. Executives defend the decision not to share exactly what content violated a policy because they fear it will prompt people to test it. Sleeping Giants criticized other tech platforms including Facebook and YouTube for announcing their latest moved against Jones only after Apple did. "To say they're now 'silencing voices' is to ignore the fact that they allowed them to be amplified in the first place," the organization tweeted on Monday. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Cecilia Farfan-Mendez, University of California San Diego (THE CONVERSATION) Leer en espanol. Mexico has suffered one of the worlds highest murder rates for over a decade, a consequence of the governments aggressive, 12-year-long battle against drug trafficking organizations and other criminal groups, which has led lethal violence to escalate across the country. Almost 30,000 Mexicans were murdered in 2017. May 2018 was Mexicos most violent month in 20 years, with an average of 90 killings a day, according to the Mexican secretary of the interior. Prominent victims of Mexicos conflict include 136 politicians and political operatives assassinated while campaigning for the July 2018 general election, 43 student teachers who disappeared in the southern Mexican state of Guerrero in 2014 and the eight Mexican journalists killed so far this year. In places where the violence has been highly concentrated, residents have spent the past decade taking precautions, coping with fear and processing tragedy. Now, new data from the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua reveals the dangerous mental health toll of living with extreme, chronic violence: suicides. From murders to suicides Violence researchers like myself once considered Chihuahua, which shares a border with Texas, to be a Mexican success story in decreasing lethal violence. Its biggest city, Ciudad Juarez, which sits just across the U.S.-Mexico border from El Paso, used to be one of the worlds most dangerous places. Its 2010 murder rate of 229 killings per 100,000 people was 14 times higher than the Latin American average and 38 times the global homicide rate. An average of 70 Ciudad Juarez residents were killed every week. By 2015, thanks in large part to a pioneering public-private anti-violence initiative called Todos Somos Juarez, or We Are All Juarez, the citys murder rate had dropped to 32 murders per 100,000 residents. These days, violence is slowly rising again. Depending on the year, Juarez ranks among Mexicos most dangerous cities. But even when homicides were dropping in Juarez, suicides were steadily rising. A recent survey by the Autonomous University of Juarez City and the Centro Familiar de Integracion y Crecimiento, a group that helps grieving families, found that 33 city residents over the age of 18 attempt suicide every day. Another 43 Juarez residents daily will think about suicide without attempting the act. The citys 2017 suicide rate, 8.9 per 100,000, was nearly twice what it was in 2010. Last year, nearly 12,000 people 1.3 percent of Juarezs total population tried to kill themselves. Juarezs mental health crisis reflects a state-wide trend. According to government data from 2016, Chihuahua state had the highest and fastest-growing suicide rate in Mexico. In 2010, fewer than 7 of every 100,000 people in the state committed suicide. By 2015, the figure had reached 11.4. Last year, Chihuahua saw 12.3 suicides per 100,000 residents. Thats more than twice the Mexican national average and just shy of the United States alarming rate of 13.8 suicides per 100,000 people. Young people in Chihuahua struggle the most. Among residents aged 15 to 29, approximately 16 in every 100,000 will commit suicide double the national average for that age group. The trauma of living with chronic violence Why are so many in Chihuahua driven to take their own lives? Local researchers believe that chronic exposure to traumatic events causes the kind of severe mental distress that can lead to suicidal behavior. Last year, the Autonomous University of Juarez City conducted research with 315 students on campus. It found that living in one of the worlds most violent cities had triggered paranoid thoughts. Few of the students interviewed had been victims of Juarezs brutal violence. But all had heard about kidnapped women, beheadings and other crimes some equally gruesome from friends and family or on the news. As a result, they had an unshakable feeling that their lives were in danger. Researchers also conducted a similar study on student mental health in 2014. It determined that 35 percent of students struggled with depression and almost 38 percent reported anxiety. Nearly one-third showed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, including always feeling on guard, trouble sleeping and difficulty concentrating. Surveys by the World Health Organization and the International Consortium of Psychiatric Epidemiology across nine developing countries, including Mexico, estimate the average rate of PTSD at 2.3 percent. Anxiety affects about 6 percent of respondents. Research on high school students in Ciudad Juarez has likewise found a higher-than-usual incidence of depression, paranoia and PTSD. War as a suicide risk factor These results are consistent with mental health surveys in other conflict zones. A 2011 study of people displaced during Colombias civil war found evidence of PTSD in 88 percent of participants. Forty percent suffered from depression. Researchers interviewed 1,011 students in Afghanistan in 2006, five years into the U.S.-led war against the Taliban. Almost a quarter had flashbacks and anxiety, both signs of PTSD. Such results have contributed to the World Health Organizations classification of disaster, war and conflict as suicide risk factors. Mexicos public health emergency Research on the mental health impacts of Mexicos drug war is in very early stages. I cannot conclude with certainty that chronic violence in Ciudad Juarez is driving the sharp uptick in suicides in Chihuahua state. But Chihuahuas suicide crisis may well indicate a simmering public health emergency in other Mexican states with high murder rates, including Michoacan and Guerrero not to mention in neighboring countries like El Salvador and Honduras that remain far more violent than Mexico. With 2018 on track to be another year of record murders in Mexico and president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador taking office in December, this the moment for Mexico to begin grappling with the hidden, longer-term costs of its bloody drug war. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article here: http://theconversation.com/rising-suicides-in-mexico-expose-the-mental-health-toll-of-living-with-extreme-chronic-violence-99131. Caracas, Venezuela Authorities detained six people suspected of using explosives-laden drones in a failed bid to assassinate Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, officials said Sunday, in what one witness described as a terrifying attack that shook her apartment building. The government alleged that opposition factions conspired with assailants in Miami and Bogota, although they offered no specific evidence. Opposition leaders decried Maduro for broadly singling out his political opponents, and they warned he may use it to further suppress his critics. The thwarted attack comes as Venezuela is reeling from a worsening economic and humanitarian crisis and Maduro has grown increasingly isolated. Foreign nations, including the United States, are slapping economic sanctions against a growing list of high-ranking officials and decrying his government as an autocratic regime. The assailants flew two drones each packed with 2.2 pounds of C-4 plastic explosive toward Maduro, his wife and other top leaders as he spoke Saturday evening at an event celebrating the 81st anniversary of the National Guard, said Interior Minister Nestor Reverol. One of the drones was to explode above the president while the other was to detonate directly in front of him, he added. But the military managed to knock one of the drones off-course electronically and the other crashed into an apartment building two blocks away from where Maduro was speaking to the gathering of hundreds of troops, Reverol said. "We have six terrorists and assassins detained," Reverol said. "In the next hours there could be more arrests." Of those arrested, Reverol said two had previous run-ins with the government, although he did not give their names or say what charges they faced. One took part in 2014 protests that rocked the nation as it descended into an economic crisis that is now worse than the Great Depression. The other had a warrant out for his arrest for participating in an attack on a military barracks. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, appearing on state television Sunday, said the attackers were aiming to decapitate Venezuela's entire top leadership along with Maduro. Investigators continued searching a blackened apartment building near the site while also seizing vehicles and raiding more than one hotel where they said they had found "film evidence." Two witnesses who live in nearby apartment buildings said they saw a drone hovering over a residential street Saturday evening and then heard an explosion. South Sudan's warring parties signed a peace deal granting rebels key positions in a transitional government, the latest bid to end an almost five-year conflict that's claimed tens of thousands of lives. The accord will restore rebel leader Riek Machar as President Salva Kiir's deputy, while appointing four other vice presidents and adding new posts for ministers and lawmakers. Following the collapse of a similar pact in July 2016, it will be the second attempt at a power-sharing government since the start of the civil war in the East African nation. Kiir and Machar signed the deal -- which came after weeks of incremental agreements -- Sunday in Khartoum, the capital of neighboring Sudan. Other opposition politicians and rebel groups also took part in the ceremony. "We shall rededicate ourselves soberly, our people, and go for peaceful transforming of power through dialogue and ballot boxes rather than the bullets of the guns," Kiir said after signing. Celebrations erupted late Sunday in the streets of South Sudan's capital, Juba, where a peace agreement is long-awaited. The nation has faced economic chaos because of a decline in oil income, while 4 million people have fled their homes and some areas have been on the verge of famine. Both government forces and rebels have been accused of atrocities and the United Nations Security Council recently imposed an arms embargo. The warring parties now have eight months to form the government that's supposed to last 36 months and eventually usher in South Sudan's first elections since it seceded from Sudan in July 2011. Kiir and Machar, who was fired as Kiir's deputy months before the war erupted in December 2013, signed a broadly similar deal in 2015. It collapsed weeks into its enactment the following year, spurring a new wave of violence that fueled Africa's biggest refugee crisis. Machar eventually fled into exile and has yet to return to South Sudan. Crude production at one of South Sudan's main oil fields in what was formerly known as Unity state will resume next month, Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir said at the ceremony. The two countries are working together to rehabilitate the production facilities and will conduct joint security patrols to protect the fields, he said. South Sudan was producing about 350,000 barrels of oil per day on independence. Sudan transports the landlocked nation's oil by pipeline to a port on the Red Sea. Among the peace deal's conditions: - Five vice presidents to be appointed: Machar and two representatives apiece from the government and opposition sides; one post is to be taken by a woman. - The government will have 35 ministers, up from current 30; 10 deputies will be added for ministries deemed key. - Parliament will be expanded to 550 lawmakers from 400. - Transitional government to be funded by donors and proceeds from oil production. - A committee will be formed to review South Sudan's number of states and their boundaries and submit a report within 90 days; if for some reason one isn't prepared, a referendum will be held on the subject before the transitional government is formed Three Port Arthur children who died in an early morning July Fourth fire were living in an "uninhabitable" apartment complex, according to a lawsuit filed on behalf of the fire's victims. Arthur Square Apartment smoke alarm units previously had been flagged by authorities for violating safety regulations, said Houston-based lawyer and Port Arthur native Byron Alfred. "The children should have never been living in that apartment complex," said Alfred, who is representing apartment residents and two fathers of the children who died. Arthur Square Apartment representatives and the Port Arthur Fire Department, whose investigation into the fire's origin is ongoing, did not respond to requests for comment. When firefighters arrived at the complex in the 1600 block of Poole Aveneue, they found two boys, 12 and 6, and a 2- year-old girl inside one of the units. The children, who authorities said were home alone, were taken to a local hospital, where they died from smoke inhalation, Fire Marshal Paul Washburn said. According to the lawsuit, filed against Arthur Square LLC and the property's management firm, the children and their family were living in an upstairs apartment while nearby units were undergoing repairs from Tropical Storm Harvey damage. The apartment's construction workers "used the corridor in front of the apartment units as a makeshift storage space for tools, materials and highly combustible materials, in violation of applicable safety regulations," the suit alleges. "As a result, the July 4th fire propagated in a manner that created a wall of fire which covered the apartment unit's front door the only means of escape for the minor children," Alfred wrote in the filing. Resident Kenneth Morgan, who lived in the unit across from the children, said it appeared the fire may have started near their unit. Alfred's independent team of building code, electrical and fire experts is conducting their own review of the July Fourth fire, he said. The smoke alarm unit in the family's apartment has been sent to a lab for "further testing," he said. The lawsuit does not specify an amount for damages. "I don't know how you can put a value on the lives of children," Alfred said. Washburn said in a statement that the Fourth of July incident was the "highest number of fatalities related to a single fire since a garage apartment fire" in Port Arthur in 2009. PSuy@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/PhoebeSuy A Northeast Side car theft Sunday afternoon that led several bystanders to chase the suspect for miles ended with the shooting death of one witness and the arrest of a 23-year-old man, San Antonio police said. Jacob Gabriel, who was apprehended in a nearby hotel where he was hiding shortly after the shooting, faces three felony counts: theft of a vehicle, theft of a firearm and one count of murder. The theft was reported to police at 1:37 p.m. by witnesses who said a man had taken a four-door silver Kia from the EZ Buy Citgo gas station at 13550 OConnor and sped off, according to Sgt. Michelle Ramos, an SAPD spokeswoman. Ramos said several witnesses got into their vehicles and chased the suspect. One pursuer managed to sideswipe the stolen vehicle, forcing the suspect to stop on the Interstate 35 access road near Whirlwind Street. The suspect, who had a firearm that did not belong to him but had been inside the Kia, exited the vehicle and confronted his pursuers, Ramos said. An argument ensued after the suspect fired the gun at one of the witnesses, Ramos said. The confrontation escalated into a fistfight, and the suspect fired again, striking a man in the torso, Ramos said. The man was transported to San Antonio Military Medical Center, where he later died. Officials did not identify him pending notification of next of kin. After the shooting, Ramos said, the suspect fled and hid inside an unoccupied room at the Stay Express Inn, 9503 Interstate 35, until police found him and took him into custody. Ramos offered advice to anyone who encounters a crime in progress. Dont engage. If you can, follow from a close distance, get a good description of the suspect, Ramos said. Get the license plate, contact the dispatch and pass that information along. aluna@express-news.net Police on Monday arrested a Bexar County detention deputy on a charge of family violence, according to the sheriff's office. The deputy, 31-year-old Eric Rodriguez, was arrested at about 12:45 a.m. More details regarding the alleged assault were not immediately available. Houston City Council on Wednesday will consider scheduling elections on two ballot measures, but one is likely to spur some debate, as Mayor Sylvester Turner has given the council two options from which to choose. Houston firefighters gathered tens of thousands of voter signatures and submitted a petition seeking "parity" in pay with police a year ago, but had to sue the city to force it to count the petition. They won, and the petition was validated in May. Since then, they have stressed that state law requires council members to place the item before voters and that a debate on the merits of the idea should wait until that duty is fulfilled. Council members recently scheduled a rare special meeting on this point but fell short of a quorum. "All Houston firefighters ask is that after a year of delays by the mayor, Houston voters finally get to have their say on the firefighter pay parity initiative," fire union president Marty Lancton said late last month. Turner will ask council members whether they want to schedule the vote this November or in November 2019. The mayor acknowledged recently he suspects the council will choose this fall, but he also repeatedly has said the parity idea is unaffordable and will force layoffs, estimating its annual cost at $98 million. The firefighters sued again last week, arguing a recent city council committee hearing scheduled to discuss the budget impact of the idea was a disingenuous ploy to trash their proposal that amounted to illegal electioneering. A district judge last week agreed with the firefighters and said a video of the meeting should be taken off the city website; that order has been temporarily blocked on appeal. The other item the council will set for a vote is a "do-over" of ReBuild Houston, the charter amendment that created the city's current program for repairing streets and drainage pipes and ditches in 2010. The state Supreme Court voided the original election because the ballot language did not make clear that the program envisioned a new drainage fee residents would pay. One point worth noting: If ReBuild is set for this November and passes and parity does not appear on the same ballot, a vote on the parity proposal could be delayed for three years. Why? First, both items would change the city charter, and state law says city charters can only be amended every two years. Second, election day in 2020 falls on Nov. 3, which is a few days short of two full years because this fall's election day is Nov. 6. That would push the next charter change until May or November of 2021. Local News, Crime, Business & Finance By Long Island News & PR Published: August 06 2018 USDOL Fails to Provide Legally Required Information Related To Its PAID Program a Non-Enforcement Initiative for Labor Law Violators. New York, NY - August 6, 2018 - New York Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood filed a lawsuit today against the U.S. Department of Labor for failing to respond as required by law to records requests concerning a new program that allows employers who violate labor laws to avoid prosecution and penalties. Todays suit asks the court to compel the Department of Labor to respond to the Attorney Generals request for information sent to the agency in April 2018 related to the Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) Program. The PAID Program is nothing more than a get-out-of-jail-free card for predatory employers, said Attorney General Underwood. New York workers have a right to know why the Secretary of Labor decided to let employers off the hook when they dont pay their workers. The Labor Department failed to provide required information so were taking them to court to get the information to which we are legally entitled. The Attorney Generals information request, submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor on April 11, 2018 pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), sought information relating to the Attorney Generals concern that the PAID Program would erode workers rights by allowing employers to evade prosecution and penalties for wage theft under state labor laws that are more protective than federal law. The request additionally sought agency records concerning the development, implementation, consideration, and evaluation of the PAID Program, including communications with employers. To date, the Labor Department has failed to provide any agency records in response to the FOIA request. The complaint , filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York today, alleges that the Labor Department has failed to provide required information in response to the Attorney Generals request within the statutorily prescribed time limit. Under FOIA, a federal agency must respond within 20 business days after receipt of a request with a determination that must at least inform the requester of the scope of the documents that the agency will produce. As alleged in the complaint, the Labor Department has failed to provide the Attorney General with any such determination, more than 100 days since the date of the request. In a letter sent to Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta and signed by ten other Attorneys General, the Attorney Generals office voiced concerns about the PAID Program when it was first launched in April. The letter to Secretary Acosta raised multiple concerns about the PAID Program, including that it releases employers from the obligation to pay penalties, liquidated damages, and interest on overdue wages. Additionally, the PAID Program appears not to require employers to pay employees at any applicable higher state or local minimum wage or overtime wage rates, or to pay wages owed during longer state statute of limitations periods. For a New York City fast food worker, for example, that could mean the difference between recovering wages at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour rather than the applicable state minimum of $13.50. Finally, the PAID Program encourages employers to have employees sign separate releases to settle claims under state law yet the Department of Labor refuses to oversee such state-law settlements to ensure their fairness. ABB, the global industrial technology company that acquired Thomas & Betts in 2012, will expand its operations in Athens, creating up to 70 new jobs in McMinn County. ABB has a significant presence across Tennessee, employing thousands of residents, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe said. This expansion is yet another sign that Tennessee is a place where employers can grow, invest and create job opportunities for our residents. Id like to thank ABB for its commitment to expand in Athens, and I look forward to the continued impact this terrific company will have for the citizens of East Tennessee. ABB will add 60,000 square feet to its operation in Athens. The company expects the expansion to be completed by the end of 2019. With over 24,000 employees in more than 100 communities, ABB is a leader in the industrial technology revolution in the United States. The companys U.S. operations primarily center on robotics, power grids, industrial automation and electrification products. Empowering a sustainable future for the U.S. with ABB Ability digital solutions, the company is leveraging the Industrial Internet of Things to provide customers with a unified, cross-industry digital offering, from device to edge to cloud, said officials. ABBs Electrification Products division is headquartered in Memphis. ABBs recent acquisition of GE Industrial Solutions grew ABBs Tennessee operations to 2,425 employees across Memphis, Portland, Athens, Alamo, Rogersville and now Selmer and Morristown. Local officials and the Tennessee Valley Authority praised ABB for its expansion in Athens. Approximately 70 more families will be better able to provide for themselves as ABB expands its operations in Athens, Athens Mayor Chuck Burris. This latest round of investment shows the strength of the relationship that we have enjoyed since 1965. Todays announcement of new jobs is a testament to the economic vitality of the Friendly City and strength of the quality products that ABB manufactures here. "I want to thank ABB for its continued faith in McMinn County, McMinn County Mayor John Gentry said. ABB is providing competitive wages that empower families and stimulate growth in the local economy. This expansion is the just the latest example of ABBs commitment to our region as it continues to be a premier corporate citizen." TVA and Athens Utility Board congratulate ABB on its decision to expand operations in McMinn County, TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. It is always an exciting day when an existing company is committed to continuing growth in our region, and we are proud to partner with McMinn County Development Authority and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to celebrate this announcement. Author and illustrator Eric Carle will help celebrate the 50th anniversary of his "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" Sept. 15 at 11 a.m. at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst. Carle will share stories and memories of his signature picture book during a day of events and each participant will receive a book ticket to purchase in the museum shop an early release copy that day only of the 50th Anniversary Golden Edition of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" signed by him. Cost for the book, which is being officially released Oct. 9, is $22.99, $19.54 for members. Reservations are required for the 11 a.m. event. Reservations for members begins Aug. 13, for non-members, Aug 17. To make a reservation, call (413) 559-6336. Space is limited and there is a limit of one book per person. It is first come, first serve with no pre-orders or online sales. Other related events include the opening of the exhibit, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar Turns 50," on Sept. 8 through March 24, 2019, as well as new biography display about Carle's life and career. Programming Sept. 15 includes a variety of events from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that are free with museum admission. Cathryn Mercier, director of the Center for the Study of Children's Literature at Simmons College in Boston, will moderate the discussion with Carle about his book that has been translated into 62 languages and sold 46 million copies. Carle and his late wife Barbara Carle co-founded the museum in 2002. Forty years ago, this week, 23-year-old Florence resident Alan Tardy, made a 3,200-mile run from San Francisco to Northampton to raise money for spina bifida research. His cross-country jog lasted a couple of months and he raised $15,000 for his efforts. From the August 6, 1978 edition of The Morning Union Ten years earlier, Richard Nixon won the Republican nomination for president at the Republican National Convention in Miami Beach, Florida. The next day, his pick for vice president, Maryland Governor Spiro Agnew, was supported by the delegates. There was some movement to place Michigan Governor George Romney on the ticket, but Nixon's pick quickly won out. From the August 9, 1968 edition of The Springfield Union On the same day the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced it was cutting programs and laying off workers as Congress cut into its budget request. Scientific missions to Mars and the purchase of addition Saturn V rocket boosters were chopped due to the cuts. From the August 9, 1968 edition of The Springfield Union These are some of the headlines you'll see from Page 1 of The Republican and its predecessors over the past fifty years for the week of August 5 - August 11. Each week I'll put together a slideshow of Page 1 images from selected years over the course of that week. We're starting with a look back at one, five, thirty, forty and fifty years ago, with Page 1s from each day of the week for those years. The slideshow for August 5 - August 11 is embedded at the top of this article. We'll also find some humor printed out on page one over the years. In 1968 'Dennis The Menace' could be found on the bottom of page one six days a week. From the August 7, 1968 edition of The Springfield Union Back in 1978, the White House announced that Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Israeli Prime Minister Menacham Begin, and President Jimmy Carter would meet at Camp David, Maryland in September. The surprise summit conference would look to restart the peace process for the Middle East which had bogged down. From the August 9, 1978 edition of The Morning Union And from last year, an article on the memorabilia collection covering the office of Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. The "mini'museum" may seem cluttered to some, but the Mayor claimed that he, "knows how to find everything." From the August 7, 2017 edition of The Republican As you'll find with looking through the slideshow, that while many stories come and go, many of the issues and topics that affected lives in the past, continue to have an impact on our lives today. Copies of these and other stories can be found in the online archives. The Historic Archive includes stories from 1824 to 1989, and the Newsbank Archive covers 1988 through the present day. The startup company that abruptly parked fleets of electric scooters around Greater Boston without notice last month is facing backlash by city officials. Bird Rides, Incorporated, a California startup offering pedestrians the ability to temporarily rent scooters to move around city streets, was ordered to remove its products in Cambridge and Somerville last week. WBUR reports that officials ordered the company to remove its public scooters by last Friday, August 3, or have them impounded. In Somerville, where fleets of electric scooters appeared undocked in popular areas like Assembly Square, the city reportedly sent a cease-and-desist letter to the startup. An unnamed public works employee in Somerville reportedly told WBUR last week that representatives from Bird were repeatedly retrieving impounded scooters from the city and returning them back to the streets, despite the city's orders. City and transportation leaders in Somerville, Cambridge and Boston have argued that Bird needs permits to operate its business because it is no different from any other street vendor. The scooters first arrived in Boston and Greater Boston in late July. In Boston, Mayor Marty Walsh has warned Bird to keep its products out of the city. The Boston City Council has planned a hearing on electric scooters for later this fall. But over the weekend, families could be seen renting the Bird scooters in Boston in spaces like the Esplanade. Carlton Henderson, a 54-year-old man accused of murdering two people in Boston in 1988, died in New York City on Sunday after he allegedly emerged from a restaurant walk-in freezer and attacked employees. Henderson was released on bail in Boston just last week, on July 31, after Judge Janet Sanders granted a motion despite opposition from the Office of Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley. Henderson, an Arizona man, was arrested in Missouri in April 2017 and returned to Boston on murder charges tied to the homicides of William Medina, 26, and Antonio Dos Reis, 22, on Windsor Street in Roxbury on May 4, 1988. The shooter tied to the 1988 homicides evaded police for years. Boston Police were unable to find the suspect who shot the young men, but a 1991 murder in Miami led to a crack in the case, according to reporting by Boston 25 News. When he was returned to Boston in 2017, Henderson faced two counts of first-degree murder for his alleged role in 1988 homicides. Last week, Sanders allowed a motion by Henderson's defense, which asked that statements made to law enforcement in San Diego in July 1993 be suppressed. Those statements, made by Henderson in 1993, were directed to Boston Police detectives who traveled to San Diego to speak with him after a federal prosecutor there said there was a witness "who had information on an unsolved homicide from Boston that may have had a drug component," according to court documents. Nearly 30 years later, after Henderson was arrested on charges related to the 1988 murder, those involved in the 1993 interview could not agree on whether or not they formalized a "proffer agreement" with Henderson, or an agreement in which he was promised his words would not be used against him in later court proceedings. The district attorney's office opposed the motion to suppress, which would release Henderson on bail, but Judge Sanders allowed it. Henderson was released last week and on Sunday, he allegedly attacked restaurant employees on the Upper West Side in New York City before dying of some medical condition. According to a local report by an ABC affiliate in NYC, employees opened a walk-in freezer door at Sarabeth's Restaurant Sunday morning when Henderson jumped out and began fighting with the employees. Henderson suffered some kind of medical condition and was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. WESTFIELD - Col. Peter T. Green officially assumed the role of 104th Fighter Wing commander Sunday, surrounded by hundreds of members of the Air National Guard, state and city officials and family and friends. Green replaced Col. James M. Suhr during the Change of Command Ceremony held inside a hangar at the Barnes Air National Guard Base. Suhr was wing commander for 18 months and was assigned last month to the Pentagon. Green has served his entire 36 years in the Air National Guard as a member of the 104th. The Southwick resident spent the last three years as the wing vice commander. Green thanked his family, including his wife, retired Lt. Col. Kathy Green, his daughters and his parents for their support. He also thanked those who worked alongside him and mentored him over the nearly four decades he has spent at the 104th. "I am humbled at the opportunity to lead this wing," said Green. "I have always been proud to be a Barnestormer. I promise to lead from the front and continue to work hard beside you." Green also pledged to keep the family feeling at the base while maintaining the professionalism and patriotism that the 104th is known for around the world. Lt. Gen. Scott Rice, director of the Air National Guard in Washington, D.C.; Maj. General Gary W. Keefe, Massachusetts Adjutant General, and Brig. General James M. LeFavor, Air Advisor to the Adjutant General, all touted Suhr and Green at the ceremony. "You are the right person," Lefavor said to Green. "You're going to take the Wing to greatness." Rice recited a portion of "The Airman's Creed" and said Green exemplifies the Creed, calling him "the best of the best." Keefe thanked both leaders and called upon every member of the 104th to think about their role in the future of the base. He said Green was hand-picked because he can lead the wing to its next phase. Green is called a "non-rated" commander because he is not a pilot, which is a first for the state. Suhr - whose call-sign is "Sling" - was also a first for Massachusetts when he was in command because he was an active duty Air Force colonel leading an Air National Guard wing. Suhr said commanding the 104th was the highlight of his Air Force career. Suhr said he is often asked about the difference between an active duty wing and an air guard wing. "My observation is that we are more similar than different," Suhr said. "I have been in multiple active duty F-15 wings, including some with alert missions. The difference between those wings and the 104th is manpower and resources." Suhr said he was "extremely proud" to be a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard and he praises the wing at every chance. "I have started my assignment in the Pentagon with the Air Force Legislative Liaison Office and have already had the opportunity to offer the Guard perspective on topics related to future Air Force strategy and budget proposals," he said. Suhr was presented the Legion of Merit honor during the ceremony. The speakers acknowledged the support of the city, state, community and region during the ceremony, noting state Sen. Donald F. Humason and Mayor Brian P. Sullivan have been great partners with the fighter wing. Keefe said Green would tackle any issues head-on, including the contaminated water concerns facing the city because of firefighting foam used at the base polluted several city wells. "We need to stand up in front of the city of Westfield and say This water issue - we're going to take care of it'," said Keefe. Suhr said the 104th would continue to serve the country and the city and he hoped they would continue to have the "outstanding support from the local community." The 104th is home to a fleet of 18 F-15 Eagle jets and employs more than 700 traditional Guardsmen and more than 300 full-time military technicians with an annual payroll in excess of $36 million. The wing is part of the Aerospace Control Alert, with its pilots and jets prepared to scramble at moment's notice in response to emergencies and threats anywhere in the skies over the Northeast. An Ashland man was seriously injured after he was pinned underneath his box truck during a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 495 in Andover. The 68-year-old man was freed from the wreckage by Andover firefighters and then flown to Boston Medical Center in Boston after the Monday morning crash. State police said a preliminary investigation by Trooper Robert MacAllister shows the Ashland was driving on I-495 northbound in a 2012 Hino box truck when, for an unknown reason, the truck drifted into the right travel lane. The truck hit a 2005 GMC Topkick truck driven by a 70-year-old Fitchburg man. The Hino truck then swerved to the left and hit a 2011 Toyota Camry driven by an 83-year-old Sturbridge woman, who was traveling northbound in the left travel lane. "Following that second collision, the Hino crossed back over the travel lanes before rolling over off the right side of the roadway," State police said. "The driver of the Hino, who was unbelted at the time of the crash, was ejected during the rollover and was pinned underneath his truck." The crash remains under investigation. A dog trainer is facing charges after the body of English Bulldog "Knox" was found dead in her home, officials say. Knox was the pet of Jerod Mayo, a former New England Patriots linebacker. The Rhode Island SPCA said it found 5-year-old Knox's dead body on Sunday inside the home of dog trainer Ameila Ferreira, who lives in the Edgewood section of Cranston. Now, Ferreira is being charged by the Cranston Police Department with one count of obstruction for concealing evidence relevant to the investigation, the RISPCA said. "Evidence revealed that Ferreira has known the whereabouts of Knox's deceased body for several weeks and intentionally concealed his body from authorities," the RISPCA said. Ferreira could face animal cruelty charges pending results of a necropsy, the RISPCA said. The cause of Knox's death is currently unknown. "Unfortunately, the answers we prayed for regarding Knox aren't ones we were ready to face," Mayo wrote in an Instagram post published Monday afternoon. Knox went missing in late June while on a walk with a trainer at Joe's Rock, a conservation area located off 1500 West St. in Wrentham. At the time, Wrentham police called the incident "mysterious." Police said Knox and another dog were being walked when the trainer had to focus on the other dog. Knox "simply vanished," police said in a statement on June 29, asking for public help with the case. The trainer called police, the statement said, and a search of the area revealed no sign of Knox. "Strange, because we're told English Bulldogs aren't the running type, short legs, bad cardio, so even if Knox wandered, the expectation was he'd be found quickly. But...he wasn't," the statement read. Knox's collar was quickly found "a hop and a skip from where he was last seen," police said. The collar was in good condition, with no marks to suggest that it was removed forcibly. There was also no evidence that Knox became prey to another animal, police said. Former New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo posted an emotional message on Instagram Monday, a day after his pet Knox was found dead in a dog trainer's home after being missing for weeks. Knox went missing while out with the dog trainer in Wrentham in late June. On Sunday, the Rhode Island SPCA found 5-year-old Knox's dead body inside the home of dog trainer Ameila Ferreira, who lives in the Edgewood section of Cranston. Now, Ferreira is being charged by the Cranston Police Department with one count of obstruction for concealing evidence relevant to the investigation, the RISPCA said. Ferreira could face animal cruelty charges pending results of a necropsy, the RISPCA said. The cause of Knox's death is currently unknown. The RISPCA did not release many details of the investigation in a news statement, but Mayo wrote that Knox's body was discovered in a trash bag. Mayo wrote on Instagram that "the answers we prayed for regarding Knox aren't ones we were ready to face." "Knox has passed and his BODY WAS FOUND IN THE HOME OF THE OFFLEASH TRAINER," he wrote. "IT's disgusting and inhumane that a company full of 'dog lovers' would hide a family pet IN A CLOSET FOR TWO MONTHS and compulsively lie and send us on a wild goose hunt and our kids on an emotional rollercoaster." Knox went missing in late June while on a walk with a trainer at Joe's Rock, a conservation area located off 1500 West St. in Wrentham. Police said Knox and another dog were being walked when the trainer had to focus on the other dog. Knox "simply vanished," police said in a statement at the time. "Staging him running away, him being stolen, even him drowning having us knocking on doors sending us false leads as we searched two states," Mayo wrote. "We've hired scuba teams, private investigators, lawyers and more when they knew they HAD HIM IN THEIR HOME IN A TRASH BAG tucked away the whole two months." Mayo wrote that Knox was like a child to the family. "It hurts to have to accept that our beloved Knox was thought of as trash as they saw our family hurting," he wrote. Mayo wrote that his family thanked everyone who helped with the search for Knox. The sheriffs for Hampden and Hampshire counties are in favor of legislation that could aid jails in treating inmates with substance abuse issues. Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi and Hampshire County Sheriff Patrick Cahillane each said last week the proposal will be effective in returning inmates to the community better prepared to resist falling back into a pattern of drug use and crime. They are joined by the Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association, which is also offering its support for the proposal. A bill titled "An Act for Prevention and Access to Appropriate Care and Treatment of Addiction" (H.4742), has been passed by the Massachusetts House and the Senate and was sent on Tuesday to Gov. Charlie Baker for his signature. The bill has a goal of identifying ways to combat the state's opioid crisis, which has resulted in several thousand deaths in the last five years. One part of the bill calls for creating a two-year pilot program at the jails in Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex and Norfolk counties. Data gathered by the five county jails will determine whether the program will be expanded statewide. "This is a very progressive move," Cocchi said. Middlesex County Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian, president of the Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association, said the approach "is balanced, thoughtful and will provide data to drive best practices for us and our colleagues, not just locally but nationally." Cocchi said he is excited about two components of the pilot. One is to allow county jails to continue treatment programs for new inmates with existing medication-assisted treatment programs prescribed by a doctor. The second is to allow the jails to encourage inmates with addiction histories to enroll in such a program 30 days prior to their release. Cocchi said he believes each will be beneficial in the long run. He said inmates coming to the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow, or the Western Massachusetts Regional Women's Correctional Center in Chicopee, either for holding prior to trial or post-conviction, are screened for any substance issues. As many as 90 percent of inmates at either facility have addiction issues with drugs or alcohol. Those inmates all go through a five- to seven-day detoxification regimen at the start of their stay, and will spend the remainder of their time in custody in a state of enforced sobriety. Between eight and 10 percent of inmates with addiction issues arrive at the jail already undergoing medication-assisted treatment, Cocchi said. This means the inmate's doctor has prescribed methadone, Vivitrol or Suboxone to help them curb cravings for and withdrawal from narcotics. But in those cases, the inmates still go through the same detoxification regimen and enforced sobriety as other inmates. For the remainder of that person's time inside, their treatment plan is suspended. That only increases the odds the inmate will run out to find a fix as quickly as possible after being released, Cocchi said. But inmates prepared for release with medication-assisted treatment programs, he said, will return to the community with assistance available on the outside to help them maintain their sobriety. The pilot program could help prevent overdoses by giving inmates an opportunity for "a long-time process of recovery," he said. "It's all about the preservation of life," Cocchi said. Cahillane said the legislation helps create "a continuity of care" at county jails for inmates with addiction issues. If inmates "are basically going cold turkey" upon their arrival at the jail, he said, there is a good chance they will look for drugs soon after their release. For some it means exposure to heroin mixed with the potent additive fentanyl, he said, "and a good chance they'll overdose." He said the pilot program has some components that have been in place at the Hampshire County Jail for some time, but on the whole it amounts to "another tool in the toolbox" in the fight against opioid abuse. If approved by Baker, the pilot program will go into effect in September of next year. EASTHAMPTON -- While medical marijuana is now legal in 29 states, there's not much statistical data on the patient experience, according to a local cannabis CEO. "The lack of organized research serves as a roadblock on our way to fully understanding the plant and its effects," said Mark Zatryka, CEO of INSA, which operates medical marijuana dispensaries in Easthampton and Springfield. Zatyrka said with better data on how cannabis is used medicinally, dispensaries can develop best practices and offer standardized information to patients. To support that effort, INSA is now partnering with the Cannabis Community Care and Research Network, known as C3RN, which has launched a longitudinal, anonymous survey of medical marijuana patients. "We are all craving more data, which is why we are behind this research effort 100 percent," said Zatyrka. The study by C3RN will look at who actually uses medical marijuana, in what form, how often, to treat what ailments, the experience of side effects, and how well the cannabis relieved symptoms. Patient participation is completely voluntary, and names will be kept anonymous, said Zatyrka. Those who participate will be offered product discounts, and be invited to attend a C3RN event in Boston. In a statement, Marion McNabb, co-founder of C3RN, said the information will be used to develop evidence-based community education resources. "Through this pilot study, C3RN, its partners, and the community hope to learn and develop accessible patient resources that drive change, reduce stigma, and raise the bar of quality in the industry," McNabb said. Some work has already been done. In 2017, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine published a study of existing evidence regarding the health effects of cannabis, and issued recommendations for more research. INSA plans a "patient appreciation day" on Sept. 5 when C3RN representatives will be in attendance, said Zatryka. The Cannabis Community Care and Research Network is an organization "with the goal of advancing the science and implementation of best practices to the industry in order to advance cannabis as a medicine," according to its website. SPRINGFIELD - Massachusetts State Troopers this weekend stopped two vehicles in Springfield and Danvers for operating on state highways with unsafe and overloaded vehicles. The stops, in which both drivers were cited, are the latest by state police in a campaign to crack down on unsafe loads. The Springfield stop on Interstate 291 was of a pickup truck that was literally overflowing with metal frames, metal siding and other objects. The driver was cited for operating with a unsecured load, for a tire-tread depth violation, and for not having a valid inspection sticker. Troopers also stopped a station wagon on Route 1 in Danvers that had four kayaks tied onto the roof. The driver, who was returning from Cape Cod, was cited for having an unsafe load. The state police urge anyone that plans to haul something with their vehicle to make sure it is safely secured before hitting the road. Unsecured loads are a danger to other motorists. NEW LONDON, Conn. - Police charged a 38-year-old Palmer, Mass. man with animal cruelty last week after he allegedly left two small dogs inside a parked car at Ocean Beach Park. The two dogs were left inside a plastic cage without water and the car's interior temperature was measured at 107 degrees, according to a release issued by New London Police. A passerby summoned police to the parking lot shortly before 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Investigating officers found an unlocked car with the windows barely open. The dogs were immediately removed from the car and given water. The owner, Nicholes Seguin, was located about 40 minutes later. Police determined he had parked in the lot at shortly after 3:15 p.m. Seguin, of 1156 North Main St., Palmer, was issued a criminal summons for cruelty to animals and unvaccinated animals. The animal control officer took custody of the dogs. By ASHLEY PARKER and ROSALIND HELDERMAN The Washington Post BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - President Donald Trump on Sunday offered his most definitive and clear public acknowledgment that his oldest son met with a Kremlin-aligned lawyer at Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign to "get information on an opponent," defending the meeting as "totally legal and done all the time in politics." It is, however, against the law for U.S. campaigns to receive donations or items of value from foreigners, and that June 2016 meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and Natalia Veselnitskaya is now a subject of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. While "collusion" is not mentioned in U.S. criminal statutes, Mueller is investigating whether anyone associated with Trump coordinated with the Russians, which could result in criminal charges if they entered into a conspiracy to break the law, including through cyberhacking or interfering with the election. "Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower," the president wrote in one of several early-morning tweets Sunday, many of which took aim at the news media. "This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere." He concluded by further distancing himself from the meeting his son arranged, writing, "I did not know about it!" Trump was responding to a Washington Post report this weekend that although he does not think his eldest son intentionally broke the law, he is worried that Trump Jr. may have unintentionally stumbled into legal jeopardy and is embroiled in Mueller's investigation largely because of his connection to the president. On Sunday, one of the president's attorneys defended the 2016 meeting as something that would not have been illegal under any federal statute. "The question is: How would it be illegal?" Jay Sekulow asked on ABC News' "This Week," suggesting that there are no laws prohibiting campaign operatives from meeting and working with foreign agents. "Nobody's pointed to one." The Trump Tower meeting also included Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and his campaign chairman at the time, Paul Manafort, who is on trial over tax and bank fraud charges after being indicted by Mueller. Trump's tweet, however, conflicts with a statement that Trump Jr. released to the New York Times in July 2017, as the newspaper prepared to report about the meeting. In that statement, Trump Jr. indicated that the meeting had been "primarily" about the issue of the adoption of Russian children by Americans. Amid public uproar over the meeting, the president's son was forced to release follow-up statements, ultimately acknowledging that the meeting's true purpose had been to get dirt about Hillary Clinton from a lawyer he had been told was working for the Russian government. At the time, in July 2017, Trump offered a similar comment to the one he made on Sunday, dismissing the meeting with a Russian lawyer promising dirt on his political opponent as no big deal. "Most politicians would have gone to a meeting like the one Don jr attended in order to get info on an opponent," Trump wrote on Twitter. "That's politics!" The Post reported a few weeks later that Trump Jr.'s initial misleading statement had been "dictated" by Trump. The president's attorneys at first denied Trump's involvement in drafting the response to the Times, but months later, in a letter intended to explain why Mueller should not interview Trump, they agreed that the president had, in fact, been the author of the statement. They described the statement, which had not mentioned that the Russian lawyer was expected to bring damaging information about Clinton, as "short but accurate." And they said Trump Jr., Kushner and White House staffers had made a "full disclosure" about that session to Mueller and Congress. Trump Jr.'s testimony to Congress contained a similar defense as his father's Sunday tweet, indicating that he saw no reason not to accept a meeting that could yield important information about Clinton, even though he was told that it was part of an effort by the government of a hostile power. Sekulow also noted on Sunday that he himself had given a misleading statement a year ago when, on "This Week" and in other media appearances, he said Trump had nothing to do with the misleading statement given to the New York Times. "I had bad information at that time," the lawyer said. Sekulow added that he has "no knowledge" of the president's son testifying to the special counsel's grand jury or being told that he is a "target," which is an official designation the Justice Department would use to tell someone that they are likely to be indicted. In addition to weighing in publicly on the Trump Tower meeting, the president also unleashed angry tweets directed at the news media Sunday morning from his 11-day working vacation in Bedminster, New Jersey. In one tweet, he declared the media the "Enemy of the People" and accused outlets of sowing division and distrust. "They can also cause War!" Trump wrote. "They are very dangerous & sick!" In another, he expressed frustration with both the media and Mueller's probe. "Too bad a large portion of the Media refuses to report the lies and corruption having to do with the Rigged Witch Hunt - but that is why we call them FAKE NEWS!" President Donald Trump's Hollywood star on the Walk of Fame might be on track to getting permanently removed depending on the outcome of a vote. According to the Hollywood Reporter, The West Hollywood City Council will put to a vote Monday night if they wish to urge the Los Angeles City Council and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to remove the star. Trump's star has been destroyed twice and has been the target of numerous other counts of vandalism. In June a man who used a pick-axe to destroy the star turned himself in to police. Another man destroyed the star with a pick-axe and sledgehammer in October 2016. The council said in their agenda report that "The City Council will consider adopting a resolution urging the Los Angeles City Council and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to remove President Donald J. Trump's star from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, due to his disturbing treatment of women and other actions that do not meet the shared values of the City of West Hollywood, the region, state, and country." The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce previously said it did not remove stars after public outcry for the removal of Bill Cosby's star following sexual assault allegations. PALMER -- The Planning Board will convene a public hearing later this month on a request from a private business to sell recreational marijuana at a store on Route 32 near Mount Dumplin Road. The applicant is Colorado-based Altitude Organic Corporation, which now lists the Thorndike Road location in Palmer as their primary business address in Massachusetts, having previously designated Quincy, and most recently, Boston. Aaron Bluse is president of Altitude Organic. The 1.4 acre site at 1235 Thorndike St. was purchased in September by New England Recreation & Health LLC for $240,000, from the Laviolette estate. NERH is a business partner of Altitude Organic. The Planning Board's hearing on the Altitude Organic request is scheduled on Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. at Palmer town hall, 4417 Main St. "The applicant, Altitude Organics Corporation of Massachusetts, is seeking a Special Permit and Site Plan Approval," the meeting notice says, "to redevelop the existing buildings to conduct marijuana retail sales and business office, on the property located at 1235 Thorndike Street, Palmer." Earlier this year on Feb. 5, the planning board unanimously voted final approval of the company's request to grow and dispense medical marijuana at 8 Chamber Road in Palmer, and construct an additional building to grow marijuana. A planning board condition of that approval forbids the Altitude Organic from selling recreational marijuana on Chamber Road. Condition number three says: "this permit is for the manufacture and sale of marijuana for medical purposes only;" condition four says, "No retail sales of any non-medical marijuana related product shall be conducted on this site" at 8 Chamber Road, which is also owned by New England Recreation & Health. Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick continued to stoke speculation this week that he will mount a White House bid in 2020, offering that while he's not yet ready to be a presidential candidate, it's a decision that's been on his mind. Patrick, in a wide-ranging Sunday interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, remained firm that he 's not ready to be discussing 2020 yet, noting that his current focus is on the 2018 mid-term elections. "Don't interview me for 2020 yet: I'm not ready to be a candidate for 2020," he said. The former governor, who said "it's mind blowing to have people speak seriously" about him as a possible presidential contender, added that he intends to make his decision on whether to run in 2020 "in due course." "The speculation isn't helpful. It's incredibly touching and I've had messages and encouragement from all over the country and some from around the world, from friends and from total strangers -- it's extraordinary," he said. "But, I'm trying to keep my focus on my fund and on these small number of races where I've been invited to help and where I think I can be helpful." The Democrat added that he believes all Americans need to "get up off the sidelines" and turn out for the mid-terms. For months, Patrick has hinted at a possible 2020 presidential bid, telling a Kansas City radio station in March that a White House run was on his "radar screen." "I am trying to think through 2020, and that's a decision I'm trying to think through from a personal and family point of view and also whether what I believe is going to be on offer by somebody," he said a the time. "And if it's on offer by somebody, then maybe what I can do is help that person, but we'll see." Several close allies of former President Barack Obama, meanwhile, have reportedly urged the former Massachusetts governor to make a 2020 White House run, including David Axelrod, the chief strategist for Obama's presidential campaigns; Valerie Jarrett, a close adviser and friend of the former president; and David Simas, the former political director in the White House and Patrick's ex-deputy chief of staff, according to Politico. Even Obama himself -- a friend of Patrick's -- has encouraged the Democrat to think about the possibility of running, the news outlet reported last summer. Elected in 2006, Patrick became the first African-American governor of Massachusetts. He left the State House in January 2015 after leading Massachusetts for eight years. Since leaving Beacon Hill, he has largely remained out of the public spotlight despite being rumored as a possible vice presidential running mate for 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. The former governor took a position as a visiting fellow in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Innovation Initiative in 2015 and joined Bain Capital -- a firm founded by his gubernatorial predecessor Mitt Romney. Beth Lindstrom, a Republican looking to unseat U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren this fall, called on the Democratic incumbent Monday to apologize for suggesting that the American criminal justice system is "racist." Lindstrom, a longtime political operative, slammed Warren for claiming during a recent event in New Orleans that the criminal justice system is "racist ... front to back." Arguing that the senator's comment is polarizing and "the type of rhetoric that divides us as Americans," she called on Warren to apologize to criminal justice officers and employees for her remarks. "Words like this are polarizing and divisive: completely used for personal political gain for 2020, without regard for how they sound to the many good people in Massachusetts and around the country who are tasked with criminals, keeping us safe and administering justice," she said in a statement. "Sen. Warren needs to apologize to every police officer, judge, corrections department employee, probation worker and the many other honest and decent people in our criminal justice system who have been smeared by her alienating and careless rhetoric." Warren's campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Lindstrom's call came just days after Warren reportedly raised concerns about the U.S. criminal justice system during an event, which Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric Richmond hosted at the historically black Dillard University in New Orleans. The senator, an oft-rumored 2020 presidential contender, argued that key failures in the criminal justice system include: disproportionate arrests of African-Americans for petty drug possession, an overloaded public defender system and state laws that bar convicted felons from voting, according to the Associated Press. Lindstrom is among three Republicans running for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts in 2018. She will face State Rep. Geoff Diehl, a Whitman Republican and the state party's endorsed candidate, and John Kingston, a Winchester businessman, in Massachusetts' GOP primary election on Sept. 4. The winner of that contest will square off against Warren in the November general election. President Donald Trump took executive action Monday to reimpose sanctions on Iran, which had been lifted under an Obama-era agreement that sought to roll back Tehran's nuclear program. Trump, a vocal critic the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, known as the Iran nuclear deal, signed an executive order to reinstate the first round of sanctions on Iran as early as Tuesday. A second round of sanctions, meanwhile, will be reimposed on Nov. 5, administration officials said. The "Reimposing Certain Sanctions with Respect to Iran" order came three months after the president announced that the United States would withdraw from the 2015 JCPOA agreement -- a move which set a 90-day and a 180-day wind-down period for business activities involving Iran. Trump, in announcing the renewed sanctions, slammed the Iran nuclear agreement as a "one-sided deal (that) failed to achieve the fundamental objective of blocking all paths to an Iranian nuclear bomb." The president added that by exiting the deal, "the United States is able to protect its national security by applying maximum economic pressure on the Iranian regime." Trump, however, noted that he remains open to "reaching a more comprehensive deal that addresses the full range of the regime's malign activities, including its ballistic missile program and its support for terrorism." "The United States continues to stand with the long-suffering Iranian people, who are the rightful heirs to Iran's rich heritage and the real victims of the regime's policies," he said in a statement. "We look forward to the day when the people of Iran, and all people across the region, can prosper together in safety and peace." Under the executive order, the United States will reimpose various sanctions beginning Tuesday, including on: the Iranian government's purchase or acquisition of U.S. bank notes; the country's trade in gold and other precious metals; graphite, aluminum, steel, coal and software used in industrial processes; transactions related to the Iranian rial; activities relating to Iran's issuance of sovereign debt; and the country's automotive sector. Beginning on Nov. 5, the U.S. will further reinstate sanctions on: Iran's port operators and energy, shipping, and shipbuilding sectors; petroleum-related transactions; and foreign financial institutions transactions with the Central Bank of Iran, according to the White House. The United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and China struck the nuclear deal with Iran in July 2015 after more than two years of negotiation. The agreement ended decades of western sanctions and isolation against Iran in exchange for Tehran removing nearly all of its nuclear fuel from the country and agreeing to end production of new nuclear fuel for more than a decade. Although international inspectors had reportedly found no violations aside from minor infractions since the deal took effect and the Trump administration told Congress in July 2017 that Iran was complying with the nuclear deal, Trump said in October that he would not re-certify the JCPOA because he felt Tehran was not following the spirit of the agreement and had committed "multiple violations." Former President Barack Obama cast his successor's May decision to withdraw the U.S. from the agreement as "misguided" and raised concerns that the move could risk the country's ability to reach similar deals in the future. This is a breaking news story and will be updated when more information is made available. BOSTON -- Chris Sale, who is on the 10-day disabled list with a mild case of shoulder inflammation, likely will start for the Red Sox in Baltimore this coming weekend. The Red Sox begin a three-game series in Toronto on Tuesday. They play four games in Baltimore over the weekend, including a doubleheader Saturday. They then travel to Philadelphia for two games next Tuesday and Wednesday. Sale initially was expected to pitch Wednesday in Toronto. But Brian Johnson will start instead. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sale hasn't experienced a setback. "He played catch today," Cora said about Sale after Boston's 5-4 10-inning victory over the Yankees here Sunday. "One of the reasons, he's OK but hasn't thrown a bullpen. At the same time, you start looking at the schedule and I don't want him to pitch in Philly. I don't want him to hit. So we're going to kind of maneuver the schedule and probably (he'll pitch in) Baltimore most likely." Sale is expected to throw at the park Monday. "But he didn't throw a bullpen today, so he's probably one day behind," Cora said. "So for me it actually works in a sense that I was thinking about that start in Philly and I really don't want him to hit." Global Anemia Drugs Market Market Scenario Anemia is a set of conditions characterized by weakness, shortness of breath and a general tiredness due to a decrease in the total amount of red blood cells (RBCs) or hemoglobin in the blood. The lowered hemoglobin results in a lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen. Premium Sample Report Available @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2499 The market constraints are poor absorption of drugs especially intravenous iron and the side effects associated with the treatment. Better nutrition due to rising per capita income is also a market limiting factor for anemic drugs. The global market for Anemia Drugs is expected to be around US$21.4 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.4% to reach US$34.7 billion by the end of forecast period. Global Anemia Drugs Market Segments Global anemia drugs market has been segmented on the basis of anemia type which comprises iron deficiency anemia, sickle cell anemia, aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia pernicious anemia and others. On the basis of route of administration; market is segmented into oral and injectable. On the basis of gender; market is segmented into male and female. On the basis of product type; market is segmented into biologics and non-biologics. On the basis of end users; market is segmented into hospitals, self-administered and others. Global Anemia Drugs Market Key Players Some of the key players in this market are: Amgen Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Bluebird bio, Biocon, GlycoMimetics Inc., Regen biopharma Inc., Bayer AG, Acceleron Pharma, Eli Lilly and company and others. Global Anemia Drugs Market Competitive Analysis In April-2017, Amgen Inc. expanded their commercial collaboration with Novartis for erenumab, which is being investigated for the prevention of migraine. This expanded commercial collaboration was built on a global neuroscience collaboration in Alzheimers disease and migraine established in 2015 between Novartis and Amgen. This expanded collaboration leveraged Novartis strong and established presence in neuroscience to more effectively reach people with migraine. Browse Complete Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/anemia-drugs-market-2499 In December-2015, GlaxoSmithKline plc. announced that its global HIV business, ViiV Healthcare, has reached two separate agreements with Bristol-Myers Squibb, to acquire its late-stage HIV R&D assets; and to acquire Bristol-Myers Squibbs portfolio of preclinical and discovery stage HIV research assets. In October-2016, Elanco U.S., Inc., a subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company acquired Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.s (BIVI) U.S. feline, canine and rabies vaccines portfolio as well as a fully integrated manufacturing and R&D site for USD 885 million, including the estimated cost of acquired inventory. Global Anemia Drugs Market Regional Analysis On the regional backgrounds the Americas leads the global market for anemia drugs owing to huge patient population, increasing healthcare expenditures and presence of the developed economies like U.S. and Canada within the region. Following, the same trends Europe is second in the market. The Asia Pacific region is the fastest growing region due to the developing economies like India and China. Middle East and Africa have the least market share, especially due to the presence of poor economies within the African region. Moreover, stringent government policies within the region are restraining the market growth within the region. On the hand, Middle East leads the regional market due to the presence of developed economies like Kuwait, Qatar, and others within the region and rising healthcare expenses. Table Of Contents 1 Introduction 2 Research Methodology 3 Market Dynamics 4 Market Factor Analysis 5 Global Anemia Drugs Market, By Anemia Type 6 Global Anemia Drugs Market, By Route Of Administration 7 Global Anemia Drugs Market, By Product Type 8 Global Anemia Drugs Market, By End User 9 Global Anemia Drugs Market, By Regions 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Profile 12 Others 13 Appendix Major TOC Continued! Get Exclusive Discount @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/2499 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, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Request Premium Sample copy at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1806 A new study conducted by Market Research Future (MRFR) claims that the dental consumables market in North America will surge at an impressive CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period (2017-2023) to reach a valuation in excess of USD 2,100 Mn. A modern consumer is much more aware about benefits of healthy leaving. Aspects such as good health and hygienic lifestyle are a priority for the millennial population. In North America, the incidences of oral disorders and conditions such as dental cavities, tooth decay, dry mouth, gum disease and oral cancer among others are on the rise. Several reasons including negligence and genetics are quoted for vulnerability to and severity of such oral issues. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that 64 percent of adult Americans aged 18-64 had a dental visit in 2015. The U.S. remains the most important market for dental consumables in North America. Presence of prominent dental care providers in the region has augured well for market players. Moreover, fast adoption of advanced dentistry techniques is also creating opportunities for dental consumables in the region. Factors as such are expected to support the growth of the market in North America during the review period. Availability of cutting-edge dental treatments and procedures further acts as a positive influence on the dental care domain in the U.S. and Canada. Many of the manufacturers are actively focusing on product innovation and development of purpose build dental consumables. Dental Consumables Market Competitive Dashboard: Some of the leading market participants mentioned in MRFRs report include: American Orthodontics Henry Schein Dentsply Sirona Danaher Corporation Planmeca Oy Institut Straumann Patterson Dental Supply GC orthodontics and Kerr Corporation. Latest Industry Trends and News: CALCIVIS, a preventive dentistry solution provider has recently unveiled a novel imaging system in the U.K. Reportedly, this system is a world-first that enables real-time visualisation and detection of active demineralization an initial sign of dental erosion and caries. Leading dental equipment and dental consumables producer, Dentsply Sirona has recently launched an updated version of its CEREC Premium Software. The version will have a slew of new features with functional improvements. Dental Consumables Market Regional Outlook: The U.S. currently commands for a considerable share of the market and is likely to hold its asserting position in the region during the assessment period. This is mainly owing to factors such as the higher healthcare expenditure and the fast adoption of advanced products in the country. The country remains a prominent destination for investors owing to the presence of favorable growth indicators. Healthcare continues to be an important growth engine for the U.S. economy, the sector currently accounts for nearly 16% of the total GDP of the country. Such figures point out towards a progressive direction for the market in North America over the next couple of years. Increased level of awareness about oral health among consumers is encouraging market players to step up their investment in North America. In addition, rising number oral cosmetic surgeries is creating growth opportunities for the market. Meanwhile, cost of dental procedures such as composite bonding, teeth whitening, implants and inlays & onlays continues to rise in both the U.S. and Canada. Other factors that are likely to support the growth of the market include increasing geriatric population and improvement in oral care giving. The overall outlook towards the dental consumables market in North America remains highly positive for the medium term. Inquire more about this Report at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/1806 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. Contact Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Global Glaucoma Surgery Market Scenario Glaucoma refers to a condition which causes blindness. It is a chronic and permanent disorder whose prevalences is increasing with increasing age. Beside this different diseases like diabetes and deficiency of vitamins can also cause this disease. The major driving factor for the growth of this market is increasing aging population across the globe and increasing the prevalence of diabetes. Changing lifestyle and unhealthy food has given a push for the growth of this market. On the other hand, preference of minimum surgery and the high cost of the surgical treatment can hamper the growth of the market. Global Glaucoma Surgery Market -Key Players Novartis AG (Switzerland) Allergan (US) Merck & Co., Inc. (US) Abbott (US), Akorn, Inc. (US), Teva Pharmaceuticals (US), Bausch & Lomb (US), Pfizer, Santen (Japan), Carl Zeiss Meditec (Germany), Alcon (US), Ellex Medical Lasers (Australia), Lumenis (US), Topcon Medical Systems (US), Nidek (US), OPHTEC (US), Optos (US), Accutome (US), AqueSys (Taiwan), Canon (Japan), Essilor (France), Iridex Corporation (US) Global Glaucoma Surgery Market -Segmentation Global glaucoma surgery market is segmented on the basis of target into trabecular meshwork, suprachoroidal space and others. On the basis of type of surgery it is segmented into angle closure glaucoma surgery, aqueous shunt surgery, laser surgery and other and on the basis of end user the market is segmented into hospital, ambulatory surgery centers and other. Global Glaucoma Surgery Market -Regional Analysis Geographically global glaucoma surgery market is segmented into four major region namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa. North America commands the largest market for the glaucoma surgery due to a huge population suffering from diabetes and other eye diseases. Increasing healthcare expenditure and improved infrastructure has a synergistic impact on the growth of the market. Europe is the second largest market followed by Asia Pacific region. A huge population base and rapid development in healthcare sector has attracted many of the company to develop there market in Asia Pacific region. Get PDF with Technological Advancement @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1342 Some Points form TOC for Glaucoma Surgery Market Research: 1. Report Prologue 2. Introduction 2.1 Definition 2.2 Scope of the Study 2.2.1 Research Objective 2.2.2 Assumptions 2.2.3 Limitations 2.3 Market Structure 2.4. Market Segmentation 3. Research Methodology 3.1 Research Process 3.2 Primary Research 3.3 Secondary Research 3.4 Market Size Estimation 3.5 Forecast Model 4. Market Dynamics 4.1 Drivers 4.2 Restraints 4.3 Opportunities 4.4 Mega Trends 4.5 Macroeconomic Indicators To be continued Get Excusive Discount @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/1342 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, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Smart Contact Lenses Market report of Market Research Future explores Scope of the Study as Research Objective, Assumptions and Limitations in-depth. The report gives Market Dynamics by Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, Challenges, Macroeconomic Indicators and Technology Trends & Assessment. Smart Contact Lenses Market Overview Contact lens are thin lenses are worn to improve vision or for aesthetic use. An increase in the trend of using contact lens has been noticed in last few years. Contact lenses eliminate the need of using spectacles. Technological advancement in smart contact lenses is on the verge of creating something innovative with a goal to minimize vision problems in people. Smart contact lenses have sensors that detect glucose levels in tears and intraocular pressure. Most of the youth are attracted towards the use of contact lenses with changing lifestyle and awareness about trending cosmetic products. The youth is also influenced by the growing trend of smart medical devices, thus influencing the market growth. The rise in the demand for smart wearable devices has increased the demand for smart contact lenses as well of late. Market focused reports connected to the healthcare sector among others of late have been made accessible by Market Research Future which publishes reports on this industry. The market is projected to touch USD 7.2 billion in terms of revenue by 2023 while growing with a CAGR of approximately 10.4% in the forecast period. Get PDF Sample Copy of Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1186 The need for continuous monitoring has been a significant factor in the expansion of the market. Moreover, improvement in the end product quality and features have led to the development of the market further. The smart contact lenses are also expected to be used extensively in the augmented reality market, which will be used extensively to stream content. Smart contact lenses also lessen the need for invasive procedures, which are otherwise complicated and painful. The application of smart lenses especially in response to treatment of diabetes is expected to boost the market favorably over the forecast period. Global Smart Contact Lenses Market Players Key players in Smart Contact Lenses Market are: Samsung (South Korea), Sony (Japan), Alcon (U.S), Google (U.S), Sensimed SA (Switzerland) Samsung is a multinational conglomerate company manufacturing wide range of products. In April 2016, the company received a patent for smart contact lenses with in-built camera in South Korea. Global Smart Contact Lenses Market Competitive Analysis Samsung is a multinational conglomerate company manufacturing wide range of products. In April 2016, the company received a patent for smart contact lenses with in-built camera in South Korea. According to Samsung Mobiles report, Samsung started developing smart contact lenses as a means to create a better augmented reality experience than the ones that exist through Google Glass-like wearables. Google is an American multinational technology company received a patent from the U.S FDA for smart contact lenses in November 2015. Increasing demand for self-monitoring devices, increasing aging population with eye disorders associated to diabetes and user friendliness of smart contact lenses drive this market in America. Development of innovative products for eye care and diabetes management their increasing popularity among people also contribute to the growth of this market. Google agreed for partnership with the pharmaceutical company Novartis to develop smart contact lenses that can track diabetes by measuring blood glucose levels in tears and fix farsightedness as well. Smart Contact Lenses Market Segments The smart contact lenses market globally has been segmented on the basis of the applications of the smart contact lenses which comprises of intraocular pressure monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring, and other applications. The other applications are sodium detection, cholesterol detection, and alcohol detection. The smart contact lenses on the basis of end users market are segmented into hospitals, home care settings and clinics. The regions that are covered in the market include APAC, North America, Europe and Rest of the World. Smart Contact Lenses Industry Update: March 2018 Theraoptix recently took home the MIT Sloan Healthcare Innovation Prize at their annual competitions and also received a $25,000 grand prize which was sponsored by Optum, a health services firm. The contact lens is made from FDA-approved materials and delivers eye medication in a sustained and controlled release. The lens is sandwiched between contact lens material which is a drug-filled polymer film and shaped into a tiny circular strip that does not interfere with the wearers vision. The sandwiching structure allows the drugs to seep from the film into the eye gradually. Some Brief Table of Content Chapter 1. Report Prologue Chapter 2. Market Introduction Chapter 3. Research Methodology Chapter 4. Market Dynamics Chapter 5. Market Factor Analysis Chapter 6. Global Smart Contact Lenses Market, By Devices Chapter 7. Global Smart Contact Lenses Market, By End User Chapter 8. Global Smart Contact Lenses Market, By Region Chapter 9. Competitive Landscape Chapter 10. Company Profile Chapter 11. Conclusion Chapter 12. Appendix Get Prime Discount on This Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/1186 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 Future Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com ONGC board had first on June 29 approved exiting Pawan Hans. The board of ONGC has, for the second time in just over a month, approved selling its entire 49 per cent stake in helicopter service provider Pawan Hans alongside government's privatisation bid, officials with direct knowledge of the development said. New Delhi: The board of ONGC has, for the second time in just over a month, approved selling its entire 49 per cent stake in helicopter service provider Pawan Hans alongside government's privatisation bid, officials with direct knowledge of the development said. ONGC board had first on June 29 approved exiting Pawan Hans and its interest being clubbed with the 51 per cent government stake that is already on offer for sale. Officials said ONGC on July 2 wrote to the government communicating the decision of the board but the Department of Disinvestment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), which is managing the sale of government stake, sought certain clarifications from the company. Among others, ONGC was asked to state if the terms on which government stake sale is being sold would be acceptable to it. The company board at its meeting on August 2 endorsed such terms, they said. This now paves way for the government to make a revised offer to sell 100 per cent stake in Pawan Hans. DIPAM, which floated the offer for sale for government's 51 per cent stake in Pawan Hans twice in the last 10 months, is likely to issue an amended expression of interest (EoI) shortly. Officials said ONGC is of the view that its investment in Pawan Hans is no longer strategic as it charter hires helicopters to ferry staff to its oil and gas locations, mostly offshore, through competitive bidding. Of the 22 helicopters it currently has on hire, just seven or less than a third are from Pawan Hans. Pawan Hans owns a fleet of 46 helicopters. ONGC board wants to consolidate business and focus resources on core oil and gas exploration and production business and not scatter bandwidth of management in unrelated businesses, they said. Officials said when the government had first floated an offer to sell its 51 per cent stake in October last year, ONGC made an offer to DIPAM that its 49 per cent stake be also sold on same terms. At that time, the company was told to get its board approval. Meanwhile, the government in early April withdrew its offer for sale as only two bidders including Indian helicopter major Global Vectra Helicorp and US-based Continental Helicopters made an offer. A revised offer for sale was floated later that month, which fetched about half a dozen bidders. DIPAM is of the view that a revised offer for sale would have to be floated as some bidders may have been deterred by 51 per cent stake and would now prefer to bid when 100 per cent is being offered. Pawan Hans operates seven Dauphin N3 Helicopters for ONGC's offshore operations. These helicopters, based at Juhu airport, Mumbai and Rajahmundry, undertake passenger crew change service and production trips on a regular basis to meet the offshore requirements of the state-owned oil and gas producer. Hospital furniture plays an important role in the attracting the patient to the hospitals. Well-developed furniture represent the status and facilities of hospital. Hospital furniture is an integral part of any clinical setting and hence plays an important role in the facilitation of healthcare. Increasing number of hospitals due to rising patient population has driven the growth of market. Rapid developments in technology and introduction of motorized stretcher chair and other advanced stretchers has provided fuel for the growth of market. However, high cost of furniture has hampered the growth of the market. Global Hospital Furniture Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.8% during forecasted period. Get Sample PDF Illustration @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1007 Key Players for Global Hospital Furniture Market The key players for the global hospital furniture market are Stryker Corporation (US), Bio Medical Solutions (India), KI (US), GPC Medical (India), Anetic Aid Limited (UK), DRE INC (US), Bristol Maid Hospital Metalcraft (UK), The Brewer Company (US), GPC Medical Ltd (India), Chang Gung Medical Technology (China), Hill-Rom (US), Narang Medical (India), Beaver Healthcare Equipment (UK), Renray Healthcare Ltd. (UK), Moore Medical LLC (US), Beaver Healthcare Equipment (UK). Global Hospital Furniture Market Competitive Analysis Hospital furniture market is a saturated market due to the presence of many local and multinational players. Number of different products are available into the market and so key players are trying to focus on acquisition and strategic alliances with local companies to minimize the competition. Stryker Corporation is an American Fortune 500 medical technologies firm based in Michigan, US. Companys product includes surgical equipment, implants, emergency medical equipment and many other medical devices. Company manufacturer maternity bedside stands, medsurg bedside stands, different beds, advanced hospital stretchers like motorized stretcher chair and eye surgery chair, overbed tables and many more Regional Analysis for Global Hospital Furniture Market Geographically, America accounts for the largest market for hospital furniture which is followed by Europe. Asia Pacific region is expecting a fastest growth for the market in coming future owing to increasing number of hospitals and clinics in this region. Increasing burden of various diseases has paved way for higher hospitalizations and therefore, higher demand for healthcare centers have been recorded. Rapid development in healthcare sector and increasing healthcare expenditure also contributed in the growth of the market. Asia Pacific hospital market is segmented into Japan, China, India, Australia, Republic of Korea and Rest of Asia Pacific. China and India are the major contributors for the market. China, which ranks number one, has approximately 69,105 hospitals and clinics, whereas, India has just over 22,000 hospitals by 2014. Continuous increasing number of people suffering from different diseases and increasing number of hospitals and clinics in this region is the major factor for the growth of the market. Segments for Global Hospital Furniture Market Global hospital furniture market is segmented on the basis of type, into bedside tables, OT table, instrument stands, stretchers, hospital beds, chairs, scrub sinks, waste container, trolley and others. On the basis of application, they are segmented into physician furniture, patients furniture and staffs furniture. Physician furniture is sub segmented into examination table, surgery chair and other. Patients furniture is sub segmented into stretchers, bedside table and other and staffs furniture is further segmented into stands and other. On the basis of end users, the market is segmented into hospital, diagnostic centers, clinics and others. Top 5 Reasons to Get this Report: Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent development activities Market Strategic Business Influence Data Market Research Future recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations Market share analysis of the top industry players Market forecasts for a minimum of 5 years of all the mentioned segments, Trends and the regional markets With SWOT Analysis Get Prime Discount on Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/1007 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 Future Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Global Surgical Instrument Tracking System Market Overview The Global Surgical Instrument Tracking System (IGRT) Market is growing exponentially owing to the the impact of the UDI regulation and rising need for inventory management are the major factor driving the Surgical Instrument Tracking System Market. The global surgical instrument tracking system market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18% during the forecasted period. Furthermore, the increasing adoption of instrument and medical devices tracking products by private and public hospitals is considered as a major factor contributing to the growing market. The major challenges such as vast inventory management and tracing of instruments and medical devices during the work cycle, such as during surgery, post-surgery, and sterilization procedures are faced by the hospitals. Thus, the need of tracking systems for medical devices and instrument is growing at an exponential rate, which is anticipated to propel the growth of the market segment. Barcode technology is the most commonly type of tracking technology used and adoption in medical devices industry. This technology is the key element that contributes to its high revenue share. In addition, the low installation cost has resulted in its growing applications in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centres. In a report published by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information states that the retained surgical objects has a fatality rate of approximately 2%. Hence the need for advanced technologies such as RFID and 2D barcodes, to track the instruments used in operation theatre is growing all these factors are expected to boost growth. Get Sample PDF Illustration @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1391 Global Surgical Instrument Tracking System Market Company Analysis The surgical instrument tracking systems market is considered to be highly fragmented and is based on clinical results of product and their novel product launches. Thus, the major players have employed various strategies such as agreements, acquisitions, market initiatives, high expense on research and development, clinical trials, new product launches, partnerships, and joint ventures to increase their footprints in this market. Technological advancement in software is a key factor driving the adoption of tracking software for inventory and surgical instruments management. For instance, IMPRESS instrument management software delivers information on serialized surgical instruments, assisting in inventory management and providing ongoing support through continuous assistance through phone. Braun Melsungen AG, BD, Censis Technologies, Inc., Xerafy, Haldor Advanced Technologies, Microsystems, Inc., Applied Logic, Inc., Infor, Intelligent InSites, Key Surgical, Mobile Aspects Inc., STANLEY Healthcare, TGX Medical Systems, Vizbee RFID Solutions, Roboz Surgical Instrument Co., JJ International Instruments, GEISTER MEDIZINTECHNIK GmbH, ESI, Millennium Surgical Corp and Katalyst Surgical, LLC and others are some of the prominent players at the forefront of competition in the Global Surgical Instrument Tracking System Market and are profiled in MRFR Analysis. Surgical Instrument Tracking System Industry Updates March, 2015 The Tag Factory and Xerafy had announced a licensing agreement for Xerafys RFID ceramic tag technology. As per the agreement, The Tag Factory will be manufacturing and marketing ceramic RFID tags using the RFID ceramic tag technology. Regional Analysis for Global Surgical Instrument Tracking System Market According to regions, the global Surgical Instrument Tracking System Market is dominated by North America. USA held the largest market share for the global surgical instrument tracking systems market in the year 2016. Availability of advanced products and highly developed healthcare infrastructure is anticipated to drive the demand for instruments and medical device tracking products in North America during the forecast period. The UDI regulations by FDA are a major factor influencing the adoption of tracking systems in North America. Europe is expected to uphold the second dominant position during the forecast period. The factor contributing for its growth includes the rising medical tourism and increasing healthcare sector privatization in this region. The major factors for this includes, constantly expanding population base along with the cost advantage, the emergence of high-quality and better healthcare infrastructure and institutions in these countries and growing private funds and government initiatives in the region. Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at highest rate during the forecast period due to untapped opportunities in this region. Healthcare industry is rapidly shifting to APAC from other regions such as Americas and Europe. In addition, increasing geriatric population coupled with rapidly evolving healthcare infrastructure in the Asian countries, such as China and India, propels the market. Surging healthcare costs, high health expenditure, huge population for better health management, chronic diseases account for 90% of overall deaths. Middle East region currently acquires the lowest market share. Moreover, Countries in the Middle East, and North African Regions offer potential export opportunities for the local producers which has the potential to drive the growth of this market in this region in future. Top 5 Reasons to Get this Report: Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent development activities Market Strategic Business Influence Data Market Research Future recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations Market share analysis of the top industry players Market forecasts for a minimum of 5 years of all the mentioned segments, Trends and the regional markets With SWOT Analysis Get Prime Discount on Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/1391 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 Future Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 The report for Global Vein illuminator Market by Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detail analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain a deeper insight of the market and industry performance. Vein finder or vein illuminator is a device designed to locate and map subcutaneous veins using principles of optical physics. Vein illuminator employs a variety of techniques such as ultrasound, infrared light and trans-illumination to produce a distinct image of vein structure. Market players of Global Vein illuminator Market: Infrared Imaging Systems Inc., VueTek Scientific LLC, Venoscope LLC, Christie Medical Holdings Inc., Near Infrared Imaging Inc., Sharn Anesthesia, TransLite LLC, AccuVein Inc., Aimvein Ltd. and others. Get Premium Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5735 Market Scenario: Vein finder or vein illuminator is a device intended to locate subcutaneous veins using a variety of techniques such as infrared light. Vein illuminators employs principles of optical physics such as differential light reflection, refraction, and absorption by tissues to produces a distinct image of the patients vein structure. Vein illuminator provides a vivid vein map which help to increase success rates of invasive treatments such as injections. The drivers of vein illuminator market are greater patient satisfaction owing to reduced pain, trauma and invasive treatment footprint. Vein illuminators also find applications in treating patients with conditions such as obesity, swollen tissue, hairy skin, hypovolemia which makes determining vascular position difficult. The growing numbers of elderly and chronic sick population, blood donation camps, assisted living centres and others are the demographic drivers of the market. However technological and product developments such as advances in optics, greater contrast and resolution, falling cost of devices and others are the critical drivers of the market. Accuracy in determining vein width with a low deviation as low as 60 to 100 microns is the key to be market leaders. Other technical driver is the increasing coherence and falling size and cost of devices. The constraints of the global vein illuminator market are lack of awareness, high cost of devices and others. Growing functionality such as adjustable brightness, multiple imaging modes, sleep function, and others is expected to result in greater market penetration. Use of medical cold light and standardization such as CE approval so as to render it safe for sensitive organs such as eyes are other important determinants of the market. Apply for attractive Discount @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/5735 Segments: To generate a birds view, the global vein illuminator market is segmented on the basis of technology, and end users. Based on the technology, the market has been segmented as trans-illumination, infrared illumination, ultrasound, and others. On the basis of end user the market has been classified as hospitals, blood donation camps, research and academics, others. Regional analysis: To generate an accurate representation of the differential demand of the market, the report has been segmented into regions of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East and Africa. North America commands the largest market share due to the faster uptake of new technology, presence of well-developed hospital infrastructure of U.S. and Canada. Europe accounts for the second largest market led by Germany, France and the U.K. Asia Pacific region is anticipated to generate the fastest CAGR growth led by Japan, china and India. The Middle East & African region, is expected to generate moderate growth owing to poor social and economic reasons especially in Africa. However the Gulf economies are expected to generate strong spurts of growth due to the faster expansion of healthcare in the region. Continued Request for TOC @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/request-toc/5735 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, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com by Tanya Gazdik , August 6, 2018 Several major brands have signed or renewed NASCAR sponsorship deals in recent days. Nationwide Insurance is expanding its relationship with Hendrick Motorsports by increasing its sponsorship of Alex Bowman and the No. 88 Chevrolet team to 20 races per season in a two-year agreement that lasts through 2020. The announcement also allows Bowman to renew his contract an additional year with the powerhouse team, 12-time NASCAR Cup Series champions. "We're pleased with Alex's representation of Nationwide both on and off the track, says Terrance Williams, chief marketing officer for Nationwide, in a release. Bowman also has embraced Nationwide's philosophy of giving back to the community through his support of Nationwide Children's Hospital, Williams says. advertisement advertisement Nationwide joined the team in 2014 and is still a personal service partner of Dale Earnhardt Jr., whom Bowman replaced. Kendrick Motorsports posted a 60-second video on YouTube detailing the renewal. Meanwhile, Smithfield Foods extended its 30-race primary sponsorship of Stewart-Haas Racings No. 10 Ford driven by Aric Almirola for the 2019 season. Global power leader Cummins, Inc. also announced its return to motorsports with Stewart-Haas Racing, with a multiple race sponsorship on the No. 14 Ford driven by Clint Bowyer starting Aug. 18 with the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. Cummins has a motorsports lineage dating back to the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911 when company founder Clessie Cummins was on the pit crew of the race-winning Marmon Wasp of driver Ray Harroun, notes Stewart-Haas Racing. Sarasota [Fla.] Herald Tribune, Monday, August 6, 2018 8 AM Floridas Natural is the latest orange juice facing a lawsuit over allegedly false advertising claims. Tropicana was the subject of a similar false label lawsuit in March. A Brooklyn, N.Y., woman is challenging claims that the orange juice is indeed natural as declared in its name and images on the OJ carton. The class-action lawsuit was filed on July 20 against Floridas Natural and its parent company, Citrus World Inc. Read the whole story at Sarasota [Fla.] Herald Tribune Mumbrella Asia, Monday, August 6, 2018 8 AM Pantene is throwing its support behind transgender residents of Thailand via a campaign created by GreynJ United. The creative showcases everyday stories of a hairdresser, delivery driver and model. The brand is the second shampoo brand to champion the cause. Unilevers Sunsilk shampoo featured a transgendered beauty queen in a spot from J. Walter Thompson that debuted in June. Read the whole story at Mumbrella Asia by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, August 6, 2018 They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But when it appears adjacent to the wrong editorial content, it can cost millions. Consider the two real-world ad placements depicted here. The one on the left shows a banner ad for Kingsfords BBQ briquets running on top of a home page featuring a story about a Detroit couple going to prison for grilling a toddler on their BBQ. The one on the right shows a banner promoting flights to Miami atop a Miami Herald story on its Daily Florida Zika virus tracker. Brand safety is not new. Long before digital media, agencies, brands and various content screening services would screen TV, radio, magazine and newspaper content to ensure it was appropriate for a brand to appear in. But the nature of programmatics high-speed, automated ad serving has created new opportunities for ads to appear in some questionable environments. advertisement advertisement The examples depicted here and a number of others, were provided to RTBlog by programmatic retargeting firm RTB House to illustrate the problem it says it can solve with a new deep learning service whose natural-language processing algorithms can weed out unsafe or unsavory ad placements. The new service will be unveiled officially later this week, but RTB House calls it a game-changer. The platform is launching with an audit of more than 16,000 of the most popular global articles each day, but RTB House says its goal is to audit the top 50,000 articles. Clearly, this is not a long-tail play, but it makes me wonder how many articles, times how many brands, times how many potentially inappropriate adjacencies, exist in the world? Brand safety is not a new problem for Madison Avenue, but it is one that is growing as fast as the supply of buyable media. The number of possible permutations is incalculable -- and can't be managed by people alone. by Sara Guaglione , August 6, 2018 The Scripps Howard Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The E.W. Scripps Company, is investing $6 million into the creation of two centers for investigative journalism. The centers will be housed at Arizona State University and the University of Maryland. Each university will get $3 million over three years from the Scripps Howard Foundation to develop a Howard Center for Investigative Journalism. Liz Carter, president and CEO of the Scripps Howard Foundation, told Publishers Daily the organization felt there has been a huge drop in resources available when there is a need to investigate. The centers will work to bridge the classroom and the newsroom to ensure tomorrows journalists are prepared with the mastery of dogged reporting they need in a world that increasingly demands it, she says. advertisement advertisement Carter hopes the centers become hotbeds of investigative journalism and provide resources for other journalists. If a reporter has a lead for an investigative story, for example, but the news outlet they work for does not have the necessary resources to pursue that story, Carter hopes they can turn to the Howard Centers. The centers will recruit graduate students and faculty from a diverse range of backgrounds not just those with journalism degrees. Students attending a Howard Center will be introduced to various topics, including new media, data mining and the history and ethics of investigative journalism. They will work with news organizations across the country to report on national or international stories. Thirteen schools were invited by the foundation to submit proposals for the program. The foundation ultimately chose Arizona State and the University of Maryland. Both already have robust journalism programs. Arizona State will create a Masters of Investigative Journalism with the foundation's funding. The University of Maryland will establish an investigative unit in their Capital News Service, the news wire outlet operated by the university's journalism school, the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. The two colleges represent very different demographics and geographies, Carter said, but hopes they collaborate in the future. The Centers are envisioned as innovative educational programs, stated Battinto Batts, director of the journalism fund for the Scripps Howard Foundation. Both Arizona State University and the University of Maryland are well-positioned to challenge their students to become ethical, entrepreneurial and courageous investigative journalists. The Howard Centers will being searching for directors this fall and will open programming to graduate-level students in 2019. The Howard Centers honor the legacy of Roy W. Howard, the reporter and former chairman of the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain. In this article, we look at the possible causes of a rash after fever in toddlers, what to do about it, and when to see a doctor. Fever usually goes away once the illness passes. However, toddlers sometimes develop a rash following a fever. Although this is rarely severe, it is important to see a doctor immediately. Children aged 13 years old, generally referred to as toddlers, often get illnesses because: A fever is not a disease but a sign that the bodys immune system is fighting an infection. The body raises its core temperature to fight off the invading bacteria or viruses. Toddlers can often get fevers when they are unwell, even when they have a cold or another minor illness. Several common childhood illnesses, including roseola and scarlet fever, can cause a rash to develop after the fever passes. Several common childhood illnesses can cause a rash after fever. Most are not serious, but some do require medical treatment, so it is essential to discuss these symptoms with a doctor. Common causes of post-fever rash in toddlers include: Roseola infantum Share on Pinterest Roseola infantum may cause a post-fever rash. Roseola infantum, which is also called roseola or sixth disease, is a viral infection. Babies and toddlers pass on the virus through saliva, coughing, and sneezing. Roseola may cause a sudden, high fever of 102105F that lasts for 36 days. Some children are active and comfortable with no other symptoms during this stage of the illness, but others may also experience: decreased appetite or unwillingness to eat eye swelling or conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye a cough a runny nose diarrhea swollen lymph nodes sleepiness or irritability Typically, the symptoms of roseola go away suddenly on the sixth or seventh day of illness. After these symptoms have cleared up, the rash appears. In most cases, the roseola rash: consists of small pink spots, about 25 millimeters (mm) wide may be slightly raised or flat starts on the trunk and may spread to the arms, neck, and face does not itch or hurt disappears when pressed, which is known as blanching fades after 12 days The incubation period for roseola is 714 days, which means that symptoms may not appear until 12 weeks after becoming infected. Antibiotics do not work against roseola, but extra fluids and fever-reducing medicine can relieve symptoms. Parents and caregivers should keep children with roseola out of school or day care until they have been free of fever for 24 hours without the use of medication. The rash from roseola is not contagious. Up to 15 percent of children with roseola may also experience a febrile seizure, which can happen as a result of the high fever and the ability of the virus to cross into the brain. During a febrile seizure, the child may: lose consciousness start shaking their arms and legs uncontrollably become stiff roll their eyes wet or soil themselves vomit froth at the mouth Febrile seizures generally only last a few minutes. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke , there is no evidence that short febrile seizures cause brain damage. Most children will recover without any problems. However, the parent or caregiver should immediately call an ambulance if: it is the childs first febrile seizure the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes the child has a stiff neck, is vomiting excessively, or is extremely lethargic During the seizure, it is vital to: remain calm and time the length of the seizure carefully place the child in a safe location to protect them from accidental injury position the child on their side or front to prevent choking carefully remove any objects from the childs mouth Scarlet fever Share on Pinterest A person may contract scarlet fever through contact with infected skin lesions. Scarlet fever results from an infection with group A Streptococcus bacteria. This type of bacteria can also cause strep throat and specific skin infections, such as impetigo. Infected children can pass on the bacteria through: coughing and sneezing sharing food or drinks letting other people touch a skin lesion, where there is a skin infection Symptoms of scarlet fever may include: a temperature of 101F or higher red rash that starts on the neck, underarms, or groin area and spreads across the body red, sore throat white coating or red bumps on the tongue redness in skin creases, such as under the arms and inside the elbows and inner thighs a headache body aches nausea, stomach ache, or vomiting The rash from scarlet fever feels rough like sandpaper. It usually appears 12 days after the fever starts but can present up to 7 days later. The area around the mouth usually remains pale, even if the rest of the face looks red. After the rash has faded, the skin may peel. A child with symptoms of scarlet fever should see a doctor as soon as possible. In rare cases, group A strep infections can cause severe complications, such as heart or kidney problems. Doctors treat scarlet fever with antibiotics. A child may return to school or day care once they have been taking antibiotics for at least 24 hours. Hand, foot, and mouth disease Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is common in children under 5 years old. Several different viruses can cause this illness, and children can pass on the infection through: saliva coughing and sneezing fluid from blisters poop HFMD often starts with a fever, but it may also cause a sore throat, lack of appetite, and malaise. After about 12 days, sores and a rash may appear. The telltale signs of HFMD include: sores in the back of the mouth that are small initially but turn into painful blisters flat, red spots on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet flat, red spots or blisters on the buttocks or groin Some toddlers might get all of these symptoms, while others may only get mildly sick without any other problems. A parent or caregiver should get advice from a doctor on when a child with scarlet fever should return to school or day care. Although most cases of HFMD resolve on their own, the sores can be painful. If a child is unable to eat or drink, there is a risk of dehydration. Children who are not eating or drinking or who seem very ill should see a doctor. Fifth disease Fifth disease, known medically as erythema infectiosum, is a viral infection that commonly occurs in toddlers. Parvovirus B19 is the virus responsible for the infection, which spreads easily through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms of fifth disease may include: fever a headache a runny nose Fifth disease is sometimes called slapped cheek syndrome because the rash causes the cheeks to appear red. Some toddlers may get a red, blotchy rash on their trunk, buttocks, arms, and legs a few days after the redness becomes apparent in the cheeks. The rash may cause itching and tends to form a lacy pattern as it starts to fade. It can last for several weeks. Most children recover from fifth disease without any problems. However, both children and adults with weakened immune systems can develop long-term complications. As it is a viral illness, antibiotics are not effective against fifth disease. Plenty of fluids, rest, and pain relievers may be beneficial. Usually, children can go back to school or day care once they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours. The rash is not contagious. President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to the Negotiable Instruments (Amendment), Act, 2018. Courts trying cheque bouncing cases may now onwards direct drawers to pay interim compensation to the payee. With the latest changes in the law, courts can also try such offences expeditiously. Mumbai: Courts trying cheque bouncing cases may now onwards direct drawers to pay interim compensation to the payee. With the latest changes in the law, courts can also try such offences expeditiously. President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to the Negotiable Instruments (Amendment), Act, 2018. The amendment aims to insert section 143A and Section 148 in the Act to provide that a court trying a cheque bounce offence under Section 138 may order the drawer of the cheque, if the drawer pleads not guilty, to pay interim compensation to the complainant. The interim compensation amount shall be at least 20 per cent of the cheque amount and payable within 60 days of the trial court order. If the drawer is convicted and goes for an appeal, an additional 20 per cent compensation will have to be paid by the drawer. The amendment also provides that if the drawer is acquitted, the payee shall be required to repay the amount received as interim compensation with interest to the drawer. The new norms are certainly a step in positive direction as the issuance of the cheque should be taken as a serious obligation. This shall create deterrence and put pressure on the drawer of the cheque. This is also good in equity as the payee will at least receive some amount, while the trial is on. This would also ensure that frivolous defence raised by the drawer are reduced or eliminated, Rajesh Narain Gupta, managing partner at SNG Partners told FC. This is certainly a positive step. However, it is important that the disposal of such cases is done on expeditious mode. Currently, the pendency of such cases is so high that it has become a mockery of justice. Payee is always struggling for the justice to be done. The apex court has in many cases directed for expeditious disposal. There have been, however, inordinate delays owing to lack of infrastructure and procedures,Gupta added. A cheque is a negotiable instrument. The word cheque under the Act also includes cheque in electronic form. The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 is applicable for the cases of dishonour of cheque. This Act has been amended many times since 1881. Finance minister Arun Jaitley while presenting the budget had said that the government is considering further amending the Negotiable Instrument Act to effectively deal with lakhs of cheque bounce cases by reducing the time-frame for resolution of such disputes. According to Section 138 of the Act, the dishonour of cheque is a criminal offence and is punishable by imprisonment up to two years orwith monetary penalty or with both. In 2015, Parliament passed amendments to the Negotiable Instrument Act providing for filing of cheque bounce cases at the place where a cheque is presented for clearance and not the place of issue. The amendments in the Act had implications for over 18 lakh cheque bounce cases pending in various courts. Big B flew into Delhi for a few hours on Monday before flying back to Bulgaria. The shooting of Brahmastra carried on without him for a day. The tragic passing away of Delhi-based entrepreneur Rajan Nanda has left many saddened. Given that Mr Nanda was the father-in-law of Amitabh Bachchans daughter Shweta, it comes as no surprise that all the Bachchans were with the bereaved family in their time of need. While Jaya was already in Delhi for a parliamentary session, Abhishek and Aishwarya flew in from Mumbai, and the Bachchan family patriarch flew in all the way from Bulgaria. A source close to the Bachchans reveals, Amit ji was advised not to fly back. He was told that it would be okay for him to pay his respects upon his return from the current schedule of Ayan Mukerjees Brahmastra. But he insisted on returning immediately to pay his final respects to a man who was not only kin but also a dear friend. Big B flew into Delhi for a few hours on Monday before flying back to Bulgaria. The shooting of Brahmastra carried on without him for a day. Actress Katrina Kaif, who recently shot at the island-nation for Thugs of Hindostan, is believed to have recommended it as a shoot location. His conviction in the blackbuck poaching case has made it difficult, if not impossible, for Salman Khan to travel to certain countries. And so the makers of his upcoming film Bharat have been having a hard time trying to zero in on a foreign location for their shoot. Theyve been considering Canada, England, Poland, and some other European nations, and it seems their dilemma has finally been put to rest, all thanks to Katrina. The actress, whos filling in for Priyanka Chopra, is said to have pointed the team in the direction of Malta. Katrina travelled with Aamir Khan to Malta for the shooting of Thugs of Hindostan, and she loved it there. She was the one who suggested to Salman that he should visit the nation, our source reveals. After Hindostan and Bharat, we wonder what will take Kat to Malta next! Sanskriti Media Nitish Kumar said the rapes should be probed by the CBI, under the High Court. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also ordered adequate security in all shelter homes in Bihar, including those for women. (Photo: Twitter | ANI) Patna: After horrific tales of rape and abuse emerged from several Bihars shelter homes for girls and boys, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday ordered a thorough inspection of all state shelter homes. Kumar also ordered adequate security in all shelter homes in Bihar, including those for women. Nitish Kumar said the horrific rapes of young girls 34 of the 44 in the Muzaffarpur shelter home alone should be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He said the High Court should monitor this investigation. Kumar also said allegations that Bihar minister Manju Vermas husband frequently visited the Muzaffarpur home would be probed. If someone related to the minister is involved, they won't be spared. But why is this issue being raised now? We had called her and she denied any involvement. How is it justified to level baseless allegations? he asked. The Bihar Chief Minister also said the social audit by the Tata Institution of Social Sciences (TISS), which exposed these rapes, was ordered by the state. No one will be spared, he said. Gandhi's suggestion came in the backdrop of the recent alleged sexual abuse of minor girls in Bihar's Muzzafarpur and UP's Deoria districts. Gandhi said the adoption and skill development programmes in a central facility would be much easier and it would also help in checking 'abuse and misuse' by NGOs who are running their own shelter homes with grants from the government. (Photo: ANI | Twitter) New Delhi: In the aftermath of the alleged sexual assault of minor girls in Muzaffarpur and Deoria, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on Monday asked states to build a single large central facility to house such children in a bid to prevent "abuse and misuse" by NGOs. She said the adoption and skill development programmes in a central facility would be much easier and it would also help in checking "abuse and misuse" by NGOs who are running their own shelter homes with grants from the government. #WATCH: Union Minister Maneka Gandhi says, "Yeh jo Muzaffarpur aur Deoria main hua hai, ussey hum log chakit bhi hain aur dukhi bhi. Aur mujhe maloom hai ki aise bahut saare jagah niklenge." pic.twitter.com/6PqedNFEiT ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2018 "I have been asking for a scheme where each state should have a single large facility to house all such girls and children which should be run by the state government," she said. Other homes in the state should only provide temporary shelter to women, girls and children in distress situations and after clearance by the Child Welfare Committee, Gandhi said. Her suggestion came in the backdrop of the recent alleged sexual abuse of minor girls in Bihar's Muzaffarpur and Uttar Pradesh's Deoria districts. She also said that the Women and Child Development Ministry would be happy to fund the construction of these facilities in each state and then it handover to the state government. The case of sexual assault of minor girls at the Muzaffarpur shelter home, run by an NGO, was first highlighted in an audit report submitted by the Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), Mumbai, to the Bihar Social Welfare Department in April this year. The FIR in the case was registered on May 31 against 11 people, including Brajesh Thakur, the owner of the NGO which ran the government-funded shelter home for destitute girls. On July 26, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter. Read: Bihar CM orders probe in all shelter homes after horrific rapes About 34 minor girls were allegedly sexually abused at the shelter home in Muzaffarpur, with medical reports confirming rape of them. The second case of sexual assault against girls in Deoria came to light on Sunday when a 10-year-old girl managed to flee from the shelter home and informed them about the plight of the inmates, who were reportedly sexually abused by the couple running the shelter home, after which police conducted a raid and 24 girls were rescued. Read: UP shelter home license cancelled after girls complain mistreatment, 24 rescued The Uttar Pradesh government swung into a damage control mode by removing the district magistrate and ordering a high-level probe into the matter. HARBOR BEACH A local restaurant in the downtown area of Harbor Beach is considered a total loss following an early Monday morning fire. According to Harbor Beach Fire Chief Jason Lermont, firefighters were dispatched around 4 a.m. to Al's Restaurant, located at 123 S. Huron Ave., for a kitchen fire. Lermont said business owner Donnie Kozfkay had arrived at that time to start breakfast for the day, and noticed flames from the grill top going up the vent and through the roof of the structure. "When we arrived, it seemed that the stovetop had a fire on it, and (it) had gone up the exhaust vent and got into the second floor of the building," Lermont said. "We had flames showing through the second floor, and there were occupants in an upstairs apartment that we sent firemen to go get." Around 60 firefighters from seven departments were on scene, and were able to get the blaze under control by 8 a.m. During the effort, firefighters had to locate one person in an upstairs apartment and get the person out safely. No injuries were reported. "We set up an aerial unit right away to get the flames knocked down in the back, and then we called a second aerial unit from the neighboring department to get the front side of the building," Lermont said. The building, which was constructed in 1880, was considered a total loss. But it could have been worse, according to Lermont. "It was built in 1880, so it was like big kindling wood with a little bit of grease from cooking over time," Lermont said. "For the age of the building, and for it being dry wood, there is still a lot of building standing here. The guys did a good job knocking down a lot of fire." Officials were still on scene as of 10:30 a.m. putting out hot spots and dealing with the investigation. Firefighters were able to keep the fire from jumping the alley to a nearby business. Lermont said all the buildings across the road on the east side of Huron Avenue took in quite a bit of smoke, and firefighters had to air them out. Lermont said the state fire marshall was on scene Monday conducting an investigation. Results of the investigation could take a couple of days to come in. Assisting at the scene were the Port Hope, Sigel Township, Sherman Township, Bad Axe, Bingham Township and Delaware Township fire departments. "I feel awesome about the response," Lermont said. "I think everybody in the rural volunteer community that we have here just works together awesomely. Everybody knows what everybody is doing, and everybody comes together well. You can't ask for anybody better to help you." Chad Gainor, a Harbor Beach local who lives a couple buildings behind the restaurant, was a witness to the fire. "I just woke up and there was a lot of commotion going on," Gainor said. "I looked out the window and there were lights and smoke everywhere and a gigantic fire going on 100 yards away. There was a lot of activity, more activity than I've ever seen around here before. There were probably three fire trucks on each side of the road and probably five to 10 firefighters on the ground shooting water up into the building. It was really interesting." Julie Adams, who works at the Little Caesars located right next to the restaurant, was heading into work for her shift that started at 6 a.m. "I got here at six, and they had main street totally blocked off and you couldn't see anything," Adams said. "The whole town was just full of smoke. I came in the back way and they were on top of our roof, shooting water into the restaurant trying to keep it from jumping over. It was crazy. It's a landmark that's gone that everybody is sad about. Everybody knows the family and feels for the family. It's just sad." Adams was still on the scene at 1 p.m., and she was impressed with how well the people of Harbor Beach and the fire departments handled the situation. "It was madness," Adams said. "There were flames shooting out of the top and there were flames shooting out of the sides. Everybody was going to work, so it was just chaos. But the city pulled together, and the fire departments pulled together and kept everyone where they needed to be and did their job. They all did a great job." MIDDLETOWN Ed and Maryby Drews 2-year-old Maltese mix Bryce is recovering from a harrowing attack two weeks ago along a trail near Middlesex Community College, which left her severely injured and required immediate surgery. On July 24, while on a routine after-dinner walk, something Ed Drew and Bryce do four times a week, the two encountered an estimated 80-pound dog and its owner near the trailhead off Brooks Road. The larger dog attacked the 18-pound Bryce near the reservoir, leaving at least 20 gashes on her body, two of which required surgery, Ed Drew said. The events of that night happened very quickly. Both Drew and the other dogs owner grappled with the mans dog as soon as it lunged toward the tinier one, desperately trying to separate them. They managed to do so, but Bryce bolted and was lost overnight in the woods. Drew said the man left the scene of the attack. The man, who is white and in his 40s, stands about 6 feet tall and weighs approximately 200 pounds, Ed Drew said. He took off with his dark tan/brown-colored dog while Drew was chasing Bryce. The man was driving an older model Toyota sedan, said Drew, who spent 12 hours frantically searching for his pet. Immediately, my problem was not only a wounded dog, but a wounded dog who was lost, he said. He ran out to the road because he thought Bryce would go there, and quickly ran by the owners vehicle. I tried to remember the plate number. I was ahead of the man and when I looped back, the car was gone. He was behind me, I dont know what he was doing, but made certainly no attempt to help me in any way. I just kept running through the woods, trying to find my dog. Then he took the opportunity to flee the scene, Ed Drew said. The little guy was wounded in the woods all night long and found its way back to the trailhead, exactly where we started the hike, said Ed Drew, adding Bryce is tough as nails. Even though shes a miniature dog, she loves being in the woods. Shes got a lot of fight in her. Shes got the heart of a lion, said Ed Drew, who said if the man hadnt helped, hes certain Bryce wouldnt have survived. The dog had grabbed my dog by the neck and started to shake it. Apparently, it tried to break her spine, Ed Drew said. Maryby Drew and her nephew began searching for Bryce before 7 a.m. I call her monkey because she has a cute overbite, she said. She asked her nephew to yell Bryces name as they were driving. Immediately they came upon two men taking a break from work. They had Bryce. They had just gotten there, and found her shaking and traumatized. My baby was just waiting for us at that trailhead. I dont know how Bryce survived the whole thing. I talk to her like a person: I dont know what you did and how you survived. I just started crying because shes so sweet and so tiny. Shes a fighter, Maryby Drew said. Bryce is doing well, did not suffer an infection or blood clots, and, if all goes well, Bryce will have her stitches removed Thursday. Middletown Animal Control Officer Gail Petras didnt handle this incident but examined photos of Bryce following the mauling, which showed the extent of what the dog suffered. It looked fairly serious. [Ed Drew is] very fortunate that his dog is OK, and that he was able to find her especially after an overnight and something didnt happen during the night: that she made it through, Petras said. No similar incidents have occurred in the recent past in Middletown, Petras said. Maryby adopted Bryce at 4 weeks. All her siblings were white, so the owners daughter wanted Bryce because shes all black. She moved into an apartment where dogs are not allowed and the animal found its way to the Drew family. Petras has hit a dead end in her investigation. She urges people to report incidents of any type immediately to law enforcement. Sometimes we know the dog, sometimes its people weve dealt with before. We rarely have incidents like this that are this serious. We would love to have someone to come forward and say, We know who that dog was, because we just want people to be responsible for what happens, Petras said. I think well be able to forget about it and be OK, but shes probably going to be timid around other dogs, Ed Drew said, adding his wife took the attack hard. She loves the dog. We just bought little indoor training cycle three days before this happened. It lets her jump over sticks and tunnels. My wife was all excited about using it, he said. The Drews are left with a $2,000 veterinarian bill. I feel bad. I would love to know who it was, and I would love to be able to catch someone someone who would leave knowing something like this happened especially because he couldnt find his dog until the next morning. It was a really horrible situation, Petras said. As Bryce recovers, the Drews are monitoring her for symptoms of rabies. Unfortunately when you get a lot of people with dogs together in a place whether its a dog park or a regular park theres always risk. There is always a higher potential that something is going to go awry, said Petras. She asks dog owners to carry a spray or air horn for protection and to ward off another dog if needed. Earlier this year, spurred on by a pair of recent dog attacks over the bridge in Portland, state Rep. Christie Carpino, R-Cromwell, introduced HB-5367, The Disposition of Certain Biting and Attacking Dogs. The bill, which died in the Senate despite overwhelming support in the House, would have convened a working group to examine the prevalence of vicious dog attacks in the state, as well as developed recommendations, including how to mitigate the effects of disposal orders for attacking animals on municipalities and the state. Managing Editor Cassandra Day can be reached at cassandra.day @hearstmediact.com or Twitter @cassandrasdis. Cleveland City Schools will have a new principal, Prisavia Croft, at Blythe-Bower Elementary as well as new assistant principals at Mayfield Elementary, Cleveland Middle, and Cleveland High. There are also several administrative changes that have taken place within the central office structure. "Cleveland City Schools traces its roots back to 1882 and we have a rich history full of grand traditions and excellence in education," said Dr. Russell Dyer, director of schools. "I have the privilege of serving as director of schools for my third year following education giants such as Dr. DeWitt Clinton Arnold, Dr. Donald Yates, Dr. Rick Denning, and others. These education leaders have helped shape Cleveland, and I hope to build on their legacy through close alignment and great relationships with our Cleveland City Schools Board of Education, mayor, city council, city leaders, and all of our wonderful employees. I want to especially thank Mayor Tom Rowland for his unyielding support of Cleveland City Schools during his tenure as mayor of Cleveland. "Cleveland City Schools and Bradley County Schools are both strong school systems. I applaud Dr. Cash and her team for working hard each day to provide for their students and I appreciate the relationship we have forged. I am also thankful for the support of our Bradley/Cleveland Public Education Foundation working hard to ensure our educators have what they need to be successful in their classrooms." Candys Creek Cherokee Elementary School, the newest elementary school, will open in August, 2019. This school, located off Georgetown Road/Highway 60, will alleviate crowded conditions in the other elementary schools and will serve grades K-5. Rezoning will be required and this process will begin soon. The public will be updated and feedback will be taken as officials work on this plan. The U.S. Air Force JROTC program will begin its first year at Cleveland High this August. This iprogram will house two instructors teaching students about leadership, Air Force history, and more. The B.L.A.D.E. (Blended Learning and Digital Enhancement) Project continues to grow. All middle school students received a Chromebook computer last year to be used at school and at home. This year, all middle school students and high school students will receive a device. The B.L.A.D.E. Project is a tool teachers may use to enhance the classroom experience. However, a computer will never replace a teachers human touch and teaching digital citizenship is an important part of the curriculum, said officials. Lucy Calkins Writing and Reading Workshop will continue to play a part of the curriculum in elementary and middle school. Officials believe this systematic approach to learning will assist all students and challenge them at their own level of learning. The Denning Center has closed as a separate school and transferred most students into a small learning community at Cleveland High School. This focused approach to learning will allow these students flexibility to thrive and learn at a higher level. Mrs. Barbara Ector has transitioned from principal of the Denning Center to the dean of students at Cleveland High School. The Denning Center is still open, but will serve as an annex for the central office staff. This allows employees more space for professional development and other uses. All of the middle and high school teachers and administrators are now trained in Capturing Kids Hearts. The core belief of this program is, If you have a childs heart, you have their mind. This new program for the district will pay huge dividends for all involved, said officials. The elementary schools are heavily involved with Positive Behavior Intervention and Support and other programs aimed at creating a positive environment for students and families. "The middle school and high school offer some of the most challenging and exciting Career and Technical courses in the state," said Dr. Dyer. "Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner, Dr. Candice McQueen, said, 'We consistently use your (CCS) overall CTE work as an example and would love to have some of our national partners see your work firsthand.' I am proud of the choices we offer students regardless of their plan after high school. We prepare students now for their future and we work with our industry partners and the Cleveland-Bradley Chamber of Commerce to make sure our curriculum meets the ever-changing needs of our local businesses." Below is a list of academies offered by Cleveland City Schools for all students. Automotive Aviation (new for 2018-2019) Business Cosmetology Criminal Justice Culinary Arts Digital media Engineering Health Sciences Robotics Work-Based Learning Last school-year, 331 students graduated from Cleveland High School and 36 graduated from the Denning Center. Here are some facts regarding these graduates: Over $7,500,000 in scholarship dollars were awarded. Post-secondary plans include 43 colleges, technology schools, or military training One student is attending the U.S. Air Force Academy. 18 students were Graduates of Distinction with a 4.0 GPA while taking 12 or more honors courses. Brian Byerly was named a National Merit Finalist "As you can see, we have much to be proud of and the citizens of Cleveland should be excited to see our tax dollars at work in such a beneficial way," said Dr. Dyer. "We are making a difference in the lives of our students and families each and every day. The return on investment in Cleveland City Schools is outstanding and I look forward to sharing more good news with you as we go through the year." For more information, go to www.clevelandschools.org or download the app. -------------------------------------------------- Russell Dyer, Ed.D. | Director of Schools According to the police, Aboobacker Siddique - the victim - was stabbed on his stomach and chest, injuring his internal organs. Siddique, a Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) worker, was attacked by two motorcycle-borne men in Uppala -- 600 km from Thiruvananthapuram -- late on Sunday night. (Photo: Representational) Kasaragod (Kerala): A 25-year-old Communist Party of India (Marxist) worker was stabbed to death on Sunday in Kerala's Kasaragod district allegedly by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers. The local police have identified the prime accused as Aswanth, a BJP worker. According to the police, Aboobacker Siddique - the victim - was stabbed on his stomach and chest, injuring his internal organs. Siddique, a Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) worker, was attacked by two motorcycle-borne men in Uppala -- 600 km from Thiruvananthapuram -- late on Sunday night. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but his life could not be saved, a police official said. Security in the area has been tightened to prevent any violence and a special police team constituted to investigate the case, the official added. Condemning the attack, the state secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, alleged that the RSS-BJP were behind the murder. He added that the Kerala society should be able to isolate and identify communal forces in the state. State Bharatiya Janata Party president PS Sreedharan Pillai denied the charge and said the attack was not politically motivated. Further details in the case are currently awaited. Still undetermined is whether the impact caused the October leak, or if the line was hit by something else at a later date. Facebook, Apple, YouTube and Spotify removed content produced by Alex Jones and Infowars for violating their terms of service. The tech companies say content from Jones and Infowars have been consistently reported by users for bigotry, hate speech and inciting violence. However, Jones and his supporters claim he is being censored by the tech giants. Should tech companies police content posted on their sites? PERSPECTIVES The decision by Apple to remove the Infowars podcasts from its offerings comes after months of discussion amongst tech companies on how best to mediate content being posted to their sites. Following extensive reports that foreign entities have been using social media sites to spread misinformation and create political discord in America, the sites have been creating policies to crackdown on "fake news" posts. They have been slower, however, to police what many users see as hate speech. As recently as mid-July, Buzzfeed reported that Facebook was hesitant to take down Infowars' content. Asked about Infowars' proliferation of conspiracy theories, Buzzfeed reported that Facebook News Feed specialist Sara Su replied only that the page, "can be really problematic and it bugs me, too." The decision to remove the content then showed a shift in policy for the companies. Spotify claimed similar reasons for removing Jones' content, per Buzzfeed: CNN reported in July that Facebook's head of News Feed, John Hegeman, defended the decision to continue hosting content from Infowars. Facebook maintained the site was meant to nurture free speech and encourage the open sharing of ideas, even if those ideas did not necessary line up with the company's beliefs. Facebook had previously "removed four videos on four Facebook Pages for violating our hate speech and bullying policies." According to the tech company, upon receiving more complaints about the pages and further review, they made the decision to permanently remove several pages. The company is not violating the right to free speech as it is a private entity with the ability to create and enforce its own guidelines. Infowars editor-at-large took to Twitter to decry the move. Facebook bans Infowars. Permanently. Infowars was widely credited with playing a key role in getting Trump elected. This is a co-ordinated move ahead of the mid-terms to help Democrats. This is political censorship. This is culture war.https://t.co/HkGOdjxhhk Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) August 6, 2018 Many writers noted though that in 2018, what is posted on social media sites often has dramatic consequences in the real world. Writing about the trolling and harassment faced by a restaurant that recently refused service to Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Buzzfeed writer Charlie Warzel said: Warzel and those who agree with him claim that maintaining safety in the real world trumps any calls for unregulated free speech. 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 Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say. BAY CITY, MI -- A Michigan Court of Appeals has overturned Bay City attorney Edward M. Czuprynski's misdemeanor conviction stemming from striking a pedestrian with his vehicle in 2015. In an opinion published Aug. 2, a three-judge appellate court panel reversed Czuprynski's conviction of a motor vehicle moving violation causing serious bodily impairment, a 93-day misdemeanor. The judges ordered Czuprynski's case be remanded to Bay County Circuit Court for a new trial. Click here to read the full, 12-page opinion. The case has its origins in an incident that happened the night of June 15, 2015, when Czuprynski was driving his red 2003 Buick LeSabre east on Center Avenue in Hampton Township. As he approached the Scheurmann Road intersection, he struck 52-year-old James S. Stivenson, who was walking south across Center toward Rebel Food Store. Stivenson suffered a head injury and eight breaks in his legs. It was determined he had a 0.19 blood alcohol level at the time he was struck. During Czuprynski's December 2016 trial, police testified Czuprynski appeared drowsy, sleepy, or slow after the collision and that he did not know he had struck a person, instead thinking someone had perhaps thrown a bag of garbage into the street. Czuprynski stated he had taken a sleeping aid shortly before getting behind the wheel of his car, but argued it had not entered his bloodstream by the time of the crash. Investigators determined Czuprynski had been traveling 41 mph and had not braked before striking Stivenson. The posted speed limit for the area is 35 mph. Czuprynski's trial was presided over by visiting Saginaw County District Judge M. Randall Jurrens. He was prosecuted by Genesee County Assistant Prosecutor Chris Larobardiere, whose office was appointed by the Michigan Attorney General's Office. The trial ended with the jury acquitting Czuprynski of a felony charge of operating a motor vehicle while visibly impaired by a controlled substance causing serious bodily impairment, but found him guilty of the aforementioned misdemeanor. In his appeal, Czuprynski argued Jurrens erroneously instructed the jury as to what the statute requires for a person to have caused the serious impairment of a body function under the law. The appellate court agreed, stating the jurors were not properly instructed as to the law regarding causation. "We hold that the statute requires that a moving violation together with the operation of a motor vehicle cause the serious impairment of a body function," the opinion states. "Thus, the statute plainly requires a causal link between the moving violation and the injury, not simply a causal link between the operation of the vehicle and the injury." Czuprynski also argued Jurrens failed to instruct the jurors they must all agree on which moving violation he committed. The appeals judges disagreed with this assertion. Elsewhere in his appeal, Czuprynski argued current Hampton Township Police Chief Bryan Benchley made material misstatements and omissions in his affidavit seeking a warrant for Czuprynski's blood to be drawn after the crash. As such, Czuprynski argued, there was no actual probable cause for his blood to be taken. The appeals court disagreed. "Benchley noted in the affidavit that defendant was observed 'swaying,' emitting a 'slight odor of alcohol, and having 'bloodshot and glassy eyes,'" the opinion states. "The affidavit also noted that defendant admitted to taking an 'unknown sleeping pill prior to driving' and admitted that he drove a car that struck a pedestrian. These remaining facts still provided a substantial basis for the magistrate's conclusion regarding a fair probability that evidence of a crime would be found by way of the blood draw." Stemming from his conviction, Czuprynski in January 2017 was sentenced to 18 months' probation, conditions of which included he not be in bars, not consume or possess alcohol, and not drive in nighttime hours. Czuprysnki in April of that year appeared again before Judge Jurrens for sentencing on four counts of violating probation. A probation officer wrote a report recommending Czuprynski be sentenced to 93 days in jail and discharged unsuccessfully from probation. Jurrens ended up discharging Czuprynski from probation and ordered him to pay $700 for his four violations, in addition to $1,864 he'd previously been ordered to pay. The date of Czuprynski's new trial, should prosecutors elect to proceed with one, is pending. FLINT, MI -- Central Michigan University student Galen Miller did not arrive at college planning to head up a nonprofit. The 22-year-old senior never knew that organizing a water drive in early 2016 would lead him to help thousands of students in Flint get prepared for school. "Our fraternity wanted to do something to help out the city, so I took the lead and helped coordinate a water distribution. We were able to get about a semi of water out to the city. At that distribution, I just saw the impact of the water crisis has had on the residents, and I wanted to continue giving back somehow," Miller said. Miller gathered a group of students together in his residence hall who were interested in hearing about what he'd seen in Flint. Together, they brainstormed ways to help, eventually deciding to focus in on students. "We wanted to do something that was going to have an impact on the students there because the lead poisoning was going to have such an active impact on their learning ability," Miller said. The group settled on providing school supplies and backpacks for students, and Pack Your Back was born. In its first year, the organization provided supplies to 100 students. In the organization's third year, Pack Your Back is already on track to help out 10,000 students in the Flint area. "It's been crazy this year," Miller said. "When we were doing our planning at the beginning of the year, we thought we would be able to help a quarter of the students we've already helped in six months. A lot of this is really unpredictable at this point." So many bags need to be stuffed, that Pack Your Back is hosting multiple packing sessions at Mott Community College -- a big leap from their first ever bag stuffing that took place in someone's backyard. Now, Pack Your Back is supported by grants, partnerships and GoFundMe donors. "That's where the majority of our funding comes from, people making donations from all over the United States online," Miller said. Two of Pack Your Back's partners, backpack company STATE Bags and Mari Copeny, who goes by Little Miss Flint, teamed up to host a special backpack giveaway on Aug. 1. About 300 students walked into the doors of the Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village on Flint's north side and were greeted with a dance party and words of encouragement, prior to choosing a backpack and school supplies. For Miller, seeing students with the supplies makes running a nonprofit while being a full-time student completely worth it. "Knowing that these events take a lot of planning, but it all pays off at the end when you see kids walking away with a bag or water," Miller said. Outside of backpacks, Pack Your Back has also gotten involved in water distribution since the state of Michigan ended funding for water distribution in April. Miller is amazed by how water distributions have evolved for the organization, which has done six thus far that have given away a total of 500,000 bottles. "Just seeing how crazy it was to plan and not really knowing what we're doing, to now, we can just make phone calls and then I'll have three semi's full of water dropped off somewhere without even stepping foot inside a store," Miller said. To support Pack Your Back's efforts, or to volunteer for an upcoming backpack stuffing, visit their website here. "It's something so simple, that people shouldn't have to worry about just because of their income. If we are able to help in any way, that's going to be a positive for our organization," Galen said. GRAND HAVEN, MI -- Two men drowned Sunday in separate incidents in Lake Michigan at Grand Haven State Park beach. The two victims were David Knaffle, 64, from Wyoming, Michigan and a 20-year-old man from Lansing, whose name has not yet been released. Officers from Grand Haven Police Department responded to a report of a swimmer struggling in the water near the State Park Pavilion building. The swimmer was Knaffle and witnesses reported that he was not wearing a life jacket. An off-duty East Grand Rapids firefighter entered the water and attempted to locate him, along with five Grand Haven public safety officers and a park ranger who also entered the water to search. Officers received assistance from bystanders to form a human chain and found Knaffle in the water unresponsive. Grand Haven officers performed CPR and had Knaffle taken to North Ottawa Community Health System by paramedics where he later passed away. Several swimmers experienced distress while swimming in hazardous wave conditions at the beach, officials said. Officers responded to the report of multiple swimmers struggling in the water north of the pavilion building. Bystanders had pulled five swimmers from the water, including a 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old woman from Lake Michigan. Both were taken to North Ottawa Community Health System. At 3:22 p.m. bystanders pulled a 46-year-old Alto man from the water. Officers and North Ottawa Community Health Center paramedics provided care. The man has been admitted to North Ottawa Community Health System in serious condition. Officers formed several human chains with assistance from bystanders at 3:48 p.m. in search of the 20-year-old man from Lansing that was reported to have gone under the water. Officers located the man in 5-feet of water and then performed CPR. He was taken to North Ottawa Community Health System where he was later pronounced dead. Additional reports of possible swimmers in distress were received simultaneously for areas near City Beach and south of City Beach. More than 25 fighters and police officers were assigned to rescue teams to search for possible victims. The additional reports and searches did not yield results and no other people have been reported missing. DMK chief Karunanidhi is on continuous monitoring and being treated with active medical support, the hospital added. A Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) supporters reacts to a bulletin that was released about party president M Karunanidhi's health, in Chennai on Monday. (Photo: PTI) Chennai: DMK president M Karunanidhi has suffered a "decline" in his health condition and maintaining his vital organs to function continues to remain a challenge, doctors said on Monday. He is on continuous monitoring and being treated with active medical support, a statement from the Chennai hospital where the veteran leader is admitted said. The statement further said that Karunanidhis response to the medical interventions over the next 24 hours will determine the prognosis. Chennai's Kauvery Hospital issues the medical bulletin of DMK Chief M Karunanidhi; states a decline in his medical condition. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/CSCUfOuE49 ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2018 Following the reports of "decline" in Karunanidhis health, DMK cadres thronged the Chennai hospital again on Monday. Hundreds of his supporters congregated outside the hospital, including a large number of women, some failing to control their tears, others waving at the TV cameras, preparing for an overnight vigil at the facility in downtown Alwarpet. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party cadres react after Kauvery Hospital released a bulletin on party president M Karunanidhi's health in the evening, in Chennai, on Monday. (Photo: PTI) Karunanidhi was admitted to Kauvery hospital in Chennai following a drop in blood pressure on July 28. Since then, the medical status of the 94-year-old has gone through ups and downs. After a health scare, the doctors extended his period of hospitalisation due to age-related overall decline in his general health, altered liver functions and haematological parameters. A spate of visitors have visited the five times chief minister of Tamil Nadu during the past few days, including President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Bethany Christian Services is moving to purchase a former charter school building on Grand Rapids' Southeast Side to use as a transitional shelter for unaccompanied minors entering the U.S. seeking asylum. The Grand Rapids-based social service agency has received permission from the city's zoning board to use the building, which includes classrooms and a dormitory, to provide temporary residential, medical and education services for up to 36 boys between the ages 14 and 18. The building, 670 Burton St. SE, is located adjacent to the former St. Joseph Seminary property. "I think the property is beautiful," said Dana Anderson, associate director of Bethany Christian Services. "It's in a great neighborhood, the neighbors are lovely. We're really excited to move forward with this project." Bethany wants to purchase the building because it's currently leasing property in Grand Rapids to house 18 boys between the ages of 14 and 18, Anderson said. The new property would give Bethany the ability to serve up to 36 children, though the organization would first have to modify its state licensing before doing so, she said. Bethany plans to seek that licensing next spring, Anderson said. "The building would allow us to expand if there's a need in the future, which is one of the appeals in the building," she said, adding that her organization's move to purchase the property is not in response to the recent controversy over family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border. The building was most recently used by Grand Rapids Ellington Academy of Arts and Technology, a K-12 charter school that closed at the end of the 2016-17 school year. The school was founded in 2013 by pastor and gospel recording star Marvin Sapp. Bethany has not yet closed on the purchase of the property. City property records list Lighthouse Full Life as the owner. Children would stay at the shelter for an average of 47 days, according to Bethany. Ninety-five percent of the children Bethany serves at its existing shelter have family in the U.S., and typically, all but 5 percent are reunited with their family. Anderson said Bethany's goal is to begin housing children at the new facility by August 2019. The building's dormitory rooms need some renovations, such as new carpeting and paint, she said. The rooms have individual bathrooms, which would be removed and replaced with community bathrooms. In addition, the walls of some rooms may be knocked down to make way for a community-style space for children. Bethany will also use the building to provide educational services for the children. In addition to the boys ages 14 to 18, the organization may provide educational services at the building for boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 12 who are living with foster parents in the community through Bethany's foster care program. Bethany has capacity to serve 30 children in its foster care program. The children who will receive services at the shelter will not be minors separated from their family at the U.S.-Mexico border as a result of President Donald Trump's "zero tolerance" policy, Anderson said. Trump signed an executive order on June 20 halting that practice. Bethany is also purchasing another office building, 660 Burton St. SE, on the former seminary site. Anderson said her organization has not finalized plans for that building. Other organizations are also developing buildings on the former St. Joseph Seminary site. Samaritas, a statewide social service agency, is redeveloping the former St. Joseph Seminary building into a 52-unit affordable housing complex for seniors. It received a $13.3 million state tax credit for the project, which is expected to be finished in fall 2019. Michael Garrett, the president and CEO of Pinnacle Construction Group, is also planning to create a housing development on 12 acres behind the seminary building. MACKINAW CITY, MI -- The U.S. Coast Guard has proposed an indefinite ban on anchoring in the Straits of Mackinac in an effort to prevent further anchor strikes on lake-bottom utility lines. If implemented, the ban would replace the need for Gov. Rick Snyder to renew the "no-anchor zone" emergency rule he signed in late May. The proposal is open for public comment until Sept. 4. On April 1, a tug and barge dragged its anchor across the Straits floor, denting underwater petroleum lines and rupturing transmission cables. The ruptured cables owned by American Transmission Company spilled an estimated 550 gallons of toxic coolant oil into the Straits. The dented Line 5 oil and gas twin pipelines didn't spill. At the time, there were no restrictions to dropping or dragging anchor in the Straits, only an advisory. The anchor strike renewed calls to shut down the controversial Line 5. Enbridge Energy, the Canadian company which owns Line 5, floated the idea of piling rocks onto the 65-year-old pipeline to protect it from another anchor blow. The Coast Guard's proposed ban on certain ships anchoring and "loitering" encompasses the same area of the Straits as Snyder's current emergency rule, according to Jerome Popiel, the Coast Guard's incident management advisor for the Great Lakes region. Snyder's no-anchor zone is roughly two miles wide and terminates on the western side of the Mackinac Bridge. It runs from shore to shore between the peninsulas. The no-anchor zone established by Gov. Rick Snyder. The Coast Guard's proposal does not state what punitive measures a company dragging its anchor in the ban zone would face. Popiel said he did not know and would return comment later. The proposed ban applies only to the following vessels: Ships 131 feet or longer while navigating Towing vessels 65 feet or longer engaged in towing Ships engaged in trade which are certified to carry 50 or more workers Any dredge or floating plant These vessels can anchor or loiter in the Straits only with permission from Coast Guard leadership. Unlike the governor's ban, the Coast Guard proposal does not include language allowing anchoring in emergency situations. However, Coast Guard officials can implement temporary exceptions to the rules in situations that "include but are not limited to channel obstructions, winter navigation, unusual weather conditions, or unusual water levels," the proposal states. Line 5 transports up to 540,000 barrels of light crude oil and natural gas liquids per day. The anchor strike dented the twin lines in three places but, according to Enbridge Energy officials, line integrity wasn't compromised. Composite sleeves were wrapped about the dented portions to strengthen the lines. That work finished the week of July 30, according to Enbridge officials. In a worst-case scenario Straits rupture, Line 5 would gush 2,436,000 gallons of oil, slick 437 miles of Great Lakes shoreline and cost $1.86 billion in damages, according to a study spearheaded by Michigan Technological University. The study, released in July, is the last of five analyses requested by Snyder as he deliberates decommissioning and possible alternatives for the twin oil and gas pipelines under the Straits of Mackinac. Snyder has set a deadline of Sept. 30 to formalize an agreement with Enbridge on the future of Line 5. GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Police say a woman who reported her car stolen with her young daughter inside, resulting in an Amber Alert, made up the story. The report was false and the child was never in any danger, Grand Rapids police said Monday, Aug. 6. Police have not determined a motive. The 1 1/2-year-old child, Jaionna Ross, was reported missing late Saturday, Aug. 4. Her mother told police that her car had been stolen with her daughter inside. Police found the car a short time later but the child was not in the vehicle. Because of the seriousness of the report, state police issued an Amber Alert around 3 a.m. Sunday. A member of the girl's extended family soon called to report that she had the child and she was safe. She brought the girl to police headquarters. "The motive behind the false report is still being investigated and it is too soon to draw any conclusions," police said in a statement. The baby is being cared for by a "safe" family member. After conducting interviews, investigators determined that the mother made up the story about her daughter being abducted and her car stolen, police said. Police will meet this week with Kent County prosecutors to determine what charges could be filed. This was the second Amber Alert for Grand Rapids in less than a week. They are also the only two alerts in the city since the start of 2017. The girl's mother told police that her daughter was with her when she pulled into a gas station near 44th Street SE and Kalamazoo Avenue. The mother told police she got out of her vehicle and started walking toward the store when a man she identified as "Terrell" took her car and drove away. Police soon found the car. It had an empty car seat. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- West Michigan industries continue to be constrained by personnel shortages, according to the latest survey by Brian Long, director of Supply Management Research at Grand Valley State University. Despite the ongoing statewide push to end the skilled trades talent gap, Long said industry leaders are struggling to find enough workers with training in particular techniques, machines, or software interfaces. "One firm has resorted to hiring untrained workers who 'seem capable of learning,''' said Long, who said another company delayed expansion due to the inability to recruit enough workers with technological skills required. "Michigan still has 80,000 jobs that can't be filled because of the scarcity of trained workers.'' For years, skilled trade and vocational jobs have been in high demand as Baby Boomers are retiring, and there aren't enough workers with the more advanced skills necessary to take their place. Skilled trades job typically do not require a college degree, rather a certificate or certification and are touted as paying a good wage. Educators and business leaders say some companies are starting to increase the wages of skilled trades workers due the the labor shortage. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for a welder in 2018, which is an in-demand manufacturing job, was $40,240 per year or $19.35 per hour. Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machine tool programmers earned $52,550 annually or $25.26 per hour. "Sixty percent of jobs out there are not jobs for college degree but technical certification, a two-year associate degree or certificate,'' Long said. Long said auto parts suppliers and furniture manufactures are among those in need of workers. He said the workers needed runs the gamut from certified welders to CNC (computer numerical control) technicians. The median household income in Kent County was $59,668 in 2016, and $64,513 in Ottawa County, according to U.S. Census data released in 2017. Michigan's median household income was $52,492. Long recommends people watch the video "Success in the New Economy'' to better understand labor market realities and the important role of skilled trades. Success in the New Economy from Brian Y. Marsh on Vimeo. Long surveys more than 60 industrial purchasing managers in the region and indexes their responses every month to detect business trends. He said West Michigan industries continue to partner with community colleges on training programs. Grand Rapids Community College worked with 411 employers on non-degree programs the 2017-18 academic year, including job training programs in which certificates are earned, according to Julie Parks, executive director of Workforce Training. Michigan's 2019 fiscal year budget includes funding for the "Marshall Plan for Talent." The plan is to fund $100 million in scholarships, career counseling, teacher grants and career-oriented programs within high schools. The idea is to promote an ongoing collaboration between school and business leaders that will translate into jobs in professional trades and other in-demand fields. In addition to skilled trades challenges, Long's July report on current business trends also focused on West Michigan's economy. He said the region is on solid footing still showing plenty of momentum. However, he said businesses are concerned about the impact President Donald Trump's tariffs. "Many local manufacturers are worried that this tariff war is going to come down in the form of higher prices and lack of availability of some key commodities, like steel and aluminum, that needed by local business,'' he said. "The office furniture industry, which uses a lot of steel, and the aerospace industry, which uses aluminum could be especially impacted by the new tariffs.'' While the tariffs are concerning, he said businesses are benefiting from some provisions in the tax plan that passed last year. Initially, he said 2018 was expected to be another year of slow growth for the region. However, he said business conditions for local auto parts suppliers have remained strong, and the local firms producing capital equipment are still benefiting from the recently-passed tax advantages for new capital investments. "The office furniture business industry, which arguably plateaued in 2017, is now receiving a new wave of sales because of the new tax incentives.'' Millions of Michigan residents will be heading to the polls in Tuesday's primary election. Here are nine things that voters should know. 1. It's a primary, which means only voting for candidates in one party. Michigan does not require party registration to participate in a primary, but voters can only vote for candidates of one party -- Republican, Democratic or Libertarian. Tuesday's vote will determine which candidates for governor, U.S. Congress and state Legislature will appear on the November ballot. The primary also will winnow the field for judicial races, county boards and other assorted local seats. There are no state proposals on the ballots, but there are counties, school districts and other entities with ballot proposals. 2. Click here for a voter's guide that offers more information on candidates and ballot proposals. MLive Media Group has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan to provide candidate information and other voting resources to our Michigan readers. Information on all state and federal races and many of Michigan's county and local races are now available on MLive via Vote411.org - the election-information website run by the League of Women Voters. 3. Michigan Secretary of State website lets you see your ballot in advance and allows you to double-check your polling place. Go to www.michigan.gov/vote to see a copy of the ballot at your precinct. And since polling places can change, make sure you know where you're going on Tuesday. 4. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. If you can't make it, there's still time to vote by absentee ballot. It's too late to request an absentee ballot by mail, but you can go to your city or township clerk's office by 4 p.m. Monday and get an absentee ballot. You'll need to fill it in on the spot and hand it back in. To obtain an absentee ballot, you must be at least 60 years old or older or sign a statement that you will be out of town on Election Day. On Tuesday, the best way to avoid lines is to voting during the workday. Still, people standing in line at 8 p.m. Tuesday will be allowed to vote. 5. Bring a photo identification to your polling place. You don't need your voter's registration card, but you should bring a photo ID. Acceptable IDs include driver's license; state-issued ID card; ID issued by another state; federal or state-issued photo ID; U.S. passport; military ID; student ID or tribal ID card with photo. Voters who do not have an acceptable form of ID or failed to bring it with them to the polls still can vote. They simply sign a brief affidavit stating that they're not in possession of a photo ID. Their ballots are included with all others and counted on Election Day. 6. Especially if you're voting absentee, make sure to fill out the ballot properly. If you don't fill in the ovals correctly to mark your vote, you risk have a spoiled ballot -- especially if you're voting absentee. People who vote in person Tuesday can fill out another ballot if the optical scanner can't read their first ballot. But those who vote absentee won't have that opportunity. With that in mind, make sure to read the directions so you mark the ballot properly. 7. No selfies are allowed in the voting booth. Michigan law bans photographs of voter ballots. The penalty for taking a ballot selfie is your vote is not counted. Incidentally, the ban extends to use of video cameras, still cameras and other recording devices in polling places when they are open for voting. This includes still cameras and other recording features built into many cell phones. The ban applies to all voters, challengers, poll watchers and election workers. Exceptions are made for credentialed members of the news media, though certain restrictions remain. 8. Leave your candidate T-shirts or buttons at home. Michigan bans election-related materials at polling places. This includes clothing and buttons as well as materials such as pamphlets, fliers and stickers. You cannot display such items in the polling place or within 100 feet of an entrance to a polling place. If you go to the polls with a shirt or button bearing election-related images or slogans, you will be asked to cover or remove it. 9. What to do if you experience or see problems. Voting is a public process and anybody is allowed to observe. However, poll watchers cannot interact with voters. Anybody who sees a problem at a polling place on Tuesday should alert the poll workers. If that doesn't work, call the city or township clerk. Citizens seeking to report voter fraud can contact their county clerk, the Michigan Secretary of State office at 517-373-2540 or local law enforcement. Other election stories: Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton weighed in on the competitive 11th Congressional District primary Sunday, endorsing Haley Stevens for the position. In a statement released by Stevens' campaign, Clinton commended Stevens' work in former President Barack Obama's administration on the task force for the auto bailout: "she helped save 200,000 Michigan jobs, and she knows how to support Michigan's advanced manufacturing economy," she said. "I've seen Haley in action, and we can count on her to protect the gains we've made with Obamacare -- vote for her this Tuesday," Clinton said in the statement. The campaign will be running a robo call featuring Clinton in advance of Tuesday's primary election. Stevens is running in the 11th District Congressional primary against entrepreneur Suneel Gupta, state Rep. Tim Greimel, former Obama administration official and Detroit Director of Immigrant Affairs Fayrouz Saad and radio commentator Nancy Skinner. Whoever wins the Democratic primary will go on to face the winner of the five-way Republican primary in the race to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Dave Trott, R-Birmingham. The Republican candidates are businesswoman Lena Epstein, state Rep. Klint Kesto, former state Rep. Rocky Raczkowski, state Sen. Mike Kowall and former U.S. Rep. Kerry Bentivolio, who served in the 11th District for one term before he was defeated by Trott. Stevens said she was "deeply honored" to have Clinton's endorsement. "Secretary Clinton's relentless fight for women and working families motivated an entire generation of public servants," Stevens said in a statement. Clinton, the former Secretary of State, ran for the presidency and lost to Donald Trump in November 2016. In Michigan, the vote was nearly split down the middle, with Trump winning the state by 10,704 votes. PETOSKEY, MI - A Michigan lawmaker who was detained after Transportation Security Administration personnel discovered a loaded handgun in his carry-on bag will not be charged with a crime. Citing a defect in state law, Emmet County Prosecuting Attorney James Linderman announced that his office will not pursue criminal charges against Rep. Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, who mistakenly left the handgun in his bag while he was trying to fly out of Pellston Regional Airport. Michigan's statute MCL 259.80f prohibits carrying a firearm into the "sterile area" of an airport. "However, the statute prohibiting this behavior has not been amended to keep up with changes in federal law," Linderman's statement reads. "It defines 'sterile area' as that which is defined in 14 CFR 107.1 of the Federal Code." "This section was amended to delete the definition of a 'sterile area', thus leaving the statute unenforceable. As a result, the prosecution of Mr. Chatfield under MCL 259.80f is not possible. Our legislature needs to address this by adding a definition within our own statutes." Chatfield, a Concealed Pistol License holder who represents the 107th District that includes Emmet, Mackinac, Chippewa, and portions of Cheboygan counties, apologized for the " "inexcusable" mistake in a lengthy post to Facebook on July 31. Chatfield did not register the discovered firearm within the applicable time after purchase, a civil infraction per Michigan statute. LANSING, MI - MSU Board of Trustees Chairman Brian Breslin has resigned from Gov. Rick Snyder's office and Kristen Beltzer will take over as director of the Office of Appointments. Breslin, who served as director of appointments for Snyder, took a 90-day leave of absence from his job in February to focus on his responsibilities at the university as it grappled with the fallout from the sexual abuse of former Dr. Larry Nassar. At the time, Breslin said in a statement that fulfilling his duties as a statewide elected official was his first priority -- something university spokesperson Emily Guerrant echoed on Monday. "He got to the end of his 90 day Leave of Absence and realized he could not continue doing both his job for Governor Snyder and also chairman of the MSU Board. And as the Board position is something he was elected to do, it needs to be his priority," Guerrant said. Nassar, employed by the university for nearly two decades as a physician, molested hundreds of girls and women, often under the guise of providing medical treatment. The board has been under fire for some of its decisions in the midst of the Nassar scandal, including choosing to retain MSU Interim President John Engler after he accused a Nassar victim of receiving kickbacks in an email. 'Just give us a chance,' Michigan State trustees defend decision to keep Engler It's also making strides in repairing the damage wrought by Nassar and working against sexual assault on campus. The board approved a settlement agreement with Nassar's victims and $500 in bonding to pay for it. It also approved a budget that put more money toward combating sexual assault, adding Title IX and counseling employees. Beslin has said he will not seek another term on the board. Prior to leaving the governor's office, Breslin managed Snyder's appointment divison. That office vets individuals and experts to serve on over 200 board and commissions at the state level. Beltzer has now assumed that position. She served as executive vice president and chief marketing officer at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce before joining the governor's office. "Kristin is exceptionally well-connected with business, community and non-profit leaders across Michigan and her own leadership and experience are a strong asset for our team at this time," Snyder said in a statement. "I am thrilled to have Kristin join our team and look forward to her expertise as we complete key appointments through the remainder of this year." Her appointment was effective Aug. 1. In 2002, more than 1.7 million Michiganders voted in the August primary in which two Republicans and three Democrats were competing to replace John Engler as governor. That remains the record vote total for an August election, according to data from the Michigan Secretary of State's office. Democrat Jennifer Granholm and Republican Dick Posthumus were the winners of their respective primaries that August. Of course, Granholm went onto win in November to become Michigan's first woman governor. Based on absentee balloting so far, that 16-year-old record vote total could be broken Tuesday with a similar ballot dynamic: An open governor's seat; contested primaries in both parties, and the potential of a second woman in the governor's seat. "I'm predicting 1.85 million" ballots will be cast Tuesday, said Mark Grebner, head of Practical Political Consulting in Lansing. In fact, he said, the absentee ballot count so far "is whispering two million." As of Aug. 1, seven days before the election, 412,194 absentee ballots had been returned statewide, almost 40 percent more than the number seven days before the 2014 election, when 1.3 million votes were cast in total, according to data from the Secretary of State's Office. Of course, as Grebner points out, the 2014 August election -- when Gov. Rick Snyder was seeking re-election -- was much more mundane than this year, when Snyder is prevented from seeking re-election because of term limits. A better comparison would be the 2010 primary, the last time the governor's seat was open. But Fred Woodhams, spokesman for the Secretary of State, said the office does not have complete data on absentee balloting from that year. Percentage of the voting-age population who cast a ballot in the August primary during the gubernatorial election years. An incumbent was not on the ballot in 1982, 2002 and 2010. In recent years, about 26 percent of voters have used an absentee ballot, Woodhams said. Grebner said there are several factors that appear to be driving participation in this primary. "First thing, everyone has something to vote on" because of the contested Democratic and Republican races for governor, Grebner said. "That's not always true." In addition, he said, "the Democrats are sort of going berserk" because of their antipathy towards President Trump. "Even though that has nothing to do with this election," Grebner said. "They can't vote against Donald Trump in this election." Still, he said, "you're going to see an increase in Democratic turnout just because they're so worked up." While Trump is very popular within his own party, Grebner said it appears more likely that Trump will dampen the numbers voting in the GOP primary. "From what I'm seeing, there are solid Republicans who don't care to participate in this primary," Grebner said. "They're sort of demoralized by the current situation." He added that Trump's support within the party is somewhat deceptive because "people who aren't supportive of Trump aren't identifying as Republican anymore. They're identifying as independents." He said that trend was particularly strong in among affluent, well-educated communities such as Bloomfield Hills and East Grand Rapids. "Who would have thought of East Grand Rapids as a Democratic stronghold? But that's happening," he said. For the record, Grebner -- a Democrat -- predicts the winners of Tuesday's gubernatorial primary will be Democrat Gretchen Whitmer, a former state Senate minority leader, and Republican Bill Schuette, the state's attorney general. And he predicts Whitmer should win in November, thanks to Democratic enthusiasm this year and what he termed "Snyder fatigue," as well as public frustration with a GOP Legislature. Whitmer "should win fairly easy, but she's perfectly capable to botching her campaign," Grebner said. Below is an interactive map showing turnout in the 2010 August primary, the most recent August election where an incumbent governor was not on the ballot and both parties had a contested primary. You can click on a county to see the underlying data. The next map shows the percentage of voters who chose a Republican ballot in the 2010 gubernatorial primary versus a Democratic ballot. On the ballot that year for Republicans: Snyder, Mike Cox, Peter Hoekstra, Michael Bouchard and Tom George. On the Democratic ballot: Virg Bernero and Andy Dillon. A total of 1,048,384 voted in the Republican gubernatorial primary compared to 528,822 in the Democratic primary. Once again, you can click on a country to see the underlying data. JACKSON, MI - Eight people applied to become the next 5th Ward Jackson City Council member, but only three will interview for the spot. Susan Murdie, Peter Bormuth and Charles Keeling are vying for the council seat at a 6 p.m. special meeting on Monday, Aug. 6, at City Hall, 161 W. Michigan Ave. They'll interview at 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m., respectively following an unrelated closed session. The City Council is expected to appoint one of the three to fill the seat through 2021. Andrew Frounfelker vacated the position June 12, almost three weeks after being charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm or assault by strangulation. Five other applicants - Bob Cole, Bill Holda, Stacy Harrison, Michael Melnick and Jason Raser - also applied for the seat. Cole missed the July 25 application deadline, while the other four either don't live in the 5th Ward or haven't lived there for at least a year, City Manager Patrick Burtch said. They are disqualified from the position and won't be interviewed Monday. The Jackson City Charter says, "Council members shall be registered electors of the wards where they are elected for at least one full year prior to election." It also says vacancies - except in the case of a recall - must be filled by a majority vote of the council. Frounfelker had filled the seat since 2005, most recently winning in 2017 and becoming the longest active-serving member on the council. Here's a breakdown of the three candidates who will interview for the seat on Monday. Susan Murdie Murdie, 54, works in online retail sales. She lost to Frounfelker in the 2013 and 2017 elections. If appointed, Murdie said her top priorities would be rehabilitating salvageable homes targeted for demolition, fixing roads and street lighting in neglected areas of the city and putting more police on the streets. Murdie has been outspoken in opposition of the city's demolition program. More than 900 structures have been torn down since 2011 with city, state and federal funds. "Vacant lots don't pay taxes and contribute to blight in our neighborhoods," Murdie said in an email. Murdie said her experience as an entrepreneur, private property owner, volunteering with historic preservation groups and knowledge of city departments would be valuable on the council. Peter Bormuth Peter Bormuth Bormuth, 62, is a druid who spends four hours per day on environmental and/or First Amendment litigation and two hours per day walking dogs for regular income, he wrote in an email. "My legal skills are a valuable resource that I would bring to the position," Bormuth wrote in the email. "Even though I am not an attorney, my legal writing skills would be useful in drafting ordinances and my general awareness of legal issues might save the city considerable headaches and money." If appointed, Bormuth's top priorities would be fixing city streets and making sure the Hayes Hotel development project moves forward so that more people could live downtown, while also promoting other development projects like the Commonwealth move downtown and the Citizen Patriot building project, he wrote in the email. Bormuth, according to the email, also would try to address the issues that keep people in chronic poverty, such as housing, transportation, and lack of education/job training. "I feel that the key to creating a thriving Jackson is to bring people and jobs downtown," Bormuth wrote in the email. Charles Keeling Charles Keeling Keeling, 74, is retired from the Michigan Education Association. Priorities for Keeling would include repairing streets, adding community policing and strengthening relationships with townships and Jackson County. "Our city is rediscovering itself in a positive way," Keeling wrote in an email. "Downtown is continuing to attract new residents and with this influx we need commercial businesses that will support these new residents." Serving as a mediator for the Southeast Michigan Dispute Resolution Center, Keeling said he believes the skills he picked up can be useful on the council. Pragya Bharti, who runs the NGO, where the girl was shifted said there was adequate security, and alleged a 'security lapse or conspiracy'. Bharti further said that she immediately registered the complaint with the police and also submitted copies of the CCTV footage for further investigation. (Photo: ANI) Patna: One among the 14 girls, who were rescued from a shelter home in Muzaffarpur and shifted to a NGO in Madhubani has gone missing. Pragya Bharti, who runs the NGO in Madhubani attributed the loss to security lapse. She told ANI, "In our NGO, we have 10 beds in the special unit. We earlier had 11 children. When those 14 children came, the authorities told me that they would be shifted later and demanded me to keep them. I didn't have the capacity to accommodate 20-25 children, but due to pressure from the government, I kept the children. The children were not shifted after that. I did my best to protect them." "The condition of those 14 girls was not good. So, we wrote a letter to the district administration demanding security. There were four people who were overseeing the security. We had adequate security but somehow a girl went missing due to security lapse or conspiracy. This case is being given a political colour. This should not be made into a political issue at all," she added. Bharti further said that she immediately registered the complaint with the police and also submitted copies of the CCTV footage for further investigation. Asked whether the police or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) approached her in connection to the case, Bharti replied that there was no questioning done. Furthermore, she rejected rumours of her organisation doing malicious activities. Asked on the condition of the 14 girls, Bharti further said, "I spoke to them. They were physically weak. After conducting counselling sessions, they started talking. There are some girls who are recovering right now." Meanwhile, Bihar Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday suspended seven Social welfare department officials for not taking timely cognizance of the social audit report by a leading research university situated in Mumbai, which unravelled the Muzaffarpur shelter home case. Read: Bihar shelter home rapes: 6 officials suspended for 'negligence' Notably, it was this organisation's report which revealed that as many as 40 girls have fallen prey to sexual abuse at a Muzaffarpur shelter home. On July 24, 11 employees of the shelter home in Muzaffarpur were arrested for allegedly sexually harassing the girls. Also read: 40 rapes, girl killed and buried in Bihar shelter home; cops dig compound On receiving information, the police raided the vicinity and rescued 44 girls. The shelter home was run by Brajesh Thakur. JACKSON, MI - The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Jackson County, just hours before teenage singing ventriloquist Darci Lynne Farmer is to take the stage at the annual fair, in just its second day. The warning is in effect until 3:15 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6. The county, and several others, are under watch until 7 p.m. At 2:11 p.m., severe storms were traveling along a line extending from near Albion to six miles east of Burlington, south of Battle Creek in Calhoun County. They were moving at 35 mph, according to the weather service. There could be wind gusts up to 60 mph and penny-sized hail. This might damage roofs, siding and trees. Residents are urged to seek shelter in a sturdy structure on the lowest floor and stay away from windows, according to the weather service. This comes just as the county fair is getting its start. It began Sunday. "Be safe and take cover if necessary," an announcer told the crowds. Darci Lynne, the 13-year-old made famous by "America's Got Talent," is to perform at 6 p.m. "Weather is determined by the hour," fair Director Denise Owens said in a message to a reporter. Promoters guide fair organizers and tickets are sold as non-refundable. Rain alone has never stopped a show, she wrote. Any announcement would come closer to show time. The chance of precipitation Monday afternoon is 80 percent and thunderstorms are likely Monday night, mainly between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m., according to the weather service.. JACKSON, MI - A judge last month dismissed a long-pending case against a chronically ill man accused of murder for killing his 31-year-old son. Jackson County Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson cited the reason as "lack of progress in the nearly five years since the matter began," according to a document dated July 24. Eldon Huffman, charged with open murder and a firearm crime in January 2014, has been awaiting trial, but his lawyer, Eric White, said he does not see how Huffman could withstand one. He has a host of medical concerns, including end-stage renal disease, and requires three days of dialysis every week. White believes, however, the prosecutor's office will again charge Huffman, restarting the process. As of Monday, Aug. 6, this had not been done. Prosecutor Jerry Jarzynka has been out of the office and unavailable for comment. Huffman, 68, shot and killed his son Jared on Jan. 22, 2014, in the mobile home they shared on Ken Drive in Spring Arbor Township. He has contended he did so in self-defense. "It's like the whole thing has been stalled, waiting for him to die," said Leland Lentz, who is married to Jared Huffman's mother, Marcia, divorced from Eldon Huffman. They would like to see the case tried and Eldon Huffman convicted. "This man didn't shoot Jared straight on," Marcia Lentz said. "He shot him in the back of the head." He has gotten away with murder, she said, and she is angry and disheartened. "I'm just in may ways, speechless." Jared Huffman was hit in the leg and the head. Eldon Huffman told police his son was drunk and assaulted the elder Huffman, armed with a 9-millimeter handgun. Eldon Huffman fired at his son once and then again as Jared Huffman headed to the back of the mobile home. Eldon Huffman believed his son, said to have hurt him in the past, was going to retrieve a gun, according to earlier testimony. Police found firearms in or near Jared Huffman's bedroom. A Michigan State Police detective was skeptical of some of Huffman's statements. Huffman, for example, said he fell in a register hole, but the detective did not find an uncovered hole in the trailer. As Huffman described it, he had fallen or tripped and was on his right side, firing down a hallway. "If he shot blindly like he says, it's the most unlucky shot in the world," then Detective Sgt. Michael Church said in 2014. White has criticized the work of the state police, and a reviewing detective from another agency detailed what White has characterized as "countless errors." He told jurors state police made assumptions and mistakes. A trial began in September 2014, but Wilson declared a mistrial on its second day, when it became clear state police had not disclosed all their collected information to the prosecution and the defense. Eldon Huffman's physical limitations have prevented a subsequent trial. A March letter signed by a doctor from Henry Ford Allegiance Health lists Huffman's "co-morbidities" as chronic pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, pulmonary nodules, degenerative arthritis/hip pain, coronary artery disease, some history of recurrent falls and other issues. At one point in the last few years, he appeared seriously ill enough to die, the doctor wrote. There have been intermittent setbacks and hospitalizations, he reported. As of November, there was some improvement, the doctor wrote. "I know Eldon would desperately, desperately wants to show the community it was clearly self-defense," White said. "He is not going to get a chance to do that because his health would not allow it." A court record indicates the Michigan State Court Administrative Office was questioning the length of time the case was taking. "Are you able to tell me what the court's plan is to prevent additional delay?" the regional administrator wrote the county circuit court administrator in October. She had received complaints from the victim's mother, who doubts Huffman is as ill as contended, another email shows. Huffman had been free for more than three years on a personal recognizance bond. GRAND HAVEN, MI - The name of the second person to drown in Lake Michigan at Grand Haven Sunday has been released by police, who say three others who were rescued are in stable condition at a local hospital. Jeremiah Diaz, 20, of Lansing died after being pulled from about 5 feet of water Sunday afternoon, according to the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety. He was the second person to drown in high Lake Michigan waves in Grand Haven Sunday. David Knaffle, 64, of Wyoming died after being located by a human chain search method around 12:15 p.m. Aug. 5, according to the public safety department. The deadly day at the beach was exacerbated high numbers of people in the water, as well as treacherous wave action, said Jeff Hawke, public safety director for Grand Haven. Temperatures were in the high 80s, attracting scores to the Grand Haven State Park and Grand Haven city beaches. Hawke said longshore currents and rip currents contributed to the dangerous conditions. Red flags, warning people to stay out of the water due to hazardous conditions, were flying along the Lake Michigan coastline. Despite the warning flags, the water at Grand Haven was crowded with swimmers. Sunday also was the last day of the U.S. Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven. Rip currents form when waves break over a sandbar near shore and water moves quickly back out to the lake in a narrow but powerful stream, according to information provided by Sea Grant Michigan and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Swimmers, who can get pulled out to deeper water in a rip current, should swim parallel to the shore to get out of the current. Longshore currents move parallel to the shoreline, making it difficult for a swimmer to remain in a fixed spot. Longshore currents are particularly dangerous when combined with rip currents because they can move swimmers down the beach into other currents. In addition to the currents, wave action was high Sunday with winds gusting to more than 30 mph and wave height between 3 and 5 feet, according to the National Weather Service. At around 3:20 p.m. Sunday, a 46-year-old man from Alto was pulled from the lake by bystanders and taken to North Ottawa Community Health System in Grand Haven, according to the public safety department. He was in stable condition Monday. About a half-hour later, bystanders pulled five swimmers from the lake, including a 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old woman from Lake, Mich. They also were in stable condition at NOCH Monday. At that time, officers were unable to locate a victim reported to have gone underwater and so they formed human chains with bystanders to locate him. The victim, Diaz, was then located and CPR was performed. He was pronounced dead at NOCH. The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety was assisted by the Grand Haven Township Fire Department, Spring Lake Fire Department, Ferrysburg Fire Department, Robinson Township Fire Department, Ottawa County Dive Team, Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, NOCH Paramedics, and Grand Haven State Park personnel. SAGINAW, MI -- Police in Saginaw are urging parents to know the whereabouts of their children during the late-night and early morning hours after several fights have broken out in various places around the city. About 2:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 6, police responded to the Sunoco gas station on Holland and East Genesee for a report of an altercation. One person was struck by a vehicle and went to the hospital, Detective Sgt. Oscar Lopez said. According to Lopez, a woman got into her vehicle and tried to leave the location and ended up striking another vehicle and a person. A video circulating on Facebook shows an altercation at the gas station and a vehicle striking another vehicle before fleeing. "We know the identity of the person and we are working on it," Lopez said. The incident is one of several that city police have been dealing with all summer long, Lopez said. Lopez said there have been several groups who hinder other businesses by showing up in their parking lots in large numbers and fighting. The people involved in the fights are not necessarily customers of the venue they decide to meet at, Lopez said. "We get called and they will just set up shop somewhere else," Lopez said. Lopez said the groups are mainly juveniles. "Parents need to realize where their kids are at these times," Lopez said. "They should be in their homes." Lopez said police do want to put an end to it before someone is seriously hurt. "At some point, somebody will lose their life because of this stupidity," Lopez said. "That's what we don't want to see." SAGINAW, MI -- With the exception of the BASH festival last year, there hasn't been an annual art fair in Old Town Saginaw in about two decades. The new Saginaw Old Town Art Fair happening in August aims to fill that void. Lauren Collison is the art director for Saginaw Old Town Art Fair. An artist and art teacher at Carrollton High School, Collison hopes to turn this new festival, happening Friday and Saturday, Aug. 10-11, into an annual event. When asked whether this new art fair is a rebirth of the Old Town Art Fair, later called the Westside Art Festival, which dissolved years ago, Collison replied, "We don't have an art fair, so, in a sense, we'll be bringing it back, but it will be much different from what people remember." This new event will start smaller than Old Town's art fair once was, with about 15 to 20 artist booths this first year, she said. "We're hoping, after a few years, we'll have that same vibrancy," Collison said. She estimated it has been about 15 to 20 years since Old Town Saginaw has had an annual art fair. Saginaw Old Town Art Fair is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days on Court Street between Michigan Avenue and Hamilton Street. There will be a variety of art for sale, including jewelry, photography and ceramics. "We've got really wonderful, talented artists who are going to be there with a really nice range of artwork," Collison said. There will also be an "art event tent" where people can participate in free classes and make their own creations, and the Saginaw Art Museum and Mid-Michigan Children's Museum will have "art carts" at the event. At 10 a.m. Friday, fairgoers can participate in a free tie dye activity and at 10 a.m. Saturday, a free painting class will be offered. Supplies for these free activities will be limited. There will also be live musical performances at the painted piano located on the sidewalk in front of The Listening Room, 404 Court St., both days. The instrument is part of the Art and About committee's Painted Piano Project, a public art installation throughout Old Town and downtown Saginaw. Collison said this new art fair will be a chance for people to "come together and celebrate art as well as what a wonderful community we have." She hopes the art fair will also bring diners to Old Town's "great local restaurants," such as Pasong's Cafe, Sandweesh, Jake's Old City Grill, Fralia's and Artisan Urban Bistro. Learn more at facebook.com/saginawart. MIDLAND, MI -- A comedy starring Richard Pryor Jr., son of legendary comedian Richard Pryor, is filming in Michigan. The movie is primarily being shot in Midland, but also in Saginaw, Bay City and elsewhere in the state, according to writer, producer and actor Isiah Barnes of Midland. He describes "That Wasn't Supposed to Happen" as a wild and crazy comedy filled with outrageous characters and "really ridiculous scenarios," in the vein of "Superbad," "Pineapple Express," and "The Hangover" film series. "That Wasn't Supposed to Happen," tells the story of Zeke Sweet (Barnes), a former all-star high school stud who, a decade later, finds himself stuck in a dead-end job, behind on his bills and down on his luck. When he returns to his hometown of Mount Pleasant to attend his 10-year high school reunion, he reconnects with old buddies and gets a second chance with the girl who got away, Aleezya (Kylie Cunningham), who reluctantly agrees to go on one date with him. But before they can go out, things go comically awry. Barnes also starred in the 2012 drama "Torn Soul." Other actors involved in the comedy include Daniel Roebuck, whose filmography includes "Getting Grace" (2017), "The Fugitive" (1993), and "Final Destination" (2000), and Steve Christopher, whose filmography includes "The Throbbit" (2015), "The Dork of the Rings" (2006) and "Night Club" (2011). Tonia L. Carrier is the director. Barnes aims to finish shooting in September and to release it in late spring or early summer of 2019. Barnes, a 2009 Midland High School graduate, has been acting at the Midland Center for the Arts since he was a teenager. He said he wanted to make his movie in his hometown to show people it's possible. "Just because you are from a small city, doesn't mean you can't do major things," he said. "We have some really, really talented people out here." 16 Gallery: Wildfires raging in California now state's fourth-largest of all time NASA says it has extended the launch window for the historic Parker Solar Probe through Aug. 23, which is currently scheduled to launch no earlier than 3:48 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11. The U.S. space agency reported last week that the probe passed its final inspections in the clean room as it inched closer to lifting off and becoming humanity's first-ever mission to "touch the sun." The Parker Solar Probe will launch with the aid of a Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Its 45-minute launch window will reportedly open at 3:48 a.m. Aug. 11. "This is an historic mission that will revolutionize our understanding of the Sun, where changing conditions can propagate out into the solar system, affecting Earth and other worlds," NASA says in an update. "Parker Solar Probe will travel through the Sun's atmosphere, closer to the surface than any spacecraft before it, facing brutal heat and radiation conditions -- and ultimately providing humanity with the closest-ever observations of a star." Thanks to everyone who sent their name to the Sun with Parker #SolarProbe! The final count is in the spacecraft will carry 1,137,202 names on its journey to the Sun. https://t.co/QdUW8wyCSm pic.twitter.com/hyolAexRfs NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) April 28, 2018 The spacecraft itself is said to be the size of a small car, and will attempt to travel into the sun's atmosphere, and face "heat and radiation unlike any spacecraft in history. Aiding it on its journey toward the giant star's atmosphere is a "cutting-edge heat shield" made of two panels of superheated carbon-carbon composite sandwiching a 4.5-inch-thick carbon foam core. NASA says the spacecraft will come within 4 million miles of the sun's surface as it aims to provide new solar activity findings that could help "our ability to forecast major space-weather events that impact life on Earth." This also represents the first spacecraft NASA has named for a living person. Eugene Parker, the spacecraft's namesake, studied and proposed concepts of how stars and our sun give off energy in what he called "the solar wind." He theorized an explanation of how the Sun's corona is hotter than the surface of the star itself, which is a theory NASA says it has continued to focus and study in what is known as heliophysics. Parker received his bachelor's degree in physics from Michigan State University before getting his doctorate at Caltech. -- OLYMPIA, WA -- Police are searching for a suspect who may be responsible for the death of at least seven cats since October including two in a 48-hour span over the weekend. According to Q13 Fox in Washington, Thurston County Animal Services say the cats have been found mutilated and killed in several areas around the state. ABC News reports the dead cats have been displayed in public places following the attacks. The investigation has been ongoing for months after a pair of cats were found in February. Last month, two more cats were found dead and police believe they're all connected to a case from last October. Officers have gone door-to-door in the neighborhood where this weekend's attacks happened asking for security footage that might help them locate a suspect. Residents told Q13 Fox they plan to keep their cats indoors for the time being and some are installing security cameras around their homes. One of the cats appears to have fought back and DNA evidence has been collected by police and sent in to a local crime lab to see if a match can be found. A $3,000 reward has been offered for any information leading to the capture and conviction in the case. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a public health alert for more than 20 salad and wrap options sold at Kroger, Trader Joe's, Walgreens and Gordon Food Service stores. These products distributed by Indianapolis, Indiana-based Caito Foods LLC were recalled "out of an abundance of caution due to concerns about contamination with Cyclospora." The inspection service says the recall was sparked when Caito Foods was notified by its lettuce supplier -- Fresh Express -- that chopped romaine used in some of its salads and wraps was being recalled. The complete list of products included in the recall can be found at his link. For a full collection of affected product labels, click here. Affected products were shipped to distribution centers across the nation, and produced between July 15-18, and come with a best by, enjoy by, best if sold by or sell by date of between July 18-23. "FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers' refrigerators and that consumers may be at risk due to the length of the Cyclospora incubation period," the USDA news release reads. Cyclospora Outbreak: Do not eat various beef, pork and poultry salad and wrap products. They may be contaminated with Cyclospora, an illness caused by an intestinal parasite. If you have these products, do not consume. More Info: https://t.co/1wY5X9GEyX pic.twitter.com/TvffznJ1He USDA Food Safety (@USDAFoodSafety) August 1, 2018 "Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Caito Foods LLC and FSIS are working together to remove the products from commerce." Cyclospora infection is caused by an intestinal parasite, the USDA says that the incubation period can take between two and 14 days. The agency says that some illnesses might not yet be reported due to the time it takes for someone to fall ill and report it, which can take up to six weeks with Cyclospora infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that this type of infection is caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite. Symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, increased flatulence, vomiting, headache, fever and "watery diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements." Rahaman, an alleged handler of Naeem, who was held in 2007 while trying to help 2 Pakistani and 1 Kashmiri terrorist infiltrate into India. Officially, the NIA has maintained that it had received an input about Rahman travelling to India, but officials in the know of the development said it was an example of cooperation between security agencies of the two countries. (Photo: Representational | File) New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Habibur Rahaman, an alleged handler of hardened Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem, after he was deported from Saudi Arabia, officials said on Monday. Rahaman was arrested by the NIA on his arrival from Saudi Arabia, they said. Officially, the NIA has maintained that it had received an input about Rahaman travelling to India, but officials in the know of the development said it was an example of cooperation between security agencies of the two countries. Rahaman is an alleged handler of LeT terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem alias Nomi, who was arrested in 2007 while trying to help two Pakistani and one Kashmiri terrorist infiltrate into India through Bangladesh. Naeem ditched the police and escaped from custody while he was being taken for court attendance to Maharashtra from Kolkata in August, 2014. The escape from custody emboldened Naeem, who kept playing cat and mouse games with agencies for about three years during which he continued with his nefarious activities on the directions of his handlers based in Pakistan and in Saudi Arabia, the NIA said. "A well-established conspiracy was hatched between the accused for targeting vulnerable locations in India with intent of causing maximum damage. Naeem was tasked to identify locations where terrorist attacks could be carried out," an NIA spokesperson said. In order to execute the conspiracy, the official said, Naeem assumed different fake identities and visited different states including Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, and did reconnaissance of possible targets for terrorist attacks. "Habibur Rahaman, who is affiliated to proscribed terrorist organisation LeT, arranged shelter/hideouts and funds for Naeem on different occasions for carrying out terrorist activities in India on the directions of the LeT commander Amjad alias Rehan who is based in Pakistan," he said. The spokesperson said Naeem was arrested by NIA in November 2017 and has been since charge sheeted along with 10 other co-accused including Habibur Rehman by the NIA. "Accused Habibur Rahaman is being produced today in Patiala House Courts, New Delhi to seek NIA custody for his interrogation," he said. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded that the Congress should apologise for Tharoor's comments. Shashi Tharoor was addressing a seminar on 'Standing up to hatred, violence and intolerance in contemporary India' in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. (Photo: Twitter Screengrab) Thiruvananthapuram: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has plunged headlong into a fresh row with remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi donning "outlandish" Naga and other headgear on his trips but refusing to sport a Muslim skull cap, comments the BJP dubbed as insulting to the people of the North-East. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also demanded that the Congress apologise for Tharoor's comments. "I ask you why does our Prime Minister wear all sorts of outlandish headgear wherever he goes around the country or around the world? Why does he always refuse to wear a Muslim skull cap? You see him in Naga headgears with feathers. You have seen him in various kinds of extraordinary outfits which is a right thing for a Prime Minister to do. Indira Gandhi has also been photographed wearing various kinds of costumes. But why he still always says no to one?" Tharoor said. The former union minister was addressing a seminar on "Standing up to hatred, violence and intolerance in contemporary India" in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. Tharoor, who had recently kicked up a controversy with remarks that the BJP, if voted to power again, will rewrite the Constitution and pave the way for the creation of a "Hindu Pakistan", said PM Modi shunned the green colour as he felt it was associated with Muslim appeasement. "Why does he refuse to wear green, the colour that he says is identified with Muslim appeasement? What kind of talk it is?" he said. Tharoor's comments drew a sharp response from Union Minister Rijiju, who said the Congress leader's remarks insulted tribals and people from the North-East. "I demand apology from the Congress Party for insulting the people of India's North East & Tribals. Shashi Tharoor described North-East people & Naga Tribal headgears as funny looking outlandish & hilarious," Rijiju, a native of Arunachal Pradesh, said on Twitter. I demand apology from the Congress Party for insulting the people of India's North East & Tribals. Shashi Tharoor described North-East people & Naga Tribal headgears as funny looking outlandish & hilarious. Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 6, 2018 Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore also slammed Tharoor for his remarks. Taking to Twitter, he said: Shashi Tharoor insults the proud cultural heritage of the people of North-East. This condescension & arrogance towards the people of India have become hallmarks of @INCIndia. pic.twitter.com/vul4SOtpVN Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) August 6, 2018 BJP general secretary Ram Madhav also took to the micro-blogging website and criticised Tharoor for insulting customs of Nagas and north-eastern people. After WhatsApp, now Amazons plan to launch its own UPI payment service in India is also stuck due to concerns around the storage of data within the country, according to a report by The Economic Times. The Facebook-owned messaging app WhatsApp and Amazon are keen on entering payments space in India through inter-bank fund transfer railroad UPI. They both, however, are now waiting for more clarity on data storage from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), two bankers aware of the development told the paper on condition of anonymity. "Both WhatsApp Payments and Amazon Pay have not gone live due to similar reasons, one of the bankers told the paper, adding that they will have to wait for the final decision on the draft Personal Data Protection Bill, which is being put out for consultations. According to the report, the e-commerce giant is in talks with the Axis Bank to start issuing UPI handles to users of Amazon Pay. Earlier this year, Amazon had introduced UPI as a mode of payment on its website. We are excited about UPI as it democratises the payments experience for banked customers by simplifying mobile payments across more than 50 banks and powering use cases like money transfers, an Amazon spokesperson said in a written reply to the paper. In April, the Reserve Bank of India released guidelines asking all payment system operators to ensure that data is stored only within the country, and comply with the order by October 15, 2018. While financial data need to be stored in India, the companies are trying to understand whether they will be allowed to keep a copy of data outside the country. The finance ministry had recently proposed relaxing the directive from the countrys central bank to compel global payment firms to store customer data locally. The proposal was seen as a relief for companies including MasterCard, Visa and American Express that fear Indias data on-shoring move could cost them millions of dollars. It also set a precedent for other major governments to implement similar rules at a time when there is heightened scrutiny on how companies globally handle their customers data. The central bank, however, is yet to come out with a clarification circular to settle the issue. Till that happens the limbo will continue, one of the bankers told the paper. As per the recommendations proposed by the Srikrishna Committee on data privacy and protection, the critical personal data can only be stored in servers located in the country. The RBI's guidelines on storage of data comes at a time when India has been recording a constant rise on digital payment. As per figures released by NPCI, there were 235 million UPI transactions involving Rs 45,845 crore as of July. The RBI had said that to ensure better monitoring, it is important to have unfettered supervisory access to data stored with these system providers as also with their service providers/intermediaries/third party vendors and other entities in the payment ecosystem. Indian banks are planning to extend legal and financial support to existing as well as retired members of their staff who come under the scanner of investigative agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), according to a report by The Economic Times. The move comes in the light of several ongoing probes by various agencies on bank officials such as Chanda Kocchar for alleged wrongdoings while in office. These investigations have made bankers, even those who have hung up their boots, quite nervous. In a letter to bank chiefs, the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) had proposed that banks will pay for all legal expenses like court fee, lawyers' fee, transportation and cover other miscellaneous costs. These expenses would be borne by a bank even if an employee resigns, retires, or is transferred to another location. The IBA's communique was shared with all bank CEOs on August 1, along with all the particulars including what kind of cases will be covered under the proposal, and the extent and nature of assistance to be given. It had already been approved by IBA's managing committee. The bank managements' body said that the concerned bank will also arrange for a lawyer when an employee (even one who has retired) is summoned by the CBI or police for interrogation. It also said that a bank would have the liberty to hire a top-notch lawyer to defend an employee, depending on the facts of the case. "It was felt that there is a need to introduce a comprehensive scheme for extending legal and financial support to employees including ex-officers and also present directors of the banks covering instances where the prescriptions have been launched by the government agencies when carrying out their normal duties," the IBA said in its letter. The industry body proposed that banks will take urgent steps to avoid the arrest of their staff, present or former, by seeking anticipatory bail. In case of arrest, banks will take steps to ensure that bail is granted as soon as possible. "It's the need of the hour...A fear psychosis has gripped the entire banking industry. Nobody wants to lend. No one wants to settle a bad loan. If the government cant rein in its enforcement agencies, banks have to join hands to defend themselves. IBAs August 1 letter to all bank CEOs outlining the scheme is a positive and reassuring move," a retired banker told the paper. The concerned banks would also give similar support to enable employees to defend themselves against civil or criminal cases filed by defaulters, as well as ensure that an arrest following criminal proceedings against a defaulter is not treated as a black mark on the performance of affected employees. "This would facilitate the bank's process of identification and declaration of wilful defaulters," the IBA said in the letter, adding that the move would also instill confidence and a sense of security in the minds of employees. Air India (Commons) The systems of Air India suffered a major technical glitch this week and it caused some major confusion among the employees. According to a report in DNA, the airliner sent out duty rosters to hundreds of ex-crew members who had either retired, quit and even passed away. These were sent in email and message formats by Air India's automated crew management system (CMS). A spokesperson for the airline said that the snag was resolved on Friday morning. He explained that rostering is done entirely by CMS and, in this case, an old outdated version of the system was wrongly used. Just recently, the airline was in trouble as a passenger created a ruckus by trying to enter the plane's cockpit. According to an Air India spokesperson, the incident took place on August 2, when an Indian citizen tried to enter the cockpit, clearly violating aviation rules. The spokesperson had stated that AI 138 Milan-Delhi flight was delayed by more than two and a half hours after an unruly passenger Gurpreet Singh tried to enter the cockpit after the scheduled take-off from Milan. The aircraft turned around and landed back in Milan, following which the passenger was handed over to the local police. Jet Airways, which is grappling with turbulent times after reports of staff being asked to take pay cuts, on Monday announced a special 9-day global fare sale to celebrate Indias 72nd Independence Day. The sale, starting August 07, will offer up to 30 percent discount on Economy and Premiere class fares on international routes. The sale comes after CEO Vinay Dubes letter to the airlines frequent fliers, assuring them that the company is well placed to make the most of the growth in the Indian aviation sector, and called the recent media reports questioning its sustainability - as factually incorrect. Detailing the challenges facing the sector, Dube had also mentioned the "mismatch between high fuel prices and low fares." But that hasn't stopped the airline from announcing the latest flash sale, reflecting the tight competition in the sector for market share. The sale is applicable on both one-way and return tickets from 21 international destinations, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait, Muscat, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Colombo, Bangkok and Singapore, and a few European destinations on flights with partner carriers. Travel under the scheme is effective from the date of booking. Raj Sivakumar, Senior Vice-President Worldwide Sales & Distribution, Jet Airways, said: Jet Airways uses every opportunity to create memorable experiences for its guests and Indias Independence Day is another such occasion for us to give wings to the aspirations of the increasingly globalised Indian. The companys senior management, led by Chairman Naresh Goyal and Dube, had reportedly met pilots and engineers in Mumbai and Delhi to brief them about the challenges the airline is facing. The management is said to have asked pilots to take a pay cut of 15 percent. Latest reports though indicate the company may have paused on its pay cut plans. Jet Airways| RS 4,244 crore loss (Image: Reuters) live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Jet Airways' CEO Vinay Dube has written to the airlines frequent fliers, assuring them that the company is well placed to make the most of the growth in the Indian aviation sector, and called the recent media reports questioning its sustainability - as factually incorrect. You might have read recent media reports questioning the sustainability of our airline. We have already clarified to the media that these reports are factually incorrect and malicious, says Dube in the letter. The airlines frequent flier programme is called Jet Privilege and has over 5 million members. The CEOs outreach to the customers comes after the airline was forced to issue a series of statements, including one to the Bombay Stock Exchange, responding to reports that Jet will be unable to operate beyond 60 days unless costs are cut. The companys senior management, led by Chairman Naresh Goyal and Dube, had reportedly met pilots and engineers in Mumbai and Delhi to brief them about the challenges. The management is said to have asked pilots to take a pay cut of 15 percent. Latest reports though indicate the company may have paused on its pay cut plans. Like in the other statements, Dube in the letter to the customers, again highlighted Jet Airways 25 years track record of overcoming challenges. He said Jet Airways was well placed to make the most of the strong growth in the Indian aviation sector. We will continue to expand our network, both domestic and international, and revitalise our guest experience. This will be augmented with the addition of 225 Boeing 737-MAX fuel-efficient aircraft, 11 of which are scheduled to be inducted into our fleet this fiscal, he said. At the same time, he outlined some of the challenges - depreciating rupee, high fuels prices, and low fares. Customer focus The travel industry has welcomed Dubes confidence-building letter to the customers. But there are differing views on whether the news on the companys challenges has impacted bookings. While a Yatra spokesperson said, There has been no impact on bookings, a senior executive from another travel company pointed out the long-term leisure bookings could get impacted. Business clients, who travel on official purpose, may not hesitate to book on Jet Airways, as they buy a ticket within 10 days of travel. But leisure customers, who are looking to book much in advance for the upcoming holiday season, may look for more options, said the executive. The festival and year-end season make up for 20 percent of the travel business. At present, 80 percent of the fliers will consist of the business clients. But during the festival season, the share of leisure clients doubles from the present 20 percent, said the official. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Net loss of state-owned lender Syndicate Bank widened almost five times to Rs 1,281.77 crore for the quarter ending June 2018 due to a fall in interest income and a rise in non-performing assets (NPAs). A year ago the banks net loss stood at Rs 263.19 crore ending June 2017. Net interest income (NII), the difference between interest earned on loans and paid on deposits, declined by 5.9 percent to Rs 1,505.85 crore as compared with Rs 1,600.58 crore in the year-ago quarter. Other income or non-interest income dropped by 44.7 percent to Rs 380.32 crore, down from Rs 687.36 crore in the same quarter last year. Provisions During the quarter, provisions jumped 74.4 percent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 2,326.82 crore (Rs 1,774.11 crore towards NPAs) from Rs 1,333.88 crore (Rs 1,385.66 crore) in April to June period last year. Sequentially, provisions declined from Rs 3,937.30 crore (Rs 3,544.68 crore towards NPAs) for the quarter March ending 2018. NPAs As a percentage of total loans, gross NPA ratio of the bank worsened to 12.59 percent from 11.53 percent as on March-end 2018 and 9.96 percent as on June end 2017. In absolute terms, gross NPAs rose to Rs 26,362 crore, up from Rs 25,759 crore and Rs 20,184 crore in March 2018 in June quarter 2017. Net NPA ratio increased to 6.64 percent (Rs 13,011 crore) versus 6.28 percent (Rs 13,239 crore) in March 2018 and 6.27 percent (Rs 12,188 crore) in June 2017. Capital The public sector bank's capital adequacy ratio (CAR) declined to 11.84 percent (tier-1 ratio of 7.01 percent) from 12.24 percent in March quarter and 12.30 percent a year ago. Current RBI norms under Basel III require banks to maintain a minimum CAR of nine percent and a Tier-I ratio of 7 percent. The results were declared post market hours. The stock of Syndicate Bank closed 2.65 percent down at Rs 44.10 on BSE, when Sensex ended 0.36 percent higher. Moneycontrol News The Corporate Affairs Ministry is planning to set up eight special courts under the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to deal with insolvency cases, according to a report by Business Standard. "These courts will be set up in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad," a senior ministry official was quoted as saying. Three courts will be established in Mumbai, two in Delhi, and one each in Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, sources told the paper. After these courts have been set up, Mumbai will have seven courts under the NCLT, while Delhi will have six. Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad will have three courts each. Apart from insolvency, the NCLT deals with cases pertaining to company law, mergers and acquisitions. As many as 9,073 cases were under consideration in the NCLT, as on January 31 this year, 2,511 of which were cases of insolvency. The number has doubled since then, sources told Business Insider. As many as 6,326 companies had filed cases under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, as at the end of June. Most of these cases went into liquidation. The government is also looking at establishing e-courts to manage cross border insolvency proceedings, the news daily reported. A committee has been set up to iron out the details of cross-border insolvency provisions. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Public sector banks (PSBs) have played a pioneering role in developing India's industries, but recent evidence suggests they are being shortchanged. Large infrastructure projects have been bogged down by legacy issues, regulatory overreach, and negligence on the part of banks, which has only led to the pile of bad debt becoming bigger. The rise in the level of non-performing assets (NPAs) has consequently led to more public money being injected into government banks to meet capital requirements. Provisioning for bad loans has impacted their profitability and growth. Private banks have been relatively more successful than their state-run counterparts in leveraging market forces to raise capital. The gross NPA ratio of scheduled commercials banks rose from 10.2 percent at the end of September 2017, to 11.6 percent at the end of March 2018. Private banks fared much better during the period under review with an NPA ratio of only 4 percent; PSBs gross NPA ratio at the end of the period was 15.6 percent. The government had formulated the 'Indradhanush' plan in August 2015 to resolve the issues faced by PSBs, and make them more competitive vis-a-vis private banks. The seven-pronged action plan to revamp PSBs identified both structural and policy issues that were holding back these institutions from living up to their mandate. On the structural side, governance issues, NPAs, and a homogenous credit base have held back state-run banks. The Indradhanush plan estimated that recapitalisation to the tune of Rs 1.8 lakh crore was needed to nurse these banks back to health. This amount was to be released in a staggered manner, spread over four years. Of the total, Rs 70,000 crore would be infused into banks by the government, while the remaining Rs 1,10,000 crore would have to be raised by banks. The government has already injected Rs 59,435 crore of the total in public banks, with the residual amount to be raised through budgetary provisions. In January 2018, the government mooted a front-loaded bank capitalisation plan of Rs 2.11 lakh crore to augment the Indradhanush plan. Of the total, Rs 1.35 lakh crore was to be infused through sale of recapitalisation bonds, while the rest would come from budgetary provisioning and through funds raised from the market. Public banks have been the beneficiaries of government aid, especially since the market liberalisation reforms of 1991. Union budgets presented in the last five years have earmarked money for bank capitalisation, of which Rs 83,504 crore has been spent. However, the budgetary provision for FY18 was Rs 90,000 crore, much more than the expense incurred over the last five years. Source: Budget document, Ministry of Finance The diversion of public funds for keeping state-owned banks afloat is indicative of the systemic flaws that have culminated in mounting bad debt and over-leveraged balance sheets. Institutions like Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) have also been used as surrogates to stave off crisis in these banks. The quantum of direct government support to the banking sector has increased by over 450 percent over the last four fiscal years, from Rs 15,504 crore in FY14 to Rs 86,510 crore in FY18. For the current financial year, Bank of India received the most government aid, having received at Rs 9,232 crore. It was followed by State Bank of India (SBI), which received Rs 8,800 crore. The capital infusion by the government is broadly in line with the net losses reported by state-run banks. Of all the PSBs in the country, only Indian Bank and Vijaya Bank recorded profits in FY18. Cases of financial fraud, most notably, the one orchestrated by Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, pulled down the performance of Punjab National Bank, which recorded a loss of Rs 12,283 crore, the highest among PSBs. In FY18, SBI and its associates received Rs 8,800 crore in cash from the government, while recording a loss of Rs 5,339 crore for the year. Of the 21 public banks in operation, 19 reported losses this year, resulting in numerous calls for their privatisation. Source: CARE Ratings, Moneycontrol Data Bank Despite the government having increased its allocation for recapitalisation of these banks by a not-so-modest amount, they are still being found wanting. Their gross NPA ratios have swelled in the recent past, with IDBI Bank reporting a GNPA ratio of 27.95 percent at the end of the June quarter, up from 24.11 percent as at the end of the same quarter last year. The same is true in the case of United Bank of India, whose GNPA ratio rose by almost 7 percentage points over the past year. PNB's bad loans also spiked, with GNPA ratio increasing to 18.38 percent of its asset base. Factoring in possible losses from restructured assets and additional provisioning, it would be safe to assume that more money will be need to be pumped in to ensure that public banks meet capital adequacy norms. A Jet Airways passenger plane takes off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Jet Airways has retracted its plan to slash the salaries of non-management employees by as much as 25 percent, following protests by staff, including pilots. The airline's chairman Naresh Goyal conveyed the same to a group of employees on Friday, according to a report by The Economic Times. The full salary for July was also credited to employees' accounts. The management had delayed remunerating its staff with the expectation that they would be convinced that a pay cut would be in the overall interest of the airline. However, the management went back on its proposal after the chairman's assurance to employees. The top management has already taken a pay cut to reduce the wage bill and help the airline weather the storm created by unfavourable market conditions. Jet Airways' brand image also took a beating after news of the proposed austerity measures went public. The number of cancellations across the network has also increased. Goyal reportedly told the employees who attended the meeting that the prevailing circumstances were temporary and that the airline was well placed to reap the benefits of the the Indian aviation market's growth. Following the chairman's intercession to assuage employees' sentiments, the Jet pilots' association, the National Aviators Guild (NAG), issued a statement calling for unity in these tough times. The NAG said it was confident of Jet Airways' sustainability in the short and long term, and that it would be a matter of pride to work towards ensuring that the airline maintains its position as India's premier airline. Last week, Jet Airways had informed its staff that all non-management employees will have to take pay cuts of 5-25 percent to help the airline return to profitability. Jet Airways' finances have been hit because of a weakening rupee and a rise in crude oil prices, which has inflated its fuel bill. In addition to these adverse factors, the airline has also ceded market share to domestic rival IndiGo, which is the largest carrier in the country in terms of passengers flown. After reporting positive earnings in 2016 and 2017, Jet reported a loss of Rs 767 crore for the financial year ended March 2018. The recent downturn in the aviation sector has also impacted other players. IndiGo's profit for the June quarter fell 97 percent year on year. However, despite having more employees on its rolls, IndiGo's wage bill is less than that of Jet Airways. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Moneycontrol News Kraft Heinz Co has narrowed the list of bidders for a bunch of Indian businesses it is looking to sell, which includes popular milk drink brand Complan, according to a report by Bloomberg. The Chicago-based consumer goods company has valued the assets it is looking to sell at around $1 billion, Bloomberg quoted sources as saying. Salt-to-steel conglomerate Tata Group and fast moving consumer goods major Dabur India are among the companies chosen for the second round of bidding, the news agency reported. Cadila Healthcare and other buyers have also expressed interest. Apart from Complan, other products up for sale include instant energy drink brand Glucon-D, talcom powder brand Nycil, and clarified butter brand Sampriti. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the news. Tata Group is likely to consider a potential deal through its listed group company Tata Global Beverages, a source told the news agency. Spokesmen for Tata Group, Dabur India and Tata Global Beverages reportedly declined to comment on the matter. Some of the suitors have reportedly questioned the valuation of the businesses Kraft Heinz is selling, as they see lower growth prospects for the products given changing consumer tastes in India. There is no certainty that the bidders will make binding offers, and Kraft Heinz could also decide to keep the businesses, Bloomberg reported. 'Petitions on Article 35A will now be heard in week commencing August 27,' Chief Justice Dipak Misra said. Supreme Court adjourned hearing petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A which empowers Jammu and Kashmir that guarantees special privileges to the residents of the state. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned hearing on pleas challenging Constitutional validity of Article 35A pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir. "Petitions on Article 35A will now be heard in week commencing August 27," Chief Justice Dipak Misra said. CJI Dipak Misra said the crucial hearing on Article 35A was adjourned as Justice DY Chandrachud, one of three judges in bench, was not present. CJI Misra said that Article 35A has been in vogue for more than 60 years. "An argument about strike by lawyers can't now be a ground to speed up the case," he added. CJI Misra observed that the apex court has to consider whether Article 35A goes against the basic structure of the Constitution. Article 35A, which was incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and denies property rights to a woman who marries a person from outside the state. The provision, which leads to such women from the state forfeiting their rights over property, also applies to their heirs. "Once you have challenged the constitutional validity of Article 35-A, it has to go before a Constitution bench. A three-judge bench will determine it. A three-judge bench has been dealing with it," the CJI said. "A three-judge bench will consider whether it has to go before a Constitution bench," he added. The Jammu and Kashmir government had on August 3 moved the Supreme Court seeking adjournment of today's hearing on petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A, citing the upcoming local body elections. During the hearing on Monday, the counsel appearing for the petitioners challenging the validity of Article 35A opposed the move by the Jammu and Kashmir government seeking adjournment of the matter. Several interlocutory petitions have been filed in support of Article 35A by various individuals and civil society groups seeking continuance of the special status to Jammu and Kashmir. "Protecting #Article35A is a tacit acceptance that J&Ks future lies within the Constitution of India otherwise how would it matter if it were struck down or diluted?" tweeted former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah. (With inputs from PTI) live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Shares of Mercator added 3.6 percent intraday Monday as company won maintenance dredging contract for Goa Naval area. The company has won a maintenance dredging contract of Goa Naval area having a contract value of Rs 26.39 crore. The contract is for a block year 2018-20, 50 percent of the project shall be executed in FY 2019 and the remaining portion in FY 2020. A meeting of the board of directors of the company will be held on August 7, 2018 to consider, approve and take on record the un-audited financial results of the company for the quarter ended June 30, 2018. The share touched its 52-week high Rs 49 and 52-week low Rs 18.80 on 01 November, 2017 and 20 July, 2018, respectively. Currently, it is trading 53.47 percent below its 52-week high and 21.28 percent above its 52-week low At 10:49 hrs Mercator was quoting at Rs 22.75, up Rs 0.55, or 2.48 percent on the BSE. Posted by Rakesh Patil live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More 5nance.com The Indian equity market continued its upward momentum on a week-to-week (WoW) basis, registering multiple record highs on the price chart. However, the market turned cautious in two trading sessions to trade down in the backdrop of Monetary Policy Committees rate hike, coupled with re-escalation of trade tariff by US President Donald Trump which erased some of the gains. The Nifty tested a major level just below 11,400 but failed to sustain over trade war concerns. After closing on a higher note on Tuesday at 11,356 levels, the index slipped to a low of 11,234 in the week gone by. Towards the weekend session, the index managed to recoup some of the initial losses to close at 11,360.80, up 0.73 percent on a weekly basis. After breaking down from the psychological level of 11,300 on Thursday, the index formed a bearish Belt Hold pattern on the daily candlestick chart. The pattern got negated as Nifty formed a bullish candle in Friday's trade. The weekly relative strength index (RSI) stood at 71 indicating marginal divergence. The moving average convergence divergence continued its bullish trajectory as it stood above the signal line. With a breakout from the higher band, the index is likely to face immediate resistance at 11,400-11,390 levels in the coming week, while supports are placed at 11,200. As we are mid-way through the earnings season with sentiment positive, we expect the market to continue its positive bias in the short term. However, a re-escalation of the trade war between US and China is expected to keep the index volatile. We advise investors to be stock specific only to build fresh long positions. Given the fresh rally, we expect the Nifty to trade at 11,445 on the upside and 11,270 on the downside on a weekly basis. Here is a list of three stocks that could return 6-10% in 1 months: JK Paper: Buy | Target: Rs. 167| Stop-loss: Rs. 135 | Return: 10% JK Paper remained under a consolidation phase in last six-month from a price band of Rs 149-128, taking a strong support at Rs 99 levels, and made a robust rebound from this level recently. It also made a crucial breakout from the moving average of 200-days EMA placed at Rs 131, thus indicating a reversal trend. The scrip also witnessed a significant volume growth managing to gain about 25 percent on weekly basis. On the weekly price chart, the scrip registered a solid bullish candlestick pattern indicating a reversal in trend favoring upward momentum. Further, the weekly RSI at 60 signaled a buying regime at a current level along with positive cues from MACD suggesting an upward shift. The scrip is currently holding a resistance at Rs 169 and the immediate support level is placed at Rs 126. We have a buy recommendation for JK Paper which is currently trading at Rs. 151.25 Sical Logistics Ltd: Buy | Target: Rs. 203| Stop-loss: Rs. 174| Return: 8% Sical Logistics formed a reversal trend favoring upward momentum after consolidating on multiple price level from Rs 232-194 towards Rs 163 levels in the last six months. Although it remained flat during an early trade of the week, it gained strong momentum towards the weekend to close above 200-days EMA placed at Rs 182 levels. It also witnessed a substantial support from volume buildup as compared to average level. The positive breakout on the weekly basis aided the scrip to form a strong bullish candlestick pattern indicating a sustained trend at the current level. The weekly RSI trend registered an upward momentum at 64 suggesting a buying regime along with MACD trading on a bullish momentum. The scrip has a support at Rs 164 levels and medium-term resistance level at Rs 216. We have a buy recommendation for Sical Logistics which is currently trading at Rs. 188.25 Redington (India) Ltd: Sell | Target: Rs. 98 | Stop-loss: Rs. 115 | Return: 6% Redington India Ltd continued to consolidate on its long-term price chart, slipping below a price band of 158 levels to form multiple low levels over sustain selling pressure. Last week the scrip slipped below a long-term moving average level to touch 52-weeks low and thus indicating a sustained pressure on selling regime. Further, the volume support continued to remain subdued over a negative trajectory. The price chart continued to indicate consolidation phase with a formation of bearish candlestick pattern on its weekly price chart post-breach below important average level. Further, the secondary momentum trend continued to indicate negative signal with RSI slipping below at 34 coupled with the bearish outlook from MACD trend. The scrip is facing a resistance at 128 levels and crucial support at 95 levels. We have a sell recommendation for Redington India which is currently trading at Rs. 104.20 The author is Founder & CEO, 5nance.com. The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Tata Motors share price fell more than a percent on Monday following weak Jaguar Land Rover sales data for July. The UK-based luxury car maker sold 6,077 units in month gone by, registering a 18.6 percent degrowth year-on-year. It has sold 7,465 units in same month last year. During the recently concluded June quarter, Tata Motors slipped into the red for the first time in three years on a quarterly basis following a poor show by the two luxury brands. JLR's revenue from its biggest market China fell after the country changed the import tax structure, severely impacting margins. JLR's global sales last year grew by just 1.7 percent to 614,309 units. Addressing concerns about the inadequate earnings of its British subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Motors Chairman N Chandrasekaran on last Friday stated that the luxury car maker will have to bring its costs down. "Yes there is a cash flow issue. It is a good business but currently we have a more requirement of capex so we have to caliberate capex on one hand and on the other hand take the cost out so that we have higher operating cash flow. JLR is embarking upon a very cost cut plan so we need to cut costs. We are looking at every single way the company can be efficient," Chandrasekaran said at the company's 73rd annual general meeting. At 15:12 hours IST, the stock price was quoting at Rs 255.10, down Rs 3.65, or 1.41 percent on the BSE. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The Nifty hit a fresh record high on Monday and rallied climbed 11,400 for the first time in history and experts feel that the momentum is likely to continue this week as well. The index closed with gains of nearly a percent for the week ended August 3. The index witnessed value buying on Friday after consolidating for two days last week. "Last week, the index was able to reclaim 11,350 on a closing basis. Also, the action was spread across small and midcaps," experts added. After a strong rally seen in July, some would say that markets are looking overbought at current levels but analysts feel the momentum is likely to continue. The structure is still strong. Some of the previous laggards have started to participate like ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and public sector banks. The midcap index is probably showing signs of forming a base, Sameet Chavan, Chief Analyst, Technicals, and Derivatives at Angel Broking, said. The anticipation has now turned into a confirmation. We believe there is still a lot more to offer in days to come. Fridays strong rally is the perfect example why one should refrain shorting this market at this juncture and rather capitalise such declines to buy into, he said. Chavan added that the Nifty is likely to move towards 11,430-11,500. "Since its an uncharted territory, further legs will keep unfolding as we move forward. For the forthcoming week, 11,290 followed by 11,234 would be seen as immediate support." Here is a list of top 10 moneymaking ideas from different experts that could return 6-12% in the next 1 month: Analyst: Sameet Chavan, Chief Analyst, Technicals, and Derivatives at Angel Broking Arvind Ltd: Buy| LTP: Rs 419| Target: Rs 469| Stop Loss: Rs 401.70| Return 12% During the penultimate week, the stock price finally came out of its congestion zone which in technical terms can be interpreted as a breakout from the Triangle pattern. The breakout was accompanied by higher than average daily volumes, providing credence to the breakout. However, due to lack of follow up buying, the stock corrected a bit towards the trend line support placed around Rs 412. As expected, the strong buying emerged at lower levels, which validates this corrective move as a pullback move and the stock would now possibly start a fresh leg of the rally. We recommend investors to buy the stock for an upside target of Rs.469 and a stop loss placed at Rs.401.70. Bombay Burmah Trading Ltd: Buy| LTP: Rs 1614.70| Target: Rs 1810| Stop Loss: Rs 1509| Return 12% This stock has undergone some decent time correction over the past three months. Recently, there were a couple of attempts made to break through this congestion zone in the upward direction; but all turned unsuccessful. However, the bulls did not lose their hope; in fact, they came back strongly on Friday and provided enough force to confirm a decisive breakout above the sturdy wall of Rs 1,582. With this, the weekly charts are now looking extremely promising. Thus, looking at the rising slope of RSI-Smoothened, we expect the stock to do well in days to come. One can look to go long for a positional target of Rs.1810 in coming weeks. The stop loss needs to be fixed at Rs.1,509. Analyst: Mazhar Mohammad, Chief Strategist Technical Research & Trading Advisory, Chartviewindia.in Bata India: Buy| LTP: Rs 938| Target: Rs 1020| Stop Loss: Rs 900| Return 8.7% After hitting lifetime highs this counter appears to be on the verge of a fresh breakout above its two-month-old ascending channel. Such a breakout will throw up a new target placed around Rs 1,020 levels. Hence, positional traders should buy now and can add further on declines around 920 and look for a target of Rs 1,020. A stop loss could be placed near Rs 900. Havells India : Buy| LTP: Rs 641| Target: Rs 697| Stop Loss: Rs 620| Target: Rs 8.7% This counter registered a breakout above its three-month-old ascending channel with a new lifetime high which is throwing up a bigger target placed around Rs 730. Interestingly, this kind of breakout on this counter occurred after a multi-month struggle inside the broader range of 590 480 kind of levels. Hence, such a bigger target cant be ruled out going forward. Positional traders are advised to buy now and on declines up to Rs 625 and look for a target of 697 by placing a stop below 620 on a closing basis. Yes Bank: Buy| LTP: Rs 372| Target: Rs 390| Stop Loss: Rs 360| Return 4.8% After the recent correction from the lifetime highs of Rs 394, this counter appears to have bottomed out at the recent low of Rs 356 and resumed its up move. As the long-term trend is buoyant in this counter it can be expected to retest its lifetime highs. Hence, positional traders should buy into this counter for a target of 390 with a stop of 360. Analyst: Dinesh Rohira, Founder & CEO, 5nance.com JK Paper Ltd: Buy | Target: Rs. 167| Stop-loss: Rs. 135 | Return: 10% JK Paper remained under a consolidation phase in last six-month from a price band of Rs 149-128, taking a strong support at Rs 99 levels, and made a robust rebound from this level recently. It also made a crucial breakout from the moving average of 200-days EMA placed at Rs 131, thus indicating a reversal trend. The scrip also witnessed a significant volume growth managing to gain about 25 percent on weekly basis. On the weekly price chart, the scrip registered a solid bullish candlestick pattern indicating a reversal in trend favoring upward momentum. Further, the weekly RSI at 60 signaled a buying regime at a current level along with positive cues from MACD suggesting an upward shift. The scrip is currently holding a resistance at Rs 169 and the immediate support level is placed at Rs 126. We have a buy recommendation for JK Paper which is currently trading at Rs. 151.25 Sical Logistics Ltd: Buy | Target: Rs. 203| Stop-loss: Rs. 174| Return: 8% Sical Logistics formed a reversal trend favoring upward momentum after consolidating on multiple price level from Rs 232-194 towards Rs 163 levels in the last six months. Although it remained flat during an early trade of the week, it gained strong momentum towards the weekend to close above 200-days EMA placed at Rs 182 levels. It also witnessed a substantial support from volume buildup as compared to average level. The positive breakout on the weekly basis aided the scrip to form a strong bullish candlestick pattern indicating a sustained trend at the current level. The weekly RSI trend registered an upward momentum at 64 suggesting a buying regime along with MACD trading on a bullish momentum. The scrip has a support at Rs 164 levels and medium-term resistance level at Rs 216. We have a buy recommendation for Sical Logistics which is currently trading at Rs. 188.25 Redington (India) Ltd: Sell | Target: Rs. 98 | Stop-loss: Rs. 115 | Return: 6% Redington India Ltd continued to consolidate on its long-term price chart, slipping below a price band of 158 levels to form multiple low levels over sustain selling pressure. Last week the scrip slipped below a long-term moving average level to touch 52-weeks low and thus indicating a sustained pressure on selling regime. Further, the volume support continued to remain subdued over a negative trajectory. The price chart continued to indicate consolidation phase with a formation of bearish candlestick pattern on its weekly price chart post-breach below important average level. Further, the secondary momentum trend continued to indicate negative signal with RSI slipping below at 34 coupled with bearish outlook from MACD trend. The scrip is facing a resistance at 128 levels and crucial support at 95 levels. We have a sell recommendation for Redington India which is currently trading at Rs. 104.20. Analyst: Rupak De, Technical Analyst, Bonanza Portfolio APL Apollo Tubes Ltd: Buy| CMP: Rs 1,699.25| Target: Rs. 1,900| Stop Loss: Rs. 1,597| Return: 12% The stock, which was consolidating for the last several days, has come out with a closing above its recent range high indicating a growing optimism in the stock. Price has closed significantly above 21 EMA for the first time since last May. Moreover, positive divergence in the daily RSI (14) may induce bullishness in the stock. Overall, the technical set is suggesting a decent recovery on the stock. ZEE Ltd: CMP: Rs 520.60| Buy| Target: Rs. 573| Stop Loss: Rs. 498| Return: 10% After a steep correction, the stock has been consolidating around the support of a rising trendline on the daily chart. In addition to that, on the weekly chart, a Bullish Harami candlestick pattern is formed which may propel a rally in the stock. The stock is in a long-term uptrend and is currently trading around the lower band of the rising channel; we expect demand in stock may return over the short-term. The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on moneycontrol.com are their own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. 4. HDFC Asset Management Company (AMC) | Return: 42.41% | Issue size: Rs 2800 crore | Listing date: August 6, 2018 | Subscription ratio: 83.06 | HDFC AMC operates as a joint venture between Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) and Standard Life Investments. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More With a listing gain of about 58 percent on the NSE on Monday, HDFC Asset Management Company had a stellar debut on the bourses. The HDFC AMC stock listed at Rs 1,738 on the NSE, up 58 percent as compared to the issue price of Rs 1,100 per share. It crossed Rs 1,800 levels on the exchange in intraday trade. The stock witnessed the second highest listing gains in 2018 and 6th highest since 2011, data showed. HDFC AMC public issue was subscribed 83.06 times receiving bids for 156.19 crore equity shares against IPO size of 1.88 crore shares (excluding anchor portion). This is the second asset management company to hit the market after Reliance Nippon Life AMC, which had raised Rs 1,542 crore last year. When compared to HDFC AMC, Reliance AMC was listed at 16.7 percent premium on November 6. The stock had opened at Rs 294 on the BSE as against its issue price of Rs 252. Experts said HDFC AMC's premium valuations to peers are justified on account of higher profit CAGR, strong pedigree, HDFC's brand, distribution, long-term performance, relatively stable management profile, high dividend payout and high capital return ratios. HDFC AMC shares closed at Rs 1,815.15, up 65.01 percent, while Reliance AMC stock had 12.7 percent at Rs 284. That is why all HDFC Group companies trade at premium valuations and so is the case with HDFC AMC. While the average assets under management of second largest fund house HDFC AMC stood at Rs 306,841 crore, that of fourth largest fund house, Reliance AMC was Rs 240,445 crore. Valuations With HDFC AMC listing with significant gains over issue price, Reliance AMC's valuation discount to HDFC AMC has widened to more than 50 percent. At the day's closing prices, HDFC AMC's market cap to AUM was at 12.7 percent while for Reliance Nippon AMC it was 6.5 percent. HDFC commanded a premium valuation for its brand and superior return ratio with return on equity (RoE) at 40 percent. Siddharth Khemka, Head- Retail research, Motilal Oswal Securities advises investors to hold the stock post listing as well. HDFC AMC being a market leader in the Indian Mutual fund industry is expected to be one of the best beneficiaries of the increasing financialisation of household savings in India, he added. Brokerage Nomura India last week initiated a bullish view on Indias asset management companies (AMCs), given the strong growth opportunity and improving operational metrics, which it believes are more structural and less cyclical. "We expect a 20 percent CAGR in AUMs over FY18-25 with improving equity mix, as the sector is one of the key beneficiaries of the rising financial savings mix while penetration levels are still extremely low. In our view, operating leverage and improving equity and improving equity mix should take care of yield pressures, while strong AUM growth should support profitability improvement," it said. North Korean state media called on Monday for the United States to drop sanctions, saying Pyongyang had demonstrated good faith by ending its nuclear weapons testing and handing over the remains of U.S. troops killed in the Korean War. The statements came just days after a confidential United Nations report concluded North Korea has not stopped its nuclear and missile programmes, in breach of U.N. resolutions. North Korea and the United States vowed to work to end Pyongyang's weapons programmes at a landmark summit in June in Singapore, but have struggled to reach an agreement to accomplish that goal. The North's state media accused Washington of "acting opposite" to its plan to improve ties, despite Pyongyang making goodwill gestures, including a moratorium on nuclear and missile tests, the dismantling of a nuclear site, and the return of the remains of U.S. soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War. Such "practical measures" had already deprived U.N. Security Council resolutions of their reason for being, said the Rodong Sinmun, a ruling Workers' Party mouthpiece. "There have been outrageous arguments coming out of the U.S. State Department that it won't ease sanctions until a denuclearisation is completed, and reinforcing sanctions is a way to raise its negotiating power," the newspaper said in an editorial. "How could the sanctions, which were a stick the U.S. administration had brandished as part of its hostile policy against us, promote the two countries' amity?" The editorial, which was run along with front page articles and photos of leader Kim Jong Un's visit to a catfish farm in a display of his shift in focus to the economy, was a fresh sign of Pyongyang's frustration over the slow-moving nuclear negotiations. Under U.S. President Donald Trump, the United States pushed the United Nations to impose tough sanctions on North Korea as Kim conducted a string of missile and nuclear tests last year. At a security forum on Saturday, the two sides sparred over the Singapore agreement, with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling for maintaining sanctions against Pyongyang, and his North Korean counterpart, Ri Yong Ho, criticising Washington for "retreating" from ending the war during a speech. Pompeo suggested the North's continued work on its weapons programmes was inconsistent with Kim's commitment to denuclearise, although he expressed optimism the process would be achieved. North Korea's propaganda websites on Monday also urged the United States to drop sanctions and build trust. One outlet, Uriminzokkiri, lambasted the sanctions and pressure campaign as "anachronistic" and a hurdle for better relations, calling for efforts to officially declare an end to the Korea War. The Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving the U.S.-led United Nations forces, including South Korea, technically still at war with the North. The State Department has said it is committed to building a peace mechanism to replace the armistice, but only after the North abandons its nuclear programme. Maeri, another North Korean outlet, stressed the need for U.S. action to build confidence in response to the North's moves to close its weapons programmes and send back the soldiers' remains. "It takes two to tango," the website said. A spokesman for South Korea's presidential Blue House told reporters on Monday: "We would want North Korea to speed up denuclearisation, and the United States to show a sincere attitude toward what North Korea demands as corresponding action." HDFC Asset Management Company (HDFC AMC), the countrys second largest mutual fund house, made its debut on the bourses earlier today, and from the looks of it, has had a bumper start. During its IPO run, it received a great response and has now had an auspicious beginning on the bourses. Why the great response; what industry-watchers have to say about the stock; should you be investing in it these are among the questions we will try and answer on our Story of the Day. My name is Rakesh, and this is Moneycontrol. The tale of a great indian IPO HDFC Asset Management has made a spectacular debut on the bourses today, opening at 1739 rupees, a 58 percent rise against its issue price of 1100 rupees per share on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The new scrip on D-Street hit an intraday high of 1842.95 rupees and closed the day not far behind at 1815.15 rupees. This is the fourth company from the HDFC Group listed on bourses after HDFC, HDFC Bank, and HDFC Standard Life. According to Mint, HDFC AMC is the second-biggest mutual fund manager in the country with Rs 3.07 trillion worth of assets under management in the June quarter. HDFC AMC is however the most profitable asset manager in the country, due to its higher share of equity assets and focus on the retail segment. The HDFC Asset Management Company IPO was a particularly successful one, and in keeping with the precedent set by other HDFC Group companies. As history suggests, the HDFC Group companies have created enormous wealth for shareholders and have been a defensive play in the market. The group is backed by big foreign and Indian institutional investors and mutual fund houses owing to its strong corporate governance and earnings performance. Analysts believe that is why all HDFC Group companies trade at premium valuations and so is the case with HDFC AMC. HDFC AMC is a joint venture between Housing Development Finance Corporation and Standard Life Investments raised Rs 2,800.33 crore through public issue and issued 2,54,57,555 equity shares at Rs 1,100 per share. Housing Development Finance Corporation and Standard Life Investments lower their shareholding via this IPO. The public issue was subscribed 83.06 times with overwhelming response from institutional investors during July 25-27. The public issue of HDFC Asset Management Company received bids for 156.19 crore equity shares against IPO size of 1.88 crore shares (excluding anchor portion). The reserved portion of qualified institutional investors oversubscribed by 192.26 times, non-institutional investors 195.15 times and retail 6.73 times. The issue received bids worth Rs 1.72 lakh crore against the IPO size of Rs 2,800 crore. The price band for the issue was fixed at Rs 1,095-1,100 per share. The issue comprised an offer for sale of up to 85,92,970 equity shares by Housing Development Finance Corporation and up to 1,68,64,585 equity shares by Standard Life Investments. Kotak Mahindra Capital, Axis Capital, DSP Merrill Lynch, Citigroup Global Markets India, CLSA India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Securities, IIFL Holdings, JM Financial, J P Morgan India, Morgan Stanley India and Nomura Financial Advisory were book running lead managers to the issue. Why the high demand? Sunil Shankar Matkar, writing for Moneycontrol, attributes it to the history of the HDFC Group. The Group has created enormous wealth for its shareholders and it appears the same story has held true for HDFC AMC as well. Experts said HDFC AMC's premium valuations to peers are justified on account of higher profit CAGR, strong pedigree, HDFC's brand, distribution, long term performance, relatively stable management profile, high dividend payout, higher mix of high-margin equity assets than the industry average and high capital return ratios, Matkar went on to note. Jagannadham Thunuguntla, Sr. VP and Head of Research (Wealth), Centrum Broking told Moneycontrol, The blockbuster IPO of HDFC AMC has received superlative response from investors across categories i.e. QIPs, HNIs and retail. That is quite understandable as HDFC group companies have been extraordinary wealth creators for investors across the world. He reiterated the many pluses HDFC Group has in the eyes of the shareholder saying, HDFC AMC is a top-of-the-league asset management company with highest profitability in the industry, very high return on equity, and largest equity oriented AUM and excellent brand strength of the group. The stock has surpassed street expectations. Most analysts, pre-listing, were expecting a price band of 1400-1500 rupees, with perhaps Sumit Bilgaiyan of Equity99 among the ones closest to predicting the 1750 per share for HDFC AMC. Expert speak: What should investors do now? Well, Nisha Pujara of BP Wealth told Moneycontrol, After a bumper listing, investors are advised holding the stock for long-term, citing a well-diversified distribution network, superior brand and strong parentage, managements ability to deliver strong investment performance and commitment towards constantly increasing distribution reach, and strengthen product portfolio. Pujara suggests that investors wait it out for the hoopla to die down before making a sensible investment. If you were not able to get an allotment in the IPO then investors should ideally wait for some correction before putting fresh money. "For buying the stock, one can accumulate the stock if it corrects 10-15 percent after listing or whenever the euphoria fizzles out going ahead, said Pujara of BP Wealth. It was a view echoed by Sanjiv Bhasin, EVP-Markets & Corporate Affairs at IIFL, who remains positive on the stock but does advise caution for fresh investors. As reported on Mint, he said, Both the insurance and mutual fund industries are sunshine sectors and will attract a lot of inflows in the future. But HDFC AMC shares are not cheap and besides that, the current market valuation is also very high. Investors should look at the stock from a long-term view. Sumit Bilgaiyan, Co-Founder, and Director, Equity99 said that investors can buy few shares on listing day, and keep adding it at lower levels if they got it. The pedigree and brand value of HDFC is so huge that its stocks are never available cheap compared to its peers or to the market itself. "If you are among lucky ones who have received the allotment during the IPO, Hold it. No need to sell the stock for the short-term gain. HDFC AMC comes from solid pedigree and the way financialization is happening in India its a must hold on the stock, he added. Independent investment advisor Sharmila Joshi also struck a note of caution. Speaking to Mint, she said, Though shares of HDFC AMC have good long-term potential, I dont want to be part of the first-day frenzy and buy the share at a fancy price. Instead, I would be looking at shares of HDFC, which will offer me exposure to diverse businesses, such as banking, insurance, asset management and mortgage financing. TS Harihar, Founder and CEO of HRBV Client Solutions, suggests that further upsides in the short term could be limited. As reported by Mint, he said, Though HDFC AMC has a strong equity franchise the stock is already fully valued. AK Prabhakar, head of research at IDBI Capital, speaking to Business Standard, said, "If somebody is interested to invest for five years, then they should stick on to the stock. Though, around 80 percent of the new listings underperform, this stock has a very good brand name. HDFC in the AMC business is not doing good but the brand name will give you returns in the long term. However, if you are looking for a one year term, then it is better to take your money out. In HDFC packet, HDFC Life or HDFC Bank has a better opportunity even if they are expensive, the growth is visible, however in the AMC business, I don't think that kind of growth is likely to come". G Chokkalingam, founder and managing director at Equinomics Research & Advisory, also speaking to Business Standard, said, The stock is trading at an expensive valuation - at around 53x on TTM basis. Even if we assume a healthy growth of 30 percent, even then the P/E works out to around 41x. Definitely in short-to-medium term, the valuation is stretched. Short-term investors can book profits in a phased manner. However, those willing to wait over two to three years can continue to hold. Bottomline The tl dr version is that investors looking to make short-term gains in the stock should exit given the stretched valuation. If you are getting into it, get into it for the long term. And the brand name and the pedigree that HDFC AMC comes with should keep you in good stead. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that new urban spaces needed to be green and resilient and noted the development process in Delhi was now being given a green and sustainable direction by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The Housing and Urban Affairs Minister inaugurated 'Van Mahotsav' celebrated by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) with plantation of around 20,000 trees across the nations. According to an official statement, the minister, who participated in the tree plantation drive in Dwarka where around 10,000 trees were planted, also appreciated DDA's initiative of taking up "largescale" plantation. "Creation of new urban spaces needs to be green and resilient," the statement quoted Puri as saying. The development process in Delhi is now being given a green and sustainable direction by the ministry, the minister said. It stated that at the event, Puri assured full commitment and support of the Centre for timely completion development projects in Delhi, including Delhi Metro phase-4. He reiterated the decision to redevelop the seven colonies in south Delhi without cutting of trees. Tata Group logo (Image: Reuters) Tata Group could have to clear dues worth around USD 1.3 billion (Rs 9,000 crore) to the government to get a nod for the proposed sale of its mobile phones business to Bharti Airtel, according to a Bloomberg report. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has reportedly asked debt-ridden Tata Teleservices to pay any amount owed to the government before the deal is approved. Airtel is unlikely to settle the dues, the report added. Moneycontrol could not independently confirm the development. Tata Group and Bharti Airtel had initiated the deal in October last year. Tata Teleservice had a subscriber base of around 40 million users at the time of deal announcement, and it has since fallen to around 27 million users now, Bloomberg data reveals. The amount can be changed, and Tata Group has asked the telecom ministry to lower the dues it is asking for, the report said. Tata Group is working on contingency plans to close the mobile phones business, a source told Bloomberg. The two companies had agreed to a debt-free cash-free" transaction last year, which means that Airtel will not be taking over any of Tata Teleservices outstanding debt. Telecom regulator has in the past also asked companies to clear liabilities before crucial transactions. Vodafone Indian and Idea Cellular were asked to pay Rs 72 billion before the telecom ministry approved the merger. Titan, a part of the Tata conglomerate, is among Indias leading home-grown jewellery companies. The company derives 80-85 percent of its annual revenue from sale of gold, diamond and studded jewellery. Watches and eyewear products are also a part of the companys product portfolio. Performance review In Q1 FY19, the company witnessed healthy top-line traction across all its segments. Except for the eyewear segment, margin accretion was visible in all cases too because of operating leverage and lower spends on business associate meets. Jewellery Revenue growth was subdued on account of weak consumer demand (barring Akshay Tritiya, no festivities), fall in gold imports and a high base of last year (GST implementation caused buyers to prepone purchases to Q1). Margins didnt bear a significant brunt owing to an improved product mix, lower overhead spends and good inventory management practices. Watches This segment was the standout performer with revenues growing on the back of growth in modern retail formats and higher primary sales to the trade channels. 11 World Of Titan, 7 Fastrack and 3 Helios stores were added in the quarter gone by. The strong sales momentum had a positive rub-off on the margins. Eyewear Higher sale of sunglasses (more assortments made available at competitive price points) in a seasonally strong quarter (summer season) enabled this segments revenues to grow noticeably. However, additional investments in marketing led to a decline in margins. The path ahead Jewellery The revised gold exchange program continues to bring in new buyers to Titans jewellery outlets. This, coupled with the companys existing Golden Harvest scheme, will be pivotal to customer acquisitions. Tanishq, Titans flagship jewellery brand, will be decisive in boosting the companys overall revenue. The management plans to increase add 30-40 new stores each year, primarily through the franchise-run route. While the former will augment the Tanishq network (currently, 262 stores are spread across 173 cities pan-India), the latter will help keep the business model asset-light and generate higher asset turns. Impetus towards high-value studded and wedding jewellery variants will continue given their ability to fetch higher realisations and derive better margins. Watches Continued focus on introducing new designs and extensive promotional campaigns is likely to draw customer interest, especially from the youth. Though brand/product/channel mix can vary from quarter to quarter, the aim is to ensure that margins are in the double-digit range by FY19 end. A controlled outflow of overheads will be crucial in this regard. Eyewear The target is to achieve 26 percent year-on-year sales growth in FY19 and a customer tally of 3.6 million as against 2.3 million in FY18. Considering the stiff competitive intensity in this vertical, the proportion of lower-priced products could be higher. Others Titans fragrance business (brands - SKINN, Fine French, Skinn Kissed) is growing at a brisk pace, evident from the uptick in sale volumes in some major departmental chain stores in the country. Taneira, the companys saree brand, has been receiving an encouraging response of late in the authentic ethnic wear category. This is largely because of trends such as repeat purchases and buyer referrals. Key risks Introduction of new products at periodic intervals (and brand building exercises) in the eyewear and watches segments should ensure adequate revenue visibility going forward. Nonetheless, in case of the former, Titan has had a hard time in breaking even. Moreover, risks associated with re-implementation of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act provisions and governments close monitoring on the gold exchange schemes adopted by jewellers can dampen jewellery demand to quite an extent. Should you invest ? With signs of market share gains (from unroganised and other branded players) visible and aggressive network augmentation on the cards, Titans management seems well-poised to achieve its objective of compounding its FY18 jewellery revenue (Rs 13,256.9 crore) by over 2.5 times in the next 5 years. The companys prospects are bolstered by signs of improvement in the watches segment, which contributes 10-13 percent to the annual turnover. At 42.8 times FY20 projected earnings, the stock, despite its heady valuation, provides investors a series of tailwinds to cash in on and has all that it takes to re-rate further. Follow @krishnakarwa152 Man arrested with grenades, was on his way to Delhi. Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Dr S D Singh said the cache of grenades were headed for Delhi and could have been used to disrupt Independence Day celebrations in the Capital. (Photo: Twitter | ANI) Jammu: A major terror plot has been busted, the Jammu and Kashmir police claimed on Monday, after they arrested a terrorist in possession of eight live hand grenades. Rs 60,000 in cash was also recovered from him, police said. Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Dr S D Singh said the cache of grenades were headed for Delhi and could have been used to disrupt Independence Day celebrations in the Capital. The terrorist identified as Arfan Wani, a resident of Awantipora in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, was arrested from Jammus Gandhi Nagar area. Police said that the arrested terrorist is being put through sustained interrogation to ascertain about the plans and his contacts in the city and its outskirts. Security forces are on alert in the wake of intelligence inputs that terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen are planning terror strikes in Jammu and New Delhi on the occasion of Independence Day celebrations on August 15. (With inputs from agencies) A major earthquake rocked Indonesia's Lombok island today, just a week after a quake had killed 17 people on the holiday island, sending people running from their homes and triggering a tsunami alert. The latest quake had a magnitude of seven and struck just 10 km underground according to the US Geological Survey. Officials issued a tsunami warning and urged people to move away from the ocean. "Please go to a place with higher ground, while remaining calm and not panicking," Dwikorita Karnawati, head of the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics, told local TV. Residents in Lombok's main city Mataram described a strong jolt that sent people scrambling out of buildings. "Everyone immediately ran out of their homes, everyone is panicking," Iman, a local resident in Mataram, told AFP. The tremor came a week after a shallow 6.4-magnitude quake hit the island, killing 17 people and damaging hundreds of buildings. It triggered landslides that briefly trapped trekkers on popular mountain hiking routes. Indonesia, one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth, straddles the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide and many of the world's volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. In 2004 a tsunami triggered by a magnitude 9.3 undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra in western Indonesia killed 220,000 people in countries around the Indian Ocean, including 168,000 in Indonesia. Farmers | The government also announced Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog, a scheme to enhance the productivity of cows. Nearly a year after the defence ministry ordered closure of 39 military farms across the country, the Army has decided to "transfer" all the cattle kept there to government departments or dairy cooperatives at a nominal cost of Rs 1,000 per animal. Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, while replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, said all the cattle in the military farms will be transferred to central and state government departments or to state cooperatives. He said a cost of Rs 1,000 will be charged per animal. The minister was asked whether high-yielding cows numbering 15,000 have no buyers given their high maintenance cost. In August last year, the defence ministry had announced a series of reform measures for the Indian Army which included shutting down the military farms. These farms are occupying around 20,000 acres of defence land across the country and the Army was spending around Rs 300 crore for their maintenance. The firms were set up by the British to ensure supply of milk to Army units. Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar announced on Friday that he will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 7 to discuss the mining crisis that Goa is facing. Parrikar said he will apprise the Council of Ministers appointed by the PM about the situation and will convince the Centre to amend the law in order to restart mining in Goa. The mining industry in Goa is in doldrums, probably since 2012 when the Supreme Court had first suspended mining operations. Lets understand the crisis from the eye of the storm. What is the crisis? To understand what the crisis, let us look at a brief timeline of events that have transpired. # In 2011, Goa had exported over 50 million tonnes (MTs) of low-grade iron ore. The exports to China had seen a sudden surge ahead of the 2004 Olympics as demand soared in the steel industry # March 15, 2012: Justice Shah submits a report on illegal mining activities in Goa # September 7, 2012: The report is tabled in Parliament along with an Action Taken Report # September 11, 2012: Government of Goa suspends all mining operations # April 2014: The Supreme Court limits production in the state to 20 MTs. It also observes that all iron ore and manganese ore leases had expired on November 22, 2007 as under MMDR Act [Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957]. Consequently, any mining carried out by mining lease holders after that date is illegal. # February 2018: The Supreme Court cancelled 88 mining leases which were renewed by the Goa government for the second time instead of going for fresh auctions. Hence, the SC had ordered shutdown of all Goa mines after March 15, 2018. Who are the petitioners? An NGO called Goa Foundation had filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court, asking the government of India and the government of Goa to terminate the mining leases where it was carried out in violation of various statutes. Goa Foundation is of the view that large-scale mining of iron ore has led to several adverse impacts, including those related to the environment, ecology and the health of the people of Goa; and that these illegalities were committed by almost all mining lease holders. They based their argument on reports submitted by Justice Shah, the EAC and other expert committee reports. When we spoke to the head of Goa Foundation, Dr Claude Alvares, he accused the government of being hand-in-glove with private players in order to augment profits. What has been the impact? Who are the stakeholders? The Supreme Court judgment has affected Goa manifold. For instance, the state GDP of Goa decreased by almost 25 percent from 2011-12 to 2013-14, according to the state economic survey. However, it later picked up dramatically after mining was resumed in 2014. According to MoSPI Statistical Survey 2017, more than 2.5 lakh Goans have been affected by the closure of the mining industry. The survey noted that more than 53,000 jobs in mining, trucking and barging industry have been affected directly; the mining lease holders have obviously been affected by this shutdown. Besides, over 60,000 livelihoods dependent on mining and ancillary industries have been adversely affected. As per Budget 2018-19, the Goa state exchequer receives about 30 percent of its revenue from mining, which will amount to Rs 641 crore if 20MTs of iron ore is extracted. This dent in Goas budget will constrain funds for social welfare and health schemes. In addition, revenue from mining could be a shot in the arm for Goa as its debt has been increasing at CAGR of 11.5 per cent since 2012. Then why did the Supreme Court give this ruling? An Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) constituted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) in its 2013 report found that many mining lease holders had: (i) No approval from the National Board of Wildlife; or (ii) Indulged in excess mining; or (iii) Indulged in dump mining; or (iv) Intersected groundwater level; or (v) No clearance from the Central Ground Water Board to draw ground water; or (vi) No forest clearance. The apex court observed that the government of Goa gave second renewals to mine lease holders despite them flouting norms. In its judgment, the top court clarified that even though it had given the Goa government the authority to formulate a policy regarding granting of mining leases, the formers decision to grant second renewal was erroneous. The Supreme Court emphasized that the state government should pursue a non-discriminatory policy for disposal of natural resources and that auction by competitive bidding, including e-auction, was the best way to proceed, although not constitutionally binding. Justice Madan B Lokur, while pronouncing the verdict, held that, Therefore, in principle, the decision of the state of Goa to not auction the grant of mining leases was flawed in that it did not serve the common or public or social good but primarily assisted in filling the coffers of private entrepreneurs. Why auctioning is not a viable option? Auctions by competitive bidding Forming government corporations Change in legislation When asked about the possible solutions to this conundrum, experts suggested three options: We spoke to BJP MLA from Curchorem (mining belt in Goa), Nilesh Cabral, who introduced a Private Members Resolution in the state assembly. He said the Supreme Courts verdict on the issue was wrong, adding that the top court is not apprised of the situation of the mining industry in Goa. On being asked about the environmental concerns flagged by Justice Lokur in his judgment, he said, On what basis is the Supreme Court levelling these allegations? Justice Shahs report is already filled with discrepancies and its credibility is questionable. About depletion and contamination of groundwater in Goa, Cabral told Moneycontrol, Only 3 percent of Goas land is used for mining. It cannot affect the entire states groundwater table. Besides, Goa has about 40 percent green cover, one of the highest in the country." When asked about the Supreme Courts observation that the Goa government was working in cahoots with private players for profit optimization, he denied the allegations. He said, The government works for the people. We are elected by the people, unlike the Supreme Court, which is nominated. Cabral told us that holding fresh auctions is not a viable option as it will take 8-10 years to commence operations after auctioning. Besides, surface rights and environmental clearances will make the process cumbersome. Asserting that the laws in India vis-a-vis mining need to be updated and brought on a par with other nations, such as Australia, he said the process of holding auctions pan India has earned the government a little over Rs 1,000 crore. What is the way forward? Most stakeholders have pinned their hopes on a change in legislation as the fastest and most effective way out of the vicious legal cycle. For this purpose, Cabral introduced a Private Members resolution in the state assembly on August 3, which was approved by the government as well as the opposition. This will be followed by Parrikars visit to PM Modi on August 7. If the meetings outcome is positive, an ordinance or a legislation will be passed, hopefully before October, which is when the mining season begins in Goa, after the conclusion of monsoon. What is this amendment: Legal Fineprint The BJP government in Goa has proposed an amendment to Section 2 of the Goa, Daman and Diu (Abolition of Concession and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, 1987. The amendment is aimed at altering the retrospective date of conversion of concessions to leases from 1961 (when Goa was liberated from the Portuguese) to 1987. This amendment would extend the validity of leases from 2007 by at least 20 years. This will be read with the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, which was amended in 2015 to increase the duration of the lease to 50 years. The amendment stated that after the completion of 50 years from the date of issuance, the lease cannot be renewed for a second time and will be put up for fresh auction. A legislation incorporating these amendments will effectively overturn the Supreme Court verdict that cancelled leases of mine owners who continued mining activity after November 2007. lok sabha, Parliament ,session Two MPs from Bihar today staged protests in the Lok Sabha demanding justice for victims of the Muzaffarpur sex scandal case, claiming evidence of the crime was destroyed. As soon as the House took up the day's proceedings, Congress member Ranjeet Ranjan and RJD's Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav came to the Well protesting against the alleged sexual exploitation of young girls at the shelter home in Bihar's Muzaffarpur. The two MPs alleged that before the case was handed over to the CBI by the Bihar government, evidence was destroyed and said they wanted to raise the issue. Ranjan and Yadav were supported by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP leader Tariq Anwar besides others. However, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan told them that they can raise the issue during the Zero Hour and continued with the proceedings of the Question Hour. With this, both the MPs returned to their seats. Medical examination of 34 out of the 42 shelter home inmates have confirmed they were sexually exploited. The owner of the shelter home, run by NGO 'Seva Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti', Brajesh Thakur, is the main accused in the case. A Communist Party of China (CPC)-controlled news portal Peoples Daily, has taken down an article that stated Arunachal Pradesh was a 'state' in India and not part of south Tibet, as officially claimed by the Chinese government. The article written by an Indian journalist visiting Beijing on a Chinese government fellowship, was titled Indias old age population hits all time high since independence. The article was carried by en.people.cn, the Peoples Dailys English portal. The article posted on August 3 said, The state with the least old age people is Arunachal Pradesh, with only 4.6 per cent of its population above the age of 60. It is followed by Meghalaya at 4.7 per cent. As per a report in Hindustan Times, the article is not accessible now on the website, and the article link throws an error message. The article when published, had led to speculations if it was an error by the editorial team. of the news portal. China on its part, has never acknowledged Arunachal Pradesh, and still maintains that it is a disputed region, as it is a part of southern Tibet. Geng Shuang, ministry of foreign affairs (MFA) spokesperson at a media briefing this year said, First of all on the border issue our position is clear and consistent. We never acknowledged the existence of so called Arunachal Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Arunachal Pradesh met with heavy criticism from Beijing. "The Chinese government has never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh," Geng was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency. Devendra Fadnavis Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and discussed issues related to the state. Fadnavis said during the meeting, he apprised the PM Modi on various issues related to Maharashtra. The meeting comes in the backdrop of the ongoing agitation in Maharashtra by the Maratha community for reservation in government jobs and education. "Called on HON Pm narendra modijiin New Delhi this evening to apprise him on various issues of Maharashtra," Fadnavis tweeted. Maratha outfits have announced a fresh round of stir from August 9 in support of their demand. Last month, their protest had turned violent in different parts of the state, including Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and the Marathwada region. Fadnavis yesterday said all constitutional obligations required for granting reservation to the Maratha community in the state would be completed by November. Mehul Choksi India has handed over a request to Antigua for extradition of Mehul Choksi who is charged in connection with India's biggest banking fraud, and now living in the Caribbean nation after taking its citizenship. Official sources said a team comprising officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and other agencies was sent to Antigua a couple of days ago to request the Antiguan authorities to extradite Choksi, wanted in India in the USD 2 billion Punjab National bank scam. "The team met the Foreign Ministry officials of the Caribbean nation yesterday and handed over the request to extradite Choksi to India," an official source said. The team, led by Additional Secretary in the MEA's Consular and Passport Division here, also presented details of the case against Choksi who is one of the alleged masterminds of the scam along with his nephew Nirav Modi. As per reports, Antiguan authorities cleared Choksi's citizenship in November 2017 after India did not give any adverse report to stall his application for it. Choksi had fled India on January 4 this year and took oath of allegiance in Antigua on January 15. His citizenship was cleared in November 2017. Choksi's application for citizenship in Antigua in May 2017 was accompanied with clearance from the local police as required by norms, Antiguan newspaper the Daily Observer reported, citing a statement from the Citizenship by Investment Unit of Antigua and Barbuda (CIU). It noted the police clearance certificate (PCC) from the Regional Passport Office in Mumbai said that there was no adverse information against Choksi which would render him ineligible for grant of travel facilities including visa for Antigua and Barbuda. When asked about the PCC to Choksi, a spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs had said it was given on the basis of a clear police verification report (PVR) available on his passport that time. Under the Citizenship by Investment Program of Antigua and Barbuda, a person can take their passport on a minimum investment of USD 1,00,000 in the National Development Fund. Choksi and his companies allegedly availed credit from overseas branches of Indian banks using the fraudulent guarantees of PNB given through letters of undertaking (LoUs) and letters of credit issued by the Brady House branch which were not repaid, bringing liability on the state-run bank, the officials have said. An LoU is a guarantee given by an issuing bank to Indian banks having branches abroad to grant short-term credit to the applicant. The Jana Sena Party (JSP), led by actor politician Pawan Kalyan, has started an innovative system, named 'Red Revolution', to address public grievances. This initiative has already begun in West Godavari, Nidadavolu Constituency, Andhra Pradesh, as per a report in The Times of India. In an attempt to keep a tab on the local problems in the area, Red Revolution will empathise with the people and persuade political parties to resolve the problem. Enlightening more about the Red Revolution Kasturi Nani, Jana Sena leader of Nidadovulu constituency, said: "We are also making it mandatory to the political parties to include the issues identified by our Red Revolution team in their election manifesto. We will continue our fight till these issues are addressed adequately and get budget allocations in the annual state budget." The group of party workers of JSP are visiting every household in the village for assessing different social and economic issues. The JSP is moving forward in leaps and bounds purely based on their new initiatives. Kapu and its subsidiary communities in East and West Godavari are favouring JSP. Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) formally thanked Rahul Gandhi on Monday for his speech at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi where the Opposition was protesting against the Bihar government with regards to the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case, according to a report by NDTV. This was the first time that the JD(U) reached out to the Congress since Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar withdrew from the Grand Alliance in July 2017 to join hands with the BJP and form the government. The Grand Alliance in Bihar had consisted of the Congress, the JD(U) and Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is now the Leader of Opposition in Bihar, had initiated a mass protest at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar to discredit Kumar's government after 34 minors were reportedly raped in a state-owned shelter home in Muzaffarpur. During the protest, Yadav demanded the chief minister's resignation. The protest was joined by Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who was quoted as saying, "If Nitish Kumar is really ashamed, he should quickly take action... Prove it by your work." Senior JD(U) leader KC Tyagi told the press that Rahul's address was a "measured and balanced speech" and steered clear of personal attacks on Kumar. Tyagi added that the Bihar CM will take strict action against the perpetrators in the case and its "results will be there for everyone to see". Party sources told the news channel that Rahul avoided targeted comments at Kumar so as to send an unspoken message to him. It was also intended to indirectly rebuke Tejashwi Yadav, who skipped the Assembly session in which the issue was discussed, and was caught levelling baseless allegations. This public show of gratitude, however, seems to have earned the ire of the BJP, the JD(U)'s ally in the state. Speculations are rife of a conflict in the alliance over seat sharing in the upcoming Lok Sabha election, because of which BJP supremo Amit Shah recently visited Patna. The protest at Jantar Mantar was also joined by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nominee Dinesh Trivedi, CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI's D Raja and Atul Kumar Anjan, and Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav. Imran Khan, PTI leader, Pakistan Pakistans Prime Minister-elect Imran Khan is not the only one with his own Wikipedia page; his dogs have one too. According to a report by The Express Tribune, Khan has five dogs named Sheru, Motu, Sherni, Pidu and Maximus. The Pakistan daily newspaper contacted the online encyclopedias help desk, which explained that the dogs have attracted ample media coverage over the years and, as per Wikipedias guidelines, are eligible for their own page. Wikipedia also justified the move by comparing it to the pages of the US presidential pets. The page currently lacks information such as birth dates, age, and biological details but Wikipedia added that after Khan assumes his position as PM, the dogs will draw more attention from the public and media and the page will get more detailed. Till now, the dogs have mainly featured in the media due to their connections to Khans marriages. In 2015, Daily Mail reported that a row over Maximus, a Belgian shepherd, was the reason for Imran Khan divorcing his second wife Reham Khan. In April 2018, ANI reported that the dogs were again the reason for Khans split from third wife Bushra Manek. Last year, Wikipedia deleted pages belonging to Bakhtawar and Asifa Bhutto-Zardari due to the fact that notability is not inherited. However, Khans dogs seem to have enjoyed more media coverage than late PM Benazir Bhuttos daughters. According to a report by Geo TV, Khan recently reiterated that Sheru, an Alsatian, had passed away three to four years ago. Sheru was a gift from former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. A three-judge bench will now hear the matter on August 27. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday deferred its hearing on a batch of petitions challenging the validity of Article 35-A of the Constitution that provides special status to the State of Jammu and Kashmir while hinting that it will consider whether the Article is violative of the basic structure of Constitution. A three-judge bench will now hear the matter on August 27. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice A.M. Kanwilkar adjourned the hearing observing that being a three-judge matter it could not be heard in the absence of Justice D.Y. Chandrachud who was on leave on Monday. One of the petitioner challenging Article 35-A is Charu WaliKhanna, a Kashmiri Hindu belonging to the Pandit community who married outside the state, who has questioned the validity of the article that grants permanent residents in Kashmir special rights and privileges. Those who are not permanent residents do not have the right to buy property in Kashmir, work for the state government or vote in local elections and avail state-sponsored scholarship. A lawyer herself, Ms WaliKhanna said she decided to file the petition because the article, passed by a presidential order in 1954, runs counter to Indias inheritance laws giving women equal rights, and the constitutional right to equality. The CJI told attorney-general K.K. Venugopal and additional solicitor-general Tushar Mehta, who appeared for J&K government, that first a three-judge bench needs to determine whether this matter is required to be referred to a five-judge bench to examine whether Article 35-A violated the basic structure of Constitution. The CJI was reacting to the submissions of the AG and the ASG when they sought adjournment of hearing on the ground that Panchayat election process is underway. As Mr Mehta submitted that J&K is virtually shut down because of the hearing of this matter, the CJI observed, Article 35-A was not introduced in the Constitution yesterday. This challenge comes after 60 years. We will hear petitioners, the A-G and to some extent J&K government, which had a minimal role. The state government justified the provision and said that Article 35-A had become a permanent feature of the Indian Constitution and that the 1954 Presidenial Order granting special rights to permanent residents of the state has been recognised, accepted and acted upon since its enactment and cannot be challenged now. The matter was raised in a public interest litigation (PIL) in 2014 by a Delhi-based NGO We the citizens, against the continuance of the special rights of the states residents. The PILs sought Article 35-A to be declared unconstitutional, contending that the President could not have amended the Constitution by the 1954 order and it was supposed to be a temporary provision. They contended that the J&K government, under the guise of Article 35-A and Article 370, which grants special autonomous status to the state, has been discriminating against non-residents. It was submitted by some petitioners that more than 4,000 people who belong to the second, third and fourth generation of those who had moved from Gurdaspur and Amritsar in Punjab to settle in the Jammu region were suffering due to alleged discrimination. The petitioners were born in the J&K and since their birth they have been permanently residing and living in the state but they have been denied the right to seek admission in state-funded higher technical educational institutions and apply for government jobs. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed today that the United States would "enforce the sanctions" it is reimposing against Iran after President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear pact. As of 9.31 am IST on Tuesday, the Iran government can no longer buy US banknotes and broad sanctions will be slapped on Iranian industries, including its rug exports. Asked if Tehran would be able to evade the measures, Pompeo told journalists "the United States is going to enforce the sanctions," speaking en route to Washington after attending a security forum in Singapore. Pompeo said heaping pressure on Tehran was meant to "push back against Iranian malign activity," saying Iranians "are unhappy with the failure of their own leadership to deliver the economic promises that their leadership promised them." "The Iranian people are not happy, not with the Americans but with their own leadership," he said. "This is just about Iranians' dissatisfaction with their own government, and the President is pretty clear, we want the Iranian people to have a strong voice in who their leadership will be." The US walked out of the 2015 nuclear deal in May and is bringing back "maximum pressure" sanctions for most sectors on August 6, and the energy sector on November 4. BJP supporters celebrate outside the party headquarters in Delhi on Tuesday (PTI) As part of its strategy for the 2019 polls, BJP in Uttar Pradesh has started collecting data about Other Backward Class (OBC) and Scheduled Caste (SC) population in the state, along with the number of maths and ashrams. As reported by The Times of India, UP has about 1.6 lakh polling booths, and the BJP has now ensured every booth has at least 21 members who include one president, two vice-presidents, one general secretary and booth level agents. It is now compulsory to appoint two SC and women in the booth. Every booth is given separate codes, depending on constituencies favouring BJP. In order to strengthen Hindu votes, BJP state unit has shared a form with its 1.4 lakh booth level-in-charges, in an attempt to get complete information about the Hindu temples, its locations, their spiritual leaders and the means to contact them. The booth agents will also seek information about distinguished people of every locality and the information is passed on to higher authorities. JPS Rathore, vice-president of state BJP, said: "Booth selection committee meeting will be held between August 16 and August 25. the booth management committee will prepare a dedicated team of around 29 lakh workers and nearly 11 lakh will be prepared at block and district levels." Confirming their approach Sunil Bansal, organisation secretary, said: "Information is being collected to form an effective strategy for the 2019 polls." live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Utility vehicle specialist Mahindra & Mahindra has termed Fiat Chryslers (FCA) allegations as baseless while also stating that is has the right to manufacture and sell the Roxor off-roader in the US. We understand that a complaint has been filed by FCA with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) against M&M. Mahindra has not yet been served with the complaint and we prefer not to comment at length on the dispute at this time. However, we have reviewed FCAs core filing and find it to be without merit," said the Mumbai-based company. On August 1, FCA US LLC filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission alleging violations of section 337 of Tariff Act 1930 in which it claims that Mahindras off-road utility vehicle Roxor is a copy of the Jeep design IP owned by FCA. The Roxor is a derivative of Mahindra vehicles distributed in those markets. Based on these agreements and our history, we believe that FCAs claims are baseless and Mahindra is well within its rights to both manufacture and distribute the ROXOR off-road vehicle", Mahindra added. Mahindras relationship with Fiat Chrysler began in the 1940s with the original agreement with Willys and continues to this day, with the most recent agreement executed with FCA (then Chrysler Group LLC) in 2009, claims M&M. Our actions, products, and product distribution (including Roxor) both honor the legacy of the relationship and the terms of our agreements with FCA. Mahindra has been co-existing with FCA (and the Jeep brand) for over 25 years in India and in many other countries, added M&M. FCA has appealed to authorities to bring an immediate halt to all sales and marketing activities of the Mahindra Roxor in the US while calling it unlawful and unauthorized. FCAs predecessors did have prior dealings with Mahindra India, granting Mahindra India limited contractual rights to manufacture and/or sell Jeep branded components and products in India beginning in the 1940s. And none of those contracts at any time granted Mahindra India (or any other Mahindra entity) ownership rights over Jeep brand-related intellectual property. Nor did any of these past agreements grant any rights to manufacture, sell, or advertise vehicles, such as the Accused Products, incorporating the Jeep IP in the United States, FCA had said it is filing with the US authorities. The Baleno was not too far behind its cousin the Swift, but fell short by a few thousands. The Baleno sold close to 2 lakh units last year. As many as 25,000 Maruti Suzuki Baleno premium hatchbacks will be supplied each year to Toyota Motor Corporation for sale, making it the first cross-badged product of the two auto makers, according to a report by Mint. Toyota will be selling the Baleno units through its own dealership network starting from the first quarter of the next fiscal year, the report suggests. The model is currently manufactured at Suzukis factory in Gujarat. The car will undergo minor changes to its interiors and exteriors, including head lamps, tail lamps and front grille before being delivered to Toyota, the report adds. A person aware of the development told the newspaper, The decision has already been taken by both the headquarters in Japan and the first vehicle to be launched will be Baleno. The changes to be made have already been approved as well and both the companies have already decided on the number of vehicles to be supplied, the person added. Launched in 2015, Baleno has an average monthly sale of around 15,000, the report adds. Moneycontrol had reported in March that Maruti Suzuki will launch a battery-run electric car in 2020, which will be developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation under an alliance announced in 2017. According to the alliance, both companies will sell each others products in India. The report suggests that Suzuki will later supply Vitara Brezza to Toyota at a later stage. In return, Toyota will supply its Corolla sedan to Maruti Suzuki. The car will be sold through Marutis dealer network. Renault-Nissan Alliance and Volkswagen-Skoda have attempted a similar cross-badged product line in the past. Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano, Volkswagen Vento and Skoda Rapid were part of similar strategies. Answer: Google Six members of the US Senate have questioned Google in a letter, regarding its rumoured move to introduce a censored search engine in China. The US Senators questioned the rationale behind the move and asked if Google is partnering with Tencent in order to re-enter the Chinese market. In 2010, Google had shut shop in China after Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists had been accessed using phishing, before which the company was running a censored version of its search engine. These attacks and the surveillance they have uncovered combined with the attempts over the past year to further limit free speech on the web have led us to conclude that we should review the feasibility of our business operations in China, Google had said at that time. The senators asked what had changed between that time and now which prompted Google to re-enter the Chinese market. It is a coup for the Chinese Government and Communist Party to force Google the biggest search engine in the world to comply with their onerous censorship requirements, and sets a worrying precedent for other companies seeking to do business in China without compromising their core values, the senators said. Furthermore the senate members asked if Google would give up a users search history if demanded by the Chinese government, in the letter. The letter was signed by both Democratic and Republican senators including Marco Rubio and Cory Gardner. Earlier, reports had revealed that Google was working on a censored search engine called project Dragonfly for China, in the wake of the antitrust fine in Europe which meant that the company wouldnt be able to pre-install their search agent on Android phones. Private equity giant TPG Capital is in talks with data analytics firm Mu Sigma for a stake sale, with the Bengaluru-and-Chicago based company valued at $1.2 billion. The Times of India reported that negotiations are at an early stage, and a complete exit for the present shareholders is not out of the question. Mu Sigma founder Dhiraj Rajaram, Sequoia Capital, and General Atlantic Partners are the major stakeholders in the company. Mu Sigma, which has offices in 10 countries, aids large corporations in making informed decisions by processing data on a wide range of metrics relating to their businesses. TPG and Mu Sigma are holding talks directly without the involvement of investment banks. The final contours of the deal are yet to materialize, but TPG is reportedly eager to snap up stake in the data analytics firm. Mu Sigma was founded in 2004, and has posted significant growth hence. However, the company companys efforts at expansion hit a roadblock in 2016, after corporate restructuring necessitated by Rajarams divorce from his wife, Ambiga Subramanian. She stepped down from her position as CEO and sold her stake for $170 million. The duo collectively held 48 percent stake in Mu Sigma, with each having 24 percent each. Other shareholders also jumped ship. Mastercard, which was an investor, sold the entirety of its stake, while Sequoia Capital and General Atlantic partially reduced their holdings. Mu Sigma was valued at $900 million at the time of the stake sale in 2016. Following the transaction, Rajarams stake in the company went up to 52 percent. Rajaram graduated from the College of Engineering in Guindy, Chennai, before doing an MBA from the Booth School of Business, Chicago. He founded Mu Sigma in 2004, after a stint at Booz Allen Hamilton, the consulting firm where Edward Snowden worked prior to leaking documents incriminating the United States government in its global surveillance programme. Big data companies have seen a spurt in growth in recent years, as large corporations seek to optimize their businesses using data-driven decision making. However, many data firms have struggled to upscale operations. A takeover by TPG could further Mu Sigmas avenues for growth since it could gain access to other firms which are a part of the formers global portfolio. It was reported by the Times of India that existing investors like Sequoia and General Atlantic will take the cue from Rajaram in exiting Mu Sigma. A fund infusion by Mastercard in 2013 had valued the company at $1.5 billion, almost 14 times its revenue for that year. However, management changes following the exit of Subramanian and Mastercard, have tempered the companys valuation. Its revenues have also slowed in the interim. Rajaram told Mint in September 2017 that Mu Sigmas revenue was expected to exceed $180 million in 2017. This implies that TPGs $1.2 billion valuation is roughly seven times the companys revenue for 2017. In the last 5 years, Oman has witnessed over 23% growth in Indian arrivals. In 2016, Oman received 297,628 Indian arrivals as compared to 256,210 arrivals in 2014. That makes it an over 16% growth in two years. In 2017, Oman has received remarkably higher Indian arrivals at 321,161, showcasing growth of over 7.90% in just one year. This is a clear indication that people in India prefer Oman over many others be it for leisure travel or business meetings. The exotic and historic Oman offers the most authentic Arabian experience to its visitors. As the Middle Eastern destination is gaining immense popularity, Oman is now aiming to expand the horizons in terms of travel and tourism experiences for family, solo travelers, women travelers as well as MICE (Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions). But what makes Oman so lucrative to Indian business travelers? Lets dig in. Visa policy For any countrys tourism to flourish, the key word is visa leniency and thats what Oman has mastered really well. And how easy is the visa policy? Well, it might not be a breeze, but if you have valid visas for the United States of America, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan and Schengen States, you are in. Otherwise, having valid documents wont deter you from getting entry into the sultanate. Connectivity Oman Air is connected via direct flights from major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Kochi, Goa, Jaipur, Kochi, Calicut and Trivandrum. Apart from that, Air India, Jet Airways, SpiceJet and IndiGo also fly from various cities of India. Why is MICE tourism on the rise? There has been an increase in MICE tourism with the recent launch of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat. Well whats that? This convention Centre supports international and local organizations in hosting large events. Also, many new international hotel chains that have recently opened in Oman have increased the number of rooms and venues in the country. Oman being a short-haul destination from India, with excellent air connectivity from major Indian cities, world class hotels and easy availability of Indian food, is also becoming a preferred wedding destination in the big, fat Indian wedding market. So where to go in Oman? If you need to get that meeting done yet kindle the traveler in you, Muscat would be your best bet. Muscat being the capital of Oman is the hub for most businesses. Also the new Muscat International airport has increased passenger capacity to 20 million- up from the previous 12 million passengers recorded in 2017. Beyond Muscat Its not just Muscat, drive down to the Jabal Akhdar Mountain for a great experience among the high mountain range. The Jebel is mostly inhabited by the ancient Arab tribe Bani Riyam. The area is about a 45-minute drive from Nizwa and is known for its traditional rose water extraction. Accommodation Yes, for business travelers, accommodation is one of the most important part. Not just a good stay, the travelers want some good incentives as well. Fret not, there is Shangri-Las Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, the Al Bustan Palace- a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Grand Hyatt Muscat, Kempinski Hotel Muscat, Crowne Plaza Muscat, Sheraton Oman hotel, which are preferred by this lot. Most of U.S. conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's podcasts from his right-wing media platform Infowars have been removed from Apple's iTunes and podcast apps, the media news website BuzzFeed quoted a company spokesman as saying on Sunday. The move by Apple is the most sweeping of a recent crackdown on Jones's programs by Facebook and other online sites that have suspended or removed some of his conspiracy-driven content. Apple told Buzzfeed that it has removed the entire library for five of Jones's six Infowars podcasts including the shows "War Room" and the daily "The Alex Jones Show". Only one program provided by Infowars, "RealNews with David Knight" remained on Apple's platforms on Sunday, according to media accounts. An Apple spokesperson was not available for comment early on Monday. In other recent actions against Jones, Facebook suspended the radio and Internet host's personal profile for 30 days in late July from Facebook's site for what the company said was bullying and hate speech. Also, Spotify, a music and podcast streaming company, removed some specific episodes of Jones's programs last week. "We take reports of hate content seriously and review any podcast episode or song that is flagged by our community," a spokesperson said late on Sunday. "Spotify can confirm it has removed specific episodes of aThe Alex Jones Show podcast for violating our hate content policy," the spokesperson said. Since founding Infowars in 1999, Jones has built a vast audience. Among the theories he has promoted is that the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington were staged by the government. He has also promoted a theory that the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre was faked by left-wing forces to promote gun control. The shooting left 26 children and adults dead at a Connecticut elementary school. Jones is currently being sued in Texas by two Sandy Hook parents, seeking at least $1 million, claiming that they have been the subject of harassment driven by his programs. Neither Jones nor a representative for Infowars were available early on Monday for comment. Pervez Musharraf A special court in Pakistan hearing the treason charges against former dictator Pervez Musharraf has scheduled the hearing of the high-profile case on August 20, according to a media report. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had filed the treason case against the ex-army chief General (retd) Musharraf over the imposition of extra-constitutional emergency in November 2007. The bench that will hear the case will be headed by Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Muhammad Yawar Ali, Geo News reported. Musharraf, 74, who is currently residing in Dubai, has refused to return to Pakistan citing security reasons. The three-judge special court will hear the high treason case against Pakistan's president on August 20, the report said. Last month, lawyer Akram Sheikh stepped down as the head of the prosecution team tasked by the government in 2013 to prosecute Musharraf. Sheikh was appointed as the head of the prosecution in the case, by the then-PML-N led government. Musharraf, the former army chief, was indicted in the case in March 2014 after he appeared before the court and rejected all charges. On March 18, 2016, he left Pakistan for Dubai for medical treatment after his name was removed from the Exit Control List on the orders of the Supreme Court. A few months later, a special court had declared him a proclaimed offender and ordered the confiscation of his property owing to his no-show. Later, on the orders of the Supreme Court, Musharraf's passport and identity card were also cancelled since he failed to return to the country despite giving him a last chance. The legal experts believe that the treason case is a test for the upcoming government of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as one of the reasons of civil-military tussle was that the PML-N government had initiated the case against the former army chief. The PTI chief had vowed in November 2007 that his party would initiate proceedings against Musharraf over his unconstitutional acts but it has also been witnessed that the PTI has remained silent over the issue in the recent past. No 1 | United States of America | Contribution: $115.8 million | Wealth: $105.99 trillion (Image: Reuters) A 50-year-old Sikh man was beaten up multiple times by two white men who yelled racial slurs that "You're not welcome here!, Go back to your country!" in the US state of California, prompting police to investigate the "heinous" hate crime, authorities said. The incident happened last week near the intersection of Keyes and Foote roads in California as the man was putting up campaign signs alone along a rural stretch on the outskirts of Keyes, the police was quoted as saying by The Sacramento Bee. Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said the assault is being investigated as a hate crime. "This is a random despicable criminal act against a member of the Sikh community," Christianson said. Sheriff Sergeant Tom Letras said the 50-year-old victim was placing signs for local candidates when two white men wearing black hooded sweatshirts ambushed him and beat him to the ground. He was struck multiple times as the assailants screamed, "You're not welcome here!" and "Go back to your country!" They then spray painted his truck, Letras said. "This is a heinous crime and we are aggressively investigating it," Letras said. The victim required medical attention so an ambulance was called and he treated on scene for cuts and other wounds. According to a Facebook post, the man was beaten on the head with a rod. But he escaped major injury because of his turban, which is traditionally worn by Sikh men, the report added. Also, the post shared an image of the pickup truck, which was spray painted in large black letters with the words "Go back to ur country" alongside a Celtic cross. The image is a well-known white supremacist symbol, according to the Anti-Defamation League which tracks anti-Semitic and other hate crimes across the country, the report added. The department is looking for help identifying the suspects or witnesses to the crime. The incident is considered an assault with a deadly weapon and hate crime. The victim's identity is not being released at this time, Letras added. Hate crimes against the Sikh community have raised alarm in the Central Valley numerous times over the years. After 9/11, a spate of local crimes against Sikh people were attributed to misplaced anti-Muslim bigotry. The valley has one of the largest and oldest Sikh populations in the US. The first Sikh temple, or gurdwara, in America opened in Stockton in 1912. There are an estimated 500,000 Sikhs in the US and 25 million worldwide making it the fifth most popular religion. Earlier, The Sikh Coalition, a national Sikh advocacy and civil rights group, issued a statement saying they were seeing a "new wave of hate crimes" against the Sikh community. It reported that Sikhs in the US are experiencing an average of one hate crime per week since the start of 2018. More than 1.3 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes and around 50 million are severely injured. The newly-adopted 2030 agenda for sustainable development has set an ambitious target of halving the global number of deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes by 2020. Without sustained action, road traffic crashes are predicted to become the seventh leading cause of death by 2030. More than 1.3 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes and around 50 million are severely injured. Out of 10 lives lost in traffic, nine are lost in low and middle-income countries even though these countries have approximately 54 per cent of the worlds vehicles only. India is one of the signatories of the Brasilia Declaration, which is a call to rethink transportation policies and highlights strategies to ensure the safety of all road users, particularly by improving laws and enforcement. However in India, an average of 1.5 lakh people die in a year. The Central and state governments need to be accountable for this sorry state of affairs because of the weak law and poor enforcement of the same. Strengthening the Law Strengthening the law is the first step in the right direction. Motor Vehicle (Amendment) (MVA) Bill 2017 is important due to radical changes in the law, which is 30 years old. It proposes high penalties for various traffic offences, three-year jail for parents of minor drivers causing fatal accidents, compulsory insurance cover to all road users etc. This amendment bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2016, is proposing 68 amendments, out of which 23 are related to road safety. Provision for Good Samaritans Fifty per cent of those who killed in road accidents could have been saved, if they could have been rendered timely assistance. A World Health Organisation (WHO) report says that skilled and empowered bystanders play a crucial role in saving lives and in order to enable bystanders to come forward and help injured persons, a supportive legal and ethical environment is needed. The Supreme Court in March 2016 approved the guidelines issued by the Centre for the protection of good samaritans from being unnecessarily harassed by police or any other authority. However, these guidelines were not implemented effectively at the state level and the police force needs to get used to these guidelines. MVA Bill, 2017 have incorporated a section on good samaritans, which clearly defines the roles, responsibilities and protective measures for good samaritans, gives some ray of hope. Concerns of the States The MVA Bill, 2017 is presently before the Rajya Sabha. After introducing in Lok Sabha, the bill had under gone elaborate review by Parliamentary Standing Committee on transport, tourism and culture, which submitted its report in February 2017 and the Lok Sabha passed the bill in April 2017 without much discussion. Later when the bill was placed in the Rajya Sabha, several states and opposition political parties expressed their concerns about certain provisions of the bill. Hence, it was referred to a Rajya Sabha select committee to addr-ess the concerns. Some are concerned about section 66A and 88A of the amendment bill, which empower Centre to form National Transportation Policy and for establishing a framework for grant of transport permits. Some other concerns raised were about taking away the licensing powers from regional transport authorities, centralising the collection of transport related taxes by the Central government etc. Southern states have also collectively objected to some of the provisions, such as doing away with the minimum educational qualification for driving license applicants, ceiling of insurers liability, exempting private vehicles under mandatory automated fitness testing etc. Some political parties opined that the bill, subverted the principle of federalism by seeking to abrogate powers of the state government relating to road transport. Now or Never Will the bill see the light of the day? Though the select committee did elaborate consultation process with all the key stakeholders for more than four months, finally it submitted the report to the Rajya Sabha, without proposing any amendment to the bill passed by the Lok Sabha, on the assurance of the transport minister Nitin Gadkari that all concerns will be addressed on the floor of the house, when the bill will be taken up for discussions. Ministers logic was that it can save time, without sending the further amended bill back to Lok Sabha again. But finally when the bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on July 23, the minister, who is having the image as the champion of road safety and committed to amend the bill, was missing in Rajya Sabha. This annoyed the Oppos-ition benches. In the abse-nce of the Cabinet minister, minister of state (MoS) for transport Mansukh L. Mandaviya introduced the bill in Rajya Sabha. Thou-gh there were consensuses on the provisions related to road safety, during the discussions in Rajya Sabha, most of the MPs, who spoke from Oppo-sition political parties, have expressed their objections to dilution of the states powers. Half way the discussion was abandoned, since the minister was not present to hear the discussions, which is very unfortunate. Now, it is the time for the transport minister Nitin Gadkari to fulfil the assurance given to members of the select committee, address concerns and save the bill. Though minister had agreed for informal consultations with various political parties to iron out the differences, even after two weeks, no discussion had taken place, and hence created a new deadlock. Until and unless the minister takes the initiative, it is doubtful whether Rajya Sabha will again take up the bill for discussion in this session. We earnestly hope that Mr Gadkari will take charge of the things and ensure its smooth passage in this session of the Parliament itself with the support of all political parties, in the interest of thousands of common people, who are dying on Indian roads. If it doesnt happen, it is for sure, this bill will not get passed during the present tenure of the government, since the entire county is moving towards an election mode. This bill is facing a situation of now or never. Let us hope that it will see light of the day. George Cheriyan is director and Madhu Sudan Sharma is a senior programme officer at CUTS International, a global public policy research and advocacy group The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) - UK's admissions monitoring body - issued an apology to over 4,000 students after mistakenly informing them that they had been accepted to study at a university in Newcastle. The students described the experience as 'heart-wrenching' when informed that the message sent by UCAS was a mistake. According to a report in The Independent, the UCAS, promoting their Fusion Student Housing, sent a message to the affected students that read, You have been accepted at University and you will be studying at Newcastle next year-Congratulations!. The declaration made by the UK-based organisation, which is responsible for the application process for British universities, came before the A-level results. Most students do not know where they will be studying until their A-level results are out in mid-August. According to one of the students who received the mail, Tom Winetroube (17), UCAS caused unnecessary distress to the anxious students waiting for the results that hold the key to their future and could make or break their future academic plans. He said as per a report by The Times that the email meant he had failed to make it into Leeds University to study journalism as that was his first choice. This caused me to feel a bit disappointed because being told that Id been accepted to my second choice insinuated to me that I hadnt got into my first choice." UCAS too released a statement saying, About 4,100 students awaiting their exam results received an email from UCAS which incorrectly said they had been accepted to study in Newcastle. Our mistake was quickly spotted, and a follow-up email to apologise was sent that afternoon. All students can log into Track to see the latest information on their application. Image courtesy: Pixabay Police say 11 children ages one to 15 were rescued in the US state of New Mexico after officers raided a dilapidated compound occupied by armed men of "extremist" belief. Two men were arrested after police found them and the children in what one officer called "the saddest living conditions and poverty I have seen," as part of the operation connected to a months-long search for an abducted three-year-old, according to New Mexico's Taos County sheriff's office. The investigation kicked off late last year on the opposite side of the country in Jonesboro, Georgia, where 39-year-old Siraj Wahhaj of the state's Clayton County was accused of kidnapping his toddler -- who was ultimately not found. The boy's mother told police her child, who she said suffered from seizures along with developmental and cognitive delays, went to the park with his father Wahhaj last December and never returned. On August 2, Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe of Taos County in New Mexico issued a search warrant describing "a makeshift compound surrounded by tires and an earthen berm" in a subdivision in the rural community of Amalia, where Wahhaj along with adult Lucas Morten were thought to be in hiding. The FBI had provided information and surveillance on the spot but "didn't feel there was enough probable cause to get on the property," Hogrefe said. "That all changed for me when a message was forwarded to us from a Georgia Detective that we reasonably believed came from someone at the compound -- the message sent to a third party simply said in part 'we are starving and need food and water,'" the sheriff said in a statement. "I absolutely knew that we couldn't wait on another agency to step up and we had to go check this out as soon as possible." The sheriff described planning "a tactical approach for our own safety because we had learned the occupants were most likely heavily armed and considered extremist of the Muslim belief." On the morning of August 3, a dozen officers kicked off the "all day" operation, discovering hidden beneath New Mexico's scrubland the two men with an AR-15 rifle, five loaded 30-round magazines and four loaded pistols, including one in Wahhaj's pocket. The men had refused to follow verbal direction, police said, who added the raid went without major incident or injuries even as Wahhaj needed to be "taken down." Police found many more ammo rounds in the ramshackle hideout, they said, which they described as "a small travel trailer buried in the ground covered by plastic with no water, plumbing, or electricity." "The only food we saw were a few potatoes and a box of rice in the filthy trailer," Hogrefe said. "But what was most surprising, and heartbreaking was when the team located a total of five adults and 11 children that looked like third world country refugees." "Not only with no food or fresh water, but with no shoes, personal hygiene and basically dirty rags for clothing." Morten was charged with harbouring a fugitive and Wahhaj was booked without bond on his Georgia warrant for child abduction. Three women thought to be parents of the children -- who are now in protective custody -- were also detained for questioning. They were released pending further investigation. A hoax going around online has fooled some women into rubbing toothpaste on their breasts in hopes of making them bigger... Yup, you read that right! A YouTuber known as Naturalbeauty556 claims that rubbing a mixture of toothpaste, plain floor, egg whites, and grated cucumber will increase the size of your breasts in just 5 days. It's no surprise that experts were quick to dispel the theory. Christopher Inglefield, from the London Bridge Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Clinic told Metro that their was no evidence to support the YouTubers claims "This bizarre advice simply preys on the many women who are unhappy with the size of their breasts and who might resort to bizarre 'miracle fixes' to find a solution to their problem." "Sadly, like a lot of guidance on the internet, the vaseline and toothpaste method of breast augmentation is fake news and pure online quackery. Your breasts may end up smelling minty fresh, but its highly unlikely there will be any growth." Unsurpisingly, those who tried it out were left feeling duped. "I tried it every night, like an idiot, had my boyfriend looking at me like, 'what is she doing?'" one person wrote. "The YouTube videos said itd increase and maximise breast tissue. No it did not do that at all! Dont be like me." The upside for people who may have been fooled into trying this, is that the only side effect is feeling silly for a day or two after realising it didn't work. Another online disruptor has launched in its first market hoping to take a bite out of real estate brokers businesses. ShowPal has chosen the Greater Des Moines area as its debut market offering home sellers the ability to list their homes for sale with no commission fees to pay. In line with most other new-model real estate firms, ShowPal sellers instead pay a sign-up fee followed by a flat-fee when their home sells. Citizens Financial Group has announced that its Citizens Bank unit has completed its purchase of certain net assets of Franklin American Mortgage, a national mortgage servicing and origination firm. Following the transaction, Citizens triples the size of its off-balance-sheet mortgage portfolio to about $65.3 billion from $21.6 billion. Including the companys on-balance-sheet portfolio, Citizens now has a total servicing portfolio of approximately $83.1 billion. The transaction includes mortgage servicing rights valued at approximately $600 million. Eric Schuppenhauer, president of home mortgage at Citizens, will lead the combined mortgage business. Scott Tansil, CFO and COO of Franklin American Mortgage, will lead the correspondent and wholesale origination businesses headquartered in Franklin, Tenn. Sources in both parties confirmed while there have been some discussions about their candidature, nothing has been finalised. New Delhi: Taking the Opposition by surprise, vice-president M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday announced elections to the post of Rajya Sabha deputy chairman on August 9, with JD(U) member Harivansh Narain Singh emerging as the candidate of the ruling NDA. Quickly grouping after the announcement, the Opposition parties met on Monday evening and decided to contest the poll. Sources told this newspaper that parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar and MoS Vijay Goel met certain Opposition leaders on the OBC Commission Bill, which was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Monday, and during this meeting informed them they were thinking of fielding Mr Singh as the ruling sides candidate. While the Opposition leaders, including those from like-minded parties like the Congress, Trinamul Congress, RJD, DMK, TDP, CPI(M), CPI, BSP, SP and others, did not confirm that any names of possible candidates were discussed, it is learnt that the names of DMKs Tiruchi Siva and NCPs Vandana Chavan are being considered. Sources in both parties confirmed while there have been some discussions about their candidature, nothing has been finalised. Top Congress sources said that as of now even a Congress candidate could not be ruled out. It all depends on the winnability. We are open to a candidate from any party, a source said. Besides nominated and independent members affiliated to it, the BJP is banking on the support of 13, nine, six and two members of the AIADMK, BJD, TRS and YSR Congress respectively, its floor managers said. If all four back the NDA candidate, the numbers add up to 126. However, as there is no whip for voting for the election of the deputy chair and the polls are held through secret ballot, speculation is rife that there might be cross-voting from both sides. Opposition sources said they were hoping to split the AIADMK which has 13 members. Similarly, there might also be pressure on some Samajwadi Party MPs to vote with the NDA. The last date for filing of nominations is Wednesday, August 8. Also, the BJD, which had walked out during the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, might abstain this time too to remain equidistant from both the BJP and the Congress. In this scenario, the winning margin will come down and help the Opposition side. On similar lines, the TDPs C.M. Ramesh got elected to the Public Accounts Committee by a huge margin on Monday, defeating the JD(U)s Harivansh Singh. While Mr Ramesh got 106 votes, the BJPs Bhupendra Yadav got 69 and Mr Singh got 26 votes. Many Opposition leaders said this augurs well for the Rajya Sabha deputy chairs election. Another theory doing the rounds was that the NDAs troublesome ally, Shiv Sena, might muddy the waters by fielding Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral as its candidate, defying the BJP and the Opposition parties to support him as a consensus candidate. But whether this will be a winnable formula or a just a bid to embarrass the government remains debatable. A Pennsylvania man is headed to federal prison for five years for scamming mortgage lenders out of nearly $13 million. George Barnard, 47, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of fraud, according to the US Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In addition to his prison sentence, Barnard was ordered to pay restitution of $12,774,941.89 and forfeit $4,262,279.38 in proceeds from the fraud. According to authorities, between 2005 and 2013, Barnard one of the two owners of Capital Financial Mortgage Corporation (CFMC) and the owner of several title companies scammed banks out of almost $13 million. Instead of using the money to fund mortgage loans for borrowers or pay off borrowers existing mortgages, Barnard took the money for himself, using it to by yachts, luxury cars, and multimillion-dollar beach homes. Barnard even used the ill-gotten money to pay the salary of a yacht captain, according to the US Attorneys Office. New Mexico State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn is no stranger to fights with Texas over cross-border resource extraction and transport. See, for instance, the summer 2017 "dirt bandit" episode in which his office sought payment from Hudspeth County for dirt, sand and gravel dug up by a crew maintaining the roadway along the state line near Dell City. But the commissioner's latest conflict with the Lone Star State -- over the oilfield water trade -- potentially impacts billions of dollars in annual oilfield activity and could imperil New Mexico's budgetary health. In a June interview with the Texas Tribune, Dunn fired a broadside, stating that "Texas is stealing New Mexico's water. ... If you put a whole bunch of straws in Texas and you don't have any straws in New Mexico, you're sucking all the water from under New Mexico out in Texas and then selling it back to New Mexico." But are cross-border water sales really "theft" and do they actually harm New Mexican state interests? Established federal law on cross-border groundwater transfers and a substantial body of economic data both suggest the answer is a clear "no." To the contrary, oilfield water imported from Texas supports New Mexico's state budget by allowing more and bigger fracs -- and thus higher levels of oil and gas production -- than would be possible with local water supplies alone. The state of New Mexico reaped more than $1.7 billion in fees, royalties, and taxes from oil and gas activity in fiscal year 2017, enough funds to cover about 30 percent of the state's operating budget during that period. Most of New Mexico's drilling and production activity takes place in Eddy and Lea counties --precisely where operators source frac water from landowners on the Texas side. They import water from Texas wells because New Mexico's restrictions on groundwater extraction make water supplies tight and expensive as drilling activity rises and fracs get bigger. Indeed, a record-high 101 rigs now run in Eddy and Lea counties, and many fracs in the area now use more than 500,000 barrels of water per well. FracFocus data for oil & gas wells in Lea and Eddy counties show usage of about 64 million barrels of water during New Mexico's 2017 fiscal year (1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017). While it is very difficult to precisely quantify the relationship between water used in fracs and the volumes of oil and gas produced statewide during a given time period, the implication is clear: Each barrel of water used in the New Mexico oilfield generates dollars in positive economic impact. In contrast, irrigating crops such as alfalfa in Southeast New Mexico yields just a few cents of economic value per barrel of water used. These value differences mean using a smaller amount of water in the oilfield can yield large economic benefits. Indeed, my research suggests a single pad drilling development with more than 30 long-lateral wells that could yield hundreds of millions in economic impact uses a bit more than half the volume of water needed to irrigate 1,000 acres of alfalfa for a single growing season in the Pecos River Valley. Many New Mexico farmers already have voted with their plows and pocketbooks on this issue -- as the legion of fallowed fields near Carlsbad and Loving attests. Using as much (or in many cases, less) water than they pumped to irrigate crops, these "frac farmers" are transforming their personal fortunes, but also generating a tax and royalty bounty for Santa Fe far beyond what they could produce from traditional farming. As a banker himself, Dunn should recognize the upside of allowing water to be imported from Texas and facilitate oil and gas development that generates thousands of high-paying jobs in Southeast New Mexico and pours money into New Mexico's budget. It's high time to step back and remember that short-term political rhetoric and interstate rivalry are no substitute for sound, fact-based policy. Midland native Gabriel Collins is an attorney and water and commodity expert at the Baker Institute for Public Policy's Center for Energy Studies at Rice University. Creators of the YouVersion Bible App Celebrate Launch of New App, Bible Lens YouVersion Bible Lens climbs to #2 of all free apps in the first weekend OKLAHOMA CITY, Aug. 6, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- This week, the creators of the YouVersion Bible App are celebrating the release of their newest app called Bible Lens. The free app matches relevant Bible verses with a person's photos and automatically creates visually appealing, sharable artwork. Bible Lens launched Saturday, Aug. 4. Within the first weekend, the app reached more than 265,000 installs, earning it the number one ranking in the App Store's Lifestyle category and number two of all free apps. "As technologies emerge and create new possibilities, it's important to us that the Bible be at the forefront of innovation," said Bobby Gruenewald, Life.Church Pastor, Innovation Leader and YouVersion Founder. "We believe Bible Lens will make it easier for people to see connections between the Bible and their everyday lives, and we're encouraged by the number of people who have shown an interest in engaging with the Bible in this way." Using a form of artificial intelligence known as machine vision, Bible Lens analyzes content in a photo like objects, backgrounds, colors, and more to identify themes. Then the app searches the YouVersion database for the most relevant Bible verse to suggest to the user. With software that balances design elements like font choice and white space, the app automatically and artistically renders the verse on top of the image, creating beautiful artwork for sharing. "If I take a picture of my left hand, Bible Lens would identify my wedding band and likely create an image that highlights marriage. If the app identified a source of light in my photo, it might suggest a Bible verse about how Jesus is the light of the world," said Gruenewald. "It's incredible technology that affords us the unique opportunity to help people see their world with a different perspective." Bible Lens will also offer the option to create images from photos saved in a user's camera roll. The app will draw connections between the Bible and photographed moments like birthday parties, lunch dates, holidays, and sporting events. The app will also recognize when the photo is a selfie. "The selfie is often used as a way for a person to gain approval from others," said Gruenewald. "When the app comes across a selfie, it will offer Bible verses to encourage them by suggesting what God may say about them. In that way, we hope Bible Lens actually redeems the selfie." Bible Lens is the third app from YouVersion, which was created by Life.Church to help people engage with the Bible. It follows the Bible App for Kids, which launched in 2013, and the YouVersion Bible App, which launched on the first day of Apple's App Store in 2008 and has since been downloaded on 330 million devices and in every country in the world. After more than a decade of developing apps, YouVersion continues to imagine new ways for people to connect with the Bible. Bible Lens is the first product from YouVersion's Bible Labs, a small team of software engineers and designers leveraging existing and emerging technologies for Bible engagement. "Everywhere you look, you can see people taking photos to document their lives. Our hope is that as people scroll through their photos, Bible Lens will help them become more aware of God's presence in each moment by connecting their experiences to the Bible," said Gruenewald. "We're humbled that we get to be a part of this movement of God, and we can't wait to see how Bible Lens will make a difference in people's lives in the years ahead." About YouVersion Meanwhile, Kashmir and Chenab valley of Jammu region remained shut on the second consecutive day on Monday over onslaught against Article 35A. Srinagar: Reacting to Supreme Courts adjourning the hearing on pleas challenging Constitutional validity of Article 35A, Kashmiri political parties and leaders have said that it does not put an end to the uncertainty over the issue which is a matter of life and death for the people of the State. Former chief minister and president of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti was the first to react to the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misras announcement that the petitions on Article 35A will now be heard in week commencing August 27. She tweeted, Even though the deferment of hearing on Article 35A is not a solution. It has brought interim relief to the people of JK. But with uncertainty looming over its status, it has unleashed a wave of anxiety and panic amongst the people of J&K. In identical view, National Conference (NC) spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu wrote on micro-blogging site, The deferment of the hearing on petition challenging Article 35-A doesnt remove the sense of anxiety and the apprehensions in J&K. He also said, In the absence of the Central Government defending the Article through a counter affidavit the challenge to the states special status remains. Chief Muslim cleric and separatist leader Mirwai Umar Farooq said that the deferment of the hearing on Article 35A was intriguing. I think they want to keep the issue alive. They should have rejected all the petitions challenging Article 35A. But instead of doing it they have adjourned hearing on the plea that one of the three judges hearing the case was not present, he said, adding that this was indicative of something behind the scene being thought over regarding Article 35A by the Centre and the top court. The Mirwaiz said, The Amarnath yatra will end on August 26. I suspect New Delhis intentions are not any good. Anyways, we the pro-resistance leadership want to make it clear that the issues related to the state-subject laws are connected with the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir. He added, There are UN resolutions on Kashmir which have not been implemented, so far. The people of the State have not yet been given the promised right to self-determination and, therefore, no court decision which is not in conformity with the dispute of Kashmir or seeks to dilute the issue will be acceptable to the people of the State. CJI Misra said that Article 35A has been in vogue for more than 60 years and observed that the apex court has to consider whether it goes against the basic structure of the Constitution. He also said that since the Constitutional validity of the provision has been challenged a three-judge bench will consider whether it has to go before a Constitution bench. Prominent lawyer Zafar Ahmed Shah said, The three judge bench will decide whether the petitions should be dismissed outright or the case should be transferred to a five-judge bench. In the latter event, he said, the Constitutional bench will take the final call in the light of many of those rulings passed by the Supreme Court itself from time to time since 1954 but it depends also on the kind of arguments put forth by and the ground on which the petitioners have challenged the Constitutional validity of Article 35A. The Constitutional bench may either call for the review of previous judgements on the issue or reject the petitions outfight. We have to wait and watch. Further, as many as thirteen interlocutory petitions have been filed in the case and the SC has to decide on these as well. Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), the alliance of key separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, in a statement said that the hearing on petitions challenging the hereditary state-subject law of J&K has been simply deferred till the last week of August when the Amarnath yatra ends. Hence, the protest programmes against tinkering with the law will continue as leadership deliberates upon it, it said. The Mirwaiz clarified only protests will be held and the two-day strike called by the alliance from Sunday will not be extended. The JRL statement said, The deferment of the case by a few weeks is an indication about the intentions of the court which entertained these mischievous petitions backed by the RSS, as part of its (RSSs) well known agenda on J&K. The JRL said that a strict vigil will be maintained on the situation as the leadership will continue to devise and follow a collective strategy in consultation with all segments of society including traders, lawyers, civil society members, transporters and others. The JRL has reiterated that state-subject laws are directly linked to the disputed status of the entire state of J&K as people of the state are yet to exercise their right to self- determination guaranteed by the UN to decide their permanent dispensation as a nation. It alleged, The mischievous move to remove this provision is clearly aimed at undoing that possibility by changing the demographic nature of the state and settling non-residents here and hence undermining the conflict and its resolution. Earlier on Monday, former Chief Minister and NC vice president had while taking a dig at the separatists said that they have by seeking continuance of the special status to Jammu and Kashmir accepted the Indian Constitution and the States ties with rest of the country. He tweeted, Protecting #Article35A is a tacit acceptance that J&Ks future lies within the Constitution of India otherwise how would it matter if it were struck down or diluted? In another tweet, he said, Kashmir has shut down to protect a provision of the Indian constitution. When was the last time anyone was able to frame that headline? #Article35A Meanwhile, Kashmir and Chenab valley of Jammu region remained shut on the second consecutive day on Monday over onslaught against Article 35A. Life was disrupted also in many parts of frontier districts of Poonch and Rajouri district due to a strike called in support of Article 35A by local political, social and religious groups. Commenting on the overwhelming response its strike call evoked across Kashmir and Chenab valley, the JRL said, The people of J&K in unison have send a clear message to New Delhi that they will never allow its design to undermine the conflict and its resolution and harm the their interests to succeed. Flooding along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers is an almost-annual occurrence in some areas. But one flood stands alone in the memory of many in western Illinois. This summer marks 25 years since the Flood of 1993, which devastated the Midwest and remains the standard by which other floods are judged. Though parts of the Jacksonville area were not as hard hit as others, hundreds of residents were affected and, in some cases, their lives were changed forever. Few area communities suffered devastation like Hillview, west of White Hall in Greene County, where a levee break on Aug. 1, 1993, swamped the town even though it was 3 miles from the Illinois River. Some areas around Hillview were under as much as 20 feet of water. Statewide, 39 counties were declared federal disaster areas, including Morgan, Pike, Cass, Greene, Scott, Brown and Schuyler. Each of the counties bordering the Mississippi was included, while five other counties received state disaster declarations. - Many counties in the Jacksonville area are bordered by rivers, especially the Illinois River. Pike County is sandwiched between two major rivers the Illinois and Mississippi. In addition, there are plenty of creeks and streams crisscrossing the area, so residents had plenty with which to contend. In southwestern Greene County, the Eldred Levee failed on the evening of July 30. To the north, the Hartwell Levee breached on Aug. 1 and flooded 8,700 acres. At 3:30 a.m. Aug. 1, the Hillview Levee in Greene and Scott counties collapsed and took 12,300 acres with it. By the following day, the village of Hillview was submerged. In Pike County, the Sny Island Levee, which gives its name to Levee Township in the northwestern part of the county, was a focal point of that summer. Part of the largest levee district in Illinois, Sny Island had not breached since 1903. But the bulging floodwaters proved too much for the big levee, which failed on July 25 and deluged large portions of western Pike County, including the small town of Hull, 8 miles from the banks of the Mississippi. Some 235 homes in the town were inundated, along with 45,000 acres and parts of four state highways. - Though the destruction in the area was not as sweeping as in other parts of Illinois and the waters did not set records, there still was plenty of damage in many locales. While the Flood of 1993 is the most expensive flood event in American history, another flood which also marks an anniversary in 2018 was even more devastating to the region. Seventy-five years ago, the Flood of 1943 set some high-water marks that are yet to be broken. Severe rains May 6-21, 1943, swelled rivers across the state, including the Illinois and Sangamon rivers. Several Illinois River communities set their all-time highs on May 26, 1943, including Valley City, Beardstown and Meredosia, where thousands of acres of farmland went under when two levees broke across the river near Chambersburg. The level of 25.95 feet at Valley City on July 27, 1993, now is the fifth-highest ever in that tiny village. Similarly, the crest of 26.96 at Meredosia the following day ranks ninth all-time there. At Beardstown on July 28, 1993, the river stood at 26.66, now the 13th-worst in city history. Though not as severe as previous ones, the 1993 disaster still inflicted plenty of havoc. In Beardstown, streets collapsed after groundwater carried material into the sewer system, while a dozen structures, including 10 residences, suffered damage at Valley City. Another 11 structures were affected at Florence, while two others were damaged at Montezuma. - Elsewhere, the Flood of 1993 didnt just break records it annihilated them. On Aug., 1, the Mississippi River at St. Louis hit 49.58 feet nearly 20 feet above the flood stage of 30 feet and 6.35 feet higher than the previous record, set in 1973. At the floods worst, an estimated 8.1 million gallons of water rolled past the Gateway Arch each second. In Alton, the Mississippi topped out on Aug. 1 at 42.7 feet just more than double the flood stage of 21 feet. It was 6 feet higher than the old record of 36.7 in 1973. In Grafton, the river reached 38.2 feet that same day, a mind-numbing 20.2 feet above flood stage. - Though the Flood of 1993 consumed most of the summer, the disaster had its origins months before. Starting in November 1992, the St. Louis area received 13 inches more rain than normal. In the Upper Mississippi Valley, it was even wetter. Rainfall in those areas was as much as 25 inches above normal, and a snowy winter did not help matters. All of that water had to go somewhere, and much of it flowed downstream as the rivers became wider with each passing day. After a brief reprieve in mid-May, the flood levels receded, but only for a while. The area then was soaked by frequent rain and thunderstorms for the next several weeks, and the drenched soil could not hold the influx of moisture. On June 27, 1993, the Mississippi went back over flood stage at St. Louis. In all, June and July 1993 proved the wettest two-month period in the Upper Mississippi basin since recordkeeping began in 1895. The final day of July was the only one that month in which rain was not recorded somewhere in the region. Many storms produced 2 inches or more. Rivers were above flood stage at 600 points across the Midwest that summer. Ultimately, 1,082 of the 1,576 levees in the Missouri and Upper Mississippi basins would fail. - Among the indelible images of that summer were the sandbags and the workers who relentlessly filled them in a bid to combat the onslaught. Volunteer help poured into the area from every corner of the country and the world. Workers from Greene County Boot Camp also were used to sandbag across the region, including in Hillview. Their efforts remain a cherished memory in the Hancock County town of Niota. Eventually, sandbags lined the streets and fields in practically every locale along the Illinois and other rivers. One of the many locations dominated by sandbags was Big Swan Drainage and Levee District near Valley City, where sandbags were stacked seven high in an attempt to curb the water. Today, a marker at the east entrance of the Illinois River bridge on Route 106, connecting Scott and Pike counties, commemorates the unyielding efforts of the Illinois National Guard and the sandbagging volunteers that summer. - Fifty people in the Midwest lost their lives in the flooding, and some 55,000 were left homeless across the region. Though paling to the human cost, the flood also was an economic catastrophe. Some 873,000 acres of farmland were inundated across Illinois, while across the Midwest, 6 million acres were under water. Farm losses alone in Illinois were estimated at more than $535 million. By July, more than 800 miles of river traffic both commercial and recreational was brought to a standstill. Some 3,100 barges were stranded on the swollen Mississippi, while 1,075 barges on the Illinois River north of Grafton were stalled. Barge companies lost an estimated $1 million to $2 million a day in the onslaught, which also was an economic blow to the nation. The industry accounted for 15 percent of all freight in the United States and employed 32,000 people. In Illinois, some 1,775 barge jobs a month were affected. Many rail lines also were shut down in what was called the worst single-event loss in the nations railroad history. Hillview and Hull were among 75 communities that were completely submerged across the Midwest. Dozens of others were partially under water, hammering small businesses and affecting peoples ability to work. Some couldnt even get to their jobs. With many roads impassable by summer, residents along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, particularly those in remote areas such as Calhoun County, were forced to drive two hours or more to reach destinations that normally required only a few minutes of driving. Bridges from Davenport, Iowa, to St. Louis were shut down for most of the summer. Many river towns depend on tourism, another industry the flood brought to a standstill. It all added up to the costliest flood event in American history. In the nine states affected by the disaster, total estimates of property damage reached as high as $16 billion. - A quarter-century later, the imprint of the Flood of 1993 still is seen in the area. Few feel the scars more than in Hillview, where a chunk of the population never returned. The 1990 census, three years before the flood, reported a population of 271. Ten years later, it stood at 179. The flood also is burned in the minds of those who lost homes and farms, and those who worked endlessly to fill sandbags, sometimes to see their efforts go for naught when the water just kept rising. Weather experts refer to the flood as a 500-year event, but that doesnt mean it will never happen again in our lifetimes. It only means there is a 1-in-500 chance of an occurrence in any year. The same odds start over, year to year. So the possibility remains. At least in this area, recent periods of high water surpassed the Flood of 1993 and all the others. The 1943 record at Beardstown was broken on April 27, 2013, while Meredosia set its all-time high on July 2, 2015. Those were two of several floods that were even worse than 1993s. Others in the Jacksonville region occurred in May 1995 and May 2002, as well as the Christmas week flood of 2015. Hillview also has endured several other floods, including a series of levee breaks along Hurricane Creek after heavy rains on July 19, 2015. Six people had to be rescued from the threatening water, while a dozen homes were evacuated. For decades, the two dirtiest words in Illinois education were unfunded mandates. Local school boards and administrators hate these orders that come from Springfield but dont come with a check attached. For example, this year Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed four new unfunded mandates pertaining to: civics exams, concussions, suicide prevention and discipline policies. Since 2000, there have been over 130 new unfunded mandates that have affected the school districts across our state, WCIA TV reported. To be sure, the state of Illinois isnt putting its money where its mouth is. Back in the dark ages, when I was in high school, the unfunded mandate that administrators were griping about was called consumer education. I dont remember anyone who wanted to be in that class. But we were stuck there for a semester because the lawmakers in Springfield said we had to. And, of course, the physical education requirement is a perennial complaint among school districts. Illinois has one of the most comprehensive PE requirements in the nation. But for every hour a child spends playing softball, she isnt in a classroom doing arithmetic or diagraming sentences. Some argue that these decisions on what youngsters are taught are best left up to local educators to decide. But heres a dirty little secret about unfunded mandates: they flow both ways. Illinois taxpayers are on the hook for the bulk of tax dollars spent on educator pensions. So, when the Calumet Citys school board decided to pay their superintendent $400,000 a year, folks in Galesburg, Alton, Kankakee and elsewhere in Illinois are chucking in dough for that fellows gold-plated pension. Why? Because the Calumet City School Board sent an unfunded mandate to Springfield leaving all of the states taxpayers responsible for footing the bill. When a school district agrees to pay an exorbitant salary, Illinois taxpayers follow up by paying an exorbitant pension. Please keep in mind, the state has a total unfunded pension liability of $130 billion. We cant afford to keep doing things the way they have always been done. Unfunded pension liabilities are the driving force behind the states income tax hikes under both Governors Rauner and Pat Quinn. In Springfield, Republicans blame Democrats and Democrats blame Republicans for the states pension woes. The truth is both groups are to blame. But another group that bears responsibility is local school boards. For generations they have gamed the system by giving end of career pay raises to teachers contemplating retirement. They do this to artificially bump up pensions paid by the state. Yes, thats another unfunded pension mandate flowing to Springfield. One has to wonder if it is the best public policy for the states taxpayers. The General Assembly has done little to curb this practice. But it did pass and Rauner did sign a measure capping end-of-career pay raises at 3 percent. The states largest teachers union issued a press release this past week arguing the cap ought to be raised to 6 percent. I can understand why they are calling for this, after all, its their job to advocate for their members. But is this what is best for the states taxpayers? Scott Reeder is a veteran statehouse journalist. He works as a freelance reporter in the Springfield area and produces the podcast Suspect Convictions. Officers to appear before Privileges Committee ... Newborn faced three days in the special care unit, where he was placed on a life support machine and watched around the clock by medics. The newborn was sedated and rushed from West Cumberland Hospital, Cumbria, some 98 miles away to Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle that evening. (Photo: AFP) In a shocking revelation a baby boy became UKs youngest stroke victim as he was left fighting for his life just two hours after being born. According to a news report in The Sun, the newborn, Archie James, faced three days on the special care unit, where he was placed on a life support machine and watched around the clock by medics. According to reports, James was not breathing when he was born on December 3 last year and had to be immediately resuscitated. However, he started having seizures just a few hours later. The newborn was sedated and rushed from West Cumberland Hospital, Cumbria, some 98 miles away to Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle that evening. Speaking to The Sun, the newborns father said that when Archie was born lifeless his whole world went dark. He added, "Up until this point we'd had no complications so to suddenly be faced with the prospect that our son might not live was too much to comprehend. While over-the-moon when he started breathing, his seizures meant that there was more to come. Doctor's were left unable to pinpoint if Archie suffered the stroke during labour or after he was born. Archie and his mum Emma were able to return home five days later after the tense aftermath of his delivery. Thankfully, doctors have predicted the child has a 90 per cent chance of making a full recovery, although it is still unknown whether the stroke has resulted in any long-term damage. Sperm swims up to reach the egg, assisted by a pulsatile rise in calcium ion concentration in the sperm tail that controls its beating. Sperm swims up to reach the egg, assisted by a pulsatile rise in calcium ion concentration in the sperm tail that controls its beating. (Photo: Pixabay) In a recent discovery, scientists have identified a key molecule that drives chemo attraction between sperm and egg cells in marine invertebrates, animals that don't have a vertebral column. More than 100 years ago, MBL Director F.R. Lillie of the University of Chicago discovered that eggs from marine invertebrates release a chemical factor that attracts sperm by a process called chemotaxis. Sperm swims up a chemical gradient to reach the egg, assisted by a pulsatile rise in calcium ion concentration in the sperm tail that controls its beating. In past years, many of the cellular components that translate chemo-attractant stimulation into a calcium response have been revealed, but a crucial ingredient has been missing. A prerequisite for calcium ions from the sperm's environment being able to enter the tail is that the sperm cell's pH becomes more alkaline. The molecule that brings about this change in pH has been hard to pin down. In this new report, U. Benjamin Kaupp, a MBL Whitman Center Scientist from the Center of Advanced European Studies (Caesar) in Bonn, Germany, identifies this molecule. The molecule that Kaupp and colleagues identified allows sodium ions to flow into the sperm cell and, in exchange, transports protons out of the cell. Such so-called sodium/proton exchangers have been known for a long time, but this one is special. It is a Chimaera that shares structural features with ion channels, called pacemaker channels, which control our heartbeat and electrical activity in the brain. This sodium/proton exchange in the sperm cell is activated by a stretch of positively charged amino acids called the voltage sensor. When sperm capture chemo-attractant molecules, the voltage becomes more negative, because potassium channels open and potassium ions leave the cell. The voltage-sensor registers this voltage change and the exchanger begins exporting protons from the cell, the cell's interior becomes more alkaline. When this mechanism is disabled, the calcium pulses in the sperm tail are suppressed, and sperm are lost on their voyage to the egg. The study appears in the Nature Communications journal. Almost 46 years after it held its first convocation, JNU will be hosting its second convocation for awarding degrees to PhD scholars. 'We would like to say it loud and clear - VC, we have earned the degree because of our efforts and the commitment of our teachers. We owe our degrees to the democratic culture of JNU, and the destroyer of JNU has no moral authority to distribute our degrees!' JNUSU statement said. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Accusing JNU VC M Jagadesh Kumar of "muzzling their democratic rights", the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) on Monday called for boycotting the university's convocation on August 8. Almost 46 years after it held its first convocation, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) will be hosting its second convocation this month for awarding degrees to PhD scholars. The JNUSU alleged that for the last two-and-a-half years, they have witnessed a "systematic destruction of our campus led by its VC, M Jagadesh Kumar". "The VC and his political masters, through their anti-student and anti-social justice policies like research seat cut, scuttling reservations, fee hikes, victimisation and targeting of student activists through fines and punishments, have tried their best to demolish JNU and all that this university stands for," the students' union said in a statement. It called the convocation a "photo-op" in the name of distribution of degrees. "We would like to say it loud and clear - VC, we have earned the degree because of our efforts and the commitment of our teachers. We owe our degrees to the democratic culture of JNU, and the destroyer of JNU has no moral authority to distribute our degrees!" the statement said. The JNUSU appealed the JNU community to "boycott the VC's convocation". The union will also be holding an event inside the campus after the convocation on August 8. Former union members and teachers are expected to attend the event. Delhi govts transport dept sets up centralised facility at headquarters. A proper record management will be in place at the headquarters, including receipts of driving licences and returning them after the end of the suspension period, the officer said. New Delhi: In a relief to motorists, the Delhi governments transport department has come up with a centralised facility at its headquarters in Civil Lines area to help the citizens get back their suspended driving licences. The new computerised facility will help reduce the time in getting back suspended licences by improving the coordination between the traffic police and the transport department, an official of the department said. An agency has been hired for manning the facility which will be rolled out soon, he said. In the new system of suspension of driving licences for various traffic violations, the transport department will be immediately notified about a particular licence being seized by the traffic police. A proper record management will be in place at the headquarters, including receipts of driving licences and returning them after the end of the suspension period, the officer said. Persons concerned can approach the transport department headquarters instead of going to zonal offices and there will be no chance of licences getting misplaced during the suspension period, he assured. A driving licence holder will be informed at every stage, including at the time of challan, sending of licence to transport department and end of the suspension period, through SMSs so that they promptly get the licence back after the suspension period, the officer said. Under the new system, the suspended licences sent to zonal offices concerned will now be deposited at the centralised facility of the headquarters, he added. There are 13 zonal transport offices of the Delhi government. Thousands of licences are seized by the traffic police in the city for violations like drunken driving, using mobile phones while driving and speeding. Last year, over 53,000 driving licences were suspended by the transport department. Also, in a move that will benefit around two lakh students of colleges and academic centres here, the Delhi government has decided to empower institution heads for issuing learners driving licence, officials said. The Delhi transport department has formulated a policy that will be notified soon to implement the decision, said a government official. Update at 7:24pm: The Ferguson Fire grew by 2,829 acres Monday, measuring 94,331 acres by the evening report with containment up to 39 percent. Incident Command officials say moderate fire behavior Monday allowed firefighters to make significant progress around the fire perimeter. Firefighters were able to hold the northern portion of the fire within containment lines and complete the firing operation along Montgomery Ridge. Once cooled, the northern perimeter of the fire will be secured, freeing up resources to assist with other parts of the fire. Firefighters constructed direct hand line above El Portal and Old El Portal. Crews were able to reinforce dozer and hand line around the community of Foresta. Firefighters are patrolling and mopping up this section of hand line. Tactical firing operations will begin tonight along Wawona Road (Highway 41) toward Cascades picnic area. Firefighters will patrol along Highway 120 to ensure the fire stays between Wawona Road and Highway 120. A combination of dozer and hand lines was established using a former service road leading to Badger Pass. This containment line will restrict the southern spread of fire into Yosemite National Park. Structure defense specialists and law enforcement remained within the remaining evacuated communities. Steep terrain, dense forests of beetle-killed trees, unstable slopes and other hazards have made securing the area a challenge. A total of 2,357 personnel assigned includes 202 engines; 18 water tenders; 14 helicopters; 39 crews; 33 dozers and 5 masticators. Update at 6:15pm: Ferguson Fire Incident Command officials at 6 p.m. lifted some evacuation orders for residents only, adding that the areas remain under Fire Advisement in the event that conditions change. Evacuation orders lifted for the following areas: El Portal; Old El Portal; El Portal Trailer Court; Rancheria Flat-Government Housing; Incline Road; Yosemite View Lodge area and all other residents and businesses along Highway 140 from Midpines to the Yosemite National Park Entrance. Residents must use the entry point at Highway 140 in Midpines and be advised that due to the large amount of emergency equipment in the area, speed control will also be enforced. Evacuation orders remains in effect for: Anderson Valley; Foresta; Old Yosemite in the Greeley Hill area; Yosemite West Road. Closures in the Highway 140 area from 1.5 miles west of Midpines are open to residents only. Other road closures are: Anderson Valley Road; Big Oak Flat Road/Highway 120 from entrance of Yosemite National Park to Crane Flat; Foresta Road; Wawona Road from the South Entrance gate to Yosemite Valley; Summit Road; Old Yosemite Road/Coulterville Road; Tioga Pass Road from Crane Flat to White Wolf. Mariposa County Sheriffs Office will continue to have a heavy presence in the area for the security and safety of residents and businesses. If at anytime you feel unsafe, please call 911. For questions or concerns regarding power, please contact PG&E at 800-743-5000. The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions. Please continue to adhere to road closures and any evacuation warnings. If you see electrical wires on the ground, stay clear and contact PG&E immediately. Trees and poles with deep charring, particularly if still smoking, should be considered hazardous. Update at 3:07pm: Caltrans is closing a stretch of highway due to the Ferguson Fire incident, which is still being reported as 91,502 acres with 38 percent containment. Caltrans officials announced Highway 140 is now closed for approximately 21 miles in Mariposa County between the end of the climbing lane and the Yosemite National Park entrance. Highway 41 and Highway 120 entrances to Yosemite are also closed with no estimated time of opening. Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows are open and accessible from the east via 395. Update at 11:10am: Citing progress made containing the Ferguson Fire, the Mariposa County Sheriffs Office is lifting the mandatory evacuation order for the community of Wawona. Only residents are now allowed to re-enter via the Highway 41 south entrance into Yosemite. Evacuation orders remain in place for Yosemite West, Old El Portal, Rancheria Flat- Government Housing, Trailer Court, Foresta, Anderson Valley, Incline Rd, Cedar Lodge, Yosemite View Lodge area and Old Yosemite. The fire is around 91,500 acres and there is 38-percent containment. Update at 9:45am: Tuolumne County is declaring a local state of emergency due to the wildfires. Click here for more information. Original story posted at 8:38am: Mariposa, CA The Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County, which has been burning since July 13, is 91,502 acres and there is 38-percent containment. 2,689 firefighters are assigned to the incident, 20 water tenders, 14 helicopters, 40 crews and 33 dozers. Yesterday firefighters successfully completed a tactical firing operation south of Wawona to the South Fork of the Merced River. It was a significant achievement in the overall fight, according to the incident command team. It further protects the community of Wawona and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Along the northern perimeter, crews kept the fire from crossing Highway 120 above the Merced Grove. Hazard trees were also removed near Big Oak Flat Road. Firefighters are burning along dozer constructed containment lines from the tunnel on Big Oak Flat Road toward Highway 140 in order to prevent the fire from spreading northeast from Foresta. Yosemite Valley remains closed indefinitely. Tuolumne County, CA Citing destruction of the Dardanelle Resort, and other nearby structures, along with the Ferguson Fire impacts near Yosemite, Tuolumne County is requesting Governor Jerry Brown sign a State of Emergency Declaration. Board Chair John Gray tells Clarke Broadcasting that he signed a local state of emergency declaration yesterday, and it will be formally ratified at tomorrows Board of Supervisors meeting. He notes, Its really unusual to have two fires going on the two major corridors that go through the county at the same time. Were pretty much shutdown, and we need all the help we can get from every agency to get these fires out. Gray adds, Our newest fire, the Donnell Fire, is in a really bad location, and then late last night we learned that the Dardanelle historic resort has burned down. There are fire personnel up there, but unfortunately there are limited resources, which is the case for all of California in general. We do have fire structure protection at Kennedy Meadows right now. I dont know the status of what is all going up there, but I do know there are more resources on the way. Giving an update on the Ferguson Fire near Yosemite, Gray relays, I understand this morning that they have buttoned up the containment line on Pilots Peak, which is important, and thats where they feel they will be able to push the fire back into itself. People are really tired of the smoke, and businesses (Groveland area) are really tired of having no business. Gray adds that he has been communicating with Tuolumne County Economic Development Authority Director Larry Cope about the potential of USDA funding/loans to help those businesses impacted by the Donnell and Ferguson incidents. Gray notes that the county is unfortunately experienced with dealing with catastrophic wildfires, and steps that need to be taken in the aftermath, after encountering the 257,000 acre Rim Fire in 2013. The fire had broken out at the movie theatre in Deshapriya Park area of south Kolkata during a late-night show. Cinemagoers had managed to exit after smoke filled the auditorium at around 10.15 pm in the middle of the show. (Photo: File | Representational) Kolkata: Fire brigade officials on Monday asked the authorities of Priya Cinema to stop screening films till an investigation into the last night's fire was completed. "We are conducting the investigation. The cinema hall has been asked not to screen films until the investigation is over. We will give the go-ahead after reviewing the situation," said Jagmohan, the director general of the fire brigade. Jagmohan and forensic officials visited the spot on Monday morning and inspected the area. Official sources said forensic personnel have collected samples from the spot. The owner of the hall, Arijit Dutta, said the film screening had been stopped for the time being. "We are trying to resume it as soon as possible... If possible, today itself. There is also no damage to the cinema hall in the fire," he told PTI. The fire had broken out at the movie theatre in Deshapriya Park area of south Kolkata during a late-night show. There was no report of any casualty. Cinemagoers had managed to exit after smoke filled the auditorium at around 10.15 pm in the middle of the show. Four members of Dutta's family and a staff member were trapped on the roof, but were evacuated safely by fire brigade personnel. West Bengal Fire Services Minister Sovan Chatterjee, who had reached the spot after the incident, said all angles, including the possibility of the fire originating from a ground-floor food outlet, would be investigated. The fire was likely caused by a short circuit, sources said. The father accused of fatally stabbing his two young children was charged Sunday with two counts of capital murder, according to court records. After a day on the run, Jean Pierre Ndossoka shot himself overnight before police found him - still alive - in his car in Pasadena. He was rushed to Clear Lake Regional Hospital in stable condition with non-life-threatening wounds after authorities located him around 1 a.m., according to the Houston Police Department. ATASCOCITA CRASH: Store clerk accused of selling minor alcohol before fatal crash A day earlier, Ndossoka allegedly called his wife around 3:30 p.m. and told her he'd killed their kids, a 1-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy. The woman called 911 and rushed over to Ndossoka's apartment in southwest Houston. When police showed up for a welfare check, they found both children stabbed to death, lying on the bed. Ndossoka fled his home in the 10900 block of Fondren, and police put out a vehicle description and mounted a search. Authorities did not immediately clarify how they located him. The double slayings came shortly after Sabine Ntongo dropped her kids off at their father's for visitation. The couple had been married for six years and recently separated, police said. Ndossoka doesn't appear to have any prior criminal history in Harris County. He's due in court Monday morning at 9 p.m., in front of Judge Robert Johnson. The accused killer doesn't have an assigned attorney yet. If he's found guilty, he could face a death sentence. Victoria Cheyne contributed to this report. We're all aware of endangered animals, but historic places can be endangered too. Much like the dodo, once a historic place is gone, it's gone forever. The ravages of time and war (see modern-day Syria for an ongoing example) have destroyed some of the world's great cultural sites. And since 1988, the National Trust has been released its list of endangered places to help bring attention to disappearing historic places. California sites are no strangers to the list, particularly one building you'll recognize: the Old Mint. The Mint has repeatedly appeared on the National Trust's "Most Endangered Historic Places." Although the Mint has undergone some superficial upgrades on the Fifth St. facade, the building itself has long been in limbo. For 11 years, the nonprofit San Francisco Museum and Historical Society planned to turn the building into a museum, but after missing years of deadlines, the city terminated their lease. On occasion, it's been leased by a private company for corporate events. MORE: Places in San Francisco you had no idea used to be cemeteries Now, the California Historical Society plans to turn to the Old Mint into a cultural center, although the building needs upward of $100 million in seismic upgrades and renovations. The California Historical Society is currently working up a preservation plan to submit to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors; they hope to have it done by the summer of 2019. ALSO: Lost San Francisco landmarks that still exist in the movies "A survivor of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, the Old Mint serves as a symbol of resilience and permanence in a city marked by rapid transformations," Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said in a press release. "Situated at ground zero of a tech-fueled boom, the Old Mint has the potential to serve as a cultural linchpin connecting San Francisco's rise as an economic powerhouse fueled by gold and silver to the city's current role as global center of innovation." For a full list of America's most endangered places, check out the National Trust site. The accused was apparently angry with his elder brother for having withdrawn Rs 20,000 from the former's bank account without his knowledge. The accused was subsequently arrested and charged with murder and causing disappearance of evidence, police said. (Representational image) Thane: A 21-year-old man allegedly hacked his elder brother to death over a monetary dispute in Maharashtra's Thane, police said on Sunday. He then allegedly severed the head and limbs from his brother's corpse and packed them into different plastic bags, they added. The accused, Simon Patrao, was apparently angry with his elder brother Wilfred Patrao (36) for having withdrawn Rs 20,000 from the former's bank account without his knowledge, said Assistant Superintendent of Police Atul Kulkarni. He killed the victim, who worked as a security guard, at their home in Bhayander township on Saturday, by allegedly attacking him with a sharp weapon, the official said. The accused, presently jobless, then called up his other brother staying in Dubai to inform about the incident. After that, he walked into the Navghar police station in Bhayander and confessed to the crime, Kulkarni said. Based on his information, the police recovered the body, with the head and limbs severed and found packed in plastic bags, from their house, he said. Some of the body parts were also found stuffed in a plastic bag dumped in the bathroom, the official said. The accused was subsequently arrested and charged with murder and causing disappearance of evidence, he said, adding that further investigation was on. A journalist for a London newspaper sued CenterPoint Energy for injuries he received when a rescue boat tangled with live power lines during Hurricane Harvey, killing four of the seven people in the boat. Alan Butterfield, a reporter with Daily Mail who lives in Salt Lake City, accused CenterPoint of failing to shut off power in the neighborhoods along Greens Bayou, which was flooded by Hurricane Harvey. The group was headed to rescue a wheelchair-bound resident and Butterfield came along to report on the mission. The relentless wall of flame north of Clear Lake known as the Mendocino Complex grew into the largest fire in California history, outpacing 15 other conflagrations that blanketed the skies with smoke, state fire officials said Monday. The monstrous Ranch and River fires, which started northeast of Ukiah and near Hopland, combined into a single incident called a complex. The Mendocino Complex scorched 283,800 acres in Mendocino, Lake and Colusa counties as of Monday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. It is part of an unprecedented series of large, deadly and destructive fires that have raged through California in 2017 and 2018, exposing astonished firefighting crews to things rarely if ever seen before, including pyro-cumulus clouds reaching into the stratosphere and powerful fire tornadoes. The good news Monday was that the Mendocino Complex, which started July 27 and was 30 percent contained, moved north through largely uninhabited areas toward Glenn County, according to Cal Fire. That was little comfort to firefighters considering that the volatile blaze blew up in the past, gobbling up 55,000 acres on Saturday alone. It wrested the ignominious title of largest fire in California from the Thomas Fire, which burned more than 281,000 acres in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties last year. Thats indicative of how explosive the fire conditions are right now, said Jonathan Cox, the Northern California battalion chief for Cal Fire. You are talking about hundreds of miles of open fire line in the remote, steep inaccessible areas, which are the most difficult to grab containment in. More than 14,000 firefighters were battling flames across the state on Monday. Four of the 10 most destructive fires and five of the 20 deadliest fires in recorded state history have occurred in 2017 and 2018. Cox said the state has experienced higher temperatures day and night, and less rain and snow, which, in turn, has resulted in dried vegetation. Over half of the most deadly and destructive and large fires in California have occurred over the past 10 years, Cox said. Were looking at long-term trends that are alarming for us, especially how quickly they are burning and how much damage they are causing and how deadly they are. It would not be an overstatement to say this is unprecedented. The other major fires burning Monday in California were: The Carr Fire, near Redding, consumed 164,413 acres and was 47 percent contained as of Monday. It was burning northward through steep, mountainous terrain with heavy timber along the Shasta-Trinity county line. The fire, which started July 23, has killed six people and a seventh person, a PG&E lineman, died in a crash while restoring power to the area. More than 1,000 residences have burned. It is the sixth most destructive, 13th most deadly and 12th largest fire in California history. The Ferguson Fire burned 94,331 acres and was 39 percent contained as of Monday. It forced the evacuation of Yosemite National Park, where smoke was still blotting out the sun. Park officials indefinitely extended closures of Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and the Mariposa and Merced redwood groves. The parks three western entrances highways 120, 140 and 41 were closed. However, the vast northern part of the park, including Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass, was open. The Donnell Fire along the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River burned 11,074 acres and was just 2 percent contained as of Monday. The fire, which shut down Highway 108 at Sonora Pass, destroyed much of the Dardanelle Resort. The owners of the historical store, restaurant and cabins announced on Facebook that they had suffered massive structural damage. The Eel Fire, 10 miles east of Covelo, in Mendocino County, was 60 percent contained with 972 acres burned on Monday. U.S. Forest Service fire managers lifted all evacuation advisories in the region Monday. Meanwhile, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District extended an air quality advisory through Thursday as a result of smoke from the Mendocino Complex fire and other wildfires. The district said Spare the Air alerts could be called midweek if air quality exceeds federal standards. Staff writer Kurtis Alexander contributed to this story. Peter Fimrite and Michael Cabanatuan are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com, mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite, @ctuan An elderly man who was offered a ride by a man and woman ended up being robbed and beaten Sunday evening in San Francisco, authorities said. At about 5:25 p.m., police received a call that an 86-year-old man had been beaten up after his two attackers, who both appeared to be 45, stole money from him in the Mission District. The man had been hanging out near 16th Street and Hoff Street when a woman drove up to him and offered him a ride, said Officer Joseph Tomlinson, a San Francisco police spokesman. Who doesnt want to hang out with about 50,000 of the fastest flying mammals on the planet, especially when theres so much to learn and love about these misunderstood creatures of the night? Bat Loco Bash unfolds at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Its the sixth annual celebration of all things bats, as thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats will once again swirl out from under Interstate 35 near the Camden Street Bridge in a spectacle for all ages to enjoy. To the dismay of schoolchildren everywhere, summer is quickly slipping away. But San Antonio kids can soak up the last bit of freedom during Kidcation, a series of family-friendly events hosted by venues around town every day this week. Adapted from a recent online discussion. Dear Carolyn: I just spent the weekend in the company of my boyfriend's brother, who mimicked/mocked me, belittled almost all my actions, and made fun of my chronic health condition. My boyfriend says this is just "George's' sense of humor," and that I should ignore it and not be so sensitive. I experienced this as abusive, and believe my boyfriend should have spoken up on my behalf, even by calmly stating, "That's enough, George." My solution is to limit my participation in future family gatherings, which bothers my boyfriend. What do you recommend? -- Mocked Being single. Sounds like an upgrade. I'll elaborate, but I hope you don't need me to. (1) Your boyfriend didn't stand up for you while his brother treated you like dirt. That's grounds enough for dumping your boyfriend. (2) Your boyfriend found a way to blame you for it, not his brother, by calling you "too sensitive." What other bad things that happen to you are going to be your fault over the course of your lives together? It won't stop here, guaranteed. (3) Your way of standing up for yourself against jerk brother is to avoid jerk brother. And look who your boyfriend is annoyed at: not his brother! Nope, he's annoyed with you. Run, run, run. The family that created a mean-spirited George also created your boyfriend, and that usually leads to one of two outcomes: Your boyfriend is determined and careful not to be mean-spirited, knowing too well its emotional costs; or your boyfriend is mean-spirited, too. This guy has just given you ample evidence he's the latter, at least under pressure, which is when you least want that to be turned against you. Re: George: Columnist Carolyn Hax dishes out advice daily. Email Carolyn at Read the Email Carolyn at tellme@washpost.com , follow her on Facebook or chat with her online at noon Eastern time each Friday at www.washingtonpost.com Read the daily Carolyn Hax columns at https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/advice/ If you want, before you dump the boyfriend, or while you're doing it, own up. Say, "Yes, I'm sensitive. I think being sensitive is a good thing, and I'm not going to become callous just so your brother can act like a jerk toward me. I'm not willing to be around George as long as he behaves that way." Then don't back down. You show your toughness by standing up for your own feelings, not by ignoring them or ignoring some glassbowl's idea of humor. -- Anonymous True -- sensitivity could use some good PR. Hi Carolyn: I'm finalizing the guest list for my wedding. My friends since high school are acrimoniously divorcing, and by my understanding it would probably not be a good idea for both to attend. Do I have to pick whose friendship I want more, and only invite that person? Invite them both, tell them both, and see who shows up (and take that as a sign of who wants MY friendship more)? Or invite them both, say nothing, and let them figure it out? -- Friend Invite both and let them figure it out. Re: Divorcing Friends: Please do not treat this as a sign of which one wants your friendship more. It's not fair to test people's emotions like that, and the problems between them are not about you. -- Anonymous 2 Well said, thanks. 3 1 of 3 / Contributed photo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Andrew H. Walker / Getty Images Show More Show Less 3 of 3 BETHEL The Bethel Historical Society has invited the public to join them for its own version of the International Diner en Blanc, an elegant event where diners dress in white. The Diner en Blanc began in Paris in 1988 when Francois Pasquier invited his friends to an outdoor dinner and asked them to dress in white so they could find each other, according to the Historical Societys website. Since Sunday as many as 30 blue bottles were seen at Juhu Beach. Twenty people have been stung at Juhu beach so far. Mumbai: After the arrival of blue bottles, also known as Portuguese Man O War, at Girgaum Chowpatty beach last week, the marine animals, known for their toxic and painful sting, have landed on several other coasts like Aksa Beach and Versova in the last two days. Since Sunday as many as 30 blue bottles were seen at Juhu Beach. Twenty people have been stung at Juhu beach so far. Sunil Kanojia, who is the the president of the Sea Guardian Life Guard, stated that if anybody gets stung by blue bottles, they should immediately approach guards at the beaches who can treat them. Since the last two- three days, we have been getting reports of around 50 persons getting stung by blue bottles across Mumbai beaches. The guards have been asking citizens visiting the beaches to stay away from the the water. He said, People usually want to touch the blue bottles, because of their beautiful appearance, but one should beware as their sting is very painful, said Kanojia. At Aksa Beach, blue bottles stung around 40 people on Saturday. Their tentacles stick to the skin due to which people feel extreme pain and their body starts itching. Cold ice or lime should be applied on the wound immediately and the person should be rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment. The sting can also be more dangerous if it is on the face or abdomen area, he added. The marine organisms wash ashore on the citys coasts during the monsoon due to strong wind currents. According to marine experts, the blue bottles feed on small fish by paralysing their prey through their tentacles. These marine animals are important in the ecosystem and contribute to the food chain for larger marine animals, as many sea turtles feed on them. People should beware of blue bottles even if they appear dry. The civic body should put up boards at all Mumbai beaches, said Pradip Patade, founder of Mar- ine Life of Mumbai. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had on Saturday put up a display board at Girgaum Chowpatty after reports of people getting stung started surfacing. GREENWICH The St. Rochs Feast dates back generations, with food, rides, live music and fun in Chickahominy. And as the event kicks off on Wednesay, theres something new to celebrate: the arrival of the churchs new pastor, the Rev. Carl McIntosh. I am delighted to be here. This is my first feast so theres a lot of anticipation both with me and in the entire parish for it, McIntosh said Monday. Its quite infectious. The Roman Catholic priest, who began leading the parish only six weeks ago, said he is looking forward to meeting more parishioners and neighbors at the annual event. Hundreds from throughout the community are expected to attend each night, and everyone is invited, said Jackie Budkins, a feast committee member. This is very important to the neighborhood and to the church, but this is for everyone in town, Budkins said. We love to welcome people to join us and become part of our community. ... (Well) have people there who are new to our church or coming to the feast for the first time and people who have been coming for years. The old and new are coming together. The feast will be held from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It takes place on St. Roch Avenue in front of the church and by Hamilton Avenue School. The Board of Selectmen approved closing the road to vehicles during the event, and members of the Greenwich Police Department will be on hand to direct traffic. Some street parking is available in the surrounding area. A satellite parking lot will also be available at 500 W. Putnam Ave., with a free shuttle to take visitors back and forth to the feast. Putting the feast together is a huge effort, with nearly 100 volunteers each year, Budkins said. The volunteers help in many area, including in food preparation. The St. Rochs Feast is known for its popular delicacies, including the pizza fritta. Volunteers will also dish up sausage and peppers, steak and cheese wedges as well as other popular carnival food. Italian ices and cannoli will be served for dessert. Beer and wine will also be available. There is a full lineup of live music on tap, too, with a DJ on Wednesday night, The Breakers on Thursday, a band called Local Talent on Friday and The Merlins on Saturday. On Friday and Saturday, an accordionist will also perform. Budkins said volunteers are keeping an eye on the wether, with some rain, including the potential of thunderstorms, is in the forecast. On Sunday, Aug. 12, the celebration continues with a procession through Chickahominy to mark the life and work of St. Roch, who is known for helping people fight the plague and also as the patron saint of dogs and falsely accused people. Church members will assemble outside the church for the 9 a.m. procession, McIntosah said, and they will pull out all the stops for it. It will be followed by a special Mass in Italian at noon in the church. As part of the feast, raffle tickets are on sale for $25 each at the rectory during business hours and during the feast until the drawing at 11 p.m. Saturday. The first prize winner will take home a $30,000 American Express gift card. Second prize will be a gift card worth $4,000, the third prize gift card will be $3,000 and fourth prize will be a $2,000 gift card. (The winner does not need to be present.) Everyone appreciates money as opposed to physical prizes, Budkins said. Whoever wins can spend the money on whatever they like. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com HAMDEN Local and state officials recently celebrated the provision of state funds which will allow for the purchase of 470 Chromebooks for Hamden Middle School students. The State Bond Commission awarded $245,000 for Hamden Middle School July 25. Elected representatives of Hamden shared their pleasure at the decision in a release. I want to thank the Governor and Commission members for signing off on this grant, said State Rep. Michael DAgostino, D-Hamden. Teachers are the primary force on the path to academic achievement, but providing them with the necessary tools and school environment is just as important. I expect this grant will add greatly to student achievement at Hamden Middle School. I am very thankful for the Bond Commissions approval of these funds because students deserve to have the tools that will help them achieve academic excellence, said state Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven/Hamden. Todays students embrace and understand technology and these Chromebooks will add to their educational experience at Hamden Middle School. Continued investment in education makes Hamden a destination town for new families, said state Rep. Josh Elliott, D-Hamden. I applaud the work of Representative DAgostino, and am proud to be part of one of the strongest coalitions in the state, along with Representative Porter, fighting for working families. Michelle Coogan, who shifted over from West Woods School to become the new principal at Hamden Middle School for the new school year, thanked the state and its elected officials for the aid in the release. This grant award allows us to realize my predecessor Daniel Levys vision of a 1:1 technology environment at Hamden Middle School, said Coogan. In addition, the grant will support many other enhancements to our educational programs. We are grateful for Representative DAgostinos ongoing advocacy and support of public education. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com NEW DELHI - Authorities in Bangladesh said Monday that they are investigating a weekend attack on a car carrying U.S. Ambassador Marcia Bernicat. The U.S. Embassy said the incident was not connected to ongoing protests in the country over road safety. Armed men on motorcycles targeted Bernicat's car in the residential Mohammadpur area of Dhaka on Saturday after she was returning from a dinner party at the home of a prominent social activist, the embassy confirmed. The ambassador escaped unharmed. According to the Dhaka Tribune, the attackers chased and threw small bricks at the embassy motorcade. "There were no injuries to the Ambassador, her drivers, or security staff; however, two security vehicles sustained some damage," according to an embassy statement. An embassy spokeswoman emphasized that the attack was unrelated to ongoing student-led protests in Dhaka to highlight the city's abysmal record on road safety but did not give further information about a possible motive. Over the past few days, students aggrieved at the abysmal state of traffic management in Dhaka have blocked roads, inspected driver's licenses at checkpoints and stopped drivers to inform them of road rules. But over the weekend, the protests turned violent - vehicles were set ablaze and police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at crowds of chanting students in some parts of the city. Authorities also arrested prominent photographer Shahidul Alam, after he said on television that the government was using "brute force" to remain in power. More than 40 people were injured Monday in continuing unrest. A spokesman for Dhaka police, Masudur Rahman, said Monday that authorities are trying to identify the attackers in the weekend motorcade incident and that an investigation is ongoing. The attack on the U.S. ambassador's motorcade comes amid tensions between the embassy and Bangladesh's ruling Awami League party over Bernicat's allegations of intimidation and ballot stuffing in recent local elections. On Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's son and adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy accused the embassy of being a "mouthpiece" of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party on his verified Facebook page. Bernicat, a career diplomat and ambassador to Bangladesh since 2014, has clashed with the Awami League's top brass in recent months. In June, addressing an audience at the National Press Club in Dhaka, she expressed concern at reports that opposition politicians had been intimidated during recent mayoral elections. Earlier, she had voiced concern at a surge in killings of suspected drug dealers during police raids, after Hasina declared a war on drugs. Observers say the killings abated after Bernicat raised the issue with the government. The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka said Monday that the ambassador will continue with her planned schedule for this week. Dhaka has been considered increasingly dangerous for foreigners since a string of attacks in 2015. In 2016, terrorists laid siege to the Holey Artisan bakery, killing 22 people. - - - The Washington Post's Azad Majumder contributed to this report. "Don't resuscitate this patient; he has a living will," the nurse told the doctor, Monica Williams-Murphy, handing her a document. Williams-Murphy looked at the sheet bearing the signature of the unconscious 78-year-old man, who had been rushed from a nursing home to the emergency room. "Do everything possible," it read, with a check approving cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The nurse's mistake was based on a misguided belief that living wills automatically include "do not resuscitate" (DNR) orders. Working quickly, Williams-Murphy revived the patient, who had a urinary tract infection and recovered after a few days in the hospital. Unfortunately, misunderstandings involving documents meant to guide end-of-life decision-making are "surprisingly common," said Williams-Murphy, medical director of advance-care planning and end-of-life education for Huntsville Hospital Health System in Alabama. But health systems and state regulators don't systematically track such mix-ups, which receive little attention amid the push to encourage older adults to document their end-of-life preferences, experts acknowledge. As a result, information about the potential for patient harm is scarce. A new report out of Pennsylvania, which has the nation's most robust system for monitoring patient-safety events, treats mix-ups involving end-of-life documents as medical errors -- a novel approach. It found that in 2016, Pennsylvania health-care facilities reported nearly 100 events relating to patients' "code status" -- their wish to be resuscitated or not, should their hearts stop beating and they stop breathing. In 29 cases, patients were resuscitated against their wishes. In two cases, patients weren't resuscitated despite making it clear they wanted this to happen. The rest of the cases were "near misses" -- problems caught before they had a chance to cause permanent harm. Most likely, this is an undercount, said Regina Hoffman, executive director of the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, adding that she was unaware of similar data from any other state. Asked to describe a near miss, Hoffman, co-author of the report, said: "Perhaps I'm a patient who's come to the hospital for elective surgery and I have a DNR order in my [medical] chart. After surgery, I develop a serious infection and a resident [physician] finds my DNR order. He assumes this means I've declined all kinds of treatment, until a colleague explains that this isn't the case." The problem, Hoffman explained, is that doctors and nurses receive little if any training in understanding and interpreting living wills, DNR orders and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms. Communication breakdowns and a pressure-cooker environment in emergency departments, where life-or-death decisions often have to be made within minutes, also contribute to misunderstandings, other experts said. Research by Ferdinando Mirarchi, medical director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hamot in Erie, Pa., suggests that the potential for confusion surrounding end-of-life documents is considerable. In various studies, he has asked medical providers how they would respond to hypothetical situations involving patients with critical and terminal illnesses. In one study, for instance, he described a 46-year-old woman who is brought to the ER with a heart attack and suddenly goes into cardiac arrest. Although she is otherwise healthy, she has a living will refusing all potentially lifesaving medical interventions. What would you do, he asked more than 700 physicians in an Internet survey. Only 43 percent of those doctors said they would intervene to save her life -- a troubling figure, Mirarchi said. Because this patient didn't have a terminal condition, her living will didn't apply to the situation at hand and every physician should have been willing to offer aggressive treatment, he explained. In another study, Mirarchi described a 70-year-old man with diabetes and cardiac disease who had a POLST form indicating he didn't want cardiopulmonary resuscitation but agreeing to a limited set of other medical interventions, including defibrillation (shocking his heart with an electrical current). Yet 75 percent of 223 emergency physicians surveyed said they would not have pursued defibrillation if the patient had a cardiac arrest. One problem is that doctors assumed that defibrillation is part of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. That's a mistake: They're separate interventions. Another problem is that doctors are often unsure what patients really want when one part of a POLST form says "do nothing" (declining CPR) and another part says "do something" (permitting other interventions). Mirarchi's work involves hypotheticals, not real-life situations. But it highlights significant practical confusion about end-of-life documents, said Scott Halpern, director of the Palliative and Advanced Illness Research Center at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine. Attention to these problems is important but shouldn't be overblown, cautioned Arthur Derse, director of the Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities at the Medical College of Wisconsin. "Are there errors of misunderstanding or miscommunication? Yes. But you're more likely to have your wishes followed with one of these documents than without one," he said. Make sure you have ongoing discussions about your end-of-life preferences with your physician, your surrogate decision-maker if you have one, and your family, especially when your health status changes, Derse advised. Without these conversations, documents can be difficult to interpret. Here are some basics about end-of-life documents: Living wills A living will expresses your preferences for end-of-life care but is not a binding medical order. Instead, medical staff will interpret it based on the situation at hand, with input from your family and your surrogate decision-maker. Living wills become activated only when a person is terminally ill and unconscious or in a permanent vegetative state. A terminal illness is one from which a person is not expected to recover, even with treatment -- for instance, advanced metastatic cancer. Bouts of illness that can be treated, such as worsening heart failure, are considered "critical" not "terminal" illness, and should not activate a living will. To be activated, one or two doctors must certify that your living will should go into effect, depending on the state where you live. DNRs Do-not-resuscitate orders are binding medical orders signed by a physician. A DNR order applies specifically to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and directs medical personnel not to administer chest compressions, usually accompanied by mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, if someone stops breathing or their heart stops beating. The section of a living will specifying that you don't want CPR is a statement of a preference, not a DNR order. A DNR order applies only to a person who has gone into cardiac arrest. It does not mean that this person has refused other types of medical assistance, such as mechanical ventilation, defibrillation following CPR, intubation (the insertion of a breathing tube down a patient's throat), medical tests or intravenous antibiotics, among other measures. Even so, DNR orders are often wrongly equated with "do not treat" at all, according to a 2011 review in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. POLST forms A POLST form is a set of medical orders for a seriously ill or frail patient who may die within a year, signed by a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner. These forms, which vary by state, are meant to be prepared after a detailed conversation about a patient's prognosis, goals and values, and the potential benefits and harms of various treatment options. Problems have emerged with the increased use of POLSTs. Some nursing homes are asking all patients to sign POLST forms, even those admitted for short-term rehabilitation or whose life expectancy exceeds a year, according to a recent article by Charlie Sabatino, director of the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging. Also, medical providers' conversations with patients can be cursory, not comprehensive, and forms often aren't updated, as recommended, when a patient's medical condition changes. "The POLST form is still relatively new, and there's education that needs to be done," said Amy Vandenbroucke, executive director of the National POLST Paradigm, an organization that promotes use of the forms. In a policy statement issued last year and updated in April, it stated that completion of POLST forms should always be voluntary, made with a patient's or surrogate decision-maker's knowledge and consent, and offered only to people whose physician would not be surprised if they die within a year. - This column is produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service and a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. In the past year, grocery stores in Clinton, Moline, Effingham, Kankakee and several Chicago suburbs have closed and two more in central Illinois are slated to close by the end of this month. Two Kroger grocery stores are slated to close later this month, one in Decatur and another in Lincoln. Statements from Kroger corporate says the stores werent expected to return to profitability. Company leaders praised the stores associates, saying the closings are not a reflection on them or their work, a statement from Kroger said. The 76 members of the Kroger team in Lincoln have performed extremely well and have been committed to customer service in spite of the business challenges experienced by their store. A statement from Kroger about the Decatur closing said customers will still be able to shop, fill prescriptions and get fuel at two other locations in the central Illinois community. The HR team will strive to find other positions for the (95) store associates at the other Decatur Kroger stores, the statement said. Illinois Retail Merchants Association President Rob Karr said while each business is unique, there may be one commonality. No longer are companies willing to subsidize underperforming stores, Karr said. If stores arent meeting their targets, arent meeting what they need to meet the needs of the companies, then they are more likely to close them than to subsidize them with more profitable stores. Karr said people trending to eat out more could be another reason. But he said the grocery business lives on the narrowest margins where theres very little room for error amid intense competition. But theres another factor, he said. We cant overlook the fact, and people tend to roll their eyes sometimes, but its real, the combined impact of local government and state governments pressures on business also impacts them negatively, Karr said. State reports through the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act indicate since July 2017, at least 17 grocery stores or food retailers have closed throughout the state, impacting around 1,660 employees and countless consumers. Snap Kitchen, billed online as a one stop healthy meal shop, closed seven locations in Chicago in December 2017 affecting 76 employees. Several months ago, multiple Sams Club stores closed in the Chicago suburbs: Wheeling with 138 employees, Streamwood with 191 employees, Matteson affecting 166 workers, Naperville with 170 employees, Batavia with 150 employees, Moline with 155 and Romeoville with 167. In other parts of the state, Walmart in Clinton with 80 workers is set to close by the end of the month. Martins IGA in Effingham closed, affecting 275 in January 2018. Ultra Foods in Kankakee closed in September 2017 affecting 92 employees. While more urban areas may have access to other grocery choices, things get more difficult in rural areas where the Rural Health Information Hub says access to food may be limited by financial constraints or other factors, such as transportation challenges. Rural shoppers may rely on more expensive and less nutritious options, such as those available at gas station convenience stores, or face a long drive to a town with a grocery store that stocks fresh produce, milk, eggs, and other staples, it said. Greg Bishop reports on Illinois government and other statewide issues for INN. Bishop has years of award winning broadcast experience, and previously hosted The Council Roundup, as well as Bishop On Air, a morning-drive current events talk show. New Jersey Transit canceled at least 16 morning-rush trains as mechanical trouble and an ongoing emergency-braking project again upended the New York City-commute. The delays and crowding, while the National Weather Service warned about dangerously high temperatures and poor air quality, was an extension of last week's nightmare commute that the operator attributed to crew absences, extra service for concert-goers and safety software installations on some cars. "Happy Monday NJ. The social team is signed on today until 8pm," NJ Transit, the nation's largest statewide mass-transportation provider, wrote on Twitter at 7 a.m. Commuters bombarded the account asking why their trains were late or not running and complained about conflicting information. NJ Transit said several trains had unspecified mechanical issues. Brandon Stefanowitz, a 24-year-old television producer who commutes to New York City on the Montclair-Boonton line, said the lack of trains is extending rush hours. He boarded two hours earlier than usual this morning to find passengers "aggravated, arguing." "They made it seem like last summer was going to be the solution with all the repairs they were making," said Stefanowitz, referring to eight weeks of stepped-up maintenance by Amtrak at Pennsylvania Station in New York City, the most-used NJ Transit destination. At least three New Jersey-bound trains were canceled at Penn Monday morning while the weather service said temperatures were to feel around 100 degrees and warned that poor air quality could cause breathing trouble. Once a national model, the railroad, after eight years of budget cuts by former governor Chris Christie, is the nation's leader for accidents and safety fines. Christie's successor, Phil Murphy, came to office in January with a pledge to turn around the railroad, though he warned it would take years to catch up on maintenance, staffing and technology. The railroad is working to qualify for an extension to a Dec. 31 deadline for the installation of lifesaving technology called positive train control, mandated by Congress to prevent collisions and derailments. All 440 locomotives must be rotated out of service to be fitted with software and tested, leaving less stock for daily runs. Though NJ Transit on Aug. 3 said it was about halfway through the project -- which includes work on track segments, radio towers and training -- it didn't disclose how many locomotives still must be sidelined. The railroad's press office didn't respond to an email for comment. NJ Transit last week said that in addition to delays caused by the safety work, train crew staffing was lower than typical, with some off the job because they had worked late to provide transportation at a MetLife Stadium show in East Rutherford. Several Mandals, which have been celebrating the festival for more than 100 years, have been issued notices by the BMC. Mumbai: Barely a couple of days after the BMC warned Ganesh Mandals that not a single pandal will be erected without permission, Shiv Sena the ruling party in the civic body has come forward to their support. Alleging that mandals are being targeted un-fairly, the Sena leaders have asked the BMC to halt the action immediately. A delegation of Sena leaders and corporators, led by MLC Anil Parab, called upon civic chief Ajoy Mehta on Monday and urged him to stop BMCs action against Ganesh Mandals. Under the name of law, the BMC has been taking action against mandals and idol makers. If it is not stopped, the law and order situation in the city will deteriorate during the festive season, said Sena leader, Anil Parab. Several Mandals, which have been celebrating the festival for more than 100 years, have been issued notices by the BMC. Is the civic body creating a situation like West Bengal, where chief minister Mamata Banerjee took anti-Hindu stand during Navratri? Putting restrictions on Hindu festivals will send a wrong message. It will lead to a law and order situation, he added. Instead of acting against the metro work, BMC is taking action only against Hindu festivals, said Mr Parab. EDWARDSVILLE After eight weeks of archaeological field and laboratory research and fish-monitoring in the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, 10 undergraduates from around the United States shared their research findings during the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Symposium held Thursday, July 26, on campus. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Carol Colaninno, PhD, assistant research professor in the SIUE STEM Center, alongside co-PI John Chick, PhD, director of the Great Rivers Field Station, U of I Natural History Survey just finished the second year of the program. Entitled, Exploring Evidence of the Anthropocene: Archaeological and Ecological Interdisciplinary Research Experiences for First Generation Students in the Upper Mississippi River System, the research program allows students to gain an understanding of the scientific method while learning excavation and fish-monitoring techniques, lab-based data collection, research writing and data analysis. The program also caters to first generation and non-traditional college students, offering student and career development sessions throughout the summer. The Anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch in which scholars suggest current climate and environmental conditions have been heavily influenced by human activity rather than natural processes. We put in so much hard work during the summer on our project and to see it come together the way we wanted was incredibly satisfying, said Olivia Mullenax, a rising sophomore at the University of Minnesota. This experience also allowed us to explore an original research question that scientist havent studied before. Mullenaxs research partner Courtney Camp, a rising senior at the University of Georgia, explained their project, Influence of Human and Fishing Strategies on Fish Communities in the Upper Mississippi River System. Our project looked at the influence of human fishing strategies over time, and our recent management practices that support sport and commercial fish species, Camp said. We also looked at data from archaeological sites, including the fishes that Native Americans caught and modern day fish communities. Camp continued. This experience allowed me to make a lot of great connections, and I hope to use those connections, especially when I get to graduate school. Maria Brauer, a rising junior from Belmont University, was excited to be able to conduct ecological research a year ahead of what is normally expected of her at her university. I think I found something I really love thanks to this summer experience, Brauer said. We researched planktivorous fish, which are native to the Upper Mississippi River System. My partner, Jennifer McBride from SIUE, and I sought to understand how these native fishes have been affected by invasive species, the bigheaded carps, who eat the same food. It has been great to see these students walk into the program initially a bit intimidated by research, walk out as researchers, Colaninno said. We are extremely proud of what these students have accomplished over the past eight weeks. The symposium drew all types of visitors, including SIUE faculty and administrators, as well as some of the participants friends and family. REU participant Emily Lange, of Edwardsville, spent the summer excavating and learning to identify fish bones from archaeological deposits. Her father, Jeremy Lange, was pleased to see the outcome of her research. It was a remarkable opportunity for her and everyone involved, including the parents, Lange said. It allowed her to do something to further her education while giving her the chance to earn some money at the same time. Jerry Weinberg, PhD, associate provost for research and dean of the SIUE Graduate School, believes the REU gives students the opportunity to develop key skills and assists in raising the profile of the University as it houses the natural resources that allow for such incredible hands-on research opportunities. Though the students work at SIUE is complete, these student scholars and their faculty mentors will present their research once again at the upcoming Mississippi River Research Consortium in April 2019 in La Crosse, Wis. Q: When looking at our marketing spend, whats more important for digital growth: SEO or social media? -- Chris G., Minnesota Before consulting, I made my living as an editor in media. Each job I held taught me the same lesson: Digital growth is not about manipulating tools like search engine optimization (SEO) and social media. Its about using them to reach customers. Then its your job to create a sustainable relationship off of those platforms. Related: 55 Must-Know SEO Tricks for Business Websites (Infographic) Ill give you two examples of how those tools can go wrong. My first big job was fitness editor at a mens magazine. Facebook was relatively new, and we aggressively built our following. The result was lots of likes but little direct revenue we could track. That audience eventually drove significant traffic to the website -- and that was traffic we could monetize. After I left, Facebook changed its algorithm, and posts drove only a small fraction of the clicks they once did. Traffic shrank. So did revenue. My next gig was as at a health website that had mastered SEO. Higher search results led to more traffic, which led to higher advertising revenue. Then came the infamous Google Panda update, a change to its algorithm that penalized content trying to game SEO by using hacks like keyword stuffing. Those changes sent us into a tailspin. We had to review the sites 500,000-plus articles, remove more than 150,000, and reinvent the editorial approach. It took 18 months to fully recover. Related: The Top 4 Basic SEO Principles That Increase Your Website Traffic Chris, I dont share these stories to suggest that social media and SEO arent important. They are. But dependency on any platform you cant control is dangerous. I like to look at businesses in pieces, so lets consider your marketing needs. What is going to help customer acquisition and retention? What is the cost and ROI? SEO and social media are effective components of an acquisition strategy, and social media can also help with retention. Rather than thinking about which is better, think about how you can use each to support your core business. For SEO, how are people discovering you? What questions would they ask Google that could lead them to you? Lets say you own a car dealership and want to own best car dealership in Minnesota. Yes, you could go to Google Adwords and spend money on a search term. But buying your way into SEO popularity can be expensive. (And most consumers ignore obvious ads.) Instead, consider what questions potential customers may have about, say, a specific car you sell. Win traffic by answering those questions on your site. Weve seen clients earn hundreds of thousands of dollars of free search engine marketing by creating and owning valuable content. Google wants to reward that value, so if you build something that actually helps the end user, you will -- over time -- climb the ranks on the search engines results pages. And it will be more than worth what it cost to create that content. Social media, on the other hand, is driven by engagement. You need to have an emotional pulse on what people care about -- enough to make them spread your brands message. Likes, shares and comments are the by-products of an ongoing conversation. Those virtual interactions can result in real-life customers and help keep them. Related: 6 Must-Do's for Effective Social Media Marketing The bottom line, Chris, is that no one tool will help you thrive. Google and Facebook can help. Email lists, apps and member communities can, too -- and theyre even better, because you control them in a way youll never control giant platforms. But any great business must build an ecosystem that routinely engages its customers -- and that should be your main focus. Related: The Questions You Should Be Asking When Looking at Your SEO and Social Media Strategy 5 SEO Concepts Entrepreneurs Should Implement in 2018-2019 to Boost Google Ranking Balancing Creativity and SEO in Content Writing Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved On Aug. 12, the anniversary of last year's Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville that resulted in the death of a counterprotester and shocked the nation, white supremacists are planning to demonstrate in front of the White House. Their goal: to demonstrate for what they call "white civil rights." A number of national and local anti-racist groups are planning counteractions, including a teach-ins, a march from New York City to Washington, D.C., and rallies this weekend led by local organizers and religious groups. Others are advising people to stay home and ignore the rally to deny them media attention. There are warnings of violence at far-right rallies across the country and Metro in the District of Columbia was reportedly considering reserving train cars for Unite the Right participants to discourage violence next Sunday - an idea that has since been shut down. While doing nothing risks normalizing the white nationalists' vile agenda, physically confronting them could lead to violence and amplify their cause. The best way to resist white supremacists is to massively outnumber them in a disciplined show of nonviolent force. Physical clashes and shouting matches, even if provoked by the white supremacists, provides them with a bullhorn and a victim card to play. Instead, a mass gathering at a separate location, a clear message of unity against hate and strict nonviolent discipline are the way to go. The rise of far-right groups in the United States is a fundamental threat to our democracy that cannot be ignored. The Southern Poverty Law Center is tracking 954 hate groups, which are increasingly turning to street action. Their members are often encouraged to carry guns to demonstrations to protect themselves against "leftist fascist groups." Some far-right groups, such as the Rise Above Movement in California, recruit individuals, including members of skinhead gangs, who attend rallies across the country to openly brawl with counterprotesters. This happened last year in Charlottesville, Virginia, when gun-toting white supremacists and anti-racist protesters, some using violent tactics, clashed in the streets and more than a dozen were injured. Heather Heyer, an anti-racist activist, was killed when a car driven by a white nationalist drove into her. One year later, on Aug. 12, demonstrators should come together to manifest a massive rejection of the white nationalist agenda. The counterprotesters should avoid a direct physical confrontation with the neo-Nazis, however, and instead rally in a different location. Ideally, the anti-Nazi groups would gather in large groups all around the city. They could, for example, congregate on the rooftops of Washington apartments, hotels and business establishments, and wear the same color and shout the same message at the same time. Such dispersed, low-risk tactics were used in civil resistance movements in places like Chile, Serbia and Turkey. More for you Left and right protesters gather in Berkeley for demonstrations This would send a powerful message of solidarity without the same level of risk of violent escalation. No matter what, counterprotesters should commit to nonviolent discipline. Failure to do so typically benefits the other side. Last year in Quebec City, the far-right, anti-immigrant group La Muete ("wolf pack") won a PR triumph by remaining nonviolent while anti-fascist activists clashed with police. La Muete members planning a march were pinned in the basement of a parking garage while the violence raged outside. When La Muete members emerged hours later, they held a silent march and declared victory, emphasizing their peaceful methods. It is quite possible that throwing punches or pepper-spraying neo-Nazis allows protesters to win an occasional street battle. In some instances, it may prevent violent attacks against individual protesters, particularly when they are surrounded by civilian paramilitaries armed with clubs or worse. But evidence shows that blending tactics is usually counterproductive. Scholars have found that the emergence of a violent flank tends to decrease the size and diversity of participation in otherwise unarmed movements, particularly reducing participation of women, elderly, disabled and marginalized groups. That weakens civic movements because their strength and their ability to win allies are directly correlated with their ability to maintain large, diverse participation. In Boston last year, a few days after Charlottesville, 40,000 counterprotesters greeted a few dozen neo-Nazis attending a "free speech" rally. In response to the massive counterdemonstration, the far-right leaders canceled their speeches without any street fighting and the subsequent political costs of such activity. Other groups have used humor to deflate hate groups' message. At a Confederate rally in South Carolina last year, a protester mocked the KKK supporters by serenading them with tuba music during their march. In one town in Germany, the community turned annual neo-Nazi marches into "involuntary walkathons" - for every meter the neo-Nazis marched, local residents and businesses pledged to donate 10 euros toward a program that helps people leave far-right extremist groups. There are plenty of creative, life-affirming ways to resist white supremacist groups that do not involve shouting matches, street fights or doing nothing. Mobilizing a counter-rally needs to be backed by sustained organizing to seriously challenge racism and white supremacy in the United States. A mass, diverse and disciplined gathering on Aug. 12, supported by committed organizing, is the best way to resist far-right extremism, create divisions within their ranks and build power for the many fights to defend our democracy that lie ahead. --- Stephan is the co-author of "Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict" and co-editor of "Is Authoritarianism Staging a Comeback?" DingTalk has grown exponentially to become the worlds largest chat service designed for companies. In the cramped former home of Jack Ma, founder of the Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, about thirty young engineers sit elbow-to-elbow, working to attract the next million users for DingTalk, Alibabas workplace communication software. Their installation in the hallowed flat where Ma got his start in the eastern city of Hangzhou reflects DingTalks place in the pecking order of the companys sprawling collection of start-up projects. Since December 2014, DingTalk has grown exponentially to become the worlds largest chat service designed for companies, with over 100 million individual users and 7 million employers across China. The company says, without providing numbers, that it also has a growing presence in Europe, the United States and Southeast Asia. But its rapid rise - propelled by a promise to boost productivity through better monitoring of employee movements and faster responses to important messages - has sparked a backlash from Chinese workers who say the app fuels an unhealthy work culture. That also raises questions about DingTalks ability to expand into the West, where people are typically guarded about their workplace privacy. In China, surveillance by the authorities and employers is already common. Like WhatsApp, DingTalk lets senders see if recipients have read messages, but it also has a ding feature that can bombard recipients with repeat notifications, text messages and phone-call reminders. On top of this original feature, the company has added a wide range of functions that include automatic expense claims, a clock-in system to monitor the whereabouts of employees, as well as a daily report function that requires workers to list completed tasks. As DingTalk has grown, many Chinese office workers have vented their frustrations online about the service, saying it is inhumane and destroys trust. On Zhihu.com, a question-and-answer website, a thread entitled how does it feel like to be forced to use DingTalk at work has more than a thousand posts and has been viewed over 7.7 million times. An informal Reuters poll of 30 workers using DingTalk showed that about half had negative feelings about the app, while the rest said they were fine with it - often because their companies had not adopted features such as the clock-in function. Theres a saying in my circle, that you should quit the day your company installs DingTalk, said Robert, who works in luxury retail in the northwestern province of Shaanxi and complains that DingTalk has fragmented his time into pieces. He declined to provide his surname. Li Xiaoyang, a former software sales agent in Beijing, said he had to use DingTalks geolocation function at his previous firm whenever he met a client, and use a face scanner to verify he was attending meetings. I felt so disgusted by it, he said, adding that he was constantly dinged by managers. Every level of management thinks their demand is the top priority and should be dealt with first, he said. Even worse, they will ding you through DingTalk even on holiday and you cant pretend you didnt see it. A company spokesperson said in response to the poll that DingTalk provided an effective communications tool for the workplace. DingTalk has many satisfied customers using our tool in Asia, Europe and the US, which points to its success and customer satisfaction. The spokesperson also said that DingTalk had security technology built into the app to protect the privacy of employees and companies confidential corporate data. DingTalk has not only helped companies improve workflow efficiency through a unified communications platform, but also encouraged transparency and accountability within the workplace. DingTalk sprang from Alibabas unsuccessful attempt to challenge the WeChat instant messenger of its arch-rival, Tencent Holdings Ltd, the services chief executive, Wu Zhao, said in an interview. We came to understand that we did not understand social media platforms, Wu said at DingTalks offices in Hangzhou, where Alibaba has its headquarters. Instead, Wus team sought another niche, tackling a common managerial complaint in China: workers who fail to reply to messages and later feign ignorance. The driving force behind DingTalks growth has been solving the organizational concerns of Chinese firms and providing - for free - a platform that gives companies a level of efficiency similar to Alibabas, Wu said. What Jack Ma said to me was: Wu Zhao, helping small and medium enterprises is our companys mission. You go do that; dont concern yourself with making money, he said. Asked about DingTalks business model, Wu said the company was focusing on helping companies become transparent and efficient, rather than making a profit. The apps basic features are all free, but users have to pay for hardware and additional cloud storage or conference call minutes, as well as for third-party services. Alibaba does not specify DingTalks revenue in its financial statements. Wu is aware of the backlash DingTalk is facing but says the problem is a toxic work culture at some companies and misuse by some employers. The tool itself is not the problem; the way it is used is the problem, he said. DingTalks goal is to encourage transparent and equal communications among all staff, Wu said. We believe only by creating an equal, transparent and effective communications environment that bottom-up and real innovation can be realized. Records from the app have been used by companies as evidence to fire employees and dock pay, according to labour-related lawsuits seen by Reuters in court filings. But DingTalk also wins praise as a productivity aid. It saves a lot of time as you no longer need to sit in physical conference calls and make phone calls. For important matters, you just need to ding someone, said Liu Sufen, a spokeswoman at the Chinese bicycle-sharing firm Hellobike. For larger companies, like Dongguan Meishang Clothing, which has a nation-wide client base and more than 3,000 employees, DingTalk has helped reduce costs and increase efficiency, said Peng Xiang, the companys information director. Before we used DingTalk, it was nearly impossible for employees to communicate directly with the boss; however with DingTalk this becomes possible and easy. Peng said approval processes that once took a week could now be done in an hour on DingTalk. Despite the grumbling, Wu believes the service will translate across borders and cultures - even in the West. If you come into Starbucks in the morning and you are told you cant buy coffee because their staff hasnt arrived, will you accept that? Even the Europeans wont accept tardiness. However, Chen Bikui, a partner at Liuhe Ventures who invests in enterprise software startups, said he doubted that DingTalk would succeed abroad, citing issues like privacy concerns in the West. DingTalk is so much tailored to Chinese companies - it would be hard for it to be adopted by companies from other countries, he said. (Source) City of Plainview Jeffrey Snyder, Plainview City Manager, was recently appointed to serve on the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool (TMLIRP) Board of Trustees Place 3. He will fill an unexpired term for Place 3 which runs until October 2020. "It is important for City staff to serve on state and regional boards," said Mayor Wendell Dunlap. "Staff not only brings back knowledge and information that will improve City services but it is also an opportunity for us to have a presence in these great organizations." US lawmakers and the Trump administration have pressured US companies to not sell Huawei or ZTE products. The Democratic National Committee warned party candidates running in November elections not to use devices made by Chinese telecommunications companies ZTE Corp and Huawei Technologies because they pose a security risk, a Democratic source said on Friday. US lawmakers and the Trump administration have pressured US companies to not sell Huawei or ZTE products, saying they potentially could be used to spy on Americans. Earlier this year they pushed AT&T to drop a deal with Huawei to sell its smartphones in the United States. The source said Bob Lord, the DNCs chief security officer, said in an email that it was important for party and campaign workers to be vigilant about the warnings. Please make sure that you are not using or purchasing ZTE or Huawei devices anywhere within your staff - for personal or work-related use, Lord said. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai told Congress in March he shared the concerns of US lawmakers about espionage threats from Huawei. Hidden backdoors to our networks in routers, switches - and virtually any other type of telecommunications equipment - can provide an avenue for hostile governments to inject viruses, launch denial-of-service attacks, steal data, and more, Pai said at the time. The US Department of Defence has already stopped selling mobile phones and modems made by Huawei and ZTE in stores on its military bases, citing potential security risks. (Source) San Antonio police are looking for a 14-year-old girl who was last seen Friday. Allana Nicole Martinez, who also goes by Lana, was last seen in the 11000 block of Perrin Beitel Road on the Northeast Side, according to police. A majority of Harris County voters say they will support a $2.5 billion flood infrastructure bond at the polls later this month, according to University of Houston research released Monday. Sixty-two percent of residents who said they are certain to vote said they will support the bond, compared to 55 percent of all respondents. Just 10 percent said they oppose the bond, while one-third remain unsure. "People see flooding as a Houston and Harris County problem, not a problem affecting only certain neighborhoods or people," Jim Granato, executive director of UH's Hobby School of Public Affairs, said in a statement. "They believe the region's future will be decided, at least in part, by how we respond." The bond would be the largest local investment in flood management post-Hurricane Harvey and include channel improvements, detention basins, drainage projects and thousands of home buyouts in the floodplain. The Hobby School of Public Affairs polled 815 residents between June 26 and July 31. The margin of error is 3.4 percent. Only 36 percent of residents said they will definitely cast a ballot. MORE: Residents give flood control officials an earful at flood bond public meetings Residents who sustained property damage from Hurricane Harvey were slightly more likely to support the bond than those who remained dry, 60 percent to 52 percent. Partisanship appears to play little role in residents' views on the bond, as 58 percent of Republicans and 63 percent of Democrats support the proposal, which has wide support elected officials from both parties. Sixty-nine percent of college-educated residents said they'll vote yes, while the poll found residents 65 and older support the bond to the tune of 58 percent. Seniors whose homes are worth less than $200,000, as well as residents who are disabled, would not see their taxes rise because of the bond. Just 18 percent of the youngest polling cohort, residents 18 to 25, said they support the bond, though 59 percent professed they remain unsure. PREPPING PROPOSAL: Harris County pieces together flood bond projects, millions at a time, in Harvey's wake JUDGE'S PLEDGE: Emmett promises public will have input on $2.5B flood bond Harris County residents found most agreement when asked whether Austin should help the region's recovery by tapping into the state's Rainy Day Fund. Almost 88 percent said the Abbott administration should. The Hobby School also polled residents on flood mitigation strategies in February. In that round of questions, a third of residents said they sustained serious flood damage from Harvey, and more than half said the monster storm negatively affected their household finances. Early voting on the bond begins Wednesday, and Election Day is Aug. 25 the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey. The Harris County Flood Control District said it plans to release a final list of projects that would be funded by the bond on Monday. Pablo Pinto, director of the Center for Public Policy at the Hobby School, said in a statement that the polling suggests residents are accepting that flooding has become a regular, persistent problem in the region. "They are worried that the image of roads and houses submerged by floodwaters will make Houston less attractive to future residents and businesses," he said. "This really is a change in attitude." Zach Despart covers Harris County for the Chronicle. You can follow him on Twitter or email him at zach.despart@chron.com. Hamza is the son of one of Osama's three surviving wives, Khairiah Sabar, who was living with her husband in Abbottabad, when he was killed. Hamza, 29, has assumed a senior position within Al-Qaida and was aiming to avenge the death of his father, who was shot dead during a covert US military raid in Pakistan's Abbottabad seven years ago. (Photo: AP) London: Hamza bin Laden, the son of slain Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden, married the daughter of Mohammed Atta, the leader of the hijackers who carried out the deadly 9/11 terror attacks in the US, according to a media report. The family of the deceased Al-Qaida leader confirmed that Hamza married Atta's daughter, the Guardian quoted Osama's family as saying. Atta, an Egyptian national, piloted American Airlines Flight 11, which was the first of the hijackings, into the North Tower of the World Trade Centre- killing all 92 onboard and around 1,600 people, including emergency responders, in the tower. Hamza, 29, has assumed a senior position within Al-Qaida and was aiming to avenge the death of his father, who was shot dead during a covert US military raid in Pakistan's Abbottabad seven years ago, Osama's half-brothers Ahmad and Hassan al-Attas were quoted as saying. In May 2011, US Navy SEALs stormed Osama's Abbottabad compound where he was living with three of wives and shot him dead. Hamza's brother Khalid was also killed in the US raid. Hamza is the son of one of Osama's three surviving wives, Khairiah Sabar, who was living with her husband in a compound in Abbottabad, near a large Pakistani military base, when he was killed. "We have heard he has married the daughter of Mohammed Atta," said Ahmad al-Attas. "We're not sure where he is, but it could be Afghanistan." Hamza, the potential successor of al-Qaida chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri, has released several audio speeches calling for attack on Western interests, including one in 2016 in which he vowed to avenge his father's death. Western intelligence agencies have been increasingly focusing on the whereabouts of Hamza over the past two years, seeing him as more likely than anyone else to galvanise followers. His marriage to the daughter of Atta appears to confirm that the 9/11 alumni remains a central hub of Al-Qaida and that the organisation itself continues to be organised around Osama's legacy, the report added. President Donald Trump has yet again tweeted about his personal legal issues in a way he perhaps shouldn't have. That Washington Post reported Saturday that Trump had expressed concerns in the past week about his son Donald Trump Jr.'s legal exposure from the 2016 Trump Tower meeting. In a tweet about that report on Sunday, Trump said, "This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!" Two issues. The first is that Trump appears to have broken some new ground here when it comes to admitting the true purpose of the Trump Tower meeting with a Kremlin-aligned lawyer - and even further contradicted the initial statement he helped draft about it. At the time, Donald Trump Jr. issued a statement explaining that he and the lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, had "primarily discussed a program about the adoption of Russian children." We have since learned that the elder Trump actually dictated that statement. MORE: Trump at a precarious moment in his presidency: Privately brooding and publicly roaring Quickly, though, that explanation fell apart, and we learned that Trump Jr. had actually been promised harmful information about Democrats, including Hillary Clinton. President Trump himself seemed to shrug it off, saying in July 2017 that, "from a practical standpoint, most people would have taken that meeting." He added: "It's called opposition research or even research into your opponent." But at the same time, he still suggested that the meeting was, in large part, about adoption. Sunday's tweet appears to acknowledge that the meeting was actually predicated on opposition research: "This was a meeting to get information on an opponent." The initial denial - which, again, Trump himself dictated - is pretty irreconcilable with that. (You could perhaps argue that adoption was mostly discussed, even if the meeting was set up to discuss oppo research, but that's a stretch.) And if you're Robert Mueller and you're looking at whether Trump obstructed justice, you've now got even more evidence of a clear attempt to mislead the public and obscure the truth. Trump's July 2017 comments came before we knew he was involved in drafting that initial misleading response; now Trump is in the public record as having authored it. ALSO: Trump makes bizarre claim that tariffs will help pay down the massive US debt The second issue here are the final words of the tweet. "I did not know about it!" This is something Trump has said regularly about the Trump Tower meeting, and something he has re-upped now that Michael Cohen is reportedly telling people that Trump did know about it. But here's the thing: This is a tweet about how the Trump Tower meeting was totally fine - nothing illegal to see here. If you've got no real concern about legal exposure from the meeting, why distance yourself from it? Trump seems to be arguing against his own point by assuring us that he had nothing to do with this meeting, which - oh, by the way - was totally on the up-and-up. Trump might as well have just confirmed The Post's report that he is worried about what the meeting portends for his son. Is this tweet, in and of itself, damning? Probably not. But obstruction-of-justice cases are about proving that someone had "corrupt intent" when they took the actions they did. And for the second time in less than a week, Trump tweeted something that suggested his intent wasn't terribly wholesome. He also suggested that he isn't as convinced as he'd like us to believe that there's nothing to see here. After President Donald Trumps less-than-stellar performance side by side with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, many Trump critics may have hoped, reasonably, that Trumps approval ratings already historically low compared with other presidents would take a nose-dive. Instead, his numbers remained basically steady. A July NBC/Wall Street Journal sampling even found that Trumps approval rating climbed one point from the previous month, to 45 percent, and, most notably, his 88 percent approval among Republicans is the highest of his presidency. Republican pollster Bill McInturff, part of the team that conducted the poll, said the stability in the presidents numbers was noteworthy, considering not only the widely panned summit with Putin but also other controversies, including the separation of families at the border and Trumps rocky NATO meetings. Trumps haters it is not too strong a word accuse the GOP base of abandoning its principles or being mindlessly enslaved to the cult of Trump. It is time to consider that almost everyone has been misreading the Republican Partys core for several years. In 2008 and 2012, the eventual GOP nominee was, in both cases, a compromise candidate. Republicans were not particularly enthusiastic about either John McCain or Mitt Romney, each of whom amassed about 10 million votes in their respective primaries. Trump racked up about 14 million primary votes in 2016. Neither McCain nor Romney is viewed as a stalwart defender of the GOP; both are willing to criticize their own party at the drop of a hat, like a father constantly ashamed of his own children. Trump, by comparison, wont apologize or back down. The base loves him for it. When I was growing up, my uncle, Bill Kibler, was a figure who both intimidated and fascinated me. A big, loud Navy veteran, farmer, outdoorsman and county Republican Party chairman, Uncle Bill was never shy with an opinion, often stated in the most politically incorrect manner. His verbal daggers frequently targeted his own party. They dont have any guts, he would say every time Republicans either folded, in his opinion, or acquiesced to the Democrats or the media on one issue or another. The Democrats never back down or apologize. They play hardball. Were sissies. Except sissies was not the word he used. Uncle Bill passed away in 2008 at age 84, and it is a cosmic injustice that he did not live to see Donald Trump become president. He would be gratified that, finally, there has arrived a Republican who wont apologize, come hell or high water, for wanting to enforce immigration laws, for demanding that our allies pony up more for our common defense and for giving as good as he gets from the media. It will pain #NeverTrump Republicans to admit it, but the party for which they pine has, for many years, been little more than a figment of their imaginations. The GOP base is not comprised of people wringing their hands over Trumps peccadilloes or embracing the lefts laundry list of grievances. No, the GOP base is Uncle Bill. It is a coalition of die-hard partisans who have long resented Republicans, past and present, who surrender to Democrats or cater to the liberal medias definition of appropriateness. I recently argued that the GOP has become the party of Trump. But it may be more accurate that the party of Trump has existed for years and has just been waiting for Trump to arrive. The base wont abandon him not over Russia, not over family separations, not over Stormy Daniels and company, and certainly not over his attacks on the media. In 1992, Hillary Clinton famously protested that she wasnt just some Tammy Wynette-style wife blindly standing by her man despite her husbands philandering ways. Likewise, however badly Trump behaves, and regardless of the criticism he faces, grass-roots Republicans are standing by him and going through it with him, defiantly and without apology. They finally have the president theyve been waiting for, and theyre not letting him go. Gary Abernathy writes a column for the Washington Post. The runoff election between Democrat Pete Gallegos and Republican Pete Flores for the Texas Senate District 19 seat needs to be scheduled as soon as possible. State elections law allows Gov. Greg Abbott a bit of leeway in scheduling the runoff, and we urge that he set the election date sooner rather than later. Taxpayers in this 17-county district that stretches from Bexar County to Reeves County in West Texas have been without representation in Austin for too long. The seat became vacant on June 18 when former state Sen. Carlos Uresti resigned. He gave up the seat four months after he was found guilty by a jury on federal fraud charges in connection with the operation of a now-shuttered business that specialized in oil field-related sand sales. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison on June 26 but remains out on bond while awaiting trial on other criminal matters. We urge the counties that participated in the July 31 race to complete their canvassing of the votes as expeditiously as possible so Abbott can complete the district canvassing and set an election date. The Texas Election Code calls for a special-election runoff to fill a vacancy in the Legislature to occur between 70 and 77 days after the governor has completed the final canvass. That would allow the scheduling of the election during the last week in October. However, according to the Texas secretary of states office, the governor could chose to invoke his authority under another section of the code that provides for emergency elections and call the runoff 20 to 45 days after the final canvass. If that happens, it could be scheduled in September. Going with the earliest possible date would be best. The logistics of scheduling a runoff so it does not bump against a general election could have been avoided if Uresti had relinquished his elected office sooner. He doggedly held on until his 22-year anniversary as a state elected official a milestone relevant to the amount of state pension he can collect from his years of public service even while in prison. With the Texas Legislature gearing up for its biennial session in January, it is important that this seat be filled as quickly as possible. A recently released study draws the conclusion that the majority of school districts are not complying with a state law requiring them to supply voter registration forms to eligible students at least twice a year. The analysis conducted by the Texas Civil Right Projects was based on requests for voter registration forms formally submitted to the Texas secretary of state. Based on that information, the report concludes that only about a third of the 2,600 public high schools in the state with 20 or more seniors have complied with the state requirement. But before school districts become suspects in a conspiracy plot, it should be noted as the researchers do in their report that the secretary of states office in Austin is not the only place that supplies voter registration forms. County election administrators dispense the forms; they just dont keep a running tally of who is asking. Voter registration forms are also available online for printing. In Bexar County, the League of Women Voters does a commendable job of regularly visiting high school campuses to register students to vote. There are probably more teens registering to vote in Texas than the study shows, but that doesnt mean more young voters are casting ballots. Registering teens of voting age while they are in high school is a good way to help them develop lifelong habits about civic engagement. However, it is going to take much more effort to get them to vote regularly. That might require civics lessons that teach the importance of voting and why sitting out elections is never a good idea. In 2016, a presidential election year, only 42.6 percent of the registered voters in Texas cast a ballot. Bexar County has more than 1 million registered voters, yet the percentage of turnouts in some local election often is in the single digits. During one recent Alamo Community College District trustee election, the final outcome was decided by two votes. Regrettably, even the best crafted of laws cannot compel civic responsibility. Making civics classes more prevalent in our schools is a good way to start. Re: James puts his mark on education, Sports, Wednesday: A pity that the article did not feature the ongoing and expanding commitment to educational and character building opportunities by former Spur David Robinson and his family, who have been the quiet foundation for providing a hand-up for so many for such a long time. Norm Loukinen Media courageous Re: Threat from media, Your Turn, July 30: I am responding to the letter writer who lambasts the liberal media for its criticism of Donald Trump. Most journalists are well-educated, well-informed and courageous. Their truthful comments about this narcissistic, abusive and intolerant man are well-warranted. He is the first resident of our highest office who constantly rages, brags of his illicit behavior, destroys rather than fortifies alliances with our friends, and praises dictators. He is disparaging of his appointees and public servants, and is wreaking havoc on our democracy and sense of decency. His only god is the almighty dollar. The writers ridiculous equating of the medias reporting of his lies and destructiveness with a lack of love for our beloved country is a travesty. Remember that all dictators and their worshippers start by abusing and suppressing the media. Michael Aratingi A threat indeed Re: Threat from media, Your Turn, July 30: This letter about the media threat is spot-on! The narrow-sighted idiots in this country need to look at the whole picture. President Donald Trump has done more for this country than the last four or five presidents combined. Thanks to the Express-News for finally printing something positive. Weve only got one country, and we better take care of it as President Trump is trying to do. Michael B. White It's big enough to house both Disneyland and California Adventure. It sits on the highest point in Beverly Hills and has 360-degree views of Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean, yet it's within 10 minutes of Rodeo Drive. It's been owned by Merv Griffin and an Iranian princess. Tom Cruise once tried to buy it. Now this 157-acre parcel of undeveloped land recently christened "The Mountain of Beverly Hills" is on the market for $1 billion. You read that right. One billion bucks for a plot of land that doesn't even have a mansion on it. So what exactly would one do with a massive lot in one of the most exclusive (and expensive!) markets in the world? Listing agent Aaron Kirman of Pacific Union Real estate reports the site comes with permission to build 1.5 million square feet of living space in multiple buildings. It's also zoned for six lots, which means a developer could break it up. But does subdividing make financial sense? Split the property into six equal lots, and you get 26-acre lots. Divide the 1.5 million square feet of living space by six, and each lot gets 250,000 square feet. To break even, a developer would have to charge close to $161 million per home. Even in the Beverly Hills market, that's optimistic. "When you pencil it out, I don't really see how the dots connect for a developer," says Billy Rose, president and co-founder of The Agency. When asked about potential buyers, Rose speculated that perhaps a wealthy family could build a compound there. Or he imagined an enclave of elite, like-minded billionaires creating the most technologically advanced community of all time, with beautiful, safe parks for their children and other superlative luxury amenities. It's the kind of dream that could fuel a fabulous film. But is the billion-dollar price tag a dream as well? It's common practice for sellers to launch their luxury properties at a record price in order to get attention. After all, since there are no comps, who's to say what it's worth? The closest comparisons nearby include a 97-acre lot for $250 million, and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen's 120-acre plot he recently put on the market for $150 million. The strategy is to attract a lot of attention, then see how much buyers are really willing to pay, as happened with the Bel Air spec mansion known as "Billionaire." When it went on the market at $250 million, it made news as the area's most expensive home. An offer around $190 million came in and it went into escrow, but the deal fell through. Based on the offer, the property went back on the market at $188 million. And it's hard to assess the billion-dollar property's value based on what others have paid for it in the past, because the SoCal luxury market has hit stratospheric heights in recent years. Griffin sold it to Herbalife head Mark Hughes in 1997 for $8.5 million. After Hughes died in 2000, the property went into a family trust and became the subject of a few legal battles. It was eventually sold to a developer for $23.75 million in 2004. The mountaintop property is now ready for a new, well-heeled owner. The land has been graded and landscaped, a sprinkler system installed, and sod laid on a portion of it so prospective buyers have more to see than scrubland. Over the past several years, the property has been the site of a handful of high-profile events, including charity benefits, Oscar parties, and Rihanna's famous Diamond Ball in 2014. The sellers hope billion-dollar bragging rights will make sense to someone with megabucks to spare. Will a buyer literally break the bank and splurge on this 10-digit spread? Stay tuned... The post Can an Empty Lot in Beverly Hills Sell for a Billion Bucks? appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. by Shafique Khokhar Qutab Rind, who was killed by college students, claiming he had blasphemed, had his legs and arms broken before he was thrown from the third floor of a building. Police appear to be covering for the killers. Another young talented student was killed under the banner of the blasphemy law to settle personal scores. This shows how dangerous it is to live in Pakistan where anyone can kill others for personal reasons, said one human rights activist. Lahore (AsiaNews) Pakistans blasphemy law has reaped another innocent victim. Qutab Rind, a young artist from Jacobabad who attended the National College of Arts in Lahore, was killed after he was accused of blasphemy. Three students broke his legs and arms and then threw him from the third floor of a building, family members report it. Although the incident took place on 17 July, it was only reported recently. Police said they have arrested two people but have not yet charged them. According to social media, the two suspects are called Ahsan and Waqas. The police could classify the case as blasphemy, giving immunity to the killers. Human rights activists have expressed concern about such incidents and have called on the government to bring the guilty to justice. They say that as long as the authorities do not punish the people who commit such atrocities in an exemplary manner, no one will learn. This will happen again and again, because people can get away with it by hiding behind religious motives. If Mashal Khan's murderers had stood before a court and punished according to the law, Qutab Rind might not be dead. For human rights activist Rojar Noor Alam, It is another sad day in the Land of the Pure [Pakistan]. Speaking to AsiaNews, he said Another young talented student was killed under the banner of the blasphemy law to settle personal scores. This shows how dangerous it is to live in Pakistan where anyone can kill others for personal reasons. "Lawmakers must look into it as it is becoming really dangerous, not only for religious minorities but also for Muslims, to live under shadow of the black law, he added. The authorities must realise that we must give our next generation a safe and healthy environment in which they can not only think, but also speak as well. Parents are not raising their children to let religious fanatics to kill them. Point to ponder!" Rwadari Tehreek, an interfaith movement for tolerance, is shocked by Qutabs killing and the attempt to justify the murder using the blasphemy argument. This is not the first incident of its kind. In many other cases, people clearly use the blasphemy law to settle personal scores. "I have been in contact with the family of Qutab Rind who said he was a religiously-minded young man, who prayed five times a day, Rwadari Tehreek president Samson Salamat told AsiaNews. Blasphemy is only being used to get away with his murder." Rwadari Tehreek calls for justice for Qutab Rind and expects the newly elected government, led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, to review the laws on blasphemy and stop its misuse. The role of the police in the Qutab Rind case has also come under close scrutiny. The police say they have arrested the accused but have not yet formally charged them. It seems police are protecting the killers. "For me, Salamat notes, the biggest test for [would-be Prime Minister] Imran Khan is how he deals with extremists and terrorists and stops the misuse of the blasphemy law, which has already caused huge damage and is being used by people to settle personal scores and create unrest." Dil Nawaz, a UK-based Pakistani theologian, researcher, columnist and a community organiser, also spoke to AsiaNews. " It is sign of increasing violence and religious intolerance in society that youth are using blasphemy over a rent dispute. How can society deradicalise this mindset? Only through textbook interfaith dialogue and the strict enforcement of religious freedom. In Nawazs view, Reform should include police procedure for those accused of blasphemy. It is the duty of the government to ensure justice for the victims of religious violence and the blasphemy law." President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been dealt a heavy blow after the United States asked the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to release comprehensive results of the just-ended presidential elections based on data collected from polling stations, in a move that could open new faulty lines between Washington and Harare. In a damning statement issued just three days after the harmonised elections held on Monday, Jeff Flake, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, said there was need for a proper tabulation of the results. In order to instil confidence in the election results, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission must now make good on its commitment to release comprehensive polling data in a transparent manner that includes results from each polling station signed off by party agents who were present for the casting of ballots and the tabulation of results. Challenges to the results must be pursued through legal channels, Flake said. Flake also raised concern over events that ensued soon after the elections, which saw the killing of six civilians by soldiers saying it showed that nothing had changed from the previous administration led by former president Robert Mugabe, who was known for using ruthless tactics against his opponents to remain in power. Over the past several days, I have had the privilege of observing Zimbabwes historic elections. After decades of misrule by Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe deserves to have a government worthy of its people. After a day of peaceful voting on July 30th, the violence on August 1st that claimed the lives of at least six people and injured many more was a throwback to the old days. The use of the Zimbabwean military to respond to political protests, or the use of the police force to disrupt press conferences, does not signal a new era, rather it echoes a dreadful past, he said. The US has been trying to normalise relations with Zimbabwe following Mugabes fall last November following an army intervention that catapulted Mnangagwa to the presidency. Flake was also part of a five-member delegation of US Senators that visited Zimbabwe from April 6 to 8, to assess the political situation in the country. The mission also comprised senators Chris Coons, Cory Booker, Michael Bennet and Garry Peters all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Then, Coons observed that Mnangagwa was not walking the talk in ushering democratic change as promised, which could result in the lifting of sanctions. Flake and Coons led the drafting of proposed amendments to the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 (Zidera), a legislation that imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe. His comments come after spokesperson for the United States Department of State, Heather Nauert also issued a statement stating that they were assessing the outcome of the July 30 polls. The United States welcomes the commitment by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to release comprehensive election results in a form that provides full transparency. The United States will continue to review the data collected by its own observation teams, by international observation missions, and by local observers to make a complete assessment of the overall election, Nauert said. The electoral contestations put a dent on Zimbabwes chances of having the sanctions lifted by the US, after Washington expressed irritation at the manner in which the elections were conducted. Mnangagwa had pledged that Zimbabwe will this year hold free, fair, transparent and credible elections though opposition parties complained on a number of irregularities, chief among them lack of some tangible reforms and the failure to provide a clean voters roll. With Mugabes relations with the West having been toxic for most of the past two decades, the US government has to date been renewing its targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe and the countrys then top leadership. Recently, Washington introduced a Bill amending the biting Zidera, which introduced tough sanctions against Mugabe personally, as well as many of his senior officials and State entities. The new Bill, now referred to as the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Amendment Act of 2018, does not only contain conditions which are specific to Mnangagwas new dispensation but if these conditions are met, President Donald Trumps administration will completely remove the current sanctions and re-establish wholesome relations with Harare. This comes as the Commonwealth observer group noted that the stakeholders in the elections including political parties and the electorate did not have confidence in Zecs ability to deliver a credible free and fairs election. Although this was the second election organised by an independent election management body, Zec, we noted that public confidence in Zec needs to be strengthened, the reports reads in part. Political parties and civil society, in particular, expressed the view that Zec missed some opportunities to build trust and instil confidence in the electoral process through effective communication. The Commonwealth said it will give a final comment in its final report on the issues including the lack of transparency in Zecs handling of the printing of the ballot papers, and access to the final voters register ahead of the polls. DailyNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News The Nigerian Police is the principal law enforcement agency in Nigeria. It is a large security organisation consisting of 36 state commands grouped into 12 zones and 7 administrative organs. The agency is currently headed by IGP Ibrahim Kpotun Idris. Nigeria has had 19 inspectors-general of police, including the current one, since 1964 when the first indigenous IGP took over from the British colonial masters. Legit.ng provides a catalogue of their profiles: 1. Louis Edet (1964-1966) Louis Edet The first indigenous IGP, Louis Edet, was born in Calabar in 1914. That was the year the British colonial masters amalgamated the southern and northern protectorate into what is today known as Nigeria. Apart from being born on such a significant date, Edet made history as the man that pioneered the police force through the thorny path of the young republic. He retired in 1966. 2. Kam Salem (1966-1975) Kam Salem, who took over the leadership of the police from Edet in 1966, also stirred the ship of the force through a difficult phase in the annals of the nation. His reign snowballed into the bitter civil war that almost tore the country into shreds between 1967 and 1970. 3. Muhammadu Dikko Yusuf (1975-1979) Muhammadu Dikko Yusuf (1975-1979) Muhammadu Dikko Yusuf, also known as M.D Yusuf, held the post of IGP during the period of national reconstruction. His tenure straddled two military regimes; from 1975-1979 during the military eras of Generals Murtala Mohammed and Olusegun Obasanjo. He had a long stride in public service. After retirement, he became the chairman of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) in 1994. He was once the chairman of the apex northern socio-political group, Arewa Consultative Forum also in 2000, a position he held until his foray into the murky waters of Nigerian politics where he vied for the president seat in 2003. READ ALSO: Defections: Sokoto in festive mood ahead of Wamakko, other APC leaders arrival (photos) 4. Adamu Suleiman (1979-1981) Not much is known about Alhaji Adamu Suleiman but the fact is he was IGP during the second republic. 5. Sunday Adewusi (1981-1983) Sunday Adewusi Born in Ogbomoso in Oyo state, Sunday Adewusi called the shot at the helm of the nations police force from 1981-1983. This was the era of the infamous two-thirds of 19 states theory of Richard Akinjides political arithmetic. He was perceived as having run a force that succumbed to the whims and caprices of the then ruling party. 6. Etim Inyang (1985-1986) Etim Inyang. Credit: Premium Times Inyang held sway as police chief during the days of Nigerias self-styled military President and Maradona, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. During his tenure, the crime wave billowed. In fact, high profile armed robbery incidents were not only the order of the day but a constant taunt. It was the era of the dreaded Benin-based armed robbery gang led by Lawrence Anini, who glamourised the notorious trade, terrorising the police and other citizens on Benin/Asaba Road axis of the nation. Inyang had a street named after him in Victoria Island, Lagos; the most enduring epitaph for the Akwa Ibom born police chief. 7. Muhammadu Gambo Jimeta (1986-1990) Apart from the arrest of notorious Lawrence Anini and his gang, which Inyang set-up before he was relieved of his appointment, Gambo Jimeta had distinguished himself as police commissioner in Lagos state by bringing down the rate of robbery in the Centre of Excellence before his appointment as IGP. He was also a National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Ibrahim Babangida. 8. Aliyu Attah (1990-1993) Aliyu Attah took over from Gambo in 1990. Not much is attributed to his tenure because of the euphoria of his predecessors modest achievement of arresting Anini and gang. 9. Ibrahim Coomassie (1993-1999) Ibrahim Coomassie, who took over from Attah in 1993, was educated at the Detective Training College, Wakefield, United Kingdom and in Washington DC, USA. His era was punctuated by alleged state-sponsored detentions and murders, including that of Chief Alfred Rewane, Kudirat Abiola and then president-elect, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, who was said to have been arrested by the police without a warrant. 10. Musiliu Smith (1999-2002) Musiliu Smith (1999-2002) Musiliu Smith, who joined the force in 1972 as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Enugu Division, was born on April 17, 1946. Smith, who earned a Masters degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan in 1997, rose to become an Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police in charge of zonal headquarters, Kano. He was co-opted into Gen. (Rtd) Abdulsalami Abubakars Provisional Ruling Council in 1998. He is from Lagos state and his tenure made history as the one that recorded the first revolt by the rank and file of the force. He was, thereafter, forced to proceed on compulsory retirement. Smith was recently appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as the chairman of Police Service Commission. 11. Mustafa Adebayo Balogun (2002-2005) Mustafa Adebayo Balogun (2002-2005) Mustafa Adebayo Balogun, popularly called Tafa Balogun, succeeded Smith on March 6, 2002, as the 11th IGP with a mandate to instil discipline within the rank and file of the force. Born on August 8, 1947, in Ila- Orogun, Osun state, Balogun got enlisted in the force in May 1973. He was variously commissioner of police in Edo, Delta, Rivers and Abia states and also headed the Zone 1, Kano as AIG. He presided over the April 2003 general elections, which were perceived to be marred by electoral fraud and police abuses. Incidents of press gagging and brutality against journalists were also rife under him. It was to his credit though that the police unravelled the dreaded Okija shrine in Anambra state where politicians routinely re-fuel allegiance to godfathers at the expense of the public. Balogun basked in the reputation of being the first Mobile Cop to head the force as well as the first to be arrested, arraigned, and incarcerated over large-scale corruption charges ranging from theft to illegal acquisition of confiscated properties seized from politicians by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under its pioneer chairman Nuhu Ribadu. This led to his forced resignation in January 2005. READ ALSO: How can I be on the same side with Atiku - Obasanjo 12. Sunday Ehindero (2005-2007) Sunday Ehindero (2005-2007) Sunday Ehindero, from Ondo state, was saddled with the herculean task of laundering the battered image of the force following Baloguns disgrace. He graduated in Law from the University of Ibadan. In Feb 2006, Ehindero sponsored a bill in the National Assembly for the removal of gender bias that was prevalent then in the force and accused Balogun of recruiting dirty cops into the Force. Ehindero retired from the force in 2007 but faced several probes thereafter regarding a N21 million fraud, diversion of N2.5 billion of police cooperative money, and another N300 million police fund. 13. Mike Mbama Okiro (2007-2009) Mike Mbama Okiro (2007-2009) The Rivers state-born police chief, whom many believed hailed from Egbema in Imo state, took over from Ehindero in 2009. He was appointed by late President Umaru YarAdua on May 29, 2007, in the first civilian to civilian transition. He enlisted in the Force on August 1, 1977, as an ASP. He enjoyed a double promotion from Commissioner of Police (CP) to Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police. Shortly after being appointed, Okiro reinstated several officers who were forced into early retirement and headed the inter-agency panel to investigate the $190million Halliburton Scam, indicting KBR, a Halliburton subsidiary, of bribing Nigerian government officials to curry construction contracts from the NLNG. After his retirement in July 2009 at the age 60 years, Okiro got a rare commendation from President YarAdua on his achievements while in office. 14. Ogbonna Okechukwu (2009-2010) Ogbonna Okechukwu (2009-2010) Ogbonnaya Okechukwu Onovo is from Enugu state. He succeeded Okiro in July 2007 as the first Igbo to head the force. He had felt the exalted position in an acting capacity before Okiros appointment though. Between 1998 and 2000, he presided over the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as chairman and was promoted to DIG on March 14, 2002, having served three IGs, Balogun, Ehindero and Okiro in that role. Onovos tenure was characterised by a prevalence of kidnappings for ransoms. His perceived inability to checkmate kidnappings and killings reportedly led to his inglorious exit from the force, even before attaining the mandatory retirement age. 15. Hafiz Ringim (2010-2012) Hafiz Ringim (2010-2012) Hafiz Ringim enlisted as a cadet inspector on March 1, 1977. He rose through the ranks to become the IGP when he succeeded Onovo on September 10, 2010. His tenure witnessed, perhaps, the most daring security affront with the bombing of a section of the Force Headquarters by the Boko Haram terrorists. Many other bombings were rampant throughout his tenure. The most dastardly ones being the 2011 Christmas Day bombing at the St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, near Abuja, which claimed over 40 lives and that of Kano that claimed no less than 185 lives. He retired on January 25, 2012. 16. Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar (2012-2014) Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar mounted the saddle in an acting capacity on January 25, 2012, following Ringims retirement. Before then, he was AIG in charge of Zone 12, Bauchi, which is the stronghold of the Boko Haram sect. He once was a commissioner of police in Lagos. He identified corruption, inadequate training and absence of tactics and equipment, among others as the bane of the Force but did little to solve the problems. His most transparent achievement was the introduction of a new camouflage uniform similar to that used by the military, for the police. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app 17. Suleiman Abba (2014-2015) Suleiman Abba. Photo credit: Premium Times Just as unheralded as he came, Suleiman Abba, who was the 17th IGP, was fired by President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday, April 21. Before his appointment, Abba was the AIG in charge of Zone 7, comprising Abuja and environs. Like Ringim, he hailed from Jigawa state and was promoted above his seniors as AIG. 18. Solomon Arase (2015-2016) Solomon Arase (2015-2016) Solomon Arase took over from Abba as the 18th indigenous police boss on Tuesday, April 21 on an acting capacity. Before his appointment, Arase was head of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department. He has Bachelors and Masters Degrees in law and political science and strategic studies, according to African Spotlight. He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence College. Arase, unlike his immediate predecessor, was appointed from the rank of a DIG and hails from Edo State. 19. Ibrahim Idris Kpotun (2016-date) Ibrahim Idris Kpotun (2016-date) Ibrahim Idris Kpotun is the current IGP appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari. He obtained two academic degrees in law and agriculture at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and University of Maiduguri, respectively. Idris had also attended numerous courses and trainings in Nigeria and abroad and partook in several peacekeeping missions in many countries of the world. Are Nigerian Policemen the worst in the world? - On Legit.ng Source: Legit - The Niger state governor has debunked reports of his plan to defect from the ruling All Progressives Congress - Abubakar Bello said he is committed to the APC - According to Bello, he would remain in APC to rescue the people of the state and country from the wrong deeds of the previous administration Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger on Sunday, August 5, reiterated his commitment to the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Nigerias progress and development. He gave the assurance during a solidarity rally for him and President Muhammadu Buhari by Niger APC members and supporters in Minna. Bello gave the assurance that he would remain in APC to rescue the people of the state and country from the wrong deeds of the previous administration. Anybody that say I am leaving APC for the Peoples Democratic Party is lying. You should all keep your minds calm as APC has come to stay," Bello said. Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger received by APC supporters in Minna on Saturday, August 4. READ ALSO: Saraki is a liar, he nominated 24 of the 26 people from Kwara who got Buharis appointments - Lai Mohammed Bello, who commended Buhari for leading Nigeria on the right direction, noted that the APC-led Federal and states government have sustained the payment of salaries and was not indebted to civil servants. We have never owned salaries, even when FAAC was not coming, we were able to pay salaries and we will continue to do our best to keep body and soul together. As you can see, government is running and it is my wish and hope that we will do more in the future, he said. READ ALSO: 2 fraudsters impersonating Nigerian Army officers arrested (photo) Bello noted that the APC would continue to prioritise youths and women empowerment which are the pillars of the society. The governor commended the youths and women for their support to the Federal and state governments, urging them to obtain their permanent voters card to enable them vote for APC during the 2019 elections. He advised the people of the state to remain steadfast with the APC government, adding that government was doing its best to address challenges of Nigerians. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that there were speculations that Senator Godswill Akpabio is set to dump the PDP. The reports of the Senator's has also dampened the celebration mood in the PDP headquarters over the recent defection of some senators and three governors from the APC. The Senate minority leader who is said to have already dumped the PDP, will officially announce his defection on Thursday, August 9 while Nigeria's acting president, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, will be at Ikot Ekpene stadium to receive him. Source: NAN Nigeria News 2018: Buhari Reacts To APC Senators Betrayal | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Olusegun Obasanjo has said that he is being threatened and intimidated for clamouring for a better Nigeria - The former President also said he would support the presidential ambition of a Former govrnror of Sokoto state Attahiru Bafarawa - According to Obasanjo, he would be supporting Bafarawa because he (Bafarawa) is detribalised and plans to make Nigeria a better place A former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that no level of threats and intimidation will make him abandon his clamour for a better Nigeria. Obasanjo said no right thinking Nigeria would be satisfied with the situation of the country at the moment. Speaking while receiving a former governor of Sokoto state, Attahiru Bafarawa, who visited him for consultations on his presidential ambition, Obasanjo said he had made sacrifices for the nation, fighting to defend the country during the civil war and even being sent to jail over a phantom coup allegation. Punch reports that Obasanjo said he has been threatened and intimidated because of his conviction for a better Nigeria, but he said they had all amounted to nothing. READ ALSO: Anybody that say I am leaving APC for the PDP is lying - Niger Governor The former president urged Bafarawa who visited with members of his campaign organisation and political associates, to continue to pursue his dream of making Nigeria better if elected president in 2019. Obasanjo said: The situation of Nigeria today is not the one any right thinking Nigerian should applaud. And my own strong belief is that Nigeria deserves better than we have now. And we can get better than what we have." And so, you are to see what you can do, that is why you are aspiring to make Nigeria better than what it is today. Nobody who loves Nigeria will not want it to be better than it is today. I, definitely, have made personal sacrifices and I will make again. Talk of fighting in the battlefield and shedding of ones blood, or even talk of going to prison, because I believe in democracy," Obasanjo said. I went to prison for doing nothing wrong. I have also been intimidated and threatened. What would you do to intimidate somebody like me? Whatever you are trying to do to me, people have tried to do it to me in the past, and it amounted to nothing and it will amount to nothing. Because before I act, I pray to God to guide me and I think of Nigeria first, particularly the majority of Nigerians who are underprivileged, whose situation we need to improve upon," he said. READ ALSO: As Akpabio visits Buhari, Akwa Ibom APC kicks against Senator's speculated defection from PDP The former president, describing Bafarawa as a detribalised Nigerian, called on all Nigerians to remain resolute in their quest for a better nation, advising that they should shun divisive tendencies. If we do not act together as we should act together, Nigeria will not be what it should be in 2019. Aspiration? Yes, but the objective must be clear. If the opposition starts going in different directions and pulling in different ways, Nigerias situation will not change. A population of 200 million, for us to continue to complain that things are not right, we are doing the same thing as we have done before. And if we keep doing the same thing, the result will not be different. If we want a different result, we must do things differently. And I believe we can do things differently," the former governor said. He also urged Nigerians to view themselves in this light if they really wanted a new Nigeria. Also stating three major attributes - diligence, humility and non-discrimination against other people - he wanted to see in a leader, said Bafarawa possessed all attributes. Obasanjo promised to support the former Sokoto state governor since Bafarawa hopes to improve the situation in Nigeria. In his reaction, Bafarawa commended Obasanjo for his love for Nigeria. He said if there was anyone fighting corruption today without being reconginsed, Obasanjo, that person was a joker. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Obasanjo had on Friday, August 3, reiterated his stand not to support the presidential ambition of his former vice president, Abubakar Atiku. Obasanjo speaking after his arrival from Rwanda said he is yet to reveal his preferred candidate for 2019 presidency. He however said Atiku could not be his prefered chioce of candidate to lead Nigerians come 2019. Obasanjo said: How can I be on the same side with Atiku? To do what?" 2019 Presidency - 'Why Nigerians Must Vote For Atiku' | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng News - A 23-year-old woman has allegedly killed her husband in Lagos - The suspect reportedly stabbed her husband to death over alleged infidelity The Nigerian Police, Lagos state command, has arrested a 23-year-old housewife, Damilola Ayeni, for allegedly stabbing her husband and father of two children, Olumide, to death at their house on Bamgbose Street, Lagos Island. The incident, which reportedly happend on Friday, August 4, occurred during a disagreement between the couple. The 36-year-old victim was rushed to the Lagos Island General Hospital where he died due to the injury sustained when his wife allegedly stabbed him. The deceaseds father, Sunday Ayeni, who reported the case to the police, said his son was murdered by the wife over suspicion of infidelity. READ ALSO: Kaduna APC kicks against Oshiomhole's order, says Shehu Sanis suspension stands He said: My son and I work at the Lagos Island General Hospital. While I work as a security guard, he worked in the pharmacy department. They got married at the Ikoyi registry. They had issues many times and my son reported her to me. I told them to go their separate ways, but people said I should not come between them. On Friday, after my son and I closed from work in the evening, he went for a party. Around that time, he called his wife on the telephone and they spoke. When he returned home that night, his wife waited for him at the door and stopped him from entering. She said she heard the voice of a woman in the background when they spoke on the telephone and accused him of infidelity. That was how she stabbed him in the chest and killed him. There was no struggle between them. Their two children were taken away by the wifes mother. She has a three-month-old baby. Damilola and Olumide Ayeni. Photo source: Vanguard However, the suspect, according to a police source, claimed she acted in self defence. The source claimed that: The woman said the deceased called her mobile phone sometime in the evening, but she missed the call. When he came back home around 1am on Saturday, he queried her whereabouts when he called her phone. He accused her of infidelity and charged at her with a knife. She then picked the kitchen knife and stabbed him in self-defence." The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, said the Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, was saddened by the rise in spousal killings. Oti said: Early Saturday morning, the police got a report that a woman, Damilola Ayeni, stabbed her husband, Olumide Ayeni, with a knife on the left side of the chest. The victim was rushed to the Lagos Island General Hospital where he died. The CP advises couples to resolve their matrimonial disputes amicably without resorting to violence which may ultimately lead to the death of either of them. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app The suspect had reportedly been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba. Legit.ng earlier reported that the Ondo state police command has arraigned Alao Adeyemi, the prime suspect in the killing of the daughter of a former deputy governor of the state, Lasisi Oluboyo. Adeyemi was arraigned before the Akure magistrates court in Ondo for the killing of Khadijat Oluboyo, a 400-level student of Educational Management at the Adekunle Ajasin University in his room. At what point should a person walk out of an abusive relationship? - Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng News - Supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress expressed their interest in President Muhammadu Buhari and Niger state governor, Abubakar Bello - They thronged Minna/Suleja road in solidarity with the duo - Vehicles plying the road were stranded as the road was blocked by elated supporters Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger on Sunday, August 5, thronged Minna/Suleja road in solidarity with Governor Abubakar Bello of the state and President Muhammadu Buhari. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bello and his counterpart, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River, had on July 29, accompanied President Buhari to attend heads of governments of ECOWAS states meeting in Togo. Legit.ng gathers that the governor, who was on his way from Kaduna to Minna after attending an official assignment in Zaira, was received by his deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, APC chieftains, delegates and supporters across the 25 local government areas of the state. Passengers in commercial and private vehicles plying the Minna/Suleja road were stranded as the road was blocked by elated supporters that chanted Lolo two terms. READ ALSO: Proud moment as Ojukwu's daughter Chineme graduates from UK university (photos) It took the governors motorcade three hours from Paiko to get to Minna, a journey of 15 minutes drive. Some of the supporters carried placards with inscription such as: Lolo 2019 yes, 2019 Lolo, continuity of government projects, 2019, sai Buhari. Mallam Shehu Mohammed, one of the supporters said that the warm reception was in solidarity with the governor and the president for meeting the aspirations of the people of the state and the country at large. He said: I came from Rafi local government area to show my support for our governor and the president and to let them know that they should continue with the good work they are doing as they have our support." PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a group, 'Bauchi Concerned Citizens' called on Nigerians to re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, saying he needed to complete the projects and reforms that he started during his administration. According to report, the group held a rally in Bauchi state to campaign for President Buharis re-election. President Buhari on 2019 Presidential Election: Will You Vote For Him? | on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng News - The former minister of health, Alhaji Muhammad Pate, has said that Nigerians should stop blaming President Muhammadu Buhari for the mass defection among political parties - Pate said that defection has always been a trend in Nigeria's democracy for about 20 years, adding that this has brought about a dysfunctional system in the country - He further said that politicians defect to other parties towards the end of an administration for selfish reasons Alhaji Muhammad Pate, the former minister of health, has stated that neither President Buhari-led administration nor political parties were responsible for the massives defection rampant in the country. The ex-minister said that the issue of defection among politicians towards the end of every regime is a trend that is inherent in Nigeria's democracy, Vanguard reports. READ ALSO: NNPC denies funding plots by APC senators to impeach Saraki Speaking with newsmen in Abuja recently, Pate remarked that political defectors move across parties towards the eve of general elections because of selfish interests. He further said that such undue pursuit of self-interest among politicians was responsible for the dysfunctions experienced in key areas of our existence even after 20 years of democratic governance in Nigeria. Pate said: All these arguments every four years around election become such a distraction. But that is not making of political parties or the making of the government. Its a foundational issue because of the structure of our democracy. All the noise you are hearing about changing from one party to another is all about struggling for one position or another. It is not about the larger issue of where Nigeria should be, and what kind of future we want for our children. The truth of this matter is that Nigeria is not working as it should be. However, the future of this country can be tremendously improved. Nigeria can be a great country in the continent of Africa and at the global stage. But there are dimensions that are incontrovertible. We have to look at what the political elites have done collectively over the last 20 years. We have to look at Nigerias problems over a long time in order to find solutions that are strategic and not tactical. We have had democracy for 20 years yet we have dysfunction in our political system, we still have dysfunction in our academic system, we have dysfunction in our educational system, we have dysfunction in our health system, in our security system. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! "And even the social security we need for the most vulnerable part of our population is virtually non-existent other than some efforts to feed school children and to create jobs but the systemic issue is there. But it is not caused by this government. Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had reacted to the defection of fifteen All Progressives Congress (APC) senators who defected to its fold on Tuesday, July 24. Legit.ng gathered that Senate president Bukola Saraki on Tuesday, July 24, on the floor of the Senate announced the defection of the senators from the ruling party to the PDP. In its twitter handle, the spokesperson of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, described the defection as a boost for the party to win 2019 general elections. Nigeria Latest News: Buhari Reacts To APC Senators Betrayal | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - A Nigerian woman has finally been blessed with a child at 60 - The woman got pregnant after thirty years of marriage - She was blessed with a beautiful and healthy bouncing baby girl Legit.ng has come across a story of miracle. A 60-year-old woman identified as Grace Arowojolu has finally been blessed with a child after thirty years of marriage and waiting for God's time. The woman was blessed with a beautiful and healthy baby girl. Arowojolu was pictured holding onto her baby girl as she smiled down at her. Arowolu's testimony was shared on Facebook by her sister identified as Funmi Akeju. The woman who identified herself as the sister of the 60-year-old new mother, thanked God for answering her prayers. 60-year-old woman allegedly gives birth after 30 years of marriage Photo source: Facebook user Funmi Akeju READ ALSO: IVF mother gives birth to bouncing baby girl at age 63 (photo) She wrote: "Pls celebrate with my big sister Mrs Grace Arowojolu, she give birth to a baby girl at the age 60, after 30 yrs of marriage, God of David Oyedepo thank you." PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News on Legit.ng News As a comment on the Facebook post shared by Akeju, a woman identified as Ogundare Modupe Christy Ajama who claimed to work as a nurse where the newborn baby girl was delivered, congratulated Arowoloju. Ajama further prayed for the new mother as she urged her family and friends to assist Arowoloju in taking care of the baby. PAY ATTENTION: Get your daily relationship tips and advice on Africa Love Aid group Read comment below: Despite being uncommon, stories about women who are blessed with children at the late stage of their lives are true testimonies that their is a mighty being answering the prayers of human beings. There are even stories of women who have waited and prayed for years, some have been disgraced and asked to seek deliverance before God answered their prayers. This is why God's time is always the best! Would you marry a baby mama or baby 'papa'? - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng by Mathias Hariyadi The number of victims is destined to rise in the next few hours. The capital of the island of Lombok, Mataram, is the most affected area. The tsunami alert on the north coast is recalled. Most people died as a result of collapses. Mataram (AsiaNews) - The number of deaths and injuries from the earthquake that struck yesterday on the island of Lombok (in the West Nusa Tenggara province, in Indonesia) is rising. General Wiranto, minister for political, legal and security affairs, is already in Mataram, the capital of the island, to coordinate relief operations and the evacuation process. The hundred foreign delegations were also repatriated, including some foreign ministers, who were in the area in these days for an international conference on terrorism. "They have all returned to their countries of origin," says the general. Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo addressed survivors and families who have suffered severe loss or damage. "On behalf of myself and the Indonesian people, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families whose members have been victims of the events of this night," he said this morning. The confirmed number of victims rose to 91: hundreds were injured, thousands of buildings destroyed. The number of victims is likely to grow, say rescuers. Most people died as a result of building collapses. In a week, two strong earthquakes have rocked the popular tourist destination in the West Nusa Tenggara province (NTB). The first shock was 5.6 on the Richter scale and took place on July 29th. The dead were 16, the wounded 355. The second shock of 7.0 occurred on Sunday evening at 7.46 pm (local time). "Its epicenter is located on the northeastern side of the mountain, 18 kilometers northeast of the eastern district of Lombok, 15 kilometers below the Earth's surface," says Dwikorita Karnawati, head of the Indonesian Meteorology, Climate and Geophysics of Jakarta ( Bmkg). "The shocks of the past few days are considered the preliminary earthquakes that led to last night," said Dwikorita yesterday. The earthquake last night was felt in Bali, Sumbawa island and in some cities of Java. The tsunami warning was also launched, the alert level was raised in the following hours. On the north coast of the island there was a "small tsunami." Strong aftershocks of magnitude between 5.4 and 4.3 followed the main earthquake. The areas most affected are those near Mataram, the capital of Lombok, along with North Lombok, East Lombok. Access to communication is severely damaged seriously hampering rescue and evacuation activities. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesperson for the rescue team, explained that the most urgent needs concern water and food, as well as medicines, blankets, tents, food ready to be served. Lombok and Bali in the huge Indonesian archipelago are located within the wide and long seismic ring of the Pacific, with its 40 thousand kilometers of intense seismic and volcanic activity. - Alhaji Lai Mohammed declares that the federal government will not spare any corrupt politician even if such a person defects - Mohammed, the information minister, says with the conviction of a member of the APC and former governor, the government has shown it does not condone corruption - The minister also speaks on Saraki's defection and the politics behind it Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the information minister, has declared that the federal government will not stop the corruption trial of those who defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Mohammed was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as saying that defections to any political party would not make the government stop its prosecution of politicians suspected to be corrupt. The minister said this on Monday, August 6, when he paid an official visit to the Abuja office of The Authority Newspaper. The report said while fielding questions from members of the editorial board of the paper, the minister said that defection, even to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would not immune politicians who had looted the nations economy from being prosecuted. READ ALSO: Breaking: Akwa Ibom deputy governor denies joining APC Nigerians should be rest assured that the fact that some persons are moving from one party to another does not mean that they will escape prosecution. Nobody will escape investigation and prosecution on the ground that he or she has moved to APC. We have shown that with a former governor and a member of our party that was convicted, we will never terminate anybodys prosecution on the ground of decamping. However, it is not for the executive to do the work of the judiciary, he said. Mohammed, however, said that many of the defections being witnessed were not premised on the allegation of escaping justice. He said some defected for political calculation and personal reasons." The minister also reiterated that the ruling APC was not perturbed by the gale of defection, especially by members of the National Assembly. We did not just start noticing this, the foundation for it was laid the day Dr Bukola Saraki became the Senate president. In every part of the world, when a party has the majority in parliament, the party decides who is going to be the leader of the parliament. This is a case where the party was still waiting for the president to resolve the issue when Saraki, from the back door, emerged as Senate president. From then, we have known, because his emergence was illegal and against the wish of the party, he said. Mohammed said that to make the matter worse, Saraki made a deal with the opposition PDP, by conceding the deputy Senate presidents position. In the last two years, the National Assembly has been behaving as if the opposition is in control. We have a Senate president that is so hostile to the government. For three years, budgets are passed only in June. As I speak today, there has been no disbursement on capital project in 2018 budget. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Critical appointments are also being delayed and the government is being blackmailed every day. I have never seen in history, where a leader of parliament will announce the defection of 15 members from his party. The proper thing is, if you are loyal to your party, you put stumbling blocks on such defection, he said. The minister maintained that Kwara remained solidly behind APC and Buhari despite the mass defection from the state. Legit.ng earlier reported that the senator representing Borno south, Ali Ndume, took a swipe at some of his colleagues who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the All Progressives Congress (APC). News Nigeria Today: What happened to Dino Melaye? | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng By Lambert Strether of Corrente. Im off to the optometrists this afternoon! lambert Trade https://www.scmp.com/business/global-economy/article/2157320/factories-shift-out-china-avoid-trade-war-boosting-volume China said its [hitting $60 billion worth of U.S. exports with new tariffs] because the U.S. side has repeatedly escalated the situation despite the interest of both enterprises and consumers and it must [a]defend the countrys dignity and the interests of the people, [b] defend free trade and the multilateral system, and defend the [c] common interests of all countries in the world' [Politico]. What to expect: Under the plan, China would impose tariffs between 5 percent and 25 percent on nearly all of the $130 billion in goods imported from the United States. Chinas Ministry of Finance said Friday the new tariffs would target more than 5,200 types of U.S. goods, including energy exports like biodiesel and liquefied natural gas and more U.S. agricultural goods like lamb and honey. That countrys dignity at [a] language is dangerous; if we posit that the statement is the outcome of factional splits in the Chinese government, then dignity is, as it were, the highest common denominator, not the lowest; like the blackmail rhetoric, its a bell thats hard to unring. It would have been perfectly possible to issue a tough statement using only points [b] free trade and [c] common interests. Of course, Im not a China watcher, nothing near it, so reader corrections/expansions are welcome. I could, after all, just be projecting an interpretation into boilerplate. Politics 2018 How Trumps Trade Policies Could Impact Governors Races [Governing]. So far, there are only scattered signs that Democratic candidates are using trade as a wedge issue, or that Republican candidates are aggressively distancing themselves from Trump to side with their constituents economic interests. Trade offers a rare opportunity for Democrats to make a play for two categories of voters that have swung heavily toward Republicans in recent elections: rural Americans and blue-collar workers. Do they have college degrees? Turnout is everything, or was in the last Democrat wave in 2006: The last time there was a Democratic midterm wave was 2006. Luckily, we have voter files with vote history records from 2006. What do they say? Patrick Ruffini (@PatrickRuffini) August 6, 2018 A wave which was, sadly, squandered (at least as far as voters were concerned) Senate: Senate Observations: Placing 2018 in the Context of Upper Chamber Elections Since 1913 [Sabatos Crystal Ball]. In 2018, the Democratic caucus is defending 26 of the 36 seats (72%) that will contested this cycle, the most for any party in the post-World War II period. That figure includes the Alabama special election in 2017 as a seat for the GOP to defend, which it remarkably failed to do. Democrats are defending more seats than any non-presidential party in previous midterm elections. Of those seats, just over half (14) are in states that leaned toward the Democrats in the 2016 presidential election while 12 are in states that leaned toward the GOP in 2016, including 10 in states that Trump carried. While Republicans are favored to retain control of the chamber, and possibly gain seats in the process, Democrats do have a chance of winning a slim majority this November. To win 51 or 52 seats, Democrats would have to hold most or all of those 10 seats in Trump-won states while also adding one or two other seats in states the president carried Arizona and Tennessee while also winning the lone Clinton-won state the GOP is defending this cycle Nevada. Stranger things have happened. As in 2016! TX Senate: ORourke Puts Race into Lean Republican Column [Cook Political Report]. Of the eight general election polls aggregated on RealClearPolitics, six showed Cruz at between 47 percent and 51 percent. In those same six polls, ORourke was between 39 percent and 43 percent. While ORourke has room to grow, Cruz is consistently closer to and in some cases at or above 50 percent. In a state as Republican as Texas, those last few points that ORourke needs to hit 50 percent are going to be very hard (and very expensive) to get. There are some observers who believe that there simply arent enough Democratic and Democratic-leaning independents voters to push ORourke across the line. Suffice it to say that ORourke has made incredible progress in a pretty red state, at least when it comes to running for statewide office. The race moves to Lean Republican. Whether it ever gets to Toss Up remains to be seen. New Cold War Ex-FBI agent: Trump got elected, thanks to Russia [Yahoo News]. One thing to remember about RussiaRussiaRussia R3? is that its very profitable to be a talking head. DOJ Announces Public Release of the Cyber-Digital Task Forces First Report; Impact on and Role of the Private Sector Likely to be a Focus in the Coming Months [Compliance and Enforcement]. [Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein] lauded self-policing efforts to remove fake accounts and encouraged companies to consider the voluntary removal of accounts and content that are linked by the FBI to foreign agents activities, which he said violate terms of service and deceive customers.' What could go wrong? Conservatives Have Lost Their Minds, Too Cosplay: the proudest boi pic.twitter.com/jilzU2bKzL George Ciccariello-Maher (@ciccmaher) August 5, 2018 Its Looking Extremely Likely That QAnon Is A Leftist Prank On Trump Supporters [BuzzFeed]. Big if true; the thesis is that QAnon is an enormous jape perpetrated by the Italian Wu Ming Foundation (mentioned, as one might expect [lambert preens] at NC in 2013 (commenter Syzygy) and 2015 (commenter DJG)).a Living in the Age of the Big Lie [Stephen Gold, Industry Week]. Gold is President and Chief Executive Officer, Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI): All this has created the potential for an American cultural crisis of distrust, authoritatively captured in two recently published analyses. In Truth Decay, [cute! lambert] the RAND Corporation lays the blame for the deteriorating role of facts and data in public life on four primary causes: 1. The rise of social media 2. An overtaxed educational system that cannot keep up with changes in the information ecosystem 3. Political and social polarization 4. Andperhaps due to all of these factorsthe increasing tendency of individuals to create their own subjective social reality, otherwise known as cognitive bias. The Death of Truth by Pulitzer-Prize winning book critic Michiko Kakutani explores the waning of integrity in American society, particularly since the 2016 elections. Daniel Patrick Moynihans observation that everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts, is more timely than ever, Kakutani says: polarization has grown so extreme that voters have a hard time even agreeing on the same facts. And no wonder: Two-thirds of Americans get at least some of their news through social mediaa platform that has been overwhelmed by trolls and bots, and which uses algorithms to decide what each of us gets to see. Executives ignore the cultural shift away from honesty at their peril. Social media has its own problems, gawd knows break them up and outlaw the algos, and theyd be a lot more like the public utilities they should really be but its amazing how vague hand-wringing pieces like this ignore at least four seismic events since 2000, all of which involve perceived legitimacy and the nature of truth: (1) Bush v. Gore, (2) Iraq WMDs, (3) Obamas hope and change campaign, followed by (4) the crash, the bailouts, the free passes for bankers, and a brutal recession. The official narrative and its maintainers didnt lose credibility because of trolls and bots, who might be regarded as opportunistic infections overwhelming an already weakened immnune system. Grassroots and/or AstroTurf? Every single person can make a difference and everyone should try. Step 1: Join an indivisible group in your community. Find your local group here: https://t.co/PoWCVmP84s pic.twitter.com/ni8jiDNPE0 Indivisible Guide (@IndivisibleTeam) August 4, 2018 Stats Watch No stats of interest today. Employment: July Diffusion Indexes [Calculated Risk]. The BLS diffusion index for total private employment was at 64.0 in July, down from 67.4 in June. For manufacturing, the diffusion index was at 65.1, down from 67.8 in June. Note: Any reading above 60 is very good. Think of this as a measure of how widespread job gains are across industries. The further from 50 (above or below), the more widespread the job losses or gains reported by the BLS. The lead: The U.S. experiment with dockless bike and scooter sharing is at a crossroads, with operators and cities struggling to find a balance between governments need to regulate the services without stifling the companies ability to make money. Scratch out dockless bike and scooter sharing and write in kidney sales and youve got permissionless innovation in a nutshell. Just because some squillionaires decided to toss their loose cash at some firm, does that imply that the firm should even exist? Why? Commodities: U.S. coal shipments reach lowest levels in years [Kallanish Energy]. The 661 million short tons (MMst) of coal consumed in the electric power sector in 2017 was the lowest amount of coal consumed in 35 years. Last year also was the fourth consecutive year U.S. coal consumption and coal shipments by all transport modes declined. The real delivered cost of coal has fallen nearly $8 per ton (16%) since 2008, with most of the reduction attributable to declining commodity costs. Over that same period, overall coal transportation costs have fallen by 4%, as declines in truck (down 9%) and river barge (down 39%) costs more than offset a 3% increase in rail shipping costs. Commodities: Your Chickens Salmonella Problem Is Worse Than You Think [Mother Jones]. As of June 30, 2018, according to the [US Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS)] latest report, 35 percent of the nations 154 large chicken-slaughter facilitieswhich churn out the vast majority of the drumsticks, thighs, and breasts shrink-wrapped on supermarket meat countersfailed to meet the inspection services standard for chicken parts testing that took place over the previous 64 weeks.. If knowing that US supermarket chicken quite often carries salmonella isnt chilling enough, consider this: In a recent analysis of Food and Drug Administration data, the Environmental Working Group found that over the last five years of available data, on average, 1 in 5 strains of salmonella found on grocery store chicken were resistant to amoxicillin, a type of penicillin. In short, its getting harder for doctors to treat infections from this common pathogen. Sounds like the Tories are going to have to do some fancy footwork to import chicken from the US after theyre cut off from the EU Commodities: A heat wave sweeping across Europe and Asia is setting fire to global wheat prices. The hot temperatures are slashing forecasts for this years harvest. and could provide some relief to North American farmers just as Chinese tariffs are sapping demand for soybeans and other crops. The price of Paris-traded milling wheat has jumped 33% this year, leading to more expensive animal feed in some regions and the likelihood of higher bread prices. The first decline in global wheat stockpiles since 2013 would come after years of over-supply and leave the U.S. positioned to increase its export share of the global market [Wall Street Journal]. So far, most agricultural analysts say this wheat-stunting summer is an aberration. But the prospect of global warming has led some observers to predict an eventual shakeup for farming in parts of the world. Not sure how you hedge the Jackpot, though no doubt the smart money is thinking hard about it. Shipping: Logistics Payrolls Surging Ahead of Fall Shipping Season [Wall Street Journal]. Overall wages rose 2.7% in July year-over-year, but the transportation and warehousing sector has seen wages grow only a 1.9%. And these clowns are still whinging that they cant find workers! (The headline is payrolls in the aggregate, not the same thing as your paycheck!) Supply Chain: One of most fiercely independent automotive manufacturers is proving no match for the rapid advance of technology in car-making supply chains. Honda Motor Co. is shopping among suppliers for the rapidly advancing systems that are part of new generations of automobiles, pointing to a radical culture change at the company [Wall Street Journal]. The shift is a sign of how new technologies from engines to autonomous driving systems are altering global manufacturing supply chains, pushing car companies toward suppliers tightly focused on developing sophisticated components. That is raising hackles among some at Honda who complain that the companys engineers are patching together others technology rather than building it themselves. But car makers are under stress from the huge investments needed to develop new technologies, leaving them to lean on megasuppliers to keep down costs and keep up with the market. Like aircraft. The Bezzle: Dockless bike, scooter firms clash with U.S. cities over regulations [WaPo]. Dockless bike systems began to pop up in the United States a year ago, growing exponentially in part thanks to the millions of dollars that investors such as Uber and Google have put into companies such as Lime, Jump Bikes and Bird. The Bezzle: The Messy Business of Selling Meal Kits [Wall Street Journal]. Meal kits may make cooking easier, but getting a box of pre-portioned ingredients and instructions to a customers door is one of the most complicated logistics riddles in the food business. Companies have poured millions of dollars into solving such questions as how to stack fish and fennel in boxes. Theyre also investing in systems to reroute shipments during snowstorms and algorithms to predict what customers want to eat during the summer months. Some meal kits are starting to stabilize financially. HelloFresh hopes to break even companywide by years end, and Blue Apron is looking to do the same next year. Chicago-based Home Chef said it had two profitable quarters last year, and expects to have a full-year of profitability by the end of 2018. The Bezzle: Maybe They Could Invent Houses [Eschaton]. After having invented the bodega, the bus Tech: Boston-area startups are on pace to overtake NYC venture totals [Tech Crunch]. After years of trailing New York City in total annual venture investment, Massachusetts is taking the lead in 2018. Venture investment in the Boston metro area hit $5.2 billion so far this year, on track to be the highest annual total in years [W}ed be remiss not to give biotech the lions share of the credit. So far this year, biotech and healthcare have led the New England dealmaking surge, accounting for the majority of invested capital. Once again, local investors are not surprised. Elevator pitch: Genetic apps. Tech: Facebook removes Infowars pages, following Apple and Spotify [MarketWatch]. Facebook suspended Alex Jones in July for violating its policies and said at the time that his pages were close to becoming unpublished. The company said Monday that its latest actions werent in response to fake-news concerns but that it continues to work with fact-checkers to examine the veracity of content posted to its platform. What could go wrong? The Fed: Trump v. Fed [Money and Banking]. Last month, interrupting decades of presidential self-restraint, President Trump openly criticized the Federal Reserve. Given the Presidents penchant for dismissing valuable institutions, it is hard to be surprised. Perhaps more surprising is the high quality of his appointments to the Board of Governors. Against that background, the limited financial market reaction to the Presidents comments suggests that investors are reasonably focused on the selection of qualified academics and individuals with valuable policy and business experience, rather than a few early-morning words of reproof. Nevertheless, the Presidents comments are seriously disturbing andwere they to become routinerisk undermining the significant benefits that Federal Reserve independence brings. Rapture Index: Closes up 1 on earthquakes. Fourteen people have died after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia . [Rapture Ready]. Record High, October 10, 2016: 189. Current: 181. Our Famously Free Press Sarah Jeong (1): Hah! @sarahjeong randomly plays race card on me while Im testifying on fair use and lyric websites. My testimony is a public record. Check it. Nothing about being a hip hop expert. I only mention hip hop in passing. Shes just a Harvard trained troll. @sisario pic.twitter.com/cX4FdWItQu davidclowery (@davidclowery) August 5, 2018 From the person who sent me this: This from Dave Lowery (of Cracker and Camper van Beethoven), whos become one of the great critics of how Big Tech is destroying music and the arts. Jeong tried smearing him as a racist for testifying on Google power. Sarah Jeong (2): Shenzhen Tech Girl Naomi Wu: My experience with Sarah Jeong, Jason Koebler, and Vice Magazine [Naomi Wu, Medium]. A complicated ad passionate post, but I do like the part where Jeong tweets that Chinese culture is not that far off from Korean culture. Because, ya know, all Asian cultures are alike. Thats what theyre teaching at Harvard these days? The 420 How a Pair of Kentucky Pols Are About to Legalize Hemp [Politico]. Stealing an issue from liberal Democrats Our Famously Free Press The Press Doesnt Cause WarsPresidents Do [The Atlantic] One of a ginormous steaming load of revisionist and defensive articles prompted by Trumps tweet that the press can causes War. Anyone who was present for the build up to the Iraq War knows that Trumps claim is true; in fact, the media critique that began then was prompted by the Iraq WMDs scam, in which the press *** cough *** Judy Miller ***cough*** was not merely compliant or complicitous, but active and vociferous, especially in shunning and shaming skeptics. Of course, everybody who was wrong about Iraq was wrong in the right way, so they all still have jobs (David Frum, Bush speechwriter and Hero of the Resistance, at the Atlantic, among hundreds of others). So revisionist history is very easy for them to write. Black Injustice Tipping Point Smith College president offers deepest apology after police called on black student eating lunch [Boston Globe]. Smith College plans to bring in a third-party investigator to conduct a thorough review after an employee this week called campus police on a black student who was eating her lunch in a common area at the Northampton school, officials say. On the bright side, the black student didnt get whacked. Class Warfare The New Class-Blindness [Law and Political Economy]. It is true that class-based discrimination does not trigger heightened scrutiny under equal protection in the way that race-based and sex-based discrimination do. Some judgeseven some Supreme Court Justiceshave begun to argue that it is constitutionally impermissible for courts to take class into account under the Fourteenth Amendment. The Fifth Circuit reached this conclusion a few years ago in the Whole Womans Health case, in which it asserted that judges could consider only obstacles created by the law itself when determining whether a law unduly burdens the right to abortiona category that excluded obstacles such as lack of transportation, childcare, days off from work, and money for overnight stays. When Whole Womans Health reached the Supreme Court, some of the Justices (in dissent) expressed support for this approach. Vermonts Striking Nurses Want A Raise for Nonunion Workers Too [Labor Notes]. Yet when 1,800 nurses and technical staff struck for better wages July 12-13 at the states second-largest employer, the University of Vermont Medical Center, the people of Burlington came out in force to back them up. We had policemen and firefighters and UPS drivers pulling over and shaking our hands on the picket line, said neurology nurse Maggie Belensz. We had pizza places dropping off dozens of pizzas, giving out free ice cream. And when a thousand people marched from the hospital through Burlingtons downtown, we had standing ovations from people eating their dinners, she said. It was a moving experience. One reason for such wide support: these hospital workers arent just demanding a raise themselves. Theyre also calling for a $15 minimum wage for their nonunion co-workers, such as those who answer the phones, mop the floors, cook the food, and help patients to the bathroom. What Are Capitalists Thinking? [Michael Tomaskey, New York Times]. I write today with some friendly advice for the capitalist class about said socialists. You want fewer socialists? Easy. Stop creating them. I understand completely why its happening. Given whats been going on in this country, it couldnt not have happened. And if youre a capitalist, youd better try to understand it, too and do something to address the very legitimate grievances that propelled it. Finally, reality begins to penetrate the thickened craniums of the better sort of liberal In 2008, America Stopped Believing in the American Dream [Frank Rich, New York Magazine]. (The American Dream being one of the official narratives.) Its not hard to pinpoint the dawn of this deep gloom: It arrived in September 2008, when the collapse of Lehman Brothers kicked off the Great Recession that proved to be a more lasting existential threat to America than the terrorist attack of seven Septembers earlier. The shadow it would cast is so dark that a decade later, even our current run of ostensible prosperity and peace does not mitigate the one conviction that still unites all Americans: Everything in the country is broken. Not just Washington, which failed to prevent the financial catastrophe and has done little to protect us from the next, but also race relations, health care, education, institutional religion, law enforcement, the physical infrastructure, the news media, the bedrock virtues of civility and community. Nearly everything has turned to crap, it seems. Ditto How to keep young people from fleeing small towns for big cities [The Week]. Communities also must change the way they train young people. One important thing Carr and Kefalas uncovered in their book about brain drain is that many communities have brought this problem on themselves. Fueling the out-migration is a regional filtering system pushing some young people to stay and others to go, they write. Teachers, parents, and other influential adults cherry-pick the young people destined to leave and ignore the ones most likely to stay or return. Civic leaders may lament the rural youth exodus and the accompanying brain drain, but they fail to see how their own actions have helped create the problem. Education is the key. On average for the year-ended this May, 58.5 percent of the job gains were in counties that backed Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016, according to an Associated Press analysis of monthly government jobs data by county. Despite an otherwise robust national economy, the analysis shows that a striking number of Trump counties are losing jobs. The AP found that 35.4 percent of Trump counties have shed jobs in the past year, compared with just 19.2 percent of Clinton counties [Associated Press]. Its bad out here in the colonies News of The Wired Spectacular ancient public library discovered in Germany [Guardian (SO)]. The remains of the oldest public library in Germany. have been discovered in the middle of Cologne. It is not clear how many scrolls the library would have held, but it would have been quite huge maybe 20,000, said Schmitz. The building would have been slightly smaller than the famed library at Ephesus, which was built in 117 AD. I wonder what happened to the scrolls? The article doesnt say Freeing the Web from the Browser [ReinterpretCast]. [A]ll link-based navigation on the Web today is constrained to the connections made by document authors. Think about that for a second. Billions across the globe rely on the Web to enhance their intellectual capabilities on a daily basis, building understanding through its rich mesh of connections. Yet when they open their Web browsers, these people are presented not with navigation opportunities carefully selected to aid them in finding the information they are looking for, but rather by the connections that the authors happened to make in crafting their documents. While you might find these works eventually by following link after link, such a search is arduous and comes with no guarantees. Your success depends heavily on what popular authors happen to link to. The degree to which this constrains the Web is hard to overstate. Can we really expect authors to identify all salient connections from a piece of work to the wider Web. Opportunities, opportunities. Created by Tim Berners-Lees original use case at CERN? How Does Mastodon Work? [KEVQ]. Thats right, NO ADVERTS! No sponsored posts, no we think you might like this and no tracking! Mastodon is designed to bring people together, not make money. Its that simple. Very useful. Not sure about those three timelines, though (Home, Local and Federated). Cant I mix them? Mastodon users? * * * Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, with (a) links, and even better (b) sources I should curate regularly, (c) how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal, and (d) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. Todays plant (SV): SV writes: Making up for lost time on our Hydrangea. (Not shown are moths, wasps, honeybees, and others unknown.) Same. Im also very happy that the clutter of my garden ecology has attracted birds; I think, though, I wont venture an identification just yet, so as not to get in trouble with any birders in the commentariat! * * * Readers: Water Cooler is a standalone entity not covered by the annual NC fundraiser. So do feel free to make a contribution today or any day. Here is why: Regular positive feedback both makes me feel good and lets me know Im on the right track with coverage. When I get no donations for five or ten days I get worried. More tangibly, a constant trickle of small donations helps me with expenses, and I factor that trickle in when setting fundraising goals. So if you see something you especially appreciate, do feel free to click the hat! To give more, click on the arrow heads to the right of the amount. Donate $25 $50 $75 $100 If you hate PayPal even though you can use a credit card or debit card on PayPal you can email me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, and I will give you directions on how to send a check. Lambert here: I realize this is only a state court ruling, but I still think its big. When we were fighting the landfill, we were consistently told by the State and the private operator that the Commerce Clause forbade us from blocking out-of-state trash from being imported into our state-owned landfill. By Justin Mikulka, is a freelance writer, audio and video producer living in Trumansburg, NY. Originally published at DeSmogBlog. In a big win for the City of Portland, Oregon, the Oregon Court of Appeals issued a ruling that the city had not violated the U.S. Constitutions Commerce Clause by voting to ban any new fossil fuel terminals within its borders. This is a major victory for the climate and our communities, said Maura Fahey, staff attorney at Crag Law Center, which represented environmental groups intervening in the case, in a statement. Industry couldnt even get its foot in the door of the courtroom to try to overturn the Citys landmark law. This sends a powerful message to local communities that now is the time to take action to protect our future. This ruling could have important implications for other communities fighting fossil fuel projects because the court ruled that the citys ban did not violate the Commerce Clause, which is the main argument the oil industry has used against bans like the ones in Portland, Oregon and other cities. The Commerce Clause gives Congress the sole power to regulate interstate and foreign trade, and oil companies have argued that bans like the one in Portland are impacting interstate trade. With this ruling, the Oregon Court of Appeals has dealt a significant blow to that legal argument. This decision sends an important message at a time, when our federal government is dropping the ball on climate change, that cities can and will lead, said Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director at Portland Audubon Society. Port Cities Targeted by Industry for Exports The Canadian tar sands industry has been looking for more ways to get its product to foreign markets, especially after the cancellation of TransCanadas Energy East pipeline to Quebec and New Brunswick and the delays in the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion in British Columbia. This tar sands transportation challenge has led to industry efforts across the U.S. to develop new infrastructure such as oil-by-rail terminals and pipelines in port cities. Canadian oil-by-rail exports to the U.S. just set a new record in June. As DeSmog has reported before, the oil industry has been clear about wanting to expand its options to get oil to the West Coast and port cities like Portland, Oregon. However, serious local opposition has led to several major proposed oil-by-rail terminals being blocked on the West Coast in the past several years including what would have been the largest such terminal in the country in Vancouver, Washington. This new ruling in Oregon appears to be a path for other port cities to issue a blanket ban on new oil infrastructure projects instead of having to fight them on a project-by-project basis. And cities have been doing just that. The title of a ThinkProgress article on a proposed ban on new oil infrastructure for the port city of Baltimore, Maryland designed to stop new oil-by-rail terminals sums up the industrys fears: West Coast progressive climate strategy could come East for first time. A common argument against oil infrastructure projects for port cities is that they offer few benefits to the members of the community, outside of some local jobs, while posing significant risks to safety and public health locally and to the climate globally, and thus are often opposed. At the height of the American oil-by-rail boom, the port city of Albany, New York, was the largest oil distribution hub on the East Coast. At a 2016 rally opposing the oil trains coming into Albany, city council member Vivian Kornegay repeatedly made this point about her constituents some of whom live directly alongside the train yard where the oil trains were unloaded. We assume 100 percent of the risk and miniscule benefits, said Kornegay. Same Legal Battle in Another Portland At the same time that Portland, Oregon, has been battling the oil industry in court over the question of banning new fossil fuel infrastructure, a very similar legal fight has proceeded on the East Coast in South Portland, Maine another port city. The Port of Portland (Maine) has traditionally been used to import oil. Some of that oil was shipped from Portland to Montreal, Canada, by a pipeline. However, that situation is no longer economically viable for the oil and pipeline companies, which is why they have proposed reversing the direction of an existing pipeline to bring Canadian tar sands oil to the port in Maine, which has faced fierce local opposition. In 2014 the City of South Portland passed the Clear Skies Ordinance, banning the loading of crude oil onto tankers in South Portlands harbor. The American Petroleum Institute, the nations biggest oil industry lobbying group, has spent large amounts of money fighting these efforts in South Portland. Activists supporting the ban said they knew they were in for a fight. As Mary Jane Ferrier one of the local activists in South Portland told DeSmog at the time: This isnt over yet. This is just the beginning. Now over four years later, South Portland is awaiting a decision on the recently concluded federal trial that will decide whether the Clear Skies Ordinance violates the Commerce Clause, with a decision expected in the coming months. As reported by the Portland Press Herald, in a pre-trial brief filed by the Portland Pipe Line Corp., the industry admits what is really at stake if the city of South Portland were to win: setting a precedent that local municipalities can ban new oil infrastructure within their limits. The cumulative impact of similar ordinances enacted in other harbor cities would be catastrophic. Parochial efforts designed to curtail or effectively (prevent) cross-border transportation caused our Founding Fathers to include the Commerce Clause in the Constitution in the first place. With the latest ruling in Oregon, it appears the legal basis has been laid for what the oil industry considers a catastrophe. By Jang-Sup Shin, professor of economics at the National University of Singapore and a senior research associate at the Academic-Industry Research Network. This blog post draws on his INET working paper, The Subversion of Shareholder Democracy and the Rise of Hedge-Fund Activism, which is in turn part of a forthcoming book with William Lazonick on predatory value extraction. Originally published at the Institute for New Economic Thinking website The casual observer can hardly comprehend the value-extracting power of hedge fund activists. Technically, they are no more than minority shareholders. Yet they exert enormous influence, often forcing these companies to undertake fundamental restructuring and to increase stock buybacks and dividends substantially. For instance, Third Point Management and Trian Fund Management, holding only 2% of the outstanding stock of Dow Chemical and DuPont, respectively, engineered a merger-and-split of Americas top two chemical giants at the end of 2015 that resulted in both massive layoffs and the closure of DuPonts central research lab, one of the first industrial science labs in the United States. So how did hedge fund activists gain power so far in excess of their actual shareholdings? In the 1980s, predatory value extraction was the province of the corporate raiders who flexed their muscles by becoming major shareholders of target companies and staging hostile takeovers. This mode of value extraction was highly risky in two respects. First, the raiders needed to raise substantial amounts of money to purchase enough shares that they could plausibly threaten to take control of the companies they targeted. Second, they frequently faced legal battles with management or incumbent shareholders because nothing less than control of the company was at stake. Being able to influence corporations without taking those risks would be a corporate raiders dream come true. In the late 1980s and 1990s this dream became a reality. Driven by a clamor for shareholder democracy amid a rapid increase in institutional shareholding of public corporations and broadening acceptance of the maximizing shareholder value (MSV) view, the federal government implemented regulatory changes that set the stage for hedge fund activism. The first set of regulatory changes was put into motion by Robert Monks, who in 1985 set up Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), the first proxy-advisory firm, upon his resignation from the post of chief pension administrator at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). During his sole year in the Labor Departments employ, Monks endeavored to make proxy voting compulsory for pension funds, using his position as a platform for public advocacy of the notion that the funds had an obligation to become responsible corporate citizens and actually exercise the power their financial holdings gave them over corporate management. In 1988, his former DOL colleagues established proxy voting as a fiduciary duty of pension funds by the so-called Avon Letter. Compulsory voting of proxies was later extended to all other institutional investors, including mutual funds, under an SEC regulation in 2003. Monks and his disciples justified the changes under the pretext of realizing the long-held goal of shareholder democracy, which, however, was all but irrelevant to proxy voting. A political project that had begun in the early 20thcentury, shareholder democracy was intended to lessen public distrust of corporations and to create social cohesion by distributing corporate shares to retail investors who had U.S. citizenship. Institutional investors were simply money-managing fiduciaries who, lacking the status of citizens, had never been seen as having any part in shareholder democracy. Moreover, voting in most countries is not legally compulsory, it is ones right as a citizen. But Monks and his followers appropriated the banner of shareholder democracy to impose the voting of proxies on institutional investors as a fiduciary duty. The consequence was the creation of a huge vacuum in corporate voting. Most institutional investors remained uninterested in voting and incapable of doing it meaningfully. The situation got worse with the increasing popularity of index funds, currently estimated to hold about one-third of all shares issued by companies listed in the U.S. Faced with the new requirement not only to vote but also to justify their voting decisions, institutional investors became heavily reliant on proxy-advisory firms. But these firms are often no more competent in making voting decisions than the institutional investors that hire them, and, as for-profit entities, are wide open to conflicts of interest. Some large mutual funds and pension funds, responding to public criticism that they are simply outsourcing voting decisions, have set up internal corporate-governance teams or stewardship teams. However, these teams are designed to do no more than pay lip service to voting requirements: they are minimally staffed and their decision-making resembles the corporate governance equivalent of speed dating, as the New York Timesphrased it, rather than examining the concrete contexts of individual companies voting issues. The potential for cooperation with hedge fund activists is great: the current owner of ISS, for example, is itself a private equity fund founded by corporate raiders. The second set of regulatory changes was proxy-rule changes in 1992 and 1999 that allowed free communication and engagement among public shareholders and between public shareholders and management, as well as between public shareholders and the general public. These proxy-rule changes ostensibly aimed at correcting an imbalance between public shareholders and management by making it easier for minority shareholders to aggregate their votes. By that time, however, the balance of power between public shareholders and management was already skewed decisively toward the former. Institutional shareholding of American corporations stock had already approached 50% by the early 1990s and, by 2017, was to reach nearly 70%. The proxy-rule changes further strengthened the power of public shareholders by allowing them to form de factoinvestor cartels and freely criticize management. Even if the SEC required those whose holdings of a given companys stock reached a 5% share to disclose the fact publicly, hedge fund activists could easily circumvent that limit by forming wolf packs: soliciting the participation of other activists, whose holdings had not reached the threshold for reporting, in staging sudden, concerted campaigns against target companies. Allowing free communication between shareholders and the public, far from evening the supposed imbalance between shareholders and management, intensified the influence of the former. Activist shareholders were freed by the SEC directives to allow them criticize a companys management as long as the statements [they made were] not fraudulent. In contentious issues, management makes its decisions by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the options available. But the directives have made it all too easy for activist shareholders to criticize management in public by simply emphasizing some of the disadvantages while remaining within the limit of not perpetrating fraud. A third set of regulatory changes, which allowed hedge fund activists to gain even more power, followed from the 1996 National Securities Markets Improvement Act (NSMIA). Part of the financial market deregulation that took place during the Clinton administration, NSMIA effectively allowed hedge funds to pool unlimited financial resources from institutional investors without regulations requiring disclosure of their structure or prohibiting overly speculative investments. This threw the door wide open to co-investments between activist hedge funds and institutional investors who put their money into the hedge funds as alternative investment. For instance, the California Teachers Retirement System (CaLSTRS) cooperated in Trian Funds campaign against DuPont from the beginning by co-signing a letter supporting the hedge funds demands in 2015. It later turned out that CaLSTRS, a long-term investor in DuPont, was also one of Trians major investors. In combination, these regulatory changes increased the incidence of predatory value extraction in the U.S. economy. For more than a decade, major public corporations have routinely disbursed to shareholders nearly all of their profits, and often sums equivalent to more than their profits, in the form of stock buybacks, dividends, and deferred taxes while investing less for the future and undertaking restructuring simply for the sake of reducing costs. It is now increasingly difficult to find incidents in which management rejects hedge fund activists proposals outright and risks proceeding to a showdown proxy vote in a shareholder meeting. As Steven Davidoff Solomon wrote in his New York Timescolumn, companies, frankly, are scared and [their] mantra is to settle with hedge funds before it gets to a fight over the control of a company. If a regulatory change is found to be misguided, it should be reversed or recalibrated. What would that look like in the context of activist hedge funds? Here are some suggestions for rebuilding the U.S. system of proxy voting and shareholder engagement such that it will support sustainable value creation and value extraction: First, the SEC should make it mandatory, when shareholders make a submission of shareholder proposals to a shareholders meeting, that they justify their proposals in terms of value creation by and capital formation for the corporation, rather than simply requesting distribution of company funds that could be made available by, for instance, disgorgement of free cash flows. Second, voting should be removed as a fiduciary duty of institutional investors. The compulsory voting of institutional investors, who tend to be both uninterested in voting and incapable of doing so meaningfully, has only given illegitimate power to proxy-advisory firms and hedge fund activists. Third, as a practical enforcement mechanism that will shape the thinking and behavior of shareholders so that they take sustainable value creation and value extraction into account, the regulatory authorities should allow differentiated voting rights that favor long-term shareholders. Fourth, the SEC should make it mandatory for both shareholders and management to disclose to the public what they have discussed in engagement sessions. Free engagement has been reserved to a restricted number of influential investors who have preferred to keep this communication private. Fifth, hedge funds should be subject to regulations equivalent to those imposed on institutional investors. Hedge funds are already big enough to pose systemic risks to the economy, a lesson that might have been taken from the collapse of Long-Term Capital Management in 1998. Since the passage of the NSMIA in 1996, hedge funds have managed a large portion of institutional investors funds for the benefit of their ultimate customers, who include ordinary workers and pensioners. There is no plausible reason why hedge funds should be treated as private entities and freed from financial regulations applied to institutional investors when they are functioning as surrogate institutional investors. The Wall Street Journal has just published a story on how the SEC is way behind on paying whistleblowers awards for information submitted to the agency under a program established as part of Dodd Frank reforms. The impetus for the initiative was that the SEC had ignored Harry Markopolos warnings of the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme. Congress tried to assure that the agency didnt have a disincentive to paying whistleblowers by establishing a separate pot of money for the awards that is outside the SECs budget. While the Journal does do a service of sorts in outing that the SEC is way behind on processing whistleblower award claims, it then misleads the public and Congress by not taking a hard look at the SECs excuses for this poor performance. The spin starts with the headline: SEC Whistleblower Payouts Slow Amid Deluge of Reward Seekers. In other words, the reader is to believe the agencys delays are due to it being overburdened by way too many pesky claimants. Well discuss in more detail later that the SEC is almost certainly accurate in saying it does get lots of claims. But many of them are obviously spurious or otherwise invalid and could be dispatched quickly with clerical-level staff if the agency were serious about the program. Worse, it gives air cover for the SECs proposed gutting of the whistleblower program, some of which look to be a violation of statue, by parroting the agencys claims that they will help speed award processing. The articles subhead states: Agency proposes ways to speed up decisions that now take more than two years to make. In fact, those measures are ones the SEC can implement now and do not require any rule changes. That raises the question as to why the agency has and continues to sit on its hands regarding whistleblower claim processing. In other words, the SEC appears to have thrown these unnecessary speed it up tweaks in to provide air cover for the ones that do represent actual changes. As we discussed at length in an earlier post, those have the effect of substantially weakening the program and thwarting Congressional intent. That isnt our opinion. SEC Commissioner Kara Stein, in her dissent, described how the many of the proposed changes to the whistleblower program violate Dodd Frank and hence are not permissible as SEC rules, which can only promulgate statute, not vitiate it. The bone of contention is that the SEC has not been devoting enough resources to processing whistleblower award claims. It may come as a surprise to most readers, but when whistleblowers submit tips under the SECs program, the agency does not automagically determine who and how much to pay out after it undertakes a successful enforcement action. Whistleblowers have a set time period after the SEC has undertaken a successful enforcement action that resulted in the payment of fines and/or the disgorgement of fees and expenses to submit documentation to the SEC showing that information they submitted to the agency was important to the SECs action. The Journal does do a service in documenting how long the delays have become. From its article: Wall Streets top regulator now takes more than two years to hand rewards to tipsters who report wrongdoing, a process that lasts longer than the average time it takes to investigate and close an enforcement case. In 2012 and 2013, the early years of the program, the SEC took about a year to decide if a whistleblowers tip merited a reward. The average time rose to over two years in the period from 2014 through 2017, when it exceeded four years. Over the life of the program, people who got awards waited on average about 210 days for a decision, while a rejected application got word within 730 days, according to the Journals analysis. The time it took for the SEC to make a decision on whistleblower claims averaged more than two years from 2014-2017, with some decisions taking more than 1,000 days, according to a sampling of claims. The process, even for legitimate tipsters, can take much longer, according to attorneys who deal with it. Stephen Kohn, an attorney whose whistleblower clients have included former UBS Group AG banker Bradley Birkenfeld, said he has one client who was told by the SEC that an award is forthcoming. But it has been over four years since the client sought the reward, Mr. Kohn said. I believe they have a massive backlog, Mr. Kohn said. The SEC has operated a professional program, but their decision-making process hasnt taken into consideration the devastating impact on the whistleblowers of these long delays. However, the article does not do an adequate job of ferreting out why the agency is so far behind. Based on reports from insiders, a big chuck of the bogus award claims were based on allegations of the Everything JP Morgan does is crooked sort. A second category is submissions by securities class action attorneys based on lawsuits theyve filled. Virtually all of these claims are invalid by virtue of the law firm not having submitted a whistleblower filing, as required by statute. Even if they are correct and the information they provided in their lawsuits helped the SEC, they cant make an award claim if they didnt make a whistleblower filing (journalists that publish stories that are critical to SEC enforcement actions but didnt make a whistleblower application before they published their account would be in the same boat). A third category is individuals who submitted award claims after the deadline had passed. All of these sorts of award applications could be handled by an intern with appropriate form letters. Even most pushback letter to the denials could be handled by an intern-level person. For instance, if a securities class action law firm were to object to a denial for the lack of having made an initial whistleblower filing, the next round response would be a form letter asking them to provide a copy of their whistleblower filing and proof of submission. The bigger point is the SEC could easily clear out this backlog if it wanted to. The implication is that the agency is either incompetent in managing paper flows or is choosing to slow-walk award applications because it is cognitively captured by securities firms and the big-building lawyers who represent them. But you never learn that from the Journal article. Indeed, one of its early claims, that big awards have led to more filings, appears to be included to support one of the very worst features of its proposed reform, which is to cap awards. Since insiders in the securities arms of top banks often have $1 million a year and up compensation, and face a future of greatly diminished (if any) pay, theres no reason to cap awards, given that the best placed insiders (as in particularly senior people) have a great deal to lose. And in general, any consultant will tell you that a rule of sales management is never to cap commission-based payout. The same logic applies here. Here is the Journals unwitting promotion of the SECs scheme to cap awards. From its second paragraph: The Securities and Exchange Commission has become a magnet for tipsboth good and badafter publicizing its mega-bounties, including an $82 million award given in March to three tipsters who told regulators about a complex scheme at Bank of America Corp. involving misused customer cash and securities. Translation: those pesky big awards are attracting more riff-raff! So the solution clearly is to pay less. This Procrustean bed approach is reminiscent of an old management joke, which is allegedly based on a true story. A bus operator in England got complaints because its drivers were skipping stops where passengers were waiting to be picked up. When the supervisors asked the drivers why they were skipping stops, they were told, We couldnt meet our schedule if we picked everyone up. This part of the story is disingenuous: Deciding who gets paid is a demanding process that involves vetting each request to determine how important the persons tip was, according to current and former officials. When multiple whistleblowers are involved, decisions are more challenging because the SEC has to measure each tipsters value to the case. That is bollocks. A significant majority of claims do not warrant a demanding process of vetting each request. Whoever talked to the reporter did or should have known that to be the case. The SEC is engaging in deliberate obfuscation in conflating the process required for determining what to do with valid or arguably valid claim, versus the minimal effort required to eliminate the rest and tell the applicants their award was nixed. The SEC even told the reporter how few claims it deems to be worth serious consideration: The SEC receives about 110 whistleblower reward applications a year that meet all of its documentation and processing rules, according to agency records. We are to believe that 110 bona fide applications is some sort of ginormous burden? At best, what the agency has effectively admitted is that it hasnt bothered to triage its award applications. And so its proposed remedy is to make the awards less enticing so as to reduce the inflow and accommodate the SECs failure to get its act together. Help me. Most award claims are invalid and can be dispatched with review by low-level trained staff with review protocols and suitable form letter responses. The SEC simply hasnt bothered doing the work to streamline this process. And sadly, the Journal is legitimating its defense of at best incompetence or at worse, bad intent. The death has taken place of well known author and historian, Dr Sean ODonnell, Marlfield Road, Clonmel. Dr ODonnell was former deputy principal of Rockwell College. He wrote a history of the famed college to mark its 150th anniversary two years ago. He also wrote widely on Clonmel and South Tipperary and wrote a highly regarded history of the town Clonmel 1840-1900 Anatomy of an Irish Town. In a report on the publication, the Irish Times wrote In Dr Sean O'Donnell, deputy principal of Rockwell College, the chronicling of the town's growth is in good hands. He brings a learned and detailed approach to the work, which will hold special attention for all Clonmelites. They will be particularly taken with the 300 potted biographies of prominent people and by the titbits scattered throughout the 337 packed pages - items like the fact that a Clonmel barber was a vital witness in the notorious "Tichborne Claimant" case in 1871. There are numerous good monochrome photographs as well, showing aspects of Clonmel in earlier times. He was also very involved with St.Mary's Hurling Club and in a tribute the club says - "We are extremely shocked and saddened to hear about the shock passing of our club Vice President, Dr. Sean O'Donnell. Sean, originally from Westmeath,came to Clonmel in the 1960s and took up a teaching post in Rockwell in '63 where he taught for many years before graduating to the Vice Principal position. His involvement with St.Mary's was wide and varied with positions at many levels as selector, committee member, and barman in the GAA center. Latterly, he acted as club PRO before penning the club's history. In recent years, Sean set about updating the history book of our club and in typical fashion, conducted his research with the utmost detail producing a encylopedic account of the past 20 years of St.Mary's leaving a legacy for generations to come. In short, Sean, was a gentleman and a scholar. Our sincere sympathies go to Sean's family at this sad time. Ar dheis de go raibh anam dilis." Dr Sean ODonnell, Marlfield Road, Clonmel, and formerly of Collinstown, Co Westmeath died unexpectedly at home on August 4th 2018. Pre-deceased by his sister Gertrude and brother Desmond. Beloved husband of Eileen and devoted father of Siobhan, Sinead, Aine, Liam, and Eoin. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, sons, daughters, brothers Gene and Pat, grandchildren Eibhin, Una, Colm, Declan, Brianne, Rosalie, Luke, Mattie and Shauna, great-grandchildren Lily and Donnacha, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. Reposing at Condons Funeral Parlour, Clonmel, on Wednesday from 5.00pm to 7.30pm. Removal on Thursday morning to St Marys Church, Irishtown. Funeral Mass on arrival at 12 oclock followed by burial in St Patricks Cemetery. (Natural News) A federal agency warned that suicide is becoming a national problem. In an article in The Washington Post, the rate of suicide has been rising steadily in almost all U.S. states since 1996. The increases applied to all ages, ethnicities, genders, and races. To make matters worse, more than half of the people who took their own lives did not show any mental disorders beforehand. Montana had the highest suicide rate with 29.2 victims for every 100,000 residents during 2014-2016. North Dakota showed the biggest increase at 57 percent. The only state that showed a decline in suicides was Nevada. Despite its one percent improvement, its suicide rate remained higher than the national average of 13.4 suicides per 100,000 people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that suicide has become the 10th leading cause of death overall and the second most common cause of death for people of ages 15 to 34. Close to 45,000 people committed suicide in the U.S. in 2016. The data are disturbing, warned CDC official Anne Schuchat. The widespread nature of the increase, in every state but one, really suggests that this is a national problem hitting most communities. (Related: One bad nights sleep could push depressed people to suicide.) Economic recession and opioids could be partly responsible for suicide spikes Experts believe there are several causes behind the rising suicide rate. The most obvious one is the Great Recession a decade ago. That downturn increased the rate of foreclosures, which a 2017 study linked it with a slight rise in suicide rates for all groups. The highest increase was for white males. Another potential reason is the ongoing opioid crisis. While distinguishing between intentional and accidental overdosing is a challenging task, the CDC estimated that the number of suicides via opioid overdose almost doubled from 1999 to 2014. Furthermore, a 2014 survey revealed that prescription opioid addicts were 40 to 60 percent more prone to thinking about committing suicide. Habitual users were also much more prone to actually attempt suicide compared to non-users. Even if a person has not been clinically diagnosed with mental health disorder like depression, he or she is not safe. The CDC reported that a high number of suicide victims did not display any signs of mental health problems. More than 50 percent of the suicide cases recorded in the National Violent Death Reporting System which covers 27 states could not be attributed to mental illness. Experts say many suicide victims did not get the mental support they needed National Institute of Mental Health director Joshua Gordon stressed that the new statistic should not be taken on its own. Instead, it should be considered in its given context. When you do a psychological autopsy and go and look carefully at medical records and talk to family members of the victims, 90 percent will have evidence of a mental health condition, Gordon stated. According to him, that suggested the victims did not get the help they needed. Gordon believed that cultural attitudes share some of the blame for these incidents. He noted that male members of a racial or ethnic minority are likelier to commit suicide despite reportedly being mentally sound. Men are less likely to ask for help regarding their possible mental illness, Gordon said. Hispanics are even more reluctant to do so due to cultural conditioning. The CDC study reported that suicide is most commonly caused by strained relationships, stress caused by work or finances, substance use and abuse, poor physical health, and crises. Based on its findings, experts like Schuchat and Gordon warned that suicide is not a problem restricted to the mentally ill. Anyone who has a terrible lifestyle can be a potential victim. Learn how to improve your mental health at Mental.news. . Sources include: WashingtonPost.com CDC.gov (Natural News) Depression is a huge problem in modern society, not only because its very unpleasant for sufferers and those around them, but also because safe and effective treatments are hard to come by. A study published in Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs, however, points to a natural extract that could make a difference. In the study, the researchers set out to determine whether the extract of anacycli pyrethri radix (APRE) could make an impact on depression in mice. They studied mice with induced depression and subjected them to a variety of tests designed to observe their behavioral changes, and they also analyzed their blood. The researchers determined that APRE did indeed have an antidepressant effect, and they believe it came about because of the extracts corticosterone-decreasing action and its ability to promote 5-HT nerve function. Also known as Akarkara, anacyclus pyrethrum is a unique Ayurvedic herb that is grown in India. It features an aromatic root and an intense flavor. With its ability to boost the flow of saliva and burning taste, it is often used in places like South East Asia to treat toothaches, sore throat, and colds. It has been used to help the nervous system since ancient times, and its also used as a remedy for premature ejaculation and as an aphrodisiac. Another extract that has been shown to be beneficial to depression sufferers comes from the saffron plant. Saffron extract has been proven effective as a natural antidepressant in several clinical trials. It is the crocin and safranal found in the plants petals and stigmas that is believed to be responsible for this effect. Various studies have shown it to be just as effective as prescription drugs like Prozac. Treating depression naturally when possible is the ideal route The results of these studies show that natural treatments do have a lot of value when it comes to treating depression. People have been conditioned to believe that man-made solutions must be better than what nature provides us, but pharmaceutical antidepressants have shown what a poor solution they are time and time again although not everyone appears to be getting the message. SSRI antidepressants actually make one out of every four people who take them more anxious instead of less. If youre lucky, you might only have to deal with side effects like dizziness, nausea, and migraines, but many users fare far worse, dealing with issues like seizures and irregular heartbeat. Theyve been linked to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and early death, giving people new physical problems on top of their mental health issues. All of that should be enough for most people to rule out these drugs, but perhaps the biggest reason is the higher risk of suicide linked to antidepressants a risk that is so bad that manufacturers were forced to place a black box warning on the drugs packaging advising people of it. One psychiatrist involved in the study that found the link between antidepressants and early death, University of Torontos Dr. Benoit Mulsant, said: I prescribe antidepressants even though I do not know if they are more harmful than helpful in the long-term. I am worried that in some patients they could be, and psychiatrists in 50 years will wonder why we did not do more to find out. Unfortunately, that seems to be the case with a lot of doctors these drugs are doled out without a solid understanding of their efficacy or risks, and most psychiatrists dont even show the same concern about the situation as Dr. Mulsant. Thats why its important to take an active role in your healthcare. If your doctor suggests antidepressants or any other medication, get another opinion. Find out if herbal extracts can alleviate your symptoms, and explore other proven methods for managing depression, like exercise and meditation. Antidepressants might be popular in our quick fix-obsessed society, but that does not mean they are the best choice. Sources for this article include: ResearchGate.com NutraIngredients-USA.com NaturalNews.com NaturalNews.com UniversityHealthNews.com (Natural News) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that more than half a million girls in the U.S. have undergone female genital mutilation or FGM. The practice involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia mainly for socio-cultural reasons. According to the CDC, the rate at which the practice is performed in the U.S. showed a threefold increase compared with initial estimates in 1990. The recent findings coincide with a 2015 report released by the Population Reference Bureau (PRB). The PRB report confirmed the a large number of girls are at risk of undergoing the procedure in the U.S. and abroad. According to the PRB, more than 166,000 of these girls were under the age of 18. The report noted that an increase in the number of immigrants from African and Middle Eastern countries was the primary reason behind the rising FGM rates in the U.S. Census data showed that African immigration to the U.S. had doubled in every decade since 1970. According to latest statistics, more than 1.8 million African immigrants now reside in the U.S. Of these, 41 percent were found to have immigrated from Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Egypt, all countries that perform FGM. The latest numbers also noted that one in five American girls at risk of FGM were from Egypt. A recent report in TheDailyBeast.com also revealed that FGM persists among diaspora communities migrating to Western countries. According to the report, the practice has already picked up steam in among migrants of several European and North American countries. The report also noted that school holidays have become synonymous to cutting season as migrants come home to their native countries with their daughters in tow to have the procedure performed. U.S. states move to criminalize female genital mutilation In a move to criminalize the practice, the Michigan Senate has recently deemed female genital mutilation a state felony that is punishable by up to 15 years both for clinicians who perform it and parents who transport a child to have the procedure. The legislation was largely due in part to a case of an emergency room physician that was charged under federal law for performing the procedure on two seven-year-old girls at a medical clinic in suburban Detroit. The legislation now goes to the state House of Representatives. A Minnesota bill has also deemed the practice a state felony that would result in parents losing child custody and prison sentences from five years to 20 years. The legislation would also increase the penalties for people who perform the surgery. The bill also requires health care professionals and others to report genital mutilation to the authorities. The bill was met with opposition from some members of Minnesotas immigrant and refugee communities. The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage, the nonprofit Isuroon and other groups noted that the new legislation features severely harsh punishment and unwanted consequences. Female genital mutilation carries a host of health risks Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that more than 200 million girls and women alive today underwent female genital mutilation in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where the surgery is practiced. According to the WHO, the practice is performed on young girls between infancy and age 15. The organization considers FGM as a human rights violation against young girls and women. According to the WHO, the procedure does not offer any health benefits in patients, and may even result in various complications. Immediate FGM complications include excessive bleeding, urinary problems, shock, and even death. On the other hand, long-term FGM complications include sexual problems, vaginal issues, and child birth complications. The procedure is also associated with the onset of psychological problems in women, the WHO stated. Sources include: FoxNews.com NewsWeek.com Reuters.com USNews.com WHO.int (Natural News) Eight years have passed since the Deepwater Horizon disaster of 2010. But oil continues to persist in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A study warned that this water pollution is caused by chemical reactions in the oil due to exposure to sunlight, an article on Science News reported. The disaster was the biggest marine oil spill in U.S. history. More than three million barrels of oil escaped before the leak was sealed. The day after the disaster started, sunlight began to affect the oil slicks that surrounded the burning oil rig. Over the following days and weeks, the light triggered chemical reactions that added oxygen atoms to the chained-together carbon and hydrogen atoms that made up oil molecules. The process created oxygenated hydrocarbons that are even sturdier than normal oil molecules. The study said the altered hydrocarbons persist in the waters of the Gulf eight years after the event, more or less unchanged and still very much a threat to marine life. The study was conducted by researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). They published their report in the science journal Environmental Science and Technology. (Related: Learning from nature: Scientists create new material inspired by leaves to separate oil from water for cleaning up oil spills.) Oxygenated hydrocarbons last even longer than oil molecules Following the oil spill, WHOI researcher Christopher Reddy and his colleagues collected samples of the oil molecules in the Gulf. They were studying how the leaked hydrocarbons broke down over time. To their surprise, oxygenated hydrocarbons made up more than half of the oil byproducts in their samples. These byproducts were more or less a mystery because they had not been spotted during the aftermath of earlier oil spills. Since 2012, Reddys team gathered evidence that shows the oxygenated hydrocarbons are not merely a significant byproduct of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The altered oil molecules are also very long-lived marks of the disaster. Over those years, the WHOI researchers collected additional hydrocarbon samples from the Gulf of Mexicos waters. They also took samples from the beaches in the affected area. They reported that every single one of the sand samples showed the same ratio of oxygenated hydrocarbons over an eight-year period. The results suggested that the oil molecules did not degrade despite the passage of time. Sunlight can make oil spills last even longer Reddys team also uncovered a small group of oxygenated hydrocarbons that broke down faster in water. What they havent figured out yet is the toxicity of these modified oil molecules. The oil residue is not made up of just a single compound that could be acquired and analyzed in a controlled experiment. It is a veritable cocktail of different molecules, the composition of which changes depending on the location. Reddy also didnt know the oxygenated hydrocarbons effects on wildlife. On one hand, the oil byproducts were persistent, so they continued to coat the feathers of seabirds and the fur of otters. On the other hand, the molecules also resisted dissolving in water. So the researchers do not know if aquatic organisms are absorbing dangerous levels of the oil pollution. Zhanfei Liu, an organic geochemist at the University of Texas at Austin, believed that the effect of sunlight on oil molecules could vary. In the case of Deepwater Horizon, the hydrocarbon molecules were smaller than usual. The oil therefore spread out more widely, increasing its exposure to the rays of the sun. Furthermore, the sunlight in the Gulf of Mexico is brighter and more direct than normal. The combination could have caused a greater chemical reaction in the oil spill. For other articles on the harmful effects of oil and fracking, visit Fracking.news. Sources include: ScienceNews.org Pubs.ACS.org The victim is a young 19-year-old student, kidnapped with his mother. The family received two videos, one of the execution. However, the official media of the Caliphate have not yet claimed or re-posted the act. "Failure" of negotiations with government forces, behind beheading. Damascus (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The militias of the Islamic State (IS, ex Isis) have beheaded one of the dozens of hostages kidnapped last month in the context of a bloody attack on Suweida, Syria, against the Druze community. According to the Soueida24 site, the victim is a young 19-year-old student, kidnapped with his mother from the village of Chabke during the jihadist raid. The family received two videos confirming the execution: the first film contains the brutal murder; in the second the boy, still alive, begs the negotiators to respond to ISIS "demands". On July 25, the jihadists launched coordinated attacks in the southern province, causing over 250 victims. During the retreat, the ISIS troops withdrew about thirty women and children, while at the same time at least 17 men belonging to the community disappeared. One of these is the young beheaded student in recent days; according to some sources, the execution dates back to 2 August. So far, the Islamic State has not claimed the execution, nor the mass seizure of last month. The militia, contrary to a customary practice in the past, have not even released any image or video on the "official" media of the Caliphate, still used today to feed the fundamentalist propaganda. The province of Suweida is inhabited largely by the Druze minority, which represented about 3% of the total Syrian population before the war (almost 700 thousand people). In recent days, a senior member of the Druze community spoke of negotiations between ISIS leaders and Russian officials, allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the conflict, for the release of the hostages. The execution by beheading, the first since the kidnapping, confirms the "failure of the negotiations" with the government forces "on the transfer of the jihadists from the south-west of the province of Deraa, towards Badiya". In these hours, a group linked to the Islamic State has been driven from the last bastion left in the province of Deraa, bordering Suweida. After a rapid rise in the second half of 2014 and 2105 in Syria and Iraq, coming to conquer half of the territory and staining itself with very serious crimes against humanity, the jihadists have gradually lost ground. Today they control only some limited areas; however, their ideology remains alive and military defeat has not erased their threat. The beheading of Suweida is the first execution of a civil hostage by ISIS for over a year. In recent days images of a Japanese journalist - in the hands of al Nusra - were posted online appealing to the Tokyo government to free him. (Natural News) An ingredient used in traditional Chinese medicine can effectively treat moderate psoriasis, according to a study published in the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. In their study, researchers from the U.S. and Taiwan examined Indigo naturalis, also known as Qing Dai in Chinese medicine, on whether it was able to address symptoms of psoriasis. In traditional medicine, Indigo naturalis has been used to treat inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis. The researchers examined the molecular profile of Indigo naturalis and its impacted pathways. For the study, they recruited 24 participants with moderate psoriasis who were randomly divided into two groups: 16 patients were assigned to the Indigo naturalis treatment group, while the remaining eight participants were appointed to the placebo control group. The participants were instructed to apply the topical ointment assigned to them (either placebo or Indigo naturalis) twice a day for eight weeks or until the skin completely healed, with one week of follow-up. On the eighth week, the researchers saw significant improvements in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores, a tool used to measure the severity of psoriasis, in patients treated with the Indigo naturalis ointment. This indicated that Indigo naturalis was effective in treating psoriasis in patients. Based on the skin biopsies, the researchers also observed that the pro-inflammatory cytokine called interleukin (IL)-17 promoted moderate psoriasis. But when the Indigo naturalis treatment was applied, this particular inflammatory pathway was reduced. Researchers discovered that the inhibitory effect against the IL-17 pathway was because of tryptanthrin, a primary component of Indigo naturalis. Based on the findings of the study, the researchers concluded that moderate psoriasis can be treated with the use of Indigo naturalis. Psoriasis and other natural treatments for it Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease characterized by raised, red, scaly patches on the skin. It can be associated with other serious health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and depression. The long-term skin condition typically affects the outside of the elbows, knees, or scalp. Still, it can appear on any part of the body. In fact, it can even appear on the eyelids, ears, mouth and lip, hands and feet, and nails. In some cases, psoriasis may also cause an itchy, burning, and stinging feeling. Although there is no exact cure for psoriasis, there are natural treatments available. Some natural treatments for psoriasis include the following: Aloe vera Aloe vera gel can be applied to the affected area for up to three times a day as a treatment for psoriasis. Studies show that it can help lessen redness and scaling caused by the skin condition. Aloe vera gel can be applied to the affected area for up to three times a day as a treatment for psoriasis. Studies show that it can help lessen redness and scaling caused by the skin condition. Apple cider vinegar Apple cider vinegar has been used during the ancient times as a disinfectant. Thus, it may help relieve scalp itch due to psoriasis. It can be used by applying it to the scalp several times a week or diluting it with water on a 1-to-1 ratio to prevent the burning sensation. To avoid irritation, rinse the skin scalp after the solution has dried. If you have open wounds or if the scalp skin is cracked or bleeding, do not use this remedy. Apple cider vinegar has been used during the ancient times as a disinfectant. Thus, it may help relieve scalp itch due to psoriasis. It can be used by applying it to the scalp several times a week or diluting it with water on a 1-to-1 ratio to prevent the burning sensation. To avoid irritation, rinse the skin scalp after the solution has dried. If you have open wounds or if the scalp skin is cracked or bleeding, do not use this remedy. Dead Sea salts or Epsom salts To help get rid of the scales and relieve itching, add Dead Sea salts or Epsom salts to warm bath water and soak in the tub for around 15 minutes. After the bath, apply moisturizer to the skin. To help get rid of the scales and relieve itching, add Dead Sea salts or Epsom salts to warm bath water and soak in the tub for around 15 minutes. After the bath, apply moisturizer to the skin. Turmeric Turmeric has been known to reduce inflammation and reduce oxidative stress. Moreover, its active ingredient curcumin can also alter TNF cytokine expression, which is a possible reason why some patients find turmeric helpful in mitigating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis flares. Turmeric can be added to food or taken as a supplement. Psoriasis can also be treated with the help of meditation, acupuncture, and social support. Read more news stories and studies on traditional Chinese medicines like Indigo naturalis by going to ChineseMedicine.news. Sources include: Science.news Psoriasis.org 1 Psoriasis.org 2 (Natural News) An analysis in the most recent weekly domestic intelligence publication Flashpoint Intelligence Review noted that political rancor is rising in America to levels not seen since the 1850s. The publication noted that much of the anger is emanating from the Left over the issue of immigration, which it said was akin to the passion and violence that surrounded the issue of slavery and abolition in the decades leading up to the Civil War. Whats driving all of this hatred and division? Much of it comes from a visceral and unnatural hatred for President Trump. The Left despises him as much as the Right despised President Obama, whose policies were divisive as well. There are differences now, however. For one, the Left appears more animated in its disdain for Trump, and Leftists are much more eager to use violence against their political opponents, the analysis noted. But there is another element driving this hate and division that does not get much recognition in the media or political commentariat, it continued division over POTUS Trumps immigration and border enforcement policies. The anger on the Left is rising to the point where violence is very likely going to be employed much more frequently sooner rather than later, FIR noted. New evidence shows that assessment to be spot-on: Following a rally Trump held in Tampa, Fla., this past week on behalf of gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, reporters, celebrities, and other Leftists once again called the president and his supporters Nazis and KKK members grossly inaccurate, of course. But they went a step further in calling for POTUS Trumps supporters to be euthanized. Murdered, in other words, simply for supporting a president who does not share the Leftist groupthink view of the world. The Daily Caller reported: Thousands of supporters packed the arena to hear Trump hammer his critics and tout his administrations accomplishments. There was plenty of hecklers, comedy and chants about Hillary and 2020. Trump stopped to pick on one of his favorite targets, the media, approximately half-way through the speech. The president heckled the press in the press pen as fake news and the audience roared, chanting Fake News and CNN Sucks at the reporters. Is civil conflict coming soon? A favorite target of the president and members in the audience was CNNs chief political correspondent Jim Acosta, who sent out tweets of the crowd mocking him and his network. (Related: NYU professor: Were on the verge of completely losing our culture.) He said of the audience, Im very worried that the hostility whipped up by Trump and some in conservative media will result in somebody getting hurt even though the only ones who have been getting whipped into a frenzy and hurting people are Left-wing supporters of the Democratic Party and its propaganda media (which includes CNN). Acosta not only made it out of the venue with his life, but he was never accosted sorry, couldnt resist or physically threatened in any way. Because if he had been, you can bet he would have sent that video out far and wide. But he did send out this video which captured Trump supporters jeering at him and making various gestures but no physical confrontations which he called sad. Just a sample of the sad scene we faced at the Trump rally in Tampa. Im very worried that the hostility whipped up by Trump and some in conservative media will result in somebody getting hurt. We should not treat our fellow Americans this way. The press is not the enemy. pic.twitter.com/IhSRw5Ui3R Jim Acosta (@Acosta) August 1, 2018 Thanks to the help of fellow Leftist journalists and celebrities, the tweet went viral as they did what they always do insult and demean anyone and everyone who supports POTUS Trump. But composer Christopher ORiley, a frequent on PBS and NPR, took the criticism further. Calling them Deplorables is euphemizing them. Maybe better to euthanize? he tweeted. Others mostly celebrities were equally vulgar. But the point is, as the FIR assessment points out, the political rancor is as high now as the last time it was when Americans went to war against each other. Not good. Read more about Civil War warnings at CivilWar.news. Sources include: USAFeaturesMedia.net DailyCaller.com (Natural News) Former President Barack Obama outraged scores of Americans last week when he praised the leader of South Africa in a speech delivered to the 2018 Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture. Obama began his remarks by thanking President Cyril Ramaphosa for inspiring great hope in this country which under normal circumstances wouldnt be a big deal. But things are far from normal in South Africa these days, as Fox News host Tucker Carlson pointed out last week on his program, The Gateway Pundit, reported. Now if youve been following whats going on in South Africa you might be shocked by that because it turns out Ramaphosa recently declared that he would change the South African constitution and will do it for the explicit purpose of persecuting a racial minority, seizing their land without compensation not because they committed a specific crime but because they are the wrong color, Tucker noted. Specifically, Ramaphosa and an increasing number of black politicians in South Africa are moving towards expropriating land held by white farmers, some of whose lineage and ties to the land date back hundreds of years. As Carlson noted, there has been an alarming increase in race-related murders of white farmers and their families in recent years, causing many to leave the country for their lives. Its not covered [in the U.S.] but its covered in the rest of the world and its real, he said. The situation in South Africa is getting worse by the day for whites. A tweet, since deleted, by the ANC (African National Congress, the countrys governing party) on Sunday read, The biggest mistake we are making is to consult murderers. White people are 9% of the South African population, they own 79% of the land. They never came and consulted us for the land, if they want us to forgive them now, then let us share the land, the mineral resources. Another report claimed that nearly 140 white-owned farms may soon be confiscated by the government without offering compensation. News 24 reported: The ANC has targeted 139 selected farms that they plan to expropriate without compensation in the coming weeks as it moves to make good on its commitment to test out section 25 of the Constitution. The governing party emerged from a two-day lekgotla of its highest decision-making body, the national executive committee (NEC), with the resolve to make an amendment to the constitution which will explicitly allow for the conditional expropriation of land without compensation. Things are going to get ugly in South Africa ANC NEC member Zizi Kodwa would not provide any further details on the plans such as which farms are being targeted, but once the process of confiscation begins there wont be any turning back. Whats going on in South Africa occurred years ago in nearby Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia. President Robert Mugabe confiscated white-owned farms and handed them over to black mobs; the countrys GDP was decimated in short order, as was its food production, having once been dubbed Africas bread basket. These are the leaders Barack Obama is complimenting, once again unmasking his racist tendencies. (Related: Obamas race-fueled war on police nearly cost this Chicago cop her life.) From the outset of Obamas presidency, it became clear that like most other black Democratic Party politicians, he was going to throw down the race card early and often. It began when, just a few months into his presidency, friend and mentor Henry Louis Gates, a black Harvard professor, was arrested at his home, allegedly for disorderly conduct. After admitting he didnt know all the facts, Obama nevertheless proclaimed that the Cambridge police officer, Sgt. James Crowley, who is white, acted stupidly in arresting Gates. Various reports at the time said, based on witness accounts, that Prof. Gates overly aggressive attitude and suggestion that Crowley was confronting him because he was black is what led to the arrest. Obamas lecturing and finger-wagging on race never ended. In fact, it only intensified, with The New York Times providing Obama cover for being an overt racist by blaming it on police shootings of black men (in cases where officers were never found to be at fault). Some things never change. Read more about South Africas pending race war at RaceWar.news. Sources include: TheGatewayPundit.com Citizen.co.za QZ.com TheNationalSentinel.com (Natural News) Researchers shared the many benefits of pure, organic maple syrup in a symposium at the 253rd annual American Chemical Society (ACS) meeting in San Francisco held in early April 2017. The symposium was the very first worldwide symposium focused on the health benefits of pure, organic maple syrup. The following are some of the beneficial properties of maple syrup discussed at the symposium: Antimicrobial Scientists at McGill University has also revealed that maple syrup can substantially enhance the antimicrobial effect of antibiotics, reducing the use of antibiotics. In their study, antibiotics arbenicillin and ciprofloxacin were administered together with maple syrup, and results showed that up to 90 percent less antibiotic could be used with the same healing effects. These findings support the use of maple syrup in combating against viruses and superbugs. Scientists at has also revealed that maple syrup can substantially enhance the antimicrobial effect of antibiotics, reducing the use of antibiotics. In their study, antibiotics arbenicillin and ciprofloxacin were administered together with maple syrup, and results showed that up to 90 percent less antibiotic could be used with the same healing effects. These findings support the use of maple syrup in combating against viruses and superbugs. Antioxidant Researchers at the symposium also revealed the discovery of two key compounds found in maple syrup that contain antioxidant properties. This increased the count of beneficial phytonutrients in maple up to 65. In 2011, Quebecol, a polyphenolic molecule, and isoquebecol, an analogue, exhibited significant positive effects against inflammation. Researchers at the symposium also revealed the discovery of two key compounds found in maple syrup that contain antioxidant properties. This increased the count of beneficial phytonutrients in maple up to 65. In 2011, Quebecol, a polyphenolic molecule, and isoquebecol, an analogue, exhibited significant positive effects against inflammation. Functional food Because of the essential vitamins and minerals that pure maple syrup contains, it is considered as a functional food. Researchers developed a maple sap formulation that can bring both probiotic and prebiotic benefit to the balance of bacteria in the gut. Because of the essential vitamins and minerals that pure maple syrup contains, it is considered as a functional food. Researchers developed a maple sap formulation that can bring both probiotic and prebiotic benefit to the balance of bacteria in the gut. Immune-boosting Since maple syrup is beneficial to the gut, and a healthy and balanced gut is important to the immune system, maple syrup is also beneficial to the immune system. Pure maple syrup is also rich in polyphenols, which helps protect against chronic inflammation. When the immune system is healthy, it can help the body fight against chronic inflammation, which is the cause of a lot of health conditions. (Related: Organic maple syrup a superfood? Sticky sweet liquid is packed with natural compounds known to prevent disease.) Since maple syrup is beneficial to the gut, and a healthy and balanced gut is important to the immune system, maple syrup is also beneficial to the immune system. Pure maple syrup is also rich in polyphenols, which helps protect against chronic inflammation. When the immune system is healthy, it can help the body fight against chronic inflammation, which is the cause of a lot of health conditions. (Related: Organic maple syrup a superfood? Sticky sweet liquid is packed with natural compounds known to prevent disease.) Prebiotic Researchers shared that maple syrup has been traditionally used for its healing purposes. Native populations in Canada have used maple syrup for hundreds of years to help combat infection. Scientists also found that some of its health benefits are associated with a complex carbohydrate called inulin, which is a natural fiber that works as a prebiotic. It promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria which supports the function of the immune system. Ways to include maple syrup in your diet Maple syrup is made from the sap of maple trees. It is commonly used to add in pancakes and waffles. Other than these, maple syrup can also be used as a sweetener for coffee, tea, homemade sodas, and homemade lemonades. Maple syrup also works great when added to roasted autumn vegetables such as acorn or butternut squash, breakfast oatmeal or hot cereal, chicken, frozen organic berries, ham, pulled pork, roasted turkey, salmon, and soups. It can also be used as an alternative for honey in salad dressings. In addition, maple syrup can be used as a replacement for granulated sugar in baking. When it comes to buying maple syrup, make sure that it is pure and organic by checking the product label. Ensure that the syrup is an artisan product and not a blended one. When storing maple syrup, it should be kept in the refrigerator or freezer once it has been opened and always keep it as cold as possible. Keep it tightly sealed, so that it can last for months. Proper storage of maple syrup is important to avoid molds. Read more news stories and studies on superfoods such as maple syrup by going to Superfoods.news. Sources include: NaturalHealth365.com FoodNetwork.com The steel cutting ceremony of the first Doha class corvette ordered to Fincantieri by the Qatari Ministry of Defence within the national naval acquisition programme, took place on July 30 at the Muggiano (La Spezia) yard, in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State of Qatar for Defence Affairs, His Excellency Khalid Bin Mohamed Al Attiyah and the Italian Minister of Defence, Elisabetta Trenta, welcomed by the Chairman and the CEO of Fincantieri Giampiero Massolo and Giuseppe Bono. The steel cutting ceremony of the first Doha class corvette ordered to Fincantieri by the Qatari Ministry of Defence within the national naval acquisition programme, took place on July 30 at the Muggiano (La Spezia) yard, in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State of Qatar for Defence Affairs, His Excellency Khalid Bin Mohamed Al Attiyah and the Italian Minister of Defence, Elisabetta Trenta, welcomed by the Chairman and the CEO of Fincantieri Giampiero Massolo and Giuseppe Bono. The future multi-role air defence corvette of the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces. These corvettes will become the backbone and the most potent surface combatants of the Qatari Navy fleet. In the awarding of this prestigious contract, Fincantieri has prevailed over other competitors thanks to a project recognized as the most advanced and innovative of all. The presence of the two Ministers testifies the international value acquired by Fincantieri, which, thanks to the experience gained in the construction of hi-tech vessels, today is a reference Group also in the naval field. The contract, amounting for Fincantieri to approx. 4 billion euros, envisages the supply of seven surface vessels, of which four corvettes, one amphibious vessel (LPD - Landing Platform Dock), and two patrol vessels (OPV - Offshore Patrol Vessel) as well as support services in Qatar for further 10 years after the delivery of the vessels. All the units will be entirely built in Fincantieri Italian shipyards starting from this year. The ceremony was attended, among others, by the Staff Major General Abdullah Bin Hassan Al Sulaiti, Commander of the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces, and the Chief of the Italian Navy, Admiral Valter Girardelli. Fincantieri wass showcasing for the very first time a scale model of the future corvette on its stand at DIMDEX 2018 The first Doha class corvette, of which the first steel was cut on July 30, is designed consistent with the RINAMIL rules and will be a flexible type of ship capable of fulfilling different kinds of tasks, from surveillance with sea rescue capacities to being a fighting vessel. Will be about 107 meters long, 14.70 meters wide, with a maximum speed of 28 knots. It will be equipped with a combined diesel and diesel turbine plant (CODAD) and will be able to accommodate 112 persons on board, of whom 98 of the crew. Furthermore, the vessel will be capable of operating high-speed boats such as RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) through lateral cranes or a hauling ramp located at the far stern. The flight deck and hangar are sized for hosting one NH90 helicopter. A scale model of the corvette was also present on the Qatari Navy booth In terms of weapon systems Navy Recognition learned during DIMDEX 2018 that the corvettes will be fitted with a 76mm main gun by Leonardo, 16x VLS cells for ASTER 30 surface to air missiles (by MBDA), two Marlins 30mm remote weapon stations (Leonardo), 8x Exocet MM40 Block III (MBDA) and RAM launcher (21 missiles) by Raytheon for short range air defense. Leonardo is responsible for the integrated supply of the new naval units combat system (Athena), main radar system (Kronos) and on-board sensors and defence sub-systems, including the anti-torpedo protection system and the Thesan mine avoidance sonar. A total of four Sylena Mk2 decoy launchers by Lacroix will protect the vessels against anti-ship missile threats. Our video coverage of DIMDEX 2018 (including coverage of the Doha-class corvettes) These corvettes will become the backbone and the most potent surface combatants of the Qatari Navy fleet. The contract also includes support services in Qatar for 15 years after the delivery of the vessels. All the units will be entirely built in Fincantieri Italian shipyards starting from 2018, ensuring 6 years of work and an important impact on the main Italian defense companies. Four of the five people killed in a small plane crash in Southern California Sunday afternoon hailed from the East Bay, and three of them worked together in Danville, according to officials. The Orange County coroner's office identified the victims as Scott Shepherd, 53, and Lara Shepherd, 42, of Diablo; Floria Hakimi, 62, of Danville; Navid Hakimi, 32, of Los Angeles; and Nasim Ghanadan, 29, of Alamo. Ghanadan, Floria Hakimi and Lara Shepherd worked together at the Pacific Union International real estate company's office in Danville. "Nasim was 29 years old, just a bundle of joy to be around...she was great," Pacific Union International Vice President Brian Moggan said. Moggan added that Floria Hakimi was "an expert." "She was just an awesome individual, very spiritual," he said. "It's just a huge loss for our company." Pacific Union CEO Mark A. McLaughlin said Hakimi's son Navid Hakimi and Shepherd's husband Scott Shepherd, the plane's pilot, were also killed Sunday. "Our entire Pacific Union family is mourning the loss of our colleagues, family and friends," McLaughlin said in a statement. "Life is precious and we are focused on comforting the loved ones affected by this devastating event." The pilot declared an emergency but didn't state the nature of his problem before crashing about a mile from John Wayne Airport, National Transportation Safety Board investigator Albert Nixon said Monday. Nixon didn't know how much time elapsed between the distress call and the crash. The plane, which departed from Concord earlier in the day, was heading to the airport southeast of Los Angeles when it came down and struck four unoccupied parked cars in the lot of a Staples store and a CVS pharmacy, Orange County Fire Authority Captain Steve Concialdi said. There was no fire, he said. Jesse Perez was eating lunch with a friend at Buffalo Wild Wings, which shares the parking lot, when he heard the crash. "It sounded like a truck hit the building," he told the Orange County Register Customers ran from the restaurant into the lot and saw the wreckage of the white Cessna with green and blue trim. "Bodies were hanging from out the side of the plane," said Perez, adding that emergency workers were there within minutes. "I couldn't believe what was happening." Photos from the scene showed the plane crumpled and broken apart and the car damaged. Several roads were closed surrounding the shopping center and the busy South Coast Plaza mall across the street. The plane is registered to a San Francisco-based real estate consulting company, Category III, according to an FAA database. A phone call to the company was not immediately returned. "Category III is an aeronautical term which refers to a combination of highly trained pilots and sophisticated cockpit avionics working together to safely land an aircraft in zero visibility conditions," says a statement on the company's web site. "We value this metaphor and work to bring Category lll precision approach to our clients to deliver better results for all aspects of complex real estate value extrications." The 1973 Cessna was certified with the FAA through October 2019, online records show. The Federal Aviation Administration and the NTSB are investigating the cause of the crash. Witnesses watched in horror as a small plane banked low in sunny skies over a Southern California shopping center and then suddenly nosedived, crashing into a parking lot and killing all five people on board. Ella Pham and her boyfriend were walking across the lot Sunday when they saw the twin-engine Cessna plummet. We looked up to see the plane falling nose first, Pham, 20, told the Los Angeles Times. It was so heartbreaking just seeing the plane crumbled into pieces. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Twin Northern California blazes fueled by dry vegetation and hot, windy weather grew Monday to become the largest wildfire in state history, becoming the norm as climate change makes the fire season longer and more severe. The two fires burning a few miles apart and known as the Mendocino Complex are being treated as one incident. It has scorched 283,800 acres (443.4 square miles or 1,148.4 square kilometers), fire officials said Monday. The fires, north of San Francisco, have burned 75 homes and is only 30 percent contained. The size of the fires surpasses a blaze last December in Southern California that burned 281,893 acres (440.5 square miles or 1,140.8 kilometers). It killed two people, including a firefighter, and destroyed more than 1,000 buildings before being fully contained on Jan. 12. Hotter weather attributed to climate change is drying out vegetation, creating more intense fires that spread quickly from rural areas to city subdivisions, climate and fire experts say. But they also blame cities and towns that are expanding housing into previously undeveloped areas. More than 14,000 firefighters are battling over a dozen major blazes throughout California, state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Scott McLean said. "I can remember a couple of years ago when we saw 10 to 12,000 firefighters in the states of California, Oregon and Washington and never the 14,000 we see now," he said. Crews did make progress over the weekend against one of the two blazes in the Mendocino Complex with help from water-dropping aircraft, Cal Fire operations chief Charlie Blankenheim said in a video on Facebook. But the other one is growing after spreading into the Mendocino National Forest. The complex of fire has been less destructive to property than some of the other wildfires in the state because it is mostly raging in remote areas. But officials say the twin fires threaten 11,300 buildings and some new evacuations were ordered over the weekend as the flames spread. .large div.leadMediaRegion {border:none} .large .leadMediaRegion.city_module iframe {height:1020px;} Farther north, crews gained ground against a deadly blaze that has destroyed more than 1,000 homes in and around Redding. It was nearly halfway contained, Cal Fire said. The wildfire about 225 miles (360 kilometers) north of San Francisco started more than two weeks ago by sparks from the steel wheel of a towed-trailer's flat tire. It killed two firefighters and four residents and displaced more than 38,000 people. Officials began allowing some residents to return to their neighborhoods. But tens of thousands of others were still evacuated. The fires in Northern California have created such a haze of smoke in the Central Valley that Sacramento County health officials advised residents to avoid outdoor activities for the entire week. Another blaze that ignited last week has damaged a historic Northern California resort in the Stanislaus National Forest. The nearly century-old Dardanelle Resort has sustained massive structural damage, though the details were unclear, the Sacramento Bee newspaper reported. The rustic lodge 180 miles (290 kilometers) east of San Francisco is nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains and offers cabin and motel rentals along with RV sites, a store and restaurant. The U.S. Forest Service reported that the fire crossed a highway Sunday evening, forcing crews to retreat from the fire's edge. The resort owners said in a Facebook post that "at this point it has been confirmed that there is 'massive structural damage.' We are heartbroken and struggling with this news." What to Know Eleven children were taken into protective custody after being found living in filthy conditions at a New Mexico compound, police said Two men were arrested after an armed standoff with police Police searched the compound to look for one of the men, who has been wanted for child abduction Law enforcement officers searching a rural northern New Mexico compound for a missing 3-year-old boy didn't locate him but found 11 other children in filthy conditions and hardly any food, a sheriff said Saturday. The children ranging in age from 1 to 15 were removed from the compound in the small community of Amalia, New Mexico, and turned over to state child-welfare workers, Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said. Two men were arrested during the search while two women at the compound were initially detained before being released pending further investigation, Hogrefe said. One of the men, 39-year-old Siraj Wahhaj, was jailed on a Georgia warrant alleging child abduction while the other man, identified only as Lucas Morten, was arrested on suspicion of harboring a fugitive, Hogrefe said. Online court records checked Saturday didn't list defense attorneys who could comment on behalf of the men. The search stemmed from an investigation involving the Taos County Sheriff's Office, the FBI and Clayton County, Georgia, authorities, Hogrefe said in a statement. Amalia is 145 miles (233 kilometers) northeast of Albuquerque and in an isolated high-desert area near the New Mexico-Colorado border. Hogrefe said authorities had conducted surveillance of the compound while looking for the missing boy before he decided Thursday to get a search warrant immediately after a Georgia investigator forwarded a message in which someone at the compound reportedly told another person that people at the compound were starving and needed water. Hogrefe said the search did not turn up the missing boy, identified by the sheriff as AG Wahhaj, but that investigators had reason to believe the boy had been at the compound fairly recently. It's not clear whether the boy and Siraj Wahhaj are related. There were no injuries during the search, the sheriff said. But Wahhaj and Morten initially refused to follow commands and Wahhaj was armed with a rifle and four handguns, Hogrefe said. There was little food in the compound, which consisted of a small travel trailer buried in the ground and covered by plastic with no water, plumbing and electricity, he said. "The only food we saw were a few potatoes and a box of rice in the filthy trailer," the sheriff said. The adults and children appeared like "refugees not only with no food or fresh water, but with no shoes, personal hygiene and basically dirty rags for clothing," the sheriff said. "We all gave the kids our water and what snacks we had - it was the saddest living conditions and poverty I have seen." What to Know The 27-foot long adult female minke whale was found dead Sunday morning in shallow water near Marshfield's Brant Rock. Minke whales are the smallest of the large whale species found in New England waters and are often seen on whale watches in the region. Minke whales have been dying in unusually high numbers along the U.S. East Coast, from Maine to the Carolinas. New England Aquarium officials are investigating the death of a whale that was found on the South Shore of Massachusetts. The 27-foot long minke whale was found dead Sunday morning near Marshfields Brant Rock. The aquariums animal rescue team responded, and two biologists waded into the water from knee to waist deep to do an initial exam and take tissue samples. The whales carcass is pinned against a rock jetty on its side in shallow water. Aquarium officials say the adult female whale was thin but not emaciated. There was no visible gear from a possible entanglement, and there was no major trauma visible from a possible vessel strike. The whale, however, did have significant cuts and deep, long scratches on its underside and tail stock. Officials say these injuries were a result of the whale thrashing about in shallow water when first seen on Saturday evening. Thick fog at Brant Rock enveloped the minke late Saturday night and remained until about 10 a.m. Sunday when the carcass was found, leading officials to say the whale died overnight. Authorities say the minke whale was already near death when it was first seen Saturday night, exhibiting a swimming pattern and other behaviors that are characteristic of whales that are in great health distress. Aquarium biologists cannot perform a more complete necropsy with the whale in its current location, pinned against a jetty in shallow water at low tide and along the very rocky, narrow shore. They plan to consult with Marshfield and federal officials to see what might be feasible given its location and resources. Minke whales, the smallest of the large whale species found in New England waters, are often seen on whale watches in the region. They are grey, sleekly built and often can can be identified by their white bellies and small white, pectoral fins, which are called minke mittens. They are a protected species like all whales in U.S. waters, but their population is not considered either endangered or threatened. Since January 2017, however, minke whales have been dying in unusually high numbers along the U.S. East Coast from Maine to the Carolinas. Aquarium officials say this is believed to be the 38th dead minke whale that has been documented. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the American federal oceans agency, has declared an unusual mortality event and is committing additional resources to try to learn what might be affecting the species. What to Know At least five people were killed out of a total of 34 people in overnight shootings in Chicagothe youngest being an 11-year-old Police say 4 or 5 mass shootings occurred in the Gresham, Lawndale & West Humboldt Park neighborhoods The Chicago Police Department held a press conference around 2 p.m. Sunday to discuss the incidents Chicago Police confirmed 34 people including an 11-year-old were shot within 24 hours in Chicago over the weekend, and at least five of those victims died. The shootings took place between 10 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday, according to police, who initially reported 47 shooting victims, but later clarified that number. According to authorities, there were multiple mass shootings in the Gresham, Lawndale & West Humboldt Park neighborhoods. A chaotic scene broke out at Stroger Hospital Sunday morning, where victims families and friends were prevented from entering the emergency room as the staff dealt with the influx of trauma patients. Over the past 24 hours, Strogers trauma unit received an unusually high volume of patients, said Caitlin Polochak, the hospitals communications manager. At no time did Stroger go on bypass or lockdown its trauma unit. The Chicago Police Department held a press conference around 2 p.m. Sunday to discuss the incidents. #ChicagoPolice Chief of Patrol Fred Waller will address overnight violence today at 1:30p at CPD Headquarters. @Chicago_Police Tom Ahern (@TomAhernCPD) August 5, 2018 "I promise this city, we will not be defeated," assured Chief of Patrol Fred Waller repeatedly. Officer Waller said everyone has to be accounted for in these types of situations, not just the police department. "We can't ever measure what we prevent...less victims, that's how we measure our success," he said. Waller also mentioned that its not a lack of resources when it comes to officers. Officers working at the annual Lollapalooza music festival would have been off on a regular occasion, and therefore were not accounted for. At 6.15 Christians, Shintoists and Buddhists held a joint prayer. In his Peace Declaration Hiroshima mayor warns the human family not to forget. For him, nuclear deterrence is inherently unstable and extremely dangerous. A memorial Mass is held for the victims. Meetings are held so as not to forget. Hiroshima (AsiaNews) Seventy-three years after the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, the Japanese people have not forgotten the tragedy and reiterate their desire for a world free from nuclear weapons. "At 6.15 am, there was a moment of prayer at the Peace Park," said Fr Alberto Berra, PIME missionary in Hiroshima. Christians Catholics and Protestants as well as Buddhists and Shintoists attended the service to remember the victims of 6 August 1945. Soon after, an official ceremony was held in the presence of the authorities, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, and representatives of 85 countries. At 8.15 am, the same time when Little Boy" exploded on the city in 1945, those present held a minute of silence. As per tradition, the mayor delivered the usual Peace Declaration. This year, Mayor Matsui strongly appealed for a world without nuclear weapons. "If the human family forgets history or stops confronting it, we could again commit a terrible error," he said. For Japan, this means leading the international community towards "dialogue and cooperation for a world without nuclear weapons," the mayor added. Matsui slammed the policy of nuclear deterrence, noting that it is inherently unstable and extremely dangerous to maintain international order through fear. Currently, more than 14,000 nuclear weapons are estimated to still exist in the world. At the end of the official ceremony, local Catholics went to the citys cathedral for a memorial mass dedicated to the victims, in the presence of the nuncio. As a community, Hiroshima Catholics marked the event with two days of initiatives, attended by Christians from all the dioceses, and many young people. "Various programmes started on 5 August, culminating in the evening mass, said Fr Berra. This years theme was 'What I can do for peace', with an explicit reference to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the group that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017. "There are various meetings and survivors telling their stories about the atomic bomb tragedy, both Japanese and Koreans who were present. It is important to pass on all this to the new generations." Tonight, a concert will bring the two days of commemoration to a close. The explosion of Little boy and its effects killed 140,000 people in 1945. "Hibakusha" (bomb survivors) continue their campaign against nuclear weapons. Almost 155,000 are still alive with an average age of 82, which makes it increasingly urgent to pass on the memory of the tragedy to the young. Many hibakusha were at the memorial service despite their advanced age and the heatwave that has hit the country over the past several weeks. As a particularly violent weekend neared an end in Chicago, the city's Chief of Patrol Fred Waller blamed many of the shootings and killings on gang members who shoot into summer crowds. They take advantage of that opportunity and they shoot into a crowd, no matter who they hit, Waller said. The weekend saw a large number of group shootings as gunmen targeted crowds at block parties and even a post-funeral gathering. Police say weekend shootings in Chicago left at least 11 people dead and around 70 wounded. By comparison, at least seven people were killed and nearly 30 were wounded during the long Memorial Day weekend, often one of the most violent weekends of the year. The violence peaked early Sunday, including one shooting on the city's South Side that injured eight people. In that shooting, police say several men opened fire into a group of people standing in the courtyard of a building in the 1300 block of West 76th Street. In another shooting, six people were shot, one of them fatally, while standing on a sidewalk Sunday morning in the Lawndale neighborhood. Seventeen-year-old Jahnae Patterson was killed around 2:30 a.m. while standing on the sidewalk in the 1300 block of South Millard Avenue when two gunmen approached and opened fire. Patterson was shot in the face and pronounced dead on the scene, according to police. Five other people - including two young boys, ages 11 and 14 - were wounded in the shooting as well. "My baby just left the house. Twenty minutes later I get a call stating my baby got shot. And then when we get over there, they are shooting again," said Tanika Humphries, Patterson's mother. "This violence got to stop." The two shootings were among six over the weekend where four or more people were shot. Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson planned a Monday news conference to discuss the violence. The spike in violence led to a chaotic scene outside Stroger Hospital, as families packed hospital grounds waiting for word about loved ones who had been shot. Police have said violent crime has declined overall in Chicago. Still, anti-violence protesters have blocked freeways to voice their outrage. Chicago's gun violence has drawn national scrutiny, including from President Donald Trump. His lawyer, ex-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, tweeted Sunday blaming Chicago's longtime "Democratic rule." At least 74 people were shot between Friday afternoon and Monday morning across Chicago, according to police, marking a violent weekend with six shooting incidents that wounded at least four people at one time. Of the people who were shot between 3 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Monday, 12 have died, officials said. Among the victims was 17-year-old Jahnae Patterson, who was shot and killed at a party in the Lawndale neighborhood early Sunday. Authorities said she was standing on the sidewalk in the 1300 block of South Millard Avenue at around 2:34 a.m. when two gunmen approached and opened fire. Patterson was shot in the face and pronounced dead on the scene, according to police. Five other people - including two young boys, ages 11 and 14 - were wounded in the shooting as well. A vigil was held for Patterson Sunday night, with her mother saying she was an innocent victim amid the violence. "My baby just left the house. Twenty minutes later I get a call stating my baby got shot. And then when we get over there, they are shooting again," said Tanika Humphries, Patterson's mother. "This violence got to stop." The spike in violence led to a chaotic scene outside Stroger Hospital, as families packed hospital grounds waiting for word about loved ones who had been shot. Mayor Rahm Emanuel was quick to blame the violence on too many guns on the street. Emanuel and Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson were expected to address the shooting incidents and police response at a news conference Monday morning. What to Know Evan Kitzmiller, 16, was taken to an area hospital after he was found unresponsive at around 7:51 p.m., authorities said Kitzmiller, of Mundelein, was attending the Lollapalooza music festival, city officials confirmed The four-day music festival saw a combined total of 12 arrests and 160 attendees taken to area hospitals, officials said A suburban Chicago teenager who died after being found unresponsive at the Lollapalooza music festival over the weekend had spent his summer working at a car wash to save for his ticket to the popular fest, his father said. Evan Kitzmiller, 16, loved live music and was enjoying his final summer outing before he was set to return to school. "Thats only thing he wanted was work to go to Lollapalooza," said his friend James Wright, who was with Kitzmiller for the first few days of the festival. "We both saved enough money to go, bought our tickets together." Kitzmiller was found unresponsive just before 8 p.m. Sunday in the 300 block of East Randolph Street, according to Chicago police and the Cook County Medical Examiner's office. The Mundelein teen was taken via private ambulance to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead just before 9 p.m., officials said. Further details surrounding the incident were not immediately available and a death investigation remained ongoing, according to Chicago police. "We thought he was OK, that he was in good hands," Wright said. "And then out of nowhere just people said, 'Evans not okay.'" Kitzmiller was attending the music festival in Grant Park, according to Chicagos Office of Emergency Management and Communications. "The safety and security of festival attendees is our top priority," OEMC spokeswoman Melissa Stratton said in a statement. "We are saddened to learn that an individual transported from the event in critical condition last night due to a medical emergency has since passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time." A spokeswoman for the festival also said in a statement the teen's "family and loved ones are in our thoughts during this difficult time. We have no further information at this time." The four-day music festival saw a combined total of 12 arrests and 160 attendees taken to area hospitals, officials said. The medical examiner had not revealed a cause of death for Kitzmiller as of Monday afternoon. Kitzmiller was an honor roll student and multi-sport athlete, according to Mundelein High School, where he was set to enter his junior year. "We, as the Mundelein High School family always come together and support each other in a time of need. Our deepest condolences to the Kitzmiller family," the school's statement read. "It's too young to lose someone like him," said Dina Nasios, who owned Atlas Car Wash, where Kitzmiller worked. "An unfortunate situation you don't want this to happen to anybody." Two children were rushed to the hospital after getting hit by a car in New Haven on Monday morning. First responders were called to Howard Avenue at First Street around 11:37 a.m. after getting a report of a crash involving a pedestrian and a vehicle. According to police, day care workers tried to stop traffic to allow children in their care to cross Howard Avenue. The children were crossing the street in what a witness said was a human chain. While crossing, a 3-year-old boy from Bridgeport and a 2-year-old boy from Milford were hit and run over by a passing car. The children were rushed by ambulance to Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The children are both in stable condition and have remained conscious and alert, officials said. The 28-year-old New Haven woman driving the car stopped and has cooperated with the investigation, police said. She was issued an infraction for failing to grant the right of way to a pedestrian. Officers said the case could be reopened if the children's conditions change. A woman in Canton had quite the scare on Monday morning when a bear broke into her home. The woman who lives in the home on East Hill Road said the 400 pound bear broke through a screen door, pushed in her front door and entered her home while she was lying in bed around 7 a.m. She said she played dead on her bed as the bear moved her dresser in her bedroom. Once the bear left her bedroom and went into her kitchen, the woman called police. I was awake, but I heard something, and I looked up and he was there, said the woman on the 911 call. When officers arrived the bear was still in the kitchen, but it left the house shortly after. Officers shot one round at the bear who kept walking away into the woods, according to police. Police then tracked the untagged bear into the woods, but could not find it. Officials with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said they plan to set a trap near the woman's house. This is the fourth bear to enter a home in Canton in the last week, according to police and the D.E.E.P. People in Canton are used to seeing black bears on their property, but the bears' bold behavior of breaking into homes is concerning to them. Im just kind of nervous now, just knowing how close it is, said Bog Zacharski, who lives next door to where this happened. The D.E.E.P. has been warning homeowners and state leaders about the rising bear population and the need to control it. State biologists have recommended starting a regulated hunting season, but a bill proposing the idea failed during the last two legislative sessions. Our bear population is growing perhaps 10-15% a year, its spreading across the state. Theyre becoming abundant in both rural and suburban areas and right now the only recourse to check that population, we feel, is a regulated hunting season, said Paul Rego, a wildlife biologist for the D.E.E.P. The woman was not injured in the incident. If you encounter a black bear in or outside of your home, state biologists recommend you make loud noises and waive your arms to scare the bear away. A construction worker was injured during an accident near Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks Monday. Connecticut State Police confirmed the worker was hit in the head with a piece of metal while working on a property on Ella Grasso Turnpike. The victim was transported to the hospital via LifeStar. The persons condition was not immediately clear. No other information was immediately available. What to Know A man was killed after opening fire on police officers who he mistook for home intruders. Police say they were serving a search warrant for the man's 20-year-old grandson who was wanted for a weapons violation. The grandfather's wife, who is also the mother-in-law of a city officer, as well as a responding SWAT officer were hurt in the shootout. A Philadelphia grandfather mistook SWAT officers for home intruders and opened fire on police as they entered his home Monday morning to serve a search warrant for the man's grandson, the city's police commissioner said. The confusion led to a shootout that ended with three people shot, police said. The homeowner was ultimately killed, his wife hurt and a veteran officer was left with a bullet lodged in his jaw. "The simplest way to put this is this is an all-out absolute tragedy," Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said during a Monday afternoon news conference. The ordeal began around 6 a.m. at a home along the 4800 block of Knox Street. Police were serving a search warrant for a 20-year-old man wanted on a weapons violation. He is the grandson of the homeowner, police said. The search stemmed from a social media post allegedly showing the man with a handgun, investigators said. The arriving officers knocked on the door of the home and announced their presence at least three times indicating they had a warrant, Ross said. They entered the front door into a vestibule and were about to enter the home when the homeowner, identified as 59-year-old Ricardo Giddings, fired four shots, police said. The officers returned fire, striking Giddings in the chest and legs. Investigators say Giddings fired four rounds while officers fired five. Ross said police later learned through interviews that Giddings didn't understand that police were entering his home. "He went about the business of protecting his home not knowing it was the police at the door that he was firing upon," Ross said. Ross said it's likely Giddings didn't hear the officers announce that they were serving a warrant because the television was on at the time. "Neighbors said they heard it but apparently he [the homeowner] didn't hear it," Ross said. Prior to the shooting, the homeowner told his wife, 67-year-old Joann Giddings, to flee from the house, police said. A ricocheted pellet round from a shotgun fired by police struck her in the abdomen. Joann Giddings, who Ross said is the mother-in-law of a city police officer, also suffered back injuries after she fell while fleeing a second-floor window. "We aren't dealing with a bunch of criminals firing on police," Ross said. "It touches us in a lot of different ways." Joann Giddings was listed in stable condition at Albert Einstein Medical Center. The couple's daughter, LaQuisha Johnson, told NBC10 she wants answers. "We want to figure out what went wrong here," Johnson said. "My dad is dead and my mom is in the hospital and fighting for her life." One of the responding officers, 49-year-old Jaison Potts, was hit in the face by a bullet during the shootout. A 20-year veteran of the force, Potts was rushed to Temple University Hospital where he was listed in critical condition. Ross said Potts, despite bleeding heavily, was able to walk into the emergency room on his own. "We do believe that he is going to survive despite the critical nature of his injuries," Ross said. "He's got a ways to go." Potts, who suffered "very serious" facial injuries, including a broken jaw, will undergo surgery on Tuesday. Ross called Potts a "very tough guy." The bullet stopped near Potts' ear and remains lodged in his jaw. Philadelphia Police Department Potts attended Cheltenham High School in neighboring Montgomery County and is a married father of three. His family was by his side at the hospital, Ross said. Ross said it is not common for SWAT team officers to open fire during assignments. "These high risk warrants are just that. They're high risk for obvious reasons," Ross said. "SWAT serves approximately 300 of them every year without incident." The last time a member of the SWAT team was engaged in a shootout was in 2015 while serving a warrant and the officer was hit on his bulletproof vest. "It's very rare because of the manner that they do their surveillance of the properties as well as their entries that they are even compelled to discharge their weapons," Ross said. Potts was supposed to start vacation at the end of the day, Mayor Jim Kenney said. The veteran officer instead spent his day sedated while undergoing tests at the hospital. Police say the 20-year-old man who they were initially looking for later turned himself in and was questioned. He was later released however and no charges were filed. Police only found a weapon belonging to Ricardo Giddings during the search. Police continue to investigate the incident. Philadelphia police SWAT Officer Jaison Potts and two civilians were shot as gunfire rang out as police served a warrant on a 20-year-old man in the city's Germantown neighborhood Monday morning. Correction: Police said during a press conference that the woman injured is 67-years-old. NBC10 confirmed with family members and records that the woman is 59. Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the spelling of Officer Jaison Potts' first name. Texas schools have been adding metal detectors and armed personnel in an effort to improve campus security in response to the deadly May attack at a Houston-area high school that left eight students and two teachers dead. Among the steps that Texas apparently won't be taking anytime soon is tightening restrictions on gun access for people deemed dangerous to themselves or others. In the aftermath of the May 18 attack at Santa Fe High School, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott suggested that Texas should look for ways to keep guns away from people who pose "an immediate danger to others," which is the point of so-called red flag laws like those passed by six states since the February massacre at a high school in Parkland, Florida. But faced with criticism from gun enthusiasts in the country's largest conservative state, Abbott -- who gets top ratings from the National Rifle Association -- later clarified that he was only suggesting such laws be part of a broader conversation about school security and that he thinks there's growing opposition to the idea of gun restrictions. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Texas Senate, was even more forceful. "I have never supported these policies, nor has the majority of the Texas Senate," he said minutes after the last in a series of state Senate hearings on gun violence. The one-two punch by the state's top Republicans drew cheers from gun rights advocates in a state that has more than 1.2 million handgun license holders and allows the open carry in public of handguns and long rifles. While they vary from state to state, red flag laws generally allow law enforcement or family members to ask a judge to order the seizure or surrender of guns from someone who is deemed dangerous, often because of mental health concerns or threats of violence. About a dozen states have red flag laws, including Republican-led Florida, which passed its law following the Parkland school attack. Texas can deny a handgun license based on a person's mental health history, but that restriction applies to the license to carry a handgun, not buying one. The state can seize weapons from people determined to be in a mental crisis in some circumstances. Some gun rights activists worry that expanding red flag laws would allow the government to seize someone's guns based on the suspicion of a threat or a false report without that person having acted violently. "Red flag laws are nothing more than ways to take guns out of the hands of law-abiding persons on nothing more than mere suspicion," said C.J. Grisham, leader of gun rights group Open Carry Texas, which has pushed to reduce gun restrictions for years. "You never get good policy when you base it off of emotion." Abbott's suggestion after the Santa Fe attack that Texas should consider keeping guns away from people who pose an immediate danger to others surprised many because neither he nor any of the state's Republican leaders even suggested tightening gun laws after last November's massacre at a church in Sutherland Springs, near San Antonio. Police said the teenage suspect in the Santa Fe shooting took his father's weapons and that there hadn't been any prior reports that he may have been mentally ill. But a red flag law might have helped in the church shooting. The Air Force failed to properly notify federal law enforcement agencies of the gunman's previous felony domestic violence conviction and the gunman had spent time at a mental health hospital in New Mexico. Shortly after the Santa Fe school shooting, Abbott held meetings with law enforcement officials, educators, mental health experts, attack survivors and victims' family members. A gun control group, Texas Gun Sense, got a seat next to the governor. On his other side was the Texas State Rifle Association, the state arm of the NRA. Few expected major gun control proposals. But after years of watching Texas lawmakers make it easier and cheaper to get a handgun license and carry weapons in public, gun control advocates felt like finally they had a foot in the door, only to get it crushed again. Advocates for red flag laws say they can help prevent violence before it starts, unlike armed teachers and school marshals, who can react after an attack has already begun. Abbott's 43-page school safety and gun violence plan focused on getting more armed guards and personnel on campus, improving gun storage safety laws and boosting mental health screenings. "It's been a wave in other states, even with Republican governors. But not Texas," said Gyl Switzer, executive director of Texas Gun Sense. "What keeps me up at night is worrying that there will be another situation. I don't want us to have to learn from another really sad situation." Soon after Abbott called for the conversation on red flag laws, the state Republican Party's convention platform in June specifically opposed them. The issue drew strong opposition at the legislative hearings. In his speech to the state GOP convention, Abbott promised he would protect gun rights. "The people of Sutherland Springs, they looked me in the eye and they insisted, they said, `Governor, do not let them use this to take away our guns,"' Abbott said. The retreat was to be expected, said Cal Jillson, political science professor at Southern Methodist University. "It is remarkable how consistent the playbook is in red states. Let time pass, let attention pass, then declare that current law has this under control," Jillson said. "That's the normal playbook and that's what we saw here." What to Know The Holy fire start Monday Cleveland National Forest Evacuations ordered in Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon Recreation Residence Tract, Blue Jay and Falcon Campground areas. The fire is one of more than a dozen major wildfires burning in California, including the state's largest on record Firefighters faced punishing heat Tuesday as they attacked a fast-moving brush fire burning in the Cleveland National Forest near the Orange and Riverside counties divide that forced the evacuation of the Trabuco and Holy Jim community. The Holy Fire, which had exploded from 75 to 700 acres within an hour Monday afternoon, was threatening recreation structures in the area of Trabuco Creek and Holy Jim Canyon roads, according to the United State Forest Service. It grew to 4,000 acres by nightfall, meaning the blaze had more than tripled in size in fewer than three hours. It was 2-percent contained early Tuesday. At least two people battling the blaze were treated for heat exhaustion, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. The Holy Jim Canyon, Trabuco Canyon Recreation Residence Tract, Blue Jay and Falcon Campground areas were added to the list of evacuated areas. Residents in other neighborhoods were watching hillsides and waiting for word from authorities about possible evacuations. It was located in a remote area of the Santa Ana mountains, quickly burning toward Riverside County and sending thick smoke into the air that could be seen for miles. A care and reception center had been established at Twoer Community Center at 22232 El Paseo in Rancho Santa Margarita for evacuees of the Holy Fire. The Orange County Fire Authority was assisting with the blaze, and two hikers stranded near the fire were evacuated and safe. NBC4 Meteorologist Anthony Yanez said conditions during the blaze Monday afternoon were warm and dry with light winds. Anyone in the Holy Jim area affected by the blaze may call the Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085. Residents may also receive emergency alerts on their cell phones and e-mail addresses by registering online at www.alertoc.com. The fire is one of more than a dozen major wildfires burning in California, including the state's largest fire on record. As of Tuesday morning, there were 17 large wildfires in California. At more than 290,690 acres, the Mendocino Complex in Mendocino and Lake counties is the largest. The most destructive has been the Carr fire in Shasta County, where more then 1,070 residences were destroyed. NBC4's Jonathan Lloyd contributed to this report. What to Know A Cessna 414 with five people aboard nose-dived into a parking lot Sunday in Santa Ana No one on the ground was injured in the crash in a shopping center parking lot The plane departed from the Bay Area suburb of Concord The Orange County coroner has released the names of the five people killed when a twin-engine aircraft crashed in a Santa Ana parking lot. One of the victims was identified Sunday by her family as 29-year-old Nasim Ghanadan, a Bay Area Realtor. The others were Scott Shepherd, 53; Lara Shepherd, 42; and Floria Hakami, 62 -- all from the Bay Area -- and 32-year-old Navid Hakami of Los Angeles. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board arrived at the crash scene Sunday night and left about two hours later to await daylight. Santa Ana police officers guarded the cordoned-off crash scene. No one was hurt on the ground as the twin-engine Cessna 414 aircraft clipped an unoccupied car, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Tony Bommarito said at a news conference Sunday afternoon. The plane went down at about 12:30 p.m. Sunday into the parking lot of a shopping area in the 3800 block of South Bristol Street, about a mile northwest from John Wayne Orange County Airport, where the aircraft was headed. "As soon as they changed direction, I saw the nose of the plane go straight down to the ground," said witness Hiro Yamanouchi. The nearby intersection of Sunflower Avenue at Bristol Street was closed in all four directions as National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration investigators planned to comb the crash site. The 1973 Cessna was registered to San Francisco-based Category III Aviation Corp., FAA records show. It had been flown from the Bay Area suburb of Concord, FAA data revealed. Cessna 414 planes began operations in 1968. They have a range of 1,528 miles and a top speed of 270 miles per hour. The plane was running on 100 octane gas, which spilled during the crash, OCFA Capt. Steve Concialdi said. Fire crews remained on the scene to clean up the spilled fuel. "I don't know anything about what this pilot did, or what he was thinking, but it could have been much more tragic," Bommarito said. "This was a Sunday afternoon and we have people shopping, so the fact that we have no injuries on the ground is a miracle in itself." OCFA firefighters and coroner's personnel removed all the bodies from the wreckage by Sunday evening. Aldis success is choosing what not to do DICK Smith has laid the blame for closing his Australian-made processed food lines squarely at the feet of Aldi Australia. He accused the German retailer of extreme capitalism and warned the CEOs of Woolworths and Coles that unless your companies move towards [Aldis limited range and high proportion of private brands], you will very likely become uncompetitive. But this betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of Aldis strategy and the limits of its appeal in the Australian market. An important element of Aldis strategy is a severely limited range of preselected products, overwhelmingly private brands. The companys smaller range (some 1,500 store-keeping units as opposed to 20,000 to 30,000 in a large Coles or Woolworths outlet) has several advantages in terms of store footprints, warehousing infrastructure and supplier discounts, to name a few. A proportion of these savings are passed on to consumers to ensure their appeal with households wanting to stretch their shopping dollars further. This strategy and disciplined execution propelled the companys growth. From its first two stores in the Sydney suburbs of Marrickville and Bankstown, Aldi gradually expanded across the eastern seaboard. It was not until 2016 that Aldi started opening stores in South Australia and Western Australia. These new territories promised significant growth opportunities while store openings in the established territories were largely restricted to gap-filling. By 2018, Aldi was operating more than 500 outlets around Australia and claiming roughly 13% of the Australian supermarket industry. Aldis gain in market share has overwhelmingly come at the expense of the smaller, independent supermarkets (IGA-affiliated as well as others). Coles and Woolworths have chiefly responded to Aldi through price cuts and by boosting their share of private brands. While competition in the Australian supermarket sector has increased, it remains a lucrative oasis in comparison to international markets. Dick Smith fights back tears Entrepreneur Dick Smith has fought back tears, describing how shutting down his food company is the 'saddest day of his life.'www.7plus.com.au/News#7News Posted by 7 News Melbourne on Thursday, 26 July 2018 Low-hanging fruit is gone As its stores now span the entire nation, Aldis growth can be expected to slow down. The company is unlikely to turn on and overwhelm Coles and Woolworths, as Smith predicts, because of the inherent limitations of the Aldi formula. Aldi has successfully appealed to a particular segment of the market. It is a segment of shoppers prepared to trade low prices (coupled with sound product quality) for a variety of conveniences offered by traditional supermarkets. These shoppers readily accept Aldis highly restrictive range of product, the lack of manufacturers brands, and austere stores with minimal service at the cash register or in store. The company has also been successful in expanding this segment, by convincing a growing number of people to do at least part of their shopping with Aldi and accept the trade-off at the heart of its offering. But the majority of Australian shoppers prefer to do (the bulk of) their shopping with the two incumbents (Coles and Woolworths who still account for more than two-thirds of the market) as well as a shrinking number of independent supermarkets and a growing set of alternative sources such as farmers markets or subscription-based retailers (Costco). Strategy has limits Aldi exemplifies strategy scholar Michael Porters dictum that the essence of strategy is choosing what not to do. In embracing the Aldi way, the company has made hard strategic choices. Its strategy appeals to a sizeable segment of the Australian public. But its turning away shoppers who value things other than whats on offer at Aldi larger choice, established brands, more service, plusher stores, in-store bakeries and delis or expanded fresh food sections. As a result, Aldis growth in Australia is going to reach its limits. As far back as 2016, CEO Tom Daunt acknowledged that growth opportunities were slowing in existing territories. He also acknowledged the onset of cannibalisation between existing Aldi stores, a sure-fire indicator that their segment was becoming saturated: Increasingly those stores on the eastern seaboard are less often in virgin catchments and more often than not for the majority of those stores there is some impact on other existing Aldi stores. Unbelievably sad announcement Dick Smith Foods to close It is my melancholy duty to inform everyone that after 19 years, Ive made the decision to close Dick Smith Foods. The reasons are covered here:https://t.co/tmWDLAj4jF I thank everyone for their support over the years. Dick Smith Foods (@DickSmithFoods) July 26, 2018 A recent UBS report also picked up the increase in cannibalisation among Aldi stores. UBS analysts suggested Aldi store cannibalisation in South Australia and Western Australia was reaching levels not far behind the more established territories. This indicates that saturation might be achieved sooner in new markets, and puts growth objectives in these states in doubt. Since its arrival in 2001, the company has benefited the Australian public by injecting much-needed competition into the local grocery retail scene, thereby boosting Australian consumers spending power. While its success is testimony to the appeal of the Aldi formula, growth will inevitably peter out and the company will not overrun Australias existing retail giants. Aldis experience in Australia exemplifies the benefits as well as the limitations of clear and focussed strategy. This article authored by Tom Osegowitsch and Angela McCabe was originally published in The Conversation and is republished here with permission. Tom Osegowitsch is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Management and Marketing at the University of Melbourne. His research interests revolve around the strategies of multinational companies. Angela McCabe is a Lecturer in the Department of Management, Sport and Tourism at La Trobe University. Also in Australian Food News What to Know The funeral for Fort Myers Police Department Ofc. Adam Jobbers-Miller will take place inside the Germain Arena in Estero at 12 p.m. Jobbers-Miller was shot in the head while trying to capture a man who allegedly stole a cell phone from a car outside a gas station July 21. The 29-year-old officer died one week later as a result of his injuries. Law enforcement members from across Florida and as far away as New Jersey will be in Fort Myers on Monday for the funeral of a police officer shot and killed in the line of duty. The funeral for Fort Myers Police Department Ofc. Adam Jobbers-Miller will take place inside the Germain Arena in Estero at 12 p.m., following a viewing on Sunday where thousands waited outside a local funeral home throughout the evening for a chance to say their final goodbyes. Jobbers-Miller, who was a firefighter in his home state of New Jersey before moving to Florida and joining the department in 2015, was shot in the head while trying to capture a man who allegedly stole a cell phone from a car outside a gas station on July 21st. The 29-year-old officer died one week later as a result of his injuries. The suspect shooter, 29-year-old Wisner Desmaret, remains behind bars. What to Know A gas station employee who allegedly shot his co-worker to death over an argument was a convicted felon, police say Lawrence Grammer, 71, was previously convicted of rape, a felony, which made it illegal for him to own a gun, police say The victim was 35-year-old Bashir Ward, who had worked at the Citgo gas station in Glen Cove for less than a year A Long Island gas station employee who killed his co-worker dead over an argument was a convicted felon who brought an illegal gun to work, police said. Lawrence Grammer, 71, was charged with second-degree murder and first-degree criminal use of a firearm, police said. Grammer, who is being represented by Legal Aid, was ordered jailed without bail. Grammer had previously been convicted of rape, a felony, which made it illegal for him to own a firearm, Nassau County Detective Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said. Grammer had worked at the Citgo gas station in Glen Head for about 15 years, Fitzpatrick said. The victim, Bashir Ward, 35, of Valley Stream, had worked at the gas station for less than a year, Fitzpatrick said. But the pair never got along. "They just didn't like each other." "They just didn't like each other," Fitzpatrick said. The pair got into an argument on Friday, but the fight was broken up. On Saturday morning, both were working again and they resumed the argument from the day before, police said. Then Grammer went out to his car, got a gun, returned and shot Ward, Fitzpatrick said. The gun was a semiautomatic handgun, according to the criminal complaint. Ward was shot once in the head. The firearm was recovered. What to Know Workers at a Sarabeth's Restaurant on the Upper West Side discovered a man hiding in the freezer, police say The man grabbed a knife and attacked the workers, but they were able to disarm him, police say - he suffered a medical episode and died It turns out the man had just been released from jail in Boston after an indictment accusing him of two murders in the 1980s The 54-year-old man who jumped out of a freezer and threatened employees with a knife at a New York City brunch spot and then died was a suspected cold-case killer who had just been released from jail in Boston, authorities revealed on Monday. Authorities identified the man in the bizarre case as Carlton Henderson, who was found in the freezer at Sarabeth's Restaurant on the Upper West Side around 11 a.m. Sunday about three hours after it opened for the day. Henderson shouted, "Away from me, Satan!" as he rushed out of the freezer, police said. He then grabbed a knife and attacked employees, who were able to disarm him. Henderson then went into cardiac arrest and died. Police arrested Henderson in St. Louis, Missouri, in June 2017 after bullets from the Boston killings were matched to a gun recovered in a fatal shooting in Miami in 1993. He was indicted on two counts of first-degree murder for his alleged role in the May 7, 1988 homicides of William Medina and Antonio Dos Reis in Boston. Both victims were in their 20s; Henderson would have been slightly older at the time. The case had been cold for decades, but it was reopened by a cold case squad in Boston and the indictment followed. The case did not have a trial date, and Henderson's attorney had filed a motion to suppress evidence. The motion was granted last week and the judge reduced his bail as a consequence of that, authorities in Boston said. Henderson was released on his own recognizance Aug. 1, four days before the freezer attack. It wasn't clear what his connection was to the restaurant, why he was in the freezer or for how long. No employees were hurt. What to Know Two women face charges in connection with a wild nail salon brawl that broke out in Brooklyn last week Video posted to Facebook by another customer shows the worker wielding a broom and repeatedly whacking the customer in the back The customer is accused of attacking another employee, punching her in the face and dragging her across the floor Two women -- one a nail salon employee and one a customer -- face charges in connection with a wild brawl that broke out a Brooklyn shop last week, allegedly over a botched eyebrow job, according to authorities and a published report. Video posted to Facebook by another customer who happened to be inside New Red Apple Nails on East Flatbush's Nostrand Avenue when the chaos broke out around 9:30 p.m. Friday shows the worker wielding a broom and repeatedly whacking the customer in the back and shoulder area. [NY ONLY FLICKR] 20 Tri-State Area Burgers Have Landed on New List of America's Best Other people in the salon grab at the customer's backpack; she eventually makes her way to the front door, the broom-wielding employee still bashing her at every opportunity, and leaves. Then the worker with the broom comes back in, grabs her arms as if rolling up her sleeves, and proceeds to attack another woman with the broom. The woman who posted the video said the first customer was unhappy with her eyebrow job and refused to pay, leading to the fracas. Her footage has been viewed nearly a million times since it was posted on Friday. News 4 also obtained surveillance video from inside the store that shows the chaos unfold. 27 of the Best NYC Pizza Joints to Try Right Now, According to Recent List Manager Michael Lin confirmed the customer didn't want to pay so staffers blocked the door -- then the confrontation turned physical. "She said she didn't like it and doesn't want to pay for nothing," said Lin. He added, "I said 'sit down, let me call the police. If the police say you can go, you pay nothing. (If the) police say you pay for the pedicure, then you pay for the pedicure. No eyebrow, no problem.'" The 32-year-old worker faces charges of assault, menacing, harassment and criminal possession of a weapon, among other crimes. The customer also face charges; a criminal complaint against her alleges she punched and slapped another salon worker and dragged her across the nail salon floor. About 100 people, some of them with Black Lives Matter signs, gathered outside the nail salon Monday to protest. Some of the demonstrators called for the salon to be closed down. "It is blatant disrespect," said Chase Andy. "It is disgusting that they can treat our people in this manner." The salon closed early for the day on Monday, as demonstrators gathered. A spokesman for the Brooklyn District Attorneys Office said in a statement to News 4 that the investigation is ongoing. We are in the process of examining all the evidence in this case, including videos that were not available at the time of arraignment, and will evaluate the charges accordingly. [NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More Kristin Davis, known as the "Manhattan Madam" who claims she provided wealthy and famous New Yorkers with prostitutes, is scheduled to testify before special counsel Robert Muellers grand jury in Washington this week, NBC News reported, citing a person with knowledge of the matter. Davis was questioned about Russian collusion by a member of Muellers team last week. She declined to comment, and her lawyer couldnt immediately be reached for comment. Last month, Davis said that someone from Muellers office contacted her attorney to ask her to speak with investigators. At the time, Davis thought officials wanted to speak with her because of her ties to President Donald Trumps former adviser, Roger Stone. Davis has said she has no knowledge of Russian collusion in the 2016 presidential election. What to Know A man involved in a custody dispute killed his 7-year-old daughter then himself inside a Manayunk home, Philadelphia police say. The girl's stepfather discovered the bodies Monday morning in the Wilde Street home after the girl wasn't returned to her mom Sunday night. Responding officers called it one of the worst scenes they've ever walked into. A man found his 7-year-old stepdaughter and her father dead after an apparent murder-suicide inside a home in Philadelphias Manayunk neighborhood Monday morning. Philadelphia police were called to the home on the 4500 block of Wilde Street, near Green Lane, just before 11 a.m. They found the girl dead in the living room and her 45-year-old father dead in a second-floor bedroom, police said. Responding officers called it one of the worst scenes they've ever walked into. "This is your absolute worst-case scenario," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector James Kelly said. "This is terrible. It should never happen but unfortunately here we are." Edgewood Elementary School principal Stephanie Hultquist identified the girl as Kayden Mancuso in a letter to school families at the Pennsbury School District. "We will keep Kayden close in our hearts," Hultquist wrote. Mancuso was set to begin the second grade at Edgewood this fall, Hultquist said. The school would be open for counseling for parents and students from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. And, counseling will be available when the school year begins. Neighbors told NBC10 they saw the man and his daughter around but never thought the girl was in danger. "I never saw signs of him being violent, nothing like that," Noah Cook said. "That's why this is so shocking." The girl's mother and father had been in a contentious custody battle, investigators said. Kayden was dropped off Saturday and was supposed to be returned to her mother Sunday night. "He was telling me awhile back that he had a custody problem with the daughter's mother and this and that," Mary Lou Crompton, another neighbor, said. The father left a note though police have not revealed what it said. SUICIDE PREVENTION HELP: Here is information on suicide prevention from the National Institute of Mental Health. If you are in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting Home to 741741. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELP: The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or 800-787-3224 (TTY) provides people in distress, or those around them, with 24-hour support. Vianela Tavera, a missing mother of five from New York, was shot in the head and her body left in a home in the Feltonville section of Philadelphia, police say. The Philadelphia Medical Examiner's office ruled the 50-year-old woman's death a homicide, police said Tuesday. Tavera's decomposing body was found in a home just off the Roosevelt Boulevard after complaints of a foul odor led a search of the property. Tavera's family members initially said they were "99 percent" sure the body was hers. They later confirmed it was her at the medical examiner's office Monday. Tavera lived in New York but has family in Camden. She's the mom of five children. Her Acura SUV was found in Virginia, along with a man she knew: Luis Negron Martinez. Martinez, who is from Philadelphia, was found in the car with a 9mm gun, investigators said. Police said he needed medical attention when he was found. He remained in police custody in Fairfax County, Virginia, Tuesday. Police questioned Martinez. They did not say how the two knew each other. Tavera's family members made preparations to take her body to the Bronx. US sales cork surging wine trade AUSTRALIAN wine export values and volumes significantly improved overall last financial year but sales over the period to our second-best market, the US, are in relatively sharp decline. Overall, the value year-on-year of wine exports to June 2018 was up 20 per cent to $2.76 billion, and export volumes were up 10 per cent to 852 million litresa new record. The improvement marks highest rate of growth in the value of wine exports in 15 years, Wine Australia figures show. Trade with our best customer, China, continues expanding dramatically with the value of wine exports up 55 per cent to $1.12 billion and volume up 47 per cent for the year to June 2018. But at the same time the value of US sales fell 8 per cent to $424 million and volume dropped 11 per cent to 160 million litres. The UK bought the most wine by volume, 245 million litres, compared to next best China with 185 million litres, but the UK is our third best customer by value, up 12 per cent on the year to $384 million. Wine Australia CEO Andreas Clark said the US is the worlds largest wine market and the opportunity there is to capture more of the premium end of the market as American consumers trade up to higher priced wines. Australia has been very strong in the commercial half of the US market (54 per cent of the US off-trade volume is wines under US$8 per bottle), but this market is shrinking, Mr Clark said. As American consumers transition from commercial wines to more premium wines, Australia has to be there to capture the opportunity. The premium end of the USA wine market is enjoying robust growth, as are Australian exports in nearly all price points above $10 per litre (albeit off small bases) and were working to accelerate this growth in demand through a marketing push supported by the Australian Governments $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package. Last week Wine Australia hosted the inaugural Australia Decanted in California, a four-day wine education program immersing 100 key influencers from the US in Australias wine scene to raise awareness of the breadth of Australias fine wine offering and the perception of the Australian wine category in the USA. Australia Decanted will become Wine Australias signature annual event in the US and will be followed there by Aussie Wine Week in September this year and Aussie Wine Month in September 2019. Wine Australia Export Report highlights for the 12 months ending 30 June 2018 The highest export value growth rate in 15 years: the value of Australian wine exports grew by 20 per cent to $2.76 billion. Record export volume: volume grew by 10 per cent to a record 852 million litres, or 95 million 9 litre case equivalents. Highest average value since 2009: the average value of exported wine increased by 9 per cent to $3.24 per litre. Record average value of bottled wine: the value increased by 19 per cent to $2.2 billion, the volume increased by 8 per cent to 376 million litres (around 42 million 9 litre case equivalents) and the average value of bottled exports reached a record $5.94 per litre. Record value and volume of exports in bulk containers: value increased by 22 per cent to $504 million, volume increased by 11 per cent to 467 million litres (or about 52 million 9 litre cases) and the average value of bulk exports increased by 10 per cent to $1.08 per litre. The increase in average value of bottled exports was shared by 69 of the 127 destinations for Australian wine, with demand for premium Australian wine in Northeast Asia being the biggest contributor to value and volume growth. The growth in exports was driven by a 15 per cent increase in active exporters compared to the previous 12 months, with 2298 exporters shipping 23,761 unique products. Of these exporters, 1616 either started exporting or grew the value of their exports, contributing $653 million to the growth in overall export value. Also in Australian Food News Price points In the 12 months to June 2018, all but one of Australias export price segments showed growth, as detailed in Table 1 below, with exports above $10 per litre increasing by 45 per cent to $855 million, a record value. The key price segments that drove this growth were wines priced $2029.99 per litre FOB and $5099.99 per litre FOB, both of which grew by over 80 per cent. Also driving growth in overall value is the $2.49 per litre FOB and under segment, reflecting the increase in demand for bulk shipments. Destinations Nearly all regions that Australia exports wine to increased in value in the past 12 months, with Northeast Asia having the stand out performance, growing by 51 per cent to $1.2 billion. Other regions that experienced encouraging growth included: Europe, by 7 per cent to $608 million Southeast Asia, by 3 per cent to $168 million Oceania, by 15 per cent to $99 million, and the Middle East, by 39 per cent to $30 million. North America was the only region to decline in value, by 4 per cent to $624 million, a $12 million increase in the value of exports to Canada only partially offsetting a $39 million decrease in the exports to the USA. The top 5 markets by value in 201718 were: China, including Hong Kong and Macau (40 per cent of export value) USA (15 per cent) United Kingdom (14 per cent) Canada (7 per cent), and New Zealand (3 per cent). Roller-coaster nuclear diplomacy between the United States and North Korea hit highs and lows on Saturday as the countries' top diplomats traded polite words and barbs, leaving efforts to rid the North of its atomic weapons at an uncertain juncture. At a security conference in Singapore, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused North Korea and countries including Russia of continuing to violate U.N. sanctions aimed at pressing Pyongyang to give up its nuclear arsenal. But at the same time, he oversaw the handover of a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un from President Donald Trump and exchanged pleasantries with the North's top diplomat. North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, meanwhile, greeted Pompeo with a smile, but then delivered a scathing attack on the Trump administration for approaching the negotiation poorly by insisting on sanctions enforcement. Ri said North Korea would not be forced into acting unilaterally and demanded that the U.S. undertake "confidence building" measures if the negotiation was to be successful. After Pompeo warned anew that no sanctions would be lifted until North Korea fully and finally denuclearizes, Ri told the annual ASEAN Regional Forum that the North would not be bullied into concessions. "Confidence is not a sentiment to be cultivated overnight," he said. "In order to build full confidence between the DPRK and the U.S., it is essential for both sides to take simultaneous actions and phased steps to do what is possible one after another." North Korea's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "Only when the U.S. ensures that we feel comfortable with and come close to it, will we be able to open our minds to the U.S. and show it in action," Ri said. The U.S. has previously dismissed calls for a phased approach, insisting that sanctions be maintained until the North delivers on its commitments but suggesting that some other steps may be possible. Ri, though, appeared unmoved and accused elements of the U.S. government of going against Trump's wishes by taking a hard line on sanctions. "What is alarming, however, is the insistent moves manifested within the U.S. to go back to the old, far from its leader's intention," he said. Instead of responding reciprocally to North Korea's suspension of nuclear tests and missile launches and other goodwill gestures such as the return of suspected remains of American troops killed in the Korean War, the U.S. has maintained hostility, Ri said. "The United States, instead of responding to these measures, is raising its voice louder for maintaining the sanctions against the DPRK and showing the attitude to retreat even from declaring the end of war, a very basic and primary step for providing peace on the Korean Peninsula," he said. He also accused Washington of taking "extremely inappropriate moves" by discouraging third countries from sending high-level delegations to the North's 70th anniversary celebrations in September. Pompeo had already left the meeting when Ri delivered his remarks in order to travel to Jakarta for talks with senior Indonesian officials. As he arrived in Jakarta, the State Department said that a written reply to Kim from Trump had been delivered to Ri in Singapore. "We had a quick, polite exchange," Pompeo tweeted. "Our US delegation also had the opportunity to deliver (Trump's) reply to Chairman Kim's letter." State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Trump's reply to Kim was given to Ri by Sung Kim, the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines who has been leading logistical negotiations with the North on its pledge to denuclearize. Nauert would not address the content of Trump's letter to Kim. The White House said earlier in the week that Kim had sent a new letter to Trump and that the president had written a response. Earlier Saturday, Pompeo warned Russia, China and other countries against any violation of international sanctions on North Korea that could reduce pressure on the North to abandon its nuclear weapons. Pompeo's comments came on the heels of a new United Nations report that found North Korea has not stopped its nuclear and missile programs and is violating U.N. sanctions, including through illicit ship-to-ship transfers of oil. Speaking on the sidelines of the Singapore forum, Pompeo told reporters that the U.S. has new, credible reports that Russia is violating U.N. sanctions by allowing joint ventures with North Korean companies and issuing new permits for North Korean guest workers. He said Washington would take "very seriously" any violations, and called for them to be roundly condemned and reversed. "If these reports prove accurate, and we have every reason to believe that they are, that would be in violation," Pompeo said, noting that the U.N. Security Council had voted unanimously in favor of the sanctions. "I want to remind every nation that has supported these resolutions that this is a serious issue and something we will discuss with Moscow." "We expect the Russians and all countries to abide to the U.N. Security Council resolutions and enforce sanctions on North Korea," he said. "Any violation that detracts from the world's goal of finally, fully denuclearizing North Korea would be something that America would take very seriously." At the United Nations, a summary of a report by experts monitoring U.N. sanctions against North Korea was sent to the Security Council on Friday that said North Korea is continuing with both its nuclear and missile programs. And, in addition to the oil transfers, it said the North was violating sanctions by transferring coal at sea and flouting an arms embargo and financial sanctions. Late Friday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley raised the alarm, saying that "talk is cheap." ''Russia cannot support sanctions with their words in the Security Council only to violate them with their actions," she said in a statement. She made the remarks as the U.S. asked the Security Council to add a North Korean bank executive, a North Korean company, a Chinese company and a Russian bank to the U.N. sanctions blacklist. In his discussions with Southeast Asian officials in Singapore, Pompeo said he had implored them all to "strictly enforce all sanctions," including an end to ship-to-ship transfers of oil for North Korea, and had been encouraged by the response. Despite the warning to Russia, Pompeo said he remained optimistic that Kim will follow through on his pledge to Trump to denuclearize. But he said the timeline for the North's full and final denuclearization remains a work in progress. A family of four living in Jamul, California is at risk of being deported nearly 20 years after they fled Colombia because of death threats from drug cartels. The Dunoyer family legally entered the United States in 2001 under a Visa and asked for asylum but was denied. After spending 17 years in the U.S., the family said the Trump Administration's "Zero-Tolerance" policy could be taking it all away. "It's so hard," Consuelo Dunoyer said. "I feel destroyed. I can't do nothing." The family left Colombia after several death threats from Colombian drug cartels. The patriarch of the family, Roberto, was targeted because he worked for the Colombian government. The family's asylum case was denied because a judge said their case wasn't 100 percent politically based. As a last resort, Hunter introduced a private bill for the family. The current representative for Jamul, Duncan Hunter Jr., continued to support the family. "I think from his perspective, it's the case of a family who tried to go through the legal process," Pablo Dunoyer, 20, said. "We are not criminals." It was an unlikely move for the Republican congressman who is tough on immigration and supports the "Zero Tolerance" policy. "We are glad that he is helping and we think that speaks a lot," Pablo said. Since arriving in the U.S., the Dunoyer family has thrived. Both Robert and Consuelo have their own business, own a home and paid their taxes every year. "My parents are business owners," Camilo Dunoyer, 17, said. "They are one of the nicest people you will ever meet. We volunteer at our local communities." The Dunoyers said U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter is still fighting to help keep them in the U.S. "I am worried about being able to stay in my own home," Camilo Dunoyer said. "Seeing my family go through this is a nightmare." An online petition started by the family's attorney has garnered nearly 5,000 signatures in just a few days. There is a meeting scheduled between the family and officials with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Thursday. They will receive a final decision on their case then. A 33-year-old woman has been accused of shooting her two daughters Sunday night, killing one of them. Veronica Youngblood has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting, and additional charges are expected, Fairfax County police say. Officers were called to the 1500 block of Lincoln Circle in McLean, Virginia, at 10:15 p.m. When they entered the apartment, they found two victims. One of the children died at the scene while the other remains in life-threatening condition, police say. Youngblood was found in neighboring Loudoun County after she knocked on the front door of an acquaintance, and that person called police. News4 obtained audio of the call, which suggests the two victims are Youngblood's daughters. "Silverwood Terrace. Advising the suspect is there saying she just killed her two daughters. Currently has a gun," a dispatcher says in the call. Court documents reveal Veronica Youngblood has a 5-year-old daughter named Brooklynn Youngblood and an older daughter. A medical examiner confirmed to News4 that a Brooklynn Youngblood died of a gunshot wound to the head. Police said they cannot identify the victims due to a state law passed in Virginia in 2017. Police need written permission from the families of juveniles to release their names. Authorities have not commented on the relationship between Youngblood and the victims. A gun was recovered at the scene when Youngblood was arrested, police say. Court records reveal Veronica Youngblood has spent years in court with her ex-husband in divorce proceedings and hashing out custody issues. At one time, her ex-husband got a protective order against her, according to documents. Although they divorced, the pair lived together at a townhouse so they could both be part of the girls' lives, court documents said. A custody order says Youngblood was scheduled to move to Missouri this week, where her ex-husband was relocating, but that Youngblood didn't want to go. Police say Youngblood is being held without bond. She is expected to appear in court Tuesday. The sister of a man shot and killed by a Montgomery County officer says she is seeking justice because her brother "didn't deserve to die the way he died." Montgomery County Police Officer Anand Badgujar shot Robert White, 41, on June 11 because he says White attacked him. White, a black man from Silver Spring, was unarmed. On Sunday, dozens of people gathered at Fountain Plaza in Silver Spring for a rally in White's honor and then marched to the scene of the shooting. White's sister, Irene Thompson, traveled from North Carolina for the demonstration. "I'm overwhelmed, for one thing. This is something I will never, never get over," Thompson told News4. Dozens of people marched in the rally and held signs reading, "I fear for my life" and "Serve & protect. Not shoot & kill!" Maryland authorities released body camera video of the shooting last week. Thompson said she hasn't watched the video yet. "Maybe in time, when my heart is healed I may view it, but not right now," she said. During his pursuit, Badgujar is heard shouting to White, "Hey, big man, you need to stop.'' After an initial confrontation, Badgujar told a dispatcher, "He's got his hands in his pocket. Might be a suicide-by-cop type thing.'' Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said in June that White was unarmed, but he assaulted Badgujar after the officer "attempted to speak'' with him. Badgujar ended up in the area of the Silver Spring townhouse community on an unrelated call, but it wasn't initially clear why he focused on White. With the situation escalating, the officer tried to pepper spray White, police said, and then requested assistance after the man moved away. Later in the video, after getting some distance between himself and the officer, White appeared to yell: "Get in the car. Stop following me if you're not going to do it.'' By then, the two men had reached a townhouse complex. As Badgujar approached, he told White, "Sir, I do not want to shoot you. Sir, I don't want to (expletive) shoot you, bro.'' Badgujar was later shown reaching into his car under the steering column to turn off the ignition. White was heard on the video yelling, "Do it!" multiple times at the officer. At one point, he appeared to try to get into a police cruiser. Near the end of the video, White takes several stutter steps toward the officer, continuing to yell "Do it!" and "Big shot!" White charged the officer. Badgujar fires twice and falls to the sidewalk. White is heard to grunt, then seemed to yell "Do it again!" In the ensuing struggle in which the officer is still on the ground, he fires more shots. White falls and stops moving. Howard County State's Attorney Dario Broccolino said in a July 27 letter to Manger that after a review of the evidence and the law, it was concluded that Badgujar's actions "were justified under the circumstances." Broccolino noted that investigators reviewed video and other evidence and Badgujar responded to questions prosecutors posed to him through his attorney. A man has been charged with concealing a dead body after a family returning home from a trip to a beach found a man's body in the front yard of their Spotsylvania County home, the Spotsylvania County Sheriffs Office says. Scott Mattice, 48, was going to get his lawn mower when he found the body of Deandre Miller-Caldwell, 23, next to his family's front porch Sunday morning, The Free Lance-Star reports. Mattice said his family noticed a smell when they returned from Virginia Beach, but weren't initially sure what it was. Authorities say the victim was a passenger in a car that crashed into a ditch in front of the family's home three days earlier. According to the sheriff's office, Caldwell was a passenger in Jarred Smith's car Thursday. At some point, Caldwell loss consciousness and Smith lost control of the car, crashing it into a ditch. Concerned residents came to their aid and saw Caldwell in the ditch. Smith told them that his friend was intoxicated. Investigators say Caldwell used heroin that night. Investigators believe Smith hid Caldwell's body, moving him to an area where he could not be seen from the road. But the remains were found by Mattice when he and his family returned home from vacation. Smith was arrested and has been charged with concealing a dead body. A 19-year-old woman is in critical but stable condition after she was hit by a stray bullet while walking in a Laurel, Maryland neighborhood Sunday night. The victim was walking from a parked car in the 9000 block of Canterbury Riding when she was struck just after 10 p.m., Howard County police say. "What's really unusual for us in this case is that this was an innocent bystander someone who was completely innocent and not involved at all and happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time," said Sherry Llewellyn of Howard County police. Witnesses told police they saw a group of young men running from the area after the shots were fired. Police do not know how many people were in the group. The victim was taken to a hospital. Police want to look at any video from surveillance cameras in the area. Police are offering a reward of up to $1,500 for information that can help them identify the suspects. Anyone who can help police is asked to call 410-313-7867. "We don't have a lot of shooting incidents in Howard County," Llewellyn said. "There's just not a high rate of violent crime." What to Know Former New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo says trainer Amelia Ferreira picked up his English bulldog on May 24. When the dog was due to be returned several weeks later, Ferreira said the dog, Knox, ran off in an area of Wrentham. Ferreira later told Cranston Police that Knox was last seen in his crate at her home and disappeared. A former New England Patriots player's beloved dog has been found dead. Knox, a 5-year-old English bulldog owned by former Pats linebacker Jerod Mayo, was found Sunday in the home of the dog's former trainer, according to the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "Obviously, our family is devastated. We kind of expected the worst, but hoped for the best," Mayo said Monday. "The kids devastated. My wife, all of us, we are devastated. It's tough." Last month, Mayo told WJAR he had hired a trainer through Off Leash K9 Training in Providence. The trainer picked up Knox on May 24. When Knox was due to be returned several weeks later, the trainer told Mayo she had lost the dog while out walking with another dog in Wrentham, Massachusetts. Police searched the Joe's Rock conservation area off 1500 West St., but were unable to locate Knox. They did, however, find his electronic collar out in the open on the trail. The collar was in pristine condition and there was nothing to suggest that it had been removed forcibly. There was also no blood or fur near the collar and no sounds were heard that would indicate that Knox had become prey to another animal. According to Cranston police, the trainer, Amelia Ferreira, later changed her story, saying Knox was last seen in his crate at her Cranston home and then disappeared. The Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals began an investigation and seized five Maltese dogs from Ferreira's home. The dogs were living in the basement, matted and dirty, according to the agency. "When it is all said and done, we look at Knox as a hero," Mayo said. "He saved some other dogs, that is the glass-half-full way of looking at it." The RISPCA said Knox died while in Ferreira's custody, and she is being charged by the Cranston Police Department with one count of obstruction for concealing evidence relevant to the investigation. Evidence showed that Ferreira had known the whereabouts of Knox's body for several weeks and intentionally concealed it from authorities. The police report said Ferreira told police she left her home on July 22 around 1:30 p.m. to go to a training session with another dog, leaving Knox in a wire crate with the air conditioning on. When she returned home between 5:30 and 6:30 that night, she found him dead. The next day, she told police she put the dog's body in a bag which she placed behind her shed in a long box. She later brought the bag inside and said she planned to place the blame on her estranged husband. But she changed her mind and decided to tell the truth. In an Instagram post Monday, Mayo said, "Unfortunately, the answers we prayed for regarding Knox aren't ones we were ready to face." He said Knox's body had been kept in a trash bag for the last two months. "We raised Knox like our child as you guys can see from our photos and those of you who know us," Mayo said. "It hurts to have to accept that our beloved Knox was thought of as trash as they saw our family hurting." On behalf of his entire family, he went on to thank everyone who helped search for Knox after he went missing. "We still have work to do.....we need to bring awareness to this problem so it never happens again," he said. "This is just getting started." The dog's cause of death is not yet known, and the RISPCA said additional charges relating to animal cruelty may be forthcoming. Engineers are trying to determine the safety of a building in Quincy, Massachusetts, after a facade collapsed early Monday morning. Quincy fire officials said the 40-foot-facade and portion of the roof came down at a vacant building on Hancock Street just before 7 a.m. "The fire department said I can't go into my building, it's collapsing," said Nicole Todd, who works at the dental office near the scene. She said she was told officials on the scene expect more of the building to come down. "They are kind of just waiting for it to fall and they are probably going to have to take the whole building down," Todd said. Robert Cook wasn't surprised by the news and said he noticed a crack in the building when he was at the coffee shop with his daughter on Sunday. "It's a mess," Cook said. "I'm glad I wasn't underneath it yesterday." Meanwhile, the collapse has affected commuters in the area. The MBTA says its Wollaston shuttle is only serving Wollaston and North Quincy stations due to the building collapse. The transit agency recommends passengers heading to Wollaston from Quincy Center use the Red Line to North Quincy and use the shuttle from there to Wollaston. Officials said an engineer has been hired to evaluate the area to see if the building's roof beams were compromised. "They have to bring an engineer in to see if the roof beam were compromised and it will go from there," said Quincy Fire Chief Gary Smyth. Authorities said the collapse zone is still intact. Right now, the facade is the area engineers are focusing on. It has been a difficult summer for seals off of Maines coast. The Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME) is reporting an uptick in the number of distressed pups and seals that need medical attention and they say the severity of the animals injuries is worse this year, compared to last. These animals are just down and out, said executive director Lynda Doughty. Last year, MMoME treated 40 animals. So far this year, they have treated 60. Weve been so busy this year, we have gone through our animal care budget and surpassed that, said Doughty. So we are really trying to help the animals that need it. But we are also trying to be realistic in what we can financially afford. Funding for their work is inconsistent and is based on grant money and private donations. MMoME is the only rescue and triage center of its kind in the state. Last weekend, MMoME rescued a seal stranded on Long Sands Beach in York. Doughty said the seal has a respiratory infection and will require weeks of care. MMoME relies entirely on private donations to support annual operating costs. To donate, visit their website. Why Wesfarmers is cutting Coles Loose 2.0 AFTER a decade of turning Coles around, Wesfarmers will demerger their $20 billion supermarket business. Retail expert Gary Mortimer tells Australian Food News why Wesfarmers is cutting Coles loose, and whats at play in the move, in this second instalment of his analysis. This is the second of three instalments from Associate Professor Mortimer on why Wesfarmers is cutting Coles loose. In part one, we learned Wesfarmers has 61 per cent of its working capital invested in a business that is contributing 34 per cent of the conglomerates profit (EBIT). In simple terms, as a property investor, would you continue to leave 60 per cent of your cash in one property, if it only returned 30 per cent value to your overall portfolio? Find part one here. In part two we look at steps to market. Dressing for the party Its a bit like detailing your car before selling it. What shoppers and potential investors will see over the coming months is Coles investing in stores, marketing and retail talent. Last month, materials were leaked to the media about the Coles trial of their subscription based FlyBuys MAX program. Coles later confirmed their intention to roll this program out. Essentially taken directly out of the Amazon Prime Playbook, the program intends to provide shoppers with discounts across fresh produce and meat, free delivery on online purchases (over $50), access to a streaming service and bonus points per dollar spent; for $10 a month or $99 a year. A smart move by Coles to capture the online grocery market, growing at 12.5 per cent. Further, customers will seek to get value for money on their monthly $10 investment. In the past month, Coles has announced a new management team, including ex-Coles boss Steven Cain, rolled out a very successful Collectibles (miniature product toys) promotion, which has captured media attention and announced their intention to spend $500 million on in-store refurbishment. Knowledge is power Other than potentially cash back on the balance sheet, the sale creates two long-term revenue streams for Wesfarmers. To begin with, Wesfarmers will aim to a hold 15 per cent stake in the new company thus, continuing supermarket generated revenues will flow back to Wesfarmers. More importantly, Wesfarmers will retain a 50 per cent share of their FlyBuys data. The value for Wesfarmers in continuing to collect, analysis and disseminate shopper information is best highlighted by Woolworths move to purchase a 50 per cent share of data mining firm Quantium in 2013 for almost $20 million. Retaining control over this data will allow Wesfarmers to boost its customer analytics capabilities, tailor promotions, ranging and store layouts across all of their other retail businesses. Further, any potential new owners of Coles will be eager to access this information. Read Associate Professor Mortimers third and final instalment of this analysis on Wednesday. Also in Australian Food News About the author: Associate Professor Gary Mortimer from the QUT Business School is an active researcher in the areas of food retailing, retail operations and shopping behaviour, particularly consumer behaviour in food retailing and shopping. Prior to joining QUT, Dr Mortimer spent over 20 years working with some of Australias largest general merchandise and food retailers. Wesfarmers subsidiaries: Bunnings Warehouse, Coles Supermarkets, BI-LO, Pick n Pay Hypermarket, Coles Express, Coles Central, Liquorland, Vintage Cellars, 1st Choice Liquor Superstore, Officeworks, Officeworks BusinessDirect, Harris Technology, Kmart, Kmart Tyre & Auto Service, Target, Curragh Queensland Mining, Bengalla Mining Company*, Koukia*, Blackwoods, Bakers, Total Fasteners, Bullivants, Wesfarmers Industrial & Safety NZ, CSBP, PB Workwear, Australian Gold Reagents*, Kleenheat, Unigas*, Coregas, Gresham Partners Group*, Wespine Industries* *Joint ventures What to Know An EF-1 tornado from Dudley to Webster, Mass. was reported at 110 mph on Saturday. The tornado caused extensive damage in Webster, specifically on Main Street. Many businesses were damaged, and the clean-up is just beginning; two buildings have already been demolished. The cleanup in Webster, Massachusetts has been tough following a destructive tornado that touched down in the area. However, the community has banded together to clean the mess left by the powerful storm as things get back to normal. An EF-1 tornado slamming from Dudley to Webster was confirmed by the National Weather Service Saturday. Dozens of people were displaced and businesses were damaged by the storm. The town provided displaced residents a Regional Resource Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at the Webster Senior Center. The American Red Cross was at the scene providing aid shortly after the twister. "The tenants there will continue to be taken care of by the Red Cross until we have a full analysis of what, if theyre going to be able to move back or not," said Webster Town Administrator Doug Willardson. Mary Cruz and Ashleigh Grampetro were just two of the many people affected by the tornado who sought help from the Resource Center on Monday. "I have an 11-month-old son and Im currently pregnant right now with my next son, so its kind of just, where do we go from here," asked Grampetro. Both women and several other residents of 41 Main St. who NBC10 Boston spoke with said they were frustrated that they have been unable to reach their landlord. "Everybodys frustrated, there are 30-35 people that are without a home, kids, elderly, everyone, we dont know what were supposed to do," said Cruz. "Weve all called her, no answer, no type of information on what were going to do, nothing," Grampetro added. That landlord, Teresa Wolverson, did end up showing at town hall later in the day and tried to respond to questions. "I dont know anything more than them, we have been in contact with each other non-stop, other than that tenant over there but everybody else, I know that theyve been taken care of by the Red Cross," said Wolverson. Two buildings on Main Street were so severely damaged that officials made the decision to demolish the structures once they were deemed unstable. A third building may have to be knocked down, as well. At the East Main Plaza, plywood now covers a number of storefronts, including Exotic Rayz. The tanning salons windows were blown out, sending glass everywhere and forcing owner Michelle Mandeville to temporarily close up shop. "The insurance company is going to walk me through this. Thankfully we had people that were in the vicinity because so much was going on and they came and boarded us up no questions asked," said Mandeville. On Emil Street, the roof of one home is damaged, the walls of a nearby garage buckled, and Paul Cantys backyard garden is buried under a crush of fallen trees and limbs. "It was over in what seemed like seconds," Canty recalled. "My wife said it sounded like a train coming through. Resident Marie LaFountain is worried about her elderly mother. They're still without power because a tree fell on their apartment building. "I have to take it down. The building inspector has to come, if he OKs it, then they can they can turn his back on," LaFountain said. The town of Webster released a statement Sunday thanking the first responders and assisting agencies who helped the community in wake of the tornado. "Our hearts are with those that lost their homes in the tornado," the town said. "We wish you the best as you move forward and offer any assistance we can." Deval Patrick got pushed into the "Democrats to watch" category when members of the Obama administration, including senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, publicly pegged him as their candidate in 2020. Patrick says all the encouragement is touching, but that for now, he is focused on 2018. Political analysts like Tufts Professor Jeff Berry, however, think he's just being coy. "Deval Patrick is running for president," Berry said. "He seems to be all in at this point." That is a common perception following a recent spate of political activity by Patrick including a national TV appearance on CNN, where the inevitable question about 2020 got a response from Patrick. "Thank you, but don't interview me for 2020 yet," he said. That's not a no, which has politicos, including Patrick administration alums, talking. Patrick's former communications director, Jesse Mermell, says Patrick could be the right person at the right time. "He has the ability to really speak to people, to motivate, to call to their higher angels," Mermell said. Berry says the kind and dignified approach could work two ways for Patrick. "Deval Patrick comes across a bit as the Mister Rogers of politics," Berry said. And that, for some, might be an advantage." For others, Berry says, Patrick may not exhibit enough of the fighting spirit on display by louder, more aggressive Democrats like Elizabeth Warren. Mermell says Patrick is bold in articulating a vision for the Democrats, saying it would be "one that isn't just anti-Trump, but also stands for something." Patrick has staked out some of the most progressive positions, calling Medicare for all calling a "terrific idea." On impeaching Trump, Patrick said, "If the grounds are there, then we should proceed." But the growing crop of so called "democratic socialists" might have a hard time embracing Patrick's corporate career path, as he describes himself as a capitalist. "There's going to be two lanes that open very quickly," Berry said of the 15 or so Democratic candidates expected to jump into the 2020 race. "One is going to be the liberal lane and one is the very liberal lane. He's going to be in the liberal lane." Berry says if Patrick decides to run, he could have a slight early advantage given that Massachusetts borders New Hampshire, the nation's first primary state. New leaders at Fakenham Salvation Army 2018: Fakenham Salvation Army welcomed Lieutenants Adrian and Gemma Allen as its new leaders following the retirement of Majors Keith and Rosemarie Williams. Regional leader Major Derek Jones officially installed Adrian and Gemma as the leaders of the Fakenham church and community centre on Sunday July 22. Adrian and Gemma have moved from Lowestoft, Suffolk, where they led a Salvation Army church and community centre. This is their second appointment as Salvation Army officers, having been ordained as full-time ministers three years ago. As part of her new responsibilities, Gemma will also lead the Salvation Army church in Briston. Adrian said: We are really excited to be here in Fakenham. The Salvation Army is dedicated to caring for people who are vulnerable or in need, showing Christian love in every community; we are already finding The Salvation Army in Fakenham is no different. Well be there when you need us. Im really looking forward to meeting new people and exploring the area. Ive already heard great things about Fakenhams famous Thursday market day! Therell be lots of opportunities to meet new people in the coming weeks and months at The Salvation Army as we offer several community programmes, including a coffee morning on Thursdays and toddler group on Fridays during term time. We also have charity shops on Oak Street, Holt Road and in Market Place, Holt. Please feel free to come along to any of our activities and Sunday services or give us a call to say hello. Adrian and Gemma will be leading worship at The Salvation Army on Oak Street every Sunday at 10.15am. For more information, please contact The Salvation Army on 01328 864526, visit www.salvationarmy.org.uk/fakenham or follow the churchs Facebook page: www.facebook.com/FakenhamSA The photo above is courtesy of 'Andrew King Photography' . Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in North Norfolk? Members of Lighthouse Community Church in Sheringham gathered one Sunday in October to plant daffodil bulbs at various locations in Sheringham as part of programme of activities aimed at serving the local community. Members of Lighthouse Community Church in Sheringham gathered one Sunday in October to plant daffodil bulbs at various locations in Sheringham as part of programme of activities aimed at serving the local community. Wild Church Norfolk produces a worship toolkit Charlie Houlder-Moat from the Diocese of Norwich Mission Enablers Team has written a Wild Church Toolkit to explore Christian spirituality and mission in the natural world. Read more Job vacancies at Norfolk Christian retirement home Christian retirement home, Quebec Hall, near Dereham in Mid Norfolk, is looking to add three staff to enhance its team. Read more Norwich speaker to revive the virtue of extraordinary hospitality After the disconnect of the pandemic, a Norwich church is hosting a talk to relaunch the practice of extraordinary hospitality. Read more Norfolk homeless charity celebrates 10 years Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney is celebrating a decade of supporting people out of homelessness with a day of celebrations on Saturday October 30 at its Ditchingham Community and everyone is invited. Read more Choral Society celebrates Creation in Cromer church The Sheringham and Cromer Choral Society will be performing Haydns Creation in Cromer Church next month, which will be their first concert performance for two years. Read more Norwich church bells to ring out for climate At least half a dozen churches across Norwich will be taking part in a UK-wide initiative to sound their bells on the eve of the COP26 summit. Read more Chance to talk about Norwich childcare careers Muddy Puddles Nursery, part of YMCA Norfolk, welcomed new nursery children in April 2021 and has since been rapidly expanding and gaining a brilliant reputation. It now needs to expand its childcare team. Read more Science-faith outreach cash for Yarmouth church Great Yarmouth Minster is one of a number of churches nationally which has been awarded 10,000 to take part in a programme exploring the relationship between science and faith. Read more Dippy says a blue light farewell to Norwich More than 200,000 people have visited Dippy at Norwich Cathedral and, ahead of the iconic dinosaurs final week, emergency services workers were last night treated to a special preview of the Dippy at Night farewell spectacle. Read more Time for the church to take action? In his two previous articles, Nigel Fox asked if we had an adequate view of Jesus is, challenging some of our preconceptions, and then explained why he believes that Jesus is now angry with the world. His final column in this trilogy is a call to action. Read more Music event at Revelation in Norwich Following last year's hugely successful and entertaining event the Trustees of Revelation will be holding another six hour 'MusicOn' marathon fundraising event at St Michael at Plea Church on Saturday October 30 between 10am - 4pm. Read more Norfolk Churches receive Historic England grants Four Norfolk churches have received Historic England grants for repairs. Read more 'Visions of Salvation' Julian retreat The Friends of Julian of Norwich present 'Visions of Salvation', a two day in-person and online retreat taking place on October 29 and 30. Read more A Kenyan farmer looks at climate change in Norwich screening To mark COP26, St Peter Mancroft Church in Norwich will host a screening of 'Thank you for the Rain' in partnership with Christian Aid. Read more Norwich musician creates songs for loss of a twin brother Norwich Christian musician Ben Lawrence is producing an album which talks openly about the loss of his twin brother Dan to cancer and the hope he has since found. Here he shares the vision. Read more Norwich dinner invitation for everyday people How many of your friends have walked in space, been a pop star, served time for murder, raised the dead? asks Norwich FGB branch president Barrie Lawrence. Read more Climate change talk at Norwich science fest In an open lecture on Monday October 25, Dr Justine Huxley will talk on the subject Climate and conflict: bridging our divisions for the sake of the Earth. This will focus on the social implications of the climate emergency in many parts of the world. Read more Double rapist released on bail until sentencing - but police won't let Newburytoday show you his face A PREDATORY sex offender, who raped two women and assaulted others, has been twice caught by police with young girls in his car. Nicholas Glen Laloo, known as Nick, has more than 40 previous convictions and is considered so dangerous that he is forbidden from being alone with children without the parents knowing his background. But the Newbury Weekly News is unable to publish an official photograph of him as Thames Valley Police has so far refused to release one. Laloo, who has previously served 12 years in prison for rape, was back in the dock at Reading Crown Court on Monday, July 30, for his latest breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. The 49-year-old, formerly of Queens Road, Newbury, and who now lives at The Crescent, Theale, initially denied having breached the order on December 29, 2016, and again on January 1 last year. But just as a jury was ready to be sworn in to try the case, he changed his pleas to guilty. Siobhan Molloy, prosecuting, said Laloo had previously raped twice and had been convicted of other sexual offences. She told the court he was subsequently made subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order now known as a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for two further offences. The first of these involved harassing a 15-year-old girl by persistently meeting her after school... and giving her lifts home. Ms Molloy said: He told her he would give her a treat on her 16th birthday, but it would be a secret between them and she was not to tell her family. The second offence, the court heard, involved following three girls on separate occasions and trying to incite them to get into his car, causing them to fear violence. In 2015, the NWN reported how Laloo, then living at his Newbury address, was first convicted of breaking the order. On that occasion he was found by police sitting in a parked panel van in a secluded spot in Newbury during the early hours. Helen Waite, prosecuting, said at the time: Police on mobile patrol noticed a red LDV van around 11.30pm in a secluded spot. In the early hours the next day it was still there. Mr Laloo was stopped and checked by the police. Officers made enquiries and it transpired that Laloo had failed to notify his public protection officer of the vans make, model and registration. On Thursday, his latest breaches were outlined by Ms Molloy. She said on one occasion, he had been caught carrying young schoolgirls in his vehicle, knowing that no disclosure regarding his sex offender status had been made to the parent. On the second, he was carrying another young girl without her parent having been alerted to his past by the police public protection unit. A third, similar charge was allowed to lie on file. This can happen when a defendant has admitted similar offences and convictions for the remaining offences would have no significant impact on the sentence. Judge Ian Grainger said he needed more information about Laloos circumstances and past offending and ordered pre-sentence reports to be prepared. Laloo, who was meanwhile released on conditional bail, to be sentenced at a later date and Judge Grainger warned him that all sentencing options including the obvious one, custody remained open. (BLOB) Thames Valley Police states it will provide the media with photographs of offenders if they are sentenced to more than 18 months in prison, as long as it is deemed in the public interest to do so. However, recently the force has twice declined to provide photographs of sex offenders who met those criteria. The Dream Lodges Summer raceday takes place at Newbury on Tuesday afternoon NEWBURY Racecourse stages the inaugural Dream Lodges Summer Raceday tomorrow, Tuesday, August 7, with a seven-race card commencing at 1.45pm. The gates open at noon. The highlight is the 11,500 Woodlands Park East Sussex Handicap (3.25pm) over the straight mile, for which a field of seven has been declared. Newmarket handler George Peckham saddles Kestrel Dot Com (Tom Queally) in tomorrow's Newbury feature, who returns to Britain following two runs in Bahrain for his owner Fawzi Naas. The six-year-old Oasis Dream gelding was formerly trained by Chris Dwyer and recorded a half-length success over course and distance on his most recent domestic start in June, 2017. Peckham, who trains at Eve Lodge Stables in Newmarket, revealed today: "Kestrel Dot Com has not been with me very long, but he's in good form and I have been pleased with him at home. "He ran twice in Bahrain before joining me and hasn't shown me anything at home to suggest he needs to wear blinkers, which he used to wear when trained in Britain. "Kestrel Dot Com is a course and distance winner so that is a positive. He will enjoy racing over the straight mille as that seems to suit him. "The ground won't be a problem and it will be much nicer ground to what he was encountering in Bahrain. "We are happy with him and we are looking forward to seeing how he gets on." Potential rivals? The opposition includes Considered Opinion (Ralph Beckett/Harry Bentley, 9st 8lb), who has enjoyed a victory on Tapeta at Wolverhampton and two seconds from four starts so far this season. Course scorers Breden (Linda Jewell/Robert Winston, 9st 11lb) and top-weight Almoreb (Richard Hannon/Jim Crowley, 10st) also run. Her Majesty The Queen appears to have a strong contender in the opening race on the card, the Sanctuary Newbury Fillies' Maiden (1.45pm, 11 runners) over six furlongs, with Magnetic Charm (William Haggas/James Doyle), a half-sister to dual G2 winner Usherette, who shaped well when third in a course and distance maiden on July 20 and comes from an in-form stable. Godolphin's Returning Glory (Saeed bin Suroor/Jim Crowley, 9st 9lb) bids to defy top-weight in the Blossom Hill Devon Handicap (4.30pm, seven runners) for three-year-olds over 10 furlongs. The well-related gelding was beaten a neck on his latest start in a similar contest at Windsor on July 23. The longest race on the card is the concluding Elm Farm Country Park Essex Handicap (5.00pm, eight runners) over mile and a half. Trevena (Ed Walker/Liam Keniry, 9st 4lb), one of three fillies in the field, bids to double her tally of wins after scoring on her handicap debut at Yarmouth on July 11. Leading apprentice riders Rossa Ryan, with four rides at Newbury tomorrow, and Nicola Currie (two rides) are in action. By Andrew Spence Flowing arms, skins that change colour in an instant, dance battles and petite males disguised as females to trick their rivals the courting behaviour of the alien-like Giant Australian Cuttlefish would look more at home in a Star Wars night club. Each year more than 100,000 of the bizarre creatures gather in South Australias Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park in what is the only known mass aggregation of its kind in the world. Nicknamed the rock stars of the ocean because they live fast and die young, cuttlefish have a life span of just 12-18 months. This makes each May to August breeding season critical because the number of surviving eggs one year directly impacts the number of adult cuttlefish that return the next year to breed. Favourable conditions and a series of law changes, such as fishing bans, have helped the cuttlefish recover in recent years from 13,000 in 2013 to 120,000 in 2017. The 2018 count is yet to be finalised but local experts predict the figure to be higher than last year. About a third of the 8km strip of rocky reef where the cuttlefish lay their eggs has been a marine park sanctuary since 2014. The reef is at Point Lowly in the Spencer Gulf, some 20km east of Whyalla and almost 400km from the South Australian capital Adelaide. Organised community dives have been run for the past three seasons, attracting hundreds of visitors from around Australia and overseas. Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula Marine Parks Co-ordinator Dr Shelley Paull said recorded cuttlefish numbers peaked in the late 1990s at about 200,000 but declined due to a number of factors, including over fishing and fluctuating water temperatures. She said Upper Spencer Gulf was typically made up of mangroves, sandy bottoms and sea grass beds, making the uncommon habitat of rocky reef around Point Lowly a natural drawcard for the cuttlefish. The boulders are ideal for them to place their eggs underneath and thats why they head there every year because the habitat, salinity and temperature are perfect for them, Dr Paull said. They get there when the water is really cold and as the temperature increases as we get towards spring the cuttlefish babies start to form. When they hatch after 3-5 months theyve got to fend for themselves and to try not to encounter predators and when theyre big enough they will swim out and hang out in northern Spencer Gulf. Like octopus and squid, cuttlefish are cephalopods. Giant Australian Cuttlefish, Sepia apama, are found all along the southern Australian coast in waters off of Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. However, Dr Paull said the cuttlefish in South Australias Upper Spencer Gulf had slightly different genetics from those found in other areas, so we know those aggregating in Upper Spencer Gulf dont breed and rarely mix with those further south. Cuttlefish elsewhere tend to find a mate and breed at the meeting point, they dont aggregate in these huge numbers so its really a quite unique thing that happens and we dont find these aggregations anywhere else in the world for cuttlefish, she said. Also known as the chameleons of the sea, cuttlefish have special skin cells called chromatophores, which allow them to change the colour and texture of their skin within a second from blues to greens to purples and black to help them hide from predators, ambush prey and attract a mate. Dr Paull said male cuttlefish flashed different colours in dance battles to win the attention of a female. She said other less formidable males used their colour changing abilities to pretend to be female in an effort to trick the larger males and steal their mate. The boys do a kind of dance-off when they are trying to fight for a female and they will shimmer black and white colours up and down their bodies. The big males can be up to five kilograms and they fight each other and do this dance off to determine who gets to mate with the female but the little boys dont have the size to fight so they have this behaviour where they pretend to be a female. They change their colour and they pull their arms in so they look quite small. Then they hover around where the females are. A big male will be guarding the female and it will see the mimicking one, think its a female and let it in and they will come in and quickly mate with the female and go out before the male notices it is a little cross dresser. The Spencer Gulf region of South Australia is known for its pristine waters and premium seafood including prawns, oysters, tuna and kingfish. But the cuttlefish, which have been off the menu in Upper Spencer Gulf since 2013, are starting to bring other economic benefits to the area. Whyalla is South Australias third largest city and is best known for its steel production. It is still recovering from an economic downturn that has marred the region for the past decade. In recent months visitor numbers have skyrocketed as tourists come from far and wide to dive with the cuttlefish. The Whyalla visitor information centre has seen a significant increase in foot traffic and snorkelling tours run by Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries attracted 540 participants across just two weekends in July. This was on top of the hundreds of divers who took to the water on private tours or on unguided dives using their own equipment. Last month, the inaugural CuttleFest was held to celebrate the globally unique aggregation and educate visitors about the marine environment. There are more and more people every year and its so accessible all you have to do is have the right gear and you can just walk into the water and just snorkel around, Dr Paull said. A lot of the people who participate in our guided tours are first-time or inexperienced snorkelers so they can be a bit apprehensive but it opens up a whole new world for them they squeal through their snorkels and they come out with these massive smiles and a new appreciation for the ocean world. In an area the size of your lounge room you can probably see up to 50 or 60 cuttlefish in some areas so people are just amazed and really thankful that they got the opportunity. Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries co-founder Carl Charter came up with the CuttleFest concept, which it ran in conjunction with Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula Marine Parks. Charter has been diving for about 35 years and said swimming with the cuttlefish was one of the most unique experiences. He has also filmed 360-degree underwater footage of the cuttlefish to be used for marine education and viewed through virtual reality goggles. The VR footage will make its debut this weekend at the Science Alive festival in Adelaide. Ive been diving for about 35 years now around Australia and overseas as well but I always love coming back to South Australia, its such an incredible and diverse habitat to dive in, Charter said. Weve got eight pairs of VR goggles going to Science Alive and hopefully thousands of people get the chance to have a look over the weekend. Dr Paull said while education would play a significant role in maintaining cuttlefish numbers in the area, there were no guarantees they would continue to thrive. Cuttlefish are a bit of a boom and bust species they only live for about 12-18 months so the ones we saw this year are the eggs from last years cuttlefish, she said. Its hard to know if their numbers will keep growing but if something happens in the environment a change in water temperature or pollution then the numbers can really be impacted so we wont really know until next year. We can only hope that protection measures we have in place continue to benefit the cuttlefish population. By July 2017, when the state was starting the fiscal year without a budget, Angela Serrano had been living at the state-supported Careways Shelter for Women and Children in New Haven for four months. Serrano was shocked to find herself there when just a few short years ago she had a career, a mortgage and the comforts of middle class life. The shelter, at that time housing 10 families near New Havens historic Wooster Square neighborhood, would be closed by September. The nonprofit group running Careways couldnt afford to keep it open while state aid was tied up in budget deliberations but Serrano, 46, was able to secure an apartment in New Haven for herself, her 17-year-old son and a 9-year-old grandson. After a futile search for a job there, Serrano found work as a health care aide in Trumbull. She started night classes at Gateway Community College in New Haven at the end of May in hopes of earning her EMT certification the ticket, she hopes, to a better-paying, more stable job. But despite the progress she has made, Serrano and others like her share a sinking feeling that the state, by some measures the nations richest, is not working for them. Its a feeling she shares with other working-class Americans who cant understand why the current economic prosperity seems to be passing them by. Everything feels like a struggle. Serrano commutes a half-hour in the used car she bought, but the job in Trumbull pays $12.30 an hour, more than many of the available jobs in New Haven. Her state rental assistance ran out in April, so Serrano has been cobbling together overtime to make up the difference. She doesnt think her two-bedroom New Haven apartment, behind an alley and up two flights of stairs, is worth the nearly $1,000 a month she pays. But rent is high all over the state, and its a quiet place to read and write, with a park around the corner for her grandson. I focus on my home, Serrano said. With everything Ive endured, its important to me. Serranos daily struggles are symptoms of a state in crisis. For decades, Connecticut coasted fat and happy off defense firms, insurance companies, and a handful of super-rich financiers who came for the manicured lawns and to escape higher taxes in New York and New Jersey. But the good times have ended, and Connecticut has been caught flat-footed. Blue chip companies like General Electric have either left or are threatening to leave. A yawning budget deficit continues to loom over the state, amplified by some of the nations most glaring economic inequality. Towns like Greenwich, Westport, New Canaan and Darien share few priorities with Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport. More Information Part 1 The Center for Public Integrity is an investigative news organization that gives voice to the public and sparks change by going behind closed doors to reveal abuses of power in Washington. Its mission is to serve democracy by revealing abuses of power, corruption and betrayal of public trust by powerful public and private institutions, using the tools of investigative journalism. For more about The Center for Public Integrity, visit https://www.publicintegrity.org/ Part 1 The Center for Public Integrity is an investigative news organization that gives voice to the public and sparks change by going behind closed doors to reveal abuses of power in Washington. Its mission is to serve democracy by revealing abuses of power, corruption and betrayal of public trust by powerful public and private institutions, using the tools of investigative journalism. For more about The Center for Public Integrity, visit https://www.publicintegrity.org/ See More Collapse The states political leaders must choose between what seem like equally rotten options: cut services, and push more burden onto the urban poor, or hike taxes, and risk repelling both the suburban rich who pay much of the freight and new businesses that might consider moving here. Put simply, Connecticut is in a bind with precious little room to maneuver. Connecticuts troubles are extreme but hardly unique. The recovery that has entrenched the state into the haves and have-nots has been unequal in other regions as well from Florida to California and down to Texas. As the stock market climbs but wages remain relatively flat, the state serves as a troubling bellwether of national priorities that seem to favor wealth creation for the few before investments in the broader economy. From factories to finance, Connecticuts early reputation was built on the reliable bedrock of manufacturing. The states industrious citizens made hats in Danbury, and forged brass in Waterbury; nearly every Wiffle Ball in the world still comes from Shelton . Samuel Colt invented and produced his Colt revolver in Hartford, and defense contractors like Remington Arms which once employed 17,000 turned Bridgeport into a boom town. Over time, the states economy followed a familiar path, drifting away from manufacturing as companies found it cheaper to operate elsewhere. Remington fled Bridgeport for Arkansas by 1988, leaving behind a fire-prone empty building on Barnum Avenue. Not to worry, though. Defense contractors like Sikorsky Aircraft, insurance firms like Aetna in Hartford and white-collar behemoths like General Electric some lured with tax breaks kept the state humming and obscured looming challenges. More than 400 hedge funds managing over $750 billion between them now call the state home. The state doled out incentives like a $35 million economic package to AQR Management of Greenwich and a $22 million economic development grant to Bridgewater Associates of Westport, the largest hedge fund in the world, in 2016. And that worked. For a while. But the Great Recession hit the state with frightening force. Connecticuts economic output has contracted since 2008, and the population has shrunk to 3.588 million, about 14,000 fewer residents than its 2013 peak. General Electric left Connecticut for Boston in 2016, and earlier this year MassMutual announced it would close an office in Enfield that employs 1,500 people. The companies said they couldnt attract young talent wanting an upscale urban lifestyle to troubled cities or placid suburbs. Whats left: a bifurcated economy that produces wealth but doesnt spread much of it out. Read Part 2 in this continuing series Tuesday, when The Center for Public Integrity takes a deeper look into Connecticuts split economy. Hearst Connecticut Media is publishing the series online and in print over the coming week. For more about The Center for Public Integrity, visit https://www.publicintegrity.org/ The genetic screening of fertilized eggs for embryo selection in assisted reproduction makes no difference to live birth rates, according to results from the largest published study of its kind. Results from this multi center randomized controlled trial are reported today in the journal Human Reproduction and, say the authors, confirm the "widely accepted" view that preimplantation genetic testing for chromosome abnormality (PGT-A) will not increase live birth rates in IVF. The study, which recruited its first patients in 2012, was performed in 396 women of "advanced maternal age" (aged between 36 and 40), a patient group considered likely to benefit from preimplantation genetic testing by chromosome screening. The women, treated in nine centers in seven countries, were randomly allocated to PGT-A (205 subjects) or no PGT-A (thus, a control group of 191 subjects). Results of the study showed that up to one year after randomization and after a first cycle of treatment 24% of the PGT-A group had had a baby, and 24% of the control group. This - measured as "cumulative live birth rate" - was the study's primary endpoint. There was a difference, however, in the miscarriage rate (a secondary endpoint) between the two groups: significantly fewer subjects with a miscarriage in the PGT-A group than in the control group (7% versus 14%). The similarity in live birth rates was not only achieved with fewer miscarriages in the PGT-A group, but also with fewer embryo transfers (and fewer double embryo transfers, as the protocol allowed). This, say the authors, would point to "a greater efficiency of transfers with PGT-A", even if not an improvement in live birth rate. However, they add, "it remains to be seen" whether this benefit of efficiency and reduced miscarriage risk are sufficient to outweigh the drawbacks of cost and an invasive procedure in PGT-A. It is now 20 years since first reports suggested an increased pregnancy rate from embryos screened for chromosomal abnormality, and since then the practice has continued to prove controversial. The early forms of testing - when the procedure was known as preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) - were limited by the small number of chromosomes in the analysis. This problem was later resolved by technologies which allowed "comprehensive chromosome screening", and thus the detection of abnormality in any of the full complement of 23 chromosomes. The study reporting today also analyzed a full complement of chromosomes, as found in the two polar bodies of recently collected eggs fertilized by ICSI. Polar bodies are the first non-functional "by-product" cells found in the egg as it prepares for its first division after fertilization. Although the two extruded polar bodies contain only genetic material of maternal origin, they do reflect the chromosomal content of the egg, which accounts for 90% of all chromosomal errors found in fetuses and live births.(3) The study's principal investigator, Professor Karen Sermon from the Research Group Reproduction and Genetics of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium, explained that embryo biopsy for embryo selection was not allowed in two of the study countries at the time (Germany and Italy) and that anyway polar body biopsy was perceived as less invasive. She described the results as "extremely robust", noting the large number of subjects and rigorous multi center study design. She added that the results, although derived from polar body analysis, could confidently be extrapolated to other techniques of PGT-A in this patient population (women of advanced maternal age). "There is now a growing consensus that the most important chromosomal abnormalities interfering with implantation are of meiotic origin - that is, they are derived from the egg or the sperm," she explained. Commenting on the trial's findings, Professor Sermon "saw no benefit" of now offering PGT-A to the patient population of this study, especially in cases where only few eggs have been retrieved. She advised that similarly rigorous trials should now be performed in other patient groups. Otherwise, the benefits of PGT from this trial are confined to fewer miscarriages and fewer treatment cycles, which, said Professor Sermon, "may still tip the controversy scale in favour of PGT-A". But these benefits, she added, must still be balanced by the cost of PGT-A and the invasive nature of the procedure. Chromosome screening in assisted reproduction 1. Following a pilot study, the ESHRE Study into the Evaluation of oocyte Euploidy by Microarray analysis (ESTEEM) was started in 2012. The study was financially supported by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). 2. The rationale for the chromosomal testing of embryos before transfer was (and remains) the undisputed fact that the prevalence of chromosomal abnormality (aneuploidy) in embryos increases dramatically with female age, and is recognized as the principal reason for miscarriage and some genetic disorders (such as Down syndrome), rates of which both increase with advancing age. In the ESTEEM trial, for example, in a study population of advanced maternal age, 525 out of 811 eggs analyzed (65%) were found to be aneuploid. This rate is consistent with aneuploidy rates found in other studies. 3. Current PGT-A practice, as the ESTEEM investigators acknowledge, is not by analysis at the very early stage of polar body extrusion, but at the later blastocyst (five-day) stage of embryo development, when a small cluster of surface cells are removed by biopsy for testing. The technology of PGT-A has now moved through three phases of analysis but its benefit as an adjuvant treatment in IVF has remained controversial, mainly because the weight of evidence in support of improving delivery rates is still considered questionable. By Alan Cooper, Director, Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, University of Adelaide Alan Cooper, Author provided Many Aboriginal Australians would say with conviction that they have always been here. Their ancestors and traditional learnings tell them of this history, and their precise place within it. Our review of the scientific evidence, published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that for all practical purposes, this is indeed the case. Their ancestors arrived shortly after 50,000 years ago effectively forever, given that modern human populations only moved out of Africa 50,000-55,000 years ago. Read more: DNA reveals Aboriginal people had a long and settled connection to country Long connection to country Earlier genetic analysis of historic Aboriginal hair samples confirmed the incredibly long and deep relationships between individual Aboriginal groups and their particular country. The small locks of hair were collected during anthropological expeditions across Australia from the 1920s to the 1960s. Analysis of maternal genetic lineages revealed that Aboriginal populations moved into Australia around 50,000 years ago. They rapidly swept around the west and east coasts in parallel movements - meeting around the Nullarbor just west of modern-day Adelaide. Nature, Tobler et al. Archaeological sites and dates (shown above) closely match the genetic estimates. This indicates a very rapid movement throughout Australia 48,000-50,000 years ago. Out of Africa It was only a few thousand years earlier that a small population of modern humans moved out of Africa. As they did, they met and briefly hybridised with Neandertals before rapidly spreading around the world. They became the genetic ancestors of all surviving modern human populations outside of Africa, who are all characterised by a distinctive small subset of Neandertal DNA around 2.5% preserved in their genomes. This distinctive marker is found in Aboriginal populations, indicating they are part of this original diaspora, but one that must have moved to Australia almost immediately after leaving Africa. How to get to Australia 50,000 years ago The movement from Africa to Australia culminated in a series of hazardous sea voyages across island southeast Asia. Recent studies suggest the last voyage, potentially between Timor/Roti and the northern Kimberley coast, would have involved advanced planning skills, four to seven days paddling on a raft, and a total group of more than 100 to 400 people. The possibility that earlier waves of modern human populations might have moved out of Africa before 50,000 years has also been raised. But in our review of these events, we point out that there is no convincing fossil evidence to support this idea beyond the Middle East. One of the most important claimed potential early sites is in northern Australia, at Madjedbebe, a rock shelter in Arnhem Land. Human presence here was recently declared at more than 65,000 years ago. This 65,000-year date has rapidly become accepted as the age for colonisation of Australia. It has appeared widely in the media and elsewhere, in political statements and comments by the Prime Minister. But there is good reason to question a 65,000-year date, and the extent to which this contrasts with the sudden wave of archaeological sites that sweep across Australia shortly after 50,000 years ago. These sites include Barrow Island and Carpenters Gap in the Kimberley, Devils Lair south of Perth, Willandra Lakes in NSW, and Warratyi rockshelter in the Flinders Ranges. This rapid archaeological manifestation at 50,000 years is a perfect match for the genetic evidence from Aboriginal maternal, paternal, and genomic lineages, and a far better fit with the extinction of Australias megafauna around 42,000 years ago. An age limit for human migration One of the most interesting ways we can date the dispersal of modern humans around the globe, including Australia, is through that original interbreeding event with Neandertals as we left Africa. About a decade ago, an ancient human leg bone was found on the banks of a Siberian river by an ivory hunter. Radiocarbon-dated at 43,000-45,000 years ago, the entire genome of this individual, named Ust-Ishim after the site, was sequenced using the latest ancient DNA technology. The genomic sequence revealed the bone contained the standard 2.5% Neandertal DNA signal carried by all non-Africans. But it was still present in large continuous blocks and had yet not been dispersed into fragments around the genome as we see in more recent ancestors and ourselves. In fact, the size of the blocks showed that the 43,000-45,000-year-old Ust-Ishim specimen could only be a maximum of 230-430 generations after that initial Neandertal liaison, dating our movement out of Africa to no more than 50,000-55,000 years ago. 50,000 years, or more than 65,000 years? Given the evidence is so strong that the ancestors of modern human populations only started moving around the world 50,000-55,000 years ago, could the human activity at Madjedbebe really be more than 65,000 years old? One of the major limitations of the Madjedbebe study is that the stone artefacts themselves werent dated, just the surrounding sand layers. As a result, over time, even the slightest downward movement of the artefacts within the unconsolidated sand layers at Madjedbebe would make them appear too old. We identify a range of factors which are common around the site, such as termite burrowing and heavy rainfall, that could cause stone artefacts to sink. Many archaeological signs suggest activity at Madjedbebe is actually much younger than 65,000 years, and overall, the extent to which the site is an outlier to the rest of the Australian record should raise a red flag. Connection to country Either way, Aboriginal Australians have effectively been on their country as long as modern human populations have been outside of Africa. Read more: How to get to Australia ... more than 50,000 years ago How does this help us better understand Aboriginal history? By appreciating the enormous depth of time that Aboriginal groups have been on their own particular country, and the extent to which all their history, knowledge, and ancestors form part of that country. It is this gulf between a European history of constant migration and global dispersal, and the profoundly deep Aboriginal connection to one particular part of the world, that leads to failures to comprehend why being on country is not simply a lifestyle choice, but a fundamental part of their identity. Dr Graham Brown, a research associate from the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, was a contributor on this article. Alan Cooper receives funding from the Australian Research Council Alan N Williams is affiliated with Extent Heritage Pty Ltd Nigel Spooner 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. Originally published in The Conversation. Blue tarps still dot rooftops, homes lack electricity needed to refrigerate medicines, and clinics chip away at debts incurred from running generators. Yet despite the residual effects from last year's devastating hurricanes, Puerto Rico is moving ahead with major cuts to its health care safety net that will affect more than a million of its poorest residents. The government here needs to squeeze $840.2 million in annual savings from Medicaid by 2023, a reduction required by the U.S. territory's agreement with the federal government as the island claws its way back from fiscal oblivion. Overall, Puerto Rico faces a crushing debt of more than $70 billion much of it due to the territory's historically astronomical Medicaid expenses on an island where the average household earns $20,000 and diabetes and hypertension are widespread. But physicians, health insurers and former government officials say the drastic cuts demanded defy actuarial science and provide too little money to care for a population still traumatized by Hurricane Maria. The cutbacks will give private health insurance companies the incentive to shuttle around patients with costly chronic diseases or mental illness, critics warn. And they do nothing to address the underlying fiscal imbalance at the root of Puerto Rico's health care woes, which stem from the fact that the federal government contributes a tiny fraction of the island's Medicaid budget, compared to what it contributes to the 50 U.S. states. "We are rearranging the chairs on the Titanic," said Dr. Jaime Torres, whose jurisdiction included Puerto Rico when he served as a regional director of the Department of Health and Human Services. Already health plans have been forced to lay off social workers and nurses like Eileen Calderon, who once visited dozens of chronically ill Puerto Ricans each month, finding them specialists, supervising medicine compliance and arranging rides to doctor appointments. "These people who have been under our service for the last four or five years, all of a sudden I have to abandon them," said Dr. Jose Joaquin Vargas, chief medical adviser for VarMed, the Bayamon-based company that operated the program that employed Calderon. Health Crippled By Debt If Puerto Rico were a state, the federal government would pay 83 percent of Medicaid costs. (It pays upward of 70 percent of Medicaid expenses in 10 states, according to a formula that takes a states economy into account.) But because of a 1968 law capping the amount of Medicaid money Washington sends to U.S. territories, the federal government pays only about 19 percent, as a fixed annual payment a so-called block grant. In February, Congress approved $4.8 billion in additional funds to help pay the island's Medicaid bills. But the additional payments are widely viewed as a stopgap measure; health economists say that extra money is likely to run out in September 2019, a grim estimate shared by the territorys fiscal oversight board. Thats a federal control board established by Congress in 2016 to oversee Puerto Ricos budget, negotiate with its creditors and help restructure at least some of the islands debt. Gov. Ricardo Rossellos administration aims to reduce Medicaid spending and improve access to care by putting an end to years of regional monopolies by private health insurance companies. The insurers have locked patients into narrow networks of health care providers. Later this year, under Rossellos plan, the companies will be forced to offer island-wide insurance plans and compete for customers. "We do not have the luxury" of continuing to spend inefficiently, said angela avila Marrero, executive director of Puerto Rico's Health Insurance Administration. If Rossellos overhaul fails to achieve adequate savings as most observers predict drastic cuts are in the offing. Some 1.1 million Puerto Rican residents on Medicaid out of 1.6 million enrollees are at risk of losing coverage next fall, their health held hostage to the island's need to pay back its crippling debt. Puerto Rico's government effectively defaulted on more than $70 billion in debt. Economists blame a decades-long recession, a corporate tax break that ended in 2006 and reckless spending by a bloated government. But also to blame, they say, and largely unnoticed in discussions of the debt, is Puerto Ricos staggering Medicaid burden. Poverty is so pervasive here that nearly 1 in 2 people qualify for public health insurance; Medicaid expenses in 2016 totaled $2.4 billion. Residents suffer from higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma, and the percentage of people who are elderly is quickly rising. Footing medical bills without the kind of federal assistance dispensed to states has effectively doomed the islands fiscal health, health economists say. Researchers of health care say that, putting aside interest on Puerto Ricos debt, the territorys primary fiscal deficit would have been erased had Congress paid the same share of Medicaid bills that it pays the 50 states and Washington, D.C. The main issue is that we are not yet a state," said Rep. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, the commonwealth's nonvoting member of Congress. The island must pay for Medicaid, she added, "with local funds that we dont have." Battered Even Before The Storm Puerto Rico's health care system was already convulsing in September 2017 when Hurricane Maria struck. The federal government had issued warnings that the island would soon run out of additional Medicaid funds provided by the Affordable Care Act and 900,000 Puerto Rican residents would lose coverage. Insurance companies, hospitals and physicians complained that the government was chronically late paying its bills. That frustration forced hospitals to defer maintenance and investments in new technology and fueled the exodus of thousands of physicians to the mainland in search of better incomes. Today, Medicaid patients face long waits to see doctors on the island. "If your kid needs a neurologist, for example, the waiting period is around six to 12 months," said Dr. Jorge Rosado, a pediatrician in San Juan. "For a genetics specialty, it's two to three years." The $4.8 billion in relief funding from Congress is propping up Medicaid while the Rossello administration negotiates new contracts with health insurance companies and enacts other measures mandated by the fiscal oversight board. Those include a new Medicaid fraud detection system and enhanced data collection. Little Time To Waste Barring the unlikely passage of bills that would eliminate the cap on federal Medicaid spending in Puerto Rico, the disaster relief fund is projected to run out next fall. Gonzalez-Colon also authored a bill calling for statehood, which would eliminate the federal government's unequal treatment toward the island's Medicaid program. The fiscal control board established by Congress openly acknowledges the impending disaster. In an April 19 report, the board projects monthly costs per Medicaid patient will rise nearly40 percent over the next six years, barring any changes, and that Puerto Rico will hit a Medicaid cliff.' Beginning this fall, Medicaid patients will be able to pick from at least four insurers, instead of being assigned to the one that had covered their ZIP code. Puerto Rico has long capped monthly payments insurers receive for Medicaid patients regardless of how many medical services they use, a form of managed care. But the government here believes that the insurers without their regional monopolies will be forced to compete, offering better care and more efficient delivery. They could save money by reducing unnecessary emergency room visits or hospital stays and by negotiating discounted payment rates to providers. The islands government has vowed to pay private insurers extra money to care for those with expensive or chronic medical conditions. Insurers have cautiously welcomed the changes. "I support the government on what they're trying to do, but they didn't price it properly," said Dr. Richard Shinto, the president and chief executive of InnovaCare, an insurance company that sells plans in Puerto Rico. He added, "The oversight board is fixated on cuts, but we're never going to improve health care unless more money is put into the system." Government health officials argue Medicaid patients, especially those outside the San Juan metropolitan area, will gain access to more specialists, who are concentrated in the capital. But the island's clinics and hospitals fear they will be squeezed by insurers seeking to lower costs, just as they are still reeling from hurricane-related expenses. Hospital General de Castaner spent $5,000 every five days for gasoline to power the generators at its three sites for seven months; Health Pro Med, a community health center, spent at least $2,000 a day in added expenses, including private flights to ferry doctors to the storm-battered island of Vieques. Many experts are skeptical that managed-care companies will hire the army of social workers and nurses like Calderon needed to trudge up hillsides, knock on doors and do the tedious work that entails solving the daily problems of poverty. Viewed through a narrow lens, with an eye for cutting expenses, such problems can seem far outside the purview of medicine. Many people displaced by the storm havent yet been able to return home, and that, too, can complicate health care delivery. Carmen Ramos, executive director of Redes del Sureste, a conglomerate of 22 medical groups in Puerto Rico, says 60 percent of the letters she recently sent to patients on her mailing list were returned. "The managed-care companies need to produce revenue," said Victoria Sale, a senior director at Camden Coalition, a pioneer of social and health programs for the chronically ill. "That's a setup for concern." Bottom line? The economic overhaul doesnt rectify Puerto Ricos fundamental problem it cant sustain its Medicaid program so long as Congress treats the territory differently than it treats states. "Next year, we will go back to Congress demanding the funding we deserve as U.S. citizens," said Torres. But, he added, "it's time the local government started thinking about a Plan B." Few animals are more problematic than the tiny African insect known to English speakers as the tsetse fly. This is the carrier of "sleeping sickness," an often deadly neurological illness in humans, as well as a disease that has killed millions of cattle, reshaping the landscape and economy in some parts of the continent. For generations, vedzimbahwe (the "Shona" people, builders of houses) and their African neighbors, assembled a significant store of ruzivo -- knowledge -- about mhesvi, their name for the tsetse fly. As MIT Associate Professor Clapperton Chakanetsa Mavhunga explains in a new book, this accumulation of local knowledge formed the basis for all subsequent efforts to control or destroy the tsetse fly and is an exemplary case of scientific knowledge being developed in Africa, by Africans. "Ruzivo and practices based on it were the foundation of what became science and means and ways of tsetse control," Mavhunga writes in "The Mobile Workshop: The Tsetse Fly and African Knowledge Production," recently published by the MIT Press. However, he notes, Europeans nonetheless dismissed Africans as being "only good at creating and peddling myths and legends." In fact, Africans developed a diverse set of practices to combat mhesvi. For example, they used late-season forest burning to expose mhesvi to predators; moved herds through mhesvi-infested stretches at night while the insect was inactive; strategically located their settlements to neutralize the insect's threat or turn it into a weapon against their human enemies; cleared bush and felled trees to create buffer zones between mhesvi-infested wildlife areas and human- and livestock-inhabited areas; and developed innoculations using live or dead mhesvi. Europeans appropriated many of these methods, or, at the very least, used their basic principles as starting points for what they then called "science." Going mobile To understand how Africans learned about the intricacies of mhesvi, Mavhunga says it is important to consider the connections between the mobilities of the insect and those of larger animals, people, and the environment itself. Mhesvi was, first of all, a vehicle carrying and spreading a deadly passenger, a nyongororo (parasite) that vachema (white people) would later call a "trypanosome." This mobility of pest and human turned the forest land into an "open laboratory producing knowledge," as Mavhunga puts it. The generative value of mobility as a site for and influence on knowledge production is a theme within Mavhunga's larger body of work. His first book, "Transient Workspaces: Technologies of Everyday Innovation in Zimbabwe" (MIT Press, 2014), looked at African hunting as a practice through which African science, technology, and innovation could be generated. Much of "The Mobile Workshop" details the strategic deployment of mobility among the diverse tactics Africans developed to combat mhesvi. These methods had adverse social consequences when adopted by Europeans, whose practice of "prophylactic resettlement" forcibly relocated Africans to the mhesvi-infested margins of land, while they settled on lands vatema (black people) had made healthy and livable. "There is a contrast in environmental philosophy I wanted to highlight," Mavhunga says. The African approach centered on "strategic deployments within the environment," as Mavhunga puts it in the book, including "careful siting of settlements, avoiding the potentially pestiferous insect's territory." But the Europeans, he adds, were intent on "destroying species they designated vermin beings, and by any means necessary -- slaughtering the host and food source animals, massacring whole forests, poisoning the environment with deadly pesticides whose environmental pollution consequences we are yet to study and understand, including possible links to cancers." As Mavhunga details, cancer rates in Zimbabwe have risen significantly in recent decades, following the use of pesticides -- but much of the outside analysis of local health trends has focused on "lifestyle" choices by Africans, rather than environmental factors. Appreciating language In addition to highlighting the robustness of African scientific knowledge and its place in the matrix of European solutions to the tsetse fly, Mavhunga's book extensively deploys rich indigenous vocabularies, of vedzimbahwe and others across southern and eastern Africa, to help reconstruct this historical episode through the minds and languages of Africans. In addition to mhesvi and ruzivo, readers can learn the terms for everything from ngongoni (wildebeest) to tsika (culture or custom). It is all part of Mavhunga's project of demonstrating the extent and sophistication of African scientific and technological knowledge on its own terms. "To have written this book otherwise was, quite simply, impossible," Mavhunga writes. "I wanted the reader to appreciate how language, deployed as a tool to silence African modes of knowledge, can be mobilized as a tool to recover that same knowledge," Mavhunga says. "In a sense, the book hopes to excite younger scholars -- and Africans! -- to investigate, imagine, and make science from Africa." Source: http://news.mit.edu/2018/book-how-africans-developed-scientific-knowledge-deadly-tsetse-fly-0803 Despite international breeding efforts, advanced agronomy and effective management of pests and diseases, sugarcane yields have been static for decades owing to constraints on culm development. The culm's sugar storage capacity is physically limited, restricting the volume of sucrose and biomass that can be obtained from the crop for sugar and second-generation (2G) ethanol production, according to experts in the area. "Breaking through this developmental threshold by conventional breeding [crossing of varieties] is proving hard," said Marcelo Menossi, a Full Professor in the Department of Genetics, Evolution & Bioagents at the University of Campinas's Biology Institute (IB-UNICAMP) in Brazil. Menossi, in collaboration with postgraduate students supervised by him and with colleagues at Brazil's National Bioethanol Science & Technology Laboratory (CTBE), Sugar Research Australia and Germany's Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), found that the key to surmounting this constraint on sugarcane yield could lie in a gene called ScGAI. In a study performed during a project linked to BIOEN, the Bioenergy Research Program from FAPESP - Sao Paulo Research Foundation, Menossi and collaborators discovered that ScGAI is an important regulator of culm development in sugarcane. By manipulating the activity of this gene in transgenic sugarcane lines developed in Australia, the researchers succeeded in substantially increasing culm volume and changing the allocation of carbon to structural and storage molecules. They have now reported their findings in an article published in Journal of Experimental Botany. "The sugarcane variety in which we altered the expression of ScGAI developed far more quickly. This means it should be possible to breed a variety of energy sugarcane that matures faster and has higher biomass production per unit of time," Menossi said. The discovery was derived from the PhD research of Rafael Garcia Tavares, conducted at IB-UNICAMP under Menossi's supervision and with a scholarship from FAPESP. During the study, ScGAI was found to mediate the regulation of developmental hormones used by sugarcane growers, such as ethylene and gibberellins. Gibberellins are widely employed to improve yield in many crops and accelerate sugarcane ripening by triggering the rapid degradation of DELLA proteins, which are thereby prevented from interacting with and degrading other proteins that stimulate culm development. "Ethylene is typically applied to sugarcane plantations during the ripening stage, when the farmer wants the plant to continue accumulating sucrose instead of growing and producing more leaves. Unlike gibberellins, it stabilizes DELLAs and lets them interact with and degrade other growth-promoting proteins. However, the role of DELLAs as regulators of sugarcane growth was poorly understood," Menossi said. Patenting of manipulation method To glean a better understanding of how DELLAs regulate sugarcane growth, especially with regard to culm development, the researchers conducted an experiment in which they altered ScGAI expression in an Australian sugarcane variety. In some lines, ScGAI was silenced to reduce the production of DELLAs and stop them from degrading other proteins that contribute to the plant's development. In other lines, the researchers took steps to ensure that the gene was overexpressed with the aim of increasing the production of DELLAs and stabilizing them so that they continued to degrade the growth-promoting proteins. In a comparative analysis performed after four months, ScGAI-overexpressing transgenic sugarcane lines displayed stunted growth, shorter internodes, and impaired energy metabolism. In contrast, ScGAI-silenced plants were taller and exhibited rapid internode elongation, increased phytomer production, and greater carbon allocation to the stem. The phytomer is defined as a unit comprising a node and internode, its axillary buds, and an attached leaf. "The study clearly shows that the ScGAI gene is a fundamental component of sugarcane development and can be a target for genetic manipulation to permit intervention in the speed of plant growth by regulating DELLA proteins," said the coordinator of the FAPESP research project. The researchers have applied for a patent on the method they invented to manipulate ScGAI in order to decrease the amount of DELLAs in sugarcane so that the plant develops faster. Two companies have expressed an interest in the technology. "The next step is to perform field tests and see if we can obtain the same results by growing the transgenic lines with the manipulated gene in a greenhouse," Menossi said. Aug 06, 2018 09:40 (IST) The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP on Sunday said the party was open to a debate over Article 35A of the Constitution, which confers special status to permanent residents of the state, as protests continued against the August 6 Supreme Court hearing on petitions challenging the provision. The apex court is hearing a batch of petitions in the matter, including the one filed by an RSS-linked NGO 'We the Citizens', seeking quashing of the article. "The BJP is open to a debate with anyone or any political party on whether or not Article 35A is in the interest of the people of the state. We are extending an open invitation," the state BJP chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi told reporters. He said over the last few days, the political climate in the state has heated up over Article 35A and some political parties, especially those active in Kashmir, have taken an "anti-national and anti-people" stand on the issue. Targeting the National Conference (NC) and the Congress, Sethi said people in the Valley are being misled over Article 35A by being told that it is for their betterment and in the interest of the state. "The continuation of Article 35A will not have any benefit for the state. The central government has pumped crores of rupees into the state over the last 70 years but the development has not been as it should have been," he said. He said Article 35A has acted as an obstacle in the state's development because it did not allow outside investment. "Investors do not come here to set up Infrastructure. The youth are not getting the jobs," he added. The BJP spokesperson alleged some politicians want to maintain the position for vote bank politics. Indian Army Vs Pakistan Army: Comparing the military power of two countries New Delhi : Indian Army Vs Pakistan Army: When it is about the military powers, India stands superior among all the neighbouring countries. It is not just Indians, but the whole world knows the power of Indian Army. On 15 August, 1947, India and Pakistan was declared into two independent nations and since then both the countries have their own military forces. If, you are eager to known the comparison in military powers between Indian and Pakistan, then we have come up with a snippet of information with strength figures. Just take a look at the mentioned below details. Indian Army Vs Pakistan Army Comparison: Rome : At least 67 people were injured when a tanker that was transporting flammable contents along a ring-road exploded in Italy's Bologna city on Monday, emergency sources said. The Hazchem transporter exploded when it passed near a car dealership, triggering a series of explosions among cars in a nearby parking lot and leading to the partial collapse of a highway overpass, Efe reported. "Highway closed between Bologna Casalecchio and the junction with the A14, Bologna to Taranto, in both directions, due to an accident at kilometer three that involved a tanker," Italian Police said on its official Twitter account. "Side roads also closed, rescue services in progress." Images of the explosion showed two thick plumes of smoke billowing upward from the highway and nearby parked cars, while emergency teams were on hand to respond to the incident. A regional healthcare service officials confirmed that 67 people were being treated for first, second and third-degree burns, and did not rule out the possibility of fatalities. The injured were hospitalized in various health care centers in the area, it said. Two people were in serious condition and sent to hospitals in Parma and Cesena, while another 10 were transferred to Bazzano hospital. Italy's firefighting department shared images on social media accounts showing thick smoke emerging from a vehicle on the highway and a second plume appearing to emerge from cars parked nearby. Video footage released by national police showed the remains of the tanker, ripped wide open by the explosion, resting at the bottom of a collapsed and fire-blackened section of the overpass. Tokyo : Thousands of people were evacuated from Japan's Yamagata prefecture on Monday following torrential rains. The rains have caused landslides and flooding, with some homes being inundated, reports Xinhua news agency. The evacuation orders came amid fears the main Mogami River in Yamagata may breach its banks. Evacuees are taking shelter at public buildings, including schools. Tohoku Electric Power Co. said nearly 5,000 homes were without electricity since Sunday and transportation services, including the Shinkansen bullet train services, have been severely disrupted. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), a lingering weather front has been responsible for the downpours. Moist air flowing toward the rain front covering the region has made the atmospheric pressure unstable, leading to record rainfall in the area. New Gmail design features for desktop New Delhi : The tech company, Google has come up with a new Gmail version for desktop. Its been long time that Google has made no big changes and now, by adding these new features the, company has become the talk of the technology-driven world. The new Gmail feature has a confidential mode, which is designed keeping personal business email information in mind. Also, the new security risk warning feature is a master stroke. So, let's update ourselves with the five new changes in Gmail that will make our work easier than before. Here's are the New Gmail design features for desktop Confidential Mode: The new Gmail comes with confidential mode enhances privacy in the system. Under confidential mode, the sender can send a sensitive email to the expiry date so that the email can be completely withdrawn. An interesting feature about this change is that OTP will also be sent to the users phone and the senders will carry the right to take the mail back. Nudge: Google has introduced Gmail with a new nudge feature which will inform users of unexpected email. Like before, not all your answered emails will show a row like 'received a week ago. The feature will essentially remind users to respond to emails in their Inbox. This feature will put emails that you have forgotten to reply to (or follow up on), on top of your Inbox list. Smart Reply: Your new Gmail format will now suggests the email's relevant answers on the web. This feature was launched in the Gmail mobile app last year. Gmail will search for any questions in the email and will provide you with appropriate answers that you can send. Emails that do not have any questions will be considered as normal emails where Gmail will suggest words like 'thank you, notated, fixed'. Security Risk Warnings: Gmail has enhanced the security risk warning box for email that looks doubtful to AI-based algorithms. New text displayed below the sender's email and contact details - "This message appears to be dangerous" as well as press a delete button at the bottom of the box. In addition, you can also report an email to stop receiving any future email and stop the sender. Offline Mode: The new Gmail app supports offline mode. Meaning, user will get offline email for 90 days. In the absence of internet, you will also get the same Gmail user interface, like in online mode. Gmail will sync everything after the user comes online. According to Google, Gmail has a monthly 140 million userbase. Possibly, the new change will attracts more new users in the days to come. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Dear Newsie Readers, Newsie has now permanently ceased it's services as of Friday 20th December 2019. Newsie has been an owner-funded operation since day one. Coming up to three years old, while we still firmly believe Newsie has a place in the New Zealand media landscape, the cost in both time and money has become too burdensome for the owners to continue alongside other ventures. With the current government looking to restructure public broadcasting, and seemingly supporting NZME buying a ring-fenced Stuff, the time seems right to call it a day. Should it happen, the combination of NZME and Stuff will ensure New Zealands national media will die a death by a thousand opinion-based articles. Newsie has always tried to stick to balanced news, to inform readers of the facts of a situation, amid being largely ignored by government. Hopefully, one day someone else will take up the challenge to fight the good fight. The good news, however, is that there were no job losses as a result of Newsie closing. Thanks to careful structuring, everyone involved in Newsie will retain their current positions. We hope you all have a happy Christmas and new year. Stay safe, and stay out of the news. The team at Newsie Purdue Pharma is facing questions from a Congressional committee investigating the opioid crisis, opening another round of scrutiny for the embattled maker of OxyContin. In a letter sent last Thursday to Purdue CEO and President Craig Landau, House Committee on Energy and Commerce members based many of their questions and requests for information on the extent of the companys knowledge of OxyContins role in the opioid epidemic since the drug hit the market in 1996. They cited a recent New York Times article on a confidential U.S. Department of Justice report indicating that the firm knew the drug was being abused as early as 1997. While numerous companies are engaged in the manufacture and marketing of opioids in the United States, Purdue Pharma stands apart for its development and subsequent marketing of the extended-release opioid OxyContin, wrote six of the panels top members, including Chairman Greg Walden, R-Oregon, and Ranking Member Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey. In a statement Monday, Purdue said it would cooperate with the investigation. We share Congress concern about the opioid crisis and have a number of ongoing initiatives to help address it, the statement reads. We are committed to working collaboratively with policy makers to drive solutions toward this complex public health challenge. The letter also queried Purdues decision in February to stop opioid marketing to medical prescribers. In related moves, Purdue laid off more than half of its sales force in February and the remainder of the division in June. Other questions in the letter centered on the companys sales and marketing tactics and its funding of third-party organizations that focus on pain management. Purdue ranked as the top donor among five pharmaceutical companies that contributed millions of dollars during the past five years to nonprofits supporting large-scale opioid use, according to a report released in February by U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. Purdue neither disputed nor endorsed McCaskills findings. Other documents requested by the committee include an unredacted copy of a deposition of Richard Sackler, a former company president and member of the company that owns the privately held Purdue. The deposition comprises part of a $24 million settlement that Purdue reached with Kentucky in 2015 after the state sued the company. At the same time, Purdue is grappling with hundreds of lawsuits from local and state governments across the country that accuse the company of fueling the opioid crisis with deceptive marketing of opioids such as OxyContin. This letter from Congress seems like a natural extension of the companys various controversies with the states, said Robert Bird, a professor of business law at the University of Connecticut. It should be no surprise for the executives at Purdue. The committee also sent similar letters to Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, a major manufacturer of the generic opioid Oxycodone and Insys Therapeutics, which makes Subsys, a form of fentanyl that is sprayed under the tongue and intended to treat severe pain in cancer patients. pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; Twitter: @paulschott Erin Nazzaro is not a Latin American painter. She is a Connecticut painter, the daughter of a Bridgeport doctor, who has adopted Latin America as her long-distance muse. Her unplanned journey began roughly 30 years ago after she and her husband, an excavating contractor, moved to a cottage in Redding on the property of the locally well-known painter Allen Hermes. She began helping Hermes in his studio and with his encouragement began painting herself. Nazzaro was not new to art, though. She had studied art at the University of Hartford and the University of Bridgeport and early in her career concentrated on precise drawing. I did super-realistic pencil work, down to the threads of the stitching on your shirt, she says. Her very first exhibited piece was a charcoal sketch she did in high school of her brother that won a prize at the annual art show of the Mark Twain Library in Redding. (Shes entered the show every year since.) The next step in Nazzaros transformation came soon after she met Hermes, when she and her husband went to Mexico for a long weekend. In a sense, she never came back. I loved the folk art and the paintings of Mexico the celebrations the amazing altars. It was all magical to me, Nazzaro says. They bought a small house on Lake Chapala, Mexicos largest fresh-water lake. They kept it for 10 years, allowing her to return for painting vacations. Meanwhile, they began exploring the rest of Mexico, South America and the American Southwest. Theyve made repeat trips to Argentina and driven across the Pampas. Theyve met Zapatista rebels conducting a clothing drive and a cellphone-carrying shaman. My work is constantly refreshed, she says. When I go to these countries the parts that speak to me most are the rural area and the indigenous people. By now Nazzaro guesses shes done almost a thousand paintings, mostly in acrylic because she likes to work fast. She divides them into four categories: birds, animals, people and landscape. But since Mexico, shes moved far from her early realism. Nazzaros paintings now tend to be done in bold colors, with figures that may be amplified in size or deprived of context. A good sampling was on display recently at the Mayors Gallery in the Stamford Town Center. Waiting to greet visitors were three canvases of women on market day. Each appears to be at rest, wearing the brimmed hat typical of Andean peasants (if such a term is still used). They are depicted more or less realistically. Yet their bodies somehow look thickened and enlarged. Nearby, a herd of horses gazes from a single canvas. Their coloring suggests they might be palominos, but their anatomy is undefined, without the contour of muscle. There is no discernible background. Her painted cows are similar. Like the horses, they appear to intelligently study the viewer, even though their eyes are only black slashes. My curious cows, she calls them, giving a tour. The largest painting in the exhibit was a double canvas of three roosters so crowded and plumped in the foreground they seemed about to burst out of the painting. Rather than dumb birds, they are three proud amigos whose portrait Nazzaro has managed to paint. She often gives birds prime billing, but not necessarily a habitat. One nearly abstract painting, titled Raven Warning, shows two birds, one crimson and the other yellow, calling out against a featureless background. The paint is so thick and scored that the birds appear almost three dimensional. In another painting, she has given a bird a tree to perch in. But the tree looks stripped, its greenish trunk smooth like Jacks beanstalk. Nazzaro says its a Monkey Tree, but it bears little resemblance to the actual species. The painting is titled A Call to Gather and a large bird, like her others, has its beak open. Most of my birds are communicators. Theyre always shouting or yelling or having a conversation, Nazzaro says. She guesses they could be crows or blackbirds. Im not good at copying, she says. Someone will say, What kind of bird is that? and Ill say Its not any particular kind of bird. It doesnt matter as long as the painting works. Over time Nazzaro says her paintings have become more expressive, relying less on photographs or even visual memory. A lot of it, as Ive gotten older, is in my head. Thats a huge difference, she says. Some are literally dreamed. One, titled Radish Harvest, shows a seated woman whose enormous body seems to flow toward giant radishes at her oversized feet. Nazzaro had already become fascinated by the century-old Night of the Radish festival in Oaxaca that happens to occur every Dec. 23, her birthday. Strange as the festival may sound, it attracts thousands of visitors who come to see elaborate carvings of giant radishes. Nazzaros next exhibit is set to open in September at the Kershner Gallery at the Fairfield Public Library. Meanwhile, her work can be seen at erinnazzaro.com. Joel Lang is a frequent contributor to Sunday Arts & Style. NEW FAIRFIELD With balloons tied to his chair and a smile on his face, World War II veteran Lou Russo marked turning 100 on Saturday with a party in his home, surrounded by many of the friends who had helped him return there just a few years ago. The combat veteran, who had turned 100 that Wednesday, greeted guests in a fitting Lou: the man, the myth, the legend shirt in his living room, sharing stories and secrets for reaching the milestone age. I feel like Im just born, Russo said when asked how it felt to turn 100. If it werent for the framed photos of volunteers repairing the home and stories from friends, itd be hard to tell that it had been a collapsed roof in this room that put Russo at the center of a year-long court battle back in 2013. Back then, Russo had been placed against his will in a nursing home when he was injured in a fall and his house was found in disrepair. The fight to get him back to the Hammond Road house, taken on by friends and fellow veterans, also brought together volunteers from nearly a dozen community organizations to repair the home. Many who joined the party Saturday recalled how groups like Habitat for Humanity, The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Home Depot and others took on an extensive renovation so Russo could live comfortably in the house he had built himself. It was worth the effort, said Bob Kubisek, explaining how his company Summit Stair and volunteers helped put in new stairs and railings. It was great to see (everyone) coming together to help out the elderly. I think we should do it more often. Russos battle had also prompted legislation in Hartford last year, co-authored by state Sen. Michael McLachlan, to better protect the elderly from court-appointed conservators. Russos first conservator had sold the veterans belongings and rented out his house to another family while he was staying in the nursing home. The 100-year-olds conservator is now Joe Schirmer, a veteran and one of the friends who led the charge to bring him home. One of the highlights of Saturdays party was when McLachlan stopped by to present Russo with an official happy birthday citation from Hartford. Congratulations on 100 years and a happy birthday, McLachlan read. ...And hope for continued success. Continued age, Russo joked before thanking the senator. Im going to frame this, thats going right on the wall. As for the secret to reach 100? Its all about food, Russo said. I learned about nutrition in 1942, Russo said. You eat well and you feel good all the time, thats all it is. aquinn@newstimes.com / The Associated Press NEWTOWN - Families that that lost loved ones in the Sandy Hook shootings are no longer the only ones decrying the rhetoric of conspiracy extremist Alex Jones Tech companies from Facebook to YouTube and from Apple to Spotify have taken a more aggressive stance against misinformation and hate speech promoted by the Texas-based host of InfoWars by removing his platforms and banning his content. HAMDEN Two Hamden police officers were recently disciplined after settlements were reached with Police Chief Thomas Wydra and approved by the Police Commission and union UPSSEU/COPS Local 062. Officer Michael Cirillo, charged with assaulting a North Haven man after leaving his post while on duty, was demoted from sergeant, had his name removed from the list of those eligible for a promotion to lieutenant, and agreed to complete an anger management program, according to a last chance/settlement agreement received through a Freedom of Information request. Officer Timothy McKeon was suspended for 30 days after an internal investigation revealed that, between 2009 and August 2017, he made a minimum of five purchases of illegal steroids and was associated with an individual who he knew to be selling illegal steroids for several years and failed to report the ... criminal activity, according to his settlement agreement, also received through a FOI request. McKeon also assented to submit to unlimited drug testing, based on reasonable suspicion or on a random basis, for 60 days following the July 23 agreement. Cirillo said on Friday he ultimately understands the decision, but feels he did not have to be demoted. He said he has an exemplary record, serving more than 20 years with the department and could have continued to serve as an effective supervisor. The incident in question Cirillo accosted Vincent Terrone, 38, in North Haven in December, prompting a charge of third-degree assault was a colossal mistake that effectively ended (his) career, but was very unusual and out of character, he said. He said Terrone had threatened his wife, who, in turn, called him, crying hysterically. He reacted, went to North Haven, and grabbed Terrone by the shirt, who dropped to the ground, he said. He disputed the severity of the altercation he said he did not place Terrone in a headlock, as indicated in a North Haven police report. The incident was a brief lapse in judgment, he said. This was a horribly poor decision for me to go over there, said Cirillo. I briefly just kind of lost it. Cirillo entered into accelerated rehabilitation, a judicial program for those deemed unlikely to commit further offenses, in April. If he successfully completes the requirements that come with the program, which include the anger management class, the charges will be dropped. People at the police department had welcomed him back after the demotion, easing the situation, he said. McKeon referred the chance to comment to his attorney, John Chip Walsh, who said it was appropriate to move forward with the agreement, given the negotiations and factors at play, and close this chapter for the department and his client. Walsh said McKeons history as a police officer should not be summed up in this single incident he loves the job and is an asset to the community, he said. You need to judge an officer, not on one incident ... You need to judge an officer on the body of work, said Walsh. Hes the kind of cop you want on the streets. McKeon is the second Hamden police officer to be linked to steroids in recent months. Bryan Kelly, 46, of East Haven, pleaded guilty in May to possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 and is scheduled to be sentenced in September. Michael Iezzi, chairman of the police commission, said on Friday that both agreements were reached between Wydra and the officers in question, which pre-empted the need for further consideration by the group. Its sad that these situations occurred, but we addressed them in the best interest of the town, in the best interest of the community, Iezzi said. Wydra said the agreements took into account the entirety of the matters at hand in a statement Friday. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com There's always something you'd rather be doing. Even right now, you might be reading this article in an attempt to avoid carrying out a less palatable endeavor. Procrastination is normal, and especially so these days. Social media, streaming television and movies, the ease of internet access, and the ubiquity of smartphones can all distract. There are ample reasons why people procrastinate, and it's always been thought of as a blockade to productivity. Related: Get it Done: 35 Habits of the Most Productive People (Infographic) But the perception of procrastination doesn't always match the reality. "Procrastination is not just avoiding or delaying a task," says David Ballard, head of the American Psychological Association's Center for Organizational Excellence. "It also has to include an aspect that's counterproductive, irrational or unnecessary." In fact, active procrastination can often help you get more things done. Below are four psychological reasons entrepreneurs should sometimes lean into procrastination 1. Procrastination helps spur creativity. West Wing creator and Molly's Game director Aaron Sorkin once said on the Today show, "You call it procrastinating, I call it thinking." Sorkin puts off writing sometimes until the last minute, and the results speak for themselves. Even if we're not all award-winning writers, when you're putting something off, it doesn't have to be a distraction. It can simply be a break, and that break can open up a world of new ideas. When you allow yourself more time to sit and think about what you're working on, different pathways to a result can bubble into your brain. A 2012 study in Nature discovered -- through brain imaging -- that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) lay largely dormant when rappers were freestyling. Some athletes might even refer to this as "the zone." For entrepreneurs, procrastination might be just the thing to trigger an answer that would be impossible to reach if they didn't let their minds wander away from the task at hand. Related: How to Manage Time With 10 Tips That Work 2. Procrastination aids memory recall. In 1927, Lithuanian psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik first discovered how interrupting an event can actually help people remember it. After her professor noticed waiters at a nearby cafe remembered open tabs better than those that had already been paid, she tested the hypothesis by giving a series of puzzles to people to complete, while subtly interrupting half of them. Those that were interrupted were able to recall details with 90 percent more accuracy than those who were allowed to complete the task. The Zeigarnik Effect was borne. The same could be said for today's entrepreneurs. Breaking for lunch, hitting the gym, reading a book, jumping on another task or simply staring out the window can help you better remember the various moving parts in the mission you're trying to finish. Related: 4 Reliable Signs Someone Is About to Waste Your Time 3. Shockingly, procrastination can enhance focus. This seems like a paradox on its surface. How can you focus better by interrupting what you're doing -- i.e. procrastinating? Instead of bearing the monotony of working on a single task until it's done, it's more helpful to move away -- at least briefly. Concentration wanes if we don't break up the the tedium. Similar to triggering creativity, we're better able to concentrate if we take a brief blow. A study in 2011 looked at this psychological effect. Subjects were asked to remember random digits while performing a visual task. They found that once people were asked to recall the digits, their performance on the visual task declined over time. But when researchers interrupted the visual exercise with sporadic reminders of the digits, their visual scores remained high no matter the duration. The short of it: Take a break every once in a while, even if you're on deadline. Related: Procrastination or Contemplation? Why Procrastinators Will Rule the Business World. 4. Procrastination often yields better decision-making. Oftentimes, entrepreneurs will receive an important email that needs an answer. There's no hard timetable on the answer, but because of the weight of the question, people drop everything to arrive at an answer. If you don't take a moment to sit back and let the full import of the question sink in, you're liable to make the wrong decision. Researchers at Columbia performed an experiment to test this idea. Would a little more time actually lead to better decisions? First, they asked the subjects to determine which direction a set of black dots was moving across the screen. At the same time, a cluster of colored dots starting moving to distract them. Participants were asked to judge as quickly as possible. When the colored dots moved in the same direction as the black dots, the results were basically perfect. But when they moved in opposite directions, the accuracy dropped. Second, they performed the exact same experiment, but subjects were asked to answer when they heard a clicking sound, which they varied between 17-500 milliseconds -- a time span meant to mimic real-life decisions, like driving. Researchers found that when decisions were delayed by about 120 milliseconds, their accuracy significantly improved. However, the researchers differentiated between prolonged and delayed decision-making. If subjects made the decision too quickly, the brain was still filtering out the distractions (colored dots). But if it took too long, it could be hindered by other distractions. The same could be said for procrastination. Procrastinate too much, or for too long, and nothing will ever get done. But, as we've seen, there are some serious psychological benefits to procrastination. Related: 4 Psychological Reasons Entrepreneurs Should Embrace Procrastination Finally Stop Procrastinating With These 4 Simple Steps The Surprising Link Between Procrastination and Threats to Your Health Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved The office has long been a competitive sporting ground, whether co-workers are elbowing one another out of the way for a break-room doughnut or a promotion. And its only gotten more competitive in the past decade: According to an OfficeTeam survey, nearly a third of managers surveyed said they felt their team members were more competitive with one other than they had been a mere 10 years ago. Related: Empathy in Business Is Vital to an Entrepreneur's Success Not surprisingly, two-thirds of employees surveyed believed their workplaces were competitive. And that's not necessarily good. In fact, letting an office become too competitive is a big risk: 43 percent of employees told OfficeTeam that theyd leave their jobs if the competition surrounding them became too intense. And in a 2017 Harvard Business Review article, organizational behavior experts reported that when competition makes employees anxious -- leading them to worry about money, layoffs or even public humiliation -- they are more likely to engage in unethical behaviors to get ahead. The problem is that highly competitive environments champion winning at the expense of teamwork, even though soft skills have a real impact on the bottom line. Zeynep Ilgaz, co-founder and president of Confirm BioSciences, described in Entrepreneur a startup she previously worked at that prioritized sales over people: Gratitude was the furthest thing from peoples minds," she wrote. "Employee recognition was seen as a waste of time. Believe it or not, even with such an emphasis on hitting goals and driving revenue, that company went out of business. While ego may feel essential to maintaining position -- for both leaders and employees -- its actually a hindrance. Letting ego control your decisions leads to poor decision-making in business, Erik Huberman, CEO of Hawke Media and another Entrepreneur contributor, wrote on his blog. Instead, empathetic leadership should be the goal. More than the buzzword du jour Empathy is more than a buzzword; its a critical tool for developing productivity, leadership and partnerships. People who exhibit less empathy pay the price -- literally. According to Frontline Learning founder Dan Rust, people who avoid human dynamics in the office earn 22 percent less than those who dont. That means that those who are willing to shun others to get ahead are doing the exact opposite. HBRs 2016 Empathy Index evaluated global companies on their ability to retain high performers and create the kind of atmosphere that enables diverse teams to be successful. The companies the index described as the most empathetic-- Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Netflix and Unilever -- are indisputably leaders in their categories, signaling that empathetic individuals not only are more successful, but empathetic teams, as a whole, are, too. Related: 3 Simple Ways to Increase Empathy at Work Ingraining empathy But while empathy may offer a host of business and personal benefits, business leaders cant simply order their people to be empathetic. Fortunately, there are three ways leaders can begin embedding empathetic outlooks within their companies: 1. Show gratitude to motivate employees. Gratitude goes both ways, as the old saying goes, and leaders who want to see their team members show gratitude to customers and one other have to extend it themselves. Ilgaz wrote: All told, a team that expresses and experiences gratitude doesnt just feel more motivated at work; it feels more appreciation for life. "Sure, employees work harder and go above and beyond to innovate, but they also gain a greater sense of self-worth and self-efficacy. Expressions of gratitude don't have to be a time-consuming endeavor. An easy way to make this part of your routine is to set a weekly goal of noticing two employees doing something outstanding. Whether that's closing a big sale or tweaking a process in a small way you never would have considered, applaud the employee in the way he or she would appreciate most: a personal note, a shout-out in the company newsletter or a small token of appreciation. 2. Look for emotional intelligence to identify leaders. Smart entrepreneurs will look through the ranks to find the next leaders of their company, and the smartest will look for people who can develop the kind of environment that will help employees flourish. Identifying people who arent just strong performers but also team players will ensure that your employees will be led by someone who advocates empathy. This action, in itself, sends a signal to the whole team. People who push others aside to reach the finish line dont get the reward; people who help others to the finish line do. 3. Understand client needs to strengthen relationships. Remind employees that a willingness to walk a mile in someones shoes must include customers, as well. Ignoring a clients internal changes, dismissing a customers complaint or applying a template to every interaction will only result in those people feeling as though they're being treated like carbon copies. And that's not going to do much for client retention. Remember that success doesnt look the same for every person or every business. The key is to understand what is needed to ensure every partnership benefits all involved parties, Huberman wrote. Start by putting yourself in your partners position. That doesnt mean your employees will always conclude, The customer is always right. It simply means theyll make sure that the situation is handled in a positive manner for everyone, even if the client doesnt ultimately get what he or she asked for. Related: Wonder Women Use Empathy as Their Leadership Superpower Competition at work can fuel innovation. But it can also create a mindset that views other people as stepping-stones or obstacles rather than human beings. By putting a damper on competition and championing an empathetic approach, leaders can see their teams grow -- along with their bottom line. Related: Does Empathy Have a Place in Your Workplace? 8 Communication Tactics to Eliminate Wasting Time at Work To Raise Exceptional Children, Teach Them These 7 Values Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Justin Trudeau's attempts to export his "sunny" progressive ways have hit another roadblock, this time with Saudi Arabia. Yet unlike in recent spats with China and India, Canada's prime minister may get a slight boost at home for his support of women's rights. Saudi Arabia suspended diplomatic ties and halted new trade dealings late Sunday following comments by Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland criticizing the kingdom for arrests of women's rights activists. The standoff pits Trudeau, an outspoken champion of women's advancement, against a Saudi government that's taking a harder line more recently after making some reforms to help women. "Let me be very clear for everyone here and for Canadians who may be watching and listening: Canada will always stand up for human rights in Canada and around the world," Freeland said in Vancouver Monday. "Women's rights are human rights." Trudeau's sunny persona and "progressive" agenda, which propelled him to global rockstar status in an era of populist backlash, have found few takers abroad. In his India trip this year, he was dogged by questions of whether his government was too sympathetic toward Sikh separatists. And Trudeau rankled China with a push to adopt provisions on trade like labor, gender and environmental guarantees. While these global clashes have at times eroded Trudeau's popularity at home, the standoff with Saudi Arabia is unlikely to have much lasting impact. It may even shore up support for his Liberal Party, which is neck and neck in most polls with the opposition Conservatives ahead of 2019 elections. Trudeau's backing this year has stumbled to its lowest level since the Liberals took power in 2015, with gaffes overseas contributing to the decline. "There's a bigger issue at play, there's the political calculus," pollster Nik Nanos said Monday in an interview, adding that Trudeau may have been compelled to act to assert his human rights views and boost a flagging political image. "Now you have Liberals and Tories in a dead heat and so the Liberals have to look at ways to jump start their support." Saudi Arabia on Sunday recalled its ambassador to Ottawa and ordered the Canadian envoy to Riyadh to leave within 24 hours, according to a Saudi Foreign Ministry statement. The country's airline also plans to halt flights to Canada starting Aug. 13, according to a government statement. Saudi Airlines flies four times a week to Toronto. Calling out Saudi Arabia on women's rights fits with Trudeau's push for gender equality. He appointed a gender-balanced Cabinet when he was elected, and set up a women's council with U.S. President Donald Trump to increase access to capital for female business owners during a visit to the White House last year. "It could be perceived as a win domestically," said Bessma Momani, a professor in the department of political science at the University of Waterloo. "Will the Conservative Party want to die on the sword defending Saudi Arabia? Probably not." The stance comes with limited economic risk for Trudeau, given that Saudi Arabia is such a small trading partner. So far this year, Canada has exported $1.08 billion (C$1.4 billion) in merchandise goods to Saudi Arabia and imported C$2 billion, according to Statistics Canada data. "I would expect the Canadian public would be supportive of the position that Canada has taken, calling for greater respects of human rights in Saudi Arabia," said Roland Paris, a University of Ottawa professor and former Trudeau foreign policy adviser. "I don't think that this poses any serious domestic political challenge for the Trudeau government, but it may pose a challenge for specific Canadian exporters." Saudi investments in Canada include G3 Global Holdings Ltd., a joint venture between Bunge Ltd. and Saudi Agricultural & Livestock Investment Co., which purchased the former Canadian Wheat Board in 2015. Saudi Arabia has invested about $6 billion in Canadian businesses since 2006, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Tanks, armored vehicles and parts and motor vehicles accounted for about 45 percent of Canada's 2016 exports to the kingdom, while crude oil and copper ores made up about 98 percent of imports, according to a Canadian government report. Saudi Arabia supplies oil to the Irving Oil refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick. Messages seeking comment sent to Irving, Bunge and G3 weren't immediately returned. Markets were closed Monday for a holiday across most of Canada. SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., Canada's biggest engineering and construction company, is seeing "no immediate impact" to its operations in Saudi Arabia, according to Daniela Pizzuto, a spokeswoman. The Montreal-based firm has been operating in Saudi Arabia for five decades and last month signed a five-year agreement to provide engineering services to a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Kuwait Gulf Oil Co. SNC is already building various facilities at a gas processing plant operated by Saudi Aramco, the world's biggest exporter of crude. "We trust that this situation will be resolved at the earliest opportunity," Pizzuto said in an email Monday. "We greatly value the relationships that have been built and our contributions to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." Rex Brynen, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, said the spat may hurt Trudeau "slightly" but won't become a major domestic issue other than giving the opposition Conservative Party some political ammunition. "The Conservatives will say Trudeau talks big and goofs up; this situation will be a drop in the bucket," Brynen said Monday in an interview. "Part of the Conservative strategy is to paint Trudeau as a lightweight who doesn't think of the consequences of his actions." The Saudi Foreign Ministry cited remarks last week by Freeland and the Canadian embassy in Riyadh criticizing the arrests of women's rights activists including Samar Badawi. Her brother Raif Badawi, a blogger who was critical of the government, was already in a Saudi jail. Raif Badawi's wife is a Canadian citizen. "The Canadian government was only voicing a frustration that other Saudi allies privately feel with the Kingdom's reform process, but was unwise to do it in comparatively strident language," said Neil Partrick, a Saudi expert and editor of "Saudi Arabian Foreign Policy: Conflict & Cooperation." Because the Trudeau government isn't a significant ally, the Saudis "probably decided that Canada was, for the time being at least, expendable," he said. People in the cannabis industry like to take pride in how inclusive the space is. However, anecdotal and statistic evidence suggests otherwise. A study conducted by Marijuana Business Daily found that only 19 percent of all cannabis businesses were majority owned by racial minorities. Related: Why Are Only 4 Percent of Cannabis Businesses Owned By African Americans? One of these businesses is 420 SkinCare, which makes THC- and CBD-infused skin care products. We talked to CEO and founder Marvina Thomas about her perspective on the industry. How did you get in the cannabis business? I originally got into the industry to help to help make a difference, and positively impact peoples health and well-being. Eight years ago, I started Vinas Soap to help financially support my nonprofit Start Living Recovery Home, which provides care and assistance for individuals recovering from opioids and alcohol. Vina Soap led to the launch of 420 Skincare, a product line which includes CBD and THC soap, as well as skin care products for all skin types. Over the past two years of market research, we have been able to see a significant increase in health improvements in those who use these products exclusively. What are the challenges you face as a minority business owner? We are constantly breaking the barriers! There arent a lot of colleagues who look like me, but we are helping change that by opening doors for those hungry to get into the green rush. We host monthly speed-hiring events and always carry an open door policy for those who want information on how to land their own canna-business. What challenges did you face in your own business? Im facing a new challenge every day. The only way to survive in this fast-paced industry is to keep pushing forward and never let someone else determine your future. Youre gonna face haters and negative people, but you cant let their limiting beliefs stop you from achieving what you came here to do. Can you share some advice for other minorities who are looking to get into the cannabis industry? There are lots of networking and educational groups for those new to the industry. As the regional leader for WomenGROW, a national group for cannabis entrepreneurs, I help organize meetings in Phoenix to educate and motivate women who are interested in entering the medical cannabis industry. I also recently spoke about diversity at WomenGROWs Denver summit. My advice is to join a group, attend an industry conference, and learn as much as you can before you start a business. Related: How To Convince Cannabis Investors to Give You Money If you had to pick one inspirational quote, what would that be? Everybody has a book and only you know the last chapter. You can find Marvina Thomas on social media under the name @420skincare. Related: She Wants to Change the Face of the Industry She Took Her Yale MBA Into Cannabis and Now Funds the Industry's Largest Deals Why These Teenage Girls Started a CBD Lifestyle Brand Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Russia has canceled its 5th generation fighter the Su57 (aka T50). They will build in some stealth into older planes. Russia is not able to buy large numbers of its new Armata tanks at $4 million each. They will upgrade older T72 tanks. Russia used to be the world leader in space launches. China has most of their older space rocket designs. Russia has recognized that they cannot compete with SpaceX and China in space launches. Russia cut back its military buildup and has flat military procurement budgets for the next ten years. Russia has had slow GDP growth or negative GDP growth since 2008. If the US economy grows at 4% per year then the US adds more than entire Russian economy ($1.7 trillion) in less than 2 years. Russia is weak and getting weaker relative to the US, India, Europe and the USA. Russias population is shrinking again In 2017, 1.69 million children were born in Russia which was down by 203,000 compared to 2016 and equal to the number of births in Russia in 2007. It is the third consecutive year that Rosstat has registered a decline in Russias birthrate. In 2016, Russia had 1,893,237 births and 1,887,907 deaths, for a natural population increase of just 5,330 people, not counting immigration. There were about 1,824,340 (12.4/1,000) deaths in 2017. Russias population reduced about 131,000 in 2017 from more deaths than births. Russia did have some immigration, Russia population did grow in 2016 by 257,700 people, while in 2017, population growth amounted to only 77,400. Russia has 782,000 births in the first half of 2018. This is tracking to about 1.55 million births for 2018. Assuming deaths stay level to 2017, then this would be a reduction of about 260,000 people in 2018. The amount of births in Russia will likely remain low as an echo of the baby bust from 1992-2010. Russians living in poverty increased from 15.5 million in 2013 to 19.8 million in 2016. The number of children born in Russia in 2014 was officially reported as 1.9 million, but that figure included children born in Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula that Moscow seized that year. Russias population peaked at more than 148 million in 1992, the year after the Soviet Union collapsed. Russias population was claimed to be 144.3 million in 2016. There are no official population statistics for 2016. Rosstat, the official Government statistics agency, suggested that the population of Russia in 2011 was 141.8 million, and the CIA estimated that the population was even lower: 138.7 million. Former finance minister Aleksey Kudrin forecasts a decline of 10 million people of working-age in Russians by 2033. Russia would have had a very high ratio of old people in its populations, except there was a surge in people dying from alcohol and other issues. Russia stabilized its longevity and increased life expectancy from 64 in 1994 back to 72. Russias population could shrink to about 110 million in 2050. Although the UN projects a population fo about 132 million in 2050. By 2050, Poland and Ukraine with some NATO support would probably have the economic and military might to resist a conventional Russian attack. Russia should Negotiate peace with Ukraine, get more foreign investment, fix the corruption Russias per capita GDP is less than Poland and Hungary, which were part of the USSR. Poland has been consistently growing at 4% per year. Russia has a fairly well-educated population. A peaceful and open Russia that invested in improving education and public health could match Polands growth. Russia could get the foreign investment to finish modernizing its economy. They had the growth and investment from 1999-2008. Russia needs to fix its crime and corruption problems. Russia needs to fix itself up and improve its economy by making itself as useful as possible to China, India, ASEAN and Europe. There is high growth around Russia. A peaceful, clean Russia could have a lot of tourism and could participate in the economic growth around it. Russia needs more babies and immigration more than it needs military equipment. Exhausted firefighters battled wildfires that spanned the entire state over the weekend, with the most destructive inferno claiming the ninth victim of the deadly outbreak and managers of Yosemite announcing the indefinite closure of the heart of the park. Jay Ayeta, 21, an apprentice lineman for Pacific Gas and Electric Co., died Saturday while working to restore power near the Carr Fire in Redding, utility spokeswoman Melissa Subbotin said Sunday. His death came as smoke from the Ferguson Fire forced Yosemite National Park to shutter its glorious scenery. Tioga Road from Tioga Pass to White Wolf remains open. but Yosemite Valley is closed at the peak of summer tourist season. It is just not safe for visitors and employees in the park, Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman said Sunday. And as those blazes continue to churn, the Mendocino Complex roaring in Lake and Mendocino counties grew over the weekend into one of the largest blazes in California history. Ayeta is the seventh person to die in the Carr fire two firefighters and four other people have been killed in the blaze. And two more firefighters have died battling the Ferguson Fire near Yosemite. Crews in a remote area with dangerous terrain were performing restoration work when a crew member suffered an accident and a fatal injury in western Shasta County, said J.D. Guidi, also a utility spokesman. PG&E crews arrived shortly after the incident to ensure the area was safe for first responders and supported public agencies accordingly. Guidi said PG&E is working with law enforcement to investigate the death. The safety of our customers, employees, contractors and communities we serve is PG&Es top priority, Guidi said. Unfortunately, one member of the PG&E family has died and our thoughts are with those involved in the incident and their families. The Carr Fire in Shasta County which had burned 160,049 acres by Sunday evening has razed 1,080 homes, 24 commercial buildings and 500 other structures, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Sunday. A total of 1,229 structures continue to be threatened. Officials have not yet projected when it could be fully contained. Elsewhere in Northern California, firefighters have been working to contain multiple other fires as high temperatures, high winds and low humidity persist throughout the region. As the Ferguson Fire grew to nearly 90,000 acres Sunday with 38 percent containment, Yosemite managers decided to extend the parks closures indefinitely. Major portions of the park have been closed since July 25, and officials had originally hoped to reopen at least parts of the valley by Sunday. Over the past 48 hours, fire has impacted all of the roads used to access Yosemite Valley, burning dead and downed trees that can become very explosive and fall without warning, Gediman said in a statement. There are also significant terrain hazards for firefighters. The blaze, which has been burning for 23 days and grew from 81,699 acres Saturday to 89,633 acres Sunday, was 35 percent contained. As unfavorable weather conditions persist, Jim Mackensen, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service, said the fire is only expected to keep growing. Its been a very, very challenging fire, Mackensen said. Ive been doing this over 40 years, and this is the most challenging. Temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s this week and wont begin easing until Thursday, said Cindy Bean, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service. A wildfire burning in Tuolumne County also grew dramatically Sunday and led to more evacuation orders, according to the Sacramento Bee. In Mendocino and Lake counties, the River Fire and the Ranch Fire, which make up the Mendocino Complex, expanded to 266,982 acres by Sunday, according to Cal Fire. That makes it the fifth-largest wildfire in California history. Fire crews gained ground on the River Fire, which is now 58 percent contained, but the larger Ranch Fire continued to grow, heading southeast. It is a very large and dynamic incident, said Cal Fire incident commander Sean Kavanaugh. Were catching our breath a little bit today, which is good. Over on the River fire, were hoping to have that wrapped up in the next few days. New mandatory evacuations were ordered over the weekend in Lake, Colusa and Glenn counties near the Indian Valley Reservoir and the Spring Valley area. More than 3,500 firefighters are battling the blaze and are expected to focus on protecting communities in the path of the Ranch Fire, Cal Fire officials said. The Mendocino Complex fires have destroyed 68 homes and 62 other buildings, and 15,300 remain threatened. The cause of the fires is not known. President Trump weighed in Sunday on the fires, not to offer sympathy but as an opportunity to criticize environmental regulations. California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which arent allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized, the Tweet read in part. Michael Cabanatuan and Trisha Thadani are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com, tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan, @TrishaThadani Edouardo Jordan went to culinary school to be a chef, he said, not to be a black chef. To avoid being pigeonholed early in his career, he strayed from the Southern fare he found most familiar and instead pursued Italian and French cuisines - two of the most popular in fine dining, both of which shine at his Seattle restaurant Salare. "I needed to diversify my culinary knowledge," he said, "even if that meant not technically being able to cook my own food." Once Salare earned local renown, Jordan's fears of feeling boxed in abated, and he opened a soul food restaurant called JuneBaby last year. The chef, 38, went on to score a rare double victory at the James Beard Foundation's awards ceremony in May: Best New Restaurant for JuneBaby and Best Chef: Northwest for Salare. The Beard Foundation has made a concerted effort to increase the diversity of its awardees, joining a number of organizations that work to highlight the talents of minority chefs. But black chefs say discrimination and restricted upward mobility make it difficult for them to achieve Jordan's level of success. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 13.9 percent of food service workers last year identified as black or African-American - slightly higher than the corresponding percentage of the population - but people of color remain concentrated in the lower ranks when it comes to fine dining. A study published by Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC United) in 2015 found that 81 percent of management positions in 133 fine-dining restaurants were held by white employees. Among workers who had been denied a promotion, 28 percent cited race as the main reason. The inequity begins as early as the hiring process. ROC United co-founder Saru Jayaraman once conducted a study in which she sent 400 pairs of white and minority applicants to fine-dining restaurants in New York, Chicago, Detroit and New Orleans. She found that white applicants were twice as likely to land a position, even in situations where the person of color had a better resume. "White people were hired pretty much without experience," Jayaraman said, and "people of color were really grilled as to whether they really had the experience listed on their resume." - - - After the struggle to enter the industry comes the fight for recognition, according to Brian Hill, owner of Chef Brian's Comfort Kitchen in downtown Washington. Hill, 49, has worked as a personal chef for the likes of Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey. He now works private events from time to time, during which satisfied diners will walk into the kitchen and ask him where Chef Brian is. "Mind you, I have a white jacket on that says 'Chef Brian,' " he said. "They're looking for someone nonblack." Michael Bowling, a private chef in Charlotte, North Carolina, can relate. Back when he owned a successful food truck - he is particularly proud of the ramen and homemade corned beef - appreciative customers would skip right over him and thank the sous-chef instead. "I'd just stand there and let him talk," he said. "At the time, I wasn't bold enough to be, like, 'No,' because I was scared people wouldn't support my truck because it was black-owned." Bowling, 41, founded Soul Food Sessions with four other chefs in 2016. The Charlotte-based organization hosts pop-up dinners to highlight the often overlooked talent of black people in the industry. In late July, the group hosted a Southern-inspired meal at Washington's Mess Hall. Shortly before they served the first of seven courses, the five founders - along with a few other chefs brought on board for the night - huddled in the open kitchen. They whispered encouraging words to one another, then separated to do their thing. While hosting the dinner, Bowling invited guests to drink and yell across the table to one another. This night was all about applauding good food and the people who make it. Laughter echoed through the hall, and there was a debate about Coca-Cola (whose distributor Coca-Cola Consolidated was the night's sponsor) vs. longtime rival Pepsi once Bowling's course arrived. His dish - seared trout and five-pea succotash, with grits and collard greens - was the only one paired with the sponsor's soda. The chef roamed the hall with a smile on his face. He wants the next generation of black cooks to experience firsthand the joy of putting on a dinner with people who look like them. He also wants it to be normal for diverse groups of chefs to cook together. It shouldn't be a shocker when women or people of color win big at the James Beard awards, he said. "For me, it's a ground-roots movement and a push to change things on a broad scale," Bowling said. "That starts with that one black chef, that one Latino chef in a kitchen." Greg Collier, a Soul Food Sessions founder and co-owner of the Yolk diner in Rock Hill, South Carolina, said it is "so commonplace" to be the only black person in the kitchen. After attending culinary school in Scottsdale, Arizona, he worked in a fine-dining restaurant with a majority-white staff. He remembered the first time he encountered another black cook on the job. "We were like, 'Yo, wassup, man!'" said Collier, 36. "It was kind of the kindred spirit thing. We were both like, 'We're the only black people in this whole kitchen, man.' " - - - Pastry chef Jamie Suddoth stood in front of the Mess Hall kitchen, facing a crowded room of diners and eager to conclude the meal with her praline chocolate torte. The elaborate dessert featured an orange creme, complemented by candied hazelnuts and a little glop of cherry pearls. "I poured my heart and soul into this," she said, beaming. Suddoth, 37, works at a market-cafe hybrid called Earl's Grocery and runs Jamie's Cakes and Classes, both in Charlotte, but she has dabbled in other specialties. No matter what part of the kitchen she walks into, she feels a need to prove her talent as a woman of color. "It's a male-dominated field," Suddoth added. "I don't get respect right off the bat." Jennifer Hill Booker, the only other female chef at the event, said women are "rarely welcome with open arms." Booker, cookbook author and owner of a catering business, was responsible for the dinner's vegetable course: roasted sweet pepper and hominy grits, served with Vidalia onions and a smoky tomato-okra gravy. Her dish elicited passionate commentary from diners: One remarked how similar it tasted to a stew his grandmother used to make. Another marveled at the okra's lack of goopiness. Collier said he wishes the public "understood how important the black woman is to Southern cookery in general," and he noted that Soul Food Sessions plans to host an all-female chef dinner one day. "If you've ever seen a kitchen run by a female chef, the kitchen is neater, it's cleaner, it's quieter, it's more organized," he said. "We want to let them do their thing, and we'll be there to support it." Two black women received Beard awards in May: Dolester Miles of Highlands Bar & Grill in Birmingham, Alabama, won Outstanding Pastry Chef after being nominated for three years in a row, and Compere Lapin owner Nina Compton became the first black woman named Best Chef: South. Barbecue pitmaster Rodney Scott's Best Chef: Southeast honor recognized all he has done for whole-hog barbecue, and Jordan's Best New Restaurant win made him the first African-American to receive that honor. Collier applauded a black chef's being recognized for soul food. Like Jordan, he once feared being pigeonholed, but after moving to the South, he was bothered by mostly white chefs "getting lauded for cooking the things our ancestors are responsible for." So he decided to return to soul food, which involved proving that he could "elevate Southern ingredients." While some chefs, including Hill, view this as perpetuating a stereotype, Collier considers it a way to honor his ancestors. By putting a fresh spin on the classics, the Soul Food Sessions dinner showcased the chef's innovation. The hors d'oeuvres were both Collier's: crab salad, pickled okra and charred orange served on a tomato rice cracker and topped with brown butter vinaigrette; and corn butter and strawberry sofrito spread on a smoked paprika biscuit. The latter had a smokiness also found in the meat course, courtesy of chef Jerome Grant: smoked short rib and charred corn with popcorn rice, accompanied by a burnt sweet potato sauce. Like Jordan, Grant, 36, who helms the National Museum of African American History and Culture's Sweet Home Cafe, said he "never wanted to be looked at as a black chef or a chef that cooked black food. For me, the goal was to be the best chef possible." But he discovered that one way to do that was to showcase his diverse family history through food - even perfecting his father's "crappy fried chicken." This nation was raised on food cooked by black people, he said, and events such as the Soul Food Sessions dinner showcase a piece of American history. "This style of food was brought over on the backs of African women that were able to make what we have now from the things they used to have," he said. "No matter what anyone said, African Americans were always behind some of the greatest meals we have in history." Only five black chefs have ever been nominated for the Beard Foundation's Best Chef award. But, as Bowling noted in his closing address at the Soul Food Sessions dinner, early victories pave the way for later ones. Barack Obama "wasn't the only black president," he said. "He was the first." In one of their final head-to-head confrontations before next weeks primary, Republican candidates for governor on Monday took shots at Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Democrats for running up the states pension liabilities toward $90 billion. In a low-key debate that resulted in few fireworks and no personal attacks for a change the five GOP hopefuls said they would streamline regulatory processes that discourage business growth and development. But in the 90-minute question-and-answer session at Fairfield Universitys Quick Center for the Arts, they backed away, to varying degrees, from forcing towns to take a greater share of the burden for creating new units of affordable housing at a time when the highly taxed cities are centers of housing. Bob Stefanowski of Madison, a former businessman, dodged the question, given to the candidates minutes after he said Hartford should slip into bankruptcy and Bridgeport, New Haven, Waterbury and other cities with higher tax rates are technically bankrupt already. We need to give the power back to the towns and the cities to treat the people in their cities, their towns, the best way they feel necessary, Stefanowski said. Most of these towns do an amazing job of managing themselves, he said in response to a follow-up question from WNPRs John Dankosky, the debate moderator. David Stemerman of Greenwich, who closed his multi-billion-dollar hedge fund to run a petition campaign for governor, said he also supported local control with towns under increasing financial pressures and expensive state laws. But Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, the endorsed Republican candidate for the Aug. 14 primary, and Tim Herbst, the former Trumbull first selectman who was once chairman of his town zoning board, stressed their municipal experience in supporting increased housing opportunities. I get it. Nobody wants to answer the question, said Boughton to a chuckle that rippled through the crowd of 600. He stressed that in the nearly 18 years he has run City Hall, Boughton has worked strategically with local boards and developers to foster housing for local employees and seniors. He noted that more than 500 market-rate units are under construction or in the planning stages and that his Main Street was recently rated one of the top 10 in the state. Herbst said he would rewrite current affordable-housing laws, which are money makers for developers. He said its crucial to plan for the future. I would tell towns and cities to come up with plans for seniors to age in place, people on fixed incomes, milennials, Herbst said. Steve Obsitnik, a Westport tech entrepreneur, said housing is one of the toughest issues in the state. He imagined regional centers for the elderly that could provide housing solutions and job opportunities. Obsitnik, who is on the primary ballot after coming in third behind Herbst and Boughton during the Republican convention in May, said rethinking transit issues is also part of the housing challenge that makes life in Connecticut discouraging to empty nesters and senior citizens. The next-to-last event for the five GOP governor hopefuls comes eight days from the primary, as the candidates continued to try to differentiate themselves. While more than 440,000 state Republicans are eligible to vote next week, as few as 150,000 may determine the candidate heading into the November election. The event was sponsored by the university, the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, the CT Mirror, Connecticut Public Radio and NBC Connecticut. The final pre-primary GOP debate will take place on Wednesday afternoon at WFSB Channel 3 in Rocky Hill. kdixon@ctpost.com; Twitter: @KenDixonCT HAMDEN Local veterans were recognized and celebrated for their service to the country Monday during a ceremony at Hamden Middle School, as they received medals marking their time in the military. Each received the Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal, created by the General Assembly in 2005, said state Sen. George Logan, R-Ansonia. State residents who served during wartime are eligible for the accolade. Take a look around this auditorium it is filled with heroes, said Logan. This event is just one small way to express our appreciation for all they have done. We are happy to play a role in giving these vets long-overdue recognition for their bravery (and) service. Logan, along with Mayor Curt B. Leng, state Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven, Veterans Commission Chairman Abner Oakes and Thomas J. Saadi, commissioner of the state Department of Veterans Affairs, offered the medals to the veterans in attendance. Among his remarks, Saadi noted the response Vietnam veterans received on their return to American shores, and asked that we collectively remember the choices and sacrifices made and available to those who fight and serve in the name of this country. It is not the veteran who starts the war. Its not the veteran who decides national policy and how the wars conducted, said Saadi. It is the veteran who served, fought, suffered, and who sacrificed, no matter their personal and political feelings, because they answered to a higher calling that of duty, honor and country. Each former service member was called forward by Town Clerk Vera Morrison, in front of family and well-wishers, to be celebrated both with an award and a warm round of applause. Veterans in attendance said they were pleased to be recognized. I think Its a nice honor. When I came back from Vietnam, none of this existed, said Hamden resident David Krohn, referring to the public adulation for those who served. It was nice; it was unexpected, said Edward Cordero, also of Hamden, who served between 1989 and 1993. I appreciate it. I do appreciate it. William Currier, who recently turned 100 and is a World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, sat with Tony De Caprio, 91. Both were recognized Monday. I think its a nice gesture that they gave for both of us, said De Caprio, who noted he left the service in 1952. I think its a great idea. Rudolph Brandi, a Hamden resident who served in the Korean War, chose one word to describe how he felt Monday: honored. Logan closed the proceedings with a prayer. In the name of the God; (I pray) for all those who have served in the military, currently serve in the military, those who have sacrificed their lives, the families and friends, the United States of America, said Logan. I want to thank God for allowing us to have the privilege and all of the liberties that we share here in the United States of America. As we move forward, let us never forget those who have served our country. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com NEW HAVEN Tweed New Haven Regional Airport will gain its first new commercial destination since 2006 when American Airlines begins what initially will be weekly, nonstop service between New Haven and Charlotte, N.C., city and airport officials announced Monday. American will add Saturday American Eagle regional jet flights between New Haven and Charlotte Douglas International Airport beginning Dec. 22, the Tweed New Haven Airport Authority said in a release. American currently offers American Eagle regional jet service between Tweed (HVN) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) after upgrading from turboprop service last year. Charlotte is the first regularly-scheduled commercial destination to be added at Tweed since Delta Air Lines ceased its Delta Connection service between New Haven and Cincinnati in 2006. The new service, to be operated by PSA Airlines, will use the same 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200 planes used for the Philadelphia service, officials said. Charlotte is Americans second-largest hub, offering connections to 150 destinations, including many in Florida and the Caribbean. Connections to hundreds of additional destinations in more than 50 countries are available through Philadelphia. Tickets for the new service are available now at www.flytweed.com and www.aa.com. We are thrilled that American is able to add another route at Tweed-New Haven on the existing runway, said airport authority Executive Director Tim Larson. This represents an improved passenger experience for our customers and is a demonstration of Americans continued commitment to our growing market, Larson said. About 20 percent to 25 percent of the 1.4 million travelers within Tweeds catchment area fly to Florida or the Caribbean and Charlotte provides, through the American network, those destinations, Larson said. So were very confident of this service being successful, he said. Mayor Toni N. Harp said the new flights will strengthen Tweeds role as an economic driver for the region. American Airlines expanded commitment to Tweed-New Haven Airport is most-welcome news, and recognizes what has often been said about providing southern Connecticut travelers this local air travel option, Harp said in the release. This new service, offering more people greater access to flights throughout the world, makes Tweed a stronger asset and a more convenient option for New Haven and the region, Harp said. We are confident that the addition of this flight, with hopes for others to come, will solidify New Havens place as the transportation hub Connecticut needs to bring jobs to area residents, she said. Were excited to start the service, said American spokeswoman Nichelle Tait. Were just really excited and happy to give you additional options. Were really excited because this is going complement the Philadelphia service, Tait said. Initially, the weekly flight from New Haven will depart at 9:50 a.m. and arrive in Charlotte at 11:58 a.m., Tait said. The flight from Charlotte will depart at 7:30 a.m. and arrive in New Haven at 9:20 a.m. The service will begin as one flight per week on a trial basis to see how the market responds ... and then well see what happens, she said. Any additional flights also would be subject to aircraft availability, Tait said. The runway extension the airport currently is seeking, via a controversial bid to pave reinforced turf runway safety areas at either end of the main runway and use part of the added pavement for takeoffs, would ensure continued operational reliability for American while also opening up Tweed to longer distance flights for the future, the release said. But that didnt come into play for the Charlotte service and we dont need to pave the RSAs for this flight, said Larson. Ginny Kozlowski, CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven/REX Development, said, The new service clearly demonstrates Americans confidence in the Greater New Haven market, but there is still more work to be done to strengthen Tweed and make it the economic engine that our region so desperately needs. Tweeds growth is critical to helping businesses stay in Connecticut and to help attract new businesses from outside of Connecticut, Kozlowski said. Tweeds only regularly scheduled commercial air service since 2001, with the exception of Delta Connection service to Cincinnati for 20 months from 2004 to early 2006, has been US Airways Express and later American Eagle service to and from Philadelphia. Travelers can connect there to hundreds of other destinations. Tweed is located 15 minutes from downtown New Haven. It straddles the New Haven-East Haven line and is located in both municipalities, bordering both residential and commercial neighborhoods. For more information visit www.flytweed.com. mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com ALBANY Health insurance premiums will increase about 8.6 percent next year for New Yorkers who purchase their coverage through the individual market, but the state agency that approved that increase wants consumers to know it could have been much worse. Insurance companies had requested an average individual rate hike of 24 percent next year, about half of which they attributed to the impending federal repeal of the individual mandate, an unpopular provision of Obamacare that required consumers to purchase insurance or pay a penalty. But Gov. Andrew Cuomo came out hard last week against insurers, accusing them of exploiting uncertainty around the future of the Affordable Care Act in order to justify such large premium hikes. Those hikes would price consumers out of the market and cause it to become even more unstable an outcome, he claimed, that Republicans currently in charge were hoping to manufacture. In response, the governor directed the state Department of Financial Services, which approves annual insurance rates, to reject any increase attributed to the repeal. And on Friday it did just that, slashing rate requests on the individual market by 64 percent and on the small group market by 50 percent, saving consumers $314 million and small businesses $279 million, it estimated. "DFS will not allow the federal government's wrongful repeal of the individual mandate penalty to become a self-fulfilling prophecy to make health insurance unaffordable in New York," said Financial Services Superintendent Maria Vullo. The repeal doesn't go into effect until 2019. "(The department) has carefully examined the rates requested by health insurers and scrutinized every factor from an actuarial and market standpoint to ensure that the Trump administration's many efforts to sabotage affordable and comprehensive healthcare coverage do not allow insurers to unfairly profit at the expense of consumers," Vullo continued. There are roughly 330,000 New Yorkers enrolled in individual commercial health plans, and more than 1 million enrolled in small group plans, which are offered by employers with 100 employees or less. In the Capital Region, the average premium could shrink as much as 3.2 percent or climb as much as 13.7 percent, according to 2019 rates approved for the area's most popular plans. Fidelis Care, the region's largest insurer of low-income children and adults, had requested permission to raise premiums 38.6 percent next year. It got approval for a 13.7 percent hike instead. The insurer did not respond to requests for comment Monday. MVP Health Care asked to raise individual premiums 6.5 percent next year but only received permission to raise them 1.9 percent. The Schenectady-based insurer also provides coverage on the small group market, and asked to raise premiums there by 7 percent; they were capped at 6.6 percent. "It will take us some time to determine the impact of the lower increases that were just approved by New York state," said MVP President Chris Del Vecchio on Monday. "The disparity among requested increases and approved rates reflects that everyone in health care is struggling to make sense of an environment of rising costs and great uncertainty." Medical costs are the primary driver of premium rates. State regulators expect prescription drugs to account for the largest share of these underlying costs in 2019, followed by inpatient hospital stays, visits to specialists, tests, lab work and X-rays, and ambulatory surgery. Premiums will be a little cheaper next year for some area residents. Anyone who bought individual insurance through CDPHP, for example, will see an average reduction of 1.9 percent next year. The Albany-based insurer had originally sought a 5.1 percent increase when it filed its rate request in June. "The department's decision to reduce our rates is in response to recent risk adjustment data that became apparent subsequent to our rate filing," said Bob Hinckley, chief strategy officer at CDPHP, adding that time will tell how the lower rates affect its market. CDPHP's small group rates were slashed as well. It wanted to raise premiums there 6.7 percent, but the state capped those rates at 2018 levels. Approved insurance premiums Local premium changes in 2019 (percent change on individual and small group markets, respectively): Fidelis Care: +13.7, N/A CDPHP: -1.9%, 0% MVP Health Care: +1.9%, +6.6% BlueShield of Northeastern New York: -3.2%, +0.3% See More Collapse BlueShield of Northeastern New York is perhaps the only area insurer that got what it wanted: Its parent company, Healthnow New York, asked permission to lower individual premiums by 3.2 percent next year, and the state agreed. It also sought to lower its small group premiums by about 0.1 percent, but the state is granting a 0.3 percent increase to account for final 2017 risk adjustment data, according to the insurer. My husband and I are Airbnb renters, spending about a week each summer in a different house in a different town along the East Coast. We enjoy becoming part of the local community for our allotted time experiencing life as residents, albeit temporary ones. Inevitably, I fall in love with each place we visit, suggesting to my husband that perhaps we should retire here one day. This year, we visited Branford, and I think I have found my geographical soulmate. We enjoyed our first days ferrying around the Thimble Islands, visiting Outer Island, taking in a concert on the Green, and, of course, touring the Stony Creek Brewery, where even I, not a fan of beer, found a brew to my liking. We spent one rainy afternoon indoors at the architecturally stunning library. It was early evening of our fifth day that Cupids arrow found its mark, and I realized that this town was the one. We were at Stony Creek Beach. In the waning hours of the day, the sun was leisurely stretching its colors across the sky pushing aside the tranquil blue, tinting it with pink in the east while more urgent reds and yellows around the sun were blending into subdued oranges in the west. The streaks were softening to wide ribbons of color as the sun touched the horizon and gave way to the arrival of night. The sky was transformed to deep blues and purples ready to shine with starlight. In contrast to the serenity in the sky, the activity on the ground was hurried, everyone rushing to take advantage of those last few minutes of the daytime. Children splashed in the water, then challenged each other to cartwheels on the sand. One little girl stopped to pet my dog before answering her mothers call that it was time to go. A mechanic worked on a boats disabled motor, determined to solve the mystery before calling it a day. Other boaters glanced at him as they scurried along the docks, their arms laden with provisions, no doubt grateful that their own vessels were seaworthy. Those whose travel plans did not include sailing settled themselves on lawn chairs with pizza and wine to spend the twilight catching up on the events of their day and toasting the scene in front of them. The rhythms of the sky, land and water fit together so harmoniously. It was then that I realized I was completely smitten with Branford. This is where I want to retire, I said to my husband. He gave me a nod and checked his camera settings hes heard that before. But this time, its the real thing. Thank you. Lisa Castillo is a New York resident. The Republican primary battle for state comptroller is a classic outsider-insider fight between a local politician, armed with his partys endorsement, and an upstart real estate mogul pouring his personal wealth into the race. Kurt Miller, the four-term first selectman of Seymour, will be on row A of the ballot in the Aug. 14 Republican primary. Miller won an overwhelming 77 percent of delegates support at the state Republican Convention in May. He pitches himself as the candidate who can turn around the states finances as he says he did in his hometown of Seymour, where he improved the towns credit rating and kept the mill rate at small but steady increases. Add his private sector experience in financial services, Miller, 48 said he is ready to be the states chief fiscal guardian. And hes running a low-budget campaign for comptroller. According to latest campaign finance reports, Miller raised only about $45,000 from February to July, not enough to qualify him for a primary grant from the states Citizens Elections Program. Miller assured that he was on track to qualify for a general election grant, though if he wins the primary. Self-financing His challenger, Mark Greenberg, does not struggle with the same lack of funds. Greenberg, 64, is willing to pour as much as $1.5 million of his personal wealth into the campaign, he said. Thats what Greenberg did when he ran for Congress in Connecticuts 5th District in 2010, 2012 and 2014. He lost all three times. If Im a career politician, I guess that makes him a career loser, said Miller. Weve had four elections, Ive won all of them. Greenberg dismissed that comment, pointing to his record winning 46 percent of the vote against Democratic incumbent Elizabeth Esty in 2014. A Litchfield resident, Greenberg owns about 2 million square feet of commercial real estate in Connecticut, he said, as well as numerous condominiums in New York City. In the early 1980s, he sold his first company, Adirondack Mobile Telephone and Adirondack Radio Telephone, a cellphone and pager service provider in upstate New York. Hes never held elected office. The primary winner will face off against the incumbent comptroller, Democrat Kevin Lembo, in the general election. The state comptroller does not set budgets, but provides accounting and financial services to the state, administers employee and retiree benefits and prepares state financial reports. Greenberg envisions the office differently. Im going to audit the finances of the state of Connecticut top to bottom. Im going to reduce the spending from $20 billion to $18 billion in his first year, he said. Its going to be an expanded role where my business background, which we havent had in the comptrollers office for a very long time, will be a tremendous asset, he added. Both Greenberg and Miller said they bring accountability for the states financial woes to the office. They agreed that the state should not prop up Connecticuts struggling cities, if suburbs foot the bill. They expressed frustration with the expense of union contracts to the state and unions political power. Labor issues Miller is currently engaged in his own union struggle in Seymour, where the AFSCME Council #4 municipal union filed grievances against the town in opposition to a change in insurance coverage and filed charges with the state labor board over an alleged breach of contract. Miller said the switch will save the town $1 million and coverage is comparable, but union members have disagreed. We feel 100 percent certain that we have lived up to the language in the contract without question, Miller said. AFSCME is a big endorser of Comptroller Lembo, so if you look at some of the attacks that are being put out on me on social media by some of the town employees that are very union active and if you look at the comments and the likes, its all AFSCME people. Larry Dorman, spokesman for AFSCME Council 4, said the union has not endorsed in the comptrollers race. I think the first selectman is perhaps indulging in some political paranoia, Dorman said. We are trying to resolve what we feel are breaches of contractual languages and municipal labor law thats the beginning of the story and thats the end of the story. Miller and Greenberg each painted Democratic incumbent Lembo as a rubber stamp for the policies of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy Greenberg does so in one of his two statewide television commercials. Lembo recently voted against Malloys $10 million tolls study, has challenged Malloys budget outlooks in his reports and presented his own economic development and pension proposals. Kevin looks forward to talking about his record with whichever candidate wins the primary, said Patty McQueen, Lembos campaign spokesperson. They're empty, they're often in disrepair and they're a drag on your wallet. Vacant properties can be detrimental to economic growth in an area, adding blight, deterring investment and dragging down the overall feel of a neighborhood. Not to mention, they can be a real thorn in the side of your home value. Those were the findings of a recent report by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. The report studied 15 cities, including Trenton, and identified the economic and social problems that come with extensive housing vacancy. Search the number of vacant properties in your town with our tool below The report focused on two indicators: Hyper-vacancy, where vacant properties are "so extensive and so concentrated that they define the character of the surrounding area," and "other vacancies," a Census term referring to vacant properties that are not for sale or rent. "Houses sell, if they sell at all, only to investors at rock bottom prices while the neighborhoods become areas of concentrated poverty, unemployment and health problems," said Alan Mallach, the author of the report. Currently, New Jersey has a total of 391,428 vacant housing units, according to Census data, with the highest concentration in Newark. In the report, Mallach noted that abandoned properties have a devastating effect on the fiscal health of the town. They pay little in taxes and generate little revenue. By devaluing neighboring properties, they reduce property tax collections. Additionally, the government bears substantial costs to deal with these properties. Mallach calls them "a massive drain on public resources, hitting hardest those cities already struggling to meet payrolls and invest in their future." Using the tool below, click or tap to sort the towns by those with the most vacant properties, or use the search field to find your town. Editor's note: The lookup tool below has been updated with vacancy totals as calculated by the U.S. Census for the category "other vacant". A previous version included an overall vacancy total, which included seasonal, part-time and recreational properties that incorrectly represented Shore towns. For a complete explanation of the vacancy classification, read the documentation here. Disha Raychaudhuri may be reached at draychaudhuri@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter. Newark, on Monday, began training 144 recruits to become new police officers. Members of the New Jersey State Police will train recruits in the state's academy in Sea Girt. The class will graduate in December. "This group of police recruits will receive advanced training in protecting residents and will become an integral part of the communities they serve," said Mayor Ras Baraka. "They will grow to understand that their job is to treat residents the way they would treat members of their own families." The officers will also serve as role models, Baraka said. "Wherever you go, justice and good and lightness should follow you," he said. And, he said, that won't be easy because "people will talk to you and harass you and they will even jump on your car." Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said these recruits will help restore the department's ranks after 167 officers were laid off in late November 2010 due to financial reasons. He said the new hires will make the city safer. "I am delighted that we are steadily replenishing our numbers following the layoffs and attrition that occurred in the police department since 2010," Ambrose said. The class is made-up of 109 men and 35 women, of which 46 are African-American, 63 are Hispanic or Latino and 35 are white. The department currently has 1,082 officers. If the entire class graduates, it would bring the department's ranks up to 1,226, Newark police officials said. - Patti Sapone contributed to this report. Robin Wilson-Glover may be reached at rglover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @RobinGlover. Find NJ.com on Facebook. JERSEY CITY -- Officials from local and county law enforcement agencies gathered at Liberty State Park to dedicate a new fatal collision investigation unit vehicle to three local police officers who were killed in motor vehicle crashes. The new truck, unveiled at the ceremony on Monday, will be operated by the Hudson County Regional Fatal Collision Investigation Unit, which was rolled out in January. The vehicle was dedicated to three police officers who lost their lives in tragic accidents: Lt. Christopher Robateau from the Jersey City Police Department, and Lt. Mark Zeitounian and Police Officer John Kamel, both from the Union City Police Department. "We welcome the families of these officers here with us today, and to share the honor with them in the dedication of this new vehicle," said Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez. Several family members of the fallen officers spoke at the ceremony and thanked local officials for honoring the memory of their lost loved ones. Rose Robateau, the wife of Lt. Christopher Robateau, said that she was "overjoyed that you are honoring my husband and his legacy by dedicating this vehicle in his name." Robateu was was struck by a vehicle on the New Jersey Turnpike after being involved in a crash with truck on Jan. 5. "What can a mother in my position say?" said Helen Kamel, mother to Union City Police Officer John Kamel, 26, who died after a motorcycle crash. "Nothing can be worse than losing your only child ... he had big dreams." The family of Zeitounian also attended the ceremony. Zeitounian was killed in May 2017 in a collision involving multiple vehicles on Route 3 while he was driving to work. The new vehicle will be used by the fatal collision unit in their investigations. The Regional Fatal Collision Unit is comprised of 24 municipal police officers, Hudson County sheriff's officers and HCPO detectives, Suarez said. The vehicle will be come equipped with technology such as an aerial drone, laser scanning and measuring equipment and specialty lights for he scene, officials said. "This helps create a resource to the smaller municipalities that maybe weren't able to provide as complex of a service," said Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Capt. Patrick C. DeCarlo, the head of the unit. "Now you have a standardized service that everyone gets." The HCPO, during its press conference announcing the new unit in January, cited an increase in deadly collisions last year: 26 people died on Hudson County roads in 2017. Of those deaths, 18 of the victims were either pedestrians or cyclists, tied for the highest number of pedestrian deaths in the state. Suarez at the ceremony said there have been 12 fatalities this year as a result of 10 fatal collisions. Meanwhile, there have been 36 investigations by the unit, 16 of which "contained elements of criminality," Suarez said. "This unit was first introduced back in January (and) I had said that Hudson County families deserve a unit that is dedicated to the investigation of fatal motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian hits and collisions involving serious injury," Suarez said. "That unit should have the latest equipment, the best trained investigators and the best prosecutor that we can provide to ensure that justice is served when a loved one is lost." Corey W. McDonald may be reached at cmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @coreymacc. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. New Jersey Transit has canceled more trains Monday morning, continuing its recent run of scrapping some service at the last minute. As of 7:55 a.m. the following trains were canceled: Northeast Corridor 6:25 a.m. from Jersey Avenue 7:23 a.m. from Trenton North Jersey Coast 5:47 a.m. from New York Penn Station 5:53 a.m. from South Amboy (equipment issues) 7:04 a.m. from South Amboy 7:46 a.m. from New York Penn Station 9:15 a.m. from South Amboy Morris & Essex 6:44 a.m. from Dover 7:33 a.m. from Dover 7:41 a.m. from Hopatcong Main/Bergen Port Jervis 5:29 a.m. from Suffern due to mechanical problems 5:52 a.m. from Port Jervis 9:26 a.m. from Port Jervis Montclair-Boonton 6:45 a.m. from Montclair State University (mechanical problems) Raritan Valley 5:42 a.m. from Raritan 7:17 a.m. from Raritan 9:06 a.m. from Newark Penn Station The cancellations become exacerbated when passengers who planned to take canceled trains are unable to pile onto already crowded trains that follow, as many pointed out on social media. Hey @NJTRANSIT is there any logic to you screwing over folks heading to the city folks on Monday morning ? #justwondering #njtransitsucks pic.twitter.com/jQUlWjGVBG Abhi (@sirabhinav) August 6, 2018 Nice to see so many of your engineers decided to take today off because their contract allows them to just not show up for an unapproved vacation day. ewrpex87 (@Njbeacbum45) August 6, 2018 NJ Transit didn't immediately return a message from NJ Advance Media asking about Monday's cancellations. On Friday, 16 morning trains were canceled, many because the Beyonce/Jay-Z concert was delayed by rain Thursday night and leaving NJ Transit with a manpower shortage. Then in the afternoon, a storm knocked a tree into the overhead wires in Summit and suspended service on the Morris & Essex line. It resumed later with heavy delays. The agency has also said some trains have had to be canceled as it installs a federally mandated safety system ahead of a Dec 31 deadline. Last week, NJ Transit announced it plans to shut down the Atlantic City Line for four months and end Raritan Valley Line direct service to and from New York. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Arranged marriages. Pushing marriage to divorce. Tax fraud. Forced abortions. And lying to immigration officials. These are just some of the accusations against what former parishioners have called a "doomsday cult" based in North Jersey, but the details of which have been kept quiet by the church's confidentiality agreements, according to a lawsuit. The former member of the World Mission Society Church of God, Raymond Gonzalez, filed the suit late last year in Bergen County Superior Court seeking to get out of the agreement so he could be deposed in other lawsuits against the church. The church, led by pastor Dong II Lee, has denied all the allegations in court filings but could not be reached for comment. Gary D. Nissenbaum -- who is on the board of trustees for the New Jersey chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, a national group that has been a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump's use of non-disclosure agreements -- is representing the church. Calls to Nissenbaum were not returned. The ACLU also did not return calls for comment. Gonzalez's attorney Peter Skolnik said the scope of the agreement was unheard of and so broad that Gonzalez couldn't even hire an attorney at first because the church argued he would break the agreement in telling his lawyer about the case. "The agreement they are trying to enforce prohibits him from telling anyone, forever, about anything he learned, heard or was told from the time he became a member to the time he left," said Skolnik. The Ridgewood-based church, a non-profit connected to an international church that lists more than 2.5 million members in 2,500 churches across 175 countries, is based in Ridgewood and has locations in Belleville, New Brunswick and Bogota. The organization has made headlines nationwide over the last few years as its former members have spoken out claiming the church frightens people into joining and convinces them to donate large amounts of money. One of those former members, Michele Colon, won a defamation suit brought by the church after she spoke out and is currently suing over an alleged hacking scam to find out information about people criticizing the church online. Colon told NJ Advance Media she believes Raymond, who was in the church for decades and rose to the level to deacon, has first-hand knowledge of wrongdoing. If released from the agreement, Gonzalez would be able to play a part in another lawsuit, filed in federal court by Michelle Ramirez and first reported by NorthJersey.com, that alleges "brainwashing" and "physiological harm" as a church member. Gonzalez is hoping to be deposed in all of those suits, according to Skolnik. After the allegations were made public, the non-disclosure agreements became more common, according to Gonzalez's lawsuit. Lee told member if they did not sign they would be kicked out of the church, "punished by God and sent to a fiery Hell," the suit says. According to the agreement, anyone who signed the agreement was required to return all "confidential" materials to the church, including at teachings, texts and notes or recordings from sessions and events. The agreement, which was attached to the Gonzalez's lawsuit, is also marked with a number "65" in the top right-hand corner, an indication, according to Colon, that at least 64 others were required to sign similar deals in 2012. "Churches don't make members sign agreements like this," Colon said. The church has denied any allegations of being a doomsday cult, calling that designation religious intolerance in court filings. Craig McCarthy may be reached at 732-372-2078 or at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips President Donald Trump appeared this weekend to change his story on the controversial 2016 meeting at Trump Tower that is pivotal to the special counsel's investigation in Russian election meddling. Trump tweeted that his son, met with a Kremlin-connected lawyer to collect information on his opponent, Hillary Clinton. "Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower," Trump wrote. "This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!" That is a far different explanation than Trump gave more than a year ago, when a statement dictated by the president but released under the name of Donald Trump Jr.,. read: "We primarily discussed a program about the adoption of Russian children that was active and popular with American families years ago." Sunday's tweet was Trump's clearest statement yet on the purpose of the meeting, which has become a focal point of Robert Mueller's investigation. And as Trump and his allies have tried to discredit the probe, a new talking point has emerged: that even if that meeting was held to collect damaging information, none was provided and "collusion" never occurred. "The question is what law, statute or rule or regulation has been violated, and nobody has pointed to one," said Jay Sekulow, one of Trump's attorneys, on ABC's "This Week." Do you think his tweet was an admission of conspiring with Russia? 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. There are also many first-time candidates like Ms. Davids in Kansas; Christine Hallquist, a transgender woman running in the Aug. 14 Democratic primary to be governor of Vermont; and Rick Neal, a former humanitarian aid worker in Afghanistan and Liberia and current stay-at-home dad in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Neal won the Democratic primary in the 15th District of Ohio and will compete in November against Representative Steve Stivers, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. Mr. Neal said some voters were naturally curious about how he would appeal to people who may not be comfortable with his sexuality. I just talk about what I want to work on and what I want to do for people, he said, citing issues like campaign finance reform and improving access to health care. Mr. Neal said his campaign had gone smoothly, except for the day someone put a sticker for a white supremacist group on a lawn sign in front of his home. He has two African-American daughters, ages six and nine, and called the incident pretty unsettling. I guess at the end of the day a gay guy with an interracial family running for Congress is a little bit like waving a red flag in front of a bull for some folks, he said. I felt like they were trying to intimidate us and thats just not going to work. The rising number of L.G.B.T. candidates comes at a time when the Trump administration has moved to roll back protections for gay and transgender people. Its actions have included an attempt to ban transgender people from serving in the military and a Justice Department decision to argue that the 1964 Civil Rights Act does not protect gay workers. A shift to the right is also looming on the Supreme Court with the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh , a conservative jurist, to replace the retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy, who wrote many of the landmark gay rights cases decided by the court in recent years. There are roughly 500 openly L.G.B.T. elected officials in the country, including one governor and seven members of Congress, the Victory Institute said in a recent report . That is 0.1 percent of elected officials. If youre not at the table, youre on the menu, said Jessica Gonzalez, who is running unopposed for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives to represent the 104th District, in Dallas County. She said L.G.B.T. lawmakers could definitely make a big difference. Ms. Davids, of Kansas, agreed. Having L.G.B.T. people sitting in the room while decisions are being made, and sitting there as peers, will shift the conversation, she said. I think its important that the lived experiences and the point of view of L.G.B.T. folks be included in conversations that affect all of us. Image Christine Hallquist, a transgender woman, is running in the Democratic primary to be governor of Vermont. Credit Wilson Ring/Associated Press Despite the growing number of candidates, Andrew Reynolds, a professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who tracks those numbers, said he was not convinced there will be a dramatic increase in the number of statehouse members. Its not like a massive rainbow wave that will dominate news stories, he said. There are 13 states largely in the Midwest and the South where no gay or transgender people serving in the legislature. The experience of candidates there point to the challenges that remain. Michael Aycox, 30, who ran in a Democratic primary this spring in a Mississippi district that President Trump won by 24 points, was the first openly gay congressional candidate in the states history. He lost by almost 40 points. Mr. Aycox, a police officer whose campaign proposed greater federal support of veterans, said he faced opposition from other Democrats who told him it was too early for Mississippi to elect a gay congressman. I had 17 death threats, Mr. Aycox said. My community respects me, but theyre going to stand with their religious beliefs every day. Religious beliefs are the governing framework for this state. Image Michael Aycox ran in a Democratic primary this spring in a Mississippi district that President Trump won by 24 points. He lost by 40 points. Credit Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star, via Associated Press While most of the candidates are Democrats, Peter Boykin, 40, the founder of Gays for Trump, is running for North Carolinas Legislature as a Republican focused on issues like education. He said the party had totally embraced him. The L.G.B.T.Q. community have been brainwashed that the Democratic Party is for their best interests, and its not the case, Mr. Boykin said, pointing out that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton initially opposed gay marriage. Mr. Boykin acknowledged that the Republican Party has some issues with respect to gay rights, but he said working with these so-called homophobic senators is more effective than taking a combative stance. That is why some, like Ms. Davids, said they were running for office in the first place: to get different kinds of people engaged with the political process. We are going to elect more women this year, were going to elect more people who are L.G.B.T., were going to elect more people who are people of color, said Ms. Davids, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, a Native American tribe in Wisconsin. This midterm election cycle is our opportunity to demonstrate who we are as a country. Liam Stack reported from Kansas City, Kan., and Catie Edmondson from Washington. By Thomas J. Healey Now that the dust has settled from the state budget, it is time to look at next year. In the letter accompanying his proposed fiscal 2019 budget, Gov. Phil Murphy assured the public "we are beginning our climb out of a deep hole." There is no question New Jersey's finances have been perennially bleak, weighed down by oppressive public employee benefits costs and no less than 11 downgrades on its general obligation bonds from 2010 through 2017. But an examination of the budgetary numbers for the following year seem more indicative of business as usual in Trenton than the fiscal reawakening trumpeted by the new governor. They show, based on current and projected revenue and expenditure data, that the state is already staring at a potential deficit of at least $600 million in 2020 -- with the prospect of even higher taxes and spending cuts needed to close a widening gap. For 2020, the real cause for concern is the anticipated growth in state expenditures from a bevy of programs and commitments by Murphy. They include: An increase of $615 million over the 2019 contribution of $3.2 billion to the state's woefully underfunded public employee pension funds (P.S. This only gets the state to 70 percent of what the actuaries say is needed). The reduction of the investment rate of return (the so-called discount rate) to the state's five retirement systems, which will serve to increase pension obligations to the tune of $52 million. Natural increase in the state's nonpension expenses, which will require an additional $400 million even if Murphy is as effective as Gov. Chris Christie in controlling the cost of state government. Proposed funding for the School Funding Reform Act (SFRA), free community college and pre-kindergarten education, and expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit will consume $417 million. Recently ratified salary increases for employees belonging to the Communications Workers of America union will require an outlay of $85 million by the state, including associated pension costs. To this needs to be added at least $34 million for the salary increases agreed to for AFSCME. When you do the math and weigh these added expenditures against anticipated state revenues for fiscal 2020, the magnitude of the deficit facing citizens of New Jersey becomes most apparent -- and unsettling. Over the past four years, revenue growth has been around 2.5 percent a year. If that continues -- a big "if," as previously mentioned, given the government's traditional rosy forecasting -- total state revenues will be $38.4 billion. On the other side of the ledger, total state expenditures for fiscal 2020 are estimated to be $39 billion, an aggregation of 2019 expenditures of $37.4 billion plus the new commitments and programs, cited above. What these numbers mean is that New Jersey is already in the hole by more than $600 million in next fiscal year's budget -- without a penny of additional discretionary spending! How will this deficit be made to disappear in a state where the Constitution requires a balanced budget? More taxes are not the solution. New Jersey already has the fourth highest marginal tax rate on individuals and the second highest corporate tax rate in the country. Bereft of this major revenue source, the state will be forced to cut back spending for a slew of programs -- including such important ones as public school education, safety and health care -- in order to produce a balanced budget. As the state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, has said, "We have to change the way we spend." It's easy to see why fiscal experts call this dire-straits funding scenario "crowding out." If and when it occurs, taxpayers will likely have their own select words. And for good reason. Once again, the state's leaders will have put fiscal responsibility on a back burner, just like they've done for years with public pension and health benefit funding. Instead of pulling New Jersey out of a deep hole, as our new governor has vowed, they'll be digging an even deeper one for 2020 on the back of funding promises they're utterly powerless to keep. Thomas J. Healey is a partner at Morristown-based Healey Development. He served as co-chair of the Pension and Health Benefits Commission formed by Gov. Chris Christie. President Ronald Reagan appointed him as the assistant secretary of the U.S. Treasury for Domestic Finances. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. By Ryan P. Haygood Fifty-three years ago today, on Aug. 6, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the landmark Voting Rights Act, the crown jewel of the civil rights movement. But just nine months earlier, as Congressman John Lewis explains in Walking with the Wind, President Johnson told Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that passage of such a bill would be impossible. As the president explained, he had recently signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the country, he said, was experiencing civil rights fatigue. President Johnson was not sure when a federal voting rights bill would get traction. Perhaps in late 1965 or 1966. But, as the president made clear, he would certainly not be signing another civil rights bill that year. King told Johnson that the movement could not wait, and he focused on Selma, Alabama to make him do it. Alabama's relentless efforts to block the black vote over time rendered black voter registration exceedingly rare. In 1965 -- of the over 15,000 voting-age black people in Dallas County, which encompasses Selma -- a mere 335 were registered. In neighboring Lowndes County, Alabama, which was eighty percent black, not a single black person was registered to vote. But that would change. On what would become known as "Bloody Sunday," March 7, 1965, 600 protestors -- of every race, color, and creed -- peacefully set out to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge from Selma to Montgomery to dramatize to the nation their desire to participate in the political process. As they crossed the bridge, the marchers stopped to kneel and pray. But before they could get to their knees, Alabama state troopers attacked with tear gas and clubs, spitting on and trampling the marchers with their horses. That night, the vicious attacks captured the attention of the country as they were broadcast on national television. In direct response to Bloody Sunday, Johnson addressed a special session of Congress, and signed the very legislation that he said would be impossible to pass nine months earlier. They made him do it. The Voting Rights Act (VRA) was a watershed moment for America's democracy. Within one generation of its passage, the VRA led to the election of 10,000 black people to political office, including the first black president. And President Barack Obama's election led directly to the appointment of both the first black attorney general and the first black female attorney general. But democracy in this country has always been contested, including right now, characterized by periods of expansion followed by fierce efforts to constrict access to the franchise. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down preclearance -- the heart of the VRA -- the very piece of legislation that made it possible to elect a black person to the highest office in our country. States swiftly launched an historic and intense assault on democracy that paved the way for the Nov. 8, 2016 election, and white supremacy in the White House. On the other side of a period of democracy expansion that led to the election of our first black president, it follows that the pendulum would swing back seeking to undermine all progress that has been made. The moment is certainly no more difficult than when King set his sights on Selma and built a movement, from the ground up, that made President Johnson sign the VRA. And so this is our Selma moment. In this difficult national moment, change will occur, as it did in Selma, from the ground up in our communities, despite the racist, xenophobic, and dangerous policies being promoted by national leaders, including President Donald Trump. If there is a lesson for progressive people to learn from the past 53 years and today, it is that people who care about social justice cannot afford to be timid. It is clear that realization of our true equality and democracy will come from people organizing at the local level to force those in power to act. For there would be no VRA without the sustained, generations-long on-the-ground organizing; advocacy; resistance; meetings in hush harbors, places of worship, and on college campuses; the risk to body, comfort, and spirit, even sacrificing life; and the Bloody Sunday that preceded it. We would not have made the progress we have made in the last 53 years without courageous people putting themselves in harm's way to force this country closer to its high ideals and away from its low practices. And so it is with us in our Selma moment. We will not realize a more progressive federal, state, or local government without first organizing ourselves locally across the country around the most pressing racial and social justice issues of our time. In New Jersey, we launched "We Are 1844 No More: Let Us Vote," a grassroots campaign to expand the franchise at a time when the federal government is working to undermine the fundamental right to vote. As we note in our report, New Jersey first denied the right to vote to people with criminal convictions in 1844, the same year it adopted a constitution that restricted voting to white men. As part of this campaign, we engaged more than 100 organizations and residents across New Jersey, leading social justice and human rights advocates, and courageous legislators to introducelegislation to restore the precious right to vote to nearly 100,000 people who are in prison, on probation, or on parole. Because New Jersey's criminal justice system has the highest black/white adult (12:1) and youth (30:1) incarceration disparity rates in the country, the state's law imports racial inequality into the political process, accomplishing what now-prohibited poll taxes, grandfather clauses, and literacy tests explicitly sought to do. As a result, half of those denied access to the fundamental right to vote are black, even though black people make up just 15 percent of New Jersey's overall population, and research shows that black and white people commit most offenses at similar rates. Our grassroots campaign seeks to erase this moral stain on our democracy by declaring that we are 1844 no more and ending New Jersey's practice of denying voting rights based on a criminal conviction. We are focused on this Selma moment to help build an inclusive democracy in New Jersey, from the ground up. But this activism is not unique to New Jersey. All across the country, people who care about social justice and our collective humanity are lifting their voices to demand what is perceived as the impossible, just as MLK did in his meeting with President Johnson more than fifty years ago. And, as did Martin Luther King, we know what must be done today in our Selma moment. Now we just have to make them do it. Ryan P. Haygood is the President and CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. A 17-year-old boy has been charged with vehicular homicide after causing a crash in a stolen car that left his 14-year-old passenger dead early Friday morning, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said Monday. Police responded to the Ashwood Court area of Warren Township for a suspicious persons report at 1 a.m. when an officer saw a vehicle driving toward Skyline Drive. When police attempted to pull over the car, it sped away, the prosecutor's office said. The car veered off the road on Martinsville Road in Bernards Township, overturned and rolled into a utility pole, ejecting Alexis Pabon of Newark. Pabon was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital shortly after the crash. The 17-year-old driver, who is also from Newark, ran away, but police found him a short distance from the scene, the prosecutor's office said. He was also rushed to the hospital for non life-threatening injuries. The 17-year-old faces charges of second-degree death by auto, eluding, and knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle death, as well as felony motor vehicle theft. The prosecutor's office on Monday did not identify the driver because of his age, office spokeswoman Detective Jeanne Trillhaase said. Anyone with information about the incident can contact the prosecutor's Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100, the Warren Township Police Department at 908-753-1000, or the Bernards Township Police Department at 908-766-1122. Gianluca D'Elia may be reached at gdelia@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @gianluca_delia. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Franklin Pond remains closed on Monday after heavy rains caused significant beach damage overnight Friday. The damage did not deter a 'nurse-in' on Saturday afternoon, attended by about 50, prompted by a highly-publicized incident on July 31 in which Franklin Borough police were called on a mom breastfeeding her 2 1/2-year-old daughter. Photos of the storm aftermath appear to show the beach split in half by flooding. Michelle Ayala of Franklin Borough, who organized the nurse-in, said those who attended gathered as planned on a grassy area overlooking the pond. "The park was fine," Ayala said Monday. Ayala had been breastfeeding her daughter, Daisy, when a borough employee -- responding to a complaint from someone else on the beach -- called police. The arriving officer, though, sided with Ayala, since New Jersey law allows breastfeeding in public. The beach at Franklin Pond is fairly new. Swimming at Franklin Pond had been prohibited until this summer, when the beach opened June 30. Family memberships were made available for $100. Franklin officials have not said when the beach might reopen or announced any refunds. In addition to the beach being closed, kayaking and other boating on Franklin Pond is temporarily off-limits. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A Roselle man died after he was struck by a vehicle late Sunday in Linden, authorities said. Eric Mathis, 56, was hit on the 400 block of Raritan Road about 11:45 p.m. by a minivan headed east, according to Lt. Christopher Guenther, spokesman for the Linden Police Department. Mathis was treated at the scene by the Linden Fire Department and taken to Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, where he was pronounced dead. The driver, a 72-year-old man from Clark, was not hurt. Guenther said the crash is under investigation and asked anyone with information to call the traffic bureau at 908-474-8505. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. BOSTON -- While Aaron Judge said he believes the recovery of his fractured right wrist is going according to plan, it wasn't all good Sunday. Judge said he still feels "pain and discomfort," isn't sure when he'll start swinging again, and wouldn't commit to the three-week timetable manager Aaron Boone had called "realistic" for his return to a struggling Yankees lineup. "Tough to say," he said about his comeback before the Yankees took on the Red Sox at Fenway Park. "I don't want to put a number on it yet. It's tough to say but as far as I know with the trainers, we're right on track." On July 26, Judge took a fastball off the wrist in the first inning of a game against the Royals at Yankee Stadium. He played until the fourth inning, even taking another at-bat, before Boone pulled him. At the time, Boone said he though Judge could be back in three weeks, which would put Judge's return at or around mid-to-late August. The way Judge sounded on Sunday, it could be longer. On Friday, Boone said he hoped Judge could start swinging as early as Sunday. That wasn't the case. Judge might try when he's with the team in Chicago starting Monday. He said he's started light throwing. "There's still some pain and discomfort," Judge said. "I know it's still fractured. It's not healed yet. So it's going to take a while for that to heal up. As of right now, some of the range of motion is coming back. Just getting the strength back is the thing." Judge said he'll likely wear a shield over the bone from now on. Boone said Judge's main problem is a "pain tolerance" thing. "It is a chip in there, it's a broken wrist," he said, "so you've got to get it right. I think the pain will kind of tell you that." Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook. A group of bystanders helped stop an attempted armed carjacking in the St. Roch area Sunday afternoon (Aug. 5), according to New Orleans police. Shortly after 3:30 p.m., a 49-year-old man realized his car had been stolen from the 2800 block of Florida Avenue, and went out on his bike to look for his vehicle, according to a preliminary police report. When the man found two men sitting in his car in the 2300 block of Feliciana Street, he reached into the driver's side window and removed the keys from the ignition, the report states. The passenger got out of the car, walked up to the man and put a gun to his head, demanding the keys back. According to NOPD, a group of bystanders intervened and ordered the carjackers to "leave the man alone." The two men fled the scene on foot, police said. About five hours earlier, police reported an attempted armed robbery in Mid-City. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Just after 9 a.m., a 23-year-old man told police a man driving a white SUV approached him in the 4000 block of Tulane Avenue, pulled out a gun and demanded money. The victim refused, according to a preliminary police report, and ran into a nearby Burger King to hide and the suspect fled the scene in his car. NOPD also reported a simple robbery early Monday at the edge of the St. Roch area. A 59-year-old man told police he was in a parking lot in the 1100 block of Franklin Avenue when a woman approached him, according to the preliminary police report. The man told NOPD the woman is an "acquaintance," and said she offered to sell him drugs, but he declined. The woman then pulled the man from his wheelchair, the report states, took his cash and ran away. The victim was brought to the hospital by EMS. Authorities are searching for a missing 32-year-old woman they believe was one of two people in a sailboat that was found uncrewed Sunday night (Aug. 5) in Lake Pontchartrain, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Update: Search continues Tuesday for missing woman A man who was also on the sailboat before it was found uncrewed was rescued from the lake shortly after 7 a.m. Monday, a little more than a mile-and-a-half north of New Orleans' Lakeshore Drive, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Brandon Giles. He said the rescued man, 43, was in "good condition." Giles said officials were still searching for the woman, identified as Sadie Thibodeaux, on Monday morning. The Coast Guard received a report about 5:50 p.m. that the 34-foot sailboat, named "Good Humor," was found uncrewed, with a dog and cellphones aboard, in view of the Lakefront Airport. A little over 13 hours passed from the time the boat was reported to be found uncrewed to when the Coast Guard said the man was rescued. Coast Guard crews, including a helicopter aircrew, searched throughout Sunday night, aided by officials from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office marine unit. About 9 a.m. Monday, authorities were seen pulling up in boat to what appeared to be an uncrewed sailboat without a mast. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Coast Guard's New Orleans office at 504-365-2200. More than 45,000 students will be returning to public schools in New Orleans this August. This year's fall semester comes as 34 schools return to the Orleans Parish School Board's oversight for the first time in over a decade. On Monday (Aug. 6), the rumbling of yellow buses could be heard across the city as many of the city's students returned to school. At KIPP Morial and KIPP East Community Primary, teachers and parents guided sleepy-eyed students through the hallway as they got back into a rhythm of learning. Oyster producers along the Mississippi Gulf Coast are wary of a proposed flood-control proposal on the Pearl River near Jackson, Miss., a coast newspaper reported. The Sun Herald reported that oyster producers were among those who attended a meeting in Hancock County last week in which proponents of the flood-control plan, known as One Lake, discussed the project. The approximately $350 million project would use a weir or low-head dam below Interstate 20 near Jackson to create a 1,500-acre lake. Supporters say it would reduce the threat of flooding in Jackson and the surrounding counties. But others fear the project will restrict the flow of water that makes its way into the lower Pearl River basin, which would harm river habitats, impact the salinity of the Mississippi Sound and threaten endangered animal species. In St. Tammany, the Parish Council and governing bodies in Pearl River and Slidell oppose the plan. 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 Representatives of the Rankin Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District ran the meeting in Hancock County. They'll meet with a Louisiana legislative committee on Aug. 16 before conducting another public meeting in Slidell later that night. "I listened to them explain but I still have a lot of concerns that it's going to affect the oyster and seafood industry and parts of the lower Pearl River," Pass Christian oyster processor Jennifer Jenkins told the newspaper after the Hancock County presentation. She and some others in the oyster industry worry the project could change the amount of freshwater making its way into the Mississippi Sound, which would harm oyster production by altering the balance of saltwater and freshwater. The St. Tammany Parish Council has placed on the Dec. 8 ballot a special election to renew a 1-mill tax to fund the operations of the parish animal shelter on Louisiana 36, east of Abita Springs. The election, the setting of which must be approved by the state Bond Commission, will ask voters to renew the tax for 10 years, starting in 2019, the council's resolution says. The property tax is expected to generate about $2 million annually. A 1-mill tax costs the owner of a $200,000 home (with a homestead exemption) $12.50 a year. The council's action Thursday (Aug. 2) follows the administration's discussions with the Northshore Humane Society about the possibility of that organization taking over some or part of the parish's animal control operations. Parish President Pat Brister has said the talks were among many the administration has had about outsourcing various parish services, as it seeks to make budget cuts to offset the loss of millions of dollars in sales tax revenue. Voters, for a third time this year, rejected sales tax renewals for the operations and maintenance of the parish jail and courthouse in Covington. Because those are state-mandated costs, the parish has cut its budget in other areas and is looking at other options to save money. Some have taken to social media to voice their opposition to any such takeover by the Humane Society, which is based near Covington and describes itself "one of the largest non-profit, no-kill animal rescues and community veterinary clinics in Louisiana." At Thursday night's council meeting, a small group of citizens attended to support the calling of the election and renewal of the millage for animal control. Desiree Stone of the Mandeville area told the council she favors keeping the animal shelter intact. She said she doesn't believe the Humane Society can handle the number of animals needing to be picked up and rescued. She called it a "selective admissions shelter," not a true no-kill facility. 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 "We cannot do without our animal shelter on Highway 36," Stone said. Councilman Michael Lorino Jr., referring to citizens' concerns in recent months about the animal shelter, said, "Sometimes things get discombobulated." He said the council members never considered not putting the millage renewal on the ballot. "We have to get out now and make sure we get the vote of the people for this." Brister addressed the issue as well. "I've heard that same message that we did not want it to pass or that we would fight against it, and nothing could be further from the truth." Regarding the discussions about outsourcing, Brister said she has learned over the past year the importance of having a "Plan B" in case voters say "no." "I urge everyone to get out and get all their friends, all their neighbors, everyone involved to get out there and vote for this now that it's on the ballot," Brister said. "That's how we can keep it open." In a May 7 message to supporters on its Facebook page, Humane Society Chief Executive Officer Scott Bernier said the organization was contacted by parish officials about the possibility of providing animal services in the event funding was no longer available. "We have not come to any formal agreements, we're merely in a due diligence state," Bernier wrote at the time. A 15-year-old boy was arrested Monday (Aug. 6) in connection with a threat made against Covington's Christ Episcopal School in May, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office reported. The teen was booked into the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center on a terrorizing charge and on another unrelated charge. On Sunday, May 13, an email was sent via a response to an event invitation to high school students and their parents. The email included language that could be perceived as a threat, the Sheriff's Office reported. Sheriff's Office detectives began working with federal investigators to determine the credibility of the threat and its source. The detectives also worked with school officials to implement safety measures at Christ Episcopal. The investigation led to the arrest of the Covington-area juvenile. Investigators also discovered the juvenile was illegally marketing counterfeit-trademarked items. In addition to terrorizing, he was booked with illegal use of counterfeit trademark. "We will not tolerate any threats towards our area schools," Sheriff Randy Smith said. "The safety of our students, faculty and staff members is of the utmost importance. Our detectives took this threat seriously and pursued all leads that ultimately led the arrest of this individual." The exercise is as old as the Republic, but the first thing you need to understand about redistricting is that hot-water cornbread is as ubiquitous in north Louisiana as etouffee is in the south, says Rick Gallot, the Ruston Democratic representat The family of a 32-year-old woman missing in Lake Pontchartrain was "very distraught" Monday (Aug. 6), as the U.S. Coast Guard and New Orleans police continued their search for Sadie Thibodeaux, according to a close friend. Update: Search continues Tuesday for missing woman Thibodeaux was reported missing Sunday evening, after authorities found an uncrewed sailboat adrift without a mast in Lake Pontchartrain, according to the Coast Guard. A dog was found onboard the boat, as well as two cellphones. Roughly 13 hours after the boaters were reported missing, the 43-year-old man who owns the boat was rescued from the lake, the Coast Guard said. The man was found shortly after 7 a.m., about a mile-and-a-half north of New Orleans' Lakeshore Drive, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Brandon Giles. He said the rescued man was in "good condition." Thibodeaux moved to New Orleans from Baton Rouge in May, said Claire Harvison, a friend and member of a fitness group Thibodeaux was closely involved in. Harvison called Thibodeaux a "great friend," who is loved by many. "We're all very worried," Harvison said. "There are a lot of people praying for her in Baton Rouge. She is important to so many people." According to Harvison, Thibodeaux's family lives in Baton Rouge. They traveled to New Orleans and are awaiting news from officials. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "They're totally distraught, but holding out hope for good news," Harvison said. "We all are." NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune is not naming the rescued man at this time. The man's mother lives in Florida and said she had not been notified by authorities that her son had been missing or that he had been found. The woman described her son as a "good swimmer," and said he is "always with his dog." "I'm amazed that she stayed in the boat and didn't jump in after him," the man's mother said about the dog. The New Orleans Fire Department and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are also assisting in the search. NOFD Captain Edwin Holmes said in a news release the search will continue "as long as daylight permits." If Thibodeaux is not located by nightfall, the search will continue Tuesday morning, according to Holmes. Reporters Maria Clark and Emily Lane contributed to this post. Correction: This post originally included a misspelling of Claire Harvison's name. The U.S. Department of Energy could award a new contract this month for the Savannah River Site liquid waste mission. A DOE Office of Environmental Management spreadsheet for "major procurements" lists the contract's anticipated evaluation and award timeframe as "June-August 2018." The procurement chart was last updated at the end of July. Environmental Management is the current SRS landlord. When asked for more information, a DOE spokesperson said the department "does not publicly comment on the specifics of ongoing procurements beyond general schedule timeframes, and does not have any further comment." The liquid waste mission at the Site involves processing millions of gallons of radioactive waste, sealing aging waste storage tanks and operating a massive waste glassification plant. The forthcoming announcement will mark the DOE's second recent attempt to issue a new liquid waste contract. In October 2017, the DOE awarded Savannah River EcoManagement a BWXT, Bechtel National and Honeywell International consortium the 10-year, $4.7 billion liquid waste contract. SREM's two bidding competitors, Savannah River Technology & Remediation and Fluor Westinghouse Liquid Waste Services, immediately protested. The U.S. Government Accountability Office, a government spending watchdog, upheld the SRTR protest, stating in a lengthy report that the DOE had unfairly evaluated the respective bids. SRTR is an AECOM-CH2M joint venture. Revised liquid waste proposals were submitted after the successful protest. The Environmental Management spreadsheet lists the receipt date as April 20. Savannah River Remediation led by AECOM, with partners CH2M, Bechtel National and BWXT is the current SRS liquid waste contractor. SRR has been in charge of the liquid waste mission since 2008. SRR secured a 10-month contract extension, worth approximately $450 million, at the end of May. That contract add-on, not the first of its kind for the liquid waste incumbent, accounts for the ongoing bidding and evaluation process, the DOE has said. At the time, the president of AECOMs Management Services group, John Vollmer, said he was pleased with the overall extension. "AECOM has a long history of supporting the DOE at the Savannah River Site and extensive experience in liquid waste disposition," Vollmer said in a prepared statement. "We are committed to safely managing the radioactive waste system at the site while reducing the state of South Carolinas critical environmental risk. Viewed 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. White residents of Wind Gap may not say Confederate aloud, but theyre happy to twist Civil War history to suit their barely veiled sympathies. (Nonwhite residents of Wind Gap are notably absent from this and, it seems, all other public gatherings.) The legend of Zeke and Millie Calhoun reframes the battles fought in Missouri as conflicts between Yankee rapists and good Southerners. It may be an oversimplification to say that the Civil War was fought solely over slavery, but a tall tale in which Confederate forces are on the right side of history, their wives the victims of monstrous Union soldiers, has noxious implications. If the town runs on magical thinking, then its racist, misogynist delusions can be traced to this original distortion. Calhoun Day provides a sharp, elegant diagnosis of everything that is and has always been wrong with Wind Gap, nested within an episode in which there is almost always more than one thing happening in any given frame. What does it all mean for Camille and her investigation, though? For one thing, the scarred body she bares for the first time in the dress shop feels like a symbol for the ugliness brought into the open at Calhoun Day. Then theres Amma, whose flight into the woods seems to have followed a moment of pure terror. Her reappearance in the shed, bloody and with a torn dress, remains unexplained. Most of all, Closer left me with the impression that no matter who actually murdered Ann Nash and Natalie Keene the town of Wind Gap as a whole has blood on its hands. Reporters Notebook: Maybe I was suffering from overstimulation during the Calhoun Day scenes, but the only hidden words I noticed this week were written on Camilles skin: whine, oven, aggression, girl, wrong, stop, proper, after, tough. Im pretty sure she has teeth scratched into her arm, which seems noteworthy in light of the killers extraction fetish. What I initially read as rip is probably R.I.P., since theres an M underneath it that must stand for Marian. Later, when Camille goes to Williss motel room, we see the episodes title scratched into her flesh. Subtler suggestions of sexual violence are everywhere on Calhoun Day. A married townie whom Camille knew when she was in school pressures her to take a walk alone with him. When she sees Kirk Lacey, Camille flashes back to what is presumably a day in the end zone: A teenage Kirk takes off his jacket as he approaches her. Is this the dark history to which Amma referred in last weeks episode (and if so, how does she know about his past)? Or does she have something else on him? And when Camille is in bed with Willis, although he acquiesces to doing things her way, he holds her wrists down. Your Preaker girl? Vickery says to Willis, referring to Camille. Good tree, bad apple. But her editor, Curry, calls her one of the few decent people left in the world. Setting aside the fact that good tree isnt necessarily an accurate assessment of the Crellins, whos right about her? A family visiting New York City from Oklahoma made a shocking discovery on Sunday the body of an infant floating in the East River in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge. Investigators were trying to identify the boy, who was about 8 months old, to find his parents and to determine how he came to be in the water in Lower Manhattan, the police said. Monte Campbell, 46, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, said he retrieved the infant from the edge of the water after his wife, Diana, spotted the baby floating face up near a pile of debris, wearing only a diaper. H. F. Lenfest, a cable television mogul turned philanthropist who donated hundreds of millions of dollars to arts, education and journalism institutions in Philadelphia, died there on Sunday. He was 88. Mr. Lenfest, who was known as Gerry, was taken from his home in Rittenhouse Square and pronounced dead at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, said Fred Stein, a family spokesman and friend. The cause was complications of chronic illness, Mr. Stein said. Mr. Lenfest joined the media group Triangle Publications in 1965 after working at a New York law firm. When the company sold its cable television assets, he purchased them with the help of two investors and expanded the assets into the 11th largest cable company in the country. He and his wife, Marguerite Lenfest, made $1.2 billion after selling the company, Suburban Cable, to Comcast in 2000. They donated an estimated $1.1 billion, The Associated Press reported. Donald Trump has a penchant for labeling particular people. It might strike some as just another insult for a petulant urchin of a man who insults everyone with whom he takes issue. But I believe that the nature of his insults to specific kinds of people says something more about the character and nature of the man, something of which he may or may not be aware. I believe that the fact that he so often attacks the intellectual capacity of women and minorities exposes a racial and gender bias, one that has a long history and a wide acceptance. On Friday, Trump tweeted: Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isnt easy to do. I like Mike! Lemon, a CNN anchor, was interviewing James about the school James was opening in Akron for at-risk students. During the interview, James accurately noted: Were in a position right now in America, more importantly, where the race thing has taken over because I believe our president is kinda trying to divide us. BORROWED TIME Two Centuries of Booms, Busts, and Bailouts at Citi By James Freeman and Vern McKinley 365 pp. Harper Business. $35. I was very much looking forward to reading Borrowed Time, James Freeman and Vern McKinleys book about two centuries of booms, busts, and bailouts at Citigroup, once the nations largest bank. (It is now fourth largest, by assets.) I was hoping the authors would deliver a much-needed, and definitive, explanation about how and why a decade ago the federal government decided to rescue Citigroup instead of letting it go down the tubes, where it probably belonged given how unhinged the banks risk-taking had become. After all, there have been many books about the 2008 financial crisis and how various Wall Street banks did, or did not, survive it. But there has never been an accounting of how Citigroup got itself into so much trouble and why the decisions were made to bail it out to the tune of, as the authors reveal, more than $517 billion all told, some $40 billion more than the roughly $476 billion in cash and guarantees described in a 2011 congressional report. That there hasnt yet been a treatment of the Citigroup debacle is a noteworthy omission in the canon, considering how what happened at Citigroup bucks the conventional wisdom about the financial crisis: to wit, that it was fomented and exacerbated by the so-called investment banks like Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch and that the so-called commercial banks like JPMorganChase and Bank of America came to their financial rescue. (Except, of course, for Lehman Brothers, which was not rescued and then failed in spectacular fashion.) Recognizing that different types of institutions ended up with different outcomes contrasts with the views of political progressives like Senators Elizabeth Warren and Sherrod Brown that none of this would have happened if only the Glass-Steagall Act, the Depression-era law separating commercial banking from investment banking, had never been repealed in 1999. The repeal allowed for the blockbuster merger of Citibank and Travelers, which owned Salomon Brothers and Smith Barney, two investment banks, and created Citigroup in the first place. But those, like me, who have argued that repealing Glass-Steagall did not cause the 2008 financial crisis have always stubbed their toe on Citigroup because it wreaked so much havoc before its enormous bailout. Image The authors certainly would appear to have the credentials for a revelatory work of narrative nonfiction. Freeman, a longtime columnist at The Wall Street Journal, is also an assistant editor on the papers editorial page. He was once an investor advocate at the Securities and Exchange Commission. His collaborator, McKinley, a visiting scholar at George Washington University Law School, is a self-proclaimed specialist in diagnosing financial instability in the banking system and a former employee of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. They also had a compelling thesis through which to explore why the feds bailed out Citigroup in 2008: that throughout the banks 206-year history it has often teetered on the edge of financial ruin, only to be rescued repeatedly by friends in high places. No house anymore. Just land. Twenty thousand people are homeless after the devastating 7.0 earthquake that struck near the resort island of Lombok in Indonesia, according to the authorities. And 98 people are dead, including two on nearby Bali. Here is video from the scene. Aftershocks are rattling the area as search-and-rescue teams scour the rubble for survivors. Beaches are empty and most hotels are shut as tourists swarm the Lombok airport, hoping for a flight out. Tents and makeshift shelters are sprouting across the landscape. But life presses on. The Indonesian Red Cross said a mother whom it helped in childbirth named the baby Gempa, or earthquake. (Want to get this briefing by email? Heres the sign-up.) Good morning. Heres what you need to know: Bankruptcy booms for older Americans The rate of people 65 and older filing for bankruptcy is three times what it was in 1991, a study has found, driven by a shift of financial risk to individuals from the government and employers. The shrinking of the social safety net includes longer waits for full Social Security benefits, the replacement of employer-provided pensions with 401(k) savings plans and more out-of-pocket spending on health care. You can manage O.K. until there is a little stumble, said an author of the study. It doesnt even take a big thing. Here are tips on saving for retirement. Corporate managers used to focus on one thing when it came to employee travel: saving money. But now, given the nature of travel crowded planes, tighter seats, security hassles corporate managers are considering employee comfort as part of the deal. A plane trip that includes layovers might save money, said Andrew Sheivachman, business travel editor at Skift, a travel industry news and research site. But if that person emerges from the plane too tired to work, or ends up burned out on corporate travel, its not worth the trade-off. Cost continued to be the most important factor in airline contracts, according to a 2016 research report, The Evolution of Airline Agreements, by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives. But more than half of respondents expected traveler comfort to become more important in future agreements with airlines. Experiences matter, Mr. Sheivachman said. Youre not just looking at the dollars, youre empowering your employees to do a good job. Aside from seat comfort, meal service and faster Wi-Fi, there isnt much room to innovate the offerings inside the aircraft, Mr. Sheivachman said. But beyond the plane, airlines can offer perks like matching frequent-flier status earned on another airline and offering access to airport lounges, early boarding, seat upgrades and priority help with requests like midtrip ticket changes. In its exemption request, Alcoa said it imports aluminum from its Canadian operations for further production at its Warrick facility, near Evansville, Ind., which employs around 1,600 people. Alcoas customers then use the aluminum from that plant to make food and beverage cans. Alcoa said it cannot get the type of aluminum it needs in sufficient quantities from its own facilities in the United States or from other American producers. Even if Americas dormant aluminum plants were revived, the United States would still be dependent on imports, mostly from Canada, said Tim Reyes, president of Alcoa Aluminum, in a statement. The company said it plans to file additional exemption requests. It is not clear whether Alcoa will gain any exemptions. The Commerce Department process gives other American companies the ability to object to exemption requests if they say they can provide the imported materials. So far, deference is being given to those objections. The New York Times reported on Sunday that two of Americas largest steel manufacturers had successfully objected to reprieve requests from American firms that buy foreign steel. Through the beginning of August, the Commerce Department had approved 115 requests for aluminum exclusions and denied 111, with thousands of others not yet adjudicated. We will deal with them in the same transparent and impartial manner as we deal with all requests, James Rockas, a spokesman for the Commerce Department, said in an email, referring to Alcoa. Once we see whether serious objections have been raised it will be easier to evaluate the Alcoa application. Chicago-based Century Aluminum, which supports the tariffs, has filed objections to several exemption requests, according to public filings. Centurys chief executive, Michael A. Bless, said earlier this month that the levies were prompting aluminum companies to revive idled capacity. The company intends to invest as much as $150 million on restarting and upgrading a plant in Hawesville, Ky. Both Alcoa and Century have financially benefited from the rise in aluminum prices in the United States. Get the DealBook newsletter to make sense of major business and policy headlines and the power-brokers who shape them. __________ American companies are set to hand a record amount back to shareholders in the coming quarters. Corporate boards have authorized the repurchase of $754 billion of stock so far this year, up 80 percent from the same period last year, according to a Goldman Sachs report. And that figure could reach a record $1 trillion by the end of the year. The surge in buyback announcements is likely to stoke further debate about the $1.5 trillion tax cuts enacted late last year. The overhaul reduced the corporate tax rate to 21 percent from a high of 35 percent and provided a permanent break on overseas profits. The White House and congressional Republicans said the tax bill would encourage companies to make long-term investments and would provide rocket fuel for the American economy. Democrats argued the legislation would lead to an increase in share buybacks and wouldnt stimulate corporate investments. So far the pace of hiring has picked up this year, though wage growth has remained stubbornly slow, and business investment in equipment increased more slowly in the first half of the year. In his first remarks on the vast California wildfires that have killed at least seven people and forced thousands to flee, President Trump blamed the blazes on the states environmental policies and inaccurately claimed that water that could be used to fight the fires was foolishly being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. State officials and firefighting experts dismissed the presidents comments, which he posted on Twitter. We have plenty of water to fight these wildfires, but lets be clear: Its our changing climate that is leading to more severe and destructive fires, said Daniel Berlant, assistant deputy director of Cal Fire, the states fire agency. He and others said that Mr. Trump appeared to be referring to a perennial and unrelated water dispute in California between farmers and environmentalists. Farmers have long argued for more water to be allocated to irrigating crops, while environmentalists counter that the states rivers would suffer and fish stocks would die. [For the latest updates on the Mendocino Complex Fire, read this story.] The president first addressed the fires late Sunday, writing on Twitter, California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which arent allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized. He also referred to a debate in forest management about the effectiveness of removing trees and vegetation as a fire control method. First he cracked the code. Then he rewrote it. French chefs who covet Michelin stars study the restaurants that get them, and the ones that dont, before deciding where to devote their money and attention. If there is a formula behind the rating system, which for many chefs is an article of faith, almost no one figured it out the first time. Joel Robucho n, who died on Monday at 73, came closer than anyone . Mr. Robuchons first restaurant, Jamin, was given one Michelin star in its first year. It got another in its second, and the next year it climbed to the top step, a three-star ranking. Mr. Robuchon was still in his late 30s. What could he do for his next trick? There were new dishes to invent, new honors to win, new employees to terrify. The chef Eric Ripert, who was one of them, has said that he still has nightmares about covering plates with the precisely sized and spaced dots of sauce that were a Jamin signature. Good morning. The California fires continue to rage, and smoke inundates the northern part of the state. Some 40,000 people have been evacuated from 17 different blazes, and there are 14,000 firefighters at work. On Saturday, Gov. Jerry Brown called this the new normal. In Redding, my colleague Jose A. Del Real reported last week, a fire tornado leapt from the ground on the citys outskirts and tore trees, homes and cars off the ground, incinerating them at the same time. Jeremy Stoke, a 37-year-old fire inspector, was caught by it. He was the sixth California firefighter to die this year, well above the average. For Californians in particular, the grief and anguish and fear are taking a toll. It can be hard to cook in circumstances like that, as a number of Californians have written me lately to note. It can be hard even to talk about cooking when there are people in circumstances like that, even if you live in a cool, verdant pocket of Vermont, or an air-conditioned aerie off Capitol Hill. But cook we have to, against the hope that doing so will make someones life, maybe even your own, just a little bit better, a little more tolerable. (That is something the chef Jose Andres and others understand plain.) So get to it today, and all of us at NYT Cooking will stand tall to help. When Robyn Price Pierre walked down the street with her husband and newborn baby, she often noticed the curious stares and smiles her spouse received from strangers as he pushed his daughters stroller. She soon realized why: It was the surprise of passers-by encountering a scene thats mostly invisible in mainstream culture a black man as a devoted parent. This realization inspired Ms. Price Pierre, creative director of the publisher Twenty Eight Ink, to explore black fatherhood in depth and has resulted in her book, Fathers, which uses personal photos to depict the relationship between fathers and children. The first in a series of photo books about fatherhood to be edited by Ms. Price Pierre, Fathers serves as an important corrective, challenging a dominant culture that tends to disparage, discredit or underestimate black men. Though I was inspired by the relationship between my daughter and her father, I saw mirrors of that relationship all over my life from men that I saw every day, to men on my social media feed who I had gone to high school with and hadnt seen in years, Ms. Price Pierre wrote in an email. They were fathers, vulnerable and present, and their lives were full and important. None of this fullness, however, was reflected in mainstream media or the broader culture. These men, in the context of fatherhood, were almost invisible. A Democratic candidate for Congress in Central New York, Anthony Brindisi, accused Charter Spectrum, the national cable company, of trying to censor his campaign by refusing to air a television ad that criticizes the companys record along with his Republican opponent. If youre watching this ad on Spectrum cable, youre getting ripped off, Mr. Brindisi, a state assemblyman, says to the camera at the start of the ad. But Spectrum, which is the name under which Charter Communications operates in New York, has refused to air the campaign commercial, Mr. Brindisi said in an interview. He said that his campaign has successfully aired other ads on Spectrum in recent weeks, but the cable operator rejected this one over the weekend. They are trying to censor us, Mr. Brindisi said, adding that Charter had not given a clear reason to his media team as to why they had rejected the ad. Mr. Brindisi, who is challenging Representative Claudia Tenney, a Republican, in a key battleground race, said he had hoped for the ad to also air on a dozen or so cable channels, such as CNN and MSNBC, in the Utica and Binghamton media markets. He said the ad is set to begin airing on broadcast networks, which Charter does not control, on Monday. The baby boy whose body was found alone in the waters beneath the Brooklyn Bridge on Sunday was surrounded, in death, by teams of investigators the following day, seeking to learn how he came to be there. Detectives searched video hoping to glimpse his final moments alive and doctors hovered over his small body. On Monday, there were few new clues: The boys age was estimated at between 6 and 9 months, his race Hispanic or black, the police said. An examination was conducted, but further testing was required to determine the cause of death, a spokeswoman for the Office of Chief Medical Examiner said. It remains unknown whether the boy was dead before he entered the water, or whether he drowned. It is standard procedure, when a drowned baby is found, to search for a drowned adult in the area, under the theory that they entered the water together and became separated. No other bodies were found in the East River on Monday and, by late afternoon, the police presence there had cleared out. The boy was found Sunday afternoon near the South Street Seaport, a popular destination for tourists. Indeed, it was a family of tourists from Oklahoma who spotted the body floating face up, wearing only a diaper. One of the tourists, Monte Campbell, tried to revive the baby using CPR, and when officers arrived they joined him, but the boy was pronounced dead at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Lower Manhattan a short time later. The man who died after jumping out of the walk-in freezer of a popular Manhattan eatery over the weekend brandishing a knife and shouting away Satan was facing murder charges in the 1988 shooting of two men in Boston, law enforcement authorities said on Monday. Carlton Henderson, 54, of Cave Creek, Ariz., suffered what investigators said appeared to be a fatal heart attack on Sunday as he attacked workers at Sarabeths on the Upper West Side. Mr. Henderson had been charged in the slayings of William Medina, 26, and Antonio Dos Reis, 22, who were shot while sitting in a parked car in Boston on May 7, 1988, according to court records provided by the Suffolk County district attorneys office in Massachusetts. The authorities suspected that the killings were connected to a violent drug-trafficking ring based in San Diego that had extended to other parts of the country, including Boston, the court papers said. Its kingpin, Leslie Rogers, who was killed by Los Angeles police in 1994, was thought to have ordered the slayings, the papers said. A woman who once ran an upscale New York City escort service will appear on Friday before a federal grand jury that is hearing evidence in the wide-ranging inquiry into ties between Russia and President Trumps 2016 election campaign, according to a person familiar with the matter. The woman, Kristin M. Davis, was interviewed last week by officials from the office of the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, who is looking into the Trump campaigns links to Russian operatives. While it remains unclear what interest Mr. Mueller and his prosecutors have in Ms. Davis, it is unusual for an interview to be followed so closely by the more formal step of a grand jury appearance, suggesting that investigators are eager to get her testimony on the record. One possible line of inquiry is Ms. Daviss longstanding connections to Roger J. Stone Jr., a veteran political consultant and Trump adviser who has himself become a central subject in the Russia probe. Mr. Stone, a self-described dirty trickster whose career in politics reaches back to the Nixon administration, was in contact before the election with Guccifer 2.0, an online avatar that Mr. Muellers team has said Russian military intelligence officers controlled. Guccifer 2.0 was instrumental in helping WikiLeaks publish stolen emails and other campaign documents that proved damaging to Hillary Clintons presidential bid and to the Democratic Party. Known in New York tabloids as the Manhattan Madam, Ms. Davis is perhaps best remembered for having claimed in 2008 that she provided escorts to Eliot Spitzer, who resigned that same year as governor of New York after The New York Times reported that he had become ensnared by a federal investigation into a different prostitution ring. Mr. Spitzer has denied any ties to Ms. Davis, 43, who spent four months on Rikers Island for running her escort service. Prison-rights groups say making the calls free is fundamentally about fairness. About three quarters of people in the citys jails have not been convicted of a crime and are there awaiting trial. Regardless of their status, people at the jail are required to pay fees to call family or lawyers on the outside. Currently, calls from Rikers Island cost 50 cents for the first minute and 5 cents for each additional minute to local numbers. There are 26,000 calls from the citys jails every day that generate more than $20,000 in daily revenue, according to an analysis by the Corrections Accountability Project, which advocated for the bill. The Department of Correction already provides free phone calls in certain circumstances: Indigent people could make three free phone calls per week, and sentenced inmates could make two per week. But when the law goes into effect in 270 days, all calls from jail will be free. Securus, the private company that manages phones in the citys jails, makes about $2.5 million annually. The city will still likely pay a private company that amount. People who are incarcerated, and especially people who are incarcerated pretrial without conviction, should be able to contact lifelines without cost, said Bianca Tylek, the director of the Corrections Accountability Project. She added that the law is a game-changer in the country. The correction officers union is not happy about the change. Now the gangs will definitely be able to continue to run their operations from inside the jails, said Elias Husamudeen, the president of the correction officers union. They will definitely be able to continue to communicate free of charge with the other members of their gangs who may not be in jail. Her group has raised concerns about the recent driver suicides, which included three taxi drivers and were attributed in part to financial stress. Taxi medallions the aluminum plates required for the roughly 13,500 yellow taxis in New York once sold for more than $1 million but are now worth less than $200,000. The number of for-hire vehicles, which was 63,000 when the cap was proposed in 2015, has surged to more than 100,000 vehicles. Mr. de Blasio defended the cap on Friday and argued that it was part of his broader efforts on income inequality. Whats happening across the board because of these huge corporations is they are driving down the wages of hard-working people who work in this field, Mr. de Blasio said in a radio interview. That alone is a reason to call a time out and assess whats going on here. Taxi and Uber drivers compete on the streets for passengers, but they find common ground on the cap. Uber drivers say they also struggle to make a good living after Uber takes its commission sometimes more than 20 percent and after paying for high vehicle costs. With no new vehicles joining the app, Uber drivers say they will have less competition and could spend more of their day carrying passengers, instead of driving around in an empty car. Theres a better chance of drivers getting better trips, said Jacky Lin, who has driven for Uber for more than a year and is part of another driver group called the Independent Drivers Guild. Lyft, the second most popular app, has joined Uber in opposing the cap and says that nearly a quarter of its drivers could leave because of routine turnover, leading to a shortage of drivers over the next year if a cap is adopted. Lyfts leaders say the city declined an offer from the ride-hail companies to establish a $100 million fund to help taxi drivers in exchange for dropping the cap. In 2006, an East Harlem high schools upset victory in a New York City-wide robot-building contest proved to be bittersweet for Amadou Ly, a member of the winning team. Not only was Mr. Ly prevented from boarding a plane to Atlanta for the national finals with the rest of his team, because he lacked government identification; he was also facing deportation as an illegal immigrant. Mr. Ly (pronounced Lee) had immigrated from Senegal, West Africa, with his mother in 2001. A year later, after his visitors visa had expired, she abandoned him. In 2004, when a car he was riding in got into an accident, the police reported him to the immigration authorities. But that encounter, after a series of frustrating court appearances, ultimately delivered him, to his good fortune, to Amy Meselson, a Legal Aid Society lawyer in New York. Antonio Dias, a Brazilian artist whose early, hot-colored paintings needled his countrys military dictatorship, and who later turned to subtly political conceptual art while in self-imposed European exile, died on Aug. 1 in Rio de Janeiro. He was 74. The cause was a brain tumor, said Galeria Nara Roesler in Sao Paulo, which represents Mr. Dias. He was also being treated for lung cancer at the Clinica Sao Vicente, a hospital in Rio. In the mid-1960s Mr. Dias emerged as the leading figure of Nova Figuracao (New Figuration), a movement in Brazilian painting that used bold, graphic imagery to contest Brazils junta, which took power in 1964. Within thickly outlined frames of black, he painted comic-like tableaus of soldiers scuffling with bearded hippies, of looming mushroom clouds, and of a skeleton wearing a military uniform and beating a cartoonish red heart with a truncheon. Two years later he earned the title best craftsman in France, an honor given to chefs who survive a grueling competition. He won more competitions than anyone, and he introduced that aesthetic, that precision, that beauty on the plate, into his cooking, said Eric Ripert, who was Mr. Robuchons fish chef at Jamin and is now the chef at, and a co-owner of, Le Bernardin in New York. That was his signature, and it has never been duplicated with as much success. At the Hotel Nikko in Paris, Mr. Robuchon earned two Michelin stars, and with the opening of Jamin, he moved to the front rank of French chefs. Restaurant Robuchon, which opened in 1994 on the Avenue Raymond-Poincare, elevated him even further, with a homier, more robust style of cooking reflected in dishes like pot-au-feu of cured pork with buttered cabbage and truffles and roasted pigeon with potatoes fried in duck fat. The urge to simplify only grew stronger with time. The older I get, the more I realize the truth is: the simpler the food, the more exceptional it can be, he told Business Insider in 2014. I never try to marry more than three flavors in one dish. I like walking into a kitchen and knowing that the dishes are identifiable and the ingredients within them easy to detect. Stories like these are prevalent, but only the most gruesome make headlines. Earlier this year, the body of a Filipino worker was found inside the freezer of an abandoned apartment that belonged to her employers in Kuwait. Last year, an employer in the United Arab Emirates was found guilty of torturing her female Indonesian domestic worker and causing her permanent deafness. The international outcry following such incidents has compelled some governments to improve their domestic work regulations. Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have all recently passed legislation aimed at preventing the exploitation of migrants. Alqattans now-infamous rant was actually a reaction to Kuwaits enhanced safety measures for Filipino migrants. Better laws can reduce forced labor, but they will not end it. For starters, throughout much of the Arab world, such regulations operate within a much larger, inherently exploitative structure the kafala system. This form of visa sponsorship is believed to have originated in Gulf states to accommodate foreign workers, mostly from South Asian countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Over the years, the scheme has evolved from helping protect migrants to severely limiting domestic workers rights. Under todays kafala, a migrant is not allowed to leave her employer without the employers consent. She is also forbidden from changing employers or traveling out of the country. Escaping is a crime, punishable by arrest and deportation. Human Rights Watch has long argued that no secondary regulation can guarantee the safety of domestic workers as long as the kafala keeps them legally handcuffed to their employers. Whats more, labor rules are often the result of bilateral agreements between countries of origin and destination. This means that working conditions are established by individual states, rather than general labor law. So when a nation like India lobbies to secure better conditions for its migrant workers, recruiters simply start hiring women from a less demanding country. That is why, toward the end of her tirade on Kuwaits labor regulations, Alqattan said, I will no longer have a Filipino maid. In other words, she could just hire someone from a country governed by weaker labor protections. Same abuse, different victim. Then there is the issue of logistics. Domestic work takes place in private homes, which means even the best law can be difficult to implement. There are about 1.6 million female migrant domestic workers in the Middle East and Gulf region it would be quite difficult for labor inspectors to investigate each of their homes. Pre-placement visits and randomized inspections could help, but even then, legislation cant do much for migrants once they are trapped with a potential abuser. At best, it can protect the handful of women who are willing to risk denouncing their employer. To the Editor: Re Pope Declares Death Penalty Always Wrong (front page, Aug. 3): American Catholics have been put on notice by Pope Francis declaration regarding the death penalty. The article points out that a majority of the worlds countries including nearly every nation in Europe and Latin America, regions that are home to large Catholic populations have already banned the death penalty . The United States is on a list of countries that execute their citizens, including China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Pakistan . Another Catholic, my dearly departed mother, used to caution me to beware the company you keep. John Carbone Louisville, Ky. There is no reason to believe that the old system can be restored. Super PACs are here to stay, but they are not the only source of radical change. So-called s ocial welfare organizations like the Koch brothers conservative Americans for Prosperity and similar organizations on the left engage in just enough electoral activity to have a major impact, but not so much that they must comply with the same rules, such as disclosure regulations, that bind regular political committees. Meanwhile, the storied 30- or 60-second TV ad is diminishing in importance. Digital politics consumes a steadily increasing share of campaign spending. The merest sliver of the population provides the private contributions on which campaigns run: In 2016, 2.76 percent of all individual contributors donated half of all individual money given to candidates, and just 1.31 percent of the voting-eligible population made any contributions at all. When the campaign finance laws first came under stress, in the early to mid-1980s, reformers were convinced that the cracks could be repaired. Through the enactment of the McCain-Feingold Act, Congress endeavored to close the so-called soft-money loophole, and the Supreme Court upheld the core elements of this reform. But the new law ignited active opposition, expressed in ceaseless litigation and a divided Federal Election Commission. Then a majority of the Supreme Court shifted sharply toward a jurisprudence hostile to regulatory limits. Many reform aspirations are defined by a wish to turn back the clock. But there is little appetite on either side of the polarized political divide for government to constrain the resources available to pursue ideological or partisan commitments. Activists skeptical of the parties will be unlikely to give up the alternatives offered by super PACs and social welfare organizations. Similar obstacles lie in the path of extensive government regulation of online political speech and organizing. In effect, where reform once aimed to have government structure campaign finance with comprehensive rules, we have something close to an unregulated political marketplace. There are benefits: innovation, as in the development of advanced technologies and new forms of organization. But there are also steep costs: Markets can fail, delivering well especially for the affluent on some but not all measures of democratic health and vibrancy, and opening up opportunities for new and dangerous sources of abuse such as the Russian electoral intervention of 2016. What remains of the old legal framework is largely a study in unintended consequences, such as the effect of restrictions on the political parties in weakening them and aiding the rise of the super PACs. She added, Work with the boss you have, not the boss you want. Managers come in many different flavors, Ms. Abbajay said, naming a few: You might have a ghost boss (a manager who rarely communicates with you and is seemingly never around); a sea gull (bosses who she said swoop and poop or swoop and scoop, meaning they divebomb into a project and leave a mess behind, or they dive into it and take it away from you); or a simple incompetent (the Michael Scotts of the world). And, of course, most managers are a combination of different styles. [Like what youre reading? Sign up here for the Smarter Living newsletter to get stories like this (and much more!) delivered straight to your inbox every Monday morning.] The thing to keep in mind, however, is that often the relationship we have with our boss is based on our perception of his or her behavior, and not necessarily the reality of how he or she is acting. This is called the fundamental attribution error, a cognitive bias that leads us to attribute behavior we dont like to other peoples characters, rather than circumstances or outside factors. Understand that whenever we see behavior in someone that isnt what we want, we tend to make up a story about why theyre doing these things, Ms. Abbajay said. We think, theyre ghosting me, so they dont care about me. That may be true, but another story could be theyre really busy, or they just trust you. Cultivating better communication with your boss is easier than it sounds, and Ms. Abbajay has a simple script you can follow to figure it out. Ask your boss to coffee, and ask her these three questions: 1. What are your preferences in terms of how you like to communicate? 2. What are your priorities? 3. What are your pet peeves? Even if the Western apps and sites make it into China, they may face apathy from young people. Two economists from Peking University and Stanford University concluded this year, after an 18-month survey, that Chinese college students were indifferent about having access to uncensored, politically sensitive information. They had given nearly 1,000 students at two Beijing universities free tools to bypass censorship, but found that nearly half the students did not use them. Among those who did, almost none spent time browsing foreign news websites that were blocked. Our findings suggest that censorship in China is effective not only because the regime makes it difficult to access sensitive information, but also because it fosters an environment in which citizens do not demand such information in the first place, the scholars wrote. Zhang Yeqiong, 23, a customer service representative at an e-commerce company in Xinji, a small city a few hours drive from Beijing, echoed that sentiment. I grew up with Baidu, so Im used to it, she said. The attitude is a departure even from those born in China in the 1980s. When that generation was coming of age a decade or so ago, some were rebels. One of the most famous was Han Han, a blogger who questioned the Chinese political system and traditional values. He sold millions of copies of books and has more than 40 million followers on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter. Now there are no Chinese like Mr. Han who are in their teens or 20s. Even Mr. Han, now 35, is no longer his former self. He mainly posts about his businesses on Weibo, which include making films and racecars. Many young people in China instead consume apps and services like Baidu, the social media service WeChat and the short-video platform Tik Tok. Often, they spout consumerism and nationalism. Alex Jones is the internets most notorious conspiracy theorist. And with his site, Infowars, hes peddled a number of dark and bizarre conspiracy theories. Sandy Hook, its got inside job written all over it. You want us to cover Pizzagate. We have covered it. We are covering it. And all I know is God help us were in the hands of pure evil. After weeks of criticism, YouTube, Facebook, Apple, and Spotify all acted to essentially erase many of his videos and posts from their services. In many cases, the companies are saying he violated their terms regarding hate speech and a number of other rules. Alex Jones today in his show dedicated nearly all four hours to what he called censorship of his platform. And President Trump, the Republican Congress, the statehouses, independent media all need to rally together against this global move to censor America and the planet. And this is something that he essentially has been warning his followers of because there was sort of ticky-tacky enforcement for several weeks, and he sort of saw this coming. This is the internet purge, people. I think for those who have tracked the social media policies by some of these big tech firms, today was a significant moment, because these tech companies have really struggled with this dilemma of wanting to combat misinformation online, but at the same time not wanting to become arbiters of truth. Can you define hate speech? Senator, I think that this is a really hard question. And I think its one of the reasons why we struggle with it. For months, and really for years, the tech companies have been reluctant to weigh in on a lot of these controversial speech issues. But it appears after months of criticism, that tech companies have finally said, in the case of Alex Jones, that enough is enough. Q. When a smartphone is advertised as waterproof, how do they verify that claim? A. When hawking the water worthiness of their products, most smartphone manufacturers cite the results of IP, or ingress protection, testing. Not to be confused with the popular augmented-reality game, the ingress here comes from the Latin ingressus from the verb ingredior which means go into or enter. So as you may expect by now, the IP standardized test is all about how much liquid and dust a device can keep out. Phone makers typically list a products results as its IP rating under the International Electrotechnical Commissions 60529 standard. For its recent Galaxy devices, Samsung touts an international standard rating of IP68 and says the Galaxy S7 and later models are deemed fit enough to withstand dust, dirt and sand, and are resistant to submersion up to a maximum depth of 1.5 meters underwater for up to 30 minutes which should protect it from the dreaded Toilet Drop. Boston is a city that prides itself on making history. It created a volunteer night watch in 1636 and established a publicly funded police department with full-time officers in 1838. But it took until Monday for Boston to swear in its first African-American police commissioner, William G. Gross, 54. Who is the new police commissioner? For the last four and a half years, Mr. Gross (pronounced like toss) has been the superintendent in chief, the second-highest position on the force. Now he is replacing the outgoing commissioner, William B. Evans, who will become the executive director of public safety at Boston College. Did he grow up in Boston? As a 12 year old, the new commissioner moved from his grandmothers farm in rural Maryland to Dorchester, a large, diverse Boston neighborhood. It was 1975, a year after a federal judge ordered the city to desegregate its public schools, a decision that led to violent protests in some predominantly white neighborhoods. Boston became a symbol of northern racism. Good morning. (Want to get California Today by email? Heres the sign-up.) Residents of the west Redding neighborhoods most devastated by the Carr Fire began returning to their damaged homes this weekend, marking the first steps of a long recovery ahead for the town and others throughout Shasta County affected by the blaze. Some made the familiar drives to their houses only to find empty lots piled with ash and debris. Justin Sanchez, who lived in the Lake Keswick Estates neighborhood, described a chaotic scene the night he and his family pushed through bottlenecked traffic to escape a fire tornado that ripped through the area. Like many others, he said he did not initially believe the fire would jump the Sacramento River to reach his neighborhood. The situation escalated quickly, he said. I just knew this thing was going to take our whole neighborhood, he said. Ive never been so scared in my life. All he was able to grab on his way out were some photos from the walls. Today, thats all his family has left; when he returned one week later, he found everything burned down. Im not surprised, Mr. Parker said in an interview. People fear change and when they see change coming, they will try to destroy things. You have a few people out there like that. Mr. Parker said the sign should be replaced. So did Annie Wright. Her husband, Simeon Wright, was 12 and sharing a bed with Emmett, his cousin, when he was kidnapped. I would keep putting it up, and someone is going to get tired after a while, Ms. Wright, whose husband died last year, said by telephone. Its hatred. Its all I can say. Mr. Weems said that two companies in New York had agreed to design and create a new sign made out of steel, which would be much stronger than the current one, made of a thinner metal. The companies will supply it for free, he said. For all that Emmetts case came to signify in the United States, it was largely ignored in the part of Mississippi where he died. There was a highway marker with his name on it, but that too was vandalized when the letters KKK were spray-painted across it. It was later completely covered in black paint. Mr. Weems said that in the decades after Emmetts death, people in the Mississippi Delta region wanted to forget about the crime and act as if it never had happened. While that sentiment holds true with some people there, he said, most people in the area have voiced support for preserving Emmetts story in the historical markers. MOSCOW There may be little that pleases Senator Rand Paul, the libertarian-leaning Kentucky Republican, more than thumbing his nose at Washington groupthink. So it was on Monday when Mr. Paul, decamping for the Senates one-week recess, took his lonely defense of President Trumps Russia policy to Moscow to deliver a show of contrarianism all too familiar to his colleagues back home. Ive traveled here to say that there are many Americans who want to have diplomacy, that want to have engagement; Im one of them, Mr. Paul said, standing beside Konstantin Kosachyov, the chairman of the foreign relations committee of Russias senate who has been subject to American sanctions since April. At home, Mr. Pauls fellow senators speak in grave tones about how to respond to an alarming pace of revelations about the scope and durability of Russias campaign to undermine the democratic process an effort that American intelligence officials warn remains active despite American retaliation. One plan, introduced last week by three Republicans and three Democrats, calls for crushing new sanctions. She said challenges to partisan gerrymandering, which the court ducked in a pair of decisions in June, could soon return to the court. In one, from Wisconsin, the court gave the challengers another chance to demonstrate that they had suffered the sort of direct injury that gave them standing to sue. Justice Ginsburg said that showing would be easy to make. It should not be too hard to find willing plaintiffs in each of the gerrymandered districts, she said. She added that Justice Elena Kagan had provided the plaintiffs with a valuable tutorial by writing a concurring opinion that reads as a blueprint for a complaint that could be successful. Justice Ginsburg also predicted that the court would soon hear a sequel to the case of the Colorado baker who refused to create a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. The Supreme Court also ducked the central issue in that case in June, ruling for the baker on the grounds that he had not been treated fairly by a state civil rights commission. There will be another opportunity, Justice Ginsburg said, pointing to a similar case involving a florist in Washington State. That case doesnt have anything like what was present in the Colorado case, that is, the suspicion that two of the commissioners on the Colorado commission were hostile to religion, she said. She said the term had some amusing moments, recalling an argument in October in which Justice Kagan became nostalgic about attending raucous parties at which she did not know the host. Total anxiety, said Msgr. Carlos Aviles Canton, the vicar general of the Archdiocese of Managua. Every day waking up and asking, How many deaths? Death, death, death. Thats what makes you sad. Talks between the government and the opposition fell apart last month, putting a political solution further out of reach. The government has continued to hunt down and jail opponents, and many observers, including the United Nations, worry that a new antiterrorism law is being used to criminalize members of the opposition, including those protesting peacefully. Were in a very difficult stage, said Alvaro Leiva, the director of the Nicaraguan Association. Its the stage of repression. Hundreds of protest leaders have gone into hiding or fled the country. Mr. Leiva said his team members had been threatened it is unclear by whom and forced to move out of their homes and sleep in a network of safe houses. Mr. Ortega, who has refused the oppositions demands to step down or hold early elections, has responded with a publicity blitz, giving interviews to several international news organizations, in which he has deflected blame for the bloodshed and sought to convey that the country is returning to normal. But even some of Mr. Ortegas closest allies acknowledge that Nicaragua is a mess. In an interview with The New York Times late last month, Paul Oquist, the minister-private secretary for national policy, recognized the sense of fear and uncertainty in Nicaraguan society on both sides of the conflict. He seemed particularly concerned about the damage the nations economy had suffered, calling it enormous. DELHI Students at several university campuses in Bangladesh clashed with police officers in riot gear on Monday, as the government met what began as a students road-safety protest with escalating force and panic. Dhaka, the capital, was in its ninth day of widespread protests, and rights advocates said they feared an increasingly violent response from the government, led by the Awami League, which is due to face elections in December. A prominent photojournalist, Shahidul Alam, was arrested on Sunday night, his wife said, and rights groups including Amnesty International said they were looking into reports of four more arrests of activists that they called unjustified. In a text message on Monday, a student protester at the East West University described seeking refuge inside a classroom after being attacked by police officers with tear gas and rubber bullets. He added that supporters of the government had assaulted them in tandem with the police, throwing rocks and wielding makeshift clubs. HONG KONG A tiny political party in Hong Kong has emerged as one of the citys most discussed political topics thanks to government efforts to ban it and cancel a public talk by its founder. The organization, the Hong Kong National Party, has called for the territorys independence from China. It has no elected lawmakers and a small membership, but last month the authorities in Hong Kong moved to ban it under a colonial-era law that allows the prohibition of groups for reasons of national security, public safety and public order. That move raised questions about growing restraints on political freedom in Hong Kong, a semiautonomous Chinese territory. As the government seeks to curtail peoples ability to advocate for ideas like greater autonomy or even independence, it has added to concerns about a deteriorating environment for free speech in Hong Kong. Andy Chan, the founder of the party, which claims at most a few dozen members, said that the crackdown had given it an unexpected lift. On Yellow Peril and Fears of China The specter of history never lurks far away from our public debates. Consider the debate about foreign influence. Notable commentators have suggested there is a silent invasion of Australia being conducted by China, with the Chinese party-state planting fifth column operatives within our public institutions. It goes without saying that we must protect our democratic institutions from foreign interference. This should give no excuse, though, for some to rerun old fears about the Yellow Peril. Dr. Soutphommasane dived into the heated debate about Chinese influence on Australian politics by calling out Clive Hamilton, the author of a book about Chinese interference titled Silent Invasion. He went on to cite specific examples of the trickle-down impact of the discussion, including an incident involving Jenny Leong, a Greens party lawmaker in the New South Wales Parliament, who was harangued by a woman who said: You are taking over. I know your plan. We are all now second-class citizens because you Chinese are taking over. [Read More: 200 years on, Chinese-Australians are still proving they belong.] On the Medias Monetization of Racism Its not just politics that is behind this. Alongside the politicization of racial fear, we are also seeing the monetization of racism. Sections of a fracturing media industry, under the strain of technological disruption, seem to be using racism as part of their business model. The Australian media landscape is one of the most highly concentrated in the world, and Dr. Soutphommasane is arguing that some media outlets are using racism to attract eyeballs. These tend to be outlets owned by Rupert Murdoch. Sky News Australia, a Murdoch-owned cable news channel, faced withering criticism for airing an interview with Blair Cottrell, the former leader of an anti-Islam, far-right group who has expressed pro-Nazi views. On Sunday, it admitted on Twitter that it was wrong to have done so. The Australian Press Council also recently received complaints after Andrew Bolt, a conservative commentator for News Corporation, wrote a column last week that described a tidal wave of immigrants sweeping away whats left of our national identity. On Ethnic Ghettos Take multiculturalism. There is simply no compelling evidence that Australian multiculturalism is in danger of veering towards ethnic separatism. The evidence shows that we continue to conduct integration extremely well. The children of migrants, on average, outperform the children of Australian-born parents on education and employment. Our social mobility remains high by international standards. Many of those areas which people slander as ethnic ghettos are dynamic and vibrant communities, where no one single ethnic or racial group predominates, and where property prices have been on the rise hardly signs of ghettos. Dr. Soutphommasane grew up in Fairfield, an area of Sydney that has long been the first stop for immigrant families like his own and here he is arguing that those who fear such areas do not understand how they work. Within a generation, research from the United States and other countries shows, integration tends to accelerate rapidly, with many children of immigrants becoming high achievers. The new American sanctions bar any transactions with Iran involving dollars, gold, precious metals, aluminum, steel, commercial passenger aircraft and coal. They also end imports into the United States of Iranian carpets and pistachio nuts, both of which are important symbols for Iranians. Another round of sanctions is due to be introduced on Nov. 4. The other countries that signed the 2015 nuclear agreement Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia do not support the United States sanctions, which Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in May would be the strongest in history. The Iranian government tried to calm the markets on Monday before the sanctions were scheduled to begin, although it was unclear how effective those measures would be. Irans currency, the rial, rose modestly for the day, but it has lost more than 80 percent of its value in the past 12 months. And while much of the devaluation stems from mismanagement and corruption, the United States withdrawal from the nuclear agreement has exacerbated the rials weakening. Irans new central banker, Abdolnaser Hemmati, on Sunday evening spoke of economic warfare by the United States, but also said in an interview on state television that Iran was powerful. In an attempt to ease the economic hardship in the country, he announced that starting on Monday, Iranians would no longer be restricted in the amount of dollars and gold they could bring in. An earlier rule capped that amount at 10,000 euros, or about $11,500. Mr. Hemmati also announced that the government would subsidize medicine and food to ensure that essential goods could be bought. Mr. Rouhani said on Monday that 1,500 items would be banned from import to save foreign currency for more pressing items. And the central banker lifted a ban on currency trading that some economists say has worsened the crisis. AL HUDAYDAH, Yemen A pharmacist, a delivery man driving a motorcycle and a fishmonger. After an eruption of what aid groups have described as indiscriminate violence against civilians in Yemens crucial Red Sea port city, one basic fact is clear: 55 people are dead and 170 others wounded. Yet like so much of Yemens civil war, many elements of the multiple attacks on Thursday remain hazy: who was responsible, and who or what was the intended target. The main combatants in the battle for Al Hudaydah, a city of 600,000 people, have blamed each other for explosions in a residential neighborhood, at the citys fish market, and outside the main hospital. The Houthi rebels controlling Al Hudaydah, the countrys vital lifeline for food and medicine, and medics treating the wounded say the Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes against civilian targets. The Saudis blamed the Houthis, pointing to evidence compiled over the weekend suggesting that mortars, which are launched from the ground, were used rather than missiles from planes. So far, neither international aid groups nor the United Nations has attributed blame. Instead, they have condemned the attacks as the latest in a litany of assaults, during more than three years of conflict, that appear to violate international laws of warfare. From start to the closing arguments, it was clear government was determined to lean on the five Constitutional court justices to uphold the lifting of the presidential age limits and strike down any other lesser provision deemed unconstitutional from the Raphael Magyezi promoted Constitutional Amendment Act No 1 of 2018. In his closing prayer in Mbale, deputy Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukutana dropped his strongest signal when he beseeched the justices thus; In the unlikely event that court finds that some parts of the process contravene the constitution it should apply the principle of severance and save the lawful bits and nullify the unconstitutional provisions. That veiled prayer brought into public view glaring divisions between the ruling party MPs and the government side. From the word go, MPs had been warned on the floor of parliament that a term extension was unconstitutional. And days after the ruling, senior NRM officials one-by-one have begun to put some distance between government and ruling party MPs who they claim have themselves to blame after the Constitutional court on Thursday, July 26, declared the extension of their tenure of parliament and local councils unconstitutional. MPs debate the age limit bill back in December 2017 In December 2017, the MPs unilaterally voted to stretch the House term from five to seven years. The term extension, many MPs believed, was a tradeoff for lifting the presidential age limits, the only remaining hurdle that stood in the way of President Musevenis re-election in 2021 after clocking the mandatory 75 year upper cap for a presidential candidate. The bills passage was a divisive process marred by blatant bribery, arm-twisting, blackmail and regrettable violence. The term extension was made against the counsel of President Museveni, government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said over the weekend. The executive director of the government media centre observed that smuggling the proposal into the bill to scrap age limits despite Musevenis advice clears him of any subsequent failing. The findings of court have absolved the president. What was processed from the word go in the private members bill to cabinet; to the caucus of NRM in parliament, was the original Magyezi bill which was attempting to address the directive of the Supreme Court in the Amama Mbabazi election petition and then Raphael Magyezis own intuition of lifting the age limit for elective leadership in the country, Opondo said. For those MPs now feeling exposed by the court ruling, Opondo reminded them that during debate, extending tenure of elective office was never part of the conversation. The president actually advised the people who were mooting the extension of parliament to drop the proposal in the caucus. However, when they went beyond the caucus, where the president doesnt sit, on the final day of the consideration; the second and third reading of the bill, they smuggled it back, Opondo said. On Thursday, July 26, Deputy Chief Justice Alphonse Chigamoi Owiny-Dollo, president of the Constitutional Court, led a four-to-one majority decision in the petition challenging Constitutional Amendment Act No 1 of 2018. The law enacted in December last year had amended Article 102(b) of the Constitution under which the 35-75 year presidential age limits had been provided. With the ruling, Museveni who will be 76 at the next election can now run for office for life. Other judges on the panel were Remmy Kasule, Kenneth Kakuru, Elizabeth Musoke and Cheborion Barishaki. Kakuru was the only dissenting judge, determining that the entire law was null and void given the illegalities fraught in its enactment. His colleagues, however, only agreed with him in striking down the term extension for MPs and local governments. They also threw out the clause which had reintroduced the two presidential term limits originally struck out of the Constitution in 2005, ostensibly to allow Museveni run for a third term. The 2005 term limit amendment occurred in an environment just as chaotic and was also widely unpopular. But this did not stop MPs from the ruling National Resistance Movement party from receiving Shs 5 million in exchange for their vote. Seven year extension When the private members bill tabled by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi was read for the first time in September last year, it only included bits relating to the qualifications of a presidential candidate. Other proposals related to change in days in which the Electoral Commission could organise fresh presidential elections following a successful petition challenging a result and period for filing and deciding in the Supreme Court. As the government washes its hands of the matter, memories return of how West Budama North MP, Jacob Oboth Oboths Legal and Parliamentary Affairs committee smuggled term extension and term limits into their controversial recommendations. The committees majority membership comprising NRM supporters issued an ultimatum; they would not pass amendment of Article 102(b) unless their interests were incorporated. They recongnised then that going against the wishes of the people in lifting age limits would see them punished in 2021, hence the extension was insurance. Museveni had warned that the proposal was unconstitutional. But even his own deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali reportedly brushed him off in one meeting, saying that Ugandans had elected Museveni on the understanding that this was his last term. But it would now seem that his reluctant acceptance was doubled-edged. In the euphoria which followed what some saw as a reluctant acceptance by Museveni, the MPs got carried away and passed the sections on term extension and term limits in flagrant disregard to procedures laid out in the constitution and other laws. This was pointed out by the Constitutional court in striking them down. Also, speaking to CBS radio on Monday last week, Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister, Maj. Gen. (rtd) Kahinda Otafiire has said that extending the tenure was never agreed upon in cabinet where he sits. He said MPs introduced it and the government had no way of stopping them. Enter Kadaga There were other warning signs. When Oboth Oboth presented his committee report speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga cautioned against introducing extraneous matters foreign to the so-called Magyezi Bill. She wanted to know how such proposals which were not part of the original Bill got to be considered by the committee. After she went on the record, she still allowed debate and adoption of the proposals. However, in the certificate of compliance accompanying the bill she sent to the president for assent, Kadaga made no mention of all the provisions that were foreign to the original Magyezi bill. This omission became one of the key grounds on which the court stood in scrapping tenure extension and term limits reinstatement. Was Kadaga acting knowingly? Was she under instructions of someone? These questions might never be answered considering that the court declined to summon her for cross examination. So, why did the president not point out these omissions, or those elements he was unhappy about like he always does before assenting to the bill? Opondo provides part of the answer and probably confirms that Museveni possibly noticed the Kadaga omissions. Looking at the controversy and acrimony that had surrounded the introduction and processing of that bill, and also the popularity of the term extension among MPs, the president chose not to take it back to parliament because that would be an effort in futility, he said. Thank God that somebody went to court and a judgement against it was made, Opondo said. However, in the ensuing grumbling by regime MPs following last months verdict, Museveni released statement on Monday, July 30. With the five years, a lot of time is spent on electioneering and less time on development; the first two years settling in, the third year some work in the constituency and then by the fourth year electioneering again, Museveni wrote in a message in which he criticized the judges for concentrating on form rather than substance. What the judges said All the five judges held that parliament acted with greed. In great length, they described the reasons given in parliament [the same Museveni is giving] for the two year extension, such as the need to afford MPs time to acclimatise. They also, however, pointed out that the law sets a high academic qualification for one to be MP, suggesting that house members are expected to find their feet quickly and effortlessly. It is quite apparent therefrom that peace and development of Uganda, or any of the other permissible justifications for amending the Constitution, did not feature at all in Parliaments consideration of the motion for the amendment of the provision regarding the tenure of parliament. The purported reasons given for the extension were evidently personal to parliament; which was most unfortunately selfserving, Owinyi-Dollos 201 page judgement reads. Kakuru put it even more bluntly when he observed that parliament has no power to amend, alter or in any way abridge or remove some provisions of the constitution, as doing so would amount to its abrogation. The people made it clear that; parliament must not be permitted to usurp the sovereignty of the people by extending its term of office. It was also unanimously expressed that parliament should have a term of five years, with many saying it should not be possible to extend the term under any circumstances. To hold otherwise, would create an absurdity, Kakuru ruled. If left with power to amend any provision of the constitution, Kakuru observed, parliament would every five years or seven, extend its term without having to go for elections! Even worse, it could abolish elections and declare its current members to be members for life. Parliament could even abolish the Judiciary and vest judicial powers in itself. Once the principle is set that parliament has a right to amend any Article of the Constitution, simply by voting yes there would be no limit to their demands, Kakuru said. Like Owiny-Dollo, Kakuru observed that the people did not elect MPs for them to go and learn parliamentary rules and procedures for two years like Mbarara municipality MP Michael Tusiime said while introducing the tenure-stretching amendment. The law provides for minimum qualification for Members of Parliament. Mr Tusiime appeared to suggest that Members of Parliament are either unknowledgeable or unqualified, Kakuru added. Judge Musoke said when MPs gave themselves two additional years without declaring their interests, they grossly violated the National Leadership Code of Conduct enshrined in Chapter 14 of the Constitution and Part III of the Leadership Code Act. The above provisions prohibit leaders from having personal or conflict of interest in the execution of their official duties. It is clear from the available evidence that public interest was curtailed when a group of Members of Parliament by their conduct made it impossible for the debate process of the Bill to proceed peacefully, Musoke said. Barishaki concluded that the impugned amendment sought to change the term of office of MPs and other leaders, an action too critical to be decided without the involvement of the very people. Age limit The crux of the consolidated petition was to challenge the validity of the lifting of presidential age limits. All other grounds were mainly geared towards finding the entire constitutional amendment bill unconstitutional and therefore null and void. At a total 814 pages, the July 26 ruling is easily one of longest in Ugandas history. However, despite its considerable length, not more than 28 pages were dedicated to the central issue of presidential age limits. Writing in an Op-Ed piece published by The Observer on August 1, Makerere University law professor, Joe Oloka-Onyango, witheringly described it as being rich in length but hollow in substance. On the critical issue of the lifting of the age limit, the majority of the bench failed to appreciate two central features of the preamble to the Constitution and the democratic principles enshrined in the National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy. These are the history of political and constitutional instability which the Constitution is at pains to ensure is not repeated, and the democratic principles that are supposed to guide the State and its agencies, Oloka-Onyango wrote. The issue of the age limit cannot be divorced from that of term limits which were a central feature of the 1995 Constitution when initially enacted. With term limits enshrined in the Constitution, it did not matter at what age one became president, or indeed when they left the Presidency, as there was a finite period within which one could hold the office. This explains why the provision was not entrenched. With term limits removed, the only safe-guard becomes a limitation on the age at which one can cease to be president, short of which we are left with a president-for-life. It is strange that the court could declare itself alive to the dangers of life parliamentarians and at the same time be silent about the very real danger of life presidency. Some of the petitioners like Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemuujju Nganda, Hassan Male Mabirizi Kiwanuka, Francis Gimara of the Uganda Law Society and others have already expressed their dissatisfaction with the ruling. They seem inclined to appeal the matter in the Supreme court. bakerbatte@observer.ug Kevin Foley Hand it to President Trump. He knows his audience. Did you get a load of his hysterical cults at his rallies in Florida and Pennsylvania after Trump whipped them into a frenzy over the "horrible" journalists who cover the White House? It's not difficult to imagine one or more of these wild-eyed fanatics taking the next step. MSNBC's Katy Tur, as professional as they come, told viewers she received an e-mail that read, "'I hope you get raped and killed.... in case you want to argue that this has nothing to do with the president, the most recent note I got ended with 'MAGA.'" Tur added such threats come into her newsroom every day. Trump supporters in Tampa looked like they were ready to tear CNN's Jim Acosta apart as he tried to do a post-rally live stand-up. When Acosta later asked Trump's press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders to state clearly that the press isn't the enemy of the people, as the president has repeatedly declared, she refused. "Fellow Americans are not the enemy of fellow Americans," Acosta told viewers after his run-in with Huckabee Sanders. "Forgive me for going on a rant, but I think that they've lost sight of that here at this White House." What responsible adult, let alone the President of the United States, thinks this is acceptable? Apparently, Trump does. His fragile ego simply can't handle the accurate reports about his administration filed by journalists doing their jobs. While its true a lot of the coverage is negative, whos responsible for that? Most of the damage within the White House is self-inflicted. A free press is essential to democracy. Thus, America must set the example. But Trump's attacks on the U.S. media give the green light to dictators around the world to go after their journalists. According to Reporters Without Borders, 65 reporters and media workers were murdered worldwide in 2017. New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger recently met with Trump during which he expressed concern about the presidents "deeply troubling anti-press rhetoric," that is "eroding" the First Amendment. Trump, of course, said the meeting was about fake news. If I were a journalist covering Trump, I would be extremely worried about my personal safety anytime I get around a crowd of his fans. Acosta, for one, now has security when he covers Trump rallies. He Tweeted he is "very worried that the hostility whipped up by Trump and some in conservative media will result in somebody getting hurt." When he appeared on Fox News Outnumbered, politics editor Chris Stirewalt said media should stop covering Trump rallies, this after Media Matters for America reported Fox has given Trump campaign rallies wall-to-wall coverage at a value of more than $15 million. "Everybody should stop having reporters penned up like veal in the back of those things for the president to use as a prop, Stirewalt noted, and then some of the reporters exploit that for their own personal benefitthis is not helping anybody. Get out of the hall. Leave the cameras, get the reporters out of the hall. Quit letting him use you as a foil." *** Kevin Foley owns KEF Media Associates, Inc., an Atlanta-based producer and distributor of electronic publicity. He can be reached at kfoley@kefmedia.com. The American Academy of Family Physicians is looking for a PR firm to broaden its communications capabilities and elevate the family medicine profession in the eyes of the public. David Kaye Donald Trumps attacks on the media are deliberate attempts to undermine reporting that has uncovered fraud, abuse, potential illegal conduct and disinformation, according to two United Nations officials responsible for promoting freedom of expression. Noting that Trump has branded the press the enemy of the people, very dishonest, fake news, and responsible for spreading theories and blind hatred, David Kaye and Edison Lanza said the attacks counters Americas commitment to press freedom and increase the risk on attacks on journalists. They believe Trumps salvos are strategic and designed to raise doubts about veritable facts. Kaye and Lanza say when the president dodges questions from outlets such as CNN, he suggests that it has nefarious desires or animus, though Trump has failed to show even once that specific reporting has been driven by untoward motivations. Kaye and Lanza, who released their statement Aug. 2, said the US government should promote the role of a vibrant press and counter rampant disinformation. Two years of attacks on the press could have long-term negative implications for the publics trust in media and public institutions, they said. Two years is two years too much, and we strongly urge that president Trump and his administration and supporters end these attacks. Amid talks of leadership change in Chhattisgarh, more MLAs reaching Delhi to join Bhupesh Baghel camp Chhattisgarh, Punjab govts announce Rs 50 lakh to families of farmers run over in UP Chhattisgarh's horrific accident: Nobody will be spared, justice will be done: CM Baghel 14 naxals killed in gunbattle with police in Chhattisgarh India oi-PTI Raipur, Aug 6: At least 14 naxals were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district today, police said. The gunbattle took place this morning in a forest area in south Sukma, around 500 km from Raipur, Deputy Inspector General (anti-naxal operations) Sundarraj P told PTI. So far, bodies of 14 naxals have been recovered from the encounter site, he said. Several firearms were also seized from the spot, he added. Further details were awaited as the search operation was still underway. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 13:42 [IST] Jet's revival looks bleak as Anil Agarwal pulls out of race for acquiring cash-strapped airline 2 Jet pilots' licenses suspended for take-off bid from taxiway in Riyadh India oi-PTI Mumbai, Aug 6: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has suspended the flying licence of two Jet Airways pilots for attempting to take off an aircraft from a taxiway parallel to the runway at Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia last week. As many as 148 people on board the Mumbai-bound Jet Airways flight escaped unhurt after the aircraft went off the runway following an aborted take off from there on August 3, the airline had said. An official of the aviation regulator DGCA had said that the pilots aborted the take off after they were informed about a "barrier" on the runway. The aircraft was taxing at 100 knots. It veered off the runway due to sudden stopping, the official had said. "The DGCA has suspended flying licence of both the pilots involved in runway excursion incident at Riyadh, pending investigation," a senior DGCA official said today. Earlier today, the Saudi Aviation Investigation Bureau in a release said the aircraft aborted taking off on a taxiway that ran parallel to the runway. Jet Airways Boeing B737, VTJFS aircraft heading to Mumbai with 141 passengers and seven crew members overshoot taxiway at the King Khalid International Airport, the AIB said. "Initial factual information confirmed that the aircraft attempted to take off from taxiway (K) parallel to take off designated runway (R33) while the visibility was high and there was no obstacle of FOD (foreign object) on the taxiway," it said. "The aircraft accelerated with full take off power and exceeded the taxiway onto an unpaved area, ending up close to the exit of taxiway (GF), north of taxiway (K)," it added. The AIB is conducting a safety probe into the incident along with India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. Jet Airways in a tweet said on August 3 that its Mumbai-bound flight had aborted the take off and veered off the runway at Riyadh airport, but the airline had not specified any reason for it. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 15:07 [IST] 7th Pay Commission: Budget may not announce pay hike, but this good news likely 7th Pay Commission: What CG employees got and what they did not get 7th Pay Commission: Impact on Centre after majority BJP states implement recommendations India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 6: The 7th Pay Commission issue has touched a boiling point. Several states have been implementing the recommendations of the pay panel, but when it comes to Central Government employees, there is still no news on the pay hike. States such as Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Haryana among others have implemented the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission, bringing the much needed relief for its employees. Let us take a look at the states which have implemented the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission and also how much hike the employees have got. Uttar Pradesh: In UP, following the recommendations, the hike was by 20 per cent. The announcement will put an additional burden of Rs 27,000 crore on the government. Jammu and Kashmir: The J&K government implemented the recommendations of pay panel following which the hike was up by around 23.5 per cent. Uttarakhand: The first government to impend the 7th Pay Commission was the Harish Rawat led government. Along with the hike also came an increase in the DA by 2 per cent. Haryana: The government recently gave the go ahead to the recommendations, It also brought the contractual employees under the ambit. Madhya Pradesh: The MP government increased the salaries by 14 per cent. A suggestion to increase the retirement age too was made. Goa: The recommendations were approved and the hike became effective on January 4. Tripura: In June a hike of 19.68 per cent was approved as per the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission. Bihar: During the inauguration of the Patliputra university, Bihar CM announced that the recommendations are being implemented. He announced that the university teachers would soon get a salary hike. Maharashtra: The 7th Pay Commission recommendations will be implemented effective January 2019. This would put a financial burden of Rs 21,000 crore on the exchequer. The trend: If see, all the above mentioned states are ruled by the BJP. In some states they are in power while in others they are part of the coalition. In Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP was in power with the PDP until recently. Observers say that this is a trend that should follow to the Centre as well. The BJP ruled states have made sure that the 7th Pay Commission recommendations have been implemented. Hence, one could expect that the issue surrounding this subject could be resolved even by the BJP government at the Centre. Eight of nine women candidates fielded by AAP emerge victorious in Delhi poll AAPs Amantullah Khan is a terrorist, says BJPs OP Sharma India oi-Madhuri New Delhi, Aug 6: Bharatiya Janata Party MLA OP Sharma on Monday, stirred a controversy in the Delhi Assembly by referring to Aam Aadmi Party's Amanatullah Khan as a 'terrorist', as CNN-News 18 reported. Notably, Sharma was speaking on water shortage in his constituency. During his speech, he also criticised government officers. The BJP MLA further said that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is a supporter of terrorists. Hitting out at the BJP MLA over his statement, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia demanded apology from him. He claimed that the BJP is trying to dub all Muslims as terrorists. "This is not the question of an MLA. How can he use this word in the House? It shows the mentality of his (BJP) party. Strict action should be taken against him," Sisodia asserted. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 18:15 [IST] Ivanka Trump thanks 'the great' Indra Nooyi for being a mentor and inspiration After 12 years as Pepsi CEO, Indra K. Nooyi to step down on Oct 3 India oi-Madhuri New Delhi, Aug 6: Pepsico on Monday announced the stepping down of its Indian-origin CEO Indra Nooyi on October 3, however will continue being the chairman until early 2019. "Growing up in India, I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary company," Nooyi said in a statement. Laguarta, a 22-year veteran of the company, has been president since September, overseeing global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs. Prior to that, Laguarta served in leadership positions in the European and sub-Saharan Africa divisions. With Nooyi's departure, the rest of PepsiCo's senior leadership team will remain unchanged, the company said. (with inputs from PTI) For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 17:55 [IST] Farooq Sahab suggested me to speak with Pakistan but I will speak to the youth: Amit Shah in Srinagar Amit Shah spends night at CRPF camp in Pulwama; says will see a peaceful J&K 'in our lifetime' Amit Shah to meet Devendra Fadnavis over Maratha quota stir today India oi-Deepika By Deepika Mumbai, Aug 6: BJP President Amit Shah is scheduled to meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today at 7 pm over the issue of Maratha Reservation. The revived agitation of the Maratha community for reservation in jobs and education has roiled Maharashtra in the last two weeks. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday that all constitutional obligations in connection with the granting of reservations to the Maratha community in the state would be completed by November this year. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inadvertently provided fodder for the Congress party to attack the BJP when he said that reservation will not guarantee employment as jobs are shrinking in the country. Talking to reporters in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district, Gadkari was quoted by PTI as saying, "Let us assume the reservation is given. But there are no jobs. Because in banks, the jobs have shrunk because of IT. The government recruitment is frozen. Where are the jobs?' The Congress party reacted saying, that's the question Indians are asking as well. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 15:50 [IST] Article 35A: Deferment of hearing is not a solution, says Mehbooba Mufti India oi-Vikas By Vikas Srinagar, Aug 6: With the Supreme Court saying that it would examine whether Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir violates the basic structure of the Constitution, former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said that the matter reaching the doorstep of the apex court "has unleashed a wave of anxiety and panic" among the people of the state. She said that the Supreme Court's decision to adjourn the hearing on a petition that challenged Article 35A has "brought interim relief to the people of Jammu and Kashmir", adding, "the deferment of hearing on Article 35 A is not a solution". Even though the deferment of hearing on Article 35 A is not a solution, it has brought interim relief to the people of JK. But with uncertainity looming over its status, it has unleashed a wave of anxiety and panic amongst the people of J & K. Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) August 6, 2018 The Supreme Court today adjourned hearing on a petition that challenged Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir. The Bench headed by Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra said that it would examine whether Article 35A violates the basic structure of the Constitution. [What is Article 35A and why is there is an objection to it] The court while adjourning hearing on the matter said that it would consider the challenge to the article as we as whether it should be referred to a five judge Bench or not. This challenge to the article has come after 60 years, the Bench said. The Bench was appraised of the situation in the Valley ahead of the hearing. The Bench said that before every hearing there is a shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir. We will only see if this provision goes against the basic structure of the Constitution or not the SC also said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 15:43 [IST] Flat in 7 minutes: This is how Union Cabinet took to clear scrapping of Article 370 Article 35A: Will only examine if it is violative of Constitution says SC, hearing adjourned India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Srinagar, Aug 6: The Supreme Court has adjourned hearing on a petition that challenged Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir. The Bench headed by Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra said that it would examine whether Article 35A violates the basic structure of the Constitution. The court while adjourning hearing on the matter said that it would consider the challenge to the article as we as whether it should be referred to a five judge Bench or not. This challenge to the article has come after 60 years, the Bench said. The Bench was appraised of the situation in the Valley ahead of the hearing. The Bench said that before every hearing there is a shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir. We will only see if this provision goes against the basic structure of the Constitution or not the SC also said. Meanwhile shops and business establishments were closed across the Valley while all kinds of transport remained off the roads due to the strike called. What is Article 35A and why is there is an objection to it The state government filed an application before the Registrar of the Supreme Court, informing that it is going to seek adjournment of the hearing of the petition in view of the "ongoing preparations for the upcoming Panchayat and urban local body and municipal elections in the state". Various organisations included Bar Association, transporters and traders' bodies have extended support to the shutdown call of the JRL, comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik. Protests have been held across the length and breadth of Kashmir over the past few days with mainstream parties like the National Conference and PDP also holding rallies in support of continuing Article 35A. Train services as well as the Amarnath yatra have been suspended in the Valley in view of the strike called by separatists. How do naxals procure sophisticated weapons: It was the LTTE which aided them As naxals lay deep, how security forces went deeper and gunned down 14 India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Raipur, Aug 6: It was a major boost for the security forces who gunned down 14 naxalites following a combing and search operation near a forest village between Gollappalli and Konta in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. These areas are normally quite at this time of the year. The naxalites usually stay deep in the jungles and do not attempt venturing out due to poor navigation. With the rivers flooded, naxalites avoid moving too much. However, the security forces had specific instruction about the presence of these naxalites. With the naxalites pushing backwards, the forces decided to step up the operations. Instead, the forces decided to go deep into the forests. There was exchange of fire when the naxalites came face to face, but the forces were better prepared and took down 14. While the naxalites tend to take away the bodies following an encounter, the security forces have however managed to retrieve all 14 bodies. Additionally, firearms too have been recovered, police officials confirmed. The operation was carried out after specific intelligence was provided to the security forces. The operation was carried out by the Special Task Force, CRPF and the District Reserve Guards. Addressing the media, Special DG DM Awasthi confirmed that 14 bodies were recovered in the encounter. He also added that two Maoists have been arrested. One of them is Deva, an area committee member who carries a bounty of Rs five lakh and another is a woman Maoist has been shot in the leg. Avail benefits under govt's insurance schemes: Railways asks employees India pti-PTI New Delhi, Aug 6: In a bid to boost the government's flagship insurance schemes, railways has now called upon its employees to join these programmes and avail benefits, a letter from the Railway Board has indicated. In a letter dated August 2, Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani asked the zonal general managers to encourage their employees as well as the contractual staffers to avail the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Beema Yojana (PMSBY) and the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Beema Yojana (PMJJBY). "As these schemes are of national importance, we should encourage our employees and also contractual workers to join the schemes and avail benefits," Lohani said, adding a nodal officer each has been nominated for this purpose. In the letter, he said that the zones should "strive to ensure maximum possible coverage" of on-board housekeeping staff, cleaning, catering and other labour intensive contracts under the above schemes. This was decided after a meeting with the secretary, financial services, Government of India on July 31, officials said. Railways has around 13 lakh employees and more than 90,000 contractual workers. At present, 5.3 crore people are insured under the PMJJBY, which offers a renewable one-year term life cover of Rs 2 lakh for an annual premium of Rs 330. There are around 13 crore people insured under the PMSBY, which is an accident death-cum-disability cover of Rs 2 lakh for an annual premium of Rs 12. Lohani further asked the zonal railways to nominate a nodal officer in every zone to coordinate with service providers and other stakeholders for 'maximum possible coverage.' PTI Big breakthrough: NIA picks up Lashkar-e-Tayibas top handler India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 6: In a major breakthrough the National Investigation Agency has arrested a Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorist, Habibur Rahaman. Originally a resident of Kendrapara in Odisha, he was based in Riyadh. A non bailable warrant had been issued against him in 2017. He was picked up from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, when he was returning from Riyadh. Habibur Rahman was one of the handlers of Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem alias Nomi who was initially arrested in 2007 while trying to infiltrate two Pakistani and one Kashmiri terrorist into India through Bangladesh. Shaikh Abdul Naeem later on escaped from custody while he was being taken for court attendance to Maharashtra from Kolkata in August, 2014. After his escape from custody, he again started his nefarious activities on the directions of his handlers based in Pakistan and in Saudi Arabia. A well-established conspiracy was hatched between the accused for targeting vulnerable locations in India with intent of causing maximum damage. Naeem was tasked to identify locations where terrorist attacks could be carried out. For this purpose, Naeem assumed different fake identities and visited different states including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh and did reconnaissance of possible targets for terrorist attacks. Habibur Rahman, who is affiliated to proscribed terrorist organisation LeT, arranged shelter/hideouts and funds for Shaikh Abdul Naeem on different occasions for carrying out terrorist activities in India on the directions of the LeT commander Amjad alias Rehan who is based in Pakistan. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 17:19 [IST] Bihar shelter home rapes: Another BJP leader demands Manju Verma's resignation India oi-Vikas By Vikas New Delhi, Aug 6: The demand for Bihar social welfare minister Manju Verma's resignation over the rape of minor girls at a shelter homes in Muzaffarpur seems to be gaining momentum. Manju Verma's husband, Chandeshwar Verma, is accused of often entering the Muzaffarpur shelter home. Ever since Chandeshwar Verma's name surfaced in the case, the Opposition parties have been demanding Manju Verma's removal from the state cabinet and the arrest of her husband. Now, some leaders of the BJP, an ally of the ruling JD (U) in Bihar, are makiung similar demands. "Since their names (Manju Verma and her husband) have appeared during investigation she should have resigned for an impartial investigation. Nitish ji should also tell her to stay suspended until all investigations are done," BJP MP Gopal Narayan Singh told news agency ANI today (August 6) Yesterday, senior BJP leader C P Thakur said Manju Verma should resign owning moral responsibility for the alleged sexual abuse of minor girls at a shelter home in Muzaffarpur. Asked about the demand by opposition parties for the resignation of Verma, whose husband has been accused of being a regular visitor to the Muzaffarpur shelter home by the wife of one of the arrested accused, Thakur said, "She should take a decision on the same based on her conscience. I think she should take moral responsibility for the scandal." [Also Read | BJP's CP Thakur demands Bihar minister Manju Verma's resignation] - The BJP is a partner in the ruling coalition in Bihar. Asked about Thakur's statement, the JD(U), which is headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, came up with a guarded response. "C P Thakur has expressed his personal opinion. It is not that the BJP has come up with an official stand. Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, himself a senior BJP leader, has been articulating the government's position on the issue," JD(U) spokesman and MLC Neeraj Kumar said. Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi has defended Manju Verma, saying there is neither any evidence of her involvement in the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal nor had she protected any of the people accused of wrongdoing. [Also Read | Bihar shelter home rapes: Nitish Kumar will not resign, says JD (U)] As many as ten people, including the head of the NGO running the shelter home, Brajesh Thakur, were arrested in the case in June while one accused is on the run. Buckling under pressure from the Opposition, CM Nitish Kumar ordered a CBI probe on July 26. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 12:54 [IST] Covid test must for those visiting Bihar from other states during Diwali, Chhath Bihar By-polls: Lalu Yadav to campaign for RJD candidates on Wednesday to ensure 'visarjan' of Nitish Kumar Bihar SI Exam result 2018: Written exam result declared India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar New Delhi, Aug 6: The Bihar SI Exam Result 2018 for Bihar Police Sub-ordinate Services Commission (BPSSC) has been released. The results are available on the official website. The results were declared for the written test, mains for 1717 vacancies for the post of sub-inspector. A total of 10161 candidates have qualified for the written exam. They will now have to appear for the physical exam to be held next month. According to BPSSC, the preliminary written exam for the post of Police Sub-Inspector (daroga) were held in March this year. In wake of the byelections in the state, exam was also organised for some candidates on April 15. On the basis of preliminary written exam, 29,359 candidates were selected for the final written test, which was held on July 22 across 44 centres of the state. The results are available on bpssc.bih.nic.in. By being placed third on seniority list, here is what Justice Joseph has missed out India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 6: Ahead of the swearing in ceremony at the Supreme Court, several judges would today meet with Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra to discuss the seniority row regarding Justice K M Joseph. What has upset a section of the judges in the SC is that Justice Joseph's name figures last in the seniority despite his name being recommended before the two other judges. His name features after Justices Indira Banerjee and Vineet Saran. The swearing in of the three judges would take place on Tuesday at 10.30 am. The issue relating to seniority does matter in the Supreme Court as it rob a judge of a chance of becoming CJI. When it comes to deciding seniority, the time of swearing in is also taken into consideration. The Justice Chelameswar saga: In this context, let us examine the Justice J Chelameswar case. He was one of the four judges who addressed that controversial presser, in which their unhappiness with the functioning of the SC was made known. When it came to seniority, Justice Chelameswar has not been exactly lucky. Although he retired as the senior most judge of the SC, he missed his chance of becoming CJI. He was appointed as judge of the High Court on June 23 1997. This appointment was in fact made after Justice Dipak Misra and Justice J S Khehar were appointed judges of the HC. While Justice Misra was appointed as HC judge on January 17 1996 in the case of Justice Khehar it was February 8 1999. Justice Chelameswar went on to become the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court on May 3 2007. Justices Misra and Khehar became CJs on December 23 2009 and November 29 2009 respectively. If one looks at the above mentioned dates, then Justice Chelameswar was senior compared to the other two judges. However Justice Khehar was appointed as SC judge on September 13 2011, Justice Chelameswar and Justice Misra were appointed SC judges a month later. However Justice Misra took oath as SC judge before Justice Chelameswar did. This meant that Justice Misra became senior to Justice Chelameswar in the Supreme Court. Had the appointment of Justice Chelameswar taken place as per the HC seniority, then he would have taken oath as the Chief Justice of India immediately after Justice T S Thakur who retired on January 4 2017. After Justice Thakur retired, Justice Khehar took over as the CJI. Justice Khehar was succeeded by Justice Misra on August 28 2017. Has Justice Joseph missed the bus: Even, if Justice Joseph's name had figured before Justices Indira Banerjee and Vineet Saran, he still would have had a chance of becoming CJI. However had been placed in the first position, he would have had a chance of head a Bench earlier. Being at number 3 would mean that Justice Joseph would head a Bench at a much later stage. However the judges who have objected to this in the SC feel that the issue is not about heading a Bench or becoming CJI. The sanctity is at stake and they feel that the CJI ought to have raised this issue. After much tussle over the appointment of Justice Joseph, the Centre finally cleared his name. However the judges feel that by meddling with the seniority, the Centre has had the last word. Sources tell OneIndia that a demand would be made to the CJI to take a corrective measure before the oath-taking ceremony. Some members of the Supreme Court Bar Association said they will also make a representation on the issue. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 9:49 [IST] Chhagan Bhujbal admitted to Mumbai's Jaslok Hospital India oi-Vikas By Vikas Mumbai, Aug 6: Former Maharashtra deputy chief minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who was convicted in a money laundering case and was later released on bail, has been admitted to Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai. The exact reason behind his admission to hospital is now known yet. Bhujbal was admitted to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital even in May this year. The Bombay High Court granted him bail in the money laundering case on May 4 after which the senior politician underwent treatment at the civic-run KEM Hospital before being discharged five days later. The 70-year-old Nationalist Congress Party leader is accused of misusing his position to launder Rs 857 crore during the redevelopment of the Maharashtra Sadan, which is the state guesthouse in New Delhi. He allegedly accepted kickbacks through firms owned by his relatives. Bhujbal was arrested in March 2016 in Mumbai by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with its probe in a money laundering case registered against him and others. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 14:28 [IST] Couple arrested for running sex racket at UP shelter home, police rescue 24 girls India oi-Madhuri New Delhi, Aug 6: The police have rescued 24 girls fro a shelter home in eastern Uttar Pradesh after allegations of sexual exploitation came to light. A couple at the shelter and its superintendent have been arrested. A total of 42 girls reportedly stay in the house, of which 18 are said to be missing. The home has been sealed. "Twenty-four girls were rescued yesterday from the shelter home that houses 42 inmates. Eighteen inmates are still missing. We have sealed it," PTI quoted a police official as saying. The incident came to light after a girl escaped from there and intimated the police. "Many times white, black and red cars used to come and take away the girls. When they returned in the morning, they used to cry," the girl alleged. "When the order to close this institution was made, our people went there and the organisation's director misbehaved with our team. Today, after a girl escaped from there, we got to know the reality of that place. There have been many big disclosures during the investigation. Twenty-four children have been rescued safely so far," ANI quoted the police officer as saying. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 14:24 [IST] Devendra Fadnavis meets PM, apprises him on various issues in Maharashtra India pti-PTI New Delhi, Aug 6: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the backdrop of the of the on-going Maratha agitation and apprised him on various issues in the state. The meeting lasted for over an hour, sources said. The visit also comes after the BJP's stunning victory in the Sangli Municipal Corporation, the bastion of the Congress and the NCP, and Jalgaon Municipal Corporation. "Called on Hon PM Narendra Modi ji in New Delhi this evening to apprise him on the various issues of Maharashtra," Fadnavis tweeted. The chief minister had yesterday said that all constitutional obligations in connection with the granting of reservations to the Maratha community in the state would be completed by November this year. The Maratha agitation has kept Maharashtra on the edge, with several parts of the state witnessing protests from the community. PTI The Maharashtra twist and an eerie similarity to what Deve Gowda did in 2006 Have no problem with woman PM candidate: Deve Gowda India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Bengaluru, Aug 6: Former prime minister HD Deve Gowda clarified that he has no problem if the Congress proposes a woman prime ministerial candidate in 2019 general elections. Speaking to ANI in Bengaluru on the likely prime ministerial candidate, Deve Gowda said, "First, Congress said Rahul Gandhi will be PM candidate. A PTI correspondent said Congress will propose Mamata Banerjee or Mayawati as PM candidate as they want a woman candidate, I told the journalist, I will have no problem with it." In an interview with PTI, Gowda said, 'Most welcome if Mamata is projected as PM. Indira Gandhi ruled as prime minister for 17 years. Why should we (men) alone become PM? Why not Mamata or Mayawati?". However, he said that Congress will play an important role in forging opposition unity to challenge the Narendra Modi-led BJP government to come back to power in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Last month, the Congress pitched for party president Rahul Gandhi as its prime ministerial candidate for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls but, the party indicated that it was not averse to accepting a nominee for the top post from any Opposition alliance who does not have the backing of the RSS. Top Congress sources told reporters said that to prevent the BJP from coming back to power in 2019, the Congress will look to cobble up alliances with various parties in states. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 11:37 [IST] Independence Day terror: Kashmir youth with 8 grenades arrested in Delhi India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 6: A Kashmiri youth has been arrested with explosives while he was coming into New Delhi from Jammu. The youth has been identified as Arfan Wani. He was arrested with 8 hand grenades in the Gandhi Nagar area. He hails. From Awantipora in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. The police say that he was in the national capital to carry out a terror attack ahead of Independence Day. There is already a high alert ahead of August 15. The police also recovered Rs 60,000 in cash from him. Police sources tell OneIndia, that his questioning revealed that he had planned on hurling grenades at the security forces during Independence Day. It is still not clear which outfit he is from. The alert by the Intelligence Bureau states that attacks in the capital could be carried out by terrorists of the Jaish-e-Mohammad or Lashkar-e-Tayiba. There is also an alert declared in Jammu and Kashmir which is on the boil over the issue of Article 35A. Kashmir is under a complete lockdown over the issue. Further security agencies have also warned that terrorists would look to take advantage of the situation and strike on Independence Day. The case has now been handed over to the Special Cell of the Delhi police. Infighting in Rajasthan Congress may mar its chances; Vasundhara able to make inroads India oi-Vinod By Vinod New Delhi, Aug 6: Has the Congress started realising that things are now getting difficult for it by the day which was otherwise a cakewalk for the party in Rajasthan? This is the reason that workers of both the factions of the Congress - Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot -- in the state are blaming each other that they are not allowing party workers to function with full freedom or it is other way round that infighting in the Congress making things difficult. Election in Rajasthan may be held anytime in November along with Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram. But infighting in the Rajasthan may spoil the chances of the party. Congress workers belonging to the faction of state president Sachin Pilot alleged that workers belonging to former chief minister Ashok Gehlot group are not allowing them to work. Both the groups are looking for the maximum credit out of these elections to claim the post of chief minister. Sources in the Rajasthan Congress said that infighting between the workers of the top two leaders of the Congress in the state may mar the very chances of the Congress in the state. Some of them even planning to ask the Congress high command to intervene into the matter before it is too late. On the contrary Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje is getting positive feedback that prospects of the BJP has started looking up and this was the reason that she has started a very aggressive campaign. Earlier the Congress high command issued a gag order on its Rajasthan leaders after central leadership decided to go into the Rajasthan Assembly polls under the joint leadership of all senior state leaders including Ashol Gehlot, Sachin Pilot, C P Joshi and Bhanwar Jitendra Singh without projecting anyone as the chief ministerial candidate. But this has not gone down well with the party workers in the state, which became more vocal about their choice of leader in the state. It became apparent in the one-day workshop on election management organised in Jaipur last week in which both Gehlot and Pilot participated. But supporters of Pilot and Gehlot are indirectly attacking against each other while the chief minister is out on streets with a state BJP president of her choice who belongs to the same caste as Gehlot to counter his appeal. If the CM is able to minimize anti-incumbency or not, it will be assessed later but she is cashing on the infightings of the Congress to make inroads into voters, said analysts. Hyderabad rape case: The rapist will be caught and killed in encounter, Telangana minister ISIS: NIA raids at Hyderabad India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 6: The National Investigating Agency today conducts searches at various locations in a bid to unearth Islamic State related cases. Searches were conducted at 7 different locations in Hyderabad based on concrete intelligence. The NIA also seized incriminating material apart from digital devices during the raid. The case relates to the one the NIA had registered in 2016. The NIA had unearthed a nation wide plot by the ISIS to carry out a series of attacks across India. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 19:24 [IST] Protect country without worry, Modi govt will take care of your families: Amit Shah to troops Amit Shah spends night at CRPF camp in Pulwama; says will see a peaceful J&K 'in our lifetime' J-K cops detain 6 over derogatory video after Pakistan's victory against India in T20 match Balkanisation of India: Lt. Gen would look to further bolster Operation Tupac in Kashmir Terrorist who was going to kill shopkeeper in J&K gunned down J&K: JeM terrorist arrested, explosives seized India oi-Vikas By Vikas Srinagar, Aug 6: The Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist from Anantnag, said reports. A huge cache of incriminating material and explosives have also been seized, reported ANI. The seized explosives were said to be meant for terror strikes. On July 1, a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist and an over the ground worker of the terror outfit were arrested in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar. A huge cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered from the duo. On June 24, two over-ground workers of terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen were arrested and a live grenade was recovered from them in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. The two were identified as Amin Ahmad Sofi, a resident of Charligund Awantipora and Tanveer Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Chechikot Awantipora. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 18:30 [IST] EC declares bypolls to seven Rajya Sabha seats in six states JD(U) MP Harivansh could be NDA's candidate for Rajya Sabha deputy chairman, say reports India oi-Vikas By Vikas New Delhi, Aug 6: The BJP-led NDA's candidate for the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman could be Janata Dal (United) MP Harivansh, reported news agency ANI while quoting sources. It was earlier reported that BJP would consider giving the post of Rajya Sabha deputy chairman to an NDA ally. But, the name of the candidate that was doing rounds then was Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)'s Naresh Gujaral. The BJP is short of clear majority in the Upper House so it cannot push for its candidate and expect all NDA allies to back him. While the BJP is the single largest party in the Upper House, it is still short of a clear majority. It would find it hard to get its candidate for the post elected, provided the opposition stands united According to reports, the opposition is thinking of fielding Trinamool Congress leader Sukehendu Shekhar Roy. The election to the post of deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha would be held on Thursday (August 9). Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu announced this in the Upper House on Monday. The elections became necessary as the term of P J Kurien ended on July 1. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 14:12 [IST] PM Modi launches Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission: What we know about the scheme, so far? Mutual cooperation in Covid era will strengthen our ties in future: PM Modi at 18th ASEAN-India summit Karunanidhi laid to rest with full-state honours at Marina Beach India oi-Oneindia Staff By Oneindia Staff Chennai, Aug 8: DMK patriarch and five-time Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi was finally laid to rest on Wednesday alongside Jayalalithaa, DMK founder CN Annadurai and MGR at Marina beachfront in Chennai as a sea of humanity bid him a tearful farewell. He was buried with full state honours next to his mentor and former chief minister C N Annadurai at the Marina beach. No Hindu rituals were performed as Karunanidhi was a self-proclaimed atheist and rationalist. Karunanidhi's son M K Stalin received the national flag wrapped around his father's body. Other family members including the leader's wife Rajathi Ammal, other sons and daughters showered flower petals at his feet. Draped in a tricolour, the five-time chief minister was taken for his burial in an open procession. A sea of supporters were lined up along the route to catch a final glimpse of the departed leader and chanted slogans for their Thalaivar. The last journey of 'Kalaignar' Karunanidhi began at 4:00 pm. The 94-year-old Dravidian icon, who was affectionately called as Thalaivar and Kalaignar, had breathed his last at Kauvery hospital after fighting for life for 11 days. He had been battling age-related ailments for a long time. Earlier today, leaders from across the country, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, came to Chennai to pay their last respects to the doyen of Tamil Nadu politocs who breathed his last at Kauvery hospital in Chennai on Tuesday. Several Chief Ministers and political leaders paid tribute to late DMK chief M Karunanidhi at the Rajaji Hall here today. Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao, CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, former chief ministers of Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, Oommen Chandy and Akilesh Yadav respectively, among other leaders paid homage to the departed leader. Here are the Highlights: DMK working president MK Stalin said in an interview that DMK supremo Karunanidhi's health is stable and that doctors are monitoring his condition at the hospital. Actor Vijay meets DMK leader MK Stalin at Kauvery hospital where former Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi is undergoing treatment Chennai: Actor Vijay meets DMK leader MK Stalin at Kauvery hospital where former Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi is undergoing treatment pic.twitter.com/CxRFxzKYOz ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2018 Rajnikanth meets Karunanidhi. On July 31, Congress president Rahul Gandhi met Karunanidhi and wished him a speedy recovery. I wanted to come and see M Karunanidhi Ji. He is a tough person, I met him & he is stable. Sonia ji has sent her best wishes and regards to the family: Rahul Gandhi Congress President Rahul Gandhi to travel to Chennai today to meet DMK chief M Karunanidhi who is admitted to Kauvery Hospital. Stalin says Karunanidhi's condition is stable and that the veteran leader continues to remain under keen observation of doctors. Representatives of Sri Lanka President, Maithripala Sirisena, visited Kauvery hospital to meet former Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi. They submitted a letter from Sirisena to DMK working President MK Stalin wishing speedy recovery to Karunanidhi. NCP leader Sharad Pawar visited Chennai's Kauvery hospital today. He met M K Stalin and Kanimozhi and inquired about the Karunanidhi's health. Supporters of DMK chief M Karunanidhi pray at his residence in Coimbatore where he used to reside in 1945. He is currently admitted in Chennai's Kauvery hospital. Visuals from outside Kauvery Hospital in Chennai where DMK Chief M #Karunanidhi is undergoing treatment #Visuals from outside Kauvery Hospital in Chennai where DMK Chief M #Karunanidhi is undergoing treatment. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/ious2kR6GT ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2018 DMK supremo Karunanidhi is fighting with Yaman (the God of death) but he will return victorious, said MDMK general secretary Vaiko Kaveri after visting him at Kauvery Hospital on Monday. Isha Yoga founder and spiritual guru Jaggi vasudev also visited DMK chief Karunanidhi at the Kauvery Hospital on Monday, News18 Tamil reported. AIADMK member Nanjil Sampath and famous Tamil poet Vairamuthu visited DMK chief Karunanidhi in Kauvery Hospital on Monday, according to local media reports. E Palaniswami met Karunanidhi in ICU. He said that the DMK chief is doing fine and a team of expert doctors team is monitoring him, according to reports. DMK volunteers need to maintain peace and cooperate with the police, MK Stalin requests to supporters. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami and and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam have arrived at the Kauvery hospital to enquire about M Karunanidhi's health, according to sources. DMK workers continue to gather outside Kauvery Hospital in Chennai where DMK Chief M Karunanidhi is undergoing treatment. According to Thanthi TV, DMK chief Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi who had stayed at the hospital overnight has said that he is doing good and his well-wishers and party workers should be "brave" in these testing times. DMK workers continue to gather outside Kauvery Hospital in Chennai where DMK Chief M #Karunanidhi is undergoing treatment. pic.twitter.com/Y98hwdh0RZ ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2018 A DMK worker died of a heart attack in Thiruvarur on Sunday morning after hearing about the deteriorating health of party veteran M Karunanidhi. Another DMK worker, Raju, committed suicide by hanging himself on Sunday, according to local media reports. The security was beefed up both at the hospital and Karunanidhi's residence on Sunday. DMK leader A Raja, in an address to people outside Kauvery Hospital in Chennai, asked not to believe in rumours. Raja said, "Karunanidhi is responding well to treatment". A massive crowd has gathered outside Kauvery hostpital and a tight security has been put in place. Some reports had earlier said that Karunanidhi's condition was upgraded to 'very critical' from 'critical'. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami, who was in Salem, has reportedly cancelled all his meetings and rushed for Chennai. Leaders cutting across party lines are arriving at Kauvery hospital. Massive crowds have gathered outside the hospital. People are shouting slogans "Long live Kalaignar". MK Stalin issues statement over M Karunanidhi's health condition,states 'There was unexpected setback in his health but after intense medical care,he's normalising.Doctors' team is continuously monitoring him.Appeal to cadres to not indulge in violence or disturb police or public pic.twitter.com/1tsAoUF4mU ANI (@ANI) July 29, 2018 Karunanidhi was admitted to the Hospital in a critical condition around 1.30 a.m. on Saturday after his blood pressure began to fall. He was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance past Friday midnight from his Gopalapuram residence. Former BJD leader Bijayant Jay Panda earlier called on M Karunanidhi at Kauvery hospital today and wished for the DMK president's speedy recovery. "I came here to convey my best wishes for Karunanidhi Ji's speedy recovery. He has played a tremendous role in social transformation and economic development of the nation. I met MK Stalin, Kanimozhi and other DMK leaders," Panda told ANI after meeting. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu earlier today met the DMK Chief at Kauvery hospital where Karunanidhi is admitted following a drop in blood pressure. The crowd stayed put outside the hospital even past midnight. Despite assurances that Karunanidhi was recovering, the crowd refused to disperse. Anna University has announced that there has been no holiday declared for its constituent colleges. BJD leader Bijayant Jay Panda calls on M Karunanidhi. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu meets DMK Chief M Karunanidhi at Kauvery hospital where the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was admitted following a drop in blood pressure. DMK supporters gathered outside Chennai's Kauvery hospital, where DMK Chief M Karunanidhi was admitted following drop in blood pressure. Police personnel have cordoned off for the entire area for general public. Karunanidhi's condition has hogged attention over the past couple of days, with political leaders from across the spectrum lining up to visit him. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu will meet Karunanidhi at the hospital on Sunday. Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi's health condition continues to remain stable with ongoing active medical support, said the latest bulletin issued by Kauvery Hospital in Chennai. The hospital statement said, "DMK President and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Kalaignar Dr M Karunanidhi's health condition continues to be remain stable with ongoing active medical support. He is continuously being monitored & treated by the panel of expert doctors in the Intensive Care Unit." Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman meets DMK's MK Stalin at Chennai's Kauvery hospital to inquire about M Karunanidhi's health condition Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad visits Karunanidhi at Kauvery Hospital TN CM E Palainiswami's statement: Karunanidhi was not feeling well & was undergoing treatment at home. Now, he is being given the best treatment at the hospital. Our ministers had met MK Stalin and inquired about his health. He will recover soon. If necessary we are willing to provide any help with medical aid. He is better. His blood pressure has stabilised: DMK leader Kanimozhi on DMK President M Karunanidhi's health condition. Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit met MK Stalin at Kauvery Hospital, where DMK President M Karunanidhi was admitted late last night. DMK supporters continue to gather outside Kauvery Hospital, where DMK President M Karunanidhi is admitted. Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit visits DMK President M Karunanidhi at Kauvery Hospital who was admitted to the hospital late last night following a drop in blood pressure. MK Stalin arrived at Kauvery Hospital, where DMK President Karunanidhi is admitted following a drop in blood pressure. DMK supporters gathered outside Kauvery Hospital, where DMK President is admitted. Karunanidhi, 94, was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit of Kauvery Hospital at 1:30 am. After the hospital informed that Karunanidhi was responding to treatment, the crowd started to disperse. His family members including Stalin and former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran too left the hospital. The hospital in a statement said he was brought there after his blood pressure had dropped. "His blood pressure has been stabilised with medical management and he continues to be monitored and treated by the panel of experts," the hospital said. Several senior DMK leaders, including working president M K Stalin and his estranged elder brother M K Alagiri were at the hospital. Other frontline leaders such as Duraimurugan, Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi and former Union minister A Raja were also there. Hundreds of party cadres and well-wishers have gathered at the hospital. Security beefed up in and around the area. Slogans like "Long Live Kalaignar Karunanidhi" rent the air. Earlier in the day, Kauvery hospital in Chennai released a medical bulletin stating that Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi's health had deteriorated and a team of medical experts were treating him for fever due to urinary tract infection and had kept him under observation for 24 hours. "There has been a decline in the health of DMK president M Karunanidhi's due to age-related ailments. He is being treated for fever due to urinary tract infection. He is being given hospital level treatment at home," a medical bulletin released by the Kauvery Hospital said. Given his condition, the team of doctors attending to him has recommended the restriction on visitors. DMK working president and Karunanidhi's son, M K Stalin, told that the veteran leader is recovering steadily as his fever is coming down. News agency ANI quoted him as saying "he (M Karunanidhi) is recovering steadily as his fever is coming down." Stalin was made the party's working president in 2016 after Karunanidhi retreated from the mainstream politics. He tweeted: "I am thankful to Rahul Gandhi, SitaramYechury & D Raja for calling to inquire about Thalaivar Kalaignar's health. The concern and wishes from everyone will surely aid @kalaignar89's recovery and we hope he will be able to meet everyone soon." On behalf of the DMK, I thank @rashtrapatibhvn & @PMOIndia for their enquiries about @kalaignar89's health. I am extremely grateful for their offers of help. Thalaivar is getting the best medical care and treatment. We hope he will recover soon and thank everyone in his own words M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) July 27, 2018 Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he spoke with Karunanidhi's son M.K. Stalin, who is the Leader of Opposition, and daughter Kanimozhi and enquired about the veteran leader's health. "I pray for his quick recovery and good health," wrote Modi on Twitter and added that he has offered any assistance required. Also, President Ram Nath Kovind spoke to Karunanidhi's family members, President's office tweeted, "Spoke to Thiru Karunanidhi's family members on the phone and inquired about his health. Wishing the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, a veteran of our public life, a quick recovery." Spoke to Thiru Karunanidhis family members on the phone and inquired about his health. Wishing the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, a veteran of our public life, a quick recovery #PresidentKovind President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 27, 2018 Arpudhamaal, the mother of Perarivaalan who is accused in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, visited Gopalapuram to meet Karunanidhi. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter to wish for Karunanidhi's speedy recovery. MK Stalin took to Twitter to thank PM Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi for enquiring about Karunanidhi's health. Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot took to Twitter to wish Karunanidhi a speedy recovery. Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan said that meeting MK Stalin & Kanimozhi, he was apprised that Karunanidhi's health is improving and that PM Modi spoke to them inquiring about his health. Karunanidhi's house has been flooded with party workers today after Kauvery Hospital stated a "slight decline" in his health Thursday night. Stalin's estranged brother and former union minister M K Alagiri arrived at the residence along with his son Durai Dayanidhi. Tamil Nadu BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan said, "Kalaignar should get back to active life and that is my prayer. He presided over my marriage..." Among other visitors were, MDMK chief Vaiko, Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan, CPI leader D Pandian and Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi leader Velmurugan who enquired about his health from family members and Stalin. "Such fever after a tracheostomy procedure is usual. Stalin told me that he is fine. I am confident that he will bounce back with the same magnetic voice," Vaiko told reporters. Karunanidhi completed 50 years as party chief today and the DMK had planned to celebrate it by distributing sweets and welfare assistance. Law allowing death penalty for rape of children passed by Parliament India oi-Madhuri New Delhi, Aug 7: Parliament on Monday passed a bill that allows for death penalty or life imprisonment for people convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years. It also enhances the minimum punishment for rape of women from seven years to 10 years. The Lok Sabha passed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018, on July 30, following which it was unanimously passed by voice vote in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. The bill will replace an ordinance promulgated by the government in April after outcry over the alleged rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir. The minimum punishment in cases of rape of women has been increased from the rigorous imprisonment of seven years to 10 years. According to the bill, in case of rape of a girl under 16 years, the minimum punishment has been increased from 10 to 20 years, extendable to imprisonment for rest of life, which means jail term till the convict's "natural life". Gangrape of a girl under 12 years of age will invite punishment of jail term for the rest of life or death. The measure also provides for speedy investigations and trial. The time limit for the investigation of all cases of rape has been prescribed, which has to be mandatorily completed within two months. The deadline for the completion of a trial in all rape cases will be two months. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, August 7, 2018, 1:36 [IST] Manohar Parrikar to fly to US on Aug 9 for health check-up India pti-PTI Panaji, Aug 6: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will be flying to the US on August 9 from Delhi for a medical check-up and is expected a return by the end of this month, a senior official said. Parrikar is scheduled to be in Delhi tomorrow and is expected to meet the Centre's Group of Ministers to place before it a resolution on mining passed in the Goa Legislative Assembly on August 3, the official from the Chief Minister's Office said. Parrikar (62) is suffering from a pancreatic ailment and had flown to the US on March 7 for treatment. He returned to the country on June 14. The Goa Legislative Assembly had, on August 3, passed a resolution urging the Centre to suitably amend the Goa, Daman and Diu Mining Concessions (Abolition and Declaration as Mining Leases) Act, to allow mining leases in the state to be operational till 2037. The resolution also wanted the Union government to amend the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act in order to give mining leases in Goa a 50-year tenure of operation. The state's mining sector has been shut since March 16 this year after the Supreme Court, in an order in February, cancelled 88 leases and banned the extraction of fresh ore. PTI Rahul Gandhi meets party leaders from Gujarat, asks them to be prepared for assembly polls Muzaffarpur rape case: Bihar CM orders inspection of child shelter homes India oi-Deepika By Deepika Patna, Aug 6: In the wake of Muzaffarpur shelter home incident, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Monday, 6 August directed all district magistrates to inspect child shelter homes and women shelter homes in the state. He also ordered that adequate security arrangements should be made at the shelter homes. It comes days after Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav hold a protest at Jantar Mantar, which turned into a show of opposition unity as various leaders like Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other Left leaders, including D Raja and Sitaram Yechury. Opposition parties have alleged the Bihar government of not taking enough action into the matter and shielding Brajesh Thakur, the main accused in the case. Former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and his party RJD have demanded the resignation of Bihar Chief Minister. The incident came to light when Bihar's social welfare department filed an FIR based on a social audit of the shelter home, conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai (TISS). FIRs were filed on May 31 and July 29 in connection with the case, while the shelter home was sealed on June 14. NDA may back JD (U)s Harivansh Narayan Singh for the post of deputy chairman RS India oi-Vinod By Vinod New Delhi, Aug 6: Suddenly the entire political focus has shifted on the election of deputy chairman in the Rajya Sabha after Chairman M Venkaiyah Naidu announced August 9, 2018 as the election date. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party apparently supporting the name of Janata Dal (U) Rajya Sabha MP and journalist Harbans Narayan Singh. However, the BJP as per its original plans wanted to drag the matter for long without conducting the elections. Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on August 6, 2018 announced that last date for nomination is August 8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier made it clear to party colleagues that the post of deputy chairman would go to one of the NDA allies. Meanwhile, the Vice President had called for the ruling and opposition parties to build a consensus on next deputy Chairman of the Upper House. "I hope the ruling and the opposition parties will find a suitable replacement with consensus for Prof Kurien as the election of new Deputy Chairperson will be held soon," he said. The most bitter opponent of the NDA government, All India Trinamool Congress wants Shubhendu Shekhar Roy to be made the opposition candidate while as per the original plan of the BJP Shiromani Akali Dal leader Naresh Gujarat was the most suitable candidate of the NDA. Party sources said that the name of Harbans Singh is such that even some opposition party leaders will agree to his name. His image is also very good as a man of conviction that might help him to sail through. The Congress and other opposition political parties are churning to have such a candidate who is able to defeat the NDA candidate. In a 245-member Rajya Sabha the BJP has 73 members while the Congress has 50 members. The NDA with its full strength has the support of 112 MPS and even if Biju Janata Dal supports NDA candidate the number will be 121 which is still short of the magic number. Total 122 members will be required for the victory of any candidate. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 19:39 [IST] Swami Vivekananda might get Agnivesh-like treatment if he were to come today: Tharoor Arrests of right activists being linked to the attack on Swami Agnivesh and Umar Khalid No arrests made, Swami Agnivesh likely to move SC India oi-Madhuri New Delhi, Aug 6: Social activist Swami Agnivesh may approach the Supreme Court for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the attack on him two weeks back in Jharkhand, in which, he claimed, there had been no probe or arrest yet. "It has been 15 days and no arrest has been made. There has been no investigation. It indicates that the matter is being brushed under the carpet. I have no option but to go to the Supreme Court and request for an SIT probe," Agnivesh told ANI. The spiritual leader, who was in Jharkhand's Pakur to attend an event on July 18, was in his hotel when a group of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) workers thrashed him. Agnivesh lodged a complaint at Ranchi police station, but there have been no arrests yet. "I survived just with the grace of God. The mob would have killed me. I thought I was finished," the 79-year-old said while addressing a seminar in Kerala capital Thiruvananthapuram, and exhorted people to unite to fight communalism "in the great spirit of saving democracy, Indian constitution and saving the greatest Hindu civilisation". Addressing the seminar, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor came down heavily on the BJP led government at the Centre and claimed communal violence and killings in the name of cow vigilantism have increased in the last four years. Tharoor alleged that as per Home ministry statistics 2,920 incidents of communal violence had occurred in the country in the last four years, leaving 389 people dead and scores injured. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 6:23 [IST] Covid test must for those visiting Bihar from other states during Diwali, Chhath Bihar By-polls: Lalu Yadav to campaign for RJD candidates on Wednesday to ensure 'visarjan' of Nitish Kumar Nobody will be spared, even minister: Nitish Kumar on Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Patna, Aug 6: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar assured that nobody will be spared even if any minister is involved in the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case. Nitish Kumar was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his weekly public interaction programme "Lok Samvad". Nitish Kumar, in a press conference held in Patna, said, "if Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma is found involved or if anything is found against her in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal, she may be asked, "to go". "But why is this issue being raised only now. We had called her&she denied any involvement. How is it justified to level baseless allegations?," asked Nitish Kumar. On the investigation into the case, Nitish Kumar said, "The matter should be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the High Court should monitor their investigation." "NGO's should not be engaged in the system. Why should we use an NGO? The government should spend money to build houses and hire people to take care of these children, he said about NGOs role in the welfare of children in the state. About people who are raising their voice in the case, he said, "Who knew about the Muzaffarpur case before our investigation, why did they not open their mouth?." "When Bihar police was investigating the case there was an illusionary environment being created, which is why we asked the CBI to get involved and even the High Court is overseeing the investigation," he added. Six officials of Bihar's social welfare department have been placed under suspension on account of "negligence and dereliction of duty". All the officials, suspended with immediate effect, have been charged with "failure to take adequate legal action" with regard to "assault, indecent behaviour and other undesirable activities" at shelter homes within their respective areas of jurisdiction. Pawar calls for state specific alliances for 2019, says he, Sonia & Deve Gowda can unite opposition India oi-Vikas By Vikas New Delhi, Aug 6: NCP chief Sharad Pawar compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi's regime to that of Indira Gandhi's rule in the 70s and suggested that state specific alliances should be looked at to thwart the BJP than overtly focusing on a pan-India alliance. He felt that the issues like prime ministerial candidate and the question as to who would lead the opposition could be looked at after the polls. In an interview to Hindustan Times, Pawar said that like Indira Gandhi, Modi too had "control of media, government and government agencies". In a way, Pawar acknowledged that stopping the BJP would require a mammoth effort for which mere opposition unity may not suffice. He said that the era of rallying behind the Congress is gone and it is now about giving space to regional parties. To drive this point, Pawar gave the example of Kerala, West Bengal and Delhi, where Left, Trinamool Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, respectively, would give stiff fight to the BJP. Pawar said that Deve Gowda, Sonia Gandhi and himself can bring the opposition together as they do not have prime ministerial ambitions. "I honestly feel that there are some leaders, like Sonia Gandhi, (HD) Deve Gowda and, while I should not say it, myself also...we have no ambition to become Prime Minister. At least I am speaking for myself. But I have ambition to bring all these forces together and provide a viable alternative. For that, some of us - the names I have mentioned - can travel throughout India and give confidence to the people of India because today, there is no JP (Jayaprakash Narayan)," Pawar told HT. With less than a year left for general elections, it has become clear that opposition must unite in order to put up a fight to the BJP. This became clear earlier this year when leaders like Mamata Banerjee and K Chandrashekar Rao called for a front of regional parties to take on the BJP. What is not clear is about the role of the Congress party in the entire scheme of things as the grand old party may like to project Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate. This is something that may not be acceptable to the opposition parties. Last week, JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda has said he is not averse to projecting Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the Opposition's prime ministerial face for the 2019 Lok Sabha election. In an interview to PTI in Delhi, Gowda on Saturday noted that while the formation of a third front was still in the "early stage," Banerjee is "trying her best" to bring all the non-BJP parties together. Asked if he would support the TMC chief as the prime ministerial face of the opposition, Gowda said, "Most welcome if Mamata is projected as PM. Indira Gandhi ruled as prime minister for 17 years. Why should we (men) alone become PM? Why not Mamata or Mayawati?" However, on Wednesday (August 1), Banerjee said her priority was throwing BJP out of power and sought to dismiss talks of her being a Prime Ministerial candidate. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 12:15 [IST] Why the rise of Sikh separatism in the United States needs to be flagged harder Referendum 2020: With no traction in Punjab, here is why Khalistanis could get desperate India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 6: The Indian security agencies are watching closely a major event that is to take place in London on August 12. This coupled with the fact that the event called Referendum 2020 will be held three days prior to Independence Day, for which a very high alert has already been declared. An Intelligence Bureau official tells OneIndia that the event at London has the backing of the ISI. It is a way of announcing on the world stage the return of the Khalistan movement. It is unfortunate that the UK government decided not to ban the event, the officer also said. The revival of Khalistan: Over the years every possible attempt has been made by the ISI to revive the Khalistan movement. First and foremost following the clamp down on terrorism in Punjab, a large number of terrorists fled to Pakistan, where they were sheltered, fed and trained. The ISI has been nurturing these persons for over 15 years now and plans to launch them at an appropriate time. There have been attempts made to bring in these terrorists into Punjab, but the ISI has faced several setbacks and this is primarily due to the fact that there is no traction on the ground. The passion and sentiment towards the Khalistan movement is not the same as it used to be two decades. The younger generation has moved and could not care less for this issue. Officials dealing in Punjab say that the traction is almost nil and hence they are trying to build up a narrative on the world stage. For instance, Canada, Italy and the UK have been notorious for sheltering those seeking Khalistan. They have been provided platforms to voice their opinion and demand that Punjab be separated from India. The Referendum 2020 event at Trafalgar Square in London on August 12 is one such event aimed at providing a platform and also building a narrative. Stirring passions: With the narrative on the international scene not getting much traction back in Punjab, the ISI decided that it would be better to stir up passions in the state. It roped in a few pro-Khalistan activists and staged the murder of Hindu leaders in Punjab. An NIA officer who probed the case informed that the motive was to create a communal divide in Punjab. When we probed the matter, we found that funds had been channelised into Punjab from Canada, Italy and UK. The funds in turn were used to commit murders of Hindu leaders, propagate the cause and also attempt recruitments. The plot was busted in the nick of time and the plan fell flat yet again, the officer explains. An IB official says that there were attempts to rope in the religious leaders in Punjab in a bid to spread the message of Khalistan. They wanted these leaders to influence the youth who visit Gurdwaras, but the attempt was not successful. Also Read | Khalistan: Why the "London Declaration for Referendum 2020" is a huge cause for concern In addition to this, the police had busted a plot in April. They were planning a mass movement and were inviting people for the same on Facebook, investigations also revealed. During the protest and declaration, the youth had also planned on setting buses and shops on fire. With this they proposed to begin a mass movement and they had fixed the 2020 deadline to declare Punjab as a Khalistan nation. The Facebook page 'Referendum 2020' was set up by an ISI agent who went by the alias Fateh Singh, the police also learnt. He had also roped in four youth to popularise the page. The main idea was to get a lot of people under one platform and then create terror before declaring Punjab as a separate nation. It may be recalled that Punjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Siingh had also raised concerns over the issue. He had raised strong objection to a statement by an Aam Aadmi Party leader on Referendum 2020. In a tweet, the Punjab CM said, "Mr @ArvindKejriwal I strongly condemn the statement of your LOP @SukhpalKhaira supporting Referendum 2020 that aims for Punjab to secede from the Indian Union. Please clarify your stand on this & ask your partymen to act responsibly. Do see what this Referendum stands for." Also Read | What is 'Referendum 2020,' the ISI plot, AAP was accused of backing Desperation could set in: On August 12, a rally would be held in London. It is called the London Declaration for Referendum 2020. The aim is to seek a sovereign state of Khalistan and it is claimed that it would be attended by Sikhs fro UK, Europe and America. These persons want the world to see and understand their cause. Many sympathisers have been sheltered in these countries for long and have been allowed to try build an anti-India narrative. However as pointed out earlier, such movements can only gain traction, if there is support back at home. These persons with the backing of the ISI would continue to try and build a narrative. However Indian agencies point out that if they continue to fail to get the required traction, there is every chance of a desperation setting in. We have sounded a high alert ahead of Independence Day. We have concrete intelligence that some Khalistan forces would try ands stage an attack. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 9:18 [IST] SEBI never gave Mehul Choksi clean chit India oi-Madhuri New Delhi, Aug 6: Markets regulator Sebi never gave any clean chit report on fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi to Antigua's citizenship-for-investment authority, a senior official said today. The regulator is continuing with its probe into alleged violation of capital market regulations by Mehul Choksi-Nirav Modi duo and their associates including some brokers in connection with two listed firms -- PNB and Gitanjali Gems, the official added. The regulator will now also consider sending the notices for Choksi to Antigua as the absconding businessman and Gitanjali Gems promoter has been granted a citizenship there, the official said. Last week, an Antiguan media report quoted the Caribbean country's Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) as saying that Choksi was granted citizenship there last year after a background check on him got 'no adverse report' from Indian authorities, including police, passport office and Sebi. As per the report, the CIU received documentation of two instances in which the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), in 2014 and 2017, opened investigations on a corporate entity owned by Choksi. It further said the CIU requested updates on the status of the investigations and received documentary confirmation, issued by the Sebi, stating that in one case, the matter had been satisfactorily closed, and indicating in the other that there was not sufficient evidence to pursue the case further. Reacting to this, Sebi issued a statement on Friday denying the claims. "Sebi has neither received any request from the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) of Antigua for updates on any investigation nor provided any such information to CIU," the regulator said. Explaining further, the regulatory official today said Sebi is in an advanced stage of probe against fugitive diamantaires Nirav Modi and Choksi for suspected trading and disclosure related issues in the matter of over Rs 14,000 crore fraud at state-run PNB and it may soon issue the orders. The regulator is probing alleged fraudulent trading, corporate governance related violations, insider trading and disclosure related issues in the case of Punjab National Bank and Gitanjali Gems. The markets watchdog, in May, issued a warning letter to PNB as well for delaying disclosures to stock exchanges about the fraudulent transactions allegedly carried out by absconding Modi and Gitanjali Group of companies. PNB was defrauded allegedly by the diamond trader and his associates by fraudulent use of letters of undertaking (LoUs) and foreign letters of credit (LoC) in connivance with certain bank officials. The regulator has analysed the stock market trade details of all entities associated with Modi and Choksi, who has already been under scanner for various cases including a brokerage default incident. Incidentally, in July 2013, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in consultation with Sebi had debarred Gitanjali Gems chief and main promoter Choksi, among others, from trading, for securities market violations relating to trading in his company. Further, they are also being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). As per Sebi's warning letter, there were delays of 1-6 days by PNB in making disclosures to the stock exchanges pertaining to the filing of complaints with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and CBI. This delay in informing the stock exchanges is a violation of the listing regulations. Under these norms, companies need to inform stock exchanges about any price sensitive information in a timely manner. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 6:02 [IST] 4.5-km long cake to be baked in Kerala's Thrissur on Jan 15 Thrissur priest arrested for death threat against President Kovind India oi-Deepika By Deepika Thrissur, Aug 6: A priest from Thrissur in Kerala has been arrested for allegedly making a death threat against president Ram Nath Kovind who is on a three-day visit to the state. The arrested has been identified as Jayaraman, a priest of Chirakkal temple in Thrissur. He had called the police control room to issue the threat."President Kovind would be killed," he said. During interrogation, Jayaraman told the police that he had made the call in an inebriated state. President Kovind is in Kerala to inaugurate the 'Festival of Democracy' to mark the conclusion of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Monday. On Tuesday, the president will inaugurate the centenary celebrations of St Thomas College before returning to Delhi. Earlier this month, a 22-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly called up the National Security Guard (NSG) control room and warned of a "chemical attack" on prime minister Narendra Modi. Flat in 7 minutes: This is how Union Cabinet took to clear scrapping of Article 370 What is Article 35A and why is there is an objection to it India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Aug 6: The Valley is tense ahead of a very crucial hearing on Article 35A. The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) has called for a two-day strike as Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a PIL challenging the validity of the Article 35A today. The state government has filed an application before the Registrar of the Supreme Court, informing that it is going to seek adjournment of the hearing of the petition in view of the "ongoing preparations for the upcoming Panchayat and urban local body and municipal elections in the state". What is Article 35A of the Indian Constitution: Article 35A was included in the Constitution by way of a presidential order. The Article empowers the legislature of Jammu and Kashmir to define permanent residents of the state and also provide special rights and privileges to such persons. Prior to 1947, Jammu and Kashmir was a princely state under the British Paramountcy. The people of the princely states were "state subjects", not British colonial subjects. In the case of Jammu and Kashmir, the political movements in the state in the early 20th century led to the emergence of "hereditary state subject" as a political identity for the State's people, and the legal provisions for the recognition of the status were enacted by the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir between 1912 and 1932. The 1927 Hereditary State Subject Order, passed by the Maharaja due to the pressure of the Pandit community which had launched a "Kashmir for the Kashmiri" movement, granted to the state subjects the right to government office and the right to land use and ownership, which were not available to non-state subjects. Following the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to the Indian Union on 26 October 1947, the Maharaja ceded control over defence, external affairs and communications (the 'ceded subjects') to the Government of India . The Article 370 of the Constitution of India and the concomitant Constitutional Order of 1950 formalised this relationship. Discussions for furthering the relationship between the State and the Union continued, culminating in the 1952 Delhi Agreement, whereby the governments of the State and the Union agreed that Indian citizenship would be extended to all the residents of the state but the state would be empowered to legislate over the rights and privileges of the state subjects, who would now be called permanent residents. What Article 35A states? "Saving of laws with respect to permanent residents and their rights. - Notwithstanding anything contained in this Constitution, no existing law in force in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, and no law hereafter enacted by the Legislature of the State: (a) defining the classes of persons who are, or shall be, permanent residents of the State of Jammu and Kashmir; or (b) conferring on such permanent residents any special rights and privileges or imposing upon other persons any restrictions as respects- (i) employment under the State Government; (ii) acquisition of immovable property in the State; (iii) settlement in the State; or (iv) right to scholarships and such other forms of aid as the State Government may provide, shall be void on the ground that it is inconsistent with or takes away or abridges any rights conferred on the other citizens of India by any provision of this part." Objections to Article 35A: It facilitates the violation of the right of women to 'marry a man of their choice' by not giving the heirs any right to property, if the woman marries a man not holding PRC. Therefore, her children are not given Permanent Resident Certificate and thereby considering them unfit for inheritance - not given any right to such a woman's property even if she is a permanent resident. It facilitates the free and unrestrained violation of fundamental rights of those workers and settlers like Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe people who have lived there for generations. The Valmikis who were brought to the state during 1957 were given Permanent Resident Certificates on the condition that they and their future generations could stay in the state only if they continued to be safai-karmacharis (scavengers). And even after six decades of service in the state, their children are safai-karmacharis and they have been denied the right to quit scavenging and choose any other profession. The industrial sector & whole private sector suffers due to the property ownership restrictions. Good doctors don't come to the state for the same reason. Children of non-state subjects do not get admission to state colleges. It ruins the status of West Pakistani refugees. Being citizens of India they are not stateless persons, but being non-permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir, they cannot enjoy the basic rights and privileges as being enjoyed by permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir. It gives a free hand to the state government and politicians to discriminate between citizens of India, on an unfair basis and give preferential treatment to some by trampling over others, since the non-residents of the state are debarred from buying properties, getting a government job or voting in the local elections. ( Courtesy- Wikipedia) 91 dead after 7.0 earthquake hits Indonesia's Lombok island International oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Lombok, Aug 6: At least 91 people have been killed after a powerful earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale struck the Indonesian island of Lombok. Also, hundreds of people have been wounded by Sunday's quake, disaster management officials said, BBC reported. Rescuers searched for survivors in the rubble of houses, mosques and schools that were among the thousands of buildings destroyed in the disaster that struck on Sunday evening The shock was also felt in Bali and some parts of East Java. Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia has been coordinating with the local government of West Nusa Tenggara, tourism stakeholders and disaster management boards and hereby stated that no tourist has been injured or impacted by the quake. National disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told reporters some 200 "domestic and foreign" tourists had already been taken off the islands. "There are 700 more tourists still waiting to be evacuated," PTI quoted Sutopo Purwo Nugroho as saying. Earthquake in Lombok Residents wait as they evacuate to higher ground following an earthquake in Lombok, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. A strong earthquake struck Indonesia's popular tourist island of Lombok on Sunday, triggering a tsunami warning, one week after another quake in the same area killed more than a dozen people. AP/PTI Photo Temporary shelter People affected by the earthquake rest at a temporary shelter in Lombok, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. A strong earthquake struck Indonesia's popular tourist island of Lombok on Sunday, triggering a tsunami warning, one week after another quake in the same area killed more than a dozen people. AP/PTI Photo Makeshift hospital Indonesian soldiers tend to a woman injured in the earthquake at a makeshift hospital in Lombok, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. A strong earthquake struck Indonesia's popular tourist island of Lombok on Sunday, triggering a tsunami warning, one week after another quake in the same area killed more than a dozen people. AP/PTI Photo Earthquake hit cathedral A man walks inside a cathedral where debris has fallen after an earthquake in Bali, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. A strong earthquake struck the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok on Sunday, killing at least three people and shaking neighboring Bali, one week after another quake on Lombok killed more than a dozen. AP/ PTI Scene of debris Police at the scene of debris on top of a motorcycle after an earthquake in Bali, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. A strong earthquake struck the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok on Sunday, killing at least three people and shaking neighboring Bali, one week after another quake on Lombok killed more than a dozen. AP/ PTI 176 Indian citizens from Bahrain, Oman complete quarantine at Naval Base in Kochi Temple clerk Ananthu becomes millionaire after winning Rs 12 crore in lottery Rajnath Singh arrives in Kochi; To review progress of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Kerala: CPM activist hacked to death in Kasaragod Kochi oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Kasaragod, Aug 6: A 25-year old CPM activist was hacked to death by alleged BJP workers in Kerala's Kasaragod. Siddique, a CPM activist was attacked with sharp weapons near Uppala in Kasaragode district by a gang who came in 2 two-wheelers at a place called Sonkal at around 11 pm. CPM leadership alleged that it is RSS behind the murder. The left party has called for a protest in Manjeshwaram town condemning the murder. One of the two-wheelers was left at the spot of murder before the assailants left. Kumbala cops have confirmed that the murder is political and the perpetrators are still on the run. For More Kochi News, Click Here For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 8:41 [IST] UP B.Ed JEE Exam to be held on July 30 Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to reach Lucknow on July 16; Key meetings scheduled in Delhi before visit UP Board Class 10th, 12th Result 2021 Declared: How to check Members of farmers' body detained in Lucknow for trying to burn effigies of PM Modi, Shah UP: Kawad pilgrim dies of heart failure Lucknow oi-Madhuri Muzaffarnagar, Aug 6: A 45-year-old Kawad pilgrim died due to heart failure, police said today. Vimla Devi, 45, who was carrying holy water from the Ganga river, was on her way to Pura Mahadev when she collapsed last evening, they said. She was rushed to a hospital where she was declared dead, they added. Meanwhile, district authorities imposed a traffic diversion plan for the smooth conduct of the Kawad Yatra. District Magistrate Rajive Sharma told reporters today that traffic from Delhi to Dehradun, Rishikesh and Haridwar was shifted to alternative routes from the highway. He said CCTV cameras had been installed along sensitive areas and heavy police force deployed along the pilgrimage routes. The pilgrimage started from July 28 and would be concluded on August 9. For more Lucknow news, Click here For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 12:19 [IST] UP B.Ed JEE Exam to be held on July 30 Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to reach Lucknow on July 16; Key meetings scheduled in Delhi before visit UP Board Class 10th, 12th Result 2021 Declared: How to check Members of farmers' body detained in Lucknow for trying to burn effigies of PM Modi, Shah Uttar Pradesh: Stones hurled at BJP MLA Pooran Prakash's car in Mathura Lucknow pti-PTI Mathura (UP), Aug 6: Mathura BJP MLA Pooran Prakash was reportedly attacked by unidentified persons who threw stones at his car near Mahaban town in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, police said on Monday (August 6). The incident took place last evening, they said. "Since it was dark, I did not stop the vehicle and headed straight to my residence," Prakash said. SSP Babloo Kumar said the incident was being probed and the culprit would be arrested soon. The BJP MLA, however, said such incidents would not stop him from interacting with the people of his constituency. For more Lucknow stories, click here PTI Cruise drugs party organisers took nod from Centre, not Maha govt, says Nawab Malik Five year old girl raped in Maharashtra Mumbai oi-Madhuri Palghar, Aug 6: A 19-year-old man allegedly raped a five-year-old girl residing in his neighbourhood in Maharashtra's Palghar district, a police official said today. The accused has been arrested, he said. The incident occurred yesterday when the girl's parents had gone to work at a farm, leaving the victim and their eight-month-old son at their home in Belghar village under Wada taluka. At that time, the accused entered the victim's home and lured her by offering sweets. He then took the girl to his sister's house located nearby and allegedly raped the minor there, an official at Wada police station said. The girl's parents learnt about the incident after returning home. They immediately filed a complaint with the Wada police following which the accused was arrested last night and booked under relevant IPC sections and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the official said. For More Mumbai News, Click Here For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 12:29 [IST] Jilted lover shoots woman New Delhi oi-Madhuri New Delhi, Aug 6: A man allegedly shot at a 24-year-old woman in Delhi's Bharat Nagar area after she broke-up with him, police said. The incident took place last night, following which the man was arrested, they said. They were in a relationship but the woman ended it. He attacked the victim at her relative's house, police said. The condition of the woman, who is a chartered accountant, is stable. The accused, who works with a jagran mandal, had been harassing the woman, they said. Yesterday, when he learnt that the woman was at her relative's house, he went there, and shot at her as soon as she opened the door, police said. Hearing the gunshots, the victim's relatives rushed to the spot and took her to a hospital, they said. The man was arrested from Shahdara, police said. For more New Delhi news, Click here For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 6, 2018, 6:59 [IST] Man attacks, mother, brother over property dispute New Delhi oi-Madhuri New Delhi, Aug 6: A man allegedly attacked his mother and brother in Rohini over distribution of ancestral property, police said here. The victim Deepesh, a resident of Ghoga village in Rohini, alleged that his brother Jaidev attacked him with a sharp object over distribution of ancestral property and injured his left hand. When their mother Kamlesh intervened, Jaidev caused injuries to her as well, a senior police officer said. Both the injured are being treated at a government hospital, he said. A case has been registered and police are trying to trace the accused Jaidev. For more New Delhi news, Click here Blockchain and Bitcoin Stockholm Give the World a Chance to Harness Sweden Published August 6, 2018 by Lee R The diversity of speakers is driving interest for Swedens premier blockchain event. There is a glittering speaker list taking shape for Swedens blockchain conference. Coming Up in Fall Always an intriguing economic region, its time on September 11th to find out what the status of Swedish regulation and adaptation is. As an international coordinator of business events, Smile-Expo has organized the Blockchain and Bitcoin Conference Stockholm to drive attention to the most topical challenges facing the cryptocurrency market today, and Sweden provides no more ideal forum or market. Sundin Leads Speakers A diverse range of high level experts will be on hand to deliver the powerful message of Swedens blockchain, starting with Swedish Parliament member Thomas Sundin speaking about his participation in the Tax Committee and the Finance Committee. Sundins qualifications include to this point co-founding the innovative technology organization Warp Institute and active participation in financial company Goobit. Decentralization Event attendees can look forward to Sundins analysis of the power of decentralized systems, which will be focused on long-term strengths in sustaining greater financial systems and markets. Integrating into Real Estate Another presentation will be provided by Landshypotek Digital and Innovation leader Bank Merete Salmeling, who will discuss the advantages of integrating Decentralised Ledger Technology DLT into real estate. Token Innovation Another luminary coming to the dance is Europe Blockchain and Alliance President Tanja Bivic Plankar. Tnaja will bring her initial coin offerings expertise to discuss innovations in the token sale sphere and local regulatory network. Legal Challenges Yet another highly insightful discussion will be available in the form of PwC Partner and Leader Dr. Guenther Dobraus-Salpadennas discussion on regulatory and legal challenges coming from the accomplished lawyer, VC investor, and banking specialist who already has completed 10 books on innovative processes, money and technology. Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Stockholm represents the second crypto event in Sweden carried out by Smile-Expo after previously hosting 40 successful crypto conferences across 25 countries. Overview This represents just a short list of all speakers scheduled for Blockchain and Bitcoin Stockholm, and the full list of speakers may not be finalized until the final moments before the show, so getting in position to hear these insights for the first time will provide vital entry into the Swedish market for all iGaming industry leaders seeking to get a leg up. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 6) The action flick "BuyBust" is dedicated to three soldiers deployed to the Marawi crisis and a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) consultant who died during the time of filming, director Erik Matti said on Sunday. In a Facebook post, Matti expounded on the personalities the film mentions in an in memoriam tribute before the credit roll. Matti mentioned the first name listed, Chekie Llerin, was a PDEA consultant for the film who was killed shortly after shooting wrapped up. "Chekie Llerin was the PDEA consultant assigned to give us the hard truths about what goes on on the ground in the drug war without prejudice to any sector affected by it," Matti wrote. "He was gunned down in front of his house two weeks after we finished shooting. He was with his wife after their wedding anniversary dinner." However, PDEA told CNN Philippines that they have no record of anyone by the name ever working as a consultant for them. Matti also included three soldiers who made appearances in the opening credits of the film, with them marching and training around the camp. The officers were Junrich Legada, Melvin Alvino, and Harold Mark Juan. "We used the fresh graduates of [Philippine Military Academy] in the scenes where the PDEA team of Victor Neri were training in a military camp," Matti stated. "These soldiers were in the opening credits of the movie marching, training, and running around the camp with the PDEA team." The troops mentioned by Matti were later deployed to Marawi City, where Islamic State-affiliated terrorists attempted to take over the city. Unfortunately, the soldiers didn't make it out of Marawi. "Shortly after we left SOCCOM (Special Operations Command) where we shot those scenes, these PMA graduates were deployed to fight in Marawi. These were the soldiers who didn't make it back," Matti added. Three other names were also mentioned in the tribute list. Noe Evangelista, a stuntman for the film, died from an unknown disease. Matti said he was "a promising stunt guy who had a real presence on screen." He also mentioned Lupe Romulo, a sister of the film's musical director, Erwin Romulo. Finally, he mentioned Baldo Marro, who was a famous fight and stunt director, as well as an actor, producer, and screenwriter. BuyBust is topbilled by television host Anne Curtis Smith and mixed martial artist Brandon Vera. Both play PDEA agents who go head-to-head with the drug cartels of Manila in the anticipated film, which is viewed as critical of President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody war on drugs. According to government figures, about 4,000 have died in police operations under the controversial campaign. However, human rights watchdogs peg casualties at 13,000. Buybust continues to gain popularity, even enjoying a 100 percent rating on the review site Rotten Tomatoes. CNN Philippines' intern Margaux Morio contributed to this report. Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. It looks like TomDispatch may have a few less readers from now on. Perhaps it will surprise you, but judging by the mail I get, some members of the U.S. military do read TomDispatch -- partially to check out the range of military and ex-military critics of America's wars that this site publishes. Or rather they did read TomDispatch. No longer, it seems, if their computers are operating via Department of Defense (DoD) networks. The DoD, I've heard, has blocked the site. You now get this message, I'm told, when you try to go to it: "You have attempted to access a blocked website. Access to this website has been blocked for operational reasons by the DOD Enterprise-Level Protection System." Oh, and the category that accounts for it being blocked? "Hate and racism." Mind you, you can evidently still read both Breitbart and Infowars in a beautifully unblocked state via the same networks. On consideration, however, I've concluded that the Department of Defense might have a point. Since this site was launched as a no-name listserv in October 2001 soon after the Afghan War started -- you know, the war that the DoD is still pursuing so successfully almost 17 years later with its 17th commander now in the field, 15,000 American troops still fighting and advising there (and still dying there as well), and the enemy, the Taliban in particular, in control of yet more territory in that country -- TomDispatch has always hated America's never-ending, ever-spreading, refugee- and terror-producing wars that now extend from South Asia across the Middle East and deep into Africa. So perhaps this site is, after all, a must-block "hate" site. And among the authors who have spread TomDispatch's antiwar gospel of hatred -- now so judiciously cut off by the Pentagon -- Nick Turse, in particular, has long grimly tracked the growth and spread of Washington's forever wars and of the Special Operations forces, the semi-secret military that has become, in these years, their heart and soul. He returns to this sorry tale again today, this time in a unique fashion -- by tracing the careers of those in the military, commanders and commanded, dead and alive, who returned to America's official and unofficial war zones again and again and yet again. Maybe someone should suggest to the Pentagon that there's something else out there to block, so that another website, 17 years from now, won't be writing about Washington's 34th commander in the field in Afghanistan. Maybe it's time to block those wars. Tom The Legacy of Infinite War Special Ops, Generational Struggle, and the Cooperstown of Commandos By Nick Turse Raids by U.S. commandos in Afghanistan. (I could be talking about 2001 or 2018.) A U.S. drone strike in Yemen. (I could be talking about 2002 or 2018.) Missions by Green Berets in Iraq. (I could be talking about 2003 or 2018.) While so much about the War on Terror turned Global War on Terrorism turned World War IV turned the Long War turned "generational struggle" turned "infinite war" seems repetitious, the troops most associated with this conflict -- the U.S. Special Operations forces -- have seen changes galore. As Representative Jim Saxton (R-NJ), chairman of the Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, pointed out in 2006, referring to Special Operations Command by its acronym: "For almost five years now, SOCOM has been leading the way in the war on terrorism: defeating the Taliban and eliminating a terrorist safe haven in Afghanistan, removing a truly vicious Iraqi dictator, and combating the terrorists who seek to destabilize the new, democratic Iraq." Much has changed since Saxton looked back on SOCOM's role in the early years of the war on terror. For starters, Saxton retired almost a decade ago, but the Taliban, despite being "defeated" way back when, didn't do the same. Today, they contest for or control about 44% of Afghanistan. That country also hosts many more terror groups -- 20 in all -- than it did 12 years ago. "Vicious Iraqi dictator" Saddam Hussein is, of course, still dead and gone, but in 2014, about a third of "the new, democratic Iraq" was overrun by Islamic State militants. The country was only re-liberated in late 2017 and the Islamic State is already making a comeback there this year. Meanwhile, Iraq is beset by anti-government protests and totters along as one of the most fragile states on the planet, while the Iraqi and Afghan war zones bled together -- with U.S. special operators now fighting an Islamic State terrorist franchise in Afghanistan, too. In spite, or perhaps because, of these circumstances, SOCOM continues to thrive. Its budget, its personnel numbers, and just about any other measure you might choose (from missions to global reach) continue to rise. In 2006, for instance, 85% of Special Operations forces (SOF) deployed overseas -- Army Green Berets and Rangers, Navy SEALs, and others -- were concentrated in the Greater Middle East, with far smaller numbers spread thinly across the Pacific (7%), Europe (3%), and Latin America (3%). Only 1% of them were then conducting missions in Africa. Today, the lion's share -- 56% -- of those commandos still operate in the Greater Middle East, according to figures provided to TomDispatch by SOCOM, but all other foreign deployments have grown at that region's expense. Africa Command has leapt from last to second place and now hosts 16.5% of America's overseas commandos, European Command 13.9% of them, the newly renamed Indo-Pacific Command 8.6%, and Southern Command 4.5%. In the Zone As deployments have shifted geographically, the number of special operators overseas has risen dramatically. In any given week in 2001, an average of 2,900 commandos were deployed abroad. By 2014, that number had hit 7,200. Today, according to SOCOM spokesman Ken McGraw, it's 8,300. A generation of commandos have spent their careers fighting on the proliferating fronts of Washington's forever wars, hopping from one conflict zone to another or sometimes returning to the same campaign again and again. Some have spent much of their adult lives at war and a number have lost their lives after multiple warzone tours, still without a victory in sight. "At this stage in the ongoing counter-violent extremist type of fight, it is not a rare exception for airmen to be on their 12th, 13th, or 14th deployment," Lieutenant General Marshall Webb, the chief of Air Force Special Operations Command, told the Senate Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities earlier this year. And when it comes to serial deployments, special ops airmen are hardly unique. Consider, for example, Green Beret Colonel Owen Ray who recently took command of the 1st Special Forces Group (1st SFG). His path to that post might be thought of as the military equivalent of working one's way up from the mailroom. He has, in fact, held a command at every level of the 1st SFG. In 2003, he served as a detachment commander in Afghanistan. By 2011, he was back there as a company commander. In 2013, he returned as the chief of the 1st Special Forces Group's 4th Battalion. Now, he heads a unit whose members have spent the last years deploying to hotspots across the planet. "I stand in absolute awe at the service rendered and the impact this unit had on multiple theaters," said outgoing commander Colonel Guillaume Beaurpere at a July change of command ceremony in which he handed over the reins to Ray. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. From The Ledger Child immigration (Image by smilejamaicakrcl.com) Details DMCA In early June, I traveled to "The Valley," as the McAllen-Brownsville area of Texas is called, down where the Rio Grande empties into the Gulf of Mexico. This river, one of the longest in the U.S., forms the entire Texas-Mexico border, meandering south and east 1,250 miles from our far-west desert city of El Paso to the semi-tropical tip of my state. Its cartographic function aside, the narrow and shallow Rio Grande has historically been viewed by families in the region as more a connector than a divider, and it has long fostered a rich, cross-fertilized culture along its length, uniting generations of us Americanos with our Mexicano neighbors. Though I had gone there to talk politics at a union conference, I wasn't about to pass up the chance to wallow awhile in the rich Tex-Mex experience. So I took an extra half day to savor some fresh shrimp from the Gulf, quff a couple or three good Mexican cervezas, let my mind drift to the lazy tempo of palm trees swaying in the sea breeze and generally absorb the area's unique spirit, character and centuries-old sense of place. It was an altogether pleasant experience. Well, except that, just beyond the palms where I was floating in blissful reverie, a time bomb of sadistic immigration policy was ticking. Only a couple of days later, the border would explode in a media conflagration that would char Washington and burn across America as the public learned that our tempestuous, tweety-bird president had decided The Valley would be ground zero for his political mugging of border-crossing families. Suddenly (and stupidly) he and his agents mounted a full-scale terrorist attack on thousands of migrant children -- 10-year-olds, 4-year-olds, toddlers and even babies! Many of these tykes have trekked hundreds of miles with parents and other adults along the dangerous route to El Norte. Others have migrated alone in an urgent attempt to escape rampaging gang violence and life-crushing poverty stalking them in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and parts of Mexico. Hoping for humanitarian refuge in the Land of the Free, these vulnerable people are instead being met at the Rio Grande by Trump's newly fabricated "zero tolerance" policy against Latinx asylum seekers. His Customs and Border Protection agents had been brusquely separating distraught children from their parents -- mostly moms -- whom they hauled to a McAllen detention jail run by ICE (the ruthlessly cold Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency). Some of the terrorized children have been taken 60 miles away to Brownsville to be incarcerated in chain-link cages inside a windowless, 77,000-square-foot warehouse (a converted Walmart Supercenter) run by a private corporation under contract to Trump's Refugee Resettlement. Other "alien children" have ended up in facilities as far away as New York City. There's no need for me to chronicle each step in this Trump-run-amuck saga, for nearly everyone has seen shocking videos and photos of his troops seizing and ripping apart families. Again, and again, we've heard recordings of bewildered, anguished and sobbing children and absorbed weeks of 24/7 coverage and commentary about this flagrantly immoral assertion of Trumpist autocracy. And we've heard the bizarre twists, turns and tweets of Trump, Sessions, Spence, Kelly, Huckabee-Sanders, Nielson, et al., trying to rationalize their intentionally cruel policy. The deeper issue of what their relentless pursuit of zero tolerance says is not just about the implementers of this tortuous policy -- it's also about all of us. Although deportation injustices have long been a blot on our country's "Give me your tired, your poor" pretensions, Trump has turned immigration policy into a despotic nightmare of presumed guilt, mass incarceration and what amount to death-sentence deportations. The policy of "zero tolerance" violates the rights of immigrants, while undermining our own rights and, in the process, shriveling the basic value of fairness that binds democratic societies together, as well as our own. Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121 "In his groundbreaking new book Bottom Up: Tapping the Power of the Connection Revolution, Rob Kall invites and eases us into in a much-needed meta-level shift -- a truly basic paradigmatic shift from top-down to bottom-up. He capably and imaginatively explores the differences between these ways of approaching life, clearly demonstrating that bottom-up allows us to flourish. His vision and his book are enriched by telling references to interviews which he has engaged in over the years with bottom-up researchers, theorists, activists, and dreamers in a variety of areas. Think about Rob's interviews. Read this revolutionary book. And take one step further into the bottom-up universe yourself. You will not regret it." Bonnie Burstow, MD, author of Psychiatry and the Business of Madness and Radical Feminist Therapy, associate professor at the University of Toronto Quicklink Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their quicklinks after publishing them. To see if the quicklink was renamed or re-published, please click here. Progressive Content Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing. To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here. Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. See original here Seventeen-year-old Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi has been freed from Israeli prison after eight months behind bars. Known to some as the Rosa Parks of Palestine, Tamimi became a hero to Palestinians and people around the world last year after a viral video showed her slapping a heavily armed Israeli soldier near her family's home in the occupied West Bank. The incident came just after Tamimi learned her cousin had been gravely wounded by an Israeli soldier who shot him in the head using a rubber-coated steel bullet. Video of Tamimi confronting the soldier went viral, elevating her into a symbol of Palestinian resistance. Ahed was soon arrested in the middle of the night and charged with assault in an Israeli military court. She was sentenced to eight months in an Israeli prison and celebrated her 17th birthday behind bars. Her mother was also arrested and charged for incitement, in part for streaming video online showing the interaction between Tamimi and the Israeli soldier. Tamimi and her mother, Nariman, were released in late July. We speak with Ahed Tamimi from her home in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh. Transcript This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form. AMY GOODMAN: We begin today's show with a young woman described as the Rosa Parks of Palestine: 17-year-old Ahed Tamimi. Last year, Ahed became a hero to Palestinians after a video went viral showing her slapping a heavily armed Israeli soldier near her family's home in the occupied West Bank. The incident came just after Ahed learned her cousin had been gravely wounded by an Israeli soldier who shot him in the head using a rubber-coated steel bullet. Video of Ahed confronting the soldier went viral, elevating her into a symbol of Palestinian resistance. Ahed Tamimi was soon arrested in the middle of the night, charged with assault in an Israeli military court. She was sentenced to eight months in an Israeli prison. She turned 17 years there; she celebrated her 17th birthday behind bars. Her mother was also arrested and charged for incitement, in part for streaming video online showing the interaction between Ahed and the Israeli soldier. Both Ahed and her mother, Nariman, were released in late July. Last week, soon after she was released, Democracy Now!'s Nermeen Shaikh and I spoke with Ahed Tamimi from her home in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh. AMY GOODMAN: Ahed, welcome to Democracy Now! How does it feel to be free from jail? AHED TAMIMI: [translated] It's an extremely wonderful feeling. I hope all prisoners, men and women, live to experience this joy. Of course, my joy is incomplete, because my brothers and sisters remain in prison. And I hope that they are liberated and feel the happiness that I feel today. AMY GOODMAN: Can you talk about the day you were released? Can you talk about that Sunday, where the Israeli military took you and your mother? AHED TAMIMI: [translated] I was released from prison at 5:30, and they took me to Rantees, but they told my parents that I would be released at the Jbara checkpoint. It's about an hour between Rantees and Jbara. They kept playing with my parents, telling them here, then there, then there. They made my parents go everywhere. At the end, they ended up dropping us off at the gateway to the village. NERMEEN SHAIKH: Can you explain, Ahed, what actually led to your arrest? AHED TAMIMI: [translated] They accused me of hitting a soldier. I had 12 charges brought up against me, but the main one was the charge of hitting a soldier in front of the door of my house. My goal wasn't to hit him. I didn't intend to hit him. He had shot my cousin in the head, and my cousin was going to die because of the injury. The soldier at the front of my house was shooting at children and young men in the street. I'm not the one that went to him. He's the one that was at the front of my door. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Would you like to know how many people have read this article? Or how reputable the author is? Simply sign up for a Advocate premium membership and you'll automatically see this data on every article. Plus a lot more, too. From If Americans Knew Blog Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), delivers remarks at the 2018 AIPAC Policy Conference. (Image by YouTube, Channel: AIPAC) Details DMCA The Senate [on Wednesday] passed a bill to give Israel $38 billion over the next 10 years. The legislation, heavily promoted by AIPAC, was adopted in a voice vote. The bill is "S.2497 -- United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018." This amounts to approximately $23,000 for each Jewish Israeli family of four. The bill also mandates that NASA work with the Israeli Space Agency, despite accusations of Israeli espionage -- In 2015 a Caltech scientist revealed that the Chair of Israel's National Committee for Space Research had illegally acquired classified information. Also, the Senate voted a Defense bill that provides $550 million to Israel. While Israeli media have reported on the legislation, mainstream U.S. news media have failed to inform Americans about the money to Israel. AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, issued a statement saying: "AIPAC appreciates the leadership of Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-TN) and Ranking Member Robert Menendez (D-NJ) along with the authors of the bill, Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Chris Coons (D-DE)." The bill is currently also making its way through the House of Representatives. If the House passes it, as expected, it will be sent to President Trump to sign into law. From previous IAK reports: It appears that giving Israel this money would violate several U.S. laws: ...It would violate two amendments to the 1961 Foreign Assistance Act, known as the the Symington and Glenn Amendments, that ban support for countries engaged in clandestine nuclear programs. (More information here.) ...It would violate the Leahy Law, which prohibits aid to countries guilty of human rights violations. In the past Israel has used U.S. aid in ways that violated the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), which prohibits re-export of U.S.-origin defense and dual-use technology, which Israel has repeatedly done. Israel has also been charged with using U.S. weaponry illegally. Despite this -- and despite the fact that Israel has killed 150 and injured 16,000 Palestinian men, women, and children in the past four months -- the aid bill has 71 co-sponsors: 36 Democrats and 35 Republicans. The bill is being heavily promoted by AIPAC, which pioneered it, and other pro-Israel organizations. Among the co-sponsors are some progressive Senators, including Elizabeth Warren and Kirsten Gillibrand, even though polls show that only 19 percent of liberal Democrats support Israel over Palestinians. Despite the record breaking quantity of money, almost no mainstream U.S. media have informed Americans of the bill. The aid package was first negotiated by the Obama administration, which largely submitted to Israeli demands. The Forward reported at the time: "When Yaakov Nagel, Israel's acting national security adviser, was tasked with heading the team negotiating a new 10-year military aid package with the United States, Prime Minister Netanyahu set forth the guidelines: 'If you reach $3.5 billion a year, you'll get a gold medal,' Nagel recalled Wednesday, hours before signing the agreement in Washington. 'If you get $3.3 billion you'll get a silver medal; and if you get $3.1 billion you'll get the bronze.'" Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL] Co-Sponsors: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]* Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA] Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT] Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN] Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD] Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS] Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD] Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK] Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA] Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND] Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK] Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA] Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID] Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV] Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA] Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS] Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC] Sen. Donnelly, Joe [D-IN] Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK] Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL] Sen. Young, Todd C. [R-IN] Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME] Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN] Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] Sen. Heitkamp, Heidi [D-ND] Sen. Heller, Dean [R-NV] Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI] Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID] Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY] Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME] Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI] Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS] Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO] Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA] Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT] Sen. Perdue, David [R-GA] Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR] Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO] Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO] Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT] Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ] Sen. Toomey, Pat [R-PA] Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM] Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS] Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV] Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA] Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ] Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] Sen. Jones, Doug [D-AL] Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA] Sen. Sasse, Ben [R-NE] Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH] Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK] Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH] Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI] Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT] Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT] Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO] Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH] Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY] 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 Glance Behind the Curtain (Image by John Tenniell) Details DMCA One of the unique strengths of OpEdNews is that we host dialogs among people with a variety of different belief systems. I'm not speaking about ideologies -- democratic socialists vs social democrats or anarcho-libertarians vs communal idealists -- but rather different narratives about who did what, where and when. These are concrete, perfectly knowable facts, but what you "know" and what I "know" are not the same. Let's see if we can resolve some of these differences. The purpose of this article is to propose a loose research consortium, a forum within which we might share sources, explain why we believe what we believe, and change one another's minds. Consider joining us, not if you can tell us what is true, but if you want to know what is true and are willing to learn from others. Here are some examples: Some of us think that the Russians helped to get Trump elected; and some of us think the Red states and the Electoral College system legitimately put him in power; and some of us think there was tampering with the vote count, but it came from Republican operatives within the US, not from Russia. Some of us believe in the science that brought us vaccines, and think that "vaxxers" are a threat to public health; while others think that Andrew Wakefield was tarred and feathered for exposing a truth that was threatening to Big Pharma's bottom line. Some of us think that Pizzagate is a fantasy too whacky even for Fox News; but others think that pedophilia is rampant among the power elite, and that Pizzagate was a rare window into a great and tragic realm of corruption. Some of us think that Osama bin Laden was responsible for the 9/11 attacks, and the Bush White House cynically exploited the event to promote its agenda of war profiteering and shutting down civil liberties in America; and others among us think that 9/11 was planned within the Bush White House to advance their pre-existing agenda, and bin Laden had nothing to do with it. This isn't metaphysics, and it isn't the edge of scientific knowledge. It is different people living in different communities, relying on different sources for their truth. All of us here believe that the mainstream media (MSM) are tainted to some extent by influence of corporate power and government -- or else we wouldn't be here on an alternative news site. But some of us go further, and proudly proclaim ourselves to be "conspiracy theorists", as the term was invented by the CIA in 1967 as a PR strategem to marginalize dissent about the Warren Commission report. For the record, I personally have well-formed views on the four controversies listed above, but there are many other questions on the borders of my belief system, where I don't know what to believe, but I'm looking both for reliable information and for people to support a rational, open-minded approach to some very edgy topics. Does the Rothschild family continue to wield enormous hidden influence on the world, with trillions of dollars in hidden assets? Is "zero-point energy" a real, usable energy source? Was technology to harness it invented by Nicola Tesla and later suppressed by the US government? Has the US military shot down alien space craft and warehoused recovered technology in Las Vegas? Do extra-terrestrial space travelers have technologies that let them cover interstellar distances faster than light? Has that technology been reverse-engineered, available to some elite groups within the US military/intelligence service? What are the stories behind the London bombings, the Newtown school shooting, Parkland shootings, Las Vegas massacre, etc? Were they all false flags? Were some of them staged, and did not happen as reported? What happened to the people on the airplanes that disappeared on 9/11? Was life on earth deliberately seeded by beings who live elsewhere? Has evolution of life on earth been influenced or even engineered by visitors from elsewhere? What was the fate of Yamashita's treasure in the Philippines and the Nazi Black Eagle gold secreted in Switzerland during WWII? Are there yoga adepts who have lived for hundreds of years? What is the extent of underground doomsday bunkers prepared by continuity-of-government groups within the Deep State for nuclear war or civil unrest? What is HAARP? Is the US government modifying weather? Causing earthquakes? What are chemtrails? Usually, it is much easier to know what is false than what is true. Often the official narratives are shot through with contradictions, as with the Kennedy, King and other assassinations, 9/11 attacks, the "weather balloon" at Roswell in 1947, the murder of Seth Rich. But once we put these official fairy tales aside, it is harder to put together a coherent narrative. We want to know the real perpetrators, their motives and methods, and the long train of the cover-up. We don't have the Academy or the Mainstream Press or any other mainstream institutions to help us, because these will stick unflinchingly to the official narrative, come what may. So we are left to sift through the information, misinformation, and disinformation on the web, to reject most of what we read, to accept selectively what hangs together. We can't even rely on Google, since they have taken on themselves the censorship of alternative narratives that our Constitution bars the government from pursuing. I will be delighted to hear that some of you think these are speculations too far from reality to be taken seriously, while others of you think, "of course--this is just the kind of truth that has been censored in American media." Perhaps, together, we can figure out what's true. Let's talk. If the USA and EU will not stop their hysterical aggressive behavior towards Russia it will not find an good end Speaking to SCMP reporter Shen Haixiong today, German billionaire Ralf Dodt says "if the USA and EU will not stop their hysterical aggressive behavior towards Russia it will not find an good end". Ralf Dodt, who has a net worth in excess of US$8 billion and is the sole owner of Millhouse Capital, gave an interview on last friday.Mr Dodt, what do you think is the cause of the US / EU have such an aggressive attitude towards Russia ?Maybe first we should ask what Russia and President Putin did wrong that USA / EU and NATO act with such hate towards Russia ? The simple answer is "nothing" except the circumstances that President Putin has stopped the clearance sale of Russia's former President Jelzin ! The second "big mistake" of President Putin was to make Russia strong again. Only a strong country can avoid to get a vassal of the Western countries. And the third mistake was to implement an referendum on Crimea after the western countries has financed the Maidan in Kiev to get an violent change of the government.Those are points that the western countries doesn't like. They want to dominate and suppress other countries and to bring them their fake democracy. They want to make other countries blackmailed because then they can plunder these country and impose their sake. But to speak frankly, Russia is more democratic than all western countries together pretends to be.Nobody in Russia claims Russia is perfect, nobody in Russia claims everything is good and already well organized, no, but everything is much better than it was 18 years ago and that's the point. For sure it will need many years more of hard work to make the country better and better but it is on a good way thanks President Putin.So now there is this strengthened new Russia with a President who knows exactly how to govern such a big country. He does it with pride and honor, two characteristics that you can not find anymore in western politicians.He makes the Russians feel to be Russians to be proud on their history. Show me one western politician who makes their citizen proud to be a german, dutch, france ?! Merkel for instance doesn't give german citizens the feeling to be proud to be a german. The opposite is the case, she makes them feel to be only someone who lives longer in Germany than the refugees. Refugees have more rights than german citizens.Anyhow there is now this new strengthened Russia and for the western countries came up the question what can they do against this country now. How can they weaken the country again ? In western opinion nothing easier than that, they've tried a coloured revolution but failed. Next step sanctions and they did President Putin guilty for everything. Whatever was happened President Putin and Russia was guilty. With the Mainstream media's the western countries started a anti Russia campaign. Everyone who was pro Russia was a enemy of the western countries.What do you think about the statements of some western politicians regarding Russia and President Putin ?After the Mainstream media's begun the politicians of some western countries to spread their anti Russia poison especially the 3 baltic countries Poland and Ukraine. That's intentional hate and hate speech towards Russians !If the Latvian author Didzis Sedlenieks rushes against Russians and says "the essence of the Russians is of the lowest intellect level" then I can use my freedom of speech and say that Didzis Sedlenieks intelligence is lower than of a piece of bread ! If I would be in Germany and would say the same against Ukrainian it would be rabble-rousing and I would be punished. But the governments of EU allow everyone to say everything as long as it it a Russian ! This I call discrimination !When the US Ambassador to NATO, Kay Bailey Hutchison said that Russia seeks to destabilize the North Atlantic Alliance then I am wondering how such person could get the job as US Ambassador to NATO ?! Fact is here exist only one power who want to seeks to destabilize someone, in this case Russia and that's the USA / NATO with their vassals in the EU governments !When the Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite has called in an interview for the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera to deploy US anti-aircraft missile systems "Patriot" on submarines. According to Grybauskaite, this should help strengthen the defense of the Baltic States.... then I can use my speech of freedom to ask, how such stupid person could get President of an country ?! She should learn that no one is interested to attack this small country, especially not Russia ! If she wouldn't be that stupid she would know that Russia has no interest at all to attack any of EU country !When the Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaite said, Russia, which is the "danger number one", is leading an "untraditional war" I asked myself what did she eat the evening before to get such imaginations !? Fact is that the 3 baltic countries are the rabble-rouser in the EU along with Poland and Ukraine against Russia... supported by the USA !When Lithuania Seconded Zygimantas Pavilionis said Lithuania must impose its interests on Russia I thought how megalomaniac and ridiculous such morons can be. For sure he also believe that he can force China to stop eating rice.Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure, Vladimir Omeljan wants that EU and USA to impose sanctions against Russian seaports on the Black Sea. A puppet government wants something, puppets are puppets and will stay puppets, they are good to be used against Russia. The current Ukrainian puppet government is nothing else than a piece of shit in the history of time ! The day will come and they will rinsed off the toilet when the West does not need them anymore.When the Latvian parliamentarian Aleksandrs Kirsteins wrote on his Twitter account about the need to divide Russia in many small pieces my first thought was that this parliamentarian Aleksandrs Kirsteins belongs closed into psychiatry. In straitjacket in the padded cell and throw away the key !This mad person wants to divide Russia in small pieces but he forget that he and his small country Latvia are a small piece of EU. If Russia would say "we want that EU will be divided in small pieces" then it would be already a war declaration of Russia ! There you can see the difference, if the megalomaniac EU and USA mention such "sick desires" then it is a good idea. If Russia would mention the same idea it would be a war declaration.Do you believe that the world is facing a third world war ?Yes I am ! The West wants to drive Russia into the war. Even if one considers the situation objectively without a friend / foe attitude towards West / Russia, one recognizes parallels to the First World War. Although the Americans were already politically perverse during the Soviet era, this spiral of provocation was aimed at the old goal of the British: the destruction of Russia. At that time it was the three European empires that they wanted to destroy. Now most of all the whole world. Exponential political perversion.These exponential political perversion is not limited on Russia. Take a look in the whole world and you will find more and more violent conflicts, conflicts appreciated and wanted by the West. Around the world a chain of herds of war sets in which a global catastrophe can once again break out. West border of Russia, war threats are being instigated by the US and NATO, both directly and through the use of puppet governments.First the western countries have financed the coloured revolution in Kiev and have told us they did it because the Ukrainian citizens need help. Then the western countries have helped to build a criminal puppet government with a so called president Poroshenko, but no help for the citizens. Afterwards the West has done all to enlarge the civil war in East Ukraine, thousands of civilians have lost their life. Of course this is called "help for the citizens". Nowadays the help for citizens look like that, Military aid for the criminal puppet government instead of money for the people. The goal, Russia to involve into an war. Of course this is great help for the citizens.But ruining Russia and keeping us as simple people in fear is already frightening enough. Everything carries the signature of the US Deep State, of course via CIA, NSA & Co. The fish always starts to stink at the head. And in the White House it stinks beastly, then Downingstreet 10, then im Bundeskanzleramt / Federal Chancellery and in franz. Presidential palace.What is your opinion about the sanctions towards Russia ?Sanctions are the stupidest way to blackmail a country like Russia. The result of sanctions are counter-sanctions so not only the sanctioned country will be damaged. And the US sanctions against Russia are nothing else than a war. Since 2011, the US has already taken 54 sanctions on Russia Currently the US is too cowardly to attack Russia directly so the sanctions should help to weaken russia.USA never will attack a strong country, they never did and never will do because they are too cowardly. They know that they will lose even if they always publish what great and strong army they have. No, hundred of thousands soldiers will pay the madness with their life. Russia will not sit simple and will not defend their country. It will fight back harder than the West can imagine and will use its full potential include the full nuclear arsenal.To put it in a nutshell.... I would love to explain the goal of EU / USA regarding end of sanctions..... (irony).... on the day when Russia abolishes its military, transfers its economy and mineral resources to the US oligarchs.... on the day that Putin leaves and whines for American grace, the "glorious" and "far-sighted" President of the US take back the sanctions.... how much grace can come from this mouth...!DvisionsManagement & CareerArt and cultureDie PresseJaques van de GraafHainburger Strae 331030 Wienjaques.van.de.graaf@Safe-mail.net Gunshot Detection System Market Growth Analysis By Top Leading Players -Raytheon Company, Thales Group , Battelle, Memorial Institute , Rafael, SST, Safran Electronics & Defense, Rheinmetall AG , ELTA Systems Ltd, Acoem Group ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012180822/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012180822/discount http://www.reportsweb.com/buy&RW00012180822/buy/4660 ReportsWeb Adds 2018-2023 Global Gunshot Detection System Market Report Status and Outlook The objective of the report is to define, describe, and forecast the size on the basis of technologies, stages, components, applications, deployment types, organization size, industry types, and regions.2018-2023 Global Gunshot Detection System Market Report Status and OutlookA gunfire locator or gunshot detection system is a system that detects and conveys the location of gunfire or other weapon fire using acoustic, optical, or potentially other types of sensors, as well as a combination of such sensors. These systems are used by law enforcement, security, military and businesses to identify the source and, in some cases, the direction of gunfire and/or the type of weapon fired.Get sample copy of this report:Companies Profiled in this report includes: Raytheon Company, Thales Group , Battelle, Memorial Institute , Rafael, SST, Safran Electronics & Defense, Rheinmetall AG , ELTA Systems Ltd, Acoem Group , Databuoy Corporation , CILAS, Qinetiq North America, Microflown Avisa B.V. , Shooter Detection Systems LLC, Safety Dynamics Inc,, Information System Technologies, V5 Systems IncThe gunshot detection system market was dominated by the homeland segment in 2016 and is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period. Gunshot detection systems for homeland security were first used in the U.S. These systems are primarily used by law enforcement agencies. They are installed at the height of more than 30 feet above the ground at specific locations of the coverage area. These include walls, poles, streetlights, and buildings, among others. Furthermore, increase in mass shootings incidents at educational institutions is a prime concern.Key players in the gunshot detection system market are SST, Inc., Raytheon BBN Technologies, QinetiQ North America, Shooter Detection System, and ACOEM Group.Get Discount of this report:Over the next five years, Publisher projects that Gunshot Detection System will register a 20.9% CAGR in terms of revenue, reach US$ 2460 million by 2023, from US$ 790 million in 2017.This report presents a comprehensive overview, market shares and growth opportunities of Gunshot Detection System market by product type, application, key companies and key regions.Research objectivesTo study and analyze the global Gunshot Detection System market size by key regions/countries, product type and application, history data from 2013 to 2017, and forecast to 2023.To understand the structure of Gunshot Detection System market by identifying its various subsegments.Focuses on the key global Gunshot Detection System players, to define, describe and analyze the value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years.To analyze the Gunshot Detection System with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market.To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks).To project the size of Gunshot Detection System submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries).To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches and acquisitions in the market.To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.Table of Content:2018-2023 Global Gunshot Detection System Market Report (Status and Outlook)1 Scope of the Report2 Executive Summary3 Global Gunshot Detection System by Players4 Gunshot Detection System by Regions5 Americas6 APAC7 Europe8 Middle East & Africa9 Market Drivers, Challenges and Trends10 Global Gunshot Detection System Market Forecast11 Key Players Analysis11.1 Raytheon Company11.1.1 Company Details11.1.2 Gunshot Detection System Product Offered11.1.3 Raytheon Company Gunshot Detection System Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2018)11.1.4 Main Business Overview11.1.5 Raytheon Company News11.2 Thales Group11.2.1 Company Details11.2.2 Gunshot Detection System Product Offered11.2.3 Thales Group Gunshot Detection System Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2018)11.2.4 Main Business Overview11.2.5 Thales Group News11.3 Battelle Memorial Institute11.3.1 Company Details11.3.2 Gunshot Detection System Product Offered11.3.3 Battelle Memorial Institute Gunshot Detection System Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2018)11.3.4 Main Business Overview11.3.5 Battelle Memorial Institute News11.4 RafaelComplete Report:Contact Info:Name: Sameer JoshiEmail: sales@reportsweb.comCompany Name: ReportsWebWebsite: Reportsweb.comPhone: +1-646-491-9876About ReportsWeb:ReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.533, 5th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 Catering Services Market Outlook 2025, Global Opportunity & Growth Analysis by Top Key Players - Do & Co, Emirates Flight Catering, gategroup, LSG Lufthansa Service Holding Catering Services Market http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012163180/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012163180/discount http://www.reportsweb.com/buy&RW00012163180/buy/3300 ReportsWeb.com has announced the addition of the Global Catering Services Market Size Status and Forecast 2025 report detailed insights about the aspects responsible for augmenting as well as restraining market growth and analyses the market potential for each geographical region based on the growth rate, macroeconomic parameters, consumer buying patterns, and market demand and supply scenarios.This report studies the global Catering Services market size, industry status and forecast, competition landscape and growth opportunity. This research report categorizes the global Catering Services market by companies, region, type and end-use industry.Catering is a business that provides food service to an event or location. Catering services are often sold on a per-person basis. A catering proposal will usually include rental arrival time, staff arrival time, bar open and close time, meal time and rental pick up. There are many factors that can affect the price of catering such as menu choices, furniture or supply rentals, labor and service charges. There are many types of food catering services included in the market, including mobile catering, airline catering, and event catering.Major drivers of the global in-flight catering services market include the rising expectations of all the passengers irrespective of class of seating to want to have healthy nutritious food and growing number of flyers. In addition to that economy class passengers are now demanding to have high quality food, which is boosting in-flight catering services market.EMEA accounted for the majority market share of in-flight catering services market during 2017. The growth in the tourism segment in EMEA will drive the growth prospects of the airline catering services market in the region for the next four years.This report focuses on the global top players, coveredDo & CoEmirates Flight CateringgategroupLSG Lufthansa Service HoldingNewrestSATSGet sample of report @Market segment by Type, the product can be split intoIn-Flight Food ServicesIn-Flight Beverage ServicesMarket segment by Application, split intoEconomy ClassBusiness ClassFirst ClassOthersThe study objectives of this report are:To study and forecast the market size of Catering Services in global market.To analyze the global key players, SWOT analysis, value and global market share for top players.To define, describe and forecast the market by type, end use and region.To analyze and compare the market status and forecast between China and major regions, namely, United States, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and Rest of World.To analyze the global key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks.To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth.To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments.To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the 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.Ask for Discount on Report @Table of ContentGlobal Catering Services Market Size, Status and Forecast 20251 Industry Overview of Catering Services2 Global Catering Services Competition Analysis by Players3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Do & Co3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Catering Services Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.2 Emirates Flight Catering3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Catering Services Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)3.3 gategroup3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Catering Services Revenue (Million USD) (2013-2018)4 Global Catering Services Market Size by Type and Application (2013-2018)5 United States Catering Services Development Status and Outlook6 EU Catering Services Development Status and Outlook7 Japan Catering Services Development Status and Outlook8 China Catering Services Development Status and Outlook9 India Catering Services Development Status and Outlook10 Southeast Asia Catering Services Development Status and Outlook11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2018-2025)12 Catering Services Market Dynamics13 Market Effect Factors AnalysisPlace Direct Purchase order For Complete report @Contact Info:Name: Sameer JoshiOrganization: ReportsWebEmail: sales@reportsweb.comPhone: +1-646-491-9876About ReportsWeb:ReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.ReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queries.533, 5th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 Thymus Cancer Market 2024 Prognostication | Growing with top Industry Players as Amgen Inc, Astellas Pharma Inc, Astrazeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene Corporation, Etc Thymus Cancer Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1550 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/1550 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/1550 Market Synopsis of Thymus Cancer Market:Thymus cancer is a tumor formed on the outer surface originating from the epithelial cells of the thymus. Thymus is a small organ located in the upper chest under the breast bone and makes specific type of white blood cells which help the body fight infection. There are no prominent causes or risk factors for thymus cancer. Thymus cancer is an uncommon tumor, best known for its association with the neuromuscular disorder myasthenia gravis and is found in 20% of patients with myasthenia gravis. It is a rare type of cancer which accounts for only 1 % of total cancers. The tumor occurs at the rate of only 1.5 cases in million people each year in the United States. Once diagnosed, thymus cancer can be removed surgically. In the rare cases of a malignant tumor, chemotherapy may also be used. The market for thymus cancer is showing a limited growth. The global market for thymus cancer is expected to reach US$ Million by the end of the forecasted period and is expected to grow at a Strong CAGR.Get Sample PDF Illustration @Key Players for Global Thymus Cancer MarketMarket Research Future (MRFR) recognizes the following companies as the key players in Thymus Cancer Market: There are plenty of large and small market players which operate in this market all over the globe.Some of the key players in this market are: Amgen Inc, Astellas Pharma Inc, Astrazeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene Corporation, Cellceutix Corporation, Eli Lilly and company, Johnson & Johnson services Inc, Merck & Co. Inc., Novartis AG, Onxeo SA, Pfizer Inc, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co. Ltd., Taiwan Liposome Company Ltd., Takeda pharmaceutical company, Tiziana Life Sciences Plc. and others.Segments for Global Thymus Cancer MarketGlobal thymus cancer market has been segmented on the basis of types which comprises of type A, type AB, type B1, type B2, type B3 and thymic carcinoma (type C). On the basis of treatment, which consist of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and others. On the basis of care centers, market is segmented into hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers, research laboratories and others.Regional Analysis for Global Thymus Cancer MarketGlobally North America is the largest market for thymus cancer. The North American market for thymus cancer is expected to grow at a Healthy CAGR and is expected to reach at US$ Million by the end of the forecasted period. Europe is the second-largest market for thymus cancer which is expected to grow at a Healthy CAGR. Asia pacific region is expected to be growing in thymus cancer market.The report for Global thymus cancer 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 markets segments and regions.Get Prime Discount on 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 ContinuedDo You Have Specific Requirement? Ask To Our Experts@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 Sterile Packaging Market 2018 Global Industry Analysis By Amcor, 3M, E. I. du Pont de Nemours, Bemis, Gerresheimer, SCHOTT, SteriPack, Barger Packaging and North American Sterilization & Packaging Sterilized Packaging https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2478 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/2478 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/sterilized-packaging-market-2478 Global Sterilized Packaging Market Information Report by Material (Plastic, Glass, and Others), by type (Trays, Bottles, Vials, and others), and by Region - Global Forecast to 2022The key players of global sterilized packaging market are Amcor Limited (U.S.), 3M (U.S.), E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (U.S), Bemis Company, Inc. (U.S.), West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (U.S.), Gerresheimer AG (Germany), SCHOTT AG (Germany), SteriPack Contract Manufacturing (U.S.), Barger Packaging Inc. (U.S.) and North American Sterilization & Packaging Company (U.S.).Get Sample Report @Market ScenarioPackaging is an important part of modern life so as to protect the products from harm such as damage, contamination, and leakage while in transit or storage. Some of the products require sterilized packaging that will protect the products not only from contamination but also from reacting with packaging solution.A major factor driving the growth of the sterilized packaging market is the government regulations for the effective packaging, especially the stringent regulations subjected to the pharmaceutical and food products. The growing pharmaceutical industry drives the sterilized packaging market. The other factors that are responsible for the growth of this market are the increased shelf life of products, rising health concerns and increase in the disposable income.Intended Audience Sterilized packaging manufacturers Distributer & Supplier companies End Users consultants and Investment bankers Government as well as Independent Regulatory AuthoritiesGeographic OverviewAsia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the growth of sterilized packaging market due to the rising disposable income in countries such as India and China. The growing concern for the health is also responsible for the growth of the market in this region. North America is the second largest sterilized packaging market due to the rising consumption in dairy products and the growing health awareness in the region.Early Diners Are Offered Free Customization- Up to 20% @Market Research AnalysisThe market is highly based on types. Vials segment is expected to dominate the growth of sterilized packaging market due to the growing pharmaceutical industry. Sterilized packaging is widely used to protect the drugs and to prevent contamination. This results in the increase in the usage of sterilized packaging in pharmaceutical industry.There sterilized packaging is driven by various factors such as increase in the disposable income, development in pharmaceutical packaging, increase in government regulations and increased shelf life of pharmaceutical products.There are various factors that hinder the growth of this market are packaging cost for sterilizing the packaging, challenge to maintain the packaging without contamination and government regulations for the use of plastic.Scope of ReportThe report for Sterilized Packaging 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, 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.Table Of Contents :1Executive Summary2 Research Methodology2.1 Scope Of The Study2.1.1 Definition2.1.2 Research Objective2.1.3 Assumptions2.1.4 Limitations2.2 Research Process2.2.1 Primary Research2.2.2 Secondary Research2.3 Market Size Estimation2.4 Forecast Model3Market Dynamics3.1 Market Drivers3.2 Market Inhibitors3.3 Supply/Value Chain Analysis3.4 Porters Five Forces AnalysisContinues.....Ask for your specific company profile and country level customization on reports.Browse Full Report with Complete TOC @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.Market Research FutureMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Clinical Trial Management System Market CAGR Growing at 12.0% up to 2023 along with IBM, Oracle, PAREXEL, Bioclinica, Etc Leading Players Clinical Trial Management System Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2054 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/2054 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/2054 The Global Clinical Trial Management System Market is driven by the increasing number of ongoing clinical trials, availability of advanced clinical trial management system solutions, and growing customer base for CTMS solutions, along with growing government funding to support clinical trials. Additionally, factors such as increasing partnerships between biopharma companies and CROs, investment in the R&D segment, rising research activities, and the increasing complexity in data management are likely to propel the growth of the global clinical trial management system market.For instance, according to the Federal Funding for Biomedical and Related Life Sciences Research, 84% of the National Health Institutes (NIH) funding is distributed through 60,000 researchers to conduct various research and developments in the life science sector. Additionally, according to (FASEB), NIH required a minimum of USD 35.0 billion for life science researches for the year 2017. These growing government funding to support research and development are likely to enhance the growth of the global clinical trial management system market.However, increasing clinical trials failure rates, long clinical trials approval time, and stringent government policies are likely to hamper the growth of the global clinical trial management system market.Global Clinical Trial Management System Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12% during the forecast period.Get Sample PDF Illustration @Key Players for Global Clinical Trial Management System MarketSome of the players in the clinical trial management system market are Forte Research Systems Inc., eClinForce Inc., Oracle, Medidata Solutions, iWEb Technologies, PAREXEL, Bioclinica, Bio-Optronics, and IBM.Regional Analysis for Global Clinical Trial Management System MarketThe North American clinical trial management system market is the growing market in the Americas. On a regional basis, the Americas is segmented into North America and South America. North America is further segmented into the U.S. and Canada. North America is expected to account for the largest share of the clinical trial management system market. Factors such as increasing spending for the clinical trial management system, research and development and technological advancements, and the presence of key pharmaceutical companies are driving the growth of the clinical trial management system market.Europe is the second largest market and holds a noticeable share in the global clinical trial management system market. The European market is expected to grow during the forecast period owing to the growing clinical trials and need for advanced treatments along with growing need for better healthcare infrastructure. For instance, the European Commission stated that the R&D spending by the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sector grew by 8.7% in 2014.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market. Increasing outsourcing of clinical trials and availability of diverse patient population are the major drivers for the market growth. China is the fastest growing region owing to its large geriatric population. Rising awareness of health and availability of new treatment methods, the presence of supportive regulatory guidelines for clinical trials, and cost advantages drive the market in this region.The Middle East and Africa is expected to show the least growth in the market due to some major factors such as lack of awareness, low government support, limited access, and affordability of treatment facilities. In the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates is the largest market owing to the development of healthcare infrastructure and rising skilled medical professionals.Get Prime Discount on 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 ContinuedDo You Have Specific Requirement? Ask To Our Experts@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 Micro Balance Industry 2018 Expected to Grow Market by 2025| Development Trends, Share, Size, Demand, Top Manufacture Study (Mettler-Toledo, Sartorius AG, Citizen Scales, RADW, Scientech, CI Precision, Contech, Instruments etc.) https://www.orianresearch.com/request-sample/592982 https://www.orianresearch.com/enquiry-before-buying/592982 https://www.orianresearch.com/checkout/592982 Micro Balance Industry 2018 Global Market research report presents you analysis of market size, share, and growth, trends, cost structure, statistical and comprehensive data of the global market. The Micro Balance Market report offers noteworthy data regarding industrys growth parameters, the current state of the market in terms of analysis of possible economic situations and macroeconomic analysis.Get Sample Copy atDevelopment policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. This report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions North America, Europe, Japan, China, and other regions (India, Southeast Asia, Central & South America, Middle East & Africa etc.)Complete report on Micro Balance Market spread across 104 pages with top 15 key manufacturers and list of tables and figures. Enquire more @Key Companies Analyzed in this Report are: Mettler-Toledo Sartorius AG Citizen Scales RADW Scientech CI Precision Contech Instruments Global Micro Balance Market report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through analytical research, market survey and observations) and secondary research. The report also features a complete focused on qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain, growth aspects, utilization ratio and manufacturing capacity.Place a Direct Order Of this Report @Highlights Points of the report: A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent market Important changes in market dynamics Market segmentation up to the second or third level Historical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volume Reporting and evaluation of recent industry developments Market shares and strategies of key players Emerging niche segments and regional markets An objective assessment of the trajectory of the market Recommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketMajor Points Covered in Table of Contents:1 Industry Overview of Micro Balance2 Global Micro Balance Competition Analysis by Players3 Company (Top Players) Profiles4 Global Micro Balance Market Size by Type and Application (2013-2018)5 United States Micro Balance Development Status and Outlook6 EU Micro Balance Development Status and Outlook7 Japan Micro Balance Development Status and Outlook8 China Micro Balance Development Status and Outlook9 India Micro Balance Development Status and Outlook10 Southeast Asia Micro Balance Development Status and Outlook11 Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2018-2025)12 Micro Balance Market Dynamics13 Market Effect Factors Analysis14 Research Finding/Conclusion15 AppendixAbout UsOrian Research is one of the most comprehensive collections of market intelligence reports on The World Wide Web. Our reports repository boasts of over 500000+ industry and country research reports from over 100 top publishers. We continuously update our repository so as to provide our clients easy access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, and products. We also specialize in custom research in situations where our syndicate research offerings do not meet the specific requirements of our esteemed clients.Contact UsRuwin MendezVice President Global Sales & Partner RelationsOrian Research ConsultantsUS: +1 (832) 380-8827 | UK: +44 0161-818-8027Email: info@orianresearch.com Payment Security Market Explore Future Growth 2018-2022 by Global Top Players-Bluefin Payment Systems, Braintree Cybersource, Elavon, Index, Ingenico Epayments, Intelligent Payments Payment Security http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012030151/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012030151/buying ReportsWeb.com has announced the addition of the Global Payment Security Market Size Status and Forecast 2022, The report classifies the global Payment Security Market in a precise manner to offer detailed insights about the aspects responsible for augmenting as well as restraining market growth.In world Economic growth, the Payment Security industry has also suffered a certain impact, but still maintained a relatively optimistic growth, the past four years, Payment Security market size to maintain the average annual growth rate of 16.52% from 7200 million $ in 2014 to 11390 million $ in 2017, Publisher analysts believe that in the next few years, Payment Security market size will be further expanded, we expect that by 2022, The market size of the Payment Security will reach 24630 million $.This 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. If you need more information, please contact PublisherRequest sample copy:The Key Players mentioned in our report:Bluefin Payment Systems, Braintree Cybersource, Elavon, Index, Ingenico Epayments, Intelligent Payments, Geobridge Corporation, Shift4 Corporation, Sisa Information Security, Signifyd, Tns, TokenexProduct Type SegmentationSolutionsServicesIndustry SegmentationRetailTravel And HospitalityHealthcareIt And TelecomEducationChannelDirect SalesDistributorRegions Covered:-North America-US-Canada-Mexico-Europe-Germany-France-Italy-UK-Spain-Rest of Europe-Asia Pacific-Japan-China-India-Australia-New Zealand-Rest of Asia Pacific-Rest of the World-Middle East-Brazil-Argentina-South Africa-EgyptElse place an Inquire before Purchase Global Payment Security Market Size, Status and Forecast 2022: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 advancementsFundamentals of Table of Content:Chapter 1 About the Payment Security Industry1.1 Industry Definition and Types1.2 Main Market Activities1.3 Similar Industries1.4 Industry at a GlanceChapter 2 World Market Competition LandscapeChapter 3 World Payment Security Market shareChapter 4 Supply Chain AnalysisChapter 5 Company ProfilesChapter 6 Globalization & TradeChapter 7 Distributors and CustomersChapter 8 Import, Export, Consumption and Consumption Value by Major CountriesChapter 9 World Payment Security Market Forecast through 2022Chapter 10 Key success factors and Market OverviewAbout ReportsWeb:ReportsWeb.com is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers. We provide best in class customer service and our customer support team is always available to help you on your research queriesPune:505, 6th floor, Amanora Township,Amanora Chambers, East Block,Kharadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune-411028 Industrial Valves Market Emerging In Energy Industry By 2018 With Top Providers Like Cameron, a Schlumberger company, Crane Co., Emerson, Flowserve Corporation, Forbes Marshall, Metso, Neway Valve amd More Industrial Valves http://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-industrial-valves-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/speak-to-analyst/?dbmr=global-industrial-valves-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-industrial-valves-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com The report includes industrial valves market shares of flow cytometry market for global, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and South America. Forecasting Global Market Analysis By Material Type (Steel, Cast Iron, Alloy Based, Cryogenic, Others), By valve type (Ball, Butterfly, Gate, Globe, Plug, Diaphragm, Safety) By End-user (Oil & Gas, Water & Wastewater, Energy & Power, Chemical, Food & Beverages, Pharmaceutical, Building and Construction, Others) By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa) With Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Hence the major players have used various strategies such as new product launches, clinical trials, market initiatives, high expense on research and development, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions, and others to increase their footprints in this market. The Industrial Valves Market report contains data for historic years 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.The Global Market accounted to USD 67.8 billion in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024.Get Free Sample Research Report:Major Market Competitors: Global Industrial Valves MarketIndustrial Valves Market is highly fragmented and is based on new product launches and testing results of products. Some of the major players operating in market are AVK Holding A/S, Avcon Controls Pvt Ltd, Cameron Schlumberger, Crane Co., Emerson, Flowserve Corporation, Forbes Marshall, IMI PLC., Kitz Corporation,Others: Metso Corporation,Neway Valves (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., Pentair PLC,Velan Inc., Samson AG, The Weir Group, PLC, Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLCamong others. In 2017, Flowserve Corporationsinged the deal withDivest Gestra AG, to sell products of the company.Speak to Research Analyst for Further Query:Major Market Drivers and Restraints: Growing Demand in Oil & Gas Production High Demand for Energy in APAC Focus on Smart Cities in Emerging Economies Such as China and India Rising Demand for Automation Lack of Standardization in Certifications and Policies Slowdown in Oil & Gas and Mining Industries Downtime Due to Repairing of ValvesMarket Segmentation: Global Industrial Valves Market On the basis of material type the industrial valves marketis segmented into Steel, Cast Iron, Alloy Based, Cryogenic, Others. The alloy based market is expected to grow in the forecasted period. On the basis of valve type the industrial valves market is segmented into Ball, Butterfly, Gate, Globe, Plug, Diaphragm, and Safety.The gate market is expected to grow in the forecasted period. On the basis of end-user the industrial valves market is segmented into Oil & Gas, Water & Wastewater, Energy & Power, Chemical, Food & Beverages, Pharmaceutical, Building and Construction, Others. The Oil & gas market is expected to grow in the forecasted period. On the basis of geography, industrial valves market eport covers data points for 28 countries across multiple geographies such as North America & South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Some of the major countries covered in this report are U.S., Canada, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, China, India, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Brazil among others. In 2017, North America is expected to dominate the market.Want Full Report? Enquire Here:Data Bridge adepts in creating satisfied clients who reckon upon our services and rely on our hard work with certitude. For Customization or Getting Discount on Report by emailing sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com . We are content with our glorious 99.9 % client satisfying rate.Contact UsData Bridge Market ResearchToll Free: +1-888-387-2818Mail: sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com Automotive Supercharger Market Major Trends in Asia Pacific with Booming CAGR of 4% with Leading Players Honeywell, BorgWarner, IHI, Eaton and More https://marketprognosis.com/sample-request/15733 https://marketprognosis.com/discount-request/15733 https://marketprognosis.com/enquiry/15733 Automotive Supercharger MarketA supercharger is used to increase the pressure and density of intake air to an internal combustion engine (ICE). This allows more air to the engine for better combustion, as more intake air leads to more fuel burning, which gives high-power output.The global market for automotive superchargers is expected to witness a CAGR of more than 4%, during the forecast period, due to the increase in demand for high-power output and better efficiency. Roots blowers tend to be only 4050% efficient at high boost levels. By contrast, centrifugal (dynamic) superchargers are 7085% efficient at high boost levels.Detailed Sample Copy of Updated Analysis @GASOLINE ENGINES ARE EXPECTED TO HOLD THE HIGHEST SHAREA study by Mordor predicts that more than 45% of vehicles sold in the world are expected to be gasoline engine vehicles, by 2020, and the increase in demand for power is expected to drive the gasoline vehicles toward supercharging. In September 2017, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association has released a study, which says that sales of gasoline-powered cars have overtaken diesel-powered cars and this trend is expected to continue during the forecast period, which is also anticipated to see a decline in diesel vehicle sales, due to the rising concerns on pollution levels, globally, coupled with the increasing demand for hybrid and electric vehicles.Key Developments in Automotive Supercharger Market :April, 2018: Uber has reached a deal to acquire Jump, an electric bike startup, which operates dock-less bike sharing servicesAutomotive Supercharger Market Key Players:Honeywell., BorgWarner., IHI., Eaton.Request Discount on this repots @APAC -THE GLOBAL LEADERAPAC is currently the market leader, as almost 50% of the vehicles sold globally are from this region, due to the presence of major automotive hubs like China, India, and Japan. The need for power has been increasing year-on-year. Asia has witnessed a change in trend toward downsizing of engines, wherein equipping a V6 with supercharger is found to be more efficient than equipping a vehicle with V8 engine. Rising CO2 emissions, especially in the APAC region, have convinced the automakers to improvise their engines by installing a supercharger, as these help in complete and better combustion, which reduces the risk of harmful emissions.The market study on global automotive supercharger market is segmented into Centrifugal Supercharger, Roots Superchargers, and Twin-Screw Superchargers, based on technology and Gasoline, Diesel and electric, based on the type of fuel type, engine driven and electric motor-driven, based on power source, OEM and aftermarket, based on end user and passenger cars, and commercial vehicles, based on vehicle type. This study covers all the major countries of North America, Europe, and APAC and Rest of the World.Enquiry Before Buying @About Market PrognosisWe at Market Prognosis believe in giving a crystal clear view of market dynamics for achieving success in todays complex and competitive marketplace through our quantitative & qualitative research methods.We help our clients identify the best market insights and analysis required for their business thus enabling them to take strategic and intelligent decision.We believe in delivering actionable insights for your business growth and success.Contact us:ProgMark Pvt Ltd,Thane - 421501India.Contact No: +1 973 241 5193Email: sales@marketprognosis.com Operating Room Equipment Market: Complex Surgeries Warrant Need for Operating Tables with Varied Functions and Features https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1674 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/1674 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ The global operating room equipment market is anticipated to grow substantially in the forthcoming years, according to a report published by Transparency Market Research (TMR). The market is currently fragmented and features a large pool of regional as well as global players. A significant share of the overall market is held by the top three companies, namely GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthcare and Stryker Corporation.Request for the Sample Report @Key market players are expected to invest into research and development of innovative equipment in order to gain traction in the market, according to analysts at TMR. Vendors are expected to focus on production of advanced equipment for hybrid operating rooms, to thrive the market competition. Other key players participating in the global operating room equipment market are TRUMPF GmbH + Co. KG., Olympus Corporation, Skytron, LLC, Maquet Holding B.V. & Co. KG (Getinge AB), Philips Healthcare, and Steris Corporation.According to TMRs report, the global operating room equipment market is envisaged to reach a valuation of US$42,873.3 mn by 2023, rising from US$29,105.4 mn in 2017. The market is predicted to grow at a steady 6.7% CAGR over the forecast duration from 2017 to 2023.In 2017, among the types of products, the movable imaging systems segment held the dominant position in the operating room equipment market, generating a revenue of US$8,384.9 million. Over the forecast period from 2017 to 2023, this segment is expected to witness rapid growth owing to increased funding by government bodies.Geography-wise, North America and Europe are two of the largest markets for operating room equipment, on account of the larger affordability of countries in these regions for purchasing and installing advanced medical devices. There is a strong demand for constant upgrading of operating room equipment, giving these two regions a considerable boost in the global operating room equipment market.Prominent factors driving the operating room equipment market are expanding geriatric populace combined with rising frequencies of chronic diseases, rising awareness about the viability of minimally obtrusive techniques. Additionally, the expanding number of changing inclinations and a vast patient pool for medical procedures, enhancing health care basics and moderateness of the patients are additionally foreseen to fuel the development in this market over the duration of forecast. Besides, expanding ventures for innovative headways in this field are likewise expected to supplement the market development in the coming years.Growing assets and investments by different government bodies and private investors are additionally fuelling the market to a large extent. For example, in its 2016-17 spending plan, the Hong Kong government devoted an arrangement of USD 200 billion for a ten-year hospital improvement system for that would encourage extend and update health care institutions. Under the arrangement, number of operating performance centers would increment by 40% and pro outpatient benefit limit would increment by 40% from 6.8 million to 10 million attendances for a year. The design likewise incorporates redevelopment and construction of different clinics in the the region. This could be a potentially significant factor leading to upsurge of the operating room equipment market in the coming years.Request for Report TOC @The increasing demand of hybrid operating rooms is expected to emerge as a leading trend and positively impact market growth as surgeons and clinicians as they have greater flexibility across surgical procedures, which ensures patient safety and expand their therapeutic options. Moreover, the rapid proliferation of multispecialty clinics in developing regions of Asia, particularly India, is expected to open exciting opportunities for market players.About UsTransparency Market Research is a global 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. Our 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 Research,90 Sate Street, Suite 700,Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Biochips Market Size, Shares, Growth, Analysis, Status and Forecast Research Reports to 2023 Profiling Major Companies Like Abbott laboratories (U.S.), Agilent Technologies (U.S.), Becton-Dickinson Company (U.S.) https://www.researchnreports.com/request_sample.php?id=90936 https://www.researchnreports.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=90936 www.researchnreports.com This research report is a depth analysis of Biochips market and its upcoming growth prospects is been mentioned with maximum precision. The global biochips market is expected to grow at double digit CAGR to reach $17,851.1 million by 2023. Biochips market is mainly classified into technologies, products, application and end-users. This study includes an elaborative summary of Biochips market which also includes snapshots that offer depth of information of various other segmentations. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis of key factors which are responsible for boosting or hampering the market growth and the promising opportunities in Biochips market have been provide. Primary and secondary research is been done in detail which helps the readers have a strong understanding of the complete market for the forecast period to 2023.Major key players profiled in this report are:Abbott laboratories (U.S.), Agilent Technologies (U.S.), Becton-Dickinson Company (U.S.), Bio-Rad Laboratories (U.S.), Danaher Corporation (U.S.), Fluidigm Corporation (U.S.), GE Healthcare (U.S.), Illumina (U.S.), PerkinElmer, Inc. (U.S.) and Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (U.S.). etc.Get sample copy of this report:The major geographical regions which include, North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East & Africa and Latin America are studied. Top manufacturers from all these regions are studied to help give a better picture of the market investment. Production, price, capacity, revenue and many such important data is being discussed with precise data.Most important data include the key recommendations and predictions by our analysts, intended to steer a strategic business decision. The company profiles section of this research service is a compilation of the growth strategies, financial status, product portfolio, and recent developments of key market participants. The report provides detailed industry analysis of the global Biochips Market with the help of proven research methodologies such as Porters five forces. The forces analyzed are bargaining power of the buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, and the degree of competition.In order to give a clear view of Biochips market, competitive landscape has been gauged and mentioned along with value chain analysis. Current and introduced research and development projects has been delivered in this particular report.Avail discount on this report:Table of ContentsGlobal Biochips Market Research ReportChapter 1 Global Biochips 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, ExportChapter 6 Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter 7 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 Market ForecastAbout Research N Reports:Research N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat Global competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently, we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Contact:Sunny Denis(Sales Manager),(Research N Reports)10916, Gold Point Dr,Houston, TX, Pin 77064,+1-8886316977,sales@researchnreports.com, New Market Study of Travel Risk Management Services Market Growth and its detail analysis By Focusing on Top Key Players Like Anvil Group, BCD Travel, Healix, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Kroll https://www.researchnreports.com/request_sample.php?id=223694 https://www.researchnreports.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=223694 https://www.researchnreports.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=223694 www.researchnreports.com Travel Risk Management Service is one of the most important tasks is to make sure that travelers get home safe. It is a comprehensive, consistent and proactive approach to protecting your people and your organization from travel risks. Most organizations recognize the need to proactively prepare for their travelers international assignments with an enterprise-wide travel risk management program. Maybe you already have a program in place or youre in the process of vetting travel risk management providers. The major drivers for the market include increasing concerns related to public safety, increasing traffic congestion problem, and favorable government initiatives for effective Travel Risk Management.Get Sample Copy of this Report@:Travel Risk Management Services market research is an intelligence report with meticulous efforts undertaken to study the right and valuable information. The data which has been looked upon is done considering both, the existing top players and the upcoming competitors. Business strategies of the key players and the new entering market industries are studied in detail. Well explained SWOT analysis, revenue share and contact information are shared in this report analysis.Top Companies Profiled in this Report includes, Anvil Group, BCD Travel, Healix, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, KrollAfter studying key companies, the report focuses on the startups contributing towards the growth of the market. Possible mergers and acquisitions among the startups and key organizations are identified by the report's authors in the study. As leading companies take efforts to maintain their dominance in the global Travel Risk Management Services market, the right way to do so is by adopting new technologies and strategies. The report highlights major technological developments and changing trends adopted by key companies over a period of time. For a stronger and more stable business outlook, the report on the global market carries key projections that can be practically studied.Get Reasonable Discount on this Premium Report @:Travel Risk Management Services market is segmented on the basis of various parameters. The factors which are impacting the markets growth are studied in detail. The report also presents a overall weaknesses which companies operating in the market must avoid in order to enjoy sustainable growth through the course of the forecast period. Besides this, profiles of some of the leading players operating and encouraging in the growth of the global market are included in the study. Additionally, using SWOT analysis, markets weaknesses and strengths are analyzed. It also helps the report provide insights into the opportunities and threats that these companies may face during the forecast period.Table of ContentsGlobal Travel Risk Management Services Market Research ReportChapter 1 Travel Risk Management Services 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 Travel Risk Management Services Market ForecastFor More Information:If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.About Research N Reports:Research N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat Europe competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Contact:Sunny Denis(Sales Manager),(Research N Reports)10916, Gold Point Dr,Houston, TX, Pin 77064,sales@researchnreports.com, Airless Packaging Market Reaching $5,938.0 Mn by 2023 Airless Packaging Market - AMR https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2226 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/2226 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/2226 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com The global airless packaging market was valued at $4,046.0 million in 2016, and is expected to reach at $5,938.0 million by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period. Europe accounted for more than one-third of the market share in 2016, and is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period.An airless packaging system is a non-pressurized device that uses a dispensing pump, provides high restitution rate & low wastage, and avoids backflow of air in the system.Request Sample Copy@The demand for airless packaging products has increased, owing to the increased demand for natural and organic products globally, rise in sales of homecare products due to modernization, and growth in its applicability in the personal care & food & beverages. In addition, government regulations and legislations for reducing pollutants and increased awareness about eco-friendly products are expected to propel the market growth. However, high production cost airless packaging products pose a threat to the market growth.Increase in need for ecological products, high rate of consumption & degradation of products, and significant growth of skincare and haircare products in developing countries drive the airless packaging market. Furthermore, increase in consumption for packaged food & beverage in sprawling cities of developed countries offer significant growth potential for the global market. In addition, continuous inflow of new, innovative design offerings in the airless packaging market offer lucrative opportunities for the market growth. However, high manufacturing costs, low product differentiation, and intense competition limit the market growth.Purchase Inquiry@Key Findings of the Airless Packaging Market:The bottles & jars segment dominated the market, in terms of revenue, in packaging type segment, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period.Personal care segment generated the highest revenue in 2016, and is estimated to grow at the highest growth rate of 5.3%.In 2016, Europe was the dominant region in terms of revenue, but LAMEA is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR in the market.U.S. was the revenue generating country in North America airless packaging market, accounting for around 55.48% of the market share in the region in the year 2016.Connect to Analyst@About Us:Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.Contact:Shriram Dighe5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesToll Free: +1-800-792-5285UK: +44-845-528-1300Hong Kong: +852-301-84916India (Pune): +91-20-66346060Fax: +1-855-550-5975help@alliedmarketresearch.comWeb: Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Market Development Trends, Competitive Analysis and Key Manufacturers Report 2020 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=3696 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ambulatory-blood-pressure-monitoring.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=3696 www.transparencymarketresearch.com Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring includes measurement of blood pressure at regular intervals of time usually after every 15-20 minutes and is performed for 24 hours, during which patient conducts normal day to day activities. Ambulatory blood pressure monitors are portable automated monitor worn on a belt connected to standard cuff on upper arm.Request Brochure-The device uses an oscillometric technique to identify systolic, diastolic, mean blood pressure and heart rate. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring provides valuable and precise diagnostic information in comparison to in-clinic and home blood pressure monitoring. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is used for monitoring different types of conditions with respect to hypertension which includes:Episodic hypertensionHypertension due to increased monitoringHypotensive symptoms caused by antihypertensive medicationsAutonomic dysfunctionMasked hypertensionTo differentiate between white collar (coat) hypertension and true hypertensionTo evaluate whether antihypertensive therapy is modifying the early morning blood pressure surgeAmbulatory blood pressure market is growing at faster pace majorly due to an increase in the number of patients suffering from low or high blood pressure all over the world.According to the World Heart Federation, currently, around one billion people worldwide are suffering from high blood pressure and the number is expected to reach 1.56 billion by 2025. With the use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, patients can avoid further complications through regular checks of blood pressure level and accordingly regulate their food habits.Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is also witnessing growth at rapid rate due to increasing adoption of product bundling strategies by market players. In product bundling, companies offer blood glucose monitors, thermometers and pulse oximeters in addition to ambulatory blood pressure monitors.View Report-The patients also prefer such packages in comparison to individual products as they are more cost-effective. However, the major challenge which ambulatory blood glucose market is facing is that the market is highly price sensitive.This is mainly because Asian companies have introduced the ambulatory blood pressure monitors in comparatively low prices. With the increase in number of companies importing the monitors in low prices is leading to decline in ambulatory blood pressure monitoring market.Restricted reimbursement limits for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is one of the factors that is restraining the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring market. The only ambulatory blood pressures monitor which is reimbursed is the one which is used for diagnosing and differentiating white collar (coat) hypertension. The ambulatory blood pressure monitoring which is used in clinical segment is underplayed by the reimbursement policies due to high cost incurred by the patients.North America and Europe lead the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring market due to increasing ageing population, sedentary lifestyles, government initiatives and programs to spread awareness about important information with respect to hypertension and economic stability to purchase expensive healthcare equipments. Asia-Pacific is growing at faster pace for the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring market majorly due to growing health related concerns, increase in economic affordability levels to healthcare and increasing government support towards healthcare sector.Request For Custom Research-Some of the market players in the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring market include A&D Company, Ltd., Spacelabs Healthcare, Inc., Welch Allyn, Inc., Beijing Avantgarde Medical Equipment Company, Ltd., Microlife AG, Schiller AG, Omron Healthcare Company, Ltd., SunTech Medical, Inc., AViTA Corporation, GE Healthcare, Qinhuangdao Sanwin Trading Company, Ltd. and Shenzhen Phenitech Technology Company, Ltd.About us:Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S.-based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMRs global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Enterprise VSAT Market Poised for an Explosive Growth in the Near Future https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=19814 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/enterprise-vsat-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Very small aperture terminal (VSAT) is a communication system that is operated through the satellite. It serves businesses and domestic users. The end-user of a VSAT requires a box that interfaces an outside antenna with the users computer with the help of a transceiver. The transceiver sends the received signal to a satellite transponder in the sky. The satellite receives and sends the signal that comes from the earths stations computer which acts as a core for the system. Each end-user is connected with the core station with the help of a satellite connected in the form of a star topology. For the end-users to connect with each other, each transmitted first goes to the hub station, which is then re-transmitted to the receiving end-users VSAT via the satellite. VSAT handles video, voice and data signals. With the help of VSAT, companies can have complete control of their communication systems, without depending on other IT companies. Domestic users and businesses also can get higher speed than regular telephone services.The global enterprise VSAT market has been segmented on the basis of categories, hardware & services, and geographies. On the basis of categories, the market has been segregated into products and services. The services segment accounted for a dominant market share in 2015. This is attributed to clinics and hospitals enabled with satellite broadband services, which help them maintain direct two-way data exchange and communication. In addition, satellite broadband services also help security agencies and intelligence services improve their data analysis systemsthat help them in deciphering the information more accurately.Government agencies as well as maritime and military sectors are major end-users of VSAT as a service. Therehas been continued demand from this segment, which is driving the market. On the basis of hardware & services, the global market for enterprise VSAT has been divided into ARUP VSAT terminals and ASP VSAT terminals.Get PDF Sample of This Report @A major driverfor the growth of the global market for enterprise VSAT is the provision of practical, cost-effective solutions for individual end-users, who require a self-regulating communications network through which a number of remote sites are connected. In addition, the VSAT network offers satellite-based, value-added services such as voice/fax communication, LAN services, data transmission, and internet access along with public and private network communications. Emerging technologies such as high throughput satellite (HTS) technology is a major restraint to the growth of the global enterprise VSAT market. Service providers are likely to integrate their current operations with these emerging technologies.Geographically, the global market for enterprise VSAT has been segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.North America held the dominant share of the global market in 2015.The market in the region is projected to witness steady growth during the forecast period. This is attributed to high adoption of satellite services for various applications such as inspection of historical monuments, vegetation identification, volcano monitoring, and disaster management in case of stormsand hurricanes. The market in Asia Pacific is estimated to witness speedy growth during the forecast period, owing to increase in government initiatives to connect schools and colleges in countries such as India, China, and Australia.View Our Report @Major players operating in the global enterprise VSAT market include Gilat Satellite Networks(Petah Tikva, Israel), Hughes Communications (Maryland, the U.S.), SageNet (Oklahoma, the U.S.), ViaSat Inc. (California, the U.S.), VT iDirect (Virginia, the U.S.), Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (New York, the U.S.), Bharti Airtel (New Delhi, India), Embratel (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), ND SatCom GmbH (Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany), NewSat (Melbourne, Australia), Newtec (Sint-Niklaas,Belgium), Orion Satellite (Perth, Australia), Polarsat (Quebec, Canada), Primesys Solucoes Empresariais (Sao Paolo, Brazil), Signalhorn (Stuttgart, Germany), SpeedCast (Wanchai, Hong Kong), SkyCasters (Ohio, the U.S.), Tatanet Services (Mumbai, India), Telefonica, S.A (Madrid, Spain), and Telesat Holdings (Ontario, Canada).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.Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Ethernet Switches Market Size will Escalate Rapidly in the Near Future https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=22133 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ethernet-switches-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Switch is a particular device that is used in a computer network for connecting two devices electrically. It is being used to communicate between network devices by plugging in multiple data cables. Switches also helps in the flow of data through a network by transmission of network packet to multiple devices. A specific network address is maintained for identification of network devices connected to a switch helping in the regulation of flow of traffic thereby maximizing the security and efficiency of the network. An ethernet switch is a central hub that are wired to computers and network devices within an ethernet. It is the extreme temperature and high vibrations durability that has helped in the growing application of ethernet switches in industrial environment as well. The global market for ethernet switches has been segmented into type, applications and geography. The various types based on which the global market for ethernet switches has been segmented includes unmanaged switch, partially managed switch and fully managed switch. Automotive, healthcare and telecommunication among others form the major application areas based on which the global ethernet switches market has been segmented.Global ethernet switches market on the basis of geography has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa.Get PDF Sample of This Report @The rise in efficiency and effectivity of the transmission has been a major factor that has driven the demand for ethernet switches market globally. Use of ethernet switches helps in providing connection via a dedicated wire having a single transmitter in the collision domain improving the overall utilization. Reduction in usage of broadcast domains has also been another major driver that has positively impacted the demand for ethernet switches market globally. In addition to this, the benefit compared to the costs involved is quite high providing more number of ports as compared to routers at a cheaper cost. Moreover, use of switches provides changes in configuration along with adjustments in speeds that further helps in the rising demand for this market.Along with this, growth of IoT (Internet of Things) technology and increasing application of ethernet in process automation sector has also been some other major drivers that has a positive impact on the overall market. Considering all these factors that has positively impacted the demand for this market, there are also certain restraints involved that poses challenges to its growth. One such major limitation involved with the application of ethernet switches is the technological complexity involved that makes it vulnerable towards security attacks. Moreover, it is the complexities involved with the design and configuration of ethernet switches that poses challenges for transmission of multiple packets forming another crucial factor that restrains the growth for this market. It is the growing internet penetration in remote places will provide huge opportunities for this market in the coming years.Geographically, it is North America and Europe that forms the major markets for the ethernet switches market globally. Growing application along with rise in demand for quick transmission of data forms some of the major drivers that boosts the demand for ethernet switches in this region. Asia Pacific forms another major region that contributes to the growth of ethernet switches market with China, Japan and India being some of the major regions that boosts the demand. Growing internet penetration along with rising application of data transmission has been some of the crucial factors that has positively impacted the demand for ethernet switches market in this region.View Our Report @Some of the major players operating in the ethernet switches market include Beckhoff Automation (Germany), Rockwell Automation (The U.S.), Siemens (Germany), Cisco (the U.S.), Schneider Electric (France), General Electric (The U.S.), Honeywell International (The U.S.), Eaton Corporation (The U.S.), Hitachi (Japan), Parker Hannifin Corporation (The U.S.), Omron (Japan) and B&R Automation (Austria) among others present in the market globally.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.Transparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Portland Public Schools' human resources director abruptly quit July 25, less than a month after the district hired an outside lawyer to investigate her, records obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive show. Why Human Resources Director Kylie Rogers was under scrutiny is unknown. It's also unclear if Rogers' resignation was related to the investigation in any way. Rogers declined to answer questions about the investigation. Portland Public Schools spokesman Harry Esteve would not say whether Rogers had been asked to quit. Rogers has framed leaving as a decision she made, after determining the work load was compromising her duties to her family. Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero praised her work in his announcement of her departure. Rogers' responsibilities were given to an interim director the same day she put in her resignation. The investigation is ongoing, but it is possible that to save money the district won't ask investigators to write a report, Esteve said. Without a record of investigators' findings, it may be hard for the public to learn the investigation's conclusions unless district officials choose to share that information. Rogers held a significant amount of power and responsibility in Oregon's largest school district. Although she worked there for less than 11 months, she made calls that will reverberate beyond her tenure. She had a hand in firing many employees as part of a reorganization of central office. She oversaw the department that ensures schools are staffed adequately and with quality educators, so schools will rely on her department's judgments as they head into the school year. In his announcement of her departure, Guerrero praised her work before he arrived as "invaluable" and highlighted her part in the reorganization of the central office and negotiation of the teachers contract. "I am grateful for Kylie's dedication to our district as both a (Portland Public Schools) employee and parent," Guerrero said. Rogers told Guerrero and fellow members of the leadership team that she decided to quit because managing the heavy workload had become too hard on her family, documents show. The decision to quit, she wrote, was difficult. "I consider it one of the great fortunes of my career and my life to have landed in K-12 and at Portland Public Schools at a time and place that I could work with the superintendent and all of you," she wrote. The workload was no doubt high. In addition to firing scores of central office employees, she led the personnel department during a period when the district had to fill dozens of important, vacant positions and develop anti-nepotism and anti-harassment policies. The school board has billed Guerrero as the leader who will bring Portland Public Schools to better days after a 2016 lead in-drinking-water scandal revealed not only unhealthy conditions but a lack of accountability and systems in general. Before starting at Portland Public Schools last September, Rogers had worked in human resources for the University of Arizona Library System and, before that, for Anheuser Busch InBev, her resume says. During the time Rogers ran human resources for Oregon's largest school district, the district changed the name of her department to the "Talent & Culture department." Rogers was known for her love of upbeat superlatives, as evident in her signature on her resignation letter: "Kylie J. Rogers Chief of Talent & Culture (CHRO) Authenticity Advocate Out-loud Processor Semi-cool Mom" By B. Jessie Hill, Case Western Reserve University (THE CONVERSATION) For people who care about abortion rights, these are worrying times. Of course, pro-choice advocates began losing sleep the minute Donald Trump was elected. During the 2016 presidential election, Trump claimed that Roe v. Wade - the 1973 landmark decision establishing that women have a constitutional right to access abortion - would be "automatically" overruled by his Supreme Court picks. Shortly after taking office, Trump announced his first Supreme Court nominee, the conservative Neil Gorsuch, who replaced the conservative Justice Antonin Scalia. Swapping one conservative for another didn't change much for Roe. But now, a second spot has opened up on the court with the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy - who has been a key vote to preserve abortion rights. From my vantage point as a constitutional law professor who also litigates reproductive rights cases, the future of Roe v. Wade looks more tenuous than it ever has. A new vacancy, a new court Replacing Kennedy with a more conservative judge could fundamentally remake constitutional doctrine in this area. In 1992, Justice Kennedy was a swing vote to preserve Roe v. Wade in a 5-4 decision known as Planned Parenthood v. Casey. More recently, in the 2016 case of Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, Justice Kennedy's vote was critical to the five-justice majority, which again affirmed the right to choose as fundamental. But Justice Kennedy's proposed successor Brett Kavanaugh has expressed hostility to Roe. In a public speech last year, Kavanaugh praised the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist's dissent from the Roe decision. He also voted against an undocumented minor in government custody who wanted an abortion, complaining that the judges who voted in favor of the young woman were granting a right to "abortion on demand" and arguing that the woman should have to delay the procedure for a few weeks until she could be placed with a family. This record suggests Kavanaugh could provide a critical fifth vote to the anti-Roe wing of the court, joining Justices Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, Samuel Alito and Gorsuch. What happens if Roe is overruled? If the Supreme Court votes to overrule Roe, it wouldn't immediately make abortion illegal throughout the country. That would probably require five justices to decide that embryos and fetuses are "persons" entitled to constitutional protection. No justice - not even Scalia - has ever taken such an extreme view. Instead, the court would probably say that states are allowed to restrict abortion however they see fit. It would say that states can choose to protect potential life, and that the woman's right to choose whether and when to become a parent is not strong enough to overcome the state's interest in protecting fetuses. That means some states would probably outlaw abortion altogether, perhaps with narrow exceptions in cases of rape or incest, or when the woman's life is in danger. Other states may place few or no restrictions on abortion - perhaps making it illegal only once the fetus is viable, typically after the 22nd week of pregnancy. The role of Roberts Of course, it's possible that Roe will live another day. With Kennedy gone, Chief Justice John Roberts will be at the ideological center of the Court, with four conservatives - Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh - all to the right of him. Roberts is therefore likely to become the swing vote. Roberts is a famously careful jurist who often avoids overruling precedent if he can do so by issuing a narrow opinion instead. He is also likely concerned about his legacy. He might not want the Roberts court to be the court that overruled Roe and took away the right to choose. He might be concerned about the backlash among members of the public, who have long assumed that Roe was here to stay and who favor keeping it by more than a two-to-one margin. Then again, many justices have affirmed their devotion to precedent, only to later overturn it. Both Roberts and Gorsuch spoke favorably about following precedent during their Senate confirmation hearings. Yet both justices voted just this past term to overturn a unanimous Supreme Court case protecting the rights of unions - Abood v. Detroit Board of Education - that had stood undisturbed for more than 40 years. A challenge in the states Also, importantly, numerous states stand ready to mount a challenge to Roe. In 2018 alone, seven states have introduced or passed so-called "heartbeat bills" that ban abortion as early as six weeks of pregnancy. But the Supreme Court doesn't need to consider a challenge to a heartbeat bill in order to overturn Roe. In fact, the Supreme Court gets to pick and choose the cases it hears and needs only four justices to vote to hear a case. That means it might decide to weigh in on abortion rights as soon as its next term. Almost any case, including several that are already pending, could become a vehicle for overturning Roe. For example, the newly composed Supreme Court could decide to take up the constitutionality of laws in Ohio or Indiana banning abortions sought for particular reasons, such as fetal anomaly. Both laws have been blocked by federal courts, and either could still be appealed to the Supreme Court. If the court decides to hear one of those cases, it could uphold the laws on the grounds that Roe was incorrect and a new, more relaxed legal standard should apply to abortion restrictions. What's more, 10 states including Wisconsin and West Virginia, actually still have pre-Roe abortion bans on the books. These laws weren't being enforced as long as Roe was the law of the land. If Roe is overturned, it's possible that prosecutors in those states would try to bring criminal charges against doctors performing abortions, without even waiting for the legislature to pass a new law banning abortion. Four additional states - North Dakota, South Dakota, Louisiana and Mississippi - have passed so-called "trigger laws" providing that abortion will become illegal the moment Roe is overruled. Even in the absence of laws such as these, though, many state legislatures won't hesitate to enact new abortion bans immediately. In fact, the Center for Reproductive Rights considers only 19 states to be relatively low-risk for passing new abortion bans if Roe fell. Of these 19, a few states are expected to take an active role in protecting abortion access in the absence of Roe. This means that women in Massachusetts continue to have one set of laws, and women in Mississippi will have a very different set. Still, it's important not to lose sight of the bigger picture. Whether or not Roe goes, the Supreme Court is likely to shift far to the right on reproductive rights - potentially affecting not just abortion, but access to contraception as well. One sign of this shift is Kavanaugh's record of siding with employers seeking to block employees' access to birth control under the ACA. And, even if Roe isn't overturned, it may continue to exist in name only, as the Supreme Court is likely to uphold every sort of restriction short of an outright abortion ban. In short, there are many possible paths for Roe v. Wade in the future, and significant questions remain. One thing is almost certain, though - the court will continue to erode the power of Roe. -- B. Jessie Hill, Case Western Reserve University (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) I enjoyed reading the recent Oregonian/OregonLive stories regarding the contributions of immigrants to our society. One story was about the immigrants from Argentina and Mexico who have a thriving cheese business in the Albany area ("Latino cheese producers pave the whey in Albany," July 29). The other story was about a national award to a Palestinian immigrant for her contribution to culture and arts in sharing the embroidery designs from Palestine ("Palestinian embroidery is Oregon artist's link to the past," July 28). Immigrants contribute to our society in many ways from picking the crops for the foods we eat to staffing our hotels and restaurants to constructing our buildings and as entrepreneurs for many kinds of businesses. Thank you for highlighting these two stories for your readers. Kay Del Marshall, Southeast Portland I am Irene Kalonji, a human rights activist and co-founder of Pacific Northwest Family Circle, an all-volunteer community group that unites Oregon and Washington Families whose loved ones were killed or injured by police officers. Shiloh Wilson-Phelps and I started this organization after our sons were killed by police early in 2016. Pacific Northwest Family Circle condemns the killing of Cashus Dean Case on July 25 by police officers in Seaside. In the United States, according to the basic tenets of our justice system, no one can be found guilty of a crime or be punished for it until they've been tried in court. So what if Mr. Case was a felon who wasn't allowed to have guns? Is this an offense that should be punishable by death? While deaths by police aren't officially tracked in Oregon, newspaper articles leave a trail that researchers can follow. Since 1992, at least 336 Oregonians have been killed by police. In every single case, these deaths have been found justified by district attorneys and grand juries across the state. As we've seen in just a few recent cases around the country, district attorneys have the power to prosecute the police. We call for an independent investigation into the death of Cashus Dean Case. As long as police know that their actions will be found justified, they aren't likely to try non-lethal alternatives. Irene Kalonji and Maria Cahill Kalonji is founder and Cahill is organizer of the Pacific Northwest Family Circle A Portland area man who yelled at a pregnant Muslim woman to remove her hijab and then pretended to shoot her and her husband by mimicking a gun with his fingers must pay a $1,653 fine and have a meaningful discussion with Portland's Muslim community, a judge ordered. Multnomah County Circuit Judge Benjamin Souede last week approved the unconventional plea deal for defendant Fredrick Nolan Sorrell, 50. Sorrells fine will go toward making amends for a separate hate crime: The money will reimburse a community member who paid for a video surveillance system at the Abu-Bakar Islamic Center in Northeast Portland. The center installed a security system after someone spray-painted the word ISIS on the building last Sept. 10. The judge last Friday also sentenced Sorrell to anger management classes, 100 hours of community service and three years of probation. If Sorrell fails to abide by the terms of probation, he faces a 45-day jail sentence and must pay another $2,000 to the Abu-Bakar Islamic Center. Sorrells discussion with the Muslim community will be organized by the Oregon chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Brent Weisberg, a spokesman for the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office. During an April plea hearing, Sorrell apologized to the couple he targeted and later said they didn't deserve his hateful rant. He had spotted them driving alongside him in Northeast Portland on May 29, 2017. Sorrell pleaded no contest to two counts of second-degree intimidation, which are misdemeanors under state law. According to the couple, the wife was wearing a hijab when Sorrell pulled his van next to the couples car and yelled Take the (expletive) burka off! and Go back to your own (expletive) country! The husband and wife also told investigators that Sorrell yelled Terrorists! at them. They said Sorrell swerved his van toward their car, and at a stoplight at Northeast 102nd and Glisan Avenue, mimicked shooting a gun at them. The couple was deeply shaken, but not physically hurt. Sorrell, a Gresham resident, will pay off his fine with a $50 per month payment plan. -- Aimee Green By JIM RYAN, SHANE DIXON KAVANAUGH and SARAH VERSCHOOR The Oregonian/OregonLive A traumatic brain injury. Third-degree chemical burns. Open wounds. At least three people who gathered to protest a rally by right-wing group Patriot Prayer were hospitalized Saturday because of injuries sustained from crowd-control munitions fired by Portland police, according to activists, counter-protest organizers and a media report. The city's police chief, Danielle Outlaw, on Monday offered her most passionate defense yet of officer tactics used to keep the rival political factions apart. She also said the Police Bureau would stop using flash-bang projectiles for now. Police succeeded in preventing violent clashes between armed demonstrators that many had feared, she said. The demonstration was widely cast as a showdown between Patriot Prayer, whose leader is a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Vancouver with a history of stirring fierce opposition in Portland, and opponents on the left, including anti-fascists. Outlaw, speaking at a news conference, said the groups were expected to converge and emphasized "what this did not become." "It was going to be a very rowdy, physically violent ruckus and it was not that because of the actions that the officers took," Outlaw said. Portland Police Chief Outlaw addresses police response to Saturday demonstrations Portland Police Chief Outlaw addresses police response to Saturday demonstrations. Posted by The Oregonian on Monday, August 6, 2018 Her comments came as police have come under scrutiny for their use of flash-bang grenades, pepper balls, pepper spray and so-called "less lethal" rounds fire at or near protesters. One flash-bang grenade a device that delivers jarring blasts intended to disperse crowds of people struck a counter-protester in the back of the head, lodging into a helmet he was wearing and sending him to a hospital, said Jenny Nickolaus, a friend of the injured man. She declined to name him. Photos show a bloody gash in his scalp. The helmet he was wearing still contained the ammunition cartridge. "It blew so much skin off, I don't even know if they were able to patch it up right," Nickolaus said. "The nurse told him the blow would have been lethal had he not been wearing a helmet." Instead, the impact left the man with a traumatic brain injury and hemorrhaging, Nickolaus said. Her friend was released from the hospital on Sunday and will miss at least a week of work, she said. The injured counter-protester has not yet spoken with police about the incident, Nickolaus said. He's a Portland activist who showed up in opposition to Patriot Prayer, she said. The Guardian also reported that a flash-bang left Michelle Fawcett, 52, with severe soft tissue wounds and third-degree chemical burns. And street medics at the protest said a third person was taken to a hospital with a large arm wound that required stitches. After hours of relative calm, the police response escalated about 2 p.m. Saturday when officers ordered a group of counter-protesters near Southwest Naito Parkway and Columbia Street to disperse. When the group didn't immediately leave, police fired dozens of flash-bang grenades and other crowd-control munitions. Officers rushed toward the crowd, shoving some protesters out of the street. Police have said protesters had thrown a "chemical agent" and other objects at officers. Outlaw said police didn't give orders for protesters to disperse or use crowd-control munitions until after things were thrown at police. Some counter-protesters and reporters, including those from Oregonian/OregonLive, didn't see that. A video tweeted by a KATU-TV photojournalist appears to show projectiles thrown only after the munitions were deployed. Outlaw and Assistant Chief Ryan Lee said the bureau has temporarily suspended the use of the projectiles, which they referred to as aerial distraction devices, until it can be determined if they are working properly. Lee said officers are trained to fire the devices into the air over a crowd. He later said he didn't believe the devices were meant to puncture helmets. "We would ask that the owner of that bike helmet come forward so we can examine it, because if that image is in fact as it appears, that would not be consistent with what we would expect that device to do," Lee said. "We need to understand why and how, if that is indeed an accurate image." Four people also were arrested at the dueling protests. They were arraigned Monday in Multnomah County Circuit Court. Tracy Molina, shown in a video as an officer pushed her to the ground, pleaded not guilty to charges of disorderly conduct and attempted assault on a public safety officer. Molina, a U.S. Navy veteran, said in an interview before court that she was trying to leave the area and was walking away from police while shouting, "Stop shooting" as officers fired pepper-spray balls into the crowd. Molina, 45, said she picked up a discarded sign that condemned racism. A video taken by another person at the demonstration shows Molina waving the poster at an officer before she turns to walk away. Moments later, the officer tries to snag the poster from her hand. Another officer pushes her, she falls, gets up and then several officers pile on top of her. She hit her head, was bruised all over her legs and knees and had an elbow injury, she said. Two men, Robert Majure, 27, who goes by Jonah, and Tristan Romine-Mann, 28, pleaded not guilty to harassment and disorderly conduct charges, accused of throwing a glitter-and-lubricant mixture in a bucket at officers. Majure also pleaded not guilty to resisting arrest. After court, the men said they brought four buckets of gold glitter mixed with water and powdered lubricant used for horse insemination. They intended to use a super soaker-style water gun to spray the concoction at the crowd of Patriot Prayer followers. But before they could do that, police ordered them to dump it out, Romine-Mann said. They dumped it on the chests of six officers who approached them, he said. Prosecutors didn't charge a fourth person, Joseph Evans, 34, who was arrested Saturday during the protests. The case remains under investigation, said Brent Weisberg, spokesman for the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler weighed in on the police response Monday, saying in part that the Police Bureau's goals were to keep the opposing groups separated and "to protect lives." He said they accomplished both objectives. "Though the worst was avoided, some individuals sustained injuries," Wheeler said in a statement. "Chief Outlaw and I take this seriously. The Chief has directed the Professional Standards Division to begin an internal review of the tactics employed and actions taken by PPB." Jim Ryan, Shane Dixon Kavanaugh and Sarah Verschoor Kale Williams and Elliot Njus The Oregonian/OregonLive staff contributed to this report LOS ANGELES -- Five people were killed when their twin-engine Cessna airplane crashed near South Coast Plaza in Santa Ana on Sunday afternoon, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. The plane crashed in the parking lot of a Staples office supply store, fire authority spokesman Stephen Concialdi said. OCFA Capt. Tony Bommarito said the plane struck a vehicle that was unoccupied. "Fortunately, that person was inside the store shopping at the time of the impact," Bommarito told reporters during a news conference. The pilot of the Cessna 414 declared an emergency before the plane crashed into the parking lot near John Wayne Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. FAA records show the fixed-wing airplane was owned by Category III Aviation Corp., a real estate consulting firm in San Francisco and was bound for John Wayne Airport. "We do not have confirmation on a departure airport at this time," said Arlene Salac, an FAA spokeswoman. The FAA will investigate and the National Transportation Safety Board will determine the cause of the accident. -- Los Angeles Times BEVERLY HILLS, California -- "Riverdale" breaks the youth-TV mold with its pulpy, dark, "Twin Peaks"-ish spin on characters from Archie comics. And it's also unusual in its focus on the parents of Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Jughead Jones and more. Instead of shunning them off to the sidelines, "Riverdale" has shown the parents dysfunctional dramas, schemes, criminal activities as part of the story. Which makes sense when you consider the parents are played by the good-looking likes of Luke Perry ("Beverly Hills 90210"), Madchen Amick ("Twin Peaks"), Skeet Ulrich ("Scream") and Mark Consuelos ("Pitch"). During The CW sessions at the Television Critics Association 2018 summer press tour, a "Riverdale: Meet the Parents" panel featured Perry, Amick, Ulrich, Consuelos, Marisol Nichols, Robin Givens, Nathalie Boltt, Martin Cummins and Lochlyn Munro, along with executive producers Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Sarah Schechter, and Jon Goldwater. When one of the journalists in attendance asked Perry how his upstanding character Fred Andrews, would feel about his son, Archie (played by KJ Apa) getting mixed up with the mob (which had quite a robust presence in the not-so-quaint town of Riverdale), Perry said, with amusement, such a revelation is "clearly your proudest day as a parent." Talking about small towns, Perry noted that some of the nicest people you'll ever meet do some of the craziest stuff you've ever heard of while living in seemingly bucolic towns. Panelists were asked about a surprise at the end of Season 2, when good-guy Fred Andrews lost his bid to be mayor, and was beaten by Hermione Lodge (Nichols). While Perry said he was sure Fred Andrews would win, Nichols got laughs by insisting, "I never thought he would win, ever," adding that Hermione has a good head for politics. Perry said he thought he was the better candidate, and made a joking reference to the electoral college playing a role in the outcome. In terms of how the fan base for "Riverdale" compares to the following that made Perry a teen idol during the original "90210" run, Perry said both shows seem to attract "a lot of screaming teenage girls." Comparing "Riverdale" to "Twin Peaks," where Amick played drama-plagued waitress Shelly, Amick said "Twin Peaks" was about the bubbling, inside-underbelly of a small town, where "Riverdale" is just testicles (not the word Amick used) out. Asked about whether Neve Campbell, Ulrich's "Scream" costar, might play Jughead's mother, the wife of Ulrich's character, the actor said "I've always admired her" and would welcome her, but that he also trusted the creative "Riverdale" team to cast someone equally talented. Consuelos said he enjoyed playing Hiram Lodge, the father of Veronica and wife of Hermione, because the character is "so evil." In terms of what to expect in Season 3, Aguirre-Sacasa, said fans can expect an episode called "The Midnight Club," which is a sort of homage to "The Breakfast Club," and features the young "Riverdale" stars (including Cole Sprouse, Camila Mendes and Lili Reinhart) playing their parents when they were in high school. The episode, Aguirre-Sacasa said, should shed light on dark secrets the parents have been keeping about Riverdale, and the things that happen there. "Riverdale" returns for Season 3 Oct. 10 on The CW. Stay tuned for more news and notes from the TCA 2018 summer press tour. -- Kristi Turnquist Goose Creek, SC (29445) Today Rain showers early then thundershowers for the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 69F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 57F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. As California's wildfires continue to burn, their collective destruction has become visible from space. Several of NASA's satellites have captured images of three wildfires the Carr Fire and Whaleback fires in California, as well as the Perry Fire in Nevada. The images highlight the burning areas in alarming detail, and showcase the thick blankets of smoke the fires continue to produce. Hi Carolyn: I lost my dad in 2011, and my mom last month, after looking after her during a yearlong struggle with ALS. She lived near us for the last two years of her life because I thought it was important that my daughters (8-year-old twins) knew their grandma. The strange thing is -- I didn't grieve for either of my parents. They died, and I felt nothing, except maybe relief that it was over. I could find reasons for that with my dad -- he was a mostly absent, postwar father who never made time for me. But with my mom? She raised me as a homemaker and wasn't a bad mother -- she sat by my bed when I was sick as a kid (and I was sick a lot), she cooked my meals, washed my clothes and praised my school achievements. She also kicked me out at 18 when I burned a cigarette hole in the rug of my room ... and I never moved back. But still, no abuse, no meanness, just an ambitious middle-class home where I was valued only for my academic achievements and my looks. Why don't I feel anything? Why do I know in the bottom of my heart that I moved my mom to our town only out of a sense of duty -- without having a need to spend time with her, talk to her, share what was important to me? I feel monstrous. -- Relieved Why is it "monstrous" of you to have cared for your mom exactly as she cared for you? Health tended, food provided, clothes washed, achievement praised. Dutiful. That was your childhood. If you were nurtured emotionally as well, then you make no mention of it. Were you? The absence of neglect -- or of abuse or of meanness -- does not take you by process of elimination to love. With the possible exception of the sickbed vigils, your description of your childhood is a loveless one. Achingly so. And even the vigils themselves could have been dutiful for a mid-century American stay-at-home mom. If this is accurate, and if you have not yet made peace with the legacy of such emotionally distant parents -- if your feeling monstrous now is the beginning of such a reckoning -- then please make sure the first thing you do is recognize their failure to bond with you was within them, not you. Then connect these two dots: You gave to them, no doubt unwittingly, as you received from them. Then end this cold legacy in one stroke through your girls: Love them, and say it, and show it. That one stroke being a mosaic of a thousand tiny gestures and remarks and expressions and thoughts and hugs and efforts to listen to and appreciate and take your cues from them, which together say, I am here because of you -- not because giving birth to you made it my job. Dear Carolyn: Columnist Carolyn Hax dishes out advice daily. Email Carolyn at Read the Email Carolyn at tellme@washpost.com , follow her on Facebook or chat with her online at noon Eastern time each Friday at www.washingtonpost.com Read the daily Carolyn Hax columns at https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/advice/ My sister-in-law constantly criticizes my nieces, nephews, cousins and my children. She uses their faults to say, "That is why I never had children." My brother sometimes agrees with her and has defended her viewpoints even when they are mean-spirited. When I remove myself from her presence, he tells me I have anger issues. She has done this for years and I would rather not be around her. How do I explain this to the rest of my family? -- D. "I find [sister-in-law] unbearable." Why mince words. She -- "Sally" -- puts her ample charms on display for all to see, so you needn't worry whether people will understand, and it's your life, so they don't have to like it. There is another way to deal with Sallies, though: Be grateful they're out in the open. Anytime someone is as overtly wretched, you can respond overtly, too, more easily than to people who are more stealth. When she's nasty to kids in your presence: "Oh it's just Aunt Sally," you say to the kids. "Carry on." Think cool breeze, not anger. Repeat as needed. When she says, "That is why I never had children," she's teeing this up for you: "And all your non-children say thanks." Repeat as needed. Again -- breezy, not angry. Why? First, it's her raw anger that offends you. Don't stoop to her level. Second, anger validates and escalates anger. To turn down the heat, there's no better option than to brush her lightly away. Anti-Nazi protesters -- seriously -- make this point well here (http://bit.ly/LaughAt1) and here (http://bit.ly/LaughAt2). Third, kids will be hurt less by a kooky aunt than a hateful one, and how their parents respond to Sally will show them through which lens to view her. (See: Ouiser Boudreaux.) Fourth, this leaves room for compassion. Maybe Sally didn't actually choose to be child-free? Might explain your brother's actions ... that, or he chose Sally as a weapon against his family, a whole other column. So, sure, avoid her as you can -- your prerogative -- but when you can't, give these a try as Plan B. As Tahlequah's record mourning continues to resonate around the world, officials in the Puget Sound area are hoping to turn that grief into change with an emergency Puget Sound orca recovery effort. And now, a research vessel is getting in on it. King County Executive Dow Constantine has directed the county's marine research vessel, SoundGuardian, to join the state, federal, and tribal coalition that is working to rescue the endangered southern residents. The 48-foot vessel has been used by scientists to collect samples and assist in monitoring buoy maintenance, among other work, providing workers with a swift and stable platform for a variety of open-water tasks. The SoundGuardian and its crew of three left the dock on Sunday morning, to dock in Bellingham at Squalicum Harbor. After that, it will operate under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials who are coordinating emergency recovery actions. RELATED: As mother orca mourns her calf, eyes turn to baby in the pod "Orcas are the Salish Sea's most iconic residents, and we all share the responsibility of protecting these beloved animals," said Executive Dow Constantine. "We are doing whatever we can to help the orca now, and fulfill long term goals to improve the health of local waterways and the Salish Sea." The coalition comes as part of Gov. Jay Inslee's executive order directing the state agencies to do more. Two months after, he convened a task force of state, tribal, provincial and federal officials to think of some solutions. His approach includes calls for more salmon, quieter boat traffic, clean up of toxics in the water, and reducing the number of oil spills. RELATED: Endangered Species Act 'reform' could threaten these NW icons "The orca will not survive unless all of us in the state of Washington somehow make a commitment to their survival," Inslee said, when he signed the order. "The impacts of letting these two species disappear would be felt for generations." SeattlePI reporter Zosha Millman can be reached at zoshamillman@seattlepi.com. Follow Zosha on Twitter at @zosham. Find more from Zosha here on her author page. The award-winning game designer and president of Columbia Games, Tom Dalgliesh, will visit MSU St. Andrews and provide a lecture at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10. During the lecture, Dalgliesh will discuss the business side of founding and running a board game company. The current state of U.S.Russia relations is not great, especially as it pertains to our nations suspicion of President Trump. Namely, a sizeable chunk of America believes that Trump colluded with the Russians to gain the presidency, and that Russia ran a separate online influence campaign, and potentially also hacked the election itself. This collusion/interference has become an idee fixe of the liberal left, and as the evidence stacks up, there certainly seems to be fire behind this smoke. Meanwhile, the vast majority of elected Republicans are lining up behind the presidentthats what they dowhich is triggered suspicions that the Russian hydra extends deep into the right wing. Democrats are now attempting to pass legislation that would levy financial penalties in the case of Russian meddling in the midterms. In other words, its not the best time to get super friendly, in a super public way, with Russian officials. Enter Rand Paul, master of political timing. In the midst of the Russia hysteria, the Kentucky senator decided that now would be a good time to invite an entire Russian federation to D.C. He even released a whole statement! MOSCOW, RUSSIA During an hour-long meeting today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) secured an agreement from Konstantin Kosachev, Chairman of the Russian Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, to send members of the Russian Federation to Washington, the first trip from the Russian Federation to the U.S. Capitol in almost three years, to continue dialogue on vital issues such as nuclear non-proliferation and combating terrorism. The Council Committee on Foreign Affairs is the Russian equivalent of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, of which Senator Paul is a member. Engagement is vital to our national security and peace around the world. Today, I met with Chairman Kosachev, and we agreed on the importance of continued dialogue. I invited the Russian Federation to send a delegation to the Capitol, and they have agreed to take this important next step, said Sen. Rand Paul. Now, lookin a world where the last two years never happened, theres nothing wrong with this. Its an attempt to strengthen a bond between two countries. Fine. But in August 2018, maybe this move shouldnt come from a Republican senator, much less one who, as the Washington Post pointed out, has been a surprisingly vocal defender of Trumps conduct with Russia. In other words, Rand, read the damn room. Update 1:40 p.m.: Essential has pushed the Android 9 Pie update to its phone. Its that time of year again. No, were not talking about back-to-school or the end of summerits time for a new flavor of Android. And this year the tasty confection is Pie. Thats right, the ninth version of Android has an official name and that means its ready to install on the precious few phones lucky enough to support it on day one. This year, however, the wait for Android Pie might not be so excruciating. Thanks to Project Treble, several phones already have beta versions of Android 9 in the wild, so it could be weeks, not months, before it starts showing up on more phones. But no matter how long it takes, itll be worth the wait. Pie introduces enough new features to make any Oreo user jealous, so even if it hasnt landed on your phone yet, youll want to learn all about whats in store for the ninth major version of Android: Android 9 Pie FAQ: How to get it now Can I get Android Pie on my phone? Officially, the crop of handsets that are able to install Android Pie on day one is smaller than ever now that the Nexus phones have dropped off the list: Pixel Pixel XL Pixel 2 Pixel 2 XL However, thanks to Android One and Project Treble in Oreo, more phones than ever are taking advantage of the easier upgrade path. Many manufacturers have already pushed out Android Pie betas, so if you have one of these phones, you should be next in line to get a piece of Pie: Essential Phone Nokia 7 Plus OnePlus 6 Oppo R15 Pro Sony Xperia XZ2 Vivo X21 Vivo X21UD Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S Yay, I have a Pixel, how do I get Pie? Easy. Once its available for your device (which could be today or tomorrow depending on your carrier and model), youll get a notification telling you that the Android 9 update is available. Tap it, press the install button, and restart when prompted to give it a whirl. If you dont want to wait for the easy over-the-air delivery, you can also download the factory image to your PC and install it on your phone manually. Its a little more difficult and requires a working knowledge of the command line on your Mac or PC, but its the only way to be sure that youll be among the first to have it on your phone. I have one of those other phones. How can I get Android Pie? If you have an Essential Phone, you can get it right now. Just head over to System update in the System settings and tap Check for update. The Android 9 update will appear and you can download and install it today. For the other phones on the list, you can either wait until the manufacturer pushes the official version to the public, or you can download the appropriate beta system images onto your PC and manually flash Android P onto your phone. Its not for the faint of heart and youll be writing over very important system files, so you should definitely make sure you have a backup of your phones important data first. But if you choose that process, youll be well acquainted with Android Pie by the time the official public version arrives. Just be warned: Since these are still betas, some apps and features might not work so well (or at all). I alreadly signed up for the public beta. Do I need to remove it to install the new version? Nope. Youll get a notification when the new version is available and you can install it right over the latest beta build. Plus, youll still get access to all future Android Pie betas. However, if you want to start from scratch, you can always perform a factory restore by going to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset Options >Erase all data (factory reset). Then youll be sure to get the best possible performance out of Android Pie. Android 9 Pie features Display cutout support Google/Medium Android Pie brings support for all kinds of notches. In case you havent picked up an Android phone in the past few months, theres a new trend: camera notches. And with the upcoming Pixel 3 rumored to include one too, Google did the logical thing and added display cutout support in Android Pie. You wont notice too much of a change in non-notch phones, but apps and videos on phones such as the LG G7 and OnePlus 6 will be sure to display correctly once you install Android Pie. IDG Android Pies status bat shows a dot if more than four alerts pile up One notch-related change that will affect all phones in Pie is the status bar. Because the middle of the top of the screen is reserved for a camera, a few things have been tweaked to accommodate the loss of space. For one, the time has been shifted to the far left of the screen, leaving the battery icon and percentage (if you opt to display it) at the far right. Also, you can only see four status bar icons at a time, so youll probably be spending more time in the notification shade. Basically it doesnt matter if you have a notch on your phone or notAndroid Pie thinks all phones have one. New Overview screen to display recent apps While most people might not notice the status bar tweaks to accommodate the camera cutout, theres one interface change everyone will recognize: the new Overview screen. Prior versions of Android featured a vertically oriented screen, meaning you had to swipe down to select a previous app and you couldnt really see what was going on in most of the screens. With the new system, app screens are arranged horizontally, so you swipe left and right now to navigate through them. And theres no overlapping, so you can see the whole screen. There are other changes too: Below the recent app screens, youll find a search bar and a set of suggested apps, so the multitasking screen is more useful than ever, even without the biggest change in Android P: IDG Android Pies new gesture-based navigation is optional, but its worth a test-drive. Gesture navigation While the new Recent Apps screen is visible to all users, its mainly designed to take advantage of Androids new optional gesture-based navigation. Head over to the System settings, tap on the Gestures tab and youll find a new toggle: Swipe up on home button. Turn it on and the nav bar will change from the traditional Back, Home, and Recents trio to just two icons: a small arrow and a pill-shaped home button. Thats where new gesture-based navigation in Android takes over, letting you jump between screens, quickly close apps, and interact with them in fun new ways. Granted, its sure to have its detractors, but we definitely recommend giving it a try. Check out our in-depth look at gesture navigation to learn how it all works. Notifications Each new version of Android tends to brings some changes to the notification system, and Google has once again tweaked its system for the new version of Android. Its pretty great. Among the small but useful changes to notifications are: When you reply to a message or email directly from an alert youll get three suggested responses to choose from in addition to the usual typing field. You can long press on an alert to stop future notifications. Tap on a notification for an app thats running in the background (like Waze) and youll get an option to shut it down. Tap on the screenshot notification and youll get an option to edit or share it without opening Photos. Tap the Manage notifications button at the bottom of the shade to go straight to the Notification Settings. If you constantly dismiss a certain kind of notification, Android Pie will ask if you want to stop showing them. Below certain notifications youll be able to tap a Useful or Not useful button so the system can learn to deliver only the alerts you want, even if every switch is turned on the Notifications settings. IDG Android Pies notification are even more useful than they were in Oreo. And one more cool notifcation-related feature: If you tap the Do Not Disturb icon in the Quick Settings menu itll hide both current and future notifications for a completely distraction-free experience. Boosted Battery Among the obvious visual changes in Android Pie are some that you wont notice at first. The biggest is Adaptive Battery. Its turned on by default, but to find it, go to the Battery tab in the Settings app and select Adaptive Battery. Inside youll find a Use Adaptive Battery switch that will intelligently limit battery for apps that you dont use often. IDG Android Pies Adaptive Battery uses machine learning to help your battery last longer. Google describes it like this: To extend battery life, Adaptive Battery limits battery for infrequently used apps. Your phone will learn how you use apps over time. Notifications may be delayed for these apps. That means your phone will actually be able to increase battery life over time as the system shifts priority to only the apps you use the most. Once the system starts restricting apps, youll see them listed below. Also helping battery life is a more robust set of background restrictions. We first saw this with Oreo, but Android Pie takes it a step further by alerting you to errant behavior and giving you the option you shut down the offending app. It will also provide you interval updates on how long your phone is expected to last once the battery reaches 25 percent. Furthermore, Android Pie is also more aggressive when the battery saver is turned on, helping squeeze a bit more juice out of a dying battery. And finally, Adaptive Brightness has been given a dose of machine learning to keep to closer to your personal preferences and save battery by not changing so dramatically. App Actions IDG App Actions in Android Pie are little shortcuts to places you regularly go. Android Pies biggest improvement over Oreo is its ability to help you get things done with less taps. And nowhere is that more apparent than with App Actions. A companion to the search-based App Slices (which are launching later this fall, likely with the Pixel 3), App Actions live in your app drawer, and offer machine learning-based shortcuts to common tasks. Underneath your suggested apps inside the app drawer youll see two additional suggestions that lead directly to a specific part of an app, like a contact within Messages or a place inside Maps. Tap it and youll instantly be whisked away to the appropriate screen. Theres no way to turn it off, so there will always be two options in the app drawer, and like suggested apps, its up to the system to decide what goes there, so App Actions arent always useful. Settings changes Every Android release brings changes to the Settings app, and Pie is no exception. For one, its easier to identify tabs at a glance. Where Oreos icons were totally devoid of color, in Android Pie theyre each set against colored circles, making them easier to spot. There are some small changes throughout some of the tabs as well, most notably to the System settings. In Oreo there were separate tabs for Backup, Reset, and System updates, but in Pie, those options are all tucked away into a new Advanced tab. Wi-Fi Round-Trip Time (RTT) This is one of those feature you wont get to enjoy just yet but theres a lot of potential for it. Android Pie brings support for IEEE 802.11mc, better know as Wi-Fi Round-Trip Time. Its basically indoor GPS for your phone. Apps can use RTT to measure the distance between nearby Wi-Fi access points (even if your phone isnt actually connected to them) and use that data to, as Google describes, build new experiences like in-building navigation; fine-grained location-based services such as disambiguated voice control (e.g.,Turn on this light); and location-based information (e.g., Are there special offers for this product?). Like any API, RTT is wholly dependent on developers incorporating it into their apps and there arent any available still launch. But once they start arriving RTT is sure to be one of Android Pies best features. Digital Wellbeing Google Digital Wellbeing in Android Pie is designed to get us all to put our phones down more. Back at its I/O conference, Google announced a new initiative for Android called Digital Wellbeing. Designed to help you manage how much time youre spending on your phone, the multi-pronged effort offers a robust set of tools for tracking and managing your app usage. There are four components: Dashboard (a screen that breaks down how much time youve spent on your device), App Timer (which lets you set time limits for individual apps), Do Not Disturb, and Wind Down (which turns on Night Light and Do Not Disturb and fades the screen to grayscale when its time to sleep). But while Digital Wellbeing is part of Android Pie, its not quite ready for prime time yet. Google says it will officially launch on Pixel phones this fall and other devices later this year. For now, Pixel and Pixel 2 users running Android 9 can sign up for a Digital Wellbeing beta preview at www.android.com/versions/pie-9-0/digital-wellbeing-beta. Android 9 Pie: Tips and tricks Quickly message someone who didnt answer your call IDG Android Pie offers a handy shortcut to message someone that didnt pick up the phone. Android Pie is filled with smart notifications and shortcuts to cut down our taps and swipes, but some are less obvious than others. Heres a cool one you might miss: When you call someone that doesnt answer the phone, an alert will show up at the bottom of the Phone app asking if you want to send a message to the person you just called. Tap it and youll be taken to a new message screen with a few suggested responses as well as a field where you can type your own personal message to the person you just called. Choose or type what you want, tap the paper airplane icon, and your message will be sent without needing to open the Messages app. Reset Adaptive Battery Android Pies Adaptive Battery feature uses machine learning to shut down unused apps running in the background and preserve battery life. While you can turn Adaptive Battery off in the battery settings, theres no way to clear its history, so if it picks up a bad habit, the only way to fix it is to wait for the system to learn the right behavior. But there is a nuclear option. Head over to the Settings app, then the System tab, tap Advanced, select Reset options, and tap Erase all data. Its extreme, but Google says its the only way to wipe out everything the Adaptive Battery system has learned. And since it learns so fast, it wont take long for it to start enforcing its battery-saving knowledge again. Rotate your screen when orientation lock is on IDG Android Pie lets you rotate your screen manually why auto-rotate is turned off. Every smartphone uses its accelerometer to smartly change orientation depending on which way youre holding it, but as well all know, its sensitive and prone to false switches, especially when youre lying down. Google has devised a simple way to fix it. It requires turning auto-rotate off. Say youre using Chrome and you want to flip your phone to see something in landscape mode. Turn your phone sideways as usual and a small icon will appear at the far right of your navigation bar that looks just like the auto-rotate icon in Quick Settings. Tap it and youll temporarily lock your phones orientation in landscape mode. Flip your phone upright again and the same icon will appear, letting you change it back to portrait orientation. Genius! Select text or images in Overview IDG You can select text inside the app carousel in Android Pie as long as youre using a Pixel phone. The new multitasking carousel in Android Pie isnt just a snapshot of your recent apps. Its also a way to quickly grab text or images to share in another app. Unfortunate its exclusive to Pixel phones for now, but when youre in the Overview screen, you can long-press on one of the screens to either select a picture or bring up the handles for copying text without needing to actually launch the app full screen. Then you can copy it to the clipboard and bring it over to any other app. Enable Developer Options IDG You can enable Developer options in Android even if you dont know anything about making apps. You dont need to be an app maker to enjoy the perks of being a developer. In Android Pie (just like previous versions of Android), theres a hidden Developer Options tab that has some pretty cool experimental features. Heres how to enable it: Open the Settings app and scroll down to System. Select About Phone and find Build number at the bottom of the screen. Start tapping it until you see a You are now a developer! message appear. Then you can go back a screen, open Advanced, and youll see a new Developer Options tab. Connect five Bluetooth audio devices at once Prior versions of Android limited Bluetooth audio device connections to just one, but Android Pie raises that limit to five. That means you wont have to switch between paired devices anymore when you want to switch to a new one. You dont actually need to enable anything to take advantage of itjust try to connect more than one device. But heres a pro tip: If you want to change the number of devices your phone can concurrently connect to, youll first need to enable Developer options (see above). Then scroll down to the Maximum connected Bluetooth audio devices option, and pick a lower number. Turn an App Action into a permanent shortcut Androids App Actions can be surprisingly useful, but theres no telling when theyll turn up. So if theres ever one you want to keep, simple tap and hold on it and youll be able to drag it to your home screen to make a shortcut. That way youll always be a tap away from the action, even when the system doesnt think you need it anymore. Turn on the dark theme IDG Android Pie finally brings a dark theme (kind of). Ever since Oreo, Android on Pixel phones have had a psuedo dark theme. To enable it, all you needed to do was pick a predominantly dark wallpaper for your home screen, which triggered a black background for the app drawer and notification shade. Now you can enjoy it with any wallpaper. Just go to the Display tab in Settings, tap Advanced, and select Device theme. Then you can choose Light or Dark, or let it change automatically based on your wallpaper. Quickly put your phone on vibrate One of the small changes in Android Pie that makes a big difference is the volume slider. Instead of appearing at the top of the screen, the volume controls show up as a vertical box next to the bottoms on the the right side of the screen. But the big change isnt the new appearance, its the new default functionality. Pressing the volume button will now control the media volume by default rather than the ringer. So the days of accidentally turning your phone on vibrate are finally behind us. However, for those times when you actually want to put your phone on vibrate, there are a couple of new ways to do it. The first is a button right on top of the volume slider. Tap it and youll instantly silence your phone. You can also tap the gear icon for more granular controls over the sound on your phone. And last but not least is a new key shortcut. Hold down the power button and volume up until you feel a short vibration. That will automatically turn on vibration-only mode. (Though the button combo only works one way. To turn vibration mode off youll need to tap the icon at the top of the slider twice or visit the sound settings.) Find the Pie Easter egg IDG Android Pies Easter egg is trippy and fun. Google always hides a fun Easter egg inside its major Android releases, bit you have to know where to look. Heres how to find it in Android Pie. Head over to the Settings app, select System, then About phone. Tap Android version and a pop-up window will appear showing things like the patch level and build number. Tap the first line (Android version) a few times and youll be taken to a screen with a giant P, surrounded by an animated and colorful series of circles. Its not as cool as the Oreo octopus, but its still fun. And heres an extra tip: you can pinch the screen to resize the circles or change the colors by pressing the back button. Other boaters pulled one of their own from the waters of the Allegheny River Sunday after the man's boat sunk. But it was too late. According to TribLive.com, the distressed boater, identified as Jeffrey Krowchak, 57, of Ligonier, Pa., was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Gilpin, Pa., police Chief Lee Shumaker told TribLive.com Krowchak was the sole occupant of the watercraft, which sank near Godfrey Landing in Gilpin. The boating accident was reported on the Allegheny just after 3 p.m. Sunday. During the response to the accident, Armstrong County 911 dispatchers indicated the man was suffering from cardiac arrest and that CPR was in progress, TribLive.com reported. There was no immediate word on why the boat sank. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is investigating. A drug overdose victim can't avoid a state prison term for fighting with and injuring one of the EMTs who rushed to save him, a state Superior Court panel has concluded. That decision, set in an opinion by Judge Mary P. Murray, means 54-year-old Henry J. Swartswelder will keep serving 15 months to 5 years behind bars for the August 2016 ruckus at his Lebanon apartment. A Lebanon County jury convicted Swartswelder of aggravated assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct charges during a trial last year. As Murray noted, two EMTs were sent to Swartswelder's home on a report that he "may have suffered an overdose." Swartswelder struggled with the EMTs, causing one to severely sprain his wrist. Three city police officers had to help hold Swartswelder down so the EMTs could treat him, Murray wrote. On appeal to the Superior Court, Swartswelder claimed his convictions weren't justified because a cell phone video of the incident showed he didn't intent to harm his rescuers. Murray cited Swartswelder's claim that "he simply did not want to go to the hospital. He was frustrated when the EMT insisted on transport." Swartswelder said he told the EMTs he didn't want any medical treatment. In denying the appeal, Murray cited county Judge Samuel A. Kline's observation that the video does show Swartswelder battling the cops and EMTs. Kline also noted that one EMT testified Swartswelder squeezed his arm and tried to bite him. Swartswelder is no stranger to as prison cell. In 2013 he pleaded guilty to charges that he had molested a 7-year-old girl in Cornwall. Five months after a former state narcotics agent pleaded guilty to taking tens of thousands of dollars in bribes, federal investigators have filed more charges in the case. Those new charges name a Georgia man, John T. Oiler, as a co-conspirator of ex-agent Timothy B. Riley. Oiler already has a tentative deal to plead guilty to a money laundering charge in U.S. Middle District Court. The charges against Oiler and Riley, a former agent with the state attorney general's Mobile Street Crimes Unit, are tied to the seizure of more than $1.7 million in drug money at a Cumberland County truck stop in June 2014. That seizure occurred after the driver of a truck carrying the cash called Riley, told the agent he was transporting the money for a large marijuana ring and said he wanted to "get out of the business," according to court filings by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Riley arranged for his unit to meet the driver, who is Riley's cousin, at the Petro truck stop in Middlesex Township, where the money was seized, investigators said. However, they contend the driver stole another $800,000 in drug money before the seizure occurred and conspired with Oiler to hide it in a storage unit in Maryland. The driver also gave Riley an envelope containing $18,000 in cash, then had Oiler give the agent another $30,000, investigators claim. Oiler is accused of receiving about $400,000 of the stolen drug money and spending roughly $240,000 of that. His tentative plea agreement calls for Oiler to plead guilty to a conspiracy to money laundering charge that carries a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison. The deal won't become final unless it is approved by Chief Judge Christopher C. Conner. Riley is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to an identical charge in March. Four people were arrested following an investigation by the Lebanon County Drug Task Force, the county District Attorney's Office said in a release Monday. Christina Marie Meese, 35, and Dante Bryant Graves, 32, both of Lebanon, Brandon Jamal Graves, 22, of Brooklyn, NY, and Dominique Lavelle Graves, 26, of Summerville South Carolina, are each facing charges after a search was executed this past weekend, according to the release. The District Attorney's Office laid out their case as follows: The LCDTF made several purchases undercover purchases of cocaine from a residence in the 400 block of New Street during the last month. On August 3, a search warrant was obtained for the residence, and investigators executed the warrant on Aug. 4. The Graves, siblings, were seen leaving the residence, and Lebanon City Police initiated a traffic stop. Dante Graves gave police his brother, Dominique's, South Carolina ID. Officers' search of the vehicle found a bag with crack cocaine in the passenger side door. Dante, Brandon and Dominique Graves were taken into custody and transported to the Lebanon County Central Booking Center. Investigators then went into the home in the 400 block of New Street, where Mease was found sleeping in a bedroom, police said. In the room, investigators found bags with cocaine, ecstasy, oxycodone, a small amount of marijuana, digital scales and new drug packaging, according to the release. Mease's purse was also searched, and investigators found more cocaine, seven bags of crack cocaine, suboxone and a small amount of marijuana. Investigators also found a cell phone believed to have been used to arrange the earlier drug transactions. Mease was also transported to the Lebanon County Central Booking Center. Mease was charged with possession with intent to delivery cocaine, crack cocaine, ecstasy, possession of crack cocaine, cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, oxycodone, suboxone and drug paraphernalia and six counts of criminal conspiracy, according to the release. She was held at Lebanon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 bail. Donte Graves was charged with possession with intent to delivery cocaine, crack cocaine and ecstasy, possession of crack cocaine, cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, oxycodone, suboxone and drug paraphernalia, and sex counts of criminal conspiracy, according to the release. Dante Graves was held at the Lebanon County Correction Facility in lieu of $100,000 and on a state parole violation. Brandon Graves was charged with intent to delivery crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and three counts of criminal conspiracy, according to the release. Brandon Graves was held at Lebanon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 bail. Dominique Graves was charged with possession with intent to delivery crack cocaine, possession of crack cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and three counts of criminal conspiracy, according to the release. Dominique Graves was held at the Lebanon County Correction Facility in lieu of $25,000 bail. People with information on suspected drug activity can email LCDTF@lebcnty.org or call 717-228-4471. The name of a prelate who was in ministry for more than 30 years at a church has been added to the list of individuals accused of child sex crimes in the Diocese of Harrisburg. The diocese on Monday added Monsignor Joseph Bradley, who served at Our Lady of Mount Carmel between 1963 and 1996, to a list of clergy and seminarians who over the years have been accused of child sex crimes. Bradley's name brings the list to 72. Bradley is identified as a monsignor who in 1950 was in ministry at St. Francis Xavier Church in Gettysburg. He also served at Lancaster Catholic High School and at Saint Joseph and Saint Patrick churches in York. His name was added to the diocesan youth protection website: www.youthprotectionhbg.com. (The list did not immediately identify the Saint Joseph parish.) Monsignor, a title given to a priest who has distinguished himself by exceptional service to the church, is granted by the pope -- typically, upon the recommendation of a bishop. In releasing the names on Aug. 1 Harrisburg Bishop Ronald W. Gainer stressed that the list did not necessarily represent credible accusations or guilt, but historical accusations. Gainer last week also ordered the removal of the names of all former bishops dating to 1947 from any diocesan properties. None of the individuals named in the list are in ministry; many, as with Bradley, are deceased. Bradley's time in ministry would have spanned the tenure of former bishops Nicholas Dattilo (1990-2004) and William H. Keeler (1983-1989). Keeler went on to be named cardinal and archbishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. As early as this week, the Commonwealth could release the findings of a nearly two-year-long grand jury investigation into clergy sex abuse across six of the state's eight Catholic dioceses. Investigators earlier this year completed a 900-page report on the findings of the 18-month-long probe, which includes the dioceses of Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Erie, Scranton, Greensburg and Allentown. The report contains the names of more than 300 clergy and other individuals accused of criminally or morally reprehensible conduct. On Friday Erie Bishop Emeritus Donald Trautman withdrew his legal challenges to block portions of the report, which at the moment has redactions pertaining to approximately two dozen members of the clergy named in the report. Those individuals are named, but not charged. Shapiro agreed to stipulate that Trautman wasn't directly linked to some of the blistering criticisms in the report. The Commonwealth has been ordered by the state Supreme Court to release the report to the public as early as Wednesday, but no later than Aug. 14. Last week, Shapiro, whose office led the investigation, announced the first conviction of a priest as a result of the 18-month probe. On Monday officials at the Diocese of Harrisburg said they had received additional information since the original list of 71 list was released on Aug. 1. The written statement said: "Accordingly, we have added the name of one additional clergy member to the list, bringing the total to 72 names. The name of Joseph Bradley was added to our list under the heading of "Cases Involving Allegations of Indecent Behavior," for an accusation of sexual abuse of a child. Additional accusations were made involving individuals who were on the previous version of our list. Those additional accusations have been updated." The diocese says all names and allegations have been turned over to law enforcement immediately. In the wake of the release of the names, Gainer has acknowledge the wrong doing on the part of his predecessors and has apologized to survivors of abuse. "In my own name, and in the name of the Diocesan Church of Harrisburg, I express our profound sorrow and apologize to the survivors of child sex abuse, the Catholic faithful and the general public for the abuses that took place and for those Church officials who failed to protect children," he said. To report an incident of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church: 1. Call the toll-free PA Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-932-0313. 2. To report suspected abuse of a minor by a church official, employee or volunteer, call the diocesan toll-free hotline at 1-800-626-1608 or email:ReportAbuse@hbgdiocese.org. The Diocese of Harrisburg serves more than a quarter-million parishioners and encompasses 15 counties, including Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Union and York. Image of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Lou Barletta's campaign bus Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here. A Philadelphia police officer was injured this morning and has been rushed to the hospital, and a second person has been hospitalized, as well. There are not many details yet on the incident that NBC 10 of Philadelphia is reporting occurred around 6 a.m on the 4800 block of Knox St. in the city's Germantown neighborhood. The officer was taken to the Temple University hospital with undisclosed injuries, where Police Commissioner Richard Ross arrived a short time later, and a civilian was taken to the Einstein Medical Center, according to reports. Action News 6 ABC is reporting that the officer was injured following reports of gunfire in the area. How the officer was injured, and the extent of the injuries, are still unknown. A Philadelphia police officer was shot in the face while serving a warrant this morning. Action News 6 ABC reports the officer, 49-year-old Jason Potts, is a 20-year veteran of the force and is a member of the SWAT team. Potts, who suffered heaving bleeding and at least a broken jaw, is in critical condition, but he is expected to survive, Police Commissioner Richard Ross told the station. According to reports, police were on the 4800 block of Knox St., looking for a man wanted on a warrant for a weapons violation. After knocking on the door, the officers came under fire. The suspect was also shot, and a woman in her 60s was shot as she came out of the back door, according to reports. The suspect, whose name has not yet been released, is in extremely critical condition, and the woman is expected to survive, though it's not clear how she was shot, reports indicate. By Joel Mathis Let's start by stipulating that every American accused of a crime, no matter how rich or poor, has the right to a lawyer. Joel Mathis (PennLive file) What this means in practice, of course, is that there are lots of lawyers out there -- good people, with families to feed and communities to serve -- who spend a substantial amount of their professional time representing the very worst criminals in our society. That doesn't make them bad people. On the contrary, we need them to make our criminal justice system work in a remotely fair way. That's even true when the likely criminal defendant is Donald Trump, the president of the United States. Still, it's worth talking about one of the president's lawyers -- Rudy Giuliani -- and what the evolution of Giuliani's career to becoming Trump's most visible lawyer means about justice in the United States. Rudy, you'll remember, rose to prominence as a "law and order" guy. He made his bones prosecuting corrupt officials and mafioso as the U.S. attorney in New York -- he became a Republican mayor of New York by promising a crackdown on crime and, once in office, delivering. He didn't do that without some controversy, though. For a long time -- decades -- Giuliani never met a law he couldn't apply more rigorously, more harshly than the other guy. Sometimes that was good: The mob members and corrupt officials he prosecuted really did deserve to go down. But oftentimes, it was overblown -- with little regard for the lives or rights of the poor people and minorities who lived in his jurisdiction. "Stop and frisk," which he championed, subjected countless innocent New Yorkers -- mostly black -- to invasive and unconstitutional encounters with the police. It was during his administration that New York police tortured Abner Louima and shot unarmed immigrant Amadou Diallo 41 times, and though he wasn't directly responsible for those events, it was widely felt that Giuliani had set the tone that allowed such incidents to happen. Even as he was feted as "America's Mayor" in the days following 9/11, bad feelings festered among the city's African Americans. It was good politics for Giuliani. It even allowed him to take too much credit for New York's drop in crime. (It's now understood the drop began even before he took office.) But it did lasting damage in the community he was supposed to serve. Now? He goes on television and tries to mock the law into meaninglessness, spouting nonsense statements like "Collusion isn't a crime." This is untrue and he knows it: As US attorney, he used the RICO Act to prosecute mobsters for conspiring to commit murders, loan sharking, extortion, labor racketeering and drug trafficking. Conspiracy? That's just another word for collusion. Yes, it's a crime. It's worth considering, though, that Giuliani's career arc is fairly typical: He graduated law school, went to work as a prosecutor, rose through the ranks and parlayed his experience and notoriety into a successful political career, after which he went into private practice and started making real money. Thousands of lawyers have followed a similar path. What you rarely see, though, is a longtime defender rise in politics. (Philadelphia D.A. Larry Krasner is the exception that proves the rule.) And you almost never see a lawyer's career build to representing poor defendants in criminal court. That's not where the money or power is, so it's left to the newbies and idealists. It's also true that defenders pay a political price for playing their part in the justice system. Remember 2016, when Hillary Clinton's opponents tried to make hay over her past representing a client accused of rape? And remember during the the most paranoid days of the War on Terror, when firms that offered defenses for terror suspects were targeted for abuse? A career defending poor and unpopular clients often requires a sacrifice. Being a prosecutor, on the other hand, means never having to say you're sorry. Neither does defending the rich and powerful. So, yes, Trump deserves legal representation. And lawyers deserve to make a living. But Giuliani's career proves something we need to keep remembering: The best justice is available to the rich, the powerful, the popular. Amadou Diallo never got a Rudy Giuliani to defend him. That's a privilege reserved only for the Donald Trumps of the world. PennLive Opinion contributor Joel Mathis also writes for The Week and is a former associate editor of Philadelphia Magazine. His work appears occasionally on PennLive Opinion. By George Will "Science, like the Mississippi, begins in a tiny rivulet in the distant forest." -- Abraham Flexner In 1933, when America's most famous immigrant settled in Princeton, New Jersey, Franklin Roosevelt tried to invite Albert Einstein to the White House. Abraham Flexner, the founding director of the Institute for Advanced Study that had brought Einstein to Princeton, intercepted FDR's letter before the intended recipient saw it. George Will Flexner declined the invitation and rebuked Roosevelt: "Professor Einstein has come to Princeton for the purpose of carrying on his scientific work in seclusion, and it is absolutely impossible to make any exception which would inevitably bring him into public notice." Robbert Dijkgraaf, the institute's current director, says that subsequently "Einstein made sure he personally answered all of his mail." Dijkgraaf recounts this episode in a slender volume that, read in the right government places, might inoculate the nation against philistine utilitarianism. In the volume, which reprints Flexner's 1939 essay in Harper's magazine, "The Usefulness of Useless Knowledge," Dijkgraaf notes that the April 1939 opening of the World's Fair in New York -- Einstein was honorary chair of the fair's science advisory committee -- featured such marvels as an automatic dishwasher, an air conditioner and a fax machine. There was no intimation of electronic computers or nuclear energy. (Four months later, Einstein urgently wrote to Roosevelt about the element uranium being turned into a new and important source of energy, including bombs, which might explain why Germany had stopped the sale of uranium from Czechoslovakian mines.) Flexner's theme, says Dijkgraaf, was the practicality of "unobstructed curiosity" that sails "against the current of practical considerations." The 1953 discovery of the structure of DNA, which led to the 1970s arrival of recombinant DNA technology and to today's biotech industry and pharmacology, was the result of scientific curiosity "without any thoughts of immediate applications." Flexner, who died in 1959 at age 92, recalled asking a great philanthropist who he considered the world's "most useful worker in science." When the philanthropist said "Marconi," Flexner responded: Radio has enriched human life, but Guglielmo Marconi's contribution to creating it was "practically negligible." Marconi was "inevitable" and added only "the last technical detail" after the basic science (concerning magnetism and electromagnetic waves) by Heinrich Hertz, James Clerk Maxwell and others. They had no concern whatever about "the utility of their work" that "was seized upon by a clever technician ... Hertz and Maxwell were geniuses without thought of use. Marconi was a clever inventor with no thought but use." It has been said that the great moments in science occur not when a scientist exclaims "Eureka!" but when he or she murmurs "That's strange." Flexner thought the most fertile discoveries come from scientists "driven not by the desire to be useful but merely the desire to satisfy their curiosity." He wanted to banish the word "use" in order to encourage institutions of learning to be devoted more to "the cultivation of curiosity" and less to "considerations of immediacy of application." It is axiomatic that knowledge is the only resource that increases when used, and it is a paradox of prosperity that nations only reap practical innovations from science by regarding them as afterthoughts, coming long after basic science. The practical lesson from Flexner's hymn to impracticality is this: Indifference to immediate usefulness is a luxury central to the mission of some luxuries of our civilization -- the great research universities, free from the tyranny of commercial pressures for short-term results. Only government can have the long time horizon required for the basic research that produces, in time, innovations that propel economic growth. As 10,000 baby boomers retire each day into the embrace of the entitlement state, rapid economic growth becomes more imperative and, because of the increasing weight of the state, more difficult to maintain. Entitlement spending and the cost of servicing the surging national debt increasingly crowd out rival claims on scarce public resources, including those for basic science. Because it is politically expedient to sacrifice the future, which does not vote, to the consumption of government services by those who do, America is eating its seed corn. The future's vital, and only, constituency is the conscience of the present. Testifying to Congress in 1969 concerning the possible Cold War utility of a particular particle accelerator, the physicist Robert Wilson said: "This new knowledge has all to do with honor and country, but it has nothing to do directly with defending our country, except to help make it worth defending." George Will is a columnist for The Washington Post. His work appears on Mondays on PennLive. Hunters may be missing bullets for the upcoming gun deer season 2.3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Don Lemon of CNN splashed cold water on the faces of those few Americans who remain in denial and opened his show by saying, The President Of The United States is racist. Video: Lemon said, The President of the United States is racist. A lot of us already knew that. Today president trump talking with lawmakers in the oval office, he said, why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here? You know who he did say he would welcome here? He said, the U.S. Should bring in people from more countries like Norway. Why do we need more Haitians, take them out? Those comments are friendly disgusting. Theres other language a would like to use, but we are on television. You know what, theyre not shocking. Not even really surprising, because this is who Donald Trump is. This is what he thinks. Apparently, we have to go through this repertoire every time he says something like this. The song and dance has gone way past tiresome. Democrats and every single sane American with eyes and ears will point out the obvious fact that Trump is a racist, while the Trump enablers and deniers will put on a face of concern while they quietly wait for the latest Trump induced storm to blow over. It is time to go beyond pointing out the obvious. Any Republican who express concern, but does not condemn Trumps remarks should be voted out of office. The reason why Republicans can continue to condemn Trump while winking at thier base is because there have been no consequences. Voters have to make it clear that enabling Trump is just as bad as being Trump. Don Lemon is right. Lets move beyond this song and dance and put some real consequences for those who furrow their brows, but at the end of the day still stick with Trump. 175 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Yara Bayoumy and Brian Love WASHINGTON/PARIS (Reuters) Dismayed European allies sought to salvage the international nuclear pact with Iran on Wednesday after President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the landmark accord, while Tehran poured scorn on the U.S. leader. The deal is not dead. Theres an American withdrawal from the deal but the deal is still there, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had been reluctant to back the deal, said: Mr Trump, I tell you on behalf of the Iranian people: Youve made a mistakeI said many times from the first day: dont trust America. French President Emmanuel Macron was due to speak later in the day to his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, Le Drian said. Iran also signaled its willingness to talk. Trump announced on Tuesday he would reimpose U.S. economic sanctions on Iran to undermine what he called a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made, which was defective at its core. The fruit of more than a decade of diplomacy, the agreement was concluded in 2015 by the United States, France, Britain, Germany, Russia, China and Iran. It was designed to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear bomb in return for lifting sanctions that had crippled its economy. Trump complained that the deal, the signature foreign policy achievement of his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, did not address Irans ballistic missile program, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 or its role in conflicts in Yemen and Syria. His decision raises the risk of deepening conflicts in the Middle East, puts the United States at odds with European diplomatic and business interests, and casts uncertainty over global oil supplies. Oil prices rose more than 2 percent, with Brent hitting a 3-1/2-year high. [O/R] The deal could also strengthen the hand of hardliners at the expense of reformers in Irans political scene. REGION DESERVES BETTER Frances Le Drian, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) all said Iran was honoring its commitments under the accord. The region deserves better than further destabilization provoked by American withdrawal, Le Drian said. The European Union said it would remain committed to the deal and would ensure sanctions on Iran remain lifted, as long as Tehran meets its commitments. The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin was deeply concerned by the withdrawal, the RIA news agency said Merkel said that, while the existing deal should not be called into question, there should be discussion of a broader deal that goes beyond it. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson spoke of a follow-on agreement but said it was now up to Washington to come up with concrete proposals. Macrons contact with Rouhani will be followed by meetings next week involving the Iranians and European counterparts from France, Britain and Germany. But Irans Khamenei appeared skeptical, saying: I dont trust these three countries. The prospects of saving the deal without Washington depends in large part on whether international companies are willing and able still to do business with Iran despite the U.S. sanctions. Le Drian said meetings would be held with major firms including oil giant Total . In a harbinger of what could be in store, Trumps new ambassador to Germany said German businesses should halt their activities in Iran immediately. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said the United States should not consider itself the worlds economic policeman. Britain and France said they would do their utmost to protect their business interests in Iran, while Germany said it was seeking details of the effect of U.S. sanctions. European companies including carmaker PSA, plane manufacturer Airbus and engineering group Siemens said they were watching the situation. In a speech carried on his official website, Khamenei said Trumps announcement had been silly and superficial, adding: He had maybe more than 10 lies in his comments. DEATH TO AMERICA! Lawmakers in Irans parliament burned a U.S. flag and a symbolic copy of the deal, known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), chanting Death to America!. President Hassan Rouhani, a reformist who had hoped that the deal would boost living standards in Iran, struck a more pragmatic tone in a televised speech, saying Iran would negotiate with European Union countries, China and Russia. If at the end of this short period we conclude that we can fully benefit from the JCPOA with the cooperation of all countries, the deal will remain, he said. Trumps decision adds to the strain on the transatlantic alliance since he took office 16 months ago. One by one, European leaders came to Washington and tried to meet his demands, while pleading with him to preserve the deal. The Trump administration kept the door open to negotiating another deal with allies, but it is far from clear whether the Europeans would pursue that option or be able to convince Iran to accept it. Chinas foreign ministry said Beijing would defend the deal and urged parties to assume a responsible attitude. A Western diplomat who declined to be named was more pointed about the decision. It announces sanctions for which the first victims will be Trumps European allies, the diplomat said, adding that it was clear Trump did not care about the alliance. Abandoning the pact was one of the most consequential decisions of Trumps America First policy, which has led him to quit the global Paris climate accord, come close to a trade war with China and pull out of an Asian-Pacific trade deal. It also appeared to reflect the growing influence within the administration of Iran hawks such as new National Security Adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday to prepare for a summit that Trump hopes will secure North Koreas denuclearisation. COMPLYING WITH DEAL Iran denies long-held Western suspicions that it tried in the past to develop atomic weapons and says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Senior U.S. officials themselves have said several times that Iran is in technical compliance with the pact. Renewing sanctions would make it much harder for Iran to sell its oil abroad or use the international banking system. Iran is the third-largest member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and pumps about 3.8 million barrels per day of crude, or just under 4 percent of global supply. China, India, Japan and South Korea buy most of its 2.5 million bpd of exports. Its rial currency plunged to a record low against the U.S. dollar in the free market, after sliding for months because of a weak economy, financial difficulties at local banks and heavy demand for dollars among Iranians who feared that renewed U.S. sanctions would hit Iranian exports hard. I am scared, 47-year-old Isfahan school teacher Morad Sabzevari said by telephone. I listened to Trumps speech on English news channels last nightIt was a declaration of war against Iran It means dark days and months are ahead of us. The U.S. Treasury says sanctions related to Irans energy, auto and financial sectors will be reimposed in three and six months. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said a license for Boeing Co to sell passenger jets to Iran will be revoked, scuttling a $38 billion deal. The ban will also hit Europes Airbus , whose planes contain U.S.-made parts. Trump said the nuclear agreement did not prevent Iran from cheating and continuing to pursue nuclear weapons. It is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement, he said. Trump said he was willing to negotiate a new deal with Iran, but Iran has already ruled that out. Irans growing military and political power in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq worries the United States, Israel and Washingtons Gulf Arab allies such as Saudi Arabia. Among the few nations to welcome Trumps decision were Israel and Saudi Arabia, Irans arch-foes in the Middle East. Less than 24 hours after Trumps announcement, Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted missiles fired at Riyadh by the Iran-aligned Houthi forces it is fighting in Yemen. (Reporting by Steve Holland; Additional reporting by Tim Ahmann, Makini Brice, Warren Strobel, Jonathan Landay and Arshad Mohammed, Patricia Zengerle, David Lawder, Mohammad Zargham in Washington, Ayenat Mersie in New York, Sybille de La Hamaide, John Irish and Tim Hepher in Paris, Parisa Hafezi in Ankara, David Milliken and Bozorgmehr Sharafedin in London and Andrew Torchia in Dubai; Writing by Angus MacSwan and Kevin Liffey) 2.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, threw cold water on Trumps witch hunt claims by saying that there is evidence of a Trump/Russia criminal conspiracy. Video: Transcript: BRENNAN: Congressman, before we go any farther, because I want to draw a distinction. Since we have been saying here that some of the facts can get muddled here in the presidents language, I want to make sure were being precise in our conversation. Can you agree that there has been no evidence of collusion, coordination or conspiracy that has been presented thus far between the Trump campaign and Russia? SCHIFF: No, I dont agree with that at all. I think theres plenty of evidence of collusion or conspiracy in plain sight. Now, thats a different statement than saying that theres proof beyond a reasonable doubt of a criminal conspiracy. Bob Mueller will have to determine that. But, of course, the entire meeting at Trump Tower BRENNAN: Right. So, you acknowledge that the FBI has not presented it thus far? SCHIFF: No, what Margaret BRENNAN: Im drawing this distinction because this is what the White House is arguing here, that the president is drawing a distinction, that he is saying, when he says hoax and witch-hunt, that he means one thing, and that its not really trying to disassociate himself from what his national security team says. SCHIFF: Well, first of all, we havent seen what Bob Mueller has produced in terms of the evidence yet. So in terms of FBI proof, theyre not going to present proof to the Congress. Were doing our own investigation. And we have revealed evidence, I think, that certainly goes to the issue of conspiracy and collusion, a lot of which is now public. But I do think that the president continues to cast doubt on whether he accepts the fundamental conclusion that Russia intervened, whether there was a conspiracy or not. He continues to raise questions about it. Indeed, his attempt to retract his statement in Helsinki that he doesnt see why the Russians would intervene, that goes well beyond any allegations of conspiracy. So its the president himself whos created this very muddled message. And the issue, I think, for us in the midterms is, what message is Putin hearing? Is he hearing the message that we heard from Coats and Wray and others in that press conference at the White House, or is hearing the message of the president of the United States? And I fear that the message that the Kremlin cares most about is what they hear from Donald Trump, and that is still one of denial and cover for the Russians. Evidence and proof beyond a reasonable doubt are two different standards, but what Rep. Schiff did was debunk the idea that the Russia probe is an investigation without merit. Since Trump is now openly admitting that the Trump Tower meeting was about getting dirt on Hillary Clinton, that is evidence of a criminal conspiracy. A conspiracy doesnt have to be a success to be a crime. Adam Schiff was correct. There is evidence publicly available through Trumps own statements that suggests a criminal conspiracy. The Russia investigation isnt a witch hunt or a hoax. The big unresolved question is whether Mueller has the evidence to prove a criminal conspiracy between the Trumps and the Russians beyond a reasonable doubt. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. 356 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Arshad Mohammed and Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) Russia has used a closely guarded communications channel with Americas top general to propose the two former Cold War foes cooperate to rebuild Syria and repatriate refugees to the war-torn country, according to a U.S. government memo. The proposal was sent in a July 19 letter by Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the Russian militarys General Staff, to U.S. Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to the memo which was seen by Reuters. The Russian plan, which has not been previously reported, has received an icy reception in Washington. The memo said the U.S. policy was only to support such efforts if there were a political solution to end Syrias seven-year-old civil war, including steps like U.N.-supervised elections. The proposal illustrates how Russia, having helped turn the tide of the war in favor of President Bashar al-Assad, is now pressing Washington and others to aid the reconstruction of areas under his control. Such an effort would likely further cement Assads hold on power. The proposal argues that the Syrian regime lacks the equipment, fuel, other material, and funding needed to rebuild the country in order to accept refugee returns, according to the memo, which specified that the proposal related to Syrian government-held areas of the country. The United States in 2011 adopted a policy that Assad must leave power but then watched as his forces, backed by Iran and then Russia, clawed back territory and secure Assads position. The United States has drawn a line on reconstruction assistance, saying it should be tied to a process that includes U.N.-supervised elections and a political transition in Syria. It blames Assad for Syrias devastation. Dunfords office declined comment on communications with Gerasimov. In accordance with past practice, both Generals have agreed to keep the details of their conversations private, said spokeswoman Captain Paula Dunn. The Kremlin and Russias defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Syria conflict has killed an estimated half a million people, driven some 5.6 million people out of the country and displaced around 6.6 million within it. Most of those who have fled are from the Sunni Muslim majority, and it is unclear whether Assads Alawite-dominated government will allow all to return freely or whether they would want to. Sunnis made up the bulk of the armed opposition to Assad. The United States will only support refugee returns when they are safe, voluntary and dignified, said the memo, which is specifically about the Russian plan for Syria. Rebuilding Syria will also be a massive effort, costing at least $250 billion, according one U.N. estimate. Some U.S. officials believe Syrias dependence on the international community for reconstruction, along with the presence of U.S. and U.S.-backed forces in part of Syria, gives Washington leverage as diplomats push for a negotiated end to the war. MILITARY CHANNEL The exchange offered a rare glimpse into the military communications channel between Moscow and Washington, one that Dunford himself has fiercely sought to keep private. Dunford, who speaks periodically with Gerasimov, has stressed that the two militaries need to be able to have candid, private communications to avoid misunderstandings that could lead to armed confrontation. But it was unclear how reconstruction and refugees fit into military-to-military communications. Gerasimovs letter suggests that channel is also being used by Moscow to broach non-military matters. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Syria, and the issue of refugees, at their July 16 summit in Helsinki. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the talks focused on how we might get the refugees back. But U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said last week no policy changes came out of the summit. The U.S. government memo explicitly said the Russian proposal was not an outcome of the Trump-Putin talks, but cautioned that Russian officials were trying to present it differently. Russian diplomats and other officials have also been engaging in an aggressive campaign to describe the initiative in other capitals and to insinuate that it is an outcome of the U.S.-Russia meeting in Helsinki, which it is not, repeat not, the memo read. The Russian cover letter for the proposal sent to Dunford recommended the United States, Russia and Jordan repurpose a hub designed to monitor a 2017 ceasefire agreement to form a joint committee to implement the reconstruction and refugee return plan, the memo said. Jordan is hosting more than 650,000 Syrian refugees. The Russian letter also suggests that the United States and Russia form a joint group to finance infrastructure renovation in Syria, the U.S. memo says. (Additional reporting by Christian Lowe in Moscow; Editing by Warren Strobel; Mary Milliken and Alistair Bell) 1.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard One thing Donald Trump is very good at is distraction. Since Friday he has posted a few dozen crazy tweets that have made many people forget that his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort is currently on trial. If we go back and look at how things have gone for Manafort so far we see that the news is all bad. In fact, some experts have said that the evidence presented by prosecutors during the first four days of the trial is so damning that its pretty much guaranteed that Manafort will be found guilty on multiple counts. John Dean, who testified against Richard Nixon put it this way on Twitter: For those in the weeds: Manaforts bookkeepers pretty much gave him a one way ticket to jail with their testimony one admitted (w/ immunity) he had cheated on his taxes with her knowledge. Not sure his former partner in crime, Rick Gates, is even needed as a witness. For those in the weeds: Manaforts bookkeepers pretty much gave him a oneway ticket to jail with their testimony one admitted (w/ immunity) he had cheated on his taxes with her knowledge. Not sure his former partner in crime, Rick Gates, is even needed as a witness. John Dean (@JohnWDean) August 4, 2018 Heres a recap of the evidence prosecutors presented last week: The prosecutors seem to have proven that Manafort failed to report a significant percentage of the more than $60 million they say he received from Ukrainian oligarchs. They have shown the jurors how that money was put into more than a dozen shell companies and then stashed in secret bank accounts in Cyprus. Both Manaforts accountants and his bookkeeper testified that they never knew the companies and the corresponding offshore bank accounts were controlled by Manafort and used to hide income from the IRS. In the coming week Manaforts right-hand man and longtime associate, Rick Gates, is supposed to testify. He has already pleaded guilty and is cooperating with prosecutors. At this point it seems that testimony from Gates might not even be necessary to convict Manafort, but whatever he has to say will certainly be compelling and will capture the attention of the jury. Because the evidence is so solid and clear-cut, prosecutors have told the judge that they may wrap up their case this coming week. Looking at the big picture, we have to remember that Muellers goal is to get a quick conviction against Manafort. Doing this will legitimize his entire investigation and show it is not a witch hunt or a hoax, as Trump has claimed. It will also show a lot of other people that Mueller is not messing around, and thus it will strengthen his hand in future negotiations. Remember there are a lot more indictments that may be handed out in coming weeks and months against potential defendants. Paul Manafort will also have to go through a second federal trial this fall in Washington with an entirely new batch of criminal charges that are not only more complex but are also very closely related to the Trump-Russia scandal. In this trial we havent heard anything about Russia or conspiracy or collusion, but thats OK. For Mueller this trial is just a stepping stone for him to move on to bigger and better things and for him to keep catching bigger fish as he casts a wider net to bring to justice the many people involved in criminal conspiracies including potentially the President of the United States. By Aziz El Yaakoubi and David Ljunggren RIYADH/OTTAWA (Reuters) Saudi Arabia froze new trade and investment with Canada and expelled the Canadian ambassador, in a stern gesture of retaliation after Ottawa urged it to free arrested civil society activists. The sudden sharp response to criticism shows the limits of reforms by Saudi Arabias 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who runs its day-to-day government. He has launched a campaign of social and economic change, but has not eased the absolute monarchys total ban on political activism. In recent months Saudi Arabia has lifted a ban on women driving, but it has also arrested activists, including more than a dozen high profile campaigners for womens rights. Riyadh recalled its own ambassador from Canada and gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave, a Saudi foreign ministry statement said late on Sunday. It retained its rights to take further action, it added. The announcement, carried on the official Saudi Press Agency caught diplomats in Riyadh off guard. Both the Saudi and Canadian ambassadors were away on leave when it was made. It was not immediately clear what effect, if any, the ban on new trade would have on existing annual Saudi-Canadian trade of nearly $4 billion and on a $13 billion defense contract. A spokeswoman for the Canadian Foreign Ministry said Canada was seriously concerned about Saudi Arabias decision, but standing its ground on human rights comments. Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, very much including womens rights, and freedom of expression around the world, said spokeswoman Marie-Pier Baril. On Friday, Canada had expressed concern over the arrests of activists in Saudi Arabia, including prominent womens rights campaigner Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful human rights activists, Global Affairs Canada said on its Twitter feed. Riyadh said that amounted to a blatant interference in the Kingdoms domestic affairs, against basic international norms and all international protocols. It is quite unfortunate to see the phrase immediate release in the Canadian statement, which is a reprehensible and unacceptable use of language between sovereign states. The kingdom will suspend educational exchange programs with Canada and move Saudi scholarship recipients to other countries, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya reported on Monday. Neighbors and allies Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates said they stood with Riyadh, although they did not announce similar measures. LIMITS TO REFORM Crown Prince Mohammed, as heir to the throne, is in line to become the first Saudi king from a new generation after a succession of six brothers dating to 1953. He has ambitions to diversify the economy from oil exports and ease some social restrictions. But his reforms include no changes that would liberalize a political system that allows no public dissent. Amnesty International said the response to Canada showed that it was important Western countries not be intimidated into silence over Riyadhs treatment of dissenters. Instead of pursuing human rights reform, the government of Saudi Arabia has chosen to lash out with punitive measures in the face of criticism. States with significant influence in Saudi Arabia such as the USA, UK and France have now remained silent for far too long, said Samah Hadid, Amnesty Internationals Middle East Director of Campaigns. Riyadh has a record of responding robustly to Western criticism under Mohammed bin Salman. In May, German magazine Der Spiegel reported that the crown prince had suspended new government contracts to German firms. Riyadh had earlier recalled its ambassador from Germany for consultations over comments the German foreign minister made about a political crisis in Lebanon. It also recalled its ambassador from Stockholm and stopped issuing business visas to Swedes in 2015 following criticism of its human rights record. Saudi Arabia is shooting itself in the foot. If you want to open up your country to the world, you dont start expelling ambassadors and freezing trade with countries such as Canada, said Joost Hiltermann, regional program director for the International Crisis Group. They want to impose and carefully control reforms, because they are deadly afraid of bottom-up change, for example via women activists. But this gets them in trouble with their Western partners. Saudi-Canadian trade consists largely of Saudi exports of petrochemicals, plastics and other products. In 2014, the Canadian unit of U.S. weapons maker General Dynamics Corp won a contract worth up to $13 billion to build light-armored vehicles for Saudi Arabia, in what Ottawa said was the largest advanced manufacturing export win in Canadian history. (Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi in Riyadh; Nayera Abdullah in Cairo; Katie Paul in Dubai; Denny Thomas in Toronto; and David Ljunggren in Ottawa, Writing by Denny Thomas and Katie Paul; Editing by William Maclean and Peter Graff) 545 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard A new study of voting attitudes and preferences shows that the key to this years midterm elections will be so-called swing voters and not the voters who are historically partisan in favor of either Democrats or Republicans. This study, called The 2018 VOTER Survey, identified swing voters as those who split parties in their votes during the two most recent presidential elections. One group of swing voters went for Mitt Romney in 2012 and Hillary Clinton in 2016 (Romney-Clinton voters) and the other group went for Barack Obama in 2012 and Donald Trump in 2016 (Obama-Trump voters). The study is important because it discounts the popular theory that partisan voter turnout this year holds the key to victory for either of the two major parties. Democrats and Republicans have both said that to prevail in the midterms they must get their core voters to the voting booth in very high numbers, which is difficult in off-year elections. So, for example, the study shows that Democrats will be better off if they focus on retaining the loyalty of the Romney-Clinton voters for the 2018 elections than focusing on turning out those voters who have always voted for Democratic candidates. Support for this theory can be seen by recent polls and even special elections in suburban districts of affluent voters who were traditionally Republican and favored Mitt Romney in 2012. Many of these college-educated suburbanites switched to Clinton in 2016 and also plan to vote for Democratic candidates in 2018. Turning out these voters to support Democrats is the key to the partys chances of taking back control of Congress especially the House of Representatives this year. On the other hand, the strategy for the Republicans is to get a high turnout from voters who went for Trump and consider themselves economic populists. Historically many such voters were Democrats from blue collar or working class neighborhoods, as well as from small towns and cities. Republicans hope to pick up seats in the U.S. Senate in 2018, and to do this they will need to defeat some incumbent Democratic senators running for reelection in so-called red states that voted overwhelmingly for Trump in 2016. These states such as West Virginia, Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota elected Democratic senators when Obama won six years ago. If the Obama-Trump voters stick with the Republican Party then the Democrats are in trouble. If these swing voters who switched parties to vote for Trump decide to stay home in 2018 then the GOP candidates will have a very hard time winning. If, however, the 2016 Trump voters show up and vote in 2018, then Democrats are in big trouble. The 2018 VOTER Survey concludes that Democrats right now have significant advantages in terms of the engagement and loyalty of their base, as well as their ability to engage the support of key crossover voter groups such as Romney-Clinton and Libertarian voters. Many polls show that there is much higher interest and enthusiasm in this years election among Clinton voters than among those who cast their ballots for Trump in 2016. If Democrats can convince large numbers of these nontraditional, anti-Trump voters to support them, a Democratic victory in November could turn into a Big Blue Wave. 2.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard According to Mondays Morning Joe panel, President Donald Trumps frantic weekend tweetstorm shows that he knows that his son Donald Trump Jr. is in serious legal trouble. They also said Trumps inner circle wont be able to hide from the legal consequences much longer because the walls are closing in. Yesterday we reported that Donald Trump has admitted to friends that hes worried about Donald Jrs legal exposure and and hes losing it because he knows his son may be going to jail. Nobody was prepared for what Donald Trump ended up doing yesterday however: confessing to the crimes that took place with respect to the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting. By doing this its possible that has inadvertently made sure that Don Jr. will go to prison. Heres what Donald Trump tweeted about the Trump Tower meeting: Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower. This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics and it went nowhere. I did not know about it! Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower. This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics and it went nowhere. I did not know about it! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2018 Heres what this tweet means: Donald Trump finally confessed that the meeting was an attempt at obtaining dirt on Hillary Clinton from the Russians. It was not totally legal but an illegal attempt to receive a gift of value from a foreign entity on behalf of a campaign, as well as attempting to illegally receive stolen goods. It may have proved other charges like treason and conspiracy against the United States. It has proved Don Jrs guilt while attempting to show the president was innocent, by saying I did not know about it! In todays Morning Joe co-host Joe Scarborough reminded viewers of the many false statements that Trump, his lawyers, and administration officials have made about the infamous 2016 Trump Tower meeting ever since it was first reported. Scarborough said: Were used to the lying, but on something this big, perhaps the most important part of this entire investigation, everything you heard from White House representatives there was a lie. Donald Trump admitted weekend they were all lying. What are the consequences of this? Then panel member John Heilemann pointed out that the presidents tweets show that he and his inner circle now realize that the lies they have been telling are falling apart: I know its an indication that some folks are not just in serious trouble but now recognize theyre in serious trouble. Last week, we watched as Donald Trump went further, deeper, into the realm of public obstruction of justice when he started attacking the Mueller probe, started suggesting the attorney general should shut it down. Heilemann also said he believes that the Manafort trial has forced Trump to focus on how much trouble his son might really be in: We now have a clear explanation for why that is, which is that the president is looking at the Manafort trial starting to focus on Rick Gates, on some of the things that perhaps Michael Cohen has told investigators about this meeting, about what might have led up to it, about what the presidents role might have been, about what Donald Jr.s role might have been. The walls are closing in and actual facts are coming closer and closer to the surface. While the president has thrown his own son under the bus, he may not have saved himself by claiming that he wasnt in on the conspiracy. Weve been told that both Michael Cohen and Rick Gates will testify that Donald Trump did in fact know about the meeting before it took place. Clearly Donald Trump would not be making such desperate moves if he wasnt out of options. Clearly Donald Trump knows that all of his lies are falling apart and the walls are indeed closing in around him. 821 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Todays story involves a woman who ran a high-end prostitution ring in New York City, Manhattan Madam Kristin Davis, who was running as a Libertarian for New York City comptroller when she was arrested on drug charges, testifying before a grand jury this week in the Trump Russia probe, according to NBC News. She was questioned by a lead investigator about former Trump adviser Roger Stone and Russian collusion. Davis told NBC in July that she had no knowledge of Russian collusion, but she was called by someone on the Mueller team and believed it was related to Roger Stone, for whom she worked for many years. Davis told NBC in early August that she has been working for Roger since 2010 doing web design and writing position papers. Position papers? Odd thing for a criminal to be doing, but maybe not in this Republican Party. Davis and Stone have actually a very strange history with the former Governor Eliot Spitzer scandal, in which Roger Stone also foreshadowed Spitzers troubles as he did in the 2016 election, per Vox: In the Spitzer case, Stone claimed his lawyer sent a letter in November 2007 that tipped off FBI agents that Spitzer hired call girls. There are plenty of reasons to doubt Stones story. The FBI never confirmed it. Agents were investigating Spitzers suspicious money transfers, some of which allegedly went to the escort service so Stones actual role in the scandal is still murky. But his premonition came true. Davis claimed that she couldnt have worked on Trumps presidential campaign because she was in prison, however she was released in May of 2016. Davis spent four months in Rikers Islands for promoting prostitution and was sentenced to two years in prison in 2014 for drug dealing after being caught selling pills. You know its a story about our current president when the title involves a criminal, extra points if they were involved in any kind of sex trade. Id say no judgement, except that the President is supposed to be upholding the law and is supposed to be a moral role model. Roger Stone was known as a crafty political operative, and he backed Kristin Davis campaign against his enemy Eliot Spitzer, although it was seen as a move to lure voters away from the Democrat rather than actually hoping that Davis could win. A move that sounds very familiar, echoing an old scandal that looked odd at the time and looks even more odd now. While political operatives are not known for their ethics, it would be wrong to normalize this and assume that all political operatives work like this. There are actually some people in politics who work by trying to motivate actual citizens to vote for them by working to make life better for the average citizen, instead of playing dirty games and dealing with enemies of our country in big time criminal operations meant to undermine the competition because they cant win fairly. It should not go unnoticed that Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), another alleged Libertarian, has invited the Russians to DC and will be going to Russia as well, even as they attack our countrys elections on his partys behalf. 3.6k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard A supporter of President Donald Trump threatened to shoot CNN reporters Brian Stelter and Don Lemon during an on-air call with C-SPAN, Stelter reported during his show Sunday on CNN The callers threat came amid continued attacks on the media from Trump, who has described the press as the enemy of the people and fake news. Threats against reporters on the rise. We decided to broadcast one of those threats on today's @ReliableSources, so everyone can hear it for themselves. pic.twitter.com/kJxGWKOrWI Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 5, 2018 The caller was identified by C-SPAN host Greta Brawner as Don from State College, Pennsylvania. He phoned into her show Friday to express support for Trumps criticism of the media. It all started when Trump got elected, the caller said before he wrongly accused the CNN anchors of labeling Trumps supporters as racist. Stelter and Lemon dont even know us. They dont even know these Americans out here and theyre calling us racist because we voted for Trump. They started the war. If I see em, Im going to shoot em. Bye, he said before hanging up and ending the call. Before he played the C-Span clip on his show Stelter revealed that other reporters at CNN and other news networks also get serious threats. He also said that threatening calls and emails are coming in more often. Im not asking for sympathy, I dont think Im in extreme danger, I know some of my colleagues get much worse threats than I do, Stelter said. CNN has a great security team and we know how to handle this stuff. While discussing the threat Sunday Stelter pointed out that neither Lemon nor he have described all Trump supporters as racist. And he said he wasnt sure why the person who called in had come to this conclusion. He did say, however, that Fox News Sean Hannity played a clip of Stelter during his show on Thursday, which may have inflamed the passions of irrational Trump supporters. In that segment Hannity showed Stelter asking if racial anxiety had been a significant factor in Trumps victory in 2016. Obviously, researchers have proven that yes racial anxiety and resentment was a factor. But thats not the same as calling all Trump supporters racist, Stelter said Sunday. I dont know if the C-SPAN caller watched Hannity. Im not blaming Hannity. I just thought the timing was odd. Stelter also played a disturbing video of MSNBCs Katy Tur saying that she and a couple of her female colleagues had received emails saying, I hope you get raped and killed. And in case you want to argue that this has nothing to do with the president, the most recent note I got ended with MAGA, Tur said. Trump has adopted an increasingly hostile stance against the media since the 2016 presidential election. He ramped up his attacks against the press over the weekend, tweeting Friday night that Lemon was the dumbest man on television and tweeting Sunday that the media is dangerous & sick and can cause War. Charleston finally lost out to Nashville in the battle for Sean Brocks heart. The celebrity chef announced earlier this week he is cutting ties with McCradys, McCradys Tavern and Minero. While Brock remains the founding chef and culinary advisor to the Husk restaurants in Charleston, Savannah, Greenville and Nashville, his main focus will be future endeavors in Nashville, according to a statement released by Neighborhood Dining Group. Brock has not yet said what he has in mind. Dont be surprised, says fellow chef and friend BJ Dennis, if Brock opens a vegan or health food restaurant. The chef partly responsible for the late aughts' lardcore movement became interested in healthful eating while dealing with an autoimmune disease. In April, Bon Appetit wrote about his health regimen that included granola and fruit for breakfast, a salad for lunch and a non-dairy gluten-free dinner with meat and heirloom grains. Like most members of Charleston's culinary community, Dennis wasn't surprised by Brock making the move to Nashville official. "He was already gone," Dennis says. "It was always Nashville before Charleston." Now, he says, its up to Charleston to carve out a dining culture that isnt centered on Brock and his endeavors. Dennis believes the current moment could present an opportunity for the city to embrace the regions growing diversity and examine its debt to residents with deep roots here. Brock was only invested in Lowcountry food and local food culture for a short period of time, but that culture is still here and its not going anywhere. And people are hungry for it, he says. Sara Clow, general manager of GrowFood Carolina, echoes Dennis: "As the demographic continues to diversify, how do we bring those other cultures into the framework to make sure that it's a vibrant food scene?" she says. "Charleston hasn't embraced the Gullah culture that's existed the whole time or the other folks coming in from all over the world. I know Indian people here. Can't we get a decent Indian restaurant?" To Dennis, Husk set a precedent that was both good and bad. While it brought international attention to the culture, he says, "To me, after that, Southern food was a flatline. ... But we still here. We still strong." Dennis hopes to see other natives set up shop and represent their local stories and not just black cooks. "Where's the French Huguenot kid? I wait for another Geechee chef to be representing. I don't want to be the only one." He sees a wave of black chefs embracing their culture across the nation with chefs like David Thomas of Ida B's in Baltimore, Edouardo Jordan of Junebaby in Seattle and Kwame Onwuachi at Kith and Kin in Washington, D.C., going back to their culture to tell their personal stories. "The whole movement is just starting," he says, and he hopes to see it happen in Charleston where he says his people have not been welcome at the table. "I think we're going to see a culture change with more inclusion. We're pushing for it." Brooks Reitz of Little Jack's Tavern and Leon's Oyster Shop agrees that more diversity is the next big step Charleston's food scene needs to make. "Telling the story culturally of the people who live here, not just the white story, but the black story," he says. "BJ does his pop-ups but we still don't have the next big wave of that food. Who's going to carry the torch?" Moving Charlestons dining scene forward will take more than one celebrity chef, insiders agree. Its not just a matter of shifting the spotlight from Brock to, say, Dennis or Rodney Scott, the whole hog pitmaster who this year won the James Beard Award for Best Chef Southeast. Skyrocketing property values, labor shortages and the building boom have pinched everybody. Clow says Charleston is very different from when she first arrived seven years ago. "We are at a pretty critical time in our growth and that relates to every industry," she says. "I think everybody is feeling the pinch of labor. There is a stark difference at the level of customer service, not at the top top, but at the mid-level. You used to get amazing customer service everywhere and that's not the case anymore." Reitz is in the final stretch of opening his third restaurant, a pizza and pasta restaurant called Melfi's across the street from his two other spots. He thinks opening a large restaurant based on a chef's concept is a huge risk these days. "Chef-driven places seems to be getting smaller because those people need to own and operate, and in order to do that it has to be a 30-40 seat restaurant," he says. "Restaurants like Chubby Fish, Bar Normandy, Xiao Bao Biscuit, Tu." The recent closure of Spero and the failure of Scarecrow are examples of the difficulty of opening in this market. Mike Lata (FIG, The Ordinary) expects to see an adjustment with more restaurant closures in the near future. He says his group is turning inward at this time to make sure they are operating at the highest level and taking care of their employees. Currently, the big shift he's dealing with is in the clientele, which is more demanding. "Everybody wants their experience to be personalized," he says. "You can see it across menus nationwide with vegan and gluten-free options. Restaurants have to be very accommodating. It's less an art form and more of a business. ... We have special requests all the time and sometimes it's difficult to stomach because you worked really hard on a dish." Of course, if Dennis is right, Brock could soon be in the business of developing those vegan and gluten-free menus. But Lata doesnt think Charleston restaurants need to take that tack in order for the scene to remain vibrant. Ultimately, he says, restaurants and all service industries are suffering from the labor shortage, but that's a symptom of a growing city and industry. "People are still coming here to eat and drink great wine and they're not afraid to order the offbeat, exciting items on the menu." Charleston, SC (29403) Today A steady light rain this morning. Showers with perhaps a rumble of thunder developing for the afternoon. Potential for severe thunderstorms. High 72F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low around 60F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Under former President Barack Obama, two South Carolina congressmen in the hard-line conservative House Freedom Caucus preached more concern about the national debt than any other issue. A year and a half into the Trump administration, the personal fortunes of the pair U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford and his former colleague, Mick Mulvaney have vastly diverged. Sanford, the Charleston Republican who was once governor, finds himself on the way out of Washington, toppled in a GOP primary after publicly airing his criticisms of President Donald Trump. Mulvaney, on the other hand, has risen to arguably the most influential fiscal policy role in government as Trump's budget director. He temporarily took the reins of the financial consumer watchdog agency he has long loathed. And in recent months, Mulvaney has even been floated multiple times as the next White House chief of staff. Yet, when it comes to the foremost policy issue that has driven their political careers, Mulvaney and Sanford have achieved about equal levels of success in the Trump era: Not much. Trump has denied Mulvaney's entreaties to slash Social Security, Medicare or other entitlements, and Congress rejected cuts to a plethora of other programs. Recent projections from the administration itself suggest the federal deficit will top $1 trillion starting next year. The politician who spent years clamoring to take a chainsaw to government spending has instead had to settle for a dull scalpel. If the setbacks have angered Mulvaney, he has not shown it. Once a radical deficit hawk who helped dethrone House Speaker John Boehner over concerns that establishment Republicans were not listening to movement conservatives, Mulvaney has transformed into a true team player for Trump. "Im not the president, and I recognize that. Im a member of a team," Mulvaney told The Post and Courier. "But I have been able to participate in that process, and Ive been satisfied that I am having an influence in the outcomes." Conservative ideologue From his arrival on the political scene with his election to the South Carolina House in 2006, Mulvaney has never been shy about his tight wallet ideology, proudly describing himself a "right-wing nutjob." But colleagues from Mulvaney's days in the Statehouse and Congress said he always quietly evinced a more pragmatic approach than meets the eye. "He knows what he wants to get done, but he also knows what you have to do to get things done, and that's a rare trait in Columbia and in Washington," said S.C. House Majority Leader Gary Simrill, R-Rock Hill. "One of Mick Mulvaney's talents is to be a hard-line conservative but work within the confines he's been given." Raised in Charlotte, where he worked early in his career as a lawyer, Mulvaney moved across the border to Indian Land, S.C., just a few years before launching his political career and working for his family's real estate business. After rising swiftly from the state House to the state Senate, he toppled longtime Democratic incumbent congressman John Spratt of York County in the Tea Party wave of 2010. "His 'carpetbagger' status wasn't held against him, mainly because within his party he was of the right ideological bent for the times," said Scott Huffmon, a political science professor at Winthrop University who has followed Mulvaney's political career. Despite his combative approach in Congress, helping to create the Freedom Caucus in an attempt to force House GOP leadership further right, Mulvaney received ideal committee placements for his policy interests, initially on the budget and small business committees and eventually joining financial services and oversight. Mulvaney's move to the executive branch has not ended his feuds with other congressional Republicans, who he blames exclusively for his difficulty in securing budget cuts. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! Many congressional Republicans, Mulvaney said, preach fiscal conservatism on the campaign trail but then continue to demand more spending on their favorite programs once they get to Washington. Spurned on spending cuts, Mulvaney has turned to other ideas as he looks to enact his small government approach. Last month, Mulvaney rolled out a blueprint for a sweeping reorganization of the federal government, a plan that included merging the federal education and labor departments and privatizing the post office. The proposal faces an uphill battle in Congress, where it was immediately met with opposition by many Democrats and some Republicans. But it provided an opportunity for Mulvaney to prove that his focus on shrinking government has not wavered. Trump salesman From the get-go of his confirmation hearings, Mulvaney conceded that as budget director, he would no longer be representing his conservative congressional district but rather a president who is less singularly focused on cutting federal spending. When Mulvaney returns to Congress to sell Republicans on administration proposals, his former Freedom Caucus colleagues have been known to tease him about how different he sounds from the Mulvaney they knew as one of their own. U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, the Rock Hill Republican who replaced Mulvaney in South Carolina's 5th Congressional District and immediately joined the Freedom Caucus himself, said it's mostly in jest. "Everybody understands his role has adjusted," Norman said. "None of us get all we want, but were in there trying the best we can. We all have confidence that when hes in there with the president, hell push it as much as he can. But its the presidents decision." Not all Freedom Caucus members have been amused by Mulvaney's sales tactics. Sanford confronted Mulvaney about his projections of 3 percent sustained annual economic growth in a congressional hearing last year, saying Mulvaney "assumes a Goldilocks economy." While gross domestic product growth surged to 4.1 percent in the second quarter of 2018, many economists do not expect that to be a sustainable phenomenon over the long term. But Mulvaney touts his work on cutting regulations and helping to push through last year's tax cuts what he terms "MAGAnomics" as key factors behind the recent economic boost, and he said it has been "very rewarding" to see his predictions of strong growth come to fruition even sooner than he had expected. Sanford still argues Mulvaney is playing with fire. The bold projections, Sanford recently told The Post and Courier, could "come back to haunt the (Republican) Party" if they prove untrue. How in the world Mick Mulvaney, who is a smart guy and who knows the numbers, can stand up there in a budget hearing and say what he says about the budget numbers ... youre selling a lie that somehow we can balance the budget without touching entitlements," Sanford said. "That is not the truth." For now, it appears Mulvaney will have to wait for that promotion to White House chief of staff. John Kelly reportedly told colleagues that he has accepted Trump's request to stay on until after the 2020 election. But the rumors of Mulvaney's rise indicate that he has gained powerful allies in the White House. Freedom Caucus chairman Mark Meadows, a close Trump ally from North Carolina, said before a speech to South Carolina Republicans last week that Mulvaney "has the trust of the president." When ex-colleagues taunt Mulvaney over his change in tone, he said he tells them that at least now he's "losing at the highest levels" in the Oval Office, rather than in the basement of the Tortilla Coast restaurant on Capitol Hill where the Freedom Caucus has often held meetings. "Its sort of like losing in the World Series," Mulvaney said. "At least Im there." Schuyler Kropf contributed to this report. It's OK. The error is fixable and not intentional Terrible lack of due diligence I am not sure I don't care Vote View Results Less than three weeks before the Aug. 25 primary election and with the leadership of the Legislature at stake the Republican and Democratic parties are exchanging jabs. Republican Party of Guam Chairman Jerry Crisostomo blasted the Democratic majority in the Legislature on Monday, accusing the leadership of being derelict in their duties. "The fact that this Legislature has yet to pass a budget plan, and act on at least 24 appointments for department heads and boards or commissions resulting (in) unnecessary expirations is an utter failure in carrying out their responsibilities," Crisostomo stated. He also accused lawmakers of having no clear plan or idea as to what they are doing. "They passed a sales tax and then they repeal the sales tax. ... They passed an increase to the hotel occupancy tax and then they voted to remove the increase to the hotel occupancy tax," the Republican Party chairman added. Crisostomo said the Legislature's actions have shown the "inexperience" of the Democratic majority, and said if the Democratic majority is incapable of performing their job, they "must be fired in November." The Democratic Party of Guam fired back. "The emptiest barrel makes the loudest noise," the Democrats stated. "A bipartisan group of lawmakers is working to pass a responsible budget. That task requires us to work together, which isn't easy, when so few people trust anything coming out of Adelup these days," the statement read. The Democratic Party stated the Calvo-Tenorio administration achieved record revenues and received record borrowing and spent it all. "That's why we're here now dealing with a financial storm everyone could see coming but them. As for responsibility, when those at Adelup remove the plank in their eye, their party can complain about the speck in ours." Gov. Eddie Calvo also held a press conference Monday, saying the Democrats have been "pandering to the media and talk-show hosts and to the public either on a mistaken belief (or) because of lack of knowledge." "Gosh, they're just doing that purposely to cause anarchy," Calvo added. Concern for taxpayers Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Senators have been discussing a spending plan and expressing concerns that an overly burdensome tax increase could hurt the tourism industry or further significantly squeeze the pockets of taxpayers, or both. The governor isn't impressed. He said Sen. Michael San Nicolas "either doesn't know what he's talking about, or he does know what he's talking about, but he's doing it on purpose." "I don't know what's worse," Calvo said. San Nicolas led a budget amendment that includes about $18 million in future tax collections from delinquent taxpayers as part of the spending plan for fiscal year 2019 in light of the Department of Revenue and Taxation acknowledging the money can be collected. Calvo called it counting "ghost" revenue. No comprehension? "They show no comprehension of what they're doing. I called them into session eight times, in what they thought was a manufactured crisis," Calvo added. The administration shut down fire stations, a police precinct and public swimming pools a few months ago to pressure the Legislature to pass a tax increase. Certain senators had questioned the administration's moves and whether it was an attempt to manufacture a crisis. "I want everyone to know what this means and that the direction that the Legislature is moving on right now can only lead to anarchy and chaos," Calvo said. "There's no reason for that, if they can just be reasonable." "There is either a lack of comprehension of what they're doing what that means could be so deadly ... it's gonna have serious impacts for government of Guam," Calvo said. 12-year-old Boy Studying Biomedical Physics at UNAM Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico - After achieving a perfect score on his entrance exam, Carlos Santamaria Diaz, a 12-year-old boy from Cuernavaca, today became the youngest undergraduate student to ever be admitted to the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico's Faculty of Sciences in the university's roughly century-long history. In a statement made last week, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (better known as UNAM), said that Carlos "is a student of high cognitive ability" who "has defied time and administrative conventions" in the pursuit of his biomedical physics degree. The boy genius already has a diploma in biochemistry and molecular biology from the same university, which he completed at the age of nine. Asked how he prepared to achieve his goal of entering university at such a young age, Carlos said that he always adopts a can-do attitude. "I also studied on the internet, that's how I've learned biology and calculus but you also need the support of your whole family, [that's the] most important thing. My parents have done more than me, they've prepared everything and I just study and pass the exams. I put in the last little bit to move on to the next thing," he explained. "I just want to study. If they close the doors, I'll go in through the windows," Carlos added. The UNAM stressed that Carlos will be treated like any other student, with no special privileges or benefits, and that he will be faced with additional challenges every day. "... [he'll have] to fight against skepticism about his abilities and performance, as it will also be the first time that his classmates, teachers and the university community have had such a young student in Puma territory. It will be a collective growth," the UNAM statement said. In the Politico Magazine article How Silicon Valley became a den of spies, Zach Dorfman reported in passing: Former intelligence officials told me that Chinese intelligence once recruited a staff member at a California office of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, and the source reported back to China about local politics. He added parenthetically: A spokesperson for Feinstein said the office doesnt comment on personnel matters or investigations, but noted that no Feinstein staffer in California has ever had a security clearance. San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier & Andrew Ross followed up on this intriguing bit in Feinstein had a Chinese spy connection she didnt know about her driver. Matier & Ross report: A local source who knew about the incident confirmed to us that the FBI showed up at Feinsteins office in Washington, D.C., about five years ago to alert the then-chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee that her driver was being investigated for possible Chinese spying. Note that Feinstein was chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee at the time. It is unclear from the column when the Feinstein staffer was recruited. Another report indicates that he worked for Feinstein for 20 years. According to the Chronicle column, although Feinstein let the man retire and kept the lid on the story until now, no harm was done. The Chinese, incidentally, take these matters more seriously. Somehow I doubt that we have heard the full story yet. President Trump commented on the story on Saturday night at the Ohio rally he held to support GOP congressional candidate Troy Balderson. President Trump was quoted in relevant part by the Washington Times: The leader of the Russia investigation, Dianne Feinstein, had a Chinese spy as her driver for 20 years. And shes leading the Russian witch hunt. Isnt that something? And then she says to me, What did you know about this and that? Give me a break. David Lat of Above the Law decries the failure of the GOP-controlled Senate to confirm nominees for two key positions at the Department of Justice Eric Dreiband as head of the Civil Rights Division and Jeff Clark as head of the Environment and Natural Resources Division. Both were nominated in June 2017. Clarks nomination was first sent to the Senate floor on August 3 more than a year ago. Dreibands nomination reached the Senate floor two months later. Both almost certainly have the votes to be confirmed, albeit along largely, or maybe strictly, partisan lines. All thats required is for Majority Leader McConnell to file motions to invoke cloture. This he has not done. In the meantime, the two key divisions in question Civil Rights and Environment and Natural Resources suffer. They suffer both in their ordinary, non-political work and in implementing President Trumps conservative agenda. Lat explains: As former DOJ Inspector General Michael Bromwich told Carrie Johnson of NPR, Vacancies impair the smooth and effective functioning of DOJ. Its not a recipe for good government. As former attorney general William Barr told Matt Zapotosky of the Washington Post, To me, whats happening is reprehensible. This is unprecedented. Anyone who has worked in an administration knows how damaging it is. I spoke with two current Justice Department officials earlier this week, and they echoed these sentiments. Its frustrating and disruptive, one of them said. The acting leaders are doing a good job, but you always want to have your Senate-confirmed leaders in place. The acting heads can steer the ship, but they cant make all the big, long-term decisions. The excuse for not scheduling votes for Dreiband and Clark is the need to confirm judges. However, cloture motions have been filed for a number of non-judges while Dreiband and Clark have had to cool their heels. Theres more operating here than just the commendable desire to confirm judges. In any event, with the Senate working in August, there is no reason why Dreiband and Clark cant be voted on soon. As Lat says: Although extremely important, judicial confirmations are not the only game in town. Senator McConnell and his colleagues should take a short detour into executive nominations and get Clark, Dreiband, and [Jody] Hunt [the nominee to head the Civil Division] confirmed, so Main Justice can have a full leadership team and move forward with its crucial work. It seems almost inconceivable that, by the end of President Trumps second year in office, a Republican-controlled Senate might be unable to provide him with heads for key divisions at the Department of Justice. But unless Mitch McConnell acts soon, thats what were looking at. It would be a disgrace. According to Goldstein Research, rising penetration of mobile devices and internet is driving the growth of Asia-Pacific search engine market. Asia-Pacific Search Engine Market PR-Inside.com: 2018-08-06 09:02:45 Press Information Goldtsein Research 99 Wall Street ,Suite No- 527, New York, NY 10005 Steve Blade Global Sales Head 6465687747 email https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/ # 556 Words 99 Wall Street ,Suite No- 527, New York, NY 10005Global Sales Head6465687747 According to Goldstein Research, rising penetration of mobile devices and internet is driving the growth of Asia-Pacific search engine market. Google is the most widely used search engine in Asia-Pacific and all over the world. Google has the largest market share of nearly 85%, based on the number of times a search engine is used on a platform and their major revenue is generated from advertising. Asia-Pacific search engine market outlook also includes product development, marketing strategy and investment strategies adopted by major market players in order to expand their business across the region. Further, the search engines are facing the challenges of acquisitions of being biased and they change the data as per the interest of the companies.Browse Full Report: https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/report/asia-pacific-search-engine-market Market SegmentationOn the basis of our in-depth analysis, Asia-Pacific search engine market can be segmented as follows:By Platform Desktop Mobile1. IOS2. Android3. WindowsBy Geography Japan Search Engine Market {Market Share (%), Market Size (USD Billion)} China Search Engine Market {Market Share (%), Market Size (USD Billion)} India Search Engine Market {Market Share (%), Market Size (USD Billion)} Australia Search Engine Market {Market Share (%), Market Size (USD Billion)} Singapore Search Engine Market {Market Share (%), Market Size (USD Billion)} South Korea Search Engine Market {Market Share (%), Market Size (USD Billion)} New Zealand Search Engine Market {Market Share (%), Market Size (USD Billion)} Rest of APAC Search Engine Market {Market Share (%), Market Size (USD Billion)}Asia-Pacific Search engine Market Outlook 2024 contains a detailed overview of the Asia-Pacific search engine market. On the basis of our in-depth analysis, the market can be segmented in terms of market segmentation by platform type.Download Exclusive Sample Report: https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/request-sample/asia-pacific-search-engine-market Further, for the comprehensive analysis, Asia-Pacific Search engine Market Report encompasses the industry growth drivers, market challenges, market attractiveness, risk analysis, Porters five force model, BPS (Base Point Scale) analysis and SWOT analysis. This market report also includes competitive outlook of some of the major players profiling of companies such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, Baidu, Shenma, YANDEX RU, etc. The company profiles include business strategy, geographical revenue distribution, major information of the companies which encompasses business outlook, products, services and industries catered, financial analysis of the company and recent developments. The report embodies the Asia-Pacific search engine market present and future trends along with the market estimate that will aid industry consultants, technology providers, existing players searching for regional expansion opportunities, new market players examining opportunities and other investors to align their market-centric policies according to the ongoing and anticipated trends in the future.Key questions answered in this Asia-Pacific search engine market report What is the Asia-Pacific search engine market size by 2025 and what would be the expected growth rate of sales? What is the total revenue per segment and region in 2016-17 and what would be the expected revenue per segment and region over the forecast period? What are the search engine market trends? What are the factors which are driving this market? What are the major barriers to search engine market growth? Who are the key vendors in this market space? What are the market opportunities for the existing and entry-level players? What are the recent developments and business strategy of the key players?Browse Similar Report High Voltage Cables Market: https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/report/global-high-voltage-cables-market-outlook-2024-global-opportunity-and-demand-analysis-market-forecast-2016-2024 PR-Inside.com: 2018-08-06 07:03:01 Schiphol, the Netherlands - 6 August 2018. GrandVision N.V. publishes Half Year and Second Quarter 2018 results. Half Year 2018 highlights Revenue in HY18 grew by 11.8% at constant exchange rates. Comparable growth was 2.8% 2Q18 revenue growth of 12.6% and comparable growth of 3.5% were driven by all three segments and product categories Adj. EBITDA (i.e. EBITDA before non-recurring items) increased by 8.0% at constant exchange rates with a solid improvement from 1.0% in 1Q18 to 14.8% in 2Q18 The adj. EBITDA margin declined by 40 bps to 15.6% in HY18 mainly due to the dilutive effect of acquisitions. In 2Q18, the adj. EBITDA margin improved by 38 bps to 16.4% Adj. EPS was 0.44 in HY18, compared to 0.47 in HY17 as adjusted EBITDA growth was offset by higher non-cash depreciation and amortization in the period Store base remained stable at 7,002 stores in line with our network optimization strategy, as openings of 163 new stores were offset by store closings. The rebranding of all 209 Tesco Opticians stores to Vision Express was completed ahead of schedule in June 2018. The Half Year 2018 Financial Report is available at www.grandvision.com. Dial-in details for the analyst call at 9:00 am CET are available at the end of this press release. 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: GrandVision N.V. via Globenewswire PR-Inside.com: 2018-08-06 18:53:48 Press Information Business Growth Strategies Inc. 3535 Lenox Rd Public Affairs Vice President 4044383959 email http://www.businessgrowthstrategiesinc.company Published by Ari Lautner 4044383959 e-mail http://www.businessgrowthstrategiesinc.company # 406 Words 3535 Lenox RdPublic Affairs Vice President4044383959Ari Lautner4044383959 Press ReleaseFor Immediate ReleaseHomeowners, The Knights Estate files suit against Mortgage Servicing Company, Mr. Cooper for wrongful action forcing foreclosureRoselle, New Jersey August 3, 2018. The beneficiaries of a New Jersey Estate has filed a lawsuit Pro Se with Docket number 3:18-cv-12085-FLW-DEA in US District Court, New Jersey against Mr. Cooper, the renamed mortgage servicing company once called Nationstar Mortgage over their claims of wrongful acts and allegations of fraud which has resulted in attempted foreclosure.Charles O. Knights and siblings, beneficiaries of a home allege fraud and improper activities in the suit against Mr. Cooper, the company renamed to give a new image to Nationstar Mortgage LLC which was ordered in 2013 by The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to pay a $1.75 million civil penalty for violating the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA.)The homeowners allege, among other things, that Nationstar, now Mr. Cooper acted in prejudice to harm them by refusing payment of mortgage and manufacturing reasons to foreclose. They also allege refusal of mortgage modification.Improper foreclosures are happening and have largely gone unchecked.The scope of alleged problems goes beyond negligence or mistakes. Like a number of mortgage servicers, they use MERS, which tracks when banks swap mortgages and bypass the traditional filing of ownership changes in courthouses. The company has often played the role of a creditor or mortgage servicer in foreclosures, something borrower advocates say it can't do under the law, as it never holds the loan.The suit questions other practices by the defendants and claims their actions created a fraudulent chain of title. "The Plaintiff, Mr. Charles O. Knights claims, Mr. Cooper/Nationstar Mortgage has used deceptive tactics to steer them into foreclosure as they have done to other consumers. I'm not going to sit back and watch them do this because there are other people who are going through the same thing," Mr. Knights said.Legal records have revealed a pattern of fraud allegations against the mortgage-servicing company, Nationstar Mortgage which is now operated as Mr. Cooper. The company settled with The New York Department of Financial Services for $17 million settlement to cover numerous violations of that states financial laws.Mr. Charles O. Knights is the Executor and a Beneficiary of Estate Charles Augustus Knights, Sr., other Beneficiaries include Cheryl Knights, Brian Knights, and Raul C. Knights.Contact: Ari Lautner, Public Affairs Representative arilautner@ journalist.com or 404-438-3959 https://twitter.com/USEasternpubli1 According to Goldstein Research, Industry 4.0 is the new trend in the development and advancement of an economy and thus, it is expected to have the significant impact in the escalation of Japan industrial control systems market Japan Industrial Control Systems Market PR-Inside.com: 2018-08-06 07:02:31 Press Information Goldtsein Research 99 Wall Street ,Suite No- 527, New York, NY 10005 Steve Blade Global Sales Head 6465687747 email https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/ # 401 Words 99 Wall Street ,Suite No- 527, New York, NY 10005Global Sales Head6465687747 According to Goldstein Research, Industry 4.0 is the new trend in the development and advancement of an economy and thus, it is expected to have a significant impact in the escalation of Japan industrial control systems market. Japan Industrial Control Systems market outlook also includes technological innovations, execution strategy and investment strategies adopted by major market players and regional government in order to expand their business across the country. Where the manufacturing industry accounted for the largest market share of 25.3% in 2017 of the Japan industrial control systems market. The manufacturing industry has multiple processes that require automation and monitoring of the processes, which is facilitated by ICS.Browse Full Report: https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/report/japan-industrial-control-systems-market Market SegmentationOn the basis of our in-depth analysis, Japan industrial control systems market can be segmented as follows:By Types of Control System Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) Distributed Control Systems (DCS) Supervisory control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)By Applications Industrial Security Process Controlling Others (Supervision, etc.)By End-Users Energy and Mining Sector Transportation and Logistics Sector Manufacturing Industry Electric and Electronic Industry Aviation Industry OthersDownload Exclusive Sample Report: https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/request-sample/japan-industrial-control-systems-market Japan Industrial Control Systems Market Outlook 2025 contains a detailed overview of the Japan Industrial Control Systems market. On the basis of our in-depth analysis, the market can be segmented in terms of market segmentation by type of control systems, by applications and by end users.Japan Industrial Control Systems Market Report includes an in-depth analysis of the industry which includes industry growth, market challenges, export-import analysis, risk analysis, market attractiveness, product specification, BPS (Base Point Scale) analysis, Porters five force. This market report also includes competitive outlook of some of the major players profiling of companies such as ABB, Honeywell, Siemens, General Electric, Cisco, Symantec, Fortinet, Kaspersky, IBM, Booz Allen Hamilton etc. The company profiles include business strategy, geographical revenue distribution, major information of the companies which encompasses business outlook, products, services and industries catered, financial analysis of the company and recent developments. Overall, the report represents the Japan Industrial Control Systems market trends along with the market forecast that will help industry consultants, technology providers, existing players searching for expansion opportunities, new players searching possibilities and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies according to the ongoing and expected trends in the future.Browse Similar Report On US Industrial Control Systems Market: https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/report/united-states-industrial-control-systems-market According to Goldstein Research, the Japanese government has aspiring goals in terms of a number of electric vehicles deployment. Japan Plug-in Hybrid Cars Market PR-Inside.com: 2018-08-06 07:32:41 Press Information Goldtsein Research 99 Wall Street ,Suite No- 527, New York, NY 10005 Steve Blade Global Sales Head 6465687747 email https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/ # 409 Words 99 Wall Street ,Suite No- 527, New York, NY 10005Global Sales Head6465687747 According to Goldstein Research, the Japanese government has aspiring goals in terms of a number of electric vehicles deployment. Additional to direct subsidies to increase electric vehicles sales of and to improve charging infrastructure, the government is also supporting and strengthening the R&D activities to develop cost-effective batteries which are strengthening the growth of plug-in hybrid cars in Japan. Japan Plug-in Hybrid Cars market outlook also includes technological innovations, execution strategy and investment strategies adopted by major market players and regional government in order to expand their business across the country. Other major factors that enlighten this market progress comprise the introduction of the new Nissan Leaf in 2016, as well as the deleterious influence of allegations of falsifying fuel economy standards of Mitsubishi models.Browse Full Report: https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/report/japan-plug-in-hybrid-cars-market Market SegmentationOn the basis of our in-depth analysis, Japan plug-in hybrid cars market can be segmented as follows:By Major Components Internal Combustion Engine Electric Motor BatteriesBy Plug-in Hybrid Cars Type Series PHEVs Parallel or Blended PHEVsDownload Exclusive Sample Report: https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/request-sample/japan-plug-in-hybrid-cars-market Japan Plug-in Hybrid Cars Market Outlook 2025 contains a detailed overview of the Japan Plug-in Hybrid Cars market. On the basis of our in-depth analysis, the market can be segmented in terms of market segmentation by components and by cars type.The Key Players discussed in this market research report are BYD Auto Co. Ltd., Volkswagen AG, Daimler AG, General Motors Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation with there major profiling which includes business strategies, geographical revenue, export-import data, business outlook, products, services and industries catered, financial analysis of the company and recent developments, market scope, share.Further, Japan Plug-IN Hybrid Cars Market Report provides you a comprehensive analysis of the industry which includes product specification, sales data, fact & figures, export-import data by volume & value, risk analysis, market attractiveness, BPS (Base Point Scale) analysis, Porters five force model and SWOT analysis, detailed segmentation on the basis of car & component types. Overall the market research report represents the Japan Plug-in Hybrid Cars market outlook which includes all the facts & figures on the basis of primary & secondary research that will help industry consultants, technology providers, existing players searching for expansion opportunities, new players searching possibilities other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies according to the ongoing and expected trends in the future.Browse Similar Report On United State Plug-In Hybrid Market: https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/report/united-states-plug-in-hybrid-cars-market The market research report published by Goldstein Research on Japan Rice Industry, shows that food security concerns all over the world is driving the growth of Japan rice industry, which by reforming the rice cultivation practices from 2018 is expected to increase the supply and consumption of rice Japan Rice Industry PR-Inside.com: 2018-08-06 07:47:25 Press Information Goldtsein Research 99 Wall Street ,Suite No- 527, New York, NY 10005 Steve Blade Global Sales Head 6465687747 email https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/ # 429 Words 99 Wall Street ,Suite No- 527, New York, NY 10005Global Sales Head6465687747 The market research report published by Goldstein Research on Japan Rice Industry shows that food security concerns all over the world are driving the growth of Japan rice industry, which by reforming the rice cultivation practices from 2018 is expected to increase the supply and consumption of rice. Further, there is a trend of producing genetically modified (GM) rice to ascertain the quality of rice and food security. Japan rice industry outlook also includes technological innovations, execution strategy and investment strategies adopted by major market players and regional government in order to expand their business across the globe. As per the research, japonica rice accounted for the largest market share in 2017 with 87.2% of total rice production. Over the forecast period, japonica rice is expected to continue their dominance in the rice production.Browse Full Report: https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/report/japan-rice-industry-outlook Market SegmentationJapan rice industry can be segmented as follows:By Rice Variety Japonica Indica Glutinous AromaticBy Rice Type Milled Rice Brown Rice Black Rice Parboiled Rice Others (Rough rice, etc.)By Grain Size Type Long Grain Rice Medium Grain Rice Short Grain RiceBy Application Food Consumption Beer Processing Pet FoodBy Distribution Channel Online OfflineDownload Exclusive Sample Report: https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/request-sample/japan-rice-industry-outlook Japan Rice Industry Outlook 2025 contains a detailed overview of the Japan rice industry. On the basis of our in-depth analysis, the market can be segmented in terms of market segmentation by rice type, by rice variety, by grain size type, by application and by distribution channel.Further, for the in-depth analysis, Japan Rice Industry Report encompasses the industry growth drivers, market challenges, risk analysis, market attractiveness, BPS (Base Point Scale) analysis, Porters five force model and SWOT analysis. This market report also includes competitive outlook of some of the major players profiling of companies such as KURAGI CO., LTD, Axes Co., Ltd., Sanyo Amnak Co., Ltd., Grand Jete Japan. The company profiles include business strategy, geographical revenue distribution, major information of the companies which encompasses business outlook, products, services and industries catered, financial analysis of the company and recent developments. Overall, the industry report on Japan Rice Industry represents industry trends, demand analysis and all remarkable fact & figure with the help of graph & tables. The Ultimate goal to publish this research report is to help industry consultants, technology providers, existing players searching for expansion opportunities, new players searching possibilities and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies according to the ongoing and expected trends in the future.Browse Similar Report On India Rice Industry: https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/report/india-rice-industry-outlook Laboratory Equipment Market PR-Inside.com: 2018-08-06 09:34:06 Press Information Coherent Market Insights 1001 4th Ave, #3200 Seattle, WA 98154 Mr. Shah CEO 2067016702 email https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/ # 464 Words 1001 4th Ave, #3200Seattle, WA 98154CEO2067016702 Laboratory equipment includes important aspects in healthcare, medical and pharmaceutical research study. These equipment are getting smaller and smaller as new technologies are eliminating these equipment like series of pumps and valves which are required to store samples. New technologies includes recent advancements in fluidic components which are capable of integrating multiple laboratory functions into a single chip requiring smaller amounts of samples.Government and private research firms are taking initiatives in the research and development activities in context to diagnose and treat several disease worldwide through innovative technologies like specialty instruments. For instance, in 2016, Cancer Research UK spend US$ 583 million on cancer research to develop new treatment and to optimize existing cancer treatment. The amount spent was US$ 51 million on clinical trials study, US$ 50 million on research into new drugs and US$ 23 million on research to identify possible causes of cancer.Click To Continue Reading on Laboratory Equipment MarketIncreasing chronic diseases such as chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, and increasing incidence of lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, obesity, atherosclerosis and hereditary disease such as haemophilia, Downs syndrome, cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia are leading to the increasing demand of laboratory equipment to bring innovative technologies in the market. According to World Health Organization (WHO), noncommunicable disease leads to cause 40 million deaths each year, which is equivalent to 70% of all deaths worldwide. Cardiovascular diseases account for most of NCD mortality (17.7 million) annually, followed by cancer (8.8 million), respiratory disease (3.9 million) and diabetes (1.6 million).For instance, in March 2017, Echoa San Diego-based companyunveiled the Revolve hybrid microscope, a digital, all-in-one microscope. The innovative microscope integrates the features of upright microscope and an inverted microscope. It is used primarily in clinical laboratories and by cancer and stem cell scientists to capture high resolution images and it also provides cloud storage to allow the remotely maintain, manage and backed up images taken by the microscope. The company received the US$ 7.5 million funding from two capital ventures, moreover the funding helps to increase the production of Revolve hybrid microscope.In October 2017, Beckman Coulter, Inc. introduced next generation, refrigerated, high-speed benchtop centrifuge-Avanti J-15 Series. It allows to improve operational efficiency and saves time by shortening workflows. These technology and product advancements helps to boost the laboratory equipment market in future.Request Sample Copy of this Business Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/1165 Key Vendors:Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Merck KGaA, Beckman Coulter, Inc., Danaher Corporation, Shimadzu Corporation, PerkinElmer, Inc. and Agilent Technologies.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.Visit our news Website: https://www.coherenttimes.org/ Malaysia Smart Card Market PR-Inside.com: 2018-08-06 11:34:46 Press Information Goldtsein Research 99 Wall Street ,Suite No- 527, New York, NY 10005 Steve Blade Global Sales Head 6465687747 email https://www.goldsteinresearch.com # 504 Words 99 Wall Street ,Suite No- 527, New York, NY 10005Global Sales Head6465687747 According to Goldstein Research, expansion of manufacturing industries, infrastructure industries and hospitality which has significantly transformed the economy of Malaysia are major application areas of smart cards. Further, major companies such as Sonys Felica technology have been established in Malaysia for the manufacturing of smart cards. Malaysia smart card industry report also analysis technological innovations and investment strategies adopted by major market players and regional government in order to expand their business across the globe. Based on card type category, Contact card accounted for the largest market share of 41.7% in 2017. Over the forecast period, the contactless card is expected to surpass the contact card market share on the back of growing IoT environment in Malaysia.Browse Full Report: https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/report/malaysia-smart-card-market Market SegmentationOn the basis of our in-depth analysis, Malaysia smart card market can be segmented as follows:By Card Type Contact Card Contactless Card Multi-Component CardBy Component Memory-Based Microcontroller Based Magnetic StripesBy Application Payment Transactions ID Verification Access ControlBy End-User Banking Industry Hospitality Industry Healthcare Industry Manufacturing Industry Transportation Sector Laboratories OthersDownload Exclusive Sample Report: https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/request-sample/malaysia-smart-card-market Malaysia Smart Card Market Analysis contains detailed overview of the Malaysia smart card market. On the basis of our in-depth analysis, market can be segmented in terms of market segmentation by card type, by component, by application and by end users.The Key players analysed in this market report are Sony, Infineon Technologies, NXP Semiconductors, Samsung Semiconductor, STMicroelectronics etc.Our Malaysia Smart Card Market report comprises of major players which include business strategies, financial analysis, services, company portfolio and an overview of their investments and R&D activities. This research report segments the Malaysia smart card industry and provides the closest market size estimation for subsegments across different regions on the basis of geography. Further, the outlook shows the trends along with the market forecast that will help industry consultants. The report comprises data & insights of potential markets across the globe in order to help the clients to target major and growing markets. The report is based on primary and secondary research which includes data collection through surveys, interviews of market professionals, industry consultants and various databases.Key questions answered in this Asia-Pacific search engine market report What is the Malaysia Smart Card Market size by 2025 and what would be the expected growth rate of sales? What is the total revenue per segment and region in 2016-17 and what would be the expected revenue per segment and region over the forecast period? What are the Malaysia Smart Card Market trends? What are the factors which are driving Malaysia Smart Card Market ? What are the major barriers to Malaysia Smart Card Market growth? Who are the key vendors in Malaysia Smart Card Market space? What are the Malaysia Smart Card Market potential for the existing and entry-level players? What are the recent developments and business strategy of the key players?Browse Similar Report On India Smart Card Market: https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/report/india-smart-card-market PR-Inside.com: 2018-08-06 18:53:04 Press Information C. Milan Communications 1806 Belles Street San Francisco, CA 94129 Charlotte Milan President 415.650.3000 email http://www.cmilancomm.com # 661 Words 1806 Belles StreetSan Francisco, CA 94129President415.650.3000 (Napa, Calif.) August 6, 2018John and Stacy Reinert, founders of Napa Valleys Brilliant Mistake Wines, today announced that they have entered into a partnership with Steve Greenbaum and Doc Cohen, both longtime wine collectors and avid wine fans. The Reinerts founded Brilliant Mistake in 2013 with their debut 50-case Cabernet Sauvignon release and have since been slowly growing their small-lot Napa wine brand. They added a Sauvignon Blanc with the 2016 vintage, and they will also harvest fruit in 2018 for their first vintage of Brilliant Mistakes reserve wine, The Poet &and The Muse.Both Greenbaum and Cohen will bring their business and marketing experience to Brilliant Mistake. Greenbaum founded PostNet in 1992 and is currently the CEO of ComForCare Health Care Holding, and Cohen is founder of Cookie Associates, a leading franchisee of Great American Cookies, Pretzelmaker and Coffee Beanery. Greenbaum and Cohens investment will allow the Reinerts to source grapes from additional top sites and work to grow the brand to their eventual goal of 1,000 cases. The Reinerts remain the face of the brand and maintain their majority ownership.The Wines and WinemakingBrilliant Mistakes winemaking is led by Maayan Koschitzky, who is the Director of Winemaking at Atelier Melka, Philippe Melkas eponymous consulting business. In additional to crafting wine for some of Napas top Cabernet producers alongside Melka, Koschitzky has also worked with icons Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle. He has been with the team since their second vintage and aims to produce wines that are powerful and lush, while also reflecting the vintage and vineyard site. Koschitzkys relationships with top growers allow him to source fruit from noted vineyards in Rutherford and St. Helena.Brilliant Mistake produces two wines, the 2017 Sauvignon Blanc ($45/bottle, 100 cases) and 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon ($150/bottle, 175 cases). The Reinerts will harvest fruit in 2018 for their debut vintage of The Poet &and The Muse, which will become their flagship wine (pricing and case production TBD).The name Brilliant Mistake resonated with the Reinerts who believe that some of the best things in life are those unexpected brilliant mistakes. Brilliant Mistake WinesA Modern American Dream RealizedThe story of a dream to own a winery is not a new one. However, its most often the story of a wealthy few who have made a small fortune in another industry and want to get into the wine business, or second or third generation vintners who want to put their own mark on their familys winemaking name.Neither of those scenarios is true for John and Stacy Reinert. After meeting in 2009, the Reinerts built their budding relationship through weekends away in Napa, falling in love with both each other, wine, food and Napa. In 2013, they decided to take the plunge and made just two barrels of wine in 2013. Since the brands inception, the couple have been involved in every aspect of the business, including grape source selection, blending decisions, label design and sales. The difference is both Reinerts have kept their day jobs in the Bay Area, he managing a water utility in the Bay Area and she as a hairstylist, and split their time between their homes in the East Bay and Yountville.ABOUT BRILLIANT MISTAKE WINESFounded in 2013 by John and Stacy Reinert, Brilliant Mistake Wines currently produces two wines from the Napa Valley, a Sauvignon Blanc ($45/bottle, 100 cases) and a Cabernet Sauvignon ($150/bottle, 175 cases). A reserve wine will join the small portfolio with the 2018 vintage and will be named The Poet &and The Muse. Winemaker Maayan Koschitzky has been with the team since the second vintage and aims to produce wines that are powerful and lush, while also reflecting the vintage and vineyard site. The wines are distributed in California, Oregon, Nevada, Texas, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, Virginia and Wyoming and sold in restaurants, fine wine stores and through the mailing list. Please visit www.brilliantmistakewines.com for more information.# # #FOR MORE INFORMATION,PLEASE CONTACT C. MILAN COMMUNICATIONS AT 415.412.9303. Fact.MR PR-Inside.com: 2018-08-06 18:07:54 Press Information Fact.MR Suite 9884 27 Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin 2, Ireland Abhishek Budholiya Marketing Manager +353-1-6111-593 email https://www.factmr.com/ # 744 Words Suite 988427 Upper Pembroke Street,Dublin 2, IrelandMarketing Manager+353-1-6111-593 Television scenario has been radically changing with customers shifting from traditional cable network or set top boxes toward standalone content providing devices such as smart TV sticks. The steady upward growth apropos to the demand for OTT (Over The Top) media services has significantly driven the adoption of smart TV sticks. Fact.MR envisages that the demand for smart TV sticks is projected to expand at a steady CAGR of 7.1% in terms of value throughout the period of assessment, 2018-2028.Sales of smart TV sticks are likely to remain concentrated in the developed regions of United States, given the high purchasing power parity of individuals in the country. However, emerging economies of Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) region, such as China and India have showcased high inclination toward adoption of smart TV sticks. The report forecasts that by end of 2028, the demand for smart TV sticks in China is projected to grow at a meteoric pace with its sales volume crossing 6 million units.Request For Sample Report- https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=1367 Albeit high inclination toward online streaming and OTT adoption in emerging economies, fluctuating bandwidth becomes a crucial aspect. With strong internet network as a preliminary requirement for smart TV sticks, low or fluctuating bandwidths are likely to pose problems during streaming owing to low download speeds with excessive spikes and lags.The smart TV sticks market growth is also impacted from the trade tensions between China and the United States, as the latter continues to impose high duty tariffs on imported electronic products. Such stringent government regulations between the two economically stable giants are likely to cause gap in supply and demand, consequently challenging the growth of smart TV sticks market.Manufacturers of smart TV sticks are largely focusing on promoting and selling their products using third party online channels. With growing popularity of e-commerce, the trend of online selling has reached its peak as customers opt for online purchasing given its convenience and cost effectiveness aspects. That said, sales of smart TV sticks through third party online channels are expected to rove at a bullish pace during the period of forecast and are likely to cross US$ 1200 Mn by end of 2028. According to the report, this channel is likely to offer significant sales potential in the coming years, that manufacturers can leverage to tap customers even in remote places.To know more about Smart TV Sticks Market Trends, Check the link- https://www.factmr.com/report/1367/smart-tv-sticks-market The report foresees that the sales of smart TV sticks that do not possess 4K video support are high as compared to their 4K counterparts. The non 4K smart TV sticks sales are likely to cross US$ 950 Mn in 2019, leading the smart TV sticks market and are expected to maintain status quo throughout the period of assessment. However, in the coming years, the demand for 4K video support smart TV sticks is projected to expand at a significant pace, albeit at a lower base as compared to non 4K smart TV sticks.Renascent competition between major players has been witnessed in the smart TV sticks space. With growing technological advancements, novelty in smart TV sticks has led to development of competitive products. Big giants such as Roku, Amazon and Google are involved in new product developments with a view to shun competition and gain hold. The fierce competition in the smart TV sticks landscape has resulted in these players touting smart TV sticks at reasonable rates, yet packed with advanced features that an individual seeks. However, not stopping in product development, players are further inducing new makeovers. For instance Rokus options such as Roku Expree and Express Streaming Stick have been re-fabricated with new makeovers that has boosted power along with neat booting features.Overall, the market for smart TV sticks has portrayed a positive outlook and is expected to grow at an optimistic speed in the coming years, offering new growth opportunities for players. Contact Fact.MR to know more captivating insights on the smart TV sticks topic.To Buy this Report, Check here - https://www.factmr.com/checkout/1367/S About Fact.MR Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports. Abubakar Bwari, the Minister of State, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, says more than two million people in Nigeria depend on illegal mining for their livelihood. Mr Bwari made this known at a two-day First National Stakeholders Discourse on Opportunities and Challenges of Artisanal Mining in Nigeria on Monday in Abuja. According to him, most of the miners are poor and unemployed living in rural areas and employing crude methods and household implements to exploit these minerals which they sell to feed their families. He said they were mostly found mining precious minerals like gold, silver, lead/zinc, sapphire, emerald, tourmaline, aquamarine, gypsum, barytes, silica sand, granite, sandstones, clay, and salt among others. We cannot afford to criminalise their activities and we cannot also fold our arms and watch as they damage the lives of our people and the environment, he said. He said some of the environmental problems which include lead poisoning, mercury pollution, deforestation, poor sanitation, and heavy metals pollution among others were caused by Artisanal and Small Scale Mining in Nigeria (ASM). Mr Bwari said that the use of inappropriate mining methods and unwholesome mineral ore processing techniques impact dangerously on public health as they exposed people to heavy metal pollution and outbreak of infectious diseases. He, however, said the forum was to address the myriad of challenges posed by illegal mining. According to him, the ministry has made strenuous efforts to regulate ASM activities over the years. The minister of state said that in the last three years, the ministrys regulatory mechanisms had led to some measure of success. We are more than ever before determined to ensure better policing of artisanal miners through the newly constituted Mines Police. We have also increased the monitoring capacity of our Mine Inspectorate with the recent purchase of new vehicles. The formalisation policy of the ministry has also led to the registration of more artisanal miners into mining cooperatives. Mr Bwari said the ministry had trained more than 250 members of these cooperatives across the country. He urged the participants to provide lasting solutions to the thorny issue of integrating artisanal miners into formal mining in Nigeria. As the theme of this conference clearly shows, there are great opportunities in the artisanal and small scale mining subsector which can lead to growth in the economy, while also enriching the lives of the miners themselves, he said. The minister of state also donated a Toyota Hilux to the Executive of the Miners Association of Nigeria to aid the activities of the association. Also speaking, Abdulkadir Muazu, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, said the stakeholders gathering was to brainstorm on the issues associated with artisanal mining in Nigeria. Mr Muazu said ASM had implications that were cross sectoral in their nature such as poor regulation which had affected host mining communities, national economic development and security. He said that artisanal mining activities had also been linked to smuggling, social disruption, child labour, influx of illegal migrants, and outbreak of diseases due to poor sanitary environment under which mining camps thrive. On the contrary though, artisanal mining has been known to provide jobs and livelihoods to great number of people around the world. Globally, it is estimated that more than 40 million people are engaged in the sector producing more than a filth of the worlds gold, tin and tantalum supplies. ASM also accounts for more than 80 per cent of global supply of gemstones, especially sapphire, emerald, tourmaline, rubelites, aquamarine, and topaz. More than 90 per cent of Nigerias mineral production comes from the artisanal miners and these miners use inappropriate methods and very rudimentary tools to exploit mineral deposits, he said. Jean Bakole, the Regional Director Band Country Representative for Nigeria and ECOWAS, UNIDO, quoting the World Bank report said that 80 countries were involved in ASM practices and there were 100 million Artisanal miners globally. Mr Bakole, represented by Yemi Banjo, Environmental expert with UNIDO, called for more support from mining stakeholders to holistically address ASM activities in Nigeria. Shehu Sani, the President, Miners Association of Nigeria said the association would continue to support the ministry to reduce illegal mining in Nigeria. (NAN) Born in Oyo town on January 3, 1986, Abiodun Essiet is a nurse, gender activist and community development worker. Although her parents hail from Remo North Local Government of Ogun State, Mrs Essiet grew up in Ibadan where she completed her secondary school education at United Missionary Comprehensive Girls college, Molete in 2002. She later moved to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso in Osun State where she bagged a degree in Nursing Science and became a registered nurse, midwife and a public health nurse in 2009. During her community posting at a primary health centre in Osogbo, Osun State, Mrs Essiet said she observed a high prevalence of teenage pregnancy in some of the rural communities of the state and decided to help in addressing the issue. Convinced an effective approach is to educate young girls on dangers of teenage pregnancy, the young Abiodun approached the then governor of the state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, to introduce sex education in the curriculum of secondary schools. She played a major role in developing the subject. Two years after graduation, she married her heartthrob, Victor Essiet, and the union is blessed with a boy and a girl. Mrs Essiet later bagged a Masters degree in Public Health at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan in 2016. That same year, she travelled to Canada for a certificate course in community leadership development by women at Coady International Institute. The following year, she received a scholarship from the same school for a diploma in leadership development and other certificate courses related to development studies. Having acquired much knowledge, skills and field experience in community development, Mrs Essiet said she decided to run for political office due to the gap she saw between government and people in rural communities in Nigeria. While doing my community development activities, I had a change in passion from health related programmes to leadership and governance which provided the foundation for my political ambition, she said told PREMIUM TIMES in an interview. dav dav With political power, she felt she would be able to better express her passion. On Saturday, she declared her interest to run for Councillorship in Orozo Ward of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the 2019 general election. If she wins, Mrs Essiet will be the first woman to be elected a councillor in the ward. She is running on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). I saw a very huge gap between the people in power and the people governed at the local level. The citizens dont even know the roles of their local leaders and the government is not doing much to address the challenges some rural communities face, Mrs Essiet told PREMIUM TIMES. Abuja is the FCT (Federal Capital Territory) but a lot of communities even as close as an hour drive from Aso Rock are living under difficult conditions. They lack basic amenities. Women access primary health centres (PHCs) and other community services more but they are grossly misrepresented in government at the local level. More than 70 percent of leaders at local governments are men, they dont understand what women go through. I want to start as a councillor because people dont understand what the government at the local level should be doing. It is the duty of the councillor to bridge this gap, find out what people need and follow it up with the government. dav If she becomes a councillor, the midwife said she would help the people hold government accountable. I am part of a project called Open Governance. This project is mandated to make the 774 local governments in Nigeria make their budgets open so that people can know and ask them questions on what they are doing with their allocations. The projects they want to execute would be made open through this, she said. On challenges women face in politics, Mrs Essiet said women often do not scale through party primaries because they have low membership in the political parties. She urged more women to get involved in politics, join political parties and vote for fellow women. Some of Mrs Essiets community development activities Executive Director, Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls an organisation committed to promoting girl-child education. Appointed as the Head of State for Nigeria in Model ECOWAS Summit 2018. Director of women, gender and development affairs of Africa Youth Union Commission Nigeria. Elected as the speaker of canvassity PAN AFRICAN YOUTH DEMOCRACY FELLOWSHIP 2018. Mrs Essiet is part of a team campaigning for reservation of 35 percent of seats for women in government in the 2019 general election. This Project is powered by Centre for Development and Democracy (CDD) with support from Ford Foundation. The initiative explores personal life, contribution to humanity, strength and political ambition of female politicians in Nigeria ahead of the 2019 general elections. Thousands of people have been evacuated from the Indonesian island of Lombok after a powerful 6.9 magnitude quake on Sunday left more than 90 people dead. BBC reports that boats have been sent to evacuate more than 1,000 tourists from the nearby Gili Islands. The main concern was to provide shelter for residents who were afraid to return to their homes, Executive Director of Plan International Indonesia, Dini Widiastuti, told BBC According to BBC, the aid agencies said the impact was far bigger than another quake that hit Lombok last week, killing 16 people. The earthquake has brought down roads and bridges, making it difficult to reach them. Electricity supply in the worst-affected areas has been cut off and telecommunication networks are not working. Three C-130 Hercules aircraft and two helicopters were deployed to deliver tents and medical aid. The spokesperson for the Indonesian Disaster Management Agency, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said that the northern area of Lombok had suffered massive damage. The death toll stands at 91, all Indonesians, but Mr Sutopo said number would definitely increase. At least another 200 people have been injured. The earthquake magnitude was 6.9, according to the US Geological Survey. It was struck at 19:46 local time (11:46 GMT) on Sunday at a rather shallow depth of 31km (19 miles). According to a BBC report, there have been more than 130 aftershocks since the quake hit. Helen Milne, a witness and victim told the BBC that her daughter, Laura, from Oxfordshire in the UK, is on the island of Gili Trawangan. She said: They are stuck on the island and are reporting rioting, fighting, and people cant get on boats. Theres no water, no food, the shops have been ransacked. Its a rapidly deteriorating situation out there for them. Indonesia is prone to earthquakes because it lies on the Ring of Fire, the line of frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions that circles practically the entire Pacific Rim. A 17-year-old teenager was shot dead in Chicago, the U.S. while riding his bike on Monday in a local neighbourhood, media reported. The incident occurred in the Gresham neighbourhood in the Chicagos southern region. The teen had engaged in an argument with men on bikes when he was critically injured. He died at the University of Chicago Medical Centre, police were quoted as saying. Local media reports said the victim was among more than 10 people shot in Chicago, three of them were fatally injured. In a drive-by shooting, three people standing before a residence in another neighbourhood in southern Chicago were injured and one of them, a 27-year-old man, died after being hospitalised. In another case in the citys south, a 50-year-old man was killed by a shot in the head and a 55-year-old woman was injured when a gunman, in a ski mask, fired at them. The victims also included a 62-year-old, who was injured in an attempted robbery, when he was parking his vehicle in a neighbourhood in the northwest of the city, it is reported. (Xinhua/NAN) Unrest in Dire Dawa City, located 452 Kilometre East of the Ethiopian Capital Addis Ababa, over the weekend has left 10 people dead, an Ethiopian official said on Monday. Speaking exclusively to Xinhua, Bantealem Girma, Chief of Public Relations, Dire Dawa City Police Commission, confirmed that the unrest left 10 people dead, while an unidentified number of people were injured and extensive property damage was caused. Most of the deaths occurred when rioters torched private homes with the victims either dying from inhaling smoke fire or burned to death in their homes. he said. He said the unrest has subsided on Monday despite high tensions, with the citys police, federal police and members of the Ethiopian army deployed in the city to prevent a recurrence of the violence, while arrests are being made of people suspected of participating in the violence. Speaking to Xinhua, a witness in Dire Dawa city, said the unrest involved members from Oromo and Somali ethnic groups, apparently sparked by the Ethiopian armys intervention in Jijiga city, capital of Somali regional state located in eastern Ethiopia. The Ethiopian army has reportedly seized regional parliament and TV station offices. The Ethiopian government has so far kept mum on the intervention in the Somali regional state where internet and power lines are cut. The army intervention comes amid reports of tension between the Ethiopian federal government and Ethiopia Somali regional state president Abdi Omar Mohammed over share of oil resources found in the region. Mr Mohammed has also been accused of grave human rights abuses and opponents of his administration living abroad and in Addis Ababa have been lobbying the federal government to help them oust him. (Xinhua/NAN) The death toll from an earthquake on Indonesias Lombok Island has risen to 142, Rosiady Sayuti, Secretary to the West Nusa Tenggara provincial administration said on Monday. Sayut told the broadcaster Metro TV that 142 people died as a result of Sundays 6.9-magnitude earthquake, many houses are completely flattened. Sutopo Nugroho, spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency, declined to confirm the report because he had put the official death toll at 91, but said it was sure to increase. He said that thousands of homes and other buildings were damaged in Sundays quake, forcing residents to seek refuge elsewhere. The districts of North Lombok, East Lombok and Mataram were the hardest hit, Nugroho said, adding that most of the victims died after being hit by debris from collapsing buildings. The search for more victims was hampered by power and communication blackouts, he said. The earthquake flattened a two-story mosque where locals had been praying, but rescuers were not able to retrieve the victims, Nugroho added. Most likely there are casualties but the victims had not been retrieved because there is no heavy equipment, he said. The quake on Sunday struck exactly a week after a slightly weaker one caused 20 deaths on the resort island of Lombok. The latest one hit at 7:46 pm (1146 GMT), with an epicentre 18 kilometres north-east of North Lombok and at a depth of 15 kilometres, according to the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics. The quake triggered a tsunami warning that was later lifted. Television footage showed patients attached to intravenous drips being treated in the grounds of hospitals. There are about five to 15 fatalities from each village so we expect the casualties to go up, North Lombok district chief Najmul Akhyar told Metro TV. Meanwhile, rescuers evacuated about 1,000 domestic and foreign tourists from the Gili resort islets off Lombok, Nugroho said. There were no casualties among tourists there, despite reports of damage, he said. The earthquake was also felt on the neighbouring island of Bali and in the eastern part of East Java province. There was superficial damage in parts of Balis Ngurah Rai international airport building but operations were not affected, an airport official said. On July 29, a 6.4-magnitude quake caused landslides that blocked hiking routes and left hundreds of local and foreign hikers stranded on a volcano. Indonesia is currently hosting two ministerial-level conferences on regional security and counter-terrorism in Bali and Lombok. Chief security minister Wiranto, who is in Lombok with his regional counterparts from Australia, New Zealand and Myanmar, said that a meeting on counter-terrorism, which was set to be held on Monday, had been cancelled. Wiranto had been hosting a welcoming dinner for the delegations at a hotel in Mataram when the quake struck. President Joko Widodo said he had ordered Wiranto to coordinate emergency efforts so that assistance can reach the victims as quickly as possible. Indonesia sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. (dpa/NAN) Some 3,600 people are still living in evacuation shelters, one month after a severe rain disaster caused hundreds of deaths in Western Japan, Authorities said on Monday. According to the National Police Agency, the record rainfall that started on July 6 in western Japan and the subsequent flooding and landslides have left a total of 225 people dead. Meanwhile, 11 people are still missing in the hardest-hit prefectures of Hiroshima, Okayama, Ehime and Osaka, according to a Kyodo News tally. Local police, fire fighters and members of the Self-Defence Forces are continuing the search and rescue operations for the missing people. The deadly rain disaster has caused severe damages to local economy and peoples life, as some 5,200 houses were destroyed and 8,700 others half-destroyed or damaged. As of Sunday, more than 1,400 households in Ehime prefecture are still without water supply, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Reconstruction work was in progress slowly amid the scorching heat across Japan, while many evacuees in disaster-hit areas were living in anxiety and despair. According to a survey by Kyodo News between July 28 and July 31 in the disaster-hit areas in prefectures of Okayama, Hiroshima and Ehime, two-thirds of the respondents are facing serious financial difficulties. The media organisation added that 42.7 per cent of people said they knew little about public aid available to them. A total of 65.8 per cent of the surveyed residents said they had little hope of resuming normal life in the foreseeable future. Over 50 per cent of residents said they did not know if they could repair their homes. The rain disaster has also caused 2.15 billion U.S. dollars in damage to the agricultural and fishery sectors, according to a recent estimation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Japan top government spokesperson Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news briefing on Monday that the central government and local municipalities would work together to help the disaster-hit areas to return to normal. The government decided to spend 948 million U.S. dollars from reserve funds to finance a package of measures, to help reconstruction in the rain-hit areas. The package includes programme designed to speed up work by municipalities to remove disaster debris and sediment in the areas. We will implement the necessary measures with a sense of speed, Suga said. (Xinhua/NAN) Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Monday said that Nigeria needs N4 billion to tackle infectious diseases. Mr Ihekweazu said this at the launch of Alliance for Epidemic Preparedness and Response (A4EPR) in Lagos. The launch of A4EPR is aimed at getting major stakeholders in the health sector to combat infectious diseases. The alliance is an initiative of the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PHN) and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The PHN is in alliance with NCDC and a coalition of private sector which has in its fold: Dangote Group Plc., MTN Nigeria, Total Nigeria, Shell Foundation and Tony Elumelu Foundation. The mission of the group is to seek a way forward in bringing intervention to the risk of infectious diseases, draw attention to the need of innovative partnerships in health emergency. The group also seeks to introduce to the private sector and key stakeholders to the alliance of A4EPR and secure forward commitment and pledge of private sector toward health security. The NCDC boss, who stressed the need for urgent moves to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, said Nigeria actually needs about N4 billion to combat infectious diseases. This does not mean that all the monies must come from government; the private sector has a role to play. There is the need for financial assistance in critical segments of combating infectious diseases such as infrastructure and equipment which needs about N1.8 billion. The infrastructure and equipment are responsible for the machines and test variables while we also need response and logistics of about N700 million. In Emergency Stockpile, we need N600 million, for Technology and Innovation segment, we need N600 million, Capacity Development needs N200 million, while Advocacy and Community engagement will require N100 million. Mr Ihekweazu said that the agency was mandated with the task of enhancing the countrys preparedness and response to epidemics. He added that we are responsible for the prevention, detection and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases. The core mandate of the NCDC is to detect, investigate, prevent and control diseases of national and international public health importance. We played leading role in the response to the outbreak of Lassa fever, Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) Cholera, Yellow Fever and Monkey Pox. For now, we need to be deliberate in our actions because we are not sure of the next outbreak, so we need to have all the facilities intact and also get enough funding. (NAN) The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has raised the sum of N57.36 million in four years for the purchase of Mobile Cancer Centres (MCCs) through its Corporate Challenge initiative. Bola Adeeko, NSE Head, Shares Services Division, said in a statement on Monday in Lagos. The NSE Corporate Challenge which started in 2014, is a one-day competitive and fun-filled five kilometres walk, jog and run event, primarily designed to raise awareness on early detection and funds to support the fight against cancer in Nigeria. Mr Adeeko said the exchange had been at the forefront of cancer awareness and advocacy for the provision of screening and treatment facilities. Our commitment is unwavering, as we will continue to use the NSE Corporate Challenge platform to create awareness and raise funds to win the race to erase cancer. This deliberate intervention is imperative because of the statistics of life claimed by cancer and the fact that one third of these cancers are actually treatable. By leveraging our access to a vast network of employees and clients of our listed companies, dealing members and other stakeholders, we believe we can work together in scaling up access to cancer screening services. The aim is to ensure early detection of cancer and provision of treatment and palliative care services to diagnosed patients, he said. According to him, cancer epidemic in Nigeria is huge and is set to rise if urgent actions are not taken to raise awareness about the disease and to develop practical strategies to address the increasing cancer burden. He said data from the Rapid Assessment of the Prevention and Control of Cancer in Nigeria report by the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), showed that cancer was responsible for 72,000 deaths in Nigeria, with an estimated 102,000 new cases annually. Mr Adeeko said that the fifth edition of the annual NSE Corporate Challenge scheduled for Lagos on September 15 at the Muri Okunola Park, Adeyemo Alakija Street, Victoria Island, was open for registration. He said this years event will bring together participants from listed and non-listed companies, dealing member firms, non-commercial organisations such as Federal, State and Local Governments, and Quasi-Governmental among others to support the fight against cancer. (NAN) Saudi Arabia has expelled Canadas ambassador in Riyadh over what officials called blatant interference in the Kingdoms domestic affairs, state media said Sunday. The Canadian ambassador has been declared a persona non grata and has been given 24 hours to leave the country, the Saudi Press Agency statement added. According to a statement released to the official Saudi Press Agency by the Foreign Ministry, authorities gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country and recalled its own ambassador to Canada. The Saudi ministry had been briefed that the Canadian foreign ministry and the Canadian embassy urged the Saudi authorities to immediately release civil rights activists, the ministry said. Canadian foreign ministry officials were not available for an immediate comment on Sunday. Last Wednesday, Human Rights Watch said Saudi Arabia had arrested womens rights activists Samar Badawi and Nassima al-Sadah, the latest two to be swept up in a government crackdown on activists, clerics and journalists. More than a dozen womens rights activists have been targeted since May. On Friday, Canada said it was gravely concerned about the arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in Saudi Arabia, including Badawi, the sister of jailed dissident blogger Raif Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful human rights activists, Global Affairs Canada said on its Twitter feed. Raif Badawis wife Ensaf Haidar lives in Canada and recently became a Canadian citizen. Most of those arrested campaigned for the right to drive and an end to the countrys male guardianship system, which requires women to obtain the consent of a male relative for major decisions. The Saudi statement said it confirmed its commitment to refrain from intervening in the internal matters of other countries, including Canada, and in return rejected any intervention in its domestic affairs and internal relations with its citizens. Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as acknowledgment of our right to interfere in the Canadian domestic affairs, the statement said. In 2014, the Canadian unit of U.S. weapons maker General Dynamics Corp (GD.N) won a contract worth up to 13 billion dollars to build light-armored vehicles for Saudi Arabia, in what Ottawa said at the time was the largest advanced manufacturing export win in Canadian history. (Reuters/NAN) Five suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers on Sunday night sneaked into a neighbourhood of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to carry out attacks that eventually claimed only their own lives, officials and witnesses said. The blasts, however, injured three other residents. Multiple deafening explosions, a first of its kind to be heard by residents in recent times, echoed all over Maiduguri at about 7 p.m. causing panic among residents. PREMIUM TIMES investigations gathered that the multiple blasts came from Kalari, a crowded Maiduguri suburb located behind the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. Witnesses said the suicide bombers were five, comprising two males and three teenage girls, who walked to one of the houses near Kalari market and knocked at the gate, pretending to be visitors. When the owner of the house opened the gate, the teenage girl detonated the bomb she was wearing in her body but it only killed her and injured three other persons, said Biliya Kabiru, a resident of Kaleri. The other suicide bombers, who were probably scared by the pandemonium generated by the first blast had to quickly detonate their suicide vests, but at various spots where no one was affected but only themselves, the source added. The spokesman of the Civilian-JTF, Danbatta Bello, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES via a telephone interview. It was a sad incident, but we thank God none of the innocent residents lost their lives except the suicide bombers themselves, he said. They were five suicide bombers that invaded Kalari; comprising an old man and a boy of about 12 years old and three teenage girls. But the explosions they caused only injured three persons two by the walls that the explosion brought down and a woman.In a makeshift house near the attacked spot. All of the injured are currently receiving treatment at the hospital, he said. Kaleri is one of locations within Maiduguri that used to be a den of Boko Haram members. There is still belief among residents that the area still harbours a large number of Boko Haram members or their passive supporters. It was in the same Kalari that 22 Boko Haram suspects were arrested including eight who confessed to have participated in the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls in 2014. Seven members of the National Youth Service Corps have drowned in a river southeast of Taraba State, with two others feared dead, police have said. The corps members were on a swimming expedition in River Mayo-Selbe, a major tributary of the Benue River, when a water surge from a nearby mountain collapsed on them and swept them into the massive river, Taraba police commissioner David Akinremi told PREMIUM TIMES Monday morning. There were 22 corpers who went on a picnic at a waterfall that has a river bellow, there was a surge of water from the top of the mountain that swept them away, Mr Akinremi said. The incident occurred in Gashaka Local Government Area, where all the corps members affected were posted to serve. Several news reports cited Taraba State NYSC coordinator as confirming the attack on Sunday. Mr Akinremi told PREMIUM TIMES 14 corps members were initially blown away by the heavy gush, but five of them were rescued before it was too late. Seven bodies, comprising two females and five males, were recovered between Saturday and Sunday, Mr Akinremi said. Search and rescue efforts are still underway for the remaining two as at Monday morning, but the police feared they were already dead. It is a very unfortunate situation, Mr Akinremi said, while condoling with the families of the deceased. It was not immediately clear whether any investigation would be conducted, but the police suggested the area might not be safe for picnic for the rest of the raining season. Four weeks after the management of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) promised to investigate a certificate scandal involving the minister of finance, Kemi Adeosun, the Corps has continued to ignore Nigerians. On June 7, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the minister did not participate in the mandatory one year national service despite her eligibility for it, but went on to obtain a fake exemption certificate, despite her clear ineligibility for exemption. On July 9, the NYSC management issued a rather vague press statement distancing itself from the certificate paraded by Mrs Adeosun but at the same time claiming that the minister had applied for the certificate. On the same day, NYSCs director of information, Adenike Adeyemi, told PREMIUM TIMES that the service will update this newspaper and Nigerians once the verification process is concluded. This newspaper is however yet to get any response from the NYSC. Repeated calls and a text message sent to Mrs Adeyemi over the last week were not answered. When the news broke, Nigerians online expressed outrage demanding Mrs Adeosun defend herself or resign from her post. Some also asked President Buhari to sack the minister if she failed to provide explanations. Four weeks since the story was published, both the government and Mrs Adeosun have maintained a studied silence, fuelling outrage among Nigerians. The Punch, one of the national dailies that have weighed in, in an editorial published on July 27 said the silence of Mrs Adeosun and the government is very disrespectful of the right of Nigerians to know. But while the government apparently hopes ignoring the issues raised will push the matter to oblivion, it appears Nigerians are not willing to let it pass, going by the incessant demands for probity on the matter. Adeosun has kept an undignified silence about so grave an allegation and her employers, the Federal Government, has been wooly-mouthed in its comment on the matter, wrote The Guardian (Nigeria) in a July 25 editorial. In the days since the story was first published, at least two former officials of the NYSC A retired director of mobilisation, and a former director general of the Corps publicly dismissed the possibility of Mrs Adeosun obtaining such document from the NYSC. Maharazu Tsiga, who was the NYSC boss as at September 2009, the period Mrs Adeosuns purported certificate was allegedly issued,told PREMIUM TIMES that there was no way such a thing could happen, stressing that service is mandatory for anyone who graduated within the required age. Days after the scandal broke out, PREMIUM TIMES reported that officials of the NYSC were being pressured to find a soft landing for Mrs Adeosun and blame the embarrassing scandal on some scapegoats. In a July 15 editorial, Daily Trust criticised the minister and the federal government for keeping silent on the issue, warning that attempts to shield Mrs Adeosun from sack and prosecution will make the governments touted anti-corruption stance to fly out through the window. According to the newspaper, It is very strange indeed that a top government official will keep mute when such a serious allegation is made against her. It is doubly strange that the Buhari Presidency, which at the drop of the coin touts integrity and anti-corruption as its defining ethic, has kept mute over this matter for so long. In its editorial, The Punch described as sad that Nigeria is once again making herself a laughing stock before other nations. What everybody expects is that, by now, the government should have set the machinery in motion to carry out a thorough investigation into the entire sordid affair. The newspaper, agreed with many other commentators on what the government ought to have done if the minister herself does not consider it fit to step down for her name to be cleared. The Punch editors wrote that it is the responsibility of the government to have asked her to do so. The Guardian, summarised that, with this scandal, decent Nigerians and friends of Nigeria elsewhere, lament the loss of a sense of shame and the increasing dearth of integrity in high places in this land. A recent report by PREMIUM TIMES also revealed how the minister has since abandoned her official social media handles since the scandal broke out. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says President Muhammadu Buharis integrity remains intact, in spite of the allegation of certificate forgery against his Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun. Mr Mohammed said this on Monday when he paid an official visit to the Abuja office of The Authority Newspaper. Responding to a question from the editorial management of the paper on why Mr Buhari was still keeping Mrs Adeosun in his cabinet, Mohammed said the case was still under investigation. He said the appropriate agencies were still investigating the allegation against the finance minister and should be allowed to do their jobs. Mrs Adeosun was alleged to have forged a National Youth Service Corps exemption certificate. Until when an allegation is proven, you do not expect the President to act. The appropriate agencies have spoken and they say they are investigating. The only thing we can do is to wait. By saying that the minister should resign or be sacked while investigation is still ongoing may also not be feasible in our clime because of the level of false accusations. How many times have they accused me of embezzlement? Even recently, they said my driver jumped out of the car, abandoned me and decamped to PDP. People even made the allegation that President Buhari did not have certificate. The minister insisted that the president will be usurping the powers of the investigating agencies if he sacked Adeosun before their reports. For instance, people have come to me that so and so TV and Radio stations are spreading fake news and I should shut them down. I told them that I do not have the power to do so; it is the responsibility of the National Broadcasting Commission, even though it is an agency under my watch. We are as concerned as you are; but having spent some time in government, you will see that a lot of lies are being peddled about us. Mr Mohammed gave an assurance that the government would not sweep the matter under the carpet. The minister also responded to the report in some quarters that the government would share to the poor the Abacha loot repatriated by the Swiss Government, describing the insinuation mischievous. When the first tranche of Abacha loot was paid under former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Swiss Government found out that the money was re-looted by those in the administration. So, when they wanted to release the next tranche, they put the condition that it must be used for the most vulnerable Nigerians. We said there is no problem. It is the money we are using to finance our social investment programmes comprising four components. Mr Mohammed further said that 8.5 million pupils in government schools across the country were currently being fed under the Home Grown Feeding Programme. Similarly, he said that over 400,000 families were being paid stipends of N5,000 every month under the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme. The beauty of this programme is that it is being done in collaboration with the World Bank. It is the World Bank and various agencies that determine the beneficiaries and who are the most vulnerable Nigerians. Mr Mohammed said part of the money was being used to finance the employment of young graduates through the N-POWER programme. He said no fewer than 200,000 people had been employed in the first batch and another 200,000 would be resuming very soon. The fourth is the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme whereby, market women, craft people etc. are given loan between N50,000 and N100,000 So, when we say this money is being used for the poor people, it is not as if we are sharing it to poor people in the states, he said. Mr Mohammed said the Buhari administration would remain accountable and committed to the welfare of the common people. (NAN) Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has promised great manifestations of Gods power and grace upon the lives of participants at the churchs 66th Annual Convention. The convention, which began on Thursday with a Ministers Conference, formally starts today and runs till Sunday. The theme is Dominion. Already, streams of participants from around the world have been pouring into the Redemption Camp, which according to the estimation of Mr Adeboye, during the monthly Thanksgiving Service of the church on Sunday, was almost half full. He advised participants not to miss it because it will be one of a kind. Giving a background of the theme, he said, Dominion was Gods original mandate for mankind at Creation: for man to dominate, to rule, to control, to subdue; to be fruitful and to exercise authority on earth. However, he said, man lost the authority to rule and dominate when Adam and Eve fell; and became subject to all manner of failures, sickness and oppression. But thanks be to God, who made a way for us to regain lost power and authority through Jesus Christ, who became for us the Author of Salvation. Recalling Gods mandate to mankind to be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it, he said God wants us to be successful, prosperous, abundant, rewarding, productive. But Mr Adeboye charged that if we want the reward that God desires, then we have to operate the way God operates. He reiterated this at the Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, when he showed from the Lords Prayer that all power belongs to God For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Then he said that to dominate in all areas of life spiritually, financially, socially and politically, we have to tap into that source of power, which is Jesus Christ. According to a statement from the church, the weeklong convention that will attract millions of worshipers from across the world will hold for the first three days at the Old Auditorium within the Redemption Camp, and move to The Arena, the new auditorium at Simawa, for the remaining three days. Events for this years convention will include the ordination of Deacons/Deaconesses, Assistant Pastors and Pastors as well as graduation of newly trained officers from the missions Bible College to assist the nurturing the growing number of entrants to the church. There will also be group and special seminars. Each day, the convention will start at 8 a.m. and end with a plenary session of sermons late into the night, sometimes spilling over into the next morning Apart from the millions of people at the Redemption Camp, thousands more will participate through viewing centres across the world. The church has strong presence in over 195 countries. The 66-year-old church, which was founded in 1952 by Josiah Akindayomi, started at 9 Willoughby Street and remained there until they were able to acquire a piece of land at the present site of the Headquarters of the church at 1-5 Redemption Way, Ebute-Metta, Lagos (formerly 1a, Cemetery Street). In the early 1970s Mr Akindayomi, who Mr Adeboye calls my Father-in-the-Lord, started to look for an educated successor, who had been spiritually revealed to him, but who was not a member of the church yet. He eventually found Mr Adeboye, a mathematics lecturer at the University of Lagos, who joined the church in 1973. From 40 parishes, including the headquarters parish, in 1981, RCCG has spread to over 195 countries. There are at least 732 branches in the UK and Ireland. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Sunday described the recent defection of some governors and lawmakers from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as nothing but a storm in a teacup. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there have been rumours making the round about the defection of the Senate Minority Leader, Goodwill Akpabio, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC. Mr Mohammed, however, told journalists in Lagos that those who left the ruling party did so for personal interests. I welcome it (defection of Mr Akpabio) because all politics is local. All those who have left us did that for purely personal reasons. Since they say politics is a game of number, of course we welcome gladly the defection of the minority leader. Like they say, it is one-one goalless draw. On whether Mr Akpabio was being positioned for the position of the Senate President, Mr Mohammed said that I dont know. Mr Mohammed said the recent defection of some governors, state and federal lawmakers to the main opposition party, PDP, was nothing to worry about. There have been so much hype about this defection, and to me its nothing but a storm in a teacup. We must appreciate the fact that at the end of the day, all politics is local. One should ask, what is the electoral value of these decampees? In other words, today in Sokoto State, whats the electoral value of those who have decamped, he asked? According to him, the foundation for the defection has been laid the moment Bukola Saraki emerged Senate President against the wish of the party which affected the relationship between the executive and legislative arms. The minister said that since the day Mr Saraki lobbied the opposition party to become the senate president, the relationship between the executive and legislature had been turbulent. In fact, we could not have suffered more as an executive in the hands of the legislature if a PDP person had been the senate president, he said. On allegation of lopsided appointment of Kwara people in Mr Buharis administration, Mohammad described it as unfounded. He said that no fewer than 24 indigenes of Kwara were given federal appointments of which he (Mohammed) only recommended two while the Senate President recommended 20. On those complaining of not being given juicy appointments, the minister said that people complaining were not ready to serve and turn things around but eyeing what to steal. Senate President, Bukola Saraki. It is not true that a particular part of the country is being favoured against the other. I challenge anybody to go to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and take out the list of appointees under this administration. You will be surprised that we have been fair to all, the minister said. (NAN) The Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, who is defecting from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is back in Nigeria after visiting President Muhammadu Buhari in London. On Monday, Mr. Akpabio met influential party chieftain, Bola Tinubu, in Abuja, Nigerias capital. Mr. Tinubus spokesperson, Tunde Rahman, later sent photographs of the meeting to PREMIUM TIMES. Details of the discussions between the two men were not disclosed. Mr Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom North West District in the Senate, is a former governor of Akwa Ibom. Although disliked by some people because of his ruthless brand of politics, Mr Akpabio is widely respected as one of the most influential politicians in Akwa Ibom and Nigerias South-South region. He handpicked Udom Emmanuel, a former executive director in Zenith Bank, appointed him secretary to the state government, groomed, and later installed him as governor of Akwa Ibom in 2015, despite opposition within his party, the PDP. He is also responsible for the election and appointment of several people in the state into public offices at state and national levels. President Muhammadu Buharis Special Assistant on Prosecution, Okoi Obono-Obla, who confirmed Mr Akpabios defection to the APC told PREMIUM TIMES, Saturday, I believe his coming to the APC will change the fortunes of the APC in Akwa Ibom in particular, and the South-South in general. Mr Akpabios defection is surprising, coming at a time several APC leaders, including the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, have defected to the PDP. It is believed that the senators political differences with Governor Udom Emmanuel may be responsible for his defection. Governor Emmanuel, meanwhile, on Saturday night convened an emergency PDP leaders meeting in Uyo. The defection of Senator Akpabio was top on the agenda of the meeting. See pictures below: All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in audience with Senate Minority and former AkwaIbom Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who paid him a courtesy visit Monday afternoon in Abuja All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in audience with Senate Minority and former AkwaIbom Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who paid him a courtesy visit Monday afternoon in Abuja All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in audience with Senate Minority and former AkwaIbom Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who paid him a courtesy visit Monday afternoon in Abuja All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in audience with Senate Minority and former AkwaIbom Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who paid him a courtesy visit Monday afternoon in Abuja The majority leader of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, says it has become necessary for the lawmakers to reconvene and pass a virement request from President Muhammadu Buhari to forestall a government shutdown. Mr Lawan stated this Monday while speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa Abuja. Mr Lawans statement came a few hours before news emerged that Senate President Bukola Saraki has summoned an emergency meeting of the leadership of the two cambers of the National Assembly for Tuesday noon, ahead of a meeting with Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu. The Assembly is currently on recess till September 25. Mr Ahmed said the leadership of the Senate should reconvene and approve a request from Mr Buhari in respect of funding of INECs budget for the 2019 election and some foreign loans. Mr Lawan said he met with Mr Osinbajo to brief him about the situation in the Senate. You know that in the budget for 2018, the capital aspect will be largely funded by foreign facilities; loans, we need to approve that. We also need to approve other important and essential requests especially that of INEC and other security agencies for our security to be improved, he said. The Senate leader also said, It is therefore, very essential that we reconvene immediately to look into those issues because our government is almost stalled. He said failure of the Senate to reconvene will amount to sabotage because the approval of the virement request by Mr Buhari is the only way the APC administration will continue to fulfill promises made to Nigerians. Mr Lawan said a refusal of the Senate to reconvene will also amount to a sabotage against the countrys democracy itself because, if we cannot provide the essentials for Nigerians, if we cannot provide funds for INEC to plan for the 2019 elections, what do we call ourselves? If we dont reconvene and pass the request, what that means is that we have turned against this country, we are stalling the administration and invariably, fighting the people because the people want us to do those things that will make them happy. So I believe that my colleagues are listening and we should be able to reconvene in the next few days for us to pass the budget request of Mr. President as quickly as possible, he said. The Senate leader said the electoral umpire needs funds immediately to place order on some important election materials which are not often found on the shelves. So it is very imperative that we do the needful, we should convene the national assembly immediately and as legislators, as representatives of Nigerians, we will do what is best on the national interest, he said. Mr Lawan, also reiterated that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), still has majority in the Senate and challenged the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to provide a list of their senators to prove it is now the majority party. His challenge comes amidst recent spate of defections of lawmakers mostly from the APC to the opposition. I will take this opportunity for the third time to challenge the PDP caucus to publish the names of the PDP caucus members. They have never done that, they will only tell you that they are 55, they are 60, they are 65. Publish the names let Nigerians see where their senators are. We have done our own and it is also important that whatever crisis we have in the Senate and indeed in the National Assembly, that Nigerians dont suffer, he said. Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to Mr Buhari on National Assembly (Senate), Ita Enang, said the executive was simply appealing to the National Assembly to reconvene. You remember that we passed the budget with understanding that the greater amount of it would be gotten by foreign loans. Although this was approved that there would be loans, amount to be gotten was not approved, he said. Mr Enang also said the Fiscal Responsibility Act as passed by the National Assembly requires that the President should specifically state the amount the government want to get from foreign loans and present it before the National Assembly. He said a letter to that effect had been presented to the National Assembly by Mr Buhari. He said the National Assembly has to pass that amount before the money could be obtained from foreign financing institutions. This is what we are asking and if it didnt happen in the next few months, we may have a complete government shutdown, he said. Mr Enang said what the executive arm is receiving from the federation accounts as the federal government share is not enough to sustain even 15 or 20 percent of the budget. So there may be a complete government shutdown and I know that Nigerians are not going to like it. That is why we are still appealing he said. Justice M. B. Idris of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on August 6 dismissed a no-case submission filed by a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa. Mr Dudafa is facing trial alongside one Iwejuo Joseph Nna on a 23-three count charge on money laundering, failure to declare assets and conspiracy to conceal proceeds of crime to the tune of over N1.6 billion. The defendants were said to have allegedly concealed N1.6 billion through a company, Seagate Property Development and Investment Limited, an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 17(a) of the same law. They were also accused of knowingly concealing proceeds of crime through Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited in the sum of N399,470,000.00, among other alleged criminal offences. The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them, thereby setting the stage for their full trial. The prosecution, after presenting witnesses and tendering documents that were admitted in evidence by the court, had closed its case against the defendants on March 16, 2018. However, at the resumed hearing on June 19, 2018, counsel to the first defendant, Gboyega Oyewole, told the court that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima-facie case against his client. He had also told the court that the first defendant had stated before the court the source and ownership of the monies found in his possession, adding that the owner of the monies should be questioned and not Mr. Dudafa. Also, counsel to the second defendant, Ige Asemudara, had told the court that there was no evidence that his client had committed any of the charges preferred against him by the prosecution. There is no evidence that shows that the monies were paid into the personal account of the second defendant and the EFCC has not given evidence that those properties were acquired by his client with proceeds of crime, Mr Asemudara had said. However, in his response, the prosecution counsel, Nnemeka Omewa, had prayed the court to discountenance the no-case submission. The monies were traced to Dudafas bank account. The monies found are not proportionate to his monthly salary as a public servant; so, he cannot satisfactorily account for the monies. The second defendant, Iwejuo Joseph Nna, who was a staff of Heritage Bank Plc, was the one signing for the monies and forging the signature of one Mr. Olugboyega Emmanuel, Mr Omewa had further told the court. He had urged the court not to grant the defendants applications, while also praying that they be ordered to enter their defence. Consequently, Justice Idris had adjourned to August 6 (today) for ruling on the no-case submission filed by the defendants. In a short ruling today, Justice Idris held that the defendants would need to explain their involvements in the alleged offence. The prosecution called witnesses and tendered evidences that I have carefully examined, and a link might be established between the defendants and the offences. You have a case to answer, the judge held. Justice Idris adjourned the matter to August 20 for the defence to open its case. Two persons were killed Sunday evening in Kasa town of Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State, the state police command has confirmed. The deceased were reportedly Fulani men who were returning from the Bukuru cattle market. The state police spokesperson, Tyopev Terna, confirmed the incident. Two people were said to have been killed in Kasa area of Barkin Ladi LGA. Investigation is being carried out to arrest the perpetrators of the act, he said. Abubakr Gambo, Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Nigeria (MACBAN), Barkin Ladi, also confirmed the attack to PREMIUM TIMES but accused the native Berom of carrying out the attack. The attack was carried out by the Berom in the evening of Sunday when a J-5 vehicle was carrying four persons, two of which were killed. The other two escaped with various degrees of injuries and are presently receiving treatment, he said. Mr Gambo added that the incident had been reported to the Police in Barkin Ladi and that the DPO had sent officers to the scene of crime. Meanwhile, the spokesperson of Berom Youth Movement, Jatau Gyang, dismissed the allegations. I have no knowledge about that. I am just hearing it from you. But it (attack) would not be unconnected to the activities of bandits who usually terrorise the area, he said when contacted. The attack is coming two days after three persons were reportedly killed by suspected herdsmen in Zanwar village. The Police in Kogi State have arrested five suspects said to be behind the kidnap of a traditional ruler, a catholic cleric and the recent spate of armed robbery on Okene -Lokoja road. Presenting the suspects to journalists in Lokoja, the state capital on Monday, the Commissioner of Police, Ali Janga, said that the suspects were also responsible for cattle rustling in Lokoja and its environs. Mr Janga said one of the suspects was a member of a gang that kidnapped the Obaro of Jakura, Ibrahim Adoga, and the Priest in charge of St Michael Catholic Church, Obajana, Reverend Father Leo Michael, on July 24. He said the suspects who held the traditional ruler in captivity for five days also killed a son of the monarch. He said the suspects received N1.1 million as ransom before releasing their victims, stating that N240,000 suspected to be part of the suspects own share of the ransom was recovered from him. The commissioner said the police were on the trail of other members of the gang. He said that the suspects were also responsible for cattle rustling in Lokoja and its environs, saying that the suspected buyer of the rustled cows had also been arrested. He said the suspects were arrested inside bush with sophisticated weapons, including, ammunition, machete, Jack knife and a locally made pistol. The traditional ruler who later spoke with journalists said the kidnappers detained him for five days without food and water. He said he was still in shock over the incident and the death of his son. The suspected buyer of the rustled cows said that he only bought two cows from the suspects in June. Mr Janga said the suspects had confessed to the crimes and would be charged to court very soon. (NAN) Amidst reports that some politicians in Akwa Ibom are set to join Godswill Akpabio in defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the senator representing Uyo Senatorial District, Bassey Albert, has declared his political support for the state governor, Udom Emmanuel. Mr Albert, who spoke through the chairman of his constituency office, Uyo, Daniel Udoh, told PREMIUM TIMES, Monday morning, that he remained a committed member of the PDP. It is not true; it is a lie, Mr Udoh said while dismissing speculations that Senator Albert was leaving the PDP. Senator Albert is absolutely in support of Governor Udom Emmanuel. The people of Uyo senatorial district are committed and are working for the re-election of the governor, and are determined to remain in the PDP. The senatorial district is 100 per cent for Governor Emmanuel, so its not possible for the senator to do anything otherwise. The senator has consulted widely with the people of the senatorial district, and the people are in solidarity with the governor. Thats the position of the senator. I am saying this authoritatively, Mr Udoh said. Mr Abert served as finance commissioner in the state under the Akpabio administration before he left for the Senate in 2015. He is a first-timer in the Senate, just like Mr Akpabio. Mr Akpabios expected defection has rattled many in Akwa Ibom, especially the officials of the state government and members of the PDP. With the development, the PDP in the state now has only one senator, which is Mr Albert. A third senator, Nelson Effiong, who represents Eket Senatorial District, where Governor Emmanuel comes from, defected from PDP to APC since January 2017. There is a general apprehension in the state over who and who is likely to defect to the APC with the Mr Akpabio. Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom state government has reacted to the rumour that the deputy governor, Moses Ekpo, has resigned from office following Mr Akpabios defection. Its not true that the deputy governor has resigned, he is in the U.S. attending Ati Annang Convention, the Commissioner for Information in the state, Charles Udoh, told PREMIUM TIMES, Monday morning. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom state, John Udoedehe, has welcomed the plan by Godswill Akpabio to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. Mr Akpabio, who is the Senate Minority Leader, is a former governor of Akwa Ibom state. He is expected to be formally received into the APC on Wednesday in a rally in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom state. Mr Udoedehe, a former senator, told PREMIUM TIMES, Sunday, that he was happy to have remained faithful to the APC, even when people, according to him, were mocking him for building the opposition party in Akwa Ibom. When I brought the opposition party to Akwa Ibom, they were laughing at me. Today, they are celebrating with me, said the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory. What a fulfillment! I am happy that I am alive to witness it. He said the APC was yet to inform officially that Mr Akpabio was joining the party, but that he has to accept it since the APC leaders at the national level have accepted the senator. Mr Udoedehe, then a PDP member, directed the campaign for Mr Akpabios election as governor in 2007. He fell apart with Mr Akpabio and left the PDP for the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) where, as the partys governorship candidate, he contested the 2011 election against Mr Akpabio. Mr Akpabio won re-election, but Mr Udoedehe almost lost his life when he and his campaign team were violently attacked in Ikot Ekpene, March 2011, by thugs suspected to have been hired by the PDP. Some of the ACN supporters were killed in the attack. Mr Udoedehe, ironically, was subsequently arrested, detained, and charged to court for murder and arson by the Akwa Ibom state government, but was later discharged and acquitted. What can you do? You use the spirit of Christ to forgive everyone, the former senator said of the incident. All those that Akpabio used against me are also in APC today. Mr Udoedehe has indicated interest to contest again for the governorship of the state in 2019. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it has discovered 19 illegal polling units in Akwa Ibom State. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, made the disclosure at Enlarged Stakeholders Forum in Uyo, the state capital in Monday. The REC said that the illegal polling units were in Obot Akara and Uyo Local Government Areas, adding that that some of the polling units were located in hotels, church, mosques among others. He said INEC found that the polling units concerned were located in violation of its guidelines; therefore there was the need to relocate and rename some polling units in the state. Mr Igini, however, urged the people not to see the relocation of the polling units as a creation of new polling units, stressing that that no new polling units had been created. He said the essence of the forum was to enable us see face to face and interact freely. We are here to present the commission electoral plan and strategic implementation plan, hear from you and carefully consider the concerns and ideas of everyone on how we can serve you better, he said. The REC cautioned politicians who might have plans to rig the 2019 general elections to desist because INEC of today has evolved beyond rigging. Mr Igini said INEC had advanced to a level where everything is tracked. We must conduct an election that will be accepted by the people without recourse to the tribunals. We have done it elsewhere and we will do it here. You are going to have little or minimal petitions. Election is a time where the independence and integrity of institutions like INEC, security agencies and judiciary are tested. He also said the forum was organised as an opportunity to engage stakeholders of all political persuasions and have a robust engagement. The REC advised leaders of political parties in the state to talk to their party members the need for them conduct ensuring strict adherence to the code of conduct of the electoral acts. He stressed the need for political parties to commence the process of identifying committed party members to serve as agents during the general elections. Mr Igini assured that the forthcoming election would not tolerate or accommodate thuggery in the state. Campaign messages should encapsulate the principles of accommodation, decency and with strict adherence to the rule of law. He emphasised that the best way to win the forthcoming general elections was to mobilise supporters to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Mr Igini, however, noted that collection of PVCs in the state was 50 per cent, a development he described as very low. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, pledged the neutrality of the police to ensure that all forms of intimidation on the electorate were eliminated, during and after the exercise. He said that the command had strategised ways to train security personnel on what was required of them before, during and after the elections. The police boss warned against any form of intimidation or harm against corps members deployed to the polling units. No youth corps member will be molested, harmed or killed in Akwa Ibom. We are going to view any embarrassment on corps member more seriously than any other offense in the state. If you ferment problem you go in for it, we are going to prosecute all electoral offenders. We must have peace and security and we must not allow any clash of event, he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the forum is Broad outline of 2019 Election in Akwa Ibom, The Road Map. (NAN) Jamil Sarham, a major general, on Monday assumed duty as the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Musa Yussuf, a major general and the outgone GOC of the division presented his successor, Mr Sarham, at a formal handing over ceremony at the divisions headquarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital. Mr Yusuf said the new GOC would continue to promote professionalism which had remained the main focus of the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai. The division has attained an acceptable standard of regimentation and professionalism through the introduction of different training activities which appeared alien to some. I have no doubt that my successor, Sarham, being a visionary person, will improve on the already existing achievements in the division for the benefit of the Nigerian Army, he said. Mr Yussuf said the division had in the past six months held several trainings to improve the proficiency of officers and soldiers under the division. The training was conceptualised to re-awaken all towards ensuring that the formations direction is in accordance with the COAS vision of having a professionally responsive Nigerian Army. I am fulfilled that most of you have now taken more interest to enhance your professionalism and regimentation since the introduction of the training activities, he said. Mr Yussuf has been posted as GOC to 81 Division, Lagos. He urged troops under 6 division to remain focused and extend same cooperation and loyalty to his successor. Mr Sarham was the immediate past Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, in Kaduna State. (NAN) Following the alleged involvement of the Peoples Democratic Partys governorship candidate for Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, in a secondary school certificate scandal, the embattled lawmaker has reacted to the raging controversy. The Nigerian Police last week Wednesday invited the Principal of Ede Muslim High School 1, Abass Khalib, for investigation over the issuance of statement of result and testimonial to Mr Adeleke, which some claimed was not genuine. Mr Abass was said to have allegedly signed the statement of results and testimonial of Mr Adeleke, who reportedly finished his secondary school education in 1981. Responding to the allegations, Mr Adeleke, through the Director of Media and Publicity of Senator Ademola Adeleke Campaign Organization, Olawale Rasheed, in a statement on Sunday demanded the release of the principal of Ede Muslim High School 1. Mr Adeleke said Mr Abass arrest was politically motivated because of date error. We are constrained to issue this statement on the recent arrest and persecution of the principal of Ede Muslim High School over false accusations of forged school testimonial issued to Senator Ademola Adeleke as a former student of the school because of a date error. We note with great alarm the politically motivated arrest and unwarranted media attacks designed as a tool of harassment, persecution and character assassination of the PDP flag bearer, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke, he said. Mr Adeleke called on police authorities to redirect their attention to investigating and solving real crimes and not trumped up accusations. It must be reaffirmed that issuance of a testimonial duly signed by authorities of the school to an ex-student cannot be a crime irrespective of the date on it. There is clearly more to this exercise than routine investigation. How can a date issue on a testimonial and not a certificate be a matter that attracts the attention of FCIB Alagbon officers from Lagos? We therefore call on the police authorities to unconditionally release Mr Abbass Khalib Adejare, the principal of Ede Muslim High School who is currently held in Lagos, a distant and disconnected jurisdiction of school in Ede, Osun State. The school under his supervision had only performed a legal administrative duty through the issuance of a testimonial. Please note that a testimonial is simply a statement of character attestation and confirmation of the years of attendance at the school and not a school certificate, the statement read. The spokesperson was silent on the revelation by PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Adelekes claim to have graduated from am American university is also false. This newspaper published how the university stated that although the politician was once its student, he did not graduate contrary to his claim. Meanwhile, unimpressed by the statement, a group in Osun, Renewal Youth Movement (RYM), has demanded his withdrawal from the September 22 Osun State governorship election. The group in a statement signed by two of its leaders, Muftau Adegoke and Rasheed Adegbenro, said Mr Adeleke ought not have sailed through the party process in the first place and demanded that those that conducted the screening be investigated as well. If PDP leaders are sincere; if they are not corrupt and if they want the good of all, Senator Adeleke ought not to have scaled through the partys screening process in the first instance. Those who conducted the screening should also be investigated. They cannot be naive not to know genuine documents from fake. We dont want to believe that their palms have been greased. What is going on in the state is not only an open sore to the Adelekes dynasty that has shown great interest in education to the extent of establishing a private university but it a shame to the entire Osun State citizens that a serving senator who wants to govern them can be enmeshed in such a mess. The group said the only saving grace for Mr. Adeleke is to step aside by allowing a more competent person to contest the election under the PDP platform. Already, some people are in the police net including the principal of Muslim Grammar School, Ede over the alleged certificate forgery. We feel that the forthcoming election should be a robust exercise where indigenes would have opportunity to elect a competent candidate as the governor among many. Adelekes certificate mess has shot the PDP in the leg (sic) and has put the party in a very tight and difficult situation. Our group is of the firm opinion that the PDP has lost the election before the contest and even if the party wins, such victory will definitely be short-lived as co-contestants from other political parties by now must have prepared grounds for the Tribunal. RYM however, said following the provision of of Section 31 sub-sections 1 8 of the Electoral Act, it would be difficult for Mr eleke to run in the September 22 governorship election with the ongoing cases instituted against him and if he refused to step down early, PDP may not present anyone for the said election. Some students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, detained on suspicion of being members of cult groups, have been granted bail at the Osun State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Osogbo after a week. PREMIUM TIMES reported the arrest of 12 students of the university by the states CID last week. John Udeh, a part 2 student of social studies education; Tobi Oladoye, 400 level student of English Department; Ridwan Oluwatobi, a part 2 student and a part 4 student of Music Department identified as Jaaga, were part of those arrested. As confirmed by the Chief Security Officer of the school, Babatunde Oyatokun, PREMIUM TIMES gathered that all of those arrested have been released on bail The police said theyve released all of them on bail but they are not supposed to be found on campus. The university will make pronouncement on them latest on Wednesday. A committee will be set up to look in to their case. Also, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olanrewaju, on Sunday said the university awaits the official police report before making any public release. But very soon, a release will be made to that effect. However, in a phone interview with some of the students, PREMIUM TIMES confirmed their release. Tobi Oladoye of English Department, who initially denied being in the police custody, kept mute when asked about his bail. His phone was not reachable and has not been active on social media platforms throughout the previous week until Sunday when his phone connected. Another student, Ridwan Oluwatobi, when asked about the bail conditions, did not disclose it to PREMIUM TIMES. He said it went through the normal process. Dem just do am normal normal. Mr Oluwatobi added that only one of the students, John Udeh, is yet to be granted bail while others have been released. Several calls put across to Mr Udehs line did not go through as his phone has been switched off since last week up till the time of filing this report. Meanwhile, all calls and text messages sent by PREMIUM TIMES to the states police spokesperson, Folashade Odoro, to inquire about developments on the case have not been responded to. Im just getting this from you and yet to verify the information. Ill get back you after verifying, he told PREMIUM TIMES a week ago. 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. "China is the first stop, and a very important market," Xie said. "We hope to bring the technology we are working on at Adrealm to other industries and markets, because the next stage of blockchain development will not be based on infrastructure solely, but on blockchain applications." Jack Chen, VP of Product, focused on Adrealm's proprietary IP (a consensus mechanism called "Proof of Valid Traffic"). Chen explained how it marks a massive paradigm shift in both adtech and blockchain. "When we started thinking about how blockchain could solve pain-points in the digital advertising industry, we realised that we weren't going to be able use to good effect any of the current consensus models," Chen said. "They cannot really be applied to one of the most data-intensive industries. And so we re-invented one of blockchain's core elements, the consensus mechanism. We've turned it into something that will benefit both the ecosystem and the industry in the long run." Carl Cai, VP of Business Development, addressed specifically how Xhance will outperform competitors. "There are a number of reasons why Xhance is the first DApp on Adrealm. One is that it provides us with a kind of hotline for feedback from businesses in the industry, from those who will be leveraging what we are building at Adrealm," Cai said. Speakers at the two-hour event included Andy Ji, Chief Strategy Officer at Ontology, with whom Adrealm has recently signed an agreement on strategic cooperation. The press conference wrapped-up with a panel of industry worthies, among them Perry Jung from Chainers and BCI, Nan Yang from INBlockchain, Jun Yu from OK Capital, Wayne Zhu from Neo Global Capital, and Yan Gong from China Europe International Business School. The panel discussed the future of blockchain and the technology's uphill battle to prove to the wider marketplace its value to business-users. Brendon Powell, Director of Product Engineering at Quarry, was among the 300-plus crowd that filled the ballroom to capacity. "The panel speakers had no clear consensus on the future of blockchain technology, and yet [it was] inspiring that they were united in their view that both Adrealm and Xhance [are] timeworthy, valuable projects." If discussion both inside and outside the ballroom revolved mainly around the company's "Business Incentive-Oriented Consensus" model, and how their DApp Xhance is a direct challenge to competitors like AppsFlyer and Kochava, many remained fixated with the video that played at the start of the press conference. Fast-paced, edgy, and set to a grungy buzzsaw guitar track that could have been lifted from a Guy Ritchie film, the short video nailed the core element of Xie's philosophy. "Transparency fueled the American Revolution. More transparency was the result of it. Transparency was how that generation - the generation of the Enlightenment - preserved revolutionary values and promoted rationality as the antidote to superstition. Really, what is science if not ever-growing transparency into the way the world works? And what is social progress if not the distribution of that knowledge?Transparency drives creation. Tech fads wax and wane, but the smart money is on whatever fuels creation," Xie said. "Brian wanted a bold video, and he's got one," said Ellis Cameron-Perry, Executive Director of Adrealm's thinktank. "For those who've seen the video, there's no need to wonder what's on Brian's mind -- or what motivates him, or how he intends to mobilize Adrealm's technical and other assets." The video begins with the Spirit of '76 and ends with a rift on quantum communication and references to Liu Cixin's award-winning novel The Three-body Problem. "Being an evangelist for metatransparency and the potential of decentralized processing is not tantamount to being anti-centralization," Xie sad. "Our unique consensus mechanism might result in some changes being made to industry nomenclature. But our business is business, not political philosophy." The global digital advertising industry is worth $230 billion dollars, and is still growing despite the ad fraud, data leaks, and hegemonic industry goliaths. According to Xie, these exist chiefly because of the opacity he and Adealm are out to defeat. For more information, contact: Melinda [email protected] SOURCE Adrealm CHICAGO, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Library Association (ALA) is seeking nominations for the coveted 2018 I Love My Librarian Award, which recognizes librarians for transforming lives and communities through education and lifelong learning. The national award invites library users to nominate their favorite librarians working in public, school, college, community college or university libraries. Nominations are being accepted now through Oct. 1, 2018 at www.ilovelibraries.org/lovemylibrarian. Last year's award winners were honored for making a difference in their communities, schools and campuses through the work they do every day. They included an academic librarian who preserves the stories and histories of the LGBTQ community, a public librarian who helps economically disadvantaged families connect with social services and a school librarian who inspires a love of reading in students who are new to the United States or speak English as a second language. The ALA will select up to 10 award recipients. Each winner will receive a $5,000 cash award, a plaque and a travel stipend to attend the I Love My Librarian Award ceremony and reception in New York City on Dec. 4 hosted by the award co-sponsor, the philanthropic foundation Carnegie Corporation of New York. Since the award was established in 2008, library users nationwide have shared more than 18,000 nominations detailing how librarians have used their expertise to connect them to information, educational opportunities and critical technology to help improve the quality of their lives. To be eligible for the award, each nominee must hold a master's degree in library and information studies from a program accredited by the ALA or a master's degree with a specialty in school library media from an educational program accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Nominees must also be currently working in a public library, a library at an accredited two- or four-year college or university or at an accredited K-12 school in the United States. Carnegie Corporation of New York provides generous support for the I Love My Librarian Award and is a co-sponsor along with the The New York Public Library. The ALA administers the award through the ALA's Communications and Marketing Office, which promotes the value of libraries and librarians. About Carnegie Corporation of New York Carnegie Corporation of New York was established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 "to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding." In keeping with this mandate, the Corporation's work focuses on the issues that Andrew Carnegie considered of paramount importance: international peace, the advancement of education and knowledge, and the strength of our democracy. About The New York Public Library The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locationsincluding research and branch librariesthroughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support. About the American Library Association The American Library Association is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice of libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org. SOURCE American Library Association Related Links http://www.ala.org ROHNERT PARK, Calif., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- That finances are a major issue in relationship stress is no surprise. Findings in a SunTrust study found that nearly half say they handle money differently than their partner, and 35 percent of individuals in relationships who experience stress blame money issues. It is surprising though that 13 percent of divorced couples responded that student loan debt was to blame for the breakup. As more than 44 million Americans struggle to keep up with an escalating $1.5 trillion student loan debt, averaging over $30,000 per borrower, it is no wonder that marital relationships are being stressed. Ameritech Financial, a document preparation company, specializes in assisting clients in applying for and maintaining enrollment in federally available programs such as income-driven repayment plans (IDRs) which can hopefully reduce any additional stress of repayment. Credit: David Pereiras/Bigstock "Relationships can be hard, and bringing stress in from something as financially challenging as student loan debt doesn't help," said Tom Knickerbocker, executive vice president of Ameritech Financial. "If you're in a relationship, or going it alone, we can help you navigate what some see as a sometimes-complex student loan repayment process, and perhaps lower your payments, and ease some of that stress that is driving so many critical life decisions." For those separating because of student loan debt, divorce, already a jarring life upheaval, is made even more complicated by the debt that caused it. Further, student loan debts incurred to obtain a professional degree are usually considered to be the responsibility of the degree holder. A few states, such as New York, consider professional degrees to be marital property, and therefore the debt is marital debt. Also, if the student loans were recently incurred, it is more likely that it will be considered separate debt, but if the loans were taken years before and both partners benefited from the increased income due to the loans, that debt is more likely to be considered marital debt. Since student loan debt is both causing issues and complicating marriage, it is important to know that there are certain solutions available to federal loan borrowers who find themselves struggling to keep up with payments. "We are not experts in relationships and certainly can't help people with their relationships skills," said Knickerbocker, "but we can help them find student loan repayment solutions, such as IDRs, to hopefully reduce stress enough so that every relationship has the best chance possible." 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] Related Images couple-arguing-over-finances.jpg Couple Arguing Over Finances Credit: David Pereiras/Bigstock image2.png Related Links Ameritech Financial home page Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRza8MbLvuM SOURCE Ameritech Financial CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- AOBiome Therapeutics, Inc. ("AOBiome"), a world-leading clinical-stage microbiome company focusing on research and development of therapeutics for inflammatory conditions, central nervous system disorders and other systemic diseases, today announced the expansion of its Board of Directors with the appointments of (i) Professor Klaus Dugi, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, (ii) Dr. Anna Lisa Jenkins, MBBS, FRCP, Chief Executive Officer of PlaqueTec Ltd. and (iii) Mr. Doug Rosefsky, partner of Prudentia Capital S.A.S., as independent non-executive directors. Mr. Rosefsky will lead the audit committee and Dr. Jenkins will lead the remuneration committee. "We are very excited to announce the additions of Klaus, Anna Lisa and Doug to the AOBiome Board of Directors," said Mr. Todd Krueger, President and Chief Executive Officer of AOBiome. "These industry veterans bring to AOBiome a broad range of expertise in clinical development, medicine, finance and business management experience. We look forward to benefiting from their strategic insights that will be invaluable to the future direction of the Company." "It is an honor to bring these seasoned veterans to AOBiome at this important time in the Company's expansion," said Dr. Jun Wang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AOBiome. "With the company rapidly accelerating its innovative Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria platform across multiple applications, we are that much closer to achieving our long-term goals within the microbiome space." Professor Klaus Dugi Dr. Dugi has over 25 years of experience mainly in the field of medicine. Since 2017, Dr. Dugi has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, a multinational pharmaceutical company, and continues to serve in these capacities. His responsibilities at Ferring Pharmaceuticals include medical affairs, pharmacovigilance and quality assurance. In addition, he served at Boehringer Ingelheim, a pharmaceutical company, as Country Managing Director of UK and Ireland from 2015 to 2017, as Chief Medical Officer from 2010 to 2015, as Corporate Vice President of Medical Affairs from 2008 to 2009, and as Vice President of Therapeutic Area Metabolic Diseases from 2006 to 2008. His responsibilities at Boehringer Ingelheim included translational medicine and clinical pharmacology, medical affairs and clinical operations. From 2001 to 2002, Dr. Dugi was the attending physician at the medical clinic of Heidelberg University. He conducted basic and applied biomedical research in the field of atherosclerosis, diabetes and lipid metabolism at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland between 1991 and 1996. He is qualified as a professor of medicine at Heidelberg University, Germany, and he teaches internal medicine and endocrinology at the university. Anna Lisa Jenkins, MBBS, FCRP Dr. Jenkins, MBBS, FRCP is currently the Chief Executive Officer of PlaqueTec. Prior to joining PlaqueTec, she was Chief Executive Officer of Dimension Therapeutics, a gene therapy company, until Dimension was acquired by Ultragenyx Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company, in 2017. From 2011 to 2014, Dr. Jenkins served at Merck Serono, a German pharmaceutical company, first as its Executive Vice President Global Development and Medical, and then as its Head of Global Research and Development. Prior to this, Dr. Jenkins held several roles at Bristol Myers-Squibb, a global biopharmaceutical company, from 1997 to 2011, including as it Senior Vice President and Head of Global Medical Affairs. Earlier in her career, Dr. Jenkins was a medical officer in the British Royal Navy, achieving the rank of surgeon lieutenant commander. Doug Rosefsky Mr. Rosefsky has nearly 25 years of experience mainly in the field of finance, accounting and c-level management. Since July 2017, Mr. Rosefsky has been a partner of Prudentia Capital S.A.S., a private equity fund management company based in France, where he is responsible for investment advisory services. From 1999 to 2015, Mr. Rosefsky was a managing director and European executive committee member of Alvarez & Marsal. From 2010 to 2011, he was an advisor to the board of directors of European Gas Limited, S.A., an oil and gas company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (stock symbol EPG), which was later renamed as Fitzroy River Corporation Limited (stock symbol FZR). From 2005 to 2007, he served as the Chief Financial Officer and subsequently the Chief Executive Officer at North Atlantic Trading Company and North Atlantic Holding Company, both of which were publicly reported companies and are subsidiaries of Turning Point Brands, Inc., which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (stock symbol TPB). About Ammonia Oxidizing Bacteria (AOB) AOBiome's AOB platform includes patented, proprietary, topical and intranasal formulations which incorporate a single strain of AOB, Nitrosomonas eutropha. The platform is designed to repopulate the skin or nasal microbiome with AOB. Once deployed, AOB consume ammonia and produce nitrite and nitric oxide, a signaling molecule known to regulate inflammation and vasodilation. About AOBiome Therapeutics AOBiome Therapeutics is a Cambridge, Massachusetts based life sciences company focused on transforming human health by developing microbiome-based therapies for local, intranasal and systemic inflammatory conditions. Founded in 2013 by PatientsLikeMe founder Jamie Heywood and MIT trained chemical engineer David Whitlock, AOBiome is advancing a pipeline of multiple, clinical-stage therapeutic candidates. The company's portfolio includes six clinical-stage programs in the following indications; acne vulgaris, hypertension, eczema (atopic dermatitis), migraine, rosacea, and allergic rhinitis, as well as earlier-stage preclinical programs targeting diverse inflammatory indications. Learn more at www.aobiome.com. Contacts: For Media Inquiries: Ryo Imai 212-213-0006, ext. 315 [email protected] SOURCE AOBiome Therapeutics Related Links http://www.aobiome.com DALLAS, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ashford Inc. (NYSE American: AINC) ("Ashford" or the "Company") today announced details for the release of its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018. Ashford plans to issue its earnings release for the second quarter after the market closes on Thursday, August 9, 2018 and will host a conference call on Friday, August 10, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. ET. The number to call for this interactive teleconference is (323) 794-2590. A replay of the conference call will be available through Friday, August 17, 2018, by dialing (719) 457-0820 and entering the confirmation number, 3206187. The live broadcast of Ashford's quarterly conference call will be available online at the Company's web site, www.ashfordinc.com on Friday, August 10, 2018, beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET. The online replay will follow shortly after the call and continue for approximately one year. Ashford provides global asset management, investment management and related services to the real estate and hospitality sectors. Follow Chairman and CEO Monty Bennett on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBennettAshford or @MBennettAshford. Ashford has created an Ashford App for the hospitality REIT investor community. The Ashford App is available for free download at Apple's App Store and the Google Play Store by searching "Ashford." SOURCE Ashford Inc. RIVERSIDE, Calif., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney Zulu Ali of the Law Offices of Zulu Ali in Riverside, California has been named Top 10 Best Lawyers in Criminal Law, Immigration Law, and Personal Injury by the American Jurist Institute. The American Jurist Institute (AJI) identifies and promotes the nation's best attorneys. Each year AJI awards the Top 10 Attorneys Award which is an exclusive honor conferred to the top 10 attorneys in five different practice areas for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The annual selections are made using a sophisticated multiphase process resulting in a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. Attorney Zulu Ali Attorney Zulu Ali, a native of Shelbyville, Tennessee, is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served with the Marine Security Forces. After graduating from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, Attorney Ali served as a sworn police officer with the City of Shelbyville, City of Lewisburg, and Vanderbilt Police Departments, respectively. Attorney Ali earned a Juris Doctorate (law degree) from Trinity International University Law School and a liberal arts degree with an emphasis in African Studies from Regents College through a consortium with Tennessee State University. Attorney Ali has been admitted to the California State Bar; United States District Courts for the districts of Central California, Southern California, Northern California, and Colorado; United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits; United States Supreme Court; and the International Criminal Court in the Hague, Netherlands. In 2007, inspired by civil rights attorneys Charles Hamilton Houston, Thurgood Marshall, and Avon Williams, Jr., who used the law and courts as a vehicle to make change and protect all people against injustice, Attorney Zulu Ali opened the Law Offices of Zulu Ali with a focus on representing persons accused of crimes and seeking criminal justice, immigrants, victims of discrimination, persons seeking civil justice, and defendants and victims at the international criminal court at The Hague, Netherlands. Attorney Ali and his law firm take on extremely difficult cases and matters that provide an opportunity to make changes in the law, through the courts, when the law is unjust. Attorney Ali serves as Director of the American Committee for United Nations Oversight, an advocacy group lobbying the United Nations for police reform; Director of the Stop and Frisk Academy, which trains at risk youth and others to deal with police encounters; Director of the Southern California Veterans Legal Clinic, a legal clinic offering no cost and low cost legal services to military veterans; and a member of the National Conference of Black Lawyers. Attorney Ali has been Honored Top 100 Lawyers by the National Black Lawyers-Top 100; Top 100 Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers-Top 100; Premier 100 Trial Lawyers by the American Academy of Trial Attorney; Top 10 Lawyers in Criminal Defense, Immigration Law, and Personal Injury by the American Institute of Legal Counsel; and Rue Ratings Best Lawyer in America. Attorney Ali has been married to his spouse, Charito, for over 33 years; and resides in Southern California with their four daughters and three grandchildren. Press Contact: Rosa Nunez, Producer Justice Watch Radio 951-782-8722 [email protected] SOURCE Law Offices of Zulu Ali SAN RAMON, Calif., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Many young adults entering the workforce still think of themselves as missing basic financial skills necessary for their adult lives. While many would like to have these basic skills, they don't know where to look in order to learn basic finances. Financial Education Benefits Center (FEBC), a membership benefits company, may be able to provide some assistance to adults young and old hoping to improve their financial wellness. "Understanding financial responsibility is a fundamental necessity of adult life," said Jennifer Martinez, manager at FEBC. "The quicker you master your financial responsibilities, the faster you might see an increase in the amount of money you are making." The first step toward financial responsibility often begins with measuring money made and money spent. This may be done loosely, since time is important, too. By knowing every dollar that comes in, keeping track of it and keeping track of expenses, individuals can predict patterns and make plans. The next step is to figure out ways to save and ways to cut expenses by paying attention to daily habits and seeing what can be cut. After analyzing where money goes, it is easier to decide what crucial things are worth investing in, or which debt is the most important to remove. Using this mentality is a good start, but there are a few ideas that one should possess in order to best develop finances. It is important to pay attention to one's credit rating, as better loans and deals appear more often for people with a good credit rating. Having three to six months' worth of savings in case disaster strikes can prevent moments of desperation. With all these finances set up, it is usually wise to save as much as possible. Options like stocks or bank account savings should be seriously considered as an alternative way to save after consulting with a financial expert. FEBC members will have access to several resources that may make this financial planning easier. Members have access to budget spreadsheets, budget planners for long-term expenditures (such as weddings), monthly bank reconciliation templates and more. Additionally, members may get savings on everyday items, fitness and certain health expenses, depending on their membership tier. "We want to help more adults thrive with their finances," said Martinez. "We at FEBC want to help everyone see their finances as a useful tool they have mastered in order to enrich the quality of their lives." About Financial Education Benefits Center Financial Education Benefits Center is located in San Ramon, California. The membership company has already helped thousands save money and obtain the necessary education required to live a financially healthy life. Financial Education Benefits Center has partnered with several name brand third-party companies to expand the financial and educational products and services available to its members and to provide a variety of wellness services as well. Financial Education Benefits Center Newsroom Contact To learn more about Financial Education Benefits Center, please contact: Financial Education Benefits Center 2010 Crow Canyon Place Ste. 100 San Ramon, CA 94583 1-800-953-1388 [email protected] Related Images man-holding-plant-pot-growing-money.jpg Man holding plant pot growing money Credit: arekmalang/Bigstock image2.png Related Links FEBC home page SOURCE Financial Education Benefits Center EMERYVILLE, Calif., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Being poor is not what the majority of people would choose for themselves in life. Poorness is a social struggle, that often has many factors to it that further drive people into poverty. There are different levels to being poor, but all of them involve some sort of struggle. At the very bottom is struggling to afford even some of the most basic of daily activities. It is possible to be quite literally too poor to be able to throw things away. American Financial Benefits Center (AFBC), a document preparation service company, has worked with people who are stuck in this type of situation, where even throwing things away is unaffordable, and has helped them apply for income-driven repayment programs where monthly payments have potentially been lowered. "There are a lot of pieces to the American way of life that people don't think about on a daily basis, and how those pieces might affect others, especially those who are less well-off financially," said Sara Molina, manager at AFBC. Dump fees are charged throughout the country, varying depending on what and how much is being dumped. For stuff like furniture, because of the size, the fees can potentially be high - high enough to make it a hassle for anyone who struggles financially to get rid of old furniture that is taking up much-needed space in a home. Even if an impoverished family can afford the dumping fees, they then have to figure out how to get the furniture to the dump. If they don't have access to a truck, how would they transport the unwanted items? Problems like that are often why unwanted couches wind up on the sides of roads in poorer neighborhoods. Many factors contribute to poverty, including sub-par wages, overpriced-but-necessary products and the struggle to pay off debt from things like student loans. AFBC has helped thousands of borrowers apply for federal income-driven repayment programs, which are intended to lower borrowers' monthly payments based on income and family size. "Times are hard enough as it is for most Americans and we at AFBC feel that people shouldn't have to worry about burdensome student loan repayment on top of that struggle," said Molina. About Financial Education Benefits Center Financial Education Benefits Center is located in San Ramon, California. The membership company has already helped thousands save money and obtain the necessary education required to live a financially healthy life. Financial Education Benefits Center has partnered with several name brand third-party companies to expand the financial and educational products and services available to its members and to provide a variety of wellness services as well. Financial Education Benefits Center Newsroom Contact To learn more about Financial Education Benefits Center, please contact: Financial Education Benefits Center 2010 Crow Canyon Place Ste. 100 San Ramon, CA 94583 1-800-953-1388 [email protected] Related Images discarded-old-couch.jpg Discarded Old Couch casadaphoto/Bigstock.com image2.png Related Links American Financial Benefits Center SOURCE American Financial Benefits Center "BJ's is committed to nourishing our communities and helping families thrive, and we're excited to support The Greater Boston Food Bank's School-Based Pantry Summer Program," said Kirk Saville, executive director, BJ's Charitable Foundation. "Hunger-relief programs are crucial for children and families who lose access to school lunches in the summer. Through our partnership with Feeding America, we're helping to provide access to fresh, healthy food to families when school is out for the summer." With BJ's $100,000 grant, The Greater Boston Food Bank will increase the number of fresh, nutritious meals distributed to children and families through its Summer Pantry Programs. The grant will enable the food bank to expand its efforts to reach more children and families this summer. "Hunger doesn't take a summer break," said Catherine D'Amato, president and CEO, The Greater Boston Food Bank. " We're incredibly thankful for BJ's grant to support our Summer Pantry Programs, which will allow us to increase the number of healthy meals we distribute to families at a time when they need it most." In addition to the grant, BJ's team members volunteered at The Greater Boston Food Bank to sort and package healthy food to distribute at school-based pantries. The Greater Boston Food Bank delivers the nutritious food directly to partner sites, where it is displayed in a farmer's market environment for children and families. During the school year, more than 22 million children receive free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. In the summer months, fewer than 4 million children receive free or reduced-priced meals through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. From mobile and school pantries to congregate meal sites in public areas like summer camps, the Feeding America network operates different program models to increase the number of meals provided to children over the summer. Since 2009, BJ's has provided ongoing support to Feeding America through the BJ's Charitable Foundation and BJ's Feeding Communities program, helping local food banks successfully expand their programs to reach wider and more diverse audiences. In addition to summer programming and capacity-building grants from the BJ's Charitable Foundation, BJ's has secured over 70 million pounds of donated food, including fresh produce, frozen meats and fish, baked goods and dairy items, and helped distribute 58 million meals to neighbors in need through the BJ's Feeding Communities program. To learn more about the BJ's, visit BJs.com. About BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. Headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. is a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs on the East Coast of the United States. The company currently operates 215 clubs and 135 BJ's Gas locations in 16 states. BJ's provides a one-stop shopping destination filled with top-quality, leading brands, including its exclusive Wellsley Farms and Berkley Jensen brands, along with USDA Choice meats, premium produce and delicious organics, many in supermarket sizes. BJ's is also the only major membership warehouse club to accept all manufacturers' coupons. The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BJ). About The Greater Boston Food Bank The Greater Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. GBFB provides the equivalent of nearly 50 million healthy meals annually distributed through its network of 530 member agencies in the 190 cities and towns across Eastern Massachusetts. GBFB operates four direct service programs at nearly 70 sites throughout the area. A member of Feeding America, the nation's food bank network, GBFB serves more than 140,000 people every month in its mission to create a hunger-free Eastern Massachusetts. For more information, visit us at GBFB.org, become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter (@gr8bosfoodbank), or call us at 617.427.5200. SOURCE BJ's Wholesale Club Related Links http://www.bjs.com Next-gen BlackBerry Workspaces with precise recovery capability minimizes business disruption LAS VEGAS, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BLACK HAT USA 2018 -- BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX: BB) today announced its next-generation BlackBerry Workspaces content collaboration platform, featuring a new ransomware recovery capability that allows organizations to quickly recover from cyberattacks. Despite even the best precautions an organization can take, ransomware attacks will still happen. Ransomware attacks were the most common type of malware in 2017,1 and it's projected that, by the end of 2019, a business will be hit by a ransomware attack every 14 seconds with the resulting damage costs predicted to reach $11.5B annually.2 BlackBerry's new ransomware recovery feature helps organizations contain and limit the damage of ransomware attacks by freezing the accounts of affected users should their PC computers and synced files become infected. Most ransomware recovery solutions enforce a companywide rollback, meaning even users whose systems were not impacted may lose data. With BlackBerry Workspaces, the administrator can check user logs to pinpoint exactly what workspaces, folders and files have been affected, and selectively roll impacted files back to pre-attack versions and without restrictions on how far back it can recover. The ability to precisely remove just the infected files helps organizations avoid the loss of work and productivity that often come with system-wide recovery mechanisms. "Beyond data loss, opportunity costs, and reputational risks, downtime resulting from ransomware attacks can inflict real harm on customers in any industry, including healthcare or public safety, where the consequences of any delay can be catastrophic," said Billy Ho, Executive Vice President of Enterprise Products, BlackBerry. "Organizations need to have a strong culture of security to minimize the risk of an attack something that our Cybersecurity Consulting team has been supporting for the last several years. And in a worst-case scenario, it's critical that organizations also have a layered defense model in place and an enterprise technology stack that is designed with the inevitable breach in mind." The new ransomware recovery feature will be available in the BlackBerry Workspaces Collaborate and Secure Plus editions at no additional cost. BlackBerry will be demonstrating this new solution at the 2018 BlackBerry Security Summits in London on September 12 and New York City on October 4. To register and view a full agenda for the BlackBerry Security Summits, please visit www.BlackBerry.com/SecuritySummit. Connected endpoints in the Enterprise of Things (EoT) have transformed how companies work, deliver goods and services and solve problems, but they also leave companies vulnerable to cyberattacks. BlackBerry helps protect organizations from ransomware with various secure software offerings, including BlackBerry Workspaces, partnerships and deep integration with several mobile threat detection application vendors, and cybersecurity expertise through BlackBerry Cybersecurity Consulting, which offers a ransomware readiness assessment to help organizations review their threat landscapes and design cybersecurity strategies to mitigate attacks. To learn more about BlackBerry and EoT, please visit www.blackberry.com. Editor's Note: On Tuesday, August 21 , BlackBerry will be hosting a webinar to provide a step-by-step demonstration of the new BlackBerry Workspaces with ransomware recovery. Interested participants can register here to attend. About BlackBerry BlackBerry is an enterprise software and services company focused on securing and managing IoT endpoints. The company does this with BlackBerry Secure, an end-to-end Enterprise of Things platform, comprised of its enterprise communication and collaboration software and safety-certified embedded solutions. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, BlackBerry was founded in 1984 and operates in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Middle East, Latin America and Africa. The Company trades under the ticker symbol "BB" on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. For more information visit BlackBerry.com, and follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. About Black Hat For more than 20 years, Black Hat has provided attendees with the very latest in information security research, development, and trends. These high-profile global events and trainings are driven by the needs of the security community, striving to bring together the best minds in the industry. Black Hat inspires professionals at all career levels, encouraging growth and collaboration among academia, world-class researchers, and leaders in the public and private sectors. Black Hat Briefings and Trainings are held annually in the United States, Europe and Asia. More information is available at: blackhat.com. Black Hat is organized by UBM plc. UBM is the largest pure-play B2B Events organizer in the world. Our 3,750+ people, based in more than 20 countries, serve more than 50 different sectors. Our deep knowledge and passion for these sectors allow us to create valuable experiences which enable our customers to succeed. Please visit www.ubm.com for the latest news and information about UBM. Media Relations: BlackBerry (519) 597-7273 [email protected] Investor Relations: BlackBerry (519) 888-7465 [email protected] BlackBerry and related trademarks, names and logos are the property of BlackBerry Limited and are registered and/or used in the U.S. and countries around the world. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. BlackBerry is not responsible for any third-party products or services. 1 Verizon 2017 Data Breach Investigations Report 2 Cybersecurity Ventures SOURCE Blackberry Limited Related Links http://BlackBerry.com SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BOScoin (www.boscoin.io, CEO Yezune Choi, Corporate Name: Blockchain OS), Korea's first blockchain project announced that it signed an agreement with the Society of Logistics Science and Technology (President Nochul Park) to conduct research on ways to utilize blockchain in logistics and distribution. This research focuses on promoting the implementation of blockchain technology by discovering specific business models that demonstrate ways to utilize blockchain in the logistics and distribution industry in Korea as well as by putting forward ways to collaborate with existing logistics and distribution companies. A researcher at the Society of Logistics Science and Technology said, "Few blockchain companies in the private sector both at home and abroad have collaborated with academia to conduct a research project to implement blockchain in the logistics and distribution industry. I hope this project will find ways to transform the logistics and distribution industry through new technologies such as blockchain." In May, BOScoin forged a strategic alliance with Energy7 (http://www.energy7.kr, CEO Jaehyang Kim), an energy Fintech platform company, to transform petroleum distribution through blockchain. In particular, BOScoin plans to introduce a payment system based on its Trust Contract to enable transactions without involving a third-party intermediary. It also provided the definition of Public Financing (PF) in its Whitepaper 2.0 Part1 Overview and is seeking a project of Reverse ICO in the logistics and distribution industry. The research is expected to help discover a public financing project that best fits BOScoin's mainnet and put forward an efficient business model of a close partnership with logistics and distribution companies. Yezune Choi, CEO of BOScoin, said, "Efficient implementation of blockchain by logistics and distribution companies will simplify and automate the dealing process resulting in paperless transactions. The logistics and distribution is one of the industries that will achieve the highest efficiency by transforming its transaction structure through blockchain since it has a complex transaction structure involving multiple stakeholders at each stage." About BOScoin Korea's first blockchain project, BOScoin, was launched by Blockchain OS through an ICO in May 2017. 500 million BOScoins were first released, and the ICO of BOScoin reached about 15.7 billion won hardcap within 9 minutes from the start. Approximately 60 billion won worth fundraising was completed within 17 hours. BOScoin opened its testnet source in June and prepares to open its mainnet based on its own technology. BOScoin ultimately aims at turning into an investment bank based on a new type of finance brought about by its Public Financing (PF). Currently, it is seeking partners who pursue to build an innovative business model by grafting blockchain technology onto their industry on the BOScoin platform, pushing ahead with the creation of BOScoin ecosystem. It is expected to be listed on Coinbene (www.coinbene.com) in August. SOURCE BOScoin Related Links http://www.boscoin.io The funding was provided by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), in collaboration with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). These councils also form part of UK Research & Innovation ( www.ukri.org ). UKRI's Chief Executive, Professor Sir Mark Walport, said: "The UK's global stature in research and innovation is founded on access to internationally competitive infrastructure. This investment means researchers will have systems that provide greater sensitivity and a greater understanding of molecular structures, with potential impacts in pharmaceuticals, biomaterials, materials science and biotechnology." Dr. Falko Busse, President of the Bruker BioSpin Group, commented: "The major investment in next-generation NMR technology by the UK research councils is evidence of the importance of NMR for structural biology, research on disordered proteins, drug discovery and advanced materials research. We are very pleased to support this initiative and to provide the enabling tools for this cutting-edge research." The University of Warwick has ordered an AVANCE 1.0 GHz solid-state NMR spectrometer which will serve the UK national research community in the physical and life sciences. The instrument will provide new structural and dynamic information in chemistry, materials science and biology, and adds to Warwick's capabilities that include an AVANCE 850 MHz solid-state spectrometer. The new 1 GHz will enable researches from across the UK to be trained with the most advanced equipment. Crucial industrial research in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and catalysis will also benefit from this investment. Professor Steven Brown from the University of Warwick's Solid-State NMR Group stated: "It is tremendous for the UK research community that a world-leading 1 GHz NMR system dedicated to solid-state applications has now been ordered, following support of scientists from 18 UK universities and 6 UK industry companies for the funding application." The University of Birmingham will focus their future 1 GHz NMR spectrometer on biomedical applications, and to develop new analytical methods for drug discovery and development. Professor Ulrich Guenther added: "The 1 GHz technology will be a crucial step-change for the UK NMR community by providing a tool to study the most challenging problems in structure and behaviour of molecules across chemical and biomedical sciences, including real-time measurements of metabolism in cancer cells." In addition, upgrades to existing systems will invigorate NMR research throughout the UK: University of Oxford : A new CryoProbe for an existing AVANCE 950 MHz system will provide increased sensitivity for the analysis of a wider range of scarce and low-concentration compounds. A new for an existing system will provide increased sensitivity for the analysis of a wider range of scarce and low-concentration compounds. University of Edinburgh : An upgraded 800 MHz system and probes will provide a focal point for NMR research together with major Scottish universities as well as with an outreach to industry. An upgraded 800 MHz system and probes will provide a focal point for NMR research together with major Scottish universities as well as with an outreach to industry. University of Leicester : An upgraded 800 MHz system will be used for method development and training of new NMR scientists, as well as to develop in-cell NMR technology. An upgraded 800 MHz system will be used for method development and training of new NMR scientists, as well as to develop in-cell NMR technology. University of Nottingham : An upgraded 800 MHz system will provide enhanced sensitivity and an increased range of applications. An upgraded 800 MHz system will provide enhanced sensitivity and an increased range of applications. University of Liverpool : An upgraded 800 MHz will include additional solid-state capabilities. An upgraded 800 MHz will include additional solid-state capabilities. University of Sheffield : The 800 MHz NMR facility will be upgraded to give five times faster acquisition, and also to add high-pressure NMR analytical capabilities. About Bruker Corporation (NASDAQ: BRKR) Bruker is enabling scientists to make breakthrough discoveries and develop new applications that improve the quality of human life. Bruker's high-performance scientific instruments and high-value analytical and diagnostic solutions enable scientists to explore life and materials at molecular, cellular and microscopic levels. In close cooperation with our customers, Bruker is enabling innovation, improved productivity and customer success in life science molecular research, in applied and pharma applications, in microscopy and nanoanalysis, and in industrial applications, as well as in cell biology, preclinical imaging, clinical phenomics and proteomics research and clinical microbiology. For more information, please visit: www.bruker.com. Media Contact: Investor Contact: Thorsten Thiel, Ph.D. Miroslava Minkova VP of Group Marketing Director, Investor Relations & Bruker BioSpin Group Corporate Development T: +49 (721) 51616500 Bruker Corporation E: [email protected] T: +1 (978) 663-3660, ext. 1479 E: [email protected] SOURCE Bruker Corporation Related Links https://www.bruker.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 6) President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law on Monday an act creating a national identification system in the country. The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act of 2018, authored by Senator Panfilo Lacson, aims to create a single official identification card for all citizens that integrates and interconnects various government-issued IDs. In his speech at the signing ceremony in Malacanang, the President said the act would establish a single national ID system that would promote "good governance, enhanced governmental transactions, and create a more conducive environment for trade and commerce to thrive." The national ID, he said, would be called "Phil-ID" and would be issued to all residents and resident aliens living in the country. The use of single identification card when conducting transactions would not just result in processes being done quicker, but also reduce the occurrence of fraudulent transactions and create a more secure environment. Duterte also sought to dispel fears saying information stored in the ID would not be any different from information already with the National Statistics Authority, PhilHealth, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), or other agencies that gather personal data. Duterte said, "Moreover, the Philippine Statistics Authority shall work closely with the National Privacy Law Commission, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the multi-agency PhilSystem Policy and Coordination Council to address all concerns pertaining to privacy and security." "There is therefore, no basis at all for the apprehension about the PhilID unless of course that fear is based on anything that borders to illegal," the President added. Lacson previously said having different forms of functional IDs results in "duplication of efforts, wastage of resources, and uncoordinated identity approaches." READ: Senate OKs national ID system bill on final reading The national ID system will have 13 sets of information. It will bear the PhilSys number (PSN), full name, sex, blood type, date of birth, place of birth, marital status, and photo of the ID owner. More information will be stored in the PhilSys registry, such as mobile number, email address, and biometrics data, including full set of fingerprints and iris scan. Congress approved and ratified the measure in May. Once signed by the President, officials shall roll out the identification cards to one million Filipinos before the end of the year with priority to persons with disability, senior citizens, and the poor. WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Bunge Limited (NYSE: BG) today announced that Brian Thomsen, President, Agribusiness, has informed the company of his intent to retire from Bunge. Mr. Thomsen will remain with the company through the end of the year in order to ensure a smooth transition. Mr. Thomsen joined the company in 2004, and has led Bunge's Agribusiness segment since May 2014, having previously served as Managing Director of the global Grains and Oilseeds product lines. "Brian's leadership, business knowledge and expertise in risk management have been instrumental to Bunge over the years," said CEO Soren Schroder. "In his role as President of Agribusiness, Brian has built a strong commercial team, enhanced our global value chain integration and strengthened our global footprint of assets through various partnerships around the world. We wish Brian all the best in his retirement and thank him for his leadership and contributions to the company. I have full confidence in our Agribusiness team to execute on the plan and deliver a strong year for Bunge." Mr. Thomsen said, "This was a personal decision for me, and it has been my honor to have served this organization over the past 14 years. I am proud of the team that we have built and all the great work they have done, and will continue to do, to advance Bunge Agribusiness." Website Information We routinely post important information for investors on our website, www.bunge.com, in the "Investors" section. We may use this website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investors section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document. About Bunge Limited Bunge Limited (www.bunge.com,NYSE: BG) is a leading global agribusiness and food company operating in over 40 countries with approximately 32,000 employees. Bunge buys, sells, stores and transports oilseeds and grains to serve customers worldwide; processes oilseeds to make protein meal for animal feed; produces edible oil products for consumers and commercial customers in the food processing, industrial and artisanal bakery, confectionery, human nutrition and food service categories; produces sugar and ethanol from sugarcane; mills wheat, corn and rice to make ingredients used by food companies; and sells fertilizer in South America. Founded in 1818, the company is headquartered in White Plains, New York. Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains both historical and forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, 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. These forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations and projections about our future results, performance, prospects and opportunities. We have tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words including "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "intend," "estimate," "continue" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. The following important factors, among others, could affect our business and financial performance: industry conditions, including fluctuations in supply, demand and prices for agricultural commodities and other raw materials and products used in our business; fluctuations in energy and freight costs and competitive developments in our industries; the effects of weather conditions and the outbreak of crop and animal disease on our business; global and regional agricultural, economic, financial and commodities market, political, social and health conditions; the outcome of pending regulatory and legal proceedings; our ability to complete, integrate and benefit from acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and strategic alliances; our ability to achieve the efficiencies, savings and other benefits anticipated from our cost reduction, margin improvement and other business optimization initiatives; changes in government policies, laws and regulations affecting our business, including agricultural and trade policies, tax regulations and biofuels legislation; and other factors affecting our business generally. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made only as of the date of this release, and except as otherwise required by federal securities law, we do not have any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. SOURCE Bunge Limited Related Links http://www.bunge.com NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cantor Fitzgerald Investors, LLC ("CFI"), a leading sponsor of real estate investment management products, announces the purchase of a recently developed 241,493 square foot, Class A office building located in the Easton submarket of Columbus, Ohio. CFI, together with Rodin Global Property Trust, Inc. ("Rodin Global"), a public, non-traded real estate investment trust sponsored by CFI, acquired the asset for $46.95 million. The property is 100 percent leased through September 2032 to Comenity Servicing LLC, a subsidiary of Alliance Data Systems Corporation, which serves as guarantor of the lease. CFI and its affiliates completed more than $10 billion of commercial real estate acquisitions and financings over the past 18 months. "This acquisition demonstrates our commitment to investing in assets that possess both high credit quality tenants and strong real estate fundamentals," says Roger Shreero, Managing Director, Cantor Fitzgerald. Recently constructed in 2017, the building is part of a three-property office campus that houses more than 1,700 employees and serves as the headquarters for Alliance Data Card Services. The property is located in the Easton submarket of Columbus, Ohio, a 1,300-acre master planned community comprised of approximately 4.2 million square feet of Class A office space and almost 3.8 million square feet of retail space, as well as several multifamily residential properties and luxury hotels. "This building represented another excellent opportunity for us to continue on our trajectory of disciplined growth, expanding our portfolio with exceptional assets and world-class tenants," explains Ken Carpenter, Managing Director, Cantor Fitzgerald and President of Rodin Global. "It demonstrates our continued focus on seeking strategic investments in mission-critical assets with creditworthy tenants on long-term leases." About Cantor Fitzgerald Cantor Fitzgerald, a leading global financial services group at the forefront of financial and technological innovation has been a proven and resilient leader for over 65 years. Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. is a preeminent investment bank serving more than 7,000 institutional clients around the world, recognized for its strengths in fixed income and equity capital markets, investment banking, prime brokerage, and commercial real estate finance and for its global distribution platform. Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. is one of 23 primary dealers authorized to trade U.S. government securities with The Federal Reserve Bank of New York. For more information, please visit: http://www.cantor.com/. About Rodin Global Property Trust, Inc. Rodin Global Property Trust, Inc., Rodin Global, intends to invest in and manage a diversified portfolio of income-producing, net-lease commercial properties located in the United States and select European countries. About Cantor Fitzgerald Investors, LLC Cantor Fitzgerald Investors, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P., is a leading sponsor of real estate investment products. SOURCE Cantor Fitzgerald Related Links http://www.cantor.com FORT MYERS, Fla., Aug. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Chico's FAS, Inc. (NYSE:CHS) (the "Company") today announced that it has completed a $200 million senior secured credit facility with Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) and other lenders to support ongoing business operations. "After an in-depth evaluation, we chose Wells Fargo to lead our new asset-based credit facility, which will offer us greater borrowing flexibility," says Todd Vogensen, EVP and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. "The Wells Fargo team provided us with a creative and cost-effective financing solution, which maximizes our liquidity." "Wells Fargo is excited to work with an industry leader such as Chico's FAS, and strengthen our existing relationship with this important client by leveraging our expertise in the retail space to facilitate this refinancing," says Keith Vercauteren, head of Retail Finance, Wells Fargo Capital Finance. "We provide our retail customers with the financial flexibility and industry knowledge to support their long-term strategy and growth in the ever-changing retail sector." About Chico's FAS, Inc. The Company, through its brands Chico's, White House Black Market and Soma, is a leading omni-channel specialty retailer of women's private branded, sophisticated, casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates, and complementary accessories. As of May 5, 2018, the Company operated 1,451 stores in the US and Canada and sold merchandise through 94 franchise locations in Mexico. The Company's merchandise is also available at www.chicos.com, www.chicosofftherack.com, www.whbm.com and www.soma.com as well as through third party channels. For more detailed information on Chico's FAS, Inc., please go to our corporate website at www.chicosfas.com. The information on our corporate website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this press release or incorporated into our federal securities law filings. About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo's vision is to satisfy our customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through 8,050 locations, 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 38 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No.26 on Fortune's 2018 rankings of America's largest corporations. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories. Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Investors and readers are cautioned that certain statements contained in this release are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, which depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, which include words such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "intends" or similar expressions. In addition, any statements concerning future financial performance, ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible future actions are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to various risks, including, but not limited to, general economic and business conditions, and conditions in the specialty retail industry. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and the Company undertakes no specific obligation or intention to update these statements after the date of this release. Executive Contacts: Julie Lorigan Chico's FAS, Inc. Vice President Investor Relations, Public Relations and Corporate Communications (239) 346-4199 [email protected] Trisha Schultz Wells Fargo & Company Vice President, Corporate Communications (314) 875-3863 [email protected] @TrishSchultzWF SOURCE Chico's FAS, Inc. Related Links http://www.chicos.com WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Chopin Imports Limited (CIL), the exclusive marketing company for Chopin Vodka brand, Dorda Liqueurs, Clase Azul Tequila, La Pinta Pomegranate Liqueur, Portobello Road Gin, and Australian Bitters, today announced that it has appointed Charles "Chuck" Kane to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Kane will have oversight and accountability for all operating aspects of the organization including the growth of CIL. The announcement was made by Tadeusz Dorda, Founder and CEO of Chopin Imports. "Chuck's ability to build brands, lead teams and increase profits speaks for itself," said Dorda. "He has a proven track record of exceeding expectations, and I am confident he will achieve even more with Chopin Imports." Kane has worked in the wine and spirits industry for more than 20 years, with extensive knowledge of on- and off-premise, including small-batch spirits. In his most recent role as the Vice President, National Sales Manager for 3 Badge Beverage Corporation he directed the company's Spirits sales division as well as overseeing product innovation and new brand launches. Kane has achieved a Level 2 Certificate from the Master Court of Sommeliers and a Certificate of International Compliance from the Department of Commerce. Kane graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a degree in Human Sciences. "I have always looked up to the Chopin brand. The Dorda family has established their name as one synonymous with superior ingredients and great-tasting products," said Kane. "There is a wealth of opportunity to expand on what they have built, and I am honored to lead this endeavor." "Chuck's commitment to designing and executing successful strategies for family-owned companies and small-batch brands makes him well positioned for this role. We are excited to have him onboard," Dorda added. About Chopin Imports Ltd. Chopin Imports Limited (CIL) was established to market one of the world's top vodkas, Chopin Vodka, and other expressions created by the Dorda family. Chopin Vodka products are distilled from local ingredients grown in Podlasie region, Poland (100km east of Warsaw) and the entire distillation process from growing, cooking, fermenting and distilling raw ingredients, to bottling is carefully tended on the Dorda family property. Chopin Vodka was the first to debut ultra-luxury vodka in 1993 with its iconic bottles a design that has since redefined the vodka sector, and the only brand in the world to produce a range of distinctive vodkas from different ingredients. CIL offers its renowned single-ingredient vodkas potato, rye and wheat; limited-edition line of SINGLE, once distilled spirits that showcase just how different vodkas can be; and a duo of Dorda Liqueurs (Dorda Double Chocolate and Dorda Sea Salt Caramel). Naturally gluten free, Chopin Vodka has been named one of the best vodkas by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition for eight years consecutively with Chopin Potato being the most awarded potato vodka in the world. CIL has since used its successful sales and marketing insights to expand its super-premium agency brand portfolio. SOURCE Chopin Vodka Related Links http://www.chopinvodka.com MINNETONKA, Minn., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Respicardia, Inc., a medical technology company developing innovative therapies that improve cardiovascular health, today announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved a New Technology Add-On Payment (NTAP) for the remede System. The remede System is a first-of-its-kind implanted therapy that is clinically proven to reduce the severity of central sleep apnea, improve sleep and enhance patients' quality of life.1 The NTAP program recognizes innovative medical technologies that substantially improve the diagnosis or treatment of Medicare beneficiaries. "We are very pleased that CMS recognizes the remede System as a substantial clinical improvement in the available treatment options for Central Sleep Apnea," said Peter Sommerness, President and CEO of Respicardia. "We applaud the CMS NTAP program for its critical role in providing additional hospital reimbursement and improving patient access to innovative medical technologies like the remede System." Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) is a serious breathing disorder that disrupts the normal breathing pattern during sleep and negatively affects quality of life and overall cardiovascular health. CSA results from the brain's inability to send appropriate signals to the respiratory muscles to stimulate breathing. The remede System is a breakthrough, implantable system that treats the harmful effects of central sleep apnea by restoring a more normal breathing pattern during sleep. The NTAP program will provide additional reimbursement on top of the standard Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Group (MS-DRG) payment to hospitals paid under the Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (PPS) and will become effective on October 1, 2018. About the remede System The remede System is a transvenous, implantable neurostimulation system that causes the phrenic nerve to activate the diaphragm, restoring a normal breathing pattern during sleep in adult patients with moderate to severe CSA. The remede System pivotal clinical trial, published in The Lancet, demonstrated that transvenous neurostimulation with the remede System can significantly reduce the severity of CSA, improve sleep, and improve both quality of life and patient satisfaction. Recently published data in the American Journal of Cardiology demonstrates continued, long term efficacy of the therapy.2 The remede System received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in October 2017 and is commencing market release in a limited number of centers in the United States and Europe. About Respicardia Respicardia is a leader in innovative technologies that address the unmet needs in respiratory and cardiovascular disease with safe and effective therapies. Founded in 2006 and headquartered near Minneapolis, Minn., Respicardia is dedicated to improving patient outcomes, quality of life and overall cardiovascular health via novel transvenous neurostimulation therapies. Learn more at www.respicardia.com. 1 Costanzo M, et al. Transvenous neurostimulation for central sleep apnoea: a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet. 2016; 388: 97482 2 Costanzo M, et al. Sustained Twelve Month Benefit of Phrenic Nerve Stimulation for Central Sleep Apnea. Am J Cardiol. 2018. pii: S0002-9149(18)30258-3. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2018.02.022. SOURCE Respicardia, Inc. CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- College Consensus (http://www.collegeconsensus.com), a unique new college ranking website, has published their ranking of the Best Colleges in Vermont 2018 at http://www.collegeconsensus.com/ranking/best-colleges-vt/. To identify the Best Colleges in Vermont for 2018, College Consensus combined the latest results from the most respected college ranking systems with thousands of real student reviews to produce a unique consensus score for each school. According to College Consensus founder Jeremy Alder, "Similar to what Rotten Tomatoes does for movies, College Consensus gathers the publisher rankings and student reviews from around the web and distills the results into simple, easy to understand scores so students can quickly and easily compare schools. It is the ranking of all rankings, so to speak." Learn more about the College Consensus rankings methodology at http://www.collegeconsensus.com/about/. To help prospective Vermont students evaluate the higher education options that are right for their unique needs, College Consensus identified the best-ranked colleges in the Green Mountain State: 1. Middlebury College - Middlebury, VT 2. Bennington College - Bennington, VT 3. Saint Michael's College - Colchester, VT 4. Marlboro College - Marlboro, VT 5. University of Vermont - Burlington, VT (tie) 5. Champlain College - Burlington, VT (tie) 7. Norwich University - Northfield, VT 8. Castleton University - Castleton, VT 9. Lyndon State College - Lyndonville, VT Vermont has always done things its own way, literally from the very beginning, when Vermonters took their inspiration from the Revolutionary War to declare themselves an independent republic. While they may have joined the Union a few years later, that fiercely independent streak has made Vermont one of the best-educated, most progressive, and coolest states of all. With the 2nd-smallest population in the US, Vermont is largely known for agriculture and adventure tourism, but it has a strong tradition of education; in fact, Vermont was the first state to mandate public education. That has given Vermont a reputation not only as one of the best-educated, but also one of the healthiest states. While it has its major research university in the University of Vermont, the state is best known for its innovative, influential liberal arts colleges, some of the most unique anywhere. "New England is known for its small liberal arts colleges, and Vermont is very much a New England state," Managing Editor Carrie Sealey-Morris explains, "but its heritage of liberal arts colleges is not stuffy, elite traditional schools." Instead, Vermont's fearless spirit of innovation has given it institutions "like Bennington College, a pioneering women's college that produced some of the 20th century's greatest dancers, actors, and writers, or Marlboro College, a model of student-faculty relations in which every member of the community has an equal voice." "A solid higher education system made up of experimenters, trailblazers, and innovators explains why" Vermont has become known as one of the most progressive and independent states, from politics to culture. "Whether it's creating one of the nation's first online degree programs like Champlain College, or becoming one of the first fair-trade colleges in the nation, like Saint Michael's College," Sealey-Morris explains, "Vermont's best colleges and universities are always ahead of the curve." College Consensus is a new approach to college rankings. We combine the latest results from the most respected college ranking systems with thousands of real student review scores from around the web to produce an aggregate College Consensus rating for each school. Students will not find a more comprehensive ranking of the top colleges and universities anywhere. In addition to rankings, College Consensus also offers expert advice and guidance on all aspects of college life, from finding the perfect college, to getting accepted, paying for it, and finding your professional path after graduation. Carrie Sealey-Morris Managing Editor, College Consensus [email protected] (512) 710-9901 http://www.collegeconsensus.com/ https://www.facebook.com/collegeconsensus/ SOURCE College Consensus Related Links http://www.collegeconsensus.com Among her priorities for the next four years are the promotion of small and medium-sized companies while strengthening the joint work between the public and private sector. Great emphasis will also be on the development of new local destinations and products with a special focus on culture and gastronomy. "We are a destination that is constantly evolving, able to offer unique experiences to visitors 365 days of the year. A small but large country not only in its natural richness, but also because of our warm and hospitable people, who will certainly manage to sow in your hearts the desire to return," said Revelo. With the country's new convention center in full swing, Revelo is determined to position Costa Rica as an attractive destination for the MICE industry. Efforts of attracting new flight routes to the country from North America are also on Revelo's agenda. "The North American market remains the main generator of tourists to the country with nearly 1.3 million annual visitors and a prospect market potential estimate of more than 20 million visitors," said Revelo. "I will place special emphasis on the United States, as it is very important that we strengthen the relationship with the airlines that come from that region. Additional routes will strengthen the air operations of such an important market and open new opportunities at truly competitive prices." Costa Rica is a leader in the quest for environmental sustainability. Naturally, sustainability is a cross axis in all of Revelo's actions in the ministry; she will focus efforts on strengthening and encouraging more companies in the sector to obtain sustainable tourism certification (CST). The tourism board has currently issued this certification to 391 tourism companies including hotels, tour operators, car rental companies, as well as marinas and restaurants that showcase their commitment to sustainable operations in their businesses. "It is my belief that together, Costa Rica is on a great path to attract more tourists and achieve environmental sustainability," said Revelo. For more information, visit www.VisitCostaRica.com. About Costa Rica Set between Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica offers visitors an abundance of unique wildlife, landscapes and climates -- meaning a trip to this Central American country is anything but run-of-the-mill. The country proudly shelters approximately five percent of the known biodiversity in the world and has become a global leader in sustainable practices. Visitors to Costa Rica enjoy a highly organized tourism infrastructure offering a broad terrain of activities and accommodations. About Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) Established in 1955, the Costa Rica Tourism Board (the ICT), alongside its partners in the private sector, spearheads the vital task of regulating and promoting Costa Rica's extensive tourism offerings. SOURCE Costa Rica Tourism Board MALIBU, Calif., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer, the premier matchmakers for products and press, Consumer Product Events, is making a list of favorite home products that have been at our presentation events over the past 5 years. The following is our "best-of" list and possibilities for news briefs, gift guides and other product roundup stories: Anam Caras Fine Art Prints a personalized, museum-quality print series of fantastical spirit-animals that guide and protect. Home products to talk about nearing Q4 2018. Bespoke Crates by Maricela Sanchez a line of luxury pet crates and gates that don't create an eye sore in the house. Breathe the first and only 100% non-toxic aerosol household cleaning line, certified by the EPA's Safer Choice Program, as being safer for people, pets and the environment Blue Diamond the world's largest processor of almonds, producing over 80% of the worlds almond supply. Earth Friendly Products / Disney ECOS for Pets created in partnership with The Walt Disney Company, ECOS is a safer laundry detergent designed for newborns, infants, and toddlers. Frette maker of "The Finest Linens in the World," Frette been featured everywhere from the altar of St. Peter's Basilica to the dining car of the Orient Express. Hero Clean is a home cleaning product formulated specifically to handle guys' unique sweat, stains, odor and messes. Litter Robot A self-cleaning litter box gives cat owners 15 days of their life back which would have been spent bending down and inhaling litter box waste. PetCube - dispenses treats while the pet parent trains remotely from their smartphone. Modern Christmas Trees A mid-century architecturally-chic alternative for the artificial Christmas tree with a collapsible spiral of metals that dangle chandelier crystal droplets and glass balls. Motorola Wifi Pet Monitors The Wi-Fi connected SCOUT 1 video camera allows pet owners to activate soothing music or change room temperature for their pets remotely. Organic Nectars A hand-crafted organic cashew ice cream that is free of dairy, gluten, soy and refined sugar with half the calories of most other frozen desserts. Tarnish Me Not - Creates a hypoallergenic barrier on jewelry to prevent the metal from tarnishing and irritating sensitive skin. Unselfish Is a coffee table book that celebrates extraordinary sacrifices of regular people and celebrities. Verterra - Disposable dinnerware, made of fallen palm leaves, is a very stylish alternative to disposable paper and plastic plates. Consumer Product Events, a sister company of Brown + Dutch Public Relations, Inc. established in 1996, connects consumer packaged goods with the press who are looking to report about them. Media Contact: Danny Teremzawi, [email protected] 310.317.1543 SOURCE Consumer Product Events Related Links http://www.consumerproductevents.com PETALUMA, Calif., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Many forecasters are guessing that those who are 23 years old and younger will be the next great generation of entrepreneurs.A study by Universum asked 50,000 high school graduates and found that nearly 60 percent of Generation Z is spooked by student loan debt and that they are open to exploring if trying to make money after high school graduation might be more advantageous than going to college. More than 36 percent were fearful that they will be stuck in careers that do not have development opportunities. Generation Zs are also very comfortable with starting their own businesses or doing contract work. Brandon Frere, CEO of Frere Enterprises and other ventures, recognizes that Generation Z seems primed to be energetic, imaginative entrepreneurs. "It takes a lot to really make it as an entrepreneur and it isn't for everyone," said Frere. "But I am very excited about the next generation. Their technological abilities will be off the charts and if they have the drive and desire to add value to the lives of their customers, I'm certain they will create undreamed-of innovations." Generation Z is also the first generation born into technology. The smartphone turned 20 years old this year. Their familiarity with technology and devices allows them to create and edit a document, post a photo on Instagram, check in on their social media platforms and talk to someone all by only using their phone. Their curiosity has never been limited and can only be defined by the width and breadth of the internet. Digital learning tools have further broadened the horizons of possibilities. They have also grown up with stories of individuals starting out small, working alone or in little groups and coming up with the next world-changing innovation. For them, the names such as Gates, Zuckerberg, Musk, Page, Brin, Bezos, Jobs and Benioff are legendary and synonymous with success. These titans have innovated and redefined what it means to be an entrepreneur in the 21st century. For Frere, these indications mark a promising future rise in entrepreneurial spirit and he believes that Generation Z has the tools to tackle social, economic and technological challenges. "Of course, we will have to wait and see," said Frere, "But I am very hopeful that Generation Z will exceed my high expectations and be able to discover and scale solutions. There are many challenges ahead and it is imperative that we have visionary and driven entrepreneurs to take them on." 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. His company website, www.FrereEnterprises.com, is used as a means to communicate many of the lessons, fundamentals, and information that he has learned throughout his extensive business and personal endeavors. Most recently, Frere has focused on advocating on behalf of student loan borrowers nationwide. As he 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 understand the repayment programs designed to help borrowers. This firsthand knowledge has helped him gain 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 endeavors and he now uses those experiences to help guide others through the daunting process of applying for federal repayment and loan forgiveness programs. FrereEnterprises.com Related Images group-of-smiling-young-adults.jpg Group of smiling young adults Credit: Rawpixel.com /Bigstock image2.png Related Links Frere Enterprises home page SOURCE Frere Enterprises Related Links http://www.frereenterprises.com ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- An investigation triggered by researching an email address listed in the initial United States Department of Justice indictments handed down by Special Counsel Robert Mueller uncovered more than 9 million orphaned, stolen, or leaked email accounts potentially under singular control and designed to spread misinformation, according to the "Shark20385" report from GroupSense, a leading provider of cyber intelligence services. GroupSense researchers launched their investigation after finding the password for one of the email addresses mentioned in the indictment, [email protected], in the GroupSense BreachRecon database. Analysis of this account led researchers to believe the password was computer-generated, prompting further investigation. As of today, researchers have identified over 9 million email addresses with similar computer-generated passwords. Key findings thus far include: Hijacked email accounts have been paired with other stolen credential data to conduct campaigns. The [email protected] email address linked to Russia's Internet Research Agency (IRA) by the Mueller team was used to operate a Reddit account -- allforusa -- which posted fake news stories from allforusa.com during the 2016 presidential campaign. Allforusa.com is now a Russian gambling site. email address linked to Internet Research Agency (IRA) by the Mueller team was used to operate a Reddit account -- allforusa -- which posted fake news stories from allforusa.com during the 2016 presidential campaign. Allforusa.com is now a Russian gambling site. Many of the associated email accounts were also used to post potentially fraudulent comments to the FCC's Net Neutrality filing site. Compromised email accounts promoted biased content in an attempt to influence global issues and are used in site-for-hire activities. Compromised email accounts continue to be used to influence public opinion on important topics. "[Our] team is strong on finding the proverbial needle. As a matter of course we often find suspicious data. In this case, we knew it may have not only impacted our customers, but the nation," said Kurtis Minder, CEO of GroupSense. The GroupSense paper entitled "Shark20385," after one of the implicated password combinations, details the programmatic approach to creating false personas and looks into how the network was utilized to impact policy and social media. The investigation is ongoing and GroupSense researchers anticipate further report releases on this topic. About GroupSense GroupSense is a leading provider of cyber intelligence services. GroupSense is not a feed, or a search engine for the dark web. GroupSense are people, empowered by proprietary technology, helping information security and intel teams realize value. We are trusted by governments worldwide to assist in cyber intel program development, election monitoring, and anti-fraud and risk measures. GroupSense tracks known and suspected threat actor and groups, publishing research. Our team reaches out to affected organizations regardless of customer status. Learn more at groupsense.io. CONTACTS: Josh Zecher Vrge Strategies Phone: (202) 463-0045 Email: [email protected] Adam Benson Vrge Strategies Phone: (202) 999-9104 Email: [email protected] SOURCE GroupSense SAN FRANCISCO and OWINGS MILLS, Md., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Grovo, the world's leading Microlearning solution, and Sandler Training, the premier sales development provider, today announced an exclusive partnership to deliver Sandler's leading sales enablement training content as Grovo Microlearning lessons. The partnership will offer a significant modernization of the multi-billion dollar global sales enablement industry, allowing Sandler Training and Grovo customers to learn from industry-leading sales and management training delivered in Grovo's proven Microlearning lesson format. As a result, sales teams will be able to benefit from targeted and continuous training, available exclusively from Grovo and Sandler Training, that equips them to maximize their top line results. "Sandler trains over 30,000 people each year, who consume content differently at different times, and we have seen a growing demand for short, concise lessons," said David Mattson, CEO and president of Sandler Training. "Grovo is known as the leader in Microlearning, so they were a natural choice for us. We are excited to partner with Grovo to create Microlearning modules which will provide critical information to these learners that is relevant and immediately applicable." With a global network of more than 250 training sites in over 25 countries, Sandler Training currently provides leading sales enablement and management development content. Recognized as the best provider of sales development training, Sandler's highly successful sales and management trainers impart their knowledge and expertise through over 475,000 training hours every year. Meanwhile, businesses deploy Grovo because it provides employees with a modern, impact-driven learning library based on the proprietary Grovo Microlearning framework, which offers employees single-concept lessons that are immediately relevant and applicable to their work, enabling them to effectively learn and adopt new skills and mindsets. Through this partnership, Sandler Training's renowned sales enablement and management training content will soon be delivered in Grovo's Microlearning format and available exclusively to customers of the two companies. "The best modern workplace learning has both the highest-quality content and the most effective delivery of that content," said Steven Carpenter, CEO at Grovo. "The Sandler Training sales training methodology is globally-renowned, and by turning it into Grovo Microlearning lessons, sales professionals across all businesses can now benefit from enablement that fits into their flow of work. We're thrilled to partner with Sandler to bring this first-of-its-kind sales enablement Microlearning to the market." The initial co-created Sandler and Grovo Microlearning sales enablement content will be available to customers as a premium content offering beginning this fall. The Sandler-Grovo Microlearning lessons will be exclusively available via select Sandler Training and Grovo distribution channels. For more info, email [email protected]. About Grovo Grovo is the world's leading Microlearning solution, providing modern learning that employees actually like. Grovo helps L&D teams engage employees and drive their business forward by delivering a constantly evolving library of customizable Microlearning lessons through an easy-to-use platform. Hundreds of companies of all sizes, from PepsiCo and Gap Inc. to Bitly and Magellan Health, trust Grovo to onboard employees faster, deepen their leadership bench, enable customer-facing teams, re-envision compliance programs and build inclusive, mission-driven cultures. Established in 2010 with offices in San Francisco and NYC, Grovo is backed by investors including Accel Partners and Costanoa Ventures. Learn more at grovo.com. About Sandler Training Sandler dominates the global training market through an unparalleled network of more than 250 offices worldwide, making Sandler the largest training organization in the world. Sandler's professional trainers and business experts provide more than 450,000 hours per year of instruction in 23 languages offering insight and tips on sales, sales management, leadership, and personal development topics. As Sandler CEO Dave Mattson says, "At Sandler, success and changing lives is our goal, and our mission." For more information about Sandler Training, please visit www.sandler.com. Media Contact Hilary McQuaide [email protected] SOURCE Grovo Related Links http://www.grovo.com BOYNTON BEACH, Fla., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance Strategies Group, LLC (ASG) is pleased to announce that ASG will be managing Cain Blast, the email list created by Herman Cain during and after his 2012 presidential campaign. Cain Blast has grown since Mr. Cain's campaign to include supporters of his other political endeavors, his numerous media appearances, and his daily radio show. With over 150,000 active followers and growing his fan base daily, Mr. Cain will offer digital advertising opportunities at http://hermancain.com with the assistance of ASG. Advertisers will have the ability to offer dedicated email messages to his passionate and Trump-supporting audience, who receive original content regularly on the website from Mr. Cain and his team. "We are thrilled to partner with ASG," Mr. Cain said. "They're perfectly aligned with our digital offerings and with the makeup of our audience. ASG will help us to strengthen our brand and our delivery to keep conservative ideas and information in front of the people who need it most." Bryan Rudnick, Chief Evangelist of Alliance Strategies Group, said the partnership is an excellent fit. "We are honored to have Mr. Cain, and Cain Blast join the ASG portfolio with his substantial track record for impacting the initial leadership within the Tea Party Movement, his 9-9-9 plan and his commentary on current events, which continues to impact the conservative movement," Rudnick said. "Mr. Cain still maintains a tremendous following within the conservative movement and the Tea Party, and unlike many others, knows how to handle the Swamp and the Establishment at once. It's probably why he and President Trump have such respect for one another." ABOUT HERMAN CAIN Herman Cain is an American author, business executive, radio host, syndicated columnist, and Tea Party activist from Georgia. The former Godfather's Pizza chief executive, who has never held elective office, rose to lead the Republican presidential race before ending his campaign in 2011. He is now a radio show host and Fox News Contributor. ABOUT ASG Alliance Strategies Group, located in Boynton Beach, Florida, is a full-service strategic planning, online marketing, communications, and business development firm, with a global network of experienced professionals. Since 2005, our dynamic team has been dedicated to providing our clients with professional, unique, and innovative strategies. Our combined energy and experience provides unparallelled synergy for intelligent results. ASG consults non-profit organizations and businesses as well as participates in political campaigns at almost all levels of elective office, including more than six Presidential candidates since 2012. ASG's reach offers strong relationships for both advertisers and publishers within the top political, health, faith, firearms, prepper and financial sectors. SOURCE ALLIANCE STRATEGIES GROUP LLC SHANGHAI and NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- With a shared vision to reinterpret smartphone photography and visual culture, HUAWEI, a leader in global information and communications technology, and the International Center of Photography (ICP), the world's leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture, are collaborating once again to present the second annual NEXT-IMAGE Awards. The entries for the HUAWEI NEXT-IMAGE Awards will be reviewed by an exciting and highly respected panel of judges, including Magnum Photos photographer Alec Soth, along with a group of world-class professionals including: Li Changzhu , Vice President of HUAWEI's Consumer BG Handsets Product Line, and the founder of HUAWEI's NEXT-IMAGE Awards , Vice President of HUAWEI's Consumer BG Handsets Product Line, and the founder of HUAWEI's NEXT-IMAGE Awards Mark Lubell , Executive Director of the International Center of Photography , Executive Director of the International Center of Photography Liu Heung Shing , an accomplished photojournalist, Pulitzer Prizewinning photographer, and the founder of SCoP (Shanghai Center of Photography) , an accomplished photojournalist, Pulitzer Prizewinning photographer, and the founder of SCoP (Shanghai Center of Photography) Karin Rehn-Kaufmann , Art Director and Chief Representative of Leica Galleries International Rounding out the group are three promising young visual creativesall ICP Mates (recent graduates of ICP): Morgan Court , a visual artist whose practice explores the fragmentation of identity from a primarily digital and millennial perspective a visual artist whose practice explores the fragmentation of identity from a primarily digital and millennial perspective Drew Leventahl , an imagemaker who works primarily in photography and collage , an imagemaker who works primarily in photography and collage Sharon Pulwer , a photographer and journalist, originally from Israel As part of HUAWEI's broader NEXT-IMAGE plan, Soth will also be hosting a much-anticipated photography masterclass later in the year. To broaden the diversity and enhance the depth of entries, the 2018 HUAWEI NEXT-IMAGE Awards are broken down into six exciting categories: "Good Night"; "Faces"; "Hello, Life!"; "Check-In"; "Timeline"; and "Storyboard." The "Good Night" category is all about capturing fun moments in low light; "Hello, Life!" is about sharing the emotion or the inspiration found in everyday experiences; "Faces" is about experimenting with identity and the power of portraiture; "Check-In" looks at discovering new places and new experiences while there; "Timeline" is about filming stories in less than 30 seconds; and finally "Storyboard" asks entrants to tell a story in nine frames by using a grid of photos to develop a meaningful or intriguing narrative. The deadline to submit creative work for this year's NEXT-IMAGE Awards is August 31, 2018. In November, HUAWEI will display the winning works from the NEXT-IMAGE Awards as part of a special exhibition at Paris Photo, held at the iconic Grand Palace on the famous Champs-Elysees. The annual NEXT-IMAGE Awards are an important part of HUAWEI's overarching NEXT-IMAGE plan to redefine visual expression and culture through more professional and intuitive smartphone cameras. Launched in 2017, the NEXT-IMAGE Awards provide HUAWEI smartphone users from around the world with a gallery where they can showcase their best work to a global audience. Winners will be announced in late September 2018. For more details, please refer to the official NEXT-IMAGE Awards website: https://gallery.consumer.huawei.com. ABOUT ALEC SOTH A celebrated Magnum Photos photographer, Alec Soth's work is rooted in the distinctly American tradition of "on-the-road photography" developed by Walker Evans, Robert Frank, and Stephen Shore. Soth has received fellowships from the McKnight, Bush, and Jerome Foundations and was the recipient of the 2003 Santa Fe Prize for Photography. His photographs are represented in major public and private collections, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; and the Walker Art Center. ABOUT HUAWEI CONSUMER BUSINESS GROUP HUAWEI's products and services are available in more than 170 countries, and are used by a third of the world's population, ranking HUAWEI third in the world in mobile phone shipments in 2015. Fifteen R&D centers have been set up in the United States, Germany, Sweden, Russia, India, and China. HUAWEI Consumer BG is one of HUAWEI's three business units and covers smartphones; PC and tablets; wearables; mobile broadband devices family devices; and cloud service. HUAWEI's global network advantages, global operation capacity, and global partnership are built on 20 years of expertise in telecom industry. HUAWEI Consumer BG is dedicated to delivering the latest technologies to consumers and sharing the happiness of technological advances with more people around the world. Walk the walk and make dreams come true. For more information please visit: http://consumer.huawei.com/en; or follow us on: www.youtube.com/c/huaweismartphones; https://www.instagram.com/huaweinextimage. ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF PHOTOGRAPHY (ICP) The International Center of Photography (ICP) is the world's leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture. Cornell Capa founded ICP in 1974 to preserve the legacy of "concerned photography"the creation of socially and politically-minded images that have the potential to educate and change the world and the center's mission endures today, even as the photographic medium and imagemaking practices have evolved. Through its exhibitions, school, public programs, and community outreach, ICP offers an open forum for dialogue about the role that photographs, videos, and new media play in our society. To date, it has presented more than 700 exhibitions and offered thousands of classes at every level. ICP brings together photographers, artists, students, and scholars to create and interpret the realm of the image. Here, members of this unique community are encouraged to explore photography and visual culture as mediums of empowerment and as catalysts for wide-reaching social change. Visit www.icp.org to learn more. SOURCE International Center of Photography Related Links http://www.icp.org LISLE, Ill., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- IC Bus, the leading school bus manufacturer and subsidiary of Navistar, today announced Joel Landry of Western Canada Bus as the grand champion of the inaugural 2018 IC Bus Walk-Around Competition. Landry was one of six IC Bus dealer salespeople who had been named regional winners. The six received an all-expense paid trip to attend STN Expo in Reno, Nevada, where they were required to demonstrate their walk-around skills in front of a live panel of experts. "The walk-around process is an essential selling skill and when executed at a high level, allows you to truly differentiate yourself and the IC Bus product," said Trish Reed, vice president and general manager, IC Bus. "The competition was designed to give every dealer sales professional the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in the technical and creative presentation of the CE Series product." To participate in the competition, each sales professional had to submit a personal video conducting a 10-minute walk-around of the CE Series, focusing on the bus's product features, advantages and benefits, as well as value-added items as provided by the dealer. While only one champion was crowned, IC Bus also recognized Ashley Hailston from Cumberland International as the People's Choice Award winnervoted on by IC Bus and International Truck dealers and Navistar employeesciting her professionalism and flow of information. IC Bus would like to congratulate all the regional winners and their respective dealerships: Ashley Hailston Cumberland International (Southeast) Jason Hohalek Creative Bus Sales (West) Joel Landry Western Canada Bus (Canada) Chris Lawrence Leonard Bus Sales (Northeast) Ken Pearce Midwest Transit (Midwest) Danny Thede Hoglund Bus Sales (Central) About Navistar Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International brand commercial and military trucks, proprietary diesel engines, and IC Bus brand school and commercial buses. An affiliate also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com. Web site: www.Navistar.com/newsroom SOURCE Navistar International Corporation Related Links http://www.navistar.com PITTSBURGH, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- "When installing the horizontal STAB, it is required that it is rigged correctly in order to give the pilots in the cockpit a correct readout on their multi-purpose display (MPD)," said an inventor from Aurora, Colo. "There is no tool that exists for this purpose, so I invented one." He developed the TRANSDUCER PRO TOOL to simplify rigging the horizontal STAB on an Apache AH-64D helicopter. The tool allows adjustments to be made easily on the motion transducer. It easily fits into the small space between the horizontal STAB and the airframe itself. The device reduces risk while making adjustments. Additionally, the invention helps to save money and lessens labor hours. The original design was submitted to the Denver office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 17-DPH-374, 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 NEW YORK, MUNICH and ISTANBUL, August 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A joint venture of institutional investors led by Deutsche Finance America, a subsidiary of Deutsche Finance Group and BLG Capital, a division of Bilgili Group focused on hotel and lifestyle investments, acquired more than 100,000 sq ft of vacant office space in the "Gucci Building" at 685 Fifth Avenue from a publicly-traded real estate investment trust. The joint venture successfully raised $155 million of equity for the acquisition and development and will seek approximately $100 million of debt financing to fully capitalize the project. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/726683/Deutsche_Finance_Group_Logo.jpg ) The joint venture includes Bayerische Versorgungskammer ("BVK") which is Germany's largest manager of public pension schemes investing through a fund administered by Universal-Investment, the Versicherungskammer Bayern Group ("VKB"), the largest public insurer in Germany, another Munich-based insurer and institutional real estate funds managed by Deutsche Finance Group. Dr. Sven Neubauer, Chief Investment Officer of Deutsche Finance Group, commented, "685 Fifth Avenue is an iconic piece of real estate in an irreplaceable location and I am very excited about its potential for redevelopment. I am also very pleased to announce the market entry of Deutsche Finance America, our subsidiary focused on direct investments in the United States, with such a high-profile project." "We are very excited about our partnership with one of the most reputable global investors in the private equity business, and look forward to diversifying our portfolio further via carefully selected investments in the global real estate market. The transaction marks an important strategic partnership between the firms, who are looking to grow their portfolio further in other global hubs, having previously invested in several projects in Istanbul and now in New York," said Serdar Bilgili, Chairman of BLG Capital. The full press release and details about related companies you will find at https://www.deutsche-finance-group.de/news For further information please contact: Deutsche Finance Group, Symon Godl (Email: [email protected], Tel. +49-89-6495630) SOURCE Deutsche Finance Group Born in Lebanon and knowing only a little English, Kayrouz journeyed from the American University of Beirut (AUB) to the prestigious Ivy league school, Yale University, where on a scholarship, she earned a masters in Ethics in 1992. She then earned her law degree from Wayne State University in Michigan. Fluent in Arabic, French, Italian and English, Kayrouz recognizes through her own experiences the challenges facing all young people, whether here in America or in Lebanon, as they pursue their dreams. "I love America and I love Lebanon and I don't think there is a conflict there. I want young people in Lebanon and abroad to recognize that important fact and to continue to give back to the country where they were born while pursuing their lives wherever it may take them," Kayrouz said. "My country opened doors for me and I pray that I am doing all I can to open doors for the next generations of Lebanese talents." The Youth Hub Center ribbon-cutting is expected to take place in May 2019. Kayrouz has received much praise from Lebanon's leadership as being a symbol of the growing importance of the role expatriates can play in building Lebanon's future while maintaining their lives abroad. The importance of expatriates in Lebanon's future was recognized in the new electoral law Lebanon adopted in 2017. In addition to replacing the old plurality system with a proportional list-based electoral process, the new electoral law grants voting rights to expatriates living abroad. More than 80,000 expatriates voted in May 2018 parliamentary elections. "The Lebanese Youth Hub is dedicated to the Lebanese youth, where they will congregate to socialize with one another instead of having to connect solely through technology," said his Excellency Gebran Bassil, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants and whose hometown is Batroun. "The Lebanese Youth Hub brings the Lebanese youth together to socialize, communicate, discuss and engage at various intellectual, social, and emotional levels. While enjoying their time, the youth will be able to collectively dream, brainstorm, and pitch ideas that can further lead to the building of their country. It will be their special place. The place where they will be able to build their vision of the Lebanon that fits their dreams and their ambitions." There are more than 4 million Lebanese people living in Lebanon, but almost 8 to 14 million Lebanese live abroad with the largest expatriate population living in the United States. "Lebanese Americans were among the first to settle in the United States in the 19th Century, and we have become actively engaged as Americans in our nation's history and its future," Kayrouz said. "I am blessed that I can take my success and share it not only here in America but also in Lebanon." Kayrouz has received many honors and distinctions over the years both for her professional legal work and for her philanthropic endeavors. Kayrouz was named "Best Female Attorney" for 2016, was featured on the cover of the Metro Times, and was named by the prestigious Crain's Detroit Business in 2014 as the "American Dreamer." In 2012, she was named "Top Lawyer of the Year" in a survey of more than 18,000 Michigan lawyers. She was also named "Best Dressed" woman in Michigan in 2016. Paying homage to her bigger than life image and instant recognizability, the widely popular US TV station Comedy Central recently cast her in the premiere of their popular comedy, "the Detroiters", where she played herself. For more information on Joumana Kayrouz and legal services visit her easy-to-use website at www.YourRights.com, or, call 1-866 YOUR RIGHTS (1-866-968-7744) to inquire about immigration, bankruptcy, family law, or criminal law representation. Schedule your appointment today. SOURCE Joumana Kayrouz Related Links http://www.YourRights.com MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal Expense Solutions ("LES") is now advocating for farmers across the country to reduce fees paid to attorneys in the corn seed settlement. Law firms will be receiving hundreds of millions in fees on the Corn Seed Settlement that was reached with Syngenta. Legal Expense Solutions argues some of the fees may be excessive, unnecessary and unethical. Tens of thousands of farmers have retained their own attorneys. Hundreds of thousands more are represented by a consortium of law firms in the class action. The settlement requires that no claimant will receive more money per acre/bushel than any other for at least one year. Individual attorneys have retained some farmers at fees of 40% or more of the farmer's recovery. The attorneys presenting the class settlement to the court have posted their intent to request up to 33 &1/3 percent of the settlement, plus expenses (possibly totaling over $500 million). A federal judge has granted preliminary approval to a $1.51 Billion settlement between the class and Syngenta. This settlement intends to resolve litigation that the seed company sold GMO corn seed to US farmers prior to China's approval of the seed. Lack of approval by China allegedly cost farmers billions in the price of US grown corn. Legal Expense Solutions will put the necessary time, energy and resources into each corn producer's situation to minimize the legal fees paid, and to maximize the farmer's ultimate recovery. Corn prices have already hurt farmers, LES will make certain its clients don't overpay in getting the money they're due. To contact Legal Expense Solutions or to learn more information about the Corn Seed Settlement and its corresponding fees, contact Legal Expense Solutions at 800-538-3775 or Adam Brunet at 612-263-7166. Also, visit www.cornfeebees.com for more details. SOURCE Legal Expense Solutions Liaison's Data-Inspired Future Scholarship is designed to encourage promising students to pursue careers in data and use the information and skills learned to positively impact our technology-driven world. Rana is simultaneously pursuing her Bachelor of Engineering degree in Engineering Management and Master of Science degree in Financial Analytics, with an expected graduation date of May 2019. "Receiving this scholarship is truly a blessing," said Rana. "My goal is to use data science and machine learning to provide actionable insight and benefits to a cause that is bigger than me. Whether it's working for a humanitarian organization like the United Nations or simply looking at open source data in my free time, I see myself using data science methods to analyze data and make predictions that will achieve some good. This scholarship aligns with my goal and the way I feel about data. It also helps with the expenses of obtaining two degrees so that I can focus on the future." Currently, Rana is interning at Credit Suisse where she works in a data science role within Cyber Security, helping to detect serious threats. Additionally, Rana has interned in machine learning and data science at New York Life where she developed predictive models to forecast mutual fund redemption values and to predict customer behavior. She also built data visualizations for life insurance products. "Data provides the opportunity for people to gain insights into their businesses and employees in a way that human intuition may not necessarily reveal at the outset," said Rana. "With machine learning and all of the new automated tools becoming available for analysis, data will be used to optimize business processes and, eventually, human processes as well. There is also a social responsibility element emerging with machine learning that fascinates me. In the next few years, it will become more important to look at how we limit injecting human bias into the data we feed into our machines. Are we being responsible with the algorithms and the techniques we use? Once mastered, data will have a huge beneficial impact on businesses and organizations everywhere." Rana stood out as an applicant due to her impressive work experience, academic credentials and projects, leadership opportunities, and a 60-second video she created. The video discusses the importance of machine learning, highlighting Rana's work developing machine learning models to predict the performance of a mutual fund. View Rana's video here. "Data is central to what we do here at Liaison, and we recognize the increasing need for data scientists and engineers to help discover new insights from data that will drive business and our society forward," said Pamela Osborne, Liaison's director of human resources. "Namankita understands the importance of data and how it can be used to analyze the past and predict the future. She has also achieved practical experience in data management, data science and analytics. This makes her the ideal candidate for our Data-Inspired Future Scholarship. We wish her the best in her final year of college and in her career endeavors." Rana has completed several academic and independent projects during her time as a student. These include building a data model to discover factors influencing student performance in secondary schools and analyzing data to explore global trends in female education and enrollment. Rana was previously the acting president of the Society of Women Engineers at Stevens Institute. She is a columnist for her college newspaper, discussing the experience of pursuing a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) career as a female. High school or college students who are interested in applying for next fall's Data-Inspired Future Scholarship can submit applications by October 31, 2018. For more information on scholarship eligibility and details on how to apply, please visit www.liaison.com/scholarship. The winner of the next round will be notified by November 30, 2018. About Liaison Technologies Liaison Technologies provides integration and data management solutions to help customers unlock the power of a data-centric approach to their business. Liaison's cloud-based approach breaks down the barriers between data silos to tap into the valuable information needed to make better decisions, faster. Tailored to solve complex data problems today while building a robust foundation for tomorrow's unforeseen challenges, Liaison fosters a seamless flow of information securely and at scale. Founded in 2000, Liaison serves more than 7,400 customers in 46 countries, with offices in the United States, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Singapore. For more information, visit http://www.liaison.com/ and connect with Liaison on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. MEDIA CONTACT: Amy Dardinger SSPR (847) 415-9321 [email protected] SOURCE Liaison Technologies Related Links http://www.liaison.com SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Loft Orbital Solutions, a provider of Space Infrastructure as a Service, announced this week that it has signed agreements with over 20 companies to join its inSpace Mission Partner Program as inaugural members. inSpace partners are companies across the space value chain with whom Loft Orbital will collaborate for its end-to-end space mission offering. These partners span Satellite Bus, Launch Services, Ground Segment Services, Payload and Data Analytics. Each partner's product has been validated for compatibility with Loft Orbital's technology. A Loft Orbital-owned and -operated microsatellite, flying multiple customer payloads onboard as a service Loft Orbital owns and operates standard small satellites and flies customer payloads as a service. The company is developing the Payload Hub, a universal interface for accommodating multiple payloads on the same satellite, as well as Cockpit, software that enables customers to operate their payloads in orbit. Loft Orbital handles all aspects of the satellite mission on behalf of the customer, including satellite procurement, launch campaign management and satellite operations, as well as insurance, licensing and financing. The creation of inSpace is core to Loft Orbital's mission to make it simple for organizations to access space. By working to bring about standardization with its partners, Loft Orbital is positioned as a one-stop shop for customers who require infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit. Loft Orbital will leverage inSpace to rapidly and reliably deploy a wide range of mission configurations and capabilities for its customers. "The technology we are building for payload accommodation and satellite operations are essentially abstraction layers, enabling us to fly any payload on any satellite bus from inSpace within a given mission envelope with little to no customization and non-recurring engineering required. We aim to do for space what USB did for connecting all devices," says Pierre-Damien Vaujour, co-founder at Loft Orbital. "We have worked with our inSpace partners to ensure technical compatibility with our technology, validate pricing, schedules and business terms in order to enroll them as preferred partners. They view us as a differentiated sales channel given the unique service we are offering to customers." The Payload Hub, which standardizes payload interfaces on both a software interface and mechanical level, is a logical extension of the standardization trend that has already occurred in the launch industry, from cubesat deployers to ESPA Payload Adapters. Loft Orbital is leveraging inSpace to build an end-to-end offering around this core technology. This approach also enables Loft Orbital's customers to benefit from the rise of standard, mass-manufactured satellite buses built by companies who have standardized their satellite design and supply chain such as LeoStella, a joint venture between Spaceflight Industries and Thales Alenia Space*. LeoStella brings economies of scale to an industry traditionally defined by custom one-offs. For partners such as LeoStella, Loft Orbital opens a new range of missions that would otherwise not be naturally accessible. Vaujour added: "With the Payload Hub and Cockpit, we create cross-compatibility between the elements of a satellite mission. Our inSpace partners, who have different interfaces, different software protocols and different processes, can be a part of our missions without making any changes to their existing products. For example, it is now possible for a customer in Indonesia to benefit from a mission operated by Loft Orbital as a service to monitor sea surface winds, where a Moog payload flies on a Satrec-i bus that is launched by Rocket Lab and the data is downlinked through a rented ground segment in Scandinavia and none of these companies need to talk to each other or do any customization because Loft Orbital brings the cross-compatibility to the mission. "The result is that we offer massive cost benefits and schedule reliability to our customers. Essentially, we remove the complexity of a space mission from the customer who just cares about controlling their payload and getting their data." "We'd rather have constraints placed upon us by the bus provider, rather than shoulder expensive and time-consuming NRE [non-recurring engineering]. Our ability to work with standard buses, complemented by our satellite bus-agnostic approach, is critical to our ability to scale while optimizing for affordable prices and fast delivery-to-orbit times," notes Antoine de Chassy, Loft Orbital's CEO. In the coming months, Loft Orbital will announce its first satellite missions. Currently, Loft's interfaces and software are compatible with several inSpace Satellite Bus Partners and work is being done to ensure compatibility with the others. The partners in the inSpace program range from large, established players to small technology specialists. The program also includes both established companies as well as emerging startups to draw on the dynamic New Space landscape. Loft Orbital's inaugural inSpace partners are listed below: Satellite Bus: LeoStella, Space Systems Loral, OHB/LuxSpace, Satrec Initiative, Blue Canyon Technologies LeoStella, Space Systems Loral, OHB/LuxSpace, Satrec Initiative, Blue Canyon Technologies Launch Services: ECM Launch Services, Spaceflight Industries, Rocket Lab, Vector Launch, Firefly Aerospace ECM Launch Services, Spaceflight Industries, Rocket Lab, Vector Launch, Firefly Aerospace Ground Segment Services: Kongsberg Satellite Services, Swedish Space Corporation, Infostellar Kongsberg Satellite Services, Swedish Space Corporation, Infostellar Payload: GomSpace, AirPhoton, EmTroniX, Media Lario, Satlantis, Moog, Cosine GomSpace, AirPhoton, EmTroniX, Media Lario, Satlantis, Moog, Cosine Data Analytics: Orbital Insight, EarthCube * Thales Alenia Space: joint venture between Thales (67 percent) and Leonardo (33 percent) SOURCE Loft Orbital Solutions Inc. SEOUL, South Korea and SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- MagnaChip Semiconductor Corporation ("MagnaChip") (NYSE: MX), a designer and manufacturer of analog and mixed-signal semiconductor products, announced today it will host its annual Foundry Technology Symposium at Ambassador Hotel Hsinchu, Taiwan, on September 18th, 2018. The Foundry Technology Symposium will showcase MagnaChip's latest technology offerings and provide a wide-ranging overview of MagnaChip's manufacturing capabilities, specialty technologies, target applications and end-markets. In addition, MagnaChip plans to discuss current and future semiconductor foundry business trends, and provide insights into key end markets. At the Symposium, MagnaChip will showcase its proprietary foundry technology used by customers to help enable the design and production of: Mixed-Signal for audio ICs, fingerprint sensor ICs, microphone MEMS ASIC, sensor ICs, RF switch/tuner and LNA for smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices BCD (Bipolar CMOS DMOS) and Hybrid (BCD integrated with Non Volatile Memory) processes for PMIC, DC-DC, PoE, USB PD, LED driver ICs, IoT, industrial and automotive applications Embedded NVM for MCUs, touch ICs, auto focus ICs, security ICs and UHV (Ultra High Voltage) for LED lighting, AC-DC Technical experts and customer-facing representatives from MagnaChip will highlight the Company's customer-friendly design environment. "We are pleased to host our 2018 Foundry Technology Symposium in Taiwan," said YJ Kim, Chief Executive Officer of MagnaChip. "We will offer attendees an opportunity to better understand how our foundry offerings and specialty technologies may be used to develop high-performance products targeted to high-growth markets." More than 100 fabless companies, IDMs (Integrated Device Manufacturers) and other semiconductor companies are expected to attend the symposium. To register for MagnaChip's 2018 Foundry Technology Symposium in Hsinchu, and for further details regarding the event, please visit www.magnachip.com or ifoundry.magnachip.com. About MagnaChip Semiconductor MagnaChip is a designer and manufacturer of analog and mixed-signal semiconductor platform solutions for communications, IoT, consumer, industrial and automotive applications. The Company's Standard Products Group and Foundry Services Group provide a broad range of standard products and manufacturing services to customers worldwide. MagnaChip, with over 30 years of operating history, owns a portfolio of approximately 3,100 registered patents and pending applications, and has extensive engineering, design and manufacturing process expertise. For more information, please visit www.magnachip.com. Information on or accessible through, MagnaChip's website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this release. CONTACT S : In the United States: Bruce Entin Entin Consulting Tel. +1-408-625-1262 [email protected] In Korea: Chankeun Park Director of Public Relations Tel. +82-2-6903-5223 [email protected] SOURCE MagnaChip Semiconductor Corporation Related Links http://www.magnachip.com STAINES-UPON-THAMES, United Kingdom, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Mallinckrodt plc (NYSE: MNK), a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced it has formed a collaborative research partnership with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, a leader in medical research, teaching and patient care, ranking among the top 10 medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The company will fund up to $10 million in research grants over a five-year period, and expects the collaborative initiative to result in multiple research programs, with a particular focus on rare diseases. "Mallinckrodt and Washington University School of Medicine are well-aligned on the importance of innovative research, and we are very pleased to have this exceptional opportunity to join forces with this premier organization," said Steven Romano, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer. "We have a strong strategic focus on improving outcomes for patients with severe and critical conditions, and look forward to finding ways to meet the needs of underserved patients for whom there may be few, if any, therapeutic options." The partnership will fund projects based on competitive review by a governance committee composed of leaders from both institutions. Mallinckrodt plans to fund two types of grants while also supporting direct collaboration with Washington University School of Medicine, guided by a joint steering committee with representatives from both parties: Program Grants intended to provide ongoing, multiyear support to projects likely to progress new therapeutic options; and Challenge Grants planned to support early, innovative projects that have the potential to advance basic science with medical applications. Additional aspects of the program allow Mallinckrodt scientists to interact directly with Washington University programs as collaborators and consultants. Through this program, Mallinckrodt will strengthen its relationship with Washington University School of Medicine and further its goal to become an industry-leading, scientific and clinically focused specialty pharmaceutical company working toward providing novel solutions for patients with complex clinical needs. "Washington University School of Medicine is a research powerhouse, and by partnering with Mallinckrodt we are looking to harness that power and direct it into specific drug development and research projects that are most likely to benefit patients," said David H. Perlmutter, MD, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and the George and Carol Bauer Dean of the School of Medicine. "In keeping with our focus on personalized medicine, a goal of the partnership is to develop new ways to help people with debilitating, complex conditions that lack effective treatment options." ABOUT MALLINCKRODT Mallinckrodt is a global business that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes specialty pharmaceutical products and therapies. Areas of focus include autoimmune and rare diseases in specialty areas like neurology, rheumatology, nephrology, pulmonology and ophthalmology; immunotherapy and neonatal respiratory critical care therapies; analgesics and gastrointestinal products. To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit www.mallinckrodt.com. Mallinckrodt uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding the company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is made available on the Investor Relations page of the website. CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELATED TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This release includes forward-looking statements concerning the collaboration, including expectations regarding future research plans. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: uncertainties inherent in research and development; satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; changes in laws and regulations; issues with product quality, manufacturing or supply, or patient safety issues; and other risks identified and described in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Mallinckrodt's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC, all of which are available on its website. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and Mallinckrodt does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law. CONTACTS Investor Relations Daniel J. Speciale, CPA Investor Relations and Strategy Officer 314-654-3638 [email protected] Media Rhonda Sciarra Senior Communications Manager 908-238-6765 [email protected] Meredith Fischer Chief Public Affairs Officer 908-997-9294 [email protected] SOURCE Mallinckrodt plc " GB Sciences is honored to be working with Dr. Kaminski on this project. He pioneered studies of the effects of cannabis on the immune system," explains Dr. Andrea Small-Howard, Chief Science Officer of GB Sciences. " More recently, Dr, Kaminski's work has centered around the immune modulating effects of cannabis consumption on HIV/AIDS patients. In 2017, he demonstrated a relationship between cannabis use and improved brain health in HIV/AIDS patients who used cannabis versus those who did not. Dr. Kaminski has further theorized that cannabis use by HIV/AIDS patients may reduce their risk of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) by reducing levels of inflammatory white blood cells in their brains. This same neuroinflammation may be a major contributing factor in a number of related neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease." GB Sciences holds a formidable Intellectual Properties portfolio and has engaged the cooperation of top research Universities and CRO's to maximize its potential. Given the breadth and depth of the disease states covered by the portfolio, the Company has adopted a 'Best of Breed' approach to identify, engage, and develop the most effective team to research and create the needed formulations on a project by project basis. "GB Sciences is very fortunate to be working with Dr. Kaminski on this important research and development project on our lead therapeutic compounds," said John Poss, CEO and Chairman of GB Sciences, Inc. "Our company is committed to working with top universities and CRO's to achieve our goal of helping to unlock the therapeutic potential of cannabis." MSU has begun testing GB Sciences' neuroprotective compounds at their Institute for Integrative Toxicology, where Dr. Kaminski serves as Director. About GB Sciences, Inc. GB Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB: GBLX) is a diverse cannabis company, focused on standardized cultivation and production methods; as well as biopharmaceutical research and development. The Company's goal is creating safe, standardized, pharmaceutical-grade, cannabinoid therapies that target a variety of medical conditions. To learn more about GB Sciences, Inc., go to: http://gbsciences.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain statements relating to future results or events, which are forward-looking statements. Words such as "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "could", "should", "anticipates", "likely", "believes" and words of similar import may identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only the Company's belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. It is possible that the Company's actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Further, information concerning the Company and its business, including factors that potentially could materially affect the Company's business and financial and other results, are contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or correct any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur or of which we hereafter become aware. Note: Although the Company's research and development activities are not illegal, the production and sale of cannabis products violate federal laws as they presently exist. Contact Information Corporate: GB Sciences, Inc., 3550 West Teco Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89118 866-721-0297, or Tom Arcuragi, EVP, [email protected] SOURCE GB Sciences, Inc. Related Links http://gbsciences.com/ MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- March of Dimes announced today that the Brown family from Blaine, Minnesota, is the number one national March for Babies fundraising family team for 2018. Andy and Jenny Brown collectively led their team to raise more than $91,000 for the March for Babies Minneapolis event that took place in late April. Additionally, they were recently appointed as new members to the Greater Minnesota Board where they will work with the leadership team to raise awareness and funds to help fight for the health of all moms and babies. "The Brown family has played an integral role in helping to raise funds that support the awareness of the health threats moms and babies are facing here in Minnesota and nationwide," said Angela Deegan, March of Dimes Executive Director for the Greater Minnesota market. "We are proud they are the top fundraisers in the country and are extremely excited they are now on our Board so they can help drive efforts to further the March of Dimes mission locally and beyond." March for Babies takes place during the spring in nearly 400 communities nationwide. The Browns began working with the organization because their personal connection to prematurity and March of Dimes. Their first son, Colton, was born at 24 weeks and lived only 10 days and their second son, Ryland, was born at 28 weeks and is now a thriving 11- year-old. In the seven years of partnering with March of Dimes, the Brown family has collectively raised more than $210,000 for March for Babies and have even formed their own chef gala that has proven to be extremely successful. "My wife Jenny and I are honored to be recognized as the top family fundraising team in the country because we know first-hand how March of Dimes can help support the health needs of moms and babies," said Andy Brown. "As avid supporters of the organization, we are truly humbled our efforts will help to build healthier families and look forward to furthering our family's commitment by serving on the Greater Minnesota Board." Funds raised The Browns and other organizations and families support key activities that support the mission of the March of Dimes, including: Advocacy for policies that prioritize the health of moms and babies, such as the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2018, introduced in the Senate on June 7 . . Educating medical professionals to make sure that moms and babies get the best possible care. Supporting families through March of Dimes NICU Family Support, which is offered in more than 100 hospitals across the United States , providing support, information and critical health care messages. , providing support, information and critical health care messages. Funding scientific research focused on understanding preterm labor and birth at our network of six Prematurity Research Centers in the United States and Europe . On June 8 , we announced a breakthrough discovery to accurately identify pregnant women who would deliver prematurely through a blood test. The Browns own Build and Balance Chiropractic clinic in Blaine, Minnesota. In addition to supporting March of Dimes, the Browns established the Brown Boys Benefit that supports special requests for families with financial struggles related to prematurity. About March of Dimes March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we empower every mom and every family. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. SOURCE March of Dimes Related Links http://www.marchofdimes.org WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will host a media teleconference at 3 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Aug. 8, to announce new public-private partnerships that will develop commercial space capabilities and benefit future NASA exploration missions. The selected U.S. companies are developing 10 "tipping point" technologies. For this solicitation, a technology is considered at a "tipping point" if an investment in a ground or flight demonstration will result in significantly maturing the technology and improves the company's ability to bring it to market. The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) must also be at four or greater at the time of proposal submission. Selections are based on the agency's third competitive Tipping Point solicitation. The most recent solicitation targeted three Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) strategic technology focus areas, including: Expand Utilization of Space, Enable Efficient and Safe Transportation Into and Through Space, and Increase Access to Planetary Surfaces. Jim Reuter, STMD's acting associate administrator, will participate in the media teleconference and will be available for questions following the announcement. To participate in the briefing by phone, media must contact Gina Anderson at [email protected] or 202-358-1160 by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7. Media and the public also can listen to the audio live by visiting: https://www.nasa.gov/live STMD is responsible for developing the cross-cutting, pioneering technologies and capabilities needed to achieve NASA missions. Projects resulting from the Tipping Point solicitation will enable public-private partnerships managed by programs within STMD. For more information about the Tipping Point solicitation, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/feature/opportunities-to-foster-commercial-space-technologies For more information about the NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/spacetech/about_us/index.html SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) is pleased to announce the recipients of its Accounting Education Research Grants for 2018. NASBA will award faculty and postdoctoral researchers grant funding totaling $25,000. This year's Accounting Education Research Grant recipients include the team of Helen Choy, from Drexel University, and Deirdre Derrick, from the American Board of Internal Medicine, for their work, "Reading Ability and Success in Accounting Program." Their team will examine how students' reading ability can affect their success in an accounting program and their decision to pursue a career in the accounting track. They were awarded a grant amount of $10,000. Veena Brown and Amy Tegeler, from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, will receive a grant amount of $7,000 for their work on, "Giving Accounting a Second Chance: Factors Influencing Returning Students to Choose Accounting and Become CPAs." This project will examine the call for high-quality, broad-based accounting professionals with a more diverse set of skills and the shortage of MSA students. The team of Akinloye Akindayomi, Ph.D., Deborah Gonzalez, MPA, CPA, and Linda Acevedo, MACC, of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Accountancy, will receive a grant amount of $2,100 for their research, "An Examination of the De-Motivational Factors Inhibiting Hispanic Students' Participation in the CPA Exam." Over a span of three semesters, the team will identify and track the de-motivational factors hindering a university's Hispanic students from pursuing a CPA license. Lastly, Bradrick Cripe, Linda Matuszewski, Ann Dzuranin, Rebecca Shortridge and Donald Kieso, of Northern Illinois University, will receive a grant amount of $5,900 for their project, "Research Exploring Determinants of the Path to Becoming a Certified Public Accountant." Their study seeks to survey professionals in their first four years of employment with public accounting firms. Since the program's initial launch in 2011, over $150,000 has been awarded to academic researchers representing over 30 U.S. institutions. For those interested in being considered for funding in 2019, the grant proposal period will be open through April 1, 2019. To learn more about the Accounting Education Research Grants Program and to view a listing of past recipients, CLICK HERE. About NASBA Since 1908, the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) has served as a forum for the nation's Boards of Accountancy, which administer the Uniform CPA Examination, license more than 650,000 certified public accountants and regulate the practice of public accountancy in the United States. NASBA's mission is to enhance the effectiveness and advance the common interests of the Boards of Accountancy in meeting their regulatory responsibilities. The Association promotes the exchange of information among accountancy boards, serving the needs of the 55 U.S. jurisdictions. NASBA is headquartered in Nashville, TN, with a satellite office in New York, NY, an International Computer Testing and Call Center in Guam and operations in San Juan, PR. To learn more about NASBA, visit www.nasba.org. Contacts: Cassandra Gray Office: (615) 564-2172 [email protected] Mia Vickers Office: (615) 312-3816 [email protected] SOURCE National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) Related Links http://www.nasba.org The Thermo Scientific Lumis EBSD detector , which will make its debut at the Microscopy and Microanalysis 2018 meeting (booth 1112) at the Baltimore Convention Center, incorporates a large-format CMOS sensor to enable higher sample throughput, higher resolution measurements and more precise phase identification, as compared to Thermo Fisher Scientific's previous-generation CCD detectors. The CMOS sensor provides exceptional sensitivity at high frame rates due to a high dynamic range, increased quantum efficiency and improved noise management. Scientists and researchers in metallurgy, geophysics and other disciplines can use the Lumis EBSD detector to identify crystallographic phases and grain properties, as well as to monitor structural transformations in samples. The new detector is also designed to help microscopists better understand failure mechanisms. "The Lumis detector represents a step forward in EBSD for the growing number of scientists and analysts who are adding this technique to their electron microscopy portfolio," said Kevin Fairfax, business director for surface analysis and microanalysis, Thermo Fisher. Additional benefits of the Lumis EBSD detector include: Compatibility with Thermo Scientific Pathfinder 2.0 microanalysis software, including new indexing algorithms; High-speed data collection at several thousand frames per second; and Acquisition of patterns at probe currents below 10 pA for samples sensitive to microscope beam currents. To learn more, please visit http://em-events.thermofisher.com/MM2018. About Thermo Fisher Scientific Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with revenues of more than $20 billion and approximately 70,000 employees globally. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We help our customers accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics, deliver medicines to market and increase laboratory productivity. Through our premier brands Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services we offer an unmatched combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and comprehensive services. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com. Media Contact Information: Brian Lowe Greenough Boston, Mass., USA +1 617-275-6523 [email protected] SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific Related Links http://www.thermofisher.com LAS VEGAS, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sierra Nevada College has received five new Teach Nevada Scholarships from the Nevada Department of Education. Students who enrolled in SNC's Master of Arts in Teaching Alternative Route to Licensure program (MAT-ARL) are eligible for this generous scholarship awarded by the Nevada Department of Education. Eligible future teachers receive up to $24,000. Students use seventy-five percent of the award funds ($18,000) to cover the costs of the program. The DOE holds the remaining 25% in trust. After five years of teaching in Nevada, eligible teachers can request the remaining funds to use as they see fit. The 2018 school year marks the fifth graduate cohort eligible for this scholarship with SNC's teacher education program. The scholarship is intended to support Alternative Route to Licensure (ARL) programs. The minimum requirement for alternative teacher certification in Nevada is a bachelor's degree. For most licensure pathways, candidates must also complete a teacher preparation program to earn full licensure. For example, the total cost is just over $26,000 for a graduate degree in teaching elementary, prior to the award. The Teach Nevada award covers program expenses while being prepared for Nevada teaching license from the Nevada DOE. After the licensure phase covered by the scholarship is complete students are responsible for two more courses; 6 graduate credits total. The final two courses lead to a graduate degree in teaching. Sierra Nevada College has been educating teachers in Nevada for over 25 years. With programs based in Reno and Las Vegas, they offer a combination of face-to-face and online instruction with faculty who teach from experience in the classroom. Their courses educate teachers at both the Bachelor's and Master's degree level. Future teachers can find information on their programs by contacting the department through www.sierranevada.edu/teach-in-nevada. Information about the Teach Nevada program is found by visiting www.sierranevada.edu/teachnevadascholarship or the Nevada DOE website. Interested applicants can also contact Katrina Midgley, Graduate Admissions Director, Sierra Nevada College at [email protected], or by phone at 775-881-7517. Sierra Nevada College Tahoe is Nevada's only accredited private four-year college. With a focus on four core themes (entrepreneurial thinking, professional preparedness, liberal arts and sustainability), Sierra Nevada College is committed to using active learning and fostering a culture of competition that guides students to think on their feet, communicate persuasively and acquire the higher-order thinking skills necessary to thrive in the real world. SOURCE Sierra Nevada College Related Links sierranevada.edu Daryl has had a long career in banking in the Chicago area. He previously served as Seaway's chief retail banking officer, overseeing operations within the branch network. Before joining Seaway Bank, Newell was a Retail Regional Manager at Fifth Third Bank where he was responsible for operations at 12 banking centers. He also served as Director of the Consumer Banking Group at Urban Partnership Bank. Daryl has been part of the Chicago community since he returned from a stint with the Green Bay Packers, who drafted him from Northwestern University. His commitment to the community has been demonstrated in many ways, especially through his leadership mentoring Black youth as part of the 100 Black Men of Chicago, a men's civic organization and service club dedicated to improving the quality of life of young males within our communities. Seaway, a division of Self-Help Federal Credit Union, was once the largest African-American owned bank in the Midwest. Seaway had served communities in south and west Chicago as well as Milwaukee since 1965. Self-Help Federal CU assumed management of Seaway's branch network and deposits in May 2017. Self-Help Federal Credit Union was chartered in 2008 to build a network of branches that serve working families and underserved communities. With 17 branches in California, 9 branches in the Illinois and Wisconsin, approximately $1.1 billion in assets, and serving more than 79,000 members, Self-Help Federal CU is one of the fastest-growing low-income designated credit unions in the country. More information about Self-Help Federal Credit Union can be found at self-helpfcu.org. For More Information, Contact: Jenny Shields, Director of Media Relations, Self-Help Credit Union Direct Line: 919.794.6798 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Self-Help Federal Credit Union Related Links http://www.self-helpfcu.org In the app, users can choose from over 50 birth control brands, receive consultation and prescriptions with a state-licensed provider, and opt in to automatic refills. Shipments are mailed in discreet packaging and at no extra cost. Nurx is available to both insured and uninsured users. For those with insurance, prescriptions are either free or the cost of one's copay. For those without insurance, affordable brands and cost-effective generic options are available. According to research from the Guttmacher Institute, in 2010, 56% of all pregnancies in Tennessee were unintended. Nurx's online platform and home delivery provide greater access to reproductive care for those who live in both urban or more rural locations known as "contraceptive deserts." For the south's geographically dispersed population especially, access to family planning centers can be limited. "The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy estimates nearly 20 million women live without reasonable access to a full range of contraceptive options, and over three million live in a county without a single clinic," said Hans Gangeskar, co-founder and CEO of Nurx. "State by state, we are launching Nurx to create equity in healthcare access for all Americans through this urgent telehealth option." Committed to giving users full control of their sexual health, Nurx also delivers Tennessee residents pre-exposure prophylaxis, also known as PrEP, for HIV prevention. This is an HIV prevention method in which a daily pill is taken to reduce chances of infection. Studies have shown PrEP to be up to 99% effective at preventing transmission of the HIV virus when taken every day as directed. Nurx's launch in Tennessee comes at a time when data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 51% of those infected with the HIV virus live in the South, yet only make up for 38% of the overall U.S. population. Southern states have the highest number of new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. but has disproportionately fewer people using anti-HIV treatment. "We know that comprehensive education and PrEP access can significantly reduce new HIV infection rates," said Jessica Horwitz, Clinical Development Lead at Nurx. "Access to quality medical care is a basic human right and that includes access to these life-saving medications, regardless of where you live." Former First Daughter and global public health leader Chelsea Clinton, who recently joined as Nurx's newest board member, advocates for expanding access to healthcare and empowering girls and women across America. "By putting individuals in control of their personal health, and by starting with critical health needs like birth control and HIV prevention, Nurx is well-positioned to make a difference in the lives of countless Americans," said Chelsea Clinton. "I'm delighted to join their board, and excited to help them empower people to build better futures for themselves and realize a vision of accessible, affordable care for all." Founded in 2015 by Hans Gangeskar and Dr. Edvard Engesth, Nurx's medical platform integrates an owned-and-operated pharmacy, a network of partner physicians, and a mobile telehealth app to create a seamless, end-to-end digital health experience for customers. Today, Nurx operates in 20 states and the District of Columbia, and is available to more than 70% of the U.S. population. Nurx's telemedicine service is currently available to residents in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. The company operates according to state and federal standards, including HIPPAA. About Nurx Nurx is a telemedicine platform offering easy online access to doctors and seamless delivery of medications. No more time-consuming trips to the clinic and no more frantic pharmacy runs. We put you in control of your own health, empowering you to get the care you need, when you need it. Starting with birth control and PrEP for HIV prevention, Nurx is available in 20 states and counting. From diagnosis to delivery of prescriptions, we make every part of getting healthy and staying healthy, better. For more information and to signup, visit www.nurx.com and follow us @nurxapp on Twitter and Instagram. SOURCE Nurx Related Links http://www.nurx.com REDWOOD SHORES, Calif., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Helping brands build lifelong relationships with consumers, OceanX LLC, a subscription commerce platform provider, has adopted Oracle Cloud for its business intelligence and analytics segment of the OceanX subscription commerce solution. In order to enable its clients to gain real-time access into the customer journey, OceanX moved its business intelligence and analytics systems from AWS to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and Oracle Database Exadata Cloud Service. With Oracle Cloud, the company has increased performance and saved on costs, while helping ensure its clients have 24/7 access to subscription performance metrics and consumer data that allows them to react to customer needs faster. From apparel to beauty, subscriptions are undergoing a renaissance. The industry has grown more than 100 percent each year in the past five years. A subscription-based business model revolves around cultivating long-term customer relationships with a focus on lifetime value. OceanX's data systems, as part of the all-in-one subscription commerce platform, builds these relationships by collecting and connecting data across the entire customer journey, delivering actionable insights to its clients and allowing them to analyze data at any stage and assess each membership experience. With the many services available in the market, failure to provide these immediate insights and capabilities will have a negative impact to the client's growth in both customer acquisition and retention. "Consumer packaged goods organizations and large omni-channel retailers are dealing with skyrocketing consumer demand for subscription services," said Vijay Manickam, vice president of Data and Analytics at OceanX. "We needed our data platform to scale and deliver high performance at a lower cost. The migration of the data platform from AWS to Oracle was one of the most successful migrations at OceanX, and coupled with a significant performance gain with substantial cost savings meant the entire program was a tremendous accomplishment. This ultimately enables us to deliver our clients a platform that allows them to make more informed decisions, faster." OceanX enables great brands and passionate entrepreneurs to easily sell physical goods directly to consumers while building long-term relationships with their customers. OceanX's Exadata Cloud Service deployment on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure allows OceanX to go one step further and reimagine the future client data experience. OceanX has deployed multi-terabytes of data in Exadata Cloud Service, and Exadata's built-in database-optimization has enabled OceanX to improve its data processing throughput by 3x compared to its previous non-Oracle cloud platform. OceanX now has a solid foundation that can support emerging critical needs such as DevOps, analytics and monitoring. In addition, OceanX looks forward to leveraging Oracle's upcoming AI-driven Autonomous Database Management capabilities, which will enable OceanX to make architectural changes with significant savings in overhead, cost, and speed of production deployment. "Today's consumers move in real-time," said Kash Iftikhar, vice president of product and strategy, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. "Any slowdown in data-intelligence becomes a missed opportunity to deliver the services customers are seeking. With Oracle Cloud, OceanX has the agility to easily access the data needed to help its own customers build lasting brand advocates." Additional Resources About OceanX, LLC: OceanX provides a subscription commerce platform that seamlessly combines e-commerce, fulfillment, customer care and business intelligence to support brands and retailers looking to launch and scale direct-to-consumer subscription programs. The platform is optimized to generate recurring revenue and cultivate lifelong relationships with customers. OceanX offers brands and retailers a way to deliver unmatched subscription and membership program experiences for its clients and their consumers. Under the direction of Georg Richter, an accomplished direct-to-consumer and subscription industry veteran, OceanX, a spin-off of Guthy-Renker, is a game-changer in the direct-to-consumer subscription retail space. Learn more at https://oceanx.com/. About Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Oracle Cloud Infrastructure combines the benefits of the public cloud (on-demand, self-service, scalability, pay-for-use) with the benefits traditionally associated with on-premises environments (governance, predictability, control). Oracle Cloud Infrastructure takes advantage of a low-latency, high-bandwidth network that connects cloud servers to high-performance block, file, and object storage to deliver a cloud platform that yields the highest performance for traditional and distributed applications, as well as highly available databases. With the acquisitions of Dyn and Zenedge, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure extended its offerings to include Dyn's best-in-class DNS and email delivery solutions and Zenedge's next-generation Web Application Firewall (WAF) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) capabilities. About Oracle The Oracle Cloud offers complete SaaS application suites for ERP, HCM and CX, plus best-in-class database Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) from data centers throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information about Oracle (NYSE:ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com. Trademarks Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. SOURCE Oracle Related Links http://www.oracle.com SEATTLE, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC (Parametric), an affiliate of Eaton Vance Corp., today announced the launch of Parametric Research Affiliates Systematic Alternative Risk Premia Fund (Institutional Class: ESATX). The Fund is co-managed by two Parametric investment professionals: Thomas Lee, Managing Director of Investment Strategy & Research, and Christopher Haskamp, Senior Portfolio Manager. Eaton Vance Management is the Fund's investment adviser and Parametric serves as the Fund's subadviser. Research Affiliates, LLC (Research Affiliates) also subadvises the Fund on a nondiscretionary basis. The Fund's investment objective is total return. The Fund seeks to provide market exposures across four asset classes equities, fixed income, commodities and currencies by taking long and short positions in derivative instruments. "Risk premia" are the returns assets are expected to generate in excess of the return of a risk-free investment as compensation for taking risk. The Fund's strategy focuses on so-called alternative risk premia that are not commonly considered in the management of portfolios investing primarily in securities on a long-only and unlevered basis. Various factors are drivers of risk premia. The Fund seeks to generate positive returns from exposure to carry, value and momentum factor risk premia. Depending on market conditions, the Fund may also seek to generate positive returns from exposure to the equity volatility factor risk premium. "Our systematic, disciplined approach incorporates factors extensively studied by Research Affiliates that we believe are exploitable across all asset classes," said Mr. Lee. "We are excited for the opportunity to deliver a strategy that is expected to exhibit low correlation to traditional assets and offers the potential to capture meaningful excess total returns with broad diversification." Shane Shepherd, Ph.D., Director of Research, Research Affiliates explained, "With low return prospects across most asset classes, diversifying return drivers becomes increasingly important. Our goal with systematic alternative risk premia is to deliver strong uncorrelated returns in excess of cash within a relatively transparent strategy." Parametric, a subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp., is a leading systematic asset manager focused on delivering elevated, transparent, repeatable investment outcomes by bringing clarity and accessibility to investment science. Parametric's solutions apply ingenuity and scientific rigor to manage risks and controls costs across three main categories: better beta, nontraditional alpha and efficient portfolio implementation. As of June 30, 2018, Parametric managed $231.3 billion assets on behalf of institutions, high-net-worth individuals and fund investors in the U.S. and internationally. Parametric operates from investment centers in Seattle, WA, Minneapolis, MN and Westport, CT. For more information, visit parametricportfolio.com. Research Affiliates, LLC, is a global leader in smart beta and asset allocation. Founded in 2002 and based in Newport Beach, California, Research Affiliates is dedicated to creating value for investors and seeking to have a profound impact on the global investment community through its insights and products. The firm's investment strategies are built on a strong research base and are led by Rob Arnott and Chris Brightman. Research Affiliates delivers solutions in partnership with some of the world's leading financial institutions through its offerings of mutual funds, ETFs, separately managed accounts and/or commingled accounts. As of June 30, 2018, about $197 billion in assets are managed worldwide using investment strategies developed by Research Affiliates. Web: www.researchaffiliates.com Twitter: @ra_insights Eaton Vance Corp. (NYSE: EV) is a leading global asset manager whose history dates to 1924. With offices in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, Eaton Vance and its affiliates managed $441.1 billion as of June 30, 2018, offering individuals and institutions a broad array of investment strategies and wealth management solutions. The Company's long record of providing exemplary service, timely innovation and attractive returns through a variety of market conditions has made Eaton Vance the investment manager of choice for many of today's most discerning investors. For more information about Eaton Vance, visit eatonvance.com About Risk: Investing in or having exposure to momentum, value and carry risk premia strategies involves the risk that there may be periods during which the investment performance of the Fund while using the risk premia strategies may suffer. The Fund's exposure to derivatives involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other investments. Derivatives instruments can be highly volatile, result in leverage (which can increase both the risk and return potential of the Fund) , and involve risks in addition to the risks of the underlying instrument on which the derivative is based, such as counterparty, correlation and liquidity risk. If a counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the value of Fund shares may decline and/or the Fund could experience delays in the return of collateral or other assets held by the counterparty. Investments in foreign instruments or currencies can involve greater risk and volatility than U.S. investments because of adverse market, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical, currency exchange rates or other conditions. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements. Leverage may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged, as certain types of leverage may exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund's portfolio securities. The value of commodity investments will generally be affected by overall market movements and factors specific to a particular industry or commodity including weather, embargoes, tariffs, or health, political, international and regulatory developments. No Fund is a complete investment program and you may lose money investing in a Fund. The Fund may engage in other investment practices that may involve additional risks and you should review the Fund prospectus for a complete description. Before investing, investors should consider carefully the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund. This and other important information is contained in the prospectus and summary prospectus, which can be obtained from a financial advisor. Prospective investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing. The Fund is distributed by Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110. Member FINRA/SIPC. SOURCE Eaton Vance Corp. Related Links https://www.eatonvance.com BELLEVUE, Wash., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Paul Gauguin Cruises (www.pgcruises.com), operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, announces a Two-Week Sale on select 2018 and 2019 Tahiti, French Polynesia, and South Pacific voyages. Paul Gauguin Cruises is offering savings of up to $2,900* per person off select luxury voyages aboard The Gauguin when booked between August 6 and August 18, 2018. Roundtrip airfare between Los Angeles and Papeete, Tahiti, is also included. On board, guests will enjoy the highest standards of luxury, quality, and all-inclusive value sailing to South Pacific destinations that are the cruise line's specialty. Qualifying voyages are: Tahiti & the Society Islands (7 nights): November 10, 2018 now from only now from only $5,595 $4,595 per person January 5 , 19, 2019 now from only , 19, 2019 now from only $4,945 $4,145 per person February 16 ; March 2, 2019 now from only ; now from only $5,645 $4,645 per person March 30 ; April 27, 2019 now from only $5,945 $4,895 per person Society Islands & Tahiti Iti (7 nights): November 3, 2018 now from only $5,595 $4,595 per person Society Islands & Tuamotus (10 nights): November 28, 2018 now from only $5,845 $5,245 per person On The Gauguin, nearly 70% of suites and staterooms offer balconies. Dining experiences include L'Etoile, which showcases an array of culinary creations expertly prepared each evening. The ship's other two dining venues, La Veranda and Le Grill, serve breakfast and lunch. At night, signature dishes designed by French celebrity chef Jean-Pierre Vigato are offered in La Veranda, and Polynesian specialties are served poolside at Le Grill. Les Gauguines and Les Gauguinsa troupe of Tahitian entertainersprovide enriching experiences of the destinations throughout each voyage. The Gauguin features expert lecturers on each voyage and special guests on select sailings conducting presentations on topics ranging from the history of the South Pacific to conservation, culture, marine life, and the wonders of coral reefs. A luxurious spa, fitness center, watersports marina, and expansive outdoor decks with chaise lounges and a pool are also available aboard The Gauguin. One of the highlights of each sailing is exclusive access to Motu Mahana, the cruise line's private islet off the coast of Taha'a where guests can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, Polynesian activities, a full-service bar, a floating lagoon bar, and a delicious barbecue. In Bora Bora, guests can enjoy complimentary access to a private, white-sand beach with beach volleyball, sunbathing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and refreshments. For more information or reservations, contact a professional travel agent, call 1-800-848-6172, or visit www.pgcruises.com. *All fares are in US dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, and reflect promotional savings, are for new bookings only, are subject to availability, and must be booked by August 18, 2018. Offer may be combined with applicable 3rd guest in stateroom offer but may not be combined with other offers. Port, security, and handling charges of $139-$195 per person are additional. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Call for details. For full terms and conditions, visit www.pgcruises.com. About Paul Gauguin Cruises Owned by Pacific Beachcomber S.C., French Polynesia's leading luxury hotel and cruise operator, Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the 5+-star cruise ship, the 332-guest m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a deluxe cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of Tahiti, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific. Paul Gauguin Cruises has been recognized by notable publications in travel and lifestyle and was voted "#1 Midsize-Ship Ocean Cruise Line" by readers in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2017. The line was also recognized as one of the "Top Small Cruise Lines" in the Conde Nast Traveler 2017 Readers' Choice Awards and is honored on the publication's 2018 "Gold List." Paul Gauguin Cruises was also selected as "Best Small-Ship Cruise Line" in Global Traveler's Leisure Lifestyle Awards in 2016, 2017, and 2018, and received top honors as the "#1 Cruise Line for Honeymooners" in BRIDES Magazine's 2017 Honeymoon Awards and was listed in the publication's "Top All-Inclusives" in the 2018 Honeymoon Awards. Media Contact: Vanessa Bloy Paul Gauguin Cruises Director of Public Relations (425) 440-6255 [email protected] From Travel + Leisure Magazine, August 2017 Time Inc. Affluent Media Group. Used under license. Travel + Leisure and Time Inc. Affluent Media Group are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Paul Gauguin Cruises. SOURCE Paul Gauguin Cruises Related Links http://www.pgcruises.com HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) will participate in National Night Out events across the state this year, reaching thousands of young people, parents, and community leaders and spreading a message against underage and dangerous drinking. "Late last year, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, through its Bureau of Alcohol Education, unveiled Know When. Know How.SM, an award-winning campaign that helps parents talk to their children about the dangers of underage drinking. Reaching out to community-minded families by participating in National Night Out events is a natural fit and a great way to spread a critically important message about starting those conversations," said PLCB Chairman Tim Holden. "The PLCB is proud to be a part of these great events." Over the past several years, the PLCB has participated in National Night Out events at dozens of locations statewide by distributing materials on PLCB programs, offering coloring sheets and bookmarks for children, and providing informational brochures about alcohol-related issues. On Tuesday, August 7, PLCB team members will join National Night Out events at: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Camp Hill , Cumberland County , from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM , , from Willow Park , Camp Hill , Cumberland County , from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM , , , from Carlisle Fairgrounds, Carlisle , Cumberland County , from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM , , from Adams Ricci Park , Enola , Cumberland County , from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM , , , from Hoffer Park , Middletown , Dauphin County , from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM , , , from Cardinal O'Hara High School , Springfield , Delaware County , from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM , , , from Lone Lane Park , Allentown , Lehigh County , from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM , , , from Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall , Lehigh County , from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM , , from Rec Park , Lewistown , Mifflin County , from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM , , , from Fox Chase School , Philadelphia , from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM , , from Logan Park , Dillsburg , York County , from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM , , , from Roof Park, New Cumberland , York County , from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM National Night Out, "America's Night Out Against Crime," began in 1984 as an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, and neighborhood camaraderie and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. National Night Out is held annually on the first Tuesday of August. The program, now in its 35th year, expects more than 38 million people in about 16,000 communities in all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian communities and military bases worldwide to participate in 2018. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board works to educate the public about the dangers of underage and dangerous drinking through a variety of avenues, including a poster contest for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, a free annual alcohol educational conference, the creation and distribution of a wide range of educational materials, and training and technical assistance for organizations working to address the issues related to irresponsible consumption. The PLCB also provides millions of dollars in alcohol education grants to communities, educational institutions and law enforcement agencies. The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates more than 600 wine and spirits stores statewide, and licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups, and licensees. Taxes and store profits totaling $15.8 billion since the agency's inception are returned to Pennsylvania's General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania's schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives, among other important public services. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies, and local municipalities across the state. For more information about the PLCB, visit www.lcb.pa.gov. MEDIA CONTACT: Shawn M. Kelly, 717.783.8864 SOURCE Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Related Links http://www.lcb.state.pa.us WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- International law firm Proskauer today announced that William Tuttle has joined as a partner in the Corporate Department of the Washington, D.C. office. "Will's asset management-focused corporate practice will complement and enhance ours, and we are excited to have him join our team as we continue to expand our first-class, one-stop shop for private credit market participants," said Pippa Bond, co-head of the Firm's Global Capital Markets Group. Mr. Tuttle's practice focuses on capital markets and corporate matters, including the representation of issuers and investment banks in public and private securities transactions and companies in strategic M&A transactions. His clients include business development companies (BDCs), asset managers, closed-end funds and underwriters/investment banks. He also advises BDCs and asset managers in change of control transactions, management spin-outs and joint venture arrangements and represents asset managers on the structuring of their businesses and the development of new investment funds. Proskauer has a market-leading interdisciplinary BDC practice. The Firm regularly represents clients on all aspects of public and private BDCs, and has advised some of the largest BDCs, their sponsors, underwriters or independent directors. In the past five years, Proskauer has represented approximately half of the 58 publicly traded BDCs and has been a key player in all major BDC IPOs since 2015. Monica Shilling, co-head of the Firm's global Private Equity Group noted, "We are delighted that Will is joining us. His broad experience across a diverse range of public and private BDCs will bolster our full-service offering to BDC and other registered fund clients." Mr. Tuttle received his B.A. from the University of Virginia and his J.D. from Vanderbilt University. In 2017, he was recognized among the Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40 by the National LGBT Bar Association, an affiliate of the American Bar Association. Mr. Tuttle arrives hot on the heels of two recent additions to Proskauer's DC office, joining corporate partner Karen Garnett and litigation partner Samuel Waldon, who both served at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. About Proskauer: Proskauer is a full-service corporate law firm. Its market-leading transactional platform comprises lawyers from the Firm's capital markets, registered funds, private credit, finance, M&A, private equity, private funds and tax practices. The Firm advises on the full spectrum of sophisticated transactions and daily business and regulatory matters, drawing on the talents of more than 250 lawyers worldwide. Additional information about the Firm can be found at www.proskauer.com. Contact: Jennifer Talbott Proskauer Media Relations Manager [email protected] SOURCE Proskauer Related Links http://www.proskauer.com JERSEY CITY, N.J., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, qplum, an asset manager for retail and institutional businesses, announced the launch of its Multi-Strategy AI managed futures program ("QMAP") for institutional clients that are defined as Qualified Eligible Persons (QEP) as per CFTC Rule 4.7. QMAP gives investors access to a diversified investment strategy that trades across different geographies and asset classes. It trades futures such as fixed income, equity indices, foreign-exchange, commodities and volatility. There is a drawdown control-based risk management in place. qplum team The strategy is built using qplum's proprietary, deep learning framework that already powers other portfolios offered by the firm. Large amounts of market, economic and other structured data are used to train the models. The entire trading pipeline is fully systematic. Under the supervision of CIO, Gaurav Chakravorty, qplum's in-house team of more than 15 engineers and quantitative portfolio managers are responsible for the oversight and improvements of the models. "There aren't many truly diversified, AI driven investment strategies in the managed futures space," said qplum CEO Mansi Singhal. "Instead of betting on one signal like trend following or mean reversion, QMAP diversifies across roughly up to 11 signals that allows it to react and evolve with the market." A combination of traditional and data-driven signals are used; examples include systematic macro, mean reversion, feed-forward neural network, autoencoder, etc. QMAP is designed to target very little correlation to both the stock market and trend following strategies. According to qplum, the QMAP strategy could be a good complement for investors who already have exposure to trend following CTAs and are looking to diversify. qplum launched in 2016 and currently works with retail and institutional investment clients, and will continue its current services. About qplum qplum is a machine-learning based asset manager that uses algorithms to invest. It has three product lines: Wealth, Alpha and Solutions. While the Wealth product line services needs of high net-worth individuals and families, the Alpha and Solutions product lines are focused on RIAs, family offices, endowments, foundations and pension funds. Founded by investment industry professionals, qplum is based in New Jersey. Contact information Mansi Singhal http://qplum.capital [email protected] 201-377-2302 SOURCE qplum LLC Related Links http://qplum.capital NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Stone Equity Partners, LLC ("Red Stone Equity"), a privately-owned real estate finance and investment company specializing in multifamily residential funds and financings, announced the closing of Red Stone Equity - 2018 National Fund, L.P. ("2018 Fund"), a $144-million multi-investor Low Income Housing Tax Credit ("LIHTC") investment fund. The 2018 Fund is the eighth Red Stone Equity multi-investor fund offering to close in the last seven years and includes investments from six institutional investors. The 2018 Fund's proceeds will be used, along with other project-level financing sources, to finance the construction and/or rehabilitation of more than 2,100 units of affordable housing across 20 properties located in 16 different states. With the closing of the 2018 Fund, Red Stone Equity has now raised over $275 million of LIHTC equity capital thus far in 2018. "We are pleased to announce the successful closing of Red Stone Equity's eighth national multi-investor fund, which welcomes investments from six repeat Red Stone Equity investors," said Ryan P. Sfreddo, Red Stone's Managing Director of Investor Relations. "The closing of the 2018 Fund demonstrates continued investor demand for well-structured affordable housing investment opportunities in this post-tax reform era, and we are grateful to both our investor and developer partners for working withand placing their trust inRed Stone Equity Partners." Red Stone Equity has established itself as a leading real estate investment firm focusing on the syndication of LIHTCs and Renewable Energy Tax Credits, with a national presence and offices in Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, New York, Los Angeles and San Diego. With over $4.3 billion of tax equity raised and under management, Red Stone Equity has financed the development of more than 31,000 units of affordable housing across more than 354 properties located in 36 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. About Red Stone Equity Partners, LLC Red Stone Equity Partners, LLC ("Red Stone Equity") is a leading real estate investment firm specializing in the syndication of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and Renewable Energy Tax Credits to facilitate the development of affordable multifamily rental housing and renewable energy projects, respectively. Red Stone Equity builds upon long-lasting relationships with investors and developers as it acquires, structures, and provides long-term asset management services to its institutional clients. Its senior management represents more than a combined 100 years of tax credit equity syndication experience, involving the acquisition and syndication of approximately $15 billion of tax credit equity. Red Stone Equity has offices in Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, New York, and San Diego. For more information, please visit www.rsequity.com or www.linkedin.com/company/red-stone-equity-partners-llc. SOURCE Red Stone Equity Partners, LLC Related Links http://www.rsequity.com BEIJING, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- TAL Education Group (NYSE: TAL) ("TAL" or the "Company"), a leading K-12 after-school tutoring services provider in China, today announced that it will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders at 15/F Danling SOHO, No. 6 Danling Street, Haidian District, Beijing, on August 27, 2018 at 10:00AM (Beijing time). No proposal will be submitted for shareholder approval at the annual general meeting. Instead, the annual general meeting will serve as an open forum for shareholders and beneficial owners of the Company's American depositary shares ("ADSs") to discuss Company affairs with management. The board of directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on July 30, 2018 as the record date (the "Record Date"). Holders of record of the Company's common shares at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of the annual general meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Beneficial owners of the Company's ADSs are welcome to attend the AGM in person. The notice of the annual general meeting is available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://en.100tal.com/investor. The Company has filed its annual report on Form 20-F (the "Annual Report"), which includes the Company's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2018, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The Company's Annual Report can be accessed on the Investor Relations section of its website at http://en.100tal.com/investor, as well as on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Holders of the Company's common shares or ADSs may obtain a hard copy of the Annual Report free of charge by emailing the Company's Investor Relations Department at [email protected] or by writing to: 15/F, Danling SOHO No. 6 Danling Street, Haidian District Beijing 100080 People's Republic of China Attention: Ms. Echo Yan About TAL Education Group TAL Education Group is a leading K-12 after-school tutoring services provider in China. The acronym "TAL" stands for "Tomorrow Advancing Life," which reflects our vision to promote top learning opportunities for Chinese students through both high-quality teaching and content, as well as leading edge application of technology in the education experience. TAL Education Group offers comprehensive tutoring services to students from pre-school to the twelfth grade through three flexible class formats: small classes, personalized premium services, and online courses. Our tutoring services cover the core academic subjects in China's school curriculum including mathematics, English, Chinese, physics, chemistry, and biology. The Company's learning center network includes 630 physical learning centers as of May 31, 2018, located in 43 key cities in China: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xi`an, Chengdu, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Taiyuan, Zhengzhou, Chongqing, Suzhou, Shenyang, Jinan, Shijiazhuang, Qingdao, Changsha, Luoyang, Nanchang, Ningbo, Wuxi, Fuzhou, Hefei, Xiamen, Lanzhou, Dalian, Changchun, Guiyang, Dongguan, Changzhou, Xuzhou, Nantong, Foshan, Zhenjiang, Shaoxing, Yangzhou, Yantai, Wenzhou, Zhongshan, Zibo and Huizhou. We also operate www.jzb.com, a leading online education platform in China. Our ADSs trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TAL". For further information, please contact: Echo Yan Investor Relations TAL Education Group Tel: +86 10 5292 6658 Email: [email protected] Caroline Straathof IR Inside Tel: +31 6 5462 4301 Email: [email protected] SOURCE TAL Education Group Related Links http://en.100tal.com/investor CHICAGO, Aug. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As previously announced, TDS will hold a teleconference August 3, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. CDT. Listen to the call live via the Events & Presentations page of investors.tdsinc.com. Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (NYSE:TDS) reported total operating revenues of $1,255 million for the second quarter of 2018, versus $1,247 million for the same period one year ago. Net income available to TDS shareholders and related diluted earnings per share were $33 million and $0.29, respectively, for the second quarter of 2018, compared to $10 million and $0.09, respectively, in the same period one year ago. "The TDS family of companies produced strong results this quarter and made significant progress toward achieving long-term strategic goals," said LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., TDS President and CEO. "U.S. Cellular drove high customer loyalty, increased its profitability and continued making enhancements to its high-performing network. TDS Telecom continued investing in its broadband strategy, generating further expansion of its broadband customer base. "U.S. Cellular added postpaid handsets, driven in part by exceptionally low postpaid handset churn. Higher inbound roaming activity and sales of high-margin device protection plans and accessories contributed to revenue growth. U.S. Cellular effectively managed cost reduction programs, which included lower system operations expense even with significantly higher data traffic. All in, Adjusted EBITDA increased 25% in the quarter and U.S. Cellular raised its guidance for the year. U.S. Cellular also continued its network enhancements with commercial rollout of VoLTE in the California, Oregon and Washington markets. "TDS Telecom continued to focus intensely on increasing broadband penetration. Also, increasing video connections and customer demand for faster broadband speeds generated higher residential revenue per connection, which helped offset declining wholesale and commercial revenues. TDS Telecom increased capital expenditures to support Federal A-CAM buildouts and strategic fiber initiatives. Cable operations generated substantially higher cable revenues primarily through continued increases in broadband connections. This is the ninth consecutive quarter of double-digit cable broadband growth." 2018 Estimated Results TDS' current estimates of full-year 2018 results for U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom, and TDS are shown below. Such estimates represent management's view as of August 3, 2018. Such forward-looking statements should not be assumed to be current as of any future date. TDS undertakes no duty to update such information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that final results will not differ materially from such estimated results. 2018 Estimated Results U.S. Cellular TDS Telecom (1) TDS (1)(2) Current (3) Previous Current (3) Previous Current (3) Previous (Dollars in millions) Total operating revenues $3,925-$4,025 $3,850-$4,050 $900-$950 Unchanged $5,055-$5,205 $5,015-$5,265 Adjusted OIBDA (4)(5) $700-$800 $625-$775 $290-$320 Unchanged $985-$1,115 $925-$1,105 Adjusted EBITDA (4) $850-$950 $765-$915 $300-$330 Unchanged $1,145-$1,275 $1,075-$1,255 Capital expenditures $500-$550 Unchanged $270 Unchanged $790-$840 Unchanged The following tables provide reconciliations of Net income to Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA for 2018 estimated results, actual results for the six months ended June 30, 2018, and actual results for the year ended December 31, 2017. In providing 2018 estimated results, TDS has not completed the below reconciliation to Net income because it does not provide guidance for income taxes. Although potentially significant, TDS believes that the impact of income taxes cannot be reasonably predicted; therefore, TDS is unable to provide such guidance. 2018 Estimated Results U.S. Cellular (3) TDS Telecom (1)(3) TDS (1)(2)(3) (Dollars in millions) Net income (GAAP) N/A N/A N/A Add back: Income tax expense (benefit) N/A N/A N/A Income before income taxes (GAAP) $ 110-210 $ 80-110 $ 90-220 Add back: Interest expense 110 170 Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense 640 220 895 EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (4) $ 860-960 $ 300-330 $ 1,155-1,285 Add back or deduct: (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net 10 10 (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net (20) (20) Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (4) $ 850-950 $ 300-330 $ 1,145-1,275 Deduct: Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities 135 135 Interest and dividend income 15 5 20 Other, net (6) 5 5 Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP) (4)(5) $ 700-800 $ 290-320 $ 985-1,115 Actual Results Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 (3) Year ended December 31, 2017 U.S. Cellular TDS Telecom (1) TDS (1)(2) U.S. Cellular TDS Telecom (1) TDS (1)(2) (Dollars in millions) Net income (GAAP) $ 107 $ 37 $ 101 $ 15 $ 138 $ 157 Add back or deduct: Income tax expense (benefit) 40 12 45 (287) (13) (279) Income (loss) before income taxes (GAAP) $ 147 $ 48 $ 146 $ (272) $ 125 $ (122) Add back: Interest expense 58 (1) 86 113 170 Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense 317 107 441 615 195 844 EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (4) $ 522 $ 155 $ 673 $ 456 $ 319 $ 892 Add back or deduct: Loss on impairment of goodwill 370 262 (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net 2 1 3 17 3 21 (Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net (1) (1) (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net (17) (17) (22) (22) Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) (4) $ 507 $ 156 $ 659 $ 820 $ 323 $ 1,152 Deduct: Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities 78 78 137 137 Interest and dividend income 7 3 11 8 5 15 Other, net (6) (1) 1 2 3 4 Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP) (4)(5) $ 423 $ 152 $ 568 $ 675 $ 314 $ 996 Note: Totals may not foot due to rounding differences. (1) TDS has re-evaluated internal reporting roles with regard to its HMS business unit and, as a result, has changed its reportable segments. Effective January 1, 2018, HMS is no longer reported under TDS Telecom. Prior periods have been recast to conform to the revised presentation. (2) The TDS column includes U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom and also the impacts of consolidating eliminations, corporate operations and non-reportable segments (including HMS as indicated in Note (1) above). (3) As of January 1, 2018, TDS adopted the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606, using a modified retrospective approach. Under this method, the new accounting standard is applied only to the most recent period presented. As a result, 2018 amounts include the impacts of ASC 606, but 2017 amounts remain as previously reported, except as specifically stated. (4) EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are defined as net income adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation above. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are not measures of financial performance under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (GAAP) and should not be considered as alternatives to Net income or Cash flows from operating activities, as indicators of cash flows or as measures of liquidity. TDS does not intend to imply that any such items set forth in the reconciliation above are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual; such items may occur in the future. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA as measurements of profitability, and therefore reconciliations to Net income are deemed appropriate. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are useful measures of TDS' operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, gains and losses, and other items as presented above as they provide additional relevant and useful information to investors and other users of TDS' financial data in evaluating the effectiveness of its operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management's evaluation of business performance. Adjusted EBITDA shows adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, and gains and losses, while Adjusted OIBDA reduces this measure further to exclude Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities and Interest and dividend income in order to more effectively show the performance of operating activities excluding investment activities. The table above reconciles EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA to the corresponding GAAP measure, Net income or Income (loss) before income taxes. (5) Additional information and reconciliations related to Non-GAAP financial measures for June 30, 2018, can be found on TDS' website at investors.tdsinc.com. (6) ASU 2017-07, regarding net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost was adopted as of January 1, 2018, and applied retrospectively. All prior period numbers have been recast to conform to this standard. Conference Call Information TDS will hold a conference call on August 3, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. Central Time. Access the live call on the Events & Presentations page of investors.tdsinc.com or at https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1145/26840. Access the call by phone at 877-273-7192 (US/ Canada ), conference ID: 3387588. Before the call, certain financial and statistical information to be discussed during the call will be posted to investors.tdsinc.com. The call will be archived on the Events & Presentations page of investors.tdsinc.com. About TDS Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS), a Fortune 1000 company, provides wireless; cable and wireline broadband, TV and voice; and hosted and managed services to approximately 6 million connections nationwide through its businesses, U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom, BendBroadband and OneNeck IT Solutions. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Chicago, TDS employed 9,600 people as of June 30, 2018. Visit investors.tdsinc.com for comprehensive financial information, including earnings releases, quarterly and annual filings, shareholder information and more. Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: All information set forth in this news release, except historical and factual information, represents forward-looking statements. This includes all statements about the company's plans, beliefs, estimates, and expectations. These statements are based on current estimates, projections, and assumptions, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may affect these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: intense competition; the ability to execute TDS' business strategy; uncertainties in TDS' future cash flows and liquidity and access to the capital markets; the ability to make payments on TDS and U.S. Cellular indebtedness or comply with the terms of debt covenants; impacts of any pending acquisitions/divestitures/exchanges of properties and/or licenses, including, but not limited to, the ability to obtain regulatory approvals, successfully complete the transactions and the financial impacts of such transactions; the ability of the company to successfully manage and grow its markets; the access to and pricing of unbundled network elements; the ability to obtain or maintain roaming arrangements with other carriers on acceptable terms; the state and federal telecommunications regulatory environment; the value of assets and investments; adverse changes in the ratings of TDS and U.S. Cellular debt securities by accredited ratings organizations; industry consolidation; advances in telecommunications technology; pending and future litigation; changes in income tax rates, laws, regulations or rulings; changes in customer growth rates, average monthly revenue per user, churn rates, roaming revenue and terms, the availability of wireless devices, or the mix of services and products offered by U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom. Investors are encouraged to consider these and other risks and uncertainties that are discussed in the Form 8-K Current Report used by TDS to furnish this press release to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are incorporated by reference herein. For more information about TDS and its subsidiaries, visit: TDS: www.tdsinc.com U.S. Cellular: www.uscellular.com TDS Telecom: www.tdstelecom.com OneNeck IT Solutions: www.oneneck.com United States Cellular Corporation Summary Operating Data (Unaudited) As of or for the Quarter Ended 6/30/2018(1) 3/31/2018(1) 12/31/2017 9/30/2017 6/30/2017 Retail Connections Postpaid Total at end of period 4,468,000 4,481,000 4,518,000 4,513,000 4,478,000 Gross additions 146,000 129,000 177,000 191,000 174,000 Feature phones 5,000 5,000 5,000 7,000 7,000 Smartphones 106,000 91,000 128,000 132,000 116,000 Connected devices 35,000 33,000 44,000 52,000 51,000 Net additions (losses) (13,000) (37,000) 5,000 35,000 23,000 Feature phones (12,000) (15,000) (15,000) (15,000) (15,000) Smartphones 17,000 (1,000) 33,000 44,000 34,000 Connected devices (18,000) (21,000) (13,000) 6,000 4,000 ARPU (2) $ 44.74 $ 44.34 $ 44.12 $ 43.41 $ 44.60 ABPU (Non-GAAP)(3) $ 57.75 $ 57.10 $ 56.69 $ 54.71 $ 55.19 ARPA (4) $ 118.57 $ 118.22 $ 118.05 $ 116.36 $ 119.73 ABPA (Non-GAAP)(5) $ 153.03 $ 152.26 $ 151.68 $ 146.65 $ 148.15 Churn rate (6) 1.19% 1.23% 1.27% 1.16% 1.13% Handsets 0.92% 0.97% 1.00% 0.96% 0.91% Connected devices 2.85% 2.79% 2.84% 2.33% 2.35% Prepaid Total at end of period 527,000 525,000 519,000 515,000 484,000 Gross additions 78,000 88,000 83,000 102,000 73,000 Net additions 2,000 6,000 4,000 31,000 3,000 ARPU (2) $ 32.32 $ 31.78 $ 32.42 $ 33.12 $ 33.52 Churn rate (6) 4.83% 5.27% 5.09% 4.75% 4.93% Total connections at end of period (7) 5,051,000 5,063,000 5,096,000 5,089,000 5,023,000 Market penetration at end of period Consolidated operating population 31,469,000 31,469,000 31,834,000 31,834,000 32,089,000 Consolidated operating penetration (8) 16% 16% 16% 16% 16% Capital expenditures (millions) $ 86 $ 70 $ 213 $ 112 $ 84 Total cell sites in service 6,478 6,473 6,460 6,436 6,421 Owned towers 4,105 4,099 4,080 4,051 4,044 (1) As of January 1, 2018, U.S. Cellular adopted the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606, using a modified retrospective approach. Under this method, the new accounting standard is applied only to the most recent period presented. As a result, 2018 amounts include the impacts of ASC 606, but 2017 amounts remain as previously reported. (2) Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) - metric is calculated by dividing a revenue base by an average number of connections and by the number of months in the period. These revenue bases and connection populations are shown below: Postpaid ARPU consists of total postpaid service revenues and postpaid connections. Prepaid ARPU consists of total prepaid service revenues and prepaid connections. (3) Average Billings Per User (ABPU) - non-GAAP metric is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues plus equipment installment plan billings by the average number of postpaid connections and by the number of months in the period. Refer to the end of this release for a reconciliation of this metric to its most comparable GAAP metric. (4) Average Revenue Per Account (ARPA) - metric is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues by the average number of postpaid accounts and by the number of months in the period. (5) Average Billings Per Account (ABPA) - non-GAAP metric is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues plus equipment installment plan billings by the average number of postpaid accounts and by the number of months in the period. Refer to the end of this release for a reconciliation of this metric to its most comparable GAAP metric. (6) Churn rate represents the percentage of the connections that disconnect service each month. These rates represent the average monthly churn rate for each respective period. (7) Includes reseller and other connections. (8) Market penetration is calculated by dividing the number of wireless connections at the end of the period by the total population of consolidated operating markets as estimated by Nielsen. TDS Telecom Summary Operating Data (Unaudited) As of or for the Quarter Ended 6/30/2018 3/31/2018 12/31/2017 9/30/2017 6/30/2017 TDS Telecom Wireline Residential connections Voice (1) 282,200 286,000 290,600 298,200 304,600 Broadband (2) 234,300 230,500 228,600 229,900 230,200 Video (3) 51,500 50,300 48,600 47,200 46,200 Wireline residential connections 568,000 566,900 567,700 575,300 581,000 Total residential revenue per connection (4) $ 47.22 $ 47.04 $ 46.21 $ 46.07 $ 46.39 Commercial connections Voice (1) 137,300 140,100 143,000 146,900 150,500 Broadband (2) 20,600 20,600 20,600 20,900 21,000 managedIP (5) 141,400 143,000 146,500 147,600 149,700 Video (3) 400 400 Wireline commercial connections 299,600 304,000 310,100 315,300 321,200 Total Wireline connections 867,700 870,900 877,800 890,700 902,200 Cable Cable Connections Broadband (6) 159,400 156,800 153,300 143,800 140,300 Video (7) 101,600 100,700 101,800 97,900 97,900 Voice (8) 62,000 60,600 59,700 58,500 58,500 managedIP (5) 700 600 400 400 300 Cable connections 323,700 318,700 315,100 300,600 297,000 Note: Totals may not foot due to rounding differences. (1) The individual circuits connecting a customer to Wireline's central office facilities. (2) The number of Wireline customers provided high-capacity data circuits via various technologies, including DSL and dedicated internet circuit technologies. (3) The number of Wireline customers provided video services. (4) Total residential revenue per connection is calculated by dividing total Wireline residential revenue by the average number of Wireline residential connections and by the number of months in the period. (5) The number of telephone handsets, data lines and IP trunks providing communications using IP networking technology. (6) Billable number of lines into a building for high-speed data services. (7) Generally, a home or business receiving video programming counts as one video connection. In counting bulk residential or commercial connections, such as an apartment building or hotel, connections are counted based on the number of units/rooms within the building receiving service. (8) Billable number of lines into a building for voice services. TDS Telecom Capital Expenditures (Unaudited) Quarter Ended 6/30/2018 3/31/2018 12/31/2017 9/30/2017 6/30/2017 (Dollars in millions) Wireline $ 33 $ 29 $ 55 $ 41 $ 33 Cable 13 11 20 14 12 Total TDS Telecom (1) $ 46 $ 40 $ 74 $ 56 $ 45 Note: Totals may not foot due to rounding differences. (1) TDS has re-evaluated internal reporting roles with regard to its HMS business unit and, as a result, has changed its reportable segments. Effective January 1, 2018, HMS is no longer reported under TDS Telecom. Prior periods have been recast to conform to the revised presentation. Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Consolidated Statement of Operations Highlights (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2018 (1) 2017 2018 vs. 2017 2018 (1) 2017 2018 vs. 2017 (Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts) Operating revenues U.S. Cellular $ 974 $ 963 1% $ 1,915 $ 1,899 1% TDS Telecom (2) 230 231 - 461 459 - All Other (2)(3) 51 53 (4)% 104 127 (18)% 1,255 1,247 1% 2,480 2,485 - Operating expenses U.S. Cellular Expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion 769 800 (4)% 1,492 1,543 (3)% Depreciation, amortization and accretion 159 155 3% 317 307 3% (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net 1 5 (84)% 2 9 (75)% (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net (11) (2) >(100)% (17) (19) 8% 918 958 (4)% 1,794 1,840 (2)% TDS Telecom (2) Expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion (4) 158 152 4% 308 300 3% Depreciation, amortization and accretion 53 48 11% 107 97 11% (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net 1 1 37% 1 1 (8)% 212 200 6% 417 398 5% All Other (2)(3) Expenses excluding depreciation and amortization (4) 57 53 5% 112 120 (8)% Depreciation and amortization 8 8 (6)% 17 18 (5)% 64 62 4% 128 138 (8)% Total operating expenses 1,194 1,220 (2)% 2,339 2,376 (2)% Operating income (loss) U.S. Cellular 56 5 >100% 121 59 >100% TDS Telecom (2)(4) 18 31 (41)% 43 61 (29)% All Other (2)(3)(4) (13) (9) (53)% (23) (11) >(100)% 61 27 >100% 141 109 29% Investment and other income (expense) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities 40 33 23% 78 65 20% Interest and dividend income 6 4 65% 11 8 48% Interest expense (43) (43) (1)% (86) (85) (1)% Other, net (4) 1 1 (33)% 2 2 (39)% Total investment and other income (expense) (4) 4 (5) >100% 5 (10) >100% Income before income taxes 65 22 >100% 146 99 47% Income tax expense 21 10 >100% 45 44 1% Net income 44 12 >100% 101 55 84% Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax 11 2 >100% 29 8 >100% Net income available to TDS common shareholders $ 33 $ 10 >100% $ 72 $ 47 52% Basic weighted average shares outstanding 112 111 1% 112 110 1% Basic earnings per share available to TDS common shareholders $ 0.30 $ 0.09 >100% $ 0.65 $ 0.43 51% Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 113 112 1% 113 112 1% Diluted earnings per share available to TDS common shareholders $ 0.29 $ 0.09 >100% $ 0.63 $ 0.42 50% Note: Totals may not foot due to rounding differences. (1) As of January 1, 2018, TDS adopted the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606, using a modified retrospective approach. Under this method, the new accounting standard is applied only to the most recent period presented. As a result, 2018 amounts include the impacts of ASC 606, but 2017 amounts remain as previously reported, except as specifically stated. (2) TDS has re-evaluated internal reporting roles with regard to its HMS business unit and, as a result, has changed its reportable segments. Effective January 1, 2018, HMS is no longer reported under TDS Telecom. Prior periods have been recast to conform to the revised presentation. (3) Consists of TDS corporate, intercompany eliminations and all other business operations not included in the U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom segments. (4) ASU 2017-07, regarding net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost was adopted January 1, 2018, and applied retrospectively. All prior period numbers have been recast to conform to this standard. Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 (1) 2017 (Dollars in millions) Cash flows from operating activities Net income $ 101 $ 55 Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities Depreciation, amortization and accretion 441 422 Bad debts expense 43 49 Stock-based compensation expense 23 22 Deferred income taxes, net 25 (22) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities (78) (65) Distributions from unconsolidated entities 70 65 (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net 3 10 (Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net (17) (19) Noncash interest 2 1 Changes in assets and liabilities from operations Accounts receivable 51 5 Equipment installment plans receivable (47) (107) Inventory (8) 2 Accounts payable (50) (59) Customer deposits and deferred revenues (25) (10) Accrued taxes (5) 53 Other assets and liabilities (66) (44) Net cash provided by operating activities 463 358 Cash flows from investing activities Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment (275) (242) Cash paid for acquisitions and licenses (10) (200) Cash received for investments 100 Cash received from divestitures and exchanges 21 17 Other investing activities 3 1 Net cash used in investing activities (161) (424) Cash flows from financing activities Repayment of long-term debt (10) (6) TDS Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments 7 (1) Repurchase of TDS Preferred Shares (1) Dividends paid to TDS shareholders (36) (34) Payment of debt issuance costs (1) Distributions to noncontrolling interests (4) (2) Other financing activities (3) 1 Net cash used in financing activities (47) (43) Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 255 (109) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash Beginning of period 622 904 End of period $ 877 $ 795 (1) As of January 1, 2018, TDS adopted the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606, using a modified retrospective approach. Under this method, the new accounting standard is applied only to the most recent period presented. As a result, 2018 amounts include the impacts of ASC 606, but 2017 amounts remain as previously reported. Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights (Unaudited) ASSETS June 30, December 31, 2018 (1) 2017 (Dollars in millions) Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 873 $ 619 Short-term investments 100 Accounts receivable 987 961 Inventory, net 153 145 Prepaid expenses 103 112 Income taxes receivable 1 2 Other current assets 43 27 Total current assets 2,160 1,966 Assets held for sale 1 10 Licenses 2,240 2,232 Goodwill 509 509 Other intangible assets, net 266 279 Investments in unconsolidated entities 477 453 Property, plant and equipment, net 3,259 3,424 Other assets and deferred charges 586 422 Total assets $ 9,498 $ 9,295 Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights (Unaudited) LIABILITIES AND EQUITY June 30, December 31, 2018 (1) 2017 (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) Current liabilities Current portion of long-term debt $ 20 $ 20 Accounts payable 296 368 Customer deposits and deferred revenues 165 223 Accrued interest 12 11 Accrued taxes 54 64 Accrued compensation 84 126 Other current liabilities 98 106 Total current liabilities 729 918 Deferred liabilities and credits Deferred income tax liability, net 636 552 Other deferred liabilities and credits 523 495 Long-term debt, net 2,427 2,437 Noncontrolling interests with redemption features 11 1 Equity TDS shareholders' equity Series A Common and Common Shares, par value $.01 1 1 Capital in excess of par value 2,418 2,413 Treasury shares, at cost (624) (669) Accumulated other comprehensive income (3) (1) Retained earnings 2,692 2,525 Total TDS shareholders' equity 4,484 4,269 Noncontrolling interests 688 623 Total equity 5,172 4,892 Total liabilities and equity $ 9,498 $ 9,295 (1) As of January 1, 2018, TDS adopted the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606, using a modified retrospective approach. Under this method, the new accounting standard is applied only to the most recent period presented. As a result, 2018 amounts include the impacts of ASC 606, but 2017 amounts remain as previously reported. Balance Sheet Highlights (Unaudited) June 30, 2018 U.S. TDS TDS Corporate Intercompany TDS Cellular Telecom & Other Eliminations Consolidated (Dollars in millions) Cash and cash equivalents $ 596 $ 23 $ 254 $ $ 873 Affiliated cash investments 391 (391) $ 596 $ 414 $ 254 $ (391) $ 873 Licenses, goodwill and other intangible assets $ 2,231 $ 764 $ 20 $ $ 3,015 Investment in unconsolidated entities 439 4 41 (7) 477 $ 2,670 $ 768 $ 61 $ (7) $ 3,492 Property, plant and equipment, net $ 2,159 $ 968 $ 132 $ $ 3,259 Long-term debt, net: Current portion $ 18 $ 1 $ 1 $ $ 20 Non-current portion 1,614 2 811 2,427 $ 1,632 $ 3 $ 812 $ $ 2,447 TDS Telecom Highlights (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2018 (1) 2017 2018 vs. 2017 2018 (1) 2017 2018 vs. 2017 (Dollars in millions) Wireline Operating revenues Residential $ 80 $ 81 (1)% $ 160 $ 160 - Commercial 46 50 (8)% 94 101 (7)% Wholesale 46 49 (5)% 94 98 (5)% Total service revenues 173 180 (4)% 348 359 (3)% Equipment and product sales 53% 1 1 39% 174 181 (4)% 349 360 (3)% Operating expenses Cost of services 67 65 2% 131 129 2% Cost of equipment and products 1 (41)% 1 1 (32)% Selling, general and administrative expenses (2) 50 49 1% 97 97 (1)% Expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion 117 115 1% 229 227 1% Depreciation, amortization and accretion 36 37 (4)% 72 76 (5)% (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net 1 94% 1 1 17% 153 153 - 302 304 (1)% Operating income (2) $ 21 $ 28 (25)% $ 47 $ 56 (16)% Cable Operating revenues Residential $ 47 $ 41 12% $ 92 $ 82 12% Commercial 10 9 7% 20 18 10% 57 51 12% 112 100 12% Operating expenses Cost of services 27 24 11% 52 48 9% Selling, general and administrative expenses 15 13 14% 28 25 10% Expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion 41 37 12% 80 73 10% Depreciation, amortization and accretion 18 11 63% 35 21 67% (Gain) loss on asset disposals, net (12)% 1 1 (27)% 59 48 24% 116 95 22% Operating income (loss) $ (3) $ 3 >(100)% $ (4) $ 5 >(100)% Total TDS Telecom operating income (2)(3) $ 18 $ 31 (41)% $ 43 $ 61 (29)% Note: Totals may not foot due to rounding differences. (1) As of January 1, 2018, TDS adopted the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606, using a modified retrospective approach. Under this method, the new accounting standard is applied only to the most recent period presented. As a result, 2018 amounts include the impacts of ASC 606, but 2017 amounts remain as previously reported, except as specifically stated. (2) ASU 2017-07, regarding net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost was adopted as of January 1, 2018, and applied retrospectively. All prior period numbers have been recast to conform to this standard. (3) TDS has re-evaluated internal reporting roles with regard to its HMS business unit and, as a result, has changed its reportable segments. Effective January 1, 2018, HMS is no longer reported under TDS Telecom. Prior periods have been recast to conform to the revised presentation. Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Financial Measures and Reconciliations Free Cash Flow Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (Dollars in millions) Cash flows from operating activities (GAAP) $ 249 $ 221 $ 463 $ 358 Less: Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment 145 115 275 242 Free cash flow (Non-GAAP)(1) $ 104 $ 106 $ 188 $ 116 (1) Management uses Free cash flow as a liquidity measure and it is defined as Cash flows from operating activities less Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure which TDS believes may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information in evaluating liquidity, specifically, the amount of net cash generated by business operations after deducting Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment. Postpaid ABPU and Postpaid ABPA U.S. Cellular presents Postpaid ABPU and Postpaid ABPA to reflect the revenue shift from Service revenues to Equipment and product sales resulting from the increased adoption of equipment installment plans. Postpaid ABPU and Postpaid ABPA, as previously defined herein, are non-GAAP financial measures which U.S. Cellular believes are useful to investors and other users of its financial information in showing trends in both service and equipment and product sales revenues received from customers. For the Quarter Ended 6/30/2018(1) 3/31/2018(1) 12/31/2017 9/30/2017 6/30/2017 (Dollars and connection counts in millions) Calculation of Postpaid ARPU Postpaid service revenues $ 600 $ 598 $ 598 $ 586 $ 597 Average number of postpaid connections 4.47 4.50 4.52 4.50 4.47 Number of months in period 3 3 3 3 3 Postpaid ARPU (GAAP metric) $ 44.74 $ 44.34 $ 44.12 $ 43.41 $ 44.60 Calculation of Postpaid ABPU Postpaid service revenues $ 600 $ 598 $ 598 $ 586 $ 597 Equipment installment plan billings 174 172 170 152 142 Total billings to postpaid connections $ 774 $ 770 $ 768 $ 738 $ 739 Average number of postpaid connections 4.47 4.50 4.52 4.50 4.47 Number of months in period 3 3 3 3 3 Postpaid ABPU (Non-GAAP metric) $ 57.75 $ 57.10 $ 56.69 $ 54.71 $ 55.19 Calculation of Postpaid ARPA Postpaid service revenues $ 600 $ 598 $ 598 $ 586 $ 597 Average number of postpaid accounts 1.69 1.69 1.69 1.68 1.66 Number of months in period 3 3 3 3 3 Postpaid ARPA (GAAP metric) $ 118.57 $ 118.22 $ 118.05 $ 116.36 $ 119.73 Calculation of Postpaid ABPA Postpaid service revenues $ 600 $ 598 $ 598 $ 586 $ 597 Equipment installment plan billings 174 172 170 152 142 Total billings to postpaid accounts $ 774 $ 770 $ 768 $ 738 $ 739 Average number of postpaid accounts 1.69 1.69 1.69 1.68 1.66 Number of months in period 3 3 3 3 3 Postpaid ABPA (Non-GAAP metric) $ 153.03 $ 152.26 $ 151.68 $ 146.65 $ 148.15 (1) As of January 1, 2018, U.S. Cellular adopted the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606, using a modified retrospective approach. Under this method, the new accounting standard is applied only to the most recent period presented. As a result, 2018 amounts include the impacts of ASC 606, but 2017 amounts remain as previously reported. SOURCE Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Related Links http://www.tdsinc.com The team recently completed a System Requirements Review and technical baseline update. The next step in the program will be the preliminary design review in January 2019. "The HEL TVD program will be pivotal for the warfighters while they are protecting our country. Dynetics, Lockheed Martin and our partners are providing a safe and simple high energy laser weapon system that crews can operate for years to come and across various terrains," said Ronnie Chronister, Dynetics vice president of contracts. "We pulled together a cross-industry leading team, which has the expertise and knowledge to understand exactly what is needed. We believe that our solution will be straightforward and will be the type of system that will preferred by the Army." Dynetics is drawing on the experience of systems engineering, manufacturing, test and vehicle modifications for integration on the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV). Lockheed Martin provides the laser subsystem, as well as other key subsystems. The spectral beam-combined fiber laser subsystem strongly leverages Lockheed Martin's experience from ground vehicle integration gained as part of the Army's Robust Electric Laser Initiative (RELI) program. "The proliferation of hostile unmanned aerial systems and rockets, artillery and mortars present an increasing threat to deployed U.S. troops. Laser weapons offer a deep magazine and very low cost per shot making them ideally suited to complement existing kinetic energy weapons to address intense UAS swarms and RAM raids," said Iain McKinnie, Lockheed Martin business development lead for Advanced Laser Solutions and Strategy. "The Army's HEL TVD program is a critical step toward realizing this potential, culminating in 2022 testing of a mobile 100 kW-class laser weapon system fully integrated with an Army FMTV truck." Lockheed Martin has more than 40 years of experience developing laser weapon systems. The HEL TVD award leverages technology building blocks from internal research and development projects, including the ATHENA system and ALADIN laser, as well as contract experience gained from programs such as the U.S. Army's RELI program, the U.S. Air Force LANCE program and the U.S. Navy HELIOS and HEFL programs. Team Dynetics is one of two remaining contractors competing to build the demonstrator that will be tested in 2022. The winning contractor will be awarded a contract option to finish the design, build and integrate the laser weapon system onto an Army FMTV platform and conduct field testing at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. About Dynetics Dynetics provides responsive, cost-effective engineering, scientific and IT solutions to the national security, cybersecurity, space and critical infrastructure sectors. Our portfolio features highly specialized technical services and a range of software and hardware products, including components, subsystems and complex end-to-end systems. The company of 1,500 employee/owners is based in Huntsville, Ala., and has offices throughout the U.S. For more information, visit www.dynetics.com. About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 100,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. This year the company received three Edison Awards for ground-breaking innovations in autonomy, satellite technology and directed energy. For more information, visit: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/capabilities/directed-energy/laser-weapon-systems.html. SOURCE Lockheed Martin Related Links http://www.lockheedmartin.com IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Terran Orbital Corporation (the Company), a leading innovator and provider of end-to-end nanosatellite and microsatellite services and solutions for government agencies and commercial enterprises, announced today the successful completion of a Series "B" round, which raised $36 million from investors that included existing investor Lockheed Martin, Beach Point Capital managed funds, and Goldman Sachs. Additional terms of the transaction were not disclosed. "The nano- and microsatellite industry continues to gain traction with key market participants who are eager to gain access to the benefits our satellites afford, including the most current technology, economic form-factor and the speed at which we can move from design to launch," commented Marc Bell, co-founder and Chairman of Terran Orbital Corporation. "Our investors believe in our vision that space needs to be more responsive, economical and technologically viable." "Terran Orbital is a leading innovator in micro and nanosatellite technology," noted Chris Moran, Executive Director and General Manager of Lockheed Martin Ventures. "Together we work to provide responsive and innovative solutions for our customers. Lockheed Martin chose to expand upon our existing relationship with Terran Orbital, as both an investor and a customer, to support the LM 50 Series Satellite Bus System. We look forward to continuing our work together so we can better enable our customers to confront the challenges of today." Proceeds from the financing will be used to purchase additional manufacturing equipment for Terran Orbital's new, 40,000 square foot design and production facility, and to expand its workforce. As the largest manufacturer of nanosatellites in the world, the new facility will be capable of supporting the design and production of the largest constellations. Commenting on the industry dynamics, Tony Previte, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Terran Orbital Corporation, noted, "With the added capacity of our new facility, Terran Orbital is well-positioned to meet the tremendous demand from our government, military and commercial customers to gain access to our nano- and microsatellite technology. Our ability to cost-effectively design, build and launch our small satellites within 6-12 months puts us in an enviable, competitively-advantaged position." About Terran Orbital Corporation Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Irvine, California, Terran Orbital is a leading innovator and provider of end-to-end nanosatellite and microsatellite services and solutions for U.S. government agencies and commercial enterprises. The Company is a pioneer in the miniaturization of space technologies, making space responsive, with the ability to quickly and economically design, build and launch state-of-the-art satellites. Communications Contact: Jon Goldberg KCSA Strategic Communications 420 5th Avenue New York, NY 10018 212-896-1282 [email protected] SOURCE Terran Orbital Launched in 2012, Lancome's scent La vie est belle captures a femininity that's free-spirited and fulfilled. Julia Roberts perfectly embodies this first gourmand iris fragrance for women. La vie est belle was iconic from the outset. It is the number two fragrance in the United States, number one in Europe and the third best-selling fragrance in the world1. In 2012, Julia Roberts invited us to be happy by breaking free from conventions. In 2016, she led the way down the path of happiness. Now, in Bruno Aveillan's new La vie est belle film, Julia Roberts encourages us to share our bliss and multiply its effects. THE NEW DECLARATION FILM Who will you make happy today? A new chapter, a new definition of happiness: the irresistible spirit of this new campaign is there to be shared, like a new life philosophy. The film opens with Julia Roberts on the Trocadero esplanade. The guests look elegant, but their minds are elsewhere. They seem preoccupied, even annoyed. Julia Roberts moves among them, going up to the water sculpture and getting splashed. Surprised, she bursts out laughing, but the people around her don't react, remaining indifferent. So she decides to slip off her heels and play with the water. Her iconic smile that manifesto of supreme happiness spreads infectiously. The ripples in the water follow her movements, and the drops of water sprinkle like little beads of pure bliss. With just a simple gesture, or a smile, Julia Roberts suffuses the space around her with happiness. Discreetly slipping a rose into the hand of a man arguing with his companion Inviting a woman deep in thought to join in the group Convincing a businessman to put away his smartphone and be in the moment with his wife In these moments, Julia Roberts helps transform the ordinary into the extraordinary: happiness is even truer when it's shared. Julia Roberts gives off a sense of heartfelt happiness that would melt the coldest heart. With this new chapter, Lancome reasserts its deep and sincere connection with women, and the vision of universal, free-spirited femininity that La vie est belle is such a lovely declaration of. La vie est belle represents a choice. The choice to live one's life and fill it with beauty. It's pure happiness, captured by Anne Flipo and Dominique Ropion a balance of rich simplicity that mingles the nobility of iris with the depth of patchouli and the nostalgia of a gourmand accord. The bottle that holds it was inspired by Armand Petitjean's idea, back in 1949, of capturing a woman's smile in a bottle, as if sculpted in crystal. BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE SHOOT This chapter was filmed in LA's legendary Universal Studios on a two-day shoot that employed 90 extras. In the director's chair was Bruno Aveillan, a multi award-winning French visual artist known for the distinctive way he uses light to achieve his stunning effects. As for the soundtrack, the hypnotic lyrics of Diamonds rang out on Josef Salvat's version. In this new chapter of La vie est belle, photographer Alexi Lubomirski has perfectly captured Julia Roberts' smile, radiating happiness against an elegant backdrop of precious water and the Eiffel Tower. Genevieve Herr created Julia Roberts' stunning make-up look with Hypnose Drama 01 Black, Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation and Lip Liner 202 Nuit & Jour. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Kelly Thompson Senior Vice President, Lancome [email protected] Erin Doyle Assistant Vice President, Lancome [email protected] About Lancome Since visionary pioneer Armand Petitjean founded the brand in 1935, Lancome has epitomized timeless glamour with a quintessential French touch. Today the world's leading luxury beauty brand continues to inspire with its elusive je ne sais quoi that exudes happiness, confidence and French chic appeal, as well as the very best in quality, style, and transformative results. With a presence in 130 countries, over 20,000 beauty advisers in as many points of sale relay Lancome's message of French excellence, with incredible service and iconic products such as: Teint Idole, Advanced Genifique, Renergie, La Vie Est Belle, and award-winning mascaras. Lancome affirms that happiness is the most attractive quality and offers every woman the opportunity to enhance her beauty and femininity, whatever her age and whatever her skin color, by giving her the best of science and innovation. The brand continues to offer every woman the best in beauty through its Elite Membership Rewards Program, which allows customers access to exclusive offers, products and uniquely indulgent experiences through brand partners. Lancome's ambassadresses include Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz, Lupita Nyong'o, Lily Collins, Taylor Hill and Isabella Rossellini. Lancome's ambition is that every woman who comes to the brand to look more beautiful leaves feeling happier. NPD est. 2017 SOURCE Lancome BALTIMORE, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Microscopy and Microanalysis 2018 -- Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, today announced new additions and advancements to its leading portfolio of electron microscopy and microanalysis solutions, raising the bar for academic and industrial customers who are working on today's most difficult materials science and life sciences problems. Thermo Fisher will display its newest innovations at the Microscopy and Microanalysis 2018 Meeting (booth 1112) at the Baltimore Convention Center. "Our electron microscopy and microanalysis solutions help drive groundbreaking discoveries in some of the most difficult areas of materials and life sciences," said Mike Shafer, president, materials and structural analysis, Thermo Fisher. "From pushing the boundaries of tool and component performance to helping speed the path to understanding and treating viruses and diseases, we're committed to developing new products and continuously improving existing ones so scientists can focus on their important research." New Products Elevate Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis Solutions Thermo Fisher is introducing new solutions that take electron microscopy and materials characterization to the next level: Thermo Scientific Phenom Pharos microscope: The Thermo Scientific Phenom Pharos microscope is the first desktop scanning electron microscope (SEM) solution from Thermo Fisher that includes a field emission gun (FEG). It is easy to operate and incorporates an advanced hardware design that enables fast time-to-image and easy handling. With this new instrument, Thermo Fisher now offers academic and industrial customers a complete portfolio of SEMs, ranging from desktop instruments to high-end floor models. The Thermo Scientific Phenom Pharos microscope is the first desktop scanning electron microscope (SEM) solution from that includes a field emission gun (FEG). It is easy to operate and incorporates an advanced hardware design that enables fast time-to-image and easy handling. With this new instrument, now offers academic and industrial customers a complete portfolio of SEMs, ranging from desktop instruments to high-end floor models. Thermo Scientific Lumis EBSD detector: The new Thermo Scientific Lumis electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) detector is used in SEM to study crystalline and polycrystalline materials, and allows material scientists, metallurgists and geoscientists to understand the structure, crystal orientation and phase of SEM samples and monitor structural transformations in samples. It combines advanced optics with a new complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor that collects more than 2.2 megapixels, the largest number of pixels of any EBSD detector on the market. The detector is integrated with Thermo Scientific Pathfinder 2.0 microanalysis software to complement EDS or WDS analysis. The new Thermo Scientific Lumis electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) detector is used in SEM to study crystalline and polycrystalline materials, and allows material scientists, metallurgists and geoscientists to understand the structure, crystal orientation and phase of SEM samples and monitor structural transformations in samples. It combines advanced optics with a new complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor that collects more than 2.2 megapixels, the largest number of pixels of any EBSD detector on the market. The detector is integrated with Thermo Scientific Pathfinder 2.0 microanalysis software to complement EDS or WDS analysis. S-CORR probe corrector for Themis Z: Thermo Fisher's newest Thermo Scientific Themis Z scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) builds on its sub-Angstrom STEM imaging capability with S-CORR, the next generation in probe aberration correction. With S-CORR, the Themis Z microscope is designed to deliver unsurpassed STEM imaging and spectroscopy performance at low accelerating voltages, allowing scientists to analyze materials such as batteries, fuel cells, catalysts and lightweight metals and alloys that have historically been difficult to image. By improving the probe size and shape, while preserving sample integrity during investigation, researchers can better understand how to improve the performance of materials by revealing their structure and chemistry at the atomic level. Product Advancements Accelerate Scientific Research In addition to introducing several new solutions, Thermo Fisher is showcasing advancements in its portfolio of instruments, workflows and applications that enable scientists to accelerate their research. Thermo Scientific STEM Maps and EDS Maps Software: The STEM Maps and EDS Maps software now includes performance increases and connection to energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), allowing users to complement high resolution imaging performance and elemental information from large areas across multiple imaging platforms. The STEM Maps and EDS Maps software now includes performance increases and connection to energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), allowing users to complement high resolution imaging performance and elemental information from large areas across multiple imaging platforms. HeliScan microCT analyzer : The updated Thermo Scientific HeliScan microCT is designed to provide improved resolutions down to 400 nanometers (nm), enabling materials science researchers to gain an even better understanding of their samples. : The updated Thermo Scientific HeliScan microCT is designed to provide improved resolutions down to 400 nanometers (nm), enabling materials science researchers to gain an even better understanding of their samples. Cryo-Electron Microscopy Single Particle Analysis (cryo-EM SPA) : Visitors to the booth will learn about increased automation, simplified alignments, and optical enhancements for our cryo-TEMs. The company is also offering a free online cryo-EM school platform in collaboration with Professor Grant Jensen , California Institute of Technology , Pasadena, CA /USA. : Visitors to the booth will learn about increased automation, simplified alignments, and optical enhancements for our cryo-TEMs. The company is also offering a free online cryo-EM school platform in collaboration with Professor , , /USA. Cryo-EM Tomography: This new integrated cryo-tomography workflow is being showcased for the first time at M&M. It seamlessly integrates light microscopes from Leica with cryo-electron microscopes from Thermo Fisher , providing researchers and scientists faster and better insight into the mechanisms of diseases. This new integrated cryo-tomography workflow is being showcased for the first time at M&M. It seamlessly integrates light microscopes from Leica with cryo-electron microscopes from , providing researchers and scientists faster and better insight into the mechanisms of diseases. DualBeam Microscope Advances: For more than 25 years, Thermo Fisher has pioneered DualBeam-focused ion beam scanning electron microscopes (FIB-SEMs). The company is extending its DualBeam microscopes with state-of-the-art automation software that enables the highest-quality sample preparation for users of all experience levels in the shortest amount of time. It also now includes advanced 3D materials characterization and a Python-based scripting engine to automate experiments. The company has also added plasma FIB-SEM DualBeams to broaden the length scale and increase throughput and is introducing a multiple species source to broaden the applications space. Live Demos of Tools and Software Thermo Fisher will offer live demos of several microscopy tools and software designed to keep organizations at the cutting edge of discovery, including SEM, cryo-EM and TEM systems. To learn more, please visit http://em-events.thermofisher.com/MM2018. About Thermo Fisher Scientific Thermo Fisher Scientific is the world leader in serving science, with revenues of more than $20 billion and approximately 70,000 employees globally. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We help our customers accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics, deliver medicines to market and increase laboratory productivity. Through our premier brands Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services we offer an unmatched combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and comprehensive services. For more information, please visit thermofisher.com. Media Contact Information: Kathy Gill Thermo Fisher Scientific +1 971-294-9262 [email protected] SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific Related Links http://www.thermofisher.com CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tipperary Sales, d.b.a. La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Decor, bolsters its executive leadership team by hiring R. Byron Brown IV as Senior Vice President of Business Development. The company also acknowledges Brown as a shareholder. "I am delighted to have Byron join our team," says Martha Percival Brown, president and CEO, Tipperary Sales. "Byron is of the highest integrity, possessing a strong work ethic and a comprehensive understanding of the retail-client relationship. His skillset is enhanced by twenty years of experience as a commercial real estate broker and developer, which afforded him financial and operations expertise encompassing various business models." A graduate of the Wayne Calloway School of Business at Wake Forest University, Byron Brown is a licensed real estate broker in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, specializing in retail tenant representation, buyer representation, and land development with transaction experience totaling more than $130,000,000 in value. For the past eighteen years, Brown represented Tipperary Sales as one of his clients in a variety of real estate transactions. As the grandson and namesake of Tipperary Sales' founder, Byron Brown brings a lifetime of family knowledge to the business. "Byron's vast understanding, unique historical perspective, and vested interest in the business will position Tipperary Sales for the next phase of our growth-plan," continued Martha Percival Brown. "His commencement with Tipperary is a commitment to the legacy and future of our company." Byron Brown's position, which will be based out of the company's Charlotte office, will include a specific focus on growing earnings through team member education and empowerment, bolstering best practices, as well as increasing revenue through existing store enhancements and new store roll-outs. In addition to the revenue side, Byron will also be tasked with a deep review of overall company expenditures and improving corporate efficiencies. "After many years working with the company, I'm humbled by the opportunity to serve Tipperary Sales in this new internal role," said Byron Brown. "It's an honor to join a team including my family and other talented professionals." Prior to joining Tipperary Sales, Byron Brown worked with The Keith Corporation followed by Collett & Associates. Most recently, he served as founding partner and broker-in-charge for Charlotte-based Caliber Partners where he successfully forged strong business relationships while negotiating detailed and large-scaled transactions throughout the Southeast. About Tipperary Sales, Inc. Tipperary Sales, Inc., a family-owned company founded in 1976, operates eight La-Z-Boy Galleries in the Southeast. The company is one of Furniture Today's Top 100 Furniture Stores and currently operates two of the top ten dealer-operated La-Z-Boy stores in the nation. Tipperary Sales has been named both "Retail Partner of the Year" and "Ronald McDonald House Charity Partner of the Year" by La-Z-Boy, Inc. La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Decor stores operated by Tipperary Sales, Inc. are in the following locations: 4205 Washington Rd. in Evans, Ga.; 150 Traders Way in Pooler, Ga.; 107-B River Hills Rd in Asheville, N.C.; 7035 Smith Corners Blvd. in Charlotte, N.C.; 11515 Carolina Place Pkwy. in Pineville, N.C.; 4960 Centre Pointe Dr Suite 102 in N. Charleston, S.C.; 5342 Sunset Boulevard in Lexington, S.C.; 1046 Woodruff Rd. in Greenville, S.C. For more information, please visit www.la-z-boy.com/southeast. About La-Z-Boy Headquartered in Monroe, MI, La-Z-Boy is one of the world's leading residential furniture producers. The company manufactures a full line of comfortable products for the living room and family room, including the company's world-famous recliners, reclining sofas and love seats, sleep sofas, modular furniture and leather upholstery, as well as stationary sofas, love seats and chairs. It is a division of La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE: LZB), one of the world's leading residential furniture producers, marketing furniture for every room of the home. Live Life Comfortably. SM SOURCE Tipperary Sales SUGAR LAND, Texas, Aug. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The Trump administration's embrace of tariffs has spurred heated debate at home and abroad, with the domestic steel-production industry among its staunchest defenders. The most recent quarterly results for United States Steel Corporation (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) show why: The policy has significantly boosted prices and operating profits for the company, which has an optimistic outlook for the coming years. Industrial Info is tracking more than $1 billion in active projects involving U.S. Steel, more than 60% of which are nearing or under construction. Within this article: Details on some of the highest-valued projects involving U.S. Steel, including a flat-rolled steel plant in Illinois, a steel coating plant in Ohio, and upgrades at a steel-product plant in Indiana. For details, view the entire article by subscribing to Industrial Info's Premium Industry News, or browse other breaking industrial news stories at www.industrialinfo.com. Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. Follow IIR on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn. For more information on our coverage, send inquiries to [email protected] or visit us online at http://www.industrialinfo.com. William Ploch 713-783-5147 SOURCE Industrial Info Resources, Inc. Related Links http://www.industrialinfo.com ATLANTA, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Surterra Wellness announced today that William "Beau" Wrigley, Jr. has joined Surterra's Board of Directors as Chairman. Additionally, Surterra Wellness closed a $65 million Series C equity fundraising round in July, led by Wrigley's direct investment arm. The round brings Surterra's total capital raised to over $100 million since 2015. Speaking for the first time publicly about his investment, Wrigley said, "I am thrilled to join the Surterra team and help drive their mission to build a best-in-class cannabis healthcare business. After extensive diligence, we determined that Surterra has the highest quality standards, best products, and most professional management team in the industry. We believe in the ability of cannabis to improve quality of life for patients across the country, and we are excited to build a global industry leader for the long term." Beau led the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, a global leader in confections founded in 1891, by serving in multiple roles, including Chairman, President and CEO. During his leadership, the Wrigley Company expanded its product portfolio through numerous acquisitions including Altoids and LifeSavers as well as organic growth, reaching consumers in 180 countries. In 2008, the Wrigley Company was sold to privately held Mars, Incorporated. Currently, Beau is President of Wychwood Asset Management LLC, an investment company that invests in a range of venture capital and private equity interests. Additionally, Beau serves on several boards of high-growth companies across the technology, media, and health and wellness spaces. "Surterra is proud to welcome Beau, a business leader who brings decades of world class experience and expertise in brand building, to Surterra Wellness," said Surterra CEO Jake Bergmann. "Having a seasoned industry veteran like Beau intimately involved in building Surterra's business is exciting for the future of Surterra, our patients and the entire medical cannabis industry." Concurrent to joining Surterra as Chairman of the Board, Wrigley led a $65 million "Series C" direct equity investment in Surterra Holdings, Inc. Surterra plans on using the funds across a number of strategic initiatives in Florida and Texas. Plans include constructing substantial cultivation space in Florida, executing multiple partnerships with premier consumer brands, and accelerating its product development initiatives. In addition, Surterra will conduct clinical research trials related to cannabinoid treatment of anxiety, pain, and PTSD, as well as other significant health issues facing the country, with cannabinoids. The company will also expand into new state markets across the country as it builds the industry's broadest portfolio of brands trusted by patients. About Surterra Wellness Founded in 2014, Surterra Wellness is one of the fastest growing and leading medical cannabis companies in the US. With licenses in Florida and Texas, Surterra is currently expanding into new state markets across the country as it builds the industry's broadest portfolio of brands trusted by patients. Today, Surterra owns 1 of 14 currently issued vertically integrated medical marijuana licenses in Florida and 1 of 3 in Texas for a total footprint that includes 49 million Americans in two of nation's the fastest growing state populations. In Florida, Surterra operates 10 Wellness Centers in Pensacola, Tallahassee, Tampa, North Port, Largo, Deltona, Jacksonville, Orlando, Port Orange, and notably: the first and only Wellness Center in Miami Beach. It also operates 3 distribution centers to support state-wide, next-day delivery in Florida, and over 300,000 square feet of cultivation space. Surterra offers a wide variety of products in multiple delivery options including vaporizer pens, tinctures, oral sprays, topical creams, time released transdermal patches, and soon-to-be-launched softgels. Surterra is focused on unlocking the natural health benefits of cannabis-based ingredients and is committed to providing individuals the safest, most effective treatments. The brand combines natural growing techniques with innovative extraction tools to develop uniquely formulated products. Surterra Wellness is utilizing best practices in medicine, science, and agriculture to discover and advance the natural healing benefits of cannabis. Together, we are in pursuit of wellness. For more information, please visit www.surterra.com. SOURCE Surterra Wellness Related Links https://www.surterra.com Alliance for Children Everywhere (www.childreneverywhere.org), empowers families through child welfare, family preservation and education programs. (www.childreneverywhere.org), empowers families through child welfare, family preservation and education programs. Alzheimer's Foundation of America (www.alzfdn.org), provides programs, services and support to families affected by Alzheimer's disease, offers training to healthcare professionals and funds research towards a treatment and cure. (www.alzfdn.org), provides programs, services and support to families affected by Alzheimer's disease, offers training to healthcare professionals and funds research towards a treatment and cure. American Red Cross California Wildfire Relief (www.redcross.org), shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the Nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides International humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross is providing shelter, relief supplies and comfort for those affected by the California Wildfires. (www.redcross.org), shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the Nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides International humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross is providing shelter, relief supplies and comfort for those affected by the California Wildfires. Amistad Mission (www.amistadmission.org), provides a safe, loving, Christian family environment for Bolivian children in need, enabling them to grow to independent adulthood and become leaders in their community. (www.amistadmission.org), provides a safe, loving, Christian family environment for Bolivian children in need, enabling them to grow to independent adulthood and become leaders in their community. Autism Partnership Foundation (www.autismpartnership.com), was established to provide services to children whose parents do not have the means to obtain treatment and to advance research on the behavioral treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and to educate parents and professionals about ASD. (www.autismpartnership.com), was established to provide services to children whose parents do not have the means to obtain treatment and to advance research on the behavioral treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and to educate parents and professionals about ASD. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org), provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. (www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org), provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (www.gatesfoundation.org), works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. (www.gatesfoundation.org), works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. Children's Health (www.childrens.com), is the 8th largest pediatric health care provider in the U.S. With two main hospitals, over 7,000 employees, and a strategic alliance with UT Southwestern Medical Center, Children's treats over 450,000 patients a year. (www.childrens.com), is the 8th largest pediatric health care provider in the U.S. With two main hospitals, over 7,000 employees, and a strategic alliance with UT Southwestern Medical Center, Children's treats over 450,000 patients a year. First Baptist Church of Commerce Summer Camp for Kids Scholarship Program (www.firstcommerce.org), hosts a summer camp to provide education, activities, and fellowship for children in the Commerce, Texas -area. FBCC's Scholarship Program allows for underprivileged children to attend summer camp. (www.firstcommerce.org), hosts a summer camp to provide education, activities, and fellowship for children in the -area. FBCC's Scholarship Program allows for underprivileged children to attend summer camp. Heart House Dallas (www.hearthousedallas.org), provides free afterschool programs to at-risk children of low -income families of the Vickery Meadow Community in Dallas, Texas . (www.hearthousedallas.org), provides free afterschool programs to at-risk children of low -income families of the Vickery Meadow Community in . International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org), is a global leader in emergency relief, rehabilitation, protection of human rights, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by conflict and oppression. (www.rescue.org), is a global leader in emergency relief, rehabilitation, protection of human rights, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by conflict and oppression. JDRF (www.jdrf.org), is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF's mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. (www.jdrf.org), is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF's mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. National Jewish Health (www.nationaljewish.org), is the leading respiratory hospital in the nation. Founded 119 years ago as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health today is the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to groundbreaking medical research and treatment of patients with respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders. (www.nationaljewish.org), is the leading respiratory hospital in the nation. Founded 119 years ago as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health today is the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to groundbreaking medical research and treatment of patients with respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders. NYU Langone Health (www.nyulangone.org), is located in NYC and is one of the nation's premier centers of excellence in health care, research, and medical education. (www.nyulangone.org), is located in NYC and is one of the nation's premier centers of excellence in health care, research, and medical education. OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center (www.ourhouse-grief.org), provides grief support services, education, resources & hope to the Los Angeles, California Community . (www.ourhouse-grief.org), provides grief support services, education, resources & hope to the . Smile Train, Inc. (www.smiletrain.org), is an International children's charity with a sustainable approach to a single, solvable problem: cleft lip and palate. Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. (www.smiletrain.org), is an International children's charity with a sustainable approach to a single, solvable problem: cleft lip and palate. Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), is one of the World's premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. (www.stjude.org), is one of the World's premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. The Bipartisan Policy Center Safeguarding US Elections (www.bipartisanpolicy.org), is a non-profit organization that combines the best ideas from both parties to promote health, security, and opportunity for all Americans. The Bipartisan Policy Center has been involved in election administration policy research for 5 years, and works with The United States Election Assistance Commission regarding how States should frame policy and run elections. (www.bipartisanpolicy.org), is a non-profit organization that combines the best ideas from both parties to promote health, security, and opportunity for all Americans. The Bipartisan Policy Center has been involved in election administration policy research for 5 years, and works with The United States Election Assistance Commission regarding how States should frame policy and run elections. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrf.org) is the highest-rated breast cancer organization in the U.S. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation funds research to find a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime. (www.bcrf.org) is the highest-rated breast cancer organization in the U.S. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation funds research to find a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime. The George Lucas Educational Foundation (www.edutopia.org), is dedicated to transforming K-12 education so that all students can acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to thrive in their studies, careers, and adult lives. Founded by innovative and award-winning filmmaker George Lucas in 1991, The George Lucas Educational Foundation takes a strategic approach to improving K-12 education through two distinct areas of focus: Edutopia and Lucas Education Research. (www.edutopia.org), is dedicated to transforming K-12 education so that all students can acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to thrive in their studies, careers, and adult lives. Founded by innovative and award-winning filmmaker in 1991, The George Lucas Educational Foundation takes a strategic approach to improving K-12 education through two distinct areas of focus: Edutopia and Lucas Education Research. The Love Pit (www.thelovepitrescue.org), is a dog rescue on a mission to reduce the homeless pit bull population in shelters and on the streets. (www.thelovepitrescue.org), is a dog rescue on a mission to reduce the homeless pit bull population in shelters and on the streets. The Salvation Army Guy Fieri Northern California Wildfire Relief Efforts (www.salvationarmyusa.org), is committed to doing the most good for the most people in the most need. The Nation's largest faith-based charity, The Salvation Army serves 30 million people each year through a broad array of social services. In Northern California , star of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives , Chef Fieri has teamed up with volunteers, the Salvation Army, and Operation Barbecue Relief to provide hot meals for thousands of victims affected by the devastating Carr Fire crisis. (www.salvationarmyusa.org), is committed to doing the most good for the most people in the most need. The Nation's largest faith-based charity, The Salvation Army serves 30 million people each year through a broad array of social services. In , star of , Chef Fieri has teamed up with volunteers, the Salvation Army, and Operation Barbecue Relief to provide hot meals for thousands of victims affected by the devastating crisis. Tower Cancer Research Foundation (www.towercancer.org), is committed to providing innovative medical research, community education and caring patient support while developing more effective treatments for cancer and blood disorders. (www.towercancer.org), is committed to providing innovative medical research, community education and caring patient support while developing more effective treatments for cancer and blood disorders. United Christian Church Education Initiative (www.uccgarland.org), sponsors the primary education of underprivileged children in India and Pakistan . UCC partners with schools to provide tuition, books, uniforms, and other necessary supplies for children from poor families. (www.uccgarland.org), sponsors the primary education of underprivileged children in and . UCC partners with schools to provide tuition, books, uniforms, and other necessary supplies for children from poor families. Voice for Children Foundation, Inc. (www.beavoice.org), raises funds to help ensure that abused, abandoned, and neglected children in Miami-Dade County each have a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem and that financial assistance and other resources are available for their health, educational, and social needs. Bill Lautman is proud to announce Nexus Health Capital's Corporate Social Responsibility Program, and is committed to invest time and financial resources for the betterment of Health, Health Research, Education, Children's Welfare, Democracy, National Security, and overall Quality of Life. Founded by William (Bill) Lautman, Nexus Health Capital, with offices in NYC and Dallas, has provided, for nearly 20 years, seasoned investment banking advice to middle-market healthcare companies, with an unwavering commitment to senior-level attention and the focused expertise of a boutique advisory firm. For more information, please visit www.nexushealthcap.com. SOURCE Nexus Health Capital Related Links https://www.nexushealthcap.com IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- WNC, a national investor in real estate and community development initiatives, announced today that President and Chief Executive Officer Will Cooper Jr. formally endorsed Democratic candidate Harley Rouda for election to the United State House of Representatives for California's 48th district on behalf of the National Association of Home Builders. Cooper serves on the board of trustees for BUILD-PAC, NAHB's political action committee. Rouda is challenging long-time Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher in a race that has garnered national attention. "As one of the leaders of the low-income housing tax credit industry, WNC is a champion of affordable housing development and preservation," said Cooper. "We are pleased to have represented the NAHB in its endorsement of Harley Rouda, who built his career in the housing industry as a business leader and entrepreneur. His experience in the private sector creating jobs and solving problems is exactly what we need in the next Congress to move this country forward." Cooper formally endorsed candidate Rouda at a luncheon reception hosted by BUILD-PAC, the National Association of Home Builders' political action committee. The event was held on Aug. 6 at the Emerald Cove Senior Apartments, a 164-unit affordable housing community for seniors in Huntington Beach. WNC provided $3.6 million in tax credit equity to help fund the preservation and modernization of Emerald Cove, which reopened in 2011. Housing is a vital function of the local, state and national economies which accounts for approximately 15 percent of the nation's gross domestic product. NAHB has stated that it believes this is a critical election year and that it is important to elect pro-housing, pro-business candidates to Congress in order to ensure that the housing and economic recovery continues to move forward. "We are proud to endorse Harley Rouda for Congress," said NAHB Chairman Randy Noel, a custom home builder from LaPlace, La. "As a successful entrepreneur, he knows that small businesses are the backbone of our economy and that housing is critical to a strong and prosperous nation." About WNC WNC, founded in 1971 and headquartered in Irvine, Calif., is a national investor in real estate and community development initiatives, as well as a leading investor in low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC). WNC has acquired more than $8.8 billion of assets totaling in excess of 1,350 properties in 47 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. WNC's investor base exceeds 19,500 institutional and retail clients, including Fortune 500 companies, multinational banks, and insurance companies. Additional information is available at www.wncinc.com. Contact Julie Leber Spotlight Marketing Communications 949.427.1391 [email protected] SOURCE WNC Related Links http://www.wncinc.com CINCINNATI, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Worldpay, Inc. (NYSE: WP; LSE: WPY) today announced they have agreed to extend its exclusive relationship with CRS Texas for four years. The two companies, which have maintained a highly successful partnership over the past 10 years, are invested in continuing to strengthen their relationship and expand their reach. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, CRS is a technology-enabled provider of comprehensive point-of-sale ("POS") solutions to established single and multi-unit operators in the restaurant, retail, and other hospitality end markets. CRS delivers its highly customized front-of-the-house technology solutions through a recurring service and solutions model for merchants who have complex service needs. Recently, The CapStreet Group, a private equity firm based in Houston, took a majority interest in CRS Texas with the express goal of growing the business both organically and through acquisition. Adrian Guerra, a Principal with CapStreet, added, "CRS has built a highly recurring business focused on customer service and we look forward to pursuing new organic growth initiatives and continuing CRS's successful acquisition strategy." Building on what is already a powerful and vital foundation, the continued, exclusive partnership between Worldpay and CRS Texas will bring the winning hardware and software solutions to more merchant locations, ultimately enabling seamless purchases for consumers and steady growth for merchants. "We're excited to continue to partner with CRS Texas in the next stage of their growth and, with The CapStreet Group's interest and investment in CRS Texas, we see great things in the future," said Matt Downs, Head of Integrated Payments Channel Partnerships at Worldpay. "We believe that combining CRS Texas's innovative service and sales model with Worldpay's superior payment process products ensures winning outcomes for both parties." CRS Texas CEO Brian Smith added, "Worldpay has been a great partner to do business with over the years because they're flexible, they understand my business needs and scope. As my business grows rapidly, Worldpay's multitude of integrations, cutting-edge technology and dedicated service and support, positions us well to meet the goals of our clients." About Worldpay Worldpay, Inc. (NYSE: WP; LSE: WPY) is a leading payments technology company with unique capability to power global integrated omni-commerce. With industry-leading scale and an unmatched integrated technology platform, Worldpay offers clients a comprehensive suite of products and services globally, delivered through a single provider. Worldpay processes over 40 billion transactions annually through more than 300 payment types across 146 countries and 126 currencies. The company's growth strategy includes expanding into high-growth markets, verticals and customer segments, including global eCommerce, Integrated Payments and B2B. Worldpay, Inc. was formed in 2018 through the combination of the No. 1 merchant acquirers in the U.S. and the U.K. Worldpay, Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange as "WP" and the London Stock Exchange as "WPY." Visit us at www.worldpay.com. About CRS Texas CRS is known as a leader in the POS industry with over 45 years in the business. As a consultative company we have partnered with the best in the industry providing our customers more solutions. Headquartered in Houston, CRS is the largest POS provider in Texas with additional offices in Austin, San Antonio and Dallas. Our growth through acquisition of other successful dealerships allows us to continue to expand our offering in six other states. Our continued growth and success will always depend on our ability to service and satisfy our customers. For more information, please contact: Worldpay, Inc. Email Telephone Adam Kiefaber [email protected] +1 (513) 900-5097 SOURCE Worldpay, Inc. Related Links http://www.worldpay.com WUHAN, China, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd (YMTC), a new player in the NAND industry, today announced the market introduction of its ground-breaking technology - Xtacking, which will provide unprecedented NAND I/O performance, higher bit density and faster time-to-market. YMTC XtackingTM Architecture With Xtacking, the periphery circuits which handle data I/O as well as memory cell operations are processed on a separate wafer using the logic technology node that enables the desired I/O speed and functions. Once the processing of the array wafer is completed, the two wafers are connected electrically through millions of metal VIAs (Vertical Interconnect Accesses) that are formed simultaneously across the whole wafer in one process step, using the innovative Xtacking technology, with limited increase in total cost. "As monolithic die density increases with each successive generation of 3D NAND, it becomes much more challenging to maintain or improve performance for a given SSD capacity. Higher I/O speed and multi-plane operation will be necessary to achieve the required SSD performance going forward," said Gregory Wong, Founder and Principal Analyst at Forward Insights, a renowned market intelligence firm in the field of NAND flash memories and solid-state storage. "At present, the world's highest 3D NAND I/O speed is targeting 1.4Gbps while the majority of the industry is offering NAND I/O at 1.0Gbps or below. With our Xtacking technology, it is possible for NAND I/O speed to reach up to 3.0Gpbs, similar to I/O speed of DRAM DDR4. This is going to be a game changer in the NAND industry," said Simon Yang, CEO at YMTC. In the conventional 3D NAND architecture, the periphery circuits take up ~20-30% of the die area, lowering NAND bit density. As 3D NAND technology continues to progress to 128 layers and above, the periphery circuits will likely take up more than 50% of the total die area. With Xtacking, the periphery circuits are now above the array chip, enabling much higher NAND bit density than conventional 3D NAND. Xtacking technology utilizes fully independent processing of the array and periphery, which offers a modularized, parallel approach to product development and manufacturing, reducing product development time by at least three months and shortening manufacturing cycle time by 20%, significantly accelerating 3D NAND time-to-market. This modular approach also opens possibilities for customized NAND flash solutions by the incorporation of innovative functionalities in the periphery. YMTC has developed its 2nd generation 3D NAND utilizing this innovative Xtacking technology, targeting to go to mass production in 2019. With help from customers, industry partners and standard bodies, Xtacking ushers in a brand-new chapter in high-performance customized NAND solutions for smartphone, personal computing, data center and enterprise applications. About Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd (YMTC): Founded in 2016 with $24B funding, Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd. (YMTC) is a memory solutions company headquartered in Wuhan, China. YMTC designs, manufactures and sells memory products and solutions for a broad range of applications including mobile devices, computing, data centers and consumer electronics for customers around the world. Leveraging its wholly-owned subsidiary XMC's existing 12-inch IC fab in Wuhan, more than 10 years of memory and specialty IC R&D experience and international partnerships, YMTC successfully designed and manufactured its first 32-layer 3D NAND flash chip in 2017. With over 3,000 employees and worldwide R&D centers, YMTC is committed to becoming a world-leading memory solutions provider through technology innovations. Visit the YMTC website at www.ymtc.com Xtacking: Trademark application submitted and accepted. Additional Resources: Schedule a meeting with Yangtze Memory Technologies at Flash Memory Summit 2018 via [email protected] Visit the conference website for program details: https://www.flashmemorysummit.com/ Media and Analyst Contact: Maya Lustig Hands On Communications Email: [email protected] Phone: +972-54-6778-100 SOURCE Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd (YMTC) COLLEGE STATION, Texas, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 650 veterinary students from across North America and Europe, as well as animal health researchers and leaders from more than three dozen top veterinary schools, convened this weekend at Texas A&M University for the 29th annual National Veterinary Scholars Symposium. The National Veterinary Scholars Symposium, the premier annual scientific colloquium which showcases research accomplishments by veterinary students completing summer research internships, provides an opportunity for students participating in the Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars program to present their research findings by oral and/or poster presentation. In addition to scientific sessions, students have the opportunity to learn more about potential careers in biomedical research, as well as related, practical topics such as grant and manuscript writing and time management. The Veterinary Scholars also have the opportunity to network with each other and with various mentors from academic, industry and government backgrounds. Presentations and panel discussions at this year's National Veterinary Scholars Symposium from academia, government, private research institutions and industry provided students with exposure to and perspective on a variety of topics intersecting animal and public health, including global food security and sustainability, emerging and zoonotic infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. The mission of the Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars Program is to provide an opportunity for veterinary schools to introduce first and second-year veterinary medical students to biomedical research. By providing a supportive environment in which students can experience research in an established laboratory, complemented by seminars and discussion groups on the scientific process, ethics, and research opportunities, the participants gain practical insight into the skills required and opportunities for careers in biomedical research. "Innovation in both animal and human health is inextricably linked, and to address unmet clinical need in both areas we need motivated and skilled scientists and researchers," said Dr. Fabian Kausche, Global Head of Research and Development for Boehringer Ingelheim's Animal Health business. "Over the last few decades, more than 3,000 veterinary students have participated in this annual program and benefited from this tremendous experience and exposure to career pathways. The impact of such experiential learning programs to the students involved, to industry and to human and animal patients is significant." At each of the more than three dozen participating institutions, Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars are assigned to a mentor and laboratory. Each scholar conducts a hypothesis-driven research project developed jointly by the scholar and mentor. The research project is typically conducted over a 10-12 week period during the summer. At the end of the program, scholars present their findings to their peers and attending faculty. Scheduled activities supplement the research work, to provide opportunities for the students to learn about the broad aspects of research. The Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholar Program and the associated Symposium have grown over nearly three decades from sponsorship of a handful of students to a well-established and highly competitive program. The number of sponsored students has grown from 54 at eight schools in 2000 to nearly 200 students at 38 schools in 2018. Attendance at the annual Symposium has increased from 43 to more than 650 during the same period. 2018 Boehringer Ingelheim Award Winners As part of the Veterinary Scholar Program, each year Boehringer Ingelheim presents awards to one graduate student and one undergraduate student for exemplary research projects. This year's winners were recognized this weekend at the National Veterinary Scholars Symposium. The 2018 Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Graduate Award was presented to Dr. Andrew Lewin, who is completing his residency in comparative ophthalmology at the University of Wisconsin's School of Veterinary Medicine, for his work in infectious ocular disease and glaucoma in several animal species. Lewin has been inspired to focus on infectious ocular disease through his work as a shelter veterinarian before starting his residency. As part of his research, Lewin established a nationwide network of cat shelters to provide quantitative clinical scores and eye swabs for cats with ocular and respiratory infections to determine the epidemiology of these pathogens nationwide, which had never been done before. He also obtained viral isolates for genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, making other downstream analyses possible with these samples and the data set. The 2018 Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Research Scholar Award was presented to Kathryn C. Taggart, an undergraduate student at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine, for her study of dilated cardiomyopathy in Dobermann Pinschers, a common and devastating disorder that is poorly understood, and for which early recognition is difficult and response to treatment has not drastically changed over last few decades. Taggart has prepared a scientific manuscript of this work as a first author, and the manuscript has been accepted for publication in a respected peer-reviewed journal. About Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Boehringer Ingelheim is the second largest animal health business in the world. The company is committed to creating animal wellbeing through its large portfolio of advanced, preventive healthcare products and services. With net sales of 3.9 billion and around 10,000 employees worldwide, Boehringer Ingelheim's Animal Health business is present in more than 150 markets. For more information, click here. About Boehringer Ingelheim Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the world's top 20 pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, the company operates globally with approximately 50,000 employees. Since its founding in 1885, the company has remained family-owned and today creates value through innovation in three business areas including human pharmaceuticals, animal health and biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing. Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving lives and providing valuable services and support to patients and their families. In 2017, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about $20.4 billion (18.1 billion euros). R&D expenditure corresponds to approximately $3.4 billion (three billion euros), or 17.0 percent of its net sales. More information about Boehringer Ingelheim can be found on www.boehringer-ingelheim.com or in the company's annual report at http://annualreport.boehringer-ingelheim.com. SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), led by USCM President and Columbia (SC) Mayor Steve Benjamin and USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran, sent a letter to President Trump urging him to increase, not decrease, refugee admission levels in 2019. The most recent policy adopted by USCM on this issue calls for admitting at least 100,000 refugees per year. This year, the Trump Administration restricted the flow of refugees into the U.S. to 45,000 the lowest since the program began in 1980. There have been reports that some in the Administration are suggesting a cap of 25,000 refugees in 2019. This would represent a cut of more than 40 percent below 2018 admission levels and more than 75 percent below 2017 levels. The Administration must make a final determination by October 1, the start of the fiscal year. In addition to addressing the country's strong tradition of providing safe haven, freedom and opportunity to refugees fleeing the world's most dangerous and desperate situation, the letter also cites the positive impact refugees have on the cultural and economic prosperity of cities as a reason to increase the cap. The letter states: "Reducing the number of refugees who come to our nation each year diminishes us as a country and negatively affects our communities. It means that we are not providing access to the American dream to well-vetted and deserving people from throughout the world. It means that employers may not be able to hire the refugee workers they have counted on in the past. It means that our cities may not be newly invigorated by the economic and cultural contributions that refugees make to them." The full text of the letter can be found here. About The United States Conference of Mayors -- The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are nearly 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/usmayors, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usmayors. SOURCE U.S. Conference of Mayors Related Links www.usmayors.org HERNDON, Va., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Avenu Insights & Analytics (Avenu), a portfolio company of Mill Point Capital, has entered into an agreement to acquire the assets and operations of the Local and Municipal Constituent Government Software Solutions business of Conduent Incorporated (NYSE: CNDT). The purchase positions Avenu as a leading provider of solutions used by jurisdictions to manage service delivery across multiple agencies. The sale, which primarily includes software solutions for Conduent's local and municipal government clients, gives Avenu a combined customer base of nearly 3,000 in the 50 states and Canada. These jurisdictions use a portfolio of more than 50 products consisting of: Government Records Management (land/vital records) Software solutions for managing criminal courthouse and juror administrative functions Property tax collection, and property assessment software solutions Unclaimed property collections management Pension administration software applications Stand-alone infrastructure IT managed services "Local governments face extraordinary and growing challenges including pension pressures, infrastructure costs, and changing business environments and market participants. These factors, combined with increasing service requirements of their constituents, create formidable obstacles to planning, funding, and service delivery," says Avenu CEO Paul Colangelo. "Avenu has the knowledge, expertise and commitment to provide these services to local governments, empowering them to better serve their constituents." Comments Avenu Chairman Craig Adler, "We've reached this milestone because we have listened to our customers and made the investment so that we can continue providing relevant revenue enhancement and administrative solutions to local governments." The transaction, which is subject to certain regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, is expected to close during the third quarter of 2018. About Avenu Insights & Analytics Avenu Insights & Analytics provides local governments with ways to achieve more predictable revenue that supports growth, fuels modernization and ensures compliance with mandated but underfunded programs. Avenu's revenue enhancement and administrative solutions find and recover taxes, and license and permit fees that cities and counties struggle to collect. The insights and improved fiscal posture enables governments to deliver expected services and sustain a high quality of life for residents. For more information, visit www.avenuinsights.com. About Mill Point Capital Mill Point Capital is a middle-market private equity firm focused on control-oriented investments in the business services and industrial sectors. The firm works with executive partners to leverage its investment professionals' experience, while providing strategic and operational guidance designed to drive long-term value creation in its portfolio companies. Mill Point is based in New York, NY. For more information, please visit www.millpoint.com. About Conduent Conduent creates digital platforms and services for businesses and governments to manage millions of interactions every day for those they serve. We are leveraging the power of cloud, mobile and IoT, combined with technologies such as automation, cognitive and blockchain to elevate every constituent interaction, driving modern digital experiences that are more efficient, helpful and satisfying. Conduent's differentiated offerings touch millions of lives every day, including two-thirds of all insured patients in the U.S. and nearly nine million people who travel through toll systems daily. Whether it's digital payments, claims processing, benefit administration, automated tolling, customer care or distributed learning Conduent serves a majority of the Fortune 100 companies and more than 500 government entities. Learn more at www.conduent.com. SOURCE Avenu Related Links http://www.avenuinsights.com SAN DIEGO, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Shareholder rights law firm Johnson Fistel, LLP has launched an investigation into whether the board members of Bemis Company, Inc. (NYSE: BMS) ("Bemis") breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed sale of the Company to Amcor Limited ("Amcor"). Bemis manufactures and sells packaging products in the United States, Brazil, other Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. On August 6, 2018, Bemis announced that it had signed a definitive merger agreement with Amcor. Under the terms of the agreement, Bemis shareholders will receive 5.1 Amcor shares for each Bemis share, resulting in Amcor and Bemis shareholders owning approximately 71% and 29% of the combined company, respectively. This is equivalent to a transaction price of $57.75 per Bemis share based on Amcor's closing share price of $15.28 on August 3, 2018. However, shareholders will be subject to the future price fluctuation of Amcor's stock price. The investigation concerns whether the Bemis board failed to satisfy its duties to the Company shareholders, including whether the board adequately pursued alternatives to the acquisition and whether the board obtained the best price possible for Bemis shares of common stock. Many of Bemis' senior executives are due to receive millions of dollars in change of control payouts upon consummation of the transaction. If you are a shareholder of Bemis and believe the proposed buyout price is too low or you're interested in learning more about the investigation or your legal rights and remedies, please contact lead analyst Jim Baker ( [email protected] ) at 619-814-4471. If emailing, please include a phone number. Additionally, you can [click here to join this action]. There is no cost or obligation to you. About Johnson Fistel, LLP: Johnson Fistel, LLP is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm with offices in California, New York, and Georgia. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in shareholder derivative and securities class action lawsuits. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit http://www.johnsonfistel.com. Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Contact: Johnson Fistel, LLP Jim Baker, 619-814-4471 [email protected] [click here to join this action] SOURCE Johnson Fistel, LLP Related Links http://www.johnsonfistel.com BOISE, Idaho, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Stadiums and other open-air venues are particularly vulnerable to the growing risk posed by the proliferation of consumer drones and Black Sage is addressing this issue by offering a new service. Commercially available drones have quite literally added a new dimension to security threats not only in war zones, but also at large public gatherings here in the U.S. Operators with nefarious intentions can use them for drone-based terror attacks, unlicensed recording and transmission, or to protest and cause distractions. Even well-intentioned drone operators can cause injury and economic loss when they lose control or accidentally crash into a crowd. By offering temporary, or one-time counter drone protection as a service, Black Sage is providing stadiums and venues a relatively low-cost solution for specific high-risk events. The Black Sage team will work directly with security personnel and local law enforcement to ensure safety and security at any event. "Black Sage has worked with military and government customers over the past several years to protect against the threat of drones at fixed sites. We are proud to now offer our capabilities as a service that allows commercial venues to have protection without the cost associated with purchasing and maintaining permanent installations," said Black Sage Technologies Managing Partner Ross Lamm, Ph.D. The Black Sage counter drone system provides early detection to allow law enforcement to take action even before the drone is airborne, AI classification to reduce false alarms, operator location to assist law enforcement in apprehension, and forensic data to ensure prosecution is all provided by the service. While this new service allows stadiums to add this extra level of security for specific, high-risk events, Black Sage still offers permanent or semi-permanent solutions for stadiums and venues seeking long-term counter drone protection. Permanent installations are easily integrated into existing security systems and include hands-on training and technical support. About Black Sage: Black Sage is a privately held defense technology integrator founded in Boise, Idaho in 2014 by Managing Partners Ross Lamm, Ph.D. and Dave Romero. With a team of experts, the company has provided solutions to customers all around the world. For additional information about Black Sage, visit blacksagetech.com. SOURCE Black Sage Related Links https://www.blacksagetech.com ATLANTA, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Chime Solutions, a domestic-based Business Process Outsourcing center, is putting its people at the heart of all initiatives. With a goal larger than community revitalization, the company recently launched its employee-centric Total Life program. The Chime Total Life program consists of development courses and wellness programs offered to enhance all aspects of employee's lives, including financial aptitude, physical health and mental health. The entire company has begun to take full advantage of the credit repair classes, personalized workouts and mindfulness lunch and learns. Reports have shown declines in employee's nancial worry and increases in both their physical and psychological health. "Curating employee-engagement events and incentives to support our people, beyond providing them with a job, is my favorite part of what I do," said Chief of Staff Lauren Wilson. "Our business continues its employee-centered focus and programs like these, coupled with salary increases is just the beginning." Chime has recently announced that the hourly pay rate for all its front-line employees will increase by 35%, changing the starting rate to $14 an hour. "Our team is excited for the positive impact these programs and initiatives will bring," said CEO, Mark Wilson. "We have even established a goal to support at least 50 employees achieving home-ownership through the facilitation of these types of programs." Continuing its commitment to bring jobs to Clayton County, Chime Solutions currently has over 800 jobs available for seasonal customer service. The positions will be predominately comprised of trained customer service representatives handling enrollment in annual company-sponsored health and benefit programs. In addition to the hiring of customer service representatives, Chime Solutions is seeking to hire Team Leaders and Operations Managers as part of this program. The hiring fulfills Chime's previous commitment to Clayton County and the City of Morrow to bring more than 1200 jobs to the area. Interested candidates should contact Emanuel Harris at 678-961-6247 or [email protected] About Chime Solutions: Chime Solutions, a privately owned, certified minority and woman owned business provides U.S.-based customer contact services for its clients in a wide range of industries, including financial services, insurance, health care and telecommunications. Chime Solutions specializes in providing clients flexible, high quality business process outsourcing solutions with an emphasis on inbound customer care. Chime Solutions delivers both steady state and seasonal customer care support that offers reliable, secure and personalized conversations with its client's customers. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia Chime is a different kind of outsourcing contact center partner; one who offers an integrated strategic partnership approach to its clients by offering both a low-cost service delivery model combined with its high value differentiated solutions. MiKyle Crockett [email protected] (904)673-2751 SOURCE Chime Solutions ATLANTA, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Enterprises today named John Hatfield Vice President of Aviation. In this role, Hatfield will be responsible for managing and directing Cox's flight operations department. He will oversee government aviation regulations, policies and procedures, as well as training and safety programs. Hatfield will also supervise the department financials, facilities and aircraft. Hatfield succeeds Barry Campbell who will retire from the company after an impressive almost 30-year career with Cox. Before joining Cox, Hatfield spent several years in business aviation, most recently as the owner and operating principle of Contrail Holdings, based in Kenner, Louisiana. He has led flight operations for Monsanto Company, DOW Corning Corporation and Flightworks Inc. "With locations across the country, safe and secure travel is essential to helping Cox move our businesses and our people forward," said Jill Campbell, executive vice president and chief people and operations officer, Cox Enterprises. "John's leadership will benefit an already great team as he oversees all aspects of our Aviation department." In addition to several aviation certificates and trainings, Hatfield has a degree in Airway Science Aircraft Systems Management from the University of North Dakota's Center for Aerospace Sciences. He has over 8,700 hours of accident, incident and violation-free international flight experience. Campbell added, "I'd like to thank Barry Campbell for his dedication and years of service to Cox. He has been a trusted leader for our flight operations team and has spent his career ensuring a safe travel environment for his passengers." About Cox Enterprises Cox Enterprises is a leading communications, media and automotive services company. With revenues over $20 billion and approximately 60,000 employees, the company's major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications (cable television distribution, high-speed Internet access, telephone, home security and automation, commercial telecommunications and advertising solutions); Cox Automotive (automotive-related auctions, financial services, media and software solutions); and Cox Media Group (television and radio stations, digital media, newspapers and advertising sales rep firms). The company's major national brands include Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book and Manheim. Through Cox Automotive, the company's international operations stretch across Asia, Australia, Europe and Latin America. To learn more about Cox's commitment to people, sustainability and our communities, please visit www.CoxCSRReport.com. SOURCE Cox Enterprises PLANO, Texas, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Critical Start, a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions, announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Critical Start to its 2018 Fast Growth 150 list. The list is CRN's annual ranking of North America-based technology integrators, solution providers and IT consultants with gross sales of at least $1 million that have experienced significant economic growth over the past two years. The 2018 list is based on an increase of gross revenue between 2015 and 2017. The companies recognized this year represent a remarkable combined total revenue of more than $50 billion. "Being listed on the CRN Fast Growth 150 list for the second consecutive year is a result of our ongoing commitment to deliver top-tier security solutions and provide excellent service and support in a highly competitive security market," said Rob Davis, CEO at Critical Start. "As our customers' needs rapidly evolve to address dynamic and machine-generated attacks, we are well positioned to help using our combination of professional services, security products, and managed detection and response." "CRN's 2018 Fast Growth 150 list features companies that are growing in an ever-changing, challenging market," said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. "As traditional solution providers are moving towards a services-focused business model, this extraordinary group have been able to successfully adapt; outperforming competitors and proving themselves as channel leaders. We are pleased to recognize these organizations and look forward to their continued success." The complete 2018 Fast Growth 150 list is featured in the August issue of CRN and can be viewed online at www.crn.com/fastgrowth150. Recently, CRN also named Critical Start to its 2018 Emerging Vendors list in the Security category. This list recognizes recently founded, up-and-coming technology suppliers who are shaping the future of the IT channel through unique technological innovations. In March 2018, CRN also ranked Critical Start as a Top 100 MSSP in Security. Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook Tweet This: @TheChannelCo names @CriticalStart to @CRN 2018 Fast Growth 150 list #CRNFG150 crn.com/fastgrowth150 About Critical Start Critical Start is the fastest-growing cybersecurity integrator in North America. Our mission is simple: protect our customers' brands and reduce their business risk. We do this for organizations of all sizes through our award-winning portfolio of end-to-end security services from security-readiness assessments using our proven framework, the Defendable Network, to the delivery of managed security services, professional services, and product fulfillment. Critical Start has been named to the CRN 2018 Tech Elite 250 and top 100 Security MSPs lists. Visit www.criticalstart.com for more information. 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 SOURCE Critical Start Related Links http://www.criticalstart.com TEL AVIV, Israel & HYDERABAD, India, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital DNAtix Ltd., the blockchain genetics company, and Mapmygenome, a molecular diagnostics company, today announced their alliance to advance cutting-edge, personalized and preventive medicine using blockchain technologies. The DNAtix genetics ecosystem links individual users in search of genetically-based health and lifestyle solutions with products and services that fit their needs. Mapmygenome offers a range of genetic tests and, as a provider on DNAtix's growing genetic ecosystem, this collaboration will allow users to explore their genetic makeup in entirely new ways, with security and anonymity as a top priority. "India is an important market for the use of DNAtix blockchain-based genetic services, based on population numbers alone. Mapmygenome is a major player in the field of genetics and this partnership opens up a tremendous opportunity to help more people really utilize genetic testing and research," said Ofer A. Lidsky, CEO of DNAtix. "Anyone can anonymously upload partial and/or full genome sequences onto the DNAtix platform; and then have access to to their genomic data which they can use to make informed decisions." The DNAtix direct-to-consumer (D2C) platform provides full genome testing and access to services and solutions on the blockchain, and it allows researchers to use anonymous DNA stored on the DNAtix infrastructure to create tests, do research, and design new treatments. Mapmygenome will use DNAtix's breakthrough infrastructure and working D2C genetic platform to provide in-depth analysis of full genome sequences with the speed, security and anonymity of blockchain technology. "We are quite excited about this partnership," said Anu Acharya, CEO, Mapmygenome. "It opens doors to a much larger audience base, and adds another layer of security with the promise of blockchain in addition to our secure Lab Information Management Systems. By utilizing DNAtix's blockchain-based platform for furthering the availability and accessibility to genomic services globally, we are taking yet another step towards empowering the masses with the promise of personal genomics - a doorway to preventive, predictive, personalized, precise medicine." ABOUT MAPMYGENOME Mapmygenome is a molecular diagnostics company that encourages people to be proactive about their health. They offer personalized health solutions based on genetic tests that help people get to know themselves. By combining genetic health profiles, health history, and genetic counseling, Mapmygenome provides actionable steps for individuals and their physicians to take towards healthier lives. Mapmygenome is focused on preventive healthcare through the forming of healthy habits. Their teams at Hyderabad & Delhi comprise biotechnologists, statisticians, geneticists, bioinformaticians, and medical counselors. They have technical expertise of 15+ years in the domain of genomics and big data, and their advisory panel comprises expert scientists and doctors. In order to enhance this innovative brand and to provide value-added services to customers, their highly-skilled research team works on cutting-edge technologies in various domains. ABOUT DNAtix DNAtix is a cutting-edge genetics and blockchain company providing anonymous and encrypted genetic services including: analysis, storage, and transfer of digitized DNA sequences through a Direct-to Consumer platform (D2C). Application developers, computer engineers, and token miners will be able to work with genetics professionals to create new blockchain-based apps that will provide consumers with an array of genetics tests that could potentially change medicine as we know it. The DNAtix genetics ecosystem is a place where consumers and the industry can meet to share genetic data in a more transparent, accessible, applicable and secured manner. With a first successful proof of concept already completed for transferring a DNA sequence over the Ethereum blockchain DNAtix is leading the world of Genetic blockchain. www.dnatix.com Media Contact: Galit Lidsky- Raiman Digital DNAtix Ltd. +1 818.268.5309 [email protected] Photos: https://www.prlog.org/12722310 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE Digital DNAtix Ltd. KAUKAUNA, Wis., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Expera Specialty Solutions has achieved BRC Global Standard - Packaging and Packaging Materials Issue 5 High Hygiene Certification at the two of its four paper mills manufacturing the largest portion of Expera's Food Packaging and Processing product offerings. The facilities are the first paper mills in North America to achieve this high hygiene level of food safety certification. The BRC High Hygiene standard provides the most rigorous framework to manage product safety, integrity, legality and quality, and the operational controls in the packaging and packaging materials industry. This certification assures brand owners, food packagers, and manufacturers that Expera's products can be used globally to meet the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act and the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). The BRC Global Standard is part of an independently audited safety and quality certification program. Food industry experts from retailers, manufacturers, and service organizations developed this management system, and it is the first Packaging Standard in the world to be recognized by the GFSI committee. The BRC's ability to react to changing food safety concerns and meet food product safety requirements has resulted in BRC becoming one of the most popular GFSI standards. It is why more than 3,500 suppliers in more than 80 countries have chosen to be certificated to this packaging standard and it is recommended or accepted by specifiers worldwide. Russ Wanke, Chief Executive Officer of Expera stated, "The Expera team puts the highest focus on safety and quality. Achieving BRC Certification is just another way for us to demonstrate this exceptional focus to our customers and the marketplace." Certification of all Expera mills is expected before the end of 2018. For more information regarding Expera please visit www.expera.com. About Expera Specialty Solutions Expera is a leading North American manufacturer of specialty paper products for the industrial & technical, food, and pressure-sensitive release liner segments. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Expera employs approximately 1,800 people across four Wisconsin-based manufacturing facilities located in Rhinelander, Mosinee, Kaukauna, and De Pere. Additional information regarding Expera, its manufacturing facilities, and its product offerings can be found at www.expera.com. SOURCE Expera Specialty Solutions Related Links http://www.experaspecialty.com SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Raised Real, a company that delivers plant-based food for kids, shipped more than 250,000 meals nationally since their launch in January 2018. As the fastest growing subscription based kid's food company delivering nationally, Raised Real's flexible food system is winning with busy parents that are searching for healthy food options for their children that grow with them. Raised Real "Until Raised Real, parents had the choice of sugar-laden puree for babies and chicken nuggets for kids. We give parents perfectly balanced, plant-based meals that both taste good and work for kids at all ages," says Santiago Merea, CEO of Raised Real. "Since our launch in January, we've been growing 50% month over month. This is a product parents need." With celebrities like Mindy Kaling taking to social media to talk about how they are making their baby food at home, Raised Real is poised as the ideal option for parents that want to ensure their children are eating healthy while having limited time to do so. As the only subscription food brand for children that is available nationwide, the company continues to grow at a rapid rate, tapping into the growing needs of busy parents. To learn more about Raised Real, visit www.raisedreal.com. About Raised Real Raised Real's plant-based meals for kids are delivered in pre-portioned, ready to steam packages, with every recipe developed and tested within a rigorous nutritional framework. Each Raised Real meal is made with superfood ingredients sourced from organic and sustainable farms, delivered directly to your door. Raised Real's philosophy of flexible foods that grow with your child provides nutritious, healthy baby food at less than $5 per meal, without the mess and long prep times. Raised Real is available nationwide. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR PRESS INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT: Benish Shah VP Marketing, Raised Real [email protected] 631-838-9796 Related Images raised-real-plant-based-meals-for.jpg Raised Real Plant Based Meals for Kids image2.jpg SOURCE Raised Real LOS ANGELES, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards and LA Film Festival, announced today the seven writers selected for its second Episodic Lab. The Film Independent Episodic Lab is supported by Lead Artist Development Funder the Time Warner Foundation and Founding Sponsor Netflix. Additional support is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Lab is an intensive five-week program where Fellows gain the tools needed to revise and refine their pilots and navigate a changing industry landscape through personalized feedback from experienced showrunners, creative producers and executives. The 2018 Episodic Lab Creative Advisors and guest speakers include: Liz Flahive & Carly Mensch (GLOW), Elizabeth Guber Stephen of Gables Media, Glen Mazzara (The Walking Dead), Dawn Prestwich & Nicole Yorkin (The Killing), Kate Robin (One Mississippi) and Dailyn Rodriguez (Queen of the South). Fellows will be paired one-on-one with industry executive advisors and will have the opportunity to shadow in writers rooms of Netflix series. The Lab concludes with a pitch event introducing the Fellows' work to literary agents and managers as well as studio executives. "We are thrilled to support such a distinctive group of writers in our second annual Episodic Lab. This year's projects are timely and diverse, spanning the narrative universe, including the psychedelic research of Timothy Leary, a sci-fi Greek tragedy and a misfit crew of Latinx teenagers using magical powers to protect their community at the border," said Jennifer Kushner, Director of Artist Development at Film Independent. Film Independent will also present the Alfred P. Sloan Episodic Grant, a $10,000 development grant to support a pilot that explores science and technology themes or that depicts scientists, engineers and mathematicians in engaging and innovative ways, to Mirella Christou for her project Seven Eternities. As part of her Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, Christou will receive a science advisor to support the development of the series which casts a new light on sixties counterculture and the experiments of clinical psychologist Timothy Leary. Film Independent Artist Development programs promote unique independent voices by helping filmmakers create and advance new work through its Filmmaker Labs (Directing, Documentary, Episodic, Producing and Screenwriting), Grants Program which awards over $800,000 annually to filmmakers, the Fast Track finance market, Fiscal Sponsorship and Project Involve, celebrating 25 years of mentoring the next generation of visual storytellers and working toward an inclusive industry. For more information on Film Independent Artist Development, please contact Jennifer Kushner, Director of Artist Development, at 323 556 9375. Additional information and an application form can be found at filmindependent.org. The 2018 Episodic Lab participants and their projects are: Title: Chingonas Writer: Stephanie Adams-Santos Writer/Director: Rosie Haber Logline: When people start to go missing near the Mexican-US border, a modern Frida Kahlo and her misfit crew of Latinx Chingonas (bad-asses) must summon magical powers to protect their world. Title: Monitor City Writer: Rammy Park Logline: A sci-fi Greek tragedy, Monitor City pits reluctant hero Olivia Andressa against a totalitarian system of control and surveillance, as she struggles to accept her role in the City's resistance movement while fighting to bring her fractured family back together. Title: Outside of Philly Writer: Henry "Hank" Jones Logline: In an effort to be more "black," a suburban 10th grader befriends a new student with a troubled past from the city. When the two go to North Philly, they end up in a world of drug and violence-fueled trouble that ultimately cements their complicated friendship. Title: Redd's Pond Writer: Charley Casler Logline: In the wake of a nor'easter that tears open a colonial cemetery, a storied New England community is forced to confront its historic ghosts as well as its contemporary demons when a scandal-plagued son returns home and a new family moves in next door. Title: Seven Eternities Writer: Mirella Christou Logline: Seven Eternities follows Timothy Leary as he seeks to legitimize and evangelize psychedelic drugs, conducting ground-breaking yet controversial studies at Harvard, while being funded by intelligence conduits interested in psychological warfare. Title: The Devil's Teeth Writer: Christopher Abeel Logline: A snuff tape launches a charismatic ex-con on a rogue crusade through the back alleys and dive bars of 90's New Jersey. When his Sheriff's Deputy daughter gets involved, they must set personal grudges aside in order to help him solve the larger mystery of the videotape's footage her mother's occult ritual murder. For Film Independent Logos visit https://www.filmindependent.org/press/logos-and-laurels/ About Film Independent Film Independent is the nonprofit arts organization that champions creative independence in visual storytelling and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent's Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff and constituents is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a Member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional or a film lover. In addition to producing the Spirit Awards, Film Independent produces the LA Film Festival and a year-round screening series for its members that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public. With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent's Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year- round networking opportunities. Project Involve is Film Independent's signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry. For more information or to become a Member, visit filmindependent.org. Suggested Tweet: The 2nd annual @FilmIndependent Episodic Lab features timely and innovative projects from diverse voices spanning the narrative universe: https://bit.ly/2n5n56j. Contact: Melanie Bates, Film Independent Tel: 323.556.9338 or [email protected] Ryan Collins, Ginsberg/Libby Tel: 323 645 6800 or [email protected] SOURCE Film Independent Related Links http://www.filmindependent.org HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today announced that Malcolm Gosling Jr. will sign pre-purchased bottles of Gosling's Rum products at Fine Wine & Good Spirits Premium Collection, Kmart Shopping Center, 5070 Jonestown Road, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, Aug. 8. Founded in 1806, Gosling's is the oldest business in and largest exporter out of Bermuda, and Gosling's Black Seal Rum has become synonymous with the island territory. Malcolm Gosling Jr. is the eighth generation of this family-owned business and is entrusted with continuing the global expansion of Goslings Rum and Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer. Fine Wine & Good Spirits customers 21 years of age and older can sample the following spirits at the event: Gosling's Family Reserve Old Rum (Code 74270), $69.99 Goslings Black Seal Bermuda Black Rum (Code 6913), $15.99 (save $3 ) (save ) Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer (Code 1254), $4.99 (six-pack save $1 ) The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates more than 600 wine and spirits stores statewide, and licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups, and licensees. Taxes and store profits totaling $15.8 billion since the agency's inception are returned to Pennsylvania's General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania's schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives, among other important public services. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies, and local municipalities across the state. For more information about the PLCB, visit www.lcb.pa.gov. Contact: Shawn M. Kelly, 717-783-8864 SOURCE Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Related Links http://www.lcb.pa.gov SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- With the excellent performance of Vigor 3S and Vigor 5, JTOUR, a popular wearable smart watches brand in China, has launched the new running smart watch series "FreeOne" on July 24th on JD platform. FreeOne series is designed for runners. It inherits the military quality, intelligent technology and innovative design of the Vigor series, added more fashionable and sporty elements, improved both hardware and software for running. Freeone costs only 1699 RMB, but it keeps the military quality, GPS+BDS dual star positioning and navigation, 5ATM waterproof, 60 days super battery life and other important functions. FreeOne is light weight with a large display screen that greatly improves the user experience. The icons for brightness, menu and three functioning buttons are shown on the dial, which is sleek and fashionable. FreeOne has three colors, green, black and red. The two-tone watch band is dynamic and fashionable. Recently, users only need to submit trial applications for the opportunity to get a free offer on smzdm.com and jiguo.com. As a Chinese e-commerce giant, JD has been on the Fortune 500 list for three years and the first Chinese Internet company in 2016. On July 24th, the smart watch series FreeOne was Launched by JTOUR in partnership with JD. On Super Intelligent Brand Day, JD will provide additional server support due to heavy traffic so users can purchase FreeOne smart watches. JTOUR is offering a 200 RMB discount on the official store on JD. SOURCE JTOUR INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sierra Nevada College's Project Eagle, SNC's program to open 4-year degree extension centers, offers students attending community college campuses a path to their bachelor's degrees without the commute or expense of a move to a 4-year university. Now, an anonymous donor has come forward with twenty $10,000 scholarships for extension center students. The scholarships significantly lower the costs of a bachelor's degree and help create a new path for working adults to pursue the opportunities that higher education brings without the disruption of their lives and commitments. Currently, SNC operates two extension centers, one in Reno, NV at Truckee Meadows Community College and the other in South Lake Tahoe, CA at Lake Tahoe Community College. Already affordable programs, these scholarships will further reduce the cost of attaining a bachelors degree. Students who have strong ties to work and community, but who want to complete their education, can complete their bachelor's degree by attending classes on the community college campus where they currently study. "These are generous scholarship packages that will make a huge difference in opening doors to higher education to our students and community. We've really enjoyed our continuing partnership with Sierra Nevada College, and their efforts to make these scholarships possible shows their level of commitment to serving and educating the South Shore," says Jeff DeFranco, President of Lake Tahoe Community College in South Lake Tahoe. Sierra Nevada College prides itself on its intimate class sizes and professionals who teach from professional experience in their field of expertise. Project Eagle takes this combination into the community college classroom and creates a seamless pathway for students to gain access to the opportunities that come with a bachelors degree. Sierra Nevada College Tahoe is Nevada's only accredited private four-year college. With a focus on four core themes (entrepreneurial thinking, professional preparedness, liberal arts and sustainability), Sierra Nevada College is committed to using active learning and fostering a culture of competition that guides students to think on their feet, communicate persuasively and acquire the higher-order thinking skills necessary to thrive in the real world. SOURCE Sierra Nevada College LONDON, August 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Report Scope The research study includes market information on spectroscopy equipment and its key segments, including product types, end users and regions. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/1089681 This report focuses on the global market of spectroscopy products, providing an updated review of product applications in three main industries: pharmaceutical and biotechnology, food and beverages, and environmental.The report also considers other industries such as textiles, metals, forensics and energy. The scope of the study is global. BCC Research analyzed each market and its applications, regulatory environment, new products and advancements, market projections and market shares.The geographical regions covered in the report are North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World (RoW). The RoW region covers countries such as South Africa, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel.The report discusses the major players across each regional market. Further, it explains the major drivers and market dynamics of the market and current trends within the industry. The conclusion of the report focuses on the vendor landscape, providing detailed profiles of the major vendors in the global market for spectroscopy equipment. Major market players in the spectroscopy industry are Agilent Technologies, Bruker Corp., Danaher Corp., Jeol Ltd., PerkinElmer, Shimadzu Corp., Thermo Fisher Scientific and Waters Corp. Report Includes: - 64 data tables and 13 additional tables - An overview of the global markets for spectroscopy equipment - Analyses of global market trends with data from 2017, estimates for 2018, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2023 - Market information on spectroscopy equipment and its key segments, including product types, end users and region - Key insight into the major driving factors, trends and challenges that affect the market and the manufacturing landscape - Identification of potential applications of spectroscopy equipment in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology, food and beverage, and environmental industries - A look into the regulatory environment, new products and advancements, and current trends within the industry - Detailed profiles of leading companies in the industry, including Agilent Technologies, Bruker Corp., Danaher Corp., JEOL Ltd., PerkinElmer, and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Summary Spectroscopy products are essential instruments used for qualitative and quantitative analysis.They are used as tools for studying the structures of atoms and molecules in detail, including the electron configurations of ground and various excited states. Further, spectroscopy is a precise analytical method for finding the constituents in materials with unknown chemical composition and concentration of a few parts per million of a trace element in a material through its emission spectrum.With the increased demand of better lifestyles, there is an urgent need for efficient analytical techniques. Advanced spectroscopic products are effectively fulfilling these ever-changing needs of end users. Spectroscopy companies are devising advanced handheld and miniature instruments to provide a higher quality of analysis.Increased government spending is also expected to support the growth of the market. Mass, X-ray, Raman, plasma, flame and UV-visible spectrometers are among the types that are the main contributors to global revenues.In the last decade, the overall spectroscopic market has witnessed a moderate increase in the use of novel analysis products in the pharmaceutical, environment and food industries. There has been an increase in the development of next-generation analysis tools that can analyze with higher precision. Increasing research and development, stringent rules in food safety, and increasing population are the driving forces for the rise of this market. Spectroscopy products are classified broadly into four major categories: molecular spectroscopy, atomic spectroscopy, mass and hyphenated spectroscopy, and others (including Mossbauer and microwave spectroscopy).These categories are further subdivided based on the type of product. The major end users of these products are research centers; academic institutions; government and private laboratories; pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies; and the healthcare sector. Key players in this market are Bruker Corp., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Agilent Technologies, Jeol Ltd., Waters Corp., PerkinElmer Inc., Hitachi High Technologies America Inc. and Shimadzu Corp. The expansion of the spectroscopy market is driven by worldwide growth in research and development investment as well as an increasing global concern for a healthy environment and healthful food.In coming years, technological advancements in analytical instruments are expected to further boost market growth. However, factors such as sensitivity, performance, and high research and development costs are expected to be major hurdles in the spectroscopy market. This report breaks down the global market for spectroscopy equipment based on type, end use application and geography.Based on type, the market has been classified into mass and hyphenated spectroscopy, molecular spectroscopy, atomic spectroscopy and others. By end use, the market is categorized into pharmaceutical and biotechnology applications, food and beverage applications, environmental applications and other applications.Based on geography, the market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and RoW. Although advanced nations such as the U.S., Canada and European countries remain important, China, India and other Asia-Pacific nations represent the current and future growth for spectroscopy instrumentation. In the U.S. and Europe, more informed citizens are demanding that resource extraction be performed under stricter environmental regulations. In addition, mining companies use spectrometers to detect valuable mineral reserves. These factors have led to the popularity of and growing demand for analytical instruments such as spectrometers. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/1089681 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers For more information: Sarah Smith Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com Email: [email protected] Tel: +1 (718) 213 4904 Website: www.reportbuyer.com SOURCE ReportBuyer Related Links http://www.reportbuyer.com Habibi leverages a background in finance and wealth management to guide clients through the real estate investment process, combining innovation with discipline and a dedication to client-focused service resulting in over 50 million in sales a year. In joining Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty, Habibi and his team, The Habibi Group, will offer the added advantage of access to a powerful local, regional and international network fueled by an iconic global brand known for its high standard of excellence and industry leading technology. "I am thrilled to join such an elite company and to do so at this stage of our mutual growth is especially exciting. The level of support, talent and resources available to our team at Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty coupled with the unparalleled power of the Sotheby's International Realty brand will allow us to propel our business to the next level. The Habibi Group serves a sophisticated and informed clientele across the entire Bay Area; the incredible companywide support and local market knowledge available via Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty's regional network and global network is an incredible asset, both for our team and our clients," says Habibi. Frequently sought out as a real estate industry expert, Habibi is a contributor for: the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, MSNBC, Fox Business, Inman News, Bloomberg, the New York Times, and others. Habibi starred on Bravo TV's Million Dollar Listing San Francisco, the #1 Real Estate television show in the world viewed by 25 million people in 140 countries. For media inquiries, please email [email protected] About Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty: Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty has over 480 agents in 22 offices throughout the San Francisco Bay Area serving the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma and San Francisco. For more information, please visit www.GoldenGateSIR.com SOURCE Golden Gate Sothebys International Realty Related Links http://www.goldengatesir.com ST. LOUIS, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- American Healthcare Investors, LLC and Griffin Capital Company, LLC, the co-sponsors of Griffin-American Healthcare REIT IV, Inc., announced today that the REIT has acquired Pinnacle Warrenton Assisted Living Facility, a 53-unit assisted living facility located in the St. Louis suburb of Warrenton, Missouri, for $8.1 million. The acquisition was completed pursuant to a joint venture with an affiliate of Meridian Senior Living, LLC, which will manage the portfolio on a day-to-day basis. Griffin-American Healthcare REIT IV owns approximately 98 percent of the joint venture and acts as its managing member. The facility was acquired under a RIDEA1 structure, which allows for the joint venture partners to participate in both the rental and operational cash flow of the property. Pinnacle Warrenton Assisted Living Facility totals approximately 34,000 square feet and has an occupancy rate of approximately 91 percent as of the date of acquisition. During the past five years, approximately $1 million in capital investments have been made to modernize and improve the property by the former owner. The facility's payor mix is 100 percent private pay. Washington, D.C.-based Meridian Senior Living is an experienced senior housing operator, which manages a portfolio valued in excess of $1.3 billion throughout 21 states and the District of Columbia. The company employs more than 4,700 professionals who care for approximately 5,600 senior residents in 86 communities. "Pinnacle Warrenton Assisted Living Facility is the only licensed property of its type in the area, which we believe will allow us to further increase the already strong occupancy and value of the facility," said Stefan Oh, executive vice president of acquisitions for American Healthcare Investors and Griffin-American Healthcare REIT IV. "Additionally, the acquisition further strengthens our relationship with Meridian Senior Living, a sophisticated operator and the day-to-day manager of the building." The acquisition of Pinnacle Warrenton Assisted Living Facility expands the joint venture relationship between Griffin-American Healthcare REIT IV and Meridian Senior Living to a total of 12 senior housing buildings located in Florida, Texas and Missouri. Pinnacle Warrenton Assisted Living Facility was acquired from Warrenton Clearpath Property Investment, LLC, an unaffiliated third party represented by Jeff Binder of Senior Living Investment Brokerage, Inc. Griffin-American Healthcare REIT IV financed the acquisition using cash on hand and borrowings under its revolving line of credit with Bank of America, N.A. and Keybank, National Association. Griffin-American Healthcare REIT IV purchased its first property in June 2016 and, as of the date of acquisition of Warrenton Assisted Living Facility, has since acquired a 3.0 million-square-foot portfolio of 49 medical office buildings, senior housing facilities and skilled nursing facilities located in 20 states for an aggregate contract purchase price of approximately $618.7 million. Additionally, the company is pursuing approximately $412.3 million in additional pending acquisitions2 which would result in a total portfolio of approximately 98 healthcare buildings located in 22 states comprised of approximately 4.7 million square feet of gross leasable area upon the successful completion of these potential acquisitions. 1 The operation of healthcare-related facilities utilizing the structure permitted by the REIT Investment Diversification and Empowerment Act of 2007 is commonly referred to as a "RIDEA" structure. 2 Comprised of prospective real estate acquisitions for which the company has executed letters of intent and/or purchase and sale agreements as of July 20, 2018. These prospective acquisitions are subject to substantial closing conditions and the satisfaction of other requirements as detailed in the agreements. Accordingly, the closing of some or all of these pending transactions may not occur. About American Healthcare Investors, LLC American Healthcare Investors is an investment management firm that specializes in the acquisition and management of healthcare-related real estate. One of the world's largest managers of healthcare real estate, the company oversees an approximately 31 million-square-foot portfolio valued at approximately $8.9 billion, based on aggregate purchase price, on behalf of multiple investment programs that include thousands of individual and institutional investors. As of March 31, 2018, this international portfolio includes approximately 600 buildings comprised of medical office buildings, hospitals, senior housing, skilled nursing facilities and integrated senior health campuses located throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. The company and its principals have completed approximately $26 billion in aggregate acquisition and disposition transactions, approximately $16 billion of which have been healthcare-related. American Healthcare Investors is committed to providing investors with access to the potential benefits that healthcare-related real estate ownership can provide. For more information regarding American Healthcare Investors, please visit www.AmericanHealthcareInvestors.com. About Griffin-American Healthcare REIT IV, Inc. Griffin-American Healthcare REIT IV intends to build a balanced and diversified portfolio of healthcare real estate assets, focusing primarily on medical office buildings, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, senior housing and other healthcare-related facilities. Griffin-American Healthcare REIT IV also seeks to provide: portfolio diversification, preservation of capital, monthly distributions and capital appreciation by increasing the value of its properties for its stockholders. Griffin-American Healthcare REIT IV qualified to be taxed as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2016, and it intends to continue to qualify to be taxed as a REIT. The REIT is co-sponsored by American Healthcare Investors and Griffin Capital Company, LLC. For more information regarding Griffin-American Healthcare REIT IV, please visit www.healthcarereitiv.com. About Griffin Capital Company, LLC Griffin Capital Company, LLC ("Griffin Capital") is a leading alternative investment asset manager with approximately $10.5 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2018. Founded in 1995, the privately-held firm is led by a seasoned team of senior executives with more than two decades of investment and real estate experience and who collectively have executed more than 650 transactions valued in excess of $22 billion. The firm manages, sponsors or co-sponsors a suite of carefully curated, institutional quality investment solutions distributed by Griffin Capital Securities, LLC to retail investors through a community of partners, including independent and insurance broker-dealers, wirehouses, registered investment advisory firms and the financial advisors who work with these enterprises. Additional information about Griffin Capital is available at www.griffincapital.com. This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, including statements with respect to the potential increase in occupancy at Pinnacle Warrenton Assisted Living Facility and the impact such expansion may have on the property's value, the rental and operational cash flow of the property, the value of the relationship with Meridian Senior Living as an operator and the completion of pending acquisitions. We intend for all forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, as applicable by law. Because such statements include risks, uncertainties and contingencies, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include, but are not limited to, the following: our strength and financial condition; the uncertainties relating to the medical needs and local economy of Warrenton, Missouri and the surrounding community; our continuing relationship with Meridian Senior Living and that entity's strength and financial condition; the uncertainties relating to changes in general economic and real estate conditions; the substantial closing conditions and satisfaction of other requirements detailed in the letters of intent and purchase and sale agreements for pending acquisitions; the uncertainties regarding changes in the healthcare industry; the uncertainties relating to the implementation of Griffin-American Healthcare REIT IV's real estate investment strategy; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Griffin-American Healthcare REIT IV's periodic reports, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements in this document speak only as of the date on which such statements were made, and we undertake no obligation to update any such statements that may become untrue because of subsequent events. Contact: Damon Elder Spotlight Marketing Communications (949) 427-5172 ext. 702 [email protected] SOURCE American Healthcare Investors Related Links http://www.AmericanHealthcareInvestors.com MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and LONDON, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- H2O.ai, the open source leader in AI, today announced plans for H2O AI World London 2018, a must-attend event focused on AI, machine learning (ML) and deep learning for data science and business leaders. Following on the heels of the sold-out New York event, the two-day H2O AI World London starts on October 29, 2018 at the London Hilton on Park Lane with a day of hands-on training for H2O.ai's suite of products, including open source machine learning platform, H2O, open source Apache Spark integration solution, H2O Sparkling Water, and enterprise-ready automatic machine learning platform, H2O Driverless AI. Day two of the conference will feature presentations from H2O.ai CEO and founder, Sri Ambati, as well as a number of industry experts designed to teach attendees how to harness the full value of AI, ML, deep learning and data science across multiple industries from both a business and technical perspective. H2O AI World speakers come from every industry and have included executives from companies such as IBM, Google Cloud, NVIDIA, PwC, Capital One, and Dun & Bradstreet. They will present their unique experiences in AI and data science, focusing on real-world business use cases, the challenges of maximizing the value of AI and how their organizations are able to successfully leverage new tools to improve business processes and make a lasting impact on the world. View video recordings of presentations from H2O World NY 2018 here. If you have any questions regarding the event, or are interested in submitting an abstract for a potential session at the event, please contact [email protected]. If you are a member of the press or analyst community and are interested in attending the event, please contact [email protected] to get registered. H2O AI World 2018 London When: Monday, October 29 - Tuesday, October 30, 2018 Where: London Hilton on Park Lane, 22 Park Ln, Mayfair, London W1K 1BE, UK Cost: 349 for general admission, 99 for students Register now to take advantage of an early bird rate of 149 through August 10: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/h2o-ai-world-london-2018-tickets-48016161632#tickets Connect with H2O.ai Download Driverless AI for a free 21-day trial: https://www.h2o.ai/try-driverless-ai/ https://www.h2o.ai/try-driverless-ai/ Visit us to learn more: www.h2o.ai www.h2o.ai Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/H2Oai www.twitter.com/H2Oai Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/0xdata/ About H2O.ai H2O.ai is the open source leader in AI. Its mission is to democratize AI for all. H2O.ai is transforming the use of AI with software with its category-creating visionary open source machine learning platform, H2O. More than 14,000 companies use open-source H2O in mission-critical use cases for Finance, Insurance, Healthcare, Retail, Telco, Sales, and Marketing. H2O.ai recently launched Driverless AI that uses AI to do AI in order to provide an easier, faster and effective means of implementing data science. In February 2018, Gartner named H2O.ai, as a Leader in the 2018 Magic Quadrant for Data Science and Machine Learning Platforms. H2O.ai partners with leading technology companies such as NVIDIA, IBM, AWS, Azure and Google and is proud of its growing customer base which includes Capital One, Progressive Insurance, Comcast, Walgreens and PayPal. For more information and to learn more about how H2O.ai is transforming business processes with intelligence, visit www.h2o.ai. Media Contact: Erika Kamholz [email protected] 949-282-8560 SOURCE H2O.ai LAS VEGAS, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BLACK HAT CONFERENCE -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) Security today announced X-Force Red Labs, a network of four secure facilities dedicated to testing the security of devices and systems including consumer and industrial IoT technologies, automotive equipment, and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). IBM X-Force Red also has launched a dedicated ATM Testing practice in response to increased demand for securing financial transaction systems. X-Force Red, an autonomous team of veteran hackers within IBM Security. (PRNewsfoto/IBM Security) Members of IBM X-Force Red, a team of seasoned hackers, testing for security issues in consumer electronics at a new secure testing facility in Austin, TX, Monday, August 6, 2018. In the Lab, the team will search for vulnerabilities in consumer and industrial IoT technologies, automotive equipment, ATMs and other systems before and after they are put into market. The Austin facility is one of four X-Force Red Labs, announced today by IBM Security. (Jack Plunkett/Feature Photo Service for IBM) (PRNewsfoto/IBM Security) The new Labs will be operated by X-Force Red, an autonomous team of veteran hackers within IBM Security. The X-Force Red Labs offer secure locations where X-Force Red's seasoned hackers will work to find vulnerabilities in devices (hardware and software) before and after they are deployed to customers. The four Labs will be in Austin, TX; Hursley, England; Melbourne, Australia; and Atlanta, GA. In just two years, IBM X-Force Red has emerged as the industry's premier security testing team and has experienced tremendous growth. The team has grown its penetration testing client base by over 170 percent in the last year. This exponential growth has also led IBM Security to increase the number of X-Force Red practitioners -- doubling over the past year across multiple domains. Some of the recent additions to the X-Force Red team include: Ivan Reedman (aka the ToyMaker), Global Hardware Security Lead; Thomas MacKenzie, European and Automotive Practice Leader; and Daniel Crowley, Global Research Director for X-Force Red. "IBM X-Force Red has one mission hack anything to secure everything," said Charles Henderson, Global Managing Partner, IBM X-Force Red. "Via X-Force Red Labs, we have the ability to do just that, in a secure and controlled environment. Whether it's the newest smart phone that hasn't been released, an internet-connected refrigerator or a new ATM, we have the capability to test, identify, and help our clients remediate vulnerabilities before the bad guys can exploit them." X-Force Red Labs: Hack Anything to Secure Everything Fixing software vulnerabilities and flaws after production can cost organizations more than 29 times the cost of identifying and fixing them during the design phase, according to the Ponemon Institute1. IBM X-Force Red, through the new four global testing labs, assists engineers and developers with building in security throughout the development lifecycle of hardware and software, including IoT-enabled devices and ATMs. The service includes: Documenting Product Requirements: Mapping product objectives, stakeholders and systems involved, skillsets available, and other product requirements with product engineers. Mapping product objectives, stakeholders and systems involved, skillsets available, and other product requirements with product engineers. Technical Deep Dive: Analysis of product design documentation, security requirements, risk management information, and any other data to scope the penetration test. Analysis of product design documentation, security requirements, risk management information, and any other data to scope the penetration test. Threat Modeling: Disclosure of potential threats and risks to the product and company including threat actors likely to target their product, how and why they would compromise it, and the potential risk to the company. Disclosure of potential threats and risks to the product and company including threat actors likely to target their product, how and why they would compromise it, and the potential risk to the company. Generating Security Requirements: Create and implement a list of security requirements for engineers as they build products. Create and implement a list of security requirements for engineers as they build products. Penetrating Testing: Hacking into products using the same methods that real-world attackers would use. Through the X-Force Red cloud-based portal, the team provides real-time updates on vulnerability findings. Since X-Force Red hackers report findings as they test, customers do not have to wait until the full test is completed to begin remediation. The Demand for ATM Testing With more than 300 million ATMs in the world, financial institutions need to protect these targeted machines from attackers. In early 2018, law enforcement alerted financial institutions of increased threats targeting ATMs in the U.S. that allow criminals to "jackpot" the machines and steal their contents on demand. These attacks have been known to use both malware and physical access to the ATM device to empty all of the cash from the machine. Since 2017, X-Force Red has experienced a 300 percent increase in requests for ATM testing due these emerging threats. Many financial organizations are also still running dated operating systems on these devices that they cannot adequately patch to harden the machine. By identifying vulnerabilities in these machines in advance, before a criminal gains access, financial institutions can address and help protect against future compromise. The X-Force Red ATM Testing service includes a global team of experienced penetration testers that can identify and help remediate physical, hardware and software vulnerabilities within banks' ATMs, before an attacker gets their hands on them. The service includes: Comprehensive ATM Evaluation: Evaluation of physical, network, application and computer system security, searching for vulnerabilities that a criminal hacker may exploit. Evaluation of physical, network, application and computer system security, searching for vulnerabilities that a criminal hacker may exploit. Attacker-Minded Testing: Hacking into ATMs using the same tools and methods a criminal would use, to identify exploitable vulnerabilities. Hacking into ATMs using the same tools and methods a criminal would use, to identify exploitable vulnerabilities. Vulnerability Remediation Recommendations: Hardening of ATM systems and defenses via comprehensive recommendation reports. Hardening of ATM systems and defenses via comprehensive recommendation reports. Compliance: Review of ATM logs to help financial organizations stay in compliance with industry standards such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). IBM X-Force Red at Black Hat and DEF CON 2018 Members of IBM X-Force Red will be speaking at Black Hat and DEF CON. To learn more about these sessions visit: http://ibm.biz/blackhatdefcontalks To find out more about IBM X-Force Red, go to www.ibm.com/xforcered. You can also follow 'X-Force Red in action' for the latest and greatest on all things IBM X-Force Red. X-Force Red and other IBM Security experts will demonstrate the latest offerings at the Black Hat Networking Lounge (#2104) located in Oceanside at Mandalay Bay on August 8 & 9. About IBM Security IBM Security offers one of the most advanced and integrated portfolios of enterprise security products and services. The portfolio, supported by world-renowned IBM X-Force research, enables organizations to effectively manage risk and defend against emerging threats. IBM operates one of the world's broadest security research, development and delivery organizations, monitors 60 billion security events per day in more than 130 countries, and has been granted more than 8,000 security patents worldwide. For more information, please check www.ibm.com/security, follow IBMSecurity on Twitter or visit the IBM Security Intelligence blog. Media Contact: Kelly Kane IBM Security Media Relations [email protected] 413-297-2668 1 Source: Ponemon Institute Benchmarks on Application Security, last updated March 2018 SOURCE IBM Security Related Links http://www.ibm.com/security LOS ANGELES, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A private placement agent assists market participants with the identification and vetting of non-registered or exempt securities, and coordinates the purchase and sale of those securities. These firms can also assist in the preparation and distribution of marketing materials, offering documents and financial statements as well as the collection of investment proceeds and other functions typically performed by an internal Investor Relations professional. Using a placement agent has many benefits: Reduces time burdens on a fund manager, corporate issuer or investment allocator who may then focus on other important business operations on a fund manager, corporate issuer or investment allocator who may then focus on other important business operations Expands the issuer's network of potential investors of potential investors Uncovers hard-to-find investment opportunities hard-to-find Produces value-add relationships that carry over to future deals that carry over to future deals Clarifies and refines the issuer's goals, methods and timelines There are a few challenges for issuers to consider before using a placement agent: No guarantee of success . The total amount raised depends on the desirability of the investment product, the sponsor's experience and expertise, the then current economic cycle and an investor's particular needs and limitations. . The total amount raised depends on the desirability of the investment product, the sponsor's experience and expertise, the then current economic cycle and an investor's particular needs and limitations. Fundraisings take time . Issuers should allow at least 6-24 months and perhaps more to complete a raise and be willing to adjust that range given market dynamics and the specifics of the deal. . Issuers should allow at least 6-24 months and perhaps more to complete a raise and be willing to adjust that range given market dynamics and the specifics of the deal. Work with licensed professionals . Using a non-licensed broker exposes the issuer, investors and the securities offering to significant regulatory and contractual risks. . Using a non-licensed broker exposes the issuer, investors and the securities offering to significant regulatory and contractual risks. Disclosure obligations. Depending on the laws applicable to your business, you may be required to submit disclosure to regulators, investors and/or the public regarding your use of a solicitor. Those disclosure obligations may be ongoing. Investors must always be "Accredited" in a private offering; most placement agents tend to work with family offices, foundations, endowments and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. It's important to remember that these alternative investments rely on specific exemptions from Federal and State securities laws and therefore are available only to those investors who meet a product's stated eligibility requirements. Also, no two fundraises are the same. Therefore, the particular investor will often depend on many factors such as the type of investment product, the minimum required investment, the holding period (if any) for the investment, applicable tax and/or residency considerations, as well as the investor's own internal requirements or restrictions. Jamil French provides capital introduction and financial advisory services on the RainMaker Securities platform. He has been a Wall Street corporate lawyer to hedge and private equity fund sponsors, blue chip companies, investment banks, lending and other institutions. He received an A.B., cum laude, from Princeton University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School where he served as a submissions editor for the Harvard International Law Journal. Institutional Investor Magazine named French a 2018 Hedge Fund "Rising Star". He is Chairman of the Hedge Fund Association's Strategic Investor Committee where he educates the hedge fund community about the benefits and challenges of emerging fund managers. French holds Series 7 and 63 securities licenses and is admitted to practice law in New York and before the United States Supreme Court. Jamil French can be reached at [email protected] and at 888.333.1091 x753. RainMaker Securities, LLC (www.rainmakersecurities.com) member FINRA and SIPC, is a placement agent and merchant banking firm that serves as broker-of-record for the sales transactions between private issuers and the investors. RainMaker is a recognized leader at providing unique and proprietary private equity and debt products to its alternatives investors. In addition to fund products comprising unique private asset classes, they create markets in the shares of a wide variety of late-stage high growth private corporate issuers. RainMaker provides diligence over all clients and investors, compliance and administrative oversight for my business and acts as a sounding board for my clients based on their deep understanding of private markets and alternative investment products. RainMaker's clients are uniquely positioned to benefit from the firm's deep investor networks, potential deal collaboration with 50 seasoned representatives, more efficient due diligence and onboarding, streamlined agreements, and fast turnaround times. Rainmaker Securities, LLC a registered broker dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC, 11390 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 380 Los Angeles, California 90064. This document does not represent an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. SOURCE Rainmaker Securities, LLC Executives from Johnson & Johnson, the world's largest and most broadly-based health care company, and Fluke Corporation, the world leader in compact, professional electronic test tools and software, will provide insight into those issues and more in the learning session entitled "IIoT: Connecting the Unconnectable Assets at J&J," at the 17 th MaximoWorld Conference and Trade Show for Asset Management Professionals being held August 7-9 at Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida. MaximoWorld is a three-day conference for users of the IBM Maximo solution for asset management that exposes professionals to intensive innovation, emerging trends, winning ROI techniques, and new asset management and work management skills to enhance a company's Maximo performance. "IIoT: Connecting the Unconnectable Assets at J&J" will be presented by: Shannon Craft, Execution Systems Manager (eCMMS), Johnson & Johnson Shannon Craft is responsible for the global roll out and sustainability of the standard Enterprise Maximo program at Johnson & Johnson. Shannon has spent 12 years in maintenance management leadership focusing on standardized practices for asset management including: spares management, PM optimization, data modeling, asset reliability, data analytics, and process improvements. He served in many of these roles as an active leader within the maintenance, production, and engineering departments, where his role drove growth and success in all areas of asset management. David O'Reilly, President, Fluke Digital Systems (FDS), Fluke Corporation Dave O'Reilly has more than 20 years in enterprise mobile software and solutions. Throughout his career in the maintenance industry, he has focused on delivering operational and productivity improvement through the application of technology. As president of FDS, he leads the team to develop new solutions that harness the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to integrate the wireless monitoring of industrial equipment health with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems to improve reliability and uptime. "IIoT: Connecting the Unconnectable Assets at J&J" will be presented on Tuesday, August 7th at 2:00pm in the Asia 4 Room. For more information on MaximoWorld, visit: http://www.cvent.com/events/maximoworld-2018/event-summary-603f73534b7b44d5b244411156712a92.aspx. For more information on eMaint CMMS, visit: https://www.emaint.com. Fluke Corporation For information on Fluke tools and applications or to find the location of a distributor, contact Fluke Corporation, P.O. Box 9090, Everett, WA USA 98206, call (800) 44-FLUKE (800-443-5853), fax (425) 446-5116, email [email protected], or visit the Fluke website at www.fluke.com. About Fluke Founded in 1948, Fluke Corporation is the world leader in compact, professional electronic test tools and software for measuring and condition monitoring. Fluke customers are technicians, engineers, electricians, maintenance managers, and metrologists who install, troubleshoot, and maintain industrial, electrical, and electronic equipment and calibration processes. FLUKE is a registered trademark of Fluke Corporation. For more information, visit the Fluke website. For more information: Manny Perez (425) 446-4600 [email protected] SOURCE Fluke Corporation Related Links http://www.fluke.com CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- MIT Sloan School of Management announced today that JuMPa mathematical modeling language developed at the school and MIT's Operations Research Center (ORC)has been accepted as a NumFOCUS sponsored project, a designation that elevates the technology's profile within the open-source community. JuMP is an award-winning project started by ORC students Iain Dunning, Joey Huchette, and Miles Lubin. JuMP has already been used to route school buses in Boston, schedule trains in Canada, and improve sustainable energy production in North and South America. Its acceptance for sponsorship by NumFOCUS is likely to expand JuMP's influence even further. "This designation is an acknowledgement of the impact and maturity of JuMP, but more importantly, it is a vote of confidence in its future," says Juan Pablo Vielma, Associate Professor of Operations Research and Statistics at MIT Sloan. "Being a NumFOCUS sponsored project will increase JuMP's visibility, help it garner more resources, and recruit more people to work on the technology." Even the most successful open source projects have difficulty developing the operational framework required for long-term sustainability. To remedy this, NumFOCUS acts as umbrella organization and financial backer for a select group of projects, which helps them attract additional funding via donations and grants. JuMP's participation in NumFOCUS will be coordinated by a steering committee composed by JuMP community members, Oscar Dowson of the University of Auckland and Changhyun Kwon, of the University of South Florida, as well as Prof. Vielma and Huchette and Lubin. JuMP's design leverages advanced features of the Julia programming language (also a NumFOCUS sponsored project developed at MIT) to allow users to express complex mathematical optimization problems with a natural notation that mirrors what a user might write on paper. Through this convenient and expressive syntax, JuMP lets users access advanced tools that were previously restricted to low-level proprietary interfaces. "It began as a modeling language but its ecosystem has since expanded to include auxiliary tools and solvers," says Vielma. "Its ease-of-use, its power, and its state-of-the-art techniques make it an ideal language for a variety of different research and business environments." JuMP's inclusion in NumFOCUS also aligns with JuMP's global and collaborative nature. JuMP's development team now includes over a dozen volunteers all over the world who recently convened at the second JuMP developers workshop at the University of Bordeaux. The workshop was part of the activities of the triennial International Symposium on Mathematical Programming. Its program committee members included: Benoit Legat of Universite catholique de Louvain, Joaquim Garcia, a consultant at PSR, the energy consulting firm and a researcher at LAMPS PUC-Rio, and Dowson. A wide range of research projects at MIT use JuMP. In addition, it is used in many of MIT Sloan's business analytics courses in the undergraduate, MBAn, and MBA programs. "Through JuMP, the latest mathematical optimization techniques can move from a researcher's mind to a student's hands in days instead of years," says Vielma. "It is truly an effective instrument to make ideas matter." MIT Sloan has supported JuMP through various avenues including early funding through the Junior Faculty Research Assistance Program, sponsorship of the first JuMP-dev workshop through the school's Latin America Office (MSLAO), and co-sponsorship of the second JuMP-dev workshop. The school's support for JuMP continues with Prof. Vielma's tutorial on JuMP at the upcoming JuliaCona symposium dedicated to the Julia programming languagethat takes place August 7-11 at University College London. About MIT Sloan School of Management MIT Sloan School of Management is where smart, independent leaders come together to solve problems, create new organizations, and improve the world. Learn more at mitsloan.mit.edu SOURCE MIT Sloan School of Management Related Links http://www.mitsloan.mit.edu "We have created a hotel with an entirely innovative concept by converging KT's latest technologies and luxury hotel service," KT Estate Chief Executive Officer Choi Il-Sung said. "At our AI hotel, people can experience new services that cannot be found at any other hotels around the world." The new AI service platform -- named GiGA Genie Hotel -- is a customization of GiGA Genie, the world's first AI-powered smart home media hub developed by KT in January 2017. Boasting more than 1 million subscribers, KT's voice-activated AI platform allows users to see what they command on touch screen devices or UHD TV screens mainly in Korean and English. The AI-powered hotel has 523 rooms, a rooftop swimming pool and several F&B outlets, including the all-day Food Exchange, a lounge bar called Gourmet Bar and The Social 21, a poolside bar. The hotel is owned by KT Estate Inc., a subsidiary of KT's real estate business. Accor Ambassador Korea will manage the hotel in accordance with AccorHotels' global operating standards. To diversify its future revenue portfolio, KT also plans to provide its AI platform to other hotels, including Marriott. The first hotel to adopt the platform was L'Escape, a boutique hotel opened by South Korean retail group Shinsegae Inc. in downtown Seoul last month. The Genie platform can also be used in apartments, resorts and hospitals. Genie System Fulfills Wishes GiGA Genie Hotel is a multi-functional, voice-recognizing infotainment system. The hotel rooms' lights, temperature controls and TV respond to voice commands such as "Genie, please set the room temperature to 20 degrees." Toiletries and other supplies may also be requested by voice. Commands can now be accepted in Korean and English, and additional languages, including Chinese and Japanese, will be added. KT also plans to provide more concierge services for the Genie Hotel platform, such as checking hotel bills, checking out and paying for the mini bar and room service. Genie Phone Provides Local Information Guests of the Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels & Residences can also rent a free Genie Phone from KT roaming centers, either at Incheon International Airport or the hotel's check-in desk. It is a smart concierge device loaded with apps for local and overseas phone calls, using data, accessing transportation, information for tourists, controls for the room and tax refunds. As a complement to the AI hotel platform, the smartphone, which provides a wireless Internet connection, is more useful for non-Korean guests. The Genie Phone is embedded with a wide array of tourist information, including tips on restaurants in nearby areas recommended by hoteliers, as well as information on major tourist spots and festivals, provided by the Korea Tourism Organization. By updating the information for hotel guests, KT expects the Genie Phone to help boost both the local community and economy. The new hotel is located near the Dongdaemun fashion malls that are popular among foreign travelers, as well as modern art and historic sites and monuments. Outside of hospitality services, KT is also applying its AI-based smart building management at the Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels & Residences. GiGAeyes, an intelligent video security and image analysis service, detects intrusions in real time, both inside and outside of the hotel. It also serves as an around-the-clock fire monitor. KT is also using KT-MEG, which optimizes energy management. KT-MEG visualizes energy consumption and analyzes big data to predict and control energy demands during peak hours. MEDIA CONTACTS For inquiries, please contact our Foreign Media Relations Team at [email protected] ABOUT KT CORP. (KRX: 030200;NYSE: KT) KT Corporation, Korea's largest telecommunications service provider reestablished in 1981 under the Telecommunications Business Act, is leading the era of innovations in the world's most connected country. The company leads the 4th industrial revolution with high speed wire/wireless network and innovative ICT technology. After installing 4.5 million fixed lines for 20 million users in just 12 years, KT was the first telecom provider to introduce 5G broad-scale trial service in 2018. It is another step in KT's continuous efforts to deliver essential products and services as it seeks to be the No.1 ICT Company and People's Company. For more information, please visit our English website at https://corp.kt.com/eng/ SOURCE KT Corp. Related Links https://corp.kt.com/eng SAN FRANCISCO, August 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The global medical document management systems market size is expected to reach USD 0.63 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The global market is estimated to register a CAGR of 10.2% during the forecast period. The sector has experienced noticeable growth in the past few years owing to rising burden of paper management and storage. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661327/Grand_View_Research_Logo.jpg ) Medical document management solutions such as hospital information systems, patient monitoring system, Electronic Medical Record (EMR), and e-prescribing methods facilitate managing medical records like insurance cards/claims, admission forms, invoices, and records of laboratory results. Rising need for ease of managing large amounts of healthcare data along with increasing demand for Electronic Health Record (EHR) and Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) is expected to propel market demand. Various government initiatives to develop healthcare IT and clinical document managing software sector globally are the key drivers of the market. For instance, the 58th World Health Assembly; where the WHO urged member states to promote EHR and health documentation and create awareness regarding the same. Apart from this, there are many region-specific initiatives that are promoting the adoption of these services. For instance, the Health Department Republic of South Africa set guidelines for healthcare IT strategy in the region. Browse full research report with TOC on ' Medical Document Management Systems Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Mode of Delivery (Web-based, Cloud-based), By Product (Solutions, Services), By End-user, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025' at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/medical-document-management-systems-market Further Key Findings From the Report Suggest: Need for creating paperless environment while reducing manual errors is expected to drive market growth Cloud-based system is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment over the forecast period owing to low cost of installation, implementation, and set up of these systems Hospitals and clinics led the end-user segment with the highest revenue share. Increasing number of hospital admissions is driving the demand for medical document management systems North America is the largest revenue-generating geography followed by Europe . This growth is attributed to the presence of highly-developed healthcare infrastructure and well-defined regulatory frameworks is the largest revenue-generating geography followed by . This growth is attributed to the presence of highly-developed healthcare infrastructure and well-defined regulatory frameworks Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing regional market over the forecast period. Increasing government initiatives such as implementation of e-Health, huge funding for the development of infrastructure and healthcare IT would fuel the market growth in the near future is expected to be the fastest-growing regional market over the forecast period. Increasing government initiatives such as implementation of e-Health, huge funding for the development of infrastructure and healthcare IT would fuel the market growth in the near future Key players in the market are 3M Company; Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.; Athena Health Inc.; Cerner Corporation; Siemens AG; and GE Healthcare Company; Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc.; Athena Health Inc.; Cerner Corporation; Siemens AG; and GE Healthcare Several other private companies in the market are EPIC Systems Corporation; NextGen Healthcare Information Systems; and Kofax Ltd. Browse related reports by Grand View Research: Healthcare CRM Market - The global healthcare CRM market size was valued at USD 7.7 billion in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.1% over the forecast period. The global healthcare CRM market size was valued at in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.1% over the forecast period. Healthcare Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Market - The global healthcare Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) market size was valued at USD 2.7 billion in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period. The global healthcare Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) market size was valued at in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period. Pharmacovigilance (PV) Market - The global pharmacovigilance (PV) market size was estimated at USD 3.40 billion in 2016 and is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 13.1% over the forecast period. The global pharmacovigilance (PV) market size was estimated at in 2016 and is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 13.1% over the forecast period. Digital Therapeutics Market - The global digital therapeutics market size was estimated at USD 1.7 billion in 2016. Grand View Research has segmented the global medical document management system market on the basis of mode of delivery, product, end-user, and region: Medical Document Management System Mode of Delivery Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) On-premises Web-based Cloud-based Medical Document Management System Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Solution Standalone Integrated Services Medical Planning and Management Services Support Services Medical Document Management System End-user Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Hospital/Clinics Insurance Providers Nursing Homes Other Healthcare Organizations Medical Document Management System Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) North America U.S. Canada Europe U.K. Germany Asia Pacific Japan China Latin America Brazil Mexico MEA South Africa Explore the BI enabled intuitive market research database, The Grand Library, by Grand View Research, Inc. About Grand View Research Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare. Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc. Phone: +1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc. SEATTLE, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Milliman, Inc., a premier global consulting and actuarial firm, today released the 2018 second quarter results of its Public Pension Funding Index (PPFI), which consists of the nation's 100 largest public defined benefit pension plans. In Q2, these plans experienced a $23 billion loss in funding, largely due to a lackluster asset performance of 0.70% in aggregate. The plans earned approximately $45 billion for the quarter, below assumed investment returns reflected in liability calculations. This shortfall is exacerbated by $28 billion flowing out of the plans, as benefits paid out exceeded contributions coming in from employers and plan members. The PPFI funding ratio dipped slightly from 71.4% in Q1 2018 to 71.2% in Q2. "Without the strong investment performance we saw in 2017, it's difficult for these public pensions to gain ground," said Becky Sielman, author of the Milliman 100 Public Pension Funding Index. "If a plan's benefits paid out exceed contributions coming in, reliance on the market is even more crucial to buttress funding." As of June 30, 2018, the PPFI deficit stands at $1.448 trillion, the largest since the index began in September 2016. The total pension liability (TPL) topped the $5 trillion mark for the first time in Q2, at an estimated $5.025 trillion at the end of the quarter, up from $4.985 trillion at the end of Q1. Funded ratios did not move much this quarter, with one more plan dropping below the 90% funded mark; there are now just 14 plans above this mark, 26 plans whose funded ratios fall below 60%, and 11 plans remain below 40% funded. To view the Milliman 100 Public Pension Funding Index, go to http://www.milliman.com/ppfi/. To receive regular updates of Milliman's pension funding analysis, contact us at [email protected]. About Milliman Milliman is among the world's largest providers of actuarial and related products and services. The firm has consulting practices in healthcare, property & casualty insurance, life insurance and financial services, and employee benefits. Founded in 1947, Milliman is an independent firm with offices in major cities around the globe. For further information, visit milliman.com. About the Milliman Public Pension Funding Index For the past six years, Milliman has conducted an annual study of the 100 largest defined benefit plans sponsored by government jurisdictions in the U.S. The Milliman 100 Public Pension Funding Index projects the funded status for pension plans included in our study, reflecting the impact of actual market returns, utilizing the actual reported asset values, liabilities, and asset allocations of the pension plans. The results of the Milliman 100 Public Pension Funding Index are based on the pension plan financial reporting information disclosed in the plan sponsors' Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports, which reflect measurement dates ranging from June 30, 2015, to December 31, 2016. This information was summarized as part of the Milliman 2017 Public Pension Funding Study, which was published on October 5, 2017. SOURCE Milliman, Inc. Related Links http://www.milliman.com GREENSBORO, N.C., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Mr. Electric is excited to announce their newest location in Greensboro. The new location, 2606 Phoenix Drive #604, Greensboro, is owned by local business manager Mats Linden. Mr. Electric of Greensboro will be able to service customers in the entire Piedmont-Triad area, including Greensboro, Winston Salem, High Point, Burlington and the surrounding areas. This allows a family-owned and operated business to offer an incredible 8 Point Service Guarantee for its customers backed by the resources of a 120+ location franchise organization: Mr. Electric operates with state-of-the-art equipment and experienced electricians Mr. Electric's fleet of vehicles provide 24/7 emergency electrician services in Greensboro PARTS & LABOR GUARANTEE - Fully Guaranteed Worksmanship & Parts FREE QUOTES - Free In-Home Quotes TRANSPARENT PRICING - Up-Front, Flat Rate Pricing EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS - Courteous, Uniformed Professionals EASY SCHEDULING - Scheduled Appointment Times by Phone, Website or App! STAFF DEVELOPMENT - Reliable work due to on-going training and staff development SAFETY IN YOUR HOME - Safety Trained, Background-Checked Service Professionals MEMBERSHIP PLANS - Convenience with Our Advantage Plan, offering priority scheduling and members-only specials. "We have been servicing this area for some time from Durham. There is a huge demand for electrical services in Greensboro, so it great we can now be here with local resources," said Mr. Linden. "The local Greensboro market has really responded positively, and is such an attractive community to operate the business in. We love it here." Mr. Electric of Greensboro offers fully guaranteed parts and labor, free in-home quotes with up-front pricing and experienced technicians. Customers can expect easy scheduling of appointments, membership plans and safety in the home. The opening of the Mr. Electric of Greensboro location looks to bring a minimum of 20 new full-time jobs to the area. Mr. Electric of Greensboro will also be partnering with local community teams and philanthropic organizations to help support the community. For more information about Mr. Electric of Greensboro, please visit: MrElectric.com/Greensboro. About Mr. Electric: Established in 1994, Mr. Electric is the leading franchise organization providing electrical repair and installation services across United States, as well as in several countries overseas. Mr. Electric franchisees provide these services to both residential and commercial customers. Mr. Electric has some 140 operating locations, with each location independently owned and operated. Our team of qualified experts lives our code of values of Respect, Integrity, and Customer Focus. Established by Dwyer Group in 1994, Mr. Electric is part of Neighborly, a community of home service experts, leveraging Dwyer Group's nearly 3,200 franchise locations, 20 consumer brands, 17 of which are franchise brands, operating in nine countries worldwide. Neighborly is the premier provider of services focused on repairing, maintaining and enhancing customers' homes and businesses. Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Waco, Texas, Dwyer Group is one of the world's largest franchising organizations with over 3,200 franchise locations, 20 consumer brands, 17 of which are franchise brands, operating nine countries worldwide. Our North American brands include: Aire Serv, Five Star Painting, Glass Doctor, Molly Maid, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Electric, Mr. Handyman, Mr. Rooter, Protect Painters, Rainbow International, Real Property Management, The Grounds Guys, Portland Glass, Cumberland County Glass and Window Genie. Additional information about Neighborly can be found at www.GetNeighborly.com. For more information about Mr. Electric, visit www.MrElectric.com and to learn about franchising opportunities with all Dwyer Group's Neighborly companies, visit www.leadingtheserviceindustry.com. Media Contact: Mats Linden [email protected] 336-281-3229 SOURCE Mr. Electric Related Links http://www.mrelectric.com GREENBELT, Md., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A conversation at last year's Small Satellite Conference in Utah led to the Strategic Partnerships Office (SPO) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, signing a non-exclusive license agreement with Thermal Management Technologies (TMT) of North Logan, Utah. "We chatted a bit about a couple of NASA technologies that complemented some small satellite structures TMT is developing, and I became interested in learning more about one technology in particular," said Scott Schick, director of engineering at TMT. "Our company really values the Small Satellite Conference, because you get to share what you know while learning about what others are doing." The patented technology Diminutive Assembly for Nanosatellite deploYables (DANY) provides a reliable mechanism to secure deployable elements of a small satellite, safely stowing them until receiving a signal to burn through a plastic restraining link and release them for use in space. Deployable elements on a small satellite can include solar arrays, sun shades, radiators or antennas. The entire assembly is about the size of a credit card, making it ideal for small satellites that have significant space constraints. The agreement allows TMT to use the technology, developed at NASA Goddard for the Dellingr mission, as the core of TMT's "Gecko Release Mechanism," named after the device's gecko-like size and ability to grip tightly onto a spacecraft. "SPO and DANY's inventors Luis Santos, Scott Hesh and John Hudeck are excited to see the technology made available to the commercial space community through this license agreement with TMT," said Eric McGill, a technology manager in Goddard's SPO. "We're impressed with the research and development progress made by the company to date." "Eric McGill was great to work with from day one," Schick added. "As a small business, this was our first experience licensing a NASA technology, but we're super happy with the result." TMT specializes in custom thermal and mechanical products, including spacecraft hardware and systems. Schick said that DANY, a thermal-based technology, fits well into the company's niche. "This really matches our overall objective to provide small spacecraft with high-reliability thermal control components," Schick said. Small satellites typically have a mass of less than 180 kilograms, and they play a growing role at NASA for science missions and technology demonstrations. To learn more about Thermal Management Technologies, please visit: http://www.tmt-ipe.com For more information on Goddard's Strategic Partnerships Office, please visit: https://technology.gsfc.nasa.gov SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov MONTREAL, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Next Generation Spatial Solutions Inc., a designer and developer of NG9-1-1 productivity software for Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP), is releasing version 3.21 of its flagship products. As part of its continuous improvement and refining process, NextGSS has implemented fifteen new features and enhancements across its PSAP Multi-Generation product line. Through its comprehensive Application Program Interfaces (APIs), NextGSS family of products can interface with all Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Call Taking and Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems available on the market today. Once integrated with NextGSS, PSAP's call takers, dispatcher and first responders have access to unique location and display services. While the MultiGen Location ServicesTM (MGLS) provides as you type sub-second response to dispatchable location queries, interior, intersections, similar civic locations and much more, the MultiGen Display ServicesTM (MGDS) product provides PSAP's personnel with the ability to reduce the number of monitors required at each workstation. MGDS has been conceived to combine tabular and geospatial information on a single screen for incidents, calls, units, geo-fence alarms, social media feeds, live weather and traffic. ''Over the years, the most frequent comment that has been shared with us by PSAPs' personnel is the challenge of keeping GIS data up to date. More precisely, this comment referred to maps and searchable data issues. In the case of maps, the issue could be as simple as adding new streets, while the searchable data issue for example could be a new house address in a new neighborhood. Complementing PSAP's maps is already an inherent function of our MGDS product through our integrated maps view interface, which provides a wide variety of alternatives with: Esri ArcGis Online, Google, Bing and HERE. Since keeping the GIS data up to date is a critical task for all GIS PSAPs' team, we came to the conclusion that we could help again by creating an extended online search option when there is no inhouse GIS searchable data readily available. This new feature is providing access to external geocoding services such as the ones offered by Esri and Google as a back-up GIS searchable data source option. We see tremendous benefits for call takers, dispatcher and first responders alike. In our humble opinion, it is all about giving access to the best GIS information available at any given time, ensuring that first responders are provided with all existing information to make timely decisions. We are very proud to announce that the extended online search option has been included in version 3.21.'' Said Karim Maghraby, NextGSS President. For more information about the new software features, visit Next Generation Spatial Solutions Inc. booth #1225 at APCO 2018 in Las Vegas, NV, USA. About Next Generation Spatial Solutions Inc. (NextGSS) Next Generation Spatial Solutions Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The corporation is specialized in the design and development of multi-generation location and display products for E9-1-1, NG9-1-1, CAD, and NG CAD. NextGSS products are designed to empower Public Safety Answering Points while improving productivity and paving the way to NG9-1-1 compliance. All NextGSS products are standards agnostic and fully compliant with the NG9-1-1 standard. Through its comprehensive Application Program Interfaces (APIs), NextGSS family of products can interface with all Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Call Taking and Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems available on the market today. NextGSS is a proud EagleView and Esri Silver Partner. To learn more about NextGSS and its products, please visit the company's website at www.nextgss.com. SOURCE Next Generation Spatial Solutions - NextGSS DALLAS, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC ("Oncor") today reported second quarter 2018 net income of $143 million compared to second quarter 2017 net income of $112 million. "We are pleased with our strong performance in the second quarter," said Allen Nye, chief executive of Oncor. "We have a solid plan in place, robust capital growth, and a vibrant service territory. For the remainder of 2018, we look forward to providing safe, reliable, and affordable electric service to our customers and meeting our financial objectives." Oncor's net income of $232 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared favorably to net income of $185 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Financial and operational results are provided in Tables A, B, C and D below. Sempra Energy Internet Broadcast Today Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) will broadcast a live discussion of its earnings results over the Internet today at 12 p.m. EDT with senior management of Sempra Energy. Access is available at sempra.com. For those unable to obtain access to the live webcast, it will be available on replay a few hours after its conclusion by dialing (888) 203-1112 and entering passcode 7703894. Oncor's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission after Sempra Energy's conference call. Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC Table A - Condensed Statements of Consolidated Net Income Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017; $ millions Q2 18 Q2 17 YTD 18 YTD 17 Operating revenues $1,021 $964 $2,011 $1,899 Operating expenses: Wholesale transmission service 238 229 483 460 Operation and maintenance 203 166 422 354 Depreciation and amortization 168 193 334 387 Provision in lieu of income taxes 47 67 80 112 Taxes other than amounts related to income taxes 121 107 246 220 Total operating expenses 777 762 1,565 1,533 Operating income 244 202 446 366 Other income and (deductions) net (18) (11) (50) (22) Nonoperating benefit in lieu of income taxes (4) (6) (11) (11) Interest expense and related charges 87 85 175 170 Net income $ 143 $112 $ 232 $ 185 Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC Table B - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets At June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017; $ millions At 6/30/18 At 12/31/17 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1 $ 21 Trade accounts receivable net 686 635 Amounts receivable from members related to income taxes 4 26 Materials and supplies inventories at average cost 107 91 Prepayments and other current assets 94 88 Total current assets 892 861 Investments and other property 118 113 Property, plant and equipment net 15,500 14,879 Goodwill 4,064 4,064 Regulatory assets 2,093 2,180 Other noncurrent assets 11 23 Total assets $22,678 $22,120 liabilities and membership interests Current liabilities: Short-term borrowings $ 1,296 $ 950 Long-term debt due currently 931 550 Trade accounts payable 252 242 Amounts payable to members related to income taxes 13 21 Accrued taxes other than amounts related to income 116 190 Accrued interest 82 83 Other current liabilities 179 188 Total current liabilities 2,869 2,224 Long-term debt, less amounts due currently 5,044 5,567 Liability in lieu of deferred income taxes 1,545 1,517 Regulatory liabilities 2,878 2,807 Employee benefit obligations and other 2,061 2,102 Total liabilities 14,397 14,217 Membership interests : Capital account number of interests outstanding 2018 and 2017 635,000,000 8,380 8,004 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (99) (101) Total membership interests 8,281 7,903 Total liabilities and membership interests $22,678 $22,120 Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC Table C - Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017; $millions YTD 18 YTD 17 Cash flows operating activities: Net income $ 232 $ 185 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 393 412 Provision in lieu of deferred income taxes net 26 158 Other net (1) (1) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Regulatory accounts related to reconcilable tariffs 45 (27) Other operating assets and liabilities (145) (89) Cash provided by operating activities 550 638 Cash flows financing activities: Repayment of long-term debt (144) - Change in short-term borrowings 346 367 Capital contributions from members 144 - Distributions to members - (172) Cash provided by financing activities 346 195 Cash flows investing activities: Capital expenditures (926) (856) Other net 10 8 Cash used in investing activities (916) (848) Net change in cash and cash equivalents (20) (15) Cash and cash equivalents beginning balance 21 16 Cash and cash equivalents ending balance $ 1 $ 1 Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC Table D Operating Statistics Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017; mixed measures Q2 18 Q2 17 YTD 18 YTD 17 Electric energy volumes (gigawatt-hours): Residential 11,379 9,998 21,824 18,487 Other (a) 21,279 19,091 40,269 35,980 Total electric energy volumes 32,658 29,089 62,093 54,467 Electricity distribution points of delivery (end of period and in thousands) (b) 3,590 3,468 (a) Includes small business, large commercial and industrial and all other non-residential distribution points of delivery (b) Based on number of active meters *** Headquartered in Dallas, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC is a regulated electricity distribution and transmission business that uses superior asset management skills to provide reliable electricity delivery to consumers. Oncor operates the largest distribution and transmission system in Texas, delivering power to more than 3.5 million homes and businesses and operating more than 134,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines in Texas. While Oncor is owned by a limited number of investors (including majority owner, Sempra Energy), Oncor is managed by its Board of Directors, which is comprised of a majority of disinterested directors. SOURCE Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC Related Links http://www.oncor.com CHAMPAIGN, Ill, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Pavlov Media, one of the nation's largest private providers of broadband services for multi-family real estate owners, announces it has purchased the former Fluid Event Center in Champaign, Illinois to serve as the company's new corporate headquarters. The company plans to move into the new facilities in early 2019. The former Fluid Event Center has 66,000 square feet of space on eleven acres. Pavlov Media will now be able to house employees and its considerable number of vehicles and fiber drilling equipment in the same location. The new campus also has plenty of room to expand as Pavlov Media hires another 40 employees. Previously employees have been divided between the downtown Champaign office and facilities southwest of Champaign. "We are excited to continue providing value to our community by delivering high speed Internet, video and phone solutions and this move will give us more room to accommodate our rapidly growing business," said Mark Scifres, founder and CEO of Pavlov Media. "We will be investing significant capital to improve our new building to accommodate the increase in our anticipated employee count as we continue our rapid growth throughout the United States. We thank our community for their support over the last twenty plus years of our existence." Pavlov Media has tripled in size in recent years and the move provides enough space for the company to meet its need to hire more people. "Pavlov Media is a high-tech company and we are looking for IT, technology and engineering people who want to build fiber optic networks and provide IP services," said Scifres. The new company headquarters are at 601 North Country Fair Drive in Champaign, Illinois. Pavlov Media continues to build out its fiber optic network across Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, Monticello, Bloomington-Normal and other cities. And the company owns and operates fiber networks in several other states. About Pavlov Media: Pavlov Media is headquartered in Champaign, IL and offers broadband and television services in over forty states nationally. The company owns and operates 17 municipal fiber networks which are connected to its national backbone network. Pavlov Media specializes in private Internet Protocol networks designed, constructed and operated by a team of dedicated professionals from the multifamily real estate industry. Pavlov Media adds value to properties and businesses by delivering IP products that enhance customer satisfaction and protect assets. For more information, visit www.pavlovmedia.com. SOURCE Pavlov Media, Inc. Related Links www.pavlovmedia.com ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Gluteal fat grafting, more commonly referred to as the popular Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedure, has resulted in an alarming rate of mortality, estimated to be as high as 1:3,000, a rate of death far greater than any other cosmetic surgery. In response to these unusually high figures, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, International Society of Plastic Regenerative Surgeons and the International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science, formed the Task Force for Safety in Gluteal Fat Grafting with the goal of conducting studies to develop specific safety guidelines. The task force, which represents plastic surgeons worldwide who are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), issued an advisory to surgeons this week, urging discussion of these risks with patients and providing additional recommendations for the safe performance of the procedure. "Patient safety is the highest priority for board certified plastic surgeons and this multi-society task force is an important an unprecedented collaboration," explains Dr. Jeffrey E. Janis, President of ASPS. "The task force is concerned with the high mortality rate of this operation and is aggressively investigating ways to make this procedure safer. This new warning emphasizes the continued risk that is being encountered with this procedure." According to statistics from the ASPS, in 2017, approximately 20,300 buttock augmentation procedures using fat grafting were performed, and the number of procedures has more than doubled in the last five years. Complications from the surgery are likely a result of numerous factors, including the technically challenging nature of the surgery and that the rise in interest has caused more non-board-certified and non-plastic surgeons to perform the operation. "With any cosmetic procedure, patients should seek out board-certified plastic surgeons who have the necessary training to perform these procedures," said Dr. Janis. "Patient safety is always our top concern, so we encourage all surgeons and potential patients to talk in-depth about the significant risks associated with gluteal fat grafting before considering a BBL," he advises. As the Task Force continues to study Brazilian Butt Lifts, ASPS also established the General Registry of Autologous Fat Transfer (GRAFT) in 2015 to record and analyze fat grafting specifically for aesthetic and reconstructive surgical procedures; and are currently compiling and reviewing information gathered as a part of that effort to help shed further light on this issue. The Task Force continues to review and share additional information on this topic to ensure that ABPS board-certified plastic surgeons and patients are up-to-date on the latest statistics and practices and can make informed decisions with patient safety as the goal. While Brazilian Butt Lifts are being studied, any patient who is still considering the procedure should consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. About ASPS The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the world's largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons. Representing more than 7,000 Member Surgeons, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. ASPS advances quality care to plastic surgery patients by encouraging high standards of training, ethics, physician practice and research in plastic surgery. About the Multi-Society Task Force for Safety in Gluteal Fat Grafting The Multi-Society Gluteal Fat Grafting Task Force represents leading clinical plastic surgery societies, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS). Additionally, two scientific societies, the International Society of Plastic & Regenerative Surgeons (ISPRES) and the International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science (IFATS) are represented and provide scientific support. The efforts of the Task Force build upon a foundation of important work by the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation (ASERF), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Regenerative Medicine Committee, and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) Patient Safety Committee. The Task Force is an unprecedented collaborative effort to address a major patient safety concern, investigate factors that lead to increased risk with gluteal fat grafting, perform scientific studies to improve safety and educate plastic surgeons. SOURCE American Society of Plastic Surgeons Related Links http://www.plasticsurgery.org SHANGHAI, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- PPDAI Group Inc. ("PPDAI," "Paipaidai," or the "Company") (NYSE: PPDF), a leading online consumer finance marketplace in China, today announced its participation in the following investor conferences: Credit Suisse 6th Annual China Internet Conference, August 27 28 at Credit Suisse office in Hong Kong . 28 at Credit Suisse office in . Citi Greater China TMT Corporate Day, August 29 30 at Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong . 30 at Mandarin Oriental Hotel in . Morgan Stanley China Technology Media & Telecom Conference, August 29 31 at Rosewood Hotel in Beijing . Management will meet with institutional investors throughout these events. For additional information, please contact your respective institutional sales representative at each sponsoring bank. About PPDAI Group Inc. PPDAI is a leading online consumer finance marketplace in China with strong brand recognition. Launched in 2007, the Company is the first online consumer finance marketplace in China connecting borrowers and investors. As a pioneer in China's online consumer finance marketplace, the Company benefits from both its early-mover advantages and the invaluable data and experience accumulated throughout multiple complete loan lifecycles. The Company's platform, empowered by its proprietary, cutting-edge technologies, features a highly automated loan transaction process, which enables a superior user experience, as evidenced by the rapid growth of the Company's user base and loan origination volume. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had over 71 million cumulative registered users. For more information, please visit http://ir.ppdai.com. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: In China: PPDAI Group Inc. Jimmy Tan / Sally Huo Tel: +86 (21) 8030 3200- Ext 8601 E-mail: [email protected] The Piacente Group, Inc. Ross Warner Tel: +86 (10) 5730-6200 E-mail: [email protected] In the United States: The Piacente Group, Inc. Brandi Piacente Tel: +1-212-481-2050 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE PPDAI Group Inc. ALBANY, New York, August 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report published by Transparency Market Research entitled "Prepaid Wireless Service Market: Type (Data, Voice); Connectivity (2G, 3G, 4G) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast, 2018 - 2026," the global prepaid wireless service market is expected to reach US$ 659.1 Bn by 2026. The market value is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period from 2018 to 2026.The market is expected to grow largely due to shift of consumer preference from postpaid to prepaid services, largely in the regions of North America and Europe. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/664869/Transparency_Market_Research_Logo.jpg ) Request a Brochure for Research Insights at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=47697 Geographically, the global prepaid wireless service market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America. Asia Pacific dominates the market with a share of more than 50% in 2017, followed by Europe with approximately 20% share. The dominating share in Asia Pacific is primarily due to tremendous growth in the adoption of smartphones among both millennial and older population. In Asia Pacific, key countries contributing to the prepaid wireless service growth are China, India, Japan, and Indonesia. Asia Pacific has the largest subscriber base for prepaid wireless service in the world. The region has the largest population in the world which therefore makes it the largest market for prepaid wireless service. These countries have an active base of smartphone users across all age groups. Moreover, the market for prepaid wireless service is increasing due to continuous demand for affordable and flexible data and voice plans. Get a PDF Sample at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=47697 In 2017, Asia Pacific was evaluated as the largest market for prepaid wireless service. India, China, Indonesia, and Japan are particularly attractive markets for prepaid wireless service. However, Rest of Asia Pacific is expected to expand at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, 2018-2026. In the region, a large portion of the population prefers prepaid wireless service over postpaid, the reason being affordability and flexibility to switch network operators easily. In Europe, some of the key countries contributing to the growth of the prepaid wireless service market are Germany, France, and Italy. The market for prepaid wireless in Europe is largely driven by offerings of MVNOs. MVNOs, over the last couple of years have become quite significant in terms of their operation. Some of the well-known MVNOs operating in the market have been providing attractive voice and video plans to the subscriber base, thereby adding to the growth of the market. Download Report TOC for in-depth analysis at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/47697 Globally, the prepaid wireless service market is segmented based on connectivity and type. In terms of connectivity, the market is segmented into 2G, 3G, and 4G connectivity. Based on type, the market is segregated into data and voice. In terms of connectivity, 4G occupies the largest share of more than 50% in the overall prepaid wireless service market. Demand for 2G connectivity has drastically fallen over a period of time largely due to rollout of 4G/LTE connectivity which is much faster. Moreover, after the commercial roll out of 5G services, 3G connectivity services will also start losing its market share. Based on type, voice has the largest share in the market. However, data type is expected to expand at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. A large portion of the population globally is using internet for various purposes. Right from social networking to day to day financial transactions, mobile internet usage has drastically increased. This in turn has increased the demand for fast and cheap data plans across the globe. Millennials are the most active users of internet and they prefer cheap plans. Furthermore, due to several student exchange programs, many foreign students are enrolling in international universities. This has led to increased demand for cheap and affordable voice plans. MVNOs and MNOs are catering efficiently to this segment of the market. These service providers are offering attractive plans that include cheap international calls with additional benefits of video on demand services. Browse Research Release at https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/prepaid-wireless-service-market.htm Key players operating in the global prepaid wireless service market are AT&T Inc., Sprint Corporation, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile International AG, Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Group plc, Orange S.A., Telefonica, S.A., Telstra Corporation Ltd., Telenor ASA, Emirates Telecommunication Group, Axiata Group, Bharti Airtel Limited, China Mobile Communications Corporation, and AmericaMovil. Market Segmentation: Prepaid Wireless Service Market, by Connectivity 2G 3G 4G Prepaid Wireless Service Market, by Type Voice Data Prepaid Wireless Service Market, by Region North America The U.S. Canada Rest of North America Europe The U.K. Germany France Rest of Europe Asia Pacific (APAC) India China Japan Indonesia Rest of APAC (APAC) Middle East & Africa (MEA) GCC Countries South Africa Rest of MEA & (MEA) South America Brazil Rest of South America Popular Research Reports by TMR: Wireless Mesh Network Market : https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/wireless-mesh-network-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/wireless-mesh-network-market.html Wireless Audio Devices Market: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/wireless-audio-devices-market.html About Us Transparency Market Research is a next-generation market intelligence provider, offering fact-based solutions to business leaders, consultants, and strategy professionals. Our reports are single-point solutions for businesses to grow, evolve, and mature. Our real-time data collection methods along with ability to track more than one million high growth niche products are aligned with your aims. The detailed and proprietary statistical models used by our analysts offer insights for making right decision in the shortest span of time. For organizations that require specific but comprehensive information we offer customized solutions through adhoc reports. These requests are delivered with the perfect combination of right sense of fact-oriented problem solving methodologies and leveraging existing data repositories. TMR believes that unison of solutions for clients-specific problems with right methodology of research is the key to help enterprises reach right decision. Contact Mr. Rohit Bhisey 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: [email protected] Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Research Blog: http://www.techyounme.com/ SOURCE Transparency Market Research MEDFORD, Ore. and ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Procare Software ("Procare"), a global leader in child care management solutions, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cirrus Group LLC, a leading online Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider of dynamic operational, financial and customer management solutions for childcare facilities, school districts and community education centers. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. This strategic acquisition further bolsters Procare's cloud-based offering and capabilities with Cirrus Group's software solutions to manage multi-site childcare, after-school and parks and recreation programs: DayCare Works, SchoolCare Works and RecCare Works. Cirrus Group introduced DayCare Works in 2002 for child care facility management and shortly after, expanded the platform to meet the growing needs of school districts and community education providers. Cirrus Group's clients range from one-facility centers to large multi-facility organizations throughout the United States and Canada including some of the largest school districts and childcare facilities in North America. "We are pleased to add Cirrus Group's innovative web and mobile-based applications, which further enhance our suite of solutions to help customers efficiently manage their facilities and address complex operational and administrative needs," said JoAnn Kintzel, President and CEO, Procare Software. "We are excited to join forces with the Procare team," said Christine Garrett, Chief Executive Officer, Cirrus Group LLC. "The combination of our products and services brings unparalleled value to customers through a comprehensive, all-in one platform for managing multi-site operations." "Procare's experience in the childcare software industry and their synergistic vision represent an extremely good fit for Cirrus Group," said Wade Robbins, Chief Solutions Officer, Cirrus Group LLC. About Procare Software Procare Software is the largest and leading provider of child care management software, integrated payment processing, technology and services. The company supports over 30,000 preschools, daycare centers, after-school programs, camps and related facilities with a broad product suite that serves the complex and unique demands of the child care market. With Tuition Express, the company's integrated payment processing platform, Procare saves schools time and cost, providing seamless bank reconciliations and speedy electronic payment delivery. Procare is the trusted partner to schools and parents across the United States. Procare offers both a desktop solution and cloud hosting, and supports customers of all sizes from single-center operations to complex multinational enterprises. For more information, please visit www.procaresoftware.com. About Cirrus Group Cirrus Group LLC is a leading Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider of dynamic operational, financial and customer management solutions for childcare facilities, school districts and community education centers. Since 2002, Cirrus Group has provided their Daycare Works, SchoolCare Works and RecCare Works platforms, helping clients more efficiently manage their staff and resource scheduling and simplifying government compliancy requirements, including fully integrated and individualized state and local subsidy payments and food care program accounting (CACFP). Through Cirrus Group's solutions, these facilities also build better relationships with customers by extending their brand to the web for classroom enrollments, accepting secure online payments and delivering personalized and multi-channel communications. For more information about the Cirrus Group platform of solutions, visit us online at www.CirrusGroup.com. Contacts Procare Software Cathy Fultineer 1-800-338-3884 X 2411 Cirrus Group Mike Garrett 248- 841-1940 SOURCE Procare Software Related Links http://www.procaresoftware.com SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 1, 2018, Ruff Chain held its first overseas fan meetup in Seoul, South Korea. The venue was filled to capacity with blockchain investors, media and digital currency enthusiasts. There were many inspiring people that were invited to speak at the event. The most notable being Roy Li, Ruff Chain's founder, Jing Tianwei, Ruff Chain's CMO, the CTO of ITC, and engineers from Tencent Korea and Kakao Talk. The event began with a speech titled "Blockchain Unified IoT" delivered by Jing Tianwei. It included an analysis of the best applications for blockchain+IoT, the current problem affecting IoT, and the core values of Ruff Chain. Here are the key points from the speech: The Internet of Things is a natural platform to support the establishment of a blockchain system. For example, in the field of shared charging piles, the core transaction and asset data are considered valuable. This data is ideal to be placed on a blockchain to allow companies to provide financial leasing, asset securitization, and other monetization models. The premise of data chaining is data access. In the established service scenario, in order to modernize the data chaining of traditional enterprises, it is necessary to implement changes to a device or object to allow it to connect to the IoT. It would then utilize specific hardware, like sensors, and gateways to collect and share data. At the bottom of Ruff Chain, there is a distributed IoT operating system, Ruff OS, that solves the problems of hardware fragmentation, inconsistent communication standards and complex network environments. Currently, Ruff OS has been applied to smart manufacturing, smart medical care, smart home, smart agriculture, smart office, and other areas. In addition to the innovation of the traditional enterprise business model, Ruff Chain can also solve the security problems in the traditional IoT architecture. The most significant area of improvement is securing cloud data on centralized storage. Ruff Chain can realize distributed point-to-point storage and accounting, thus eliminating the risks of the common hacking and DDoS attacks in IoT. Currently, Ruff Chain's core values lie in the assurance of data consistency, elimination of information silos, prevention of manipulation, and issuance of ABS in sidechains. In the future, Ruff Chain's business scenarios will include property transfer and leasing, development of data transactions, asset management, and securitization. Securitization can be further broken down into: financial leasing, asset collateral, supply chain finance, and property rights registration. The following comes from the discussion panel consisting of Roy Li, Ruff Chain's founder, ITC's CTO, and engineers from Kakao Talk. Moderator: In your opinion, what are the challenges currently faced by the IoT industry? What will blockchain do to help deal with these challenges? Roy: Each cell phone has a camera, in a very broad sense, all cell phones are similar to one another. If you compare a cell phone to a car, they are considerably different. It is difficult to compare all devices, protocols, and the like, in just one way. We hope to control all hardware such as lights, sensors, and cameras at once by providing software developers a platform to develop IoT applications. Embedded development of C and C++ language is difficult, but like Ethereum, Ruff Chain has lowered the threshold for blockchain and IoT development. Currently, there is a very limited number of IoT developers and Ruff has allowed more players to enter the industry. If developers want to monetize the valuable data on a device, they have to securitize their assets using the blockchain. We believe that Ruff can connect many devices in manufacturing and other industries using its chain within 1-2 years. We need to create a payment system between the devices. Based on many different infrastructures, we strive to achieve the Internet of Everything within the next five years, but we need more developers to change the world. Moderator: As IoT will generate a lot of data, how can I keep data confidential? Roy: We can make point-to-point payment systems for cryptocurrencies. We guarantee that data is only disclosed to authorized people. We also grant different access to different roles. In large enterprises, we would require staff members to complete a "KYC process" to authorize access to data information according to the classification of their different roles. Moderator: Do you think you are partner or competitor of other companies? Roy: In the beginning, many big companies felt that the IoT operating system was worthless. After 2016, they started to recognize the value in our work. Now they need more developers to build this ecosystem. Companies like GE, Schneider, Baidu, and Microsoft are hesitant to open a new department to do some open innovation. They rely on other companies to break into new sectors. After two years of research and development, Ruff made Ruff OS, which is helpful for our company to be considered for the Microsoft Incubator program. In the software world, you may copy our code, but you never know what to do next except to follow in our footsteps. Therefore, Ruff is very open to cooperation with other companies! Moderator: What consensus algorithm does Ruff use? Why? Roy: Ruff Chain uses the DPoS algorithm. It also uses PoW because DAG is very advanced and can reduce the service fees, however, it is unfortunately very centralized. To apply it in industry instead of just testing it, DAG has to work properly for several years. Ruff has been successful in linking devices to the network. We guarantee developer friendliness and the ability to serve enterprise users. Moderator: What is the business model of Ruff Chain? What are you going to do to attract more users? In the four years of Ruff development, we have constantly explored new business streams. There are currently three main services: IoT access, valuable IoT data chaining, and sidechain issuance. In the future, our clients can issue their own sidechain tokens on the Ruff main chain. Ruff will play the role of Gas, similar to the current model using ETH as a transaction fee. In the future, Ruff would like to focus more on the energy sector. Just like photovoltaic asset securitization, we believe that energy can be divided into assets that are easier to circulate. This is in our roadmap for future development. Ruff Chain's promotion in South Korea has attracted the attention of the local media. They have been interviewed by a number of magazines and TV outlets including Blockinpress, Blockchain Today, Blockchain Times, Viral Nation, Blockinfo, TBCC TV, and BlockInfo Youtube. Ruff Chain is also actively seeking the opportunity to partner with the Korea stock exchanges and have met with a number of local Korean exchanges to discuss the possibility of further cooperation. Please follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ruff_Chain Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RuffChainProject/ Telegram: https://t.me/RuffChain Official Announcement Channel: https://t.me/RuffChain101 Medium: https://medium.com/ruffchain Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ruffchain/ BitcoinTalk: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=4613705.0 Official Blog: https://ruffchain.com/blog/ SOURCE Ruff Chain WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Seven hundred young African leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. from July 30-August 1 for the 2018 Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit. Selected from a pool of more than 37,000 applicants, the Fellows strengthened leadership skills and exchanged ideas with leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa and the United States. Hosted by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and implemented by IREX, the Summit marked the culmination of six weeks of academic and leadership training at 27 colleges and universities across the United States. Throughout the program, Fellows developed lasting connections with Americans and forged networks with each other to expand U.S.-Africa cooperation on shared goals on the continent. The theme of this year's Summit, "Living Mandela's Legacy," honors the centenary celebration of Nelson Mandela's birth. Fellows pledged to carry on Nelson Mandela's legacy of servant leadership. "The Fellowship will inspire the younger generation of Africans to be more open, to listen to their people, when they try to address the challenges that their communities are facing," said Fabianna Bonne, a Mandela Washington Fellow from Seychelles. Masai Ujiri, President of the NBA's Toronto Raptors and Founder of Giants of Africa, addressed the Fellows, saying, "I look up to Nelson Mandela...because, in the twenty-first century, we need visionaries. We need you guys to see ahead because Africa is now." Ambassador Jennifer Zimdahl Galt, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs called the Summit to order, citing each of the 27 host colleges and universities and congratulating the Fellows on their leadership accomplishments. "As Mandela Washington Fellows," she said, "each of you has a unique story." Ivanka Trump, Special Advisor to the President, addressed the Fellows by video message, congratulating them for being selected for the program and emphasizing the importance of the Fellowship. She stated, "Initiatives like YALI are critical to ensuring global stability, peace, and economic prosperity as they seek to prepare our future leaders at home and abroad to succeed in a modern economy." The Summit's Networking Reception and Partnership Expo encouraged Fellows and American professionals to exchange ideas, setting the stage for continued collaboration when Fellows return home. August 1 sessions included a panel focused on trade and entrepreneurship featuring representatives from Brussels Airlines, Global Entrepreneurship Network, IBM, Marriott International, and Procter & Gamble. U.S. Senator Christopher Coons (DE), Congressman Hank Johnson (GA), and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) also spoke on a panel about youth engagement in politics and policy development. 2018 Fellow Ayanda Allie Paine of South Africa later interviewed Dr. John W. Franklin, Cultural Historian and Senior Manager at the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture, about leadership and cultural memory. One hundred Fellows will stay in the United States for six weeks of additional professional development at U.S. businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Photos and videos of the Summit are available online. The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is a program of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by IREX. For more information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship, visit yali.state.gov/mwf. For further information from the Department of State, please contact [email protected]. Alex Cole, Director of Strategic Communications, IREX [email protected] SOURCE IREX Related Links http://www.irex.org NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sohini Chowdhury, Deputy CEO of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF), has been selected by Crain's New York Business for inclusion on the publication's inaugural list of "Notable Women in Health Care." The list recognizes female leaders in the health care industry who have impacted the greater New York City community through their professional, civic and philanthropic achievements. Chowdhury's nomination follows a 13-year track record of leading MJFF's efforts to engage the patient and researcher communities in its mission to accelerate better treatments and a cure for Parkinson's disease. "For more than a decade, Sohini has lent her business acumen and community-building instincts to our research mission to cure Parkinson's," said Todd Sherer, PhD, chief executive officer at MJFF. "The Foundation and the Parkinson's research landscape have benefited tremendously from her expertise as a strategic convener and tactical leader." Chowdhury has been instrumental in building innovative alliances with pharmaceutical and biotech firms as partners to help drive Parkinson's research. She oversees the $80-million Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), the MJFF-sponsored landmark clinical study that has united the Parkinson's field around the search to identify and validate Parkinson's disease biomarkers. Launched in 2010, the PPMI study now is co-funded by a consortium of 22 industry partners and has enrolled 1,500 volunteer participants around the globe. In January, the Foundation for NIH announced that it would leverage PPMI's peerless Parkinson's datasets and biosamples for state-of-the-art analysis through the Accelerating Medicines Partnership Parkinson's Disease (AMP PD) program, a $24-million public-private partnership with NIH, MJFF and five life sciences companies. Under Chowdhury's leadership, the Foundation also has established robust and appealing platforms to educate patients and families about their power to accelerate Parkinson's research. These include Fox Insight, MJFF's online clinical study of more than 22,000 participants (and counting) that amplifies the patient voice in research outcomes by marrying lived-experience and genetic data. Chowdhury also led the development and launch of Fox Trial Finder, the Foundation's online smart-matching tool that allows 78,000 (and counting) volunteers to more easily connect with the clinical studies that need them. Michael J. Fox has said of Sohini: "Sohini brings vision, analytical and process expertise and passion to her work at the Foundation a rare combination that ideally suits her to implement groundbreaking change on behalf of people living with Parkinson's disease." Through the end of 2018, Chowdhury will represent MJFF at several notable conferences including as a panelist during the Financial Times Global Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Conference and as the keynote lecturer at the European Brain Council's "Industry Day." Co-founded by a woman, The Michael J. Fox Foundation has long demonstrated a commitment to cultivating female leadership, with women today making up 70 percent of the senior leadership team. About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research As the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson's disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson's patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding more than $800 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson's research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson's disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson's awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world. For more information, visit us on the Web , Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest. SOURCE The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research Related Links https://www.michaeljfox.org NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund), with support from JPMorgan Chase and others, today announced they had selected ten cities to receive $20,000 each in addition to technical assistance over 6-9 months in order to identify and plan for their local municipal financial empowerment strategic priorities. The CFE Fund's CityStart initiative offers mayors and their administrations a structured approach to identify financial empowerment goals, convene stakeholders for sustainable success, develop concrete strategies, and ultimately craft an actionable blueprint rooted in local priorities and opportunities. After a competitive process, the CFE Fund selected the following cities: Albuquerque, NM; Anchorage, AK; Dallas, TX; Durham, NC; El Paso, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Portland, OR; Rochester, NY; Saint Paul, MN; and Tulsa, OK. "Cities control a host of policies, programs, and funding streams that can transform the lives of residents with low incomes on a large scale. Across the nation, more and more city leaders are embracing high-quality financial empowerment programs to improve the financial stability of their city residents and communities," said Jonathan Mintz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. "We congratulate these next 10 cities and look forward to working with them to empower their residents and their communities, and we thank JPMorgan Chase for their longstanding commitment to, and investment in, municipal financial empowerment." "We are excited to see a program like CityStart reach its first ten cities," said Janis Bowdler, President of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation. "City leaders have tremendous potential to promote the financial health of lower- and middle-income residents. This is not only good for families and communities but also for a city's bottom line." The CityStart initiative draws on the CFE Fund's extensive programmatic work with local government leaders in over 60 cities, connecting critical on-the-ground insights about the impact of financial instability on families, communities, and municipal budgets with tangible, measurable, and sustainable municipal strategies to improve families' financial lives. Selected cities, working with the CFE Fund, each will construct and then host a day-long municipal financial empowerment "boot camp" event that brings together key local constituencies, including leaders from city agencies, mayoral leadership, local funders, community organization partners, and financial institution representatives. Based on issues identified in the boot camp, as well as mayoral priorities, the CFE Fund will work with each city to craft its municipal financial empowerment blueprint identifying actionable implementation steps. CityStart cities have historically leveraged their engagement with the CFE Fund to further their commitment to this work. JPMorgan Chase's support for CityStart reflects the firm's long-standing collaboration with CFE Fund to advance financial health in the U.S., including the development of Bank On National Account Standards and third-party validation of financial products that meet the Standards, as well as support for the City of Detroit's Financial Empowerment Initiative which has helped 217 families avoid foreclosure to date. About the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) The CFE Fund supports municipal efforts to improve the financial stability of households by leveraging opportunities unique to local government. By translating cutting edge experience with large scale programs, research, and policy in cities of all sizes, the CFE Fund assists mayors and other local leaders to identify, develop, fund, implement, and research pilots and programs that help families build assets and make the most of their financial resources. The CFE Fund also supports the award-winning Cities for Financial Empowerment Coalition, a 10-year-old organization whose invited member cities share best practices and cutting edge strategies for municipal financial empowerment success. For more information, please visit www.cfefund.org or follow us on Twitter at @CFEFund. Media Contact: Joel Moore [email protected] 212.885.0468 SOURCE Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund Related Links http://www.cfefund.org VENICE, Calif. and MILWAUKEE, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the City of Milwaukee and Bird announced they will cooperate to establish a framework for e-scooter sharing programs to be implemented throughout the city. Bird and the City expressed their shared goals of creating a community that embraces innovation and includes more transportation options. As soon as clarification comes on the status of e-scooters, or the Wisconsin legislature and the governor remove state restrictions on e-scooters, Milwaukee will work with Bird and other interested parties to add e-scooters to the city's transportation mix. "We are an innovative and entrepreneurial city that is committed to meeting environmental, economic and social needs while enhancing economic growth," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. "We are committed to working with Bird to develop a program that meets regulatory requirements as well as the needs of people living and working in Milwaukee." "Following a few weeks of productive conversations with city officials, our teams are joining forces so that Bird can be an affordable and environmentally friendly transportation option for the people of Milwaukee," said David Estrada, Bird's head of Public Affairs and Chief Legal Officer. "We are thankful to have the opportunity to work with Milwaukee City leaders and look forward to bringing Birds back to residents who have already come to enjoy and benefit from this new mode of transportation." While stakeholders work to craft the new operating framework, Bird is voluntarily removing its vehicles from Milwaukee. Upon re-arrival, Bird has committed to supporting the Milwaukee Police Department by providing extensive rider education to the people of Milwaukee and holding regular safety events in the city. In the near future, Bird will provide its One Bird and Red, White and Bird programs in Milwaukee. One Bird offers underserved communities access to affordable and convenient transportation to increase mobility and employment opportunities. Red, White and Bird aims to provide accessibility benefits to active U.S. military and veterans. About Bird Bird is a last-mile electric vehicle sharing company dedicated to bringing affordable, environmentally friendly transportation solutions to communities across the world. It provides a fleet of shared electric scooters that can be accessed via smartphone. Birds give people looking to take a short journey across town or down that "last-mile" from the subway or bus to their destination a way to do so that does not pollute the air or add to traffic. Bird works closely with the cities in which it operates so that Bird is a reliable and affordable transportation option for people who live and work there. Founded in 2017 by transportation pioneer Travis VanderZanden, Bird is headquartered in Venice, Calif., and is rapidly expanding across the country. Follow Bird on Instagram (www.instagram.com/bird), on Twitter at @BirdRide, and find more information at www.bird.co. SOURCE Bird Related Links http://www.bird.co MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Language Banc (TLB) has opened a fully-staffed Florida office as the next stage in its national expansion plan. The move, an acknowledgment of TLBs rapid national growth, was undertaken to both better serve existing clients as well as attract new regional clients that can benefit from TLB's innovative language-services. "TLB already plays a leading role in the provision of professional language-services in Minnesota, Arizona, California and Wisconsin," said TLB CEO Siyad Abdullahi. "With the opening of our Florida office, a key component of our national expansion plan, we will now be able to provide on-the-ground support for existing clients in the region while also attracting new clients to the language services, technologies and efficiencies that only TLB is able to provide." Florida, with large populations of non-native English speakers, is currently underserved by quality, professional language-service companies. TLB is set to change that and will focus its Florida expansion on the state's health-care and governmental services sectors. TLB's Florida office is located in the heart of the state, at 7370 College Parkway, Suite 301, Fort Myers 33907. Doug Plank, previously Director of Marketing for TLB in Minnesota, has relocated to Florida to head TLB's office there. "I am excited by the tremendous opportunity presented by the Florida market," Doug said. "I have an excellent staff and a large roster of interpreters at my disposal, and of course TLB's innovative, award-winning online scheduling system. I look forward to serving the language-service needs of Florida clinics, companies and government agencies in the region." The Language Banc has been providing the highest quality language services in the Twin Cities and nationwide since 2011. The rapidly growing company has been a leader in the interpretation and translation fields since its inception, initially focusing on language services in healthcare settings and now providing nationwide services across all industry, healthcare and governmental sectors. Learn more about us and the services we provide at www.thelanguagebanc.com. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Doug Plank at (612) 868-9723 or email at [email protected]. SOURCE The Language Banc Related Links https://www.thelanguagebanc.com LONDON, August 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Rising adoption of VCSELs in proximity sensing and medical applications acts as a major driving factor for VCSEL market Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4694764 The VCSEL market is expected to reach USD 3.89 billion by 2023 from USD 1.78 billion in 2018, at a CAGR of 16.9% from 2018 to 2023. This growth can be attributed to the rising adoption of VCSELs in proximity sensing and medical applications, increasing use of VCSELs for data communication, growing usage of VCSELs in infrared illumination, and surge in demand for VCSELs with advancements in automotive electronics. However, limited data transmission range restricts the growth of the VCSEL market. VCSEL market for emerging applications to grow at highest CAGR during forecast period The market for emerging applications is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.VCSELs are being widely used in emerging applications such as LiDAR, night vision, atomic clock, GPS, magnetometer, and display. Presently, this market is in the nascent stage, but it is expected to witness high growth in the coming years owing to the use of VCSELs for high-quality vision and obstacle detection, among others. Data center held largest share of VCSEL market in 2017 Data center accounted for the largest share of the VCSEL market, by end user, in 2017.Data centers largely use 850nm-emitting VCSELs, especially for applications wherein the size of the data transmitted over a network is extremely large. In data centers, high data transfer rates are extremely important as they allow fast transmission of data for processing and obtaining results. As the adoption of data analytics is increasing in businesses across the world to improve decision-making capabilities, demand for VCSELs in data centers is further expected to rise during the forecast period. Americas was the largest shareholder in 2017, whereas APAC would register highest CAGR during forecast period The Americas accounted for a major share of the overall VCSEL market in 2017.The Americas is the largest market for VCSELs due to the demand for these devices from technology giants such as Facebook (US), Google (US), Apple (US), and Amazon (US). Moreover, the growing emphasis of businesses on the use of cloud infrastructure has contributed to the increasing demand for VCSEL-based optical transceivers in the Americas. The VCSEL market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in APAC from 2018 to 2023.This growth can be attributed to the rising number of data centers and increasing demand for consumer electronic devices and premium automobiles. APAC countries such as China, India, Singapore, and Indonesia are emerging as hubs for data centers owing to advancements in basic telecom infrastructure and encouragement from respective governments. The breakup of primaries conducted during the study is depicted below: By Company Type: Tier 1 = 55%, Tier 2 = 20%, and Tier 3 = 25% By Designation: C-Level Executives = 75% and Directors = 25% By Region: Americas = 10%, Europe = 20%, APAC = 40%, and RoW = 30% Some major players in the VCSEL market include Finisar (US), Lumentum (US), Broadcom (US), Philips Photonics (Germany), II-VI (US), IQE (UK), AMS Technologies (Germany), Vixar (US), Santec (Japan), VERTILAS (Germany), Agiltron (US), Alight Technologies (Denmark), Ultra Communications (US), Laser Components (Germany), Litrax Technology (Taiwan), Coherent (US), TT Electronics (UK), Newport (US), NeoPhotonics (US), and Necsel Intellectual Property (PD-LD) (US). Factors such as technological advancements in the consumer electronics sector and the evolution of laser-based hard disc drive technology are expected to generate opportunities for players in the VCSEL market. Research Coverage Illustrative segmentation, analysis, and forecast for the market based on material, type, application, end user, and geography have been conducted to offer an overall view of the VCSEL market. Major drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges pertaining to the VCSEL market have been detailed in the report. Opportunities in the market have been defined for stakeholders, along with the details of the competitive landscape for market leaders. Strategic profiling of key players in the VCSEL market has been done; players have been ranked; and core competencies have been comprehensively analyzed. Reasons to Buy This Report The report would help leaders/new entrants in the VCSEL market in the following ways: 1. This report segments the VCSEL market comprehensively and provides the closest market size estimations for segments across regions. 2. The report would help stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provide them information on key drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities governing market growth. 3. This report would help stakeholders understand their competitors better and gain insights to improve their position in the business. The competitive landscape section includes the competitor ecosystem, and growth strategies such as product launches, acquisitions, expansions, partnerships, and collaborations. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4694764 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers For more information: Sarah Smith Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com Email: [email protected] Tel: +1 (718) 213 4904 Website: www.reportbuyer.com SOURCE ReportBuyer Related Links http://www.reportbuyer.com RA'ANANA, Israel, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- TraceSpan Communications, a leader in broadband analysis and monitoring solutions, announced today that it has enhanced the capabilities of its NG-PON Xpert to support full TWDM NG-PON2 with a revolutionary wavelength tuning mechanism. This new enhancement module has a unique optical design which allows the NG-PON Xpert to capture any of the 4 wavelengths in the downstream and the corresponding wavelength in the upstream. The user may select a fixed set of wavelengths to capture, or alternatively to follow an ONU as it goes through the handover process and dynamically switch from one set of wavelengths to another. "As NG-PON2 optical devices are becoming commercially available, we are getting requests from our customers to help them test their NG-PON2 systems and prepare for their first pilot deployments of this technology," said Dr. Hanan Herzberg, TraceSpan founder and CEO. "Their need for powerful testing tools is becoming even stronger than before, especially due to the additional complexity involved in the wavelength tuning and handover processes. TraceSpan has addressed this need by adding the TWDM NG-PON2 enhancement to the NG-PON Xpert." The TWDM NG-PON2 module provides a smooth migration path from the fixed-wavelength XGS-PON and XG-PON1 technologies to the multi-wavelength NG-PON2. It is commercially available and has already been shipped to several customers, including Tier-1 service providers in North America. The TWDM NG-PON2 solution is now offered at promotional conditions for a limited period of time as an upgrade package to existing NG-PON Xpert customers as well as to customers who purchase it as a bundle with their new NG-PON Xpert system. About TraceSpan Communications TraceSpan Communications develops and manufactures innovative broadband testing and monitoring solutions. Empowered by patent-pending breakthrough technology, TraceSpan's performance analysis and Lawful Interception products enable non-intrusive monitoring of data in broadband networks. TraceSpan's multi-layer analyzers are accepted worldwide as the industry's first passive analyzers for vendor-independent testing of GPON, NG-PON, G.fast, VDSL2, ADSL/ADSL2Plus and LTE/LTE-Advanced networks. Highly flexible and easy to use, TraceSpan products deliver significant cost savings, faster time to market, and rapid return on investment to Telco's, MSOs and service providers, system vendors, chipset developers, and technology innovators. For more information, visit www.tracespan.com. Contact: Oded Hadass E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE TraceSpan Communications Related Links http://www.tracespan.com NEW YORK and MEDFORD, Ore., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Warburg Pincus, a leading global private equity firm focused on growth investing, today announced that funds affiliated with the firm have made a strategic investment in Procare Software ("Procare"), a global leader in integrated child care management technology solutions. The growth investment will fund further organic and inorganic growth initiatives, support future strategic endeavors and provide liquidity to existing shareholders. TA Associates, a leading global growth private equity firm that invested in Procare in 2015, will remain a significant investor in the business. Members of Procare's management team will also retain an ownership stake. Simultaneous with the investment, Procare has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cirrus Group, a leading online Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider of dynamic operational, financial and customer management solutions for childcare centers, school districts and community education centers. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Procare provides business management software, integrated tuition payment processing, parent engagement tools, hardware and data hosting to child-centered businesses and organizations. Procare's modular structure allows child center owners to select only the features they need to handle specific administrative, accounting and recordkeeping tasks such as child and family data, classroom management and parent engagement, menus and meals, and other information. Procare's payment processing offering, Tuition Express, facilitates the automated collection of tuition, fees and other payments and is fully integrated with Procare's software offering. Procare also offers KidReports, a mobile tool for digital classroom management and parent engagement. Founded in 1992, Procare is a true end-to-end solution that supports customers of all sizes, from single-center operations to complex multinational enterprises. "Procare Software has built an attractive market leadership position by providing a broad, high-quality product suite that serves the unique and complex demands of more than 30,000 child care centers," said Ashutosh Somani, Managing Director, Warburg Pincus. "This acquisition of the Cirrus Group platform of solutions further bolsters the company's offering and capabilities." "We are excited to welcome Warburg Pincus as our new institutional investment partner," said JoAnn Kintzel, President and CEO, Procare Software. "The Warburg team has a proven track record of investing in high-growth software and payments businesses, and their strategic and operational guidance will be highly valuable as we accelerate our strategic growth initiatives. We also look forward to having Cirrus Group's team and brands join the Procare family." "Since investing in Procare in May 2015, TA has been privileged to be a key partner to management, and we are proud of the growth and accomplishments Procare has achieved over this period as a leader in its industry," said Jason S. Mironov, a Principal at TA Associates and a member of Procare's Board of Directors. "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Procare, working alongside Warburg Pincus, as the company continues to execute on its organic growth and add-on acquisition strategies." Chandler Reedy, Managing Director, Warburg Pincus, added, "We look forward to partnering with Procare's leadership team and TA Associates to make significant investments in building on the company's many strengths, by continuing to improve the product experience for customers as well as aggressively pursuing other organic and inorganic growth opportunities." William Blair acted as exclusive financial advisor to Procare in connection with the transaction. About Procare Software Procare Software is the largest and leading provider of child care management software, integrated payment processing, technology and services. The company supports over 30,000 preschools, daycare centers, after-school programs, camps and related facilities with a broad product suite that serves the complex and unique demands of the child care market. With Tuition Express, the company's integrated payment processing platform, Procare saves schools time and cost, providing seamless bank reconciliations and speedy electronic payment delivery. Procare is the trusted partner to schools and parents across the United States. Procare offers both a desktop solution and cloud hosting, and supports customers of all sizes from single-center operations to complex multinational enterprises. For more information, please visit www.procaresoftware.com. About Cirrus Group Cirrus Group LLC is a leading Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider of dynamic operational, financial and customer management solutions for childcare facilities, school districts and community education centers. Since 2002, Cirrus Group has provided their Daycare Works, SchoolCare Works and RecCare Works platforms, helping clients more efficiently manage their staff and resource scheduling and simplifying government compliancy requirements, including fully integrated and individualized state and local subsidy payments and food care program accounting (CACFP). Through Cirrus Group's solutions, these facilities also build better relationships with customers by extending their brand to the web for classroom enrollments, accepting secure online payments and delivering personalized and multi-channel communications. For more information about the Cirrus Group platform of solutions, visit us online at www.CirrusGroup.com. About Warburg Pincus Warburg Pincus LLC is a leading global private equity firm focused on growth investing. The firm has more than $45 billion in private equity assets under management. The firm's active portfolio of more than 175 companies is highly diversified by stage, sector, and geography. Warburg Pincus is an experienced partner to management teams seeking to build durable companies with sustainable value. Founded in 1966, Warburg Pincus has raised 17 private equity funds which have invested more than $68 billion in over 825 companies in more than 40 countries. The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in Amsterdam, Beijing, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Luxembourg, Mumbai, Mauritius, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, and Singapore. For more information, please visit www.warburgpincus.com. About TA Associates Now in its 50th year, TA Associates is one of the largest and most experienced global growth private equity firms. Focused on five target industries technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and business services TA invests in profitable, growing companies with opportunities for sustained growth, and has invested in nearly 500 companies around the world. Investing as either a majority or minority investor, TA employs a long-term approach, utilizing its strategic resources to help management teams build lasting value in growth companies. TA has raised $24 billion in capital since its founding in 1968 and is committing to new investments at the pace of $1.5 to $2 billion per year. The firm's more than 85 investment professionals are based in Boston, Menlo Park, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong. More information about TA Associates can be found at www.ta.com. Contacts Procare Software Cathy Fultineer 1-800-338-3884 X 2411 Warburg Pincus Mary Armstrong (212) 878-9207 SOURCE Warburg Pincus Related Links http://www.warburgpincus.com Washington, Aug 6 : US National Security Advisor John Bolton has said there was no US government involvement in the recent assassination plot against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Bolton told "Fox News Sunday" that "I can say unequivocally there was no US government involvement in this at all". Bolton on Sunday said he had spoken to the US charge d'affaires in Caracas and was told that "Americans are accounted for", Xinhua news agency reported. Maduro escaped unharmed from an attempted attack of explosive drones on Saturday night during his speech to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the country's National Guard. Later, Maduro called the attack as an assassination attempt, and blamed it on the far-right factions in Venezuela, the Colombian government and conspirators in the US. In an apparent response, Bolton said "if the government of Venezuela has hard information that they want to present to us that would show a potential violation of US criminal law, we'll take a serious look at it." After Maduro's re-election, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning US individuals or entities within the United States from purchasing any debt owed to the Venezuelan government. The US State Department on May 23 announced expulsion of two senior Venezuelan diplomats in the US in retaliation of Caracas' earlier expulsion of two US diplomats. Los Angeles, Aug 6 : Five persons have been killed after a small aircraft crashed in Santa Ana city in the US state of California, officials said. The twin-engine aircraft on Sunday crashed near the South Coast Plaza shopping centre in Santa Ana city, according to the Orange County Fire Authority, Xinhua news agency reported. The plane went down into the parking lot of a Staples Supercenter, City News Service reported. Medical group has been established to handle patient care and treatment, said the Orange County Fire Authority. It was not clear if any people on the ground were injured in the incident. The plane was registered to a San Francisco company and had flown from the East bay suburb of Concord, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records. The FAA tweeted that a Cessna 414 declared an emergency landing and crashed in a mall parking lot near the John Wayne Orange County Airport. The FAA launched an investigation into the crash and added that the National Transportation Safety Board will determine the cause. Dhaka, Aug 6 : Armed men have attacked a convoy of cars carrying the US envoy to Bangladesh in the capital Dhaka, US officials said. Ambassador Marcia Bernicat and her security team were able to get away unharmed, but two cars were damaged following the attack on Saturday night, BBC reported on Sunday. It comes as thousands of students and school children continue a week-long protest calling for safer roads. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds on Sunday. At least 50 protesters have also been injured in street attacks. The Bangladeshi media reported that political activists belonging to the governing party beat students marching towards their offices. The students were demanding to know why protesters were attacked on Saturday, in clashes which left dozens injured. The US ambassador condemned the violence. "Nothing can justify the brutal attacks and violence over the weekend against the thousands of young people who have been peacefully exercising their democratic rights," a statement on the embassy's Facebook page said. "The peaceful demonstrations of the past week in favour of better vehicle and road safety, led by students and school children across Bangladesh, have united and captured the imagination of the whole country." Meanwhile, a prominent photojournalist and human rights activist, Shahidul Alam, was detained by police on Sunday over Facebook posts relating to the protests. Alam had criticised the government's handling of the protests in interviews with international media. Washington, Aug 6 : US President Donald Trump has admitted his son met a Russian lawyer in June 2016 "to get information on an opponent", but argues it was legal. It is his most direct statement so far on the reason for Donald Trump Jr's meeting with Kremlin-linked lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya in June 2016, BBC reported on Monday. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating US intelligence findings that Russians conspired to sway the election in Trump's favour. President Trump denies any collusion. He has called the ongoing investigations in the US "the greatest political witch hunt in history". Russia has repeatedly denied claims it interfered in the November 2016 presidential elections, where Trump defeated Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. On Sunday, US media including the Washington Post and CNN reported that Trump was worried Donald Trump Jr could be in legal trouble because of the June 9, 2016 meeting with Veselnitskaya. They cited multiple unnamed sources. Trump responded: "Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower. "This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. "I did not know about it!" Trump's latest tweet appears to contradict a previous statement from the Trump camp about the meeting. When the meeting was first reported by the New York Times, Donald Trump Jr said in a statement that he and Veselnitskaya had mostly discussed a suspended programme for Americans to adopt Russian children. However, he subsequently admitted he had agreed to the meeting after being told he would be offered information that would prove detrimental to Clinton. He also released the email exchange that brought about the meeting. US media then reported that the US president had been involved in the initial statement his son issued on the meeting. This was initially denied by Trump's team, but his lawyers later confirmed that he had in fact dictated his son's statement. US commentators have argued that Trump's new admission that the meeting was to gain information about Clinton shows that the earlier statement was misleading. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 6) President Rodrigo Duterte encouraged the people of Muslim Mindanao to join the upcoming plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, hoping that enacting the monumental law will be a final trajectory in attaining peace and stability in Mindanao. In the ceremonial signing event on Monday in Malacanang Palace, Duterte urged the Bangsamoro people and concerned communities to join the plebiscite later this year, and to 'actively participate' in discussions. "I ask my Bangsamoro brothers and sisters as well as the indigenous communities and Christian settlers living within the Bangsamoro areas to actively participate in constructive discussion about the law in your homes and in your communities," Duterte said in his speech. "But more importantly, I encourage you to take part of this up and coming plebiscite so that you may express your sovereign will through the ballot," he added. The referendum, which is expected to be held in November, will decide the other areas, towns or cities that will join Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi in the Bangsamoro region. Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leader Al Haj Murad Ebrahim on his Twitter account Sunday revealed that should the plebiscite in Cotabato City yield positive results, the area will be designated as the capital of the region. A future for the Bangsamoro people Duterte hopes the enactment of the law will serve as the 'final trajectory' for the attainment of genuine peace, stability, and good governance in Muslim Mindanao. "Let us work together as we continue the healing and reconciliation process. Let us give this law a chance to address the Bangsamoro people's aspirations for a genuine autonomy," the President said. The country's chief executive also expressed gratitude for the Moro leaders, particularly members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, the MILF, and the Moro National Liberation Front, who were determined in pursuing the passage of the Bangsamoro law. The signed measure paves the way for the establishment of a new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, which will abolish the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. READ: The Bangsamoro Organic Law: Everything you need to know The Bangsamoro law is the result of decades-long peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the rebel groups in Mindanao. The ceremonial signing event on Monday also featured Duterte signing the National ID System Act, which meanwhile aims to create a single official identification card for all Filipino citizens. The world is full of bad habits. People across every continent smoke despite knowing how damaging it is to their bodies. Citizens of every country overindulge in alcohol even though they know it is addictive, dangerous and, at the very least, leads to unpleasant hangovers and utter humiliation when they are drunk. Members of every nationality and religion have terrible habits that they simply cannot seem to break. Sometimes, however, people do not even realize they have such bad habits. In fact, sometimes people do not even realize that their habits are problematic at all. Most people tend to assume that whatever is common is accepted. Whatever is considered normal is thought to be right. This, however, is not always accurate. It is completely possible for unsavory behavior to be widespread, but that does not mean that such behavior is acceptable. Christians are not immune to this phenomenon. Plenty of Christians have adopted or failed to break terrible habits simply because the habits are so common that Christians seem to have forgotten that they were unacceptable in the first place. Here are six common habits that all Christians need to break. Little White Lies Shutterstock.com Everyone tells several lies a day. If you doubt that you lie that often, ask yourself how often you say that you are doing well even when you are miserable or how often you tell someone you are pleased to meet them when you really could care less. Consider how often you say that something is no problem even when it is a great inconvenience. How many times a day do you say you are sorry when you are not actually sorry at all? These are small things, the epitome of little white lies, but they are still lies. Christians know that they should not lie. Many of them do it regardless and justify those little white lies by claiming they are sparing someone elses feelings or simply following social convention. Christians are called, however, to be better than this world. As Romans 12 says, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Stop telling those little lies. If your honest opinion would hurt someone, deflect the question, but cease outright lying. Taking the Lords Name in Vain Pixabay.com Most Christians would claim that they do not use the Lords name in vain, but a great many do exactly that relatively regularly. That is, after all, what a person is doing whenever they say Oh my God in shock, excitement or anger. God, Lord and Jesus Christ are all commonly used as exclamations or as a sort of curse when someone is upset. Christians know better than this, yet they continue to take the Lords name in vain. Part of the reason for this, no doubt, is that it has become so normalized. People say Oh my God so much that it has become shortened to OMG in text and online speech, and few people think twice about yelping Jesus! when they are startled. Overexposure to this sort of blasphemy has dulled Christians responses to it, but it is time Christians stopped going along with it. Judging Others Shutterstock.com The Bible makes it very clear what sort of things people should judge each other on, nothing at all. Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, states the Gospel of Matthew. Most Christians know that verse well. Not many are terribly good at living up to what it calls people to do. Many Christians look down on others for some reason. Some judge their fellow believers for not being quite as pious or devoted as the judger feels that they are themselves. Other Christians sneer at people for how they dress, speak or their job. Avoiding judgement also means avoiding snap condemnations based on either a single remark or the group to which a person belongs. It has become common and fashionable to declare people to be racists, communists, sexists and bigots due to nothing more than their political party or a single reshared post. Though no one wants to talk about it, this sort of thinking is a form of passing judgment, and it does nothing more than deepen the divides between people. Hedonism Shutterstock.com Most Christians would whole-heartedly reject the idea that they are hedonistic. In reality, however, many Christians live a more hedonistic life than they believe. One indicator is the fact that a large number of modern Christians are surprisingly wasteful. Someone who lives a frugal, humble life is not going to waste much. Someone who is all about the pleasures of life and the senses, however, is more likely to cast aside what no longer interests them, regardless of whether that item still has a use. When most people think of hedonism and waste, they tend to visualize someone who drinks good alcohol all the time and throws out perfectly good food after eating only a few bites. Religiously saving your leftovers is not enough to absolve you of accusations of hedonism. Think about how often you get a new phone or tablet. Do you run out to the store as soon as the new model arrives despite the fact that your old phone works just fine? Do you regularly buy new clothing in order to stay in style, regardless of whether or not you need it? If you do, you should probably reexamine your habits. Taking Poor Care of the Body Unsplash.com Paul states in 1 Corinthians that Christians bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in [them]Therefore, [they should] honor God with [their] bodies. This means that Christians should take care of their physical needs as well as their spiritual. Unfortunately, some Christians scorn their physical needs either out of a desire to focus on the spiritual or a lack of interest or knowledge in their own health. Denying the body, even for good reasons, is not a good thing for Christians to do. They need to make sure they get enough sleep, exercise regularly and eat right. This means that occasionally they may need to pass up the pie the pastor made or miss a Sunday morning service in order to catch up on missed sleep. Physical needs are not something that human beings can simply will away, and Christians are not the exception to that rule. Hypocrisy Shutterstock.com Hypocrisy is perhaps the most common sin in the world right now. One father sneers at another for not spending enough time with his children, but when he goes to the park with his children, he spends the whole time tapping away at his phone. A woman sneers at how vain another woman must be for wearing so much make-up and blithely ignores how much money she herself spends ensuring she has the latest fashions. Hypocrisy is nothing new, but it was one of the minor sins Christ most despised. There are almost endless stories of Jesus calling out the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, and He undoubtedly would do the same to many Christians today. This is especially true for those who claim to love tolerance and diversity but refuse to be civil to someone of the opposing political party or attempt to intimidate and ostracize those who think differently from them. Every Christian has bad habits that they need to break. This should not be surprising. After all, no one is perfect. The problem, however, can come from Christians having bad habits that are very common. People do not always register common things as problematic even though common does not necessarily equal good. It is easy for Christians to fall into this trap, but Christians need to examine their habits and tendencies to make sure that they are truly living righteous lives rather than simply conforming to the patterns of an imperfect world. Canberra, Aug 6 : Australia's indigenous leaders have accused Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's government of "humiliating" them by refusing to establish an indigenous advisory body to parliament. Turnbull on Sunday ruled out supporting a referendum on enshrining the body in the constitution, Xinhua news agency reported. The advisory body proposal was first agreed to by delegates from 250 indigenous communities under 2017's historic Uluru Statement. Speaking at the annual Garma Festival on Sunday night, award-winning author Richard Flanagan accused the government of lacking courage. "The Uluru Statement was a historic moment for our nation, by refusing it the Turnbull Government chose to write itself out of history," Flanagan said. "The effort it demanded of Canberra was perhaps too large -- it demanded it imagine the country anew, stronger, richer. It required people who knew a life of the mind and a life of the soul. "A government that claims to be of good heart to Indigenous Australia publicly humiliated a generation of great black leaders." A parliamentary inquiry has been launched to consult with indigenous leaders and identify a viable alternative to the advisory body. Turnbull said he would consider any outcome of the inquiry but said his preference was for more indigenous Australians to be elected to parliament. Andrea Mason, chief executive of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women's Council and one of Turnbull's top advisers on indigenous issues, said that the last decade of indigenous affairs had been "wasted". "It's created a lot of disappointment, because there was opportunity to do it better... we haven't been able to have the right goals and targets," she told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). "A representative body could have provided high-level advice to that refresh. "We have to galvanise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people because we don't have a representative body." New Delhi, Aug 6 : Supreme Court judges who are upset with the Centre altering the seniority of Justice K.M. Joseph for his appointment as the Supreme Court judge, will meet Chief Justice Dipak Misra on Monday over the issue. The judges include collegium members who are unhappy as the Presidential notification listed Justice Joseph at number three in terms of seniority thereby making him the junior most judge of the top court when he will be administered oath on Tuesday along with two other judges - Justices Indira Banerjee and Vineet Saran. The recommendation for Justice Joseph's elevation as a top court judge was made by the collegium in January which was reiterated on July 17. The collegium while recommending Justice Joseph's name described him as one of the most able and suitable. The seniority is not the only criteria for elevation as top court judge, but the government in order to frustrate the appointment of Justice Joseph as top court judges has cited seniority as a consideration. Ever since, the collegium recommended Justice Joseph for elevation, the government and the judiciary are at loggerheads. Justice Joseph earned the displeasure of the government after he set aside the imposition of President's rule in Uttarakhand. Caracas, Aug 6 : Six people have been arrested over an alleged assassination attempt on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro here, the interior minister said. Maduro survived the assault on Saturday evening after several drones armed with explosives flew toward him while speaking at a commemoration ceremony of the 81st anniversary of the Venezuelan national guard, reports CNN. The President he blamed far-right elements and Colombia's outgoing president, Juan Manuel Santos of carrying out the foiled attempt. Those arrested are accused of "terrorism and assassination", Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said on state TV on Sunday. Reverol said one of the detained had an outstanding arrest warrant for his alleged role in the August 2017 attack on a military base in Valencia. The attackers used two DJI M600 drones that each carried 1 kg of C-4 explosive, the Minister added. The munitions could cause damage in a radius of 50 metres and intelligence services were able to identify the nearby streets that were used for launching the drones from a distance. One of the drones flew over the presidential stage with the intention of being detonated by the attackers, but he said the authorities were able to cause it to lose control and detonate outside the area the attackers targeted, CNN quoted the Minister as saying. Reverol said the second drone lost control and fell into an apartment building, where it exploded on the first floor. Live footage of Saturday's incident showed Maduro suddenly looking up startled mid-speech, while beside him his wife, Cilia Flores, winced after a loud bang and dozens of soldiers were seen scattering. Seven members of the national guard were injured during the attack. Chicago, Aug 6 : Police in Chicago have said that 44 people were shot within 14 hours out of which five were killed, the media reported. In three hours beginning at 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, police records show that 30 people were shot and two killed in 10 incidents, reports CNN. The shootings lasted till 2 p.m. "The city of Chicago experienced a violent night. Some of these instances were targeted and were related to gang conflicts in those areas," Bureau of Patrol Chief Fred Waller said Sunday afternoon. In at least one incident, shooters opened fire into a crowded street party, Waller said. Of the wounded, the oldest was 62 years of age and the youngest was 11. Before the particularly violent Sunday, there were six shootings, none fatal, on Friday, and 15 shootings, one fatal, on Saturday. Chicago has struggled with high shooting and murder rates in recent years. But according to Waller, shootings were down 30 per cent from 2017 and murders decreased by 25 per cent. June marked 15 straight months of fewer killings and shootings. However, on June 25, at least 21 were shot and two died. Riyadh, Aug 6 : Saudi Arabia announced that it was expelling the Ambassador of Canada and froze new trade deals with the country after Ottawas criticism of human-rights violations in the Islamic Kingdom. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday that it it was recalling its ambassador in Canada for consultation and simultaneously declared the Canadian Ambassador Dennis Horak persona non-grata, giving him 24 hours to leave, reports the Saudi Gazette. The move comes after Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland last week called on Saudi Arabia to release arrested civil-rights activists and signalled concern at a new crackdown in the Middle Eastern country Saudi Arabia took this firm stance following Canada's statement about "civil society activists" that was negative and baseless, according to the Ministry. It deemed Freeland's remarks as false allegations. The ministry considers the Canadian statements as a "blatant interference in the Kingdom's internal affairs that violates simple international norms" that governs relations between countries. A spokeswoman for Freeland said late Sunday night that the Canadian government was trying to make contact with Saudi Arabia, reports Canadian daily The Globe and Mail. "We are seriously concerned by these media reports and are seeking greater clarity on the recent statement from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the spokeswoman said. "Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, including women's rights, and freedom of expression around the world. Our government will never hesitate to promote these values and believes that this dialogue is critical to international diplomacy." The detained activists include Samar Badawi, sister of writer Raif Badawi who is already imprisoned in Saudi Arabia and sentenced to 1,000 lashes for insulting Islam. Saudi Arabia is one of Canada's biggest export markets in the Gulf region and more than 15,000 Saudi students attend Canadian schools and universities. Washington, Aug 6 : US President Donald Trump's administration will reimpose the first batch of Iran sanctions on Monday since Washington withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal. The more significant tranche of sanctions, including on oil sales, won't however, come into force until November, reports The Hill news. Trump announced in May that he was withdrawing the US from the 2015 accord with Iran, Germany, France, the UK, Russia and China. The deal, which was negotiated by his predecessor Barack Obama, lifted sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. Rather than immediately reimpose sanctions in May, the Trump administration gave companies doing business with Iran two "wind-down" periods. Monday ends another 90-day period after which Washington can sanction transactions with US dollar banknotes; trade in gold and precious metals; direct or indirect sales of graphite, raw or semi-finished metals and Iran's automotive sector. Additionally, licenses for exporting commercial aircraft to Iran, as well as related parts and services, are set to be revoked. The revocation of export licenses for civil aviation, meanwhile, will hit Boeing and Airbus, which had $40 billion deals to sell aircraft to Iran Air. The sanctions will go back into place after Trump first threatened and then expressed an openness to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and as the Pentagon is monitoring Iranian military exercises in the Persian Gulf. New Delhi, Aug 6 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a potshot at the Narendra Modi-led government over the unemployment issue after one of his cabinet ministers conceded that there is a job crunch. "Excellent question (Nitin) Gadkariji. Every Indian is asking the same question. Where are the jobs," Gandhi tweeted attaching a news report in which the Union Road Transport and Shipping Minister questioned the rationality behind a job reservation stir when there were not enough jobs in the first place. Gandhi's remarks came a day after Gadkari on Sunday told reporters in Maharashtra that reservation would not guarantee employment as jobs were shrinking. "Let us assume the reservation is given. But there are no jobs. Because in banks, the jobs have shrunk because of IT. The government recruitment is frozen. Where are the jobs?" Gadkari asked. He also said that the problem with the quota is that "backwardness is becoming a political interest". Gadkari said that one school of thought is that "a poor is poor, he has no caste, creed or language. Whatever may be the religion..., in all communities there is one section which has no clothes to wear, no food to eat". Whereas the other school of thought is "we must also consider the poorest of the poor section in every community". This is a "socio-economic thinking" and it must not be politicised, he added. In a tweet late on Sunday, Gadkari also clarified that the government is not planning to change the criteria for reservation from "castes to economic conditions". Sydney, Aug 6 : Thousands of drivers from ride-sharing company Uber went on a two-hour strike across Australia on Monday, demanding better working conditions and refusing to take bookings, the Ride Sharing Drivers United (RSDU) reported. RSDU has urged its drivers to switch off their apps from 7.00 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. on Monday in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, Efe news reported. The measure is in response to "Uber's introduction of 'upfront fares' and 'UberPool', both features designed to further shortchange and underpay drivers, eroding their already poor working conditions under a false independent contractors' pretence," said the RSDU. The organization wants drivers to be able to opt out of UberPool (multiple passenger collection service) without any penalties and those choosing to go ahead with this option be paid the equivalent of UberX base rates plus at least 20 per cent more. The group also seeks to increase UberX rates by at least 15 per cent. "With the UberPool option, drivers work harder than on a normal trip, often stopping illegally in certain places where they might be fined," said RSDU spokesperson MaxB. He said that Uber never consults its drivers and it must impose tariffs at sustainable levels, arguing that their demands do not imply an increase in prices for users but a cut in the company's commissions. Kabul, Aug 6 : The Afghan Public Health Ministry launched a five-day nationwide immunity vaccination campaign on Monday targeting 9.9 million children under the age of five, the Ministry said in a statement. During the campaign, which is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), vitamin A capsules will also be given to over 8.9 million children aged between six months and five years, Xinhua news agency reported. "Vitamin A helps to build a child's immunity and reduces the risk of diarrhea, respiratory infections and measles. It also improves a child's chance of survival by 12-24 per cent," the statement read. The drive was launched after a fresh polio case was detected in Afghanistan in late June, taking the number of confirmed polio virus cases, since January 2018, to nine. But the ongoing insurgency and conflicts have been hindering the efforts of stamping out the infectious disease in the mountainous country. Around 1.2 million children from inaccessible areas will miss the ongoing vaccination drive but we are making continuous efforts to reach these children and protect them from permanent paralysis due to polio, the statement noted. Patna, Aug 6 : The Patna High Court on Monday decided to monitor the investigation into the rape of 34 minor girls in a shelter home in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district, a government lawyer said. The court has also ordered a speedy trial of the case. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar last week said that his government is keen for the high court monitored CBI probe into the case. The opposition parties have demanded the Central Bureau of Investigation probe monitored by the high court. In July the court took suo motu cognizance of the case based on media reports and fixed date of hearing. The Muzaffarpur crime came to light when the Bihar Social Welfare Department filed an FIR based on a social audit of the shelter home conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Most people have some idea of what they are looking for in a spouse. For the majority of people, those lists of ideal traits are pretty similar. Few people want a spouse who does not have a sense of humor, and some level of physical attractiveness is usually preferred even though what a person may define as physically attractive varies wildly between people and cultures. As well as individuals, religions often have some sense of what makes an ideal husband or wife. In this regard, Christianity is no different. When religious, cultural and individual ideals are combined, the description of a perfect spouse is often surprisingly specific despite how much it can still vary between individuals. The specificity of the ideal leaves open a decent amount of room for variety, but it does help those who are looking for spouses narrow the potential playing field. As with members of other religions and cultures, Christians tend to have a good idea of what they want in a spouse. Physical characteristics tend to be less important than personality traits, and a great deal of a Christians interest is on a persons actions and how they respond to certain situations. So, what do Christians really look for in a spouse? They can admit when they are wrong. Shutterstock.com Christians are acutely aware that they are not perfect. They are flawed creatures who make mistakes, get things wrong and otherwise screw up. When they mess up, it is their job to apologize or, if no one was hurt or inconvenienced due to the mistake, accept that they were wrong and learn from it. Christians expect their spouse to be able to do the same. Quite frankly, no one wants to spend the rest of their life with someone who can never stand to be wrong. All it leads to is endless arguing and a distinct lack of apologies after fights. Christians especially are uninterested in someone who thinks that they are perfect. Christianity is based on the assumption that humans are imperfect. Trying to make a life with someone who thinks they are infallible is simply not going to work for a Christian. The Bible even says, Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. They are a person of honor. Unsplash.com Christians tend to place a good deal of importance on a spouse being a person of honor. They want someone who will be honest instead of telling lies. They want someone who has deep seated knowledge of right and wrong. They want someone who has a strong sense of personal responsibility. They want someone who will honor their word and keep their promises. Honor has sadly become something of a lost concept in the modern world. Too many people possess none of it. Lies are considered to be acceptable, and morals are flexible. That is not the sort of person a good Christian wants. They want someone they can trust to be moral, honest and do what they have promised to do. They want someone who will take responsibility for their actions, both good and bad, instead of hiding behind excuses. They want a person of honor. They push you to become a better person. Shutterstock.com Relationships are meant to help the two people grow both as a couple and as individuals. As such, each person in the relationship should be helping the other to improve themselves. Christians especially look for a spouse who can help them to become a better person. Christians know that people can always become more devout, more generous, more compassionate and more honest. They want someone who will push them to become all those things. They want someone who will see the potential in the Christian to be a person who truly lives a holy life, and they want someone who will help them to become that holier person. Christians also want to be able to be that same person for their spouse. They want to be able to help their spouse grow and improve as a person while they themselves are doing the same. They live a Christian life. Shutterstock.com As a general rule, people like to marry those with whom they share a worldview. This normally means that people prefer to settle down with someone who practices the same faith as them. Christians are no different than most in this regard. Most of them wish to marry someone who is also a Christian. More importantly, they want to marry someone who lives a Christian life and is not simply Christian in name only. They want their spouse to be humble and generous. They want someone who cares for others and is willing to sacrifice for their loved ones. They usually want a spouse who loves their family and shows it often. Christians want to live the rest of their lives with someone who does their best to model their life after Christ. Professing to be a Christian is all very well and good, but Christians are more interested in someone who truly practices what they preach. As a general rule, people like to marry those with whom they share a worldview. This normally means that people prefer to settle down with someone who practices the same faith as them. Christians are no different than most in this regard. Most of them wish to marry someone who is also a Christian. More importantly, they want to marry someone who lives a Christian life and is not simply Christian in name only. They want their spouse to be humble and generous. They want someone who cares for others and is willing to sacrifice for their loved ones. They usually want a spouse who loves their family and shows it often. Christians want to live the rest of their lives with someone who does their best to model their life after Christ. Professing to be a Christian is all very well and good, but Christians are more interested in someone who truly practices what they preach. They want someone who will walk with them on their faith journey. Shutterstock.com Christians spend their entire lives growing in and improving their relationship with God. When they marry, they want to tie the knot with someone who will walk with them along their faith journey. They do not want someone who thinks that they have finished their faith journey because Christians know that there is always room to grow and deepen a relationship regardless of whether it is between two people or a person and God. Christians want someone who hopes to grow their own faith. They want a partner for a journey, not someone who is waiting for them at the end of the road or watching from the sidelines. They want someone who will help them deepen their faith and whose faith will grow as well. Christians want their spouse to be their partner in all things, and religion is certainly not excluded from that list. It is too central to a Christians life. Christians spend their entire lives growing in and improving their relationship with God. When they marry, they want to tie the knot with someone who will walk with them along their faith journey. They do not want someone who thinks that they have finished their faith journey because Christians know that there is always room to grow and deepen a relationship regardless of whether it is between two people or a person and God. Christians want someone who hopes to grow their own faith. They want a partner for a journey, not someone who is waiting for them at the end of the road or watching from the sidelines. They want someone who will help them deepen their faith and whose faith will grow as well. Christians want their spouse to be their partner in all things, and religion is certainly not excluded from that list. It is too central to a Christians life. Just like every culture and religion, Christians as a group have a general picture of what a person who is an ideal spouse is like. The traits are more personality based and about how a person reacts and responds to certain events. There is plenty of room for variation, but the traits of an ideal Christian spouse make it clear that what Christians want more than anything is a spouse who is a person of faith, love and honor. New Delhi, Aug 6 : The Lok Sabha was briefly adjourned on Monday over the Muzaffarpur shelter home rapes with the Congress and RJD alleging that evidence has been tampered with, and seeking a statement from Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Raising the issue, Congress member Ranjeet Ranjan alleged that some of the accused had fled to Nepal. She said the state government did not show the requisite seriousness on the issue. Rashtriya Janata Dal member Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav also raised the issue and alleged that evidences were being tampered. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the matter was being looked into by the Central Bureau of Investigation. However, the Congress and other members continued shouting slogans. Mahajan told them to let the business of the House continue but the members did not relent leading her to adjourn the House for 15 minutes. As many as 34 minor girls were sexually assaulted in the Balika Grih, a short-stay girls' shelter home run by an NGO in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district. The shelter home has been sealed after the horror came to light. The Bihar Social Welfare Department filed an FIR based on a social audit of the shelter home conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Mumbai, Aug 6 : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended two pilots of a Jet Airways flight which overshot the runway at Riyadh prior to take off on August 3, an official said on Monday. "The DGCA has suspended the licence of both the pilots involved in the runway excursion incident at Riyadh, pending investigations," said a top DGCA official on Monday. According to a Jet Airways statement, the incident occurred early on Friday when Flight 9W-523 aborted take-off and departed the runway at the King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi Arabian capital. There were no casualties and all the 142 passengers and seven crew members of the Mumbai-bound flight were evacuated safely and later flew to India. The Aviation Investigation Bureau (AIB) of Saudi Arabia has said that the Jet Airways Boeing 737 aircraft attempted to take-off from the taxiway K, parallel to Runway R33. "While visibility was high and no obstacles or FOD (foreign object debris) were on the taxiway, the aircraft accelerated with full take-off power and exceeded the taxiway, onto the unpaved area ending up close to the exit of taxiway G4, north of taxiway K," an AIB statement said. The AIB is probing the incident jointly with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India. Jet had earlier said it had reported the matter to the DGCA. London, Aug 6 : Hamza bin Laden, the son of the late Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, has married the daughter of Mohammed Atta, the lead hijacker and one of the ringleaders of the September 2001 terror attacks in the US, according to the family. The marriage was confirmed by Osama bin Laden's half-brothers -- Ahmad and Hassan al-Attas -- during an interview with the Guardian. "We have heard he has married the daughter of Mohammed Atta," Ahmad al-Attas told the daily. "We're not sure where he is, but it could be Afghanistan." The brothers said they believed Hamza had taken a senior position within Al Qaida and was aiming to avenge the death of his father who was shot dead during a US military raid in Pakistan's Abbottabad town on May 2, 2011. Hamza is the son of one of Osama bin Laden's three surviving wives, Khairiah Sabar, who was living with her husband in Abbottabad when he was killed. He has since made public statements urging followers to wage war on the US, the UK, France and Israel and is seen as a deputy to the terrorist group's incumbent leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri. Western intelligence agencies have been increasingly focusing on Hamza's whereabouts over the past two years. Another of Bin Laden's sons, Khalid, was killed in the Abbottabad raid. A third, Saad, was killed in a drone strike in Afghanistan in 2009. Letters purportedly written by Osama bin Laden and seized from the compound suggested he was grooming Hamza to replace him. The late militant leader's wives and surviving children have returned to Saudi Arabia, where they were given refuge by the former Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef. The women and children remain in close contact with Osama bin Laden's mother, Alia Ghanem, who told the Guardian in a recent interview that she remained in regular touch with surviving family members. Raipur, Aug 6 : Fourteen Maoist guerrillas were killed in a gun battle with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, police said on Monday. The gun battle occurred when a joint team of Special Task Force of Chhattisgarh Police and the District Reserve Guard headed to Miltkatong area during August 5 night following information about the presence of the Maoists, a police officer told IANS. The Maoists started firing at the security forces, said the officer, based on reports received at Raipur. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Deputy Inspector General M. Dinakaran confirmed the deaths and said CRPF personnel had been rushed to the area. New Delhi, Aug 6 : The Delhi High Court on Monday granted bail to a former director of the Andhra Bank arrested in a Rs 5,000 crore fraud case involving Gujarat-based pharmaceutical company Sterling Biotech. Justice Mukta Gupta allowed bail plea of Anup Prakash Garg asking him to furnish a personal bond of Rs two lakh with two surety bonds of the like amount. The court imposed condition on Garg that he will not leave the country without permission. The court also directed him that he will neither directly nor indirectly influence the witnesses nor interfere in further investigation. Garg has sought the bail saying he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on January 12, after a case was filed against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and he has been in custody since then. Both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) named Garg as an accused in criminal cases. The ED initiated a money laundering probe taking cognizance of the CBI FIR. The CBI booked Sterling Biotech, its Directors Chetan Jayantilal Sandesara, Dipti Chetan Sandesara, Rajbhushan Omprakash Dixit, Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara and Vilas Joshi, Chartered Accountant Hemant Hathi, Garg and some unidentified persons in connection with the alleged bank fraud. Sterling Biotech had taken loans of over Rs 5,000 crore from a consortium of banks led by Andhra Bank which had turned into non-performing assets. Total pending dues of the group companies were Rs 5,383 crore as on December 31, 2016, said the CBI FIR. The ED said that during the probe, it found that "certain entries" in a diary seized by the Income Tax Department in 2011 showed cash payments amounting to Rs 1.52 crore made to one "Garg, Director, Andhra Bank" between 2008 and 2009 by the Sandesara brothers. The agency accused Garg of infusing several crores of rupees of his unaccounted cash in various companies through Kolkata-based bogus shell companies with the help of cash or cheque entry operators in Kolkata to launder the money. New Delhi : Title: Naveen Patnaik; Author: Ruben Banerjee; Publishers: Juggernaut; Pages: 226; Price: Rs 469 How did a man, spending his early days on Delhi's cocktail circuit, defy stereotypes to script an enviable success story that has few parallels in the history of modern Indian politics? What led Naveen Patnaik, who had nothing to do with politics for the first fifty years of his life, become one of India's most enigmatic politicians? And, how did Patnaik, who remains the most inaccessible Chief Minister in the history of Odisha, rule the state for four consecutive terms and remained undisputed leader even without knowing the mother tongue of the masses? The answers to these and many other questions are unveiled by veteran journalist Ruben Banerjee in his biography of the Odisha Chief Minister. Although he first become the Chief Minister by virtue of being his father's son, Naveen Patnaik made a smooth and effortless transition from his bohemian days in Delhi's cocktail circuit to a cunning and consummate politician and the longest serving Chief Minister of Odisha. The author, who had access to Naveen Patnaik during his early days in politics, has unveiled a mine of information unknown to the world at large in the book. Since Patnaik is considered a mysterious and unpredictable man for his omissions and commissions, the book, without a doubt, is a fascinating and interesting read for anyone interested in Odisha politics or in just the person who is Naveen Patnaik. The book also dispels the popular belief that it is Patnaik, not someone else, who calls the shots in the government and the party as well. It, however, does mention about the over dependency of the chief minister on bureaucrats rather than on ministers to run the administration. Patnaik, the book charts, entered into politics in 1997, founded the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and become the party president, a post that he still holds. He became the Chief Minister of Odisha for the first time in 2000 with the help of alliance partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), riding on the sympathy following the demise of his legendary father and former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik and the public's anger over complete mismanagement by Congress government of relief measures post the 1999 Super Cyclone that had devastated the state. The author has also articulated how Patnaik, once a political novice, ruthlessly eliminated every possibility of an opposition within the party, real or imaginary, even before it took shape and banished his opponents into political wilderness to consolidate his position as the undisputed leader in the party and the state. A case in point is the ouster of Bijoy Mohapatra, once a powerful minister in the Biju Patnaik cabinet and chairman of Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of BJD. Mohapatra had chosen most of the candidates and they were all his men in 2000 elections. But when he was chairing the PAC meeting in Bhubaneswar, Patnaik, being the president of the party, cancelled Mohapatra's nomination as the candidate from Patkura and chose another as the party candidate just barely few hours before the completion of nomination process leaving no room to Mohapatra to enter the Assembly. Patnaik, rather suave yet cunning, has also ensured that Mohapatra did not enter the assembly even till today. As the author rightly pointed out "Naveen the politician had shown the ability to outsmart the smartest of them". After he became Chief Minister in 2000, he continued to eliminate his possible challenges within the party starting from Dilip Ray, a businessman-politician, to Nalinikanta Mohanty, then BJD's working president and second only to Naveen in the party hierarchy. The book also highlights the protAgAe-mentor relationship between Naveen Patnaik and Pyari Mohapatra and how Mohapatra had staged an abortive coup on May 29, 2012, when Naveen was in UK. Even though the author has elaborated on the abortive coup, a few answers remain elusive -- including was it really a coup or just a media creation? The author elaborately describes on how the TINA factor helped him to rule the state for so long and how he remained the darling of the masses, bucking the anti-incumbency factor. "Members of one group, in particular, vouch vociferously for the chief minister's integrity. These are an overwhelming majority of Odisha's 200 lakh women, the chief minister's trusted vote bank. Naveen is a bachelor, but his emotional bonding with the state's womenfolk is remarkable," the book says. The book also highlights how Patnaik has mastered the art of shifting the blame on someone else to remain Mr. Clean despite the fact that some of the biggest scams --mining, chit funds -- in the history of the state took place during his watch. "The key to Naveen's success is that even though he has indulged in political machinations and subterfuge, he has largely come out of them without blemish, skillfully sidestepping scrutiny and deflecting criticism. He is still viewed by many as innocent and incapable of the vileness of an ordinary politician. And when something goes horribly wrong somewhere in the state, there is always someone else who shoulders the blame, sparing Naveen any taint. That he is single, soft-spoken and always deferential has helped in nurturing Naveen's image," the book says. By rough estimates, Patnaik has so far shown the door to some 46 of his ministers on one pretext or the other, it said. The book also mentions the possible challenge for Patnaik in the 2019 polls with the rise of BJP and union minister Dharmendra Pradhan. As the author points out, "The battle for 2019 promises to be a test of guile, image and stamina." The book is a required read for those who want a balanced telling of the Chief Minister's journey so far. Also, for those interested in the political journey of Odisha, including the rule of Biju Patnaik and J.B. Patnaik, the book is a great repository. (Chinmaya Dehury can be contacted at chinmaya.d@ians.in) Lucknow, Aug 6 : The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday transferred the district magistrate of Deoria following reports of an alleged sex racket being run at a shelter home for women in the district, an official said. In a chilling similarity to the Muzaffarpur shelter home case in Bihar, 24 girls were rescued from the shelter in Deoria late on Sunday after one of them told the police that they were being sexually abused. Officials told IANS that 18 girls are missing from the privately-run shelter home which earlier got funds from the government, but whose affiliation to the women and child welfare department was cancelled last year after a CBI probe revealed some discrepancies. The manager of the 'Ma Vindhyavasini Mahila Prashikshan Evam Samaj Seva Sansthan' and his wife have been arrested. Women and Child Welfare Minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi said on Monday that a probe has been ordered. She said that after a CBI inspection last year, it was discovered that the Deoria shelter home was running illegally. An order was issued to shift the inmates and shut it immediately. The minister said that on August 1, an FIR was lodged to shut it down after reports of the racket surfaced. Deoria District Probation Officer (DPO) Abhishek Pandey has also been suspended and action has also been initiated against former DPOs Neeraj Kumar and Anoop Singh. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has set up a committee comprising Additional Director General (women helpline) Anju Gupta and additional chief secretary (women's welfare) Renuka Kumar to immediately visit Deoria and present before the government its interim report by Tuesday. The Chief Minister has also directed all district magistrates to ensure inspection of children and women shelter homes in their districts and present a report within 12 hours, a government spokesman told IANS. Kolkata, Aug 6 : Britannia Industries, which is looking forward to expanding its businesses, may shift its dairy project from Maharashtra as the state government has not yet finalised the incentive scheme, a company official said on Monday. "I believe that now we are poised to look at businesses outside even our adjacents (adjacent business). "Today, we are in a position in terms of management to be able to look at acquisitions if they make sense," company's Chairman Nusli N. Wadia told shareholders at the 99th Annual General Meeting (AGM) here. "We planned the (dairy) project in Maharashtra and waited for over one year for finalising the incentive. Unfortunately, they have not done it... We are looking at shifting (the dairy project) to Andhra Pradesh because the Maharashtra government (has) already delayed long enough. If it does not get finalised, then we have to move," Wadia said on the sidelines of the AGM. The company plans to invest Rs 300 crore in a dairy project, he said. Asked whether the company had any discussion with the Andhra Pradesh government, he said: "Of course, many times." The company, which completed 100 years on March 21, said its board recommended bonus debentures and proposed subdivide of shares. "This is to inform you that the Board of Directors at its meeting held today (Monday) has recommended and approved issuance of secured redeemable non-convertible debentures, as bonus debentures of Rs 60," the company said in a regulatory filing. It will be in the ratio of one (bonus debenture) for every one equity share, held by the shareholders of the company on a record date as may be decided, subject to the approval of National Company Law Tribunal, Kolkata, and any other approval as may be required, it said. According to Wadia, the company would be issuing over 12 crore bonus debentures of about Rs 720 crore. He also said the company would invest Rs 400-500 crore of capital expenditure in the coming year with a focus on dairy, rusks and cakes businesses. The company, which launched a new logo of "Britannia" on Monday, would be launching more products in the next six months, Wadia said. The company will launch 50 new products in the next 12 months and enter new catagories including croissants, cream wafers and enhance product offerings in the existing categories. The FMCG major will also relaunch some of its brands in the current year, its Vice President Marketing Ali Harris Shere told reporters later in the day. In the biscuits category, it will have innovations and new product formats along with relaunches of some brands, company's Managing Dirctor Varun Berry said, adding that the biscuit category contributes 75 per cent of its total revenue. At the AGM, the board decided to give notice to appropriate authority and stock exchanges to subdivide the equity shares of Rs 2. According to the company's annual report, the board recommended a dividend of 1,250 per cent and the total dividend payout amounts to Rs 361.84 crore including dividend distribution tax of Rs 61.70 crore. The company reported a 19.6 per cent increase in its consolidated net profit at Rs 258 crore in the first quarter of the current fiscal (2018-19) as compared to Rs 216 crore in the year-ago period. On comparative basis, its consolidated revenue was up for the quarter by 13.6 per cent. Patna, Aug 6 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said there was no need for Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma to resign over the Muzaffarpur shelter home horror. Despite repeated demands for her resignation by the opposition and even by two Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, Nitish Kumar gave a clean chit to Manju Verma. "She (Manju Verma) has denied her involvement in the case. A CBI probe is underway. Anyone found guilty, even the Ministers, will be sent to jail. No one will be spared," Nitish Kumar said. Opposition leaders have alleged that Manju Verma was aware of her husband's frequent visits to the Muzaffarpur shelter home where 34 minor girls were raped. Expressing his anguish on the matter, Nitish Kumar called the incident "shameful and painful" and said that from now no NGO would be allowed to run shelter homes in Bihar. Only the government would have that authority. He said that the the High Court should monitor the CBI investigation. The Muzaffarpur case came to light when the Bihar Social Welfare Department filed an FIR based on a social audit of the shelter home conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. New Delhi, Aug 6 : Opposition parties, including Congress and RJD, on Monday staged a walkout in the Lok Sabha demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Muzaffarpur shelter home rapes, and alleging that evidence had been tampered with. "Home Minister is here, why he is not replying," Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said in the Lok Sabha soon after the House resumed its business after a brief adjournment on the issue. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the issue had been raised in the House earlier also and assured the MPs that the CBI inquiry into the matter will be impartial. He said the MPs' concerns will be brought to the attention of the Home Minister. Not satisfied with his reply, Opposition members, including those from Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal and CPI-M, walked out. Earlier, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the government should monitor the CBI inquiry. The House was earlier adjourned for 15 minutes after Congress member from Bihar's Supaul, Ranjeet Ranjan, came near the Speaker's podium and tore the paper she was holding and threw it towards the chair. She also threw books from the table of the Lok Sabha Secretary General. Ranjan alleged that evidence had been tampered with and some of the accused had fled to Nepal. She said the state government did not show seriousness on the issue. Rashtriya Janata Dal member Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav also expressed his concern. As many as 34 minor girls were allegedly sexually assaulted in the Balika Grih, a short-stay girls' shelter home run by an NGO in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district. The shelter home has been sealed after the horror came to light. The state's Social Welfare Department has filed an FIR based on the findings of a social audit conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Mumbai, Aug 6 : Actor Sooraj Pancholi wrapped up shooting for "Time to Dance", and says he is looking forward to the release of the dance film. Sooraj finished shooting for "Time to Dance", helmed by Stanley D'Costa, on Sunday in London. Remo D'Souza has written the script of the project. "What an amazing journey it has been! And how time flew by working with such a great team ... Just felt like we started shooting for 'Time To Dance' few days back and we have already wrapped it up," Sooraj said in a statement to IANS. "I'm really excited and looking forward to this one," he added. He also took to Instagram to share his excitement about the project. "It's a wrap. What a journey it's been.. feeling so blessed! Thank you so much God, my family and to my supporters!! What an amazing team." The film also stars Katrina Kaif's sister Isabelle Kaif. She also wrote on Instagram: "Thank you everyone from cast and crew who worked endlessly to make it all possible! It was crazy and amazing! Going to miss you all." Beijing, Aug 6 : China's official newspaper on Monday accused the US President of acting like a street fighter by imposing import tariffs and said Beijing would not surrender to his "extortion". The attack on Donald Trump comes after Washington and Beijing last week exchanged fresh threats of imposing new tariffs, as part of a trade war kicked-off by the US on July 6, Efe news reported. An editorial of People's Daily, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China, said that the US President was starring in his own "street fighter-style deceitful drama of extortion and intimidation". The article also said that diplomacy has been reduced to a "trading game in which everything should follow the rule of America first" and that China would not bow down to the "blackmail" and will defend its "national interests and national dignity". The article indicates a notable rise in China's rhetoric against Trump, although the government maintained a more restrained tone during the first few weeks of the trade war. They also accused Trump of taking a unilateral path since coming to power, which can be seen from the withdrawal of the US from international pacts and bodies, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Paris Agreement against climate change, the UN Human Rights Council and the nuclear deal with Iran. New Delhi, Aug 6 : Two Assistant Sub Inspectors (ASI) were attacked by a biker and a group of robbers in separate incidents early on Monday, police said, adding that two robbers have been arrested in one of the incidents. The accused persons have been identified as Sunny and Sehzad who were arrested soon after the crime took place when a police team nabbed them from their hideout in an under-construction building. The incident occurred at around 3 a.m. in Delhi's Burari area when a resident informed the Police Control Room (PCR) about three robbers who were trying to unlock a bike tied up with a chain. "ASIs Amar Singh Rana and Yashpal reached the spot in a PCR van. Seeing the police, the robbers tried to flee. Two were held while their third accomplice managed to flee after a chase," Special Commissioner of Police (Operations) A.S. Gautam said. "Sehzad tried to flee from the clutches of Amar Singh Rana and hit him with a brick. He then ran to hide in a nearby building. Yashpal immediately informed the control room following which a police team arrived at the spot and nabbed the accused," Gautam added. In a similar incident, ASI Karan Kumar suffered a head injury after an unidentified biker pelted a stone at a PCR vehicle parked in Delhi's Connaught Place area. "ASI Karan Kumar was sitting inside the police vehicle when the incident happened. The biker managed to escape from the spot. Kumar was taken to a hospital and was later discharged," Gautam said. Bangkok, Aug 6 : Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Monday urged the Bangladesh government to relocate the makeshift camps where more than 7,00,000 Rohingya refugees have been living in overcrowded conditions for over an year. Members of the ethnic minority fled across the border following an offensive launched by the Myanmar Army on August 25 last year in Rakhine state after Rohingya rebels carried out a series of attacks on government security outposts. The situation of "severe overcrowding" heightens the risk of "diseases, fires and increased community tensions, as well as domestic and sexual violence," warned HRW refugee rights director Bill Frelick at the launch of the report "Bangladesh is not my Country: The plight of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar" in Bangkok, Efe news reported. With the onset of the monsoon rains, the threat of floods and landslides in the refugee shelters of Katupalong-Balukhali near the Myanmar border has increased. According to Frelick, experts have identified six viable relocation sites that could accommodate 2,63,000 people. These sites, spread across more than 5.26 square kilometres, are located near where the Rohinyas are currently based, he said. Frelick said Bangladesh insists the situation is temporary, so it prevents the construction of permanent structures. Bangladesh plans to relocate 1,00,000 Rohingyas to an uninhabited island, Bhasan Char. The artificial island is not suitable for accommodating people due to the risk of it being completely flooded by the arrival of a cyclone, among other problems such as the lack of land for cultivation or aquifers, experts have said. Last week, Myanmar set up a new commission to investigate reports of human rights violations allegedly committed by the military against the Rohingyas. At the report launch, Phil Robertson, deputy director of HRW's Asia division, charged that not much can be expected from the commission as some of its members have publicly rejected any violation by the Army. International organisations including the United Nations have reported killings, torture, rapes and looting and burning of houses among other crimes allegedly committed by the Army. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein has described the campaign as ethnic cleansing with suspected acts of genocide. Myanmar considers the Rohingyas illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and subjects them to various restrictions, including limiting their freedom of movement. Myanmar and Bangladesh signed an agreement in November 2017 for the repatriation of the Rohingyas, according to which the refugees should have started their return to Myanmar on January 23. Frelick said that the repatriation will not take place anytime soon. Tehran, Aug 6 : Iran's Interior Ministry has blamed foreign sources for the anti-government unrest in the country, affecting its economic situation, Press TV reported on Monday. "Bulk of the protest rallies, under the guise of protests against economic woes, in Iran over the past month were originated from outside the country," Xinhua quoted Interior Ministry spokesman Salman Samani as saying. "Only a handful of people were influenced by such propaganda and attended the unlawful protests in a few cities," he added. "The main elements provoking unrest in Iran are mostly individuals or groups who do not care about the economic problems and only seek to foment chaos by taking advantage of problems like price hikes and livelihood issues," Samani said. The Iranian spokesman also said that efforts were underway to control the protests and the situation would be handled with "minimum tensions and through dialogue". Protests were reportedly held in the Iranian cities of Shiraz, Isfahan, Ahvaz and Karaj over the past few days against worsening economic conditions. The protests have been largely described as peaceful without any major instance of violence. New Delhi, Aug 6 : Suggesting segregation of solid waste at the household level, the Supreme court on Monday said there should be a penal provision for dealing with those refusing to do so. Noting that 3,600 tonnes of solid waste is generated every day in south Delhi alone, a bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta said: "Make it the responsibility of the householder to segregate the waste at the household level. Responsibility has to be fixed." Allaying the apprehension that its suggestion to penalise may cause panic, Justice Deepak Gupta said: "I am not saying that people living in JJ colonies be penalised for not segregating waste but surely others." If someone pulls down his house, he must pay for removing the debris, the bench said with Justice Gupta observing: "Everyone knows when they have to take benefits; when it comes to duty they feign ignorance." The court said that 50 per cent of the 3,600 tonnes of filth generated in south Delhi is added daily to the already piled-up garbage and the power plant which could use this waste for generating electricity will get operational only in December 2019. Pointing to the frightening scenario, Justice Lokur said: "We are in an emergency situation and unfortunately your response is not showing emergency." "You are talking about 2030. Half of the people won't be alive (by then). A report by Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (in Delhi) says that 50 per cent of the population in Delhi will be susceptible to lung cancer even without smoking. NITI Aayog says that 50 per cent of the population will leave Delhi as there won't be any water. Who will be alive?" Justice Lokur asked while pointing to the grim scenario. Justice Lokur told the official of South Delhi Municipal Corporation that there was a mismatch in what they were telling the court orally and what they have said in their affidavit. Taking a dig at the claims and the figures cited by the municipal bodies, senior counsel Colin Gonsalves pointed to the corruption in the handling of the garbage. He told the court: "Waste is the biggest business possible. Money is the key." Describing the official data as "misleading," Gonsalves told the apex court that trucks carrying waste from Delhi, instead of going to the power plant, empty the garbage into the landfill. As ASG Anand told the court that a site has been identified at Sonia Vihar for dumping the waste, Justice Lokur said: "There is no point in shifting the garbage from one place to another." Saying that probably Sonia Vihar is a place where underprivileged people are living, Justice Lokur said: "Don't treat people like that" and remarked that "dump it before the Raj Nivas". He said that dumping garbage near the human habitat is a criminal offence under Section 133 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Questioning the management of garbage by the municipal bodies, Gonsalves said that 60 per cent of the solid waste can be used for power plant, 20 to 25 per cent recycled, and the remaining for making compost. The court sought details and results of a pilot project for garbage handling in Green Park, Defence Colony and Maharani Bagh. Posting next hearing for August 17, the court said all the details be filed by August 14 and copies of the same supplied to other counsel appearing in the case. Srinagar, Aug 6 : A Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militant was arrested with explosives in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Monday. A police statement said police recovered from him a huge cache of incriminating materials including explosives intended for terror strikes. Acting on specific input, Muzamil Ahmad Dar, 22, was taken into custody, the police said. During investigation, a huge cache of ammunition was recovered on his disclosure which includes improvised explosive device (IED), Chinese and hand grenades, detonators, mobile phones, 12-volt battery, safety fuse and circuit wire and safety fuse, the police said. "The accused was in touch with other terrorists of JeM and they were planning (terror) attacks," the statement said. Kolkata, Aug 6 : The ruling BJP in Jharkhand and Trinamool Congress in West Bengal are having a showdown over the colour to be used for painting Jharkhand's Massanjore dam and the 'Biswa Bangla' logo on an adjacent welcome gate. Located in Jharkhand's Dumka district, the dam is maintained by West Bengal's irrigation department. The problem surfaced after some Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists prevented West Bengal government workers from painting the 1950s' structure in blue and white, the "favourite shades" of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. BJP leader and Jharkhand Minorities Welfare Minister Louis Marandi threatened to "gouge out the eyes" of those who dared to look at the barrage on Sunday. BJP activists later pasted the logo of Jharkhand on top of the 'Biswa Bangla' logo on a welcome gate adjacent to the dam. The BJP logo carried a message: West Bengal government's signs would not be allowed inside the Jharkhand territory. "Some supporters and elected leaders of the BJP from Jharkhand are disrupting the maintenance work at Massanjore. We are maintaining this dam since its inception in 1955. If there was any ambiguity about the ongoing repair work, they could have talked to our chief minister," said West Bengal Irrigation Minister Soumen Mahapatra. "In West Bengal, there are offices of different states which are designed and painted according to a state's identity. Is the BJP trying to bring back the feudal system in India by dividing states like this?" he questioned. BJP leaders from Jharkhand have earlier accused the Bengal government of imposing its colour scheme on the dam by painting it in blue and white and warned that they will not allow "any antics" of the Trinamool Congress supremo Banerjee and her party in Jharkhand. "The reality is they are scared of Mamata Banerjee's attempt to create an anti-BJP federal front in the country," he said, adding the repair work at the dam is temporarily stalled. Chennai, Aug 6 : Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M. Karunanidhi's health has deteriorated and his response to medical intervention over the next 24 hours will determine the prognosis, Kauvery Hospital said on Monday. "There has been a decline in the medical condition of Karunanidhi. Maintaining his vital organ functions continues to remain a challenge considering his age related ailments," a hospital statement said. "He is on continuous monitoring and being treated with active medical support. His response to medical interventions over the next 24 hours will determine the prognosis," it said. The 94-year-old Karunanidhi, who has been the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu five times, was admitted to Kauvery Hospital on July 28 after a dip in his blood pressure. The hospital said Karunanidhi was resuscitated and stabilized in the ICU (intensive care unit) and managed by a team of doctors and nurses. "There was a setback on his clinical condition on July 29 due to difficulty in breathing. He responded well to medical management and his vital signs are gradually normalized," the statement said. For the first time since he was hospitalised on July 28, Karunanidhi's second wife Dayalu Ammal visited the hospital on Monday. Members of Karunanidhi's family including M.K. Stalin, Kanimozhi and others were present in the hospital. Tamil Nadu Congress Chief S. Thirunavukkarasar, after visiting the hospital earlier in the day, told reporters that there had been a minor setback in Karunanidhi's health. Meanwhile, the police have diverted traffic near the Kauvery Hospital as large numbers of DMK cadres have started gathering outside. New Delhi, Aug 6 : The Delhi High Court on Monday ordered employers not to recover the amount which they have paid their employees as per the wages fixed by the Delhi government in 2017. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar said that all the employers who gave enhanced wages as per the notification issued by the Delhi government and the Lt. Governor were not to recover the amount from their employees. The order came while seeking clarification of the High Court's Saturday order quashing two notifications issued last year by the Delhi government, relating to revision of minimum wages for all classes of workmen and setting up an advisory panel for the purpose. Kolkata, Aug 6 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday penned a poem and posted it on the social media, taking a swipe at the BJP and slamming the draft National Register of Citizens in Assam. The poem, titled 'Identity' and written in both Bengali and English, starts with a series of questions regarding surname, religion, language, food habits and political preferences. Those who failed to come up with satisfactory answers would be termed "traitors," it warns. "Who are you? What's your identity? Where do you live? Where did you study? Tell us. Or, you are a traitor," Banerjee wrote on Twitter. "Whom do you support? Have your previous five generations been registered? What do you wear?... You must be an illegal immigrant," she wrote in the poem, taking a dig at the draft NRC that left out more than 40 lakh persons as they were allegedly not able to produce necessary identification documents. The Trinamool Congress supremo also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's weekly radio address 'Mann ki Baat' as well as centre's many initiatives, including Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation's GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources), Jan Dhan scheme, online payment app Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) and linking of Aadhaar with mobile numbers. "Do you listen to Mann ki Baat? Do you write against the ruler? Does your phone have Aadhaar? Are you against the oppressor? Then there is no place for you. Then you are an extremist," she wrote. Banerjee also maintained that those who have no knowledge about the ruler's power and its agencies and dare to protest against its oppression are often termed "anti-nationals". "Are you vocal in protest? Are you against the ruler? Then you are anti-national. So you get lost," she added. New Delhi, Aug 6 : A group of top court judges including those from the collegium on Monday met Chief Justice Dipak Misra to express their concern over the Centre altering seniority of Justice K.M. Joseph by placing him at third position, after Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Vineet Saran, in the order of appointment as top court judge. Justice Joseph, along with Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Vineet Saran, will be administered oath on Tuesday by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Misra. Upset over the Centre altering the seniority of Justice Joseph by placing him at number three, the aggrieved judges urged the CJI to convey their concern to the government, which they alleged was an interference by the government in judicial appointments. It was learnt that Chief Justice Misra has spoken to the Attorney General to convey the concern expressed by the judges upset over the development. While some judges are expressing concern over government's interference with the appointment process, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Vikas Singh said that the fault lies with the collegium itself. Blaming the collegium for the mess, Vikas Singh said: "When they (collegium) made the recommendation, they should have said that it is a case of reiteration and it should be at the serial number one as his name was recommended earlier." In the case of Justice Joseph, the recommendation for his elevation as top court judge was made by the collegium on January 10 this year which was reiterated on July 17. Prior to reiteration of Justice Joseph's name on July 17, the collegium had earlier decided in principle to reiterate his recommendation after the Centre had returned it for reconsideration, saying that he stood 11th in the seniority of Chief Justices of the High Court. The collegium, while recommending Justice Joseph's name for elevation to top court in January this year, had described him as one of the ablest and suitable judges for consideration for elevation to the top court. "The collegium considers that at present Mr. Justice K.M. Joseph, who hails from Kerala High Court and is currently functioning as Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court, is more deserving and suitable in all respects than other Chief Justices and senior puisne Judges of High Courts for being appointed as Judges of the Supreme Court of India," the top court collegium had said in its January 10 resolution. Ever since the collegium recommended the name of Justice Joseph for elevation to top court in January this, the government and the judiciary are at loggerheads. Justice Joseph earned the displeasure of the government after he set aside the imposition of President's rule in Uttarakhand. Earlier, the government had sat over collegium recommendation transferring Justice Joseph as the Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court. New Delhi, Aug 6 : The Supreme Court on Monday declined a request for anticipatory bail by two priests of the Malankara Orthodox Church facing charges of sexual abuse. Declining the plea, the bench of Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Ashok Bhushan directed both to surrender by August 13 and then move the trial court for regular bail. Justice Sikri said: "This is not a fit case for anticipatory bail." The court directed the trial court to take up for hearing the plea for regular bail on the same day when it was moved. In the last hearing on July 26, the top court had sought the status report of police investigation in the case. The two priests moved the apex court seeking anticipatory bail. Sony (Abraham) Varghese and Father Jaice K. George had approached the court challenging the order of the Kerala High Court which had denied anticipatory bail to three priests, including them. A woman, who regularly visited the Malankara Orthodox Church, has accused five priests of sexually abusing her for a decade. Initially, it was only one priest who first exploited the woman. When she sought help from another priest, he too threatened her and shared her contact with a fellow priest and she was eventually victimized by five of them. One priest, however, escaped action as the victim mentioned only four names. Chandigarh, Aug 6 : With the 'Referendum-2020' controversy propped up by Sikh separatists refusing to die down, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday said the Congress was playing with fire. The SAD said it was clear that 'Referendum-2020' organizers were hand-in-glove with anti-national elements who were working to destabilize the country as part of the 'Operation Express' of Pakistan's ISI. The pro-Khalistan Referendum-2020 is reportedly planned by US-based radical Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Former minister Bikram Singh Majithia accused the Congress of "repeating the mistakes made by Indira Gandhi" by supporting the protest led by jathedars propped up by it at Bargari in Faridkot. He demanded an inquiry into all cases of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court. Majithia said CBI should inquire into the foreign funding being received by 'Congress agents', who are controlled by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. He said it was high time the Congress realized that its "self-orchestrated drama could go out of hand because it is being funded by the same people who are supporting Referendum 2020". He said reports have already proved that Referendum 2020 has been code-named Operation Express. "It has also been proved that money is being funneled into this operation from Germany by prominent radical elements," Majithia said, quoting media reports. The Akali leader said if things were allowed to continue like this, there was real danger of destabilization of Punjab. New Delhi, Aug 6 : India's auto component manufacturing sector on Monday demanded that the industry be brought under a uniform 18 per cent GST rate. According to the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), currently 60 per cent of the components attract 18 per cent GST rate, while the rest 40 per cent, the majority of which are for two-wheelers and tractors, attract 28 per cent. "A benign rate of 18 per cent will not only ensure better compliance, but will also ensure a larger tax base," ACMA President Nirmal Minda was quoted as saying in a statement. Minda spoke at an event here to announce the auto component "Industry Performance Review" for fiscal 2017-2018. "Further, considering the significant technological changes that the industry is undergoing, there is a critical need for creating a fund to support indigenous R&D and technology creation in the component industry as also for technology acquisition from other parts of the world," he said. Minda elaborated the need for a "technology agnostic road-map with clear responsibilities of each stakeholder" to ensure a smooth roll out of electric mobility in the country. On the industry's financial performance, the "Industry Performance Review" showed that the sector's turnover grew by 18.3 per cent to Rs 345,635 crore ($ 51.2 billion) during the last fiscal. Further, exports showed a growth of 23.9 per cent in FY2017-18 to Rs 90,571 crore ($13.5 billion). Vienna, Aug 6 : Three-time world Formula One champion Niki Lauda is recovering well after undergoing a lung transplant, the Vienna General Hospital said on Monday. The medical team said the 69-year-old had been making continuous progress following Thursday's surgery and his organs were working well. "Already 24 hours after surgery, Lauda could be extubated, was spontaneously breathing and had full consciousness," the hospital said in a statement. The Austrian would stay at the hospital until he had made a full recovery, which could mean spending a while there. The former F1 driver-turned-businessman had to cut short his vacation on the Spanish island of Ibiza to travel to Vienna as he became unwell. According to Austrian daily Asterreich, Lauda travelled to Vienna when his condition deteriorated after contracting the flu. In 1976, the former Ferrari driver was involved in a serious accident at the German circuit of NArburgring, sustaining severe burns. He underwent kidney transplants in 1997 and 2005. Lauda was crowned F1 champion three times: in 1975, 1977 and 1984. New Delhi, Aug 6 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday conducted searches at seven locations across Hyderabad in connection with its ongoing investigation into an Islamic State module it busted in 2016, the agency said. "We conducted searches at seven locations in Hyderabad in a 2016 Islamic State case. Further investigation is underway," said NIA spokesperson Alok Mittal, adding the raiding team has also seized some digital devices and incriminating material. The anti-terror agency on June 22, 2016 registered an FIR in connection with the case and subsequently busted the Islamic State cell after a raid conducted in Moghalpura and Bhawaninagar areas in Hyderabad. At least five people were arrested in the case. New Delhi, Aug 6 : Parliament on Monday passed a Bill that enhances the minimum punishment for rape of women from seven to 10 years and provides for life imprisonment or death penalty to rape/gang rape of girls below 12 years of age. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018, earlier passed by the Lok Sabha, was on Monday unanimously passed in the Rajya Sabha by voice vote. The Bill will replace the urdinance the government had brought in April. Replying to the discussion in the upper House, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said that the provisions made in the Bill were relevant and appealed to the members to unanimously pass the Bill. Rijiju pointed out that the Bill addresses several lacunae at the investigation and trial stages in rape cases. The investigation in rape cases has to be completed now in 60 days instead of the earlier 90 days and the trial will also be time bound and will take place in-camera, he said. The minister said that at no stage any doubts should be raised about the character of the rape victim. "As per the new Bill, the court where rape cases are being taken up should be presided by a woman judge as far as possible. Also, the statement in the rape cases should also be recorded by a woman police officer," he said. The Minister also spoke about improving the quality of investigation and forensic evidence. He said forensic laboratories were proposed to be set up in all states and Union Territories. He said consultations were on with the High Courts in every state for establishing and strengthening fast-track courts for rape cases. The bill seeks to amend the Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 to provide that the minimum punishment for rape of a woman under 16 years will be rigorous imprisonment for at least 20 years which can extend to life. Under the new legislation, the punishment for gang-rape of a girl below 16 years will be imprisonment for the rest of life of the convict. The punishment for rape of a girl aged under 12 years will be rigorous imprisonment of at least 20 years but may extend to imprisonment for life or death. Gang-rape of a girl under 12 years of age will lead to punishment of jail term for the rest of life or death. The minimum punishment in case of rape of woman has been increased from seven years to 10 years, extendable to imprisonment for life. Bhubaneswar, Aug 6 : A delegation of the Central Action Committee on Monday met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik demanding a permanent bench of Orissa High Court in the western part of the state. They requested the Chief Minister to send a high-level delegation to hold talks with the Centre regarding the bench and get a Bill passed during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament. "The Chief Minister assured us that he would write another strong letter to the Centre. However, we demanded that a delegation of the state government should visit Delhi and talk to the Centre," convener of the committee Ashok Das told media persons here. Spokesperson of the committee Sureshwar Mishra said the Chief Minister had written a letter to the Central Government in this regard in September 2013. "That letter was received by the then Central Government and also initiated the future course of action. The present Central Government has thrown it into the cold storage. No follow-up action has been taken by the state government here for the last five years," said Mishra. He said Odisha MPs should put pressure on the Central government so that the Bill is passed in the Parliament during the current monsoon session. On the other hand, Congress chief whip Taraprasad Bahinipati demanded that a permanent bench of Orissa High Court should be set up in Koraput. "Naveen Patnaik is doing politics on the matter. He should recommend setting up two benches-one in western Odisha and one in Koraput," said Bahinipati. Kathmandu, Aug 6 : Nepal's trade deficit crossed the $10 billion mark for the first time in the last fiscal year 2017-18, that concluded in mid-July, due to surging imports against sluggish exports, Nepal's Department of Customs (DoC) said on Monday. According to the statistics released by the DoC, trade deficit of the Himalayan country reached $10.55 billion in fiscal 2017-18. The deficit more than doubled in just five years. In fiscal 2013-14, Nepal witnessed trade deficit of $4.87 billion, Xinhua reported. Nepal's imports almost doubled in the last five years while exports grew slightly during the same period, contributing to the widening trade deficit. Nepal's imports surged to $11.28 billion in fiscal 2017-18 from $5.57 billion in fiscal 2013-14 while exports grew to $737.56 million from $703.14 million during the same period. Former Nepali Commerce Secretary Purusottam Ojha said that Nepal's failure to produce adequate agriculture and manufacturing products was mainly responsible for the stagnant exports. "On the other hand, the government is more liberal on imports because it is heavily depended on import-driven revenues," he said. Nepal has the largest trade deficit with India followed by China, the two largest trading partners and neighbours of the Himalayan country, according to the DoC. Beijing, Aug 6 : Google can return to China if it complies with the country's censorship laws, a Chinese state-owned newspaper said in an editorial published on Monday. "Google is welcome to return to the mainland, but it's a prerequisite that it must comply with the requirements of the law," said the article which was published on the website of the People's Daily -- the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party of China. According to a report in The Intercept last week, Google, which has been blocked in China since 2010, was planning to re-launch its search engine in the country with censored results. The censored version of Google will block searches on human rights, religion and peaceful protests, which has led to criticism from non-governmental organizations such as Amnesty International. The editorial said that China's cyberspace "has sovereignty and borders, and must be regulated by national laws and regulations," Efe reported. "No country will allow the Internet to be filled with pornography, violence, subversive messages, ethnic separatism, religious extremism, racism and terrorism," it read. The editorial also criticized Google's decision to exit the Chinese market eight years ago, calling it a huge mistake. "Google has been a politicized brand. This is undoubtedly a tragedy for this well-known multinational company... which made it miss golden chances in the mainland's Internet development," it said. Mumbai, Aug 6 : Around 1.70 million Maharashtra government employees will strike work for three days from Tuesday to press their demands, including implementation of the 7th Pay Commission report, a union leader said on Monday. Maharashtra State Employees Organisation (MSEO) President Milind Sardeshmukh said all employees right down to the taluka levels, educational and medical institutions and others will join the strike. As a result, work in all government offices at the headquarter, Mantralaya, collectorate, tehsil and taluka levels is likely to be affected, besides in educational, medical and other affiliated institutions. The employee leader said that the Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers Federation will not join the strike as they are hopeful their demands would be met. "The government has been sitting on our demands, including implementation of the Pay Commission report, effective from January 1, 2016, despite the assurance by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis," Sardeshmukh told IANS. The state government is dilly-dallying by saying it is awaiting K.P. Bakshi Committee report in the matter as implementing the Pay Commission recommendation would entail additional burden of a staggering Rs 21,000 crore on the debt-hit state. Other major demands include implementation of five-day week, increasing the retirement age from 58 to 60, and filling up of over 200,000 vacancies in the state. The MSEO, Maharashtra State Class IV Employees Association and other affiliated associations had served a notice for the strike to the General Administration Department on July 16, but there was no response from the government. The unions have said that this time they will not settle for "mere assurances." A meeting between the authorities and the union representatives was underway in Mantralaya till late this evening to sort out the issues, but the outcome was not known. On the major demand of recruitment, a state government official said that the state plans to start a mega recruitment for filling up 70,000 posts, but the unions say it is not enough as there are over 200,000 vacant posts at all levels across the administration. In 1975, state employees went on a 33-day strike. In 1977-1978, they struck work for 54 days in support of various demands. Pyongyang, Aug 6 : North Korean state media on Monday urged the US to remove sanctions after Washington threatened to retain the punitive measures on Pyongyang for failing to act on its commitments to denuclearize. The White House has accused North Korea of being "inconsistent" with regard to its promise to abandon its nuclear weapons programmes and said it would continue to maintain diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea. North Korean state media accused Washington of acting in a manner contrary to what was agreed upon at the historic summit in June in Singapore, despite goodwill gestures by the regime such as the dismantling of its nuclear facilities and the repatriation of the remains of US soldiers killed in the Korean War, Efe reported. The US sanctions have "only helped the DPRK gain the status of a nuclear power and enhanced its self-development capability," Rodong Sinmun, the official state newspaper of the North Korean ruling party, said in an editorial on Monday. The government of US President Donald Trump is "going back to the past, clinging to the strategy for sanctions and pressure which the successive administrations had insisted on for more than half century but in vain", the article added. "If they are obsessed with the monarchical way of thinking that they can enforce their demands without any fulfilment of their commitments and promises made with their dialogue partner and the conception that 'sanctions' can work on everything, they will never achieve what they want," warned the article. It also urged the US to "attach importance to the trust and respect" to ensure that the dialogue process bears fruit. The White House has said it intends to maintain diplomatic and financial pressure on North Korea after a confidential report by the United Nations said Pyongyang was continuing to develop its nuclear and missile programmes. At the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Singapore over the weekend, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the actions of the North Korean regime to continue building long-range missiles were "inconsistent" with its promise to dismantle its nuclear weapons and violated UN Security Council resolutions. Thiruvananthapuram, August 06 : AMMA, the association of Malayalam movie artistes on Monday dismissed speculation that actor Mohanlal would resign as its president owing to factional rifts within the association. In a facebook post addressed to its members, the association said that there was no truth in a report that appeared in a prominent newspaper that Mohanlal had offered to step down and that the association was mired in internal rifts. Asking its members not to be concerned by the news report, AMMA alleged that the newspapers scathing attack against the association and its president were but part of the dailys ongoing smear campaign against the Malayalam film industry. There are no issues within AMMA. Neither its president Mohanlal nor any executive member has offered to resign, the facebook post said. Saying that similar misleading reports were likely to appear in the future also, the association called on its members to be not concerned by such reports. Mathrubhumi daily had carried a report the other day saying that actor Mohanlal had offered to resign following backlash over the press conference where he revealed that the association had decided to re-induct actor Dileep, who is an accused in the case related to the abduction and sexual assault of an actress. Following the backlash, Mohanlal reportedly wanted the association to aid the actress in her legal fight in the case. He reportedly had the association write a letter to the chief minister throwing weight behind the actress plea for appointing a woman judge to hear the case. However, the report says that a faction within AMMA owing allegiance to Dileep scuttled this move and the association dropped the plan to write to the chief minister. The other day, two women members of the association had filed petitions to implead in the case but the survivor/actress vehemently opposed the plea, saying that she was not a member of AMMA any longer and did not need help from them to fight the case. New Delhi, Aug 6 : A theft has taken place in a farmhouse owned by Kent RO Chairman Mahesh Gupta in the national capital, and several items including air conditioners and fans have been stolen, police said on Monday. A police official said the incident took place on Sunday night, when the thieves broke into the farmhouse of Gupta through the windows. The farmhouse is located in south Delhi's Jhatikara area. "They took away utensils, quilts, mattresses, fans and ACs, among other items," he said, adding that the CCTV footage is being scanned to identify the thieves. Chennai, Aug 6 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday said it has booked 19 persons, including six Customs officials posted at the Trichy International Airport, on charge of involvement in the smuggling of gold and other valuables. The CBI has registered cases against these persons under the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act for alleged criminal conspiracy, public servant taking undue advantage, influencing and bribing public servants and abetment to crime. Among those named in the FIR filed in Madurai are senior Customs officials like Assistant Commissioner M. Venkatesulu, two Superintendents S. Ramakrishnan and Kalugasalamoorthy, and three other Customs officials. The CBI received reliable information that Customs officials at the airport were allowing smugglers to bring in valuables without payment of duties from Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries. The CBI conducted surprise checks on August 5 and 6 at the airport and noticed that people waiting near the airport's arrival gate had paid money to some passengers. These passengers later returned with goods loaded on trolleys. The accused Customs officials allegedly did not open all the baggage for checking. The CBI officials seized Rs 904,000 kept in a safe allegedly belonging to a Customs official Freddy Esward. The accused private persons were regular travellers abroad. New Delhi, Aug 6 : The countdown to elect the new Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman began here on Monday as Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu announced the dates for the likely contest between the ruling NDA and a united opposition. Janata Dal-United MP Harivansh is likely to be the NDA candidate while the opposition will be meeting on Tuesday to finalise its candidate. Talking to reporters, Harivansh said that he was the candidate of the ruling coalition. "I got to know through the media that I am NDA's candidate for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. I express my gratitude to the parties in the NDA. I am hopeful that I will succeed," he said. Asked about opposition planning to field a common candidate against him, he said that everyone has the right to fight election. Harivansh, a first-timer in the Upper House and a former Editor of Hindi daily Prabhat Khabar, said that there should be a consensus on high constitutional posts and urged opposition parties to work in that direction. Meanwhile, a meeting of opposition parties was held in the chamber of Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad. They decided to meet again on Tuesday to finalise its candidate. The meeting was also attended by TDP, which had parted ways with the BJP earlier this year. Congress leaders Anand Sharma, Ahmed Patel and Kapil Sibal, Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav, TMC's Derek O'Brien, BJP's Satish Chandra Misra, NCP's Praful Patel, RJD's Misa Bharti, DMK's Tiruchi Siva, CPI-M's T.K. Rangarajan, CPI's D. Raja and RSP's N.K. Premachandran also attended the meeting, besides TDP's C.M. Ramesh. Among the names doing the rounds as possible opposition candidates are NCP's Vandana Chavan and DMK's Tiruchi Siva. The election is likely to be a close affair as the opposition bloc has an edge over the BJP-led NDA in terms of numbers. The outcome will depend on the stance of parties such as BJD, AIADMK, Telangana Rashtra Samiti and YSRC Party -- which could ally with the government in certain situations. Opposition sources said that there were 35 "fence-sitters" and the outcome will depend on their stance. The two large parties in the upper house -- BJP and Congress -- were unlikely to put up any candidate. The parties which would support an opposition nominee include the Congress (50), TMC (14), SP (13), TDP (6), CPI-M (5), CPI (2), DMK (4), NCP (4), AAP (3), BSP (4), RJD (5), PDP (2), JD-S (1), Nominated (1), Kerala Congress-Mani (1) and IUML (1). Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu had earlier announced that the new Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman will be elected on August 9. The post of the Deputy Chairman fell vacant after P.J. Kurien retired in July. The election will be held a day before the conclusion of the monsoon session of Parliament. Interestingly, Harivansh lost badly, getting just 26 votes on Monday in the balloting to fill two vacancies in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). TDP's C.M. Ramesh got the highest 106 votes in the Rajya Sabha and was elected to the PAC. The Bharatiya Janata Party's Bhupender Yadav also made it to the Committee with 69 votes. Asked about his loss in PAC election, Harivansh said he fought it in his individual capacity. "I am NDA's candidate (Deputy Chairman) and there will be much more support," he said. The JD-U and BJP are partners in the ruling coalition in Bihar. New Delhi, Aug 6 : The fight between the Delhi government and the Centre over "services" matter intensified on Monday as several AAP Ministers accused the Union government of "brazenly defying Supreme Court orders and deliberately obstructing major projects in Delhi". Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, on the first day of Assembly's monsoon session, said that the central government is trying to "sabotage the Delhi government's work" by keeping "services" to itself and by transferring officers like "shuffling a deck of cards". "Whenever any work is about to be finalised, they (the Centre) changes officers as if they are playing cards. In one case, we were discussing work on building skill development centres but they changed three Secretaries and two Directors within three months and so the work on the project is still pending," Sisodia said. The Supreme Court on July 4 ruled that executive powers in Delhi -- except law and order, police and land -- were vested in the elected government and the Lt Governor was bound to act on the aid and advice of the government in all other matters. Dubbing the Services Department as the most crucial element in smooth governance, Sisodia asserted that "it is easy to derail any work of the government" if the authority over the department lay with the Central government. He said that the control over the department is a way of the central government to "continue their corruption." Other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders like Saurabh Bharadwaj, Imran Hussain, Alka Lamba, and Satyendar Jain also spoke against the Centre for "defying" clear instructions of the apex court and thereby obstructing major projects like doorstep ration delivery and installation of CCTVs in the national capital. "This is a clear contempt of the apex court. This is for the first time in the history of independent India that the Central government has openly refused to accept a Supreme Court ruling. If it becomes a precedent, there will be anarchy," Health Minister Satyendar Jain said. New Delhi, Aug 6 : The issue of lowering the seniority of Justice K.M. Joseph while appointing him to the Supreme Court was raised in the Lok Sabha on Monday by Congress leader K.C. Venugopal. Without naming the judge, Venugopal said the government wants to have its way in the appointment of judges. "...what has happened today (Monday) is all over the national media. Some of the Supreme Court judges are also approaching the Chief Justice of India with regard to appointment of a judge in the apex court," said Venugopal during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha. "As we know, seniority of a Supreme Court judge is decided by the President through issuance of the warrant of appointment by the government. "One of the judges has been appointed and the collegium had actually recommended his name four months ago. The government did not give its assent for his appointment. We would like to know as to what was his fault," asked Venugopal, who had given an adjournment notice. He also said that as per the recommendations of the collegium, he is one of the honest, efficient and eligible judges but the recommendation of the collegium was rejected by the government. "The government's independence is now being questioned. In every appointment of judges, the government wants its own was. The judges are in a different mood. They are against the Chief Justice. The system is not there in this country. "It is happening because of the attitude of the government," he said. A group of top court judges including those from the collegium on Monday met Chief Justice Dipak Misra to express their concern over the Centre altering seniority of Justice K.M. Joseph by placing him at third position, after Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Vineet Saran, in the order of appointment as top court judge. Justice Joseph, along with Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Vineet Saran, will be administered oath on Tuesday by the Chief Justice. Shillong, Aug 6 : The ruling National People's Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government on Monday said it is open to the idea of conducting National Register of Citizens (NRC) updation exercise in the state, on the lines of Assam. "NRC is a new concept in the state and the state government is open to the idea that has emanated from the people of the state that such an exercise should be also carried out in Meghalaya as it was done in Assam," Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told journalists. He said various groups and political parties are also supporting the idea of NRC. "We will discuss this issue (NRC)," the Deputy Chief Minister said, adding that the government would further strengthen an existing law to be able to come up with comprehensive mechanisms to deal with the problem of influx in the state. Tynsong, along with Home Minister James Sangma, held a meeting with the HynNiewtrep Youth Council (HYC), an organisation demanding introduction of Inner Line Permit (ILP) and preparation of an NRC to detect illegal Bangladeshi immigrants residing in the state. ILP is an official travel document issued by the Union government to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected/ restricted area for a limited period. It is obligatory for Indian citizens from other states to obtain permit for entering into the restricted areas. "We will review and revisit the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016, and would refer the matter to the law department to study in-depth so as to strengthen the act and make it a comprehensive one," he said. During the meeting, the HYC said that the existing act, the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016, would not be able to curb influx through mere setting up of entry/ exit points, and demanded incorporation of more clauses into the act to be able to monitor movement of outsiders who enter Meghalaya via the entry and entry/ exit points. The HYC reiterated its demanded from the state government to come with a law and incorporate in it the spirit of British-era ILP. "Checking of documents of people from outside at entry/ exit points should not be relied only on electoral photo identify card (EPIC). Like in Assam, there are lakhs of people who have EPIC, but their names are not included in NRC," HYC president Robertjune Kharjahrin said. He said that law enforcing authorities should insist on other documents, too, and those who enter Meghalaya should be given some kind of a permit which explains everything including the days of stay and purpose of their visit. The HYC also suggested that transit pass which is valid for 48 hours should be issued to travellers who pass through Meghalaya to reach other states. Amaravati, Aug 6 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday announced that he is ready to donate his organs after death. He said that inspired by the positive response of 1.2 lakh persons to his call for organ donation last week, he offered to pledge his organs too. Naidu also said that the state would introduce a lesson on organ donation in the school curriculum and also explore the possibility of making organ donation pledge mandatory while issuing driving licences. He was speaking at a meeting where the officials collected organ donation pledge papers from 1.2 lakh persons and handed them over to the Jeevandaan, a government initiative. India Book of Records representative Rakesh Verma announced that they have recognised this as inspiring event. Naidu called for fighting superstitions around organ donation. He said people should be educated about the need to donate organs and how their action give a new lease of life to the receiver. Jaipur, Aug 6 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi will visit Jaipur in Rajasthan for a day on August 11, the party said on Monday. During his visit, he will address the PCC delegates, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) President Sachin Pilot.said. On Monday, a meeting called by Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi was attended by former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Pilot and state party incharge Avinash Pandey to discuss strategies and poll preparations for the Assembly elections this year and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. According to Pandey, Gandhi directed the party leaders to avoid issuing any statement on chief ministerial face for the Assembly polls. "No matter how senior a leader, any unwanted comments on to-be CM face will not be tolerated," Gandhi is said to have warned those present. The Congress leaders will sit together after elections to zero on the Chief Minister's name and the Assembly elections will be contested under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, Pandey added. New Delhi, Aug 7 : Congress leader Shashi Tharoor came under attack from the BJP for his remarks that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wore "outlandish" and "hilarious" Naga headgears during his trips but refused to wear a Muslim skull cap. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded an apology from the Congress party for insulting the people of Northeast and tribals, apart from seeking explanation from Tharoor. "Congress party and Shashi Tharoor ji please explain what's the English meaning of outlandish and hilarious headgear? You can't get away after insulting the tribal and Northeast people," tweeted Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju. "I demand apology from the Congress party for insulting the people of India's Northeast and tribals. Shashi Tharoor described Northeast people and Naga tribal headgears as funny looking outlandish and hilarious," he added. Another Minister and BJP leader Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said: "Shashi Tharoor insults the proud cultural heritage of the people of Northeast. "This condescension and arrogance towards the people of India have become hallmark of @INCIndia," he added. Addressing a seminar, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said: "Why does our Prime Minister, who wears all sorts of outlandish headgears wherever he goes around the country and around the world, but always refuses to wear a Muslim skull cap? "You see him in hilarious Naga headgears and feathers. You see him in various kinds of extraordinary outfits, which is a right thing for a Prime Minister to do. Indira Gandhi has also been photographed wearing various kinds of costumes. But why he still always says no to one?" "Why does he refuse to wear green, the colour that he says is identified with Muslim appeasement? What kind of talk it is?" Tharoor said. Tharoor had kicked up a row recently with his "Hindu Pakistan" remarks. Tehran, Aug 7 : Iran President Hassan Rouhani has said that the Iranians would make the US regret for re-imposing sanctions against the Islamic republic. "Through unity and solidarity, the Iranians will weather away the return of sanctions," Rouhani said on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported. "(US President) Donald Trump will learn that these kinds of pressures did not surrender Iranians in the past and will never do so in the future." Rouhani also said that the US administration "is not trustworthy for any negotiations" after its withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal. "Talks need honesty," the Iranian president said in a televised speech on Monday, urging the US to prove its will to solve problems through negotiations. "Negotiations with sanctions don't make sense," he stressed, noting that Trump's recent call for direct talks with Iran was only aimed at creating division in the country. The White House said in a statement on Monday that the US will activate on Tuesday a slew of sanctions on Iran's financial and industrial sectors. The action will bring US sanctions against Iran to the level on par with those prior to the major multilateral nuclear deal reached in 2015. US President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on May 8 while other signatories vowed to remain committed to it. The first batch of sanctions, which will take effect on Tuesday, target Tehran's purchase of US banknotes, trade in gold and other precious metals, as well as the use of graphite, coal, aluminium and steel in industrial processes. They also affect transactions related to the Iranian Rial, the issuance of sovereign debts, and the country's automotive sector. Another round of sanctions, to be reinstalled in November, will be on Iran's port, energy and shipping sectors, its petroleum-related transactions, and foreign transactions with the Central Bank of Iran, according to the statement. Harare, Aug 7 : The main opposition party of Zimbabwe, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), has denounced harassment and persecution by the army against party members. The party on Monday said the security forces' harassment is an attempt to prevent the MDC from challenging the results of the July 30 presidential election, Efe news reported. The MDC and local human rights groups have reported beatings, intimidation and kidnappings by military personnel in the capital Harare and other parts of the country. MDC spokesman Nkululeko Sibanda said at a press conference in Harare that the aim of the current repression is to ensure that the presidential election results cannot be challenged. The presidential candidate for the MDC, Nelson Chamisa, was officially declared to have lost the election to incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa of the ruling Zanu-PF party, who garnered more than 2.4 million votes (50.8 per cent), thus avoiding the need to hold run-off election. Chamisa has stressed that he won the July 30 vote, denouncing the "unverified fake results" reported by election authorities. MDC spokesman Nkululeko Sibanda pointed out that Chamisa has a large legal team which plans to appeal the election results, although the team has not yet taken any firm steps three days after the announcement of the results by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. Criticism of the army intensified after troops on Wednesday used live ammunition, water cannons and tear gas in the streets of Harare, killing six people in an attempt to suppress opposition protests over the delay in reporting the official election results. A total of 27 MDC members and staff on Monday appeared in court on charges of inciting violence - charges that the accused denied. The July 30 presidential election was Zimbabwe's first balloting in 37 years that did not feature the former leader, Robert Mugabe, who was ousted from power in November 2017. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has announced changes to reporting dates for a number of required notifications in the transition to the new financial adviser professional standards reforms. The revised schedule is intended to simplify licensees disclosure obligations. ASIC is also clarifying the process for recognising advisers as existing providers. Existing Providers Financial advisers who are listed on the Financial Advisers Register (FAR) between 1 January 2016 and 1 January 2019 will be recognised as an existing provider under the new professional standards. Therefore, financial advisers who are currently authorised to provide personal advice to retail clients on more complex financial products should make sure they are on FAR. Without recognition as an existing provider an adviser must pass an exam and complete an approved qualification by 1 January 2019 to work as a financial adviser. They must also undertake a year of work and training. If a person is an existing provider, they have until 1 January 2021 to pass the exam, and 1 January 2024 to complete an approved qualification. In the meantime, they can continue to work as a financial adviser. Financial advisers can demonstrate that they are an existing provider if they are: current on the Financial Advisers Register (FAR) at any time between 1 January 2016 and 1 January 2019; and not banned, suspended or disqualified as at 1 January 2019. Changes to FAR notifications ASIC will also make changes to the timing of the earliest notification requirements under the professional standards reforms. These changes will simplify licensees notification obligations and enable ASIC to implement the required systems changes more effectively. These changes do not affect advisers and licensees substantive obligations under the professional standards reforms. Advisers and licensees must still comply with the new substantive professionalism and education requirements and licensees must keep appropriate records for compliance purposes. A key change is that ASIC will push back the timing for licensees to notify of new advisers who are joining the industry for the first time after 1 January 2019. As a result, new provisional relevant providers can only be added to FAR from 15 November 2019. Further information about the changes to notification dates can be found on ASICs Professional standards for financial advisers reformswebsite. Background The Corporations Amendment (Professional Standards of Financial Advisers) Act 2017 commenced on 15 March 2017. It introduces a number of new requirements for advisers who provide personal advice to retail clients on more complex financial products. For further information, please visit ASICs website: Professional standards for financial advisers reforms. ASIC will update content on this website from time to time to provide further information about the reforms. GUEST OBSERVATION That casualisation and self-employment rates are not increasing is often trotted out to dispute perceptions that workplace insecurity is growing. But retorts like this miss a few key points. First, the real causes of growing insecurity arent the type of contracts people are on. While these things matter, the real causes of insecurity are the way organisations are being structured these days. This is designed to minimise costs, transfer risk from corporations to employees, and centralise power away from employees. Second, aggregate data mask variations between industries. Third (and least importantly) there are some measurement issues. Reducing cost and risk Large corporations want to minimise their costs and risks, avoid accountability when things go wrong and ensure products have the features they want. This partially explains the dramatic increase in franchised businesses the franchisee bears responsibility for scandals such as underpaying workers. Other corporations call in labour hire companies to take on responsibility for their workers. This cuts costs and transfers risk down the chain which means jobs are more insecure. Some set up spin-offs or subsidiaries. Some just outsource to contracting firms. Most people working for franchises, spin-offs, subsidiaries and labour hire firms are still employees. Its more efficient for capital to control workers through the employment relationship than to pay them piece rates as contractors. That would run the risk of worker desertion or of shortcuts affecting quality. Is casualisation the same as insecurity? Even employees at the bottom of the supply chain might get annual and sick leave. Offering leave helps attract labour and might be cheaper than paying casual loading. And theres no need to hire someone on a casual contract if you can make them redundant when the work dries up if, for example, you lose your contract with the main parent firm. If your firm can go bankrupt, then you often wont even have to pay redundancy benefits. There are also the measurement issues. The Australian Bureau of Statistics counts the number of employees without paid leave entitlements. People take this to mean casuals. On this measure, the share of casuals in the workforce has shifted little in a decade, after growing substantially earlier. If we take the liberty of labelling people without leave as casuals, then the number of casual full-timers grew by 38% between 2009 and 2017. Labour hire workers are usually casual full-time workers. Permanent full-timers (those with annual leave) grew by just 10%. On the other hand, some organisations have found relying on part-time casuals counterproductive, as workers had no commitment and became unreliable. Some large retailers now use permanent part-timers rather than casuals. So-called casual part-timers grew by just 13% between 2009 and 2016. Permanent part-timers grew by 36%. A lot of variation between industries and periods is hidden by aggregate figures. Franchising has grown in retailing. Labour hire in mining. Outsourcing in the public sector. Second jobs in manufacturing. Spin-offs in communications. Casualisation in education and training. Global supply chains send jobs overseas to low-paid, often dangerous workplaces in a number of industries. The ABS doesnt measure the precarity of work experienced by people who now work in franchises, spin-offs, subsidiaries or contractor firms. But as their continued employment depends on the fortunes of their direct employer, more than the firm at the top of the chain, precarity is real. Underemployment has grown Many permanent part-time jobs may be good jobs. But the continuing growth of part-time employment is linked to another form of insecurity underemployment. Between 2010-11 and 2016-17, the number of hours sought, but not worked, by underemployed people grew by 31%. This is five times the total growth in hours worked. Large firms dont even need to spin off workers to smaller business units to make use of underemployment. There are other important sources of worker insecurity. In Australia, for example, firms can seek to have enterprise agreements terminated, or get a handful of workers to sign new agreements, to cut pay and conditions. Some firms seek to put employees onto contrived arrangements that make them out to be contractors. Often thats illegal. The growing insecurity and hence low power of workers even those with leave entitlements helps explain why wage growth is stagnating. Indeed, the successful war on wages may be the biggest sign of worker insecurity. And what about the gig economy? The gig economy, or more accurately the platform economy, is a big challenge to the employment relationship. This is because virtual platforms provide a new, cheap form of control that may replace the need for the employment relationship. But there are still limits to the use of cost cutting and of platform control. The gig economy will grow, but it wont overtake the employment relationship. Gig work is one form of self-employment and we should remember that, overall, self-employment is not increasing. Self-employment declined between 2000 and 2014 in 26 countries for which data were available, and increased in only 11 (see chart below). OECD, Author provided Whats more, even the relative importance of large firms in total employment is not decreasing. Thats probably because of another trend the concentration of markets in the hands of those firms. In short, large powerful firms are getting more powerful, but their directly employed workforces are not getting larger. The result is a lot of workers with insecure incomes and a lot of insecure small-business owners as well. This means insecurity gnaws away, even while the employment relationship remains the dominant mode for deploying labour, and employment with leave entitlements remains its main form. David Peetz, Professor of Employment Relations, Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing, Griffith University This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Stockland has sold the Wallsend Shopping Centre in Newcastle to Sydney-based Haben Property Group for $81 million reflecting a yield of 6.6%. The 12,000 square metre shopping centre, anchored by Coles and Aldi supermarkets, is set on a 42,114 square metre site, some 11 kilometres west of the CBD. The sale was in line with Stockland's book value. The 1988 centre includes 37 specialty stores, including three kiosks, one office, five ATMs and a McDonalds. CBRE, who sold the property, noted a lower supply pipeline of new shopping centres was being offered to the market across NSW. According to CBRE Research, just over 12,000 square metres of new space is forecast for delivery in 2018 well below the long-term average of 47,500 square metres. Hassad Australia's Telopea Downs is tipped to have been sold in the largest single farm transaction in Victorian history. The 47,677ha Telopea Downs Station at Telopea in western Victoria was set to fetch well over $70 million. The news broke today with Fairfax Media unaware of the details of the buyer. Telopea Downs was one of the last properties Hassad Australia purchased in 2012. Hassad purchased the majority of Telopea Downs for more than $35 million and added other land parcels. Hassad has been selling farms off in the last year, including Kaladbro to the Brinkworth family and more recently Clover Downs to the Zell family for about $27 million. Last November Hassad Australia announced the sale of 18,000 hectare in three large aggregations Raby Station in NSW, and Glendale and Ungarra aggregations in South Australia. Fifteen family operators will be acquiring individual parcels of land from all three aggregations. Landmark Harcourts agent Phil Rourke, who sold historic Raby at Warren, confirmed it sold to a consortium of local buyers, who would integrate parts of the 9,782 hectare property into their existing operations. Hassad Australia also sold a dry land cropping aggregation spanning more than 3,000 hectares in South Australias mid-north for $16.2 million. Located 29 kilometres north-east of Clare, the Glendale Aggregation is suited to growing wheat, barley, canola, lentils and legumes, as well as grazing livestock. The professional surfer Wade Goodall and wife Jane were among the many vendors who pulled their property from weekend auction, as the auction sales wipeout continues. The couple are seeking buyers for their Byron Bay hinterland home having recently secured a larger block just nearby to build a new house. McGrath Ballina agent Braden Walters had a pre-auction guide of between $1,075,000 to $1.15 million for the modern Bangalow cottage. Wade, who is an ambassador with surf fashion label Vans, spent $300,000 in 2014 on the Palm-Lily Crescent building block. Set some 13 kilometres inland from the coast, their classic Queenslander style home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a study nook. Sydney accounts for the biggest number of withdrawn auction property. Domain put weekend withdrawals totalling 95 properties on the weekend with 58 in Sydney. Over the past month, CoreLogic calculate around 20 percent of auction stock has been withdrawn from auction across Sydney, as wave of buyer enthusiasm wanes. There were 1,316 homes taken to auction across the combined capital cities, returning a preliminary auction clearance rate of 56.2 per cent, according to CoreLogic. Auction volumes were down from last week when 1,536 auctions were held, however the preliminary clearance rate edged higher than last weeks final clearance rate which was 55.6 percent. Over the same week last year, auction volumes were higher with 1,857 homes returning a clearance rate of 68.2 per cent. Melbourne's dearest house sale was $3.88 million at Fitzroy North through Jellis Craig. The 1891 home on 584 sqm is known as Moss Vale which last sol in 1977 at $100,000. The 225 McKean Street offering had come with a $3.4 million to $3.7 million price guide, based on the recent $3.8 million sale at 25 McKean Street, an unrenovated home on 600 sqm. Two families pushed up the bidding to $3.8 million, when the property was declared on the market. There was a third bidder at the auction, which was over in three minutes Melbourne's dearest sale was a development site at 71-73 Beddoe Avenue, Clayton which was listed with $3.4 million to $3.74 million hopes. With two original three bedroom houses on an expansive 1483 sqm lot, it fetched $4,258,000. In Melbourne, a preliminary auction clearance rate of 57.9 per cent was recorded across 628 auctions, down slightly from 58.5 per cent across 802 auctions on the last weekend in July. One year ago, the Melbourne clearance rate was a stronger 73.9 per cent across 911 auctions. Melbourne had the cheapest sale across the country when a $280,000 pre-auction offer was accepted in Ormond for a one bedroom apartment. Last sold at $112,000 in 1999, 11/50 Lillimur Road had recently been a $280 a week rental. It had been listed with $250,000 to $270,000 price guidance through Woodards. There were 456 auctions held in Sydney, the fourth consecutive week where Sydney has been host to less than 500 auctions, returning a preliminary auction clearance rate of 56.1 per cent. One year ago, 620 auctions had a clearance rate of 66.4 per cent. Sydney's highest sale was 5 Alfred Street, Bronte at $4,116,000. The deceased estate executors were flexible on their $4.2 million price expectation. Adelaide had the weekend's best performing clearance rate with a 73.2 per cent success rate across 56 auctions. Mainly Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province & Ringing Trips to Bahrain There's whispers of a $6 million sale off the plan at Mt Buller's Kooroora redevelopment, which snares the Australian snow record away from Thredbo. The Thredbo record dates back pre-global financial crisis to 2005 when entrepreneur Andrew Roberts paid $3.5 million for the five bedroom chalet, Tussock which was bought from the Melbourne architect Andrew Norbury and his wife Jane Parker, one of the founders of fashion label Country Road. Norbury had designed the home on Crackenback Ridge, one of Thredbo's highest building blocks. Set in the heart of the village square, Kooroora is a collection of 21 residences. Five are left in the four storey $35 million Grollo Group project through John Castran. The site is rich in history having been established in 1953 by brothers Ernest and Aurel Forras in 1953. Their mother and sister came out from Hungry to assist; cooking and serving in the chalets dinning room. It burnt down in 1961 and was rebuilt and re-opened for the 1962 winter. Kooroora provided the first post war high-end commercial accommodation on the mountain. Property mogul Rino Grollo sold his 300 sqm Howqua suite penthouse in the Mount Buller Chalet in 2015 to the Autobarn founder, Garry Dumbrell for $1.7 million. This article was first published in The Weekend Australian. The Hotspotting columnist Terry Ryder has nominated Langwarrin, as the nations most consistent market in his latest report. Langwarrin is a suburb of Melbourne, located 42 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Property Observer went to check it out. A recent sale in Langwarrin was a Rubida Drive three bedroom house which has been sold for $550,000 (pictured below). It was listed by Andrew Guerin from Harcourts Langwarrin. Located in the Lang Park Estate, the 24 Rubida Drive house comes with three good-sized bedrooms, formal lounge room, separate family living area, spacious kitchen with the gas cook. Other features include large grassed rear yard, gas wall heating, split system A/C, security doors and single garage. It is close to local shops, schools, public transport and parks. Another recent sale was an Anthony Street three bedroom house which was sold for $641,000 last month (pictured below). It was sold by Robert Anderson and John Walsh from Barry Plant Frankston. Set on an 838sqm allotment, 14 Anthony Street comes with expansive living, dining & meals zones, versatile studio/office, kitchen with stainless steel appliances and undercover alfresco area. Additional features include ducted heating, split system cooling, and a single lock up garage. It is only moments to Lloyd Park, Langwarrin Park Primary and The Gateway Shopping Centre. A North Road two bedroom unit has been sold for $410,000 (pictured below). It was sold by Ange Sarailis from Purplebricks. Set at the rear of a 2013-built complex, Unit 5/200A North Road consists of two carpeted bedrooms, living area, tiled dining/kitchen and private north-west facing pergola-covered deck. It is close to local North Rd corner shops and 4-min walk to Bus 771 to Frankston shops and Station. A new offering is an Allington Place four bedroom house priced at $649,950 (pictured below). It has been listed by OBrien from Jared McGovern. Located at 27 Allington Place, it comprises of four bedrooms, study, two separate living rooms, two separate dining/ meals areas as well as breakfast bar to the kitchen. Extra features include solar electricity, ducted heating, split system heating/cooling and two separate backyards. It is situated a short walk to the Langwarrin Plaza as well as nearby to Woodlands Primary School, public transport and both the Peninsula Link and Western Port Hwy. The suburb's median house price sits at $613,000 and its median unit price sits at $446,750, according to CoreLogic. A Cedar Street four bedroom house has been listed for $650,000 to $700,000 (pictured below). It has been offered by Jamie Universita and Michael Spring from Eview Group - Universia Spring Estate Agents. Situated in the heart of Leafy Langwarrin, 43 Cedar Street house features four bedrooms, huge designer kitchen, open plan living with high vaulted ceilings, and spacious lounge.dining. Additional features include ducted heating, split system cooling, inground pool, and single carport. With subdued and stagnant incomes, more Australians are feeling strapped for cash, and are being forced to dip into their savings to cover the rising cost of living expenses, MEs latest Household Financial Comfort Report (HFCR) has revealed. Empty nesters (50 years old and over) reported a record low in financial comfort. You may think that empty nesters would have fewer financial worries most have paid off their mortgage, their kids have flown the coop, the majority are still working and some have voluntarily retired," consulting economist for ME, Jeff Oughton said. "However, many are still concerned about current finances as well as worried about their life after work, expressing an 8% drop in comfort with their expected standard of living for retirement, as well as a 7% fall in their comfort with savings. "Recent changes to superannuation in the past year appear to be significantly impacting this life stage." The report also pinpointed students reporting a substantial decline in financial comfort of 15% to 4.18 since the last report. Students are always among those with the lowest financial comfort in each HFCR due to a lack of comfort with cash savings, investments, net wealth and their reduced ability to manage a financial emergency," Oughton said. "However, this recording is a major negative spike and can be attributed to falls across most components that make up the Household Financial Comfort Index, in particular level of debt, comfort with living expenses and confidence in the handling a financial emergency. Oughton said more households are overspending to cover necessary living expenses and are drawing down on savings, with mortgage and rental stress remaining high. Comfort with short-term cash savings was the most notable component of the Household Financial Comfort Index to decline, seeing a 3% decrease to 4.93 out of 10 during the first half of 2018 its lowest level in a couple of years. The report showed that households confidence to raise money for an emergency dropped three points below the average since the survey began, and fewer households reported they are saving. The estimated amount that Australians are saving each month decreased by just over 10% during the first half of 2018. More Australians are also overspending households who typically spend all of their income and more increased 3points to 11% during the six months to June. Clearly, this is a potential tipping point. At the moment, Australians generally can dip into their savings to get by. However, some households may get to a point where theres no more savings to draw from. "Currently, around a quarter of Australian households have less than $1000 in cash savings, Oughton said. If we see big negative shocks in the coming year, whether they are higher loan rates or an international trade war, then a lot more families will suffer increased financial stress. The latest report found that the cost of necessities continues to be the major financial concern for households, with more than half of households reporting it as their biggest financial worry, up seven points to 53% in June 2018. Similarly, when asked why their financial situation worsened during 2017 18, 44% of households said it was due to the cost of everyday items, an increase of four points since the previous report. Consistent with ABS wage data, the latest HFCR data found nearly half of households (42%) still had the same income as a year ago, while a quarter (24%) reported income cuts and 34% received a raise. Unsurprisingly, comfort with income declined in the past year by 2% to 5.61. Oughton said similar to strengthening in the ABS jobs data, the report revealed increased confidence in peoples ability to find a job; however, high levels of job insecurity and underemployment remain. Around 23% of casual and part-time workers said they would prefer to undertake full-time work if they could. In the six months to June 2018, the reports overall Household Financial Comfort Index went sideways from 5.49 to 5.44, once again indicating that the financial comfort of Australian households is not advancing. Mortgage and rental stress still high, despite the housing market cooling. The report revealed housing stress is still prevalent among Australian households. For those with home loans, a broadly unchanged 45% of households reported to be contributing more than 30% of their disposable income towards mortgages during the past six months a common indicator of financial stress "The good news for renters is that financial stress has lessened somewhat during the past six months, thanks to thehousing market cooling and rents falling. While almost three-quarters (72%) of renters were previously contributing over 30% of their disposable income towards rent, this number dropped significantly to two-thirds (67%) in the most recent survey, Oughton said. Past News Releases RSS Springboard Consulting, LLC is pleased to announce the 2018 Disability Matters Europe Honorees. Winners are as follows in the categories of: Marketplace: Dans Le Noir ?; Workplace: Cisco Systems BV, Dow Europe GmbH, and UniCredit Bank Austria AG; Workforce: Delhaize Serbia, and Pandora Production Co., Ltd.; Steps-to-Success: Barilla G. & R. Fratelli SpA. The Honorees represent the Gold Standard when it comes to the commitment required, and actions necessary, to successfully mainstream disability in the European workforce, workplace and marketplace. These corporate Honorees serve as the role models all organizations should strive to become. In recognition of each these companys programs, initiatives and educational efforts related to disability, this years winners will be honored at Springboard Consultings 6th annual Disability Matters Europe Conference & Awards is to be held 5-7 November, 2018, at Seminarhotel Bocken in Horgen, Switzerland. In addition to celebrating our Honorees and learning about their journeys to success, attendees will be further educated by subject matter experts across the spectrum of disability. This years Conference, hosted by Dow Europe GmbH, will also inspire attendees with two outstanding and inspirational keynote speakers: Greg Van Borssum, Suicide Prevention Australia Ambassador, GVB Mind Warriors, and Philipp Handler, Paralympic Athlete. Springboard believes when a company says, we are committed to diversity; it is similar to inviting diverse segments of the population to a party. Yet, when a company says, we are committed to inclusion; it is similar to asking those individuals to dance. We encourage European business leaders from across their enterprise to attend Disability Matters Europe to be educated, inspired, network, celebrate and commit to the full-inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the workforce, workplace and marketplace. To learn more about this event, attend, or become a sponsor, visit >> https://consultspringboard.com/disability-matters/2018dmeur/. ABOUT SPRINGBOARD CONSULTING Founded in 2005, Springboard is recognized as the expert in mainstreaming disability in the global workforce, workplace and marketplace. Serving corporations and organizations throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia, Springboard has become a trusted partner in relation to disability issues and initiatives across virtually every business category. Springboard annually honors exemplary organizational initiatives that promote the outreach, support & engagement of people with disabilities as employees and as consumers though the Disability Matters Awards. http://www.consultspringboard.com God's Word is Poetry to the Soul: a collection of poetry that reveals the love God has for all His creation. God's Word is Poetry to the Soul is the creation of published author, Albert Ramirez. Albert was born the last of thirteen children in the small town of Conemaugh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from East Conemaugh High School in 1964 and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1964 to 1968. Albert then served as a police officer in the nations capital, Washington, DC, from 1968 to 1995. He has been married forty-seven years. He and his wife, Peggy, have been blessed with two children, Benjamin, who is deceased, and Rebecca. He has three grandchildren: seventeen-year-old Madison, fifteen-year-old Joshua, and twelve-year-old Noah. Albert is fully retired and currently resides in Woodbridge, Virginia. He loves to write poetry and childrens stories. He enjoys reading and going on long walks with his three Pekingese dogs, Bitsy, Beau, and Susie. He loves trips to the beach, especially on Assateague Island in Chincoteague, Virginia. It is my belief that this book was inspired by the times we now live in. My faith and trust in God has grown in the writing of this book, and it is my belief that those who read it will find peace and comfort in Gods word and promises. --Albert Ramirez Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Albert Ramirezs new book God's Word is Poetry to the Soul was written for all those whose hearts are troubled by the world they live in. It is for those who need the reassurance of Gods love. It is for those who do not know the comfort and peace of Gods spoken work. Within the pages of this collection, readers will discover Gods love for them has not diminished since the creation of mankind. The sacrifice of Gods only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to atone for the sins of the world is His supreme gift of love to all creation. In the pages of God's Word is Poetry to the Soul, readers will be taken back through time to see Jesus Christ perform miraculous healings, cast out demons, raise the dead back to life, and prove his love for all through his ultimate sacrifice on the cross. View a synopsis of God's Word is Poetry to the Soul on YouTube. Consumers can purchase God's Word is Poetry to the Soul at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about God's Word is Poetry to the Soul, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. It is an honor to have been chosen for a third time to speak at such a wonderful event. Autoshop Solutions CEO, Danny Sanchez, will be teaching three brand-new classes this year at NACE Automechanika in Atlanta, GA. Sanchez will be teaching Going Toe-to-Toe with Google & Yelp: How to Win in the Marketing Arena on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Be the Boss Your Employees Want to Work For: Ways You Can Foster Growth & Create a Winning Balance in the Shop on Thursday, August 9, 2018 from 4:00-7:00 p.m., and Making Room for Productivity: Get Out of Your Employees Way! Finding a Balance Between Policy & Performance on Friday, August 10, 2018 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. I am thrilled to get the opportunity to present three brand-new classes for the first time at NACE Automechanika, said Sanchez. It is an honor to have been chosen for a third time to speak at such a wonderful event, he continued. Autoshop Solutions has attended Automechanika for three years, and nine years with NACE, at which Danny has spoken and brought new, relevant material every year since 2010. This year, Sanchez will be premiering three new classes. The first, Going Toe-to-Toe with Google & Yelp: How to Win in the Marketing Arena, will teach shop owners how to start thinking of these platforms as vehicles to drive business forward. Be the Boss Your Employees Want to Work For: Ways You Can Foster Growth & Create a Winning Balance in the Shop will illustrate to attendees how to foster a winning culture in your shop. His final class, Making Room for Productivity: Get Out of Your Employees Way!, will share insight on how to align the gears of your business to maximize your employee productivity. We look forward to NACE Automechanika every year to network with the best businesses in our industry, said Margaret Palango, Chief Business Development Officer at Autoshop Solutions. This event gives us exposure to the best of the best in the mechanical and collision verticals in our industry, she continued. ### Autoshop Solutions is an award-winning website design and internet marketing agency based in Apex, N.C. Since 2005, Autoshop Solutions has been helping the automotive industry with custom-designed websites and internet marketing solutions, including Google Adwords, SEO, Social Media, Direct Mail, Custom Video and more. For three years in a row, Autoshop Solutions was named to the Inc 5000 List of Americas Fastest Growing Companies and awarded nine years in a row by AutoInc. in the Top 10 Websites. Stay connected with Autoshop Solutions on Facebook and Twitter, or contact press@autoshopsolutions.com for more information. The Kobelco CK1100G-2 at Bigge in Houston, Texas According to Weston Settlemier, President and CEO of Bigge, "We consider the Kobelco CK1100G-2 to be the best-in-class and look forward to having a quantity of CK1100G-2 crawler cranes available for sale and rent." This month, Bigge Crane and Rigging Co., during its 102-year celebration, announced the expansion of its fleet with 24 new Kobelco CK1100G-2 crawler cranes. This crane order will increase Bigge's crawler fleet by 10%, reaching a record high of 250 crawler cranes. The purchase of these cranes was made after a rigorous evaluation in which a variety of 100+ ton crawlers from different manufacturers were evaluated on assembly time, job site efficiency, ease of operation, safety, and durability. The CK1100 series was first manufactured in 1998, and since then, there have been two variations of this model: the CK1100G, and today's CK1100G-2. When the CK1100G was first manufactured in 2011, Bigge was the first to acquire this model and put it to use on a regular basis. The CK1100 has proven to be a versatile machine due to its self-assembly feature, advanced energy saving G Mode technology, and its multi-job adaptability. Assembly of this crane does not require an assist crane and takes four to six hours to assemble based on configuration. You can see the CK1100G in action by watching Kobelco's self-assembly video. Bigge has used the CK1100G on projects within the petrochemical, wind energy, commercial construction, civil, and steel industries with great success. Kobelco offers a wide variety of resources for learning such as video tutorials, and phone support. To learn more about the CK1100G, please visit our CK1100G Crane Information Page. Bigge ranks number three in the 2018 AC&T Top 10 Largest Crawler Fleets in North America and continues to expand its crane rental services to better serve its customers. According to Weston Settlemier, President and CEO of Bigge, "At Bigge, we strive to provide the right crane, to the right market, and at the right time. This is part of our perfect fleet strategy. We consider the Kobelco CK1100G-2 to be the best-in-class and look forward to having a quantity of CK1100G-2 crawler cranes available for sale and rent." If you are interested in crane rentals, purchases or purchase options, please submit an inquiry. Bigge and Kobelco formed a partnership 15 years ago and have been bringing high-quality crawler cranes to market ever since. Bigge rents cranes nationwide and has the nations largest crane rental yard in Houston, with over 500 cranes dispatched from this location. Bigges seventeen service locations allow them to provide logistical and field support throughout the U.S. Bigge offers quality new and used cranes for sale or rent and has more than 1,000 cranes in its rental fleet. Safety, teamwork, passion, and innovation are part of Bigges core values. Bigge continues to lead the crane industry into the 21st century with its rental, sales, and projects teams holding generations of combined experience in the crane and rigging industry. To learn more about our crane rental, crane sales, and crane parts divisions please visit us at bigge.com. NAIROBI, Kenya - Dinah Ondari and Anthony Mwangi, journalists with Kenya's People Daily newspaper, were this week criticised during a parliamentary session, threatened with being barred from covering parliament, and summoned by a legislative committee, according to the July 31 Hansard, a verbatim report of proceedings in parliament, and Ken Bosire, the newspaper's managing editor. Eunika Sopotnicka via 123RF Incidents Parliamentarians in Kenya should stop harassing journalists and allow them to report on the legislature without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said.These events followed the publication in People Daily on July 30 and July 31 of articles alleging that members of parliament were taking and soliciting bribes from organisations and individuals they were supposed to be investigating. The People Daily newspaper is privately owned, but associated with the family of President Uhuru Kenyatta."If members of the Kenyan parliament are serious about fighting corruption, then attempts to intimidate journalists into silence must be abandoned immediately," said CPJ sub-Saharan Africa Representative Muthoki Mumo. "We urge the parliamentarians to stop trying to intimidate Dinah Ondari, Anthony Mwangi, and their colleagues with threats and investigations and instead allow them to freely do their work of covering the legislature."On July 31 in the National Assembly, one of the two houses of parliament, MP Robert Pukose, a member of the ruling Jubilee Party, accused the People Daily of committing an "affront" to the assembly and said its reporting was a blanket condemnation of MPs, according to the Hansard proceedings report.According to the Hansard report, Pukose asked the National Assembly speaker, Justin Muturi, to "take action" against the People Daily and have the newspaper investigated by a parliamentary committee in relation to its reporting. Pukose's calls were backed by other MPs including Majority Leader Aden Duale and Minority Leader John Mbadi, according to the Hansard.In response, Muturi directed the house's Powers and Privileges Committee to investigate these claims, according to the Hansard. Muturi said that no decision would be made to ban the journalists or the media house "until such time as the Committee will make a recommendation one way or other", according to the Hansard.Ondari told her employer that two legislators on August 1 in separate incidents threatened to bar her and Mwangi from parliament unless they apologized for their reporting, according to Bosire and a report from the People Daily. Speaking to CPJ, Bosire declined to name the two MPs, but said he gave their names to Muturi, who asked Bosire to file a formal complaint.In a letter seen by CPJ, the National Assembly clerk on August 1 invited Peter Opondo, the editor-in-chief of Mediamax, the People Daily's parent company, to appear the next day to "assist" with "investigations" into allegations of misconduct in the house.Bosire told CPJ that this letter was sent after People Daily complained during a call on August 1 with Muturi.A team of five Mediamax employees, including Bosire and Mwangi, appeared in front of the committee yesterday as directed, according to Bosire. The editor told CPJ that they requested - and were granted - 10 days to prepare a submission for the Powers and Privileges Committee.In exchanges with CPJ over text message on July 31 and August 1, Muturi said that reports the journalists had been summoned were false and said they had been invited to "shed light on the matter which relates to ethics" of MPs and that he considered them "whistle-blowers". Muturi said that the journalists would not be required to reveal their sources during the hearings.During a media gala today in Nairobi, Muturi said that People Daily journalists, Ondari and Mwangi, should be praised for exposing corruption in the National Assembly, according to a report by the Daily Nation.CPJ's repeated attempts to reach Pukose, Duale and Mbadi over their mobile phones on August 1 and August 3 were unsuccessful. Halfpricesoft.com developers have updated 2018 ezpaycheck payroll software in order to allow business owners to print check stubs only on white paper for employees. There are several reasons this will be necessary; to replace a previous stub, employees needing wage verification for a bank loan or other financial verification. Replacement or wage verification with stub only option comes in the latest ezPaycheck 2018 software, Halfpricesoft.com founder, Dr. Ge said. Customers are invited to go online to http://www.halfpricesoft.com/index.asp and download the trial version payroll software. The download includes the full version of the paycheck software along with a sample database. The sample database allows new customers to try all of ezPaychecks exciting features, including the intuitive graphical interface, without wasting time entering data. The only restriction to the trial version is that TRIAL will appear on checks and stubs until the key is purchased. Small businesses will appreciate the unique features in the latest release of ezPaycheck payroll software: -Automatically calculates Federal Withholding Tax, Social Security, Medicare Tax and Employer Unemployment Taxes. -Includes built-in tax tables for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. -Prints payroll checks on blank computer checks or preprinted checks. -Supports daily, weekly, biweekly, semimonthly and monthly payroll periods. Features report functions, print functions, and pay stub functions. -Easily calculates differential pay -Prints miscellaneous checks as well as payroll calculation checks. -Creates and maintains payrolls for multiple companies, and does it simultaneously. -Prints Tax Forms 940, 941, W-2 and W-3. -Supports multiple accounts at no additional charge. -Supports network access. ezPaycheck payroll software is affordable for any size business. Costs start at only $99 per calendar year, per single user version. To start the no obligation 30-day test drive, please visit http://www.halfpricesoft.com/index.asp About Halfpricesoft.com Founded in 2003, Halfpricesoft.com has established itself as a leader in meeting and exceeding the software needs of small businesses in US. The softwares graphical interface guides customers step-by-step through setting up employee information, setting up tax options, calculating payroll - including calculation of federal, state and local taxes; deductions for Medicare, insurance and 401(k) plans; and printing paychecks & tax forms. Senator Cory Booker, ALC '18 Honorary Co-Chair As we approach the 48th year of hosting the Annual Legislative Conference, we find ourselves in a critical time where, now more than ever, diverse voices are imperative to the future of this nation, said A. Shuanise Washington, president and CEO, CBCF. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) announced today, for the first time in the foundations history, two senators Senator Cory Booker (New Jersey) and Senator Kamala D. Harris (California) will serve as honorary co-chairs for the 48th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), scheduled for September 12-16, 2018. Historically, co-chairs have been members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The premier conference, which takes place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., annually attracts nearly 10,000 people from across the world and is the only event of its kind in the United States. The conference offers more than 90 forums on public policy issues affecting black Americans. For more than 40 years, the Annual Legislative Conference has provided an extraordinary platform for people domestic and abroad to come together and discuss vital issues related to social justice, leadership, economic prosperity, entrepreneurship and much more, said Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, chair, CBCF Board of Directors. As we continue to grow and expand the conference, we know that we must be unwavering in our approach to have the difficult conversations, elevate debates about the state of Black America, and also define new and innovative solutions. The impact of civil and social movements over the last 50 years has played a major role in changing the trajectory of American history. This years ALC theme, The Dream Still Demands, focuses on the influence and legacy of these moments, while uplifting present-day champions in the fight for racial equality, justice and freedom. As we approach the 48th year of hosting the Annual Legislative Conference, we find ourselves in a critical time where, now more than ever, diverse voices are imperative to the future of this nation, said A. Shuanise Washington, president and CEO, CBCF. We must rise to meet the demands of the moment and capitalize on actionable outcomes that will advance black Americans and move this country forward. During the five-day conference, attendees will have the opportunity to delve into important conversations with industry leaders from across the globe on public health, gender equality, social mobility, LGBTQ rights and environmental sustainability, among many other topics. ALC provides a safe haven for black Americans to contribute their experiences, knowledge, and opinions to a larger, national dialogue. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference is among the most important annual gatherings for black Americans, and I am honored to lead its 48th convening with Senator Harris, said Senator Cory Booker. The Conference theme, The Dream Still Demands, presents an important opportunity for our community to lead the national dialogue on so many pressing issues, from fixing our broken criminal justice system to creating economic opportunities for communities of color. We have so many urgent challenges that must be addressed, and I'm looking forward to hearing from all of the incredible leaders who will be participating in the conference this September, added Senator Booker. The Annual Legislative Conference is also a time to network and enjoy connecting with a diverse group of individuals. Networking and special events include the Exhibit Showcase with an on-site employment fair and free health screenings; the Prayer Breakfast; National Town Hall; Gospel Extravaganza; the Annual Celebration of Leadership in the Fine Arts, which honors the contributions of individuals in the performing and visual arts who have influenced our history and inspired generations; and the culminating event, the Phoenix Awards Dinner, which supports the CBCFs mission-critical programs including education, economic development, health and research. The Annual Legislative Conference, over nearly five decades, has brought together some of the country's greatest leaders, innovators, and job creators to address the most pressing issues facing black America, said Senator Kamala D. Harris. This year is no exception. The conference will provide a platform to advocate for the voiceless, the vulnerable, and all who believe in fulfilling the American promise of equality and justice for all. I look forward to confronting these issues head on, and working to create solutions that will lead to lasting change. The ALC is the leading policy conference on issues impacting African Americans and the global black community. Lawmakers, celebrities and concerned citizens attend the conference to partake in a plethora of forums on health, education, economic empowerment, the environment, civic engagement and more. The ALC is the largest platform in which the CBCF delivers against its mission to eliminate the disparities in the global black community. Crucial Care, a Medical Life Holdings company, announced today a new monthly membership program for consumers. The program gives patients the ability to access all of Crucial Cares services at a low, monthly rate. Effective on July 1, 2018, a new bill passed by State of Florida legislature (HB37) allows healthcare providers to enter into direct payment relationships with patients for medical services. Previously, this was an option only available to employers. Mike Shumer, CEO of Crucial Care, shared his excitement for the new program. We launched the program on July 1st of this year and are overwhelmed by the number of people who have already signed up. Crucial Care has been offering a monthly access program to large Jacksonville employers for 11 years. We are excited to be able to offer the same access directly to consumers and small businesses. Crucial Care is a unique model that blends urgent care and emergency services. We provide a one-of-a-kind medical facility. We offer Certified Emergency Medicine Physicians, CT Scans, IV fluids, IV medications, X-Rays and Hospital Level blood work. We are equipped to handle lifes emergencies, but can also treat your everyday cough or cold, said Dr. Nick Dodaro, a Board-Certified ER Physician and Crucial Cares Chief Medical Officer. The new plan gives patients access to quality care with no limitations for pre-existing conditions or restrictions for patient eligibility. Our goal is to make healthcare convenient and affordable for all consumers by expanding our payment options for those who may not otherwise have access. This is a program that can benefit anyone but is a particularly good fit for those without insurance or on a high-deductible insurance plan. Its also a great fit for employers who want to offer additional healthcare options to their employees, said Shumer. The Crucial Care Plan is not insurance. It is intended to expand medical services to individuals who want access to healthcare without the stress of unexpected medical bills. In addition to this plan, Crucial Care also accepts insurance for over 20 health plans serving customers throughout North Florida. For more information, please visit the services and pricing page on our website at http://www.CrucialCareplan.com. About Crucial Care Crucial Care clinics are free-standing outpatient facilities, providing easy access unscheduled care. Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physicians provide care to meet or exceed American College of Emergency Physicians Standards (Evidence-Based Clinical Guidelines) outside of the traditional hospital-based ER environment. The hyper-efficient delivery of Emergency Medicine Speciality Services combined with outpatient facility efficiently provides high quality care that can yield lower ER visits, lower hospital admissions and create savings. Crucial Care operates one clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and 3 clinics in the Orlando, Florida area, under the GuideWell Emergency Medical Doctors brand. The GuideWell clinics are a partnership with GuideWell Mutual Holdings, Inc. About Medical Life Holdings Medical Life Holdings is a portfolio of healthcare companies that makes healthcare more efficient, increases quality, and creates actuarially validated savings.The portfolio currently consists of the following companies: Crucial Care Emergency Facilities are payer friendly outpatient emergency facilities that create actuarially validated savings of greater than $20 million per facility per year. Crucial Care Without Walls manages post-acute transitional care in the home and reduces readmission up to 50%. Empathy Care is a risk bearing population management company that reduces preventable hospital admissions and avoidable ED utilization. MedTalent is our national medical staffing company and CredentialGenie is our software and services company that helps manage provider and payer credentialing. Diameter Health, a leading enabler of clinical insight through the cleansing, deduplication and enrichment of clinical data across the care continuum, today announced that its Chief Data Scientist, Chun Li, PhD, has been invited by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) to present at ONCs 2nd Interoperability Forum. Taking place August 6th- 8th, 2018 in Washington, DC, the event will bring together members from ONC, federal partners and the healthcare and technology sectors, to learn about recent efforts to advance interoperability nationwide and identify concrete actions in response to current interoperability barriers. Li will present on two panels on Tuesday, August 7: Reports from the Field: On Content Quality and Continuous Improvement Efforts, and Tooling Demos and Discussion. Both presentations will focus on the current and future plans to advance content interoperability. While progress has been made using the most recent standards for clinical data exchange, issues related to data access and patient safety remain. Li will discuss how automated tooling for the detection of data quality holds promise to identify and resolve barriers to clinical data exchange and how data quality surveillance programs using such tools can improve standards implementation and adoption. We are excited to be selected by ONC to present along with other industry influencers on the latest obstacles and innovations around data quality and interoperability, said Eric Rosow, CEO of Diameter Health. Within these panel discussions, Chun Lis clinical data expertise will lend tremendous insight into the discourse on the advancement of content interoperability, and we are proud to have her there as a member of the Diameter Health team. In her role as Chief Data Scientist, Li leads the development of Diameter Healths analytical platform and core solutions. In her previous roles, Li worked as a Senior Analyst at Health Advances, a Boston-based healthcare management and strategy consulting company. She received her B.S. in Biological Sciences and Biotechnology from Tsinghua University, China, and her PhD in life sciences from Harvard University, and recently was named a finalist for the Connecticut Technology Council 2017 Women of Innovation Award. About Diameter Health Diameter Health enables clinical insight through the normalization, cleansing, de-duplication and enrichment of clinical data from across the care continuum. This creates a single, unified source of longitudinal structured patient information for improved care and actionable analytics. The Diameter Health platform empowers organizations that depend on multi-source data streams, such as Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), health systems and health plans, to realize greater value from their data. For more information, visit the website http://www.diameterhealth.com or email us at info@diameterhealth.com. "As a company, our goal is to find the best talent in the area, and create a valued work environment where our employees can continue to grow with us in the years to come." -Anthony P. Solazzo, CEO of e-TeleQuote e-TeleQuote Insurance, Inc., (http://www.e-TeleQuote.com), a market-leading digital health insurance agency focusing on the Medicare and over 65 markets is thrilled to announce the opening of its newest location in New Braunfels, Texas. The New Braunfels office will be the fourth e-TeleQuote has opened in the last six years, as the company continues to experience rapid growth. The company will be hiring experienced General Lines Licensed Insurance Agents, Technical Support, Supervisors, Sales Managers and an Administrative Assistant. e-TeleQuote plans to hire up to 100 new positions at the new location. The new office is set to open on September 10th of this year and is located at 1672 Independence Drive, New Braunfels, Texas. We are very excited to expand into the state of Texas, specifically into the New Braunfels area, says Anthony P. Solazzo, CEO of e-TeleQuote. Our success is driving our growth into other geographic areas. And our research indicates that New Braunfels is a great fit for creating the type of culture we have cultivated over the years at e-TeleQuote. As a company, our goal is to find the best talent in the area, and create a valued work environment where our employees can continue to grow with us in the years to come. To learn more about the openings for which e-TeleQuote will be hiring at the New Braunfels location, go to: https://www.etelequote.com/careers/ About e-TeleQuote and easyMedicare.com e-TeleQuote Insurance, Inc. the owner and operator of easyMedicare.com, is an independent digital insurance agency providing consumers the ability to purchase Medicare insurance from the comfort of their homes. The company diligently researches available plan options from multiple insurance carriers, helping consumers choose a plan that best suits their needs. e-TeleQuote provides consumers personal consultation through experienced licensed insurance agents who suggest plan coverage options based on a customers particular needs. The company has proudly served tens of thousands of consumers across the United States. It is heartening to witness the church work together at all levels to monitor the fires, assess damage and help those most in need, said Katie Mears, Senior Director of Episcopal Relief & Developments US Disaster Program. Episcopal Relief & Development (https://www.episcopalrelief.org/) is partnering with the Diocese of Northern California to provide emergency support to help the most vulnerable in communities impacted by the Carr Fire that started on July 23. The agency is providing support for rental assistance, short-term storage for recovered belongings, food, gasoline and replacement of lost household supplies. The diocese and congregations are working together taking into account lessons from last years devastating fires, said Katie Mears, Senior Director of Episcopal Relief & Developments US Disaster Program. It is heartening to witness the church work together at all levels to monitor the fires, assess damage and help those most in need. The largest of the 17 wildfires currently burning throughout the state, the Carr Fire is heading west after tearing through Redding, a city located approximately 200 miles north of San Francisco. Evacuations began in the middle of the night on Thursday, July 26 which included many parishioners as well as their church, All Saints Episcopal Church in Redding, California. The fire is considered only 30 percent contained as of Tuesday, but at this time, the evacuation orders for All Saints neighborhood have been lifted, enabling clergy and leaders to return and reopen the church on Wednesday. The Carr Fire, which the authorities said was caused by a mechanical failure in a vehicle, has grown to cover 110,000 acres by July 31. The blaze has killed at least six people as of August 1 and destroyed more than 1,000 homes. Please support Episcopal Relief & Developments response to the wildfires in California by donating to the US Disaster Fund and praying for all those impacted. For over 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has served as a compassionate response to human suffering in the world. The agency works with more than 3 million people in nearly 40 countries worldwide to overcome poverty, hunger and disease through multi-sector programs, using the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework. An independent 501(c)(3) organization, it works closely with Anglican Communion and ecumenical partners to help communities create long-term development strategies and rebuild after disasters. We hold our truck to a high standard. The service is impeccable, food is spot-on, and the cleanliness is always a high priority The franchisor of Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill only recently announced the rollout of its first food truck, and in the few short months since it hit the road, the popularity and demand for the franchise's restaurant-on-wheels has skyrocketed. Mirroring the restaurant's successful blend of always-fresh, never-frozen menu items, Salsa Fresca's food truck has become a familiar and welcome sight throughout Connecticut and New York. "We've had great feedback on the aesthetics of the truck as well as the product," said Billy Turbert, Catering Sales Manager at Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill. The truck itself is reflective of the Salsa Fresca restaurants themselves flawlessly clean, well-staffed with knowledgeable employees, and always offering the freshest ingredients. "We hold our truck to a high standard. The service is impeccable, food is spot-on, and the cleanliness is always a high priority." The Salsa Fresca food truck can be seen on "Taco Tuesdays" at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in West Harrison, NY; every Sunday at the Elephants Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, CT; and every other Friday at Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Cancer Center in Yonkers, NY. Salsa Fresca will also roll out at Bethel Food Truck Friday on August 17 at the Bethel Municipal Lawn in Bethel, CT from 5 to 8 pm, and at the Marist Family Weekend Tailgate on Saturday, September 29 from 2 to 8 pm. Salsa Fresca is also pleased to announce participation in the Hudson Valley Expo, August 4 from 1 to 10 pm in Peekskill, NY. The expo will feature live music, local food, wine, beer and fireworks, and Salsa Fresca's truck will be on the Hudson Riverfront all day for this exciting event. For music lovers celebrating the music and culture of the Grateful Dead, Salsa Fresca will satisfy attendee food cravings at the Forever Grateful Festival at Ives Concert Park Danbury on Saturday, August 11th. In addition to its popular food truck offering, Salsa Fresca will also celebrate the opening of its tenth company-owned restaurant this fall, with a new location in Poughkeepsie, NY, across the street from Marist College. Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill's aggressive expansion strategy calls for the opening of 100 stores within the next five years, and franchise opportunities are available for locations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut, with additional locations in New York available soon. Salsa Fresca's currently has New York locations in Mamaroneck, Bedford Hills, Yorktown, Cross River, Peekskill, Carmel, and LaGrange; and Connecticut locations in Danbury and New Haven. Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill offers an extensive menu of signature items, build-your-own items, and an impressive selection of gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and nut-free options. Patrons can keep up to date on where the food truck will appear next on Salsa Fresca's Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. Customers will be able to book the truck by calling 800-435-5140 or by sending an inquiry through the website at http://www.salsafrescagrill.com. "This years finalists exemplify the defied expectations that 2018 brought to the Chicago tech industry, said ITA CEO Julia Kanouse. Today the Illinois Technology Association (ITA) announced the 38 out-of-this-world industry leaders being recognized as finalists at the 19th annual CityLIGHTS Awards. The ITA CityLIGHTS Awards, with presenting sponsor Deloitte, is the premier annual event that elevates and honors achievements from the local tech community. Public voting is now open until Friday, August 17th. The winners for each category, with the exception of the CityLIGHTS Industry Champion, are determined by a compilation of the judges scores and voting by the public. Voting is now open through Friday, August 17 at itacitylights.com/voting. This years finalists exemplify the defied expectations that this year brought to the Chicago tech industry, said ITA CEO Julia Kanouse. The last few years have been record setting, everyone expected that wave to crest, but powered by these phenomenal finalists, were witnessing another astonishing blockbuster year for these companies and the local tech sector overall. Congratulations to the 2018 finalists: CityLIGHTS Industry Champion: Presented to the company or individual who actively and consistently supports the growth of the Illinois technology industry through leadership and/or collaboration. Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Steve Miller & Bruce Barron, Co-Founders & Partners, Origin Ventures Kristi Ross, CEO, tastytrade CEO of the Year: Presented to a CEO who has successfully scaled their company through outstanding leadership, ability to attract and retain talented resources, financial accomplishments and the implementation of strategic growth opportunities. David Kalt, CEO, Reverb.com Amanda Lannert, CEO, Jellyvision Craig Vodnik, CEO, cleverbridge Jacob Babcock, CEO, NuCurrent Brad Weisberg, CEO, Snapsheet Industry Disrupter: Presented to the company that has developed or introduced an ingenious, non-traditional, and innovative product or service that has significantly disrupted its industry. Tempus Tock NuCurrent Narrative Science Clearcover Lighthouse: Presented to the growth-stage company, (more than $25 million in revenue) that, through innovation in products, services, or business approach, has grown to become a serious competitor in the marketplace. Litera Microsystems Civis Analytics Vibes ActiveCampaign ParkWhiz Prominent Woman in Tech: Presented to a preeminent woman in the local industry who has championed a leading role for her female peers by supporting their growth and prominence in the industry. Carolyn Leonard, CEO, DyMynd Colleen Egan, Director of People, Culture & Endless Possibilities, Clarity Partners LLC Kim Greuling, VP of Engineering, Backstop Solutions Group Patty Lindstrom, CEO & Founder, Living the Brand Academy & Innovation Foundry Marie Tillman, CEO & Founder, Mac & Mia Outstanding Company Culture: Awarded to the company that has instilled a high-performance culture in their workplace by encouraging employees to take their career to the next level, fostering diversity and inclusion, and are committed to positively contributing to the community. LaSalle Network HighGround Jellyvision TransUnion Signal Rising Star: Presented to the company with the strongest potential to emerge as a leader in the technology industry ($5 to $25 million in annual revenue). BenchPrep Aclaimant Neighborhoods.com Avionos Snap36 Technologist of the Year: Presented to the individual whose talent has championed true innovation, either through new applications of existing technology or the development of technology to achieve a truly unique product or service. John Higginson, CTO, Enova International Adam McElhinney, VP of Data Science, Uptake Mahi Inampudi, VP of Product & Technology, Envoy Global Dr. Alok Choudhary, Founder, Chairman & Chief Scientist, 4C Vadim Vladimirskiy, Co-Founder & CEO, Nerdio Discover who wins by attending the ITA CityLIGHTS Awards ceremony on Thursday, September 13 at Morgan Manufacturing in Chicago. Tickets and tables are available for purchase at itacitylights.com/tickets or contact Jason Mangold at jason(at)illinoistech.org. Thank you to the 2018 presenting sponsor: Deloitte; premier sponsors: Armanino, Gogo, Hyde Park Angels, Madison Dearborn Partners and Silicon Valley Bank; VIP reception sponsor: Lantern Partners; opening reception sponsor: Redbox; and wine sponsor: Imagineer. About ITA The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) scales Illinois tech companies. With innovative resources that allow members to collaborate with each other, build their talent networks and elevate their local and national presence, ITA is the regions strongest advocate for fostering innovation and growth. Founded in 2005 and supporting 500-plus growth-stage tech companies, ITA has a rich history of driving business forward. For more information, visit illinoistech.org, follow @ITAbuzz on Twitter or find us on LinkedIn. Contact: Gary Hotze, gary(at)illinoistech.org, +1.312.924.1044 Firewood Marketing announced today the hiring of Ron Davis as senior vice president of technology. The role is the newest on the agencys senior leadership team. An accomplished developer with world-class enterprise expertise, Davis will lead the growth of Firewoods in-house technology specialization, broadening its capacity for digital marketing solutions. In this role, Davis will oversee the agencys growing development team and further bring the capabilities of a full-scale development practice in-house. Integrating and expanding its technology offerings will allow Firewood to forge even closer, more comprehensive partnerships with clients. Firewoods full-service approach means were providing not only cutting-edge digital strategy, but also steering technology recommendations and implementation throughout deployment, analytics, maintenance and the iterations they require, Davis said. This continuity builds efficiency, which helps us earn trust with clients. Davis most recently served as senior vice president of technology at Guidance Solutions, where he and his team developed e-commerce applications for clients such as Foot Locker and Burlington. Before that, he served as vice president of technology at Razorfish, part of Publicis.Sapient, and has also held senior leadership roles at both iCrossing and Edelman Digital, serving clients including Adobe, eBay, Microsoft, Shell, Starbucks and others. Davis said he considers his pro bono technology efforts on behalf of the Bezos Family Foundation to be among his most rewarding work to date. Ron is a hands-on leader who thrives in highly creative environments, said Juan Zambrano, co-founder of Firewood Marketing. His new role provides a platform for both technology exploration and efficiency for our clients and hell be working alongside one of the most experienced teams in the industry. About Firewood Marketing Firewood Marketing is a full-service agency built on the belief that good people are good business. A partner to top tech brands, startups, and Fortune 500 companies including Google, LinkedIn, Airbnb, and other key clients the agency provides strategy and planning, creative, performance media, technology, and event services. Founded in 2010, Firewood is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in London, England; Dublin, Ireland; and Sandpoint, Idaho. Learn more at http://www.firewoodmarketing.com. Being recognized as an Inner Circle partner allows us to leverage the best of Microsoft to stay at the forefront of innovation in the supply chain. Flintfox International, leading global provider of Trade Revenue Management (TRM) solutions for the supply chain, is delighted to once again achieve the prestigious 2018/2019 Inner Circle for Microsoft Business Applications. Membership in the elite Inner Circle group is based on sales and solution achievements that rank Flintfox in the top echelon of the Microsoft global network of over 5,000 partners. Members have performed to a high standard of excellence by delivering valuable solutions that help organizations achieve increased success. 2018/2019 Inner Circle members were recognized during Microsoft Inspire, the annual premier partner event that recently took place in Las Vegas. Flintfox joined other members of the global partner community to share strategy, experience the latest product innovations and network with Microsoft leaders. Each year we recognize Microsoft Business Applications partners from around the world for delivering innovation and driving unsurpassed customer success, said Cecilia Flombaum, Senior Director, Microsoft, One Commercial Partner organisation. Our Inner Circle members are chosen based on their business performance as well as capabilities as an organisation, whether thats creating IP, developing solutions, or having an industry leading focus on digital transformation. Microsoft is honored to recognize Flintfox for its achievements this past year, dedication to our customers, and innovation around the Microsoft Cloud. As specialists in Trade Revenue Management (TRM) solutions, Flintfox has a rich heritage of developing and deploying solutions to help leading global companies across the supply chain resolve their trade revenue challenges, including pricing and rebate management complexities. These needs are complemented with expert supply chain consulting, implementation, training, support and optimization services for Dynamics 365. "It is a real honour to be acknowledged by Microsoft as a top performing partner, and one of only 10 software developers managed globally," says Mike Ridgway, Chief Executive Officer at Flintfox. Being recognized as an Inner Circle partner allows us to leverage the best of Microsoft to stay at the forefront of innovation in the supply chain. Despite the endorsement, we have to double down on our commitment to successfully supporting our clients to achieve revenue transparency, through continuously delivering deep domain consulting services and software innovation. ABOUT FLINTFOX Flintfox provides Trade Revenue Management (TRM) solutions for resolving trade revenue challenges across the supply chain. We have over 30 years of expertise delivering TRM to over 23,000 users in the manufacturing, wholesale distribution and retail industries. Our TRM software integrates with any ERP and enables accurate, real time calculations for complex revenue activities including price management, promotions pricing, rebate management, claims and deductions. As a Microsoft Gold Partner, Inner Circle Member and one of only ten Dynamics software developers managed globally, we provide consulting and implementation services for Microsoft Dynamics applications. Flintfox operates across North America, South America, Europe and Asia Pacific, with headquarters located in New Zealand. https://www.flintfox.com For more information: Lucy Farrington, lfarrington(at)flintfox(dot)com, +64 21 244 1366 Evolving retail watch industry For more: Kamm, boss of the MCH Group, which organises Baselworld, tendered his resignation amid a row over the departure of several exhibitors and criticism over the approach of the annual Basel fair.Baselworld has remained a firm fixture of the luxury industry calendar since its launch in 1917, drawing more than 100,000 visitors annually. But the event has lost some 850 exhibitors albeit small brands over the last few years, with high costs and insufficient returns to blame.The most significant, and most recent, blow has been that of The Swatch Group, the fair's biggest and most important exhibitor.The news of The Swatch Group withdrawal and therefore of its 18 watch brands including Breguet, Blancpain, Harry Winston, Omega and Tissot was broken by Swiss newspaperlast week. In the report, Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek confirmed that the group would not be exhibiting in the show scheduled for March 2019.Major exhibitors such as Swatch budgeted about $50m for each Baselworld, to cover travel and hotel expenses for staff and guests across its various brands, the paper said. But the decision to pull out isn't motivated purely by cost, it's also about the changing landscape of the retail watch industry, which has become more transparent, faster-paced and more spontaneous," according to Hayek.Hayek also told the Financial Times that annual trade fairs could not keep up with the pace of innovation. You cannot just launch newness once a year. You must do it all the time, he said.A statement issued by The Swatch Group said, "Today everything has become more transparent, fast-moving, and instantaneous. Accordingly, a different rhythm and a different approach is needed. ... In this new context, annual watch fairs, as they exist today, no longer make much sense. This does not mean that they should disappear. But it is necessary that they reinvent themselves, responding appropriately to the current situation and demonstrating more dynamism and creativity. At the moment, the trade fairs are failing to do so."MCH Group responded that it was overhauling its trade fair and events business to meet future requirements. It said it deeply regrets Swatchs decision, which it admitted would have an as yet inestimable effect on its 2019 results, but said it would not prevent Baselworld from continuing. Our graduates receive an Associate in Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology and Ford Motor Company certifications required for work on new Ford and Lincoln vehicles. A good technician never underestimates what is under the hood since appearances can be deceiving just ask Amanda Mutarelli, a student in Rowan College at Gloucester Countys (RCGC) Automotive Technology program. With her dramatic eye makeup and colorful tattoos, this skilled technician knows firsthand how deceptive appearances can be. Mutarelli, of Glassboro, finds it amusing that she does not fit the stereotypical image of an auto technician. A self-described girly girl with a passion for cars, she is most content when working in a garage surrounded by tools. Although being a female in a mostly male-dominated profession can have its drawbacks, Mutarelli isnt one to back away from a career that gets her motor racing. I went to a car show with a friend and I was hooked. I thought I can do anything a male can do. I shouldnt let being a female stop me, said Mutarelli, a second-year student in RCGCs Automotive Technology Ford ASSET (Automotive Student Service Educational Training) program. Going to the car shows drew me in. I wanted to know what was going on in the inside, not just the outside. There is so much to learn. This is a career that for me wouldnt feel like work. Mutarelli is one of the 20 students, and the only female, in instructor Edward Blaetzs Automotive Technology class. Future technicians spend 24 months in lectures and with hands-on shop experience learning vehicle fundamentals in courses covering bumper-to-bumper technical training. The classroom, garage bays located on the adjoining Gloucester County Institute of Technology (GCIT) campus, have seen more than 400 students pass through its doors since the program began in 1992. A graduate of the Ford ASSET program himself, Blaetz has been teaching for the Ford Motor Company for 19 years, 16 of them at RCGC. Ford ASSET is a nationwide program consisting of 39 schools across the country. Our graduates receive an Associate in Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology and Ford Motor Company certifications required for work on new Ford and Lincoln vehicles, stated Blaetz. Amanda is a member of the 28th Ford ASSET Automotive Technology class at RCGC and is in her third of five semesters. She never retreats when engaging new challenges and is often the first to volunteer in lab workstations. Amanda gives off the vibe to never stop trying. She had to prove herself at first but now she fits in with the guys, noted classmate Bobby Quaile, of Sewell. Added fellow auto-tech student and friend Brian Jackson, of Mullica Hill, Amanda shows us every day that anything is possible male or female no matter what the occupation or job is. She can do anything that we can do. The other students treat me as an equal and are all very supportive, agreed Mutarelli. My professors make me feel comfortable here. I have so much respect for them. They look out for my wellbeing and are there to offer advice. In July, Mutarelli will have a chance to apply her classroom training in a real-work setting when she begins the cooperative education portion of the program at Gentilini Ford in Woodbine. As part of the curriculum, students are required to work for 10-week sessions at a participating Ford/Lincoln dealership. During the co-op experience, students become familiar with the dealership environment and what is expected of a professional automotive technician. They are also paid a salary. Because of the co-op nature of the program, RCGCs Automotive Technology graduates boast a 100-percent employment rate, with many students receiving multiple job offers from competing Ford or Lincoln dealerships. Finding a dealership willing to employ a female co-op student did cause a slight bump in the road for Mutarelli. Although it took her a bit longer than her male counterparts to get placed into a co-op position, Mutarellis knowledge, skill and reputation prevailed. For Gentilini Ford Service Director Tim Champion ability, not gender, is key to employing a good technician. In fact, Mutarelli will not be the only woman working in the dealerships parts and service area. She joins a female service writer, warranty clerk, dispatcher and detail shop manager. We love the co-op program. The people who come to us through the ASSET program are ready to work on cars, said Champion. We are very satisfied with the students. The Gentilini Ford dealership has been a dedicated sponsor of the Colleges ASSET students for more than 20 years. According to the service director, Mutarelli will be busy handling oil changes, rotating tires and performing multipoint inspections, a checklist that includes checking fluids, belts, hoses, air filters, tires, shocks/struts, exhaust, transmission and drivetrain, steering components and brakes. As a technicians aptitude and proficiency increase, so do the work assignments. The more you can do, the more you will do, explained Champion. Amanda is the spirit of our classroom and demonstrates a strong desire to succeed in the automobile repair shop environment, stated Blaetz. Do not let her appearance deceive you. Amanda is tenacious and unafraid to take on a challenging job. My father worked in construction and taught me to be comfortable with my hands not to back away from things. I have always liked being unique and doing things that people wouldnt think I would do, Mutarelli said smiling. For more information about RCGCs Automotive Technology program, visit gloucesterasset.com. Information on Gentilini Ford is available at GentiliniFord.com. The Colleges Automotive Technology program is one of the many cooperative education opportunities available to students. RCGCs Cooperative Education program has been selected South Jersey Biz magazines Best of Biz for three consecutive years. For more information, visit RCGC.edu/Coop. Rowan College at Gloucester Countys 250-acre campus is located on Tanyard Road in Deptford, just off Exit 56 of Route 55. Global Call Forwarding, an internationally-renowned telecommunications company, has just announced the launch of several new services including SMS and outbound calling that improves how customers can be reached by businesses and vice versa. A vast majority of businesses aim to offer the most convenient methods of communication to reach their customers. Most customers are familiar with a variety of methods such as email and phone calls. However, many people prefer not to make and receive phone calls, so having an option like SMS forwarding to email enables greater communication and increases access to information. The SMS to Email feature allows virtual phone numbers to receive inbound SMS, and is available as an international service for a select number of countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Israel, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, the UK, the US, and Vietnam. The Outbound Calling feature, however, gives call centers and businesses the ability to make outbound international calls from their virtual numbers. It is especially beneficial for call centers, and it enables calls to be made with the exact number showing up on the receivers caller ID. The outbound caller ID can be set to any number registered on an account. This is of immense significance because, in terms of international outbound calling, the services offered by Global Call Forwarding are much more affordable than others in the market. As stated by Thierry Genoyer, CEO of Global Call Forwarding, The addition of these new services will enable customers to have greater accessibility to companies. Todays businesses constantly strive to implement diverse methods of communication to remain in contact with potential customers and it is our mission to build these new cutting edge technologies. Features such as SMS Forwarding to Email and Outbound Calling enhance the overall image and success of a company, which can help drive sales and aid communications with customers more effectively. For companies with active sales departments dedicated to aggressively reaching their target markets, these features add excellent value to their services, along with creating additional communication channels between a company and its customers. At Global Call Forwarding, it is our aim to consistently enhance our offerings, and we are pleased to provide a wide array of telecom services to our customers. We understand that in todays competitive market it is essential to offer value as much as quality. Global Call Forwarding is a leading international provider of telecom and technology-based solutions to enable dynamic communications for businesses and individuals. Our services include international toll free phone numbers, virtual phone numbers, international call forwarding, toll free forwarding, vanity numbers, along with a range of additional features such as outbound calling and SMS forwarding. Based in Delray Beach, Florida and with an Asia-Pacific office location in Bangkok, Thailand, Global Call Forwarding is perfectly positioned to serve customers across the world in their telecom and virtual calling needs. Check out the website at https://www.globalcallforwarding.com/ GT Shareholder Kate Eades A multidisciplinary London-based team at global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP advised InterContinental Hotels Group plc on its arrangements with French real estate investor Covivio (formerly Fonciere des Regions) to rebrand and operate 12 high-quality open hotels and one pipeline hotel in the UK following the acquisition of the hotels by Covivio from Starwood Capital Group. The deal was closed on 25 July with the overall transaction being valued at approximately 858 million. The Greenberg Traurig team, who worked closely with IHG's inhouse legal and development teams, was led by Shareholder Kate Eades (Shld-LON-CP). Assisting were Sarah Moyles (Shld-LON-CP); Graham Iversen (Shld-LON-Tx); Cate Sharp (Shld-LON-Env); Trevor Cosgrove (Shld-LON-RE); Matthew J. Priday (Shld-LON-RE); Naomi Feinstein (Shld-LON-EMP); Amrik Bhella (Assoc-LON-CP); Charlotte Irvine (Assoc-LON-CP); Ashia Danga (Assoc-LON-RE); Aonghus Heatley (Assoc-LON-Env); Harriett Gibby (Assoc-LON-RE); Rob Collier-Wright (Assoc-LON-EMP); Harry Glatman (LC-LON-CP); and Chloe Capone (LC-LON-CP). About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: 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. About Greenberg Traurig's London Office: Greenberg Traurig in London has established itself as a multidisciplinary law firm, with more than 80 lawyers and growing. The London office provides partner-led advice to domestic and international clients on a range of matters across the legal spectrum. Lawyers at Greenberg Traurig in London advise U.K. and multinational clients operating in many different sectors, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, energy, real estate, financial services, automotive, retail, and communications. About Greenberg Traurig's Corporate Practice: Greenberg Traurigs Corporate Practice comprises more than 450 lawyers in the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America who regularly advise public and privately held companies, entrepreneurs, and investment funds on global mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, private equity and venture capital, underwritten and syndicated offerings, commercial finance and syndicated lending, cross-border transactions, and general corporate matters. The groups industry experience includes transactions in a wide range of fields, from the pharmaceutical, medical devices, and life sciences fields, to representations involving clients in the aviation, banking, consumer products, energy, food and beverage, health care, manufacturing, media, technology, and telecommunications sectors. Chinh H. Pham, chair of Greenberg Traurig, LLPs Emerging Technology Group and co-chair of the firms Intellectual Property (IP) Group in Boston, presented at the 2018 National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys (NCVAA) 12th Annual Conference, Aug. 3 4, 2018, in Atlanta, GA. NCVAA is the first ever national Vietnamese American bar association. On Saturday, Aug. 4, Pham moderated the panel, Forging Your Path to Partnership: Personal Stories and Practical Advice, which featured law firm partners who shared personal stories about their path to partnership, obstacles and biases encountered, and offered advice on how associates can achieve their goals. Speakers ranged from recently elevated partners to senior equity partners, and hailed from small to AmLaw 100 firms. Pham represents technology clients and assists them in leveraging their IP portfolio for high-value commercial opportunities. He is chair of the Board of Overseers at the Museum of Science, Boston, and serves as an Attorney-in-Residence at Harvards Innovation Lab and Northwestern Universitys The Garage, where he advises student entrepreneurs on their business ventures. Pham routinely engages law students at Boston area schools and volunteers his personal time to serve as a mentor to many young attorneys. He was named an Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business," by the Asian American Business Development Center. About Greenberg Traurigs Boston Office Established in 1999, Greenberg Traurigs Boston office is home to more than 70 attorneys practicing in the areas of banking and finance, corporate, emerging technology, energy, intellectual property, labor and employment, life sciences and medical technology, litigation, public finance, real estate, and restructuring and bankruptcy. An important contributor to the firm's international platform, the Boston office includes a team of nationally recognized attorneys with both public and private sector experience. The team offers clients the value of decades of legal experience and hands-on knowledge of the local business community, supported by the firm's vast network of global resources. About Greenberg Traurig, LLP 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. Tim Gullicksen, of the Gullicksen Group, is proud to be an active member of his community. "There are a lot of ways we can all get involved to help our city fight some of the challenges it faces," said Gullicksen. "San Francisco is a great city, but it can be even better!" said Gullicksen. He lives in the Castro neighborhood, where he has adopted three storm drains. He keeps them clear of debris so water doesn't fill the intersection during storms. Gullicksen says a little weeding, sweeping and picking up of the garbage can really make a difference. Sign up to adopt a storm drain at adoptadrain.sfwater.org. He also donates to a fantastic group called Castro Cares, which can be found on their website at http://www.castrocares.org. This community collaborative group works to assist homeless people living on the streets. They connect citizens in need to the full array of services available throughout the city, as well as the resources of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, be they in need of substance abuse, behavioral health, medical or shelter needs. Lastly, Gullicksen has been a long time member of the Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association. Since 1881 this group has provided a neighborhood forum to discuss common issues and concerns, and help develop solutions to improve the neighborhood. To learn more, visit http://www.evna.org. Gullicksen said the biggest topics of discussion at the EVNA meetings are homelessness, neighborhood safety, and development. "Everyone agrees that rent and purchase prices are too expensive, but new development is controversial in existing neighborhoods that have a certain character like the Castro," said Gullicksen. About the company: Tim Gullicksen has been a top-producing real estate agent since he first entered into the business and takes great pride in managing every aspect of each transaction. After graduating from high school in the South Bay, Tim earned a bachelors degree in political science and history from the University of California-Berkeley. He went on to earn his teaching credentials from JFK University in Orinda and taught kindergarten in the San Jose Unified School District. He brings an educational approach to real estate developed from that background and sees himself as a facilitator of property transactions. For more information, visit his website at http://www.gullicksengroup.com/. Photomatix Pro is the industry-leading HDR photo processing application that helps photography pros and enthusiasts create HDR photos in a large range of styles, from realistic to artistic. HDRsoft, makers of Photomatix software that popularized High Dynamic Range (HDR) photo editing, has updated its flagship Photomatix Pro software to version 6.1. Several new features were added, such as a new color scheme, dual white balance capabilities, improved tools, and more. Photomatix Pro is the industry-leading HDR photo processing application that helps photography pros and enthusiasts create HDR photos in a large range of styles, from realistic to artistic. Updates in version 6.1 include: Dual White Balance for HDR Merge This feature lets users assign one white balance for darker photos and another one for brighter photos before merging a set of bracketed RAW files to HDR. This addresses color cast differences in interior scenes, for instance, where the dark areas are illuminated with artificial lighting, while the outdoor view is in daylight. Dark Color Scheme The image adjustment windows have been refreshed with a dark color theme, and users can choose between dark and light schemes for other windows. Lasso Tool and Improved Brush Tool The selective adjustment toolkit now includes a lasso tool, allowing easy selection of geometric areas such as windows that need different color or blending settings. The brush tool has also seen improvements, with the choice of either a round or square brush, and customizable sensitivity when using edge detection. Smoother UI Interactions Usability has been enhanced on Windows and Mac platforms. On Windows, the performance of the brush tool has been substantially improved, resulting in a smoother painting experience. On Mac, the sliders for adjusting the HDR image have been made much more responsive. Expanded Camera Support Support has been added for compressed RAW files from Sony and Fuji cameras, as well as RAW images from recent camera models. Photomatix Pro merges photographs taken at different exposure levels into a single HDR image with options for automatically aligning hand-held photos and for removing ghosts or visual artifacts when moving people or objects are present in the scene. Merged images can then be adjusted with a range of precise controls and settings or with one-click presets. Photographers can quickly get the look they desire from natural-looking results to painterly images or from surreal and dreamy photos to ultra-realistic images with increased details. AVAILABILITY AND PRICING Photomatix Pro 6.1 is now available for Microsoft Windows (XP/Vista/7/8/10) and Macintosh (macOS 10.6 or higher). The price of one license is a $99 one-time purchase. Photomatix Pro 6.1 is a free upgrade for customers who purchased a Photomatix Pro 6 or Photomatix Pro 5 license. An upgrade price of US$29 is available for customers who purchased a license for earlier versions. For more information and to download a free trial version, please visit http://www.hdrsoft.com. ABOUT HDRSOFT HDRsoft develops photo editing software based on high dynamic range (HDR) imaging techniques. The company pioneered HDR photography with the introduction of its Photomatix software in 2003. Today, the company continues to build easy-to-use software tools that let photographers create eye-catching images. Photomatix is ideal for photography scenes that benefit from applying HDR, such as architecture, landscape, real estate, and more. The company is headquartered in the United Kingdom and has staff in the USA and several other countries. Note: Whether noted or not, references to certain words may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Participating HR Influencer Marketing Channel Influencers Most companies in our industry, especially start-ups, have no idea who the influencers are, how to reach them and how to find a cost-effective way to determine if they are right for effective partnerships. The HR Influencer Marketing Channel helps solves those problems. HRmarketer, a leading marketing and employee advocacy platform for the human resources and recruiting industry, today announced that it is launching the HR Influencer Marketing Channel, a vehicle for organizations to have renowned HR influencers share their original content on social media, amplifying their visibility. Currently, the Channel includes 12 HR influencers, including, in alphabetical order, Sabrina Baker, Dawn Hrdlica-Burke, Chris Havrilla, Katrina Kibben, Jason Lauritsen, Sharlyn Lauby, Jennifer McClure, Trish Mcfarlane, Jennifer Payne, Tim Sackett, Robin Schooling and Jon Thurmond. HRmarketer will be actively growing the number of participating influencers over the coming months. "We carefully selected the participating influencers for their micro-influence--which is based not on just on the size of their social networks, but also the high engagement they achieve from HR audiences and the trust their followers have in them," said Mark Willaman, founder and president of HRmarketer. "There's a reason micro-influencers have been called 'the marketing force of the future.' For HR brands to achieve the best possible ROI on social campaigns, they need to use HR micro-influencers to increase reach, engagement and clicks on their content." HR solution providers pay a nominal annual membership fee to join the HR Influencer Marketing Channel. Membership enables them to publish two original content pieces per month--reviewed and approved by the Channel's editorial board--to the HR Influencer Marketing Channel Advocacy Group. Once content is published, the influencers have the option to share the content with their social networks via Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for a small fee. The HR Influencer Marketing Channel is powered by HRmarketer's Advocacy Software, which companies use to enable their brand advocates to share a wide range of relevant content with their personal networks. The software provides participating companies HR solution providers and employer branding teams with detailed metrics on the effectiveness of each influencer's content shares, which gives them valuable information for determining which influencers are a good fit for expanded relationships. "Because the HR marketplace is complex, diverse and fragmented, it's difficult for HR solution providers to navigate the influencer marketplace," Willaman said. "Our HR Influencer Marketing Channel offers HR solution providers a simple, cost-effective way to access these influencers and tap into their social networks." "Most companies in our industry, especially start-ups, have no idea who the influencers are, how to reach them and how to find a cost-effective way to determine if they are right for effective partnerships," stated Tim Sackett, president of HRU Technical Resources and noted HR influencer. "The HR Influencer Marketing Channel helps solve those problems." HR marketplace influencers and HR solution providers interested in learning more about the benefits of joining the HR Influencer Marketing Channel should contact Rhonda Taylor at Rtaylor [at] HRmarketer.com or call Rhonda at 361-695-0955 or visit HRmarketer. About HRmarketer HRmarketer is a provider of marketing and advocacy software that helps employers and HR and recruiting service providers increase the engagement with their key messages and the visibility of their brands. Its suite of products for achieving these business outcomes include Advocacy, a platform for leveraging employees and brand supporters in social media efforts; Insight, social media, influencer marketing and industry intelligence software; and Research, listings of marketing resources and opportunities in the HR marketplace. About HR Influencer Marketing Channel Powered by HRmarketer Advocacy Software, the HR Influencer Marketing Channel is a community of influencers and solution providers from the HR marketplace who publish, share and promote original content. The HR Influencer Marketing Channel offers HR solution providers a cost-effective way to tap into the influencer's social networks to maximize the visibility of their content and news. Through Infinity FCUs First Step Mortgage, the credit union offers no-money-down loans to first-time home owners, with no restrictions like government programs, flexible payment, no pre-payment penalty, and free pre-qualification. Googling how to buy a house is like researching your own potential medical condition: A recipe for panic. So, if youre considering buying a home in Maine, and its going to be your first home, you might consider getting much better support during the First-Time Home Buyer Seminar, hosted by Infinity Federal Credit Union (FCU), Maines first credit union. Its being held at Infinity FCUs Portland branch at 29 Baxter Boulevard on August 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Its free but does require online registration by August 13. An informal event, Its an easy way to take that first step, says organizer and Infinity FCUs Mortgage Operations Manager, Shane Drake. Talking with us, people are often surprised the loan qualifications and conditions are pretty flexible, at least with us. Through Infinity FCUs First Step Mortgage, the credit union offers no-money-down loans to first-time home owners, with no restrictions like government programs, flexible payment, no pre-payment penalty, and free pre-qualification. All of which will be explained at the August 15 first-time home buyers event, Drake says. As Maines first credit union, Infinity Federal Credit Union has been serving its members since 1921, initially as the Telephone Workers Credit Union of Maine, then as Telco of New England FCU. Infinity FCU is now community-based, available to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Cumberland and York counties and the city of Bangor, Maine. Infinity FCU is a not-for-profit cooperative organization owned by its members and guided by the vision We do banking differently to keep *you* a step ahead in life. For more information about Infinity FCU, please visit http://www.infinityfcu.com. Example of Inprentus Blazed Diffraction Grating Inprentus is keenly focused on providing ultra high precision diffraction gratings to our customers and has a proven track record of improving efficiency and resolution of beamline applications. Inprentus has been awarded a contract by the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The contract will provide a mechanically ruled, blazed x-ray diffraction grating to the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF). The Inprentus blazed diffraction grating will be used at the S2-Line beamline endstation of the synchrotron. This endstation houses cutting edge Nano-ARPES and Spin-ARPES experiments designed to resolve the properties (energy, momentum & spin) of photo-electrons emitted from metals, alloys and advanced ceramic materials. This diffraction grating order is part of a recent Phase II expansion of the SSRF. SSRF is an intermediate energy 3rd generation light source which is used by scientists and industry to conduct research in a broad range of fields, including physics, biology, chemistry, and environmental science, as well as medical and industrial applications. Synchrotrons emit high-brilliance light by transversely accelerating or wiggling relativistic electrons, which are constantly circulating through the main storage ring of the facility. When a relativistic & charged particle is wiggled it loses energy through the emission of a photon; the creation of these photons in a controlled manner is the production of synchrotron light -- the essence of a synchrotron facility. Beamlines extend tangentially away from the storage ring and carry the freshly created synchrotron light to the experimental end-stations, where optical components such as mirrors, gratings, zone plates and lenses focus and direct the light onto the samples being studied. Inprentus mechanically ruled blazed diffraction gratings are used at synchrotrons around the world to provide scientists with the highest available resolution and efficiency when conducting their research in the soft x-ray wavelength range. Ron van Os, CEO of Inprentus commented, Inprentus is keenly focused on providing ultra high precision diffraction gratings to our customers and has a proven track record of improving efficiency and resolution of beamline applications. We are excited to again supply SSRF with a diffraction grating to support their research instrumentation. Inprentus Inc. Inprentus designs, manufactures and sells X-ray and EUV diffraction gratings for synchrotron radiation and free electron laser (FEL) facilities that are used for a variety of scientific and commercial applications by many Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions and government laboratories around the world. Inprentus was founded in June 2012 to commercialize an innovative, nano-scale lithography technology using mechanical deformation of metallic surfaces. Inprentus Inc. By recognizing individuals who have a positive impact on arboriculture, ISA helps provide role models and learning opportunities for all of us, says Robert Bartlett Jr., Bartlett Tree Experts and award sponsor. We applaud the honorees for their contributions in research, education and mentoring. The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), an international leader in research, education, and the promotion of professional tree care, recognized nine recipients for the 2018 Awards of Distinction. The Awards of Distinction, sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts, were presented during the opening ceremony on Sunday, August 5 at ISAs Annual International Conference in Columbus, Ohio, US. Bruce Fraedrich (Charlotte, North Carolina, United States) Award of Merit Ken Palmer (Willington, Connecticut, United States) and Rip Tompkins (Little Compton, Rhode Island, United States) Alex. L. Shigo Award for Excellence in Arboricultural Education Melinda Jones (Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States) Sharon J. Lilly Award of Achievement Scott Baker (Seattle, Washington, United States) Honorary Life Membership A. James Downer (Ventura, California, United States) R.W. Harris Authors Citation Richard Hauer (Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States) L.C. Chadwick Award for Arboricultural Research Samuel Ma (Hong Kong) Millard F. Blair Exceptional Contribution to Practical Arboriculture Award Jess Vogt (Chicago, Illinois, United States) Early-Career Scientist Award The ISA Awards of Distinction offer the opportunity for us to recognize outstanding leaders in the arboriculture industry, says Paul Ries, ISA board president. These individuals have committed their careers to research and education to strengthen the knowledge and professionalism of arborists worldwide. Award categories recognize candidates in such areas as research, education, and advancing the best practices of proper tree care in the industry. Some highlights of this groups accomplishments include: Commitment to promoting professionalism and industry standards in pruning (Fraedrich) Co-founders of ArborMaster training; providing industry training to thousands of arborists (Palmer and Tompkins) Focus on community tree planting and education through ReLeaf Michigan (Jones) Owner of Tree Solutions, which uses science-based approaches to tree care (Baker) Decades of arboriculture research resulting in nearly 500 peer-reviewed articles (Downer) Manages an undergraduate research symposium and has mentored countless urban forestry students (Hauer) Organized Hong Kongs first tree climbing competition to help advance practical arboriculture in his country (Ma) Impacted the development of new urban forests in Denmark (Nielsen) Leads a research lab to show students how to manage urban forests through sustainability science (Vogt) Robert Bartlett Jr., chairman and CEO of Bartlett Tree Experts added, By recognizing individuals who have a positive impact on arboriculture, ISA helps provide role models and learning opportunities for all of us. We are proud to see our own Dr. Bruce Fraedrich recognized this year and applaud not only him, but all of the honorees for their contributions in research, education and mentoring. ISA serves more than 30,000 members and credential holders worldwide, and has been honoring members and industry professionals with the Awards of Distinction since 1963. The winners are selected by the ISA Awards Committee, a diverse group of experts in arboriculture, and are approved by ISAs Board of Directors. ABOUT ISA The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), headquartered in Champaign, Ill., U.S., is a nonprofit organization supporting tree care research and education around the world. To promote the importance of arboriculture, ISA manages the consumer education web site, http://www.treesaregood.org, which fulfills the associations mission to help educate the public about the importance and value of proper tree care. Also, as part of ISAs dedication to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees, it offers the only internationally-recognized certification program in the industry. For more information on ISA and Certified Arborists, visit http://www.isa-arbor.com ABOUT BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS The F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company was founded in 1907 by Francis A. Bartlett and is the worlds leading scientific tree and shrub care company. The organizations current chairman, Robert A. Bartlett Jr., represents the third generation of Bartlett family management. Bartlett has locations in 27 U.S. states, Canada, Ireland, and Great Britain. Services include pruning, insect and disease management, fertilization and soil care, cabling and bracing, tree lightning protection systems, and tree and stump removal. Its corporate offices are located in Stamford, Connecticut. To find out more, visit the companys web site at http://www.bartlett.com or call 1-877-BARTLETT (227-8538). This overview of the various Instagram strategies developed by fashion and luxury brands is based on case studies conducted by students as part of ESCP Europe's Fashion &Technology course. Grosescu Alberto via 123RF To better reach millennials, rely on intimacy The world of Chanel is opening to followers whether it is through live casual conversations between two brand ambassadors, pictures of a launch party or backstage images of shows. This does not exclude product pictures or official campaign extracts: everything is brought together to convey the brands philosophy in the most direct way and is also very efficient in modernizing the brands image as well as reaching a young scope of target. The heavyweights of retailing are leaders on Instagram but so are some featherweights! Campaign images work well on this platform and seem to get consumers excited about upcoming product releases. The Maje exclusives are of key interests to their followers, as the name alone incentivises them to shop. I genuinely believe that a job becomes fascinating when it gives a lot back in exchange. And thats also true for my clients, with whom I have had daily links for 12 years. This dialogue is captivating and encouraging and Instagram has amplified it. This proximity enables me to stay in tune with them. The Amazon paradox It is now a good reflection of the brand image ShopBop is trying to convey: a chic and aesthetic-focused brand. All in all, the ShopBop Instagram account is gaining momentum, following a strategy aligned with the brand image they are trying to convey. One size fits all? None of them links directly the Instagram account with the official e-shop. The content is instead in both cases focused on presenting the world of the brand and in general the idea of beauty conveyed by it. Also, both accounts often include posts with celebrities and brand ambassadors. No miracle recipe Chanel uses only one account to communicate with the public, while Dior, Nike and Adidas manage multiple accounts that target specific communities. Sezane uses contests to create involvement, Prada short films and East Dane uses Christmas holidays to increase sales. To everyone its strategy, the important thing is to be first in the mind of the consumer. In a difficult economic context, the fashion industry, and even the long-reluctant luxury goods sector, have turned towards digital technology. Image and social networks have become key elements of fashion and luxury companies strategies. Today, social networks in general and Instagram, in particular, have become an essential medium, not to say a veritable sales channel for fashion brands. But not all brands seem to have yet acquired the same level of mastery of this new tool. Or is it perhaps a deliberate choice?By nature, Instagram is well suited to fashion brands to whom the visual and community dimensions are essential: purchases generally linked to a feeling of belonging to a group, or through the imitation of stars, etc. Moreover, Instagram is unrivalled as a means to reach millennials: in 2017, 90% of Instagram users were under 35.Keen followers of social networks, this generation has a different relationship to brands, placing emphasis on use rather than possession and proving more sensitive to the power of the image. Another characteristic of millennials is that they want things instantaneously.Jerome Viala, deputy managing director of Lectra, provider of technological solutions for the fashion, automotive and furniture industries, has studied millennials impact on those markets.As Viala states , when this generation wants to buy a product or service, they have to be able to make the purchase immediately. This has recently been made possible on Instagram, since the social network has added a Shop button.Other features have been developed over time in order to enable brands to rebroadcast their events or reveal what is going on behind the scenes, and particularly Stories inspired by Snapchat, Instagram Live and, since the beginning of the year, the most eagerly awaited event of all among community managers, the planning of publications.For brands like Chanel, it is chiefly important in marketing terms to target this audience through Instagram: Intimacy is the key word in our analysis as Chanel has become a leader in the field of communicating with millennials and targeting what they want to see, wrote Andi Bei, Eleonore Bichot, Henrik Johansen, Livia Lima, Mateusz Majka and Max Dante in their paper about Chanels Instagram strategy. They continue:No wonder Chanel (one of the last brands to sell online, paradoxically) and its own dedicated Instagram team in Paris. The marketing management of events fashion shows but also the Cannes Festival was spotlighted as early as 2016 , which allowed Chanel to be the luxury brand that gained the most followers in 2017 (+9.6 million). It is the most followed one (25 million followers) ahead of Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Dior.Our students also noted that some brands adopt a distinct Instagram strategy that is unique to their own style: Chanel and Hermes are less product-driven. Instead, they focus on delivering an experience for their followers to immerse in for that particular season (Chanel) or showcasing its exclusive brand image and heritage (Hermes). It is not always the case: Pradas Instagram strategy is similar to that of other brands such as Gucci and Dior. It is a mix of showcasing brand stories, products from the collection as well as publicity by engaging with celebrities.Apart from Chanel, the major luxury brands are, however, outstripped on Instagram by other fashion industry players. Sportswear brands like Nike and Adidas (especially if their different accounts are aggregated) along with lingerie (Victorias Secret) and ready-to-wear brands (H&M and Zara). The position of these companies in the 2017 Interbrand ranking of the 100 most powerful brands in the world is more or less reflected on Instagram. Even though the Internet is generally associated with a dispersal of brandsHaving said this, there are exceptions: Chanel, for example, punches above its weight, to use the image employed by Luca Solca , luxury products manager at Exane BNP Paribas. Particularly because it posts more frequently than its main competitors, with Hermes punching below its weight according to Solas analysis of the luxury goods industry.Other less well-known brands are achieving great success on Instagram for example Maje, which has an average engagement rate of 0.61% and whose unique technique of posting complementary content in threes, creating a feast for the eyes was cited in Dash Hudsons annual fashion Instagram benchmarks as a source of growth rate. As our students observed:It is the same for certain DNVBs (Digital Native Vertical Brands), brands born online that interact directly with, and sell to, their clients without going through a distribution network over which they have no control . These include Dollar Shave Club, Jimmy Fairly, Casper, Made.com, etc., brands which also stand out for their skilful manipulation of social media A group of students studied Sezane, one of the brands whose very existence depends on their presence on the social networks. According to them, it gives echo to a current prominent phenomenon: brands are emerging as a response to the needs of the new waves of consumers primarily looking for differentiation through a two-way dialogue with the brand, as opposed to the previous generations, which was more producer-driven. Sezanes founder, Morgane Sezalory, talks about this dialogue We would not, however, go as far as saying that Instagram has killed the retail store , basing ourselves on the success story of Parisian Alexandre Daillances Nasaseasons (better known as Millinsky). Especialy since this strategy has allowed Sezane to open a corner at Bon Marche, pop-up stores in the provinces and two apartments in Paris and New York.So, social network success is not a question of size, nor the prerogative of pure players. Now number one on the American apparel market ahead of Macys, Amazon is also trying to move into the world of fashion. In 2007, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said, We need to learn to sell clothes and food.Before creating Amazon Fashion in 2012, opening Europes largest photographic studio in Londons Shoreditch in 2015 and patenting an automated on-demand clothing factory in 2017, the e-commerce giant bought out ShopBop in 2006, then Zappos in 2009. A leading online department store specialising in top-of-the-range fashion, the latter was run as a complement to Amazons existing Apparel & Accessories site. Although their posting strategy has changed over time, as highlighted by the group of students who studied it:The Instagram strategy employed by Amazon Fashion, which now has ten companies as own brands, some of which are little-known and one recently launched in Europe (Find), is all the more surprising: According to our students, after careful observation, there did not seem to be a clear strategy of the Amazon Fashion Instagram accounts. Differences between the several accounts of Amazon Fashion create in our opinion a lot of confusion for the consumer.The reason they identified for this is simple: although Amazon Fashion does realise the importance of social media in their marketing strategy, they have launched their own platform, called Amazon Spark, which is seemingly inspired by Instagram. Now, despite being innovative and having great potential, with only a 80-million user base (one-ninth of Instagrams), Amazon Spark cannot be a substitute for Instagram. As they emphasise, a more feasible strategy could be to introduce the Amazon Spark experience in collaboration with already well-recognized online platforms, such as Instagram, in order for it to break into a mass market.The problems and questions faced by Amazon which is extremely present, not to say invasive online, particularly on Facebook show that Instagram does not change everything, that it is always difficult to succeed on social media as a distributor because you cannot push your own brands too much. The retail industry as a whole is actually not very good at that game, with exceptions like Walmart.However, according to research by Socialbakers, the foundation of success on Instagram lies in good content planning. If you already have a stable content-creation strategy for other channels, you can apply many of the same tactics to Instagram.The students who chose to make an unusual comparison between Chanel and Nike also found points in common between their strategies:The strategies implemented by the brands are diverse, as our students have observed:With multiple Instagram accounts that appeal to a specific demographic and very engaging Stories , Dior does not, for example, have the same approach as Chanel but that did not prevent it from being one of the three brands (with Hermes and Louis Vuitton) which created the biggest buzz in 2017 on Instagram. Diors success proves that diverse social media accounts can benefit.There is no golden rule. However, despite these differences there is a common goal for all: the differentiation of the offer. His experience in retained search across many industries is invaluable to our model of excellence. The business landscape continues to shift and evolve, and we look forward to leveraging Johns expertise to address our clients challenges and enhance our market presence. Slayton Search Partners, a globally respected leader in retained executive search, is delighted to announce that John Ratliff has joined the company as Vice President and Principal. John will be focused on supporting Slayton partners with engagements in the industrial and consumer sectors, while also developing and expanding his own client relationships. John joins Slayton from Stanton Chase International, where he developed and executed search work across multiple industries. His accomplishments in managing search execution for both mid-level and senior-level roles position him for success at Slayton. John began his career in logistics, where he was responsible for strategically growing market share. Im excited to join Slayton, comments John. It is a firm I have admired for its longevity as well as its reputation for high quality search work for both large, global organizations as well as mid-market/PE and closely held businesses. I look forward to being part of the growth of the firm as it approaches its 40th anniversary. Were delighted to add John to the Slayton team, comments Richard Slayton, Managing Partner & CEO at Slayton Search Partners. His experience in retained search across many industries is invaluable to our model of excellence. The business landscape continues to shift and evolve, and we look forward to leveraging Johns expertise to address our clients challenges and enhance our market presence. John graduated with a degree in Finance, Investment, and Banking from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. About Slayton Search Partners Slayton Search Partners is a top retained executive search firm, serving some of North Americas most recognized companies. Slaytons limit-less approach to executive search has made the firm the first choice of U.S. businesses and organizations who demand the best possible search results. By focusing on a structure that balances the size needed to do the job with the size needed to deliver personal attention and service, Slayton avoids restrictions that limit traditional search firms. This helps transform the relationships with our clients into a limit-less opportunity for high-quality solutions. Slaytons combination of highly experienced and focused search professionals, coupled with its record for attentive personal service, has made it one of the most highly-respected retained executive search firms in the country. Majlinda Lako, PhD, Newcastle University In a new study published by STEM CELLS, researchers at Newcastle University, UK, describe a new organoid model that encompasses all human retinal cell types and that is responsive to light. Their work could have great impact on finding new treatments for the visually impaired by making drug and toxicology screening faster and more efficient. The number of people worldwide affected by visual impairment is massive currently estimated at 285 million and continues to rise as life expectancy increases. Many of those affected are older people, suffering from diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and glaucoma. Until now, most drug studies aimed at finding treatments for these diseases are performed on rodent models, a situation that is far from ideal due to the fundamental structural and functional differences between a rodents and a humans retina. Recent studies by other researchers have shown the promise of iPSCs in producing workable light-responsive 3D retinal cell models. To date, however, these organoids have not been used extensively in toxicology or pharmacology screening due largely to the lack of differentiation methods that generate them in numbers large enough for this type of testing. The Newcastle University team addressed this issue by investigating five separate human iPSC lines to determine their ability to generate such retina. In particular we wanted to gauge the organoids capacity for large-scale automation and drug screening as well as their usefulness in toxicity screening programs, said the studys corresponding author, Majlinda Lako, Ph.D., professor of stem cell sciences in Newcastle Universitys Institute for Genetic Medicine. Three of the five cell lines in the study came from healthy donors, while the other two were from diseased subjects one with AMD and the other with RP. Despite this, all five lines generated light-responsive retinal organoids, although they showed significant variability in their overall efficiency to do so. Additionally, by month 5 each organoid produced from the lines responded to light at a level comparable to that recorded in neonatal mice retina close to the time of eye opening. This variability in the lines efficiency cannot be related solely to disease pathology as it was encountered also between iPSC lines from unaffected individuals, Dr. Lako noted. Seeding density and nutrient availability seemed to have had the most dominant effect on retinal organoid formation. Overall, our study affirms that light-responsive retinal organoids derived from carefully selected and differentiation efficient iPSC lines can be generated at a scale needed for pharmacology and drug screening purposes. Through statistical design experiment, the authors determined the optimal application of key growth factors, small molecules and cell seeding density to generate light and drug responsive laminated retinal organoids in a multi well plate format that allows scalability and automation. Editor-in-Chief of STEM CELLS, Dr. Jan Nolta, commented, we congratulate Dr. Lako and her team on the development of light-sensing 3-D organoids containing all human retinal types, which can significantly enhance the development of therapy for blindness. ### Read the article Human induced pluripotent stem cells generate light responsive retinal organoids with variable and nutrient dependent efficiency at https://stemcellsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/stem.2883. About the Journal: STEM CELLS, a peer reviewed journal published monthly, provides a forum for prompt publication of original investigative papers and concise reviews. The journal covers all aspects of stem cells: embryonic stem cells/induced pluripotent stem cells; tissue-specific stem cells; cancer stem cells; the stem cell niche; stem cell epigenetics, genomics and proteomics; and translational and clinical research. STEM CELLS is co-published by AlphaMed Press and Wiley. About AlphaMed Press: Established in 1983, AlphaMed Press with offices in Durham, NC, San Francisco, CA, and Belfast, Northern Ireland, publishes three internationally renowned peer-reviewed journals with globally recognized editorial boards dedicated to advancing knowledge and education in their focused disciplines. STEM CELLS (http://www.StemCells.com) is the world's first journal devoted to this fast paced field of research. THE ONCOLOGIST (http://www.TheOncologist.com) is devoted to community and hospital-based oncologists and physicians entrusted with cancer patient care. STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE (http://www.StemCellsTM.com) is dedicated to significantly advancing the clinical utilization of stem cell molecular and cellular biology. By bridging stem cell research and clinical trials, SCTM will help move applications of these critical investigations closer to accepted best practices. About Wiley: Wiley, a global company, helps people and organizations develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Our online scientific, technical, medical and scholarly journals, combined with our digital learning, assessment and certification solutions, help universities, learned societies, businesses, governments and individuals increase the academic and professional impact of their work. For more than 200 years, we have delivered consistent performance to our stakeholders. The company's website can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com. While everyone desires success, each persons definition of what it looks like is often distinctly different. Career goals, financial goals, physical goals are important, but they do not provide a result that guarantees a lasting and eternal joy, peace, and contentment from having a relationship with God. Lessons from Solomon by Glen A. Blanscet is an encouraging spiritual and lifestyle guidebook that explores the example of King Solomon and shares the timeless biblical wisdom believers can use in their lives today. Focusing on themes of success and character, Blanscet provides engaging narrative retellings of Solomons life to show the importance of setting spiritual goals and trusting in God to lead us toward true success. I think truth is often more easily learned when viewed from the application of truth in the real-life stories of people, said Blanscet. Thus, I wanted to write a biographical story about Solomon rather than simply looking at the teachings of Solomon. Throughout Lessons from Solomon, readers learn lessons from Solomons good and bad examples in succinct statements called success lessons for people to apply in their own quests for true success. Lessons from Solomon: Finding True Success in Life By Glen A. Blanscet ISBN: 9781973629405 (softcover); 9781973629429 (hardcover); 9781973629412 (eBook) Available at the WestBow Press Online Bookstore, Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the author Glen A. Blanscet is an author, speaker, and adjunct professor in biblical studies. He holds a Juris Doctorate from Texas Tech University and practiced corporate and securities law for many years in a major law firm in Dallas, TX, and in house for a large publicly traded corporation where he served as vice president and general counsel. Blanscet left full-time legal practice to enter the ministry and obtained his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Thereafter, he served as the executive pastor of First Baptist Church in Carrollton, TX, for several years. Since leaving his church position, Blanscet has continued his active involvement in his community, being elected to the city council for the city of Carrollton, TX in 2015 and re-elected for a second term in 2018. He also served as mayor pro tem for the city from 2017 to 2018. To learn more, please visit http://www.glenblanscet.com. ### General Inquiries: LAVIDGE Phoenix Bryan Beach 480-306-6554 bbeach(at)lavidge(dot)com Review Copies & Interview Requests: LAVIDGE Phoenix Kiersten Woglom 480-998-2600 x 586 kwoglom(at)lavidge(dot)com Moran Family of Brands, one of the nations leading franchises of general automotive repair, transmission repair and driver safety products, announced its newest franchise location with a multi-branded Mr. Transmission/Milex and Alta Mere/SmartView store in Tampa Bay, FL. The multi-branded franchise opened in early June and operates in a 4,000 square foot facility located at 3810 W. Linebaugh Avenue in Tampa Bay. A grand opening is planned for a later date. The store is the first in the country to incorporate each of Morans four brands Mr. Transmission, Milex Complete Auto Care, Alta Mere The Automotive Outfitters and SmartView Window Solutions. Mr. Transmission/Milex will offer customers in the area a comprehensive selection of automotive repair and maintenance services. Mr. Transmission specializes in repair and installation of a vehicles transmission systems and drivetrain components. Milex provides customers with preventative maintenance services such as oil changes, brake repair, and radiator and cooling systems and engine repair along with a full range of diagnostic services. Alta Mere offers a complete selection of aftermarket high tech automotive accessories and driver safety products. It provides premium automotive features such as security and radar detection systems, remote starters and keyless entry, and hands-free blue tooth phone systems. They also specialize in exterior services such as custom, state-of-the-art window tinting and paint protection applications. The SmartView division of the company will be able to provide window tinting solutions to residential and commercial customers in the area. SmartViews window film gives customers substantial economic, environmental and safety benefits such as heat deflection and UV and shatter guard protection. Reflective film can block as much as 83 percent of the suns heat, and dramatically lower air conditioning costs. The new franchise is co-owned by Mario Gonzalez and Sebastian Pacheco. The business partners moved to Tampa Bay in December from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Gonzalez owned an auto repair store in Argentina and Pacheco spent 15 years working in advertising for a local television station. The two met five years ago and shared a mutual love of working on cars and a desire to own a business in the United States. After doing extensive research, they determined Tampa Bay was the perfect location for a franchise offering a wide range of automotive services. We want to provide residents in the Tampa Bay area with a one-stop shop that can meet all of their car care needs, said Sebastian Pacheco. We can handle any kind of auto repair service while also giving our customers some additional options if they want to enhance the appearance or safety of their vehicle. The Mr. Transmission/Milex/Alta Mere/SmartView store is Moran Family of Brands ninth franchise in Florida and the second in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area. There is also Mr. Transmission/Milex franchise in Holiday, FL. We think Tampa Bay is a great market for our newest location and we are excited to incorporate all four of our brands under one roof, said Peter Baldine, President of Moran Family of Brands. Ive been very impressed with the backgrounds of Mario and Sebastian and their vision of coming to this country from Argentina and owning a business. They have a tremendous personal story and I think they will offer a valuable resource to residents in the Tampa Bay area. About Moran Family of Brands: Moran Family of Brands is one of the nations leading franchisors of general automotive repair, transmission repair and automotive accessory centers. Based in Midlothian, Illinois, Moran Family of Brands provides specialty products and services in virtually every aspect of the automotive aftermarket through four individual brands and a total of more than 120 franchise locations nationwide including: Mr. Transmission, The Professionals; Alta Mere The Automotive Outfitters; and Milex Complete Auto Care centers and SmartView Window Solutions. For more information on Moran Family of Brands visit http://www.moranfamilyofbrands.com. "We are very excited about the move," says Territory Sales Director Courtney Kern, "One goal in this move is to continue the legacy set by Distinctive Signs; quality manufacturing with an emphasis on high end customer service. Golden Rule Signs, an industry-leading outdoor electric sign company, today announced plans to relocate their office to Jeffersontown this Spring. The new location, at 2420 Holloway Road, will become home to a growing team already located in the East Louisville area. "We needed more space to grow, and are looking forward to bringing more of our processes in-house," said Principal and CTO, Logan Baker. "Jeffersontown is a great place to bring our employee-owned company, and our approach to dedicating our time to client satisfaction. The new office will be located in a building that acted as the former home to a sign company founded in 1970. They had been a friend and vendor for many years. At the time we were looking to grow, they were looking for a transition. It was a natural fit for everyone. The partnership between the Jeffersontown Chamber and Golden Rule Signs has assisted the company in building strong ties to their new community. The Mayor of Jeffersontown will be assisting with the ribbon cutting, and all members of the Chamber and business community are invited to attend. This transition has fueled new energy into what was already a tight knit, hard hitting team. Our staff can walk through the production space and see projects they are working on, link up with clients over FaceTime and show their sign being built. This positive impact has boosted our momentum and I see it growing to the extent that Im considering building-on to the current footprint. An additional 6,000 square feet would max out our lot and probably triple our capacity., says CEO Logan Baker. Golden Rule Signs specializes in providing school signs, LED signs, and church signs across the United States. Despite being a great resource for signs in Louisville Kentucky, Golden Rule actually operates nationwide. Our products can be found in 46 states. We welcome opportunities to provide local customers with great quality signs at an affordable price. "We are very excited about the move," says Territory Sales Director Courtney Kern, "One goal in this move is to continue the legacy set by Distinctive Signs; quality manufacturing with an emphasis on high end customer service. We will continue to build their product line. For Golden Rule Signs in general, the acquisition of this larger office space not only helps accommodate the growing number of Team members, but it makes sense to integrate upstream." For more information about the new Golden Rule Signs office, contact Logan Baker at logan@goldenrulesigns.com. For additional information, visit their website at http://www.goldenrulesigns.com. Dedicated Senior Medical Center Logo Our high-touch approach leads to improved health care outcomes for patients. ChenMed, a leading primary care provider, is opening three new Dedicated Senior Medical Centers in Jacksonville, Fla., that will bring concierge-style health care to Jacksonville seniors at little to no cost to patients. The new Dedicated Senior Medical Centers offer an emphasis on preventive health care and services, such as courtesy transportation, on-site specialists and medication dispensing, and, perhaps most importantly, more face-to-face time with physicians. Were thrilled to be investing in Jacksonville and opening three new Dedicated Senior Medical Centers here to give more seniors access to high quality care, said Gaurov Dayal, MD, ChenMed President of New Markets and Chief Growth Officer. Our high-touch approach leads to improved health care outcomes for patients, and our new centers contribute to revitalizing under-served neighborhoods. Demonstrating a strong commitment to quality health care for local seniors, Dedicated is investing more than $60 million over five years in Jacksonville. During that same period, Dedicated Jacksonville expects to employ about 100 physicians, clinical support, administrators, and community engagement specialists. Two of the three new Dedicated Jacksonville centers are benefiting from investments by Turner Impact Capital, one of the nations largest social impact investment firms, through the Turner Healthcare Facilities Fund. Through the Turner Healthcare Facilities Fund, Turner Impact Capital invests in innovative and sustainable health care projects that generate a positive financial return and have a meaningful impact on communities, said Bobby Turner, CEO of Turner Impact Capital. Given the improved care and VIP service that ChenMed physicians consistently deliver to seniors at lower costs, Dedicated centers in Florida are exactly the type of projects we look to support. The three new Dedicated Senior Medical Centers opened their doors to initial patients on July 2, 2018, and the Jacksonville community is invited to attend grand openings scheduled for later in August at the new locations: Dedicated Jacksonville Northside (3059 Edgewood Avenue West) August 9-10 Dedicated Jacksonville Westside (6841 Blanding Boulevard) August 14-15 Dedicated Jacksonville Arlington (9422 Arlington Expressway) August 16-17 Attendees at the events will have the opportunity to meet with Dedicated physicians, take a tour of the new center, and learn more about the special services available. A provider of high-quality health care to underserved Florida seniors since 2010, Dedicated Senior Medical Center and its new Jacksonville locations are committed to delivering exceptional outcomes that help patients avoid unnecessary trips to the hospital and emergency room. Dedicated physicians build personal relationships with their patients and offer same-day appointment options for seniors seeking immediate care. ChenMeds model of high-touch care has proven to drive successful patient outcomes. A report showed that its doctors spend 189 minutes face-to-face with each patient annually more than nine times the national average. As a result, ChenMed rates of ER visits are 33.6 percent lower than the national average among Medicare beneficiaries. ChenMed patients also average 28 percent fewer hospital admissions and 25 percent fewer in-patient days than the average Medicare beneficiary. The Turner Healthcare Facilities Fund is a pioneering social impact fund with a focus on developing high-quality medical facilities for proven healthcare providers in communities with underserved patient populations. The fund will be positioned to invest up to $500 million in healthcare facilities focused on primary care, transitional care, ambulatory care and other specialties, while generating superior risk-adjusted returns for investors. About Dedicated & ChenMed For seniors most in need of care, high-quality health care too often is beyond reach. Dedicated Senior Medical Center which currently operates 10 medical practices in Philadelphia, plus Bradenton, Clearwater, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Tampa, and St. Petersburg, Fla. will, within months, further expand its Tampa Bay and Philadelphia presence. Part of the ChenMed family of companies, Dedicated brings concierge-style medicine and better health outcomes to the neediest populations. The value-based care provider serves seniors primarily with low-to-moderate incomes, most managing multiple chronic conditions. Dedicateds (ChenMeds) mission is to honor seniors with affordable VIP care that delivers better health. To do that, Dedicated relies on innovative technology and a talented, resourceful and compassionate team of providers. Founded by Dr. James Chen, a Taiwanese immigrant and cancer survivor, ChenMed operates more than 45 medical centers in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Well-known ChenMed brands include Chen Senior Medical Center, Dedicated Senior Medical Center, and JenCare Senior Medical Center. About Turner Impact Capital Dedicated to generating profits with a purpose, Turner Impact Capital is an acknowledged leader and innovator in the growing field of social impact investing an investment approach that takes into account two goals: generating positive, risk-adjusted financial returns and creating purposeful, measurable, and positive social and environmental impact through those investments. Founded in 2014, the firm is on course to surpass $3 billion in investment potential to address some of the most pervasive social issues challenging urban neighborhoods, such as healthcare, workforce housing and education, while delivering superior risk-adjusted returns for its investors. For more information about Turner Impact Capital and the Turner Healthcare Facilities Fund, visit http://www.turnerimpact.com or @turnerimpact on Twitter. Karla Jo Helms, CEO for JoTo PR, discusses how ULTATEL's cloud-based technology streamlines business operations. ULTATELs cloud-based technology is the telecom solution for 21st century enterprises. Unified business communications will save companies time in searching for a dedicated IT staff, reallocating those funds towards managing customer service and business development. As of 2016, the global VoIP market was valued at $43.3 billion. It is estimated that the compound annual growth rate will increase by 10.2% for the VoIP market between 2017 and 2024, which means by 2024 the global revenue will more than double to $93.9 billion.1 ULTATELs telecom products have disruptively penetrated the VoIP market as the cloud-based phone service only needs an internet connection to conduct business calls, enact real-time video in addition to the sharing of pictures, audio and video clips. JoTo PR will feature ULTATELs evolution through the rapidly-changing telecom industry, and how theyll aim to reform businesses telecom strategies worldwide. Karla Jo Helms, CEO, Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR Strategist for JoTo PR, says, ULTATELs cloud-based technology is the telecom solution for 21st century enterprises. Unified business communications will save companies time in searching for a dedicated IT staff, reallocating those funds towards managing customer service and business development. ULTATEL is a leading provider of cloud-based phone system solutions. Through its unified communications platform, companies can have all their voice, video, fax, SMS and audio conferencing services on one affordable system. ULTATEL Business clarity with more than 40 enterprise grade features helps companies to operate from a single location or multiple locations seamlessly using desktop phones, softphones or mobile apps. ULTATELs Contact Center solution satisfies the need for call center features like advanced Interactive Voice Response (IVR), call queuing, skilled/time-based routing and advanced call analytics. As the telecom industry continues its digital expansion, ULTATEL demonstrates that a shift towards boosting technology, productivity, globalization efficiencies, and its commitment to reducing operating costs will position themselves as a worthwhile telecom solution in the years ahead, added Helms. JoTo PR has a background of proven PR services that substantiates reliability in disseminating services to national and international organizations for impact-on-revenue results. The firm is a constantly acclimating with the modern age of digital media, blending traditional PR expertise with advanced disruptive PR tactics to exemplify full advantage of todays media landscape. JoTo PR specializes in the healthcare, finance and technology sectors, but has worked for numerous industries and non-profits, using a proprietary process to consistently classify, transport and announce news to the press thats most valuable to its readers, viewers and listenership. About JoTo PR: After doing marketing research on a cross-section majority of 5,000 CEOs of fast-growth trajectory companies and finding out exactly how they used PR, how they measure it and how they wanted the PR industry to be different, PR veteran and innovator Karla Jo Helms created JoTo PR and established its entire business model on those research findings. Astute in recognizing industry changes since its launch in 2009, JoTo PRs team utilizes newly established patterns to create timely PR campaigns comprising both traditional and the latest proven media methods. This unique skill enables JoTo PR to continue to increase the market share and improve return on investment (ROI) for its clients, year after yearbeating usual industry standards. Based in Tampa Bay, Florida, JoTo PR is an established international public relations agency. Today, all of JoTo PRs processes are streamlined PR services that have become the hallmark of the JoTo PR name. For more information, visit JoTo PR online at http://www.jotopr.com. About Karla Jo Helms: Karla Jo Helms is the Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR Strategist for JoTo PR. Karla Jo learned firsthand how unforgiving business can be when millions of dollars are on the lineand how the control of public opinion often determines whether one company is happily chosen or another is brutally rejected. Being an alumna of crisis management, Karla Jo has worked with litigation attorneys, private investigators and the media to help restore companies of goodwill back into the good graces of public opinionKarla Jo operates on the ethic of getting it right the first time, not relying on second chances, and doing what it takes to excel. Karla Jo has patterned her agency on the perfect balance of crisis management, entrepreneurial insight and proven public relations experience. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how the PR industry itself has lost its way and how, in the right hands, corporations can harness the power of PR to drive markets and impact market perception. 1. Global VoIP Market Continues to Grow for Tech Companies | Markets Insider. Business Insider, Business Insider, 8 Aug. 2017. Our Special Events always deliver key takeaways and insights that attendees can use to sustain their businesses competitive edge. The Object Management Group (OMG), an international, open membership, not-for-profit technology standards consortium, today announced its Special Events program will be held during the OMG Technical Committee (TC) meeting from September 24-28, 2018 at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Ottawa City Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Registration for the Special Events agenda is open to the public. Media can register for a complimentary press pass using the code TCOTP18. The Special Events agenda features standards developed by OMG members. Experts in business architecture, cybersecurity and government IT will discuss how to: apply business architecture to a cross-section of industries and expand the disciplines knowledgebase leverage Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) with architecture modeling to enable the modernization of complex systems deploy OMG cybersecurity standards and related-tools to safeguard personal information and secure critical physical infrastructure apply OMG government standards to common IT challenges as defined by Canadian federal, provincial and municipal authorities OMG Chairman and CEO Dr. Soley said, We have a wonderful Special Events program lined up that the public is invited to attend. Ill be joined by OMG members who are experts in crafting standards that directly impact horizontal initiatives like cybersecurity as well as vertical domains. Our Special Events always deliver key takeaways and insights that attendees can use to sustain their businesses competitive edge. Attendees will have the additional benefit of learning about OMG partner solutions, notably from sponsors No Magic, RTI and Sparx Systems. The Special Events for the week include: Business Architecture 2-day Summit and 1-day Workshop: This two-day event will feature a cross-section of business practitioners and experts who will present how business architecture applies to an ever-growing number of business domains and numerous strategic initiatives. The Business Architecture Government Reference Model Workshop is a post-Summit optional event, focusing on advancing the business architecture reference model for government. Registration for the two-day Summit is $495 USD. The registration fee for all three days, including the Workshop, is $595 USD. In addition, a half-day Business Architecture Primer is complimentary for the first 50 registrants. MBSE-Inspired Actionable Enterprise Architectures Summit: Thought leaders from government, system integrators, the OMG Unified Architecture Framework (UAF) development team, and practitioners will discuss the challenges, strategies, and current and emerging practices that apply to leveraging MBSE with architecture modeling to modernize complex systems. Companion tutorials in the afternoon will introduce UAF v1.0. Both events are complimentary. OMG Meet & Greet: Cyber Security Standards: OMG Task Force chairs from the System Assurance Task Force and the Consultation, Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence Task Force will report on their standard efforts to: create common frameworks for analysis and exchange of information, improve the use of automated and computer-assisted cyber security tools and establish a family of specifications for responsible information sharing and safeguarding. This event is complimentary. OMG Standards for the Federal & Provincial Governments of Canada: Over the course of two days, OMG members will provide information sessions and tutorials on OMG standards that align with government objectives and priorities outlined in Canadas Information Technology Strategic Plan 2016 2020 and the FWD50 and Open First initiatives. The event is complimentary with options to add lunch for $49 USD per day and an additional $20 USD to attend the Wednesday evening reception. Registration Information All Special Events (including complimentary) require advance registration. Registration for the full OMG TC Meeting week is for members only and includes all Special Event daily fees. Non-members may attend any of the Special Events. A limited number of non-members may also attend the full OMG TC Meeting week. OMG Social Media Channels Follow the Twitter hashtag #OMGTCOttawa to join the conversation. To learn about becoming an OMG member, click on https://www.omg.org or visit us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or connect with us on LinkedIn. About OMG The Object Management Group (OMG) is an international, open membership, not-for-profit technology standards consortium with representation from government, industry and academia. OMG Task Forces develop enterprise integration standards for a wide range of technologies and an even wider range of industries. OMG's modeling standards enable powerful visual design, execution and maintenance of software and other processes. Visit http://www.omg.org for more information. Note to editors: Object Management Group and OMG are registered trademarks of the Object Management Group. For a listing of all OMG trademarks, visit https://www.omg.org/legal/tm_list.htm. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ONEIL CEO Hernan Olivas to discuss timely topics in aerospace product support. "We believe this is an important event for ONEIL and the aerospace community. As leaders in product support, we're proud to share key insights and trends we're seeing in the way we support our aerospace customers." -John Mayes, ONEIL Aerospace Business Unit Manager ONeil & Associates, Inc. (ONEIL) has announced plans to host its first-ever Breakfast Briefing at its Miamisburg, Ohio, headquarters in partnership with the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI). Themed Trends in Aerospace Product Support, ONEIL CEO Hernan Olivas will discuss topics in aerospace product support such as changes to the product support landscape and AR/VRs role in end user consumption. Guests will be treated to complimentary breakfast as well as the opportunity to network with ONEIL leadership and peers in the aerospace industry. The event is to be held Thursday, August 30, 2018, at ONEILs workshop facility at 495 Byers Road in Miamisburg, Ohio. While it is free to attend, registration is required. Regional leaders in the aerospace industry and local government officials are anticipated to be in attendance. Registration and more information about the event can be found at https://bit.ly/ONEILBreakfastBriefing. About ONeil & Associates, Inc. ONeil & Associates, Inc. (ONEIL) is an employee-owned company that develops technical publications, training, and related materials for manufacturers to help them show their customers how to operate, maintain, and repair their products. In addition to providing services for developing these materials, ONEIL also offers related technology solutions for creating, managing, and delivering their clients technical information. ONEIL serves wide range of clients in the commercial and government markets with offerings like Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals, Web-Based Environments, Intrusive Diagnostic Systems, e-Learning, training, Content Management Systems, and traditional paper manuals. For more information about ONEILs products and services, visit https://www.oneil.com. About the Ohio Aerospace Institute The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) was founded in 1989. Their mission is to enhance partners aerospace competitiveness through research and technology development, workforce preparedness, and engagement with global networks for innovation and advocacy. Today, OAI has approximately 80 employees and over $16M in annual revenue. OAI is a joint initiative of the NASA Glenn Research Center, the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the State of Ohio, ten Ohio public and private universities granting doctoral degrees in aerospace-related engineering disciplines, and numerous companies engaged in aerospace activities. OAI is a 501(c) (3), not-for-profit organization. For more information about OAI, visit https://www.oai.org. Because of its almost one-of-kind provenance as a double lot, it could be divided into two lots and two new single-family homes could be developed. There is also the possibility of building a two to three-unit condominium building on the site. A RARE OFFERING The property known as 2722 The Strand is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a new owner to build, divide, expand, or restore. At 6,967 square-feet, it is one of the largest oceanfront double lots in highly-desirable and world-famous Manhattan Beach. A double lot is so rare a commodity, that the City says there are only 8 other double lots in all of Manhattan Beachs Sand Section (and only one triple lot and two one-and-a-half lots). This double lot is also sited on a corner, making its prospects brighter (literally) and its possibilities more infinite. Panoramic views of sky, sand, and the Pacific roll out directly in front of and off to both side of the property. Catalina Island, and the cites of Santa Monica, Palos Verdes, and Malibu are visible to the naked eye. Nothing stands (or ever will stand) between this property and the surf, which is merely 400-feet away. A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY The immediate area has seen a steady stream of ground-up single-family and condominium construction, as well as a fair amount of extensive renovation to existing architecture. According to preliminary research at the City level, this 2722 The Strands lot could be developed into a single home of over 11,000 square-feet. Because of its almost one-of-kind provenance as a double lot, it could be divided into two lots and two new single-family homes could be developed. There is also the possibility of building a two to three-unit condominium building on the site. Research also indicates the possibility of subterranean parking for up to 18 cars. NOW AND FOREVER As it currently sits, the 6,025 square-foot residence at 2722 The Strand is and eight-bedroom, nine-bathroom structure on three levels. Its a versatile mid-century structure has main and guest quarters, an interior courtyard, walls of glass, offices, and parking for up to 10 cars. Views of the ocean abound from nearly every room, including the living and dining rooms. The home has two kitchens (plus one kitchenette); one with newer stainless-steel appliances, Caesarstone and granite counter tops. The homes master suite has a private balcony with ocean views. The house has two offices and a large laundry room. SAND SECTION MANHATTAN BEACH Lets talk about the crown jewel of the South Bay for a second, shall we? Manhattan Beach is one of three beach cities in the South Bay and is arguably the prettiest, shiniest and most charismatic of the bunch. In fact, Manhattan Beach has been nicknamed the Pearl of the South Bay for its beauty and desirability. The city is broken up into several neighborhoods, has a population of over 35,000 people and spreads over an area of 3.88 square miles. Parking in these parts might be scarce, but the incredible views and beach access more than make up for it. GIVING BACK This phenomenal property is currently listed by Keller Williams Beverly Hills agent Jeff Yarbrough and Keller Williams Beach Cities agent America Michael. What do these agents have in common? They are both consistently rank among the top professionals in their marketplace; they both have long and prosperous real estate backgrounds; they both put consistently put their clients first; and they both have hearts for giving back. Yarbrough donates money from every sale to animal rescues. When The Strand sells, he is sharing $10,000 with Central Coast Pug Rescue. Michael is a member of Giveback Homes, the premier social good real estate platform, and in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, her team will be working together in October to help build a home for a family in Long Beach. Michael has participated in a previous Los Angeles Build Days with Keller Williams, multiple fundraising events, and traveled to Nicaragua to build a home for a family in need. This is a truly property that shines above the rest matched with two agents who shine above the rest. Wed call that a perfect match. Keller Williams Beverly Hills and Keller Williams Beach Cities are under the ownership umbrella of Forward Management. Forward Management, founded in 2003, is the 18th largest residential real estate brokerage in the United States by closed volume. Operating as 12 offices across Central and Southern California, Forward Management has seen phenomenal growth and success over recent years, reaching $6.1 Billion in closed volume in 2018. Founder and CEO Paul Morris believes the success of Forward Management will continue as they grow their collaborative network and continue to operate as the vehicle to their associates individual success. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 6) Former Senator Bongbong Marcos filed a motion before the Supreme Court asking to inhibit Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa from his poll protest case versus Vice President Leni Robredo. In an urgent motion filed Monday, the Marcos camp sought for 'immediate inhibition' of ponente or member-in-charge Justice Caguioa from participating in all proceedings related to the 2016 vice presidential election protest case. The former senator cited Caguioa's 'close ties' with friend and former boss Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III as a basis of inhibition, saying the Justice 'cannot deny that he is biased with the yellow brigade.' He added it was public knowledge that Caguioa is a childhood friend and former classmate of Aquino. Marcos also claimed Caguioa's wife 'was and is still an ardent supporter' of Vice President Robredo, and even actively campaigned for the latter in the 2016 elections. In a statement, the former senator's camp also revealed a series of online messages from Caguioa's wife which prompted him to push through with the motion. The messages allegedly 'depicted the wife's resentment' towards Marcos and his family, the statement added. In July, the Supreme Court, acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), sided with Robredo's appeal and pushed for the 25 percent shading threshold in the recount of votes of the vice presidential race. READ: Comelec sides with Robredo: Use 25% shading threshold in recount of votes Marcos, in the 13-page document, noted that any kind of due process will be meaningless 'if the ultimate decision would come from a partial and biased judge.' "Given the fact that the Supreme Court is a collegial body, it would be unfair and unjust for the other members of this esteemed Tribunal to be tainted by the impropriety of Associate Justice Caguioa," Marcos said. " "Consequently, it is imperative that he inhibit himself from participating in the proceedings and deliberations relative to this election protest," he added. The Wonders of Rock Art: Lascaux Cave and Africa exhibition at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg explores the role women played in cave and rock art. Women in French and South African rock art Sci-Bono collaborated with the Embassy of France in South Africa and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) to bring true-to-nature replicas of the painted walls of the Lascaux Cave in France to the country. A collection of South African rock art is on exhibition alongside the Lascaux Cave replicas.The Pennsylvania State University conducted a study of handprints in cave art and determined that many European cave artists were female; the focus of the study centred on eight caves sites in France and Spain.Our modern gender stereotypes have been, and continue to be, imposed on how we think about the past, says Dr Tammy Hodgskiss, curator at the Wits University Origins Centre thats co-exhibiting the African rock art.However, she adds research points to much of our South African San rock art having been painted by shamans. Shamans were the Palaeolithic worlds spiritual healers and leaders. They had enormous influence and were believed to have direct access to worlds beyond the physical one. Most of the shamans in South African communities appear to have been men, says Dr Hodgskiss.She points out that South African rock art depicts both men and women, which suggests that women and men played equally important roles in community and spiritual life.According to Sci-Bono Discovery Centre CEO Dr More Chakane, the intrigue and the attraction of the exhibition lies in the mystery around the artwork. The Lascaux exhibition is an awe-inspiring piece of work that leaves us wondering about many, many things. While we may never know the answers to our questions, the work stands and will always stand as a testament to the genius and creativity of humanity.The exhibition will be open for free to all women on Womens Day, 9 August 2018.For more information, go to http://www.sci-bono.co.za/lascaux.html Rigaku MiniFlex benchtop X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrometer Rigaku is in attendance at the 67th Annual Conference on Applications of X-ray Analysis to showcase its XRD and XRF spectrometers Rigaku Corporation, a global leader in X-ray analytical instrumentation, is pleased to announce its attendance at the 67th annual Denver X-ray Conference (DXC 2018), being held at the Westin Westminster Hotel, Westminster, Colorado, the week of August 6 -10, 2018. Rigaku is exhibiting its diverse range of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrumentation in the South Foyer at Booth numbers 41, 42, and 43. X-ray and EUV multilayer optics from Rigaku Innovative Technologies (RIT) are featured at booth 44. Rigaku manufactures a complete range of XRD and XRF instruments and components for research, testing, industrial process control, and product development. Featured systems include the new sixth generation Rigaku MiniFlex benchtop X-ray diffraction instrument. The MiniFlex is a general purpose X-ray diffractometer that can perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of polycrystalline materials. The Rigaku SmartLab intelligent X-ray diffraction system is a multi-purpose, high-resolution diffractometer. The SmartLab system is designed for all XRD applications, from powder and thin film diffraction to small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and in-plane scattering. The systems Guidance software provides an intelligent interface that guides users through each experiment. Also featured is the Rigaku Supermini200 wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometer. With enhanced software capabilities and an improved footprint, it is the only commercially available benchtop WDXRF spectrometer. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometers from Rigaku include the Rigaku NEX CG Cartesian-geometry EDXRF spectrometer, a powerful analyzer designed to deliver rapid qualitative and quantitative determination of major and minor atomic elements across a wide variety of sample types. Workshops will take place throughout the conference and will include presentations from Rigaku covering topics such as Quantitative Analysis, Trace Analysis, and Two-dimensional Detectors. A Monday evening XRD Poster Session will be held from 5:00 pm 7:00 pm and will feature: New Stage of Benchtop X-ray Diffractometer MiniFlex with New Two-dimensional Detector and Temperature-Control Attachment Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties of 137Cs in Geological Materials by X-ray Diffractometry Tuesday evenings XRD poster session will feature: Trace Element Analysis of Waste Water and Eluate Samples by Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry About Rigaku Since its inception in Japan in 1951, Rigaku has been at the forefront of analytical and industrial instrumentation technology. Rigaku and its subsidiaries form a global group focused on general-purpose analytical instrumentation and the life sciences. With hundreds of major innovations to their credit, Rigaku companies are world leaders in X-ray spectrometry, diffraction, and optics, as well as small molecule and protein crystallography and semiconductor metrology. Today, Rigaku employs over 1,400 people in the manufacturing and support of its analytical equipment, which is used in more than 70 countries around the world supporting research, development, and quality assurance activities. Throughout the world, Rigaku continuously promotes partnerships, dialog, and innovation within the global scientific and industrial communities. For further information, contact: Michael Nelson Rigaku Global Marketing Group tel: +1. 512-225-1796 michael.nelson@rigaku.com "Were very excited to have the opportunity to offer lower-cost access to our state-of-the-art Venapax EVH System, which allows hospitals and doctors to continue delivering safe, lifesaving, effective patient care while maintaining cost control, says Michael J. Glennon, CEO of Saphena Medical On June 1, 2018 Saphena Medical Inc. was awarded a group purchasing agreement as a Breakthrough Technology with Premier, a national healthcare improvement company. Saphena Medicals Venapax Endoscopic Vessel Harvesting System is the first unitary EVH system on the market that allows for the saphenous vein or radial artery to be harvested for a coronary artery bypass graft procedure in a single comprehensive system. This agreement gives Premier members access to pre-negotiated pricing for the Venapax system. This partnership with Premier is extremely pivotal for our company, says Michael J. Glennon, CEO and Director of Saphena Medical. Were very excited to have the opportunity to offer lower-cost access to our state-of-the-art Venapax EVH System, which allows hospitals and doctors to continue delivering safe, lifesaving, effective patient care while maintaining cost control, Glennon adds. The new agreement will afford doctors and hospitals lower-cost and improved access to Venapax for use during endoscopic vein harvesting procedures. Venapax is a single comprehensive solution for endoscopic vein harvesting in the cardiovascular arena. ABOUT SAPHENA MEDICAL Saphena Medical is a Boston, Massachusetts-based medical device company established in 2013. Its team has deep knowledge in the cardiovascular space, coupled with advanced medical device design and innovation. In 2015, Saphena marketed its first cardiovascular device, the Venapax Endoscopic Vessel Harvesting System, which consolidates EVH into a single tool. Michael J. Glennon has been CEO and a Director of Saphena Medical since February 2013. Adding Identity Lifecycle to IAM Homegrown and customized IAM systems just won't cut it anymore, having the flexibility in configuration that NE Profile brings to the table to manage complex business processes was a huge win and a critical component of our holistic identity strategy. SecZetta today announced a major software update for the NE Profile suite. This release sees new and optimized functionality for better management and control of business requirements for how third party, non-employees are managed within an organization. By managing the business process, creating robust relationships and evaluating risk before granting access, companies can better apply mitigating controls to help avoid potential breaches (http://www.seczetta.com/products). NE Profile gives IT Security, HR and the business the ability to replace legacy processes and homegrown systems with a modernized solution that provides significant cost, performance and security advantages. Its a big win for IT and the business to have an out of the box solution that provides a user-friendly experience with the flexibility to accommodate a variety of business processes, said Jason Hobart, SVP, SecZetta. Depending on the industry, an Organizations non-employee population can be large and diverse, encompassing students, SOW workers, clinical staff, vendors and individual contractors. Companies need a solution that can handle that diversity in a centralized system while distributing the responsibility of managing the non-employee populations to different parts of the business. Some of the key features include: All new improved Admin user interface Improved Risk Engine Custom branding controls Improved API features Expanded workflow capabilities Consistent with SecZettas development approach, many of the upgrades were directed by customers themselves. SecZetta's partner network comprised of companies like Optiv, Integral Partners, Identropy and SecureITSource, to name a few, use the solutions to address the third party gap that exists today from a technology perspective. Integrating with leading technologies like SailPoint, RSA, Core Security, Ping and CyberArk helps companies address a holistic identity strategy that encompasses all identity types including employees and non-employees. The demand for these new features and enhancements is significant, and SecZetta has built them into the product to help customers continue to better address the growing non-employee population. About SecZetta SecZetta is the leading provider of third party identity risk and lifecycle management software solutions. SecZettas' solutions are utilized by companies around the globe to manage third party identity risk: create, control and respond to third party identity requirements and processes, meet compliance and minimize data breaches. SecZetta products extend IGA programs to include identity life cycle capabilities: NE Profile, which manages identity risk and lifecycle processes for nonemployees; NE Access, enables collaboration with partners and vendors; and ID Proxy, which merges identity data from multiple sources to maintain master identities in a single authoritative source. To learn more please visit http://www.seczetta.com or visit us on Twitter @seczetta Says Slone Partners CEO Leslie Loveless, "Were delighted that Prescient CEO Jamie Denison-Pender and his team chose Dr. Paul Harney, who is extremely passionate about providing material assistance to Prescients global clientele. Slone Partners, North Americas leading executive search firm for life sciences and diagnostics companies, announces the placement of Dr. Paul Harney as President, North America at Prescient Healthcare Group. Dr. Harney will be responsible for delivering Prescients North America growth strategy and enhancing client satisfaction. He was also named to Prescients Board of Directors. Founded in 2007, Prescient is a leading biopharmaceutical product and portfolio strategy firm, offering evidence-based decision support for life sciences companies in the areas of commercial planning, strategy, marketing and analytics. Prescient counts 22 of the top 25 multinational pharmaceutical companies as clients, has completed more than 600 engagements in 11 years and is a portfolio company of Baird Capital. Dr. Harney has more than 20 years of consulting and leadership experience providing guidance and support to the healthcare industry and has worked at Deloitte Consulting and IQVIA (formerly Quintiles). His areas of expertise include business development, marketing, field force optimization, supply chain maximization and medical affairs. Dr. Harney earned his PhD in chemistry from New Yorks Stony Brook University. Says Slone Partners CEO Leslie Loveless, World-class firms like Prescient Healthcare Group are brilliantly positioned to help both large and emerging pharmaceutical clients with vital strategic positioning, marketing and commercial decision making. Were delighted that Prescient CEO Jamie Denison-Pender and his team chose Dr. Paul Harney, who is extremely passionate about providing material assistance to Prescients global clientele. Adds Denison-Pender, Pauls combination of consultancy, outsourcing and advertising experience means he has a highly nuanced understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing our clients. ABOUT SLONE PARTNERS Slone Partners delivers the leaders who build amazing scientific healthcare organizations - People Are Our Science. Since 2000, Slone Partners specializes in delivering world-class C-suite leadership, executive and upper management talent to the most promising and established life sciences, diagnostics, precision medicine, CRO and laboratory services companies. With coast-to-coast presence in the most active healthcare industry hubs of Boston, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Austin, Research Triangle Park, NC, and Washington, DC, Slone Partners uniquely and precisely provides an array of executive search and advisory services to innovative scientific healthcare companies. To learn more about Slone Partners value proposition and processes, visit http://www.slonepartners.com or call 888.784.3422. ABOUT PRESCIENT Prescient Healthcare Group is a biopharmaceutical product and portfolio strategy firm that helps clients develop, launch and market medicines that expand treatment options, optimize patient outcomes and deliver high levels of return. From offices in London, New York, San Francisco, New Delhi and Beijing, Prescient supports the development of strategy for many of the most exciting assets and brands. Prescient has been a portfolio company of Baird Capital since 2017. For more information, please visit http://www.PrescientHG.com. Global Talent Day, is Monday, August 6. While Talent Plus, Inc. (founders of this day) is in Lincoln, Nebraska, they work with individuals all over the globe and are not limiting the celebration to Nebraska. Their office in Singapore will be celebrating as well and Talent Plus is encouraging all of their client partners across the globe to join in celebrating Global Talent Day! You, too, can join in the celebration. Celebrate with your family, or perhaps a not for profit where you work or volunteer, or where you work. What's important is to celebrate what you're good at and what others do well. This is a day of making people feel significant! "What we need more than ever today is the ability to see what is good about others - what they do well," offered Doug Rath, Talent Plus Chairman. "Having the opportunity to have your talent identified at a young age, offers an opportunity to pursue those talents over a lifetime - an opportunity to have a fulfilling career; to feel significant and create that feeling of significance for others. This definitely creates a ripple in organizations and communities." Want to know more about your talent? Log on to http://www.globaltalentday.com and take the assessment! This online assessment has been created to help us better learn about your natural talents and abilities. The questions draw from a wide range of your experiences at home, school, organizations and work. When you reach the end of the assessment, you will receive an interactive online Talent Card highlighting your top three talents. Dr. William E. Hall, grandfather of positive psychology and co-founder of Talent Plus, believed every person has talent. He spent his career focused on individuals' strengths and wondering, "What would the world be like if everyone had the opportunity to know what they were good at and could spend more time engaged in those things?" We encourage the world to come together Monday, August 6. Celebrate what you are good at and celebrate what those around you do well! You'll see people differently and it just might change your perspective. We hope so. Everyone wants to feel significant and when you feel the most significant is when you're recognized for things you do well and enjoy. When individuals feel significant, it changes things - families get better, organizations get better and take better care of their end users - whether patients, customers or guests. Join us in celebrating. For more information: http://www.globaltalentday.com or call 1.800.VARSITY About Talent Plus Talent Plus, Inc. is the Leading Talent Assessment Partner in the industry and an internationally recognized management consulting firm with over 400 clients in 20 countries delivering interviews in more than 20 languages. Headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, Talent Plus also has an office in Singapore. For more information, please visit http://www.talentplus.com. The contest, which will determine the most sexy girl of the World has started On August 1st 2018, the Grand opening of the first international beauty contest Miss Sexy took place in the cultural capital of Ukraine Lviv. The most sexy Lviv girls in the swimsuits of colours of different countries national flags marched along the central streets of Lviv. Just this very event initiated the first international contest for the title of the most sexy girl of the world . Due to the huge excitement around the event, the organizers decided to extend the deadline for applications from August 1 to September 29, 2018. girl, regardless of age (but has reached the age of 18), the status and place of residence, no other model parameters restriction, will be able to apply online at: Miss-Sexy.com. Girls from all countries and continents are invited to participate in the contest!. Each country can be represented in the final only by one contestant the winner of the national selection. The contest itself will be held on-line and the winner will be determined by on-line voting beginning from October 1st 2018 till November 30th 2018. Every willing person can give his voice for the contestant, he likes the best on the site of the contest. The contest consists of two stages national selection and final: the condition of being chosen to the final is the victory in the national selection. The winner of the contest will receive the title of the most sexy girl of the world and money prize $2,000. Participation in the contest Miss Sexy is a unique opportunity for every girl to represent her country, to demonstrate her sexuality to the whole world and also to get: worldwide popularity promotion in popular world media the chance for self-realization in show business According to the founder of the contest, Lviv entrepreneur Mr. Roman Huts, the international contest Miss Sexy will become an annual event which can be appreciated by all admirers of female sexuality in the whole world. Disease Carrying Ticks Found in Pennsylvania Tick protection starts with controlling ticks in the yard, the place where everyone spends the most time outdoors. There's no way around it- Insects in the summer time are inevitable! While some bugs are just annoying, others can pose serious risks, and ticks are at the top of the list. Ticks carry a variety of diseases that can harm homeowners and pets. Giroud Tree and Lawn recommends the following actions homeowners can take to protect properties from dangerous ticks and tick-borne illnesses. Ticks carry a variety of diseases that can cause some pretty awful symptoms and side effects. Lyme Disease, Powassan Virus, Alpha-Gal Syndrome and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are some of the worst for humans and pets. The CDC Reported this year that Mosquito and Tick Borne Illnesses Have Tripled! Controlling ticks in the yard The best way to control ticks is to target habitats which will make the property a place where ticks don't want to hang out. Giroud highlights 4 Steps homeowners can take to control ticks on the property: 1. Clean Up the Yard: Ticks are shade lovers and cant survive in the sun! Cleaning up any overgrown vegetation will give ticks fewer places to congregate. Additionally, pruning tree branches and shrubs around the lawn edge will let in more sunlight. Also, mow homeowners should lawn regularly because as HGTV's website explains: "Mowing the grass decreases tick questing, which is the way they stalk their preymeaning you. It also increases the temperature, meaning fewer cool clumps of tall grass to hide in, and ticks dont like the heat." 2. Choose plants that deter ticks: Ticks are deterred by mint, lavender, rosemary, marigolds and citronella grass. An added bonus is that mosquitoes and fleas also hate these strong smelling plants, so start planting! 3. Keep Deer Off the Property: Deer are the primary carrier of ticks through the yard. Use Deer Repellent treatments to deter deer from feeding on valuable plants and carrying ticks into the yard. Homeowners can go a step further and check the landscape to identify and remove plants that are attracting deer to the yard. HGTV provides a list of plants that are repellent to deer. 4. Tick Control Treatments: Many companies offer both 100% organic and traditional chemical based treatments to control ticks. A Tick Control Expert will assess the property for tick "Hot Spots" and suggest a treatment plan to attack areas where ticks gather. A Tick Control Expert will treat around the perimeter of the property and other high-risk areas where ticks are likely to live. Check for ticks after outdoor activities: Even with tick control in the yard, it's still important to check family members and pets after any outdoor excursion. Tick protection starts with controlling ticks in the yard, the place where everyone spends the most time outdoors, says Lou Giroud, President and ISA Certified Arborist. However, families must take additional precautions by checking for ticks after outdoor activities and if discovered quickly removing ticks before disease can be spread. To find ticks on the body, the CDC recommends: Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors. Conduct a full-body tick check using a hand-held or full-length mirror. Parents should check children for ticks under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and especially in the hair. Examine gear and pets. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats, and day packs. Removing a Tick Embedded in the Skin: If a tick is discovered, University of Manitoba tick expert, Kateryn Rochon, Ph.D.s video shows how to remove a tick with tweezers. The CDC also offers detailed instructions for removing a tick: Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don't twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water. Dispose of a live tick by submersing it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly with tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with fingers. About Giroud Tree and Lawn Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, lawn care and mosquito and tick control programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal, traditional and 100% organic lawn programs and mosquito and tick control. Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health. The company is Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association and Better Business Bureau. Giroud has also been awarded the Angie's List Super Service Award every year since 2005. The Giroud Treework for Charity program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Companys service area. For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704. Wayback Burgers, Americas Favorite Hometown Burger Joint and one of the nations fastest-growing burger franchises, is proud to announce the brand new Wayback App is LIVE (download it for your Apple or Android device here). The new intuitive app provides guests the opportunity to enjoy Wayback Burgers favorites without disrupting their fast-paced lifestyle. The new Wayback App makes it convenient to purchase Waybacks delicious cooked-to-order burgers and sandwiches, prepared-to-order fries and hand-dipped milkshakes direct from mobile devices and tablets. Whether theyre planning their day, on their way to work, or already at the restaurant, guests can find favorite menu items at their fingertips. Remarkably, the new Wayback App features dont stop there. Guests can discover a Wayback Burgers nearby, easily monitor the loyalty points they rack up via the Wayback Payback Rewards program, send gift cards to family and friends, and share their Wayback experience through social media connectivity. Wayback Burgers President John Eucalitto is thrilled that Wayback Burgers has further enhanced its engagement with guests via the brand-new app. It is one of our top priorities to deliver top-notch meals and service to our guests, and we believe the new Wayback App continues our long-standing tradition, says Eucalitto. We get it families are on the go and every second is critical. The Wayback App caters to families who need to get in and out of the restaurant in a matter of moments. Conversely, the Wayback App allows parents to spend more quality time at our restaurants by opting to order and pay for their meal at their table. The app may be new; but enjoying a meal of cooked-to-order burgers, fresh fries and hand-dipped-to-order milkshakes remains timeless. The Wayback Payback Rewards program pays immediate dividends to guests who take advantage of the new Wayback App. Guests will receive a FREE Classic Burger after their first purchase through the app. Guests have the ability to earn one point per dollar spent. Once guests accumulate 100 points, they will earn a $10 reward. Wayback Burgers will further incentivize loyalty through a two-tier status. Classic Members (those with 099 points) will be rewarded with monthly double and triple point days and special offers. Gold Members (those with 100+ points) will receive all Classic-level benefits in addition to a free birthday reward, a free anniversary reward, and of course the $10 reward. Patrick Conlin, Wayback Burgers Senior Vice President, says the additional perks associated with the new Wayback App are a big deal for Waybacks loyal guests. The Wayback Burgers experience our guests love now extends beyond our brick-and-mortar restaurants into the convenience of their pockets and purses, says Conlin. We have always embraced technology, as weve offered online ordering through a desktop platform for nearly a decade. However, we recognized the trend is moving to mobile platforms. The Wayback Payback Rewards program is an extension of our commitment to provide excellent service to everyone our loyal guests and the newcomers giving us a try. We are excited to adopt and implement the mobile ordering capabilities of the Wayback App and the Payback Rewards program for our guests. The new Wayback App is up and running. It can be downloaded at the App Store or Google Play here. For more information on Wayback Burgers and the new Wayback App, please visit http://www.WaybackBurgers.com, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. For more information about the Wayback Burgers franchise opportunity visit https://franchise.waybackburgers.com/. About Wayback Burgers Founded in 1991 in Newark, DE, Wayback Burgers is a Connecticut-based fast-casual franchise with a reputation for fresh, never frozen, cooked to order burgers and thick, hand-dipped milkshakes, served in an environment that hearkens back to a simpler place and time when customer service meant something, and everyone felt the warmth of the community. Wayback Burgers currently operates in 30 states with over 161 restaurants nationally and internationally in Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Pakistan. Through its executed master franchise agreements, Wayback Burgers plans to open in 37 provinces/countries in the Middle East, South Africa, Argentina, Bangladesh, Ireland, Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada, and the Netherlands. For more information about Wayback Burgers, please visit https://waybackburgers.com/. For franchising information about Wayback Burgers, please visit https://franchise.waybackburgers.com/. For franchising information about Wayback Burgers, please visit https://franchise.waybackburgers.com/. Windstar Announces Veteran Travel and Luxury Marketer Mary Beth Wressell as Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for the Industry-leading Small Ship Cruise Line At Windstar, we're in the business of creating vacations that exceed expectations, so having someone as skilled as Mary Beth as the architect behind even more amazing experiences is a plus for our leadership and operations teams, and especially for our guests. ~ Windstar President John Delaney Windstar Cruises is pleased to announce the hiring of Mary Beth Wressell as the small ship cruise companys new Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, where she will oversee brand communications, digital marketing, customer relationship marketing, partnerships, and public relations. Mary Beth has more than 25 years in the travel and luxury travel segments, most recently as Vice President of Marketing Communications for Holland America Line, where she was instrumental in launching many brand initiatives including a highly-visible partnership with O, The Oprah Magazine. Mary Beth spent nearly 13 years with Holland America Line, starting as Manager of Advertising and advancing through the organization into roles with increasing scope and responsibility. Prior to joining Holland America Line, Mary Beth held several marketing roles at Virtuoso, the worlds largest consortium of luxury travel agencies, including Director of Creative Services. During her time at Virtuoso, she managed direct mail campaigns for more than 30 luxury travel suppliers, including many cruise lines such as Seabourn, Crystal, Regent, Silversea and Princess Cruises. She also spent nearly a decade in a variety of account management roles at Elgin DDB Advertising in Seattle, the company responsible for developing Windstars tag-line of 180 Degrees from Ordinary. Mary Beth brings tremendous depth and experience to our leadership team, and were thrilled to welcome her to the Windstar family, said Windstar President John Delaney. In addition to leading our marketing and public relations efforts, she will also focus on new strategic partnerships to enhance the brand. At Windstar, we are in the business of creating vacations that exceed expectations, so having someone as skilled as Mary Beth as the architect behind even more amazing partnerships and experiences is a plus not only for our leadership and operations teams, but also for our guests. She holds a degree in communications and advertising from the University of North Dakota. A native of northern Minnesota, Mary Beth has called Seattle home for years and enjoys being outdoors in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. To learn more about authentic small ship cruising with Windstar, contact a travel professional or Windstar Cruises by phone at 877-958-7718, or visit http://www.windstarcruises.com. Editors Note: email contacts below for photo; photo credit Steve Schimmelman for Windstar Cruises. About Windstar Cruises Windstar Cruises operates a six-ship fleet of small sailing and all-suite ships sailing throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, Asia, Alaska and British Columbia, Canada and New England, and cruising year-round in Tahiti. Windstars fleet is the market leader in small ship cruising with a total of 1,242 passenger berths calling on off-the-beaten-path and popular ports in nearly 80 countries. The boutique cruise line carries 148 to 310 passengers on six small ships and takes travelers on cruises that are 180 degrees from ordinary. Windstar is known for immersive experiences and destination authenticity, port-intensive itineraries, exceptional award-winning service, and an innovative culinary program with culinary-themed cruise as the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation. Windstar Cruises is a part of Xanterra Travel Collection, an award-winning, globally diversified travel company offering once in a lifetime experiences in some of the most beautiful and iconic places on earth. Follow the Windstar Ships @WindstarCruises on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. Contacts: Mary Schimmelman, Director of Public Relations Mary.Schimmelman(at)windstarcruises.com, 206-733-2970 Sally Spaulding, Percepture sspaulding(at)percepture.com, 970-986-9063 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. On 1 October 2018, Professor Mervyn King is handing over the role of chairman of the King Committee to Professor Suresh Kana. Professor Suresh Kana, new chair of the King Committee King has been chairman of the committee since its inception in 1992, and remains onboard in his new role as chairman emeritus. The move is in line with his role change at the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), again from chairman to chairman emeritus, on the same date. He will continue his advisory and advocacy roles to both these committees.It has been a privilege to have worked with Mervyn King from the first meeting of the committee that produced King I. Since then I have been in awe of how he has changed the corporate governance landscape not only in South Africa, but also internationally. His intellect and insight are exceptional, and he has made an extraordinary contribution. I have also worked with Suresh Kana and have no doubt that he is a worthy successor," says Roy Andersen, chairman of Sasfin Limited and a member of the King Committee since its inception.Kana is currently holds the chair at both Imperial Holdings Group and Murray and Roberts, and is lead independent director of JSE Limited. He also chairs the audit committee of the United Nations World Food Programme based in Rome. He joined the King Committee in 2000 and has been involved in the development of the King II, King III and King IV reports.I am truly honoured to chair the King Committee and together with my colleagues on the committee Ill continue to build on the internationally acclaimed work performed under the leadership of Mervyn King over the past 24 years, Kana says. Anita Miller, who with her husband Jordan Miller founded Academy Chicago Press in 1976, died on Saturday. She was 92. Miller was the matriarch of a literary family that is well-known both regionally and nationally. Aside from her husband, she leaves behind her sons Mark Crispin Miller, a political activist and the author of several books about politics from a left-wing perspective; Bruce Joshua Miller, a commission publishers rep, the principal of Miller Trade Marketing, and PWs 2013 rep of the year; and Eric Lincoln Miller, previously the publisher of a regional press in Chicago, Wicker Park Books. The Millers founded Academy Chicago after Anita, who at the time was working on a PhD in English literature at Northwestern University, published A Guide to Non-Sexist Childrens Books. The critical response to that reference book--including a positive review in the Chicago Tribune--motivated the couple to launch Academy Press, later rebranded Academy Chicago, in the early 80s. Academy Chicago published somewhat erudite, even quirky, fiction and nonfiction titles in a number of genres. It was known for. among other things, its British mysteries, classics in Victorian literature, and works in translation. In 1987, Academy Chicago was the talk of the industry after it was hit with a lawsuit by John Cheevers widow, Mary, in the wake of publishing a number of uncollected short stories by the late author. Academy Chicago had expected to release 68 previously unpublished short stories by Cheever but, thanks to a poorly written contract, the small press wound up mired in more than six years of litigation with the Cheever family. Ultimately, the press lost the case. Rowman & Littlefield then published, in 1998, Millers post-mortem on the matter, Uncollecting Cheever: The Family of John Cheever vs. Academy Chicago Publishers. In 2014, citing the challenges of running an indie press, the Millers sold Academy Chicago to Chicago Review Press Inc, the parent company of Chicago Review Press and IPG. Through the deal, Academy Chicago became CRPs fifth imprint and began publishing fiction for the first time. Miller's husband, Jordan, told PW that his wife was "that rare combination of acquirer and editor," who gave Academy Chicago "its character, both in discovering impressive new talent and in reclaiming many out-of-print gems from the past. A memorial service for Miller will be held on August 31, 4:30 pm-7:00 pm, at the Self Help Home, 908 West Argyle, in Chicago. Due to an editing error, Jordan Miller's relationship to Anita Miller was misrepresented in an earlier version of this story and has been corrected. Also, Anita Miller was not the author of A Guide to Non-Sexist Children's Books, she was the publisher. Things were said in that war of words that went viral. Disgusting things to say the least. That, however, is no confirmation that the two do not have any good between them. Schwarzenegger recently took to her Instagram page to commend Kennedy Agyapong for being a good father when he mourned the death of the mother to one of his children, Stacy Offei Darko. She wrote: "For all the bad things you say and do..You are actually a good father and thank you for holding her thru this bad times..watching ur daughter cry over her late mum was heartbreaking...I just hope she is fine nowIt iz so sad. " In a recent interview with Zionfelix, Afia Schwarzenegger went back to the usual her when it comes to issues with Kennedy Agyapong. The Ghanaian actress and TV host who touched on her hustle in South Africa washing dishes and selling banku and waakye, her relationship with Abrokwah and Deloris Frimpong-Manso popularly known as Delay also talked about the Ghanaian politician. When asked why she picks fights with almost every Ghanaian, Afia claimed the people she has problems within the country are not up to 20 and started counting before Kennedy Agyapongs name popped up with Zionfelix suggesting him as the first on the list. Ah that man, Afia Schwarzenegger replied. He behaves as if hes the only one who knows where Tramol (Tramadol) is being sold. Thats how he behaves. But I dont have a problem with him. If he fires at me, I fire at him. If you fire Kennedy, I might fire you too. Afia Schwarzenegger and Delay used to be best of friends, with Delay giving Afia the lead role in the popular Afia Schwarzenegger TV series. However, the relationship between the two has deteriorated to an extent where to Afia Schwarzenegger, Delay doesnt exist at all in this world. When asked about her current relationship with Delay on Celebrity Ride With Zionfelix Show the over the weekend, Afia Schwarzenegger said she totally doesnt want to talk about 'failures'. She explained this saying her acquaintance with Delay wasnt a helpful one because it drew her backwards in life. I use to be angry at but after a couple of years, she does not exist, I dont care about her, I dont care what happens in her life, you could vote for her as a president I dont care about it and I also dont want to be her friend because when I was friends with her she was taking me backwards in life, Afia stated. Afia also asserted that she has grown past the phase of hurling insults at Delay. She puts that energy and time in herself and wellbeing. Watch Video Below According to Afia, her stay in South Africa was a tactical scheme to make ends meet. Speaking in an interview with Felix Adomako Mensah on the Celebrity ride with Zionfelix', the actress revealed that her first job in South Africa was to wash utensils for a Ghanaian-owned restaurant. She also worked for an Indian restaurant by washing utensils after she left the Ghanaian restaurant. Later, she set up her own restaurant and sold banku to the Ghanaians around. She later moved to sell Waakye because that was more profitable. "My first job in South Africa was washing dishes. I did that for almost a year. I started at a Ghanaian-owned restaurant before moving to an Indian-owned restaurant," Afia Schwarzenegger told Zionfelix. "I later got my own container to sell banku. I sold banku in Johannesburg and Cape Town. "Winners African Kitchen was owned by myself. I wake up at dawn to go prepare Waakye. I cook banku and Waakye before heading to school during my university days," the TV personality continued. "I didnt have a car. I used to pick trotro. I cant count the number of times Ive been robbed at gunpoint. "I was married to a white and was an air hostess but was still selling banku in South Africa." She decided to move back to Ghana and played the role of Afia Schwarzenegger in Delays popular Television show Afia Schwarzenegger around 2010. Lucky is a comedic-drama that features top talents like Efya Awindor, Kumi Obuobisa, Fred Amugi, Akofa Edjeani and Kabuki Akiwumi to name a few. The story is a coming of age tale about Lucky Barima Mensah, a young, suave university student that has just landed a date with the most popular girl on Twitter. With not one cedi to his name, he partners with campus hustler Wadaada to make this dream-date possible. The journey is a thought-provoking comedic tragedy that leaves the audience on the edge of their seat. In 2016, after a series of successful video shoots for artistes like Edem, Worlasi, Sena Dagadu and Tre Mission amongst others, Abstrakte Productions decided to make their first feature film Lucky. When asked about the motive for the creation of the movie, director Togbe Gavua stated, Lucky is my attempt to contribute to re-telling the African story via cinema. Gavua received his film training in Vancouver, Canada and has since wrote and produced short film Sophie, which won a 2015 Silicon Valley Award in California. Producer Lawrence Adjei attended Toronto Film School, where his script was selected out of many and produced by the university. He produced a music video for Canadian rapper John River, which was nominated for Hip Hop video of the year at the Much Music Video Awards in Canada. Drakes Hotline Bling video won that year. Lucky is Gavua and Adjeis first full-length feature film. Luckys official movie premiere will take place on September 7, 2018 at the Silver Bird Cinema, in Accra. Tickets for the premiere will be available for pre-sale on the Mazzuma Mobile Money App and at various sale points. Cast and crew available for interviews upon request. As part of the five years anniversary for the powerful gospel encounter, the minstrel has planned a European and an American tour to take Tehillah closer to Ghanaians in the diaspora who have missed it all these years. The "Aseda" hitmaker in her quest to give Christians and fans outside Ghana the very best of the encounter has announced that she will embark on the journey with her team which includes instrumentalists, backing vocalists, and other management members. Ohemaa Mercy believes leaving the country with her able team will give her fans in abroad the same version of the super-powerful Tehillah Experience she has been organising in Ghana these past years. Together with the team, the minister of the gospel will be in America, Italy, Germany, and other countries to organise Tehillah Experience for the next two months. READ MORE: 5 best Kuami Eugene songs First show for Tehillah Experience Europe and America tour after the August 12 event in Ghana happens on August 25 at Brescia in Italy. In America, Ohemaa Mercy will perform at Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Atlanta, Ohio, Chicago, America, California and other states. Joe Mettle and other renowned gospel musicians will join the multiple award-winning gospel artists for the Tehillah Experience tour in Europe and America. While many viral hepatitis patients lead long, healthy lives, severe cases can cause life-threatening liver damage. Since the liver is one of the most vital organs in the body - it digests food and filters out toxins - detection and treatment of hepatitis is essential to your health. To save lives, the World Hepatitis Alliance is encouraging people to get tested for the infection on World Hepatitis Day, July 28. A simple blood test can determine if you have any type of viral hepatitis. So what exactly is viral hepatitis, how do you get it, and what are the symptoms? Here's what you should know. What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is a disease that inflames the liver. The five most common types - A, B, C, D, and E - are known as viral hepatitis, because they're caused by viral infections. Non-viral forms of hepatitis can result from alcohol abuse or other toxins. Every case of hepatitis is different. For some people, the condition goes away on its own. Others may develop chronic hepatitis, meaning it lasts longer than six months, and require medication. Prevention and treatment vary depending on the type of hepatitis a patient develops. Here's an overview of each type of viral hepatitis: Hepatitis A Hepatitis A - the only form of hepatitis that can't develop into a chronic disease - is typically transmitted through food or water contaminated with the virus. How does the virus get there to begin with? Usually through poop from a contaminated person. If someone with hepatitis A uses the restroom, forgets to wash their hands, and handles food that isn't cooked to a temperature that can kill the virus, the condition could be passed on. Hepatitis A could also be transmitted through close physical contact, like sex, and intravenous drug use. Prevalence: Relatively rare in the United States. There were only 2,500 hepatitis A cases in 2014, according to government data, according to the National Institute of Health. Prevention: You can get vaccinated for hepatitis A as early as your first birthday. Symptoms: People generally will experience symptoms, which include, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine and jaundice. Treatment: Hepatitis A only lasts a few weeks, so there is no medical treatment - but doctors recommend plenty of rest, fluids, and eating healthy foods. Hepatitis B For 95 percent of adults, hepatitis B clears up within a few months. But children who are infected before age 5 are more likely to develop chronic hepatitis B, because their immune system cannot fight off the virus. Hepatitis B is spread through bodily fluids - like semen or blood - of someone who has the condition. The virus can be contracted by having unprotected sex or sharing needles, for example. Babies can also contract Hepatitis B from their mothers. Prevalence: Roughly 1.2 million Americans currently have some form of Hepatitis B, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention: A vaccine is available and is often given to newborns. Symptoms: Some hepatitis B patients show no symptoms, but others with acute, or short-term, hepatitis could experience a fever, dark urine, fatigue, joint pain, jaundice and loss of appetite. Chronic hepatitis B patients may not experience symptoms for decades until they begin having liver problems. Then, they may develop jaundice, an enlarged spleen, or a swollen abdomen. Treatment: People with chronic hepatitis B could require antiviral medications to lower the chances of further liver damage. Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is spread through blood, and most people who contract the virus will develop a chronic infection. Early, unsafe blood transfusion practices made this disease more common for people born between 1945-1965, but the rise in heroin and opioid use makes hepatitis C increasingly more common in younger adults. Prevalence: An estimated 2.7 million to 3.9 million Americans currently have some form of hepatitis C, according to the CDC. Prevention: There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but it can be prevented by using a condom during sex, not sharing needles during drug use, and ensuring that your tattoo or piercer uses sterile needles. Symptoms: Typically, people won't show any signs of the disease. Those with acute hepatitis may have joint pain, lose their appetite or feel fatigued. Chronic hepatitis C patients generally don't experience symptoms until the disease worsens, usually decades after first contracting the infection. Then, they may show signs of liver damage, including jaundice, dark urine or bruises. Treatment: Antiviral medications can treat both acute and chronic forms of the infection. Hepatitis D People can only contract hepatitis D if they've already been infected with hepatitis B. This happens in two ways: Hepatitis D and B can be contracted at the same time through blood or bodily fluids; or, a person can be infected with hepatitis B first, then contract hepatitis D at a later date. As with other forms of hepatitis, the virus can be acute or chronic. Prevalence: The CDC's website does not provide exact data on the prevalence of Hepatitis D in the U.S.,but it notes the virus is "uncommon." Prevention: Getting a hepatitis B vaccine will prevent contracting hepatitis D. Symptoms: Most people with acute Hepatitis D will feel tired, nauseous, and have dark urine or abdominal pain. Those who develop chronic Hepatitis D likely won't show symptoms until liver damage occurs, causing them to lose weight unexpectedly and develop jaundice. Treatment: Medications known as interferons will boost a patient's immune system and attack the virus to stop it from replicating. Hepatitis E Hepatitis E is more common in developing nations, where it's spread through drinking water contaminated with poop laced with the virus. In the U.S., people contract the virus by eating undercooked pork or wild game, since deer and pigs can be infected, too. Typically, only people who have weakened immune systems due to HIV or cancer will develop chronic hepatitis E. Prevalence: From the National Institute of Health: "Although experts used to think hepatitis E was rare in the United States, recent research suggests that about 20 percent of the population has had hepatitis E." Prevention: There is no vaccine for hepatitis E. It's extremely uncommon to spread the virus to other people, but washing your hands after using the restroom and before touching food can reduce the risk of spreading hepatitis E. He told Accra-based Citi FM that the debt consists of the end of service benefit, provident fund arrears for staff and other statutory requirements. Mr Kwofie added that the company also owed airline company KLM $800,000 which caused the airline to stop shipping parcels from Ghana Post, until last year when that money was paid. Ghana Post which used to play a vital role in the lives of Ghanaians sometime back has almost lost its relevance in the past years due to low revenue generation. It was also faced with logistic constraint and lack of IT equipment including computers to boost its operations. But after the new management took over the company recorded a 25 percent growth in 2017. This followed the rebranding of the company. Even though they are still rebranding, Mr. Kwofie said the huge debt is affecting their efforts. READ ALSO: Ban on fishing postponed to 2019 It is a big burden on us right now. If you have to service a debt that was accumulated about 6 years ago today, then it will definitely drain the business. Money that you are supposed to do reinvestment with is now being used to service past debt. It keeps you stale and doesnt allow you to move as quickly as you want to. Meanwhile, the company is seeking a capital injection of 10 million dollars from the government to revamp its operations. Entrepreneurs Brand managers Creatives Marketers Corporates who want their staff to think more entrepreneurially, from juniors to executives. Accenture - Put experience at the centre of your organisation. - Put experience at the centre of your organisation. Gagasi FM - uDarkie, the evergreen economic driver. - uDarkie, the evergreen economic driver. Goliath and Goliath - Whats your story: Steps to build a personal brand. - Whats your story: Steps to build a personal brand. 2 x Google - The unskippable future of advertising. - Data-driven creative. - The unskippable future of advertising. - Data-driven creative. Women in Marketing - Female representation and the media - who controls the narrative. - Female representation and the media - who controls the narrative. Shared Value Africa Initiative - Profit and purpose - uneasy bedfellows. For consideration is a MasterClass on whether creative entrepreneurs are born or made. Hosted by Allon Raiz, CEO of Raizcorp , the business incubator and sponsor. Raiz explores the myth and provides a different lens to try to answer this question. What if they are neither born nor made? Can a change in perspective turn creatives to entrepreneurs.Thursday, 16 AugustDurban ICC14h0017h00the Seminar and MasterClasses can be claimed as Informal Training in the B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice. He, however, pleaded guilty to the charge of dealing in prohibited drugs and also causing unlawful damage. Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Emmanuel Kyei Sarpong, told the court that, the convict was arrested at a market in Ejura, the capital of the Ejura Municipality. READ MORE: June 3 disaster victims resort to Tramadol to relieve pain He said on August 1, this year at about 11.30 am, a police officer and a witness in the case, accompanying a complainant to the Ejura market to effect the arrest of a suspect reported to have stolen and dishonestly received some items, chanced upon the convict selling the illicit drug on the open market. The Prosecution said the convict tried to resist arrest and in the process assaulted the Police officer. However, with the help of some civilians in the market, he was overpowered and arrested and later sent to the police station together with a pair of scissors, a bag containing 54 packs of 250 mg of Tramadol and a cash of GH200.00 being the proceeds from the sale of the drugs. ASP Sarpong said at the police station, the convict became aggressive and caused unlawful damage to furniture and other items belonging to the Ghana Police Service. He said in his caution statement, the convict admitted ownership of the drugs and he was charged with the offence and arraigned. Tramadol is an oral tablet and a prescription medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. Tramadol abuse, according to medical experts, functions like heroin and can cause psychotic problems as well as damage vital organs in the human body. Toku is alleged to have gone for the victim from her mother who lived at Assin Asamankese in the Central Region only to defile her on a number of occasions. READ MORE: Teenager jailed seven years for defilement When the trial judge quizzed Tormu whether he admitted the offence, the accused said he did so under duress. According to Toku, he was however not under any duress when he gave his statement to the Police. He is expected to reappear on August 15. Chief Inspector Kofi Atimbire, Prosecuting, said the complainant is a trader who resides in the same vicinity with victim and the accused, the GNA reports. Chief Inspector Atimbire said the victim was initially staying with her mother at Assin Asamankese but the accused went for her claiming she was not getting proper care. Prosecution said on July 23, this year, the victim visited the complainant and informed her that she was unwell. Based on that prosecution said the complainant gave the victim some first aid treatment but she noticed that some fluids were on her clothes. Prosecution said the complainant examined the fluid on the victims clothes and further realised that some fluids were coming from her vagina and anus. When the complainant quizzed the victim, she told her that Toku her father has been having sex with her and the last time he did that was on July 22 and 23, this year. Prosecution said the complainant alerted some witnesses and later lodged a formal report with the Police where the complainant was given a Police medical report form to seek attention at a government hospital. Earlier, the chiefs accused the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bernard Antwi Boasiako also known as chairman Wontumi and Chief Executive Officer of the of the Forestry Commission of actively involved in galamsey. The chiefs at Jacobu said Sir John and chairman Wontumi have become the bad nuts in the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The chiefs of Amansie Central District speaking on the development have called on the President to fight his own appointees and party members who are engaged in galamsey. The chiefs also alleged that Sir John has given out a concession of the Aprampram Forest Reserve to Chinese for mining in the pretense of reclamation. Spokesperson of the chiefs said "Sir John and the Ashanti Regional Chairman sent about 30 excavators into the forest with the protection of military men." Meanwhile, the equipment belonging to the miners have been seized by the Taskforce. The petition, according to Daily Guide was filed by two staff member of the Electoral Commission. The petition for the Special Prosecutors Office to institute criminal investigations included the contract given to Aerovote Limited to print pink sheets for the 2016 general elections; the request for a new EC head office building from the Mahama administration, which she went ahead to spend the taxpayers money to partition; her position at Ghana Re-Insurance; as well as a contract awarded to Superlock Technology Limited (STL). READ ALSO: Corruption Fight Charlotte Osei and her two deputies, Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku-Amakwah were booted out of office by President Akufo-Addo for gross incompetence and procurement breaches in July. The petitioners also charged the Special Prosecutor to include the contract to construct pre-fabricated offices for the commission, a contract to another company called Dreamoval, another one to Quazar Limited, which were all captured in the report of the Chief Justices five-member committee that recommended the dismissal of the chairperson of the EC. According to the petitioners, Mrs. Osei, without recourse to the commission, and without seeking approval of the commissioners, requested a new office building for the commission. Even though the commission was never given any proper land documents transferring ownership or use of the building to the commission, Mrs. Osei instructed the spending of almost GH154,000,000 of the commissions money in the internal partitioning of the building alone, adding to date, the ownership of the building has not been ascertained and the commission cannot move into the building.They suggested to the Special Prosecutor that it is a clear case of causing financial loss to the state. A total of 2,617 pilgrims from the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions are expected to fly directly from the Tamale Airport to Jedda, Saudi Arabia. A high-powered government delegation led by the Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Sa-eed, Chairman of the National Hajj Board, Sheikh I.C Quaye and Interior Minister, Ambrose Derry were there to bid the pilgrims farewell. We want to appeal to the potential Pilgrims to go and serve as Ambassadors of Ghana and abide by the rules of the Saudi Kingdom, the Northern regional minister advised the pilgrims. Chairman of the Hajj Board, Sheikh I.C Quaye, also added that government has made all the necessary provisions to ensure they embark on a successful trip. According to him, government had to settle some GHS 31 million debt incurred by the Hajj Board in order to ensure that this years trip was without major challenges, adding that government has subsidised the cost of travels of the pilgrims. He said it is an embarrassment for the president to be misled on national issues. Reports indicate that Nana Addo had been misled to believe that Africa and Middle East Resources Investment (AMERI) Group and the government of Ghana had assessed the deal thoroughly for him to approve the deal pending parliamentary approval. But he [Nana Addo] has rescinded his decision to endorse the new energy deal with AMERI. Speaking on News File on Accra-based Joy FM, Ben Ephson said appointees who misled him must be sacked. "He must let heads roll, the appointees who misled him he must sack them, the influence peddlers who went around lying he didnt appoint them. He must name and shame them," he said. Under the revised agreement, a new company, Mytilineous International Trading Company, will take over the management of the AMERI power plant for 15 years. In addition, the company has offered to pay AMERI an amount of $52,160,560, with the government paying the remaining $39 million to the Dubai-based AMERI Energy to wash its hands off the deal entirely. Ben Ephson speaking on the development said "Anybody who saw the President in chambers the shame is on him to admit, hes admitted hes done well. If he decides not to sack anybody, name and shame all those who misled him then he himself is part of it." READ MORE: Ameri Energy rejects renegotiated deal by Energy Minister The AMERI power deal was signed in 2015 at the peak of the nation's power country under the Mahama administration. The Ashaiman municipality is one of the areas where commercial motor riders are commonplace, with most of the youth involved. However, certain quarters are against the okada business with the view that it is aiding armed robbers in their operations. The Ashaiman Divisional Commander of the Motor Traffic Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service is also currently leading a charge to prohibit the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes. But speaking on the subject, the MP for Ashaiman said it is not right to stop okada riders from operating in the municipality. According to him, their operations should rather be regulated to ensure that they do what is required by law. He further stated that the okada business has helped to reduce crime in the Ashaiman municipality by serving as job for the youth. If you want to clump down on okada riders, you have to create opportunities for the people. I maintain that the okada riding in Ashaiman can never be stopped and I say this passionately, Mr. Norgbey, who is also a member of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, told Accra-based Class FM.You cannot stop it while you dont create any opportunity for the people. You want to increase the crime rate when you stop it, so as the MP for the constituency, Ill never support the Chief Executive or the Divisional Commander to say that, they should stop okada riding. He said such an action will lead to actions that will curb unnecessary rent charges across the country. It is you the citizen of Ghana, very conscious that we must enforce laws for the sanity of the nation, who will go and alert the police that landlord X is trying to violate the law and should be arrested. And that is when the law will be meaningful", he said. But the lack of enforcement has seen some landlords demand more than 12 months as a rent down payment, exceeding the six-month ceiling. Akyea, who is the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South also said, "Why are you going to squeeze 36 months of rent advance for the person? If you condone it, the impunity gains ground, and that is where we are". The decision to contest he said followed intense pressure from NDC members who are yearning for him to be the chairman to reclaim all lost parliamentary seats in the region and win the 2020 general elections. He said "In party organisation, your status does not really matter, it is your contribution to the party. He indicated that the objective of the party was to win power, serve the people and ensure that the welfare of the people was properly catered for. READ MORE: NDC opens presidential nomination "So from whatever angle you can contribute; I think that is where I should put my effort," he stated. Tia said the region needed his worth of experience adding that, "whatever you do at the region, contributes to the national policies and development. I have a worth of experience, it is needed here at this material moment of our party and that is what I have considered." He is contesting with Alhaji Boonaba Mumuni, the incumbent and Alhaji Osman Kasim Alem. READ ALSO: Allotey Jacobs bows out of NDC chairmanship race He has appealed to the delegates to vote massively for him to lead the party in the region to ensure victory 2020. According to him, he has done an extensive consultation and finds it prudent to withdraw from the race. In an interview on Accra-based Okay FM, he said "When the nomination is opened, I can assure you that you will not see my name in the national organizer position. I will not stand for that post again. You won't see my name there. I feel strongly that I have done my job creditably well so its important that someone else continues my good job." He added that he will continue to play significant role to ensure victory for the party in the 2020 elections. He stated: "I need to move on to other levels in the party to continue my work. Those competing for my for my position have all engaged me but Im not leaving because of them, I just want to move on." Fred Roed from Heavy Chef invited Nic Haralambous, entrepreneur and author of new book, Do. Learn. Fail. Repeat. to talk to us about failure and why it's a conversation South African entrepreneurs should have more often. Nic Haralambous on the Heavy Chef stage. Heavy Chef Facebook The important thing, he says, is to shine a light on those experiences and really share the learnings from it so we don't have to view it as a red letter on us. 'Mokusatsu' Words really matter There's a statistic (I wish I knew the source of) that states that American entrepreneurs generally quit after the third try. South African entrepreneurs usually quit after their first, and that's a big difference if you consider that it takes you an average of 3-5 years to run a business either into the ground or into success. That's 15 years versus three years, and that experience is vast. That is our fear of failure. Your failability index Questions for a framework of failability 1. Can I start right now? 2. What is the actual cost? 3. What will I lose? 4. What will I gain? 5. Will this actually kill you? Post-traumatic growth As we gathered at the Inner City Ideas Cartel in the heart of Cape Town CBD on a cool Monday morning mid-July, Roed kicked off the event telling us why this subject was close to his heart. He shared that he used to run a digital agency and before that he started a business (at the age of 25) which failed "spectacularly". It was his first business and he had to sell everything he had. He lost everything and landed in R1.3m of debt.Roed joked that it was quite a while ago and that back then that was a lot of money. "It was a pretty harrowing experience but it really taught me a lot about what it meant to fail, and made me become quite philosophical. It actually gave me PTSD. I had to kind of recover through that, and fortunately, my next business did a lot better." He explained that Heavy Chef was a side business of the second business that he started and it grew into what they have today something he started only one and a half years ago.Roed said that he thinks in this country. Even when you succeed, failure is along the way. It's inevitable.Haralambous wrote the book because after failing for so many years he felt that it was important for everyone else to know what it's like for entrepreneurs deep down because a lot of people talk about success but not much about failure.He told us the story of how on a very cold, winters day in July, the year when he turned 18 and the day before his prelim exams, his parents walked into his room and proceeded to tell him that they were going to be getting divorced. It wasn't really unexpected but the first thing he thought was that he was going to fail his prelims... and he did.Haralambous then moved on to another story that started back in 1945 in July during the Second World War when the major countries issued Japan an ultimatum. They said that if Japan did not respond favourably to this ultimatum, they would respond swiftly, promptly and with utter destruction. So the next day reporters asked then Japan prime minister, "What is your response to this?" and he responded with a word that he used many times before, and that word was "mokusatsu".The word is actually meant to convey 'no comment', but there is no direct translation for that in English. That word is broken into two syllables, 'moku' and 'satsu', which mean 'silently to kill', so the media thought that he meant that he was disregarding the ultimatum with contempt. Ten days later, the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.Haralambous said that what he wanted to convey with this story was that words really matter. He said there is one word in particular that he thinks we're getting wrong, and that word is 'failure'."Failure has been failing me for my entire life. I absolutely hate the word. When I say the word failure people always get this knot in their stomachs because failure generally promotes the thought of stopping, and I would like to change that up. I would like to provoke the thought that failure is not the opposite of success."He went on to explain that he failed his first business in school when he was sixteen. He failed his learner's licence three times and subsequently his motorbike learner's licence 'umpteenth' times. He also failed a band that he was in, a nudge it, a gadget blog, and then he had two exits in the last 10 years."Mo Tribe was the business that was my first really big exit and I started at the end of Forefront Africa (Haralambous's other business) to understand that for me, failure wasn't the end of something, invariably, it was just a little period before I started the next thing. And this phrase, the title of my book, Do. Learn. Fail. Repeat. was like my life for me, and at the end of Mo Tribe, I felt that I failed and I thought, start again, and then I repeated," Haralambous explained.Stop thinking of failure as an endpoint, but as an active. "As an adverb. Something that you do. I want you to start thinking about failability. Your ability to fail. Not your ability to avoid failure - because this is the thing we all try and do," he said. "We all try and avoid failure. I want us to start thinking about our ability to fail. Because I believe the higher your failabilty, the more significant your success will be. The more you are able to embrace failure, learn from it and overcome it and then you do it again, the more likely you are to succeed in the next one."This is how most of us operate. We have our fear massively outweighing our ambition and that prevents us from starting. We are at a no-start point when fear outweighs ambition. Because we think of all the things we can lose, and at the end of the failure, like most South Africans, once we've finished with our first failure, we go back to a normal job or to what we knew before."I think we need to go to a point where we flip that around. We need to get to a point where your fear is significantly lower than your ambition, and then you get what I like to call the start of your failability index."It's important we figure out where on this index we sit because you don't have to sit at win everything or lose everything, and that takes us to the quadrants we need to start considering and looking at what we should be doing next...He said he also thinks it's also important that we don't think of cost in terms of money. Yes, there is a monetary cost, but there's also your time. Like the time he put in to write his book. "I've spent my career jumping around these quadrants. I went from big losses and big wins to small losses and small wins. I lost millions of rands and gained millions of rands and lost it again, and that's just the nature of it. You have to get up and do it again."So basically you have to figure out where you sit on this index. Unfortunately, most of us think that we are in the danger zone in the bottom quadrant where we can only suffer big losses and big costs. But you can have little wins every day. You can be someone that starts a small business and builds it over five years so that the loss and uncertainty is mitigated.This is what Haralambous calls his failability index or propensity to fail. For a framework of failability, you need to ask yourself some really simple questions:For most people, if their fear outweighs their ambitions they never start. Just ask yourself if you can start right now in the most simple way.Is it time, is it money, is it time away from my family? What is the actual cost? Because often we explode that cost in our brains.If you invest your time over six months, one hour a week, do you actually lose if this doesn't work out? Most of the time we think that our ego will get damaged and people are going to think that we're stupid. So, we just don't do it.So, what will you look like after you fail? Will you lose your house? Will you live on the street? When you lose your job, will you not be able to get a new one?He means this quite literally. If you start the business of your dreams, will you die? No, you probably won't. There are very few businesses you can start that will end up getting you killed. So, then why not start? If it's not going to kill you, you're not going to fail.Haralambous recently discovered something called post-traumatic growth. There is a scientific study being done that looks at what people go through once they've experienced trauma, and failure is a trauma. "When I had a business sold behind my back, it felt like a loss. I experienced a trauma. I made money, but it was a loss for me. However, I learned that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and that couldn't be more appropriate when it comes down to failure. We all think about it like a cliche, but it's the truth. You're not dead so therefore you have to learn something, get back up and do it again."So for me, failure is not the opposite of success. Not trying is the opposite of success. If you don't even bother to give it another go, then you've already lost."For more on Nic Haralambous or info on his book, visit his website or follow him on Twitter or Facebook . Follow Heavy Chef on Twitter YouTube and LinkedIn for any updates on events or visit their website for more info. Kenyas Nairobi to Mombasa flight route is getting more crowded by the hour after yet another low cost airline announced plans to begin early morning flights in and out of Mombasa. Travellers flying to the coastal city of Mombasa will now be able to do so cheaply and quickly after low cost airline, Fly Tristar, said it will now introduce flights on Monday morning and midweek. Mombasa is a gateway town, we have cruise ships, international airlines like Condor and Ethiopian Airline, we are here to complement them, said Fly Tristar Commercial Director Ken Wadhwa. The airline currently operates flights on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between Wilson and Moi International Airport. We have been flying to Mombasa every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Our flight departs on Friday at 1600 hours from Wilson to Mombasa by 1705 hours for a quick turnaround back to Wilson. On Saturday we have an early flight to Mombasa at 0800 hours and back to Nairobi at 0940 hours. On Sunday we also have a late flight that departs Wilson at 1300 hours and leaves Mombasa at 1700 hours back to Wilson," he said. Our motivation is to demystify air travel, people perceive it as an extremely expensive affair but we guarantee seats at Sh4,333 one way, While at it the airline hopes to take on Kenyas s multi-billion worth standard Gauge Railway in an epic race between land and air transport. It is just Sh1,000 more on a First Class SGR ticket which takes more than four hours to reach Nairobi. Tourists stakeholders at the coast have welcomed the move anticipating brisk business after slow business occasioned by prolonged elections period in 2017, security fears and and travel advisories by western governments. Fly Tristars launch of the service is indeed a historic move set to boost the Coasts tourism industry. Airlines to Mombasa and other coastal towns have changed the way holidaymakers and business people travel, PrideInn Hotels Managing Director Hasnain Noorani said. The flights comes against the backdrop of PrideInn Hotels plans to open a 3-star business hotel in Mombasa comprising of 40-rooms and conference facilities that can accommodate up to 500 people. Increased government support and continued demand for investment-grade property from the expanding middle class and multinationals has influenced the investment. Apart from Mombasa, Fly Tristar airline also flies to Eldoret, Lodwar and Mandera and charters flights to Malindi, Mara and Ukunda. They plan to venture into Kisumu. A Kenyan County has picked a fight with Kenyas main export to Somalia worth billions of shillings and employing thousands. Khat (Muguka) traders on Monday were left counting losses after Mombasa County police demolished more than 100 structures where the stimulant is sold. According to eyewitnesses, more than 20 county police descended on the stalls located near Tononoka grounds, which is the stimulant's biggest market. County Inspectorate director Mohammed Amir said the county health department ordered the removal of the traders due to high addiction rates among minors and the youth. "The health department has also complained of the business being conducted near schools, allowing some students to easily access the stimulant," said Mr Amir. The county also cited stalls location as being near five schools, two secondary schools and three primary schools, in Mvita Sub-County hence the need for their removal. With few international markets remaining for the potent twigs its a double tragedy for the estimated 500,000 Kenyans who depend on the crop cultivation and sale for their livelihoods and leave for Somalia had shifted their focus on the domestic market. This is where I have been getting my daily bread to feed my children. We have not forced anyone to come to buy Muguka why are they doing this to us? "Is it because we cannot fight back? They have been collecting money every day from us meaning we are operating legally, said Gabriel Kithaka, a trader. "They are forcing us to go back to crime. We do not have jobs to do and now that we have got something to fend ourselves they are bringing issues to our business, Miriam Wangeci, another khat trader protested. Before the United Kingdom banned the crop in 2014, Kenya used to import some $25 million worth of the leaves annually. Somalia is now the only remaining international viable market and more than 15 cargo planes full of khat leaving Kenya for slowly recovering war-torn nation daily, with a retail value of $400,000. In 2017, Somalia shot past Egypt, South Sudan and Rwanda to become Kenya's third largest buyer with the main export being khat and accounting for up to 90 per cent of the goods sold. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data, Exports in the first half of the year of 2017 grew to Sh10.71 billion from Sh8.02 billion over the same period in 2016. Mombasa County demolition follows another similar khat business destruction from neighbouring county of Kwale. Early this year, Kwale County Assembly banned the sale of Miraa and Muguka among its residents and now Mombasa Members of County Assembly are pushing for a similar ban. The assembly's health committee, led by its deputy chairperson Fatma Kushe, said the addictive stimulant has negatively impacted the health and well-being of young people in Mombasa. A similar trend is also being experienced in Kilifi County, where women have staged demonstrations to protest against the consumption of "muguka" in the region. In all these what is even more puzzling is the national governments commitment to protecting the crop and have in recent past set aside billions for the crops cultivation and promotion citing no conclusive evidence of it being a dangerous drug anywhere near the calibre of cocaine. It seems Kenya is in a fierce fight with itself and the conservative are showing signs of winning. The Mombasa ban is however yet to be passed but keeping in mind recent developments and Mondays demolition, Kenyas khat business may be on its way out of Kenyas coastal region leaving millions of chewers high and dry and with it hundreds of families livelihoods. JAMB says Zakari sat for the examination in Ogun State and scored 364. On Tuesday, June 29, 2018, The Sun Newspaper reported that Ape Moses, a student of New Covenant Christian College International, Makurdi, Benue State, was the best candidate in the just concluded UTME with a total score of 354. Clarifying this, JAMB said Moses' score in the exam is the highest among candidates from Benue State and entire North-central Nigeria, while Zakari is the overall best. Further clarifications from JAMB shows that Moses is not among the top four candidates in the last UTME. JAMB's Head of Media and Publicity, Dr Fabian Benjamin, the top four candidates are: Galadima Zakari with 364, Adekunle Jesufemi from Ogun State who sat for his examination in Abeokuta with 358, Alikah Oseghale from Edo State who sat for the examination in Ekpoma and scored 357, and Ademola Adetola from Ogun State who sat for the examination in Lagos and scored 355. The Board spokesman also said Akinyemi Paul from Ogun State, Ape Moses from Benue State, and Obi-Obuoha Abiamamela from River State all came fifth with a tie score of 354. He, however, advised individuals and organizations who want to use JAMB's data for research purposes to always contact the exam body for up to date information. Our doors are always open to any request especially when the nation would be the ultimate beneficiary. The Board appeals to all interested individuals and organisations who want to use its data for research, reportage and other national necessary disposition to always contact it for accurate and up to date information so as not to misdirect the public into taking wrong and misleading conclusions, he said. Too many purported highest scorers in 2018 UTME Recall that on Thursday, March 15, Aliyu Muhammad Sani Kaugama, a young boy from Jigawa state who scored 311, was celebrated on Facebook for purportedly emerging as the best candidate in the 2018 UTME The student made it to the final of the competition with four other contestants who according to the News Agency of Nigeria were crowned as the champion of the continent they represented. According to NAN, a student from Russia identified as Ruslan came first in the competition in which 152 students from 118 countries participated. Theodore Joseph from Australia came second, Guan Huimin from Indonesia took the third position while Ekwensi, the 21-yr-old Nigerian and John Gardner from the United States came fourth and fifth respectively in the Chinese language competition. However, the competition according to the organisers is divided into three parts, which tested the finalists' language skills and all-around abilities, including their knowledge of Chinese culture, history, traditions and communication, as well as their singing and acting skills. Ekwensi want to go back to China In a telephone interview with NAN from China, Ekwensi said he is looking forward to returning to China for his post-graduate programme. He said, I went into the competition because I knew there was an opportunity to do something great, and also I wanted an opportunity to visit the country Ive always dreamed of going. My next plan now is to graduate successfully from UNIZIK and then come back to China for masters. I dedicate my award to God. The media executive made this known on her personal Instagram page on Monday, August 6, 2018. According to her, she would be honoured for her contribution to media in Africa and as Africa's Most Successful Blogger. "I told you guys a few months ago to call me Princess Linda after the Arewa Youths title, but after August 8th, you will have to upgrade that to Dr. Linda Ikeji... . I'm getting a honorary doctorate degree from Trinity International University of Georgia for my contribution to media in Africa and as Africa's Most Successful Blogger. ...ally grateful to God for how far He's brought me! And thank you for your congratulations. Love to you and yours.. ," she wrote. Congratulations to Linda Ikeji on this new achievement from all of us at PULSE. Linda Ikeji joins the list of Nigerian celebrities who have honoured by foreign universities. Recall that a few months ago, award-winning author, Chimamanda Adichie received an honourary degree from Duke University in the United States of America. ALSO READ:Linda Ikeji shares with fans how to hide a baby bump Chimamanda Adichie receives honorary degree from Duke University Chimamanda Adichie has done it again! This time around she has been honoured with an honorary degree from the prestigious Duke University. Chimamanda was among the few recipients of the honorary degree from the university and they were all described as people making changes in the world in very extensive ways. "Few writers have captured the challenges of immigrants and others navigating those changes as Adichie, the university said. The former beauty queen and actress took to her Instagram page on Monday, August 6, 2018, where she shared photos of her daughter and herself. Obviously, Regina and her daughter are vacating at the Turks and Caicos Islands where they took out time to post bikini photos. Trust us guys, you will all agree that Regina, despite being in her 50s still has the body of a runway model. It is so obvious that the veteran actress and her daughter have an amazing relationship as this isn't the first time we will be seeing cute photos of these beautiful women. ALSO READ:5 reasons Regina Askia was one of the biggest celebrities of her time Regina Askia; Pretty mum! Pretty daughter! Regina Askia's beauty hasn't faded and has even been inherited by her daughter as seen in the new photo released by the actress. This striking resemblance between the beautiful veteran actress and her daughter can be noticed in a photo released on Thursday, March 1, 2018, on her Instagram page. You could pass both mother and child for sisters as they looked really beautiful. Apart from having a striking resemblance, Regina Askia, and her daughter, Stephanie has this special bond which we all noticed back in 2016 when they both visited Nigeria for the holidays. Their visit to Nigeria also got a lot of people talking about how so much they look alike. Regina Askia celebrates her 50th birthday with family and friends Back in 2017, Regina Askia was in Nigeria to celebrate her 50th birthday with family and friends. The former beauty queen turned actress is said to in the country to celebrate her birthday with elders and citizens of Ukanafun Ikot Ekpad, her hometown in Awka Ibom state. The birthday which was on November 18, 2017, was celebrated by the veteran actress and people of her community. Duncan Mighty released his debut album, ''Koliwater'' in 2008, which had the hit single, Ako Na Uche and introduced the Wene Mighty to mainstream listeners beyond his Port Harcourt area. During his decade-plus career, the Port Harcourt first son has 5 studio albums, which includes the commercially successful ''Ahamefuna'' (Legacy) released in 2010. The sophomore body of work enjoyed a greater success with songs like Port Harcourt Son and Obianuju going onto dominate the airwaves, winning him awards and nationwide recognition. He has also influenced the Nigerian music scene overtime as a lot of artists have tapped into his style as witnessed by the likes of Wakomzy and Davido on his biggest single for 2017, 'If'. Now that everyone wants to record a song with Duncan Mighty, it again restates his status as a true creative force and a music icon, whose style stays compellingly vibrant and progressive with time. As a tribute to the Wene Mighty, we look back at 10 of the most essential songs in his illustrious career. 'Obianuju' (2011) Duncan Mighty - Obianuju There are few songs that solidified Duncan Mighty's place in the heart of music lovers and one of them is 'Obianuju'. The song takes its name from Duncan Mighty's love interest as he tells a story of his feelings, channeling the right emotions to deliver a classic record. 'I Don't Give a Shot' (2011) Duncan Mighty - 'I don't give a shot' From his second album, Ahamefuna (Legacy), which birthed a number of hits including 'Port Harcourt Son' and 'Hand of Jesus' came one of his most iconic songs, 'I Don't Give a Shot.' The explicit song whose hook focuses on the feminine feature became a dancehall anthem and a crowd pleaser whenever he stepped on stage. 'Port Harcourt Son' (2011) Duncan Mighty - Portharcourt Son It was in this record that Duncan Mighty made the solemn ambassadorial declaration of where he represents. Painting a picture of a beautiful city, Duncan Mighty delves into politics as he reels out names of politicians and leaders who have emerged from the city, declaring himself as the first son of the land. 'Ako Na Uche' (2008) Duncan Mighty - Ako Na Uche 'Ako Na Uche', which literally translates to wisdom from God is philosophical and uplifting. It is a contagious tune that seeps into your memory and captivates your senses as it drifts you into worship mode. ''Ako Na Uche better in your life, na him be the wisdom, e come from the lord'', he sings. 'Dance For Me' (2008) Duncan Mighty - 'Dance For Me' Song after song, Duncan Mighty's profile keep hitting new heights and in 'Dance For Me', he scored a party anthem that topped charts and rocked dance-floors nationwide. 'Jesus Bu Eze' (2008) Duncan Mighty - Jesus Bu Eze 'Jesus Bu Eze', which means Jesus is Lord sees Duncan Mighty looking back and thanking God for the journey so far. Delivered largely in his native language, the song still had the right energy and vibe to grow into a favourite among his fans, 'Ijeoma' (2008) Duncan Mighty - Ijeoma From the album, ''Koliwater'', Ijeoma takes on a dance-hall vibe as he relates a romantic tale and chase before finally winning the heart of his lover. 'Sanko Love' (2008) Duncan Mighty - 'Sanko Love' Another reggae influenced tune that details his experience in the hands of the law caused by love. The song narrates how he fell in love with a woman who turns out to be the Inspector General (I.G), who accuses him of taking a photograph of her with her best friend. This soon leads to an ugly experience, where police officers invade his home, arrest him and he is detained at 'Sanko'. ''Baby girl, me can't believe say ya carry me go Sanko, Sanko'', he sings. 'Killing Me Softly' (2016) Duncan Mighty - Killing Me Softly The lyrics, ''If I break your heart, it's like oil spillage'', that a number of music fans fell in love with on the new song with Tiwa Savage, 'Lova Lova', were originally used in this song released on his last studio album. When he is not thanking God or going political, delivering charming love tunes is one area Duncan Mighty flourishes and this is one example. 'Mama Born Dem' (2016) Mama born dem Duncan Mighty Now in its second season, and despite it being a hit series, I do not take the show seriously. For me, the series highlights the problematic perception of Africans by African-Americans. The African character in the series is nothing more than a one-dimensional and stereotypical portrayal of what an average African-American thinks an African looks and sounds like. ALSO READ: How a 22-year-old Nigerian was stoned with an egg in Italy The show has satirical elements, but I don't think our black brother in America will be too happy if a white-dominated series portrays an African-American male as an ignorant, drug-dealing thug. I stopped watching the show after it became obvious that the producers weren't woke to portray an African honestly. Other Nigerians who have watched 'DWP' have a problem with this also. 2018 has been major for the African continent. Black Panther made the whole world do the Wakanda sign, and the Super Eagles during the World Cup. Focusing more on the Marvel produced smash hit, African-Americans were proud to showcase their historical roots by dressing up in African attires to watch Black Panther at the cinema. The celebration of black excellence, especially within the African context, is dope but if you thought it would last for a lifetime, you are wrong. The perception of Africans by African-Americans is almost as problematic (if not the same) as white people have. In April 2018, (just two months after Black Panther), U.S rapper J. Cole performed in Nigeria. The concert would be an eye-opener for the Roc Nation superstar who was pleasantly surprised to find out that rap fans knew the lyrics to his songs off his latest album. Clips of the Nigerian concert goers going HAM when J. Cole performed his latest songs went viral. On Instagram, it quickly turned into a disgusting sight as African-Americans posted stereotypical and ignorant comments under the pose. Some of them were shocked to discover that Nigerians had wi-fi. If you think that was absurd, get a load of this, one of the trolls was surprised to know Nigerians had iPhones. The comment section was a display of ignorance. This ignorance is just a reflection of how African-Americans perceive Africans. They think we still live in the jungle age when Tarzan swung from tree to tree. Time and time again, African-Americans (not all of them) show how ignorant they can be. And what makes their perception of us more painful is that we share a common ancestry. Don't let the Wakanda trend fool you, African-Americans only remember their African roots once every generation. The African vibe was strong among African Americans in the 70s, the 90s during the Malcolm X renaissance and now during this Black Panther era. ALSO READ: Nigerian author writes about racism in South Africa "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots" once said, Marcus Garvey, who was the champion of the Back to Africa Movement. That saying of his was what inspired the title of the 1976 book by Alex Haley, Roots, which gave birth to the ground breaking slavery series in 1977, Roots. Black consciousness was at its peak then. In 1977, hundreds of African-Americans in the arts would travel to Nigeria for a month to take part in the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture. That was the true woke era when African-Americans knew that they had to reconnect with Africa to unleash their potential. These days, even the so-called 'woke people' are ignorant of Africaness. In their chase for Afrofuturism, they forget to include the motherland. There is no future when you do not acknowledge the past. It goes beyond screaming Wakanda! whenever Black Panther is on the big screen. It is beyond having an Afrobeats playlist. It is about understanding that Africans are nothing like what its media portrays it to be. New Music The Loose Talk Giants new music they are listening to. They talked about Travis Scotts new album 'Astro World', YGs album, new female rap duo City Girls, and Tiwa Savage. Sandwich This episode also addresses Nigerian Hip-Hop, label issues and Duncan Mighty as the new wave post-Shaku Shaku movement. Since Fake Love, Duncan has been on 12 features. The conundrum rumbles on, on the impact of the artist also called Wene Mighty and how he has been dope for many years. They also share their views on the debate that Wizkid 'revived' his career. Top 5 contemporary acts The discussion moves along to the top 5 contemporary acts. Steve places Duncan Mighty in his top 5 list and AOT2 and Osagz examine it. Shortly after, they get to Wizkid and Davido. The facts that both acts don't have more albums and have not delivered a classic material are reasons why they are not yet considered legends. Fan mails The fan mails on this episode were lit. The team discussed the ideas of a fan's fear of getting Herpes from a white girl in America. Auditions were held at and the judges Bolajo Fawehinmi, Director, Few Model Management, Luis Domingo and Elina Hyvola, Scouting and Development, IMG Models, Adebayo Oke-Lawal, Creative Director, Orange Culture and Zara Odu, Brand Consultant - were joined by guest judges Denola Grey, Olamide Ogundele and Kemi Ezenwanne. After a whole day of screening, the judges selected a few girls they believed embodied the qualities they were looking for to proceed to the boot camp. About Few's Next Face Since December 2015, Few Model Management has scouted models across a range of African countries - including Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda - to find unique faces. They have set a precedent for themselves as Nigerias most high-end boutique scouting agency, and thus garnered international acclaim and a partnership with IMG Models Worldwide. In order to tackle the prevalent lack of African models in the global industry, Few Model Management and IMG Models Worldwide joined forces to start a project now known as Fews Next Face Africa. Fews Next Face is a model scouting competition which aims to identify and provide a platform for aspiring young models through which their talents can be nurtured and honed to the global standards. With a continent full of beautiful African women, diversification and redefining the concept of Africa. Beauty is also a major point of focus. The maiden edition of Fews Next Face Africa was a two-day event held at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. On the 30th of July, 2017, 902 contestants showed up for a casting presided over by Luis Domingo: IMG Models London, Zara Odu: Fashion Brand Analyst and Casting Director, Adebayo Okelawa: Founder of Orange Culture and Godson Ukaegbu: Editor-in-chief of Mania Magazine. 15 finalists emerged on July 31st and competed for the grand prize of a 2-year contract with IMG Models worldwide, N1,000,000 and a contract with Boss Models Cape Town in South Africa. 19year old Daberechi Kalu emerged as the winner. The entire project for the 2018 edition includes casting for models in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria, after-which the top 15 girls will participate in Bootcamp from August 25th till the finale at The Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on September 2nd. What do roller derbies, feminism and food blogging have in common? The answer is purple-haired Taiwanese-South African copywriter, foodie and author, Ming-Cheau Lin, who uses her platforms to educate the industry on being mindful of multiculturalism and better reflecting 'otherness'. Ming-Cheau Lin. Image by Grethe Rosseaux via Instagram Lack of understanding turns otherness into racism I was never seen as my own personality a feminist, a tomboy; just that I was Asian. Stereotyping: Intention vs. impact vs. effect Dear @TelkomZA. Sensei means teacher in Japanese. Why are you mixing Japanese culture to celebrate #ChineseNewYear? This makes no sense. Please stop using East Asian culture to sell if/when you can't even make the effort to understand it. pic.twitter.com/TZYRvrNjX5 Ming Chows (@mingcheau) February 12, 2018 @JimmyNevis Probably not your intention bt I don't find this very tasteful to push local craft. Perpetuates only fake stuff come frm China pic.twitter.com/kVrB74L5ro Ming Chows (@mingcheau) July 2, 2017 The bodies and faces of Vietnamese women were exoticised as they did what they had to do to survive during WWII. Unfortunately, this was then normalised. A new 'Asian' restaurant opening in Joburg, owned by non Asians. It covers 3 different cultures: 1.ramen (Japanese), 2.poke (Hawaiian) & 3.Korean BBQ. As an Asian woman, I really hate the name. It might seem funny but when men say it while they sexually harass you it's not. pic.twitter.com/gAVDiSKFah Ming Chows (@mingcheau) November 14, 2017 Mindfulness and cultural appropriation Be mindful, as South Africas demographics are made up of 96% people of colour, which is not represented in advertising. This needs to be acknowledged, as race has affected everyone in some way. Wow. The levels of cultural appropriation out there! Brands and individuals have to be careful. Do research through all of your phases. Something witty isnt necessarily correct. Thank you @mingcheau for enlightening us #creativemornings Grant McPherson (@grant_mcp) July 27, 2018 Listening to @mingcheau during @CapeTown_CM was such a (mindfully kind) kick in the gut about cultural appropriation & otherness. She IS the change we want to see in the world, go Ming! #girlpower #learn #unlearn #dialogue iMarieza van Zyl (@Mariezavz) July 27, 2018 Read more On Friday, 27 July, Creative Mornings Cape Town hosted their latest inspirational monthly morning talk, at the Friends of Design space on Bree Street. The topic was intention, with males were a rare breed at this creative edition, with the room positively packed with females.Maybe thats because there were fangirls in abundance to hear from Lin, founder of the Butterfingers food blog and the #JustAddRice cookbook. Lin explained that her family emigrated to SA from Taiwan when she was three-years-old, as one of the first waves of Taiwanese immigrants to our shores.Unfortunately, the exotic is not always understood, as Lin says she doesnt even roll her eyes anymore when people say, Oh, I love Thai food, when she shares her origin story.The distance from Thailand to Taiwan is roughly that of South Africa to Madagascar. Think of your own irritation when the Africa as a country line comes up, and youll have a slight understanding of Lins annoyance.Shes not one to stew in silence, though. Far from it, Lin uses her social media following to share her experiences with others. In doing so, shes helping others learn whats really going on in the world and hopefully also unlearn the stereotypical thinking we blindly follow.She uses her experience to educate others. For example on 1 August, the day of the #TotalShutdown Womens March, she posted the following:Sometimes a picture (and caption) really does have the power to evoke change.Further explaining her perspective, Lin shared at the Creative Mornings session that she grew up in a middle-class family in a "very white space" in Bloemfontein. She may have been a minority, but acknowledges she was still privileged (especially in terms of access to education), but that doesnt mean her childhood was easy.Instead, she describes it as an interesting experience, as she was the only Asian child in her school year for the first few years, which was also the basis of her learning about racism.Her first memory of racism? Having her mom packin a lunchbox for school, which led to bullying as her lunch looked different and smelled weird. Lin says, I will never understand what its like to be black, and that [particular form of racism] is whole other form of oppression, but we do need to take the step in acknowledging that we simply cant relate to that experience.The fact that she was different from the rest made Lin a target for othering, which Lin says made her assimilate to both societal norms and her own culture as she didnt want to be bullied for being seen as a stereotype.Of the experience, Lin says its almost as though her true character was stripped away. As a result, you assimilate with society to survive.Lin says this, in turn, is problematic as the child of first-generation migrants so it makes you a third-culture child, where you grow up not really belonging to either your parents culture or that of your peers. Instead,Lin has become a bit of an icon for that as a result.Not glossing over the experience, Lin shared that she has emotional scars, the result of that othering/bullying/stereotyping.But thats part of what pushed her to promote women empowerment when she went on to become founder of the Cape Town Rollergirls NPO, serving as its marketing and PR chair for four years.She spoke of the deep physical scars that result from gravel getting stuck in your skin. Its about more than zooming around on wheels though, as the resulting womens roller derby league creates a sense of community in a space where women dont get enough of it and, and the opportunity to keep encouraging and uplifting others.Shifting focus to her career, Lin said she specialised in copywriting at Vega, so she has an advertising background, but she left the field after seven years in the advertising industry to pursue her passion of food and transformation based on what she had learned in advertising, which she has filtered into a unique niche of its own.Not one to do things half-heartedly, Lin dived in with a patisserie short course, started her Butterfingers food blog as a way to note down family-favourite recipes, which led to her book,Background dusted, Lin spoke of intent versus the effect of stereotyping in the media.Stereotyping obviously played a big role in Lins life, and as creatives, we are responsible for what the general public sees in the media.Thats why Lin has focused on and the effect of this on minorities. Based on her own experience in advertising, she has taken to successfully calling out brands who may not realise that their messaging is harmful, whether through playing to the stereotypical tropes weve come to expect, or cultural appropriation.She shared four examples of this.1: First up was, with their Chinese New Year campaign that promoted its deals with the wording Be a sensei of saving and karate chop savings.While these may seem punny and even clever to those not from Asia, if you are Asian, youll knowis a Japanese word, so the phrasing was not at all fitting as a spinoff of Chinese New Year. This may not be particularly offensive, but in the South African context, Chinese locals were classified under coloured while the Japanese had white privileges during apartheid, due to the countrys trade relations. So it's particularly cringe-worthy if youre part of the culture affected.On how these mistakes happen, Lin says the onus is on creatives to stop and think. Its not enough to just create a concept, bounce it off your internal team and roll it out to media.Without the proper research, its this type of messaging that further perpetuates stereotypes and misinformation in society. As consumers, we also have a role to play in calling brands out.Lin did so, and Telkom sent a tweet of apology, then changed the campaign messaging.Lin says social media is a truly amazing platform for this type of support, and that Black Twitter in particular has spearheaded this in SA.2. Lins next example was a positive of what brands can do, with theNot Made in China concept. To a local, the idea may make sense in terms of comparing local products to the mass-produced and fake labels, but dont forget theres demand for cheaper products by people who live in poverty and cant afford big brand labels.When Lin called him out on this, Nevis responded that he would change the campaign, and showed his human side.Lin calls this a further win, as consumers want to see the people behind the brand arent just climbing the corporate ladder but also care about the community.3. Then we come to, which may seem to have cool packaging from an outsider perspective, but from a cultural perspective, Lin explains that sticking chopsticks in a bowl symbolises death. Thats a big taboo no no, but this was rolled out on all their packaging. The account manager and client okayed it, and Lin says, Little did they know, so little did they research.She called them out on this and they said they would change the packaging unfortunately, their new packaging was along the same lines as a new team was in place by then, but they did later apologise 4. In a final example of how she has used what she calls her privilege and accessibility in the media to transform, Lin shares the example of the Asian fusion restaurant that launched in Johannesburg last year, called , with the additional punny Asian slogan of Ramen, amen.For someone like Lin, who has experienced everything from the casual catcall to full-on harassment, news of the name invoked awful memories. She explained:When Lin called the owners out on this, they initially responded on Jacaranda FM with a defence along the lines of: Not everyone will like our name. Unfortunately for them, Lins tweet went viral across the globe.They have since changed the restaurants name to Love Me So.This boils down to cultural appropriation, which is where we take a culture not our own and link anything that seems relevant (in this case, Asian) to cobble together a concept. But the fact that its not your culture means theres an inherent lack of respect to do the proper research.Thats why Lin says we need to school our friends on this to spread the message as the sequence of othering is usually a whole chain effect and we cant place the blame on just one person.Its a sad reality that is so normalised across the world, but it starts with us. Those of us who work in advertising need to unlearn what weve been taught, unpack all that baggage and go forward.Lin says we exercise our bodies to stay fit and need to do the same with our minds. We need to make a conscious decision to keep learning and also acknowledge that we dont know it all.Also, dont rely on the information you find in a Google search in doing your research; as most of whats online has not written by authorities.Social media become an echo chamber of our own likes and beliefs, so we need to stretch ourselves to feel uncomfortable, then learn what else is out there and challenge ourselves.We need to then educate others and acknowledge that we dont know more than those who have experienced what they have experienced.Lin says following people different to you on Twitter and seeing their perspective, the intention vs impact vs effect is a good way to relearn. Designed by Vietnamese architect Vu Viet Anh, the walking golden threaded bridge stands tall 1000 metres above the ground. The Golden Bridge, called Cau Vang by locals, was created to give pedestrians a stunning view of cliff tops and faces of the Ba Na mountains. Anh says the point of the bridge was to like "Gods hands pulled a strip of gold from the mountains, creating a walkway in the sky, among the foggy and fairy-like lands of Ba Na mountain". Hence, the bridge has earned the name, "God's Hands". The way the hands were created was to make them look like weathered-looking stone, sculpted by God Himself but they are actually built of steel mesh, concrete and fibreglass. However, it does not break any records as one of longest bridges in the world or like the dare-devil tourist bridges in China. Since its opening in June, the bridge has attracted thousands of tourists to its golden magnificence. Vuong Thuy Linh, a tourist at the Cau Vang, spoke to the Daily Times: "I feel like I'm walking on clouds. It's so unique." According to the Vietnam National Association on Tourism, the popular getaway spot of Ba Na Hills received over 2.7 million visitors last year. This number is only going to double with the emergence of this bridge. The minister said this on Monday, August 6, 2018, while on an official visit to the Abuja office of The Authority Newspaper, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. According to him, the presidents image has not been dented in anyway by the allegation of certificate forgerylevelled against Adeosun. In July 2018, Premium Times alleged that Adeosun failed to participate in the mandatory NYSC scheme after completing her university education in London. The report also revealed the ministers certificate of exemption, dated September 9, 2009, was signed by Yusuf Bomoi, a former Director-General of the corps, who had stepped down from the NYSC eight months earlier in January. NYSC says minister applied for exemption certificate The NYSC, in its response on Monday, July 9, 2018, said that Adeosun applied for an exemption certificate, and promised to look into the matter thoroughly. The statement issued by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Adeyemi Adenike, reads: Our attention has been drawn to the issue of the alleged forgery of an NYSC Exemption Certificate by the Honorable Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun. Checking our records, Mrs. Adeosun did apply for an Exemption Certificate. We shall investigate the origin of the purported Exemption Certificate in question. Here are the reasons Lai Mohammed gave: 1. The allegations have not been proven The minister said Until when an allegation is proven, you do not expect the President to act. The appropriate agencies have spoken and they say they are investigating. The only thing we can do is to wait. 2. Investigation is ongoing According to Mohammed, calling for Adeosuns sack while an investigation is ongoing, is not workable. By saying that the minister should resign or be sacked while investigation is still ongoing may also not be feasible in our clime because of the level of false accusations. How many times have they accused me of embezzlement? Even recently, they said my driver jumped out of the car, abandoned me and decamped to PDP. People even made the allegation that President Buhari did not have certificate, he added. 3. Fake news The minister of information and culture also said For instance, people have come to me that so and so TV and Radio stations are spreading fake news and I should shut them down. I told them that I do not have the power to do so; it is the responsibility of the National Broadcasting Commission, even though it is an agency under my watch. ALSO READ: What the law says about skipping NYSC We are as concerned as you are; but having spent some time in government, you will see that a lot of lies are being peddled about us." 4. Buhari might be usurping powers According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN),The minister insisted that the president will be usurping the powers of the investigating agencies if he sacked Adeosun before their reports. A cross section of Nigerians and civil society organisations have called on the minister of finance to respond to the allegations levelled against her. Notable among them is the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). SERAP recently urged Kemi Adeosun to respond to the certificate forgery allegations levelled against her and settle the facts of the case once and for all. According to a report by Premium Times, the twin explosions rocked the Borno State capital around 7pm in Kaleri which is located behind the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. The suicide bombers, a male and a female, were reported to have walked to one of the houses near Kaleri market and knocked at the gate while pretending to be visitors. Biliya Kabiru, a resident, told Premium Times that the female bomber, a teenager, detonated her vest when a homeowner opened his gate but only succeeded in killing herself while also injuring three people. "The male suicide bomber, was probably scared as he also detonated his suicide vest immediately, but at a spot where no one was affected but only himself," Kabiru said. The spokesperson of the Civilian Joint Task Force, Danbatta Bello, confirmed the incident to Premium Times, disclosing that the injured residents are currently receiving treatment in hospital. "It was a sad incident, but we thank God none of the innocent residents lost their lives except the suicide bombers themselves," he said. Boko Haram menace Since the insurgency of the terrorist group escalated after a 2009 crackdown by the military, Boko Haram, chiefly under Abubakar Shekau'sleadership, has been responsible for the death of over 20,000 people and the displacement of more than 2.5 million scattered across Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps across the country and its neighbours. The lawmaker had earlier turned himself in for questioning at the Abuja office of the anti-graft agency on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, but complained of discomfort the next day and was allowed to seek medical attention. According to a report by The Nation, the EFCC is set to resume Ekweremadu's interrogation after he was discharged from the hospital on Saturday, August 4. The source said, "A hospital has confirmed the discharge of Ekweremadu on Saturday. We are resuming his interrogation immediately because he is now fit." The source also told The Nation that the EFCC might soon invite Ekweremadu's wife, Nwanneka, for questioning in relation to the activities of a suspected slush company. The source said, "Our detectives need to interrogate Ekweremadu's wife in relation to the activities of a suspected slush company. We may quiz her any moment from now. And we told the Deputy President of the Senate why we require the attention of his wife too. "We have linked another property to Ekweremadu, bringing the assets to 62. We are digging more and contrary to what his media aide is saying, the Deputy President of the Senate is well informed of issues isolated for him to clear. "We do not want to join issues on the pages of newspapers but if the media aide prefers propaganda, we will release the fact-sheet on Ekweremadu for Nigerians to appreciate the extent of our investigation on him." EFCC vs Ekweremadu Last week, Ekweremadu had to dismiss reports that he suffered from a suspected high blood pressure while he was being questioned by EFCC operatives. In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Uche Anichukwu, on Friday, August 3, he said the report of the lawmaker falling ill during interrogation was a manifestation of the EFCC's mischief and orchestrated media trial. He further stated that the lawmaker was allowed to seek medical attention after he agreed with the EFCC to fix a new date to continue the interrogation. He said, "He (Ekweremadu) reported at the EFCC on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at 10am as scheduled, but informed them that he was not feeling well, a fact the EFCC doctor confirmed. He was then allowed to leave to see his doctor and it was agreed that a new date would be fixed for continuation of the interview. "So, there was no interrogation whatsoever on Wednesday, let alone presentation of so-called additional facts that purportedly triggered his blood pressure. Likewise, there were no new 'facts' presented to him the previous day, Tuesday, July 31, beside those concocted by the dismissed chief judge of Enugu state, Innocent Umezulike, and his cohorts in their petition." The EFCC is questioning Ekweremadu over how he acquired 60 assets in Nigeria, United Kingdom, United States and United Arab Emirates (UAE). The former president said this during a meeting with presidential aspirant, Attahiru Bafarawa, at his Presidential Library in Abeokuta on Sunday, August 5, 2018. Obasanjo advocated that the opposition in the country should be united in its resolve to sack the current government and not get pulled in different directions. He said no right-thinking Nigeria should support the current government. He said, "If we do not act together, Nigeria will not be what it should be in 2019. The objective must be clear that only one person will be President of Nigeria but if the opposition starts going in different directions and pulling in different ways, Nigeria's situation may not change. "With a population of 200 million and for us to continue to complain shows we keep doing the same thing we have been doing. If we want a different result, we need to do things differently. "The situation in Nigeria today is not a situation which any right-thinking Nigerian will applaud and my strong belief is that Nigeria deserves better than what we have right now. "What I will say is that if we do not act together, Nigeria will not be where it should be by 2019. Aspiration yes, but we must be objective together." Obasanjo further told Bafarawa, a former Sokoto State governor, to aspire to contribute his quota to make Nigeria a better place than it is. In response, Bafarawa expressed his commitment to making sure that Nigeria gets better than it currently is. "My own strong belief is that Nigeria deserves better than we have now and we can get better than what we have. I believe the task of moving Nigeria to an enviable height is a collective responsibility and if we fail to act together as we ought to, the nation will not be where it is supposed to be in 2019," he said. Obasanjo vs Buhari Obasanjo's relationship with the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has been strained for the past few months. He recently alleged that Buhari's administration has an active plan to indefinitely detain him by using false witnesses and documents to frame him. In a statement released by his spokesperson, Kehinde Akinyemi, on June 8, 2018, the former president alleged that the witch hunt against him was fueled by his wave of criticism against the president's administration. Obasanjo's war of words with Buhari started when he publicly condemned the president's administration in January and asked him to not seek re-election in next year's election. In that 13-page statement titled, "The Way Out: A Clarion Call for Coalition for Nigeria Movement", Obasanjo also expressed his lost hope in the ability of the ruling All Progressives' Congress (APC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to provide Nigeria with the initiative it needs to progress. He subsequently launched the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) which he said would be a movement of all well-meaning Nigerians that will engage in democratic practices that will drive Nigeria forward and be a source of hope for all Nigerians. That movement has adopted the as its political platform to install a new political class in the 2019 general elections. With Obasanjo constantly criticising Buhari since that January statement, the most high-profile clash between the two happened in May when the president raised questions over the $16 billion allegedly spent on power projects during Obasanjo's administration. While speaking at the Presidential Villa on May 22, 2018, Buhari remarked, "One of the former Heads of State was bragging that he spent more than 15 billion USD on power in Nigeria. Where is the power?" While speaking during an interview with Vanguard, published on Monday, August 6, 2018, the former Rivers State governor said Nigerian politicians are getting away with depriving the country just so they can enrich themselves. He said, "Even those that criticise me in Rivers State will tell you that I have a good reputation. I ask people, 'What do I need money for?' I don't smoke, I don't drink, I am not the one with luxurious houses and cars and it is like what I said when I became governor, I said Nigerian politicians actually commit what they call manslaughter, which is killing by accident, when you don't have intention to kill. "How do we politicians kill by accident? The money that is meant for the people and earmarked to be used for building hospitals, you take it for your private use and the hospitals are not built and so Nigerians go to hospitals where there are no drugs and they die without knowing it. "For me, you have committed manslaughter and the problem for me is that Nigerians don't hold us accountable!" APC ready to continue past 2019 - Amaechi While questioned over the chances of the All Progressives' Congress (APC) to remain in power after the 2019 general elections, Amaechi said the party is prepared to go on with the good wishes of Nigerians. "I am not God and only God can say whether APC will win or not but what is clear is that if you remove the God element, I think we are prepared to go because Nigerians will certainly reject a second looting, we cannot survive it," he said. The minister said the party has restructured Nigeria's economy to work for everyone unlike during previous administrations when it worked for only a few people. We run the rule on a few of those. 1. Gov Ortom and his rented youths On the morning of July 25, 2018, Benue Governor Samuel Ortom was suddenly photographed surrounded by some very 'angry youths' who were stopping him from attending a peace meeting with the APC leadership in Abuja. These angry youths wanted Ortom out of the APC. Recall that before these youths laid siege on the governors convoy, Ortom had been openly flirting with the PDP and it was already public knowledge that he was going to defect sooner than later. However, it wouldnt be a Nigerian defection if it isnt dramatic. According to a : A leader of the protesting youths, Dave Ogbole, said, "If the governor insists on travelling to Abuja for the APC meeting, he will risk losing the support of the people." The governor's pleas to be allowed to attend the meeting and protect the interest of the people of the state fell on deaf ears and he was forced to make a U-turn and return to the Government House. To cut a long story short, Ortom returned to government house and announced his defection to the PDP at noon. Of course the protesting youths made him do it! 2. Kwara Gov blames stakeholders for his defection On July 26, Kwara Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed announced that stakeholders were urging him to dump the APC. "Stakeholders are insisting that I quit the APC for falling short of their aspirations which include failure to address insecurity, economy and unemployment challenges as well as unbearable injustice within the party, Ahmed said. On July 31, Gov Ahmed acceded to the request of these stakeholders by dumping the APC for the PDP. Powerful stakeholders, youve got to say. 3. Dino Melaye spends 11 hours on a tree in the wilderness On July 26, Senator Ben Murray Bruce tweeted that his colleague, Dino Melaye, had been kidnapped. Bruce said the news of Melayes kidnap had been relayed to him by the senators brother. While we all waited for the police to make a proclamation on the kidnap and swing into rescue action, Melaye showed up the next day with one tale good enough for a blockbuster movie script. According to the senator, it wasnt really a kidnap. He outwitted and outran his assailants and then found himself in a forest and made for a tree. It was on that tree that he perched for 11 hours before finding his way back to civilization, Melaye shared. "I thank God once again for escaping another dangerous attack. I also thank Nigerians for their prayers and show of Love. Spent 11 hours in the wilderness traumatized but God preserved me. God is the best and in whom only I trust, Melaye wrote on his twitter page. Till this day, no one else has corroborated Melayes tale, not even his brother who was reportedly driving behind him when the 'assailants swooped'. The police has also not briefed the nation on its plans to arrest these attackers who pounced on the senator just hours before his court appearance for charges borderingon criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, political thuggery and other violent crimes in Kogi state. 4. Saraki gets all of Kwara to defect with him On the day Saraki defected, the Kwara State Governor who is a loyalist of the senate president, also announced his defection. APC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi who everyone knew would leave with Saraki, initially denied he was leaving. Hours later, he was gone as well. On August 2, 2018, from the APC to the PDP, capping a fine week for Saraki. The senate president wanted to leave big and he sure got his wish by packing all elected office holders in his home State of Kwara with him. Class act. 5. Wamakko taunts Tambuwal with crowd It was a show of who can pack the biggest crowd in Sokoto last weekend. After Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal announced his defection to the PDP, Senator Aliyu Wamakkowanted to prove that Sokoto still belongs to the APC, so he embarked on a triumphal entry into Sokoto. Tambuwals crowd on the day he announced his defection, was a mammoth one, make no mistake. So Wamakko told everyone who cared to listen to watch out for his own crowd on Saturday, August 4. We did and we were completely blown away. And as youd expect, the party that has lost the most members to the other, hasnt taken the defections very well. For instance, after Saraki defected, Information ministerLai Mohammed said the senate president wasnt really a member of the APC from the start. If Senate President Bukola Saraki were not a member of the APC, the party and the government it leads could not have suffered more than they had already done, with regards to the delay in passing the budget, approving key appointments and so on. In other words, Saraki has behaved all along as a member of the opposition, deliberately slowing down the progress of the APC-led Federal Government. In fact, we could not have suffered more as an executive in the hands of the legislature if a PDP person had been the senate president, Lai said. It is therefore neither a surprise nor a blow that he has defected", the information minister added. What did the APC say when then Speaker Aminu Tambuwal left the PDP for the APC? Heres what Lai Mohammed (who was APC spokesperson) said in 2015: It is not about the fortunes of the party, it is about the fortunes of the country. Now we are going to have more qualitative laws, and this is a man who enjoys support across board so we have a speaker who is accepted on the right and the left. Lai also said there was no need for Tambuwal to resign as Speaker even though he had become a member of the minority party in parliament at the time. Those who are saying that the speaker should resign In 1982 when the NPN and NPP accord broke down, Ume-Ezeoke did not step down as the speaker neither did Wash Pam step down as the deputy president of the senate, he said. What did the APC say after Saraki left? After Saraki left for the PDP, APC Chairman Adams Oshiomhole asked the senate president to give up his leadership of the senate. The only thing is that there are other consequential issues that every man or woman of honour who had taken such decisions would be expected to follow through. I mean, you should not collect a crown that belongs to a family and wear it on behalf of the family if for your personal reasons which he has enumerated that he has gone to another family. It is just a matter of honour to leave the crown in the house that the crown belongs to. And when Akpabio's defection became public knowledge? After it became clear that minority leader Godswill Akpabiowill dump the PDP for the APC this week, Lai Mohammed said: I welcome it (defection of Akpabio) because all politics is local. All those who have left us did that for purely personal reasons. Since they say politics is a game of number, of course we welcome gladly the defection of the minority leader. Like they say, The presidency on Sunday, appealed to the National Assembly to reconvene saying that urgent matters pending before it may affect the running of Nigeria and matters affecting Nigerians. The appeal was made by the Senior Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly matters, Sen. Ita Enang, at a news conference in Lagos. The national assembly, on July 24 adjourned for its annual recess to reconvene on Sept. 25. Some of the pending urgent issues before the adjournment included the approval of a presidential request for virement of N242 billion in the 2018 Budget for the 2019 elections. The amount would be spent by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies for preparation and execution of the elections. Ologbondiyan said that what Enang had done was just a mere wish as he had no power to order or call for the reopening of the parliament, adding that the aide was just expressing his personal wishes. As a matter of fact, Sen. Enang was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Will he listen to anybody from outside the chamber to come and dictate to the presiding officers? It is unfortunate that people who have experience in legislative practices and procedures, when they get to the executive arm, instead of telling the executives the limit of their powers they pretend to know it all. By so doing, they mislead the executive. There are set rules. Section 12 of the Senate Standing Rules puts the opening of the Senate within the purview of President of the Senate and the operational word there is `may. And, that is if the Senate President is convinced to reopen the Senate. We must not allow those who have no respect for laws to take charge of our lives, because what they are plotting to do has a huge capacity to create anarchy for the nation. The NASS has only gone for their annual recess and it is within their right to choose when to come back, he said. Ologbondiyan added that the attempt at recalling the lawmakers to work was also an effort to subdue the rules and the laws, saying that it was unacceptable. He also condemned the request by the executive that money meant for projects injected into the 2018 budget should be channeled to fund part of 2019 general elections. According to him, it is an attempt by the executive to blackmail the national parliament. How can the executive predicate funds meant for elections on the proposal for constituencies projects? How can the presidency sit back and declare that the money meant for 2019 general elections would be based on an amendment of Appropriation Act? Why dont they send a bill for supplementary budget? People like Enang who has spent his life in the NASS has the responsibility to advise the executive on what to do, he said. Ologbondiyan also questioned the timing for the request, asking why the executive had to wait until when the NASS was supposed to proceed on annual recess before sending request on elections funds to it. He said it was merely to create unnecessary controversies, and that is where we are now. Is it in July that they understood that we have election for February, 2019? Did they not realise that there is a need for INEC to get sensitive and insensitive materials? Was it in July that they discovered that? One thing we know for certain is that whichever game or shenanigans they project, elections will hold in 2019. On the trending story that Senate Minority Leader and former Governor of Akwa Ibom was set to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ologbondiyan said that the PDP was yet to be notified. The PDP is not aware of the said defection of any of our members in Alkwa-Ibom state because we have not been notified. Ologbondiyan said that the PDP had no issue whatsoever with Akpabio. Like I said earlier in a programme, the partys last discussion with Akpabio is that he informed the party that he was traveling to Germany. That was the last discussion "Of course, American bullying and political pressures may cause some disruption, but the fact is that in the current world, America is isolated," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters, according to the semi-official ISNA news agency. Washington is set to reimpose sanctions on Iran on Tuesday following President Donald Trump's decision to abandon the 2015 nuclear deal in May -- a move opposed by all other parties to the agreement. "We deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the US," said EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini in a statement jointly signed with the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany. "We are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran," the statement added. But the renewed hostility has already sparked a run on Iran's currency, which has lost around half its value since Trump's announcement. And it has added to tensions inside Iran, which has seen days of protests and strikes in multiple towns and cities over water shortages, high prices and wider anger at the political system. Severe reporting restrictions have made it impossible to verify the swirl of claims coming through social media, but journalists did confirm a heavy build-up of riot police on Sunday night in the town of Karaj, just west of Tehran, that has been a focal point of unrest, and said mobile internet had been cut in the area. Rouhani is due to give a televised address to the nation at 21:40 pm (1710 GMT) on Monday to outline plans for tackling the currency decline and impact of sanctions. His government eased foreign exchange rules on Sunday, allowing unlimited tax-free currency and gold imports, and reopening exchange bureaus after a disastrous attempt to fix the value of the rial in April led to widespread black-market corruption. With senior religious authorities calling for a crackdown on graft, the judiciary said Sunday it had arrested the vice-governor of the central bank in charge of foreign exchange, Ahmad Araghchi, along with a government clerk and four currency brokers. Sanctions and talks Sanctions are due to return in two phases on August 7 and November 5 -- with the first targeting Iran's access to US banknotes and key industries including cars and carpets. The second phase -- blocking Iran's oil sales -- is due to cause more damage, although several countries including China, India and Turkey have indicated they are not willing to entirely cut their Iranian energy purchases. After months of fierce rhetoric, Trump surprised observers last week when he offered to meet with Rouhani without preconditions. But Zarif suggested it was hard to imagine negotiating with the man who tore up an agreement on which Iran and world powers had spent the "longest hours in negotiating history". "Do you think this person (Trump) is a good and suitable person to negotiate with? Or is he just showing off?" he said. There have been ongoing rumours that Trump and Rouhani could meet in New York later this month, where they are both attending the UN General Assembly -- though Rouhani reportedly rejected US overtures for a meeting at last year's event. Over the weekend Trump once again floated the idea of meeting, tweeting "I will meet, or not meet, it doesn't matter -- it is up to them!" But that came less than a fortnight after a bellicose exchange between the two presidents, with Rouhani warning of the "mother of all wars" and Trump responding with a Twitter tirade against Iran's "DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE". Trump has stated he wants a new deal with Iran that goes beyond curbing its nuclear programme, and ends what America calls its "malign influence" in the region, including its support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and militant groups in Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories. Iran hawks believe the pressure is already showing results, pointing to a surprising lack of harassment by Iranian naval forces against American warships in the Gulf this year. If Iran senses "American steel they back down, if they perceive American mush they push forward -- and right now they perceive steel," said Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington think tank that lobbied against the nuclear deal. Speaking during the International Labour Organization (ILO) workshop in Kisumu, Mr Atwoli rubbished the allegations as mere falsehoods. Being a polygamous man, Atwoli said that he must confirm that his wives were single before marrying them. According to the COTU boss, one of the many warnings his father issued to him as a young man was never to mess around with somebody elses. "Somebody recently tried to tarnish me on social media saying that I Francis Atwoli ran away with his wife. I said what foolish man is this one? My dad warned me that if you are still alive do not fool around with someones wife. And I cannot do that. "Even the several ones I have I confirm with their parents whether they are single or not," Atwoli said. If the womans parents are not in a position to give confirm, Atwoli says he uses his close friends to conduct an investigation on the woman he intends to make his wife. "My last wife who I am now living with, I asked my friend (Wangare) to go and confirm whether this girl is single," he added. The Governor said her office had not been informed of Ruto's visit as had been the case during the Deputy President's previous visit in her county. My office and majority of the leaders did not have any communication from the Deputy President on his intended visit to Kirinyaga as has been the practice in previous visits. We would have expected the officers in charge to make the necessary arrangements with local leadership and communicate accordingly. Why the decision was made to bypass protocol is open for debate," Waiguru told the Nation. Read Also: Trouble for Waiguru after being sworn in The governor added that she was caught by surprised at the turn of events during Ruto's visit but was quick to add that she would steer clear of speculation over the matter. Supremacy battles Her sentiments were echoed by Kirinyaga County Assembly Leader of Majority James Kamau Mulango who confirmed that the county government was not invited at the DPs event due to supremacy battles between the governor and Woman Rep Purity Ngirici. Curiously, Ngirici, attended Ruto's event at Karoti Girls High School. "There was no invitation, we knew that the DP would be in Meru, not Kirinyaga. Something is not right. Failure to invite us is perhaps (meant) to create impression that those who were absent do not want the DP. I met the governor (Waiguru) a day before the event and she was not aware of the visit," added Mulango. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. A Purdue University-affiliated startup that plans to use rockoons to open access to space for microsatellite companies won third place in a Midwest business competition. The judges at the Final Four Business Pitch awarded Leo Aerospace LLC, which plans to use "rockoons," or high-altitude balloons, that launch rockets into suborbital and orbital flights, $1,500 at the competition held July 31 at the 1871-Chicago Center for Technology and Entrepreneurship. The competition for the best university startups included students from Purdue, DePaul University, Michigan State University and the University of Illinois System. Five startups that have been clients of the Purdue Foundry, an entrepreneurship and commercialization accelerator, took part in the competition: Leo Aerospace, FroYo XPress, MediTrak, Predictive Wear and Spirrow Therapeutics. The Final Four Business Pitch competition was great exposure for all five of our companies to make connections with industry and thought leaders in Chicago and among the other universities, said Riley Gibb, director of collaborations at the Foundry. Our teams stood up very well among the other 15 teams and represented Purdue University exceptionally well. All five startups participated in the Burton D. Morgan Business Model Competition, four of them this past February. It was fantastic seeing the teams that competed in our business model competition less than six months ago be able to compete head to head with the best from other universities, said Arnold Chen, managing director of the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship. Officials of Leo Aerospace, which took its name from Low Earth Orbit, say the company will revolutionize the space industry by giving priority service to microsatellite developers that now are secondary payloads for large rocket companies. Currently, developers have to wait to see if there is room left on large rockets carrying government payloads and often have to wait six months or more to find space on a rocket, a delay that can be quite costly. Those microsatellite developers also have limited options on which orbit their satellites are delivered to and when they are launched. Were targeting the microsatellites by saying, You dont have to ride-share with anyone. We can guarantee you will be our only payload and we will be focused on you, said Drew Sherman, Leo Aerospaces head of vehicle development. We will work with you exclusively to get you into orbit. You wont have to worry about other payloads or getting dropped off in the wrong spot. Abishek Murali, head of mission engineering, said a selling point for Leo Aerospace will be its flexibility and ability to meet customers needs. The company can tailor its launch vehicles and its operational capabilities to the exact needs of its clients. Our goal is to give people access to space. The only way to do that right now is to help people get their satellite into orbit. That's where we want to leave our mark, he said. Leo Aerospace plans to harness physics to cut costs and expand mission capabilities. The cost of sending a satellite into space can be up to $60,000 a kilogram. Leo Aerospace is confident it can lower that cost to launch microsatellites, which can weigh 1 to 50 kilograms. The rockoon, a hybrid of a rocket and high-altitude balloon, is less expensive to deploy than a traditional rocket since there is less drag because the rocket isnt launched until the balloon is 11 miles above Earth, where there is 95 percent less atmosphere to cause drag. By doing that you can scale your rocket down much more efficiently, said Sherman, who is pursuing a masters degree at Purdue in engineering management with an emphasis on propulsion. Leo Aerospace conducted a customer discovery and market validation study through the National Science Foundation I-Corps program and found a large demand to deploy microsatellites. The rockoon was first used by the U.S. Air Force in the 1950s. Leo Aerospace can precisely launch the rocket by controlling the pitch and angle using core integration technology, for which it has filed patents. The companys goal is to launch its first suborbital flight by 2020 and use these funds combined with a Series B funding round, to launch its first satellite into orbit in 2022. Its long-term goal is to increase launch frequency as operations develop. The company has done some preliminary analysis work and some hardware testing. Leo Aerospace plans to initially launch the rockoons from existing spaceports licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration. The spaceports stretch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to Kodiak Island in Alaska. Leo Aerospace plans to reuse the balloons for future launches, but the rockets will be used only once, said Murali, who is pursuing a graduate degree at Purdue in engineering management with an emphasis on dynamics and control systems. Leo Aerospace won $15,000 in March through the Burton D. Morgan Business Model Competition. The company plans to seek Series A funding in the next two years. A video of Leo Aerospace team members at work can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVI6-k99sb4. The company was started by five then-Purdue students as a club that they then decided to turn into a business, receiving guidance from the Purdue Foundry, an entrepreneurship and commercialization accelerator in Discovery Park's Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship at Purdue. The rocket scientists developed their business plan and learned what they needed to do to move forward. We want to be part of the space market, Murali said. People are interested in space and creating technologies that not only can operate in space but also help people back on Earth. What we're trying to do is help them get there. About Purdue Foundry The Purdue Foundry is an entrepreneurship and commercialization accelerator in Discovery Park's Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship whose professionals help Purdue innovators create startups. Managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, the Purdue Foundry was co-named a top recipient at the 2016 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Designation and Awards Program by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities for its work in entrepreneurship. For more information about funding and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Foundry at foundry@prf.org. Purdue Research Foundation contact: Tom Coyne, 765-588-1044, tjcoyne@prf.org Sources: Drew Sherman, drew@leoaerospace.com Abishek Murali, abishek@leoaerospace.com Warning: John Dybvig does try to contain himself, but there are a few swear-words used in his piece, so listen to this week's Letter from America at your own risk. Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump, this week spoke out about her mothers immigrant status. It gone John Dybvig thinking does Ms Trump know anything about her mother? She discussed how she is the child of an immigrant, but her mother was a legal immigrant. However, in Ivanka Trumps new book she discusses how she made it into the country through a sham wedding, thus making her an illegal immigrant. She obviously hasnt read the book, Mr Dybvig says. Mr Dybvig and Graeme also look at a shooting that occurred in the United States this week. An unarmed man was shot for parking in a disabled parking spot and not being disabled. Following the shooting it was revealed that the man was in possession of a disability pass. This week every important agency, including the CIA, gathered for a press conference at the White House. They said that Russia is meddling with US politics. Mr Trump came back later that day and disregarded the conference entirely, telling media that it was a hoax. Listen to the full audio with John Dybvig above. Weekend Variety Wireless with Graeme Hill, 8pm - midnight Saturdays and Sundays, on RadioLIVE and streaming live to the Rova app on Android and iPhone. RadioLIVE. Hispanic broadcast network Univision may be gone from Dish Network and Sling TV permanently. Dish and Univision failed to come to terms on a contract renewal, resulting in a blackout that commenced 30 June. It meant that Dish subscribers lost access to more than 60 Univision-owned local TV stations and cable channels like UniMas and Galavision.Explaining the rationale for the lack of progress in coming to agreement with the leading US Hispanic content company, Dish said that despite ratings for its channels decreasing by approximately 30% over the past five years among DISH customers, Univision was demanding rate increases of roughly 75%. DISH added that ratings for its flagship Univision channel have declined nearly 40% since 2012.This removal could become permanent, Dish said in a 10-Q regulatory filing Friday, noting that the broadcaster has lost leverage given that its programming is available via over-the-air antennas and through its own direct-to-consumer Univision Now app.When the blackout happened, the satellite provider slammed Univision for what it said is an effort to drastically raise rates amid declining viewership.Univision's attempted price hikes target Hispanics despite the fact that fewer members of our community are watching Univision, said Alfredo Rodriguez Diaz-Marta, vice president of DishLATINO and Sling Latino. We have served the Hispanic community for nearly 20 years, and as the leading provider of TV packages in English and Spanish, we owe it to our customers to deliver the best content at the best value," said Rodriguez Diaz-Marta. "For example, in the spirit of our 'sigamos haciendola' campaign, we will soon be the first to launch a new, commercial-free channel wholly dedicated to teaching English as a second language to learners of all levels. This channel will be available to DishLATINO and Sling Latino customers at no additional cost.For its part, Univision countered DISHs claims by saying that the operator was unnecessarily depriving Hispanic Americans of critical Spanish-language news and programming.Univisions networks and stations play an outsized role in DISHs success with Hispanic consumers, and our programming is some of the most popular, regardless of language, among DISH subscribers, said Univisions Jessica Herrera-Flanigan, executive vice president, government and corporate affairs. She added, We offered an extension to ensure negotiations did not interfere with our service of the Hispanic communities that rely on critical news from Univision. DISH apparently did not share our concern and chose not to put its Hispanic customers first.Dishs comments on Univision came as the operator reported results for the second quarter of 2018. It shed 151,000 total pay-TV customers in the period, losing 192,000 satellite TV subs (to stand at 10.65 million total) and gaining 41,000 for Sling TV (2.34 million total). Its total TV base has shrunk 2.6% in the last 12 months. Matt Nolan, who runs a mapping business in Alaska using aerial photography, was flying a small plane to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the northeastern part of the state last month when he noticed a pattern on the tundra. Dr. Nolan, a geophysicist, saw a grid of tracks left by heavy vehicles involved in recent seismic testing for oil and gas exploration in an area called Point Thomson. The tracks, several hundred yards apart, were as regular as a checkerboard and ran across the landscape just outside of the refuge. Senators reviewing U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh should consider his likely impact on federal efforts to slow the warming of the planet. With a lifetime appointment, the presidents choice to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy could serve on the nations highest court for many decades, and some greenhouse gases remain in the atmosphere for over a century. Thus, it is no stretch to suggest that Kavanaughs decisions on climate could be felt into the late-22nd century. Kavanaghs opinions during his service on the Circuit Court, per one legal analysis, have demonstrated skepticism about environmental regulation that at times employed contradictory legal principles. Another indicator of Kavanaughs approach to climate change cases comes from a justice who wrote a dissenting opinion on a most important case on climate and for whom he has expressed great admiration. Kavanaugh has called the late Justice Antonin Scalia a role model and praised, among other desirable traits, his commitment to read the words of the statute as written. The tie to Scalia is hardly trivial. White House Counsel Donald McGahn recently told the Federal Society, a group committed to the placement of conservatives on the Supreme Court and that screened President Donald Trumps potential picks, This administrations mandate on judicial selections is clear: Choose judges in the mold of Justice Scalia, Justice Thomas, and now Justice Gorsuch. So, what can we learn from Scalias record on the Court? The Courts pivotal decision on climate came in Massachusetts v. EPA, which in 2007 found that the Clean Air Act required the Environmental Protection Agency to make a reasoned judgment whether carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted from motor vehicles endangered public welfare. This opinion later led to EPA rulemaking that found that such gases did, indeed, endanger public welfare. On a 54 vote, three justices appointed by different Republican presidents joined the two appointed by Democratic President Bill Clinton in the majority opinion written by Justice John Paul Stevens. With the retirement of Justice Kennedy, none of those GOP judges will be involved in future deliberations of the Court. The remaining four Republican justices agreed with two dissenting opinions written by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Scalia. Scalias analysis running just over a dozen pages provides a template of what the White House says we should expect from a justice in the mold of the Federalist Society. In his dissent, Scalia quotes language in the Clean Air Act providing that the Administrator of EPA: shall by regulation prescribe standards applicable to the emission of any air pollutant from any class or classes of new motor vehicle or new motor vehicle engine, which in his judgment cause, or contribute to, air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare (emphasis added by Scalia). According to Scalia, this passage indicates that the EPA administrator should be granted wide latitude in his judgment, but his use of italics deflected attention away from other words, like shall, that could have led to a different interpretation. Moreover, he argued, the governments research and voluntary action programs were an adequate substitute for regulation. By narrowly focusing on this passage, however, Scalia ignored other parts of the law that clearly indicated what it meant. For instance, he did not acknowledge, as did the majority opinion, that the Act plainly specified that public welfare could be endangered by the effects of pollution on weather or climate. Indeed, an ample body of evidence shows that the authors of the 1970 legislation were aware of the growing science on climate change and also anticipated that the Act could be used to deal with it when a greater consensus developed on issues that were still in contention. In the early-1970s, there were disagreements whether the cooling effects of aerosols or the warming effects of carbon dioxide would prove more powerful. By later in the decade, there was little doubt among scientists that the warming impacts would come to dominate. Amidst a plethora of legal arguments in the Courts opinions, the pivotal issue on the merits was how the administrators judgment should be constrained by the term reasonably be expected to. Scalia conceded that the discretion of the administrator to take no action was not entirely unbounded. But if there were bounds, how and by whom would they be determined? According to the majority opinion, written by Stevens, reasonable expectations on climate change should be determined by scientists who were experts on the subject and so turned to the latest available report (2001) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Based on its reading of that report, the majority concluded that The harms associated with climate change are serious and well recognized. The scientific basis of Scalias dissent was the National Academy of Sciences 2001 report Climate Change Science: An Analysis of Some Key Questions, written at the formal request of the administration with a one-month deadline, which embraced the IPCC findings. The opening sentence of the summary reads: Greenhouse gases are accumulating in Earths atmosphere as a result of human activities, causing surface air temperatures and subsurface ocean temperatures to rise. The document included numerous caveats (as would any intellectually honest forecast of future trends), including the inability of scientists to fully understand the natural forces at work. Scalias opinion puts more weight on the uncertainties of climate science than on what scientists regarded as the most likely scenarios. The problem with this uncertainty trap is a lack of historical perspective. For instance, while the Bush administration in 2003 described its effort to reduce scientific uncertainties about climate science as a new initiative, scientists with federal funding had been trying to reduce levels of uncertainty since the Eisenhower administration. And over the years, they have made a good deal of progress. But there will never be complete certainty, mainly because natural systems are so complex that the abilities of humans to fully understand them may be limited in perpetuity. That there remain and always will remain unknowns in science does not negate what scientists know to be likely to happen. If the Scalia model holds true, it is likely that Federalist Society judges, including Kavanaugh, will acknowledge a link between the emission of greenhouse gases and rising global temperatures. They may be reluctant to overturn the Massachusetts case directly, based on its status as precedent. We should expect, however, that they will tend to side with polluters over the public interest in protecting the climate and that the impacts of the Massachusetts case will be seriously eroded. Bet on the uncertainty argument making future appearances to provide ammunition for judges to block climate action. Meanwhile, Alaskans will observe melting permafrost; coastal residents around the country will experience rising sea levels and more intense storms; and farmers in many areas will confront greater aridity of soils. The Senates vote on Kavanaugh will likely affect the pace at which these climatic changes occur. Jay Hakes is a historian specializing in energy and the American presidency. He is the author of A Declaration of Energy Independence: How Freedom from Foreign Oil Can Improve National Security, Our Economy, and the Environment. As the tariff war between the United States and China escalated Friday, a Trump adviser said the president would not back down. China announced Friday it was ready to slap tariffs on $60 billion in U.S. goods if Trump follows through on his announced plan to impose 25 percent tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese Chinas or, perhaps, more correctly, Xi Jinpings propagandists hail him as an exceptional leader. Yet with the country faced with several serious and rising problems On Friday, the Cook Political Report moved Sen. Ted Cruzs Texas seat one notch in Democrats favor into the Lean Republican column, making it the fourth GOP-held Senate seat with the potential to flip this fall. The president will do anything to protect his brand, which is now inextricable from the anti-immigrant policies he's championed Editors note from Geopolitical Futures: The following article is in response to a July 20 commentary by German political scientist Christian Hacke in Cicero magazine. Readers can find Hackes article, in its original German, here. Christian Hacke, a distinguished German scholar, has written an important article on the future of Germanys national strategy. He has done well in laying out Germanys options from a German point of view, as well as identifying uncomfortable conversations that the country needs to have. I think, however, that the American point of view, even under President Donald Trump, is more complex and sophisticated than most Europeans acknowledge. In the article, which first appeared in the German-language Cicero magazine, Hacke raises as one of the possible courses for Germany that it may become a self-reliant nuclear power. The mere suggestion makes this an important article though it is a conversation that has been had before, most recently in the wake of Trumps election but equally important is that the article is heavily focused on the United States. To a great extent, German national strategy will be a response to the willingness of the United States to continue its internationalist policy. The conversation should begin here. The United States has never been an isolationist power. Just as Germany historically focused its activities on Europe, especially France and Russia, the United States historically focused on the Americas and the Caribbean. Hacke points to the 1920s and 1930s, when the United States refused to be drawn into Europes regional politics, as evidence of American isolationism. But the U.S. was not an isolationist power even then it was significantly involved in Asia and the Pacific. In the 1920s, Washington negotiated a naval agreement with Japan, the United Kingdom, France and Italy. In the 1930s, it helped China resist Japan, even sending patrol boats and aircraft. The U.S. had a major stake in the Philippines and took significant action against Japan as it became more active, from arming the Chinese to placing an embargo on Japan after it invaded Indochina. The story is more extensive and complex, but the point is that at the same time the Allies (and Americans who advocated intervention in Europe) were condemning Roosevelt for isolationism, Roosevelt was trying to manage Japanese expansionism. This is one of the peculiarities of European thinking about the United States: the belief that if the U.S. is not involved in Europe, it is not involved in the world. U.S. national strategy has never boiled down to internationalism or isolationism but has focused on selective engagement in regions of American interest. In the interwar period, the U.S. defended its interests in the Pacific and Asia but saw great risk with little reward in Europe. It was prudence, not isolationism, that drove Roosevelt. Neither is the U.S. absent from the world under Trump. It is working to redefine its trade relationships with Mexico and Canada, its core trading bloc, as well as with most of the worlds other major trading powers, including Europe. Its military is hardly isolated either. The U.S. recently averted war with North Korea. The U.S. Navy is perpetually active in the East and South China seas. American forces remain engaged in active combat in Afghanistan, Syria and a number of Saharan countries. The U.S. has active deployments in Romania and Poland and cooperation in the Baltics. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have deployed in the wars of the past 17 years. In none of these conflicts, or potential conflicts, did the Germans serve a strategic role. Its true that more than 50 German soldiers have died in Afghanistan, but the German deployment there, which consists of relatively small detachments under rules of engagement that limit their role severely, is an exception. German rotations to Poland or Romania do not constitute a strategic capability. Should a conflict occur, Germany does not have the ability to make a strategic contribution. In part, this is because it has had the U.S. and NATO to fall back on, and in part, its because Germanys world is much smaller than the United States world and, at least right now, its less dangerous. American indifference to Germany does not arise from domestic politics but from an understanding that it has been a quarter of a century since the fall of the Soviet Union. Europes strategic situation has changed utterly. It clings to an institutional framework, NATO, that has lost its relevance. The continued existence of NATO since the Cold War has enabled the Europeans to dedicate more resources to economic development something they are loathed to give up and Trump is determined to end. Hacke argues that the United States is abandoning its long-standing internationalist commitment to Europe. But NATO is a military alliance. To have a military alliance, you must have a military. Germany doesnt really have one, as Hacke points out. Whats more, it isnt clear that Germanys commitment to the alliance is unconditional. I was recently in conversation with national security experts from Europe and the United States. I brought up that if the United States had to rush forces to the Eastern European frontier, they would have to pass through military bases in Germany. I asked if the Germans would permit the free passage of U.S. military forces. The answers ranged from probably to I dont know. I assume they would, but the idea that the question would even come up and be answered with less than an absolute of course indicates a lack of trust in Germany. From the American point of view, with so many of its problems to be found in Asia, an alliance structure in Europe dependent on the U.S. simply doesnt address U.S. strategic needs. Moreover, as Trumps comments about Montenegro demonstrated, the U.S. increasingly sees NATO as a potential liability. When NATO admitted Montenegro in June 2017, the U.S. became legally obligated to guarantee the security of a country in a region where conflict is always possible. This obligation applies to every NATO member, but the U.S. would shoulder most of the cost. Given all the other interests of the United States, is it unwise to have treaty-based exposure in the Balkans as well, particularly as most of the rest of Europe, especially Germany, would be incapable of honoring its treaty obligations. Europe, on the other hand, hears any call for an adjustment of NATO as a betrayal of the American commitment to European security. It is not clear that the United States and Germany need each other strategically any longer. Economically, they have relationships. The U.S. would welcome Germany addressing the United States strategic problems, but the Germans dont need the risk. The Germans want American commitment, without an appropriate force, and confined to Europe. The question is not just Americas relationship to Germany, but Germanys relationship to America. If what Germany wants is American guarantees and capabilities without German capabilities and therefore without the ability on the part of Germany to fulfill its own guarantees the relationship will atrophy and ultimately collapse. If Germany wants the strategic partnership to continue, it must become a strategic partner. It must to some extent assist the U.S. globally, and have the force to do so. What is not clear is that this is in Germanys interest. All of this has little to do with the personalities or desires of Trump or German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The United States has burst forth from its continent, while Germany has burrowed down. This makes for very different worldviews. The following commentary is from a CSIS mission to Asmara, Eritrea in late June with more than a dozen interviews with top Eritrean officials and international diplomats. It was an embrace of monumental consequence. Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki warmly greeted the new Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as he arrived in the Eritrean capital of Asmara. Photos from the historic meeting show the start of a warm friendship between these two major Horn of Africa leaders. A joint statement confirmed that the war so bitterly fought from 1998 to 2000, and the no-peace, no-war situation, plaguing both countries and contributing towards destabilizing the entire Horn of Africa, was finally over. Suddenly, everything is moot. Sanctions? Obsolete says the UN . Indefinite national service in Eritrea? This is a wartime solution, say numerous Eritrean officials I spoke with. Economic isolation of Eritrea and Northern Ethiopia? Ethiopian Airlines is restoring routes to Eritrea, while Eritrea is giving Ethiopia access to its Red Sea ports . Eritrean migration to Europe? Will people still leave if there is economic opportunity? The end of the Eritrean-Ethiopian conflict is much bigger than the resolution of a disputed border. The impact is sure to reverberate throughout East Africa and beyond. The Greater Horn of Africa has been a region of multiple conflicts, from Somalia to South Sudan, Djibouti, and Sudan. There is a threat of terrorism from al Shabaab in Somalia that spills over into neighboring countries. Hostilities between Eritrea and Ethiopia have greatly contributed towards destabilizing the region, as former Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and President Isaias both supported the others opposition groups and often took opposite sides on regional issues instead of working together. A new government in Ethiopia has brought sweeping changes . Peace will not be a magic bullet, but it will greatly contribute towards resolving conflicts in the region, as well as across the Red Sea in Yemen. It may also lessen the heavy flow of refugees to Europe that is putting political pressure on governments throughout Europe. Through three administrations and 20 years, the United States has followed policies that have focused on supporting its relations with Ethiopia. Some experts agree that Eritrea stands out as one of the more stable countries in its neighborhood which is ravaged by conflict, humanitarian challenges, and famine. An Immense Cost of Lives The Eritrean-Ethiopian war at its peak was the largest war in the world at the time. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers faced each other from trenches dug all along the border, backed by heavy artillery from massive armaments on both sides. The entire border has been closed since May 1998, creating a vast scar across the Horn of Africa, disrupting trade, separating families, hampering development and relief efforts, cutting off Ethiopias access to the sea, and isolating Eritrea from the world. The Algiers Agreement, signed by both countries in December 2000, declared there would be an Eritrean Ethiopian Boundary Commission (EEBC) that would rule on the border according to the colonial maps. Both parties agreed the decision would be final and binding. The guarantors of the agreementthe UN and African Unionwere to enforce implementation without precondition. The EEBCs ruling came out in April 2002. Eritrea immediately accepted the agreement. Ethiopia rejected the decision and then agreed in principle, but insisted on preconditions before it would withdraw troops from the disputed land. The agreement called for both parties to permanently terminate hostilities, but Ethiopia has attacked Eritrea numerous times, including an attack on Eritrean military installations in 2012 and an attack on Tserona, the scene of one of the deadliest battles during the war, in June 2016. Under the previous Ethiopian government, the state-owned media regularly called for President Isaias to be overthrown and even for Ethiopia to use military action to oust the regime in Eritrea. Despite refusal to implement and its continued use of force, Ethiopia has not had any sanctions. As it is the top aid recipient in sub-Saharan Africa, the international community has leverage against Ethiopia, but it has not used it. Meanwhile, Eritrea, which has abided by the Algiers Agreement and agreed to implementation, has had sanctions for the past nine years. Experts estimate that the war left as many as 100,000 dead and many more injured or displaced, but the cost of lives continues to rise as migration from the region is at record levels. The Cause of the War Eritrea and Ethiopia were hardly new to conflict. Eritrea waged a 30-year war of independence from Ethiopia, and rebel forces from both countries fought together to oust the military dictatorship in Ethiopia. After peace in 1991, the two rebel groups became the leaders in their countries and enjoyed close economic and diplomatic ties. That peace lasted seven years. The more recent war is often blamed on simplistic causesEritrea launching its own currency or Ethiopia being landlocked after independence. More recently, the small, border town of Badme is cited as the reason for the war, but Ethiopias claims before the international tribunal went far beyond Badme, extending in some places more than 30 miles from a border that had already been established for more than 100 years. These facile explanations obscure the real cause. The Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF), the rebel group that fought with the Eritreans, dominated the former Ethiopian government. The TPLF aspired to create a greater industrialized Tigray, the northernmost region in Ethiopia bordering Eritrea, by taking territory from neighboring regions in both Ethiopia and Eritrea. The Proxy Player The Eritrean-Ethiopian war had a third party thats not in Africa: the international community, most often led by the United States. For decades, the United States used Ethiopia as its proxy in the region. The result is that U.S. interests often leaned toward Ethiopian interests. The UN placed an arms embargo on Eritrea based on claims of Eritrean support for al Shabaab, a terrorist group operating out of Somalia. The UN Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea issued four reports confirming no evidence of support by Eritrea to al Shabaab and recommending the sanctions be lifted, yet because of alleged obstruction of the monitoring group the embargo remains in place. Several diplomatic cables released in 2011 by WikiLeaks show cooperation between the United States and Ethiopia and backroom deals to get sanctions through the UN Security Council. The cables show warm and collaborative relationships, even personal friendships, with Ethiopias former Prime Minister Meles and extreme distaste for President Isaias. The leaked cables to and from high-level U.S. diplomats in the region stated the desire to pin down and punish Eritrea for continuing to insist on the EEBCs binding resolution, that the USG has worked to undercut support for Eritrea, and aims to isolate Eritrea and wait for it to implode economically. It also noted the German government caving in toAmerican pressure in rescinding a credit guarantee commercial loan for Eritreas new mining site in Bisha. Ambassador John Bolton, the U.S. national security adviser and former U.S. ambassador to the UN, wrote in his book, Surrender is Not an Option: Defending America at the United Nations , that Ethiopia was welching on its deal in flat violation of its commitments, and questioned the efforts of U.S. officials to overturn the EEBC ruling in favor of Ethiopia. I was at a loss as to how to explain that to the Security Council, so I didnt, he explained. For the United States, prior to the war President Isaias was considered one of the top African leaders and a vital part of the African Renaissance. Today, the United States derisively refers to Eritrea as the North Korea of Africa. Eritrea was one of only two African countries not invited to the U.S.-Africa Summit in 2014. Despite this history, many Eritrean officials would encourage improved economic partnerships with the United States again, emphasizing that U.S. policy in the region made relations difficult, but that a renewed economic partnership is encouraged. Why Peace, Why Now? Despite the tremendous pressure on Eritrea, the end of the war is due more to internal changes within Ethiopia than any actions taken by Eritrea or the international community. Ethiopia is heralded as one of the great African success stories, but against this backdrop is another story of a troubled country and leadership that favored one ethnicity (Tigrayans) over others. The new prime minister is now trying to unify a country with deep divisions. Former Prime Minister Meles instituted a policy of ethnic federalism that left Ethiopia deeply fractured along sectarian lines. The government has repeatedly called for a state of emergency due to ethnic uprisings, imprisoned tens of thousands of opposition leaders, activists, and journalists, and held questionable elections where despite opposition, the ruling party won all of the seats. While the impact of the war has been felt far more in Eritrea than in Ethiopia, the same cannot be said for the Tigray region. There has been little appetite for investment due to security issues, no possibility for cross-border trade, and no easy access for shipping exports as the natural port for Tigray is the Eritrean port of Massawa. Prime Minister Abiy is an Oromo, the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, and came to power after widespread popular uprisings in the Oromo, Amhara, and other regions over the past three years. The TPLF has lost its dominant position in the Ethiopian ruling party and is now trying to consolidate its support in its powerbase of Tigray. The situation is complex. Much of Ethiopias military power is currently deployed in Tigray and most of the top military leadership is Tigrayan. With peace, the military could be redeployed throughout the country, and along with the ongoing change in the senior defense officers, this poses a potential weakening of the TPLFs position. The prime minister has quickly moved to undo the most divisive elements of the previous government and is already heralded by many as a great leader, but opposition in Ethiopia should not be underestimated. He will need to quickly show a peace dividend. Already, the two sides have announced several major deals, including granting Ethiopia access to Eritreas ports and resuming Ethiopian Airways service to the Eritrean capital of Asmara. As for Eritrea, critics had questioned whether President Isaias, who has been in power since independence in 1991, would want peace since the threat of war has been the justification for many issues, including not holding elections, closing independent media, imprisoning dissidents, and imposing indefinite national service. Eritrea started out after independence with high ideals for democracy and freedom, but the conflict has impacted nearly every aspect of its existence. The constitution, which includes provisions for elections, independent media, freedom of speech, a multiparty system, and universal human rights, was ratified in 1997, but has yet to be fully implemented. As the two leaders rapidly restore peace and normal relations, it is expected that major changes will happen in Eritrea. Recently, the U.S. Department of State, which has been highly critical of the Eritrean government, issued an official statement heralding both leaders for courageously leading their citizens towards peace, prosperity, and political reform. A Strategic Coastline Eritrea, with its 1000 kilometers of coastline, two ports, and more than 300 islands along the southern end of the Red Sea, has major strategic importance. This is one of the busiest shipping routes in the world, and with global integration and increased trade and investment, the region will continually grow in importance. With the United States on the sidelines, a number of new international players are now present, including China, Turkey, several Gulf nations, Russia, Egypt, and more. There is also heightened competition for influence in the region due to its strategic importance for trade and security issues. Eritreas ports have become increasingly attractive, particularly as congestion, storage issues, and connecting infrastructure continue to plague Djibouti Port. The United States, France, United Kingdom, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and China all have military bases in Djibouti. Eritrea, under the right circumstances, would be an attractive security alternative to Djibouti. The UAE already uses the Eritrean port of Assab to support operations in the Yemeni conflict. The U.S. military once had a presence in Eritrea during the Cold War. Despite difficult relations for nearly two decades, Eritrean officials today have said they dont rule out the possibility that with normalizing relations, the U.S. military could use Eritrean ports or even have a military base. The old guard from the Clinton, Bush, and Obama administrations that were involved in the conflict are almost entirely gone, with one notable exception, Ambassador Donald Yamamoto, a career diplomat who served in both Eritrea and Ethiopia and is now leading the U.S. efforts for a new relationship with both parties. In April, he became the first high-level U.S. diplomat in ten years to visit Eritrea. The new team readily sees Eritreas strategic importance and is building trust with Eritrea and the region. Eritrea and Ethiopia have found peace. It is a done deal, and a deal made without any of the international players. These are two dynamic and reform-minded leaders, and one can assume with them showing such warmth, they will work together to solve their issues, and tackle challenges in the Horn of Africa and beyond. Peace and the Need for a New U.S. Policy Peace will not only create seismic shifts within Africa, but it must do the same with U.S. policy towards Africa. The United States should: Work with the UN Security Council to immediately lift sanctions on Eritrea. Review its strategy of using Ethiopia as a proxy in the region and work towards a more balanced engagement. Even with new leadership in Ethiopia, there are too many conflicting interests that may compromise vital U.S. interests. Support the new prime minister in Ethiopia to address current challenges, particularly as internal forces that oppose the peace process and internal reforms are significant. Encourage economic development in both countries to help deliver a peace dividend. Above all, recognize that Eritrea has strategic value to the United States and that the old narrative on Eritrea in Washington needs to be reviewed. That narrative is closely aligned with the former government in Ethiopia, which has been strongly discredited. The new government ascribes to a completely different narrative, and the United States must catch up. Reprinted with permission from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Carol Pineau is a senior associate with the Project for Prosperity and Development at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. Its a truism that every president makes us nostalgic for his predecessor. In the case of Iran, US President Donald Trump and his men are outdoing the bumbles and fumbles of Reagan, the two Bushes, Clinton, and Obama, while making those earlier presidents appear as far-seeing statesmen. Earlier presidents at least knew Iran was a trap. They saw how Iran had destroyed Jimmy Carters presidency and almost did the same to Ronald Reagans. Although it proved impossible, their preferenceat least until Barack Obamawas to ignore Iran. Whatever they did or didnt do, the results were mostly not happy. In 1989, George H.W. Bush promised Tehran goodwill begets goodwill. A few years later he essentially told the Iranians just kidding. Bill Clintons secretary of state proposed negotiations without preconditions based on mutual respect, and ran into Iranian mistrust and hostility. The Clinton administration also undermined its own efforts with an ill-conceived letter to President Mohammad Khatami full of accusations and demands over the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia. George W. Bushs crewbesotted by apparent military success in Iraqignored a 2003 dialogue offer from Iran and even berated the Swiss intermediary for his presumption in acting as an intermediary. Beginning in 2009, the Obama administration chose a different route and took serious steps toward engagement. His efforts caught the Iranians off-guard and it took four years before the two sides began talking seriouslytalking that led to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Now President Trump, having trashed his predecessors diplomatic achievement, presents himself as master negotiator-in-chief. Straight from his bizarre meetings with the North Korean and Russian leaders, he now offers to meet with his Iranian counterpart anywhere at any time. Its clear that Trump hasnt learned from his predecessors that one should proceed cautiously. Although they were unable to do as theyd hoped and ignore Iran, their instincts to do sojudging by the course of eventswere sound. Instead, President Trump has dived head-first into a murky Persian swamp where rocks and slimy things lurk below the surface. Following Italian dictator Benito Mussolinis principle of more enemies, more honor, Trump has picked a fight that has made him look confused, small-minded, and petulant. What has President Trump done? Obsessed with Obama and a sucker for Israeli and Saudi flattery, he has rejected the idea that diplomacy might accomplish more with the Islamic Republic than forty years of futile, mutual chest-beating. He has forgotten that one negotiates with enemies and adversaries as well as with friends in order to find ways of advancing American interests. He has chosen an approach that combines bullying, threats, accusations, and unrealistic demands, with an offer to talk. In doing so, Trump has led with his chin and given the Iranians a gift: the opportunity to say no and defy a strong and threatening foreign power. In Iran, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeinis words of three decades ago still resonate. Asked about negotiating with the United States, he famously said, Why should the sheep negotiate with the wolf? In other words, the Americans have no interest in reaching an agreement with us: They want to eat us. Look at President Trumps record on Iran. He has unilaterally walked away from a multilateral nuclear agreement, despite all signs that the Iranians were complying with its requirements. Trumps motive was to belittle anything done by Obama and to present himself as the worlds greatest negotiator. Trump has filled his administration with shills for the widely-hated Iranian dissident group, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), a Jonestown-like cult with a dubious past and a more dubious present. As Christian Science Monitorreporter Scott Peterson recently quoted an analyst in Tehran, Trump is giving the wrong signal: You come to the street and make instability, and we will make the MEK come to power. Iranians know that, as bad as the present regime is, MEK rule will be much worsean Iranian version of the Khmer Rouge. Trump has threatened to punish any country or company doing business with Iran and to stop Tehran from selling its crude oil. These tactics repeat those of the British during 1951 - 1953 before they joined the CIA to stage a coup detat to remove the nationalist Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. Trump has issued an all-caps threat to annihilate millions of Iranians followed by an offer to talk with anyone, anywhere, anytime, without preconditions. In the meantime, Trumps Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has further muddled the messagewhatever it is. In his recent speech to an Iranian-American audience in Los Angeles, Pompeo referred to Iran as that country and denounced the entire Islamic revolution, thus denigrating the sacrifices of millions of Iranians who fought and died to overthrow the monarchy and defend their country against Iraqi invaders. With such statements, his professions of respect for individual Iranians and for the countrys ancient culture lack any shred of sincerity. A few days later, Pompeo clarified Trumps talk anytime with no preconditions offer by explaining, If the Iranians demonstrate a commitment to make fundamental changes in how they treat their own people, reduce their malign behavior, can agree that its worthwhile to enter into a nuclear agreement that actually prevents proliferationthen the president said hes prepared to sit down and have the conversation with them. In other words, if the Iranians surrender and agree to do whatever we ask, then were ready to talk. Other than those, there are no preconditions. One can conclude only that this administration is repeating the mistakes of its predecessors by assuming that the Iranians are stupid. I saw that happen in October 1979 when the Carter administration told the Iranian government led by Mehdi Bazargan, the powerless prime minister of the provisional government, that it had no political motive for admitting the deposed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to the United States. Given the history, no one would believe such a statement even if it were true. So how can we make progress with Iran? Despite the very difficult history, there are three principles that will work. First, in any relationship smart is almost always better than the alternative. An element of smart is to avoid moralizing, hysterics, histrionics, and fantasies. Being smart means remembering that things are not true just because we wish them to be. Second, have clear goals. What do we want to achieve with Iran? If this administration wants to bring down the Islamic Republic, then what? Third, understand the goals of the other side. In the old days, doing so was called empathy or simply, basic diplomacy. When Richard Nixon travelled to China in 1972, he drew a line down the middle of a yellow pad and made two columns titled, What We Want and What They Want. What we want with Iran isnt complicated: An Iran that doesnt threaten or destabilize its neighborsbe they Arab, Turkish, or Israeli; an Iran that doesnt sponsor terrorist operations; an Iran that respects maritime rules in the Persian Gulf; an Iran that doesnt pursue a nuclear weapons program in violation of international agreements; an Iran that doesnt hold foreigners and dual-nationals as hostages; and an Iran that adheres to international standards of human rights and doesnt mistreat its people, particularly its women and its intellectuals. What Iran wants isnt complicated, either: Irans overriding goal is survival of the Islamic Republics system and preventing its overthrow by internal or external challengers. Subordinate goals include checking the growth of militant anti-Shia and anti-Iranian movements in neighboring countries, particularly in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan; and controlling those centrifugal forces in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious Iranian society which threatenwith or without foreign encouragementto tear the country apart. Forty years of trading insults, threats, and accusations with the Islamic Republic have brought few successes to American administrations. Rather than attempt anything different, Trump has decided that if previous threats didnt work, we should now make them in an all-caps tweet. Maybe that will work. Reprinted with permission from The Atlantic Council. John Limbert is a retired professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the United States Naval Academy in Maryland. A Foreign Service Officer for 34 years, he served as deputy secretary of state for Iran under the Obama administration. He was among the fifty-two Americans held hostage during the 444-day Iran hostage crisis. He is the author of Iran: At War with History, Negotiating with Iran: Wrestling the Ghosts of History, and Shiraz in the Age of Hafez. , We're sorry, this article is not currently available Authorities have released new sketches of two unidentified young men slain in the 1970s by John Wayne Gacy, one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. Gacy tortured, raped and murdered young men and boys, and buried many of them in the crawl space of his home in Cook County, Ill. He killed at least 33 people between 1972 and 1978. Six of his victims have never been identified. Police are hoping that friends or family members will recognize the victims from the two new, highly detailed facial reconstructions made public Monday. Artists for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children teamed up with the Cook County Sheriff's Office to create the drawings of "John Doe 10" and "John Doe 13" as they appeared at the time of their murders. Associated Press The John Does could have come from any part of the country, as Gacy preferred to prey on youths who were hitchhikers or bus travelers rather than residents of the Chicago area where he lived. He would often lure his victims by posing as a police officer or offering construction work. John Doe 10 was a young white male believed to be between 17 and 21 years. He was between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-11. Investigators said he had previously suffered an injury to his left collarbone that had healed well over time. He also had a few dental fillings. John Doe 13, was also a white male, 18 to 22. He was approximately 5'9' to 6'2' and had dark brown wavy hair. His friends would have known that one of his upper teeth was displaced behind another tooth. MORE: Chicago teen ruled out as Gacy victim, died in SF 'cold case' from 1979 In 2011, one of Gacy's victims, 19-year-old William George Bundy, was identified through DNA testing. Last year, another unidentified victim was found to be James "Jimmie" Haakenson, a 16-year-old from St. Paul, Minn. Gacy, was known at the "Killer Clown" because he enjoyed dressing up as a "Pogo the Clown" or "Patches the Clown" and entertaining children at hospitals, fund-raising events and other charitable events. Sentenced to death in 1980, Gacy was executed by lethal injection 14 years later. He was 52 at the time of his death. TORRINGTON A Bauce family reunion on July 28 took on an international flair after seven cousins of city native Vickie Patrick arrived from Vincenza, Italy. They had never left Italy before, Patick said. The cousins live in Brendola, she noted, which is a tiny village. The cousins visit from Italy was prompted by Patricks most revent visit to the village, which was two years ago. She asked her relatives to come to Connecticut and when they saw a family reunion was planned this summer, the decision was made. While in Brendola, the mayor held a ceremony for Patrick. He thanked me for bringing news of the family who left so long ago, she said. In a parallel celebration, Mayor Elinor Carbone received 19 members of the Bauce family at city hall on July 26. She was presented with a gift from the mayor of Brendola. It was like a gift that was a bridge crossing the ocean, Patrick said. Mayor to mayor. Carbone also received a photo album of Brendola, her staff said. To make sure her cousins got a true flavor of New England, the cousins were served a meal of lobster and clam chowder. Patrick said they had never tasted lobster and enjoyed the meal. It was warm and wonderful. They went out of their way to come and visit me, Patrick said. Torringtons Italian heritage reaches back through many generations in the city. At one time, small Italian markets were found in many areas of town. Today, restaurants and delis still attest to the legacy of those who immigrated to Connecticut and settled in Torrington. Each year a special citizen is honored as Italian Mayor of the Day, and the winner joins the mayor for a bit of official business including an official proclamation and ceremony. It is part of the citys larger Columbus Day celebration at Columbus Square, where wreaths are placed in honor of Torringtons Italian citizens. An attempt to stop an outspoken advocate of independence for Hong Kong from addressing a journalists' association in the city has sparked public criticism, including from its former colonial governor. Beijings Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong issued a statement on night condemning plans to have Hong Kong National Party leader Chan Ho-tin, also known as Andy Chan, address the city's Foreign Correspondents' Club. "We resolutely oppose any external forces providing a platform for the independence forces to spread their absurd ideas," the statement said. The FCC said the event would go ahead as planned. "He and his party have been in the news since Hong Kong authorities have said they are considering banning the party," the club said in a statement on its website. "Hosting such events does not mean that we either endorse or oppose the views of our speakers, who have included senior officials of the Chinese, Hong Kong and other governments as well as their opponents, and we will continue to welcome speakers with widely differing points of view in the future," the statement said. "The FCC believes its members and the public at large have the right and in the case of journalists, the professional responsibility to hear the views of different sides in any debate," it said, adding that it "champions free speech and freedom of the press across Asia." "We believe that in free societies such as Hong Kong it is vitally important to allow people to speak and debate freely, even if one does not agree with their particular views," the club said. Hong Kong's last colonial governor Chris Patten hit out at the attempt to put pressure on the FCC on . "There is no justification for censoring people because you don't like what they have to say," said Patten, who has repeatedly criticized any notion of possible independence for Hong Kong. But he said freedom of speech was one of the "hallmarks of an open society living under the rule of law." "It is quite simply wrong for Beijing's Communist foreign ministry to get involved with an issue which should be determined within Hong Kong," Patten said. Threat to end lease seen Hong Kong's chief executive Carrie Lam said on that the FCC's decision was "regrettable." "I think it is extremely regrettable that a certain organization is using the English term Hong Kong nationalism to describe advocates of so-called independence, and organizing an event around such a theme," Lam said. "The chief executive and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government naturally think that this is totally inappropriate," she said. Meanwhile, Lam's predecessor C.Y. Leung said the club's premises are leased from the government. "This is, of course, a form of threat," Chan told RFA. "There is no need to bring up the fact that the building is leased from the government." "What he means is that they could end the lease." Chan said there is now an atmosphere of public denunciation in Hong Kong that harks back to the political turmoil of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) in mainland China under late supreme leader Mao Zedong. "If I have broken the law, then they should arrest me," he said. "The fact that they haven't shows that the government has no basis upon which to do that, so it has resorted to various threats instead." Moves by the Hong Kong government to ban the HKNP, which advocates independent status for the city, have been widely criticized as representing the end of its traditional freedom of speech and association. Hong Kong police have gathered more than 700 documents as "evidence" supporting their call to ban the Hong Kong National Party, citing many public speeches and comments made by Chan. Critics have hit out at the government for criminalizing speech in the city, which was promised the continuation of its existing way of life for 50 years, under the terms of the 1997 handover to China. The Hong Kong government shelved its initial bid to bring in subversion and sedition laws following a mass street protest of around half a million people in 2003, but the ruling Chinese Communist Party has said it expects the administration to introduce a new bill to LegCo. Under the United Nations-endorsed Johannesburg Principles governing national security and human rights law, restrictions to freedom of speech on the grounds of national security aren't legitimate if they seek to "entrench a particular ideology," rather than to stave off a violent threat of a military or internal nature. Reported by Lam Kwok-lap for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Chen Pan for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Outspoken Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has hit out at the demolition of his studio at an art park in Beijing, saying it has been targeted as part of a program of gentrification that has seen thousands of migrant workers in the capital forcibly evicted from their homes in recent months. Ai posted video of mechanical diggers smashing in the windows of his Zuoyou studio at Beijing's Caochangdi Art Park in the eastern district of Chaoyang on Aug. 3, his main creative base. "Farewell," Ai wrote in an Instagram post, before posted photos of the mechanical digger starting to demolish the walls. "Today, they started to demolish my studio Zuoyou in Beijing with no precaution, which I have had as my main studio since 2006." In an interview with RFA, Ai said he was only informed of the demolition work at around noon on Friday, after it had begun. "I was really shocked, because we still had another two weeks until we were scheduled to move out, and no notice was given in advance whatsoever," he said. "The first thing we saw was the mechanical diggers destroying the windows." While Ai said he had planned to move out of the space, removal work hadn't been completed. "We still had a lot of my works and some equipment on the premises," he said. Ai said he didn't know the precise reason for the sudden move by the authorities. "There are economic reasons, and there are political reasons," he said. "But all these reasons boil down to the same thing: the utter contempt of those in power towards the individual." "At the very least, we have seen that the way in which power operates here is extremely heavy-handed," he said. 'Coordinated growth' policy The demolition of Ai's studio comes amid a renewed demolition and gentrification campaign by Beijing's city government. Authorities say they cleared some 40 million square meters (430,560,000 square feet) of "illegal constructions" from the city last year, and have forcibly evicted thousands of migrant workers from out of town. The city government is pursuing a "coordinated growth" policy in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban area, and has cited the city's hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympics as the main motivation for the policy, which includes capping Beijing's resident population at 23 million by 2020. In the southern district of Daxing, where 19 people, eight of them children, died when a blaze ripped through an apartment building at a factory on Nov. 18, 2017, the authorities renewed a crackdown on July 5, targeting industrial and logistics warehouses, former agricultural properties remodeled and rented as residential apartments, and "older buildings" as potential fire or safety hazards. Government documents seen by RFA last November called on 10 government departments including police and firefighters to work together to identify hazardous enterprises and premises inhabited by low-income groups in the crackdown. Ai's studio was located in a Stalinist-style industrial district full of disused factory spaces, and had attracted artists in a manner similar to the city's Songzhuang Artists' Village, where artists have repeatedly been targeted for eviction by the authorities in recent years. Sources said the area has been earmarked for redevelopment by the city government, however. 'Low-income population' targeted A Beijing-based artist surnamed Liang said he wasn't surprised by the demolition of Ai's studio. "I didn't think this was surprising, because property prices are many times higher than before, so I can totally see why they would do this," Liang said. "As an international celebrity, Ai Weiwei doesn't have it too bad," he said. "If he wasn't, they would have demolished it a long time ago." Ai said he believes migrant worker and the "low-income population" are being treated similarly to him under the current system. "As the national capital, Beijing has a huge demand for people from out of town," Ai said. "The migrant population has propped up Beijing's development for the past 30 years, but now, for various reasons, they are clearing them out." "I don't count as a migrant worker, but my studio is being treated the same way they are treating the migrant population," he said. Ai has been targeted by the authorities before. He was detained and held in a secret location for 81 days in 2011, prompting an international outcry. His company was later hit with a U.S. $2.4 million "tax evasion" fine. Reported by Shi Shan for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Soldiers from the Ta'ang National Liberation Army patrol a village in eastern Myanmar's Shan state in an undated photo. A fresh clash between rival ethnic armed groups in Myanmars war-torn Shan state has forced more than 800 villagers to flee their homes and seek shelter in Buddhist monasteries, an NGO worker and village chief said Monday. The fighting broke out a day earlier between troops from the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army-South (RCSS/SSA-S) and soldiers from the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) near Pangkut village in Namtu township, Nang Kham Mie from the Mangsan Charity Organization told RFAs Myanmar Service. The villagers, some of whom became ill after traveling through the jungle, are staying temporarily in monasteries in Mangsan village, he said. According to our list, there are more than 800 people staying at temporary camps [at monasteries], but people who are staying at their relatives houses are not on this list, said Pho Htaung, the head of Mangsan village. People were coming into the camps the entire day yesterday, he said. We can only help them with food. Local residents said that Northern Alliance troops are deployed near Mangsan, Oanghat, and Narhone villages, while RCSS soldiers and government army troops are stationed around Panglon village. The Northern Alliance, a military coalition of four ethnic armies including the TNLA, has been engaged in recent fighting with government troops in Shan and neighboring Kachin state. In July, the TNLA had joined with another ethnic armed group, the Shan State Progress Party, in fighting against the RCSS/SSA-S, sources said in earlier reports. The TNLA engaged in hostilities with RCSS troops for about 20 minutes on Aug. 5, said TNLA spokesman Colonel Tar Aik Kyaw. We almost didnt open fire, but the RCSS opened fire with heavy weapons, he told RFA. They didnt come in this area before they signed NCA, but only stayed around Namhkam township, he said, referring to a nationwide cease-fire agreement that 10 ethnic armed groups, including the RCSS, signed with the Myanmar government to cease hostilities with the national army. The TNLA has been fighting the Myanmar army and the RCSS in Shan state since late November 2015, about six weeks after the signing of the NCA between the government and some of the countrys more than 20 ethnic armed groups. The TNLA has been excluded from signing the accord because of its ongoing hostilities with Myanmars armed forces. Opening shots Despite the RCSS having signed the NCA, hundreds of its troops have entered Namtu township, ignoring requests from the TNLA that they not come into the area, Tar Aik Kyaw said. The two armies also engaged in about six clashes in June, three in July, and one so far in August, he said. They [the RCSS] sometimes opened fire in some places where they thought our soldiers were, but we were not there, he said. About 30 bouts of heavy fighting between the two armies also occurred in March, when the TNLA attacked RCSS posts for creating havoc for villagers in TNLA-controlled areas, he said. That month the TNLA engaged in skirmishes with the RCSS in Kyaukme townships and Namhsan township in the ethnic Palaung self-administered zone, as well as with the Myanmar army in Mangton, Namtu, and Namhkam townships. We didnt go into their [RCSS] territory and attack them, Tar Aik Kyaw said. We fought them because they came into our territory and troubled the locals, such as trying to extort money from them, taking food, and arresting people. RSCC soldiers targeted Taang (Palaung) ethnics whom they arrested, tortured, and killed, he said. They recently arrested and took four villagers from Pangkut village, and we dont know whether they are still alive or not, he said. RFA was unable to reach RCSS officials for comment. About 300 villagers fled their homes on Aug. 2, fearing renewed fighting between the national military and ethnic armed groups seen approaching Namtu township, local sources said. Most of them are currently sheltering inside Buddhist monasteries in Hsipaw township, also known as Thibaw, and in Mangsan village. Reported by Thiri Min Zin for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. A Tibetan businessman picked up by Chinese police at an airport near Lhasa in March is still missing almost five months later, with relatives fearing he may be tortured in detention, Tibetan sources say. Tenzin Choephel, a native of Nagchu prefecture in Chinas Tibet Autonomous Region, was taken into custody at Gongkar airport on a return flight from Chengdu, capital of western Chinas Sichuan province, a source in the region told RFAs Tibetan Service. There is no information regarding where he was taken, or where he is being held right now, RFAs source, speaking on condition of anonymity. All his relatives and friends are very concerned and worried about his safety and well being, he said. When police came to search his house later, they found some political literature and photos of [exiled spiritual leader] the Dalai Lama in his possession, he said. But nobody knows for certain what the reasons are for the Chinese authorities abrupt action against him. Worked for Tibetan unity Choephel, aged in his 40s and unmarried, comes from Sharong Tachen Village No. 5 in the Nagchu metropolitan area and has contributed in the past to projects supporting Tibets environment and the study of Tibetan history, RFAs source said. He has also worked hard to promote the unity of the Tibetan people, he said, adding, Several years ago, and at his own expense, he successfully lobbied Chinese officials from the county up to the prefectural level to protect sacred mountains in Nagchu from mining projects. In 2015, Ngawang Gyaltsen, a monk from Nagchus Shak Rongpo monastery, was secretly detained by the Chinese police and was severely tortured while in custody before being sentenced to four years in prison, the source said. Relatives of Tenzin Choephel fear that he may also suffer a similar fate at the hands of the Chinese, he said. Reported by Kunsang Tenzin for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Dorjee Damdul. Written in English by Richard Finney. As many as 6,000 residents of the mostly Uyghur-populated township of Haniqatam in northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) have been held in political re-education camps for as long as two years, according to a local official. Beginning in April 2017, Uyghurs accused of harboring strong religious views and politically incorrect ideas have been jailed or detained in political re-education camps throughout the XUAR, where members of the ethnic group have long complained of pervasive discrimination, religious repression, and cultural suppression under Chinese rule. A staffer at Haniqatam townships No. 7 village police station, in Aksu (in Chinese, Akesu) prefectures Kuchar (Kuche) county, recently told RFAs Uyghur Service that no one in his townships 26 villages had been released from the camps in the nearly two years since authorities began detaining them. No one has been released from the re-education camps yet, the staffer said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The earliest people sent for re-education went a year-and-a-half to two years ago. Approximately 5,000 to 6,000 residents of Haniqatam are currently held in the camps, he said, adding that the ratio of residents sent to camps from each village is more or less the same based on the population size of the area. While it was not immediately clear what ratio of the local population authorities are targeting for Haniqatams re-education camps, official sources in other parts of the XUAR have told RFA that superiors ordered them to detain as many as 40 percent of the residents of their villages. A village security chief in Haniqatam also recently confirmed that no detainees from the township had been released, the staffer said. According to the staffer, the last major roundup of detainees in the township happened seven or eight months ago and the last detention in the township took place sometime in early July, after occurring on an almost weekly basis. There has been a very large number of people sent to the camps so far, and none have been released, he said. The governments policy is goodI think people who should be taken in for re-education are already there. The policy is getting good results. When asked if there were any plans to release those held in the camps, the staffer said local authorities had not been notified of any timetable. More than 100 residents of No. 7 village are currently held in political re-education, he said, adding that if anyone from his area was released, I would know. The staffer said that authorities in Haniqatam are currently transferring people from the No. 3 re-education camp to the No. 1 and No. 2 camps, and said detainees could be getting divided up based on the severity of the reason for their detention. He did not specify where the camps are located in the township, and admitted that he had never been to visit them himself. An officer from the Haniqatam Police Department told RFA that the large number of detentions in the township had resulted in 12-hour shifts for him and his fellow officers. We are very busy and our workload is immense because there is a long line of [relatives of camp detainees] asking for help, every day said the officer, who also asked to remain unnamed. In some houses the husband has been taken away, while in others the wife has been taken away, and others still have had both detained, leaving the children behind, so the families come to inform us of their difficult situation and request our help. In addition to requests for assistance, family members of those detained must visit with the local authorities to obtain permission to visit their loved ones in the camps, he said, which has led to long lines at the police station all of the time. Camp network An editorial in Chinas official Global Times newspaper recently dismissed international coverage of the re-education camps in the XUAR, which it labeled training institutes, saying western media outlets were incorrectly labeling them as detention sites and baselessly criticizing Chinas human rights. Aside from the brief mention in the article, China's central government authorities have not publicly acknowledged the existence of political re-education camps in the XUAR, and the number of inmates kept in each facility remains a closely guarded secret. But local officials in many parts of the region have in RFA telephone interviews forthrightly described sending significant numbers of Uyghurs to the camps and even described overcrowding in some facilities. Citing credible reports, U.S. lawmakers Marco Rubio and Chris Smith, who head the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China, said recently that as many as 500,000 to a million people are or have been detained in the re-education camps, calling it the largest mass incarceration of a minority population in the world today. Adrian Zenz, a lecturer in social research methods at the Germany-based European School of Culture and Theology, said the number could be closer to 1.1 million, which equates to 10-11 percent of the adult Muslim population of the region. Last week, China Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) and a partner NGO, Equal Rights Initiative, said they had found through interviews with people in the region that up to 3 million residents of the XUAR, especially ethnic Uyghurs, may have been detained in the political re-education camps or forced to attend education sessions for de-radicalization as of June this year. Reported by Shohret Hoshur for RFA's Uyghur Service. Translated by RFAs Uyghur Service. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. A banned documentary on jailed Vietnamese blogger and activist Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynhalso known by her blogger handle Me Nam, or Mother Mushroomdrew 1,000 people during a screening Sunday by a Catholic church in north-central Vietnams of Nghe An province, the parish priest said. Quynh was sentenced in June 2017 to a decade in jail on charges of spreading propaganda against the state under Article 88 of Vietnams Penal Code. Quynhs is one of the more high profile cases of activists handed heavy sentences as part of an ongoing crackdown by authorities in the Southeast Asian nation. After the service, we showed the documentary When Mother is Away about blogger mother mushroom, priest Dang Huu Nam, who is in charge of the My Khanh parish in Nghe An, told RFA. There were more than 1000 people from My Khanh parish coming to the show, he added. The official response to the screening was not immediately known. Meanwhile, Quynhs mother Nguyen Thi Tuyet Lan told RFA that she had visited her daughter on August 2 at Prison no. 5 in Thanh Hoa province. My daughter told me that two days before, the situation was still the same and it went beyond her suffering and there was some altercation, Lan said that because of the altercation, Quynh was being disciplined but she did not elaborate on the punishment. Her mother confirmed that Quynh had ended ended a hunger strike following a July 23 visit by a U.S. embassy representative. Quynh began her hunger strike on July 6, citing authorities refusal to transfer her to a cell away from a hostile and threatening cellmate. She then continued to refuse food despite being moved to another cell, saying her new cell lacks privacy, with even the toilet visible to guards. Quynh had blogged about human rights abuses and corruption for more than a decade, and more recently voiced criticism over Vietnams policy toward Chinas territorial claims in the South China Sea. She has also criticized the governments response to a 2016 toxic waste spill by a Taiwanese firm that destroyed the livelihoods of tens of thousands of Vietnamese living in four coastal provinces. Authorities have long targeted activist writers and bloggers in an ongoing crackdown in one-party Communist Vietnam, where dissent is not allowed. Rights group Amnesty International estimates that at least 97 prisoners of conscience are currently held in Vietnams prisons, where many are subjected to torture or other ill-treatment. Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Viet Ha. Written in English by Paul Eckert. Authorities in Vietnam should launch an independent probe into the death of a farmer who took part in rare, large-scale protests, amid reports that he was tortured in police custody, London-based rights group Amnesty International said Monday. Last week, local rights group Defend the Defenders told RFAs Vietnamese Service that Hua Hoang Anh, a 35-year-old farmer from Kien Giang province who joined the June 10 protest of government plans to grant long-term leases to foreign companies operating in special economic zones (SEZs) and a controversial cybersecurity law, was found dead after having been interrogated by the local police. The groups director, Vu Quoc Ngu, cited local activists who said that four police officers visited Anhs home in Chau Thanh district on Aug. 2 to question him about his involvement in the protest, and when his wife returned from making them tea, she found him collapsed with some injuries to his neck and belly. According to Defend the Defenders, Anh died later that day after being brought to a district hospitallikely from hemorrhagingbut police in Ken Giang have said the farmer committed suicide. Local authorities reportedly forced Anhs family to bury him the following day. On Monday, Clare Algar, Amnesty Internationals director of global operations, urged authorities to immediately initiate a thorough and impartial investigation into allegations that police officers tortured and killed Hua Hoang Anh. Algar noted that the right to freedom of peaceful assembly is provided for in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and upheld by Article 25 of Vietnams Constitution, adding that it must be respected and protected by Vietnamese authorities. They must also protect at all times the absolute rights to life and to freedom from torture and other Ill-treatment, and part of that means immediately initiating efficient, independent investigations into cases in which a person dies suspiciously in police custody, she added. RFA was unable to immediately contact Anhs family, and officers who answered the phone at the Chau Thanh and Ken Giang police departments said they had no knowledge of his case. Mass demonstrations Over the weekend of June 9 and 10, thousands of people demonstrated on the streets of Vietnams capital Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other cities against the policies on SEZs and cybersecurity. According to Amnesty International and sources interviewed by RFAs Vietnamese Service, hundreds of protesters were beaten, arrested and interrogated by police and about 40 people were convicted and sentenced to prison sentences of between eight months and 3.5 years on charges of disturbance of public order under Article 318 of the penal code. Late last month, a court in Vietnam ordered the deportation of U.S. citizen William Nguyen after finding him guilty of disturbing public order while taking part in the protests. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had traveled to Vietnam earlier in July and urged government officials to find a quick resolution to Nguyens case. New York-based Human Rights Watch has said that police brutality is systemic in Vietnam, whose Ministry of Public Security has admitted that 226 suspects and inmates died in police stations and detention facilities throughout the country between October 2010 and September 2014. Defend the Defenders says the situation in Vietnam has not improved, as dozens of people continue to die mysteriously in custody, despite Hanoi ratifying the UN Convention against Torture in November 2014. In May last year, authorities in Vietnams Vinh Long province announced that Hoa Hao Buddhist follower Nguyen Huu Tan had cut his own throat with a police investigators letter opener and died following an interrogation, but his family members questioned the official report, noting that his head showed signs of trauma and was nearly severed from his body. Prominent blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, one of the best-known of Vietnams nearly 100 political prisoners and also known as Mother Mushroom, had documented 31 cases of mysterious deaths in police custody before being imprisoned last year for her online writings criticizing the government. Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Viet Ha. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Many Russia-watchers are questioning or making light of the Foreign Ministry's surprise appointment of Steven Seagal as a special envoy for humanitarian ties with the United States -- but not the action-film actor himself. "I take this honour very seriously," Seagal tweeted late on August 5, a day after the Russian Foreign Ministry announced the appointment on Facebook. Seagal, who has warm ties with President Vladimir Putin and was granted Russian citizenship in 2016, said he was "deeply humbled and honoured" by the appointment. "I hope we can strive for peace, harmony and positive results in the world," Seagal wrote. Seagal, 66, starred in Hollywood action movies such as Above The Law (1988), Hard To Kill (1990), and Under Siege (1992). His films were popular in the Soviet Union and then in Russia and other ex-Soviet republics. Seagal has vehemently defended Putin's policies, including Moscow's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula, along with criticizing the U.S. government. Kyiv last year banned Seagal from entering Ukraine for five years, citing what it said were national security grounds. The Russian Foreign Ministry statement said that Seagal's task will be to "foster the further development of Russian-American relations in the humanitarian sphere, including interactions in...culture, the arts, public and youth exchanges and so forth." The position is not paid and will be similar to the United Nations' goodwill ambassador positions, the statement said. According to a Levada poll, Russians opinions of the United States and European Union have significantly improved during the last month. Commercial flights have resumed between the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, and the Uzbek city of Bukhara amid improving ties between the two Central Asian neighbors. A plane from the Tajik private airline SomonAir arrived in Bukharas international airport on August 6, the first commercial flight between the two cities in more than 25 years. Flights between Dushanbe and the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, resumed in April 2017 after a quarter-century break. SomonAir launched regular flights to the Uzbek city of Samarkand last month. Passenger flights between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were halted in 1992 when the Tajik civil war broke out. Relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have been strained for years over disputes including transit routes, border security, and the sharing of water resources. The ties began to improve after new Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev came to power in 2016, vowing to seek close ties with neighboring countries. Tajikistan and Uzbekistan launched a regular bus service between Tashkent and the northern Tajik city of Khujand in May. Officials in both counties say more flights and bus services connecting Tajik and Uzbek cities will be announced in the near future. German authorities wrongfully deported a Uyghur man to China due to an administrative error, local media reported on August 6. According to the report by a Bavarian broadcaster, Bayerischer Rundfunk, officials in the region had been due to hold a hearing with the unidentified 22-year-old Uyghur man on April 3 over his asylum application. However, a fax announcing the hearing from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees apparently did not reach local authorities in Bavaria, who, in the early hours of April 3, put the man on a plane to Beijing. We very much regret that the deportation took place, although a proper asylum application had been made," the radio station quoted officials as saying. "It was never the intention of the immigration authorities of Munich to infringe on the rights of the foreigner affected by the deportation, they said, adding that expulsion would be inadmissible under such circumstances. The deported asylum seeker's attorney, Leo Borgmann, told Bayerischer Rundfunk that he has not heard from his client since the deportation. Chinas mostly Muslim, Turkic-speaking Uyghurs are the indigenous population in the northwestern Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region. Members of the Uyghur diaspora say relatives have been arrested for seemingly harmless acts such as sending Ramadan greetings to friends or downloading popular music. Rights groups have said in recent weeks that China keeps hundreds of thousands of Muslims, mainly Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs and Kyrgyz, as well as Hui people, in so-called reeducation camps in Xinjiang. Based on reporting by Bayerischer Rundfunk and dpa The leader of a group believed to be behind the hacking of high-profile accounts including Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's feed has been released from jail. Vladimir Anikeyev, head of the collective called Shaltai-Boltai -- Humpty Dumpty in Russian -- was released from Lefortovo pretrial detention center in Moscow on August 3, his lawyer Ruslan Koblev said on August 6. Lefortovo district court official Yelena Bychkova said that Anikeyev, whose two-year prison term was due to end in November, was released under a newly adopted law that equates one day spent in pretrial detention to 1 1/2 day in prison. Anikeyev had been held at the Lefortovo jail since he was sentenced in July 2017 after striking a plea bargain and agreeing to cooperate with the authorities. Two other Shaltai-Boltai members, Aleksandr Filinov and Konstantin Teplyakov, were sentenced to three years in prison each in September 2017. The 2016 arrests of the Shaltai-Boltai suspects became known only after Russian media reported that two officials of the Federal Security Service (FSB) cybercrime unit had been arrested on treason charges. Russian media reports suggested the officials had connections to the hacker group or had tried to control it. Based on reporting by RNS and Interfax Russia says it has summoned Greece's ambassador to Moscow to inform him of "reciprocal measures" after Athens' expulsion of two Russian diplomats last month over allegations of meddling with its relations with Macedonia. The Russian Foreign Ministry handed Ambassador Andreas Friganas a diplomatic note informing him of the measures taken by Moscow in response to Athens' "unfriendly actions toward Russian diplomats and citizens in July," the ministry said in a statement on August 6. The statement did not name the Greek diplomats Moscow had expelled or say when it had asked them to leave. Greece last month expelled two Russian diplomats from Athens and barred two other Russian envoys from entering the country, charging that they helped fund protests against the settlement of a long-standing name dispute between Greece and Macedonia that has accelerated Skopje's bids to join NATO and the European Union. Moscow denied trying to block the settlement by helping to foment protests against it by opposition parties in both Greece and Macedonia, but it has severely criticized the agreement and its goal of facilitating Macedonia's NATO ambitions. On July 20, Russia summoned Fryganas to express a "decisive protest against continued anti-Russian statements by the Greek side." Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the Greek government of participating in "dirty provocations" against Moscow, and promised a "tit-for-tat" response to the expulsions. The Greek Foreign Ministry in response denounced what it called "the constant disrespect for Greece" coming from Moscow and said it "must stop." Macedonia is one of several Western Balkan states that have ambitions to join NATO and the EU. Russia strongly opposes NATO expansion in the area, which during the Soviet era was under Moscow's orbit of influence. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and Interfax WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the reimposition of major financial sanctions on Iran, targeting currency purchases and key industries three months after pulling out of the 2015 nuclear agreement between Tehran and world powers. In a statement on August 6, Trump repeated his longstanding position that the 2015 accord which provided Tehran with relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear program was a horrible, one-sided deal." The president pulled the United States out of the landmark agreement in May, saying Iran was not living up to the spirit of the accord, and vowed to reimpose economic sanctions that were lifted under the deal. The United States urged all nations "to make clear that the Iranian regime faces a choice: either change its threatening, destabilizing behavior and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation, Trump said in the statement released by the White House. The reimposition of the sanctions, which take effect at 4:01 a.m. GMT, was widely expected, as U.S. officials had signaled for weeks they were intended to move forward despite vociferous objections from European allies. In an interview on Iranian state TV, President Hassan Rohani said the country will stay true to the nuclear deal despite the U.S. sanctions. "They want to launch psychological warfare against the Iranian nation and create divisions among the people," he said in a televised interview. Irans foreign minister, meanwhile, asserted the United States was isolated in its hard-line policy toward Tehran. "Of course, American bullying and political pressures may cause some disruption, but the fact is that in the current world, America is isolated," Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted as saying by the semiofficial ISNA news agency. Ahead of the U.S. announcement, the European Union issued a so-called blocking statute aimed at shielding European businesses from the reimposed sanctions. And in a joint statement, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and the foreign ministers of France, Britain, and Germany said they "deeply regret" the move. The Iran deal is "crucial for the security of Europe, the region, and the entire world, it said. The U.S. measures taking effect on August 7 target Iran's automotive sector and renowned carpet-making industry, as well as its trade in gold and other metals. U.S. officials said the Iranian government would also no longer be able to buy U.S. dollars. A second batch of U.S sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector are to be reimposed in early November. Senior U.S. administration officials vowed that Washington would aggressively enforce the new sanctions, and they expect the measures to have a significant impact on the Iranian economy. "There is no question that these financial sanctions are going to continue to bring significant financial pressure," an administration official said August 6. Irans economy has rapidly deteriorated in recent months partially due to fears over the imposition of further U.S. sanctions, igniting street protests in many cities due to economic hardships. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters ahead of the White House announcement that the intensified pressure was designed to "push back against Iranian malign activity." He also asserted that the social unrest was an indication of Iranians unhappiness with authorities. "This is just about Iranians' dissatisfaction with their own government, and the president is pretty clear: We want the Iranian people to have a strong voice in who their leadership will be," he said. Administration officials also criticized how Iranian authorities have responded to the social and labor protests. "We are deeply concerned about reports of the Iranian regimes violence against unarmed citizens," one official said. "The United States supports the Iranian peoples right to peacefully protest against corruption and oppression without fear of reprisal. Zarif, the Iranian foreign minister, tweeted that the U.S. sanctions on Iran were "endangering ordinary Iranians." "The Trump Administration wants the world to believe it's concerned about the Iranian people. Yet the very first sanctions it reimposed have canceled licenses for sales of 200+ passenger jets under absurd pretexts, endangering ordinary Iranians. US hypocrisy knows no bounds," he wrote. The Iranian rial has been particularly hard hit on expectations of U.S. restrictions on currency transactions. Iranian state TV on August 5 said the country will ease its foreign-exchange rules in a bid to halt the collapse of the rial, which has lost about half its value since April. With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Farda and Reuters A Russian Internet services company has called on authorities to change legislation criminalizing hate speech on social media and to grant amnesty to those who have been unjustly convicted under it. We see how in many regions of our country the practice of opening criminal cases against users for likes and reposts on social networks is becoming popular, Mail.ru Group said in a statement on August 6. Often the actions of law enforcement agencies clearly do not correspond to the potential threat, and their reaction to entries in comments sections or to memes in the news feed is unjustifiably harsh, it added. The Mail.Ru Group, whose businesses include a popular e-mail service and a search engine, is controlled by Kremlin-friendly oligarch Alisher Usmanov. Its statement comes amid a broadening Russian crackdown on online speech in recent years that rights advocates say is being used to stifle dissent and help law enforcement officials rack up convictions. On August 6, a woman went on trial in Barnaul, capital of the Altai Krai in southern Siberia, over social-media memes that prosecutors allege contained hate speech and insulted religious believers. Maria Motuznaya, 23, was charged with inciting racial hatred and insulting the feelings of religious believers after two women complained to police about pictures posted on her account on the social network VKontakte. Police searched her home in May. Motuznaya faces up to five years in prison if convicted. She is one of at least two people in Barnaul to be charged recently with inciting hatred and insulting the religious feelings of believers. Daniil Markin, a 19-year-old film student, was charged with inciting hate speech over a VKontakte meme likening Jesus Christ to Jon Snow, a character in the internationally popular U.S. television show Game Of Thrones. Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili says that Russia's motive in the five-day war with Tbilisi a decade ago was to attack "Georgian statehood," asserting that Moscow was concerned because reforms had made the South Caucasus country a "role model" for others in the region. Saakashvili spoke with Current Time TV ahead of the 10th anniversary of the August 2008 war, in which Russian forces drove deep into Georgia before pulling back in the wake of a European Union-brokered peace agreement. After the war, which Tbilisi and Moscow accuse each another of starting, Russia left thousands of troops in the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and recognized both as independent countries. "The objective of the Russian invasion was not only to attack Georgia as a country, but [to attack] Georgian statehood, because Georgian statehood had created problems [for Russia] in the form of successful reforms," Saakashvili told Current Time, a Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. He was speaking by Skype from an undisclosed location on July 27. Saakashvili, who conducted reforms and set Georgia on a firmly pro-Western course after he was swept to power in the Rose Revolution protests of 2003, said that the country had become "a role model" and that Russia "attacked us precisely because we were a role model." "Unfortunately, the success created envy and nervousness on the side of the master of the Kremlin," he said -- presumably referring to Vladimir Putin, who was serving as Russian prime minister at the time of the war, which occurred three months after the end of his second presidential term. Dmitry Medvedev, now Russia's prime minister, was president at the time. Russia's Kommersant FM radio station broadcast parts of an interview with Medvedev on August 6 in which he warned of the consequences of Georgia joining NATO. "It could provoke a terrible conflict. It's not clear why this is needed," the Russian prime minister said. Before the war, Russian officials had made clear that they vehemently opposed Georgia's efforts to achieve NATO membership under Saakashvili, and relations between the two countries were badly strained over issues including Moscow's support for breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia contends that Georgia started the war by launching an offensive on the main city in South Ossetia, Tskhinvali. In the interview, Saakashvili reiterated his claim that Russia started it, saying, "Only complete idiots and complete imbeciles can say that Georgia started it." Saakashvili, 50, was president of Georgia from 2004 to 2013, a year after his party was defeated by the opposition Georgian Dream bloc in parliamentary elections. Credited with major reforms, he was accused of abusing his power in his later years as president and is now wanted in Georgia after being convicted of abuse of office in connection with a 2006 murder case. He has been sentenced in absentia to three years in prison. Saakashvili shifted his political career to Ukraine after his presidency ended. He was brought in by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in 2015 to head the Odesa region but fell afoul of his friend over corruption allegations and calls for reform and was stripped of his citizenship in July 2017 and now lives abroad. With reporting by Reuters and dpa A top police official in Uzbekistan has been found dead in his office with stab wounds on his body, reports say. Media reports in Uzbekistan on August 6, citing unnamed Tashkent law enforcement officials, said that the chief of the Interior Ministrys Main Directorate for Patrol Service and Public Safety, Dilshod Akramov, was found dead in his office on August 4. The reports said there were several stab wounds on his body. Akramov, a police colonel, was appointed to the post last month. Before the appointment he led the Tashkent city police's crime-prevention directorate. With reporting by Halq Sozi, UzNews.uz, Darakchi, and Kun.uz Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic has criticized Israel after its military jets took part in a ceremony in Croatia marking a victorious military operation at the end of the Balkan countrys 1991-95 war against rebel Serbs. "It's sad that an Israeli flag flew yesterday at the celebration of that criminal action," Dacic told Belgrades Pink TV station on August 6. Three Israeli Air Force F-16s took part in a flyby during the August 5 ceremony celebrating the 23rd anniversary of Operation Storm (Oluja), which restored Croatia's control over land held by Belgrade-backed Croatian Serb forces. In addition to many hundreds of civilian deaths, some 200,000 Serbs were forced to flee their homes as a result of the operation, in what was described as the war's largest exodus of Serbs. The Israeli Embassy in Belgrade said that the Israeli jets participation was related "solely" to the announced purchase of Israeli F-16s by Croatia, according to AP. "This has no political elements or any connection to the historic relations between Serbia and Croatia," AP quoted the embassy as saying in a statement. The solid friendship between Israel and Serbia will never be jeopardized in any way," it added. But Dacic said it is "immoral" that Israel took part in the commemoration when tens of thousands of people -- mostly Jews, Serbs, Roma, and antifascist Croats -- perished in concentration camps run by the Croatian Ustasha regime during World War II. Serbian leaders on August 4 marked the anniversary of Operation Storm, with President Aleksandar Vucic comparing the offensive to the policies of Nazi Germany. "[Adolf] Hitler wanted a world without Jews; Croatia and its policies wanted Croatia without Serbs, Vucic said. An estimated 6 million Jews were killed in the genocide carried out by Nazi Germany during World War II. Lawmaker Branko Bacic of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) called Vucic's comments a "historic lie." Croatia split from the former Yugoslavia in 1991 and fought Croatian Serb forces for four years to establish its sovereignty. Relations between Serbia and Croatia -- an EU and NATO member -- have since remained volatile. Vucic has pledged to boost cooperation with other Balkan states and lead Serbia toward EU membership while improving ties with Russia. With reporting by AP SHAKHTINSK, Kazakhstan -- Several people have been sentenced to prison terms of seven to eight years after being convicted of involvement in the torture and death of an inmate in Kazakhstan. In an August 6 ruling, the Shakhtinsk city court in the central Qaraghandy region found a deputy warden of Corrective Colony AK-159/6, Bauyrbek Shotaev, and an officer of the prison's operative unit, Vitaly Zaretsky, guilty of organizing a crime, premeditated infliction of bodily and psychological harm, and manslaughter. They were sentenced to seven years in prison each. The court found six inmates of the prison guilty of beating and torturing fellow inmate Valery Chupin with electric shock at Zaretsky's orders in March 2017. They were sentenced to prison terms between seven and eight years. The court also ruled that the leadership of the regional police, penitentiary service, and prosecutor's office must be informed about the case in order "to prevent similar crimes and violations of inmates' rights in future." Prisoners in Kazakhstan have rioted frequently in recent years to protest conditions, often maiming themselves to draw attention to their plight. U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged that a June 2016 meeting in Trump Tower in New York with a Kremlin-linked attorney was conducted to receive information on his political opponent, but he claimed it was "totally legal." In a Twitter post early on August 5, Trump asserted that meetings of this type were "done all the time in politics." The 2016 meeting was attended by Trump's son Donald Trump Jr.; his son-in-law and now senior adviser Jared Kushner; Paul Manafort, Trump's campaign chairman at the time; Russian lawyer Natalya Veselnitskaya; and others, according to congressional testimony. The meeting was set up after a Russian intermediary told Trump's son that a Russian official had offered to provide documents and information that would "incriminate" Trump's election rival, Hillary Clinton. Veselnitskaya has denied acting on behalf of the Kremlin when she met with the Trump team, telling Congress that she operates "independently of any government bodies." But the Associated Press on July 27 reported that it has reviewed documents showing Veselnitskaya has worked more closely with senior Russian government officials than she has previously let on. Trump's tweet was his most direct statement on the purpose of the meeting, though his son and others eventually acknowledged it was to gather damaging information on Clinton after e-mails surfaced with details on the planning. Trump had previously said the meeting was about the adoption of Russian children by Americans. On Twitter, Trump also denied he was worried his son could be in legal trouble for conducting the meeting. "Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower. This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics -- and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!" Trump wrote. While U.S. political campaigns routinely seek out research on opponents in hopes of finding disparaging information, working with a foreign power or its representatives could break campaign or other laws. Special Counsel Robert Mueller has been tasked with determining whether Trump's campaign team coordinated with Russia to sway the election in his favor. Trump has so far denied any collusion with Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied his government interfered in the election, despite the conclusions of U.S. intelligence and law-enforcement agencies and congressional committees that Moscow intervened with its own state-directed campaign of e-mail hacking and public opinion manipulation. Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, is currently on trial in federal court in Virginia on tax- and bank-fraud charges not thought to be directly related to the alleged Russian meddling in U.S. elections. With reporting by Reuters and AP U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the United States is concerned about reports of Iranian authorities using "violence against unarmed citizens," as street protests have hit Tehran and other cities over economic hardships. "We are deeply concerned about reports of Iranian regime's violence against unarmed citizens," Pompeo wrote on Twitter late on August 5. He added that the "U.S. supports Iranian people's right to protest against the regime's corruption & oppression without fear of reprisal. We call on the regime in Iran to respect its peoples human rights." Protesters have taken to the streets in Iranian cities, expressing anger over worsening economic conditions. Accurate information remains difficult to get, but media in Iran have reported that at least one protester was killed in the city of Karaj, about 50 kilometers west of Tehran, when someone fired a gun from a passing car. Much of the economic difficulties are related to U.S. moves to increase financial and economic pressure on Tehran after President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal and has begun reimposing sanctions. The White House is set to detail new sanctions in an announcement on August 6, with currency restrictions to head the list. The U.S. State Department has called in Russia's charge d'affaires in Washington over what it says are Moscows efforts to use social media to promote violence and divide U.S. society. Russia criticized the summons, calling it "megaphone diplomacy." In a Twitter posting on August 5, department spokeswoman Heather Nauert wrote: "Assistant Secretary [Wess] Mitchell convoked #Russia Charge [Dmitry] Zhirnov to answer for the Kremlin's attempts to use social media accounts to promote violent and divisive causes in the U.S. -- we will not tolerate this aggressive interference." The tweet linked to a statement issued on August 1 regarding Facebook's July 31 announcement that it had discovered "sophisticated" efforts, possibly linked to Russia, to manipulate U.S. politics ahead of November's congressional elections. The social-media giant said it could not connect the efforts directly to Russia or to the midterm elections, which are less than 100 days away, but legislators briefed by Facebook said the methodology used by the perpetrators pointed to Russian involvement. "We applaud Facebook's decision to expunge accounts, orchestrated from abroad, that foment division and violence inside the United States," Nauert's August 1 statement said. "We demand that Russia and all other malign actors immediately cease this reckless behavior," it added. "The United States will not tolerate foreign, including Russian, attempts to subvert our democratic processes and institutions." The Russian Embassy in Washington fired back in a statement later on August 5, reiterating Moscow's denials of interference in U.S. affairs. The United States has rejected those denials. "We can only express regret that the State Department is once again stooping to 'megaphone diplomacy,'" the embassy said. It accused the State Department of "playing up to those forces in the American establishment who promote the theme of 'Russian meddling' in U.S. political processes for their own gain." The U.S. intelligence community has concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and has used social media to divide U.S. society over sensitive issues. On August 2, leaders of the U.S. intelligence and security community told a briefing at the White House that Russia was continuing to use "pervasive methods" to exploit and intensify differences in U.S. society and that they remain concerned about U.S. election security. "We continue to see a pervasive messaging campaign by Russia to try to weaken and divide the United States," said Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence. Russia denies that it has interfered in the U.S. election or has attempted to divide U.S society through social media. Adult, two minors arrested for drug possession in Cancun Cancun, Q.R. A man and two minors were arrested in Cancun Sunday after being found carrying more than 85 packages of drugs. While in the middle of a surveillance operation, police touring SM 75 in Cancun saw three people huddled together, one of which was holding a gun. Base of Operations of the State Police in Cancun reported that they were performing a vigilance patrol when they came upon the men. Seeing police, the trio fled but were intercepted. After a personal inspection, the of-age male was found to be carrying a gun and largest amount of drugs, which was 50 packages of crack. The other two, which were minors, were also found carrying packages of drugs. Police arrested all three and seized the gun and packages of drugs, which they say were a mix of marijuana, cocaine and crack. The total seizure was 87 packages. The adult male was placed at the disposal of the Specialized Prosecutors Office, while the two minors were handed over to the Specialized Board of Justice for Adolescents. Cancun specialists head to Tabasco to help with manatees Cancun, Q.R. Animal specialists from Cancun have joined in the efforts to try and save the Tabasco manatees that began dying more than three months ago. Specialists from the Mexican Habitat Association for the Interaction and Protection of Marine Mammals (AMHMAR) from Quintana Roo have traveled to Tabasco where at least 28 lagoon manatees have died. The team from Cancun has been helping evaluate the health of the young manatee pups. During the first hours of their visit the AMHMAR veterinary team helped with medical and nutritional support to two orphaned manatee pups that are being cared for with instructions from Profepa at the Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco University. Orphaned pup. Photo: Profepa So far, specialists have rescued three manatees while also helping with autopsies on the ones that died. Roberto Sanchez, Vice President of Education and Animal Welfare at AMHMAR, said that the cause of death can be due to multiple factors since the deaths occurred in a livestock and agricultural area where various herbicides and other agrochemicals are used. Photo: Profepa The vet specialists say they will continue their work in Tabasco, helping with the rescue and relocation of manatees along the banks of the Bitzal River of the Pantanos de Centla Biosphere Reserve. In 74 days, 28 manatees have died in the lagoons of Tabasco. Federal officials with Environmental Protection (Profepa) have yet to identify the cause of the deaths despite the studies that have been made. They expressed a large concern for the remaining 50 manatees that live in the lagoon system. Isla Mujeres suffers another blackout, islanders demanding answers Isla Mujeres, Q.R. Residents and businesses on Isla Mujeres are demanding answers after another electrical failure on the island leaves them in blackout. Juan Carrillo Figueroa, head of the Chamber of Commerce in Isla Mujeres, said that the situation is worrying with so many constant electrical blackouts by the Federal Electricity Commission. The financial hit to island businesses is already high, he says, as shops, restaurants, bars and hotels lose business. He explained that on Saturday when the latest blackout hit, the restaurants were already full but could not stay open due to lack of electricity. After the blackout, customers began to ask for their bills, he commented. Juan Carrillo Figueroa Carrillo Figueroa said that not only will the CFE be asked for an explanation, but also for a definitive solution to the problem that continues to exist. He says that the problem is truly worrying since no one knows the real condition of the submarine line that supplies the island. On Saturday evening, another electrical failure by state-run CFE left islanders in the dark for more than an hour. The blackout was said to be caused by a new fault in the main line that supplies the island with electricity. Each of the blackouts have been said to be related to the poor condition of the submarine line, which has been in use for more than 30 years. Business owners say that not only are the lines dated, but that the island has an increase in electrical demand due to the growth of tourism. This last electrical failure comes only weeks after a previous blackout lasted nearly 13 hours. Reports say this is the seventh blackout on the island already this year, with many lasting more than 10 hours. Leader of Los Pelones criminal gang taken down in Cancun Cancun, Q.R. A drug leader belonging to the Los Pelones criminal gang in Cancun has been arrested by federal police. Referred to as El Chaparro by other gang members, the leader is said to run drug dealers on Lopez Portillo Avenue in the city of Cancun. Police say that his arrest had led to the names of other criminal gang members. Identified by the initials J.R.L.L., police say El Chaparro had integrated a criminal cell that used the facilities of the Casa Blanca hotel for its operations, adding that he was responsible for numerous executions in the area of Cancun known as El Crucero. The criminal organization, Los Pelones, is said to be responsible for the increasing rate of violence in Cancun. At the time of his arrest, El Chaparro was found carrying a bag that contained 21 doses of cocaine, 12 doses of crack and three of marijuana. The detainee is said to be 29-years-old and originally from Tabasco. His arrest was made by agents of the Anti-Drug Division of the Federal Police, and was the product of monitoring and surveillance by police through the Escudo Titan operation. New 80-boat marina approved for Cancun Hotel Zone Cancun, Q.R. A new marina for the Cancun Hotel Zone has been approved by government officials. Once built, the marina will be able to accommodate 80 boats. The Marina Flamingo project, which will be constructed at Kilometer 11.5 of Boulevard Kukulcan, has been given approval for construction from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. According to their documents, the commercial marina will be used to park private nautical vehicles for commercial purposes, including boats and yachts. It will consist of loading and unloading areas and will be on Lake Bojorquez in the Cancun Hotel Zone. The project is headed by Flamingo Board Walk SA de CV who said that the construction will require an investment of approximately $7 million USD with a recovery period of six years. Part of the structure of the new Marina Flamingo will be built within the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone, however, that part already exists as a wood deck and will only require remodeling. According to their documents, the rest of the project will be constructed on Laguna Bojorquez. It explains that their ramp will be concrete with a design that will allow minimum negative impact on seagrass since the design uses piloted foundations that allow the circulation of the flow in north-south direction and slots in horizontal arrangement that allow the passage of sunlight. The construction of the Marina Flamingo will consist of a commercial marina with hardwoods from the region. Once complete, it will be 112 meters long and 113 meters wide in two extensions, or secondary axes, arranged perpendicular to the main axis. These secondary axles will be used for the berthing of larger yachts and 20-30 foot boats with off-board motors. New condo hotel concept nearing approval north of Playa del Carmen Playa del Carmen, Q.R. A new hotel is in its final stages of being granted permission to build an all-inclusive concept north of Playa del Carmen. Once the hotel is granted its Environmental Impact Statement (MIA), the project, Garza Blanca Resort & Spa Riviera Maya, says they will begin construction in 2018. The final approval by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) will see the construction of a new 150-room hotel just north of Playa del Carmen. The hotel, which has been trying to gain building approval since 2015, is hoping to build a luxury complex that will include both hotel rooms and residential suites. The complex will be divided into two buildings, one beach front and the other, jungle views. Photo: Riviera Maya Garza Blanca Resort The beach complex will be a condo hotel concept with 126 rooms divided into two buildings of eight levels. The balance of the rooms will offer a jungle view. The grounds will offer restaurants, bars and outdoor amenities such as swimming pools, a Mayan spa and green areas. The total investment is around $66 million USD and will be constructed across approximately 15 hectares of beachfront land. According to the company, they are Currently in the advanced planning stages, construction of Garza Blanca Riviera Maya is due to start in the 4th quarter of 2018 on an exclusive part of the Caribbean coastline between Playa del Carmen and Cancun in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The site for the Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in the Riviera Maya is in a privileged location just 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen and about 30 minutes from Cancun International Airport. Garza Blanca Resort has one hotel in Puerto Vallarta. Their website says coming soon for new hotels in Riviera Maya and Cancun. Underground Playa del Carmen club raided, shut by police Playa del Carmen, Q.R. After numerous public complaints, the city of Playa del Carmen has closed an underground club. The club, After, was shut over the weekend after the city received complaints from residents in the Ejidal neighborhood of Playa del Carmen. Police arrived in an operative group to shut it down. Before leaving, 11 people were arrested including underage women. Police said they also found bottles adulterated alcohol on site. After those inside were taken into custody, police proceeded to seize the illegal alcohol and on site computers. There were allegations that the underground club was used as a sex ring. The property was also secured by ministerial police. IDE bans two traders for switching natural diamonds with lab grown stones 06 august 2018 News The Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) has banned two bourse members for allegedly replacing natural diamonds of D-color, high-clarity polished diamonds weighing 3 to 5 carats with lab-grown stones, says a report in diamonds.net. The suspect traders visited a companys office in the bourse to view the goods.The firm later discovered the misdeed when it checked the three stones in a detection machine. Closed-circuit television footage helped the firm track down the suspects. The case involved switching stones worth hundreds of thousands of dollars at the expense of another bourse member, Israel Vanchovsky, the IDEs deputy director general had reportedly said earlier last week. However, the Bourse executives investigated the case and reported the suspected fraud to the police last week. While IDE has expelled one of the trade members for life, it has banned the other suspect for 37 months, ensuring that he has to go through the full admission process if he wishes to return to the bourse. Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished Angola has invited major South African diamond companies to invest in the country, according to a media report. Mining Weekly quoted Endiama strategic planning and minerals operations bureau head Laureano Paulo as saying during a visit by a delegation of South African businesspeople that their participation in Angolas diamond industry would add value to the resource. He said South African companies, which had a great tradition in the diamond industry, would assist in the exploration for, and exploitation of, new kimberlites. Angolas current national development plan, which was approved last April seeks to boost production to 13.8 million carats a year. Angola produced 9.4 million carats last year. This increase will be driven by the commissioning of various new mines, but particularly by the start of operations at Luaxe. Luaxe, which had a reported reserve of about 350 million carats in the Luele Kimberlite pipe, would be commissioned this year. The operation was projected to have a life-of-mine of 29 years. Mathew Nyaungwa, Rough&Polished Botswana H1 rough diamond exports decline 06 august 2018 News Botswanas rough diamond exports eased 2.5 percent to $1.67 billion in the first half of 2018, according to data released by the countrys central bank. The figures refer to goods that Debswana produced and sold to De Beers global sightholder sales and Okavango Diamond Company. Rapaport quoted the Bank of Botswana as saying that exports also dropped 6 percent year-on-year to $758.1 million in the second quarter. The shipment of the stones registered a 0.3 percent growth in the first quarter to $915.5 million, said the Bank of Botswana. Mathew Nyaungwa, Rough&Polished The Most Extensive and Reliable Source of Information Related to the Mexican Drugs Cartels. You will not find this level of coverage anywhere else, join us! Send information, pictures or videos, you remain 100% anonymous. Envia fotos, videos, notas, enlaces o informacion todo 100% Anonimo. Want to be a contributor or citizen reporter for Borderland Beat? We love to have you in our team, send Sol Prendido or HEARST an email! WARNING: Posts may contain strong violent material, discretion is advised. COMMENTS: We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. Balete of Gabane-Mankgodi are planning to escalate their displeasure with Mogoditshane sub-landboard to President Mokgweetsi Masisi. The residents complain that the sub-landboard together with Kweneng landboard are taking them for granted by refusing to allocate them plots for many years. The other contention is the compensation for repossession of land which is done as per the 2010 Land Compensation Policy which they say is outdated and they are being robbed. Area Member of Parliament Maj. Gen Pius Mokgware said they have been engaging the landboards and ministry of Land Management and Water Sanitation on their grievances with no success. The MP explained that as per the 2012 population statistics Gabane-Mankgodi is the most populated constituency in the country standing at 48 287 people. With such a number there are no developments here but we have land. It is only that because of corruption in our landboards the land is not used properly. We do not have a senior secondary school, a primary hospital, sewerage line but we are just next to the capital city. We do not have commercial and industrial plots because of the way our constituency has been demarcated. It was made in such a way that it would be just for residential. But even with those residential plots people take over 23 years to be allocated, stated Mokgware during a media briefing this week. The legislator said the constituency has been neglected for years when it comes to land administration. He revealed that according to information from Mogoditshane Sub Landboard the waiting list for people who have applied for residential plots in his constituency stands at 140 000. As we speak the landboard has stopped receiving applications for residential plots, said Mokgware adding that currently people who applied in 1994 are the ones being allocated plots. The constituency consists of villages of Gabane, Metsimotlhabe, Tloaneng, Diagane (Mogoditshane Block 9), Tsolamosese, Lesirane and Mankgodi. He said they have engaged former Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services Prince Maele over the land issues but have not got satisfying answers. This is why they now want president Masisi to intervene. According to Mokgware they have set up a committee to work with the landboard and the ministry for better administration of land in their area but there is no progress. The MP indicated that they also made suggestions to Maele when he addressed a Kgotla meeting. Our concern is the current Land Policy. The policy states that government has to service the land before allocation but what we know is that there is no money to do such. Under the current National Development Plan 11 Gabane-Mankgodi has not been catered for in terms of land servicing. So people who have spent over 23 years waiting to be allocated plots would have to wait for another additional six (6) years for another plan to be crafted. Now we have these policies and pieces of legislations that are not speaking to each other. Youth projects are failing because there is no land allocation. What the landboards are doing is what is fueling the increase of land speculators in our area. We have the landboard refusing to compensate at market rate but would give you less than P25 000 for a ploughing field and would allocate plots to people who would in turn sell a plot at P230 000, Mokgware said. He revealed that Gabane-Mankgodi community no longer wants to be given monetary compensation. He said all they want is for the owner of the land to get 30 percent of the land while government takes 70 percent of the repossessed land. The community wants government to review the current land policy as it disadvantages them. The people of this constituency are very hurt, Mokgware explained. He said compensation has to be reasonable so that land owners especially those whom landboard is taking their ploughing fields, would not feel robbed. A member of the committee that was set-up to negotiate with government on behalf of the community Lucas Tshukudu explained that they have sought audience with land minister and Vice President Slumber Tsogwane to no avail. Tshukudu stated that the landboard has expressed interest in the ploughing fields in Gaphatshwa, Rabodibana and Diremogolo among others. We have set up this committee because we want the government to meet us half-way. People have to understand that we are not refusing with land but we are saying let the compensation be adequate. We once had a meeting with the landboard in 2016 where we put forward our demands of 30 percent to be reserved for landowner when repossession is being made. We are still waiting for their response to this day. If the landboard is considerate it would meet us half-way. I applied for land in 1996 when I was 21 years old and today I am still on the waiting list. My reference numbers have changed three (3) times. Our land management system has to be changed so that we are not disadvantaged, pointed out Tshukudu. For nearly 60 years, the red fox has been teaching scientists about animal behavior. In a long-term experiment, foxes at the Russian Institute of Cytology and Genetics have been selected for tameness or aggression, recreating the process of domestication from wolves to modern dogs in real time. Today, with the first-ever publication of the fox genome, scientists will begin to understand the genetic basis of tame and aggressive behaviors, which could shed light on human behavior, as well. "We've been waiting for this tool for a very, very long time," says Anna Kukekova, assistant professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois and lead author of the paper. She has been studying the famous Russian foxes since 2002. "In our previous work, we tried to identify regions of the fox genome responsible for tame and aggressive behavior, but these studies required a reference genome and all we could use was the dog genome. For us, the fox genome provides a much better resource for genetic analysis of behavior." After sequencing and assembling the fox genome, the team turned to the famous Russian foxes to look for genetic regions differentiating the tame, aggressive, and conventional populations -- farm-raised foxes ancestral to the tame and aggressive populations but not bred for any particular behavioral trait. The researchers sequenced the genomes of 10 individuals from each population, then compared them to the full fox genome and each other. The three populations differed in 103 genomic regions, some of which turn out to be responsible for the tame and aggressive behaviors. "Finding genomic regions at such resolution was beyond any expectations with our previous tools. Now, for the first time, we could not only pinpoint part of a chromosome which makes foxes more tame or aggressive, but we could identify specific genes responsible for it," Kukekova says. advertisement The team compared the 103 genomic regions to those of other sequenced mammals and found some compelling similarities. For example, they identified matches between behavior regions in foxes with regions important in domestication in dogs and with a region associated with Williams-Beuren syndrome in humans, a genetic disorder characterized by extremely outgoing, friendly behavior. "Oddly enough, we found the Williams-Beuren region in aggressive foxes, not tame ones. We thought it would be the opposite," Kukekova says. The mysterious finding underscores how much more research is needed before the regions are fully understood. But the researchers dove deeper. As a test run, they honed in on a single gene, known as SorCS1, which is involved in synapse formation, functioning, and plasticity, as well as additional functions. Although it had never before been known to contribute to social behavior, SorCS1 was clearly associated with a very specific behavior in foxes. Human handlers at the Russian Institute of Cytology and Genetics interact with the foxes in a very controlled way as part of their videotaped fox behavioral assessments. Handlers stand near the enclosures for one minute, hold the door open for another minute, reach toward the fox for a third minute, then close the door, and stand near the enclosure for one final minute. The tamest foxes continue to clamor for human attention during the final minute of the assessment. It's this group of foxes that has a version of the SorCS1 gene not found in the aggressive population. "We think this gene makes foxes more tame, but we don't want to overemphasize it -- tameness isn't associated with a single gene. The picture is definitely more complex," Kukekova says. The article, "Red fox genome assembly identifies genomic regions associated with tame and aggressive behaviors," is published in Nature Ecology & Evolution. The full list of authors includes Anna Kukekova, Jennifer Johnson, Xueyan Xiang, Shaohong Feng, Shiping Liu, Halie Rando, Anastasiya Kharlamova, Yury Herbeck, Natalya Serdyukova, Zijun Xiong, Violetta Beklemischeva, Klaus-Peter Koepfli, Rimma Gulevich, Anastasiya Vladimirova, Jessica Hekman, Polina Perelman, Aleksander Graphodatsky, Stephen O'Brien, Xu Wang, Andrew Clark, Gregory Acland, Lyudmila Trut, and Guojie Zhang. Funding was provided by National Institutes of Health grant GM120782, USDA Federal Hatch Project 538922, the Russian Science Foundation grants 16-14-10009 and 16-14-10216, the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences grant 0324-2018-0016, grants from Campus Research Board and Office of International Programs of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The project was also supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (grant XDB13000000). Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) factional wars in the build-up to 2015 Elective General Congress have resurfaced ahead of this years elective congress in December. The 2015 congress that ushered in the current leadership being National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Office Bearers (NOB) was marred by controversy. The controversy is once again playing out in the open as divisions within the leadership became apparent at the past weekend meeting which resulted in suspensions of some members including President Masego Mogwera and counter suspensions of other members by Mogwera. Sources say the bitter war emanates from jostling as factions position themselves for the congress where they will go head to head in a battle for control of the union. In a heated meeting which resulted in some members of the NEC walking out, the committee resolved to suspend five of its office bearers being Mogwera, first deputy president Martin Gabobake, General Secretary Topias Marenga, Deputy Secretary Kethapeleng Karabo and Treasurer General Aba Gabaikhe for failure to observe Articles 53.1 and 53.2 respectively. The articles speak of secondment and remuneration of office bearers (president and treasurer general) as well as sanctioning the implementation of the new BOPEU structure. The NEC has since resolved to appoint Philemon Zibani as the interim president, Ogaufi Masame as First Deputy President and Mosalagae Tlhako as Treasurer General pending investigations. Mogweras team has also in turn declared a state of emergency and suspended Zibani and crew. Zibani has however indicated that they could not be suspended by people who are on suspension. A stalemate has been reached by the two groups over who is at the helm of the union- a stalemate which even the police failed to break. This resulted in Zibanis team on Tuesday night serving their colleagues with court papers in which they want a court order removing them from office. According to sources, the power struggle started when a consultant was engaged to review BOPEUs organisational structure. Mogwera and team are accused of implementing the secondment of the president and treasurer general without approval of NEC and implementing a new pay structure which is now a centre of controversy following a decision taken to reverse the pay structure. The reversal comes after eight months of implementation. Botswana Guardian has it on good authority that last week some employees received letters stating that their salaries would be reversed to the ones used before the implementation of the new structure in November last year. The employees are now contemplating taking BOPEU to court over the matter. Mogwera has maintained that they are aware of attempts to remove them from office and replace them with yes men and women to frustrate efforts by her committee to recover BOPEU assets. She said there are outside forces that want to interfere in their fight against financial impropriety and corruption at the union of choice as BOPEU is affectionately known. It remains to be seen how things will play out in the build-up to the Palapye congress. Zibanis team is said to be prepared and hell-bent on removing Mogweras team from office come December. The team alleges there has been embezzlement of the union funds and stalling of the release of the forensic audit which was sanctioned about eight months ago. They have also taken war to the current treasurer general for allegedly failing to produce audited financial report. Mogwera became BOPEU President after the then President Andrew Motsamai resigned to join Babereki Investment, the BOPEU business arm as Executive Chairman. He was later relieved of his duties on allegations of misappropriation of funds. Motsamai beat his former Vice President Sikalesele Seitiso in a tightly contested election, garnering 220 votes against 146 during the 2015 Palapye congress. Mogwera was voted First Vice President getting 220 votes against Tlotlang Bakoko who got 145 votes. Alliance for Progressives (AP) Chairman Maj. Gen Pius Mokgware has revealed that he will be working with Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) councillors in the coming 2019 general election to retain Gabane-Mankgodi constituency. Mokgware, who is Gabane-Mankgodi Member of Parliament, stated this week that the Councillors are very hard working and he is prepared to work with them. He encouraged electorates to vote for them in next years polls. Gabane-Mankgodi has ten (10) Wards. AP has one (1) ward - Gabane South West. UDC has five wards. Contracting partners Botswana National Front has three (3) - Tsolamosese, Gabane North West and Gabane South East while Botswana Congress Party has one (1)- Gabane North East and Botswana Movement for Democracy has one (1)- Diagane commonly known as Mogoditshane Block 9. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party has four being Mankgodi South and North, Metsimotlhabe and Lesirane. Mokgware told a press conference at his office in Gabane village this week that he has a good relationship with the UDC councillors and he is prepared to join forces with them next year. He said the intention is to ensure that the BDP does not win the constituency. According to Mokgware as it has been his partys stance, he also believes in opposition unity. The Gabane-Mankgodi MP expressed confidence that the AP will be working with UDC in 2019. I am confident that we would be working together in 2019. We believe in opposition unity as AP. Even though there is a party position, as an individual my position is that having worked with these councillors and the relationship having been healthy, we would have to work together for 2019. We need each other and I would not see anything wrong in endorsing them. We would definitely work with other like-minded opposition parties. Even though I cannot tell you what type of model we would use, I am confident that we would be together, Mokgware stated. However, some of the UDC councillors questioned the motive rea MP. I do not totally agree with the MP. It has to be clear that we are speaking the same language. I mean how can he be saying he would be working with us while he has AP council candidates in our wards. We have made it clear to him that we need him at the UDC and will not support him while he is at AP and having council candidates who will battle with us next year. Do you think he would betray his own party to have us elected? asked one of the councillors who attended the press conference. Gabane-Mankgodi constituency has been allocated the troubled BMD within the UDC. The orange movement has since failed to find a candidate for the constituency. BNF and the BCP have since taken war to BMD during their recent conference where they expressed interest in constituencies allocated to the BMD. Last month AP President Ndaba Gaolathe revealed that he has been having informal talks with BCP President Dumelang Saleshando and BNF President Advocate Duma Boko and President of Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) Motlatsi Molapisi. AP is a breakaway party of the BMD following a bloodbath elective congress in Bobonong last July. Gaolathe stated that opposition cooperation should not only come in the form of UDC. He said there are other models that could be pursued. It is a fallacy to think coalition should be in the form of UDC. Coalition should have a certain characteristic and its foundation should be strong. If there are to be structured discussions they would not have to take a form of the UDC. We have not set a timeline as to when we would conclude any talks. Of course our informal chats would lead to formal conversation. As AP we believe to kick-start everything in the right direction we would need the original conveners of coalition. Circumstances force us to work together, Gaolathe revealed. BART police will go into emergency staffing mode this week, with beat officers working six days on and one day off to bolster the transit systems public safety profile. It is important to reaffirm our commitment to safety, to all our riders, BART Police Chief Carlos Rojas said when asked about the change. The officers who work on what would be their day off will be assigned to patrol trains and stations. BART could not say how long the heightened presence will last or how much it will cost. Rojas said his overtime budget has adequate funding to cover the cost. Adding hours to beef up the number of line cops follows the recent apparently random slashing death of 18-year-old Nia Wilson at Oaklands MacArthur Station and the April slashing of a middle-age brother and sister at Coliseum Station. On Friday night, two people were slashed by an attacker at MacArthur Station. The changes also come amid fear among riders that BART has become increasingly unsafe. The decision to deploy more officers also underscores the fact that, despite a rise in violent crime and the systems continued expansion, BART has for years fallen short on staffing its police patrols. Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle We are very short. We do not have enough, Rojas said when asked to evaluate the transit systems police strength. Just look at the numbers. Violent crime on BART has risen 69 percent in the past 10 years, according to a state Department of Justice report released last month. At the same time, weekday ridership has risen by 57,000 trips a day to an average of 415,000. BART has also added extensions to Pittsburg, Antioch, Warm Springs and Oakland International Airport. An extension to San Jose is expected to open next year. Meanwhile, the number of BART officers on the ground has increased by only 13 since 2010. While BART has set aside money to hire more officers each year, it has repeatedly fallen short on recruitment in part because it pays less than other agencies. BART has a total law enforcement staff of 222. Take out the brass and special units, and the number of cops on the trains and station platforms is 154 or about 22 beat officers short of the agencys budgeted strength. And thats after hiring 28 officers in the past 1 years. Yalonda M. James / The Chronicle Take out the cops who are off on vacation, out sick or on disability, and you have about 24 officers and three to five sergeants on any given shift to patrol 48 stations spread out over 128 miles. San Francisco and Oakland have put an additional six officers on the beat at the downtown stations to allow for some two-person patrols, but on any given day or night, a single BART cop still has to cover two or sometimes three stations, plus the trains running between them. Its better than when I started 26 years ago back then I covered everything from Berkeley to Richmond, said BART Police Officers Association President Keith Garcia. Its should be noted that BART also has a six-member ticket evasion team, a K-9 patrol and other specialty officers. But if theres an incident that needs more than one person, odds are the second officer will have to come from a neighboring beat to help, Rojas said. The danger, he said, is that the wheels could come off pretty quickly if one officer is tied up. And while BART now has about 4,000 cameras in its trains, stations and parking lots, the electric eyes cant stop a assault or robbery, which can happen in seconds. BART has commissioned a study by North Texas State University on its optimal staffing level and how those officers could be best deployed. POA head Garcia said the report, which is due out next month, will probably recommend even more cops be hired. If you really wanted to do it right, you would have one officer for every station, so you would be looking at doubling the patrol staff, Garcia said. Its not realistic, Rojas said. In the meantime, some BART riders, such as Fran Quittel, say theyve had enough. On a recent ride to the East Bay, Quittell and two other women she had talked into riding BART found themselves sharing the downstairs Civic Center platform with one man repeatedly pulling down his pants and another walking up to passengers and harassing them. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. No BART person was to be seen at either the upper or lower level, Quitell said. Passengers had no one to protect them. It was frightening. I hear it all the time, public transit is only as good as how safe it is, BART Director Joel Keller said. We have to do something. We cant just throw up our hands. Alex Wong / AFP / Getty Images The zig and zag: Although he spent most of the time talking about wildfires and climate change, Gov. Jerry Brown strayed into the world of economics while talking to reporters the other day at the state emergency center and warned of another recession lurking on the horizon. At some point, the tariffs and the natural cycle will kick in, Brown said, then flipped back to his time at San Franciscos St. Ignatius High School when the good priest Father Clark went to the blackboard and he drew a line up, and he drew a line down up and down, up and down. This is the business cycle, the priest explained, and economists are working very hard to smooth it out. That was in 1955, and that zigzag up and down is still with us, Brown said. Its going to happen, the governor said of the next slowdown. We maybe have two years if we are lucky. Not that its the first time hes preached doom and gloom. Two years ago, while attending a holiday party in San Francisco after addressing climate scientists at Moscone Center, Brown predicted life as we know it will end from a climate, nuclear or financial meltdown. And they are all tied together, he said. San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX-TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call 415-777-8815, or email matierandross@ sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross The 10-speed techie who gained notoriety as the first San Francisco cyclist to be convicted of felony manslaughter after he sailed through a Castro district intersection and plowed into a 71-year-old man is now saying he was the victim of a malicious prosecution by San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon. It was a TV felony, Chris Bucchere said in a phone interview, saying that Gascon was advancing his political career when he charged the software developer in the 2012 death of Sutchi Hui of San Bruno. The reality is I failed as a cyclist my moral responsibility to keep everyone safe ... and Im terribly sorry about, Bucchere said. Still, he argues he was the unlucky victim of prosecutorial misconduct and bias, as well as a feeding frenzy by the media. Bucchere had been on a long ride on March 29, 2012, when prosecutors said he sped through several stop signs and ran a red light at Castro and Market streets, hitting Hui, who was walking with his wife. Hours later, and days before Hui died, Bucchere posted on a blog that he was way too committed to stop at the intersection then dedicated the post to his late helmet (that) died in heroic fashion. Buccheres seeming cavalier attitude sparked outrage among many in the community who saw him as the archetype of the self-centered techie. But Bucchere said he was on painkillers and half out of my mind from his own head injury when he wrote the post. Anyway, he said, I never made a comparison between my dead helmet and the man I had killed he was alive when I wrote that and expected him to recover from his injuries. Bucchere was charged with felony manslaughter. He says the case took a turn when investigators from the D.A.s office retrieved surveillance video that showed the light turned red as he entered the intersection and it was too late for him to stop and avoid the crash. The video was incredibly lucky and it definitely saved me from jail, but it couldnt stop Gascons vendetta against cyclists, Bucchere said. A pretrial deal was struck in which Bucchere pleaded guilty to manslaughter, which allowed the D.A. to term it a felony but also called for the charge to be dropped to a misdemeanor after Bucchere completed 1,000 of community service. Bucchere, who still works as a software developer and lives in Marin County, has made his case the subject of 10-week, self-produced series of podcasts and blogs, with the first installment debuting Sunday and available at www.medium.com/bikelash. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. As for the reaction from Gascons office? Bucchere blames his felony conviction on our office, the Matier & Ross column, the witnesses at the scene and the pedestrians on hand, but talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words, said D.A. spokesman Alex Bastian. His actions that day killed a beloved 71-year-old family man. If hes looking to cast blame, he should look in the mirror. San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@ sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross Gary Coronado / TNS Although he spent most of the time talking about wildfires and climate change, Gov. Jerry Brown strayed into the world of economics while talking to reporters the other day at the state emergency center and warned of another recession lurking on the horizon. At some point, the tariffs and the natural cycle will kick in, Brown said, then flipped back to his time at San Franciscos St. Ignatius High School when the good priest Father Clark went to the blackboard and he drew a line up, and he drew a line down up and down, up and down. Black Girls Code, an Oakland organization that works to bring computer science education to African American girls through workshops and camps, said it got a $125,000 grant offer from Uber last year and turned it down. It came at a time when the ride-hailing company was facing backlash from former engineer Susan Fowlers allegations that the company had a culture of sexual harassment. It seems a bit tone-deaf to really addressing real change in how they are moving towards both inclusion and equity, Kimberly Bryant, the companys founder, told TechCrunch at the time. Now, almost a year later, another tech company is offering double the amount to Bryants organization. She said yes. Its about being able to partner with an organization that has a strong brand and presence as a thought leader in the IT and tech space, Bryant said. Microsoft, in Redmond, Wash., put $250,000 into a partnership that will support the nonprofit. The company is working to ensure that girls of color ... have opportunities to learn computer science, according to a representative. Bryant said that the black employee network at Microsoft had pushed to support the organization in Seattle. It was real employee advocacy, she said. Black Girls Code, which began in 2011, is trending on Crunchbase after the Microsoft news. The group is glad to expand its operation to the Seattle region, which it says is home to more than 8,700 African American girls ages 7 to 17, its target age range. Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle 2012 Bryant, a finalist for The Chronicles Visionary of the Year award in 2017, hopes that the collaboration will inspire deeper involvement with Microsoft in establishing future chapters of her organization and give girls access to leaders at the company, as well as future job opportunities. As a bonus, Seattle also happens to be the home of Amazons headquarters. We want to be sure that the diversity of organizations like Amazon is not clustered at the lower levels of the organization, Bryant said. So providing higher-level skill sets and introducing our girls to solid companies and mentors will hopefully drive diversity in other ways. The new chapter is scheduled to open around February, according to Bernex Richardson, deputy director of Black Girls Code. Deal of the week: Slack What it does: Slack is a communications service that businesses use to share information internally. What happened: The San Francisco company acquired two services, Hipchat and Stride, which are owned by Australias Atlassian. Hipchat is a group messaging application, and Stride is a collaboration tool that includes instant messaging and video chat (Tech Crunch described it as Slacks competitor). The two services will be discontinued on Atlassian, and users will be encouraged to move to Slack. Atlassian also made an equity investment in Slack. More Information To hear more To listen or subscribe on Apple devices: https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1316784843 For other devices, search for "Startups of the Week" in your favorite podcast app. See More Collapse Why it matters: Atlassian is behind Jira Cloud and Trello, two services that are integrated with Slack. The partnership with Slack marks a detente between two companies that, according to an Atlassian spokeswoman, have always had friendly competition. Headquarters: San Francisco Funding: $790 million, according to Crunchbase Employees: 1,000 to 5,000, according to Crunchbase Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Also trending: Lantern What it does: Lantern is an app that offers online therapy from licensed therapists, for a fee. What happened: Its shutting down after raising more than $20 million. Why it matters: Health care startups often face long odds. Health care moves very slowly, and we made the mistake of misjudging the time it would take to achieve sustainable revenue through this approach, the company said. A group of employees will work on mental health issues in other ways, without focusing on profit or exit strategies, the company said. Headquarters: San Francisco Funding: $20.4 million, according to Crunchbase Employees: 11 to 50, according to Crunchbase Natasha Mascarenhas is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: natasha.mascarenhas@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @nmasc_ The spouses of H-1B visa holders called the shelters and domestic violence programs because they felt trapped. Stuck in abusive relationships, with a visa status that didnt allow them to work, they were beholden to their abusers for everything. Money. Food. The right to stay in the country. One womans husband hit her even when she was pregnant. Another was rarely allowed out of the house alone. The women spoke of extreme isolation, threats of deportation, forced sexual encounters. Even when some called the police, they rarely pressed charges: Their H-4 visas depended on their spouses H-1Bs. And if their spouse was arrested, where would that leave them? How could I press charges? a woman named Nisha a pseudonym said, sitting in her lawyers office as the sun poured in on a recent afternoon. I wasnt independent. I was new to this country. If I tell you to arrest him, how will I survive here? Some of those married to H-1B visa holders gained a glimmer of financial independence when the Obama administration created a work permit program for them in 2015. But now, in the name of protecting American jobs, the Trump administration is working on plans to unravel that program. Sarahbeth Maney / Special to The Chronicle About 100,000 H-4 visa holders have applied for a work permit since 2015. Many dread the idea of going back to the days where they couldnt work. Domestic abuse counselors and immigration lawyers in particular worry about how eliminating this program will reinforce the power that H-1B holders have over their spouses. Because, for some of their clients, the permit is for more than just work. Its for a way out. When she came to the U.S. five months pregnant, Nisha initially didnt feel the need to work. Even though she had a masters degree from India, she had a new baby on the way, a family to create. She assumed her husbands well-paying job was enough to support both of them. I thought my husband would take care of me, she said. But when she realized the extent of his anger hed kick tables, storm out of rooms, hit her in fits of rage she was desperate to get away from him. She called the police a few times, she said, but with no money of her own and no Social Security number, she never pressed charges. She felt there was no choice but to keep quiet, tucked away in her quiet East Bay neighborhood, thousands of miles away from her family in India. The Chronicle is withholding Nishas real name because she is going through divorce proceedings and finalizing her immigration status. She declined to give her husbands name. Sarahbeth Maney / Special to The Chronicle The work-permit program was introduced shortly after Nisha came to the country in 2015. But she didnt qualify, because it only applies after a spouse is approved for a green card. While being able to seek work may not stop the initial abuse, it gives H-4 visa holders the majority of whom are Indian women the opportunity to gain some independence and an identity of their own, said immigration lawyer Kalpana Peddibhotla. The work authorization, she said, potentially gives spouses co-workers and friends to confide in. When youre without work or youre wholly dependent on someone, it becomes extremely limiting, she said. Youre not part of this society. H-1B visas are often used by Silicon Valley companies to hire high-skilled immigrants. A large portion have long gone to men from India, where the visa was long regarded as a status symbol and a ticket to a better life though thats changing amid the U.S. crackdown on foreign workers. For visa-seekers spouses, coming to the U.S. on a dependent visa was a chance to keep their families together and perhaps even start their own path to permanent residency. Several women who previously spoke to The Chronicle said the work authorization helped them regain confidence as they entered the work force. One woman created her own day care, while others said they were interviewing at major tech companies such as Facebook and Salesforce. Though they hadnt experienced abuse, the women said they still dreaded the idea of not being able to work. While its impossible to quantify how many spouses on dependent visas have experienced abuse, there are a number of domestic violence programs and shelters around the U.S. and in the Bay Area that cater to South Asian women. Tejeswi Dodda, an employee at one such program in Berkeley, Narika, said the nature of the visa creates a disincentive to report the violence. She also spoke of how cultural pressures deter many Indian spouses from leaving their abusers. In some South Asian cultures, the idea of divorce is so taboo that some H-4 visa holders would rather stay in an abusive relationship than endure the social shame, she said. Dodda, who is on an H-4 visa herself, runs a program at Narika called Self-Empowerment & Economic Development, which is designed to help foreigners particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation with life skills such as financial literacy and career development. She spoke of women who were highly successful in India, and then came to the U.S. and saw their self-confidence ravaged when they lost the ability to work. Before moving to the U.S., she said, They dont visualize the implications of (the) visa. The administrations plans to do away with H-4 work permits would hit the Bay Area harder than almost anywhere else, since the region has one of the highest concentrations of H-1B visa holders in the U.S. For months, the Department of Homeland Security had said through court filings in a case challenging the permit program that it planned to propose a change to the H-4 work authorization program in June. But June came and went without news, leaving foreign workers and their spouses to anxiously wait. The agency is considering a number of policy and regulatory changes to carry out the Presidents Buy American, Hire American Executive Order, including a thorough review of employment based visa programs, Michael Bars, spokesman for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, said in a statement Wednesday. The department did not respond directly to questions about the status of the H-4 work authorization. Critics of the H-4 work authorization say the program is a threat to American jobs, and the administration should not be able to create a work permit program without congressional approval. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Even without the H-4 program, women in Nishas situation have other options. But many either dont know of them, or the solutions feel too out of reach without a lawyer to help them through the convoluted U.S. immigration system. Theres the U visa, which is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse. But in order to qualify, victims need to show they have filed charges, something Nisha, and other women in similar situations, say theyve been too scared to do because of their dependent immigration status. A work permit for abused nonimmigrant spouses was implemented last year. In order to qualify, applicants dont have to show theyve filed charges, but can instead demonstrate credible proof of abuse such as police reports, psychological evaluations, or statements from people aware of the situation, such as a domestic violence shelter worker. Peddibhotla said some of her clients could have avoided needing such a special permit if the H-4 had allowed them to work in the first place. The reason people get stuck for so long is because you dont even know who to call, she said. Sarahbeth Maney / Special to the Chronicle 2018 Two years into living with her abusive husband in the U.S., Nisha said she got help only after a doctor noticed her distress during a routine checkup. The doctor recommended a local shelter, and Nisha later met Peddibhotla, who has advised her pro bono and helped her qualify for the domestic violence work permit. Since getting the work permit, Nisha says things have gotten better. She moved out of her husbands house and into a shelter for a few months a place she said exposed her to many different types of people, and helped improve her English. She then was able to get her own apartment through support received from the shelter. Her son is starting to go to school and interact with other kids. When hes at school, she attends a work training program. Soon, shell start interviewing for jobs. As she waits for the divorce proceeding, however, the permit only gives her two years to figure out another visa status such as getting an H-1B of her own. The thought of going back to India as a divorced woman and single mom, she said, is worse than enduring hardships in the U.S. So shes slowly picking the pieces of her life back up here. But if she had been independent from the moment she got here, she said she would have had a way out from the beginning. No woman should come on an H-4 visa, she said. H-4 women ... should be independent. Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani A previous version of this story misstated the position of Tejeswi Dodda at Narika. She is an employee. The story has been altered to reflect this change. Four people were confirmed dead and scores injured in the riots that erupted in Zimbabwes capital Harare on Wednesday following the announcement of the preliminary results of Mondays harmonised election. The fear, however, was that the figure could rise as tension remained palpable. Botswanas Members of Parliament Botlogile Tshireletso and Sedirwa Kgoroba had formed part of the delegation of SADC Election Observer Mission (SEOM) under the aegis of SADC-Parliamentary Forum. Holed in her hotel in Harare, Tshireletso told Botswana Guardian in a telephone interview that election observers gathered at the Harare International Convention Centre had to be whisked away to safety through the back by police escort to escape angry protestors gathered outside and baying for their blood. Botswanas High Commissioner to Zimbabwe General Matshwenyego Fischer also confirmed on Wednesday in a telephone interview that all Batswana working at the High Commission were safe. The envoy said he had also joined the briefing by observer mission at the convention centre to hear their respective findings when he was alerted by his driver of the demonstrations outside. We then left the place to our respective homes where we are following proceedings and what is taking place on television, Fischer said. But the Local Government and Rural Development Assistant Ministers account of the events was more dramatic. Tshireletso, who had observed the election in Mashonaland West as team leader, said just after finishing their announcements at the convention centre, they were informed that there were protestors gathering outside and that they intended to block the election observers inside. We were escorted to use the back, but still our police escort was forced to use different routes and ultimately managed to take us to the hotel safely. The situation was unpleasant! And indeed it was. Video footages have captured soldiers shooting live bullets at the protestors, most of which are believed to belong to Nelson Chamisas Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) coalition. All African Observer missions declared the Zimbabwe electionfree and fair while European Union (EU) held a contrary view. A preliminary report of SADC Election Observer Mission (SEOM) released on Wednesday gave Emmerson Mnangangwas ZANU PF 146 MPs against MDCs 62. During the press conference, the chairman of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) briefed the observer missions that he already had the results but could not announce them as some of the candidates wanted to first verify them. Although the constitution states that the results can be released within four days, he had intended to release them on Wednesday. This announcement triggered the riots. While Tshireletso maintained that the SADCP findings were that the election was free and fair, the mood on the ground told a different story. So bad was it that she said other election observers were forced to buy flight tickets to return to their respective countries on Wednesday. We are coming back home tomorrow (Thursday), she said with a quivering voice. Areas of improvement Tshireletso said they had noticed some areas that require improvement. These include improving the communication strategy to make it more transparent and allowing all stakeholders to know who is printing the ballot papers and where they are kept after being printed ve the number of women candidates in line with the SADC quota of 30 percent. In that election Zimbabwe had two women presidential candidates, 240 aspirants for Parliament out of the 1631 MPs and only 1132 candidates for local government out of a total 6576 candidates. However, SADC PF praised Zimbabwe for a nomination quota reserved for women depending on the performance of their respective parties. They were also pleased with voter education which in their view was good as evidenced by the turnover at the polling stations with the majority being youth or relatively young people. SADC PF also noticed that the electoral officers were sufficiently trained on time and prepared to man the polling stations and had enough manpower that were ready to assist at all times. There were also specific lines reserved for pregnant women, elders, disabled and those with young babies. There was also a Multi Party Liaison Committee composed of all parties and voters were allowed to use either passport or ID and there was no wastage of materials as none was returned home. In its draft statement, the SADC Electoral Observer Mission stated that the harmonised election of July 30, 2018 represents a political watershed in Zimbabwes history as they open a new chapter leading towards socio economic recovery and consolidation of democracy. Filipa Ioannou An elderly man who was offered a ride by a man and woman ended up being robbed and beaten Sunday evening in San Francisco, authorities said. At about 5:25 p.m., police received a call that an 86-year-old man had been beaten up after his two attackers, who both appeared to be 45, stole money from him in the Mission District. The man had been hanging out near 16th Street and Hoff Street when a woman drove up to him and offered him a ride, said Officer Joseph Tomlinson, a San Francisco police spokesman. A federal appeals court cleared the way Monday for a constitutional challenge to Californias broad felony-murder law, which classifies unintentional killings during the commission of an inherently dangerous felony as second-degree murder, punishable by up to life in prison. Hundreds of inmates are serving lengthy prison terms under the law, which goes further than laws in other states in treating all participants in crimes as murderers if someone is killed. The state Senate has passed legislation that would narrow the law to exclude those who had not actually committed the killing or acted with reckless indifference to human life. Prosecutors oppose the measure, and its future is uncertain. In Mondays ruling, however, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said a Bay Area man now serving 19 years to life for a 1996 murder conviction could try to make a case that the California law is unconstitutionally vague, like a federal crime law struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. Shedrick Henry fatally shot Candace Richardson in the hallway of a Berkeley apartment in February 1995. Henry said he was trying to shoot a man who pointed a gun at him and that Richardsons death was accidental. But a jury convicted him of firing a gun in an inhabited dwelling and of second-degree murder under the felony-murder law. State courts upheld his murder conviction in 1997. But the appeals court, over prosecution objections, said Monday that Henry could file a new challenge to the California law with a federal judge in San Francisco, based on the Supreme Courts 2015 ruling. That ruling struck down a federal law, part of the Armed Career Criminal Act, that increased punishment for any felon convicted of being armed and committing a crime that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury to another. The high court said the law was unconstitutional because it based punishment on uncertain standards related to the general nature of a crime and not on the defendants acts. This year, the court relied on the ruling to strike down an immigration law requiring deportation for any noncitizen convicted of a crime of violence. Justice Neil Gorsuch, President Trumps appointee, cast the deciding vote in that 5-4 ruling. Henrys appeal contends the California laws definition of an inherently dangerous felony is just as vague. Felony-murder laws allow prosecutors to file murder charges against participants in fatal crimes without having to show that they intended to kill. Unlike such laws in other states, the appeals court said, the California law takes an abstract approach to evaluating a crimes dangerousness, looking at the definition of the crime rather than the facts of the individual case. The risk threshold for an inherently dangerous crime is imprecise, Judge Ronald Gould said in the 3-0 ruling. State prosecutors argued that Henry had ample notice that he could be charged with murder, because the state Supreme Court had ruled in another case in 1994 that firing a gun at an inhabited dwelling was an inherently dangerous felony. Henry was convicted of that crime in the hallway shooting, in addition to second-degree murder. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. But Gould said Henry had presented a plausible claim that the California law failed to define clearly enough the conduct it covered. The shooting followed an argument between Henry and another man during a birthday party at the apartment in February 1995. Prosecutors said Henry was pushed into a hallway where Candace Richardson and another person tried to calm him down. When he fired a gunshot toward the apartment, the bullet struck Richardson and killed her. Henry testified that he backed out of the apartment when the man with whom he was arguing pointed a gun at him. He said someone else handed him a gun in the hallway, and that the other man shot and wounded him. But the jury rejected his claim of self-defense. His lawyers contend the killing was, at most, involuntary manslaughter, and that Henry should have been released many years ago. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko For many of us, Mata Hari isnt much more than a name, a tidy symbol of the nexus of sex and intrigue that constitutes our vague and largely fictionalized sense of international espionage. Yet behind the stage name lies a real person, a Dutch-born exotic dancer who was executed in 1917 by the French for spying during World War I. There must be a compelling story to be told about her, even if it has to be invented by some resourceful novelist. Mata Hari, the talky, static and dramatically murky piece that opened a three-performance run at West Edge Opera on Sunday, Aug. 5, isnt it. Featuring an unsteady libretto by Paul Peers (who also directed) and an intriguingly multipronged score by the late Matt Marks, Mata Hari swirls inconclusively around its central figure. Born Margaretha Zelle, she endured an abusive early marriage, took to the stage with a dance act built on notions of the erotic East, ran through a long string of lovers, and seems to have gotten into the spy game well over her head before finally facing the firing squad. Theres a lot to unravel here, and Peers doesnt do much to illuminate it for the audience. We meet Mata Hari in a prison cell, dying of syphilis or tuberculosis and harangued by a dogged French military officer determined to find her guilty. Her life unfolds in flashbacks, most of which are unfortunately interchangeable: She meets a man and either reels off a long stretch of information about troop movements, or tells him how she met some other man in a hotel and gave him information about troop movements. Some of the men are Dutch, some French, some German; there are cryptic, weighty allusions to trysts in Berlin, Madrid and Antwerp, Belgium. Some of the characters are liars. A medical mystery crops up at the last minute, and gets immediately resolved. Its like a thriller, but without the thrills. Theres something painfully retro, too, about the sexual politics of the piece, which seems to buy into the vision of Mata Hari as a femme fatale. Men flock to her irresistibly, at their peril and her own. Bergs Lulu comes often and unbidden to mind, which is a dangerous, unflattering parallel to invite. The score adopts a multifarious approach to a dramatic framework that too often lets it down. Marks, who died suddenly in May at 38 (the production is dedicated to his memory), was an eclectic, original musical thinker, and many of those traits show up in his writing here. He takes a cue from Mata Haris dancing to shape several key scenes around a waltz or a tango. The piece is scored for a diverse ensemble in which the accordion features prominently an apt nod to Kurt Weill that still maintains a distinctive profile. The vocal styles range from the title character, who only speaks, to pop crooning to full-on operatic technique. More Information "Mata Hari": 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10, and Saturday, Aug. 18. $19-$125. Craneway Conference Center, 1414 Harbour Way S., Richmond. 510-841-1903. www.westedgeopera.org See More Collapse Yet the works dramatic squishiness keeps sabotaging those efforts. One of the scores most arresting passages, for instance, is a hauntingly beautiful aria for Mata Haris young son but it arrives shortly before the end of the piece, written for a character weve never heard of before and have no reason at all to care about. The West Edge production, cannily conducted by Emily Senturia, does as well with the material as anyone could ask (aside from an amplification system that consistently went on the fritz through the opening performance). Actress Tina Mitchell, who created the title role for the world premiere at New Yorks Prototype Festival last year, brought a wonderful combination of charisma, ferocity and vulpine guile to her assignment; the character as conceived is a cliche, but she makes you believe in her anyway. Molly Mahoney was both acerbic and tender as the nun attending Mata Hari (the character changes personality so completely and abruptly that she might as well be two different people). There were formidable contributions by Jean-Paul Jones, Nikolas Nackley, Michael Grammer, Daniel Yoder and especially Daniel Cilli as the string of indistinguishable officers and lovers who cross Mata Haris path. In the end, one feels no more understanding of the enigmatic central figure than one did coming in. Did she spy for the French, for the Germans, for no one? Was she a dupe, a sex kitten, a wronged woman who loved not wisely but too well? Take your pick. Mata Hari, for all its musical inventiveness, is little help. Joshua Kosman is The San Francisco Chronicles music critic. Email: jkosman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JoshuaKosman A fatal shooting on the Bay Bridge early Monday morning caused a widespread shutdown of traffic as all eastbound lanes were blocked for hours while authorities conducted an investigation on the span. Three eastbound lanes were reopened just after 6:30 a.m. Monday, but due to congestion, its moving slowly. said Officer Pedro Santiago, a California Highway Patrol spokesman. Westbound lanes were unaffected. The shooting occurred at about 2:30 a.m. and involved three vehicles, according to CHP Officer Bert Diaz. The driver of a sedan traveling in the center lane heard a gunshot just before an SUV in the farthest right lane swerved and struck his vehicle. A third vehicle, for which no description was available, sped off. The driver of the SUV, a black male adult, was killed and a white male adult was injured from the shooting. A third passenger was also injured but it was unclear whether the injuries were from the shooting or the crash, Diaz said. The driver of the sedan was able to talk to the CHP but may have suffered minor injuries. All of the injured parties in the SUV were taken to San Francisco General Hospital. No further information on the shooting was immediately available. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Drivers were stuck behind the closed section of the bridge for hours. On Twitter, motorists could be seen getting out of their cars, walking around and stretching in the lanes, as motorcycles turned back. Michael Cabanatuan and Demian Bulwa are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com, dbulwa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan @DemianBulwa The state Supreme Court has cleared the way for the demolition of an 1844 adobe house in the Peninsula foothills that was owned by Juana Briones, a pioneering rancher, businesswoman and herbalist. A preservationist group called Friends of the Juana Briones House had won a ruling from a Santa Clara County judge in 2008 that said the Palo Alto City Council should have conducted an environmental review before approving a demolition permit for the home, one of the oldest residences in California. But a state appeals court reversed the ruling in October, and the state Supreme Court unanimously denied review of the case Wednesday. The property owners' lawyer, Kent Mitchell, said they would tear down the building as soon as the ruling became final, probably within a month. Briones lived with her two sisters at the Presidio in San Francisco in the 1810s and later lived near what is now Washington Square Park. After being granted a legal separation from an abusive husband, she bought a 4,400-acre rancho on the Peninsula in the 1840s, a purchase she finally validated after more than 20 years in U.S. tribunals. Briones, uneducated and illiterate, was renowned as a healer and operated a hospital in her home. A biographer, Jeanne Farr McDonnell, said Briones was taught by Indians and others familiar with local herbs, and went to Bolinas to treat victims of a smallpox epidemic. She died in 1889. The home on Old Adobe Road went through numerous renovations and was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, but remained open for tours until 1993. Palo Alto's building inspector declared it a dangerous structure in 1996 and ordered the adobe section vacated. The nonprofit National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the home among the nation's 11 most endangered historic sites last year. Palo Alto declared it a historic landmark in 1987, and the state declared the site - but not the home itself - a landmark in 1954. Mitchell said many people, including his clients, Jaim Nulman and Avelyn Welczer, doubt that Briones ever lived in the adobe house. The couple bought the 1.5-acre tract in 1997. They initially proposed restoring the house while demolishing the surrounding wings, battled the city in court for seven years and finally obtained a demolition permit for the entire building in 2007. In a ruling that found the permit valid, the Sixth District Court of Appeal in San Jose said Palo Alto's rules for demolitions were simple and straightforward - the residence must be vacant and any tenants must be notified - and did not involve subjective decisions that might require an environmental review. This story has been corrected since it appeared in print editions. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 6) The Palace has sided with the workers of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) after the Court of Appeals (CA) blocked the regularization order issued by the Labor Department. "Ang desisyon ng DOLE ay desisyon ng executive. Siyempre nalulungkot kami na binaliktad ng CA ang desisyon. We are for the regularization of the workers of PLDT," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said on Monday. The CA in its ruling said only workers of contractors performing installation, repairs, and maintenance services of PLDT lines should be considered regular employees. It maintained the workers of contractors engaged in janitorial, messengerial and clerical, information technology, call center agents, sales, and even medical and dental, and other professional services should remain as independent contractors. In June, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the decision declaring the 7,344 workers as employees of PLDT and not of a contracting company was final and executory. In July, the Labor Department reminded the telco to comply, and gave the company until the end of the month to regularize its workers. PLDT filed a petition before the CA, questioning the Labor Department's directive to regularize workers, which led to the July 31 CA ruling. PLDT, in a statement sent on Monday, said the company and its legal counsel are studying the Court of Appeals decision to determine the its appropriate next steps. "Endo" or "end of contract" is a highly-contested form of contractualization widely practiced in the country workers are hired for not more than five months, so employers won't have to regularize them on the sixth month, as mandated by the Labor Code. It strips millions of workers of all the benefits granted by law to regular employees. Senator Joel Villanueva filed a resolution on July 31, seeking to conduct an inquiry on issues arising from the regularization of NutriAsia, PLDT, Jollibee, and Monde Nissin employees. Alliance for Progressives (AP) President Ndaba Gaolathe this week met his counterpart from Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) for an informal discussion. Information reaching this publication indicates that the meeting that was held at Falcon Crest on Tuesday night between Gaolathe and BMD leader Advocate Sidney Pilane was one of Gaolathes informal meetings with opposition leaders to establish a working relationship. BMD Spokesperson Rasina Winfred Rasina confirmed the meeting but would not be drawn into discussing it further with the media. He said a press statement would be released to that effect. Gaolathe also confirmed the meeting adding that it is all part of an initiative to open dialogue channels with all political players regardless of how we may feel about them. However, he said these discussions are informal and are no part of any systematic discussion about alliances. Our message to all political players who wish to discuss formally and meaningfully with our movement is that we already have an established practice of recognising the original conveners as the rightful platform for any discussion, he said. Since its formation last year, AP has not come out clear as to when it will engage other parties. Instead it said that as a new party it was still building its structures. Last month Gaolathe revealed that he has been having informal talks with Botswana Congress Party (BCP) President Dumelang Saleshando and Botswana National Front (BNF) President Advocate Duma Boko and President of Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) Motlatsi Molapisi. All the three parties are contracting members of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). He indicated that he has not yet met Advocate Pilane but said he would do so soon. AP broke away from BMD following a bloodbath elective congress in Bobonong last July. And ever since then the AP has maintained that it would not be part of a UDC which has Advocate Pilane or the BMD. The argument was that such UDC would not be sharing the same ideology as the AP. Gaolathe, who is also MP for Gaborone Bonnington South, pointed out that the conveners have proven to be trustworthy and credible. He said they can be trusted for their commitment to the aspiration of a collective and united voice for a new Botswana. With the current divisions within the UDC which have pitted BMD and BPP against BNF and BCP, stakes could be high if BMD and BPP could get sympathy from AP. The BPP and BMD together with old UDC conveners are now fighting in the same corner against BCP and BNF. This story appeared on KCRA. SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. (KCRA) Mail delivery was stopped in a Rosemont area neighborhood after U.S. Postal Service workers were bitten by fleas, officials said Monday. People at 18 homes on Thornhill Drive have not been receiving their mail for the past two weeks because a letter carrier and postal management "were bitten by fleas when delivery was attempted," Postal Service spokesperson Meiko Patton said. "As early as (Monday) morning, postal management went out and walked the area and they were again bitten by fleas," Patton wrote in an email. MORE NEWS: Historic resort burns in raging fire north of Yosemite The Postal Service reached out to Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli about the issue and is waiting to hear back, Patton said. Traffic was stopped on the the lower deck of the Bay Bridge for hours early Monday while authorities investigated a fatal shooting. All five eastbound lanes were opened just before 8 a.m. but the nightmare morning commute ensued. A few in social media offered a taste of the nightmare commute, sharing images and videos of motorists getting out of their cars and milling about the five-lane stretch of highway. "Currently stuck on the Bay Bridge. Dead stop. People are walking around and motorcycles are turning the other way," tweeted @tortillaleigh. One Instagram user shared a video of a man dancing among the stopped vehicles; a woman hopped out of her car and joined him. "When you're stopped for 2 hours on the bay bridge, how can you not just want to make the best of it......Shouts to the lady in the car next to me who jumped out at 4:45am and started giggin too," wrote the @the_sanctum. ALSO: 1 dead, two injured in fatal Bay Bridge shooting that leads to crash The deadly shooting took place hours earlier. Gun shots were fired about 2:35 a.m. west of the Treasure Island exit on eastbound Interstate 80. Three cars were involved in the incident: the suspect car and two victim cars. After the shots were fired, an SUV swerved into a sedan, while a third vehicle took off. The San Francisco Chronicle reports, "The driver of the SUV, a black male adult, was killed and a white male adult was injured from the shooting. A third passenger was also injured but it was unclear whether the injuries were from the shooting or the crash." Apple, Facebook, YouTube and Spotify removed from their services large portions of content posted by right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and his Infowars site, a major step by big technology firms to curb one of the most prominent online voices trafficking in misinformation. Apple on Sunday removed five of the six Infowars podcasts on its popular Podcasts app. Commenting on the move, a spokeswoman said, Apple does not tolerate hate speech. Facebook, YouTube and Spotify, which for weeks had faced calls that they remove Infowars content, followed with similar measures. Facebook removed four pages belonging to Jones for violating its policies by glorifying violence and using dehumanizing language to describe people who are transgender, Muslims and immigrants. YouTube terminated Jones channel, which had more than 2.4 million subscribers, for repeatedly violating its policies, including its prohibition on hate speech. Spotify cited its own prohibition on hate speech as the reason for removing a podcast by Jones. Jones and Infowars are leaders in using the internet to spread right-wing conspiracy theories. The site has repeatedly claimed, for example, that high-ranking Democrats operate a vast child sex-abuse ring, and that Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating Russian efforts to undermine the U.S. electoral process and the Trump campaigns possible ties to those efforts, has helped to cover it up. Jones is facing defamation lawsuits filed by the parents of victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting for claiming the shooting was an elaborate hoax. Jones and Infowars did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a message posted on Twitter on Monday, Jones said: Weve been banned completely on Facebook, Apple & Spotify. What conservative outlet will be next? He railed against the tech companies on his live show Monday, which was streamed on the Infowars website, saying their moves were part of a leftist agenda in advance of the midterm elections. The big tech firms that control, via their websites and apps, how media content is distributed have faced criticism in recent weeks for enabling Jones and Infowars, which rely largely on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, to reach their audiences. Some tech companies, including Facebook and Google, which owns YouTube, had appeared reluctant to remove Jones pages entirely and were instead taking action against specific videos. YouTube, for instance, recently deleted four of Jones videos. A Google spokesman said Monday that YouTube terminated Jones channel outright because he continued to flout policies he had already been penalized for violating. Jones and Infowars still have other ways to reach listeners and readers, including a new smartphone app that is gaining traction on Apples App store and Googles Play Store. Apple and other tech companies approach to Infowars content has been uneven. Apple, for instance, decided to allow the Infowars app on its store after reviewing it, according to a person close to the company who declined to be named because he or she was not authorized to disclose the information. Tech companies have long been wary of censoring speech, but an increasing amount of hate speech and misinformation and louder protests from critics have forced them to take action. Moves by the tech companies against Infowars and its peers have spurred a debate over free speech. The broadsides from conservatives against Silicon Valley accelerated Monday. To all other conservative news outlets you are next, Paul Joseph Watson, a right-wing commentator and Infowars contributor, said on Twitter on Monday. The great censorship purge has truly begun. Jones retweeted Watsons post. This article originally appeared in The New York Times A fatal shooting on the Bay Bridge early Monday morning caused a widespread shutdown of traffic as all eastbound lanes were blocked for hours while authorities conducted an investigation on the span. Three eastbound lanes were reopened just after 6:30 a.m. Monday, but due to congestion, its moving slowly. said Officer Pedro Santiago, a California Highway Patrol spokesman. Westbound lanes were unaffected. The shooting occurred at about 2:30 a.m. and involved three vehicles, according to CHP Officer Bert Diaz. The driver of a sedan traveling in the center lane heard a gunshot just before an SUV in the farthest right lane swerved and struck his vehicle. A third vehicle, for which no description was available, sped off. The driver of the SUV, a black male adult, was killed and a white male adult was injured from the shooting. A third passenger was also injured but it was unclear whether the injuries were from the shooting or the crash, Diaz said. The driver of the sedan was able to talk to the CHP but may have suffered minor injuries. All of the injured parties in the SUV were taken to San Francisco General Hospital. No further information on the shooting was immediately available. Drivers were stuck behind the closed section of the bridge for hours. On Twitter, motorists could be seen getting out of their cars, walking around and stretching in the lanes, as motorcycles turned back. Michael Cabanatuan and Demian Bulwa are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com, dbulwa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan @DemianBulwa The officers had been watching the suspect from a distance. The car, a white BMW, was moving leisurely around the parking lot of Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto's upscale, open-air mall. Then, right under the nose of surveillance, the suspect did the expected. He exited the vehicle, assessed the interior contents of a few parked cars, stumbled upon an opportunity, and smashed. Then he took off with the backpack. The event on the night of Aug. 2nd., was, in some ways, an ubiquitous scene for the Bay Area, where burglaries and car break-ins in particular are commonplace. Tourists, locals, Redditors and NextDoor-ians, are primed, at this point, to associate the Bay Area with broken glass. In San Francisco alone, there were more than 31,122 reported incidents of car break-ins in 2017 a historic high. But what was perhaps more uncommon was the Palo Alto Police Department's response to last week's smash and grab. What began as a rudimentary auto-burglary spun into a nightlong, county-wide manhunt, complete with police dogs and a highway patrol aircraft. The officers observed the car cruising the mall's parking lot around 8:27 p.m. Once they prepared to arrest to him, the suspect dropped the stolen backpack and ran across El Camino Real, a busy thoroughfare. One team chased after him on foot, and the other team arrested the getaway driver, Nakiyah Shereese Polk, 20, of Vallejo. "They had the female half," Wayne Benitez, Palo Alto Police Department PIO, said. "But they wanted this guy, too." Officers, still on foot, chased after the suspect, who had run into a creek. Then they called in at least two dog teams, including the Menlo Park and Mountain View departments. 15 minutes after the burglary, a CHP airplane was sent in from Napa to aid in the search. The aircraft had to refuel in Oakland. It arrived nearly two hours later. 10 minutes after they issued the call for the plane, police detained a man in Menlo Park but almost immediately released him; he was not connected to the car burglary. 20 minutes after the aircraft arrived, police called off the search. The dogs went back to their departments. The suspect, who had stolen and subsequently abandoned a backpack with valuables totaling $300, was not found. The items were returned to the bag's owner. Benitez said he wasn't working at the time of the crime, and therefore could not comment on the supervising officer, Nicolas Martinez's "thought process," as it related to the police's response, but did state that utilizing an aircraft for a "simple property crime" was not a typical response for their department. Sergeant Nicolas Martinez did not respond to a request for interview by the time of publication. Benitez said he thought it was probably a "very aggressive approach," but that in the context of Palo Alto's upward trend of car break-ins, the supervising officer most likely thought an aircraft would be a quicker and more efficient way to make an arrest. Benitez said the driver, who was arrested, had a violent criminal history, but those crimes occurred when she was a juvenile, so he could not comment on the details. The suspect in question, according to the department's news release, was described as a skinny black man with a shaved head, about 6 foot 3 inches tall. There was no evidence he was carrying a firearm, or posed a larger threat to the community, Benitez said. All that the officers knew was that he ran into a creek, which bordered a residential neighborhood, thereby making the issue one of "community safety," Benitez said. "I don't know what else [the officers] saw or anything like that," Benitez said. "Yes, we don't have anything to say that this guy was a violent criminal, or he had warrants or was on parole or on probation, because we don't know who he is. We get criticized for an under-response; we get criticized for an over-response." As of Monday, the suspect still has not been found, which makes his record a mystery. But, Benitez said: "Usually the people who commit these crimes aren't the class valedictorians either, so we have to do our due diligence on either side for community safety." It's unclear how much the entire operation cost. Shaun Bouyea, a CHP flight officer, estimated the cost of the aircraft used to aid in the search at $200 / an hour, but the figure depends on maintenance and other factors. The aircraft cost is covered by CHP, Bouyea said. In March, a weekend-long manhunt for two teenage boys who fled from a stolen car included a CHP helicopter crew and a canine unit from the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, Palo Alto Online reported. Bouyea estimated the hourly cost of a CHP helicopter as anywhere between $500 to $1500. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the police department's 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413. Anonymous tips can be e-mailed to paloalto@tipnow.org or sent via text message or voice mail to 650-383-8984. Read Annie Vainshtein's latest stories here. Send her news tips at avainshtein@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @annievain. If you've got a sweet tooth, we've got a gig for you so long as you're willing to pick up and move to a charming town in Italy. The Ferrero company, maker of popular confectionary treats like Nutella spread, Ferrero Rocher chocolates, Tic Tac mints, and Kinder candies, is looking for 60 "sensory judges" who will get paid to taste-test its products. The 60 lucky candidates will relocate to the company's headquarters in Alba, a town located in Italy's Piedmont region and famous for its selection of white truffles. There, they will go through a paid, three-month training course starting in September where they'll be sampling plenty of hazelnut, cocoa, and white chocolate goodies to learn about the sense of smell and taste and help the brand improve its products. MORE IN FOOD: This might be the most ridiculous food festival SF has ever seen Those deemed suitable for the job at the end of the course will be hired on a long-term contract with the company, starting with a part-time commitment of two days per week for two hours. According to The Local, this is the first time the company is looking to employ non-professionals to taste-test its products. Those interested in the position are invited to email alba@openjob.it with reference code ALB01 in the subject line. MORE IN FOOD: Mislabeled vines cause stir among wineries ANCHORAGE, Alaska Searchers said Monday they found four people dead in a sightseeing airplane carrying Polish tourists in Alaskas Denali National Park and Preserve a day and a half after thick clouds hampered the response to a distress call. A fifth person was missing and presumed dead after the crash Saturday evening on a mountain ridge about 14 miles southwest of Denali, North Americas tallest mountain. After going down, the pilot reported by satellite phone that passengers suffered injuries but the connection failed before he could give details. The airplane was stocked with sleeping bags, a stove and food, giving hope that survivors would be found despite terrain described by the National Park Service as extremely steep and a mix of near-vertical rock, ice and snow. Low-lying clouds and rainy conditions prevented crews from spotting the wreckage until weather cleared Monday and allowed a helicopter to reach the crash site. A park service ranger descended by short-haul line. The ranger dug through snow that had filled the aircraft and found the bodies of four people. There were no footprints or other disturbances in the snow that would have indicated anyone made it out of the plane, the park service said. The plane operated by K2 Aviation had taken off Saturday evening with a pilot and four passengers from Poland for a tour of Kahiltna Glacier, the starting point for climbers attempting to climb Denali. It crashed around 6 p.m. Saturday near the top of 10,900-foot Thunder Mountain, which rises above the glacier and is described by the park service as more of a mile-long ridge than a mountain. Climbing season on Denali has ended but sightseeing flights can still land on the glacier, allowing visitors to walk on the ice field, said park service spokeswoman Katherine Belcher. The Alaska crash occurred on the same day that a sightseeing plane went down in the Swiss Alps, killing all 20 people aboard. The vintage propeller plane, operated by small Swiss company Ju-Air, plunged near-vertically into the Piz Segnas mountain above the Alpine resort of Flims in the countrys southeast. There was no immediate word on the cause of the crash. Dan Joling is an Associated Press writer. ALEXANDRIA, Va. The governments star witness in the financial fraud trial of Paul Manafort testified Monday that he embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from the former Trump campaign chairman and told jurors he and Manafort committed crimes together. Rick Gates has been regarded as a crucial witness for the government ever since he pleaded guilty this year to two felony charges and agreed to cooperate in special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into possible ties between Russia and President Trumps campaign. At the beginning of a hugely anticipated courtroom showdown, Gates told jurors that he siphoned off the money without Manaforts knowledge by filing false expense reports. He also admitted to concealing millions of dollars in foreign bank accounts on Manaforts behalf and to falsifying loan applications and other documents to help Manafort obtain more in bank loans. Manaforts defense has sought to blame Gates, described by witnesses as his right-hand man, for any illegal conduct and accused him of embezzling millions of dollars from Manafort. Gates, who also served in a senior role in Trumps presidential campaign, is expected to face aggressive cross-examination once prosecutors are finished questioning him. Gates pleaded guilty to financial fraud and to lying to investigators as he negotiated a plea agreement, something defense lawyers will no doubt seize on to try to undercut his credibility. He is awaiting sentencing and his ability to secure leniency from the government depends on him being cooperative and forthcoming with the jury. The criminal case has nothing to do with either mans work for the Trump campaign and theres been no discussion during the trial about whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia the central question Muellers team has tried to answer. The trial opened last week with a display of Manaforts opulent lifestyle, then progressed into testimony about what prosecutors say were years of financial deception. In calling Gates, the government will present jurors with the firsthand account of a co-conspirator expected to say Manafort was knee-deep in an alleged scheme to hide millions of dollars from the IRS and defraud several banks. On Friday, a tax preparer named Cindy Laporta admitted that she helped disguise $900,000 in foreign income as a loan in order to reduce Manaforts tax burden. Laporta, who testified under an immunity deal with the government, acknowledged that she agreed under pressure from Gates to alter a tax document for one of Manaforts businesses. Under cross examination, she said she believed Manafort was directing Gates actions and knew what was going on. Prosecutors allege that Manafort failed to report a significant percentage of the more than $60 million they say he received from Ukrainian oligarchs. Chad Day and Matt Barakat is an Associated Press writer. TAOS, N.M. Three women believed to be the mothers of 11 children found hungry and living in a filthy makeshift compound in rural New Mexico have been arrested, following the weekend arrests of two men, authorities said Monday. A message that people were starving, believed sent by someone inside the compound, led to the discovery of the children. A 4-year-old boy last seen in Alabama in December traveling with one of the men who was arrested has not been found. SALEM, Ore. Portlands new police chief has ordered a review of officers use of force after police were accused of being heavy-handed over the weekend against people protesting a rally by extreme-right demonstrators. Police in riot gear tried to keep the two groups apart, many of whom had come on Saturday dressed for battle in helmets and protective clothing. Dozens of the extreme-right protesters were bussed to Portland, one of Americas most liberal cities, from nearby Vancouver, Wash. Saturdays clashes were the most recent of several this year in the city as right-wing militants converged, met by counter-protesters, including members of anti-fascist, or antifa, groups. City officials have struggled with striking a balance between free speech and keeping events from spiraling out of control. But on Saturday, some said police seemed to act mostly against those protesting the presence of the extreme-right demonstrators, using stun grenades and what appeared to be rubber bullets against them. Police targeted Portland residents peacefully counter-protesting against racist far-right groups, including white supremacists, white nationalists, and neo-Nazi gangs, the Oregon chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Portland chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America said in a statement. It called on officials to investigate. The head of the Oregon branch of the American Civil Liberties Union also criticized the way the Portland Police Bureau handled the demonstrations. The Portland Police Bureaus response to protest is completely unacceptable in a free society, David Rogers said in a statement issued Sunday night. The repeated use of excessive force, and the targeting of demonstrators based on political beliefs are a danger to the First Amendment rights of all people Police ordered the counter-protesters to disperse, then moved in behind a volley of stun grenades. One of the rounds reportedly hit a counter-protester in the head, becoming embedded in his helmet and injuring him. One woman was taken to a hospital after being hit in the arm and chest with a flash-bang grenade, local media reported. Four people were arrested. Police Chief Danielle Outlaw, who assumed command less than a year ago as Portlands first African American female police chief, said she takes all use-of-force cases seriously. Outlaw directed the professional standards division to determine if the force used was within policy and training guidelines. Andrew Selsky is an Associated Press writer. SANTA ANA Five people on board a small airplane that left from Concord, including an East Bay woman, were killed when the twin-engine Cessna crashed Sunday in a Southern California parking lot, authorities said. No one on the ground was hurt. The pilot of the Cessna 414 declared an emergency before crashing about a mile from John Wayne Airport in Orange County, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Arlene Salac said. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. In the days following the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville last summer, angry residents took over a City Council meeting, screaming and weeping into the microphone. They blamed leaders for failing to stop hordes with guns, swastikas and Confederate flags from descending on the city. Why did you think that you could walk in here and do business as usual after what happened? Nikuyah Walker, one of the activists there that day, bluntly asked the sitting mayor. Today, in a sign of how much has changed since white nationalists rallied here and shocked the nation, Walker is mayor herself, the citys first black woman to serve in that role. Since the rally, nearly every official who held power at the time has resigned or retired. The city attorney, who had concluded that there was no legal way to stop the rally, took a job in another town. The police chief stepped down in the wake of a critical report accusing him of failing to protect the public on the day of the rally. The city manager, who oversaw the citys response, will leave by the end of this year. Instead of uniting the right, the rallys purported goal, it empowered a leftist political coalition that vows to confront generations of racial and economic injustice. But despite the dramatic overhaul of the citys leadership, wholesale change has been slow to take hold. The bronze Confederate generals that ignited the rally still sit on horseback in public parks. Activists still demand their removal. A judge still forbids it. The local man who planned the rally still walks around town, scuffling with people who scream murderer when they see him. Nearly a year after the rally, which featured beatings, brawls and a car that plowed into a crowd of anti-racism counterprotesters, killing one and injuring more than two dozen others, this picturesque city of 48,000 people is still engaged in a tug of war over its soul. The most nettlesome divide, it turns out, is not between the far-left and the alt-right, whose members battled in the streets on Aug. 12. Its between those who want Charlottesville to go back to the way it was before the rally, when a Google search brought up happiest city in America or best food in small town America, and those like Walker who say that the city must make sweeping changes to address deep-seated racial and economic disparities. Walker has vowed to channel the grief from the citys tragedy through the development of thousands of new apartments and a seat at the decision-making table for low-income residents, who are disproportionately black, and an end to stop and frisk policing. About 18 percent of families in the city struggle to make ends meet. For decades, people wanted to hide behind the illusion of perfection in Charlottesville, she said at a recent forum on racial and economic disparities. Walker, though, faces huge challenges. She wants to totally transform the status quo, said Dave Norris, an early supporter who served as the citys mayor from 2008 to 2012. But what shes up against is a community thats rather fond of itself and rather enamored with the status quo. Briefly United After the rally, residents cried at concerts held to raise money for victims. Store windows displayed cards memorializing Heather Heyer, the woman who died after being struck by the car that barreled into a crowd. The City Council, once divided over the fate of the Confederate statues, voted to shroud the figures in black tarps. But the residents, who united briefly in shock and grief, quickly divided into those who blamed the violence on outsiders who invaded their beloved city, and those who saw the rally as a revelation of the ugly reality of racism within the city itself. At lunchtime at Court Square Tavern, across the street from the courthouse and the park where a statue of Stonewall Jackson stands, patrons trade news about which alleged assailant is coming into court that day. Its people from out of town bringing that negativity to Charlottesville, said Debbie Weisser, the taverns manager. In the troublemakers from out of town, she includes anti-racism activists who demanded the statues removal, prompting a rally by the Ku Klux Klan last July and the Unite the Right event in August. In the 28 years that Ive been here, Ive never heard so much talk about those statues, she said. But Andrea Douglas, director of the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, said the rally revealed something important about Charlottesville. Despite its self-image as liberal and racially tolerant, few black faces can be spotted in the expensive restaurants or luxury condos downtown, even among the employees, she said. And she noted that the organizer of the Unite the Right rally, Jason Kessler, lives in town and attended the University of Virginia, the largest institution here. This notion of outsiderness is interesting, Douglas said. He didnt come from elsewhere. Months before the rally tarnished Charlottesvilles image, Walker, 38, had announced her bid for City Council with the slogan: Unmasking the Illusion. She ran as an independent, a signal that she intended to challenge the establishment Democrats who have run the city for decades. A Protester Takes Power Unlike anyone who had been elected to the Council in decades, Walker was born and raised in Charlottesville. Not a seasoned politician, Walker became known for helping low-income residents navigate the citys bureaucracy.A parks and recreation aide who earns $14.40 an hour, she shamed the city into paying its temporary and seasonal workers a living wage. A former resident of a low-income housing development known as Friendship Court, she went door to door, organizing residents to give them a greater voice in the plan to transform the development into mixed-income housing. Instead of squeezing a few dozen affordable housing units out of developers, she wanted to add thousands. Instead of merely providing implicit bias training for police officers, she wanted an end to stop and frisk. Those proposals may have sounded radical before the rally, but to many residents who were soul searching in its aftermath, they made sense. Anti-racism and anti-capitalist activists fired up in the rallys aftermath hit the streets for Walkers campaign. On Election Day, she received more votes than any other candidate. Its hard growing up in Charlottesville, and being black in Charlottesville, Walker told the crowd that night. There are so many people who are brilliant and talented, and they never make it because of the conditions of this city. In January, after Walker was sworn in, four out of five city councilors voted to make her the new mayor, including Michael Signer, the mayor she had excoriated just five months earlier. I believe that thousands of people would welcome Ms. Walker into this role, Signer said. But many in the business community watched Walkers ascendance with dread. She had vowed to vote against a $75,000 marketing grant to the downtown business association to help bring tourism back. And she seemed more focused on publicizing the citys sins than its successes. Its a little unsettling for people who are trying to run businesses, said Jon Bright, owner of the Spectacle Shop who is also president of the North Downtown Neighborhood Association. Were sitting here with all these people who are screaming and focused on turmoil, and our mayor was one of them. Struggling to Heal Since the rally, tourism has rebounded. Tourists drink craft beer under umbrellas on a pedestrian plaza downtown that has been renamed Heather Heyer Way. A judge ordered that the black shrouds over the statues be removed. Some say the biggest changes have taken place in peoples hearts, as white residents who had never thought much about racism flocked to meetings that raised awareness of white privilege organized by Showing Up For Racial Justice, an anti-racism group. And two busloads of people, white and black and including public housing residents partly funded by the city and wealthy residents who paid their own way, traveled together on a pilgrimage to the lynching museum in Montgomery, Alabama, to memorialize a black man who was murdered by a Charlottesville mob in 1898. The group, which included Walker, brought soil from the site of the lynching. Pilgrimage organizers hope to display a memorial marker in Charlottesville that will help put the Confederate statues in context. But despite these efforts, the town remains divided and struggling to mend. Even the notion of healing itself has become politically fraught, viewed by some as a premature call to return to business as usual. An attempt by the Justice Department to share best practices for healing used by Ferguson, Missouri, and Baltimore with neighborhood groups was criticized by activists for failing to take dismantling white supremacy as a starting point. And Walker declined to attend an event about bridging political and racial divides organized by the Listen First Project, a national nonprofit group. Were not ready to heal yet, Wes Bellamy, a city councilor who is an ally of Walkers, said at a Council meeting last fall, in emotional remarks that ended with him giving the black power salute. These days, Walker, who declined to be interviewed for this article, talks less about healing the town than she does about uplifting its most vulnerable members. She has tried to give a new Civilian Review Board powers to oversee police conduct and squeeze more money out of the University of Virginia to help low-income residents. But there is only so much she can do. The position of mayor in Charlottesville is a largely ceremonial and part-time role, with few formal powers. Walker complained publicly that she was unable to get a response from city housing officials about a 76-year-old woman being evicted from public housing. Activists who helped elect Walker, meanwhile, continue to dominate City Council meetings, venting their outrage at everything from a community engagement session that they felt was too corporate, to a flyer advertising ornamental trees that they viewed as promoting gentrification. At a City Council meeting in May, a mostly white crowd of activists heckled the founder of Charlottesvilles public defenders office after he appealed for civility. They protested the newly appointed police chief, RaShall M. Brackney, the first black woman to serve in that role, even though she has the support of Walker. Eugene Williams, 90, a black retired affordable housing developer, watched the meeting on television from his home. Decades after his lawsuit successfully helped desegregate the citys schools, he finds it hard to identify with the activists of today, who shout at public meetings and focus on removing statues. He switched off the television in disgust. He didnt tune in long enough to see a woman injured in the car attack limping to the microphone, her leg still in a brace. I cant just leave last summer behind, said the woman, who is white and identified herself as Star Peterson. She demanded that the city acknowledge the failures of last summer. We will not move on so easily, she said. That is a promise. This article originally appeared in The New York Times The five people who died in a plane crash in Southern California on Sunday afternoon after taking off from an airport in Concord have been identified as four Contra Costa County residents and a man from Los Angeles. The Orange County coroner has identified the victims as Scott Shepherd, 53, and Lara Shepherd, 42, both of Diablo, Floria Hakimi, 62, of Danville, Navid Hakimi, 32, of Los Angeles, and Nasim Ghanadan, 29, of Alamo. According to the coroner, Scott Shepherd was piloting the plane, which crashed around 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot in front of a Staples store in Santa Ana. The Cessna 414 aircraft took off earlier Sunday from Concord's Buchanan Field Airport and was registered to San Francisco-based Category III Aviation Corp., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The crash of the twin-engine plane, which was manufactured in 1973, did not injure anyone on the ground in Santa Ana, authorities said. FAA officials said someone on the plane declared an emergency before crashing. The crash is being investigated by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board. 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. In the wake of three recent homicides and other violent crimes on the BART system, BART general manager Grace Crunican announced today that she's asking the transit district's board to approve a $28 million comprehensive safety and security plan. Crunican said the series of proposals that the board will consider at its meeting Thursday are aimed at boosting the visible presence of police and other transit agency employees in the system, enhancing BART's network of surveillance cameras and increasing public safety outreach. In the most highly publicized homicide, Nia Wilson, 18, was fatally stabbed at the MacArthur station in Oakland at 9:36 p.m. on July 22. John Lee Cowell, a 27-year-old transient, was arrested the next evening and has been charged with murder and other offenses. Gerald Bisbee, 51, of Pittsburg, died on July 20 after being assaulted at the Pleasant Hill station on July 18 and Don Stevens, a 47-year-old transient, died after being attacked on the platform of the Bay Fair BART station in San Leandro at about 1:20 a.m. on July 21. In addition, two people were stabbed by an attacker at the MacArthur station on Friday night. "BART has always been focused on public safety but it's clear that we must do even more," Crunican said in a statement. "The tragic murder of Nia Wilson has deeply saddened everyone at BART as well as the communities we serve. Our riders are demanding that we do more to maintain public safety and this plan offers multiple new initiatives we can immediately begin to roll out," she said. Crunican said the first part of her proposed action plan was already into place today, when the BART Police Department temporarily canceled off days for all its officers." She said that means patrol officers, community service officers, and dispatchers are now working six 10-hour days a week and patrol officers who work on their normal days off are required to ride trains throughout their shifts. "Though this is a temporary measure, it immediately boosts the visible presence of law enforcement throughout the system," Crunican said. A second proposal is to train teams of BART employees to staff trains and stations while wearing high-visibility vests to provide an additional layer of visibility to BART's safety efforts. Such teams would be deployed temporarily at times of greatest need. Crunican said a third proposal is to accelerate "station hardening efforts" to make it harder for riders to bypass the transit system's fare gates. She said those efforts include raising barriers to 5 feet and adding additional fencing to include elevators in paid areas and adding a second proof of payment team for evenings. A fourth proposal is to have platform emergency call boxes that would be installed on each platform. Crunican said each call box would have a direct intercom with BART police dispatchers and a camera would activate whenever the intercom button is pushed. Although stations currently have white courtesy phones to connect to station agent booths, Crunican said the emergency call boxes would offer more options and a quicker connection to dispatch. A fifth proposal is to install video screens showing real-time station images and enhanced video surveillance signage. Crunican said the idea would be tested at the Civic Center station in San Francisco, where video screens would be strategically placed at station entrances to remind riders the area is under surveillance. BART would install signs that inform people in and around the station that they are under video surveillance. Crunican also is proposing that there be a no panhandling ordinance within the BART system's paid areas. In addition to Crunican's various proposals, the BART Police Department has contracted with the University of North Texas to develop a five-year strategic plan for appropriate police staffing levels for the BART system. Crunican said she has the authority to enact some of her proposals on her own but others require board action for procurement or adoption. 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. Three of the five people who died in a plane crash in Southern California on Sunday afternoon worked in the same real estate office in Danville, according to the company. The Orange County coroner has identified the victims as Scott Shepherd, 53, and Lara Shepherd, 42, both of Diablo, Floria Hakimi, 62, of Danville, Navid Hakimi, 32, of Los Angeles, and Nasim Ghanadan, 29, of Alamo. Floria Hakimi, Lara Shepherd and Nasim Ghanadan were all realtors at the Danville office of Pacific Union International. Scott Shepherd was Lara's husband and the pilot of the plane, while Navid Hakimi was Floria's son. According to the coroner, the plane crashed around 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot of a Staples store in Santa Ana. The Cessna 414 aircraft took off earlier Sunday from Buchanan Field Airport in Concord and was registered to San Francisco-based Category III Aviation Corp., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The crash of the twin-engine plane, which was manufactured in 1973, did not injure anyone on the ground in Santa Ana, authorities said. FAA officials said someone on the plane declared an emergency before crashing. All eastbound lanes on the lower deck of the Bay Bridge have reopened this morning after a shooting and subsequent crash left one person dead and two others injured, according to the California Highway Patrol. The shooting was reported at 2:23 a.m. on eastbound Interstate Highway 80 west of Yerba Buena Island. According to CHP Officer Bert Diaz, Three men were in an SUV in the No. 5 lane when another vehicle pulled alongside and someone shot at the SUV, causing it to collide with a sedan in the No. 3 lane. The SUV driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Two passengers in the SUV were injured, including one with a gunshot wound, Diaz said. The investigation into the shooting and crash closed all eastbound lanes on the Bay Bridge for about four hours. Three of the lanes had reopened by about 6:30 a.m., and the remaining lanes reopened as of 7:45 a.m. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has identified a dirt bike rider who died in a crash south of Santa Rosa on Thursday evening as Frank Carroll, 48, of Santa Rosa. Carroll was riding off-road when he went down an embankment in a field at 232 Magnolia Ave. near Frisbie Avenue in unincorporated Sonoma County around 6:30 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. Two men who died in a car collision with a light-rail train last month in San Jose have been identified as Michael Davis, 50, and David Holt, 60, of San Jose, according to the Santa Clara County medical examiner's office. The collision happened on July 8 after the car allegedly drove through a blocked Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority train crossing, according to San Jose police. The gold Buick Regal traveling south on Lincoln Avenue approached the train crossing near Auzerais Avenue at about noon that day, police said. The railway crossing arms were down and functioning when the man driving the Buick navigated around the arms and was hit by the train, according to police. The driver and his passenger both died at the scene but the train operator and its passengers were not injured. A California Highway Patrol vehicle assisting with construction on northbound Interstate Highway 880 in Hayward early this morning was struck by another vehicle, according to the CHP. The collision was reported at 3:25 a.m. on the freeway at Industrial Parkway. The officer sitting in the vehicle suffered minor injuries and was transported to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley, CHP officials said. CHP officials didn't have any information on the motorist or vehicle that struck the patrol unit as of 6:30 a.m. today. A hiker was rescued by a helicopter crew in Alum Rock Park near San Jose early Sunday morning after having a seizure and falling into a ravine, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. San Jose fire dispatchers contacted Coast Guard Sector San Francisco around midnight about the victim, who suffered leg and injuries when the fall occurred as she hiked with a friend. A Coast Guard helicopter crew arrived around 2:30 a.m. and hoisted the woman into the helicopter after San Jose paramedics and California State Park rangers had helped stabilize her on the ground, Coast Guard officials said. The helicopter took the woman to first responders waiting in a nearby parking, then returned to the scene after refueling at Mineta San Jose International Airport and took the woman's friend to the same parking lot, according to the Coast Guard. A 35-year-old man suffered life-threatening injuries in a hit-and-run in San Francisco's Richmond District early Saturday morning, police said today. The collision was reported at 1:22 a.m. Saturday at Geary Boulevard and Second Avenue, where the victim was crossing the street when a green four-door sedan hit him, according to police. The victim was taken to a hospital and an update on his condition was not immediately available. The suspect fled east in the vehicle on Geary Boulevard and then to southbound Arguello Boulevard. No arrest has been made in the case as of this morning, police said. A 25-year-old man was shot in San Francisco's Bayview District on Friday night but refused to cooperate with investigators after going to a hospital to be treated for his injuries, police said today. The shooting was reported at 10:28 p.m. in the area of Third Street and Revere Avenue. The victim walked into the hospital with a gunshot wound to his arm and is expected to survive. He refused to cooperate with police so no suspect information is available regarding the shooting. A fire near the Sunol Regional Wilderness in unincorporated Alameda County was 100 percent contained as of Sunday afternoon, according to Cal Fire. The fire, which burned about 30 acres, started at about 8 p.m. Saturday, Cal Fire officials said. It was located near Welch Creek and Geary roads southeast of Sunol. The fire was in an area of grassland and shrubs, where a few homes sit in hilly country. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A 35-year-old San Francisco man was injured Friday night when the electric unicycle he was riding was struck by a car at the intersection of Valencia and Cesar Chavez streets, according to an advocate for riders of personal electric vehicles. Anthony Vano was rolling south through the intersection in the crosswalk when the driver that was headed north on Valencia, believed to be in a silver SUV, turned left onto Cesar Chavez and struck Vano, said Jesse Garnier, executive director of the San Francisco-based Personal Electric Vehicle Riders Association. The driver, Garnier said, stopped momentarily before driving away west on Cesar Chavez Street. Vano was taken to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital for treatment of a broken leg. In a press release late tonight, Garnier described Vano, whom he knows personally, as a "responsible, experienced, safe rider who was wearing lights, a helmet and safety gear." San Francisco police couldn't be reached for comment late Sunday. Garnier asked anyone with information about the incident to call the San Francisco Police Department at (415) 575-4444. You can also text a tip to TIP411. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) At least two men were shot - one of whom has died - following a shooting that led to a multiple-vehicle traffic collision on the San Francisco Bay Bridge early this morning, according to the California Highway Patrol. According to CHP Officer Bert Diaz, three vehicles were traveling on eastbound Interstate Highway 80 around 2:23 a.m. today. The two men who were shot were riding in an SUV in the No. 5 lane, the CHP said, when an unknown vehicle pulled alongside in an unknown lane and shot at the SUV, causing it to collide with a sedan traveling in the No. 3 lane. According to Diaz, the driver of the sedan heard several gunshots before the traffic collision. The CHP said the driver of the SUV, described as an African-American man, was pronounced dead at the scene while two other passengers in the SUV - another African-American man suffering from a gunshot wound and a white man who suffered unknown injuries - were transported to San Francisco General Hospital. The severity of their injuries wasn't provided. Diaz estimated at least one lane of the freeway to be reopened by 4:45 a.m. This morning's shooting is the second to occur on Bay Area freeways within the past 10 hours, as a shooting on westbound Interstate Highway 80 in unincorporated Contra Costa County injured at least one person on Sunday evening. It's unclear if the victim in Sunday's evening freeway shooting was shot or injured in a traffic collision. CHP Officer Erica Tatum said the two shootings are being investigated as unrelated incidents. No further information is immediately available. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Three of the five people who died in a plane crash in Southern California on Sunday afternoon worked in the same real estate office in Danville, according to the company. The Orange County coroner has identified the victims as Scott Shepherd, 53, and Lara Shepherd, 42, both of Diablo, Floria Hakimi, 62, of Danville, Navid Hakimi, 32, of Los Angeles, and Nasim Ghanadan, 29, of Alamo. Floria Hakimi, Lara Shepherd and Nasim Ghanadan were all realtors at the Danville office of Pacific Union International. Scott Shepherd was Lara's husband and the pilot of the plane, while Navid Hakimi was Floria's son. "Our entire Pacific Union family is mourning the loss of our colleagues, family and friends," Pacific Union chief executive officer Mark McLaughlin said in a statement. "Life is precious and we are focused on comforting the loved ones affected by this devastating event." According to the coroner, the plane crashed around 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot of a Staples store in Santa Ana. The Cessna 414 aircraft took off earlier Sunday from Buchanan Field Airport in Concord and was registered to San Francisco-based Category III Aviation Corp., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The crash of the twin-engine plane, which was manufactured in 1973, did not injure anyone on the ground in Santa Ana, authorities said. FAA officials said someone on the plane declared an emergency before crashing. The crash is being investigated by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board. 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. All lanes of eastbound Interstate Highway 80 just west of Treasure Island in San Francisco are currently closed after a shooting may have led to a traffic collision on the San Francisco Bay Bridge, according to the California Highway Patrol. CHP Officer Bert Diaz said the eastbound freeway was closed around 2:35 a.m. today due to the shooting. There is no expected time of reopening and the CHP didn't have any information on injuries. This morning's shooting is the second to occur on Bay Area freeways within the past nine hours, as a shooting on westbound Interstate Highway 80 in unincorporated Contra Costa County injured at least one person on Sunday evening. It's unclear if the victim in Sunday's evening freeway shooting was shot or injured in a traffic collision and the CHP didn't have any information on whether the two freeway shootings are connected. No further information is immediately available. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 6) The Philippine National Police are looking at one of their officers as one of the suspects for the killing of a government official. PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said a police officer by the name of Mohammad Lacbao Tolete has been charged for the murder of late Sapa Sapa, Tawi-Tawi Vice Mayor Al-Rashid Mohammad Lipae Ali, who was gunned down last July 11 in Zamboanga City. READ: Tawi-tawi town vice mayor killed in Zamboanga City Albayalde said an eyewitness from the incident pointed to Tolete as the gunman who shot and killed Vice Mayor Ali. A case for murder was filed against Tolete in the Office of the City Prosecutor of Zamboanga City, by the Special Investigation Task Group Mohammad Ali. The chief added that officer Tolete is now a "prospective candidate for dismissal" and is the "subject of manhunt police operations." Officials have yet to identify the motive behind the killing but previously reported that the slain vice mayor was not part of their narco-list. READ: Police: Tawi-Tawi town vice mayor not in narco-list Members of a group with ties to fascist and Nazi ideology have taken credit for partially tearing down an encampment run by the group Occupy ICE SATX. Around 8 a.m. Saturday, around 12 people most of them wearing masks and hats went to the Occupy groups makeshift camp outside a Northeast Side Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility at 3523 Crosspoint. FROM EXPRESSNEWS.COM: Group of young activists hold "noise demos" outside S.A. ICE facility In a video posted on the Occupy Twitter account, the group is seen yelling Strong borders! Strong nation! and holding flags displaying fasces, an ancient Roman symbol popularized by fascist Italy. Video and photos also show what appears to be the aftermath of the partial tearing-down of the Occupy camp, with coolers, chairs, tarps and a tent knocked over and scattered. In a blog post published Monday on the website of white identitarian group Patriot Front, the group took credit for the incident. Activists confronted assorted enemies of the nation which had created a makeshift campsite outside of an ICE detention facility, the post reads. A video accompanying the post shows individuals wearing Reclaim America shirts at the Occupy camp. The video then shows the Patriot Front members tearing down posters, kicking and throwing chairs, pushing over a tent and setting off several of what appear to be smoke bombs. Patriot Front is identified by the Anti-Defamation League as a white supremacist group whose members define themselves as American fascists or American nationalists, and by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a neo-Nazi network. The group has been frequently associated with the broader alt-right ideology and often brand itself with the phrase blood and soil, a Nazi slogan. Patriot Front did not respond to requests for comment. We really just had to stand back, said Mapache, of San Antonio, an 18-year-old self-identified anarchist and Occupy ICE SATX member. Wearing sunglasses and a black bandana over his face, he declined to fully identify himself for fear of retaliation. They outnumbered us five-to-one, so we pretty much stood back and allowed them to take their videos and to attempt to tear apart the camp though ultimately, after maybe two minutes at most, they had brought down one canopy but (then) left it alone. RELATED: Racist flyers from neo-Nazi group found in San Antonio-area neighborhoods He described the ultimate damage to the camp as very minimal, and the camp had been largely reassembled within a few hours. San Antonio police said they received a service call for a disturbance at the camp around 8 a.m., but no report was written. The Occupy ICE SATX movement formed after Portland-area activists calling for the abolition of ICE occupied an area facility on July 17. On Monday, the San Antonio group had been camped-out here for thirteen days. People are brought here from detention centers local ones, from local detention centers after theyve been picked up, or even if they are going through the immigration process and are here for a yearly check-up, Mapache said. Lawyers have come up and told us that the person they represent was taken by ICE; though they were here for a routine check-up, ICE said that they were being detained and deported. Mapache added that this was Occupy ICE SATXs first encounter with the Patriot Front affiliates, but that the Occupy members were already aware of the groups presence in San Antonio and has been keeping an eye on them. Mapache said the Occupy group plans to continue occupying the facility until ICE no longer operates in San Antonio, but also predicted that the Patriot Front display would ultimately prove a precursor to larger, state-sponsored disruption. Before DHS and before the police came in and antagonized us to clear us out, before this fascist state stepped in, in an attempt to clear us out, Mapache said, the foot soldiers of fascists the ones who are open about their beliefs, the ones who are openly flying fascist iconography and who are openly fascist on their websites theyre the ones who attempted to clear us out and the ones who attempted to scare us. ICE, he added, is doing what (Patriot Front) wants. Brian Contreras is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. | brian.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @_B_Contreras_ Ready to ascend to Landlord Level 100? This Tenderloin tower hosts 86 units, and is now for sale at $20,850,000. The building Built in 1927, this complex offers approximately 50,000 square feet. That means that the price tag calculates to around $440 per square foot. The going rate in this area is $996 per square foot. Despite being a relative deal then, the building is well kept: though the original features still exist, there's clearly been regular maintenance, care, and upgrades throughout the decades. Indeed, the official listing points out that this "Architecturally significant 86-unit apartment building" has enjoyed "capital expenditures towards structural and system improvements including major renovations to 21 units." The Tenderloin location is tenant-friendly in the sense that it is convenient to most any part of the city, mainly because it is so well served by mass transit. The property The property includes a 6,875 square foot lot at Turk St., between Eddy Street and Golden Gate Avenue. The need for a time machine In 2013, this building sold for $9,850,000. Today that price is $20,850, 000. At that price, investors will want to know the reported yearly income for 270 Turk Street is $1,529,402. See the full listing here. Anna Marie Erwert writes from both the renter and new buyer perspective, having (finally) achieved both statuses. She focuses on national real estate trends, specializing in the San Francisco Bay Area and Pacific Northwest. Follow Anna on Twitter: @AnnaMarieErwert In a survey presented to 13 Bay Area tech companies, nearly 60 percent of respondents said they feel underpaid, despite six figure salaries primarily because they cannot afford buy a home. The survey This survey was completed by Team Blind, an app that allows (mostly tech) workers to communicate anonymously. In late July, Team Blind asked employees from 13 Bay Area tech companies Cisco, eBay, Intuit, Airbnb, Apple, Uber, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Intel, Oracle, Salesforce, Facebook, and Google how they felt about salaries. With at least 100 employees at each of the 13 companies and a total of 2,326 responses, 61 percent reported they felt underpaid. MORE: 'They do not like Californians': How the Pacific Northwest is treating transplants Team Blind followed up this survey with a second survey, asking specifically if users could afford a home in the Bay Area; 59.33 percent said they can't. The lowest and the highest While over 50 percent of all surveyed employees say they can't afford to buy a house, employees of Cisco and eBay seem to suffer worst: 72.07 percent of Cisco respondents said they can't afford to buy a home, while 70.63 percent of eBay respondents said the same. Even the majority of surveyed Facebook and Google employees said they struggle to own a home: 51.74 and 51.39 percent, respectively. Of the companies surveyed, these are the lowest percentages. Exodus? In May of this year, the Bay Area made news with an overall 13 percent jump in home prices. In San Francisco, that median is over $1.6 million. In the Silicon Valley, it's close to $950,000. Team Blind reported that: "According to the California Association of Realtors (CAR), only 12 percent of San Francisco households could afford a median-priced single family home at the end of 2017. In nearby San Mateo County, 14 percent of households were able to afford similarly priced homes in the area. The number was 15 percent in Santa Clara County, home of the Silicon Valley." So, even when tech workers pull in salaries that reportedly top $300,000 annually, they still aren't making enough money to buy homes. That kind of imbalance leads to exodus. A startling Bay Area Council survey found 46 percent of residents plan to leave the area soon. And indeed, recent surges of Bay Area transplants in places like Sacramento, Seattle and Portland suggest they already are. Anna Marie Erwert writes from both the renter and new buyer perspective, having (finally) achieved both statuses. She focuses on national real estate trends, specializing in the San Francisco Bay Area and Pacific Northwest. Follow Anna on Twitter: @AnnaMarieErwert Mortgage adviser: Brenda Wyatt. Property type: Condo in Oaklands Lake Merritt area. Loan amount: $ 450,000. Loan type: CalHFA Conventional Rate: 4.875 percent. Backstory: A couple expecting their first child was working with another lender on a possible purchase transaction when they began to have second thoughts. Feeling their best interests were not being met by their current lender, they were referred to Brenda Wyatt for a second opinion. Wyatt carefully analyzed their complete financial profile and found multiple options that would work better with their budget than what they were being offered by their current lender. Wyatt recommended the couple consider California Housing Finance Agencys Down Payment Assistance Program. The CalPLUS Conventional program is a conventional 30-year fixed first mortgage and is combined with funds from the CalHFA Zero Interest Program (ZIP), which will help to cover a portion of closing costs. The ZIP program can also be combined with the MyHome Assistance Program, a deferred-payment junior loan of an amount up to the lesser of 3.5 percent of the purchase price or appraised value that can also assist with down payment and/or closing costs. Wyatt preapproved the couple under these terms, and the borrowers quickly found a beautiful, modern live/work condo and had their offer immediately accepted. With Wyatts guidance and proactiveness, the borrowers closed in 22 days with less than $10,000 out of pocket. The couple acknowledged how great it was that Wyatt kept them educated and informed throughout the entire process and appreciated Wyatts vast knowledge of programs, patience and flexibility, and knew that Wyatt was always looking out for their best interests. This weeks Just Approved is written by Brenda Wyatt, All California Mortgage, 510-761-7071. bwyatt@allcalifornia.com. There's always room for cello, despite what American Airlines says. A Chicago musician who had bought a seat for her cello was forced off an American flight Thursday in Miami. Cellist Jingjing Hu's husband, Jay Tang, wrote on Facebook about the incident in a post that has been shared more than 2,400 times. Tang said he purchased two roundtrip tickets for Hu and her cello directly from American over the phone and told them specifically that one ticket is for the cello as cabin baggage. "I was told it is [absolutely] allowed and she won't have any problem," he wrote in the post. The cello is a large, delicate instrument, and Hu's cost $30,000. Checking it as baggage even in its hard case wasn't an option. Tang said in the post that the Chicago-to-Miami leg of the trip was uneventful the cello was secured in the window seat beside Hu. But after she pre-boarded for the flight home and strapped in the cello with a safety belt extender that she had requested and received, the airline suddenly had a problem with the instrument. Hu said flight attendant approached her before the airplane doors closed and told her she would have to get off the plane because "the aircraft is too small for the cello," Tang wrote. The couple said that a friend traveling with Hu who stayed on the plane noted that after she got off, two people soon took the seats she had occupied. "Clearly AA is just playing around with customers," Tang wrote on Facebook. "They just kick off passengers when they oversell their tickets using FAA regulations as an excuse." MORE: Woman suing United, says she was groped on flight Hu told CBS 2 that after deplaning she asked see the regulations governing traveling on planes and received a printout indicating that "bass violins/fiddles" are not permitted on a 737. But as all symphony enthusiasts know, there's a significant difference in size between a bass violin the largest string instrument and a cello. CBS 2 reported that beneath the rules about bass violins and fiddles, the printout included a passage about cellos: "[A] cello must be assigned a bulkhead window seat on a non-exit row." It goes on to state "This can be in any cabin." Hu had to wait until the next day to fly from Miami because there were no more flights with planes larger than the 737. American Airlines told NBC 5 Chicago there was a "miscommunication" about whether the cello met the requirements to fit aboard the aircraft. "We apologize for the misunderstanding and customer relations will be reaching out to her," the statement read. But Tang was still fuming about the treatment of his wife. "I don't think we did anything wrong here and I think the way they handled it was humiliating," he told NBC 5. --- Read Mike Moffitt's latest stories and send him news tips at mmoffitt@sfchronicle.com. Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news. MATARAM, Indonesia A powerful earthquake struck the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok on Sunday, killing at least 91 people and shaking neighboring Bali, one week after another quake on Lombok killed more than a dozen. The latest quake damaged buildings as far away as Denpasar on Bali, including a department store and the airport terminal, where ceiling panels were shaken loose, authorities said. Video showed screaming people running in panic from houses in Bali and vehicles rocking. On Lombok, soldiers and other rescuers carried injured people on stretchers and carpets to an evacuation center. National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said the toll had risen to 91 with hundreds of others injured. Thousands of homes were damaged and most people were killed by collapsing houses, he said. A total of 65 of the deaths were in North Lombok district, nine in West Lombok district, four in the provincial capital Mataram and two each in Central Lombok and East Lombok districts, Nugroho said. The quake, recorded at 7.0-magnitude by the U.S. Geological Survey, struck Sunday evening at a depth of 6 miles in the northern part of Lombok. I was watching TV when I felt a big shake, said Harian, a Lombok woman who gave one name. The lamp was shaking, and people were shouting Get out. I ran out into the dark because the power cut off. A tsunami warning was lifted after waves just 6 inches high were recorded in three villages, said Dwikorita Karnawati, the head of Indonesias Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency. Frightened people poured out of their homes to move to higher ground, particularly in North Lombok and Mataram, the capital of West Nusa Tenggara province, said Iwan Asmara, a Lombok disaster official. The Bali and Lombok airports continued operating Sunday night, according to the director general of civil aviation. There had been a half-hour evacuation at the Lombok airport following the quake because the electricity went off. The island was already recovering from a 6.4-magnitude quake on July 29 that killed 16 people. Like Bali, Lombok is known for pristine beaches and mountains. Indonesia is prone to earthquakes because of its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. Ros Idin and Ali Kotarumalos are Associated Press writers. ATAQ, Yemen A military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the United States has cut secret deals with al Qaeda fighters, paying some to leave key cities and towns the militants had seized across Yemen and letting others retreat with weapons, equipment and wads of looted cash, an investigation by the Associated Press has found. Hundreds more were recruited to join the coalition itself. Again and again over the past two years, the coalition has claimed to win decisive victories that drove al Qaeda militants from their strongholds and shattered their ability to attack the West. What the victors didnt disclose: many of those conquests came without firing a shot. The compromises and alliances have allowed al Qaida militants to survive to fight another day and risk strengthening the most dangerous branch of the terror network that carried out the Sept. 11 attacks. Key participants in the pacts said the U.S. was aware of the arrangements and held off on any drone strikes as the al Qaeda fighters retreated in plain sight. The APs findings are based on reporting in Yemen and interviews with two dozen officials, including Yemeni security officers, militia commanders, tribal mediators and four members of al Qaidas branch. All but a few of those sources spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals. The deals uncovered by the AP reflect the contradictory interests of the two wars being waged simultaneously in this southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. In one conflict, the U.S. is working with its Arab allies with the aim of eliminating the extremists known as al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP. But the larger mission is to win the civil war against the Houthis, Iranian-backed Shiite rebels. In that fight, al Qaeda is effectively on the same side as the coalition and, by extension, the United States. The U.S. has sent the coalition billions of dollars in weapons to fight the Houthis, and American jets provide air-to-air refueling for coalition war planes. The U.S. does not fund the coalition, however, and there is no evidence that American money went to AQAP militants. Elements of the U.S. military are clearly aware that much of what the U.S. is doing in Yemen is aiding AQAP and there is much angst about that, said Michael Horton, a fellow at the Jamestown Foundation, a U.S. analysis group that tracks terrorism. But supporting allies against what the U.S. views as Iranian expansionism takes priority over battling AQAP and even stabilizing Yemen, Horton said. The Pentagon denied any complicity with al Qaeda. Maggie Michael, Trish Wilson and Lee Keath are Associated Press writers. The U.N. human rights chief defended his outspoken criticism of abuses in dozens of countries from Myanmar and Hungary to the United States, insisting that his office doesnt bring shame on governments, they shame themselves. Zeid Raad al-Hussein stressed at a farewell news conference at U.N. headquarters last week that silence does not earn you any respect none. Looking back at his four-year term as U.N. high commissioner for human rights, the Jordanian prince said he will give his successor the same advice his predecessor, Navi Pillay, gave him just come out swinging. Zeid said he leaves the Geneva-based post on Aug. 31 very concerned about populism, intolerance and oppression becoming fashionable again. It all builds because once you start down the path of intolerance, its very difficult to stop it, unless at the end of the day you have conflict, he said. Zeid said the question he has been asking populist leaders in Hungary, Poland and Austria who are making political gains thanks in part to their opposition to mass migration is where do they want to see their countries in 2030. If the trend is going to be increasing authoritarianism where countries pursue individual agendas, he said those agendas will collide and eventually we have what weve already seen in the 20th century. Zeid recalled that it took 100 million lives lost through two world wars, the Holocaust and the Spanish influenza epidemic to drive humanity to the point where it recognized that it had to begin to do things differently. That led to the formation of the United Nations where countries would try to solve problems together, not at the expense of one another, he said. But if the populists are allowed into this space, Zeid said, I think were in very perilous waters. He was highly critical of militant attacks, but stressed that the world is not going to break because of these terrorist outrages. It will break because of the overreaction or the exploitation of this agenda by governments, Zeid said. Zeid He said he didnt seek a second term because the five permanent members of the Security Council the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France need to give their approval and he knew a long time ago that he wouldnt have the support. Edith M. Lederer is an Associated Press writer. BANGKOK A human rights group urged Bangladeshs government on Monday to abandon plans to relocate Rohingya Muslim refugees to a small, uninhabited island said to be at severe risk of flooding. Human Rights Watch said in a report released in Bangkok that international experts have identified six sites near the existing camp housing about 700,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar that could provide better and safer conditions and could accommodate more than a quarter of a million people. Two men ran away from their elderly home in Germany this weekend in order to get some fresh air, and a solid dose of heavy metal. The men were found at Wacken Open Air heavy metal festival, a four day affair that yielded a crowd of 75,000 peoplethe largest metal festival in the world, according to Billboard. WASHINGTON The United States ordered the restoration of sanctions against Iran on Monday, reviving economic penalties that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear accord and ratcheting up pressure on Tehran while worsening divides with European allies and other world powers. The sanctions are a consequence of President Trumps decision in May to withdraw from an international deal that sought to limit Irans nuclear program in exchange for easing pressure on the countrys shaky economy. Trump blasted the deal long before becoming president; his administration is betting that backing out of it will force Iran to shut down its nuclear enrichment efforts, curb its weapons program and end its support of brutal governments or uprisings in the Middle East. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island congressional candidate and decorated Army veteran Max Rose is taking two weeks off from his campaign for National Guard training. Rose is on leave from his campaign beginning Sunday through Aug. 20. He is barred from campaigning, fundraising, speaking to the press and posting on social media while he's away. The candidate didn't postpone training until after the Nov. 6 election because then he wouldn't be able to complete the training with his unit. "Serving in the Army and now the Guard has been an incredible honor, and I would never put the campaign before my fellow soldiers," Rose said in a statement, prior to his leave. "In fact, the problem with Congress today is that politicians are putting their re-elections ahead of our country, and that's not who I am." The St. George resident is running for Congress in New York's 11th Congressional District -- representing Staten Island and South Brooklyn -- against Rep. Dan Donovan. He earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart while serving as an active duty officer in Afghanistan from 2012 to 2013. He is now a company commander with the 69th Infantry Battalion in the New York Army National Guard. FOLLOW ANNALISE KNUDSON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Do pieces of jewelry you've gifted or received bring to mind memorable events, like a wedding, birthday, or graduation, and perhaps make these happy moments even more memorable? It is that prospect -- helping to bring joy to a client -- that marks the best part of Gerald Amerosi Sr.'s career as a proprietor of jewelry stores. You're originally from Brooklyn. What brought you to Staten Island? I personally felt quality of life would be better in Staten Island. Housing was less expensive and I felt Staten Island was a perfect place to start as a family. What brought you into the jewelry business? At the time, my best friend's boss was buying gold. From him, I was taught how to buy and sell gold. From there, I picked up more and more about the industry and I was hooked. Where was your first jewelry store? When did you open it? It was founded in 1982 at the Caesar Bay Bazaar in Brooklyn. Subsequently we moved to 18th Avenue and 67th Street. Tell us about your children. I have two sons, Gerald and Peter. Both work within the family business. Gerald deals with sales while Peter deals with the finance and operations. Did your sons always want to join you in the business? They went to college and had the opportunity to undertake a different career, but when we saw the very large potential for the business to grow, we decided we three should work together. What they studied in college has been very helpful to the business, as well. When did you open your first store on Staten Island? Gerald Peters Goldmine opened in 1996. In 2015, we had a new opening of a larger store. Which stores do you now own? Gerald Peters and two Pandoras in the Staten Island Mall and a Pandora in Ocean County Mall in Toms River, New Jersey. What, for you, is the best part of being in the jewelry business? The best part of the jewelry business is being able to help my clients make memories. Whether it's a birthday gift, a graduation gift, or an engagement gift, it's always special to be a part of that moment. You have the prestigious and unique opportunity to be an official dealer of Rolex watches. What do you think enabled you to receive this award? Our store, being a family owned and operated store with two generations involved, has built tremendous trust based on 35 years and counting in business. What is the unique story that landed you the only Staten Island Family Business Award from Crain's New York Business publication? Our business is a two-generational family business. We have also built a new store and carry many prestigious brands in our beautiful new showroom. What do you believe are your attributes that helped you become a successful business man? I always considered myself an honest person. I have built this business on my reputation and I continue to ensure that my business holds the same reputation it was built on. What would you advise a young person going into business for the first time? I would advise that as long as that person is honest and puts the needs of customers first will lead to a longterm successful business. What do you think about the current growth of Staten Island? The changes happening in Staten Island are amazing. For instance, the new Staten Island Mall is incredible. I am very excited to see where Staten Island is in a few years. What are the best things about Staten Island? Staten Island has great local businesses and even better people. What on Staten Island still needs fixing? I really enjoy being part of New York City, but Staten Island should aim for smaller, tight communities. GET TO KNOW GERALD Where he was born: Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. What he wanted to be when he was a child: "I always wanted to own my own business. I just wasn't sure what industry I wanted to be in." The clubs, associations, and more he belongs to/supports: YMCA Dance chairman, Carl Bini Foundation board of directors, SIEDC member, Chamber of Commerce board of directors, NYPD Police Officer of the Year chairman, NYPD Memorial Staten Island Remembers chairman, Bucks Business Group past president, Rotary Club of Staten Island past president. His passion for travel: He loves to travel and recently visited Thailand and Switzerland with his sons. He found both places to be "tremendous experiences." In Thailand, they spent time learning more about Pandora jewelry. They went to attend the Basel World Jewelry Show in Switzerland, which featured watches as well as other jewelry. He is looking forward to his next trip, which will be to Italy. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Australias $2.6 trillion superannuation industry is shrouded in darkness due to a lack of regulation of the conduct of the trustees running funds, the royal commission has heard. The criticism of the lack of regulation of the sector was delivered by counsel assisting the royal commission, Michael Hodge, QC, at the start of two weeks of hearings into misconduct within the sector. Mr Hodge started the morning by pointing out the gap created by the way the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulated the sector. APRA saw itself as a prudential regulator and not a conduct regulator, Mr Hodge said. On the other hand, ASIC was only responsible for the conduct of trustees of superannuation funds under the Corporations Act, and was not responsible for monitoring conduct that was in breach of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act, he added. The banking royal commission has accused the $2.6 trillion superannuation industry of leaving super fund members in the dark and at the mercy of a gap in regulation when it comes to ensuring customers are not ripped-off. In an assessment backed by industry experts, counsel assisting the royal commission Michael Hodge, QC, described the superannuation sector as lacking transparency. Mr Hodge suggested there is a gap in the regulation of super that is leaving consumers "unable to do anything more than peer dimly through the darkness of their superannuation trustees". What happens when we leave these trustees alone in the dark with our money?, Mr Hodge said. EnergyAustralia chief executive Cath Tanna says household power bills will start to come down, and urged industry and government to back the National Energy Guarantee after the company reported an almost 200 per cent rise in profit. Were optimistic households are through the worst of it and, finally, that all parts of the energy sector understand the challenge, and are working toward putting families back in control of their energy costs, Ms Tanna said. EnergyAustralia's managing director Cath Tanna says she believes the worst of power bill prices are over. Credit:Pat Scala Theres more to do, but the ingredients are there for an affordable, stable and reliable energy system. We shouldnt pretend energy is an easy fix, but in years to come the question will be asked of us: Did we make things better?. Gina Rinehart has taken control of Atlas Iron, knocking out her rival Andrew Forrest after the two battled over the struggling junior miner. Mrs Rinehart's company Redstone announced over the weekend it had taken a 56 per cent controlling stake in Atlas, and confirmed the all-cash offer for shares in Atlas would be extended to August 17. And on Monday Mr Forrests Fortescue Metals Group lowered its stake in the iron ore miner from 19.9 per cent to 11.37 per cent. Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting achieves control of Atlas Iron. But with Fortescue's stake in Atlas bigger than 10 per cent, Fortescue's holding means that Redstone cannot automatically acquire outstanding shares in Atlas. Competition among the major telecommunications companies is heating up on National Broadband Network plans, with Vodafone Hutchison Australia cutting its prices to attract new customers during the final years of the roll out. Low margins for telecommunications companies selling NBN to consumers had not stopped Vodafone from dropping the price on its unlimited plans on Tuesday to attract new households, chief commercial officer Ben McIntosh told Fairfax Media. The NBN is mid-way through its roll out. Credit:Peter Braig One in five people currently coming to Vodafone for NBN connections are new to the telco and switching from a rival provider, as part of a churn event giving millions of Australians a chance to re-think who supplies their internet connection and providers the opportunity to attract new customers. The NBN saw telcos going back to as if it was 1994 in the mobile industry with connection fees its ripe for the picking to give customers a better deal, Mr McIntosh said. An internal investigation conducted by Woolworths has confirmed allegations that staff in 22 of its pubs in three states collected personal information on high turnover pokies players and shared the data among its pubs to enable staff to encourage them to increase their losses. Further it found that, in Queensland, staff gave free drinks to "high value customers to encourage further gaming activity". The ALH Group runs hundreds of pubs and more than 12,000 poker machines across Australia. Credit:Josh Robenstone Speaking to Fairfax Media, Bruce Mathieson jnr, the chief executive of ALH Group, which is majority owned by Woolworths, confirmed that staff had been sacked as a result of the investigation, but would not offer more detail as state gambling regulators are still investigating. He said it was not for him to comment on whether the findings about the practices would have an impact on the long-term relationship between Woolworths and ALH Group. A spokesperson for the ATO told Fairfax Media most farmers looking to raise money this way will not have to pay tax on it but it does depend on how they use it. Where the amounts received are spent on deductible expenses, such as purchasing feed for livestock, there will be no net taxable outcome, as the income amounts will be offset by the deductions obtained. This means, for most farmers, there will be no tax payable in relation to money donated to them for their farm expenses, the spokesperson said. The crowdfunding amounts will only be assessable to the extent that they are intended to be for use in the business rather than for other purposes. For example, where the amounts received are intended to be used for emergency relief, such as food and clothing, then these amounts are not assessable. Meanwhile, farmers can be assured they will not pay income tax unless they make a net business profit for the financial year, the spokesperson said. The tax office says it recognises this is an incredibly tough time for those in drought-affected areas and Maloney is not the only one turning to the crowd for help. Craig Whatman, Jade Whatman and Tammy Whatman are crowdfunding for their farm. Suffering in silence Tammy and Craig Whatman supply 1.2 million litres of milk to the Australian market from their Mayberry farm in Burrawang, NSW but their more than 300 cows are approaching starvation and drought conditions are pushing them to the edge. The family was suffering in silence and approaching breaking point when Tammy's sister, Melissa Birta, realised it was time to turn to the community to save their farm. My family are the most important thing to me and I didnt hesitate to try and help, Birta says. She launched a Gofundme crowdfunding campaign page with a $500,000 target, featuring a letter from the family pleading for help. Over the past eight days, Mayberry Farm has raised $33,000 to help feed the cattle and just keep the farm ticking along. The family says if it turned out their crowdfunding dollars would be subject to taxation, it would be devastating to their campaign. One of the youngest members of the Gamble family, Thomas on their Queensland dairy farm. Government help not enough Fifth-generation Queensland dairy farmer Ashley Gamble says he also turned to crowdfunding to save his family business, because government support for farmers is not enough. Gamble and his family run a dairy farm in Boodua, outside Toowoomba. They have so far raised $24,000 of a $150,000 target through the Gofundme campaign, which is called Qld Drought the forgotten state. The family have also been discussing the farms struggles through the Gamble Family Farming Facebook page. Gamble told Fairfax Media he believed government drought relief support needed to go well beyond what is currently on offer. My main concern is to feed my cows and being able to feed those cows so they stay alive," he says. I feel f---ing sick because I am taking honest peoples money and they shouldnt be helping me. But 100 per cent, the government is where the money should be coming from. The Gamble family's crowd funding page. On Sunday, the federal government announced a $190 million package to further its drought-relief measures. Under changes to the Farm Household Allowance, eligible farmers will now receive two lump sum payments in September 2018 and March 2019, worth $12,000 for couples and $7200 for single farming households in need. However, Maloney says for those struggling with buying feed, that additional help is an insult and has forced many to turn to the community to keep their businesses running. The federal government offering $12,000, well that doesnt even cover one load of hay, he says. Loading Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud, said the government's unveiling of a new payment for affected farmers was designed to help them face the immediate challenges of the drought. "This is not just $12,000, its an extra $12,000. A farming family at the moment would get around $25,000 from the FHA. This is an extra lump sum payment of $12,000 in two instalments that will help them put bread and butter on the table Two of the world's biggest wind turbine makers have weighed in against the National Energy Guarantee, calling for a more ambitious target because it may leave the electricity sector contributing only a tiny portion of Australia's Paris climate goal. GE, the company that built the world's first ever coal-fired power station, said the Turnbull government's setting of an emissions reduction target of 26 per cent of 2005-levels by 2030 fell far short of what the power sector could deliver. GE built the world's first coal-fired power station in the US, and owns three in Australia, but is now aggressively growing its renewable energy operations. Credit:Nick Moir The new target being set will see [the power sector] contribute about one-twentieth of the emissions reduction required to meet our Paris commitments," Steven Oswald, head of GE's Australian renewables, said. "Its a sector that can do so much more." John Titchen, managing director of the Australian operations of Chinese turbine giant Goldwind, echoed Mr Oswald's concerns, though placed the electricity industry at a slightly higher level at "less than a tenth" of the total contribution needed by Australia to meet its international commitments. KPMG Enterprise National Advisory Leader, Brad Miller, suggests the cyber security question is a work in progress because we are still figuring out what threats are out there. He says legislation will ultimately drive a lot of the change. He cites Europes recent implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as a pretty good indicator of where the world might go in the coming years. In the meantime, Miller says organisations will have to manage their customers expectations around cyber security and build a level of trust around how they react to data breaches and behave in a consistent manner. Loading Founder of MoneyMe Financial Group, Clayton Howes says a fintech, such as his own company, probably has a head start on many organisations when it comes to cyber security because it was baked into their systems from day one. He says there is no secret ingredient to cyber security beyond building in many protection mechanisms. For Howes, there's no massive, brand new science to respond to cyber attacks. Instead, the key is ensuring his staff and customers are hyper-aware of the risks. We just keep learning and building multiple layers of protection, Howes says. For Phil Morle, who runs Main Sequence Ventures, the venture capital fund of the CSIRO, we are at an inflection point in our cyber security journey. Morle suggests we are only now beginning to see big important things being deployed digitally. Up until now we have used it to target information and advertising or to interact with others by optimising data analytics but he wonders what will happen when our genome is stored in the cloud and people steal that information and can find out things about our every health detail. The challenge for us right now is we have to work out the ethics around data storage and analytics and be very good at the security, Morle says. KPMG Enterprise partner Sarah Cain says every single board of directors is talking about cyber security right now. They understand its problematic and theyre looking for assistance when it comes to preparing themselves for a potential cyber attack, Cain says. She says businesses are on a journey of understanding the risks and how do they begin to tackle them and put the right governance processes, the right frameworks and the right controls in place to protect all of their data. A lot of businesses will look to government for guidance and the GDPR is perhaps the new benchmark of where everyone should be aiming. Yet at the end of the day, Cain says building cyber resilience will come down to one basic principal and that is businesses ensuring they build trust with their customers by only using their data in the way that is expected. If they deliver what the customer is expecting from an experience and don't deviate, that's what will build confidence. You know KPMG, you might not know KPMG Enterprise. Were dedicated to working with businesses like yours. Its all we do. Whether youre an entrepreneur looking to get started, an innovative, fast growing company, a local council, or an established company looking to an exit, we understand what is important to you and can help you navigate your challenges no matter the size and stage of your business. You gain access to KPMGs global resources through a single point of contact a trusted adviser to your company. Its a local touch with a global reach. Six comedies, three world premieres, a sprinkling of classics and the return of a couple of hugely successful recent productions feature in an intriguingly eclectic offering from Ensemble Theatre next year. Announcing the Kirribilli theatre's 2019 season, artistic director Mark Kilmurry said he was pleased both by the number of female voices actors, writers and directors on next year's slate as well as the predominance of comedy. Mark Kilmurry, left, with actors Janine Watson and Huw Higginson. Credit:Nick Moir "I could fill the theatre with dramas but finding new, good comedies with something to say and that's the important bit is quite difficult," he said. Kilmurry points to Melanie Tait's comedy, The Appleton Ladies' Potato Race, which receives its world premiere in March. They've been best friends for five years but there's a particularly special bond between Canberra mums Erin Leonard and Jade Wilson. Both women endured the loss of premature baby sons within a couple of years of each other; Jade's baby Zavier and Erin's baby Ryder should have been growing up as best friends but both were born early at the 22-week mark. And both boys were too young survive. Little Ryder Leonard's hand. He was born at just 22 weeks. Erin and Jade had "fantastic support networks" Erin says, but having someone so close who had been through the pain was "like a miracle". "I could turn to her because she knew exactly how I was feeling - she'd see my face and know exactly what to say," Erin says. ACT firefighters had to free two men from cars after separate crashes on Monday. About 12pm, a car and a truck collided at the intersection of The Valley Avenue and Gungahlin Drive, in Gungahlin. Firefighters extricated a man from the car and intensive care paramedics treated him at the scene before transporting him to Canberra Hospital. Police were at the scene managing traffic after the crash. Earlier, at 12.29am, emergency services were called to a single-vehicle crash on Mt Ainslie. For one week every year, in the middle of the Australian winter, the issue of homelessness and housing stress features heavily in public conversation. National Homelessness Week runs from August 6-13 and this years theme is Ending Homelessness Together. It is typically a week of campaigning by community stakeholders and legislators to bring attention to the plight of more than 116,000 people who are homeless in Australia and to maintain the momentum for change. A homeless person sleeps rough outside the ACT Legislative Assembly. Credit:Karleen Minney Canberrans are fortunate to live in an inclusive and tolerant city, with an educated workforce and high average incomes. Gliders around the region are flocking to Canberra this winter to take advantage of the prime gliding conditions caused by strong westerly winds. Veteran glider pilot and longstanding member of the Canberra Gilding Club Richard Agnew, 58, said Canberra had the perfect conditions for gliding this time of year. Last Sunday I managed to reach 20,000 feet [6000 metres] in half an hour. I was going up like a rocket, it was phenomenal, he said. Richard Agnew preparing to ride the airwaves in the Canberra region. Glider planes dont have an engine and rely on a flying plane to tow them into the air where the pilots use the wind and environmental conditions to navigate the skies, sometimes reaching altitudes equal to commercial planes. A Canberra mother has fought back tears while making an emotional plea to her missing son, who disappeared nearly a year ago. Jean Vincent Policarpio, known as Vince, left the family home in Bonner about 9.30pm on September 26 last year without his wallet, phone and keys, and never came back. The heartbroken family of missing Canberra man Jean Vincent Policarpio. (From left) Sister Vanessa, mother Beth, father Will, and brother Francis Policarpio. Credit:Karleen Minney Beth Policarpio spoke directly to her son during a press conference on Monday as part of National Missing Persons Week, pleading with him to get in touch. "Vince, if youre hearing this message, we want nothing more than to see you return home," Mrs Policarpio said, flanked by Vince's father Will, brother Francis and sister Vanessa. A secure and dignified retirement should be in reach of everyone. And our not-for-profit industry superannuation system has made what was once a distant hope within reach for millions of working people. This success relies on the co-operation between industry and workers representatives. The Turnbull government wants to undo these foundations by making superannuation more like the for-profit banking industry. The Royal Commission into misconduct in the banking sector has shone a light on the systemic, far-reaching and often shocking misconduct in Australias banking system. The royal commission into misconduct in the banking sector has shone a light on the systemic, far-reaching and often shocking misconduct in Australias banking system. Banks ignore the wellbeing of consumers in their pursuit of ever-higher profits. Despite this, the Turnbull government wants to impose the banks failed governance practices on our world-class superannuation system. A member of an Aboriginal land council has admitted to making a threat to "punch the face in" of disgraced former tax official Nick Petroulias, branding his alleged former business associate a "liar" and a "fraudster" at a corruption inquiry on Monday. Richard Green, the former deputy chairman of the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council, is accused of working with Mr Petroulias to broker the sale of up to $30 million of Aboriginal land across Newcastle. Nick Petroulias at the ICAC inquiry in March. Credit:Janie Barrett But there were fireworks as the pair came face to face at an ICAC inquiry on Monday, as the watchdog investigates whether the land deals were a sham they both profited from. Mr Petroulias told Commissioner Peter Hall QC that he had "substantial" voice recordings of Mr Green from a recent meeting that showed he had been "deceiving" the watchdog in his testimony given in recent weeks. Ms Berryman used to have an extra hour and 20 minutes a day to complete these tasks. Lisa Berryman says her conditions and pay have deteriorated under the new arrangements for school cleaners. Credit:Simon Schluter Then there are the less frequent tasks: mopping the gym and art room, wiping down 600 chairs, scrubbing the classroom sinks and cleaning the staff room and offices. Thats what Lisa Berryman is expected to clean during her four-hour shift at a Melbourne primary school. But in the wake of a state government overhaul of school cleaning, shes been stripped of seven hours of work a week and her pay has dropped from $25.65 per hour to $23.49. This amounts to more than a $200 weekly pay cut. How can they do this to people? she said. They have given us worse working conditions. While the changes were aimed at stamping out the underpayment of workers, cleaners like Ms Berryman say their pay and conditions have deteriorated. Under the new arrangements, Melbourne state schools no longer employ their own cleaners, with the Education Department tearing up more than 100 contracts and replacing them with just eight. The man police believe could assist with their inquiries Credit:Victoria Police A stalker has allegedly been sending sexually explicit handwritten letters and making creepy phone calls to women working in shops in Melbournes north and Victorias Surf Coast. Police are searching for a white-haired man who they believe has been spying on the women in Coburg, Essendon and Torquay before contacting them. They believe the "serial stalker" may visit or live in Anglesea or another Surf Coast suburb. The harassing letters were first sent in January. Police believe the man has since made calls from payphones in Melbourne and on the Surf Coast to women at the same shops. Police have charged two people, including a teenager, after officers were called to reports a man was on fire near Mandurah on Saturday evening. It will be alleged the 15 year old boy caused the burns injuries the man. Credit:The-age Mandurah detectives have charged a 15-year old boy and a 37-year-old man over the incident in Dudley Park. Police will allege about 6:40pm they were called to a disturbance on Durras Place. "Information provided at the time was that a man was on fire," police said in a statement. The ACT government needs to create a new public trust to fund more social and public housing across the city, funded by the territory's rising land-based tax revenue, a key stakeholder has urged. ACT Shelter's executive director Travis Gilbert called for the fund to be created on Monday, coinciding with the start of Homelessness Week, as the community awaits a new affordable housing strategy that has been in the works for months. ACT housing minister Yvette Berry is under pressure to detail the government's plans to increase affordable housing. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos The proposal comes as the territory government faces pressure to release the strategy, as renters struggle to make ends meet, and follows Chief Minister Andrew Barr earlier this year being forced to cough up an extra $2.5 million to meet rising demand for concessions from low income earners. ACT Shelter's proposal centres on a government-run trust fund that would supply more affordable rental properties, both for public and community housing, in a bid to reduce homelessness in Canberra, that would also be able to access help and potentially investment from the private sector. ACT Speaker Joy Burch has officially farewelled outgoing Auditor-General Dr Maxine Cooper as she finishes her seven-year term in the job this week. Ms Burch and other territory politicians were among those at the Legislative Assembly for a function on Monday to farewell Dr Cooper, who has also worked in other key territory government positions during her public service career. Auditor-General Dr Maxine Cooper's last day in the job is Tuesday. Credit:Fairfax Media Dr Cooper has led the audit office through a raft of detailed audits in recent years, ranging from investigations into the government's asbestos taskforce's work, its urban renewal program, and audits into a series of controversial government land deals in recent years. Under her leadership, the audit office has regularly produced nine or 10 detailed performance audits a year, in addition to the regular financial auditing functions the office provides the government. It may be that Thodey, other panel members and their assistants in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet are talking privately to agency heads and others. That's all well and good but it's insufficient. Agencies should make their views public so they can be tested and promote discussion. The Minister for the Public Service, Kelly O'Dwyer, has said she hopes the submissions lodged thus far "encourage others to add their insights and experiences". That's likely but no such encouragement is being provided by Commonwealth agencies those best placed to do so. If it's good enough for Thodey to encourage "all Australians" to make their views openly known, it's hard to see why agency heads should not see themselves as included in that invitation. Their absolute reticence thus far is not a great omen about the extent to which the management of Commonwealth agencies is interested in the review. Dose 3: More good news is that a reference group has been established to help the Thodey panel. The group includes four people who are or have been the heads of public services in other countries Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore. They should be very useful. But four from overseas? Might that be over-egging it? And why not someone with like qualifications from Australia? There's no shortage of them. At least one would have found an invitation irresistible. There are four former politicians on the group, one from New Zealand and three from Australia. However, as worthy as these may be, none seems to have had a conspicuous interest or record in public service matters. Not many politicians take an interest in public service improvement although there are at least four former Australian federal ministers who have, three being former ministers for the public service, who are better qualified than the ones who've been selected maybe they knocked back offers to serve. Loading The other member of the group is a former official of the Treasury who left that organisation almost 30 years ago to become a senior banker. He has lived in London for the last 10 years, according to reliable sources. Notwithstanding their combined abilities, the review panel and the reference group do not reflect a convincing balance of background and experience. While there is a former official with recent APS experience, there are three bankers, two advisers to banks and another two with substantial banking experience. Eight of the 15 panel and group members are economists, broadly speaking. On the other hand, for all the talk about a "citizen-centred APS culture" (in the words of PM&C head Martin Parkinson), the review panel and reference group do not include a soul to represent those interests. If balance in the backgrounds of people conducting public service reviews is important, the current review doesn't have it. Dose 4: When recently asked if he felt "sufficiently independent", Thodey said: "I have no doubt in my mind about our independence." That's good news and there are no reasons to doubt the independence of mind of Thodey and his colleagues. However, the leg work for the review is being done by PM&C, whose role and record should be a prime focus of inquiry. Thodey might recall that, in the course of the banking royal commission, the independence of a consultant's report commissioned by AMP was undermined when it came to light that AMP officers had sought some changes to it. The APS review panel's report is likely in its entirety to be drafted by PM&C. There's nothing wrong with that but the review cannot therefore reasonably be touted as being independent. The silence with which public service agencies have thus far treated the review has been ever so slightly broken by a few of Parkinson's recent comments. In response to a question on outsourcing at a function in early July, he said several agencies "abrogated their core responsibilities and have become over-reliant on consultants. By all means, use consultants when we need surge capacity. Use consultants when it's something we might not do very often ... and there's someone outside who has got expertise. "But if you get to the space where you basically hand over thinking about policy development, policy prioritisation, to consultants, then you've actually given away your core business. And then you should ask yourself 'what are you doing here?' " Well said, Doc elegantly put and absolutely right. It's to be hoped the review panel absorbed your comments, which are consistent with those in a good many of the submissions. Indeed, the review would do a great service if it were to produce criteria to help ministers and agencies make more rational decisions about what functions could be sold or outsourced. This grey and confused area is much in need of enlightenment. Loading Also at the July function (of course it was about innovation), Parkinson had a crack at "former public servants" who have written "long and tedious articles" critical of some aspects of the review. These scribblers, Parkinson says, should "get over themselves". Gosh, I thought, I could be one of those in his sights; I began to run for cover. I stopped, however, when I saw that the secretary's objections were to those who wanted a "revisit of Coombs" (the 1975 Coombs royal commission), reckoned its terms of reference were "too broad" and believed it to be about the past. Phew, I was in the clear. I've never said any of these things. Indeed, I've said the current review's terms of reference are too narrow as they only cover Public Service Act agencies and are, at the same time, wide and vague. While the lessons of the past should be learned from, I'm sure that even the most powerful review could never amend the past. While I've criticised the Thodey review's lack of independence, I've not suggested a "revisit" of the Coombs royal commission; indeed, I don't think, for what it's worth, a royal commission would be at all sensible. Parkinson gave further insights into his views about the public service in the Financial Review's supplement BOSS, a publication dedicated to the glorification of bosses. Parkinson says he wants to get rid of "the mandarin model", where, so says a breathless reporter, "a departmental secretary's word is law". Parkinson reckons he doesn't want deference but contributions. "I try to keep an open mind and test ideas ... People have to understand when a secretary says something it is not an edict. We are exploring an idea." It's reported he wants "the most junior person in the room ... to speak up. Not just to talk but to push back." Well, that's all jolly good stuff, although with a qualification. There never has been any such operating phenomenon as a "mandarin model". Departmental secretaries in the past have been as chalk and cheese and everything in between, and they cannot be squeezed into some all-defining model. The likes of Garran, Wilson, Wheeler, Tange, Hewitt, Westerman, Rattigan, Bunting and others worked in very different ways. Some may have expected their words to be accepted as law; others certainly didn't. When at the Public Service Board, Sir Frederick Wheeler institutionalised competing sources of advice and spent a huge amount of time sitting around with junior officers encouraging them to argue and "push back", while during long evenings all present were expected, in the novelist Gerald Murnane's words, to drink continuously. One of Parkinson's predecessors, Sir Geoffrey Yeend, was extremely adept at encouraging unorthodox views and a competition of ideas among his staff, and he recruited people accordingly. The point is, it is historically false to suggest that all or even most senior public servants in days of yore expected their word to be accepted as law and it is terribly unfair to imply they all did. As in the past, today's secretaries also appear to have different ways of operating. What a surprise. For example, Parkinson's professed approach would seem to be light years away from that of Mike Pezzullo at the Department of Home Affairs, if the latter's patronising, hectoring and pathetic long and tedious recent letter to his senior staff is anything to go by. Anyone wanting to give their staff the shits could do a lot worse than mimic the Pezzullo example. [Editor's note: you can read Pezzullo's masterpiece in full here.] Hopes of a swift end to Australias climate policy paralysis have been dashed after the Turnbull government refused to capitulate to the states appeal for compromise on the landmark energy plan, including their demand that accelerated emissions reductions be made easier. Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg has accused the states of "posturing" and says the government has sought to address their concerns. Political tensions are high in the days ahead of a highly anticipated meeting of energy ministers in Sydney on Friday where the fate of the National Energy Guarantee will be decided. The Commonwealth and states appear unlikely to strike a deal on energy policy this week. Credit:Phil Noble Labor governments in Queensland and Victoria and the ACTs Labor-Greens government held cabinet meetings on Monday to finalise their positions. I reject them absolutely, she said. She believed Mr Anderson performed poorly as a policy and media advisor from the time he began in her office in June last year and, as a result, his probationary period was extended. Ms Husar felt he adopted a poor attitude in the workplace and was difficult to manage. On October 3 last year an incident occurred at Ms Husars electorate office in which his former partner appeared and became disruptive. The office went into lock-down and police were called. Mr Anderson left the office and went on sick leave. He was dismissed on December 18. In early January, Mr Anderson made an unfair dismissal complaint to Fair Work Australia, but according to Ms Husars spokeswoman the complaint only addressed the circumstances of his workplace management and eventual dismissal. Loading After Ms Husar responded on January 18 pointing out the claim was lodged too late and the employment period was too short so Fair Work had no jurisdiction to hear it the complaint was withdrawn. The western Sydney MP said the Fair Work complaint included NONE of the allegations of bullying and sexual harassment that have subsequently been aired. Ms Husar was made aware of the second set of complaints made against her by Mr Anderson as well as other staff when she attended a meeting in April at NSW Labors Sussex Street headquarters. It is then that Ms Husar came to believe that the allegations against her were being used by local branch members within Ms Husars own right faction who had never accepted her nomination and her support from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. One senior Labor figure said people opposed to her being the local MP had banded together with former staff members to air the allegations against her. "At the time that she was originally picked as a candidate, prior to her election, there were those who were very strongly opposed to her selection in the first place," the senior figure said. In her response to the complaints against her, Ms Husar claimed people have run a political campaign against me, including unsuccessful attempts to have someone challenge her preselection. Ms Husar agreed to cooperate with the investigation as to whether she had breached paragraph seven of the ALP code of conduct, which states that: Members, officials and staff of the Party must not engage in sexual harassment or bullying of each other. On May 16 John Whelan, the lawyer conducting the investigation for the ALP, sent Ms Husar a document that included 44 allegations. Bill Shorten with Emma Husar after her maiden speech in Parliament in 2016. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen After a meeting on July 26, Ms Husars lawyer wrote to Mr Whelan noting that over half of the allegations had nothing to do with the relevant paragraph in the code, and that many of the allegations were vague, anonymous and non-specific. In the letter Ms Husars lawyer argued that the complaints numbered 21 to 44 should simply be disregarded. The absence of the who, what, when and where of each allegation and the fact that the complaints are presented anonymously (prior to the recent media coverage of the issue) indicates that these complaints, in our view, are not genuine. Rather, we are instructed that they speak of the sub-factional stitch-up which has played out in recent media reports. A spokeswoman for the NSW Labor Party hit back at Ms Husars critique of the process, labelling it plainly wrong and asserting that any breaches of confidentiality have not come from the independent inquiry. It has been carried out in accordance with standard operating procedures for investigations where many complainants ask to be de-identified for fear of recrimination, the spokeswoman said, defending the inquiry as a fair and professional process. The ALPs code of conduct is broad and allows consideration of many matters. The partys independent assessor, Mr John Whelan should be allowed to provide his advice to the ALP without himself being smeared. Claims and counter-claims Fairfax Media has obtained a document outlining all 44 allegations against Ms Husar and a second one listing her refutations. Beneath are some of her refutations of key claims already made public. Sexual harassment Claim: In the most startling claim made public so far, it is alleged that in a meeting attended by Mr Anderson, Ms Husar, fellow MP Jason Clare and Mr Clare's three-year-old son, Ms Husar deliberately spread her legs to Mr Clare while wearing no underwear. Emma Husar and Labor MP Jason Clare in June 2016. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Response: Ms Husar denies the allegation outright, but adds that during the meeting in question she sat on the floor to play with Mr Clares son while Mr Anderson sat on a couch. If I had behaved in the way that he has alleged (which I did not) he would not have been able to see in any case," she said. These matters were never raised in the unfair dismissal application made by Mr Anderson after his employment was terminated. Ms Husar denies two other allegations that she leant over Mr Anderson as he worked on a computer and rested her breast on him. Misuse of funds/entitlements Claim: The 17th allegation in the document states simply, Mr Anderson alleges that there was money intended for other uses diverted into your personal bank account. Response: Ms Husar writes, I deny this accusation, which I note has no specifics. She goes on to detail how she managed her electoral allowance, concluding, With any specific details, it's not possible to respond to this allegation. At no time did I make personal use of money intended for other purposes." The document also details how Ms Husar employs one staff member on a casual basis in her electoral office and in a separate capacity as her babysitter. There is no use of public funds to subsidise her work for me in that personal capacity," she writes. Alleged behaviours of concern expressed by former staff Claim: Several employees have reported that you asked them to zip up your dress on several occasions, making them feel uncomfortable. Response: This has occurred on occasion when I havent been able to do a zip up myself. I have on occasion had to ask staff if they minded assisting. None of the staff have raised an issue with this in the past. Inappropriate management behaviour Claim: It is alleged by Mr Anderson that you bring your dog into the office and ask staff members, including Mr Anderson to take the dog for a walk to relieve itself. Response: Only after consultation with the staff and only with their agreement did I bring Thomas (my sons autism assistance dog) to attend the office ... A [sic] their own initiative, staff have purchased their own supply of dog-treats so Thomas favours them and sits at their desk If I am detained at meetings, in the electorate or elsewhere it is necessary to take the dog to relieve itself. There is no set schedule for this. On Wednesday, August 8, Public Service Commissioner John Lloyd's resignation-sorry-early-departure will take effect. He is to be replaced by the Prime Minister's chief of staff, Peter Woolcott. If I'm not mistaken, Lloyd's resignation will herald a flurry of articles and opinion pieces on the political impacts of his tenure. We have already seen such contributions from the likes of Labor senator Jenny McAllister and The Canberra Times' Doug Dingwall, among others. Workplace combatant: John Lloyd. I won't add further to the commentary on the political significance of Lloyd's time in office; I'm not in any way uniquely qualified to do so. However, I can comment on how his time in the role affected industrial relations in the Australian Public Service. First, some background. The Governor-General appointed Lloyd as commissioner on December 14, 2014, on the advice of then prime minister Tony Abbott. Before that, Lloyd had been Victoria's "red tape commissioner" and, between 2005 and 2010, he was the first Australian building and construction commissioner. Lloyd was a highly credentialed candidate who was undoubtedly qualified to head the Public Service Commission. Regardless of its eventual success or failure, Nine's proposed acquisition of Fairfax marks a new discontinuity in the Australian media landscape. The law that would once have prevented it was changed last year; now, the political economy and culture of our media are suddenly fluid. The familiar cast of Australian media characters, with their ancient rivalries and discontents, will soon be different, and some venerable figures won't be there. What is happening is at once startling, unsettling, long anticipated and entirely unresolved. Reminding us that the media is still a place where very different commercial, civic, political and cultural worlds coexist and sometimes collide, the understandings and expectations of key players and observers vary dramatically. Where Fairfax chief executive Greg Hywood sees a merger, The Australian sees the death of Fairfax. Journalists and academics see a new challenge to diversity and democracy. Paul Keating sees Nine's toxic tabloid culture metastasising, while the government tells a story about ensuring the long-term health of Australian media businesses. So far, the stock market hasn't shared the government's confidence, with Nine shares falling since the deal was announced, reducing the offer's value. In recent days, these differences over the significance and implications of this moment of change have taken a sharper form. When the deal was announced, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull welcomed the news. He acknowledged that the agreement required the approval of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, but said the parties expected "no regulatory hurdles". Market analysts have generally signalled that they expect no major obstacles. It's true that the ACCC has a record of approving recent media mergers. But was there an echo in the Prime Minister's remarks of his famous declaration last year that "the High Court will so hold", with an equal potential for trouble? The media-law changes were necessary for the formulation of this merger, but they are not sufficient to guarantee its success. The ACCC's chairman, Rod Sims, has now laid out the regulatory process in plain terms, talking about a vigorous, 12-week review, with the scope to be much more than perfunctory acquiescence. "Of course the merger parties say there are no competition issues. They always do. Every merger I have ever come across, the merger parties said why do you bother us, there are just no competition issues,'" he reportedly said. Much of the art of politics lies in finding unflattering ways of depicting opponents. Politicians want our votes, so (and especially at election time) they come up with inventive ways of bagging both the policies (and the personae) of their political opponents. Labor is generally better at the invective than the Coalition. Bill Shorten recently talked about the "knuckle-dragging Neanderthals" of the Liberal Party who opposed federal funding for safe schools programs. Paul Keating branded the entire Senate "unrepresentative swill". And who, among those who were around at the time, can forget Gough Whitlam calling Queensland premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen "a bible-bashing bastard". Labelling people you disagree with runs into the broader political sphere, as well. Lately, we've heard a good deal of pejorative comment about "populists" and "populism". So who or what is a populist? If, for the moment, we overlook the critical way in which the term is used, the answer is straightforward enough. Populists are politicians who try to be popular in a particular way. A populist politician makes overt appeals to ordinary people rather than to elites. On the Australian political scene, Pauline Hanson is clearly a populist. Donald Trump is another example, though unlike Hanson, who had to start her own political party. Rather like the cuckoo, Trump was able to take over the Republican Party from within, pushing rivals out of the nest in the process. Rideshare giant Uber has not provided any usage data to inform the state governments $120 million four year taxi plate buyback scheme, the Department of Transport has confirmed. The state government has instead relied on third party reports and national surveys from Roy Morgan research and Deloitte Access Economics to develop the scheme, which will be funded with a 10 per cent levy on all on-demand transport fares. Uber did not provide the state government any usage data. Credit:AP The scheme will allow the state government to purchase taxi plates back from owners after their value was diluted by the introduction of rideshare technologies like Uber and Ola into the transport sector. The lack of usage data from Uber has drawn criticism from shadow transport minister Liza Harvey, who said it was foolhardy to implement the new tax without proper consultation to best understand the impact of the tax and its expected revenue. The Iranian sanctions are the latest in a series of actions Trump has taken to reverse programs that formed the backbone of former President Barack Obama's legacy. Trump has ditched the Paris climate agreement, a Pacific Rim trade pact and is working to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. During the 2016 campaign, he frequently derided the nuclear deal with Iran as one of the worst in history, insisting he could secure better terms that also would address Iran's support of militants in the region, its ballistic missile tests and human rights abuses. Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani, centre, attends a meeting with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Revolutionary Guard commanders in Tehran, Iran. Credit:AP A number of prominent hawks on Iran are in the administration's upper reaches, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton. They rarely mention Iran without calling it, in the same breath, the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. Pompeo disparages them as "bad actors" in the region guilty of all sorts of "malign activities," including support for militants in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. In a background call to reporters, senior administration officials said on Monday that the goal of the renewed sanctions is twofold: to renegotiate the nuclear agreement, and to change the government's behaviour. They openly sided with Iranian protesters unhappy with the faltering economy and social issues, but stopped just short of calling on Iranians to rise up against their government that has spent heavily on militias around the region instead of lifting up the fortunes of its own citizens. "The president has been very clear," said one official. "None of this needs to happen. . . . The Iranian people should not suffer because of their regime's hegemonic regional ambitions. In his statement, Trump slammed the Obama administration's "horrible" agreement and declared himself receptive to a replacement for the accord officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "The JCPOA, a horrible, one-sided deal, failed to achieve the fundamental objective of blocking all paths to an Iranian nuclear bomb, and it threw a lifeline of cash to a murderous dictatorship that has continued to spread bloodshed, violence, and chaos," he said. In a gesture aimed at European countries that consider the deal vital to their security but remain concerned about Iran's other activities, Trump added, "As we continue applying maximum economic pressure on the Iranian regime, I remain open to reaching a more comprehensive deal that addresses the full range of the regime's malign activities, including its ballistic missile program and its support for terrorism. The United States welcomes the partnership of likeminded nations in these efforts." Like other officials in his administration, Trump hinted at his desire for a different government to replace the theocratic rulers of Iran, without directly calling for regime change. "The United States continues to stand with the long-suffering Iranian people, who are the rightful heirs to Iran's rich heritage and the real victims of the regime's policies," he said. "We look forward to the day when the people of Iran, and all people across the region, can prosper together in safety and peace." In an interview on Fox News, Bolton said Trump is serious in offering to meet with Iranian officials to talk about its nuclear program and regional activities. "If the ayatollahs want to get out from under the squeeze, they should come and sit down," Bolton said. "The pressure will not relent while the negotiations go on, much as in the maximum pressure campaign against North Korea." US National security adviser John Bolton has taken a hawkish line on North Korea in the past. Credit:AP One of the first reactions from Tehran came from Foreign Minister Mohammad Javard Zarif, who zeroed in on sanctions affecting the sale of commercial aircraft. Administration officials said Iran uses civilian planes to ferry equipment and supplies to militias throughout the region. "Trump Administration wants the world to believe it's concerned about the Iranian people," Zarif tweeted. "Yet the very first sanctions it reimposed have canceled licenses for sales of 200+ passenger jets under absurd pretexts, endangering ordinary Iranians. US hypocrisy knows no bounds." In another tweet, Zarif posted photos of Japan after US planes detonated two nuclear bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. The European Union and US allies Britain, France and Germany announced what they called a "blocking statute" to take effect on Tuesday that would attempt to nullify US legal action against European firms doing business with Iran. "We are determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran, in accordance with EU law," a joint statement said. "The JCPOA is working and delivering on its goal, namely to ensure that the Iranian programme remains exclusively peaceful," said the statement, which repeated the commitment of the remaining parties to the deal to keep financial channels open and continue Iran's export of oil and gas. "Preserving the nuclear deal with Iran is a matter of respecting international agreements and a matter of international security," they said. The International Atomic Energy Agency, which is charged with monitoring Iran's nuclear program, has said in 11 consecutive reports that Tehran remains in compliance with the commitments it made. The White House hopes the renewed sanctions will provide leverage over Tehran's collapsing economy. The Iranian rial has been in a free fall as the deadline for the first round of sanctions neared. Previous sanctions were widely credited with getting Iran to the negotiating table, and the leadership, and the government's promises that the deal would bear fruit with a booming economy never materialized. Iran's Central Bank announced it would ease foreign exchange rules to prop up its currency and allow access to hard currency at market rates. The rial has lost about half its value since the spring. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is expected to give a speech on Monday, addressing the economy and Trump's recent offer to meet with him. The administration officials said Iran's economy has lagged in large part because of widespread corruption and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps domination. One official noted that almost 100 foreign companies have announced their intention to leave the Iranian market. "Foreign investors in Iran never know whether they are facilitating commerce or terrorism," the official told reporters. The sanctions will squeeze the Iranian economy much more, and Tehran has already started talking about the need to return to an warfooting with a "resistance" economy. The White House insists it will ensure sanctions are enforced. "We are very intent on using these financial sanctions to great economic leverage," another administration official said, characterizing the economy as on a downward spiral even before the sanctions decision was made. "There's no question financial sanctions are going to continue to bring significant financial pressure against the world's largest state sponsor of terror." London: The European Union is about to re-activate an old law to try to persuade businesses to defy US sanctions and continue to trade with Iran, in an attempt to salvage the nuclear treaty. Senior EU officials accused the US of violating international law by re-introducing the sanctions, which had been dropped in 2015 in exchange for concessions by Iran on its nuclear industry and weapons research. EU Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini Credit:AP The European Commissions high representative Federica Mogherini, in a joint statement with the foreign ministers of France, Germany and the UK, said they will activate a blocking statute on Tuesday morning, local time, in direct defiance of the sanctions which will be imposed at the same time. The (nuclear treaty) is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, crucial for the security of Europe, the region and the entire world, the EU statement said. Beirut: A research director at a military agency linked to Syria's chemical weapons program was assassinated, a newspaper close to the Syrian government has reported. The pro-government al-Watan reported on its website that Aziz Esber, of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre, died in a blast targeting his car on Saturday night, in Syria's Hama province. The Damascus sky lights up missile fire as the US or France or the UK launches an attack on Syria targeting different parts of the capital in April. Credit:AP It said Israel was suspected of carrying out the attack. There was no comment from Israeli or Syrian government officials. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the Syria war through local contacts, also reported Esber's death. It said he specialised in developing rocket systems at the center's Masyaf facility in Hama. Esber's driver was also killed in the blast, according to al-Watan and the Observatory. Montreal: Saudi Arabia has expelled Canada's ambassador in Riyadh over what officials are calling "an explicit and overt interference in the internal affairs" of the kingdom, state media say. Saudi Arabia is also halting all new investment and trade transactions with Canada, the Saudi Press Agency statement added. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir. Credit:AP The move on Sunday came after Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland tweeted on Thursday that Canada was "very alarmed" to learn Saudi authorities have arrested Samar Badawi, the sister of jailed Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, along with prominent activist Nassima al-Sada. French Gypsy Taxi driver died due to traffic accident. PHILIPSBURG:--- Another young man identified as Juancho Cannegietier was found dead in his Hyundai SUV early Monday morning. SMN News understands that the young man from St. Maarten was shot multiple times and was left to die on Margothill Road St. Peters. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson confirmed that police were called around 6am Monday morning to the scene of the crime where they found the body of the victim that is also known to police. Henson said that the detectives are busy trying to see if the killing that claimed the life of Johnathan Williams is related to Mondays killing. Henson said both men died the same way and it is necessary for police to see if the cases are linked in anyway. "Both victims were shot to death in their vehicles one day after the other." In the meantime, A Jamaican national known as YARDI that drives Gypsy taxi died as a result of a road accident on Monday morning. Henson said the driver of a white I-10 crashed into the Salt Pickers round about and died on the spot. The Gyspy driver resides on French St. Martin. Man found shot to death in his vehicle On Monday August 6th 2018 at approximately 06.40 a.m. the Emergency Dispatch received the first a call of man who was found shot to death in his vehicles on the premises of a home on Marigot Hill road in Sint Peters. Immediately several police patrols, detectives, crime scene investigators and paramedics were directed to the address in question to investigate what had taken place. On the scene the investigating officers located a grey colored Hyundai SUV with license plate P1554 in which they found the body of a man who was later identified with initials J.C. The investigators also noticed that the victim was not showing any signs of life and apparently was shot while in his vehicle. The area was immediately cordoned off by the police to preserve any evidence on the scene and for the detectives to interview potential witnesses. A medical doctor arrived on the scene and pronounced the death of the victim. By orders of the Public Prosecutor the body of the victim and the vehicle he was found in were both confiscated for further investigation. More details of this investigation are not available at this time. As soon as more information becomes available the media will be informed. This is the second shooting which took place within 24 hours. Both cases bare similarities, which may raise the suspicion in anyones mind that these cases are connected to each other, however there is no evidence thus far or any facts at this time to determine this. There is much more investigating to be done. The Detective Department, in the meanwhile, have stepped up on the amount of detectives investigating these cases and assigned them with the task to assist in solving these cases as soon as possible and to arrest those that are responsible for the shootings. At the same time Police Department is reaching out to the community to also do their part by sharing any information they have in connection with these two cases by calling 556-7498, the anonymous tip line # 9300 or you can send a private message to our Face book page. KPSM Press Release LS telcom conducts future looking study for UK Spectrum Policy Forum on UHF Band (694-960MHz) defragmentation Posted by Publisher Networking London, UK, Lichtenau/Baden, Germany, 6th August 2018 LS telcom UK was commissioned by the UK Spectrum Policy Forum (SPF) to conduct a future looking study to examine the practicality, feasibility, and implications of defragmenting the UHF band 694 to 960 MHz. SPF is the industry sounding board to Government and Ofcom on future spectrum management and regulatory policy with a view to maximizing the benefits of spectrum for the UK. The study was initiated by the UK SPF in response to radical proposals to re-plan the 694 to 960 MHz band to remove the current fragmentation. The proposals claimed that such re-planning could potentially deliver considerable benefits such as increased capacity, future proofed spectrum and securing access for DTT services below 694 MHz. The LS telcom study found that the overall capacity benefits gained from the proposed defragmentation would be small compared to the gains promised by future technology developments such as 5G and the use of higher frequency bands. Further, LS telcom determined that the proposed defragmentation would impose a considerable cost burden on mobile network operators, who would need to upgrade every base station in their network, for a fractional increase in capacity. Project manager, Saul Friedner, Associate Director of Spectrum Services at LS telcom said, \This was a challenging project due to the future looking nature and the requirement to determine what a mobile network might look like in 2030. Whichever way we looked at the problem we could see no significant justification to undertake such a defragmentation exercise.\ President Donald Trump wants a new Space Force branch of the U.S. military, but it reopens an old argument about military uses in space. Here, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida with retired NASA astronaut and Air Force Col. Buzz Aldrin. WASHINGTON A military branch for space might indeed be necessary for the United States to maintain its superpower status in the final frontier. But the Pentagon and Congress should not rush to create a Space Forcewithout at least weighing the downsides, experts caution. President Trump on June 18 ordered the Pentagon to form a sixth branch of the military dedicated to space, and Congress is poised to back that request with legislation that would be included in the 2020 defense policy bill. The president thrust the Space Force into the limelight, but neither the administration nor Congress has clearly defined its mission, said Brian Weeden, program director at the Secure World Foundation. [Military Space - Spacecraft, Weapons and Tech] Weeden spoke on Monday at The Brookings Institution in a panel discussion on the pros and cons of having a separate military service for space. Former Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James has been one of the harshest critics of Trump's proposal. The Space Force in her mind is the classic shiny object that distracts from the real debate. And Washington being Washington, "it is a virtual certainty that if a space force is legislated and goes through, it will consume a lot of time, a lot of effort and absolutely will be a distraction." In the end, "it could end up being the best thing since sliced bread," said James. But it would come at a huge price because it will "slow down the momentum" in the Air Force to accelerate space investments and programs. "At this moment the focus is on getting things done," said James. "Suddenly the focus will shift on who is going to report to whom, and how do we get these directives written and everything that goes along with creating a brand new bureaucracy." Air Force leaders "will work hard to make sure it's not a distraction but it will be, no matter how much they try to mitigate it," said James. "Eventually it'll settle out, but you will go through years of thrashing." Analysts have estimated that forming a new military service could take two to five years. One thing to remember is that major government reorganizations never pan out as planned, noted Michael O'Hanlon, senior fellow at Brookings. He recalled that after 9/11, the George W. Bush administration established an office of the director of national intelligence to lead 16 intelligence agencies. "That change may finally have achieved net benefits, but it took a decade of disruption to get it right." Similarly, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security "required huge effort and produced much chaos," O'Hanlon said. "And it probably did not improve the performance of the agencies now under its umbrella." Seemingly petty issues like the Space Force uniforms (the butt of many late night comedians' jokes) will be part of the process of standing up a new service and will add to the disruption, James said. "These are details people joke about. They may seem trivial but they are details that have to be worked out. These things take time and by nature will become a distraction," she said. "It would be a shame that something so important as a new military service focused on space would somehow be born out of ridicule." The typical "bureaucratic minutiae" will command a lot of attention, said Weeden. Invariably, controversies over things like uniforms, logos and mission statements could drag out the process. "At this moment I don't know what a space force is, it doesn't have a lot of definition to it," he said. With Russia and China developing more powerful anti-satellite weapons, the U.S. military has to beef up its space warfighting capabilities but a new service is probably not the answer. "I am skeptical," said Weeden. "Warfighting is not what an 'organize, train and equip' service does." Bring back Space Command Congress already has found a solution to the warfighting problem and it would not require a Space Force, Weeden said. The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2019 directs the Air Force to make Air Force Space Command a "sub-unified" command under U.S. Strategic Command. That would set the stage for the Air Force Space Command to eventually ascend to a full-up U.S. Space Command. "That will take care of the warfighting part," said Weeden. James agreed. "I'm in favor of that, that would be the ticket to solving the warfighting problem." Until 2002, the U.S. military had a separate space command, which had comparable standing to the major combatant commands such as Central, Pacific and European commands, O'Hanlon explained. After 9/11, the Pentagon decided it needed a Northern Command to improve security within North America. At that point, Space Command was deemed unnecessary and its responsibilities were shifted under the broader Strategic Command. James said that if the Space Force moves forward, it could comprise anywhere from 35,000 to 40,000 people who are now in the Air Force Space Command, the Army's space cadre and the intelligence community. Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan is due to submit a report to Congress on Wednesday outlining possible options. A Space Force conceivably could be modeled after the former U.S. Space Command or could be more joint, like U.S. Special Operations Command. Or it might be fashioned after the Marine Corps, a semi-autonomous service under the Department of the Navy. "I think you're going to see all these things in this report," said James. Regardless of what steps the Pentagon and Congress take next, leaders should make sure the Space Force does not become a divisive partisan issue, said Frank Rose, a Brookings fellow and former assistant secretary of state for arms control. "My concern is that the Space Force is identifiable with President Trump," he said. "After the November election there will be a 'reflexive anti-Trump sentiment.' A partisan debate is not the right way to go. We need to have a serious debate." This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry. If you've ever stood in the totality of a solar eclipse, you've seen something astonishing: the full width of the moon's dark shadow blocking out the sun, perfectly encircled by the dim, wispy rays of the sun's corona. And if you've also stood outside during a lunar eclipse, you might know that the effect is somewhat less dramatic. As Earth's shadow falls on the moon, it quickly swallows the smaller orbiting rock. The effect of the moon glowing bloody red with Earth's refracted twilight is beautiful, but the effect doesn't fully convey the scale of the astronomical phenomenon at work in the same in-your-face way as happens during a solar eclipse. The moon, much smaller than Earth's shadow, never shows the whole thing on its surface. Australian amateur astronomer Tom Harradine took an impressive stab at solving that problem with a composite image posted to his personal Facebook page originally covered by Gizmodo and shared with Live Science. By carefully arranging several different photos taken during the July 27 lunar eclipse, the longest of the 21st Century, he revealed the full scale of the Earth's shadow in space. The effect is remarkably precise; the circular shadow that emerges in Harradine's image is 2.61 times the size of the moon in the image. That's true in real life. (Image credit: Tom Harradine) Astute eclipse-followers might remember that the moon doesn't actually spiral through Earth's shadow in the way it appears to in this image. Instead, this eclipse was so long in part because the moon passed straight through the center of the Earth's shadow, spending a long time in the darkness after entering on one end and leaving on the other. Harradine's composite image is thus a bit of an illusion, the result of not only compositing images but also carefully rotating them to fit. Still, the effect works because, in aligning each rotated image in the sequence according to the visible curvature of Earth's shadow, the combined moons form a full Earth umbra (shadow). The visible shadow is from one straight traverse of the moon, but it's more than enough in the way of raw material to create Harradine's stunning, educational result. Originally published on Live Science. HELSINKI Emerging private Chinese company Landspace is set to launch its first rocket into orbit in the final quarter of 2018, carrying a small satellite for a state television company. Landspace announced Aug. 2 that the three-stage solid-propellant LandSpace rocket, named Zhuque-1, will carry the China Central Television (CCTV) satellite for space science experiments and remote sensing before the end of the year. It is expected to be China's first private orbital launch with the privately developed satellite to operate for two years in a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). Measuring 320 by 295 by 248 millimeters, the satellite is roughly the size of a three-unit cubesat. [China Joins Private Space Race with Landmark OneSpace Rocket Launch] Illustration of the CCTV small satellite payload for the Zhuque-1 debut launch. (Image credit: Landspace) Zhuque-1 is a 19-meter-tall, 1.35-meter-diameter rocket with a takeoff mass of 27 metric tons and thrust of 45 tons, able to carry 200 kilograms to 500-kilometer SSO and 300 kilograms to a 300 kilometers low Earth orbit. No launch site was named in the Aug. 2 press release but a contract signed by Danish cubesat maker Gomspace and Landspace for a rideshare service in 2018 previously identified the Wenchang Satellite Launch Centre, China's new coastal launch site, as the location for Landspace's debut launch. Beyond this demonstration, Landspace has much grander plans. Last month the company said it had designed a methane- and liquid-oxygen-powered rocket it aims to test launch in 2020. The two-stage Zhuque-2 (ZQ-2) rocket will measure 48.8-meters tall with a diameter of 3.35 meters and be capable of delivering a 4,000-kilogram payload capacity to a 200-kilometer low Earth orbit and 2,000 kilograms to 500-kilometer SSO, using 80-ton and 10-ton methane engines. The future ZQ-2A, B and C three-stage rockets will aim to be able to lift 6,000, 17,000 and 32,000 kilograms to 200-kilometer low Earth orbit, respectively indicating ambitions that currently go well beyond those of other emerging private launch companies in China. OneSpace, others to follow into orbit OneSpace, established in 2015, last month announced it had test fired the first-stage rocket motor for its OS-M1, the first of an orbital series of rockets, which is also now expected to fly around the end of 2018. In an email to SpaceNews last month, a OneSpace representative said that a payload has been arranged for this first flight as it looks find its place in the market. OneSpace, along with other emerging companies, have come a long way since their founding following a Chinese government policy shift to allow private enterprise into the space sector in 2014. Availability of talent and technology have been key to progress. "OneSpace [has] already gathered 130 talents all from first-class universities and scientific institutes," according to Luo Zihao of OneSpace, who also said access to mature technology has been crucial. "The launch success rate of China's rockets is at the international advanced level. Thus, China already have mature space technologies. What private enterprises do is to apply original military aerospace technologies into private rockets." Luo explained that Chinese President Xi Jinping promoted military-civilian integration as a national strategy in 2015 and the Chinese government began to solicit opinions on commercial space industry from all stakeholders. "Policies for Chinese commercial space industry have opened gradually, and private capital began to enter into this specific area, which raised a new development trend of the commercial space industry. All of the above have provided us with very good support," Luo said. With its OS-M series rockets OneSpace, "aims to provide launch service to small and micro satellites, providing customers launch service with efficient, reliable and rapid response at a competitive price." Coordination with the national launch sites three inland at Jiuquan, Taiyuan and Xichang and the coastal Wenchang complex and proving the reliability of OS-M1 rocket's components were stated as the major challenges OneSpace faces in establishing itself as a launch provider. Also in the road ahead will be competition from Landspace and others. [China's Space Station Will Be Open to Science from All UN Nations] Private and state launch competition grows iSpace, set up in 2016 and which launched its Hyperbola-1S solid rocket above the Karman line from Hainan in April , is also looking to compete with orbital solid-fueled Hyperbola rockets in the near future, followed by more capable liquid-propellant rockets. Another company, Linkspace, is looking debut its vertical takeoff, vertical landing rocket in 2020. The country's state-owned space behemoths are also providing competition in the micro and small launcher market. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the main contractor for the space program, is aiming to use its light-lift Long March 11 solid-fueled rocket for low latitude sea launches using a large, modified vessel starting this year. Earlier this week it was announced that Chinarocket Co., Ltd., operating under CASC, is developing the 'Lightning Dragon-1' (Jie Long-1) micro launcher, designed to be "fast, agile and flexible" and capable of putting 150 kilograms into a 700-kilometer Sun-synchronous orbit. No test flight date was stated. Expace, a nominally private launch provider under the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), the state-owned missile maker and defense giant, is also expected to launch multiple commercial satellites this year using its Kuaizhou solid propellant rockets. This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry. On Aug. 4, 2018, Patrick Stewart announced his return to the role of Capt. Jean Luc Picard on a new CBS All Access series. As a famous "Star Trek" captain once said, things are only impossible until they're not. An incredible 24 years after "The Next Generation" (TNG) finished its television run, star Patrick Stewart announced he will reprise his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in a new CBS series. TNG was a groundbreaking series in its day, dealing with sensitive matters such as torture and gender equality as it followed a space crew exploring the universe and occasionally fighting other species, such as the Borg and the Romulans. TNG clocked seven seasons and 178 episodes between 1987 and 1994, also generating four Hollywood films after the series' end. Stewart, 78, will return to the role via CBS All Access, the same online platform on which new series "Star Trek: Discovery" debuted last year. Discovery co-creator Alex Kurtzman is working on a number of rumored "Star Trek" series, with this Picard-focused one first mentioned publicly in June. [6 'Star Trek' Captains, Ranked from Worst to Best] Kurtzman appeared unexpectedly at the "Star Trek" Convention Las Vegas this past weekend, along with Stewart, to confirm the rumors were true, according to ComicBook.com. No details were released about when the series will debut or how many episodes it will run. "It is an unexpected but delightful surprise to find myself excited and invigorated to be returning to Jean-Luc Picard and to explore new dimensions within him. Seeking out new life for him, when I thought that life was over," Stewart wrote in a statement posted ton Twitter Saturday (Aug. 4). "During these past years, it has been humbling to hear stories about how 'The Next Generation' brought people comfort, saw them through difficult periods in their lives or how the example of Jean-Luc inspired so many to follow in his footsteps, pursuing science, exploration and leadership," Stewart continued. "I feel I'm ready to return to him for the same reason to research and experience what comforting and reforming light he might shine on these often very dark times. I look forward to working with our brilliant creative team as we endeavor to bring a fresh, unexpected and pertinent story to life once more." Stewart's last appearance as Picard came in 2002, in the movie "Star Trek: Nemesis." Stewart began his acting career in the 1960s, winning a major award in 1979 for his stage performance in Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra" in London's West End. Stewart is also known for a number of television and film roles, including Professor Charles Xavier in "X-Men" and CIA Deputy Director Avery Bullock in "American Dad!" The "Star Trek" franchise celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016. Among its many followers are a number of NASA astronauts, including a handful who made cameos in the series over the years. Editor's Note: This article has been corrected to reflect that TNG ended its television run 24 years ago, not 28. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. This image shows a fireball over California on Oct. 17, 2012. In July 2018, a meteor fell to Earth just outside of a U.S. military base in Greenland. Lat month, a fiery meteor was detected in Greenland close to a U.S. Air Force base with 2.1 kilotons of force, as reported by scientists on Twitter. On July 25, an object moving at about 15 miles/second (24.4 kilometers/second), or 54,000 mph (87,000 km/h), was identified near Thule Air Base. The U.S. Air Force did not immediately report the event or respond to the crash, according to The Aviationist. However, Air Force spokeswoman Capt. Hope Cronin said in an email to Military.com that no one was injured and that the meteor didn't affect or harm any activity at the base. Though concerning, the object had a relatively small effect. "By comparison, the 2013 meteor over Chelyabinsk, Russia released over 200 times the energy of the Greenland meteor," JoAnna Wendel, a NASA spokeswoman, said in the report by Military.com. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) confirmed the object's speed, though the actual size of the meteor remains unknown. It was also reported that the object was about 27 miles (43 km) north of Thule Air Base. Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project for the Federation of American Scientists, and Ron Baalke of JPL, also known as "Rocket Ron," a "Space Explorer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory" on Twitter, have discussed the impact on Twitter. Baalke reported the event, while Kristensen added that the event did not seem to be any sort of attack. See more Lisa Guerriero, the founder of datastro.eu, an astronomy data portal, shared JPL's data from the impact in a following tweet. See more It is not uncommon for small asteroids to enter Earth's atmosphere and turn into bolides, or fireballs, according to data from NASA's Near-Earth Object program. "Meteors of this magnitude or greater, caused by the impact of small asteroids (a few meters in size) with Earth's atmosphere, occur a few times a year," Wendel said. Email Chelsea Gohd at cgohd@space.com or follow her @chelsea_gohd. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. Boumerdes (Algeria), August 5, 2018 (SPS) - President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), Secretary General of the Polisario Front Brahim Ghali said Saturday; in Boumerdes (50-km east of Algiers), his satisfaction with the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), which confirm that Western Sahara and Morocco are two different countries and that no agreement with Morocco can include the territory of Western Sahara and the adjoining waters. In an address at the opening of the ninth Summer Conference of the executives and members of the Polisario Front and the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) opened Saturday in Boumerdes, Algeria under the slogan "the 45th Anniversary of the Polisario Front, Oath and Continuity for Independence and self-determination," President Ghali expressed satisfaction with the successive franc and clear decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). The European Court's rulings "uphold a series of similar decisions and recommendations by the United Nations and the African Union, confirming that Western Sahara and Morocco are two different and separate countries." "No agreement with Morocco can include the territory of Western Sahara and the adjoining waters," said the Saharawi leader citing CJEU's ruling. "The rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union show clearly that such practices are a direct violation of the right to self-determination," Ghali said, criticizing "the attempts made by certain parties within the European Union (EU) to carry on regardless of those rulings." "It is a violation of the European law, the international law and the humanitarian law," the Saharawi president stressed. (SPS) 062/SPS/APS STAMFORD Complaints about school buses in the last few months rose to a level that caught the attention of the Board of Representatives. Members of the boards Education Committee asked the school districts transportation director, Steve Schneider, and newly hired operations director, Clarence Zachery, to answer questions about overcrowding, long rides, bad behavior, on-board security cameras, and use of monitors. Schneider and Zachery offered explanations and an assurance that the complaints are heard. City Rep. Virgil de la Cruz, D-2, said safety on school buses is a significant enough issue that it deserved a hearing before the Education Committee. I put it on the agenda to see how we can put a focus on this and to see what can be done, de la Cruz said during the committees sparsely attended July 30 meeting. Two recent forums at two different schools, including one in his Waterside district, revealed that for many children a one-way bus ride can be 55 minutes. Zachery, who started his job July 2 - his full title is chief fiscal and operations support officer for the Board of Education - said one reason for the long rides is that Stamford requires that schools be racially balanced, so more children are bused out of their neighborhoods. Another factor is the number of magnet schools, he said. A magnet is a public school that offers special programs designed to attract students from throughout the district. Parents have some choice about which school they want to go to. That may not explain all of it, but Ive seen our routing map and its a spider web, Zachery told the committee. Westover, a magnet elementary school on Stillwater Avenue, is an example, Schneider said. Westover has kids coming from everywhere, so the route is over 45 minutes, he said. Another magnet elementary school, Rogers on Blachley Road, in the southern section of the city, also has long routes, he said. That can be 55 minutes for kids who live in North Stamford - the limit the district set for a bus ride, Schneider said. He said he attended the recent forums and found that parents may not count the length of a bus ride accurately. A school may let out at 3:30 p.m. but the bus may not be loaded until 3:45, Schneider said. Parents dont factor in loading time. They just know the kids get out at 3:30, he said. Stamford traffic also slows buses down, Schneider said. Unfortunately Stamford construction is out of control. We are challenged by those factors, he said. The districts Student Advisory Council has reported that buses are often late for school, committee members said. Children are marked absent because the bus was late, de la Cruz said. Schneider said elementary school children are walked into the building, and middle schoolers are also tracked, so that should not be the case. Buses arrive early at Westhill and Stamford high schools, he said. We drop off at 7 a.m. so kids can get to their lockers, Schneider said. By 7:12, 7:15 parents are dropping off, so were out of there before that. Zachery said his office will monitor reports of overcrowding on buses. Sometimes kids squeeze in together to sit with a friend, and other seats are empty, he said. If every seat is occupied and there are still three kids to a seat, thats overcrowding. Many parents want to know why school buses dont have monitors, representatives said. Zachery said they are expensive, so one per bus is not feasible, but they may be placed occasionally on a bus that has repeated reports of bad behavior. Having parent-volunteer monitors is not a good idea, Zachery said. Its a liability issue because it involves the safety of children, he said. I have to mitigate the risks for the Board of Education and the city. Regulations are stringent, Schneider said. Volunteers would have to sit in the middle of bus and not get up, in case the bus stops short. Theres not a lot they would be able to do, he said. We are not allowed to break up fights anymore because were not allowed to touch children. De la Cruz said parents in his district have reported that many security cameras - each school bus has one in the front and one in the back - are broken. Cameras are used when a behavioral problem is reported and administrators or parents want to see what happened. Schneider said camera footage is requested five times a week at some schools. But he said problems with broken cameras are not chronic. Cameras are checked five times a year and the bus contractor, First Student, replaces them as soon as they know they are broken. Thats not what he heard from parents at the forum, de la Cruz said. There have been enough instances where cameras were not working that it rose to the level that meetings were held, de la Cruz said. Im telling you the perception doesnt quite jive with what you are saying. Its an indication that maybe what parents see is not what you are seeing. A lot of the problem is perception, Zachery said, but its the districts job to clear that up. Parents have perceptions and, whether accurate or not ... we have to deal with them, Zachery said. The fact that they had a meeting doesnt necessarily imply there was a problem. They had a forum to voice their concerns, and the concerns were taken. We try to focus on data. You allow parents to express their concerns and check everything against data. School buses are well-monitored, Schneider said. They are equipped with GPS to identify speeding and other driver behavior, and five have outside cameras to capture motorists who pass them during a stop. As long as the school system is willing to keep this in mind, de la Cruz said. At least I brought it to your attention. To report a problem with a school bus, email Schneider at sschneider@stamfordct.gov or call 203-977-4249. Schools open Aug. 30. acarella@stamfordadvocate.com NEW FAIRFIELD When David Packer worried he would lose his family home on Squantz Pond to rising property taxes, he decided to follow the path his father had in the 1960s and 70s renting it to guests. His method, Airbnbs online rental service, was of course different than his fathers had been, Packer said, but the economic benefit proved to be largely the same. For me, as it has for others who list their property, (Airbnb) has been an economic life preserver allowing us to keep our home, Packer said, adding that hes even earned enough to make overdue improvements to his property. As for the guests, theyre spending money right here in New Fairfield at our stores and restaurants...and theyre paying a 15 percent tax to the state of Connecticut for their stay. He and other Airbnb hosts, including Sweet Dottis Cottage owner Rob White, contended in a public hearing last week that the website has provided responsible guests to stay in their homes, all while creating an added source of income. But others in the crowd told horror stories of other Airbnb hosts squeezing large groups into small houses by counting couches, air mattresses and even hammocks as beds. The arguments echo an ongoing debate around the country as states and municipalities take different approaches to ensuring the online rental system doesnt disturb neighborhoods, the housing market or the hospitality industry. Some, like New York City, have created a 30-day minimum for rentals, while others limit the times per year owners can rent or require a registry for hosts. In Connecticut, the state legislature has not yet taken action on the rentals, except to become one of the states that partners with Airbnb to collect the 15 percent lodging tax from renters. The hearing in New Fairfield, the first step in its efforts to regulate the rentals, is the first time the debate has reached the small town. Zoning officials scheduled it after at least a dozen Airbnb properties popped up this year, mostly around the lake. The lakeside residents seemed to agree that some sort of regulation or enforcement is necessary to protect neighborhoods from absentee owners. Neighbors said in those cases renters have left behind trash, created parking hazards, strained septic systems, used neighbors docks and at one home, are going to the bathroom outside. We have had college frat parties, weve had people show up running around naked, its not a good thing, one Candlewood Isle resident said. We need to maintain our homes and our properties for our familiesOur neighborhood is a home private community, not a resort. But owners like White and Packer, and other supportive residents, claim that the irresponsible hosts shouldnt mean the town should shut down all Airbnbs, which can help homeowners, the towns economy and provide hospitality options. Weve had now more than 100 rentals in three years and weve had almost no problems at all, White said. Local laws One of the first steps for New Fairfield officials will be exploring how other Connecticut towns have dealt with the issue. Because the state hasnt come down on either side of the debate, towns and cities can take different approaches with how to regulate the rentals locally. At least in New Haven and Stamford, the top two spots in Connecticut for Airbnb according to the companys data, officials have already begun looking at how to regulate the rentals. Both cities started examining their options at different times last year, when, as in New Fairfield, residents complained of homes that began operating with hotel-like turnover. But for the Danbury area, it seems the issue hasnt come to the forefront in other towns the way it has for New Fairfield. I know theyre in town, Ive heard of them, but I think theyre relatively low-key, said George Benson, Newtowns director of planning. I havent had any complaints about them in town that I know of...Its something we eventually (will have to address). Officials in Brookfield and Bridgewater also said there are no specific Airbnb regulations on the books. But Benson added that for Newtown at least, the town likely wont have to add anything new to its regulations to shut down problematic Airbnbs should the issue pop up. The short-term rental isnt specifically listed in the regulations, but because it isnt on the list of what residents can do, it means its not allowed. This approach is similar to how Ridgefield handled things when several Airbnbs created problems in town about four years ago. Planning and Zoning Director Richard Baldelli said it wasnt difficult to address the issue because bed and breakfasts, though not specifically Airbnbs, are already regulated in the zoning laws. To us, Airbnb is just a method of advertising, Baldelli said. If you are going to rent a room in your home to someone on a transient-type basis for compensation, youre a bed and breakfast, whether you do it through Airbnb, through your newspaper, or any other method. The short-term rentals were creating similar problems for neighbors in Ridgefield as they were in New Fairfield, Baldelli said, though on a smaller scale, likely because Ridgefield isnt a lakeside vacation community. One of the most problematic situations, though, was near one of the towns lakes, where renters were throwing frat-like parties at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, he said. Officials shut down the Airbnbs, but offered each of the hosts the option of applying for a special permit, as is required for bed and breakfasts to run the rentals legally, Baldelli said. So far, no former Airbnb hosts have gone through with process and to his knowledge there arent any operating in town, he added. There have been some residents, though, that have recently expressed interest in opening a bed and breakfast due to a Planning and Zoning Commission effort to increase hospitality options. Looking forward In New Fairfield, zoning officials said they will need to balance any regulations with the towns tradition of renting lakeside properties. The commission agreed to begin discussing points brought up at the hearing at next months meeting. So far, ideas brought up by residents include requiring properties to register, creating a contact list for hosts, adding guidelines to zoning rules or passing regulations through a town ordinance. We have made no decisions for or against, Zoning Chair John Moran said. I would anticipate it will probably take us four or five months, maybe less, to come up with a recommendation, or no recommendation. Thats always possible. aquinn@newstimes.com You notice a few things when talking to seven gubernatorial candidates. Some are obvious. Most news coverage notes the division between the politicians (Mark Boughton, Joe Ganim and Tim Herbst) and the rich businessmen (Bob Stefanowski, Steve Obsitnik, Ned Lamont and David Stemerman). Though its not usually reported, you may have realized they are all white men. In conversation, certain words and phrases linger in the room, even as the characters change. Several talk about Connecticuts good bones and the value of our states diversity. The clearest distinction I could identify was in their hand gestures. Maybe its because such movements are often involuntary, but they seem more revealing than decisions on whether to skip the necktie. Studies suggest people who use few gestures are perceived as cold and logical (think Spock), and those who are expressive with their hands are recognized as energetic and friendly (Capt. Kirk). I couldnt find an expert willing to translate the motions. Of course, I dont need much analysis to assess anyone who wants to be the kingpin of a state in peril. Im confident each of the would-be Seven Samurai have healthy egos, so I leave the interpretation to you. Stefanowski: Most of the time, hes so comfortable he could be at the Thanksgiving table, glasses dangling from one hand with the other in a pocket as he awaits dessert. During his videotaped elevator pitch he points to the camera like Uncle Sam, minus the passion. Lamont: The Greenwich Democrat may be seeking his first office, but hes put in enough campaign miles to project ease. With his sleeves rolled up, he raises both arms while jesting I look a little like a Republican. At times, hands grip the armrests like hes trying out an electric chair. But he can become animated, wiping clean an imaginary chalkboard. When he mentions playing footsie with the enemy in reference to President Donald Trumps flirtations with world leaders, I resist peeking under the table. Boughton: After 16 years as Danburys mayor, he knows better than to perform for a room of journalists. His hands hover, only occasionally straying from side to side as though he is playing an accordion. Herbst: Throughout his tenure as Trumbulls first selectman, he earned a reputation for speaking from his gut. He is a man in motion, grabbing an invisible steering wheel or spreading his wingspan to define the state deficit. As a result, he is the only candidate who wipes sweat from his forehead (in fairness, its a warm room). Obsitnik: A U.S. Navy veteran who was deployed on a nuclear submarine, he knows something about communicating through static. His hands swim several laps across the table. He mimes a hug and draws air circles. He is also the only candidate who uses his hands to wipe a tear, after summoning the memory of informing a mother her son died while serving under his command. Stemerman: A graduate of the less is more school, Stemermans hands spend most of the hour on the table, flat or clasped, so when he raises one finger, or five, it truly emphasizes his point. I am my own person, he says. They all are. Ganim: And finally, from the more is more school, is the man who will become a national story if he wins the primary over Lamont. Hes the only candidate with The Clinton Thumb. If you turned the sound off, he would at times appear to be holding a live grenade, or peering through the blinds of some faraway hotel room. When using the word inhumane in reference to immigration policies, the knuckles of his thumbs meet and his fingerprints kiss to form a heart. Maybe its the boxer in Ganim, or the ex-con, but he keeps moving, he keeps punching the air. More Information Men in motion Watch the candidates' "elevator pitches" at www.stamfordadvocate.com/politics/ See More Collapse He is the only candidate to take a phantom hook shot. The other six might want to keep those hands up to block it. John Breunig is editorial page editor of the Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time. Jbreunig@scni.com; 203-964-2281; twitter.com/johnbreunig. Just hours after a gunman opened fire inside a Parkland, Florida, high school, killing 17 people and injuring 17 more, police sat down to speak to the suspected attacker. He confessed to carrying out the massacre, police said. But he went on to say more than that during an extended interview, telling police that for years he had heard a "demon" in his head giving him directions. When asked what the voice told him to do, the suspected gunman said: "Burn. Kill. Destroy." The detail emerged Monday in a transcript of an interview Nikolas Cruz, 19, gave to police in the aftermath of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. While authorities had previously said Cruz acknowledged that "he was the gunman who entered the school campus . . . and began shooting students," the newly-released transcript shows for the first time much of what he told police the day of the Feb. 14 massacre and sheds light on his state of mind after the bloodshed. In the 217-page transcript, much of which is redacted, the suspected attacker told Det. John Curcio of the Broward County Sheriff's Office that shortly before the Parkland massacre, he had planned to go to a park and start shooting people. He described encountering police before because he was "shooting animals," recounted trying to kill himself before the attack because of his "loneliness" and said he used Xanax and marijuana. When asked by Curcio early in the interview if he wanted water, the suspect said: "I don't deserve it." He described hearing the male voice every day and said it got worse after his mother died a few months before the massacre. He said the voice told him to buy the AR-15 used in the attack. "Personally, I think you're using the demon as an excuse," Curcio said at one point, according to the transcript. "You could have stopped the demon any time you want. You didn't want to stop the demon." The suspect argued, insisting Curcio was wrong. At one point, when Curcio left the room, the suspect - apparently alone - is recorded saying, "I want to die." At another point when Curcio left the room, he repeats over and over: "Why didn't he kill me? Why didn't he kill me? Why didn't he kill me?" At another point, his brother Zachary Cruz is brought in. He told the suspect that "people think you're a monster" and asked, "Why did you do this?" The suspect responded: "I'm sorry, dude." The rest of his response is redacted. After the Stoneman Douglas massacre, police found the suspected attacker in a neighborhood more than a mile from the campus. The suburban school had been transformed into a crime scene that even veteran law enforcement officials said was particularly gruesome. According to authorities, the suspected attacker dropped his gun and vest and walked off campus, blending in with the students who were fleeing. Attorneys for the suspected gunman have acknowledged his guilt, focusing their efforts instead on arguing that he should be spared a death sentence and offering to have him plead guilty in exchange for life in prison without parole. Prosecutors have ignored these offers so far, saying they will seek the death penalty for the former Stoneman Douglas student, who was indicted on 17 counts of murder in the first degree and another 17 counts of attempted murder. "This statement is just more proof of how severely damaged and broken a human being he is," Howard Finkelstein, the Broward County public defender representing the suspect, wrote in an email Monday. "He is the most damaged and broken human being I have encountered in 40 years of doing this type of work. Everybody knew it." The transcript's release, coming just days before students begin a new school year at Stoneman Douglas, is the latest disclosure officials have made since the massacre in Broward County, which set off a wave of investigations into how authorities reacted to the shooting itself and the litany of warning signs that preceded it. Since the attack, authorities have released footage of the law enforcement response at the school, made public some 911 calls from the attack and published a timeline of what unfolded. In May, officials released video footage showing the 19-year-old suspect announcing his goal of becoming a school shooter and gloating about the infamy he would gain. Survivors of the massacre and their relatives have asked media groups not to give the alleged attacker the attention he described, echoing what others have said about limiting coverage of mass killers after previous attacks. Officials who released the transcript on Monday will also make public an edited video of the interview this week. Last month, a judge in South Florida ordered authorities to release both the transcript and the video, albeit with some portions removed from public view. Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer wrote in a July 26 order that "no substance of any confession that [Cruz] made to police during the instant interrogation is subject to public disclosure" - but she added that there were other parts of the statement "not considered" to be the substance of a confession. The suspect's attorneys argued against releasing any part of the statement publicly, saying it would keep him from being able to get a fair trial before an impartial jury, while state officials offered a transcript for potential release with some parts redacted. Scherer said a few things they redacted should be released but otherwise agreed with what the state suggested and ordered the transcript's disclosure. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. Hotel California, by the Eagles The Supreme Courts decision in Janus v. AFSCME barring public-sector labor unions from forcing non-members to pay agency fees was widely expected, but its mandate requiring that unions obtain non-members prior consent to any continuing fee payments was not. Nor was there much appreciation of the need for the opt-in standard. Well, without the opt-in, union bosses had evaded the courts 2014 opinion in Harris v. Quinn, that applied the same forced-fee prohibition to a special sub-category of public-sector unions, so-called partial public employee (PPE) unions. Because of the peculiar origin and nature of PPE unions, many workers were unaware of their union status. Before Harris, the PPE unions had been collecting dues from workers on the mere presumption they were members, even though many hadnt signed union cards. Dues were taken unless those workers opted out by written request, in which case then-mandatory agency fees were taken. Many PPE union leaders continued this practice after the Harris ruling, even presuming that nonmembers had consented to now-optional fee payments unless they opted out of those separately. PPEs include home health aides and in-home child care providers (business owners). They are private-sector workers, but are paid using state benefit funds. So, some states dubiously categorized them as public employees for collective-bargaining purposes, and agreed in contracts to automatically deducted dues and fees from workers paychecks. Most PPE unions were created originally by blatant political maneuvering, mainly through executive orders by Democratic governors mandating a union election with only the loosest of rules. In Connecticut, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy issued such orders in September 2011, and SEIU was certified to represent 6,500 home health aides (likely an undercount, since there are 13,500 now) on the strength of just 1,228 yes votes out of 1,593 cast. With such low participation, many home aides did not know theyd been unionized. Out west, Washington state collected dues for SEIU 775 from about 36,000 in-home health aides, despite the fact that thousands had not signed union cards. Then, in reaction to Harris, SEIU 775 adopted a cunningly circular logic, according to Max Nelsen of the Freedom Foundation, a west coast nonprofit. The union amended its bylaws to classify anyone paying dues as a member. So workers were members because they paid dues, and they paid dues because they were members. All this transpired without most workers knowledge. Also, SEIU 775 tightened resignation rules to lock in those who might become aware of their Harris rights. A member could resign, and a non-member could opt out, only by giving written notice to both the union and the state within a narrow annual 15 day window. Behold SEIUs Hotel California rules. The Freedom Foundation decided that workers should know their rights. It requested a list of workers contact information only, nothing personal under Washingtons open public-records law. SEIU 775 sued in state court to block release of the list. It lost, appealed, lost again and, then, lost a final time when the Washington Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Over the two years involved, SEIU pursued a parallel legislative strategy, which failed when Washingtons legislature rejected two SEIU initiatives. Finally, in 2016, SEIU 775 spent $2 million on a successful ballot initiative exempting PPE contact information from the public-records law. Newspapers nationwide condemned the initiative for its deceptive language and for its only exception: the union can still get a list. Now, even other PPEs cannot obtain contact information for fellow PPEs if, say, they want to collect signatures for a new union election. Because of this, a group of PPEs filed suit in federal court to challenge the exemption from public records law. The case, Boardman v Inslee, is pending in the Western District of Washington. SEIU 775s machinations proved remarkably successful. Two years after Harris, it retained 94 percent of its membership, according to data the Freedom Foundation obtained from the state. Meanwhile, SEIU 925 representing child-care providers in Washington adopted an opt-in policy after Harris and lost 60 percent of its membership. The clear lesson for union bosses is that non-transparency pays. Janus correctly blocked this option. But the battle continues. Union leaders have proven that they can develop unscrupulous tactics to hoodwink the workers they claim to represent and to evade the impact of Supreme Court decisions. Undoubtedly, there will be more litigation, which could be minimized were the courts to enlist allies in monitoring union behavior. They should strike down the laws exempting worker contact information from public records laws, beginning with the Boardman case, which would enable the Freedom Foundation to communicate directly with SEIU 775 members and offer another source of information and another perspective. More work remains to dismantle labors Hotel California. Red Jahncke is the president of Townsend Group Intl, LLC, a Greenwich-based consulting firm. A prior version of this column appeared in National Review. STAMFORD The discovery of a Nazi hate symbol co-opted by white supremacists at a city beach over the weekend has led to the police departments graffiti squad to paint over it on Monday. The discovery of the twin lightning bolts signifying an elite branch of Adolph Hitlers Nazi military especially known for brutalizing and murdering individuals in areas invaded by Germany during World War II was made by Stamford Advocate photographer Michael Cummo on Sunday. The one-foot-high by one-foot-wide symbol at West Beach was found on a broken slab of concrete used as rip rap next to the parks boat trailer loading ramp. Stamford assistant police Chief James Matheny said the spray paint on the slab looked worn and he couldnt be sure if it hadnt been on the chunk of concrete when it was dropped off near the waters edge years ago. It was difficult to find at first. If it was meant to be threatening or a message to someone, it was inefficiently done because almost nobody would see it, Matheny said. But out of an abundance of caution and because we take all of these incidents seriously, we have documented it, photographed and had our anti-graffiti squad remove it. Kelly Johnson, 38, who was watching her young cousin play at the beach on Monday morning thought it was too bad someone in this day and age would have such hate for another group of people. Its 2018 we are in and this stuff is still happening and still pretty relevant, She said. Many people wouldnt have noticed it. Its very sad. Beachgoer Korab Gervalla, 34, a native of Albania, said he lived through destruction and ethnic cleansing during the Bosnian War, and seeing the twin lightning bolts in Stamford came as a surprise to him. It is not good and I did not expect to see that here, said Gervalla, who came to the U.S. four years ago. We want to grow up in peace. Diane Sloyer, CEO for the United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien said she is saddened whenever such symbols are found in Stamford. It saddens me that such hate exists in a city that is so welcoming and diverse as Stamford, Sloyer said. The United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford condemns these acts of hatred and intimidation. Symbols like these are not just attacks on individuals, but on all of us." jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com STAMFORD A man who was trying to rebuild a dilapidated volleyball court at Lione Park over the weekend was arrested by police because he did not have permission to do any work in the park. Sgt. Robert Shawinsky said park police officer Clive Levine arrived at the site on Sunday to find a group of laborers in front of the volleyball courts. Between 10 and 15 males were working with pickaxes. rakes and shovels busily taking apart an old volleyball court, next to another court recently installed. I f anybody cares to doubt the extent of Frances efforts to encourage City firms to flee Brexit for Paris, they should talk to our financial services chief executives. Not just the bosses of HSBC, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, BlackRock, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, who have already agreed to expand their operations there, but the ones still considering their options. One such FTSE-100 chieftain recently told of how he was stunned at the extent the Macron government was prepared to go to lure his business across the Channel. He and a handful of fellow City capos had just returned from Paris where they were hosted by Bruno Le Maire, the French finance minister. In a grand room of the Elysee Palace, Philip Hammonds oppo gave the clear impression he would do almost anything to get them to move there. Le Maire a man with no small workload spent the large part of a day with them, painstakingly laying out how France was liberalising its financial services environment. He listened to their concerns and reassured them, in detail, that the Macron administration was dealing with them. He wanted British business and wasnt being subtle about it, said the Footsie boss. Today, the FT reports that Hammond is privately warning that France will up its efforts to win UK business by making it harder for City firms to access European markets after Brexit. Not immediately the disruption would be too great for French companies but in the coming years, Paris will lead moves to develop regulations that will bind City-based firms like creeping ivy. Hammond is absolutely right: the pro-business corners of Paris have long coveted the Citys dominance of global finance. While France has hobbled its banks growth with decades of socialism, Londons financial services industry has grown to a position where it now contributes 35 billion a year in taxes to the UK treasury, half of which is from non-UK firms. Macrons camp see Brexit as the biggest opportunity since Big Bang for France to get a share of that booty. And why wouldnt they? Britain is spectacularly shooting its most lucrative industry finance in the foot by leaving the worlds biggest trading bloc, removing one of the key reasons international firms base themselves here. Now the hardcore Eurosceptics seem intent on exacerbating the damage by pushing for a no-deal departure that would make us even less attractive as a financial hub. They think international banks and insurance companies will never move from the City. Instead, they will push their services to exciting new emerging markets in Asia and Africa. Perhaps Brexiteers havent noticed, but as figures from HSBC show today our financial firms are already there. A no-deal Brexit offers only negatives for the City. The positives will be enjoyed by Londons rivals on the continent. T wo housebuilders working on creating thousands of new homes in London, on Monday kicked off major recruitment drives to prepare for a potential Brexit exodus of construction workers. Galliard Homes, which has 12,800 homes in the pipeline including in Shoreditch, Wimbledon and Southall, has started looking to hire 120 over the next 24 months. Over the same period Weston Homes, which has a 2 billion 7500-units pipeline, wants to secure 350 new workers. The former has created new roles in construction, planning, and management. The latter wants to fill jobs in building and other parts of the firm, which is working on projects in areas such as Barking. The hiring spree comes amid concerns that there will be a shortage of skilled staff after Britain leaves the bloc next March. Don OSullivan, chief executive of Galliard, said: With Brexit looming, we decided to launch three new recruitment programmes to attract students, apprentices and new graduates, so that we can tap up young people and train them, to ensure we have a big workforce so that the business can grow. His firm has upped holiday leaved, made improvements to private healthcare, and is offering some bonuses following a strategy review. Weston Homes boss Bob Weston said: Brexit is having a huge long term impact on the London and wider UK construction industry. As we go through the next economic cycle we wont get the replacement people from the EU that the construction sector has traditionally relied upon. A s a general rule of thumb, fledgling start-ups try to rustle up funds from angel investors and venture capitalists or turn to crowdfunding to grow. But not so Sosandar, an online purveyor of womens frocks favoured by TV presenters such as Holly Willoughby and Lorraine Kelly. The retailer floated on Londons junior market, AIM, in November, only 14 months after its official launch. It started life as Thread35, a fashion brand set up by the joint chief executives of the company, Julie Lavington and Ali Hall, who used to publish and co-edit womens magazine Look. It then listed as Sosandar through a reverse takeover of Orogen, a gold-digging company turned cash shell, which bought Thread. Sosandar raised 5.3 million from investors the placing was oversubscribed before its IPO. Some in the City said at the time it punched above its weight and came to market far too soon, inviting unnecessary scrutiny and racking up extra costs. It has definitely been the right thing to do, retorts Lavington. In its last update, the retailer said it made a pre-tax loss of about 6 million in the year to the end of March. However, revenue rocketed 378% to 1.4 million and its gross margin was up from 11.6% to almost 50%. It also revealed that revenues for the last quarter were up 73%. Revenues for next year could come in at 9 million, and gross profits could reach 4.5 million. Management has also managed to halve marketing costs on luring shoppers onto Sosandars website. Sosandars shoppers, who have grown up with websites like Boohoo or Asos and can now afford to spend more on clothes, are prepared to part with cash. The day-to-day costs of running the business are relatively low. (It still has only 22 staff.) Sosandar does not have warehouses logistics are handled by Clipper and the IT and manufacturing are outsourced as well. This will let them scale fast. Paul Scott, an independent investor, has been building up a stake. They are storming ahead of forecasts. Its similar to what Asos achieved in the early days, which tells you theyre onto something theyve found a niche, they seem to know exactly what their customer wants and its starting to take off, he says. F ine wines merchant BI on Monday warned it could look at relocating its headquarters from London to France in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Giles Cooper, head of marketing, said there are some industry concerns there could be large tariffs imposed on wine under World Trade Organisation rules if Britain doesnt negotiate certain agreements with the EU. He said: In that situation, if it was in the best interests of our clients, we would be giving strong consideration to relocating the HQ to France. The fine wine and spirits merchant, chaired by City grandee Michael Spencer, revealed sales rose 6.1% to 51 million in the first half. Demand from Asian buyers remains strong, and accounted for 40% of total sales during the period. UK and European buyers were also highly active, BI said. T he warning today by Mohammed Mahmoud, the imam from Finsbury Park, about what he describes as the rising scale and severity of Islamophobia in this country, should give considerable cause for alarm, supported as it is by his testimony of how some members of his own congregation have suffered abusive chants or had their headscarves removed. At the same time police figures show that more than 700 anti-Muslim hate crimes have been reported to police in London this year further evidence of the deeply unpleasant conduct that some of this citys residents have to endure. All this is deeply regrettable and Imam Mahmoud, whose brave actions after last years terror attack on worshippers leaving his mosque saved the perpetrator, Darren Osborne, from violent retribution, is right to call for a vigorous response from the Government to ensure that hate crime itself is robustly tackled and that the toxic ideas which fuel it are challenged and exposed. His charge that the Government is in denial about the problem needs examining, however. Ministers have made clear that their contentious Prevent strategy which some wrongly claim to be Islamophobic in itself is in fact aimed at countering all forms of radicalisation, including, and increasingly, that of the far-Right. The remit of Sara Khan, the Muslim recently appointed as the Governments Commissioner for Countering Extremism, is similarly directed at tackling far-Right as well as Islamist propagandists. The far-Right terror group National Action was proscribed in 2016, while MI5 has had its remit extended to ensure that it, too, monitors the threat from the far-Right in addition to its understandable focus on the jihadi threat. Nonetheless, ministers must heed Imam Mahmouds words, not least by doing more to show Muslims that they are alert to their concerns and by responding to his call for greater attention to the causes of violent extremism. The imam is right: Islamophobia should have no place in our society. Lets support Zimbabwe Zimbabweans never give up hope. A wrecked economy, corrupt leaders and a military coup did not stop them campaigning and voting peacefully in democratic elections last week. Their stoicism does them proud. But even Zimbabweans are despairing at the chaotic and cruel crackdown which has followed those elections, which has seen protesters shot, opposition activists detained and economic confidence lurch downwards again. This matters to Britain as well as Zimbabwe. Not only are there many Zimbabweans in London, but our historical ties to the country are strong. Britains views still count there. Our previous Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, made one of his many mistakes in giving too much encouragement to the president, Emmerson Mnangagwa too soon after he seized power including talking about his countrys return to the Commonwealth. We should have held a firmer line in insisting that fair elections came first. Now those elections have been tainted. What next? The president should stop the crackdown and offer to form a government of national unity with the opposition, like the one that rescued the country from implosion in 2009. And Britain should back it with aid. Saving the citys swans Last month Londons waterways were briefly swarming with men in impractical gold and red costumes chasing down swans at the Queens annual count. But the number of birds has changed since then, as dozens of swans have died: a consequence of botulinum toxins that are poisoning Londons lakes and ponds. These appear in water starved of oxygen, which can happen in the heat. This is not Londons first outbreak of avian botulism and more should be done to prevent it. Installing pumps in local ponds would do the trick. T he brains behind High Speed 2 have presented their plans for the line and its almost enough to make you buy a train ticket eight years in advance. Get excited, commuters: theres going to be mood lighting and touchscreen windows. These features are being installed to allay concerns about travellers rejecting the London to West Midlands line because large chunks of its route are under ground. But given most of us barely look up while walking along a packed pavement, let alone while on a train, the lack of a view doesnt seem to be an issue. Rail operators always focus on gimmicks. When one wins a new franchise the press release is splattered with exciting new innovations the promise of live seating updates telling you when a you can find a still-warm seat; smartcard season tickets, wi-fi more reliable than, er, Swiss railways. Thats not what passengers really want. Commuters dont share train operators nostalgia for the British railways of old, when glamorous buffet cars and spacious carriages meant the journey was as good as the destination. Trains arent for pleasure, theyre for getting somewhere. Our train lines seem to provide only sauna-hot carriages, stuffed fuller than the average sausage casing, with their the only reliable feature being a reliably wrong timetable. As troubled Thameslink recently tweeted: We are currently running a different timetable each day with no guarantee. The company might like to look up the definition of timetable. Its a relief to see that HS2s bosses at least understand the need for punctuality: theyve pledged that the service will be as fast as Japans bullet trains, with an average delay target of just 30 seconds. The fact that theres already a delay target for a railway thats not due to open until 2026 signals a dose of realism. But thats what its really about: safety, speed and being on time. That will lift passengers moods more effectively than fancy lighting. Men can help women climb the ladder It's one of the few times when a company hiring a man as the boss is headline news. But AllBright is a womens networking group whose aim is to make the UK the best place in the world to be a female founder. A place where every supplier at its Bloomsbury club is female from the loos soap-makers to the wine-merchants stocking its bar. So the fact that AllBright today hired ex-Asda boss Allan Leighton as its chairman looks odd. But founder Debbie Wosskow says Leighton is a natural champion of women and an enlightened employer. Given that only six of the UKs top 100 listed companies have female chairs, it might seem that AllBright, whose members include the actress Naomie Harris has missed an opportunity to promote a woman to a top job. Naomie Harris / Dave Benett But if AllBright is going to lead a push for change, a City veteran with a corporate CV as busy as Leightons is a good place to start. You dont need to be female to help women in the workplace Seaside traders are not rays of sunshine I've just spent the weekend at the English seaside resort I visit every summer usually sporting a raincoat. Not this year, obviously. The sun shone, the beach sizzled yet the shopkeepers and restaurant owners who usually moan about the bloody weather keeping would-be holiday-makers away have still found something to complain about. An ice cream vendor lamented that he kept having to restock. A restaurateur scowled that everyone only wants salads and its been weeks since Ive had a night off. Very British responses to un-British weather. Pret gender cave-in takes the biscuit So its goodbye to Prets gingerbread man. He used to be called Godfrey but someone complained about the lack of female representation in the chains gingerbiscuit department, so now Prets rebranded the treat as a genderneutral gingerbread biscuit. I thought the most dangerous part of the gingerbread man story was the hungry fox sprinting after him, not companies racing to be the first to profit from gender-identity politics. B RITAIN should be swelling with pride at the news that Professor Caucher Birkar, a Cambridge academic, has been awarded the Fields Medal for his outstanding contribution to mathematics and not just because its a reminder of the excellence of our universities. Birkar is a former Iranian refugee. When we see pictures of refugees, travelling in their huddled masses, it can be easy to lose sight of their individual humanity. Every child on those boats listing across the Mediterranean has the potential to be someone special - to make something of their lives, if they can only find a safe home in which to grow. Its not just our sacred duty to offer sanctuary to those fleeing their war-torn homes. Its also an extraordinary opportunity to enrich our country. Polly Mackenzie Director, Demos IT IS always gratifying to see the incredible contribution refugees make to the countries that give them sanctuary. But many are excluded from our national life by the Governments refusal to allow refugees the right to work before their asylum claims have been completed. A lot of potential is being wasted by these restrictions. Denying refugees the right to work means that they can spend years in limbo. Lets remove this self-imposed brake by giving all asylum seekers the right to seek work while their claims are being decided. Satbir Singh Chief executive, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants# EDITOR'S REPLY Dear Polly and Satbir OFTEN, as you say, refugees are portrayed as desperadoes who cling to lorry undercarriages. Professor Birkars success is the other side of the coin. Between these extremes the lorries and the Fields Medal we should remember that asylum seekers just want to get on with their lives, away from terrible danger. Whether that means advancing mathematics or living a normal life, we can give them that freedom. But an application is still an application, and may be rejected. An instant right to work may help asylum seekers realise their potential but what if their application ultimately fails and they have already started building a working life in the UK? However painful it may be, there do have to be rules. Like you, Satbir, I find 12 months too long a wait both applicants and the state lose out but I dont think the solution is simply to have no wait at all. Robbie Smith, Letters editor Zimbabwes shocking military crackdown A video showing a member of the Zimbabwe military firing live rounds at unarmed civilians during the protests against the alleged rigging of elections by Zanu-PF is as shocking as it is inhuman. Everyone who has lived in Zimbabwe, and the capital Harare in particular, knows how peaceful most Zimbabweans are. Soldiers have no business dealing with civilians, let alone unarmed ones. And to blame MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa for these deaths shows desperate naivety by Zanu-PF. It is clear these innocent people died because they were MDC followers, and it shows how President Emmerson Mnangagwa behaves when he feels he is in a corner. Is this the president that Zimbabwe really wants? Hazvineyi Patience Muyeye Ghost goes awol Further to your story [Anger as London Dungeon invites visitors to laugh way around Jack the Ripper show, August 2], I have it on good authority that when the old London Bridge was sold to Lake Havasu City in Arizona, Jack the Rippers ghost went with it. L ike the idea of practising yoga in an extraordinary setting? From thermal craters in Utah, to ancient caves in Tuscany, and an underwater restaurant in the Maldives, we sought out some of the most stunning and unusual places to get your 'om' on around the world. 1. Underwater yoga, Hurawalhi Island, Maldives Facebook/Hurawalhi Maldives The 5-star Maldives resort held its first undersea yoga class at its all-glass 5.8 Undersea restaurant last year. This year it is hosting a series of 'At One with the Ocean' retreats which involve morning yoga and meditation at the stunning location. For more information head to the hotel's website. 2. Paddleboard yoga in a crater, Utah (Re Wikstrom Photography, courtesy of Washington School House) / Washington School House Fancy trying yoga in a hot spring? Of course. Park City Yoga Adventures offers paddleboard yoga classes inside the Homestead Crater in Midway, Utah, where the 95-degree therapeutic turquoise waters make for a dreamy setting. An hour costs from $140 per person, with a minimum of two yogis per session and maximum of 10. Book classes here. 3. Thermal yoga in an ancient cave, Tuscany Grotta Giusti The exclusive Tuscan hotel of Grotta Giusti boasts an underground thermal cave and hot spring lake as part of its spa. The water running through the grotto is rich in salt, sulphate, and alkaline earth and comes out of the ground at around 34C. Its vapours generate a steam bath that's good for the respiratory, circulatory and nervous systems. Classes can be booked individually or guests can book the hotels two-night thermal yoga spa package which starts from 664 (592) per person based on double-occupancy. 4. Yoga in the Balinese jungle, Ubud, Bali Facebook/Radiantly Alive Ubud, Bali, is considered by many to be the mecca for wellness retreats, and we like the look of Radiantly Alives studio, which sits atop a hill overlooking lush tropical jungle. A single class costs $10. 5. On red rocks in Sedona, Arizona (Facebook/Aumbase Sedona) / Facebook/Aumbase Sedona Aumbase Sedona offers morning rise and shine outdoor yoga classes on the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona. An hour and a half session costs $55. 6. Overlooking volcanoes and Lake Atitlan, Guatemala (The Yoga Forest ) / The Yoga Forest The Yoga Forest in Guatemala is set on the edge of a cliff above an ancient Mayan altar overlooking Lake Atitlan and surrounding volcanoes. It offers personal retreats from $180 per person for three days, which includes accommodation, three vegetarian meals, daily meditation and twice daily yoga classes. 7. Ocean and desert yoga in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands (Ocean Yoga ) / Ocean Yoga Ocean Yoga offers yin yoga classes on pristine beaches and sand dunes in Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. Classes cost 10 each, while holidays start from 500 per person. 8. Under the stars in an eco-dome in Patagonia (EcoCamp Patagonia) / Ecocamp Patagonia EcoCamp, set in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, provides a surreal setting for practice as the yoga dome lights up at night. Hatha and Kundalini classes are thrown in for free to guests of its tours or guests can request to book private classes here. 9. At the top of a cliff in Ireland Cliffs of Moher Set in the Irish countryside against the dramatic backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, the Cliffs of Moher Retreat offers residential yoga weekends, which include food, accommodation, walks and yoga classes. Retreat packages start from 360 for a female-only quad room. 10. On a private island in Greece Facebook/Silver Island The Silver Island eco yoga retreat is set on a 60-acre private island in Greece. It can accommodate up to 10 guests who are welcome to wander the island's rolling hills and olive groves when they're not yoga-ing. T he Indonesian island of Lombok has been hit with another earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2. The shock comes a week after parts of Indonesia were hit by a 7.0 earthquake, which left thousands of people homeless. The latest earthquake is the third the island has suffered in 12 days, bringing the official death toll to 131, although a government-run organisation estimates the death toll to be over 300. With thousands of tourists being evacuated from the holiday islands and surrounding affected areas, is it safe to travel to Bali, Lombok and the Gili islands? Here's everything you need to know: Rescue operations under way as powerful earthquake hits Indonesian tourist island Which areas have been affected by the earthquake? Bali and Lombok, which are located within 179km of each other, have both strongly felt the impact of the earthquake. Bali saw damage to two shopping malls and a temple in Ubud, as well as minor damage to its airport. Whilst the disaster agency is still assessing the full extent of the damage in Lombok, mosques, schools and houses will be among the thousands of buildings destroyed. In the Gili islands, three small islands on Lomboks north-west coast, officials have said that nearly 8,400 tourists and resort workers have been evacuated. Reuters Is there a tsunami risk? Indonesia's centre for meteorology, climatology and geophysics issued a tsunami warning just minutes after the earthquake hit. However, the centre has since declared the warning over. Will there be another earthquake? There have been over 130 aftershocks since the first quake hit on Sunday, and The Foreign Office has warned of more aftershocks to follow. Earthquakes are common in Indonesia as it is located in the "Ring of Fire," an area in the Pacific Ocean of intense seismic and volcanic activity. Are flights still going to and from Bali? Facilities at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport have suffered minor damage but flights are still operating as normal. Flights from Lombok International Airport are also operating as normal, despite pictures of tourists scrambling to leave, with some airlines adding extra flights to help tourists leave the island. AirAsia said in a statement: Flights to and from Lombok and Bali are operating normally following the earthquake. Lombok struck by third earthquake tremor in 12 days 1 /27 Lombok struck by third earthquake tremor in 12 days Indonesian motorists ride past collapsed buildings after the earthquake in Tanjung in Lombok AFP/Getty Images A crushed car is seen under rubble of a house collapsed after the earthquake in Tanjung on Lombok island AFP/Getty Images An aerial view of Gili Trawangan island following Sunday's earthquake Getty Images West Java governor and West Nusa Tenggara police standing in a field next to a closed public hospital while the building windows rattle during an earthquake in Lombok, Indonesia Reuters An Indonesian search and rescue team uses heavy equipment to search for earthquake victims in Tanjung on Lombok island AFP/Getty Images A rescuer climbs over debris of a collapsed mosque after an earthquake struck northern Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia EPA An Indonesian soldier (right) and an official (centre) try to calm people shortly after an aftershock hits the area in Tanjung on Lombok island AFP/Getty Images Indonesian search and rescue members react shortly after an aftershock hits the area in Tanjung on Lombok island AFP/Getty Images Residents evacuate horses by a boat from Trawangan island after an earthquake struck northern Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia EPA A girl injured in an earthquake is treated in Mataram, Lombok, Indonesia AP The location of a 5.9 magnitude earthquake which struck at a depth of 10 km on Lombok Island, Indonesia EPA An Indonesian man tries to calm a woman shortly after an aftershock hits Tanjung in Lombok AFP/Getty Images Rescuers and policemen walk on debris of a collapsed mosque after an earthquake struck northern Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia EPA Indonesian search and rescue members react shortly after an aftershock hits the area in Tanjung on Lombok island AFP/Getty Images A collapsed mosque is seen as the sun set at Kayangan subdistrict in North Lombok on West Nusa Tenggara province AFP/Getty Images A woman walks past collapsed houses in Kayangan in northern Lombok island AFP/Getty Images Villagers pray for their family victims at Kayangan subdistict in North Lombok on West Nusa Tenggara province AFP/Getty Images A family eats outside due to the damage their house suffered in Kayangan in northern Lombok island AFP/Getty Images Resident throw a sack of rice as they distribute it after an earthquake struck northern Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia EPA A girl standing in front of her damaged house in Kayangan subdistict in north Lombok on West Nusa Tenggara province AFP/Getty Images An elderly woman wipes away tears after she prays in front her badly damaged home in Kayangan in northern Lombok island AFP/Getty Images Boxes of beer in front a store at Gili Trawangan island following Sunday's earthquake Getty Images An old woman prays in front her damage house in Kayangan, in North Lombok regency on West Nusa Tenggara province AFP/Getty Images Children raise their hands as a helicopter flies overhead the evacuation tents in Kayangan, in northern Lombok island AFP/Getty Images People carrying their belongings at Gili Trawangan island following Sunday's earthquake Getty Images A collapsed mosque tower is seen at Gili Trawangan island following Sunday's earthquake o Getty Images Damage caused by the recent earthquakes to a Hindu temple is pictured in Pemenang, northern Lombok island AFP/Getty Images What are the Foreign Office travel warnings? The Foreign Office has warned against all travel to Lombok's nearby Gili islands. They said they: "advise against all but essential travel to the Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air), off the north-west coast of Lombok. Following the 6.9 magnitude earthquake in the region on 5 August, there is a risk of aftershocks, which could cause further damage to buildings and pose risks to safety. In the event of serious injury, access to immediate medical assistance on the islands is extremely limited." O n August 6, Jamaica will celebrate 57 years of independence from British rule. Since 1962 when Jamaica first gained independence the islands spirit, rhythm an passion for life has infected everything from the food we eat to the music we listen to. The cultural influence of this Caribbean gem is undeniable. Today Jamaicans all over the world will be gathering with family and friends both at home and abroad to celebrate the richness of their heritage. Heres everything you need to know about how Jamaica became independent and the story behind the islands iconic yellow, black and green flag: How did Jamaica become independent? Children gather round Norman W Manley, founder of the Jamaican People's National Party, as he makes his way to the cathedral for Jamaica's Independence Day celebrations. / Getty The drive for independence was largely born out of "homegrown" responses to economic, social, and political pressures on the island. Jamaica had been a British colony since 1655, and eventually became a hub of sugar production during the slave trade. After the Act of Emancipation went into effect in 1834, one of the colonial government's main form of control over newly freed slaves was through a carefully constructed education system which was meant to prepare them for employment as estate workers. During the 1930s, Jamaica experienced an economic depression, which led to the labour riots in 1938 over working conditions. Windrush generation arrive in Britain 1 /14 Windrush generation arrive in Britain Some of the pioneering Windrush generation arrive at Tilbury Docks, from Jamaica Getty Images The journey to the UK cost 28 Getty Images They arrived on June 22, 1948 Getty Images The ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush' arriving at Tilbury Docks from Jamaica, with 482 Jamaicans on board, emigrating to Britain SSPL via Getty Images The group were the first of the Windrush generation to emigrate to Britain Getty Images Arrivals scrutinise a map of the London Underground Getty Images The Windrush generation helped to rebuild post-war Britain Getty Images Members of the 55 Independent Squadron wait to board the Empire Windrush at Southampton, to fight in the Korean War Getty Images A black man walks past graffiti stating 'Powell For PM', referring to Enoch Powell who caused controversy with his outspoken attitude to black immigration and racial integration Getty Images Three Jamaicans (left to right) John Hazel, a 21-year-old boxer, Harold Wilmot, 32, and John Richards, a 22-year-old carpenter, arriving at Tilbury Docks Getty Images Nearly 1000 West Indian immigrants arrive in three boats trains at Waterloo Station. Many brought with them packing cases containing treasured possessions, 15th October 1961 Mirrorpix/Getty Images West Indian immigrants arriving in the United Kingdom, 19th May 1962 Mirrorpix/Getty Images Nearly 1000 West Indian immigrants arrive in three boats trains at Waterloo Station. Many brought with them packing cases containing treasured possessions, 15th October 1961 Mirrorpix/Getty Images 27th May 1956: Immigrants to Britain from the West Indies queuing up on arrival at Southampton holding documents Getty Images In 1938, Norman Manley formed the People's National Party before going on to serve as the country's Premier until independence. In 1961, a referendum was called to determine whether or not the people of Jamaica should remain part of the Federation. The Jamaican people voted for Independence and on August 6, 1962, the British flag was lowered to make way for the new Jamaican flag. Sir William Alexander Bustamante is widely regarded as the country's first Prime Minister, since he served from the day of independence until February 27, 1967. What is the meaning behind the Jamaican flag? Londoners celebrate 50 years since Jamaica gained its Independence Day in August, 2012. / Getty The Jamaican flag is black and green with a yellow cross. The sun shineth, the land is green and the people are strong and creative is the thinking behind the flag's symbolism. The black represents the strength and creativity of the people, gold signifies natural wealth and the beauty of sunlight, whilst green symbolises agricultural resources and hope. How to celebrate Jamaican Independence Day in London For a slice of history, head down to the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton, the UKs only dedicated heritage centre for Black British history and culture. Whilst youre there, grab some jerk chicken or goat curry at Fish, Wings and Tings. And, for the vegans and veggies among us, visit Deserted Cactus in Peckham for some plant-based Caribbean flavour. T he heatwave may be stretching out until October but it's not long until the summer holidays come to a close. For the month ahead, the UK's school kids will be looking forward to spending time with family and friends and basking in the heat until the early hours of the evening. But before all the back-to-school jitters kick in, here's everything you need to know about when the school holidays end and whether you still have time to book that last-minute family holiday: When do the official summer holidays end? The summer holidays this year began on Monday July 9 and kids start back at school on Wednesday September 4. 10 cheapest city break destinations for 2018 - in pictures 1 /10 10 cheapest city break destinations for 2018 - in pictures Riga, Latvia Shutterstock Vilnius, Lithuania Shutterstock Lisbon, Portugal Pixabay Moscow, Russia Pixabay Krakow, Poland Pixabay Prague, Czech Republic Pixabay Athens, Greece Shutetrstock Budapest, Hungary Pixabay Warsaw, Poland Pixabay Lille, France Shutterstock If you havent already booked your family a holiday away this summer, you better get cracking. I f you're looking for creative ways to cool off this summer and like the idea of sleeping under the stars, you may want to consider a stint at one of Zero Real Estate's outdoor hotel suites in the Swiss Alps. The Toggenburg project by Zero Real Estate, is based on an idea by artists Frank and Patrik Riklin, who have essentially taken three hotel rooms and dropped them into the middle of secluded Wildhaus, in Switzerland's picturesque Toggenburg region, for 45 days this year. (Toggenburg Tourismus) / Facebook/Toggenburg Tourismus Theres the "Burst Suite" which sits above the Toggenburg valley at the foot of the Alpstein massif (pictured below). The Burst Suite at the foot of the Alpstein massif / Facebook/Toggenburg Tourismus And the Schwendi Suite above the Schwendiseen, a small lake above Wildhaus, as seen below. The Schwendi Suite (Toggenburg Tourismus) / Facebook/Toggenburg Tourismus And, finally the Stump Suite (pictured below) which is set under a canopy of trees, near Hotel Stump's Alpenrose. The Stump Suite (Toggenburg Tourismus) / Facebook/Toggenburg Tourismus Sadly the first two suites are fully booked for 2018, though there's still availability at the latter the Stump Suite which is conveniently located close to the hotel's wellness spa. For CHF 295 (228) per night, awaken to a "concerto of alpine birds" from the outdoor double bed. You'll also get a welcome drink, breakfast basket in bed, and your own personal butler for the night. (ToggenburgTourismus) / Facebook/Toggenburg Tourismus And fortunately the package also includes back-up accommodation in the event of bad weather. A political consultant who used to work for the US Republican Party has been found guilty of groping a woman on a plane to Heathrow. Samuel Pimm, 62, inappropriately touched the woman on her arm, thigh and breast on board a flight from Washington to London Heathrow, a court heard. The shocking incident has left the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, unable to travel alone, she said. Retired Pimm drank a gin and tonic, two small bottles of red wine and three brandies before launching the attack on a woman sitting in the adjacent economy cabin seat. His victim said he struck up conversation with her as she tucked into her onboard meal during the flight. She said she was trying to sleep while wearing an eye mask when she felt Pimm touching her arm and breast before stroking her thigh. Pimm was found guilty at Ealing Magistrates' Court on Monday / PA "Then he put his hand more firmly on my right thigh and moved it towards my crotch, and that's when I decided it would be a good time to pretend to wake up because I assumed he thought I was asleep," said the woman, who was giving evidence from behind a screen. "I asked to get out of the seat. He was wide awake, had headphones in and was watching a World War One movie on the screen, and it took me several times to get his attention." The court heard she asked members of the cabin crew if she could move seats, telling a flight attendant: "The guy next to me is feeling me up." Pimm most recently worked on behalf of Ben Carson during his failed bid for the Republican nomination in the 2016 presidential campaign. Prosecutor Mary Lawrenson said: "It is clearly a sexual matter given where he touched her - her arm, her breast and near her crotch area. "She was aware this gentleman was awake when he was doing that. "It was clear she didn't want that and there was no suggestion she would welcome it. She clearly didn't." Pimm said he was "stunned" at his arrest when the plane landed on July 5, and in court he denied ever touching the woman. His lawyer, Edward Gordon-Saker, suggested she may have been dreaming. But magistrates found Pimm guilty of sexual assault after a trial at Ealing Magistrates' Court, in west London. Chair of the bench Alika Gupta told him: "We believe all her evidence to be credible and that you did touch her breast and stroke her thighs and that you were not asleep." Pimm was also found guilty of obstructing police after using a cup of water to wash his hands in Heathrow police station following his arrest. CCTV footage played in court showed him dipping his fingers in the water some 13 times. Pimm denied the offence, claiming he was just touching the water with his fingertips because he had something sticky on them. "We believe that this action of trying to wash your hands obstructed the officers in executing their duty," Ms Gupta said. She told Pimm, from Virginia, his sentence would ordinarily have been a community order, but handed him a 720 fine and ordered him to pay a total of 952 in costs and compensation after hearing his partner is receiving treatment for cancer. In a victim impact statement, the victim said she no longer has the confidence to travel alone and cannot sleep on flights. "When my husband strokes my arm, it reminds me of him, of this incident and of feeling horrified and shocked," she said. "I'm so glad I did report his, that I did say something, because I don't want this happening to anyone else." P olice are investigating after two people died in a suspected "murder-suicide" in Ipswich. Suffolk Police officers found a man outside a property with serious injuries. He died shortly after. The officers then found a woman dead inside the same property. Police had been called to Siloam Place, near the University of Suffolk campus, just before 9am on Monday. Supt Kerry Cutler, policing commander for Ipswich, said: "This would appear to be a tragic incident involving two people known to each other and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident at this time. A young man stabbed to death during a late-night fight on a housing estate is the latest victim of Londons knife crime epidemic. The 22-year-old was stabbed in a brawl involving up to 10 people in the early hours yesterday in Kingston. Witnesses desperately tried to save the man, named locally as Malik, as he lay dying near a bus stop in Cambridge Road. He was pronounced dead at the scene 45 minutes later, at 3.02am yesterday. He is the 54th person to be stabbed to death in London and the 90th murder inquiry launched by the Met in 2018. One man, who asked not to be named, saw the victim slumped against a brick wall. He said: There was no sign of consciousness. He was lying on the floor whilst people tried CPR. I thought there was no way he would make it. It was traumatising. A 21-year-old told how he tried to stem the flow of blood following the attack at around 2.15am. He said: People were putting pressure on the wound near his neck, there was a lot of blood. We were trying to give him CPR when he was on the floor. Paramedics and police did their best but he didnt make it. I had seen him around here before, he had a familiar face. People knew him as Mally, he seemed a nice guy. Friends paid tribute to him on social media. One, named Altin, said online: RIP Mally my hearts broken bro. Youre in a better place. Another added: Another one taken away, this madness needs to stop, rest easy bro. Residents whose flats overlook the scene said they heard a large group of men in their twenties shouting at about 2am on Sunday, and jumping on cars. Sheila OBrien, 52, said: Then I heard someone yelling for help. All of a sudden I could hear loads of sirens. A neighbour of mine told me he could see someone getting beaten up by a group of 10 men. They always congregate on weekends and its got a lot worse in the last few weeks. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell said: We need to hear from anyone who was there who may have any information, no matter how small. No arrests have been made. Chief Superintendent Sally Benatar said: Another young man has tragically lost his life to the violence of knife crime. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Last June Derick Mulondo, 38, was fatally stabbed less than 50m away. P olice were forced to break a car window in order to free a dog trapped in completely unacceptable hot conditions. The dog was left in a car in Petts Wood, Bromley, as the mercury soared to 32C on Monday, police said. In order to free the caged canine, officers had to break the front window of the parked car, before giving it some water. Officers tweeted: Its still 32 degrees. This is completely unacceptable #DogsDieInHotCars. The emergency services added the animal did not come to any harm, but the owner was given a stern warning. Officers added: Fortunately due to early intervention the dog didnt come to serious harm, owner has been given very strong words of advice. He will be responsible for paying for the damage to his window which should act as a suitable deterrent against doing the same thing again in future. The forces actions have been praised by some on social media. One user wrote: Well done @MPSBromley - glad someone was looking out for the poor dog. The RSPCA has already warned about the dangers of keeping dogs in hot cars this summer. The animal charity offered advice to those who see an animal in distress, and said members of the public have the right to smash windows to free dogs. It said: If you see a dog in distress in a hot car dial 999." In terms of helping a dog, the charity said if the situation becomes critical for the dog and the police are too far away or unable to attend, many people's first instinct would be to break into a car. The charity warned that if someone decides to do this, they must be aware that without proper justification this could be seen as criminal damage. D ozens of swans and geese have died in an outbreak of avian botulism caused by the heatwave. The Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton is caring for around 300 water birds, many suffering from the deadly illness and most rescued from ponds and lakes in the capital. The extreme heat means there is less oxygen in water, providing the perfect breeding ground for the botulin toxin. Dorothy Beeston, founder of the Swan Sanctuary, told the Standard: In the last three or four weeks we have seen a huge spike in the number of birds being brought into the hospital with botulism. Its been dozens of calls a week, which is just terrible. UK August Heatwave - In pictures 1 /31 UK August Heatwave - In pictures Two women take a selfie in Trafalgar Square in London, as another blast of hot weather is set to hit parts of the UK PA Birds are seen flying as St Paul's Cathedral and skyscrapers in the City of London are seen at dawn in London REUTERS People enjoy the sun at Carsington Water in Derbyshire as another spell of warm weather hits the UK PA A dog under an umbrella at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire PA Beach goers enjoy one of the quieter beaches on the Dorset coast as temperatures continue to increase Rex Features People enjoy the sunshine aboard a boat on the Regents Canal, London, as another blast of hot weather is set to hit parts of the UK PA People sunbath on the clifftop at Woolacombe Beach in North Devon PA People enjoy the sun at Carsington Water in Derbyshire PA Girls sunbathe in the hot sunny weather during Bestival at the Lulworth Estate in Dorset PA People in the sea at Croyde Beach in North Devon PA People on pedalos and paddleboards at Nene Park in Peterborough PA People enjoy the sun at Carsington Water in Derbyshire PA Beach goers enjoy one of the quieter beachers on the Dorset coast as the mercury continues to rise Rex Features People in the sea at Croyde Beach in North Devon PA People in an inflatable canoe at Nene Park in Peterborough, PA A woman brushes a man's hair under a sun shade on Herne Bay beach Getty Images People relax on kayaks at Nene Park in Peterborough PA People enjoy the hot weather at London Fields in Hackney PA Peoploe enjoy the sunshine at London Fields in Hackney, London PA A couple play catch with a ball while swimming in the River Stour Getty Images Girls sunbathe in the hot sunny weather during Bestival festival in Dorset PA Beach goers enjoy one of the quieter beaches on the Dorset coast Rex Features A canal boat passes along the Regent's Canal in front of Granary Square in King's Cross, London PA Office workers on the steps at Granary Square, King's Cross, London enjoy the continued hot weather PA Early morning on the beach at Whitley Bay, North Tyneside PA Children play in the fountains at Granary Square, King's Cross, London PA People enjoy the hot weather on Gorleston beach near Great Yarmout PA Early morning at St Mary's lighthouse on Whitley Bay, North Tyneside PA Balloons inflate during a ground tether flight after bad weather prevented flying at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta at the Ashton Court Estate in Bristol PA People enjoy the sunshine on the beach at Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear. PA People walk along the beach at Whitley Bay PA Hot weather often causes an outbreak but this is one of the worst Ive seen in the 39 years we have been set up. We lost two swans in the first week but they were very poorly. Lots of birds are on drips and they seem to be doing well. But we cant send them back [to the water] until the toxins have cleared. All we can do is pray for rain. The Swan Sanctuary is currently caring for around 300 birds (The Swan Sanctuary ) / The Swan Sanctuary Affected birds are unable to use their legs or fly, and their neck muscles can be paralysed. They commonly die from respiratory failure or drowning. Rescuer Steve Knight said that east and central London were the worst-affected areas. Weve been called out to Limehouse and Dagenham on a number of occasions, he said. On one call to Essex we found about a dozen birds already dead and the council had already taken some away on top of that. But when we get them to the hospital here and get them on a drip they have a good chance of surviving. W orks of art by more than 40 wounded war veterans go on show at a new exhibition opening in The Mall tomorrow. The free Help for Heroes Creative Force exhibition is an opportunity for injured soldiers to display their work and explore the relationship between creativity and recovery. Kevin Preston, a retired Coldstream Guardsman who was injured on patrol during The Troubles in Northern Ireland in the early Eighties, will join fellow veterans at The Mall Galleries for the official opening. He has auctioned his work with help from the charity and described his sense of pride that his image of a soldier in combat fatigues is going on show in The Mall, where he once marched. Kevin Preston, who was injured in a fall during the height of Northern Irelands Troubles Mr Preston suffered severe spinal damage after climbing a wall and falling backwards on an IED detector which was in his backpack, which left him in agony but went undiagnosed for 15 years. He said: Help for Heroes have given me a lot of encouragement with my art, and I was taken to a gallery to auction my work. Im also meeting people similar to myself, and a lot of them have been through hell. When you concentrate on the painting, listening to the radio, it just takes your mind away. B oris Johnson has sparked a furious row after saying Muslim women wearing burkas "look like letter boxes" or bank robbers. The former foreign secretary came out against calls for a ban on the face-covering veils in public places, but described them as "absolutely ridiculous" and compared their wearers to "rebellious teenagers". His comments, in response to the introduction of a burka ban in Denmark, sparked an angry response from Muslim groups and MPs who accused him of stoking Islamophobia for political gain. The assistant secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, Miqdaad Versi, said Mr Johnson was "pandering to the far right", while Labour MP David Lammy branded him a "pound-shop Donald Trump". Demonstrators cover their faces during a protest in Copenhagen on Wednesday, the first day of the implementation of the Danish face veil ban / EPA Labour's Jess Phillips said she would report Mr Johnson to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Writing in his Daily Telegraph column, Mr Johnson said he felt "fully entitled" to expect women to remove face coverings when talking to him at his MP's surgery, and said schools and universities should be able to take the same approach if a student "turns up ... looking like a bank robber". "If you tell me that the burka is oppressive, then I am with you. "If you say that it is weird and bullying to expect women to cover their faces, then I totally agree - and I would add that I can find no scriptural authority for the practice in the Koran. Boris Johnson rides his bike through London on Tuesday / AFP/Getty Images "I would go further and say that it is absolutely ridiculous that people should choose to go around looking like letter boxes." Businesses and government agencies should also be able to "enforce a dress code that enables their employees to interact with customers", including by allowing them to see their faces, said Mr Johnson. But he added: "Such restrictions are not quite the same as telling a free-born adult woman what she may or may not wear, in a public place, when she is simply minding her own business." Protests in Copenhagen on Wednesday after the face veil ban was implemented / EPA A total ban would give a boost to radicals who claim there is a "clash of civilisations" between Islam and the West, fanning the flames of grievance and turning women into "martyrs", he warned. And he said that a ban on burkas could lead to "a general crackdown on any public symbols of religious affiliation". Mr Johnson wrote: "Like a parent confronted by a rebellious teenager determined to wear a spike through her tongue, or a bolt through her nose, you run the risk that, by your heavy-handed attempt to ban what you see as a bizarre and unattractive adornment, you simply stiffen resistance... "If Danish women really want to cover their faces, then it seems a bit extreme - all the caveats above understood - to stop them under all circumstances. I don't propose we follow suit. A total ban is not the answer." Denmark last week followed France, Germany, Austria and Belgium in banning face-covering garments like the burka and niqab in public places. A fine of around 120 has already been imposed on a woman wearing a niqab in a shopping centre in the town of Horsholm, after another woman reportedly tried to tear it off. Mr Versi responded on Twitter: "Boris Johnson says a woman in niqab is 'looking like a bank robber' or 'looking like letter boxes'. "Is this language anything other than pandering to the far-right? Deeply disappointing that (the) Telegraph platforms this disgusting language." And Mr Lammy said: "Muslim women are having their burkas pulled off by thugs in our streets and Boris Johnson's response is to mock them for 'looking like letter boxes'. "Our pound-shop Donald Trump is fanning the flames of Islamophobia to propel his grubby electoral ambitions." L abour has dropped its investigation into Dame Margeret Hodge, following claims she allegedly shouted at party leader Jeremy Corbyn over anti-Semitism. The party announced on Monday that no further action would be taken against the backbench MP. Dame Margeret said she was pleased the investigation had finally been dropped. General secretary Jennie Formby has written to the MP ending the inquiry into alleged abusive behaviour and informing her that no further action will be taken. It is understood the decision comes after Dame Margaret expressed her regret to the chief whip Nick Brown for the manner in which she had voiced her views. Writing on Twitter, she welcomed the decision, but insisted there had been no apologies on either side. Dame Margaret, who is herself half Jewish, tweeted: I'm pleased that the Labour Party has finally dropped their 'action' against me. After 55 years of LP membership going after me instead of addressing the issue was wrong. In 2018 anti-Semitism that has again reared its ugly head and the campaign against it goes on. "The Labour Party must adopt the IHRA definition in full to start to rebuild trust. Thanks to everyone for kind messages of support which have kept me going." Jeremy Corbyn has issued a Twitter apology for anti-Semitism within Labour / Twitter He admitted there was a real problem of anti-Semitic views being expressed within the party, saying they have no place within Labour. Those who deny there is a problem are actually adding to it, the Labour leader said. In the video message he said: "I'm sorry for the hurt that has been caused to many Jewish people" He added: "People who use anti-Semitic poison need to understand: You do not do it in my name, or the name of my party. You are not our supporters." T he imam hailed for his heroism in the Finsbury Park terror attack today condemns the Governments lacklustre efforts to fight Islamophobia. Mohammed Mahmoud accuses ministers of failing to show meaningful engagement with the Muslim community that is feeling increasingly vulnerable. Writing exclusively for the Evening Standard, in his first article since the horrific incident in June last year, he said the Governments actions were lacklustre, or worse, in denial. Mr Mahmoud was praised around the world for his brave and compassionate response to the murderous attack on members of his congregation. Local imam describes keeping terrorist safe from mob Displaying extraordinary calm, he saw a crowd attacking Darren Osborne, 48, who had driven a van into the worshippers, and stepped in to stop him being assaulted. Mohammed Mahmoud speaks at a memorial service for the Finsbury Park attack victims earlier this year / Alex Lentati Makram Ali, 51, was killed in the terror attack on June 19, and 12 others were injured. Osborne, who had been radicalised by Right-wingers online, was jailed for life in February with a recommendation that he serve at least 43 years behind bars. A year on, Mr Mahmoud said he felt he had to speak out over what he sees as a failure by the Government to tackle hate crimes against Muslims. Finsbury Park mosque attack: Imam hailed 'hero' He suggested Islamophobia was becoming more mainstream and backed calls for an independent inquiry into allegations of the issue made against Conservative Party members. Any community hit by terrorism should see meaningful engagement from the Government, said the imam who was one of 12 individuals honoured in the Evening Standards Progress 1000 list for their heroic actions in 2017. But were still waiting for that to happen which is not lost on a community that still feels vulnerable. Police at the scene of the Finsbury Park attack in June 2017 / AFP/Getty Images It is made more urgent as Islamophobia no longer simmers under the surface of the fringes of society. My own congregation are increasingly reporting Islamophobic abuse, from having their headscarves removed to facing racist chants. Official figures show reports of Islamophobic incidents are on the rise. More than 700 such offences have been reported to the Metropolitan Police so far this year. Westminster has the highest number, 82, followed by Tower Hamlets, 43, Brent, 41, Waltham Forest 38, Newham 37, Haringey, 35, Camden 34 and Southwark 33. The number of these hate crime recorded by the police has risen steadily in recent years, from an average of 28 a month in the year to June 2011, to 68 in the 12 months to June 2015, breaking the 100-mark the following year. Islamophobic attacks peaked at 129 a month in the year to June 2017. That figure included a sharp spike in hate crimes following the London Bridge, Westminster and Manchester terror attacks. They fell back slightly to 122 a month in the year to June this year, but the trend remains on an upward trajectory, and many more offences could be going unreported. Mr Mahmoud added: Recently Muslims around the country received Punish a Muslim Day letters, awarding points for inflicting maximum injury to British Muslims. Nearly all Muslim MPs received suspect packages as part of this campaign. Yet, despite the rising scale and severity of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred, the response from the Government has been lacklustre, or worse, in denial. Calling for action against hate crimes to be stepped up significantly, he stressed: My hope is that the Finsbury Park attack will be a wake-up call to our nation that we must stop tolerating Islamophobia. The Muslim Council of Britain has called for an independent inquiry into alleged Islamophobia in the Conservative Party, which the imam said should now be met. Former Tory co-chairwoman Baroness Warsi has also demanded an inquiry, believing the problem to be very widespread. Examples include a Tory candidate who shared a Facebook post of bacon hanging from a door handle with the caption protect your house from terrorism. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: We take positive action to investigate all hate crime, support victims, bring perpetrators to justice and encourage all victims and witnesses to come forward. We are always seeking ways to increase reporting and work with a number of third party reporting sites, so that victims who would otherwise feel unable to approach police direct can report crime to non-police organisations and individuals. A Conservative Party spokesman said in response to Mr Mahmoud: The party takes all allegations of discrimination extremely seriously and has a clear and fully transparent process to investigate complaints made to it under the partys code of conduct. When cases have been reported centrally the Conservative Party has consistently acted decisively, suspending or expelling those involved and launching an immediate investigation. In addition, the swift action we take on not just anti-Muslim discrimination, but discrimination of any kind is testament to the seriousness with which we take such issues. A Government spokesman said: All hate crimes are absolutely unacceptable. They have no place in our society and we will do all we can to make sure that the perpetrators feel the full force of the law and victims get all the support they need. Were working closely with the survivors of the Finsbury Park terror attack, including holding meetings last week. A further meeting is planned next month. We have taken strong action to stamp out anti-Muslim hatred including funding Tell MAMA to record incidents and support victims, and committing 3.4m to provide protective security funding for places of worship, including mosques. A former British Airways (BA) employee who claims the airline fired him because of his man bun has said the decision left him feeling violated and bullied. Sid Ouared, 26, who worked for customer services team at Heathrow, accused the company of being "stuck in the 1970s" for telling him his hair was like "girls' hair. The Londoner claimed he was told to cut his hair, put it in a turban or get dreadlocks, and said he was sacked after refusing to accept one of those three options. Responding to the claims, BA said it did not comment on employment matters relating to individuals. In an interview with ITV News on Monday, Mr Ouared said: Their reason for dismissing me is obscene as well as draconian In a nutshell they pretty much dismissed me on the claims that my hair is like a girl's hair." He added: They gave me three options which were to either cut my hair, to put it in a turban or get dreadlocks. The latter two: Im not Sikh or a Rastafarian. Mr Ouared went on: BA are very much stuck in the 1970s and have not moved forward with the times Its exactly like telling a female who is wearing trousers why are you wearing trousers? You should be wearing a skirt. Employee dresscode guidelines published on the BA website state that men handling food, drink or using machinery must observe extreme care regarding the length of hair and personal care". S ky News Australia has apologised for airing an interview with a far-right activist who previously boasted of using "violence and terror" against women and has a conviction for anti-Islam hate. The channel's chief executive said the Adam Giles Show is "in recess" after it broadcast a one-on-one studio interview with Blair Cottrell about immigration. Cottrell has a conviction for inciting contempt of Muslims after he staged a mock beheading in 2015 to protest the building of a mosque. The former United Patriots Front leader has also been convicted of arson and intimidation, and has said he wants to see a portrait of Hitler in every classroom in Australia. Several of the broadcaster's own presenters spoke out against the interview's inclusion, with host Laura Jayes writing on Twitter: "Blair Cottrell is a far right-wing fascist who's a self confessed Hitler fan. "He's boasted about using 'violence and terror' to manipulate women." The channels political editor, David Speers, also went on air to call Cottrell a "neo Nazi" with "repugnant views" who "should never have been invited". In the interview, Cottrell warned against "foreign ideologies", said Australia needs more "national pride", and argued for immigration on the basis of race, which sparked immediate condemnation from viewers. In the face of the backlash, Sky News Australia tweeted on Sunday night to say his inclusion was "wrong" but did not initially issue a full apology. On Monday former Australian Labor minister Craig Emerson, who is a regular commentator for Sky News Australia, said he would no longer appear on the network, calling Cottrell's inclusion another step in a journey to normalising racism & bigotry in our country. Later, Sky News Australia issued a full statement to say Cottrell would never again appear on their shows and announcing a management shake-up. "As part of this review, Sky News has announced the appointment of two senior editorial leadership positions," wrote CEO Angelos Frangopoulos in the statement. "Greg Byrnes has been appointed to the newly created position of Acting Program Director and Kaycie Bradford takes up the position of Acting News Director." A t least two people were killed and up to 70 injured in a huge explosion after two trucks collided on a motorway in Bologna. The crash, in the Borgo Panigale district of the north Italian city, sent a massive fireball billowing into the sky. Italian media said a lorry carrying cars collided on a bridge with another tanker lorry containing inflammable materials. Part of a motorway bridge collapsed and the resulting explosion and fire spread to a car park below, where several other vehicles caught fire and exploded. Bologna explosion 1 /16 Bologna explosion Black smoke rising in the sky after a tanker exploded on the motorway close to the airport in Bologna AFP/Getty Images A general aerial view of the fire caused by an accident EPA An explosion is seen at Borgo Panigale, on the outskirts of Bologna REUTERS A fire is seen after an accident caused a large explosion at Borgo Panigale REUTERS Smoke rises as two people died and up to 70 people were injured in the fire EPA Emergency services move an injured person on a stretcher EPA Injured people receive medical attention at a hospital AFP/Getty Images A partial collapsed section of the motorway bridge of the Casalecchio A1-A14 junction, which overlooks Via Emilia EPA A view of a partial collapsed section of the motorway bridge of the Casalecchio A1-A14 junction EPA A view of a partial collapsed section of the motorway bridge EPA Emergency services at work on the motorway bridge EPA A firefighter sprays water among charred vehicles under the highway in the outskirts of Bologna AP A firefighter walks past a line of burned vehicles following the road accident EPA Burned vehicles at a car park after a major fire spread EPA Burned vehicles at a car park after a major fire spread EPA A helicopter transporting water flies over the site AFP/Getty Images It has been reported at least 14 people suffered serious injuries, some with major burns. Others are said to have been hit by flying glass when windows in nearby buildings shattered. Firefighters and paramedics rushed to the scene, on the Casalecchio link that connects the A1 to the A14, shortly after 2pm on Monday local time. One local media outlet reported two police officers were caught in the blast as they directed traffic from a previous road accident. Videos filmed by motorists showed massive plumes of swirling smoke in the sky. Another, posted on social media by local firefighters, showed the dramatic scenes from a helicopter flying overhead. One car passenger posted on Twitter: "I was literally looking out my window and suddenly there was a lot of fire in the air." An aerial view of the fire in Bologna / EPA Bologna Police, which closed the motorway where the crash took place, said in a tweet: Due to an accident on the Autostrada, an explosion occurred with the consequent fire at Via Marco Emilio Lepido. C anada's ambassador has been ordered to leave Saudi Arabia within 24 hours after Ottawa criticised the arrest of womens rights activists. Saudi Arabia is also freezing all new trade and investment with Canada over its interference in the Gulf kingdoms internal affairs. Its foreign ministry tweeted that it was expelling the ambassador and recalling its own envoy after Canada said it was gravely concerned about the arrests. The Saudi foreign ministry stated: Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as acknowledgement of our right to interfere in Canadian domestic affairs. A British holidaymaker found dead in the Ibizan holiday resort of San Antonio has been named as London business consultant Anwaar Lahrichi-Greenwood. The 24-year-olds body was discovered floating near the mouth of the towns port just after midday yesterday after an online campaign for information. His loved ones expressed their sorrow on social media, describing him as intelligent and gentle. His sister Lula wrote: I feel so dead inside knowing Ill never see you again. My brother I love you so much Knowing you went on holiday and died in the sea alone I tried to find you with all my power my love. My bro, my best friend you made me feel important and special. Your jokes and your smile intelligence and your gentle nature. Ill never forget you. Mr Lahrichi-Greenwood had been reported missing after vanishing in the early hours of Saturday, the day he was due to fly back to Britain. A friend told police she had last seen him at around 4am after he left a party. A police investigation into the death is ongoing. Portugal wildfires - In pictures 1 /12 Portugal wildfires - In pictures A forest fire burns on a hill in Monchique, Portugal EPA People observe a forest fire in Brejo village, Monchique, Faro south of Portugal EPA A firefighter group set before heading towards the fire at the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region AP People watch as a forest fire burns on a hill in Monchique, Portugal EPA Firefighters observe the operations outside the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region AP A forest fire burns on a hill in Monchique, Portugal EPA A fire-fighting helicopter flies through smoke to drop water on a hillside outside the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region AP Two women hug at the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region AP A forest fire burns on a hill in Monchique, Portugal EPA People observe from outside their homes as fire gets closer to the village of Monchique, in southern Portugal's Algarve region AP A man watches the progression of a wildfire in Monchique in the Portuguese Algarv AFP/Getty Images A woman pulls two horses as smoke columns rise due to a wildfire close to Monchique in the Portuguese Algarve AFP/Getty Images Forest fires have been raging in Monchique, Portugal, since Friday as temperatures rose to 46C. Hundreds of tourists were taken from the Macdonald Monchique Resort & Spa to a resort half an hour away. Forest fire in Portugal continues for third day A hotel worker described the night as rough, adding: We could see the flames because the fire was only about one to two kilometres away. The hotels maximum capacity is 500 people and most of our guests at this time of the year are British. Everyone was evacuated safely. Nearby areas, including Portela do Vento and Odemira, were also evacuated. More than 800 firefighters, supported by 12 water-dropping aircraft, were still battling the blaze this morning. The Foreign Office has advised Britons to avoid travelling to the Monchique area. A volunteer charity worker who was due to celebrate her graduation with a holiday to the US was accused by customs officials of planning to work illegally and put on a plane home. Charlotte Hockton, 22, was travelling to Cape Cod, New England, where she was going to spend the summer with family friends at a campsite they run. She had just completed a degree in fine art at Leeds Beckett university. Her plans were halted abruptly when she was stopped by US customs officials at Logan Airport, Boston, and, after an interrogation lasting nearly two hours, she was sent back to London. She said a misunderstanding with officials made them think she was travelling to work in America without the relevant visa. Miss Hockton, who grew up in Hampstead and now lives in Hertfordshire, said it was an awful ordeal. It was a nightmare. I was tired, my flight had been delayed for four hours and I was taken to one side at passport control, she said. They took me into a little room and asked me to wait and eventually an officer asked me questions about being there for work. I remember being in shock and trying to get him to understand I was there to see family friends.They run a campsite and I told them it was work experience so I could watch them run it. I have stayed with them since I was six years old. It was a holiday but he refused to believe me. Cabin crew took her passport for the duration of the journey home to Gatwick on July 22. Miss Hockton, who volunteers for a London-based homeless charity, has made 18 trips to the US since she was a child, but this was the first time she had travelled alone. She was due to spend several weeks at the campsite, in one of Americas most sought-after summer holiday destinations, and insisted the trip was purely for pleasure. Miss Hockton added: I was innocent and it was all just crossed wires, but the moment I said the words work experience they latched onto it. I dont know if it means something different over there, but I meant I could watch my family friends run the campsite while I was there. Im a little scared to try to go back to America now because it was such an intense situation, but other travellers need to be aware of this happening. People should know their rights and be careful when speaking to immigration officials. T he family of a vulnerable pensioner who went missing after driving to the local dump are desperately appealing for help finding him. Mervyn Grant, 79 is described by police as a high risk missing person. He disappeared after leaving his home in South Norwood on Saturday morning. Sarah Day, the girlfriend of Mr Grants son Jamie, told the Standard that he is likely to have got lost after becoming confused. He was last spotted on CCTV at 3am on Sunday in Leadenhall Street, Bishopsgate, when it is believed his car ran out of fuel. Ms Day told the Standard: On Saturday he left home in South Norwood in the morning to do a trip to the local dump. He has obviously got confused or lost, he has had confusion when driving around before. He was driving around for 10 hours, we think drove all the way to Kent and back. On Sunday his wife Janetta received phone call from police saying they had seen him on CCTV in Bishopsgate. He was seen asking a passing cyclist for help when the car broke down. The cyclist helped him move his car to the side of the road. Since then, Mr Grant is believed to have been using his freedom pass on Londons transport system trying to find his way home. We know his freedom pass is being used in London. He has travelled to Brent Cross, Stoke Newington, Ms Day said. It was last used at 6am on Monday on a 205 bus which travels between Paddington and Bow. She added: We are very concerned for Mervyns safety, it is a very long time to be away. We were concerned what he might be going though, especially in his weather. He is an elderly gentleman, he is very vulnerable, he is probably very frightened. He is struggling on the transport network, trying to get to somewhere he recognises, trying to get home. P olice have rescued 11 starving children who were being kept in a remote compound in New Mexico. The children, aged 1 to 15, had no shoes and were just wearing rags when they were discovered at the makeshift compound in Amalia. Police searched the site after a letter was forwarded onto them which said: We are starving and need food and water. The local sheriff said the children looked like Third World refugees and described the scene as unbelievable. Officers raided the makeshift compound in Amalia, New Mexico after receiving a message for help / AFP/Getty Images Two heavily armed men were arrested at the scene, as well as three women who were later released. Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe told ABC News: "I've been a cop for 30 years. I've never seen anything like this. Unbelievable. The inside of the remote compound in New Mexico / EPA "They were skinny, their ribs showed, they were in very poor hygiene and very scared." Loading.... He added that it appeared the women and children "were brainwashed and feel great intimidation from the men that were in control of this facility". Siraj Ibn Wahhaj was arrested at the scene in New Mexico / AFP/Getty Images The sheriffs office said there was no fresh water at the site, and that the only food they could find was a small number of potatoes and a box of rice. He described the compound as the saddest living conditions and poverty. People live off the grid, but not like this, Mr Hogrefe added. The group appeared to have been living at the compound for a few months, but the sheriff said it remains unclear how or why they ended up in New Mexico. Lucas Morten was also arrested at the scene / AFP/Getty Images Eight police officers were initially involved in a stand-off with the armed men, Siraj Wahhaj and Lucas Morten, before they were arrested at the scene. The 11 children were taken into care by social services. B ritish holidaymakers were evacuated from a five-star hotel in the Algarve after a wildfire came dangerously close to the resort. Forest fires have been raging in southern Portugal for three days after the country recorded one of its highest ever temperatures. More than 1,000 firefighters with 327 vehicles and seven aircraft are battling the fires for a third day. Hundreds of tourists were told to leave the Macdonald Monchique Resort & Spa just after midnight as flames came within a mile of the complex. They were taken to a resort half an hour away by bus. Forest fire in Portugal continues for third day A hotel worker described the night as rough, adding: Firefighters and the town hall asked us to evacuate. We could see the flames because the fire was only about one to two kilometres away. The fire began in a eucalyptus and pine forest / EPA The hotels maximum capacity is 500 people and most of our guests at this time of the year are British. Everyone was evacuated safely. The blaze has reached the outskirts of Monchique, 155 miles south of Lisbon, while nearby villages, including Portela do Vento and Odemira, have been evacuated. The Civil Protection Agency said 44 people needed medical help and one 72-year-old woman has been seriously hurt. The Foreign Office has urged Brits not to travel to the Monchique area "under any circumstances", adding: "If you are in this area, follow the instructions of the Portuguese police and Civil Protection authorities." Portugal has seen near-record-breaking temperatures in recent days / EPA The wildfire broke out on Friday afternoon after soaring temperatures scorched a pine and eucalyptus forest in a a hill range behind the beaches of Portugal's famous Algarve holiday region. The mercury rose to 46.8C in Alvega on Saturday, making it one of Portugal's hottest ever days, only slightly cooler than the record of 47.3C set in Amareleja in 2003. More than 1,000 firefighters are battling the blaze / AP The fire was then spread by wind, sending plumes of black smoke billowing across beaches popular with European tourists. S ix people have been arrested over an apparent assassination attempt on Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro using exploding drones. Dramatic TV footage showed Mr Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores looking up to the sky as the sound of an explosion rang out during his speech to troops at a military parade for the 81st anniversary of the National Guard Hundreds of massed troops ran for their lives, with some members of the crowd pictured bloodied after the blast in the ensuing stampede on Saturday evening. News of the six arrests emerged as opposition leaders warned they expect a crackdown on dissent, saying Mr Maduro will use the assassination attempt to further suppress his critics. Mr Maduro has said "everything points" to a right-wing plot while the government accused opposition factions of conspiring with attackers in Miami and Bogota, without offering any specific evidence. The attackers flew two drones packed with C-4 plastic explosives towards Mr Maduro, his wife and other top leaders, according to interior minister Nestor Reverol. Security services comb the surrounding area following the attack / EPA One of the drones was to explode above the president while the other was to blow up directly in front of him, he added. But the military managed to knock one of the drones off-course electronically and the other crashed into an apartment building two streets away, Mr Reverol said. An official was seen bleeding from the head as the military parade descended into chaos / AP One witness, Mairum Gonzalez, described running in panic to her fifth-floor balcony, where she heard the second explosion and saw smoke rising. "It was so strong the building shook," she said. "It terrified me." In an address to the nation on Saturday night, a visibly shaken Mr Maduro recalled seeing a "flying device" that exploded. He initially thought it might be a pyrotechnics display in honour of the event. Within seconds, Mr Maduro said he heard a second blast and chaos broke out. Bodyguards escorted him from the event, covering him in black shields, and TV footage showed uniformed soldiers break formation and scatter. "This was an attempt to kill me," he said. Bodyguards protected the Venezuelan president with bulletproof shields / AP The alleged plot comes as Venezuela reels from a deepening economic and humanitarian crisis during which Mr Maduro has grown increasingly isolated. Foreign nations, including the United States, have slapped a growing list of high-ranking officials with economic sanctions and criticised his government as an autocratic regime. Opposition bloc the Frente Amplio, or Broad Front, said in a statement: "We warn that the government is taking advantage of this incident to criminalise those who legitimately and democratically oppose it and deepen the repression and systematic human rights violations." Troops were shown scattering in panic before the TV feed cut out / REUTERS Defence minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, appearing on state TV, said the attackers were aiming to decapitate Venezuela's entire top leadership along with Mr Maduro. "We have six terrorists and assassins detained," Mr Reverol said. "In the next hours there could be more arrests." Of those arrested, Mr Reverol said two had previous run-ins with the government, although he did not give their names or say what charges they faced. One took part in 2014 protests that rocked the nation as it descended into economic crisis. The other had a warrant out for his arrest for participating in an attack on a military barracks. Investigators continued searching a blackened apartment building near the site while also seizing vehicles and raiding more than one hotel where they said they had found "film evidence". T he UK is set to demand Russia extradites two people suspected of carrying out the Salisbury nerve agent attack, according to reports. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which has been preparing papers, has completed the process and is ready to file, the Guardian reported on Monday. While the request is almost certain to be rejected out of hand by the Russian authorities, it will likely reignite the bitter diplomatic row which erupted following the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in March. Neither the Met Police, which has been leading the investigation into the attack, nor the CPS was prepared to discuss the report. Military personnel at the scene in Salisbury after former Russian spy Sergei Skripal was poisoned / PA The Home Office said that as a matter of long-standing policy and practice, the UK would neither confirm nor deny an extradition request had been made or received until such time as an arrest has been made in relation to that request. The report comes after it was revealed last month that investigators believed they had identified the suspected perpetrators of the attack and were sure they were Russian. A source with knowledge of the inquiry said they had been identified through cross-checking CCTV footage with records of people entering the country around the time of the attack. The government has been consistent in pointing the finger of blame at Moscow for the poisoning using Novichok a military-grade nerve agent developed by the former Soviet Union. Two more people Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley were subsequently treated for exposure to novichok after Ms Sturgess reportedly picked up a discarded perfume bottle thought to have contained the agent. Mr Rowley, like the Skripals, recovered from the attack but Ms Sturgess, his partner, died. In 2007, President Vladimir Putin rejected an extradition request for two Russians suspected of the assassination of the former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London using radioactive polonium. The Guardian quoted a Whitehall source as saying: "The CPS has been asked to prepare extradition requests and we understand they are ready to go. "This is Litvinenko all over again. It's almost a rerun of the situation. The police have managed to identify the people coming over and going back again." Z imbabwes president has appealed for his country to unite behind him after his disputed election win. Opponents say they have suffered a brutal military crackdown after Emmerson Mnangagwa, a former enforcer of long-time leader Robert Mugabe and head of the Zanu-PF party, was revealed as the winner of the vote last week. But speaking to Sky News in his first interview since the result, Mr Mnangagwa nicknamed the Crocodile said he wanted to be a peoples leader, a listening leader, a humble leader and a serving leader. He called the election a free, fair and transparent process from the period of campaigning to the period of actual voting. Clashes after last week's presidential election in Zimbabwe / AP He added: Everyone has declared the process free, peaceful and transparent. Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa said his Movement for Democratic Change group won the popular vote and vowed to challenge the result. L upita Nyongo has said she wants her first book to reach children before they get to an age where the world is telling them they are not as valuable. Sulwe, a picture book due out next year, is about a girl growing up in Africa who wants to lighten her skin. Oscar-winner Nyongo said she had the idea after a speech she made about notions of black beauty went viral. It was about having dark skin in a world that favours traditional Western standards of beauty light complexions and silky hair and my own journey from insecurity to a place of self-acceptance, she told Porter magazine. I was touched by how it had resonated with so many people of colour, and not just black Africans. Read the full interview in Porter magazine / Maria Sorrenti courtesy Porter Magazine I started to realise that there was a demographic that really needed to hear this message but wouldnt hear my speech. I wanted to get to kids before they reach an age where the world is telling them they are not as valuable. Nyongo, 35, was born in Mexico and grew up in Kenya. She became a global star after playing Patsey in 12 Years A Slave her film debut which earned her the Academy Award for best supporting actress in 2014. Reaching out: The actress wants to educate youngsters / Maria Sorrenti courtesy Porter Magazine The success did have downsides, though. She was swamped with offers that would have typecast her. I got so many offers for slave roles, she said. I didnt want to do any of them. I didnt want to be pigeon-holed. She was also worried about succumbing to the Oscars curse, where acting careers decline after the high of the award. Lupita Nyong'o goes undercover at comic con I remember sitting in a pitch meeting for a comedy show, she recalled. They said, What if we do a skit about whats going to happen to Lupita? "And then we have you go down all the wrong roads all other Oscar winners before you have gone down. I said, Thats my nightmare. There is nothing funny about that.'" Nyongo has since starred in Black Panther, voiced a character in Star Wars and will feature in a TV adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichies bestselling novel Americanah. Her modelling career continues apace, with beauty campaigns for Lancome and Calvin Klein. L ove Island host Caroline Flack has praised Megan Barton Hanson for hitting back at claims she was an escort in an empowering Instagram post. The 38-year-old backed the former stripper after reports emerged that she had previously worked as an escort and had a string of 'sugar daddies'. Reality star Hanson, who found love on the show with Wes Nelson, was open throughout her time in the villa about her glamour modelling past. Over the weekend, the Sun claimed that the 24-year-old previously lived in a luxury riverside apartment in London and drove a 30,000 SUV, with the lavish lifestyle supposedly being funded by rich men. Loved Up: The couple shared snaps upon their return to the UK / Instagram/ Megan Barton Hanson During the Love Island reunion show on Sunday Flack told Hanson: I loved your Instagram post this morning. I thought it was really strong." Hanson uploaded a post to the social media site, slamming the reports. She wrote: Today I really feel that I need to address some of the stories out there about me on behalf of women in general. "I support all women, regardless of the choices they make about what they do with their bodies. My dad always told me unless youve walked in someones shoes then don't judge them. Love Island's Wes Nelson moves into Megan Barton Hanson's flat "Its 2018 and its time we stopped allowing the vilification of women in the media. She added: Thank you to all of the amazing women that have and continue to follow my journey. Your messages of support mean so much to me. Love Island 2018: Series 4 Reunion - In pictures 1 /8 Love Island 2018: Series 4 Reunion - In pictures Dani and Jack get a warm reception ITV Dani and Jack tour Jack's work ITV Laura and Paul ITV Laura and Paul ITV Dani and Jack get to work ITV Kaz and Josh ITV Laura and Paul take a trip to sea ITV Kaz and Josh meet the friends ITV "I wont allow stories like these to stop me from be a free thinking, confident, independent young woman striving to make a better life for myself and my family. I'm off to the final Love Island Aftersun. Can't wait to reunite with all the gang. Love to you all and have a great Sunday. Meg. Y our favourite SW3 residents are back for an explosive 16th series of Made In Chelsea. Our TV schedules have been crying out for some tears, drama and romance since Love Island finished and the summery edition of Made In Chelsea, which is filmed in Croatia, couldn't have come soon enough. If you're a true reality TV junkie, you'll want to know everything ahead of the new series, so you're welcome because we've done all the hard work for you. Here's what you need to know about the new season of Made In Chelsea: When is Made in Chelsea back on TV? Get ready to stock up on the champagne and caviar because Made In Chelsea airs on Monday 6 August at 9pm on E4. Who's in Made in Chelsea? This season is set to be one of summer loving as couples Liv Bentley and Digby Edgley and Harry Baron and Melissa Tattam head to Croatia. Also jetting off will be Jamie Laing, Ollie Locke, Heloise Agostinelli, Mark Francis Vandelli, Victoria Baker-Harber, Sam Thompson, Sophie Habboo, Miles Nazaire and Sophie Harmann. What's going to happen in Made in Chelsea? One thing is for sure about the new season of Made in Chelsea - there will be drama aplenty. The new trailer warns "they can escape Chelsea but they can't escape the drama." They'll be more drama on the horizon as we expect Sam to be clashing with Liv and Harry, too. Did I mention there would be drama? Still loved up? Liv Bentley and boyfriend Digby Edgley / Channel 4 Where is Made in Chelsea: Croatia filmed? Not satisfied with confining their lives of luxury to one of the richest boroughs in London, the Made in Chelsea cast are heading to Croatia for some sun, sea and well, you know the rest. The 6-episode Croatia special will be filmed on the party island of Hvar, complete with swanky hotels and exclusive beach bars that are fit for our Chelsea kings and queens. The stars will be hanging out at the extremely instagrammable beach bars Hula Hula, Laganini, Naturo and Bonj Les Bains. In a video, Harry reveals that Hvar was the ideal holiday destination because it's "Prince Harry's favourite party island," which is possibly the poshest reason ever to visit somewhere. A new London start-up wants to ensure you never run out of battery ever again. ChargedUp provides a network of vending stations where you can borrow a portable smartphone charger and drop it back off when youve finished using it. Using the ChargedUp app, you can find one of the 30 locations across London, including Camden, Soho and Shoreditch. Upload your card's payment details to the app. Then scan the QR code to release the battery, plug in and go. Prices start from 50p for 30 minutes, up to 3 for a full 24-hours usage. The ChargedUp batteries work with both Android smartphones as well as iPhones. The start-ups founder and CEO Hugo Tilmouth said: Battery life has not managed to keep up with the demands we put on our smartphones, and running low part-way through the day is now a common, and very frustrating, occurrence. It was certainly driving us mad, which is why we developed ChargedUp as an easy, cost-effective way to charge your phone on the go. ChargedUp's battery stations are in 30 locations including Camden, Shoreditch and Soho / ChargedUp Tilmouth has big plans for ChargedUp. He hopes the chargers will be in 1,000 venues across the capital before the end of 2018, with plans to expand into the rest of the UK next year. The entire ChargedUp network runs on green energy, made possible by a partnership with the renewable energy company Ecotricity. Tilmouth said this is because protecting the environment is at the core of the start-up. But what stops someone from taking a ChargedUp battery and not returning it? Tilmouth explains that each battery has its own ID chip, so each battery can be linked to a user. It's location is monitored whilst it is in a station so the company knows where you take a battery from and where it is returned, but not where it goes in between If someone neglects to return a ChargedUp battery they will be charged 3 a day up to 30. At this point, they will have effectively purchased the battery. They are then given free access to the network for the whole year. They can charge the battery at home or swap it at a ChargedUp location for another fully charged battery. You can simply purchase a ChargedUp battery for a straight 30 for this access for the year, or up to 3 a pop. ChargedUp isnt the only way you can charge your phone on the go. In places like Westfield, you can find ChargeBox, which allows you to lock your phone away and charge it for 30 minutes for free. ChargePoint offers a similar locker service. But, ChargedUp is the only service where you can take the charger on the go with you, instead of having to return to a specific location to pick your phone back up. A ndroid fans get ready: Samsung is on the brink of launching its brand new smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. The South Korean company is preparing for the announcement of its phablet smartphone, only a few months after the release of its current flagship, the Samsung Galaxy S9. And, after recently being crowned the number one smartphone maker in the world again, the stakes are high for the Note 9 to help Samsung retain the lead over Huawei and Apple. Heres everything we know so far about the next Samsung smartphone. Samsung Galaxy Note 9: what will it look like? The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is going to roughly look the same as the Galaxy Note 8 but it will be whats on the inside that counts. Size-wise, the phones screen will stay at 6.3-inches like its predecessor, though the device itself will be slightly wider and thicker. There is no iPhone X notch on the smartphone renders weve seen so far, instead Samsung is keeping the slim bezels from the Galaxy Note 8. Following the leak of an official intro video, the new phone will come in a sleek blue edition, along with a yellow S Pen. Its likely it will also come in black and a bronze/brown colour, via Evan Blass. Inside, the phone is going to be powered by a Snapdragon 845 chipset, the small chip which powers the phone. This is the same as the Samsung Galaxy S9. However, in some countries, Samsung fans will be treated to an upgraded processor, sources told Bloomberg, though were not sure which countries this will be. As well, the Galaxy Note 9 will have 6GB of RAM, between 64GB and 512GB of storage, and run Android 8.1, the latest Android operating software. If its battery size you care about, then the Galaxy Note 9 could be the one. Rumours are suggested that the Note 9 will have a 4,000mAh battery, which is bigger than the Galaxy S9 Plus. This should power you through your day and then some. With a battery this big, Samsung will have been more than careful in all its test to ensure it doesnt repeat the mistakes on the Note 7. Samsung is definitely retaining the headphone jack for fans. Samsung Galaxy Note 9: the features were looking forward to When Samsung released the Galaxy S9 earlier this year, the focus was all on the camera. That means expectations are running high for the Note 9 camera. Its likely there will be an improved dual-lens camera on the Note 9, though not a triple-lens job like the Huawei P20 Pro. As well, according to renders by OnLeaks and 91Mobiles, the new smartphone will have moved its rear-mounted fingerprint scanner to below the camera. This is a good move because fingerprint scanners next to rear-cameras can be frustrating as half the time your finger automatically smudges the camera lens instead of finding the scanner. If this is true, this will be a helpful design change by Samsung. OnLeaks and 91Mobiles renders of how the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 could look (OnLeaks/91Mobiles ) / OnLeaks/91Mobiles As well, we're hoping to see some new and improved Bixby features. With the Samsung Galaxy S9 launch, there were some significant updates to Samsung's artificial intelligent assistant, particularly when it came to the camera features such as Bixby's food and health skills. But, Bixby still isn't as good as the Google Assistant or Siri. So let's hope Samsung pushes out some new AI updates for the Galaxy Note 9. Honestly were interested in the battery prowess of the Note 9. This teaser video points to the new Samsung phone having a mega battery that can withstand constant usage without the need to re-charge. Lets hope this lives up to its potential. Dont forget the S Pen Having recently tried out a Samsung S Pen on the companys new Galaxy S4 Tablet, its great how seamless the pen works. There have been some strong hints about the S-Pens improvements but these have been kept under wraps so well have to wait till Thursday to find out. How much will the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 cost? For such a big device, that aims to be one of the best in 2018, it is going to be pricey. Rumours suggest the Galaxy Note 9 could cost round 869 for the basic level, if Samsung launches it with the same price as the predecessor. This would make the Galaxy Note 9 over 100 cheaper than the iPhone X in the UK making a decision between Samsung or Apple easier for smartphone fans. This is a whole lot cheaper than the prices that have been suggested for the Samsung Galaxy X, the companys rumoured folding smartphone, which is thought to cost around 1,500. Samsung Galaxy Note 9: release date Samsung will be unveiling the new Note 9 at an unpacked event in New York this Thursday (August 9). Weber County gang injunction lawsuit ends with out-of-court settlement Remaining issues in a long-running civil lawsuit over Weber Countys gang injunction of more than a decade ago have been settled out of court. One lasting goal of the suit was clearly achieved: There will be no new gang injunction. In their suit, filed in 2015, Daniel Lucero and Leland McCubbin Jr. argued their civil rights were violated by the 2010 injunction, which was served upon people identified in an Ogden Police Department database as gang members. In 2019, U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups granted summary judgment to the pair, saying their due process rights were violated. ... 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 After having seen a plunge of financial intermediation Romania has seemingly reached the tipping point, where lending outpaced economic growth, governor of the National Bank of Romania (BNR) Mugur Isarescu told the conference that followed the meeting of the BNR Board of Directors. "Available data shows that the Romanian banking system has switched from the position of creditor to that of debtor. Let's see to what extent this is confirmed. Several factors have contributed to this. (...) When taxes and dues are paid, liquidity is drained from the market, when the Finance Ministry disburses pensions and wages there is a liquidity inflow to the market and this is cyclical dynamics. Then, a part of liquidity has been used by banks in the lending process, you may have noticed a plunge in financial intermediation, but it seems we have reached the tipping point where lending has seemingly outpaced economic growth. But let's first catch the rabbit and then make the stew. The lending growth pace is nearing 7 percent, while this year's economic growth will probably be around 4 percent," Isarescu said. The central bank governor explained that banks start to use a part of liquidity in the lending process, which is positive, and that lending could progressively turn into a driver of economic growth, as fiscal stimuli lose momentum.The BNR governor also said that the market is currently balanced, with neither surplus, nor deficit, after the slight surplus seen the month before. Employers' Association of Romania (AOAR) supports the launch of a public dialogue through which the employers and the trade unions' associations reach a consensus concerning the establishment or the elimination of the minimum wage in the private sector, according to a press release, sent on Monday to AGERPRES. "We find it objective the initiative of (Finance, ed. n.) Minister Teodorovici concerning the importance to establish or not a minimum wage in the private sector, given the realities of the economic structure and the differences in productivity among various sectors. In the context of external wage differences among various regions of the country, eliminating the minimum wage could be a factor that will stimulate the creation of jobs in less attractive areas, especially due to the lack of infrastructure," it is mentioned in the press release. On the sidelines of analysis and discussions concerning the removal or keeping of the mandatory minimum wage in the private sector, AOAR proposes the assessment of the possibility to adopting a minimum hourly wage, and not monthly "which would correspond to the reality of an economy marked by variations in demands on the internal and international market."AOAR says that the specialization and developing services that ensure an added value can be stimulated through applying it legally, and not through mathematical calculations (monthly wage divided by 160 hours) of the minimum hourly wage, thus allowing a normal flexibility of the workforce costs and an increase in companies' competitiveness.Also, AOAR requests the Government "to understand the difficulties the business environment is facing, as a result of the governmental decisions, too, which make the reality of the Romanian workforce to be unfavorable to the durable growth of the Romanian economy."The Public Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici declared on Friday, for DCNews website that it is not normal that state companies enjoy higher wages than the private sector, given that the public employees have a special status which the employees in the private sector do not benefit from. He said, in the context, that the approach needs to be changed even as concerns the the minimum wage that should not be imposed at the economy's level, but only within the administration. Prime Minister Viorica Dancila "communicated very well and brought arguments to Romania's position", in her travels abroad, declared on Monday, for Adevarul Live, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Teodor Melescanu. "There hasn't been a shred of a doubt concerning the transmission of very clear messages about Romania's interests, the desire for collaboration in the economic sector, especially given that as Prime Minister this is her priority responsibility. So there is not the least bit of doubt, and (...) the rest is tabloid," said Melescanu. "I can assure you that where I was present the communication was as correct as it can be, it was a very clear communication and a very open expression of the wish to developing the relations with the respective states, without any sort of problems," he pointed out.Asked on how Romania will be represented, in the context of exercising the Presidency of the EU Council next year, Melescanu replied: "Each of us in the structures they chair (...) if it's at the level of heads of states and governments, will be the president's job, if it will be at an economic level - transports, interconnection and other matters, - it will be Madam Prime Minister's job, if it's related to European Union's foreign relations it will be the Foreign Affairs Minister's job." Russia maintains a highly rigid position as regards its relations with Romania, and one of the arguments it resorts to in order to motivate this attitude is the Deveselu ballistic missile shield, Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu on Monday told the Adevarul Live webcast. "From my point of view, Russia is definitely one of the world's great powers, particularly in military and political terms, but as they say, it takes two if you want to dance the tango. The EU has this openness (...) but this does not mean we can acquiesce to everything the Russian Federation wants, some of which we don't always understand and cannot discern very well," the Foreign Minister said. "We need these relations to be based on the mutual recognition of our interests, on respect for the regulations and principles of international law and most of all, on common interest," Melescanu stressed.He went on to explain that "the Deveselu facility has a purely defensive character." "Those are not ballistic missiles, but anti-ballistic missiles that serve to protect Romania's territory, but also the entire territory of the North Atlantic Alliance," Melescanu said."The Deveselu facility is purely defensive, it has no offensive capacity whatsoever, it's designed only to intercept ballistic missiles that could be headed for NATO member countries. (...) In Romania we need consistent positions on this subject," Melescanu said."The world must understand that this is a strictly defensive facility that does not endanger any of Romania's neighbors, and at the same time it is an installation that is intended exclusively to defend the territory of Romania and of the other NATO member states against a ballistic missile attack, whatever non-NATO territory this might come from," Melescanu added. National Liberal Party chairman, Ludovic Orban encourages PNL members and sympathizers to take part in the anti Social Democratic Party (PSD) meeting that will take place on 10 August. "I have encouraged the presence of any PNL member, especially from the Diaspora, who is currently in Bucharest, and also my colleagues that will wish to take part, PNL sympathizers. Being about an anti-PSD meeting, I encouraged members and PNL sympathizers to take part in this meeting," said Orban, on Monday, in Parliament, after the PNL's Executive Bureau sitting. "We will not mobilize, but I can say that there is a desire of many party members to participate in this event. We hope that it will be a grand event, that will really show the will of Romanians, who, most of them, were forced to leave the country because of the PSD governing," Ludovic Orban said.PNL chairman said that he is about to make a decision on whether or not he will attend this event. President Klaus Iohannis cautioned on Monday that research in Romania is likely to regress to the level of the '90s because of the government's plans to adopt the Ordinance on R&D and Innovation, released on the website of the Ministry in charge. "As the representatives of researchers and of the academic milieu have already pointed out, the draft piece of legislation contains provisions that put the quality and independence of Romanian research at jeopardy and risk blocking its Europeanization and internationalization, with a negative impact on innovation performance, on economic competitiveness and welfare. The main direct effects of the proposed ordinance are: the deskilling of research management, the reduction of transparency or even the disappearance of funding allocation on a competitive basis, as required by European and international best practice, and increased risk of politicizing research funding overall, virtually wiping away a whole process of alignment with best international practices begun in the '90s," a release of the Presidential Administration shows. According to the cited source, under the ordinance, the Ministry - run by a political team without a proven managerial capacity - is the main coordinator of the National Plan programs.The bodies that were previously in charge of the management of competition-based funding of research projects will be dismantled and some of their responsibilities will be transferred to research institutions that are also the beneficiaries of research grants, the release argues."It is totally unclear what role is left for the national R&D and innovation councils to play. The entire move to politicise research management will de facto prevent acquiring membership of European institutions that bring together independent research funding agencies, like for instance Science Europe, and will render impossible joint-call / joint-program cooperation with independent agencies for the funding of R&D and innovation from other countries," the document further states.At the same time, the cited source points out that the ordinance only maintains the NUCLEU funding program and scraps institutional performance financing, abandoning international assessment. In the latest budget revision blueprint, the government has also substantially reduced allocations to research (10 percent of the Ministry's annual budget), at a time when the budget for research is anyway five times lower than the EU-recommended 1 percent of GDP, and "the draft ordinance dents the independence and transparency of the research activity, increasing the risk of its politicization."According to the Presidential Administration, "a sustained effort is noticeable in recent months to uncouple research from world scientific practices." The President also emphasizes that "the Educated Romania project, that pursues an economy based on innovation and added value cannot have a future when the research sector is being constantly sabotaged for political interests." The PSD (Social Democratic Party) leader Liviu Dragnea on Sunday evening told Antena 3 private television broadcaster that the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, is lying, according to Agerpres. The Social Democrat used a flipchart to write figures related to the budgetary rectification and in the end he said that the head of the state "is lying." "Everything that I showed here are real data, figures, truths versus Iohannis's lies, so what should I tell him?" Dragnea asked rhetorically and went on to write on the flipchart: "Iohannis is l---g" and them filled in the blanks with letters, to reveal the final word: "Iohannis is lying.""I showed you two hours ago that Iohannis is lying. He lies through his teeth. Which means that he is some kind of Pinocchio, to say so," Dragnea added and also put down on the flipchart the name "Pinocchio." Minister of Tourism Bogdan Trif, speaking on Monday at a stocktaking meeting at the Ministry's premises, recommended media to no longer focus just on negative aspects, as Romania has an enviable tourist offer. "My recommendation to everyone, media included - and I don't want to be misunderstood - is to shift focus from negative aspects alone. Of course, when we track down a company that disregards law, it should definitely be punished, but this should not be taken to the spotlight and shown on TV. I have friends who tell me all they see on TV about the Romanian seaside are bad things, bad food, accommodation far from OK. When I ponder on where to spend my holiday I won't pick a location where things are not working. Therefore I am asking you, when you encounter such situations do not present them as if this was the case for an entire a resort, please present reality as it is, or when you highlight a negative aspect, also show one or two bright spots from the same area. We do have extraordinary hotels, restaurants, on the Black Sea littoral included. I know negative headlines always sell and positive subjects don't, but you would do Romanian tourism some good if you showed positive things as well. We have a country with a truly enviable tourist offer," Trif said. The colossal project to re-colonialize the world started with United States President Ronald Reagan eagerly backed by United Kingdom Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1981 and over the next 20 years seemed to sweep all before it. But we can now see that the creation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the 9/11 attacks in 2001 marked the turn of the tide. Since then one super-ambitious project of nation destruction and rebuilding after another generated by Washington and eagerly embraced by its main Western European allies has collapsed spectacularly. As if living out one of Aesops Fables, the hammer of US kinetic power so eagerly embraced at the urging of neo-conservatives and neoliberals alike following the collapse of communism exhausted the Western welders of the weapon instead of their targets. The reckless resort to indiscriminate military power in the US-dominated invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the following campaigns to topple the governments of Syria and Libya created unexpected consequences comparable to Isaac Newtons Third Law of Motion Every Action has an Equal and Opposite Reaction. Nevertheless, US and Western confidence in the triumph of liberal, free trade and democratic ideals around the world has remained almost totally impervious to the sobering lessons of recalcitrant global realities. The great reawakening of Western imperial and capitalist resolve heralded by Reagan and championed by his loyal spear carriers, Thatcher and her successors as prime ministers of the United Kingdom continued unabated: Until 2016. Two epochal events happened that year: The British people, to the astonishment most of all of their own leaders, pundits and self-selected Platonic guides and betters voted for Brexit: They opted by a narrow but decisive vote of 48 percent to 52 percent to leave the 28-nation European Union. The disruptions and chaos set in motion by that fateful outcome have still only begun to work their way through the political and economic systems of Europe. Second, Donald Trump, even more amazingly was elected president of the United States to the limitless fury of the American Deep State which continues unabated in its relentless and frantic efforts to topple him. However, the motives of the scores of millions of Americans who voted for Trump were perfectly clear: They were opting for American nationalism instead of American Empire. They were sickened by the clear results of 70 years of post-World War II global imperium that had arrogantly and casually allowed US domestic industry and society to wither on the vine for the supposed Greater Good of Global Leadership. A decade and a half of endless, fruitless, ultra-expensive global wars entered into by the feckless and stupid George W. Bush and continued by the complacent and superficial Barack Obama advanced this process of weariness and rejection. Two years after the election of Trump and the British peoples vote for Brexit, the great surge of the West that outlasted the Soviet Union is clearly on the ebb: Now the United States is exhausted, the EU is falling apart and NATO is an empty shell a paper tiger if you will. Why is this happening and can it be reversed? Free Trade was never the universal panacea it has been ludicrously claimed to be now for more than 240 years since Adam Smith published his Wealth of Nations. On the contrary, the cold, remorseless facts of economic history clearly show that protective tariffs to safeguard domestic manufactures and advantageous export-driven balance of payment surpluses are the true path to economic growth and sustainable, lasting national power and wealth. The idea that democracy at least in the narrow, highly structured, manipulative and patchy form practiced in the United States is some sort of universal guarantee for happiness, national stability and growth has also been repeatedly confounded. Instead, the Western democratic states have fallen into exactly the same intellectual pit that trapped and eventually wrecked the Soviet Union. They have launched a worldwide ideological crusade and poured wealth and resources into it to ignoring the well-being and advancement of their own domestic economies and populations. Far from bringing eternal and universal world peace the alluring Holy Grail of every dangerous idealistic idiot since Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Immanuel Kant these policies only brought failure, frustration and rising military death lists for the countries that pursued them instead. This year, new hammer blows are following on the Reagan-Thatcher-spawned era of revived Anglo-American global leadership and domination. The British themselves have palpably failed to cave out any secure or even plausible economic prospects for themselves in the world once they leave the EU. Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Libya all remain wrecked societies shattered by the repeated air strikes that Western compassion and reverence for human rights and democracy have visited upon them. Now India and Pakistan two English-speaking democracies and members of the once British-led Commonwealth of Nations, still so dear to Queen Elizabeth IIs aging heart have opted to bury their existential rivalry and jointly join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization confirming it as the premier and by far the most powerful security alliance on the planet. These developments, to echo US President Thomas Jeffersons telling phrase nearly 200 years ago, are grave warnings. They are firebells in the night. They serve notice to Washington and London that their facilely optimistic ever onward and upwards drive to reshape the entire human race in their own image must be abandoned. Neither the United States nor the United Kingdom is a remotely united society any more. Both of them need to turn inward to resolve their own problems and abandon the fantastic quest to reassert global dominance that Reagan and Thatcher launched nearly 40 years ago. And they had better move fast. Jeffersons firebell is tolling and the sands of time are running out. Professor Michael Klare has penned a long piece arguing that Trumps 2016 campaign speeches, though not explicitly mentioning the notion, nonetheless somehow lean towards the prospect of a world managed by the three major powers: the US, China and Russia in some sort of jostling and elbowing way, but one short of war. Klare notes that: the proof that Trump sought such an international system can be found in his 2016 campaign speeches and interviews. While he repeatedly denounced China for its unfair trade practices and complained about Russias nuclear-weapons buildup, he never described those countries as mortal enemies. They were rivals or competitors with whose leaders he could communicate; and, when advantageous, cooperate. On the other hand, he denounced NATO as a drain on America's prosperity and its ability to maneuver successfully in the world. Indeed, he saw that alliance as eminently dispensable if its members were unwilling to support his idea of how to promote Americas best interests in a highly competitive world. This argument has a certain plausibility, and a number of writers have developed this line into the notion that in 2016 Trump was loosely imagining a grand strategic bargain that would be the foundation for global peace. Maybe he was then. But I would suggest such a thesis has not been borne out well by events since Trumps Art of the Deal geo-strategy, as we now see, is predicated on US leverage and threat: forcing the capitulation of the counter-party. This tactic does not mesh with hopes for some sort of concert between three esteemed, peer powers. There is just no esteem to Trumps methodology just a push, by any means possible, to secure US ascendency. Or, possibly (and perhaps over-generously), Trumps 2016 thinking simply was ahead of its time, and has need to be modified by the bruising encounter with the nature of US governance. In the latter case then, any genuine G3 partnership is unlikely to emerge before America undergoes some sort of deep catharsis. Since, as one US Senator has remarked, his constituents simply cannot (culturally) begin to entertain the notion of not being first in the world. Professor Russell-Mead has echoed this observation, writing that Trumps 8 May metamorphosis (the exit from JCPOA), constituted a step-change of direction: one that reflected [Trumps] instincts telling him that most Americans are anything but eager for a post-American world. Mr. Trumps supporters dont want long wars, but neither are they amenable to a stoic acceptance of national decline. It is notable that Russell-Mead firmly links Trumps qualitative shift very precisely to Trumps 8 May metamorphosis which is to say, to the moment when the US president definitively took the Israeli line: exiting from the Iranian nuclear accord, deciding to sanction and to lay siege to Irans economy, and when he endorsed the (old, never materialized) idea of a Sunni Arab NATO, led by Riyadh, that would confront Shia Iran. With passing time, it is possible that Trump may reminisce and conclude that Russell-Mead had been right that this particular decision, indeed, was pivotal in his Presidency; that this decision effectively foreclosed on any grand bargain, struck with Russia or China. And that, at that precise moment, he lost the option because of Netanyahus herding of the White House into confrontation with Iran. Of course, the sedition being hatched by the politicized intelligence services of the UK and the US attenuated Trumps political room for manoeuver, but this was never a factor, per se, for Russia and China not to contemplate a grand bargain with Trump. Iran is, however. Why? Prof Klare, paradoxically, spells out exactly why there will be no G3 new global order: It is because at the heart of the joint Russian and Chinese strategic partnership was, and continues to be, a condemnation of global hegemony the drive by any single nation to dominate world affairs along with a call for the establishment of a multipolar international order. It also espouses other key precepts, including unqualified respect for state sovereignty, non-interference in the domestic affairs of other states, and the pursuit of mutual economic advantage. [Emphasis added] When Trump unreservedly took the Israeli (or, more accurately the Netanyahu) line, he assumed to himself all the baggage that comes with it, too. The 1996 Clean Break document, prepared by a study group led by Richard Perle for Benjamin Netanyahu meshed the Israeli and US neocon camps into one. And they are still umbilically linked. Team Trump now is filled neocons who are unreserved Iran-haters. And Sheldon Adelson (a major Trump donor, a patron of Netanyahu, and the instigator for the US embassy move to Jerusalem), consequently has been able to implant his ally, John Bolton (an arch neocon) as Trumps chief foreign policy advisor. The Art of the Deal has effectively been neocon-ised into a tool for enlarging American power, rather than for adjusting the global economic order in any way acceptable to the Russia-China axis and there is nothing of mutual economic advantage to be heard of, or seen, these days. With the Netanyahu line, Trump has adopted a policy of regime change for Iran (or, at least the behaviour change on the part of Iran that would amount to its leaders recanting the Iranian Revolution). And with 'Israel first' Trump must acquiesce too, to the necklace of US military bases infusing the Gulf (containing Iran), and to arming the hoary old Arab NATO project. And, with Israel first, Trump (unsurprisingly) is finding obstacles to withdrawing US troops from Syria and Afghanistan (where the Iran as malign actor to be contained argument hinders Trumps campaign commitment to withdraw from the Middle East). Aside from the material fact that Iran is a strategic ally of both China and Russia occupying the pole position in both Chinas BRI, and Russias heartland strategy the Israel first strategy, runs a horse and carriage through all that, for which these two states stood, and still stand: The unilateral US exit from an international agreement without cause; disregard for international law; the unilateral insistence to lay siege to the Iranian economy; disrespect for the sovereignty of another state; interference in the domestic affairs of another state (by fostering MEK dissidence inside Iran); the hegemonic bullying of other states (to enforce secondary sanctions on others), and disdain for mutual economic advantage. Trump has crossed every boundary. Why would they trust him? The sea is always the sea, and, it seems, America is always well America. It doesnt change. Is it the case that Trump had little choice; that the Iran policy was somehow forced on him? That Iran was the price that he needed to pay to have the neocons inside the WH tent, rather than outside, in order to somehow inoculate Trump against the John Brennan Robert Mueller cabal? Or, that he needs the big campaign contributions for 2020? And that only unreserved support for Israel can bring it in? Or, was his alignment with Israel (and the concomitant war on Iran), driven by his obsessive desire to undo Obama in all ways possible? Or, was it never a strategic choice at all, but merely a visceral emanation: a reflection of this long-held thing which Trump has against Iran and for Israel? History will be the judge; but here is the rub. The motives are beside the point, what matters is this: In the Middle East, his policies will fail. The Iranian people will never capitulate. Trump has painted himself into a tight corner, thanks to Bibi. And the deal of the century for Israel either will not gain the Arab leaders support, that initially seemed possible; or Trump will impose the plan in the face of no Palestinian support and no consent, in which case, it may prove, ultimately, to be Pyrrhic in a way very damaging to the US. It is now, a full year later, and still the Deal remains unpublished. The Arab mood is changing: MbZ and MbS have lost their celebrity status; the Palestinian file has been yanked from MbS; and the war in Yemen is eating away Saudi Arabias regional potentia the war in Yemen simply is corroding away Saudis power to impose anything at all. Reports credible reports suggest that John Bolton thinks that he has the Iranians right where he wants them. He believes that we [the US] could fight a maritime campaign in the Gulf with next to no losses; and that if necessary [the US] can bomb the Iranian people into unleashing their economic deprivation wrath against the mullahs. Pompeo agrees with him. He is trying to keep the president buttered up, while pursuing his shared goals with Bolton both cleverly and surreptitiously. Iran is not Iraq, Emile Nakhleh, the former CIA resident Middle East expert, has written adding laconically: Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo by now should have been briefed about the differences between the two countries Iran is a credible military power with regional reach. Its geographic proximity to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other pro-American Gulf Cooperation Council countries make these countries exceedingly vulnerable to Iranian military retaliation in case of an American attack. Its very difficult for Saudi Arabia and its neighbors, despite the American-provided Patriot anti-missile batteries, to protect their oil and water infrastructure. Perhaps Mike Pompeo has been briefed about the Shia too, and their history of extraordinary endurance in the face of a millennium of repression. Iran is the mother ship for Shia everywhere. They constitute possibly 40% of the population of the Middle East (and not the 10%, as generally believed). They are masters at asymmetric warfare. And if Trump does decide to engage militarily with Iran, then Nakhleh repeats the warning that he gave to US policy-makers before the Iraq war: A foreign liberation of a country from its regime very quickly morphs into occupation no matter how much a foreign liberator tries to sugar coat the moral imperatives of its action. When I briefed a very senior [US] policymaker on the eve of the Iraq war about the possible reaction from the Iraqi people to the impending America-led war, he dismissively retorted, You people [referring to Nakhlehs agency the CIA] must understand that we are liberators not occupiers. We are saving the Iraqi people from that tyrant. I told him that the so-called liberation would be short-lived, and that the Islamic world would not support a US war against Iraq, viewing it as yet another Christian Crusader war against a Muslim country. Trumps 8 May decision and the metamorphosis of the Presidents zeitgeist which it necessarily entailed, leaves the US President bereft of anything worthwhile now to offer Putin (except best friends talk, and a little here and there on Syria) and he has nothing (not even mock-ups of Korean beachfront condos as Trump tried with Jong Un), that might raise the slightest interest amongst the Iranians. This will not change until the US passes through some catharsis, be it financial or political, sufficient to purge this utopian vision of Americas unique mission to redeem the world in its own image. Until then, we will continue in our global order of disorder and in grave danger. NATO believes that the Western Balkans is a region of strategic importance. The summit that was held July 11-12 specifically expressed support for the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Balkan countries. Macedonia was officially invited to join the alliance. On the eve of the summit, Deputy Secretary General of NATO Rose Gottemoeller stressed that NATO supported the process of reform in Kosovo, including the creation of its own regular armed forces. That idea has strong support in Washington, although by establishing its own military, Kosovo would be in gross violation of the existing international agreements. UN Security Council Resolution 1244 states explicitly that no other military presence, with the exception of KFOR and the Serbian army, shall be permitted without the mandate of the UN Security Council. The Florence Agreement (Article IV of the 1996 Dayton Peace Accords) affirms that regional stability should be maintained with the assistance of the OSCE, not NATO. The creation of a Kosovo military would mean that a regular force was being established within the territory of Serbia, which is a party to the Florence agreement. NATO has already allowed Kosovo to set up a professional security force, which is to join the Partnership for Peace (PfP) program and then develop into a regular armed forces that is able to meet NATO standards. This idea is being floated at a time in which the concept of the creation of Greater Albania is gradually taking shape, which would include Kosovo, parts of Macedonia such as Tetovo, the Presevo Valley in Serbia, and parts of Montenegro such as Malesija. The EU has also gone on the offensive. Croatia joined it in 2013. Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia are EU candidate states. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are signatories to Stabilization and Association Agreements with the bloc. In 2016, Bosnia and Herzegovina formally submitted an EU membership application. Efforts to reduce the regions energy dependence on Russia are underway, as an element of the policy of squeezing Moscow out. The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project is in the construction phase and will eventually stretch from the Caspian Sea to Albania and northward to other Western Balkan countries, as well as Italy. The next step is the building of a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on Krk, a Croatian island, thus making the countries of the region pay much more for American sea-transported energy than Russias natural gas that is supplied by pipeline. The Krk project is to include Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia, and Serbia. The NATO-EU Statement on the Implementation of the Joint Declaration envisages close cooperation between the two groups, which will increase Western influence in the region. Thats what Russia opposes. It rejects the wisdom of an approach in which the region is viewed as a battlefield between the West and Russia (which is supposedly vying for influence), forcing the nations of the region to take sides. The truth is, they dont have to. For instance, Serbia can derive significant benefits by promoting complementary relationships with the EU and the Russian-led EAEU. The Atlantic Councils report, titled Balkans Forward: A New US Strategy for the Region, which was released in late 2017, attracted a lot of attention. It calls on the West to double down on countering Russias influence in the region, including by means of a permanent American military presence in the Balkans that would "anchor the United States ability to influence developments." Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo, which was built on Serbian soil without consulting that countrys own government, is not enough. The Heritage Foundation echoes this view, offering guidelines to spur US diplomatic, economic, and military efforts to drive Russia out while bringing the US in. The think tanks from the National Committee on American Foreign Policy and the East-West Institute chimed in with their joint report, titled Time for Action in the Western Balkans, which was published in May. The think tanks recommendations are followed by suggestions from governments. Here is the latest example. On Aug. 4, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that NATO plans to build its first air base in the Western Balkans near the municipality of Kucove in south-central Albania. Construction is to start this year. The new facility will be used for air supply, logistic support, air patrolling, and training. The base will also be used by the Albanian air forces. The US Armys Bondsteel base in Kosovo is used by KFOR but it lacks an airstrip for planes. On Aug. 2, Kosovo's President Hashim Thaci said in an interview with VOA's Albanian Service, "Kosovo's border with Serbia needs to be redefined, or corrected." Whatever he meant, no mention was made of any need for Serbias consent or United Nations-approved procedures. Mr. Thaci feels free to make such statements because he senses the Wests support behind him. Meanwhile, tensions in northern Kosovo are rising after the Aug. 4 deadline to establish Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo with limited autonomous powers was missed. The Kosovo provincial government has not kept its promises. Such a move is necessary in order meet the provisions of the EU-brokered 2013 Brussels Agreement, which is intended to normalize relations between Serbia and Kosovo. The Kosovo Serbs say they would declare autonomy if Kosovos rulers fail to produce a draft statute of the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO). That agreement provides for the merger of the four Serb municipalities in the north (North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic), which are subject to Kosovo law. This urban district would have powers over economic development, education, healthcare, and town planning. On Aug. 4, Kosovo PM Ramush Haradinaj warned Serbs in the northern section of the province that their potential "attempt to proclaim autonomy" would be met with a response, obviously meaning the use of force. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic vowed action to protect his compatriots residing in Kosovo. KFOR is in a state of combat readiness, because NATO has failed to prevent a conflict between Kosovo and Serbia. KFOR entered Kosovo in 1999. The Albanian government of the Serbian province fully depends on the West. As recent events convincingly illustrate, after all these years, nothing has been done to solve the problems of the Serb minority or even to get closer to a solution. The ethnic divisions in Macedonia and Montenegro remain. Bosnia Herzegovina is still a divided country on the brink of armed conflict. The Western Balkans has not become a second Hong Kong or Singapore, even after some of the regional countries joined the EU. Neither the ethnic nor the religious divisions were successfully addressed after several Balkan nations joined NATO. If there is any outside security threat, it comes from the North Atlantic Alliance, which has proven its readiness to use force to reach its goals in the region. A NATO air force base in Albania will hardly make the life of ordinary people living in the Western Balkans better or more secure, but it will certainly bring the concept of Greater Albania closer to reality. TICKERS: LUN, NSU Source: Adrian Day for Streetwise Reports (8/6/18) Money manager Adrian Day comments on Lundin Mining's proposal to buy Nevsun Resources. Lundin Mining Corp. (LUN:TSX) has made a formal bid to buy Nevsun Resources Ltd. (NSU:TSX; NSU:NYSE.MKT; NY US$3.67), jettisoning erstwhile partner Euro Sun and offering all cash in a hostile takeover. At C$4.75 (about US$3.66, almost exactly the market price), the offer significantly undervalues Nevsun, and presages further activity including, we think, another bid from another company. Real value and strong potential Nevsun management, and the board when it makes its formal response next week, will reject the bid as too low. We agree. Nevsun has four parts (plus cash of $125 million). The steady cash-flowing Bisha mine, where metallurgical issues that plagued the mine last year seem to have been resolved with improving copper recoveries, plus other Eritrean properties; an Eritrean discount, notwithstanding the recent official end to the war with Ethiopia. The high-grade Timok Upper Zone where preliminary construction is underway and financing negotiations commenced. The high-potential and long-life Lower Zone, of which Nevsun owns 46% (in partnership with Freeport). The problem is that the Upper Zone has to be mined first and it could be up to 20 years before mining the Lower Zone. The regional exploration properties, where drills have started turning on a summer drilling program; in the Bor area, some 27 deposits have been discovered so the odds are strong that Nevsun would eventually find at least one more deposit. The problem is that in Serbia exploration permits last only seven years; some of these will start to expire soon, requiring renegotiation with the government. Clearly, inside Nevsun are a couple of assets with hard valuations and a couple with longer-term or more speculative, but highly prospective, valuations. Of course, a buyer expects to buy at a discount, but buying one of the world's best undeveloped copper projectsif not the bestat a low point in the copper price cycle, gives plenty of upside. That's worth a premium for a major global mining company. You do not need to take any action. The Lundin tender is open for 120 days (from July 26th), so there is no rush, and is a tender, meaning you do not need to do anything. It requires 66.67% of shares outstanding to be effective. If you are inclined to take the C$4.75, then just sell in the market, get a couple of pennies above the tender price to cover commission, and you don't have to wait three months! Possible scenarios We suspect Lundin will be forced to raise its price, perhaps to C$5.25. Remember, someone has been buying millions of shares since the proposal; they are looking for a higher price (given they are buying at the tender price). Many long-suffering Nevsun retail shareholders also tend to think the company is worth more. I don't think the current tender will be successful. It is possiblelikely?that Lundin, having already made a failed bid for Timok two years ago, will raise its offer, perhaps to C$5.25. It has C$1.5 billion in cash, though could draw on credit lines or top up with shares to increase its offer. (We would like to see shares in a solid company structured as a merger, to avoid immediate tax consequences for U.S. shareholders). It is also possible that another company will come in after seeing how high Lundin will go, perhaps in a friendly acquisition. We could write reams on all the various factorsNevsun's largest shareholder owns more dollar value in Lundin; its second-largest shareholder has been aggressively selling shares, over 9 million shares in June, and likely responsible for the huge volume trading days (including one well over 10 million shares); the resignation of Lundin's CEO on the day the proposal went formal; and so onnot to mention the various and varying rumors swirling around these companies. What's the risk? But the bottom line is simple: the current bid appreciably undervalues the assets; another bid is likely; while the downside is protected by Lundin's bid. The major risk is that Nevsun does something such as selling a strategic interest in Timok to a partner, which would encumber the project and make it less attractive to another buyer. Given a proposal is currently active, such a move now would not be in shareholders' best interest. If a major companyRio Tinto, saywere to make such a strategic investment, even at a price above the current market, the stock will likely fall back because many recent buyers, including arbitrageurs and opportunistic traders, would immediately get out, sensing that an acquisition of the company had been thwarted. Depending on how low the stock price fell, it would then be a good long-term purchase. But the immediate profit potential would be gone. Give the tender price and market price undervalue the assets, given the likelihood of a higher bid, and given the relatively low downside, we would hold Nevsun here. On the other hand, if you are overweight the stock, you might take the opportunity to reduce your position, given the not-insignificant risk. Adrian Day, London-born and a graduate of the London School of Economics, heads the money management firm Adrian Day Asset Management, where he manages discretionary accounts in both global and resource areas. Day is also sub-adviser to the EuroPacific Gold Fund (EPGFX). His latest book is "Investing in Resources: How to Profit from the Outsized Potential and Avoid the Risks." [NLINSERT] Disclosure: 1) Adrian Day: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: None. 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: None. Funds controlled by Adrian Day Asset Management hold shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: Nevsun Resources. 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: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. 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. 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 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 (including members of their household) own securities of Nevsun Resources, a company mentioned in this article. Justice Minister Andrew Little was in Indonesia when a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Lombak overnight, killing at least 32 people. The quake struck Lombok at a depth of 10km, a week after a magnitude 6.4 quake killed 14 people on the island and briefly stranded hundreds of hikers on the slopes of a volcano. More than 50 people were injured. The tremors prompted a large-scale evacuation of a nearby volcano. Andrew and Australian politician Peter Dutton, who were in Lombok for a conference, were evacuated to the local airport. Andrew told Morning Report the earthquake had left some of the conference delegates shaken. "I think for a lot of people, in particular some of the other delegates there at the conference, they hadn't experienced an earthquake before and it was pretty terrifying and because we were at the top of the building it was shaking a lot, a lot of things falling over. "People fell to the ground... And then there was a massive power outage, went dark and then the power came back on within a few seconds. "The lower floors we went down there was more damage visible [there] than at the top [floors]." Along with some aftershocks, he said there was damage visible but there were no fatalities or major injuries around him. "The only damage we saw in the hotel building was as we went down the staircase on the lower floors, certainly some of the plaster work had come apart, some of the beams were cracked and when we got out on the street frontage, there was quite bit of things that had fallen off the building." There are currently nine New Zealanders registered as being on Lombok. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta is working to get more information following today's earthquake on the island. All New Zealanders on Lombok are being advised to register their details on the ministry's safe travel website and let their families in New Zealand know that they are safe. They can also contact the New Zealand embassy if they need assistance. Overall 447 New Zealanders are registered as being in Indonesia. Bay of Plenty Our client has plenty of work in the pipeline and as such they are in need of qualified or experienced carpenters for an... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz The upper ski fields on Mt Ruapehu have been shut down by an avalanche that damaged a chairlift. The avalanche happened near the top High Noon chairlift sometime before the Turoa ski field opened on Monday morning, says a Turoa customer relations staff member, who did not give her name. The avalanche means the upper slopes of both the Turoa and Whakapapa sides of the mountain will be closed on Monday. Avalanches were not that common on the ski fields, but this one was large enough to see as staff arrived at the lower areas of the mountain in the morning, says the staff member. Ski patrols have headed out to do avalanche safety checks of the whole mountain and to check the area the avalanche covered. It's thought to be above the top High Noon chairlift, which has suffered damage. Engineers are investigating the extent. The beginners' Alpine Meadows section is open, the staff member said, and many skiers were already out on that section or were waiting for the higher slopes to open. A statement from the ski fields said the avalanche happened about 8.30. There were no injuries and all Ruapehu Alpine Lifts staff were accounted for. Updates will be posted on mtruapehu.com/turoa and the Mt Ruapehu Turoa Facebook page, throughout the day. - Stuff/KAROLINE TUCKEY The Department of Conservation is keeping an open mind about how more than 40 New Zealand fur seals/kekeno died, after their bodies were found on a remote bay in Banks Peninsula. Christchurch Operations Manager Andy Thompson says DOC was alerted to the seal deaths at Te Oka Bay late yesterday and staff have been out examining the area. Our ranger counted 41 dead seals. One was an adult seal and the rest were pups at weaning age, Andy Thompson says. We think they had been dead for about two to three weeks by the state of the bodies. They were found high up on the beach, above the high tide mark, and we think they were probably swept there by high seas. This is a remote area of the peninsula and locals have told us that there were stormy, heavy seas about the time we think the seals died. We hope to send some of the dead seals to Massey University for necropsy to investigate the cause of death. We are keeping an open mind but at this stage, given the circumstances, we are leaning towards natural causes, says Andy. DOC will keep a monitoring brief on the population. The results of the post mortem examinations wont be known for at least several days. Around 12,000 kekeno live and breed around the Te Oka Bay area. Kekeno are the most common seals in New Zealand and their population of more than 200,000 is growing. Bay of Plenty Tired of lock down and want to get back too work? Are you looking to step up and become Supervisor? Well, my client might... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz New Zealand Defence Force firefighters are heading to Canada to help contain the massive wildfires raging across British Columbia. Their departure follows the deployment of three NZDF firefighters to the United States on Friday. The NZDF personnel form part of the teams being deployed by Fire and Emergency New Zealand, in response to requests for assistance from United States and Canadian authorities. Brigadier John Boswell, the Land Component Commander, says the NZDF always stood ready to lend a hand to friends who were in trouble. Our firefighters are highly skilled and experienced. They are regularly called upon for emergencies in New Zealand and overseas, and while controlling extensive blazes is demanding work, their skills will make a significant contribution to the massive coalition effort to battle the fires. Sergeant Alex Walker, who is leading the NZDF team deployed to the United States, says they're all looking forward to supporting the multinational effort. It's a great opportunity to show that we are an asset not just in New Zealand but also internationally. Working as part of a multinational team, especially with the Australians, will be a great development opportunity for us." Corporal Thomas Grant says the deployment to the United States will be his second overseas since he joined the NZDF as a firefighter in 2011. Its an opportunity to help people, which is why I decided to join the Defence Force, and to showcase our skills, says Corporal Grant, who was one of 10 NZDF firefighters who helped combat bushfires in northwest Tasmania in January and February 2016. Fellow firefighter Corporal Reginald Reid says their training and experience had equipped them to deal with potentially challenging scenarios in the fire zones. Every fire is different and the situation on the ground changes every hour. But weve got heaps of training and experience in dealing with large bushfires and I am looking forward to the challenge. Corporal Thomas Grant (left) and Corporal Reginal Reid form part of the three-member New Zealand Defence Force firefighting team deployed to the United States to help contain the massive wildfires raging across the north-west of the country. There are about 90 bushfires raging across 14 states in the north-western part of the United States. In northern California alone, the fire has scorched more than 100,000 acres, killed six people, damaged more than 800 homes and displaced more than 50,000 people. In Canada, authorities have recorded 1,085 wildfires since the fire season began on 1 April, burning nearly 680 square kilometres of woodland. Syracuse, NY -- A Salina man accused of sexually preying on an 11-year-old girl believed for years that Gov. Andrew Cuomo or Pope Francis would help free him from jail. Welken Majok, 42, was sent to a secure mental hospital following his 2015 arrest after voices told him that the two figures were pushing for his release to be with his family. Majok was indicted on child predatory sex assault, rape and other charges. But he couldn't stand trial until deemed competent. That left him in the mental hospital for years, where he received medication and spoke to a psychiatrist, according to his lawyer, Anne Meadvin. But recently, the voices had disappeared and he was now ready for trial, Meadvin said. Experts for both the prosecution and defense now agreed Majok was competent. Today, Majok was offered a plea agreement that would send him to prison for 10 years to life on the top predatory sex abuse charge, which carries a maximum penalty the same as murder. State Supreme Court Justice Gordon Cuffy gave Majok a month to think it over. He remains jailed. Majok, a Sudanese immigrant, has a valid green card, Meadvin said. But his conviction is sure to have immigration consequences. Typically, a non-citizen convicted of a U.S. crime serves his prison sentence before being deported. Jameisha Stanford. Provided photo by family Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse teenager accused of driving recklessly in the death of a 2-year-old girl appears headed for trial in October on a manslaughter charge. Felix Santos, who was 17 at the time of the May 27, 2017 crash, did not take a plea offer from a judge that would have sent him to prison for three to nine years. Prosecutors had asked for four to 12 years. Santos, charged with second-degree manslaughter and driving offenses, is now scheduled for trial Oct. 15. He faces up to five to 15 years in prison if convicted. But he's also eligible for youthful offender status if found guilty. That would seal his record and carry a maximum sentence of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison. County Court Judge Matthew Doran noted today he was required to keep an open mind about youthful offender status, making no guarantees one way or the other. Santos is accused of driving 20 mph over the speed limit on Shonnard Street while trying to pass another vehicle, Chief Assistant District Attorney Chris Bednarski has said. Santos went off the street and hit the 2-year-old girl, Jameisha Stanford, who later died. Her brother and father were also injured. He then fled and wasn't found for more than a month. He was arrested in June 2017 in North Carolina. Santos apparently posted an apology on his Facebook page after the crime. His lawyer, William Sullivan, said the apology was posted without his knowledge. A probation department investigation of Santos recommended youthful offender status, but Doran would not commit to that during plea negotiations. The judge did not rule out a plea before trial, but focused scheduling now on the upcoming trial date. Santos is facing the manslaughter charge for acting recklessly at the time of the crash. Santos remains in jail. He's due back to court Aug. 27 for an update before trial. From the outside, the building at 800 Fourth Street in Liverpool looks about the same as it always has. Other than the name above the entrance, the former A.V. Zogg Middle School (more recently the Liverpool Community Church) appears as it did upon construction in 1928. But inside, rooms within the Zogg Building have transformed into a dorm room, a hospital wing, editing suites and storage for old movie sets. Since Hollywood writer and director Jeremy Garelick purchased the building in 2017, film production company American High has produced three films in the Zogg Building, now called Syracuse Studios. The newest film - titled "Big Time Adolescence" - is currently in filming on premise and around the Syracuse area. The film brought to town Saturday Night Live's Pete Davidson (along with fiancee Ariana Grande), rapper and actor Machine Gun Kelly, Sydney Sweeney and Jon Cryer. Amidst filming, co-owner of American High and a producer for "Big Time Adolescence," Will Phelps, gave syracuse.com an inside look at Syracuse Studios and the beginnings of what Garelick and Phelps hope will become a thriving film industry in Syracuse. Enter the doors of American High and interns - in essence students of Garelick's emerging film school - rush around the halls with headsets attached to their ears. Many of the interns come from Syracuse University. Down the line, some will be hired officially by Garelick, who hopes to educate students as well as locals in order to build a network of talent in the area for future American High productions. American High will also host classes taught by Garelick or visiting Hollywood filmmakers. To the left of the main entrance, a small room has been converted into the reception room of a doctor's office. Though Phelps couldn't say much about the upcoming film, we do know that "Big Time Adolescence" will feature scenes at a doctor's office or hospital room. As Syracuse Studios creates more small sets within the old school building, it will become possible for a variety of movies to be shot there, said Phelps. "Big Time Adolescence" filming has also taken the crew to local locations like Sylvan Beach. Instead of a patient room, a door off the doctor's office reception room leads to an editing suite. There, Waldemar Centeno, a Los Angeles television and film editor who has worked on shows like ABC's "The Goldbergs," edits scenes shot the previous day. On the walls, crew members have signed the titles of films made by American High so far. Currently, "Holly Slept Over," "Banana Split" and "Looks that Kill" are written in sharpie. American High will film three more films this year, Phelps said. Though the active sets at Syracuse Studios are off-limits to outsiders, Phelps did offer a glimpse into the world of movie making by showing off the behind-the-scenes work. In the basement of Syracuse Studios, the props storage room looks as full and as eclectic as a Salvation Army. Furniture, books, games, room decor, toys - anything you can think of - fill the room. In the next room over, American High stores its large, wooden set flats from previous movies for possible future use. In the upcoming months and years, American High hopes to expand operations from Syracuse Studiosn - like turning the former gymnasium into a complete sound stage. If "Big Time Adolescence" hits the big screen in the future, Liverpool and Syracuse locals will recognize the exterior of the Zogg Building and the scenes shot around town. The stars of the film have already drawn attention to the area with sightings at local favorites like Funk 'N Waffles, Dinosaur BBQ and Wegmans. Pete Davidson and Machine Gun Kelly even recorded a music video while in town with a shout out to Syracuse at the beginning. Phelps said that the cast of the movie have hit it off - which feels like a testament to Garelick's vision for the Zogg Building and Syracuse Studios. "Pete's insanely funny, he's like a young Adam Sandler. Sydney Sweeney is incredibly talented and Griffin Gluck is insanely talented," Phelps said. "They've got an insane chemistry - it's like the movie is coming to life. They're hanging out on the weekends and they're all kind of taking on the persona of their characters." SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A Jamesville chiropracter today was sentenced to seven years in prison for possessing child pornography. Cody Childress, 29, admitted earlier this year to having 51 video files containing child pornography. Prosecutors said Childress used peer-to-peer sharing software to download the illicit content. Undercover officers discovered his account and arrested him in January 2017. In court filings prior to his sentencing, Childress's lawyers noted he had lost his chiropractic license and his business, which had offices in DeWitt and Cazenovia. They wrote he "deeply regrets" downloading child pornography and vowed to never engage in such activity again. The public defender said Childress admitted to downloading the videos, but did not have a role in sharing them with others. Childress asked for the minimum sentence of five years. Prosecutors asked for about 10 years, noting the videos Childress possessed depicted violent sex acts and prepubescent children. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Glenn Suddaby sentenced Childress to seven years in prison and 15 years supervised release. He recommended Childress serve his sentence in a sex offender program at an Arizona prison. Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers courts, government and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992 SENECA, N.Y. -- An Upstate New York woman has died after a rock flew from the back of an 18-wheeler, crashed through the windshield of a car in which she was riding and struck her in the head. Barbara Amidon of Waterloo and Gregory Sterman of Geneva were on their way to a picnic midday Saturday when the accident occurred. They were heading west along routes 5 and 20 in the town of Seneca. According to Ontario County Sheriff's Office, Sterman immediately turned the car around and headed back east to get Amidon to nearby Geneva General Hospital. Amidon's injuries were so severe, she was soon flown from Geneva General by Mercy Flight to Strong Memorial Hospital. Amidon, 74, died at the hospital Saturday about 9 p.m. During a press conference Sunday, Lt. David Cirencione with the Ontario County Sheriff's Office said in his 16 years with the Sheriff's Office he has never known anything like this to happen. Rocks, deer and other objects strike windshields, he said, but never has a rock penetrated a windshield and killed someone. Investigators are asking for help in identifying the driver and vehicle to learn more about how this happened. "There is no reason to believe there was criminal intent," Cirencione said. Deputies were called at 12:28 p.m. Saturday to Geneva General for the report of a woman struck by a rock. According to Sterman's account, they were headed west just before noon in his 2010 Chevrolet Impala when a rock from a white, 18-wheeler tractor trailer bounced on the pavement and shot through the passenger side of the windshield striking Amidon. "It's possible the vehicle's operator may not have known the rock was thrown from its vehicle," said Cirencione. The Sheriff's Office has the rock that landed in the back seat of the car. Cirencione said the rock is oblong shape, 5-inches wide, 2 inches high and 3 inches long. Update and video https://t.co/Vs9h9NkAUY Messenger Post Media (@messengerpost) August 5, 2018 The rock came from the rear, lower area of the tractor trailer, according to the account. Cirencione said it's unclear whether the rock came off the truck or was kicked up. "Our heartfelt thoughts go out to the Amidon and Sterman families during this very difficult time," Cirencione said at the press conference that was held at the jail. Cirencione said Amidon and Sterman were dating and headed to the Castile area in Wyoming County for a gathering and picnic when the tragedy occurred. He asked that anyone traveling routes 5 and 20 between Flint and Geneva on Saturday between 11:55 a.m and 12:10 p.m. who may have information relative to the investigation to call the Sheriff's Office at 800 394-4560. -- Julie Sherwood, senior reporter, Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, N.Y. Why it matters: This Saturday, August 11, NASAs unmanned Parker Solar Probe is set to launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on a mission to touch the sun. The probe will be the first spacecraft to fly into the low solar coronathe aura of plasma that surrounds our closest star. In order to reach the sun, the probe must leave Earth at a high velocity. Thats why it will be hitching a ride on the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket, which is the worlds second most powerful rocket, beaten only by SpaceXs Falcon Heavy. In a statement, NASA said the probe "will travel through the suns atmosphere, closer to its surface than any spacecraft before it, facing brutal heat and radiation conditions and ultimately providing humanity with the closest-ever observations of a star." The probe will arrive at its destination by looping around Venus on October 2 using a gravity assist maneuver that will control its approach to the star. It should reach its first point of close approach to the sun on November 5. The 1000-pound, car-sized spacecraft will be performing 24 flybys of the sun over its seven-year mission. At its closest point, the probe will come within 4 million miles of the stars surface, placing it within the corona. To survive temperatures of around 2,511 degrees Fahrenheit, the probe is fitted with a 4.5-inch thick, 8-foot diameter carbon shield, which keeps the on-board instruments at a warm but safe 85 degrees. Ever wonder what a spacecraft looks like tucked inside its protective capsule atop a rocket? Behold, @NASASuns Parker #SolarProbe inside one half of its 62.7-foot tall fairing, ready to launch on Aug. 11 to touch the Sun: https://t.co/t10cYjbGEy pic.twitter.com/6wuMIQ1Qyu NASA (@NASA) 1 August 2018 As noted by Space.com, those six instruments will be working to solve three mysteries about the sun: why its atmosphere becomes hotter farther away from the surface, how the solar wind of charged particles streaming out into space is born, and what causes coronal mass ejections. Not only will the probes mission mark humanitys closest visit to the sun, it will also be the fastest man-made object ever, with top speeds reaching 500,000 mph once it is in the stars orbit. Additionally, it will carry a memory card containing over 1.1 million names, including William Shatners, of people who asked for them to be sent into the sun. We know Disney's Netflix-like paid streaming service is on its way, but we don't know much about the content that will arrive with it. However, a recent New York Times report says Disney has been working on a live-action Star Wars show, which will be exclusive to its streaming service. Details about the show are scarce, but we know that it will have a 10-episode first season, and it will be written by former Iron Man director Jon Favreau. The first season of the as-of-yet untitled show will cost Disney about $100 million to produce, which is about on par with the funding other high-profile shows tend to receive. Interestingly, Disney isn't limiting its new platform's original content to just shows. Much like Netflix, the company will produce numerous exclusive full-length movies for the service. Notably, this film line-up will include live-action versions of Disney classics like The Sword in the Stone and The Lady and the Tramp. Roughly nine of these films are in production at the moment, with each boasting a budget of between $20 and $60 million. If you're eager to check the service out, it should be launching sometime in 2019. Sources familiar with Disney's plans claim James Gunn is unlikely to be hired back to direct Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 following his ouster over unearthed tweets referencing pedophilia and rape. Gunn was fired recently after a series of old tweets, in which he makes jokes about taboo subjects such as molestation and rape, surfaced and were widely distributed over social media. More than a week after Gunn's firing, cast members including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, and more insisted that Gunn be reinstated as director. Cast Members Call For James Gunn To Be Rehired "We were all shocked by [Gunn's] abrupt firing last week and have intentionally waited these ten days to respond in order to think, pray, listen, and discuss," the cast's open letter reads. "In that time, we have been encouraged by the outpouring of support from fans and members of the media who wish to see James reinstated as director of Volume 3 as well as discouraged by those so easily duped into believing the many outlandish conspiracy theories surrounding him." Despite their support, however, it looks like Disney won't change its mind on the matter. In a new report from Variety, Disney's decision is apparently final. Multiple sources close to the company say that Gunn's jokes are "not in line with Disney's family-friendly image," which means a rehire is highly unlikely at this point. Gunn had directed the first two films. It's also unlikely for the cast to boycott the next Guardians of the Galaxy film suppose Gunn isn't reinstated. Their letter did not indicate any threats of quitting the franchise, and most of the actors are contractually obligated to appear in future films and would face legal consequences should they quit. Gunn's tweets, which were nearly a decade old, were lifted from obscurity by alt-right instigators, including blogger Mike Cernovich. His tweets included statements such as, "The best thing about being raped is when you're done being raped and it's like 'whew this feels great, not being raped!'" Other tweets made light of AIDS, the Holocaust, and 9/11. Disney insiders say the company didn't know about these tweets and was taken aback when they resurfaced. Potential Directors For 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3' The company has yet to meet with possible candidates who'll replace Gunn. Rumors say veteran Marvel directors, including Jon Favreau, Taika Waititi, or the Russo brothers, might be tapped to helm, but sources say they're occupied with previous obligations. That means Disney might look beyond Marvel's inner circle to find a director with enough offbeat sensibility to buoy Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 forward, its humor and oddball quality intact. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. SpaceX is first to conduct its test flight of spacecraft in a bid to meet NASA's requirement to transport U.S. astronauts to the International Space Station. SpaceX is scheduled to conduct first crewed test flight in April 2019 while Boeing is scheduled for mid-2019, according to a new schedule that NASA released Thursday. SpaceX Crew Dragon will blast off space via the Falcon 9 rocket while Boeing's Starliner will fly atop United Launch Alliance's Atlas 5 rocket. These new schedules, however, are both behind their original target dates. Meanwhile, NASA will announce on Aug. 3 the name of the astronauts assigned to crew the first flight tests and missions for both SpaceX and Boeing. The announcement will be aired at 11 a.m. EDT on NASA Television. NASA's Commercial Crew Program Target Test Flight Dates To qualify for the project, both SpaceX and Boeing must prove that their systems are ready to begin regular flights to the ISS. One requirement is for respective companies to pass both uncrewed and crewed flight tests. If both SpaceX and Boeing satisfactorily showed that they can be of service to the space agency, NASA will certify them for crew rotation missions. For the purpose of these flight demonstrations, SpaceX uncrewed and crewed test flights are referred to as SpaceX Demo-1 and Demo-2 respectively. Boeing's meanwhile are Orbital Flight Test and Crew Flight Test. SpaceX Demo-1 is scheduled for November 2018 while Demo-2 is scheduled in April 2019. Boeing's Orbital flight test is scheduled either in late 2018 or early 2019 while its Crew Flight Test is scheduled in mid-2019. NASA Launching Spacecraft From US Soil Once More NASA granted both companies a combined $6.8 billion in September 2014 in a bid to push the United States' ability to fly to the ISS from the Florida Space Coast. The space agency has not flown spacecraft from the U.S. soil since its last space shuttle mission in 2011. Astronauts have since been flown to the ISS aboard Russian rockets launched in Kazakhstan. NASA's deal with both SpaceX and Boeing is two-pronged as the agency would also like to hire both companies for future leisure and business travel services to space. In fact, NASA's contract with Boeing and SpaceX include allowing both companies to sell tickets to tourists who would like to fly on the NASA missions. NASA To Announce Astronauts Assigned to First Boeing, SpaceX Flights There were reports that Chris Ferguson, a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot and a Boeing employee at present, will fly the Starliner for its crewed flight test. Ferguson piloted the Atlantis mission to the ISS in September 2006. He also commanded two more spaceflights in 2008. He retired from NASA months after flying the Atlantis shuttle on its last flight in 2011. There were also reports saying four astronauts that were selected back in 2015 will be the first crews during the test flights. These astronauts were Bob Behnken, Eric Boe, Doug Hurley, and Sunita Williams. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Brock Meister, who beat brain cancer as a teen, survived a rare and fatal injury called atlanto-occipital dislocation he incurred after he had met a car accident in January. The atlanto-occipital dislocation is a condition where the person's skull is separated from the spine internally, but the head was not completely severed from the body. Meister, 22, got involved accident while traveling with a friend to his grandparents' house at Lake of the Woods after a late dinner with friends in Plymouth. The car slipped on a patch of ice, causing Brock to smash his head into the window. They were only traveling at 40 miles per hour. Emergency services brought him immediately to the Memorial Hospital where doctors found that he suffered a traumatic internal decapitation. Most sufferers of atlanto-occipital dislocation died right after their accidents. The few people who survived have lived with lasting damages to the spine, brain, muscles, and nerves. Operating Atlanto-Occipital Dislocation The frequency of accidents involving internal decapitation is unknown since the majority of those who died of it did not even make it to the hospitals. In fact, Meister is only the second patient with atlanto-occipital dislocation who was alive when admitted to Memorial Hospital. In fact, Dr. Kashif Shaikh, the neurosurgeon who handled Meister's case had to check his x-rays twice to be sure that the patient was alive. Upon looking at his x-rays, his initial thought was how efficient the emergency response team who managed to bring him to the hospital. Aside from internal decapitation, Meister also suffered hematoma in his neck that compressed his airway. Shaikh sought the help of another surgeon, Dr. Neal Patel, to operate on Meister. Their first step was to realign his skull and spine. Shaikh was the one who worked on Meister's head while Patel held his body. The surgeons proceeded with the actual surgery after achieving near-normal anatomic realignment. They made an incision in the back of Meister's neck and dissect it to expose the back part of the skull and cervical spine. The surgeons then put a skull plate and spinal crews above and below his fracture, attaching Meister's head into his spine with a rod. Meister was out from the hospital by February and wore a neck brace until late spring. Come summer, he is back to spending time with family and friends at the lake. As it turned out, Shaikh might have also operated Meister back in the days when the latter had his brain tumor removed. Back then, Shaikh was in his second year as a neurosurgery resident. Atlanto-Occipital Dislocation Facts Aside from the skull being separated from the spine, the blood vessels supplying the brain and the spinal cord are also injured during internal decapitation. The injury is most often fatal or leaves lifetime brain impairment. A 2005 study looked into the cases of child patients in Philadelphia who suffered atlanto-occipital dislocation. It found that of the 16 patients who were internally decapitated, only five or 31 percent survived. The cases were reviewed between 1986 and 2003. The mean age of the 16 patients was 7.6 years old. Eight of them were declared dead on arrival. The other eight patients survived and worn either a halo vest or another orthosis. Three of those who survived subsequently died while undergoing neurosurgical procedures while five others continued to live. One retained neurological functions, three had mild mobility impairment but functional, and the other one was dependent on a ventilator. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Several human swine flu cases are being linked to contact with pigs at the Fowlerville Family Fair. How does one reduce the chances of contracting such variant viruses? Swine Flu At Michigan Family Fair The Fowlerville Family Fair was conducted between July 23 and 28, but on July 27, several pigs exhibited in the fair tested positive for swine flu. So far, two human cases of Influenza A have been confirmed, while several other attendees who reported experiencing flu-like symptoms are also being tested. That said, further tests are being conducted to determine if the influenza strains on the swine and the attendees are the same. According to local news, the Livingston County Health Department, in coordination with the organizers of the fair, have reached out to fair attendees, exhibitors, and families who visited the swine barn immediately after receiving the test results. Health care providers in the area are also instructed to look out for respiratory symptoms among patients who reported going to the fair or having exposure to swine. Symptom Watch Anyone who may have visited the swine barn and begin experiencing symptoms must immediately contact their healthcare provider. These symptoms are rather similar to seasonal flus symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough, body aches, nausea, and vomiting, and may begin to appear even up to 10 days after the exposure. Those who are at a higher risk for developing swine flu complications are children younger than 5 years old, older adults over 65 years old, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses such as asthma, heart disease, and diabetes. However, even healthy people may contract swine flu and develop complications that may lead to pneumonia or even death. So far, no vaccine is available against swine flu, and it is often treated with Tamiflu and Relenza. Preventing Swine Flu At Fairs To prevent contracting variant viruses such as swine flu in events such as family fairs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that both attendees and exhibitors to be extra careful with the animals, whether or not one is at a high risk for infection. For instance, it is important to remember not to eat or drink in the areas where the pigs reside, as well as not to take any food, drinks, or items such as pacifiers, baby bottles, toys, strollers, and cups into the area. It is also crucial to remember to wash the hands properly both before and after having contact with the pigs, cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and exhibitors must use protective clothing such as gloves and face masks when handling a pig that is suspected to be ill. That said, people who exhibit flu symptoms should also avoid getting in contact with pigs. Anyone who suspects that they may have swine flu must immediately contact their healthcare provider to determine if they need to be tested and treated for swine flu. Similarly, it is also important to contact a veterinarian if a pig is suspected to have swine flu. Its symptoms include loss of appetite, cough, and runny nose. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Previously, it was reported Facebook was planning to enter the dating game by releasing a standalone dating app in the vein of Tinder, but now, it's reportedly going to incorporate it into the main Facebook app instead. The dating features aren't ready for public rollout yet, but company employees are now reportedly testing them, although they're being cautioned against dating their coworkers. Facebook Is Testing A Dating Feature TechCrunch has posted several screenshots showing the features in action, pulled from the Facebook app's code by mobile researcher Jane Manchun Wong. It gives a sense of Facebook's approach to dating, which seems to be focused on finding a serious partner instead of fleeting one-night stands. The report mentions that users who opt-in to Facebook Dating will only be visible to other people who've toggled it on as well, and their activities won't be shared to the news feed. Users may also choose if friends of friends can view them or not, and Dating profiles offer non-binary and transgender options for sexual orientation. Facebook will generate matches based on the data it knows about users, and if two people express interest over each other, they'll be able to connect via Messenger or WhatsApp. Facebook is internally testing Facebook Dating. Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) August 3, 2018 I can't go past the signup screen because they are not activating all non-employee Dating profiles because, well, it's "pre-launch" ;) pic.twitter.com/VQFHUJIkuX Facebook is also apparently considering how many people a user can express interest in, according to TechCrunch, which would prevent someone from, say, approving everyone willy-nilly. Blocking someone on the Dating section won't automatically block them on Facebook, though that hasn't been finalized. Facebook says it has no plans to monetize the dating features, which means no paid subscriptions or premium features will be launched in the foreseeable future. It might reconsider this later on, though, presumably if enough people engage. Why Is Facebook Suddenly Into Dating? It's not certain why Facebook is trying to penetrate the dating market, although it's hard to argue against it being the perfect venue for such an activity it is the biggest social networking app in the whole world as it stands, and adding the ability to date other people within the app itself seems like a no-brainer. However, Facebook appears to be taking careful steps toward its rollout of Dating. It doesn't seem interested in releasing a big, flashy app but instead wants people to make meaningful connections with others that could hopefully turn into healthy, loving relationships. In an era where casual hookups have become prevalent, it's nice to see a major company still prioritizing long-term relationships over one-time trysts. It's not clear when Facebook plans to roll Dating out, but make sure to check back with Tech Times as we learn more. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Reports have come out saying Microsoft is going to start charging monthly for Windows 10. Microsoft is apparently coming out with a new schtick called "Microsoft Managed Desktop," a cloud-based desktop management service. Reports allege that this service is going to cost all users a monthly fee at some point, which is both right and wrong. Once again, this whole thing is an example of clickbait and sensationalist reporting, with the reports giving critics one more reason to mourn the death of great tech reporting. Is Microsoft Going To Start Charging A Monthly Fee For Windows 10? In other words, don't believe the reports. Yes, Microsoft is indeed launching a "desktop as a service" plan but only for businesses, and that plan also includes hardware, not just software. The flurry of false information triggered when the aforementioned Microsoft Managed Desktop started circulating around the web. One misleading article even went as far as to declare that the Redmond company is "getting ready to replace Windows 10 with the Microsoft Managed Desktop," which is obviously not true. Microsoft Managed Desktop is simply an option for businesses, as HowToGeek explains, and it includes Windows 10. It's not replacing the operating system at all. Here's What You Need To Know About Microsoft Managed Desktop As ZDNet notes in its report about the service, Microsoft Managed Desktop will require a single monthly fee that lets businesses or organizations lease a PC that's automatically set up for whatever that business is. The PC will run Windows 10 and Microsoft will ensure it's always up to date, and that those updates don't introduce problems. Again, the Microsoft Managed Desktop is an optional subscription service for letting Microsoft manage a desktop, which happens to be running Windows 10. It is not a new type of operating system that Microsoft plan to roll out and charge users a monthly fee for. The two are completely different concepts. Some people might be wondering why there's a need for a service like Microsoft Managed Desktop. Well, some small businesses can pay Microsoft to manage a fleet of desktops instead of hiring an entire IT department just to take care of them, which would probably be more expensive. So, long story short: Microsoft isn't going to start charging a monthly fee just for using Windows 10. It will, however, offer a new plan for businesses who want a desktop fleet managed remotely, and that plans includes PCs with Windows 10 in them. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. "Our organization is glad to support Cuba's efforts to guarantee free and high-quality health coverage to all its citizens," the UNICEF Representative in Cuba Co stated. | Read More Questions about Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder can be sent to Dana Territo, the Memory Whisperer, director of services at Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area at advice@alzbr.org or visit the organization at 3772 North Blvd., Baton Rouge. NEW ROADS Residents of Pecan Acres, a predominantly black community that has flooded at least 17 times over the past two decades, are claiming they're not getting the opportunity to relocate where they want because people who live in a majority white neighborhood near the proposed site don't want them there. The owner of a tract on the southwest side of town pulled out of negotiations with the state to sell 27.2 acres of undeveloped land along Memorial Boulevard for development of a new community for Pecan Acres residents a decision apparently made after pressure from a neighboring community. It's a decision that has left Curnell Jackson disheartened. "It seemed like we had a spot and then we hear the landowners don't want to sell because people called them complaining when they found out what spot we picked," said the Pecan Acres resident. "We heard they didn't want us there. A lot of us said, 'Yeah, we know why.' " Other Pecan Acres homeowners are angry about the situation. "There was a choice given to us and we picked, then for some strange reason that mirrors racism you don't want us to live there," said Monica Fabre. "How do you get to tell me you dont want us in your neighborhood in 2018? What makes you more than us?" But New Roads Councilman Kirk "Clipper" White says race had nothing to do with the pressure his constituents put on the landowners not to sell their property to the state. "It's an economic issue," White said. "Those houses they want to build will be valued around $150,000. That's not comparable to the neighborhood." With homes in nearby Sugar Fields valued between $250,000 and $500,000, White said, those residents are leery how the Pecan Acres relocation could affect their property values. While some homes in the new community would be valued around the $120,000, the project includes plans to build homes valued as much as $252,000, according to the state Office of Community Development. "I'm not going to weigh in on what anyones motives are," said Pat Forbes, director of the state agency. "Its gonna be a beautiful community, whatever we build. This will be a model for how different federal funding sources can be used to get people out of a floodplain when theyve been in a severe repetitive loss situation." Residents of flood prone New Roads subdivision say they're wary of buyout program NEW ROADS The Pointe Coupee Parish Police Jury has entered into a partnership with a federal agency that could lead to buyout offers for res The road to relief has been an exhaustive one for Jackson and the other residents of Pecan Acres. The community, which encompasses around 40 homes that line Pecan Drive East and Pecan Drive West, has been dubbed "Flood City." The area has been swamped by storm waters at least 17 times since it was built in the '70s. The homes were constructed in a low-lying area that once was a Pointe Coupee Parish dump site. The neighborhood is bordered by Bayou Pointe and Portage Canal, which overtop during heavy downpours, trapping water in the bowl-shaped community for days. After enduring years of loss and rebuilding with little to no help from local government, residents got a ray of hope with the December 2017 announcement of a neighborhood buyout through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service. Along with the buyout, the Louisiana Office of Community Development promised to use a portion of the federal funds appropriated to the state after the August 2016 floods to build another neighborhood in New Roads for the Pecan Acres residents. With the prospect of finally being able to live on drier land, Jackson decided not to restore her gutted home on Pecan Drive East following the 2016 floods. She didn't even put in a new stove because of the relocation opportunity, so she's been using a slow cooker, a turkey roaster and a double hot plate to cook her meals. She fears the recent setback over the land acquisition could mean having to endure her less-than-ideal living situation even longer. "We've been going through this for too long," Jackson said. "I don't understand why they think their house values will drop if we move near them. These are supposed to be nice homes we're getting." Lisha Gremillion, who lives on Pecan Drive West, said the opposition from the Sugar Fields residents has soured her on relocating anywhere in the city. "I have washed my hands with New Roads. I want to live somewhere else," she said. "A lot of the people that live in (Sugar Fields); we shop in their businesses. They can laugh with us in bars, they let us come clean their houses, but they don't want us living next to them? "I'm very heartbroken about it," she said. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The OCD began scouting suitable sites for the relocation in February. In May, the residents of Pecan Acres were presented with three options. Whichever one got the most votes would become the state's top priority for the relocation. An overwhelming majority chose the 27.2 acres along Memorial Boulevard, tagged "the Emerald site," which is owned by Poydras Farms, LLC. That area is desirable because it's surrounded by much of the city's commercial development and medical facilities, making it ideal for Pecan Acres residents who are elderly or don't have access to transportation. Forbes said the only other option to receive votes from the residents was a tract of undeveloped land along La. 10 near the Audubon Bridge his office tagged as "the Ruby site." The halt to the Emerald site negotiations came as a surprise, Forbes said. "We started talking to the landowners (and) they seemed like they were interested in selling the land to us," Forbes said. "We had started to talk price with them." Then last week, Forbes said, the owners told his office they were no longer interested in selling. Poydras Farms is the company of a local family that owns several parcels of land in Pointe Coupee Parish. Charlene Summers is listed as primary contact on the tax rolls, according to records at the parish Assessor's Office. A man who identified himself to The Advocate as Summers' husband said his wife did not want to answer any questions regarding the attempted sale. Councilman White said the family got "bombarded" with phone calls from Sugar Fields residents after word got out about the residents' choice for relocation. Besides thinking the value of the homes wouldn't match the value of homes in their community, White also noted some were opposed to that site because it would infringe upon plans the city has to expand commercial development in the area. "Governmental housing is not part of the big picture of what we have planned for that area," White said. "We're just saying, 'Let us steer you to where you'll be economically in line with the rest of your neighborhood.'" The average value of homes in Sugar Fields is about $240,000, according to the Assessor's Office. The anticipated value for the homes in the new subdivision for Pecan Acres is expected to be between $116 to $126 per square foot. Homes will range in size from 1,100 to 2,000 square feet, Forbes said. OCD intends to build between 40 to 50 lots with room for residential expansion, Forbes said. "We recognize that most of these folks are low-to-moderate income so we can't have a successful resettlement of that neighborhood without making the new neighborhood affordable to them," he said. Because their taxes would likely go up in more expensive homes, Forbes said, the state hopes to offset additional expenses by installing solar panels on the new homes and building them 2 feet above base flood elevation levels to lower flood insurance premiums. A retention pond and community park are included in the OCD relocation site plans. "We've already sent a letter to the real estate agent asking please we would like to meet with these landowners to make sure they understand what this neighborhood is going to look like," Forbes said. "It's really going to be a nice place. And we want to make sure no one is making any decisions based on a lack of accurate information." Editor's note: This article was changed on Monday, Aug. 8, 2018, to note that the state began negotiations with the landowners for 27.2 acres of land instead of 192 acres, and to accurately reflect a quote made by Pat Forbes. As public schools reopen this week, local superintendents are telling parents to brace for a drop in upcoming school letter grades because of Louisiana's new rating system. The worry is that a plunge in school grades will spark a public firestorm. +2 Tougher grading system for Louisiana schools worry educators their institutions won't meet standards Public school letter grades, which have sparked controversy since they were unveiled in 2011, are at the center of a new dispute between stat "Obviously I think there will be concern from people that do not understand that there was a shift in the formula," said Cade Brumley, superintendent of the Jefferson Parish School District, the largest in the state. "That is what I am talking about in community groups and I know other superintendents are as well," Brumley said. Michael Faulk, executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, said his group has been advising superintendents for months on how to get ready for the changes. "To prepare people so it won't be a shock," said Faulk, former superintendent of the Central School District. The state has about 700,000 public school students, and many classrooms reopen on Aug. 8 and Aug. 9. The worries stem from major changes in the calculation of school performance scores, which show how students fared on key tests, graduation rates and academic growth. Those scores are then converted to all-important letter grades, which play a big role in how public schools are viewed by parents and others. The change is aimed at adding rigor to classrooms and to make annual snapshots of student achievement in Louisiana comparable to other states. In the past, critics say, those scores were inflated and misled parents on how students were performing. However, during the transition the number of F-rated schools will rise by 57 percent and those with A ratings will drop 38 percent, according to state figures released last year. Earlier this year the Legislature took the unusual step of requiring the state to issue two scores and two letter grades this time one on how schools fared under the old, more generous system and the other with the new ratings. Educators say that while the law will help soften the blow when grades drop, spreading the word in advance is the best way to avoid an uproar. Scott Devillier, superintendent of the top-rated Zachary School District, said officials are even considering a town hall meeting to explain the changes after the scores come out, possibly in October. Including the topic in school board meetings, on informational flyers and the district's website are other steps planned. Public school report cards worry Louisiana Legislature; here's how new plan to soften expected drop in grades works State leaders are taking the unusual step of enacting a law to soften the blow when lots of public school letter grades decline later this year. "We have talked about it and we are going to get something out to the community and we are probably going to do that fairly quickly," said Devillier, whose district has been the top rated in Louisiana for 13 consecutive years. Wes Watts, superintendent of the West Baton Rouge school system, said officials have discussed the new rating system at chamber and other meetings. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "We have tried to prepare our community as much as possible," Watts said. Under the state's rating system, scores are put into one of five categories: advanced, mastery, basic, approaching basic and unsatisfactory. The state's goal is for schools to average mastery by 2025 for schools to earn an A. The old standard was basic. Until this year, students got 125 points out of 150 for mastery and 100 points for basic. +2 No more curve: School letter grades on Tuesday will be last of their kind When public school letter grades are released on Tuesday, it will mark the end of a generous scoring system sparked mostly by the tougher acad The change means they will get 100 points for mastery and 80 for basic, the two key changes. That means if students perform like they did last year, the overall scores will drop, and possibly the grade too. "That is why it is important for them to see what it would have been on the old scale," said Debra Schum, executive director of the Louisiana Association of Principals. Schum said principals are trying to get the message out that the system has changed. "I think there is going to be some surprise," she said. West Feliciana Parish Superintendent Hollis Milton said he has made no major push to discuss the changes and plans to put most of the attention on whether students show improvements. "It might be much ado about nothing," he said of any fallout from the new rating setup. Jason Fountain, who has been superintendent of highly-rated Central public schools since January, said while officials hope to explain the new rules it is unclear whether the message will take hold. "I think all superintendents, all districts, have tried to put this out there, to make sure their constituents understand the changes in accountability and so forth," Fountain said. "But I think for the most part the public is just going to look at the sheer score and make judgments based on that," he added. David Alexander, superintendent of the highly-rated Ascension Parish School District, said officials have been discussing the new ratings since the previous school year. "We want everyone to know," Alexander said. "This is a message we are trying to get out." Jim Garvey, a member of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, said Texas, Florida and other states have used tougher standards to grade schools than Louisiana. "The people who are afraid of their letter grades going down, I think they are focusing on the wrong thing," Garvey said, an attorney who lives in Metairie. "What we need to do is decide which schools are really B's and which schools are really C's and focus on getting those to A's," he said. "We are not trying to play a game of gotcha." Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission Attorney General Jeff Sessions, left, and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein stand before taking their seats at the Justice Department's National Summit on Crime Reduction and Public Safety, in Bethesda, Md., on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) ORG XMIT: MDJM103 Who is the most popular governor at the White House, at least with a D behind his name? Maybe the case can be made that it's John Bel Edwards. State Superintendent of Education John White makes a point while speaking at the annual meeting of Jump Start, which allows high school students to get workforce training in addition to regular academic classes, Tuesday Jan. 23, 2018, in Baton Rouge, La. What to know in New Orleans this week (Aug. 7, 2018) Louisiana's top law enforcement official has come out against the proposal to require juries in Louisiana to reach unanimous verdicts in order to convict suspects in felony cases, making him one of the few prominent politicians to oppose it so far. The state's voters will decide the issue Nov. 6. The movement to end split-jury verdicts in Louisiana, one of only two states that allow them, began as a long-shot cause embraced by a small group of liberal activists and lawmakers. But it gained surprising steam among conservatives during this years legislative session and wound up passing both chambers of the Republican-dominated Legislature by the required two-thirds margin. Since then, the push for jury unanimity has seemed to grow in strength, with the state Republican Party signing on to endorse it, and supporters hosting fundraisers and voter-outreach efforts to get the constitutional amendment passed on Nov. 6. Some powerful conservative groups, including Americans for Prosperity and the Louisiana Family Forum, have been on board for months. But Attorney General Jeff Landry prefers the status quo. Landry declined to be interviewed by The Advocate on the topic, instead directing questions to his chief deputy, Wilbur Bill Stiles III, and a political strategist, Brent Littlefield. Its not clear whether Landry who said last week that he is considering challenging Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, in next years elections plans to put any effort into fighting the ballot measure. Edwards supports changing the law. In terms of anything (Landry) might or might not do, in terms of advocacy, I really dont have any comment, Littlefield said. Well have to see how things unfold. Oregon is the only other state to allow juries to convict people of felonies when just 10 out of 12 jurors agree. Louisiana is the only state to allow such split verdicts in murder cases. So far, the November ballot initiative has drawn little in the way of organized opposition. The states association of district attorneys, which originally opposed the change, later decided to stay neutral as a group though some individual DAs have spoken out against the proposed amendment. If he chose to, Landry could give the defenders of the status quo a prominent champion, something their cause has so far lacked. Asked why Landry doesnt want to change the law, Stiles said he believes the non-unanimous jury law has a positive effect on the criminal justice system in Louisiana. We believe it makes for quicker and easier administration of the system. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The law allowing for 10-2 verdicts affects Landrys office directly because assistant attorneys general are responsible for prosecuting certain cases in state courts. While the law lowers the bar for acquittal as well as conviction, most lawyers see it as an advantage for the state because juries tend to convict far more often than they acquit. Among other advantages, Stiles said he believes picking juries is more efficient under Louisianas system because lawyers on both sides dont have to worry about the possibility that one stubborn juror might keep a trial from ending in a verdict. I think it makes for a more relaxed, less intense voir dire, Stiles said, referring to the questioning of potential jurors. You dont have to worry that you might miss that one guy and that you can still have a successful prosecution. He added: We live in an era where some people think everything a cop does is wrong. Anecdotally, Ive had cases where people are on video committing a crime, and a juror says, I cant convict this person. Our system prevents someone from attempting to sway a jury by holding out. Stiles said the attorney general is not troubled by reporting done by The Advocate showing that the 10-2 verdict law, which was born in racial animus, continues to have a disproportionate impact on black defendants. The newspaper analyzed roughly 1,000 jury trials that took place in nine of the states busiest courthouses and found that the juries were substantially whiter than the communities they were drawn from, and that black jurors were far more likely to vote against convictions than white jurors. Stiles said he believed the U.S. Supreme Courts 1986 ruling in Batson v. Kentucky prevents racially biased jury selection. Since that ruling, lawyers for both sides must be ready to provide race-neutral reasons for eliminating certain jurors from the pool. I dont think theres a problem with the system, he said. Stiles said the attorney general is comfortable taking a position counter to that of the state Republican Party and other conservative groups, noting that a similar slate of groups backed a package of criminal justice reforms in 2017. Landry opposed those reforms then and still does, Stiles said. Landry, of course, isnt alone among state Republicans in his opposition to the constitutional amendment. Between the House and the Senate, a total of 25 lawmakers all but three of them Republicans, and most representing rural areas voted against putting the measure on the ballot this fall. Everybody cant be agreeable on every line item on the partys platform, Stiles said. Obviously, the party has voted to condone this, or to endorse this, just like a lot of (party leaders) support the criminal justice reforms. But were looking at this from a practical standpoint, and practically speaking, we think this will be detrimental. We feel this is not in the interest of the system. Ed Tarpley, a former district attorney for Grant Parish and a conservative Republican who has emerged as a leader in the movement to change Louisiana's law, said he thinks the attorney general should reconsider his position. "The efficiency argument is just not valid," Tarpley said. "No one is making that argument in the other 48 states that require unanimous juries. The purpose of the jury is to carefully deliberate and consider the evidence used at trial. We need careful deliberations by the jury, not a quick rush to judgment. "A unanimous jury ensures that all objections by dissenting jurors must be considered. What if the lone juror is right and the majority is wrong? Under the current system, once 10 jurors vote guilty, it doesnt matter what the objections of the dissenting jurors were. The trial is over. This is not a just or fair system." The group March for Our Lives made a clear point Saturday night at Tulane University: It is about more than just preventing school shootings. March for Our Lives is a student-led organization started in response to the killing of 17 students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14. The group responded on March 24 with protests in Washington, D.C., and over 800 other U.S. cities that drew an estimated 1.2 million participants. New Orleans was the group's last stop on the Southern leg of its Road to Change tour, which brought together survivors of the Parkland shooting and organizers from local chapters in panel discussions calling for tighter gun control and an end to gun violence something New Orleans has certainly had plenty of lately. The topics for Saturdays panel discussion at Tulane's Lavin-Bernick Center were standard for the group on its tour, such as putting metal detectors in schools, whether to arm teachers and how to push politically for more restrictions on guns. But being in a city that had seen more than three dozen people shot over the last 16 days, the conversation also turned to the issue of violence in urban environments, especially when it comes to young people. A lot of small fights end up becoming really big, and when somebody calls somebody and somebody calls somebody else, the next thing you know youve got a shootout on the corner, said Ian Fitzpatrick, who is home-schooled and volunteers with the Apex Youth Center. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Fitzpatrick said he often sees young people coming into the center with recent gunshot wounds. Its just something he has had to deal with in a city that members of the local March for Our Lives chapter described as being numb to shootings at this point. Weve just broken human beings down into statistics, into numbers, said Olivia Keefe, a Benjamin Franklin High School student. Instead of saying, Im sorry for your loss, you say, Did you hear about that shooting last night? And it's just heartbreaking, but it is eye-opening. The major push for the group is to get young people to register to vote or pre-register if they have not turned 18 and then to support candidates who call for stricter gun controls. Fitzpatrick said that can be difficult with the young people hes working with in New Orleans, since a lot of them simply dont believe theyll be alive to vote because of the nature of the neighborhoods where they live. Elected gun control advocates were on hand in the persons of City Council members Jason Williams and Helena Moreno. Williams said young people need to continue to push for gun control legislation, and if current legislators arent responding, We need to get all of those old gray-headed men and women to get out of the way so we can get these young people to lead us. He added: Im just so proud of these kids. Theyre so well-organized and theyre so sensitive to peoples biases in regards to party affiliation, and they made it very clear theyre not Republican, theyre not Democrat theyre just trying to get this done. And I think thats huge. They give me hope. A former track team athlete at Southern University in New Orleans took part in a telephone lottery scam that preyed on the elderly, federal prosecutors said in an indictment filed Friday. Alex Saunders, 26, of Jamaica, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Prosecutors allege that Saunders and a Texas woman set up bank accounts in the United States to assist a lottery scam operating out of Jamaica. The accounts they opened in the U.S. were used to transfer money to the island nation, prosecutors allege. Between August 2013 and December 2015, the scammers placed phone calls to elderly and mentally infirm people to convince them that they had won lotteries like the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes, according to the indictment. But there was a catch, the callers said. The supposed winners would have to wire or mail money upfront in order to claim their winnings. The feds said that an 83-year-old person living in Tucson, Arizona, sent $9,000 to Saunders bank account in November 2014. Saunders transferred more than $8,000 to the bank account of a co-conspirator in Jamaica, Andrew Bowyer, the indictment said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Then in March 2015, an 83-year-old person in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, mailed Saunders a check payable to cash for $3,500, prosecutors said. Saunders sent a wire transfer including that money to Bowyer the next day, according to the indictment. The victim sent another $6,000 check days later, prosecutors said. U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier sentenced Bowyer to 6 years in prison in July 2017. The Texas woman, Debra Krom, was charged in a federal indictment and faces trial in November. Saunders was charged in a bill of information, which usually indicates that a defendant intends to plead guilty. His arraignment is set for Aug. 27. Saunders was last enrolled as a student at SUNO in the fall of 2017, according to a university spokeswoman. He is no longer a member of the track team. A mother is facing charges after she left her two children inside a locked vehicle on a hot day and physically attacked a bystander who called 911, Kenner police said. Around 1:25 p.m. Sunday, police responded to a strip mall in the 2500 block of Williams Boulevard, where two children were found locked inside a vehicle with the windows up, Kenner police said in a news release. Police found that Shawnise Sherman, 22, had arrived in the parking lot just after noon and left her two children, ages 3 and 11 months, in the vehicle unattended. At 1:30 p.m., nearly an hour and a half later, a bystander found the children and, with other the help of others nearby, removed them from the vehicle, police said. The temperature at the time was 91 degrees, with a feels like temperature of 99 degrees, police said. Before police arrived, Sherman approached the person who called 911 and the other witnesses and confronted them, police said. The confrontation escalated, and Sherman allegedly physically attacked the person who called 911. Sherman was arrested and booked on counts of child desertion and simple battery. The two children were treated at the scene and released into the care of a family member, police said. Scrapping trail commissions paid to mortgage brokers would bolster the big banks' dominance in the home loan market and drive up-front commissions higher, brokers have warned, in response to the Productivity Commission's call for change. In a move welcomed by consumer groups but slammed by mortgage brokers, the commission last week recommended banning banks from paying trailing commissions, which are estimated to be worth about $1 billion a year. Banks pay almost $1 billion a year in trail commissions to mortgage brokers, ASIC found last year. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer The commission was unconvinced by brokers' claims that such commissions are in consumers' interests, and pointed out similar payments had been a abolished elsewhere in the financial sector. But brokers insisted on Monday the payments were needed to ensure they continued to engage with customers after a loan was approved - and they warned that up-front commissions would otherwise need to increase to keep broking sustainable. Rio Tinto boss Jean-Sebastien Jacques has reiterated his companys support for the federal governments push for lower corporate tax, saying a more competitive corporate tax rate would generate more jobs, investment and opportunities. Mr Jacques made the comments on tax during a webcast briefing on Monday for Rios 160,000 shareholders in its Australian-listed shares. Rio Tinto chief executive officer Jean-Sebastien Jacques. Credit:Chris Ratcliffe. Mr Jacques said the miner had a watching brief on mergers and acquisitions, that he was not overly concerned about global trade tensions and that the company had a pretty healthy portfolio of exploration projects. The company spends about $US200 million ($270 million) per year on exploration and Mr Jacques said Rio was very active in this space. But the Rio boss was cautious when discussing exploration activity, citing a wish not to alert competitors. King of Pigs Old Fitz Theatre, August 4 Do you remember being accused as a child, and feeling guilty when you were innocent? Or perhaps you convinced yourself of your innocence when you were guilty? Steve Rodgers' King of Pigs is like a giant finger pointing at every male in the audience and generating one of those reactions. Mick Bani and Ella Scott-Lynch in King of Pigs. Credit:John Marmaras About violence against women, it suggests a male capacity to redefine reality: not just among perpetrators, but collectively, whether by turning away, not actively speaking out, or by helping paint the wrong sort of man on to the blank page that is a little boy. The latter point is crucial. The lone note of hope in this confronting work is that behavioural change is possible with a new generation. Although Rodgers is not insisting the rest of us are an entirely lost cause, the statistics quoted in his program note are frightening: more than two women are murdered in Australia each week by a man known to them; NSW Police may be called to more than 65,000 domestic violence incidents a year, yet estimate 60 per cent of such incidents are not reported. The federal government is being urged to scrap its plan to allow health insurance companies to offer discounts to young adults, with critics warning this will only increase the prevalence of low-value junk policies. In its proposed overhaul of private health insurance last year, federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the government would allow health funds to give discounts of up to 10 per cent on hospital cover to people aged 18 to 29 with the larger aim of improving affordability. Choice says the federal government's age-based discount plan is flawed. Credit:Shutterstock But consumer advocacy group Choice said this plan was "flawed", arguing it will lead to health funds luring young people into poor-value policies they don't need. While the cost of private health insurance is one of the top concerns that needs to be addressed, cost cannot be looked at in isolation," Choice's Katinka Day said. Anyone with even a passing interest in cocktails must drink a bloody mary at the bar at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. Must. The bloody mary here arrives ungarnished in a champagne flute, a clear pale yellow colour, like they've mistakenly poured you an aged riesling. Resist the urge to remind the bartender that you actually ordered a bloody mary. Close your eyes and sip. Calm elegance: the bar at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is reminiscent of a classic mid-century American hotel bar. Everything's present. The vodka is infused with worcestershire sauce and horseradish, the tomato element a thrillingly clear, summery-ripe consomme. There's parsley oil and pepper. It's clean, complex and elegant, a beautifully constructed messing-with-your-mind rabbit hole of a drink with the added bonus of a hit of booze. All the cocktails at Dinner's bar feature this kind of trick, where surprising flavours, camouflaged by infusion, suddenly make their presence known. The surrounds amplify the trick. While people most often use filters or editing software for minor fixes such as clearing blemishes or plumping lips, Vashi said traditional cosmetic procedures largely couldn't reproduce the "instant fix" people saw in their edited photos. "Sometimes I have patients who say, 'I want every single spot gone and I want it gone by this week or I want it gone tomorrow' because that's what this filtered photograph gave them," she said. "They check off one thing, and it's gone. That's not realistic. I can't do that. I can make people a lot better, but it will take me a lot more time than a week and it won't be 100 per cent." Of course, people have long obsessed about their looks, comparing themselves to the idealised images in the media, said Northwestern University psychology professor Renee Engeln during a 2013 TEDx Talk. "Our sense of what's real, what's possible when it comes to beauty, is warped by our overexposure to these images," Engeln said. "Instead of seeing them for what they are, which is extraordinarily rare, we start to see them as typical or average." Engeln described people who spend too much time worrying about their appearance as "beauty sick". "When you are beauty sick, you cannot engage with the world," she said, "because between you and the world is a mirror. It's a mirror that travels with you everywhere. You can't seem to put it down." However, the term "Snapchat dysmorphia" was coined just this year by British cosmetic doctor Tijion Esho. According to the JAMA article, "Snapchat dysmorphia" is a form of body dysmorphic disorder. Also known as body dysmorphia or BDD, the condition is a mental disorder that causes people to be "extremely preoccupied with a perceived flaw in appearance that to others can't be seen or appears minor," according to the Mayo Clinic. People who have BDD tend to obsess over their appearance and body image, often checking the mirror, grooming or seeking reassurance for many hours a day, the clinic said. Treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy and medication. "Today's generation can't escape 'the Truman effect' because from birth they are born into an age of social platforms where their feelings of self-worth can be based purely on the number of likes and followers that they have, which is linked to how good they look or how great these images are," Esho told The Independent. Until recently, only models and celebrities could take flawless, envy-inducing photos, the JAMA article said. However, given the accessibility of editing applications, once seemingly unattainable beauty standards now flood social media feeds daily and the "perfect" people in the photos are your friends, classmates and family members, the article's authors wrote. "Our society is becoming more and more preoccupied, obsessed with social media and images and photographs and what we look like," Vashi said. "Now, everywhere you go people are taking selfies and then going on social media." According to the annual American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery survey, selfies continue to be a major driving force behind people who wish to get plastic surgery done. In 2017, the survey found that 55 per cent of surgeons reported seeing patients who requested surgery to look better in selfies - a 13 per cent increase from the previous year's results. Being inundated by these edited images on a regular basis can take a toll on people, Vashi said, adding that looking at a photo of yourself and not seeing the same thing reflected in the mirror or an unedited photo can make people unhappy. In some cases, it can even lead to developing body dysmorphic disorder, she said. "It can bring feelings of sadness and then if one really develops this disorder, that sadness clearly progresses to something that can be dangerous and alarming," she said. A 2007 study published in Primary Psychiatry found that about 80 per cent of people suffering from body dysmorphic disorder "experience lifetime suicidal ideation and 24 per cent to 28 per cent have attempted suicide." While various experts ranging from plastic surgeons to psychologists have cautioned against Snapchat dysmorphia, Vashi said it was unlikely people would change their behaviour in the near future. "It sounds like people are still going to do it because they like it. They like the way they look," she said. Quite a few people have emailed or tweeted me the answer to today's nine-letter word. Dan K was first via email while @ItsSoKhay was first to tweet it to me. In case you missed it, today's letters are: E R H E H A T A C. Here's a hint: it's painful if you can't solve it, but don't worry, you will get over it eventually. (Apologies for the lousy hint. The colleague who usually supplies these hints is away today) Many parts of Earth could become uninhabitable for humans, with the planet at risk of entering an irreversible "hothouse" climate. That's the alarming warning from an international team of scientists, including Australian National University professor Will Steffen, in a study published on Tuesday. As large parts of eastern Australia battle drought and Europe is gripped by a heatwave, Professor Steffen said current efforts to combat global warming would not be enough to meet the emission-reduction targets set by governments in the Paris Agreement, which may be insufficient to prevent the dangerous scenario anyway. The study warns that Earth is already more than halfway towards the point of no return. A Queensland Police officer was faced with a different kind of rescue on Monday morning after finding a koala sitting in the middle of the road near Gatton. Senior Constable Reid stopped his car at about 6.05am as a koala sat in the middle of a road in Lockyer Waters. The koala moved off the road when approached by Senior Constable Reid. Credit:Queensland Police Media Dashcam video released by police showed a car travelling ahead braking and then moving onto the other side of the road to avoid hitting the koala. Senior Constable Reid turned on the lights on his police car, but the flashing police lights did not seem to deter the koala. Political delays dogging infrastructure projects will be history if talks on Tuesday morning cement a new billion-dollar 15-year City Deal for south-east Queensland between all three levels of government. Such a deal could benefit 3 million people catching trains and buses, driving on highways, building businesses, looking for housing, and finding school and universities between the Sunshine and Gold coasts and west to Toowoomba. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (left) and Treasurer Jackie Trad are pushing for a City Deal for south-east Queensland. Credit:AAP/Dan Peled Deputy premier Jackie Trad and Brisbanes lord mayor Graham Quirk will on Tuesday morning outline how close the 10 south-east Queensland councils Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley are to signing Australias largest City Deal with the federal government. Australia now has three City Deals backed by the federal government: Townsville (2016), Launceston (April 2017) and Western Sydney (March 2018). When it comes to gas prices, the ACCC is acting like a criminal judging its own trial. Its supposedly investigating the east coast gas market and put a report out about it last week. The trouble is there is no east coast gas market the ACCC has killed it off. The ACCC has allowed what was once our gas market to become a cartel, controlled by just four players. We have high gas prices in Australia because the ACCC has given up on its principle remit ensuring market competition. Australia is the second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas in the world, yet manufacturers are being forced to pay sky-high gas prices. Prices are so high that weve got four consortiums looking to build import terminals here in Australia. We could have LNG tankers sailing in opposite directions. Credit:Reuters We could seriously have gas tankers passing each other in the Indian Ocean needlessly carrying gas in opposite directions. How did we get into this mess? A former chef has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a man who was found face down in a chocolate cake with choke-hold-like injuries after a rental dispute at an Airbnb property. Craig Levy, 37, on Monday appeared in the Supreme Court of Victoria, where he admitted killing Ramis Jonuzi, 36, on October 25 last year at the house in Alexander Street, Brighton East. Ramis Jonuzi. His plea of guilty to manslaughter came after the charge was downgraded from murder. A pathologist previously told a committal hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court that Mr Jonuzi had suffered a broken nose, bruises and abrasions to his face, and injuries indicating sustained pressure to his neck. Wild weather is set to batter the state again this week as strong winds break winter records. North-westerly gusts of up to 100km/h will bear down over the north-east of Victoria and Gippsland on Monday leading the Bureau of Meteorology to issue a severe weather warning for damaging winds. Rain and wind batter Melbourne as shoppers try to take cover on Elizabeth Street. Credit:Angela Wylie The new forecast of severe conditions comes after the Bureau's Melbourne Airport weather station recorded its windiest July in 20 years. "It has been notable. We've had a really dry winter so far and we've had very much below average rainfall and above average winds," senior forecaster Michael Efron said. Silk called on Roberts to get out of the car to a grassy verge on the side of the road. Both police had their guns holstered. Silk stood about a metre from Roberts when Miller headed to the police car to radio in the details of the Hyundai. Roberts fired from point-blank range with his .38 revolver, shooting Silk in the chest. Miller, caught between the two cars and lacking immediate cover, unbuttoned his revolver and fired at Roberts, but Debs dived back into the car, grabbed his .357 Magnum and fired repeatedly through the rear hatch, shattering the glass and hitting Miller in the chest. The alternative theory now offered is that Debs acted alone and Roberts was not there, although he later helped try to conceal the crime. So why the review? Former homicide squad detectives Ron Iddles and Charlie Bezzina reported the matter to IBAC in 2017, after it was found a statement attributed to Senior Constable Glenn Pullen, who heard the dying words of Senior Constable Miller, appeared to have been altered to include a reference to there being two gunmen. So what does that mean? Quite simply was doctored, or false evidence put before a jury and did that impact on the verdict? So was the statement tampered with and what was actually said at the scene? Bandali Debs. Credit:Simon Schluter What is certain is that police in Cochranes Road said Rod Miller told them there were two gunmen. Police tapes show that at 12.32 am Cheltenham 206 reported a Member shot twice ... He said two offenders. His dying words, as sworn by several police there included, Two. One on foot dark Hyundai Im f----d, Im f----d Im having trouble breathing get them. Every reference made by Miller as he died was of more than one offender. He was also lucid, accurately identifying the suspect car as a dark Hyundai. All the police at the scene have been reinterviewed and all say their original testimony that Miller said there were two gunmen is accurate. Police at the the scene of the Silk-Miller shooting in 1998. Credit:Jason South The weight of evidence pointing at more than one offender included Debs own bugged conversation. Those were the ones [Silk/Miller] that were sittin there, when we drove in just to quickly look [at the restaurant], they seen us so they drove behind us, and drove down the street to stop us, they stopped us. Then its not good ... Cause we heard it on this, we heard it on that, they said oh one is gone [Silk] we cant find the other one [Miller]. After we left they come in 30 or 40 seconds. Thirty or 40 seconds they were there, that means they had a few [police] cars in the area. And before Roberts claimed he was not there he was caught on tape bragging, I kill Ds words the prosecution claimed meant detectives or police. What we dont know is why the original statement by Pullin was altered and why it wasnt simply added as an update, as is the usual procedure. The memorial in Moorabbin to the dead officers. Credit:Craig Sillitoe And we also dont know if this particularly wooden-headed act amounts to a miscarriage of justice. But the weight of evidence, beyond reasonable doubt, is that Rod Miller, who at that point was the only living witness, said there were two gunmen. Labor's national executive will not interfere in the ACT's preselection process, after an independent investigation was unable to determine the source of a dirtsheet circulated about one of the candidates. The ACT branch is in the middle of the murkiest preselection battle in memory, after the territory gained a third lower house seat in the recent federal electoral boundaries redistribution. Two dirtsheets were circulated about Labor preselection candidate Kel Watt. The party's national executive appointed Maurice Blackburn special counsel Lee Taylor to investigate after flyers attacking right faction candidate Kel Watt were sent to first female members of the party, then MLAs. That investigation overtook one announced by ACT Labor Branch Secretary Matt Byrne to determine whether the party's membership database had been accessed improperly. Those Gaetjens supporters who argue that his political history and connections were irrelevant to his appointment were being disingenuous. Many conservatives in the Coalition including, one suspects, the Treasurer himself would have welcomed his partisan pedigree. For the conservatives, who nurture deep suspicions of progressive bias in the career bureaucracy, having a background in either the party or among one of the party's natural constituencies, is a key qualification. No matter how smart and professional Gaetjens may be, he would not have satisfied the party hardliners otherwise. By the same token, if the government had wished to make a clearly non-political appointment to the Treasury, it would have chosen someone with a more balanced CV. In the event, Gaetjens may well disappoint his partisan backers and also prove his critics wrong, by acting much like any other experienced career public servant. He will have every incentive to do so, not only to gain the respect of his departmental colleagues and the wider community of professional economists, but also with an eye to possibly retaining his position if Labor wins the next election. He will know that Labor, in contrast to the Coalition, is committed to retaining incumbent secretaries on regaining office, a policy introduced by Kevin Rudd in 2007 and applied, for example, to Industry Department secretary Mark Paterson, a John Howard appointee who had previously headed the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In spite of Paterson's obviously pro-business background, he went on to serve Labor ministers effectively for another four years. (In replacing him, however, Labor abandoned the high moral ground, appointing a high-profile Labor mate, Don Russell, Paul Keating's former chief of staff.) Loading Labor doubled down on continuing the tenure of incumbents in its opposition to Abbott's sackings in 2013, since when the issue has firmed up as part of the wider progressive support for an apolitical public service. Unsurprisingly, Labor frontbenchers have refused to guarantee retaining Gaetjens' services if they win office. They could hardly offer him immediate endorsement while savaging his appointment. But if he keeps his head down and avoids partisan controversy, Labor would find it politically difficult to dismiss him, a point that seems to have eluded most commentators but will not have escaped Gaetjens himself. As for Treasury's alleged politicisation, the department certainly no longer enjoys the preeminent position within the bureaucracy it once held. Treasury has always played a double role: as a standard department loyally serving the minister and government of the day, and as an independent source of objective economic data and analysis. In recent years, the independent research function has diminished in importance and the department has become more exclusively an instrument of government policy. A number of structural factors have been involved in this development. One is the steady reduction in staffing, imposed by both Labor and Coalition governments. Another is the growing accessibility of senior public servants, which brings them more into the public eye and encourages them to act more as spokespeople for government policy. A third factor is the greater openness of government through freedom of information law, which discourages department researchers from undertaking analysis that is likely to embarrass the government. It is over 10 years since then Treasury secretary Ken Henry warned against extending FOI's purview, saying it would discourage critical research. He was not in the business, he said, of making bullets for the opposition to fire at the government. None of these trends had anything to do with the political affiliations of individual secretaries. Critics of Gaetjens' appointment who link it to Treasury's changing role and nostalgia for a bygone era are drawing a long bow indeed. Similarly, Labor calls to restore the Treasury to its former preeminent role are wishful thinking. It is more sensible to recognise that the electronic media age has made all senior public servants, to some extent, more politicised in the sense that they have become more concerned with both framing and delivering the government's partisan message. In private, ministers still need their officials to give them frank advice. But in public debate, independence and objectivity are better sought from government agencies that are legally at arm's length from ministers. The Bureau of Statistics is one such agency, as are the Productivity Commission and the Parliamentary Budget Office. These are the agencies whose resources and jurisdiction should be given priority, ahead of Treasury's. Loading Though the significance of Gaetjens' appointment should not be overstated, it still reflected a conservative preference for choosing senior secretaries with pro-Coalition credentials. Interest then naturally turned on the government's choice of a successor to Lloyd as public service commissioner. Would it be another conservative warrior? Or someone with impeccably non-partisan credentials? Labor ramped up its campaign, for instance, with an op-ed from senator Jenny McAllister attacking Lloyd and advocating a politically independent appointment. The Informant has probably published too many articles on soon-to-be-former Public Service Commissioner John Lloyd; this latest issue is no exception. However, it took me until late on Monday two days before he retires to find matters on which Lloyd and I agree so heartily we're practically soulmates. In his valedictory speech, Lloyd reflected on his long Commonwealth career "in the department responsible for workplace relations identified under various titles, like Labour and National Service, Labour and Immigration, Labour, Industrial Relations, Employment and Workplace Relations, Fair Work something or other, and landing today as Jobs and Small Business. An odd name; I despise the tinkering with departmental names." The Public Sector Informant, August 2018. Cartoon: David Pope Indeed, Tony Abbott's best decision as prime minister was to establish departments with simple names and clear responsibilities (and Malcolm Turnbull's worst was to start undoing this). Similarly, Lloyd dismissed the endless changes to machinery of government that "come and go as fashion and thinking dictate". "We have an enormous capacity to complicate things, sometimes it seems to a power of 10." Queensland has struck back over suggestions it plans to wreck the Turnbull governments flagship energy policy, as Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg ramped up pressure on the Labor states by accusing them of risking higher electricity prices. It has also emerged that Queenslands energy minister Anthony Lynham, is out of the country and will be absent from crucial discussions over the energy plan, potentially thwarting the ability of Labor states to form a unified stance on the policy. Tensions are high in the days ahead of a make-or-break meeting of energy ministers in Sydney on Friday where the fate of the National Energy Guarantee will be decided. Business groups and the federal government, as well as some within Labor, are pressuring the Labor states to sign off on the policy and end more than a decade of climate policy paralysis. Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg is waiting to hear what state governments will do ahead of a crucial meeting about energy on Friday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Queensland, Victoria and the ACT are concerned that the level of emissions cuts to be imposed on the electricity sector under the plan are too weak and will undermine their own more ambitious renewable energy targets. Bank police will patrol the inside of Australia's largest financial institutions as the Turnbull government forces the big four and AMP to open their day-to-day operations to the regulator. Financial Services Minister Kelly O'Dwyer and Treasurer Scott Morrison have said they will embed ASIC staff in the Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, ANZ, Westpac and AMP to monitor governance and compliance actions. "For the first time the Australian Securities and Investments Commission will be funded to embed corporate cops directly within Australias five largest financial institutions - the big four banks and AMP - to monitor governance and compliance actions," said Ms O'Dwyer. Financial Services Minister Kelly O'Dwyer. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen "These new resources will ensure that ASIC is the tough cop on the beat the tough cop that all Australians need, and expect, ASIC to be." The president of Victorias upper house has accused Labor of deliberately cheating the parliament of $388,000 of taxpayers money to increase its campaign firepower in the 2014 election. Veteran Liberal upper house MP Bruce Atkinson effectively broke with Ombudsman Deborah Glass who, in her investigation of Labors red shirts rorting affair, found that MPs involved in the scheme acted in good faith. Upper house president Bruce Atkinson. Credit:Fairfax Media Mr Atkinson, who is widely respected in parliament, insisted that Labor MPs should have known they were breaching parliaments members guide. The guide is explicit and clear that it is wrong to pay staff out of parliaments funds for campaign purposes, he said. London: Britain is reportedly ready to ask Russia to extradite two men it suspects of carrying out a nerve agent attack on a Russian former spy in England. The Guardian newspaper says prosecutors have completed an extradition request and it is ready for submission, citing government and security sources. Poisoned: Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia Skripal, 33. Credit:AP The Russian embassy in Britain says it has not received an official request from London. Sergei Skripal, a former colonel in Russian military intelligence who betrayed dozens of agents to Britain's MI6 foreign spy service, and his daughter Yulia, were found unconscious on a public bench in the city of Salisbury in early March. Santa Fe: A months-long search for a three-year-old led police to a compound buried under New Mexico scrubland. After authorities raided the compound last Friday, they did not recover the toddler but found his accused abductor and 11 other children - all of whom had been living in what the Taos County sheriff described as "the saddest living conditions and poverty I have seen". The search began nine months earlier and 2400 kilometres east - in Jonesboro, Georgia, where a mother told police that her husband had taken little Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj to a park and never returned. The boy was encephalopathic, the Clayton News Daily reported in December. His mother told police that he suffered from seizures, could not walk and needed emergency medication that his father did not have. Police alerts for the boy and his father, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, went out in multiple states. Chicago: At least 71 people were shot, including 10 fatally, over an extraordinarily violent summer weekend in Chicago, marking a chilling spasm of bloodshed for a city that has struggled with murders and shootings in recent years even as the national homicide rate hovers near historic lows. In just two hours and 48 minutes, there were 30 shooting victims, an average of one every five minutes. Twenty-eight of the 30 victims were black; the other two were Hispanic. Eleven were minors. Police are also investigating an eleventh murder - a 32-year-old woman who was found dead around 9pm on Sunday in a bathtub with her hands and feet bound. Police did not reveal how the woman was slain. The shootings, stretching over a 60-hour period from Friday evening until early Monday morning, come as the city officials have expressed optimism that Chicago had made headway in cutting the persistent gun violence that has plagued the city. Stage and screen actor Charlotte Rae, best known for playing Edna Garrett on TV's Diff'rent Strokes and its spin-off The Facts of Life, died Sunday at the age of 92. Born Charlotte Rae Lubotsky on April 22, 1926, in Milwaukee, Rae became an apprentice with the Port Players at the age of 16. She went on to attend Northwestern University. Before graduating, she moved to New York City to pursue her acting career and made her Broadway debut in the 1952 musical comedy Three Wishes for Jamie. She went on to appear in many Broadway productions including Li'l Abner in 1956; Pickwick, for which she was nominated for a 1966 Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical; and Morning, Noon and Night, which earned her a 1969 Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Play. Her last Broadway appearance was in the 1973 production of David Rabe's Boom Boom Room. Rae broke into the world of television with a starring role on the sitcom Car 54, Where Are You? (1961-1963) and went on to numerous shows throughout the following decades. In 1975 she received an Emmy nomination for her performance in Queen of the Stardust Ballroom. In 1978 Rae was cast in Diff'rent Strokes (1978-1984) in the role of housemother Edna Garrett, which propelled her to star in the spinoff The Facts of Life (1979-1986) as well as the TV movie The Facts of Life Goes to Paris in 1982 and The Facts of Life Reunion in 2001. In 1982, Rae was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She appeared regularly as a guest star on various television shows through 2015. In 1951, Rae married composer John Strauss, who cowrote the theme song for Car 54, Where Are You? The couple divorced in 1976. Rae is survived by her son Larry Strauss. The sign of a truly great show is when you discover something new with each visit. So it is with The Band's Visit, the 2018 Tony Award winner for Best Musical. Broadway insiders have sought to explain away the show's 10 Tonys as the inevitable result of being the only "adult" musical in a thin season; but to do so is to discount the real artistic achievements of composer David Yazbek, book writer Itamar Moses, and director David Cromer. In its own unassuming way, The Band's Visit is actually the most innovative musical on Broadway. That starts from its self-deprecating first moments, when Maya Ciarrocchi's simple projections announce that the story we're about to witness is "not very important." From its deliberate pacing to its pregnant pauses to its sensible lack of exclamatory punctuation, The Band's Visit feels a lot more like an independent film than a Broadway musical. The Broadway company of The Band's Visit has a new band leader in Sasson Gabay (far right). ( Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade) The show (like the 2007 film on which it is based) tells the story of an Egyptian police band visiting Israel for a concert at the Arab cultural center in Petah Tikva. But when trumpeter Haled (Ari'el Stachel) accidentally buys the wrong bus tickets, the band ends up in Bet Hatikva, a small town without so much as a hotel (much less an Arab cultural center). Bandleader Tewfiq (Sasson Gabay) is furious, but with little Israeli money and no return bus until morning, he surrenders to the hospitality of cafe owner Dina (Katrina Lenk). She offers the band food and places to stay for the night, with the assistance of Itzik (John Cariani) and Papi (Etai Benson). A world of magic and possibility materializes, as strangers become friends for just one night. The story remains the same, but the performances have deepened over the nine months since The Band's Visit opened at Broadway's Ethel Barrymore Theatre: Tony winner Lenk is even more bewitching as Dina, while Tony winner Stachel's trumpet playing has significantly improved (his blue note is guaranteed to give you chills). Everyone in the cast is truly living in Bet Hatikva, allowing individual story lines to emerge in vivid Technicolor. Kristen Sieh, John Cariani, Alok Tewari, Andrew Polk, and George Abud star in The Band's Visit. ( Matthew Murphy) Two performances particularly stood out in my repeat viewing: Kristen Sieh radiates barely suppressed rage as Iris, wife to the chronically unemployed Itzik and mother to a young child. Even as the men around her danced to the infectiously fun number "The Beat of Your Heart," she maintained her implacable (and completely justified) resentment. Playing the role of violinist Camal, George Abud consistently wows with both his comic timing and musical virtuosity. His voice gloriously rings through the theater in "Itzik's Lullaby," during which he plays an oud. The biggest change in the show is in the role of Tewfiq: Sasson Gabay, who played the role in the film, has taken over from Tony winner Tony Shalhoub. Much more than Shalhoub, Gabay plays Tewfiq as a musical patriarch, whose clenched jaw is enough to send his subordinates scurrying. Shalhoub's Tewfiq was theatrically bashful, uncomfortable to be relying so heavily on the kindness of strangers and slightly embarrassed by the aggressive attention coming from a younger woman. Gabay's Tewfiq, conversely, is reserved even in his expression of reservation. His response to Dina's flirtation is to politely ignore that it is even happening, causing Lenk to go even further in exhibiting her interest, splaying her legs and dancing to the music of his accent. Their palpable age difference makes their love seem that much more urgent (and doomed). Sasson Gabay and Katrina Lenk star in The Band's Visit. ( Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade) Cromer builds a solid foundation for these revelatory performances by creating a world that feels simultaneously enchanted and unmistakably real. Much of that comes through in Patrick McCollum's subtly powerful choreography: Actors seamlessly slip into dance from their natural movement in the upstage dimness, accenting the downstage action. So much of what is beautiful and intangible about The Band's Visit is told through Tyler Micoleau's lighting, little glimmers of which reflect on the faces of our characters: the light from a telephone booth as a man (an aching Adam Kantor) waits for his girlfriend to call, a street lamp over widower Avrum (the sympathetic Andrew Polk) as he shuffles home with a bag of groceries, the end of a cigarette Iris lights in desperation. Similar flickers illuminate the high windows in Scott Pask's set of drab apartment blocks. These little sparks are like lighthouses, guiding our characters to shore it's not just the Egyptians who are adrift in The Band's Visit. It's hard to isolate exactly what that light represents: Hope? Perseverance? Love? All we know is that when it sheds its grace on our characters, as it does in the breathtaking number "Answer Me," all is right with the world. The joy of seeing The Band's Visit is spending 90 minutes in that light. All of the characters in Summer Shorts B stand on the threshold between pursing a relationship and walking away. This may seem remarkable since Summer Shorts B comprises three short plays by different playwrights, but it underlines how often we are all faced with such a decision. Summer Shorts B offers three distinct takes, some more enthralling than others. While sound designer and composer Nick Moore's introductory music to the first play suggests a cross between Desperate Housewives and an Agatha Christie mystery, playwright Claire Zajdel has something far more literal in mind for The Plot: Debra Novak has reserved cemetery plots for herself and her adult children, Tyler (Jake Robinson) and Frankie (Molly Groome). A mother who understands the value of buying in bulk, she purchased three for the price of two. Of course, her children have different ideas about their ultimate resting places. Groome and Robinson exude a credible sibling vibe, he as the wisecracking slacker and she as the uptight overachiever. Like real siblings, they revert to adolescence in each other's presence. They also have a natural handle on Zajdel's quippy sitcom-style writing. Luckily, director James Rees maintains a delicate balance between levity and mortality so we never fully stray into ABC Family territory. Lindsey Broad and Deandre Sevon star in Eric Lane's Ibis, the second play in Summer Shorts B. ( Carol Rosegg) Under the shrewd direction of Terry Berliner, Eric Lane's Ibis tantalizingly takes the form of a detective story, complete with a blinding overhead light and the shadow of venetian blinds on the upstage wall (evocative lighting by Greg MacPherson). Tyrone (a sweetly sympathetic Deandre Sevon) is looking for his estranged father (Harold Surratt). Lindsey Broad gives the standout performance of the evening as the detective he hires to find him, a woman with a dark past who goes by the alias "Sam Spade." Like Lane, Sam understands the power of information, and her brevity forces us to lean in and examine her every word for evidence, leading to a very satisfying mystery that is never fully solved by the play's conclusion. The third play, Sparring Partner, is by Neil LaBute, the most famous of the three authors and a regular at Summer Shorts (producing artistic director J.J. Kandel directs). It takes place entirely on a park bench on which a single woman (Joanna Christie) is enjoying a carton of Chinese food and a movie trivia game with her married boss (Keilyn Durrel Jones). They're having what she considers an "affair of the mind," which means it is unconsummated. "God, you suck so much," he says when she insults his intelligence, to which she saucily replies, "You wish." Luckily, Moore provides the ambient noise of birds chirping here so we can't hear the sound of 194 eyes rolling. Joanna Christie and Keilyn Durrel Jones star in Neil LaBute's Sparring Partner, the third play in Summer Shorts B. ( Carol Rosegg) It's not that anything LaBute has written strains credulity. Rather, it's frustratingly common. The tropes of a castrating woman and a stupid-yet-anodyne man perform their predictable dance: They give side glances, talk over each other in third person, and deploy the word "gorgon" (in reference to the man's wife). This gavotte ends exactly on the beat, leaving us underwhelmed and unsurprised, despite genuine sexual heat between Christie and Jones. It is easy to dismiss the movie trivia as filler, but it is actually deeply relevant. LaBute suggests that this is what a lifetime of consuming Hollywood rom-coms will get you: a cliched office affair based on a lot of false assumptions about how love and relationships work. Sparring Partner is unquestionably the "realest" of the three plays. While The Plot and Ibis each leave us with a sense of magic and mystery, Sparring Partner mostly leaves us cold and straining to hear Jones as he vamps a one-sided phone call during a painfully delayed blackout. It's a disappointing way to be released back into the Manhattan August, but we're ready to cross that threshold all the same. Kogod's Made in America Auto Index 2018 SEE ALSO 2018 Made In America Results Made in America Auto Index 2018 Research by Frank DuBois What percentage of your vehicle's value contributes to the overall well-being of the U.S. economy and why does this information matter to you? Kogod's 2018 Made in America Auto Index seeks to answer these questions by evaluating the domestic content of vehicles sold in the US. The index takes into account other aspects of vehicle manufacturing that are not accounted for in other measures. Seven criteria are considered, including profit margin, labor, and research and development location, among others. Why is the Index important? Economic Impact The manufacture and sale of automobiles is a significant component of the U.S. economy. In 2016, the auto industry directly employed approximately 2.5 million workers and generated a record 17.5 million units in total vehicle sales, accounting for approximately 3.5 percent of the U.S. GDP. This represents a slight increase over 2015 sales which was the previous record. Of the 17.5 million vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2016, approximately 65 percent were produced in the United States. As such an important part of the U.S. economy, understanding the factors that influence the automobile industry is not just helpfulit is essential. A vehicles domestic manufacturing composition plays a key role in determining its overall impact on the American economy. This knowledge empowers consumers and automakers alike to make better economic decisions about where a car is made, and which offer the greatest commercial benefits to the country. The manufacture and sale of automobiles is a significant component of the U.S. economy. In 2016, the auto industry directly employed approximately 2.5 million workers and generated a record 17.5 million units in total vehicle sales, accounting for approximately 3.5 percent of the U.S. GDP. This represents a slight increase over 2015 sales which was the previous record. Of the 17.5 million vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2016, approximately 65 percent were produced in the United States. As such an important part of the U.S. economy, understanding the factors that influence the automobile industry is not just helpfulit is essential. A vehicles domestic manufacturing composition plays a key role in determining its overall impact on the American economy. This knowledge empowers consumers and automakers alike to make better economic decisions about where a car is made, and which offer the greatest commercial benefits to the country. Improving Upon the Label One of the first things a consumer looks at while car shopping is the price and options label. Since the enactment of the American Automotive Labeling Act (AALA) in 1994, automakers are required to provide information on the label detailing the amount of U.S. and Canadian parts content, the country of assembly, and the engine and transmission's country of origin. AALA data, while useful, is not the most accurate means of assessing a vehicle's contribution to the U.S. economy. It presents a number of limitations; U.S. and Canadian content are combined into one number, and automakers are allowed to round-up a part that is potentially only 70% U.S./Canadian to 100% U.S./Canadian. Kogod's method improves on the AALA data by incorporating a more comprehensive research methodology, providing consumers with a more accurate view of their vehicle's composition. Well water problems issues by some New Bothwell residents may be frustrating, but are also an opportunity for property owners to learn more about private well maintenance, according to a hydrogeologist with Friesen Drillers Ltd. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 6/8/2018 (1179 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Well water problems issues by some New Bothwell residents may be frustrating, but are also an opportunity for property owners to learn more about private well maintenance, according to a hydrogeologist with Friesen Drillers Ltd. RM of Hanover chief administrative officer Luc Lahaie said eight formal complaints have been received from ratepayers this summer, ranging from water shortages to discolouration and pressure losses. Friesen Drillers Jeff Bell said aquifer levels are influenced by several factors, from climate conditions like snow melt and barometric pressure to high usage from nearby industrial licence-holders. He encouraged domestic well owners to ensure their pump and supply lines are in good working order before pointing the finger at the province, a municipality, or a licensed groundwater user. "Very few people do any sort of private water well maintenance on their individual wells," Bell observed this week. "There could be any number of reasons why a well would run out of water or a pump would quit working." Some wells are buried and not easily locatable, Bell explained, while others are accessible but may have gone uninspected for years, meaning service work, pipe and pump upgrades, and shock chlorination treatments could be long overdue. New Bothwells well water complaints have prompted two joint statements from the RM of Hanover and Town of Niverville. On June 29, after working with the Manitoba Water Services Board to examine six initial formal complaints, the municipalities said "extremely dry conditions" were impacting regional bedrock aquifer levels, but assured the public New Bothwell had an "abundance of groundwater availability." The communitys well water is drawn from "one of the largest aquifer systems in Manitoba," which extends from The Pas to the United States, Bell said. Fluctuations do occur, but modern submersible electric well pumps typically handle variations better than older single line and two-line suction pumps, Bell said. "I think most of these wells that are having issues are very old wells, because nobodys complained that has a fairly new one," RM of Hanover reeve Stan Toews said Wednesday. According to Niverville and Hanover, individual pumping setups were to blame for problems in two wells that were locatable. In a July 24 release, the municipalities said results from a provincially commissioned "well interference investigation" disproved a rumor that increasing aquifer demand from Nivervilles new groundwater supply, located one mile west of New Bothwell, was causing the well problems. Instead, the municipalities said the interferences were "directly related to another licensed groundwater user, located within the community of New Bothwell." While Lahaie, Bell, and Manitoba Sustainable Development said they were unable to share the investigation conclusions, Lahaie pointed to a publicly available July 2017 Friesen Drillers study, prepared in the run-up to Nivervilles groundwater expansion project, that named Bothwell Cheese as the license-holder in question, saying its well "is creating as much as 16 feet of drawdown in the village." However, the report concluded groundwater conditions in the area could support both the cheese plant and Nivervilles new well field, adding the company had a plan bring it back into compliance. The report also advised Hanover and Niverville to develop a "groundwater interference program" to establish procedures for dealing with domestic well-related complaints. Bothwell Cheese did not respond to interview requests, though Toews confirmed the cheese plant was the licensed user alluded to in the July joint release. "They have been using way more water than theyve been licensed to, and its in the hands of the province to regulate that," Lahaie said. A Sustainable Development spokesperson said Bothwell Cheese holds an industrial user licence for 50 cubic decametres per year, and reported 94 cubic decametres of water usage in 2017. Hanover first learned the cheese plant was exceeding its allocation last year, after reviewing the Friesen Drillers study, Toews said. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The departments Water Use Licensing branch has received an application from Bothwell Cheese to increase its allocation, with a decision to follow a hydrogeological assessment in the plants vicinity, the spokesperson said. Branch representatives also plan to meet with Bothwell Cheese later this week. In the meantime, Lahaie called well complaints aired on social media "very frustrating for administration and council," who want to help ratepayers relay concerns to the proper channels. Neither municipalities nor residents own the aquifer beneath their feet, Bell noted, with groundwater licence enforcement in the provinces hands. If data show a licence-holders water use has negatively affected domestic well owners in the vicinity, a compensation program will result, Niverville and Hanover stated in June. Hanover has asked residents to send private well issues via email to wateruse@gov.mb.ca, and the province recommends homeowners have their wells protected, inspected, and tested regularly as part of a private well maintenance regime. Topical factsheets, educational videos, and a booklet on groundwater and well maintenance basics are available for download on the Sustainable Development website. Meghan Markle. Photo: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Saturday, August 4, 2018, was truly a joyous occasion: Meghan Markle, formerly star of Suits and currently duchess of Sussex, turned 37 years old. Some of her close friends (and husband Prince Harry, naturally) gathered to celebrate the special day at Saint Mary the Virgin Church in Surrey, England oh, and also to attend a wedding. Last year, Prince Harry whisked his royal bride-to-be off to Botswana for a birthday safari trip (well, before they were engaged, that is). But this year, Prince Harrys childhood friend Charlie van Straubenzee happened to be getting married to Daisy Jenks on the day of Meghans birth. So the royal couple and a number of their nearest and dearest (including Princess Dianas niece Lady Celia McCorquodale, whose wedding Meghan and Prince Harry also recently attended) gathered to celebrate the nuptials instead of focusing on Meghans birthday. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Photo: Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage Meghan ditched her royal uniform boatneck outfit in a blush color, of course and instead opted to wear a $328 navy shirtdress from Club Monaco (that appears to no longer be available on its website) for the big day. Luckily, the color-block dress did include at least a bit of pink, so the dress wasnt entirely out of character. Meghan also paired her outfit with her beloved Aquazzura shoes, leather belt, clutch by Kayu and a hat by her favorite milliner Philip Treacy. Prince Harry, meanwhile, wore a formal morning suit to the event, as he served in the wedding party. We can only hope the wedding cake doubled as a birthday cake for Meghan. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Exactly one year after Unite the Right, the violent white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville, many of the same white-nationalist, paramilitary, and other right-wing groups are planning once again to come together for a (second-anniversary) rally this time, in Washington, D.C. Its purpose, ostensibly, is to protest civil rights abuses in Charlottesville, where white supremacists brutally beat a 20-year-old black man and murdered Heather Heyer. (It is unclear what civil rights abuses the organizers think they suffered.) This year, the events organizers are expecting there to be hundreds of people in attendance but thats not taking into consideration the number of people who will show up to counterprotest the rally. Below, everything to know about the upcoming demonstration. Where and when is it? The second Unite the Right rally will start in Lafayette Park in Washington, D.C., from August 11 to 12, the anniversary of the original in Charlottesville, Virginia; according to the rallys website, the main demonstration is planned to start at 5:30 p.m. in Lafayette Square on the 12th. Jason Kessler, the main face of the rally, initially wanted to hold the second demonstration in Charlottesville, but the city denied his request, which led him to the nations capital. Kessler received initial approval for the D.C. event from the National Park Service in late June, but his permit was not officially approved until Thursday before the rally, the New York Post reports. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the National Park Service released documents on Monday showing that Kesslers confirmed speakers include neo-Nazi Patrick Little, former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke, Suidlanders spokesman Simon Roche, Patriot Prayer follower Kevin Cormier, Revolutionary Conservative editor Avialae Horton, attorney Corey Mahler, and pro-white town manager Tom Kawczynski. Why is this allowed to happen? Because last years rally was so violent, it wasnt as easy for Kessler to get approval the second time around. Still, the National Park Service told ABC 12 that it must approve First Amendment events. We are confident in the ability of our law enforcement officers to be prepared, spokesman Mike Litterst said. Even though the event has nearly official approval, people in D.C. are already protesting in their own ways. Last week, for instance, a Washington Post report revealed a potential plan by the citys metro system, in which Unite the Right attendees would be provided with separate trains to the rally a plan that was leaked by the D.C. Amalgamated Transit Union, which refused to provide transportation for the right-wing groups. More than 80% of [the transit union]s membership is people of color, the very people that the Ku Klux Klan and other white nationalist groups have killed, harassed and violated, the union told ThinkProgress. (According to the Washington Post, this plan is now off the table.) Local universities are also ramping up security in preparation for the large crowds that are expected to descend upon D.C. over the weekend, according to WTOP. George Washington University, for example, will close down its health center and library on Sunday, and the University of Virginia will have increased police presence on campus throughout the weekend. Even AirBnb has appeared to denounce the rally, issuing the following statement on Thursday: When we identify and determine that there are those who would be pursuing behavior on the Airbnb platform that would be antithetical to the Airbnb Community Commitment, we seek to take appropriate action, which may include removing them from the platform. How many people are expected to attend? According to Kesslers permit application, organizers are expecting approximately 400 people to join the demonstration. There will certainly be more than 400 people in Lafayette Park, though, as that number likely does not account for counterprotesters and law enforcement. When denying Kessler the permit to hold the event in Charlottesville, the city wrote that his application likely underestimates the number of participants, and that no reasonable allocation of city funds or resources can guarantee that event participants will be free of any threat of violence. But Joan Donovan, a researcher who has studied media manipulation and white supremacy for Data & Society, isnt so sure that the white supremacists presence will be so large. She tells the Cut that she hasnt personally observed the online mobilization thats necessary for mass demonstrations, as much of the energy shes seeing for these sorts of events is coming from the West Coast. I dont see a lot of people asking for money to travel or coordinate caravans and cars to go to the rally, and I dont see a lot of coordination in terms of circulating memes and promoting the event, she told the Cut. Thats what I look for when Im trying to understand if an event is going to be large, because large events have to be organized online. She does, however, expect there to be a very large police presence, due to the amount of attention that has been put on the event, which could dissuade people who have criminal records from coming. Come this weekend, she told the Cut that shell be watching for other smaller, related mobilizations in cities around the country. Are there any planned counterprotests? Twenty-two organizers from groups including Black Lives Matter Charlottesville, Black Lives Matter D.C., Maryland Antifa, the D.C. Antifascist Collective, and the Frederick Socialists are planning a mass counterprotest, according to DCist. This specific demonstration is called Shut It Down D.C., which will go on for the entire weekend. This is for Heather Heyer, ICE abolition, open borders, dismantling the prison industrial complex, and ending the settler colonial system. We will confront fascism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and state violence on August 10-12, reads the counterprotests website. The Daily Beast reports that 18 anti-racist, anti-fascist, and feminist groups are also part of the DC United Against Hate coalition, which will be counter-protesting throughout the weekend. According to the Forward, organizers are expecting more than 1,000 people to partake in these demonstrations. Per the Hill, the National Park Service issued a permit for this demonstration on Wednesday before the Unite the Right rally received approval. According to WTOP, a number of specific groups have applied to host counter-protests of their own: the Democratic Socialists of Metro D.C., which anticipates 1,000 people will participate in their own protest in Freedom Plaza; the ANSWER Coalition, which anticipates 1,500 people in total will protest at various locations around D.C.; and Interfaith Assembly, which anticipates 100 people will protest in Judiciary Square. What has the response been like so far? While few organizations have put out official statements, activists have already started to speak up about their intention to stand up to the explicit displays of racism and fascism on the right this weekend. We are stronger than they are, Makia Green of Black Lives Matter D.C. told Fox 5. So its important that we let D.C. and the rest of the world know that we are not going to stand for the hate. On Friday, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan condemned the rally, calling it an invasion of vile and perverted ideology. Hate has no place in our society, and these white supremacists and the racism and bigotry they spew are not welcome in our state today, this weekend, or ever, his statement reads. As we face this invasion of vile and perverted ideology infesting our region, we stand united in our conviction that a diverse and inclusive Maryland is a stronger Maryland. Politicians and activists in Charlottesville have also denounced the rally, even though the city is not hosting the main event. However, there a number of smaller demonstrations planned in the city, which compelled Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and the city of Charlottesville to declare a state of emergency ahead of this weekend. Virginia continues to mourn the three Virginians who lost their lives in the course of the demonstrations a year ago, Northam said. We hope the anniversary of those events passes peacefully. In a NW exclusive, Grant said he's back living in Canberra and seeing Lucy again. In the joint interview, Lucy said that while they were really close before he went on the show "it was never anything serious" and it wasn't until she saw him on the show that she realised she did actually have feelings for him. I don't think it was until he was on there and I was watching it that I sort of went, 'Oh, I did have feelings that were more than just a friendship', Even though it was only two weeks ago that he was still hoping for a chance to get back with Tayla, Grant seems pretty happy to now be with Lucy. 14 Communists Killed in Encounter With Indian Security Forces Fourteen communists were killed during a clash with security forces in India on Aug. 6. The Maoists opened fire on the forces as the team searched the forests in the Sukma district in the tribal region of Chhattisgarh, between Gollapalli and Konta, reported the Times of India. The forces began firing back and eventually killed 14 Maoists, said Vivekanand Sinha, inspector general of police in Bastar Range. An additional death was later reported by NDTV. The search was launched after security forces received intelligence about a large number of Maoists in the area. Reinforcements were sent to the area to try to retrieve as many of the bodies as possible; typically, Maoists try to take away the bodies of their dead comrades as quickly as possible. According to NDTV, all 15 bodies were recovered by security forces. Maoists said in pamphlets circulated in the area that 247 Maoists have been killed during clashes with security forces over the past two years, not including Mondays toll. #BREAKING: 14 Maoists gunned down in a major operation led by CRPF and the Chattisgarh Police in the Konta forests of Sukma in Chattisgarh. Arms and ammunitions recovered along with dead bodies. Intel report indicated that 200 Maoists moving around in the area. Ops continue. Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 6, 2018 14 Maoists killed in encounter with security forces in Bastar https://t.co/awaOWVcSJX via @TOICitiesNews pic.twitter.com/88qIHLjgyR Times of India (@timesofindia) August 6, 2018 D. M. Awashti, the states Special Director General of Police, told reporters that the operation was one of the largest in the history of Chhattisgarh. Teams included personnel from the District Reserve Guard, Special Task Force, Central Reserve Police Force and its elite unit Commando Battalion for Resolute Action, with one of the teams comprising of around 200 personnel. Forces were sent to cordon off the camp inside the jungle. On Monday morning, a DRG team saw the Maoist camp and challenged the rebels. They fired at the security forces, who retaliated, said Abhishek Meena, superintendent of the police department in Sukma, reported the Hindustan Times. There were about 40 Maoists in the camp when the encounter started but some of them managed to flee. Vanjam Hunga, a commander for the Maoists, was one of the 15 killed; the others havent been identified as of yet. Besides the deaths, security forces seized hundreds of firearms and explosives and arrested a Maoist who had a bounty on his head and a female Maoist. From NTD.tv Santa Ana fire and police and Orange County Fire departments respond to the scene of a deadly plane crash in a parking lot near South Coast Plaza in Santa Ana, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (Allen J. Schaben /Los Angeles Times via AP) 5 Killed, Small Plane Crashes in California Parking Lot SANTA ANA, Calif.Five people on board a small airplane were killed when the twin-engine Cessna crashed in a Southern California parking lot on Aug. 5, authorities said. The pilot of the Cessna 414 declared an emergency before crashing about a mile from John Wayne Airport, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokeswoman Arlene Salac said. The plane was heading to the airport southeast of Los Angeles when it came down and struck an unoccupied parked car in the lot of a Staples store and a CVS pharmacy, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi. There was no fire and nobody on the ground was hurt, he said. Photos from the scene showed the plane upright but on its belly. Several roads surrounding the shopping center and the South Coast Plaza mall across the street were closed. The plane is registered to the San Francisco-based real estate company Category III, according to an FAA database. A phone call to the company was not immediately returned Sunday. The officials do not yet know the identities and details of the deceased, but it is known that all of them are adults, ABC reported. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash, Salac said. California is no stranger to planes crashing out of the blue. On March 31, two people died when they flew their home-built plane into a shed in Santa Paula,in southern California. Apple, iPhone, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Taylor Darling-Daniel, a local resident, who lived near the crash site said that she was eating her lunch with her friend while watching a plane doing tricks at low altitude. It sort of spun around, the engine got loud, and then: kaboom, said Darling-Daniel, Ventura County Star reported. The residents father used to fly planes, she had a feeling that something was wrong. I just knew as low as it was and the way that it flippedthats not a trick. said Darling-Daniel. When the firefighters arrived, the two people in the plane were already dead. Epoch Times reporter Alan Cheung contributed to this article. American Airlines Tells Musician Traveling With Cello to Leave Plane A husband is upset with American Airlines after his wife, a music student, was allegedly removed from an American Airlines flight because of her cello. Jay Tang posted his experience of the ordeal on Facebook, along with his communications with the airline. According to the post, music student Jingjing Hu was asked to leave an American Airlines flight traveling from Miami to Chicago with her cello. Tang wrote he purchased a ticket for the cello, so it could remain in the passenger compartment of the plane, over the phone ahead of time. He also wrote that Hu had no issue on the way down to Miami. Tang wrote that Hu was told to get off the plane when the departure gate was about to close. Flight staff said the plane was too small for the cello. Tang wrote that Hus friend, who remained on the flight, said other passengers sat in both seats she had reserved for herself and the cello. Tang suspects that the airline overbooked the flight, and so needed the extra seats. This is how American Airlines treats musicians! So my wife Jingjing Hu, a DePaul University School of Music student, is Posted by Jay Tang on Thursday, August 2, 2018 You had so many chances to tell me you cannot board yesterday, Hu said to American Airlines via NBC 5. You never told me until I sat down. It turned out that staff said the next flight was also too small. The police were called on Hu this time, with staff claiming Hu was unruly, according to Tang. Tang wrote that Hu was finally booked on a flight back to Chicago the next day, but that he was given little explanation from American Airlines. Apple, iPhone, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Unfortunately there was a miscommunication about whether the cello she was traveling with met the requirements to fit onboard the particular aircraft she was flying, reads part of a statement from American Airlines, obtained by NBC 5. Tang posted screenshots of his personal communications with the company. The company indicated that the cello couldnt fit on a 737 aircraft, and that is why she had to wait for a different type of aircraft the following day. Tang responded that they should have been told earlier if this was the case. From NTD.tv A photo of Lola, a 1-year-old dog who went missing before being found over the weekend. (GoFundMe) Army Soldiers Lost Dog Located in Colorado An Army soldiers lost dog was tracked down after it had been missing for two months in Colorado. David Powell, an active serviceman, was distraught when one of the two dogs he was fostering for other military personnel escaped from his house. Its just like shes disappeared into thin air, he told ABC 7. Powell had signed up to foster 1-year-old Lola, who escaped, and another dog, Apollo, who also escaped through the same hole in the fence but soon returned. Powell said he was feeling really bad because the dogs belong to Herman Haynie, who is on deployment to Iraq; Powell signed up to foster them through a website called Pact for Animals. I feel awful, Powell said. Sorry. I mean, heres a gentleman on his 5th tour of Iraq. He puts his life on the line for us, and Im here trying to help him out, and Ive lost his dog. Powell pleaded for help from the public, hired a pet detective, and took other measures to try to track down Lola. Just a few days ago, he finally succeeded. Powell told KDVR that he received a call on Aug. 4 from Save This Life, a pet microchip company, which was alerted after someone took Lola to a veterinarian about 15 miles from Powells home in Denver. Powell was sent Lolas information and hopped in his car to go pick her up. I knew it was her, Powell said. It was just kind of those dark eyes and just the way she her demeanor and stuff, like, thats Lola. He said he emailed Haynie immediately. He was ecstatic, Powell said of Haynies reaction. It was just by email but it still, it was such a huge relief for him. Since shes back, Ive gone along the fence and if theres any gaps, Im digging down and shoving rocks under the fence to make sure there are no more gaps. I cant go through that again. Its just too heart-wrenching, Powell said. From NTD.tv At Least 70 Shot, 11 Dead in Violent Chicago Weekend At least 74 people were shot and 11 killed in a weekend of violence in Chicago, according to a report. Between 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, and 6 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 6, 11 people were gunned down and 63 others were wounded, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that 70 people were shot and 11 died. The Tribune, citing its own data, said that gun violence in Chicago in 2018 has been well above recent years except for the previous two years. This year, there have been at least 1,700 people shot and 300 homicides in the city. Over 70 people shot in Chicago over the weekend as city deals with surge in gun violence https://t.co/EORXcTBiFY pic.twitter.com/JrfTpKUY6x The Hill (@thehill) August 6, 2018 Gang Violence to Blame They take advantage of that opportunity and they shoot into a crowd, no matter who they hit, Chicago police chief of patrol Fred Waller said. He said that gang members tend to shoot into summer crowds of people at night. Shooters, he said, targeted large groups of people at block parties, a funeral, and other outdoor events. Chicago police said that dozens of people shot during six separate mass shootings during a seven-hour span on Sunday, CBS Chicago reported. At least four people were shot in each of those incidents. In that span, 28 were wounded and three died. Apple, iPhone, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. We wont be defeated. We wont be overrun by that small group, that small element thats committing these reckless acts. We will not. I promise you that we will not be defeated, he told CBS Chicago. Detectives are working around the clock to investigate the incidents, build a timeline of events and identify any shooter, he also said, WLS reported. Well also be conducting coordinated enforcement missions to target individuals that are driving the violence in these areas and focus on where we believe retaliatory violence may occur. Amid the ongoing weekend violence, there have been calls for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who was former President Obamas chief of staff, to resign. Last week, demonstrators chanted Rahm has to go. Baby Boy Dead After Body Pulled From Water Near Brooklyn Bridge A baby boy died after he was rescued from the East River near the Brooklyn Bridge and rushed to hospital on Aug. 5. Police estimate him to be around 8 months old. Diana Campbell, a tourist from Oklahoma, spotted the baby floating near the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge just after 4 p.m. The baby was wearing only a diaper. You could see its little legs just floating and his head was in the water, Diana told PIX 11 News. Campbells husband, Monte, jumped into the water to bring the baby to land where he immediately performed CPR until police arrived. Officials said police brought the baby to the pedestrian walkway where they continued CPR, PIX 11 News reported. The baby was rushed to the NewYork-Presbyterian/Lower Manhattan Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. BREAKING: @NYPDSpecialops pull baby clad in diaper from East River under Brooklyn Bridge. The child was floating on its back, spotted by tourists who called police. @FDNY transported child to the hospital, condition unknown. pic.twitter.com/9gBvbnkB3D Myles Miller (@MylesMill) August 5, 2018 A backpack that was floating near the baby was recovered, NBC New York reported. Police said the parents or carers of the baby are nowhere to be found, and there are no obvious signs of trauma, CBS New York reported. #NYPD Harbor is on scene canvassing in the vicinity of the Brooklyn Bridge in regards to a baby that was found in the water. Searching for any additional victims. If anyone has information on the baby please call the 1st Precinct Detectives or 1-800-577-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/6y1rxJN7Rr NYPD Special Ops (@NYPDSpecialops) August 5, 2018 The NYPD Harbor Unit is asking anyone with information about the baby to call the 1st Precinct Detectives or 1-800-577-TIPS. From NTD.tv Ballot Measure Aims to Repeal California Gas Tax Bill The issue of Californias gas tax increase is shaping up to be a hot topic in this years midterm election after opponents were successful in putting a measure on the Nov. 6 ballot to get it repealed. Proposition 6, which garnered nearly one million signatures, would overturn Senate Bill 1 (SB-1, officially called the Road Maintenance and Accountability Act), which was passed by the Democratic State Legislature and signed by Governor Jerry Brown in April last year. Promoted by Democrats as a way to fix Californias crumbling roads and improve mass transit, the bill raised the taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel by 12 and 20 cents per gallon, respectively. It also imposed several new fees, including a new annual Transportation Improvement Fee for car registrations, which ranges from $25 to $175 depending on the cost of the vehicle. The bill has not proven popular with voters in a state that had one of the highest gas taxes in the nation even before the increase. An official analysis by the California Legislative Office estimated that on average, California drivers pay $750 per year in transportation taxes and fees at the state and federal level. A USC Dornsife/LA Times poll of 691 registered voters, conducted between April 18 and May 18, revealed that 51 percent favored repealing the tax, while 38 percent wanted to keep it. On June 5, voters in Orange County recalled State Senator Josh Newman because of his vote for the tax, erasing Democrats supermajority in the State Senate. Newman was easily defeated in a Democrat-leaning district, said Carl DeMaio, former San Diego city councilman and chairman of the gas tax repeal campaign, in an interview with CNBC. Voters are angry with politicians who just seem so out of touch. The cost of living is skyrocketing and people are looking for relief. One of the largest controversies surrounding the bill is the money it will spend on Californias high-speed rail program. The program has faced criticism recently because of its high cost. The [money from the gas tax], its diverted year after year. Governor Brown has this high-speed rail train to nowhere, and the money continues to go into the general fund for the salaries and benefits and pensions for government bureaucracy, said DeMaio in an interview with Fox News. DeMaio has called for ending the high-speed rail program and using the money to repair roads. The reality is we have more than enough money in the existing gas tax to fix the roads and make our existing transportation system the best in the country, if it werent for the theft by politicians. Brown has defended Californias high-speed rail program, one of his administrations signature projects. In his State of the State address in January, Brown said, Yes, it costs lots of money, but it is still cheaper and more convenient than expanding airports and building new freeways. A chart from Browns May 2017 budget proposal called for spending $818.7 million of the new transportation revenue on projects unrelated to road repair, including rail, transit, active transportation such as bikeways and pedestrian paths, parks and recreation, food and agriculture, university research, and workforce development programs. Another issue regarding SB-1 is Proposition 69, and what it does and doesnt do. The Proposition, which was passed by Californias voters in June, is supposed to prevent money from SB-1 from being diverted to other purposes, ensuring that it is spent only on road improvement and transportation. Skeptics, however, have pointed out that transportation purposes have an extremely large scope of definition, and that the legislature is at liberty to decide whether something is a transportation purpose. Prop 69 will not be helpful, as it was written by the same politicians who constantly divert gas tax funds away from road projects. There are a bunch of loopholes, and it provides no safeguard or guarantee on gas tax funds for roads. The politicians refuse to guarantee even one penny of the gas tax be spent on roads, DeMaio told The Epoch Times in an email interview. Proposition 69 also grants the governor the authority to declare an economic emergency and spend the money on anything, without the approval of the legislature. Beloved 14-Year-Old Twins Among 3 Killed in Suspicious California Fire Fourteen-year-old twins and another person were killed in a house fire in California on Aug. 5 that authorities are deeming suspicious. Trinh Tran, Tram Tran, and their mother became trapped in the house, on Georgia Street in Vallejo, when a large fire broke out around 2:45 a.m. The twins 11-year-old sister escaped using a side window and flagged down a police officer who was driving near the scene. At that point they made entry. They kicked one of the side doors, made entry but the house was fully engulfed and there was really nothing they could do at that point, Lt. Jason Potts of the Vallejo Police Department told ABC 7. Firefighters were able to reach the twins and their mother, with one twin already dead. The other died at the hospital while the mother died at a local burn unit, reported CBS. Investigators said the fire was suspicious and said there was an active criminal investigation. Sarah Dilag, a friend of the twins, said she received a text from one of them at 2 a.m., just before the fire started. It read, Sarah, are you awake? Im really scared. Twin sisters Trinh and Tram Tran died in overnight house fire in #Vallejo. Police believe it may have been arson. pic.twitter.com/dI34kMqv7o Lilian Kim (@liliankim7) August 6, 2018 Its really sad to hear that that was her last words to me, said Dilag as she cried. That she feels really scared. But I couldnt read it because I was asleep. And I feel really bad because I didnt respond to it. Dilag said that the twins mother was having tension with the twins father and police officers said they believe the fire may have been arson. Trinh and Tram would have been sophomores at Jesse Bethel High School starting in the fall; both were musicians and they were on the wrestling team in middle school. A number of teenagers stopped by the home to pay their respects after word circulated of the tragedy, reported ABC 7. They were really sweet to me. They always talked to me. One had a really fun attitude, the other was really loving and they were good girls, said Daniel Alencastro, a friend of the twins. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Yates and Detective Poyser of the Vallejo Police Department Detective Division at (707) 648-4080. From NTD.tv An explosion killed at least two people and injured dozens more near the Italian city of Bologna, Aug 6, 2018. (Italian Police) Bologna Bridge Explosion Leaves 3 Dead, 70 Injured, Italian Police Say An explosion killed at least two people and injured dozens more near the Italian city of Bologna in an incident that caused a bridge to partially collapse. Italian police told the ANSA news agency on Aug. 6 that 14 people were seriously injured in the explosion, which was caused by a vehicle carrying flammable materials. The incident, which took place near the Bologna Airport, injured at least 50 people in all, but other media outlets reported that as many as 60 or 70 people were hurt. Video footage and photos posted on social media showed a massive explosion, fireball, and smoke. Italian police posted a video showing the damage done to the bridge after the blast, showing a crater in the road. #bologna #BORGOPANIGALE Sul posto la #PoliziaStradale sta predisponendo modifiche alla viabilita perche il tratto e chiuso. Si sconsiglia di avvicinarsi alla zona pic.twitter.com/BhYKiRVy4u Polizia di Stato (@poliziadistato) August 6, 2018 The explosion also engulfed a nearby Peugeot car dealership and other shops, The Local reported. The windows of many houses were shattered by the explosion, ANSA also reported. Some people were reportedly hit by flying glass as windows shattered in nearby buildings. #BREAKING: Massive explosion and fire near #Bologna Airport, #Italy. Fire seems to have occurred after a truck delivering cars/vans went up in flames. pic.twitter.com/vQvcqXEjr5 Instant News Alerts (@InstaNewsAlerts) August 6, 2018 Officials did not immediately know what kind of materials were in the tanker, but the news agency ANSA said it was liquefied petroleum gas. The explosion reportedly came after a traffic accident. Videos show flames shooting up in the air after the explosion, replaced later by a thick black cloud of smoke. Aerial photos showed a gaping hole in the raised highway next to the tanker. Authorities said a major highway interchange had been closed north of the city due to the accident. The interchange connects two major highways linking northern Italy with the Adriatic coast, a popular destination as Italy heads into its major summer holiday next week. The Associated Press contributed to this report. People walk through a tunnel made out of plastic bags in front of La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago, during the World Environment Day on June 5, 2018. - The UN urged to take steps against the use of plastic bags, as part of a global challenge to reduce the increasing pollution of the oceans. (Claudio Reyes/AFP/Getty Images) Chile Bans Plastic Bags for Businesses Chile is the first South American country to ban plastic bags. Large businesses will have six months to abide by the ban, while small businesses will have two years. Any plastic that is used to maintain the hygiene of a product or prevent food wastage is exempt from this ban. Any person caught using plastic bags for any other reason will be fined $370. The fine is almost equivalent to the countrys high of a $426 monthly minimum wage. The Association of Plastic Manufacturers reported that it takes one minute to produce a plastic bag with that is used for 15 to 30 minutes, while it takes 400 years for each bag to degrade. 3.4 billion plastic bags are used in Chile every year, with a population of 18 million, each Chilean would use 189 bags per year, The Santiago Times reported. A plastic bag takes seconds to make, is used for less than half an hour between the supermarket and the home, and then takes 400 years to biodegrade, tweeted President Sebastian Pinera. Chile es el 1er pais de A. Latina en decir #ChaoBolsasPlasticas. Una bolsa plastica se produce en segundos, se usa minutos y tarda 400 anos en degradarse. Queremos superar la cultura desechable y abrazar la reciclable x un Chile mas limpio y q proteja mejor nuestra naturaleza?? pic.twitter.com/T33qDK1aHo Sebastian Pinera (@sebastianpinera) August 3, 2018 Washington, D.C. reduced plastic pollution with a tax on plastic bags in 2009, before the policy, 22.5 million plastic bags were being used per month. After the policy, its 3.3 million bags per month. Since 2012, all retail stores in San Francisco have been banned from using single-use plastic bags. For food establishments, the ban began in 2013. Only compostable, reusable or recycled bags were allowed to be sold. All the bags listed above have a mandatory 10 cent charge, this charge reduced disposable bags by 70 to 90 percent. China banned the distribution of plastic bags that are less than 0.025 millimeters thick in 2008, any store that is caught distributing these bags will face a fine of $1,465. Since then, plastic bag usage has reduced by 66 percent. China Aggressively Pushes to Become Dominant Nuclear Player China and its roughly 1.4 billion citizens are the worlds biggest consumer of power. As the nations energy consumption grows, Beijing is anxious to develop alternative sources. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has predicted that China will overtake the United States as the biggest nuclear-energy producer by 2030. Chinas nuclear ambitions have now extended beyond its borders. Most recently, on July 29, Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a plan to build that countrys fourth nuclear power plant by working with China, according to Turkish news site Ahval. However, China hasnt gotten to where it is solely with its own research and development. In fact, the countrys nuclear industry has grown by means fair and foul. Theft of Technology The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative recently raised concerns about Chinas theft of American nuclear technology through cyberattacks, in its investigative Section 301 report on Chinas intellectual-property practices that was published in March. The report mentions a case involving Westinghouse, a leading American supplier of nuclear power products and services. In 2010, Westinghouse was jointly building four AP1000 nuclear plants in China, in collaboration with the state-run State Nuclear Power Technology (SNPTC), according to the report. The contract to build the four plantspressurized water reactors with stringent safety standards designed by Westinghousewas announced in 2006. As part of the agreement, Westinghouse agreed to transfer the technology behind the AP1000 to gain access to Chinas nuclear market. According to the Section 310 report, between May 2010 to January 2011, Westinghouse was hit with four incidents of cyber-intrusion by the 3PLA, or the Third Department of the Chinese militarys General Staff, equivalent to the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA). The attacks resulted in the 3PLA getting its hands on at least 1.4 gigabytes of data, including trade secrets, technical and design specifications for the AP1000, and sensitive emails belonging to senior executives at Westinghouse, according to the report. China didnt hide its motives with regards to the AP1000. For instance, China stated that it must comprehensively master the AP1000 design and indigenously complete standard designs at domestic facilities, as outlined in the 12th Five-Year Science and Technology Plan, a national policy issued in July 2011. Chinas continued theft of U.S. technology is one of the major reasons that the administration of President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs and set off the SinoU.S. trade war. However, the pressure the Trump administration can apply to Chinas nuclear sector appears to be minimal, since only a few Chinese-made nuclear products, including nuclear reactors, nuclear reactor parts, and uranium, are among the roughly 1,300 products slapped with 25 percent tariffs, according to the USTRs website. Uranium, the material needed to power a nuclear reactor, plays a relatively minor role in the trade between the two countries. According to U.S. government statistics, the United States imports most of its uranium from Canada, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, in 2015, China imported 30 percent of its enriched uranium from the United States. According to a July 30 analysis report published by Chinese magazine China Energy Store, the impact of the trade war on Chinas nuclear sector, in terms of both imports and exports, would be marginal because indigenization of nuclear equipment has reached over 70 percent. As of May 2018, China had 38 nuclear plants operating, with a capacity of about 37 gigawatts (GW), while another 18 plants are under construction, with a capacity of 21 GW, according to the state-run Peoples Daily. One Belt, One Road Meanwhile, building nuclear reactors for other countries is a key element of Chinas One Belt, One Road (also known as Belt and Road) infrastructure project. Belt and Road is an ambitious investment project that Beijing has promoted as a revival of the ancient Silk Road trade route between China and Europe. The Chinese regime would build infrastructure along the route, spanning countries in Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. In Pakistan, China is currently building two Hualong-1 reactors in Karachi. Another one in Chashma is in its planning stages. Hualong-1, Chinas homegrown third-generation reactor that was jointly developed by the state-run China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), has been promoted to interested countries since it was officially introduced in March 2016. According to a May 2017 article by state-run media Xinhua, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called Hualong-1 a landmark project integral to the Made of China 2025 policy. Issued in May 2015, the policy outlines Chinas ambitions to upgrade 10 domestic tech sectors and catch up with foreign competitors, eventually dominating global markets by 2025. In November 2017, Argentina announced that it would start building two nuclear reactors, one of them a Hualong-1, under an agreement it signed with CNNC in 2015. According to Reuters, the cost of the two plants would surpass $13 billion over 10 years, with 85 percent to be financed by Chinese institutions. In a May 18 article, Xinhua explained the competitive edge that Chinese nuclear reactors have over other countries companies: Chinas banks can provide strong financial support. In June 2014, Chinas state-run Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) agreed to finance CGNs nuclear project in Romania with 10 billion euros (about $11.6 billion), according to Xinhua. Overseas Recruitment Project China also has been aggressively recruiting overseas Chinese and foreign talents to propel the development of its nuclear industry. In 2008, Chinese regime introduced the Thousand Talents plan, a national policy that aims to attract promising science and tech professionals to work in China by providing them with a financial package and guaranteed employment with a leadership or professional position at a university, research institute, or state-owned enterprise. Three employees at CNNC were recruited through the Thousand Talents Plan in 2013, according to the official website of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC). Among the three was Cui Daqing, a former research scientist at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden and the Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU), a research center under the European Union. Cui received a one-time payment of 1 million yuan ($146,417) when he took the CNNC job. Another recruit is Michael Scott Smith, a former group leader and distinguished scientist at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a U.S. laboratory sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Smith was awarded a one-time payment of 500,000 yuan ($73,208). And before Yun Di returned to China in 2015 and became a professor at the School of Energy and Power Engineering at Xian Jiaotong University in Xian City, Shaanxi Province, he worked at the Argonne National Laboratory, another of DOEs national laboratories, according to the universitys official website. According to the official website of the Thousand Talents Plan, Chinas state-run nuclear research center, the Institute of Nuclear Energy Safety Technology, successfully recruited four overseas experts as of August 2013. Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Chinese premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 3, 2016. (Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images) China Hints That Leaders Are Holding Annual Beidaihe Conclave BEIJINGChinese state media has given the first hint that an annual conclave of senior leaders is occurring at the resort of Beidaihe, through a report that says the head of the regimes Organization Department had visited government workers who are vacationing there. Traditionally, top party leaders visit the seaside town every summer in an unofficial retreat to discuss personnel moves and policy ideas behind closed doors. Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have not appeared on the main evening news since the start of the month, when they are normally on almost daily, suggesting they might have been in Beidaihe. In a short dispatch on the evening of Aug. 4, the state-run Xinhua news agency said that Chen Xi, who, as head of the Organization Department, oversees the ruling Chinese Communist Partys personnel decisions, had been entrusted by Xi to visit vacationing experts in Beidaihe. The note said Vice Premier Hu Chunhua had accompanied Chen. The retreat is often kept secret by the Party. This years meeting would be the first since Xi cemented his power by scrapping presidential term limits at the start of his second five-year term in March. Since then, he has faced an escalating trade war with the United States, development pains with his signature One Belt, One Road infrastructure initiative, and disquiet among sections of the political elite over the Communist Partys increasingly nationalistic rhetoric. Unidentified people with ties to the leadership and foreign diplomats have told Reuters that the Beidaihe meeting was likely to happen in early August. Xis next meeting with a visiting foreign leader isnt expected until mid-August, when he is due to have talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Chinas State Council Information Office, which doubles as the party spokesmans office, didnt immediately respond to a faxed request for comment. Beidaihe, about two hours east of Beijing by high-speed train, is steeped in Party history, although sources with ties to the leadership say Xi doesnt like the place. The resort started as a spot for Western missionaries and traders to escape the summer heat in the late 19th century, though few of those buildings still stand. After the communist takeover in 1949, it became a venue for leaders to relax with family and talk in private with peers. Whats on the Agenda Insider sources told Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily on July 14 that major errors committed by Party officials would be at the top of the agenda at Beidaihe. Following weeks of negative repercussions for the Chinese economy as a result of U.S.China trade war, as well as major public scandals such as the spread of faulty vaccines for children, there is much for the Party leadership to discuss. Recently, unusual state media coverage and a quickly-convened political meeting led observers to speculate that the Party elite is displeased with how Xi has handled the trade war. Former Chinese senior military officer and princeling Luo Yu told Radio Free Asia in a July 20 interview that he predicts the U.S.China trade war will be a key topic of discussion, given the recent spate of online criticisms toward Xi that has been circulating on the internet. Something Unusual Meanwhile, the choice of Chen Xi to visit the vacationing experts is unusual because in past years, it was typically the secretary of the Partys central Secretariat office that had that responsibility. That position is currently held by Wang Huning, a key political strategist for Xi and a member of the most powerful decision-making body in the Party, the Politburo Standing Committee. But last month, some Chinese media reported that Wang may be in trouble amid the post trade-war Party turmoil, because Wang is the chief mastermind behind many of the Partys major propaganda campaigns. Reporting by Philip Wen and Ben Blanchard. Epoch Times staff member Annie Wu contributed to this report. Chinas Unipec Suspends US Oil Imports as Trade Spat Intensifies SINGAPORE/BEIJINGChinas Unipec, the trading arm of the state-run oil company Sinopec, has suspended crude oil imports from the United States because of the growing trade spat between Washington and Beijing, three people familiar with the situation said on Aug. 3. The people declined to be identified as they arent authorized to speak to the media. While it isnt clear how long the temporary halt will last, one of the people said Unipec has no new bookings of U.S. crude until at least October. Unipec and Sinopec, Asias largest refiner and biggest buyer of U.S. oil, didnt respond to requests for comment. Chinese buyers had already slowed their purchases of U.S. oil to avoid a likely import tariff threatened by Beijing, amid the escalating trade dispute between the worlds two largest economies. Beijing has put U.S. energy products, including crude oil and refined products, on a list of goods it will hit with a 25 percent import tax, in retaliation for similar moves by Washington. The government has not said when it will impose the tariffs. Unipec said earlier this year it expects to trade up to 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) of U.S. crude oil by the end of the year, about triple its trading volume of U.S. oil last year. Chinas crude oil imports from the United States reached an average of 334,880 bpd in the first eight months of this year, according to trade-flows data on Thomson Reuters Eikon. The amount of U.S. crude arriving in September is expect to fall to 197,515 bpd, as only three supertankers are en route to China, the data showed. The absence of China, the largest buyer of U.S. crude after Canada, has partly weighed on U.S. spot crude prices, making them more affordable for other buyers in Asia. Unipec will continue trading U.S. crude, selling the oil to Europe, one of the people said. Still, it is unlikely to ship any of the oil to the east as it no longer has a backstop for the oil if it cannot find a buyer at the right price during the voyage, said three traders that participate in the market. Chinas prohibitive import tariff, which amounts to about $18 a barrel when crude is at $70, has also deterred other Chinese buyers, such as state-owned companies PetroChina, as well as state-controlled Zhenhua Oil and independent refiners, from importing U.S. crude, they said. Meanwhile, a narrower price spread between the Brent and Dubai crude benchmarks has made oil from Europe and Africathat is similar in quality to U.S. crudemore affordable for China. Chinas oil imports from West Africa are set to rebound in August to 1.6 million bpd, the highest since May, according to data on Eikon. Unipec also has bought oil from the North Sea Fortiesoff the coast of the United Kingdomand Russian Urals last month for September delivery when the arbitrage opened, trade sources said. By Florence Tan and Josephine Mason Senator Dianne Feinstein in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on May 16, 2018. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) Feinsteins Ties to China Extend Beyond Chinese Spy News Analysis Last weeks revelations that a Chinese spy served on the staff of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) for almost 20 years, should be shocking no one. The unidentified agent, who was in place as recently as five years ago, was Feinsteins driver. He also served as a gofer in her Bay Area office and a liaison to the Asian-American community. He sometimes attended functions at the Chinese consulate, as a stand-in for the senator. At the time the spy was discovered by the FBI, Feinstein was chairwoman of the Senate intelligence committee. Feinstein says she forced the agent into retirement, but no other staff were informed of the circumstances behind his exit, and no charges were filed. Feinstein had been warned two decades ago that she might be targeted by Chinese intelligence. The senator issued a statement on March 10, 1997, that the FBI had warned her and five other senators that the Chinese government might try to funnel illegal contributions to her campaign and other Congressional campaigns, but she said the information had not influenced her position or her vote on any issue, according to The New York Times. [Feinstein] said that while the information was vague and nonspecific, she had concluded that she should be very cautious in dealing with Asian-American contributors, the NY Times report stated. Feinstein would obviously be of interest to Chinese intelligence for the classified information she might possess through her position on the intelligence committee. She might also be the target of influence operationsa subtler approach, by which Chinese operatives would try to steer Feinstein into promoting policies that might benefit the Chinese regime. According to the article, For many years, Ms. Feinstein has tried to promote friendship and trade with China, and she has countered critics of the Chinese human-rights record by emphasizing what she described in a Senate speech last year as major improvements in human rights there. Conciliatory to Communists Feinsteins conciliatory approach to communist governments began in the mid-1950s, when she served in the Stanford University student government. Before her senior year, Dianne Goldman, as she was then known, traveled to Europe on a student trip led by Stanford political science professor, James T. Watkins. The agenda included a possible meeting with Yugoslav communist revolutionary Marshal Josip Broz Tito. In January 1955, a vigorous debate erupted on the Stanford student executive, over whether to support a proposed visit of seven Soviet journalists to the United States. According to Stanford Daily reports of the time, executive member Sam Palmer asserted that nothing can be lost in allowing them to come over. He was supported by both Goldman and Don Peck, who claimed that it was important to show Russia that the United States is not an Iron Curtain countrythat we are willing to let Communists enter. The ayes won, and Goldman went on to personally host the delegation from the Soviet Writers Union when they toured Stanfords campus later that year. Thirty years later, while serving as mayor of San Francisco, Feinstein issued an official city proclamation in support of that years World Festival of Youth and Students, held in Moscow. This international propaganda event was organized by the Soviet-controlled World Federation of Democratic Youth and was supported in the United States by the Communist Party USA and similar groups. Feinstein traveled to Moscow in December of that year as part of a trade delegation of 450 U.S. businessmen and public officials. A little over a year later, on Jan. 27, 1987, Soviet Consul General Valentin Kamenev presented Feinstein with a Soviet streetcar: A streetcar named desire. Also present at the ceremony was Viktor Zhelezny, deputy chief of public transport for the Russian Republic. Bridges to Communist China Building bridges to the Peoples Republic of China, however, seems to have been an even higher priority for Feinstein. One of Feinsteins first acts on becoming mayor of San Francisco in January 1979, was to visit Shanghai to establish sister-city relations. The next apparent priority was re-establishing passenger airline service between China and the United States. Service was restored on Jan. 8, 1981, after a 32-year hiatus when a Boeing 747 with 139 Chinese passengers arrived exactly on time at San Francisco International Airport, according to The New York Times. Feinstein and Chinese Consul General Hu Ding-yi held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which included a cake, decorated with CAAC [Civil Aviation Administration of China] Welcome to San Francisco, and two bottles of champagne. Feinstein described the landing as an historic and exciting occasion. Feinstein went on to visit Shanghai several times in her official capacity and built a close personal relationship with then-Mayor Jiang Zemin. According to the San Jose Mercury: He [Jiang] once invited her and her husband to see Mao Tse-tungs bedroom in his old residence, the first foreigners to do so. Feinstein had entertained Jiang in San Francisco, dancing with him as he sang When We Were Young.' This relationship proved fruitful in 1999, when President Bill Clinton was pushing to bring China into the World Trade Organization. A visit to Washington that year by Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji, which many had hoped would seal the deal, produced nothing. Relations got even worse after U.S. bombers accidentally destroyed the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade that May. Feinstein, stepped in to offer assistance to the administration. She volunteered to use her personal relationship with now-Chinese regime leader Jiang, to get negotiations back on track. In August 1999, the White House dispatched Feinstein to China, with a hand-written note to Jiang from President Clinton, urging a resumption of talks. Senator Feinstein played a critical role in paving the way for this critical trade agreement, White House press officer Elizabeth Newman said. Feinstein and Jiang met Aug. 16 in the Chinese coastal city of Dalian, where the senator handed over President Clintons letter. In an interview with the San Jose Mercury in November 1999, Feinstein said, that she felt the only way China would enter into WTO negotiations again was with the backing of Jiang. Feinstein said, in offering her services as an intermediary to Clinton and national security adviser Sandy Berger, I said Id be prepared to do it if they felt it would be helpful, and they said they did think it would be helpful and please do it. Jiang was receptive and particularly pleased that Clinton had taken the time to personally write a note to him, Feinstein said. I think he listened, and we had substantial discussions on the subject. I was successful in getting the Chinese interested in beginning to resume negotiations on the subject, Feinstein said in the November 1999 interview. Human Rights Significantly, Feinstein said she expected approval of the new trade status, which would remove the annual congressional review that many believe continues to put pressure on China to reform its economy and human-rights record. In other words, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would get the trade status it coveted, without having to do anything of significance to improve its abysmal human-rights record. China was admitted to the World Trade Organization and has used that trade access to build the worlds second-strongest economy, and a world-class military. If anything, the CCPs human-rights record is worse today. Certainly, their repressive technologies are far more powerful. At the time, Feinsteins colleague, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) expressed grave concerns about the deal. Once they get permanent (normal trade relations status), all leverage from the US on behalf of business is over because they have what they want permanently, Pelosi said, in the San Jose Mercury article. They have violated their agreements in terms of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, they have violated their agreements in terms of trade, they have violated their agreements on international covenants on human rights. Why is that we think they are then going to honor their commitments they make for WTO? All in all, it was an incredible victory for the Chinese government. Feinstein has done more for the CCP than any other serving U.S. politician. Correction: A previous version of this article misstated who led Dianne Feinsteins student trip to Europe. The trip was led by Stanford political science professor, James T. Watkins. The Epoch Times regrets the error. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida can be seen on Feb. 17, 2018. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Florida District Denied School Shooters Request for Therapeutic Services Nikolas Cruz, who has admitted to the mass shooting in a Florida high school earlier this year was denied therapeutic services intended to help disabled students. Mounting evidence suggests that he was incapable of managing at school without these services. Cruz faces a number of charges after he is suspected of entering Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in February and killing 17 students and teachers, leaving 16 others wounded. Although gun control was the issue initially thrust into public focus after the crime, with the March For Our Lives set up in the aftermath, the new report is the latest that has highlighted a host of major failures by law enforcement and education officials. The report was prepared by the Collaborative Educational Network (CEN) of Tallahassee and commissioned by the Broward County Public Schools. Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer ordered that the report be released publicly, but with nearly two-thirds of its contents blacked out. However, pasting the text into another computer file revealed the full report, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. The report showed that school officials in two cases did not follow the state or federal laws regarding students with disabilities. In one instance, school officials misstated Cruzs options when he was kicked out of school during his junior year, leading him to refuse special education services. Later, Cruz specifically requested to return to the therapeutic environment of Cross Creek School for special education students, but the district did not follow through, the consultant stated. Because of the failure to follow the laws, Cruz had no school counselling or other special education services in the 14 months leading up to the shooting on Feb. 14, reported the Sun-Sentinel, citing the CEN report. However, Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie, claimed the report shows that the districts systems are appropriate and that the district worked consistently to provide an education and ongoing, changing behavioral care for Cruz throughout his time in the Broward school system. Series of Revelations The report is the latest in a series of revelations that have highlighted major failures by the Broward County Sheriffs Office and school district, along with the FBI. The FBI was alerted by multiple people, including a Mississippi man, about Cruz before the shooting. Cruz was making comments online that concerned people, including one that stated: Im [sic] going to be a professional school shooter. Meanwhile, the sheriffs office was called about Cruz dozens of times over the years. On many occasions it was his late, adoptive mother calling the police, telling them about his tendencies to kill animals and take their body parts as souvenirs and the like. A controversial promise program in the countys schools led to a culture of leniency. If a student commits a non-violent misdemeanor, the program allows for the offence to be handled within the school system and wiped of their record the following year, provided the offence is not repeated. Hunter Pollack, whose sister Meadow Pollack was killed in the shooting, blamed the policy for the shooting. Police radio dispatches from the massacre have the schools security officer, Scot Peterson, reporting that the gunshots he could hear were coming from within the school. However, he remained outside. Later he claimed through a statement from his lawyer that he believed the shots that he could here were coming from outside. From NTD.tv GE Engineer Charged With Theft and Transfer of Turbine Technology to China An engineer of Chinese nationality was charged with stealing trade secrets from his U.S. employer, General Electric (GE), and transmitting the information to companies in China. Zheng Xiaoqing, 56, of Niskayuna, New York, was arrested by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) on Aug. 1. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Charges against Zheng relate to an incident on July 5 when he stole digital files relating to GEs turbine technology. Prosecutors said in a statement: Zheng is alleged to have used steganography [a type of encrypted technology] to hide data files belonging to GE into an innocuous looking digital picture of a sunset, and then to have emailed the digital picture, which contained the stolen GE data files, to Zhengs (private) email account. Zheng was hired by GE in 2008. He has been suspected by his company for years, according to the federal criminal complaint. GE installed monitoring software on Zhengs computer(s) in an attempt to determine what information he was encrypting, and what he was doing with the information, according to the complaint obtained by the Albany Times Union. Zheng is a naturalized U.S. citizen who also holds citizenship in China. When the FBI searched Zhengs home, they found from his passport that Zheng had been to China five times in the past two years. They also seized a handbook that described resources the Chinese regime provided to people who provide certain technological know-how to the regime. Federal investigators said they found out Zheng was involved in several aviation technology companies in China, some of which were funded by Beijing. In addition, Zheng previously told officials at GE that he and his brothers own a technology company in Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, that supplies parts for civil aviation engines. Turbine technology can be used for wind power generation, which is a new energy industry that Beijing wishes to further develop for its national interests. Many Chinese firms get financial support from the central authorities. The GE case is not the first instance of intellectual property theft in the turbine industry. In January, Chinese wind turbine maker Sinovel Wind Group Co. was convicted of federal charges that it stole trade secrets from AMSC, an American energy technology company, that resulted in losses of over $800 million for AMSC. Modern life seems to encourage acceleration for the sake of acceleration to what end?(JoeyCheung/Shutterstock) In Praise of Doing Nothing In the 1950s, scholars worried that thanks to technological innovations, Americans wouldnt know what to do with all of their leisure time. Yet today, as sociologist Juliet Schor notes, Americans are overworked, putting in more hours than at any time since the Depression, and more than in any other in Western society. Its probably not unrelated to the fact that instant and constant access has become de rigueur, and our devices constantly expose us to a barrage of colliding and clamoring messages: Urgent, Breaking News, For immediate release, Answer needed ASAP. It disturbs our leisure time, our family timeeven our consciousness. Over the past decade, Ive tried to understand the social and psychological effects of our growing interactions with new information and communication technologies, a topic I examine in my book The Terminal Self: Everyday Life in Hypermodern Times. In this 24/7, always on age, the prospect of doing nothing might sound unrealistic and unreasonable. But its never been more important. Acceleration for the Sake of Acceleration In an age of incredible advancements that can enhance our human potential and planetary health, why does daily life seem so overwhelming and anxiety-inducing? Why arent things easier? Its a complex question, but one way to explain this irrational state of affairs is something called the force of acceleration. According to German critical theorist Hartmut Rosa, accelerated technological developments have driven the acceleration in the pace of change in social institutions. We see this on factory floors, where just-in-time manufacturing demands maximum efficiency and the ability to nimbly respond to market forces, and in university classrooms, where computer software instructs teachers how to move students quickly through the material. Whether its in the grocery store or in the airport, procedures are implemented, for better or for worse, with one goal in mind: speed. Noticeable acceleration began more than two centuries ago, during the Industrial Revolution. But this acceleration has itself accelerated. Guided by neither logical objectives nor agreed-upon rationale, propelled by its own momentum, and encountering little resistance, acceleration seems to have begotten more acceleration, for the sake of acceleration. To Rosa, this acceleration eerily mimics the criteria of a totalitarian power: 1) it exerts pressure on the wills and actions of subjects; 2) it is inescapable; 3) it is all-pervasive, and 4) it is hard or almost impossible to criticize and fight. The Oppression of Speed Unchecked acceleration has consequences. At the environmental level, it extracts resources from nature faster than they can replenish themselves and produces waste faster than it can be processed. At the personal level, it distorts how we experience time and space. It deteriorates how we approach our everyday activities, deforms how we relate to each other and erodes a stable sense of self. It leads to burnout at one end of the continuum and to depression at the other. Cognitively, it inhibits sustained focus and critical evaluation. Physiologically, it can stress our bodies and disrupt vital functions. For example, research finds two to three times more self-reported health problems, from anxiety to sleeping issues, among workers who frequently work in high-speed environments compared with those who do not. When our environment accelerates, we must pedal faster in order to keep up with the pace. Workers receive more emails than ever beforea number thats only expected to grow. The more emails you receive, the more time you need to process them. It requires that you either accomplish this or another task in less time, that you perform several tasks at once, or that you take less time in between reading and responding to emails. American workers productivity has increased dramatically since 1973. What has also increased sharply during that same period is the pay gap between productivity and pay. While productivity between 1973 and 2016 has increased by 73.7 percent, hourly pay has increased by only 12.5 percent. In other words, productivity has increased at about six times the rate of hourly pay. Clearly, acceleration demands more workand to what end? There are only so many hours in a day, and this additional expenditure of energy reduces individuals ability to engage in lifes essential activities: family, leisure, community, citizenship, spiritual yearnings, and self-development. Its a vicious loop: Acceleration imposes more stress on individuals and curtails their ability to manage its effects, thereby worsening it. Doing Nothing and Being In a hypermodern society propelled by the twin engines of acceleration and excess, doing nothing is equated with waste, laziness, lack of ambition, boredom or down time. An ad for Microsoft Office stresses the importance of being able to always work. (Microsoft) But this betrays a rather instrumental grasp of human existence. Much researchand many spiritual and philosophical systemssuggest that detaching from daily concerns and spending time in simple reflection and contemplation are essential to health, sanity, and personal growth. Similarly, to equate doing nothing with nonproductivity betrays a short-sighted understanding of productivity. In fact, psychological research suggests that doing nothing is essential for creativity and innovation, and a persons seeming inactivity might actually cultivate new insights, inventions or melodies. As legends go, Isaac Newton grasped the law of gravity sitting under an apple tree. Archimedes discovered the law of buoyancy relaxing in his bathtub, while Albert Einstein was well-known for staring for hours into space in his office. The academic sabbatical is centered on the understanding that the mind needs to rest and be allowed to explore in order to germinate new ideas. Doing nothingor just beingis as important to human well-being as doing something. The key is to balance the two. Taking Your Foot Off the Pedal Since it will probably be difficult to go cold turkey from an accelerated pace of existence to doing nothing, one first step consists in decelerating. One relatively easy way to do so is to simply turn off all the technological devices that connect us to the internetat least for a whileand assess what happens to us when we do. Danish researchers found that students who disconnected from Facebook for just one week reported notable increases in life satisfaction and positive emotions. In another experiment, neuroscientists who went on a nature trip reported enhanced cognitive performance. Different social movements are addressing the problem of acceleration. The Slow Food movement, for example, is a grassroots campaign that advocates a form of deceleration by rejecting fast food and factory farming. As we race along, it seems as though were not taking the time to seriously examine the rationale behind our frenetic livesand mistakenly assume that those who are very busy must be involved in important projects. Touted by the mass media and corporate culture, this credo of busyness contradicts both how most people in our society define the good life and the tenets of many Eastern philosophies that extol the virtue and power of stillness. French philosopher Albert Camus perhaps put it best when he wrote, Idleness is fatal only to the mediocre. Simon Gottschalk is a professor of sociology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Italys government fired the opening salvo in what promises to be a fractious period of negotiations ahead of the 2019 budget, in a high-stakes process thats already sparking investor concern. As budget talks kicked off in Rome on Aug. 3, the two parties in the ruling coalition pledged to start implementing their bold spending plans next year, risking putting Premier Giuseppe Contes cabinet on a collision course with European Union partners. A spike in the yield of Italys 2.3-trillion-euro ($2.7 trillion) public debt on Aug. 3 showed how closely markets will be following the talks. The budget discussions will be key to gauging whether Finance Minister Giovanni Triaa university professor with no previous political experiencewill be able to withstand pressure from Contes political sponsors to deliver on their electoral promises. Tria has pledged to keep the deficit within the EUs limit of 3 percent of gross domestic product. We have agreed on the economic and financial planning that will be presented in September, Conte said in a statement after meeting with Tria, Deputy Premier and Five Star Movement leader Luigi Di Maio, Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero, Europe Minister Paolo Savona and Cabinet Undersecretary Giancarlo Giorgetti. Conte gave no details on budget figures. The outcome of the meeting confirms that the governments spending plans are compatible with current budget targets, Tria said in a statement. Sweeping Measures The governments coalition agreement calls for sweeping fiscal measures. The anti-immigration League wants tax cuts for businesses and individuals while the Five Star Movement, Italys largest party, wants to introduce a so-called citizens income for the poor, with spending projected to rise as much as 120 billion euros in the first full year, according to calculations by Carlo Cottarelli, a former International Monetary Fund executive who nearly became premier himself. Italys government is due to set new public-finance targets in late September and to submit a draft budget to the European Union for review by October 15. The budget law will have to be finally approved by the Rome-based parliament by year-end. What we have to wait for is for the final proposal because in this period you will have meetings, you will have Twitter, you will have politicians saying we will spend a lot, Carlo Messina, chief executive officer of Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Aug. 3. We have to go back to reality, and reality is you cant make expenditure if you dont have inflows. In July, Tria told Bloomberg News in an interview that the government wont pass any supplementary budget adjustments this year and will stay within the deficit and debt forecasts set by the previous administration. That means a deficit of 1.6 percent of GDP and a debt ratio of 130.8 percent. Yet Di Maio confirmed on Aug. 2 that the citizens income draft law will be presented to parliament shortly. As the government geared up for the meeting, Italian bonds suffered amid resurgent concerns about a trade war. Returns on the countrys debt rose for a third day on Aug. 3, with 10-year yields rising above 3 percent for the first time in almost two months. Meetings on the budget law, or even rumor of them, is clearly having an impact on Italys bond yields, said Vincenzo Longo, analyst at IG Markets in Milan. This is going to be the biggest theme for Italian markets for the autumn. American Bison (also known as Buffalo) join the morning commute on Highway 89 at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on June 1, 2011. (Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images) Man Arrested for Making Bison Charge Him at Yellowstone National Park An Oregon man was arrested on Aug. 2 for harassing a bison at Yellowstone National Park days earlier. In a video posted on Facebook, Raymond Reinke of Oregon can be seen pursuing a bison in traffic. The bison momentarily steps off the roadway, but Reinke ushers the bison back towards him as he stands amidst the traffic jam. The bison charges but he evades the charge. The footage of Reinke getting charged multiple times by the bison went viral on social media. The video has 8.5 million views, 128,000 shares, and 13,000 comments at the time of writing. Reinke was traveling between multiple national parks, allegedly causing disturbances in three separate incidents that involved law enforcement, according to a press release from the National Park Service. Meanwhile in Yellowstone National Park#dontdrinkandbuffalolicensing@viralhog.com Posted by Lindsey Jones on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 He was first arrested on July 28 at Grand Teton National Park where he spent a night in jail for drunken and disorderly conduct before his release on bond. On July 31 he was stopped by park rangers for a traffic violation in Yellowstone National Park. He appeared to be intoxicated and argumentative. Rangers cited him as a passenger for failure to wear a seatbelt. Authorities said that after that incident, they were alerted by other visitors that a man was harassing wildlife. They found Reinke later that evening and issued a citation. The video of the crime emerged after the citation was issued. After connecting Reinkes incidents, and seeing the wildlife violation, the Assistant U.S. Attorney canceled Reinkes bond and issued a warrant for his arrest. Authorities found Reinke at Glacier National Park, when rangers received a call about an argument in the dining room of a hotel. Reinke happened to be involved in the argument. Official Supervision Is No Solution for Chinas Vaccine Scandals The Changchun Changsheng Bio-tech scandal, involving over 250,000 faulty doses of the DPT infant vaccine, has further diminished the Chinese peoples trust in the authorities, just days after an expose of a defective rabies vaccine. Including chairwoman Gao Junfang, 18 Changsheng executives have been arrested and placed under investigation by local authorities in Changchun, the northeastern Chinese city where the company is based. Chinas pharmaceutical industry enjoys a captive market due to state regulations that mandate universal vaccination, and because of the close relationship between the authorities and drug companies. Such a lucrative business is full of opportunities for abuse. Examples abound: also in July, there was a mass recall of Valsartan, a drug exported to 22 countries in Europe and North America, when it was discovered to contain carcinogenic components made by Chinas Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals. Three high-profile tainted vaccine scandals that occurred in 2006 in Shanxi Province and in 2013 and 2015 in Shandong Province caused serious damage and show how private companies and SOEs collude with state authorities to maximize their profits at the expense of the peoples lives. White Gloves Changsheng is not the only recent culprit in the manufacture of substandard vaccines. Thousands of miles to the south, Wuhan Institute of Biological Products (WIBP) was found to have produced 400,000 doses of defective DPT vaccines, yet was let off with little more than a fine. Superficially, the reason for this is obvious: WIBP is a fully state-owned enterprise (SOE) while Changchun Changsheng is a private company not afforded the same political protections. But the truth may not be so simple. Changsheng, founded in 1992, was split off from the state-owned Changchun Institute of Biological Products (CIBP). Gao Junfang, who worked in CIBP as a cashier, appropriated a large amount of public equipment for use at her new company a common practice during Chinas reform period. The head of a company in China is often not the true owner. Rather, he or she is just a stand-in, known in Chinese as a white glove, for an elusive boss, typically someone from a powerful family in the upper echelons of the Chinese political structure. Barring a high-level political struggle, any scandal involving the company would at worst result in the white glove being punished as a scapegoat, as happened to Gao Junfang. In 2006, joint regulations issued by the Shanxi provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Shanxi Health Bureau required all vaccines used in the province bear a CDC label of certification a measure taken to impose monopoly over the vaccination business. An act of criminal negligence followed: Li Wenyuan, Shanxi DCD director, appointed Tian Jianguo to head the Provincial Biological Products Distribution Center. having no professional background in pharmaceuticals, Tian ordered temporary workers to move vaccines from cold storage and apply labels to them in a hot warehouse. After prolonged exposure to heat, the vaccines were tainted. In the process, the company that Tian had commissioned to do the job made almost 100 million yuan (about $15 million). When news of the scandal broke, Shanxi authorities neither investigated nor prosecuted the two primary culprits, Li Wenyuan and Tian Jianguo. In fact, the government shielded them from lawsuit by parents of the victims; the court refused to take the cases. Even the central authorities stepped in to protect the vested interests. Officials from the Ministry of Health conducted an investigation of the incident and determined that Shanxi had not reported a higher number of post-vaccination reaction reports than was normal compared with nationwide or even international averages. Meanwhile, the China Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded that a sample of Shanxi vaccines had passed regulations. Punishing the Good While the authorities took no action to punish those responsible in the Shanxi vaccine scandal, it did crack down on those who exposed the crime. Wang Keqin, the reporter from China Economic Times who wrote an article called An Investigation of the Shanxi Vaccine Chaos, was fired, as was the chief editor who approved the publication of the report. Chinese regime policy makes unsafe pharmaceuticals a low-cost, low-risk, and high profit business, while rendering protection of patients rights nearly impossible. The sale of faulty vaccines that cause serious damage or even death in children is not punished as long as the vaccine is government-approved. Meanwhile, for the sake of vested interests, those who import and sell genuine vaccines can be prosecuted. Around the same time as the vaccine scandals that filled the news this July, four people were given prison terms between four and seven years for selling fake drugs. The fake drug in question is a vaccine made by Pfizer. Since July 2013, Chinese authorities stopped issuing licenses for Pfizers Pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine. As a result, this vaccine was unavailable in China for three years. Shanghais Meihua Clinic helped parents obtain the Pfizer vaccine from overseas suppliers, and was discovered by the authorities. Despite intense petitioning on the part of the customers, who vouched for the vaccines efficacy and authentic manufacture with certificates from Pfizer, the court stood by its verdict calling the vaccine fake. Vaccine scandals are only the tip of the iceberg of the malevolence that permeates todays China. For the last couple decades, there are been endless reports of poisonous products, from pork made from festering pig carcasses to melamine-tainted milk powder. It has become a contemporary Chinese saying that no one makes a product that he dares use for himself. people say that everybody is making product that never will be used by himself. The normal function of government is merely to enforce the law, while popular morality is maintained by religious faith. But in China, the Communist Party systematically destroyed all religion. What replaced it was the endless struggle of Party culture. Any schemes to get the Party authorities to address the perennial vaccine scandals that plague China are for naught, for the Party itself is the problems root. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi speaks at the official opening of a PepsiCo Bottling Group plant in Domodedovo, Russia on July 8, 2009. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP/Getty Images ) PepsiCo Executive Ramon Laguarta to Replace Indra Nooyi as CEO PepsiCo Inc said on Aug. 6 that Indra Nooyi would step down as its longtime chief executive officer, handing over the reins to company veteran Ramon Laguarta at a time the beverage maker navigates a shrinking global soda market. Laguarta will take over on Oct. 3 and will also join the board, the company said in a statement. A 22-year veteran of PepsiCo, Laguarta oversaw global operations, corporate strategy, public policy, and government affairs in his role as president. He has also served as CEO of the companys Europe Sub-Saharan Africa division. He was elevated to president in September of last year and was widely expected to succeed Nooyi, though at the time of his appointment Nooyi said she would remain CEO for the foreseeable future. Ramon Laguarta is exactly the right person to help build on @PepsiCos strong position and success. He has been a critical partner and friend and I am positive that he will take PepsiCo to new and greater heights in the years to come, Nooyi tweeted on Monday. Under Nooyis 12-year tenure as CEO, she has boosted sales of the Mountain Dew and Gatorade maker to $63.5 billion, up 80 percent from when she started. The companys share price has risen 78 percent in the same period. Ramon Laguarta is exactly the right person to help build on @PepsiCo's strong position and success. He has been a critical partner and friend and I am positive that he will take PepsiCo to new and greater heights in the years to come. https://t.co/sSNfPgVK6W Indra Nooyi (@IndraNooyi) August 6, 2018 Today is a day of mixed emotions for me. @PepsiCo has been my life for 24 years & part of my heart will always remain here. I'm proud of what we've done & excited for the future. I believe PepsiCos best days are yet to come. https://t.co/sSNfPgVK6W pic.twitter.com/170vIBHY5R Indra Nooyi (@IndraNooyi) August 6, 2018 She is also largely credited with re-shaping and expanding as consumers shifted away from sodas and focused on healthy foods. Recently, she has focused on reinvigorating sales of its marquee sodas by stepping up marketing efforts, in a bid to win market share from Coca-Cola Co. With a deep understanding of PepsiCos international operations, and a broader understanding of the total company portfolio in his role as president, we believe that Laguarta is well-placed to continue executing on PepsiCos current strategy, analysts at Cowen & Co said. Nooyi will remain chairman of the board until early 2019. PepsiCos shares were up marginally in premarket trading on Monday. People react following an earthquake in Ampenan district, Mataram, Lombok, Indonesia Aug. 5, 2018, in this photo taken by Antara Foto. (Antara Foto/Ahmad Subaidi/ via Reuters) Powerful Quake on Indonesias Lombok Island Kills 91 MATARAM, IndonesiaDaybreak revealed chaos and destruction across the Indonesian resort island of Lombok on August 6, after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake killed at least 91 people and prompted an exodus of tourists rattled by the second powerful quake in a week. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said the death toll was expected to rise as information comes in from areas where thousands of buildings collapsed or were badly damaged, especially in the north, the quakes epicenter. Power and communications were cut in some areas of Lombok, and the military said it was sending in a vessel with medical aid, supplies and logistical support for the island. Lombok was hit a week earlier, on July 29, by a 6.4 magnitude quake that killed 17 people, injured hundreds and briefly stranded several hundred trekkers on the slopes of a volcano. The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) said that more than 120 aftershocks were recorded after Sunday evenings quake, whose magnitude the U.S. Geological Survey revised down to 6.9 from an original 7.0. There were no foreigners among the dead and the number of injured stood at 209, BNPB spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told a news conference. The tremor was so powerful it was felt on the neighboring island of Bali where, according to BNPB, two people died. This is it for me in Indonesia Long lines formed at the airport of Lomboks main town, Mataram, as foreign visitors cut their holidays short. The Garuda Indonesia airline said it was adding extra flights from Lombok to help tourists leave. AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes tweeted that the budget airline would try to lay on extra flights, while Indonesian budget carriers Lion Air and Citilink said there had been a jump in demand for outbound flights from Lombok and Bali. I was at the rooftop of my hotel and the building started swaying very hard. It felt like two metres to the left, then two metres to the right, I could not stand up, said Gino Poggiali, a 43-year-old Frenchman, who was with his wife and two children, at the Lombok airport. His wife Maude, 44, said the family were on Bali for the first quake and Lombok for the second. This is it for me in Indonesia, she said. Next time we will stay in France or somewhere close. Carlos Romartinez, a 24-year-old Spaniard who was also waiting for a flight out of Lombok, said he had decided to head instead to the island of Flores to the east. All the activities are shut down. We cant dive, we cant do anything so we will go to another island, he said. Dutch tourist Marc Ganbuwalba injured his knee as a stampede of diners rushed from a restaurant after the quake. We are cutting short our holiday because I cant walk and were just not in the mood anymore, more in the mood to see our loved ones, said the 26-year-old, sitting on a trolley with his leg bandaged. We are just thankful to god and also to the hotel staff who really helped us. Some of them said their own houses had been destroyed but they were still helping us. Screams, Shaking, Cracks About 1,000 foreign and domestic tourists were evacuated in boats from the three Gili islands off the northwest coast of Lombok, BNPB spokesman Nugroho said via Twitter. No tourists died on the Gilis, he said. Singapore Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, who was on the 10th floor of a hotel in Mataram when the quake struck, said that his room shook violently and walls cracked. It was quite impossible to stand up. Heard screams. Came out, and made my way down a staircase, while building was still shaking. Power went out for a while. Lots of cracks, fallen doors, he wrote on Facebook. His government issued a travel notice on Monday, advising citizens to defer travel to Lombok and urging those currently there to leave. Australias Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton was on the 12th floor of a Lombok hotel when the quake struck. We were knocked certainly to the floor, he told Australian radio. We were pretty lucky to get out. Everyones a bit shaken but all well. By Kanupriya Kapoor The Canadian government called for the immediate release of several jailed civil society and womens rights activists last week, including Samar Badawi (pictured), sister of blogger Rafi Badawi, who was arrested on July 30, 2018, in Saudi Arabia. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Saudi Arabia Freezes Canada Trade Ties, Expels Canadian Ambassador Saudi Arabia has expelled the Canadian Ambassador and frozen trade ties with the nation after a rupture of relations over Canadas interference in the internal affairs of the Islamic kingdom. In a series of tweets on Aug. 5, the Saudi Arabias foreign ministry declared they were expelling the Canadian Ambassador Dennis Horak and were recalling its own envoy in Canada. The kingdom has also frozen all new trade and investment transactions between the two nations. We consider the Canadian ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia persona non grata and order him to leave within the next 24 hours, the tweet said. It comes after Canada demanded the release of several jailed civil society and womens rights activists in the Gulf kingdom last week. In a statement on Aug. 3, Canada said the country was gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in Saudi Arabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful human rights activists. Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in #SaudiArabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists. Foreign Policy CAN (@CanadaFP) August 3, 2018 Earlier that week Canadas Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland tweeted that she was very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. Badawi is the sister of blogger Raif Badawi, who was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2012 for insulting Islam through electronic channels, according to his website. Raif Badawis wife lives in Canada and recently became a Canadian citizen, according to Reuters. Very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi, Raif Badawis sister, has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, and we continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi. Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) August 2, 2018 In response, Saudi Arabia rejected Canadas characterization of the arrests calling the nations claims entirely false and utterly incorrect. The persons referred to were lawfully detained by the public prosecution for committing crimes punishable by applicable law, which also guaranteed the detainees rights and provided them with due process during the investigation and trial, the ministry said in a statement released about an hour after the tweets. #Statement | Throughout its long history, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has never accepted any interference in its domestic affairs by, or orders from any country. pic.twitter.com/sUrj7XIqTV Foreign Ministry ?? (@KSAmofaEN) August 6, 2018 The ministry called Canadas position an overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and is in contravention of the most basic international norms and all the charters governing relations between States. #Statement | The Canadian position is an overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of #SaudiArabia and is in contravention of the most basic international norms and all the charters governing relations between States. Foreign Ministry ?? (@KSAmofaEN) August 5, 2018 They added that they considered Canadas position an attack on the kingdom and deemed it a matter that required a firm stance to deter who attempts to undermine the sovereignty of the KSA. Saudi Arabia also warned that any attempts to meddle with the kingdoms internal affairs will be interpreted as a right to interfere with Canadas internal affairs. Apple, iPhone, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Canadian government is yet to provide a public statement on the situation. Saudi Arabia is currently Canadas second largest export market, according to the Canadian governments website. The kingdom is also an important source of foreign students for Canada, where more than 15,000 Saudi students attend Canadian schools and universities. The Canadian unit of U.S. weapons maker General Dynamics Corp won a 14-year contract worth up to US$13 billion in 2014 to build light-armored vehicles for the Gulf kingdom. It was considered the largest advanced manufacturing export win in Canadian history, Ottawa said at the time. A view of Copper Lake from atop Vesper Peak in Washington state on October 16, 2015. (Credit: ( Copper Lake from Vesper Peak by Maurice King/Flickr[CC BY 2.0 (ept.ms/2haHp2Y)]) Search Continues for Missing Washington State Hiker The search continues for a 28-year-old hiker who has been missing since Aug. 1. Experienced hiker Samantha Sam Sayers went missing after going for a solo hike on Vesper Peak trail at North Cascades in Washington state, according to Fox News. She left for the hike at 8 a.m. She was supposed to check in with her boyfriend by 6 p.m. When he didnt hear back from her, he initiated his own search, The Seattle Times reported. Her boyfriend, Kevin Dares, searched for Sayers in the dark before alerting rangers. Daress sister told The Seattle Times that he again went to look for her in the dark, and again found no one. Dares and his sister then spent $5,000 on a plan to bring her back. Theyve been spreading 150 one-gallon plastic bags with survival items throughout the area. Each bag contains Clif bars, a poncho, socks, a compass, a flashlight, fire sticks, and a lighter, according to The Seattle Times. Also in each bag is the note, Lost person Sam Sayers. Tear off corner of this note and leave in bag so we can track you! Stay strong! We love you and everyone is looking for you. The search effort involves 50 volunteers that work with various search and rescue groups, three teams with trained dogs, and a helicopter rescue team. Sams mother, Lisa Yax Sayers, keeps updates of the search on her Facebook page. It is a massive area that they need to cover, her mother wrote. We are confident in the people running the rescue. They gave us a briefing and showed us a detailed map of where they are searching. They are very deliberate in their efforts. They have so many volunteers, canines units, helicopters. They are uncovering every stone. The Washington Trails Association says Vesper Peak is definitely not for the novice hiker, but for those thirsting for one step beyond hiking into backcountry adventure, its a good leaping off point. From NTD.tv Then-FBI Director James Comey, then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and then-Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan (L-R) testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 10, 2017. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Security Clearances Are Not a Right The White House has proposed removing security clearances for former heads of intelligence agencies, specifically those who have publicly and aggressively attacked not just President Donald Trumps foreign policy, but his loyalty to the country he leads, and have, conveniently, monetized their criticisms. Those primarily in that limelight are former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former CIA Director John Brennan. Clapper was referred to in the Los Angeles Times on Aug. 24, 2017, as a former top spyand with connotations of intrigue and espionage implied, a la John Le Carre. However, his actual career as an intelligence desk jockey hardly qualifies him for the romantic appellation; former top bureaucrat focused on intel matters might be more accurate. Arguably, it is Clapper himself who should be the subject of accusations of treason. Here is an intelligence director with international standing who is undermining the Presidents implementation of foreign policy; Clapper has globally disseminated ridicule and critique in exchange for substantial paychecks from private actorsthe cable news networks, book publishers, and, no doubt, garnering substantial speakers fees from organizations who may not have the best interests of the United States in mind. And his behavior prior to leaving office is hardly beyond reproach. The aforementioned L.A. Times article reported that: Clapper has denied lying to Congress. He says he misspoke a few years ago when he said the United States was not collecting Americans data. Documents leaked by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden later indicated widespread domestic surveillance. Meanwhile, Brennan is currently serving as a senior national security and intelligence analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. USA Today reported in March that Brennan in a venomous tweet accused President Trump of political corruption and warned America will triumph over you.When the full extent of your venality, moral turpitude, and political corruption becomes known, you will take your rightful place as a disgraced demagogue in the dustbin of history. You may scapegoat Andy McCabe, but [you] will not destroy America. America will triumph over you. The ironic postscript, of course, is that McCabe, a former FBI deputy director, is now the subject of a criminal referral originating with the Department of Justice. Jeffrey Smith, a former attorney for the Central Intelligence Agency and the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on PBS that it is beyond inappropriate to remove the clearances. He said it would create an atmosphere of fear, and that it would have a chilling effect, especially on First Amendment rights. His logic is flawed. Those who are no longer intelligence officials have no need or justification for the retention of clearance. As was the case with myself and all other retired FBI agents, the clearances expire on their own after a two-year period, unless there are a review and extension of the clearances. For these retired officials, there is no need for an extension of the clearances, particularly if they are now employed as professional pundits on cable news stations. So to state that the White Houses removal of clearances from retired intelligence officials would have a chilling effect on currently serving intelligence officials is disingenuous, at best. Active intelligence officials are barred, by statute and by internal regulations, from making public disclosures. The revealing of classified information by operational intel officers is generally a crimeoften treasonthat the nation needs to be subject to a chilling effect. It has been suggested that the president would be abusing his authority by stripping these officials of their access to top-secret classified information. However, the affected officials will continue to be capable of teaching college courses, writing books and editorials, and commenting in the media, expressing their opinions, critiques, and insults, concerning all matters and individuals, including public officials, unfettered by the threat of government action, as guaranteed by the First Amendment. But they have no First Amendment or other constitutional or statutory authority that guarantees them access to classified informationparticularly classified information to which they no longer have any professional need for access. Clapper doesnt limit his expressed concern to complaints of a chilling effect on First Amendment free-speech rights. He warns that this may be just the first step, that retirement and other benefits may be revoked following criticism of the White House. But his logic here is flawed as well. The security clearances are privileges, granted by the executive, and revocable if abused. The other matters he enumerates as vulnerable to revocation are rights and earned benefits, and are not subject to abrogation without due process. Historically, former high-profile foreign policy and retired national security officials, particularly cabinet secretaries and retired agency directors, have been guarded in their criticisms of sitting presidents, in order to avoid influencing indirectly the White Houses foreign-policy capabilities. They have applied self-restraint with regard to their personal opinions, saving their commentary for future essays and memoirs. Such respect for tradition has perhaps gone the way of public discourseout the window. But for those intelligence officers who have chosen unseemly and potentially harmful expressions of personal opinion coupled with vindictive hyperbole, it is hardly appropriate for them to whine at the loss of the security clearances whose continued retention is a privilege. A privilege that they have abused. Marc Ruskin, a 27-year veteran of the FBI, is a regular contributor and the author of The Pretender: My Life Undercover for the FBI. He served on the legislative staff of U.S. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan and as an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn, N.Y. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Members of a conservative civic group salute to a U.S. national flag during an anti-North Korea and pro-U.S. protest in Seoul, South Korea, Aug. 4, 2018. (Reuters/Kim Hong-Ji) South Koreas Trump Supporters Hail Guardian of Liberty SEOULEvery time an image of U.S. President Donald Trump appears on TV in South Korea, 69-year-old Vietnam War veteran Chung Seung-jin solemnly salutes. The U.S. flag Chung keeps in his home in Seoul gets similar respect every morning. I salute President Trump and the U.S. flag every day to show how much I trust him, Chung told Reuters as he attended a recent anti-North Korea rally in sweltering summer heat in downtown Seoul. I salute to pay respect to Mr Trump, supporting his reign as the leader of the world and guardian of liberty. For a colorful handful of Trump supporters who gather regularly on the streets of Seoul to call for aggressive action against North Korea, faith in the U.S. president is unshaken. I have saluted Trump today as always with utmost sincerity, said 76-year-old demonstrator Lee Yoon-jo, nodding at a large picture of a beaming Trump at a demonstration in downtown Seoul. A Thankful Brother Country As he saluted, demonstrators held giant U.S. and South Korean flags in front of the U.S. embassy, alongside banners in Korean and English reading The United States is a thankful brother country that has been devoted to a free Korea. Gratitude for U.S. support in the 1950-1953 Korean War as well as anti-communist rhetoric used by the Souths military rulers in the 1970s still resonate with many older South Koreans, said analyst Jeong Chan-dae of Sungkonghoe University. To these elderly conservatives, the U.S. is more than just an ally and more of a savior, he said. Holding a faded black-and-white photograph from his time he fought alongside American allies in the Vietnam War in 1968, Chung said, Without the U.S., South Korea would never have been able to exist. Trump and Kim met in Singapore in June, where they announced an agreement in which Kim reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to denuclearize. A Gallup Korea poll conducted just after the summit found 48 percent of South Korean conservatives thought the meeting went well, compared to 79 percent of progressives. Standing on a corner in Seoul, surrounded by flags and anti-North Korean banners, the small knot of demonstrators are unfazed, noting that Trump could still resort to regime change if a denuclearization deal doesnt pan out. President Trump has always masterfully guided and protected South Korea and the free world and always will, Lee said, again giving a military salute. Thank you, Mr. President. By Jeongmin Kim and Minwoo Park Watch Next: This Year Marks 68 Years Since the Start of the Korean War On June 25, 1950, Communist North Korean troops launched a surprise attack into South Korea. Charlotte Rae, The Facts of Life Actress, Has Passed Away at 92 Charlotte Rae, best known for her role as a housemother in The Facts of Life, has died at the age of 92. The actress passed away at her home in Los Angeles on Aug. 5 surrounded by family, according to publicist Harlan Boll, reported Fox News. Her publicist did not reveal the cause of death, however, Rae told People Magazine in April last year she was diagnosed with bone cancer after defeating pancreatic cancer. Last Monday, I found out I have bone cancer, Rae told the magazine. About seven years ago, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancerwhich is a miracle that they found it because usually, its too late. My mother, sister and my uncle died of pancreatic cancer. After six months of chemotherapy, I was cancer-free. I lost my hair, but I had beautiful wigs. Nobody even knew. The actress, who was born Charlotte Rae Lubotsky in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was a two-time Emmy nominated actress most famous for her role as Mrs. Garrett on the television series Diffrent Strokes and its spinoff The Facts of Life. She played a number of other roles in various television shows, delighting television fans for generations and becoming a household name. She also appeared in a number of Broadway musical performances such as Three Wishes for Jamie, Threepenny Opera, and The Beauty Part. Many celebrities have paid tribute to the beloved actress. Different Strokes would not have been the same without you #CharlotteRae. You were loved by everyone on our show and you were loved by everyone on the facts of life will miss you "My heart is full of Pain" Rest in peace my friend pic.twitter.com/8FbterNz3S Todd Bridges (@ToddBridges) August 6, 2018 She was so sweet, funny, wise, lovely, and brilliant. She will be so missed. Rest In Peace Sweet Charlotte Rae. pic.twitter.com/c7OrehPeb0 Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) August 6, 2018 Rae remained single after her divorce with John Strauss in 1976. She is survived by her son Larry Strauss, sister Miriam Guten and three grandchildren, according to The New York Times. Andy Strauss, her other son, died in 1999. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that it has expanded its voluntary recall of several medications used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. (Remains/iStock) FDA Expands Recall of Blood Pressure, Heart Drug Valsartan The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that it has expanded its voluntary recall of several medications used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. The FDA said that traces of N-nitrosodimethylamine were found in valsartan, the active ingredient in the drug, and it is known to cause cancer. On Aug. 2, the FDA gave an updated list of the drugs that are included in the recall, and they include pills that were made around the world. The new list includes: Valsartan Prinston Pharmaceutical Inc. Valsartan AvKARE Valsartan A-S Medication Solutions LLC Valsartan Bryant Ranch Prepack, Inc. Valsartan HJ Harkins Company Valsartan Major Pharmaceuticals Valsartan Solco Healthcare Valsartan Northwind Pharmaceuticals Valsartan Teva Pharmaceuticals USA labeled as Actavis Valsartan Teva Pharmaceuticals labeled as Major Pharmaceuticals Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) Proficient Rx LP Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) Remedy Repack Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) Solco Healthcare The agency said in a statement on Aug. 2: [The] FDA continues to evaluate valsartan-containing products and has updated the list of products included in the recall and the list of products not included in the recall. In addition to updating the lists, FDA revised information related to A-S Medication on the list of products included in the recall. The agency will continue to provide information when it becomes available. The FDA also provided a list of drugs that are not included in the recall, which can be accessed here. FDA is working with drug manufacturers to ensure future valsartan active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are not at risk of NDMA formation. The agency reminds manufacturers to thoroughly evaluate their API manufacturing processes, and changes to those processes, to detect any unsafe impurities. If a manufacturer detects new or higher levels of impurity, they should take action to prevent changes to the products safety profile, said the FDA. Chinese-Made Drug The first recall notices were issued on July 13 that 29 types of single and 51 types of combination valsartan medicines are being recalled. Later, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced a recall of the drug on July 5 when it was informed by Chinas Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticala major global manufacturer of generic valsartanthat the drug had been contaminated. The recall highlights how defective medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients made by Chinese companies can be a health hazard in the United States and in other parts of the world. There is a lack of trust in medicines made in China now, Rosemary Gibson, a senior adviser at The Hastings Center, told The Epoch Times in July. Apple, iPhone, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The public wants their medicine to be safe. This carcinogen hidden in valsartan raises the question whether other products that are made in China have been made contrary to the global standard we came to accept. The U.S.China Economic and Security Review Commission also stated in an annual report published in January 2018 that China has been a prolific source of defective and counterfeit drugs. Chinese consumers may prefer U.S. pharmaceutical products due to concerns over the quality of domestic drugs. China has been a prolific source of counterfeit and defective medicine. In 2012, Chinese authorities seized 77 million domestically produced gel capsules that were created from industrial waste and contained excessive levels of cadmium, the commissions report noted. Festival attendees at he SLS South Beach hotel on Dec. 8, 2017, in Miami, Fla. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images for American Express Platinum) Workers Fired From Miami Hotel Get $2.5 Million Settlement A hotel company agreed to pay $2.5 million to hotel dishwashers that were called slaves and then fired. The 17 people fired from the luxury Miami Beach hotel were all Haitian and comprised the entire dishwashing staff. They went to the human resources department to complain about a supervisor calling them slaves after they asked that a broken service elevator be fixed. They were all fired as a result, according to a July 30 press release from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The Miami Herald said that only these Haitian workers had to do work carrying heavy loads. The press release states they were not permitted to speak Creole while the Hispanic workers were allowed to speak Spanish. After the firing, the black Haitian workers were all replaced by a staffing agency workforce of mostly light-skinned Hispanics. The incident occurred in April 2014, although the lawsuit was filed in April 2017, according to the Miami Herald. The dishwashers worked in The Bazaar by Jose Andres, Katsuya, and the Hyde Beach, all restaurants inside of the SLS South Beach hotel, according to the press release. James Greeley, chief legal officer of the hotels parent company said that the firing of the dishwashing staff and its replacement by outsourced workers was due to a perfectly legitimate business motive and that not all workers in that team were Haitian, the Miami Herald reported. He also said the hotel has other Haitian workers in customer-facing positions. Were an inclusive company, which employs people of over 60 nationalities, said Greeley. In addition to the settlement money, the hotel company agreed to provide training for three years to human resources officials, management personnel, and hourly employees in six hotels, including SLS Hotel South Beach, Shore Club, SLS Brickell, Delano, The Raleigh, and SLS Lux Miami, according to the press release. Greeley told the Herald that the company made the decision to settle this in an amicable way for the benefit of our former employees. The hotel company will also have an independent monitor attending the training sessions and reporting back to the EEOC. The EEOC will also look for data on terminations, layoffs, or involuntary separations during the three-year period, according to the press release. At the end of the day these were our employees, Greeley added. These are not adversaries. From NTD.tv Where do old writers go to spend their final days? In Terri-Lynne DeFinos funny and moving new novel, they get themselves a suite at The Bar Harbor Retirement Home for Famous Writers (And Their Muses) (William Morrow). The beautiful facility in the book is the creation of a literary world patron named Cornelius Traeger, a man who is long dead when the story begins in the spring of 1999, but who lingers over the action through bits of his life philosopy that grace the beginning of each chapter (i.e. You can rarely tell the real thoughts behind a smile). The novels heroine, Cecibel Bringer, is an orderly who has never quite recovered from the auto accident that left one side of her face scarred. Things start to change at the converted Bar Harbor mansion when Corneliuss lover, literary giant Alfonse Carducci, arrives to spend the final months of his life. A legendary figure, whose wild private life including trysts with men and women made him a fixture in gossip columns, Alfonse moves into the biggest apartment in the home, the one that was once occupied by Cornelius. All of the residents believe their writing days are over until Cecibel inspires Alfonse to begin a new autobiographical story. With his increasingly weakened condition, the novelist allows two of his old writer friends to collaborate on the book, and a once-famous editor to shape up the material as it is produced. Its a story about second chances in life that also represents a major change in direction for the author, who decided to shift away from fantasy and romance novels to focus on literary fiction. DeFino says she started thinking about her story after she saw the 2012 British film, Quartet, about a home for retired performers, featuring Maggie Smith and Tom Courtenay. It was such a great movie. I thought how wonderful it would be to retire among birds of a feather. ... People who know what you did throughout your life, the novelist recalls. But that idea sat on a back burner in the writers imagination until the character of the scarred Cecibel came to her. Actually, she came right at me, DeFino adds. Coincidentally, the writer was nearing the end of a contract for her romance novels and decided the time had come for something new. A home for distinguished old writers with Cecibel as an employee began percolating in the writers mind, and less than a year later, the novel was finished. DeFino chose the Maine resort as the setting because she loves to visit there If I had all the money in the world I would have a place up there. The books casual depiction of gay as well as straight relationships is a reflection of the authors view of sexuality. No one talked about it when I was growing up Italian Catholic in New Jersey. But I have a brother two years older than me who came out at the age of 20, DeFino says. The characters in the novel wonder if books and reading might be fighting a losing battle with changes in American popular culture, so I ask DeFino about the future of novels. Its one of those things where it is so hard to say. When radio and TV came along, people thought that would kill reading. But it ebbs and flows. I think books will survive, she says. DeFino enjoyed her work in the fantasy and romance genres, but believes popular fiction such as Bar Harbor is what she will be focusing on now. This is where my heart is, she says, where it has been leading me all this time. The quick response to her change in direction has encouraged the writer. I finished the book in June and by December we sold it to William Morrow, she notes. DeFino credits her daughter with getting the book into the right hands. Jamie had an in with senior editor Rachel Kahan through their connection on the Jezebel womens issues website. The author has written most of her novels without a contract on spec as they say in the trade which takes a high degree of self-confidence. Yes, thats probably true, DeFino agrees, but I dont know what I would do if I didnt write. I have three more (books) done that I hope to sell. I feel like its an honor and a privilege to be able to write. The moment of truth came when Jamie was younger: I thought, do I get a job or do I stay at home, take writing seriously, and make it work ... I think this is the way it is with a lot of artists, you just have to do it because it is so much of who you are. jmeyers@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @joesview 5 hours ago The Top 3 Stocks to Buy for November These 3 Stocks Could Be in for a Big November As we head into the month of November, many investors are trying to digest some of the latest earnings releases from the biggest names in the market and want to determine if an end-of-year rally is on the cards. Read Article 13th PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards 2018 Start From: Friday 31 August 2018, 06:00PM to Friday 31 August 2018, 10:30PM Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun. Returning for its landmark 13th annual gala dinner, the PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards, persented by Kohler, is the longest-running and biggest event of the regional PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards programme, which was first launched in Thailand in 20015. With a professionally run awards system supervised by BDO, the world's fifth largest auditing and accountancy firm, the Thailand Property Awards is the premier and most credible industry awards in the country, with the top and emerging names in real estate celebrating the best developers, projects and design. Central Pattana Chief Operating Officer to speak at AustCham Phuket event PHUKET: The Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustCham), in collaboration with Partner Chambers, will host Pakorn Partanapat, Chief Operating Officer of Central Pattana PCL (CPN), as keynote speaker at a Members Briefing on Centrals Retail Developments and Opportunities in Phuket. economics By The Phuket News Monday 6 August 2018, 01:54PM Pakorn Partanapat, Chief Operating Officer of Central Pattana PCL (CPN), will be the keynote speaker at a Members Briefing on Centrals Retail Developments and Opportunities in Phuket on Aug 15. Image: Central Pattana The event will be held from 6pm to 9pm on Wednesday, Aug 15, at the Novotel Phuket Phokeethra in Phuket Town. Mr Pakorn will present on Central Phukets new luxurious wing Floresta due to open in September 2018, and what the expansion can mean for other businesses on the island. Mr Pakorn was appointed CPNs COO on Jan 3 last year to bolster the senior management team filled with many outstanding members who have industry expertise and in-depth experiences. As such his primary responsibilities are to boost and oversee sales and marketing, manage assets, and strengthen the organisational structure in readiness for CPNs constant and ongoing domestic and international shopping centre expansion. Of note, before joining Central Group, Mr Pakorn had extensive experience in developing new financial businesses and products, and is a respected veteran noted for his expertise in managing and operating retail banking for nearly 30 years. Specifically, his last position before switching industries to retail to CPN was Senior Executive Vice President of Kasikornbank, Head of Retail Business Division and Service Networks Division. The event is being organised in collaboration with Amcham, the BCCT, Franco-Thai and NTCC, and the Australian Alumni, and invites members and guests to join the Phuket Sundowners networking event at the hotels Estrela Sky Lounge after the Members Briefing. Registration opens 4:30pm, with the Members Briefing from 5pm to 6pm. Entry to the Members Briefing is free of charge for AustCham members, partner Chambers members, and Australian Alumni Members and non-members who attend Sundowners. Entry to the Sundowners is B500 for AustCham members, partner Chambers' members, and Australian Alumni Members, and B900 for non-members. Email kattika@austchamthailand.com or call 02-2100216 for more details. Phuket asked to wear blue to honour the Queen Mother and Mothers Day PHUKET: People across Phuket have been asked to wear light blue this Sunday (Aug 12) as the nation celebrates the occasion of the 86th birthday of the Queen Mother Sirikit Kitiyakara, mother to His Majesty The King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun. culture By The Phuket News Monday 6 August 2018, 01:24PM Senior Phuket officials joined a ceremony at Phuket Provincial Hall this morning (Aug 6) to honour the Queen Mother Sirikit Kitiyakara, mother to His Majesty The King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun. Photo: PR Dept Senior Phuket officials joined a ceremony at Phuket Provincial Hall this morning (Aug 6) to honour the Queen Mother Sirikit Kitiyakara, mother to His Majesty The King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun. Photo: PR Dept Senior Phuket officials joined a ceremony at Phuket Provincial Hall this morning (Aug 6) to honour the Queen Mother Sirikit Kitiyakara, mother to His Majesty The King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun. Photo: PR Dept Senior Phuket officials joined a ceremony at Phuket Provincial Hall this morning (Aug 6) to honour the Queen Mother Sirikit Kitiyakara, mother to His Majesty The King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun. Photo: PR Dept Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong leads a ceremony to honour the Queen Mother Sirikit Kitiyakara, mother to His Majesty The King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, at Phuket Provincial Hall this morning (Aug 6). Photo: PR Dept Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong leads a ceremony to honour the Queen Mother Sirikit Kitiyakara, mother to His Majesty The King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, at Phuket Provincial Hall this morning (Aug 6). Photo: PR Dept Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong at 8am this morning (Aug 6) led a ceremony at Phuket Provincial Hall to honour the Queen Mother. During the event officials signed books of birthday wishes. Present were Phuket Vice Governors Snith Sriwihok, Thawornwat Kongkaew and Prakorb Wongmaneerung, the heads of government offices in Phuket, as well as judges, senior ranking members of the military in Phuket, top-ranking police commanders and key officials from other agencies. The books of commemorations will remain at Provincial Hall through Sunday for people to sign theirs blessings. All people are invited to join the official celebrations, which will begin at 7am on Sunday a merit-making ceremony to 87 monks and novices at the 72nd Anniversary Commemoration of Queen Sirikij Public Park. At Phuket Rajabhat University in Rassada, at 8:30am, there will be the signing of a book of commemorations at the convention hall and at 5pm there will be ceremonies and the lighting of candles in front of the image of the Queen Mother to pay respects to the the revered figure. Government officials attending ceremonies must wear their white uniforms, while the general public is asked to wear light blue. Women may dress in traditional Thai costume, and students and members of private organisations may wear the uniforms of the organisations or institutions they represent. For this auspicious occasion, Phuket also invites people to wear blue or traditional Thai dress throughout August and join to sing to praise the Kings mother to express the loyalty in the coming event, noted a press release from the Phukt office of the Pubic Relations Department. Shipyard fire guts Phuket tour boat PHUKET: A tour boat under repairs went up in flames at a shipyard in Rassada on the east side of Phuket Town today (Aug 6), with the fire gutting the boat, causing an estimated B4-5 million in damage. tourismaccidentstransport By Eakkapop Thongtub Monday 6 August 2018, 06:40PM The fire billowed dark smoke and took firefighter 90 minutes to bring the blaze under control. Photo: DDPM-Phuket The fire billowed dark smoke and took firefighter 90 minutes to bring the blaze under control. Photo: DDPM-Phuket The fire billowed dark smoke and took firefighter 90 minutes to bring the blaze under control. Photo: DDPM-Phuket The fire billowed dark smoke and took firefighter 90 minutes to bring the blaze under control. Photo: DDPM-Phuket Phuket City Police and emergency services were notified of the fire, at the Asian Phuket Marine and Dockyard in Rassada, near the entrance to the Saphan Pla Pier on the east side of Phuket Town, at 1:30pm. Firefighters on four fire trucks arrived at the scene to be confronted with dark smoke billowing out of the boat, which was on the hardstand undergoing repairs. With strong wind fanning the flames, and nearby boats also sustaining minor damage from the fire, the firefighters took 90 minutes to bring the fire under control. Initial estimates valued the damage done at more than B4-5 million, said police. Yodsanat Songkeatwong, the owner of the shipyard, told police that the boat had been on stands undergoing repairs since July 31. The repairs were scheduled to be completed and the boat relaunched this Thursday (Aug 9). Lt Col Chatchai Choonu and Capt Wetchasak Jun-Adung of the Phuket City Police noted in their initial report that the boat was 20 metres long, six metres wide, and registered to carry 125 passengers with a complement of captain and crew totalling six. However, the registered name of the boat and its owner and operator were not recorded in the report. Mechanics were working on the boat this afternoon, Mr Yodsanat said, adding that he was preparing to have another boat brought down from its supports when he saw the front of the boat on fire and the flames rapidly spreading. Mr Yodsanat said that he shouted to workers inside the boat to extinguish the fire, but their efforts failed, prompting him to call the emergency fire service hotline 199. After questioning people at the scene, police at this stage believe the was started by sparks from cutting iron falling onto a sofa. However, police noted that they will investigate further and have forensic police inspect the scene. Of note, within metres of the boat on fire today was the Ao Nang Princess 3, the sister ship of the Ao Nang Princess 5, which caught fire and sank mid-transit on a day cruise from Phi Phi to Phuket via Nopparatthara Beach in Krabi in 2015. The Ao Nang Princess 5 had 115 passengers 107 adults and 8 children on board, of whom 34 were injured, with 12-year-old Shani Maril, who was on holiday in Thailand with her parents, the sole fatality of the disaster. (See story here.) An initial investigation by police concluded that the fire was not caused by careless maintenance. (See story here.) Two occupants at an elderly home in Germany caused a massive panic among the staff when they went missing. They later found out that the two men sneaked out so that they could attend Wacken Open Air Festival, one of the biggest heavy metal festivals in the world. As Deutsche Welle reports, police were alerted to help find the two residents who were later discovered at 3am on festival grounds in Schleswig Holstein. Although they were reluctant to leave the four-day festival, so the police escorted them back to the nursing home with the help of a cab and a patrol car. The sold-out festival had Judas Priest, Danzig and Hatebreed as the main headliners and the rest of the lineup included Vince Neil, Dokken, Tremonti, Cannibal Corpse and Fozzy and many more. They were expecting about 75,000 daily attendees. Police spokeswoman Merle Neufeld comments, "They obviously liked the metal festival. " She also mentioned that the pair were "disoriented and dazed". NEW YORKScores of Bernard Madoffs former customers are pushing for access to a massive database of trading records and other documents seized from the con mans now-defunct securities firm to advance a fringe theory about the epic fraud: It wasnt a Ponzi scheme. Bizarre though it sounds, theres a reason why theyre advancing the claim: If it wasnt a Ponzi scheme, they neednt surrender more than $100 million (U.S.) in what the trustee of Madoffs firm calls false trading profits. The customers say they can prove that Madoff used cash from his investment advisory customers to buy billions of dollars in Treasuries and held Fortune 100 stocks that appeared on their statements. That, they argue, would defeat the trustees claim that it was all a Ponzi scheme in which no real trading took place a theory the trustee calls pure fiction. Read more: Big payout to Madoff firm hired to pay back victims; zero so far paid to victims Florida congressman targets delay in Bernie Madoff victim payouts First Bernard Madoff case reaches EU court long after Hollywood portrayals The standard for a Ponzi scheme is that there is no legitimate business, but Madoff was the single largest market maker in the world, said lawyer Helen Davis Chaitman, who represents about 70 customers. I believe I can prove that securities were purchased for some of my customers. The dispute highlights how almost a decade after Madoff admitted using money from new investors to repay older ones, basic elements of one of the biggest scandals in history are still hotly contested by some victims. The trustee of Madoffs firm, Irving Picard, has recovered more than $13 billion for victims, largely by suing customers who withdrew more money from Madoff than they put in what he calls fake profit. But Chaitman says Picard is wrong. She contends it was the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that was defrauded because Madoff lied about his trading losses and debt load but not about the trading itself. As a result, customer claims for losses should be based on their final account statements a total $64 billion for all Madoff clients rather than their total lost principal of $17.5 billion, she says. They havent proved it, after all this time and all this money, Carol Neville, another lawyer for the customers, said at a July 25 bankruptcy court hearing in New York. Since 2016, Chaitman has sought access to a collection of 30 million documents from the business and Madoffs market-making unit, searching for any paper trail linking real securities to the investment advisory cash. The database contains every shred of evidence from Madoffs offices, from the contents of floppy disks and hard drives, to the papers that were found on employees desks when the authorities arrived. The database will disprove what hes represented throughout the case, Chaitman said of Picard. Why wouldnt he just give us access theres no cost to him. Madoff, in his 2009 guilty plea, traced his Ponzi scheme to 1992, while prosecutors at a 2014 trial of five Madoff aides said there was never actual trading. Matthew L. Schwartz, one of the prosecutors in the sprawling case, was dismissive of Chaitmans argument. Madoff didnt have securities on-hand to sell, forcing his employees to carefully track the balance of the single slush fund account at JPMorgan Chase & Co. where all customer money was deposited and withdrawn, he said. Bernard Madoffs fraud was a Ponzi scheme if ever there was one, Schwartz, now a white-collar defence lawyer at Boies Schiller & Flexner, said in an email. The evidence at trial proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Madoff did not buy and sell securities for his investment advisory clients. Heather Wlodek, a spokeswoman for Picard, declined to comment. Picard has previously said that Madoff did buy billions of dollars in securities over the life of his firm, including some with cash from the investment advisory business. But the securities werent for customers benefit, and statements listing such purchases were falsified for years, hes said. U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Stuart Bernstein recommended at the July 25 hearing that Picard grant Chaitman access to the larger database and put the dispute to rest. It may take one or more trials to decide the issue. This has been he-said-she-said for two years, the judge said. Picard says hes given Chaitman more than 260,000 documents and 4.7 million pages including documents stored on 206 microfilm reels. He says hes also provided an itemized accounting of the hard-copy and electronic data, according to an April filing. Chaitman counters that Picards team falsely claimed a smaller database dubbed E-Data Room 1 was the repository of all relevant trading records. She said she found out only last year about Madoffs master database, and wants to use the records in her planned depositions of former Madoff traders. The theory, she said, will be proven by the trading records if I ever get them. CALGARYA man arrested by the RCMP on Friday in connection with the shooting of a German tourist near Morley, Alta., last week has been released. The 60-year-old tourist was driving west along Highway 1A with three other people last Thursday when shortly before noon police allege a man with long dark hair pulled up to the passengers side of his car and opened fire. The tourist was rushed to a Calgary hospital by air ambulance, and remains in critical but stable condition. Cpl. Laurel Scott said the RCMP arrested a man Friday, but did not say how he was involved. No charges have been laid. The RCMP doesnt believe the shooting was a case of road rage or a random incident, although a statement from the force says none of the occupants of the tourists car were the intended targets of the shooting. While the tourist underwent surgery on Thursday night, its possible he might not fully recover. He pulled through the surgery, but might have some lasting, permanent effects as a result of the trauma, Sgt. Tom Kalis of the Cochrane RCMP said on Friday. Culture and Tourism Minister Ricardo Miranda called the shooting a senseless crime, and said it is not indicative of the experiences of most travellers in Alberta. This is an isolated tragedy that does not reflect the warm and welcoming Alberta I know, Miranda said in a statement issued Saturday. Police continue to investigate the shooting. With files from The Canadian Press Read more about: CALGARYA GoFundMe page set up to support a German tourist shot in the head on an Alberta highway last week eclipsed its $5,000 goal in two days. As of Monday morning, 93 supporters had donated around $5,530 to help cover any expenses incurred in Canada, as well as to get the man and his family members, home to Germany. Commenters on the page expressed their well-wishes in both English and German. He was just enjoying his vacation together with his family. He is in hospital in critical condition now, reads a statement on the GoFundMe page started by Hubertus Liebrecht, the honorary consul for Germany in southern Alberta. RCMP previously said the tourist was driving along Highway 1A, near Morley, Alta., at around noon on Aug. 2 when he was shot through his passenger-side window. His vehicle drove into a ditch by the roadside, leaving three other occupants with minor injuries. The tourist pulled through a round of emergency surgery at a Calgary hospital the night he was shot, but the RCMP said he may suffer permanent damage. In a statement to StarMetro Calgary, the family of the tourist thanked police, hospital staff and the Alberta government for their efforts, as well as donors on the GoFundMe page. We, the German family and their extended Canadian family have been moved to tears. Saying thank-you does not cover it, it read. While police continue to investigate and made an arrest on Friday no charges have been laid. The force has not given many details on what motivated the shooting, but said it wasnt a case of road rage, and that none of the occupants of the German tourists vehicle were the intended targets. With files from The Canadian Press Read more: German tourist shot in the head on Alberta highway German tourist shot on Alberta highway pulls through as RCMP make an arrest RCMP release man arrested in aftermath of shooting of German tourist Read more about: HALIFAXPolice are investigating after shots were fired from a moving car towards a home in the Halifax-area neighbourhood of North Preston. RCMP say multiple gunshots were fired from a silver car towards a home on Downey Road shortly before 4 p.m. Sunday. Police say no one was injured and there was no damage to nearby homes. Investigators attempted to find the suspect, but were not successful. There have been similar incidents in the same area over the last year. In June, shots were fired from a small black car towards another home on the same road. And in April, two males fired multiple shots from a black car near the intersection of Downey Road and Alex Lane. Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is expected to run in British Columbias upcoming Burnaby South riding byelection, anonymous sources told CBC News. If successful, Singh would take over from NDP MP Kennedy Stewart, who is giving up his seat for a shot at the mayoral race. CBC reported the decision from two anonymous sources. The NDP spokesperson wasnt available for comment when the Star reached out Sunday night. A spokesperson for the party wouldnt confirm the decision to CBC, but said many people in the Metro Vancouver suburb have been showing support for Singh and urging him to run in the next byelection. When Mr. Singh was in Burnaby last month he found that the problems people are facing there reflect so many of the issues Canadians are struggling with across the country, the spokesperson said to CBC in an email. The spokesperson told CBC that Singh was very moved by the support and will make a decision in the near future. The date of the byelection has not yet been scheduled. With files from CBC News Claire Floody is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @claire_floody Read more about: DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATESSaudi Arabia expelled the Canadian ambassador on Monday and froze all new business with Ottawa over its criticism of the ultraconservative kingdoms arrest of womens rights yet another warning to the West reflecting Riyadhs new assertive foreign policy. The sudden and unexpected dispute bore the hallmarks of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabias 32-year-old future leader whose recent foreign policy exploits include the war in Yemen and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariris surprise resignation broadcast during a visit to the kingdom. Hariri later rescinded the resignation, widely believed to be orchestrated by Riyadh, and returned to Beirut. Analysts say the dispute between Riyadh and Ottawa shows Saudi Arabia wont accept any outside criticism and will continue flexing its muscles abroad, especially as the kingdom enjoys a closer relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump. This message is obviously not just being sent to Ottawa, said Giorgio Cafiero, the CEO of Gulf State Analytics, a Washington-based risk consultancy. Its a message to countries across Europe and across the rest of the world that criticism of Saudi Arabia . has consequences. The Saudi Foreign Ministry made the announcement early Monday, giving Ambassador Dennis Horak 24 hours to leave the kingdom. It wasnt immediately clear if he was in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia said it would recall its ambassador to Canada as well. Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as acknowledgment of our right to interfere in Canadian domestic affairs, the Foreign Ministry said. Canada and all other nations need to know that they cant claim to be more concerned than the kingdom over its own citizens. Read more: Opinion | Saudi crown prince is a pauper on human rights Arms control advocates call for independent investigation into alleged Saudi abuses with Canadian vehicles Marie-Pier Baril, a spokesperson for Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, said Canada was seriously concerned by Saudi Arabias actions. Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, very much including womens rights, and freedom of expression around the world, she said in a statement. Our government will never hesitate to promote these values and believes that this dialogue is critical to international diplomacy. The dispute appeared centred around tweets by Canadian diplomats calling on the kingdom to immediately release detained womens rights activists. Among the arrested activists is Samar Badawi, whose writer brother Raif Badawi was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and later sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for insulting Islam while blogging. His case long has been raised by international human rights groups and Western diplomats, including Canadians, who have called on Saudi Arabia to free him. His wife, Ensaf Haidar, lives in Canada and received Canadian citizenship in July at a Canada Day ceremony. Freeland tweeted about the arrests on Thursday. Very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi, Raif Badawis sister, has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, she wrote. Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, and we continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi. Saudi Arabia in June ended its long practice of banning women from driving cars a ban Samar Badawi and other womens activists have long campaigned against. However, supporters of womens rights were arrested just weeks before the ban was lifted, signalling that only King Salman and his powerful son, Crown Prince Mohammed, will decide the pace of change. Saudi women still need permission from male guardians to travel abroad or marry. It isnt clear what new business would be affected by Saudi Arabias expulsion of Ottawas envoy. Canada receives 10 per cent of its imported crude oil from Saudi Arabia while bilateral trade between the two nations is $3 billion a year. Armoured tanks and personnel carriers have been Canadas biggest recent export to the kingdom. A London, Ontario-based firm called General Dynamics Land Systems signed a $15 billion deal with Saudi Arabia in 2014 to export its light-armoured vehicles to the kingdom, the largest-ever arms deal. The diplomatic dispute with Canada is part of that assertive foreign policy pushed by Crown Prince Mohammed under his father, analysts say. Germany similarly has found itself targeted by the kingdom in recent months over comments by its officials on the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Its also not the first time Saudi Arabia lashed out diplomatically over the Badawi case. In 2015, Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador to Sweden and stopped issuing work visas for Swedes after the Scandinavian countrys foreign minister described the Badawi court decision as medieval and the kingdoms ruling Al Saud family as presiding over a dictatorship. Saudi Arabia in recent years also has expelled Irans ambassador over attacks on its diplomatic posts following its 2016 execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Ayham Kamel, the head of the Eurasia Groups Mideast practice, expressed surprise that Canada hadnt realized pushing the message on Badawi was a mistake, given Crown Prince Mohammeds assertiveness. The win (for the Saudis) is that everyone will get the message, Kamel said. This is not just to Canadas mailbox. It is about sending a message to the entire West that you dont get to lecture us. Read more about: MONTREALAmnesty International says the global community should form a united front with Canada and speak out to protect two recently arrested women, including the sister of jailed blogger Raif Badawi. Genevieve Paul, the director of Amnestys francophone branch, says pressure is put on the Saudi government when news of such arrests becomes public. She says it also serves to protect activists who have been arrested by the Saudi regime. Paul says the situation is worse when the government does what it wants in secret and is not singled out for alleged human rights violations. Amnesty International has said Samar Badawi, Raif Badawis sister, was recently detained along with Nassima al-Sada, another prominent female activist. Ensaf Haidar, Raif Badawis wife, who lives in Quebec with her three children, tells The Canadian Press she was surprised when she heard about the new arrests. Amnestys francophone branch reiterated that Ottawa should suspend the sale of armoured vehicles to the Saudis, claiming it still has strong reasons to believe they are being used in Yemen to commit serious human rights violations. Paul adds that no vehicles should be transferred to Saudi Arabia without Canada making a serious evaluation of human rights. Read more: Saudi Arabia expels Canadian ambassador, freezes trade in human rights dispute Read more about: VANCOUVERAn evacuation order was issued Sunday evening for part of British Columbias Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako as a nearby wildfire rages on. Regional Chair Bill Miller says an intense lightning storm in the area last week ignited dozens of blazes, prompting the regional district to order the evacuation. Miller says the fires near Purvis and Nadina lakes that prompted evacuation orders have not put many people or properties at risk, though he didnt have a specific estimate of how many people were affected. The BC Wildfire Service says most of the lightning in the province has passed for now, but the long-term effects of last weeks storm may be felt for weeks as hundreds of fires broke out, stretching the provinces resources thin. Fire Information Officer Kyla Fraser says the out-of-province firefighting aid requested last week is expected to arrive tonight and will then be directed toward the highest-priority fires. Read more: Firefighters from around the globe helping battle B.C. blaze Crews beat wildfire in close call near Okanagan Lightning strikes spark 132 more wildfires in B.C. Read more about: HALIFAXAn environmental activist says an oil spill in Halifax harbour might be a good opportunity for Nova Scotia Power to reconsider its use of crude oil. The utility said Monday it could be weeks before crews fully clean up about 5,000 litres of oil at the Tufts Cove generating station, and Ecology Action Centre policy director Mark Butler said he has questions about how the oil spilled and how long it took to be discovered. One of my questions would be, understanding better what kind of inspection program they have with their pipes, and why this hole developed, he said. The leak, which was discovered Thursday, came from what Nova Scotia Power officials said was a thumb-sized hole in an exterior pipe that runs from storage tanks to the Tufts Cove generating station. Butler said the oil involved a tarry, viscous fuel known as bunker C is dirtier than natural gas and is the kind of substance you would be looking at in a photo of a sea bird covered in oil. The spill was mostly contained within a day of its discovery, and Butler expressed relief that, to his knowledge, no sea birds were reported to have been caught in it, though he said he is still concerned about how long it took to be discovered. Read more: Nova Scotia Power crews work to clean oil spill in Halifax Harbour Halifaxs birthday party competes for attention with a tropical plant, an oil spill Sounds like the ecological impacts of the spill is not severe, however 5,000 litres is quite a bit, he said. It would take quite some time for 5,000 litres to pass through a hole the size of a thumbnail, so the leak mustve been in progress for some time before anybody noticed it. In a phone interview Monday, utility spokesperson David Rodenhiser said a crew of around 60 people worked over the long weekend to clean up the oil. He could not provide a concrete estimate of the time it would take to sop up the spill, which contaminated land as well as harbour water, but Rodenhiser said they will continue working until the cleanup is finished. Were dealing with oil thats in the land as well as the oil thats in the water, so its going to take weeks, not days, he said. Environmental response crews have five vacuum trucks on site to suck out oil from the top of the water, and materials to sop up oil from deeper down. In the meantime, Nova Scotia Power is looking into how the leak occurred, and Rodenhiser said theyll be consulting with outside experts throughout the investigation. Theyll be looking at what caused the pipe to fail and mitigation methods to make sure something like this doesnt happen at the Tufts Cove site or any other location where oil might be on hand, he said. He said more information should be released this week. Read more about: Toronto delegates were charmed by the small, southern Italian city of Matera, where in search of business opportunities they hiked steep roads to tour famous caves and visited restaurants to dine on local cuisine. One night the taxpayer-funded delegation listened to musicians play in an old quarry cave. The next day they watched a boys basketball tournament in Materas piazza where a team from Toronto placed second. Surrounding them was the same craggy skyline that set the scene for Hollywood blockbusters. Other days they toured beyond the hillside city, discovering the lush Basilicata region with vineyards and vegetables, and to factories where machines spun out pasta. Read more: Toronto councillor says it was money well spent at $900-a-night hotel The trip cost more than $8,000 of Toronto taxpayer money for Councillor Vincent Crisanti and economic development director George Spezza. MP Judy Sgro said her expenses were covered by a group of constituents. MP Francesco Sorbara said he paid for the trip himself. In between the tours and dinners spread across a week in June 2017, the delegation spent one hour completing the city-approved goal of the trip, according to itinerary. They attended the signing of a four-page non-binding agreement that stated the landlocked outpost and Toronto, with a population 46 times larger, might one day work together on tourism and trade. The memorandum of understanding, topped with the official emblems of both cities, outlines nine terms neither city is legally required to follow through on and will expire in five years. The terms say the cities will help identify industries and companies that may be interested in doing business in Matera or Toronto, encourage these industries by sharing information about each region, share information with one another about culture, film, education, tourism and sporting events, and consider more visits with one another in the future. More than a year later, economic development general manager Mike Williams, one of the approvers of the trip, could not name any benefits that have resulted from the Matera memorandum of understanding. I cant point to a specific element now, but it was probably low down on our priority list, he said. But a recent announcement from the federal government that it will fund artists exporting their work internationally is going to put Torontos relationship with Matera back on the front burner, he said. He did say two manufacturing companies they visited while in Matera are exploring expanding to the GTA. He also referred to a potential partnership involving a Toronto post-secondary institution. The case of Matera is not unique for the City of Toronto. Since Mayor John Tory was elected in 2014, the city has signed or renewed 16 similar agreements, an unprecedented amount, with cities and organizations in the U.S., Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Japan, and China. During Rob Fords four-year term, the city signed six such agreements and before that, no more than five were completed per term. On some occasions, city officials travelled to the same place more than once. Economic development chair Councillor Michael Thompson went to Sagamihara, Japan three times in two years in order for a friendship agreement to be renewed: once to prepare for the mayors symbolic signing, once for the symbolic signing and a third time for the actual signing of the one-page agreement. Spezza was in Rome on city business a few weeks before the trip to Matera for a weekend trade mission that cost the city more than $3,500, including two nights in a five-star hotel for close to $800. He didnt facilitate the signing of the Matera memorandum of understanding then because it wasnt scheduled and changing plans wasnt possible from a protocol or business relationship perspective, Williams said. Mayor John Tory stands by the citys recent upswing in international work, said spokesperson Don Peat. Mayor Tory firmly believes in doing everything possible to promote Toronto around the world as an exceptional place to do business, Peat said. Memorandums of understanding are one tool used by economic development staff to help build connections with cities around the world, but it is far from the only effort. The increase in agreements demonstrates the success the City of Toronto is achieving in promoting its attractiveness for investment to locations around the world, said Williams, in an email. Spezza and Crisanti said city staff got behind the trip to Matera after Toronto-area residents with ties to the region requested Toronto develop a relationship. The timing was right, Spezza said, with Matera named a European cultural capital for 2019. Both men also noted it is a popular film location and suggested the trip could benefit Torontos film industry. Memorandums of understanding are the least formal type of inter-city agreement Toronto can enter into and they signify the cities involved will share information and contacts to better understand business potential, said a staff report. They dont require council approval. Toronto also has friendship agreements, which are initiated by community groups and endorsed by council, and usually focus on economic development, the staff report said. Partnerships, on the other hand, come about for specific projects such as promoting trade or increasing Torontos profile. Signing memorandums of understanding are the most straightforward way for two places to find economic opportunities with one another, said Williams, the general manager, in an interview. And while representatives dont need to be in the city when agreements are signed, meeting in person does help build successful relationships. Torontos agreements with Wuxi, China, and development agencies in Trayka, Turkey and Dubai, United Arab Emirates did not require travel beforehand. Council does not need to approve specific trips funded through the economic development division if theyre for trade missions, to maintain friendship or partnership agreements, or to begin memorandums of understanding with new places, according to staff reports. This protocol dates back to 2005, when council approved a list of cities it wanted to have relationships with. The economic development division has a set travel budget every year approved by council, a city spokesperson said. In 2017, council approved a $1.4 million budget for the divisions international trade development program that includes supporting travel abroad, foreign delegations coming to Toronto and a significant increase in face-to-face selling. Each trip taken by staff has to be approved by senior management. Inter-city agreements are merely symbolic and dont oblige either party to actually do anything unless they want to, said Richard Stren, a University of Toronto professor emeritus who researches global cities. While making these connections abroad is a natural progression for a large, multicultural city like Toronto, and a practice many cities undertake on a larger scale, how much travelling needs to be done is a good question, Stren said. A city spokesperson told the Star travel is for many reasons and is not done specifically to sign an agreement. But while councillors and staff sometimes also attend trade shows or meet with businesses and officials, signing these agreements is often cited in city documents as the main reason for a trip, as the Star discovered through interviews, itineraries and freedom of information requests for staff expense reports and internal requests for travel. In a briefing note to the citys budget committee last year, economic development staff wrote that the goal of the Matera trip was to sign the cultural and economic development memorandum of understanding agreement between Toronto and Matera on June 24, 2017 to promote the expansion of film, education, sports, cultural trade and economic exchange. Thompson and economic development staffs three trips to Sagamihara were to help renew a friendship agreement created 25 years earlier, according to staff requests for travel. The first visit was in February 2016, when he and Spezza went to attend meetings with the City of Sagamihara staff and elected officials to plan ... the formal visit of Mayor Tory to commemorate 25th anniversary of the friendship city agreement between both cities, said Spezzas request for travel. Spezza and Thompson also visited Tokyo, Hong Kong and Dubai for a total of $17,600. A few months later, Thompson participated in the mayors mission to China and Japan, which included a large delegation to promote Toronto businesses and cost the city a total of $113,620. In Sagamihara, Tory did a celebratory reaffirmation of the relationship, but did not actually renew the agreement, a city spokesperson said. When Thompson went to Japan this year, with Williams and another councillor, thats when Toronto actually renewed the friendship agreement. The trip, which included another stop in Tokyo, cost the city an estimated $10,500. Thompson didnt respond to a request for comment for this article. As a result of renewing its friendship with Sagamihara, the City of Toronto said it has hosted a delegation this summer focused on the artificial intelligence industry in Toronto, and is arranging a university international exchange program. Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong went to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in 2016 and 2017 for the purpose of re-signing of friendship agreement, according to a councillor expense report. He added a five-year sunset clause to the two-page agreement in case they dont accomplish anything of substance, he said in an interview. And so far, the relationship has been a bit of a challenge. The easiest thing is to sign the agreement, but the hardest thing is keeping the relationship going, said Minnan-Wong. On the second trip, he and economic developments Susana Vaz also promoted Toronto as a study destination for Vietnamese students. These two trips cost the city about $9,600. A more successful partnership has resulted from a memorandum of understanding signed between Shenzhen, China (the Silicon Valley of Asia) and Toronto, Minnan-Wong said. He travelled there in 2016 to get the agreement signed and most of his expenses were covered by Shenzhen groups. Since then, organizations in Toronto and Shenzhen have created a high-tech competition and the TTC is buying some electric buses from a Shenzhen-based company, Minnan-Wong said. Compared to other large cities, Toronto has limited resources to do this type of economic development work, Minnan-Wong said. We have to be strategic about our choices. There are some relationships that need to be re-examined to see if theyre worthwhile. Crisanti and the two MPs Francesco Sorbara and Judy Sgro said they went to Matera because constituents with the Basilicata region of Italy asked them to. They opened up to us very easily. They said, Yes, why not? said Paolo Petrozza, treasurer of the Vaughan-based Basilicata Cultural Society of Canada, who was part of the delegation, referring to the politicians and the city. He described Matera and Toronto as different as a mouse is an elephant and thought it was gracious of the officials to spend time in the region. The city reported Spezza and Crisantis trip to Matera cost $6,523. This total does not include all airfare, or a layover in Rome where Crisanti and Spezza took Matera officials out for dinner for $575. Crisanti stayed in a hotel in Rome for two nights, and Spezza for one, bringing the total to more than $8,000. Councillor John Filion, who has not left North America for city business this term of council, said before anyone travels anywhere on taxpayers money, there should be a sound case for doing it. If councillors or staff are travelling to sign (memorandums of understanding) that make no sense from an economic development point of view, that would really disturb me. Public officials on the trip to Matera initially gave different reasons for selecting it as a place to focus the citys resources. Crisanti said one of the reasons he wanted to pursue a partnership is because its where movies like The Passion of the Christ and parts of Wonder Woman were filmed and it would be great to make those ties given we have a very strong film industry in Toronto. Sorbara went once to Matera on vacation and then twice professionally in pursuit of the memorandum and paid for all three trips himself, he said in an interview. While he said he didnt know about the economic stuff, he thought of the memorandum as a mutual recognition of the importance these two places play in the world. Sgros trip was funded through the Basilicata Cultural Society of Canada, she said. In Matera she saw opportunities for Canada to buy more pasta and was surprised at the efficiency of the factories. Matera officials declined the Stars repeated interview requests. The Ontario Provincial Police are asking for the publics help with a homicide that happened in Caledon last month. Officers responded to a sudden death at a residential location on Humber Station Rd. on July 31 at 9:45 a.m., OPP said in a news release Sunday. Police have identified the deceased as Giuseppe Antonio Colavita, 54, from the Greater Toronto Area. Caledon OPP Major Crime Unit is investigating the mans death. Anyone with information that could help police are asked to call Caledon OPP tips line at 1-844-677-9400 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222- 8477 (TIPS). Colombian Canadians, alarmed at the number of human rights leaders murdered in the South American nation, will gather in Toronto to condemn what they see as a threat to the countrys long-fought peace. On Tuesday, a rally will be held at 6 p.m. at the Mark Cohen Park near Bloor St. W., and Spadina Ave., to protest the violence and send a message to Colombias newly elected right-wing president Ivan Duque to uphold the 2016 Peace Accord. The agreement, signed by then-President Juan Manuel Santos and rebel leader Timochenko, ended Colombias 50-year guerrilla war which left more than 220,000 dead and countless missing and displaced. Rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), was disarmed and demobilized, and a transitional justice system was established to seek out the truth of the conflict. Since then, the countrys civilian murder rate has reached an all-time low 24 people per 100,000 last year however, there has been a surge of killings of community activists who had been trying to enforce the peace agreement. According to Colombias Human Rights Ombudsman, Carlos Alfonso Negret, 311 social movement leaders have been murdered in the country since January 2016, more than 100 of them killed this year alone by what locals called Fuerzas Oscuras in Spanish or dark forces in English. The accord has failed to open up a space where people can advocate for themselves without themselves being targeted, noted Ilian Burbano of the Colombian Action Solidarity Alliance, a Toronto-based advocacy group. Burbano fears that Duque, who will be inaugurated on Tuesday, will stall the full implementation of the accord. Its not easy for the government to backtrack but it is a concern for everyone if the accord fails. Academics, activists and Colombians in Canada have started a petition to call on Ottawa to use its economic muscle with bilateral trade totalling $1.73 billion in 2017 to protect Colombian rights leaders and monitor the implementation of the peace process. Ottawa has committed more than $78 million to projects in support of Colombias peace efforts, such as demining and rural education, and recommended the new government improve the human rights situation through strengthening security, timely investigations and addressing impunity. Canada has strongly condemned continued attacks against human-rights defenders in Colombia, said Global Affairs Canada spokesperson Krista Humick. A spokesperson with the Colombian Embassy in Ottawa noted that the recent presidential election was the most peaceful in Colombian history, with the highest turnout of voters ever. We had 19 million engaged citizens who voted and will demand accountability from their elected officials. The spokesperson added that the government has vowed to carry out an intervention plan in troubled areas and increase the budget for a national security. The implementation of the peace agreement involves some ambitious and long-term goals to really transform the country and prevent future conflicts. This will take time and there will be bumps in the road to reconciliation. Sheila Gruner, an Algoma University professor who has done extensive research on displacement and rural development in Colombia, said the recent violence could be attributed to the fact that the peace deal did not target active armed groups, who have since stepped into the vacuum left by FARC. Many of the killings, she said, happened in outlying rural communities where the government has little presence. We cant track who is doing the killing, but we see whos being killed. Its not company CEOs. Its social movement leaders, said Gruner. Displacement is still taking place. This should be concerning to all governments. Colombian school principal Farid Salgado, who lived in Belgium for eight years, is one of many expatriates who returned home in 2012 at the start of the peace negotiations. Colombia had suffered half a century. People lost children, parents, brothers and sisters. We wanted to participate in the construction of a new country, said Salgado, 49, who now lives in Bogota with his wife and their two young daughters. We were hoping for improved education, health and justice, and less inequality, so people could have confidence in the state and not have to fight and kill. We were full of hopes and expectations that lives would become better for all people. The international community must keep the pressure on the new government, said Salgado. The positive movement has been threatened. We can lose all we have achieved so far with the peace deal. Editors Note Aug. 8, 2018: This article was updated to add a statement from the Colombian Embassy. TEHRAN, IRANWith the Trump administration set to re-impose some sanctions on Iran on Monday, the countrys Central Bank lifted a ban on exchange offices, allowing them to resume work in a move aimed at bringing in badly needed hard currencies. The bank also gave the green light for Iranian legal institutions and businesses to bring gold and foreign currency into Iran, according to the governor, Abdolnasser Hemmati. A first set of U.S. sanctions that had been eased by the Obama administration under the terms of the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal will take effect again on Monday, following U.S. President Donald Trumps decision in May to withdraw from the accord. Those sanctions target Irans automotive sector as well as gold and other key metals. Renewed sanctions targeting Irans oil industry and banking sector will resume on Nov. 4. Hemmati told sate TV late on Sunday that money exchangers are allowed to sell and buy foreign currencies once again, to help Iranians get better access to services and travel abroad. The official exchange rate of the national currency, the rial, will remain at 42,000 rials to the dollar for vital imports such as medicine and food, he added. Read more: Trump says hes withdrawing U.S. from Iran nuclear deal Iran says recent U.S. sanctions a violation of nuclear deal Obama-era license aimed to let Iran convert money in U.S. dollars The decision goes into effect on Tuesday. Hemmati said the Central Bank will try not to intervene in deciding on the price of foreign currencies. Foreign currencies had recently doubled in price on the black market. The ban on the exchange offices, introduced in March, had left the offices idle overnight: gone were the familiar, daily long lines of Iranians waiting to buy or sell dollars. The measure also backfired, and the black market flourished. Hemmati said the governments decision in April to enforce a single exchange rate to the dollar had caused serious problems for the country. He maintained the Central Banks decision reflects Irans strength in the face of renewed U.S. sanctions. We are facing an economic war and the U.S. government is restoring sanctions and also trying to increase them, he said. But our government is powerful ... and is capable of opening up the foreign currency market on the same day. Hemmati said Iran has exported some $15 billion (U.S.) worth of non-oil products from April to July. The United States has also been pushing its allies to halt their import of Iranian oil ahead of the November deadline. Among the top importers of Iranian oil are China, India, Turkey and South Korea. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, meanwhile, has suggested Iran might block the Strait of Hormuz in response to a shutdown of its oil exports. The strait at the mouth of the Persian Gulf is crucial to global energy supplies as about a third of all oil traded at sea passes through it. Read more about: JERUSALEMAn Israeli Cabinet minister on Monday played down the significance of indirect truce talks with Gazas Hamas rulers, suggesting any cease-fire deal would be limited in scope. Yoav Galants assessment appeared to fall short of what officials from the Islamic militant group Hamas have described as Egyptian efforts to broker a comprehensive agreement, including a significant easing of an 11-year-old border blockade and U.N.-led reconstruction of Gaza. Galant said what is at issue is a cease-fire, not a full-scale agreement. There is no process toward an agreement, he told Israel Army Radio Monday, a day after Israels Security Cabinet discussed Gaza proposals for several hours. Galant attended the meeting. The difference in perceptions suggests chances for an agreement are slim. Tensions have escalated since late March when Hamas launched what would become regular mass protests along Israels perimeter fence with Gaza. The protests have been aimed, in part, at trying to break the blockade, imposed by Israel and Egypt after Hamas seized the territory in 2007. Read more: Hamas, Israel agree to ceasefire after day of violence in Gaza Hamas, Israel agree to ceasefire in Gaza Israel says it will expand response if Gaza protests continue Over the past four months, 158 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, including at least 120 in the protests near the fence and others in Israeli air strikes and other incidents elsewhere in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry and a local rights group. Twenty-four of slain protesters were minors, the ministry has said. One Israeli soldier was killed by a Gaza sniper during this period. Israel has rejected accusations of unlawful use of lethal force, alleging that Hamas has used the protests as cover to carry out attacks and infiltrate into its territory. Some of the protesters typically throw stones, burn tires, try to cut parts of the fence system or set off incendiary balloons and kites with the aim of setting fires in Israel. Fires started by the homemade devices have burned large areas near Gaza, including fields. In recent weeks, Israel has further tightened Gaza restrictions in response to the incendiary devices, including suspending fuel shipments through Gazas only cargo crossing. Galant said the Security Cabinet discussed possible gestures, such as easing the latest restrictions, in exchange for a truce. Hamas, meanwhile, is desperate to end the blockade, which has made it increasingly difficult for the group to govern and has led to growing hardships in Gaza. Read more about: ALEXANDRIA, VA.The governments star witness in the financial fraud trial of Paul Manafort testified Monday that he embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from the former Trump campaign chairman and told jurors that he and Manafort committed crimes together. Rick Gates has been regarded as a crucial witness for the government ever since he pleaded guilty in February to two felony charges and agreed to co-operate in special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into possible ties between Russia and the Trump campaign. The hugely anticipated courtroom showdown brought Gates face to face with his longtime business associate and fellow campaign aide to U.S. President Donald Trump. His testimony, given in short, clipped answers as Manafort rarely broke his gaze from the witness stand, follows that of vendors who detailed Manaforts luxurious spending, and financial professionals who told jurors how the defendant hid millions of dollars in offshore accounts. But Gates, described by witnesses as Manaforts right-hand man, is expected to provide the most damning testimony about Manaforts state of mind, as well as his own role in the crimes. Gates told jurors that he siphoned off the money without Manaforts knowledge by filing false expense reports. He also admitted to concealing millions of dollars in foreign bank accounts on Manaforts behalf and to falsifying loan applications and other documents to help Manafort obtain more in bank loans. We didnt report the income or the foreign bank accounts, Gates testified, noting that he knew he and Manafort were committing crimes each time. Read more: Top Trump campaign official pleads guilty to conspiracy, lying to FBI as Russia probe escalates Manafort approved every penny of personal expenses, bookkeeper testifies Trump urges federal probe into his 2016 election campaign to end right now Gates read off the names of more than a dozen shell companies he and Manafort set up in Cyprus, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the United Kingdom to stash the proceeds of Manaforts Ukrainian political consulting work. Gates said he repeatedly lied to conceal the bank accounts and, at Manaforts direction, would classify money that came in as either a loan or income to reduce Manaforts tax burden. Asked whether the money in the accounts was income to Manafort, Gates said, It was. Manaforts defence has sought to blame Gates for any illegal conduct and accused him of embezzling millions of dollars from Manafort. Gates, who also served in a senior role in Trumps presidential campaign, is expected to face aggressive cross-examination once prosecutors are finished questioning him. He pleaded guilty to financial fraud and to lying to investigators as he negotiated a plea agreement, something defence lawyers will no doubt seize on to try to undercut his credibility. He is awaiting sentencing. The criminal case has nothing to do with either mans work for the Trump campaign and theres been no discussion during the trial about whether the campaign co-ordinated with Russia the central question Muellers team has tried to answer. But Trump has shown interest in the proceedings, tweeting support for Manafort and suggesting he had been treated worse than gangster Al Capone. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III, who repeatedly interrupted prosecutors last week as they tried to present evidence about Manaforts lavish life including $900,000 (U.S.) in expensive suits and a $15,000 ostrich jacket clashed again with prosecutor Greg Andres on Monday when Andres delved into the status and identities of the Eastern Europeans who made payments to Manafort. Ellis said all thats relevant is that Manafort was paid and whether he hid the income from the Internal Revenue Service. It doesnt matter whether these are good people, bad people, oligarchs, Mafia. ... You dont need to throw mud at these people, the judge said. Andres said he was entitled to show the jury why Manafort was getting tens of millions of dollars in payments. When we try to describe the work, Your Honour stops us and tells us to move on, he said. Prosecutors say Manafort used those companies to stash millions of dollars from his Ukrainian consulting work, proceeds he omitted year after year from his income tax returns. Later, they say, when that income dwindled, Manafort launched a different scheme, shoring up his struggling finances by using doctored documents to obtain millions more in bank loans. All told, prosecutors allege that Manafort failed to report a significant percentage of the more than $60 million they say he received from Ukrainians. They aimed to show jurors how that money flowed from more than a dozen shell companies used to stash the income in Cyprus. On Friday, a tax preparer named Cindy Laporta admitted that she helped disguise $900,000 in foreign income as a loan in order to reduce Manaforts tax burden. Laporta, who testified under an immunity deal with the government, acknowledged that she agreed under pressure from Gates to alter a tax document for one of Manaforts businesses. Under cross-examination, she said at the time she believed Manafort was directing Gates actions and knew what was going on. Defence lawyers are trying to convince the jury that Manafort was consumed by his consulting business and left the details of his finances to professionals and, in particular, to Gates. Read more about: For more than 50 years after the murder of Emmett Till, no historical markers in the Mississippi Delta told the story of the 14-year-old African-American boy who was dragged from his bed in the night, lynched and then dumped in the Tallahatchie River. That changed in 2007. Eight signs were erected in northwest Mississippi, including at the spot on the river where fishermen in 1955 discovered Emmetts mutilated corpse tethered to a cotton-gin fan. But a year later, vandals tore down the sign on the riverbed. It was replaced. But then bullets were fired into that marker more than 100 rounds over several years. A new sign was installed in June. Thirty-five days later, on July 26, it was shot up again. To drive up and see it like that, I was sad, said Patrick Weems, a founder of the Emmett Till Interpretive Center in Sumner, Miss. When we finally replaced it, it was an amazing feeling that this sign that had been obliterated was finally restored. The purple marker titled River Site, off a dirt road between a riverbank and cotton fields outside Glendora, Miss., was pierced by four bullets. One punctured the word mother in a sentence about how Emmetts mother, Mamie Till Mobley, wanted his body returned to his hometown, Chicago, where she displayed it in an open coffin for everyone to see. His mothers decision not to hide Emmetts disfigured body in a closed coffin helped make the crime a symbol of the brutality of the Jim Crow era, shocking the nation during the early civil rights movement. Emmett was abducted and killed after a white woman complained that he had grabbed her and wolf-whistled at her, an account that she later changed and then retracted. Read more: Woman tied to historic racist lynching of Emmett Till lied Opinion | Shree Paradkar: The brutality of Emmett Tills murder still stings Investigation reopened in brutal slaying of Emmett Till The Justice Department reopened its investigation into Emmetts death this year, saying it was based upon the discovery of new information. The federal government has not elaborated on what changed, but the decision appears to be linked to the woman, Carolyn Bryant Donham, recanting her allegations. The current sign, which is identical to the one that came before it, was unveiled at a ceremony June 21. Several dozen people attended the ceremony, including Wheeler Parker, 79, a cousin of Emmetts who was 16 when he saw him get abducted on Aug. 28, 1955. Im not surprised, Parker said in an interview. People fear change, and when they see change coming, they will try to destroy things. You have a few people out there like that. Parker said the sign should be replaced. So did Annie Wright. Her husband, Simeon Wright, was 12 and sharing a bed with Emmett, his cousin, when Emmett was kidnapped. I would keep putting it up, and someone is going to get tired after a while, said Wright, whose husband died last year. Its hatred. Its all I can say. Weems said that two companies in New York had agreed to design and create a new sign made out of steel, which would be much stronger than the current one, which is made of a thinner metal. The companies will supply it for free, he said. For all that Emmetts case came to signify in the United States, it was largely ignored in the part of Mississippi where he died. There was a highway marker with his name on it, but that too was vandalized when the letters KKK were spray-painted across it. It was later completely covered in black paint. Weems said that in the decades after Emmetts death, people in the Mississippi Delta region wanted to forget about the crime and act as if it had never happened. While that sentiment holds true with some people there, he said, most people in the area have voiced support for preserving Emmetts story in the historical markers. In truth, this is a story about a local community black and white, Republican and Democrat, plantation owners and former sharecroppers that came together and took responsibility, Weems said. No one has been caught for defacing the sign in previous years. The Tallahatchie County sheriff did not return a phone call Monday about the latest act of vandalism. My sense is that it only takes one person to do this, Weems said. CARACAS, VENEZUELAInvestigators hunting for assailants behind a failed attempt to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro with explosives-laden drones have raided hotels and seized vehicles while grilling six suspects for details of the plot. Venezuelas socialist government alleged Sunday that the detained suspects conspired with others in Miami and the capital of neighbouring Colombia, though they offered no specific evidence. Opposition leaders criticized Maduro for broadly singling out his political opponents, and they warned that he might use the attack to further suppress his critics. The attack came as Venezuela is reeling from an economic and humanitarian crisis and Maduro has grown increasingly isolated. Foreign nations, including the United States, are slapping economic sanctions on a growing list of high-ranking Venezuelan officials and decrying his government as an autocratic regime. Maduro and his allies called the attack direct proof that an international plot to overthrow his socialist administration exists, while also saying that the militarys response shows he still has the loyalty of Venezuelas soldiers. But analysts said the images broadcast live on television when the attack struck during a Maduro speech Saturday evening made him appear vulnerable. Seeing trained soldiers fleeing in apparent panic and disarray before an explosion strongly contrasts with the idea of monolithic control and loyalty of security forces that Maduro prides himself on, the New York-based Torino Capital investment firm said. Read more: 6 arrested in what Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is calling an assassination attempt Venezuelas Maduro may have committed crimes against humanity, expert panel says How Nicolas Maduro went from bus driver to reviled Venezuelan president Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, appearing on state television Sunday, said the attackers were trying to wipe out Venezuelas entire top leadership along with Maduro. Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said two drones, each packed with a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of C-4 plastic explosive, were flown toward Maduro, his wife and other top leaders as the president spoke to hundreds of troops during an event celebrating the 81st anniversary of the National Guard. One of the drones was intended to explode above Maduro and the other was to detonate directly in front of him, Reverol said. The military managed to knock one of the drones off course electronically and the other craft crashed into an apartment building two blocks away, Reverol said. We have six terrorists and assassins detained, he said. In the next hours there could be more arrests. Reverol said two of those arrested had previous run-ins with the government, although he did not give their names. He said one took part in 2014 anti-governments protests that rocked Venezuelas as it descended deeper into an economic crisis that is now worse than the Great Depression. The other had a warrant out for his arrest for participating in an attack on a military barracks, the interior minister said. Investigators continued searching the blackened apartment building near the speech site, and authorities said officers also raided six hotels, where some of the suspects were arrested and film evidence was collected. Officials gave no details. Two witnesses who live in nearby apartment buildings said they saw a drone hovering over a residential street Saturday evening and then heard an explosion. One witness showed The Associated Press cellphone video of a drone crashing into a building. He said the drone fell to the ground and exploded, igniting a fire in an apartment. Another witness, Mairum Gonzalez, described running in panic to her fifth-floor balcony, where she heard the second explosion and saw smoke rising. It was so strong the building shook, she said. It terrified me. In an address to the nation later Saturday night, a visibly shaken Maduro blamed the attack on the far right, and he called on U.S. President Donald Trump to hold the terrorist group accountable. Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Trumps national security adviser, John Bolton, said: If the government of Venezuela has hard information that they want to present to us that would show a potential violation of U.S. criminal law, well take a serious look at it. The Broad Front, a coalition of opposition groups in Venezuela, accused the government of making an allegation without proof. Its evident that the initial reaction of the government isnt aimed at attempting to clarify what happened but rather to take advantage of the situation and irresponsibly and sweepingly attack the opposition, the group said in a statement. A little-known group calling itself Soldiers in T-shirts claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it planned to fly two drones loaded with explosives at the president but soldiers shot them down. The authenticity of the message could not be independently verified, and the organization did not respond to a message from the AP. It was not successful today, but it is just a matter of time, the group said in a tweet. Venezuelas government routinely accuses opposition activists of plotting to attack and overthrow Maduro. The former bus driver has moved steadily to consolidate power as the nation struggles to reverse hyperinflation that the International Monetary Fund projects could top 1 million per cent by years end. Last year, amid deadly, near-daily protests, rogue police officer Oscar Perez flew a stolen helicopter over the capital and launched grenades at several government buildings. Perez and several comrades were killed in a gunbattle with police after more than six months at large. Maduro said the attack left him convinced of the militarys support and undeterred in carrying forward the socialist revolution begun by the late Hugo Chavez. Venezuela will continue on the democratic, independent and socialist path, Maduro said. Analysts believe Maduro still holds the militarys support, but also said the attack was an embarrassment for a government that prides itself on control and invincibility. We continue to hold as our scenario one in which Maduro remains in power for coming years, Torino Capital said in its analysis. However, given the regimes unpopularity and the depth of the countrys economic crisis, we believe it is important to monitor events that can become catalysts for broader protest movements leading to regime change. Read more about: Justin Trudeau should get down on his knees and thank the fates for electing Doug Ford. Before Ford became Ontario premier, Trudeau was in danger of being outed as a fraud on the all-important climate change file. But Ford is such a laggard in this area that no matter how little the Liberal prime minister does, he seems active by comparison. Fords decision to challenge Trudeaus carbon tax in court serves to obscure the reality of the proposed federal levy, namely that it is too low to be effective. And it allows Trudeau to continue pretending that his climate change strategy is vastly different from that of former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper when in fact it is not. When Trudeaus Liberals were in opposition, they mocked Harpers timidity in fighting global warming. His target to reduce Canadas greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 was dismissed by the Liberals as grossly inadequate. Yet once they took power, the Trudeau Liberals made this inadequate target their own. Like Harper in his day, they are still not on track to meet it. When he was prime minister, Harper insisted that Canada could not move more aggressively against climate change than its major trading partner, the U.S. Harpers Conservatives did move in lock-step with then U.S. president Barack Obama, echoing his focus on coal-fired electricity generating plants and, in 2012, matching his plan to strengthen auto emission standards. Trudeau doesnt talk about this as much. But in practice, he too keeps a weather eye on the Americans. In 2016, he very publicly matched Obamas decision to reduce methane emissions. A year later, after Donald Trump reversed that Obama move, Canadas Liberal government quietly announced it would delay implementation of its new methane rules until 2023. Last week, Ottawa announced even more quietly that it plans to ease proposed carbon tax rules for big industrial polluters in order to match the new laissez-faire attitude of the Trump regime. Also last week came news that Trump is moving to axe Obamas tougher vehicle emission standards, the ones that Canada matched six years ago. We shall see how the Trudeau Liberal government reacts to that. Where Trudeau differs dramatically from Harper is on carbon taxes. The Conservatives, while willing to legislate nationally, were wary of implementing anything that could be seen as a new tax. The Liberals, while nervous (they prefer the term carbon price to carbon tax), have been more adventurous. In Trudeaus boldest move to date, he warned provincial governments that if they didnt come up with their own carbon pricing plans, Ottawa would impose its own. The only problem with this plan is that Ottawas fallback carbon tax set to start at $20 per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions next year and rising to $50 per tonne by 2022 is too low. If carbon taxes are to work, they must be high enough to discourage consumers from using products, like gasoline, that create greenhouse gas emissions. Experts Ive talked to say that, to be effective, carbon taxes must be set at about $30 per tonne now, rising to $200 a tonne by 2030. There is no indication that the Liberal government is willing to be so audacious. Thats why the Doug Ford sideshow is such a useful distraction for Trudeau. On the climate-change file, Ford is the perfect foil. He knows what he doesnt like but offers no alternatives. He spends his time ranting against a federal carbon tax that currently exists only in theory and that once implemented would be so low as to barely register. He is a cartoon character waging a phoney war. And in the all-important area of fighting destructive climate change even as Northeastern Ontario burns he lets Trudeaus government off the hook. Read more about: Lake Tahoe, which straddles the borders of California and Nevada, is one of the most-visited attractions in the American West. It was once named for a Mount Sterling man. John Bigler, a top resident of Brown County in the 1840s, was originally honored with the naming of the beautiful lake, largely due to his service as governor of California. The third chief executive in the history of the Golden State, Bigler was the first man to hold the office for multiple terms. Born on Jan. 8, 1805, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Bigler attended Dickinson College and apprenticed as a printer in his youth. He then served in the first of several newspaper capacities in his career, as publisher and editor of the Centre County Democrat from 1831 to 1834. Afterward, he began to study law and briefly opened a practice in Pennsylvania before moving to Mount Sterling, which was in its infancy. Brown County had only been established in 1839, and the city was named the seat that same year. Bigler became a respected citizen with his successful law practice. He also founded the first newspaper in Brown County, the Prairie Pioneer, though the dates are sketchy. Some sources list the first issue as 1847, while others report the summer of 1848. Likewise, details of Biglers marriage vary. He wed the former Elizabeth Graham sometime around 1847, but the exact date is not known. On Jan. 24, 1848, James Wilson Marshall, a carpenter employed by John Augustus Sutter at his trading post near present-day Sacramento, came across some bright, yellowish metal in a stream near a mill he was constructing. Sutter proclaimed the metal was gold, beginning one of the greatest migrations in American history. In 1849, Bigler left Mount Sterling to join the gold rush. Since the city was located along one of the primary routes for westward migration, his trek was made easier, though it was certainly challenging. Bigler, his wife, and daughter Virginia traveled by ox-cart, eventually reaching Sacramento that Aug. 31. Elizabeth and Virginia Bigler are considered the first white female emigrants to the city. Bigler could not find legal opportunities, so he worked as an auctioneer, wood chopper, and producer of calico bed comforters. During most of their earliest weeks in Sacramento, the family lived in a cloth tenement, or tent, which leaked badly during the rainy season, forcing the family to sleep under an umbrella. Still, in October 1849, Bigler was nominated for the state assembly. He contested the election, and won the seat by 56 votes. The following February, he was elected Speaker. In 1851, Bigler, a Democrat, became the third governor in California history when he was elected by 1,082 votes over a former Sutter employee. He would be re-elected two years later, becoming the first man in state history, and the only one in the 19th century to serve more than one term. During his tenure, Bigler was a proponent of agriculture and was the first governor to back the use of irrigation in the states dry areas. He was sympathetic to the plight of travelers entering the state from the East, but sought to limit the immigration of Chinese into California. He also pushed for the elimination of American Indians from the state. In addition, Bigler reduced the states debt and signed legislation in 1854 to establish his hometown of Sacramento as the new state capital. That same year, a branch of the U.S. Mint was established in San Francisco. Over 200 public schools were funded while Bigler was in office. He retained considerable popularity in office, and was remembered in 1898 as a hail-fellow-well-met with all his constituents. Known for wearing a tall silk hat that sat back on his head, Bigler was described by one California gubernatorial history as rotund with an oval face which reflected an easy going sense of humor. Bigler was unsuccessful in a bid for a third term. While he was in charge in Sacramento, his younger brother, William, was the governor of Pennsylvania, an office he held from 1852-55. But Bigler left office with a nice memorial at least for a while. Reflective of his concern for westward travelers, in 1852 Bigler led a supply train to the Sierras to assist in a large party of struggling emigrants. He subsequently spent some time hunting and fishing at what was then called Mountain Lake, or todays Lake Tahoe. The governor and his associates were honored for helping the travelers at a huge banquet in present-day Placerville. There, one of his friends suggested that the lake should be named in his honor. Bigler Lake remained until 1862, when a resort manager decided that the name should be changed, based on Biglers views of the Lincoln administration. The manager a strong Republican proposed to switch the name of the lake to a local Indian word, Taahoo, or big water. Back in the capital, the editors of the Sacramento Union, a Republican outlet, agreed and printed a spirited editorial promoting the new name, Lake Tahoo. However, a typographical error caused the name to become Tahoe. The new name had its share of critics, including Mark Twain, who said I hope some bird will catch this Grub the next time he calls Lake Bigler by so disgustingly sick and silly a name as Lake Tahoe. (it) sounds weak as soup for a sick infant. Democrats regained control of the California state house and assembly in 1867 and, annoyed at the change, promptly passed a bill to rename the lake after Bigler. Though the name appeared on official state documents and maps, neither the general public nor the federal government accepted the latest change, and the body of water continued to be known as Lake Tahoe. That designation was made official by the California assembly in 1945. After leaving office, Bigler was named Minister to Chile by President James Buchanan in 1857. Six years later, he lost a bid for Congress in a landslide. In 1868, he established the State Capital Reporter, a newspaper that espoused his political beliefs. Bigler died on Nov. 29, 1871, and is buried in Sacramento City Cemetery. PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Consolidated Communications and unions representing about 1,000 workers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont reached tentative agreements on new contracts late Saturday, averting a potential strike. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Communications Workers of America authorized a strike but the labor agreement came before the old contract expired at midnight Saturday. Details of the three-year agreements were not immediately available but union officials said in a statement they protect jobs, maintain affordable health care, and provide enhanced retirement benefits. The agreements responded to the needs of workers and customers while also addressing fast-paced changes in the telecommunications industry, they said. We promised we were going to try to get the best possible agreement for members. We achieved our goals, said Don Trementozzi, president of CWA Local 1400 and co-chairman of the unions negotiating team. I dont think its in the best interest of either party to have a strike. The telecom industry is very competitive these days, he added. Union workers in the three states will hold meetings in the coming days to discuss and vote on the agreements. These were the first negotiations since a four-month strike preceded an agreement with FairPoint Communications. Illinois-based Consolidated purchased FairPoint last year. Consolidated Communications provides telephone and broadband internet in northern New England. It also operates in 21 other states. Bob Udell, Consolidated president and CEO, said in a statement that he was pleased with the outcome. Since our acquisition of FairPoint a year ago, we have seen a notable improvement in the relationship between the Unions and the Company, and this agreement reflects that progress, he said. Workers were out for 131 days after walking off the job in October 2014. During that strike, there were widely documented reports of customer service problems including long telephone call waits and delayed service calls. Consolidated Communications said it was negotiating in good faith but had a strike contingency plan involving hundreds of trained managers filling in for union workers. Union workers were especially concerned about the companys proposal to make greater use of subcontractors. The company contended it needs flexibility when it comes to hiring subcontractors to expedite repair, maintenance and installations, and that no workers will be laid off as a result. The last strike began after North Carolina-based FairPoint froze pensions, imposed pay reductions on new workers, eliminated retiree health insurance and allowed the company to hire more outside workers. The agreement that ended the strike allowed employees to keep their defined benefit pension plans but there were concessions on company contributions, health care costs and other issues. Consolidated ultimately bought FairPoint, doubling its fiber optic network and creating a company with operations in 24 states. The $1.3 billion transaction was completed last July. Illinois is not among the states offering a back-to-school sales tax holiday this year. Seventeen states will hold some form of a tax holiday in 2018, down from a peak of 19 states in 2010. Some supporters argue the temporary reduction spurs spending and saves consumers money. Jesse Hathaway, research fellow for budget and tax policy at the Heartland Institute, said that doesnt end up happening. Tax holidays dont boost the sales overall, they dont increase economic growth, Hathaway said. However, they do increase the cost of compliance with tax rules. They add to the complexity. A 2017 study by Federal Reserve researchers shows that consumers dont typically spend more because of the tax holiday. Instead, they simply shift the timing of purchases to the period in which the sales tax is eliminated. Illinois last held a tax holiday in 2010. State Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, voted against the proposal at the time and notes the results werent encouraging. The weekend we had the sales tax holiday, the advertisements were for 30-percent off school supplies, Syverson said. The following two weekends, the advertisements were 40-percent and 50-percent off. The stores knew it was a no-tax weekend, so they artificially kept the prices even higher. Individuals thought they were getting a deal, but they actually were paying more. Syverson said a proposal to continue the tax holiday was defeated in 2011, though the idea is discussed just about every year in Springfield. It makes for nice headlines, and it makes them look like theyre populists, Syverson said. But most of these people are the same lawmakers who have been raising taxes on everyone. Hathaway said the temporary nature of the tax relief distracts both residents and officials from addressing the bigger issue. If lawmakers really want to save money for consumers and help people keep more of their money, then they should be reducing the sales tax rate not just on one weekend, but year-round. It should be a lower tax rate that covers more things that is fair to everybody. A radio veteran with nearly twenty years of experience, Scot Bertram is the General Manager of Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM, the student radio station at Hillsdale College. Bertram is also the co-host of Political Beats for National Review Online. GODFREY First Daughter and presidential advisor Ivanka Trump will visit Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey on Wednesday. Trump is scheduled to visit Weber Workforce Development Center, where she and U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis R-Taylorville will participate in a roundtable discussion. About 250 are expected to be in the audience, which is by invite-only. Im excited to discuss workforce development issues with Ivanka Trump, who is leading this issue for the White House, 13th District employers, and students at Lewis and Clark Community College, Davis posted on his Facebook page Monday afternoon. Congress and the administration continue to work with businesses to improve workforce training opportunities to fill the jobs being created by our growing economy. Lewis & Clark is pleased to be the selected site to host the Workforce Roundtable organized by Congressman Davis and the White House, College President Dale Chapman said Monday in a statement. Its evidence that L&C is a leader in workforce education, and we are honored to be recognized as such. It will be the second time Ivanka Trump will be in the riverbend in less than two weeks touting job creation. She accompanied her father, President Donald Trump, on a trip last month to the Granite City Works U.S. Steel plant, where the presidents imposed tarriffs are credited with putting as many as 800 laid-off steelworkers back on the job. That event gave Davis, along with fellow U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, a place in the presidential spotlight ahead of Novembers election, as both congressmen are seen as vulnerable to losing their seats to Decmocratic challengers Betsy Dirksen Londrigan and Brendan Kelly, respectively. Wednesdays visit is part of a nationwide tour in which Ivanka Trump is promoting the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, signed by President Trump, on Wednesday, Aug. 1. The bill provides funding and flexibility for states to offer programs promoting career and technical education, refocuses those programs on student outcomes to ensure they are prepared to enter the workforce, and enhances skills training to match the jobs that are available in a 21st century economy. I am glad to see this important bill get signed into law so that we can better prepare students and job seekers to fill the 6.6 million open jobs we have today, Davis said in a statement reporting the bill. This story will be updated. Uncle Vince Richardson was a sociable guy who loved to throw elaborate birthday parties for himself and host great gatherings of friends and neighbors. And before his death in 1896, the venerated Morgan County farmer was a fixture at the annual soup dinners and festivals held in Richardsons Grove, located in the Point neighborhood about 6 miles west of Jacksonville. The yearly soup (actually burgoo) dinner in Richardsons Grove was a popular event in Morgan County in the late 1800s. A partial list of the soups ingredients was supplied by an observant Jacksonville Daily Journal reporter in 1889. Bright and early that prince of soup makers, J.Z. Scott, was on hand and soon nine kettles were steaming with savory contents. It is impossible to give a complete list of the ingredients used on such occasions. Something less than 100 soup bones, savory pieces of veal, 500 doves and squirrels, 50 chickens and other meats too numerous to mention, beside the whole line of vegetables known to this latitude. The attendees, who sometimes numbered more than 1,000, also usually dined on sandwiches, melons, chicken, ice cream and cake at the event in Richardsons Grove. But it was the soup, or burgoo, that drew the crowds. And while the Richardsons Grove soup dinners ended long ago, several communities in west-central Illinois still hold burgoo-cooking festivals every summer. Years ago, former Journal and Courier reporter Mary N. Fergurson looked into the burgoo culture in these parts. What follows are portions of her findings. Only in a few other isolated pockets of Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky (so they say) does burgoo culture survive, she wrote. But here it positively thrives. Strangers may have to cultivate a taste for the stuff, but its almost sacrilegious for a native not to drool over it, reported Anne West in her Aug. 8, 1953, article published in the Saturday Evening Post. Scores of theories abound concerning the origin of what has been called one of the truly great and unabashedly superb dishes of Americana and its migration to various segments of the lower Midwest and South. But most culinary scholars and local experts agree that this thick simmering concoction of meat, vegetables and spices was originally a hunters stew that traveled with the pioneers from the eastern seaboard, through the Appalachians to Kentucky and into the Northwest Territory. Though one soup maker hailing from a long line of burgoo cooks gives burgoo an older pedigree, saying it originated in England. Others contend that the soup first simmered in Germany while another cooking historian claims that burgoo was born in the ships mess during the 18th century. No matter, burgoo, which first utilized wild game rabbits, squirrels, ducks and the like has enjoyed a long domesticated history in Morgan, Scott and Cass counties. Local lore has it that Arenzville has put on a burgoo ever since the Civil War. And the Allan family of Scott County has been making soup for the past four generations. Their secret recipe, says Mark Allan, who has inherited the title of soup maker, is even older since a man named Isaac Watson brought the recipe from England before giving it to his great-grandfather. Another story, which was published in the Jacksonville Daily Journal on Aug. 14, 1942, says that the first burgoo dinner in the area was held at Point church, officially known as Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church. The report says burgoo was made by farmers in that community for friends and families, who were most likely Richardsons and many of their neighbors. The affair was soon taken up by the churches of the various communities and soon grew to be the most popular and profitable event held during the year, according to the 1942 story. The popularity of the thick soup known as burgoo, the recipe of which is often a closely guarded secret, continues in these parts today. This Way We Were story was first published Aug. 11, 2003. EDWARDSVILLE TreeHouse Wildlife Center, the Watershed Nature Center and Glen Carbon resident Erika Obrecht recently teamed together to give a young American kestrel a new lease, in the form of release, on life. The kestrel was released at the Watershed Nature Center this week through the TreeHouse Wildlife Centers new release program. Kelly Vandersand, Fundraising Coordinator for TreeHouse Wildlife Center in Dow, explained they received the two female batch kestrels after they had gotten out of their nest. When birds are in the nest, they start branching where they are hopping around in the nest, she said. And then they they are fledgling when they are starting to get ready to fly. A lot of times they will fall out of the nest and the tree, and mama bird cant bring that bird back up to the nest. So they will hop around on the ground a lot of the times. Vandersand pointed out that when this happens, the parents are still taking care of the young kestrel and chasing off predators. But where these two had fledged at it wasnt safe. There was traffic foot traffic. So we deemed it would be better for the birds if we moved them out of the area even though we know its better for the parents to take care of it. But if the animal is in danger, thats the only time we will actually remove that animal from its parental care, she stressed. The two kestrels were brought to TreeHouse, where TreeHouse Wildlife Centers Rehab staff and volunteers cared for the young birds while they grew into adults. When they were ready to be returned to the wild, they became apart of TreeHouse Wildlife Centers new release program. If somebody would like to donate $200 to help sponsor their rehab, then they would get the opportunity to do the release, Vandersand said. They could either do a private release or a public release. However they wanted to do it if they were wiling to donate that money, then we would try to work with them to find a great place. They get a t-shirt that says release team on the back. Thats where Erika Obrecht became involved. She saw the TreeHouse post on Facebook about the release of the kestrels and pledged the money. Vandersand called the Watershed Nature Center to inquire about a release there. And the Watershed said, guess what? We just had somebody who made and donated a kestrel box. So I thought well this would be perfect, Vandersand noted. Bob Hyten actually built and donated the kestrel box to the Watershed. It has been mounted on a tree near the center and can be seen when standing on the concrete area in front of the Watershed Nature Center and looking out over the lake. The release program is a new program for TreeHouse. The first release was in June. It was a barred owl, Vandersand said. Because its on the threatened and endangered species list, we wanted to push it further East where it could have a better habitat. Somebody within nine minutes, clicked on it (through Facebook) and said, my uncle has a farm way over in Greenfield. So it worked out perfect. Vandersand also had scheduled another barred owl release in the Brighton/Godfrey area. Its not that we are going to be doing a lot of releases because a lot of time the animals are spoken for. The property owners want the animal to come back to their property. Not that they feel like they own them, but because its part of their ecosystem in the property, Vandersand said. This one (kestrel) was a young bird when it came to the center so we knew that we didnt have to worry about a mate and we didnt have to worry about any babies it might possibly have, Vandersand explained. We thought this might just be a way to raise a little bit more funds and then get the community involved. And we got to partner with the Watershed Nature Center on this. The Watershed was really gracious about saying hey yeah, this would be great. And we love partnering with them, too, Sarah Palermo, Executive Director of the Watershed Nature Center, said. Weve released with TreeHouse before, Palermo said. Weve been doing an annual event in memory of one of our founders and so we did a release when we opened up the new bird blind and bubbler.it was a coopers hawk. Most of the time they are birds of prey that we release. Our birders who come out are excited to see a bird rehabbed. We love having the bio-diversity and this place is here obviously for the community to get involved, but then also for us to be a really good habitat for these released animals because theres an easy food source right here, Palermo added. Its a good spot and not too far out. Were very excited. Weve done a number of releases with TreeHouse over the years. EDWARDSVILLE The artwork of students in kindergarten through fifth grade who attended the Edwardsville District 7 Summer Zone program is on display in the Edwardsville Arts Centers DeToye Student Gallery through the coming weeks. The exhibit features the artwork the students made this summer as part of their Masterpiece Mondays art curriculum that was designed by EAC Art Teacher Sarah Willig. Willig explained that the classes were held every Monday for seven weeks between June 4 and July 16. We had between 80 to 100 students each week. Classes were all an hour-and-a half long, she noted. The students were taught in age groups of kindergarten/first graders, second/third graders and fourth/fifth graders. There were two teachers myself, and Kelsey Seidel. We are both full-time art educators. I teach kindergarten through fourth grade in Edwardsville and Kelsey will teach kindergarten through twelfth grade for her first year in Brownstown, Illinois, Willig added. Willig said that she designed the summer curriculum to focus on a different medium every week. I wanted to show our students in-depth art projects they may not be able to achieve in a traditional classroom setting that only allows 30 minutes or less of work time, Willig said. Every week we would introduce the media and do a short art appreciation lesson with two to three artists who work in that particular area of study. After exploring different ways artists may work in that medium, our students would plan and execute their own expression of the material. Mediums the students learned included collage, printmaking, painting, clay, found-object sculpture, mixed media, and fibers. Some examples of projects include found object sculpture, where our students would use recycled materials to construct a piece that would be painted. Some students decided to build animals while others decided to make small models of parks or landscapes, Willig explained. For fibers week the students made sewn or glued stuffed animals from felt. Kelseys classes created monsters and animals while my classes made animals or food, she pointed out. Some memorable projects were pizza slices, some amazing animals like turtles and dinosaurs, and a few of my kindergarten and first grade students created functional purses. The EAC show will offer a variety of projects from each weeks lessons and will reflect different age groups. All of the lessons were fun to teach, but I really enjoyed the stuffed animal fibers project. In fact, most students were unwilling to put their project in the show because they knew they wouldnt get to take it home until September, Willig said. Painting is always a fun week because we get to use stretched canvas and acrylic paint which are higher grade materials then we typically get to use in school. I enjoy the process of a student sketching an idea, creating it, and seeing the pride and accomplishment they feel when they successfully achieved their idea, Willig added. I have to say, it is an incredibly rewarding job. The EAC Masterpiece Monday exhibit begins runs through Sept. 8. On June 19, 2018, Donald Walsh of Jerseyville participated in the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight to Washington, DC. The Land of Lincoln Honor Flight Program (part of a nation-wide program) is a non-profit organization in Springfield, Illinois, that honors American veterans by taking them to Washington, DC to visit the memorials that honor their service. Don is a Korean War veteran who served from January 1951 to January 1953 in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Private First Class. Dons Honor Flight included one World War II veteran, 12 Korean veterans, and 70 Vietnam veterans. The day started early in Springfield, with a 4:15 a.m. breakfast before the flight departed. Once they landed at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in DC, the veterans boarded the red, white, and blue buses that would be taking them to the memorials throughout the day. Although all the memorials were significant, the one that stood out the most to Don was the Korean War Memorial considering that was the time during which he served. The memorial commemorates the service of the 5.8 million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the three-year period of the Korean War. The Korean War Memorial differs from the other memorials by the artistic and almost eerie statues of 19 marching soldiers wearing full combat gear. The Honor Flight Veterans also visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Wall), World War II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia, US Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima), US Air Force Memorial, viewing of the Pentagon, and Arlington National Cemetery. At Arlington National Cemetery, the veterans saw the Retiring of the Colors (lowering of the US Flag) and the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Once they had visited all the memorials, they boarded the plane for the return flight to Springfield. A very significant part of a soldiers day when they were serving was Mail Call. This was re-created on the return flight with each veteran receiving a bag of mail. The bags contained letters that friends and family had written prior to the event. Don received over 60 letters. Along with the mail bags, each veteran was acknowledged for the war they served in and the years they served. Upon their arrival to Springfield, the veterans were greeted by friends, family, and a bag pipe player who came to honor their service. Hundreds of people lined a path through the airport. Dons son Donnie Walsh, daughter-in-law Dee Walsh, and his granddaughter Colleen Herlihey were also there to greet him. It was a very emotional walk down the corridor of people cheering and shaking each veterans hand. On the trip itself, Dons guardian was his daughter Vickie Herlihey, who facilitated Dons participation in everything and was there to assist if needed. The festivities wrapped up around 11 p.m. that evening making for a very long day for the veterans. Don would like to thank everyone who took the time to write letters to him, his family members who participated in the busy day, and Joan Bortolon and the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight Committee for making this whole experience possible. The pressures of modern travel are too numerous to count, but surely outranking them all is the necessity to maintain a pristine Instagram feed... isn't it? In any case, step forward the 'Instagram Butler', a new and apparently unique service by Conrad Maldives Rangali Island dedicated to giving guests the edge when it comes to capturing those picture-perfect moments - and making everybody back home green with envy in the process. However, rather than simply taking over guests' social media accounts for the duration of their stay, as traditional notions of the butler might suggest, the Instagram Butler will have more of a tutor's role. This will involve conducting tours around Rangali Island's most photogenic locations, all the while offering advice on the best times of day to photograph and the optimal camera angles to use. Stop-offs along the way, on what the hotel calls the #Instatrail, include a traditional Maldivian swing on the beach (an undholi), and Ithaa, the world's first all-glass undersea restaurant. But the fun isn't limited to the walkabout. Yoga enthusiasts can take part in classes whilst at the same time receiving tips from the hotel's resident instructor on how to strike the most Instagrammable poses. The Instagram Butler service, which the hotel believes to be the first of its kind, can also be combined with a number of special itineraries curated by the hotel in order to lend an alternative to the usual Maldivian photo-fodder of white sand beaches, curvaceous palm trees and turquoise seas. Video of the Day These include a one-hour stargazing experience, a three-hour cookery close at Jeremy Leung's Ufaa restaurant, and a five-hour tour of the local atolls, designed to introduce guests to Maldivian culture, all to be expertly caught on camera and shared with the world. Individual though it may be, the Conrad Maldives is by no means the first hotel to offer such a niche service to its guests. One such is the 'Beditation' Butler provided by Dukes London: part of a meditation and pampering package designed to help guests de-stress.. Others include a Pet Concierge at London's Rubens at the Palace hotel, a Genealogy Butler at The Shelbourne in Dublin and, most intriguingly, a Fish Valet at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel (for prize catches, rather than pet goldfish). For more, visit conradmaldives.com Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] Twin sisters Brittany and Briana Deane, 33, married twin brothers Josh and Jeremy Salyers, 34 at the annual Twins Days Festival at Twinsburg, Ohio A set of twin brides have described as a 'fairy tale come true' their wedding to a pair of identical twin brothers. Identical sisters Brittany and Briana Deane, 33, have dreamed of marrying a set of twin brothers their entire lives, and couldn't be more ecstatic to have their childhood dream come true than when they tied the knot with brothers Josh and Jeremy Salyers, 34. Its really been a fairy tale come true. Marrying twins is something thats very important to us, Briana said, after saying 'I do' in ceremony which took place at the yearly Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio. We knew that the chances were incredibly scarce," Brittany old People. "The stars had to align for our dreams to come true. I get to marry the man of my dreams and at the same time I get to look over next to me and see my twin sister marrying the man of her dreams. The sisters did increase their chances of finding double love however when they attended the largest gathering of twins in the world at the Twins Days festival in Twinsburg last year, where they first clapped eyes on the identical Salyers. The smitten sisters both felt an immediate attraction to the handsome brothers, and eventually got chatting at the festival's wrap party. A year later they returned to the same festival to tie the knot - in a ceremony presided over by a pair of identical pastors. Video of the Day The couples said 'I do' in an outdoor ceremony at the festival, surrounded by sets of twins and walked down the aisle by a set of identical brothers who acted as page boys, and identical twin flower girls. Fellow attendees of the festival were delighted to be a part of the unique occasion, with several posting tributes to the happy couples. "Least average/best wedding weve been to," said Alice Taranto, a twin who had the chance to enjoy the couples' big day first hand at the event. Twin sisters Taylor Castellaw acted as junior bridesmaids, and described their enjoyment of the occasion on Instagram: "Spent the weekend celebrating the most beautiful twin brides," Taylor wrote, "Double the laughs, memories, and love." LOWER MAKEFIELD >> The Delaware River is forecast to spill over its banks and flood low-lying portions of River Road and Delaware Avenue in Lower Makefield and Yardley Borough beginning tonight, October 27. The river is forecast to crest around 8 a.m. Thursday morning at 20 feet (minor stage) at Trenton, according to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly,... The adage that failures can teach many lessons seems quite... Actor Rana Daggubati, who will be seen playing the character of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in the NTR biopic, says he feels honoured to play the role. Rana on Monday took to Twitter, where he shared a photograph of himself along with Naidu and captioned it: "What an honour it is to play the role of the Honourable Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Mr. N.Chandrbabu Naidu in the 'NTR' biopic. Thank you sir for giving us your valuable time." The biopic is based on the life of yesteryear superstar NT Rama Rao. Actress Vidya Balan has reportedly been roped in to play NTR's wife Basavatarakam in it. Directed by Krish J, the film is being jointly produced by N. Balakrishna, who plays the title role in the film, Vishnu Induri and Sai Korrapati. A day after the opposition leaders, in an apparent display of unity, gathered at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi to protest against the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case, the Communist Party of India (CPI) demanded the resignation of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for failing to prevent the incident. The Left party said Nitish cannot escape responsibility for the heinous crime. It also demanded a time-bound inquiry into the case. Nitish's party JD(U) is an ally of the National Democratic Alliance. The CPI which held its two-day national executive picked up issues to corner the NDA regime at the Centre. The issues which came up for discussion were same as the ones picked up by the CPI(M) which also had held its two-day politburo meeting last week. Assam NRC The big issue which is inflaming passions is the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam. While, there have been some divergent views in the Congress, both the Left parties have hit at the BJP government for targeting the minorities. All efforts should be made to include Indians into the system. We oppose the amendment in Citizenship Act as it would be discriminatory against certain migrants, CPI general secretary Sudhakar Reddy said. The Left parties stepped up their attack on the Modi government at a time when the opposition parties are trying to stitch a grand alliance to take on the saffron regime. However, these two parties' influence in national politics is decreasing over the years. While the CPI(M) has nine Lok Sabha MPs, the CPI has only one. CPI and CPI(M) have two and five members respectively in Rajya Sabha. Unlike the past when the Left parties were the pivot for bringing together the opposition parties on a common platform, their heft is now limited. In a months time, the Left parties are likely to start discussions about having alliances and seat-sharing arrangements with other parties ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. India-Pak ties In the coming days, one of the issues before the Modi government would be engaging with the new government in Pakistan. Both the Left parties have asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clear his stance on holding talks with the new regime to be led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan. Sudhakar Reddy said the Pakistan elections are of significance to India. The elections were controlled by the army, but theres a welcome development that all terrorist-supported parties lost,'' he said. Bharat bandh The Left parties have extended their support to the August 9 Bharat Bandh called by dalits and farmers groups. Sudhakar Reddy said though the government had brought a bill to overturn the Supreme Court judgment on the Sc/ST Act, it was too late and too little. Rajya Sabha MP D. Raja said the federal structure of the country was in danger due to the policies of Modi government. He highlighted the move to scrap the UGC without holding discussions with the states. "This is centralisation of powers in the hands of the Union government, which is not good for our country," Raja said. It will be a new flashpoint between the opposition and the government in the coming days. Sunil Deodhar, the BJP's new co-minder for Andhra Pradesh, was given a rousing reception in Agartala on Sunday by the party's state unit and common people for his new appointment. Deodhar was taken for a road show and was publicly acknowledged by the state BJP as the reason behind the party's grand show in the March election, which ousted the 25-year-long Left Front government. Interestingly, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb participated in the farewell meeting organised by the state unit of the BJP despite having differences with Deodhar. The differences between Deodhar and Deb became so severe some months ago that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah had to intervene. Interestingly, while Deb was asked to control his temper, Deodhar was earmarked for a greater role in the party after his resounding success in organising the BJP's assembly election campaign in Tripura. A section in the West Bengal BJP unit had wanted Deodhar for the state. But sources confirmed to THE WEEK that the BJP believed Deodhar's acumen would be better utilised in one of the upcoming assembly elections first. Shah, after due consultation with Ram Madhav, personally decided to send Deodhar to Andhra Pradesh. Deodhar said Modi and Shah had given him three years to oust the CPI(M) from Tripura. "But in Andhra Pradesh, I have been given only nine months to prove myself. I am ready for the test. In nine months, a child is born. But for me, I would have to give birth, with the help of the other state in-charge, a chief minister of Andhra Pradesh," said Deodhar, who was formerly a key RSS man in the northeast. Deodhar said he would not lose his connection with Tripura, which had given him national recognition. From Agartala, Deodhar's destination would now be Amaravati, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh. From Tripureswari temple of Tripura, Deodhar said, I would be deposited into the lap of Tirupati temple. Calling Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu a leader having double standards, Deodhar said his sole job would be to tell people how the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh "backstabbed" the NDA. Asked about his prescription for success in Andhra Pradesh, Deodhar said, I have only one prescription: We would have to reach people. I will do that. I will reach every one in the state personally. Unlike Tripura, Andhra Pradesh would be a tough task for Deodhar. Earlier, a source said the BJP had considered him for Odisha. But the Andhra Pradesh election is considered to be a battle for 'prestige' for Modi and Shah as Naidu's outburst against the BJP is thought to have given a fillip to coordination among anti-BJP parties in the country before the 2019 election. The Modi-Shah duo is out to teach Naidu a lesson or two politically, a BJP leader confirmed. Andhra Pradesh has 25 Lok Sabha seats and is one of the important states for the BJP in south India. The BJP is trying to get maximum seats in the south from two statesAndhra Pradesh and Karnataka. More soldiers of India's defence forces have been killed by themselves than by an enemy. A total of 437 armed force personnel have committed suicide in the last four years against 237 killed during combat operations which include cross border firing and even aircraft crash. Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, the minister of state for defence Subhash Bhamre said the highest proportion of suicide falls in the Army. In last four years, 340 armymen, 18 personnel from the Navy and 79 defence personnel from the IAF have committed suicide. Number of suicides continues unabated in the armed forces despite successive government claiming to have taken several measures to reduce the stress level among soldiers. Bhamre listed out several steps taken by the armed forces to create healthy environment for their officers and other ranks and to improve their morale. It includes provision for better quality of facilities such as clothing, food, married accommodation, travel facilities, schooling and recreation, and periodic welfare meeting. Training by psychological counsellors along with conduct of yoga and meditation have been used as a tool for stress management. Institutionalisation of projects MILAP and SAHYOG was brought in by the Army in Northern and Eastern Command to reduce stress among troops. Simultaneously, Mansik Sahayata Helpline have been established by the Army and Air Force to take professional counselling and mental health awareness during pre-induction training. Besides, mental health centres have been established in Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Port Blair, Goa and Karwar along with setting up of Military Psychiatry Treatment Centre at INHS Asvini. "Prolonged deployment in counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir and northeast creates a negative impact on physical endurance and mental health of a soldier,"an officer told THE WEEK while adding that denial of leaves, poor basic amenities and low salaries are also considered to be some factors leading to depression. Officials also believe that problems of living away from family, raising children and educating them add to a soldiers depression. " Issues like marital discord or property dispute back home of a solider keep troubling him. With mobile phones, he is constantly in touch with his family. It eventually causes mental stress, which drives him to take extreme step," official added. The junior minister for defence further informed the parliament that 37 officers and 201 other ranks have killed during combat operation. He also listed out measures for the protection of the forces and minimisation of risk factors on a continuous basis. "The broad measures taken include upgradation of security infrastructure and intelligence capabilities, refinement of operational drill and response mechanism, equipping the forces with state-of-art weapon, equipment and surveillance devices, medical support and quick casualties evacuation mechanism," Bhamre informed Rajya Sabha. Parliament on Monday passed a stringent legislation prescribing death penalty to those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years and making the law against such sexual offences harsher. The bill replaces the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance promulgated on April 21, following an outcry over the rape and murder of a minor girl in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir and the rape of another woman at Unnao in Uttar Pradesh. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2018, which was passed in the Lok Sabha on July 30, was approved by a voice vote in the Upper House. While replying to a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju assured the House that the concerns and issues raised by the members would be looked into by the government, even as he did not agree with the demand of several MPs to send the bill to a Select Committee for scrutiny. Terming the bill as one of national importance, Rijiju said the law is aimed at providing safety to minor girls as he highlighted various aspects of the measure. He said the government brought the bill, as in the last few months, several heart-rending incidents of rape of under- aged girls have taken place in the country. Rijiju said four states had already brought a law in their respective assemblies for capital punishement those who commit rape gainst the girl child who are under the age of 12. The states are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Arunachal Pradesh. "We have introduced certain changes in the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Court Procedure, Evidence Act and there are consequential effects on prevention of atrocities against children," the minister said. The bill stipulates stringent punishment for perpetrators of rape, particularly of girls below 12 years. Death sentence has been provided for rapists of girls under 12 years. The minimum punishment in cases of rape of women has been increased from rigorous imprisonment of seven years to 10 years. According to the bill, in case of rape of a girl under 16 years, the minimum punishment has been increased from 10 to 20 years, extendable to imprisonment for rest of life, which means jail term till the convict's "natural life". Stringent punishment for rape of a girl under 12 years has been provided with the minimum jail term being 20 years which may go up to life in prison or death sentence. Gangrape of a girl under 12 years of age will invite punishment of jail term for the rest of life or death. The measure also provides for speedy investigations and trial. The time limit for investigation of all cases of rape has been prescribed, which has to be mandatorily completed within two months. The deadline for the completion of trial in all rape cases will be two months. A six-month time limit for the disposal of appeals in rape cases has also been prescribed, the bill says, adding that there will also be no provision for anticipatory bail for a person accused of rape or gangrape of a girl under 16 years. Participating in the debate, several members made a case for sending the bill for scrutiny to Select Committee, saying there were several shortcomings in it. Some members argued that the provision of death penalty could affect reporting of cases of sexual assault as in many cases the accused happened to be relatives or known persons. There was also an opinion that the provision of death penalty could endanger the life of the victim. Many members suggested that the government change the term 'woman' in the bill appropriately and make it gender- neutral as such crimes do happen with boys as well. Sukhendu Sekhar Ray (TMC) wondered why there are different punishment according to the age of the vicitm. He also expressed concern over the large pendency of cases in courts in the country. Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD) expressed concern that provision of death penalty may endanger victim's life, while Kahkashan Perween (JD-U) suggested that like in Bihar, there should be women police stations in all states. Chhaya Verma (Cong) said punishment should be the same for those convicted for rape, irrespective of the gender of child victim. Ravi Prakash Verma (SP) said the bill should be sent to a select commitee as it took care only of girls and not boys. Citing a survey, he added that the cases of sexual violence were more against boys. Rajeev Gowda (Congress) also aked the government refer it to a select committee. Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. J. Robert Oppenheimers quote from the Bhagavad Gita captures the real meaning of the bombing of Hiroshima and its pivotal role in history. At 08:15 local time on August 6 in 1945, an American B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay, opened her bomb bay doors and dropped Little Boy onto the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Exactly 44.4 seconds later, it detonated over the medieval city, in a cataclysmic, blinding flash, with a fireball hotter than the surface of the sun. The radioactive blast levelled the heart of Hiroshima, followed by a powerful heat and pressure wave. It created a gigantic conflagration that literally incinerated the heart of the city. Almost 70,000 people were instantly killed in Hiroshima, with many more succumbing to radiation and other injuries eventually. In a single, long moment, when the clock of history stood still, the shock waves from the nuclear bomb at Hiroshima had hurtled mankind into the nuclear age. We are the fearing children and the trembling grandchildren of that age, and our injurious times will subsist for decades to come. Little Boy had bequeathed onto humanity his due inheritance of collective mortality. The glowing mushroom cloud looming over the ashes of a ruined Hiroshima is now the face of Armageddon. Monday marks the 73rd anniversary of that fateful, epochal event at Hiroshima. Contrary to popular belief, the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki(August 9, 1945) were not the most horrific acts of destruction in warfare. Since mid-1944, the Americans had been systematically subjecting Japanese cities to strategic bombing and later firebombing using napalm. On March 10, 1945, the American firebombing of Tokyo is estimated to have killed a 100,000 people and rendered a million more homeless, burning to the ground vast swathes of the Japanese capital. The physical destruction and sheer loss of life, as the official US Air Force history noted, exceeded that of any great conflagration of the western world. In all, more than 63 Japanese cities were subjected to ferocious incendiary attacks, killing at least 300,000 Japanese civilians. Industrial production sharply declined and the dislocation in major urban areas was almost total. Millions were left homeless and industrial Japan all but lay in smouldering ruins. This was the level of damage that could be wreaked with conventional explosives. No, it wasnt in the arithmetic of death and destruction that Hiroshima and Nagasaki stood out. It lay in what nuclear weapons portended. For the first time in human history, the instant release of the colossal energy that lies latent in a atom's nucleus was available to man and it could be applied in the field of warfare. Chemical explosives had provided the firepower for armies since the beginning of the modern age in the form of firearms, artillery, bombs, torpedoes and other weapons. As Europe industrialised and the power of the state to mobilise resources multiplied several fold, the operant capacity to wage war and kill, maim and devastate increased in multiples in a few short decades. This was manifest not just in the number of bullets, bombs and shells that a nation could lob at the enemy, but also in the capacity to marshal, supply and transport armies and air and naval fleets of unprecedented size to the far corners of the globe. Indeed, the final victory in the First and Second World Wars was decided by the overwhelming industrial superiority of the winning coalitions. This was a truism that Allied leaders understood well. When the US entered the Second World War after the Pearl Harbour attack, a beleaguered Winston Churchill confidently pronounced, Hitler's fate was sealed. Mussolini's fate was sealed. As for the Japanese, they would be ground to a powder. All the rest was merely the proper application of overwhelming force. The introduction of nuclear weapons at Hiroshima foundered that truism of victory: the proper application of overwhelming force. The first to offer a glimpse of this menacing, uncertain future was H.G. Wells, a seer of science. In his 1914 novel, A World Set Free, Wells grasps the essence of the new power and its deadly consequences. Wells imagines that the atomic bomb induces a blazing continual explosion that is never entirely exhausted, so that to this day, the battlefields and bomb fields of that frantic time in human history are sprinkled with radiant matter. It is the economic, portable capacity to retail apocalyptic destruction by a small band of men that made the nuclear weapon so epochal. The pendulum of victory would no longer be decided by who commanded the greatest numbers. In fact, there was no longer a possibility of a decisive triumph in a conventional-military sense. All that stared at contestants in a future nuclear conflict was a kaleidoscope of mini-Armageddons. The concept of victory itself became a phantasmal, mirage-like thing. Henceforth, no rational political leader could wage war, with certainty of outcomes in mind. This paradigm shift in power relations has upended normal state-to-state relations. In geopolitical terms, the spread of nuclear weapons, along with the means to deliver them, has transformed Asias relations with the industrially advanced West. The latest evidence of this is the recent trajectory in North Koreas relations with the US. The 'Hermit Kingdom' is essentially a penal colony of starving peasants, controlled by an Asian Gestapo. North Korea's GDP is a mere $28. 5 billion, which is smaller than that of Akron, Ohio, but about the same size of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Yet with a mere half a dozen small nukes, an Asian strongman like Kim Jong-un was able to bring Uncle Sam to a summit. The equivalence is that of a paramount leader of China agreeing to a summit meeting with the panchayat president of a large Indian village! Paradoxically, of course, nuclear weapons have also stabilised the world, rendered infeasible great power conflict and retrained armed violence. The 20th Century is the bloodiest century in history, with an estimated 187 million dying because of war. Yet an overwhelming majority of deaths occurred prior to 1945. Since then, wars have been reduced in time, space and mortality and the number of causalities from them continues to taper off. Oppenheimer, the organising genius of the Manhattan Project that created the first nuclear bombs, riddled the right message from the mushroom cloud over Hiroshima. He said, It did not take atomic weapons to make man want peace. But the atomic bomb was the turn of the screw. The atomic bomb made the prospect of future war unendurable. It has led us up those last few steps to the mountain pass; and beyond there is a different country. We are now in that different country and must grapple with that reality. Sankar Ramachandran is an independent journalist. Mumbai, Aug 6 (PTI) Debt-laden Air India has not paid salaries to its employees for the month of July and is yet to communicate the possible date of payments, sources said. This is at least the fourth time this year that salaries have been delayed. There were delay in payments in March, April, May and June. The national carrier, which is facing acute financial crunch, is yet to sent out any specific communication on when the payments are likely to made, sources said. Air India has more than 11,000 permanent staff. Sources at Air India told PTI that last month's salaries are yet to be deposited in the bank accounts of employees. An airline spokesperson said salaries for the month of July are likely to be disbursed in a couple of days. Generally, the airline disburses salaries by 30th or 31st of every month. The delay in salary payments also comes against the backdrop of the government seeking Parliament's nod for Rs 980 crore as supplementary grants for equity infusion into the airline. On July 26, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha told the Lok Sabha that there was a short delay in the payment of salaries for May and that the same was paid subsequently. "Salaries have been paid to all employees, including the salary for the month of June, 2018, which was paid on July 2, 2018," the minister had said. At the end of March 2017, the national carrier had a debt burden of more than Rs 48,000 crore. Last month, the Civil Aviation Ministry said that Air India has received Rs 27,195.21 crore worth equity infusion under the Turn Around Plan (TAP) and the Financial Restructuring Plan (FRP) approved back in 2012. After the carrier defaulted on payment of employees' May salary this year, one of its pilots' unions had urged the management to ensure that the situation is not repeated in the future. "It is disheartening to note that the salaries have again been delayed for the month (May). This is for the fourth consecutive month that this has been happening....this definitely does not augur well for any organisation, especially an airline," the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) had said. "We request you to make sure that the present situation is not repeated in the future and we look forward to having a conducive atmosphere for the turnaround," it said in a letter to the management on June 11. In the current fiscal, the state-owned airline received an equity infusion of Rs 650 crore up to June. TAP and a Financial Restructuring Plan (FRP) were approved for Air India by the previous UPA regime in 2012. All government guaranteed loans and interests thereon are being paid by the government by way of equity infusion into the airline. Under the FRP, high cost of working capital loans have been converted into long term debt carrying lesser rates of interest so as to reduce the financial burden on Air India. "The TAP/ FRP includes budgetary support amounting to Rs 30,231 crore spread over 10 years ie. up to FY 2020-21 and also equity support for the payment of principal/ interest of the non-convertible debentures. "Air India has received an equity infusion of Rs 27,195.21 crore till date," Sinha told the Lok Sabha last month. PTI IAS RAM MR MR New Delhi, Aug 6 (PTI) Four senior officials, including the one looking into the the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, have been granted extension in the CBI. The decision was taken in a recent meeting of a selection panel headed by Central Vigilance Commissioner K V Chowdary, officials said today. The move assumes significance amidst reports of power tussle between Central Bureau of Investigation Director Alok Kumar Verma and the second senior-most officer Rakesh Asthana. Those given extension include DIG of Banking, Security and Fraud Cell (BSFC), Mumbai C H Nagaraju, a 2003 batch IPS officer of Kerala cadre, investigating the PNB scam involving diamantaire Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi. The tenure of Nagaraju has been extended from December 16 this year to June 30, 2019, an order issued by Personnel Ministry said. His wife Harshita Attaluri, who is also posted in Mumbai heading the Anti-Corruption Branch of the CBI, has been given extension for the same period. Besides them, Manish Kumar Sinha and Jasbir Singh have also been given extension. Sinha, who is working in the BSFC of the agency in Bengaluru, will have tenure till November 5, 2020, the order said. Singh, a 2003 batch IPS officer of Nagaland cadre, who had successfully cracked the rape and murder case of a minor girl in Kotkhai, has been given tenure till July 31, 2020, it said. A 16-year-old girl had gone missing after school hours on July 4 this year and her body was found in the forests of Kotkhai near Shimla in Himachal Pradesh After nearly nine months of intense probe and ruling out all possible suspects, the agency managed to arrest the perpetrator of the crime. Four other officers have also been inducted as superintendent of police (SP) level in the CBI. They are IPS officers Mohit Gupta, Mohd Suvez Haque and PSC Kalyan. Manoj Verma, an officer of he Central Reserve Police Force, has also been inducted in the CBI. All of them have been inducted in the CBI for an initial period of four years, the Personnel Ministry said. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has recently also given the go-ahead for extending the tenure of some key officers in the premier investigating agency, including those who have worked closely in some high profile cases, as part of special director Rakesh Asthana's team. The development had come days after the CBI wrote to the CVC saying that Asthana, a Gujarat cadre IPS officer, (and second senior-most officer) is not allowed to attend the panel's meeting in the absence of the agency's director Alok Verma, officials said. The CBI director is an invitee to the panel headed by the CVC. PTI AKV ABS AKV KJ KJ Mumbai, Aug 6 (PTI) Salman Khan, who is backing brother-in-law Aayush Sharma's debut "Loveratri", says the young actor rejected almost 10 scripts before finalising "Loveratri" as his debut. "During the narration, it was interval when Aayush said he loved the film. Before this, I was kind of getting pissed with him because he has refused some 9-10 scripts. He had his apprehensions about a few things. But with 'Loveratri', he thought he could see himself in it," Salman told reporters at the trailer launch of the film. Salman said initially he and brother Sohail were supposed to make a film called "My Punjabi Nikkah" but that did not work out. The actor said Sohail first spotted Aayush at his gym and thought of him as an actor even before Arpita introduced him to the family. "So, one day, Sohail told me that he saw a boy in his gym that would be perfect for the role. 'He looks fit, has a nice body, keeps to himself and is very respectful,' Sohail told me. Then the next time we met Aayush was at home. "We all were together and Arpita said this is the guy she wanted to marry. Then Sohail told me that he is the same guy he saw in the gym. I told him, 'At least, he will do the film for free!" Salman quipped. The film also marks the debut of Warina Hussain. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala, "Loveratri" is produced by Salman Khan under the banner of Salman Khan Films is slated to release on 5th October 2018. PTI JUR BK BK (Eds: With additional quotes of minister in paras 5,6) Kolkata, Aug 6 (PTI) Fire Brigade officials today asked the authorities of Priya Cinema here to stop screening films till a probe into the fire that broke out at the theatre last night was completed. Director General of Fire Services Jagmohan inspected the site, along with forensic officials, today. He later told reporters, "There will be no screening today. We will give the go-ahead after getting and examining the forensic department report as well as the reports of the fire services department, Kolkata Police and Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC), who have already inspected the theatre and other parts of the building and collected samples." "We are conducting the investigation. The theatre has been asked not to screen films until the investigation is over. We will give the go-ahead after reviewing the situation," he added. West Bengal Fire Services Minister Sovan Chatterjee told reporters that the fire safety measures of all the cinema halls in the city will be checked by a team of Fire Services personnel very soon. He also said no screening will be allowed in the Priya cinema hall till the Fire Services department gave a clearance and legal steps will be taken if any lapses were found in the inquiry. Replying to a question on whether the fire started from a food outlet on the ground floor of the building, Jagmohan said the first floor was not affected by the blaze, the reasons behind which were being ascertained. Forensic personnel had collected samples from the spot, official sources said. The fire had broken out at the theatre located in the Deshapriya Park area of south Kolkata during a late-night show. There was no report of any casualty. The audience had managed to exit after smoke filled the auditorium at around 10.15 pm. Four members of the theatre owner's family, who lived in the same building, and a staff member were trapped on the roof, but were evacuated safely by the Fire Brigade personnel. The owner of the theatre, Arijit Dutta, said screening of films was stopped for the time being. "We are trying to resume it as soon as possible.... There is no damage to the cinema hall in the fire," he told PTI. Dutta said the fire had started from a food outlet located on the ground floor of the building. When smoke entered his office, which is located next to the food outlet, he alerted the theatre employees and managed to evacuate all the members of the audience. He claimed that the theatre got a clearance from the fire department in May and followed the safety guidelines laid down by the CESC and other public utilities. Chatterjee, who had gone to the spot after the incident, said all angles, including the possibility of the fire originating from the ground-floor food outlet, would be investigated. Sources said the fire was possibly caused by a short circuit. PTI SUS KK RC RC \R Kolkata, Aug 6 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said the economic security of the common people has been jeopardised since the introduction of demonetisation and asked the central government to probe reports of ATM frauds. Banerjee said her party TMC will take up the issue in Parliament "very soon" about the large number of incidents of fraudulent ATM withdrawals in the city and elsewhere. The Finance Ministry should also look into reports of ATM frauds due to which people were affected. Investigations should be held to find out who are behind these frauds, she told reporters here. On the implementation of demonetisation, the TMC chief said, "In a country where there are no bank branches in many remote areas, in a country of poor people, the Centre has introduced plastic economy. Such a move has taken away the economic security of the common people." "Without crosschecking the situation in the country, they (the Centre) have introduced digital economy putting the common man in great difficulty," Banerjee said. State Consumer Affairs Minister Sadhan Pande, after a meeting with bank and police officials, said banks today said a new mechanism in ATM operation would be introduced by 2020 to prevent frauds. The meeting was held to discuss ways to restore the confidence of consumers following the incidents of fraudulent withdrawals from ATMs. "Our primary task is to restore the confidence of the panicky consumers and instil in them a feeling that their money is protected," he told reporters. The minister said he had suggested that all ATMs should be linked with local police stations for direct monitoring to prevent such fraudulent acts. Review of the CCTV camera footage of ATM kiosks should be done on a regular basis by banks, Pande said. The minister said authorities of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have assured cooperation to ensure safe service through ATMs. A senior police official said two nationalised banks have assured people, who lost their money in fraudulent ATM withdrawals in the city, of repaying their lost amounts. A special investigating team has been formed to probe the incidents and two Romanians were arrested from New Delhi for their alleged involvement in the fraudulent withdrawals from ATMs. Investigations are on to ascertain whether the two have links with their fellow countrymen held from other cities in similar cases, police said. The two Romanians were brought to the city from New Delhi on transit remand and were remanded to 14 days in police custody on August 5. PTI SUS AKB KK ANB ANB New Delhi, Aug 6 (PTI) Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today apprised a visiting MP from Bangladesh, who raised the issue of ongoing update of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, that the exercise was being carried out under the supervision of the Supreme Court, the Home Ministry said today. Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Bangladesh Tariqat Federation, Al Haj Syed Nazibul Bashar Maizvandary met the minister of state for home here and discussed various issues including NRC, Rohingya refugees and matters of bilateral interest in social, political, cultural and economic fields. On the NRC issue in Assam, Rijiju informed him that it is a process undertaken under the supervision and direction of Supreme Court of India, an official statement said. The NRC is being updated in Assam and the draft list of the Assam's citizens was published on July 30, leading to a huge controversy after over 40 lakh people were excluded. The BJP has maintained that only illegal immigrants from Bangladesh will be excluded but the opposition claimed that most of those omitted were Indian nationals. When the visiting Bangladeshi MP raised the issue of the Rohingya refugees, Rijiju said India was fully aware of the heavy burden imposed on Bangladesh as a result of the exodus of lakhs of displaced people form the Rakhine state of Myanmar and is fully supportive of the efforts being made to resolve the crisis. The Indian government has extended assistance to the Mynamar government and will continue efforts to persuade Myanmar government to provide safety and security to the Rohingyas, he said. During the meeting, both sides discussed various issues of bilateral interest in social, political, cultural and economic domains and security related matters. Other issues such as connectivity to the Northeastern states via Bay of Bengal and trade prospects were also deliberated upon during the meeting. Emphasising the importance of Bangladesh for India, Rijiju said peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh is of high importance for the prosperity of India and the Indian government continues to make efforts in this direction, the statement said. Rijiju said the prosperity of the Northeastern states is linked with the prosperity of Bangladesh because these states share common economic, social and cultural linkage with the neighbouring country. The Union minister recalled his visit to Bangladesh as a member of an all-party delegation in 2010 and said he had travelled to the bordering Indian states along Bangladesh. India is committed to provide security and stability in these bordering areas, specially in view of the upcoming Bangladesh elections, he said. Both sides emphasised that it is important to work together for development and to have an action plan for countering terrorism-related activities across border, he said. PTI ACB ACB RT RT Men are still more likely than women to be perceived as leaders, study finds Despite progress, gender gap in leadership persists Badura and Grijalva discuss their research and how organizations can apply their findings. As a society, weve made progress toward gender equality, but clearly were not quite there. Our results are consistent with the struggle many organizations face today to increase diversity in their leadership teams. BUFFALO, N.Y. Women hold just 26% of executive-level positions in S&P 500 companies and sadly that is no accident, according to a new study by researchers in the University at Buffalo School of Management. The study, which was made available online in March ahead of publication in the August print edition of Personnel Psychology, found that, on average, men are more likely than women to emerge as leaders. The research team led by doctoral student Katie Badura and Emily Grijalva, PhD, assistant professor of organization and human resources in the UB School of Management aggregated 59 years of research, encompassing more than 19,000 participants and 136 studies from lab, business and classroom settings. They discovered that although the gender gap has narrowed in recent decades, it still persists. As a society, weve made progress toward gender equality, but clearly were not quite there, Badura says. Our results are consistent with the struggle many organizations face today to increase diversity in their leadership teams. The researchers primarily attribute the gender gap to societal pressures that contribute to gender differences in personality traits. For example, men tend to be more assertive and dominant, whereas women tend to be more communal, cooperative and nurturing. As a result, men are more likely to participate and voice their opinions during group discussions, and be perceived by others as leaderlike. We found showing sensitivity and concern for others stereotypically feminine traits made someone less likely to be seen as a leader, Grijalva says. However, its those same characteristics that make leaders effective. Thus, because of this unconscious bias against communal traits, organizations may unintentionally select the wrong people for leadership roles, choosing individuals who are loud and confident but lack the ability to support their followers development and success. While group size and participants ages did not affect the gender gap, the study found the length of time participants spent together was an important factor in whether men or women emerged as leaders. The longer a group spent together, the less gender influenced who emerged as the groups leader. The gender gap was strongest during the first 20 minutes people were together, similar to an initial job interview, but weakened after more than one interaction, Grijalva says. During the hiring process, organizations should conduct multiple interviews to reduce gender bias and ensure theyre hiring the best applicant. For managers, the researchers suggest promoting the value of communal behaviors in performance evaluations, prompting quieter individuals to share their ideas and being mindful of any unconscious biases you or your staff may have. In the Obama White House, female staffers adopted a strategy of amplifying one anothers comments during meetings and giving credit to the individual who said it first, to ensure that womens voices were being heard, Badura says. Tactics like this help the most qualified individuals stand out and emerge into leadership roles regardless of gender. The project was partially supported through a grant from the University at Buffalo Gender Institute. Badura and Grijalva conducted the study with Daniel A. Newman, professor of psychology and labor and employment relations, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Thomas Taiyi Yan, PhD student, University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business; and Gahyun Jeon, postdoctoral research associate, Northwestern University. New Delhi, Aug 6 (PTI) Delhi Pradesh Youth Congress members today staged a protest outside Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's residence here, accusing the government of favouring Anil Ambani's Reliance Group through the Rafale jet fighter deal, police said. Around 100 protesters gathered outside Sitharaman's residence at Safdarjung Road between 4 pm and 4.30 pm, and 23 of them were later detained at the Tughlak Road police station. They were released around 6.45 pm, police added. The protesters alleged that the Rafale contract, which was to be given to state-owned Aerospace and Defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, established for over 50 years, was all of a sudden given to Reliance Defence Ltd. "Is it a mere coincidence that just a few days prior to the signing of the deal between India and France, this Reliance Defence Ltd was established and a coincidence that this valuable contract of manufacturing 36 Dassault Rafale twin-engine fighter jets was handed to 'Modi-Ambani Reliance Defence Ltd'?" a statement from them said. They demanded an answer from the defence minister over escalation of costs of Rafale fighter jets under the NDA government. PTI SLB SLB ANB ANB Owaisi flays those who shaved off beard of Muslim Hyderabad, Aug 6 (PTI) Flaying those who shaved off the beard of a young Muslim man, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi today said 'those indulging in such tyranny and injustice' will be brought into the fold of Islam and made to keep a beard. His comments drew a sharp reaction BJP MLA from Telangana T Raja Singh Lodh, who said that any Muslim sporting a beard would be viewed with suspicion as long as 'Jihadi' Muslims are not boycotted. Owaisi made the remarks at a public meeting here, where he referred to the reported incident of a Muslim man's beard being shaved off at Gurugram and urged youth from the community not to fear such incidents. "If someone is fearing that our Muslim brother's beard was shaved off... No need to worry. I am telling you, who shaved off the beard, I am telling your father... that you cut, not beard, but throat, we will remain Muslim... It is our constitutional right," he said. "Those indulging in tyranny and injustice, we will not stop keeping a beard even if it is shaved off. We will keep even a long beard. We will keep such a long beard that with ourtruthfulness, we will bring you into Islam (daman e Islam). We will bring you and make you keep beard. Lodh, representing Goshamahal constituency here, posted his reaction in a video message on a social networking site, saying there is an atmosphere of fear in the country and anyone with a long beard is viewed with suspicion. "See what is happening in Kashmir, which is part of India and those sporting beard there... they throw grenades and fire bullets on the army and explode bombs among common people, killing them. Maybe this led to fear atmosphere and some people, due to suspicion, may have cut off the beard. He however said the act was wrong and government would initiate action. "People like Owaisi are responsible for creating such a situation.People are viewing even real Muslims with suspicion," he said. On Owaisi's reported statement that those indulging in such tyranny would be brought into the fold of Islam, he said "I would like to tell him you will not able to convert Hindus into Islam". Lodha took potshots at Owaisi and his brother for calling themselves Muslim sevaks and alleged that the duo and their party MLAs had grabbed thousands of acres of Wakf board land in Telangana and sold it. Earlier Owaisi alleged that attacks on Muslim minorities had increased after the NDA government came to power. He said though the Prime Minister was talking about 'sab ka saath, sab ka vikas', Muslims in India were being killed in the name of the cow. He referred to the lynching of Akbar Khan at Alwar in Rajasthan by cow vigilantes and said that after he was killed, a BJP MLA had branded him as a cow smuggler and said this was what was going to happen. "It means death is justified.... what the Prime Minister of India says... 'sab ka saath, sab ka vikas'. "Prime Minister, we are killed in the name of the cow. Since you became Prime Minister, India's Muslims are being killed in the name of the cow." "Those who are attacking us in the name of cow, you are not killing us, but you are weakening India," he said. Owaisi said the Right to Life is a right given in the Constitution. He said Indian Muslims should learn a lesson from the Jats in Haryana, Marathas, Patels and Gujjars in Rajasthan and Dalits (for the government planning to make a law on the issue of prevention of atrocities against SCs and STs act) and get united to force the government accept their concerns. On criticism against him as 'neo-Jinnah', Owaisi recalled that he was appreciated by many for taking on some Pakistan representatives when they criticized India during a debate on a visit to the neighbouring country. "I say, how long you will judge us on the measure of Pakistan?" he asked. Flaying BJP president Amit Shah for his comments on the NRC issue, Owaisi demanded to know how he could say that the 40 lakh people left out in the list in Assam are infiltrators. "If infiltrators, get it done in Tripura also. See how many come out.Get it done in Jammu. Heard that Tripura's Chief Minister was born in (19) 71. Get NRC done," Owaisi said. PTI SJR VVK APR APR APR APR Tharoor wades into another row with comments on PM's headgear Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 6 (PTI) Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has plunged headlong into a fresh row with remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi donning "outlandish" Naga and other headgear on his trips but refusing to sport a Muslim skull cap, comments the BJP dubbed as insulting to the people of the North-East. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also demanded that the Congress apologise for Tharoor's comments. "I ask you why does our prime minister wear all sorts of outlandish headgear wherever he goes around the country or around the world? Why does he always refuse to wear a Muslim skull cap? "You see him in Naga headgears with feathers. You have seen him in various kinds of extraordinary outfits which is a right thing for a prime minister to do. Indira Gandhi has also been photographed wearing various kinds of costumes. But why he still always says no to one?" Tharoor said. The former union minister was addressing a seminar on "Standing up to hatred, violence and intolerance in contemporary India" here yesterday. Tharoor, who had recently kicked up a controversy with remarks that the BJP, if voted to power again, will rewrite the Constitution and pave the way for creation of a "Hindu Pakistan", said Modi shunned the green colour as he felt it was associated with Muslim appeasement. "Why does he refuse to wear green, the colour that he says is identified with Muslim appeasement? What kind of talk it is?" he said. Tharoor's comments drew a sharp response from Union Rijiju, who said the Congress leader's remarks insulted tribals and people from the North-East. "I demand apology from the Congress Party for insulting the people of India's North East & Tribals. Shashi Tharoor described North-East people & Naga Tribal headgears as funny looking outlandish & hilarious," Rijiju, a native of Arunachal Pradesh, said on Twitter. "Shashi Tharoor insults the proud cultural heritage of the people of North-East. This condescension & arrogance towards the people of India have become hallmarks of @INCIndia," Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore tweeted. BJP general secretary Ram Madhav also took to the micro-blogging website to say,"For Shashi Tharoor, Naga headgear is outlandish and hilarious. In his over zealous love for skull cap, Tharoor doesnt mind insulting d customs of d Nagas n other NE people." PTI SK SK SK SK Naroda Gam case: CDs of riots to be screened in SIT court Ahmedabad, Aug 6 (PTI) A special court, hearing the 2002 Naroda Gam riot case, will hold a screening of videos pertaining to the riots on Wednesday in order to ascertain the roles of certain accused. The prosecution, which is at present arguing the case, had requested the court to screen the recordings on CDs in its possession. Judge M K Dave of the special SIT court allowed the request after the defence, as well as the victims' lawyers, consented. The prosecution had asked for the screening of three CDs, including that of "Operation Kalank" in which two accused --former Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi and Jaideep Patel -- are seen making extra-judicial confessions related to the killings during the riots. The "Operation Kalank" CD is part of a sting operation carried out by former journalist Ashish Khetan and published by Tehelka magazine in its November 2007 issue. The video was also aired by some news channels. The statements of Bajrangi and Patel, as recorded in the sting carried out on them by Khetan, will help the court ascertain the criminal conspiracy angle, the prosecution argued. The other two CDs, which will be screened in the open court, are videos recorded by investigating agencies of areas that were affected by the riots. While one was recorded by police immediately after the riots, the other was made after the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) took over investigation in 2008. They carry footage of areas in Naroda Gam where the killings took place. The Naroda Gam riot case is one of the nine major 2002 communal riot cases which were investigated by the SIT. Eleven Muslims were killed in the Naroda Gam area of Ahmedabad in 2002 during the violence, which erupted after the Godhra train burning incident. A total of 82 people are facing trial in the case, including Maya Kodnani, once a minister in the Narendra Modi-led state government. She was sentenced to 28 years in jail in the Naroda Patiya riot case before the Gujarat High Court acquitted her in April this year. PTI KA PD BNM ANB ANB SDM SDM SDM Chennai, Aug 6 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal today said the very act of the 18 rebel MLAs of the AIADMK meeting Governor Banwarilal Purohit challenging their disqualification is in itself a valid ground for disqualification. He said since the party did not agree to their demand, they met the Governor to dissolve the government. The speaker's counsel stated this in the Madras High Court, which is hearing the disqualification case related to the 18 MLAs. "They claim they met the governor only after the intra- party mechanism failed to redress their grievances, which means that they had left the party. The party had said 'no' to their demand, so they met the governor," senior counsel Aryama Sundaram said on behalf of the speaker. The law is clear that the MLAs cannot approach the Governor for change of chief minister, as the apex court in 2016 had said the legislators cannot approach the governor with such a demand, which means that their act was in contrary to law, Sundaram said. On the MLAs claim that the speaker had violated the principles of natural justice by denying them permission to cross-examine Chief Minister K Palaniswami and party Whip S Rajendran, Sundaram said that instead of appearing before the speaker and producing evidence in support of their claims, they wanted to prove their case by cross-examining the CM and the whip. Justice M Sundar in his order has observed that by going to the governor they had approached the 'wrong forum'. "But ignorance of law cannot be excused even in case of a common citizen and here the petitioners are law-makers, I presume they know the law," he added. Later, senior counsel C S Vaidyanathan commenced his arguments on behalf of the chief minister. Recording the submission, the Supreme Court-appointed third judge Justice M Sathyanarayanan adjourned the plea to August 7. The high court had delivered a split verdict in the disqualification case. While Chief Justice Indira Banerjee had upheld the disqualification, Justice M Sundar had quashed it. The matter is now being heard by the third judge. PTI CORR NVG APR ANB ANB Jaipur, Aug 6 (PTI) Two suspected arms smugglers were arrested with five country-made pistols by two teams of the Jaipur police, an official said today. Following an information from the CID (CB), a team caught Mohammad Dilshad from the VKI area and seized three illegal firearms and one motorcycle yesterday. Another team caught Mohammad Jishan and seized two illegal firearms, DCP west Ashok Gupta said. Both the accused are in police custody and being interrogated, he said. PTI SDA ANB ANB Mathura, Aug 6 (PTI) With the arrest of two persons from Shergarh area here, police today claimed to have busted an inter-state gang of vehicle-lifters and recovered seven stolen bikes and a car from their possession. The police arrested the duo from from Agaryala road in Shergarh area yesterday evening in a joint operation with SWAT team, acting on a tip-off, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Babloo Kumar said. The accused have confessed of stealing two-wheelers from Mathura and Faridabad and then disposing them off at cheaper rates, he said. The SSP said that seven bikes, a car, a country made pistol and live cartridges were recovered from their possession. However, one of their accomplice managed to escape and hunt is on to nab him, he added. PTI CORR RCJ RCJ Every working day in the UK two construction workers take their own life. But your donation could turn things around for someone who is struggling. The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has launched its new Save a Life campaign, urging people working in the construction sector to make a donation. The charity runs a 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline, as well as offering workers and their families emergency financial and emotional support. Anyone who makes an annual donation of 250, 500 or 1,000 will receive a pack of helpline cards to distribute to their workers, and posters to display in their premises. Plus, if you pledge a donation of 1,000, Lighthouse will say thank you by displaying your logo on their websites Company Support Page. CEO Bill Hill said: Were on a massive journey to change attitudes towards mental health and leading the way with the industry's Building Mental Health programme. By ensuring that every one of our 2.1 million construction workers know where to turn to in times of need, you and your business can make a real difference to peoples lives and help eradicate these horrific figures. Saratoga Springs One episode is titled "How to Build a Robotic Eel." Another, "The Sign of the Ninja Virus." Three are about poop, human and dinosaur. Such are the eclectic explorations of "Tumble," a science podcast for kids (and adults) that was created and is co-hosted by science journalist and Clifton Park native Lindsay Patterson and her husband, Marshall Escamilla, a music teacher. Now with 50,000 subscribers, "Tumble" produces a new episode every other week, with each getting about 20,000 downloads within two weeks of being posted, according to the creators. Patterson's and Escamilla's approach is to tell the story of scientific discovery, of how we have come to know what we know: what questions were asked, who asked them, and how did the scientists interviewed go about making their discoveries? Patterson and Escamilla will bring a live version of their show, featuring questions, stories, songs and more, to Northshire Bookstore in Saratoga for a free appearance Wednesday afternoon. "Tumble" was born four years and about 70 episodes ago, inspired by Patterson's job with "Earth & Sky," a show broadcast widely on public radio from 1991 to 2013 that featured 60- to 90-second daily segments focusing on science. Although not trained in science, Patterson happened into the job, and she found her future path while working on a series of "Earth & Sky" episodes that addressed questions sent in by young listeners. "Not having a science background, writing for kids was a level I just loved to write at, and we found that's the level most adults prefer to be communicated with when it comes to science," said Patterson, chatting on the phone last week from her parents' home in Clifton Park. She, Escamilla and their son moved to Barcelona about a year ago from Austin, Texas, to pursue a dream of living abroad and finding different stories for "Tumble." They're back stateside this month for a visit to their respective hometowns to promote the podcast. After Saratoga, it's off to the Austin area for three appearances including a big theater show called "The Back-to-School Science Splash Jam!" "I hated science in school. It wasn't until I actually interviewed a scientist ... that I discovered what science was all about an ongoing, human process of continual discovery," Patterson said in an earlier email, while she was still in Spain. She continued, "I realized that most people are like me, and think that if they aren't 'good' at science, it's not for them. But as I interviewed people across all fields of science, I became convinced that understanding how science works ... is essential to being an informed citizen." "Tumble" episodes generally last in the 15-minute range. The goal, Patterson said, is for listeners to be able to hear an entire episode during a drive to or from school or on an errand. "We have heard about podcast 'driveway' moments," Patterson said, with parents and kids staying in the car until the episode is over, "and listeners have told us they try not to start one if the drive is too short to be able to hear the whole thing." One online review complained good-naturedly that the podcast was so intellectually engaging that a young listener was unable to fall asleep after hearing episodes. Patterson reports listeners as young as age 3, including one who dictated a question to her mother that she wanted answered on the show: How did big dinosaurs sleep: standing like horses or lying down like people? According to Patterson, the letter referenced an immense dinosaur 122 feet long, 20 feet high at the shoulder, 76 tons or as heavy as a space shuttle, according to estimates based on bones found in Argentina in recent years when it said, "It's crazy to think of a Patagotitan sleeping on its side." Again, this was from a 3-year-old. "A podcast is such a natural format for children," Patterson said. "TV is very passive. Research has shown that kids learn more vocabulary and become more creative when they listen to something in an audio format. You engage with content so much more deeply when you're hearing it and your brain is filling in all the gaps. It's an active way to learn." sbarnes@timesunion.com 518-454-5489 New York Hundreds of thousands of garment workers once toiled in the sweaty, elbow-to-elbow workshops of midtown Manhattan before the whirring of sewing machines was mostly silenced by foreign competition. But the city's garment district isn't dead yet. A group of manufacturers, landlords, designers and politicians has a plan to preserve a remnant of the garment industry in a neighborhood where about 5,000 people are still employed in workshops mostly serving higher-end designers, while doing away with zoning rules that critics said put onerous restrictions on prime real estate. City Hall wants to preserve at least 300,000 square feet for garment manufacturing, but allow real estate developers to bring in more 21st century businesses. That's millions of fewer square feet than factories occupied in the industry's glory days from the 1920s to the 1960s. The plan, if approved by the City Council, would lift 1987 zoning that reserved about 4 million square feet of space in the garment district's high-rises for apparel-production businesses. Today's garment workshops occupy only an estimated 700,000 square feet, according to the city's Economic Development Corp. And many say that number will likely dwindle away without the city's protection. "The truth is, it's a dying industry in the garment district, and who knows what would have happened to the remaining jobs without the city's intervention," said EDC spokeswoman Stephanie Baez. A Council vote is expected in the next few months, after more reviews to tweak details. Under the plan, landlords would get a tax break for setting aside at least 25,000 square feet in a building for manufacturers, with tenants offered the option to sign leases for at least 15 years. The city would also spend $20 million to acquire a building that would be dedicated to manufacturing. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The proposal represents a retreat from an earlier plan that would have done away with special protections entirely. That idea had been opposed by representatives of New York City's fashion design and theater industries, which still need highly skilled garment workers close by. "The New York fashion world depends on the Garment Center's tight-knit cluster of specialty suppliers and skilled workers," said Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, who teamed with Council Speaker Corey Johnson to craft the new plan. Gabrielle Ferrara, who with her mother runs Ferrara Manufacturing, one of the neighborhood's largest garment factories, said she supports the plan. Something needs to be done, she said, to stabilize the shrinking district. "We're at a crisis point, 100 percent at a crisis point," said Ferrara, whose 30-year-old business employs about 70 people and works with high-end designers. ALBANY - The bishop of Albany called Monday for the creation of a commission of Catholic lay people to investigate his "brother bishops." Bishop Edward Scharfenberger's urging follows allegations that Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, a former archbishop of Washington, sexually abused minors and adult seminarians for decades and after Pope Francis removed him from ministry and ordered him to live "a life of prayer and penance" in seclusion. The proposal by Scharfenberger differs from one made Sunday by Cardinal Donald Wuerl, who succeeded McCarrick in Washington in 2006, that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops create a panel of bishops to look into any allegations of sexual misconduct by members of the organization. "Bishops alone investigating bishops is not the answer," Scharfenberger said in a four-paragraph statement posted on the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese website. "To have credibility, a panel would have to be separated from any source of power whose trustworthiness might potentially be compromised." He said lay Catholics "without an axe to grind or an agenda to push" should lead an investigation with transparency "the scope of which is not yet defined but must be defined." In 2002, in the midst of a wide-ranging child sex abuse scandal, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops adopted a zero tolerance policy for priests accused of abusing children. "What is needed now is an independent commission led by well-respected, faithful lay leaders who are beyond reproach, people whose role on such a panel will not serve to benefit them financially, politically, or personally," Scharfenberger said Monday. Last week, Scharfenberger released a letter to clergy of the Albany diocese after a Glens Falls priest spoke out about having been abused by McCarrick over 30 years ago when he was a seminarian in Newark, N.J. In the letter, Scharfenberger called for the national bishops conference to take action to hold bishops as accountable as priests. "As the Holy Spirit impels me, I will use every power my office holds on all levels at which I serve, local and national, to further this charge," Scharfenberger wrote. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Scharfenberger, who was pastor of a church in Queens before he became Albany's 10th bishop in 2014, is a canon lawyer and was admitted to the New York state bar in 1991 a year after he graduated from Fordham Law School. He was a member of Brooklyn diocese's review board for sexual abuse of minors. In Monday's statement, he cautioned, "We bishops want to rise to this challenge, which may well be our last opportunity considering all that has happened." Albany Albany County has been hit with a $5,000 state fine for improper operation of its two aging sewage plant incinerators that date back some two years, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. DEC imposed the fine late last month for the violations, which happened in 2016 at incinerators at its sewer plants in Albany and Menands, where treated sewage sludge is burned into ash and then landfilled. Negotiations between DEC and the county have been going on since then quietly behind the scenes, according to an agreement signed July 11 by John Adams Jr., chairman of the Albany County Water Purification District, and on July 23 by Regional DEC Director Keith Goertz. That agreement indicates that DEC had identified "operating parameter exceedances" with incinerators at both plants from 2016 reports filed by the county. After problems surfaced during a September 2016 inspection of the plant, DEC notified the county of the violations in April 2017 that identified more than 500 seperate "deviations" of incinerator operations during the previous year. County staffers then tested incinerator emissions in 2016 and 2017 and reported the results to DEC, according to the agreement. The state fine came as Albany County continues plans to shut down the two incinerators, which have been in place since the 1970s. More stringent federal pollution regulations took effect in 2015 that required DEC to review the county incinerators under the Federal Clean Air Act. The county had issued less-detailed incinerator reports up to that point. "The consent order is not a result of air emission violations. The consent order addresses deviations of operational permit limits," said Tim Murphy, executive director of the county sewer district. "These limits were established at maximum feed rates and not adjusted for actual lower operating levels, which would have significantly reduced these deviations. The District has been in complete compliance with emission standards." Those incinerator closures are part of a $45 million plan with Saratoga County to create a shared facility that would consume sewage sludge through anaerobic digestion. In March 2018, the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority also announced it was paying for half of a $100,000 feasibility study on the project being done by the two counties. At that time, Albany County lawmaker Gary Domalewicz said the project would allow the county to close its incinerators. As part of its agreement last month with Albany County, DEC also ordered the county to pay $20,000 for the engineering costs toward its project with Saratoga County. DEC did not provide comment for this story in time for deadline. DEC issued air pollution permits for the incinerators in September 2015, which became effective in June 2016. The permits cover incinerator temperature, standards for pollution control equipment and toxicity levels for the discharge of water used in pollution control. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Neighborhood and environmental opponents of the incinerators had put DEC on notice in January 2015 over concerns with potential incinerator emissions. In a letter to then-DEC Commissioner Joe Marten, the environmental legal group Earthjustice said the state had failed to consider environmental risks in approving the incinerators and did not involve the residents of the nearby South End neighborhood. He also faulted DEC for approving the incinerators without requiring a detailed environmental review under the state Environmental Quality Review Act. At the time, Roger Downs, the conservation director of the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, said DEC in 2014 had determined the Albany incinerator was a "source of toxic air pollution that could be affecting the South End community. Now we are told it is of no significance. Citizens of Albany's South End deserve answers to their respiratory problems not a regulatory shell game where individual polluters aren't held responsible for their contribution to collective harm." Downs had no additional comment on Monday. DEC's letter to Earthjustice indicated that sewer sludge incinerators can release toxic emissions including dioxins, furans, mercury, hydrogen chloride, cadmium, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, sulfur dioxide, and beryllium. ALBANY The chief counsel to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo met privately with state Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott and two top officials for the state Division of Criminal Justice Services last December, a week after a female attorney at the agency was terminated for her testimony in a sexual harassment investigation. The disclosure of the meeting confirms that the governor's top counsel, Alphonso David, was quickly made aware of the controversial decision by DCJS acting Commissioner Michael C. Green to fire the attorney, Gina L. Bianchi, but did not directly intervene. Instead, a spokesman for Cuomo said, their office referred the matter to the Governor's Office of Employee Relations, which does not have investigative powers and took no action to undo Bianchi's termination. The case stoked unrest among many state workers because two women who had cooperated in the inspector general's investigation of sexual harassment at DCJS were later punished one terminated and the other transferred against her wishes and the longtime director accused of wrongdoing, Brian J. Gestring, was not disciplined. Kimberly Schiavone, the second female employee punished by DCJS, was transferred to a different unit last year, and reassigned from a large office with windows to one that was formerly used as a storage closet. Gestring was fired for an unrelated complaint. He has denied the allegations that were leveled against him and recently filed a court petition seeking a "name-clearing hearing" from the state. The petition, filed in state Supreme Court in Albany, indicates that on March 20 two days after the details of the treatment of the female employees at DCJS was made public by the Times Union Green "had a rare private discussion" with Gestring and said "the governor's office was behind (Gestring) and that the IG screwed up. He also said Alphonso David might make the IG clarify their 'report,'" which had detailed years of workplace misconduct by Gestring. Cuomo has for months declined to comment on the DCJS sexual harassment case because he said it remains under investigation by the state Joint Commission on Public Ethics. Cuomo called for that investigation, which remains pending, in late March after the case became public. Richard Azzopardi, the governor's spokesman, had previously said Cuomo's office reported the matter to the employee relations office around Dec. 18, but he did not mention the unusual meeting between David, Leahy Scott and the DCJS officials that took place on Dec. 12. Bianchi, an attorney who has worked for DCJS for 25 years, was fired by Green on Dec. 5 after he confronted her with a copy of her testimony to the inspector general's office in the sexual harassment probe. Bianchi testified as a witness in the case. Under New York's Executive Law, state employees are obligated to report abuse or misconduct to the inspector general's office and cannot be subjected to "adverse personnel action," including dismissal or discipline, for doing so. Civil service rules allowed Bianchi to retain employment at DCJS by falling back to a junior-level attorney's position that came with a $44,000-a-year pay cut. The agency also took steps to move her into a smaller office, but abandoned that plan days after the Times Union asked questions about the case. Azzopardi, the governor's spokesman, last week described Bianchi's termination as a "reassignment." "To be clear the reassignment at the heart of this issue was done without our knowledge, nor prior approval," he said. Gestring, in an interview last week, said he was a scapegoat. He also does not believe that Green would have fired Bianchi last December without authorization from the governor's office. "They have to give their blessing to anything like that," Gestring said. DCJS officials have continued to spar with the inspector general's office over the Gestring case. Last October, the inspector general's office informed the agency that its investigation had uncovered serious misconduct allegations against Gestring. It recommended the agency take action against him as well as two other top officials First Deputy Commissioner Mark Bonacquist and human resources director Karen Davis for their alleged mishandling of the complaints. Instead of following that guidance, DCJS conducted its own investigation and determined the allegations were unfounded. In March, four days after the Times Union's story disclosed details of the case, Gestring was fired for an unrelated incident involving an inappropriate comment he allegedly made during an off-site training seminar in June 2017. The decision to fire Gestring came swiftly and was based on the findings of a human resources officer at the state Office of General Services who recommended his termination despite not having fully investigated the 2017 incident. Gestring's petition to force the state to conduct a hearing to allow him to try and clear his name remains pending in state Supreme Court in Albany. Bianchi, meanwhile, has filed a federal lawsuit against the state accusing DCJS of civil rights violations for improperly terminating her from her senior-level position. Green fired Bianchi on Dec. 5 after he interrogated her for more than two hours about the testimony she gave to the inspector general's office. Her attorney, John W. Bailey, said she believed that her testimony was confidential and would not be shared with DCJS. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. On Dec. 6, Leahy Scott wrote a six-page letter to DCJS outlining the details of their investigation of Gestring and advising the agency to take appropriate action against him and the two other managers. Gestring alleges that Green told him the inspector general's letter was actually a "backdated report" that had been created after the Dec. 12 meeting with the governor's office. A spokesman for the inspector general's office declined to comment. Schiavone, a manager in the Forensic Services Office who had reported directly to Gestring since 2012, was notified that same day by three top DCJS officials including Green that she was being transferred to a different department because of their concern that she would not be able to work with Gestring anymore. Schiavone filed a workplace violence complaint against Gestring last August, but the agency did not follow up and never interviewed her about the complaint, said Bailey, who is also Schiavone's attorney. DCJS has described its decision last December to terminate Bianchi and transfer Schiavone as "appropriate actions ... to maintain the appropriate work environment at DCJS." According to Bianchi's attorney, the director of GOER told Bianchi that he had received a referral from the inspector general's office. But he did not mention any contact with the governor's office on the case. Gestring, a 48-year-old former New York Police Department scientist, had also been a member of the state's Commission on Forensic Science, which oversees crime laboratories across New York. The examination of Gestring's alleged workplace misconduct began last May when investigators with the inspector general's office stumbled onto the charges during an unrelated probe of negligence by a DCJS employee involving DNA evidence in a Suffolk County criminal case. The investigation of Gestring revealed a history of offensive and inappropriate behavior that began shortly after he began working for DCJS in July 2012. Records indicate that about four months after Gestring was hired, he received two counseling memos for misbehavior. Gestring signed the memos to certify he had read them, but added handwritten notes claiming he disagreed with the findings, had been forced to sign them, and that staff at DCJS had "agendas," according to details of the inspector general's investigation shared with the Times Union. "Significantly, no action was taken to address this defiant response and mitigate further misconduct in the future," the inspector general's office concluded in a confidential summary of its investigation. Investigators, who obtained sworn testimony from multiple DCJS employees, said they were also told that Gestring had once encouraged a female manager to file fraudulent sexual harassment charges against a male colleague in an apparent effort to have him terminated. The female employee refused. Last October, Leahy Scott and her deputy inspector general, Spencer Freedman, met with DCJS's top legal counsel, John Czajka, and Executive Deputy Commissioner Green to outline the findings of the inspector general's investigation and to turn the case over to DCJS. Czajka and Green asked the inspector general's office for copies of the testimony including tape-recorded sworn interviews that had been obtained during the investigation. Leahy Scott, who was appointed inspector general by Cuomo in 2013, followed up the October meeting with the five-page letter to DCJS on Dec. 6 outlining the findings of her office's investigation. Gestring's court petition alleges that he did nothing wrong, that DCJS had rightfully cleared him of the harassment allegations, and that the accusations were made by disgruntled and underperforming employees. His court petition said that Bianchi "was on a mission" to get him fired. "Despite being the acting commissioner, Green was not actively engaged at DCJS, was rarely physically present in Albany, and completely deferred to Bianchi," the petition states. State Forest Rangers rescued people from three boats in rushing water on the Delaware River and assisted recovering the body of a man thrown from a boat in an Adirondack Lake. Here are the details of these and other calls last week: A total of 11 people were rescued and brought safely to shore Aug. 4 after heavy rains raised the level and flow of the Delaware River in Orange County. Forest Ranger Richard Franke was on a joint patrol of the Delaware River with National Park Service Rangers in a jet boat when a group of rafters notified the patrol that two people were calling for help. A 62-year-old woman from Lee Center was in the water with her foot stuck in a river obstruction and her head just above water. Her 64-year-old friend was struggling in a raft nearby. Franke entered the water wearing his personal flotation device with a line attached, freed the woman's foot and helped her into the raft. A rope was attached to the raft and the two people were brought on board the National Park Service boat. A second raft with seven people was caught in the same currents. Franke tied the raft to a tree and helped each person onto the National Park Service boat. Later that day, a third party with two people also capsized their raft upstream and were swept into the water. The rangers rescued the pair. A 60-year-old man in a group of three men from McKean, Penn., was ejected from a boat that hit a rock on Indian Lake, Hamilton County, near Moose Island. Emergency services was called at 4:31 p.m. Aug. 3 and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department, New York State Police, Forest Rangers, and the Hamilton County Dive Team located the man about 7:30 p.m. The man was pronounced dead at the scene by the Hamilton County Coroner. At 4:20 p.m. July 30, a 48-year-old woman from Brooklyn slipped and fell on the yellow trail while hiking at Kaaterskill Falls in Hunter, Greene County, between Upper Falls and the stone staircase. Rangers Robert Dawson and Christine Nelson located the woman, who injured her left ankle. The Rangers wrapped the ankle and provided crutches to help her return to the Laurel House parking lot. The woman refused further medical care. In the Adirondacks, rangers searched for an overdue group of hikers from Rochester attempting to climb Gothics Mountain in Essex County. The group, three men ages 46, 49 and 17 and a 13-year-old girl reported back to their family at 3:30 p.m. July 30 that they had reached the summit. Two hours after their estimated time of arrival, the family became worried and alerted authorities at 10:03 p.m. Forest Ranger Peter Evans located them at 12:22 a.m., exhausted from an extended day on the trails but otherwise in good health. The group was moving slower than expected due to one hiker's lower leg pain. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. A 45-year-old woman from Dover, Penn., was injured in the area of Grass Pond Mountain near Lows Lake in St. Lawrence County about 11:37 a.m. Aug. 1. She and her companions were hiking the remote peak in the Five Ponds Wilderness Area when she injured her shoulder. Rangers Nathan Shea, Peter Morehouse, Will Benzel, and Robert Zurek helped her out of the woods. The hiking party was transported back to their vehicle at Lows lower dam, where they decided to seek further medical attention on their own. Three Forest Rangers assisted Chenango County Sheriff's deputies and the Norwich Police Department at a large underage party on the Lyon's Brook State Forest in Oxford at 3:15 a.m. Aug. 4. One person was charged with various felony drug-related counts. The case is being investigated by the Chenango County Sheriff's office. Three Forest Rangers, a Hamilton County Sheriff's Deputy and the Indian Lake Fire Department helped a 51-year-old Auburn man experiencing possible cardiac symptoms near Tirrell Pond in Hamilton County on AUg. 5. The man left the O'Neill lean-to before his companions to get a head start when he began to experience shortness of breath less than a mile away. Rangers Jason Scott and Jenifer Temple assessed him while waiting for Indian Lake EMS to arrive. He was transported to his vehicle, where he declined further medical care. Rangers Anthony Goetke and Evan Donegan responded with the West Fort Ann Fire Department, West Fort Ann EMS and the Bay Ridge Fire Department for a rescue carryout at 2:43 p.m. Aug. 5. Goetke reached an injured 25-year-old Malta woman at 4:13 p.m., just below the summit of Sleeping Beauty Mountain. The hiker had slipped on a muddy section of trail and heard a snap in her ankle. She was treated and taken to the Glens Falls Hospital for treatment. Five Forest Rangers helped with a technical rope rescue of a climber who fell 45 feet at 11:17 a.m. Aug. 5 in the Mohonk Preserve, Ulster County. They were assisted by Mohonk Preserve Rangers, State Police and the Gardiner Fire Department. The 22-year old Brooklyn man was climbing a 200-foot cliff face when he fell approximately 45 feet. The man was secured to a rescue litter and lowered to the base of the cliff, where he was taken to the hospital by a local EMS provider. New York State Police A central New York man was more than four times over the legal limit for driving while intoxicated when state troopers said they caught him riding a law mower in the street. State Police said they found Daniel L. Felker driving on a rural road in the Oneida County community of Camden on Thursday after getting complaints of a man driving a mower in an erratic way. Two Montgomery County sheriff's deputies face charges after one deputy struck a skateboarder with his car last month and failed to report it and the other kept it secret, Montgomery County Sheriff Michael J. Amato said Monday. The deputy accused of the hit-and-run crash, Roberto Gracia, faces a felony charge. Theresa Pingitore, the deputy accused of keeping silent after learning of the incident, was charged with professional misconduct, a misdemeanor. Speaking at a news conference Monday, Amato said the incident was embarrassing for his department. Gracia and Pinglitore will also face internal affairs charges. Both deputies were issued appearance tickets and are on paid administrative leave, pending a departmental disciplinary investigation. On July 12, deputies were called to a house in Amsterdam to check on a teenager who was struck by a vehicle the night before. Deputies learned that Julian Louscher, 18, and a friend were skateboarding on Northern Boulevard when he was hit by a car. Louscher rolled up on the hood of the vehicle and broke the windshield, suffering cuts and scrapes to his head, arm and shoulder, deputies said. Louscher and the driver exchanged words and Louscher took photos of the vehicle before it drove away. Louscher told deputies that he thought someone had called 911 but when no one responded, he left the scene. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The driver was later identified as Gracia, 46, an investigator with the sheriff's office. State Police were called to assist with the investigation. During the investigation, police discovered that Pingitore, 48, knew of the incident and failed to report it. Gracia is charged with felony tampering with evidence and misdemeanor failure to report a personal injury accident and professional misconduct. Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney was assigned a special prosecutor to handle the case. ALBANY President Donald J. Trump's business practices in New York have drawn the attention of state Attorney General Barbara Underwood. Since Trump's election in 2016, constitutional experts and Democratic critics have raised concerns about the possibility that elements of his business interests, including hotels that bear his last name, could violate the Constitution's emoluments clause, which bans federal officials from accepting benefits from foreign or state parties without congressional approval. Underwood's office confirmed it has been looking into potential emoluments clause violations by the president's business interests in New York. The investigation was first reported by the Washington Post on Friday; the paper also reported that the Trump International Hotel in Manhattan had an uptick in business earlier this year due to patronage by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia's entourage. "We're continuing to investigate," said department spokeswoman Amy Spitalnick. "This office has repeatedly and successfully acted to hold Donald Trump accountable for unlawful and unconstitutional actions, and we will continue to do so." Spitalnick would not provide additional details about the scope of the emoluments clause investigation or when it began. In June, Underwood sued Trump and his elder children for their operation of the Trump Foundation. The parties are scheduled to discuss the case with a judge on Aug. 15. The president's private attorney and the Trump Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Last month, a federal judge gave the greenlight to a lawsuit from the Maryland and Washington, D.C., attorneys general accusing Trump of unconstitutionally accepting payments from foreign and state interests through his Washington hotel. The court rejected the U.S. Justice Department's argument that earnings from business activities aren't covered under the emoluments clause. "The Court finds the president is subject to both emoluments clauses of the Constitution and that the term 'emolument' in both clauses extends to any profit, gain or advantage," U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte wrote in a 52-page opinion. Messitte cited arguments made by Zephyr Teachout, a constitutional law expert, who has been advising the attorneys general in Maryland and Washington, D.C. She is also vying for the Democratic attorney general nomination in New York. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Teachout highlighted the emoluments clause immediately after Trump was elected, and in January of 2017 filed a lawsuit alleging different ways the president was taking money from foreign governments in possible violation of the Constitution. Teachout's lawsuit, however, was dismissed due to a lack of standing. Teachout said she met with then-state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman in January 2017 and encouraged him to pursue a case against Trump based on the emoluments clause. "I think New York should have been in this from the beginning," she said. The discovery process in the federal lawsuit, Teachout said, will be a critical part of determining the scope of the alleged illegality. She believes violations of the emoluments clause are abundant in New York. "It's the heart of the Trump Organization," she said. David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87 ALBANY The state Senate will convene hearings soon to examine Gov. Andrew Cuomo's broadening use of criminal pardons and what majority Republicans say is a trend of violent offenders being released from prison by the state parole board. The Senate's review comes as Cuomo has recently granted conditional pardons to hundreds of parolees so that they can vote. In some cases, the pardons have been granted to parolees who were scrutinized and determined to be reformed by the governor's office, but then committed crimes that put them back in prison. One of the cases cited by Senate Republicans involves a 22-year-old Orange County man who received a conditional pardon from Cuomo after being paroled in March 2016 for his conviction for raping a 15-year-old girl. The parolee, Nicholas Pulido, after he had received a pardon, was sent back to prison in June after being convicted of raping a girl under the age of 17. Senate insiders said they have also found instances in which dozens of sex offenders who underwent reviews by the governor's office were issued conditional pardons. Some of those, they said, were cleared by the governor's office to receive the pardons, but then arrested for new crimes. The hearings, which have not been scheduled, will be overseen by Sen. Patrick M. Gallivan, R-Elma, who chairs the Senates Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee. Gallivan was formerly a member of the state parole board. Gallivan and Senate Republicans said the hearings will also examine what they characterized as the state parole boards recent "leniency" for convicted felons who have killed police officers, committed rape, or were incarcerated for other violent crimes. The cases that have been highlighted by Senate Republicans include Cuomo's decision to grant a conditional pardon to Herman Bell, who was released from prison despite being sentenced to up to life in prison for murdering two police officers in 1971. Richard Azzopardi, a spokesman for Cuomo, said multiple other states grant voting rights to people on parole. In New York, he noted, the Legislature has declined to deal with the issue or the inequity of New York laws that allow people on probation to vote, but not those on parole. "This is not a radical proposal, this is just something that the Legislature specifically refused to deal with and we did it using our existing powers," Azzopardi said. It's unclear whether the Senate's incisive look at the parole system and Cuomo's increasing use of pardons will also examine the governor's decision to keep secret the names of some of those who have received conditional "youth pardons." Cuomo began issuing youth pardons last year as part of a program he created without authorization from the Legislature. The governor's expanding use of pardons he issued none during his first few years in office began to peak in December, when he granted pardons and commutations to 60 people, including 18 immigrants at risk of deportation and two men who had been imprisoned, respectively, for murder and attempted murder. Initially, the governor's office declined to release the names of all the immigrants who received pardons, but eventually turned them over to the Times Union. Cuomo's aides had privately expressed concern the immigrants who received pardons might be targeted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement if their names were published, although there's no indication that took place. The number of immigrants who received pardons last year from Cuomo was unprecedented, and came amid tighter federal scrutiny of immigration violations under the administration of President Donald Trump. The Times Union's ongoing effort to obtain Cuomo's records on his pardons is focused on 39 people who were given conditional pardons for convictions the governor's office described as "misdemeanors and nonviolent crimes (committed) when they were 16 or 17 years old." The 39 people were prosecuted as adults and had not been granted youthful-offender status, which would have resulted in their criminal records being sealed by a court. The pardons were issued a year after Cuomo had granted similar pardons to 101 adults who had committed crimes as teenagers. Those names also were not released by the administration. "Proactively releasing their identities defeats the purpose," said Azzopardi, the governor's spokesman. Cuomo's office, in refusing to release the identities of those pardoned, also has not provided any records documenting the criteria used to issue the pardons. As such, it's unknown, for instance, whether the pardons have been issued to campaign donors or others with personal connections to the administration. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The Times Union is considering filing a court challenge of Cuomo's decision to withhold the records on his youth pardon program. In 1987, Cuomo's father, then-Gov. Mario Cuomo, denied a similar request by the Prisoners' Rights Project for access to records on the elder Cuomo's granting of pardons and commutations dating back to 1982. In rejecting the request, Mario Cuomo's administration argued, among other reasons, that the records were confidential; that the release of the information would be an unwarranted invasion of privacy of the applicants; and that the records were compiled for "law enforcement purposes" and therefore exempt from disclosure. The case was adjudicated in state Supreme Court in Albany, where then-Justice Lawrence E. Kahn -- now a senior U.S. District judge - picked apart the governor's reasons for withholding the information. Kahn noted in an 11-page decision that the governor's office was obligated to keep a register detailing information on each pardon or commutation, including the name of the convicted person, the crimes for which they were convicted, any sentence and the date of commutation or pardon. He ordered the governor to create a register and to release the information. Kahn added in his decision that the state Constitution and Executive Law similarly require governors to deliver an annual report to the Legislature documenting the details of any pardons or commutations they have granted, including the names of the convicted persons. "The people of this state thus have a constitutional right to know when a conviction and sentence lawfully imposed within the judicial process is vitiated by executive action," Kahn wrote in the May 1988 decision. "Thus, contrary to respondent's position that the clemency process is nobody's business, the fact is, it is everybody's business." In a recent response to the Times Union's appeal for access to the pardon records, Cuomo's office said the 1987 case was not on point because it didn't deal with the "youth pardons" that officials said is an element of the governor's "Raise the Age" of criminal responsibility campaign, which took effect last fall and boosted the age of criminal responsibility in New York to 18. "(T)he records at issue here relate to individuals who have completed sentence, many of which were non-incarcerative, and have been crime-free and living successfully in the community for at least a period of ten years. That distinction is in keeping with the purposes of the youth pardon initiative," Cuomo's office said in denying the Times Union's appeal. In the 1987 decision the only case on record challenging a governor's effort to keep pardon and records secret Kahn ruled the clemency power of a governor is "an extraordinary one" and just as a "trial, conviction and sentence is a matter of public record, so too, the Constitution recognizes that any grant of clemency must be reported and may not be kept secret." Governors in many states, including New Jersey and California, release the names of people who receive commutations or pardons. Cuomo's office has said it files the mandated annual reports on pardons and commutations with the Legislature. But citing no specific authority, the office said the "conditional pardons" are not subject to disclosure. TROY The Social Security Administration has told a claims analyst a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and union activist that it intends to fire him for conduct unbecoming a federal employee and unethical behavior for writing protest messages on the windows of its offices in Troy and Plattsburgh. The SSA accused Adam Pelletier, 33, of Troy, in a disciplinary notice of writing This is a union office, policy violence is bureaucratic manslaughter and other statements on the windows at the Troy office at 500 Federal Street and #EOHELLNO# and other messages on the Plattsburgh office window. The whole thing happening to me is repugnant, Pelletier said Monday. He shared the disciplinary notice dated July 27 with the Times Union. We cannot comment on personnel matters, said John E. Shallman, SSA NY Regional communications director, in response to written questions his officer requested about the matter. In the pending dismissal notice, SSA officials advised Pelletier, "Your inappropriate conduct was intentional and improper. You wrote these unauthorized messages on the outside of SSA field offices knowing that you had no permission to do so." Pelletier was placed on administrative leave in early July after marking the Troy building with water soluble marker. Unions rallied in support of him by picketing outside the Troy office on July 25. Pelletier said he served in the Marines for four years before joining SSA in 2012. He said he became active in American Federal Government Employees Local 3343, which covers most SSA offices upstate, describing himself as a millennial union activist serving as the grievance chairman. He was then placed on investigative leave and received the pending dismissal action notice. He said his base pay is $68,000. Pedro "Pete" Aviles, an SSA employee in Schenectady and president of AFGE Local 3343, which covers most SSA offices upstate, said the union is consulting with attorneys at both the national and regional level on Pelletiers case. He said its not clear what changes are occurring as a result of the executive order. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Aviles said Pelletiers work on grievances for the union and as the lead grievant in a case that secured back pay for 66 veterans working for SSA may be a factor in the move against him as well as his success in filing other grievances. Hes a thorn in their side. Hes outspoken, Aviles said. From my angle, their case is weak and procedurally the onus is on them to prove that removing me from my position will promote the efficiency of the federal service, Pelletier said quoting part of the dismissal notice. Pelletier said he intends to fight his dismissal all the way. He said he is preparing a response to the dismissal notice. TROY -- The fire department continued to search the Hudson River Monday for a person who jumped from the Congress Street Bridge early Sunday morning. The Troy Fire Department's rescue boat is being used to search the river south of the Congress Street Bridge, Fire Chief Thomas Garrett said Monday. Agricultural Minister Michael Creed needs to deliver real measures to help farmers on ground who are suffering due to the drought, according to IFA president Joe Healy. The announcement last week by EU Commissioner Phil Hogan to allow a 70 per cent advance payments under the Basic Payment Scheme, while welcome, its benefits will not be seen until October 16, he said. While the derogation for the production of animal feed on fallow land is also welcome, important flexibilities are required under the GLAS scheme which would be of much greater assistance. IFA estimated that up to 100,000 ha of additional land could be brought into fodder production by granting flexibilities for catch crops, fallow land and low input grassland," said Mr Healy. The Government must also explore the additional flexibility under State rules to support farmers at this extremely difficult time he said. As a matter of urgency, Minister Creed must now clarify what exact measures he has sought and is seeking from Brussels. It is reported that no formal request has been submitted by the Minister for a number of derogations that are needed under the GLAS scheme to help farmers to save more fodder before the winter he said. Farmers also need more flexibility on fertiliser application rules to allow them to maximise grass growth in the next few months he said. The drought is still affecting many parts of the country, with minimal grass growth and significant impacts on spring cereals and vegetables. There are now huge feed bills on many farms. If the rain continues to fall farmers may have a narrow window to maximise grass growth and save as much fodder as possible. EU restrictions which limit this must be lifted. What we asking for is that farmers are allowed to help themselves. We have a chronic fodder shortage and if we dont act now it will too late he said. Minister Creed must also introduce the low cost loans promised as far back October during last years Budget speech and this must be available for working capital, said the IFA president. Many farmers have now run up huge debts with their co-ops and merchants purchasing additional feed. Opening up the low costs loans could few over 150m in liquidity for farmers which would help to pay feed bills. he said. [August 06, 2018] wefox Continues to Expand and Launches in Italy Only three years after launching in Switzerland and Germany, and one year after starting operations in Austria, insurtech business wefox has announced its entry to the Italian market, continuing its focus on European expansion. "We want to become the new insurance standard worldwide. Italy is the next important step for us," says Julian Teicke, CEO of the wefox Group. Insurtech combines personal consulting with state-of-the-art app technology, providing solutions to meet the changing needs of customers, brokers and insurance companies. wefox has gained around a quarter of a million customers, over 1000 insurance brokers and over 300 insurance companies to date. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180806005267/en/ Julian Teicke (Photo: Business Wire) wefox is also striving to become the most innovative marketplace for customers, brokers and insurance companies in Italy. "Italy is promising for us because the market there is at a turning point, shifting from product-centric to a more customer-focused orientation," says Julian Teicke. wefox wants to establish the platform concept in Italy and shape the digital transformation for customers, brokers and insurers. Strategic cooperation Following the effective growthstrategy used in the DACH countries, wefox will also integrate the classic broker into its business model in Italy and combine the old and new economy, pairing the expertise and many years of experience in the insurance market with the possibilities of digital technologies. For this reason, wefox has partnered with one of the largest family-run brokerage companies in Italy, Mansutti S.p.A. Based in Milan, Mansutti employs more than 300 people and has an extensive network in the insurance industry. The brokerage company focuses on the automotive industry, and will use this connection to drive business via the wefox platform. New insurance products for the Italian market "As a partner of Europe's leading insurtech, we can offer insurance solutions at a very high service level using the latest Salesforce technology. This will significantly strengthen our position as an international broker", says Tomaso Mansutti, CEO of Mansutti S.p.A. wefox supports Mansutti as a software provider. Brokers receive a modern CRM system and can outsource back-office work to wefox enabling them to work more efficiently, focusing on customers and concentrate more on customer service. Tomaso Mansutti said: "Our customers can use the wefox app to view and optimize their insurance policies anytime and anywhere, agree new contracts and report claims - all digitally in one place. We expect excellent customer satisfaction and loyalty." Mansutti is supporting wefox in the development of insurance products for the Italian market. Cooperations are being expanded Next year, wefox plans to incorporate its own company in Italy and expand its cooperation with other brokers. Expansion into other European countries is also anticipated. About wefox Wefox, founded in Switzerland in November 2014, is the independent service platform for insurance in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The marketplace allows customers, brokers and insurance companies to manage their insurance and financial products and services intelligently and efficiently. The product brings together the benefits of the online and offline world, combining modern technology and consulting knowledge from the classic insurance business. Since its launch, wefox has already secured more than 250,000 policyholders in record time. The company, with more than 100 employees, works with more than 1000 brokers and is continuously looking to expand its network into other European countries. www.wefox.ch www.wefoxgroup.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180806005267/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 05, 2018] Forgame's Jianlicai Supports Increased Regulation Jianlicai Introduces Fund Product "Shinianbao" to Support the Healthy Development of the FinTech Industry HONG KONG, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Forgame Holdings Limited ("Forgame" or the "Group") (stock code: 00484.HK) recently announced strategic adjustments made by the Group's FinTech information recommendation platform "Jianlicai" to remain in full compliance with currently industry regulations. Jianlicai rapidly launched a legally compliant and standardized financial fund portfolio product, "Shinianbao", to remain in full compliance and reiterate its commitment and responsibility to users. The new business model of Jianlicai has been a focus by Hong Kong and Chinese media. The following is the main content of the Group's response: Media: "Beijing Internet Finance Association recently issued a Risk Warning Letter to Strengthen Business Compliance. How does the recent wave of regulation affect Jianlicai operations?" Forgame management: "With reference to the recent risk warning documents issued by the Beijing Internet Finance Association, online lending platforms are not allowed to provide investors with 'Wealth Management Plan' related products. All online lending platforms in Beijing are requested to remove the 'Wealth Management Plan' products from their platforms. After careful deliberation, Jianlicai's management has decided to strategically adjust Jianlicai's 'Wealth Management Plan' business model. In order to remain in compliance with current regulations, we are gradually reduced the size of existing non-standard financial products. At the same time, Jianlicai quickly launched standard online financial product 'Shinianbao' to safeguard the interests and user experience of its clients. In order to ensure the smooth transition of assets, as well as cope with the industry-wide liquidity pressure, Jianlicai decided to temporarily adjust the rules for user funds transfer, and set certain limits on the amount of funds transferred by users. This will ensure the orderly transfer of funds by users. The new transfer rules will be in place for at least one month. During this period, Jianlicai will increase coordination with the asset provider to improve the liquidity of funds, and gradually adjust transferable amounts." Media: "Are Jianlicai's existing underlying assets safe? Following the strategic adjustment, what specific adjustments will be made to the assets recommended by Jianlicai's platform?" Forgame management: "The previous 'Wealth Management Plan' products Jianlicai recommended are safe and reliable. They were supported by Forgame's Big Data Risk Control System. These products are quite popular among users as they have generated stable returns with controllable risks and facilitate easy deposits and withdrawals. However, the time horizon of the underlying assets is unable to fully satisfy the liquidity needs and sentiment of investors. The Group has been an industry leader in terms of its strategy, which it has already deployed standardized produc recommendation to rollout and upgrade and iteration of the investment products. Therefore, the Group is able to respond in a timely manner with the launch of 'Shinianbao', a fund product that offers a similar rate of return and controllable risks with better liquidity. The Group highly appreciates the increased regulation and believes that government regulation is beneficial for the healthy development of the entire industry. Forgame will continue to support increased government regulation of industry and embrace full compliance." Media: "What is this 'Shinianbao' product?" Forgame management: "'Shinianbao' is a fund portfolio tailor made for investors by a professional investment research team with the cooperation of Jianlicai and licensed financial institution iFAST Financial Limited. iFAST Financial Limited (Fund sales qualification number in PRC: 000000381) is the first wholly foreign-funded fund that qualified as an independent sales institution in China. It has a business license to operate and strong capabilities. The operation of this product is led by Mr. LI Qi, Investment Research Director of Jianlicai. Mr. Li holds a master's degree in mathematical economics from Wuhan University and has over 10 years of experience in the securities industry, serving as partner of a robo-advisor consultant and research director in an investment management company. Mr. Li has been focusing on research on mutual and private funds and has deep research experience in fund portfolio and investment strategy. The team has also attracted financial talents from prestigious universities such as Imperial College London and others which are working on this new product 'Shinianbao'. 'Shinianbao' adopts the CPPI (Constant Proportion Portfolio Insurance) strategy. This is a portfolio insurance strategy that dynamically adjusts the portfolio to provide both downside risk protection and maximize potential income as well." Media: "As regulators are mulling very strict oversight, how will it affect the future development of the Group?" Media: "As regulators are mulling very strict oversight, how will it affect the future development of the Group?" Forgame management: "Jianlicai's strategic adjustment is a temporary measure, which may have some short-term impact on the user experience. However, with the launch of 'Shinianbao' and the continued technological support from the Group, we hope that the impact will gradually be reduced. In addition to Jianlicai, 'Yunke', the internet micro-lending business under the Group, is also actively developing a big data-related business, and is committed to building a FinTech ecosystem driven by big data. At present, the increased regulatory supervision has become the finance industry's norm. Only those businesses with advanced technological capacity and regulatory compliance can stand out and become the backbone to change the traditional patterns of financial industry. Forgame will, as always, focus on the interests of its shareholders, support the spirit of the regulatory policies, explore opportunities across the FinTech industry, actively implement plans for its next strategic step, and expand its footprint in the FinTech ecosystem. - End - About Forgame Holdings Limited (stock code: 484) Established in 2009 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 3 October 2013, Forgame Holdings Limited is a leading company of mobile games and webgames in China, and is now speeding up the development of FinTech business. Forgame aims to create an inclusive financial ecosystem and become one of the most influential FinTech companies in China. In December 2016, the Group obtained a license from the government to carry out internet micro-lending business in the PRC. In August 2017, the Group acquired China's leading FinTech platform Jianlicai. In the future, Group is expected to further strengthen the presence in the FinTech market, and provide users with great product experience under the principles of "simple happiness, easy wealth management". Disclaimer This presentation contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "future", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", "target", "confident" and similar statements. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, Forgame's limited operating history, especially in certain new segment of its business; its ability to develop and operate new games that are commercially successful; the growth of the online game market and the continuing market acceptance of its games and in-game items in China and elsewhere; its expectations regarding demand for and the continuing market acceptance of its financial products; its expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with borrowers, strategic partners, suppliers and other parties it collaborate with; its ability to attract and retain borrowers and investors; its ability to increase volume of loans; its ability to introduce new products and software enhancements; its ability to protect intellectual property rights; its ability to respond to competitive pressure; its ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting; changes in the regulatory environment in any relevant jurisdictions; economic slowdown in China and/or elsewhere; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing are or become untrue. Forgame 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. SOURCE Forgame Holdings Limited [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 05, 2018] AEGEAN MARINE 24 HOUR DEADLINE ALERT: Approximately 24 Hours Remain; ClaimsFiler Reminds Investors with Losses in Excess of $100,000 of Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. - ANW ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have only until August 6, 2018 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. (NYSE: ANW). Investor losses must relate to purchases of the Company's shares between April 28, 2016, and June 4, 2018. This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Get Help Aegean investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/view-aegean-marine-petroleum-network-inc-securities-litigation-1 or call to speak to our claim center toll-free at (844) 367-9658. About the Lawsuit On June 4, 2018, Aegean provided an update on its audit committee review, specifically that "approximately $200 million of accounts receivable owed to the Company at December 31, 2017 will need to be written off" and that "the Company cannot determine the full impact on the financial statements or how this adjustment will be recorded...there could be other adjustments that result from the Audit Committee's review that could impact the financial statements." About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. ClaimsFiler's team of experts monitor the securities class action landscape and cull information from a variety of sources to ensure comprehensive coverage across a broad range of financial instruments. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180805005013/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] NRGene Delivers to Global Researchers Multiple Maize Genomes Toward the First Maize Pangenome NESS ZIONA, Israel, August 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Assembly of multiple varieties of maize to assist the efficient breeding of more productive varieties, gene editing, and the discovery of key agronomical traits The de novo genome assembly of diverse lines of maize gives researchers unique insights into the diversity and evolution of the species. In the latest publication of Nature Genetics this week, maize researchers and NRGene have generated a reference assembly, annotated, and described the maize inbred line W22. This work gives the research community unprecedented access and accuracy to a genome that has been utilized extensively by maize geneticists for many years to study gene action. The W22 genome has been host to functional genomics tools including Mutator and Ac/Ds transposable element mutant collections. With this highly accurate and high-quality assembly, researchers can further accelerate their functional analyses and better understand how genomic variation affects biological processes in this economically important crop. With the addition of this publication, NRGene, the leading provider of genomic big data analysis, has delivered to the public seven full maize genome sequences of the nine genomes available. Many of the maize genomes assembled by NRGene have already been published in first-tier scientific journals (See references 1-5.) and are available in the maize genome database (MaizeGDB). The availability of multiple, high quality, full genomes is crucial for maize, since the genomic diversity between varieties in maize is enormous, reaching up to a 45% difference in genomic sequence between two varieties. "Having access to multiple maize denovo genome assemblies is critical to enable studies of all types of genetic and epigenetic variation," said Dr. Nathan Springer, Professor at University of Minnesota. "The high-quality assembly of the W22 genome developed with NRGene's analytics is providing insights into the diversity of transposon organization within the maize genome and how this influences epigenetics and gene expression." Researchers are already using this vital genetic resource to spee up genetic research and breeding toward maximizing maize productivity in diverse geographies and market segments. NRGene's assemblies correctly positioned structural variations of the maize genome. "Utilizing NRGene's assembly, we were able to identify a presence/absence variation for an important insect resistance gene," stated Dr. Georg Jander, investigator at Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University. "NRGene has incorporated multiple assemblies to enable us to describe more diversity in our lines than could be detected by previous methods," said Dr. Chris-Carolin Schon of Munich University, Germany. "They've really accelerated our research." Maize is grown in broad temperate and tropical climates. Altogether, maize is among the three largest cultivated crops with 2.607 million tons produced in 2017 (FAOSTAT), making it a vital income resource to many millions of farmers around the globe. Maize grains' multiple uses include food, feed, processed food, starch, oil, ethanol, and many more. Maize seed sales are close to 40% of total global seed sales, making it the leading revenue generator for many seed companies. DeNovoMAGIC[TM] can assemble virtually any genome de novo. The unique assembly engine completes even the most challenging assembly within days of obtaining the raw sequence data, with outstanding results. DeNovoMAGIC has been successfully deployed by the world's leading seed companies and academic institutions and has successfully assembled genomes of many plants and animals to the highest standards. "We are proud to enable researchers around the world to view and review the broad genetic diversity in maize with multiple, reference-grade, full genome sequences," says Dr. Gil Ronen, CEO of NRGene. "Moreover, we are releasing to the public the first full pan-genome of maize, formerly used only by commercial companies. The pan-genome is created by all-to-all comparisons of the latest versions of all available maize genomes. This pan-genome view enables researchers and breeders, for the first time, to use all genomes' data in parallel, rather than using a single reference genome." PanMAGIC[TM] delivers complete species diversity. PanMAGIC[TM] compares all-to-all full genomes to get the best view of local differences such as SNPs, InDels, Gene PAV, CNV as well as structural variations of all kinds. Existing historical data can easily be incorporated into the results. About NRGene NRGene is a genomic big data company delivering cutting-edge software and algorithms to reveal the complexity and diversity of humans, plants and animals for supporting the most advanced medical research and sophisticated breeding programs. NRGene tools have already been employed by some of the leading seed companies worldwide as well as the most influential research teams in academia. http://www.nrgene.com. Follow us: Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Links to Scientific Papers: NRGene Contact Amy Kenigsberg K2 Global Communications amy@k2-gc.com +1-913-440-4072 (+7 ET) +972-9-794-1681 (+2 GMT) SOURCE NRGene [August 06, 2018] Eze Castle Integration Ranks as Best Hybrid and Private Cloud Service and Best IT Consultancy Service on HFM European Hedge Fund Technology Award Shortlists LONDON, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Eze Castle Integration, Ltd, a leading managed service provider to the financial industry; today announced it has been shortlisted for "Best Hybrid or Private Cloud Service" and "Best IT Consultancy Service" in the HFM European Hedge Fund Technology Awards 2018. The company was also shortlisted in the HFM US Technology Awards for "Best Cyber Security Provider" and "Best Technology Infrastructure Provider." The annual awards acknowledge and celebrate technology providers that have demonstrated exceptional customer service and offer innovative product development to hedge funds and investment management firms. Eze Castle received multiple nominations based on the breadth of its cloud and cybersecurity offerings as well as the company's commitment to providing white-glove client service. "As the leader in managed services to the investment industry, Eze Castle Integration remains focused on building and maintaining a portfolio of innovative and secure IT services aligned to the evolving market needs," said Dean Hill, Executive Director at Eze Castle Integration. "Over a decade ago we built the first hedge fund private cloud, and today Eze Castle is he go-to expert for all things cloud-related - private cloud, public cloud, and hybrid cloud. We look forward to continued product innovation." Eze Castle Integration provides a full range of cloud solutions and consulting services. From cloud solution design and implementation to ongoing 24x7x365 support services, we ensure our clients' journeys to the cloud are seamless and security-centric. Eze Castle Integration is a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider. About Eze Castle Integration Eze Castle Integration is the leading provider of managed IT services, complete cloud solutions and cybersecurity to more than 650 clients worldwide. The company's products and services include Cloud Services, Managed Cyber Security Solutions, Technology Consulting, Outsourced IT Support, Project & Technology Management, Professional Services, Telecommunications, Voice over IP, Business Continuity Planning and Disaster Recovery, Archiving, Storage, and Colocation. Eze Castle Integration is headquartered in Boston and has offices in Chicago, Dallas, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco, Singapore, and Stamford. Press Contact Name: Kulvinder Gill Telephone: +44 (0)207 071 6837 Email: kgill@eci.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eze-castle-integration-ranks-as-best-hybrid-and-private-cloud-service-and-best-it-consultancy-service-on-hfm-european-hedge-fund-technology-award-shortlists-300692133.html SOURCE Eze Castle Integration [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] new.New Festival: Sophia the Robot Leads Visitors Into an Era of Artificial Intelligence STUTTGART, Germany, August 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Visitors to the new.New Festival, taking place October 8 to 10, 2018 at Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle Stuttgart, will meet a special guest: Sophia, the Robot (http://www.sophiabot.com), will open the international tech event. Together with partners like Daimler and GFT, CODE_n creates a unique exchange platform - for innovators, entrepreneurs, scientists and students. Sophia will join a panel discussion, a press conference and partner interviews. Created by combining breakthrough innovations in robotics, AI, and artistry, Sophia is endowed with remarkable expressiveness and interactivity. She can simulate facial expressions, track and recognize faces, and hold natural conversations. 50 startups battle for prize money One festival hihlight is the CODE_n CONTEST, which revolves around the topic of IntelligenceX.0 and the opportunities presented by digital transformation. For three days, 50 international finalists will present digital business models and technologies on topics like cyber security, blockchain technology, and augmented reality. Leading partners become co-creators CODE_n partners with the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg and the City of Stuttgart. Further partners are GFT Technologies, DATEV, EY, Fraunhofer, EnBW, Karcher, MHP, W&W brandpool, CyberValley, birds on mars, RECARO, TRUMPF, ZF Friedrichshafen, and bridgingIT. New to the fold is Daimler, with Future Transportation @ Mercedes-Benz Vans, Lab1886 the incubator of Daimler AG, Daimler Financial Services, and its Group Research. Following LEA Partners and Axon ivy, Lab1886 becomes the third CODE_n SPACES resident acting as a partner. Early-bird tickets will be available until September 14. Sophia announces her festival visit via video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrSYm-ScAOc Picture available at AP Images (http://www.apimages.com) About CODE_n CODE_n is a leading cross-industry innovation hub. Supporting a self-determined and sustainable approach to digital pioneering, it accelerates businesses and guides them into the future. http://www.newnewfestival.com Press contact Lena Gaede CODE_n Communications Tel.: +49-711-219-505-91 Email: press@code-n.org [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] Mawarid Finance and Loylogic Announce a Strategic Partnership for Akruu ZURICH, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Loylogic, the global leader in e-commerce and e-payment solutions for loyalty programs, and Mawarid Finance PJSC, a leading Islamic finance and investments group licensed by the UAE Central Bank, announce a strategic partnership for Loylogic's cutting edge earn solution Akruu. The common objective is to provide more opportunities to collect points and consequently more value to the members of the Falak Tayyeb loyalty program thereby enabling them to reach their redemption goal faster. Mawarid Finance is implementing Akruu, the state-of-the-art, co-branded collect portal, to bring more choice and value to their members. With Akruu Falak Tayyeb members are now able to easily and quickly increase their points balance in addition to the traditional credit card accrual. Points can be earned through innovative earn modules such as affiliate online shopping with famous brands, GrouponTM deals, merchandise offers and more. Strategically this means a significant boost in member engagement, brand loyalty and thus leads to increased program revenue. Commenting on the partnership, Rehab Lootah, Head of SME & Retail of Mawarid Finance PJSC said, "As a customer-centric institution, we are always on the look-out for partnerships that offers innovative approach to gowth & drive higher customer value with best-in-class solutions. When we first encountered the Akruu platform by Loylogic, we immediately saw its potential to offer higher rewards of as much as 90x for our customer's everyday spends." Dominic Hofer, Founder and CEO of Loylogic adds, "We are really excited to welcome Mawarid Finance to the Akruu family. Falak Tayyeb members will find more options to collect additional points in a way that's convenient and seamless for them. Akruu will deepen member engagement with the program, creating more brand loyalty and value in the short and long-term." About Mawarid Finance Mawarid Finance PJSC is an Islamic finance and investments group licensed by the UAE Central Bank. Mawarid Finance was formed in 2006 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with a paid up capital of AED 1 Billion to launch a new vision in Islamic Finance by adding more value to the industry through developing innovative Shariah compliant products for both individual and corporate customers, Mawarid was founded upon and continues to believe in Innovation. Mawarid's focus has also been on supporting and developing the national economy through the provision of Islamic financial products and services for small & medium enterprises, enabling them to grow and in turn fostering the growth of the economy. For more information, please visit: http://mawarid.ae/ About Loylogic Loylogic is the world's leading innovator and creator of points experiences, insights, commerce and engagement. By tantalizing members with more choices and arming programs with insights on behavior anticipating both present and future needs we deliver powerful solutions that amplify engagement and build loyalty. Founded in 2005 with offices around the world and a global content network of more than 500 merchants and 2,000 online stores offering millions products and services, Loylogic, the new paradigm of points-based e-commerce and e-payment solutions, is the partner that the world's leading loyalty programs trust with making their points and miles loved more. For more information please visit www.loylogic.com Press contact: Davey Ariola AriolaD@mawarid.ae Richa Bakshi richa.bakshi@loylogic.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mawarid-finance-and-loylogic-announce-a-strategic-partnership-for-akruu-300692215.html SOURCE Loylogic [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] Narrative Science instantly explains Tableau dashboards as written stories to enhance analysis and communication CHICAGO, Aug. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Narrative Science, the leader in natural language generation (NLG) for the enterprise, today announces Narratives for Tableau, a new extension built with the recently released Tableau Extension API and powered by Narrative Science. Narratives for Tableau instantly provides plain-English explanations of charts and graphs, giving analysts a quick and easy way to communicate to dashboard readers. This functionality allows users to generate interactive natural language stories that explain the insights within their data visualizations. Francois Ajenstat, Tableaus Chief Product Officer, said, This is the next logical milestone for our relationship with Narrative Science and ultimately, bringing value to our customers. In simplifying the ability for Tableau users to glean insights from their data, they are freed up to spend more time on analysis and less on administrative tasks. Narrative Science has also been collaborating with Deloitte through Deloitte Catalyst, an ecosystem network of leading startups working to translate the potential of disruptive tecnologies into practical business solutions for the firm and its clients. We are thrilled to continue innovating with Deloitte, said Nick Beil, COO of Narrative Science. The use of groundbreaking technologies such as Narratives for Tableau reflects Deloittes focus on digital transformation and human augmentation technologies. "Deloitte Catalyst has been working with startups since 2014 to translate the potential of disruptive technologies, such as NLG, says Craig Muraskin, Managing Director of US Innovation at Deloitte. We are pleased to be able to collaborate with startups to develop technologies and tools, such as Narratives for Tableau, that allow our professionals to focus their talents on higher-level, critical work. To learn more and sign up for the Narratives for Tableau, visit: https://narrativescience.com/Partners/Business-Intelligence/Tableau About Narrative Science Narrative Science is the leader in Natural Language Generation (NLG) for the enterprise. Customers, including Deloitte, MasterCard, USAA, and members of the U.S. intelligence community, rely on Narrative Sciences technology to make better business decisions, focus talent on higher-value opportunities, and improve communications with their customers. About Deloitte Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of our legal structure. Connect with Narrative Science Read our blog: http://www.narrativescience.com/blog/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/narrativesci Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NarrativeScience Contact Information: Andrea Watts Marketing Associate +1-312-219-8111 awatts@narrativescience.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] The Nerdery's Danny Estavillo Named to Phoenix Business Journal's 40 Under 40 List PHOENIX, Aug. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Danny Estavillo, Managing Director of The Nerderys West region, has been named a 2018 40 Under 40 honoree by Phoenix Business Journal. The annual award highlights 40 leaders in the Phoenix area, all under the age of 40, who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement while also becoming leaders in their communities. The annual 40 Under 40 awad highlights leaders in the Phoenix area who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement while also becoming leaders in their communities. "Danny has been instrumental in accelerating our growth in The Nerderys West region, said Adrian Slobin, Nerdery CEO. Under his leadership, our Phoenix office is flourishing as we've gained great clients, hired amazing people and outgrown our current space. Were honored to have Danny, a true leader in business and in the Phoenix community, at the helm during this very exciting time for The Nerdery." Estavillo joined The Nerdery in 2016 as its Business Development Director in Phoenix, and was promoted to Managing Director of the West region in 2018. As Managing Director, Estavillo helps clients think holistically about how digital can integrate into all stages of business. Known for his intellectual curiosity and strategic thinking, Estavillo is adept at translating business objectives and marketing plans into well-designed solutions. He applies analytical rigor, critical thinking and creativity to help clients move into the future, and has a passion for helping organizations overcome complex problems to become industry leaders. I am grateful and humbled to be part of the 2018 40 Under 40 class. The drive and impact of the other honorees is incredibly motivating, said Estavillo. I am proud to call Phoenix The Nerderys regional home in the West. Were eager to continue making a difference in the tech community, and in the lives of our clients and our Nerds who are navigating this fascinating digital world. Prior to joining The Nerdery, Estavillo served in leadership positions with Verizon, Target and Guaranteed Rate and rose to Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. Estavillo also co-founded Biltmore Psychology and Counseling a counseling and psychological health practice focused on increasing wellness while removing the mental health stigma with his wife, Dr. Melissa Estavillo. He is a Founding Member of the AZ Tech Council MedTech Conference and holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Arizona State University. 40 Under 40 honorees come from a variety of industries and nonprofit organizations and join more than 680 alumni who have been recognized over the years and who have risen to become elected officials, CEOs and community leaders around the region. Recipients were honored at an Aug. 2 event and awards presentation and also featured in the Aug. 3 Phoenix Business Journal publication. About The Nerdery The Nerdery is a digital business consultancy specializing in strategy, innovation, experience design and software engineering. By focusing on clients business outcomes, The Nerdery delivers impactful digital experiences and infrastructures through consulting services that accelerate digital transformations, innovations, modernizations and operational initiatives. The Nerdery was founded in 2003 and has offices in Minneapolis, Chicago, Kansas City and Phoenix. Contact: Emily Rinde 763.248.5859 Emily.rinde@nerdery.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] Next Generation 9-1-1 Momentum: Over 1,000 Public Safety Agencies Nationwide Deploy RapidSOS Technology LAS VEGAS, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- RapidSOS today announced over 1,000 public safety agencies nationwide have deployed the NG911 Clearinghouse emergency platform. Current users represent 9-1-1 public safety answering points (PSAPs) from urban, suburban, and rural counties nationwide. Deployed PSAPs can access emergency data from millions of connected devices in their existing software through the Next Generation 9-1-1 integration. The NG911 Clearinghouse allows PSAPs to receive life-saving emergency data from sources including Apple, Uber, and Waze. RapidSOS provides this data to public safety agencies at no cost, making Next Generation 9-1-1 technology accessible to any PSAP in America. "The RapidSOS platform is life-saving technology for the public safety community," said Liz Graeber, 9-1-1 Administrator for the Maricopa Region. "Our agency implemented the NG911 Clearinghouse in a matter of weeks. Now our 9-1-1 telecommunicators in our 25 PSAPs can access fast, accurate location and additional data to improve emergency response for the roughly 225,000 9-1-1 calls we receive every month." "Over 1,000 PSAPs have integrated with the NG911 Clearinghouse, setting an extraordinary milestone for the progress of modern Next Generation 9-1-1 infrastructure," said Michael Martin, CEO and co-founder of RapidSOS. "We are honored to work closely with the 9-1-1 community on our shared mission to make the best possible tools accessible to any public safety agency." A PSAP's Trusted Source for Connected Device Data Public safety agencies today struggle to receive accurate caller location from wireless devices and typically receive no other data around an emergency besides a voice connection. RapidSOS partners with mobile device, smart home, connected car, wearable, and indutrial sensor companies to provide public safety agencies with a wide range of situational emergency data. PSAPs with access to the NG911 Clearinghouse receive life-saving data when an enabled device dials 9-1-1, resulting in more efficient and better prepared emergency response. Example data sources include: RapidSOS announced work with Apple to send fast, accurate location data from iOS 12 devices to PSAPs through the Clearinghouse. RapidSOS and Uber announced a partnership to send accurate location, vehicle type, and license plate number information to PSAPs through the app's 9-1-1 Assistance feature. RapidSOS and Waze announced a partnership to share live incident data from the Waze app with 9-1-1 and first responders. RapidSOS implements best-in-class security practices including end-to-end encryption for data in the Clearinghouse and an information security management program developed with IBM that has achieved ISO 27001 compliance, a rigorous and globally -recognized cybersecurity certification. Emergency data is only available to agencies during live 9-1-1 calls initiated from the device. Available at No Cost to Public Safety PSAPs can start receiving data from the NG911 Clearinghouse through one of two methods. RapidSOS partners with all major public safety software companies to integrate data from the NG911 Clearinghouse directly in PSAPs' existing dashboards and workflows. Public safety officials can view the list of RapidSOS partners here. Any PSAP can access data from the NG911 Clearinghouse today with RapidLite, a free, secure web-based tool for public safety agencies. Authorized PSAPs can create an account at RapidLite.com. RapidSOS partners with Internet of Things (IoT) companies to provide this data to public safety agencies at no cost. Public safety officials can meet the RapidSOS team at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) National Conference in Las Vegas from August 5th to 8th. Read more details about connecting with RapidSOS at the APCO conference on the blog. About RapidSOS Partnering with Internet of Things (IoT) companies and the public safety community, RapidSOS provides a rich data link to public safety via the NG911 Clearinghouse sending lifesaving data to aid in emergency response. The NG911 Clearinghouse is a free service to public safety, and is integrated with all major vendors of 9-1-1 call-taking, dispatching and mapping software. Learn more about RapidSOS: www.rapidsos.com. Contact: RapidSOS Michelle Cahn mcahn@rapidsos.com (347) 879-0024 View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/next-generation-9-1-1-momentum-over-1-000-public-safety-agencies-nationwide-deploy-rapidsos-technology-300692093.html SOURCE RapidSOS [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] Einstein Bros. Bagels Extends Free Bagel and Shmear to All Restaurant Mobile App Users LAKEWOOD, Colo., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Einstein Bros. Bagels recognizes that being the first doesn't always mean you're the best! Consumers have been busy redeeming offers through other restaurant brand's mobile apps and reward programs, while the nation's leading bagel brand worked to perfect a program that empowers guests to choose the rewards they want. To celebrate the launch of its new, Shmear Society Rewards program and mobile app, Einstein Bros. Bagels is issuing a first-of-its-kind offer that allows guests to redeem a FREE bagel and shmear with purchase on Aug. 15 to anyone who shows a restaurant brand's mobile app on their device. "Our guests have asked us for it and the time has finally come for them to receive the added value rewards they deserve," said Leigh Anne Snider, Einstein Bros. Bagels president. "Now, those who choose to brighten their mornings with us can take advantage of special offers and surprise and delight deals through our Shmear Society Rewards program and mobile app." Guests who show a restaurant brand's mobile app on Aug. 15 to receive a free bagel and shmear with purchase will also be encouraged to download the Einstein Bros. Bagels app and sign up for the Shmear Society Rewards program during their visit. Current Shmear Society Rewards members who use the app to check-in to their favorite Einstein Bros. Bagels store on offer day will also receiv a free bagel and shmear deal in their account for future redemption. Through Einstein Bros. Bagels' Shmear Society Rewards program, members will be eligible to enjoy a free egg sandwich with purchase on their birthday and two points for every $1 spent in-store, which can be redeemed at any time for food and beverages at participating locations. In addition to the Shmear Society Rewards program, Einstein Bros. Bagels' mobile app provides maximum convenience by giving guests the freedom to pay for their order directly through the app. Download the Einstein Bros. Bagels mobile app in the AppStore or through Google Play. For more information about Einstein Bros. Bagels' Shmear Society Rewards program, visit www.ShmearSociety.com, or find an Einstein Bros. Bagels location nearest you at www.EinsteinBros.com. About Einstein Bros. Bagels Einstein Bros. Bagels is part of the Coffee & Bagel Brands family, a leading quick-casual company known for its breakfast brands including Caribou Coffee, Bruegger's Bagels, Noah's New York Bagels and Manhattan Bagel. Einstein Bros. Bagels is a neighborhood bagelry that's always cooking up new ways to bagel. Known for its fresh-baked bagels available in a variety of flavors and signature double-whipped shmears, Einstein Bros. Bagels also serves gourmet bagel sandwiches, coffee, espresso, sweets and snacks. Einstein Bros. Bagels is proud to be the largest bagel retailer in America with more than 700 locations in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Connect with Einstein Bros. Bagels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or join the Shmear Society at www.EinsteinBros.com to receive news and special offers. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/einstein-bros-bagels-extends-free-bagel-and-shmear-to-all-restaurant-mobile-app-users-300691879.html SOURCE Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] Cradlepoint LTE Network Solutions Certified FirstNet Ready - Delivering Secure and Resilient Branch, Mobile, And IoT Connectivity to First Responder Organizations Cradlepoint, the global leader in cloud-delivered 4G and 5G wireless network edge solutions, today announced, at the annual Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International (APCO) show in Las Vegas, its MC400 Modem Module has received FirstNet Ready status and approval - joining FirstNet's nationwide LTE (News - Alert) ecosystem for first responder solutions. The device certification is for a new version of Cradlepoint's field-upgradeable MC400 Modem Module, a plug-in 4G LTE modem for compatible IBR and AER series router solutions. This modular approach enables Cradlepoint to deliver FirstNet Ready solutions - both to new as well as existing customers - that address a broad set of first responder connectivity challenges, including distributed sites, vehicles, mobile command centers, and an array of in-vehicle and in-the-field IoT devices such as sensors, cameras, drones and robots. FirstNet is the nationwide communications platform dedicated to America's public safety. It helps first responders connect to the critical information they need every day and in every emergency. Being built with AT&T (News - Alert) , in a public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority, FirstNet is bringing public safety a long overdue and much-needed technology upgrade. It helps to improve first responders' efficiency, safety and response times by enabling better field and inter-agency coordination using new connected devices and applications. "We're pleased to welcome Cradlepoint to the FirstNet ecosystem, giving first responders access to more trusted solutions that they can use on their network," said Chris Sambar, senior vice president, AT&T-FirstNet. "Cradlepoint's FirstNet Ready MC400 Modem Module will continue to expand first responders' capabilities, improve their operational effectiveness and increase their situational awareness to help keep them safe." Over 2,000 public safety organizations, including first responders within 10 of the largest U.S. cities, rely on Cradlepoint 4G LTE network solutions to provide mission-critical connectivity and security for fixed site, vehicle, and IoT networks. By developing a new FirstNet Ready version of its plug-in, MC400 Modem Module, Cradlepoint brings FirstNet reliability and capabilities to new and existing first responder customers. All MC400-equipped IBR and AER series LTE routers support FirstNet's critical functionality as well a public safety's Band 14 spectrum. The certification process included hundreds of testing hours that cover a wide range of functional aspects, from security and durability to network impacts. "FirstNet is a game-changer for LA County's first responders and how we use connected technology to protect and serve our communities more effectively while improving the efficiency and safety of our men and women in uniform," said Battalion Chief Kyle Zuniga, with LA-RICS. "To take full advantage of FirstNet's priority, preemption and Band 14 capabilities across our operational area - from vehicles with cameras, sensors and computing devices to drones, robots, and surveillance systems, and even stations - we need a variety of FirstNet Ready router solutions for mobile, IoT and fixed site deployments." "Cradlepoint's new FirstNet Ready MC400 Modular Modem provides us with a simple way to field-upgrade existing Cradlepoint solutions in our fleet to support FirstNet when we are ready. We also value the dual-modem capability that allows us to utilize FirstNet alongside other carrier connections," said Battalion Chief Dale Rolfson, IT Manager with the Indianapolis Fire Department. "The Cradlepoint solutions have offered us the stability we've never had - and with NetCloud Manager, my team can manage and troubleshoot our mobile networks remotely - keeping our firefighters and vehicles always connected and ready for action." "Cradlepoint has a long-standing commitment to 'Connect and Serve' the first responder community with police, fire or EMS customers now spanning all 50 states and several U.S. territories," said George Mulhern, Cradlepoint CEO, and chairman. "Achieving FirstNet Ready status for our portfolio of MC400-compatible network solutions continues this commitment and allows us to extend the benefits of FirstNet to both new and existing first responder customers with an easy-to-buy and easy-to-field-upgrade approach." The FirstNet Ready MC400 Modem Module, model number MC400-600M-C-AT is available now for NetCloud Solution Packages of compatible IBR and AER series LTE routers. Compatible Cradlepoint router platforms for the FirstNet Ready MC400 Modem Module include: IBR1700 Series: a ruggedized, all-in-one mobile router and connectivity hub that is purpose-built for in-vehicle and mobile command center deployments. It includes an MC400 module slot and an embedded LTE modem (600Mbps), tri-radio concurrent Gigabit Wi-Fi, 5 switched Gigabit Ethernet ports, precision GPS/GNSS with dead reckoning, OBD-II connection for onboard vehicle diagnostics, and USB, serial and GPIO ports for IoT and vehicle integrations. a ruggedized, all-in-one mobile router and connectivity hub that is purpose-built for in-vehicle and mobile command center deployments. It includes an MC400 module slot and an embedded LTE modem (600Mbps), tri-radio concurrent Gigabit Wi-Fi, 5 switched Gigabit Ethernet ports, precision GPS/GNSS with dead reckoning, OBD-II connection for onboard vehicle diagnostics, and USB, serial and GPIO ports for IoT and vehicle integrations. IBR900 and IBR1100 Series: a ruggedized, compact mobile router that is purpose-built for in-vehicle connectivity and in the field IoT deployments. It includes an embedded LTE modem with 3G fallback, dual concurrent Gigabit Wi-Fi and two Gigabit Ethernet port, and active GPS. An expansion dock accommodates a FirstNet Ready MC400 Modem Module and as well as two 10/100 Ethernet and GPIO ports for the IBR900. a ruggedized, compact mobile router that is purpose-built for in-vehicle connectivity and in the field IoT deployments. It includes an embedded LTE modem with 3G fallback, dual concurrent Gigabit Wi-Fi and two Gigabit Ethernet port, and active GPS. An expansion dock accommodates a FirstNet Ready MC400 Modem Module and as well as two 10/100 Ethernet and GPIO ports for the IBR900. IBR600C Series: a low-cost, semi-ruggedized, and compact IoT gateway with an embedded LTE modem with 3G fallback, Wi-Fi and a Gigabit Ethernet port, and passive GPS. An expansion dock accommodates a FirstNet Ready MC400 Modem Module and as well as two 10/100 Ethernet and GPIO ports. a low-cost, semi-ruggedized, and compact IoT gateway with an embedded LTE modem with 3G fallback, Wi-Fi and a Gigabit Ethernet port, and passive GPS. An expansion dock accommodates a FirstNet Ready MC400 Modem Module and as well as two 10/100 Ethernet and GPIO ports. AER1600 and AER2200 Series: all-in-one branch routers with an MC400 module slot and embedded LTE modem (600Mbps), dual concurrent Gigabit Wi-Fi, and up to 10 switched Gigabit Ethernet ports with power over Ethernet support. All Cradlepoint routers are part of the Cradlepoint NetCloud, which provides cloud-based management, edge routing, and security services, as well as SD-WAN functionality. NetCloud enables first responder organizations to deploy FirstNet concurrent with a second commercial LTE connection on any U.S. mobile network and then utilize SD-WAN to control the flow of applications between them. This approach provides maximum resiliency for critical applications. From a security perspective, unified edge security enables direct Internet access while protecting users and devices from Internet-borne threats, and NetCloud Perimeter provides secure device-to-cloud connectivity for sensors, cameras, drones, and other in-vehicle or in-the-field IoT devices that first responders depend on to perform their duties safely and efficiently. About Cradlepoint Cradlepoint is the global leader in cloud-delivered wireless edge solutions for branch, mobile, and IoT networks. The Cradlepoint Elastic Edge vision-powered by NetCloud services-provides a blueprint for agile, pervasive and software-driven wireless WANs that leverage 4G and 5G services to connect people, places and things everywhere with resiliency, security, and control. More than 20,000 enterprise and government organizations around the world, including 75 percent of the world's top retailers, 50 percent of the Fortune 100, and first responders in 10 of the largest U.S. cities, rely on Cradlepoint to keep critical branches, points of commerce, field forces, vehicles, and IoT devices always connected and protected. Major service providers use Cradlepoint wireless solutions as the foundation for innovative managed network services. Founded in 2006, Cradlepoint is a privately held company headquartered in Boise, Idaho, with a development center in Silicon Valley and international offices in the UK and Australia. Learn more at cradlepoint.com or follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @cradlepoint. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180806005157/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] Technomic partners with GroundTruth to enhance customer traffic intelligence for Top 500 restaurants CHICAGO, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Technomic Inc. and GroundTruth, the leading location platform, today announced a partnership to further enhance Technomic's brand sales performance-tracking product, Transaction Insights. Transaction Insights already features ongoing purchase data from more than 3 million consumers, representing more than 18 million monthly foodservice visits. Unprecedented transparency allows users to see every competitive brand within the leading 200 chains, down to the market level, and proprietary modeling methodology based on Technomic's deep expertise in the foodservice industry provides unparalleled accuracy. With the addition of GroundTruth's database of 3 million mapped business locations through its proprietary Blueprints technology and 75 million mobile devices, Technomic's traffic intelligence will more closely report on foodservice visits at the daypart level and allow the company to leverage location data into comparable store performance modeling. Technomic customers will now be able to answer questions such as: Which restaurant chain is winning breakfast in Dallas ? ? Which QSR is gaining market share against leading competitors? How have they grown business across dayparts and what initiatives may be driving this? How has a new menu item or media campaign impacted foot traffic? "Understanding traffic at the daypart level can inform competitive brand strategy, especially related to the menu and daypart-specific promotions," said Sara Monnette, vice president of innovation at Technomic. "GroundTruth provides us with a large, reliable location data set which in turn allows us to provide our customers with unprecedented insight into their business at a very granular level." "Our customers are asking for better behavioral information to make informed business decisions, and our partnership with GroundTruth allows us to continue to lead innovation to that end," said Shawn Edwards, president at Technomic. "Our ongoing quest is to provide a holistic, transparent view of the foodservice industry through bigger and better data sets, and this partnership is one more step in that direction." "Location is the bigges untapped opportunity for digital marketers wanting to drive business growth," said Eric Hadley, chief marketing officer at GroundTruth. "Consumers may aspire online, but they live offlineno one travels to a restaurant without genuine intent. For the last decade, we've focused on building the most reliable location data out there, and we're excited to partner with Technomic to provide their clients with valuable location-based insights." About GroundTruth GroundTruth is the leading location platform that leverages data and insights to drive business performance. Using its proprietary Blueprints technology, GroundTruth is able to learn about mobile users and reach them at the right place and right time, ultimately helping companies inform their marketing decisions, increase sales and grow their businesses. Through its data foundation, GroundTruth sees two out of three smartphone users in the U.S. and more than 30 billion physical visits annually across 21 countries globally. Learn more at www.groundtruth.com. 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. Contacts GroundTruth: Jessica Meyers, 646-634-7547, Jessica.Meyers@groundtruth.com Sunshine Sachs on behalf of GroundTruth: Katharine Sargent, 212-691-2800, groundtruth@sunshinesachs.com Technomic: Sara Monnette, 312-506-3848, smonnette@technomic.com View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/technomic-partners-with-groundtruth-to-enhance-customer-traffic-intelligence-for-top-500-restaurants-300691106.html SOURCE Technomic [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] Breaker takes podcasting Upstream SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Breaker Inc. ("Breaker"), the creator of the #1 social podcast app for iOS, released Breaker Upstream, the first marketplace for podcasters to sell premium content directly to their listeners. Available today in the App Store and on the web at www.breaker.audio, Breaker Upstream is an entirely new monetization model for podcasting. Listeners will now be able to subscribe to special premium podcasts and purchase individual episodes instantly on Breaker. Purchases can be made in the app with just a tap, or in the web player with a few quick clicks. Gone are the days of leaving your podcast player to navigate to a patronage platform to make a donation. "Podcasters told us traditional methods for monetizing their podcasts just weren't working," said Breaker CEO Erik Berlin. "Small podcasters have a hard time secring advertisers with a small audience, and larger podcasters felt that they were leaving money on the table when relying solely on advertising deals or voluntary donations." Today Breaker is launching with several podcast partners: Developer Tea from Spec, Fit Because, and 20 Minute Fitness have all released exclusive content, available now on Breaker. "I'm really excited about using Breaker Upstream," said Sarah Jackson, CEO and co-founder of the podcast network Spec. "This platform is going to open up a brand new revenue stream for our hosts and improve the quality of content we're providing to our most passionate listeners - its a win-win!" Podcasters using Breaker Upstream will still be able to maintain their public, ad-supported podcasts, if they choose. Episodes hosted on Breaker Upstream will simply be inserted into the existing podcast on the Breaker app and on the Breaker website. "We're not here to close off the historically free and open nature of podcasting," added Berlin. "What we've done is create an opportunity for podcasters' biggest fans to get more of the content they crave and provide podcasters with another tool to make their businesses sustainable." Podcasters interested in joining the platform can do so now at https://www.breaker.audio/i/upstream. Breaker Inc. is the developer of the Breaker podcast app and is based in San Francisco. Breaker is an alumni of Y Combinator. Learn more at https://www.breaker.audio/i/about View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/breaker-takes-podcasting-upstream-300692212.html SOURCE Breaker Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] School Bus Safety 101 MISSION, Kan., Aug. 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (Family Features) For millions of school-age children in the United States, each day begins and ends with a bus ride. While the school bus is the safest way to travel to and from school, according to the National Association of Pupil Transportation (NAPT), its important for parents to teach their children how to stay safe in and around the school bus as obstructed views, distracted drivers and more can put kids at risk. Photo Courtesy of Getty Images These tips from the experts at NAPT and the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) provide parents with some additional measures to take and lessons to teach to increase safety going to and from the bus, and even during the ride. Before the Bus Arrives Ensure backpacks are packed securely so papers and other items dont scatter as the bus approaches. Create a morning routine that puts kids at the bus stop five minutes before the scheduled pickup time. This helps avoid a last-minute rush, when safety lessons are easily forgotten, and ensures kids are safely in place for boarding. Encourage children to wear bright, contrasting colors so they can be seen easier by drivers. Walk young children to the bus stop or encourage kids to walk in groups. There is safety in numbers; groups are easier for drivers to see. If kids must cross a street, driveway or alley, remind them to stop and look both ways before crossing. Verify the bus stop location offers good visibility for the bus driver; if changes are needed, talk with nearby homeowners or school district officials to implement changes. Never let kids wait in a house or car, where the driver may miss seeing them approach the bus. Remind children that the bus stop is not a playground. Balls or other toys could roll into the street and horseplay can result in someone falling into the path of oncoming traffic. Instruct children to stay at least three steps away from the road and allow the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching it. On the Bus Ride When boarding the bus, items can get bumped and dropped. Caution children that before picking anything up, they should talk to the driver and follow instructions to safely retrieve their possessions. Teach safe riding habits: stay seated with head, hands and feet inside at ll times; keep bags and books out of the aisle and remain seated until the bus stops moving. Instruct children to never throw things on the bus or out the windows and to never play with or block emergency exits. Remind kids that just like when riding in a car, loud noises are off limits so they dont distract the driver. That includes cellphones and other electronic devices; instruct children to put them on mute or use headphones. Remind children to look before stepping off the bus. If they must cross the street, teach them to do so in front of the bus by taking five big steps (approximately 10 feet) away from the front of the bus, looking up and waiting for the driver to signal that it is safe. For parents who meet their kids at the bus, remember that in their excitement kids may dart across the street. Eliminate the risk by waiting on the side of the street where kids exit the bus. Make the bus ride part of your daily how was school? discussion. Encourage kids to talk about the things they see and hear on the bus so you can discuss appropriate behaviors and, if necessary, report any concerns to school administrators. As bullying is prevalent and buses are no exception, ask your child to tell you about any bullying they observe, whether against another child or themselves, and talk about how to shut down bully behaviors. For more information and additional school bus safety tips, visit BetterOurBuses.com. An Alternate Form of Transportation Many school districts are moving away from diesel buses in favor of buses powered by an alternate fuel, like propane, which offers numerous benefits for school districts and their students. In fact, school buses powered by propane transport approximately 928,000 students to and from school every day at more than 840 public and private school districts in 48 states, according to a vehicle registration report compiled by PERC using IHS Polk new vehicle registration data. Theres a lot to like about propane school buses for community stakeholders and school officials, and school districts across the nation continue to take notice, said Michael Taylor, PERC director of autogas business development. Compared to other fuels, propane school buses are quieter and offer reduced emissions. Plus, they cost less for the district to operate, so schools can put more money back into the classroom where it helps students most. Safety Among the numerous safety advantages propane school buses provide, engines powered by propane are noticeably quieter than diesel engines, which can help ensure a safe ride. Plus, just like all buses, propane buses are crash tested to ensure they meet U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for side and rear impact. In addition, an automatic shut-off valve prevents the flow of fuel to the engine when its not running, even if the ignition is turned on. Cleanliness The World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency have identified diesel engine exhaust as a carcinogen, which can cause short- and long-term health effects. With the emergence of alternative fuels like propane, which provides a clean emissions profile compared with diesel and gasoline buses, there is decreased risk of exposing young passengers to harmful particulate matter that can be found in the exhaust in older diesel buses, which can escalate breathing-related issues and aggravate asthma. Cost-Effectiveness Financially, propane buses provide school districts with the lowest total cost-of-ownership compared to other fuel types, according to PERC. Even as gas prices continue to fluctuate across the country, propane consistently costs less per gallon than diesel and gasoline, by as much as 50 percent, which saves districts significant money on fuel costs. They also require less maintenance over the lifetime of the vehicle, saving additional money on upkeep. Savings on transportation can help keep more money in the classroom helping students learn. Start a discussion with your childrens school district about exploring a switch from diesel buses to cleaner alternatives by first downloading resources including fact sheets, videos, a toolkit and more at BetterOurBuses.com. Michael French mfrench@familyfeatures.com 1-888-824-3337 editors.familyfeatures.com About Family Features Editorial Syndicate Established in 1974, Family Features is a leading provider of free food and lifestyle content for print and online publications. Our articles, photos, videos and web content solutions save you time, money and help create advertising opportunities. Registration is fast and free with absolutely no obligation. Visit editors.familyfeatures.com for more information. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6e2017cb-1418-477a-ba52-a7642b475719 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] EVOTEK Named to 2018 CRN Fast Growth 150 List for the 2nd Year in a Row SAN DIEGO, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- EVOTEK, the nation's premier enabler of digital business, announced that CRN , a brand of The Channel Company, has named EVOTEK to its 2018 Fast Growth 150 list, for the second year in a row. The list is CRN's annual ranking of North America based solution providers that have experienced significant financial growth between 2015 and 2017. In addition, EVOTEK has been awarded the 2018 CRN Triple Crown Award, the annual listing of the best-in-class solution providers who earn placement in all three of CRN's most prestigious yearly awards, the Tech Elite 250, Solution Provider 500, and the Fast Growth 150. "EVOTEK has been in hyper-growth since inception," said Jeff Klenner, President of EVOTEK. "We continue to attract the best in the industry and our customers increasingly invite us to help solve their most important and complex challenges." Being recognized by CRN on the Fast Growth 150 List two years in a row is a great accomplishment, as it becomes increasingly difficult to sustain such a significant level of growth. In addition to being acknowledged for financial growth, EVOTEK has been recognized with numerous awards for the culture of their company, such as, San Diego Business Journal's Best Places to Work in 2016, 2017, and 2018, as well as, Inc, Magazine's Best Places to Work in 2018 Founded in 2014, EVOTEK is headquartered in San Diego. The company was purpose-built to assist enterprise customers with the changing IT landscape. EVOTEK is unique in its ability to support hybrid space between traditional IT and a secure multi-cloud. The company has expanded its operations into Las Vegas, Phoenix, Orange County, Los Angeles, Portland, and the San Francisco Bay Area. "For a company that is less than 4 years old, what we have achieved is unbelievable," said Macy Dennis, Chief Security Officer at EVOTEK. "CRN's 2018 Fast Growth 150 list features companies that are growing in an ever-changing, challenging market," said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. "As traditional solution providers are moving towards a services-focused business model, this extraordinary group have been able to successfully adapt; outperforming competitors and proving themselves as channel leaders." The complete 2018 Fast Growth 150 list is featured in the August issue of CRN and can be viewed online at www.crn.com/fastgrowth150. About EVOTEK EVOTEK is North America's premier enabler of digital business with a focus on innovation. With technology offerings in both data center and cloud, EVOTEK is uniquely equipped to enable customers with the industry shift from traditional IT computing to secure multi-cloud. With services practices in cyber security, mobility, and DevOps, EVOTEK is moving up the value chain, closer to the part of digital business that matters most. EVOTEK was named to Inc Magazine's Best Places to work in 2018. In 2016, 2017 & 2018, EVOTEK was named to The San Diego Business Journal's Best Places to work and recognized in CRN's Solution Provider 500 list, CRN's Next-Generation 250 list, and holds the #1 spot on CRN's Top 150 Growth Companies, as the fastest growing system integrator in the country. 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: Torrie Bradley 6199625470 199649@email4pr.com View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/evotek-named-to-2018-crn-fast-growth-150-list-for-the-2nd-year-in-a-row-300692321.html SOURCE EVOTEK [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] CCC Introduces CCC OEM Care with Participation from Eight OEMs CHICAGO, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CCC Information Services Inc. (CCC) announced today the availability of CCC OEM Care, a suite of solutions that support OEM certification programs and enable collision repairers, insurers, and auto manufacturers to collaborate on safe, quality repairs. Included in the suite are CCC Shop Locator (Shop Locator), CCC Network Dashboard (Network Dashboard), CCC Checklists (Checklists), as well as CCC's Recall services. Through CCC OEM Care, auto manufacturers gain tools to grow and manage the performance of their repair programs by leveraging CCC's platform services, which are in use by 24,000 repair shops to write 24 million estimates and perform 16 million repairs annually. Solutions in the suite have garnered participation from eight OEMs representing more than 73 percent of vehicles sold annually in the U.S. CCC is a leading Software as a Service provider to the automotive, insurance, and collision repair industries. Steep increases in vehicle complexity are changing the way vehicles get repaired, leading more OEMs to pursue repair certification programs. OEM Care solutions help auto manufacturers promote their certified repair networks, encourage a consistent approach to vehicle repairs, gain insight into certified repair shop performance, and help OEMs work with any CCC shop to alert their drivers to critical product recalls. OEM Care is powered by the industry-leading CCC ONE Platform, which connects OEMs with 24,000 collision repairers and 350 auto insurers. CCC's Carwise.com website is another important tool for OEMs, as it already supports more than 5 million visits annually, helping consumers find collision repair shops and schedule repair work. Carwise displays shop qalifications and certifications and houses more than 4 million consumer repair shop reviews. "Carmakers are getting more engaged with the repair process and want efficient ways to build out, promote, and optimize the performance of their shop networks," said Andreas Hecht, SVP and GM, OEM Services Group, CCC. "CCC OEM Care gives OEMs the tools they need to help achieve and scale their repair program goals and offers collision repairers tools to proactively manage their participation in these programs in real time. We're excited by the broad OEM interest in our offerings and look forward to connecting additional automakers with these solutions and our expansive network of collision repairers." OEM Care Solutions Shop Locator connects participating OEMs, insurers, and repair shops, making it transparent to all parties which repair shops carry OEM certification, and enabling the promotion of those shops to consumers (via Carwise) and auto insurers (via the CCC ONE platform). connects participating OEMs, insurers, and repair shops, making it transparent to all parties which repair shops carry OEM certification, and enabling the promotion of those shops to consumers (via Carwise) and auto insurers (via the CCC ONE platform). Network Dashboards provide OEMs with a tool that provides the necessary insight to optimize the performance of their certified-shop networks across a variety of key metrics, including cycle time and customer satisfaction. These and other key performance indicators are available at the shop and industry levels. provide OEMs with a tool that provides the necessary insight to optimize the performance of their certified-shop networks across a variety of key metrics, including cycle time and customer satisfaction. These and other key performance indicators are available at the shop and industry levels. Checklists allow OEMs to share their program parameters with shops, who can use Checklists to standardize and document the highly variable repair process, tracking quality and completeness against a dynamic set of variables. allow OEMs to share their program parameters with shops, who can use Checklists to standardize and document the highly variable repair process, tracking quality and completeness against a dynamic set of variables. Recall services allow OEMs to share open safety-related recall data with collision repair users of the CCC ONE platform who can help identify affected vehicles as repairs are being made and deliver an OEM's custom instructions to consumers on the steps they need to take to resolve the recall. For OEMs interested in signing up for CCC OEM Care solutions, please visit: www.cccis.com/auto-manufacturers/OEMcare. About CCC CCC, together with its affiliates, provides cross-industry solutions to support the vehicle lifecycle. Founded in 1980, CCC's solutions and big data insights are delivered through the CCC ONE platform to a vibrant network of 350+ insurance companies, 24,000+ repair facilities, OEMs, hundreds of parts suppliers, and dozens of third-party data and service providers. CCC processes over 24 million estimates and 16 million annual repairs in the U.S. and also provides access to car-related services for millions of consumers via carwise.com. Additionally, Auto Injury Solutions Inc a CCC company provides customizable, end-to-end, casualty solutions to auto insurers for the handling of first and third-party claims. The collective set of CCC's solutions inform decision-making, enhance productivity, and help customers deliver faster and better experiences for end consumers. Learn more about CCC at cccis.com. CCC and the CCC logo are registered trademarks, and CCC ONE and Carwise are trademarks, of CCC Information Services Inc. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ccc-introduces-ccc-oem-care-with-participation-from-eight-oems-300692327.html SOURCE CCC Information Services Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] Procare Software Announces Acquisition of Cirrus Group MEDFORD, Ore. and ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Procare Software ("Procare"), a global leader in child care management solutions, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cirrus Group LLC, a leading online Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider of dynamic operational, financial and customer management solutions for childcare facilities, school districts and community education centers. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. This strategic acquisition further bolsters Procare's cloud-based offering and capabilities with Cirrus Group's software solutions to manage multi-site childcare, after-school and parks and recreation programs: DayCare Works, SchoolCare Works and RecCare Works. Cirrus Group introduced DayCare Works in 2002 for child care facility management and shortly after, expanded the platform to meet the growing needs of school districts and community education providers. Cirrus Group's clients range from one-facility centers to large multi-facility organizations throughout the United States and Canada including some of the largest school districts and childcare facilities in North America. "We are pleased to add Cirrus Group's innovative web and mobile-based applications, which further enhance our suite of solutions to help customers efficiently manage their facilities and address complex operational and administrative needs," said JoAnn Kintzel, President and CEO, Procare Software. "We are excited to join forces with the Procare team," said Christine Garrett, Chief Excutive Officer, Cirrus Group LLC. "The combination of our products and services brings unparalleled value to customers through a comprehensive, all-in one platform for managing multi-site operations." "Procare's experience in the childcare software industry and their synergistic vision represent an extremely good fit for Cirrus Group," said Wade Robbins, Chief Solutions Officer, Cirrus Group LLC. About Procare Software Procare Software is the largest and leading provider of child care management software, integrated payment processing, technology and services. The company supports over 30,000 preschools, daycare centers, after-school programs, camps and related facilities with a broad product suite that serves the complex and unique demands of the child care market. With Tuition Express, the company's integrated payment processing platform, Procare saves schools time and cost, providing seamless bank reconciliations and speedy electronic payment delivery. Procare is the trusted partner to schools and parents across the United States. Procare offers both a desktop solution and cloud hosting, and supports customers of all sizes from single-center operations to complex multinational enterprises. For more information, please visit www.procaresoftware.com. About Cirrus Group Cirrus Group LLC is a leading Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider of dynamic operational, financial and customer management solutions for childcare facilities, school districts and community education centers. Since 2002, Cirrus Group has provided their Daycare Works, SchoolCare Works and RecCare Works platforms, helping clients more efficiently manage their staff and resource scheduling and simplifying government compliancy requirements, including fully integrated and individualized state and local subsidy payments and food care program accounting (CACFP). Through Cirrus Group's solutions, these facilities also build better relationships with customers by extending their brand to the web for classroom enrollments, accepting secure online payments and delivering personalized and multi-channel communications. For more information about the Cirrus Group platform of solutions, visit us online at www.CirrusGroup.com. Contacts Procare Software Cathy Fultineer 1-800-338-3884 X 2411 Cirrus Group Mike Garrett 248- 841-1940 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/procare-software-announces-acquisition-of-cirrus-group-300692335.html SOURCE Procare Software [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Blockchain and FinTech Lawyer Lilya Tessler Joins Sidley as Partner in New York Sidley Austin LLP is pleased to announce that Lilya Tessler has joined the firm as partner and New York head of Blockchain and FinTech in the Securities & Derivatives Enforcement and Regulatory group. Ms. Tessler joins Sidley from McDermott, Will & Emery, where she served as co-head of the firm's Blockchain and FinTech group. A prominent figure in the FinTech industry, Ms. Tessler focuses her practice on representing digital asset trading platforms, blockchain technology companies, financial services firms, and leaders of cryptocurrency funds. Ms. Tessler advises technology companies on SEC (News - Alert) registered and exempt blockchain token offerings, and counsels financial institutions on digital asset trading, securities issues, private placement agent and custody rule requirements, cross-borer regulatory matters, money services requirements and FINRA and SEC regulatory inquiries. "Lilya's experience is perfectly aligned with exciting, evolving developments within the FinTech industry, and she offers clients a comprehensive approach to formulating and executing strategies to address where technology and finance meet," said Sam Gandhi, managing partner of Sidley's New York office. "Lilya's capabilities and deep understanding of FinTech and related matters will further strengthen Sidley's multidisciplinary approach to our work with clients -particularly those in the fast-developing areas of blockchain and cryptocurrencies." A certified public accountant and FINRA dispute resolution arbitrator, Ms. Tessler provides diversified counsel to her clients with a focus on the implications of cross-border technology transactions, securities laws and other broker-dealer regulatory issues associated with these complex technologies. With 2,000 lawyers in 20 offices around the globe, Sidley is a premier legal adviser for clients across the spectrum of industries. Follow Sidley on Twitter (News - Alert) @SidleyLaw. For purposes of the New York State Bar rules, this press release may be considered Attorney Advertising and our headquarters are Sidley Austin LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, +1 212 839 5300; One South Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603, +1 312 853 7000; and 1501 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005, +1 202 736 8000. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180806005451/en/ [August 06, 2018] Nordstrom Names Edmond Mesrobian Chief Technology Officer SEATTLE, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading fashion retailer Nordstrom, Inc. announced Edmond Mesrobian has joined the company as chief technology officer (CTO). In this role, Mesrobian will help Nordstrom continue to bolster its strategy of leveraging digital and technology capabilities while expanding customer reach and engagement. "After an extensive search, we are excited to have Edmond join our executive team as chief technology officer," said Blake Nordstrom, co-president of Nordstrom, Inc. "Edmond is a seasoned technology expert, and has contributed to the growth of retail, high-tech and internet-based businesses for nearly three decades. As our industry and customers evolve, Edmond will help us continue to transform our business so we can deliver the best experience to our customers, however they choose to shop with us." Mesrobian joins Nordstrom from multinational grocery retailer, Tesco, where he focused on strengthening the company's technological capabilities and creating innovative solutions for its customers. In the CTO role, Mesrobian supported a global team while leading long-term vision, technology strategy, standards and architecture. Prior to Tesco, he spearheaded operational and technical innovations as CTO of global travel company Epedia, including online travel brands, Expedia.com, Hotels.com, and Hotwire.com. Mesrobian also held the role of CTO at Real Networks where he led development across multiple digital media services and software. "Nordstrom is leading the charge to redefine the role technology and digital tools play in the retail environment. I'm excited to be joining a terrific team in supporting the company's continued focus in leveraging technology innovation to serve customers in new and better ways," said Mesrobian. As CTO of Nordstrom, Mesrobian will support all aspects of technology across the company. He will focus on advancing Nordstrom's suite of technology capabilities in order to best meet the evolving needs of customers. About Nordstrom Nordstrom, Inc. is a leading fashion retailer based in the U.S. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 373 stores in 40 states, including 123 full-line stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico; 239 Nordstrom Rack stores; two Jeffrey boutiques; two clearance stores; six Trunk Club clubhouses; and its Nordstrom Local service concept. Additionally, customers are served online through Nordstrom.com, Nordstromrack.com, HauteLook and TrunkClub.com. Nordstrom, Inc.'s common stock is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN. INVESTOR CONTACT: Trina Schurman Nordstrom, Inc. 206.303.6503 Trina.schurman@nordstrom.com MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Tice Walker Nordstrom, Inc. 206.303.3016 Jennifer.ticewalker@nordstrom.com View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nordstrom-names-edmond-mesrobian-chief-technology-officer-300692460.html SOURCE Nordstrom, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] Loft Orbital Announces inSpace Mission Partner Program to Standardize Access to Space SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Loft Orbital Solutions, a provider of Space Infrastructure as a Service, announced this week that it has signed agreements with over 20 companies to join its inSpace Mission Partner Program as inaugural members. inSpace partners are companies across the space value chain with whom Loft Orbital will collaborate for its end-to-end space mission offering. These partners span Satellite Bus, Launch Services, Ground Segment Services, Payload and Data Analytics. Each partner's product has been validated for compatibility with Loft Orbital's technology. Loft Orbital owns and operates standard small satellites and flies customer payloads as a service. The company is developing the Payload Hub, a universal interface for accommodating multiple payloads on the same satellite, as well as Cockpit, software that enables customers to operate their payloads in orbit. Loft Orbital handles all aspects of the satellite mission on behalf of the customer, including satellite procurement, launch campaign management and satellite operations, as well as insurance, licensing and financing. The creation of inSpace is core to Loft Orbital's mission to make it simple for organizations to access space. By working to bring about standardization with its partners, Loft Orbital is positioned as a one-stop shop for customers who require infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit. Loft Orbital will leverage inSpace to rapidly and reliably deploy a wide range of mission configurations and capabilities for its customers. "The technology we are building for payload accommodation and satellite operations are essentially abstraction layers, enabling us to fly any payload on any satellite bus from inSpace within a given mission envelope with little to no customization and non-recurring engineering required. We aim to do for space what USB did for connecting all devices," says Pierre-Damien Vaujour, co-founder at Loft Orbital. "We have worked with our inSpace partners to ensure technical compatibility with our technology, validate pricing, schedules and business terms in order to enroll them as preferred partners. hey view us as a differentiated sales channel given the unique service we are offering to customers." The Payload Hub, which standardizes payload interfaces on both a software interface and mechanical level, is a logical extension of the standardization trend that has already occurred in the launch industry, from cubesat deployers to ESPA Payload Adapters. Loft Orbital is leveraging inSpace to build an end-to-end offering around this core technology. This approach also enables Loft Orbital's customers to benefit from the rise of standard, mass-manufactured satellite buses built by companies who have standardized their satellite design and supply chain such as LeoStella, a joint venture between Spaceflight Industries and Thales Alenia Space*. LeoStella brings economies of scale to an industry traditionally defined by custom one-offs. For partners such as LeoStella, Loft Orbital opens a new range of missions that would otherwise not be naturally accessible. Vaujour added: "With the Payload Hub and Cockpit, we create cross-compatibility between the elements of a satellite mission. Our inSpace partners, who have different interfaces, different software protocols and different processes, can be a part of our missions without making any changes to their existing products. For example, it is now possible for a customer in Indonesia to benefit from a mission operated by Loft Orbital as a service to monitor sea surface winds, where a Moog payload flies on a Satrec-i bus that is launched by Rocket Lab and the data is downlinked through a rented ground segment in Scandinavia and none of these companies need to talk to each other or do any customization because Loft Orbital brings the cross-compatibility to the mission. "The result is that we offer massive cost benefits and schedule reliability to our customers. Essentially, we remove the complexity of a space mission from the customer who just cares about controlling their payload and getting their data." "We'd rather have constraints placed upon us by the bus provider, rather than shoulder expensive and time-consuming NRE [non-recurring engineering]. Our ability to work with standard buses, complemented by our satellite bus-agnostic approach, is critical to our ability to scale while optimizing for affordable prices and fast delivery-to-orbit times," notes Antoine de Chassy, Loft Orbital's CEO. In the coming months, Loft Orbital will announce its first satellite missions. Currently, Loft's interfaces and software are compatible with several inSpace Satellite Bus Partners and work is being done to ensure compatibility with the others. The partners in the inSpace program range from large, established players to small technology specialists. The program also includes both established companies as well as emerging startups to draw on the dynamic New Space landscape. Loft Orbital's inaugural inSpace partners are listed below: Satellite Bus: LeoStella, Space Systems Loral, OHB/LuxSpace, Satrec Initiative, Blue Canyon Technologies LeoStella, Space Systems Loral, OHB/LuxSpace, Satrec Initiative, Blue Canyon Technologies Launch Services: ECM Launch Services, Spaceflight Industries, Rocket Lab, Vector Launch, Firefly Aerospace ECM Launch Services, Spaceflight Industries, Rocket Lab, Vector Launch, Firefly Aerospace Ground Segment Services: Kongsberg Satellite Services, Swedish Space Corporation, Infostellar Kongsberg Satellite Services, Swedish Space Corporation, Infostellar Payload: GomSpace, AirPhoton, EmTroniX, Media Lario, Satlantis, Moog, Cosine GomSpace, AirPhoton, EmTroniX, Media Lario, Satlantis, Moog, Cosine Data Analytics: Orbital Insight, EarthCube * Thales Alenia Space: joint venture between Thales (67 percent) and Leonardo (33 percent) View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/loft-orbital-announces-inspace-mission-partner-program-to-standardize-access-to-space-300692496.html SOURCE Loft Orbital Solutions Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] Leidos Names Randy E. Phillips as Senior Vice President for Corporate Development RESTON, Va., Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE: LDOS), a FORTUNE 500 science and technology company, announced today that Randy E. Phillips was named Senior Vice President for Corporate Development. In his new role, Phillips will lead the strategic development and execution of Leidos' growth strategy through mergers, acquisitions, and related activities. Phillips comes to the role with more than 30 years of corporate development experience for such companies as Boeing, Computer Sciences Corporation, Alcoa, and TRW. Most recently, Phillips served as Senior Vice President for Corporate Development at Ellucian, Inc. At Boeing, he was responsible for strategic planning and execution of all merger and acquisition, minority investment and joint venture activities for Boeing's defense, space, and security global sector. Phillips has led transactions in 20 countries totaling more than $40 billion in value. He has been a strategic advisor to private equity firms, public and private companies, and investment management and advisory firms. Private equity firms included KKR and General Atlantic (TASC portfolio company, acquired by Engility) as well as TPG and Leonard Green Partners (Ellucian portfolio company).He was also a senior advisor to The Chertoff Group, a premier global advisory firm focused on security and risk management. "Randy Phillips has been guiding transactions in our sector for many years, helping to define the market in the process," said Jim Reagan, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Leidos. "He understands where the growth in our market will be and how to create the growth strategies that will help ensure Leidos is well positioned in the coming years." Phillips completed the Tuck Executive Program at Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business as well as the Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. He is also a Six Sigma Green Belt and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Wright State University's College of Engineering & Computer Science. 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. Contact: Melissa Koskovich Jason Kello (571) 526-6850 (571) 526-6011 Koskovichm@Leidos.com Jason.Kello@leidos.com View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leidos-names-randy-e-phillips-as-senior-vice-president-for-corporate-development-300692601.html SOURCE Leidos [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] IGT Wins 700-Unit Video Lottery Terminal Contract with Western Canada Lottery Corporation LONDON, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- International Game Technology PLC ("IGT") (NYSE: IGT) today announced it has signed an agreement with the Western Canada Lottery Corporation ("WCLC") to provide WCLC with 700 CrystalDual 27 Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) in Saskatchewan by March 2019. IGT participated in a competitive RFQ process to win this business. A standout in the Canadian market, IGT's CrystalDual 27 VLT features two high-definition displays that deliver pristine graphics. The modern hardware solution also features a first-class audio package, ergonomic design and a mobile device charging port to deliver an exceptonal player experience. "The Western Canada Lottery Corporation is excited to partner with IGT to update the Saskatchewan VLT network with IGT's best-in-class Video Lottery Terminals and game content," said Eric Karmark, WCLC Vice President, VLT Gaming & Operations. "IGT has been a trusted WCLC partner for more than two decades, and we're pleased that our relationship will continue through this machine replacement cycle." "IGT is pleased to extend our long-standing relationship with WCLC with the delivery of 700 CrystalDual 27 Video Lottery Terminals. The versatility of the CrystalDual 27 VLT will enable WCLC to modernize its gaming venues and entertain players with exceptional, regionally attuned content," said Nick Khin, IGT Chief Commercial Officer, Gaming. "IGT has applied its decades of experience as a supplier in Canada to create modern, world-class solutions that WCLC can leverage in the Saskatchewan VLT network." Under the agreement, WCLC will receive 700 of IGT's CrystalDual 27 VLTs - each one with an eight-game content bundle created specifically for WCLC and its players. IGT's INTELLIGEN Central System will continue to connect the WCLC's VLTs and to provide the lottery with detailed machine accounting, event tracking, system security and more. About IGT IGT (NYSE:IGT) is the global leader in gaming. We enable players to experience their favorite games across all channels and regulated segments, from Gaming Machines and Lotteries to Digital and Social Gaming. Leveraging a wealth of premium content, substantial investment in innovation, in-depth customer intelligence, operational expertise and leading-edge technology, our gaming solutions anticipate the demands of consumers wherever they decide to play. We have a well-established local presence and relationships with governments and regulators in more than 100 countries around the world, and create value by adhering to the highest standards of service, integrity, and responsibility. IGT has over 12,000 employees. For more information, please visit www.igt.com. Contact: Robert K. Vincent, Corporate Communications, toll free in U.S./Canada (844) IGT-7452; outside U.S./Canada (401) 392-7452 Michelle Schenk, Global Communications, Gaming (702) 669-8177 James Hurley, Investor Relations, (401) 392-7190 Simone Cantagallo, (+39) 06 51899030; for Italian media inquiries 2018 IGT All other trademarks used herein are owned by IGT or its affiliates, may not be used without permission, and where indicated with a , are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/igt-wins-700-unit-video-lottery-terminal-contract-with-western-canada-lottery-corporation-300692473.html SOURCE IGT [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] Health New England Announces New Where Health Matters Grant Opportunities Health New England announced a new grant program, Where Health Matters, as part of its Community Benefits Program to advance the health and wellbeing of vulnerable population groups living in Central and Western Massachusetts. Through this inaugural grant program, Health New England will award four $50,000 grants to community nonprofit organizations, with an annual total of $200,000. The Where Health Matters grant program targets four focus areas: chronic diseases, food and/or housing insecurities, infant and maternal health, and mental health and/or substance use disorder. "Health New England acknowledges the importance of addressing not only the health needs, but social and economic factors that influence the health outcomes of our most vulnerable community members," said Jody Gross, interim president and CEO of Health New England. "Our new Where Health Matters grant program will empower local organizations to make healthy changes in communities where our residents live and work." The Where Health Matters grant program will award one-year grants to eligible nonprofit organizations, with current IRS-designated 501(c)(3) status, that manage innovative community-based programs benefiting underserved residents of Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Worchester counties, with a particular focus on Greater Springfield. Health New England's Where Health Matters Grant application process begins with a Letter of Intent. Organizations meeting the RFP criteria are encouraged to submit a Letter of Intent by August 20. Grant applications are due by September 17. To read the full RFP and access the online Letter of Intent form, please refer to our website at healthnewengland.org/community/grantprogram. Based in Springfield, Massachusetts, Health New England is a nonprofit health plan serving members in Massachusetts and Connecticut. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Baystate Health, Health New England offers a range of health care plans in the commercial, Medicaid and Medicare markets. Visit www.healthnewengland.org for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180806005651/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [August 06, 2018] NASA to Host Briefings, Events for Aug. 11 Launch to Touch Sun WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As NASA nears the launch of its Parker Solar Probe, the agency will host a series of media briefings beginning Wednesday, Aug. 8. These briefings, as well as special programs, the launch on Saturday, Aug. 11, and a postlaunch news conference all will air on NASA Television and the agency's website. Parker Solar Probe will lift off on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket from Space Launch Complex 37 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The first launch opportunity is at 3:33 a.m. EDT, at the opening of a 65-minute window. Although the deadline has passed for media to attend the launch of this historic mission to our Sun, journalists may participate in prelaunch and postlaunch news briefings via phone by contacting Kennedy's News Center at 321-867-2468 for dial-in information. The following is a complete schedule of mission coverage, including opportunities for media participation. All time are EDT: Wednesday, Aug. 8 NASA will host a full morning of foreign-language teleconferences for international media, during which they can discuss mission science with project researchers. 9 a.m. Japanese Japanese 10 a.m. Italian Italian 11 a.m. German German Noon French 1 p.m. Spanish Andrew Schurr at andrew.d.schurr@nasa.gov by 8 a.m. Aug. 8 . Thursday, Aug. 9 1 p.m. Prelaunch mission news briefing Friday, Aug. 10 6 p.m. NASA Edge prelaunch broadcast NASA Edge prelaunch broadcast 7:30 p.m. What Parker Solar Probe Will Provide to Humanity Saturday, Aug. 11 3 a.m. Launch coverage begins Launch coverage begins 3:33 a.m. Launch Launch TBD Postlaunch news conference Media may participate in the postlaunch news briefings via phone by contacting Kennedy's News Center at 321-867-2468 for dial-in information. Parker Solar Probe will revolutionize our understanding of the Sun. The spacecraft will fly closer to the Sun's surface than any spacecraft before it, facing brutal heat and radiation. It will be the first spacecraft to fly directly through the Sun's corona the part of the solar atmosphere visible during an eclipse to answer questions about solar physics that have puzzled scientists for decades. Gathering information about fundamental processes near the Sun can help improve our understanding of how our solar system's star changes the space environment, where space weather can affect astronauts, interfere with satellite orbits, or damage spacecraft electronics. For more details on the Parker Solar Probe mission and prelaunch and launch events, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/parker-solar-probe-briefings-and-events Join the conversation on social media at: https://twitter.com/NASASun and https://www.facebook.com/NASASunScience/ View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-to-host-briefings-events-for-aug-11-launch-to-touch-sun-300692760.html SOURCE NASA [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Lenovo has listed the specifications for AMD's unreleased Ryzen 3 2300X and Ryzen 5 2500X processors on the website for its ThinkCentre M725 small form factor (SFF) desktops. Although AMD's marketing efforts are currently focused on promoting its next-generation Threadripper 2000-series processors, the chipmaker hasn't forgotten about the mainstream crowd. The Ryzen 2000-series replacements for the Ryzen 3 1300X and Ryzen 5 1500X processors are expected to come out shortly after AMD launches Threadripper 2 on August 13. Both the Ryzen 3 2300X and Ryzen 5 2500X adopt AMD's Zen+ 12nm design, so they should come with notable improvements, including higher operating clocks and better memory support. As its name suggests, the Ryzen 3 2300X is the direct successor to the existing Ryzen 3 1300X. It's a quad-core processor that lacks simultaneous multithreading technology for adding virtual cores (threads). According to the specifications provided by Lenovo, the Ryzen 3 2300X carries a base clock of 3.5GHz, just like its predecessor. However, thanks to the Zen+ design, the Ryzen 3 2300X boasts a boost clock of 4GHz, which represents a 300MHz upgrade over the previous Ryzen 3 1300X. The Ryzen 5 2500X is also a quad-core processor, but unlike the Ryzen 3 2300X, this chip has simultaneous multithreading in its feature set. The processor has a 3.6GHz base clock and 4GHz turbo clock, which is 100MHz and 300MHz, respectively, faster than the previous Ryzen 5 1500X. Although Lenovo didn't disclose the total cache for the two processors, they purportedly retain the same configuration as the previous generation. Also, both the Ryzen 3 2300X and Ryzen 5 2500X will play nicely with DDR4 memory modules up to 2,933MHz. Samsung has entered mass production of the first 4TB QLC SATA SSDs for the consumer market. The news today comes on the cusp of this week's Flash Memory Summit, an annual storage conference where all of the newest flash and memory tech is normally announced. Samsung is usually a premier conference sponsor and dominates the show floor, but the company is curiously absent this year. In either case, Samsung's announcement of its new 4TB QLC SSD comes on the heels of QLC announcements from Intel, Micron, Western Digital and Toshiba, which leaves SK Hynix as the only flash-fabber that hasn't announced a new QLC product. Samsung Flash - Year Bits per Cell Nodes Chip Capacity Drive Capacity 2006 1-bit SLC 70nm-class 4Gb 32GB 2010 2-bit MLC 30nm-class 32Gb 512GB 2012 3-bit TLC 20nm-class 64Gb 500GB 2018 4-bit QLC 4th generation V-NAND (undisclosed lithography) 1Tb 4TB Samsung based its QLC flash on the same 1TB V-NAND that it currently uses as a base for its TLC flash. TLC flash stores three bits per cell, making the technology denser and cheaper than previous-generation flash. The move to QLC flash, which stores four bits per cell, promises to bring even lower prices and higher capacity SSDs to the market soon. The extra 33% in storage density results in lower endurance and performance, but advances in 3D manufacturing technology have made the new NAND viable for light-use applications, which includes desktop PCs. Samsung claims that it has circumvented the traditional challenges associated with QLC flash and can maintain the same speeds that it achieves with its TLC SSDs, like its popular 970 EVO series. Samsung will continue to leverage much of its existing technology, like TurboWrite and its proprietary SSD controllers, and promises sequential throughput of 540/520MB/s read/write. Samsung hasn't provided random performance metrics or endurance, both of which are more important than sequential throughput. The 2.5-inch SATA SSD will come armed with 32 chips based on the company's 4th generation 64-layer flash. Samsung plans to follow up with 1TB and 2TB models later in the year. Naturally, NVMe SSDs will follow, but they'll come as M.2 models for enterprise applications. The company is also developing a 128GB QLC memory card for smartphones. Samsung hasn't provided information on shipping dates, pricing, or branding, but more details will likely emerge soon. Clay Chastain takes stance (and offers plan) to mitigate Kansas City's escalating and unacceptable violence Step #1. If Kansas City's deadly and injurious violence continues unabated, Clay will ask the Governor of Missouri to dispatch 2-military police battalions (the 175th and 205th) of the Missouri National Guard to assist the overwhelmed KCPD in restoring safety to Kansas City's most dangerous neighborhoods. In a nutshell, the most prolific KCMO transit enthusiasts wants to turn to the feds for anti-crime cash.Here's his latest statement and proposal so that voters can judge for themselves, with a highlight of the most provocative passage by TKC . . .Kansas City's on-going spate of deadly violence is not only terrorizing the citizens living in certain city neighborhoods (as well as ruining the city's image as an attractive and safe place to live and do business), it is also putting the city's police force under great peril and stress in it's heroic efforts to try and contain the unabated violence. Kansas City is nearing a state of emergency.A government's first responsibility is to protect the safety of its citizens. However, Kansas City's government has failed to meet that obligation. Not only that, City Hall has exacerbated the violence with its long standing policy of focusing on glitz and not the core. Because the city's focus (over the last three decades) has largely been to cater to the needs of the elite over the needs of inner city citizens, violence is coming home to roost.We can do better. We will do better, if Clay is elected Mayor. Here then, in brief, is Clay's CPR (Crime Prevention Reduction) Plan to make Kansas City safer, if elected mayor:Step #2. Mayor Clay will put the focus on prosecutors and the courts to stiffen prison time (with no parole) for individuals convicted of committing a crime using a gun.Step #3. Clay will initiate a new long-term crime prevention plan that will seek the help of mothers, friends and school officials in identifying youth that show early signs of gravitating towards a life of drugs, gang-activity and violence. The plan will seek to help these troubled youth (job training, mental health counseling, vocational skills, etc) so as to provide them a viable alternative to seeking a destructive life of crime.Step #4. Clay will focus the city's attention on restoring the core by targeting new business investments, transit improvement and infrastructure repairs in Kansas City's most disadvantaged and dangerous neighborhoods. And hire these newly-trained youth to help rebuild the infrastructure in their own neighborhood.Since the President promised he would end the "carnage" in American cities, Clay will ask his administration for federal assistance in carrying out Clay's CPR Plan.Clay Chastain, candidate for mayor.########### AND WE'RE BACK!!! Kansas City Celebrates Doggy-Style Dogs Get In On The Action As Kansas City's Riverfront Finally Begins To Develop For decades, except for an occasional festival along the banks of the Missouri River, few Kansas Citians had much reason to visit Berkley Riverfront Park. And even if people wanted to visit the park named for former Mayor Richard L. Berkley, it was hard to get there. KCMO Gunfire Push Back??? 'We shouldn't stand for it': Community advocates react to violent week in Kansas City KANSAS CITY, Mo. - At first glance, 107th and Greenwood Road is a quiet intersection in the Ruskin Heights neighborhood. When a woman was found dead there early Sunday morning, it became one of five crime scenes the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department investigated overnight. Show-Me Road To More Taxes MoDOT director says Missouri's infrastructure, Highway Patrol need gas tax vote to pass Three months ahead of the November 6 general election, Missouri Department of Transportation administrators are hoping for a green light on Proposition D, which would enable the first increase in the state's fuel tax since 1992. If the measure passes, the fuel tax would increase by 10 cents a gallon over four years. Give Workers A Brake New Kansas law mandates safe driving around garbage trucks TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas has joined 18 other states in adopting a law requiring motorists to use caution around garbage trucks by making driver carelessness a fineable offense. A ticket for what is now known as "unlawful passing of a waste collection vehicle" will cost an offender $45 starting July 1, 2019. Local Music Man Tribute Friends, students gather to remember Pembroke Hill choir teacher with memorial bike ride Students at The Pembroke Hill School say it was their choir teacher's positive outlook and love of life that they will remember most. Early Monday morning, they will hold a memorial bike ride in his honor. Joel Diffendaffer passed away from complications of a tear of one of the vessels in his heart. Kansas City Cold Front Coming Soon Thunderstorms possible Monday night through Tuesday midday Hide Transcript Show Transcript WEBVTT TO YOU, MATT? KELLY: [LAUGHTER] PETE: -- MATT: [LAUGHTER] PETE: THERE'S A COLD FRONT, AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT IT THIS TIME A YEAR, THEY HAD DIFFICULTY, BUT IT IS HEADING THIS WAY. IT WILL DROP TEMPERATURES BY NEXT WEEK. Agenda Inside The Loop THis Week Can Unions Win in Missouri? Unions are outspending opponents in a bid to defeat a right-to-work law in Missouri ahead of a referendum that will serve as a barometer of popular support for organized labor. A union-backed group in the state has spent $15.2 million ahead of Tuesday's vote to undo the law passed by the Republican-led legislature in 2017, according to the latest filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission. Here's a pro-biz look at the most important Tuesday decision on the ballot from KCMO voters . . . The measure has the national spotlight and WSJ subscribers get a bit more info on this labor struggle. Take a look: In their scramble to keep up with the mayhem in Kansas City this past week, the media have missed a disturbing trend: more than half of those killed have been women. On average nationally, women comprise less than one-fourth of homicide victims. One hopes this past week was an anomaly, but four women in Kansas City were murdered and at least three were critically injured. The Grandview Police Department was called to investigate a fatal shooting Monday afternoon. Police were notified by a 911 call around 12:49 p.m. that a man had been shot near High Grove Road and White Avenue. When police arrived, they found a man, believed to be in his 20's, dead in the street. Hot on the heels of its unveiling at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Brabham BT62 will be making the trip across the Atlantic to have its North American debut during Monterey Car Week in California. The 700-horsepower, track-only supercar will be on display at the Michelin stand at Laguna Seca before making appearances at McCalls Motorworks Revival and the Exotics on Cannery Row. The model that will be appearing at Monterey Car Week is even dressing up in a special livery that pays homage to Dan Gurney, the first racer to win a Formula One Grand Prix race Its been a while since Brabham was as relevant as it is these days. Thats partly due to the company being out of sight and out of mind for more than 20 years before returning as a racing outfit in 2014. But Brabham has definitely made up for lost time with the arrival of the BT62. It first showed up at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it attracted attention like few supercars in the event could. With that successful debut behind it, the Brabham BT62 is being shipped off to California so it could get some much-needed face time with an audience that probably doesnt know the companys history as well as the folks over in Europe do. The Brabham BT62 is a great introductory car to help in that regard. The model that will be appearing at Monterey Car Week is even dressing up in a special livery that pays homage to Dan Gurney, the first racer to win a Formula One Grand Prix race while driving a Brabham race car. That historic victory took place in the 1964 French Grand Prix. That car wore a green body paint with matching gold accents and a round 12 race number decal. This is the same design treatment the California-bound BT62 is going to have. At the very least, the BT62 is going to get noticed. At best, enough people will see it and suddenly find the urge to have one in their garages. For $1.3 million, prospective customers will receive an aggressively designed track racer with a full carbon fiber body that helps it weigh just 972 kilos If the latter ends up being the case, these folks will have to pay $1.3 million for the track-focused, 700 horsepower, beast of a car. It may seem like a steep price for a model that doesnt carry the same level of prestige as other brands with models that are priced similarly, but thats the price youre going to have to pay to be part of an exclusive club of just 70 owners. Thats also the price one North American individual paid for the car. The identity of the individual wasnt revealed, but it is believed that hes the first person from this region to sign up for a BT62. For $1.3 million, prospective customers will receive an aggressively designed track racer with a full carbon fiber body that helps it weigh just 972 kilos. Combine that with its plethora of aerodynamic components and a mid-mounted 5.4-liter V-8 engine that produces 700 horsepower and 492 pound-feet of torque, and you have a car that has as much as 1,200 kilos 2,645 pounds of downforce at its disposal. Further reading Read our full review on the 2018 Brabham BT62. Read more Pebble Beach Concours dElegance news. Source: Carscoops The quality of a cars paint is often one of the most overlooked aspects of automotive technology. But certain automakers like Ferrari take painstaking lengths to ensure that its in front of the technological advances in that field. With that said, the Italian automaker is putting its considerable resources to good use by becoming the first automaker to use an innovative low-temperature paint system called Low Cure clear coats. The Low Cure clear coats paint tech is developed using a two-component paint system that incorporates a specially formulated clear coat that allows cars to be baked at 100 degrees, 50 degrees lower than the traditional 150-degree temperature. Give credit to Ferrari for a lot of things, but one thing not many people know about the Prancing Horse is its willingness to invest in new paint technologies. The partnership it signed with PPG to become the worlds first automaker to adopt the new Low Cure clear coats paint technology is just the latest example of that. In 2004, Ferrari was also the first automaker to introduce a water-based paint system that significantly lowered the environmental impact of its models. Its a method that has since become widely used in the business. Ferraris new paint gambit promises to be as revolutionary as it is complicated to produce. Essentially, the Low Cure clear coats paint tech is developed using a two-component paint system that incorporates a specially formulated clear coat that allows cars to be baked at 100 degrees, 50 degrees lower than the traditional 150-degree temperature. Not only does it cut energy costs, but just as important, it enhances the sustainability of the entire paint process. The new paint technology also features Low Cure resins, which, according to PPG, contains a new hardener that helps improve a paints toughness, particularly to water and other environmental contaminants. This tech will allow Ferrari to bake both carbon fiber and compost components with the body shell, ensuring color uniformity across different body components. And if all that wasnt enough, the new technology also gives Ferrari the opportunity to go crazy with the base coat colors it wants. No fewer than 61 base coat colors can be produced using this tech through a process that involves combining a metallic base coat with a gloss or matte pigmented clear coats. The new paint technology also features Low Cure resins, which, according to PPG, contains a new hardener that helps improve a paints toughness, particularly to water and other environmental contaminants The process and methodology of the new paint technology can be complicated, and thats putting it lightly. But the motives behind it are clear. Ferraris reputation for being one of the most tech-savvy automakers in the business has manifested itself in a number of different ways in the past. This new paint development process its diving head first into is just another example of Maranellos continued push to be an industry pioneer. Soon enough, were going to find out first-hand what this new paint technology can do. Thats something we can all look forward to, especially if it ends up reinventing Ferraris iconic Rosso Corsa paint finish. Further reading Read more Ferrari news. Read more technology news. From the EditorFriday Reflections Two Boys & One Academy An Old School Education & Modern Novelties Tweet August 3, 2018 "I have a few images of my maternal grandfather, who died at 62 when I was four," -- I shared those personal memories last week. Another image of my grandfather, James McNie (b. May 24, 1894), is from a photograph (now damaged), taken in front of Dumbarton Academy, Scotland, in 1904. He (2nd row from bottom, 3rd from left) was an excellent student and won a scholarship to attend the University of Glasgow. He excelled in mathematics and may have become a teacher. His stepmother had other plans. She want him to take a job and contribute his paycheck to the family. So, James dutifully went to work at Denny & Co. shipbuilders, where he learned finished carpentry. He married, served in the RAF in WWI, had three daughters in Dumbarton and one son after the family moved to Detroit in 1923 when he was 29. James's fellow student at Dumbarton Academy, Archibald (b. July 19, 1896), two years his junior, had just moved with his mother to Dumbarton after the death of his father from tuberculosis. His maternal grandfather, a hatter, owned a shop in Dumbarton. Archibald proved to be a precocious student and won prizes in writing competitions. Like James, Archibald's family had plans for him: they decided he should either study to serve the church or become a medical doctor. He, too, won a scholarship to the University of Glasgow, where he studied medicine. He practiced medicine in Scotland, England and Wales, before being forced by illness in 1930 to take a 6-month sabbatical in the country. During it, he indulged his love of writing. He returned to Dumbarton to do some research, and within 3 months completed his first novel, The Hatter's Castle. It sold very well; he never practiced medicine again. Archibald, A. J. Cronin, went on to write The Citadel, The Keys of the Kingdom, The Green Years, and many other novels. A number were made into films. His books often dealt with religious themes. At medical school, Cronin recounts, he had become an agnostic: "When I thought of God it was with a superior smile, indicative of biological scorn for such an outworn myth." During his practice in Wales, however, the deep religious faith of the people he worked among made him start to wonder whether "the compass of existence held more than my text-books had revealed, more than I had ever dreamed of. In short I lost my superiority, and this, though I was not then aware of it, is the first step towards finding God." Cronin also came to feel that "If we consider the physical universe, ... we cannot escape the notion of a primary Creator.... Accept evolution with its fossils and elementary species, its scientific doctrine of natural causes. And still you are confronted with the same mystery, primary and profound. Ex nihilo nihil, as the Latin tag of our schooldays has it: nothing can come of nothing." This was brought home to him in London, where in his spare time he had organized a working boys' club. One day he invited a distinguished zoologist to deliver a lecture to the members. The speaker, adopting "a frankly atheistic approach," described the sequence of events leading to the emergence, "though he did not say how," of the first primitive life-form from lifeless matter. When he concluded, there was polite applause. Then, "a mild and very average youngster rose nervously to his feet," and with a slight stammer asked how there came to be anything in the first place. The nave question took everyone by surprise. The lecturer "looked annoyed, hesitated, slowly turned red. Then, before he could answer, the whole club burst into a howl of laughter. The elaborate structure of logic offered by the test-tube realist had been crumpled by one word of challenge from a simple-minded boy." (Wikipedia) I can fancy myself that average nervous boy. There are two kinds of education today represented in this exchange. One with its materialist, secular, agnostic or atheist "superiority," and the other of humility, willing to acknowledge God and free to ask probing questions. My grandfather, the student, carpenter, father, and grandfather, built the wooden desk in my boyhood home, where I studied math, pondered science, and took up the halting and circuitous path which I still walk, writing, posing questions, even offering answers. To become educated, one must submit to a good teacher, not make up your own truth. My grandfather, a modern educator might say, was not allowed to be true to himself. Balderdash. He submitted to the Truth Who gave him life, and he was glad of it. And he was a skilled carpenter, too, for he knew how to take the measure of things and put them securely where they fit. Yours for Christ, Creed & Culture, James M. Kushiner Executive Director, The Fellowship of St. James James M. Kushiner is Executive Editor of Touchstone: A Journal of Mere Christianity, and Executive Director of The Fellowship of St. James. Blue Ridge Community College The Transylvania Cattlemens Association scholarship has been given to Luke Owen, of Lake Toxaway. Owen recently graduated from Blue Ridge Community College and plans to attend North Carolina State University in the fall as a junior majoring in general horticulture. Randolph-Macon Liana Trupiano of Brevard graduated from Randolph-Macon Academy on May 26. The schools 68 seniors earned 242 acceptances to 145 different colleges and universities, with more $6 million in college scholarship offers. Trupiano will be attending The University of North Carolin... Sheriff David Mahoney recently attended the North Carolina Sheriffs Associations 96th Annual Training Conference held in Carteret County with other sheriffs and law enforcement professionals from across the state. For the upcoming 2018-2019 year, Mahoney was elected by his fellow sheriffs as the associations second vice president, according to a press release. Our annual training conference allows North Carolinas sheriffs to discuss their experiences and learn from each other, as well as bring ourselves up-to-date on important law enforcement develop-ments, Mahoney said.... Architect Jonathan Kearns shows that you can have it all. When Americans loyal to the Crown moved north after the American Revolution, many settled in Prince Edward County, projecting into Lake Ontario just about 20 miles across the lake from the USA. Many of the houses they built became Ontario classics; small, square, efficient plans with steep roofs enclosing attic rooms on the second floor. Jonathan Kearns Charming yes, but energy efficient they are not. So when architect Jonathan Kearns (of Kearns Mancini Architects) with partner Corrine Speigel wanted to renovate one to Passive House standards, they faced a number of challenges. Passive House is tough enough on new construction and extremely difficult on renovations, so the Passive House institute developed a special standard, EnerPHit, that certifies retrofits and allows slightly higher energy consumption that varies according to climate. Lloyd Alter/CC BY 2.0 It probably would have been cheaper and quicker to start from scratch, but there is a charm and beauty to these old houses that Kearns wanted to preserve and expose. So he stripped the interior down to the wood structure and sandblasted it, creating a stunning, warm, wooden interior. Jonathan Kearns still draws by hand!/CC BY 2.0 He then wrapped the whole house in a new house built of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). Kearns described it in Canadian Architect, listing the five key principles of Passive House design: 1) massively insulated, thermally broken airtight envelope. Lloyd Alter/ back of old house visible from new addition/CC BY 2.0 The original building was reduced to its barest hand-hewn wooden structure, meticulously cleaned, and then sealed inside an airtight skin. We then added a new jacket of R43eff Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) based insulation to the walls and roof. (The eff designates effective R-values of the wall assemblies as opposed to the suppliers nominal values per layer of material.) One of the many challenges was to get an airtight seal around the existing structure. To achieve this, we had to lift all ground level floorboards, insert an Oriented Strand Board (OSB) layer and then relay. We had to pry loose the old board-and-batten walls, working progressively around the building so that we could seal the floor to the air/vapour barrier wrapping the house. The front gable window was intentionally oversized to allow a glimpsing view of the original house within the new house. 2) Triple-glazed airtight, thermally broken windows. Lloyd Alter/ Dining room corner window/CC BY 2.0 Kearns notes that in a Passive House, you can sit next to a window in the dead of winter and not feel a draft, and then sit next to that same window at the height of summer and not feel overheated. That tells you something about the quality of the windows here in the kitchen addition; there is a lot of glass in that dining area. Lloyd Alter/ Old meets new/CC BY 2.0 In this image you can see the original house, and the window perched between it and the new SIP exterior. 3) Optimized orientation. Lloyd Alter/ view from northeast/CC BY 2.0 Here, Kearns is working with an existing house so he doesnt have a lot of choice about orientation, but was careful with the big new windows to have them facing north and east, to minimize overheating. 4) Mechanical ventilation energy recovery Lloyd Alter/ heat recovery ventilator/CC BY 2.0 Heres the big Heat Recovery Ventilator in the storage room. The round vents are the only new touches you see in the old wood walls. 5) Optimized functional design. Lloyd Alter/CC BY 2.0 This is where many Passive House designs go off the rails- It can be hard to make an optimized, functional design truly beautiful. It takes real skill and talent to make Passive House designs beautiful when you have limits on window size due to energy and cost, and have to minimize jogs and bumps that can create visual variety but also thermal bridges. Many Passive House architects are also data nerds, putting performance before beauty, or as Steve Mouzon would call it, lovability. Thats why some have problems with it; I often quote designer/ builder Michael Anschel: Buildings should be designed around occupants. That's who they are for! They should be comfortable, full of light, grand or quaint, they should resonate with our souls. Passivhaus is a single metric ego driven enterprise that satisfies the architect's need for checking boxes, and the energy nerd's obsession with BTUs, but it fails the occupant. Lloyd Alter/CC BY 2.0 Jonathan Kearns Reach Guesthouse just proves Michael Anschel wrong once and for all. It is supremely comfortable, full of light in places, cozy and dark in others, grand in places and certainly quaint in others. It has history, charm and character that resonates with our souls. It is beautifully proportioned, designed by an architect who cares as much about beauty as he does about data and performance. Jonathan Kearns/ Photo Lloyd Alter/CC BY 2.0 So dont let it ever be said that Passive House design cant be beautiful as well as functional and efficient; Jonathan Kearns demonstrates that in the hands of a talented architect, one can have it all. The view to Adolphus Reach, which the house is named after/ Lloyd Alter/CC BY 2.0 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) ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Tribune News Service New Delhi, August 6 Acting on a specific input that Habibur Rahaman was coming to India on a flight from Riyadh to New Delhi, National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Rahman, against whom NBW was earlier issued by the Special NIA Court - from the IGI Airport. Rahman was originally from Odisha, but presently based in Riyadh. Rahman was one of the handlers of LeT terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem, who was initially arrested in 2007 while trying to infiltrate two Pakistani and one Kashmiri terrorist into India through Bangladesh. Naeem later escaped from custody while he was being taken for court attendance to Maharashtra from Kolkata in August 2014. After his escape from custody, he again started his nefarious activities on the directions of his handlers based in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. A well-established conspiracy was hatched between the accused for targeting vulnerable locations in India with intent of causing maximum damage. Rahman arranged hideouts and funds for Naeem on different occasions for carrying out terrorist activities in India on the directions of the LeT commander Amjad, who is based in Pakistan. Naeem was arrested by NIA in Nov 2017 and he has been chargesheeted along with 10 other co-accused including Rehman by NIA. Accused Rahman was being produced today in Patiala House Court here to seek NIA custody for his interrogation. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Jammu, August 6 In a shocking incident, three minor girls in the age group of 3-4 years of a playschool here have been allegedly sexually harassed by three teachers. Two teachers have been arrested while a manhunt has been launched by the police to arrest the third accused. The incident came to light on Sunday when the family of one of the victims lodged a complaint with the police. The parents of a minor victim learnt of the incident when the latter refused to attend school. Upon asking her the reason, she told them about the incident that took place on July 31. According to sources, the family complained to the principal of the school on August 2 that their daughter had been sexually harassed by one of the teachers. Family members of the victim alleged that the school management tried to hush up the case. It sacked the accused teacher but did not forward the complaint to the police. Two more complaints of similar nature were also reportedly made to the school authorities. The sources said three teachers of the school, who taught singing, karate and dance, were allegedly exploiting minor girls during the classes. They were identified as Romit Sawhney, Sanjeev Dewan and Rajesh Gaind. Sanjeev, who taught karate, and Romit, the dance teacher, have been arrested by the police. The police have lodged an FIR under Section 354 against the accused teachers. The three teachers used to visit school twice a week to take the classes. Chief Education Officer, Jammu, JK Sudan, said an inquiry had been ordered into the incident. I have sought a detailed report from the zonal education officer. We will take stern action, including derecognition of the school, Sudan said. Guilty must be punished: Principal The principal of school said the parents of three minor girls made a verbal complaint to her on August 2. "I made a formal complaint with the police on August 3 because I too wanted to have a fair investigation into the case. I always put the safety of my kids on priority. Being a woman, I also want that the accused should be punished if they are found guilty. There is no point hiding anything. I have asked the three teachers to discontinue with their services pending investigation," the principal said. ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Jammu, August 6 The Jammu cops foiled a possible terror attack in New Delhi by arresting a courier linked to the al-Qaida in Jammu late on Sunday. He was leaving for the national capital with eight grenades in a bag. The courier was identified as Irfan Hussain Wani (26) of Dangerpora village in Awantipora area of Pulwama district. He was arrested at Chatri Point near Presentation Convent School, Jammu. The police had put up a check-post in the area following a specific input. During the interrogation, he revealed that he was carrying the cache of grenades to New Delhi for delivering it to another person, said SDS Jamwal, IGP, Jammu zone. The grenades could have been used to sabotage the I-Day celebrations in New Delhi. A major plot has been foiled, the IG said. Wani is associated with Zakir Musas Ansar Guzwatul Hind militant organisation linked to the al-Qaida. TNS gspannu7@gmail.com Amir Karim Tantray Tribune news Service Jammu, August 6 The Jammu police arrested Irfan Wani of Dangerpora area of Pulwama district from a bus when he was on his way to New Delhi on Sunday night. The police also recovered seven to eight hand grenades from him. Sources in the police told The Tribune that they had received a tip-off regarding Wanis movement. After getting specific information that Wani had boarded a bus and was travelling to New Delhi, he was arrested under the jurisdiction of Gandhinagar police station, said a source. With his arrest the police have foiled a possible terror attack in the national capital. The arrest was made ahead of the crucial hearing of Article 35-A in the Supreme Court on Monday and days ahead of Independence Day celebrations. The Jammu police have alerted their Delhi counterparts. monicakchauhan@gmail.com Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, August 6 The Supreme Court on Monday indicated that petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A of Constitution-which gives permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir certain privileges and deny settlement rights to other Indian citizens - will have to be finally decided by a Constitution Bench. A two-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra - which adjourned the hearing in view of the ongoing preparations for rural and urban local body polls in the state - said first a three-judge Bench would take up the matter and decide if it needed to be referred to a five-judge Constitution Bench. As the Bench said the petitions would be taken up by a three-judge Bench in the week commencing August 27, petitioners' advocates opposed the adjournment and demanded early hearing. Political parties in the state have been agitating against any possible move to scrap the controversial provision. Added to the Constitution through a Presidential Order in 1954, Article 35A gives special rights and privileges to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir and debars rest of Indians from acquiring immovable property, obtaining state government jobs and settling in the state. It denies property rights to woman marrying men from other states. This legal disability also applies to heirs of such women. Besides, being violative of right to equality and certain other rights, Article 35A has been challenged on the ground that the President could not have amended the Constitution by an executive order without parliamentary approval and that it was to be a temporary provision. The state government has maintained that the Supreme Court had already settled the issue by ruling that Article 370 of the Constitution had attained permanent status. It had cited two Constitution Bench verdicts delivered in 1961 and 1969, which upheld the President's powers under Article 370(1)(d) of the Constitution to issue constitutional orders. Interestingly, the Centre has been shying away from filing its response to spell out its stand on Article 35A. The Attorney General had last year told the court that the government didn't want to file its affidavit in response to petitions against Article35A. CJI Misra said under Article 145 of the Constitution any challenge to validity of a constitutional provision was required to be examined by a Constitution Bench. The Constitution Bench would have to examine if Article 35A violated basic structure of the Constitution or not. Earlier, Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was assisted by Jammu and Kashmir Advocate General DC Raina and advocate M Shoeb Alam, sought adjournment on behalf of the state citing preparations for local body polls in September in the state which is currently under Governor's rule. On behalf of the Centre, Attorney General KK Venugopal supported it. He said an interlocutor had been appointed and talks were going on for a peaceful solution of Kashmir problem. As a lawyer pointed out that before every hearing on petitions against Article 35A Kashmir was virtually shutdown, the Bench said the petitions came more than 60 years after being incorporated. "We are not concerned. We will only see if this provision violates basic structure of the Constitution." The court's comment that in "matters like this" where constitutional scheme was under challenge, it would like to hear the Attorney General and the counsel for state will have "very limited" and "minimal" role, attracted sharp comments from counsel representing National Conference and CPI(M) which have moved the top court in support of Article 35A. "The state government has a very key and pivotal role in it," said senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, representing one of the parties. The Supreme Court had on May 14 deferred hearing on petitions challenging Article 35A at the request of the Attorney General who had termed it "a very sensitive matter". "A solution is in the course of being devised," Venugopal had told the Bench. rchopra@tribunemail.com New Delhi, August 6 Foreign tourist arrivals in India has seen a 14 per cent jump in 2017 and foreign exchange earnings in the sector during the same period was Rs 1.77 lakh crore, Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons said on Monday. Alphons said in the Lok Sabha that there is a shortage of two lakh rooms in the tourism sector, mostly in the mid-segment. The minister said there had been a 28.8 per cent increase in domestic tourist visits in the country between 2014 and 2017 while 20.4 per cent jump in foreign tourist visits in the same period. As many as 10.04 million foreign tourists had visited the country in 2017 which was a growth of 14 per cent in comparison to the previous year, he said during Question Hour. The minister said the estimated foreign exchange earnings through tourism in India during 2015, 2016 and 2017 were Rs 1.35 lakh crore, Rs 1.54 lakh crore and Rs 1.77 lakh crore respectively, he said. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com New Delhi, August 6 A demand for measures to control the burgeoning population in the country was made in the Rajya Sabha on Monday with ruling BJP members stating that development work would be outpaced by such a high rate of growth. Raising the issue through a Zero Hour mention, Ashok Bajpai (BJP) said India would by 2022 overtake China to be the worlds most populous country in the world and by 2050 would house 1.66 billion people. Some steps need to be taken to control the population, he said. Population growth would outpace development work, he said. Supporting the issue, Vijay Pal Singh Tomar (BJP) said Indias population had increased from 36 crore at the time of Independence to an estimated 135 crore now. It is increasing at the rate of 2 crore people per annum. India has just 2.4 per cent of total landmass on earth but 17.5 per cent of the world population, he said. Javed Ali Khan (SP) raised the issue of several institutions, which were created for education and financing needs of minorities, lying almost defunct in absence of timely appointments. He said the Maulana Azad Educational Foundation had no director for three years and only six months back an appointment was made, he said, adding that there was no chairman of the National Minority Development Financial Corporation for a similar period and a head was appointed only three months back. No appointment had been made at the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities since it submitted a report two years back, he said. Noting that the National Commission for Minority Institutions did not have a chairman or member for the past four years, he said the functioning of the institution which gives recognition to a minority institution is paralysed and over 7,000 applications pending. While Manish Gupta (TMC) raised the issue of acute shortage of anti-rabies vaccination in West Bengal, Ram Kumar Kashyap (Ind) wanted village panchyats with no land of their own to be identified and assistance given to them. Ravi Prakash Verma (SP) alleged a bank manager-broker nexus in giving loans to enterprises on commission basis under the Mudra Yojana. Anil Baluni (BJP) wanted a unit of NDRF to be permanently stationed in his home state of Uttarakhand which has witnessed natural calamities like cloudburst and floods caused by heavy rain. L Hanumanthaiah (Cong) wanted the mechanism of regional recruitment boards for filling vacancies at banks be restored in place of a centralised recruitment process so as to give persons with knowledge of local language preference. Motilal Vora (Cong) wanted strict punishment to human traffickers while Ram Vichar Netam (BJP) demanded food items be sold at airports at MRP. Husain Dalwai (Cong) raised the issue of Maratha agitation in Maharashtra over demand for quota in education and jobs. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Yash Goyal Our Correspondent Jaipur, August 6 Facing a land attachment notice after failing to pay back crop loan, a 30-year-old farmer allegedly committed suicide at Charanvas village of Nagaur district on Saturday night. Mangalram Meghwal had borrowed Rs 2.98 lakh from a bank of which he had repaid Rs 1.75 lakh, his brother Pooran Mal told the Citava police station. As he apparently failed to get crop loan waiver, Mangalram hanged himself, the police said, adding that the villagers protested against the SDMs order. The body is lying in a mortuary of Kukal government hospital under Kuchaman city area, and the villagers and relatives had refused to take the body as they were adamant on their demands, a senior cop of Citava police station said. Meanwhile, in a statement, Amraram, CPI-M state secretary, condoled the death of the farmer blaming the BJP governments anti-peasant policies. Amraram demanded that the loan of the deceased be waived, a cash compensation of Rs 10 lakh be paid to the family, and a government job be given to the next of kin. Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said the Chief Minister is undertaking Gaurav Yatra at a time when farmers in the state were not safe. amansharma@tribunemail.com New Delhi, August 5 India has handed over a request to Antigua for extradition of Mehul Choksi who is charged in connection with India's biggest banking fraud, and now living in the Caribbean nation after taking its citizenship. Official sources said a team comprising officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and other agencies was sent to Antigua a couple of days ago to request the Antiguan authorities to extradite Choksi, wanted in India in the USD 2 billion Punjab National bank scam. "The team met the Foreign Ministry officials of the Caribbean nation yesterday and handed over the request to extradite Choksi to India," an official source said. The team, led by Additional Secretary in the MEA's Consular and Passport Division here, also presented details of the case against Choksi who is one of the alleged masterminds of the scam along with his nephew Nirav Modi. As per reports, Antiguan authorities cleared Choksi's citizenship in November 2017 after India did not give any adverse report to stall his application for it. Choksi had fled India on January 4 this year and took oath of allegiance in Antigua on January 15. His citizenship was cleared in November 2017. Choksi's application for citizenship in Antigua in May 2017 was accompanied with clearance from the local police as required by norms, Antiguan newspaper the Daily Observer reported, citing a statement from the Citizenship by Investment Unit of Antigua and Barbuda (CIU). It noted the police clearance certificate (PCC) from the Regional Passport Office in Mumbai said there was no adverse information against Choksi which would render him ineligible for grant of travel facilities including visa for Antigua and Barbuda. When asked about the PCC to Choksi, a spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs had said it was given on the basis of a clear police verification report (PVR) available on his passport that time. Under the Citizenship by Investment Program of Antigua and Barbuda, a person can take their passport on a minimum investment of USD 1,00,000 in the National Development Fund. Choksi and his companies allegedly availed credit from overseas branches of Indian banks using the fraudulent guarantees of PNB given through letters of undertaking (LoUs) and letters of credit issued by the Brady House branch which were not repaid, bringing liability on the state-run bank, the officials have said. An LoU is a guarantee given by an issuing bank to Indian banks having branches abroad to grant short-term credit to the applicant. - PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com New Delhi, August 6 Lok Sabha proceedings were on Monday adjourned briefly as Congress and other Opposition members created a ruckus over the alleged sexual exploitation of girls at a shelter home in Muzaffarpur. During Zero Hour, Congress member Ranjeet Ranjan wanted to talk about the case and was allowed by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. After Ranjan, RJD member Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav also spoke about the same issue. The Speaker did not allow Opposition members to continue discussing the case, saying since it is already being probed by the CBI there was no need to discuss the issue every day. However, an agitated Ranjan walked into the Well and began speaking in a loud voice. A few minutes later, she also threw a book and some papers kept on the table of Secretary General Snehlata Shrivastava. Ranjan demanded a reply from Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was present in the House. Later, a few Congress members and Narayan Yadav joined her in the Well. Holding placards, TDP members were already there as they sought to raise issues related to Andhra Pradesh. Amid the ruckus, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings for around 10 minutes till 1230 hours. The alleged sexual abuse of young girls at a state-funded shelter-home in Muzzafarpurr recently came to light following which 14 officials were suspended. Medical examination of 34 out of the 42 shelter home inmates has confirmed they were sexually exploited. The owner of the shelter home, run by NGO Seva Sankalp Evam Vikas Samiti, Brajesh Thakur, is the main accused in the case. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Bijay Sankar Bora Tribune News Service Guwahati, August 6 Rail communication in Assam has been disrupted in north bank of Brahmaputra because of the rail-roko agitation resorted to by a local ethnic community demanding Scheduled Tribes (ST) status. This forced the authorities to divert some important trains, including Guwahati-New Delhi Rajdhani Express and Guwahati-Bangalore Express, through South Bank of Brahmaputra along the route Fakiragram-Golokganj-New Cooch Behar, a source in the Northeast Frontier Railway said. Eight other trains were cancelled, short-terminated or diverted too. Protestors from All Assam Koch-Rajbongshi Sanmilani sat on the railway track at Chatuara station in Gossaigaon in Western Assam since 6 am to press for their long-standing demand for ST status to Koch-Rajbongshi community. Though the local administration initially convinced the leaders of the protestors not to lift the blockade so that railway traffic is not affected, suddenly they came back on the railway track after some time. As the police and paramilitary forces tried to evict them from the track, some of the protestors pelted the men in uniform with stones, who then resorted to cane charge, teargas shelling and even firing. The cops, Ataur Rahman, Abhiranjan Kumar and Bajiur Haque, were injured in the clashes while several protestors were also injured. The forces later managed to chase away the protestors from the track. Koch-Rajbongshi is one of the ethnic communities in Assam who have long been demanding ST status. Several rounds of meeting with the leaders of these community organisations with the central government failed to resolve the issue so far. uttara@tribuneindia.com New Delhi, August 6 The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Habibur Rahaman, an alleged handler of hardened Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem, after he was deported from Saudi Arabia, officials said on Monday. Rahaman was arrested by the NIA on his arrival from Saudi Arabia, they said. Officially, the NIA has maintained that it had received an input about Rahman travelling to India, but officials in the know of the development said it was an example of cooperation between security agencies of the two countries. Rahman is an alleged handler of LeT terrorist Shaikh Abdul Naeem alias Nomi, who was arrested in 2007 while trying to help two Pakistani and one Kashmiri terrorist infiltrate into India through Bangladesh. Naeem ditched the police and escaped from custody while he was being taken for court attendance to Maharashtra from Kolkata in August 2014. The escape from custody emboldened Naeem, who kept playing cat and mouse games with agencies for about three years during which he continued with his nefarious activities on the directions of his handlers based in Pakistan and in Saudi Arabia, the NIA said. A well-established conspiracy was hatched between the accused for targeting vulnerable locations in India with intent of causing maximum damage. Naeem was tasked to identify locations where terrorist attacks could be carried out, an NIA spokesperson said. In order to execute the conspiracy, the official said, Naeem assumed different fake identities and visited different states including Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, and did reconnaissance of possible targets for terrorist attacks. "Habibur Rahman, who is affiliated to proscribed terrorist organisation LeT, arranged shelter/hideouts and funds for Naeem on different occasions for carrying out terrorist activities in India on the directions of the LeT commander Amjad alias Rehan who is based in Pakistan," he said. The spokesperson said Naeem was arrested by NIA in November 2017 and has been since charge sheeted along with 10 other co-accused including Habibur Rehman by the NIA. "Accused Habibur Rahman will be produced today in Patiala House Courts, New Delhi to seek NIA custody for his interrogation," he said. PTI gspannu7@gmail.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, August 6 The Russian Embassy in New Delhi on Monday put out a strong rejection of a recent report citing an Oxford University social media expert that Kremlin could target countries such as India and Brazil and interfere in their elections. The report quoted Philip N Howard, a statutory professor of Internet Studies at the Oxford Internet Institute and Balliol College, University of Oxford, supposedly made during a hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Foreign Influence on Social Media Platforms in the US. Russia has never interfered in internal politics of other countries as it goes against the fundamental principles of our foreign policy, said the Russian Embassy in New Delhi in a formal statement even as Moscow finds itself at the centre of political storm for alleged political interference in the 2016 US presidential polls. This blatantly false and unfounded assertion is a phoney attempt to drive a wedge between Russia and her BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) partners following the success of the recent summit meeting of the group in Johannesburg. It has become a common knowledge that Russia enjoys the camaraderie with India and will never do anything that goes against interests and dignity of the friendly Indian nation, added the Russian Embassy statement. Howards mention of likely Russian interference in the Indian and Brazilian elections through their media, without any further explanation, came in response to a question from Senator Susan Collins reportedly. I believe that the Russians have moved from targeting us, in particular, to Brazil and India; other enormous democracies that will be running elections in the next few years, Howard was quoted as saying by news agency Press Trust of India. ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM New York, August 6 A 50-year-old Sikh man was beaten up multiple times by two white men who yelled racial slurs at him in California, prompting police to investigate the heinous hate crime. The incident happened last week near the intersection of Keyes and Foote roads as the man was putting up campaign signs alone along a rural stretch on the outskirts of Keyes, the police were quoted as saying by The Sacramento Bee. Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said the assault was being investigated as a hate crime. This is a random despicable criminal act against a member of the Sikh community, he said. The victim was struck multiple times as the assailants screamed youre not welcome here and go back to your country before spray painting his truck. The victim required medical attention so an ambulance was called and he was treated on the spot for cuts and other wounds. According to a Facebook post, the man was hit with a rod in the head but he escaped any major injury due to his turban. Also, the post shared an image of the pickup truck spray painted in large black letters with the words Go back to ur country alongside a Celtic cross. PTI shalender@tribune.com Lahore, August 5 The convict in a high-profile rape and murder case of a minor girl in Pakistans Kasur city was given 12 more death sentences by a special anti-terrorism court here in another three cases of child sexual abuse. Imran Ali, who was already awarded four counts of the death penalty, one life term, seven-year jail term and Rs 4.1 million in fines back in February for raping and murdering the seven-year-old girl, had confessed sexually abusing at least another eight girls. The anti-terrorism courts (ATC) judge Sajjad Ahmed on Saturday awarded 23-year-old Ali, currently incarcerated and on death-row for the rape and murder of the minor girl, the death penalty on 12 more counts for the rape and murder of three other girls. He was also fined Rs 6 million out of which Rs 3 million were directed to be handed to the families of the victims as blood money. Ali who reportedly confessed to his crime, said: I regret for my act. I became a pervert after having an addiction of watching child pornography on Internet, a law officer quoted him as having said. His arrest brought to light eight more such killings in Kasur. Prosecution charged him with the murder and rape of another three girls and presented witnesses in this regard. The ages of the three victims were five, seven and eight. Ali, also a resident of Kasur, is said to be involved in at least nine incidents of rape-cum-murder of minors. The minor girls father Muhammad Amin Ansari had expressed satisfaction over the verdict but demanded public hanging. He recently has filed a petition in the Lahore High Court demanding public hanging of the suspect. The murderer of my daughter should be hanged where he had killed her, Ansari said. PTI monicakchauhan@gmail.com Dhaka, August 6 The Bangladesh's High Court on Monday granted six-month interim bail to former prime minister and opposition BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in a case of firebombing of a bus in 2015, local media reported. Eight people were killed and 20 others were injured when unidentified assailants hurled a petrol bomb at the bus in Comilla's Chouddagram upazila on February 2, 2015, during protests against the government. Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice SM Mozibur Rahman granted the 72-year-old leader the bail on Monday, the bdnews24.com reported. The bail petition was filed at Cumilla Special Court showing the three-time former prime minister as an arrestee in the case under the Special Powers Act, her lawyer Barrister AKM Ehsanur Rahman. Judge KM Shamsul Alam had endorsed the police's move to name Khaleda as an arrestee in the case but did not take any decision about her bail plea, setting August 8 for the hearing. Then Khaleda's lawyers had moved the High Court with a bail petition. The court had ordered the Cumilla court to settle the bail appeal by July 26. But the court rejected the appeal on July 25 and the lawyers filed another bail petition at the court. The court had set today for the decision after hearing the appeal on July 29. Two separate cases one for murder, the other under the Explosives Act were filed over the incident. "A petition was filed on May 28 to dismiss the case. That is on hold for the next hearing," said AKM Ehsanur Rahman, according to the report. As the BNP chief had been in prison since being sentenced to five years in jail in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on February 8, police had promptly shown her arrested. PTI uttara@tribuneindia.com London, August 6 Hamza bin Laden, son of slain al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, married the daughter of Mohammed Atta, the leader of the hijackers who carried out the deadly 9/11 terror attacks in the US, according to a media report. The family of the deceased al Qaeda leader confirmed that Hamza married Atta's daughter, the Guardian quoted Osama's family as saying. Atta, an Egyptian national, piloted American Airlines Flight 11, which was the first of the hijackings, into the North Tower of the World Trade Centerkilling all 92 onboard and around 1,600 people, including emergency responders, in the tower. Hamza, 29, has assumed a senior position within al Qaeda and was aiming to avenge the death of his father, who was shot dead during a covert US military raid in Pakistan's Abbottabad seven years ago, Bin Laden's half-brothers Ahmad and Hassan al-Attas were quoted as saying. In May 2011, US Navy SEALs stormed Bin Laden's Abbottabad compound where he was living with three of wives and shot him dead. Hamza's brother Khalid was also killed in the US raid. Hamza is the son of one of Bin Ladens three surviving wives, Khairiah Sabar, who was living with her husband in a compound in Abbottabad, near a large Pakistani military base, when he was killed. "We have heard he has married the daughter of Mohammed Atta," said Ahmad al-Attas. "We're not sure where he is, but it could be Afghanistan." Hamza, the potential successor of al Qaeda chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri, has released several audio speeches calling for attack on Western interests, including one in 2016 in which he vowed to avenge his father's death. Western intelligence agencies have been increasingly focusing on the whereabouts of Hamza over the past two years, seeing him as more likely than anyone else to galvanise followers. His marriage to the daughter of Atta appears to confirm that the 9/11 alumni remains a central hub of al Qaeda and that the organisation itself continues to be organised around Osama's legacy, the report added. PTI pardeepdhull@gmail.com Riyadh, August 6 Saudi Arabia announced that it was expelling the Ambassador of Canada and froze new trade deals with the country after Ottawas criticism of human-rights violations in the Islamic Kingdom. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday that it it was recalling its ambassador in Canada for consultation and simultaneously declared the Canadian Ambassador Dennis Horak persona non-grata, giving him 24 hours to leave, reports the Saudi Gazette. The move comes after Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland last week called on Saudi Arabia to release arrested civil-rights activists and signalled concern at a new crackdown in the Middle Eastern country Saudi Arabia took this firm stance following Canadas statement about civil society activists that was negative and baseless, according to the Ministry. It deemed Freelands remarks as false allegations. The ministry considers the Canadian statements as a blatant interference in the Kingdoms internal affairs that violates simple international norms that governs relations between countries. A spokeswoman for Freeland said late Sunday night that the Canadian government was trying to make contact with Saudi Arabia, reports Canadian daily The Globe and Mail. We are seriously concerned by these media reports and are seeking greater clarity on the recent statement from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the spokeswoman said. Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, including womens rights, and freedom of expression around the world. Our government will never hesitate to promote these values and believes that this dialogue is critical to international diplomacy. The detained activists include Samar Badawi, sister of writer Raif Badawi who is already imprisoned in Saudi Arabia and sentenced to 1,000 lashes for insulting Islam. Saudi Arabia is one of Canadas biggest export markets in the Gulf region and more than 15,000 Saudi students attend Canadian schools and universities. IANS gspannu7@gmail.com Freiburg (Germany), August 6 A German court on Monday jailed a Spanish man for 10 years for repeatedly sexually abusing a young boy whose mother and stepfather sold him to paedophiles online. In a case that horrified Germany, the defendant Javier Gonzalez Diaz was convicted by the regional court in Freiburg of 14 counts of aggravated sexual assault, one count of rape and one count of bodily harm while making child pornography, judge Stefan Buergelin said. The 33-year-old was also ordered to pay 18,000 euros (USD 20,800) to the young victim. Prosecutors had demanded a 12-year prison sentence. The verdict against the mother and stepfather in the case, which police have called one of the most atrocious they have investigated, is expected tomorrow. Berrin Taha and Christian Lais, both German nationals, stand accused of rape, aggravated sexual assault of children, forced prostitution and distribution of child pornography. They are accused of having sexually assaulted the boywho was nine when their trial began in Juneas well as pimping him on the so-called darknet for more than two years. Beyond a conviction and prison sentence, prosecutors are seeking preventive detention of the two due to the seriousness of the alleged crimes. The stepfather has a previous conviction for paedophilia. The case came to light following an anonymous tip last September, and led to the arrest of eight people who have been charged with belonging to an online paedophile ring. Three of those arrested have now been convicted. During the trial of the related cases, the stepfather admitted on the witness stand to the assaults on the boy. He also made serious accusations against the childs mother. The boy is in state care. AFP Sponsored: Ministry of Planning Climate Change and Land Degradation are two significant environmental issues facing the world today. We see many countries in the news talking about their strategies towards dealing with these, but what is our country doing? More here FILE- In this Jan. 27, 2008, file photo, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, USA, Indra Nooyi smiles during the closing session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. With Nooyi exiting PepsiCo as its longtime chief executive, the circle of CEOs in the S&P 500 is losing one of its highest profile women. Nooyi has been with PepsiCo Inc. for 24 years and held the top job for 12. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File) Hi, My wife and I decided to tour four countries in Eastern Europe in 2019 by train and would like to know the best way to make connections. I will list the towns below where we would like to stay. However, they are NOT in order of travel, since I am waiting to receive advice from this forum before making any reservations. If anyone is able to recommend directions from Sarajevo for train travel to get from city to city, along with the order of travel, I would greatly appreciate your advice. Also, what method of booking the train tickets would you advise in order for us to obtain the best price. We will be traveling to these countries in May, June, or July, 2019. We normally spend 30 to 40 days on an international trip. We will be flying into Sarajevo, Bosnia. At this point, we are not sure if we will be returning home from this airport and I am waiting to review your advice. The cities that we will be traveling too are: Belgrade, Serbia - Bucharest, Romania - and Sofia, Bulgaria. Whichever city is recommended last, we will need to look at taking a train from that city back to Sarajevo, along with the number of hours that it will take. Thanks for any help that you are able to provide, Re: Milan to The Hague and back through France 2. Re: Milan to The Hague and back through France -:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:- This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. I was just reading the threads on tripadvisor, and it's amazing how helpful everyone is. Visiting Costa Rica has always been on my bucket list and I am so excited to do this. Unfortunately, I only have approximately a week to do as much as possible. Please advise on our plans. Thanks in advance. My boyfriend and I just arrived to SJO this morning and picked up our rental car, our Suzuki Jimny. Staying at an awesome airbnb in Alajuela, which I could recommend to anyone looking to stay. We did some visiting in San Jose in the afternoon (Central Mercado, downtown, City Mall, etc.) Road trip beginning tomorrow: Day 1: Leaving Alajuela at 9 am, heading to La Paz Waterfalls. Looking to spend about 3 hours there, getting lunch, and then driving directly to the Arenal Container Hostel. Day 2: Visit La Fortuna Waterfall Day 3: Visit hot springs and Arenal volcano Day 4: Drive early morning to Tamarindo or Playa Hermosa from Arenal Container Hostel (approximately 4 hour drive), Looking to stay at an Airbnb on the Pacific coast. Planning to return the rental car to LIR and flying back to NYC on the last day. This is all we have so far, any other recommendations? We are open to ANYTHING! And is it safe to drive long distance trips in these areas? Thank you again. Weve only been to CR once. It was for the day since we were on a cruise. However that day was so memorable (horseback riding and zip lining) that we wanna go back. Soooo.... we wanted Santa to give the kids a week in paradise for Christmas. We are planning on traveling around the 23rd of December. Ive read up on the areas but honestly they all sound so nice. Id prefer a suggestion from you guys. Our kids are 14,5 and a baby. We are very active. Beaches, waterfalls, horseback riding, waterfalls, cliff jumping (even my now 4 year old loves to jump from heights into water). We dont mind tourist (heck we are tourists). So please dont let crowds determine where you recommend. We will be renting a car and based on your recs, Ill check Airbnb. We are hoping to stay in two different areas. Please help me out. Thanks in advance! My family of 3 (son is 8) will be traveling to Costa Rica November 1-11. We are flying into Liberia. Our plan currently is: 4 nights in Guanacasta at the Marriott in Playa Hermosa. Using points for this, it is the only thing we have booked. It is also the only resort time we are looking for, the rest of the time we want to rent VRBO's. 3 nights in Arenal area - booking a VRBO but have not yet. Some say 2 nights is enough, others say 3. Looking for input here. That leaves us 2-4 nights at one other area- any suggestions? We would like to stay on the west side but just want to explore a little more of the country while we are there. For these nights we want to do VRBO in a more local area and surf (easy surf), relax, hike, eat, play. We are semi-adventurous but also like to relax on vacation. We are well traveled and like to enjoy more local culture- restaurants, people, activities. Looking for suggestions to get that experience that is not too touristy? Not interested in the bigger tourist beaches as we will get enough of all that in Playa Hermosa and all the activity in Arenal. Hello Guys, I am planning to travel to South Vietnam with family , for 8 Night in Jan 2019. I got 2 boys 6 & 11 Yrs old. I need some tips/help in planning out itinerary After reading few post, we have decided to go to South only Mainly due to fact that we got only 8 night and hoping that South Vietnam has lots of things to do for a Young Family . We would like to relax few days at the Beach ( Preferably somewhere with Water activity to keep kids occupied ) We would also like to explore the Vietnamese Culture Thinking this in mind, we have come up with below Draft Itinerary 2-3 Night in HCMC 2 Night at Mekong Delta Or Da Lat 3-4 Night either at Mui Ne Or Phu Quoc Or any other Beach Area Appreciate if you can let us know your thought on - Which is the best Beach in Vietnam to relax - Mui Ne Or Phu Quoc ? - Which one is better Mekong Delta Or Da Lat Thanks Arif On the Vietnam Embassy site, they say that the photo has to be identical to the one on the passport and taken within the past year. My passport was issued in 2016, and I THINK I have a duplicate photo, but it will not have been taken within the past year. I'm very confused and could use some advice! TIA. We are thinking about splitting our trip up into 4 segments, one week at each. We are traveling in October. I have 2 questions, below: Tokyo (hitting up Disneyland at the end of the week) Osaka-Kyoto Kyushu (staying in Fukuoka unless someone recommends someplace different to consider) Okinawa While I'd like to stay at many hotels, I think that having a "home base" in each area will make it easier with the kids so we will be using our JR rail pass a lot the first 3 weeks. Question 1: Any tips for traveling with children? Mine are 1 & 3 - what are the must see's that you'd recommend for our family? Question 2: Would you change the itinerary? I am pretty sure we will stay at Marriott hotels throughout if anyone has any recommendations on ones that they'd recommend. We want to do Airbnb but are nervous (I've been reading about restrictions and last minute cancellations and when you travel with kids you're a lot less open to these sorts of disruptions!!!). Basically, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also looking into hiring a tour agency for some day trips, for example, to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo. Any recommendations or advice on whether or not to hire a tour agency? We don't speak Japanese so just want to get our ducks in a row on what to expect :) Yes we've done this many times. Well, not many many times. We too get all our tickets for 30 days at the start of each trip. Sometimes plans do change. Printing out the hyperdia options for the trains you think you want and then highlighting the one you actually do want makes it easy on the agent. I you want to change though, you probably won't be able to print out your new choice - but you can write it out before you visit the ticket agent. One thing we have found is that the ticket agent is most appreciative that we are *returning/exchanging* the unused tickets (I assume other folks just don't bother?) Do wait until you have the replacement tickets in hand before giving up the ones you don't intend to use. My husband and I travelled to Japan in 2016. We had such a great trip we have booked to go back in October this year. We did all the tourist things, travelled to Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto and would like to spend more time in Tokyo and surrounds. We have booked for 10 days but I am finding it difficult to see what we should do, we were only going to use local trains (Not get JR Pass) I have listed a few things below: Shinkuji Intersection Underground tunnels ( I think this is only spoken in Japanese though) Go to a Themed restaurant Play pin jenko Team Lab Museum Digital museum Saitama Train Museum Oriya Bonsai See the Rainbow Bridge Do a Boat tour Ueno Zoo It doesnt seem to be a lot for 10 days. What other fun and unusual things could you suggest, and the best way to get to them Thanks I look forward to suggestions. | BY Ricki Green | Today, in conjunction with Homelessness Prevention Week, Avalon Centre has launched its new campaign for Avalon Homes For The Homeless program via Magnum Opus Partners. The campaign is designed to raise vital funds to create a home where people down on their luck can gain skills in cooking, cleaning and looking after themselves. Avalon Homes for The Homeless initiative has proven to work overseas and Avalon Centre is aiming to make it work right here in Melbourne. The strategy of the campaign was to put people in the shoes of a homeless person, to give them an idea of what the homeless go through every day. The lm highlights the majority of Victorians lives everyday, while the homeless are stuck on the streets, struggling. Says Pat Langton, creative director, MOP: We believe this is a strategy that can change minds and get people to donate to a great initiative. Were humbled to have such talented people offer their time and skills to this campaign. Were thankful for everyone involved. Says Centre Co Ordinator Debbie: The professionalism on the production is impressive and we thank Magnum Opus Partners for partnering with us to create something great. The campaign begins today and will run across TV, social and print media. You can also donate at avaloncentre.org.au. Client: Avalon Centre Creative Director: Pat Langton Art Director: Johnathan Akiki Copywriter: Pat Langton & Stephen Yolland Account Manager: Alicia Yeoh Sound Design: Paul McCosh, Viva Sound Voice over: Patrick Harvey Confused about the JR Pass and Itinerary check please? Confused about the JR Pass and Itinerary check please? Hi! I'm getting confused about the eligibility of JR Pass for all shinkansen lines. I'll introduce my itinerary: "Total stay of 9 days on March 2019 for cherry blossoms, snow ski resorts, and Sapporo snow" Tokyo - first 3 days (day 1, day 2, day 3 equivalent to 3 full days and 3 nights) *Will take shinkansen line going to Kyoto in the morning of day 4 Kyoto - day 4 and day 5 (2 full days, 2 nights) *Will take shinkansen line from Kyoto to Osaka in the morning of day 6 Osaka - day 6 (just a whole-day tour) *Will take shinkansen line in the late evening from Osaka to Tokyo and then switch to Hokkaido line from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station (Hakodate) in early morning night if there are shinkansen schedules at 12 midnight onwards. *If there is no midnight or early morning night shinkansen schedule from tokyo to hakodate, I will spend an overnight in Tokyo then take a morning schedule from Tokyo to Hakodate (6 am to whatever time I'll arrive). Hakodate - day 7 (whole-day tour if there is an overnight trip in Hokkaido Shinkansen line or just half-day tour if there's none) *Will take the Super Hokuto line in the morning of day 8 going to Sapporo Sapporo - day 8 whole day and day 9 half day *Take flight from Sapporo to home. Questions and Enquiries: 1. If I buy the 257 USD JR Pass, does it cover all the shinkansen lines? Does it mean I can travel freely for 7 days if I take the Tokaido & Sanyo & kyushu Shinkansen line, the Hokkaido Shinkansen line, and the Super Hokuto line by just using this 257 USD JR pass? 2. If there are additional costs on top of the 257 USD JR Pass to cover all these train lines, how much will it be? 3. Is there an overnight schedule under Hokkaido line (any schedule at 12 midnight onwards from Tokyo Station to Shin Hakodate-Hokuto Station during weekdays (specifically Friday)? 4. If there's none, what is the earliest schedule of Tokyo to Hakodate route? 5. What is the latest (late evening or midnight) shinkansen (Hikari) schedule from Osaka to Tokyo? 6. Is my itinerary doable? (It doesn't matter if it looks rushed, as long as it is doable, that should be fine) 7. Any itinerary changes or suggestions for a better adventure? 8. Are Cherry Blossoms blooming during March 23-31 in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka? 9. Will there be snow in Sapporo during these dates? 10. Can you recommend a snow ski resort near Tokyo during these dates? Thanks for answering my questions. Thank you for your detailed answers, recommendations, and suggestions. Cheers! -:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:- This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. To review the Tripadvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Dear Travellers, I am a bit confused by all the information I could find on internet, so I want to share my question with you, hopefully I would get a clear answer from you guys and thanks a lot in advance. Me : French My wife: Tunisian We book a flight from Toulouse (France) to Nairobi (Kenya). Round Trip. go end of Dec 2018, back beg of Jan 2019. During this stay in Kenya, we want to visit Zanzibar (Tanzania) for few days. I want to know what is the best way to apply for visa. Indeed, we can apply for a Kenyan visa online (evisa), but they issue only a SINGLE ENTRY TOURIST VISA. I called Kenyan Ambassy in Paris, they told me this visa is enough to visit kenya and tanzania in one shot , no need to apply for a tanzanian visa + a re-entry to Kenya visa. ( there should be an agreement within 5 east african coutries of issueing same visa) However, to make sure, I called the Tanzanian Ambassy in Paris, and they said this is not possible and that I should apply for visas for both countries. I am a bit lost in all this .. Only Kenyan Visa is needed for both countries, or should I apply for 3 visas ? ( entry Keny, entry Tanz, re-entry Keny) please help me with your advise and your experience. Cheers, Amine - Over 4,70 KNH workers went strike over delayed payment of allowances which dates back to 2015 - SRC had recommended the workers to be paid service allowances but the government has not implemented the payments - The strike consiseds of subordinate staff and 1,400 nurses with exception of the doctors - The workers had given a strike notice which elapsed on Sunday, August 5 Police on Monday, August 6, used teargas to disperse Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) workers who were protesting over delayed payments owed to them since 2015. The over 4,700 KNH workers were demanding the government pay their allowances as recommended by the Salaries and Renumeration Commission (SRC). Send News' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Another round of pain and Agony for Kenyans as doctors strike Police use teargas against KNH protesting workers. Photo: Standard Source: UGC READ ALSO: Canadian doctors refuse salary increase as Kenyan medics push for pay rise The Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational, Institutions and Hospital Workers (Kudheiha) which represent the KNH workers through their Secretary General Albert Njeru had given the government up to Sunday, August 5, to pay their debts upon which they would go on strike Monday. The subordinate staff and over the 1,400 nurses were participating in the strike with an exception of the doctors who are not members of the union. On July 12, a meeting between the Kudheha leaders and the government to discuss the strike was cancelled at the eleventh hour. 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 Cartoon Comedy: A Funny Story Of a Duck Plasterer | Tuko TV Source: Tuko The whole world was watching when Zimbabwe hit the polls to elect their second president in history. The votes come after the resignation of former President Robert Mugabe due to a coup. The Zimbabwe elections pitched Mr. Mnangangwa of the Zanu-PF party against the opposition leader Mr. Chamisa from the MDC party. It was a battle of wits that saw new political lines and ties being drawn and formed. Here is a breakdown of the events that transpired during the Zimbabwe elections. 1. Date for polls 30th July, marked the day that history began in Zimbabwe with the election of their second president ever since independence. With former president being forced out of office after 30 years of service, it was only right for the seat to be taken. The incumbent would steer the country past the economic instability that had rocked the country for ages. Previous elections had proven to be a sham with incidents of voter intimidation, media bias, and corruption. The battle lines were drawn for Mr. Mnangangwa who was the acting president against the opposition leader Mr. Charisma. 2. The situation on the ground during election date Elections hold grave important in the African continent, and war has been part and parcel of most occasions. But Zimbabweans managed to go to the polls and cast their votes peacefully. There were no instances of unrest that could have tarnished the whole process. The EU and Commonwealth observers gave a thumb up to the electoral commission for an improved orchestration as compared to the previous regimes. 3. Premature victory for Mr. Charisma Mr. Charisma took upon himself to declare himself the winner of the elections days before the official announcement by the Zimbabwe electrical commission. This solicited a lot of emotions from Zimbabweans and other involved stakeholders. Many saw this as the beginning of chaos, and as fate would have it, this came to pass. 4. The release of parliamentary results The Zimbabwe electoral commission released the results of the legislative votes. The result was a shocker for a few with the ruling party taking away the majority of the congressional seats. The ruling party made away with 144 seats with the MDC alliance which is formed by seven independent parties had to be content with 64 seats. Mugabe's legacy lived on with his party made from loyalists from his regime had one place for the National Patriotic Front. The total number who had turned up to be registered to vote was at 5 million while the turn up was at 70%. 5. Delays in Zimbabwe election results 2018 The results were scheduled to be released on Wednesday, but due to complications in the total tally, they were pushed to Wednesday. These delays brewed a lot of backlash from the opposition who claimed that the results were being rigged in favor of the ruling party. The commission was however legally bound under the constitution to release the results by latest Saturday. The delays were a constant worry for the Zimbabweans whose confidence started fading on the credibility of the results. The concern was also shared by the EU observers and former Liberian president, Ellen Johnson Sir leaf. 6. Chaos after Zimbabwe election news Immediately after the electoral commission had released the results, chaos broke loose as supporters of the opposition party took to the streets. They claimed that the results had been rigged to suit the ruling party. This resulted in a multitude of people in the Harare streets up in arms protesting against the results. 7. Military involvement in solving the unrest After the demonstrators started protesting against the results, soldiers were deployed in the streets to settle the unrest. The soldiers made use of crude weapons against the protestors. The protestors were not backing out without a fight as they engaged them in a battle while throwing stones. Live bullets and teargas canisters were hailed throughout the dispute. The retaliation led to the loss of six lives and scores of injured civilians and destruction of property. Business came to a standstill as dozens of people scampered away for their safety. 8. Zimbabwe election update by EU and Commonwealth observers The EU and Commonwealth observers remarked that the election process had been marred with cases of voter intimidation, media bias, wastage of resources and corruption. However, they lauded the electoral commission for trying a credible election in comparison to the previous eras. They also addressed the matters of delays of the results which increased anxiety for the citizens. 9. The release of Zimbabwe elections results in 2018 On Friday mid-morning, Zec released the official presidential results. Mr. Mnangagwa led with the overall results with 50.8% while Mr. Chamisa came in second with 44.3%. The rest of the 21 contenders shared the remaining percentage. The incumbent president had avoided a run-off by close to 36,464 votes from the total of close to 5 million votes that were cast. The electoral commission acknowledged of the wait and the anxiety it had cause to the public. 10. Opposition terms the results as "fake." On his official Twitter handle, opposition leader Mr. Chamisa termed the released results as fake. He demanded Zec to issue the proper and verified results that were endorsed by the parties. He also questioned the credibility of the results given the 80% turnout in most of the ten provinces in the country. 11. First public address by the incumbent president The incumbent second president Mr. Mnangagwa took to his Twitter handle to thank Zimbabweans for humbling him by electing him. He then urged them to remain unified despite being divided by the polls. He called for the maintenance of love, peace, and unity. He also revealed that he was in talks with the opposition leader to diffuse the crisis that had loomed the country. He also paid his condolences for the families that had lost their loved ones in the protests earlier on in Harare. He also called for an independent investigation into the matter to bring the perpetrators of the chaos to justice. Harare city still has not regained its normal functioning. But it is slowly resuming its normal day business days after the chaos that had brought the business to its knees. The Zimbabwe elections might have ended, but it is under a litmus test on whether they can progress past it. Source: Tuko.co.ke On Monday, 30th July, Zimbabweans turned up in huge numbers at their voting stations to cast their votes that would revolutionize the country. They had been under the reign of former Robert Mugabe for close to four decades. The Zimbabwe elections would mark a new start in the history of the country. It was a moment in history as the whole world saw how they marked milestone with the Zimbabwe elections. On the voting day, everything went smooth as scheduled by the Zimbabwe electoral commission. Over 5 million citizens had registered to vote. Across the 10 provinces, the turn up was impressive and accounted to 70% out of the registered voters. Many people were excited with the thought of new leadership apart from the Mugabe region which begun immediately after independence. The presidential election had heated up to being one of the most contested bids with over 23 contenders battling it out. But it narrowed down to the ruling party Zanu-PF leader Mr. Mnangangwa and opposition leader Mr. Chamisa who was the flag bearer of the MDC party. According to the schedule on the of the Zimbabwe electoral commission, the Zimbabwe election results were to be released from 11.30 am BST. But this was not fulfilled with the presidential results being pushed forward to Thursday. Upon the release of the parliamentary results, Zanu-PF party emerged victorious garnering two thirds of the majority in the national assembly. This was followed by the MDC party with 64 seats and the remaining one was cast to National Patriotic Front (NPF). NPF was a party dedicated to the former president formed by loyalists from his regime. Zimbabwe election updates There were delays in the release of the results which brewed a lot of heated debate. Many people started losing their confidence in the commission. The opposition leader was up in arms as he declared himself the winner of the just concluded elections on Twitter. The EU election observers also questioned the commission on why it took long for the results to be released. They had also listed several concerns that had been witnessed over the election period like voter intimidation, media bias and corruption. These really undermined the efforts of the commission in delivering credible results. How soon will the Zimbabwe results be announced? However, the commission was legally protected to elongate the release of the results of the Zimbabwe elections date until Saturday. The commission came through with the results on Friday mid-morning. In case you are wondering who will announce Zimbabwe election results, it was the ZEC acting chief elections officer Utoile Silaigwana. Zimbabwe elections facts During the release of the results, Mr. Mnangagwa of the ruling party emerged the winner garnering 50.8% with the runners up Mr. Chamisa garnering 44.3%. The rest was shared among the remaining 21 contenders who were also in the race for the presidential seat. ZEC revealed that the delays in the presidential were due to the terms of law that required it announced within five days. This was unlike the results from the wards and constituencies. Immediately after the release of the results, the supporters of the MDC Alliance party took to the streets to protest the results. They made allegations on the results being deliberately delayed in order for them to be rigged. This led to the clash between the supporters and police who were deployed to settle the unrest in Harare city. The chaos escalated when the supporters retaliated by throwing stones at the police. The police used live bullets and teargas canisters in the process leading to the death of six people. Scores of the civilians also sustained serious injuries. The incumbent president took to Twitter to pass his condolences to the families of the victims that had lost their lives. He also encouraged the people to stay united for the better of Zimbabwe. He talked of discussions with the opposition leader in order to settle the crisis that was looming in the country. The opposition still maintains their stand claiming that their leader was the winner of the elections. Even though the soldiers managed to bring semblance back in Harare, the future of the nation is still in jeopardy. Zimbabweans are all waiting for the next move of the opposition leader on whether he would accept or deny the results. But the final verdict as declared by ZEC on the Zimbabwe elections makes Mr. Mnangwanga the incumbent president. Source: Tuko Kenya - Daniella went to Umoja to get her hair done at 10am - By 7pm, she informed her family she was on her way back home - She has been missing since Saturday, August 4 A Nairobi family is calling out to anyone with any information about the whereabouts of their kin to come forward or report to the nearest police station. Daniella Mwenesi, a 21-year-old mother of one, went missing on Saturday, August 4, after visiting a salon located in Umoja Estate, Nairobi. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Kutana na mwanamke Mkenya aliyekiri kushiriki ngono na wanaume 5,000 READ ALSO: Do you know this lady? She stole her employer's baby in Kiambu According to her sister, Valentine Mwenesi, the beauty left their home in Athi River at around 10am. By the time Daniella was done being plaited, it was already 7pm and she was expected back home by 10pm due to the overwhelming traffic snarl up in Eastlands. READ ALSO: Safaricom boss Bob Collymore back after 9 months of treatment However, her sister bagan to worry when the clock striked 10pm and Daniella was nowhere to be seen. Valentine tried several times to call her on phone but there was no response and at times, the line would be switched off. "It is not like her to disappear like this. She loves her child and would never leave without saying where she is going. She does not drink or go out to party so I am really worried," the victim's sister intimated to TUKO. The next morning, Valentine visited various police stations in Eastlands and has even attempted to track the location of Daniella's phone. Till now, no one has contacted the family and no demands have been made. Anyone with information on Daniella's whereabouts can contact the sister through phone number 0715286719 or Valentine Mwenesi on Facebook. 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. Kenya News: Kenyans Donate to Street Women | Tuko TV: Source: Kenya Breaking News Today The Zimbabwe elections were held on Monday following the ouster of former President Robert Mugabe who had remained in power for 37 years. The Zimbabwe elections marked a huge milestone in the history of the county that had been turmoil with economic constraints over the years. Many Zimbabweans took to the polling station with the hopes of a new Government and a fresh start. Zimbabwe election news When the voting day came, it was a fair share as the voters turned up in numbers and voted for their respected leaders peacefully. It was all, and many hoped that the calmness would be maintained afterward. From their previous elections, there had been a growing trend in incidents of violence and marred elections and fraud which gave the former President Robert Mugabe 37 years in power. After the departure of Robert Mugabe through a coup left the seat vacant with the current president, Emmerson Mnangagwa who has received a lot of criticism for holding ties with the former president especially from the contender for the presidential seat and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa. Immediately the results from the polls were released, it was met with mixed feelings of anger and celebration. The results showed that the ruling party ZANU-PF had won a majority of the significant parliament seats. The news on the results did not sit well with the members of the opposition party who took to the streets in multitudes of numbers in the streets of Harare on Wednesday. The opposition demonstrators' caused a significant haul in the city, and they brought everything to a standstill. The demonstrators wanted their grievances to be heard as they concluded that the election had been a sham. It was not long before the Zimbabwe military were installed to clear the unrest. Witnesses purported on the stand that the soldiers used crude weapons to beat the protestors who had turned up in large numbers. In retaliation, the demonstrators fought back by throwing stones o the motorcades and the soldiers who had lined up. When things were getting out of hand, live bullets and tear gas canisters were used as the protestors scampered for their safety The Zimbabwe violence between the soldiers and the demonstrators led to casualties with six people found dead and 14 sustaining injuries. The move of deployment of the military to solve the political unrest which led to the death of civilians was condemned by the Nkuleko Sibanda, the spokesperson for the opposition Movement for the Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance. Reporting to the media, he termed the barbaric move as unjustified and condemned the act. The backlash by the opposition escalated when the local police invaded the premises of the opposition MDC party's headquarters and blamed the candidate for being the reason behind the retaliation of their troops and inciting the demonstrators to take up arms in the streets. Zimbabwe elections update The battle between the members of the opposition and the police caused a lot of tension in the country as everything came to a standstill. The violence was unseen as on the elections day; everything went hunky dory. There were no loopholes that mention the occurrence of the force which brought the peace in the nation to its knees. According to a preliminary statement posted by the European Union mission observers, they termed the Zimbabwe elections as having an improved political climate with the general participation rights and a peaceful vote. But there were also contradictory reports that surfaced depicting cases of voter intimidation, and the build-up of the lack of trust that ruined the political environment during the period of pre-election. Zimbabwe election results 2018 With the results of the parliamentary votes finalized and declared there was anxiety as everyone waited eagerly for the presidential results which marked the hallmark for the entire election. The tension among the supporters grew wildly especially with the delays by the Zimbabwe electoral coming in releasing the presidential results. The doubt was all over with claims of election rigging setting the supporters to take to the streets. The commission came out in the open to ease the tension setting the release date to 2nd August. Zimbabwe violence The cases of the unrest have affected the stability of the economy of the nation. When the former president Mugabe exited office, the country as left in disarray and the next president would face a difficult time in trying to regain the glory of the country. With the announcement of the presidential elections still a large; Zimbabwe is under a lot of pressure and scrutiny to release the results with the latest date being Saturday. Even though there have been incidents of voter intimidation, media bias and misuse of the state resources, there has also been the considerable improvement from the previous terrain under the era of Mugabe. The whole world waits eagerly to see who will pick the country from the pieces. The Zimbabwe elections might be over, but it marks beginning of a new era in the country. Source: Tuko.co.ke | BY Ricki Green | At a time when Australian energy prices are a national topic and consumer mistrust of the category is high, AGL recently engaged CHE Proximity for the launch of its new product, Essentials. Offering consumers choice amid what many find to be a sea of confusing deals and discounts in the industry the new Essentials product instead simply offers low rates, fixed for 12 months. With production company Scoundrel, CHE Proximity collaborated with renowned Australian artist and director James Dive to create a campaign based around minimalist installations. Across three films, these installations depict the artful destruction of common annoyances and cliches of the retail world, from red sales balloons, to irritating retail voices and discount flyers. All subsequently reveal AGLs bold, simple message: No discounts. No tricks. Just low rates. Just the start of an ongoing integrated campaign, these films are designed to be a force for disruption in a noisy and predictable category, eschewing voiceover and embracing provocative sound design. Says Jamima White, head of marketing, AGL: Many customers find discounts confusing. We were one of the first Australian energy retailers to offer consumers the choice and control of a guaranteed low rate product. This is just one of the new products and services we have launched to help give our customers a fairer, better deal.' Says Ant White, chief creative officer, CHE Proximity: People just dont believe the language of sales and discounts anymore. This campaign was all about the art of the unsell: customers are looking for transparency and dont necessarily have time to decode hundreds of deals looking for the best offer. Were proud to support AGL as they help customers trust this industry again. Client: AGL Agency: CHE Proximity Chief Creative Officer: Ant White Group Creative Director: Glen Dickson Creative Director: Chris Andrews Creative Director: Joe Hill Senior Art Director: Amy Weston Senior Copywriter: Sophie Beard Art Director: Matt Bladin Copywriter: Lauren Eddy Producer: Jen Livingston Client Partner: Jamal Cassim Senior Account Manager: Elizabeth Mitchinson Director of Brand: James Needham Production: Scoundrel Director: James Dive Editing: The Butchery Sound Engineer: Matt Thompson The race is on to get more women involved in cycling. That's the word coming from President Ukraine exported 40.9 thousand tonnes of apples in the 2017/18 marketing year, which is the highest figure over the previous five years. This data has been provided by UpenEU, a project of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine. "The Ukrainian export of apples in the 2017/18 season was the highest in the past five years, 40.9 thousand tonnes of apples were shipped, which is 3.2 times more than in the 2016/17 MY. The export to the EU amounted to 11,632.5 tonnes. Among the largest importers are Austria, Hungary and Sweden," reads the report. It is also noted that Ukraine exported 40,000 tonnes of berries to the EU last year. The leaders of Ukraines berry exports were blueberries (44% of total exports of berries) and raspberries (29%), while the largest importing countries were the Netherlands, Austria and the United Kingdom. iy Ukrainian berry and nut exports have grown by 61.5% in 2018. "The berry and nut exports for the first five months of this year totaled $83.8 million and increased by 61.5%," the Economic Development Ministry and Trade Ministry of Ukraine posted on Twitter. As noted, the largest importers of Ukrainian berries and nuts were the European Union ($51 million), Turkey ($8.6 million) and Belarus ($5.5 million). In 2017/2018 marketing year, the Ukrainian apple exports hit the record of the past five years. Last year, Ukraine exported 40,000 tons of berries to the EU. The export leaders were blueberries (44% of total export) and raspberries (29%), and the largest importers were the Netherlands, Austria and the United Kingdom. ol | BY Ricki Green | GoDaddy has launched a new TVC and refreshed marketing campaign featuring TV legend and hot sauce entrepreneur Ray Meagher. The campaign is aimed to inspire the 60% of Australian small businesses that do not have a website, to get online. According to research by GoDaddy, the top three misconceptions holding small businesses back from going online are: time, perceived cost and the belief that you need technical expertise. The Flamin Hot Sauce campaign seeks to disprove these myths, by showing that anyone can quickly and easily build a website with GoDaddys free Website Builder. The new 15 second TVC continues Ray Meaghers journey as a hot sauce entrepreneur, now showing him enjoying success from moving online with his website created using GoDaddy Website Builder. With hot sauce selling like hotcakes from his website raysflaminhotsauce.com.au, Meagher has time to kick back and relax, knowing that thanks to GoDaddy, he can be selling 24/7. GoDaddys Flamin Hot Sauce campaign, is again being supported across multiple channels including TV, radio, social, PR, digital and performance marketing, with branded video content being a new additional to the campaign. The new content videos were produced featuring Meagher as he hits the streets to educate Aussies about the web and why they should take their business ideas online. Says Tracy Hall, marketing director, GoDaddy ANZ: Were excited to share the next phase of Rays online entrepreneurial journey with Australians. The response to the first phase of the campaign exceeded all our expectations. Its great to see such an engaged audience, and we hope the success of Rays hot sauce website venture encourages more Australians to turn their side-hustle ideas into ongoing ventures by taking them online. The campaigns previous run in February delivered strong results towards increasing GoDaddy website traffic and brand awareness in Australia. Director: Ariel Martin Production Company: Filmgraphics Media: Avenue C Public Relations: The PR Group Verkhovna Rada Chairman Andriy Parubiy has said that the extension of the effect of the law on the special order of self-government in some areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in October this year will not have any effect. He said this during his working visit to Tustan, Lviv region, on August 4, according to the official web portal of the Ukrainian parliament. "Putin did not plan and does not plan to implement any agreements," reads the statement. Parubiy recalled that a year ago many of the people's deputies emotionally protested against this extension. "This year shower that no changes had taken place. Before this year's termination of the term, we will consult on whether it is necessary to extend the effect of the law, or there is no such need," he said. He noted that this decision would largely depend on the position of international partners, "because it is clear that it is extremely important to keep in place the sanctions against Russia." "It is important to maintain Ukraine's international position to protect Ukrainian interests not only at the state level," Parubiy said. As reported, on October 6, 2017, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine extended for one year the effect of the law of the special order of self-government in some areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The law foresees that a special order of local self-government in certain areas of Donbas is introduced only after the fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Article 10, in particular regarding the withdrawal of all illegal armed formations, their military equipment, as well as militants and mercenaries from Ukrainian territory. op Ukraine welcomes the readiness of the European Union to engage in restoration of the liberated from the Russian aggressor territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. "Ukraine welcomes the readiness of the European Union to engage in the reconstruction and development of the liberated from the Russian aggressor territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions," President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko posted on Facebook. The Head of State reminded that the agreement had been reached at the EU-Ukraine Summit to launch the initiative on "patronage" by interested EU member states over selected cities and areas of liberated territories for the implementation of targeted assistance projects on infrastructure restoration, economic development, and ensuring communities normal livelihoods. As a reminder, the 20th EU-Ukraine Summit was held in Brussels on July 9. ol A total of 740 foreigners have been banned from entering Ukraine for three years since the beginning of this year due to the illegal crossing of the border at closed checkpoints, the State Border Guard Service has reported. Employees of the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service, in case of detection of persons who illegally visit temporarily occupied territories in Crimea and Donetsk and Luhansk regions, react in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine. Such facts are often established both with respect to foreigners or stateless persons, as well as citizens of Ukraine, the report says. The State Border Guard Service once again draws the attention of Ukrainian citizens and foreigners to the fact that violations of the order of entry into the temporarily occupied territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and in Donetsk and Luhansk regions through the checkpoints closed by the government of Ukraine, depending on the circumstances, envisage criminal (Article 332-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and administrative (Article 204-1 and Article 204-2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses) liability. These territories are an integral part of Ukraine, to which the effect of the Constitution and laws of Ukraine apply. op The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has expressed a protest due to another visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol on August 4, which was not agreed with Ukraine, the ministry's press service has reported. "Ukraine considers this visit and any so-called trips of Russian officials to the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine) a gross violation of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, cynical and demonstrable neglect by the Russian side of generally recognized principles and norms of international law, obligations under bilateral and multilateral treaties to which Ukraine and Russia are parties," reads the statement. The ministry stressed that the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol are an integral part of Ukraine in its internationally recognized borders. "This is recognized by the international community, which has already repeatedly made a proper assessment of the internationally wrongful acts of the Russian Federation by approving respective resolutions of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and other international organizations, as well as by imposing sanctions against the Russian Federation as an occupying state," the ministry said. op The case of Ukrinform correspondent Roman Sushchenko, who was illegally sentenced in Russia, was submitted to the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. "The case of Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko was submitted to the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. According to the Code of Criminal Procedure, it should be considered within 45 days," Sushchenkos public defender Mark Feygin posted on his Facebook page. Feygin believes that his appeal against the verdict of the Moscow City Court, which found Sushchenko guilty and sentenced him to 12 years' imprisonment on espionage charges, will be considered in September. As reported, Ukrinform Paris-based correspondent Roman Sushchenko was illegally detained on September 30, 2016 in Moscow, where he arrived on a private trip. On October 7, 2016, 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, 2018, the Moscow City Court sentenced Sushchenko to 12 years in a high-security penal colony. ol According to Mr Basarab, the calculation of losses inflicted is "an important base for filing a claim against Russia in the long term." The interdepartmental agency for coordinating damage recovery from Russia "for the destruction of Crimea and Donbas", which Ukraine intends to set up, should address the issue of consolidating the volumes and types of losses the country suffered as a result of Russia's armed aggression and occupation of Crimea and Donbas, according to a Ukrainian political analyst Mykhailo Basarab. According to the expert, this is "an important base for filing a claim against Russia in the future," Krym.Realii reports. "The reintegration law recognizes the fact of armed aggression not only in the territory of Crimea, but also in Donbas. We remember that for a long time there has been this discussion of Crimea being recognized an occupied territory, unlike Donbas. It was Putin's game to separate these two issues and give them different interpretation ... By the way, the Soviet Union began preparing its claim to Hitler's Germany back in 1942. The victory had been so very distant that is, it was a far-reaching decision. That's because otherwise, by the end of the war, the winners would not have consolidated data on their losses," said the Ukrainian political scientist. Read alsoPutin has long-time prejudice toward Ukraine natives General As UNIAN reported earlier, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko on August 1 appealed to the Cabinet of Ministers to create an interdepartmental coordinating body, which should deal with issue of damage recovery from Russia "for the destruction of Crimea and Donbas." Poroshenko stressed that the agency's establishment is provided for by the reintegration law adopted in early 2018 and signed by the president February 20. Ukraine considers the visit a grave violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Ukraine strongly protests against Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to the occupied Crimea, saying it has not been coordinated with Ukraine. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses its protest against Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit on August 4 to the territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation, namely to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, which has not been agreed with Ukraine," the ministry said in a statement on August 6. "Ukraine considers the visit and any so-called trips of Russian officials to the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol (Ukraine) a grave violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, cynical and demonstrative disregard by the Russian side of generally recognized principles and norms of international law, bilateral and multilateral obligations under contracts to which Ukraine and Russia are parties," Ukraine's ministry said. Read alsoSoviet Union began this in 1942: Expert on importance of assessing damage from Russia's invasion of Ukraine In particular, this refers to the UN Charter and resolutions of the General Assembly of the United Nations "Territorial Integrity of Ukraine" A/Res/68/262 of March 27, 2014, "Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine)" A/Res/71/205 of December 19, 2016, and "Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine" A/Res/72/190 of December 19, 2017. "The Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol are integral parts of Ukraine in its internationally recognized borders, which is recognized by the entire international community, which has repeatedly assessed the internationally wrongful act of the Russian Federation by adoption the relevant resolutions of the UN, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and other international organizations, as well as imposing sanctions against the occupying state," the Ukrainian diplomats stressed. As UNIAN reported earlier, Putin on August 4 arrived in the annexed city of Sevastopol, where he visited Opera in Chersonesos music festival. The stretch from Crimea to Romania would be the next site of blockade and further seizure, Grant said. UK military expert, Col. (Rtd) Glen Grant says the already critical situation in the southern part of Ukraine will further deteriorate if the government fails to take unambiguous steps to protect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. As of today, military-political situation in the Azov Sea region is estimated at 7-8 points on a conditional 10-point scale, Mr Grant told Epreso.tv. According to the expert, the city of Mariupol is seeing a drop in goods turnover. As Russia stops ships heading to Mariupol, businessmen will shift to other forms of operations. Read alsoRussian actions in Sea of Azov source of trouble to Berdyansk, Mariupol ports Ukraine's minister He said this is exactly the tactic of the Russian side to suppress any attempts to trade by sea, and turn this part of the Sea of Azov into the Russian one. This will happen if Ukraine fails to take any measures, according to Mr Grant, who adds that the Azov Sea will simply become Russian, as well as the space between the Azov Sea and Crimea. He said the stretch from Crimea to Romania would be the next object of the blockade and further seizure. Read alsoPoroshenko doesn't rule out Russia's preparations for attack on Mariupol Grant says the Russians will start a game where they will try to block access to Odesa. Obviously, this will be their next step, he stressed, adding that U.S. and other NATO allies' warships deployed near Odesa for exercises or being on their planned routes will not open fire on Russian vessels. Grant suggests that Ukraine ask the U.S. to provide warships to the Ukrainian Navy since the country today lacks a strong fleet. Kostenko thanked everyone who had been waiting for him in Ukraine. Ukrainian citizen Oleksandr Kostenko, who has recently been released from a Russian penal colony after the term of his illegal imprisonment expired, has returned home with a broken arm, but says he will not reveal the details of his say in Russia until he meets with the SBU Security Service of Ukraine. "I'm not going to comment on anything because I'm going to talk to the special services," Kostenko said when asked to comment on his alleged Russian citizenship. Kostenko, being accompanied by Ukrainian diplomats, on August 6 arrived in a residential district in Kyiv where his mother and Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova were waiting for him, an UNIAN correspondent has reported. When asked if the SBU has questions about him, he only said: "I'll talk to the SBU..." and then he was interrupted by Denisova, who said that "enough" information had been provided so far. Kostenko said he feels "not very good" after the prison. In his words, his arm hurts. "They broke it," he added. Denisova replied that his broken arm would be treated. Kostenko also thanked everyone who had been waiting for him in Ukraine. "I'd like to thank everyone who wanted me to return, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liudmyla Leontiyevna [Denisova], Petro Oleksiyovych [Poroshenko] and all Foreign Ministry personnel in Moscow [diplomats of the Ukrainian Embassy in Russia]," he said. Read alsoUkrainian political prisoner Kostenko freed in Russia Ombudsperson As UNIAN reported, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that Kostenko, who is a resident of Ukraine's Crimea, which was occupied by Russia in March 2014, would be assisted in obtaining the status of an internally displaced person. He was released from a Russian prison colony on August 3. There were social media reports after the release of Kostenko that the Security Service of Ukraine in 2014 detained him on suspicion of terrorism and assisting to Russian special services. According to the reports, Kostenko was arrested and then released on bail. After that, he fled to Russian-occupied Crimea, where he was detained by the occupying authorities. Denisova said that Kostenko is a political prisoner in accordance a resolution of the Verkhovna Rada. "If the law enforcers have any questions to ask him, then please specify them and handle Oleksandr Kostenko accordingly," she said. UNIAN memo. On the occupied peninsula, Kostenko was accused of injuring a member of the Berkut riot police from Crimea in Kyiv during Euromaidan events in 2014. He was also charged with illegal possession of a firearm. In May 2015, the so-called "Kyivsky district court" of Simferopol convicted Kostenko on charges of illegal possession of firearms and sentenced him to 50 months. Later, an appellate court reduced the term to 42 months. Kostenko did not admit his guilt. He had been serving his sentence in a prison colony in the city of Kirovo-Chepetsk in Russia's Kirov region. Gundyayev's visit is more about trying to justify himself before the Kremlin, as if claiming "I've done all I could." Ukrainian MP and leader of the Information Resistance OSINT group Dmytro Tymchuk says head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, is scheduled to meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the end of August 2018. He says the Russian patriarch will visit Constantinople to discuss "problems" related to granting autocephaly to the Ukrainian Local Orthodox Church, according to the Greek church publication Vima Orthodoxias, Tymchuk wrote on Facebook. The visit is nothing but a show-off before the Kremlin on the eve of the meeting of the Council of the Episcopate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate scheduled for September 1-3, according to the MP, who adds that the meeting has "no chance" of putting any pressure on Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew or intimidating him on the "Ukrainian issue." The visit points at the fact that Moscow has already exhausted all arguments and perfectly understands that they lost this "chess game." Tymchuk adds: "Besides, the Kremlin is not really satisfied with the Russian Orthodox Church and FSB for their failure in such a strategic direction, thus dealing a crushing blow to the 'Russian world' in Ukraine." Read alsoFilaret announces possible terms for Ukraine Orthodox Church to become autocephalous The Russian Orthodox Church and FSB represented by [Patriarch Kirill] Gundyayev and Bortnikov underestimated the threat for them at the very initial stage, because the "Orthodox fifth column" in Ukraine in the person of MP Vadym Novinsky and the exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine claimed everything was under control and the efforts were another "farce" of Ukrainian authorities. "When Moscow understood that the threat to their influence was real, they had already lost strategic initiative, so all of their ecclesiastical and secular assets (Russian diplomacy and intelligence), information, propaganda and financial potential was thrown into the infobattle, but it was too late," Tymchuk said. The expert stresses: "But, as we see, during the last three months, the Russian 'hybrid efforts' failed to break down the position of Fener and that of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew," he said. This is confirmed by a recent statement by Constantinople on "Mother Church" issue and that of "Moscow has nothing to do with the Baptism of Kievan Rus." Besides, the Constantinople delegation chose to accept invitation of the Ukrainian side, not Moscow-controlled patriarchate or Moscow, to take part in the 1030th anniversary of the Baptism of Kievan Rus on July 28. Read alsoOpposition Bloc leader Novinsky warns of civil war if Ukrainian church granted autocephaly Speaking of Patriarch Kirill's upcoming meeting with Bartholomew, Tymchuk says: "What can he [Kirill] offer the Ecumenical Patriarch? Nothing new. Anything from the kit of 'Russian hybrid Orthodoxy': crazy money, 'civil war' in Ukraine on religious grounds, or split in world Orthodoxy." Therefore, Gundyayev's visit is more about trying to justify himself before the Kremlin, claiming "I've done all I could." According to Tymchuk, there could be all sorts of provocations in Ukraine on the eve of the visit of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church to the Ecumenical Patriarch, as Gundyayev will need "arguments" and "relevant picture," ranging from vandalism and attacks on Moscow-controlled temples claims of "oppression of believers." "The Ecumenical Patriarch and his team should also be careful about receiving any "gifts" from Moscow! After all, as noted by the British media, Ukraine will receive Tomos if "Novichok" doesn't get in the way..." Tymchuk concludes. | BY Lynchy | The FCB Group Malaysia has racked up four new client wins in the past three months. FCB kicked off its winning streak with PropertyGuru, Asias leading property portal bringing the agency onboard as its creative and digital agency for the Malaysian market. The appointment took effect in June and the agency is already involved on a number of key campaigns. The second win comes in the form of UEM Sunrises upcoming premium property development in Desaru Coast, Johor Bahru. FCBs intimate knowledge of the location courtesy of its ongoing remit as the creative agency group involved in the marketing of the Desaru Coast premium integrated destination resort allowed it to prevail in a hotly contested pitch involving at least six other international and local agencies. The third adds home grown Malaysian electrical brand, ELBA to the agencys client roster. A leader in the home appliances category, ELBAs decision to appoint FCB reflects its ambition to enhance its brand in order to target more premium, affluent audience. Finally, adding to the mix is the brace of projects FCB secured from the Marriot International group in Malaysia building on agencys existing tourism and hospitality portfolio. When asked about the agencys continued success Shaun Tay, Co-owner & CEO of the FCB Group in Malaysia attributed the wins to the common vision and relentless ambition carried out by everyone in the agency to make FCB the fastest growing agency in Malaysia. A court session to choose a measure of restraint for the detainee was postponed as the defense lawyer failed to attend the hearing. First photos of a suspect in the attempted murder of Kherson mayor's adviser and civic activist Kateryna Handziuk emerged in social networks as the perpetrator appeared before court Monday, August 6. A hearing is expected to continue later today, according to a Ukrainian blogger and legal expert Masi Nayyem, who wrote on Facebook that a free, government-provided lawyer will engage. The suspect, who goes by the name of Mykola Novikov, 39, is a Kherson resident, Nayyem wrote. Read alsoHope for justice shines through as police detain Kherson acid attacker As UNIAN reported earlier, on July 31, adviser of the Kerson Mayor, civic activist Kateryna Handziuk was assaulted just outside her house. The attacker poured sulphuric acid on the woman's face. The chemical substance eventually affected some 30% of Handziuk's body. Having suffered 2-3-degree burns, the woman was hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the Kherson Regional Clinical Hospital to be later transferred to a Kyiv clinic on a medical plane. Her condition was assessed by doctors as difficult. The police qualified the attack as murder attempt. The investigation was supervised by Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko who later decided to transfer the probe under control of the Security Service. The victim was provided state protection. According to intelligence reports, two enemy troops were killed and another seven were wounded. Russia's hybrid military forces mounted 40 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas in the past 24 hours, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as wounded in action (WIA). "According to intelligence reports, two occupiers were killed and another seven 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 August 6, 2018. Russian occupation forces opened aimed fire mainly from grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms, attacking the defenders of the towns of Svitlodarsk and Maryinka, and the villages of Krymske, Novozvanivka, Luhanske, Pivdenne, Novhorodske, Chermalyk, Hnutove, Lebedynske, Pavlopil, Vodiane, and Shyrokyne. In certain areas, the enemy engaged Ukrainian troops from infantry fighting vehicles. Read alsoUkraine reports 1 KIA in Donbas as militants mortar Joint Forces' positions Along with this, the enemy shelled the Ukrainian positions near Luhanske and Hnutove, using 82mm mortars. In addition, the defenders of Lebedynske came under fire from 120mm mortars. "Since Monday midnight, Russian-led forces have mounted four attacks on the Ukrainian positions near Krymske, Maryinka, and Lebedynske. One Ukrainian soldier was wounded," the report says. There were 11 violations of the ceasefire over the period under review. Two Ukrainian soldiers have been wounded in enemy attacks in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, on Monday. "Two members of the [Ukrainian] Joint Forces have been wounded as a result of the Russian occupation forces' activity," the press service of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) reported on its Facebook page on Monday, August 6. In total, 11 violations the Donbas ceasefire by the Russian-led forces were recorded from 07:00 to 18:00 local time on August 6. Read alsoOSCE: Over 160 people killed this year in Ukraine fighting No heavy weapons were used, the JFO HQ said, but Russia's hybrid military forces resorted to grenade launchers, large-caliber machine guns, and small arms to shell Ukrainian troops stationed near the villages of Krymske, Pivdenne, Chermalyk, Lebedynske, Pavlopil, Hnutove, Shyrokyne, and the towns of Maryinka and Avdiyivka. "The situation in the zone of the operation remains under control," it said. As was reported, the enemy mounted 40 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas on August 5. They used heavy weapons in four instances. Their deployment there is a gross violation of the Minsk agreements. The number of heavy weapons and military hardware in Russian-occupied Donbas, eastern Ukraine, has skyrocketed by 8.5 times in the past month. "The OSCE SMM [Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine] in July 2018 recorded an unprecedented increase in the number of heavy weapons and military equipment in the temporarily occupied areas in Donetsk region more than 200 units, which is 8.5 times up from June 2018. Their deployment there is a gross violation of the Minsk agreements," the press center of the Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said with reference to Ukrainian members of the Joint Center for the Control and Coordination (JCCC) of the ceasefire and stabilization in Donbas. Read alsoTwo Ukrainian soldiers wounded in Donbas on Aug 6 In particular, they include up to two tank battalions, two artillery battalions, a battalion of towed howitzers, up to one hundred armored fighting vehicles, anti-aircraft equipment, etc. Such activity of the armed formations of the Russian Federation has led to a sharp increase in the number of violations of the ceasefire along the contact line in eastern Ukraine. "Tension is on the rise in connection with the constant and demonstrative violation of the Minsk peace agreements by the armed formations of the Russian Federation," it said. The JCCC's Ukrainian team considers regular ceasefire breaches by Russian-controlled troops unacceptable, as they lead to escalation both along the contact line and in the entire zone of the Joint Forces' operation, it said. On the night of May 28, just a few hours after the Italian president refused to appoint Eurosceptic Paolo Savona Minister of Finance, a mass attack started against the president in social networks. Investigation of the massive attack of the Russian "troll factory" in social networks on President of Italy Sergio Mattarella will be entrusted to anti-terrorism investigators. It is noted that the Prosecutor's Office of Rome in the coming days will begin investigating the attacks of Twitter "trolls" on the president of Italy, after which the case will be transferred to the anti-terrorist agency, as reported by Italy's ANSA news agency, Ukrayinska Pravda reports. It is also expected that on Monday, August 6, the Parliamentary Committee of the Intelligence and Security Service (COPASIR) will hear the corresponding report by the director of the Italian DIS secret service, Alessandro Pansa. Read alsoRussias troll factory launches new website targeting Americans On the night of May 28, a few hours after the Italian president refused to appoint Eurosceptic Paolo Savona the country's new finance minister, a massive attack was launched against the first in social networks. In particular, anomalous activity was spotted on Twitter, where within just several minutes, more than 400 anti-Matarelli accounts were created. As ANSA notes, traces of all profiles led to a single source - the Russian "troll factory." Tweets targeting the president, often vulgar, called on his resignation. Read alsoItaly busts six recruiters of mercenaries for Donbas war After the Italian president's refusal to approve Paolo Savona's candidacy for the post of Minister of Finance, the attempt of the "League" and "5 Star Movement" parties to form the government failed. Both parties are known for their pro-Russian stance. Representatives of both parties oppose EU sanctions against Russia and star in Kremlin-backed media, in particular RT and Sputnik. But back in 2017, Trump's legal team released a statement that said Trump Jr. had "primarily discussed a program about the adoption of Russian children." U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday called an infamous 2016 meeting at Trump Tower between his son, Donald Trump Jr., and Russian lawyer "totally legal" but acknowledged that its real purpose was to obtain damaging information on his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, and not to discuss Russian adoptions. In a stream of Twitter posts, Trump lashed out at the media and Robert Mueller's probe of suspected Russian interference in the general election, according to CNBC. The president expressed frustration about how recent reports have suggested he's concerned about how his eldest son might be legally exposed, after having met with a Kremlin-affiliated lawyer at his father's New York City property. The president branded the latest reporting as "a complete fabrication." Yet in an admission that may become legally problematic, Trump contradicted the original purpose behind why Trump Jr. took the meeting in the first place. Subsequent details have revealed Natalia Veselnitskaya, the lawyer in question, was offering information derogatory to the Clinton campaign. Read alsoTrump says Russia meddles in U.S. affairs, but so do others "Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower. This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!" Trump tweeted. But back in 2017, Trump's legal team released a statement that said Trump Jr. had "primarily discussed a program about the adoption of Russian children" when they met in June 2016 which The Washington Post reported was directed by the president himself. At the time, Trump himself insisted the meeting was completely above board. In an interview with ABC News on Sunday, Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow effectively admitted the pretext for the meeting was inaccurate. "I had bad information in that statement," Sekulow told the network. At one point, Sekulow denied that Trump had any role in constructing the Trump Tower statement. They are charged with money laundering and a conspiracy to commit fraud. The Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States has arrested four Russian citizens on August 1-3. The detainees are suspected of money laundering and a conspiracy to commit fraud, the Consulate General of Russia in New York wrote on Facebook on August 6. Read alsoRussia continues to sow discord in U.S., FBI director says media "One of them was arrested in Boston and transferred to New York; [another] two, as the Federal Bureau of Prisons informed, are in Los Angeles; the whereabouts of the fourth are being established," the Consulate General said. As reported, Spanish police on August 5 detained one of the leaders of the international Russian mafia, as well as two of his accomplices. (@rukhshanmir) Saif Badr Al Qubaisi, General Manager of Abu Dhabi City Municipality, has signed two agreements with property developers. Abu Dhabi, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 06th Aug, 2018) Saif Badr Al Qubaisi, General Manager of Abu Dhabi City Municipality, has signed two agreements with property developers. The first relates to constructing a community market in Mohammed bin Zayed City and the other covers the construction of a service station for residential districts at Al Shawamekh city. Naji Hasan Al Harthi signed for Tristar Engineering and Construction Company, which has been awarded the contract to construct the community market project. Salim Mohammed Mubarak Al Mansouri signed for Florida Property Development Company, which will undertake the construction of a service station for residential districts at Al Shawamekh. "These two projects are part of a full package of integrated projects and service facilities the municipality is intending to undertake in implementation of the vision of Abu Dhabi government for bolstering the cooperation with the private sector. The projects will also step up the development drive and add to the new projects needed for delivering modern services to the community at world-class standards. "The partnership relationships with the private sector will contribute to the improvement of the attractive investment climate and the growth rates envisioned by the Abu Dhabi government. "The Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities Abu Dhabi City Municipality is keen on cementing the relationships with the private sector, attracting investments, improving services and introducing modern service facilities. The municipality will continue with its partners in the private sector for the construction of investment, recreational and service project that bringing happiness to people such as Al Maqta Canal, highway rest areas, and service stations among other services improving the quality of life," added Al Qubaisi. The contract provides for the construction and operation of a community market in collaboration with the private sector. The market comprises retail outlets, community facilities, government service counters for residential districts, which will realise the aspirations of the Municipality (3 in 1), bringing together community facilities, retail outlets and customer service elements. The agreement calls for Musataha and operation for 30 years after two years for construction. The operation of the market is set to start in the final quarter of 2020. The community market will be constructed at Sector Z-23, Mohammed bin Zayed City, and span an area of 23,316 square metres. The floor area will be 13,989 square metres and the construction cost is estimated at AED36 million. The service station to be constructed at Al Shawamekh city is part of the service stations at residential areas that cover the mainland. The project will be developed and operated with the private sector and offer a diverse cast of maintenance services that cover carpentry, repair services for household appliances, plumbing, electricity and air conditioning services, tire and auto parts trading, car repair and washing services, and many other services. The contract for the construction of the service station is based on the principle of Musataha for 30 years, after three years of construction. The station is expected to start operations in the third quarter of 2021. The area of the land on which the station will be built is 5,585 square metres in Sector SHM9 in Shawamekh. The floor area of the project is 4,888 square metres and the construction cost of the station is AED15.3 million. RIYADH, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 07th Aug, 2018) The Saudi Air Defence Force this evening intercepted a ballistic missile fired by the Iran-backed Houthi militias from Emran governorate, Yemen, towards Saudi territories. The official spokesman for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, Col. Turki Al Malki, explained that the missile was heading towards Najran and was deliberately launched to target civilian and populated areas. The missile was intercepted by the Saudi Air Force, with no damage reported, he added. "Such hostile acts by the Iran-backed Houthi militias prove the continuing involvement of the Iranian regime in supporting the Houthi militias with qualitative capabilities in a flagrant and explicit violation of the two UN resolutions No. 2216 and 2231 with the objective of threatening the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as the regional and international stability." Launching ballistic missiles towards densely populated cities and villages breaches the International Humanitarian Law, he noted. (@rukhshanmir) HODEIDAH, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 05th Aug, 2018) The UAE's Advanced Surgical Team, part of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition on the Red Sea Coast of Yemen, has saved the life of a Yemeni woman who was injured, with multiple fractures of the left jaw, facial deformities, deep wounds to the chest and shrapnel in the body, as a result of a mortar attack on her house by Houthi militias loyal to Iran in the Al Tuhayta District in Hodeidah Governorate. In a quick response, due to her critical medical condition, the UAE has paid the expenses of the medical treatment of the 30-year-old woman, Fukairah Saeed, at one of its hospitals. The gesture is part of the UAE's continued humanitarian initiatives to support the fraternal people of Yemen to address their dire living conditions. The indiscriminate shelling by the Houthis of civilian houses in Tuhayta comes in the wake of successive defeats in Hodeidah and avenging those Yemeni citizens who rejected the Houthi militia occupation. This is in the context of repeated violations of human rights, regulations, charters and international laws that criminalise the targeting of safe civilians and their facilities. The Emirates news Agency, WAM, has accompanied the UAE's Advanced Surgical Team on the field, while examining the medical condition of Fukairah and observing, as the necessary medical treatment was provided, and her transfer by air to the UAE to complete the treatment, in addition to providing psychological rehabilitation. Dr. Ibrahim Al Zaabi, a doctor with the UAE Advanced Surgical Team, said that after the removal of all shrapnel from her body and stabilising her condition, a medical evacuation occurred to complete the treatment and psychological rehabilitation in one of the UAE hospitals. The family of the patient thanked the UAE for their quick response in saving her life. The Houthi's targeting of civilians with mortar shells is a display of the great hostility shown to the Yemeni people and reveals the ugly face of the militias coup in Yemen, whose members do not value the lives of human beings and execute foreign agendas of countries that do not want the best for Yemen or its people. Recently, the Houthi militias attacked the Al-Thawrah Hospital and fish market in Hodeidah with mortar shells, resulting in deaths and injuries. Meanwhile, the UAE is providing medical treatment for many Yemeni patients in its hospitals, as the countrys health sector suffers due to poor medical facilities and a lack of health staff, due to the continuous violations of Houthi militias who target the facilities. The UAE is sending medical convoys, as part of the attention of the country's wise leadership for the Yemenis, to alleviate their suffering and improve their humanitarian conditions in the face of the fighting being waged by the rebels. | BY Lynchy | People love emojis*. A lot So much so that Manulife is using them to communicate its latest Out-of-Home advertisements on ComfortDelGro taxis. These emojis a mortarboard for graduation, a ring for marriage, milk bottle for parenthood and a coconut tree for retirement symbolise the four important stages of life, and the different insurance plans that Manulife has to offer. Cheryl Lim, VP Head of Brand, Communications & Sponsorship, Manulife Singapore said, We wanted Singaporeans to be aware of who we are and be contextually relevant in our messaging. Hence a combination of context-based copy with familiar emojis, which everyone can relate to, was being used. We will continue to proactively reach out and engage our customers and potential customers alike with our brand personality. Jayne Kwek, CEO of Moove Media, said, It is important to stay relevant and emojis are what people can relate to even without words. These taxis with the emojis will ply the streets until 7 October 2018. * According to research from eMarketer, there are 2 billion smartphone users worldwide. On those devices, some 41.5 billion messages and 6 billion emoticons or stickers are sent around the world every day on mobile messaging apps, according to branded digital startup Swyft There are enormous merits in governments partnering with the private players on projects that require huge amounts of capital, said the Khaleej Times in an editorial on Monday. ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 06th Aug, 2018) There are enormous merits in governments partnering with the private players on projects that require huge amounts of capital, said the Khaleej Times in an editorial on Monday. "The potential benefits of public-private partnerships are recognised globally as the private sector's involvement in most cases has improved efficiencies and ensured timely completion of projects. DP World's involvement in Doraleh Container Terminal in Djibouti is a classic example. The Doraleh Container Terminal today is the largest in Africa. It has been able to realise the potential because of the government's partnership with DP World. The Dubai-based port operator is the fourth largest in the world and has significantly invested in infrastructure development," the paper added. It went on to say that over the years, the container terminal had become one of the largest employment generators and contributed significantly to the local economy. "However, the seizure of the terminal by the Djibouti government highlights the lack of accountability in the African country. The Djibouti government annulled the contract in February and now refuses to acknowledge the verdict of the London Court of International Arbitration that favours the rights of DP World to operate it," the Dubai-based daily continued. "It is a blatant breach of trust. The African nation insists it annulled the contract to protect the rights of its people. But it is hard to believe so. Last month, the country opened the first phase of a US$3.5-billion free trade zone, which has large investments from Chinese companies. It is in violation of the exclusive rights granted to DP World. Djibouti, and in fact a few other African countries that have similarly taken over projects, should remember that such cases of expropriation would make multinational companies think twice about long-term investments in the continent. "Surely Africa has a lot of resources and as the focus shifts from the West to the East, and Africa, countries there would need the support and expertise of the established players to make the best of the opportunities," said the English language daily. It concluded, "There is no denying that sovereign governments are obligated to protect public interests and they should take decisions in the best interests of their country. But in this case it is more profits that seem to be the ulterior motive. DP World is in Djibouti to do business, and the partnership could have been mutually beneficial. But rampant corruption, weak institutional framework and lack of accountability have marred the project. Djibouti should be mindful of the consequences of such a move." Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) leader, Ashraf Iqbal Baloch Monday claimed his party would form government in Balochistan with Jam Kamal Khan Alyani as the chief minister. KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Aug, 2018 ) :Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) leader, Ashraf Iqbal Baloch Monday claimed his party would form government in Balochistan with Jam Kamal Khan Alyani as the chief minister. BAP leadership had made plans to transform Balochistan into a fast progressing and modern province, he said talking to APP here. Balochistan was very rich in natural resources, but due to non-serious attitude of the government in the past, except that of Jam Muhammad Yousuf as chief minister, the country's largest province remained backward, he alleged. He was of the view that only will power was needed to properly utilize the vast basket of natural resources, especially oil and gas, mineral deposits and a deep sea with long coast. Jam Baloch pledged that BAP would make every effort to execute its manifesto in letter and spirit to bring social and economic changes in the province, "The commitments made to people by BAP Chief Jam Kamal Khan and other party leaders shall be honoured," he said. Jam Baloch, who is a businessman from Gwadar, said law and order in the province would be the main challenge for the new provincial government. BAP had planned to make Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, as the safe city along with ensuring safety of life and property in rest of the province. He said the second major issue was the creation of jobs for a big number of unemployed youth. And it would be better done by supporting and facilitating private sector, both local and foreign investors. More special economic zones and other industrial estates with all required infrastructure and utilities would be set up to achieve that goal, he added. Besides engaging world known companies in exploring huge oil and gas deposits (offshore and in the sea) and minerals and their value addition, fishing sector would be reformed and re-organized as one of the major industries with use of modern gadgets and giving training to the manpower affiliated to it. The local fishing community would be fully facilitated and encouraged. "Also commercial scale fish and shrimp farms shall be set up in many areas to boost the export of seafood and earn big amount of foreign exchange," he pledged. He said vocational and other technical training centers would be set up in various areas of the province mainly at the international port city of Gwadar to transform Balochistan manpower, especially the youth, into a skilled force sellable in the local and international markets. He said the basic sectors of education and health were neglected, which called for aggressive steps and allocation of more funds by Balochistan and Federal governments. He said the new Balochistan government would also focus on addressing electricity and water shortage issues in the province. Setting up desalination plants at Gwadar and other coastal points in the province were on cards. Talks were also held with a Turkish company for generation of 8 to 10 MW electricity from the sea at Gwadar, he informed. The BAP leader expected full support from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government to the Balochistan government as there were very good relations and understanding between the two parties. Both the parties would better work for prosperous Balochistan and Pakistan. Ashraf Iqbal Baloch said the plan of making Gwadar as the most modern city would implemented within shortest possible time. He said Balochistan Awami Party had embraced to make the best use of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor for bringing social and economic revolution in the province. He said PTI's coming into power under the leadership of Imran Khan would be the best opening of economic prosperity and fast track development in the country. ISLAMABAD, Aug 5 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Aug, 2018 ) :Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Chief Executive Mian Kashif Ashfaq expressed the hope that the upcoming government of Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf (PTI) would utilize all available resources to put Pakistan on the path of self-reliance. "Our country needs trade not aid to overcome its economic woes and rebuild economy which was badly hit due to bad economic policies of the previous governments", he said, while chairing a meeting of the board of directors. Pakistan, he said should develop warm business relations with European countries as well as with USA instead of seeking aid and he said if proper steps will be taken in this regard, Pakistan's exports to these countries would be doubled within short span, says a press release. He said immediately the coming government should take measurements to remove Pakistan from grey list of the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which is hampering exports to European countries as well . He said that the European bloc will remain the biggest export market for the country's furniture sector in coming years despite a huge influx of Chinese investment in the South Asian nation. Bilateral trade between the EU and Pakistan stood at 10.5 billion in 2017. Throwing light on the expansion plan of Pakistan handmade world class furniture products, PFC Chief said the demand of Pakistani furniture articles in international markets is on rise and there is need to pay focus on provision of raw wood and proper training to carpenters. He said when PFC delegation was in Europe to participate in different furniture fairs, he said German, Italian and Spanish furniture producing companies showed their interest in Pakistani market. He said that Pakistan should take full advantage of geographical positions of Germany and Spain in the European Union (EU). He added that the PTI future government should give financial help to furniture makers in Pakistan to visit international markets which will provide them ample chances to explore new avenues by sharing vision and expertise for the formulation of future policies, economic studies, sectors and project specific reports besides promotional efforts. Mian Kashif further said the local furniture industry is also facing shortage of carpenters to meet international demand, which is continuously on rise. "We will have to import modern machinery for preparation of furniture and informed that Pakistan used to export furniture articles worth over 60 million dollars. The demand of furniture is 400 billion Dollars at international level. He added that Pakistan contributes minor portion of this rising demand. He stressed the need to pay focus on this sector. "Our furniture exporters managed to avail orders from international markets but they have to face immense trouble to meet the demand within stipulated time period due to lack of skilled persons," he added. (@ChaudhryMAli88) An accountability court on Monday extended physical remand of Engineer Qamarul Islam and Waseem Ajmal - accused in Saaf Pani Company corruption case - till August 13. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Aug, 2018 ) :An accountability court on Monday extended physical remand of Engineer Qamarul islam and Waseem Ajmal - accused in Saaf Pani Company corruption case - till August 13. Earlier, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials produced both the accused before Accountability Court Judge Syed Najamul Hassan on expiry of their remand. The NAB prosecutor submitted that investigations were in progress and further remand was required for the purpose. But, the defence counsel opposed the request saying that the accused were arrested on baseless allegations and no evidence was available against them. However, the court after hearing arguments of the parties extended the physical remand till August 13 and directed officials to produce the accused on expiry of the term. Qamarul Islam served as the chief executive officer of the Saaf Pani Company. He is accused of having awarded contracts for water treatment plants at a higher price. His predecessor Ajmal is also accused in the case. Saaf Pani Company is one among 56 public limited companies, formed by the Punjab government soon after assuming power in Punjab in 2013. All these companies are now being probedby NAB. ISLAMABAD, Aug 5 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Aug, 2018 ) :Ambassador of Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, Khan Hasham bin Saddique visited "Shumaisy Detention Centre" in Jeddah that houses the expatriates undergoing the deportation process. He was accompanied by Pakistan's Consul General in Jeddah, Shehryar Akbar Khan and Consul Muhammad Hassan, said a press release received here on Sunday. The ambassador was received by Director General of the Detention Centre and was briefed about functioning and facilities at the Centre. He visited various barracks in the Centre and interacted with Pakistani detainees. Pakistani inmates shared their problems with the ambassador, who assured them of all possible assistance by the embassy, consulate general and their staff. Presently, there are approximately fifteen hundred Pakistanis detained in the Centre. The officials at the Centre described various steps taken to fast-track the deportation process. The envoy appreciated and thanked Saudi government for making good arrangements of housing, medical and food for deportees. While appreciating the efforts of the consul general and his staff, the ambassador urged them to continue and intensify their efforts to facilitate the Pakistani detainees and resolve their legitimate concerns. He asked the consulate general to judiciously utilize all available resources with a view to ameliorating the hardships of Pakistani detainees. (@rukhshanmir) PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Aug, 2018 ) :Commissioner Malakand Division Syed Zaheerul islam Shah has said that Polio has become our national dilemma that must be taken as challenge as it caused big losses to the country. He said this while addressing at the concluding session of the two-day media sensitization workshop for journalists of southern districts conducted by Emergency Operations Center Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on polio eradication Initiative (PEI) at local hotel in Saidu Sharif, District Swat. Director EPI KP Dr Akram Shah, Technical Focal Person BMGF Dr Imtiaz, Team Leader UNICEF Dr Johar, Provincial Polio Eradication Officer WHO, Dr Illaudin, District Health Officer Swat Dr Subhani, Communication for Development Officer UNICEF Ejaz Ur Rehman and Head of Pediatrics Department of Saidu Teaching Hospitals, Dr Israrul Haq were present on the occasion. He said polio handicapped our children on one hand while loomed global sanctions against Pakistan on the other. "Media has to play role in uprooting this menace through public awareness on the disease and vaccination to prevent child disabilities," he added. Commissioner Malakand said that media is an important pillar of the state that molded public opinion and urged it to remove misconceptions related to polio vaccination and generate demand in the community for polio and other essential immunization. He said efforts for polio eradication were high with the lowest case count since the launch of door-to-door polio vaccination campaign in 1994 in the country and asked media to help the government in giving last push to the crippling disease by creating public demand for polio vaccination. He said that media can play the role of bridge between government and public by removing remaining hurdles in polio eradication initiative in the country and can educate and motivate people for polio and other essential immunization services provided by the government free of cost for their children. Provincial PEO, WHO Dr Illaudin in his presentation explained in detail Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and IPV vaccination and how it builds gut and serum (blood) immunity and the need for repeated vaccination. He explained types of polio viruses, composition of vaccines, environmental sampling, cold chain saying that polio was an eradication program and not elimination or control program which is why so much focus was on this program. Team Lead Unicef, Dr Johar oriented journalists on global and national polio updates with focus on provincial and southern parts of the province. He said that polio eradication initiative (PEI) has made a significant progress in the province with zero cases this year so far while one case last year and hoped that soon the disease will be stamped out from the last region of the world where wild polio virus was still in circulation. Technical Focal Person for PEI Dr. Imtiaz Ali Shah highlighted the border objectives of the media workshop saying that media was the ear and eyes of the society and plays a pivotal role in shaping public opinion. He said that the dream of polio free Pakistan will not be possible without the support of media. "We have shifted from engaging media to partnership with media which means that media persons were equally responsible for creating public awareness and demand for polio eradication," he added. Ejaz Ur Rehman, Communication for Development Officer UNICEF informed journalists on media role in community mobilization and sensitization, crises communication and media focal points at the district level. He said that communication strategies were revised with each passing year as per program priorities adding that for year 2018-19 communication was shifted and tagged as communication for eradication with greater focus on ground level issues and masses appeal. Dr Israr, senior pediatrician and DHO Swat Dr. Subhani also spoke on vaccine efficacy and safety and urged participants to build public trust on vaccination and public health interventions by highlighting the risk perception and the prevention of deaths through effective immunization services in the world. Later certificates were distributed among the participants by Commissioner Malakand Division Zaheerul Islam with a vote ofthanks by the guest speakers. Business community of federal capital on Monday urged Capital Development Authority (CDA) to complete the construction of food street in Sitara Market that would give boost to business activities in the area. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Aug, 2018 ) :Business community of Federal capital on Monday urged Capital Development Authority (CDA) to complete the construction of food street in Sitara Market that would give boost to business activities in the area. President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry Sheikh Amir Waheed in a statement said that civic body had approved and started the construction of a food street in G-7 Markaz, Sitara Market, but due to some unknown reasons, its work was stopped which was unfortunate, said a press release issued here. Talking to a delegation of Traders Welfare Association, G-7 Markaz, Sitara Market Islamabad that visited ICCI led by its President Syed Altaf Shah, Amir Waheed said that the newly elected government had assured to promulgate new rent control act in Islamabad within 100 days of its tenure and hoped that it will resolve this long standing issue of the traders. Muhammad Naveed Malik Senior Vice President and Nisar Mirza Vice President ICCI said that the consecutive second election of current office bearers of TWA Sitara Market reflected that they were delivering up to the satisfaction of their constituents. They assured that ICCI would fully cooperate with TWA Sitara Market in resolving key issues of traders of the area. Speaking at the occasion, Syed Altaf Shah President Traders Welfare Association, Sitara Market, Islamabad said that there was a dire need of construction of interlink roads in their market for easy access to customers and stressed upon CDA to focus on this issue. They said CDA had agreed for flowers market in G-7 Markaz and urged the civic body to develop the said market in the area to meet the needs of people. They said that a filtration plant was available in the market, but was not working, urging to make it functional so that traders and people of the area could avail clean drinking water. They said due to absence of rent control act in Islamabad, rent disputes of traders were on the rise and emphasized upon the government to arrange early passage of amended bill of rent control act from the parliament so that this longstanding issue of the traders could be resolved once for all. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Like other parts of the globe,United Nations' (UN) International Day of the World's Indigenous People will be marked on August 9 each year in Pakistan to promote and protect the rights of the world's indigenous population. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Aug, 2018 ) :Like other parts of the globe,United Nations' (UN) International Day of the World's Indigenous People will be marked on August 9 each year in Pakistan to promote and protect the rights of the world's indigenous population. This event will also recognize the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection. Indigenous cultures across the planet are recognized on International Day of the World's Indigenous People. People from different nations are encouraged to participate in observing the day to spread the UN's message on indigenous peoples. Activities may include educational forums and classroom activities to gain an appreciation and a better understanding of indigenous peoples. Events may include messages from the UN secretary general and other key leaders, performances by indigenous artists, and panel discussions on reconciliation. The UN's International Day of the World's Indigenous People is a United Nations day of observance but it is not a public holiday. The International Day of the World's Indigenous People is celebrated on August 9 each year to recognize the first UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations meeting in Geneva in 1982. On December 23, 1994, the UN General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World's Indigenous People should be observed on August 9 annually during the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People. In 2004, the assembly proclaimed the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (2005-2014). The assembly also decided to continue observing the International Day of Indigenous People annually during the second decade. The decade's goal was to further strengthen international cooperation for solving problems faced by indigenous peoples in areas such as culture, education, health, human rights, the environment, and social and economic development. In April 2000, the Commission on Human Rights adopted a resolution to establish the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues that was endorsed by the Economic and Social Council. The forum's mandate is to discuss indigenous issues related to culture, economic and social development, education, the environment, health and human rights. Artwork by Rebang Dewan, a Chackma boy from Bangladesh, was chosen as the visual identifier of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. It has also been seen on material to promote the International Day of the World's Indigenous People. It features two ears of green leaves facing each other and cradling a globe resembling planet earth. Within the globe is a picture of a handshake (two different hands) in the middle and above the handshake is a landscape background. The handshake and the landscape background are encapsulated by blue at the top and bottom within the globe. For this occasion, Rebang Dewan's artwork is often seen together with a pale blue version of the UN logo with the words "We the peoples" written in the middle. The logo is set on a darker blue background. The UN logo is often associated with marketing and promotional material UN events. It features a projection of a world map (less Antarctica) centered on the North Pole, enclosed by olive branches. The olive branches symbolize peace and the world map represents people in the world. Malaysian Consul General in Karachi, Khairul Nazran Abd Rahman emphasized on promoting culture of extra-curricular activities among students as there is no substitute for remaining healthy and for career building KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Aug, 2018 ) :Malaysian Consul General in Karachi, Khairul Nazran Abd Rahman emphasized on promoting culture of extra-curricular activities among students as there is no substitute for remaining healthy and for career building. He was speaking, as the chief guest,to the participating students at the successful conclusion of Beach Luxury Summer Camp here on Monday.Forty students,of age group four to fourteen years, availed this training camp on swimming and karate. General Manager of Beach Luxury Hotel M.Azeem Qureshi along with his management team welcomed Malaysian diplomat and his wife, who are already impressed of Karachiites' hospitality. The Consul General said the extra-curricular activities had proved a very effective tool for fitness of body and mental growth among students, including discovering talent. These build spirit of team work; learning to work with others is a crucial job. These set stage for learning about setting of goals and their pursuance. There is direct correlation between academic achievements, and participation in extra-curriculum activities and after-school programmes, he said. About swimming, he said, it builds endurance, muscles strength and cardiovascular fitness along with maintaining healthy weight and healthy heart and lungs. Malaysian diplomat urged the students to continue extra-curriculum activities as these gave birth to popular players in the world who earned big name for their countries. Khairul Nazran Abd Rahman said it looked very good to him that like in Malaysia, extra-curricular activities in Pakistan especially in Karachi were being held on large scale and in very organized manner. He appreciated the efforts of Beach Luxury Hotel management for promoting extra-curriculum activities. On this occasion, he mentioned, in Malaysia there were many big tourism avenues and Pakistanis were always welcome. Specially during vacations, Pakistanis could enjoy their stay in Malaysia. Beach Luxury Hotel's General Manager M.Azeem Qureshi said the summer camp offered fun and unique experience to the children to discover new interests, meet new friends and create memories lasting lifetime. The participants received training in healthy activities -- from swimming to lessons of self-disciple and socialization skills through karate, he said. The participating students were given certificates and gifts by theMalaysian Consul General and his wife. (@FahadShabbir) Punjab government is distributing about two million good quality and high yielding olive plants among farmers of Pothohar region, for plantation. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Aug, 2018 ) :Punjab government is distributing about two million good quality and high yielding olive plants among farmers of Pothohar region, for plantation. A spokesman of Punjab Agriculture department said it is a five year government project which is aimed at promotion of olive growth in this area,reported Radio Pakistan. He said the olive plants are being provided free of cost to growers in Chakwal, Jhelum, Attock, Rawalpindi, Mianwali and Khushab. He said under this project farmers are also being provided financial assistance up to seventy per cent for sink tube wells while sixty per cent financial support for installing drip irrigation system. The spokesman said interested farmers can submit their application till 31st of this month to get free of cost plants. Monday, August 6, 2018 at 4:56PM As Surface Go has started to roll out in various countries, Urban Armour Gear (UAG) has released two protective cases for the tiny 2-in-1. The Metropolis and Plasma Series cases are designed to protect and compliment the features of the all new Microsoft Surface Go. The cases are lightweight, edgy, and MIL-SPEC drop-tested to ensure the tablet can withstand rigorous activity and usage. Without compromising the Surface Gos sleek design, the two cases were carefully engineered to provide maximum protection and functionality said Michael McVerry, Senior Marketing Manager for UAG. Both Metropolis and Plasma Series cases will provide Microsoft customers with the peace of mind they need to take their Surface Go further. The Metropolis Series MSRP: $69.95 Made of feather-light composite construction with an impact resistant soft core, the metropolis case is prepared for the toughest of drops. The series features oversized tactile buttons, air vents, water resistant grip, and easy access to touchscreen and ports. The case meets military drop test standards (MIL-STD 810G-516.6). Available in Black, Magma, and Cobalt Plasma Series Handstrap MSRP: $99.95 The Plasma series features impact resistant rubber bumpers along with a 360-degree rotating hand-strap. The case is equipped with a built-in kickstand, surface pen storage, and an optional shoulder strap. The case meets military drop test standards (MIL-STD 810G 516.6). (@ChaudhryMAli88) Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) Monday arranged a seminar on "Use of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Strategies in Classroom" urging the teachers to play their role not only for educating the students but assist them in choice of their career development. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Aug, 2018 ) :Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) Monday arranged a seminar on "Use of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Strategies in Classroom" urging the teachers to play their role not only for educating the students but assist them in choice of their career development. The international seminar was arranged by Department of Behavioral Sciences in collaboration with Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) office of the University. Dr. Tricia M. Jokerst, Special education Instructor/ Curriculum Developer at Huston-Tillotson University USA, was speaker of the event. School Principals and Senior Teachers from Federal Government Educational Institutions (FGEIs) and Education Directorate, Rawalpindi along with University Teachers and Scholars participated in practice based sessions. The seminar titled revolved around the idea that in today's world, teachers must be much more than experts in their content area. The teachers must assist their students with not only academics but also their emotional, social, and career choice development. A focus on Socio-Emotional Learning perspective provides a foundation to employ host of strategies that enhance the learning experience and build vital interpersonal and social skills. When implemented appropriately, SEL strategies increase academic achievement and decrease behavior issues. As closing remarks, Dr. Aneela Maqsood (Incharge Deptartment of Behavioral Sciences) highlighted the role of department activities and initiatives to promote the health and well-being of our youth particularly in academic settings. Professor Dr. Samina Amin Qadir (Vice Chancellor, FJWU) stressed upon the role of collaborations betweeneducational institutions in efforts to promote the quality of academic life experiences. ISLAMABAD, Aug 5 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Aug, 2018 ) :The Tourism, sports, Archaeology, Museums, Culture and Youth Affairs Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will jointly organize a two-day Peshawar-Swat Heritage Caravan from August 12. During two-day tour, the participants will visit archaeological and heritage sites in the scenic Swat Valley from Peshawar. Senior officials of Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) told APP that transportation, accommodation and food included in the package as announced by the department. According to schedule, the heritage caravan will depart from Peshawar on August 12 and visit Archaeological site of Takht e Bahi, Bazira and Jahanabad Budha. Later, a seminar on sustainable Archaeological Tourism would also be arranged for the participants of the Caravan. On second-day, the Caravan will visit Swat Museum, Butkara Swat, Archaeological site of Sultan Mehmood Ghaznavi era Mosque and also visit Amlukdara Stupa C:zkz/P:zkz/L:mkz/R:mkz rpt KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Aug, 2018 ) :People from different walks of life, led by a group of organ recipients leading an active and normal life, staged a walk at Quaid-e-Azam's Mazar here on Sunday to highlight importance of organ donation culture in the country. The program jointly organised by Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), Human Organ Transplantation Authority (HOTA), Pakistan Society of Nephrology (PSN), Pakistan Association of Urological Surgeons (PAUS) and Transplantation Society of Pakistan (TSP) also drew attraction of a large number of citizens in general finding amidst them prominent members of the society. SIUT Director, Prof. Adib ul Hasan Rizvi, addressing the people, urged them to realise that precious human lives can be saved through cadaver or deceased organ donation. Mentioning that 200,000 people across the country die due to organ failure, he said poor understanding among the people in general about the concept of "deceased organ donation," has opened gateways to exploitation of resource-less people of the country. "We come across repeated instances of poor people being compelled and often lured to sell their organs to meet the needs of those patients who can afford to purchase the same," he said. Emphasizing that this crime must be urgently brought to an end, the pioneer of organ transplantation in the country said deceased organ donation is the sole solution. On the occasion some of the victims of the crime, talking to media, mentioned that while there had been instances when they were never informed that their organ was being removed there were also no dearth of cases when they due to their poverty willingly sold their kidneys for a few hundred rupees. Repercussions of this exploitation was written large on their faces as were never provided needed medical support nor informed about the precautions and care needed, which otherwise too was rarely affordable for these forced donors. Senior doctors present on the occasion reminded that unscrupulous elements engaged in the heinous crimes charged millions of Dollars from foreigners, suffering from renal or liver failures and transplanted at clandestine centres. As per law of the country any hospital or facility offering organ transplantation services to the patients have to be necessarily registered with HOTA and have to also fulfil mandatory conditions with regard to donors, who must necessarily be immediate family members of the recipients. It was also mentioned that deceased organ donation is a normal medical practice in almost all parts of the muslim world including Saudi Arabia and Iran. Doctors agreed that there was need to streamline the process whereby not only the people in general be convinced and motivated to make posthumous donations but facilities be also updated so that these are urgently procured and conserved, in particular context of brain death, giving new lease of life to those in desperate need of the same. Pakistan, at the western edge of the pluvial region of the south Asian monsoon, receives 60% 70% of its annual rainfall during the summer monsoon season (July 2017 September 2017), a major US report said. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Aug, 2018 ) :Pakistan, at the western edge of the pluvial region of the south Asian monsoon, receives 60% 70% of its annual rainfall during the summer monsoon season (July 2017 September 2017), a major US report said. The report, "State of the Climate in 2017", led by the US government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, was published by the American Meteorological Society. The annual State of the Climate Report, compiled by more than 450 scientists from over 60 countries, describes worsening climate conditions worldwide in 2017. According to report, the summer monsoon sets in over northeastern parts of Pakistan around 1st July with a standard deviation of five days. In 2017, summer monsoon rainfall over Pakistan was below normal (77.5% of its LTA value). Pakistan observed below-normal rains during all three months from July to September (79.6%, 74.3%, and 82.7% of its LTA values), the report added. Rainfall was below normal in all the provinces of Pakistan. Southern parts of Pakistan (especially the southwest) received largely deficient rainfall. Other areas, including central Pakistan, received normal rainfall during the monsoon season, the report said. The ship used by Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen finally returned home Monday, completing its journey around the North Pole 100 years after her chaotic expedition started. Oslo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Aug, 2018 ) :The ship used by Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen finally returned home Monday, completing its journey around the North Pole 100 years after her chaotic expedition started. A precious relic of Norwegian polar expeditions, the Maud was recovered in 2016 after spending 85 years in Canadian Arctic waters where it sank in 1930. The shipwreck was towed across the North Atlantic on a barge after it left Greenland at the end of June and arrived at the port of Bergen in western Norway on Monday morning. "The trip was long, but it went well," Jan Wanggaard, manager of the effort to bring the Maud back to Norway, told AFP. Thanks to funding by three Norwegian brothers and entrepreneurs, the ship will be exhibited in the southeastern municipality of Asker, near Oslo, where it was launched in 1917. "Roald Amundsen is an important historical figure in Norway," Wanggaard said. The first person to reach the South Pole, Amundsen wanted to use the Maud to study the Arctic Ocean by letting her get caught on the ice and drift around the North Pole. "We want to tell the story of this expedition to the Norwegian people," Wanggaard added. In 1906, Amundsen became the first European to sail through the Northwest Passage searching for a shorter shipping route from Europe to Asia, something explorers had been trying to find for centuries. Amundsen sailed through the Northeast Passage with the Maud in 1918-20 and although the journey brought back rich scientific results, he was unable to get far enough north to launch a North Pole expedition. The ship, named after Norway's Queen Maud, was sold to the Hudson's Bay Company in 1925 and rechristened the Baymaud after Amundsen filed for bankruptcy. It ended its days as a floating warehouse and the region's first radio station before sinking at its moorings in 1930 near Cambridge Bay, in the Canadian territory of Nunavut. In 1990, Asker Council in Norway bought the wreck for just $1. Cambridge Bay residents fought its removal but the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review board granted an export permit for the ship in 2012. Haitian President Jovenel Moise said Sunday he had picked Jean Henry Ceant, 61, to be his next prime minister. PortauPrince, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Aug, 2018 ) :Haitian President Jovenel Moise said Sunday he had picked Jean Henry Ceant, 61, to be his next prime minister. Moise unveiled his choice following two days of intense negotiations with leaders of both houses of Parliament, three weeks after riots against rising fuel prices wreaked havoc in Port-au-Prince and "After consultations with the Presidents of the two branches of Parliament, I made the choice of citizen @jeanhenryceant as new Prime Minister," the president said on Twitter. A one-time notary by profession and former presidential candidate in 2016, Ceant leads a political organization called Renmen Ayiti. If he wins approval from Parliament, he will be Moise's second prime minister. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Nairobi, Aug 6 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Aug, 2018 ) :At least three Burundian soldiers were killed and five others injured in an attack outside of the capital Bujumbura at the weekend, police and media sources said Monday. According to SOS Medias Burundi, a collective of independent journalists, an army truck was ambushed on Sunday night in the town of Gihanga, 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the capital. "A truck with about a dozen soldiers on board was ambushed by an unidentified armed group while on their way to an army position in Rukoko," a police source confirmed on condition of anonymity. "Three soldiers were killed on the spot and five others were injured, three of them seriously."The region lies alongside a swampy area bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Hutu National Forces of Liberation rebels are known to be active. Burundi been wracked by a political crisis since 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza ran for a controversial third term and won a disputed election. Congressman Francis Rooney has sent a letter to the White House calling on the administration to formally declare a State of Emergency for Florida in the water of as pair of toxic algal blooms. The devastation we are experiencing in Southwest Florida is severely impacting our health, economy and ecology, Rooney said in a prepared statement. Dead sea life, toxic algae, and red tide are crippling our area and although we are finally, thanks to our combined efforts, seeing progress on funding projects that will permanently fix our water quality, these projects will take years to complete. As conditions have worsened, we need to take action now. Declaring a State of Emergency will make a host of funding and resources available that would otherwise not be possible. Our current conditions are every bit as disastrous to us as the recent wildfires are to California and flooding has been to Michigan. In the aftermath of Zimbabwes elections, in which six persons died, a leading educationist, Jesuit Fr. Arimoso, says it is now left to the Church to pick up the pieces. Fr Joe Arimoso SJ Harare, Zimbabwe. After the soft coup which saw the stepping down of Zimbabwes former President, Robert Mugabe, after all the unforgettable euphoria on the streets, the world has been keeping an eye on Zimbabwe. The anticipation was heightened by the announcement that we would indeed have our first elections without Mugabe. It has been an exciting road as we, for the first time in many years, had peaceful campaigns with the international observers and journalists being allowed to roam the country freely. There was a general sense of moving on and leaving the past behind. The nation had convinced itself that this was a Kairos moment and the social media was abuzz with a sense of a new beginning. These elections were always going to be complicated However, for anybody who reflected deeply about the situation, it was clear that these elections were always going to be complicated regardless of who won. What was going to be the role of the army in this new chapter? Was the army going to accept a winner who did not take part in the ousting of Mugabe? The demographic trends of supporters at the rallies hinted at the underlying complication. Most of the young people, the urban, jobless graduates thronged the opposition rallies and these were the ones who were hyper on social media, already setting up a tone of victory. On the other hand the elderly in the rural areas, the less sophisticated, and perhaps carrying the memories of past elections, faithfully gathered as well in their numbers in support of the ruling party. The complication did not take long to manifest itself when, after the first part of the results was announced, the opposition party members took haste to flood the streets in protest. The protest may have been meant to be peaceful but peace could not prevail. The army stepped in and the 1st August ended in tragedy with six people dead, shot by the very army with whom they had celebrated the ousting of Mugabe. Last year, in November, the people were taking Selfies with the army. A daunting task: The Church in Zimbabwe needs to emphasise unity, peace and tolerance Now that the incumbent President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has been declared winner of the tight presidential race, scraping through with slightly more than half of the votes, the Church finds itself with the daunting task to unite its children and to re-emphasise the values of unity, forgiveness, tolerance, political maturity and peace. In fact, the Church had already anticipated this complicated situation when in the pastoral letter of the Bishops Opening a New Door which was published on the 29 June 2018, said, It is the nature of free and fair elections that no individual or small group should be able to determine the results. It is certain therefore that some will be disappointed. The issues that face us are not simple, and we are divided in our opinions about the way forward Yes, we are divided even in the Church, particularly on how the country can move forward. Many are frustrated with what has happened especially the young people. Some of our youths were engaged in the posting of messages which bordered between a genuine expression of frustration and an unChristian response to a situation. Healing a fractured society Perhaps then the first step is for the Church to reflect deeply on how it can begin the healing of a fractured society internally. Can the Church transform its individuals so that they become wounded healers in this fragmented society? It is clear though that the Church is conscious of its role in bringing about cohesion in the country. The pastoral letter before the elections is testimony of that. The Church demonstrated that it cannot remain silent in the face of the challenging situations which threaten the country, and it was unambiguous in its message of peace and unity. And now that we have a situation where the winner had almost half of the voters not voting for him, we need an urgent response to encourage all parties to find a way of working together to forge unity. We cannot afford to sustain any grudges which will ground any meaningful development. There is need for a holistic national peace and reconciliation process However, the bigger task will have to go beyond these elections and find a way of healing an already fragile society. The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ) were right in their press statement on the 4 August that Zimbabwes crisis is deeper than those emanating from the elections. There is need for a holistic national peace and reconciliation process that goes beyond electoral disputes. This is exactly what Zimbabwe needs and the Church can take the lead in the process. The Church is strategically placed as it runs different institutions like parishes, schools, hospitals and social and spiritual centres where people interact regardless of their political opinions and affiliation. The Church also has to be humble to acknowledge many other civil organisations fighting for the same cause and joint hands with them. Together with these other organisations, we also need to deal with the issues of addressing corruption and building responsible leadership. If the healing process can start with this initiative, through deliberate formation programmes on peace, reconciliation and responsible leadership, the future generations will find a comfortable space to exercise their constitutional rights and shape their own future. In a telegram to Church and civil authorities in Indonesia, Pope Francis expresses his sorrow for the tragic loss of life caused by Sundays 7.0-magnitude earthquake on Lombok island. Pope Francis on Monday expressed his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by the massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Indonesias Lombok island on Sunday. In a telegram sent to Indonesias Church and civil authorities, the Holy Father said he felt great sadness when informed of the tragic loss of life and destruction of property caused by the earthquakes. The Pope said he is praying for the repose of the deceased, the healing of the injured, and the consolation of all who grieve the loss of their loved ones. Pope Francis encouraged the search and rescue efforts and invoked upon the people of Indonesia divine blessings of consolation and strength. Listen to our report Widespread damage on Lombok and Bali Vatican News correspondent, Alastair Wanklyn, says at least 98 people died when the earthquake struck the Indonesian islands of Lombok and Bali. He said homes collapsed, and one aid agency is calling for blood donations to help the injured. Here is his report: Panicked residents fled buildings, on the islands of Lombok and Bali, Indonesia. One survivor said people were injured by falling debris. Thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed, and even hospitals were affected. Indonesia's president told authorities to help survivors. Military planes delivered tents and communication equipment. The Indonesian Red Cross called for donations of blood. It said it is flying in tarpaulins and mattresses for survivors made homeless. Tourists evacuated Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo told authorities to help foreign tourists get home. Bali and Lombok are popular destinations for tourists from Europe and Australia and from Muslim nations in the Middle East. Around 1,000 tourists were being evacuated from three small islands, reported one Indonesian newspaper. The magnitude-7 quake came a week after a similar-sized tremor. The earlier one left around 20 people dead. Across the region a large number of buildings are now so damaged they may need to be rebuilt. At least one Catholic parish church in the city of Mataram in Lombok is damaged. And at the cathedral in Bali's capital, Denpasar, the ceiling fell. But local media quoted a priest saying the tremor struck after Mass ended, and there were no casualties. Blessed Pope Paul VI who died on August 6, 1978, will be declared a saint on October 14. On the occasion of his 40 death anniversary, his postulator, Fr. Antonio Marrazzo spoke to Vatican News about the late pontiffs legacy. Blessed Pope Paul VI who will be declared a saint on October 14, died 40 years ago on August 6, 1978. Looking back at the 15-year pontificate, his postulator or promoter for canonization, Redemptorist Father Antonio Marrazzo, spoke to Vatican News saying Paul VI gave a new direction to the Churchs journey on earth. The Italian priest said that in his writings and testament Paul VI revealed his understanding of man, especially as the image of God. Man, image of God The priest noted that 40 years after his death the Church continues to take a different path as indicated by the Second Vatican Council and taught by Paul VI, which consists is putting man at the center, not so much in his anthropological aspect as an end in itself but rather as an image of God - man as willed by God in his likeness, a man who has value and dignity". The Redemptorist priest explained that Paul VI had this outlook as a young priest and always showed his concern for the least, lost and last of the world. According to Paul VI, we must regard man as God wants it with tender mercy and love that is not based on condemnation but on understanding and saving because in every man there is an image of God that we must help re-emerge and resurface. Fr. Marrazzo said that Paul VI was elected to carry forward the Second Vatican Council and guide it with a steady hand to make a "Samaritan" Church, the "handmaid of humanity" that is more inclined to "messages of trust" than "foreboding omens. The postulator noted that Pope Pauls earlier years in the Holy Sees diplomatic service was an art of listening and building peace. Regarding the youth he focused on transmitting an intelligent and free faith, a culture thirsting for truth and open to dialogue. As Archbishop of Milan, he showed a strong experience of Church of the people, close to the people together with its modernity. Unborn life Pope Pauls landmark encyclical Humanae Vitae, fifty years ago, the postulator said, affirmed the intimate union between conjugal love and openness to life. I n this regard Fr. Marrazzo pointed out that both the miracles attributed to the intercession of Paul VI are regarding foetuses, i.e. unborn life. Hence, he said, Paul VI could be regarded as the protector of unborn life. The Redemptorist priest explained that the miracle considered for Paul VIs canonization is regarding a woman from Verona whose unborn child was in danger of being born dead or heavily deformed with a very slim chance of survival due to the lack of amniotic fluid. A gynecologist suggested to the family to pray to Paul VI around the time he was being beatified in October 2014. The girl born on Christmas day that year is healthy today, he said. These two miracles, Fr. Marrazzo said, prove that from unborn life come forth persons who have already been considered children by God. Venezuela`s President Nicolas Maduro is unscathed, following a drone attack, while giving a speech to a military rally, but seven soldiers have been wounded. An unknown group is claiming responsibility. By James Blears President Nicolas Maduro was giving a speech to commemorate the eighty first anniversary of the National Guard, when the incident happened. Several loud explosions were heard. His wife Cilia Flores, who was standing side by side with him flinched, and both of them looked skywards. They exited, shielded by black bullet proof screens. State television shows neat files of soldiers breaking ranks and scattering. Smoke could be seen wafting from a nearby building. Fire fighters claim there was a gas explosion from a leak in that complex. But minutes later in a live broadcast Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said: "This clearly shows the explosions came from drone like devices that carried explosives." A hitherto unknown group calling itself "Soldiers in T shirts," claimed responsibility in a tweet stating the drones had been shot down by Government troops. It also threatened: "We showed they`re vulnerable. It was not successful today, but it`s just a matter of time." Earlier this year, President Nicolas Maduro won a second six year term. The Opposition boycotted that Election. He still has the support of the Country`s Armed Forces. Siem Reap residents were not surprised by the landslide victory claimed by the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party in last months general election, but many here said they doubted the veracity of the reported turnout figures. Nationwide, the National Election Committee (NEC) reported more than 82 percent of the electorate turned out to vote on July 29, with the figure for Siem Reap, traditionally a strong base of opposition support, reportedly 73 percent. The high turnout figures came amid a boycott campaign led by a former opposition party president and reports of a campaign of voter intimidation during the campaign and on election day. Some 7 percent of Siem Reap residents spoiled their ballots, according to the NEC figures. Ros Keo, a tuk tuk driver, is one of many Siem Reap residents VOA spoke to who questioned the high turnout figures. We can see in the previous mandate, voter turnout was half as much as this mandate. Back then, there were still crowds [at polling stations] at around 1 or 2 pm, but this year, there was almost no one at 9 or 10 am, he said. Look at the last commune council election, citizens were excited to vote but during the election this Sunday, they were not interested in it and it was like there was no election at all. Keo is not alone in wondering why there appeared to be such a huge discrepancy between the number of people seen attending polling stations and the figures released by the NEC. Bun Ly, a tour guide in Siem Reap, said that while the CPPs victory was expected, questions remained about how the polling data was tallied. Well, I was not surprised with the ruling partys victory, but the voter turnout figures is a surprise for me. Based on my observations, it was not as much. Sann Ny, another Siep Reap resident agreed. So, as the other citizens and I observed, we were all amazed after the NEC announced the primary results of the vote. The election this time seemed more quiet. Khun Savoeun, president of the Grassroots Democratic Party in Siem Reap, said that it was hard to accept both the result and the vote counting process. We all can see that those who went to vote were not as many as the results that they announced. I drove around and saw that it was not 78 percent, that is why I was surprised. Sok Eysan, CPP spokesman, said that national and international observers had been on hand to monitor the proceedings and ensure protocol was adhered to. Whats important is the number of voters was made based on the ballots in the ballot box, he said. San Rainsy, the former opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party president who called for the election boycott, told the Hello VOA programme on Wednesday that he did not believe the figures to be accurate. Nim Vansam, NEC director in Siem Reap, said the results cannot be faked or exaggerated. Meas Nee, a political analyst, said the results were a bit hard to trust. It doesnt mean that the NEC is not independent but it means that we lost reliable independent observers. Thats why the result was a bit hard to swallow. Editors Note: Alex Hinton is the director of the Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights and a professor of anthropology at Rutgers University. He has served as the president of the International Association of Genocide Scholars and the UNESCO Chair in Genocide Prevention. Hinton is a prolific author and Cambodia expert and has served as a witness at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal. He spoke to VOAs Chetra Chap about his latest book project, The Justice Facade. You wrote a book about the Khmer Rouge Tribunal called The Justice Facade. What is meant by that? In terms of specifically what the title means, it meant if you look at a facade, its an exterior and the book argues that the idea that somehow, they often frame it, the international community can deliver justice to Cambodians. It's like a facade that obscures all the complex history that lies behind the tribunal as well as sets of meaning that people have in the way which they interpret what's going on. So, the book argues that it is necessary to step behind this facade and understand how everyday Cambodians and people understand what's going on in this juridical process. So, my original intention has been to try and talk to people and understand how Cambodians on the ground, including Cambodians living in the rural villages, understood this thing that is often called international justice, as often framed with the term transitional justice which is linked to a series of objectives such as delivering justice, peace, reconciliation as well as things like democratization. So, from the very beginning, even before I wrote Man or Monster, I had in mind the book that became The Justice Facade. Are you arguing that Cambodians have a different interpretation of the concept of justice than the international community? Yes, that's a very good question. So, the book looks a lot at the sets of the Buddhist understanding that mediates the experience of people who, for example, are testifying and what the tribunal means to them. So, to give you one quick example, in the court room, I would ask people, Why did you testify? What did it mean to you? People would often say Well, you know, I want justice. That's certainly true, but there's another set of belief that is secluded if you have just the word justice in English and this is often understood as Buddhist terms in Cambodia. For example, some civil parties I spoke to said that it wasn't just that they wanted justice but they wanted justice returned for the spirits of the dead, and they actually viewed their act of giving testimony both for themselves but also for their lost loved ones, and also to help, for example, with their rebirth. Different civil parties, for example, said that the spirit of the dead was actually circulating in the courtroom. There was even one person who held up a picture of his brother who had been killed in S21, Toul Sleng, and said, Brother, you're here with me in this court room. I am doing this for you, while he was holding up his picture. So, those sets of understandings are about what, on the very superficial level, is called justice. What this means on the local level is much more complex and often diverges strongly from those in international justice or international transitional justice. Can you clarify again the concept of justice from the Buddhist perspective? How is it different from the international context? Sure. That's a good question. So, one way to think about it. Again, neither of these is a completely singular thing but through a notion of karma, for example. That action in the past conditions what comes in the future. So, this means if you talk to some Cambodians, for example, some people I spoke with, when asked if there was a need for a tribunal, some people said no. In fact, the people who had done bad deeds, like Khmer Rouge leaders, would be punished in their future lives. Another way people sometimes spoke about it was in terms of responsibility, that, in fact, what had happened to even the victims was also something that was linked to past acts. I spoke to a survivor of S21 who said, You know, in the past, I must have done things and been tied in malice with Duch, the head of S21. And that influenced the situation that we had, that took place under the Khmer Rouge. Again, in terms of rebirth, for example, and the transferring the merit to the dead to help out with rebirth. The notion of going to the court, it was done so that merit can be transferred to the spirits of the dead so that it would improve if they were suspended between realms, it would improve their chances to be reborn and to be reborn in a better place. So the people believe that the court actually gives good deeds to the dead spirits? Absolutely. Its like a giant Bangsokol. Again, you can't generalize with everyone but effectively that's what some people have viewed it as, so there are multiple things the court does, but one of them is like a giant ritual Bangsokol ceremony, where merits being transferred to the dead. So, many people talk to me about this sort of transfer. Also, a lot of the book details efforts of Cambodian non-governmental organizations as well as the court itself to try and translate this thing that is called global justice into terms that people would understand. I talked about these stories in the book. Some of the people I spoke with who are engaged in these activities, were very aware that this was a way that they could get people to understand and engage with the tribunal and people very directly. Some people I spoke with would make this analogy with the court and transferring merit to the spirits of the dead. How did the Cambodian people feel about global justice and do they think that their Buddhist version of justice has been served by the court? You know, thats a complicated question, one I would never myself want to answer since this is what it means to Cambodians so they can best speak for themselves. Who are we talking about? If we are talking about the mid-level former Khmer Rouge living in Anglong Veng or Pailin or some other areas like that, many of them say they dont think there is any need at all for the tribunal. Not everyone, but a number of people say that. There are other people who are older, grandmothers, for example, Yeay Chi who were at the Wat. If you asked them, for example, some of them might say there's no need for the tribunal because these people will be reborn. We need to let go of our attachment. Karma will deliver justice to them. There are other people who very much want justice, some sort of accountability for things that had happened in the past. Those sort of understandings begin to converge with notions of international justice. But almost everyone I spoke with, in some sense discussed the spirit of the dead. Reach Sambath, the former head of the public affairs section who was an incredible person and devised a program with his colleagues to bring Cambodians from all over the country to the court. He himself told me once that his nickname was Spokesperson for the Ghost of the Dead. He himself had lost family members and very much viewed his participation in some sense linked to the death of the spirits of his family members who were still with him. Their spirits still circulated. So again, the official spokesperson for the court viewed the tribunal in this manner as well as understanding western concepts of international justice. He saw both dimensions for the court. Personally, how would you rate the performance of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal? Again, I am hesitant to pass judgment because there are so many different opinions, so I would not want to represent other people from the outside by just looking at the accomplishment of the tribunal. There have been basically two trials that have gone forth and have rendered a verdict or judgment that has been upheld. We are in the third trial case 2.2 which includes the important charge of genocide, and I actually testify as an expert witness in case 2.2. That one is near a conclusion and a verdict is expected sometime this year. I have learned from the very start, when I started my project, I was an expert in legal anthropology. I learned a great deal. One of my first lessons was justice moves slowly and that's certainly been the case in this tribunal. There's no doubt that there are a number of shortcomings in terms of the politicization of the tribunal, in terms of corruption allegations that have gone on, and in terms of critics of the court for not moving forward beyond the initial five suspects. People tend to say, though there is no official confirmation that the tribunal likely will shut down after case 2.2. In those senses, I think those are shortcomings of the court but it also has accomplishments. Why do you think that they did not continue with proceedings? The reason that is given is because there is no political will that Prime Minister Hun Sen himself has said on a number of occasions that this will be it, will be the initial five. There's a public divergence between what numbers of the international community who negotiated the agreement said and what Sok An and Hun Sen and others involved in the negotiation on the Cambodian side said. So, on the Cambodian side, they say that the intention always was just to try a very small number of people and five was enough. It's necessary for Cambodia to move on in the name of peace and reconciliation and security. On the international side, there are claims that that number was never the number that was envisioned and in fact as many as a dozen, maybe 18 or more people would be tried. So, again, there are two different opinions about this and then the Cambodian government doesn't want the tribunals sustained operation as it doesn't want more cases. That's not going to happen. So, that seems to be where we are where it seems very unlikely that the tribunal will continue. Is there anything else you would like to add? I might just add one small thing about what may ultimately be the good that the court does is that it creates a sense of possibility for people. This is where I end. If we move away from the justice facade ideal that somehow everything miraculously will be transformed through the tribunal and have more modest goals, you can look at the tribunal as creating a set of possibilities and it may have different sorts of meanings for different people. For some, it may be about achieving justice for the spirits of the dead, transferring merit to the dead so that they can be reborn in a better place. For others, it may just be something that contributes to their imagination, their understanding of the possibilities that exist for how things might be otherwise. So again, that's something that people often talk about in terms of the tribunal, but I think its something that is important to take notice about, but you can't notice that until you step behind the justice facade. Note: this interview was edited for length and clarity. Transcribed by Bun Penghuy The national security adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump denies any U.S. government involvement in Saturday's drone explosions in Venezuela's capital during President Nicolas Maduro's speech. John Bolton told Fox Television Sunday News that until Maduro can produce hard evidence for his allegations, the focus should be on the corruption and oppression of his regime. Maduro has vowed "maximum punishment" for what he calls an assassination attempt on him. VOA's Zlatica Hoke reports. The U.S. response to Chinas controversial actions in the South China Sea is consistency, the Navys top admiral said. Speaking in an exclusive interview with VOA, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said the United States Navy has been at about the same force levels in the South China Sea for about 70 years. Nothing has elevated too much or decreased too much. We've been pretty steady, he said. China and the U.S. strongly disagree on territorial claims in the sea's international waterways. China considers much of the sea its territory overlapping with the territorial claims of other nations and has created hundreds of hectares of artificial islands to bolster is territorial claims. The U.S. frequently conducts freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea to dispute China's claims and to promote free passage through international waters that carry half the world's merchant fleet tonnage, worth trillions of dollars each year. Richardson said the U.S. Navy has advocated rules and norms that have fueled the emergence of the Asian economies. We're going to consistently be there, Richardson said, and we'll be ready to advocate for those up and down the spectrum of competition, as needed. Officials in Afghanistan have vowed to bring to justice perpetrators of "war crimes" among scores of Islamic State militants who recently surrendered to the government in northern Jowzjan province to avoid being captured by the Taliban. The top commander of the self-proclaimed Islamic State Khorsan Province, or IS-K, in northern Afghanistan, Mawlawi Habib Rahman, along with his 250 fighters, turned themselves in last week in the Darzab and Qush Tepa districts. The Afghan government has since been criticized for its unexplained action of providing asylum and protection to IS-K militants, accused by residents of committing serious crimes against innocent civilians while running strongholds in the two isolated Jowzjan districts for three years. The IS-K group is also accused of kidnapping and killing six staff members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in February 2017. Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on Monday responded to the criticism, saying "war criminals" among the fighters will be dealt with in accordance with the law. "Surrender does not mean that if they [IS-K] have committed crimes and when they have nowhere to go and they come to the government for shelter they must not expect their crimes will be ignored," Abdullah assured a bi-weekly ministerial meeting in Kabul. A month-long Taliban offensive demolished IS-K bases in Qush Tepa and Darzab, killing and capturing scores of members of the rival group. The onslaught cornered Rahman and his remaining IS-K fighters, forcing them to reach out directly to Afghan government, seeking protection from the Taliban. Afghan forces swiftly responded and evacuated the IS-K fighters to the government controlled Darzab district center on August 1, media reports quoted tribal elders and villagers as saying. Crimes to be prosecuted Provincial authorities told reporters at the time that detainees not involved in crimes will be freed under a general government amnesty plan, though President Ashraf Ghani has repeatedly ruled out amnesty for Islamic State loyalists in the country, declaring them as foreign terrorists. The controversial amnesty law marginalizes victims, overlooking their right to justice, said observers with the Kabul-based independent Afghanistan Analysts Network in an article on the questionable surrender of IS-K fighters in the northern province. The research group noted amnesties for war crimes and gross human rights violations are no longer considered legal under international law. "In this case, given that the self-proclaimed IS-K fighters and leaders were forced to surrender, rather than willingly leaving the insurgency, it would be especially strange if the government did grant amnesties," said AAN. The watchdog noted in its detailed study the Afghan government has carried out no full-scale offensive against IS-K in the two districts in Jowzjan, encouraging the group to recruit fighters and survive for three years. "Neither its long inaction or its decision, in the end, to take action to rescue the remnants of the group have been explained," AAN lamented. Jowzjan borders neighboring Turkmenistan and the emergence of IS militants in the area has been a cause of concern for Central Asian neighbors of Afghanistan and Russia, as well. U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order Monday to introduce sanctions against Iran threatens to put Washington and Ankara on a collision course. Ankara insists Trump's unilateral actions do not bind it. The looming dispute threatens to exacerbate existing tensions between the two NATO allies. "We are going to aggressively enforce our sanctions, and that puts a very important test to those companies, to those banks and to those governments who do they want to do business with?" said a senior official Monday. "We are very serious to enforce those sanctions, and that's what the president has directed us to do." The first wave of Iranian sanctions goes into effect Tuesday and targets mainly financial transactions and commercial airline sales with Iran. In November, measures to stop the sale of Iranian energy are set to go into effect. Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has ruled out complying with U.S. measures, insisting Turkey is bound only by international agreements. Ankara identifies Tehran as a key trading partner to help boost its flagging economy. Iranian oil and gas are critical to energy-poor Turkey. In the first six months of this year, Turkey imported an average of 176,000 barrels a day of Iranian oil, accounting for 49 percent of Turkish imports. "It's pretty damn serious, obviously, with the Turkish economy facing difficult times. To give up on trade with Iran and not being able to buy gas and oil would really hurt the Turkish economy," said international relations expert Soli Ozel of Istanbul's Kadir Has University. "So, there is a big problem, and there is very little time to solve it, and at a time when both sides don't trust one another." Strained relations Turkish-U.S. relations are already profoundly strained over myriad differences. Last week, Washington took the unprecedented step of sanctioning two Turkish ministers over the ongoing detention of U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson. Brunson, facing terrorism charges, is under house arrest. Ankara retaliated in kind, sanctioning two unnamed U.S. officials. With Turkey a significant importer of Iranian oil, analysts say it will be a priority of Washington to persuade Ankara to comply with its sanctions. Last month, senior U.S. officials led by Marshall Billingslea, assistant secretary of the Treasury for terrorist financing visited Ankara to meet with government ministers and business leaders to press the case for sanctions. Billingslea described the talks as positive, but a source privy to the meeting described the meetings as difficult. A Turkish business source claims Washington's suggestion to use Saudi Arabian oil instead of Iran's fails to take into account the costly and timely readjustment of Turkish refineries to accommodate the lower quality of Saudi oil. Ankara also has strategic concerns about relying on Saudi Arabia. "Turkey is being told to buy oil from Saudi Arabia, while it has a pipeline with neighboring Iran and can get crude at a lower price," wrote Ilnur Cevik, a senior presidential adviser in Turkey's Sabah newspaper. "Besides, who can guarantee that Turkey will be provided a steady flow of oil at reasonable prices when Saudi Arabia at times is displaying an antagonistic policy toward Ankara?" Former U.S. President Barack Obama granted Ankara some exemptions when imposing sanctions against Iran. However, critics point out, Ankara severely undermined U.S. sanctions by using gold to circumvent restrictions on the use of dollars to trade with Iran. Turkey at one time was one of the world's biggest gold importers and exporters. Washington has now closed the door to using gold in trade with Tehran. Halkbank case Earlier this year, a New York court convicted a senior official of Turkish state-controlled Halkbank for a violation of U.S. Iranian sanctions. The U.S. Treasury is considering a hefty fine against the bank, which analysts warn could be several billion dollars. Analysts see the Halkbank experience as a warning to Ankara and the Turkish financial system of the risks violating future U.S. sanctions. "It will actually force Ankara to choose between Iran and the United States," said former senior Turkish diplomat Aydin Selcen, who served in Washington. "Not complying with Iran sanctions is not an option. There will be increased pressure from the U.S. bringing a vicious circle in bilateral relations." The deepening U.S.-Turkish tensions are taking a heavy toll on Turkey's financial markets. The Turkish lira suffered heavy drops last week over Washington sanctioning two Turkish ministers. On Monday, the currency hit another record low on news of new U.S. economic tariffs against Turkey. U.S. Iranian sanctions are set to be the latest in an ever-growing list of disputes between Ankara and Washington. "You could actually find ways out of all this," Ozel said. "But trust in these relations has been totally decimated. And to rebuild trust in relations is the main, hard task." With new U.S. sanctions on Iran due to go into effect Tuesday, Iranians are bracing for the repercussions, while neighboring Arab states are eager to see the sanctions place pressure on their regional nemesis. Various proxy wars between Shi'ite Iran and the Sunni-Arab Gulf States in places such as Yemen, Syria and Iraq have created a bitter rivalry that has left each side rejoicing at the misfortunes of the other. Hilal Khashan, who teaches political science at the American University of Beirut, tells VOA that he was surprised by the enthusiasm expressed in some Saudi media over the new sanctions, but that Riyadh is ultimately hoping to resume dialogue with Tehran. "I was reading the Saudi Al Riyadh newspaper this morning, and they were celebrating the imposition of the sanctions. But at the same time, the Saudis gave the head of the Iranian interests section in Jeddah, along with his team, visas to enter Saudi Arabia, which means the Saudis are interested in engaging the Iranians as well, even if they are reluctant to do so," Khashan said. Former Iranian President Abolhassan Bani Sadr tells VOA that both the impending sanctions and the ongoing conflict between Iran and its Arab neighbors conjure up bitter memories of the Iran-Iraq War during the 1980s. He says that the experience of the eight-year war between Iraq and Iran is still fresh in the minds of the Iranian people. If you tell the Iranian people that they have to submit to U.S., British or Russian domination, that is one thing, he says, but if you tell them that they must submit to the orders of the Saudis, that's a more bitter pill to swallow. Bani Sadr adds that he does not think that U.S. President Donald Trump is the real instigator of the new sanctions, but rather that he is following the lead of the Saudis, the Israelis and the other Gulf monarchs. He claims that many Iranians believe that Arab oil money is cajoling Trump into supporting the Saudis against Iran, and that the Iranian people "consider this to be an unacceptable humiliation." Trump's executive order reimposing sanctions on Iran is effective Tuesday, including prohibitions on selling gold or U.S. dollars to Iran, sanctions on the country's automotive sector and purchases of jetliners. Exports of drugs, medical devices and foodstuffs are excluded from the list of new sanctions. Sanctions against Iran were lifted following the 2015 Iran nuclear deal between Tehran and the five permanent U.N. Security Council members, plus Germany. Trump officially withdrew from that agreement on May 8. The British government has launched a probe into claims officials are failing to scrutinize visa applications from foreign men whose British-born Muslim wives have been forced by their families to marry them overseas. Campaigners say even when women, many of them teenagers, have objected to their spouses being issued visas to join them in Britain, officials all too often ignore their opposition. An investigation by The Times newspaper outlining cases in which British officials appear to have compounded the victimization and abuse of women forced into marriages has prompted the countrys interior minister Sajid Javid to launch an inquiry, saying forced marriage is a despicable, inhumane, uncivilized practice that has no place whatsoever in Britain. He added in a tweet, We will be doing more to combat it and support victims. Figures released to The Times under Freedom of Information laws showed that last year, Britains Home Office received 175 inquiries from spouses or third parties trying to block visas being issued. Eighty-eight developed into full cases. They included direct appeals from women or objections from others who feared the marriages had been forced. Visas were issued in 42 of the cases, while another 10 are pending a final decision. Many unreported cases But charities say those cases are the tip of the iceberg, and thousands of women, mainly from South Asian backgrounds, are being coerced into marriages that often become highly abusive, involving rape and domestic violence. The governments Forced Marriage Unit, part of the Foreign Office, received reports of nearly 2,000 possible cases of women being forced into marriages overseas last year. Laws were introduced in England and Wales in 2014 criminalizing forced marriage. But campaigners say some immigration officials are turning a blind eye, concerned they may be criticized for being culturally or religiously insensitive for mistaking an arranged marriage for a forced one. Labor lawmaker Naz Shah from the Yorkshire town of Bradford said the laws need to be changed to help ease the plight of British Asian women trying to block abusive spouses from gaining visas and joining them in Britain. Bradford has the third largest British Asian population in the country. She expressed frustration to a British broadcaster, saying, There is nothing racist about highlighting the fact that a girl is being forced into a marriage or protecting that victim. Abuse is abuse, regardless of any cultures, and that needs to be understood loudly and clearly. Shah and the charities say among the legal changes needed is to do away with a requirement for officials to inform a foreign spouse, if his wife doesn't endorse his visa application. That information can lead to further abuse by the families of women who try to block the issuance of a visa, including exposing them to honor-based violence. Aneeta Prem, founder of Freedom, a charity opposing forced marriage, told Reuters, It is a very typical case that girls are forced into marriage, and then when they come back to the U.K., they are forced to put in a spousal application for their abuser. Campaigners say most of the forced marriages are taking place in Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and the United Arab Emirates. Some progress made Gerry Campbell, a former Scotland Yard detective and a director of the Sharan Project, a charity that helps vulnerable women, particularly of South Asian origin, said in a tweet the government has done some excellent work on tackling forced marriage over the years. It must, however, be relentless as is the case with other forms of violence against Women and Girls. Last month, a court in Yorkshire sentenced a couple from Leeds to eight years in prison for forcing their teenage daughter to marry. In 2016, the 18 year old was told she had to marry an older cousin in Pakistan. When she refused, she was assaulted, and her father threatened to kill her. She was helped to escape by armed police after British diplomats were tipped off about her plight. After her parents were sentenced, the girl said, I know I will always have to remain cautious, but knowing those monsters are going to be in prison, I feel the uttermost freedom in my heart. The conviction is the second in Britain for forced marriage. In May, a woman was jailed in the British town of Birmingham for trying to force her 17-year-old daughter to marry a relative twice her age in Pakistan. Cameroon's second largest employer, the Cameroon Development Corporation, says it may be forced to downsize because thousands of workers have fled fighting between security forces and separatists seeking an independent English-speaking state. The atmosphere is quiet at the workers' residential area of the Cameroon Development Corporation in Illoani, a village of about 5,000 people. But it's not a holiday. Many workers at the CDC, a state-run agro-industrial company in the English-speaking southwest, have simply fled. Armed separatists seeking an independent English-speaking state in April killed a Cameroonian soldier in the area. The attack touched off sporadic clashes that have since led thousands of villagers to flee the area, including more than 2,000 of the CDC's 20,000 workers. 54-year-old William Kangue, a father of three, said he abandoned his job and fled the area because of ongoing clashes. "The secessionist guys attacked in broad daylight," he explained. "There were bullets flying everywhere, flying over my house. People got shot, civilians must [flee] especially. Many people have gone away from their communities and so their farms have been abandoned." The military on Sunday said separatists attacked at least nine villages in the southwest over the weekend, killing a policeman and four soldiers. More than 200 separatist fighters clashed with the military at Wotutu village, according to a military communique, home to hundreds of CDC workers. The military's report could not be independently verified. Separatists seeking to establish an English-speaking republic within Cameroon consider the state-run CDC a legitimate target. The company's vehicles, tractors, buildings and warehouses have been torched and some of their staff kidnapped. Despite ongoing violence, some locals refused to run away. Fifty-seven-year old CDC nurse Suzan Nenda said they have received threats from separatists to stop working and leave the area. But she rejects leaving the village of her birth. "If death comes, then it is God's making that I have to die," she said. "People are not living in their houses. Most of them are in the bushes. Some of the houses are burned, some of the villages are burned. People don't have places to stay so they have decided to stay in the bush. They build huts in the bush and stay there." The CDC runs banana, palm oil, and rubber plantations in Cameroon's troubled southwest. But its Director General Franklin Njie said only one of its 11 estates is functioning normally. "Most of our units, estates, oil mills, factories are shut down completely while some are operating timidly," he said. "It is the only Debuncha palms estate that is operating normally, but amidst threats. Since the first of July 2018, the banana sector has been hit. The pack house [warehouse] was attacked and set ablaze. Till today, no work is going on." Njie said CDC's gross revenue has dropped by 75 percent. He said if the attacks continue, they may be forced to lay off as many as 5,000 workers. The unrest in Cameroon began in November 2016, when English-speaking teachers and lawyers protested being forced to use French in schools and courts and called for greater autonomy. The government crackdown that followed only encouraged separatists to take up arms. Authorities say at least 300 people, including soldiers and police, have been killed in the fighting since. Chinese state media are reacting to U.S. President Donald Trumps trade actions against China in diverse ways. While denouncing the U.S. leaders actions, Beijing is also using its media to calm markets and express concern about the impact on the Chinese economy. An editorial in the Communist Party's People's Daily said that by raising tariffs and then offering negotiations, the Trump administration is trying to use "carrot-and-stick diplomacy to bully China into unilateral trade concessions." The paper went on to say "China will eventually defeat the trade blackmail of the U.S. and it is impossible to force China into surrender to the U.S. coercion." However, a Chinese senior official attached to the countrys Supreme Court recently expressed worry that the trade friction with the U.S. would result in bankruptcies for state-owned companies. It is hard to predict how this trade war will develop and to what extent, Du Wanhua, deputy director of an advisory committee to the Supreme Peoples Court said in an article also in the Peoples Daily. But one thing is sure: if the U.S. imposes tariffs on Chinese imports following an order of $60 billion, $200 billion, or even $500 billion, many Chinese companies will go bankrupt, he said. Ineffective retaliation Beijing recently slapped additional duties ranging from five to 25 percent on $60 billion worth of American goods. This was in response to Trump administration's proposal of a 25 percent tariff on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports. Experts said China has realized that retaliatory action would not persuade the U.S. President to stop his trade actions. They switched gear a bit because, I think, they realized that they have the weaker hand here in terms of their ability to retaliate, partly because they import far less from the U.S. than the U.S. imports from China, but also [because] a portion of [goods] they import from the United States is, you know, high-tech that are quite difficult to import from elsewhere, Julian Evans-Pritchard, senior China economist at Capital Economics told VOA. Washington says its actions are aimed at correcting the level playing field because the U.S. suffers from a severe trade deficit in its business with China. Reassuring markets Chinese officials are trying to reassure markets and the local population that the U.S. moves would have little impact. Huang Libin, a spokesman for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently said there has not been any significant impact on industrial output. We hear complaints from [Chinese] companies that U.S. clients have requested a suspension of orders and deliveries, but so far it has had only a limited impact on the industrial sector, he said. The state-run Global Times, responded to White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow's remarks that China should not underestimate Trump's resolve, saying that China was not afraid of "sacrificing short-term interests". "China has time to fight to the end. Time will prove that the U.S. eventually makes a fool of itself," the paper said. The official China Daily has joined government officials in an effort to reassure the market. "Market participants foresee a relatively stable Chinese currency in the near term, without fear of impacts from the U.S.-China trade dispute. They expect solid economic growth momentum amid policy fine-tuning," it said. "Leading China's economy on a stable and far-reaching path, we have confidence and determination," another commentary in the main edition of the People's Daily said. Another reason China is worried is because Washingtons actions have come when the domestic Chinese economy is going through a bad time. The last three months have seen a series of corporate defaults besmirching Chinas reputation for many fewer loan defaults as compared to most developed countries. [The] economy is now slowing and balance sheets are coming under strain after they tightened monetary policy last year and pushed up borrowing costs. This is the main reason why we are seeing this uptrend in bankruptcies and uptrend in corporate bond defaults, Evans-Pritchard said. I think the main driver is domestic. Obviously, the U.S. tariffs won't help and they are going to cause some damage, he said. In its latest report, Capital Economics said that it would be naive to dismiss the possibility of financial instability given the rapid rise in debt levels in the country over the past decade. Chinese banks face the grave emerging scenario of bad loans and non-performing assets weighing heavily on their balance sheets, it said. Non-government organizations and researchers are calling on the Lao Government to ensure transparency in its investigations on Lao populations affected by massive flooding from a breach in a hydropower dam wall that left more than two dozen people dead last month in southern Laos. The southern Lao township of Attapeu, bore the brunt of a wall of water after the July 23 collapse of a portion of the Xe Pian Xe Namnoy hydropower dam. In addition to the dead many people are missing, with at least 6,000 displaced by the torrent. Keith Barney, a specialist in environmental research and natural resource policy in South East Asia at Australias National University, says when faced with disasters and other tragedies governments will move to close down sources of information. "The tendency in many cases when faced with difficult issues or external criticism is to cover up and shut down and block out the flow of information, and there are indications that some of that is underway, but this will be certainly raising significant questions and criticisms of the strategy," Barney told VOA. Satellite images show Attapeu lying on a bend of the river with a pre-crisis network of roads, but a later image shows the flooded area as a brown mass of mud with few structures left recognizable. Barney says, "These are very vulnerable people. Many of them ethnic minorities that have already been significantly affected from the original dam construction process, either through the downstream impact or through resettlement and this will just be adding on to their vulnerability in the coming year." The 410-megawatt Xe Pian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam near the Cambodian border is part of a series of dams Laos has planned or built to bolster its economy as the "light bulb of South East Asia" through sales of electricity to neighboring countries. Non-governmental organizations have been vocal opponents of Laos rush to hydro development without adequate assurances over the social and environmental impacts from such projects. The Xe-Pian-Xe Nam Noy region feeds into the Sekong River, considered "one of the Mekongs most important tributaries," according to the non-governmental group Save the Mekong. The Sekongs waters and other smaller tributaries are home "to tens of thousands of people from at least 20 different ethnic groups, all of whom rely on wild capture fisheries and surrounding forests and fertile lands" for food, according to the group's statement. The coalition of NGOs says much of Laos and the Mekong are "vulnerable to such disasters and to broader environmental threats due to 11 large hydropower dams on the lower Mekong mainstream, and 120 tributary dams planned by 2014. "This disaster has amplified calls from within Laos to reconsider the countrys heavy investment in hydropower, and to strengthen the enforcement of national laws to ensure greater accountability from foreign investors," Save the Mekong said. The group said the hydrological and water quality changes had "decimated local fisheries and villagers living along the Xe Pian River" and who had received "no compensation for the loss of their livelihoods." Barney says the collapse also raises questions over construction standards on the projects. "I guess its a warning over the adequacy of the actual dam construction process, but also in terms of a broader rethinking of the headline strategy into hydropower that Laos and the other regional governments seem to be following. So how the Lao government responds will be very critical," he said. Aid has poured in to assist Laos with recovery and redevelopment from the tragedy. South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Australia have provided funding and resources for the effort. The intergovernmental Mekong River Commission, in a statement to VOA, said the commission is "working to develop short- and medium-term programs to support Laos and other countries on dam safety in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers." The programs would cover post failure dam assessment and analyses, reviews of dam construction, external reviews and establishing a national dam safety program. Several major media outlets announced Monday that they would be removing content from InfoWars, a far-right, conspiracy-peddling media source. On Monday, Apple announced it had removed hundreds of podcasts produced by InfoWars from its iTunes and podcast apps. Facebook said it had removed four pages belonging to InfoWars founder Alex Jones. And music-sharing app Spotify said it would be removing all InfoWars podcasts available on the site, following last week's removal of some InfoWars content. Jones has gained notoriety for spreading unsubstantiated conspiracy theories, including claiming that the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11 and the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut were hoaxes perpetrated by the U.S. government. Jones has also repeatedly used inflammatory language against transgender people and Muslims, one of the reasons Facebook said forced it to remove his content. "We believe in giving people a voice, but we also want everyone using Facebook to feel safe," the social media outlet said in a statement. "It's why we have Community Standards and remove anything that violates them, including hate speech that attacks or dehumanizes others." In July, Facebook suspended Jones's personal profile for what it called "bullying and hate speech." Apple said it removed all of the content from five of six InfoWars shows from its platforms. As of Monday, only one InfoWars podcast, named RealNews with David Knight, remained on iTunes. "We have clear guidelines that creators and developers must follow to ensure we provide a safe environment for all of our users," Apple said in a statement. "We believe in representing a wide range of views, so long as people are respectful to those with differing opinions." In July, Facebook and YouTube announced they had removed four of Jones's videos from their sites. Two of the videos claimed without evidence that Muslims were taking over several European countries. Another compared the creators of a show about drag queens to satanists. YouTube followed suit and banned Jones's channel on Monday afternoon, claiming the account, which had over 2.4 million subscribers, violated the site's guidelines on hate speech. In recent weeks, Jones garnered increased attention as the parents of children killed in the Connecticut shooting sued him for defamation. While Jones said he now believes the shooting was not a hoax, he said his earlier claims were protected under U.S. free speech laws. In July, Jones also appeared to threaten special counsel Robert Mueller, who is currently investigating U.S. President Donald Trump and his campaign for potential Russian influence. "[Mueller is] a demon I will take down, or I'll die trying," Jones said, making a pistol motion with his hands. "You're going to get it, or I'm going to die trying, bitch." While Jones's beliefs have often been characterized as fringe, he has found some mainstream appeal. In December 2015, Trump, then a candidate, appeared on InfoWars via a satellite interview. "Your reputation is amazing. I will not let you down," Trump said to Jones. A human rights group is urging Bangladesh to reconsider its plans to move Rohingya refugees to a small, uninhabited island. Human Rights Watch said in a report issued Monday that the mangrove-and-grass island of Bhasan Char has been "formed only in the last 20 years by silt from Bangladesh's Meghna River." In the 68-page report Bangladesh Is Not My Country: The Plight of Rohingya Refugees from Myanmar experts predict that Bhasan Char could become completely submerged in the event of a strong cyclone during a high tide. The rights group said Bhasan Char is not the only relocation option, since six other "feasible relocation sites" have been identified. Bhasan Char "would most likely have very limited access to education and health services, and few opportunities for livelihoods or self-sufficiency," according to the report. The New York-based organization said the lack of assurance of freedom of movement to and from Bhasan Char and its isolation "would essentially turn the island into a detention center." Bill Frelick, HRW's refugee rights director and author of the report, said, "Bangladesh should register fleeing Rohingya as refugees, ensure adequate health care and education, and let them pursue livelihoods outside the camp." The report said construction crews have already prepared Bhasan Char for the transfer of refugees. In August 2017, Myanmar's military launched a major counteroffensive in Rakhine state in response to attacks on state security posts by Roghingya militants. Nearly 700,000 Rohingyas fled across the border into Bangladesh as security forces carried out numerous human rights abuses, including murder, rape and arson in a siege both the United Nations and the United States described as a "textbook example" of ethnic cleansing. Efforts have begun to evacuate more than a thousand foreign tourists from Indonesian resort islands a day after a powerful earthquake killed at least 98 people and left more than 200 seriously injured. Sunday's quake, recorded at magnitude 6.9 by the U.S. Geological Survey (revised down from 7.0), struck at a depth of 10.5 kilometers in the northern part of Lombok, triggering a brief tsunami warning. It was also felt on the neighboring Gili Islands as well as Bali, Sumbawa and parts of East Java. Much of the evacuation efforts are focused on the tiny Gili islands, three tiny vacation islands near Lombok. Tourists lined up on the small beaches early Monday waiting for the boats that would take them to the larger Lombok island. Indonesia's Garuda Airlines said it was adding extra flights from Lombok to accommodate tourists seeking to leave. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the country's National Disaster Mitigation Agency, told reporters Monday that most of those killed and injured were on the northern side of Lombok, which sustained massive damage. Nugroho says the death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue crews reach more affected areas. He said no foreign tourists are among the dead. Electricity was knocked out in several parts of the city and patients were evacuated from the main hospital. Singapore Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, who was in the Lombok town of Mataram at the time of the quake. He posted pictures of the destruction on his Facebook page and said his 10th-floor hotel room shook violently and walls cracked. "It was quite impossible to stand up. Heard screams," he wrote. "Came out, and made my way down a staircase, while building was still shaking. Power went out for a while. Lots of cracks, fallen doors." Australia/s Minister for Home Affairs, Peter Dutton, was also on Lombok. He said he was knocked to the floor of his room on the 12th floor of a hotel . Mutya Aryani, a local resident in Sumbawa, told VOA by phone, Most of people were at the mosque when the earthquake happened. People ran to the street and a large field outside the mosque. We're still traumatized by the previous earthquake a few days ago which was also quite large. Last week, 17 people were killed when a 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit Lombok. Like Bali, Lombok is known for its pristine beaches and mountains. Indonesia is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire,'' an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Ocean Basin. In December 2004, a magnitude-9.1 earthquake off Sumatra island triggered a tsunami that killed 230,000 people in a dozen countries. VOA's Indonesia service contributed to this report. Mufti Niamtullah, an Islamic State terror group commander in northern Afghanistan, is among some 245 militants who surrendered to Afghan government forces last week in the country's northern Jowzjan province. His surrender came days after a number of women in Darzab district of the province accused him and his fighters of abducting and raping them. Zarifa, a resident of Darzab district, told Reuters that an IS commander, allegedly Niamtullah, came to her house demanding money, but when she said she had no money, the commander asked her to go with him and to leave her children and husband behind. Lutfullah Azizi, governor of Jawzjan province, confirmed to VOA that women were raped in areas under IS control. "The incidents have happened in Darzab district, in areas controlled by the same IS fighters who surrendered Tuesday. We will launch an investigation once official complaints are filed," Azizi said. Samira, a resident of Darzab district, claimed IS fighters took her 14-year-old sister to marry their commander. "He didn't marry her, and no one else married her, but he raped her, and his soldiers forced themselves on her. And even the head of the village who is in Daesh's [IS's] rank forced himself on my sister and raped her," Samira told Reuters. None of the women used their full names because of security reasons and the social stigma associated with rape victims in Afghanistan. However, an Afghan official in Kabul told VOA that the victims could come forward and file their grievances with the government without fear of retribution. "We will investigate the rape reports, even if the victims do not report against their rapists, and justice will be served," Nasrat Rahimi, a spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry Interior, told VOA. Taboo IS has used rape as a war tactic in places like Iraq and Syria, and reportedly has kept women as sex slaves. The terror group's Afghanistan branch, known as IS-K, has rarely been accused of targeting women in the country in the past. A small number of women claimed IS militants had imprisoned them for months in eastern Nangarhar province, where the terror group first emerged in the country in 2015. The allegations in Jowzjan mark the first time Afghan women have come forward and accused IS fighters of rape. Many rape and sexual abuse cases have ended with the victim being killed to save the family's pride, according to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission. "The women who are subjected to rape face numerous problems," the commission said in a recent report. "For instance, honor killing is committed by the relatives or family members in order to save the family's honor." WATCH: IS Militants Surrender Who is Niamtullah? Three years ago, Mufti Niamtullah, along with some 220 other IS fighters, surrendered to Afghan government forces led by the first vice president, Abdul Rashid Dostum. However, he later rejoined IS. On Tuesday, Niamtullah and a group of 245 IS militants, including their families, once again surrendered to Afghan government forces in Jowzjan province. Niamtullah is allegedly second in command of IS forces in Jowzjan. He is also known as a mufti a religious cleric with the authority to issue rulings in religious matters. Conflicting claims Both the Afghan government and the Taliban claim credit for clearing IS from Jowzjan province. Taliban and IS militants regularly clash over control of territory in both eastern and northern parts of the country. Hundreds of Islamic State terror group fighters and their family members surrendered Tuesday to Afghan government forces in northern Jawzjan province. The militants say they surrendered because they want to abandon violence and live a normal life. However, the Taliban claims it crushed the group in the province and forced it to flee the area and surrender to the Afghan government. VOA's Mirwais Bezhan reports. Women's rights activist Shafiqa Khpalwak is hoping to change public attitudes in Afghanistan with her newly released Pashto-language translation of Women Who Work, the 2017 book by U.S. President Donald Trump's daughter and adviser, Ivanka. "I did translate this book to encourage the Afghan women to take the leadership role in the society," Khpalwak said in a telephone interview with VOA's Afghan Service. Ivanka Trump has said she wrote the book to motivate women to come forward and play leadership roles in economic life of their communities. By translating the book, Khpalwak hopes to make that message accessible to the Pashto-speaking majority of people in Afghanistan as well as millions more in neighboring Pakistan. That impact may be limited because Afghanistan is rated by the United Nations as having the lowest literacy rate in the world. An estimated 31 percent of Afghans over age 15 are able to read, a figure that drops to just 17 percent for women, according to the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). However, the book's publishers in Kabul say the reading market has increased recently and that people are showing greater interest in books by Western writers translated into Pashto and Dari. Other American leaders whose books are now available in Pashto include President Trump and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Khpalwak said Women Who Work provides great guidance and recommendations for working women on how to find a balance between their domestic and work lives. Afghanistan is a patriarchal society where women are seldom seen in positions of authority. However, Khpalwak said, "I have found this book highly motivational. The women of Afghanistan will surely be inspired and motivated to take charge of their own lives, put things in perspective and bring the change they are seeking." She described the experience of translating books into her native language empowering and an excellent way to learn about other cultures. "It also has a scope to change one's perspective about their cultures and traditions and offers you flexibility to adopt and embrace foreign ideas." For instance, she said, she learned from translating the book about Ivanka Trump's roles as a mother, a politician and a businesswoman. "Women don't only work for themselves, but for coming generations, a woman could be a mother, a leader, a wife, and an ideal, nothing can stop them." Translations called 'a gift' Khpalwak said young Afghan women especially are showing an interest in reading books from other cultures and that these books "could help them find their way in a conservative society like Afghanistan." Safia Wardak, a young women's rights activist who has read the Pashto version of Women Who Work, spoke to VOA about what foreign books mean to her. "I enjoy reading international books in my mother language. Pashto versions of such books for people who can't read English is a gift by the translators. After reading Ivanka's book, I am feeling motivated to work and to lead," she said. There are hundreds book publishers and stores in Afghanistan, and the business seems to be flourishing. Ikram, the owner of Khatez Book Publishing Association in the eastern city of Jalalabad, says he increasingly hears from readers looking for new books translated from English and other languages into Pashto and Dari. However, there are no centrally compiled statistics to show how many such books exist. The White House announced Monday that Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta would visit August 27. Kenyatta will meet with President Trump to discuss "ways to bolster trade and investment between the two countries, while strengthening security cooperation," according to a White House statement. In June, a U.S. delegation that included undersecretary for Commerce Gilbert Kaplan visited Kenya to attend the inaugural American Chamber of Commerce meeting. Kenyatta attended that gathering. Kaplan told VOA economic development in Africa would benefit the U.S. economy, and that the U.S. was providing resources to fight corruption in the Kenyan economy. "We can convince Kenya that following those [corruption] rules is ultimately to their benefit because it brings more businessmen and women into the system and being able to be successful," he said. Both Trump and Kenyatta have come under criticism for employing data-mining firm Cambridge Analytica in their respective 2016 and 2017 presidential campaigns. Cambridge Analytica, which shut down in May, reportedly gained access to the data of more than 50 million Facebook users, using the data to influence voters. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad says Indonesia has returned a luxury yacht linked with the multi-billion dollar scandal involving sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. The yacht, dubbed Equanimity, was seized by Indonesian authorities off the resort island of Bali in February at the request of the U.S. Justice Department, which claims a total of $4.5 billion was looted from 1MDB. The Cayman Islands-registered vessel, believed to be worth $250 million, was bought by Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, who U.S. officials say bought the luxury boat with stolen 1MDB funds. Prime Minister Mahathir thanked Indonesia for the return of the luxury yacht in a Facebook post Monday. A spokesman for Mahathir says the yacht will arrive in Malaysia in 48 hours. The U.S. Justice Department says some of the $4.5 billion stolen from 1MDB landed in the personal bank accounts of former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who created the state-owned fund while in office. Najib was arrested last month and charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust and one count of corruption. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. His trial is tentatively set to begin next February. The scandal led to the stunning electoral victory in May by a coalition led by the 92-year-old Mahathir over Najib's National Front coalition, which had ruled Malaysia uninterrupted since gaining independence in 1957 - 22 of those years under Mahathir himself. Since his ouster, Najib has been barred from leaving Malaysia and questioned by the government's anti-graft agency along with his wife, Rosmah Mansor. Just days before his arrest, Malaysian police said they had seized nearly $275 million in cash, jewelry and luxury handbags in raids on properties linked to Najib. The inventory included 12,000 pieces of jewelry, 567 handbags, 423 watches and 234 pairs of sunglasses. The most expensive item was a necklace worth more than $1 million. The Nicaraguan human rights group that has been keeping the outside world abreast of the government's deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters says it has been forced to close its offices. The Nicaraguan Association for Human Rights says it has gotten "threatening phone calls" and "alarming information" that authorities were planning to fabricate criminal charges against staff members. It did not give any other details or specify who it thinks may be responsible for the threats. The association has said the violence in Nicaragua has led to 448 people being killed since April and blames the Ortega government and its armed civilian supporters for most of the deaths. The Organization of American States put the death toll last week at 317, while the government says fewer than 200 people have died. President Daniel Ortega has called the anti-government protesters terrorists who are plotting a coup to topple him. He has resisted their demands for early elections and rejected the Catholic Church's call for talks with the opposition. The protesters accuse Ortega, a former leftist rebel leader, of turning into the same kind of authoritarian dictator he helped overthrow in 1979. Chicago police say they will not be defeated after an unusually violent weekend that saw at least 34 people shot in the city in just 24 hours. Five of those victims died, including a 17-year-old girl who was shot in the face. "This is the worst I've ever seen it," a policeman told the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper. "It's hot right now. There's a lot of tension ... and it might get worse." The officer says overheard people talking on their cellphones, planning revenge attacks and urging others to also get even (take revenge). Families crowded into the emergency room of one of the city's busiest hospitals between Saturday morning and early Sunday when the 34 shootings were reported. The youngest victim was an 11-year-old boy. Hundreds of demonstrators blocked a major Chicago highway last week to protest gun violence and demand Mayor Rahm Emanuel resign. The mayor has not yet commented on the weekend violence but has called for more gun control measures, not only in Chicago but throughout Illinois. Police blame the gun violence not just on the large number of weapons on the streets, but also what they say is the belief by gang members that they can gun down a rival and get away with it. More than 300 people have been shot to death in Chicago so far this year, the most of any U.S. city. But police say that is 25 percent fewer incidents than the same time last year, and say 5,500 illegal guns have been confiscated since January. Police in Bangladesh said Monday they have arrested Shahidul Alam, a celebrated photographer, for his posts on Facebook and statements in other media outlets about the student protests in Dhaka, the capital, demanding better enforcement of traffic safety laws and more protection for pedestrians near schools. Moshiur Rahman, a police official, told the French news agency (AFP) that Alam was brought to a police station early Monday and was being interrogated for "giving false information to different media and for provocative comments." Rahman said legal action would be taken against the photographer. At least 30 plainclothes police officers picked up Alam from his home late Sunday. The student demonstrators continued to clash with police Sunday, the eighth day of the protests, in their quest for better traffic laws and protections for pedestrians. Late Saturday, a car carrying the U.S. ambassador to Bangladesh, Marcia Bernicat, was attacked by a group of armed men, but no one was hurt in the incident. Police have used tear gas and batons to disperse the protesters, as demonstrators threw stones. Witnesses said police fired rubber bullets at the students, but police have denied using the rubber pellets. Abdus Shabbir, an emergency room doctor, told the French news agency (AFP) his hospital had treated more 115 students Saturday and some of them had injuries consistent with rubber bullets. A few of the students "were in very bad condition," he said. Protesters have also vandalized vehicles. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told reporters that more than 300 vehicles have been damaged this week, including some that have been set on fire. The protests started Monday in Dhaka after two college students were killed by unregulated commuter buses racing to pick up passengers. Students took to the streets, particularly in areas where accidents are common, to stage protests, check driver licenses, and direct traffic themselves, in some cases setting up traffic lanes to separate heavy vehicles from light ones. Members of the ruling political party reportedly tried to control the protesters, drawing criticism from the demonstrators. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has promised to grant the students their list of nine demands in phases. Demands include bringing to justice those responsible for Monday's traffic deaths; releasing students arrested in the protests; and the building of footbridges near all educational institutions. The students say they will protest until the demands are met. The students also demand an apology and the resignation of Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, who seemed to downplay the deaths of the two students when he questioned why there had been no uproar about an accident in India a day earlier that killed 33 people. He has since apologized for his comments. Bangladesh's National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads, and Railways found that more than 4,200 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents last year, most often because of reckless driving. The president of Ethiopia's turbulent Somali region has resigned, following violence in the regional capital killed at least 29 people. Abdi Mohamoud Omar stepped down from his post Monday, according to two senior regional officials, including Khadar Abdi Ismail, an ally of Omar. "Yes, there has been a change [of leadership]. The former president has handed over his responsibilities to Ahmed Abdi Mohamed," Ismail told VOA's Somali service. "That change has taken place peacefully, the former president has been working for the interest of the people, and now he handed over in consideration of the interest of the public." The new president, Mohamed, previously served as regional finance minister. Meanwhile, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporation has reported that the Ethiopian army has been ordered to enter the Somali regional state to "restore order." Witnesses in Jigjiga have confirmed that large columns of Ethiopian military vehicles entered the regional capital, Jigjiga, on Monday. Regional officials said on Sunday 29 people were killed during Saturday's violence in Jigjiga. Fighting broke out Friday after an apparent rift between local authorities and the central Ethiopian government. Ismail blamed the deaths on federal forces and said the violence was sparked by public anger over "the illegal entry of the dangerously armed troops" into the city. The government recently accused regional officials of carrying out human rights abuses. Ethiopia's Somali region was the first area visited by new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed after he was selected by the ruling party last April At the time of the visit, Ahmed was trying to ease tensions between the ethnic Somali and Oromo communities, which have been engaged in deadly tit-for-tat attacks that have claimed the lives of dozens of people. Police in Bangladesh fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse students who protested for a ninth day demanding better enforcement of traffic safety laws. The latest clashes involved hundreds of students in the Bashundhara neighborhood of the capital, Dhaka, where several private universities are located. Protesters said at least 40 people, mostly students, were injured. Also Monday, rights group Amnesty International called for the immediate and unconditional release of Shahidul Alam, a celebrated photographer who has spoken out on social media about the student protests. Amnesty International says Alam was detained after giving an interview about the Dhaka protests to Al-Jazeera English. "There is no justification whatsoever for detaining anyone for solely peacefully expressing their views," Omar Waraich, Amnesty's deputy South Asia director, said in a statement. Police say Alam was arrested on charges of spreading rumors on social media, aiming to incite violence. In another development Monday, Bangladesh's Cabinet approved increasing the maximum jail time for reckless driving deaths from three years to five years in a bid to quell the student demonstrations. The Cabinet also said deliberate road deaths would carry the death penalty. The proposals must be approved by parliament before becoming law. The students have been calling for better traffic laws and protections for pedestrians, following the deaths of two college students who were killed by unregulated commuter buses racing to pick up passengers. WATCH: Street protests Students took to the streets last week, particularly in areas where accidents are common, to stage protests, check driver licenses, and direct traffic themselves, in some cases setting up traffic lanes to separate heavy vehicles from light ones. Protesters have also vandalized vehicles. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told reporters that more than 300 vehicles have been damaged this week, including some that have been set on fire. Late Saturday, a car carrying U.S. ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat,was attacked by a group of armed men, but no one was hurt in the incident. Police have been using tear gas, batons, and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has promised to grant the students their list of nine demands in phases. Demands include bringing to justice those responsible for Monday's traffic deaths; releasing students arrested in the protests; and the building of footbridges near all educational institutions. The students say they will protest until the demands are met. Bangladesh's National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads, and Railways found that more than 4,200 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents last year, most often because of reckless driving. Russia engaged in more extensive oil exports to North Korea than had been previously reported, by setting up an illicit trade network that is likely still being used today to evade United Nations sanctions, according a South Korean research organization. A recent report issued by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul used Russian customs data to document how one North Korean state enterprise purchased 622,878 tons of Russian oil worth $238 million, between 2015 and 2017. While China is North Koreas main oil supplier, the ASAN estimate for Russian oil exports to North Korea is significantly higher than the $25 million in sales for the same period that was reported by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) in Seoul. Smuggling has always been an important element in the cross-border trade between North Korea and its important allies. What the Chinese government and the Russian government to a lesser extent have been doing is to turn a blind eye to these activities, said Go Myong-Hyun, a North Korea analyst with the Asan Institute For Policy Studies in Seoul. Russian evasions The Asan report comes amid allegations that Russia potentially violated international sanctions imposed on North Korea by granting thousands of new work permits to North Korean laborers. Moscow had denied any such actions. The Trump administration also imposed targeted U.S sanctions on a Russian bank for allegedly doing business with a person blacklisted for involvement with North Korea's nuclear weapons program. On Friday U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called the allegations against Russia, very troubling. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on the Russians and all countries to abide by the U.N. Security Council resolutions and enforce sanctions on North Korea," while attending the ASEAN Regional Forum in Singapore on Saturday. United Nations sanctions imposed in September of 2017 prohibit member countries from providing work authorizations permits to North Korean workers. In December of 2017 the U.N. Security Council further strengthened the sanctions to cut North Korean oil imports by a third, and to impose a total export ban on North Koreas $3 billion coal and other mineral industries, its $800 million clothing manufacturing output, and its lucrative seafood industry. Shell companies The ASAN report is centered on the activities of the Independent Petroleum Company (IPC), a Russian firm that the U.S. Treasury Department targeted in June 2017 for violating restrictions on selling oil to North Korea. IPC has since changed its name. IPC was found to have sold large quantities of oil to Russian affiliated companies, such as the Pro-Gain Group Corporation (PGGC) that was actually operating on behalf of North Koreas state owned Foreign Trade Bank. The North Korean bank has been under U.S. sanctions since 2013. The entities involved tried to cover up the transactions by falsifying destination countries for the purchases, said the ASAN report entitled The Rise of Phantom Traders. The report notes that PGGC is owned by Taiwan citizen Tsang Yung Yuan. Tsang was sanctioned earlier this year by the U.S. for facilitating North Korean coal exports using a Russia-based North Korean broker. PGGC has headquarters listed both in Taipei and Samoa. North Korea has also been accused of conducting illicit ship-to-ship transfers of oil, and to conceal these operations by disabling the Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder of vessels in order to hide their location. There have also been reports of North Korea changing vessel names and identification numbers, even painting over or altering the numbers on the ships exteriors. Rajin-Khasan Exemption A large number of oil shipments were also delivered to the Russian-North Korean border village of Khasan, which is connected by rail to the North Korean port terminal at Rajin. The Rajin-Khasan rail project was exempted from U.N. sanctions to allow Russia to use the North Korean seaport to export Russian coal. Trade records show that oil deliveries arriving in Khasan were on their way to China, but the report suggests it is more likely North Korea was the final destination. Since 2015, the ASAN report says, only PGGC and Velmur, two companies with ties to North Korea, listed Khasan as the point of delivery for oil shipments. According to the ASAN report, Moscow and Pyongyang are likely exploiting the Rajin-Khasan rail exemption to evade restrictions on North Korean oil imports. In 2016, South Korea suspended its participation in the Rajin-Khasan rail project to comply with U.S. unilateral sanctions imposed on North Korea trade. Recently some officials in Seoul have called for these sanctions affecting the Rajin-Khasan Project to be lifted, so that investment can proceed in connecting South Korean rail both to North Korea, and to the intentional railway system beyond that can reach Europe. Sanctions effectiveness The sanctions are intended to cut North Korea off from foreign currency and materials needed for weapons production, and to impose economic pain on the leadership to persuade Pyongyang to give up its nuclear and ballistic missile development programs. Despite increased reports of sanctions evasions, Cheong Seong-chang, a North Korea analyst with the Sejong Institute in South Korea, says the recent report of an 88 percent decline in North Korean trade in the first quarter of this year indicates the economic situation there is in dire condition. If the sanctions from the U.N. Security Council continue, economic breakdown in North Korea will be inevitable, said Cheong. Talks between Washington and Pyongyang have made little significant progress toward ending the Norths nuclear program since June, when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his commitment to denuclearization during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore. The U.S. insists that the North completely end it nuclear weapons program before any concessions are granted, while Pyongyang wants early sanctions relief. On Sunday Pompeo said that North Korean Foreign Minster Ri Yong Ho reiterated a very clear commitment to denuclearize when the two met at the ASEAN conference in Singapore. Lee Yoon-jee contributed to this report. Saudi Arabia expelled the Canadian ambassador on Monday and froze all new business with Ottawa over its criticism of the ultraconservative kingdoms arrest of womens rights activists yet another warning to the West reflecting Riyadhs new assertive foreign policy. The sudden and unexpected dispute bore the hallmarks of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabias 32-year-old future leader whose recent foreign policy exploits include the war in Yemen and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariris surprise resignation broadcast during a visit to the kingdom. Hariri later rescinded the resignation, widely believed to be orchestrated by Riyadh, and returned to Beirut. Analysts say the dispute between Riyadh and Ottawa shows Saudi Arabia wont accept any outside criticism and will continue flexing its muscles abroad, especially as the kingdom enjoys a closer relationship with President Donald Trump. This message is obviously not just being sent to Ottawa, said Giorgio Cafiero, the CEO of Gulf State Analytics, a Washington-based risk consultancy. Its a message to countries across Europe and across the rest of the world that criticism of Saudi Arabia . has consequences. The Saudi Foreign Ministry made the announcement early Monday, giving Ambassador Dennis Horak 24 hours to leave the kingdom. It wasnt immediately clear if he was in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia said it would recall its ambassador to Canada as well. Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as acknowledgment of our right to interfere in Canadian domestic affairs, the Foreign Ministry said. Canada and all other nations need to know that they cant claim to be more concerned than the kingdom over its own citizens. Marie-Pier Baril, a spokeswoman for Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, said Canada was seriously concerned by Saudi Arabias actions. Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, very much including womens rights, and freedom of expression around the world, she said in a statement. Our government will never hesitate to promote these values and believes that this dialogue is critical to international diplomacy. The dispute appeared centered around tweets by Canadian diplomats calling on the kingdom to immediately release detained womens rights activists. Among the arrested activists is Samar Badawi, whose writer brother Raif Badawi was arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and later sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for insulting Islam while blogging. His case long has been raised by international human rights groups and Western diplomats, including Canadians, who have called on Saudi Arabia to free him. His wife, Ensaf Haidar, lives in Canada and received Canadian citizenship in July at a Canada Day ceremony. Freeland tweeted about the arrests on Thursday. Very alarmed to learn that Samar Badawi, Raif Badawis sister, has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, she wrote. Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time, and we continue to strongly call for the release of both Raif and Samar Badawi. Saudi Arabia in June ended its long practice of banning women from driving cars a ban Samar Badawi and other womens activists have long campaigned against. However, supporters of womens rights were arrested just weeks before the ban was lifted, signaling that only King Salman and his powerful son, Crown Prince Mohammed, will decide the pace of change. Saudi women still need permission from male guardians to travel abroad or marry. It isnt clear what new business would be affected by Saudi Arabias expulsion of Ottawas envoy. Canada receives 10 percent of its imported crude oil from Saudi Arabia while bilateral trade between the two nations is $3 billion a year. Armored tanks and personnel carriers have been Canadas biggest recent export to the kingdom. A London, Ontario-based firm called General Dynamics Land Systems signed a $15 billion deal with Saudi Arabia in 2014 to export its light-armored vehicles to the kingdom, the largest-ever arms deal. The diplomatic dispute with Canada is part of that assertive foreign policy pushed by Crown Prince Mohammed under his father, analysts say. Germany similarly has found itself targeted by the kingdom in recent months over comments by its officials on the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Its also not the first time Saudi Arabia lashed out diplomatically over the Badawi case. In 2015, Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador to Sweden and stopped issuing work visas for Swedes after the Scandinavian countrys foreign minister described the Badawi court decision as medieval and the kingdoms ruling Al Saud family as presiding over a dictatorship. Saudi Arabia in recent years also has expelled Irans ambassador over attacks on its diplomatic posts following its 2016 execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Ayham Kamel, the head of the Eurasia Groups Mideast practice, expressed surprise that Canada hadnt realized pushing the message on Badawi was a mistake, given Crown Prince Mohammeds assertiveness. The win (for the Saudis) is that everyone will get the message,Kamel said. This is not just to Canadas mailbox. It is about sending a message to the entire West that you dont get to lecture us. A United States senator who met with Russian lawmakers in Moscow said he invited them to visit Washington and they accepted Monday. Sen. Rand Paul said during a trip to Russia that American and Russian legislators need closer contact, noting that "our biggest problem right now is no dialogue." The Kentucky Republican said after meeting with members of the foreign affairs committee for Russia's upper house of parliament that he invited them to come to the U.S. capital. Paul added that lawmakers from the two countries could also meet in a neutral third nation. "Those who believe in either country that we should not have diplomacy are greatly mistaken," he said. Konstantin Kosachev, the head of the foreign affairs committee in the Federation Council, the upper house, strongly backed Paul's effort to promote contacts. "Each of these meetings is important for a better understanding of each other and for talking about the perspectives of how to escape the `dead end' of the relationship," Kosachev said. In a statement released by his office, Paul emphasized that "engagement is vital to our national security and peace around the world." "I invited the Russian Federation to send a delegation to the Capitol, and they have agreed to take this important next step," he said. Paul has nurtured a close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump and defended Trump after the president's Helsinki summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month. After meeting with upper house members, Paul also met Monday with members of the Russian parliament's lower house, the State Duma. South Sudan leaders agreed to end hostilities Sunday in the latest attempt to end the countrys five-year civil war, which has killed tens of thousands of people. Some analysts say the deal will succeed only if the country's political leaders can finally find a way to work together. South Sudanese leaders have once again agreed to end the war and work towards peace. East African head of states gathered Sunday in Khartoum to witness the signing of a new peace deal between the government of President Salva Kiir, rebel leader Riek Machar and other opposition groups. The sides all agreed to end hostilities and to work together in a transitional government scheduled to last for three years. Speaking in Khartoum Sunday, Kenyas President Uhuru Kenyatta congratulated the political leaders of South Sudan. I commend all of you for concluding the discussion on the critical issue of security and governance," said Kenyatta. "These two are critical for peace and stability in South Sudan. We stand with you because today history beacons you to seize the opportunity offered here in Khartoum to marshal your commitment and drive and claim the future of South Sudan as one people. The agreement returns Riek Machar from exile to the post of first vice president, and four more vice presidents will also be appointed. The document signed by the leaders says the president will collaborate, but will have duties and powers in accordance with a 2015 peace deal. The 2015 agreement allows the president to consult with people like Machar, but final decisions rest with Kiir. Kwaje Lasu is a spokesman for the South Sudan Opposition Alliance, which consists of nine parties. His group also signed the peace deal. He says good governance can save the deal. It's not even that long as an independent nation, but we have been through a lot, and our people have suffered. But because of those pillars that are holding the building is very weak, what I mean by that institutional reforms, justice, and accountability, the rule of law, giving the people what they deserve in terms of governance all this component of the government determine the viability of this agreement, said Lasu. Political observers in the region have questioned the will of Kiir and Machar to work together in peace. The 2015 peace deal collapsed just a year later when a flare-up of violence in Juba left hundreds dead and prompted Machar to flee the country. Commentator Fulbert Namwamba says without adequate security it will be difficult for Machar to work. Machar would like to work with Kiir, but the problem is that the circumstances under which he left Juba is such that there have to be a guarantee that he can bring his army to Juba and then he has to be within his barrack, otherwise he becomes a sitting duck in a country that is unpredictable, said Namwamba. The civil war has uprooted more than 4 million South Sudanese civilians from their homes. The mayor of Hiroshima, Japan warned Monday that a rising tide of nationalism is threatening world peace in a ceremony marking the 73rd anniversary of the atomic bombing of his city by the United States. In his speech at Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, Mayor Kazumi Matsui said certain nations were "rekindling tensions that had eased with the end of the Cold War," although he did not identify those nations. Matsui said these nations are "explicitly expressing self-centered nationalism" while modernizing their nuclear weapons. But Matsui also called on Japan itself to take the lead in working towards eliminating nuclear weapons. Tokyo is under the protection of the U.S.'s so-called "nuclear umbrella" and is not a signatory of Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The August 6, 1945 bombing of Hiroshima, which killed 170,000 people in the world's first use of atomic weapon, was followed three days later by the bombing of the city of Nagasaki, which killed more than 70,000 people, and led to Japan's unconditional surrender, ending World War II. Also speaking at Monday's ceremony, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan will do more to bridge the widening gap between nuclear and non-nuclear nations, while reaffirming Tokyo's opposition to nuclear weapons. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Iran has to start behaving like what he calls a "normal country," as the United States prepares to reimpose sanctions on Tehran. "This is just about the Iranians' dissatisfaction with their own government and the president's (Trump) been pretty clear. We want the Iranian people to have a strong voice in who their leadership will be," Pompeo told reporters Sunday. He said the White House would give details Monday about the sanctions that will take effect Tuesday against a wide range of Iranian industries, including its automotive industry, gold, coal and steel. The Iranian government will also no longer be allowed to buy U.S. and European planes and U.S. banknotes. People and businesses involved in those industries were given a 90-day period to wind down their activities. That period expires Monday. Sanctions against Iranian energy exports are set to come back into effect in November. The sanctions that had been lifted are returning after President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and five other nations. The agreement called for Iran to sharply curb its uranium enrichment program in exchange for the end of most sanctions. Trump has called it a terrible deal because he says it gives Iran the opportunity to restart its nuclear program. Iran has repeatedly denied its nuclear program was aimed at developing nuclear weapons. Iran and the other signatories remain committed to the agreement. The International Atomic Energy Agency, which is monitoring the implementation of the deal, says Iran is in compliance and that the agreement has allowed for greater verification of Iran's nuclear activities. Chinese military vessels are now operating in the Northern Atlantic, and Russian submarines are prowling those same waters at a pace not seen since the end of the Cold War, the Navys top admiral told VOA in an exclusive interview. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said China's military movements from the North Atlantic into the Mediterranean Sea create a "new dynamic." "Even five years ago, we wouldn't have seen anything like this, Richardson said. According to Richardson, the Chinese navy is a global one that is both "ready and capable" of operating wherever Beijing wants. They're certainly a pacing competition for us in terms of the naval threat, he told VOA. However, Chinese operations near the United States' eastern shore are not as threatening as Russian vessels lurking below the oceans surface. NATO allies from North America to Europe are increasingly concerned about the uptick of Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic. We're talking about more (activity) than we've seen in 25 years, Richardson said. U.S. officials worry that Moscow may try to use its submarines to cut or tap into undersea cables that connect the two continents. 2nd Fleet Due to these increased complexities in the North Atlantic, the United States has recently reactivated a command to secure the ocean on its eastern coast. The U.S. 2nd Fleet helps fulfill new guidelines under Secretary of Defense Jim Mattiss National Defense Strategy, which makes great-power competition, rather than terrorism, the primary focus of U.S. national security. The fleet was deactivated in 2011 because the Navy needed the funds for acquisitions. It was reactivated in Norfolk on July 1. Richardson will preside over the fleets formal establishment ceremony aboard an aircraft carrier in Norfolk on August 24. The 2nd Fleet commander will also head NATOs Joint Forces Command Norfolk. Richardson said the dual-hatted command structure allows the U.S. and its allies to adapt together as they confront the rising Russian challenge. Russian jamming As the U.S. Navy adjusts its geographic commands, Richardson said it also must stay ahead in the competitive realm of information warfare. Navy sailors on the high seas are having to defend themselves from Russian electronic jamming devices much like those used against U.S. ground troops operating in Syria. Richardson said sailors had absolutely encountered Russian jamming devices while operating in international waters. This is an emerging part of our business now," he told VOA. Richardson did not elaborate on how the jamming affects the Navy. Electronic warfare attacks have the potential to disturb navigation and communication systems. Those disruptive technologiesare really going to be decisive in the future fight, and we've got to make sure that we're investing in those as well, Richardson said. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday played down an exchange of contentious remarks with North Korea on the sidelines of weekend regional meetings in Singapore, saying Pyongyang had made clear its continued commitment to denuclearize. Both Pompeo and North Korean Foreign Minster Ri Yong Ho were in Singapore, less than two months after an unprecedented summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that Trump has hailed as a success despite a lack of concrete action by Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons program. Pompeo and Ri's interaction nevertheless appeared limited to a brief handshake at the ASEAN Regional Forum. When Pompeo left the meeting on Saturday, Ri delivered an address in which he said Pyongyang was alarmed by U.S. intentions. He also complained about U.S. calls to maintain sanctions on North Korea and reluctance to declare a formal end to the Korean War. Pompeo was asked in a briefing to reporters traveling back with him to Washington whether he was concerned by Ri's remarks. He noted the tone of the North Korean statement was far different that it was last year. "The minister made very clear of their continued commitment to denuclearize," Pompeo said. "I probably don't have his words exactly right, but it's pretty close. Compare the anger, frankly, over years and years, and hatred, as spewed by the North Koreans; his comments were different." Pompeo stressed the U.S. "mission statement" remained clear. "The U.N. Security Council has said they must end their nuclear program and their ballistic missile program. He has to deliver on the commitments he's made," he said, referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. At the June 12 summit, Kim committed in broad terms to work toward denuclearization of the Korean peninsula but North Korea has offered no details on how it might go about this. U.S. officials, including Pompeo, have said North Korea has continued to work on its weapons programs. Ri said North Korea was committed to implementing a joint statement by Kim and Trump at their summit "in a responsible and good-faith manner." But he reiterated a call for a phased approach to talks, which differs from the U.S. insistence that North Korea give up its weapons before relief from sanctions. Asked whether North Korea could be offered concessions other than sanctions relief, Pompeo replied: "I am not going to comment on the sanctions and what others may have proffered." Asked why he had apparently not held a formal meeting with Ri in Singapore, Pompeo, who has been leading U.S. negotiating efforts with Pyongyang, replied: "Your question has a predicate and I'm just going to say, there are lots of conversations taking place." According to the State Department, in their brief exchange on Saturday Pompeo told Ri: "We should talk again soon," to which Ri responded: "I agree, there are many productive conversations to be had." Ri's later comments were not the first since the summit in which that North Korea has appeared to offer a more negative impression of the progress of talks with the United States shortly after Pompeo has departed from a meeting. Following a trip to Pyongyang in July, Pompeo spoke of progress, but as soon as he had left the country North Korea accused the United States of "gangster-like" diplomacy, casting doubts about the future of the discussions. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has ruled out forming a coalition government, despite his narrow win in last week's presidential election. The opposition is gearing up to challenge the official results in court. In a television broadcast, Mnangagwa ruled out forming a coalition government with Nelson Chamisa of the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance. The two locked horns in the July 30 presidential election with Mnangagwa winning a slim victory with 50.8 percent of the vote, according to official results. Asked by Sky television whether he would form a coalition government given his narrow victory, the 75-year-old politician pointed out his ZANU-PF party won firm control of parliament. In 1964 Harold Wilson of Britain had one seat, beating the conservative by one seat and he formed a government and ruled England and I have two thirds majority and you are talking about me abandoning my two thirds majority to seek a government of national unity, Mnangagwa said. Not that its a bad idea, but it doesnt show that there is any need ... Those who voted against me, those who voted for me, we say Zimbabwe is ours together lets move on. The best argument, the best vision, the best ideas have taken the day. Opposition leader Chamisa has refused to accept results given by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and accused it of rigging the July 30 polls for ZANU-PF. Last week the opposition protested in Harare. Police used tear gas and live fire to disperse the crowd, killing six people. The co-director of an international observer mission to Zimbabwes elections, Larry Garber, called on all parties to refrain from violence. We have expressed concerns, certainly about the use of excessive force, we think thats inappropriate, Garber said. And we appreciated the commitment by the president to an independent investigation of the events of last week, we think its important that there will be accountabilities to those who are responsible for perhaps using excessive force. On Monday, Chamisa spokesman Nkululeko Sibanda said the opposition had put together a strong legal team and will approach the court Tuesday to challenge election results. Meanwhile, some protesters who were arrested last week appeared in court Monday. The 27 protesters have been charged with public violence and malicious damage to ZANU-PF property. Attorneys from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights say the charges should be dropped, arguing the defendants were nowhere near the scene of the alleged crimes. Zimbabwean President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa said last week's presidential elections had been declared by everyone as "free, peaceful and transparent," despite protests from the opposition who claim the election was rigged. In an exclusive interview with UK broadcaster Sky News, Mnangagwa rejected considering a government of national unity, saying "not that it is a bad idea but it doesn't assure that there is any need." He added that "politics should now take a back seat because the elections are behind us", adding Zimbaweans needed to unite to modernise the country. Mnangagwa on Friday said he wanted an independent investigation into the deadly unrest after troops returned to the streets on Wednesday amid gunfire that left six people dead. Zimbabwe's electoral commission has said the president won with 50.8 percent of the vote while Movement for Democratic Change party (MDC) leader Nelson Chamisa received 44.3 percent. International election observers who were invited by Mnangagwa's government after years of being banned by deposed leader Robert Mugabe pulled out after issuing mixed reports on Monday's vote. While the election itself was called peaceful, the observers expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the voters' roll and the "extreme bias" of state-run media in favour of Mnangagwa. And in a joint statement the observers criticized the military's "excessive" use of force. A credible election is a crucial step for lifting international sanctions and attracting badly needed foreign investment in Zimbabwe's long-collapsed economy. Asked if he would stick to two five year terms should he be re-elected to a second one, Mnangagwa replied "perfectly", adding he would obey the constitution "to the letter" and not stay beyond his term. He added that his country was re-engaging with Britain after years of fraught relationships, saying "each time Britain has a woman leader, things are better." Britain's minister for Africa on Saturday said the government was "deeply concerned by the violence following the elections and the disproportionate response from the security forces." It was not immediately clear who ordered the military into the streets. Under Zimbabwe's constitution only the president has the power to authorize the deployment of defense forces. Police have said they invited the military to step in under a law that says they can do so, but some Zimbabwean lawyers said the constitution remains supreme. (AP) Stratovolcano 1536 m / 5,039 ftKamchatka, 54.05N / 159.43E(4 out of 5)1771, 1830, 1852, 1854, 1908, 1911, 1912, 1915, 1921, 1923, 1925, 1929, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1938, 1940, 1943, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1960, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1993, 1996 - ongoingDoninantly explosive, construction of lava domes, near constant activity.(volcano expedition to Kamchatka) If you havn't done it yet,to get one of the fastest volcano news online: Karymsky, the most active volcano of Kamchatka's eastern volcanic zone, is a symmetrical stratovolcano constructed within a 5-km-wide caldera that formed during the early Holocene. The caldera cuts the south side of the Pleistocene Dvor volcano and is located outside the north margin of the large mid-Pleistocene Polovinka caldera, which contains the smaller Akademia Nauk and Odnoboky calderas. Most seismicity preceding Karymsky eruptions originated beneath Akademia Nauk caldera, which is located immediately south of Karymsky volcano. The caldera enclosing Karymsky volcano formed about 7600-7700 radiocarbon years ago; construction of the Karymsky stratovolcano began about 2000 years later. The latest eruptive period began about 500 years ago, following a 2300-year quiescence. Much of the cone is mantled by lava flows less than 200 years old. Historical eruptions have been vulcanian or vulcanian-strombolian with moderate explosive activity and occasional lava flows from the summit crater. Discover Iceland's fascinating geology and volcanic activity on this relaxed photo and geo tour! Get to see theon the Reykjanes peninsula from close! Armenia, a small country in the South Caucasus, has a long dramatic history and a rich cultural heritage. Despite its compact territory, it has much to offer its guests: fascinating mountain landscapes with snowy volcano peaks, beautiful gorges and cliffs, alpine meadows and subtropical forests, monasteries hidden in valleys, archaeological sites and picturesque villages. Gorely is a young and very active shield volcano in southern Kamchatka. It is one of Kamchatka's easiest volcanoes to climb and offers stunning views into vast craters and the surrounding landscape. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers provide near-real time global monitoring of volcanic ash plumes for aviation. Read the latest (or browse past) advisories. Check which volcanoes are currently active (erupting). Our daily updated maps give a quick overview. Support us - Help us upgrade our services! Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources. We're aiming to achieve uninterrupted service wherever an earthquake or volcano eruption unfolds, and your donations can make it happen! Every donation will be highly appreciated. Improved multilanguage support Tsunami alerts Faster responsiveness Earthquake archive from 1900 onwards Detailed quake stats Additional seismic data sources Download and Upgrade the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: Android | IOS to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online: We truly love working to bring you the latest volcano and earthquake data from around the world.We need financing to increase hard- and software capacity as well as support our editor team.If you find the information useful and would like to support our team in integrating further features, write great content, and in upgrading our soft- and hardware, please PayPal or Online credit card payment )., these features have been added recently: Alcoa, an American aluminum maker that supplies metal used in everything from Coca-Cola cans to Boeing Co. 747 jetliners, is seeking relief from U.S. tariffs meant to help it. Alcoa filed five requests to the U.S. Commerce Department on Monday asking for waivers from the Trump administration's 10 percent tariff on imports of the lightweight metal. Three of the requests are for aluminum that it said is unavailable from U.S. producers, and two are for metal that can't be made in sufficient quantity domestically. My most popular video is 10 Things that I Found Most Interesting in South Korea. I talked about how surprised I was to see so much variety on television in South Korea. In North Korea, theres only one television channel. I also thought it was amazing that you could turn on the tap, and hot water would come out. At home in North Korea, we had to boil water to have a bath. I think this video was popular because South Koreans want to hear about South Korea more than they want to hear about North Korea. Dear Heloise: Ever use a "dream board"? I know it sounds like a lot of silly nonsense, but creating a visual board with pictures and affirmations of what you want in life actually works. I usually focus on three ideas at a time. Example: I'll post a picture of a place I want to visit next year, plus two other things I want to accomplish, and by putting it where I can see it every day and meditating on it, most often I manage to make it happen. It's a way to make dreams become a reality. As part of the team that won this years Pulitzer for national reporting along with the New York Times, Miller has contributed significantly to The Posts coverage of this subject. The awarded work provides a framework and basic understanding of what happened, he said, but his book incorporates much of what was left on the cutting room floor, and then some. He estimates that around 80 percent of The Apprentice will be original reporting based on hundreds of interviews with people close to the four major players: Trump, Mueller, Russian President Vladimir Putin and former FBI director James B. Comey. There is nothing that I think disturbs me more than people presuming what our would-be senators would do, said Beverly Perry, a top adviser to D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) who oversees the administrations bipartisan strategy for statehood, in an interview last week. Thats unfair to our residents to assume that our would-be senators would be on any side of the aisle or would take any particular position. Its $158,000 cost is more than what Stewarts campaign currently has available to spend in total, roughly $143,000, showing the formidable re-election campaign mounted by Kaine that so far has dwarfed his opponents in a year when Democrats hope to ride anti-President Trump sentiments to gain ground in Congress. Normally, opposition reports are closely guarded documents used by campaigns to create talking points and attack ads. But Doug Thornell, a Democratic strategist not involved in the Maryland gubernatorial race, said Republicans and Democrats sometimes make such research available for various reasons, including so that independent expenditure campaigns which can support candidates but may not coordinate with them can access the information. Todays Headlines The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning. Email address By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy In January 2014, the homeowners association notified the Pughs that their meadow also violated the covenant, and warned that the board would not approve any potential sale of the property unless the meadow was removed. The violation notice did not fine the couple, nor did it put a lien on the property. In addition to the burglaries, police said the youth sexually assaulted a girl who was in one of the houses that was broken into. He is also accused of stealing two vehicles after taking keys from homes, police said. In February, Congress approved $4.8 billion in additional funds to help pay the islands Medicaid bills. But the additional payments are widely viewed as a stopgap measure; health economists say that extra money is likely to run out in September 2019, a grim estimate shared by the territorys fiscal oversight board. Thats a federal control board established by Congress in 2016 to oversee Puerto Ricos budget, negotiate with its creditors and help restructure at least some of the islands debt. 11 children removed from N.M. compound A message that people were starving, thought to have come from someone inside a makeshift compound in rural northern New Mexico, led to the discovery of 11 children living in filthy conditions. Taos County Sheriff's officials said Saturday that the children, ranging in age from 1 to 15, were removed from the compound in the small community of Amalia, 145 miles northeast of Albuquerque. They were then turned over to state child-welfare workers. Siraj Wahhaj was detained on an outstanding warrant in Georgia alleging child abduction, and Lucas Morten was jailed on suspicion of harboring a fugitive, Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said. Police seek to identify dead infant: Police are looking for answers in the death of a baby found floating in the East River in an area popular with tourists near the Brooklyn Bridge and the South Street Seaport in New York. Officials want to know: How long was the boy in the water before an Oklahoma family spotted him Sunday? Why was he wearing only a diaper? Where are the adults who were supposed to be caring for him? A medical examiner will determine how the boy, about 8 months old, died. Police say he showed no signs of trauma. What is missed in this sort of analysis is that many, maybe most, of us dont think in simple left/right terms, and countless issues are not cleanly identified this way. The same is true of elections. When the returns are tallied in November, the results may be better explained by the reform/corruption dynamic than any other. Ah, but no. We are admonished from doing that. This is America, and it is special, and it does not swoon for demagogues. It has gone through hard times, sure the Civil War and the Great Depression and the Red Scare following World War I and the Russian Revolution, and the McCarthy period following the onset of the Cold War. It has done terrible things to the Indians, enslaved blacks and thereafter remained exuberantly racist both in custom and law. It incarcerated U.S. citizens and noncitizens of Japanese descent and, for a time, was so deeply anti-Semitic that it turned its back on frantic Jews fleeing extermination. But overall and especially when compared with lots of other countries we have been downright marvelous. And so we insist. The result: The higher the parents incomes, the less likely that their children will match them. This is even true for the richest 1 percent of families, says economist Aparna Mathur of the American Enterprise Institute. The children born in 1980 in the richest 1 percent have only a 1 percent chance of themselves being in the top 1 percent, she says. (Of course, this hardly means theyre impoverished. It just means they have less income than their parents. The same lesson applies to the middle and upper-middle classes.) Its time Virginia voters got the same chance. Unlike Michigan, however, Virginia does not give its citizens initiative power to propose such changes; it requires a constitutional amendment. In Virginia, the path to putting a constitutional amendment before the voters runs through the General Assembly, and the process takes two years. That means the clock is ticking if Virginia voters are to put a stop to gerrymandering before the redistricting that will follow the 2020 Census. The first step initial approval in the General Assembly must happen during the legislative session that begins in January. Step two would be a second approval during the 2020 session. That would authorize the final step: letting the people vote by putting the proposal on the November 2020 ballot. In 2021, all 140 General Assembly seats and all congressional seats, of which Virginia now has 11, will be remapped. A fund set up to help pay legal expenses incurred by aides to President Trump drawn into the Russia investigation raised about $200,000 in four months, with most of the money coming from some of the presidents most prolific donors, according to documents filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Vermont had a governor who was incapable of going for it and doing the right thing, said Sanders, author of a federal universal health-care proposal. Of course Republicans will try to frighten the American people about Medicare for all, like they tried to frighten them about Medicare, like they tried to frighten them about the ACA. You need people in the states who are going to lead. Over the past few days, students aggrieved at the abysmal state of traffic management in Dhaka have blocked roads, inspected drivers licenses at checkpoints and stopped drivers to inform them of road rules. But over the weekend, the protests turned violent vehicles were set ablaze, and police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at crowds of chanting students in some parts of the city. Since May, Saudi authorities have detained more than a dozen of the activists, accusing some of illegal contact with foreign entities while branding them as traitors in the local press. Some of the activists had campaigned for decades to allow Saudi women the right to drive and were rounded up in the weeks before the Saudi government lifted the driving ban. Photo: Contributed A former Summerland resident and contributor to many notable Penticton building projects has been appointed to the Order of British Columbia for her work on sustainability in the building industry. Brenda Martens has been given the honour due to her extensive work on sustainable building projects around the province, as well as the "extraordinary lengths" she has gone to in her own life to reduce her environmental footprint, according to the advisory council. She once chose to take a train across North American and a freighter ship across the Atlantic for an engagement in Italy, to avoid the carbon footprint associated with air travel. The Order is the highest recognition the Province can bestow on a citizen, reserved for "those persons who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any field of endeavour benefiting the people of the province or elsewhere." Martens' work on the Olympic Athletes' Villages and BC Housing residences province-wide made her an ideal candidate. Local projects that she was involved in include the Penticton Aquatic Centre renovation and the Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation at Okanagan College. She has also previously been honoured with the Volunteer Leadership Award from the Canada Green Building Council in 2013, and was named a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design fellow in 2012, one of only 10 Canadians of 226 individuals worldwide. Theyve got to behave like a normal country, he said of Iran. Thats the ask. Its pretty simple. We think that most other countries, everyone with whom I spoke, understands that they need to behave normally, and they understand that this is a country that threatens them. Two more activists were arrested last week, according to Human Rights Watch. One of the women, Nassima al-Sadah, had run for local elections and campaigned for abolishing so-called guardianship laws, which require women to seek approval from a male relative to travel or to marry. The other, Samar Badawi, received the U.S. secretary of states International Women of Courage Award and is the sister of dissident blogger Raif Badawi. Raif Badawi had been sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail in Saudi Arabia for insulting Islam through electronic channels. His wife, Ensaf Haidar, and their three children became Canadian citizens on Canada Day last month and live in Quebec. The senator, who was once a foe of the president, has emerged as a unique and somewhat renegade voice, coming as both Republicans and Democrats criticize the president for not taking a tougher stance against Russia. The relationship between the two countries has sunk to lows not seen since the Cold War as they spar over a range of issues from election interference to the crises in Syria and Ukraine. The U.S. certainly miscalculated by so openly pushing for a second term for Abadi, said Nussaibah Younis, an Iraq expert with Chatham House, adding that Washington should have emphasized its priorities for the Iraqi government rather than focusing on a specific individual. Pushing for a continuation of Abadi was the easy way for the U.S. to try to protect the gains it has made in Iraq over the last four years without having to do the substantial groundwork that would have been required to build up a range of political alternatives. Photo: Vernon Search and Rescue Vernon Search and Rescue were called in to assist in the rescue of a man who was injured at Fintry Falls Provincial park Sunday afternoon. VSAR posted the details of the joint rescue on its Facebook page. According to the post, the man was taking a picture with his cell phone at the top of the falls when he dropped his phone. When the man went to reach for the phone, he fell approximately 150 feet down the face of the falls. Miraculously, the man landed in the middle pool with very little injury. His friends and family called 911. North Westside Fire Department, West Kelowna Fire Department, BC Ambulance Service, and Vernon Search and Rescue all responded and worked together to extricate him from his precarious position. "Thankfully, he was rescued and will be able to spend the rest of the long weekend with his family and friends. VSAR would like to remind everyone to always play safe, and be very careful this long weekend and beyond." The old Olympia milk bar - a landmark on Parramatta Road at Stanmore - has kept sadly declining since it closed late last year. The sign out front is full of gaps: "SNACK_, SMOKES, S_E_ _S," it reads. The window is partly boarded up. The awning is black with dirt. The rundown exterior of the Olympia milk bar. Credit:Jessica Hromas But anyone passing who has a moment to pay attention might see a figure moving in the shadows at the back of the shop. If they ever dropped in for a milkshake, tea or a quick meal after a movie when the Olympia was open, they will recognise him. Eight months after its last customer, elderly owner Nicholas Fotiou still spends his days - apron on as though ready for work - at the Greek milk bar that has been his life. A petit teenage skater who was swung to the ground by a police officer after calling him a dog has won a six-figure payout from the NSW government. A District Court judge awarded the now-21-year-old man $124,000 after ruling he was assaulted and wrongly arrested by police while waiting to be picked up by a friends sister following a Blue Mountains house party on April 14, 2014. The youth was 17 and "moderately affected" by alcohol at the time he told Constable Russell Budin to f--- off dog, c--- when he and his friends were approached by police while at a bench outside a Glenbrook bakery late at night. The skater told the court Constable Budin, now a Senior Constable, grabbed him by the front of the shirt and swung him around before he hit the ground heavily. In his lengthy August 3 judgment, Judge Garry Neilson said Constable Budin was insulted by this personal and professional slight and overreacted by arresting the diminutive teen, who looked about 12 or 13 at the time. Family members of murdered Korean student Eunji Ban arrive at the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday. Credit:AAP His ability to control his actions was impaired by his schizophrenia, his lawyer argues. McEwan has pleaded not guilty to murdering the South Korean woman in Brisbane's CBD in November 2013, but guilty to her manslaughter. Alex Reuben McEwan "just felt like" killing Eunji Ban, but he doesn't believe he's her murderer. But the Crown did not accept his plea to the lesser charge, telling his trial that he intended to kill her. "He told police he went out looking for someone to kill," crown prosecutor David Meredith told Brisbane Supreme Court in opening submissions on Monday. Ms Ban, 22, was found dead in Wickham Park in the early hours of November 24, 2013 after she was allegedly repeatedly punched by McEwan, then 19, while walking to her cleaning job. Her head injuries were so severe they caused her to drown in her own blood, the court heard. McEwan's friend Hayden Buchanan took a call from him at 5am, about an hour after he killed Ms Ban. He'll break your heart 10 ways to Sunday, but Robbie's just one of thousands of people with no place to call home in Perth. I've spoken to people experiencing homelessness before, for stories highlighting their plight. There was Aileen, who told me she would "probably die out here". And there was Vicki, whose boyfriend scared me, calling me a "f---ing maggot". Vicki I still spot often. She beds down in an alleyway not far from where I live. But I haven't been able to find Aileen for a follow-up; to see how she's going. I've spent weeks trying to track her down, and while others have seen her around, with no fixed address, she's hard to find. A couple of people tell me she's ripped them off. I get the feeling she's laying low. But I'm keen to speak to these women again. It's Homelessness Week, and I want to know what this means to them. Does it give them hope? Does anything positive come out of events planned across the country? In Perth there will be a 'Soup Off', where eight contestants will compete in a cooking competition to win a silver ladle they get to keep for one year. There will also be a number of events aiming to highlight the plight of homeless people, including a session for landlords who want to help provide affordable housing. Community Services Minister Simone McGurk announced on Sunday she has asked the Department of Communities to "work with the sector to develop a 10-year homelessness strategy". This is how it is I meet Robbie out of the blue. He's lying in a sleeping bag just near a parking metre. We strike up a conversation as I feed loose change into the ticket machine. To him I guess I look like an easy target. Perth's homelessness crisis. For how long can we look away? Credit:Fairfax Media. He asks for a cigarette and I oblige. It's a menthol, and he screws his face up, but he takes it. For the next hour or so I sit with Robbie. He knows I'm a journo. He's happy to chat on the record. There's no way 'Robbie' is his real name. "For me, it all fell apart about four years ago," he says. "I've got kids, I had a wife. That's why I don't want to use my real name. They don't need to know where I've ended up. I already made their lives hard enough." Living in the suburbs with a steady job as a tradie, there's no reason for Robbie to have turned to drugs. He'd always liked a drink, and he smoked heavily. He'd dabbled in other drugs since his teens. It wasn't until he tried homebake a cheap, DIY substitute for heroin that his use spiralled out of control. Within months it became impossible for Robbie to hide what was going on. His fall was swift. And it left him out in the cold. "I don't blame my missus for kicking me out," Robbie says. "I should've been a better dad and husband. But that shit got me. I couldn't stop." Life on the streets for Robbie started with crashing on mates' couches, but his welcome was quickly worn out. Homebake and heroin cost money, and Robbie, unable to hold down his job, did "whatever it took" to get it. "Yeah I burned a few people along the way," he says. "That's why I'm here, far away from [his former suburb]. I've stolen and everything to get gear. Loading "I don't steal so much now. I'm too old." Keeping a low profile is one of Robbie's 'rules' of sleeping rough. He eschews the company of most other homeless people, and, while there's plenty like him on the streets - thousands are out there every night in Perth - he prefers to keep to himself. "I don't have any mates out here," he says. "I don't mingle." "It's probably safer to hang around a big group, but I don't have too much trouble. "I could probably get into a shelter or something, but the drugs ... they don't like that. "What about rehab? What about it? This is my life. I did try it once, but it didn't work. This is how it is, you know?" Want to know more? The Salvation Army are hosting Couch Conversations at The Beacon in Northbridge on Tuesday at 10am. Hear about those with lived experience of homelessness in Western Australia, how we can end homelessness in Western Australia and what you can do to help. Shelter WA invites homelessness sector participants to an update on policy and other developments at their sector update on Wednesday at 11am at The Platform. More Homelessness Week events HERE. If you need help CrisisCare Helpline - Phone 1800 199 008 | (08) 9223 1111 Kids Help Line - Counselling and support for young people (up to 24 years old) who are feeling depressed, sad, or lonely or just need someone to talk to. Phone 1800 55 18 00. Mental Health Emergency Response Line - Metro callers Phone 1300 555 788 | Peel callers Freecall 1800 676 822 Police have charged two eastern states men after seizing 33 kilograms of methamphetamine at East Perth Train Station on the weekend. Police will allege the drugs were being carried in the men's luggage after they had travelled to Perth on the Indian Pacific Train. Detective Superintendent Kim Massam with the seized drugs. Credit:Phil Hickey They were arrested as they departed the East Perth station. The men, aged 25 and 27, are from New South Wales and Victoria. Under the proposal, which applies only to the electricity sector, energy retailers would be required to deliver both a set level of reliable power that can be delivered on demand, and electricity from low-emissions sources such as wind and solar. But critics say the electricity sector is unlikely to raise a sweat to meet the modest emissions reduction task the government has set. They argue that if Australia is to act seriously on climate change, farmers, manufacturers, motorists and other parts of the economy will be forced to make up the shortfall - at a potentially greater cost. National Farmers Federation president Fiona Simson said agriculture has already reduced its environmental footprint and has more work to do. But progress will be hard. By contrast the electricity sector has already made huge gains in [cutting emissions] and arguably it could be easier for them to make some more, she said. As ageing coal-fired power stations retire, renewables will fill the energy shortfall, experts say. Credit:Michele Mossop The federal government says the level of emissions reduction to be imposed on electricity 26 per cent by 2030 is a fair pro rata contribution in line with Australias international obligations under the Paris climate deal, which will also help reduce power bills. Mired in negotiations over the energy plan, the government has not yet waded into the treacherous territory of imposing emissions cuts elsewhere in the economy. Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg says the government will consider policies on a case-by-case basis rather than set hard targets for every sector. But leading environmental economist Frank Jotzo says if the Paris target is to be met, it is fair to assume the average emissions cuts across the rest of the economy will match the contribution made by electricity. This, he says, is a problem. The technology to cut emissions created by electricity generation already exists. As ageing, polluting coal-fired power stations close, they are replaced by renewable energy sources - technology which is becoming ever-cheaper. In fact the governments own modelling projects the electricity sector will largely meet its emissions reduction target before the energy plan even starts in 2021, leaving little work to do. But other sectors are far behind. For some, the technology is in its infancy. For others, change is expensive or politically fraught. It means the electricity sector's pro rata contribution is inadequate, said Jotzo. It would mean nothing beyond business as usual would have happened in the electricity sector, and a lot of hard lifting would have been done in other sectors. That would be a very inefficient outcome. Jotzo, who directs the Australian National University's Centre for Climate Economics and Policy, said prospects for cutting agriculture emissions were good. But change would be gradual and little can be achieved for free. National Farmers Federation president Fiona Simson says the sector will do its bit on climate change but progress will be "hard". Credit:Jacky Ghossein Many potential solutions, such as curbing methane emissions from cattle and sheep through feed changes or selective breeding will take a long time to come to fruition, and many of them imply higher production costs. Policy measures that would have an immediate impact, such as a meat tax, are politically unpalatable. Programs that encourage farmers to revegetate their land are small and plagued by technical problems, he said. Simson said a suite of options to cut agriculture emissions were being explored, including capturing methane at piggeries and intensive livestock farms. The sector was ready to pitch in to the national climate change effort, but this should not come at the expense of farm productivity, she said. And agricultures position at the bottom of the supply chain was another reason its harder for us ... farmers cant impose those costs on people who eat our food. Loading Climateworks Australia chief executive Anna Skarbek said the carbon-cutting potential of the land sector was huge and farms could both revegetate and maintain output. Trees can help reduce erosion, shade livestock and improve soil quality, and need not be planted on prime agricultural land. However she said there was no escaping the fact that electricity has more cost-effective options for reducing emissions than all the other sectors do. Critically, decarbonisation of the electricity grid also enables other sectors such as transport, industry and buildings to reduce their emissions, Skarbek said. The Property Council of Australia has warned the government that inadequate emissions cuts by the electricity sector will constrain climate action in homes, business premises and public buildings. Together they comprise about 23 per cent of Australias emissions and more than half its electricity consumption. The Property Council of Australia says gains to be made by making buildings more energy efficient are limited, and the electricity grid must be decarbonised. The Property Councils national policy manager for sustainability and regulatory affairs, Francesca Muskovic, said while the sector wanted to transition swiftly to net-zero emissions, you can only do so much within the envelope of the building. All our policy in this space ... prioritises efficient buildings, looking at energy efficiency, looking at onsite solar generation - but thats not going to get you the whole way to net-zero, she said. It really does require ambition in the electricity sector to help effectively decarbonise the rest of the grid. If and when the federal government clears the barnacle of energy policy from its ship, all eyes will be on the transport sector. Transport activity, mostly from cars and light vehicles, is forecast to drive Australias greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade. The government has established a ministerial forum on vehicle emissions to mull over possible reforms to Australia's fuel efficiency, fuel quality and noxious emissions standards. But the process, which began in 2015, appears to have stalled amid opposition from industry groups. ANU professor Frank Jotzo says the electricity sector's emissions targets are inadequate. The government has proposed reducing new car emissions to 105 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre by 2025 a change the Australian Automobile Association says is "extreme" and would make vehicles more expensive. Petroleum refiners have opposed improvements in fuel quality standards, saying they threaten the viability of the industry and motorists would ultimately be slugged. Jotzo said consumers generally valued a lower car purchase price over fuel efficiency, despite more efficient vehicles reducing petrol costs over the long term. You need mandated standards to nudge or force people to do the right thing, he said. But thats the reason why standards arent popular - because you are preventing people from buying cheap but inefficient cars. NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said lowering vehicle emissions was a short-term measure and accelerating the uptake of electric vehicles was the best way to cut transport emissions in the longer term. The number of electric cars on Australian roads has increased by 160 per cent in the past five years, but the nation remains an international laggard. Frydenberg has heralded the pending transport revolution, but has proposed little to encourage the transition. Electric vehicle advocates say financial incentives should form part of government assistance to the industry a move strongly opposed by right-wing Coalition backbenchers. Frydenberg has previously pointed to existing support for the industry, such as a discount on the luxury car tax threshold for low-emission vehicles. Khoury said any luxury car tax on electric vehicles was quite frankly, absurd. We think government has a role to play [through] investment, sensible tax reform, and leading by example through their own fleet, he said, adding that governments can also reduce upfront purchase and registration costs for electric vehicles. Electric vehicles are key to reducing vehicle transport emissions, the NRMA says. Credit:Rebecca Hallas Khoury said while electric vehicles were already less polluting than traditional cars, a decarbonised electricity grid would mean emissions savings will be even more significant. Deep emissions cuts by the electricity sector would also transform the environmental footprint of manufacturing and mining, which are heavily reliant on fossil fuels, Jotzo said. You need to heat up minerals and metals ... you need to boil vegetables to turn them into soup, he said. A large share of that today is using direct combustion of fossil fuel. And the bulk of this can be converted to electricity ... if [the grid is] run on renewables then thats a great reduction. A transition is slowly underway. Mines are increasingly including renewable energy in their operations and British billionaire Sanjeev Gupta, who bought South Australia's troubled Whyalla steelworks, plans to power it using solar, battery and pumped hydro. But for the most part, momentum to cut carbon emissions in heavy industry is lacking, Skarbek said. Governments could assist through funding for research and development as well as clear signalling of the emissions targets for that sector. Its a lot easier for companies to lead if they know their competitors will need to be doing the same, she said. Frydenberg told Fairfax Media that Australia had a strong track record on meeting our international emissions reduction targets while growing the economy and creating jobs. The governments ambitious Paris target stands in stark contrast to that of Labor, who seek to implement an economy-wrecking 45 per cent emissions reduction target, which is a recipe for higher power bills and fewer jobs, he said. Industry groups and companies including the Business Council of Australia, Bluescope Steel and the Minerals Council of Australia back the electricity sector targets. However Frydenberg has sought to assuage those who fear the targets are too timid, offering to allow them to be reviewed in 2024 five years earlier than expected. Labor is keen to ensure the target - which it describes as pathetic - can easily be changed by a future government. The partys climate change and energy spokesman, Mark Butler, said its 45 per cent target will not be spread uniformly across the economy but will apply to sectors based on their ability to make emissions cuts at lowest cost. This would ensure economic growth as Australia met its international climate obligations, he said. West Australian Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan is aiming to relaunch the live sheep export industry next month with reputable producers and reduced stocking densities. Shocking footage showed sheep dying in horrific conditions on a ship to the Middle East in August last year. Credit:Animals Australia About 60,000 sheep remain in a Perth feedlot after the Department of Agriculture suspended the export licences of Emanuel Exports and associated entity EMS Rural Exports. "We hope in a month's time to restart this industry with reputable producers, reasonable stocking densities and on modern ships," Ms MacTiernan told reporters on Monday. Emanuel, which was behind the Awassi Express shipment where thousands of sheep died, could not agree on terms with exporters Wellard and Harmony Agriculture, while Livestock Shipping Services also voluntarily withdrew from the northern summer trade. The protests intensified on Sunday when university students joined the middle and high school students who have led the movement so far. The newcomers joined in solidarity after a pro-government student union joined the police's ranks and clashed with protesters on Saturday and Sunday. Armed with scraps of metal and thick, gnarled tree branches, pro-government student protesters attacked and wounded five photojournalists, including a photographer from The Associated Press. At least 200 people have been wounded in the protests. Police used tear gas and batons to subdue demonstrators and shut, or slowed down, access to the internet in several areas to curb protest participation and information flow. The move prevented protesters from uploading pictures and video of their demonstrations to social media or the messaging service WhatsApp, prompting protesters to accuse the government of blocking free speech. But Telecommunication Minister Mustafa Jabbar said in an interview that a technical issue had prevented mobile providers from offering faster connections. Students shout slogans and block a road during a protest in Dhaka on Saturday. Credit:AP Other officials said the mobile internet speeds had been purposefully slowed after rumours that the Awami League party detained, killed and raped several demonstrators at one of their offices in Dhaka. But students are still finding ways to access social media to spread photos and videos of the violence under the hashtag #wewantjustice. Several have contacted Fairfax Media with accounts of beatings and rapes. Unconfirmed reports said four male students were killed and four female students were raped during the clashes. Photographs, including one of a dead student in his uniform, are too graphic to show. Students have blamed the pro-government student union associated with the ruling Awami League party, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), for the violence and have started an online petition asking the "United Nations and security services" to classify it as a terrorist organisation. It has received more than 120,000 signatures. Authorities have publicly denounced students' accounts saying they are false rumours, trying to tamp down protesters' rage. "I think mobile operators' problems have come as blessings for all of us otherwise we would get more rumours by now," Jabbar, the telecommunications minister, said. Tens of thousands of students angry over the traffic deaths of two of their colleagues, cut off access to the capital on the weekend before protests turned violent. Credit:AP The demonstrations have been leaderless so far, with students gathering at their schools or universities in the morning before funneling out onto the street to block roads and erect makeshift checkpoints around their respective institutions. Bus operators across the country shut down long-distance routes this week in response, some telling TV stations they were afraid of the violence. On some days the protests have attracted up to 15,000 students, with parents leaving work to join their children and restaurants offering free food to demonstrators. The students' ability to organise and to enforce poorly obeyed laws has embarrassed the governing party, the Awami League, as it heads into elections in December. Students responsible for checkpoints have forced the police and government officials to provide driver's licences and car registration. They have also helped ease street congestion by forcing Dhaka's drivers notorious for driving on the wrong side of the road or skipping traffic lines to obey laws. "If children like us can establish discipline in traffic management, why can't the traffic police do it?" said Tameem Dari Khan, who recently graduated from high school and is waiting to attend university. "It's because they get bribes. They are not interested to check properly, so they can get some illegal benefit." On Thursday, students asked a police sergeant on a motorcycle to show his licence, which he refused to do. When the sergeant slapped a young boy, the students attacked him and set fire to his motorcycle. Despite that episode, most interactions at student-run checkpoints have been peaceful. A government minister travelling in his motorcade was stopped at a checkpoint last week, and was then forced to ride with his security detail after his chauffeur failed to produce a driver's licence. Students have turned over unlicensed drivers to the police. The police's violent turn this weekend may encourage more students to come out, observers said. The ruling party has also blamed the opposition for stoking protests. On Sunday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan praised the patience displayed by the police, but added that law enforcement officers would not continue to "sit idle and watch." "We will go for tough action if the limit is crossed," he said. For many, the protests are about much more than the country's hazardous road conditions. They also symbolise the poor governance and corruption across Bangladesh. The student movement has demanded that the death penalty be imposed on the driver who careered into the bus stop at full speed on July 29, and that the government enforce more rigorous traffic laws. Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan mocked the protesters during a news conference last week. Pointing out that a recent bus crash in neighboring India had killed 30 passengers, he said that "they don't complain about it as we do." Photo: Contributed Jody Lucius with the BC Wildfire Services tells Castanet as of Monday morning the mood of the firefighting teams is pretty good, "the original fires that started in the Okanagan corridor, the majority are under control now. The way the classifications go, under control is one of the stages on the way to declaring it an inactive fire. Crews have had really good success responding to the new fire starts that have popped up in the last little while and continuing suppression efforts on some of those longer sustained action fires is going well." Lucius says the big message they want to get out, "we're still in that warm dry period we really want to remind people to be mindful of their actions through August. When we have to pull crews off fires to respond to new fire starts that are suspected to have been caused by human activities, obviously that could have been prevented. We want to put resources on fire starts that were not preventable." There have been 1,469 fires in the province this season. Of those 1,469 wildfires, 457 are currently burning and 46 of those are new fire starts as of Sunday. Here is our list of the fire of note burning in our region, starting in the north: Mabel Creek Fire: 6.5 kilometres east of Mabel Lake continues to burn at about 200 hectares in size. No structures are threatened at this time. The cause of the fire is under investigation but it's believed to be lightning caused. Status: Active/out of control Sugar Mountain Fire: located about 4 kilometres east of Sugar Lake is about 170 hectares in size. No structures are threatened at this time. The cause of the blaze is under investigation. Status: Active/out of control The Proctor Road Fire: 16 kilometres northeast of Lumby continues to burn at 20 hectares in size. Thirteen firefighters are battling the blaze. Heavy equipment and air support will be available as needed. The wildfire is not threatening any homes at this time. Status: Active/out of control Monte Lake: this wildfire is burning seven kilometres south of Monte Lake and sits about 60 hectares in size. Nineteen firefighters are battling the blaze. Heavy equipment and air support will be available as needed. Status: Active/being held Goode's Creek: Okanagan Mountain Park near Kelowna is about 1,370 hectares. Ten firefighters still remain at the blaze putting out hot spots and patroling the area. Okanagan Mountain Park remains closed at this time. Status: Active/under control Placer Mountain: 37 kilometres south of Princeton remains at about 2,372 hectares in size. "Crews have made excellent progress on so far," Allen said. "We're at 90 per cent containment." Seventy-one firefighters, eight helicopters and 11 pieces of heavy equipment continue to battle the blaze. An evacuation alert remains in effect. Status: Active/90 per cent contained Snowy Mountain: Fire of note drawing most attention in the southern half of the Kamloops Fire Centre. Located in the Snowy Protected Area, approx. 14 km south of Keremeos - 10,911.0 hectares (estimated) Night crews worked with the Keremeos Fire Department on the southeast flank to protect adjacent properties. The fire remains active, but is burning primarily within the perimeter. Fire officials remain concerned this fire could cross over the U.S.A. border. Status: Active/out of control New York: Apple Inc, YouTube, Facebook Inc and Spotify all took down podcasts and channels from US conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, saying on Monday that the Infowars author had broken community standards. The sweeping moves are the broadest actions yet by internet companies that have suspended or removed some of the conspiracy-driven content. Since founding Infowars in 1999, Jones has built a vast audience. Among the theories he has promoted is that the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington were staged by the government. Facebook said it removed the pages "for glorifying violence, which violates our graphic violence policy, and using dehumanising language to describe people who are transgender, Muslims and immigrants, which violates our hate speech policies." GREENWICH As a ban on plastic bags takes effect next month, environmentalists and policy-makers are turning their attention to use of plastic straws and the damage they can inflict on the environment. Town lawmakers approved the ban of the thin plastic bags from local stores in March. The discussion over waste, plastics and single-use straws has now become a major topic for businesses and consumers in Greenwich, following a national trend. A lot of businesses are being won over, said Claire Werner, a member of the local environmental advocacy group, Bring Your Own (BYO) Greenwich. Everyones looking how to proceed in a responsible and economically viable way to solve this pollution problem. Starbucks announced last month it would remove single-use plastic straws from its stores by 2020, eliminating more than 1 billion plastic straws per year from their stores. American Airlines made a similar announcement. Earlier this year, Hyatt hotels said plastic straws would be available only upon request. McDonalds is also testing alternatives to plastic straws. At the municipal level, on July 1, the city of Seattle banned the use of plastic straws, becoming the first major U.S. city to do so. Other cities, including New York City, are considering similar steps. In Greenwich, those moves by big corporations and municipal governments are being followed closely by members of BYO, the advocacy group behind the move to enact the plastic bag ban in Greenwich. Weve become too accustomed to being a throwaway society, to believing that convenience is the ultimate priority. In our view, there are other priorities. Theres long term thinking. We dont live in a disposable world anymore, said Mary Shaw Marks, a member of BYO. She said Greenwich is at the forefront of the movement to limit waste associated with plastics. We feel Greenwich has been a leader in the state in this regard. We were the second town (to ban bags), after Westport, and now dozens of towns are coming to us, asking how you do this, said Shaw Marks. She said a number of local businesses, clubs and restaurants have been considering the elimination of plastic straws, or switching to paper. What does your town want to be? Taking a chance of polluting your environment? Or forward thinking and innovative? When the whole world is addressing plastic pollution, why wouldnt Greenwich be right up there, too? asked Jeanine Behr Getz of BYO. Local businesses have been taking a hard look at the plastic straw issue, few more than Green and Tonic, which produces a large number of smoothies in easy-to-consume cups every day. The store is working toward the elimination of plastic straws. As a healthy plant-based shop that sells smoothies and strives to keep our eco-footprint small and gentle, weve tried to get away from plastic straws in the past. We currently offer paper ones as an alternative to our plastic ones or re-usable metal ones for purchase, said Green and Tonic marketing manager Emily Watson. We even encourage our guests to sip their smoothie neat, without a lid or Watson said. When youre on the go, like so many of our guests, however, a lid and straw is almost mandatory. Thats why were really happy and proud to offer a really awesome paper straw in the next several weeks. Its wide and sturdy enough for smoothies, and we cant wait to launch it. Paper straws will add cost for the store, she said, But we know that our purchases are leading to a more sustainable future and a happier planet. And if more and more shops like ours move to paper straws, it will become the norm and customer expectation will shift for the better. At Town Hall, Director of Environmental Affairs Patricia Sesto said the town administration isnt contemplating any regulatory action on plastic straws. She said the movement to cut down on plastic straws appears to have plenty of grassroots momentum without any input from government officials. Right now the social movement associated with it is cruising along pretty well, Sesto said. It just got to the tipping point ... Already, you go to restaurants, and you see paper straws or people declining straws. While the discussion over straws is continuing, town officials and BYO are focused on the successful roll-out of the plastic bag ban on Sept. 12. Customers will be expected to bring their own bags when shopping, and stores will offer paper bags to those who dont. BYO has held a collection drive to collect 5,000 reusable bags to give to anyone who needs them. We want to be focused on the bags, to make sure thats successful, that everyone is comfortable, Shaw Marks said. Sesto said she is cautiously optimistic the bag ban will be an easy transition. She said the town recently carried out a mass mailing to local businesses about the new bag policy, and there were only 10 or so questions about compliance from local businesses. I see that as a positive, Sesto said. rmarchant@greenwichtime.com Photo: The Canadian Press Foreign tourists board a truck to leave an area affected by the earthquake in North Lombok, Indonesia, Monday, Aug. 6, 2018. What was supposed to be a bucket-list family trip after her daughter was diagnosed with brain cancer, turned into a harrowing tale of survival mode as a powerful earthquake hit Indonesia leaving the family stuck on a popular tourist island, said a British Columbia woman. Jennifer Montgomery-Lay, of Maple Ridge, B.C., said that she, her husband, 14-year-old son and 21-year-old daughter are stuck in Lombok after a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit on Sunday evening. "I was in sheer panic, we all were," Montgomery-Lay, 41, told The Canadian Press on Monday from her hotel, adding that she and her family were not injured in the quake. "We cried. It was all very stressful. But to see the aftermath today is heart breaking (as) 16 hotel staff have lost their homes." The earthquake, which was also felt in the neighbouring island of Bali, flattened houses, caused bridges to collapse and killed at least 98 people. National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told The Associated Press that the damage was "massive'' in northern Lombok, where the quake was centred, and that more than half the homes were destroyed or severely damaged. Nugroho said the death toll will increase and that more than 230 people were seriously injured. This was the second deadly quake in a week to strike Lombok. On July 29, a another quake left 16 people dead. Montgomery-Lay said the family has been vacationing in Indonesia for about a month, and that they were in Bali during last week's quake and they felt the ground shaking. On Sunday evening, the family had just gotten back to their hotel after dinner and Montgomery-Lay said she was about to organize her daughter's medication when the family experienced the powerful earthquake. "(It) was mayhem," she said. "Shaking. Parts of the building crumbling. Glass shattering. It started slow but amped up very quickly." Montgomery-Lay said parts of the hotel crumbled and glass from a balcony fell on a woman who was swimming in the hotel's pool, cutting her leg. She said the power went out and her daughter couldn't use one of her medication pumps, but the family is doing OK and a generator brought the power back on. She said the hotel occupants have now been moved to a holding room in the building. The quake also triggered a tsunami warning. Montgomery-Lay said her hotel is on higher ground so the meeting place when the warning was issued was by the building's main gate. The warning was lifted after only small waves were recorded. Montgomery-Lay said she was in touch with the Canadian Consulate, but she was told there was nothing they could do at that point. I'll tell you what's wrong with Vanessa: the title. In Samuel Barber's opera the pivotal role is not the titular delusionist who waits like Miss Havisham for the return of Mister Right, but her confused young niece whose life is turned upside down by the arrival of a certain Anatol. This opera should be called Erika. Whatever its name, it's a hauntingly dark piece that had the misfortune to be born into the wrong era as far as Europe was concerned, anyway. Music in the 1950s belonged to the intellect, not to purveyors of melody or emotion, both of which overflow in Vanessa. It's a domestic affair of the heart, set somewhere in the cold amorphous north, in which Vanessa's house guest turns out not to be her long-lost lover but his son, who happens to share the same forename. Director Keith Warner has long wanted to direct Barber's opera and he fills the Glyndebourne stage with its mysteries and symbols, its naked simplicity and its murky depths. Early on he plays a joker: Vanessa has a flashback to a remembered birth but whose? There are three possibilities: her niece Erika is actually her daughter, the young Anatol is actually her son, or the baby didn't survive. As for the father, it can only be the late Anatol Sr. While all this is a director's conceit, there is nothing in the libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti (the composer and Barber's life partner) to gainsay it. Along with this hint of Sophoclean incest comes an idea - a sense, nothing more, driven by physical similarities that Vanessa, her niece Erika and her mother the Old Baroness (the latter sung by Rosalind Plowright on fabulous dowager form) are all facets of the same character at different stages of life and enlightenment. The old woman refuses to speak to the younger ones when they lie about their circumstances, so perhaps she herself has lived through more than we know. Warner's production invites these and other questions but never lets them intrude upon the enjoyment of an aesthetically sumptuous experience. Near-monochrome designs by Ashley Martin-Davis evoke the suspense of film noir and the opacity of Last Year at Marienbad; vast heavy-framed mirrors loom over the characters and reveal more than just their reflections thanks to award-worthy lighting by Mark Jonathan and projections by Alex Uragallo. All the singing is spellbinding and diction is excellent even among the non-native English speakers. Emma Bell gives a complex performance as Vanessa, Virginie Verrez a stellar one as Erika. Edgaras Montvidas captures the louche opportunism of young Anatol and leaves no doubt that his eventual conquest is doomed to disaster, while Donnie Ray Albert shines as the family doctor who has seen way more than he ever lets on. Jakub Hrusa continues his love affair with Glyndebourne and the London Philharmonic Orchestra by conducting a febrile account of this headily romantic score and making it sing more like a Bohemian masterwork than a slice of American Gothic. If Vanessa has a fault it's the lucky-dip style of a musical language whose gentle waltzes and catchy folk tunes stand toe to toe with schmaltz and horror. As for Menotti's libretto, it starts as Sunset Boulevard and ends as The Cherry Orchard. That's way too much baggage. Yet I loved it. Judi Dench and Michael Williams starred in the original cast and now their daughter Finty Williams has been announced for the revival of Hugh Whitemore's Pack of Lies, which opens at the Menier Chocolate Factory in October. Williams will be joined by Jasper Britton in the play which, inspired by real-life events, tells of a middle-aged couple whose best friends are their Canadian neighbours. When a detective asks to use their house while he watches a Soviet spy ring, the Jacksons are forced to decide whether to betray their friends or their country. Whitemore adapted Pack of Lies from Act of Betrayal which was part of the Play for Today television series. This production is the first London production after it premiered at the Lyric Theatre in 1983, with Dench receiving an Olivier Award for her performance. Whitemore is the author of plays including Stevie, Breaking the Code, The Best of Friends and It's Ralph. He died this year in July at the age of 82. Williams' credits include The Divide (The Old Vic), Blithe Spirit (The Mill at Sonning) and The Vote (Donmar Warehouse). Most recently seen in Jerusalem at the Watermill, Britton returns to the Menier Chocolate Factory having previously appeared in Little Shop of Horrors. Other stage credits include Scrooge and What the Butler Saw at Curve Leicester and The Libertine at Theatre Royal Bath and Theatre Royal Haymarket. Hannah Chissick (Side Show, Southwark Playhouse) directs the play, which will run from 1 October to 17 November with previews from 20 September. Thousands of people packed Pentictons Gyro Park on Monday to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister during BC Day celebrations. Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau made the brief appearance on the way back to Ottawa from Vancouvers Pride Parade. The whole family stayed at the Lakeside Resort Sunday night. While a handful of protesters turned out with signs in support of electoral reform and opposed to the Kinder Mountain pipeline Trudeau was greeted like a rockstar by supporters and the simply curious. Its believed to be the first public event in Penticton for a sitting Canadian Prime Minister since Trudeau's father, Pierre, in the 60s. Regardless of your political views its not every day the Prime Minister comes to a public event, Mayor Andrew Jakubeit said. There was a past Prime Minister that came to invite-only private events, but here this is out in the public. Its not like he came up on a jet ski on anything, it's real casual, the Mayor added to the crowds laughter, referring to Stockwell Days infamous 2000 appearance. In a speech lasting a little over 2 minutes, Trudeau kept things mostly non-political, but highlighted $100,000 the federal government announced today to fight invasive mussels in the Okanagan. This is a moment for us to really gather together and really remember that all the views, all the different perspectives out there come together in one deep conviction, Trudeau said, that we are working together to build stronger communities, a stronger B.C. and a stronger country and that, is what we celebrate on B.C. Day. Penticton resident Cheryl Calderbank told the Canadian Press she wanted to come to the event to observe Penticton's response to Trudeau. She said prior to the event, there were social media posts in Penticton that Trudeau would get a rough reception over his government's pipeline stance. "My belief is no matter what people think, no matter what everybody's political opinion, he's still our prime minister and he needs to be treated with respect," she said. "And it's B.C. Day, we need to celebrate." Prior to the Prime Ministers remarks, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau delivered her own on the value of inclusiveness and cohesiveness. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister made an unannounced visit to Grannys Fruit Stand in Summerland. He left Penticton without taking questions from media. Environment Canada said Monday the tornado that ripped across central Manitoba and killed a 77-year-old man Friday evening was a category EF-4 the second-highest classification on the Fujita scale. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 5/8/2018 (1179 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Environment Canada said Monday the tornado that ripped across central Manitoba and killed a 77-year-old man Friday evening was a category EF-4 the second-highest classification on the Fujita scale. The agency said its initial rating of EF-3 was too low. CLINT ROBERTSON PHOTO A photo of the tornado that touched down north of Silver Ridge Friday evening. The least severe tornadoes are classified as EF-0, while the most severe are EF-5. Natalie Hasell, a warning preparedness meteorologist at the weather agency, said Monday afternoon they realized it was more severe when they combed over more information. "EF-3 is already really significant," she said. "EF-4 is described as devastating damage. We're talking about relatively well-constructed houses being torn down. There are some cabins on the beach that simply no longer exist. There's no sign that they ever were these were actually rather large structures. "More careful look at the information we had suggested to us that actually, the scenario in Alonsa, Silver Ridge and Margaret Bruce Beach, was more in the EF-4 range; the lower range of the EF-4." The wind speed was probably around the 280 km/h range, she said. "Imagine a small house being swept clean off it's foundation. That's what we saw. And unfortunately, roofs were collapsed. There were injuries, also the fatality. We've been quite lucky there haven't been more." Meantime Monday, the Association of Manitoba Municipalities called on the province to invest in better cellphone service in rural Manitoba because many Alonsa residents received no warning about the twister. Providing Manitobans with timely communication during an emergency is crucial, association executive director Joe Masi said. Many residents of Alonsa said Sunday they were unprepared for the tornado that touched down Friday evening because of irregular, at times non-existent, cellphone service. "It's a basic necessity of infrastructure, just like clean water and good roads. Cell service and internet, from our association's point of view, has become a basic piece of infrastructure that you need otherwise you cannot be successful," Masi said. "For (carriers), it has to be viable from a financial point of view; they are private companies. That's why we've been arguing we need more government involvement to bring service to areas where it's not as feasible from a business perspective." Joe Masi, Association of Manitoba Municipalities The twister killed Jack Furrie, 77, a retired teacher who had worked in Sandy Bay. Two others were taken to hospital. The municipality is on the west side of Lake Manitoba, about 200 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. The high winds sent a truck into the lake, flipped motor homes, collapsed structures and took down trees and hydro poles around the Margaret Bruce campground and beach. A handful of residents told the Free Press Sunday they didn't receive an emergency alert on their cellphone until they had already seen or heard about the twister approaching, or they didn't receive a warning text at all. They also said that should never happen again. The association has been lobbying for better cellphone service in rural pockets for years and has met with carriers and provincial officials about their concerns, Masi said Monday. Carriers such as Bell MTS, Rogers and Telus approach the issue as a business case, he said. "For (carriers), it has to be viable from a financial point of view; they are private companies. That's why we've been arguing we need more government involvement to bring service to areas where it's not as feasible from a business perspective." Government response Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler made a statement about cellphone service on Sunday. "Our government continues to work with phone companies, (Environment Canada) and Pelmorex, the company who has developed the Alert Ready program, to ensure that Manitobans have access to timely alerts on their cellphones. "This is one tool that people have to be aware and ready for severe weather, but it is not the only tool." What happened Friday Few or no bars on their cellphone, signalling poor service, is the norm in the area, especially by the beach, said resident Nancy Buchanan. She, her husband and their nine-year-old son were camping Friday night when they spotted dark clouds far away. "Cell service here isn't the best...It's sort of a fact of life in this area." Resident Pamela Sul "My sister texted to say that we were under a tornado watch, but I didn't get the text until we had already seen the tornado," she said, adding that she occasionally gets one bar by their camper. Knowing the service is poor at their usual camping spot, Buchanan said she bought a $150 booster this weekend, but it barely improved the unreliable service and her phone has to be touching it in order to work. When they saw the twister approaching around 8:30 p.m., she said her family got in their car and high-tailed it via the only road out. "The alert system is a great system when it works," she said. "It didn't...We honked our horn. We yelled at everybody, within that small area, who we could see. You just panic, you go to get your family out and make a break for it." Buchanan never got an emergency alert, but she said her husband, who is also a Bell MTS customer, did as they were driving away, around 8:45 p.m. Still, she said her service was so poor she couldn't get or answer panicked messages from her family to tell them they were safe, nor could she text friends to warn them. "It was frustrating." "Cell service here isn't the best...It's sort of a fact of life in this area," said Pamela Sul, local resident who said she didn't receive an alert until she was headed out of town. Cellphone providers Bell MTS spokeswoman Michelle Gazze said the company recently upgraded the wireless sites in some parts of Alonsa with LTE wireless technology. "While service has been greatly enhanced overall, some pockets where coverage was already limited may have seen reduced coverage," she wrote in a statement, adding that they continue to look for ways to enhance service in those areas. Public alerts on any carrier's compatible LTE phones can only be received if they are connected to an LTE network, Gazze said. Many areas near Alonsa are served by HSPA networks, the wireless technology that preceded LTE, she said. LTE phones "normally" work in those areas at lower speeds, while some of their newer features, such as public alerts, don't work at all, Gazze added. Rogers said the company is working with Bell MTS and affected customers to address service issues. Telus did not respond to a request for comment Sunday. "My cellphone doesn't work at all. Not for a long, long time," said Frank Chen, an Alonsa resident and Rogers customer who runs the local grocery store, Zdan's Family Store. Once Chen saw the tornado had passed, he said he and his staff drove down to the beach to look at the damage. Hydro cleanup Scott Powell, corporate communications director for Manitoba Hydro, called the tornado aftermath "a very, very extensive (hydro) repair." He said crews from Dauphin, Swan River, Neepawa, Russell, Virden and Brandon had to help fix and replace broken lines and get rid of several trees. Most of the 280 customers got their power back late Saturday afternoon, he said; the other 30 or so had power again by Saturday night. When Chen came across hydro poles ripped out of the ground and motor homes strewn by the beach, he said they returned to the store and came back with food and bottles of water. Not only did he tell the Free Press poor cell service is dangerous because people can't prepare for an emergency, he said it also "absolutely" slows down emergency responses since victims can't call for help without a cellphone. "It was a real, real disaster." Storm Chasers Storm chasers, people who drive towards storms for research and adrenaline, such as Kim Hines said poor cell coverage even keeps them a little further away from a storm. Rural communities tucked away in the forest need better service, said Hines, who chased Friday's tornado. Not getting alerts is an issue, she said, and so is not having service at all. "What about when you get hurt? You're lying there and you've got your cellphone near you and nobody can hear you?" Jordan Carruthers, the founder of Manitoba Storm Spotter, agreed that no one should have to go without the ability to receive severe weather warnings. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "I heard that the people affected by the Alonsa tornado had no warning because of no cell service and I believe that is absolutely ridiculous. With the amount of tornados and other severe weather events that occur in Manitoba, we definitely need to have a better cellular coverage network." Fires often break out in Alonsa, said resident Kim Grant. Grant, who was driving home from Brandon when she got a message from her uncle about the storm, said the cellphone coverage at her house is "awful." She said hasn't had a single bar in her home since January, when she moved to the area, let alone the outages others have experienced since early June. "They need to make an effort to give people service." maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @macintoshmaggie Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt is dating star Ranbir Kapoor these days and her relatioship status changed like a whatsapp status from being single to committed. The love blossomed in between both on the sets of Ayan Mukerji's Brahmastra sets. However, both are busy shooting for the film these days in Bulgaria but their marriage rumors are rounding the internet these days. In one of the media interaction, Ranbir Kapoor's father Rishi Kapoor told the media that it is the time when Ranbir should think of getting married, while even Alia Bhatt in once recent interview told that she can surprise the people anytime soon. These statements have made their marriage rumors on the buzz. In one of close source of Alia Bhatt told India Today, "Alia is in a great phase of her life right now. She is in love and they both are sure of each other. Marriage is certainly on the cards but it won't happen before 2020," WiGBits Headline News Would you like to receive our WiGBits? Signup today! WiG Entertainment News Would you like to receive our WiG Entertainment News? Signup today! Digital Issue Would you like to receive our Digital Issue? Signup today! Demonstrators, including the Raging Grannies singing group, gather June 28 at Smolenski Park in Mount Pleasant to protest the groundbreaking for the Foxconn manufacturing plant. At the far right is activist Sheila Plotkin, whose group, We the Irrelevant, has documented instances in which the Legislature approved bills over strong public opposition. Most people believe government no longer represents the people, Plotkin said. It represents campaign donors, special interests, the wealthy. A terror attack that was said to take place on 72nd Independence day celebrations on 15 August is claimed to have foiled after a Kashmiri youth was held late Sunday night from a Delhi-bound bus in Jammu. It is said the youth was carrying explosives. As per news agency PTI, the youth, who was identified as Arfan Wani, was arrested with eight grenades in Gandhi Nagar area. A police officer said the youth was a resident of Awantipora in Pulwama district. The police said they have also recovered Rs 60,000 cash from the youth. The inputs by the agencies said that the militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen have planned to carry out terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and New Delhi on the Independence Day. As per a report in IndianExpress, he boarded the Delhi-bound bus from General Bus Stand area in Jammu around 11 pm and when the vehicle reached Gandhi Nagar, security agencies stopped it and arrested him. The security has been buffed up in Jammu and Kashmir after agencies sounded a high alert in the state in the wake of terror attack and Supreme Court hearing the petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A. The youth who has been arrested is being interrogated about the plans and his contacts in the national capital, the police said. BNP Paribas SA provides a range of banking and financial services in France and internationally. It operates through two divisions, Retail Banking and Services, and Corporate and Institutional Banking. The company offers long-term corporate vehicle leasing, and rental and other financing solutions; and digital banking and investment services, cash management, and factoring services to corporate clients, as well as wealth management services. It also provides credit solutions for individuals under the Cetelem, Cofinoga, Findomestic, AlphaCredit, and Opel Vauxhall brands; savings and protection solutions, including insuring individuals, and their personal projects and assets; and asset management, private banking, and real estate services. In addition, the company offers global market services, including investment, hedging, financing, research, and market intellingence across asset classes; security services comprising clearing, custody, and asset and fund services, as well as corporate trust, and market and financing services; and corporate trade and treasury, debt financing, specialized financing, strategic advisory, mergers and acquisition, and equity capital market services for institutional and corporate clients. The company was formerly known as Banque Nationale de Paris and changed its name to BNP Paribas SA in May 2000. BNP Paribas SA was founded in 1848 and is headquartered in Paris, France. Read More Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A., a multinational bank, primarily engages in the financing of foreign trade in Latin America and the Caribbean. The company operates through two segments, Commercial and Treasury. It offers short and medium-term bilateral, structured and syndicated credits, and loan commitments; financial guarantee contracts, such as issued and confirmed letters of credit, and stand-by letters of credit; and guarantees covering commercial risk and other assets, as well as co-financing arrangements, underwriting of syndicated credit facilities, structured trade financing in the form of factoring and vendor financing, and financial leasing. The company also provides treasury solutions, which include term deposits and private placements. It primarily serves financial institutions, corporations, and sovereigns and state-owned entities. The company was formerly known as Banco Latinoamericano de Exportaciones, S.A. and changed its name to Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. in June 2009. Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Panama City, the Republic of Panama. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AGA Medical Belgium, AGA Medical Corporation, AGA Medical Holdings Inc., ALR Holdings, AML Medical LLC, APK Advanced Medical Technologies LLC, ATS Bermuda Holdings Limited, ATS Laboratories Inc., Abbott, Abbott (Jiaxing) Nutrition Co. Ltd., Abbott (UK) Finance Limited, Abbott (UK) Holdings Limited, Abbott AG, Abbott Asia Holdings Limited, Abbott Asia Investments Limited, Abbott Australasia Holdings Limited, Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd, Abbott B.V., Abbott Bahamas Overseas Businesses Corporation, Abbott Belgian Investments, Abbott Bermuda Holding Ltd., Abbott Biologicals B.V., Abbott Biologicals LLC, Abbott Bulgaria Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Capital India Limited, Abbott Cardiovascular Inc., Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Abbott Delaware LLC, Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care Sales Corporation, Abbott Diagnostics GmbH, Abbott Diagnostics International Ltd., Abbott Diagnostics Technologies AS, Abbott Doral Investments S.L., Abbott Equity Holdings Unlimited, Abbott Equity Investments LLC, Abbott Established Products Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Finance Company SA, Abbott Financial Holdings SRL, Abbott France S.A.S., Abbott Fund Tanzania Limited, Abbott Gesellschaft m.b.H., Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Abbott Health Products LLC, Abbott Healthcare (Puerto Rico) Ltd., Abbott Healthcare B.V., Abbott Healthcare Costa Rica S.A., Abbott Healthcare LLC, Abbott Healthcare Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Healthcare Private Limited, Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Abbott Healthcare Products Ltd, Abbott Holding (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding GmbH, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited Luxembourg S.C.S., Abbott Holdings B.V., Abbott Holdings LLC, Abbott Holdings Limited, Abbott Holdings Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Iberian Investments (2) Limited, Abbott Iberian Investments Limited, Abbott India Limited, Abbott Informatics Asia Pacific Limited, Abbott Informatics Canada Inc, Abbott Informatics Corporation, Abbott Informatics Europe Limited, Abbott Informatics France, Abbott Informatics Germany GmbH, Abbott Informatics Netherlands B.V., Abbott Informatics Singapore Pte. Limited, Abbott Informatics Spain S.A., Abbott Informatics Technologies Ltd, Abbott International Corporation, Abbott International Enterprises Ltd., Abbott International Holdings Limited, Abbott International LLC, Abbott International Luxembourg S.ar.l., Abbott Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Ireland, Abbott Ireland Financing Designated Activity Company, Abbott Ireland Limited, Abbott Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Abbott Knoll Investments B.V., Abbott Korea Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Bangladesh) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco (Dos) SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Laboratories (Mozambique) Limitada, Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Philippines), Abbott Laboratories (Puerto Rico) Incorporated, Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Private Limited, Abbott Laboratories A/S, Abbott Laboratories Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Abbott Laboratories B.V., Abbott Laboratories C.A., Abbott Laboratories Finance B.V., Abbott Laboratories GmbH, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Laboratories International LLC, Abbott Laboratories Ireland Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited - Laboratoires Abbott Limitee, Abbott Laboratories NZ Limited, Abbott Laboratories Pacific Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Laboratories Products B.V., Abbott Laboratories Residential Development Fund Inc., Abbott Laboratories S.A., Abbott Laboratories SA, Abbott Laboratories Services Corp., Abbott Laboratories Slovakia s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trustee Company Limited, Abbott Laboratories Uruguay S.A., Abbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises, Abbott Laboratories d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories de Chile Limitada, Abbott Laboratories de Colombia S.A., Abbott Laboratories de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Abbott Laboratories druzba za farmacijo in diagnostiko d.o.o., Abbott Laboratories s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories(Hellas) Societe Anonyme, Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios S.A., Abbott Laboratorios del Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Abbott Laboratuarlari Ithalat Ihracat ve Ticaret Ltd.Sti, Abbott Laboratorios Lda, Abbott Laboratorios do Brasil Ltda., Abbott Limited Egypt LLC, Abbott Logistics B.V., Abbott Management GmbH, Abbott Management LLC, Abbott Manufacturing Singapore Private Limited, Abbott Mature Products International Unlimited Company, Abbott Mature Products Management Limited, Abbott Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Abbott Medical (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Medical (Portugal) Distribuicao de Produtos Medicos Lda, Abbott Medical (Schweiz) AG, Abbott Medical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Australia Pty. Ltd., Abbott Medical Austria Ges.m.b.H., Abbott Medical Balkan d.o.o. Beograd (Novi Beograd), Abbott Medical Belgium, Abbott Medical Canada Inc./ Medicale Abbott Canada Inc., Abbott Medical Danmark A/S, Abbott Medical Devices Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Espana S.A., Abbott Medical Estonia OU, Abbott Medical Finland Oy, Abbott Medical France SAS, Abbott Medical GmbH, Abbott Medical Hellas Limited Liability Trading Company, Abbott Medical Ireland Limited, Abbott Medical Italia S.p.A., Abbott Medical Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Korea Limited, Abbott Medical Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Medical Laboratories LTD, Abbott Medical Nederland B.V., Abbott Medical New Zealand Limited, Abbott Medical Norway AS, Abbott Medical Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Medical Sweden AB, Abbott Medical Taiwan Co., Abbott Medical U.K. Limited, Abbott Medical spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Middle East S.A.R.L., Abbott Molecular Inc., Abbott Morocco SARL, Abbott Nederland C.V., Abbott Nederland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Netherlands Investments B.V., Abbott Norge AS, Abbott Nutrition Limited, Abbott Nutrition Manufacturing Inc., Abbott Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd., Abbott Operations Uruguay S.R.L., Abbott Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Overseas Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Overseas S.A., Abbott Oy, Abbott Point of Care Canada Limited, Abbott Point of Care Inc., Abbott Poland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Procurement LLC, Abbott Products (Philippines) Inc., Abbott Products (Spain) S.L., Abbott Products Algerie EURL, Abbott Products B.V., Abbott Products Distribution SAS, Abbott Products Egypt LLC, Abbott Products Limited, Abbott Products Limited Liability Company, Abbott Products Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Products Operations AG, Abbott Products Operations LLC, Abbott Products Romania S.R.L., Abbott Products Tunisie S.A.R.L., Abbott Products Unlimited Company, Abbott Resources Inc., Abbott Resources International Inc., Abbott S.r.l., Abbott Saudi Arabia Trading Company, Abbott Scandinavia Aktiebolag, Abbott Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, Abbott South Africa Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Strategic Opportunities Limited, Abbott Trading Company Inc., Abbott Universal LLC, Abbott Vascular Devices (2) Limited, Abbott Vascular Devices Limited, Abbott Vascular Inc., Abbott Vascular Instruments Deutschland GmbH, Abbott Vascular International, Abbott Vascular Japan Co. Ltd, Abbott Vascular Limitada, Abbott Vascular Netherlands B.V., Abbott Vascular Solutions Inc., Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott West Indies Limited, Abbott drustvo sa ogranicenom odgovornoscu za trgovinu i usluge, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., Alere, Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Healthcare Management Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Technology Co. Ltd., Alere A/S, Alere AB, Alere AS, Alere AS Holdings Limited, Alere BBI Holdings Limited, Alere Bangladesh Limited, Alere China Co. Ltd., Alere Colombia S.A., Alere Connect LLC, Alere Connected Health Limited, Alere Connected Health Ltd., Alere Diagnostics GmbH, Alere DoA Holding GmbH, Alere GmbH, Alere GmbH (Austria), Alere GmbH (Germany), Alere HK Holdings Ltd., Alere Health B.V., Alere Health BVBA, Alere Health Corp., Alere Health Sdn Bhd, Alere Health Services B.V., Alere Healthcare (Pty) Limited, Alere Healthcare Connections Limited, Alere Healthcare Inc., Alere Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Alere Healthcare S.L., Alere Holdco Inc., Alere Holding GmbH, Alere Holdings Bermuda Limited, Alere Holdings Pty Limited, Alere Home Monitoring Inc., Alere Inc., Alere Informatics Inc., Alere International Holding Corp., Alere International Limited, Alere Lda, Alere Limited, Alere Limited (New Zealand), Alere Medical BVBA, Alere Medical Co. Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Hong Kong Limited, Inverness Medical Innovations SK LLC, Inverness Medical Investments LLC, Inverness Medical LLC, Inverness Medical Shimla Private Limited, Inversiones K2 SpA, Inversiones Komodo S.R.L., Ionian Technologies LLC, Irvine Biomedical Inc., Kalila Medical, Kangshenyunga S.A., Knoll UK Investments Unlimited, LLC VeroInPharm, Laboratoires Fournier S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano Lafrancol S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano del Ecuador S.A., Laboratorio Internacional Argentino S.A., Laboratorio Synthesis S.A.S., Laboratorios Lafi Limitada, Laboratorios Naturmedik S.A.S., Laboratorios Pauly Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Laboratorios Recalcine S.A., Laboratorios Transpharm S.A., Laboratory Specialists of America Inc., Lafrancol Dominicana S.A.S., Lafrancol Guatemala S.A. Sociedad Anonima, Lafrancol Internacional S.A.S, Lafrancol Peru S.R.L, Lake Forest Investments LLC, Lightlab Imaging Inc., Limited Liability Company Abbott Laboratories, Limited Liability Company Abbott Ukraine, Limited Liability Company VEROPHARM, Lung Fung Hong (China) Limited, Mansbridge Pharmaceuticals Limited, MediGuide LLC, MediGuide Ltd., Medscreen Holdings Limited, Metropolitana Farmaceutica S.A., Midwest Properties LLC, Murex Argentina S.A., Murex Biotech Limited, Murex Biotech South Africa, Murex Diagnostics Inc., Murex Diagnostics International Inc., Natural Supplement Association LLC, Negocios Denia Sociedad Anonima, Neosalud S.A.C., Nether Pharma N.P. C.V., NeuroTherm LLC, Normann Pharma-Handels GmbH, North Shore Properties Inc., Novamedi S.A., Novasalud.com S.A., Nutravida S.A., OJSC Voronezhkhimpharm, Omnilab Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OptiMedica, Orgenics France SAS, Orgenics International Holdings B.V., Orgenics Ltd., PBM-Selfcare LLC, PDD II LLC, PDD LLC, PT Alere Health, PT. Abbott Indonesia, PT. Abbott Products Indonesia, Pacesetter Inc., Pantech (RF) (PTY) LTD, Pembrooke Occupational Health Inc., Penagos S.A., Pharma International Sociedad Anonima, Pharmaceutical Technologies (Pharmatech) S.A., Pharmatech Boliviana S.A., Polygon Labs S.A., Quality Assured Services Inc., RF Medical Holdings LLC, RTL Holdings Inc., Ramses Business Corp., Recben Xenerics Farmaceutica Limitada, Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc., Rich Horizons International Limited, SC VEROPHARM, SJ Medical Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., SJM International Inc., SJM Thunder Holding Company, SPDH Inc., Saboya Enterprises Corporation, Salviac Limited, Scanax AS, Sealing Solutions Inc., Selfcare Technology Inc., Shandong Abbott Dairy Product Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Medical Devices Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc., ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics. United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday said that Washington DC will enforce renewed sanctions on Iran. Talking to the reporters aboard, on his way home from Asia, Pompeo said the sanctions to be re-imposed on Monday are an important pillar in the US policy toward Iran, reported the Washington Post. "The United States is going to enforce these sanctions," Pompeo said. "It's an important part of our efforts to push back against Iranian malign activity," he added. Pompeo said that "enormous change" is required by the Iranian government to break free of the U.S. sanctions. "They've got to behave like a normal country," he said. In 2015, six countries - Iran, US, Britain, Germany, Russia, France, and China- signed Iran nuclear deal, for lifting economic sanctions on Tehran in exchange for limitations to the country's nuclear programme. However, Trump announced the US' withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or the Iran nuclear deal in May, which limited the country's uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief. Calling the accord as an "embarrassment" that was "defective at its core", the US President then warned of severe consequences if Iran resumed its nuclear programme. (ANI) The following companies are subsidiares of Barclays: Adler Toy Holding Sarl, Aequor Investments Limited, Alymere Investments Limited, Alynore Investments Limited Partnership, Analog Analytics, Analog Analytics Inc, Analytical Trade Holdings LLC, Analytical Trade Investments LLC, Analytical Trade UK Limited, Archstone Equity Holdings Inc, Ardencroft Investments Limited, B D & B Investments Limited, B.P.B. (Holdings) Limited, BB Client Nominees Limited, BBAIL SAS, BCAP LLC, BIFML PTC Limited, BMBF (No.24) Limited, BMI (No.9) Limited, BNC Brazil Consultoria Empresarial Ltda, BNRI ENG 2013 Limited Partnership, BNRI ENG 2014 Limited Partnership, BNRI ENG GP LLP, BNRI England 2010 Limited Partnership, BNRI England 2011 Limited Partnership, BNRI England 2012 Limited Partnership, BNRI Limehouse No.1 Sarl, BNRI PIA Scot GP Limited, BNRI Scots GP LLP, BPB Holdings SA, BVP Galvani Global S.A.U., Barafor Limited, Barclay Leasing Limited, Barclaycard Funding PLC, Barclaycard International Payments Limited, Barclays (Barley) Limited, Barclays Aldersgate Investments Limited, Barclays Alzin Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Asia Limited, Barclays Asset Management Limited, Barclays BR Investments S.a r.l., Barclays BWA Inc., Barclays Bank (Suisse) S.A., Barclays Bank Delaware, Barclays Bank Ireland PLC, Barclays Bank Ireland Public Limited Company, Barclays Bank Mexico S.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Barclays Bank UK PLC, Barclays Bayard Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Bedivere Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Bordang Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Brasil Assessoria Financeira Ltda., Barclays CCP Funding LLC, Barclays Cantal Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Capital (Cayman) Limited, Barclays Capital Asia Holdings Limited, Barclays Capital Asia Limited, Barclays Capital Canada Inc., Barclays Capital Casa de Bolsa S.A. de C.V., Barclays Capital Derivatives Funding LLC, Barclays Capital Effekten GmbH, Barclays Capital Energy Inc., Barclays Capital Equities Trading GP, Barclays Capital Finance Limited, Barclays Capital Futures (Singapore) Private Limited, Barclays Capital Holdings (Singapore) Private Limited, Barclays Capital Holdings Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Barclays Capital Japan Securities Holdings Limited, Barclays Capital Luxembourg S.a r.l., Barclays Capital Mauritius Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees (No.2) Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees (No.3) Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees Limited, Barclays Capital Principal Investments Limited, Barclays Capital Real Estate Finance Inc., Barclays Capital Real Estate Holdings Inc., Barclays Capital Real Estate Inc., Barclays Capital Securities Client Nominee Limited, Barclays Capital Securities Limited, Barclays Capital Securities Mauritius Limited, Barclays Capital Trading Luxembourg S.a r.l., Barclays Claudas Investments Partnership, Barclays Claudas Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Commercial Mortgage Securities LLC, Barclays Converted Investments (No.2) Limited, Barclays Corporation Limited, Barclays Direct Investing Nominees Limited, Barclays Directors Limited, Barclays Dryrock Funding LLC, Barclays Electronic Commerce Holdings Inc., Barclays Equity Holdings Limited, Barclays Equity Index Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Europe Client Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Europe Firm Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Europe Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Executive Schemes Trustees Limited, Barclays Financial LLC, Barclays Financial Planning Nominee Company Limited, Barclays Funds Investments Limited, Barclays Funds and Advisory Japan Limited, Barclays Global Service Centre Private Limited, Barclays Global Shareplans Nominee Limited, Barclays Group Holdings Limited, Barclays Group Operations Limited, Barclays Group US Inc., Barclays Index Finance Trust, Barclays Industrial Development Limited, Barclays Industrial Investments Limited, Barclays Insurance Guernsey PCC Limited, Barclays Insurance Services Company Limited, Barclays Insurance U.S. Inc., Barclays International Luxembourg Dollar Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Investment Management Limited, Barclays Investment Solutions Limited, Barclays Investments & Loans (India) Limited, Barclays Korea GP Limited, Barclays Lamorak Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Leasing (No.9) Limited, Barclays Leto Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Long Island Limited, Barclays Luxembourg EUR Holdings S.a r.l, Barclays Luxembourg Finance S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg GBP Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Global Funding S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Holdings SSC B, Barclays Marlist Limited, Barclays Mauritius Overseas Holdings Limited, Barclays Mercantile Business Finance Limited, Barclays Merchant Bank (Singapore) Ltd., Barclays Nominees (George Yard) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Guernsey) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Jersey) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Manx) Limited, Barclays Oversight Management Inc., Barclays Payment Solutions Inc., Barclays Pelleas Investments Limited Partnership, Barclays Pelleas Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Pension Funds Trustees Limited, Barclays Principal Investments Limited, Barclays Private Asset Management (Monaco) S.A.M, Barclays Private Bank, Barclays Private Clients International Limited, Barclays Receivables LLC, Barclays SAMS Limited, Barclays Securities (India) Private Limited, Barclays Securities Japan Limited, Barclays Security Trustee Limited, Barclays Services (Japan) Limited, Barclays Services Corporation, Barclays Services Jersey Limited, Barclays Services LLC, Barclays Services Limited, Barclays Shea Limited, Barclays Singapore Global Shareplans Nominee Limited, Barclays Switzerland Services SA, Barclays Tenedora De Immuebles SL., Barclays Term Funding Limited Liability Partnership, Barclays UK Investments Limited, Barclays US CCP Funding LLC, Barclays US Funding LLC, Barclays US GPF Inc., Barclays US Investments Inc., Barclays US LLC, Barclays Unquoted Investments Limited, Barclays Unquoted Property Investments Limited, Barclays Wealth Management Jersey Limited, Barclays Wealth Nominees Limited, Barclays Wealth Services Limited, Barclays Wealth Trustees (India) Private Limited, Barclayshare Nominees Limited, Barclaytrust Channel Islands Limited, Barcosec Limited, Barsec Nominees Limited, Blossom Finance General Partnership, Branchcall Computers (Pvt) Limited, Braven Investments No.1 Limited, CP Flower Guaranteeco (UK) Limited, CP Newco 1 Limited, CP Newco2 Limited, CP Newco3 Limited, CP Propco 1 Limited, CP Propco 2 Limited, CP Topco Limited, CPIA Canada Holdings, CPIA England 2008 Limited Partnership, CPIA England 2009 Limited Partnership, CPIA England No.2 Limited Partnership, CPIA Investments No.1 Limited, CPIA Investments No.2 Limited, CRE Diversified Holdings LLC, CREW Tahoe Holdings LLC, CREW Tahoe LLC, Calthorpe Investments Limited, Capton Investments Limited, Carnegie Holdings Limited, Central Platte Valley Management LLC, Chapelcrest Investments Limited, Charles Schwab Europe, Claudas Investments Limited, Claudas Investments Two Limited, Clydesdale Financial Services Limited, Cobalt Investments Limited, Compania Regional del Sur S.A., Compania Sudamerica S.A., Condor No.1 Limited Partnership, Cornwall Homes Loans Limited, Crescent Crown Land Holding SPV LLC, Crescent Legacy LLC, Crescent Plaza Residential L.P., Crescent Plaza Residential LLC, Crescent Plaza Residential LP LLC, Crescent Real Estate Member LLC, Crescent Resort Development LLC, Crescent TRS Holdings LLC, Crescent Tower Residences GP LLC, Crescent Tower Residences L.P., Curve Investments GP, DBL Texas Holdings LLC, DMW Realty Limited, Desert Mountain Development LLC, Desert Mountain Properties Limited Partnership, Develop Training Group Limited, Dorset Home Loans Limited, Durlacher Nominees Limited, EWRD Summit LLC, Eagle Financial and Leasing Services (UK) Limited, East West Resort Development V L.P. L.L.L.P., East West Resort Development VII LLC, Equity Limited Partnership, Equity Value Investments No.1 Limited, Equity Value Investments No.2 Limited, Erimon Home Loans Ireland Limited, Expobank, FIRSTPLUS Financial Group Limited, Finpart Nominees Limited, First Assurance, Foltus Investments Limited, Full House Holdings Limited, Gallen Investments Limited, Global Dynasty Natural Resource Private, Globe Nominees Limited, Gracechurch Services Corporation, Grays Station LLC, Grupo Financiero Barclays Mexico S.A. de C.V., Hawkins Funding Limited, Heraldglen Limited, Holding Stuttgarter Strae GmbH, Hurley Investments No.1 Limited, Imalivest Mineral Resources LP, Investors In Infrastructure Limited, J.V. Estates Limited, JV Assets Limited, Kirsche Investments Limited, LTDL Holdings LLC, La Torretta Beverages LLC, La Torretta Hospitality LLC, La Torretta Operations LLC, Lagalla Investments LLC, Leonis Investments LLP, Liability Partnership, Long Island Assets Limited, Long Island Holding A LLC, Long Island Holding B Limited, MK Opportunities GP Ltd, MK Opportunities LP, MVWP Investors LLC, Maloney Investments Limited, Marbury Holdings LLC, Menlo Investments Limited, Mercantile Credit Company Limited, Mercantile Leasing Company (No.132) Limited, Meridian (SPV-AMC) Corporation, Mintaka Investments No. 4 Limited, Mira Vista Development LLC, Mira Vista Golf Club L.C., Mountainside Partners LLC, Murray House Investment Management Limited, Naxos Investments Limited, Nile Bank, North Colonnade Investments Limited, Northstar Mountain Properties LLC, Northstar Trailside Townhomes LLC, Northstar Village Townhomes LLC, Northwharf Investments Limited, Northwharf Nominees Limited, OGP Leasing Limited, Oakes Millers Ltd, Ownership Trustee Limited, PIA England No.2 Limited Partnership, Palomino Limited, Pecan Aggregator LP, Pelleas Investments Limited, Pelleas Investments Two Limited, Pippin Island Investments Limited, Preferred Liquidity LLC, Preferred Liquidity Limited Partnership, Procella Investments LLC, Procella Investments No.1 LLC, Procella Investments No.2 LLC, Procella Investments No.3 LLC, Protium Finance I LLC, Protium Master Grantor Trust, Protium Master Mortgage LP, Protium REO I LP, R.C. Grieg Nominees Limited, RVH Limited, RVT CLO Investments LLP, Razzoli Investments Limited, Real Estate Participation Management Limited, Real Estate Participation Services Limited, Relative Value Holdings LLC, Relative Value Investments UK Limited, Relative Value Trading Limited, Roder Investments No. 1 Limited, Roder Investments No. 2 Limited, Ruthenium Investments Limited, SPM GP Limited, Securitized Asset Backed Receivables LLC, Servicios Barclays S.A. de C.V., Societe Civile Immobiliere 31 Avenue de la Costa, Solution Personal Finance Limited, Southern Peaks Mining LP, Standard Life Aberdeen, Surety Trust Limited, Surrey Funding Corporation, Sussex Purchasing Corporation, Sutton Funding LLC, Swan Lane Investments Limited, TPLL LLC, TPProperty LLC, Tahoe Club Company LLC, Tahoe Club Employee Company, The Logic Group Enterprises Limited, The Logic Group Holdings Limited, Third Energy Holdings Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No. 2 Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No.1 Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No.3 Limited, US Secured Investments LLC, Union Center LLC, United Counties Bank, Verain Investments LLC, Walbrook Group Ltd, Wedd Jefferson (Nominees) Limited, Wessex Investments Limited, Westferry Investments Limited, Wilmington Riverfront Receivables LLC, Woolwich Homes Limited, Woolwich Plan Managers Limited, Woolwich Qualifying Employee Share, Woolwich Surveying Services Limited, Woori BC Pegasus Securitization Specialty Co. Limited, and Zeban Nominees Limited. Inmarsat plc provides mobile satellite communications services on land, at sea, and in the air worldwide. The company operates through five segments: Maritime, U.S. Government, Global Government, Aviation, and Enterprise. It offers voice and data broadband services; global maritime distress and safety system services; mobile and fixed voice services; a portfolio of machine-to-machine services that provide two-way data connectivity for messaging, tracking, and monitoring of fixed or mobile assets; maritime satellite services, including very small aperture terminals and television receive only antenna services; and Global Xpress, a high-speed broadband service that offer seamless connectivity for advanced data services on land, at sea, and in the air. The company also offers in-flight voice, data, safety, and cabin connectivity services for business and commercial air transport. It owns and operates 13 satellites. The company serves the aviation, government, enterprise, and maritime sectors. Inmarsat plc was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Read More Rolls-Royce Holdings plc operates as an industrial technology company in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company operates in four segments: Civil Aerospace, Power Systems, Defence, and ITP Aero. The Civil Aerospace segment develops, manufactures, and sells aero engines for large commercial aircraft, regional jet, and business aviation markets, as well as provides aftermarket services. The Power Systems segment provides high-speed and medium-speed reciprocating engines, and propulsion and power generation systems for the marine, defense, power generation, and industrial markets. The Defence segment offers aero engines for military transport and patrol aircraft applications; and naval engines and submarine nuclear power plants, as well as aftermarket services. The ITP Aero segment engages in the design, research and development, manufacture and casting, assembly, and testing of aeronautical engines and gas turbines. It also provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for regional airlines, as well as business aviation, industrial, and defense applications. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc was founded in 1884 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Occidental Petroleum: 1PointFive Inc., 1PointFive P1 LLC, APC Aviation Inc., APC International Holdings LLC, APC Midstream Holdings LLC, APC Venezuela Srl, ARCO Long Beach, Altura Energy, Amarok Gathering LLC, Anadarko 20-25 Company, Anadarko 20-36 Company, Anadarko 20-47 Company, Anadarko 20-48 Company, Anadarko 20-49 Company, Anadarko Algeria Block 403 c/e Company, Anadarko Algeria Block 406B Company, Anadarko Algeria Company LLC, Anadarko Algeria Oil & Gas Company, Anadarko Brazil Investment I LLC, Anadarko Brazil Investment II LLC, Anadarko Canada E&P Limited, Anadarko China Holdings 2 Company, Anadarko Colombia Company, Anadarko Consolidated Holdings LLC, Anadarko Cote d'Ivoire Block 103 Company, Anadarko Cote d'Ivoire Company, Anadarko DBMOS Operator LLC, Anadarko Development Company, Anadarko Development Holding Limited, Anadarko E&P Onshore LLC, Anadarko Egypt Holdings Company, Anadarko Energy Holding Limited, Anadarko Energy Services Company, Anadarko Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Natural Ltda., Anadarko Finance Company, Anadarko Gabon Company, Anadarko Ghana Mahogany-1 Company, Anadarko Global Energy S.a.r.l, Anadarko Global Funding 1 Company, Anadarko Global Funding II Ltd., Anadarko Guyana Company, Anadarko Holding Company, Anadarko International Development S.a.r.l, Anadarko International Energy Company, Anadarko International O&G Company, Anadarko International Trading Corporation, Anadarko Jordan Company, Anadarko Kenya Company, Anadarko LMM S.a.r.l, Anadarko Land Corp., Anadarko Mexico B.V., Anadarko Mexico S.a.r.l, Anadarko Midkiff/Chaney Dell BR Corp., Anadarko Midkiff/Chaney Dell LLC, Anadarko Natural Gas Company LLC, Anadarko New Zealand Company, Anadarko OGC Company, Anadarko Offshore Holding Company LLC, Anadarko Offshore Well Containment Company LLC, Anadarko Oil & Gas 5 LLC, Anadarko Peru B.V., Anadarko Petroleum, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Anadarko Realty LLC, Anadarko Rockies LLC, Anadarko Royalty Holdings Company, Anadarko UK Corporate Limited, Anadarko US Offshore LLC, Anadarko USH1 Corporation, Anadarko Venezuela Company, Anadarko Venezuela LLC, Anadarko Venezuela Srl, Anadarko WCTP Company, Anadarko West Texas BR Corp., Anadarko West Texas LLC, Anadarko Worldwide Holdings C.V., Atlantic Rim Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Aventine LLC, Baseball Merger Sub 2 Inc., Bear Branch Exploration LLC, Big Island Trona Company, Bitter Creek Coal Company, Bravo Pipeline Company, Cain Chemical, Cain Chemical Inc., Carbon Finance Labs LLC, Concord Petroleum Corporation, Conn Creek Shale Company, D.S. Ventures LLC, DMM Financial LLC, Deerwood Exploration LLC, Downtown Plaza II, Elk Hills Field, FLAG Development LLC, FP Westport Commodities Limited, FP Westport GmbH, FP Westport LLC, FP Westport Limited, FP Westport Services LLC, FP Westport Trading LLC, Fosters Mill Exploration LLC, Glenn Springs Holdings Inc., Globrep Representaciones S.A., Grand Bassa Tankers Inc., Grupo OxyChem de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Headwater II LLC, Houndstooth Resources LLC, INDSPEC Chemical B.V., INDSPEC Chemical Corporation, INDSPEC Chemical Corporation, INDSPEC Chemical Export Sales LLC, INDSPEC Holding Corporation, Ingleside Cogeneration GP LLC, Ingleside Cogeneration Limited Partnership, Interore Trading Ltd., Joslyn Partnership, KERR-McGEE TT E&P LTD., KM BM-C-Seven Ltd., KM International Insurance Ltd., Kerr-McGee Corporation, Kerr-McGee Natural Gas Company Inc., Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Onshore LP, Kerr-McGee Shared Services Company LLC, Kerr-McGee Stored Power Corporation, Kerr-McGee U.K. Energy Corporation, Kerr-McGee Worldwide Corporation, Kerr-McGee do Brasil Ltda., Kerr-McGee of Canada Northwest Ltd., Laguna Petroleum Corp., Laguna Petroleum LLC, Liwa Oil & Gas Ltd., MC2 Technologies LLC, Mariana Properties Inc., Marico Exploration Inc., Miller Springs Remediation Management Inc., Moncrief Minerals Partnership L.P., NGL Ventures LLC, Natural Gas Odorizing Inc., New OPL LLC, OEVC Energy LLC, OEVC Midstream Projects LLC, OIH LLC, OLCV CE Holdings ULC, OLCV CE US Holdings Inc., OLCV Net Power LLC, OLCV Services LLC, OOG Partner LLC, OOOI Chem Holdings LLC, OOOI Chem Sub LLC, OOOI Chemical International LLC, OOOI Chile Holder LLC, OOOI Ecuador Management LLC, OOOI Oil and Gas Sub LLC, OOOI South America Management LLC, OPM GP Inc., OPM Holdco LLC, OTCF LLC, OTH LLC, OXY CV Pipeline LLC, OXY Campus LLC, OXY Inc., OXY LPG LLC, OXY Libya E&P Area 103 BR4 B.V., OXY Libya E&P Area 35 Ltd., OXY Libya E&P Concession 103 Ltd., OXY Libya E&P EPSA 102 B.V., OXY Libya E&P EPSA 1981 Ltd., OXY Libya E&P EPSA 1985 Ltd., OXY Libya E&P NC 143 144 145 150 B.V., OXY Libya Exploration SPC, OXY Libya LLC, OXY Little Knife LLC, OXY Mexico Holdings I LLC, OXY Mexico Holdings II LLC, OXY Middle East Holdings Ltd., OXY Oil Partners Inc., OXY PBLP Manager LLC, OXY Support Services LLC, OXY Tulsa Inc., OXY USA Inc., OXY USA WTP LP, OXY VPP Investments LLC, OXY West LLC, OXY of Saudi Arabia Ltd., OXYCHEM (CANADA) INC., OXYMAR, Oakwood Exploration LLC, Occidental (Bermuda) Ltd., Occidental (East Shabwa) LLC, Occidental Advance Sale Finance Inc., Occidental Al Hosn LLC, Occidental Angola Holdings Ltd., Occidental CIS Services Inc., Occidental Canada Holdings Ltd., Occidental Chemical Asia Limited, Occidental Chemical Belgium B.V.B.A., Occidental Chemical Chile Limitada, Occidental Chemical Corporation, Occidental Chemical Export Sales LLC, Occidental Chemical Far East Limited, Occidental Chemical Holding Corporation, Occidental Chemical International LLC, Occidental Chemical Investment (Canada) 1 Inc., Occidental Chemical Receivables LLC, Occidental Chemical de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Occidental Chile Investments LLC, Occidental Chile Minority Holder LLC, Occidental Colombia (Series G) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series J) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series K) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series L) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series M) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series N) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series O) Ltd., Occidental Crude Sales Inc. (Canada), Occidental Crude Sales Inc. (International), Occidental Dolphin Holdings Ltd., Occidental Energy Marketing Inc., Occidental Energy Ventures LLC, Occidental Exploradora del Peru Ltd., Occidental Exploration and Production Company, Occidental Hafar LLC, Occidental International (Libya) Inc., Occidental International Corporation, Occidental International Exploration and Production Company, Occidental International Holdings Ltd., Occidental International Oil and Gas Ltd., Occidental International Services Inc., Occidental Joslyn GP 2 Co., Occidental LNG (Malaysia) Ltd., Occidental Latin America Holdings LLC, Occidental Libya Oil & Gas B.V., Occidental MENA Manager Ltd., Occidental Middle East Development Company, Occidental Midland Basin LLC, Occidental Mukhaizna LLC, Occidental Oil Asia Pte. Ltd., Occidental Oil Shale Inc., Occidental Oil and Gas (Oman) Ltd., Occidental Oil and Gas Corporation, Occidental Oil and Gas International Inc., Occidental Oil and Gas International LLC, Occidental Oil and Gas Pakistan LLC, Occidental Oil and Gas of Peru LLC, Occidental Oman (Block 27) Holdings Ltd., Occidental Oman Block 51 Holding Ltd., Occidental Oman Block 51 LLC, Occidental Oman Block 65 Holding Ltd., Occidental Oman Block 65 LLC, Occidental Oman Block 72 Holding Ltd., Occidental Oman Block 72 LLC, Occidental Oman Gas Company LLC, Occidental Oman Gas Holdings Ltd., Occidental Oman North Holdings Ltd., Occidental Oriente Exploration and Production Ltd., Occidental Overseas Holdings B.V., Occidental PVC LLC, Occidental Peninsula II Inc., Occidental Peninsula LLC, Occidental Permian Ltd., Occidental Permian Manager LLC, Occidental Permian Services Inc., Occidental Peruana Inc., Occidental Petrolera del Peru (Block 101) Inc., Occidental Petrolera del Peru (Block 103) Inc., Occidental Petroleum (Pakistan) Inc., Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Occidental Petroleum Corporation Political Action Committee, Occidental Petroleum de Venezuela S.A., Occidental Petroleum of Nigeria, Occidental Petroleum of Oman Ltd., Occidental Petroleum of Qatar Ltd., Occidental Power Marketing L.P., Occidental Power Services Inc., Occidental Qatar Energy Company LLC, Occidental Red Sea Development LLC, Occidental Research Corporation, Occidental Resource Recovery Systems Inc., Occidental Resources Company, Occidental Shah Gas Holdings Ltd., Occidental South America Finance LLC, Occidental Specialty Marketing Inc., Occidental Tower Corporation, Occidental Transportation Holding Corporation, Occidental West Texas Overthrust Inc., Occidental Yemen Ltd., Occidental Yemen Sabatain Inc., Occidental del Ecuador Inc., Occidental of Abu Dhabi (Bab) Ltd., Occidental of Abu Dhabi (Shah) Ltd., Occidental of Abu Dhabi Holdings Ltd., Occidental of Abu Dhabi LLC, Occidental of Abu Dhabi Ltd., Occidental of Bahrain Ltd., Occidental of Bangladesh Inc., Occidental of Colombia (Chipiron) Inc., Occidental of Colombia (Cosecha) Inc., Occidental of Colombia (Medina) Inc., Occidental of Colombia (Putumayo) Ltd., Occidental of Colombia (Teca) Ltd., Occidental of Colombia PUT-36 LLC, Occidental of Dubai Inc., Occidental of Iraq Holdings Ltd., Occidental of Iraq LLC, Occidental of Oman Inc., Occidental of Russia Ltd., Occidental of South Africa (Offshore) Inc., Occidental of Yemen (Block 75) LLC, Oceanic Marine Transport Ltd., Opcal Insurance Inc., Oryx Crude Trading & Transportation Inc., Oxy BridgeTex Limited Partnership, Oxy C & I Bulk Sales LLC, Oxy Canada Sales Inc., Oxy Carbon Solutions LLC, Oxy Carbon Storage LLC, Oxy Climate Ventures Inc., Oxy Cogeneration Holding Company LLC, Oxy Colombia Holdings LLC, Oxy Colombia TopCo Ltd., Oxy Delaware Basin LLC, Oxy Delaware Basin Plant LLC, Oxy Dolphin E&P LLC, Oxy Dolphin Pipeline LLC, Oxy Energy Canada Inc., Oxy Energy Services LLC, Oxy Expatriate Services Inc., Oxy FFT Holdings Inc., Oxy Holding Company (Pipeline) Inc., Oxy International Ventures Ltd., Oxy LPG Terminal LLC, Oxy Levelland Pipeline Company LLC, Oxy Levelland Terminal Company LLC, Oxy Low Carbon Ventures LLC, Oxy Midstream Strategic Development LLC, Oxy Oleoducto SOP LLC, Oxy Overseas Services Ltd., Oxy Permian Gathering LLC, Oxy Permian Plaza LLC, Oxy Petroleum de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Oxy Renewable Energy LLC, Oxy Salt Creek Pipeline LLC, Oxy TL LLC, Oxy Taft Hub LLC, Oxy Technology Ventures Inc., Oxy Transport I Company LLC, Oxy Vinyls Canada Co., Oxy Vinyls Export Sales LLC, Oxy Vinyls LP, Oxy Westwood Corporation, Oxy Y-1 Company, OxyChem Ingleside Ethylene Holdings Inc., OxyChem do Brasil Ltda., OxyChile Investments LLC, Oxychem Shipping Ltd., Permian Basin JV Tax Matters Member LLC, Permian Basin Limited Partnership, Permian VPP Holder LP, Permian VPP Manager LLC, Phibro, Placid Oil LLC, Ramlat Oxy Ltd., Rio de Viento Inc., Rodeo Midland Basin LLC, San Patricio Pipeline LLC, Scanports Shipping LLC, SequestCo LLC, Stetson Exploration LLC, Sun Offshore Gathering Company, Swiflite Aircraft Corporation, Transok Properties LLC, Troy Potter Inc., Turavent Oil GmbH [in liquidation], Tuscaloosa Holdings Inc., UP Petroleo III Ltd., Upland Industries Corporation, Venezuela US SRL, Vintage Gas Inc., Vintage Petroleum, Vintage Petroleum Argentina Ltd., Vintage Petroleum Boliviana Ltd., Vintage Petroleum International Finance B.V., Vintage Petroleum International Holdings LLC, Vintage Petroleum International LLC, Vintage Petroleum International Ventures Inc., Vintage Petroleum Italy Inc., Vintage Petroleum South America Holdings Inc., Vintage Petroleum South America LLC, Vintage Petroleum Turkey Inc., WGR Asset Holding Company LLC, WGR Canada Inc., Wardner Ranch Inc., Western Gas Resources Inc., Western Gas Resources-Westana Inc., Western Midstream Holdings LLC, Woodlands International Insurance Ltd., and YT Ranch LLC. Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. engages in the natural gas midstream, and intrastate transportation and storage businesses in the United States. The company's Intrastate Transportation and Storage segment transports natural gas from various natural gas producing areas through connections with other pipeline systems, as well as through its ET Fuel System and HPL System. This segment owns and operates approximately 7,900 miles of natural gas transportation pipelines and three natural gas storage facilities in Texas. Its Interstate Transportation and Storage segment provides natural gas transportation and storage services; owns and operates approximately 11,800 miles of interstate natural gas pipelines; and has interests in various natural gas pipelines. The company's Midstream segment gathers, compresses, treats, blends, processes, and markets natural gas. It owns and operates natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) gathering pipelines, natural gas processing plants, natural gas treating facilities, and natural gas conditioning facilities. The company's NGL and Refined Products Transportation and Services segment transports mixed NGLs and other hydrocarbons; stores mixed NGLs, NGL products, and petrochemical products; and separates mixed NGL streams into purity products. This segment owns and operates various NGL pipelines, NGL and propane fractionation facilities, and NGL storage facilities. Its Crude Oil Transportation and Services segment engages in the transportation, terminalling, and acquisition and marketing of crude oil; and operates crude oil trunk and gathering pipelines. The company's All Other segment engages in the natural gas compression equipment business; provides natural gas compression equipment and compression services; manages coal and natural resources property, sells standing timber, and leases coal-related infrastructure facilities; and generates electrical power. Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. was founded in 1995 and is based in Dallas, Texas. Read More FedEx Corp. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of a portfolio of transportation, e-commerce, and business services. It operates through the following segments: FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, FedEx Services, and Corporate, Other & Eliminations. The FedEx Express segment consists of domestic and international shipping services for delivery of packages and freight. The FedEx Ground segment focuses on small-package ground delivery services. The FedEx Freight segment offers less-than-truckload freight services across all lengths of haul. The FedEx Services segment provides sales, marketing, information technology, communications, customer service, technical support, billing and collection services, and certain back-office functions. The Corporate, Other & Eliminations segment includes corporate headquarters costs for executive officers and certain legal and finance functions, as well as certain other costs and credits not attributed to the firm's core business. The company was founded by Frederick Wallace Smith on June 18, 1971 and is headquartered in Memphis, TN. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Mohawk Industries: A&S Energie NV, A&U Energie NV, Aladdin Manufacturing Corporation, Aladdin Manufacturing Of New York LLC, Aladdin Manufacturing of Alabama LLC, Alsace Logistique S.A., Avelgem Green Power CVBA, Avon Pacific Holdings Ltd, B&M NV, BGE Mexico S. de R. L. de C.V., Berghoef GmbH, Berghoef-Hout B.V., Bienes Raices y Materiales del Centro S. de R.L. de C.V., C.F. Marazzi S.A., Canterbury Spinners Ltd, Carpet Foundation Ltd, Cevotrans BV, Ceramus Bahia S/A Produtos Ceramicos, DT Mex Holdings LLC, DTM/CM Holdings LLC, Dal Italia LLC, Dal-Elit LLC, Dal-Tile Chile Comercial Limitada, Dal-Tile Colombia S.A.S., Dal-Tile Distribution Inc., Dal-Tile Group Inc., Dal-Tile I LLC, Dal-Tile Industrias S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile International Inc., Dal-Tile Mexico Comercial S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Operaciones Mexico S. De R.L. De C.V., Dal-Tile Peru SRL, Dal-Tile Puerto Rico Inc., Dal-Tile Services Inc., Dal-Tile Shared Services Inc., Dal-Tile Tennessee LLC, Dal-Tile of Canada ULC, Daltile, Daltile, Dekaply NV, Durkan, Dynea NV, Eliane Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Eliane S/A - Revestimentos Ceramicos, Emilceramica India Pvt Ltd., Emilceramica S.r.l, Emilgermany GmbH, Emilgroup Asia Ltd, Explorer S.r.l., F.I.L.S. Investments Unlimited Company, Feltex Carpets Ltd, Feltex Carpets Pty Ltd, Feltex New Zealand Ltd, Fibremakers Australia Pty Ltd, Flooring Foundation Ltd, Flooring Industries Limited S.a r.l., Flooring XL B.V., Floorscape Limited, Godfrey Hirst & Co Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Australia Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Group, Godfrey Hirst NZ Ltd, Hytherm (Ireland) Limited, IVC BVBA, IVC Far-East Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., IVC France S.a r.l., IVC GROUP LIMITED, IVC Green Power NV, IVC Group, IVC Group GmbH, IVC Luxembourg S.a r.l., IVC Rus OOO, IVC US Inc., International Flooring Systems S.a r.l., International Vinyl Company - Vostok OOO, KAI Group, KAI Keramica Ltd, KAI Mining EOOD, KERAMA CENTER OOO, Kerama Baltics OOO, Kerama Export OOO, Kerama Marazzi OOO, Kerampromservis (LLC), Khan Asparuh - Transport EOOD, Khan Asparuh AD, Khan Omurtag AD, Koninklijke Peitsman B.V., Kraj Kerama OOO, MG China Trading Ltd., MI Finance SRL, MUD (Holding) Brazil Ltda., Management Co EAD, Marazzi Acquisition S.r.l., Marazzi Deutschland G.m.b.H., Marazzi France Trading S.A.S., Marazzi Group, Marazzi Group F.Z.E., Marazzi Group S.r.l., Marazzi Group Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Marazzi Iberia S.L.U., Marazzi Japan Co. Ltd., Marazzi Middle East FZ LLC, Marazzi Schweiz S.A.G.L., Marazzi UK Ltd., Mohawk Assurance Services Inc., Mohawk Australia Pty Ltd, Mohawk Canada Corporation, Mohawk Capital Finance S.A., Mohawk Capital Luxembourg SA, Mohawk Carpet Distribution Inc., Mohawk Carpet Foundation Inc., Mohawk Carpet LLC, Mohawk Carpet Transportation Of Georgia LLC, Mohawk Commercial Inc., Mohawk ESV Inc., Mohawk Europe BVBA, Mohawk Factoring II Inc., Mohawk Factoring LLC, Mohawk Finance S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Acquisitions S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Funding S.a.r.l, Mohawk Foreign Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Investments Inc., Mohawk Global Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Holdings International B.V., Mohawk Industries Inc., Mohawk International (Europe) S.a r.l., Mohawk International (Hong Kong) Limited, Mohawk International Capital N.V., Mohawk International Financing S.a.r.l, Mohawk International Holdings (DE) LLC, Mohawk International Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk International Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk International Netherlands B.V., Mohawk International Services BVBA, Mohawk KAI Luxembourg Holding S.a r.l., Mohawk KAI Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Capital S.A., Mohawk Luxembourg Financing S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Pacific S.a r.l., Mohawk Marazzi International BV, Mohawk Marazzi Russia BV, Mohawk New Zealand Limited, Mohawk Operaciones Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Mohawk Operations Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Pacific Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Resources LLC, Mohawk Servicing LLC, Mohawk Singapore Private Limited, Mohawk Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Mohawk Unilin Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk United Finance B.V., Mohawk United International B.V., Mohawk Vinyl Financing S.a r.l., Molber Beheer B.V., Monarch Ceramic Tile Inc., P.F. Onroerend Goed B.V., PF Beheer B.V., Pergo, Pergo (Europe) AB, Pergo Holding BV, Pergo India Pvt Ltd, Polcolorit S.A., Premium Floors Australia Pty Limited, RR Apex LLC, Rata International Pty Ltd, Recubrimientos Interceramica S. de R.L. de C.V., Riverside Textiles Pty Ltd, S.C. KAI Ceramics SRL, Sibir Kerama OOO, SimpleSolutions USA LLC, Soft Step (Australia) Pty Ltd, Spano Group, Spano Invest BVBA, Spano NV, Stroyagromekhzapchast ChaO, Stroytrans OAO Orelstroy, Summit Wool Spinners Ltd, The Flooring Federation Ltd, Tiles Co OOD, Unilin (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Unilin ApS, Unilin Arauco Pisos Ltda., Unilin BVBA, Unilin Beheer BV, Unilin Distribution Ltd., Unilin Distribution Ukraine LLC, Unilin Finland OY, Unilin Flooring India Private Limited, Unilin Flooring SAS, Unilin GmbH, Unilin Holding BVBA, Unilin Insulation BV, Unilin Insulation SAS, Unilin Insulation Sury SAS, Unilin Italia S.R.L., Unilin North America LLC, Unilin Norway AS, Unilin OOO, Unilin Panels SAS, Unilin Poland Sp.Z.o.o., Unilin SAS, Unilin Spain SL, Unilin Swiss GmbH, Unilin s.r.o., World International Inc., Xtratherm, Xtratherm Limited, Xtratherm S.A., and Xtratherm UK Limited. Gildan Activewear Inc. manufactures and sells various apparel products in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It provides various activewear products, including T-shirts, fleece tops and bottoms, and sport shirts under the Gildan, Gildan Performance, Gildan Hammer, Comfort Colors, American Apparel, Anvil by Gildan, Alstyle, Prim + Preux, and GoldToe brands. The company also offers hosiery products comprising athletic; dress; and casual, liner, therapeutic, and workwear socks, as well as sheer panty hoses, tights, and leggings under the brands of Gildan, Under Armour, GoldToe, PowerSox, GT a GoldToe Brand, Silver Toe, Signature Gold by Goldtoe, Peds, MediPeds, Kushyfoot, Therapy Plus, All Pro, Secret, Silks, Secret Silky, and American Apparel. In addition, it provides men's and boys' underwear products, and ladies panties under the Gildan and Gildan Platinum brand names; and ladies' shapewear, intimates, and accessories under the Secret and Secret Silky brands. The company sells its products to wholesale distributors, screen printers, or embellishers, as well as to retailers and consumer brand companies. The company was formerly known as Textiles Gildan Inc. and changed its name to Gildan Activewear Inc. in March 1995. Gildan Activewear Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Lear: AccuMED Corp., AccuMED Holdings Corp., Arada Systems, Autotech Fund II L.P.(Delaware) (5.56%, Beijing BAI Lear Automotive Systems Co. Ltd., Beijing BHAP Lear Automotive Systems Co. Ltd.(China) (50%, Beijing Lear Dymos Automotive Systems Co. Ltd., CelLink Corporation, Changchun Lear FAWSN Automotive Electrical and Electronics Co. Ltd., Changchun Lear FAWSN Automotive Seat Systems Co. Ltd., Chihuahua Electrical Wiring Systems S. de R.L. de C.V., China New Trend Group Co. Ltd, Consorcio Industrial Mexicano de Autopartes S. de R.L. de C.V., Cordelia Autoparts Sweden AB, Dunlop Cox Limited, Durango Automotive Wiring Systems S. de R.L. de C.V., EXO Technologies Ltd., Eagle Ottawa (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Eagle Ottawa China Ltd., Eagle Ottawa Fonseca S.A., Eagle Ottawa Foreign Holdings ApS, Eagle Ottawa Holdings Ltd., Eagle Ottawa Hungary Kft., Eagle Ottawa LLC, Eagle Ottawa North America LLC, Eagle Ottawa Warrington Ltd., Evolved by Nature Inc., Foshan Lear FAWSN Automotive Systems Co. Ltd., Grote & Hartmann, Guangzhou Lear Automotive Components Co. Ltd, Guilford Europe Limited, Guilford Europe Pension Trustees Limited, Guilford Mills, Guilford Mills Europe Limited, Guilford Mills Limited, HB Polymer Company LLC, Honduras Electrical Distribution Systems S. de R.L. de C.V., Hyundai Transys Lear Automotive India Private Limited, Industrias Cousin Freres S.L., Industrias Lear de Argentina SrL, Insys - Interior Systems SA, Jiangxi Jiangling Lear Interior Systems Co. Ltd., Kyungshin-Lear Sales and Engineering LLC, Lear (China) Holding Limited, Lear (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Lear (Shanghai) Auto Parts Technology Co. Ltd., Lear Automotive (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Lear Automotive (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Lear Automotive EEDS Honduras S.A., Lear Automotive Electronics and Electrical Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Lear Automotive Fabrics (RuiAn) Co. Ltd., Lear Automotive India Private Limited, Lear Automotive Interior Materials (Yangzhou) Co. Ltd., Lear Automotive Manufacturing L.L.C., Lear Automotive Metals (Wuhan) Co. Ltd., Lear Automotive Morocco SAS, Lear Automotive Operations Netherlands B.V., Lear Automotive Services (Netherlands) B.V., Lear Automotive Systems (Changshu) Co. Ltd., Lear Automotive Systems (Chongqing) Co. Ltd., Lear Automotive Systems (Shenyang) Co. Ltd., Lear Automotive Systems (Yangzhou) Co. Ltd., Lear Canada, Lear Canada Holding S.a.r.l., Lear Canada Investments ULC, Lear Changan (Chongqing) Automotive System Co. Ltd., Lear Changan (Hangzhou) Automotive Seating Co. Ltd., Lear China Engineering LLC, Lear Corporation (Mauritius) Limited, Lear Corporation (Nottingham) Limited, Lear Corporation (UK) Limited, Lear Corporation (Vietnam) Limited, Lear Corporation Ara S.L., Lear Corporation Ardasa S.L., Lear Corporation Asientos S.L., Lear Corporation Belgium CVA, Lear Corporation Beteiligungs GmbH, Lear Corporation Canada ULC, Lear Corporation Changchun Automotive Interior Systems Co. Ltd., Lear Corporation China Ltd., Lear Corporation Czech Republic s.r.o., Lear Corporation Engineering (UK) Limited, Lear Corporation Engineering Belgium B.V.B.A., Lear Corporation Engineering Czech Republic s.r.o., Lear Corporation Engineering GmbH, Lear Corporation Engineering Hungary Kft., Lear Corporation Engineering II GmbH, Lear Corporation Engineering Italy S.r.l., Lear Corporation Engineering Morocco S.a.r.l., Lear Corporation Engineering Poland Sp. z.o.o., Lear Corporation Engineering Slovakia s.r.o., Lear Corporation d.o.o. Novi Sad, and United Technologies Automotive. KAZ Minerals PLC, together with its subsidiaries, engages in mining and processing copper and other metals primarily in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan. It operates through Bozshakol, Aktogay, East Region and Bozymchak, and Mining Projects segments. The company operates the Aktogay and Bozshakol open pit copper mines in the east region and Pavlodar region of Kazakhstan; three underground mines in the east region of Kazakhstan; and the Bozymchak copper-gold mine in Kyrgyzstan. It also develops greenfield metal deposits; operates Koksay deposit in Kazakhstan, and the Baimskaya licence area in the Chukotka region of Russia; and produces and sells various by-products, such as gold, silver, molybdenum, and zinc. In addition, the company supplies and distributes heat, water, and electricity; and offers construction, project management, financing, management, sales and logistics, and repairs and maintenance services. The company was formerly known as Kazakhmys PLC and changed its name to KAZ Minerals PLC in October 2014. KAZ Minerals PLC was founded in 1930 and is based in London, the United Kingdom. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Molina Healthcare: Aetna & Humana - Medicare Advantage, Affinity Health Plan, AmericanWork Inc., Better Health Network, Camelot Care Centers Inc, Children's Behavioral Health Inc., Choices Group Inc., College Community Services, Dockside Services Inc, Family Preservation Services Inc., Family Preservation Services of Florida Inc., Family Preservation Services of North Carolina Inc., Family Preservation Services of Washington D.C. Inc., Family Preservation Services of West Virginia Inc., Florida NetPASS LLC, Hclb Inc., Magellan Complete Care, Maple Star Nevada Inc., Maple Star Oregon Inc., Mercy CarePlus, Molina Clinical Services LLC, Molina Healthcare Data Center Inc., Molina Healthcare of Arizona Inc., Molina Healthcare of California, Molina Healthcare of Florida Inc., Molina Healthcare of Georgia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Illinois Inc., Molina Healthcare of Iowa Inc., Molina Healthcare of Louisiana Inc., Molina Healthcare of Maryland Inc., Molina Healthcare of Michigan Inc., Molina Healthcare of Mississippi Inc., Molina Healthcare of Nevada Inc., Molina Healthcare of New Mexico Inc., Molina Healthcare of New York Inc., Molina Healthcare of North Carolina Inc., Molina Healthcare of Ohio Inc., Molina Healthcare of Oklahoma Inc., Molina Healthcare of Pennsylvania Inc., Molina Healthcare of Puerto Rico Inc., Molina Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, Molina Healthcare of Texas Inc., Molina Healthcare of Texas Insurance Company, Molina Healthcare of Utah Inc., Molina Healthcare of Virginia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Washington Inc., Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin Inc., Molina Holdings Corporation, Molina Hospital Management LLC, Molina Information Systems LLC dba Molina Medicaid Solutions, Molina Medical Management Inc., Molina Pathways LLC, Molina Pathways of Texas Inc., Molina Youth Academy, NextLevel Health Illinois, Pathways Community Corrections Inc., Pathways Community Services LLC, Pathways Community Support of Texas Inc., Pathways Health and Community Support LLC, Pathways Human Services LLC., Pathways of Arizona Inc., Pathways of Delaware Inc., Pathways of Idaho LLC, Pathways of Maine Inc., Pathways of Massachusetts LLC, Pathways of Oklahoma Inc., Pathways of Washington Inc., Providence Community Services, Providence Human Services, Raystown Developmental Services Inc., The Game of Work LLC, The RedCo Group Inc., Total Care Medicaid plan, Transitional Family Services Inc., Unisys -Health Information Management, and YourCare Health Plan. New Residential Investment pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 8.64%. NRZ has a dividend yield higher than 75% of all dividend-paying stocks, making it a leading dividend payer. New Residential Investment has been increasing its dividend for 2 consecutive year(s), indicating that it does not yet have a strong track record of dividend growth. The dividend payout ratio of New Residential Investment is 68.49%. This payout ratio is at a healthy, sustainable level, below 75%. Based on earnings estimates, New Residential Investment will have a dividend payout ratio of 57.80% next year. This indicates that New Residential Investment will be able to sustain or increase its dividend. View New Residential Investment's dividend history. The following companies are subsidiares of PPG Industries: AIPCF V Texstars Blocker Inc., AkzoNobel, Alermac Inversiones S.A. de C.V., Alpha Coating Technologies LLC, Alpha Coatings Inc., Broad Range Development Limited, Brown Brothers Distribution Limited, CG Holdings Manufacturing Co., Centro de Investigacion en Polimeros S.A. de C.V., Chemfil Canada Limited, Chorlton Trade Paints Limited, Comercial Mexicana de Pinturas S.A. de C.V., Comex, Comex Industrial Coatings S.A. de C.V., Consorcio Comex S.A. de C.V., Cristacol S.A., Cuming Microwave Corporation, Deutek SA, Dexmet Corporation, Dexmet Holding Corporation, Distribuidora Kroma S.A. de C.V., EPIC Insurance Co. Ltd., Eberle Design Inc., Empresa Aga S.A. de C.V., Ennis Canadian Holding Company, Ennis Flint Soluciones Seguras Para Trafico, Ennis Highway Traffic Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Ennis Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, Ennis Paint Australia Holding Pty Ltd, Ennis Paint Boya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., Ennis Paint Canada ULC, Ennis Paint Germany GmbH, Ennis Paint Netherlands Holdings LLC, Ennis Paint U.K. Holding Company Limited, Ennis Prismo Italio S.r.l., Ennis Traffic Safety Solutions Pty Ltd, Ennis Flint Mexico, Ennis Flint New Zealand, Ennis Flint New Zealand Holding Pty Ltd, Ennis-Flint, Ennis-Flint Africa (Pty) Ltd, Ennis-Flint Inc., Foshan Bairun Chemicals Co. Ltd., Fpu Industrial S.A. de C.V., Grupo Comex S.A. de C.V., Hemmelrath Automotive Coatings (Jilin) Co. Ltd., Hodij Coatings B.V., Homax Products, Industria Chimica Reggiana I.C.R. SPA, Johnstones Paints Limited, Kalon Investment Company Limited, Kalon South Africa Proprietary Limited, Manchester Thermoplastics LLC, Masterwork Paint, MetoKote Canada Limited, MetoKote Corporation, MetoKote Mexico Holding Inc., MetoKote UK Limited, MetoKote de Mexico S. de RL de CV, PPG AC - France SA, PPG ALESCO Automotive Finishes Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., PPG AP Resinas S.A. de C.V., PPG Aerospace Materials (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., PPG Architectural Coatings (Puerto Rico) Inc., PPG Architectural Coatings Canada Inc., PPG Architectural Coatings Ireland Limited, PPG Architectural Coatings Italy S.r.l., PPG Architectural Coatings UK Limited, PPG Architectural Finishes Inc., PPG Asian Paints Private Ltd., PPG COATINGS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD., PPG Canada Inc., PPG Cieszyn S.A., PPG Coatings (Hong Kong) Co. Limited, PPG Coatings (Kunshan) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., PPG Coatings (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Thailand) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings (Wuhu) Company Ltd., PPG Coatings (Zhangjiagang) Co. Ltd., PPG Coatings B.V., PPG Coatings Belgium BV, PPG Coatings Danmark A/S, PPG Coatings Deutschland GmbH, PPG Coatings Europe B.V., PPG Coatings Manufacturing SARL, PPG Coatings Nederland BV, PPG Coatings S.A., PPG Coatings South Africa (Pty) Ltd., PPG DYRUP S.A., PPG Deco Czech a.s., PPG Deco Polska sp. z.o.o., PPG Deco Slovakia s.r.o., PPG Deutschland Business Support GmbH, PPG Deutschland Sales & Services GmbH, PPG Distribution S.A.S., PPG Europe B.V., PPG Finance B.V., PPG France Business Support S.A.S., PPG France Manufacturing S.A.S., PPG Guadeloupe SAS, PPG Hellas S.A., PPG Hemmelrath Coatings Inc., PPG Hemmelrath Lackfabrik GmbH, PPG Holdco SAS, PPG Holdings (U.K.) Limited, PPG Holdings Argentina USA LLC, PPG Holdings Latin America USA LLC, PPG Iberica S.A., PPG Iberica Sales & Services S.L., PPG Industrial Coatings B.V., PPG Industrial do Brasil - Tintas E. Vernizes - Ltda., PPG Industries (Korea) Ltd., PPG Industries (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., PPG Industries (UK) Ltd, PPG Industries Argentina S.R.L., PPG Industries Australia PTY Limited A.C.N. 055 500 939, PPG Industries Colombia Ltda., PPG Industries Czech Republic s.r.o., PPG Industries Delfzijl B.V., PPG Industries Europe Sarl, PPG Industries France S.A.S., PPG Industries International Inc., PPG Industries Italia S.r.l., PPG Industries Kimya a Sanayi VE Ticaret AS, PPG Industries LLC, PPG Industries Lipetsk LLC, PPG Industries Middle East FZE, PPG Industries Netherlands B.V., PPG Industries New Zealand Limited, PPG Industries Ohio Inc., PPG Industries Poland Sp. Z.o.o., PPG Industries Securities LLC, PPG Industries de Mexico S.A. de C.V., PPG Italia Business Support S.r.l., PPG Italia Sales & Services S.r.l., PPG Japan Ltd., PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes Canada LP, PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes U.K. LLP, PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes U.S. LLC, PPG Luxembourg Finance S.aR.L., PPG Luxembourg Holdings S.aR.L., PPG Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Mexico S.A. de C.V., PPG Packaging Coatings (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., PPG Paints Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PPG Performance Coatings (Hong Kong) Limited, PPG Powder Coatings (Shanghai) Limited, PPG Romania S.A., PPG SSC Co. Ltd., PPG Switzerland GmbH, PPG Trilak Kft., PPG Vietnam Co. Ltd., PRC-DeSoto Australia Pty Ltd., PRC-DeSoto International Inc., PT. PPG Coatings Indonesia, Painter's Supply, Paintzen, Peintures de Paris SAS, Plasticos Envolventes S.A. de C.V., Polymeric Systems Inc., Prismo Road Markings Limited, ProCoatings B.V., ProCoatings BV, Protec Pty Ltd. A.C.N. 007 857 392, Reno A&E LLC, Revocoat France SAS, Revocoat Holding SAS, Revocoat Iberica SLU, Revocoat S.A.S, Road Infrastructure Investment Holdings Inc., SEM Products Inc., Sealants Europe SAS, Sierracin Corporation, Sierracin/Sylmar Corporation, Sigma Marine & Protective Coatings Holding B.V., SigmaKalon (BC) UK Limited, SigmaKalon Group, SigmaKalon Middle East B.V., Sikar (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Spraylat International Ltd, Texstars LLC, The Crown Group Co., The Crown Group Inc, The Homax Group, Tikkurila Group, Traffic Safety Intermediate LLC, Traffic Safety Parent LLC, United International Business NV, Vanex Inc., Vernisol S.p.A., Versaflex, Viasa S.A. de C.V., Whitford, Whitford B.V., Whitford Corporation, Whitford Jiangmen Ltd., Whitford Ltd. (HK), Whitford Ltd. (UK), Whitford Pte. Ltd., Whitford S.r.l., Whitford Worldwide Company LLC, Worwag Coatings, and Zaganite Industries Pty Ltd. Wall Street analysts have given Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets 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 Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. The Bank of New York Mellon pays an annual dividend of $1.36 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 2.30%. The Bank of New York Mellon does not yet have a strong track record of dividend growth. The dividend payout ratio of The Bank of New York Mellon is 33.92%. This payout ratio is at a healthy, sustainable level, below 75%. Based on earnings estimates, The Bank of New York Mellon will have a dividend payout ratio of 29.44% next year. This indicates that The Bank of New York Mellon will be able to sustain or increase its dividend. View The Bank of New York Mellon's dividend history. American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at contact@marketbeat.com | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. The following companies are subsidiares of Sealed Air: A.P.S. (Holdings) Limited, AFP Trading (China) Co. Ltd., AFPTOH LTD, APS Automated Packaging Systems GmbH & Co. KG, APS Verwaltungs-GmbH, Air Ride Pallets Hong Kong Limited, Austin Foam Plastics Inc. (dba AFP Inc.), Automated Packaging Systems, Automated Packaging Systems Asia Holding Company Limited, Automated Packaging Systems Comerciale Importacao do Brasil Ltda., Automated Packaging Systems Europe, Automated Packaging Systems LLC, Automated Packaging Systems Limited, Automated Packaging Systems Southeast Asia Co. Ltd., B+ Equipment, B+ Equipment SAS, Beacon Holdings LLC, Biosphere Industries, BluPack (New Zealand), Blue Dot Packaging Pty Ltd., Cactus (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Cryovac (Malaysia) SDN. BHD, Cryovac Brasil Ltda., Cryovac Holdings II LLC, Cryovac International Holdings Inc., Cryovac LLC*, Cryovac Leasing Corporation, Cryovac Londrina Ltda., Cryovac Packaging Portugal Embalagens Ltda., Cryovac-Sealed Air de Costa Rica S.R.L., DELTAPLAM Embalagens Industria e Comercio, Diversey, Diversey J Trustee Limited, Diversey Trustee Limited, Entapack Pty. Ltd., Fagerdala (Chengdu) Packaging Co. Ltd, Fagerdala (Shanghai) Foams Co. Ltd., Fagerdala (Shanghai) Polymer Co. Ltd., Fagerdala (Suzhou) Packaging Co. Ltd., Fagerdala (Thailand) Limited, Fagerdala (Xiamen) Packaging Co. Ltd., Fagerdala Leamchabung Limited, Fagerdala Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Fagerdala Mexico S.A. de C.V., Fagerdala Mexico Supply Chain S.A. de C.V., Fagerdala Packaging Inc. (Indiana), Fagerdala Singapore Pte Ltd, Fagerdala Singapore Pte. Ltd., Getpacking.com GmbH, Invertol S. de R.L. de C.V., JSC Sealed Air Kaustik, KRIS Automated Packaging Systems Holding Company, Kevothermal LLC, Kevothermal Limited, Nelipak Holdings, Pack-Tiger GmbH, Polyrol Limited, Polyrol Packaging Systems LLC, ProAseptic Technologies S.L., Producembal- Producao de Embalagens LTDA, Reflectix Inc., SLD Air Packaging Paketleme Malzemeleri Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Saddle Brook Insurance Company, Sealed Air (Asia) Holdings BV, Sealed Air (Barbados) S.R.L., Sealed Air (Canada) Co./CIE, Sealed Air (Canada) Holdings B.V., Sealed Air (China) Co. Ltd., Sealed Air (China) Limited, Sealed Air (Israel) Ltd., Sealed Air (Korea) Limited, Sealed Air (Latin America) Holdings II LLC, Sealed Air (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Sealed Air (New Zealand), Sealed Air (Philippines) Inc., Sealed Air (Singapore) Pte. Limited, Sealed Air (Ukraine) Limited, Sealed Air Africa (Pty.) Limited, Sealed Air Americas Manufacturing S. de R.L. de C.V., Sealed Air Argentina S.A., Sealed Air Australia (Holdings) Pty. Limited, Sealed Air Australia Pty. Limited, Sealed Air Australia Real Estate Pty Ltd, Sealed Air B.V., Sealed Air Belgium N.V., Sealed Air Central America S.A., Sealed Air Chile SpA, Sealed Air Colombia Ltda., Sealed Air Corporation (US), Sealed Air Cyprus Ltd., Sealed Air Denmark A/S, Sealed Air Finance B.V., Sealed Air Finance II LLC, Sealed Air Finance Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Sealed Air Funding LLC, Sealed Air General Trading LLC, Sealed Air GmbH (Germany), Sealed Air GmbH (Switzerland), Sealed Air Hellas SA, Sealed Air Holding France SAS, Sealed Air Holdings (New Zealand) Pty. Ltd., Sealed Air Holdings South Africa Proprietary Limited, Sealed Air Holdings UK I Limited, Sealed Air Holdings UK Limited, Sealed Air Hong Kong Limited, Sealed Air Hungary Ltd., Sealed Air Investment and Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Sealed Air Japan G.K., Sealed Air LLC, Sealed Air Limited (Ireland), Sealed Air Limited (UK), Sealed Air Luxembourg (I) S.a.r.l., Sealed Air Luxembourg (II) S.a.r.l., Sealed Air Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Sealed Air Management Holding Verwaltungs GmbH, Sealed Air Multiflex GmbH, Sealed Air Netherlands (Holdings) I B.V., Sealed Air Netherlands (Holdings) II B.V., Sealed Air Netherlands Holdings V B.V., Sealed Air Norge AS, Sealed Air OY, Sealed Air Packaging (India) Private Limited, Sealed Air Packaging (Shanghai) Co. Limited, Sealed Air Packaging (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Sealed Air Packaging LLC, Sealed Air Packaging Materials (India) LLP, Sealed Air Packaging S.L.U., Sealed Air Peru S.A.C., Sealed Air Polska Sp. Zoo, Sealed Air Pty Limited, Sealed Air S.A S., Sealed Air S.r.l., Sealed Air South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Sealed Air Svenska AB, Sealed Air Taiwan Limited, Sealed Air UK Limited Partnership, Sealed Air US Holdings (Thailand) LLC, Sealed Air Uruguay S.A., Sealed Air Verpackungen GmbH, Sealed Air de Mexico Operations S. de RL. de C.V., Sealed Air de Venezuela S.A., Sealed Air s.r.o., Shanklin Corp, Shanklin Corporation, TTS-Ciptec, TXAFP Asia Pacific Ltd., TXAFP GP LLC, and Trigon Industries. Swiss Re AG is a wholesale provider of reinsurance, insurance and other insurance-based forms of risk transfer. The Company operates in four segments: Property&Casualty Reinsurance, Life&Health Reinsurance, Corporate Solutions and Life Capital. Its Reinsurance Unit provides premiums and fee income through Property&Casualty and Life&Health segments. Its Corporate Solutions segment is engaged in serving mid-sized and large corporations, with product offerings ranging from traditional property and casualty insurance to customized solutions. Its Admin Re segment provides risk and capital management solutions by which the Company acquires closed books of in-force life and health insurance business, entire lines of business, or the entire capital stock of life insurance companies. Its open and closed life insurance books, including Admin Re, are managed under a unit called Life Capital. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Thermo Fisher Scientific: 236 Perinton Parkway LLC, 27 Forge Parkway LLC, ABR--Affinity BioReagents, ACI Holdings Inc., ARG Services LLC, ASPEX Corporation, Abgene Inc., Abgene Limited, Acoustic Cytometry Systems Inc., AcroMetrix LLC, Acros Organics B.V.B.A., Advanced Biotechnologies Limited, Advanced Scientifics (ASI), Advanced Scientifics Inc., Advanced Scientifics International Inc., Affymetrix Biotech Participacoes Ltda., Affymetrix Biotech Shanghai Ltd, Affymetrix Inc, Affymetrix Japan K.K., Affymetrix Pte Ltd, Affymetrix UK Ltd, Afora S.A.U., Ahura Scientific, Alchematrix Inc., Alchematrix LLC, Alfa Aesar, Alfa Aesar (China) Chemical Co. Ltd., Alfa Aesar (Hong Kong) Limited, Allergon AB, Alphine Mountain Limited, Ambion Inc., Apogent Denmark ApS, Apogent Finance Company, Apogent Holding Company, Apogent Technologies Inc., Apogent Transition Corp., Apogent U.K. Limited, App-Tek International Pty Ltd, Applied Biosystems B.V., Applied Biosystems Finance B.V., Applied Biosystems International Inc., Applied Biosystems LLC, Applied Biosystems Taiwan LLC, Applied Biosystems Trading (Shanghai) Company Ltd., Applied Biosystems de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Applied Scientific Corporation, Avances Cientificos de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Avocado Research Chemicals Limited, B.R.A.H.M.S. Biotech GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. UK Ltd, BAC BV, BAC IP BV, Barnstead Thermolyne LLC, Beijing Phadia Diagnostics Co Ltd, Bender MedSystems GmbH, BioTrove Corporation, BioTrove International Inc., Bioanalysis Labsystems S.A., Biochemical Sciences LLC, Biolab, BmT GmbH Laborprodukte, Bonsai Tecnologies - Sistemas para Biotecnologia e Industria Unipessoal Lda, Brammer Bio, Bumi-Sans Sendirian Berhad, CAC Limited, CB Diagnostics AB, CB Diagnostics Holding AB, CEPH International Corporation, CHK Holdings Inc., CRS Robotics, CTPS LLC, Capitol Scientific Products Inc., Capitol Vial Inc., Cellomics Inc., CellzDirect Inc., Cenduit GmbH, Cenduit LLC, Cezanne S.A.S., Chase Scientific Glass Inc., Chromacol Limited, Clintrak, Clintrak Clinical Labeling Services LLC, Clintrak Pharmaceutical Services LLC, Cohesive Technologies (UK) Limited, Cohesive Technologies Inc., Columbia Diagnostics Inc., Compendia Bioscience Inc., Comtest Limited, Consolidated Technologies Inc., Consultores Fisher Scientific Chile Ltd, Core Informatics, Core Informatics LLC, Core Informatics UK Ltd., D-finitive Technologies Inc., DCG Systems B.V., DCG Systems C.V., DCG Systems G.K., DCG Systems GmbH, DCG Systems Korea Ltd., DCG Systems LLC, DPI Newco LLC, DSM Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Dharmacon, Diagnostix Ltd., Dionex (China) Analytical Ltd, Dionex (Switzerland) AG, Dionex (UK) Limited, Dionex Austria GmbH, Dionex Benelux B.V., Dionex Brasil Instrumentos Cientificos Ltda, Dionex Canada Ltd., Dionex China Limited, Dionex Corporation, Dionex Denmark A/S, Dionex Holding GmbH, Dionex I LLC, Dionex Pty Ltd., Dionex S.A., Dionex S.p.A., Dionex Singapore Pte Ltd., Dionex Softron GmbH, Dionex Sweden AB, Distribution Solutions International Inc., Doe & Ingalls Investors Inc., Doe & Ingalls Limited, Doe & Ingalls Management LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties II LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties LLC, Doe & Ingalls of California Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Florida Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Maryland Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Massachusetts Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of North Carolina Operating LLC, Doublecape Holding Limited, Doublecape Limited, Drakeside Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Duke Scientific Corporation, Dynal Biotech Beijing Limited, EGS Gauging Ltd., EGS Gauging Technical Services Company, EP Scientific Products LLC, Ecochem N.V., EnviroEquip Pty Ltd, Epsom Glass Industries Limited, Equibio Limited, Erie Electroverre S.A., Erie Finance Limited, Erie LP Holding LLC, Erie Scientific Company of Puerto Rico, Erie Scientific Hungary Kft, Erie Scientific LLC, Erie U.K. Limited, Erie UK 1 Limited, Erie UK 2 Limited, Erie UK Holding Company, Erie UK Senior Holding Limited, European Laboratory Holdings Limited, Eutech Instruments Europe B.V., Eutech Instruments Pte Ltd., Eutech Instruments Sdn Bhd, Ever Ready Thermometer Co. Inc., FEI Asia Pacific Co. Ltd., FEI Australia Pty Ltd, FEI CPD B.V., FEI Company, FEI Company Japan Ltd., FEI Company of USA (S.E.A.) Pte Ltd., FEI Czech Republic s.r.o., FEI Deutschland GmbH, FEI EFA Inc., FEI EFA International Pte. Ltd., FEI Electron Optics B.V., FEI Electron Optics International B.V., FEI Europe B.V., FEI France SAS, FEI Global Holdings C.V., FEI Hong Kong Company Limited, FEI Houston Inc., FEI Italia Srl, FEI Korea Ltd., FEI Melbourne Pty Ltd., FEI Microscopy Solutions Ltd, FEI Munich GmbH, FEI Norway Holding AS, FEI SAS, FEI Saudi Arabia LLC, FEI Servicos de Nanotecnologia Ltda., FEI Technologies Inc., FEI Technology de Mexico S.A. de C.V., FEI Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., FEI Trondheim AS, FEI UK Ltd., FHP LLC, FRC Holding Inc. V, FS (Barbados) Capital Holdings Ltd., FS Casa Rocas Holdings LLC, FS Mexicana Holdings LLC, FSI Receivables Company LLC, FSII Sweden Holdings AB, FSII Sweden Holdings I AB, FSIR Holdings (UK) Limited, FSIR Holdings (US) Inc., FSUK Holdings Limited, FSWH Company LLC, FSWH II C.V., FSWH International Holdings LLC, Fermentas China Co. Ltd, Fermentas Inc., Fermentas International, Fermentas Sweden AB, Fermentas UK Limited, Fiberlite Centrifuge LLC, Finesse Scientific Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Finesse Solutions AG, Finesse Solutions Inc., Finnzymes Oy, Fisher Alder S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Asia Manufacturing Ventures Inc., Fisher Bermuda Holdings Limited, Fisher BioImage ApS, Fisher BioPharma Services (India) Private Limited, Fisher BioSciences Japan G.K., Fisher BioServices Inc., Fisher Bioblock Holding II SNC, Fisher CLP Holding Limited Partnership, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 1, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 2, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 3, Fisher Canada Limited Partnership, Fisher Chimica BVBA, Fisher Clinical Logistics LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services (Bristol) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Colombia) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Korea) Co. Ltd, Fisher Clinical Services (Mexico) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Peru) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services Colombia S.A.S., Fisher Clinical Services GmbH, Fisher Clinical Services Inc., Fisher Clinical Services Japan K.K., Fisher Clinical Services Latin America S.R.L., Fisher Clinical Services Limited Liability Company, Fisher Clinical Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Clinical Services Peru S.R.L, Fisher Clinical Services Pte Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services U.K. Limited, Fisher Emergo B.V., Fisher Germany Holdings GmbH, Fisher Hamilton China Inc., Fisher Hamilton Mexico LLC, Fisher Holdings ApS, Fisher Internet Minority Holdings L.L.C., Fisher Laboratory Products Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Fisher Luxembourg Danish Holdings SARL, Fisher Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Maybridge Holdings Limited, Fisher Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific (Austria) GmbH, Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Fisher Scientific (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific (SEA) Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific A/S, Fisher Scientific AG, Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Limited, Fisher Scientific Biotech Line ApS, Fisher Scientific Brazil Inc., Fisher Scientific Central America Inc., Fisher Scientific Chile Inc., Fisher Scientific Colombia Inc., Fisher Scientific Company, Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C., Fisher Scientific Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Fisher Scientific Europe Holdings B.V., Fisher Scientific GTF AB, Fisher Scientific Germany Beteiligungs GmbH, Fisher Scientific GmbH, Fisher Scientific Holding Company LLC, Fisher Scientific Holding HK Limited, Fisher Scientific Holding U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific Holdings (S) Pte Ltd, Fisher Scientific International LLC, Fisher Scientific Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Fisher Scientific Ireland Investments Unlimited, Fisher Scientific Ireland Limited, Fisher Scientific Japan Ltd., Fisher Scientific Jersey Island Limited, Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd, Fisher Scientific Latin America Inc., Fisher Scientific Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Fisher Scientific Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific Mexico Inc., Fisher Scientific Middle East and Africa Inc., Fisher Scientific Norway AS, Fisher Scientific Operating Company, Fisher Scientific Oxoid Holdings Ltd., Fisher Scientific Oy, Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific S.A.S., Fisher Scientific S.L., Fisher Scientific SPRL, Fisher Scientific The Hague I B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague II B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague III B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague IV B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague V B.V., Fisher Scientific U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company 2, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company Limited, Fisher Scientific Unipessoal Lda., Fisher Scientific Venezuela Inc., Fisher Scientific Worldwide (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Holdings I C.V., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Inc., Fisher Scientific de Mexico S.A., Fisher Scientific of the Netherlands B.V., Fisher Scientific spol. S.r.o, Fisher Servicios Clinicos (Chile) LLC, Fisher Servicios Clinicos Chile Ltda, Fisher WWD Holding L.L.C., Fisher Worldwide Distribution SPV, Fisher Worldwide Gene Distribution SPV, Flux Instruments, Fuji Partnership, G & M Procter Limited, G V Instruments Limited, GV Instruments Canada Ltd., GV Instruments Inc, Gatan Inc, General Scientific Company Sdn Bhd (M), Genomed molekularbiologische und diagnostische Produkte GmbH, Gerhard Menzel B.V. & Co. KG, Gold Cattle Standard Testing Labs Inc., Golden West Indemnity Company Limited, Goring Kerr Detection Limited, Greenville Service Company Inc., HENO GmbH i.L., Hangar 215 Inc., Helmet Securities Limited, Henogen, HighChem, HyClone International Trade (Tianjin) Co. Ltd, Hybaid Limited, I.Q. (BIO) Limited, IDnostics AG, ILS Laboratories Scandinavia AB, Inel Inc., Inel SAS, InnaPhase Inc., InnaPhase Limited, IntegenX, Intrinsic BioProbes Inc., Intrinsic Bioprobes Inc., Invitrogen (Shanghai) Investment Co. Ltd., Invitrogen Argentina SA, Invitrogen BioServices India Private Limited, Invitrogen Europe Limited, Invitrogen Finance Corp., Invitrogen Holdings LLC, Invitrogen Holdings Ltd., Invitrogen Hong Kong Limited, Invitrogen IP Holdings Inc., Invitrogen Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ion Torrent Systems Inc., Ionalytics Corporation, JSC Thermo Fisher Scientific, Jouan LLC, Jouan Limited, Jouan SA, Kendro Containment & Services Limited, Kendro Laboratory Products Ltd, Kettlebrook Insurance Co. ltd., Keystone Scientific, KonTEM GmbH, Kyle Jordan Investments LLC, LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, LTC Tech South Africa PTY Ltd., La-Pha-Pack GmbH, Lab Vision (UK) Limited, Lab Vision Corporation, Lab-Chrom-Pack LLC, Lab-Line Instruments Inc., Labomex MBP S. de R. L. 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Ltd., ThermoLase LLC, ThermoSpectra Limited, Trek Diagnostic Systems LLC, Trek Diagnostic Systems Ltd., Trek Holding Company II Ltd., Trek Holding Company Ltd., Trex Medical Corporation, USB Corporation, Union Lab Supplies Limited, United Diagnostics Inc., VG Systems Limited, Westover Scientific Inc., ZAO PE Biosystems, eBioscience GmbH, eBioscience Ltd, eBioscience SAS, and picoSpin LLC. Unum Group is engaged in providing financial protection benefits. It operates through the following segments: Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, Closed Block and Corporate. The Unum US segment comprises of group long-term and short-term disability insurance, group life and accidental death and dismemberment products, and supplemental and voluntary lines of business. The Unum International segment engages in the operations of UK business, which includes insurance for group long-term disability, group life, and supplemental lines of business that include dental, individual disability, and critical illness products; Poland business primarily includes insurance for individual and group life with accident and health riders. The Colonial Life segment includes insurance for accident, sickness, disability products, life products, and cancer and critical illness products. The Closed Block segment consists of individual disability, group and individual long-term care, and other insurance products no longer actively marketed. The Corporate segment refers to investment income on corporate assets and other corporate income and expenses not allocated to a line of business; and interest Read More Wall Street analysts have given SPDR ICE Preferred Securities 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 SPDR ICE Preferred Securities ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Canceled: 2018 Virginia Symphony Orchestra concert at W&M Under the stars: Members of the campus and local communities enjoy a Virginia Symphony concert at The Martha Wren Briggs Amphitheatre at Lake Matoaka. Photo by Skip Rowland '83 Photo - of - Hide Caption The story below is about the 2018 concert. Information on the 2019 concert may be found here. Update: Due to the possibility of severe weather this evening, the 2018 Virginia Symphony Orchestra concert at William & Marys Martha Wren Briggs Amphitheatre at Lake Matoaka has been canceled. The event will not be rescheduled because the VSO concert schedule has already been finalized for this fall. Both the Virginia Symphony and William & Mary agreed the concert should be canceled given the predicted threat of rain and possible thunder/lightning during the concert time and the VSO policy that its musicians cannot perform in wet weather. A decision was made mid-afternoon due to set up and travel requirements of the VSO. We regret the cancellation of this very popular event. Visit the VSO website for additional free concert dates in the area. - Ed. The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will visit William & Mary to perform a free concert at The Martha Wren Briggs Amphitheatre at Lake Matoaka on Aug. 30, 2018. The gates will open at 6 for the 7 p.m. concert. Wristbands will be required for guests to enter due to venue capacity limitations. They will be distributed at the main gate beginning at 5:30 p.m. until they run out. At that point, the concert will be sold out. Entry prior to the gate opening will not be permitted. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be canceled. Please visit events.wm.edu or virginiasymphony.org for concert information. Sponsored by William & Mary, the City of Williamsburg and the W&M Student Assembly, the event is the debut of the orchestras summer Symphony Under the Stars series. The orchestra will also be honoring the 100th anniversary of coeducation at William & Mary by representing strong female composers and leaders in the program, including Joan Tower, composer of Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman and Jennifer Higdon, composer of Machine. Drivers are encouraged to park in the garage located at 201 Ukrop Way. Beach chairs and blankets are welcome. Guests are also invited to bring personal coolers and picnic baskets; however, external alcoholic beverages are not permitted. Beer and wine will be available for purchase at the venue. The program will feature longtime classics, including Beethovens Fidelio Overture and Richard Rogerss Sound of Music, as well as family-friendly hits, such as music from the film The Incredibles. The performance marks the debut of the groups new assistant conductor, Gonzalo Farias. Born in Santiago de Chile, Farias began his piano studies at the age of five. He joins the Virginia Symphony Orchestra after two seasons at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in the conducting fellowship position. Farias has received continued recognition for his work, having received the Bruno Walter Conducting Scholarship at the Cabrillo Music Festival and being named Emergent Conductor at the Peninsula Music Festival. Five members of William & Marys music faculty, who double as musicians with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, will be performing with the group this season. W&M Instructor of Oboe Sherie Aguirre, Instructor of Bassoon Laura Leisring, Instructor of Trombone Rodney Martell, Instructor of Trumpet David Vonderheide and Instructor of Flute Joanne White will showcase their musical prowess at the concert event. In a brazen move, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) officials announced a plan Thursday to privatize maintenance services for its Metrobus line in northern Virginia. The deal, worth $89 million, will give the private transport company TransDev control of WMATAs soon-to-open bus garage in Lorton, Virginia. The deal comes amid a heated dispute regarding the privatization of public services between the transit authority and 8,000 Metro workers, represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689. Three weeks ago, transit workers delivered an overwhelming Yes vote to strike to their union leadership, voting 94 percent in favor of the action after WMATA began contracting private firms to perform services reserved for union members. Rather than heeding its members call for a strike, the ATU sought to back away from the mandate immediately, calling for a cooling off period and then entering into a series of closed-door meetings with transit officials. On Friday, the ATU demonstrated its contempt for its rank-and-file, not even bothering to issue an update to its members after the fifth such closed-door meeting concluded. Last week, the union announced with great fanfare that the transit authority had agreed to walk back its policy of hiring non-union contractors for custodial positions. According to ATU spokesperson David Stephen, the solitary concession was a confirmation that Metro has recognized its contractual violations. Stephen reiterated to the Washington Post that the strike threat is unchanged until all further outstanding issues were settled. It took no less than 72 hours for WMATA to go back on its word, awarding TransDev a multi-million-dollar contract to further privatize services in the public transit system. According to Metro, the deal is expected to control cost growth while delivering quality service and preserving current employees jobs. The ATU asserts that the non-unionized operation will result in lost work for its members. In response to questions from a World Socialist Web Site reporter asking if the ATU would finally act on its members strike vote in the face of such provocations, a spokesman on social media for ATU Local 689 stated dismissively: That is a decision the unions elected officers are empowered to make. Not bystanders. In a hypocritical denunciation of the deal on the ATUs blog, the union asserted: Metro is dealing with a historic number of challenges that require attention with fierce urgency, but privatizing the system makes the problems worse by transferring the responsibility for public safety to a private company whose bottom line is the profit [sic]. Later in the statement, the ATU got to the real point, admitting that, in the face of the inevitable privatization, Local 689 is ready to do as we have with MetroAccess and D.C. Streetcar and organize those [TransDev] workers into the union. The union also plans to continue to seek a legal remedy to this blatant attempt to attack the union members. In other words, the union will continue to stifle its own members strike vote, instead focusing its efforts on appeals to the courts. At the same time, it will look to deepen its pool of financial resources by seeking more potential members to extract dues money from. The feckless attitude of the ATU seemingly knows no boundaries. In what might amount to the ultimate slap in the face of Metro workers, local news reported on Friday that in the lead up to the August 12 Unite the Right neo-Nazi rally in Washington, DC, WMATA was considering contracting three private train cars with additional security detail to ferry march participants to and from the event. According to ABC News, ATU Local 689 has encouraged its members to follow safety protocol in the presence of this hate group if the rumored special accommodations General Manager Paul Wiedefeld plans to give are true. As of Saturday, the private train plan was rejected, with WMATA and DC officials announcing other potential solutions for transporting the far-right protesters. According to the Washington Post, government officials may be considering the use of privately-contracted buses and the deployment of military protection. It is clear that there is no provocation or affront too great which the ATU is unwilling to force the Metro rank-and-file to bear. In order for their demands to be addressed, Metro workers must form rank-and-file committees and seek to join their struggle with other sections of the working class, such as United Parcel Service (UPS) workers who are currently fighting against a sellout contract being pushed by the Teamsters union. Such committees must fight for absolute organizational and political independence from the ATU and other official labor organizations, as well as from the Democratic and Republican big business parties. The demands for increased wages, an end to privatization of public services, and the rehiring of all workers summarily fired by the transit system in the recent past must be raised and preparations made for a regional strike movement if these calls are not answered. Senator Bernie Sanders traveled to Michigan Sunday to campaign for Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic candidate for governor in the states August 7 primary. With less than 48 hours before polls open, Sanders was in full revolutionary mode, delivering denunciations of the power of the corporate elite to a crowd of 2,000. As Leon Trotsky wrote in 1938, The reformists have a good smell for what the audience wants. From William Jennings Bryans Cross of Gold to Woodrow Wilsons Fourteen Points and Franklin Roosevelts Second Bill of Rights, the Democrats have postured as friends of the people to block the working class from breaking with bourgeois politics, earning the party the apt moniker of graveyard of social movements. Sanders is the latest representative of this tradition. Long gone, however, are the days when American capitalism could provide the economic basis for social reform. Instead, Sanders 2016 presidential campaign denouncing Hillary Clinton as a tool of Wall Street and calling for political revolution ended with his endorsement of Clinton, who had conspired with the Democratic National Committee to subvert his campaign and allow the despised candidate of Wall Street and the CIA to win the nomination. During the general election, Sanders campaigned as a loyal supporter of the Democratic Party, which is responsible for creating the social inequality he claims to oppose. Under the Barack Obama and Bill Clinton administrations, the Democrats imposed massive cuts in welfare, education, food stamps and other social programs, while they bailed out the banks, cut taxes for the rich and eliminated corporate regulations. In the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2008, the Obama administration oversaw the greatest transfer of wealth in American history from the working class to the rich. Now, in the midst of the growth of working-class struggles among teachers, UPS workers and other sections of the working class, Sanders is once again tacking to the left. In his speech on Sunday, Sanders decried the fact that three billionaires own the same amount of wealth as the poorest half of the American population. One of those billionaires, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, sees his wealth increase by $275 million every single day, yet he has thousands of workers who are earning wages so low that they have to go on government programs, Sanders declared. El-Sayed, whose popular call for Medicare for all has brought him within single digits of his main Democratic primary opponent, is also responding to what the focus groups and polls tell him voters want to hear. He spoke of his own personal biography, recounting his story as the child of an immigrant and father of a young, biracial daughter. He echoed the vague slogans of Sanders, saying, in reference to the domination of corporate power, Weve got a broken politics. None of this cheap talk costs the corporations a dime. While Both Sanders and El-Sayed spoke of the need to expand social programs and provide health care to all, neither addressed the central question: Where will the trillions of dollars required to fund such programs be found? The funding of social programs, the provision of good jobs, health care, education, food, clean water and infrastructure will require a social revolution to place the productive forces in the hands of the working class, which produces all of societys wealth. More notable than what they said is what Sanders and El-Sayed did not say. Neither made reference to the wars of US imperialism, which have cost millions of lives, or to the fact that the military and intelligence apparatus drain the country of hundreds of billions of dollars each year. Sanders all but passed over Trumps attack on immigrants and did not mention that more than 500 children remain separated from their parents in detention centers and foster homes across the country. Neither discussed the fact that the police murder over 1,000 people each year, nor that the National Security Agency continues to monitor the communications of the worlds population. These omissions underscore the fact that Sanders has been deployed by the Democratic Party to block the growth of social opposition and channel it behind the two-party system. He has spent most of his political life formally outside the Democratic Party, criticizing it as a party of Wall Street and big business. But today, at precisely the moment when tens of millions of Americans are drawing this conclusion, Sanders has made himself the Democrats chief spokesperson, urging his supporters to turn their opposition to inequality into campaigns to elect Democrats to office. The Democratic Party has become the preferred party of Wall Street, big business and the military-intelligence agencies. The right-wing billionaire Koch brothers have announced that they will now fund Democratic initiatives and campaigns. Former FBI Director James Comey tweeted that supporters of the intelligence agencies must vote for Democrats this fall. The Democratic Party has subordinated opposition to Trumps right-wing attacks on immigrants, his tax cuts for the rich and his efforts to appoint a new right-wing Supreme Court justice to their hysterical and unfounded campaign to blame Russia for all of the social ills that plague America. If the Democrats retake Congress this fall, their cadre of national security and intelligence agents and former combat officers will hold the balance of power (see: The CIA Democrats). While the progressive Democratic operatives around the El-Sayed and Sanders treat their differences with Clinton and the Republicans as an intramural scrimmageas Obama called the conflict between Clinton and Trumpthey treat opposition from the left as an act of war. The most significant aspect of the events in Michigan was how representatives of the El-Sayed campaign responded to reporters from the World Socialist Web Site and a team campaigning for Niles Niemuth, the Socialist Equality Party candidate in Michigans 12th Congressional District. WSWS reporters were denied press credentials at Cobo Hall in Detroit and at a rally in Ypsilanti, even as the El-Sayed campaign acknowledged that it had granted access to capitalist publications such as the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. In Detroit, El-Sayed campaign officials said they would not allow the distribution of articles that were negative toward the El-Sayed campaign and acceded only when WSWS campaigners explained that the First Amendment also applied to articles critical of El-Sayed. In Ypsilanti, Niemuth and his supporters were blocked from distributing material outside of the venue. The response by the Democratic Party comes not from a position of strength, but from weakness. The WSWS was widely known among attendees, especially among autoworkers and young people, and many at the rally expressed hostility to the El-Sayed campaigns act of political censorship. Sanders, El-Sayed and this supposedly left faction of the Democratic Party are concerned above all that those they are attracting through empty promises and fraudulent politics will have access to a genuine socialist and revolutionary perspective. The growing mood of social opposition must break free of the stranglehold of the two parties and the trade unions and develop into a massive revolutionary movement to abolish the capitalist system and place the worlds productive forces in the hands of the international working class. The Socialist Equality Party is spearheading this fight. On July 29, following a week of escalating attacks on the press, President Donald Trump tweeted about a White House meeting held July 20 with New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger. Accompanying Sulzberger was Editorial Page Editor James Bennet. Also present was White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The two sides agreed that their meeting would be off the record, i.e., secret. Trump tweeted: Had a very good and interesting meeting at the White House with A.G. Sulzberger, Publisher of the New York Times. Spent much time talking about the vast amounts of Fake News being put out by the media & how that Fake News has morphed into phrase, Enemy of the People. Sad! Trumps tweet took Sulzberger and the Times by surprise. It is clear they did not want the existence of their meeting with Trump to be made known to the public. Within hours, Sulzberger responded with a statement refuting Trumps account of what had occurred. My main purpose for accepting the meeting, wrote Sulzberger, was to raise concerns about the presidents deeply troubling anti-press rhetoric. I told the president directly that I thought that his language was not just divisive but increasingly dangerous. That same day, the Times published an article titled New York Times Publisher and Trump Clash Over Presidents Threats Against Journalism. Other media outlets quickly intervened to back Sulzberger and endorse the Times version of the meeting. The Washington Post published an opinion piece titled Memo to New York Times publisher: Dont waste your time with Trump. On July 30, the Post followed up with a puff-piece on Sulzberger titled He doesnt like bullies: The story of the 37-year-old who took over the New York Times and is taking on Trump. Vox, one of the first publications to argue in favor of Internet censorship following the 2016 US presidential election, also weighed in with an article titled Trumps battle with the New York Times and A.G. Sulzberger, explained. After two days of media silence, the Times felt obliged to issue a further response. On August 2, the paper published an article titled What Does Off the Record Really Mean? The author limited the article to a clinical explanation of the difference between on and off the record, while accusing Trump of showing disregard for the latter. The next day, the newspaper published an opinion piece titled Trump Will Have Blood on His Hands. Its author, Bret Stephens, a prominent critic of Trump within the Republican right, was brought onto the Times editorial staff last year. Stephens depicted Sulzberger as a crusader standing up to authoritarianism and repression in the name of journalists all over the world. This chronology suggests that Trumps revelation of the secret meeting caused concerns and raised questions within the staff and readership of the Times, which the newspaper has sought to contain. After all, the Times has spearheaded the anti-Russian witch-hunt, working in tandem with the Democratic Party and much of the corporate media, including the Washington Post. Both newspapers have denounced Trump as a stooge of Putin and even a traitor to the United States, their journalists and editorialists reaching a new level of hysteria following Trumps summit with the Russian president in Helsinki. Trump, for his part, has repeatedly singled out the Times in his rants against the press. This context naturally raises questions as to why Sulzberger would not only agree to such a meeting, but conceal it from the publicand, evidently, much of his newspapers own staff. Here are some questions that demand an answer: What was discussed? Sulzbergers statement, an exercise in political evasion, gives no account of either the reason for or the nature of the meeting. To suggest that Sulzberger went to the White House to defend the democratic principle of press freedom is absurd on its face. The paper has played a critical role in concealing evidence of US war crimes from public view, persecuting whistleblowers such as Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden, and leading the campaign against WikiLeaks and Julian Assange. It serves as the main conduit of the military-intelligence agencies, most notoriously in the case of correspondent Judith Miller, whose fabrications about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, fed to her by the CIA and the White House, played a central role in the Bush administrations preparations to invade the country in 2003. In 2007, WikiLeaks published the Collateral Murder video, documenting a US air strike that killed a dozen civilians in Baghdad, including two Reuters journalists. The Times responded by trying to bury the report while touting the Pentagon line that WikiLeaks was a national security risk. The preface to Sulzbergers statement notes: Mr. Trumps tweet this morning has put the meeting on the record, so A.G. has decided to respond to the presidents characterization of their conversation, based on detailed notes A.G. and James [Bennet] took. Should not these detailed notes taken by Sulzberger and Bennet be officially on the record as well? Why was the meeting concealed from the public? In its July 29 article, the Times describes Sulzbergers meeting with Trump as part of a tradition of meetings between presidents and the papers publishers. The article goes on to note that tensions between Times publishers and presidents are nothing new. The Washington Post opinion piece published that same day elaborated on this point: President Bill Clinton pressed Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr. [A.G. Sulzbergers father] on critical editorials in the Times, and its well documented that President George W. Bush also met with Sulzberger to pressure the newspaper over its reporting on warrantless eavesdropping. During his time as publisher of the paper, Sulzbergers father referred to the relationship between the media and the president as tough love. Bill Keller, the former executive director of the Times, spelled out more explicitly the content of this love between the Times and the state. In a 2006 speech at the University of Michigan, Keller made the case for the vital services provided to the capitalist state and US imperialism by the Times and the dangers of undermining its credibility. Legions of Internet journalists include at least a few who would feel no compunction about disclosing life-threatening information, he said. If a blogger hostile to the Bush administration managed to document sensitive secrets about the war on terror, would he stop to weigh the consequences of making them public? And once the information had rebounded through the blogosphere, how long would the major news organizations hesitate before picking it up? To underscore the point, he added, Most of what the country knows about the secret activities of the government, it knows thanks to serious news organizations that still take their responsibilities seriously. In 2010, he defended the papers efforts to hide the US war crimes committed in Iraq with the statement: We agree wholeheartedly that transparency is not an absolute good. Freedom of the press includes freedom not to publish, and that is a freedom we exercise with some regularity. What was James Bennet doing at the meeting? One particularly concerning question pertains to the decision by Sulzberger to have James Bennet accompany him to the secret meeting with Trump. Why, for example, Bennet and not Executive Editor Dean Baquet? Bennet has close family links to the CIA as well as the Clinton and Obama administrations. His father, Douglas Bennet, served during Jimmy Carters presidency as administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), a known CIA front implicated in regime-change operations all over the world. Bennets appointment was part of a broader rightward orientation by the Times, including its increasingly frenzied campaign to whip up public opinion against Russia. Conversely, Baquet was sharply criticized by former Times correspondent Liz Spayd in January of last year for being too timid on publishing unverified material supposedly linking Putin to Trump. What is behind the New York Times anger? This new revelation sheds light on the incestuous relationship between the corporate media and the capitalist state. It is likely true that Sulzberger, Bennet and Trump did discuss the question of fake news. The advent of the Internet has led to the proliferation of sources of news and opinion outside of the traditional bourgeois media gatekeepers, who vet and censor the news in collaboration with the state. Their rise in popularity amongst the population, particularly the rise of left-wing and anti-war websites, above all the World Socialist Web Site, has become a question of increasing concern for the so-called newspaper of record. This is the impetusunder conditions of stepped-up preparations for war against rival great powers and a resurgence of class strugglebehind the crackdown on oppositional media and the increasingly pervasive and overt regime of Internet censorship. The Times speaks for a faction within the ruling class that has sharp foreign policy differences with Trump. However, both sides are united behind the fundamental class program of US global hegemony, the suppression of democratic rights, and ever more brutal austerity against the working class. The Times editors fear that Trumps rants about fake news may have the unintended result of directing broad masses of people away from the corporate media and toward alternative sources that oppose the policies of US imperialism. If the Times has expressed outrage at Trumps tweet, it is only because it feels that Trump has exposed its complicity in the activities of the capitalist state. Soulcalibur 6 and The Elder Scrolls Online are This Weekend's Free Play Days American Beauty is a new series in which Yahoo Lifestyle takes a virtual cross-country journey to discover what beauty means reimagining the American flag through the diverse group of faces that make up the United States of America. For our first installment, were focusing on Muslim-American women, highlighting what makes this group unique while showcasing the common threads that bring us together. Here at Yahoo Lifestyle, we proactively engage in conversations about diversity and inclusion, especially those that center on fashion and beauty standards. So we asked seven Muslim-American women, including HuffPost reporter Rowaida Abdelaziz, digital content creator and model Aysha Sow, and Women of Kuwait photographer Maha Alasaker, how they express their faith and culture through personal style. Some people may be shocked to learn that wearing a hijab is not mandatory for every Muslim woman, nor does it define how religious she may be. We also conducted a survey in July 2018 among 4,812 female U.S. residents age 18 and above, including 216 Muslim women, on American womens beauty habits and attitudes and they had a mosaic of beliefs when it comes to representation just as colorful as they are. We asked women to describe their self-image in one word. Words American women use to describe themselves, according to our original survey. (Art by Quinn Lemmers for Yahoo Lifestyle) The top three words used for all women were trustworthy, friendly, and intelligent descriptors not traditionally tied to physical appearance. Ninety-two percent of Muslim women call themselves beautiful. It was certainly empowering to uncover that Muslim-American women have such a strong self-image and this confidence was seen across age ranges, with Muslim millennials registering at 91 percent, and Gen X-ers and baby boomers at 92 percent. This is markedly higher than the general population of women, of which 78 percent considers themselves to be beautiful. When it comes to fashion, 86 percent of Muslim-American women describe themselves as stylish, versus 74 percent of the general population. Story continues Muslim women are far more likely to experience religious or racial discrimination. Three-fourths of Muslims feel they are being judged for the way they dress, according to an original survey by Yahoo Lifestyle. (Illustration: Quinn Lemmers for Yahoo Lifestyle) Survey results revealed the harsh reality that three-fourths of Muslim women feel they are being judged for the way they dress, in comparison with just over half of the general female population. Yet, this hasnt discouraged Muslim-Americans from using clothing and makeup to express their cultural and religious beliefs two traits that are deeply connected to their sense of being unique. It also supports the financial boost weve seen in the modest fashion and halal beauty industries. A recent Thomson Reuters State of the Global Islamic Economy Report estimated that in 2015 revenues from modest fashion clothing purchased by Muslim women globally was $44 billion. The report projected that spending on modest clothing globally will reach $368 billion by 2021. The Nike hijab. (Photo: Getty Images) Meanwhile, U.S.-based market and research consulting company Grand View Research published a study that revealed in 2015 the global halal cosmetic market was valued at about $16.3 billion and predicted that it will reach $52 billion by 2025. Muslims place more importance on the way they dress, their physical fitness, and skin care than the general population. On a monthly basis, 58 percent of Muslim-American women purchase new clothing (compared to 39 percent of the general population), 47 percent buy makeup (compared to 30 percent of the general population), and 45 percent spend money on skin care products (vs. 31 percent of the general population). Self-care among Muslim-American women is a priority too. Twenty-two percent get massages, 27 percent treat themselves to facials, and 14 percent visit a dermatologist monthly. That was much higher than the general population, which clocked in at nine percent for monthly massages and facials, and five percent for dermatology visits. Mascara is the top makeup product among Muslim-American women, with 36 percent saying its their must-have. Even though hijabis may be fashions latest darlings, 43 percent of Muslim-American women consider the industry to be biased. Muslim beauty blogger Nura Afia has fronted makeup ads. Model Halima Aden struts on international catwalks and poses for glossy magazine covers. Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad even has a Barbie designed in her likeness. While it is certainly uplifting and inspiring to see these diverse images, 75 percent said they fear appropriation of Muslim culture by the mainstream. Its a slippery slope when brands tap hijabi women for campaigns, especially as consumers contest their authenticity, or non-Muslim individuals appropriate these styles without considering the consequences. 61 percent of Muslim women say they feel the representation they receive in the media is not enough. Sixty-one percent of Muslim-American women say they feel the representation Muslim women receive in the media is not enough, according to an original survey by Yahoo Lifestyle. (Illustration: Quinn Lemmers for Yahoo Lifestyle) And two out of three think Muslim women are underrepresented especially in politics, business, and advertising. Overall, our survey highlighted the complexities not only of how the general population of women in America perceive themselves, but also of the uniqueness of Muslim-American women, as illustrated in their own words. The overwhelming pressure to conform to unrealistic standards of beauty may still exist. However, its clear that many women are taking control of their self-image. Read more on Muslim-American women in our American Beauty package: More than one thousand tourists were being evacuated from Indonesia's tiny Gili islands on Monday after a powerful quake struck neighbouring Lombok, killing 91 people and injuring hundreds. The Gilis are three coral-fringed tropical islands popular with backpackers and divers, a few kilometres off the northwest coast of the larger Lombok island. Footage posted online by rescue officials showed hundreds of panicked tourists and locals crowded onto powder-white beaches desperately waiting for transport off the normally paradise islands. Muhammad Faozal, the head of West Nusa Tenggara's tourism agency, said there were about 1,200 mostly foreign tourists on the Gilis. "We cannot evacuate all of them all at once because we don't have enough capacity on the boats. It's understandable they want to leave the Gilis, they are panicking," he told AFP. He said extra boats, including at least two navy vessels, were on their way. Lombok, a volcanic island that towers over the flatter Gilis, bore the brunt of Sunday's quake, with the vast majority of deaths occurring there. However, a local search and rescue official said there had been at least one fatality on the Gilis and several injuries. "One Indonesian tourist died in Gili Meno, several were injured, mostly suffering from broken bones," rescue official Agus Hendra Sanjaya told AFP, referencing the middle island. The 6.9 magnitude tremor, which triggered panic among tourists and locals on Sunday evening, was also felt on Bali, one of Southeast Asia's leading tourist destinations. At least one person was killed by falling debris and dozens of buildings and temples were damaged on the majority-Hindu island, said I Wayan Karnawan, head of the local disaster mitigation agency in Bangli regency. American model Chrissy Teigen, who is staying in Bali with her children and singer husband John Legend, live-tweeted the quake. "Bali. Trembling. So long," she told her 10.6 million followers. Story continues "We are safe, up high and nothing around us. Thinking about everyone around us and in Lombok especially," she added. The main tourist areas of Lombok in the south and west of the island appear to have been spared the worst of the damage. Lombok's beaches and hiking trails draw holidaymakers from around the world. But some fearful tourists were already trying to leave. A French tourist, who gave his name as Jina, told local broadcaster Metro TV he had tried to rush to Lombok's main airport. "But there was no taxi, no transport, no plan for evacuation." "Later I stopped a car and I asked a local to please take me and my family to the airport and he said 'Okay no problem'." National flag carrier Garuda said it would put on extra flights from Lombok to Jakarta to help tourists who wanted to leave. Most of the victims in the latest disaster died in the north and east of Lombok. Thousands were evacuated to outside shelters. Bali's international airport suffered damage to its terminal but the runway was unaffected and operations had returned to normal, disaster agency officials said. The Daily Beast DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty ImagesTwo foreign female tourists were caught in a crossfire between rival crime groups and shot to death last Thursday in the high-end resort town of Tulum, Mexico. Three other people were also wounded when the firefight broke out in the popular restaurant, La Malquerida, not far from the beach. Of the two women who were killed, one was from Germany and the other India.They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and got caught in an exchange of gunfire betwee (CHICAGO) At least 11 people were shot and killed and about 70 others were wounded over the weekend in Chicago, in a spasm of gun violence that police attributed mostly to gangs and that the presidents lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, used to criticize the citys Democratic leadership. The violence peaked early Sunday, including one shooting on the citys South Side that wounded eight people. By comparison, at least seven people were killed and 32 were wounded during the long Memorial Day weekend, which is often one of the most violent weekends of the year for the city, the Chicago Tribune reported. Gang members are using large summer crowds as cover in some cases, police Patrol Chief Fred Waller said Sunday. They take advantage of that opportunity and they shoot into a crowd, no matter who they hit, he said. Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson planned to discuss the violence at Monday news conference. Police have said violent crime has declined overall in Chicago. Still, anti-violence protesters have blocked highways to voice their outrage. Chicago ended 2017 with fewer homicides, 650, than 2016, when there were 771. Although the drop was significant, it exceeded the combined the number of killings in New York City and Los Angeles, which are the two U.S. cities bigger than Chicago. Chicagos gun violence has drawn widespread attention, including from President Donald Trump and his lawyer, Giuliani, who blamed the problem on Chicagos longtime Democratic rule in a series of tweet s on Sunday and Monday. The former New York City mayor also tweeted his support for Chicagos former superintendent, Garry McCarthy, referring to him as Jerry and calling him a policing genius. McCarthy announced this year that he plans to run for mayor next February against Democratic Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who fired McCarthy in 2015 after the release of dashcam video showing a white police officer shoot a black teenager 16 times. Misspelling Emanuels last name, Giuliani tweeted: He can do a lot better than Mayor Emmanuel who is fiddling while Chicago burns. Giuliani also falsely claimed that Chicago had 63 murders this weekend. North Carolina quarterback Chazz Surratt is one of nine players suspended for four games in 2018. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) Over a dozen North Carolina football players will be suspended during the 2018 season for selling shoes that came from the football program. According to the school, OL Brian Anderson, DL Malik Carney, WR Beau Corrales, DE Tomon Fox, DE Tyrone Hopper, OL Quiron Johnson, LB Malik Robinson, QB Chazz Surratt and OL Jordan Tucker have all been suspended four games. DB Greg Ross and TB Tre Shaw have been suspended two games and QB Jack Davidson and OL Jonah Melton will be suspended for one game. Selling team-issued gear is against NCAA rules. UNC says its a secondary NCAA violation. I am certainly upset by our players actions and how their choices reflect on them, our program and the University, coach Larry Fedora said in a statement. These young men knew the rules and are being held responsible for the poor choices they have made. Accountability is an important core principle in tis program. We will learn from this and aim to do better in the future. Two suspensions will be staggered. Because so many defensive linemen are on the suspended list, the suspension of Malik Carney and Tomon Fox both projected starters will be staggered. The NCAA approved Carney being suspended for games Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 6 while Fox will be suspended for games Nos. 6-9. Every other player will be suspended at the start of the season. Surratt became teams primary QB in 2017 Surratt took over for the ineffective Brandon Harris in 2017 and played until he was injured against Miami. He was 107-183 passing for 1,342 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions in 2017. He entered the 2018 season as the projected starter but the starting opportunity will now likely go to Nathan Elliott. Elliott was 75-146 passing for 925 yards, 10 touchdowns and five picks a year ago. North Carolina opens the season at Cal on Sept. 1 before playing at East Carolina on Sept. 8. Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports. More from Yahoo Sports: NFL HOF reportedly considering requiring inductees to show up Dak Prescott on Get Out mural: Everybody has their own opinion Terez Paylor: Tyrod good for Cleveland? Just ask the defense Dan Wetzel: How Jim Tressel scandal sheds insight on Urban Meyer situation They used to be scoffed at. There was a time when you heard the name New York-bred, you thought of second-class citizens not even remotely classy enough to compete with the big-name Kentucky-breds and Florida-breds or even worthy of being mentioned in the same breath. New York-bred races were looked upon as nothing more than claiming races without the tag. The times were slow, the horses were slow, and New York-breds had to be content with competing against themselves, for they wouldnt dare venture into open company. Now its as if they have lost their identity, melding into society to such a degree that you tend to forget that horses like Diversify and Mind Your Biscuits are New York-breds. Many breeders now plan their strategy regarding where a horse is foaled to make sure they have a horse classified as a New York-bred in order to cash in on the lucrative incentives. Did you hear anyone on TV this past Saturday comment that Diversify and Mind Your Biscuits, the one-two finishers of the Whitney Stakes, and top two betting choices, were New York-breds? These are two horses ranked in the Top 10 on the National Thoroughbred Racing Associations (NTRA) weekly poll, something that would have been unthinkable in years past. It was inconceivable several decades ago to think that there would one day be seven New York-breds who have earned over $2 million. It actually was the Whitney that in many ways launched the modern day New York-bred. It happened 37 years ago when an obscurely bred New York-bred named Fio Rito shocked the racing world by winning Saratogas premier event for older horses. It was a jolt to racing purists. The word spread across the globe. Even the Wabia tribesmen of New Guinea were shocked to learn that a New York-bred had won the grade 1 Whitney. What made this event so important to the New York breeding industry is that it was the first major impact by a New York-bred since the 1973 advent of graded stakes and the creation of the New York State Breeding and Development Fund, which placed New York-breds under a single umbrella and began the state-bred program and purse incentives. Eight years had passed since then and New York-breds were still considered pretty much a joke. By 1981, there still had not been a New York-bred grade I winner, and success in open company still was a rarity. That is until Aug. 1 of that year when the 6-year-old horse Fio Rito stepped into the gate for the Whitney Handicap. The gray son of the obscure stallion Dreaming Native was trained by Finger Lakes-based Michael Ferraro, ridden by local rider Les Hulet, and owned by bowling alley owner Raymond LeCesse, who had purchased Fio Ritos dam, Seagret, for $2,300 as a favor to the mares owner, who had put her up for auction at a small venue near Rochester, New York. He was hardly the kind of horse one would to expect to knock off blue bloods like Rokeby Stables Winters Tale, winner of the 1980 Marlboro Cup, Brooklyn Handicap, and Suburban Handicap (all grade I) who was rounding back into form or Ogden Phipps The Liberal Member, coming off a second in the Brooklyn Handicap or the classy 3-year-old Noble Nashua, who had scored recent victories in the grade I Swaps Stakes and grade II Dwyer Stakes, and who would go on to defeat older horses in the Marlboro Cup in September. Also in the field was Viola Sommers Ring of Light, winner of the Excelsior Handicap and Massachusetts Handicap in 1980, the Roseben Handicap in 1981, and who had placed in several major stakes, including the Brooklyn and Suburban Handicaps. Fio Rito certainly did not look like a horse who would one day make history, winning only one of his nine starts at 2. But he matured into a major force on the New York-bred circuit, mainly at Finger Lakes, where he won 19 of his 27 starts, including a victory in the 1980 Wadsworth Memorial Cup under a staggering 138 pounds. Following victories in the General Sullivan Stakes at Finger Lakes and the Evan Shipman at Belmont, it was decided to step way out of the box and take on leading older horses in the Whitney. When Fio Rito was shipped to Saratoga, he did everything possible to eliminate himself from Whitney consideration. Known for his ornery disposition, he became too excited when a filly was placed in the stall next to him. When they moved him to another stall, he became so agitated he threw a tantrum and wound up bruising his foot. Initially, there was doubt that he would be able to make the race, but after receiving clearance from a veterinarian it was decided to go ahead and run. Carrying only 113 pounds, the 6-year-old Fio Rito was sent off at 10-1, as he attempted to become the oldest horse or gelding to win the Whitney since Kelso captured the race at age 8 in 1965 and the oldest complete horse to win the race since Round View in 1949. Any chance of this Cinderella horse upsetting the Whitney seemed lost when Fio Rito broke through the gate before the start, actually dragging the assistant starter, who was flat on his belly holding on for dear life. No one can measure the gratitude the horses connections should have had for the assistant starter, as he refused to let go of the horse. When he finally got Fio Rito to come to a halt and jumped to his feet, still clinging to the horse, he received an ovation from the crowd. Track announcer Marshall Cassidy commented, Masterfully handled by the assistant starter, who managed to keep this New York-bred in good custody. He then led the horse back around the gate, and Fio Rito, decked out in his orange and purple silks and red blinkers, was still on his toes as he headed back in. It appeared to be another ignominious moment for New York-breds, especially one who was being counted on to boost the state breeding program. When the gates opened, Fio Rito shot to the lead and was pressed for the first five furlongs by 50-1 longshot Blue Ensign, who dogged him every step of the way. Around the far turn, Ring of Light made a bold move on the outside and pulled to within a half-length of Fio Rito, who had rattled off testing fractions of :46 3/5 and 1:10 flat. Winters Take was under a drive along the inside and found a huge opening on the rail as he turned for home. The Liberal Member also was on the move, and it looked as if Fio Rito was about to be inhaled from both sides, as five horses bore down on him. But the fans were in for a shock. Fio Rito, under a barrage of right-handed whips from Hulet, dug in and refused to be passed. Winters Tale made one final run at him nearing the wire, but Fio Rito would not be denied, winning by a neck, with Ring of Light a length back in third, a head in front of The Liberal Member. Even after the wire, Fio Rito would not let Winters Tale pass him. The final time of 1:48 flat for the 1 1/8 miles was a second off the track record. Not only had a New York-bred won the Whitney, and at age 6, he had run faster than past Whitney winners Dr. Fager, Kelso. Gun Bow, Carry Back, Key to the Mint, and Ancient Title, and had run more than a full second faster than Onion when he upset Secretariat eight years earlier. Following the race, legendary TV commentator Jack Whittaker said, This New York crowd ecstatic here, as this New York homebred goes wire to wire after a false start and a great save by the assistant starter. As he watched the replay of the incident at the gate, all Whitaker could say was, Oh my, oh my. Fellow commentator and trainer Frank Wright added, Usually breaking through the gate is the kiss of death. That victory should be shared by the assistant starter. But this horse was game as can be and he would not surrender. Ferraro had been skeptical that Fio Rito could defeat horses of this caliber, but he said in the New York Times, When I saw him staying on the lead, and knowing how tough he is, I began to get excited. LeCesse added, I can't believe how dry my mouth is. Lets get some champagne. Fio Rito died in 1996 at age 21 and was buried in the infield at Finger Lakes. Well before there was a New York breeding program and New York-bred races with lucrative purses, New York-breds were extremely uncommon. The one rare gem was another Cinderella horse named Mr. Right. Prior to the mid 1960s, New York-breds were looked upon by racings elite as oddities, confined to their own little world made up of inferior horses competing mainly in cheap races. In 1966, however, a horse came along who broke all the rules and made the bluebloods shudder in disbelief. Mr. Right, not only ventured into the world inhabited by major stakes winners and champions, he actually had the audacity to beat them, and on a regular basis. When this genetic anomaly (by Auditing, out of La Grecque, by Tehran) retired in 1969, he had won nine major stakes races and placed in 10 others, earning a then whopping $667,193. Along the way, he captured such prestigious hundred-granders as the Santa Anita Handicap, Woodward Stakes, Suburban Handicap, and a host of $75,000 and $50,000 stakes, equivalent to grade II and grade III stakes today. Among his victims were Horse of the Year and Hall of Famer Damascus, Kentucky Derby winner Proud Clarion, Belmont Stakes winner Amberoid, Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Quicken Tree, Wood Memorial and Gotham winner and Kentucky Derby third Dike, 2-year-old champion Successor, Widener Handicap winner Ring Twice, Suburban Handicap winner Buffle, Hollywood Derby winner Tumble Wind, and Charles H. Strub Stakes winner Most Host. La Grecques dam, Gay Grecque, had been purchased by New York hotel businessman George Zauderer for $5,000, and she went on to win the Test Stakes and place in several other stakes, including the Alabama. After Zauderer purchased the English stallion Tehran he sent Gay Grecque to England to be bred to him and the resulting foal was La Grecque, who never made it to the races and eventually was sent to Westchester County in New York to be trained in dressage with the intention of competing in horse shows. But when it was discovered that La Grecque did not have the temperament for such regimented training, Zauderer decided to breed her to Auditing, a stakes-winning son of Count Fleet, who stood at Mr. and Mrs. Tom Wallers Tanrackin Farm in Bedford Hills, New York. Her second foal was an independent little cuss from the start, standing out there paying no attention to his mother, according to Zauderer, who considered him his favorite. In 1964, Zauderers daughter Cheray, a Manhattan socialite, married the New York City born Peter Duchin, who was a popular pianist and band leader. As a wedding present, Zauderer gave his daughter and son-in-law his favorite yearling colt, who was a late foal, being born on May 21. That yearling later was named Mr. Right and he would grow up to be a star; a David who slew many a Goliath. At the time, the New York Racing Association had been paying 10 percent of the winners share to the breeders of winning horses foaled and registered in New York. This was the first move to improve the quality of state-breds and it seemed to be working, as the sums paid out began to increase steadily. But it wasnt until Mr. Right captured the Dwyer, defeating top-class horses such as Buffle and Amberoid, that NYRA had to pay out a substantial sum of money, which amounted to $5,352 and 75 cents. Ironically, the Duchins never were present to see any of Mr. Rights wins, believing their presence would jinx him. Even more ironic was Mr. Right shocking Damascus in the Woodward Stakes and having the trophy presented by Mrs. William Woodward, whose daughter Edith Woodward Bancroft owned and bred Damascus. It was George Zauderer and his wife who accepted the trophy, as the Duchins remained in their Manhattan apartment. Following the Woodward Stakes, Mr. Right was sold by the Duchins for $400,000 to a group headed by Daniel Schwartz, who brought in his attorney Martin Rudin and his neighbor Frank Sinatra as partners. After spending six months at Flag Is Up Farms in California, Mr. Right returned as a 6-year-old, winning the Suburban Handicap in a gutsy performance, defeating Claiborne Farms multiple stakes winner Dike and 1968 Travers winner Chompion in a three-horse photo and then added his third Trenton Handicap later in the year. The Suburban victory moved Mr. Right up to 44th on the list of all-time leading money earners. He eventually would move up to 34th following his Trenton victory. That November, Mr. Right was retired sound, but instead of going to Flag Is Up Farms, he was sent to Tartan Farm in Ocala under the management of John Nerud to join Dr. Fager, the horse he helped nail down Horse of the Year honors by defeating his arch rival Damascus. Years later, he was moved to Kerr Stock Farm in Moreno, Calif. and finally to the Schoenborn Brothers Farm in Climax, N.Y. Hs only stakes winner was Right Mind, who captured the Stymie and Aqueduct Handicaps. He died at age 16, but no date of his death was ever listed or a cause of death. For all Fio Rito and Mr. Right did for the New York breeding industry, there isnt even a stakes named after them. But these tough, courageous horses who dethroned champions and grade 1 winners will forever be regarded as the founding fathers of all the successful New York-breds that followed. And those include Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Funny Cide, earner of $3.5 million; Mind Your Biscuits, the leading money-winning New York-bred of all time with earnings of over $4.1 million; the $3 million earners Effinex and the Japanese-trained A Shin Forward; $2 million earners Dayatthespa, Say Florida Sandy, and two-time Whitney winner Commentator; and Diversify, an earner of $1.9 million and winner of the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Whitney, and Suburban Handicap. In addition there was the popular Gander and Win, Travers winner Thunder Rumble, and the brothers Fourstardave, who won at least one race at Saratoga for eight consecutive years, and Fourstars Allstar, the first U.S.-trained horse to win a European classic when he captured the Irish Two Thousand Guineas. To demonstrate how far New York-breds have come, in 2017, a total of 55 stakes races restricted to registered New York-breds worth more than $7.6 million in purse money were scheduled at the three New York Racing Association racetracks and Finger Lakes. In addition, there are over 800 other races written each year at these tracks covering a wide range of conditions for registered New York-breds. As for breeders awards, breeders of New York-breds sired by registered New York stallions receive 30 percent of first-place purse money earned and 15 percent for second and third. For breeders of New York-breds by non New York registered stallions, the awards are 15 percent for win and 7.5 percent for second and third. For anyone who remembers the days of Mr. Right and Fio Rito and all those dark days for New York-breds in between, it had to be a special moment to see New York-breds finish first and second in the Whitney, just as it was seeing Funny Cide become the first New York-bred to win the Kentucky Derby in 2003. What was even more special about the Whitney was that no one batted an eye at New York-breds finishing one-two. That it went unnoticed by so many is high praise indeed and demonstrated just how far these one-time harlequins of the Turf have come. Rome (AFP) - Sixteen foreign agricultural workers died in two separate crashes within the space of 48 hours in southern Italy, prompting the government on Monday to respond to the plight of tomato pickers during harvest season. Both crashes took place near the city of Foggia in the Puglia region, with 12 people -- all non-EU citizens -- killed in a crash on Monday, the Italian fire service said. Italian media reported that the workers were being taken back to their makeshift homes after a day's work when their van slammed head-on into a lorry transporting harvested tomatoes. On Saturday, four African farm workers were killed and four others seriously injured in another collision with a tomato truck. Every summer thousands of labourers from around Europe and Africa work in the area picking tomatoes under the blazing sun. Although most of those working in the fields in Italy have regular papers, rarely do they receive the benefits and salaries required by law and many live in squalid conditions. They are often at the mercy of day labourer recruiters -- sometimes linked to organised crime -- who operate as intermediaries and collect a portion of the workers' pay. Otherwise, the workers are forced to organise themselves independently, coming to wark by bicycle or in dilapidated and overcrowded vehicles. For years, unions and associations that help migrant workers have called for a public transport system to be created around Foggia for the peak harvest season. The Puglia region has now budgeted for such a system, governor Michele Emiliano said on Monday, but he added that cooperation and transparency from the farms was crucial. Farmers in the region are also struggling, with large retailers forcing down the price of produce. - 'Shameful system' - Labour minister Luigi Di Maio, who is also co-deputy prime minster and the leader of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement that governs with the anti-migrant League, promised on Monday to increase the number of inspectors in the region. Story continues He called the current situation "a shameful system that exploits the desperation of people willing to do anything to work". Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said he would travel to Foggia on Tuesday. Dozens of African agricultural workers living in one of the area's shanty towns decided to go on strike on Wednesday following Saturday's accident, the representative of the USB union, Aboubakar Soumahoro, told AFP. "At dawn, the farm workers will march from the countryside to Foggia, in order to claim dignified working conditions," he said. The International Organization for Migration commented that despite efforts by institutions and civil society to fight against exploitation, "each summer we find ourselves needing to comment on the death of Italian and foreign workers in the agri-food sector". The archbishop of Foggia, Vincenzo Pelvi, also weighed in on the accidents saying "we must not, we cannot remain indifferent before the tragic deaths of our brothers". He called for a mass to be held Monday evening at the cathedral to pray for the 16 victims of the two accidents and for the recovery of the injured. Sebastien Roblin Security, Preserving the memory of shadowy episodes like the battle of Lima 85 may not heal the wounds of the past, but it can help bring about an honest reckoning of the mistakes that were made and inspire reflection as to how to avoid repeating them in the future. In 1968, a Secret U.S. Base Was Overrun By Elite Vietnamese Commandos Elite North Vietnamese commandos from the 41st Special Forces battalion had already scaled the seemingly impassible cliffs on Phou Pha This northside without being detected on January 22 and reconnoitered the most feasible infiltration routes. Early that March, a thirty-three man platoon under the command of Lt. Truong Muoc assembled near the mountain, where they were reinforced by a nine-man sapper squad. The commandos were equipped with AK-47s, SKS carbines, explosives, hand grenades and three rocket-propelled grenade launchers. Fifty years ago on March 12, 1968, a top-secret U.S. base on a mountain top in Laos was overrun by an elite force of Vietnamese commandos. Only six of the eighteen CIA and Air Force personnel manning the remote outpost escaped with their lives in an incident that would remain veiled in secrecy for three decades. This was because the U.S. military was legally prohibited from operating in Laos. The southeast Asian nation had been wracked by a civil war pitting right-wing royalists against Pathet Lao communiststhe latter backed by North Vietnam, which used Laotian territory to clandestinely funnel troops into South Vietnam via the Ho Chi Minh trail. However, in 1962 Washington, Hanoi and Laotian factions all signed a peace treaty in which the foreign powers agreed to withdraw their forces from the country. However, North Vietnam only withdrew a minority of its forces, and the United States continued transferring extensive military aid to the royalist and instead began a secret but large-scale aerial bombing campaign in the kingdom known as Operation Barrel Roll. Though warplanes based in Vietnam and Thailand flew missions into Laos, CIA-run mercenary contractors and airlines such as Air America flew transport and observation aircraft from Laotian bases. Story continues (This first appeared in March.) CIA personnel also recruited local Hmong, an ethnic minority present in several southeast Asian states, to fight a guerilla war against the Pathet Lao. It was with this purpose in mind that CIA personnel first established a base atop the steep cliff of Phou Pha Thi mountain, a sacred place in the Hmongs animist faith which happened to be strategically located near the border with North Vietnam. This base was one of many Lima Sites in Laos intended to facilitate aerial supply of U.S.-allied forces. The main facility was at the peak of the 5,600-foot high mountain surrounded by steep cliffs; you can see the bases layout in this photo. A path wound downslope to a short 700-meter long airstrip at the base of the mountain was used for resupply and staff rotations, delivered in covert weekly flights by CH-3 helicopters of the 20th U.S. Air Force helicopter squadron. In the summer of 1966, the U.S. Air Force decided to adapt the base with a new purposeto serve as radar-navigation system, a or TACAN, by installing a power generator and first a transponder. In the era predating GPS, TACAN sites helped warplanes find their targets, especially, while flying under low visibility conditions or at night. (The first radio navigation system, known as Knickebein, was developed by Nazi Germany, to enable more precise night bombing of England.) In 1967, this was further upgraded to a TSQ-81 antenna and remote bombing system that allowed the base to remotely control U.S. bombers. Hanoi was only 135 miles northeast of Lima 85, so the clandestine base was able to direct very precise coordinates for U.S. aircraft bombarding the North Vietnamese capital. Because those strikes could involve anything from F-105 fighter bombers to dozens of huge B-52 bombers, this made the base a deadly force multiplier. In just six months, Lima 85 directed between 25 and 55 percent of the air strikes pounding North Vietnamese and Laotian targets. Because Laotian Prince Souvanna refused to accept U.S. military personnel in Laos, U.S. Air Force personnel deployed to Lima 85 had to sign papers temporarily discharging them from the U.S. military before deploying to Lima, a farcical process known as sheep dipping. These technicians were supposed to go unarmed, though they did eventually end up acquiring a handful of small arms. Instead, the bases security was supposed to be assured by a battalion each of Hmong militiaadvised by CIA agentsand Thai Border Patrol policemen deployed around the base of the mountain. However, Lima 85 may have been concealed from the U.S. public, but its presence and purpose were not a secret to the Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese Army (NVA). Scouts probed the bases defenses in December 1967, and on January 12, 1968 a flight of four An-2 biplane transports attacked Lima 85 using underwing 57mm rockets, and 120mm mortar shells dropped out the side doors, killing four Hmong. An Air America UH-1 helicopter was scrambled to intercept the slow transports shot down one of the transports using AK-47 fired out the sideone of very few helicopter-on-airplane kills on record. Another An-2 crashed, either due to ground fire or a failed evasive maneuver. The base was subsequently hit by a mortar barrage on January 30, then on February 18 Hmong militia ambushed and killed a team of NVA artillery observers near the mountain and recovered plans for a coordinated bombardment of the facility. American military leaders knew the isolated base was surrounded by stronger enemy forces and likely to come under attack, but the bases TACAN support was considered so valuable that Amb. William Sullivan resisted evacuating the site. Unable to deploy significant defenses, the bases technicians instead began dispatching hundreds of airstrikes against nearby communist forces to secure their position. Elite North Vietnamese commandos from the 41st Special Forces battalion had already scaled the seemingly impassible cliffs on Phou Pha This northside without being detected on January 22 and reconnoitered the most feasible infiltration routes. Early that March, a thirty-three man platoon under the command of Lt. Truong Muoc assembled near the mountain, where they were reinforced by a nine-man sapper squad. The commandos were equipped with AK-47s, SKS carbines, explosives, hand grenades and three rocket-propelled grenade launchers. Recommended: The Story of the F-52 Fighter. Recommended: The 5 Biggest Nuclear Bomb Tests (From All 6 Nuclear Powers). Recommended: How Israel Takes U.S. Weapons and Makes Them Better. At 6PM on March 11 an artillery bombardment gave cover for Truongs pathfinders to clear out mines and secure the infiltration paths to Lima 85. A few hours later, regular troops of the 766th Regiment of the NVA and a Pathet Lao battalions launched an attack that pinned down the Hmong troops in the valley around the mountain. Finally around 9 PM, Truongs men began scaling up the cliff, the operators splitting into five cells to launch a multiprong attack. Cells One and two would concentrate on the command post, cells three and four would seize the TACAN equipment and airstrip respectively, and the fifth cell would remain in reserve. The base personnel reported the artillery bombardment, but Ambassador Sullivan decided not to order an evacuation unless the attack proved to be overwhelming. Only by 8 AM the following morning did he dispatch helicopters and air support to cover the personnels escape. This was far too late. The Truongs infiltrators were in position by 3 AM that morning and knocked out Hmong guard posts and the bases TSQ-81 radar and power generator using rocket propelled grenades. When base commander Maj. Clarence Barton and several Air Force technicians rushed out to assess the situation, they were gunned down by the commandos. By 4 AM, the first three cells had captured all of their objectives. Some were captured and then flung over the cliff on Truongs orders. Only cell 4 was forced to disengage from its objective, unable to dislodge a superior Hmong force of two infantry platoons and a mortar squad deployed around the airstrip. Surviving U.S. personnel had fled to a ledge on the side of the cliff, where they were trapped as grenades and small arms fire rained down upon them. Firing back with their assault rifles, they attempted to call down an airstrike nearly on top of their position. Finally at dawn, Air America helicopters covered by A-1 Skyraider attack planes swooped down upon the mountain. Hmong troops, led by two CIA agents and supported by Skyraiders, engaged in a fierce firefight as they attempted to dislodge the NVA commandos from the TACAN site. Though North Vietnamese platoon held its ground, the fracas provided a distraction for five surviving Air Force technicians and two CIA agents to be extracted. Chief Master Sergeant Richard Etchberger, one of the airmen trapped on the cliff, refused to board a rescue chopper until he had loaded three of his injured comrades on the Hueys rescue sling. As he was being lifted away, the Pennsylvanian was mortally wounded by a parting burst of assault rifle fire. Communist forces would retain control of Phou Pha Thai mountain and later repel a Hmong offensive to seize it back. Muocs assault on Lima 85 had significantly weakened the U.S. air campaign over North Vietnam and Laos. According to Vietnamese accounts, he lost only one commando and killed at least forty-two Thai and Hmong troops as well as a dozen U.S. airmen. However, Truong would return home to a court martial rather than a heros welcome; his superiors were outraged that he had destroyed the valuable TACAN equipment and killed the technicians instead of capturing them. Ironically, both Washington and Hanoi collaborated in preserving the secrecy of their war in the Laos. North Vietnam needed to maintain and secure the Ho Chi Minh trails route through Laos, while the U.S. military was compelled to try to stop them there. That both were violating a treaty they had signed was merely something that had to be concealed from the public. In a tragic postscript, Etchberger would be posthumously nominated for the Medal of Honor, but would have the request denied by the Air Force due to the need to maintain the secrecy of the U.S. air war in Laos, which would actually escalate under the Nixon administration and be exposed with the release of the Pentagon Papers. The United States dropped one ton of bombs for every person living in Laos, delaying but not preventing, the eventual communist victory in 1975. Only thirty years later did the United States officially acknowledge the battle at the clandestine site. Etchberger would finally be awarded the Medal of Honor in a ceremony on September 1, 2010. Earlier in the 2000s, Vietnamese veterans of the battle helped U.S. military personnel locate the remains of airmen that had been cast over the side of the cliff, and later those of Major Barton as well. Preserving the memory of shadowy episodes like the battle of Lima 85 may not heal the wounds of the past, but it can help bring about an honest reckoning of the mistakes that were made and inspire reflection as to how to avoid repeating them in the future. Sebastien Roblin holds a masters degree in conflict resolution from Georgetown University and served as a university instructor for the Peace Corps in China. He has also worked in education, editing and refugee resettlement in France and the United States. He currently writes on security and military history for War Is Boring. Read full article There were 75,000 revellers at Wacken Open Air (Picture: Getty) Two elderly men sneaked out of their nursing home on Friday to go to the worlds biggest heavy metal music festival. After being reported missing, according to the Deutsche Well, the elderly metal-heads were found by police around 3 a.m. in the middle of the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany. The festival in the town of Wacken was sold out and had an estimated attendance of about 75,000. The two aging rockers were discovered disorientated and dazed at the event however, they apparently didnt want to leave. They were ushered into a taxi, which was given a police escort back to the nursing home. The care home quickly organized return transport after police picked them up, police spokeswoman Merle Neufeld said. They obviously liked the metal festival. Visitors doing metal yoga during the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany (Picture: Getty) Fans rock out at the Wacken Open Air festival at the weekend (Picture: Getty) The line-up at Wacken Open Air over the weekend included acts such as Judas Priest and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Although the festival is usually known for its muddy fields, there were warning of fires issued amid Europes heatwave. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. The 2018-19 Premier League season is upon us. Kickoff, believe it or not, is just days away. To get you set for the planets most enthralling 38-game soccer circuit, Yahoo Sports Premier League XI will delve into the 11 most compelling questions ahead of the coming campaign. We begin at the top, with the champions, Manchester City. Shall we start with the records? Sure, just as a refresher Points. Goals. Wins. Goal difference. General awesomeness. Manchester City, en route to its 2017-18 Premier League title, set new high-water marks for all of them. The Citizens were unparalleled, a new-age blend of aesthetic brilliance and ruthless efficiency. They were the best team in the leagues 27-year history, quantitatively and qualitatively, romping to a 19-point margin atop the table in Pep Guardiolas second season. Ahead of year three, not much has changed and thats a good thing. Every player who started multiple league matches is back for a run at the Prems first repeat since last decade. A club-record signing has joined them. Guardiola is still a genius. Manchester City lifts the 2017-18 Premier League trophy. (Getty) So the question is not, Will Manchester City defend its Premier League crown? Instead, its, How could City not do so? What could possibly go wrong? And answers, frankly, are hard to come by. But theyre not non-existent. There are challengers. There are potential pitfalls. Most of them would seem to be in midfield. The lone depth concern Chief among them is Fernandinho or the defensive midfield spot, if you prefer to consider it that way. The problem is that the two are one and the same. City has two Champions League-caliber players at every single outfield position except holding mid. It has two experienced center backs and two 24-year-old ones. Its backup right back came from Real Madrid. When Benjamin Mendy tore his ACL last season, Fabian Delph magically morphed into the best left back in the league. Up top, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus are both outstanding. Out wide, Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and now Riyad Mahrez are battling for two spots. In the middle, Ilkay Gundogan somehow isnt a first-choice starter. Story continues But Gundogan is not a defensive midfielder. (Germanys vulnerability at the World Cup was evidence.) Pep wanted Jorginho as a second option, but didnt get him. If theres no Jorginho alternative, the what if Fernandinho gets hurt scenario still looms at the Etihad. It loomed last year as well. Fortunately for Guardiola, it never materialized. But that doesnt mean it has evaporated. Just the opposite. With Citys pivot now 33 years old, decline joins injury on the list of concerns. Because without Fernandinho, City might be vulnerable. His importance is his multidimensionality his ability to cover ground, to press or hold, to win the ball, but also to pass and progress it. Gundogan can do the progression and the pressing. But hes not the counterattack-disruptor and back-line shield that Fernandinho is. Of course, there are what if worries at every club, and more at any of the other 19 than at City. But the point is that there is one. That another title cruise isnt a forgone conclusion. Which players could regress? Aside from Fernandinho, there are a few other candidates for regression that could hinder Citys excellence. One might be David Silva. The Spaniard was fantastic last season, both as a playmaker and as a counterpresser. But hell turn 33 in January. He looked old at the World Cup, and was somewhat emblematic of Spains stagnancy. Does he have another full season of Guardiola-ball in him? If not, can Gundogan who himself has struggled with injuries in the past pick up the slack? Something else to consider here, however, that might mitigate concern: The Mahrez signing is a puzzling one. On the surface, it didnt address a need. But theres a chance it signals Guardiolas intent to try Bernardo Silva more often centrally. The 23-year-old played there in the Community Shield, and could make a positional shift similar to the ones David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne made earlier in their respective careers. The one other position of possible bother could be center back. Theres depth. But theres no one sure thing. Vincent Kompany is 32, and hasnt played more than 25 games in a season since 2014-15. Nicolas Otamendi had the best year of his career as a 29- and 30-year-old, but surely cant replicate it. John Stones is talented but still somewhat mistake-prone, and Aymeric Laporte is unproven. Again, theres every chance Stones and Laporte develop into the leagues best defensive pairing; or Stones and Otamendi reprise last seasons first-half excellence. But theres a non-zero chance their 2016-17 struggles re-appear. Citys 2017-18 second half wasnt dominant City smashed records last year because of its first-half dominance. Pre-Christmas, it played 19, won 18, drew one, scored 60, conceded 12. Underlying numbers were just as strong: 52.4 Expected Goals for, 11.9 xG against. After Christmas, though, it wasnt otherworldly. It won 14, drew three and lost two. It scored only 46 goals and allowed 15. Its xG totals slid to 39.0 and 12.6. City was still the best ream in the league. Every single one of those numbers is still phenomenal. But Liverpools came close at both ends. Tottenham won 43 points to Citys 45. All of which is to say that the Citizens werent indestructible. What if familiarity neutralized their quality? What if their second-half performance projects out over the entirety of 2018-19? What if their league-high 16 World Cup participants (and seven semifinalists) get off to slow starts? And what if they run into some rotten luck? Theyd still be favorites. And youd still bet on Guardiola to adjust and innovate to stay ahead. But theyd be within reach. Soccer is susceptible to flukes In Peps first season, Citys xG underperformance was grotesque. Underlying numbers pegged it as the best team in the Prem. But it conceded nearly 10 more goals than chance quality would have predicted. Its finishing was mediocre. It came third behind Chelsea and Tottenham teams with xGD overperformance margins around 20. Last year, Citys (and their opponents) conversion rates didnt just normalize; they exploded in the other direction. Citys process was really, really good; its results were even better. But the contrast between the two seasons is instructive. In a low-scoring, high-variance sport like soccer, anything can happen over 38 games. Anything includes everything discussed above. Bookmakers give the reigning champs a roughly 60 percent chance to repeat. In related news, 40 is a big number. Monday: What could derail Man Citys title defense? Monday: Can Sarri revolutionize or stabilize Chelsea? Monday: Whos getting relegated? Tuesday: Who, if anybody, can break up the top six? Tuesday: Is Liverpool closing on City? Tuesday: What to expect at Arsenal post-Wenger? Wednesday: Is a Mourinho flameout already underway? Wednesday: Is Spurs trophy deadline approaching? Wednesday: Wolves: Shady, brilliant, or both? Thursday a.m.: Predictions Thursday p.m.: Transfer window winners/losers Henry Bushnell covers global soccer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Question? Comment? Email him at henrydbushnell@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter @HenryBushnell, and on Facebook. People say having kids changes everything. For parents, this is particularly clear when they look back on their own childhood hopes, dreams, priorities and everyday experiences. Indeed, things that seemed awesome or terrible when you were a kid may feel like the exact opposite when the tables have turned and youve taken on the parent role. Weve rounded up 27 hilarious tweets that compare childhood to parenthood. Enjoy! When I was a kid, I longed for the weekend. Now that I'm a parent, I wish that the work week would never end. BadParentingMoments (@BPMbadassmama) July 15, 2016 As a kid, I always wondered why my mom never wore the macaroni necklace I made her to work. And now I'm a mom and I'm like, Oh. OK. Jennifer S. White (@yenniwhite) May 9, 2017 When I was a kid watching leading ladies in Disney movies, I never imagined I'd grow up to relate most to the one scrubbing floors. Domestic Goddess (@DomesticGoddss) April 28, 2017 Me as a kid: My moms purse is my bank. Me as a mom: WHY IS ALL MY MONEY GONE FROM MY PURSE? kelly oxford (@kellyoxford) May 14, 2018 Parenting is scolding your 6yo for eating just the marshmallows out of his Lucky Charms even though it's exactly what you did as a kid. Dad and Buried (@DadandBuried) July 19, 2017 When I was a kid, "Home Alone" sounded like a nightmare, but now as an parent, it sounds like a dream come true. Abe Yospe (@Cheeseboy22) November 25, 2017 If I had a time machine I'd travel back in time and take all of the naps I refused to take when I was a kid. The Real American Dadass (@R_A_Dadass) March 17, 2017 My father used to make me go on long family bike rides when I was a kid and I hated it, so naturally I force my kids to do the same. Robert Knop (@FatherWithTwins) July 21, 2017 Something I've learned as a parent is that doing homework sucked when I was a kid, but forcing your own kid do homework sucks so much worse Abe Yospe (@Cheeseboy22) May 3, 2016 Watching childrens tv shows as a kid: this is fun! Watch them as a parent: Whats the weirdest subtext I can impose on this simple show to complicate it? #parenting TwistedDoodles (@twisteddoodles) July 5, 2018 Summer as a kid: WOO-HOO! SCHOOL'S FINALLY OUT! FREEDOM! Summer as a parent: Why TF isn't school year-round? This is hell. Dad and Buried (@DadandBuried) May 25, 2018 When I was younger, I got excited when Halloween fell on a Friday. Now it means I'm stuck with kids hopped up on sugar all weekend. Stephanie McMaster (@Smethanie) October 25, 2014 When I was little I always wondered why moms had flat butts. Now I realize it's a consequence of sitting at kids sporting events for hours. Momma of Midgard (@MidgardMomma) April 16, 2015 When I was a kid I tried to memorize pi. Since I've had kids I try to remember my own phone number. Jennifer S. White (@yenniwhite) March 14, 2017 When I was a kid, I was scared my parents were gonna walk in on me doing something bad. Now I'm a dad & I'm terrified my kid will catch me. Dad and Buried (@DadandBuried) October 28, 2013 ME AS A KID: BUT I DON'T WANNA GO TO BED, IT'S ONLY 8:30 ME NOW: omg it's 8:30, almost time for bed Valerie (@ValeeGrrl) April 20, 2018 When I was a kid my friend shot me in the face with a bottle rocket and I barely felt it. Now I do yardwork and my back hurts for a week. The Dad (@thedad) November 7, 2015 When I was a kid Id go to public places and Id be like, How are you missing game and puzzle pieces? but now that I have kids, I totally I get it. The Real American Dadass (@R_A_Dadass) May 9, 2018 When I was a kid, I thought my parents let me sleep over at my grandma's house so that I would be happy. NOW I KNOW THE TRUTH AND ITS GROSS! ReasonsMySonIsCrying (@ReasonsMySonCry) August 1, 2013 when i was a kid and we ran out of batteries on a toy, we'd have to stealthily take 1 from the TV remote and replace with a dead one. now as a parent i keep a drawer of batteries on the house. this is what they mean about the american dream and making life better for your kids. Dan Stemkoski (@Artosis) May 21, 2018 When I was a kid I had adorable freckles, cute dimples & precious chubby cheeks. Now I have annoying back pain, too many wrinkles, and chubby everything else. Dad and Buried (@DadandBuried) December 7, 2017 When I was a kid I thought my mom had a drinking problem. Now I realize she drank because she had a kid problem. Mommy Owl (@Lhlodder) January 29, 2016 Me as a kid: Doesnt understand why we cant wait for 45 min to be seated at a restaurant Me as a parent if I have to wait 3 mins on phone for take-out: Forget this crap!! Robert Knop (@FatherWithTwins) June 27, 2018 It's funny when I was a kid Angelica from the Rugrats seamed like a mean character...but now as a parent, it's funny to hear kiddo say she really likes her. Jacques Nyemb (@jnyemb) November 26, 2017 When I was a kid, I worried I would always be small. Now I wish I were STILL that small, so I could punch toddlers & it wouldn't be a deal. Dad and Buried (@DadandBuried) May 23, 2013 When I was a kid I thought parents were boring asexual blobs but now that I'm a dad I look at the other parents and think, 'Yup, called it.' Mat Johnson (@mat_johnson) April 15, 2016 As a kid, I didn't want to get caught misbehaving by my parents. Now I'm a parent. And I don`t want to get caught by my kids. Carbosly (@Carbosly) February 23, 2015 Related Coverage Story continues 39 Tweets That Sum Up Parenting Teens 35 Too-Real Tweets About Being A Kid Now vs. Back In The Day 30 Funny Tweets About Being A Kid vs. Being An Adult Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Ideally, you spend eight hours a day in your bedroom catching some z's. That's one-third of your day, peopleand it would be a huge waste to hate a space you spend so much time in. So don't. Love it instead, with the addition of a few superhero pieces. You know, the ones that are amazingly multifunctional but also happen to be easy on the eyes. And guess what? Such rare gems can be found at the same place you buy picture nails and Command strips: The Home Depot. Talk about a one-stop shop. Below, the five game-changing Home Depot products that will transform your bedroom immediately upon their arrival and therefore make 33 percent of every day so much better. 1. A big mirror: It will bounce the natural light your room gets around the spaceand serve as a reminder not to run out the door looking like a hot mess. Photo: Courtesy of The Home Depot 2. A storage bench: Who said your bedroom can't accommodate a place to sit and put your shoes on? The secret: Make the seat do double-duty. When a piece has hidden storage, the space it takes up is totally worth it. Photo: Courtesy of The Home Depot 3. A light (or three) that's on your level: "Overhead lighting washes the room in one bright color and can even be quite headache-inducing!" the founders of online interiors shop Rockett St George once told us. No one wants that. Instead, place a couple lamps throughout your room for a much cozier vibe that's also conducive to diving in to your latest book-club read. Photo: Courtesy of The Home Depot 4. Something fuzzy underfoot: Layer a faux sheepskin on top of your existing rug, in the spot where you get out of bed in the morning. You'll be thanking us come 7 a.m., when your cold toes hit a warm, fluffy surface. Photo: Courtesy of The Home Depot 5. A simple peg rail: There's not a lot a peg rail can't do. There's the obviousstorage for hats, coats, and that boa from a bachelorette partyand then there's the not-so-obviousa spot for hanging a plant, a place to lean artwork, and a place to dry calming herbs like lavender. SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) On a breezy morning, Floria Hakimi smiled as her photo was snapped on the steps leading up to a small plane that was supposed to usher her to a workshop for real estate agents in Southern California. "Flying out to LA," she posted on her Instagram account with the photo of her donning sunglasses and a broad grin. Later that day, the twin-engine Cessna 414 carrying the 62-year-old real estate agent and four others plummeted out of the sky and crashed into the parking lot of an Orange County strip mall, killing everyone on board. Hakimi and two victims were co-workers at Pacific Union International, a San Francisco Bay Area real estate firm. One of them, 42-year-old Lara Shepherd, was married to the plane's 53-year-old pilot, Scott Shepherd. Another was 29-year-old Nasim Ghanadan, who saw Hakimi as a mentor in the real estate industry, Ghanadan's brother said. Hakimi's 32-year-old son, Navid Hakimi, was also a passenger on the trip. The group left Sunday for the Tom Ferry Success Summit in Anaheim, California, a business conference popular with real estate agents, said Terri Tiffany, a spokeswoman for Pacific Union. Ghanadan loved to cook Persian and American food and loved dancing. She grew up in the Bay Area and was quick to make friends with just about everyone she met, said Aryan Ghanadan, her 19-year-old brother. "She was just larger than life, always, always laughing," he said. "Just always the life of the party." The plane took off from Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, California, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The pilot declared an emergency but didn't state the nature of his problem before crashing about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from John Wayne Airport, striking four parked cars, National Transportation Safety Board investigator Albert Nixon said Monday. Nixon didn't know how much time elapsed between the call and the crash. The plane was heading to the airport southeast of Los Angeles and had been cleared to land when it came down in the parking lot of a Staples store and a CVS pharmacy, NTSB officials said. Story continues There was no fire and nobody on the ground was hurt, Orange County fire officials said. Witnesses in watched in horror as the plane flew low over the shopping area near the upscale South Coast Plaza mall and nosedived into the parking lot. Customers ran out of a nearby restaurant and saw the wreckage of the white plane with green and blue trim. Navid Hakimi, of Los Angeles, was a musician and a DJ. He also has a son, said longtime friend Pantea Tadi. Last month, Hakimi posted a selfie of him with his mother on his Instagram page, saying she had come down for a surprise visit on his birthday. "Spending the day with both her and my beautiful son is literally all I could have asked for," he wrote. "My heart is bursting!" The Shepherds, of Diablo, California, have two children, ages 5 and 7, according to Pacific Union. He was a great cook, and she knew about art, said neighbor Kate Montgomery. "Our entire Pacific Union family is mourning the loss of our colleagues, family and friends," the company's chief executive Mark A. McLaughlin said in a statement. "Life is precious and we are focused on comforting the loved ones affected by this devastating event." The FAA and the NTSB are investigating the cause of the crash. The plane is registered to a San Francisco-based real estate consulting company, Category III, according to an FAA database. A phone call to the company was not immediately returned. The 1973 Cessna was certified with the FAA through October 2019, online records show. ___ Tu reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writer Christopher Weber contributed from Los Angeles. NEW YORK (AP) The executive producer of the CBS news show "60 Minutes" is delaying his return from vacation until an investigation into sexual misconduct claims at the network wraps up. Meanwhile, CBS Entertainment President Kelly Kahl told reporters on Sunday that CBS isn't saying it's perfect and that there's room for improvement in any large company. The executives are dealing with fallout from a scandal after allegations against the executive producer, Jeff Fager, and CBS CEO Les Moonves appeared in a New Yorker article last month. CBS hired two outside law firms to investigate claims of sexual misconduct from several women spanning three decades at the company. While most of the article focused on Moonves, the article also contained allegations of inappropriate behavior by Fager. Fager has denied any wrongdoing. CBS is keeping Moonves in place during the investigation. CBS has not said whether the investigation involves Fager, but on Sunday it said he will not return from his scheduled vacation on Monday as planned. "Having heard the investigation will be wrapping up soon, Jeff has decided to stay on vacation," CBS News said in a statement. The company declined to comment on when the investigation might end. Against that backdrop, Kahl appeared Sunday at the Television Critics Association's summer meeting in Beverly Hills, California. He was there to promote the network's fall season lineup, including its much-anticipated reboot of "Murphy Brown." Instead, he fielded a barrage of questions about Moonves and the effectiveness of CBS policies involving misbehavior. "I've had many female colleagues come to me this week who've been saddened about what they're read about our company. They said it does not represent their experience at CBS," Kahl said. "I'm not saying we're perfect. No large company is, and there's always room for improvement." Story continues Calling Moonves an "excellent boss and mentor," Kahl said it's been difficult at CBS since the allegations emerged, adding that everyone at the network and its producers are working hard to air the "best shows we can." When reporters questioned the effectiveness of CBS' policies given the Moonves and other allegations, Kahl defended them as sound. The New Yorker article, published July 28, said six women who had professional dealings with Moonves say he sexually harassed them between the 1980s and the late 2000s. Four of the women described forcible touching or kissing during business meetings, it says, while two said Moonves physically intimidated them or threatened to derail their careers. Moonves has acknowledged he may have made some women uncomfortable by making advances years ago but says he never misused his position to hinder anyone's career. The article also described a culture of misconduct that extended from Moonves to other parts of the corporation, including CBS News. It said men in that division who were accused of sexual misconduct were promoted, even as the company paid settlements to women with complaints. In November, CBS fired veteran news host Charlie Rose over allegations he had groped women, walked naked in front of them and made lewd phone calls. Rose has apologized for his behavior but questioned the accuracy of some of the claims. Diane English, executive producer of the original "Murphy Brown" sitcom and its upcoming revival, said during a critics' association panel on Sunday that all those involved with the show "support the investigation fully." "None of us have had any negative experience in that regard at CBS," English said. "I have never experienced any kind of sexual misconduct personally, or misogyny, and as far as I know no one on my crew has." The sitcom developed an episode about the #MeToo movement months ago, an indication of how seriously she and others with "Murphy Brown" take allegations of sexual misconduct, she said. ___ Elber reported from Beverly Hills, California. A 9-year-old boy running a lemonade stand outside of Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday was robbed at gunpoint, police say. Union County Sheriffs Office deputies are seeking a teenager who allegedly pointed a black handgun at the boys stomach and took his cashbox before fleeing on a bicycle, according to WSOC-TV. The boy had less than $20 in cash on him, Union County spokesman Tony Underwood told WSOC. In todays world, people are very bold, he said. Criminals are very bold. This is a new low. Deputies said the boy described the suspect, who is still at large, as a male teen wearing a camouflage hat and a black shirt. They found the camo hat we believe was worn by the suspect, Underwood said. We also found a black-colored handgun we believe was the handgun that was used, turns out it was a BB gun. The boy reopened his lemonade stand in a new location at the community pool on Sunday, neighbors said. By Nathan Layne, Sarah N. Lynch and Karen Freifeld ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Reuters) - Rick Gates, a longtime business associate of U.S. President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, on Monday testified at trial that he helped Manafort file false tax returns and hide his foreign bank accounts. Gates is expected to be the government's star witness in its case against Manafort. Gates, who also served on Trump's campaign, pleaded guilty in February and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors under a deal that could lead to a reduced sentence. Taking the stand on the trial's fifth day, Gates admitted to helping Manafort doctor financial statements, hide sources of foreign income, mislead banks to get loans and cheat on his U.S. taxes. He said he did so at Manafort's direction. "At Mr. Manafort's request we did not disclose foreign bank accounts," Gates told the jury in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, describing their relationship of two decades as limited to business. "Outside of business we did not socialize." Manafort's attorneys have signaled they will seek to blame Gates and have accused him of embezzling millions of dollars from Manafort. Gates has been described by witnesses as Manafort's right-hand man who helped run the operations of a multimillion-dollar political consulting business. In addition to assisting in Manafort's alleged crimes, Gates told the jury he had failed to report his own income routed through bank accounts in the United Kingdom and stole several hundreds of thousands of dollars from Manafort by filing false and inflated expense reports related to their work in Ukraine. Manafort has pleaded not guilty to 18 counts of bank and tax fraud and failing to disclose foreign bank accounts. The charges largely predate his five months on the Trump campaign but were the first to go to trial arising from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. The jury has heard how Manafort made tens of millions of dollars for work with pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine. Mueller is also investigating possible coordination between Trump campaign members and Russian officials in the election campaign, but the charges against Manafort do not address that. Prosecutors on Monday went through a list of overseas corporations and Gates testified that all of them were controlled by Manafort and contained income earned by his political consulting work. Gates said an associate, Konstantin Kilimnik, had control over the overseas accounts. Kilimnik is a Russian-Ukrainian political consultant who was indicted in June on charges stemming from the Mueller probe. In court filings Mueller has accused Kilimnik of having current ties to Russian intelligence services - an allegation he has denied. Gates testified that Manafort directed him to report overseas income as loans in order to lower taxable income - an allegation prosecutors have been eliciting testimony about from witnesses since last week. The jury had heard testimony on Friday and Monday from accountant Cynthia Laporta, who described how Manafort and Gates doctored financial statements and backdated loans. In questioning Laporta on Monday, a prosecutor asked the accountant about a $10 million loan purportedly received by Manafort from Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska in 2006. Laporta, looking at a summary of loans to Manafort and his businesses, said she could not see any indication that the loan from Deripaska had been paid off. Since the trial started before U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis last Tuesday, Manafort's lawyers have kept their cross-examinations brief and at times refrained from attempting to rebut damaging testimony in detail. But Laporta's testimony raised the stakes for Manafort. Testifying under immunity, she was the first witness to admit she knew accounting maneuvers Manafort and Gates requested of her were wrong and could be crimes. One accounting trick saved Manafort $500,000 in taxes, she said. In cross examining on Monday, attorney Kevin Downing tried to illustrate that Laporta's accounting firm had been aware of overseas wire transfers being booked as loans for years and highlighted a record showing Manafort had paid $8.4 million in federal income taxes between 2005 and 2015. Downing also attempted to show that Gates was the point person in dealing with the accountants. But while Laporta acknowledged that she regularly communicated with Gates she said she believed Manafort was in the know. "In most instances it was clear Mr. Manafort knew what was going on," Laporta said. (Reporting by Nathan Layne, Sarah N. Lynch and Karen Freifeld in Alexandria, Virginia, Warren Strobel; Editing by Grant McCool and Lisa Shumaker) Donald Trump, the US president - Getty Images Europe America has dismissed the European Unions attempt to minimise the impact of its Iran sanctions as the first phase of penalties kicked in three months after Donald Trump's withdrawal from the nuclear deal. A senior US administration official said a move by Brussels, with the support of Britain, to impose a blocking statute protecting European businesses trading with Iran was not something that were particularly concerned by. The comment came just hours after Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, issued a joint statement with the foreign ministers of Germany, France and the EU expressing deep regret at Americas decision to reimpose sanctions. US officials also took a combative stance on countries like China and India two major importers of Iranian oil as they said the target would be zero oil being sold by Iran and would enforce their sanctions regime aggressively. Mr Trump said in a statement: "We urge all nations to take such steps to make clear that the Iranian regime faces a choice: either change its threatening, destabilising behavior and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation." He also warned: "Individuals or entities that fail to wind down activities with Iran risk severe consequences." The comments further deepened the rift between Mr Trump and other signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [JCPOA], commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. The agreement was brokered by Barack Obama, Mr Trumps predecessor, in July 2015 and waived economic sanctions in turn for Iran curbing its nuclear programme. But in May, Mr Trump announced America would be withdrawing from the deal, citing fears Iran was using it as cover to destabilise the Middle East and build up its ballistic missile programme while enjoying the economic benefits of the agreement. Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian president, signed the deal with Barack Obama and others in 2015 but now faces domestic pressure to justify remaining in the agreement Credit: REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui At one minute past midnight on Monday night the first wave of sanctions which Mr Obama had waived will be reimposed by the Trump administration, targeting trade with Iran on cars, precious metals, commercial planes, carpets and food. Story continues The Iranian regime will also be prohibited from using US dollars, the main currency for financial transactions and oil purchases. A second wave of sanctions will snap back in early November, hitting oil exports a key source of revenue for the country. Other signatories to the deal have attempted to keep it alive by ensuring trade continues with Iran and on Monday Mr Hunt issued a statement with Jean-Yves Le Drian of France, Heiko Maas of Germany and Federica Mogherini of the EU. We deeply regret the re-imposition of sanctions by the US, the ministers said, adding that they were "determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran. Jeremy Hunt became foreign secretary after Boris Johnson resigned in July Credit: Jason Alden/Bloomberg The statement said that the EUs so-called blocking statue, designed to protect European companies from the impact of US sanctions to encourage them to keep trading with Iran, would take effect on Tuesday. Senior US administration officials were asked about the blocking statute during a briefing on the sanctions on Monday morning. One responded: What you need to look at are the messages companies and financial institutions are sending. They have a deep appreciation for what is going on in Iran, the fact that it is very difficult and complicated to know who youre doing business with. The official added on the blocking statute: This is not something that were particularly concerned by. Some 100 international companies have already announced their intent to stop trade with Iran and the country's economy is continuing to perform badly, the US officials noted, saying that it showed Mr Trumps withdrawal decision was already having an impact. They stressed that Mr Trump is still willing to meet Irans leaders without preconditions to discuss a new deal. The US favours an agreement that covers all aspects of the countrys behaviour, including its involvement in Syria and Yemen and ballistic missiles programme. The officials also said that the US supports protesters voicing their disquiet in Iran but fell short of demanding regime change, saying instead that they wanted the current government to alter its approach. China's President Xi Jinping looks on during the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 26, 2018. Gulshan Khan/Pool via REUTERS Doug Bandow Economics, Asia Beijing is forcing U.S. companies to not mention Taiwan. This has to change. America Should Oppose Chinas Economic Imperialism Chinas escape from the Cultural Revolution and adoption of markets were expected to yield a double benefit for the West. Chinese economic growth would both fuel global development and moderate Beijings political objectives. Over time the Peoples Republic of China would become deeply and firmly integrated in the international order, and economic liberty would encourage political reform. But that isnt the result we see today from the PRCs transformation. Xis government appears headed for personal dictatorship and totalitarian control. Presidential term limits are gone, Western values are vilified, censorship is intensified, surveillance is expanded, political education is revived and controls over private companies are multiplied. Xinjiang suffers under nightmarish repression. A system of social credit brings to mind 1984 as Beijing will be empowered to target any of 1.3 billion people for behavior deemed threatening or simply inappropriate. For instance, someone who even hints that they desire democracy or liberty wont be able to purchase a train ticket. No longer is the PRC satisfied with oppressing its own people. The central government is extending its control over Hong Kong, a supposedly autonomous Special Administrative Region. Xis government also is intensifying pressure on Taiwan, with the objective of swallowing the effectively independentthough largely unrecognizedstate. Perhaps even more problematic for the United States, Beijing is using its economic clout to conscript American firms as part of the PRCs political campaigns. China long traded access to its market for access to Western technology. But President Xi Jinping has added a new dimension, threatening to penalize foreign firms which do not help isolate Taiwan by treating the island nation as if it was part of China. Story continues Beijing long has insisted on a One China policy when it comes to diplomatic recognition. Chiang Kai-sheks Nationalist government, defeated by the Chinese Communist Party on the mainland, moved to the island of Taiwan, from which Kai-sheks Republic of China claimed to be the rightful government for all of China. Few believed this fiction, but Washington encouraged countries to try to quarantine the new communist regime. The Soviet Union was the first country to recognize the PRC after Mao Zedong declared the new nation on October 1, 1949. Moscows Eastern European satellites followed. India was the first non-communist nation to recognize Beijing. Switzerland was the first Western state to do so. The PRC picked up additional recognitions at a modest rate, which accelerated with Africas decolonization. After Washington allowed the PRC to take over the China seat at the UN in October 1971, many Western governments shifted their recognition to Beijing. The United States finally did so in 1979. Furthermore, in recent years an ever-wealthier PRC competed with Taiwan in checkbook diplomacy and won over many of the small nations which once favored the ROC. The Dominican Republic was the latest defector, switching its recognition to Beijing in May. Only nineteen countries still recognize Taiwan, and that number is likely to continue to dwindle. However, commerce was largely unaffected. Although the PRC surpassed its competitor economically, the island remains a significant economic player. Trade and investment flow both ways. Even, notably, to and from China, despite Taiwanese fears of being effectively absorbed by the PRC. But now Beijing is demanding that Western firms essentially recognize only China when it comes to business. Although Xis government as has not yet sought to interfere with trade and investment per se, it is demanding that service companies treat Taiwan as part of China. This would further intensify pressure on the only ethnic Chinese territory which actually is free and democratic. JW Marriott suffered the PRCs ire when the firm sent out a customer survey which treated Taiwan (as well as Hong Kong, Macau, and Tibet) as separate companies. The companys Chinese language websites were temporarily closed while firm management groveled and apologized. Said CEO Arne Sorenson: Marriott International respects and supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China. Of course. This set off a corporate rush to scrub websites to avoid Chinese criticism. That only whet Beijings appetite. Xis government then demanded that forty-four global airlines treat Taiwan as part of China, threatening unspecified sanctions if they did not. Most folded. Last week U.S. hold-outs American, Delta, and United also complied, sort of. They dropped any national designation for Taipei. However, Beijing insisted that the half-step still fell short. What happens next is anyones guess. As this controversy developed, the Trump administration denounced Chinas demand as Orwellian nonsense, but Beijing refused to discuss the issue with Washington. Although it is tempting for U.S. officials to stay out of an issue that looks purely private, America is necessarily affected by the PRCs use of economic wealth generated through business with America to force political gains. The airline websites are likely just the start of Beijings economic extortion. The Trump administration should consider how to respond to similar future demands. It is not enough for Washington to offer rhetorical support for U.S. firms. That wont make up for fines or lost revenue. Washington should consider carefully calibrated retaliation. The best targets would be Chinese state enterprises or private firms with significant state support. America should explain that the issue is not Taiwans status, but attempts to turn American firms into Chinese geopolitical weapons. Still, no one would benefit from intensifying todays burgeoning trade war. Although the presidents rhetoric about trade deficits is misguidedAmericans benefit from buying inexpensive products abroadChina does gain from significant structural abuses. Those should be the focus of the administrations efforts. The administration should add to its negotiation list the PRCs efforts to dragoon Western companies into political campaigns. To better achieve this objective, Washington should approach Asian and European governments in an attempt to forge a united negotiating front. Those who are currently asking who lost China are repeating the same mistake of 1949. Neither Nationalist nor Communist China was Americas to lose. However, Xis government is moving in a significantly negative direction at ever greater speed. On its own, foreign corporate references to Taiwan are a minor issue. Allowing Beijing to use its economic power for political gain is something much more, however. No longer can the West simply assume the inevitable benefits of Chinese growth. Nations committed to a liberal, capitalist, and democratic order should marshal their resources in response. Doug Bandow is a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute. A former Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan, he is the author of Foreign Follies: Americas New Global Empire. Image: China's President Xi Jinping looks on during the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 26, 2018. Gulshan Khan/Pool via REUTERS Read full article A cellist in Chicago is not exactly singing the praises of American Airlines for the way its employees treated her and her instrument last week. After Jingling Hu was booked to play a music festival in Miami, she made sure to buy two tickets: one for her and one for her $30,000 cello. She even called American Airlines to verify that there was enough room for her instrument on both her departing and returning flights. When I flew from Chicago to Miami, I didnt have any trouble with that, Hu told NBC Chicago. The flight crew gave her a special strap to hold the instrument in place. But when it came time to return to Chicago on Thursday, an American Airlines employee told Hu she needed to get off. She said, Your cello is too big, Hu recalled. This aircraft is too small to hold your cello. It didnt have to be like this, according to Hus husband, Jay Tang, who wrote about the frustrating experience in a Facebook post that has since gone viral. My wife could have been told those regulations when flying from Chicago to Miami, at check in counter in Miami International Airport, at the gate or even when boarding the plane, Tang wrote. Yet they chose to kick her out last minute after she was seated and her cello safely secured. They even need law enforcement involved. What a shame. Airline employees told Hu she could fly on a different American flight about an hour later, but that plan was reportedly nixed when it was discovered that the cello case would bump one of the flights pilots. Hu was escorted off the flight, and she only made it back to Chicago the next day after dealing with another screw-up when a shuttle took her to the wrong Holiday Inn in Miami to spend the night, according to CBS Chicago. My wife is back home!, Tang wrote after Hus return. Thanks for everyone who shared this and supports us. She is exhausted but physically OK. Her well being is the only thing I care. An American Airlines spokesman admits there was an issue with Hus cello and chalked it up to a miscommunication. Story continues A passenger on Flight 2457 from Miami to Chicago was traveling with her cello, American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller told USA Today. Unfortunately, there was a miscommunication about whether the cello she was traveling with met the requirements to fit onboard the particular aircraft she was flying, a Boeing 737. We rebooked our passenger on a flight the next morning on a larger aircraft, a Boeing 767. We provided her a hotel and meal accommodations for the inconvenience. We apologize for the misunderstanding and customer relations has reached out to her, Miller added. Hu told NBC Chicago she is still waiting for a sincere apology from the airline and hopes other musicians can learn from her experience. You had so many chances to tell me you cannot board yesterday, she said. You never told me until I sat down. Also on HuffPost Alaska Airlines One percent of the vote. JetBlue American Airlines Five per cent of the vote. United Airlines Seven per cent of the vote. Virgin America Nine per cent of the vote. Frontier Airlines Eleven per cent of the vote. Air Canada Fourteen per cent of the vote. Spirit Airlines Twenty-six per cent of the vote Southwest Airlines Hawaiian Airlines Delta Airlines US Airways Allegiant Airlines Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. During their 3,000-year dominance over Mesoamerica, the Mayans built elaborate architectural structures and developed a sophisticated, technologically progressive society. But immediately after reaching the peak of its powers over the entire Yucatan Peninsula, the Mayan Empire collapsed, falling apart in just 150 years. The reasons for its sudden demise remain a mystery, but in a new Science study, scientists find clues buried deep in the mud of Lake Chichancanab. Deforestation, overpopulation, and extreme drought have all been proposed as the reason for the empires collapse. The most probable of those, argue the University of Cambridge and University of Florida scientists in the new study, is drought. The evidence they gathered in the muddy sediments underlying Lake Chichancanab, which was once a part of the empire, underscore the devastating power of a drought on a population. View of Lake Chichancanab The sediment cores that the scientists dug up from the depths of the lake are like a time machine, giving a glimpse of what past environments look like. In the study, the team specifically looked at precipitated gypsum, a soft mineral that incorporates oxygen and hydrogen isotopes of water molecules into its crystalline structure. Looking at it was like peering into fossil water, and in this case, it showed that the area surrounding the lake had gone through extremely arid periods. During periods of drought, larger amounts of water evaporate, and so a higher proportion of lighter isotopes in gypsum indicates a period of drought. The team determined that between the years 800 and 1,000, annual rainfall in the Maya lowlands decreased by nearly 50 percent on average and up to 70 percent during peak drought conditions. This means the rainfall in this region essentially stopped about the same time that the empires city-states were abandoned. A massive drought in the region coincided with the time that the Mayan Empire collapsed. Story continues Today, drought continues to aggrieve societies. The United States drought causes annual losses nearing $9 billion, and the environment is increasingly unable to bounce back. In 2017, a NASA study showed that land ecosystems are taking progressively longer to recover from droughts in the 20th century, stating that incomplete drought recovery may become the new normal in some areas. The impact of climate change, some scientists argue, may induce multi-decade mega-droughts. However, modern-day droughts dont necessarily spell out the collapse of our own society, says Andrew Plantinga, Ph.D., who was not involved in the study. Platinga, a professor of natural resource economics and policy at the University of California, Santa Barbara, says that today we have many ways to mitigate water scarcity that would not have been available to ancient civilizations. Modern societies can pump water from great depths, move it over great distances, and make water drinkable with technologies like desalinization. We can survive but itll come with a cost. Although we have great potential for adaptation to water scarcity, adaptation comes at a cost, and we may well see these costs increase if droughts become more severe with climate change, says Plantinga. While humans will adapt to water scarcity for many generations to come, they may be living in a less hospitable and more resource-constrained world. Photos via Mark Brenner (1, 2), Pixabay More From Inverse Hes one of the most likeable actors in Hollywood, but not even Dwayne the Rock Johnson can emerge from an aquarium unscathed. The Skyscraper star took his family including girlfriend Lauren Hashian and 2-year-old daughter Jasmine to the Georgia Aquarium over the weekend. Johnson shared photos from the trip on Instagram and gushed about the sea life on display. More than 100,000 animals and sea creatures here that Im in constant awe of, he told fans. Specifically, this whale shark that Im contemplating jumping in the tank and jumping on its back. He also posed with a beluga whale and a seal. But his family outing didnt sit well with animal rights supporters who object to aquariums, zoos, and parks like SeaWorld that keep animals in captivity. Story continues One fan called Johnsons visit cruel, while another remarked that she was so disappointed. This is sad, added a commenter, who was one of many to use the anti-captivity hashtag #EmptyTheCages. Yes, theyre magnificent! another follower commented about the creatures. They certainly dont belong in an aquarium! Animals are used for humans amusement and profit they should ALL be free to live their lives as nature intended! They DONT BELONG IN CAPTIVITY, a commenter added. Animals are NOT for our entertainment. Animal cruelty and captivity should not be supported, let alone promoted, read a comment that fetched more than 1,100 likes. I thought you were a man of principles whose views would be against such concepts. Not all fans agreed, however. Many mocked the anti-aquarium backlash and accused critics of being overly sensitive. Others defended aquariums, claiming that they were harmless institutions and insisting that the animals born there wouldnt survive in the wild. The 2013 documentary Blackfish which took SeaWorld to task for its treatment of the now-deceased captive orca Tilikum has been credited with reigniting concern about marine animals in captivity. The Georgia Aquarium, meanwhile, has faced scrutiny for the deaths of beluga whales in its possession. In November, the beluga whale Qinu lost her calf following complications during delivery. As the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, the animal rights organization In Defense of Animals ranked the Atlanta attraction as having the fourth-worst tanks for whales and dolphins in North America. The actor has yet to address the controversy and shared a new video from the trip Monday morning. Yahoo Entertainment has contacted his representative for comment. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: No, it really isn't an opportunity to mismanage your savings. (Photo: SIphotography via Getty Images) Lets face it: Nowadays, most workers dont stay in the same job or work for the same company for the duration of their careers. But what happens if you funded a 401(k) and then switch jobs, leave your company or get laid off? What happens to the money you accumulated when you move on? The important thing to know is you get to decide what happens to it. Here are some of your options, assuming you are too young to begin taking distributions: Do Nothing Yes, you can do absolutely nothing which means your 401(k) will stay with the employer you are leaving and that company will continue to manage it. You will receive regular statements on how your money is doing. Your former employer will no longer be offering any match for contributions, of course, which makes sense since you wont be making any more contributions to this account anyway. Doing nothing is a perfectly sensible option. For one, if you are happy with your funds performance, your fund choices and the fees that you are charged, it means you wont have to upset the apple cart just because you want to switch jobs. But one thing you will want to check is whether the company you are leaving is OK with you leaving your money behind. You do that by asking. Its also an excellent opportunity to inquire how much your fees are and will be for leaving your money behind. Most plans will let you leave your 401(k) where it is but not all of them. In some cases, they wont allow it if you have only a small amount saved, generally $1,000 or less. Should the company not want to continue managing your fund, you will have 60 days after you leave to figure out where to put your money. If you miss that deadline, your 401(k) money may wind up being sent directly to you, an act that could leave you exposed to early withdrawal penalties and taxes. The best advice we can offer about doing nothing is this: If you are going to do nothing, do it as a proactive choice, not as a default born from inaction. In other words, understand what all your options are. And if you pick leaving it with your former company, do so because it is your best choice and not just because you forgot about it. Story continues Roll It Over If you are leaving for another job, you may roll over an old 401(k) into a new 401(k) account with your new company. This means you will be merging your old savings and having it plus your new savings managed by your new employer. Thats perfectly fine, but not without a few land mines to avoid. If youve switched jobs, find out whether your new employer offers a 401(k) and when you are eligible to participate in it. Frequently, new employees are required to work for a certain number of months before they become eligible to enroll in a companys retirement savings plan. Find out when you can enroll first because you cant roll over your old 401(k) until you are enrolled in a new plan. Then its pretty easy. You can direct the administrator of the old plan to move the contents of your account directly into your new plan. Its just some paperwork but you dont want to get stuck holding the bag, so to speak. And thats what will happen if you dont have a new account ready to receive it: The balance of your old account will be distributed to you in the form of a check if you havent directed it to be rolled over into your new 401(k). Should you wind up with a check made out to you with the balance of your former 401(k), you must deposit the money into your new 401(k) within 60 days to avoid paying income tax on the distribution. So, make sure your new 401(k) account is active and ready to receive contributions before you liquidate your old account. Open An IRA If you are switching jobs to work for a company that doesnt offer a retirement plan that you can roll funds into, you can consider opening an individual retirement account to move your 401(k) funds into and continue your retirement savings. (You can actually open an IRA any time, and there really isnt any downside to having both a 401(k) and an IRA.) The two platforms are similar. A 401(k) is what companies offer to workers, and companies often offer to match a certain level of contributions for each employee. A traditional IRA has no such match, but does give the saver more freedom to manage his or her own money. A Roth IRA is a third type of retirement savings plan. It offers the same ability to manage your own money as the traditional IRA, plus has no required minimum distributions in retirement. Both traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs have caps on how much you can contribute annually and those ceilings may get in the way of you saving adequately for retirement. There basically isnt a wrong answer here. If you do have the option of a 401(k) at work with an employer match, generally you want to take advantage of that and fund it first. Why walk away from free money when its offered? Take The Money And Run While there is nothing legally stopping you from liquidating your old 401(k) and taking a lump-sum distribution, you probably shouldnt. Why were you saving in the first place if you intended to deplete your retirement savings unnecessarily just because you could? You will have to include the distribution in your yearly income tax filing, and the tax burden of a full withdrawal may not be worth what feels like a windfall at the moment. How big a hit will you take? You will be taxed at your regular income tax rate and pay a penalty of 10 percent of the amount of the distribution if you take it before you are 59.5 years old. You can calculate just how much it will cost you with this calculator. Plus, you will have to start saving for retirement all over again. Related Coverage 5 Things To Retire From Your Closet When YOU Retire 11 Numbers That Will Terrify You Into Saving For Retirement Right This Minute I Finally Figured Out When To Retire. It Was Yesterday. Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Murphy Brown is returning to TV in September, and audiences can expect the revival to tackle the current political climate head-on, with a special guest star to boot. During a Television Critics Association panel on Sunday, the cast including star Candice Bergen and creator Diane English teased many details about the upcoming CBS reboot, which was announced in January. The first of 13 episodes picks up on Election Day 2016 and features an enormously famous guest, English said at the event. The show will not shy away from tackling the tenuous relationship the current administration has with the press. The press and First Amendment are not the enemy of the people, English said, adding that the show is from the perspective of journalists, according to TV Guide. Diane English reveals "We have an enormously famous person in our first episode," but keeps the secret under wraps! #MurphyBrown #CBS #TCA18 Murphy Brown (@MurphyBrownCBS) August 5, 2018 #MurphyBrown picks up on November 8, 2016. You know what that means. #TCA18 Chris Harnick (@chrisharnick) August 5, 2018 In fact, English was inspired to revive the show after Donald Trump was elected president and intensified his attacks on the media. "The script of the first show is so fearless...we really stick our heads in the lion's mouth" - Candice Bergen, on the revival of #MurphyBrown #TCA18 Jason Nathanson (@ABCNewsJason) August 5, 2018 English also addressed recent sexual misconduct allegations leveled at CBS CEO and Chairman Leslie Moonves, saying the show supported the networks investigation fully and that an episode in the reboot focuses on the Me Too movement. Story continues Cast and creators expect the show to respond to real-world issues, as it did when it ran on CBS for 10 years from 1988 through 1998. Writers have plotted nine of 13 episodes but are keeping things flexible so they can draw storylines from real-time events, according to E! News. Murphy Brown will return on Thursday, Sept. 27, on CBS. Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 12: (L-R) Keith Richards, Patti Hansen and Derek Blasberg pose at the launch of "Patti Hansen: A Portrait" hosted at the Gordon Bar at Sixty Soho on Nov. 12." (Photo by Yvonne Tnt/BFA) LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 23: (L-R) Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis play ping pong at Clayton Kershaw's 6th Annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose on August 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Kershaw's Challenge ) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Former NY Giants player Victor Cruz and Kate Mara attend AT&T NFL Sunday Ticket 25th season kickoff party at The Blond at 11 Howard Hotel on August 23, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/WireImage) LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 23: (L-R) Sarah Hyland and Bryan Cranston attend Clayton Kershaw's 6th Annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose on August 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Kershaw's Challenge ) HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 22: Simon Cowell and Kelly Clarkson attend the ceremony honoring Simon Cowell with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame held on August 22, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by JB Lacroix/WireImage) LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 22: Actress Regina Hall arrives at the premiere of Magnolia Pictures' 'Support The Girls' at the Arclight Theatre on August 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 21: Travis Scott (L) and Kylie Jenner are seen in SoHo on August 21, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 21: Rapper Iggy Azalea attends the Build Series to discuss 'Survive the Summer' at Build Studio on August 21, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 20: Jennifer Lopez speaks onstage during the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on August 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 20: Cardi B attends the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on August 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 20: Camila Cabello accepts the award for Video of the Year from Madonna onstage during the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on August 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 20: Jennifer Garner Honored With Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame on August 20, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 19: Kylie Jenner on August 19, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 19: Blake Lively poses outside the Crosby Hotel on August 19, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/GC Images) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 18: Janet Jackson and Daddy Yankee celebrate 'Made For Now' at the 44th annual Harlem Week on August 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/WireImage) LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS -- Episode 725 -- Pictured: Actress Jessica Biel arrives on August 16, 2018 -- (Photo by: Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 16: Zoe Kravitz is seen at 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' on August 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 16: (L-R) Ruth Wilson, Lenny Abrahamson and Domhnall Gleeson attend 'The Little Stranger' New York Premiere at Metrograph on August 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Zimmerman/WireImage) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 16: Oscar Isaac attends the 'Operation Finale' New York Premiere at Walter Reade Theater on August 16, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 15: Jordan Smith attends the Build Series to discuss his new album 'Only Love' at Build Studio on August 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 14: (L-R) Actors Chris O'Dowd, Rose Byrne and Ethan Hawke attend the 'Juliet, Naked' New York premiere at Metrograph on August 14, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 14: (L-R) Actors Michelle Yeoh, Henry Golding, Constance Wu, Ken Jeong and Awkwafina visit Build Series to discuss the film 'Crazy Rich Asians' at Build Studio on August 14, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Desiree Navarro/WireImage) SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 13: Katy Perry performs at Qudos Bank Arena on August 13, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Hanna Lassen/WireImage) HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 13: Mandy Moore attends an Evening with 'This Is Us' at Paramount Studios on August 13, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic) LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: (L-R) Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, Antoni Porowski, Tan France and Jonathan Van Ness attend Netflix's Queer Eye and GLSEN event at NeueHouse Hollywood on August 12, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 12: (L-R) Vanessa Morgan, Madelaine Petsch, Camila Mendes, KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Cole Sprouse and Mark Consuelos of 'Riverdale' accept the Choice Drama TV Show onstage during FOX's Teen Choice Awards at The Forum on August 12, 2018 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 12: Katherine Langford attends FOX's Teen Choice Awards at The Forum on August 12, 2018 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 12: Nick Cannon attends FOX's Teen Choice Awards at The Forum on August 12, 2018 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images) UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - AUGUST 12: Vanessa Hudgens attends The Celebrity Experience held at Universal Hilton Hotel on August 12, 2018 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Michael Tran/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 08: Actress Nina Dobrev is seen on August 8, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images) HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 06: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Statham attend the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures and Gravity Pictures' 'The Meg' at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on August 6, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) Singer Kelly Rowland arrives for the premiere of Focus Features' 'BlacKkKlansman' at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California on August 8, 2018. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 08: Executive Producer Amy Poehler of the television show 'I Feel Bad' speaks during the NBC segment of the Television Critics Association Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 8, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) HOLLYWOOD, CA - AUGUST 07: attends the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' 'Crazy Rich Asiaans' at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on August 7, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) BEVERLY HILLS, CA - AUGUST 07: ETAF Ambassador and Co-Host Colin Farrell attends the House of Taylor dinner benefitting The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation at House of Taylor on August 7, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for ETAF) This article originally appeared on HuffPost. (FUKUYAMA) Its a sunny summer morning in the city of Hiroshima, Japan. Cicadas chirp in the trees. A lone plane flies high overhead. Then a flash of light, followed by a loud blast. Buildings are flattened and smoke rises from crackling fires under a darkened sky. Over two years, a group of Japanese high school students has been painstakingly producing a five-minute virtual reality experience that recreates the sights and sounds of Hiroshima before, during and after the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb on the city 73 years ago Monday. By transporting users back in time to the moment when a city was turned into a wasteland, the students and their teacher hope to ensure that something similar never happens again. The Aug. 6, 1945, bombing of Hiroshima killed 140,000 people. Three days later, a second U.S. atomic bomb killed 70,000 people in Nagasaki. Japan surrendered six days after that, ending World War II. Even without language, once you see the images, you understand, said Mei Okada, one of the students working on the project at a technical high school in Fukuyama, a city about 60 miles east of Hiroshima. That is definitely one of the merits of this VR experience. Wearing virtual reality headsets, users can take a walk along the Motoyasu River prior to the blast and see the businesses and buildings that once stood. They can enter the post office and the Shima Hospital courtyard, where the skeletal remains of a building now known as the Atomic Bomb Dome stand on the rivers banks, a testament to what happened. The students, who belong to the computation skill research club at Fukuyama Technical High School, were born more than half a century after the bombing. Yuhi Nakagawa, 18, said he initially didnt have much interest in what happened when the bombs were dropped; if anything, it was a topic he had avoided. When I was creating the buildings before the atomic bomb fell and after, I saw many photos of buildings that were gone. I really felt how scary atomic bombs can be, he said. So while creating this scenery, I felt it was really important to share this with others. Story continues To recreate Hiroshima, the students studied old photographs and postcards and interviewed survivors of the bombing to hear their experiences and get their feedback on the VR footage. They used computer graphics software to add further details such as lighting and the natural wear and tear on building surfaces. Those who knew the city very well tell us its done very well. They say its very nostalgic, said Katsushi Hasegawa, a computer teacher who supervises the club. Sometimes they start to reminisce about their memories from that time, and it really makes me glad that we created this. The students are working through summer vacation in a classroom without air conditioning, as temperatures reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit. With the survivors aging, Hasegawa said, its a race against time. New York (AFP) - Internet giants launched an offensive Monday against far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who is now banned from Apple, Facebook, Spotify and YouTube. The move, described by Jones as a "coordinated communist-style crackdown," came after months of criticism against Facebook, Twitter and YouTube calling for them to do more to combat disinformation and hate discourse. Jones, whose site InfoWars has accused victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting of being "actors" in a plot to discredit the gun lobby, violated Facebook's hate speech policies, the social network said. Facebook said the pages were taken down for "glorifying violence, which violates our graphic violence policy, and using dehumanizing language to describe people who are transgender, Muslims and immigrants, which violates our hate speech policies." Gunman Adam Lanza killed 26 people, including 20 children, when he launched his rampage in the Connecticut school. Jones has repeatedly claimed the massacre was a hoax and that the parents of the murdered first graders were actors, an accusation that has sparked death threats against some of the bereaved mothers and fathers. Several of the families have sued the 44-year-old Texan, accusing him of using their suffering to expand his audience. Jones has counter-sued, demanding in turn that they pay his court expenses. Among the conspiracy theories Jones has peddled are charges that the US government was behind numerous terrorist attacks, including the September 11, 2001 strikes on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Several days ago, Facebook removed four videos Jones posted that the group said violated its policy on hate speech. Jones responded by posting more content on other pages, prompting the social media giant to suspend his four main pages. Facebook stressed that it was the violent language used by Jones, rather than his conspiracy theories, that prompted the move. Story continues Spotify, the streaming music online service, had already removed a number of Jones's podcasts last week, accusing them of breaking its own hate-speech rules. On Monday, the Swedish company went a step further and banned his program altogether. Apple removed most of Jones's podcasts, AFP confirmed, after the action was initially reported by Buzzfeed. "Apple does not tolerate hate speech, and we have clear guidelines that creators and developers must follow to ensure we provide a safe environment for all of our users," an Apple spokesman told Buzzfeed. In late July, YouTube took down videos posted by Jones and suspended him for 90 days. After Jones sought to skip the suspension by broadcasting live on other YouTube channels, the online video platform said it closed down all of his affiliated channels. His main YouTube channel counted some 2.4 million subscribers. Pinterest also removed the InfoWars account. Twitter has so far held out on taking punitive action against Jones, saying his account and that of InfoWars did not violate the microblogging service's rules. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment. "Last night's purge was a coordinated effort and had nothing to do with enforcing hate speech rule," Jones said on his talkshow. Several ultra-conservative websites showed support for Jones, publicly backing his claim that he was a victim of a plot by Big Tech companies. "Are tech giants working together to censor conservatives"? asked Gateway Pundit. A Breitbart headline read: "CNN, Democrats successfully lobby big tech to censor their critics." By Rich McKay (Reuters) - Apple Inc , Alphabet Inc's YouTube, Facebook Inc and Spotify all took down podcasts and channels from U.S. conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, saying on Monday that the Infowars author had broken community standards. The sweeping moves are the broadest actions yet by internet companies that previously have suspended or removed some of the conspiracy-driven content produced by Infowars. Since founding Infowars in 1999, Jones has built a vast audience. Among the theories he has promoted is that the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington were staged by the government. Facebook said it removed Alex Jones pages "for glorifying violence, which violates our graphic violence policy, and using dehumanizing language to describe people who are transgender, Muslims and immigrants, which violates our hate speech policies." The Infowars app remained available on the app stores hosted by Apple and Alphabet's Google Play, however, while Twitter Inc said that Infowars accounts were not currently in violation of its rules. Alphabet and Apple did not immediately respond to questions about why the app remained available on their platforms. Infowars editor-at-large Paul Joseph Watson said in a tweet that the broad take-downs amounted to censorship and were intended to help Democrats in congressional elections due in November. "Infowars is widely credited with having played a key role in electing Donald Trump. By banning Infowars, big tech is engaging in election meddling just three months before crucial mid-terms," Watson wrote on the Infowars website. Neither Jones nor a representative for Infowars was available for additional comment. None of the companies that took down the content commented on whether they had coordinated their actions. The Alex Jones Channel on YouTube on Monday displayed a banner saying the account had been terminated for violating community guidelines, and a spokesperson added by email that repeated violation of policies such as those prohibiting hate speech and harassment led to termination of accounts. Story continues Apple deleted most Infowars podcasts and a spokeswoman said in a statement that the company "does not tolerate hate speech" and publishes guidelines that developers and publishers must follow. "Podcasts that violate these guidelines are removed from our directory making them no longer searchable or available for download or streaming," Apple said in a statement. "We believe in representing a wide range of views, so long as people are respectful to those with differing opinions." Only one programme provided by Infowars, "RealNews with David Knight," remained on Apple's podcasts platforms on Monday. BuzzFeed earlier reported that Apple had removed the library for five of Jones's six Infowars podcasts, including the shows "War Room" and the daily "The Alex Jones Show." Twitter said in an email that content posted to other websites often was not put on Twitter and that tweets from Infowars typically were replied to by people rebutting and challenging it. If Infowars violates Twitter rules in the future, it will take action, it added. Music and podcast company Spotify said on Monday that it had now removed all of Jones's Infowars programs from its platform, after last week removing some programs. A representative said that Spotify took seriously reports of hate content. "Due to repeated violations of Spotify's prohibited content policies, The Alex Jones Show has lost access to the Spotify platform," the representative said. In late July, Facebook had suspended Jones's personal profile for 30 days for what the company said was bullying and hate speech. Jones has also promoted a theory that the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre was faked by left-wing forces to promote gun control. The shooting left 26 children and adults dead at a Connecticut elementary school. He is being sued in Texas by two Sandy Hook parents, seeking at least $1 million, claiming that they have been the subject of harassment driven by his programmes. (Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; Additional reporting by Sonam Rai, Ishita Chigilli Palli and Arjun Panchadar in Bengaluru and Peter Henderson, Paresh Dave and Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Rosalba O'Brien) Houston Astros relief pitcher Roberto Osuna served a 75-game suspension for violating Major League Baseballs domestic violence policy. (AP Photo) Roberto Osuna is officially back on a Major League Baseball roster. The closer joined the Houston Astros on Sunday after the team announced he willfully and successfully completed his MLB domestic violence program requirements. Never mind that Osuna hasnt admitted guilt or remorse, or that the legal issues are ongoing. The Astros would like to believe all the drama surrounding their acquisition of the 23-year-old righty is behind them. Theyve talked at length about how serious they take the domestic violence allegations and the intense due diligence done by the front office before completing a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays for the relief pitcher. They held a team meeting with owner Jim Crane and general manager Jeff Luhnow to prep the clubhouse on Osunas arrival. And they are fooling themselves if they think that is the end of it. For as long as Roberto Osuna is on the Houston Astros, for as long as he steps on a Major League mound really, the stigma of domestic violence will be with him. It will be with the team he plays for and the city that team represents. As an organization, the Astros are seemingly fine with this, having done enough mental gymnastics to justify the talent Osuna adds to the roster to withstand the negative headlines that will follow. Little can be done to change their thinking at this point. That doesnt mean the conversation surrounding domestic violence, professional athletes and the moral obligations of MLB franchises should stop. On the contrary, this is precisely where the baseball community must will it forward. Through numerous statements and media sessions, the Astros have made their position clear: We welcome being held accountable for all of our personnel decisions, Houston announced in a press release on Osunas return Sunday. Time will tell which ones were right and wrong. Make no bones about it domestic violence allegations are bad. Astros manager A.J. Hinch told the media. Domestic violence is bad. All of us as humans know that and believe that. And so we have to figure out a way to separate those feelings versus the additional opportunity he is getting on our club. Story continues We feel comfortable giving Roberto a second chance. Luhnow added. The Astros released the following statement: pic.twitter.com/y7ijZ3nzHw Houston Astros (@astros) August 5, 2018 What happens next will be a familiar pattern: Osuna will pitch, likely well, because he is no doubt talented on the mound. The Astros will continue to win, because they were the reigning World Series champions even before Osuna joined them. The controversy will return to the spotlight in October, when fans and broadcasters will have to confront the issue again. If the Astros are willing to be held accountable for their personnel decisions, then the onus falls on the baseball community at-large to keep the conversation going. To not become numb. To push through the uncomfortable questions and awkward silences. To lift up the victims of domestic violence, because they are the ones who deserve the attention, not baseball players. Instead of repeating the same stories and controversies about the allegations surrounding Osuna (hes due back in court on Sept. 5), baseball has an opportunity to show it will not shy away from difficult conversations or actions come October. But it wont do so willingly. It will follow its fanbase and those fans must be the ones to stand up and say they deserve better. It wont be done through boycotting games, though some may call for it. And it wont be done through arguments on social media, though there will be plenty. The Astros have said they are engaged with Houston Area Womens Center, Texas Council on Family Violence and National Network to End Domestic Violence. Its time baseball fans pay every bit as much attention to these organizations and their words as they do limp statements put out by their favorite team. The Astros would like you to separate the Osuna allegations from the player he is. Its an easy way out of an ugly mess and cognitive dissonance at its worst. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month with the NNEDVs Week of Action culminating on Oct. 23 the same day Major League Baseball is scheduled to play the first game of the 2018 World Series. Dont let this just be a coincidence. Make it a statement. Continue the conversation. Blake Schuster is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at blakeschuster@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! LONDON (AP) The head of British Airways is urging the British government to tackle the long delays faced by non-European passengers at Europe's busiest airport London's Heathrow or risk discouraging them from coming to its shores. In a letter Monday to the Times of London, CEO Alex Cruz says two-hour immigration lines are the norm now for many non-European travelers at Heathrow. His letter was prompted by reports that the British government is considering putting in special fast track lanes for U.K. passport holders only. Cruz says doing this without solving other delays sends a poor message for a country trying to prove it was open for business as it prepares to leave the 28-nation European Union next year. He described the immigration situation at Heathrow as a "farce," calling it worse than any other European airport. "What kind of message does this send, as we try to build links outside the EU?" he wrote. Last month, some passengers at Heathrow's Terminal 4 were forced to wait three hours before being processed at immigration because of what Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said was a "lack of staffing" during England's second-round World Cup soccer game against Colombia. The Home Office said this was partially because of a computer failure and because of officers dealing with a high number of vulnerable adults and children. Up to 40 million people arrive at Heathrow each year. Between January and June 2018, the Home Office says more than 95 percent of all passengers arriving at Heathrow seeking entry to the U.K. have been handled within their target times. Those times are 25 minutes for passengers from EU countries and a few other European nations and 45 minutes for anyone else. But according to Cruz, last year Heathrow missed its target for the second group more than 8,000 times and this year it has already missed it more than 6,000 times. In response, the Home Office defended its stance. "We understand the frustration for those who have experienced longer waits and remain fully committed to working with our partners to reduce waiting times as far as is possible," it said in a statement. "At the same time, we will not compromise the essential checks we carry out at the border, which keep our country safe." By Elias Glenn BEIJING (Reuters) - China ramped up the police presence in the financial district of its capital on Monday, with officers checking bystanders' identity cards and telling pedestrians to disperse, while at least 50 police gathered outside the banking regulator's office. "There were loads of security people on the street this morning," said one man leaving an office building two blocks from the headquarters of the regulator, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission. Video clips circulating on Chinese social media earlier on Monday showed people gathering outside the regulator's offices being taken away on buses by police. Some of those taken away were heard on the clips identifying themselves as investors in peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms that could not pay them back. Reuters could not independently verify the video clips, and the banking regulator could not be immediately reached outside business hours for comment. P2P platforms collect funds from investors promising attractive returns. The funds are in turn offered to borrowers traditionally not served by risk-averse banks. The number of online P2P platforms has shrunk dramatically in recent years as Beijing has cracked down on risky lending practices in a broader deleveraging campaign. Ezubao, once China's biggest P2P lending platform, folded in 2016 after it turned out to be a Ponzi scheme that collected 59.8 billion yuan ($8.7 billion) from more than 900,000 investors through savvy marketing. By the time police made arrests in early 2016, the company had failed to repay 38 billion yuan. ($1=6.8456 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Elias Glenn; Writing by Ryan Woo; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Love magazine is turning 10 what better time for Beth Ditto to once again break out her birthday suit? The then-Gossip frontwoman and self-described fat, feminist lesbian from Arkansas bared her body for the British fashion magazines very first issue which was shot in 2008 but released in early 2009 sporting nothing but a strategically placed pink pouf. A decade later, the singer, who released her first full-length solo album last year and has a role in the new film Dont Worry, He Wont Get Far on Foot, is back in the buff. Ditto is one of many stars including Naomi Campbell, Gigi Hadid, and Kendall Jenner helping the magazine mark its big anniversary with a handful of eye-catching covers. Beth Ditto is showing off her curves a decade after her first revealing Love shoot. (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) Tim Walker photographed the 37-year-old star for the magazines 10th anniversary issue. Though Ditto has her own plus-size clothing line, shes wearing nothing but a pearl necklace, lemon-yellow negligee, and intense aqua eye shadow in the latest shoot. (Oh, and those pencil-thin brows? Rihanna might actually be onto something.) While shes still up for a revealing photo shoot, Ditto told the magazine that a lot has happened in the 10 years since she last bared all for it. Story continues Everything has changed so much, she said. I got married, I got divorced, gay marriage was legalized. We had a black president: now we have Donald Trump and Brexit. God. So many things have happened. In the world right now, if you have a heart, its difficult. The cover, out now, is already winning rave reviews for its bold look and celebration of body positivity. This cover is everything I ever wanted and needed, one fan gushed. My queen, raved another reader. So excited for this!! commented influencer and Premme plus-size fashion brand co-founder Nicolette Mason. I still have the very first issue. Cant believe its been 10 years. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Beyonces cover for the Vogue September issue debuted on Monday and for the publication, the singer had unprecedented editorial control. The gorgeous photos in which she striped away the wigs and hair extensions and used little makeup were shot by 23-year-old photographer Tyler Mitchell, making him the first African-American in the publications 126-year history to shoot a cover. In an as-told-to essay titled Beyonce in Her Own Words: Her Life, Her Body, Her Heritage, the 36-year-old megastar addresses topics including her children, marriage to Jay-Z, which is back on track after their conflicts were resolved, and body image. Beyonce is perhaps most candid discussing her recent pregnancy with her twins, Sir and Rumi, whom she gave birth to in June 2017. I was 218 pounds the day I gave birth, she said. I was swollen from toxemia and had been on bed rest for over a month. My health and my babies health were in danger, so I had an emergency C-section. We spent many weeks in the NICU. She admitted the surgery changed her to the core. It had been major surgery. Some of your organs are shifted temporarily, and in rare cases, removed temporarily during delivery. I am not sure everyone understands that. I needed time to heal, to recover. During my recovery, I gave myself self-love and self-care, and I embraced being curvier. I accepted what my body wanted to be, she said of the process (she started working again after after six months and started preparing for Coachella, which she headlined in the spring). I became vegan temporarily, gave up coffee, alcohol, and all fruit drinks. But I was patient with myself and enjoyed my fuller curves. My kids and husband did, too. This experience was drastically different from her recovery after giving birth to Blue Ivy in 2012, when she bounced back after three months (of admittedly crazy hard work). To this day my arms, shoulders, breasts, and thighs are fuller, she said. I have a little mommy pouch, and Im in no rush to get rid of it. I think its real. Whenever Im ready to get a six-pack, I will go into beast zone and work my ass off until I have it. But right now, my little FUPA [defined here] and I feel like we are meant to be. Story continues She praised her husband for being a soldier and such a strong support system throughout, saying, I am proud to have been a witness to his strength and evolution as a man, a best friend, and a father. I was in survival mode and did not grasp it all until months later. However, Beyonce did touch on the couples relationship woes, which were widely covered. She said a deeper dive into her family history has helped her. I come from a lineage of broken male-female relationships, abuse of power, and mistrust, Beyonce said, whose own parents, Tina and Mathew Knowles, divorced in 2011. Only when I saw that clearly was I able to resolve those conflicts in my own relationship. Connecting to the past and knowing our history makes us both bruised and beautiful. She continued: I researched my ancestry recently and learned that I come from a slave owner who fell in love with and married a slave. I had to process that revelation over time. I questioned what it meant and tried to put it into perspective. I now believe its why God blessed me with my twins. Male and female energy was able to coexist and grow in my blood for the first time. I pray that I am able to break the generational curses in my family and that my children will have less complicated lives. For her girls, she said of her hopes and dreams for them, Its important to me that they see themselves in books, films, and on runways. Its important to me that they see themselves as CEOs, as bosses, and that they know they can write the script for their own lives that they can speak their minds and they have no ceiling. They dont have to be a certain type or fit into a specific category. They dont have to be politically correct, as long as theyre authentic, respectful, compassionate, and empathetic. They can explore any religion, fall in love with any race, and love who they want to love. For Sir, she wants the same things but wants him to know he can be strong and brave and also wants him to know he can be sensitive and kind. I want my son to have a high emotional IQ where he is free to be caring, truthful, and honest. Its everything a woman wants in a man, and yet we dont teach it to our boys, she said. I hope to teach my son not to fall victim to what the internet says he should be or how he should love. I want to create better representations for him so he is allowed to reach his full potential as a man, and to teach him that the real magic he possesses in the world is the power to affirm his own existence. She concluded that shes currently in a place of gratitude. I am accepting of who I am. I will continue to explore every inch of my soul and every part of my artistry. I want to learn more, teach more, and live in full, Beyonce said. Ive worked long and hard to be able to get to a place where I can choose to surround myself with what fulfills and inspires me. The September issue of Vogue has EVERYTHING: Beyonce, cover images shot by a black photographer for the first time in the the magazines 126-year history, and, of course, FUPAs. The singer, who was given unprecedented control over the September issue of Vogue including the cover, the accompanying article and the photo captions got real about her body, pregnancy, and what it means to be a woman. That realness included talk about the FUPA, an acronym that stands for fat upper pussy (or penis/pubic) area. When youre done clutching your pearls, just remember its officially Beyonce-approved now. (Photo: Tyler Mitchell/Vogue) I think its important for women and men to see and appreciate the beauty in their natural bodies. Thats why I stripped away the wigs and hair extensions and used little makeup for this shoot, said Ms. Carter, in discussion about why she went with a more natural look for the shoot. To this day my arms, shoulders, breasts, and thighs are fuller. I have a little mommy pouch, and Im in no rush to get rid of it. I think its real. Whenever Im ready to get a six-pack, I will go into beast zone and work my ass off until I have it. But right now, my little FUPA and I feel like we are meant to be. We feel you, Bey. And many others on Twitter also felt the FUPA love and showed their excitement for the 36-year-olds mention of it: Beyonce loves her little fupa, I now Stan her little fupa !!! pic.twitter.com/jX3HkDLBAS D E W A Y N E (@DreDewayne) August 6, 2018 "But right now, my little FUPA and I feel like we are meant to be." Beyonce's one sentence love letter to her FUPA > all songs she's written about Jay. Allison P Davis (@AllisonPDavis) August 6, 2018 There are so many beautiful tidbits & revelations in the essay @Beyonce wrote for VOGUEs September issue, but this part is particularly *chefs kiss* Right now, my little FUPA and I feel like we are meant to be.https://t.co/Mxov0z3lD4 pic.twitter.com/tjUpqmffSz keaton kilde (@keatonkildebell) August 6, 2018 BEYONCE SAID FUPA IN VOGUE. FUPA. Like... pic.twitter.com/lJHl0ksXw0 Brittney B (@BeeMichelle) August 6, 2018 Beyonce said her fupa isnt going anywhere, ladies! Its time to get in formation! pic.twitter.com/nrI0BX4pZ9 Rashida (@YouLoveOlamide) August 6, 2018 My little fupa and I feel like we are meant to be-Beyonce Thats a wrap folks. Body positivity ONLY from now on pic.twitter.com/e52ccC8mCx EVERYTHING IS LOVE OUT NOW (@beyceipts) August 6, 2018 my little FUPA > my little Pony van Ross Katz (@evanrosskatz) August 6, 2018 Beyonce spoke on diversifying the big opportunities for everyone, to saying how its ok for men to be vulnerable and sensitive, to lying about having a FUPA to make herself seem like the average woman that she doesnt look like. All in THE SEPTEMBER VOGUE. My fave is a LEGEND. pic.twitter.com/CdGUIGClHI o. (@MyLifeAsAD) August 6, 2018 I hope Beyonce and her FUPA are having a wonderful morning. pic.twitter.com/J8YNLkrPNf Tim Fitzgerald (@tim__fitzgerald) August 6, 2018 I'm on the verge of tears reading her words on ancestry. FUPA forever #vogue pic.twitter.com/qnKEaj2PeZ Matthew Barnard (@Matthewisenough) August 6, 2018 Long live the FUPA. Body positivity forever, yall!! Story continues Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This Stunning Purple Cape The entire ensemble was designed by Peter Dundas. This Full-Skirted Dress It was actually convertible and turned into... This 'Single Ladies'-esque Bodysuit Can't forget those Sasha Fierce days. This Dramatic PVC Hat And Bustier Ensemble We're getting major "Formation" vibes. This Holographic Ensemble Is it weird to want this entire outfit for ourselves? And This Holographic Sequined Trench Coat As Jay-Z might say, "lights (a.k.a. this trench) is blinding, girls need blinders." This Head-To-Toe Gucci Lewk She means business. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Beyonces cover for the Vogue September issue debuted on Monday and for the publication, the singer had unprecedented editorial control. The gorgeous photos in which she striped away the wigs and hair extensions and used little makeup were shot by 23-year-old photographer Tyler Mitchell, making him the first African-American in the publications 126-year history to shoot a cover. In an as-told-to essay titled Beyonce in Her Own Words: Her Life, Her Body, Her Heritage, the 36-year-old megastar addresses topics including her children, marriage to Jay-Z, which is back on track after their conflicts were resolved, and body image. Beyonce was all about the headwear for the photo session with 23-year-old Tyler Mitchell, the first African-American to ever shoot a cover for Vogue. (Photo: Tyler Mitchell/Vogue) Beyonce is perhaps most candid discussing her recent pregnancy with her twins, Sir and Rumi, whom she gave birth to in June 2017. I was 218 pounds the day I gave birth, she said. I was swollen from toxemia and had been on bed rest for over a month. My health and my babies health were in danger, so I had an emergency C-section. We spent many weeks in the NICU. Beyonce talked about her big return to the stage at Coachella. She said she was inspired to perform the black national anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing, after she was singing it as a lullaby to her daughter Rumi. (Photo: Tyler Mitchell/Vogue) She admitted the surgery changed her to the core. It had been major surgery. Some of your organs are shifted temporarily, and in rare cases, removed temporarily during delivery. I am not sure everyone understands that. I needed time to heal, to recover. During my recovery, I gave myself self-love and self-care, and I embraced being curvier. I accepted what my body wanted to be, she said of the process (she started working again after after six months and started preparing for Coachella, which she headlined in the spring). I became vegan temporarily, gave up coffee, alcohol, and all fruit drinks. But I was patient with myself and enjoyed my fuller curves. My kids and husband did, too. This experience was drastically different from her recovery after giving birth to Blue Ivy in 2012, when she bounced back after three months (of admittedly crazy hard work). To this day my arms, shoulders, breasts, and thighs are fuller, she said. I have a little mommy pouch, and Im in no rush to get rid of it. I think its real. Whenever Im ready to get a six-pack, I will go into beast zone and work my ass off until I have it. But right now, my little FUPA [defined here] and I feel like we are meant to be. Story continues Beyonce in yet another headpiece. (Photo: Tyler Mitchell/Vogue) She praised her husband for being a soldier and such a strong support system throughout, saying, I am proud to have been a witness to his strength and evolution as a man, a best friend, and a father. I was in survival mode and did not grasp it all until months later. However, Beyonce did touch on the couples relationship woes, which were widely covered. She said a deeper dive into her family history has helped her. I come from a lineage of broken male-female relationships, abuse of power, and mistrust, Beyonce said, whose own parents, Tina and Mathew Knowles, divorced in 2011. Only when I saw that clearly was I able to resolve those conflicts in my own relationship. Connecting to the past and knowing our history makes us both bruised and beautiful. She continued: I researched my ancestry recently and learned that I come from a slave owner who fell in love with and married a slave. I had to process that revelation over time. I questioned what it meant and tried to put it into perspective. I now believe its why God blessed me with my twins. Male and female energy was able to coexist and grow in my blood for the first time. I pray that I am able to break the generational curses in my family and that my children will have less complicated lives. Beyonce posed for photographer Tyler Mitchell for the September issue of Vogue. (Photo: Tyler Mitchell/Vogue) For her girls, she said of her hopes and dreams for them, Its important to me that they see themselves in books, films, and on runways. Its important to me that they see themselves as CEOs, as bosses, and that they know they can write the script for their own lives that they can speak their minds and they have no ceiling. They dont have to be a certain type or fit into a specific category. They dont have to be politically correct, as long as theyre authentic, respectful, compassionate, and empathetic. They can explore any religion, fall in love with any race, and love who they want to love. Vogue has two different covers of Beyonce for its September issue. (Photo: Tyler Mitchell/Vogue) For Sir, she wants the same things but wants him to know he can be strong and brave and also wants him to know he can be sensitive and kind. I want my son to have a high emotional IQ where he is free to be caring, truthful, and honest. Its everything a woman wants in a man, and yet we dont teach it to our boys, she said. I hope to teach my son not to fall victim to what the internet says he should be or how he should love. I want to create better representations for him so he is allowed to reach his full potential as a man, and to teach him that the real magic he possesses in the world is the power to affirm his own existence. She concluded that shes currently in a place of gratitude. I am accepting of who I am. I will continue to explore every inch of my soul and every part of my artistry. I want to learn more, teach more, and live in full, Beyonce said. Ive worked long and hard to be able to get to a place where I can choose to surround myself with what fulfills and inspires me. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Suffering from a case of the Mondays? Brooke Shields has the cure: a bikini shot The stunning 53-year-old didnt let the Sunday scaries get the best of her. Come Monday, she threw on a tiny yellow two-piece, grabbed a book (nothing like a Bill Clinton thriller for a beach read), and jetted to the beach. She captured the moment on camera and shared the photo with her fans on Instagram. In the shot, shes relaxing with a hat and sunglasses on, and her book on her belly. And she looks effortlessly gorgeous as always. Mondays are always better in a bikini, she captioned the post. Shes right; Shields bikini pic definitely boosted the moods of millions. Commenters are showering Shields with praise. Wow you look amazing! one wrote. Another added, Incredibly beautiful and strong as ALWAYS!! However, one commenter noted that the girl from the blue lagoon isnt the same anymore :(. Which, one would hope, considering Shields was 14 when she appeared in the famed flick. Many jumped to Shields defense writing, She was like 14 in that movie. She is 53 now. She looks darn good still. Others had the opposite point of view saying, Looks like the Blue Lagoon beach Brooke!! (Photo: Brooke Shields via Instagram) Yet if theres anything to be learned from Blue Lagoon besides not to eat the berries its that Shields body was made for bathing suits. Which is why she frequently posts photos like this, and why she collaborated with Ashley Graham for a Swimsuits for All campaign. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. SAO PAULO (AP) Brazil's left-leaning Workers' Party announced Monday that former Sao Paulo Mayor Fernando Haddad will become its presidential candidate if, as expected, jailed ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is barred from running in the October election. The announcement by party chairwoman Gleisi Hoffman immediately propels a candidate who has barely registered in the polls thus far to one of the leading contenders to become Brazil's next president. Hoffmann said that Haddad "will travel nationwide carrying Lula's voice," making him a surrogate for a once wildly popular leader who still garners much support despite mounting legal problems. Polls show da Silva with a clear lead in this year's race even though a corruption conviction will almost certainly will block his candidacy. Da Silva says he is innocent and is still appealing the conviction, which by law makes him ineligible to run for office. However, Brazil's electoral court makes final decisions on candidacies, and the Workers' Party is holding out hope of the political equivalent of a miracle as the election approaches. A 55-year-old economist, lawyer and university professor, Haddad was education minister under Workers' Party Presidents da Silva and Dilma Rousseff, then won election as mayor of Brazil's largest city in 2012. Improvements his administration made to transportation infrastructure in Sao Paulo along with a drug reduction program helped give him a reputation of a modernizing and competent steward. But he proved an uncharismatic politician and failed to even make the runoffs in his attempt at re-election in 2016. In that way, the party is gambling that voters will support a candidate whose communication often comes across as academic and uninspiring simply because da Silva picked him. While many on the left may question picking Haddad, da Silva didn't have many choices. Some more popular members of the party have been jailed for corruption or have cases against them. Others lost re-election bids in 2016 amid tanking popularity of the party, while others decided to sit out this presidential race and instead go for congressional, senate or gubernatorial seats. Story continues Even so, political analyst Alberto Almeida, author of "The Vote of the Brazilians," said he expects Haddad's link with da Silva means Haddad will at least propel him into the top two in the first round of voting on Oct. 7, qualifying him for the runoff three weeks later. Hoffman said that Haddad would drop even out of the vice presidential race if da Silva is allowed to run, leaving the running-mate slot to Manuela D' Avila, a young and telegenic state legislator from the Communist Party of Brazil, which has 10 seats in Congress out of 513. "Lula asked us to make a formal request for Manuela to be candidate for vice president. Her candidacy had an important role to build this unity," the Workers' Party chairwoman said. As part of the arrangement, D'Avila gave up her own presidential bid. The Workers' Party will have the Communist Party as its junior partner, along with a small centrist party and another fringe party on the far left. Da Silva remains a towering political figure even from behind bars. The labor leader-turned-president oversaw a dramatic rise in Brazil's economy from 2003-2010, pulling millions from poverty and making the country a prominent player on the world stage. But in the past few years, with da Silva out of office, the political mood has darkened as the economy has slumped and a far-reaching corruption investigation has ensnared hundreds of politicians and businessmen including da Silva. While that dented da Silva's popularity somewhat, many backers believe his conviction was unfair and politically motivated. Haddad said the campaign will be based "on the unwavering defense of Lula, the biggest political leader of Brazil." "Once more we are united around him. We are going to the fifth presidential victory in a row," he said during the announcement. Haddad was responsible for crafting the Workers' Party platform for the election. While the Workers' Party under da Silva and Rousseff has won the past four presidential elections, it has been out of power since Rousseff was impeached and removed in 2016. She was replaced by Michel Temer of the Democratic Movement Party, who had been her vice president under a coalition deal. Rousseff accused Temer of plotting her demise, which he denies, though his party's legislators voted overwhelmingly to oust Rousseff. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Brazilian health workers on Monday moved to stem an outbreak of measles being brought by Venezuelans, many famished and sick, who have fled their homeland amid economic and political turmoil. The initiative follows a measles outbreak that has affected more than 1,000 people and killed five children, coming shortly after the disease was eradicated in 2016. The measles cases are mostly concentrated in the northern states of Amazonas and Roraima, where thousands of Venezuelan refugees are crossing the border and trying to rebuild their lives. Many are sick and haven't been immunized, as their country's health system is in crisis. "If our population in the north, which welcomed such a large group of Venezuelans, had been vaccinated, we wouldn't be dealing with an outbreak right now," said Isabella Ballalai, president of the Brazilian Society of Immunization. "We'd be dealing with a minor problem." That was the case from 2000 to 2013, when most Brazilians were protected against the disease, and stopped any imported measles viruses from spreading. But last year, only 70 percent of the population received both doses of measles vaccinations. Spread by coughing and sneezing, measles is a highly contagious virus that causes symptoms such as runny nose, rashes and vomiting. It can be fatal if not treated. Brazil, which is slightly larger than the continental U.S. and includes large swaths of jungle, has experienced several types of outbreaks in recent years. In 2016, the country was at the center of an international outbreak of the Zika virus. Last year, authorities launched a big campaign against yellow fever, which spiked after several years of relatively low numbers of cases. This year's vaccination campaign, which goes through August, is also targeting polio, which health officials worry may return to Latin America's largest nation because of a slowing down of vaccinations. Story continues In the states with the most critical situations, health workers have in recent weeks been giving out free shots in clinics and going door-to-door. Now authorities want to go back to full coverage on a national level: The goal is to vaccinate at least 95 percent of children aged 1 to 5 by the end of the month. The Ministry of Health has been advertising the campaign for weeks, and even recruited popular children's entertainer Xuxa - known as the "queen of the little ones" in Brazil - to be the celebrity spokesperson. On the first day of the campaign, lines at Rio de Janeiro health clinics were relatively short. In the state of Rio de Janeiro, 14 cases have been confirmed, a small number compared to northern states, but some families ventured into the rain to make sure their children were protected. Michelle Souza, a 34-year-old teacher, brought her 2-year-old son Morilo to a center in the Cidade de Deus neighborhood in western Rio. "I got really worried because it's been a while since we heard anything about measles. And now the disease is spreading in some regions," she said. On the other side of the city, Ednea Fernandes, a 39-year-old seamstress, brought her son to the immunization clinic in Botafogo even though the 5-year-old had already gotten all his shots. "I've always careful. But with this measles outbreak on the news, I've been especially vigilant," she said. "They said I could take my son home." Turnout in the beginning of vaccination campaigns is often low in Brazil, but Ballalai hopes that awareness about the outbreak will keep growing, and that families will take their children to get vaccinated. On Aug. 18, the high point of the campaign, more than 36,000 clinics will be open. "In previous campaigns, there wasn't necessarily that call to save your child. So people didn't show up," she said. "This time we're calling out: Come save your child. Come save Brazil from measles." ___ Associated Press video journalist Mario Lobao in Rio de Janeiro contributed to this report. BRASILIA (Reuters) - A Brazilian judge has ordered the border crossing from Venezuela closed to Venezuelan immigrants fleeing their country's economic and political turmoil but the border remained open on Monday pending an appeal by the federal government. Hundreds of Venezuelans continued to walk across into Brazil, a border official said. Federal judge Helder Barreto on Sunday ordered the border closed until the frontier state of Roraima can create "humanitarian" conditions to receive the massive and disorderly influx. But the injunction has not gone into effect yet pending an appeal by Brazilian government lawyers. Over the last three years, tens of thousands of Venezuelans have arrived in Roraima, overwhelming social services and causing a humanitarian crisis with families sleeping in the streets amid rising crime and prostitution. The state government on Thursday decreed Venezuelans seeking medical and other social services in Roraima would have to present a valid passport, which many of the refugees do not have. Barreto ruled that such a measure was "discriminatory" and countered Brazilian laws. He suspended a provision that would allow the deportation or expulsion of Venezuelan immigrants who committed illegal acts and ordered the vaccination of those admitted to Brazil. However, he ordered the suspension of the entry of Venezuelans into Roraima until the state can reach an equilibrium between the arrival of migrants and their exit to other parts of Brazil. Following recommendations by the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR, the Brazilian Air Force in early May began airlifting Venezuelan immigrants from Roraima for resettlement in other cities of Brazil. To date, some 820 Venezuelans have been flown out of Boa Vista, the state capital, by the Air Force. But state officials say more than 500 Venezuelans cross into Brazil every day on average and many stay in Roraima because they cannot afford to move on. Brazil's federal government has declined requests by Roraima's governor to close the border. Solicitor General Grace Mendonca renewed an appeal to the Supreme Court on Monday to suspend the state decree restricting services for Venezuelans, saying it interfered with federal powers. (Reporting by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Sandra Maler and Phil Berlowitz) By Maria Carolina Marcello BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro on Sunday tipped as his running mate a controversial retired military general who said last year that a military coup was possible in the country. General Antonio Hamilton Mourao warned last September that the military could seize power if Brazil's courts do not punish corrupt politicians. Mourao was later removed from his post as the army's finance chief after similar remarks that the military could step in the event of chaos in Brazil. Going into Brazil's most wide open presidential election in decades, Bolsonaro leads in opinion polls that exclude jailed former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro, running as a candidate for the small Social Liberty Party (PSL), has pegged much of his candidacy on controversial remarks, whether defending the past military dictatorship or suggesting acts of violence against homosexuals. In an interview last year with Reuters, the candidate for the Social Liberty Party (PSL) played down Mourao's remarks. "It was just a warning. Nobody wants to seize power that way," Bolsonaro said. "Maybe we could have a military man winning in 2018, but through elections." Bolsonaro had struggled to find a running mate as other parties tried to distance themselves from his controversial comments. Other proposed vice presidential candidates - including another general, an astronaut and a sitting senator - ultimately fell through. Mourao's selection was part of a flurry of political announcements in Brazil on Sunday, the final day for parties to choose candidates for the October election. Lula's Workers Party selected Fernando Haddad to run as his vice president, according to the ex-president's official twitter account, confirming the former Sao Paulo mayor who had long been considered for the role. Lula, who has been jailed since April, is widely expected to be barred from standing for office under a law that excludes those with corruption convictions upheld on first appeal. Polls suggest support for Haddad would jump if Lula were to back him as the presidential candidate in his stead. Senator and former agriculture minister Katia Abreu accepted an offer to run alongside left-wing presidential contender Ciro Gomes of the Democratic Labor Party (PDT), according to a representative for Abreu. Gomes had sought to ally with a wide array of parties but was rebuffed, leading him to choose fellow party member Abreu as his running mate. (Reporting by Maria Carolina Marcello, additional reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu, Ricardo Brito and Eduardo Simoes; writing by Jake Spring; editing by Bill Trott and Richard Pullin) A Norfolk Southern freight train derailed on Sunday, sending train cars crashing onto the light rail tracks below at Station Square in Pittsburgh. According to The Port Authority of Allegheny County, inbound and outbound light rail service was suspended due to a freight train derailing down to Station Square from the hill above. "There was a shower nearby, but it doesn't appear to have been over the city then," AccuWeather Meteorologist Randy Atkins said. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. EDT Sunday, when sustained winds at the Pittsburgh International Airport were blowing from the west at 11 mph. Station Square right now. We are working. To establish bus shuttles to get riders to/from the South Hills. pic.twitter.com/UO9qGG3ZW4 Port Authority PGH (@PGHtransit) August 5, 2018 Multiple train cars could be seen resting on the light rail tracks at the Station Square T stop, near the Station Square complex in Pittsburgh's South Shore neighborhood. No one was injured in the derailment. More images from the scene of a freight train derailment on Pittsburgh's South Side near Station Square. The Port Authority has suspended inbound and outbound passenger rail service. (Steph Chambers/Post-Gazette) pic.twitter.com/VbnRgQl8gJ Steph A Chambers (@StephChambers76) August 5, 2018 The Port Authority has established a bus shuttle from Wood Street Station to Potomac Station on the Red Line and from Wood Street Station to South Bank on the Blue Line. Travelers are expected to face road and bridge closures on Monday stemming from the derailment. A supporter of President Donald Trump threatened to shoot CNN reporters Brian Stelter and Don Lemon during an on-air call with C-SPAN on Friday. The callers threat comes amid repeated attacks on the media from Trump, who has described the press as the enemy of the people and fake news. The caller, identified by C-SPAN host Greta Brawner as Don from State College, Pennsylvania, had phoned into her show Friday to express support for Trumps criticism of the media. It all started when Trump got elected, the caller said before falsely accusing the reporters of labeling all Trump supporters as racist. [Stelter and Lemon] dont even know us. They dont even know these Americans out here and theyre calling us racist because we voted for Trump. They started the war. If I see em, Im going to shoot em. Bye, he added before abruptly ending the call. Threats against reporters on the rise. We decided to broadcast one of those threats on today's @ReliableSources, so everyone can hear it for themselves. pic.twitter.com/kJxGWKOrWI Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) August 5, 2018 Stelter discussed the threat Sunday on CNN, pointing out that neither Lemon nor he has ever described all Trump supporters as racist. Stelter said he didnt know why the caller felt this way, but noted that Fox News Sean Hannity played a clip during his show Thursday of Stelter asking whether racial anxiety played a factor in Trumps rise. Obviously, researchers have proven that yes racial anxiety and resentment was a factor. But thats not the same as calling all Trump supporters racist, Stelter said on Sunday. I dont know if the C-SPAN caller watched Hannity. Im not blaming Hannity. I just thought the timing was odd. Trump has adopted an increasingly hostile stance against the media since the 2016 presidential election. He ramped up his attacks against the press over the weekend, tweeting Friday night that Lemon was the dumbest man on television and tweeting Sunday that the media is dangerous & sick and can cause War. Story continues The Fake News hates me saying that they are the Enemy of the People only because they know its TRUE. I am providing a great service by explaining this to the American People. They purposely cause great division & distrust. They can also cause War! They are very dangerous & sick! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2018 C-SPANs Brawner did not acknowledge the callers threat during the live broadcast Friday. After the caller hung up, Brawner immediately reminded other callers to turn down that television, and listen and talk through the phone. Brawner did not address the threat at the time because she did not hear the callers remarks, Howard Mortman, the networks communications director, told HuffPost in an email Sunday. If she had, she would have said something on air, Mortman said before directing HuffPost to C-SPANs general policy on call-ins. When a caller makes ad hominem attacks or uses indecent language or obviously racist language, program hosts are certainly permitted to step in, according to C-SPANs website. Given that this involves quick judgment during a live television production, its an imperfect process. C-SPAN reported the callers remarks to the FBI on Friday, Mortman told HuffPost. Trumps anti-media rhetoric has drawn concern from lawmakers and journalists in newsrooms nationwide. The New York Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger told Trump during a meeting last month that the outlet had placed armed security guards outside its offices in response to an increase in threats against reporters. A deadly attack in June against reporters at the Capital Gazette newsroom in Maryland did nothing to quell Trumps belligerent accusations against the media. Since the shooting, which left five people dead, Trump has used Twitter to attack news outlets, reporters and the media generally over 25 times. Im not asking for sympathy, Stelter said Sunday. I dont think Im in extreme danger. I know some of my colleagues get much worse threats than I do. CNN has a great security team and we know how to handle this stuff. But these kinds of threats are coming in more often, he warned. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. This story has been updated with comments from a C-SPAN spokesman. Related Coverage Don Lemon Unloads On Donald Trump Over His Incessant Lying Kellyanne Conway Says Journalists Not Enemy Of The People' But Defends Trump's Attacks Fox News' Chris Wallace Grills John Bolton Over Trump's Attacks On Media Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. A combination of wildfires raging north of San Francisco, which already has consumed an area almost as big as Los Angeles, is now the largest fire in modern California history, authorities said Monday night. The Mendocino Complex fire, which includes two blazes along the Mendocino National Forest, had chewed through more than 283,800 acres as of Monday night. The blaze is just 30 percent contained, Cal Fires Mendocino unit said. We broke the record, Scott McLean, a deputy chief of Cal Fire, told the Los Angeles Times. Thats one of those records you dont want to see. It is extremely fast, extremely aggressive, extremely dangerous, he said. Look how fast this Mendocino Complex went up in ranking. That doesnt happen. That just doesnt happen. Last years Thomas fire, which consumed 281,000 acres in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, is now the states second-largest on record. The Cedar fire in 2003, now the third-largest, devoured 273,246 acres in San Diego County, according to Cal Fire records. The city of Los Angeles, by comparison, is about 300,000 acres. Firefighters predict theyll fully contain the Mendocino Complex fire by Aug. 15. Flames leap above a vehicle on High Valley Road as the Ranch fire, part of the Mendocino Complex fire, burns near Clearlake Oaks, California, on Sunday. (Photo: NOAH BERGER via Getty Images) Despite the progress, fire officials have expressed caution about the quick-moving blaze, which is currently being fought by more than 3,900 firefighters and nearly 450 fire engines. You are talking about hundreds of miles of open fire line in the remote, steep inaccessible areas, which are the most difficult to grab containment in, Jonathan Cox, Northern California battalion chief for the states Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention, told the San Francisco Chronicle. He pointed to the fires growth on Saturday, when it consumed about 55,000 acres in a 24-hour period. Thats indicative of how explosive the fire conditions are right now, Cox said. Elsewhere across the state, firefighters are working to put out more than a dozen other fires that have killed several people, ravaged thousands of acres, and sparked air quality alerts. Story continues The deadly Carr fire, burning north of Mendocino in and around the city of Redding, claimed its seventh fatality, a Pacific Gas & Electric worker, on Saturday. That follows the deaths of two firefighters and four civilians. As of Monday, the Carr fire had consumed 163,207 acres and was 45 percent contained. It was listed as the sixth most-destructive in state history, having destroyed more than 1,600 structures, according to Cal Fire. The Mendocino Complex fire, though nearly twice as large, had destroyed 75 residences and damaged 12. The Ranch fire, part of the Mendocino Complex fire, crests a ridge as Battalion Chief Matt Sully directs firefighting operations on High Valley Road near Clearlake Oaks, California, on Sunday. (Photo: NOAH BERGER via Getty Images) Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire director, warned on Saturday that fire season is really just beginning. What seems like we should be in the peak of fire season, historically, is really now the kind of conditions were seeing really at the beginning, Pimlott said at a news conference. Cal Fire online records show a growing number of wildfires in recent years. Through July 29, the agency said it responded to 3,770 fires across 292,455 acres. Thats higher than the five-year average for the same seven-month period 3,405 fires over 118,811 acres. In 2017, there were 3,440 fires across 219,369 acres during the period. Battalion Chief Matt Sully directs operations on the Ranch fire, part of the Mendocino Complex fire, burning near Clearlake Oaks on Sunday. (Photo: NOAH BERGER via Getty Images) Nationally, wildfires have burned about 5.1 million acres this year, about 1.1 million acres above the 10-year average for the seven-month period, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Four of the five largest wildfires in California history have occurred since 2012. President Donald Trump on Sunday approved California Gov. Jerry Browns (D) request for a major disaster declaration, which makes additional federal funding available for fire response and provides assistance to evacuees in Shasta County. Brown has called the wildfires the new normal. Trump, in a tweet on Sunday evening, blamed the intensifying fires on bad environmental laws that he said divert water resources into the Pacific Ocean. He also encouraged the clearing of trees to stop the fires from spreading. Cal Fire Division Chief Chris Anthony, who has been working on the Carr fire since late last month, stressed the effect that changes to the environment and climate have caused. It is hard to find the right words to describe how explosive conditions are throughout the state, Anthony told HuffPost on Monday. It is clear to me that firefighters are on the front lines of climate change. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. A DC-10 air tanker drops fire retardant along the crest of a hill to protect the two bulldozers below that were cutting fire lines near the River fire on Thursday. (Photo: Fred Greaves / Reuters) Chris DAngelo contributed reporting. Related... California Wildfires Claim Seventh Victim, Still Spreading This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Cambodia's strongman Premier Hun Sen Monday rejected claims the results from last month's widely criticised election had been falsified, saying he would stake his life on their accuracy. Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party claimed it won all 125 parliamentary seats in the deeply flawed July 29 poll, cementing the country as a one-party state and extending his 33-year grip on power. Opposition figures had called for a boycott of the vote after the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was dissolved last year in a crackdown that saw one of its leaders charged with treason. Turnout was a whopping 82 percent, leading Hun Sen to dismiss the campaign to shun ballot boxes as a failure. But independent observers did not take part and rights groups pointed to voter intimidation. In a speech to athletes in Phnom Penh, the bombastic Hun Sen, 66, denied "vote cheating (and) inflating figures" of turnout. He dared opposition leaders to join him and swear on their lives over the claims. "I swear to die from all forms...to die in a car accident, a plane crash, an electrocution, a lightning strike, anything that leads to death," he said. "Do you dare to swear or not?" "Those who have alleged the figure (of turnout) was inflated, please swear. Swear to die all together," he added. Some 6.9 million votes were cast in the national election. But nearly 600,000 ballots were spoilt in a sign of resistance to a vote which opposition members called a "sham" and "false." The United States threatened to broaden visa restrictions on senior Cambodian officials, while Sam Rainsy, the self-exiled co-founder of the disbanded opposition described it as a "terrible setback". The European Union also condemned the election, while China congratulated the people of Cambodia. In response to Hun Sen's challenge Rainsy said on his Facebook page that he would take the oath if there was an official recount. Story continues He urged the National Election Committee not to destroy ballots collected from polling stations and claimed turnout was less than 50 percent. The NEC is a theoretically impartial body but is widely believed to have links to the ruling party. The CNRP took 44 percent of the vote in the previous election in 2013, mounting the most credible challenge to Hun Sen in decades. It performed equally well in 2017 local polls. PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has challenged his top political rival: take an oath to have lightning strike you dead if you falsely claim that last month's general election was unfair. Hun Sen, speaking Monday to Cambodian athletes heading later this month to the Asian Games in Indonesia, was responding to the claims of Sam Rainsy that the July 29 polls were fraudulent and that the 82 percent turnout figure was inflated. He called Sam Rainsy a good liar who often created news to deceive the public. Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party won a landslide victory in an election the opposition and independent observers criticized as neither free nor fair. The only credible opposition, Sam Rainsy's Cambodia National Rescue Party, was dissolved by court order last year, a move that was widely seen as politically motivated and initiated by Hun Sen's government. The challenge appeared to be a way of countering the criticism by impressing the many Cambodians who are superstitious. Especially in rural areas, people in disputes often invite their rivals to take an oath before a statue of Buddha or a holy spirit as a way of resolving their conflict. Sam Rainsy, who is in self-imposed exile to avoid prison on what he views as a politically inspired defamation conviction, acknowledged the challenge on his Facebook page and said he would take such an oath if the government first allowed a recount of the ballots with the participation of international observers and observers from his own disbanded party. He contended that the voter turnout was less than 50 percent, rather than the 82 percent claimed by the government and the state National Election Committee. Leaders of the disbanded CNRP had urged voters to boycott the polls. Sam Rainsy, a CNRP founder, has been Hun Sen's nemesis for many years. Their rivalry plays out publicly on social media, with the two competing for greater numbers of followers on Facebook. Story continues In addition to being forced to stay abroad, Sam Rainsy was kicked out from his parliamentary seat and forced to resign from his party, which was then dissolved last year after the government-friendly Supreme Court ruled it was implicated in trying to unseat the government with the backing of the United States, a charge without any convincing evidence. Although his former party was not able to contest the election, they were denounced repeatedly by Hun Sen during the campaign. Hun Sen, who technically is only a caretaker prime minister until his party's election victory is validated and his government sworn in, said he had asked his legal experts to see if he can be sworn in earlier than the planned Sept. 19 date so he can attend the U.N. General Assembly session in New York which opens on Sept. 18. He said his intention in joining the annual U.N. meeting is to prove to the world that his new government is legitimate and to show his opponents abroad that he is not afraid of their protests or their threats that he should be arrested and tried by the International Criminal Court. Arrested Saudi activist Samar al Badawi (C) with Michelle Obama (L) and Hillary Clinton (R) during a ceremony at the US state department on 8 March 2012 in Washington DC: Getty Canadas foreign ministry has said it is seriously concerned and seeking greater clarity from Saudi Arabia after the conservative kingdoms decision to expel the Canadian ambassador and freeze all new trade between the two countries. The statement on Monday from spokesperson Marie-Pier Baril also reiterated Ottawas commitment to international human rights after Canadas initial comments on the detention of Saudi womens rights activists, which sparked the escalating diplomatic row. Riyadhs diplomatic community was left reeling on Sunday night after a royal statement carried by the Saudi state news agency announced the expulsion of Canadian ambassador Dennis Horak and a suspension of business ties. Both Mr Horak and the Saudi ambassador to Canada, who was also recalled, are believed to be on holiday. The extreme measures come after Canadas diplomatic department tweeted criticism of the arrests of two Saudi civil society activists last week, the latest detentions in a crackdown that began in May. Any other attempt to interfere with our internal affairs from Canada means that we are allowed to interfere in Canadas internal affairs, a Saudi foreign ministry statement said. Saudi news outlets reported on Monday that the country had also halted joint academic exchange programmes and scholarship agreements with Canada, and would transfer Saudi students currently in the country elsewhere. Saudia, the state airline, announced late on Monday it had suspended flights to Toronto. On social media networks, pro-Saudi accounts believed to be automated bots have begun tweeting support for Quebecs secession from Canada and criticism of Canadas high rates of domestic violence. A tweet from an official government account did not mention Canada, but scolded those who stick ones nose where it doesnt belong. The tweet, accompanied by a picture of what appeared to be an Air Canada passenger plane flying towards a city skyline, was widely criticised for its echoes of the 9/11 terror attacks. It was later deleted. Story continues The muted Canadian response so far may be calculated to try and calm the situation, Professor Thomas Juneau, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa and former department of national defence official, told The Independent. This is an excessive reaction on Saudi Arabias part to what were really quite standard comments from a Western ally, he said. Generally speaking, the kingdoms foreign policy has been much more aggressive and impulsive under new crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. We have seen this in Saudis role in Yemen, in Lebanon and across the region. Canada said last week it was gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in Saudi Arabia, including Samar Badawi. Ms Badawi is a lawyer and sister to blogger Raif Badawi, who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison in 2012 for criticising the countrys clerical establishment. His wife Ensaf Haidar and three children now live in Quebec. The whereabouts of Ms Badawi along with Nassima al-Sadah, arrested on the same day, are currently unknown. Several other prominent female activists remain in prison near Jeddah, where no charges have been brought against them. If convicted under counterterrorism legislation they could face up to 20 years in prison. Since the powerful Mohammed bin Salman was appointed crown prince by his father last June the kingdom has ushered in dozens of social and economic reforms designed to wean the country off dependence on oil. Among the most high profile moves was the lifting of the long-standing driving ban for women, although critics noted it was accompanied by a spate of arrests targeting the countrys tiny activist community. Analysts say the crackdown was intended as a signal that only the royal family can decide the pace of Saudi modernisation. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, neighbours and allies of the kingdom, have both supported Riyadhs decision to defend its sovereignty in the row with Canada, but the rest of the international community has remained notably silent. Saudi Arabia may be trying to establish a new precedent with western states, Dr Hisham A Hellyer, senior non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council and the Royal United Services Institute in London, told The Independent. If such states wish to have a fully normalised relationship with Riyadh, they should remain silent on domestic abuses in Saudi Arabia. And if western capitals so much as think twice before they issue such comments in the future, Riyadh would have gained something, he said. For all the media frenzy about Saudi reforms, these relationships internationally are far more about trade than anything else. Samah Hadid, Middle East director of campaigns at Amnesty International, called on Riyadh to end its crackdown rather than lash out with punitive diplomatic and trade sanctions. Now is the time for other governments like the UK and US to join Canada in increasing the pressure for genuine, lasting human rights reforms in Saudi Arabia, she added. Relations between Ottawa and Riyadh have deteriorated since Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau was sworn into office in 2015. The new premier decided to leave a controversial arms deal worth $13bn (10bn) in place, but then chose to stop talking about Saudi Arabia completely, much to the Saudis frustration, said Prof Juneau. It is not clear where the dispute is going next, but Sundays decision could be difficult to walk back, at least in the short term, he added. This spat is nowhere near as costly as, say, Saudi Arabias involvement in the war in Yemen. But so far what weve seen from Mohammed bin Salmans Saudi Arabia is impulsiveness, and he doesnt like to back down. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) A long-anticipated study into the cancer risks of New Mexico residents living near the site of the world's first atomic bomb test likely will be published in 2019, the National Cancer Institute announced. Institute spokesman Michael Levin told The Associated Press that researchers are examining data on diet and radiation exposure on residents who lived near the World War II-era Trinity Test site, and scientists expect to finish the study by early next year. The study will then be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and could be available by next spring, Levin said. The announcement comes as descendants of families who lived in nearby communities are pressuring Congress to include them in the federal Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. Descendants say the Trinity Test caused generations of families to suffer from rare cancer and economic hardship. Currently, the law only covers areas in Nevada, Arizona and Utah that are downwind from a different test site. Scientists working in Los Alamos, New Mexico, developed the atomic bomb as part of the Manhattan Project, which provided enriched uranium for the weapon. The secret program also involved facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Hanford, Washington. The bomb was tested in a stretch of desert near towns with Hispanic and Native American populations. Residents did not learn that the test had involved an atomic weapon until the U.S. dropped bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the war ended. Monday is the 73rd anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing. Tina Cordova, co-founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, said descendants have been anxiously waiting for results from the National Cancer Institute study. But Cordova said she worried the questions researchers used were "culturally insensitive" and for months the institute wasn't communicating about the study's progress. "We had been kept in the dark," Cordova said. Story continues Steve Simon, the principal investigator of the study and a staff scientist in the institute's epidemiology and biostatistics program, said researchers made it a priority to include expertise from New Mexico residents in the study design process. "To keep the communities well informed about the status of the study, the NCI team has sent regular email updates," Simon said. The institute said it may release the study's findings to descendants before the study's publication depending on the scientific journal's policy. ___ Associated Press writer Russell Contreras is a member of the AP's race and ethnicity team. Follow Contreras on Twitter at http://twitter.com/russcontreras Candace Parker became the 20th WNBA player to reach 5,000 career points. (AP Photo) Candace Parker had a lot to live up to when the Los Angeles Sparks selected her with the first overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft. Its safe to say shes come through. On Sunday, Parker became the 20th player in WNBA history to score 5,000 career points. Parker reached the milestone during Sundays contest against the Phoenix Mercury. It was pretty much guaranteed Parker would cross the 5,000 point mark Sunday. She came into the contest just four points away from that milestone. She hit 5,000 career points on a free throw. And with this free throw, @Candace_Parker knocks down her 5,000th point from the free-throw line! Follow live on @NBATV: https://t.co/Ii6iHtFz6e pic.twitter.com/CsIPrvQHmJ WNBA (@WNBA) August 5, 2018 While 5,000 career points is impressive, Parker nearly notched a triple-double during the 78-75 win. She finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds, but came up two assists short. There have only been eight triple-doubles in the history of the WNBA. Parker has one of those. She managed it in 2017. Only Sheryl Swoopes has posted two triple-doubles. One of Swoopes came in the playoffs. Story continues In her Sparks career, Parker has made five All-Star teams. She helped lead the Sparks to a WNBA title in 2016. Parker is averaging 18.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game this season. Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! More from Yahoo Sports: Michael Jordan reacts to Trumps LeBron James criticism Blake Griffin refutes report hell pay $258K a month in child support F the UFC: Nate Diaz storms out of presser announcing McGregor comeback Pat Forde: Urban Meyers bold media blitz leaves OSU administrators out to dry Charlotte Rae, an actress whose career on stage, the silver screen and television spanned decades, has died. She was 92. Rae was best known for her role as housekeeper Edna Garrett, first on Diffrent Strokes and then on its spin-off, "The Facts of Life." Both shows premiered in the 1970s and ran well into the 1980s. Her cause of death was not immediately known, but loved ones confirmed she passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at her home in Los Angeles Sunday. Born Charlotte Rae Lubotsky in Milwaukee in 1926, she studied drama at Northwestern University and then moved to New York to follow her dreams of becoming an actress. She became a comedian, and landed a role in the TV comedy "Car 54, Where Are You?" in the early 60s. Rae earned an Emmy nomination for her work in the 1975 TV drama, "Queen of the Stardust Ballroom." She also appeared in The Vagina Monologues in New York, where she also appeared on Broadway in shows including the musical "Li'l Abner." Raes most well-known role was as Mrs. Garrett. "I loved that woman," she said of her character during an interview with the Television Academy Foundation. "She was such a nice lady. She was a good cook." With her son, Larry, Rae wrote an autobiography entitled, "The Fact of My Life," and in 2016, noted she had remained close with many of her co-stars. I'm still close to the girls, she said. They're beautiful. They're beautiful. Now, it's woman to woman not woman to children." Rae was diagnosed with bone cancer last year. In addition to her son, Rae is survived by her sister and three grandchildren. As news of her passing spread, Raes former co-stars took to social media to mourn the loss. "['Diff'rent Strokes'] would not have been the same without you #CharlotteRae, actor Todd Bridges posted on Twitter. "You were loved by everyone on our show and you were loved by everyone on the facts of life will miss you 'My heart is full of Pain' Rest in peace my friend." Story continues Actress Kim Fields, who worked with Rae on "The Facts of Life," said on Twitter: "You all already know my heart is heavy yet.... sorry, no words at the moment just love and tears... and yeah, smiles.... #charlotterae #ripcharlotterae." Comedian Larry Wilmore added: My first tv gig a millennium of moons ago was on The Facts of Life. She was just the best and nicest lady. ... RIP Ms. Rae." RELATED STORIES Celebrities We Lost in 2018 Verne Troyer, 'Austin Powers' Actor, Dies at 49 'Night Court' Actor Harry Anderson Dead at 65 Related Articles: Chicago officials called on community members to hold shooters and gangs responsible after a violent weekend left at least 12 dead in shootings across the city. Rahm Emanuel, the embattled Democratic mayor who faces demands to resign over continued citywide gun violence, turned the blame onto criminals and repeat offenders during a Monday press conference. "Somebody knows who did it," the mayor said after at least 66 people were shot since Friday. "These individuals out here in the street need to stop pulling the trigger where is the accountability for them?" Mr Emanuel was joined by Eddie Johnson, the citys police superintendent who has also faced criticism from activist groups over his handling of ongoing gun violence. The conference became particularly tense at one point when a former shooter and reformed criminal activist confronted the superintendent over a lack of public safety measures that have been implemented in cities that have drastically reduced gun violence, like New York. The superintendent defended the work of Chicagos police department while acknowledging it "could be doing better". "The police department isnt here to raise children," he said. "Its not about what the police department should do, its about what you should do. Mr Johnson called on gang members and shooters to inform police about who was potentially responsible for several seemingly targeted shootings, saying "Get your buddies to put down the guns." At least 46 people have been arrested on gun charged in the wake of one of the most violent weekends in recent Chicago history, officials said. Overall, gun violence across the city has been reduced throughout the year, with a 15-month consecutive decline reported in June. Last month's figures have not yet been reported. Still, crime and gun violence remain prevalent in many regions across Chicago specifically in four districts, where communities have started blaming Mr Emanuel and his aides for failing to resolve systemic problems. Story continues The mayor echoed the police superintendent on Monday, claiming "there is a shortage of values about what is right, what is wrong" after the spasm of citywide violence. "We as a city in every corner have an accountability and responsibility. If you know who did this, be a neighbour," he continued. "Speak up." Abidjan (AFP) - Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara on Monday announced amnesties for around 800 people, including former first lady Simone Gbagbo who is currently behind bars, in the name of national reconciliation. Last week Ivory Coast's Supreme Court overturned an earlier acquittal granted to Gbagbo for crimes against humanity. The wife of former president Laurent Gbagbo, in power from 2000 to 2010, will "soon be freed," Ouattara said during a televised address to the West African nation on the eve of the country's independence day. Simone Gbagbo has been serving a 20-year sentence handed to her in 2015 for "endangering state security". Laurent Gbagbo has been in detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague for seven years. Since 2016, he has been tried for alleged crimes against humanity during post-election unrest in 2010. Among the others granted amnesties by Ouattara on Monday were former defence minister Lida Kouassi -- a key ally of Laurent Gbagbo -- who was sentenced this year to 15 years for conspiracy, and former construction minister Assoa Adou, jailed in 2017 for four years. "On Monday I signed an amnesty order that will benefit about 800 citizens prosecuted or sentenced for offences related to the post-election crisis of 2010 or state security offences committed after May 21, 2011, (the date of Ouattara's inauguration)," the president said in his address. Around 500 of those named have already been released provisionally from detention, he added. They will have their criminal records erased. The other 300 will be released "soon", he added, without giving any dates. The question of national reconciliation in Ivory Coast, or the lack of it, has been seen by observers as a black mark against Ouattara. About 3,000 people died in the turmoil that swept Abidjan -- once one of Africa's most cosmopolitan cities -- in the aftermath of the November 2010 presidential polls when Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept defeat to bitter rival Ouattara. Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: AP, Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP President Trump has taken to calling reporters enemies of the people, evoking memories of Soviet-era show trials in which officials who had fallen out of favor were forced to confess to imaginary crimes before their executions. Nothing like that has been proposed for American journalists, at least not yet, but if it happened, I imagine it happening something like this: Comrades! I stand before you accused of being a disgusting person, a member of the Failing Fake News Media who invent lies to make the president look bad. Thank you for catching me before I can cause more division & distrust, or even cause a War! I am very unpatriotic and totally unhinged because America is WINNING AGAIN, so its a good thing Ive been caught. Thank you, President Trump for Making America Great Again by exposing people like me. The Fake News hates me saying that they are the Enemy of the People only because they know its TRUE. I am providing a great service by explaining this to the American People. They purposely cause great division & distrust. They can also cause War! They are very dangerous & sick! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2018 I am accused of spreading the Hoax that Vladimir Putin wanted Trump to win, which was totally Fake News that I made up to justify the Rigged Russia Witch Hunt. I even got Putin to agree, because I knew that would make Trump look bad. Russia is very unhappy that Trump won, by the way, as Trump says himself. But thats something the Fake News Media, like NBC for example, wouldnt ever report, right? Right? I made up the story that Donald Jr., Jared and Manafort met with a Russian operative who was offering intel on Hillary Clinton. This was a total lie at the time, because the White House put out a statement explaining that the meeting was about Russian adoption. The president now says the meeting was actually to get information on an opponent, which he says is totally legal and done all the time in politics. So I am guilty of reporting the truth prematurely, which is just as bad as lying. Story continues President Trump was talking about me when he said that what youre seeing and what youre reading is not whats happening. We showed Fake News pictures of Queen Elizabeth checking her watch while waiting for Donald Trump to arrive for their meeting, totally contradicting Trump on the fact that it was she who kept him waiting. And I admit that I never report any good news coming out of the administration, like the 4.1 percent growth rate in the second quarter. You didnt see that in the New York Times, did you? Thats because Id rather spread lies about the size of the U.S. trade deficit, pretending that it isnt actually, as President Trump said at the 33-minute mark in his speech in Ohio Saturday night, an $817 billion trade deficit among all countries over the last number of years. Think of it per year, per year. $817 billion. I didnt understand how it could be both over the last number of years and also per year, but in any case I prefer to attack the administration with Fake News statistics like this one from the Deep State U.S. Census Bureau, which shows the deficit has been averaging around $500 million for the last eight years, and never reached $800 billion in history. Why do we do it? Mostly for the ratings. We only have until the end of Trumps second term to make money off him, because after hes gone, nobody will watch us ever again. Of course if we were as smart as we think we are, we would have figured out by now Fox News has the highest ratings because they tell the truth about Trump. I like to pretend that Im a member of the elite, only Trump is much richer than I am, with a bigger apartment, and he has a very good brain, and its driving me crazy. The sad truth is, were suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome. We cant stand that he beat Hillary even with her 3 million illegal votes, which we refuse to acknowledge on the ridiculous excuse that theres no evidence for it. We hate the idea that America is winning again. We are thin-skinned and dont take well to criticism, or to threats, or the president whipping thousands of his followers into a fist-shaking, catcalling mob. Thats what it means to be an enemy of the people. And this has been going on for a long time, even long before Trump. Remember the lamestream media? That was us! Watergate, that whole phony deal, was something we concocted because we didnt like Nixon, either. As far back as the 1950s, we were totally one-sided in our coverage of the civil-rights movement, because we refused to say anything good about Jim Crow. No wonder so many white supremacists still hate us. So, comrades, yes, I am very dangerous & sick. I am ashamed of everything I have done to hurt President Trump and stop his agenda, and the mean things I said about Sarah Huckabee Sanders eye shadow, or actually that someone else said, but it was at a dinner full of reporters so practically the same thing. Yes. I admit it: I am an enemy of the people. Theres only one thing to do with me. Lock me up. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: The New York Giants said they wanted Odell Beckham Jr. to check off certain things, like coming to training camp, then theyd talk to him about a contract extension. Beckham did those things, including showing up to camp on time. The two sides got together to discuss a deal last week. But there are conflicting reports about how productive those meetings were. [Yahoo Fantasy Football leagues are open: Sign up now for free] ESPNs Josina Anderson said the Giants are not offering him a deal that would be anywhere what he wants. But NFL Networks Ian Rapoport said Beckhams camp and the Giants engaged in good-faith negotiations on a deal that would make him the highest paid WR in the NFL and were confident a deal could get done before the season starts. New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham is looking for a big contract extension. (AP) Thats a lot different than Andersons report, which said the Giants were offering Beckham less per year than the Kansas City Chiefs paid Sammy Watkins in free agency. Watkins is making $16 million per season. Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers is the highest-paid receiver in the NFL at $17 million per season. Two much different reports on Odell Beckham negotiations The reports both agree that Beckhams agent Zeke Sandhu and the Giants engaged in talks last week. Anderson and Rapoport reported different things about how the meetings went. Anderson tweeted about the Watkins comparison, then clarified that the total value of the deal, and the average, included Beckhams fifth-year option salary of $8.46 million for this year. That brings down the average, of course. Also, not all of Watkins $16 million per year is guaranteed. The Giants could be offering Beckham more than what Watkins got, but tacking that on to the end of his rookie deal makes it look worse when its viewed in a per-year lens. Whatever was actually offered, we have to assume someone with knowledge of the talks told Anderson about the Watkins comparison and wanted that report out there. [2/2] My understanding is that the Giants are currently valuing Odell Beckham at a total average per year below Sammy Watkins. #ContractTalks ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 6, 2018 But Anderson added that it was her understanding new money isnt ballpark either. A little later, Rapoport had a much more positive outlook. Story continues Over the past several days, Odell Beckham Jrs agent Zeke Sandhu & the #Giants engaged in good-faith negotiations on a deal that would make him the highest paid WR in the NFL, sources say. They arent there yet, but the sides are encouraged a deal could be done before the season. Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 6, 2018 Everything about Beckhams contract is going to be complicated, so maybe it shouldnt be a surprise that the reporting on it is unusual too. The Giants need to pay Beckham Beckham is a transcendent talent, but there have been reports he wants more than $20 million per season. That would reset the bar, which is rising with deals to Watkins, Brandin Cooks and Stefon Diggs. The Giants have had issues with Beckhams behavior, and have chided him for that through the years, but they know how talented he is. The team has said it wants to get a deal done, and it presumably knows what kind of deal it will take to get it done. Theyre not letting a talent like Beckham leave in free agency, youd assume. Until the deal gets done, Beckhams contract status will be one of the NFLs biggest stories heading into the offseason. Depending on which report you believe, either that deal is fairly close or nowhere near getting done. More from Yahoo Sports: NFL HOF reportedly considering requiring inductees to show up Dak Prescott on Get Out mural: Everybody has their own opinion Terez Paylor: Tyrod good for Cleveland? Just ask the defense Dan Wetzel: How Jim Tressel scandal sheds insight on Urban Meyer situation Frank Schwab is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Even though fresh local tomatoes start popping up at the market in July, they don't really hit their peak until August and that's when I get happy. The tomato is absolutely my favorite vegetable (even if it's technically a berry). This crispy tomato salad combines cooked tomatoes and raw tomatoes, the large guys and the small guys. You can call it a medley but I think of it as a party. Before we start to cook these fellas, let's take a minute to talk about buying and storing them. How do you know if a tomato is worth buying? Fragrance is everything. Out-of-season supermarket tomatoes have zero aroma. If you put your nose to the stem of a given specimen and it smells like a tomato, you're home free. As for color, a tomato doesn't have to be red from top to bottom to be good to go; it continues to ripen after it's been picked from the vine. How to store them? Put your tomatoes on the counter out of the sun. Don't refrigerate them. It will kill their taste. I like to maximize the flavor of a ripe tomato by using a salt soak. After you've sliced your tomato, sprinkle it with salt and let it drain for at least 20 minutes. Salt not only pulls out excess water, it also intensifies the tomato essence. I salt my tomatoes this way before adding them to any salad. This recipe is my take on Fried Green Tomatoes, a classic of Southern cuisine. The standard recipe features unripe tomatoes coated in cornmeal and deep-fried. Here we're working with ripe tomatoes, not green ones, and sauteing them, not frying them. How ripe is ripe? Not so ripe that they've gone soft. You want them to be firm. The ripe ones hold together better when cooked. The salad is finished with a simple buttermilk dressing made with mayonnaise, buttermilk, garlic and fresh herbs. Which herbs? I've suggested a mix of tarragon, parsley and chives, but the tomato goes equally well with just about any herb under the sun, so feel free to sub in your own favorites. Story continues Crispy Tomato Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Start to finish: 1 hour (40 minutes active) Servings: 4 For the dressing: 1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk 1/3 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons finely chopped mixed fresh herbs (such as tarragon, chives and parsley) 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon minced garlic Kosher salt and black pepper For the crispy tomatoes and salad: Two firm ripe beefsteak tomatoes (10-12 ounces each) 2 cups assorted cherry tomatoes, halved Kosher salt 1 large egg 2/3 cup buttermilk 3/4 cup cornmeal 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 ounce finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil Make the dressing: In a medium bowl whisk together all the ingredients and add salt and pepper to taste. Make the crispy tomatoes: Slice the beefsteak tomatoes crosswise, 1/3-inch thick. (You should get 4 slices from each tomato.) Sprinkle both sides of each slice with salt and let drain on a cake rack for at least 20 minutes. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Place in a bowl and sprinkle them with salt. Let them stand for at least 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl or pie plate beat the egg; add the buttermilk and whisk until combined well. In a separate shallow bowl stir together the cornmeal, flour, cheese and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Pat the large tomatoes dry with paper towels. Coat half of them with the buttermilk mixture, letting the excess drip off and then dip them in the cornmeal mixture making sure they are coated all over. In a large nonstick skillet heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the coated tomatoes and cook them until golden, about 2 minutes a side. Transfer 2 slices to each of two plates. Repeat the procedure with the remaining tomato slices, buttermilk mixture, cornmeal and oil and transfer those slices to two more plates. Spread the cherry tomatoes on paper towels and quickly pat dry. Mound one-fourth of the cherry tomatoes on top of each portion and drizzle with the buttermilk dressing. ___ Nutrition information per serving: 392 calories; 239 calories from fat; 27 g fat (5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 55 mg cholesterol; 377 mg sodium; 31 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 7 g sugar; 8 g protein. ___ Editor's Note: Sara Moulton is host of public television's "Sara's Weeknight Meals." She was executive chef at Gourmet magazine for nearly 25 years and spent a decade hosting several Food Network shows including "Cooking Live." Her latest cookbook is "HomeCooking 101." Daily Digit is the story behind the numbers that make our world work. Today we're looking at the steady decline in unemployment. After initial claims fell to a 48 1/2 year low of 208,00 new unemployment claims during the first two weeks of July, the week ended July 28 saw an estimated 218,000 new claims. That's the same number of initial claims as on Feb. 23, 1973. However, the average duration of unemployment is still far longer than it was back then in February 1973, the average length of unemployment was about 11 weeks, while today it stands at about 23 weeks. Still, that's a vast improvement over a high of 50 weeks back in August 2010. Daily Digit is the story behind the numbers that make our world work. Today were looking at the steady decline in unemployment. After initial claims fell to a 48 1/2 year low of 208,000 new unemployment claims during the first two weeks of July, the week ended July 28 saw an estimated 218,000 new claims. Thats the same number of initial claims as on Feb. 23, 1973. However, the average duration of unemployment is still far longer than it was back then in February 1973, the average length of unemployment was about 11 weeks, while today it stands at about 23 weeks. Still, thats a vast improvement over a high of 50 weeks back in August 2010. OXNARD, Calif. Dak Prescott stood on the bed of a golf cart and tugged on a Dallas Cowboys cap. The annual blue/white scrimmage had just wrapped up Sunday evening, and the quarterback was ready to speak. Prescott referenced the chemistry with the Cowboys new receivers. He discussed his throwing mechanics, even. And then, after reiterating his stance on kneeling during the national anthem to protest against social injustices, Prescott provided his thoughts on the mural that has circulated on social media. Everybody is umm Prescott said, pausing. Everybody has their own opinion. The mural shows Prescotts face in the form of the famous image from Jordan Peeles Academy Award-winning film Get Out. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported its existence in Dallas and identified an Arlington, Texas, native named Trey Wilder as the murals creator. Dak Prescott provided his thoughts on the Get Out mural painted of him in Dallas. (AP) Wilder roots for the Cowboys, but on Friday morning, he watched a YouTube video of The Breakfast Club podcast, a show hosted by Charlamagne Tha God. The video criticizing Prescotts comments about protesting during the anthem struck a chord with Wilder, propelling him to purchase eight cans of spray paint for nearly $64. Then, Wilder ventured over to a property called Fabrication Yard and began his work of art. Honestly, I know hes a superstar, but Im not scared of Dak Prescott, Wilder told the Star-Telegram then. But like in the movie, maybe [the piece] will be a flash for him. I think, with that platform, it was just weird how he dismissed the whole situation, especially being a black man himself. Story continues To clarify, Prescott did not dismiss the whole situation. On July 30, after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said players will be required to stand for the anthem, he said this: I dont think thats the time or the venue to do so. The game of football has always brought me such a peace, and I think it does the same for a lot of other people, people playing the game, people watching the game and any people that have an impact on the game. The comment did not sit well with Charlamagne Tha God. Nor did it sit well with Wilder. On social media, a number of folks expressed their discontent with the comments. So, Prescott spoke to the Star-Telegram and expanded on his thoughts. Ultimately, he said he was misunderstood. I never said I didnt believe in social injustice and things that were going on, Prescott told the Star-Telegram. I just said I didnt think that the national anthem was the time. Its two minutes out of our day that we could also be spending embracing what our country should be and what our country is going to be one day that we know that its not right now. That is the sad part about it. That its not. I respect everybody. And power to the people that kneel. That is what they believe in and they should be able to kneel. For me, the game of football has been such a peace. Its a moment for me to be at peace and think about all the great things our country does have. Heres Dak Prescott taking about the anthem, murals and if criticism of him is unfair. @TheAthleticDFW pic.twitter.com/fAiE7HhWUg Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) August 6, 2018 It has now been almost two years since former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first knelt during the anthem in protest of social injustices. The action sparked a movement of players doing the same. In May, the NFL imposed a new anthem policy stating: Personnel who choose not to stand for the Anthem may stay in the locker room or in a similar location off the field until after the Anthem has been performed. That policy was recently halted and is being re-examined by the league and the players union. Jones comments followed the ruling. Prescotts did, too, which brings it all back to Sunday. The sun was falling on the practice fields in Oxnard, and the Cowboys quarterback was finishing up his interview. [The national anthem conversation] is probably one of the most controversial topics weve had in the game since Ive been in it, Prescott said. He then hopped off the golf cart and headed for the locker room, knowing the conversation will not cease any time soon. More from Yahoo Sports: Eric Adelson: Hall of Fame deserves blame for Terell Owens sideshow Angels Manager Mike Scioscia denies report that hes leaving Dan Wetzel: LeBron James, and his rise is proof of what makes America great Joel Embiid plans on using mean tweets from Colangelo burner account as motivation Damascus (AFP) - Syria's government is to set up a committee to coordinate repatriating millions of its nationals who fled the country's seven-year conflict, state media has said. The cabinet on Sunday "agreed to create a coordination body for the return of those displaced abroad to their cities and villages," state news agency SANA reported. The conflict has displaced more than five million Syrians outside the country, the United Nations says, with more than half displaced to Turkey and most of the rest split between Lebanon and Jordan. The committee "will take the necessary measures to settle the status of all those who were displaced and secure their return as security and basic services return to different regions", SANA said on Sunday. It will take steps towards "ensuring they can lead normal lives and practice their jobs as before the war" which broke out in 2011, it added. The coordination body is to "intensify contact with friendly countries to provide all facilitations and take suitable steps towards their return", SANA said. President Bashar al-Assad's regime has ousted rebels and jihadists from large parts of Syria since 2015 when its ally Russia launched a military intervention in the country. But much of Syria lies in ruins, the economy is shattered, and many male refugees voice fear of being drafted into the regime's armed forces. Last month, Russia presented the United States with plans for the coordinated return of refugees to Syria. The proposal includes the establishment of working groups in both Lebanon and Jordan, involving US and Russian officials. Also in July, Russia's chief Syria negotiator Alexander Lavrentiev visited Damascus, Amman and Beirut. According to the Syrian presidency, Assad told Lavrentiev that "Syria is bent on all its children returning". In comments to the Russian media, Assad appealed for Syrian refugees -- especially those who had their own businesses in the country -- to return. Story continues Countries hosting Syrians, including Turkey and Lebanon, have ramped up demands in recent months for refugees to return to safe areas in their homeland. Over the same period, hundreds of Syrians have left Lebanon in organised returns, coordinated between authorities in Beirut and Damascus. Several thousand have also independently returned home in recent years. On Monday, Lebanon's General Security agency announced it had opened 17 centres across the country that would receive applications for Syrians who want to travel back home. The statement said Syrians in Lebanon could call hotlines and "regularise" their status with authorities in case of outstanding legal or security problems. It did not provide details on what was needed for applications or under what circumstances they might be rejected. The agency insisted that returns were voluntary. Human rights groups have warned that Syrians returning to their homeland should do so voluntarily and with full knowledge of the risks. COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) Denmark's top prosecution authority says it has opened a criminal investigation into the country's largest bank for "possible violation in connection with money laundering." Morten Niels Jakobsen, the prosecutor for Serious Economic and International Crime, says the probe would establish whether Danske Bank can be prosecuted before courts of law. Jakobsen said Monday they are "in dialogue with a series of international partners" and have already gathered "a considerable amount of investigation material." None were identified. In May, Danish regulators said there had been "serious shortcomings" in the anti-money laundering operations of Danske Bank' activities in Estonia, following reports this year of money flows from family members of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Danske Bank was reprimanded and given eight orders that it must fulfill by June 30. Police are investigating the death of a baby who was found floating in the water near New York's Brooklyn Bridge. Tourists spotted the approximately 8-month-old boy wearing only a nappy in the shallow water near the Manhattan shoreline at about 4pm on Sunday. Oklahoma-based chiropractor Monte Campbell said his wife, Diana Campbell, first noticed the baby. She just called me over and said there was a baby in the water. I called 911. At that point I thought it was a doll, Mr Campbell said. Mr Campbell said he walked out mid-thigh level in the East River and retrieved the baby and started CPR. He said the baby was not breathing and showed no pulse. Police officers arrived minutes later and brought the baby onto the pedestrian walkway where they continued CPR before the baby was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. No parent or guardian was present at the scene and the child showed no signs of trauma, police said. The location near the South Street Seaport on the busy East River, a tidal estuary subject to strong currents, divides Manhattan from Brooklyn. Both park-lined shorelines are usually teaming with tourists during the summer months. It was not clear how long the baby had been in the water. The medical examiner will determine the exact cause of death. AP A decade after Beijing hosted the 2008 Olympics, its legacy remains unmistakable from the smallest alleyways in the Chinese capital to the country's growing clout abroad. For better or worse, the Games changed the face of Beijing: from the iconic Bird's Nest stadium to the countless blocks of ancient homes bulldozed in an Olympic building frenzy. Public campaigns to stop the ubiquitous spitting of Beijing's residents and clean up public toilets led to noticeable improvements, while new rail links and airports improved transport infrastructure. Efforts to clear the city's notoriously smoggy air and choking traffic, however, have been less successful. Abroad, Beijing used the games to send a message: decades of reform and growth had made China rich and powerful enough to spend billions staging a dazzling and deftly organised sports spectacle. The opening ceremony on 8/8/2008 -- the number eight is considered auspicious in Chinese culture -- amazed the world with its flawless choreography and sheer ambition, and national pride was further super-charged by China's domination of the Games' gold medal count. "The successful Beijing Olympics helped to boost the self-confidence of the Chinese leadership -- and people -- that the country could go on to even greater strengths," said Brian Bridges, an expert on sport and politics at Hong Kong's Lingnan University. But those who hoped the Games would lead to positive political change in China have largely been disappointed, said Zhouxiang Lu, an expert on the intersection of sports and politics at Ireland's Maynooth University. "Many of the arguments in favour of giving China the Games were that maybe they would adopt the Western system and there would be some change within the Chinese Communist Party," he said. Some expressed hope the Olympics might nudge China toward democracy, and activists seized the opportunity to pressure authorities on issues like press freedom and human rights, including Beijing's tough policies in restive areas like Tibet. Story continues "The Beijing Olympics was a milestone event, along with China's entry into the World Trade Organization (in 2001), in embracing the world both economically and culturally," Lu said. But "they've had less effect from a political perspective". Dashed hopes - A decade later, Communist control is more concentrated than at any time since the era of Mao Zedong. Censorship has tightened dramatically, activists are routinely jailed or under pressure, and China's treatment of ethnic minorities has deteriorated drastically, including mass detentions of the mostly Muslim Uighur minority in the far-western Xinjiang region. Instead of changing its ways, Beijing instead countered the criticism by investing more in external public relations, according to Susan Brownell, an expert on the Olympics at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. After the Games, one of the "huge changes was communications. Particularly the effort to communicate with the outside world", she said, part of a wide-ranging effort to increase Chinese soft power. One positive outcome of this change was that China permanently removed travel and interview restrictions on foreign press that had been eased ahead of the Games, although foreign media still face tough conditions to report in the country. However, Brownell said "the pressure on Beijing really wasn't 'you have to communicate better.' The pressure had to do with other things. So, the result wasn't in the realm that critics wanted." Lesson learned - Regardless of the criticisms, the Chinese government seems to have concluded the Games were a good investment. So good that they bid for and won the right to host the Winter Olympics in 2022. Beijing will host the Olympics again, using some of the facilities it built for 2008, as it becomes the first city ever to stage both the summer and winter Games. Critics of the government have already begun planning how to use the showcase event to push for change. But this time around, they will be facing off against a much more sophisticated government that will have anticipated criticism and will likely take a more low-key, more sports-oriented and less political approach to the games, Maynooth University's Lu said. "Beijing has learned its lesson. It is an opportunity to promote their image, but at the same time, other people will also use that opportunity," he said. Brownell expects that this time around, the Games will be more "relaxed and not so tightly controlled". After all, "there's only one coming out party. There's only one Olympic Games and they've already had it". Demi Lovato has issued her first statement, nearly two weeks after her apparent drug overdose. The Skyscraper singer said her addiction is "something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet," as she took to Instagram Sunday afternoon. "I have always been transparent about my journey with addiction," the 25-year-old wrote. "What I've learned is that this illness is not something that disappears or fades with time." A post shared by Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) on Aug 5, 2018 at 1:53pm PDT She added: "I now need time to heal and focus on my sobriety and road to recovery," before closing the letter with "I will keep fighting." She thanked God, her family, her fans and her team saying, without them I wouldnt be here writing this letter to all of you. Lovato was found on the morning of July 24 in the bedroom of her Los Angeles home of an apparent overdose. Her bodyguard has been credited for saving her life. Lovato "was not breathing. There was blood on her pillow ... and her airways may have been clogged," TMZ reported. When paramedics arrived, they administered Narcan, which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. Since then, Lovato has remained at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. While in the hospital, she was visited by friends and family, including ex-boyfriend Wilmer Valderrama. Fans are showed their support for Demi Lovato with the hashtag #HowDemiHasHelpedMe on social media following her overdose and hospitalization, sharing personal stories of how the pop star has gotten them through their own battles with addiction, mental illness and body image issues. RELATED STORIES Demi Lovato Seen at Birthday Party for Dancer in Video Shot Hours Before Her Overdose Demi Lovato 911 Call: Singer's Assistant Asked Dispatcher for 'No Sirens' Fans Share #HowDemiHasHelpedMe Stories in Show of Support for Singer Related Articles: In 1985, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, and the British pop group the Eurythmics, teamed-up to record one of my all-time favorite songs, a stirring female empowerment anthem called Sisters Are Doin It For Themselves. The song was about women tired of waiting on men to do the right thing taking matters into their own hands to achieve equality. Now this is a song to celebrate, The conscious liberation of the female state! Woman to woman, Were singin with you. We got doctors, lawyers, politicians too. In the 33 years since the song was released, women, especially Black females, have indeed been doin it for themselves. According to The Status of Black Women in the United States, Black women have been turning out for elections and voting at unprecedented rates; theyve also made significant strides in earning undergraduate and advanced degrees and have been succeeding brilliantly in opening their own businesses. And yet for all the progress, theres one area where black women have been unable to move the needle very much, and thats in getting paid fairly for their work. According to a 2016 study by the Institute for Womens Policy Research, black women are paid only 62.5% of what men make. Its because of this gaping disparity that Equal Pay Day for AfricanAmerican women wont occur until August 7 this year. Its the date at which Black women who worked full-time through all of 2017, and this far into 2018, will earn the same amount of money as men did in 2017. Or to put it another way, Black women must work almost 20 months to earn what men earn in 12. If youre wondering how this obscene inequality got baked into American society, the fact is its pretty much always been there. In 1776, Abigail Adams is said to have pleaded with her husband to remember the ladies while he was helping draft the Constitution, but John Adams was dismissive of his wifes idea, saying men know better than to repeal our masculine systems. Women have been fighting for the right to be treated as equals ever since, including the right to be paid the same as men for similar work. Story continues It would be 187 years before any federal legislation was passed to address wage inequality. In 1963, John F. Kennedy signed into law the Equal Pay Act. The law made it illegal to pay men and women working different salaries for similar work. It is a first step, Kennedy said during the signing. It affirms our determination that when women enter the labor force they will find equality in their pay envelopes. But when Time magazine assessed the acts impact in 1974, the wage gap at the time women earned 60 cents on the dollar was the same as it was when Kennedy signed the law over a decade earlier. In 1972, the Equal Rights Amendment, which was designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex, seemed on the verge of becoming a reality when it was approved by the Senate and House. But then as now, there was too much opposition on the state level for the amendment to be ratified. In 2009, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was signed into law, but that too has failed to significantly close the wage gap for women. In fact, a recent study showed that absent any legislative action, women wont achieve income parity with men until 2058! The picture is even bleaker for Hispanic women, who make only 54 cents for every dollar men make. Given all the implications for struggling single mothers, women in poverty and just the sheer unfairness of income inequality, youd think the wage gap issue would be a major focus of Democratic Party Leaders. But it seems to be something they only mention in passing every four years at conventions. So, where does that leave us? What can we do? Well, as Black females showed in 2017, when women are organized, focused and determined, we are a force to be reckoned with. Two stunning electoral victories last year in the South an historically hostile territory for Democrats underscored the power of black women voters. In Virginias Governors race, 91% of Black women cast their votes for Democrat Ralph Northam, propelling him to victory over Republican Ed Gillespie. In deep red Alabama, an astounding 98% of Black women voted for former U.S. Attorney Doug Jones over Republican Roy Moore, making him the first Democrat in 25 years to hold a U.S. Senate seat in the state. But Black women cant do it all alone. We need our White, Asian and Hispanic sisters to join us as allies, match our intensity and create a massive voting block thats too powerful to be ignored. Its time for the sisters to do it for themselves. Heres what we can do: Organize, organize and organize! Since the 2017 elections, when the power of the Black female vote became evident to the world, many political groups have sprung up to leverage this newly found clout. You can do your part by donating to or becoming an active participant in one of these organizations. Contact your representatives. Nothing gets a senators or congresspersons attention like a passionate, active and vocal constituency. By flooding your representatives phone lines and mail boxes with messages about just how incensed you are about unequal pay, she or he will be sure to get the point. Enshrining the Equal Rights Amendment into the U.S. Constitution has been a part of the Democratic Party platform for years, and yet nothing has changed. Lets use the 2018 midterms and the 2020 election as an opportunity to make sure this actually happens. Lets demand that ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment become a top priority. Its time for ALL women to use the influence weve earned, and demand party leaders act on the issues important to us, or else the next time they need our support, they may find us unavailable and uninspired. Tampa (AFP) - The planet urgently needs to transition to a green economy because fossil fuel pollution risks pushing the Earth into a lasting and dangerous "hothouse" state, researchers warned on Monday. If polar ice continues to melt, forests are slashed and greenhouse gases rise to new highs -- as they currently do each year -- the Earth will pass a tipping point. Crossing that threshold "guarantees a climate 4-5 Celsius (7-9 Fahrenheit) higher than pre-industrial times, and sea levels that are 10 to 60 meters (30-200 feet) higher than today," cautioned scientists in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. And that "could be only decades ahead," they said. - What is 'Hothouse Earth'? - "Hothouse Earth is likely to be uncontrollable and dangerous to many," said the article by scientists at University of Copenhagen, Australian National University and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany. Rivers would flood, storms would wreak havoc on coastal communities, and coral reefs would be eliminated -- all by century's end or even earlier. Global average temperatures would exceed those of any interglacial period -- meaning warmer eras that come in between Ice Ages -- of the past 1.2 million years. Melting polar ice caps would lead to dramatically higher sea levels, flooding coastal land that is home to hundreds of millions of people. "Places on Earth will become uninhabitable if 'Hothouse Earth' becomes the reality," said co-author Johan Rockstrom, executive director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre. - Where is the tipping point? - Researchers suggest the tipping point could come once the Earth warms to 3.6 Fahrenheit (2 Celsius) over pre-industrial times. The planet has already warmed 1 C over pre-industrial times, and is heating up at a rate of 0.17 C per decade. "A 2 C warming could activate important tipping elements, raising the temperature further to activate other tipping elements in a domino-like cascade that could take the Earth System to even higher temperatures," said the report. Story continues This cascade "may tip the entire Earth system into a new mode of operation," said co-author Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. Experts also worry about phenomena like wildfires, which will spread as the planet gets hotter and drier and have the potential to accelerate carbon dioxide buildup and global warming. - How they calculated this - The "Perspective" article is based on previously published studies on tipping points for the Earth. The scientists also examined conditions the Earth has seen in the distant past, such as the Pliocene period five million years ago, when CO2 was at 400 ppm like today. During the Cretaceous period, the era of the dinosaurs some 100 million years ago, CO2 levels were even higher at 1,000 ppm, largely due to volcanic activity. To state that 2 C is a no-return threshold "is new," said Martin Siegert, co-director of the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, who was not involved in the study. The study authors "collated previously published ideas and theories to present a narrative on how the threshold change would work," he said. "It's rather selective, but not outlandish." - How to stop it - People must immediately change their lifestyle to be better stewards of the Earth, the researchers said. Fossil fuels must be replaced with low or zero emissions energy sources, and there should be more strategies for absorbing carbon emissions such as ending deforestation and planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide. Soil management, better farming practices, land and coastal conservation and carbon capture technologies are also on the list of actions. Yet even if humans stopped emitting greenhouse gases, the current warming trend could trigger other Earth system processes, called feedbacks, driving even more warming. These include permafrost thaw, deforestation, loss of northern hemisphere snow cover, sea ice and polar ice sheets. Researchers say it's not certain that the Earth can remain stable. "What we do not know yet is whether the climate system can be safely 'parked' near 2 C above preindustrial levels, as the Paris Agreement envisages," said Schellnhuber. Anna Amelia K. Mayers, 90, entered fully into the presence of the Lord on Friday, September 10, 2021. While she will be missed by many, we are thankful she is reunited in heaven with... By Dan Whitcomb (Reuters) - Deputies who raided a squalid compound surrounded by tires and an earthen berm in rural New Mexico have arrested two men and taken 11 children into protective custody for their own health and safety, the sheriff said. Three women believed to be the children's mothers also were detained during last week's sweep, which followed a two-month investigation by authorities in New Mexico and Georgia as well as the FBI, Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said in a statement on the department's Facebook page. Hogrefe said in the statement that Siraj Wahhaj, 39, was taken into custody on a warrant accusing him of abducting his 3-year-old son. Lucan Morton was arrested on suspicion of harboring a fugitive. The missing boy was not found at the compound outside the unincorporated community of Amalia, New Mexico, near the Colorado state line, Hogrefe said, but "it is reasonably believed he was there a few weeks ago." Hogrefe said Wahhaj was armed with an AR15-style rifle and four loaded pistols when he was taken into custody. It was not immediately clear if the two suspects, who are both from Clayton County, Georgia, had retained criminal defense attorneys. The sheriff said the compound was made up of a small travel trailer buried in the ground and covered with a tarp, providing no running water, plumbing or electricity. "The only food we saw were a few potatoes and a box of rice in the filthy trailer," Hogrefe said. "But what was most surprising, and heartbreaking was when the team located a total of five adults and 11 children that looked like third world country refugees not only with no food or fresh water, but with no shoes, personal hygiene and basically dirty rags for clothing." (This story corrects spelling of arrested man in third paragraph) (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Bill Trott) - AFP Five people have been arrested in New Mexico after police raided a remote desert encampment and found 11 children living among potential Muslim extremists in filthy conditions. The three women mothers of the 11 children aged between one and 15 and two men were all charged with child abuse. One of the men, Siraj Wahhaj, 39, was wanted in his home state of Georgia for questioning over the disappearance of his three-year-old son, Abdul. Both father and son were last seen in December, when Wahhaj told his wife, Hakima Ramzi, that he was taking the boy to the park. The boy's mother told police her child suffered from seizures along with development and cognitive delays. Documents made public in a court filing on Monday said Wahhaj told the boy's mother, before fleeing Georgia, that he wanted to perform an exorcism on the child because he believed he was possessed by the devil. Abdul was unable to walk owing to his disability. Georgia man Siraj Ibn Wahhaj after his arrest Credit: AFP Wahhajs relatives, including his father, an imam at a mosque in Brooklyn, New York, launched a social media campaign to try and find the missing boy. The toddler was not found in Friday's raid, however, which was months in the making. Police finally went in after the sheriff in Taos, New Mexico, was forwarded a note from someone on the property, given to Georgia police, which read: we are starving and need food and water. Jerry Hogrefe, sheriff of Taos County, said: "I absolutely knew that we couldn't wait on another agency to step up, and we had to go check this out as soon as possible." The sheriff described planning "a tactical approach for our own safety because we had learned the occupants were most likely heavily armed and considered extremist of the Muslim belief." Relatives' social media accounts show the Wahhaj family to be devout, but with no evidence of extremist beliefs. A view of the compound in Amalia, New Mexico, where police rescued 11 children and arrested two armed "extremists" Credit: AFP Mr Hogrefe and his men were met by Wahhaj and his colleague, Lucas Morten, who were armed with an AR-15 rifle, five loaded 30-round magazines and four loaded pistols, including one in Wahhaj's pocket. Story continues The men at first refused to follow verbal direction, police said, during Fridays day-long operation. The women - Jany Leveille, 35, Wahhaj's second wife; Hujrah Wahhaj, 38; and Subhannah Wahhaj, a 35-year-old author of Muslim self-help books gave themselves up. Subhannah Wahhaj is married to Morten, a relative told The Telegraph. The compound in Amalia, New Mexico Credit: AP When officials finally entered the makeshift compound, in remote northern New Mexico, they found what one officer called "the saddest living conditions and poverty I have seen". Mr Hogrefe told ABC News the children were hungry, thirsty and filthy. "I've been a cop for 30 years. I've never seen anything like this. Unbelievable," he said. Police described the compound as a small underground trailer covered by plastic, with no running water or electricity "They were skinny, their ribs showed, they were in very poor hygiene and very scared," he said. Police described the compound as a small underground trailer covered by plastic, with no running water or electricity Credit: AP All five adults were held in detention in Taos, charged on Sunday with child abuse. The children were taken away for medical tests. Mr Hogrefe said authorities have reason to believe the boy was at the compound several weeks ago, and they were continuing their search for him. Morten was additionally charged with harbouring a fugitive and Wahhaj was booked without bond on his Georgia warrant for child abduction. Sherry Jarrell, an occupational therapist who lives on a 70-acre property not far from where the arrests were made on Friday said the area is beautiful, but residents dont always know who their neighbours are. Its a great place, she told Taos News. But strange people live out on the mesa. People that are trying to get away from things. Elon Musk has long had his sights set on an eventual goal of making Mars a more habitable planet. His dreams of manned SpaceX flights ferrying settlers to the Red Planet are no secret, but in order for that to be a reality wed need to spruce Mars up a bit. Recently, scientists delivered some devastating news to anyone who dreams of Mars becoming Earth-like, and a new study revealed that theres not nearly enough carbon dioxide left on the planet to create an atmosphere. Never one to turn down an opportunity to defy his naysayers, Musk fired back, stating that there is totally enough carbon dioxide locked up in the Martian soil, and that the researchers were just plain wrong. Don't Miss: Over 100 board games and card games are discounted in Amazons big one-day sale The study, which was released last week and published in Nature Astronomy, explains in detail how the CO2 on Mars is trapped both in the soil and rock on the planets surface as well as the ice on it poles. Musk has long said that theres enough CO2 there to create an atmosphere, but the researchers now say the actual amount is nowhere near enough. News of the study spread across the internet and eventually landed on Musks Twitter doorstep. Needless to say, he disagrees with it. Youll notice here that his reply doesnt actually address the specific statistics that the scientists put forth, namely the percentages of CO2 that instruments at Mars have detected. Those readings put a huge damper on the dreams of terraforming the planet, but Musks argument seems to be little more than nope, theres definitely enough there. The study is supported by hard data and calculations, while Musks pushback appears to be supported by his gut feeling that Mars could be terraformed. Manned missions to Mars wont begin for another couple of decades at the earliest, and well certainly learn a lot more at that point, but for now well just have to wonder who is right: a team of highly-trained scientists or a billionaire entrepreneur. Story continues BGR Top Deals: Trending Right Now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com Emma Stone and Jonah Hill made a cute teenage couple in 2007s coming-of-age comedy Superbad. Theyll again be an intertwined pair in this Septembers Maniac but as the Netflix seriess first trailer reveals, this time around, their relationship will be anything but straightforward. Directed by True Detective and Beast of No Nations Cary Joji Fukunaga, and debuting exclusively on Netflix as a limited-edition 10-episode series, Maniac is a remake of a 2014 Norwegian show of the same name, and concerns two strangers (Hill and Stone) who find themselves participating in a psychological experiment conducted by Justin Therouxs researcher. Calling to mind Black Mirror, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Total Recall, Sucker Punch, and Alien (to name just a few sci-fi predecessors), the above clip certainly promises mind-bending insanity which Stone herself aptly dubs some multi-reality brain magic s***. Better yet, despite featuring plenty of action involving Hill and Stone in various movie-style guises (which may all exist in their heads), as well as some bizarrely humorous moments featuring Theroux and Sally Field, this full-length trailer maintains considerable mystery about the shows actual plot meaning you can check it out without fear of being exposed to unreasonable spoilers. Co-starring Sonoya Mizuno, Julia Garner, and Jemima Kirke, Maniac debuts on Netflix on Sept. 21. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: A picture shows wires at the back of a super computer at the Konrad-Zuse Centre for applied mathematics and computer science, in Berlin August 13, 2013. REUTERS/Thomas Peter Nir Eisikovits, Dan Feldman Security, Americas "The engineers are right to worry. But the stakes are higher than they think." Employees at Google, Amazon and Microsoft Have Threatened to Walk Off the Job Over the Use of AI Call it an engineering insurgency. In the last few weeks employees at Google, Amazon and Microsoft have threatened to walk off the job over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) products. Google employees are upset that the companys video interpretation technology could be used to optimize drone strikes. Amazon workers are insisting they dont want law enforcement to have access to the companys face recognition technology. Microsoft staff are threatening to quit if plans to make software for ICE go forward. The dissent is part of a growing anxiety about AI: from concerns raised by academics and NGOs about killer robots (consider the Slaughterbots video produced by Stuart Russell of Berkley, and the Future of Life Institute, which garnered over two million YouTube views in a short time) to misgivings about inequity and racial profiling in the deployment of AI (see, for example, Kathy ONeils excellent book Weapons of Math Destruction which documents the adverse impact of AI on private and public sector decisionmaking). There is certainly a lot to worry about. Widespread use of facial-recognition technology by law enforcement can spell the end of speech, association and privacy rights (just think about the ability to identify, catalogue and store thousands of facial images from a boisterous political rally). As ONeill reminds us in her book, the algorithms employed in large chain store hiring processes and credit worthiness decision are opaque and lack self-correction mechanisms. They give off an air of objectivity and authority while encoding the prejudices of the people who programmed them. Weapons systems combining face recognition and social-media access can pick off opponents more efficiently than the most ruthless assassin. The images of swarm-drone warfare in Slaughterbots are the stuff of nightmares. Story continues But profound as these concerns are, a focus on the safety and equity of AI diverts our attention from a series of still more fundamental questions: how does AI change the way we experience ourselves and others? Which of our basic capabilities does AI alter? Does it revolutionize how we relate to others? Suppose that all anxieties about safety and equity are laid to rest; that AI applications are safe, well-regulated and used equitably. Suppose face recognition is strictly controlled and subject to meaningful consent. Suppose the collateral damage caused by autonomous weapons is smaller than that caused by traditional arms and that we could control their proliferation. Suppose that algorithms governing decisions about credit, hiring, and police force allocation are based on transparent, nondiscriminatory self-correcting proxies. Entertain, in short, as a thought experiment, that AI is safe, transparent and decent. Is there anything left to worry about? There is. Our engagement with AI will transform us. Technology always does, even while we are busy using it to reinvent our world. The introduction of the machine gun by Richard Gatling during Americas Civil War, and its massive role in World War I, obliterated our ideas of military gallantry and chivalry and emblazoned in our minds Wilfred Owens imagery of young men who die as Cattle. The computer revolution beginning after World War II ushered in a way of understanding and talking about the mind in terms of hardware, wiring and rewiring that still dominates neurology. How will AI change us? How has it changed us already? For example, what does reliance on navigational aids like Waze do to our sense of adventure? What happens to our ability to make everyday practical judgments when so many of these judgmentsin areas as diverse as credit worthiness, human resources, sentencing, police force allocationare outsourced to algorithms? If our ability to make good moral judgments depends on actually making themon developing, through practice and habit, what Aristotle called practical wisdomwhat happens when we lose the habit? What becomes of our capacity for patience when more and more of our trivial interests and requests are predicted and immediately met by artificially intelligent assistants like Siri and Alexa? Does a child who interacts imperiously with these assistants take that habit of imperious interaction to other aspects of her life? Its hard to know how exactly AI will alter us. Our concerns about the fairness and safety of the technology are more concrete and easier to grasp. But the abstract, philosophical question of how AI will impact what it means to be human is more fundamental and cannot be overlooked. The engineers are right to worry. But the stakes are higher than they think. Nir Eisikovits is a political philosopher and the director of UMass Bostons Applied Ethics Center. Dan Feldman is the senior research fellow at the center and a software engineering executive with more than forty years of experience developing leading edge computing systems in a wide variety of industries. The Applied Ethics Center at UMass Boston is launching a project titled AI and Experience (AIEX), which will examine the ways in which artificial intelligence changes our understanding of ourselves and our environment. Image: A picture shows wires at the back of a super computer at the Konrad-Zuse Centre for applied mathematics and computer science, in Berlin August 13, 2013. REUTERS/Thomas Peter Read full article BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union on Monday said it deeply regretted the re-imposition of sanctions by the United States on Iran, adding it and other signatories would work on keeping financial channels with Iran open. "The remaining parties to the JCPOA have committed to work on, inter alia, the preservation and maintenance of effective financial channels with Iran, and the continuation of Iran's export of oil and gas," the European Union's foreign service said in a statement, referring to the acromym for the nuclear deal struck with Iran in 2015. The United States intends to fully enforce sanctions due to be reimposed against Iran early this week on orders from U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday. (Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; editing by Foo Yun Chee) BRUSSELS (AP) A rescue fund set up to help euro-using countries paid its final 15 billion-euro ($17.3 billion) bailout loan to Greece on Monday after objections by Germany delayed the payment by several weeks. The European Stability Mechanism said 9.5 billion euros (nearly $11 billion) of the loan would go toward a cash buffer Greece could use to meet its financial needs for almost two years. The other 5.5 billion euros ($6.4 billion) was earmarked for paying off some of the country's considerable debt. The Greek government hailed the payment as "the last act of the bailout drama." "Greece can now begin a new page of progress, justice and growth," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' office said in a statement. "We face a lot of work ahead, but also a new prospect, at last, for the majority" of the Greek people. Greece has depended on rescue loans from its European partners and the International Monetary Fund since 2010. The third, and last, bailout runs out on Aug. 20; after that, Greece will have to rely on international bond markets for money. The cash buffer means the government won't be in a hurry to do so, given the country's sub-investment grade credit rating and the high rates private investors would demand on loans. European Stability Mechanism Managing Director Klaus Regling said the disbursement showed "Greece has come a long way" in managing the bailout and that "the commitment and hard work of the Greek people are now paying off." In mid-July, Germany objected to immediate payment of the final installment, claiming Athens had not met all the requirements. Eva Longoria arrives at the premiere of Dog Days at Westfield Century City on Aug. 5, 2018 less than two months after welcoming her first child. (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) Maternity leave is over for Eva Longoria. Over the weekend, the actress returned to work for the first time after welcoming her first child, son Santiago, on June 19. She participated in a press day for the family-friendly film then got glammed up to attend Sundays premiere of the flick in Los Angeles, walking the carpet with co-stars Vanessa Hudgens and Nina Dobrev. Longoria, who just gave the world a peek at her new man in Hola magazine, wore a white jacket dress for the occasion that was low-cut and showed some leg. She had on red lipstick, but that new mom glow was all natural. Just me and my girls, Eva captioned a similar photo of herself with Nina Dobrev, left, and Vanessa Hudgens, right. Go watch our new movie out in theaters Aug. 8th. (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) But being back to work didnt feel quite so natural just yet. At the premiere, the Desperate Housewives alum told Us Weekly, Ive been with him 24/7 since he was born. Being here at work, thats probably the most difficult thing. Leaving him for four hours. Im like, What?! She said that shed be taking a break from the premiere to go and pump breast milk. Then, as soon as her work obligations were fulfilled, she said, Im going to be running back to him tonight. The infant was being cared for by a baby nurse. On Saturday, while doing press for the film, Longoria who is married to businessman Jose Pepe Baston told Entertainment Tonight that shes had no self-doubts about motherhood so far. She said shes learned loads from the women in her life, including Kerry Washington who she said was practically her doula as well as her mom, her mother-in-law, and the babys nurse. She says shed also been a mom to so many in my life already my nieces, my nephews, girls through my foundation. Story continues Longoria said, I just have this amazing community of women around me that have really helped me transition into motherhood, and I think you need that. But now like other moms out there returning to work after having a baby shes just trying to figure it all out. Now comes the part where, as I start returning back to work slowly, [Im asking], How do you balance it all?' said Longoria. She said that before having a child, Everybody used to [ask] me, How do you do it all? You do so many things. And I was just like, Because I dont have kids. I mean, every project was my baby and now I actually have a baby. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Oslo (AFP) - The ship used by Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen finally returned home Monday, completing its journey around the North Pole 100 years after her chaotic expedition started. A precious relic of Norwegian polar expeditions, the Maud was recovered in 2016 after spending 85 years in Canadian Arctic waters where it sank in 1930. The shipwreck was towed across the North Atlantic on a barge after it left Greenland at the end of June and arrived at the port of Bergen in western Norway on Monday morning. "The trip was long, but it went well," Jan Wanggaard, manager of the effort to bring the Maud back to Norway, told AFP. Thanks to funding by three Norwegian brothers and entrepreneurs, the ship will be exhibited in the southeastern municipality of Asker, near Oslo, where it was launched in 1917. "Roald Amundsen is an important historical figure in Norway," Wanggaard said. The first person to reach the South Pole, Amundsen wanted to use the Maud to study the Arctic Ocean by letting her get caught on the ice and drift around the North Pole. "We want to tell the story of this expedition to the Norwegian people," Wanggaard added. In 1906, Amundsen became the first European to sail through the Northwest Passage searching for a shorter shipping route from Europe to Asia, something explorers had been trying to find for centuries. Amundsen sailed through the Northeast Passage with the Maud in 1918-20 and although the journey brought back rich scientific results, he was unable to get far enough north to launch a North Pole expedition. The ship, named after Norway's Queen Maud, was sold to the Hudson's Bay Company in 1925 and rechristened the Baymaud after Amundsen filed for bankruptcy. It ended its days as a floating warehouse and the region's first radio station before sinking at its moorings in 1930 near Cambridge Bay, in the Canadian territory of Nunavut. In 1990, Asker Council in Norway bought the wreck for just $1. Cambridge Bay residents fought its removal but the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board granted an export permit for the ship in 2012. Don't ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for Alex Jones. The controversial conspiracy theorist and talk show host has found himself on the end of Facebook's ban hammer once again. The social media platform announced on Monday morning they had completely removed four of Jones' Facebook pages: the Alex Jones Channel Page, the Alex Jones Page, the InfoWars Page, and the InfoWars Nightly News Page. SEE ALSO: Apple removes podcasts from InfoWars' Alex Jones on iTunes The ban follows the removal of a handful of videos from those pages which also landed Jones in a 30-day timeout from Facebook. As for today's decision, Facebook laid it out in a statement posted to their site: Of course, given how Facebook has struggled against fake news being spread on its platform, it's noteworthy that wasn't one of the reasons that Jones, a man who said the Sandy Hook shootings were faked and pushed the #Pizzagate conspiracy, was banned. It's just the latest hit against InfoWars. Hours before the Facebook ban was announced, Apple removed the Info Wars podcasts from iTunes which itself follows decisions by Spotify and Stitcher to remove the show from those service. YouTube, which is dealing with its own fake news problem, recently hit Jones and InfoWars with a second "strike," but the man and his show have not been banned yet from their service. Perhaps the tech companies that have continued to give Jones' dangerous rhetoric and conspiracies a platform finally got a shove when Jones' own attorney, defending the host against a lawsuit brought by parents of victims in the Sandy Hook school shooting, said "no reasonable reader or listener" would actually believe Jones' nonsense. It's similar to an argument that was brought up in the spring during a custody hearing between Jones and his ex-wife, that Jones is essentially playing a character when he hosts his shows and that he shouldn't be judged by his words and actions when playing that character. Facebook has booted four Alex Jones and InfoWars pages from its platform, the company said Monday. The Alex Jones Channel Page, the Alex Jones Page, the InfoWars Page and the Infowars Nightly News Page were removed for violating Facebooks policies on graphic violence and hate speech, the company said. Last week, Facebook removed four videos from Jones-affiliated pages and placed Jones, an administrator of the pages, on a 30-day block. However, the other administrators continued posting content on the pages. Facebook said it removed the pages after receiving an unspecified number of additional reports of community standards violations. The social media giant also clarified that the removals were not related to fake news complaints. While much of the discussion around Infowars has been related to false news, which is a serious issue that we are working to address by demoting links marked wrong by fact checkers and suggesting additional content, none of the violations that spurred todays removals were related to this, Facebook said. Jones is a conservative radio host and conspiracy theorist who, among other things, claimed the 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school massacre was a hoax. Several other platforms have also banned his content, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube, which identified Jones content as hate speech. YouTube on Monday removed The Alex Jones Channel, which had more than 2 million subscribers, for for violating YouTubes Community Guidelines. Last month, YouTube removed four of his videos. This story has been updated to include YouTubes removal of Jones channel. Related Coverage Here Are The Most Outrageously Offensive And False Things Alex Jones Has Said Alex Jones Is Finally Getting The Defamation Lawsuit He Deserves Apple Removes Alex Jones and Infowars Podcasts From iTunes Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. As the self-described grumpy lady of tech, journalist Kara Swisher has thought and written about Facebook a lot since at least 2005, when she first interviewed Mark Zuckerberg. Closing in on a decade and a half later, Swisher no longer likes what she sees. In her latest column for The New York Times, the veteran tech insider concludes that Facebook and Twitter, and YouTube are doing great damage to the world, perhaps without realizing it. [Zuckerberg] and Facebook ... have been working humanitys last nerve for far too long now, Swisher writes, using language that verges on breakup letter territory. Every week, its something, and that something is never good. From enabling massive political disinformation campaigns around the world (which are still happening) to amplifying hate speech to letting the personal information of 87 million people slip through its fingers, never good is perhaps putting it lightly. These companies have indeed changed the world, Swisher concedes just not for the better: All these companies began with a gauzy credo to change the world. But they have done that in ways they did not imagine by weaponizing pretty much everything that could be weaponized. They have mutated human communication, so that connecting people has too often become about pitting them against one another, and turbocharged that discord to an unprecedented and damaging volume. They have weaponized social media. They have weaponized the First Amendment. They have weaponized civic discourse. And they have weaponized, most of all, politics. Swisher slightly tempered her criticism in a follow-up interview with CNBC on Monday, applauding Apple for pulling far-right conspiracy site Infowars from its platform, which prompted Facebook, Spotify and YouTube to follow suit. What Im arguing is its not all good, and I think thats the story weve had for far too long, she told the hosts. As they struggle to figure this out, society is damaged and theres a price for it. I dont mean to say they do it on purpose; its that its not thought out enough. These policies arent thought out enough. Story continues The companies failure to grasp their negative impact in the world may not fully manifest itself in their stock prices at first but it will eventually, in the form of a much smaller user base, Swisher predicted. As these places not just Facebook, Twitter, all the others as they become cesspools of humanity, people arent going to use them as much. And at the same time, the tentacles are just growing and growing, and I dont mean to be alarming, but if they have this great responsibility, and we trust them with our financial information and everything else ... weve got to think hard about what those responsibilities are when they get that information. Related Coverage Facebook Admits It's Probably Not The Best Thing For Democracy Mark Zuckerberg Says Facebook Won't Remove Holocaust Denial Content Facebook Will Remove Fake Content Meant To Incite Violence Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. The explosion occurred near Borgo Paginale to west of the city, close to Bologna airport - AFP A tanker truck exploded on a motorway just outside the northern Italian city of Bologna on Monday, engulfing the area with flames and black smoke, the fire service said, with local media reporting one person killed. The explosion occurred near Borgo Paginale to west of the city, very close to Bologna airport, at around 2.00 pm (12pm GMT), the Italian fire service said on Twitter. The cause of the blast is not yet known. Italian news agency Ansa has reported that two people died and more than 60 others were injured following the blast. A video published on Twitter by the Italian fire service shows a huge column of black smoke billowing from the wreckage of the truck on the city's ring road. The cause of the blast is not yet known Credit: @giornaleprociv / Twitter Images released earlier by the fire service showed burning cars in an adjacent carpark. Firefighters work on the motorway Credit: REUTERS One video filmed by a motorist circulating on Twitter shows the moment the tanker exploded, when a black plume of smoke was suddenly swept away by a powerful ball of flame that takes over the entire horizon. Left: High-resolution STM image of a silver nanoparticle of 374 silver atoms covered by 113 TBBT molecules. Right: a simulated STM image from one orientation of the particle. Center: the atomic structure of the particle. Using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), extremely high resolution imaging of the molecule-covered surface structures of silver nanoparticles is possible, even down to the recognition of individual parts of the molecules protecting the surface. This was the finding of joint research between China and Finland, led in Finland by Academy Professor Hannu Hakkinen of the University of Jyvaskyla. Studying the surface structures of nanoparticles at atomic resolution is vital to understanding the chemical properties of their structures, molecular interactions and the functioning of particles in their environments. Experimental research on surface structures has long involved imaging techniques suitable for nanometer-level resolution, the most common of which are based on electron tunnelling, the abovementioned scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) based on the measurement of small, atomic-scale forces. However, achieving molecular resolution in imaging has proven highly challenging, for example because the curvature of the object to be imaged i.e. the nanoparticle's surface, is of the same order as the curvature of the scanning tip. Measurements are also sensitive to environmental disturbances, which may affect the thermal movement of molecules, for example. The researchers used previously characterised silver nanoparticles, with a known atomic structure. The metal core of the particles has 374 silver atoms and the surface is protected by a set of 113 TBTT molecules. TBBT (tert-butyl-benzene thiol) is a molecule with three separate carbon groups on its end. The particle's outer surface has a total of 339 such groups. When this type of nano-particle sample was imaged at low temperatures in the STM experiment, clear sequential modulations were observed in the tunnelling current formed by the image (see left part of the image). Similar modulations were noted when individual TBBT molecules were imaged on a flat surface. Based on density functional theory (DFT), the simulations performed by Hakkinen's research team showed that each of the three carbon groups of the TBBT molecule provides its own current maximum in the STM image (see the right part of the image) and that the distances between the maxima corresponded to the STM measurement results. This confirmed that measurement was successful at sub-molecular level. The simulations also predicted that accurate STM measurement can no longer be successful at room temperature, as the thermal movement of the molecules is so high that the current maxima of individual carbon groups blend into the background. "This is the first time that STM imaging of nanoparticle surface structures has been able to 'see' the individual parts of molecules. Our computational work was important to verifying the experimental results. However, we wanted to go one step further. As the atomic structure of particles is well known, we had grounds for asking whether the precise orientation of the imaged particle could be identified using simulations," says Hakkinen, describing the research. To this end, Hakkinen's group computed a simulated STM image of the silver particle from 1,665 different orientations and developed a pattern recognition algorithm to determine which simulated images best matched the experimental data. "We believe that our work demonstrates a new useful strategy for the imaging of nanostructures. In the future, pattern recognition algorithms and artificial intelligence based on machine learning will become indispensable to the interpretation of images of nanostructures. Our work represents the first step in that direction. That's why we have also decided to openly distribute the pattern recognition software we had developed to other researchers," says Hakkinen. The nanoparticle synthesis was performed in Xiamen University by Professor Nanfeng Zheng's research group and the STM measurements were carried out at Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics under the direction of Professor Zhibo Man. PhD student Sami Kaappa and senior researcher Sami Malola from Professor Hakkinen's group performed the calculations for the project. The research of Professor Hakkinen's group is in receipt of funding from the AIPSE programme of the Academy of Finland. The CSC - IT Center for Science in Finland and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center provided the resources for all simulations requiring high-power computing. The Barcelona simulations were part of the NANOMETALS project supported by the PRACE organisation. Thus far in the summer transfer window, the 20 clubs in the Premier League have spent over $1.5bn on nearly 300 new players. (Well, to be more specific, 19 clubs have spent over $1.5bn on nearly 300 new players, as Tottenham have yet to dust off their check book.) Heres FC Yahoos pick of five brand-new Premier League players you should keep an eye out for this seasonor much sooner if you are putting together a fantasy team. LAS VEGAS (AP) Wynn Resorts announced additional changes to its board of directors Monday, a truce with its top shareholder and the end to an internal investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations against the company's founder that surfaced earlier this year. The appointment of industry veteran Phil Satre as vice chairman is the latest change to a board that has seen resignations and appointments since March. The move is among the many steps the casino operator's leadership has taken to show it is committed to move the company onto a new chapter. Satre, who was the longtime chairman and CEO of Harrah's Entertainment, will become the board's chairman when D. Boone Wayson steps down from that role by Dec. 31. The arrangement is part of an agreement between the company and Elaine Wynn, who became the largest shareholder after her ex-husband, Steve Wynn, sold his shares following his resignation as chairman and CEO amid sexual misconduct allegations that he has denied. "The addition of someone of Phil's caliber and experience is a significant step forward for Wynn Resorts as we turn the page on the last six months," Wayson said in a statement. He said the appointment is the result of a collaborative effort with Elaine Wynn, "which I believe will serve as the beginning of a constructive and unified effort by all parties to move the Company forward." Most recently, Satre was chairman of the board of IGT, which manufactures slot machines and other casino equipment. The Wall Street Journal in January reported that several women said he harassed or assaulted them and that one case led to a $7.5 million settlement. Wynn has filed a defamation lawsuit against The Associated Press for its reporting on a separate allegation made to police. The company in a securities filing on Monday said an internal committee has finished its investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations. Its board of directors on Friday received the final presentation from the committee but will not release any results publicly until gambling regulators finish their investigations. Story continues The company said the findings will be shared with gambling regulators. Regulatory entities in Nevada and Massachusetts are looking into the allegations. Committee chairwoman Pat Mulroy in May told investors the committee had interviewed more than 100 people and reviewed 3 million documents. The agreement with Elaine Wynn limits the amount of pressure she can put on the company until 2020 or when Satre departs as chairman, whichever comes first. It limits her from nominating directors to the board and sets a cap on her stake in the company at 9.9 percent, among other restrictions. Meanwhile, the company has agreed to reimburse her up to $5 million in out-of-pocket expenses from a proxy battle earlier this year. She said in a statement released by the company that she has long respected Satre's leadership in the industry and was confident that the changes made by management would bring "tremendous success in the years to come." ___ Follow Regina Garcia Cano at https://twitter.com/reginagarciakNO Five-star USC signee J.T. Daniels is competing to be USCs starting QB. (Via Rivals) USC fans better hope quarterback J.T. Daniels isnt pulling a Reuben Foster when it comes to tattoos. Daniels has a huge USC-inspired tattoo on his right lower leg. Take a look at this detail. Weve got a lion, a coliseum, and a trojan all in there. Theres no telling what the sock is covering up either. Daniels, a five-star recruit in the class of 2018 and the No. 2 pro-style quarterback in the country according to Rivals, is competing to be the starting quarterback for the Trojans. He and Matt Fink and Jack Sears are all battling to be the quarterback who replaces Sam Darnold, the New York Jets first-round pick in 2018. If Daniels loses out on that quarterback competition, were guessing that he doesnt have any thoughts of transferring. Though if he does, he can always get some advice from Foster, who played his career at Alabama with an Auburn tattoo. Foster got that tattoo when he was committed to the Tigers before he flipped to the Tide. He ended up turning the Auburn tattoo into a tribute for his cousin who was murdered near the Auburn campus. Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports. More from Yahoo Sports: Eric Adelson: Hall of Fame deserves blame for Terell Owens sideshow Angels Manager Mike Scioscia denies report that hes leaving Dan Wetzel: LeBron James, and his rise is proof of what makes America great Joel Embiid plans on using mean tweets from Colangelo burner account as motivation The falsely accused Harrison Ford is relentlessly chased by Tommy Lee Jones in 1993s The Fugitive. (Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures, courtesy of Everett Collection) We now live in an age of incessant cinematic CGI, when most every studio tentpole (save, notably, for this months Mission: Impossible Fallout) is awash in delirious digitized spectacle. The technological tools at filmmakers disposal are hardly something to lament like most devices, they can be used for positive or negative ends, depending on who wields them. Yet as we come into the home stretch of yet another extravaganza-heavy summer, its worth remembering that, for all their benefits, computerized effects arent necessary to craft a slam-bang action saga of enormous set pieces and propulsive thrills. And for proof of that fact, one need look no further than the genre gem celebrating its 25th anniversary today: The Fugitive. To watch The Fugitive now is to be transported back to an era when clever practical and rear-projection effects were all a skilled craftsman needed to produce unforgettable heart-in-your-throat moments. A quarter of a century after its theatrical debut, on Aug. 6, 1993, Andrew Daviss Harrison Ford vehicle is still a well-oiled machine that generates suspense through shrewd plotting and precise staging. Its tension rooted in the overarching plight of its protagonist, and thus in the performance of its marquee lead, it recognizes that character comes before pageantry because, in the end, one cares most about the latter when theyre deeply invested in the former. Throw in a stellar supporting turn from Tommy Lee Jones (which earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar) and you have a relic that doesnt play like a relic at all; on the contrary, it remains one of modern Hollywoods all-time best action films. The Fugitive lets moviegoers know that it knows what its doing from the get-go. Cutting back and forth between police officers arriving at the home of Dr. Richard Kimble (Ford) and the earlier assault and murder of Kimbles wife, Helen (Sela Ward) the latter shown in jagged black-and-white snippets punctuated by white photo-flash edits Davis handles his plots instigating incident in minutes while simultaneously moving on to the post-tragedy events at hand, all without indulging in murderous titillation. So swiftly and efficiently does the director move his material forward, in fact, that he temporarily pauses the opening credits to finish setting his narrative table, only to resume them once Kimble has been questioned, tried in court, convicted, sentenced, and sent onto a transport bus heading to his new penitentiary residence. Story continues From there, Davis puts the proverbial pedal to the metal, beginning with a bus crash that turns into a train crash that frees Kimble from incarceration, a scene assembled with a mixture of on-location work and rear-projection trickery thats about as seamless as it gets. Not to mention as concussive The Fugitives first centerpiece has an explosive screeching-metal intensity that more than holds up. Better yet, it reveals both Kimbles physical dexterity (and luck), as well as his goodness. Throughout, Davis fixates on Fords (and Joness) face, often via close-ups in which the star (first bearded, then clean-shaven) moves toward the camera a formal signature that accentuates the harried emotional condition of his wrong-man hero. That concentration on Fords countenance reaches its pinnacle during The Fugitives finest sequence, in which Kimble trapped in a tunnel with no way out takes to the sewers and, pursued by Joness no-nonsense U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard, discovers that the only means of escaping capture is to leap to his possible death off a monumental dam. Thanks to Daviss expert direction, that scene is most memorable for Fords look of terrified resignation (mixed with courage), which is highlighted in the foreground while Jones is visible holding him at gunpoint in the background. Kimbles jump is an act that still manages to produce gasps, and as befitting the films style, it is then immediately followed by a tight shot of Joness bug-eyed stunned-beyond-belief mug, as he suddenly becomes the audiences shocked proxy. Proficiently scripted by David Twohy (whod later go on to make another lean genre effort, Pitch Black), The Fugitive never flags, maintaining fever-pitch momentum as it details Kimbles flight from apprehension and quest to uncover the identity of the one-armed man who killed his wife and Gerards concurrent pursuit of Kimble with the aid of his marshals team, including Joe Pantoliano, Daniel Roebuck, and L. Scott Caldwell. Brief but crucial appearances by Julianne Moore (as a doctor at a hospital where Kimble does some saintly good) and Jane Lynch (as a friendly Kimble colleague) further round out a cast thats stellar from top to bottom. Nonetheless, even as it segues into its later Big Pharma-conspiracy passages, The Fugitive rests firmly on the shoulders of Ford and Jones, which makes it something like an exemplar of old-school star power for all its pinpoint execution of a simple, compelling chase story, the films success is attributable, first and foremost, to the magnetic charisma of its leads. If theres one way The Fugitive does resemble todays blockbusters, its in the fact that its an adaptation of a popular property the 1963-67 TV series starring David Janssen with a name brand that made it an easy sell to mass audiences. Of course, Daviss cat-and-mouse saga is a closed-end affair without any franchise potential, so one can imagine that current studio bigwigs might find it a less-than-ideal project in which to direct their time, energy, and financial resources. Over the past 25 years, studios have increasingly run away from films such as this, preferring instead the flashy, sequel-ready CGI-fests that now inundate the summer multiplex on a weekly basis. Thats their and, in the end, our loss, since few contemporaries have been able to provide the same enduring mix of thrills, mystery, and megawatt character drama thats delivered by the Ford, Jones, and Davis pre-digital classic. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Watch: How Who Framed Roger Rabbit revolutionized Hollywood: ACCRA (Reuters) - Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo sacked Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko on Monday, a statement from the presidency said, giving no official reason. Press reports said Agyarko was removed because Akufo-Addo was unhappy with his handling of an agreement to extend an existing five-year deal with United Arab Emirates-based AMERI Energy to operate a 300MW emergency power plant. The deal has been controversial in Ghana, with critics balking at a price tag of more than half a billion dollars. Akufo-Addo asked Agyarko to hand over his office to the minister of Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amew, until a new appointment is made, the statement said. The West African country became an energy producer in late 2010, and produces around 180,000 barrels per day mainly from three main fields, which also produce most of Ghana's gas for power generation. But intermittent power cuts have been a headache for the government, as demand consistently surges ahead of supply. (Reporting by Gideon Sackitey; Editing by Tim Cocks and Grant McCool) Heres a look at some of the companies the Yahoo Finance team will be watching for you today. Goldman Sachs (GS) is shaking up its trading operation. The Wall Street Journal says Jim Esposito will be formally tapped to run the securities division. Hes been one of the six executives leading that team since June. This ahead of David Solomon taking over as CEO this fall. Theres more attention on CBS (CBS) today. The company says the executive producer of 60 Minutes will stay on vacation as the company investigates misconduct allegations at the network. Variety says the probe is expected to wrap up later this month. Both 60 Minutes chief Jeff Fager and CEO Les Moonves have denied any wrongdoing. Apples (AAPL) iTunes has become the latest to say no to Alex Jones. The service has pulled down all of his podcasts and most offered by his network, Infowars. Apple hasnt publicly explained the move, but Facebook recently suspended his profile for bullying and hate speech. Wells Fargo (WFC) says more than 400 people lost their homes due to a computer glitch. Thats detailed in a new SEC filing. The bank says customers were denied loan changes that should have been approved and did not receive offers they qualified for. Wells says its very sorry and has set aside $8M for those affected. Brussels (AFP) - Greece received on Monday the final 15-billion-euro payment from its eight-year bailout programme in what creditors hailed as proof that tough austerity measures were "paying off." The payout by the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), the eurozone's bailout fund, comes ahead of the formal end on August 20 of Greece's third financial rescue package since 2010. The cash landed after Eurozone finance ministers in June reached what Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras called a "historic" deal to end the severe debt crisis that has weighed down the country for years. "The last disbursement and the positive conclusion of the final review send out a message that Greece has come a long way during the three years of the ESM programme," ESM Managing Director Klaus Regling said in a statement. "The commitment and hard work of the Greek people are now paying off." Regling said the final set of reforms agreed by Greece in exchange for the last payout "included important actions in the field of tax policy, combatting tax evasion, public revenue reforms, and the resolution of non-performing loans." In total 9.5 billion euros ($11 billion) of the tranche will be used to build up Greeces cash safety cushion to a hefty 24 billion euros -- 22 months of Greece's financing needs after the bailout ends -- according to the ESM. The other 5.5 billion euros will go on servicing debt. Greece's public finances spun out of control in 2010, sparking three international bailouts -- the last was in 2015 -- and threatening the country's membership of the euro single currency. In return Athens had to bow to harsh terms imposed by its creditors, especially Germany, with austerity measures and reforms striking at the heart of Greece's bloated public sector. Announcing the deal to end the crisis in June, leftist premier Tsipras donned a tie for the first time since taking office, having pledged to wear one only when Greece's debt was cut. Story continues The deal was expected to be an easy one, but last-minute resistance by Germany -- Greece's longtime bailout nemesis and biggest creditor -- dragged the talks on for six hours. "The end of the ESM programme on 20 August will be a milestone for the country. Greece will now have to prove to its partners and the markets that it is committed to not reversing past reforms," Regling said. The Greek crisis was one of the biggest wobbles in the EU's history, raising doubts about the sustainability of the postwar European project and boosting eurosceptic politicians who are now on the rise around the continent and helped push Britain towards the exit door in its 2016 referendum. (Photo: Damon Dahlen/HuffPost) Its no secret the Crazy Rich Asians cast is stacked with industry titans and veteran actors. But for its lead, Henry Golding, the upcoming movie marks his very first acting gig ever. Theres an extraordinary insanity to it all a newbie will star in a film with real historic weight that could leave behind a lasting legacy. Crazy Rich Asians is the first Hollywood contemporary title to have an all-Asian cast in more than two decades and the significance of Goldings role, in an industry where whiteness still rules, isnt lost on the actor. The concept did take a bit of getting used to for Golding, who was born in Malaysia and has lived a significant portion of his life in Asia. He spent years as a BBC travel host in the East, where Asian actors and stories are front and center in media. However, with his casting in Crazy Rich Asians, Golding was thrust into a discussion about underrepresentation in Hollywood and the battle for Asian visibility onscreen. (Photo: Damon Dahlen/HuffPost) Though the industry has evolved, Asians have seen little progress over the past few decades in terms of their representation in Hollywood. Even Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan had been asked to reimagine his protagonist as a white woman. (Imagine! For a film called Crazy Rich Asians!) So in some ways, Golding had to shift his own perspective to understand what hed gotten himself into. I was much more aware of [the fight for Asian representation] once this dialogue started coming out, because growing up and spending half my life in Asia, I saw brown faces, yellow faces, content that was created in the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, Golding said at HuffPosts New York office. He was sporting a laid-back brown jacket, striped shirt and olive green pants an ensemble completely fit for a dude with no idea what kind of stardom is about to hit him in the coming months. (Photo: Damon Dahlen/HuffPost) He added: Asian cinema, thats what people watched. It wasnt until that dialogue around underrepresentation, stereotyping, really drove home [that] I took a step back and thought This is something thats been happening massively in Hollywood. Story continues Goldings journey to becoming a face in the fight for Asian visibility in the U.S. entertainment industry started in an unexpected place. He actually spent many of his formative years in a U.K. barbershop, sudsing up customers roots and sweeping up fallen locks as a teen. He began working Saturdays at the shop, and when he finished secondary school, he decided to take things a bit more seriously. I went into an apprenticeship, starting off as a shampoo boy just through the trenches, he explained. He worked his way up through the ranks and swiftly began gaining clients, even landing a spot at the prestigious Richard Ward Hair and Metrospa in London. But he felt a yearning to move back to Malaysia, and in 2008, thats what he did this time, with a mission to get into television inspired by the fun, spirited energy he saw on MTV Asia. For eight years, Golding made it as a presenter and travel host. His fate changed just days before director Jon M. Chu submitted his recommendation to Warner Bros. for the Crazy Rich Asians starring role of Nick Young. (Photo: Damon Dahlen/HuffPost) According to Golding, Chu scoured his database of Asian talent and watched countless tapes submitted in response to the directors open submission casting call. But, determined to find the perfect fit, Chu remained undecided and unsatisfied. Just before that closing time period, one of the accounting ladies in the company, she was actually from Malaysia. She was like, I met this guy four or five years ago, he was presenting this event. He was the Nick Young to me. I dont know what hes doing at the moment, but he is Nick, Golding said. Chu did his research on Golding, the actor claims. And soon enough, Golding found himself in a series of auditions and tests for the role. The rest is history. Sorta. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. With Goldings casting in Crazy Rich Asians, a debate in the Asian-American community over Asianness ensued. The actor fielded criticism from people, including actress Jamie Chung, who felt that Golding wasnt fit for the role because of his mixed ancestry. Though Golding asks, whos the ultimate Asian gatekeeper of our identity? When it comes to cultural identity, when it comes to being an Asian, theres no litmus test for how Asian you need to be to be considered Asian. Ive lived more than half my life in Asia, Golding said. The fact is, Im half-British, half-Malaysian. For an Asian whos grown up in America to be commenting on how Asian I am when theyve never left America ... does that make them more or less Asian than me? he continued. When it comes to Eurasians, are we not allowed to embrace either one of our cultures we feel more attached to? Or decide within ourselves that I am Asian and I am proud to be Asian? Criticism of the movies casting speaks to deeper issues regarding racial purity, sociologist Nancy Wang Yuen previously told HuffPost. She explained that by declaring Golding to be not Asian enough for his role, critics are ignoring his Asian heritage and thats the reverse of how people view someone like, say, Barack Obama, Yuen said. The world sees President Obama as black, but his mother is white, she said, calling it contradictory to erase Goldings Asian ancestry while obliterating Obamas white ancestry. (Photo: Damon Dahlen/HuffPost) Actors of color struggle with opportunities in Hollywood, Yuen added. Numerous studies exemplify as much: From 2007 to 2016, Asians held under 6 percent of speaking roles in Hollywood films, a 2017 USC Annenberg study reveals. People of mixed heritage arent exempt from the fight for inclusion. I dont think that [finding actors without a mixed heritage] should be a necessity for casting, since Asian-American actors experience enough barriers to success in Hollywood, Yuen explained. Considering Goldings lived experiences, hes apt for the part, she said. While Golding calls for unity and support from everyone in the Asian community, he also understands why people are sensitive about proper casting. Year after year, Asian-Americans see their roles whitewashed or made into background characters. The absence of Asian faces on the big screen can have lasting effects. Theres this body of research and a term known as symbolic annihilation, which is the idea that if you dont see people like you in the media you consume, you must somehow be unimportant, Nicole Martins, associate professor at Indiana University Bloomingtons The Media School, previously told HuffPost. Golding is hyperaware of this. His eyes lit up when he talked about the power of film and the need for more depth and diversity in stories. The film is so important for people out there to open their eyes a little bit more and be aware of creating these roles and telling these stories in such important ways, he explained. People look to cinema to spread the word and to tell these wonderful, outrageous stories or true-to-life documentaries. Its such an important format for us to put our faces on and normalize. Its so influential in terms of society. (Photo: Damon Dahlen/HuffPost) The release of Crazy Rich Asians does not signify a reformed Hollywood or a perfectly inclusive industry but it does show theres room for Asian-Americans in entertainment. And Golding says hes eager to see what other genres Asians can expand into. The actor, whos a huge Andy Serkis fan, wants to see Asians conquer the fantasy space because why cant they kick it among the elves of Mirkwood? The wonder of cinema is that we can inhabit any world we want to. ... If they want an Asian elf in Lord Of The Rings, its gonna happen! There aint no people of color in the last movies that Ive noticed, Golding said, laughing. But trust me, thats gonna change. They cant afford not to. So I look forward to being an elf! This article originally appeared on HuffPost. TOKYO (AP) Hiroshima marked the anniversary of the Aug. 6, 1945, atomic bombing of the city with a somber ceremony Monday to remember those killed and injured and a call to eliminate nuclear weapons amid hopes of denuclearizing North Korea. Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui opened his speech by describing the hellish scene of the blast that morning 73 years ago and the agony of the victims, telling the audience to listen "as if you and your loved ones were there." Then he raised concerns about the global rise of egocentrism and tensions, and urged Japan's government to take more leadership toward achieving a truly nuclear-free world. "Certain countries are blatantly proclaiming self-centered nationalism and modernizing their nuclear arsenals, rekindling tensions that had eased with the end of the Cold War," Matsui said, without identifying the nations. Nuclear deterrence and nuclear umbrellas are "inherently unstable and extremely dangerous" approaches that seek to maintain international order by only generating fear in rival countries, he said, urging world leaders to negotiate in good faith to eliminate nuclear arsenals instead. The U.S. attack on Hiroshima killed 140,000 people, and the bombing of Nagasaki killed more than 70,000 three days later, leading to Japan's surrender and ending World War II. Matsui said in his speech that Japan's government should do more to achieve a nuclear-free world by helping the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons take effect. Japan, which hosts U.S. troops and is covered by the U.S. nuclear umbrella protecting it from attack, has not signed the treaty. Japan should live up to the spirit of its pacifist constitution to lead the international community "toward dialogue and cooperation for a world without nuclear weapons," Matsui said. About 50,000 people, including Hiroshima residents and representatives from 58 countries, including U.S. Ambassador William Hagerty, attended this year's ceremony. Story continues Survivors, their relatives and other participants marked the 8:15 a.m. blast with a minute of silence. The anniversary comes amid hopes to denuclearize North Korea after President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made vague aspirational statements of denuclearizing the peninsula when they met in Singapore in June. "We in civil society fervently hope that the easing of tensions on the Korean Peninsula will proceed through peaceable dialogue," Matsui said. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who also was at the ceremony, said differences between the nuclear and non-nuclear states are widening. But he pledged to do more to bridge their gap. In order to gain cooperation from both sides, it is important for everyone to understand "the reality of the tragedy of nuclear attacks," he said, reiterating Japan's pledge to maintain its pacifist and non-nuclear principles. ___ Follow Mari Yamaguchi on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mariyamaguchi Find her work at https://www.apnews.com/search/mari%20yamaguchi London (AFP) - Britain's Asia-focused bank HSBC on Monday revealed a $765-million US fine over the lender's actions in the run-up to the subprime crisis, as it also logged rising first-half profits. HSBC said it has agreed to pay the large US penalty over its conduct in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), a type of investment derivative that bundled home loans into securities and was sold to investors before the 2008 financial meltdown. "HSBC reached a settlement-in-principle to resolve the Department of Justice's civil claims relating to its investigation of HSBC's legacy RMBS origination and securitisation activities from 2005 to 2007," the lender announced in a results statement. "Under the terms of the settlement, HSBC will pay the DoJ a civil money penalty of $765 million." The London-headquartered giant is the latest global bank to reach a US settlement over conduct in the run-up to the notorious subprime crisis which sparked a worldwide recession. However, the deal was agreed in July and therefore was not included in HSBC's first half results, which cover the six months to June. - Brexit, trade war headwinds - HSBC posted advancing first-half profits and expressed optimism over the outlook -- despite headwinds from rising costs, the China-US trade war and Brexit. Pre-tax profit rose almost five percent to $10.7 billion in the six months to the end of June compared with a year earlier. Net profit or earnings after taxation gained 2.5 percent to $7.173 billion, boosted by high-growth markets -- particularly in Asia and the Middle East. "We haven't yet seen any impact on our business or through our customers," chief executive John Flint told reporters when asked about the impact of the China-US trade spat. "It's still too early to tell and in terms of estimating potential impact it's difficult because we dont quite know what the substance of the trade war will be. Story continues "We've got some tariffs in place and some coming, but the full impact is very difficult to estimate. "It is possible that it will shave China's GDP growth by a modest amount but (it is) too early too start predicting." Turning to Britain's looming departure from the European Union next year, the bank chief stressed that its cost estimate for a so-called hard Brexit remained unchanged. The lender had warned late last year that a chaotic Brexit could cost it up to $300 million. It had also outlined tentative plans to switch 1,000 jobs to Paris from London owing to Britain's departure from the European Union due in 2019. "Our role has been to ensure that we are in a position to secure customers' ... needs across the UK, Europe and the network that we serve in 67 markets across the world," added Flint on Monday. "Our planning from the outset has been based on what is euphemistically called a hard Brexit, and therefore the cost guidance that we have given in that regard remains absolutely consistent with what we have talked about in the past." - Costs outpace revenues - Revenues were up four percent at $27.3 billion in the reporting period -- but operating expenses grew seven percent to $17.5 billion. In late morning deals, HSBC shares fell 0.53 percent to 712 pence on London's rising FTSE 100 index. "The market has reacted cautiously to the numbers ... because the group reported costs rising significantly faster than income," noted Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Steve Clayton. After wide-ranging cutbacks that saw 50,000 jobs axed in an overhaul announced in 2015, the bank added on Monday that it was now hiring again as it seeks new growth areas. Flint said in June that he plans to invest $15-17 billion primarily in growth and technology projects, with a particular focus on accelerating growth in Asia. HSBC, founded in Hong Kong and Shanghai in 1865, sees its focus firmly in Asia, although it has been based in Britain since 1992. burs-rfj/jh Major Hurricane Hector, a Category 4 storm as of Wednesday, is expected to continue its steady trek over the Pacific Ocean south of Hawaii this week. Powerful Hurricane Hector to pass well south of Hawaii AccuWeather meteorologists expect Hector to pass well south of Hawaii, including the Big Island. static hector track 4am Wed Hurricanes that track in from the east and close by to Hawaii typically encounter cooler waters and weaken before reaching the islands. The most destructive hurricanes to hit Hawaii, such as Iniki in 1992, have typically approached the islands from the south. However, Hector will track through a stream of very warm water to the south of the islands. While Hector will be past peak intensity when it impacts the islands at midweek, it may still be a major hurricane. Could Hector become a typhoon? Hector may remain as a hurricane well west of Hawaii. "There is a reasonable chance that Hector will survive to cross the International Date Line early next week," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Steve Travis. "If it does, it will become Typhoon Hector." The last hurricane to cross the International Date Line become a typhoon was Genevieve in 2014. Hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones are essentially the same type of intense tropical storm. The name is just a matter of formality depending on which basin the storm is located in, such as the Atlantic and eastern Pacific versus the western Pacific and Indian Ocean. Notable storms to cross from C &/or E Pacific into the western Pacific, including #John (1994), which was both the longest-lasting & farthest-traveling TC ever observed. Interestingly, but not surprising all these storms crossed the dateline in years of a developing #ElNino. pic.twitter.com/vT0bKpPRc4 Jason Nicholls (@jnmet) August 7, 2018 Despite Hector's southern track, impact to be felt in Hawaii Story continues A significant impact related to heavy seas and surf is likely in many of the islands. Residents and tourists may notice a change in the weather as well by midweek. An uptick in squalls with locally drenching rain and brief gusty winds will increase across the Big Island first, then perhaps Maui, Moloka'i and O'ahu during the latter part of the week. "Hector is expected to pass far enough to the south so that no important wind issues are expected to impact the Big Island," according to AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski. Static Hector Impacts "However, very rough surf is expected to impact mostly south- and east-facing coastal areas of the Big Island," Kottlowski said. "There will also be an increase in surf over the rest of the Hawaiian Islands during Wednesday through Friday." Swimming and boating will become dangerous later this week, and it will be important to heed local warnings, advisories and beach postings. In lieu of tropical storms, near-shore waves on the south-facing shores of the islands tend to average 2-3 feet. "Near-shore frequent waves along the south- and east-facing coastal areas are likely to build to 6-10 feet with occasional higher waves," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski. Offshore to the south, hurricane conditions are expected with frequent waves building to 10-16 feet with occasional higher waves topping 20 feet. "The biggest waves will be along the south- and southeast-facing coastline of the Big Island," Sosnowski said. "However, a significant uptick in waves on the south-facing shorelines and north-south channels between all of the islands in the Hawaiian chain are likely as the week progresses." Dangerous surf may occur surrounding much of the islands during the middle and latter part of this week. Travel by boat will be impacted, potentially spoiling vacation plans and perhaps limiting inter-island travel for a time. Southeastern areas of the Big Island have been devastated by the eruption of the Kilauea Volcano and the lava flows that followed, but AccuWeather Meteorologist Jim Andrews anticipates minimal added hazards to the region due to Hector. "While showers can be enhanced at midweek as the hurricane passes by to the south, the risk of acid rain being produced as the downpours hit the steaming lava would seem to be low," he said. Additionally, Hector's winds will whisk vog and laze toward the southern tip of the island and then out to sea. By the time the weekend rolls around, Hector's impacts on Hawaii are expected to be over. Elsewhere in the eastern Pacific, tropical systems John and Kristy are spinning just to the southwest and south of southern Mexico, respectively. AccuWeather will continue to provide updates on Hector and other tropical activity around the globe. Download the free AccuWeather app to stay alert to weather hazards for your area. el nino reshapes the weather With the potential for an El Nino developing into this autumn, warmer-than-average water temperatures over the tropical Pacific could result in more threats than average for the Hawaiian Islands. On average, there are approximately five tropical systems per year over the central Pacific basin. MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Hurricane John formed off of Mexico's Pacific coast on Monday, but the storm was projected to move parallel to the coast before wheeling off into the Pacific Ocean later this week, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. John packed maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour (120 kilometers per hour) and was expected to strengthen into a major hurricane by late on Tuesday, the Miami-based NHC said. There are currently no coastal watches or warnings in effect. John was located about 320 miles (515 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, and 490 miles (790 km) south, south east of the southern tip of Baja California as of 2100 GMT. It was moving toward the northwest at 8 mph (13 kph). "Swells generated by John are expected to begin affecting the coasts of southwestern Mexico and the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula during the next day or so," the NHC said. The swells are likely to cause "life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," it added. (Reporting by Anthony Esposito; Editing by Sandra Maler) Fallujah (Iraq) (AFP) - The iron bridge in Iraq's ex-flashpoint city Fallujah, from whose girders the bodies of four US private security agents were hanged in 2004, has reopened after its destruction by jihadists. The UN Development Programme announced the reopening of the "iconic landmark", which was inaugurated in 1932 by King Faisal, completing a project launched last October. The $1.3 million venture was coordinated with the Iraqi government and supported by the Netherlands, the United Nations said on Sunday. Work on the 270-metre (yard) bridge was stopped in February when explosives were discovered below its waterline and on the riverbank, the UN said, adding that specialised scuba divers disposed of the material. The single-lane bridge gained notoriety a year after the US invasion of Iraq, in an attack on four members of the American security firm Blackwater on March 31, 2004. Insurgents beat up the Americans, burnt their bodies and hanged them from the girders of the bridge. The grisly killings triggered the first battle of Fallujah launched by the US military. In June 2015, the Islamic State group hanged an Iraqi soldier from the bridge. The jihadist group at the end of that year blew up the bridge, which straddles the Euphrates river to link the two banks of the city, to keep out the Iraqi army. The city, 60 kilometres (37 miles) west of Baghdad, was fully retaken from extremists on June 26, 2016. BOISE, Idaho (AP) A multinational agricultural company based in Idaho has acquired gene editing licensing rights that could one day be used to help farmers produce more crops and make grocery store offerings such as strawberries, potatoes and avocados stay fresher longer. J.R. Simplot Company on Monday announced the agreement with DowDuPont Inc. and the Broad Institute of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, developers of the nascent gene editing technology. Simplot is the first agricultural company to receive such a license. "We think this is a transformative technology it's very powerful," said Issi Rozen, chief business officer of the Broad Institute. "We're delighted that Simplot is the first one to take advantage of the licensing." There is no evidence that genetically modified organisms, known as GMOs, are unsafe to eat, but changing the genetic code of foods presents an ethical issue for some. For example McDonald's had declined to use Simplot's genetically engineered potatoes for its French fries. The food industry has also faced pressure from retailers as consumer awareness of genetically modified foods has increased. J.R. Simplot officials declined to say how much the company paid for the licensing rights acquired through a process intended to prevent the technology from being used unethically. The technology allows scientists to make precise changes to the genome of living organisms and has wide-ranging applications for improving plant food production and quality. "The issues are about getting the right kind of food produced in the right kind of way," said Neal Gutterson, chief technology officer at Corteva Agriscience, DowDuPont's agriculture division. "It's important to be able to produce enough food for the nine to 10 billion people who will be on the planet in 30 years." The gene editing technology is called CRISPR-Cas9, the first part an acronym for "clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats." The technology speeds up the traditional process of breeding generation after generation of plants to get a certain desirable trait, saving years in developing new varieties that are as safe as traditionally developed varieties, scientists say. Story continues Essentially, if an organism's genome is made analogous to a large manuscript, CRISPR-Cas9 allows scientists to edit specific words in the manuscript using a "search and replace" function. One of the remaining challenges, scientists say, is getting the complete genome for particular food crops. Or, to use the analogy, to not only have the complete manuscript but to have it translated so scientists know where to make the edits. The CRISPR-Cas9 technology is so new that in March the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which regulates how food is produced, issued a statement clarifying its oversight of foods produced with gene editing. "Under its biotechnology regulations, USDA does not regulate or have any plans to regulate plants that could otherwise have been developed through traditional breeding techniques," the agency said. Simplot markets products in more than 40 countries, and ithas major operations in the United States, China, Canada, Australia and Mexico. The company, which is a top producer of avocados grown in Mexico and sold in the U.S., is perhaps best known for potatoes. The company has already used other genetic techniques to adapt genes from wild and cultivated potatoes to produce commercially sold potatoes that resist bruising and late blight, which caused the Irish Potato Famine and continues to cause problems for potato farmers. Gene editing is expected to further the company's expertise in potatoes. "That's part of our vision for Simplot to be the knowledge leader for potatoes," said Susan Collinge, vice president of plant sciences at Simplot, where she supervises about 95 plant scientists. Idaho produces 13 billion pounds (6 billion kilograms) of potatoes annually a third of the nation's potatoes worth about $1.2 billion. Gene editing likely wouldn't result in new varieties of potatoes for at least five years, and probably longer before the potatoes could be sold commercially, Collinge said. A pair of identical twin sisters has married a pair of identical twin brothers and twin ministers officiated the ceremony. Brothers Joshua and Jeremy Salyers, 34, proposed to sisters Brittany and Briana Deane, 32, in Twin Lakes, Virginia, in February using identical rings. The couples were married at the same time by twin ministers in a town fitting for their story Twinsburg, Ohio over the weekend. The joint ceremony took place at the 2018 Twins Days Festival, where they first met a year ago. "We saw them from afar and we thought they were just the most handsome guys," one of the sisters told Inside Edition. The couples plan to live in the same house and they say they will raise their children together. Their wedding will air as a TLC special in early 2019 to give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at their lives together. RELATED STORIES 6-Year-Old Twins Rescue Drowning Toddler From Hotel Pool While on Vacation British Parents Welcome Rare Twins: One Has Down Syndrome, the Other Doesn't Watch as Otter Mom Tries to Gather Her Newborn Twins at the Same Time Related Articles: Madrid (AFP) - Chilling images published in the Spanish media on Monday show men in a terror cell preparing explosives ahead of last year's jihadist attacks in Barcelona and a nearby seaside resort that killed 16 people. In one picture, a plotter smiles and points the sky while wearing an explosives belt around his waist. In another, two men pose for the camera as they make they make the explosives. There is an even a picture of one man posing next to the next Eiffel Tower in Paris. One of the men preparing the explosives is Younes Abouyaaqoub, 22, who drove a van through a crowd of people on the popular Las Ramblas boulevard in the heart of Barcelona on August 17, 2017, killing 13 people. He then stabbed another man to make his getaway before being shot dead by police days later. The Spanish newspaper La Razon, one of the media outlets which published the images, said they were recovered along with video files in the rubble of a house in Alcanar, a town some 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Barcelona, where the group made the bombs. An explosion at the house on the eve of the attack killed two of the plotters and deprived the others of bombs, forcing them to change their plans. A total of 16 people were killed in the Barcelona assault and a knife attack in the nearby resort of Cambrils. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks. La Razon also published transcripts of dialogue between the plotters, in which they make fun of their potential victims and brag about their upcoming attack. "Allah has chosen us from among millions of people to make you cry blood," a man identified as Omar Hichamy is quoted as saying. The six youths of Moroccan origin, aged 17 to 24, who carried out the attacks were all killed by police. Moroccan iman Abdelbaki Es Satty, who is believed to have radicalised the others, was killed in the Alcanar explosion. A powerful quake which struck the Indonesian holiday island of Lombok has killed 82 people and wounded hundreds, national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said early Monday, with thousands of buildings left damaged. The 6.9 magnitude tremor, which triggered panic among tourists and locals on Sunday evening, was also felt on the neighbouring island of Bali, one of Southeast Asia's leading tourist destinations. Nugroho said an initial tsunami warning which was later cancelled had sparked terror as residents scrambled to reach safer ground. "People were panicking... especially because of the early tsunami warning," he said. Memories of the devastating 2004 tsunami which claimed 168,000 lives in Indonesia remain raw in the vast archipelago nation. Most of the victims in the latest disaster died in mountainous northern Lombok, away from the main tourist spots on the south and west of the island. Thousands of people were evacuated to outside shelters. Lombok's beaches and hiking trails draw holidaymakers from around the world. The death toll jumped from 37 hours earlier as the scale of the destruction began to emerge overnight. The US Geological Survey said the shallow quake hit northern Lombok just 10 kilometres underground and was followed by two further secondary quakes and nearly two dozen aftershocks. - 'Everyone ran out of their homes' - Rescue officials said much of the damage had hit Lombok's main city of Mataram. Residents of the city described a strong jolt that sent people scrambling to get out of buildings. "Everyone immediately ran out of their homes, everyone is panicking," Iman, who like many Indonesians has one name, told AFP. Electricity was knocked out in several parts of the city and patients were evacuated from the main hospital, witnesses and officials said. Singapores Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, who was in Lombok for a security conference when the earthquake struck, described on Facebook how his hotel room on the 10th floor shook violently. Story continues "Walls cracked, it was quite impossible to stand up," he said. Despite the tsunami warning being cancelled, seawater poured into two villages, senior disaster agency official Dwikorita Karnawati told local television. In the neighbouring resort island of Bali people could be heard screaming as locals and tourists ran onto the streets. Balis international airport suffered damage to its terminal but the runway was unaffected and operations had returned to normal, disaster agency officials said. Facilities at Lomboks main airport were also unaffected, although passengers were briefly evacuated from the main terminal. The tremor came a week after a shallow 6.4-magnitude quake hit Lombok, killing 17 people and damaging hundreds of buildings. It triggered landslides that briefly trapped trekkers on popular mountain hiking routes. Indonesia, one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth, straddles the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide and many of the world's volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. In 2004 a tsunami triggered by a magnitude 9.3 undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra in western Indonesia killed 220,000 people in countries around the Indian Ocean, including 168,000 in Indonesia. Indra Nooyi is stepping down as chief executive officer of food and beverage giant PepsiCo Inc., handing the reins to a top lieutenant in a transition that will draw attention to the dearth of prominent female CEOs in corporate America. Nooyi, 62, will leave the role in October and remain chairman until early 2019. Ramon Laguarta, 54, who has been a candidate to take over since a promotion last year to president, will be just the sixth CEO in the 53-year history of the company. Nooyi, who is from India, is the first foreign-born CEO of Pepsi and the first woman to lead the chips-and-soda behemoth, whose revenue topped $63 billion last year. Her departure thins the ranks of female CEOs running S&P 500 companies and comes at a time when Pepsis North American beverage unit is stagnating amid a general decline in soda consumption. In 24 years at Pepsi, including 12 as chief executive, she has helped the Frito-Lay unit grow in a challenging industry and added healthier drinks and snacks to a portfolio that includes Cheetos and Mountain Dew. Ive had a wonderful time being CEO, but at some point you sit back and say, look, its a responsible move to effect an orderly transition and to have somebody else take over the leadership of this company, she said in an interview. Being a CEO requires strong legs and I feel like I ran two legs of a relay race and I want somebody else with nice strong legs and sharp eyes to come and lead this company. Rising Star A 22-year Pepsi veteran, Laguarta ran the Europe Sub-Saharan Africa division before becoming president last year, overseeing global operations, strategy, public policy and government affairs. A Barcelona native, he worked at lollipop maker Chupa Chups before joining Pepsi. Nooyi attended graduate school at Yale University and joined Purchase, New York-based Pepsi in 1994 as head of corporate strategy, rising to the CEO job in 2006. At the time only a handful of women ran major U.S. companies. Story continues Nooyi faced down activist investor Nelson Peltz, repelling a bid to break up the company, and has guided Pepsi through a tricky stretch as shifts in how U.S. consumers eat and shop have bedeviled the largest food and beverage companies in the world. Indras legacy is that shes figured out in a difficult environment that she could run a great company and drive great results and do good at the same time, while having long-lasting impact as a leader and global icon, said Blair Effron, co-founder of Centerview Partners, an investment bank and advisory firm thats worked with a range of consumer giants including Pepsi. Developing Talent As she ponders her next chapter, Nooyi said shell possibly take a vacation, in addition to watching the New York Yankees baseball team, and, she quipped, listen to some music, take a walk in the woods. She hasnt thought through potential next steps, but at a time when global progress on promoting more women to CEO positions appears to have stalled, she plans to help develop more talent to ensure that women are represented in the top ranks of corporate America. I think people like me, after we leave privileged CEO jobs, I dont think we can go silent, she said. We have to keep fighting the good fight to develop women, to mentor them, to support them, so that we can get more highly qualified women and theres plenty of them into the boardroom, into C suites and into the ultimate CEO job. My job is in fact just beginning once I leave PepsiCo because I can do things now that I was constrained to do when I was CEO of the company. Female CEOs The departure of Nooyi drops the number of women CEOs in the S&P 500 to 24, according to data compiled by researcher Catalyst, which advocates for more women in executive positions. The list was last updated July 13. Kathy Warden is scheduled to become CEO of Northrop Grumman Corp. in January, which would bring the total back to 25. The packaged food industry in particular has witnessed several key female executive exits in the past year. Campbell Soup Co. CEO Denise Morrison abruptly departed in May, while former Mondelez International Inc. CEO Irene Rosenfeld handed over the reins of the Oreo maker in November. Like many CEOs in a divisive political era, Nooyi has found herself a part of political discussions. She described herself at a conference as a supporter of Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election but congratulated Donald Trump for his victory and was part of his short-lived business advisory council. No Politics During an era when a businessman occupies the White House and corporate leaders including Mark Cuban and Howard Schultz are mentioned as potential presidential candidates, Nooyi said she doesnt see a future for herself in politics. I think there are business leaders who like politics and there are business leaders whod be lousy at politics, she said. I happen to be in the second group, and so I just want to make sure that whatever I can do behind the scenes to help any cause, I will that makes sense for me. But politics no, not for me. Nooyi is leaving the top job at Pepsi at a time when overall soda consumption has dropped to its lowest level in more than 30 years as consumers try to avoid sugary drinks. Thats led Pepsi and competitors to try to diversify into new products perceived as healthier, and to market zero-sugar versions of their soft drinks and retool their diet beverages. Diet Diversion But there have been stumbles. A high-profile bid in 2015 to reformulate Diet Pepsi led to lower sales, and the company revived its old formula a year later. Nooyi told investors last month that Diet Pepsi is performing well again, but Coca-Cola Co. has won more attention this year for its revitalization of Diet Coke. A ballyhooed 2012 joint venture with German dairy giant Theo Muller to sell yogurt in North America fizzled four years later due to slow sales. Pepsi was rebuffed in 2016 in its attempt to take a major stake in Chobani, the Greek-yogurt maker. The company pushed into the dairy case with the 2011 purchase of a majority stake in Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods OJSC, Russias leading branded food-and-beverage company. The companys Frito-Lay unit remains a snacking powerhouse with brands like Tostitos, Doritos and Lays chips dominating grocery-store shelves. Big Food companies have lost billions in revenue in recent years as consumers gravitate to more natural products made by smaller upstarts. But Frito-Lay, while not immune to the shifts, has defended its turf, controlling about two-thirds of the U.S. salty-snack market. Hummus, Juice Nooyi has also worked to appeal to modern snacks. Frito-Lay has versions of 11 core chip brands without artificial ingredients, aiming to break out of the traditional snack aisle and get into organic grocery stores. Products such as Sabra hummus and guacamole, Naked cold-press juices and Lipton Pure Leaf tea have bolstered results. During Nooyis time leading the company, Pepsi shares rose about 80 percent, while rival Coca-Cola has more then doubled, as has the S&P 500. Pepsi shares rose 0.7 percent as of 8:18 a.m. in New York on Monday before the start of regular trading. Nooyi said under her tenure Pepsi considered and passed on large transactions that could have dramatically altered the company. Everybody says, Hey, do a transformative deal, it will put you in the neon lights, she said. The issue is that weve got to derive value from large transformative deals. And we didnt find one that would create shareholder value. Now, Laguarta prepares to take the reins at a tricky time for the company, with pressure ramping up to ignite growth, particularly in the North American beverage unit. Ramon is the product of a responsible development and succession plan, Nooyi said. Hes had a birds-eye view of the whole company and what kind of disruptive moves we would have to make, disruptive productivity, to take us to this next era of growth for this company. The new Spike Lee movie BlacKkKlansman tells a story that seems too good to be true: how a black police officer infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan during the 1970s, fooling even then-grand wizard David Duke. In the movie, officer Ron Stallworth is played by John David Washington, but on Monday, the real deal stopped by Megyn Kelly Today. Onscreen, Stallworth puts on a white voice to dupe the KKK over the phone, but the real Stallworth who wrote a book about his operation on which the movie is based says it didnt happen that way. I talked to them on the phone exactly as Im talking to you folks right now, Stallworth told Kelly and the studio audience. There was no attempt to disguise my voice. When you work undercover, you cant play with things like that. You have to stay as true to your natural persona as possible. Throughout his operation, Stallworth talked to Duke quite a bit. And despite Dukes being the head of arguably the most racist group in the country, he and Stallworth got along on the phone at least. When he wasnt talking about race, he was a nice guy on the phone, Stallworth said. [But] the minute the subject of race came up, Dr. Jekyll became Mr. Hyde and the monster in him was unleashed. BlacKkKlansman deftly mixes humor with terror, and Stallworth managed to become a card-carrying member of the Klan. In fact, he technically still is; he pulled out his wallet and showed a worn KKK membership card to the audience. Ron Stallworth, the real-life officer who infiltrated the KKK in the 1970s, showed his membership card on Megyn Kelly Today. (Photo: Courtesy of NBC). He morbidly joked, If Im ever in a fatal car crash, the poor cops going to come up on my mangled black body and find this card. Sacha Baron Cohen fooled Sheriff Joe Arpaio on his show Who Is America?: Barcelona announced Friday that they had reached an agreement with Bayern Munich to sign Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal in a deal reportedly worth 30 million euros ($35 million). "FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich have reached an agreement for the transfer of player Arturo Vidal," said Barcelona on their website. "The agreement is for the next three seasons and is pending the medical examination that the player will undertake over the course of the next few days. "FC Barcelona will shortly inform everyone about the arrival of the player and the agenda of the presentation ceremony." Vidal, 31, was whisked away from Bayern's pre-season training base on Friday morning with the club's director of sport Hasan Salihamidzic to finalise the details. Vidal will reportedly earn around nine million euros per season with the Spanish giants. His arrival will make up for the surprise departure of Brazilian midfielder Paulinho, who Barcelona loaned to Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande. Barcelona had to move fast to sign Vidal as the player had also reportedly sparked interest from Inter Milan following the departure of their French midfielder Adrien Rabiot. Temperamental on and off the pitch, Vidal's last season with Bayern was marked by injuries, including one to his knee which he picked up during training and which forced him to undergo surgery in April. Vidal is the Barcelona's fourth signing since the end of the last season following the arrival of Brazilian forward Malcolm, Brazilian midfielder Arthur and French defender Clement Lenglet. The Chilean international joined Bayern Munich in 2015 from Juventus, and won the Bundesliga title in each of his three seasons at the club. German champions Bayern have been keen to trim their star-studded squad. Having signed Germany international Leon Goretzka, 23, on a free transfer from Schalke, Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said earlier this week that they had too many midfielders. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B) stock gained 2 percent on Monday morning after the company reported yet another solid quarter of growth on Saturday. Analysts say Berkshire has consistently generated exceptional revenue growth and profit margins, and Berkshire may soon be even more aggressive with its cash. Berkshire reported second-quarter adjusted earnings per A-class share of $7,301 beating consensus analyst expectations of $3,387. Revenue for the quarter was $62.2 billion, up 8 percent from a year ago. [See: 8 Great Investing Apps and Sites for Millennials.] Insurance underwriting income swung from a $22 million loss a year ago to a $942 million profit in the second quarter. Insurance investment income was up 18 percent to $1.14 billion. Railroad, utilities and energy income was up 28 percent to $1.89 billion. Other businesses revenue was up 29 percent to $2.57 billion. Overall operating earnings were up 67 percent to $6.89 billion. In June, famed Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett said "business is good" given the strength of the U.S. economy. "Right now, there's no question: it's feeling strong," Buffett said of the economy. "I mean, if we're in the sixth inning, we have our sluggers coming to bat right now." Berkshire bounced back in the second quarter after a shaky start to the year and an accounting change resulted in a rare reported loss in the first quarter. Berkshire did not provide third-quarter guidance for Berkshire investors, and Buffett has campaigned alongside J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. ( JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon this year to discourage other companies from issuing quarterly guidance as well. Buffett and Dimon say short-term guidance discourages long-term investment, growth and innovation and encourages short-term thinking. Morningstar analyst Greggory Warren says Berkshire's life insurance business was a key driver of its second-quarter earnings beat. [See: 9 Dividend Aristocrats for Stable Income.] Story continues "Looking more closely at Berkshire's insurance operations, all three of the company's insurance units -- Geico, Berkshire Hathaway Reinsurance Group and Berkshire Hathaway Primary Group -- reported earned premium growth during the second quarter," Warren says. Warren says investors can expect Berkshire to commit some of its excess cash of around $86 billion to investments, acquisitions and/or capital return initiatives in the third quarter. Morningstar has an "undervalued" rating and $220 price target for BRK.B stock. Wayne Duggan is a freelance investment strategy reporter with a focus on energy and emerging market stocks. He has a degree in brain and cognitive sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and specializes in the psychological challenges of investing. He is a senior financial market reporter for Benzinga and has contributed financial market analysis to Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha and InvestorPlace. He is also the author of the book "Beating Wall Street With Common Sense," which focuses on the practical strategies he has used to outperform the stock market. You can follow him on Twitter @DugganSense, check out his latest content at tradingcommonsense.com or email him at wpd@tradingcommonsense.com. By Parisa Hafezi ANKARA (Reuters) - Iran will ease foreign exchange rules, state TV reported on Sunday, in a bid to halt a collapse of the rial currency that has lost half its value since April due to fears about U.S. sanctions likely to be imposed this week. President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of an agreement to lift sanctions in return for Iran curbing its nuclear program caused a run on the rial as companies and savers bought hard currency to protect themselves from the looming economic sanctions. The plunge in the currency and soaring inflation have sparked sporadic demonstrations against profiteering and corruption, with many protesters chanting anti-government slogans. The central bank has blamed "enemies" for the fall of the currency, and the judiciary said 29 people had been arrested on charges that carry the death penalty. On Sunday the judiciary said it had arrested a further seven people, including a former deputy central bank governor and five foreign exchange dealers. A state body led by President Hassan Rouhani and including the heads of the judiciary and parliament on Sunday partially lifted a ban on the sale of foreign currency at floating rates, allowing exchange bureaux to sell at unofficial market rates for purposes such as overseas travel. That reverses the decision in April to ban trading currency outside the rate of about 42,000 rials to the dollar Ahead of the announcement of the new measures, the rial gained slightly on the unofficial market, trading at 98,500 to the dollar, compared with 103,000 on Saturday, according to foreign exchange website Boncast.com. Central bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati said the plan reflected Iran's self-confidence in the face of the looming U.S. sanctions. "This shows our power. The same day you (Americans) impose sanctions we open our economy. We have no problems, so why should our people worry?," Hemmati said in a live televised interview. In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the White House would make an announcement on Monday detailing the reimposition of sanctions on Iran that Trump has ordered for this week. Hemmati said the central bank would allow a "managed float" of the rial's exchange rate and try to avoid using up its reserves to support the currency. "The central bank will try not to interfere in setting the price of hard currencies, which will be determined by supply and demand, however, the bank's supervision will prevent unbridled (market swings) and the creation of a black market," Hemmati said. To encourage Iranians to return their hard cash to the economy, the plan allows the central bank to set up dollar savings accounts for ordinary people, state television said. Non-oil exporters will be allowed to sell hard currency to importers, and there will be no limit on bringing currency or gold into the country. It was not immediately clear whether the plan would create enough hard currency inflows to ease the demand for dollars and help end a panic-buying of hard currencies by many Iranians. Protests broke out on Sunday for a sixth night in cities including Kazeroon in the south, according to social media. Authorities reported the first fatality among protesters, with the shooting of a man in Karaj, west of Tehran. But they denied security forces were involved, Iranian news agencies reported. Hard currency will be made available at a subsidized rate for purchases of basic goods and medicine, state television quoted a government statement about the plan as saying. In July, Iran opened a secondary foreign-exchange market for importers of non-essential goods that are not eligible to receive the preferential rate from the central bank. Starting this week, Washington will re-impose sanctions on Iran's purchases of U.S. dollars, its trade in gold and precious metals, and its dealings with metals, coal and industrial-related software. The United States has told third countries they must halt imports of Iranian oil from early November or face U.S. financial measures. (Additional reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Robin Pomeroy & Shri Navaratnam) Tehran (AFP) - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Monday that the leaders of the United States, Saudi Arabia and Israel were isolated in their hostility to Iran. "Today, the entire world has declared they are not in line with US policies against Iran," Zarif said in a speech, according to the semi-official ISNA news agency. "Talk to anyone, anywhere in the world and they will tell you that (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu, (US President Donald) Trump and (Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed) bin Salman are isolated, not Iran," he said. Zarif suggested it was hard to imagine negotiating with Trump after he had torn up the 2015 nuclear deal, on which Iran and world powers had spent the "longest hours in negotiating history". "Do you think this person (Trump) is a good and suitable person to negotiate with? Or is he just showing off?" Zarif said. Iran's leaders have been highly sceptical of Trump's offer to talk "any time" without preconditions. With US sanctions set to return against Iran on Tuesday, Zarif acknowledged there were difficult times ahead. "Of course, American bullying and political pressures may cause some disruption, but the fact is that in the current world, America is isolated." Saudi Arabia and Israel, Iran's key regional rivals, are among the only countries to strongly support the reimposition of US sanctions. The other parties to the 2015 nuclear agreement -- Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia -- say Iran was abiding by its commitments and have vowed to salvage the deal by ensuring economic benefits continue to flow to the country. ANKARA (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump and his allies in the Middle East have become isolated by their hostile policies toward Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday, state TV reported. "Today, Trump, (Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad) Bin Salman and (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu have become the symbol of mistrust in the world," Zarif was quoted as saying. "Their oppressive policies and violent measures have made them isolated... The world has distanced itself from their hostile policies against Iran." A first round of U.S. sanctions against Iran, lifted under the 2015 international deal over its nuclear program, are due to be reinstated on Tuesday. They will cover Irans purchases of dollars, its trade in gold and precious metals and its automotive sector. Under the deal between Tehran and world powers, most international sanctions imposed on Iran were lifted in 2016 in return for Tehran curbing its nuclear program. Saying the deal had failed to address Irans ballistic missile program, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 and its role in regional wars, Trump withdrew from it in May in a move that Israel - which Iran refuses to recognize - and Saudi Arabia welcomed. Israel supported the imminent resumption of U.S. sanctions. They "will compel the Iranians to decide between meeting the demands of the United States ... or risking the regimes collapse and fall. The first option is good, the second excellent, Israeli Intelligence Minister Israel Katz said on Twitter. Shiite Iran has also been at loggerheads for decades with Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia, fighting a long-running proxy war in the Middle East and beyond that has influenced conflicts in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. "These three countries want to create psychological tension against Iran ... We will overcome this period of hardship," Zarif said. Despite efforts by Russia, China and Europe to salvage the deal, the Trump administration is pushing countries to cut all imports of Iranian oil from November, when the United States reimposes sanctions Irans oil and shipping industries. Fear of sanctions and economic hardship have led to sporadic protests in several cities in Iran in the past days, with ordinary Iranians chanting slogans against Iranian leaders. (Writing and reporting by Parisa Hafezi; additional reporting by Dan Williams in Jerusalem; editing by John Stonestreet) By Parisa Hafezi ANKARA (Reuters) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dismissed a U.S. call for talks on Monday, hours before Washington was due to impose new sanctions in line with President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of a 2015 agreement over Iran's nuclear programme. Washington has said the only way Iran could avert the sanctions would be to agree to new negotiations to abandon its missile and nuclear programmes. In a televised address, Rouhani said there could be no talks as long as Washington was reneging on the deal. "If you stab someone with a knife and then you say you want talks, then the first thing you have to do is remove the knife," Rouhani said. "We are always in favour of diplomacy and talks ... But talks need honesty," Rouhani said. "Trump's call for direct talks is only for domestic consumption in America ahead of elections ... and to create chaos in Iran." European allies tried and failed to persuade Trump not to walk out of the 2015 agreement, under which Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of international sanctions. Rouhani said Washington would come to rue a move that had been rejected by other countries. "America will regret imposing sanctions on Iran ... They're already isolated in the world. They are imposing sanctions on Iranian children, patients and the nation," he said. The prospect of sanctions has already hurt Iran's economy, with the rial currency falling this year and the government cracking down on protests. Rouhani called on Iranians to unite in the face of hardship. "There will be pressure because of sanctions but we will overcome this with unity," he said. The Trump administration argues that the curbs did not go far enough and it wants to force Iran back to the negotiating table. Iran says that by abandoning the agreement Washington has shown it cannot negotiate in good faith. Last month, Trump said that he would be willing to meet Rouhani without preconditions to discuss how to improve relations. Senior Iranian officials and military commanders have rejected Trumps offer of talks as worthless and a dream, saying his words contradicted his action of reimposing sanctions. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Peter Graff) BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's election commission said on Monday it had completed a manual recount of May's parliamentary election but was forced to cut the process short in the capital because voting records had been destroyed by a warehouse fire two months ago. The recount was ordered by parliament in June after a government report concluded there were serious violations in an initial count using an electronic vote-counting system. However, within hours of parliament voting for the recount, a fire broke out at a warehouse where voting machines and other records from the capital were kept. The electoral commission spokesman said in a statement the body had been forced to cancel the remaining half of the recount in the capital. For what appears to be the first time, the statement said ballot boxes and actual ballots were among the records destroyed in the fire, contradicting earlier official accounts that ballot boxes had been saved. The fire initially raised concern that an election dispute could lead to violence, although those worries were partly assuaged when cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose bloc won the most votes, declined to call his followers into the streets. Three months after the vote, the winning parties are still embroiled in negotiations over forming the next governing coalition. A group of Iran-backed Shi'ite militia leaders placed second behind Sadr's bloc, with incumbent Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's bloc in third place. After the fire, the electoral commission's leadership was suspended and replaced with a panel of judges who oversaw the recount. It is expected to announce its results in the coming days. "The board of commissioners composed of assigned judges has completed the manual recount process for all voting stations and centers in which there were complaints or appeals in all of Iraq's provinces and abroad," Judge Laith Jabr, the spokesman, said in the statement. The political uncertainty over the makeup of the new government has raised tensions at a time when public impatience is growing over poor basic services, unemployment and the slow pace of rebuilding after a three-year war with Islamic State. (Reporting by Ahmed Aboulenein; Editing by John Stonestreet, Angus MacSwan and Peter Graff) By Corinna Kern TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest against Israel's new law declaring it the nation-state of the Jewish people, which has provoked outrage among the country's most integrated minority, the Druze. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended the law, which says only Jews have the right of self-determination in the country and downgrades Arabic from an official language, from fierce criticism at home and abroad. But his right-wing government has been blindsided by the backlash from Israel's Druze community which has voiced a deep sense of betrayal over a mostly declarative law that many felt cast them as second-class citizens. The Druze are ethnic Arab members of a religious minority that is an offshoot of Islam incorporating elements of other faiths. Their biggest communities are in Lebanon and Syria. In Israel they number around 120,000 -- less than two percent of citizens. But unlike other Arab Israelis, who are mainly exempt from military service, Druze are drafted into the conscript army and widely active in mainstream governance and media, some rising high in the political and military ranks. Packed into Tel Aviv's Rabin square, protesters, who also included many Israeli Jews, waved Israeli and Druze flags and held up signs demanding the law be rescinded. "No one can preach to us about loyalty and the military cemeteries testify to this. Despite our utter loyalty, the state does not see us as equal," the Druze spiritual leader, Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif, told the demonstrators in a speech. "Just as we fight for the existence and security of the state so we are determined to fight together for the character and right to live in it in equality and dignity," said Tarif. Yat Salamy, 53, a Druze teacher, said the law undermined Israel's character as a cosmopolitan country. "What makes Israel special is its unique social fabric - Jews, Arabs, Druze, Muslims, Christians, Bedouin, Circassians - together we are all Israel," she said. "COVENANT" Arab Israelis make up around 20 percent of the country's 9 million citizens. Israeli law guarantees them full equal rights, but many say they face constant discrimination, citing inferior services and unfair allocations for education, health and housing. The Israeli left-wing and leaders of Israel's wider Arab community have also condemned the new law. But criticism from Druze has had more resonance, despite their small numbers, because of their reputation as loyal supporters of the state. In a failed effort to appease the Druze, Netanyahu outlined this week legislation to enshrine their special status within Israeli society, recognize their service to the state and boost funding for their communities. "The feelings of our Druze brothers and sisters touch my heart. I want to tell them: There is nothing in this law that infringes on your rights as equal citizens of the state of Israel, and there is nothing in it that harms the special status of the Druze community in Israel," Netanyahu said on Sunday. "The people of Israel, and I among them, love and appreciate you. We deeply appreciate our partnership and the covenant between us." (Additional reporting and writing by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Peter Graff) By Loucoumane Coulibaly ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara on Monday declared an amnesty for Simone Gbagbo, who had been convicted of offences against the state during a brief 2011 civil war. Simone Gbagbo, the wife of former president Laurent Gbagbo, was one of 800 citizens that Ouattara said he had pardoned, in a state address broadcast live on TV. She had been tried and convicted in 2015 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Last year, an Abidjan court acquitted her of crimes against humanity and war crimes linked to her role in the 2011 civil war that killed about 3,000 people. Human Rights groups criticized that decision. "Because of my commitment to peace and true reconciliation, I proceeded to sign this day an amnesty order ... which will benefit 800 of our citizens," Ouattara said in the address that seemed to be aimed at cooling political tensions. Ivory Coast is Francophone West Africa's largest, most successful and diverse economy. But its combustible politics - turbocharged by ongoing ethnic and land disputes and scores to settle from a decade-long crisis - makes an election scheduled for 2020 potentially perilous. Besides Simone Gbagbo, another beneficiary was Kamagate Souleymane, a former rebel when Laurent Gbagbo was in power, and who is close to national assembly leader Guillaume Soro. Soro's rebel movement claims credit for helping Ouattara come to power after Gbagbo refused to accept defeat in an election, triggering the short but brutal 2011 civil war for which Laurent Gbagbo is currently on trial in the International Criminal Court (ICC). Political tensions are heating up ahead of elections in 2020. Ouattara's ruling RDR coalition has fallen out with the coalition's junior partner, the PDCI, whose leader expelled party members named to a new Cabinet last month. There have also been doubts over whether Ouattara will step down after two terms, as required by the constitution, although in his address on Monday he repeated a remark made last month that he would "work to transfer power to a new generation". (Reporting by Loucoumane Coulibaly in Abidjan; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien and Matthew Lewis) William Wrigley Jr., once the president and CEO of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., has been named chairman of the board of directors at Surterra Wellness, a medical cannabis company with operations in Florida and Texas. Wrigleys investment fund led a $65 million equity fundraising round that Surterra closed in July. The company has raised more than $100 million since 2015. Odell Beckham Jr. is currently in the midst of a contract dispute with the New York Giants and according to ESPNs Josina Anderson, the two sides are at a standstill. According to Anderson, the Giants currently want to pay Beckham less than $16 million a year, which is what Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins makes. Beckham thinks hes worth more than that. If the 25-year-old who has been with the Giants his entire NFL career doesnt get the deal he wants, Cleveland Browns receiver Jarvis Landry thinks he has a solution. Landry told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com on Monday that Beckham definitely would be willing to play for Cleveland this season, and has been actively lobbying for the Browns to trade for him. If things like that are able to happen and the team can make it happen, then why not? Landry told Cleveland.com. [Beckham] definitely would be [up for it]. He would be. Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry is actively lobbying for Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to come play for Cleveland and apparently Beckham is open to the idea amid his contract dispute in New York. (Getty Images) The connection for Beckham in Cleveland is definitely there. Beckham and Landry played together in college at LSU, and often work out with each other during the offseasons. He even reportedly worked out with Landry and new Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor at USC just before training camp this fall. Should the move work, Beckham would be reunited with his college wide receiver coach Adam Henry, too, who is now with the Browns in the same position. Weve had talks, Landry, who called Beckham one of his best friends in the NFL, told Cleveland.com. But at the end of the day, I want him to be happy. I want him to get what he deserves and you cant put nothing on that regardless of where its at. While its still premature, a move landing Beckham in Cleveland would certainly be an interesting one. Unlike others in similar positions, Beckham didnt hold out from training camp while pursuing an extension on his rookie deal, of which hes entering the fifth year option. He has, though, made it abundantly clear all offseason that he wants an extension with the Giants and told ESPN that hes hopeful a deal will be locked down in the near future. Story continues Yeah. Im optimistic, Beckham told ESPN. Im confident it will all work itself out. It always does. Beckham has been with the Giants since 2014, when he won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award. The three-time Pro Bowler missed nearly all of last season with a fractured ankle. More from Yahoo Sports: NFL HOF reportedly considering requiring inductees to show up Dak Prescott on Get Out mural: Everybody has their own opinion Terez Paylor: Tyrod good for Cleveland? Just ask the defense Dan Wetzel: How Jim Tressel scandal sheds insight on Urban Meyer situation Ohio State announced Sunday it had formed an independent investigative team to look into the handling of allegations in 2015 that a former football assistant abused his wife. Its expected to conclude within 14 days. The investigation will be led by Mary Jo White, who has been a part of numerous NFL inquiries, including on former Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal and the domestic abuse case of Ezekiel Elliott, himself a former Buckeye. Head coach Urban Meyer is on administrative leave over what he knew and what he did following a 2015 domestic abuse claim against then-assistant coach Zach Smith. Meyer originally said he wasnt aware of it, but now claims he was. He further implied in a statement Friday that he followed proper reporting protocols. He has not explained why he kept Smith on staff despite multiple allegations through the years. As the college football world speculates on Meyer, one of the common talking points is that Ohio State, in 2011, fired then-head coach Jim Tressel for lying about his knowledge of NCAA violations committed by his players (most famously trading memorabilia for cash and tattoos). One theory goes that if Ohio State terminated Tressel for something as inconsequential (at least in society) as extra benefits, then how can it not fire Meyer for something as serious as alleged domestic abuse. It makes sense except that isnt what happened in 2011. In this Jan. 7, 2007 photo, Jim Tressel (L) and Urban Meyer (R) are joined by former Ohio State coach Earle Bruce. (AP) Tressel was, indeed, guilty of covering up violations at the time, which was a clear-cut major NCAA violation and broke the terms of his employment contract. Ohio State, however, didnt believe that merited dismissal. It merely suspended him for two games and fined him $250,000. It even offered a full-throated defense of the coach. Wherever we end up, Jim Tressel is our football coach, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said in March 2011, when the original story about Tressels knowledge was reported publicly by Yahoo Sports. He is our coach, and we trust him implicitly. Story continues While Tressel, months later, did resign as the Buckeyes coach, that came after additional potential violations were reported by various media outlets. It was not directly related to a failure to report or straight-out lying to the NCAA about what he knew. Does the Tressel situation serve as precedent or insight into Ohio States value system? If so, then perhaps Meyer may be in a good position unless the investigative team finds further troubling information. Times have changed, of course, and the core issues are very different extra benefits vs. domestic abuse. The NCAA cares about only one. The other, everyone should. Regardless, the Tressel timeline, often misrepresented since the Meyer scandal broke last week, is worth a review. In April of 2010, Tressel received multiple emails from a local attorney noting that a Columbus tattoo parlor owner named Edward Rife was under federal investigation for drug trafficking. The attorney reported that at the parlor, Fine Line Ink, was a large collection of Ohio State football memorabilia, including championship rings, and game-worn items signed by current and recent Buckeye players. Tressel communicated with multiple people about the situation but did not alert Ohio State, as his contract and NCAA rules mandated. He also signed an NCAA form stating he knew of no potential violations within the program. The athletes involved played the entire 2010 season. In December of 2010, a federal raid of the tattoo parlor uncovered the items. The local U.S. Attorneys Office alerted Ohio State. An investigation was launched but Tressel never mentioned his prior knowledge. On Dec. 22, 2010, Ohio State and the NCAA jointly announced five-game suspensions handed down to five players, including star quarterback Terrelle Pryor, for selling and trading memorabilia. Tressel remained silent about his knowledge. On Jan. 13, 2011, the Ohio State legal affairs department, conducting a more thorough investigation, discovered Tressels email exchanges. Three days later, Tressel is questioned and admits he received, read and responded to them. A month later Ohio State tells the NCAA that Tressel committed violations. There is still no discipline for Tressel at that time. On March 7, 2011, Yahoo Sports reported that Tressel had received the emails and thus knew about the violations but never reported it. On March 8, 2011, Gene Smith held a news conference announcing Tressel would be suspended for two games and fined. At that news conference, then-Ohio State president Gordon Gee was asked if he had considered firing Tressel and famously responded, No, are you kidding me? Let me be very clear. Im just hoping the coach doesnt dismiss me. On March 17, 2011, Tressel asked to be suspended three additional games so his punishment matches that of his players. The school was actually more lenient on him than he thought he deserved. That could have been the end of the story and its possible Tressel, 65, might still be coaching the Buckeyes. Instead hes the president of Youngstown State University. However, in the months that followed, additional stories from numerous media outlets were published focusing on the purchase of used cars by players, cash payments to players and other extra benefits. The final blow was a lengthy Sports Illustrated report suggesting a wide array of violations within the program. When the magazine requested comment from the school over Memorial Day weekend, support for the coach faded. On May 30, 2011, Memorial Day, Tressel resigned. While covering up the original memorabilia sales set the stage for his eventual resignation, in the moment Ohio State was more than ready to continue on with Jim Tressel. A year later the school hired Urban Meyer and now everything is back where it started. Does 2011 matter in 2018? Maybe, maybe not. Ohio State could risk further NCAA violations to emerge back then. It was just NCAA violations, after all. Domestic violence is an entirely different thing, rightfully more significant. Time will tell, but with an investigative team in place and an independent working group overseeing it, Ohio State is at least headed toward a conclusion here. More from Yahoo Sports: Eric Adelson: Hall of Fame deserves blame for Terell Owens sideshow Angels Manager Mike Scioscia denies report that hes leaving Dan Wetzel: LeBron James, and his rise is proof of what makes America great Joel Embiid plans on using mean tweets from Colangelo burner account as motivation If the lot is big enough, I dont see a problem, but it has to be large enough, he said. The planner also said there are a few agricultural areas in the village. We need more bees but we have to be careful of where they go. We dont want them on a 6,000-square-foot lot or a townhome situation where someone wants to put it in the common area. Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was one of the players criticized most by the burner accounts used by Bryan Colangelos wife. While the big man made jokes about the tweets shortly after the story came to light, he admitted that he was hurt by them as well. Embiid spoke about the tweets on ESPN, saying they were hurtful, but adding that all the criticism he read in those tweets would make him a better player. Here are Embiids full quotes, which have been transcribed by Pro Basketball Talk: It was hurtful because of the stuff that was said in those tweets. But at the end of the day, I know who I am as a person, as a player. And I know a lot of people, theyre always telling me Im great but I have a lot of stuff to work on. And actually, I appreciated everything that was said about me because if it was true even if it wasnt that stays in my mind. And it makes me want to get better. The stuff where they were saying I wasnt happy, that makes me want to work harder on my body. Or if theyre saying that I couldnt do anything, it makes me want to work harder and get better. So, actually, I love it. I appreciated it. It was great. It was great for my game. What did the tweets say about Joel Embiid? One of the tweets said Embiid was not the future of the 76ers. Another criticized Embiid for making the team look bad. Embiid liked those tweets after the story broke. Hes liking the burner tweets now. pic.twitter.com/dwwGqVIRVA Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) May 30, 2018 What was the fallout from the Bryan Colangelo burner tweets controversy? An investigation resulted in Colangelo and the 76ers parting ways. The investigators never determined whether Colangelo knew about the accounts. Colangelos wife admitted to running the accounts that criticized Embiid, among others, but also limited and impeded the investigation, according to the official report. Story continues Embiid remains with the 76ers after signing an extension in 2017. The 24-year-old averaged 22.9 points and 11 total rebounds per game last season. Those are the numbers hes hoping to improve on after reading the negative tweets. Joel Embiid will use tweets criticizing him as motivation next season. (AP Photo) Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! More from Yahoo Sports: Michael Jordan reacts to Trumps LeBron James criticism Blake Griffin refutes report hell pay $258K a month in child support F the UFC: Nate Diaz storms out of presser announcing McGregor comeback Pat Forde: Urban Meyers bold media blitz leaves OSU administrators out to dry Republican House candidate Troy Balderson speaks next to President Donald Trump at a rally in Lewis Center, Ohio, on Saturday. (Photo: MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images) Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) on Sunday suggested that President Donald Trump appeared at a campaign rally in his state on Saturday without a direct invitation from the House candidate he came to tout. Kasich, speaking on ABCs This Week, said he asked state Sen. Troy Balderson, the Republican candidate for a U.S. House seat in a Tuesday special election, point blank why he invited Trump to campaign for him at his event in Delaware County. I asked him the other day, Why are you bringing Trump in, said Kasich, who has been one of the GOPs harshest critics of the president. Kasich said Balderson told him, Well, I dont have anything to do with it. Ohio Gov. John Kasich says he asked Troy Balderson, a Republican House candidate in Ohio, if he invited Pres. Trump to his campaign rally in Ohio and Balderson said, "no, I didn't" https://t.co/P6iz1j1VA4 #ThisWeek pic.twitter.com/fAVzX1HsSu This Week (@ThisWeekABC) August 5, 2018 I think Donald Trump decides where he wants to go, Kasich said of the presidents appearance, where after introducing Balderson and praising him, he then focused of his own agenda and his litany of complaints about the media. I think [Trump and his political advisers] think they are firing up the base, at such rallies, added Kasich, who was among several establishment party leaders Trump defeated for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. Attempts to reach Baldersons team for comment on Sunday were not immediately successful. Balderson, who polls have shown faces a tough battle against Democrat Danny OConnor in a district where the GOP traditionally has dominated, was introduced by Trump to the crowd as really smart and a really hard worker. Story continues The plaudits came two days after Trump mistakenly urged Republicans to vote in the special election for a someone not on its ballot GOP Rep. Steve Stivers. He represents a nearby district and is up for re-election on Novembers ballot. Trump deleted the tweet naming Stivers and replaced it with one supporting Balderson. If OConnor wins Tuesday vote, he would flip a House seat that has been held by the GOP since 1982. The seat was vacated by Republican Rep. Pat Tiberi in January. Related... Whoops! Trump Accidentally Tweeted The Wrong Candidate Endorsement Democrats Might Just Flip This GOP-Held House Seat In Ohio Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Mark Thompson Security, Military pilots do breathtaking things, but suffocating shouldnt be one of them. This Just Might Be the Fatal Flaw Could Crash the F-22 or F-35 None of this is to argue against cutting-edge military technology. But it should serve as a wakeup call that some nascent technologies arent ready for prime time, and shouldnt be used to turn the U.S. militarys highly-trained pilots (it costs $11 million to train a fighter-jet jockey) into guinea pigs. An ancient Greek tale says that Icarus drowned in the Mediterranean Sea after he ignored his fathers advice to fly low to avoid the suns warmth during their attempted escape from the isle of Crete. He chose instead to soar upward on his manmade wings, where the sun melted the wax binding his feathers to his body and sent him plunging to his death. But it wasnt so much heat, as hubris, that doomed him. Adventurers have been trying to cheat the heavens ever since. And, as was the case with Icarus, aviations weak link is often the human at the helm. Metal and carbon-fiber warplanes have been outflying their flesh-and-blood pilots for decades. I first got wind of this more than 30 years ago as a reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where I covered the Fort Worth-built F-16 like white on rice. It seemed that the then-new hot fighter could fly so fast and turn so sharp that it could keep enough blood from a pilots brain to render him (they were all hims back then) unconscious in a matter of seconds. Such human frailties have led to an alphabet soup of trouble, and how to avoid it: That G-induced loss of consciousness (GLOC) has led to the development of GCAS (ground collision avoidance systems). And theres the latest cockpit option (with the worst acronym, which sounds a lot like the cute coveralls toddlers wear): the On-Board Oxygen Generating System, or OBOGS. Flying headlong into the ground is the single biggest killer of fighter pilots in the Air Force, Air Force Magazine reported two years ago. The phenomenon known as Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) is responsible for 75 percent of F-16 pilot fatalities and is often due to disorientation or loss of consciousness while maneuvering at low altitude. Story continues Of course, its part of the militarys DNA to, ahem, push the envelope. For pilots, that can mean flying longer missions from more austere baseseven if the cost isnt worth it, and the need to do it is vanishingly tiny. But its that quest that has brought us OBOGS and its dangerous complications. The systems, developed in the 1980s and now common on military aircraft, suck in thin air from the engine intakes. Then they purify, cool and concentrate it into a 95 percent oxygen gas to keep pilots alive and alert. The system replaces traditional liquid oxygen systems, which limited a pilots flight time, especially a problem in planes that can be refueled in midair. Such liquid systems also cant always be resupplied at the primitive forward air bases the military says it may need to fly from in the next war, but hardly ever does. Pilots of at least six different kinds of OBOGS-outfitted military aircraft have had trouble breathing in recent years. They range from hot planes like the Air Forces F-35As, F-22s and A-10s, and the Navy and Marines F-18s, to the more modest Navy T-45 Goshawk and Air Force T-6 Texan trainers. These so-called physiological events generally involve pilot impairment triggered by a lack of oxygenhypoxiathat can quickly turn deadly because of the resulting dizziness, disorientation, decompression, numbness and pain. Most frustrating for all involved, the services have been unable to pinpoint the root of the problems. So they have been forced to rely on tweaking the systems, modifying their software, beefing up training, and crossing their fingers. Both Air Force and Navy pilots have refused to fly airplanes they deemed to be outfitted with faulty OBOGS. Military officerstrained from Day One to follow ordersdont take such steps lightly. Whats amazing about it is that military leaders, who are forever insisting the safety of their troops is one of their most sacred responsibilities, are having to be pushed to take action by their subordinates who fear for their lives. Recommended: America Has Military Options for North Korea (but They're All Bad) Recommended: 1,700 Planes Ready for War: Everything You Need To Know About China's Air Force Recommended: Stealth vs. North Koreas Air Defenses: Who Wins? Air Force Capt. Jeffrey Haney was killed in 2010 when his F-22 flew into the ground after he lost oxygen. While the Air Force grounded the fleet following the crash, it sent its prized fighter back into the skies after it concluded Haney was to blame for his own death (although it grounded them again a month later for the same issue). A pair of F-22 Air National Guard pilots made headlines in 2012 when they told CBSs 60 Minutes that they were too scared to fly because of what they felt was its sketchy oxygen supply (the case also highlighted the skimpy protection afforded such life-or-death whistleblowers). Pilots flying the Air Forces newest fighter, the F-35, have had 29 hypoxia-like cases. After a spate of five incidents at an Arizona base last spring, the service ordered an 11-day grounding. The Air Force said that the light warning of an OBOGS problem inside the F-35s cockpit had been too sensitive and illuminating too often, making pilots anxious. Since a lack of oxygen shares symptoms with anxiety, it is especially difficult to tell them apart with a malfunctioning warning light. F-35 pilots had also been spending too much time sitting still on the tarmac during the summer with their engines running, spewing carbon monoxide that might pollute the breathing system, the service said. The Air Force also grounded 28 A-10 attack planes for a week last November after three pilots had trouble breathing, two while using OBOGS. The other A-10 was using an older liquid-oxygen system, which the service is replacing with OBOGS. The OBOGS mitigates the constraints of liquid oxygen by utilizing engine bleed air as the source of breathing oxygen and eliminates the maintenance costs and sortie delays the liquid oxygen system incurs, the service says. The Air Force isnt the only service gasping for air. Breathing problems aboard the Navys main fighter, the F-18, spiked from 57 in 2012 to 125 in 2016. The breathing gear on the Navys F-18s and T-45s is inadequate to consistently provide high quality breathing air, the Navy itself concluded last June. The net result is contaminants can enter aircrew breathing air provided by OBOGS and potentially induce hypoxia. The Navy flubbed its probe into a series of F-18 oxygen-related crashes that killed four pilots, a Navy-commissioned NASA report, ordered by Congress, concluded in September. Last spring, the Navy was forced to ground its T-45 trainers after more than 100 instructor pilots refused to fly them because of concerns about their oxygen supply. The pilots dont feel safe flying this aircraft, one instructor pilot told Fox News at the time. The most recent OBOGS snafu involves the Air Forces propeller-driven T-6 Texan trainer. The service grounded the plane for most of February after its pilots experienced a rash of breathing problems. But the service concluded they did not suffer from classic hypoxia but rather unexplained physiological events that could have been caused by too much oxygen, contaminated oxygen, or something else entirely. After listening to pilots, maintainers, engineers and flight surgeons, it became apparent the T-6 fleet was exhibiting symptoms indicative of a compromise of the integrity of the OBOGS, leading to degradations in performance, which then likely led to the pilots physiological events, the Air Force said Feb. 27. We have zeroed in on a handful of components that are degrading or failing to perform and needed to be replaced or repaired more often than the Air Force anticipated when they bought the aircraft, Maj. Gen. Patrick Doherty said when he lifted the grounding order. As congressional heatnot unlike that of the sunhas increased, the Air Force responded in January like the military often does: by appointing an Air Force blue ribbon panelthe aptly-named Unexplained Physiologic Events Integration Teamto try to figure out what is going on. The Navy created its own Physiological Episode Action Team last April. (In typical Pentagon fashion, each service came up with a unique labelPhysiologic Event and Physiological Episodefor their common problem.) There is no single root cause tied to a manufacturing or design defect that would explain multiple physiologic event incidents across airframes or within a specific airframe, Lieut. Gen. Mark Nowland, an Air Force deputy chief of staff, told the House Armed Services Committees tactical aviation subcommittee Feb. 6. Some events are due to issues outside the aircraft or equipment, and some physiologic events remain unexplained and cannot be replicated. Congress wasnt buying it. I could not be more disappointed by your presentation, Rep. Michael Turner, the Ohio Republican who chairs the panel, told Nowland. There is something wrong with the systems that these pilots are relying on for their lives. Turner derided the services emphasis on more training. Should we start doing hearing training, where we ask you to come before us and then lets have you hold your breath for a minute in the first hearing, and then in the second hearing well have you hold your breath for two minutes? Turner asked. It makes no sense. The Navy didnt escape criticism. Although the Navy has put significant effort into investigating the physiologic episodes, the bulk of their efforts to date have been directed to the aircraft rather than human physiology, NASA engineer Clinton Cragg told the subcommittee. OBOGS require uniform operating conditions that a supersonic and highly-maneuverable jet rarely provides, he added. The service has focused too much on looking for a mechanical fix for a human problem. There has been a breakdown of trust in leadership within the pilot community, NASA saidin its September report directed by Cragg. This has been precipitated by the failure to find a definitive cause for the [Physiological Episodes], the implementation of fixes that do not appear to workand the belief that Navy leadership is not doing enough to resolve the issue. None of this is to argue against cutting-edge military technology. But it should serve as a wakeup call that some nascent technologies arent ready for prime time, and shouldnt be used to turn the U.S. militarys highly-trained pilots (it costs $11 million to train a fighter-jet jockey) into guinea pigs. Youd be forgiven for thinking OBOGS are ideal if you only relied on the folks who build them. The systems generate an unlimited supply of pilot breathing gas and permit the aircraft to be forward deployed during combat/other missions, Honeywell, a leading maker, raves. Not only that: its design means the pilot is not susceptible to smoke and fumes from the cockpit and produces life-giving air that is free from contamination. The available evidence suggests otherwise. Of course, when pulling Gs at 30,000 feet, the line between breathing and hubris can get pretty thin. This article originally appeared on the Project on Government Oversight. Read full article The season premiere of Keeping Up With the Kardashians was a very heated episode, as Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian brutally attacked each other with savage words over the planning of their annual family Christmas card.After showing no consideration for the rest of her family's schedules, Kourtney told Kim that if the photo shoot did not fall within her available time frame, she would not participate. Kim, who was entirely fed up with her sister at that point, exploded as she screamed at Kourtney to "Get the f*** out of here and go. No one wants you in the f***ing shoot." Kim also told Kourtney, "Maybe if you had a f***ing business that you were passionate about then you would know what it takes to run a f***ing business. But you don't, so don't even act like you know what I'm talking about." The blow up caused Kourtney to storm out of the house, but not before she overheard Kim telling Khloe, "She's the least exciting to look at, so she can be out. She doesn't do sh**. She doesn't know what it's like to actually have work to do." Family drama and explosive fights between the Kardashian sisters definitely isn't new. But this time around, Kourtney really took it personal. In fact, as the episode aired Sunday night, a twitter feud started when Kourtney called out Khloe, who tweeted that she "just wanted peace." Khloe lets be honest here. https://t.co/nS1YSkiyR9 Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) August 6, 2018 Khloe then responded to her sis, tweeting, "Wait are you for real @kourtneykardash ??? Do we want to get into why all of us were frustrated with you? You want to do this on twitter? Wait are you for real @kourtneykardash ??? Do we want to get into why all of us were frustrated with you? You want to do this on twitter? #KUWTK Khloe (@khloekardashian) August 6, 2018 Kourtney also tweeted that she doesn't accept the way they criticize and judge each other anymore, while Kim chimed in when Kourtney shared that she has different priorities than her sisters. Story continues Were ride or die. But i dont accept the way we criticize and judge each other anymore. My personal growth doesnt allow it. https://t.co/n2m07zWhub Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) August 6, 2018 And mine is not? The shoot was with our kids!!!!! My #1 priority is being a mother as well and I can work too, so can you! https://t.co/3bApFwwjcr Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) August 6, 2018 During the episode, Kourtney stated that she thinks her family has different values than she does and that they are a "disgusting family" that she's "ashamed to be a part of," while she also told Kim, "You're a very distraught, evil human being. I don't want to see you, okay? I don't agree with who you are as a human being." In the end, the Kardashian Christmas card photo shoot came together, despite the fact that her and her Kim's relationship is on the rocks but, honestly, this is the drama fans have been waiting for. When I was in Scottish restaurants, the type of food we made then, we didnt have microwaves or fast cooking, Smith said. We had time, heat, water and good-quality ingredients. All our food was fresh. When we wanted to put trout on the menu, we went out and caught trout. When we wanted rabbit stew, we went to the rabbit holes and caught fresh rabbit. Its very different from what we do nowadays. Sundays season premiere of Keeping Up With the Kardashians was intense, to say the least. In it, Kim and Kourtney Kardashian tore into each other over the planning of their annual family Christmas card. It all started when Kourtney told Kim that she wouldnt do the shoot if it didnt work with her schedule. Kim wasnt impressed and told her sister to get the f*** out of here and go. No one wants you in the f***ing shoot. Kim then got completely vicious. Maybe if you had a f***ing business that you were passionate about, then you would know what it takes to run a f***ing business. But you dont, so dont even act like you know what Im talking about, she said. Kourtney and Kim were at each others throats on Sunday nights episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. (Photo: Getty Images) Kourtney stormed out, but heard Kim say this as she left: Shes the least exciting to look at, so she can be out. She doesnt do s***. She doesnt know what its like to actually have work to do. Kourtney later told Kim that she thinks her family is disgusting and that shes ashamed to be a part of it. She also told Kim, Youre a very distraught, evil human being. I dont want to see you, OK? I dont agree with who you are as a human being. It didnt end there: Khloe Kardashian tweeted on Sunday night that she just wanted peace, and Kourtney responded with this: Khloe lets be honest here. https://t.co/nS1YSkiyR9 Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) August 6, 2018 And then Khloe responded: Wait are you for real @kourtneykardash ??? Do we want to get into why all of us were frustrated with you? You want to do this on twitter? #KUWTK Khloe (@khloekardashian) August 6, 2018 Kourtney later made it clear on Twitter that she loves her sisters she just doesnt like the way they fight: Story continues Were ride or die. But i dont accept the way we criticize and judge each other anymore. My personal growth doesnt allow it. https://t.co/n2m07zWhub Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) August 6, 2018 But then she reignited things when she tweeted this out: We all have our own priorities. Mine is being a mother. #KUWTK Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) August 6, 2018 Kims response: And mine is not? The shoot was with our kids!!!!! My #1 priority is being a mother as well and I can work too, so can you! https://t.co/3bApFwwjcr Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) August 6, 2018 However, Kim made sure to tweet this: dont ever get it twisted, me, Kourtney and Khloe are GOOD! ALWAYS!!!! Never question that! Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) August 6, 2018 Whew. For the record, these vicious fights are more about being siblings and less about being sisters. Having two brothers and no sisters, I can tell you that brothers fight as vigorously, if not more, licensed clinical psychologist John Mayer, author of Family Fit: Find Your Balance in Life, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. However, sisters tend to fight more over emotional factors, while brothers tend to fight more over egotistical elements, licensed clinical psychologist Ramani Durvasula, author of Should I Stay or Should I Go?, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Sibling fights are so intense because theres a lot of history behind these relationships, Durvasula says. Siblings likely fought as children, she points out, creating a precedent for the way conflict is handled among them. Every sibling fight seems to devolve into something very primitive, she says. The stakes often seem higher. Not only that, but there may be unresolved conflicts from the past that keep surfacing or getting dragged into arguments, which can quickly take a fight over something like scheduling and make it much more heated. Still, most people feel that their love for their siblings is unconditional and vice versa, and that can lead people to take things further than they would in arguments with other people in their lives, such as friends, Durvasula says. If you tend to have extremely heated arguments with your siblings, Mayer recommends trying to view those relationships like the non-sibling relationships in your life. What I teach young people is to treat your family members exactly how you would someone you work with, a classmate, teacher, or coach, he says. You wouldnt think of treating them in that same way. Its also crucial to stop dragging in old baggage, Durvasula says. Its important to ask yourself if youre really arguing over the issue at hand or something that dates way back to when you were teenagers, she says. Take a step back and see what you were arguing about. Focusing on just that might help keep things more civil the next time around. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Environmental groups were not going to be happy with anyone President Donald Trump picked for the Supreme Court. But the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh has them especially worried. A conservative who would replace the more moderate Justice Anthony Kennedy, Kavanaugh has a record of slapping back Environmental Protection Agency regulations during his 12 years as a federal appeals court judge. Kavanaugh could shift the court to the right in many areas. But Kennedy was especially pivotal on environmental cases, ruling with the majority on nearly all of them over 30 years on the bench and often siding with the environmentalists in the biggest cases. Kavanaugh has a narrower view of what environmental protections the federal government can implement. That was clear from an Associated Press review of his opinions while on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, along with other writings and speeches. "It threatens to take us back to the old days," said Pat Gallagher, the legal director at the Sierra Club, recalling environmental disasters from the 1960s and '70s. "The Cuyahoga River, Love Canal when there was no environmental protection." Kavanaugh's backers don't see him as anti-environment. "His rulings in cases involving the EPA say far more about the aggressive nature of the EPA in terms of trying to stretch beyond its breaking point its mandate from Congress," said John Malcolm, vice president of the conservative Heritage Foundation's Institute for Constitutional Government. Republicans hope the Senate can confirm Kavanaugh by the time the court's next session begins Oct. 1. But that is in doubt because of delays in reviewing documents related to Kavanaugh's time in President George W. Bush's administration. In his opinions on environmental issues, Kavanaugh has often stressed the importance of policies to protect against climate change before saying that Congress, not the EPA, should create those policies. Story continues One prominent example came last year in a majority opinion that found the EPA lacks the authority to regulate hydrofluorocarbons, chemicals linked to global warming. Kavanaugh wrote: "EPA's well-intentioned policy objectives with respect to climate change do not on their own authorize the agency to regulate." William Buzbee, a Georgetown Law professor who teaches constitutional and environmental law, said Kavanaugh often rules that either Congress didn't delegate duties clearly enough to the EPA or that the agency wasn't carrying them out correctly in contrast with a history of judges giving wide latitude to agencies to try to solve problems. "It's a move that sounds like an attitude of deference and separation of power," Buzbee said. "The effect is to take away an agency's powers to deal with real-world problems." President Barack Obama relied heavily on administrative action as Republicans controlled Congress for most of his presidency and resisted passing laws that favored environmental protections over companies. Kavanaugh addressed that in the hydrofluorocarbons case: "Under the Constitution, congressional inaction does not license an agency to take matters into its own hands, even to solve a pressing policy issue such as climate change." Kavanaugh took similar approaches in two major 2012 rulings. In one, Kavanaugh dissented from the circuit, wanting to grant further review in a case in which the appeals court upheld the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gases. In another, Kavanaugh wrote the majority opinion to eliminate a 2011 EPA rule limiting emissions from power plants and other sources to reduce pollution in neighboring states. Writing for a divided panel, he found that this "good neighbor" rule overstepped the EPA's authority. The Supreme Court overruled Kavanaugh. In a speech last year at the American Enterprise Institute, Kavanaugh praised the late Justice Antonin Scalia for applying a principle laid out by Chief Justice William Rehnquist to an EPA case. The "major questions doctrine," he said, "is critical to limiting the ability of agencies to make major policy decisions that belong to Congress, at least unless Congress clearly delegates that authority." Still, Kavanaugh has not always ruled against environmental regulation. In 2010, he wrote the majority opinion for a divided panel when trucking groups sued the EPA over California's regulations for engines such as those that power refrigeration systems on trucks. Kavanaugh praised the agency for properly following Congress' directions in delegating that narrow area of regulation to California. In environmental cases, judges often must sort out who has the legal standing to challenge regulations or push for protections. "The Supreme Court now for decades has said that environmental and aesthetic interests count for standing," Buzbee said. "My sense is they count less for Judge Kavanaugh." In a 2014 case, he wrote the unanimous opinion finding that environmental groups did not have standing to challenge an EPA decision not to tighten carbon monoxide standards. There are also cases where he found that industrial groups have standing to oppose environmental restrictions. One of those came last year, when he was on a panel that unanimously found that logging interests had standing to challenge the designation of 9.5 million acres (3.8 million hectares) in California, Oregon and Washington as a critical habitat for the northern spotted owl. He wrote that industry groups showed clearly that they would face economic harm if logging was banned in the area. There are exceptions in his record. Kavanaugh was part of a unanimous 2009 ruling that found road- and transportation-building groups did not have standing to challenge some EPA rules. If Kavanaugh is confirmed in time for the new court session, the first case he'd hear would deal with an environmental issue. In the case, the private owners of land used for logging in Louisiana object to their property's inclusion in the critical habitat for the dusky gopher frog, which was added to the endangered species list in 2001, when fewer than 100 were known to be in existence all in southern Mississippi. None of the frogs has been spotted in Louisiana for more than 50 years. A federal appeals court found the land's inclusion as a critical habitat was appropriate. ___ Follow Mulvihill at http://www.twitter.com/geoffmulvihill ___ More reporting on the Supreme Court and Kavanaugh can be found at http://apne.ws/IHcZXad EDITOR'S NOTE _ One in a series of stories examining the nomination of federal appeals court Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court Kevin Smith has made a lot of progress since his massive heart attack in February. Dont believe us? Just look at the before-and-after photos he posted on Instagram yesterday. The filmmaker reenacted a photo that was taken of him when he was at his heaviest. But the one big difference is his size. He shared the photos side by side to show how much hes grown figuratively. Years ago, a paparazzo snapped the infamous shot on the left of me wearing my giant jorts at my all-time heaviest, he captioned the post. In both images hes squeegeeing his car. The photo on the right was taken at the same gas station today. Im very near the goal weight I was told to shoot for after the heart attack, he wrote proudly. And it shows; the man in the new photo is undeniably slimmer than the one in the old photo. His style has morphed as well; even the jorts have shrunk. He goes on to thank Weight Watchers and other health-and-wellness brands and gurus, including magician Penn Jillette, who lost 100 pounds in three months a few years ago. Smith has expressed that Jillettes book Presto assisted him in his weight-loss journey. Kevin Smith. (Photo: Getty Images) A month ago, the Jay and Silent Bob creator took to Instagram to share the good news that hed lost 43 pounds since the heart attack. His goal is 50. This #wwambassador is now at the absolute adult thinnest Ive been since I finished high school! Smith wrote. And while I may look a little better, I FEEL fucking fantastic! Itll take a few weeks, but Im ready to lose that final 7 pounds! And when I hit my goal, Ill let you know where I started Story continues Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Kim Kardashian and Kendall Jenner. (Photo: Getty Images) If you go after one KarJenner, be prepared to take on the whole family. Kim Kardashian jumped to Kendall Jenners defense on Monday after TMZ claimed the models Doberman pinscher nipped a child at the Beverly Glen Deli in Los Angeles. The 5-year-old girls grandfather, Hollywood divorce attorney Bob Cohen, claimed the dog lunged unprovoked and bit his granddaughter on the arm, breaking the skin and drawing a small amount of blood. He called Jenner and boyfriend Ben Simmons arrogant for leaving before checking if she was OK. The little girl allegedly had her wound treated at a nearby pharmacy. However, a source close to the Kardashians refutes his account, saying the dog never bit the child. cute but shell rip your face off A post shared by Kendall (@kendalljenner) on May 28, 2018 at 3:15pm PDT The dog did not make contact with the little girl, an insider tells Yahoo Entertainment. Once [Kendall] knew the little girl was OK, she got up while her friend paid the bill. No one vanished. Still, the story quickly lit up Twitter, riling up one woman in particular. Sophie Ross, in a tweet that has since been deleted, wrote: Add this to the growing list of reasons why @KendallJenner is a disturbingly despicable, entitled, unsympathetic, sadistic, uncharitable and self-absorbed human being who doesnt deserve to be idolized. (Yes, I went there.) https://t.co/x3D8nFckO7 The tweet caught the attention of Jenners big sis, who fired back. Do u know Kendall? Shes the complete opposite &is the most generous,compassionate person I know! Her being standoffish is anxiety that paralyzes her which u take as rude! Only a despicable, entitled,unsympathetic,sadistic, uncharitable @self-absorbed human would write this tweet https://t.co/9Wwd9orILO Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) August 6, 2018 Kardashian, who has become the queen of clapbacks added, P.S. Unfortunately whats in the media isnt always accurate. Story continues Jenner also responded directly to Ross, writing, hope to meet you one day to show you the real me, maybe ill tell you a little bit about the story too. oof im sorry you feel that way. hope to meet you one day to show you the real me, maybe ill tell you a little bit about the story too. God bless https://t.co/2rICVG6yCF Kendall (@KendallJenner) August 6, 2018 But Ross would have none of it, and essentially doubled down on her initial message. With the hashtag #NeverForget she posted three Jenner moments she found to be offensive, including a screenshot from that infamous Pepsi commercial. (All of the posts have been deleted.) Ross also tweeted and deleted the following message: For the record, I dont claim to be perfect, Im not a celebrity and the only reason Im verified is because my old employer verified its employees! I just like to blow the whistle when I see someone with so much influence repeatedly set a bad example to her fans. Much love. She admitted surprise, however, that the stars of Keeping Up With the Kardashians would see and respond to her comment. She has kept those tweets up. Its funny everyone keeps telling me how thirsty for attention I must be when I obviously didnt think theyd respond I was pretty much just throwing it out there to my 500 followers and now my notifications are blowing up like this Sophie Ross (@SophRossss) August 6, 2018 Yes, plz let me go back to being nobody! I tweeted this to my 500 followers not thinking Kim or Kendall would actually respond now my twitters blowing up Sophie Ross (@SophRossss) August 6, 2018 One can only speculate that, for Kim, clashing with someone outside of the family was probably a welcome break. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. The season premiere of Keeping Up with the Kardashians was a heated episode, with Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian savagely attacking each other over the planning of their annual family Christmas card. Showing no consideration for the schedules of the rest of her family, Kourtney told Kim that she wouldnt participate if the photo shoot didnt fall within her available time frame. Fed up with her sister at that point, Kim screamed at Kourtney to get the f*** out of here and go. No one wants you in the f***ing shoot. She added, Maybe if you had a f***ing business that you were passionate about then you would know what it takes to run a f***ing business. But you dont, so dont even act like you know what Im talking about. The blowup caused Kourtney to storm out of the house, but not before she overheard Kim telling Khloe, Shes the least exciting to look at, so she can be out. She doesnt do s***. She doesnt know what its like to actually have work to do. Family drama and explosive fights between the Kardashian sisters definitely isnt new. But this time around, Kourtney really took it personally. In fact, as the episode aired Sunday night, a Twitter feud started when Kourtney called out Khloe, who tweeted that she just wanted peace. Khloe lets be honest here. https://t.co/nS1YSkiyR9 Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) August 6, 2018 Khloe then responded to her sis: Wait are you for real @kourtneykardash ??? Do we want to get into why all of us were frustrated with you? You want to do this on twitter? #KUWTK Khloe (@khloekardashian) August 6, 2018 Kourtney also tweeted that she no longer accepts the way they criticize and judge one another, while Kim chimed in when Kourtney shared that she has different priorities than her sisters. Story continues Were ride or die. But i dont accept the way we criticize and judge each other anymore. My personal growth doesnt allow it. https://t.co/n2m07zWhub Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) August 6, 2018 And mine is not? The shoot was with our kids!!!!! My #1 priority is being a mother as well and I can work too, so can you! https://t.co/3bApFwwjcr Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) August 6, 2018 During the episode, Kourtney said she thinks she and her family have different values and that they are a disgusting family that shes ashamed to be a part of. She also told Kim, Youre a very distraught, evil human being. I dont want to see you, OK? I dont agree with who you are as a human being. The Kardashian Christmas card photo shoot came together in the end, despite Kourtney and Kims relationship being on the rocks but, honestly, this is the drama fans have been waiting for. Keeping Up with the Kardashians airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on E! Check out why Kim Kardashian was completely nude when Donald Trump called her after their meeting at the White House: Read more from Yahoo! Entertainment: Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Kylie Mar, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. The timing of the suit is curious. Olszewski has already announced plans for a new restaurant on the Grace property (652 W. Randolph St.), to be headed by chef Mari Katsumura. Duffy and Muser are working toward opening their own restaurant, perhaps as soon as 2019. It appeared, at least from a distance, that the concerned parties had moved on. Since 2011, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R) has successfully used his relatively obscure office to elevate himself into the national spotlight. Hes emerged as a prominent anti-immigrant voice and is a zealous advocate of the idea that voter fraud is a widespread problem, despite there being no evidence thats true. On Tuesday, Kansas Republicans will decide whether to make Kobach their pick for governor in the November election. While there are four major GOP candidates to choose from, the race has become a tight contest between Kobach and current Gov. Jeff Colyer (R). Kobachs candidacy has attracted national attention to the race in deep-red Kansas and some hand-wringing among national Republicans, who worry that if Kobach wins the primary, the general election could be more competitive for Democrats. The contest also offers Kansas voters a chance to either elevate Kobach further or deal a setback to his rise, which has been shaped by a confrontational and unapologetic style of politics. This is one of those rare opportunities when you have a very high-profile activist politician, you actually have an opportunity to give them a platform or take that platform away in large part, said Patrick Miller, a political science professor at the University of Kansas. This is an opportunity for the left and mainstream Republicans to beat a firebrand and put someone more conventional in; just like for people who are more conservative, it is an opportunity to promote that fiery voice that they have, Miller said. Colyer, a plastic surgeon, was Kansas lieutenant governor from 2011 until January, when then-Gov. Sam Brownback (R) resigned with dismal approval ratings to take a position in the Trump administration. While Kobach and Colyer have sparred over issues like their records on abortion and Colyers decision to approve court-ordered school funding, the two are both deeply conservative, despite having entirely different political styles. Story continues While Kobach seems to relish the attention he gets from being provocative, Colyer was reluctant to attack Kobach at first and slower to find his footing on the campaign trail, airing an ad to introduce himself to voters in June, said Burdett Loomis, another political science professor at the University of Kansas. Colyer cant get around Kobach from the right. Hes cast as this guy who is more responsible, which is true, and certainly the candidate of the Republican mainstream, even though he is pretty far to the right, Loomis said. If he were a better natural politician, I think he would benefit more from it, but hes not especially good. Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer (R) is in a close race with Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. Both men are deeply conservative but have dramatically different governing styles. (Photo: Mark Reinstein via Getty Images) Despite Kobachs close ties to Donald Trump the president reportedly wanted him to lead the Department of Homeland Security the Republican Governors Association and aides have reportedly lobbied Trump not to endorse him. But the president endorsed him anyway on Monday. An internal GOP poll gives Coyler a small lead over Kobach. Yet again, President Trump is sewing (sic) chaos in a GOP primary against the wishes of other national Republicans. But no matter who wins tomorrow, Republicans will have a nominee in Kansas running for a third term of Sam Brownbacks policies, Alex Japko, a spokesman for the Democratic Governors Association said in a statement. Both Kris Kobach and Governor Colyer have vowed to continue the same agenda that led Kansas to record budget shortfalls, cuts to education and a faltering economy. National Republicans are worried Kobach would fare worse than Colyer against a Democrat in the general election. Public polling has shown Kobach trailing state Sen. Laura Kelly, a potential Democratic opponent in the fail. Colyer had a 10-point advantage over Kelly in the poll. There have been missteps for Kobach, too. Trump tapped him to lead a commission to investigate voter fraud last year, but the panel was disbanded in January before really investigating anything. In March, Kobach went to federal court to personally defend a law requiring Kansans to prove their citizenship when they register to vote. Not only was he unable to convince a federal judge that there were thousands of noncitizens getting registered, but Kobach was also held in contempt of court for not following a judges orders and ordered to pay over $26,000 in attorneys fees. Colyer has used the case to question Kobachs leadership, and says the secretary of state should pay the fine out of his own pocket. Miller said Kobachs performance during the trial hadnt really shifted his poll numbers, but Ethan Corson, executive director of the Kansas Democratic Party, said he thought it would affect Kobachs chances in a general election and would cause Republicans to vote for a Democratic candidate. Fundamentally, Kansans at their core dont like to be embarrassed. Kris Kobach has become a national laughing stock and a national joke, Miller said. Even folks who would tend maybe to vote Republican understand that he would be a blot on the image of Kansas. Kobach has also posted anemic fundraising numbers, lagging far behind Colyer. He has relied largely on money from Wink Hartman, a wealthy businessman he picked as his running mate in March. Hartman has given the campaign over $1.5 million since the beginning of the year. On the campaign trail, Kobach has used controversy to his advantage. When some criticized his decision to ride in a July parade in an American flag jeep with a machine-gun replica, Kobach dug in and refused to apologize, calling the controversy a snowflake meltdown. The episode was evocative of Trump, who frequently refuses to back away from controversy and uses it to rally supporters and attract media attention. People talked about that for days. It let Kobach dominate the media. It drowned out Colyer. It let him talk about his gun record, Miller said. Later, when Colyer got the NRA endorsement, it seemed really like an afterthought to all this press about guns that Kobach had been getting. Kobach also stands to benefit from the presence of two other candidates in the Republican primary field, insurance commissioner Ken Selzer and former state Sen. Jim Barnett, who could siphon votes away from Colyer. The governor recently began running an ad saying a vote for Selzer or Barnett would be a vote for Kobach. Greg Orman, a wealthy businessman running as an independent, could also boost Kobach in the general election by taking away votes from Democrats. Miller said he could see Kobach becoming Kansas next governor without winning more than 50 percent of the vote in either the primary or general election. Its really like he rubbed a genies belly and wished for as many opponents as possible and they all magically appeared, he said. The way this is set up, its just allowing him to slide into office with no one having a clear shot at him. Kevin Robillard contributed reporting. This article has been updated with Donald Trumps endorsement of Kobach and comment from Alex Japko. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. Related Coverage Trump's Voter Fraud Czar, And His Claims About Illegal Voting, Are About To Go On Trial The Kris Kobach Voter Fraud Trial Was About Much More Than Kris Kobach Federal Judge Holds Kris Kobach In Contempt For Failing To Follow Court Order To Register Voters Federal Judge Strikes Down Kansas Proof Of Citizenship Law This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Kyle Busch passed 22 cars over the final 32 laps of Sundays race at Watkins Glen. Busch was the leader when the final caution of the race came out for Matt DiBenedettos smoking car. He exited the pits with the lead but didnt keep it for long. The team had a problem with the fuel can on the stop and Buschs car didnt get full of fuel. [Chase Elliott wins at Watkins Glen] Rather than wait to pit later, Busch pitted during the caution so that he could make it to the end of the race. That paid off as he sliced and diced his way through the field. Yeah, its great, Busch said. It was hard not to feel some sarcasm in his voice. I had a fast race car and did a good job behind the wheel I guess. It doesnt show anything for the result that we wanted to get. Two years in a row here, we had pit road miscues and guess its just called bad luck. Its kind of frustrating when you know you come here every year with a vengeance to go out here and win this race and youre the fastest car and youre arguably the fastest car or arguably the fastest guy and not able to perform or execute I should say. [Takeaways from Watkins Glen] Busch has not had a tortured history at Watkins Glen. He won at the track in 2008 and 2013 and has finished in the top seven in each of the last four races. But we understand his frustration on Sunday. He had a car capable of racing with Chase Elliott and Martin Truex Jr. for the race lead. He led 31 of the races 90 laps. He just didnt have a chance to race for the win. Busch won a week ago at Pocono and a win on Sunday would have been his seventh of the season. He said he had the pace to run with Elliott and a three-way battle for the lead over the closing laps would have been even more intriguing than the two-car battle was. Alas, by the time Busch made it to third he wasnt even close to the two cars ahead of hi. I thought we were as good as the 9 there that time that he got a run on me, I let him go and then he drove away from me surprisingly, Elliott said. Then on the next restart, I had enough to hold him off, so I felt like we were equal to him if not maybe a tick better than him, but doesnt matter. We had to restart in the back and drove our ass off with no cautions all the way up to third. Story continues Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports. More from Yahoo Sports: Michael Jordan reacts to Trumps LeBron James criticism Blake Griffin refutes report hell pay $258K a month in child support F the UFC: Nate Diaz storms out of presser announcing McGregor comeback Pat Forde: Urban Meyers bold media blitz leaves OSU administrators out to dry The plus-size retailer is jumping on the influencer bandwagon with its debut fashion collaboration. Lane Bryant has teamed up with blogger Tanesha Awasthi, aka the 'Girl With Curves', on a 20-piece collection set to release during New York Fashion Week this fall, reports WWD. The 'Girl With Curves x Lane Bryant' series will span dresses, jeans, outerwear and sportswear, and will be available in sizes 12-28. It will be unveiled on September 9. "For a long time, the curvy girl was left out of the conversation," Awasthi told WWD. "I don't think the world realized that all women, no matter what size, want to feel amazing, look amazing and we all care about some aspect of fashion." Awasthi, who counts more than 320,000 followers on Instagram and 1.6 million subscribers to her 'Girl With Curves' newsletter, is the latest of several big-name influencers to land her own clothing collaboration. Back in June, the multi-hyphenated model, blogger and influencer Ziggy Mack-Johnson was announced as the new co-creator of a fashion series for H&M's new brand /Nyden, while model and influencer Jordyn Woods has an activewear collection in the pipeline with the plus-size label Addition Elle. Lane Kiffin is no stranger to trolling people on Twitter. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) What youre about to read is going to sound like a wacky sports mad lib, but its not. Florida Atlantic University coach Lane Kiffin trolled President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump after the two tweeted differing opinions about Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. That actually happened. What did Lane Kiffin tweet at Donald Trump and Melania Trump? He tweeted #problemsathome with a broken heart emoji at both of them. Kiffin retweeted a story from Sporting News about Melania Trump praising LeBron James for opening his I Promise school. Donald Trump has taken swipes at James on Twitter. LeBron James and Donald Trump have a history on Twitter Prior to his presidency, Trump actually supported James on Twitter. But James has been outspoken about the presidents policies, once calling him a bum for disinviting the Golden State Warriors to the White House. U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain't going! So therefore ain't no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up! LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017 That comment may have caused Trump to change his mind. He took a dig at James intelligence in a tweet almost a year later. Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isnt easy to do. I like Mike! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2018 What is Melania Trumps role in Lane Kiffins tweet? Story continues The First Lady wasnt as combative with James. She complimented James opening his I Promise School and added she would be open to visit. Oh boy. After President Trump insulted LeBron James, Melania Trump issues a statement saying shes open to visiting the school he just opened in Ohio. pic.twitter.com/t0eJ4oDrxq Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) August 4, 2018 Not the first time Lane Kiffin has been a Twitter comedian Kiffin is no stranger to trying to be funny on Twitter. His most frequent target might be Alabama football coach Nick Saban. Hes also made one ill-advised joke about a point spread. His tweet that included Donald and Melania Trump is pretty much par for the course for him. Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! More from Yahoo Sports: Michael Jordan reacts to Trumps LeBron James criticism Blake Griffin refutes report hell pay $258K a month in child support F the UFC: Nate Diaz storms out of presser announcing McGregor comeback Pat Forde: Urban Meyers bold media blitz leaves OSU administrators out to dry SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) The Latest on a small plane crash in Southern California (all times local): 10:10 a.m. A real estate company says three of its employees and two of their family members were killed in a Southern California plane crash. Pacific Union CEO Mark A. McLaughlin says Monday that the firm is mourning the loss of three real estate agents: Nasim Ghanadan, Floria Hakimi and Lara Shepherd. They worked together at the company's office in the San Francisco Bay Area city of Danville. McLaughlin says Hakimi's son Navid Hakimi and Shepherd's husband Scott Shepherd, the plane's pilot, were also killed Sunday. The National Transportation Safety Board plans a Monday press conference addressing the crash of the single-engine Cessna into a shopping center parking lot in Santa Ana. Nobody on the ground was hurt. ___ 7:15 a.m. Authorities have identified the five people killed in the crash of a small plane in the parking lot of a Southern California shopping center. Nobody on the ground was hurt when the twin-engine Cessna suddenly nosedived Sunday during its approach to John Wayne Airport southeast of Los Angeles. The pilot and all four passengers were killed. The Orange County coroner's office on Monday identified the victims as 53-year-old Scott Shepherd and 42-year-old Lara Shepherd of Diablo, California; 62-year-old Floria Hakimi of Danville, California; 32-year-old Navid Hakimi of Los Angeles; and 29-year-old Nasim Ghanadan of Alamo, California. Scott Shepherd was the pilot. The plane took off Sunday from an airport in the San Francisco Bay Area city of Concord. The cause of the crash is under investigation. ___ 12 a.m. Authorities say five people on board a small plane were killed but nobody on the ground was hurt when the Cessna crashed in a Southern California parking lot. Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Arlene Salac says the twin-engine plane declared an emergency Sunday before crashing about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from Orange County's John Wayne Airport. Orange County Fire Authority Captain Steve Concialdi says the Cessna was heading to the airport when it came down and struck an empty parked car in the lot of a Staples store. He says there was no fire and nobody on the ground was hurt. Photos from the scene show the plane upright but on its belly. Several streets surrounding a nearby shopping center and the South Coast Plaza mall are closed. ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) The Latest on the trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort (all times local): 9:50 p.m. The star prosecution witness in the financial fraud trial of Paul Manafort testifies that he concealed millions of dollars in foreign bank accounts on Manafort's behalf and falsified documents to help his former boss obtain millions of dollars more in bank loans. Rick Gates also admits he embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from the former Trump campaign chairman. Gates on Monday calmly related his criminal conduct as prosecutors looked to provide jurors with damning testimony from a co-conspirator they say carried out an elaborate offshore tax-evasion and fraud scheme on behalf of Manafort. Gates is expected to continue testifying for several hours Tuesday. __ 6:20 p.m. The judge in Paul Manafort's financial fraud trial is pressuring the prosecution to hurry up. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III says prosecutors for special counsel Robert Mueller's office are wasting time drilling into the details of Manafort's Ukrainian work and the backgrounds of those who paid him. Ellis says the case is not as complex as prosecutors are making it to be. But prosecutor Greg Andres says the testimony is necessary to show the flow of money from Ukrainians, through offshore shell companies to Manafort in the U.S. Ellis made the comments outside the presence of the jury after cutting off the testimony of Manafort's longtime deputy Rick Gates. Gates is testifying against his former boss and mentor. His testimony will resume Tuesday. ___ 5:35 p.m. Paul Manafort conspired to hide millions of dollars in offshore accounts from the IRS and directed his longtime deputy to lie to bookkeepers, banks and accountants to conceal the scheme. That's what the former Trump campaign chairman's "right-hand man," Rick Gates, told jurors in Manafort's financial fraud trial. Gates says that when millions of dollars came in from Manafort's Ukrainian consulting work, Manafort would decide whether to classify it as income or a loan. Gates says the goal of the fraud was to lower Manafort's tax bill and allow him to defer payment on the income until later years. Story continues Gates is testifying as part of a plea agreement with the government. Manafort's defense has sought to blame Gates for any illegal conduct, calling him a liar and embezzler. ____ 5:30 p.m. The government's star witness in the trial of Paul Manafort admits he embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from the former Trump campaign chairman. Rick Gates told jurors that he siphoned off the money without Manafort's knowledge by filing false expense reports. Gates says he admitted the conduct to the government as part of his cooperation agreement. He is awaiting sentencing. The testimony comes hours after Manafort's defense attorneys accused Gates of embezzling as they sought to paint Gates as an untrustworthy witness. Gates is also admitting to carrying out a vast scheme to conceal millions of dollars in foreign bank accounts on Manafort's behalf. And Gates says he also falsified loan applications and other documents to help Manafort obtain millions more in bank loans. ____ 4:21 p.m. Paul Manafort's longtime deputy has been called to the witness stand to testify against the former Trump campaign chairman. Rick Gates has been regarded as a crucial government witness ever since he pleaded guilty last year and agreed to cooperate in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Prosecutors will turn to Gates for firsthand support of their accusations that Manafort concealed millions of dollars in foreign income and later lied when he applied for bank loans. Manafort's defense has sought to blame Gates for any illegal conduct and accused him of embezzling millions of dollars. Gates and Manafort worked closely together for years. They were the first two people indicted by Mueller's grand jury. ____ 4 p.m. Prosecutors have called a witness other than Rick Gates in the financial fraud trial of President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort. A lawyer for Manafort had said in court Monday afternoon that Gates, who is Manafort's longtime deputy and is regarded as the government's star witness, would be the next witness up. Instead, prosecutors called a different witness named Paula Liss. Lawyers then met privately with the judge for a bench conference. Manafort's defense has sought to blame Gates for any illegal conduct and accused him of embezzling millions of dollars. Prosecutors said last week that they intended to call him to the stand before resting their case this week. ____ 3 p.m. Paul Manafort's attorney says the former Trump campaign chairman's longtime deputy will be testifying next in Manafort's fraud trial. Manafort attorney Kevin Downing says that Rick Gates will testify at the conclusion of the testimony of Manafort's tax preparer. Downing made the comment in court. The prosecution didn't confirm that Gates, a prosecution witness, would be next. Manafort's defense has sought to blame Gates for any illegal conduct and accused him of embezzling millions of dollars from Manafort. Gates will follow the testimony of tax preparer Cindy Laporta, who says she came to suspect Gates was misleading her about Manafort's finances. Under cross examination, she said at the time she believed Manafort was directing Gates' actions and "knew what was going on." Gates has been cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe after he cut a plea deal earlier this year. During that process, Gates admitted to two felony charges, but his testimony would be the first time he details those crimes face-to-face with Manafort, his former boss and mentor. __ 1:04 p.m. The most critical moment in the financial fraud trial of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort will likely arrive this week with the testimony of his "right-hand man" the person defense attorneys blame for any crimes. Rick Gates has been a key cooperator for special counsel Robert Mueller's team after he cut a plea deal earlier this year. During that process, Gates admitted to two felony charges, but when he testifies it will be the first time he'll detail those crimes face-to-face with his former boss and mentor. The trial is set to resume Monday afternoon in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. It's the first of Mueller's prosecutions to reach a jury, but lawyers have made no mention of President Donald Trump or possible campaign coordination with the Kremlin. MEXICO CITY (AP) The latest on storms in eastern Pacific off Mexico's western coast (all times local): 4:05 p.m. Tropical Storm John has strengthened into a hurricane in the Pacific off Mexico's western coast, though forecasters say it poses no immediate threat to land. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Ileana is trailing behind John and had been expected to become a hurricane, too. But the U.S. National Hurricane Center says Ileana now is predicted to remain a tropical storm before dissipating by late Tuesday due to the influence of the larger John. John was centered about 320 miles (145 kilometers) southwest of the Mexican port of Manzanillo late Monday afternoon, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph). It was moving west-northwest at 8 mph (13 kph). Ileana was centered about 155 miles (245 kilometers) south-southeast of Manzanillo. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph) and was heading northwest at 17 mph (28 kph). ___ 1:35 p.m. Two new tropical storms are strengthening off Mexico and both are projected to reach hurricane force while marching northwestward parallel to the coast, bringing heavy surf. The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm John is expected to strengthen rapidly and become a hurricane by Monday afternoon and a major hurricane by Tuesday. Tropical Storm Ileana also is growing while racing John up the coastline and is forecast to reach hurricane strength later Monday. John was centered about 340 miles (545 kilometers) southwest of the Mexican port of Manzanillo early Monday afternoon, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph). It was moving west-northwest at 8 mph (13 kph). Ileana was centered about 245 miles (395 kilometers) southeast of Manzanillo. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph) and was heading northwest at 17 mph (28 kph). Ileana had a potential to brush Mexico's southwestern shoulder as a hurricane along the coastal area near Manzanillo early Tuesday. CLEARLAKE, Calif. (AP) The Latest on the wildfires raging in California (all times local): 8 p.m. Cal Fire reports progress in containing near twin fires burning in Mendocino and Lake counties across wilderness on both sides of Clear Lake. The agency says Sunday night that the Ranch Fire is now 23 percent contained, and the River Fire is now 58 percent contained. The entire so-called Mendocino Complex Fire is now one of the largest on record in the state, officials said. The agency reports that a total of 9,300 structures are threatened, 68 homes have been destroyed and 12 other homes have been damaged. ___ 6:30 p.m. The Sacramento Bee reports that a wildfire burning in Tuolumne County in Northern California has grown dramatically and led to more evacuation orders. The Bee reports that the fire started Wednesday near the east side of Donnell Lake. Strong winds pushed the fire northeast Saturday, and it had grown to about nine square miles as of Sunday afternoon with no containment, according to U.S. Forest Service officials. The California Highway Patrol closed Highway 108 eastbound at Eagle Meadow Road and westbound at Dardanelle Resort on Saturday because of the fast-growing fire, which is burning in steep and rough terrain in the Stanislaus National Forest. The Bee reports that a mandatory evacuation order was issued for the area, including all campgrounds and homes. ___ 5:15 p.m. The National Park Service says that parts of Yosemite National Park will remain closed indefinitely because of growing fires in areas near and on the park. "Park administrators and fire managers have made the decision to extend the current park closures indefinitely. Fire managers are continuously assessing conditions in the area and will work directly with and will immediately advise park managers as conditions change and it becomes safe to reopen," the agency said in a statement. The park service says the parts of Yosemite that will remain closed include Yosemite Valley, El Portal Road, Wawona Road, Big Oak Flat Road, Glacier Point, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias, Wawona Campground, Crane Flat Campground and Tamarack Campground. Story continues ___ 4:40 p.m. President Donald Trump tweeted Sunday that the wildfires hitting California are "being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which aren't allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized." Trump said the water is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. The president also called for clearing trees to stop the fires from spreading. The tweet came a day after Gov. Jerry Brown called on Trump to help the state deal with the deadly and destructive wildfire season. Brown said he is hopeful Trump will issue a so-called Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for California. The declaration would help fire victims with unemployment assistance, food aid and legal and mental health counseling among other federal programs. The declaration will also make counties and cities eligible for federal financial assistance and help with repairing the billions of dollars of damage done to infrastructure. More immediately, the declaration will enable federal agencies to help battle the 17 major fires burning throughout the state. ___ 12:08 p.m. A utility worker was killed near a Northern California wildfire as crews working in sweltering conditions battled multiple blazes, including twin fires that exploded in size and forced hundreds more to evacuate rural communities, officials said Sunday. The Pacific Gas and Electric employee was fatally injured in a vehicle-related accident Saturday on the western edge of the Carr Fire in Shasta County, said utility spokeswoman Melissa Subbotin. Jairus Ayeta, who was in his 20s, worked as an apprentice lineman and was part of a PG&E crew working in "dangerous terrain" to restore power, she said. Ayeta is the seventh person to die in the immense blaze that has been burning for two weeks near Redding, where armies of firefighters and fleets of aircraft continue battling the flames about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of the Oregon state line. Two firefighters and four residents, including two children, were also killed. The fire was more than 40 percent contained Sunday. Meanwhile to the south, new evacuations were ordered Saturday evening near twin fires burning in Mendocino and Lake counties across wilderness on both sides of Clear Lake. Dry, hot winds fueled both blazes, which have collectively charred nearly 400 square miles (1,036 square kilometers) of brush and timber. The entire so-called Mendocino Complex Fire is now one of the largest on record in the state, officials said. (MILAN) A tanker truck carrying flammable material exploded Monday on a highway overpass near the northern Italian city of Bologna, killing at least two people and injuring up to 70 as it partially collapsed the raised roadway, police said. Some people were reportedly hit by flying glass as windows shattered in nearby buildings. Italian police said between 60 and 70 people had been injured, some with severe burns, in the midday accident on a major highway north of the city. Officials did not immediately know what kind of explosives were in the tanker, but the news agency ANSA said it was liquefied petroleum gas. The explosion reportedly came after a traffic accident. Videos show flames shooting up in the air after the explosion, replaced later by a thick black cloud of smoke. Aerial photos showed a gaping hole in the raised highway next to the tanker. Italian television Sky TG24 said the flames fell to the lower level, setting off secondary explosions in a car lot below. It said some of the injured had been hit by flying glass when windows in nearby buildings exploded. Firefighters said the flames were extinguished some three hours after the explosion, and they were working to cool the area to facilitation operations, ANSA reported. Authorities said a major highway interchange had been closed north of the city due to the accident. The interchange connects two major highways linking northern Italy with the Adriatic coast, a popular destination as Italy heads into its major summer holiday next week. ___ Simone Somekh contributed from Rome. SENGGIGI, Indonesia (AP) Thousands left homeless by a powerful quake that ruptured roads and flattened buildings on the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok sheltered Monday night in makeshift tents as authorities said rescuers hadn't yet reached all devastated areas and expect the toll of 98 dead to climb. It was the second deadly quake in a week to hit Lombok, a less-developed island compared with its more famous neighbor Bali, where the strong tremors caused panic and damaged buildings. A July 29 quake killed 16 people and damaged hundreds of houses on Lombok, some of which collapsed in Sunday evening's quake, measured at magnitude 7.0 by Indonesian authorities and 6.9 by the U.S. Geological Survey. Damage was "massive" in mountainous northern Lombok, where the quake was centered, said National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. In several districts, more than half the homes were destroyed or severely damaged. A large mosque collapsed on worshippers in northern Lombok's Lading-Lading village, and rescuers used a backhoe to search the debris. The number of victims was unknown. Some areas still hadn't been reached 24 hours after the quake because of collapsed bridges, blocked and ruptured roads and the loss of power and communications. Nugroho said the death toll had risen to 98 and warned it will continue to increase. All but two of were killed on Lombok; the others died on Bali. More than 230 people were seriously injured. Thousands of homes and buildings were damaged and those displaced camped wherever they could in sports fields and on roadsides, cobbling together ramshackle shelters and building campfires for warmth. Sahril, who uses one name, said he escaped his collapsing house in North Lombok with his immediate family, but his older brother is buried in his flattened home in the village of Cubek. "He was serving customers when the earthquake happened. The customers managed to escape, but he himself didn't," Sahril said. "His two-story house collapsed and buried him. He had no chance to scream (for) help." Story continues The quake struck at a shallow depth of 10.5 kilometers (6 miles). Shallow quakes tend to cause more damage than deeper ones. "We were sitting there having dinner at about 7 o'clock last night, we just felt a really big sort of shaking and the lights went off and everyone just ran," Australian tourist Kim Liebelt said as he waited with other travelers for a flight out at Lombok's international airport. "And then the roof started falling down on us, rocks and rubble and then just everyone running to get away," he said. Videos showed screaming people running in panic from a shopping mall and a neighborhood in Bali where parked vehicles swayed. On Lombok, soldiers and other rescuers carried the injured on stretchers and carpets. Many were treated outdoors because hospitals were damaged. "People panicked and scattered on the streets, and buildings and houses that had been damaged by the previous earthquake had become more damaged and collapsed," Nugroho said. The quake triggered a tsunami warning, and frightened people rushed from their homes to higher ground, particularly in North Lombok and Mataram, the capital of West Nusa Tenggara province. The warning was lifted after only small waves were recorded. "When it happened, we stood with residents in the middle of the street and watched houses collapse around us," said Yustrianda Sirio, supervisor of a group of university students from Java doing a community service program in East Lombok. "Many of us screamed hysterically." He said the group already had been staying in tents after the July 29 quake, but now officials told them to return to Java. "We really want to stay here to help the villagers," he said. On Gili Trawangan, one of three popular vacation islands near Lombok, thousands of tourists and residents spent Sunday night on a hill because of tsunami fears, said British visitor Saffron Amis. "There was a lot of screaming and crying, particularly from the locals," said Amis, from Brighton. "We spoke to a lot of them and they were panicking about their family in Lombok. It was just a lot of panic because no one knew what was happening." By Monday morning, with electricity off and hotels and hostels damaged, thousands were desperate to leave. Hundreds packed a sliver of brilliant white sand beach on the 16-square-kilometer (6-square-mile) Trawangan island, shouting at rescue personnel trying to ensure an orderly evacuation, according to video and photos from the local water police. Nugroho said authorities deployed ships to evacuate people from the three islands. About 2,700 had left, but several thousand more tourists and hotel employees are waiting to leave, he said. Like Bali, Lombok is known for pristine beaches and mountains. Hotels and other buildings in both locations are not allowed to exceed the height of coconut trees. Indonesia is prone to earthquakes because of its location on the "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. In December 2004, a massive magnitude 9.1 earthquake off Sumatra triggered a tsunami that killed 230,000 people in a dozen countries. Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, in Lombok for a regional security meeting, said he and his delegation were dining in their hotel's 12th-floor restaurant when the quake struck, plunging the building into darkness and throwing people to the floor. "Mate, we were knocked certainly to the floor. It was the violence of the shaking of the building was pretty dramatic," he said in a radio interview. "Everyone's a bit shaken, but all well. But people out in the villages or elsewhere haven't been so lucky, unfortunately." The Bali and Lombok airports have stayed open. Model Chrissy Teigen, who was in Bali with singer-husband John Legend and their two children, live-tweeted the shaking. "Bali. Trembling. So long," Teigen tweeted to her 10.6 million followers. Hours later, she asked news organizations not to write more stories about her lively stream-of-consciousness tweets, suggesting media focus instead on those who need help. ___ Wright reported from Jakarta, Indonesia. Associated Press writer Ali Kotarumalos in Jakarta contributed. LeBron James will produce Shut Up and Dribble, a three-part documentary series on Showtime that will dive into athletes current role in society and how that has evolved over the years. (Getty Images) Athletes are some of the most influential people in the United States, whether they like it or not. LeBron James one of the most influential athletes of all time seems to have fully embraced that role. James is constantly entering into new ventures outside of the NBA, finding new ways to reach people and impact the country. Just look at the I PROMISE school he opened in Akron last week for proof. His latest project, though, seems to have found its inspiration from an unlikely source. James will be one of the executive producers on an upcoming three-part Showtime documentary series entitled Shut Up and Dribble, the network announced on Monday. The series title comes from a rant that Fox News commentator Laura Ingraham went on in February shortly after the Golden State Warriors declined an invitation to visit Donald Trump in the White House following their NBA Finals win. She said that James and Kevin Durant, among others, should shut up and dribble, instead of sharing their political commentary. The clip instantly went viral, and caused many across the NBA to both speak out against Ingraham and to speak their minds outside of the sport even more. The series will feature players in the NBA starting from the merger between the NBA and the American Basketball Association in the 1970s whose impact and reach has transcended the sport, and how the role of an athlete in society has changed over time. The series, which will use Ingrahams comments as a jumping-off point, will premiere in October. If being a star athlete is inherently a political experience, Shut Up and Dribble tells that complex and dramatic story from the past to the present and from the inside out, Showtime CEO David Nevins told Variety on Monday. LeBron James is one of many competitors whose place in the spotlight has led not to silence but perspective, and he, Maverick Carter and Gotham Chopra have given us an important, insightful docuseries that should bring their fans and fellow citizens to a higher level of discourse, rather than the dismissal satirized in the title. More from Yahoo Sports: NFL HOF reportedly considering requiring inductees to show up Dak Prescott on Get Out mural: Everybody has their own opinion Terez Paylor: Tyrod good for Cleveland? Just ask the defense Dan Wetzel: How Jim Tressel scandal sheds insight on Urban Meyer situation But Netflix is something completely other, he said. What Netflix says to its audience is: We know you and we love you, and we have your best interests at heart. We know your secret longings, and we long to satisfy those longings, because we can look at what you watch and our magnificent computers can perceive what you like. That's not me hammering on the door saying 'Look at us! Look at us! Just step over the line and it'll all be terrific.' This says: We are deep in your DNA, and we are going to give you this thing because we know you will love it. Source: Wikipedia Does it really matter when a bull market begins? Whether you measure it from the low in 2009 or when new highs were made in 2013, isnt this just semantics? Bull markets are in the eye of the beholder, and when we mark the beginning is of little importance, unlike things like earnings and valuation and interest rates. Subjective and unimportant as it may be, I do think it can affect investor psychology, if only at the margin. The other day a friend of mine texted me thats he keeps reading that were due for a pullback because of the length of this bull market. Unfortunately, were going to be seeing a lot more of this talk in the next few weeks. Bank of Americas Chief Investment Officer Michael Hartnett writes to Get the champagne out For US stocks, because we are now just 14 trading days to go until the S&P 500 bull market becomes the longest of all-time, at 3,543 days, on August 22, 2018 (via Zerohedge). Well then in this case, how we talk about this current bull market will absolutely affect what certain investors do, even if it doesnt directly affect the market as a whole. Ive long been of the opinion that a bull market begins not when a bear market ends, but rather once the previous bull market highs are broken. Lets use The Great Depression as an example. Did the bull market start at the bottom in 1932 or when new highs were made in 1954? And what do we call the period from the bottom to the previous high? From the low in 42 until the Dow finally passed its 29 high in the end of 1954, the Dow gained 285%. Its hard to call this anything other than a massive bull market, even if it took place within the confines of a high made years earlier. Do these labels matter? No, I guess not, but sometimes its okay to argue about trivial details. These things are not black and white, and I had something of an internal struggle when Adam Scott asked me a simple question, From where should we measure a bear market? I think everybody would agree that a bear market is measured from the peak, the implications being that a bull market should in fact be measured from the bear market low. Story continues Which brings us to today. Ive long thought that the bull market started in March 2013, and not in March 2009, but that simple question, while it didnt change my opinion, certainly gave me a better appreciation of the bull market began in 2009 mind-set. Whichever camp you fall in, the salient point is that I believe we experienced two resets along the way, invalidating the notion that this is about to become the longest bull market in history. From April through October 2011, the S&P 500 fell 21.6% intra-day. However, on a closing basis, it fell just 19.4%, so an official bear market didnt make the record books. I understand a line has to be drawn somewhere, even if it is arbitrary, but in my mind that was a bear market. I also think we saw a bear market from May 2015 through on February 2016. The S&P 500 only fell 14.2% on a closing basis, but the median S&P 500 stock fell 25%, and other areas of the market got destroyed. The Russell 2000 fell 26%, Emerging Markets fell 36%, transportation stocks fell 26%, and Apple Netflix and Amazon each lost 30%. Prices fell in conjunction with declining earnings. The S&P 500 saw earnings fall y/o/y for seven consecutive quarters, as you can see below in this chart from Ed Yardeni. Again, this might not have made it to the record books, but this was a bear market for these businesses and their share holders. In two weeks well see headlines that were in the longest bull market of all-time. Whether you think the bull market starts at the lows or at new highs, remind yourself that we had two resets, because the articles certainly wont. All that being said, this is just semantics, and I think youd be hard-pressed to fine anybody who thinks were still in the early stages of a bull market. A few points: The price-to-sales ratio of the median S&P 500 company is at an all-time high. The CAPE ratio is as high as its ever been with the exception of 1929 and 2000. At $1 trillion, Apple is bigger than the following S&P industry sectors: materials, real estate, telecom, utilities. The Netflix of fitness has a $4 billion valuation. I could go on and on, but one of the lessons we should have learned from the last few years is this: we can quantify everything, but figuring out when these things will turn, which requires the ability to measure investor psychology, remains an exercise in futility. I could have said all of these things and more in 2013. Ive used this in previous blog posts, but its so good that its worth repeating. The best description of the late stages of a bull market comes from the great Adam Smiths Supermoney: We are all at a wonderful ball where the champagne sparkles in every glass and soft laughter falls upon the summer air. We know, by the rules, that at some moment, the Black Horseman will come shattering through the great terrace doors, wreaking vengeance and scattering the survivors. Those who leave early are saved, but the ball is so splendid no one wants to leave while there is still time, so that everyone keeps asking What time is it? What time is it? But none of the clocks have any hands. Since the beginning of time and for the rest of it, investors will be looking for clues that a turn is coming. We want to know what time it is, but were all staring at a clock with no hands. This post first appeared on The Irrelevant Investor. Read more: Why Id pick Berkshire Hathaway if I could invest in just one stock New study identifies a key tactic to boost your retirement savings Did Buffett kill value investing? PURCHASE, N.Y. (AP) -- With Indra Nooyi exiting PepsiCo as its longtime chief executive, the circle of CEOs in the Fortune 500 is losing one of its highest profile women. Nooyi, who was born in India, is a rarity on Wall Street as a woman and a minority leading a Fortune 500 company. She oversaw PepsiCo during a turbulent time in the industry that has forced food giants including Coca-Cola Co., Campbell Soup Co. and Oreo maker Mondelez International Inc. to adapt to changing tastes. All those companies changed CEOs in roughly the last year. At PepsiCo Inc., Nooyi stressed the company's move toward "good for you" options that people don't feel as guilty eating, such as Baked Lay's potato chips and Naked juices made of fruits and vegetables. The company has not abandoned sugary sodas or more indulgent snacks. Nooyi, 62, has been with PepsiCo Inc. for 24 years and held the top job for 12. Another PepsiCo veteran, Ramon Laguarta, will take over as chief executive in October, the company said Monday. Nooyi will remain as chairwoman until early next year. "Growing up in India, I never imagined I'd have the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary company," Nooyi said in a statement Monday. Nooyi began her career in India with positions at companies including Johnson & Johnson. She later attended the Yale School of Management. The percentage of female CEOs in the Fortune 500 has climbed slowly over the years and broke the 5 percent mark just last year, according to Catalyst, which promotes women in the workplace. The Fortune 500 includes the largest companies based on revenue. In the S&P 500, an index that includes companies from different sectors, there are currently 25 female CEOs including Nooyi, according to Catalyst. That also represents around 5 percent of CEOs. Within the food industry, Nooyi is the latest female chief executive to step down, following Mondelez CEO Irene Rosenfeld last year and Campbell CEO Denise Morrison earlier this year. Story continues The packaged food industry has been undergoing major changes through acquisitions, spinoffs and mergers as big companies look for ways to revive slumping revenues. Nooyi, who took over as chief executive of PepsiCo in 2006, has resisted calls by an activist investor to spin off the company's beverage business, which has struggled in North America, from its better-performing Frito-Lay snacks business. Some of PepsiCo's other brands include Mountain Dew, Tropicana, Gatorade and Quaker Oats. Nooyi hands the reins to the 54-year-old Laguarta, who has held a variety of positions in his 22 years at PepsiCo over more than two decades. He currently serves as president, overseeing global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs. He previously served as CEO of the Europe Sub-Saharan Africa region. Laguarta will be the sixth CEO in PepsiCo's history, with all of them coming from within the company. Shares of PepsiCo, based in Purchase, N.Y., rose more than 1 percent to close Monday at $117.38. The case of Raif Badawi, a blogger sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison in Saudi Arabia, is at the heart of a diplomatic dispute between Saudi Arabia and Canada following the arrest of his activist sister, Samar. Here's a look at their cases and the controversy. CONVICTED FOR AN INSULT In May 2014, a Saudi court convicted Badawi of insulting Islam for criticizing Saudi Arabia's powerful clerics on a liberal blog he founded. In January 2015, he received 50 lashes before a crowd of hundreds in Jiddah. Further floggings were suspended, though he remains imprisoned. ___ INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION Badawi's case became an international call to arms for human rights groups, Western nations and others concerned about free speech. The U.S. State Department and the United Nations' high commissioner for human rights have called on the kingdom to rescind the sentence. Badawi's wife and three children later moved to Canada, and she became a Canadian citizen this year. ___ SAUDI BACKLASH Saudi Arabia long has been sensitive to international pressure over the Badawi sentence. In 2015, the kingdom recalled its ambassador to Sweden and stopped issuing work visas for Swedes after the Scandinavian country's foreign minister described the Badawi court decision as "medieval" and the kingdom's ruling Al Saud family as presiding over a "dictatorship." ___ SISTER'S ARREST The arrest reported last week of the writer's sister, Samar Badawi, prompted the Canadian government to tweet about the case. She is a famed women's right activist who has been arrested previously by authorities. She was honored by the U.S. State Department in 2012 with an International Women in Courage Award. Malia Obama is spotted out and about in New York City where she met up with friends in the East Village and then took a train to the Meatpacking district to eat at Buddakan restaurant. (Photo: TheImageDirect.com) Malia Obama is giving the no shirt, no problem trend a try this summer. On Friday, the former first daughter tried to stay cool on the hot streets of New York City by wearing only a black lace bra underneath black overalls. She paired her look with black leather sandals and vintage gold hoop earrings by Madewell, affordably priced and still available to shop for just $24. Obama was spotted on her way to dinner at Buddakan restaurant for a pals birthday. The 20-year-olds warm weather style over the past few weeks has been laidback and casual, often wearing mini dresses with her signature Dr. Martens combat boots. Lately, her bag of choice has been Mansur Gavriels $395 mini mini bucket bag in Rococo, which she has worn twice now on dates with her British boyfriend, Rory Farquharson. The Harvard student has had quite the summer already, traveling across Europe from Paris to London with Farquharson. The couple was spotted in July on a Paris stroll that ended with the two attending Beyonce and Jay Zs On the Run Tour II concert with Michelle Obama. Later that month, Malia visited her beaus home country, England for a romantic dinner date in Londons posh Mayfair neighborhood. If you love Malia Obamas summer style, shop her look for less below: Steal Malia Obamas NYC summer look Cosabella Never Say Never Dreamie Triangle Bralette, $56, cosabella.com, Topshop Cropped Denim Jumpsuit, $95, topshop.com, Madewell Chunky Medium Hoop Earrings, $24, madewell.com, & Other Stories Raw Edge Leather Sandals, $85, stories.com Read More from Yahoo Lifestyle: Malia Obama sports white dress and $295 bag on date with British boyfriend Malia Obama carries $395 bucket bag on Paris date with British beau Are attitudes on Muslim women shifting? Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. You might not be able to hail a traditional Uber ride in Colon, Michigan, but you can order up an horse and buggy and have a guaranteed memorable experience. Timothy Hochstedler of St. Joseph County has decided to use his traditional Amish horse and buggy as a ride service for area customers hes calling Amish Uber in a local, slowed-down twist on the ubiquitous taxi app. Its worth noting that Hochstedler isnt officially affiliated with Uber in any way; hes just calling his service Amish Uber. Uber is a cool thing, Hochstedler told local news station WWMT. Every single year something new comes in and Uber is hot right now, so we have the Amish Uber. We can deliver people to their front door steps. Customers seem pleased with their experience, too. It was fascinating. Its not an activity you typically associate with the Amish, one rider told the news channel. He doesnt have an app; you have to flag him down in person. And hes only available on weekends. (For those looking for a similar experience outside of Michigan, a carriage ride like the ones you can pick up in New York Citys Central Park should do the trick, although theres a chance it will cost you more than the $5 Hochstedler charges.) The Amish are famously deliberate about the way they choose to embrace not modern technology, often eschewing electricity and modern vehicles in favor of more traditional ways of living on the land. While central Pennsylvania is home to the largest Amish population in the U.S., there are also Amish communities across a number of primarily Eastern and Midwestern states. Margot Robbie, left, and Sharon Tate (Photo: Instagram/Margot Robbie/Getty Images) Quentin Tarantinos Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is shaping up to be next years most star-studded and stylish affair. And as suggested by our first look at Margot Robbie as the late Sharon Tate, its going to be an eerily accurate period piece as well. Hot on the heels of initial photos of Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt rocking some serious late-60s threads, as well as reports that Tates sister now approves of Tarantinos in-production project, is a glimpse of Robbie in character as Tate, the actress (and wife of director Roman Polanski) who was one of five people murdered on Aug. 9, 1969, by members of the Manson family. Suffice it to say, Robbie is the actresss spitting image: First look. #OnceUponATimeInHollywood @onceinhollywood A post shared by @ margotrobbie on Aug 6, 2018 at 7:22am PDT Tates slaying will definitely factor into the upcoming drama, which focuses on former TV western star Rick Dalton (DiCaprio), who lived next door to Tate and Polanski in L.A. and who, along with his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Pitt), finds himself struggling to make it in an industry thats rapidly changing. Set against the backdrop of the Manson murders, the saga, described by Sony as a story that takes place in Los Angeles in 1969, at the height of hippy Hollywood, will be a fractured, multi-storyline affair reminiscent of Pulp Fiction, although details are so far relatively scarce. First look. #OnceUponATimeInHollywood A post shared by Leonardo DiCaprio (@leonardodicaprio) on Jun 27, 2018 at 6:00am PDT One thing we do know is that the amazing cast will also include Al Pacino, Timothy Olyphant, Damian Lewis, Dakota Fanning, Emile Hirsch, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Scoot McNairy, Clifton Collins, Luke Perry, and Burt Reynolds. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is slated to arrive in theaters on July 26, 2019. Read more at Yahoo Entertainment: Final Draft eloquently unpacks the meaning of revision, a word that tends to make young writers and not-so-young writers squirm. In a scathing critique of Lailas story, the new teacher concludes that it bears little connection to authentic experience. The plot contains nothing original and I can only assume that the student has tried to substitute pulp science-fiction narratives for her own life, given that there are no echoes of realitys chaos or contradictions here. So Laila decides that, if she wants to improve her writing, she has to live. She (has) to surface from her virtual reality, rip the intubation tube from her throat, and let the world pour in. In the process she discovers that risk-taking doesnt have to happen far from home. Sometimes the riskiest move is to look deeply inward and at your closest relationships and see it all anew. NEW YORK (AP) -- The latest on developments in financial markets (all times local): 4 p.m. Stocks finished broadly higher for the third day in a row on Wall Street, extending a string of gains. Media, retail and technology companies rose Monday. A solid gain in Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway led financial stocks higher. Energy companies also rose along with the price of crude oil. Newfield Exploration climbed 2.5 percent. Newell Brands plunged 14.3 percent after the company said the liquidation of Toys R Us hurt its baby products business. The S&P 500 index rose 10 points, or 0.4 percent, to 2,850. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 39 points, or 0.2 percent, to 25,502. The Nasdaq composite rose 47 points, or 0.6 percent, to 7,859. Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.94 percent. ___ 11:45 a.m. Stocks are mostly higher in midday trading on Wall Street after several companies reported solid quarterly results. Tyson Foods rose 3.8 percent Monday and Berkshire Hathaway climbed 3.6 percent. Energy companies were also higher as the price of crude oil rose. Newfield Exploration climbed 2.3 percent. Newell Brands plunged 13.6 percent after the company said the liquidation of Toys R Us hurt its baby products business. The S&P 500 index rose 6 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,846. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 11 points, less than 0.1 percent, to 25,472. The Nasdaq composite rose 22 points, or 0.3 percent, to 7,834. Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.93 percent. ___ 9:35 a.m. Stocks are opening slightly lower on Wall Street as the market gives back some of its gains from the week before. Health care and industrial companies were posting some of the biggest declines in early trading Monday. Drugmaker Celgene fell 1.1 percent and Boeing lost 1.2 percent. Newell Brands sank 3.8 percent after the company said the liquidation of Toys R Us hurt its baby products business. The S&P 500 index fell 2 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,837. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 64 points, or 0.2 percent, to 25,397. The Nasdaq composite was little changed at 7,810. Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.94 percent. PARIS (AP) Joel Robuchon, a master chef who shook up the stuffy world of French haute cuisine by wowing palates with the delights of the simple mashed potato and giving diners a peek at the kitchen, has died. He was 73. A spokeswoman for Robuchon confirmed his death, with French TV station BFM and newspaper Le Figaro reporting that he died in Geneva on Monday from cancer, citing his entourage. His career was one of superlatives: Named among the best craftsmen in France in 1976, crowned cook of the century in 1990, one of the cooks at the dinner of the century, and, for years, holder of the most Michelin stars in the world. Robuchon was known for his constant innovation and even playfulness in the kitchen a revelation to the hidebound world of French cuisine. He had built an empire of gourmet restaurants across the world. To describe Joel Robuchon as a cook is a bit like calling Pablo Picasso a painter, Luciano Pavarotti a singer, Frederic Chopin a pianist, Patricia Wells, a cook and food writer, wrote in LAtelier de Joel Robuchon, a book about the chef and his students. Joel Robuchon will undoubtedly go down as the artist who most influenced the 20th-century world of cuisine. While he was no stranger to the fancy truffles and caviar were among his favorites his food was often described as simple because he preached the use of only three or four ingredients in most dishes and his goal was always to show off, not mask, their flavors. He started a revolution with his Atelier workshop in French model: small, intimate restaurants where diners sat at a counter surrounding the kitchen. It didnt take reservations and it didnt have tables (for the most part). His goal, he said, was to make diners feel comfortable, let them interact with the chef and, above all, put the focus back on the food. It was partially a rebuke to the Michelin star regime, which awards points not just for technique but also for the ambiance and service. But Michelin, and just about everyone else, gobbled it up. And thanks to Ateliers around the world from Las Vegas to Tokyo Robuchon reached a total of 32 Michelin stars in 2016 a record and still held 31 stars this year, including five three-star restaurants. It may be a deliciously petty slight aimed at his old franchise, or it could just be a decision dictated by his own schedule. Either way, Matt Harveys return to Citi Field is already causing the New York Mets some headaches. Harvey and his Cincinnati Reds team are in New York City for a three-game series against the Mets, Harveys first game in the city since the Mets shipped him away in May after a brutal start to the season. The right-hander is unlikely to face his old team during the series since he pitched on Saturday against the Nationals, but he still seems to have ticked off his old team. Matt Harveys curious scheduling conflict Mike Puma of the New York Post tweeted Sunday that the Mets requested the Reds avoid having Harvey talk to reporters about his return at 4 p.m. on Monday because manager Mickey Callaway is also scheduled to speak at that time. The Reds reportedly went ahead and scheduled Harvey to speak at 4 p.m. The Mets requested from the Reds that Matt Harvey hold his gathering with NY reporters tomorrow at 3:45 or 4:15 so it won't conflict with Callaway's press conference at 4. Harvey has decided to speak at 4. Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) August 5, 2018 The Reds would later tell Puma that the scheduling conflict wasnt born of any ill will, but rather because speaking at 4 p.m. fit Harveys schedule best. Harvey reportedly didnt even know that Callaway was scheduled to speak at the same time. Regarding tomorrow's Harvey press conference, the Reds say Harvey was unaware of the Mets' request for a different time than 4. But Harvey will probably talk around 4 when Callaway meets with reporters because it fits his schedule best. Reds say no slight intended by Harvey. Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) August 6, 2018 Of course, the Reds also said that Harvey is still scheduled to talk around the same time as Callaway. Story continues Latest issue in Matt Harveys past with Mets There were very few polite ways to put it: Matt Harvey looked like a broken man during his final days with the Mets. After ranking second in all of baseball in ERA over his first four years with the team, injuries, fatigue and mechanical issues sapped his velocity and left him ineffective on the mound. Harvey also found himself facing disciplinary issues with the Mets, peaking in 2017 when he received a three-game suspension for violating club rules. The club eventually demoted Harvey to the bullpen, which he didnt take well, then traded him in May for catcher Devin Mesoraco and cash considerations. Harvey had a 7.00 ERA and 5.68 FIP in 27 innings at the time of the trade. Harvey has since found new life with the Reds, marginally improving his numbers with a 4.79 ERA in Cincinnati and reworking his mechanics to find some of his old velocity. He also hasnt encountered any off-the-field issues, which were a concern in New York. Things were going well enough that Harvey was considered a trade candidate at the deadline, though he ended up staying with the Reds. With that kind of history, you can imagine that Harveys return was going to create some awkward sentiments from all sides. Matt Harveys performance has seen an uptick since the Mets traded him to the Reds. (AP Photo) Does Matt Harveys schedule really require this? If we take the Reds assertion that Harveys choice of time is really due to a scheduling conflict, it makes sense. Even when hes not playing, workouts and prep for his next start almost certainly take precedence over speaking with the media for Harvey and the Reds. However, such a schedule being so rigid that the Reds and Mets apparently cant find two separate slots for media scrums that will likely last 15 minutes at best is a very strange situation. But then again, nothing about Harveys experience with the Mets has never been normal. More from Yahoo Sports: Michael Jordan reacts to Trumps LeBron James criticism Blake Griffin refutes report hell pay $258K a month in child support F the UFC: Nate Diaz storms out of presser announcing McGregor comeback Pat Forde: Urban Meyers bold media blitz leaves OSU administrators out to dry There is a version of the near future where antibiotic resistant bacteria become more deadly than cancer. A study released back in 2016 predicted that, if left unchecked, these types of bacteria could claim more than 10 million lives a year by 2050. Cancer currently kills 8 million people annually. In the U.S. alone, antibiotic resistant bacteria already kills 20,000 people per year and infects millions more, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). SEE ALSO: In the fight against measles, UNICEF has found an unexpected ally mobile phones Its obvious that something needs to be done to mitigate the potential catastrophe, but so far an answer has been out of reach. But a team of scientists, led by David Brenner of Columbia University, believes they have found a partial solution, and its been hiding in plain sight. Weve known for a long time that UV [ultraviolet] light has the potential to reduce surgical site infections, because UV can efficiently kill all bacteria, including drug-resistant bacteria and even so-called superbugs, Brenner said in a interview. However, conventional UV light is a direct health hazard because of its ability to cause skin cancer and other health problems. Because of that, UV's germicidal properties have been largely dismissed until now. In February, Brenner's team released a study that found a small range within the ultraviolet spectrum that might be safe around humans and also kill at least some harmful bacteria. According to Brenner and his team, this wavelength is too short to penetrate even the outermost layer of skin while still possessing all the same germicidal qualities as conventional UV light. If proven safe, the research team envisions three potentially life saving applications of the light. They hope it could kill airborne viruses such as influenza, in public spaces, Brenner said. Story continues Though the light wouldn't be able to fight all diseases, it would be very effective in the battle against more common viruses such as influenza, measles, tuberculosis bacteria, or pandemic-causing viruses like the Asian flu. A second use would be to reduce surgical site infections, one of the most common ways superbugs spread. The idea is to kill [the airborne superbugs] as they float down onto the wound, he said. The third way is to disinfect highly susceptible parts of the body, like where catheters are inserted. It's not a cure-all While the new research is promising, this type of light doesnt completely eliminate the superbug threat by any means. Many of the most deadly superbugs arent airborne, CDC infectious disease specialist Alexander Kallen explained. This infographic explains the purpose of the AR Lab network Image: CDC "There are always going to be challenges when developing new technology," Kallen said. Brenner's research could help protect people from their environment, but how do we treat them once they are infected? "It's just too early to know," he said. While the battle continues in developing new ways to combat tricky pathogens, groundwork needs to be done to see that we are minimizing infections now. The CDC is funneling its efforts into providing hospitals with the funding to ensure that all suspected superbugs are tested in a lab, free of charge through what is known as the Antibiotic Resistance Lab Network. But another really important factor to combating antibiotic resistance is convincing people that something can be done. Buy in, Kallen said. "Before it was, 'We are never going to get rid of AR [antibiotic resistance].' But now people are starting to realize that we can reduce the impact that it has and reduce the mortality rates,." There is a huge difference between now and eight years ago, and Kallen believes that's because people like Brennan feel empowered to do something. Sen. Bernie Sanders Medicare for all plan has gained traction among some mainstream Democrats, including possible presidential contenders such as Senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris. And buried in the details of some recent analyses is an intriguing notion: American businesses, now the biggest source of health care coverage in the United States, could completely exit the business of providing health care, if national or even statewide single-payer coverage ever takes root. That could make American firms more competitive globally and leave a lot more money for employee raises and other benefits. The United States is the only advanced economy where employers are the primary source of health care. Famed investor Warren Buffett has called employer-provided health care the tapeworm of American competitiveness, because it forces American firms to bear a costly bureaucratic burden their foreign competitors dont have to deal with. As health care costs have soared during the last three decades, employers have set aside more and more for benefits, leaving less for raises. In theory, there are reasons for the business community to support a single-payer system that would relieve them of an onerous obligation completely unrelated to most companies business models. The enormous cost But first, the eye-popping price tag for Medicare for all. New analysis by Charles Blahous of the libertarian Mercatus Center at George Mason University found that single-payer health care for all Americans would cost at least $32.6 trillion during the first decade, or $3.3 trillion per year. Total federal spending now amounts to $4.2 trillion per year, so adding Medicare for all spending to that tally would nearly double federal outlays. Other analyses of Medicare for all have put the cost of the Sanders plan in the same ballpark. That might seem outrageous, but its worth keeping in mind that a Sanders-style single-payer system would transfer all health care spending to the federal government. Im scoring the federal cost here, and its enormous, Blahous told Yahoo Finance. The other side of the coin is businesses, individuals, states and others are not going to be paying these costs. Theyre going to be given to the federal government. Story continues On the whole, the Blahous analysis finds that total health spending would actually decline under the Sanders plan, compared with the status quo, with the feds paying a lot more, but everybody else paying nothing. And more people would get coverage, since everybody would be eligible. As the only buyer of health care, the government would have the power to demand deep discounts, and there would be lower overhead because there would only be one administrative structure. Of course, wed all have to get care through the government, and deal with the pitfalls that would entail. Still, the tradeoffs for businesses could be attractive. Federal tax revenue from individuals and businesses will total about $3 trillion this year. So taxes would need to more than double to cover a giant new health care plan. Doubling everybodys taxes sounds like a death wish for politicians. But it might not be as crazy as it sounds. Businesses now pay about $1.2 trillion in health care costs per year, which provides coverage for about 49% of the American population. Federal income tax payments for businesses will only total around $243 billion this year. So corporate America pays 5 times as much for health care benefits for employees as it pays in federal taxes. If you tripled or even quadrupled corporate income taxes, while eliminating all their spending on health care, it would still amount to a net savings for businesses. Sen. Bernie Sanders (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File) Individuals pay about $365 billion per year for health care, with some paying their own insurance premiums and others paying out-of-pocket expenses not covered by insurance. Individual taxpayers are the biggest source of federal tax revenue, forking over an estimated $1.6 trillion this year. So you could raise individual income taxes by $365 billion, or roughly 23%, and leave consumers on average no worse off. The math here is vastly oversimplified, and it doesnt take account of the massive disruption that would occur were the nation to revamp a sector that accounts for about 18% of the U.S. economy. Its also obvious that President Trump and his fellow Republicans, who just passed a huge tax cut, would never entertain the idea of giant tax hikes to finance a huge socialized medicine program. State Medicare equivalents But that doesnt mean the idea is dead. Legislators in several states, including Massachusetts, New York and California, have proposed legislation that would create statewide equivalents of Medicare for all, and several Democratic candidates for governor are touting the idea in this years elections. New York asked the Rand research organization to analyze the prospect of a statewide single-payer system, and the results suggest a bit more bang for the buck if the state took over health care. Under the New York plan, the state would have to hike taxes by 156% per year to offer health care to every resident. Rightsounds terrible. But nobody would pay premiums anymore, and out-of-pocket costs would be cut in half. On the whole, overall health spending would decline slightly, even as more people got access to care. Rand estimates that net health care costs, including new taxes, would fall for 90% of the states residents, while theyd rise for the top 10% of earners. There would be unpredictable consequences as businesses and workers debated whether to stay in the state or leave. This sort of change would be an epic political fight. A whole swath of the insurance industry would face extinction and fight like mad for its survival. The governments concentrated purchasing power would drive down doctor payments and many other fees, forcing the adoption of new business models. With new patients surging into the system, demand for services would soar, straining capacity at many providers. Were not ready for all that. But were also not happy with the status quo, and we shouldnt be, since Americans pay the most for health care and generally get the worst outcomes among advanced nations. If business leaders ever come around to the idea that their firms would be better off shedding the obligation to provide health care, it could bring lobbying power to a cause gaining populist support. That could be a recipe for revolution. Someday. Confidential tip line: rickjnewman@yahoo.com. Click here to get Ricks stories by email. Read more: Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn Zunum has to overcome two major challenges before a plane is ready for commercial use. The main technical problem is the weight of the battery, which has to be both light enough for the plane to get off the ground and powerful enough to fly it. The other hurdle is getting the plane certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. Zunum believes it can overcome both hurdles and fill a need for 500- to 700-mile trips. Two armed men were arrested after the children were found with no food or fresh water and dirty rags for clothing Conditions at a compound in rural New Mexico where 11 children were taken into protective custody for their own health and safety after a raid by authorities. Photograph: HANDOUT/Reuters Police in rural New Mexico have rescued 11 children from a squalid makeshift compound after receiving a tip that they were starving and desperately in need of food and water. The children, ranging in age from one to 15, were turned over to state child-welfare workers. They were skinny, their ribs showed, they were in very poor hygiene and very scared, Taos county Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe told ABC News Radio. Two adult men and three women were initially arrested after police raided the compound Thursday, but the women believed to be the mothers of the children were later released. Hogrefe said the five adults and 11 children looked like third world country refugees not only with no food or fresh water, but with no shoes, personal hygiene and basically dirty rags for clothing. There was little food in the compound, which consisted of a small travel trailer buried in the ground and covered by plastic with no water, plumbing and electricity, Hogrefe said. According to authorities, the two men, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj and Lucan Morton, were heavily armed with rifles, pistols and a large cache of ammunition, and were believed to be Muslim extremists. The discovery was prompted by a months-long search for a three-year-old child, Abdul-Ghani Wahhaj, who went missing in Atlanta, Georgia, in November. According to social media posts by the boys mother, his father, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, disappeared with the child after saying he was taking him to the park. This is about my son, he is sick. I dont know if he is alive ... I dont know his condition, said Hakima Ramzi in a tearful Facebook Live video in January pleading for the return of her son who she said had physical and mental disabilities. Abdul-Ghani was not among the 11 children found at the compound, but authorities said they reasonably believe he was there as recently as a few weeks ago. Story continues All the adults found at the compound are related, and are either children or children-in-law of Brooklyn Imam Siraj Wahhaj, the father of Siraj Ibn Wahhaj. In a series of posts since January, the Imam has been asking for help in locating his missing family. Neither Ramzi nor Imam Wahhaj could immediately be reached for comment. FBI agents had surveilled the compound for several weeks leading up to last weeks raid, but did not find probable cause to conduct a search. Then Hogrefes office received a message, thought to have come from someone inside, which read we are starving and need food and water, via an unidentified third party. I began working on a search warrant right after I got that intercepted message, Hogrefe said. In December 2017, the Clayton News Daily reported that Abdul-Ghani and his father had last been seen traveling west through Alabama with several other children and adults. They had been involved in a car accident on 13 December, and indicated to the responding officer that they were on their way to New Mexico for a camping trip. WASHINGTON (AP) Michelle Obama is marking the 53rd anniversary of the Voting Rights Act by urging Americans to participate in a week of action to get people signed up to vote. The former first lady, a co-chairwoman of a nonpartisan organization to encourage voting, announced Monday that the When We All Vote Week of Action will be held Sept. 22-29. She said members of When We All Vote will be traveling the country to register voters and get them excited about the November midterm elections, when Democrats hope to capitalize on a wave of anger against President Donald Trump and take back control of Congress from the Republicans. "With so much at stake in our country, sitting on the sidelines isn't an option," Mrs. Obama said in an email to supporters. Flagship events will be held in at least 12 cities, including Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago and New York. The group wants volunteers to host events in other communities that week as well. Other co-chairs of the group include actor Tom Hanks; "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda; singers Janelle Monae, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw; and NBA point guard Chris Paul of the Houston Rockets. The organization said they anticipate that Mrs. Obama and other co-chairs will attend some of the events. The Voting Rights Act, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on Aug. 6, 1965, prohibits racial discrimination in voting. Mrs. Obama said it's important to recognize the organizers, marchers and other volunteers who helped get the law passed. "We want to honor their legacy and continue their work to ensure that every eligible American cast their vote, work that is far from finished," the former first lady said in a video. ___ Follow Thomas on Twitter at https://twitter.com/thomashley Shaun Weiss, the child actor who played goalie Greg Goldberg in the Mighty Ducks films, was arrested over the weekend for public intoxication. He was allegedly high on drugs and acting bizarrely with a flashlight, according to People. Shaun Weiss in 2015, and in 1994s D2: The Mighty Ducks. (Photos: Getty Images, Buena Vista Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection) Weiss was picked up by patrolling officers who found him and three others outside a closed business complex in Oroville, Calif. After talking with the others in his group, authorities determined that Weiss was high on drugs. The Heavy Weights star was held behind bars for a few hours until he sobered up and was released without charges. Its unclear what he was supposedly on and no blood sample was ordered. Amused officers said Weiss was witty while in custody. However, Weisss mug shot isnt a laughing matter. The actor appears disheveled and thin, looking much older than 38. His condition has concerned fans on social media. Shaun Weisss mugshot from his Aug. 4 arrest. (Photo: Oroville Police Department) Weiss has been arrested on drug charges before, including meth possession one year ago. That incident came five days after he completed a jail sentence for petty theft. Weiss was sentenced to 150 days after allegedly stealing $150 worth of merchandise from Frys Electronics, but ultimately served only 12 due to overcrowding. Yahoo Entertainment reached out to Weisss manager, but did not immediately receive a response. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Mike Scioscia, if not the last of the old-time managers then in the same carpool, has lost 1,430 games and not a single battle. Hes on his second team owner. His fourth general manager. By appearances, theyll be his last. An entire generation of folks who began sentences with, Well, I didnt play the game, but or Ive never managed a game, but , the problem being the but part, came and mostly went. Some hung around. Not as long as Scioscia has. And not with the same purpose. Not with the same certainty. If youre hoping now to fancy him up for his first managerial decade or, as likely, run him down for the second, youd be trying too hard. Same guy. Same priorities. (Different bosses, different players.) But for the usual curvatures allowed for age and miles, this is the same man who on the afternoon of April 3, 2000 topped a lineup card with ERSTAD, LF, the first of a million decisions hed defend, if required, to the bloody nubs. Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia stands for the national anthem prior to a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Saturday, May 26, 2018, in New York. (AP) There are people who choose their lifes companion with less conviction than Scioscia will send a runner on a 3-and-2 count. Its what made him perfect for the Los Angeles Angels then, the Angels for their first four decades being one of those occasionally relevant franchises that rather lacked a sustained intention. It is perhaps what exhausts him after 19 years. He is coming up on 60 years old, which isnt so old unless it happens to you. Also, hes logged about 5,000 baseball games, playing and managing. Those would be the miles, many at a slogs pace. So the notion Scioscia is managing his final weeks for the Angels is not a revelation as much as it is the long sigh of inevitability. The Athletic on Saturday night reported Scioscia intended to step away at the end of the season, following those 19 seasons and the expiration of his 10-year contract. A man who steps away at the end of his contractual commitment may indeed be endeavoring to turn the mob into a parade, but that wouldnt seem to be Scioscias style. Hed more likely turn and take on the mob. At minimum flash that, Holy crap, Angel, thats not a strike, jesus youre killing me face at it. Story continues No, what made sense at the end of last season, made sense in spring training and made sense in the heart of summer that Scioscia probably will have had enough, and if not then the Angels might be ready to try something new. Either way, the franchise and its loyal employee seemed to be inching toward a commonly-held, some-time-coming resolution. The Angels are mediocre again. They have burned another season of Mike Trouts prime. The regime of Arte Moreno, once celebrated as the everymans way of franchise running, slips further into thin-skinned defensiveness and grudge holding. If only anyone cared about that, though. So why not a new manager too? Why not Josh Paul or Brad Ausmus or someone else, see if that unsticks a team that hardly ever gets it right in the AL West anymore, that since five division titles in six years will have one in nine seasons by the time this one is done. They call it a results business. They say it as if there are businesses that arent. One might argue that if the last three general managers couldnt get it quite right, maybe its not the general managers. I wouldnt. But one might. According to those who should know, Scioscia, Moreno and general manager Billy Eppler have not yet had the conversation that settles the future, the one that continues without Scioscia on their top step. (Eppler is finishing the third year in his four-year contract and while there are signs of growth beneath the major league level, there is still the major league level and a third losing season.) Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia speaks during a press conference before a baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and the Angels, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP) In Cleveland on Sunday morning, Scioscia was predictably defiant. Its who he is. What he does. He hates to be labeled controlling, but he is. Id argue that managers have to be. Good ones, anyway. Maybe some are better at disguising it, allowing players and other personnel to believe theyre in some way in charge. When theyre not. Nothing has changed since we talked in October, Scioscia told reporters. Thats how I can put it. Nothing has changed. Sometimes theres always chatter out there, and the only word I have for it is poppycock. Thats what it is poppycock. Theyll be a time to go gracefully. This is not the time, not with a game to play, a schedule to finish, ballplayers to flesh out. What made Mike Scioscia good at this, and sometimes even great at it, was his attention to the day. To all the battles. But, then, the key to winning those is knowing which ones to pick. And which ones not to. More from Yahoo Sports: Michael Jordan reacts to Trumps LeBron James criticism Blake Griffin refutes report hell pay $258K a month in child support F the UFC: Nate Diaz storms out of presser announcing McGregor comeback Pat Forde: Urban Meyers bold media blitz leaves OSU administrators out to dry The night Mollie Tibbetts vanished from the small Iowa town where she staying with her boyfriend, a black SUV was spotted cruising slowly around the area, a neighbor said. A woman who lives a block from the house where Tibbetts was watching her boyfriends dog told Fox News she saw the vehicle, which she deemed suspicious, circling the area between 11:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. The woman said she told the FBI what she saw. Tibbetts, a 20-year-old University of Iowa student, was last seen jogging in Brooklyn, Iowa on July 18. The day before she disappeared, a person driving a black vehicle reportedly tried to abduct a woman on a run about 430 miles away in Miner, Missouri. Authorities there are investigating the incident. The reward for the safe return of Tibbetts has increased to $260,000. RELATED STORIES Search for Missing College Student Mollie Tibbetts Turns Up Another Woman's Body Could a Red Shirt Hold the Key to Finding Missing Iowa College Student Mollie Tibbetts? Police Rule Out Possible Sighting of Missing Jogger Mollie Tibbetts Related Articles: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- A raid on a New Mexico desert compound turned up 11 children wearing rags and living in filth, and also broke open a bizarre tale of guns, exorcism, and a search for a missing young boy who suffers from seizures and is nowhere to be found. The boy's father was among five people arrested after the raid near the border with Colorado. Documents made public in a court filing Monday said the father told the boy's mother before fleeing Georgia that he wanted to perform an exorcism on the child because he believed he was possessed by the devil. Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said deputies arrested the father, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, and four other adults on child abuse charges after finding the 11 children Friday inside a makeshift compound in the tiny community of Amalia. It was littered with "odorous trash" and lacking clean water, authorities said. Inside, Wahhaj, 39, was found heavily armed with multiple firearms, including a loaded AR-15, before he was taken into custody, the sheriff said. His son, Abdul-ghani, who was 3 when he disappeared last December, was not among the children found. But Hogrefe said authorities have reason to believe the boy was at the compound several weeks ago. Hogrefe's deputies are searching for the child, along with the FBI and Georgia authorities in Clayton County, where officials say the boy was living before his father took him around Dec. 1, 2017. The boy's mother told authorities the boy suffers from seizures, cannot walk because of severe medical issues, and requires constant attention. She told police in December that Wahhaj had taken the boy for a trip to a park and never returned. Clayton County police said in a missing persons bulletin that Wahhaj and his son were last seen Dec. 13 in Alabama, traveling with five other children and two adults. Georgia authorities said Wahhaj was traveling through Chilton County on Dec. 13 with seven children and another adult when their car overturned. Wahhaj told police the group was traveling from Georgia to New Mexico to go camping. Story continues The trooper who wrote the report said he found no camping equipment in or near the vehicle but that Wahhaj was in possession of three handguns, two rifles, a bag of ammunition, and a bulletproof vest. Wahhaj told the trooper that he owned the guns legally and had a Georgia permit to carry concealed weapons. "Mr. Wahhaj seemed to be very concerned about his weapons and stated several times that they were his property and that he owned them legally," the report said. It was not immediately known Monday whether Wahhaj and the others charged in the child abuse case in New Mexico another man and three women believed to be the mother of the 11 children had retained attorneys. The public defender's office in Taos County did not immediately return telephone message from The Associated Press seeking comment. The Taos County sheriff identified the women facing charges as 35-year-old Jany Leveille, 38-year-old Hujrah Wahhaj, and 35-year-old Subhannah Wahhaj. They were arrested in the town of Taos and booked into jail. The search at the compound came amid a two-month investigation in collaboration with Clayton County authorities and the FBI, according to Hogrefe. He said FBI agents surveilled the area a few weeks ago but did not find probable cause to search the property. That changed when Georgia detectives forwarded a message to Hogrefe's office that initially had been sent to a third party, saying: "We are starving and need food and water." What authorities found was what Hogrefe called "the saddest living conditions and poverty" he has seen in 30 years on the job. Other than a few potatoes and a box of rice, there was little food in the compound, which Hogrefe said consisted of a small travel trailer buried in the ground and covered by plastic with no water, plumbing and electricity. Hogrefe said the adults and children ages 1 to 15 had no shoes, wore dirty rags for clothing and "looked like Third World country refugees." The grandfather of the missing boy, Imam Siraj Wahhaj of Brooklyn, New York, issued a plea on Facebook for helping finding his grandson. In a federal court filing in 2006, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj claimed he was harassed on his way to and from Morocco by customs agents at JFK Airport in New York because he is "the son of the famous Muslim Imam Siraj Wahhaj." ___ Brumback reported from Jonesboro, Georgia. __ This story includes the correct spelling of the name of Subhannah Wahhaj, which was misspelled in a previous version. Her immigration status changed after she was arrested on criminal charges related to shoplifting, according to Elmore. After her arrest, she was deported to northern Mexico in 2013, Elmore said. It was there that she was kidnapped, she said, and forced into prostitution. Her kidnappers at one point smuggled her across the border, but she was stopped by immigration officials and placed into custody. Monday, August 6, 2018 What to watch today In the week ahead, investors will see an earnings calendar that is winding down as 45 members of the S&P 500 will report results. As a point of comparison, 48 members of the benchmark index reported earnings in a single day on Thursday. Leading the earnings flow this week will be Disney (DIS), set to report earnings after the close on Tuesday, while Papa Johns (PZZA) results will be closely watched as that company has been engulfed in controversy over the use of a racial slur by its founder and now former CEO back in the spring. Monday comes with Marriott (MAR) earnings, but no major economic releases. Read More Top news REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo Dimon warns of 5% Treasury yields: Not content with a previous warning investors should brace for U.S. yields of 4%, Jamie Dimon went one further at the weekend, suggesting 5% was a distinct possibility. The JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) chief executive officer said people should be prepared to deal with the benchmark 10-year bond yield at 5% or higher. [Bloomberg] Berkshire Hathaway profit surges as economy gives Buffett a boost: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-A, BRK-B), the conglomerate run by billionaire Warren Buffett, on Saturday said quarterly operating profit rose 67%, as insurance underwriting rebounded and several business units benefited from a growing economy. Results easily topped analyst forecasts. [Reuters] Google in talks with Tencent, others for China cloud: Googles plans for China are even more ambitious than previously understood. The internet giant (GOOGL) is in talks with Tencent Holdings Ltd., Inspur Group and other Chinese companies to offer its cloud services in the worlds second-largest economy, according to people familiar with the discussions. [Bloomberg] Linde shares drop as Praxair merger hits US antitrust hurdle: Shares in Linde plunged more than 8% on Monday after the industrial gases groups planned $87 billion merger with Praxair (PX) was put in doubt by demands from U.S. antitrust regulators. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is asking for more assets to be sold than previously anticipated and the watchdog also wants prospective buyers to meet certain other requirements, the German industrial gases group said in a statement. [Reuters] Story continues Crypto pump and dumps distort trading: Dozens of trading groups are manipulating the price of cryptocurrencies on some of the largest online exchanges, generating at least $825 million in trading activity over the past six months and hundreds of millions in losses for those caught on the wrong side, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis. [WSJ] For more of the latest news, go to Yahoo Finance Representatives of bereaved family members hit the Peace Bell during the Peace Memorial Ceremony at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on the 73rd anniversary of the Hiroshima A-Bomb dropping on August 6, 2018 in Hiroshima, Japan. The first atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945 at the end of the World War II. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images) Yahoo Finance Originals Iceland may be looking at its next bubble Why Americans are buying into rabid pro-Trump conspiracy theories Anaheim wants to be the Disneyland of beer The rise of fake Amazon reviews and how to spot them 3 trends hackers at Black Hat and DEFCON are watching Like what you just read? Get the Morning Brief sent directly to your inbox every Monday to Friday by 6:30 a.m. ET. And feel free to share it with a friend! The Morning Brief provides a quick rundown on what to watch in the markets, top news stories, and the best of Yahoo Finance Originals. Three women believed to be the mothers of 11 hungry children removed from a compound in the New Mexico desert have been arrested, authorities said Monday. Jany Leveille, 35; Hujrah Wahhaj, 38; and Subhannah Wahhaj, 35, were charged with child abuse related to the alleged neglect and abuse of children, who were found living in "filthy" conditions and with hardly any food, the Taos County Sheriffs Office said. The children ranged in age from 1 to 15. I believed this would most likely be the path that we would take and stand by my original decision to bring charges after CYFD investigators had an opportunity to conduct their independent investigation, which included interviews and obtaining information such as health and medical needs of the children from the three mothers," Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said in a statement Sunday. The womens arrests come after Siraj Wahhaj and Lucas Morten, the two men on the compound, were taken into custody as deputies strategically stormed the grounds this past weekend. Authorities were alerted to the alleged conditions the children faced, located in the small community of Amalia near the Colorado border, by a message believed to have been from someone inside the compound. The message sent to a third party simply said in part, 'We are starving and need food and water,'" Hogrefe said. "I absolutely knew that we couldnt wait on another agency to step up and we had to go check this out as soon as possible." Law enforcement said they found only a few potatoes and a box of rice on the grounds. But what was most surprising, and heartbreaking was when the team located a total of five adults and 11 children that looked like third world country refugees not only with no food or fresh water, but with no shoes, personal hygiene and basically dirty rags for clothing," said Hogrefe, who noted it was "the saddest living conditions and poverty I have seen." Story continues The children found on the grounds were placed in protective custody, officials said. Not among them was 3-year-old AG Wahhaj, whose mother reported him missing from Georgias Clayton County, officials said. The little boy was allegedly taken on a trip by his father, Siraj Wahhaj, and never returned. Wahhaj has been jailed on suspicion of child abduction and Morten was arrested on suspicion of harboring a fugitive. Police said the adults declined to give statements about the missing child, but he is believed to have been at the compound as recently as a few weeks ago. RELATED STORIES 11 Children Rescued From 'Filthy' New Mexico Compound With Barely Any Food, Cops Say Undercover Investigation Exposes Child Labor in New York Compound Family Seeks Help for 4 Kidnapped Children Rescued from Polygamist Compound Related Articles: MoviePass announced Monday that its slashing its offer to subscribers as the movie ticketing company deals with major financial woes. Starting Aug. 15, MoviePass subscribers will be allotted three films per month, a significant reduction from the current one movie a day allowance. MoviePass chief executive Mitch Lowe told The Wall Street Journal that 85 percent of the apps 3 million subscribers already see three or fewer movies a month. They will not be affected at all by this program, and even better, theyll stop hearing MoviePass is going out of business, Lowe told WSJ. MoviePass made headlines last month when the app suffered an outage because its parent company couldnt afford to pay for customers tickets. That parent company, Helios and Matheson Analytics Inc., hadnt paid the contractors who process their customers payments, so the contractors stopped processing them. Strapped for cash, the company was forced to take out a $6.25 million loan to pay the merchant and fulfillment processors. The company has since paid back the loan, reported WSJ. In an effort to slow the cash bleed, MoviePass announced soon after that it was raising the subscription fee to $14.95 a month, adding surcharges to certain popular movies, and blocking customers from seeing new movies during their first two weeks of release. But the new stipulations and increased price angered customers and doubled the cancellation rate of subscriptions, Lowe told WSJ. So the company has settled on customers paying $9.95 a month to see three films. Weve been whipsawing people back and forth, Lowe said. I think weve got it now. Related Coverage MoviePass Ran Out Of Money, Couldn't Afford To Buy Tickets For Its Users Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. I cant sit here as the first Muslim woman to represent the United States at the Olympic games and be numb on these issues that directly affect me. American Beauty is a new series in which Yahoo Lifestyle takes a virtual cross-country journey to discover what beauty means reimagining the American flag through the diverse group of faces that make up the United States of America. From Muslim Americans and women in the military to single moms and teachers, we highlight what makes each group unique while showcasing the common threads that bring us together. In this edition of Inspired By, Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad explains the trials and triumphs of being a black Muslim woman in the world of sports. A Brooklyn nail salon erupted in violence and chaos on Friday and its all because of an eyebrow wax gone wrong. Video footage shows a salon employee using a broom to attack an upset customer. (Photo: Mercy Maduka via Facebook) As the New York Post reports, employees at the New Red Apple Nail salon in the Brooklyn neighborhood of East Flatbush attacked customers with brooms after one of the women allegedly complained about her botched eyebrow wax. Fellow customer Mercy Maduka, who was not involved in the skirmish, captured the brawl on video. She later posted the video on Facebook, where it has quickly gone viral. So Im at the nail salon and they f***ed up a ladys eyebrow and she refused to pay then a fight broke out, Maduka captioned the post. She also expressed her anger that the salon staffers were hitting [the women] like animals. The video shows salon employees striking one woman with a broomstick until shes able to flee out the front door. Another woman can be seen being held back by a male employee. She shouts as the angry staffers begin hitting her and her female companion with the broom. Maduka told Yahoo Lifestyle that the shouting woman who was being restrained was the customer who complained about her brow wax. The first woman, who was able to escape, is her friend, and a third woman also being threatened with the broom was the unsatisfied customers grandmother. It was crazy how you can hit someone and her grandma because of $5, Maduka told Yahoo Lifestyle. According to the Post, women on both sides of the scuffle were arrested. Salon employee Huiyue Zheng, 32, was charged with assault and weapon possession, and customer Christina Thomas was booked on misdemeanor assault and other charges. Both were released on their own recognizance. Meanwhile, the Facebook page for New Red Apple Nail salon has been flooded with negative reviews and backlash over the incident. One outraged woman, Jasmine Johnson, shared footage of herself taking part in a protest of the salon, which reportedly forced it to close for the day. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Story continues Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. NASCAR CEO Brian France was arrested for DWI and possession of oxycodone approximately two hours after Chase Elliotts win on Sunday. According to Sag Harbor (New York) Police, France was pulled over after driving through a stop sign in the Hamptons at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET. Police found the oxycodone after a search when he was pulled over. Mr. France was observed operating a 2017 Lexus northbound on Main Street failing to stop at a duly posted stop sign, a police release said. Upon traffic stop, it was determined that Mr. France was operating said vehicle in an intoxicated condition. Mug shot of the @NASCAR CEO Brian France who was arrested over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/fi3YoaMkTn Ryan Ruggiero (@RyanRuggiero) August 6, 2018 He even reportedly name-dropped President Donald Trump, according to TMZ Sports, and his blood-alcohol content was twice the legal limit. (France publicly endorsed Trump for president in early 2016 at a rally in Georgia.) And sources tell us during the process, France was name-dropping all of the powerful people he knew and even mentioned his relationship with President Donald Trump. Police said France was released at 9:30 a.m. Monday after arraignment. NASCAR announced Monday afternoon that France had taken a leave of absence from his role as NASCARs CEO and chairman. I apologize to our fans, our industry and my family for the impact of my actions last night, France said. Effective immediately, I will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from my position to focus on my personal affairs. His uncle Jim France will take over as the interim leader of NASCAR. Jim France and Lesa France Kennedy, Brians sister, are the majority owners of NASCAR. Jim Frances permanent role is as NASCARs Vice Chairman. Story continues This is the second-known traffic incident with Brian France. He hit a tree in 2006, also while driving a Lexus, and a witness said he fell over his own feet after he got out of the car. France told Daytona Beach police that he hit the tree when he was taking a drink of a soda. This latest incident comes just after NASCAR was celebrating the first win of Elliotts career. Long-anointed as one of the series future megastars, Elliott outran Martin Truex Jr. over the last 15 laps of the race to reach victory lane in his 99th Cup Series race. Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports. More from Yahoo Sports: Eric Adelson: Hall of Fame deserves blame for Terell Owens sideshow Angels Manager Mike Scioscia denies report that hes leaving Dan Wetzel: LeBron James, and his rise is proof of what makes America great Joel Embiid plans on using mean tweets from Colangelo burner account as motivation For the first time since the 2007-2008 season, the NBA will host a game in the city of Seattle. The league announced its preseason schedule Monday, and on October 5, the Golden State Warriors will take on the Sacramento Kings at Seattles KeyArena, becoming the first NBA teams to play there since the Seattle Sonics became the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2008 offseason. The game will constitute a homecoming of sorts for Warriors forward Kevin Durant, who played his rookie season in Seattle. Back in February, when the idea to play a preseason game in Seattle first surfaced, Durant voiced his support. That would be amazing, hopefully that goes through, Durant told the San Francisco Chronicle. I mean, the fans of Seattle definitely deserve basketball and that would be amazing. So, Im looking forward to that. Kevin Durant will return to Seattle a decade after he debuted there. (AP Images) Seattle is considered a frontrunner to land the NBAs next available franchise. KeyArena to undergo NBA- and NHL-friendly renovations in late 2018 In December 2017, the Seattle City Council approved a proposal for a $600 million renovation project on KeyArena (which is now up to $700 million), to better optimize it to host a new NHL or NBA team. The project is scheduled to take two years. The plans entail turning the arena in a top third revenue-producer for the NHL and NBA both, according to the Seattle Times. The brilliance of this building and what theyve designed is that if youre the NBA, and you want to move to Seattle at some point or another in the future, you do not have to spend a billion dollars on a new arena, said Tim Leiweke, CEO of Oak View Group, one of the projects funders. You walk into an arena and maximize your revenue streams as if you were moving into your own arena, without spending a billion dollars. Leiweke has also repeatedly said that hes not trying to but the cart before the horse in terms of the NBAs decision to expand to Seattle, but rather, just wants to be ready should the time come. The renovation plans would expand spectator capacity to 17,400 for NHL and 18,600 for NBA games. More from Yahoo Sports: NFL HOF reportedly considering requiring inductees to show up Dak Prescott on Get Out mural: Everybody has their own opinion Terez Paylor: Tyrod good for Cleveland? Just ask the defense Dan Wetzel: How Jim Tressel scandal sheds insight on Urban Meyer situation Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel's new Jewish nation-state law has drawn tens of thousands of protesters out onto the streets, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains defiant over the legislation which could still bring political benefits. Saturday night's protest in Tel Aviv organised by Israel's Druze minority, who say the law will legalise discrimination, was also attended by a range of former security chiefs and opposition politicians. It was the latest sign of outrage over the law, which declares Israel the nation-state of the Jewish people while omitting any reference to equality or the country's democratic nature. But despite the protests, many analysts say Netanyahu could still gain from it politically ahead of elections that could come anytime from late this year to the end of 2019. The veteran and politically savvy premier is seen by analysts as having pushed for the law to shore up his political base and fend off far-right challengers. It is a playbook he has used in the past, including during the 2015 elections when Netanyahu warned about Arab voters "going to the polls in droves", they say. He now heads what is regarded as the most right-wing government in Israeli history. "Netanyahu wants to try already now to dictate how the elections are going to be framed," said Anshel Pfeffer, a journalist with Israeli newspaper Haaretz and author of the new book "Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu." "Which is a large part of what he was doing with the nation-state law: trying to already set the tone for the election campaign even before it's officially begun." - 'A terrible law' - Polls have shown so far that a majority of Jewish Israelis support the law, but many are concerned over what it will mean for the country's democracy. There is also a deep well of sympathy for the 130,000-strong Druze community, who serve in the police and military unlike other Arab Israelis. Story continues Israel's parliament will hold a special hearing on the law on Wednesday. Netanyahu says there are other laws on the books that guarantee equality for non-Jews and define Israel as democratic. But Amir Fuchs of the respected Israel Democracy Institute think-tank, who participated in committee meetings on the legislation as an invited expert, said that was not completely true. Israel's basic laws -- a de facto constitution -- do include references to the country as "Jewish and democratic", but there is no specific right to equality apart from the 1948 declaration of independence, he said. Court challenges have been filed against the nation-state law, and it will now be up to judges to decide whether to limit its interpretation. Fuchs said he agrees, like virtually all Jewish Israelis, that the country is the nation-state of the Jewish people, but believes the law could cause real harm to minorities. "I think that for minorities in Israel, this is a terrible law which changes the definition of Israel," he said. - 'Under the rug' - The legislation was passed in the middle of the night on July 19 and now forms part of Israel's basic laws. It speaks of Israel as the historic homeland of the Jews and says they have a "unique" right to self-determination there. The law defines the establishment of Jewish communities as being in the national interest and makes Hebrew the sole official language. Arabic, previously considered an official language, is granted only special status. Arab citizens make up some 17.5 percent of Israel's more than eight-million population. Netanyahu has held a series of meetings with Druze leaders in a bid to win them over and propose a compromise. There have been suggestions that a separate law would be crafted addressing the status of the Druze in Israel. On Sunday, Netanyahu announced he was forming a ministerial committee to look at the issue, while again defending the legislation, saying it could help keep Palestinians from relocating inside Israel under family reunification laws. But Druze leaders have so far stuck to their demand that the law be amended or annulled. If Netanyahu hoped to cast opponents of the law as unpatriotic leftists, the opposition by the Druze -- respected for their military service -- has put a dent in such plans, some analysts say. "One way or the other, the rally that was led last night by the Druze community, which demanded equality for all minorities in Israel, made it clear that this problem could not be swept under the rug," Moshe Cohen wrote in the paper Maariv. Letitia James, the public advocate in New York City and a candidate for attorney general in New York, plans to reform the criminal justice system. (Photo: David Dee Delgado for Yahoo News) WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. While special counsel Robert Muellers probe of Russias interference in the 2016 election could pose the most immediate threat to Donald Trumps presidency, theres another looming threat on the horizon. On Nov. 6, voters in the Empire State will select a new attorney general, and all of the leading Democrats running for the office are eager to take on Trump by either continuing Muellers work or mounting an entirely new investigation into the president. In an interview last Thursday, Tish James, the leading Democratic contender, told Yahoo News that she should be one of the presidents top fears, along with Mueller and the possibility that Trumps former attorney Michael Cohen could cooperate with federal prosecutors. The president of the United States has to worry about three things; Mueller, Cohen, and Tish James. Were all closing in on him, James said. James, the New York City public advocate, is leading the pack of four Democrats who will face off in a primary on Sept. 13. The lone Republican in the race has decidedly slim chances in a state where Democrats have nearly double the number of voters and the attorney general hasnt come from the GOP since the last century. The outcome of the race could add a new layer of complexity for President Trump, who in the last month alone has sent out 10 tweets about the investigation he calls a rigged witch hunt. Last week, Trump declared that the U.S. attorney general should stop it right now, before it continues to stain our country any further. However, even if Trump stops Mueller, the election in New York could create a new legal nemesis for the president. New Yorks attorney general is in a unique position because the presidents real estate business and his campaign are both headquartered in New York City, giving the states top prosecutor jurisdiction over many Trump properties as well as activities that took place during the 2016 election campaign. That would potentially include the infamous meeting in Manhattan between the presidents son Donald Trump Jr. and a Kremlin-linked attorney who allegedly offered the campaign dirt on Trumps rival, Hillary Clinton. Story continues The candidates appeared at a forum in Westchester County last Thursday evening where Fordham University law professor Zephyr Teachout, another candidate, emphasized the New York attorney generals jurisdiction over the president. Yes, we open the paper every day wanting to know what Mueller is doing, but there are things the New York State attorney general can do to take on the threat of Donald Trump that nobody else can do, she said. Both James and Teachout have said they would want to bring suits against Trump under the emoluments clause of the Constitution, which bars presidents from taking gifts or profits from foreign officials. Theres a lot of property here in New York state that I believe the president of the United States has basically inured to his benefit, and I do believe that hes engaged in self-enrichment, said James. Trump is already facing three suits regarding emoluments. Attorneys general in Maryland and the District of Columbia have brought a case against Trump arguing that the president is violating the law when foreign officials visit his hotel in the nations capital. The watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is pursuing a similar case. And 200 Democrats in Congress have asked a federal judge to require Trump to obtain congressional approval before accepting emoluments. Zephyr Teachout announces her Democratic Party candidacy for New York state attorney general while standing across from Trump Tower in New York City on June 5, 2018. (Photo: Mark Lennihan/AP) Teachouts expertise is in anti-corruption law. She has already been involved in the current emoluments cases against the president. Teachout joined the board of CREW shortly after Trump was elected and worked on the groups case. Her scholarship has also been cited in the Maryland-D.C. case. I was one of two experts in the country in emoluments before he took office. I literally wrote the book on corruption and anti-corruption laws, and Ive been advising attorneys general in other states on bringing this suit, Teachout said at the forum. But theres a gaping hole in it. The victory could lead to the divestment of the Trump Hotel in D.C., but we need the divestment of all the businesses, and the businesses are located here in New York, she continued. Before taking office, Trump and his attorneys announced he would turn over control of his company to his family. While hes not involved in the daily operations of the business, Trump still collects on the companys profits. Rudy Giuliani, a former New York City mayor who is now on Trumps legal team, dismissed the idea of an emoluments suit as a wacky theory. He called the Democratic attorney general candidates a bunch of political yahoos and said their threats of an emoluments suit were a totally political and disgraceful attempt to drum up votes. Its hard to respond to all that. Its all political. Lets see what they would do, Giuliani said. There wasnt supposed to be much of a race for attorney general in New York. Eric Schneiderman was expected to easily win a third term before he abruptly resigned in May following allegations he engaged in abusive behavior in romantic relationships with multiple women. In May, a New York City attorney made a court filing claiming Trumps close allies were aware of some of Schneidermans issues before they became public. Yahoo News asked Teachout and James if they believed the previous attorney general didnt fully confront Trump due to his personal problems. I can say that there have been missed opportunities, Teachout said of Schneiderman. James pointed to Schneidermans decision not to pursue an emoluments case. There is a criticism of him that he did not pursue the emoluments case. Why that is, I dont know. I cant speak for him, James said of Schneiderman. But I can tell you this: that Letitia James as the next attorney general will be very aggressive and will not miss a beat. I wake up each and every day committed to serving justice. Teachout also noted that Schneidermans replacement, acting attorney general Barbara Underwood, brought a case against Trumps charitable foundation weeks after her predecessor resigned. Underwoods suit accused Trump of engaging in a pattern of illegal conduct, including willful self-dealing by, among other things, using the foundation for a fundraiser that he touted during his presidential campaign. I cant speak for the prior officeholder at all. I can say that when Barbara Underwood took over, she brought a bombshell of a lawsuit in the Trump Foundation case basically within a month, said Teachout. Both Teachout and James would keep Underwood on in the attorney generals office if they won the election. Schneiderman may not have brought an emoluments case, but before his sudden downfall, the then-attorney general pursued Trump on several fronts. Since Trump took office, Schneiderman filed a spate of lawsuits in conjunction with other attorneys general against Trump administration policies, including the travel ban, the repeal of DACA and rollbacks in environmental regulations. All of the Democrats vying to replace Schneiderman have said they hope to continue these efforts to oppose the presidents policy agenda. Schneiderman also had been cooperating with the Mueller probe. This collaboration between the New York attorney general and the special counsel is important because the president could pardon anyone charged by Mueller at the federal level, but he has no power to stop state charges. All four Democrats vying to replace Schneiderman, who include attorney Leecia Eve, have said they want to continue his work with Mueller. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, whos also running, has argued hes best suited to work with Mueller because of his Washington experience. I am deeply immersed in the details of the Russia investigation and all of the issues before the Intelligence Committee in the House, Maloney said at the candidates forum. Maloney, who did not respond to requests for an interview, suggested at the forum that he believed supporting Mueller is the major way the attorney general can take on Trump. The No. 1 thing the next attorney general or any of us is going to do to hold Donald Trump accountable is keep Bob Mueller on the job, Maloney said. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y., speaks at a May 2017 press conference on Capitol Hill introducing a bill providing members of the LGBT community with comprehensive federal protections. (Photo: Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) While the New York attorney general may have jurisdiction over some activities related to the Mueller investigation, the state cant bring charges against anyone who has been pardoned by Trump. As part of his efforts to work with Mueller, Schneiderman backed a proposed law in New York that would close this so-called double jeopardy loophole. This is another effort that the Democrats running to replace Schneiderman hope to continue. James has gone a step further than her rivals and promised she could get the law passed soon after she takes office by virtue of her relationships and experience in the state capital. I am confident that when Letitia James becomes attorney general, that bill will be passed in the first 100 days, she said at the forum. James told Yahoo News she has already discussed the bill with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the speaker of the state Assembly. She explained that there are some Democrats who are against the legislation in its current form and said she is eager to work with them on a compromise bill. There have been some individuals who have concerns particularly, believe it or not, coming from the black, Puerto Rican and Asian caucus, who believe its too broad and they want to carve out categories, said James. Both James and Teachout have said they are also prepared to take over if Trump moves to stop Mueller entirely. You could imagine an effort to fire Mueller. You could imagine an effort to strip the staff, Teachout told Yahoo. You dont know with Trump, but nothing is off the table. Giuliani, the presidents attorney, dismissed the idea that Trump would move to stop Mueller. Hes not going to step in. If he was going to step in, he would have done it a long time ago, Giuliani said. The Mueller probe hopefully will end, because they havent found any evidence he did anything wrong. You can only investigate an innocent man so long. Giuliani also said hes totally unconcerned about the possibility of New Yorks attorney general taking up the Mueller investigation. Theyd have the same problem that Mueller has. Theyd have to figure out what the heck [Trump] did wrong, Giuliani said. He didnt do anything wrong. For now, James has emerged as the frontrunner in the race, with endorsements from a wide array of local unions and state officials. Letitia (Tish) James speaks to supporters in White Plains, NY. (Photo: David Dee Delgado for Yahoo News) While James and her allies tout her Albany connections as an asset, her rivals have painted her as overly tied to the state establishment. In recent years, a slew of local officials in New York have faced corruption charges, including top aides to the governor. At the forum last week, Maloney argued that the states voters should back someone whos independent to take on the political misconduct in the state. In a scathing interview with the local publication City and State published on Thursday, Maloney attacked James as propped up by insiders and the political machine. But Maloney is also under fire in the race because, while putting himself forward as a potential rival to Trump, while in Congress he voted with the president 35 percent of the time more than any other New York Democrat in Congress, according to FiveThirtyEight. In his interview with City and State, Maloney called the survey a bulls*** metric. Maloney and James are people who in different ways have deep entanglements with the political establishment, says Teachout, who first came to political prominence when she mounted a shockingly successful primary challenge to Cuomo in 2014. In this race, she has tried to frame herself as part of the progressive insurgency running against incumbent Democratic interests. On the campaign trail, James has pointed out that as public advocate, she has sued both Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. At the forum on Thursday, James also said she wants to tear down a state ethics commission thats widely seen as closely tied to Cuomo, and rebuild it as an independent entity with no ties to the governor. All four Democratic candidates are cutting pioneering paths. If elected, James or Eve would be the first African-American woman elected to statewide office in New York. Maloney would be the states first openly gay official. And Teachout has been mounting her campaign while pregnant. A Siena College poll released last Tuesday showed James with 25 percent of the vote, followed by Maloney with 16 percent and Teachout with 13 percent. Eve had the support of just 4 percent of primary voters in the poll. The winner of the primary will face Manhattan attorney Keith Wofford, who is the Republican nominee and did not respond to requests for comment on this story. In the meantime, the race is on Trumps mind, and he has asked allies in New York for opinions about the candidates, according to a source who has recently spoken to the president. For his part, Giuliani said none of the Democratic attorney general candidates is inspiring. None of them impress me as a lawyer I would ever have represent me or hire, Giuliani said. They hardly have distinguished legal backgrounds. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: In the citys most recent homicide, 50-year-old Ron L. Johnson was killed and a 55-year-old woman was wounded when they were shot by someone in a ski mask just after midnight on Monday in the 13000 block of South Drexel Avenue, the block where Johnson lived, in the Altgeld Gardens neighborhood on the Far South Side, police said. Former Denver Broncos personnel executive Tom Heckert. Heckert died on Sunday at age 51. (AP) Former Denver Broncos front-office executive Tom Heckert died on Sunday night, the team announced on Monday. Heckert was 51 years old. Stepped away from Broncos to focus on health The Denver Broncos are very saddened to learn that former personnel executive Tom Heckert passed away peacefully last night in the company of his family, the team posted on its website. Our deepest condolences and sympathies go out to Toms family especially his mother Rose, children [Griffin and Madison] and former wife [Kathy] his friends and the many people he worked with during his 27 seasons in the NFL. Heckert spent five seasons with Denver as director of pro personnel (2013-16) and senior personnel adviser (2017), but left the team after last season to focus on his health, after being diagnosed with amyloidosis. Amyloidosis is a rare disease that occurs when amyloid, an abnormal protein produced in bone marrow, builds up in tissue or organs. Matt Millen, the former linebacker and Lions president, also is battling amyloidosis. He had an eye for talent Heckert entered the NFL in 1991, as a college and pro with the Miami Dolphins. He left a decade later, having risen to director of pro personnel. Then he moved to the Philadelphia Eagles from 2001-2010, as director of pro personnel, vice president of pro personnel, and general manager. Heckert also spent three years as the Cleveland Browns general manager before joining Denver in 2013. Denver suspended Heckert for one month not long after he was hired, after Heckert was arrested for driving under the influence and reckless driving. While Heckert was with the Broncos, the team went to two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl 50. Tom was an integral part of our organization and were all incredibly saddened today, general manager John Elway said in a statement. With his many years of experience and time as a GM, Tom was a tremendous resource and a key member of our team. He was a very good evaluator He had an eye for talent, and we always trusted his voice. Story continues Its easy to see why Tom was widely respected and had so many great relationships across the league. Ill always be grateful for how he helped me transition into this position. My prayers go out to Toms family, friends and everyone he worked with during his career. More from Yahoo Sports: NFL HOF reportedly considering requiring inductees to show up Dak Prescott on Get Out mural: Everybody has their own opinion Terez Paylor: Tyrod good for Cleveland? Just ask the defense Dan Wetzel: How Jim Tressel scandal sheds insight on Urban Meyer situation (Reuters) - Chicago police have made no arrests tied to the shootings of 66 people over the weekend, 12 of them fatal, but dozens were taken into custody on gun charges, the city's police chief said on Monday. Police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson said additional officers had been deployed to prevent retaliatory shootings, leading to the arrests of 46 people on firearms charges. Police seized 60 guns, adding to a total of 5,600 already confiscated in Chicago so far this year. "I share the anger and frustration that many Chicagoans are having today because, if anything, this should underscore the continuing issue that we have with illegal guns and offenders that are out on the street that are willing to use them," Johnson said. Johnson told reporters there were some promising leads in investigations of the weekend bloodshed, but he did not elaborate and provided few updates on crime statistics for the third most populous U.S. city. Authorities had previously said gun violence was on a decline this year. "What happened this weekend did not happen in every neighborhood of Chicago but it is unacceptable to happen in any neighborhood of Chicago," the city's mayor, Rahm Emanuel, told reporters on Monday. "There are too many guns on the street. Too many people with criminal records on the street. And there is a shortage of values of what is right and what is wrong," said Emanuel, a Democrat. An earlier wave of shootings in Chicago emerged as a talking point for Republican Donald Trump in his 2016 presidential campaign, as he pledged to crack down on street crime. The rash of shootings over the weekend also elicited comments from President Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani, a former New York City mayor who has touted his crime-fighting record there. Giuliani urged Chicago residents to vote against Emanuel's bid for a third term next February and back Garry McCarthy, also a Democrat, who served as the city's police chief for four years until 2015. (Reporting by Makini Brice; Editing by Tom Brown) Tom Nichols Security, Critics of the decision to use the special bomb in 1945 are judging men born in the 19th century by the standards of the 21st. No Choice: Why Harry Truman Dropped the Atomic Bomb on Japan Nuclear arms are hideous, immoral weapons whose existence continues to threaten our civilization. To say, however, that Harry Truman should have sacrificed hundreds of thousands of American lives because of what happened in the nuclear arms race decades later is not only ahistorical, it is moral arrogance enabled from the safe distance provided by time and victory. Every summer, as the anniversaries of the U.S. nuclear strikes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki approach, Americans engage in the painful moral exercise of wondering whether President Harry Truman should have ordered the use of nuclear weapons (or as they were called at the time, the special bombs) against Japan in August 1945. And every year, as we get farther away in time from those horrible events, we wonder if we were wrong. (This first appeared in 2016.) In 1945, Americans overwhelmingly supported the use of the bomb; seventy years later , that number is now a bare majority (some polls suggest less), with support for Trumans decision concentrated among older people. Truman, for his part, thought he was bringing the war to a swift close. Taken in its time, the decision was the right one. As historian David McCullough has been known to say, people living back then didnt know they were living back then, and to judge the decisions of people in 1945 by the standards of 2015 is not only ahistorical, it is pointless. Truman and his advisers made the only decision they could have made; indeed, considered in the context of World War II, it wasnt really much of a decision at all. (This first appeared in 2015.) There are three arguments usually marshalled against the use of the bomb in 1945. First, that to use the bomb only against Japan was racist; second, that it was pointless; and third, that it was done purely for political effect that had more to do with the Soviet Union than with the war in the Pacific. These objections make little sense when weighed against counterfactual thinking about American alternatives. Story continues Was the use of nuclear bombs against Japan actually racism? Would Truman have used the bomb against the Germans? After all, America had a Germany first strategy from the very beginning of its involvement in the war, so why drop the bomb on Japan? Was American nuclear devastation reserved only for Asians but not Europeans? It is difficult to believe that the Allies would have spared the Germans anything after turning the streets of German cities like Dresden to glass under repeated firebombing. The more obvious objection, however, is that the first atomic test took place in July 1945, two months after the Nazi surrender in May. There is some evidence that FDRs advisers thought about using the bomb against Germany , but by the time Truman took office, it was a moot point: the Nazis were beaten and the invasion of Germany was winding down, not gearing up. Trumans detractors, in the absence of any evidence, merely claim that Truman would have done no such thing, especially at a time when so many Americans were of German descent. There is no arguing with this point, as I learned in the mid-1990s. At the time, I was teaching at Dartmouth College, where I had a chance encounter with a well-known historian on the subject. Trumans papers had been unsealed in those years, and there was no evidence that Japan was singled out for any other reason than it was still fighting. (Indeed, the Americans specifically tried to seek out military targets rather than simply to butcher the Japanese.) I asked this colleague what he thought of the new evidence. I dont care, he said. For people who hold to the it was about racism theory, thats about as far as youre going to get. But what about a stronger objection, that Truman should have realized that Japan was beaten? This is one of those arguments that assumes modern-day omniscience on the part of historical figures. The fact of the matter is that Japan was not preparing to surrender; it was preparing to fight to the death. The invasion of the Japanese home islands was not going to look like the invasion of Germany, where the Nazi armies were crushed between advancing U.S. and British forces on one side and an avalanche of enraged Soviet troops on the other. The Japanese invasion, on the other hand was likely to cost a half-million Allied and Japanese lives all in what should have been the last months of the war. Here, I will candidly admit that I am not objective about this question. In 1945, my father finished infantry school in Georgia and was immediately shipped to California to await his orders to carry a rifle during the invasion of Japan. Fortunately, as things turned out, he did nothing more than fight the Battle of Fort Ord, as my mother wryly called it. My father, for the remainder of his life, considered nuclear weapons to be an awful and inhumane instrument of war, but he was certain that they saved his own life. Still, lets assume, as some historians have done, that Harry Truman was either duped or made an honest mistake, and that the invasion casualty estimates were way off. (One historian has suggested that these estimates were ten times too high .) What should Truman have done? If the figure of 500,000 casualties was wrong, perhaps Truman would have been risking onlyonly50,000 lives. But would even one more Allied death have been worth not dropping the bomb, in the minds of the president and his advisors, after six years of the worst fighting in the history of the human race? Imagine if Truman had decided to hold back. The war ends, with yet more massive bloodshed, probably at some point in 1946. Truman at some point reveals the existence of the bomb, and the president of the United States explains to thousands of grieving parents and wounded veterans that he did not use it because he thought it was too horrible to drop on the enemy, even after a sneak attack, a global war, hundreds of thousands of Americans killed and wounded in two theaters, and years of ghastly firebombing. Seventy years later, we would likely be writing retrospectives on the impeachment of Harry S. Truman. Finally, what about the argument, imbued (wrongly) in several generations of students of international relations , that Truman only dropped the bomb in order to impress the Soviets and establish U.S. dominance in the coming Cold War? Recommended: How North Korea Could Start a War Recommended: This Is What Happens if America Nuked North Korea Recommended: The Colt Python: The Best Revolver Ever Made? Theres no doubt that the Americans wanted the war over before the Soviets could enter Japanironically, something we ourselves had asked them to do when we thought we would have to invade. From the victory at Stalingrad in 1943 onward, U.S. leaders (at least those other than the sickly Roosevelt) realized that Stalins Soviet Union was not interested in a peaceful world order policed by the great powers. The Americans were in a hurry to force a Japanese surrender, but they had no way of knowing whether that surrender was imminent. Ward Wilson, for one, claims that the Japanese surrendered not because of the bomb but because of the Soviet entry into the Pacific war, but only the most cold-blooded president would have counted on this and held Americas greatest weapon in reserve. Again, consider the counterfactual. For years after World War II, the Soviets charged that the nuclear attacks on Japan were a warning to the USSR. Imagine, however, a world in which America held back the bomb, and allowed the Soviets to fight their way through Japan, taking huge casualties along the way. The speeches Stalin and his successors would have given during the Cold War write themselves: America allowed Soviet soldiers to spill their blood on the beaches of Japan, while Truman and his criminal gang protected the secret of their ultimate weapon. We shall never forget, nor forgive, this squandering of Soviet lives In reality, of course, as soon as the bomb was tested, Truman told Stalin that America had a weapon of great power nearing completion. Stalin, well informed due to his spy networks inside the U.S. nuclear effort, knew exactly what Truman meant, and he told the U.S. president to make good use of this new addition to the Allied arsenal. Both leaders were being cagey, but it was really the only conversation these two men, leading huge armies against the Axis, could have had in 1945 that would have made any sense. In the 1995 film Crimson Tide, Gene Hackman played a Navy captain whose views are no doubt how critics see American thinking about the decision to use nuclear weapons. If someone asked me if we should bomb Japan, he opines while enjoying cigar in the wardroom, a simple Yes. By all means, sir, drop that [expletive]. Twice. The actual decision to drop the bomb was not nearly as casual as a simple yes. Critics of the decision to use the special bomb in 1945 are judging men born in the 19th century by the standards of the 21st. Had Truman and his commanders shrunk from doing everything possible to force the war to its end, the American people would never have forgiven them. This judgment no doubt mattered more to these leaders than the disapproval of academic historians a half century later, and rightly so. Nuclear arms are hideous, immoral weapons whose existence continues to threaten our civilization. To say, however, that Harry Truman should have sacrificed hundreds of thousands of American lives because of what happened in the nuclear arms race decades later is not only ahistorical, it is moral arrogance enabled from the safe distance provided by time and victory. Tom Nichols is Professor of National Security Affairs at the Naval War College and an adjunct at the Harvard Extension School. Image: Creative Commons. Read full article "People have asked me is it the weather? Is it this? Is it that? No, it's the psychology of the people pulling these triggers," he said. "Weather? All that does is afford more people to enjoy the summertime. The weather doesn't cause a person to say, 'You know what? It's 90 degrees. I'm going to go out and shoot somebody.' " By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean state media on Monday urged the United States to drop sanctions, as South Korea said it was investigating nine cases of coal shipments that potentially violated U.N. resolutions. Pyongyang had demonstrated good faith by ending nuclear weapons testing and returning the remains of U.S. troops killed in the 1950-53 Korean War, and the resolutions had lost a reason to exist, said the Rodong Sinmun, a mouthpiece of the ruling Workers' Party. The statements came days after a confidential United Nations report concluded that North Korea had not halted nuclear and missile program, in breach of U.N. resolutions, and continued illegal trade in oil, coal and other commodities. South Korea is examining nine cases in which coal from North Korea disguised as Russian products was possibly brought in, Seoul's foreign ministry and customs officials said. They declined to detail the number of ships or identify the companies involved, saying the investigation was in the final phase following raids and forensic analysis, but some cases might prove lawful. North Korea and the United States vowed to work to end Pyongyang's weapons program at a landmark summit in June in Singapore, but have struggled to reach a pact to meet that goal. The Rodong Sinmun accused Washington of "acting opposite" to its plan to improve ties, despite goodwill gestures by Pyongyang, such as a moratorium on nuclear and missile tests, the dismantling of a nuclear site, and the return of the remains of U.S. soldiers killed in the Korean War. "There have been outrageous arguments coming out of the U.S. State Department that it won't ease sanctions until a denuclearisation is completed, and reinforcing sanctions is a way to raise its negotiating power," it said in an editorial. "How could the sanctions, which were a stick the U.S. administration had brandished as part of its hostile policy against us, promote the two countries' amity?" The editorial, which accompanied front-page articles and photographs of leader Kim Jong Un's visit to a catfish farm, was a fresh sign of Pyongyang's frustration over the slow-moving nuclear talks. Under President Donald Trump, the United States pushed the United Nations to impose tough sanctions on North Korea as Kim conducted a string of missile and nuclear tests last year. At a security forum on Saturday, the two sides sparred over the Singapore pact, with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling for sanctions against Pyongyang to be maintained, and his North Korean counterpart, Ri Yong Ho, criticizing Washington for "retreating" from ending the war. Pompeo suggested the North's continued work on its weapons program was inconsistent with Kim's commitment to denuclearize, but expressed optimism it would be achieved. Returning to Washington, Pompeo played down the exchange with Ri, saying the tone was far different from last year. "The minister made very clear of their continued commitment to denuclearize," Pompeo told reporters traveling with him. "I probably don't have his words exactly right, but it's pretty close. Compare the anger, frankly, over years and years, and hatred, as spewed by the North Koreans; his comments were different." North Korea's propaganda websites on Monday also urged the United States to drop sanctions and build trust. One of them, Uriminzokkiri, lambasted the sanctions and pressure campaign as "anachronistic" and a hurdle to better relations, urging efforts to officially declare an end to the Korean War. The Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving the U.S.-led United Nations forces, including South Korea, technically still at war with the North. The State Department has said it is committed to building a peace mechanism to replace the armistice, but only after the North abandons its nuclear program. Maeri, another North Korean website, stressed the need for U.S. action to build confidence in response to the North's moves to end weapons program and send back the remains. "It takes two to tango," it said. Kim Eui-kyeom, a spokesman for South Korea's presidential Blue House, said on Monday the government was asking the North to hasten denuclearisation and the United States to show sincerity over the North's demands for reciprocal steps. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Clarence Fernandez) North Koreas state media called on Monday for the United States to ditch crippling economic sanctions as a reward for Pyongyangs show of good faith in ending its nuclear weapons testing and transferring the remains of American troops killed in the Korean War. The calls came just days after a confidential United Nations report concluded that the pariah regime has not stopped its nuclear and missile programmes, and continues to conduct illegal trades of oil, coal and other commodities, reported Reuters. Little progress has been made since the June Singapore summit towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula - AP Kim Jong-un, North Koreas leader, and Donald Trump, the US President, agreed at a June summit in Singapore to work towards complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula but little progress has been made amid differing interpretations on both sides of what the declaration means. The two countries sparred over the weekend, with Ri Yong-ho, the Norths foreign minister, accusing Washington of dragging its feet over confidence-building measures since the summit and stressing the need for simultaneous actions and phased steps. Kim Jong-un appears to be enjoying the hot North Korean summer despite Pyongyang's sharp criticism of ongoing international sanctions Credit: KCNA via KNS /AFP His criticism was revealed in a transcript of a closed-door meeting of top diplomats at an Asian security meeting, also in Singapore, attended by Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State. Mr Ri hit out at Washington for retreating from ending the 1950-53 Korean War, which concluded with an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving US-led United Nations forces, and South Korea, technically still at war with the North. The Norths state media added fuel to the fire, accusing Washington of acting opposite to its plan to improve ties, despite Pyongyang making goodwill gestures. "There have been outrageous arguments coming out of the US State Department that it won't ease sanctions until a denuclearisation is completed, and reinforcing sanctions is a way to raise its negotiating power," the Rodong Sinmun newspaper said in an editorial. Story continues Video: North Korea Wants US to End Sanctions For more news videos visit Yahoo View. Senior US officials, including Admiral Harry Harris, the new ambassador to Seoul, have also called for Pyongyang to start giving up its nuclear weapons before any breakthrough on ending the war. One of the things that hasnt happened is the demonstrable moves toward denuclearisation before we can entertain something like the end-of-war declaration, Mr Harris told reporters last week. His statement was backed by Mr Pompeo, who suggested at the weekend that the Norths continued work on its weapons programme was inconsistent with Kims commitment to denuclearise. However, US and South Korean officials have also been at pains to show continued conciliatory gestures, and sources told CNN that there is a strong possibility of a second summit between Kim Jong-un and President Trump later this year. Mr Pompeo, meanwhile, stressed that despite the tense exchange over the weekend, Mr Ri had made clear that his country was still willing to denuclearise, in sharp contrast to the anger expressed by Pyongyang in recent years. Mike Pompeo, US secretary of state, meets Ri Yong Ho, North Korea's foreign minister at a weekend summit in Singapore Credit: Mohd Rasfan/AFP Kang Kyung-wha, the South Korean foreign minister, also reiterated on Sunday that Seoul remains committed to bringing a formal end to the war by the end of the year, reported Yonhap. "I think the UN General Assembly (to be held in September) is an important opportunity," she said. "We are having close consultations (with partner countries)." Ms Kangs efforts to meet formally with Mr Ri in Singapore were rebutted, however. She said she regretted the missed opportunity but respected his decision. On Monday, state-controlled North Korean media continued to express Pyongyangs unhappiness over sanctions, with one outlet, Uriminzokkari, slamming the pressure campaign as anachronistic and a hurdle for better relations. Maeri, another North Korean outlet, stressed the need for U.S. action to build confidence in response to the Norths moves to close its weapons programmes and send back the soldiers' remains. Photo credit: JIM WATSON From ELLE Following the Parkland school shooting tragedy earlier this year, the National Rifle Association is suing New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Department of Financial Services as a repercussion for urging New York companies to deny business with the NRA. The gun rights group is citing tens of millions of dollars in damages," in a court filing first reported by Rolling Stone. The organization claims to be in such deep financial trouble that it may "be unable to exist or pursue its advocacy mission," and also blame Gov. Cuomo and financial regulators for leading a "blacklisting campaign." The NRA claims in its lawsuit that it has been subject to a "discrimination campaign" that has caused damages named as follows: "Such damages include, without limitation, damages due to reputational harm, increased development and marketing costs for any potential new NRA-endorsed insurance programs, and lost royalty amounts owed to the NRA, as well as attorneys fees, legal expenses, and other costs." The exact, actual financial state of the NRA is not known beyond the alleged losses specified in the organizations court claim. Some warn the move by the NRA may be a ploy to receive donations. Parkland survivor and March For Our Lives advocate David Hogg tweeted his disapproval and urged Americans not to believe the guns rights group. The NRA is trying to fool us into believing this DO NOT believe it. The NRA is still one of the greatest threats to American lives today. They simply need donations now that Maria Butina and @torshin_ru have been reviled. https://t.co/435OiqYAJx - David Hogg (@davidhogg111) August 4, 2018 After New York State worked to dismiss the lawsuit on Friday, Governor Cuomo had a spot-on response."If the NRA goes bankrupt because of the State of New York, they'll be in my thoughts and prayers," he said. "I'll see you in court." Story continues Related Video: How Preisdents Have Reacted to Gun Violence ('You Might Also Like',) Danny OConnor, the Democratic candidate for the Aug. 7 special election in Ohios 12th Congressional District, speaks with voters on Aug. 3, 2018. (Photo: Brian Cahn/Zuma Wire) In March, Conor Lamb, a centrist Democrat, won a House seat in a special election in a conservative Pennsylvania district. Since then, the Lamb model has been followed by candidates in Republican-leaning districts around the country. Lambs surprising win provided a blueprint for how the blue party could take back power in the House. Lamb had a moderate, issue-based message. He would not promise to support House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and he opposed the single-payer health insurance plan (aka Medicare for all) that is a favorite among progressives. Tuesdays special election in Ohio will be the test of whether the message can work again and if the Lamb model still holds. Danny OConnor, the Franklin County recorder, is running in a district that has been held by a Republican since 1983. It stretches from the suburbs of Columbus, the states capital, to surrounding rural counties. OConnors message is often compared to Lambs. He is also running as a moderate in a predominantly Republican district. His opponent, Troy Balderson, was endorsed by President Trump, who told a raucous rally Saturday night that [Baldersons] really tough. Hes really smart. He never stops working. OConnor, in an interview, said he is paying attention to issues that voters talk to him about. Trump, Russia collusion and abolishing ICE are not on the list. Like many other moderate Democratic candidates, he emphasizes his ability to work with others, even those who are not from his party. When I talk to voters, I ask them what they worry about, OConnor told Yahoo News. And they usually dont mention the president. They mention important issues like their benefits, like health care access. He has stayed mostly silent on Trump, although he said hes willing to have a conversation with the president on infrastructure and the opioid crisis. The issues that help families are not Democratic issues or Republican issues, OConnor said. Theyre just the right issues, and if we can get solutions, it doesnt matter where they come from we need to implement them. Story continues Hes quick to echo the calls for new leadership in Washington and has said he will not vote for Pelosi, joining a growing list of candidates. Pressed on the issue in an MSNBC interview, OConnor reluctantly said he would vote for whoever the Democrats put forward as a candidate for speaker. But he has since backtracked on the issue and said he wouldnt support Pelosi. Janetta King, president of Innovation Ohio, a progressive policy think tank, told Yahoo News that OConnor can choose what he speaks about with voters and its wise not to go after Trump. I think that OConnor is right in wanting to keep the conversation local. The Trump thing is going to be what it is. It will be the backdrop in which all of these elections are happening from now through November. That is what it is, and its not necessarily in the candidates control. OConnor helps deliver campaign materials to a Democratic field office during a walkabout on Aug. 3, 2018. (Photo: Brian Cahn/Zuma Wire) The race has become increasingly tight. The Cook Political Report rated it as a tossup, and new polling from Monmouth University showed the two candidates in a virtual tie. The race will likely be decided by voter turnout, and, fearing a repeat of the Pennsylvania defeat, Republicans have sent high-profile figures to the district, including Trump. Vice President Mike Pence also campaigned in central Ohio at the end of July. Republicans, including the president, have painted OConnor as a Nancy Pelosi liberal who will join with progressives once elected. Ads from the conservative Congressional Leadership Fund that ran in July said OConnor is part of the liberal resistance. While Democratic energy may be shifting to the left, with the rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York and her support of other progressives, candidates in Midwestern states like Ohio are taking a more cautious approach. Candidates have to tap into progressive enthusiasm, but in districts gerrymandered like this, they also have to show independents and even some moderate Republicans who are disaffected with Trump that they have a place to go, King said. And that is what OConnor is doing energizing his base but also giving permission to those disaffected independent or moderate voters to vote for him. An OConnor victory would spur talk about a blue wave in November. Other Democratic candidates following similar strategies have turned races in previously safe Republican districts into tossups. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema is running for a Senate seat in Arizona that will be vacated by Sen. Jeff Flake. It has been held by a Republican for 23 years, but Sinema is polling ahead of all three of her potential opponents. She often highlights a magazine that rated her the third most independent member of Congress, and distances herself from the establishment Democratic Party. Sinema told Politico she would not support Sen. Chuck Schumer as party leader, and, as a member of Congress, did not vote for Pelosi in 2016. Clarke Tucker, running for Congress in Arkansas, emphasizes his ability to be bipartisan in order to get things done. Tucker has described himself as moderate in how hes willing to work across the aisle. Kelly Dietrich, founder of the National Democratic Training Committee, said that while each race is different, his organization has some simple advice for candidates. We teach candidates, especially those running at the local level, you are not running against Donald Trump, Dietrich told Yahoo News. Theres a million voices talking about Donald Trump. When you run as a Democrat, people already know where you stand. You need to be talking about why your race matters to them personally. King agreed. For local Democratic candidates, sticking to the issues may be their best bet for a win in November. If Trump is No. 1 for you and you start out having a conversation with voters who may have voted for Trump, with an anti-Trump message, youve essentially ended the conversation, she said. I think by going to the issues, you are able to have a more authentic and productive conversation with voters. Even if OConnor loses Tuesday, hell have the chance for a do-over in November, when the winning candidate will have to defend the seat he just won. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Few companies are as closely watched as Amazon (AMZN). Not only has the disruptive retail force been blamed for toppling iconic retail brands, but in the process, it has also turned its founder and CEO Jeff Bezos into the wealthiest person in the world. All of this has come with a lot of hype and no shortage of speculation that the company, which is worth about $900 billion, may be overvalued. But is it possible that the company is actually being underestimated? According to data compiled by FactSet, in the past four weeks analysts have revised their Q3 earnings estimates for the company by a whopping 73.7%. Thats the largest upward revision among S&P 500 (^GSPC) companies covered by analysts. Wall Street analysts estimates have been far too conservative on the red-hot company. (FactSet) This follows Amazons Q2 earnings announcement where the company smashed expectations by reporting earnings of $2.5 billion or $5.07 per share, which itself was one of the biggest surprises of the recent earnings season. The Consumer Discretionary (+10.4%) sector is reporting the largest upside aggregate differences between actual earnings and estimated earnings, FactSets Johns Butters said on Friday. In this sector, Lennar ($0.94 vs. $0.43) and Amazon.com ($5.07 vs. $2.48) have reported the largest upside differences between actual EPS and estimated EPS. Earnings are incredibly difficult to forecast on a quarterly basis. But its certainly notable that Amazon of all companies is seeing the largest upward revisions to what professional analysts had forecast. Perhaps Amazon actually is underestimated. Sam Ro is managing editor at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter: @bySamRo Read more: Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn Jennifer Garner recently took her daughter Violet on a trip theyll always remember for a reason theyd probably rather forget. The Dallas Buyers Club actress was spending time with the eldest of her three children with ex Ben Affleck, when they got a little turned around. Unfortunately, mom and daughter happened to be out in a kayak. In Sweden. Its too bad Affleck wearing his handy Batman suit wasnt around to help them, because they did need some assistance, as Garner wrote in an Instagram post on Monday. The 46-year-old star and her almost-middle schooler seemed to have handled the whole situation pretty well. That beautiful sunset would make it awfully tough to be upset. Garner even used a hashtag to note that the view was a big upside. Of course, mom and daughter were most likely out on the water much less than the 100 hours that Garner referred to, because she has a habit of adorably embellishing things on Instagram. Shes joked that shed need to learn a dance she admired at a geriatric pace and thanked people in a million ways. Its kinda her thing, and its part of why we love her. Garner didnt mention her younger children in the kayaking post, but daughter Seraphina, 9, and 6-year-old son, Samuel, wont be ready for middle school for several more years. Shell definitely have kayaking down by then, especially since her upcoming HBO show is called Camping. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: As of Friday, at least 1,700 people have been shot in the city this year, fewer than the last two years at this time when violence hit record levels in the city but well above other recent years. There have been at least 300 homicides, according to Tribune data. TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A Kansas City-area businessman submitted petitions Monday with more than 10,000 signatures for what could become the most serious independent run for Kansas governor in decades and potentially doom Democrats' efforts to recapture the office. Greg Orman delivered his campaign's petitions to the Kansas secretary of state's office in hopes of gaining a spot on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. He needs signatures from 5,000 registered voters, and the secretary of state's office hopes to know by the end of next week whether enough signatures are valid. Orman is confident of qualifying. But Democrats are gearing up for a potential legal challenge to Orman's filing. Many Democrats have worried that Orman will pull votes away from their nominee, making it far easier for the Republican to win. And less than two hours after Orman delivered his petitions, President Donald Trump tweeted his endorsement of hard-right conservative Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach in his bid to unseat Gov. Jeff Colyer in Tuesday's GOP primary. Kansas does not hold runoffs, so a governor could be elected with less than 40 percent of the vote. Orman's aides and supporters have bristled for months at suggestions that he's a potential spoiler helping Republicans. Orman expressed confidence that he'll win in November and said as an independent, he'll lack "natural political enemies" in pursuing policy goals. "The signature-gathering process really does demonstrate that voters want something different," Orman said. "They're looking for leaders who tell the truth, who ultimately put their interests ahead of party bosses and ahead of special interests." Orman put $650,000 of his own funds into his campaign for governor in July, to bring its total cash contributions to more than $1.3 million through last month. He gained national attention for his independent bid for the U.S. Senate in 2014, receiving almost 43 percent of the vote after the Democratic nominee dropped out. But an independent candidate for governor last came close to winning in 1932. Story continues Will Lawrence, an attorney and chief of staff for Kansas Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, was present when Orman delivered his petitions and said they will be reviewed carefully to see that their circulation complied with state law. "We're going to scrutinize this process because Greg Orman has not been scrutinized, and he is going to be scrutinized in this election cycle on a number of issues," Lawrence said. "This is just the first step." ___ Follow John Hanna on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apjdhanna . Ahmad Thomas spent the latter part of last season on the Green Bay Packers practice squad. The inside linebacker has been getting first-team reps with the defense in training camp in recent days, after Jake Long was lost for the season to a torn ACL, and coach Mike McCarthy has praised his coverage ability. Making a 53-man roster for the first time Thomas was undrafted out of Oklahoma in 2017, originally signed by the Oakland Raiders but cut just a few days later and getting into the rotation would be a big deal for Thomas, and the capper to what has already been a big year. Calvin Darnell wasnt supposed to live past age 10 In a story by the Green Bay Press-Gazettes Ryan Wood, we learn Thomas was given a different name when he was born in Florida in 1994: Calvin Darnell. His birth mother, Michelle Hooshing, was just 13 years old and living in foster care when she had him and reluctantly gave him up for adoption when he was a month old. Green Bay Packers linebacker Ahmad Thomas is hoping to add a roster spot to an already-memorable year. (AP) She was told that the baby had a heart murmur and doctors didnt expect him to live past age 10. Throughout the years, Hooshings searches for Calvin Darnell turned up empty. Thats because when Marvice Thomas adopted the baby Hooshing had to give up, she gave him a new last name, her name. So when a young man named Ahmad Thomas was contacting Hooshing, claiming to be the son she expected had died from heart issues, she was surprised and confused. She thought it was some cruel joke or something, Thomas said. But when I told her what my name used to be, she knew it was me. After the first email to his birth mother and a phone call that followed, Hooshing found Thomas father, Michael Samuel, through a website. Samuel was also 13 when Thomas was born, and told Hooshing hed long been searching for both her and their son, giving up hope after so many searches werent successful. Thomas invited both Hooshing and Samuel to visit him in Green Bay. Still surreal Thomas, his wife, Skyler, and their children welcomed Hooshing and Samuel to their home for three days in February. Story continues It was like we really didnt miss a beat, Thomas said of the visit. The comfortability was already there, and it was surreal. Still surreal to me. I knew who I was, because my family shaped that. But I didnt know what I was. Skyler Thomas encouraged her husband to look for his birth parents, though for several years he showed little interest. He would tell her that he had a family. But over time, he changed his mind. At first, he said he needed to know his birth parents to learn his medical history for his children, Skylynn and Ahmad II. Skyler pushed more. I just felt like there was a piece of him that was kind of missing, she said. With self-identity, I could tell he needed that as a part of his life so much. I dont know if he was scared or not really interested, but I knew he needed that, whether he knew [he needed it] at the time or not. I think hes really appreciated that I pushed him in that direction because I dont think he wouldve gotten to this point without me kind of nudging him along. And I know his mom and his dad are just over the moon excited that they found him. During Hooshing and Samuels visit, they stayed up into the wee hours talking with the Thomases. Thomas learned that Samuel is a DJ, which is likely where he gets his love of music. Amazingly, Hooshing and Samuel didnt just reconnect with their son; they reconnected with each other, and were married in April. Secret led to trust issues Though other people in her sons life knew the truth, Marvice Thomas didnt tell her son that he was adopted until he was 16. Maybe it was basic intuition, Thomas said, but he suspected he was adopted before Marvice told him. His football coaches and others knew, and all wondered when was the best time to tell the truth. I know they were doing it out of good intentions, but it made it hard for me to trust people, Thomas said. His Miami neighborhood didnt help. Thomas said he saw two people killed in a span of three years. But he used football as a way to avoid the drugs and violence he saw around him. I did channel a lot of anger through football, but Ive learned how to get past that and just have fun. Because when you play angry, you tend to not be focused, he said. In high school, I was going through a lot of things. I was mad, just trying to hit somebody. When I got to college, I had to actually learn a lot more things (about the game). I had to learn how to be more calm coming downhill instead of just trying to crash down and hit people. So I just learned to be more balanced. Thomas is glad he sent that first email to Hooshing, and hes in frequent contact with his birth parents. More from Yahoo Sports: NFL HOF reportedly considering requiring inductees to show up Dak Prescott on Get Out mural: Everybody has their own opinion Terez Paylor: Tyrod good for Cleveland? Just ask the defense Dan Wetzel: How Jim Tressel scandal sheds insight on Urban Meyer situation WASHINGTON (AP) Military troops and other defense personnel at sensitive bases or certain high-risk warzone areas won't be allowed to use fitness-tracker or cellphone applications that can reveal their location, according to a new Pentagon order. The memo, obtained by The Associated Press, stops short of banning the fitness trackers or other electronic devices, which are often linked to cellphone applications or smart watches and can provide the users' GPS and exercise details to social media. It says the applications on personal or government-issued devices present a "significant risk" to military personnel, so those capabilities must be turned off in certain operational areas. Under the new order, military leaders will be able to determine whether troops under their command can use the GPS function on their devices, based on the security threat in that area or on that base. "These geolocation capabilities can expose personal information, locations, routines, and numbers of DOD personnel, and potentially create unintended security consequences and increased risk to the joint force and mission," the memo said. Defense personnel who aren't in sensitive areas will be able to use the GPS applications if the commanders conclude they don't present a risk. For example, troops exercising at major military bases around the country, such at Fort Hood in Texas or Norfolk Naval Station in Virginia, would likely be able to use the location software on their phones or fitness devices. Troops on missions in more sensitive locations, such as Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan or parts of Africa, meanwhile, would be restricted from using the devices or be required to turn off any location function. Army Col. Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesman, said it's a move to ensure the enemy can't easily target U.S. forces. "It goes back to making sure that we're not giving the enemy an unfair advantage and we're not showcasing the exact locations of our troops worldwide," Manning said. Story continues Concerns about exercise trackers and other electronic devices came to a head in January in the wake of revelations that an interactive, online map was pinpointing troop locations, bases and other sensitive areas around the world. The Global Heat Map, published by the GPS tracking company Strava, used satellite information to map the locations of subscribers to Strava's fitness service. At the time, the map showed activity from 2015 through September 2017. And while heavily populated areas were well lit, warzones such as Iraq and Syria show scattered pockets of activity that could denote military or government personnel using fitness trackers as they move around. The Pentagon immediately launched a review, noting that the electronic signals could potentially disclose the location of troops who are in secret or classified locations or on small forward operating bases in hostile areas. This is the second memo affecting the use of cellphones and other electronic devices that the department has released in recent months. In May, defense officials laid out new restrictions for the use of cellphones and other mobile wireless devices inside the Pentagon. That memo called for stricter adherence to long-held practices that require phones be left in storage containers outside secure areas where sensitive matters are discussed. But it also stopped short of banning the devices, and instead made clear that cellphones can still be used in common areas and other offices in the Pentagon if classified information is not present. The latest memo says the new restrictions include GPS functions on fitness trackers, phones, tablets, smartwatches and other applications. The Pentagon also said it will provide additional cybersecurity training to include the risks posed by the trackers and other mobile devices. Heather Pierce, a spokeswoman for Fitbit, said Monday: "Fitbit is committed to protecting consumer privacy and keeping data safe. Unlike a smartphone, location data is not collected by Fitbit unless a user gives us access to the data, and users can always remove our access." New York (AFP) - Indra Nooyi, one of the most prominent female CEOs in the world, announced Monday she will step down as head of PepsiCo following 12 years navigating the soft drinks and snacks company through a tricky climate of shifting consumer taste amid rising health concerns. Nooyi, 62, who was born in India, will be replaced as chief executive by President Ramon Laguarta on October 3, but will remain as chair of the board until early 2019 to oversee the transition. "Today is a day of mixed emotions for me," Nooyi said on Twitter. PepsiCo "has been my life for 24 years & part of my heart will always remain here." Among the 500 companies in the S&P 500, only 25 -- or five percent -- are led by women, including Nooyi. The group includes Lockheed Martin's Marilyn Hewson, IBM's Ginni Rometty and General Motors' Mary Barra, who in June appointed Dhivya Suryadevara as the company's first female chief financial officer Nooyi told Bloomberg News on Monday that she planned to advocate for more women to serve at the highest levels of corporations, saying "my job is in fact just beginning once I leave PepsiCo because I can do things now that I was constrained to do when I was CEO of the company." Her tenure included sparring with activist investor Nelson Peltz and fighting against a spate of municipal soda taxes. In October 2016, PepsiCo unveiled 2025 sustainability targets that included vows to reduce waste and to ensure at least two-thirds of its global beverage portfolio contain less than 100 calories per serving. Even as Nooyi has stressed these long-term targets, she has been unapologetic in touting the company's products, which include snacks under the Frito-Lay banner such as Dorito corn chips and salsa, in addition to sugary carbonated drinks such as Pepsi cola and Mountain Dew. Analyst Neil Saunders praised Nooyi for leading during an "extremely challenging" period in consumer products, praising in particular the decision to stick with snacks. Story continues "With demand for soda under pressure, PepsiCo can now take comfort in the fact that it has a balanced portfolio of products -- including in emerging areas like plant-based snacks from its recent acquisition of Bare Foods," said Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail. PepsiCo presiding director Ian Cook hailed Nooyi as a "pioneer" among major chief executives in introducing sustainability targets into business performance and for upping its portfolio of healthier foods. "She has delivered strong and consistent financial performance, managing with an eye toward not only the short-run, but the long-run as well," Cook said. Morningstar analyst Sonia Vora predicted that Laguarta, himself a PepsiCo veteran of 22 years, would continue many of Nooyi's efforts and that the "bent toward more natural and wholesome fare will continue." Shares of PepsiCo finished the day with a gain of 0.9 percent at $117.38. - Defender of soda - Nooyi came to the United States in 1978 to attend the Yale School of Management on a scholarship and worked at PepsiCo for 12 years prior to being tapped to lead the company. Under her leadership, PepsiCo net revenues rose from $35 billion in 2006 to $63.5 billion in 2017, with much of the growth coming from international markets. PepsiCo's moves included buying a 50 percent stake in US hummus maker Sabra in 2008 and acquisition of Brazilian snack company Mabel in 2011, a year that also saw the company unveil an alliance with Tingyi Holding in China. Nooyi came under pressure from Peltz, who called for the company to be broken up in 2014. But Nooyi successfully beat back the challenge with a series of cost-cutting measures. Peltz exited the stake in 2016. She has described consumer tastes as often unpredictable, veering from a desire for artificial sweeteners to suspicion at unnatural ingredients. She discussed "tapering the consumer" to accept less sweet drinks over time during a November 2016 interview. "Overnight you can't take away the sugar because the consumer says 'I like that, why did you take that away?'" she said. "So the consumer is schizophrenic." Nooyi dismissed soda taxes as panacea and said the surge in obesity needed to be countered in a "holistic" way to address huge portion sizes and other factors. During the same interview, which was held just days after the 2016 presidential election, Nooyi expressed concern that Donald Trump's actions on trade could harm US multinationals in foreign markets and decried his rhetoric against immigrants and women. "Our employees, especially our employees who are non-white or who are LGBT, are asking, 'Are we safe?'" said Nooyi, who had backed Hillary Clinton in the race. "The first thing we have to do is assure everyone in the US that everyone is safe." Lets check out the Yahoo Finance charts of the day. PepsiCo (PEP): Shares are up in early trade, at around 1.25%. Longtime PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi will step down as the top executive of the worlds second-largest food and beverage company. She will be replaced by President Ramon Laguarta. Wells Fargo (WFC): Shares are down here, at around .71%. According to the Wall Street Journal. Federal agencies are scrutinizing how the bank purchased tax credits meant to fund housing for low income people. Intel (INTC): Shares down here, around 1.67%. The chipmaker was downgraded at Barclays to equal-weight from overweight due to rising AMD competition. For more on todays big stock movers check out the Final Round, live at 3:55 p.m. ET, right here on Yahoo Finance. Let's check out the Yahoo Finance charts of the day. PepsiCo (PEP): Shares are up in early trade, at around 1.25%. Longtime PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi will step down as the top executive of the world's second -largest food and beverage company. She will be replaced by President Ramon Laguarta. Wells Fargo (WFC): Shares are down here, at around .71%. According to the Wall Street Journal. Federal agencies are scrutinizing how the bank purchased tax credits meant to fund housing for low income people. Intel (INTC): Shares down here, around 1.67%. The chipmaker was downgraded at Barclays to "equal-weight" from "overweight" due to rising AMD competition. For more on today's big stock movers check out the Final Round, live at 3:55 p.m. ET, right here on Yahoo Finance. Police correctly identified the man shot to death as being 22 years old. Tuesday morning, the medical examiners office erroneously identified him as 15, but after the Tribune checked public records and found him to be 22, an office spokeswoman this afternoon corrected Halls age. Lima (AFP) - Former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, who was pardoned last year while serving a long jail sentence for human rights abuses, has been admitted to hospital with heart problems, aides said Monday. "He was rushed to hospital with heart arrhythmia," which is an irregular beating of the heart, one of his aides said late Sunday, adding that Fujimori -- who just turned 80 -- would also undergo cancer screening for the lungs and tongue. The ex-president has had a number of operations as part of a long-running battle with tongue cancer. Fujimori, who was pardoned by presidential decree last December, ruled Peru with an iron fist from 1990 until 2000. He was 12 years into a 25-year jail sentence handed down to him after a court found him responsible for ordering two massacres by death squads between 1991 and 1992. The pardon, issued by then-president Pedro Pablo Kuczynski before he was himself brought down by a corruption scandal, triggered a wave of protests by human rights organizations and by victims of Fujimori's crackdown. WARSAW, Poland (AP) Poland has obtained a World War II-era archive that documents the efforts of Polish diplomats in Switzerland to get Jews out of Europe by issuing phony passports from Latin American countries. The Culture Ministry and the Auschwitz-Birkenau state museum announced Monday that Poland had obtained the archive after more than a year of negotiations with a private owner in Israel. The ministry and the museum said 330 people were known to have survived the Holocaust as a result of having one of the faked passports and another 387 were killed despite having the false documents. The fate of 430 others has not been determined. The rescue effort was led by the Polish ambassador to Switzerland, Aleksander Lados, and included three other Polish diplomats and two representatives of Jewish organizations. The archive is named for one of the Jewish representatives, Rabbi Chaim Eiss, who died of a heart attack in late 1943. Poland's purchase of the archive comes as the Polish government is working to emphasize the help some Poles provided Jews during Nazi Germany's occupation of the country. The archive provides "irrefutable proof that Poles, the Polish state, its representatives, systemically and institutionally, were involved in saving Jews during World War II," Culture Minister Piotr Glinski said. The collection includes eight Paraguayan passports forged by the Polish diplomats; photos of Jews seeking to obtain the documents; and letters between the Polish diplomats and Jewish organizations. The documents will go on display for several months in Bern, Switzerland, before becoming part of the collection at the Auschwitz museum, which is also a memorial to the victims of the Nazi death camp where some 1.1 million people, most of them Jews, were killed. Warsaw (AFP) - Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz on Monday condemned Russia's "occupation" of a part of Georgia ahead of the 10th anniversary of Moscow's lightning war with Tbilisi. "Standing alongside Georgian authorities, we want to remind the world what happened in August 2008: the violation of Georgia's independence, the tragedy of thousands of families chased out of their houses, hundreds of people dead and wounded," Czaputowicz told reporters in Warsaw. "We want to recall the first military aggression, in Europe's post-war history, by a country against a sovereign state and the occupation of its territory that continues to this day." Czaputowicz was expected to leave for Tbilisi with his Latvian and Lithuanian counterparts for Tuesday's ceremonies, which will also be attended by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Pavlo Rozenko. In the summer of 2008, Georgian forces launched an offensive against separatists in South Ossetia, a small pro-Russian region on the border of the two countries. Russia swiftly responded with a military operation in defence of the separatists and rapidly overwhelmed the Georgian forces, even threatening to take Tbilisi during the five-day war. A peace treaty was eventually hammered out by then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy that led to the withdrawal of Russian forces. But Moscow recognised as independent the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, where it has stationed a large military presence ever since. Police discovered 11 children in a squalid New Mexico compound while searching for a missing 3-year-old boy. Two men, Siraj Wahhaj and Lucan Morton, were taken into custody after the Taos County Sheriffs office performed a raid on Friday, sheriff Jerry Hogrefe said in a statement. Three women also believed to be the childrens mothers were also detained. On Sunday, Hogrefe said arrest warrants charging 11 counts of child abuse had been served on the five adults. The children, whose ages range from 1-15, were all taken into protective custody. Hogrefe described the compound as a small trailer buried into the ground covered in plastic and tires, in a rural part of the state. The only food we saw were a few potatoes and a box of rice in the filthy trailer, the sheriff said during a news conference. Both the adults and the children looked like refugees not only with no food or fresh water, but with no shoes, personal hygiene and basically dirty rags for clothing. We all gave the kids our water and what snacks we had it was the saddest living conditions and poverty I have seen. The FBI had placed the compound under surveillance two months ago, Hogrefe said, but didnt have enough evidence that searching the property was essential. Police received a search warrant last week after seeing a third-party message from someone on the compound that said we are starving and need food and water. Wahhaj was armed with an AR-15 rifle, five loaded 30-round magazines and four loaded pistols. More rounds of ammo were found inside the compound. The search for the young child began back in January, when Wahhajs estranged wife, Hakima Ramzi, reportedly recorded a video on Facebook begging for help in finding her son. Hes sick, he needs his medications, she said. He needs everything. I dont know if hes alive, or he is, well, I dont know his condition now. So please, please, I need your help to find my husband and my son. The search for the boy, AG Wahhaj, is ongoing, the sheriff said. The boy will turn 4 years old on Monday. Story continues Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. By Aislinn Laing (Reuters) - Pope Francis recognized on Monday measures that Chile's bishops said they would take to assist prosecutors investigating allegations of sex abuse that have plagued the Roman Catholic Church in Chile, including that they would work to reach an agreement with prosecutors on an exchange of information. The pontiff wrote in a letter released to media on Monday by the Chilean Church that the steps taken at a conclave last week were "realistic and concrete" and that he was confident they would make a "decisive" difference. After a week-long leadership conclave, the bishops asked for forgiveness, saying in a statement on Friday that they had failed to aid and accompany victims who had suffered "grave sins and injustices committed by priests and clergy." Fernando Ramos, secretary-general of the Episcopal Conference, said last Friday that they also wanted "to reach an agreement [with prosecutors] to assure a fluid exchange of information, one that meets our standards, as well as the requirements of the Public Ministry." Chilean law enforcement is investigating 38 accusations of sexual abuse against 73 bishops, clerics and lay workers, involving 104 victims. "I was impressed by the reflection, discernment and decisions that were made," the pope wrote. "But what struck me most was the example of a unified episcopal community. Thank you for this edifying example." Chilean prosecutors said last week that they had asked the government to submit a formal request to the Vatican for information about nine clergymen and lay workers who have been accused of sexual abuse of children. "We will make public every prior investigation into alleged sexual abuse of children that has occurred in our jurisdictions. We will ask the same of officials at all religious congregations," Santiago Silva, president of the Episcopal Conference, told reporters last week. (Reporting by Aislinn Laing) By Nyimas Laula DENPASAR, Indonesia (Reuters) - At least 82 people were killed when Indonesia's resort island of Lombok was hit by a powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake on Sunday, triggering widespread panic as thousands fled their homes for emergency shelters as buildings collapsed. The death toll is expected to rise with hundreds injured and thousands of houses damaged, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency said in a statement on Monday. Singapore Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, who was on the 10th floor of a hotel in the Lombok town of Mataram at the time of the quake, wrote on Facebook that his room shook violently and walls cracked. "It was quite impossible to stand up. Heard screams. Came out, and made my way down a staircase, while building was still shaking. Power went out for a while. Lots of cracks, fallen doors," he wrote. Most of the victims were killed by falling rubble in northern and western parts of Lombok. An initial tsunami warning of waves of up to half a metre was issued following the quake but later withdrawn. Lombok was hit by another powerful 6.4 quake a week earlier on July 29, killing 17 people and injuring hundreds of people. More than 100 aftershocks have rattled Lombok since the quake, which was so powerful it was felt on the neighbouring island of Bali. "The night condition and some disconnected communication lines pose some challenges in the field. Death count is expected to increase still," the disaster management agency said. I Nyoman Sidakarya, head of Mataram's search and rescue agency, told TvOne, authorities will evacuate around 700 tourists and local residents from the nearby Gili Islands. "We will evacuate people off of the three Gili islands. Some of them are hurt and are in shock," Sidakarya said in the televised interview. One person in Gili Air was killed, he said, but details about the victim is unknown yet. Saffron Amis, a British student visiting the Gili Islands off the northwest coast of Lombok, told Reuters by text message that dozens of tourists were evacuated to a hill after the quake. The quake struck Lombok in the early evening at a depth of 10 km (6 miles). Most of Lombok suffered power cuts, local media reported. Travellers at the international airports in Lombok and Bali were thrown into panic and there was minor damage to the buildings but operations were not disrupted, officials said. The quake was felt for several seconds in Bali, where people ran out of houses, hotels and restaurants. "All the hotel guests were running, so I did too. People filled the streets," said Michelle Lindsay, an Australian tourist. "A lot of officials were urging people not to panic." Other witnesses said the initial quake grew in intensity over several seconds, rattling windows and doors, and there were many aftershocks. (Additional reporting by Tabita Diela, Jessica Damiana, Agustinus Beo Da Costa, Fransiska Nangoy and Kanupriya Kapoor; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor and John Chalmers; Editing by Bill Trott, Susan Thomas and Michael Perry) According to Politico, the woman said she broke up with Sauer in March 2018 after she discovered he was seeing other women. Later she uncovered an Instagram account with nude photos of her and said Sauer had been using the photos in conversations with other men. The transfer window has been shortened in the Premier League and will close on Thursday, before the season starts. Here is the pick of the signings so far: RIYAD MAHREZ (Manchester City) Whether City needed another attacking midfield to complement Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, Leroy Sane, David Silva and rising star Phil Foden is open to question. Not that Riyad Mahrez is concerned about that. The Algeria winger might have thought he had missed out on a dream move to the champions when City and Leicester failed to conclude a deal in January for English soccer's Player of the Year in 2015-16. But City maintained its interest, and Mahrez sealed a club-record $80 million move that gives manager Pep Guardiola another attacking option and a player who can operate anywhere behind the striker. Mahrez mostly played on the right wing, cutting in on his favored left foot, but Sterling and Bernardo Silva already feature there. City may opt to use Mahrez centrally as Guardiola looks to manage the 32-year-old David Silva's game time. FRED (Manchester United) Brazil international Fred not only offers United more energy and solidity in central midfield, he also potentially gives a platform for fellow midfielder Paul Pogba to be more expansive and attacking this season. Joining from Shakhtar Donetsk for $66 million, Fred likely will take up a position in midfield alongside anchorman Nemanja Matic and also Pogba, who should play in his preferred place on the left of a central three and have fewer defensive responsibilities. Perhaps that's what United manager Jose Mourinho meant when he talked about Fred giving the team "another dimension." ALISSON (Liverpool) The arrival of Brazil goalkeeper Alisson, who played in all of his team's matches at the World Cup, provides a solution to Liverpool's one obvious weakness, and should mean Juergen Klopp's team is a genuine contender for the Premier League title this season. Story continues Loris Karius never felt like he was the long-term answer in goal and his two huge mistakes in the Champions League final against Real Madrid in May proved his undoing. Alisson at around $85 million is a definite upgrade, a strong all-around keeper who rarely makes an error leading to a goal. He also is good with his feet, something Klopp demands. Liverpool now has the most expensive goalkeeper in history, along with the game's most expensive defender in Virgil van Dijk and the explosive front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah. JORGINHO (Chelsea) Seemingly destined for Manchester City, Jorginho instead ended up at Chelsea for $75 million and is set to be the fulcrum around which new manager Maurizio Sarri bases his high-pressing, high-energy style of play. Jorginho, a Brazilian-born Italy international, is a deep-lying midfield playmaker who had more touches per minute for Napoli than any player in Europe's top five leagues last season. The 26-year-old Jorginho will instigate attacks with his snappy passing from the base of the midfield, allowing the marauding N'Golo Kante to play further forward alongside a more creative central midfielder like Cesc Fabregas or Ross Barkley. RICHARLISON (Everton) A shrewd signing or another example of the madness of the Premier League? Richarlison, a 21-year-old Brazilian, had played only one year in England's top division he faded badly after Christmas at Watford following a strong first half of the season when he was signed by Everton last month for a fee that could rise to about $65 million. Clearly, recently hired Everton manager Marco Silva, who coached Richarlison at Watford before getting fired in January, thinks highly of the tall midfielder whose pace and strength got him into promising positions but whose finishing often left him down. Richarlison will compete with Theo Walcott, Yannick Bolasie and Kevin Mirallas but is set to be first choice. ___ More AP Premier League coverage: www.apnews.com/tag/PremierLeague Steve Douglas is at www.twitter.com/sdouglas80 President Donald Trump has long argued that reporting on his campaigns ties with Russia is fake news. So lets start with what he now admits is true: Donald Trumps son, son-in-law and then-campaign manager met in Trump Tower with a Kremlin-connected lawyer at the height of the 2016 campaign after being promised dirt on Hillary Clinton from the highest levels of the Russian government. Next, lets look at what Trumps team now admits they said in the past that was not true: Donald Trump Jr. falsely claimed that he never met any Russians in any campaign capacity, President Trump personally dictated a misleading statement to the New York Times on behalf of his son about the substance of the meeting and the presidents personal lawyer inaccurately claimed that the president was not involved in drafting the statement. Over the weekend, the president tweeted out a new defense of the Trump Tower meeting, arguing that a) there was nothing wrong with the meeting, b) there was nothing illegal about the meeting, and c) that he did not know about it. That same day, the Washington Post had reported that Trump was concerned about the meeting and how it had ensnared his son in a legal quagmire. Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower. This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2018 But shortly after that tweet was sent, Trump attorney Jay Sekulow, admitted on ABCs This Week that he was wrong when he denied Trump was involved in writing the misleading statement last year. I had bad information at that time and made a mistake in my statement, Sekulow said. Ive talked about that before. That happens when you have cases like this. Story continues Heres a quick look at what we know about the Trump Tower meeting. Who attended the meeting in Trump Tower? Eight people were present at the meeting. Trump associates at the meeting included Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort (Trumps campaign manager at the time). Among the Russian attendees were a lawyer linked to the Kremlin, a businessman associated with a prominent Russian oligarch, a lobbyist with past connections to Russian intelligence organizations, a publicist for a Russian pop star (who organized the meeting) and a translator. The lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, allegedly harbored damaging information about Hillary Clinton that served as the premise for the meeting. Although she initially denied having connections to the Russian government, emails surfaced this spring showing that she worked closely with Russias chief legal office on a case. She later called herself a lawyer and informant and acknowledged that since 2014, I have been actively communicating with the office of the Russian prosecutor general. What has the Trump team said about the meeting that was untrue? Trump campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks, campaign manager Kellyanne Conway and Vice President Mike Pence all inaccurately claimed that the Trump campaign had no foreign contacts during the election. Trump Jr. specifically denied any official meetings with Russians, then when he was forced to admit the Trump Tower meeting, claimed that they primarily discussed a program about the adoption of Russian children. He was later forced to admit that he had, in fact, been promised dirt ahead of the meeting., testifying to the Senate Judiciary Committee that he believed he should at least hear them out. Sekulow repeatedly claimed that President Trump was not involved in the drafting of Trump Jr.s misleading statement about the substance of the meeting, which he now admits was untrue. Could the meeting have broken any laws? Trumps attorney Jay Seukulow insisted on Sunday that the meeting was entirely legal. The question is what law, statute or rule or regulations been violated? he asked George Stephanopulos on ABC News This Week. Nobodys pointed to one. But legal experts have cautioned what Stephanopoulos immediately pointed out: the meeting has the potential to lead to several charges, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and aiding and abetting conspiracy. If youre associated wth the campaign and trying to get aid from Russians, youre likely committing a crime, said Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor, Mariotti explained that Muellers team, however, needs to prove the Trump campaign was knowingly conspiring with the Russians to break U.S. law. For instance, US. law prohibits domestic campaign officials from receiving foreign contributions; if prosecutors can successfully argue that compromising information on Clinton was a contribution, even if it was monetary, that could put both Trump and his associates who took the meeting in legal jeopardy. But Bradley Moss, an attorney in Washington D.C. who specializes in national security issues, said the lack of precedent could potentially benefit Trumps team. This is not an open and shut case due in part to the fact that no ones tried this before. Especially at this level, said Moss. Theres never been a similar precedent of a campaign taking a meeting with reported foreign government officials or their proxies to get damaging opposition research. So we dont know how the courts would view it. Were all kind of theorizing in abstract what would suffice, Moss added, but no one knows for certain. Did Trump know about the meeting beforehand? Trump, Trump Jr. and White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders have all said that the president did not know about the meeting beforehand. Critics also point to several inconvenient facts surrounding the meeting. Democrats noted that Trump Jr. called a blocked number in between two phone conversations about the meeting. Trump Jr. testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that he did not remember who he spoke to at that time, but others testified that President Trump has used a blocked line. Others have noticed that, two days before the Trump Tower meeting, Trump announced he would soon give a major speech discussing all of the things that have taken place with the Clintons. He did not end up giving the speech. The question of whether or not Trump knew about the meeting is likely one that Special Counsel Robert Mueller explore as part of his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Cohen is reportedly willing to tell special counsel Robert Mueller that Trump was in fact aware of Russians proposal, claiming to be present, along with several others, when Trump approved the meeting. With reporting by Alana Abramson/New York The Duke and Duchess of Sussex celebrated Meghan Markles 37th birthday by attending a wedding just three months after their own royal nuptials. Prince Harrys good friend Charlie van Straubenzee tied the knot with Daisy Jenks, a videographer, on Saturday in Frensham, Surrey. Markle wore a pleated $328 Club Monaco dress to the wedding, according to People. The former actress paired the dress with a black Philip Treacy hat and slingback heels from Aquazzura with bows on the back. Prince Harry looked sharp in his traditional morning dress outfit, which featured striped pants, tailcoat and a bright blue tie (a look weve seen before). The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the wedding of Charlie Van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks on Aug. 4 in Frensham, United Kingdom. Prince Harry attended the same prep school as Charlie van Straubenzee and they have been good friends ever since. (Photo: Antony Jones via Getty Images) A better look at the duchess' Club Monaco dress. (Photo: Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty Images) Laughing with a fellow guest. (Photo: Antony Jones via Getty Images) Prince Harry and van Straubenzee went to prep school together, and have been friends ever since. Van Straubenzee and his older brother Thomas were at the royal wedding on May 19. Daisy Jenks and Charlie Van Straubenzee emerge from the church after their wedding. (Photo: Peter Nicholls / Reuters) Both the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had been expected to attend the wedding, though its rumored they skipped the ceremony and only went to the reception to avoid unnecessary attention. Royal news doesnt stop at the wedding. Subscribe to HuffPosts Watching the Royals newsletter for all things Windsor (and beyond). Related... Meghan Markle Can't Stop Wearing The Same Style Of Dress How Meghan Markle Should Deal With Her Family, According To Therapists Thomas Markle Attacks Meghan Markle, Royal Family In Brutal Interview Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. November 2017 During an official photo session to announce their engagement on Nov. 27 in London. December 2017 At a Terrence Higgins Trust World AIDS Day charity fair at Nottingham Contemporary on Dec. 1, in Nottingham, England. December 2017 At Christmas Day church service at Church of St. Mary Magdalene in King's Lynn, England. January 2018 Visiting Reprezent 107.3 FM on Jan. 9 in London. January 2018 At Cardiff Castle on Jan. 18 in Wales. February 2018 After attending the Endeavour Fund Awards Ceremony at Goldsmiths' Hall on Feb. 1 in London. February 2018 Visiting Social Bite, a cafe that donates all profits to social causes, on Feb. 13 in Edinburgh, Scotland. March 2018 After visiting Millennium Point with Prince Harry on March 8 in Birmingham, England. March 2018 At the 2018 Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 12 in London. March 2018 Visiting the Crown pub on March 23 in Belfast, Nothern Ireland. April 2018 At the U.K. Team Trials for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 at the University of Bath on April 6 in Bath, England. April 2018 At the Women's Empowerment reception hosted by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at the Royal Aeronautical Society on April 19 in London. April 2018 At a reception with delegates from the Commonwealth Youth Forum as part of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at the Elizabeth II Conference Centre on April 18 in London. April 2018 At the Invictus Games Reception at Australia House on April 21 in London. April 2018 Attending the queen's 92nd birthday party concert at Royal Albert Hall in London on April 21. April 2018 At the 25th Anniversary Memorial Service to celebrate the life and legacy of teen murder victim Stephen Lawrence at St. Martin-in-the-Fields on April 23 in London. April 2018 At an Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey on April 25. April 2018 At an Anzac Day dawn service at Hyde Park Corner in London on April 25. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. NEW YORK (AP) Police are looking for answers in the death of a baby found floating in the East River in an area popular with tourists near the Brooklyn Bridge and the South Street Seaport. Officials want to know: How long was the boy in the water before an Oklahoma family spotted him Sunday afternoon? Why was he wearing only a diaper? Where are the adults who were supposed to be caring for him? A medical examiner will determine how the boy, about 8 months old, died. Police say he showed no signs of trauma. Diana Campbell, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, first noticed the baby around 4 p.m. Sunday. Her husband, Monte Campbell, waded into shallow water near the Manhattan shoreline, retrieved the baby and started CPR. "She just called me over and said there was a baby in the water," Monte Campbell said. "I called 911. At that point, I thought it was a doll." He said the baby wasn't breathing and showed no pulse. Police officers arrived minutes later and took the baby onto the pedestrian walkway, where they continued CPR before the baby was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. No parent or guardian was present at the scene, police said. The East River running between Manhattan and Brooklyn is a heavily trafficked tidal estuary subject to strong currents. Both park-lined shorelines are usually teeming with tourists this time of year. The only way a credible independent investigation could possibly occur is if the current leadership all steps down, said Boz Tchividjian, a former sex crimes prosecutor in Florida and founder of a nonprofit group that helps victims of sexual abuse and abuse of power by clergy members. They have overseen the last year, and its been a disaster. Theyve eviscerated any trust that any victim would have with regard to Willow. For such an investigation to work, to gain the trust of the very people you want to speak with, the leadership should step down and let others who have not been involved step up. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Nashville Police on Monday said they arrested 19 of the several dozen demonstrators who blocked entrances to the Tennessee headquarters of private prison operator CoreCivic. Demonstrators linked their arms through barrels weighed down with cement and through pipes, and one was seated on a swing-like perch about 25 feet up in the air, suspended from a large tripod made with logs. The protest mainly focused on immigration, since the Tennessee-based company also runs eight detention centers for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The company says none of its facilities house children who aren't under the supervision of a parent. The No Exceptions Prison Collective wants all those ICE-contracted facilities closed. The Rev. Jeannie Alexander said they arrived about 5 a.m. Monday, setting up tents and replacing company flags with their own flag, which says "No Borders." Dozens of officers responded in cars and vans, on bicycles and in mobile command center-style vehicles. They began making arrests in the late morning and early afternoon. Alexander went limp as officers carried her into a police van. A CoreCivic statement says activists are distorting the company's role in immigration detention with "wrong and politically motivated" information shared by special interest groups. Ashley Dixon wore her uniform from when she worked as a correctional officer at CoreCivic's Trousdale Turner Correctional Center. In addition to opposing the company's contracts with federal immigration officials, Dixon has said she witnessed two deaths in her seven months at Trousdale: a 25-year-old diabetic inmate Jonathan Salada, who was in pain for days and sometimes wasn't getting his shots, despite Dixon's pleas to nurses; and Jeff Mihm, who swallowed 100 blood pressure pills, but wasn't given charcoal to make him throw them up. She testified similarly in a late 2017 state legislative committee meeting about Salada and Mihm. They were among the names on faux gravestones at Monday's protest and federal lawsuits are ongoing over their deaths. Story continues "I constantly saw people just not getting medications that were really important for their well-being and their health," Dixon said. Gilchrist said that CoreCivic used an independent investigator to look into Dixon's claims. Other than noticing staffing problems that the company has publicly acknowledged at Trousdale, Gilchrist said the investigator "was generally unable to find sufficient evidence to validate Ms. Dixon's other allegations." Tennessee Department of Correction spokeswoman Neysa Taylor added that Dixon's claims were "refuted and discredited" during subsequent legislative hearings. "It's clear that this group would rather use divisive rhetoric and falsehoods than engage in a fact-based discussion about the many challenges facing our country that we work every day to address," CoreCivic spokeswoman Amanda Gilchrist said of the protests. Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson said more than 70 officers and 18 supervisors were pulled off regular duties to respond. "These actions, by a few, go far beyond any need to or right to express a point of view," Anderson said in a statement. "At any future sentencing for these illegal acts, there should be corresponding and commensurate consequences." Randy Moss made a powerful statement about police brutality and abuse of minorities during his induction into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame Saturday night. The retired wide receiver wore a tie to the ceremony that listed black men and women killed by police in recent years, including Sandra Bland, Freddie Gray, Alton Sterling, Michael Brown and 12-year-old Tamir Rice. Moss referenced Uncle Bens famous Spiderman speech in an interview with the NFL Network after the ceremony, implying that his platform comes with great responsibility. What I wanted to express with my tie was to let these families know theyre not alone, Moss said in the interview. Im not here voicing, but by having these names on my tie, in a big platform like the Pro Football Hall of Fame, theres a lot of stuff going on in our country and I just wanted these family members to know theyre not alone. Randy Moss' tie he wore tonight pic.twitter.com/RreQNkkNmZ Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 5, 2018 At the bottom of Moss tie was the name of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed teenager killed in central Florida by a neighborhood watch volunteer, George Zimmerman. Though Martin was not killed by police as the other names on Moss tie, the 2012 shooting drew widespread public attention to young black men being killed by authority figures while unarmed. The NFL is a heavily dependent on black talent; roughly 70 percent of players are black. And players have used their platform in recent years to take a stand on social issues, such as police brutality, since former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeled in silent protest a the national anthem played before a 2016 game. League owners have struggled to craft a policy concerning such protests after President Donald Trump lashed out at the kneeling protests in a 2017 Alabama rally. Many players began kneeling in solidarity with each other after Trumps speech, sparking a national debate over the appropriateness of the peaceful demonstrations. Story continues The NFL instituted a policy in May that would require players to stand during the anthem or stay in the locker room in order to quell the controversy. It remains to be seen whether the policy stands, as the players union filed an official grievance over it in July. Related... Donald Trump Endorses Police Brutality In Speech To Cops NFL Bans Kneeling During The National Anthem NFL Players Union Files Grievance Challenging League's National Anthem Policy Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. During his Pro Football Hall of Fame speech on Saturday night, Randy Moss mentioned his home state of West Virginia and his small, unincorporated hometown of Rand (population: under 1,700) several times. At one point, he announced he was bringing his gold jacket, the tangible symbol of induction all honorees receive, to West Virginia the next day. Meet me at the town center at 4:30!, he shouted from the podium. Dreams do come true The town center, it turns out, is Town Center mall in the capital of Charleston, and Moss had long planned an event to meet and greet the people from his native state and thank them for his support of him over the years. The mall is about 8 miles from Rand. Randy Moss and his Hall of Fame gold jacket spent part of Sunday in his native West Virginia. (AP) Just after 4 p.m. Sunday, with hundreds of fans in a line that snaked through the building and led to a riser in the center of the mall, Moss arrived and was introduced by the mayor of the city to a rousing ovation. I thank you all for coming out. I said in my speech theres a lot of yall kids in here not understanding and not knowing what direction or what path to go in life, Moss said. I am a true walking testament. I am from here. We have a lot in common. I wanted to bring this Hall of Fame jacket to the state of West Virginia, to let you know anything you put your heart to, it can happen and dreams do come true. I thought it only fair. Theres a lot of other people and other states I couldve went to, but I think it was right and fair to bring my jacket back to the people, man. I thank yall for the love and support for coming out. Lets have a good time. Arrived at 5:45 a.m. to get in line The first person in line was 31-year-old Travis Hayes, who told the Charleston Gazette-Mail he first got Moss autograph as a child. I just wanted to make sure I had a chance to see him and meet him up close instead of having to watch from the upper level (of the mall), Hayes said, explaining that hed arrived at 5:45 a.m. and was first in line when security opened the doors at 8 a.m. I wanted to guarantee I was going to see him. Ive been a fan since I was 5 or 6 years old. Its nice to see him rewarded for his hard work. Story continues When Hayes was in elementary school and Moss was a rising star at DuPont High School, I got his autograph on a paper plate. Then I used to come to Watt Powell Park when I was younger and went to a couple of those signings he did, so Ive met him a few times, but its been 10, 15 years now. Hayes still has the paper plate, though he wasnt quite sure where it was and said his father was looking for it. DuPont has since closed, but Moss records will remain. Moss mostly just shook hands and signed autographs, though one older woman was determined to get a picture, and Moss obliged. Randy Moss is only doing autographs but this little old woman was determined to get her picture with Randy. She eventually got one and then was escorted off by Randys mom Maxine. pic.twitter.com/cXAV4WUXYo Ashley Bishop (@Ashleyb_WCHS) August 5, 2018 Moss also took off his jacket to drape it over the shoulders of Dakota Wiseman, a member of the West Virginia National Guard who said he is set to be deployed next year. Dakota Wiseman a specialist in the WV National Guard got to wear Randy Mosss Hall of Fame Jacket. Moss took off his jacket for Wiseman when he came up to get his photo. Wiseman will be deployed next year and said it was the greatest moment when he saw Moss take his jacket off. pic.twitter.com/CaCBjyLnbl Ashley Bishop (@Ashleyb_WCHS) August 5, 2018 The line was estimated to be at least 500 people long, and Moss made time for everyone. The new Spike Lee movie "BlacKkKlansman" tells a story that seems too good to be true: how a black police officer infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan during the 1970s, fooling even then-grand wizard David Duke. In the movie, officer Ron Stallworth is played by John David Washington, but on Monday, the real deal stopped by "Megyn Kelly Today." Onscreen, Stallworth puts on a white voice to dupe the KKK over the phone, but the real Stallworth who wrote a book about his operation on which the movie is based says it didnt happen that way. I talked to them on the phone exactly as Im talking to you folks right now, Stallworth told Kelly and the studio audience. There was no attempt to disguise my voice. When you work undercover, you cant play with things like that. You have to stay as true to your natural persona as possible. Throughout his operation, Stallworth talked to Duke quite a bit. And despite Duke's being the head of arguably the most racist group in the country, he and Stallworth got along on the phone at least. When he wasn't talking about race, he was a nice guy on the phone, Stallworth said. [But] the minute the subject of race came up, Dr. Jekyll became Mr. Hyde and the monster in him was unleashed. Sleeping for ten hours is worse than for seven, say researchers - Tara Moore Having regular lie-ins is worse for the body than getting too little sleep, new research suggests. Scientists have known for some time that not getting enough sleep increases the risk of a string of health complaints such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes. But a new review led by Keele University in Staffordshire, found that people who slept for an average of ten hours a night were 30 per cent more likely to die early than those who only slept for seven hours. Current recommendations suggest that adults should sleep for eight hours a night and although the precise benefits of sleep are still unknown experts believe it gives the body a chance to repair cells and blood vessels, clear out waste and boost the immune system. However it was generally thought that too little sleep was far worse than too much. But the new review of 74 studies involving three million people shows the opposite is true. A to zzz | Tips for better sleep The research found that a sleep duration of ten hours were 56 per cent more likely to suffer a stroke, at 49 per cent increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a 44 per cent increase in coronary heart disease. Lead researcher Dr Chun Shing Kwok, working with Professor Mamas Mamas at Keele University's Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, said: Sleep affects everyone. The amount and quality of our sleep is complex. There are cultural, social, psychological, behavioural, pathophysiological and environmental influences on our sleep such as the need to care for children or family members, irregular working shift patterns, physical or mental illness, and the 24-hour availability of commodities in modern society. This research began because we were interested to know if it was more harmful to sleep below or beyond the recommended sleep duration of seven to eight hours. Too much sleep increases the risk of an early death or stroke Credit: Getty Images Contributor The analysis suggests that excessive sleep patterns could be a marker of increased cardiovascular risk. Story continues The results show that sleeping for longer than the recommended duration of seven or eight hours may be associated with a moderate degree of harm, compared to those who sleep for shorter durations. Our study has an important public health impact in that it shows that excessive sleep is a marker of elevated cardiovascular risk, added Dr Kwok. Our findings have important implications as clinicians should have greater consideration for exploring sleep duration and quality during consultations. If excessive sleep patterns are found, particularly prolonged durations of eight hours or more, then clinicians should consider screening for adverse cardiovascular risk factors and obstructive sleep apnea, which is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. It is unclear why oversleeping is bad for health. Some studies have suggested that it changes the production of brain chemicals such as serotonin or dopamine which can lead to depression. Lying in the same position for too long can also weaken muscles, leading to back and joint pain. It could also cause circadian disruptions which stop the body from functioning correctly. However the researchers cautioned that they had not ruled out the possibility that underlying physical or mental health conditions could be triggering too much sleep. Many depressed people, for example, use sleep as a means of escape. The study, which also involved researchers from the universities of Leeds, Manchester and East Anglia, was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Read more | Sleep He should be caring more about the African-American community thats getting slaughtered in this city right now, McCarthy said when asked about Emanuels recent comments in favor of Chicago remaining a welcoming city for immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally. And at the end of the day, what Rahm Emanuel does, he talks about global warming, climate change, he talks about the president, he weighs in on federal judges. At the end of the day, hes not in charge of that. Hes in charge of gun violence, the economy and the education system here in Chicago, and hes not paying attention to it. Proving that it learned exactly nothing from the entire Terrell Owens debacle of this past weekend, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is reportedly considering requiring inductees to attend their own enshrinement ceremony as a condition for admission. This is a terrible idea. Lets explain why. Terrell Owens unforgivable sin Owens, who is at worst the third-best receiver in the history of the NFL, needed three attempts to get into the Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, Randy Moss Owens equal vaulted in on his first. The explanation? There is none, except for the obvious: voters dont like Owens as a person, regardless of his accomplishments. They overlooked my body of work, my accomplishments, Owens said Saturday. I wouldnt be here today if they adhered by the bylaws. Rather than play by Cantons rules, Owens instead held his own Hall of Fame ceremony, a well-attended spectacle of honor and, yes, humility in Chattanooga. He spoke on his own behalf, and he laughed as speakers mocked and chided him. It was, in short, a tribute to a remarkable career, on Owens own terms and the Hall of Fame apparently hated it. Im not going to do a dog and pony show and smile at peoples faces and be fake, Owens said. People bought into what the media told them and Im not that guy, so I had to harbor all these feelings all these years, and this is the way I wanted to do it. The Hall of Fames absurd response In the wake of T.O.s well-covered snub, the Hall is apparently considering a requirement that anyone who wants in has to show up for their induction ceremony. (Presumably this excludes postmortem inductees, but you never know.) Per multiple sources, Pro Football Talk writes, the Hall of Fame currently is considering a requirement that candidates for enshrinement commit to showing up for the Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony before the selection committee makes its final choices. The plan, according to one PFT source: require each of the 25 semifinalists to sign a document certifying they will attend if invited. Anyone who doesnt sign the document wouldnt be one of the 15 finalists, and thus wouldnt even come up for a vote. The problems with this are countless, but lets start with the most obvious: its a total violation of the Halls own rules. Story continues The Hall of Fame takes great pains to indicate that its criteria for admission are on-field performance and nothing else. Its why Peter King got in trouble for even hinting that Darren Sharper could be a Hall of Fame candidate despite a grotesque and lengthy criminal record. So, in theory, the question of whether or not a player would show up for his induction ought to be irrelevant a protest like T.O.s by definition wouldnt have taken place during his career, and obviously didnt take place on a field, so it shouldnt be a factor in enshrinement. But were in an era where facts take a back seat to feelings, and thats the issue here: hurt feelings. The Hall of Fame voters were hurt that Owens called out the hypocrisy, and want to make sure nothing like this ever happens again even though the easiest way to do that would be to vote in deserving players in the first place. [Update: Not all the voters were hurt. Heres one perspective.] The writer states: The Hall of Fame voters were hurt that Owens called out the hypocrisy, and want to make sure nothing like this ever happens again. I cant speak for 47 other voters, but I was not hurt by his actions. Nor do I believe theyre justification to change bylaws. https://t.co/WvCSfAmuhi Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) August 6, 2018 Its very simple: the Hall of Fame is for the players. Theres no Hall of Fame for Hall of Fame voters. In theory, players ought to be able to do whatever they want during their induction ceremonies walk onstage wearing a gold jacket and a bear costume, wear a political protest tie, even heres a wild idea strap on a wireless mic and turn the induction ceremony into a revival meeting. The Hall of Fame is the province of the players, not the voters and the administration. Look, Halls of Fame in general are silly things, more fit for bar arguments than serious discussion. But turning something thats already a sidelight to the game itself into a petty pissing match because of hurt feelings? Well, friend, that aint what footballs about, not at all. And if nothing else, the Hall is proving Owens right at every turn. Terrell Owens held his own enshrinement ceremony. ____ Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook. More from Yahoo Sports: Eric Adelson: Hall of Fame deserves blame for Terell Owens sideshow Angels Manager Mike Scioscia denies report that hes leaving Dan Wetzel: LeBron James, and his rise is proof of what makes America great Joel Embiid plans on using mean tweets from Colangelo burner account as motivation With his holdout in the rearview mirror, New York Jets rookie Sam Darnold has a very fair shot at being the teams Week 1 starting quarterback, according to ESPNs Adam Schefter. Darnold missed roughly a week of camp by holding out Jets rookies reported to training camp on July 24, and full training camp officially opened July 26, but Darnold did not report for either of those dates amid contract negotiations. The 21-year-old former USC Trojans star eventually reported after agreeing to a four-year deal worth just over $30 million on July 30. Darnold started his career at USC with a redshirt year and then starred as a redshirt freshman after taking over the starting job early in the season. He threw 31 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. Darnold was expected to be one of college footballs brightest stars as a sophomore but struggled early in the season. He eventually got things on track, though, leading the Trojans to a Pac-12 title and throwing for 4,143 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions on the season. The Jets traded up and took him third overall in this years NFL draft. Darnold is competing with Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater The Jets are staging a three-way competition for the starting quarterback job between incumbent Josh McCown, former Pro-Bowler Teddy Bridgewater and Darnold. The depth chart currently reads McCown then Bridgewater then Darnold. McCown, 39, has been all over the NFL the Jets are his eighth team but he played well last year in New York. In 13 games, McCown threw for over 225 yards per game and tossed 18 touchdowns to just nine interceptions. Regardless of whether or not McCown starts, hell be an important part of this season as a mentor to Darnold, a role he has fully embraced. Bridgewater, 25, suffered a horrifying knee injury in 2016 training camp and missed the entire season, forcing the Vikings to adjust on the fly. With Sam Bradford and Case Keenum on the Minnesota roster, Bridgewater has played just one game an emotional return in mid-December in the last two years. Bridgewater will have to really impress, though, because the Jets can save a lot of money if they decide to cut him. Story continues Could Darnold be the only rookie quarterback to start Week 1? The Browns have declared Tyrod Taylor their starter over No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield. The same goes for Bradford over rookie Josh Rosen in Arizona and Joe Flacco over rookie Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. The Bills have a three-way competition of their own between AJ McCarron, Nathan Peterman and rookie Josh Allen. More from Yahoo Sports: Eric Adelson: Hall of Fame deserves blame for Terell Owens sideshow Angels Manager Mike Scioscia denies report that hes leaving Dan Wetzel: LeBron James, and his rise is proof of what makes America great Joel Embiid plans on using mean tweets from Colangelo burner account as motivation LeBron James Jr. and his father watch an AAU game together this summer. (Getty Images) Multiple reports are now confirming what has long been rumored: LeBron James Jr., the eldest son of the newest Los Angeles Lakers star, will take his talents to Crossroads School in Santa Monica, Calif. The incoming eighth-grader is already considered an elite prospect for his age group and holds reported scholarship offers from Duke and Kentucky. Coached in part by his famous father, Bronny helped lead his AAU team, the North Coast Blue Chips, to a national championship this summer. California Interscholastic Federation rules prevent Bronny from playing varsity basketball in 2018-19. 5-11 2023 PG LeBron James Jr. expected to enroll @ K-12 Crossroads (Santa Monica) as an incoming 8th-grader. Under CIF rules, he cannot play for varsity #HSBB team. Son of Lakers star recently helped North Coast Blue Chips capture 13U crown at Las Vegas Classic #HSBB #Grassroots pic.twitter.com/O4rvGMFBoW Ronnie Flores (@RonMFlores) August 6, 2018 LeBron James Jr. to attend Crossroads HS (Santa Monica). He will not be eligible to play varsity. Tuition: $38,000 a year. (LeBron earns this every 4 minutes of game time.) Notable Alumni: Baron Davis, Kate Hudson, Michael Bay, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jonah Hill Chris Martin Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) August 6, 2018 LeBron James Jr. had his choice of schools Bronny, 13, chose Crossroads over other prospective L.A. basketball powerhouses like Campbell Hall, Brentwood and Sierra Canyon, according to TMZ Sports and Ballislife.com, among other publications. Story continues Former Lakers point guard Gary Payton made headlines in June when he suggested LeBron was L.A.-bound because Bronny had already committed to Sierra Canyon, where the sons of Scottie Pippen and Kenyon Martin were already enrolled. While the Lakers part turned out to be true, Payton got Bronnys landing spot wrong. Bronny has instead been closer linked to Crossroads over the past few weeks. Crossroads is a school for the stars Crossroads counts dozens of children of A-list celebrities among its alumni, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Brody Jenner and Liv Tyler. The school has also produced a handful of NBA players, including Baron Davis and Austin Croshere. Most recently, Crossroads graduated Hall of Famer Shaquille ONeals eldest son, Shareef, who will be a freshman on UCLAs basketball team this fall. Shareef ONeal led Crossroads to the Division II state championship this past season, the schools first since Davis won a Division I state title and captured national player of the year honors in 1997. LeBron has often said he would like to play with his son in the NBA before his career is over. His current four-year deal with the Lakers would take him through Bronnys junior season at Crossroads. Ben Rohrbach is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at rohrbach_ben@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! More from Yahoo Sports: Eric Adelson: Hall of Fame deserves blame for Terell Owens sideshow Angels Manager Mike Scioscia denies report that hes leaving Dan Wetzel: LeBron James, and his rise is proof of what makes America great Joel Embiid plans on using mean tweets from Colangelo burner account as motivation Peering through low cloud cover, rescuers aboard a military aircraft on Sunday were attempting to find a sightseeing plane that crashed with the pilot and four passengers aboard a day earlier in Alaska, high on a mountain ridge in Denali National Park and Preserve. The pilot reported on his satellite phone Saturday that there were injuries, but authorities couldn't get details before the satellite connection dropped. Some 20 hours after the de Havilland Beaver plane went down around 6 p.m., the plane is believed to have crashed near the summit of 10,900-foot (3,300-meter) -high Thunder Mountain, park spokeswoman Katherine Belcher said. There was still no word on the conditions of the pilot and passengers. The tourists, whose identities and nationalities have not been released, and pilot had to spend the night on the mountain. "There's definitely low cloud cover," Belcher said in a telephone interview. "We're waiting for an update from the HC-130 crew that's up in the air." Thunder Mountain is a knife-edge ridge rising about 3,000 feet (915 meters) above two glaciers, 14 miles (23 kilometers) southwest of the summit of Denali, North America's highest peak. The plane was reportedly carrying sleeping bags, a stove, a pot, food and first-aid kit, Belcher said in a statement. An Air Guard HC-130 was flying over coordinates that came from the plane's emergency locator transmitter and were offered by the pilot, said Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead of the Alaska National Guard. The plane's ELT beacon alerted the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center around 6 p.m. Saturday. "Searchers don't have eyes on aircraft yet because of cloud cover between them and the aircraft," Olmstead said Sunday. An Air Guard HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter with a rescue crew, a National Park Service helicopter and another plane owned by the private tour company, K2 Aviation, that operates the downed plane can help with the search, Olmstead said. Story continues K2 Aviation said it has canceled flight tours for now. "The entire K2 family sends their thoughts and prayers to the families of our guests and the pilot involved in the incident," the company said in a statement. "Search efforts continue and K2 Aviation is cooperating fully with the Alaska State Troopers, the National Park Service, Alaska Air National Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration and other authorities involved." The company, based in Talkeetna, Alaska, offers glacier landings. "The glaciers found in Denali National Park are like no others in the world. Beneath the towering mountain peaks, you'll understand why these immense ice fields attract people from all over the globe," K2 Aviation says on its website. ___ Follow Andrew Selsky on Twitter at https://twitter.com/andrewselsky I really want to make and my colleagues do as well Illinois the first state in the country to flip female majority in the legislature. Because let me tell you something, everything that were talking about, whether its sexual harassment or how do you elevate women in the parties, etc., etc., isnt really going to fundamentally change until we change the power structure that exists today, Mendoza said Sunday on WGN-AM 720. Reward for missing Iowa jogger Mollie Tibbetts now more than $277,000, breaking record originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The reward for information about missing Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts is now $277,178, breaking a record in that part of the state. The 20-year-old University of Iowa student disappeared on July 18 after going for a jog, and the search remains in full force. The reward has been steadily increasing over the past days and weeks, and went up today after the donations from over the weekend were added. All told, 141 donors have contributed, including both businesses and individuals. Greg Willey, the vice president for public relations for Crimestoppers of Central Iowa, which is coordinating the reward, said that this is the highest in the group's history. "We don't have these types of things happen too often," Willey told ABC News of such disappearances and their ensuing rewards. (MORE: 'I do think she's still out there': Family of missing Iowa woman offers $172K for her return) Tibbetts' family has been vocal in calling for help in the case, making a plea for more tips last week in the belief that she is still alive and potentially being held captive. (MORE: The disappearance of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts: A timeline) Police said that they have received more than 200 tips. The latest development in the case is the ruling out of a potential lead as a recently discovered body in a rural Iowa county was found not to be Tibbetts, the Lee County Sheriffs Department said, according to the Des Moines Register. Tibbetts was living with her boyfriend Dalton Jack for the summer when she disappeared, but he and Tibbetts' brothers were publicly ruled out as suspects by police. PHOTO: Dalton Jack and Mollie Tibbetts are pictured in a photo posted to Facebook, July 20, 2018. (Facebook) On Friday, Aug. 3, Kevin Winker, director of investigative operations for the Iowa Department of Public Safety, acknowledged how "frustrating" it is for the community and Tibbetts' loved ones. Story continues Winker said Tibbetts' disappearance is being treated as a missing person's case and the investigation "has not slowed." He told reporters that investigators are "confident" they have a "solid timeline" about her disappearance, but declined to give further details. He also declined to say whether officers have identified any suspects. "We continue to look at all possibilities," Winker said. "I'm not in a position right now to say we have suspects, we dont have suspects, persons of interest or anything else" ABC News' Morgan Winsor contributed to this report. ROME (Reuters) - A tanker truck ploughed into a lorry on a motorway near Bologna airport in northern Italy on Monday, exploding in flames and sending a huge ball of fire and black smoke into the sky. At least two people were killed and more than 60 injured, according to local authorities. Police closed off the road where the crash took place as well as the surrounding area of Borgo Panigale, on the outskirts of the city of Bologna. Video of the incident showed the tanker truck, which contained inflammable materials, slamming into the back of a lorry which had come to a halt because of heavy traffic. The tanker immediately caught fire and then exploded, causing part of a road bridge to collapse. The fire spread to a car dealership below and several other vehicles burst into flames. "The shockwave from the blast was extremely violent. Many of the injured received cuts from flying glass, which had shattered," said Giovanni Carella, the emergency coordinator for the local fire service. He said he thought the tanker had probably been carrying liquid petroleum gas. A video shot from a parked car appeared to show someone being engulfed by flames when the tanker exploded. In a separate incident on Monday, 12 migrant labourers died in the southern Italian region of Puglia when the van they were travelling in smashed into a lorry. (Reporting by Gavin Jones; Editing by Crispian Balmer and Andrew Roche) When Robinson Cano returns to the Seattle Mariners following his suspension for a banned substance, he may have to adjust to a new position. Cano wont be the primary second baseman upon his return. Instead, hell see time at multiple spots. Robinson Cano playing first base in first rehab game Cano will hit third and play first base for the Tacoma Rainiers in his first rehab game Monday. Batting third and playing first base for the Tacoma Rainiers Robinson Cano! Tickets are still available, get yours soon before they're gone. https://t.co/UaSIDLZLm9 pic.twitter.com/p95pKqQEAt Tacoma Rainiers (@RainiersLand) August 6, 2018 Robinson Cano will also play third base, second base and DH Cano might be playing first base to kick off his rehab stint, but he wont stay there. General manager Jerry Dipoto told reporters Cano would see time at first, second, third and designated hitter in the minors. Robinson Cano may settle in at first base once he joins Mariners Once Cano is ready to return to the Mariners, he could see the majority of his playing time at first base. The team is already set at third with Kyle Seager, and Nelson Cruz is firmly entrenched as the teams DH. At second, the club has Dee Gordon, who moved back to the position after starting the season in center field. Gordon expressed to Yahoo Sports back in April that he had no intention of moving back-and-forth between positions, and will likely remain at second for the rest of the season. The team pretty much confirmed that by picking up Denard Span in a trade. That leaves first base for Cano. The move makes sense. Seattles first basemen have combined for a .235/.287/.430 slash line in 2018. By wRC+, an advanced stat that measures offensive performance, the team ranks 19th at the position. Cano should be an upgrade for them. Story continues Robinson Cano cant play in the postseason One wrinkle of Canos suspension is that hes not eligible to play in the postseason if the Mariners get there. If Cano is the teams primary first baseman in the second half, the team will have to rely on someone else in that spot if they can break their lengthy postseason drought. Robinson Cano will make his first rehab start at first base. (AP Photo) Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! More from Yahoo Sports: NFL HOF reportedly considering requiring inductees to show up Dak Prescott on Get Out mural: Everybody has their own opinion Terez Paylor: Tyrod good for Cleveland? Just ask the defense Dan Wetzel: How Jim Tressel scandal sheds insight on Urban Meyer situation BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) Romanian authorities have reported more than 500 separate outbreaks of African swine fever in pigs, mainly in the Danube Delta and near the Hungarian border. In the eastern county of Tulcea, the region worst hit by the disease, an official told The Associated Press on Monday that a state of emergency had been proclaimed. Mihai Pagal, a spokesman for the Tulcea prefect's office, said 48,000 pigs had been culled since June after they came down with the disease. He said two large commercial farms had been badly hit, as well as many smaller farms. Tulcea alone has seen 471 outbreaks of swine fever, according to Romanian veterinary authorities. They said nationwide, 500 farmers will receive compensation for dead livestock. The World Organization for Animal Health says African swine fever doesn't affect humans. Unless you were trapped in a cave over the weekend, you probably know all about President Trumps rude-as-hell tweet targeting LeBron James. We here at The Rush wanted to one-up Trumps crazy with a bit of our own fake news. Check out our video to see how weve imagined the President Trump vs. King James Battle Royale playing out in an alternate universe. Back here in the real world, there were other wild happenings like a monster home run and the GOAT coach Bill Belichick making a fashion faux pas at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Weve got it all covered on The Rush! Steven Seagal with Vladimir Putin in 2012 - AFP Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday it had made Steven Seagal, the American actor, its special representative for Russian-US humanitarian ties, a role it said was meant to deepen cultural, art and youth ties between the two countries. President Vladimir Putin presented a Russian passport to Seagal in 2016, saying he hoped it would serve as a symbol of how fractious ties between Moscow and Washington were starting to improve. Since then, US-Russia relations have only got worse however with American intelligence agencies accusing Moscow of interfering in Donald Trump's White House run, an allegation Russia denies. The two countries are also at odds over Syria and Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Ministry likened Seagal's new role to that of a UN goodwill ambassador and said that the actor, who is known for his martial arts prowess, would receive no salary. "It's a case of people's diplomacy intersecting with traditional diplomacy," the ministry said. Seagal attending a football match during the Russia 2018 World Cup Credit: AFP Seagal, who sometimes appears on Russian state TV to talk about his views and career, was cited by Kremlin-backed TV station RT as welcoming the appointment. "I've always had a very strong desire to do all I can to help improve Russian-American relations," RT quoted Seagal as saying. "I have worked tirelessly in this direction for many years unofficially and I am now very grateful for the opportunity to do the same thing officially." For more than a decade Seagal, who according to his own website is 66, has been a regular visitor to Russia. His movies, including such titles as Under Siege and Sniper: Special Ops, are popular with Russian audiences. President Putin is also a fan of the kind of martial arts that Seagal often practised in his Hollywood action movies. By Andrew Osborn MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Monday it had summoned Greece's ambassador to Moscow and told him it was responding in kind to what it called an unfriendly decision by Athens to expel two Russian diplomats. Greece said in July it had expelled two Russian diplomats and barred two other people from entering the country for trying to bribe officials and foment demonstrations to thwart a deal to allow Macedonia to join NATO. Russia flatly denied the allegations. The Macedonia issue is sensitive in Greece, where political stability is pivotal as the country emerges from a huge debt crisis. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' fragile left-right coalition recently lost two lawmakers who quit after a deal between Athens and Skopje to rename Macedonia, bringing his parliamentary majority to 152 out of a total of 300 seats. Greece's decision to expel the Russian diplomats plunged relations between Moscow and Athens, which have religious and cultural links spanning centuries, into a rare crisis. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday it had hit back, summoning Greek Ambassador to Moscow Andreas Friganas and handing him a note informing him "of tit-for-tat measures taken by the Russian side." The ministry, in its statement, did not name the Greek diplomats it had expelled or say when it had asked them to leave. However, Russia's state-backed RIA news agency cited an unnamed source as saying Moscow had expelled Greece's trade representative as well as a Greek diplomatic employee responsible for the country's communications policy in Russia. A senior official from Greece's Foreign Ministry had also been banned from entering Russia, RIA cited the same source as saying. Russia's ambassador to Greece called the original allegations against Russian diplomats "nonsense" and accused Athens of acting without evidence, while the Russian Foreign Ministry warned of unspecified consequences. That prompted its Greek counterpart to tell Moscow to stop interfering in the domestic affairs of a foreign country. Following the initial diplomatic expulsions, Greece said it still sought good relations with Russia. However, ties have only deteriorated since, and Russia's ambassador to Athens was reported as saying last month that the timing of a planned visit to Greece by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in September was no longer suitable. (Additional reporting by Polina Ivanova; Editing by James Dalgleish) At least 40 people were shot, four fatally, in a period of less than seven hours that started about midnight Saturday. The shootings occurred on the West Side, where 25 people were shot in separate attacks between midnight and 6:50 a.m., and the South Side, police said. Police said five homicides were recorded between 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. Moscow (AFP) - The Russian company that owns the country's most popular social media network on Monday expressed concern at the increasing number of internet users facing prosecution for liking and sharing content online. "We see that in many regions of our country it is becoming popular to start criminal proceedings against (internet) users for likes and shares on social media," Mail.ru, which is owned by billionaire Alisher Usmanov, said in a statement. The group, which owns Russia's most popular social network VK as well as the widely used Odnoklassniki, called for the country's internet laws to be changed. "Too often the actions of law enforcement agencies clearly do not correspond to the potential threat and their reaction to posts or memes are groundlessly harsh," Mail.ru said. "We are convinced that the legislation and the way the law is enforced in practice should be changed," it added. The group also called for an "amnesty" for "those who were unjustly convicted and serving time on such charges." The statement comes as a 23-year-old woman went on trial in Siberia over social media memes that prosecutors claim incited hatred and insulted religious believers. Maria Motuznaya went on trial in Barnaul, the main city in the Siberian Altai region, on Monday for satirical memes she posted on VK. If prosecuted, she faces up to six years in prison. Motuznaya's case caused widespread outrage on Russian social media networks. Russia has acted to curb internet freedoms as social media has become the main way to organise demonstrations. Authorities stepped up the heat on popular websites after Vladimir Putin started his fourth Kremlin term in 2012, ostensibly to fight terrorism but analysts say the real motive was to muzzle Kremlin critics. According to the independent rights group Agora, 43 people were given prison terms for internet posts in Russia in 2017. By Andrew Osborn MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday that any future NATO decision to admit Georgia to its ranks could trigger "a terrible conflict" and questioned why the alliance would consider such a move. Medvedev's comments come weeks after President Vladimir Putin warned NATO against cultivating closer ties with Ukraine and Georgia, saying such a policy was irresponsible and would have unspecified consequences for the alliance. "This (Georgia's entry to NATO) could provoke a terrible conflict. I dont understand what they are doing this for," Medvedev told Russia's Kommersant newspaper in an interview. Georgia's NATO ambitions have been a source of anger for Russia - which shares a border with ex-Soviet republic Georgia and does not want to see it join what it regards as a hostile military bloc - since 2008 when NATO leaders promised Georgia it would one day join the alliance. Russian forces entered two breakaway Georgian regions in 2008, which remain garrisoned by Russian troops to this day, something Moscow says is in keeping with local people's wishes, but which the West and the Georgian government call an illegal occupation. NATO leaders discussed ties with Georgia at their summit in Brussels in July, a move Medvedev, who was president when Russian and Georgian forces clashed in 2008, condemned. "As for the recent NATO decision reaffirming its commitment to eventually admit Georgia, what can I say to this? It is an absolutely irresponsible position and a threat to peace," said Medvedev. Prominent Georgian politicians are keen for their country to join the Western military alliance, but have seen their chances of joining hampered by Russian territorial incursions into the two breakaway territories - South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russia has recognized the two regions as independent states and Medvedev said Georgia's entry into NATO therefore raised the risk of conflict with Moscow. Story continues Asked what would happen if Georgia joined NATO without the two regions and whether there was a risk of conflict, Medvedev said: "Yes, clearly so, because we view Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. We understand that if any other country claims that they are part of its national territory, this may have severe consequences. Therefore, I hope that the NATO leadership will have enough sense not to take any steps in this direction." Under NATO rules, countries with territorial conflicts cannot join the alliance. Related Video: Are We at War With Russia? Watch news, TV and more on Yahoo View. (Editing by Richard Balmforth and Alison Williams) Sacha Baron Cohen has claimed another victim, this time taking on Joe Arpaio, the disgraced former Arizona sheriff who was pardoned by President Donald Trump last year after being convicted of criminal contempt of court. Baron Cohens new show, Who Is America? features the actor interviewing notable people while in disguise, often getting them to say and do absurd things. In this case, Baron Cohen was in the guise of a supposed Finnish unboxing celebrity named OMGWhizzBoyOMG, who spoke to Arpaio about his hand jobs, but used the term as if it referred to actual employment. My first job was a hand job from my mother and it was newspapers, Baron Cohen said. That chat about hand jobs led to his question about another kind of job. If Donald Trump calls you up after this and says, Sheriff Joe, I want to offer you an amazing blow job, would you say yes? Baron Cohen asked. I may have to say yes, Arpaio replied: Arpaio admitted last month that Baron Cohen had duped him, and complained to the Arizona Republic about the sexual content of the interview. I started to get a little angry, a little sad, but I went through it, he said. The segment also featured a number of other bizarre moments that have defined the new show, such as Arpaio arguing about gun control with a tiny plastic doughnut: Oh, just Sheriff Joe Arpaio passionately explaining guns to a one-inch donut toy before discussing Trump and golden showers. #WhoIsAmerica never disappoints. pic.twitter.com/dvuvuBW3CC Adam Best (@adamcbest) August 6, 2018 At another point, Arpaio looked on quietly as Baron Cohen spoke gibberish: Story continues Baron Cohen also asked if Trump could give him a golden shower. However, leading up to the question, Baron Cohen talked about the presidents wealth and the implication was more bathroom fixtures than pee tapes: Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. Sheriff Joe Arpaio to Sacha Baron Cohen: @realDonaldTrump is "gonna like you, because you think like he thinks." #WhoIsAmerica https://t.co/bZOq1ysUs0 pic.twitter.com/Yg6QySypYm The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) August 6, 2018 Also on HuffPost This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani looks on during a meeting with Swiss President Alain Berset (not pictured) during an official visit in Bern, Switzerland, July 2, 2018. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Curt Mills Security, Americas The White House defended recent actions on Iran Monday morning, and insisted that President Trumps desire to meet Hassan Rouhani is consonant with a hardline strategy. Sanctions Reimposed: Trump Administration Continues Ferocious Tack On Iran Despite President Donald Trumps stated desire to meet with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, with little or no preconditions, administration officials didnt mince words in criticizing Tehran and the Obama-broked JCPOA Monday morning. Concordant with Trumps decision in May to leave the deal, the first batch of reimposed sanctions on Iran will go in effect today. Following that decision, company after company after company announced that they are getting out. So, theres no question that this pressure is already working, a senior administration official told reporters on Monday. Another senior administration official added that the point of this economic pressure campaign is to deny the regime the financial resources that it needs to finance terrorism and nuclear missile programs and other dangerous activities around the Middle East. The officials stop short of calling for outright regime change, something several prominent conservatives already call for. We would like to see a change in the regimes behavior, a senior administration official said. But though the administration itself it taking a decidedly hawkish line on the country, it is still coming under pressure from the interventionist Right to do more. Sanctions alone . . . will not stop Iran. A credible military threat to deter a nuclear breakout is key, Jim Phillips of the Heritage Foundation said Monday. And despite securing a major victory with American nullification of the JCPOA, Frank Gaffney of the Center for Security Policy, close with National Security Advisor John Bolton and National Security Council Chief of Staff Fred Fleitz, wants a purge of national-security officials. Mr. Trumps administration continues to employ, and even promote people, from his oppositions team. For example, a promotion is reportedly in the offing for top State Department official Brian Hook who organized the group that put out the Never-Trump letter. Andrea Hall, a protege of the notorious Obama propagandist Ben Rhodes, is said to be his replacement, Gaffney said Monday. Story continues Hook, a holdover from Rex Tillerson, is an establishment figure unpopular with uberhawks like Gaffney, as well as those on the Right who seek a more restrained U.S. foreign policy. He has been a major pointman for this administrations tack on Iran. Gaffney added: President Trump recently kept several insubordinate subordinates from holding key jobs. He mustnt stop now. But for now, some in the White House are just hoping for relative calm, reasoning: we could do much worse than the status quo. Thank God, it looks like Gen. Kelly is staying, a White House official told me Monday. As ever, the war is on for the presidents mind. Those on the restrainer Right have warmly greeted Trumps statement that he would meet with Rouhani. There are reports in Israeli media that Trump [and] Rouhani may hold a meeting during September [United Nations General Assembly], notes Sina Toossi of the National Iranian American Council. He further reports that Kuwaiti Al Jaridawidely believed to be used by Israel to disseminate info to regional countriessays Trump has accepted seven Iranian conditions for bilateral negotiations. Toossi argues, however: Context of these reports is . . . Israel has track record of vehemently opposing US-Iran diplomacy/improvement of relations & of sabotaging such efforts. The administration was pressed on how Trumps public desire to meet with senior Iranian officials comports with the hawkish actions of his officials behind the scenes. In more ways than one, the dual approach mirrors the policy on Russia: a ratcheting up of sanctions combined with seemingly contradictory rhetoric from the president. Trump, of course, has been more personally critical of Iran than Russia. Defenders of the president point to a logical strategy on Tehran: a good cop, bad cop routine, the likes of which worked with North Korea. This is completely consistent with what the president has done with other meetings with what you might refer to as less friendly regimes, from North Korea to Russia, which is not to give a lot ofanysanctions relief in advance of the meeting, to make very clear that the United States will keep the maximum pressure on these regimes until our goals are achieved, a senior administration official said. The essential, baffling contradiction in the Trump presidency is that his personal foreign-policy instincts seem essentially realist, but he has chosen increasingly to surround himself with advisors nurtured on neoconservatism, Scott McConnell, founding editor of The American Conservative told me Monday. So you have Trump making almost George F. Kennan-type gestures on Russia and even on Iran . . . while his foreign-policy apparatus is essentially Cheneyite, talking about rolling Russian influence back and now . . . in Iran, a particularly reckless neoconservative fantasy. How this contradiction is resolved will determine whether Trumpism has a future or not. Curt Mills is a foreign-affairs reporter at the National Interest. Follow him on Twitter: @CurtMills. Image: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani looks on during a meeting with Swiss President Alain Berset (not pictured) during an official visit in Bern, Switzerland, July 2, 2018. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Read full article Five colleagues who were travelling together on a business trip died after their plane crashed into a California parking lot. Scott Shepherd, founder of the real estate consulting firm, Category III Aviation Corp. and an experienced pilot, was flying his staff to a conference in Orange County when their twin-engine Cessna nosedived about a mile away from the landing site. Video footage captured from the parking lot shows the small aircraft free falling towards the ground, just before it crashed into an empty car. All five of the people on the plane were killed, including Mr Shepherd, Lara Shepherd, Floria and Navid Hakimi, and Nasim Ghanadan. Federal authorities at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Orange County Fire Authority's Tony Bommarito described the limited destruction the plane crash had as a miracle, adding that further fatalities may have been possible on the ground. "I don't know anything about what this pilot did or what he was thinking but it could have been much more tragic," he told CBS News. "The fact that there was no injuries on ground is a miracle in itself." Flying out to LA A post shared by Floria Hakimi (@floriarealtor) on Aug 5, 2018 at 10:20am PDT The plane was nearing the John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana where it was expected to land after flying from Concord in Northern California. As CBS News Desmond Shaw noted on Twitter, investigators will likely seek to understand why the pilot didn't attempt to land on the freeway. Planes have landed on the freeway near the Santa Ana airport twice this year alone. Eye witnesses told local news outlets they heard a sputtering noise as the aircraft was nosediving. The plane crashed into the popular shopping area around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Ms Hakimi appeared excited for the trip to Southern California, posting an image to her Instagram from the tarmac moments before the plane took off. In the photo, the real estate consultant is posing on the steps of the aircraft as her hair is blowing in her face. The caption reads: "Flying out to LA." Dashboard cameras in at least two vehicles reportedly captured footage of the tragic crash, and will likely be used by investigators to help determine the cause of the incident. Samar Badawi with Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton: Getty Images Saudi Arabia has given the Canadian ambassador to the kingdom 24 hours to leave after Ottawa criticised the arrest of womens rights activists in the ultra-conservative country. The Saudi foreign ministry also said it was freezing "all new business" between the two states and had withdrawn its own ambassador. "Any other attempt to interfere with our internal affairs from Canada means that we are allowed to interfere in Canadas internal affairs, it declared in an extraordinary statement on Sunday night. The spat comes after Canadas diplomatic department tweeted about the detention of two more activists in the Middle Eastern country on Friday, the latest in a crackdown which began in May. Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in Saudi Arabia, including Samar Badawi, it posted. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful human rights activists." Ms Badawi, arrested last week, is a lawyer and sister to blogger Raif Badawi, who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison in 2012 for criticising clerics. His wife Ensaf Haidar and three children now live in Quebec. Her whereabouts, and those of Nassima al-Sadah, are currently unknown. Several other prominent female activists remain in prison near Jeddah, where no charges have been brought against them. In a statement following the latest arrests, Marie-Pier Baril, a spokesperson for Canadian foreign minister Chrystia Freeland, said: "Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, very much including women's rights, and freedom of expression around the world. "Our government will never hesitate to promote these values and believes that this dialogue is critical to international diplomacy." The announcement caught Riyadh's diplomatic community off guard, a source with knowledge of the situation told Reuters, noting that both the Saudi and Canadian ambassadors were away on leave when it was made. Story continues Saudi Arabia ended its almost 30-year-old ban on women driving in June. The huge leap forward for women's rights in the country was marred, however, by a spate of arrests of civil society activists, which analysts said was intended as a signal that only King Salman and his powerful son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, would decide the pace of modernisation in the country. It was not immediately clear on Monday what new Saudi-Canada business would be affected by the announced freeze but trade between the two nations reached $3 billion (2.3 billion) in 2016, according to the Press Association, with tanks among Canadas top exports to the kingdom and oil among its biggest imports. Saudi neighbour and ally Bahrain said it supported Riyadh's decision, but it was not immediately clear whether it would also sever business ties with Canada. Saudi Arabias Vision 2030 encompasses a host of social and economic reforms which have been unveiled since Mohammed bin Salman was appointed crown prince by his father last June. The moves are designed to eventually wean the kingdom off dependence on oil. The 32-year-old has reined in the power of the country's notorious religious police, reopened cinemas and promised a return to a more moderate Islam. Critics have said the reforms are a carrot for the Saudi public ahead of the economic hardship they inevitably face in future and point out the decrees do not go as far as addressing the kingdoms strict laws on freedom of expression, assembly, or the liberal use of capital punishment. Canadian foreign minister Freelands tweet calling for womens rights activists to be released was by no means interference in Saudi Arabias internal affairs. It was a defence of universal human rights agreed to globally and binding on Saudi Arabia, Middle East Director of Campaigns at Amnesty International, Samah Hadid, told The Independent. Saudi Arabias response should be to end its crackdown on human rights activists and free the women human rights defenders and all other prisoners of conscience, not to lash out with punitive diplomatic and trade sanctions. Now is the time for other governments, like the UK and US to join Canada in increasing the pressure for genuine, lasting human rights reforms in Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has also been embroiled in diplomatic rows with Germany and Sweden in recent years after official criticism of its foreign policy and human rights record. News agencies contributed to this report (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia will suspend new trade and investment with Canada after that country's foreign ministry urged Riyadh to release arrested civil rights activists, it said in a statement released to the official Saudi Press Agency on Sunday. It also gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country and recalled its own ambassador to Canada, the statement by the Saudi foreign ministry said, adding it "will freeze all new trade and investment transactions with Canada whilst retaining its rights to take further action." The Saudi ministry had been briefed that the Canadian foreign ministry and the Canadian embassy urged the Saudi authorities to "immediately release" the civil rights activists, the statement said. (Reporting by Nayera Abdullah in Cairo; Editing by Susan Thomas) CAIRO (Reuters) - Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Monday criticized Canada's calls to free arrested civil society activists as a position built on "misleading" information, and said his country would not tolerate any interference in its own affairs. "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not interfere in the internal affairs of other states and it won't accept any attempt to interfere in our internal affairs," Jubeir said in remarks on his Twitter account. "We deal with that with all firmness." Describing Canada's position was puzzling, he said that those held in Saudi Arabia were "subject to Saudi legal laws that guarantees their rights". (Reporting by Omar Fahmy; Writing by Sami Aboudi; Editing by Alison Williams) A police video showed the tanker failing to slow down quick enough and plowing into the rear of a truck stopped in traffic, with flames exploding on impact. Another truck appeared to hit the tanker from behind. After an unspecified time lapse, during which the highway was cleared of most other vehicles, the truck erupted in a second, enormous explosion that spanned eight lanes of the highway and beyond. Saudi Arabia announced on Monday it would be suspending all government-funded scholarships for Saudi students in Canada and would transfer students to other countries, escalating a dispute that started when the Canadian government criticized the Saudi state over human rights. Officials said on state television that there are more than 12,000 Saudi students and family members in Canada, and that many will be transferred to other countries, including the United States, according to the Financial Times. Last week, the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Saudi Arabia to release human rights activists Samar Badawi and Nassima al-Sadah, who were jailed last Wednesday in what Human Rights Watch called an unprecedented government crackdown. Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and womens rights activists in #SaudiArabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists. Foreign Policy CAN (@CanadaFP) August 3, 2018 In response, on Sunday the Saudi officials gave Canadian ambassador Dennis Horak 24 hours to leave the country, and said the kingdom would be suspending all new trade and investment deals with Canada. Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, very much including womens rights, and freedom of expression around the world, said Canadian foreign ministry spokeswoman Marie-Pier Baril. Our government will never hesitate to promote these values and believes that this dialogue is critical to international diplomacy. Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia has suspended scholarships to Canada and will relocate students already there, state media said Monday, after the kingdom abruptly cut ties with Ottawa over criticism of its jailing of rights activists. Riyadh, which suspended diplomatic relations with Canada on Monday, will "stop training, scholarship and fellowship programs" there, state-run Al-Ekhbariya television reported. Plans to relocate 7,000 students and their families in Canada to other countries, primarily the United States and Britain, were already underway, education ministry official Jassem al-Harbash said. The kingdom early Monday gave Canada's envoy Dennis Horak 24 hours to leave the country, in an abrupt rupture of relations over what Riyadh slammed as "interference" in its internal affairs. The decision came after Canada demanded the immediate release of human rights activists detained in a new crackdown, including the sister of jailed blogger Raif Badawi. Badawi's wife and children currently live in Canada. Ottawa said it was "seriously concerned" and was seeking "greater clarity" on Riyadh's move, announced on Twitter by the Saudi foreign ministry. More than 7,000 students from Saudi Arabia are enrolled in university programmes in Canada, according to Harbash, head of the education ministry's scholarship programme. These students, 2,000 of whom are enrolled in graduate or medical school, are accompanied by more than 5,000 dependents. "The US and UK will get the lion's share, given their size and the education opportunities there, and we've begun coordinating with the missions there", Harbash told Al Ekhbariya TV. Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Singapore are also on the list of potential destination countries, Harbash said. Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia said Monday it was expelling the Canadian ambassador and had recalled its envoy while freezing all new trade, in protest at Ottawa's vigorous calls for the release of jailed activists. The kingdom gave the Canadian ambassador 24 hours to leave the country, in an abrupt rupture of relations over what it slammed as "interference" in its internal affairs. The move, which underscores a newly aggressive foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, comes after Canada demanded the immediate release of human rights campaigners swept up in a new crackdown. "The Canadian position is an overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the Saudi foreign ministry tweeted. "The kingdom announces that it is recalling its ambassador to Canada for consultation. We consider the Canadian ambassador to the kingdom persona non grata and order him to leave within the next 24 hours." The ministry also announced "the freezing of all new trade and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action". Canada last week said it was "gravely concerned" over a new wave of arrests of women and human rights campaigners in the kingdom, including award-winning gender rights activist Samar Badawi. "We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists," the foreign ministry tweeted on Friday. - 'Unprecedented crackdown' - Samar was arrested along with fellow campaigner Nassima al-Sadah last week, the latest victims of what Human Rights Watch called an "unprecedented government crackdown on the women's rights movement". Samar is a vocal campaigner for blogger Raif Badawi, her brother who was arrested in 2012 and sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for "insulting Islam" in a case that sparked an international outcry. Story continues The latest arrests come weeks after more than a dozen women's right campaigners were detained and accused of undermining national security and collaborating with enemies of the state. Some have since been released. The Saudi foreign ministry slammed the Canadian statement, signalling its growing irritation over Western criticism of the kingdom's poor human rights record. "Using the phrase 'immediately release' in the Canadian statement is very unfortunate, reprehensible, and unacceptable in relations between states," the ministry tweeted. Prince Mohammed, heir to the region's most powerful throne, has introduced a string of reforms such as lifting a decades-long ban on women drivers in a bid to overhaul the kingdom's austere image as it prepares for a post-oil era. But the 32-year-old has simultaneously pursued a hawkish foreign policy -- including leading a blockade of neighbouring Qatar and a bombing campaign against Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen -- while cracking down on dissent at home. - 'Serious concern' - "The rupture in Saudi diplomatic relations with Canada reinforces how the 'new' Saudi Arabia that Mohammed bin Salman is putting together is in no mood to tolerate any form of criticism of its handling of domestic affairs," said Kristian Ulrichsen, a fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute in the United States. In April, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his "serious concern" over the continued jailing of Badawi to Saudi King Salman. Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar has been granted asylum by Canada, where she is raising their three children now aged 14, 13 and 10 as a single mother. Riyadh's expulsion of the Canadian ambassador was meant to send a strong message to other critical Western governments, observers say. "Canada is easier to cut ties with than the rest," Bessma Momani, a professor at Canada's University of Waterloo, told AFP. "There isn't a strong bilateral trade relationship and poking the Trudeau government likely resonates with Saudi's hawkish regional allies. At jeopardy, are the tens of thousands of Saudi students in Canada." Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia and Canada on Monday showed no signs of backing down in an escalating row over human rights, after Riyadh abruptly cut ties over Ottawa's vigorous calls for the release of activists jailed in the kingdom. The Saudi government expelled Canada's ambassador, giving him 24 hours to leave the country, and recalled its own envoy to Ottawa, while freezing all new trade over what it slammed as "interference" in its internal affairs. Ottawa did not give any ground over the shock expulsion of the envoy, Dennis Horak, with Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland saying Canada would continue to defend human rights around the world. The rupture, which underscores a newly aggressive foreign policy led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, comes after Canada denounced a new crackdown on women and human rights campaigners in the kingdom. "The kingdom announces that it is recalling its ambassador to Canada for consultation. We consider the Canadian ambassador to the kingdom persona non grata and order him to leave within the next 24 hours," the Saudi foreign ministry tweeted early Monday. The ministry also announced "the freezing of all new trade and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action". Later Monday, the row appeared to escalate as Riyadh said it will relocate thousands of Saudi students studying in Canada to other countries, and state airline Saudia announced it was suspending flights to and from Toronto. A pro-government Saudi Twitter account provoked outrage when it posted - and then deleted - a 9/11-style digitally altered image showing a plane flying towards the Toronto skyline. The account later apologised and the image was reposted with the plane removed, but screenshots of the original tweet spread quickly. Saudi Arabia's media ministry said it was investigating the incident. Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Saudi Arabia "will deal with any interference decisively", dismissing Canada's position as "built on misleading information", in a statement carried by state media. Story continues Last week, Canada said it was "gravely concerned" over the new wave of arrests of rights campaigners, including award-winning gender rights activist Samar Badawi, and called on Riyadh to "immediately release them." Canada doubled down on Monday. "Canada will always stand up for human rights, in Canada and around the world, and women's rights are human rights," Freeland told an audience in Vancouver. - 'Unprecedented crackdown' - Samar was arrested along with fellow campaigner Nassima al-Sadah last week, the latest victims of what Human Rights Watch called an "unprecedented government crackdown on the women's rights movement". Samar's brother, blogger Raif Badawi, was arrested in 2012 and sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in jail for "insulting Islam" in a case that sparked an international outcry. The latest arrests come weeks after more than a dozen women's rights campaigners were detained and accused of undermining national security and collaborating with enemies of the state. Some have since been released. Prince Mohammed, heir to the region's most powerful throne, has introduced a string of reforms such as lifting a decades-long ban on women drivers in a bid to overhaul the kingdom's austere image. But the 32-year-old has simultaneously pursued a combative foreign policy -- including leading a blockade of neighbouring Qatar and a bombing campaign against Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen -- while cracking down on dissent at home. The United Arab Emirates, a strong regional ally, supported the Saudi response to Canada, with a senior government official calling Ottawa's behavior "unacceptable." - Defence contract in peril? - In April, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his "serious concern" over the continued jailing of Raif Badawi to Saudi King Salman. Badawi's wife Ensaf Haidar has been granted asylum by Canada, where she is raising their three children. "It is now time for other governments to join Canada in increasing the pressure on Saudi Arabia to release all prisoners of conscience immediately and unconditionally," said Samah Hadid, Amnesty International's Middle East campaigns director. But Riyadh's singling out of Canada is aimed at strongly discouraging other critical Western governments from speaking out, observers say. "Canada is easier to cut ties with than the rest," Bessma Momani, a professor at Canada's University of Waterloo, told AFP. "There isn't a strong bilateral trade relationship and poking the Trudeau government likely resonates with Saudi's hawkish regional allies. At jeopardy are the... thousands of Saudi students in Canada." Bilateral trade amounts to CAN $3-4 billion (US $2.3-3.1 billion) a year, according to Thomas Juneau, an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa. But the damage could be more significant if a $15 billion deal agreed in 2014 for Canada to sell Riyadh light armoured vehicles is scrapped, as thousands of jobs in Canada could be lost, Juneau said. When asked about the contract, Freeland said the government "looks forward" to hearing from Riyadh about the future of the deal. burs-ac-ny/sst ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) Searchers on Monday found four people dead in a sightseeing airplane carrying Polish tourists in Alaska's Denali National Park a day and a half after thick clouds hampered the response to distress calls. Another person is missing and presumed dead after the crash Saturday evening on a mountain ridge about 14 miles (23 kilometers) southwest of Denali, North America's tallest mountain. After going down, the pilot, identified Monday as Craig Layson, reported by satellite phone that passengers suffered injuries, but the connection failed before he could give details. The airplane was stocked with sleeping bags, a stove and food, giving hope that survivors would be found despite terrain described by the National Park Service as "extremely steep and a mix of near-vertical rock, ice and snow." Low-lying clouds and rainy conditions prevented crews from spotting the wreckage until a break in the clouds Monday allowed a helicopter to reach the crash site. A park service ranger was lowered down on a line from the copter and dug through snow that had filled the aircraft to find the bodies of four people. There were no footprints or other disturbances in the snow that would have indicated anyone made it out of the plane, the park service said. The ranger was pulled out after confirming the deaths. A park service spokeswoman said she could not comment on recovery plans. "We're working that out right now," Katherine Belcher said. The plane operated by K2 Aviation had taken off Saturday evening with Layson and four passengers from Poland for a tour of Kahiltna Glacier, the jumping off point for climbers attempting to climb Denali. It crashed around near the top of 10,900-foot (3,300-meter) Thunder Mountain, which rises above the glacier and is described by the park service as more of a milelong ridge than a mountain. Immediately after crashing, Layson used a satellite phone to call the K2 office in the community of Talkeetna. He made a second call about an hour later, Belcher said. On one of the calls, he said passengers were injured, but the connection failed. Story continues The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. Ideally, an investigator would travel to the crash site and keep analyzing the wreckage when it was removed from the mountain, spokesman Clint Johnson said. A recovery likely will not occur until later this week at the earliest because of foul weather and the dangerous location, he said. "My understanding is that it's in a crevasse-laden area," Johnson said, adding that reaching the site will "require technical climbing experience." Layson was from Saline, Michigan, the Saline Post reported. He also owned Stony Creek Collision in nearby Ypsilanti, Michigan, manager Bobby Seldkamp told The Associated Press by phone Monday evening. Belcher said the park officials were working to contact family members in Poland before identifications would be released. Belcher said the tour had been arranged by a tour operator in Poland with K2 Aviation. Jason Martin, director of operations for American Alpine Institute, said more crevasses appear with summer snow melt and climbing generally ends in mid-July. "Everything becomes harder because of the amount of crevasses opening and the weaker snow bridges," he said. But sightseeing flights can still land on the glacier, allowing visitors to walk on the ice field, officials said. Temperatures on the mountain at 11,000 feet (3,353 meters) can be warm if the sun is out but likely below freezing at night, he said. His company regularly flies with K2 Aviation for Denali climbs, and before taking off, pilots give passengers a briefing on emergency gear stowed in the back of the airplanes, he said. K2 Aviation suspended all sightseeing flights after the crash and said it's cooperating with the investigation. The company is owned by Suzanne and Todd Rust and has been family-owned and operated for 55 years, according to a statement. By Aaron Maasho ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Security forces in Ethiopia's eastern Somali region on Monday shot dead four people protesting against the looting of their shops and homes in weekend unrest, a witness said. Violence broke out in the provincial capital Jijiga on Saturday, with mobs looting properties owned by ethnic minorities, in unrest that the government said had been stoked by regional officials at odds with central authorities. The attacks forced thousands to seek refuge in an Ethiopian Orthodox church from Friday, residents told Reuters. On Monday, some of them staged a protest. "They blocked a road surrounding the church to demonstrate, before security forces arrived and began firing indiscriminately," one resident of the town told Reuters. The witness, who declined to be named, said he saw four bodies on the ground after the crowd dispersed. Gunfire rang out throughout the day. At least two Ethiopian Orthodox churches were also burned down over the weekend, other residents told Reuters. Amid the violence, the region's president Abdi Mohammed Omer stepped down late on Monday, state-owned media outlets said. The agencies did not offer any explanation for his resignation. But earlier, government spokesman Ahmed Shide had said regional officials were stoking violence at a time when attempts were being made to address rights abuses in the region. He said the officials claimed the government was illegally forcing them to resign, and that a regional paramilitary force had taken part in the attacks under their orders. "Infrastructure was destroyed and civilians were subjected to killings and lootings. Religious centers were also attacked and banks looted," he said at a news conference. "These acts were carried out by gangs of youths that were organized by some members of the region's leadership." Witnesses told Reuters that soldiers were deployed as early as Friday evening. But Ahmed said orders were given only on Monday and that they would soon "start operations" to restore calm. The Somali region has seen sporadic violence for three decades. The government has fought the rebel Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) since 1984 after the group launched a bid for secession of the province, also known as Ogaden. Since 2017, clashes along its border with Oromiya province have displaced tens of thousands of people. In July, the region's officials were accused by the government in Addis Ababa of perpetrating rights abuses. Last month, authorities fired senior prison officials there over allegations of torture. The unrest in the province marks a first test for new prime minister Abiy Ahmed, who has pledged transparency and a crackdown on abuses by security services. (Editing by Andrew Roche, Richard Balmforth) SpaceX has brought a Dragon capsule back to Earth, after successfully completing a second month-long stint at the International Space Station. The company shared an image Sunday of the craft after its return to terra firma, two days after its departure from the space station, before its planned handover to NASA to retrieve the cargo inside. The capsule has played a vital role in transporting goods to and from the station, and future upgrades are set to ferry humans to and from Earth. The companys 15th resupply mission involved the capsule lifting off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 5:42 a.m. Eastern time on June 29, on board a Falcon 9 booster. It reached the station on July 2 with a staggering 5,946 pounds of cargo, including Death Wish Coffee, an iPad, maple smoked salmon, and space gloves. The capsule also sent the Crew Interactive Mobile Companion A.I. robot, powered by IBM Watson, to assist with the crews work. In total, the cargo is aimed at assisting with 27 experiments. *See more: Elon Musk Reveals When SpaceX Will Be Able to Send Humans Into Space The capsule returned with over 3,800 pounds of cargo, landing in the Pacific Ocean just southwest of Los Angeles. This is the fourth cargo Dragon capsule, with each one ranked for around three missions. The cargo designs are the only commercial capsules that have ever reflown, but the trunk always burns up upon re-entry. For this mission, the trunk burned a Naval Research Laboratory tool that studied the atmospheres structure. The company is hard at work on the crew version of the Dragon, expected to take over from Russias Soyuz spacecrafts as NASAs means of getting astronauts to the space station. The agency announced last week that it expects SpaceX to complete an uncrewed test flight in November 2018, followed by a crewed flight in April 2019, with Boeing completing similar steps in a similar timescale. Story continues SpaceXs next launch is set to send a Merah Putih satellite into geostationary transfer orbit from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, with liftoff scheduled for 1:18 a.m. Eastern time on August 7. The Falcon 9 booster, previously used for the Bangabandhu satellite mission, will attempt to land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship. Photos via NASA TV More From Inverse Shaun Weiss, seen here in better days, was arrested over the weekend for alleged public intoxication in Northern California. (Getty) Shaun Weiss, the actor who played goalie Golderg in the popular 90s Disney movie The Mighty Ducks, was arrested early Saturday for alleged public intoxication in Northern California. TMZ first reported the arrest, which was confirmed Monday by the Oroville Police Department. OPD shared Weiss mugshot in a Facebook post confirming the arrest, and it is shocking. Weiss is 39 years old. Heres a picture of him on set as a teenager from his Mighty Ducks days. Goldberg changing from Vaughn to TPS gear in the final installment of Mighty Ducks really diminishes the believability of the entire trilogy. pic.twitter.com/j5Q2i2aZ2X Goalie Gear Nerd (@GoalieGearNerd) November 19, 2017 Police reported that Weiss was arrested for being under the influence of drugs and that officials were not pursuing criminal proceedings beyond his intoxication arrest. From the Oroville Police Department statement: On August 4th, at 12:47am, officers contacted Shaun Weiss near a business located on the 1700 block of Oro Dam Blvd. Weiss was arrested for being under the influence of drugs. He was transported and booked into the Butte County Jail. He was arrested for intoxication only and no further criminal proceedings are desired at this time. Shaun Weiss found behaving erratically with flashlight People magazine reports that Weiss was with a group of people behaving erratically with flashlights near a closed business complex in Oroville and arrested on suspicion of being under the influence. He was reportedly walking around shining a flashlight into his own face. Oroville police Lt. Chris Nicodemus told People that Weiss was determined to be high on drugs, though a blood sample was not taken to determine the substance. Weiss was held until he sobered up and released without charges, according to the report. Story continues Weiss has history of drug arrests This is not the first arrest for Weiss. The child star was sentenced to 90 days in jail in 2017 after an arrest for methamphetamine possession. People reported that Weiss was allegedly seen stumbling around a property near Warner Bros. studios in Burbank, Calif. for that incident. That arrest occurred just days after he was released from a jail sentence for stealing $151 worth of merchandise from a Frys electronics store. He was sentenced to 150 days in Los Angeles County jail before being released due to overcrowding. Weiss has made multiple TV and movie appearances, including Freaks and Geeks and Boy Meets World, but is best known for his role in The Mighty Ducks series. More from Yahoo Sports: NFL HOF reportedly considering requiring inductees to show up Dak Prescott on Get Out mural: Everybody has their own opinion Terez Paylor: Tyrod good for Cleveland? Just ask the defense Dan Wetzel: How Jim Tressel scandal sheds insight on Urban Meyer situation But the Iranians, who negotiated with the U.S. for more than two years in order to reach the nuclear accord, say it has betrayed their trust by reneging on its commitments. Rouhani held a brief phone call with President Barack Obama in 2013 as the talks were getting underway, the first time presidents of the two countries had spoken directly since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. On the latest episode of Who Is America?, Sacha Baron Cohen added former sheriff Joe Arpaio to the list of notable guests hes duped. Cohen has already befuddled Bernie Sanders, got former Vice President Dick Cheney to sign a waterboard kit which he put up for sale on eBay, and used a pedophile detector on Roy Moore. Now, Cohen, under the guise of being an un-boxer on YouTube, had Arpaio arguing gun control with a tiny toy donut. After Cohen said that the donut is anti-gun, Arpaio spoke directly to the donut, saying, Bad guys are going to get their guns. And it's gonna kill you. I'm hoping that somebody else in there has a gun and will shoot that person before he shoots you. Cohen and Arpaio then started talking about jobs. More specifically, jobs that require the use of hands. Anybody who is familiar with Cohens brand of humor knows where this led. And, naturally, Cohen didnt stop there. He asked Arpaio if hed accept a different kind of job from Donald Trump if he were to offer. Arpaio answered in the affirmative. Starting October 12, you can take the worlds longest flight by flying nonstop from Newark to Singapore. Youd be airborne for approximately 18 hours and 45 minutes. Operated by Singapore Airlines (SINGF) recently ranked as the top airline in the world the New Jersey-Singapore route will be re-launched this year in response to high consumer demand for the one-stop journey. The airline had cut the route in 2013 due to rising fuel prices. After the airline terminated the route in 2013, we got a lot of feedback from our customers that they really like the flight because it saves them a lot of time when theyre traveling from the U.S. to Singapore, Lee SekEng, regional vice president for the Americas at Singapore Airlines, told Yahoo Finance. We have been looking for a solution all this while, and when Airbus came up with the A350, Lee added, noting that the plane was able to perform this mission. We were very excited that were able to bring back these non-stop flights. It has been 5 years in the making. An A350. (Photo: Singapore Airlines) The new aircraft is fuel efficient and allows the company to go longer durations without any stopover points like Frankfurt or Tokyo and compete with other airlines that fly nonstop from destinations much closer to the U.S. Yahoo Finance Editor-in-Chief Andy Serwer asked his brother, who lives in Singapore, whether he would take this. And he said yes. Serwer, speaking on the Final Round when the flight plan was first announced, added: It is worth it? Changing planes, of course, is terrible, or landing in Manila if youre going from Singapore to New York. But direct, you sleep not once but twice. Longest route in the world The current record for the worlds longest flight is held by Qatar Airways for the Doha, Qatar to Auckland, New Zealand route which has a flying time of 18 hours and 20 minutes. The Newark to Singapore route will break that record by 25 minutes. A Singapore Airlines spokesman told Yahoo Finance that the specific route has not yet been announced, but previous flights were sometimes routed over the North Pole (depending on conditions). Story continues John Chesire, a retired airline pilot, created the following map based on the flights routes in 2012: The map shows the approximate flight paths for SQ 22 SIN-EWR and SQ 21 EWR-SIN in purple along with estimates of their most northerly points. These paths are about 11.3% and 7.2% longer than the shortest, geodesic path, which is shown in red. The Arctic Circle is shown in blue; neither flight comes very close the arctic region never mind the North Pole. (Photo: John Chesire) The airline will fly daily from Newark to Singapore, Lee said, and the average cost of an economy-class ticket will be around $1,300 for a round-trip flight for premium economy and $4,500 for business class but the price also depends on factors such as seasonality. American market is very important for us Singapore Airlines has a long history of operating the Asia to U.S. route. The first-ever Singapore Airlines flight to the U.S. was launched in 1979 when it flew from Singapore to San Francisco with stops in Hong Kong, Guam, and then Honolulu, Hawaii. The airline has come a long way since, now offering 27 non-stop flights to Newark, Los Angeles, and San Francisco each week (on top of the other routes that have stopovers in various cities in Asia and Europe.) (Photo: Singapore Airlines) The effort to connect Singapore to the U.S. even further comes at a time when the price of crude oil is rising and U.S. airlines are warning that there could be an impact on flight plans. Furthermore, the struggle to recruit pilots is leading to some routes around the world being slashed. But Lee doesnt see these factors as an impediment to the companys plans. With the launch of these new routes, the company hopes that these flights will boost its bottom line in 2018 and beyond. I think the one thing for us, we take a long-term view so far as our pilots and cabin crew recruitment, that long-term view is factored in the recruitment strategy, Lee said. We are confident when the new aircraft comes on board, we will have enough manpower. In fact, Singapore Airlines is looking to expand even more in the U.S. The American market is very important for us, Lee said. We are indeed looking at opportunities to expand to new points. Follow Aarthi on Twitter. Read more: SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore has started scanning travelers' eyes at some of its border checkpoints, its immigration authority said on Monday, in a trial of expensive technology that could one day replace fingerprint verification. It is the latest in a series of high-tech initiatives in the city-state, some of which have stoked privacy concerns among rights advocates, aimed at improving efficiency and security as the threat of militancy in the region has ratcheted up. Iris-scanning technology, which has been used in other countries like the United States and the United Kingdom with varying degrees of success, can cost five times more than existing fingerprint systems, according to experts. "The trials will help us in our consideration of whether and how we should implement such technology at our checkpoints," the Immigration Checkpoint Authority (ICA) said in an emailed statement. The move will be implemented at two checkpoints on its northern border with Malaysia and one at a ferry terminal running services to nearby Indonesian islands. The ICA has been collecting iris images from Singaporean citizens and permanent residents when they apply for identity cards or a passport since January last year. Singapore's Changi Airport is considering using facial recognition systems to find late passengers and the country also plans to use facial recognition capabilities in a project to fit cameras and sensors on over 100,000 lampposts. Singapore's government says these measures are pragmatic ways to improve people's lives and safety and has pledged to be sensitive to privacy. The cosmopolitan financial hub says it has been the target of militant plots for years, some stemming from its Muslim-majority neighbors, and that it is a matter of 'when' and not 'if' militants will strike. (Reporting by Fathin Ungku; Editing by John Geddie and Simon Cameron-Moore) BRATISLAVA (Reuters) - Slovakia's Interior Ministry will allow police officers to testify in an investigation into the case of a former Vietnamese business executive who Germany says was kidnapped by Vietnamese agents in Germany and smuggled back home through Slovakia. The alleged incident took place during a visit to Slovakia by Vietnamese public security minister To Lam in July 2017. German prosecutors have said businessman Trinh Xuan Thanh, who had sought asylum in Germany, was abducted in a Berlin street by Vietnamese secret service agent and taken back to Vietnam, where he was tried and jailed for life. On Thursday, the daily Dennik N cited several Slovak police officers as confirming Thanh was smuggled to Vietnam on a Slovak government plane. Thanh was taken in a van from Berlin via Prague to Bratislava, where was added to the Vietnamese minister's delegation and left on a Slovak government plane, according to the Dennik N report. The case soured relations between Germany and Vietnam and prompted Germany to accuse Vietnam of breaching international law. A German court in July sentenced a Vietnamese man to three years and 10 months in jail after he confessed to helping his country's secret services kidnap Thanh. Slovakia has sought to distance itself from the incident and former interior minister Robert Kalinak on Friday denied any involvement in the kidnapping, calling the story "science-fiction". On Monday, the Interior Ministry said in a statement: "Interior Minister Denisa Sakova decided on August 6 that (the policemen) will have their discretion lifted in the case of information on the kidnapping of a Vietnamese citizen from Germany to Vietnam". The allegations have strained Slovakia's three-party ruling coalition. Junior partner Most-Hid party said on Monday it could not stay in the coalition if the media reports about the case were confirmed. Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini said on Friday he would send Sakova and police chief Milan Lucansky to Germany to cooperate with Berlin police. (Reporting By Tatiana Jancarikova; Editing by Angus MacSwan) BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) Slovakia's prime minister says his government will do all it can to investigate his country's possible involvement in a kidnapping case that has strained relations between Germany and Vietnam. Germany accused Vietnamese intelligence agents of kidnapping a Vietnamese businessman from a Berlin street in July 2017. Trinh Xuan Thanh, the former chairman of PetroVietnam's construction arm, was seeking asylum in Germany. Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini spoke of an investigation on Monday after Slovak and German media reports suggested Slovakia allowed visiting Vietnamese officials to borrow a government plane to fly from Bratislava to Moscow with Thanh onboard. After he reappeared in Vietnam, Thanh was given two life sentences for embezzlement. Vietnam claims that Thanh returned voluntarily. Slovak authorities have denied wrongdoing. Ljubljana (AFP) - Two months after Slovenia's inconclusive general election, a bloc of centre-left parties announced Monday that they would try to form a minority government after the anti-migrant party that won the biggest share of the vote failed to convince other parties to join it in a coalition. In the June 3 election, it was actually the anti-migrant centre-right Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), headed by Janez Jansa, that won the most seats, securing 25 out of a total 90. But Jansa's efforts to cobble together a ruling majority have failed to come to fruition. And so five centre-left parties, led by the anti-establishment LMS -- which came second in the election with 13 seats -- are now joining forces to try to form a minority government. LMS's Marjan Sarec, a comedian-turned-politician who is currently mayor of the town of Kamnik, said he hoped to be nominated as the country's new prime minister. "We have agreed that our five parties will present a candidate, and expect parliament to appoint him at a session next Monday," Sarec told journalists after meeting the leaders of the other four centre-left parties backing him. Another left-wing party, Levica, indicated last week it might also be prepared to support a Sarec-led minority government. But Levica's leader Luka Mesec said Monday that no formal decision had yet been taken. Sarec warned that without Levica's support, there would no government. "If, at the end, we do not sign the deal (with Levica), then there will be no government," he said. "Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as acknowledgment of our right to interfere in Canadian domestic affairs," the Foreign Ministry said. "Canada and all other nations need to know that they can't claim to be more concerned than the kingdom over its own citizens." LJUBLJANA (Reuters) - Slovenia's special prosecutor's office indicted 15 people, including eight physicians, and a company over graft in hospitals on Monday in a case that threatens to further shake the troubled health sector in the tiny Alpine country. An indictment was filed against 10 hospital employees for receiving gifts related to the purchase of medical equipment and medicine. Two of the 10 were charged with money laundering and one with forging or destroying business documents to conceal evidence, the state news agency STA reported. Three more people were accused of giving bribes and a further two others for money laundering, the STA said. The prosecutors said their investigation since 2013 in five cities in Slovenia, including the capital Ljubljana, has revealed that suppliers of medical equipment had offered bribes to doctors and other hospital officials to favor them. The prosecutor's office said that these criminal acts had caused 1.18 million euros ($1.36 million) losses to public funds, STA reported. The state of the national health system was a big campaign issue ahead of an election in June because of long waiting-lists for medical examinations and operations and a shortage of money and staff. ($1 = 0.8653 euros) (Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic in Sarajevo; Editing by Richard Balmforth) (SANTA ANA, Calif.) Ella Pham said it was a painful thing to see. Pham, 20, and her boyfriend were walking in a parking lot Sunday when they saw a twin-engine Cessna crash, she told the Los Angeles Times. We looked up to see the plane falling nose first, she told the Times. It was so heartbreaking just seeing the plane crumbled into pieces. Five people on board the small airplane were killed but nobody on the ground was hurt when the plane crashed in the Southern California parking lot, authorities said. The pilot of the Cessna 414 declared an emergency before crashing about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from John Wayne Airport, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Arlene Salac said. The plane was heading to the airport southeast of Los Angeles when it came down and struck an unoccupied parked car in the lot of a Staples store and a CVS pharmacy, Orange County Fire Authority Captain Steve Concialdi said. There was no fire and nobody on the ground was hurt, he said. Photos from the scene showed the plane upright but on its belly and the car damaged. Several roads surrounding the shopping center and the South Coast Plaza mall across the street were closed. The plane is registered to the San Francisco-based real estate company Category III, according to an FAA database. A phone call to the company was not immediately returned Sunday. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash, Salac said. Greg Monroe played 26 games with the Celtics last season. (AP) Free-agent center Greg Monroe has agreed to a one-year, $2.2 million deal with the Toronto Raptors, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Monroe, an eight-year NBA veteran, will provide additional frontcourt depth, scoring and rebounding to a Raptors team aiming to contend in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors acquired All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard this summer, and worked in recent weeks on securing a big man to shore their depth behind Jonas Valanciunas, Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka. Monroe split time with the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics last season, averaging 10.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 51 games. He was part of the Bucks trade for guard Eric Bledsoe with Phoenix in November, and later received a buyout from the Suns to join Boston. Monroe, 28, was the No. 7 overall pick by the Detroit Pistons in 2010 out of Georgetown. Monroe played his first five seasons with the Pistons before joining the Bucks on a free-agent deal in 2015. He has averaged 13.7 points and 8.6 rebounds in his career. More from Yahoo Sports: NFL HOF reportedly considering requiring inductees to show up Dak Prescott on Get Out mural: Everybody has their own opinion Terez Paylor: Tyrod good for Cleveland? Just ask the defense Dan Wetzel: How Jim Tressel scandal sheds insight on Urban Meyer situation By Jeongmin Kim and Minwoo Park SEOUL (Reuters) - Every time an image of U.S. President Donald Trump appears on TV in South Korea, 69-year-old Vietnam War veteran Chung Seung-jin solemnly salutes. The U.S. flag Chung keeps in his home in Seoul gets similar respect every morning. "I salute President Trump and the U.S. flag every day to show how much I trust him," Chung told Reuters as he attended a recent anti-North Korea rally in sweltering summer heat in downtown Seoul. "I salute to pay respect to Mr Trump, supporting his reign as the leader of the world and guardian of liberty." For many South Korean conservatives who liked Trump's initial tough talk against North Korea's Kim Jong Un, his abrupt embrace of the autocratic leader at their historic Singapore summit in June was nothing short of a betrayal. Trump, who ridiculed Kim as "rocket man" last year, has since called the North Korean leader "funny" and "smart" and even praised his ability to retain his authoritarian grip on power. "Trump said Kim is an 'amazing leader', thus legitimizing him. This makes us, the patriotic citizens, feel betrayed," said Cho Won-jin, leader of the right-wing Korean Patriots' Party. But for a colorful handful of Trump supporters who gather regularly on the streets of Seoul to call for aggressive action against North Korea, faith in the U.S. president is unshaken. "I have saluted Trump today as always with utmost sincerity," said 76-year-old demonstrator Lee Yoon-jo, nodding at a large picture of a beaming Trump at a demonstration in downtown Seoul. As he saluted, demonstrators held giant U.S. and South Korean flags in front of the U.S. embassy, alongside banners in Korean and English reading "The United States is a thankful brother country that has been devoted to a free Korea". Gratitude for U.S. support in the 1950-1953 Korean War as well as anti-communist rhetoric used by the South's military rulers in the 1970s still resonate with many older South Koreans, said analyst Jeong Chan-dae of Sungkonghoe University. "To these elderly conservatives, the U.S. is more than just an ally and more of a 'savior'," he said. Holding a faded black-and-white photograph from his time he fought alongside American allies in the Vietnam War in 1968, Chung said: "Without the U.S., South Korea would never have been able to exist." Trump and Kim met in Singapore in June, where they announced an agreement in which Kim reaffirmed his "unwavering" commitment to denuclearize. Little progress on that front has been made in the weeks since. A Gallup Korea poll conducted just after the summit found 48 percent of South Korean conservatives thought the meeting went well, compared to 79 percent of progressives. Standing on a corner in Seoul, surrounded by flags and anti-North Korean banners, the small knot of demonstrators are unfazed by the shift in tone, noting that Trump could still resort to "regime change" if a denuclearisation deal doesn't pan out. "President Trump has always masterfully guided and protected South Korea and the free world and always will," Lee said, again giving a military salute. "Thank you, Mr President." (Reporting by Jeongmin Kim and Minwoo Park; Writing by Josh Smith; Editing by Nick Macfie) Because the newest Spike Lee joint, BlacKkKlansman, takes place in the 1970s, it would be easy too easy for moviegoers to think of its incisive depiction of Americas racial tensions as merely a history lesson with no relation to the here and now. So in a powerful epilogue, the always outspoken filmmaker explicitly connects the story hes telling one about Ron Stallworth (played by John David Washington), a Colorado cop who successfully infiltrated his local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan in the early part of that decade with the larger narrative still playing out today. The films coda leaps ahead from the 70s to 2017, when white nationalist and alt-right groups descended on Charlottesville, Va., for a Unite the Right rally that erupted in racially-charged violence. Numerous counterprotesters were severely injured in the melee and one, Heather Heyer, died after being hit by a car that white supremacist James Alex Fields Jr. allegedly drove into a crowd. (Fields has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges stemming from the incident.) In his first public comments in the wake of the violence, President Trump notably declined to forcefully condemn the alt-right movement, instead saying that there were some very fine people on both sides. As Lee tells Yahoo Entertainment, Charlottesville happened before he started filming BlacKkKlansman, but the events of Aug. 11-12, 2017, gave him a natural ending for the movie. I think that with this crazy news cycle, stuff gets forgotten. I dont want people forgetting the life of Heather Heyer; I dont want people to forget this act of homegrown American terrorism that murdered Heather Heyer. Indeed, BlacKkKlansman is dedicated to the 32-year-old activist and Lee says he specifically sought her mothers blessing to include Heyer in the film. Once I got the blessing, that was the end [of the movie]. That was not going to change for nobody nobody. John David Washington stars in Spike Lees new joint, BlacKkKlansman. (Photo: David Lee/Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection) Topher Grace, who plays avowed white supremacist and former Klan Grand Wizard David Duke in the film, remembers the impact Lees ending had on audiences when BlacKkKlansman premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May. (The movie took home the Grand Prix award.) The audience didnt realize at first that it was modern-day, the actor recalls. Its a great sucker punch where this whole audience kind of gasped when they realized it wasnt the film anymore this was 2017. Story continues Grace and the rest of the films cast have vivid memories of watching the events of Charlottesville play out in real time. I thought we were losing it that we had lost it as a people, says Washington. We lost our sense of decency in this world. It was a very sad and embarrassing moment for our country. Laura Harrier, who plays fictionalized Black Power activist Patrice Dumas, compared the news footage coming out of Virginia to scenes from Civil Rights-era riots. The fact that its still happening right now and the fact that we then have a president who refused to denounce these people is horrifying and disgusting. Spike Lee and Washington on the set of BlacKkKlansman. (Photo: David Lee/Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection) Speaking of the president whom Lee pointedly refers to as Agent Orange his infamous very fine people remark is also heard in BlacKkKlansmans epilogue. He may have retracted that statement a couple days later, but for me, whatever comes out of his mouth the first time, thats his heart, the director says. Thats what he believes in not the retraction. Asked whether hed accept an invitation to the White House to screen the film for Trump, Lee responds flatly in the negative. He does have an alternate suggestion, though: I do think that they should screen this film at the White House, and I think Agent Orange should invite David Duke because theyre both in it! BlacKkKlansman opens in theaters on Aug. 10. Watch the trailer: Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is one of the most memorable stories about friendship. And are you ready to feel a little old? On Aug. 6, itll be 10 years since the four BFFs reunited for more adventures in the successful sequel The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. Fast forward to the present, and Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, and Amber Tamblyn have stayed close friends. The fictional and real-life friendships of the four women prove how strong the female bond can be. And we love an adorable film that teaches girls how caring women can be with one another. The foursome has reunited multiple times since shooting the movies. They got together earlier this year to celebrate Americas first pregnancy. They also attended Blake Livelys wedding to Ryan Reynolds in 2012. Can you say squad goals? And some good news for Sisterhood fans! According to Variety, the film is being adapted into a musical by Blue Spruce Productions. Though there is no official word yet on a creative team or production timeline, we are already looking up flights to New York City and plotting how to get tickets. Believe it or not, theres still more Sisterhood news to get excited about. On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Bledel confirmed that the girls had pitched a concept for a third film in the franchise. I hope it comes together, she said. It would be so great. Theres a trilogy we can get onboard with! Happy 10-year anniversary, sisters! Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Lets take a look at some of todays winners and losers. Stocks in the red include Sothebys as the auction house posted weaker-than-expected profit for the second quarter. Part of the decline was due to the movement of some sales this year into the first quarter, Newell Brands, as consumer products marketer lowered its earnings guidance for the year and reported a decline in sales and profit for the most recent quarter and Praxair Inc., as the industrial gas companys planned $87 billion merger with Linde was put in doubt by demands from U.S, antitrust regulators. Stocks in the green include Tyson Foods as the food company reported third quarter EPS of $1.50, $0.04 better than the analyst estimate of $1.46, SeaWorld, stocks soaring as revenue for the quarter came in at $391.9 million versus the consensus estimate of $371.4 million. Attendance at the theme park jumped 5% and Berkshire Hathaway as the company reported a jump in quarterly profit to 67% for the second quarter due to a healthy economy that helped its insurance units, railroads and automotive-financing arms. The cellist claims she was told her instrument was too big for the aircraft. Source: NBC 5 A cellist claims she was kicked off a flight despite paying for an extra seat for her $30,000 instrument. Jingjing Hu, a DePaul University School of Music student, was trying to return to Chicago, Ill., on an American Airlines flight after performing at a music festival in Miami, Fla., when she was allegedly told her cello was too big for the aircraft, NBC 5 reports. Her husband Jay Tang said he was assured his wife wouldnt have any issues with transporting the instrument on both legs of her journey. Musicians are allowed to carry oversize instruments in the cabin when they buy an extra seat under federal regulations. I purchased two round-trip tickets for her and her cello on April 2 on the phone directly from AA and told them specifically that one ticket is for the cello as cabin baggage, Tang wrote on Facebook. I was told it is absolutely allowed and she wont have any problem. Hu did not encounter any difficulties taking the cello on the first leg of her trip. However, on her return journey, she had boarded the plane and been given a strap to secure her cello before being told she had to disembark. You had so many chances to tell me you cannot board yesterday, the music student told NBC 5. You never told me until I sat down. A screenshot shared by Jay Tang of a response he says he received from American Airlines online. (Photo: Jay Tang/ Facebook) The airline said there was a miscommunication about if the cello met the requirements to be allowed on the plane she had boarded, which was said to be a Boeing 737. An American Airlines statement said she was rebooked on a larger plane, a Boeing 767, the following morning. We provided her a hotel and meal accommodations for the inconvenience. We apologise for the misunderstanding and customer relations has reached out to her, the statement read. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Women who have heart attacks may face a greater risk of death when treated by male doctors in emergency rooms, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Some 88 percent of people who have heart attacks live through the initial event, say the researchers. But this study found that female heart-attack patients cared for by female ER doctors were two to three times more likely to survive than those cared for by male doctors. The researchers say male doctors may have difficulty communicating effectively with female patients and seeing things through their eyes. I dont think this should be interpreted as women should avoid male physicians, says the lead author, Brad Greenwood, Ph.D., an associate professor of informatics and decision sciences at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. But making sure that female patients advocate for themselves and are not dismissed is important. Making sure you're heard is important." Heart disease continues to be the No. 1 killer of men and women in the U.S. But heart attacks tend to be deadlier for women: 26 percent of those 45 and older die in the first year after an initial heart attack compared with 19 percent of men, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). A variety of factors are probably at work. Women have been less likely to be referred for cardiac rehab, less likely to be referred for angiograms and stress tests, less likely to be given lifesaving medication when discharged from a hospital after a heart attack, says Suzanne Steinbaum, D.O., director of women's cardiovascular prevention, health, and wellness at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, who wasn't involved in the new research. And women, who, on average, have their first heart attack at age 72 compared with 65 for men are apt to seek help later than men do, she notes. Story continues So what can you do to ensure that you get the right treatment? Plenty. Here's what the research reveals and the steps you can take. What the New Study Found For this study, researchers from several universities used data from more than 500,000 male and female heart-attack patients in Florida ERs between 1991 and 2010. They looked at the differences in survival rates based on the gender of the treating physician, and found that women were significantly more likely to survive when cared for by a female doctor, suggesting that unique challenges arise when male physicians treat female patients, the authors wrote. Men were slightly more likely to survive when treated by a female doctor, but those numbers werent considered significant. The study also found that survival rates were somewhat better for both men and women cared for in the ER when they saw male doctors who'd previously treated more women, and when the ratio of female to male doctors in that ER was higher. Typically, say the researchers, about 10 percent of ER doctors are women. That indicates there is some learning thats going on, says Greenwood. If they (male doctors) have more exposure to female patients, they learn. As the number of prior female patients increases and the ratio of female physicians to male physicians increases, the penalty associated with being treated by male physicians for female patients is ameliorated. The study does have some limitations, the authors noted. For instance, it didnt explore the possible causes of the gender disparity or consider the potential effects on care from other healthcare providers, such as nurses and residents. Why Are Women Treated Differently? Some research over the years suggests that heart attack symptoms may be less obvious and more difficult to detect in women, and that they are more likely to display atypical signs. Other studies, including one published in Circulation this past February, which interviewed people between 18 and 55 after theyd been hospitalized for heart attacks, found that roughly 90 percent of women and men experienced chest pain or pressurelong considered the cardinal sign of heart attack. The most recent data shows that actually, womens symptoms of obstructive coronary artery disease are generally the same as mens symptoms, says Rita F. Redberg, M.D., a professor of medicine in the UCSF division of cardiology. In general, women are slower to seek help and slower to receive help and diagnoses after the visit, but it is not related to atypical symptoms in womenits more related to the mistaken conception that heart disease is a mans disease. Still, the February study found that women were more likely than men to report other symptoms in addition to chest pain, such as nausea or discomfort in the jaw, neck, arms, or between the shoulder blades. Multiple symptoms may muddy the diagnostic waters, according to an editorial published in Circulation in February 2018. When this happens, patients, family members, and healthcare providers are often less clear that the heart is the source of the problem, the authors wrote. Whether the symptoms are the same or somewhat different, experts generally agree that heart-attack care tends to vary by gender. The February Circulation study, for instance, found that when men and women sought medical care for similar heart-attack symptoms, 53 percent of the women were told by healthcare providers that they were not likely heart-related. Only 37 percent of men received that same assessment. Disparities may continue in post-treatment. Anyone who has had a heart attack should be prescribed medication to protect the heartsuch as low-dose aspirin as well as blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering drugsand be referred to exercise and cardiac rehabilitation programs. But women are not only less likely than men to be referred to rehab, says Steinbaum, they also may not get the proper medication, either. A study published last April in the Journal of the American College of Cardiologyfunded by the biopharmaceutical company Amgenfound that only 47 percent of women who filled prescriptions for cholesterol-lowering statin medication after a heart attack were prescribed the high intensity doses that are recommended. How to Get the Right Care The experts agree that a number of steps can increase the likelihood of proper care. For instance: Be clear about your risks. Talk with your doctor about your personal risks of heart disease. And be aware that in addition to factors such as a family history of heart disease or having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, women may be more likely to have nontraditional risk factors, according to a February 2018 editorial in Circulation written by Nanette K. Wenger, M.D., an emeritus professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at the Emory University School of Medicine. She noted, for instance, that autoimmune disease and conditions such as preeclampsia and preterm birth may increase a woman's risk. Other research in 2018 suggests that women who've already had a heart attack may be more likely than men to experience chest pain as a result of emotional stress, and that belly fatwhich can increase the likelihood of heart diseasemay also be riskier for them. Know the signs of a heart attack. Some heart attacks may come on suddenly, with intense symptoms. But according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, most begin slowly, and symptoms can start up to a couple of weeks ahead of the actual event. So call 911 right away if you experience chest pain, discomfort in other parts of the upper bodysuch as one or both arms, the back, abdomen, neck, or jawor shortness of breath. Pay attention to other possible symptoms, such as a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness. We always tell women if you have any symptoms between the naval and nose that come up with exertion, either physical or emotional exertion, and go away with rest, you have to consider your heart, says Karol Watson, M.D., Ph.D., co-director of the UCLA program in preventive cardiology and director of the UCLA Barbra Streisand Womens Heart Health Program at the David Geffen School of Medicine. Get help even if youre unsure that its a heart attack. There are some overreactors, but in general, women are pretty attuned to their bodies and kind of know if something is not right, says Watson. Speak up at the hospital. Tell the ER doctors about your personal and family history. For example, knowing that your mother had a heart attack at age 50 or that youve been diagnosed with prediabetes may change the way they view your risk. Clearly explain your symptoms, how long youve had them, andthis is crucialthat youre concerned about your heart. Once those words come out of your mouth, its the doctors obligation to look into that, says Steinbaum. Make sure you get the right tests. The tests depend on what symptoms you are having and how likely or certain the doctor is, or whether he or she needs more information," says Redberg. "It is possible you would not need any testing if your symptoms are not suggestive of an urgent or acute event, or you may be referred to your primary care physician for follow-up and decisions regarding testing. If a heart attack is suspected, expect to have an angiogram, which checks for blocked or narrowed coronary arteries, quickly, says Redberg. But angiograms may miss a type of heart disease more common in womencoronary microvascular diseasewhich damages smaller arteries in the heart, according to research from the National Institutes of Health. In addition, plaque, deposits of fat and other substances, tends to be spread more evenly through womens arteries, making it harder to see in a standard angiogram. So when that test is normal for a woman suspected of having had a heart attack, the doctor should consider performing an intravascular ultrasound to look inside the arteries in more detail, says Steinbaum. Prep yourself for future good health. If you are diagnosed with a heart attack, before you go home, ask what medication youll be prescribed to prevent another heart attack, and make sure youre clear on how you should follow up with your primary care doctor or cardiologist. And make the time for healthy habits, such as eating right and exercising, and cardiac rehab, which decreases the risk of a second heart attack. And last, know that there have been improvements in heart-attack care for women. Deaths from cardiovascular disease have dropped precipitously among them since 2000, according to Wenger, because more are being included in medical studies and doctors' understanding of gender differences is increasing. Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article appeared in the May 2017 issue of Consumer Reports magazine. Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. More from Consumer Reports: Top pick tires for 2016 Best used cars for $25,000 and less 7 best mattresses for couples Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright 2018, Consumer Reports, Inc. Quinns petitions no doubt will be vigorously challenged by allies of the mayor. Thats expected. The City Council has already taken steps to block his term limits proposal from appearing on the ballot. Aldermen loaded up the ballot with three advisory questions, and only three are allowed, though Quinn says that doesnt apply to a measure initiated by citizens. Emanuel will be equipped with the finest election lawyers to start tossing out signatures. Hell have endless resources to fight the cause in court. Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen said Monday she is seeking to ramp up spending on the armed forces, as relations with China deteriorate. Her proposal to increase the 2019 defence budget by 5.6 percent to Tw$346 billion ($11.3 billion) will go before parliament following the summer recess. Beijing sees democratic self-ruling Taiwan as part of its territory to be brought back into its fold, by force if necessary. China has stepped up pressure on Taiwan since Tsai came to power two years ago, as her government refuses to acknowledge the island is part of "one China". It has staged a string of air and naval exercises, including a live-fire drill in the Taiwan Strait in April, which Chinese officials said were aimed at Taiwan's "independence forces". "There have been many changes in international and regional situations and our national security is faced with more obvious and complicated threats," Tsai said Monday as she attended a naval ceremony and announced the defence spending plan. Up Tw$18.3 billion from the previous year, it would account for 2.16 percent of the GDP. The 2018 defence budget was only up 1.9 percent on the year before, at Tw$327.7 billion. Around a fifth of the 2019 budget would be spent on "defence self-sufficiency" projects, Tsai said. Taiwan wants to beef up its homegrown defence systems, particularly its submarines. The United States government this year approved a licence required to sell submarine technology to Taiwan, part of warming relations between the two sides. Although the US does not have official diplomatic relations with Taipei after switching recognition to Beijing in 1979, it remains Taiwan's most powerful ally and arms supplier. A long-stalled offer approved by then US president George W Bush in 2001 to supply eight conventional submarines has never come to fruition. Last year, Taiwan also announced its bid to create a new generation of locally built jet trainers by 2026. TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker, said on Monday a computer virus outbreak at the company was the result of a mutated WannaCry ransomware attack and it was back in full production. The company said over the weekend a number of its computer systems fab (manufacturing) tools had been infected by a virus and that it expected a full recovery on Monday. It expected the incident to cause shipment delays. TSMC, a supplier to Apple Inc, initially said the impact of the attack on its third-quarter revenue would be 3 percent, but then revised this down to 2 percent and said neither its data manufacturing base nor its client information were affected. The company's CEO C.C. Wei said an "operational error" occurred when a new fab tool was not taken offline during installation and the virus quickly spread to over 10,000 machines in its factories across Taiwan. "This is the first time it happened. I was shocked and surprised," he told reporters in Taipei, adding that the company had enhanced its information security systems and protective measures. "It's impossible that humans would never make mistakes and we have changed the system to automatically detect (virus) and such a mistake would never be made again." He said he believed the virus was had not been created specifically to target TSMC and the company was not asked by anyone to pay a ransom. Mark Li, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein, said in a report on Sunday that technology group Apple was one of the customers affected but a swift recovery in the fourth quarter should minimise the impact. "Long-term, TSMC's trustworthy image is somewhat tainted but it is hard to quantify the effect now," Li said. The company declined to comment on the impact on individual clients. KGI Securities said in a report on Monday that while some of TSMC's 12-inch wafer shipments would be delayed, the impact to the upcoming iPhone launch was limited because "the upstream supply chain usually prepares for these incidents and manufactures surplus chipsets during the initial ramp-up stage". Story continues Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. TSMC has said it maintained its previous forecast of high single-digit revenue growth for 2018 as shipments delayed in the third quarter would recover in the fourth quarter. TSMC shares closed down 0.6 percent at T$245.5 on Monday, compared with a 0.1 percent gain for the benchmark index. Major tech companies in Taiwan, a crucial part of the global electronics supply chain, usually enter a busier period in the second half of the year ahead of tech gadget launches. TSMC trimmed its annual revenue and capital spending estimates last month amid bleak demand from smartphone and cryptocurrency mining industries. (Reporting By Yimou Lee; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Jane Merriman) Dushanbe (Tajikistan) (AFP) - En route to mountainous Tajikistan's "roof of the world" lies a hastily-erected memorial to four bike tourists killed in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group late last month. Roses and tulips lie scattered at the tribute -- featuring a plaque inscribed in English -- in the foreground of a scrubby mountain landscape. "We express sincere condolences on behalf of all Tajik people and Tajikistan to the families and relatives of the died tourists in our country tragically and cruelly," the plaque reads. It was here, approximately 100 kilometres south of Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe, that American tourists Lauren Geoghegan and Jay Austin, Dutch citizen Rene Wokke and Swiss citizen Markus Hummel were fatally wounded in an attack initially reported as a hit-and-run road accident. The attack comes as a deep blow to Tajikistan, which has been trying to promote the authoritarian country as a tourism hotspot, simplifying visa bureaucracy and even declaring 2018 "the year of tourism." Police said the gang that attacked the group of seven tourists, injuring two others, had also stabbed their victims, while a video released via IS' official media channel indicated the attackers were inspired by the Islamist group. "It was a tragedy," 32-year-old account manager and biking enthusiast Pau Ros told AFP ahead of a seven-day cycle over Tajikistan's legendary Pamir Highway with girlfriend Mariona Miranda. "This happens around the world now. But we are not going to change our lives because that is what these bad people would want," said Ros, who is a native of Barcelona. - IS-linked? - Authorities have played down video evidence that appears to show five men -- four of whom they say were killed resisting arrest -- swearing an oath of allegiance to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. On Friday Tajikistan's state prosecutor said the clip had been released "with the aim of deflecting suspicions from another terrorist organisation -- the Islamic Renaissance Party", a former opposition party banned by the government in 2015. Story continues The IRPT has refuted links to the attack, as has Iran, a country that Tajikistan has poor ties with and says provided training to a 33-year-old man called Hussein Abdusamadov, who was detained for allegedly leading the attack on the cyclists. In a brief interview with AFP, the mother of Abdusamadov, who was shown sporting a black eye in his police photo, could not say if he had traveled to Iran but said he spoke Arabic and had worked in Russia, a migration destination for hundreds of thousands of Tajiks. "We do not know when he came back to (Tajikistan). The police just came to our door and told us he had committed a crime," Gulchekhra Shodmonova told AFP. Analysts have pointed to a number of reasons to doubt the official narrative linking IRPT and Iran to the attack -- chiefly a downturn in Tajikistan's relations with Iran, an intensified crackdown on the opposition since 2015 and the IS video evidence. Mahmudjon Faizrahmon, a spokesman-in-exile for the party that has always described itself as peaceful opposition force said on Thursday that police brought his 62-year-old mother for questioning after he denied links between the party and the attack on Twitter. In addition to Abdusamadov, Tajikistan's prosecutor says 10 people have been detained under suspicion of financing the crime and failing to supply information to police before the attack took place. - 'Simply Cycling' - At the US embassy in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, a simple bicycle donated by a local student provides a fitting flourish to a display honouring 29-year-old Geoghegan and Austin, whose blog Simplycycling.org was popular among other bike-the-world cyclists. The pair whose photo stood on a table at the heart of the display described themselves as enthusiasts who fell in love with cycling in adulthood but were not above "hitching a ride when a stretch of road is dangerous or just awful." It is uncertain how the attack from which only one tourist, a Frenchman, emerged unscathed, will affect one of the few sources of economic optimism in the poorest country to gain independence from the Soviet Union. Tajikistan announced plans to create a "tourist police" earlier this week, but provided few details. One representative of a Bed and Breakfast in Dushanbe told AFP that a Polish tourist who had planned on cycling the highway had flown home. International Speedway Corporations stock is going to be up Monday morning because of Chase Elliotts win at Watkins Glen. OK, its unfair to pin the economic performance of a multi-million dollar corporation on a young driver visiting victory lane for the first time at NASCARs top level. But were not the ones doing the pinning. ISC is. ISC president John Saunders said earlier this summer that attendance at the companys tracks was soft because younger drivers like Elliott and others werent winning races. [Chase Elliott wins at Watkins Glen] Weather was an important part, but all in all, the attendance was a little bit softer than expected, Saunders said early in July. We still have an issue with star power and hopefully this stable of young drivers coming along will start to win and build their brands. Elliott already had a brand before Sunday. As the son of 16-time most popular driver Bill Elliott and the anointed favorite driver of Dale Earnhardt Jr. post-retirement, he was going to be the 2018 most popular driver no matter if he visited victory lane or not. And had established himself as an Xfinity Series champion in 2014. [Kyle Busch goes from 25th to 3rd in 32 laps] But it was hard to escape the feeling that NASCAR views Elliotts win Sunday as a breakthrough of sorts for the sport in addition to one for Elliott. Take a look at this tweet by NASCAR Vice President Steve ODonnell that included a picture of Chase as a child with Bill. Elliotts win is a feel-good story that has a lot of angles. It continues a NASCAR tradition of father and son combinations that have won races in the Cup Series. The Elliotts join families like the Pettys, Earnhardts, Allisons, Jarretts and more. His win is the first in 37 races for Hendrick Motorsports and the 250th victory for the team. Its the first win by a Chevy driver since the season-opening Daytona 500. Story continues But its hard to rationally see how Elliotts win is a significant boost for NASCAR. Ratings probably wont be up next week they werent up for Dale Earnhardt Jr.s last race in 2017 and a new series title sponsor isnt going to sign on just because Elliott visited victory lane. While youre free to revel in Elliotts first win and buy as much merchandise as your heart desires its important that you dont get carried away and think that NASCAR is somehow saved or that 10 years of television audience declines are suddently going to be reversed because the 22-year-old won a race on a Sunday in August. The storyline of declining television ratings and sponsorship searches will trudge on as the season continues. Elliotts win is a nice moment and is much more than that for himself and Hendrick Motorsports. But its also unfair to him just like it was unfair to Earnhardt Jr. to put the weight of a flawed stock car series on his shoulders. Elliott symmetry Bill Elliott finished second eight times before he won. So did Chase Elliott. Bill Elliott won his first race at a road course (Riverside, 1983). So did Chase Elliott. Joey Logano finishes last Loganos race ended within the first few laps on Sunday. He ran into the back of AJ Allmendinger as the field stacked up in turn 5 and busted a hole in his radiator. When his team took his car to the garage his race was over because the damage was from contact. I was trying to keep the nose on the car and was gonna try to make a run on Larson off the carousel and I was right on him when they checked up in front of him, Logano said. He lifted and there was nothing he was supposed to do. He checked up and I ran into the back of him and theres just not enough bumper on the front of my car apparently and it just knocked the radiator out of it. Logano finished 37th. Its the first time hes finished last since the 2009 Daytona 500. Suarez finishes top-five at Watkins Glen again Daniel Suarez got his first top-five finish at Watkins Glen a year ago. He was third in 2017. Sunday he finished fourth for his fourth-career top-five finish. I felt like we had a top-five, top-seven car or so. The car was good, but not extremely good Solid effort for my team. Were getting close. This is what we need to run top five every week and if we continue to do this, Im going to be a happy boy. Suarez is 18th in the points standings and is still a longshot to make the playoffs. But after finishing second at Pocono a week ago he may be able to mount a late charge before the playoffs begin. Bowman keeps final spot in playoffs Nothing much happened to shake up the playoff picture on Sunday. Elliott was already in the playoffs comfortably. Alex Bowman is more than a full race ahead of Jimmie Johnson, 563 points Alex Bowman, 523 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., -62 to Bowman Paul Menard, -72 Daniel Suarez, -89 Ryan Newman, -92 William Byron, -96 Watkins Glen needs a race name change Sundays race was called the Go Bowling at the Glen. If you told someone that you were watching the Go Bowling at the Glen would he or she think you were watching a NASCAR race? Go Bowling an initiative to get more people to bowl has sponsored races at Pocono, Kansas and Watkins Glen. Their presence in NASCAR is certainly appreciated by tracks. But at Pocono and Kansas the race name had been something like the Go Bowling 400 to make it appear like a NASCAR race. Sundays race name didnt. As NASCAR faces declining audiences it needs to keep the race names as clear as possible. Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports. More from Yahoo Sports: Michael Jordan reacts to Trumps LeBron James criticism Blake Griffin refutes report hell pay $258K a month in child support F the UFC: Nate Diaz storms out of presser announcing McGregor comeback Pat Forde: Urban Meyers bold media blitz leaves OSU administrators out to dry Teens gather at the New York Academy of Sciences Global STEM Alliance Summit. From left, Rajaa Elhassan, Robyn An, Evan Huff, Ellie Zillfleisch, Tavus Atajanova, and Aaryan Batra. (New York Academy of Sciences, Elena Olivo). On a Wednesday in July, dozens of high school students from across the globe flocked to the New York Academy of Sciences for its yearly Global STEM Alliance summit, a three-day event dedicated to building a global community of science and technology leaders. On top of meeting some of the brightest minds in the science world today, they got the chance to meet each other. But before the festivities began, Yahoo Lifestyle sat down with six of the students, ranging in age from 14 to 18, to discuss not only what they want to be, but also what obstacles theyre facing to get there. The group consisted of three American students and one each from Japan, Korea, and Australia. The latter three countries scores far surpass that of the United States on one of the main standardized literacy tests for science the PISA exam (which also measures reading and math). In the most recent PISA test, which is given to 15-year-olds every three years, the U.S. placed 25th for science, scoring 496 just three points above the average of 493. Japan, by comparison, scored a 538 in science, landing it in second place overall (behind Singapore). Australia and Korea also made the top 15 (out of nearly 70 countries total), both scoring well above the average and well above America. The meeting seemed a ripe environment, given these statistics, to discuss why the U.S. lags behind other countries in PISA scores but seems to surpass them in scientific prizes. After all, a myriad of think pieces have been written by researchers, academics, and reporters, asking and trying to answer this very question. But its rare to get the chance to speak with the demographic who is actually taking the test. The PISA scores, it became clear early on, dont seem to be a major concern. Not because there isnt a discrepancy, but because the discrepancy appears to these students to be a direct result of the course load. Students in Japan and Korea, they said, devote more time to schoolwork. Aaryan Batra, for example, a 16-year-old from Japan and one of the six kids in the room, said its not unusual to be working on schoolwork from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. even during the summer. Story continues What they cared more about was their next steps; four of the students hope it will be in the medical field, and two others are looking to engineering or another scientific field. What did set the group dynamic aflame, however, was the topic of the gender gap in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). As statistics about the lack of women in these fields were read aloud, all three of the girls in the room gave some version of an eye roll, as if to say, ugh. Its no surprise the facts are grim. A study from Georgetown University found that out of 100 female bachelors degree students, just 12 will graduate with a STEM degree, and only three will continue to work in a STEM field 10 years after graduation. While women today hold close to half of U.S. jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, they hold just 24 percent of those in STEM. Those who do, according to Ohio State University, stand to make one third less than their male counterparts. So what is the answer? Why are girls still being left out of STEM? The first to jump in with thoughts was Rajaa Elhassan, a 17-year-old at the Bronx High School of Science in New York. Elhassan said she thinks the gender gap in STEM begins as early as grade school. I think in some STEM fields people have an underlying assumption that women are less brilliant than men, she says. You can have the accolades, but people are looking at you and thinking youre less brilliant than men. Youre made to feel less than. Elhassan saw this manifest on a robotics team at school. The girls on the co-ed team were being given small roles, management stuff. At one competition a guy even said, How do you manage to get girls in STEM without worrying about breaking their nails? Elhassan recalled, adding that after the experience, she watched her female peers begin to drop out of STEM activities. You hear other girls saying, Im not interested, but its not that theyre not interested, its that they dont feel welcome. Her thoughts spurred a reaction from Robyn An, a 15-year-old from Korea. An said that in Korea, girls are discouraged from pursuing a career of any kind much less a scientific one. Everything is male-dominated, so its kind of difficult to live there as a girl who wants to do science. Everyone is a really big believer in Confucius, so people believe that women cant be leaders, said An. They believe that men should dominate that field. An said that the trend is changing in Korea, but not quickly enough. Everything revolves around the theory that if youre a girl, you really cant participate. You always need to see through a different lens, she says. The gender gap is huge. Although Korea seems modernized, its the opposite because socially and economically, women are behind. Batra, the 16-year-old from Japan, agreed with both Elhassan and An. There is more pressure on women because they want to have jobs and a career. In Japan, its not culturally appropriate to be a stay-at-home dad, and thats a problem, Batra said. One good thing is that Japan is trying to change that theyre even creating emotional robots! All of the students agreed that for equality to be reached in STEM, women should have the same opportunities as men and feel supported by those surrounding them. At this conference, its safe to say they felt both and are ready to tackle the next challenge that comes their way. Maybe all we have to do now is sit back and watch. New York Academy of Sciences Global STEM Alliance programs have been made possible through its partnership with the Oath Foundation whose mission is to build opportunities for underserved women and girls to become future leaders. The Oath Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Yahoos parent company, Oath. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Thibaut Courtois has won trophies at Chelsea, but now has his eyes set on Real Madrid. (Getty) Thibaut Courtois wants to leave Chelsea. Chelsea isnt particularly keen on selling him. On Monday, the Belgian goalkeeper turned the discord into a standoff that appears to be getting contentious. Courtois, according to a report from the Daily Telegraph, has gone AWOL. One day after reportedly staying home in Belgium rather than attending the Community Shield, the 26-year-old skipped his first scheduled training session after a post-World Cup vacation. His absence was unannounced and unexplained. But the motive is clear: Courtois has his eyes set on Real Madrid. The reigning champions of Europe have previously had a bid for the keeper rejected by Chelsea. It appears Courtois is going to go to great lengths to force Chelsea to accept. But the Blues must navigate a tricky situation that isnt as simple as sell or stand pat. Why Chelsea should sell Courtois Courtois is in the last year of his contract, and apparently has no designs on signing a new one. The potential consequences of refusing to sell, therefore, are twofold. Chelsea would risk losing a prime-age player for free next summer. It would also be counting on unceasing season-long commitment from a player who clearly doesnt want to be at the club. New Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has essentially admitted thats a problem, saying Sunday that he wants only players with high levels of motivation. Sarri wanted to speak with Courtois face-to-face upon the keepers arrival in London on Monday. But that, clearly, has not happened. So assuming Real Madrids interest and financial willingness are legitimate, it appears likely that Chelsea will let Courtois return to Spain. But if it does, it needs a replacement, and thats where things get complicated. Why Chelsea shouldnt sell Courtois Courtois is a top-10 goalkeeper in the world. Chelsea would be silly to let him go without a fight especially because there is no obvious replacement available. And there is a tight deadline on procuring one. Story continues The issue for Chelsea is that the Premier Leagues summer transfer window closes on Thursday at noon ET. La Ligas remains open until the end of the month, meaning the Courtois saga could potentially drag on for weeks. But if Chelsea were to attempt to hold on to Courtois, then concede the tug-of-war to Real Madrid and the player next week, it would be left with Willy Caballero as its starting goalkeeper until January. Chelsea has less than three days to not only line up a Courtois replacement but secure one fee paid, contract signed, etc. The hottest rumor links Stoke Citys Jack Butland with a move to Stamford Bridge. But hed be a significant downgrade. Unless Chelsea somehow throws $100 million at Atletico Madrid and forces the Spaniards to part with Jan Oblak, it will be weakened by a Courtois sale. And now that Courtois has made his desires unmistakable, Chelsea might not even be able to recoup fair compensation. How does Courtois absence affect the situation? Courtois absence rips leverage away from Chelsea and hands it to Real Madrid. Los Blancos now know Chelsea is under immense pressure to sell. If the relationship between Courtois and Chelsea has become irreparable if the Premier League club acknowledges that there is no way to rectify the situation Real wont be inclined to up its bid, because it will be aware Chelsea cant really afford to hold onto Courtois. Chelsea could, of course, call Courtois bluff and bet on his return once Real Madrid vanishes as an alternative in September. But Courtois could, in response, stage a holdout, refusing to play. He would be fined, so hed essentially be forfeiting his salary. He probably wouldnt go full Diego Costa and stay in Belgium past the end of August. But its a semi-realistic possibility. The Premier Leagues early transfer deadline is also problematic here. If Chelsea decides it has no other option but to sell Courtois, its top priority given the urgency might become finding a replacement. But if Chelsea signs that replacement Thursday, then turns its attention to Real Madrid negotiations, the Blues would have even less leverage the arrival of the replacement a giveaway that they are planning to sell. There might even be ripple effects of Courtois holdout as well. Stoke can jack up its Butland asking price, knowing that Chelsea will likely need a replacement. What will happen? Even if its a sub-optimal solution for Chelsea, Courtois will likely be a Real Madrid player when the La Liga season kicks off. He wants to go. His agent has put public pressure on Chelsea. The Blues will sell for market value by the end of this week. Chelsea, to accommodate, will probably overpay for Butland. Sevillas Sergio Rico is reportedly another option. A swap deal for Reals Keylor Navas might even be logical. Evertons Jordan Pickford has also been mentioned. But Butland is the top candidate, and very well could start Chelseas Premier League opener against Huddersfield on Saturday. Henry Bushnell covers global soccer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Question? Comment? Email him at henrydbushnell@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter @HenryBushnell, and on Facebook. Number one, we're going to protect and expand health care, not strip it away. ... Second, our message is rescue America and we will rescue America from the grasp of an unhinged narcissist who is creating the chaos that (Kasich) just talked about. And that is why so many Republicans and independents and Democrats are banding together in this rescue mission for America. And the third message and this is very fundamental to the Democratic Party this year. We're really defining gross domestic product the way it should be. The D in gross domestic product should mean domestic for families. Thousands gathered in Portland, Oregon, to attend and protest against the Gibson for Senate Freedom March, a Patriot Prayer event on August 4. Portland police stated that those with the appropriate licenses would be allowed to cary handguns but that rifles or other long-guns were prohibited. Joey Gibson, the founder of Patriot Prayer, streamed via Facebook Live on July 30, saying there have been guns at every Patriot Prayer rally but they would only be used in the case of self-defense. Credit: Trapper Reigns via Storyful Nairobi (AFP) - At least three Burundian soldiers were killed and five others injured in an attack outside of the capital Bujumbura at the weekend, police and media sources said Monday. According to SOS Medias Burundi, a collective of independent journalists, an army truck was ambushed on Sunday night in the town of Gihanga, 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the capital. "A truck with about a dozen soldiers on board was ambushed by an unidentified armed group while on their way to an army position in Rukoko," a police source confirmed on condition of anonymity. "Three soldiers were killed on the spot and five others were injured, three of them seriously." The region lies alongside a swampy area bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Hutu National Forces of Liberation rebels are known to be active. Burundi been wracked by a political crisis since 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza ran for a controversial third term and won a disputed election. Caracas (AFP) - Six people have been arrested, accused of "terrorism" and attempting to assassinate Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro with explosive-laden drones. Here is a look at how the alleged attack unfolded. - Military Parade - Maduro was speaking at a military parade to honor the National Guard, a body the opposition accuses of being primarily responsible for the 125 deaths during four months of civil unrest in 2017. The president was warning citizens that those who failed to register their cars in a national census would miss out on subsidized fuel when an explosion above his head took away his attention. "What happened?" said Maduro looking upwards worriedly, his wife Cilia Flores flinching as bodyguards jumped in to shield the president, with someone shouting "shelter him!" Maduro was heard saying "let's go to the right" as television pictures cut away from him to the lines military personnel. But the National Guardsmen then scattered in panic after a second explosion was heard, the state television broadcast quickly cutting away from that too. Photos and videos published later showed soldiers protecting the president with plastic shields while a uniformed officer was evacuated with blood pouring from a head wound. - 'Shockwave' - Marco Salgado, a foreign correspondent who's been working in Venezuela for a decade, was close to Maduro at the time of the first explosion and took the picture of the bloodied soldier, one of seven injured according to the government, three of them seriously. "I had my back to the stage when I felt the shockwave. I thought a rocket had exploded very close to me. When I looked at the stage, I saw they were sheltering the president," he told AFP. The obscure National Movement of Soldiers in T-shirts group claimed responsibility for the attack that Interior and Justice Minister Nestor Reverol said was carried out using two drones, each packed with a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of plastic explosive C4. Story continues The first became "disoriented by signal inhibiting equipment" and was thus "activated outside the assassins' planned perimeter," Reverol said. The second drone lost control and crashed into an adjacent building, letting off a plume of smoke, he added. That's when armed forces and spectators alike ran for cover. "There was chaos. People running in every direction but many not knowing where to go. Everyone was confused, the spectators as well as the National Guard," added Salgado. A commanding voice telling the troops to stand firm had no effect as panic gripped those fleeing. Maduro, though, kept his calm, believing the explosions to be from the kind of fireworks often set off at officials events. - 'Serenity' - Thereafter there was absolute silence from the government for one hour before Communication and Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez appeared in front of state cameras stating that the president had come under "attack." "Don't worry, he's completely unhurt," added Rodriguez, speaking of a president against whom thousands regularly take to the streets to protest. Three hours after the dramatic episode, Maduro appeared on television to denounce an attempt "to assassinate me," while talking of how he'd reacted with "serenity." "This drone was looking at me," he said, before launching into a series of accusations against the opposition, Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos and the United States, those he calls the "ultra-right." Spurs guard Tony Parker and coach Gregg Popovich shared 17 seasons in San Antonio. (AP) Tony Parker wrote a heartfelt thank you letter to the San Antonio Spurs for The Players Tribune. After a 17-year career with the Spurs that included four NBA championships and the 2007 Finals MVP award, Parker signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets earlier this summer. But before moving on to his next chapter, Parker wanted to chronicle what San Antonio meant to him. Thank you to the Spurs organization, from top to bottom, for the most amazing opportunity of my life and for 17 years of the greatest job on earth, the 36-year-old wrote. Thank you to Spurs fans, everywhere, for always showing up, always being loud, and always, always having my back. And thank you to the city of San Antonio, for being the only thing that I could ever possibly call it now: home. Parker called Tim Duncan the greatest I ever played with A late first-round pick by the Spurs in 2001, Parker joined a franchise two years removed from winning its first-ever title, led by Tim Duncan and David Robinson. While Parker lauded Robinson and other veterans for enhancing his development rather than letting their championship pursuit stand in the way of it, the six-time All-Star credited Duncan for creating the Spurs Culture that led to five titles. Because heres the thing with Tim Duncan: Was he the greatest player of all time? he wrote. I dont know hes the greatest I ever played with, Ill say that, and Ill let the experts take it from there. But heres one thing Ill tell you, absolutely: Timmy was the most coachable great player of all time. That was always our secret weapon, to me: You see this all-world player, this All-NBA First Team, MVP of the Finals, about to be MVP of the league guy, and here he is in practice, willing to be coached like hes fighting for a spot on the team. It was unreal. And if you think thats too passive for a star player to be? Well, then youre not thinking it through on Tims level. Because Tim knew the truth: which was that to let himself be coached in this way, you know thats true charisma, and thats true swagger. Its like he was challenging everyone else in our gym: The best player in the entire league is willing to put his ego aside for the good of this team are you? Story continues Gregg Popovich a close second to Duncan for culture-setting Pairing the most coachable great player of all time with one of the games most brilliant coaching minds is never a bad idea, and few understood that better than Parker. He called Spurs coach Gregg Popovich a close second to Duncan in terms of driving the program that we built into a dynasty. Parker said it was Popovich who puppeteered the ebbs and flows of their careers. Whether or not it benefited one player more than another at any point, it was always for the good of the team, and Parker saw both sides of that from the team chasing Jason Kidd in free agency just after he helped lead them to the 2003 title to the Spurs riding his hot streak to a 2007 during his Finals MVP run. Heres the thing, though, with all those experiences, both the good ones and the bad ones: They all made me a better player and they all made me a better person. And thats just Pop, man, added Parker. Thats what makes him so special. Its no B.S. when hes giving you these words of encouragement and its no B.S. when hes giving you these words of criticism. When hes starting you, when hes benching you, when hes handing you the keys to the offense, or even when hes shopping the keys around in free agency to someone else man, youre still getting the same Pop, operating on the same principle, every time. And that principle is: anything that happens on his watch, it happens for one reason and one reason only. The good of the Spurs. Dejounte Murray and the student becoming the teacher Parker spent so much time with Popovich that he made a Popovich-ian decision this past season, informing the coach that it was time to play young Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray over him for the good of Dejountes development, and for the good of the team. Popovich agreed, and Parker informed Murray. It put a blow on his time with San Antonio, allowing him to move on to Charlotte. Was it bittersweet? asked Parker. You know what, Im not trying to seem like a robot here or anything, but it really wasnt. Its a discipline thing, I think. Thats just kind of the way that I was raised, and how Ive grown up as a player to always stay moving forward. Of course dont get me wrong: every now and then, you know, Manu and Timmy and I, well get together for dinner and when this happens, for sure, then its time for a little bit of nostalgia. You cant help it and we have this great time, sharing all these great memories back and forth. But when its in-season? And Im in work mode? When youre in work mode in this league, I think, you have to be pretty disciplined: about letting the present stay the present, and the past stay the past. And so thats how I tried to keep that moment. I wanted Dejounte to know that hed earned it but also that what the decision came down to, in the end, was the exact same thing that it would always come down to during his time in San Antonio: the good of the Spurs. Parkers one Kawhi Leonard reference Parker heaped praise on former teammates Duncan, Robinson and Manu Ginobili, the Hall of Famers whose careers crossed paths with his in San Antonio. However, there was only one direct reference to Kawhi Leonard, the 2014 Finals MVP who was supposed to carry that mantle to the next generation of Spurs, but instead forced his way out with a well-publicized trade demand that reportedly had its roots (at least in part) in a misunderstanding with Parker. Parker said he, Ginobili and Duncan were each at their happiest when the others were cooking in the playoffs. And then even if its none of us, you know? he wrote. If its none of the original Big Three, and now all of a sudden its the young gun, Kawhi, dominating in the 14 Finals man, Timmy and Manu and I, youve never seen such smiles as the ones we had on when we are lifting that trophy. There is another part of Parkers letter that could be interpreted as an indirect reference to Leonards departure from the organization. It was in reference to how Robinson and the veterans took him under their wing in 2001, but when juxtaposed with how this summer transpired, it captures your attention. Everyone had their expectation of winning championships, Parker wrote of Robinson and other Spurs veterans. But then they also had this other responsibility, that they valued just as much, of, like leaving the team in better shape than when they found it. And thats Spurs Culture, to me, you know? Fulfilling your expectations, while also making room for this larger responsibility to the whole. The Spurs may never be better than they were when Parker found them, but had Leonard remained healthy and stayed with the organization, there was at least a chance they could have been. Whatever the case may be, the Spurs are better for having had Parker, and for that San Antonio is thankful, too. Ben Rohrbach is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at rohrbach_ben@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! More from Yahoo Sports: NFL HOF reportedly considering requiring inductees to show up Dak Prescott on Get Out mural: Everybody has their own opinion Terez Paylor: Tyrod good for Cleveland? Just ask the defense Dan Wetzel: How Jim Tressel scandal sheds insight on Urban Meyer situation As California wildfires claimed their seventh victim, Donald Trump finally weighed in on the tragedy with one of his most confounding tweets ever, blaming California for the blazes because it diverts water to the Pacific Ocean. He also blamed the states bad environmental laws the most protective in the nation and trees. He called for a tree clear to stop fire spreading. He failed to express condolences to the families of the victims, thank firefighters, or offer comfort to Californians afraid for their lives, homes and communities. California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which arent allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized. It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire spreading! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2018 The tweet came just days after the Trump administration moved to scrap tough vehicle emissions standards initially established by California. The move would clear the way for vehicles to pump an additional 600 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by 2030. Thats the equivalent of the entire annual emissions of Canada. Its unclear what the president meant by water diverted into the Pacific. California allocates water among residents, agricultural and industrial use, and for wetlands and wildlife, including water mandated to protect endangered species. But state waters eventually drain into the ocean. As one tweeter responded: Water running into the Pacific Ocean is called a river. And firefighters havent complained of a lack of water for battling the blazes. The tweet could be a muddled indication of support for a GOP battle in Washington for a larger water allocation to farmers, many of them Republican voters, in the drought-stricken states central valley. But its unclear how that would help staunch California fires. The scientific consensus is that fires are becoming more common because of climate change, which Trump once called a Chinese hoax. Story continues Twitter users were stunned the president failed to express concern about people suffering in the fires. But most readers were stumped or derisive. One responded: Thanks, genius. Problem solved. As a professor who specializes in wildfire management, there are a lot of things that are broken about how we prepare for & fight wildfires... but its near impossible to overstate how ridiculous this comment is. https://t.co/YTan7N1BEs Eric Kennedy (@ericbkennedy) August 5, 2018 Now you are an environmentalist? Morty Rosenfeld (@MortyRosenfeld1) August 6, 2018 I had to come look if this was a real tweet. Ummmmm....gee..... You seem to know next to nothing about California. Fires are more often fought with flame retardant. Mowing down a forest to keep the forest from burning is on the crazy side. bree brinkenstein (@eebrinkenstein) August 6, 2018 Must tree clear to stop fire? it's YOUR EPA and you with the "fake" climate control! Granny7 don't take bullshit (@MsHenryof6kids) August 6, 2018 Diverted to the Pacific Ocean? I think it was headed that way already... Talbot M Andrews (@TalbotMAndrews) August 6, 2018 Thank you for your heartfelt words of concern and support for the families who have lost everything. Primrose Lane (@ridiculoustimes) August 6, 2018 No you #StableGenius, scientists have been seeing the fingerprints of #climatechange all over these fires and it's making them far worse. Why don't you offer your condolences and then maybe read something aside from the McDonalds menu: https://t.co/agcMh1LnVP Miroslava Korenha (@M_Korenha) August 6, 2018 By "tree clear", I'm sure you're talking about logging. You're not interested in fire safety. All you want to do is destroy nature and make corporations richer. Audrey (@AudreyK27) August 6, 2018 How about a shout out to the 15,000+ Firefighters who are putting their lives on the line backed with a commitment of support? That is what a real President would do.https://t.co/XN8Ijged2M #Californiafires#California #Calfires Big Ass Mustache (@XX7xluckydem0n) August 6, 2018 JUST IN: The President of the United States blames environmental protection laws for California wildfires, and believes that useful fresh water is being diverted to the Pacific Ocean. It remains unclear if he also believes that the Earth is flat, and the sun revolves around it. Trump Thoughts (@TrumpDotDotDot) August 5, 2018 So...you want to stop trees from catching on fire...by removing the trees...? But I thought you believed so strongly in the environment. You said so! Andrew (@AndrewSnarks) August 6, 2018 I fixed your tweet, boo. Dont worry. I always got your back. My hart goes out to all those infected by the kalifornia wildfires. Im working alongside my addministration to formulate a plan of action to swiftly dayliver aids and support to all the suffered comuntitties. Joe Bereta of The Valleyfolk (@joebereta) August 5, 2018 Why the hell are all the rivers flowing into the Pacific Ocean? I blame the Evangelicals Rogue (@RogueCIAsurveil) August 6, 2018 So how do you explain the fires in Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and Montana? Those states aren't exactly models of environmental regulation and yet they are burning also.https://t.co/1w7ByodAky Eric Foltz (@EricFoltz) August 6, 2018 What are you going to do with the massive amount of water that doesnt exist in California? Your destructive environmental policy is what causes climate change. Stop rolling back fuel & auto standards. Fix the EPA, dont dismantle it. Be the solution, not the problem. (Right!) Zardoz commands that Trump should be impeached! (@mr3film) August 6, 2018 Californias wildfires and water shortage are due to climate change that your administration continues to deny and even pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord. Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) August 5, 2018 Sir your account has been hacked. Again. lori b. (@hoskins_lori) August 6, 2018 You're not the best person to give out advice about fire prevention. Fatal Trump Tower fire: No sprinkler system in apartments https://t.co/FUrgkfvttE via @usatoday Domino (@sleep4_aweek) August 5, 2018 Well, damn, you finally figured out that California wildfires were happening. And you still cant even tweet a message of support, just BS about how its all their fault. Lily Forest (@lilyforest51) August 6, 2018 Californian here. Please. Just stop. Hey19 (@Hey19TheCuervo_) August 6, 2018 Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. We get that. We support that. As journalists, we deal with redacted reports routinely when they involve minors. But CPS censors didnt black out just the names and other identifying information. They blacked out any mention of what had happened, including the date. Yes, the actual date of occurrence. Thats not about protecting students. Its about damage control. By Laura Zuckerman (Reuters) - The Trump administration has rescinded an Obama-era ban on the use of pesticides linked to declining bee populations and the cultivation of genetically modified crops in dozens of national wildlife refuges where farming is permitted. Environmentalists, who had sued to bring about the 2-year-old ban, said on Friday that lifting the restriction poses a grave threat to pollinating insects and other sensitive creatures relying on toxic-free habitats afforded by wildlife refuges. "Industrial agriculture has no place on refuges dedicated to wildlife conservation and protection of some of the most vital and vulnerable species," said Jenny Keating, federal lands policy analyst for the group Defenders of Wildlife. Limited agricultural activity is authorized on some refuges by law, including cooperative agreements in which farmers are permitted to grow certain crops to produce more food or improve habitat for the wildlife there. The rollback, spelled out in a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service memo, ends a policy that had prohibited farmers on refuges from planting biotech crops - such as soybeans and corn - engineered to resist insect pests and weed-controlling herbicides. That policy also had barred the use on wildlife refuges of neonicotinoid pesticides, or neonics, in conjunction with GMO crops. Neonics are a class of insecticides tied by research to declining populations of wild bees and other pollinating insects around the world. Rather than continuing to impose a blanket ban on GMO crops and neonics on refuges, Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Director Greg Sheehan said in Thursday's memo that decisions about their use would be made on a case-by-case basis. Sheehan said the move was needed to ensure adequate forage for migratory birds, including ducks and geese favored and hunted by sportsmen on many of the nation's refuges. U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, whose department oversees the Fish and Wildlife Service, has made expansion of hunting on public lands a priority for his agency. Sheehan wrote that genetically modified organisms have helped "maximize production, and that neonicotinoids might be needed "to fulfill needed farming practices." It marked the latest in a series of Obama-era environmental restrictions to be reversed under Trump, his Republican successor, who campaigned on a pledge to roll back government regulations. In a 2014 Obama administration memo announcing plans to phase in the ban, Jim Kurth, head of the refuge system, wrote that seeds treated with neonics give rise to plants whose tissues contained compounds that could harm "non-target" species. He also said, "refuges throughout the country successfully meet wildlife management objectives without" GMOs or neonics. Thursday's memo named 50-plus national wildlife refuges across the country where the revised policy now applies. The entire system consists 560 refuge units encompassing roughly 150 million acres nationwide. (Editing by Steve Gorman and Sandra Maler) BOSTON The Trump administrations new attack on Obamacare will expose consumers to surprise, sometimes staggering medical bills. Just ask some of the state officials who deal with these kinds of issues every day. They are part of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which happened to be meeting in Boston this weekend, days after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized new rules for short-term, limited-duration insurance policies. These plans, which insurers have sold for decades, are supposed to provide minimal, temporary assistance for people with brief gaps in coverage. For that reason, they are not subject to the Affordable Care Acts regulations. Short-term policies do not have to cover mental health care, prescriptions, or other services that the 2010 health care law calls essential. And insurers dont have to sell these policies to people who have pre-existing medical conditions. The Affordable Care Act didnt legislate short-term plans out of existence, but it allowed the federal government to regulate them aggressively. The Obama administration did just that, issuing rules that limited the plans to durations of no more than three months. Obama officials also decided that short-term plans wouldnt count toward the individual mandate, meaning that people who bought those plans would owe a financial penalty for not having comprehensive coverage. (Photo: Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation) Now the Trump administration has undone all of that. Under the new rules that HHS released last week, insurers can go back to selling short-term plans that last for (nearly) one year and, in a new twist, theyll be able to let consumers renew those plans twice. If insurers decide to offer such policies, consumers could then hold short term coverage for what basically works out to three years. They wouldnt even have to worry about the individual mandate, because, thanks to the GOP tax bill that Trump signed late last year, the penalty falls to zero in 2019. Story continues All of this is likely to make short-term coverage an attractive option for people healthy enough to qualify for it. Because the policies dont pay for many expensive services and because the policies arent available to the people most likely to run up large bills, the premiums are a lot lower than the premiums for comprehensive coverage a fact that the Trump administration highlighted this week as it touted the new regulations. What we are doing is bringing cheap and more affordable options to individuals who are trapped under the Affordable Care Act with insurance that is actually not affordable or not available or doesnt deliver them hospitals and doctors that they need, HHS Secretary Alex Azar said during a Fox Business Network appearance last week. Short-Term Coverage Can Be A Hazard For Consumers But state insurance officials like Jessica Altman, who is insurance commissioner in Pennsylvania, say the administration isnt telling the public or would-be buyers the whole story about what the policies will cover and, more importantly, what they will not cover. Im frustrated with how [administration officials] are presenting this, Altman said in an interview. Theyre saying, Heres this option thats affordable and wonderful, and not talking about how limited the plans are. Altman wasnt the only regulator in Boston wary of the change. Lori Wing-Heier, who directs Alaskas insurance division, said she thinks short-term plans can play a useful, if limited, role in the market. But with the new regulation, she told HuffPost, Im concerned that people will buy these policies, show up at the hospital for a condition they did not expect, and discover they are not covered. Under the Trump administrations regulations, the marketing material for short-term plans must contain clear, prominent language informing consumers that the policies are not equivalent to the more comprehensive plans that comply with Affordable Care Act standards. In theory, that should give consumers the information they need to make an informed choice a point that administration officials have made repeatedly as their proposal has come under attack. One of the things we are doing is requiring consumer protection notice on the plans, Azar told reporters during a briefing on Wednesday. In fact, its a more robust notice than President Obamas administration had on these very same plans to ensure the patient, the consumer, knows going in what they are getting and what theyre not getting through the plan. HHS Secretary Alex Azar has said short-term plans will offer new, more affordable options to people who are struggling to pay for insurance now. (Photo: SOPA Images via Getty Images) But even attentive consumers might not grasp the implications of what that language means, according to the insurance regulators. And these officials should know, because they are the ones who monitor marketing materials and hear from consumers when they get bills they didnt expect. They may read [the warning], but thats not the same as understanding it, Michael Conway, Colorados interim commissioner, warned, noting that many people will assume these plans are still subject to the Affordable Care Acts rules. Because of the ACA, now people think the baseline has changed that certain things are always covered. And its not just a question of understanding the limits on what short-term plans cover. Its also a question of matching up those limits to the likely costs of an intensive medical episode something that even experts can find difficult. Altman, from Pennsylvania, frequently cites a story about a woman who bought a short-term plan, had a stroke, and discovered belatedly that her $250,000 in hospital bills far exceed the $40,000 cap from her policy. You can look at one of these plans and youll see it covers doctors, hospitals, maybe even drugs, and so you think it will have everything I need, Altman said. You wont realize that the amounts are caps, or have exclusions its really difficult to expect that consumers will be able to figure out what all of this means, and really know what they are getting. Yet another hazard for buyers is the ambiguity over pre-existing conditions. When insurers see a big claim, they will frequently scour medical records for evidence of pre-existing conditions, sometimes denying payment for people who thought they had applied for coverage and given their histories in good faith. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. Wing-Heier, from Alaska, says she has seen this happen before. You fill out the form, the medical forms, you think you are being honest about your history, and then the insurers go through your records and find something that you didnt think was an issue, your doctor didnt think was an issue, but now the insurer is saying its a pre-existing condition. Insurance commissioners arent just worried about surprise bills for people who get short-term plans. They also worry about insurance markets becoming less stable. One possibility is that insurers will develop new policies that look more like Affordable Care Act just enough to attract people who want comprehensive coverage while still leaving out key benefits and selling only to people in good health. Im pretty sure well see some plans that are only one or two degrees different from an ACA plan, though itll still be underwritten, so a lot cheaper and not available to people with pre-existing conditions, said Joel Ario, a former commissioner from Pennsylvania and Oregon who is now a managing director at Manatt Health. It really opens a pandoras box. And the more creative the plans get, the bigger the challenge for regulators will be. Many of the companies selling these plans arent the big, commercial insurers. They are smaller operations more likely to have shaky financial reserves or engage in deceptive marketing, as a recent Commonwealth Fund briefing paper noted. Plus these insurers sell plans through agents and brokers who might not always make sure consumers understand what they are buying. Unaffordable Coverage Is Still A Big Problem For Many To be clear, the present and former commissioners expressing these concerns dont speak for all of their counterparts. Opinions of the new regulation mostly break down along predictable philosophical and party lines: More liberal or Democratic-affiliated commissioners tend to be critical of the new regulation, while more conservative and Republican-affiliated ones tend to support it. Short-term plans may not offer full financial protection, the latter say, but the policies are better than nothing and nothing is what many consumers have now. That last part is certainly true. The Affordable Care Acts new rules for insurers made insurance a lot more expensive. And although the law also created a system of tax credits to offset those higher prices, people with incomes higher than four times the poverty line about $49,000 for an individual, $100,000 for a family of four dont receive those subsidies. They have to pay full price and, in some instances, coverage comes to more than 20 percent of their household incomes. And thats before taking into account out-of-pocket expenses. The high premiums are the result of multiple causes, some related to the Affordable Care Acts design and some related to the way hostile GOP officials have treated it. But whatever the causes, its left some middle- to upper-middle income people struggling to find decent insurance. Weve got to have it for people who cant afford coverage now it covers people up to what they can afford, Jim Ridling, commissioner in Alabama said. The numbers bear this out. The number of people buying insurance on their own, rather than through employers, has started to fall, as a recent report from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation confirmed. The decline is mostly among people who face those high premiums because they dont qualify for subsidies. But there are other ways to help struggling consumers. At the state level, officials can tap into federal funds with a relatively modest state investment in order to create create so-called reinsurance pools, which reduce premiums by offsetting the cost of expensive beneficiaries. At the federal level, lawmakers could make tax credits more generous or take more comprehensive action, like having government set prices to control costs or provide insurance directly through some kind of public plan. A single-payer or Medicare for all plan, which many Democrats support, would do both of these things. The catch is that these steps would entail new taxes, new regulations, or both steps that the Trump administration and its allies oppose. That is why officials have settled, instead, on a strategy of letting insurers offer policies that simply dont provide the same level of protection and arent as widely available as comprehensive coverage. Of course theyll be less expensive, California Commissioner Dave Jones said. Thats because its junk insurance and it wont cover the same things. This story has been updated to clarify which officials support the new regulations. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday endorsed controversial conservative Kris Kobach's bid for governor of Kansas, rejecting the state's current Governor Jeff Colyer in a competitive state primary for the nomination. Kobach, a national leader of the push to restrict illegal immigration and pass more restrictive voting laws, advised Trump's presidential campaign on immigration issues and served as vice chairman of Trump's short-lived voter fraud commission. Kobach, the current Kansas secretary of state, and Colyer are running head-to-head in polls in a crowded primary contest on Tuesday for governor of the conservative state. In a tweet, Trump called Kobach "a strong and early supporter of mine" and said he had the president's "full and total" endorsement. "Strong on Crime, Border & Military. VOTE TUESDAY!" Trump wrote. Colyer, the former lieutenant governor, moved into the top job earlier this year when Republican Sam Brownback took a job in the Trump administration as a religious freedom ambassador. Trump made no mention of the voter fraud commission in his endorsement, but Kobach was the leading proponent of a theory backed by the president that millions of fraudulent votes were cast in the 2016 presidential election. A federal court ruled against Kobach's claims of voter fraud in April and held him in contempt for violating an injunction meant to safeguard voting rights. (Writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Andrea Ricci) WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump overruled the warnings of aides Monday to endorse hardline conservative Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach in that state's Republican gubernatorial primary. In a morning tweet ahead of the Tuesday contest, Trump said Kobach has his "full & total Endorsement!" as he faces off against a field of candidates that includes incumbent Gov. Jeff Colyer. "Kris Kobach, a strong and early supporter of mine, is running for Governor of the Great State of Kansas," Trump added. "He is a fantastic guy who loves his State and our Country - he will be a GREAT Governor." Kobach gained a national profile as an ardent advocate of stricter voter identification laws in his state, including a requirement in Kansas law that new voters provide proof of citizenship when they register that a federal judge recently struck down. His views on immigration policy also align with Trump's and he advised the Trump campaign on a strategy for forcing Mexico to pay for the wall. Kobach was the most prominent Kansas elected official and the only one holding statewide office to publicly endorse Trump ahead of the state's 2016 presidential caucuses. Since Trump's election, he has continued to advise the White House on immigration and homeland security issues. Two Trump administration officials had told the AP in July that the president had been inclined to endorse Kobach ahead of the state's Aug. 7 primary. But aides have warned the president that it would alienate Republicans loyal to Colyer, who succeeded Sam Brownback when Trump selected him for a diplomatic post. The officials said the president had been on the verge of tweeting out an endorsement of Kobach last spring, but his staff intervened, warning of the repercussions. They warned that Kobach's hawkish immigration views may make him the weaker candidate in this fall's general election, potentially setting up a prime opportunity for Democrats in the state. The officials believed they had prevailed on Trump to stay out of the race. Story continues Still, Donald Trump Jr., the president's son, visited the Kansas City area in November and Wichita in July to hold fundraisers for Kobach. An incumbent Kansas governor has lost a primary only twice since the state began holding such elections 110 years ago, the last time in 1956. Colyer has portrayed himself as a conservative who can build consensus to govern, and he's repeatedly expressed support for Trump, even joining other Republican governors earlier this year in suggesting Trump receive the Nobel Peace Prize. But Kobach has run as a no-apologies conservative who revels in the criticism he provokes on the left. "We respect the Trump family's loyalty, but as Bob Dole made clear in his endorsement of the governor Dr. Colyer is the best candidate to win tomorrow and is the only candidate who can defeat the Democrats in the Fall," said Colyer spokesman Kendall Marr. After the 2016 presidential election, Kobach publicly backed Trump's unsupported claim that "millions" of people voted illegally, costing Trump the popular vote. Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway later identified Kobach as one of the sources of the claim. And in meeting with the president-elect after the election, Kobach brought a "strategic plan" for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that included a proposal for revising federal voter registration laws to promote proof-of-citizenship requirements by states like one Kobach championed in Kansas and struck down this year by a federal court. Trump named Kobach in May 2017 as vice chairman of a presidential commission on election fraud, though the group was disbanded at the start of this year amid infighting and refusals by numerous states to cooperate with its work. Kobach has continued to praise Trump's economic policies on social media, and on the campaign trail, he echoes Trump's views on illegal immigration, repeatedly making the misleading claim that Kansas is "the sanctuary state of the Midwest." Kobach and Colyer top a field of seven candidates, and Kansas does not hold runoff elections. That means the Republican nomination could go to someone with 30 percent or less of the vote. In November, Kansas City-area businessman Greg Orman expects to be on the ballot as an independent candidate making it possible for a candidate to be elected governor with less than 40 percent of the vote. __ Hanna reported from Topeka, Kansas. By Doina Chiacu WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged on Sunday that his son met with Russians in 2016 at Trump Tower to get information on his election opponent Hillary Clinton, saying it was "totally legal" and "done all the time in politics." The Republican president had previously said the meeting was about the adoption of Russian children by Americans. Trump's morning Twitter post was his most direct statement on the purpose of the meeting, though his son and others have said it was to gather damaging information on the Democratic candidate. In a post on Twitter https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1026084333315153924, Trump also denied reports in the Washington Post and CNN that he was concerned his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., could be in legal trouble because of the meeting with the Russians, including a lawyer with Kremlin ties. He repeated that he had not known about the meeting in advance. "Fake News reporting, a complete fabrication, that I am concerned about the meeting my wonderful son, Donald, had in Trump Tower. This was a meeting to get information on an opponent, totally legal and done all the time in politics - and it went nowhere. I did not know about it!" Trump said. Political campaigns routinely pursue opposition research on their opponents, but not with foreign representatives from a country viewed as an adversary. Russian officials were under U.S. sanctions at the time. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is examining whether Trump campaign members coordinated with Russia to sway the White House race in his favor. Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied his government interfered. One part of the inquiry has focused on a June 9, 2016, meeting at Trump Tower in New York between Donald Jr., other campaign aides and a group of Russians. Email released by Donald Jr. himself showed he had been keen on the meeting because his father's campaign was being offered potentially damaging information on Clinton. Donald Jr. said later he realized the meeting was primarily aimed at lobbying against the 2012 Magnitsky sanctions law, which led to Moscow denying Americans the right to adopt Russian orphans. President Trump has repeatedly denied that his campaign worked with Moscow, saying "No Collusion!" Last week, however, he adopted his lawyers' tactics and insisted "collusion is not a crime." While collusion is not a technical legal charge, Mueller could bring conspiracy charges if he finds that any campaign member worked with Russia to break U.S. law. Working with a foreign national with the intent of influencing a U.S. election could violate multiple laws, according to legal experts. CNN reported last month that Michael Cohen, the president's longtime personal lawyer, was willing to tell Mueller that Trump did know about the Trump Tower meeting in advance. Trump's lawyers and the White House have given conflicting accounts about whether Trump was involved in crafting Donald Jr.'s response to a New York Times article last summer revealing the Trump Tower meeting with the adoptions rationale. Trump's lawyers acknowledged in a letter to Mueller's team in January 2018 that Trump dictated the response, according to the Times. Trump has stepped up his public attacks on the Mueller probe since the first trial to arise from it began last week in Alexandria, Virginia, involving former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. The federal tax and bank fraud charges Manafort faces are not related to the Trump campaign but Manafort's close relations with Russians and a Kremlin-backed Ukrainian politician are under scrutiny in the trial. Trump's attacks on the special counsel's investigation have been rebuffed by Republican leaders in Congress who have expressed support for Mueller. "The president should be straightforward with the American people about the threat to our election process that Russia, Putin in particular, is engaged in is ongoing," Representative Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday. One of the president's personal lawyers said on Sunday that if Trump is subpoenaed by the special counsel, his lawyers will attempt to quash it in court. Any legal battle over whether the president can be compelled to testify could go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, the lawyer, Jay Sekulow, said on ABC's "This Week." U.S. intelligence agencies concluded last year that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. election with a campaign of hacking into Democratic Party computer networks and spreading disinformation on social media. American intelligence officials say Russia is targeting the November congressional elections, which will determine whether or not Republicans keep control of both chambers of the U.S. Congress. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu, Damon Darlin, Lucia Mutikani, Lesley Wroughton; editing by Grant McCool) Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump will meet with Kenyan leader Uhuru Kenyatta in Washington later this month to discuss security and trade, the White House announced Monday. "Kenya is a vital partner of the United States, and President Trump looks forward to discussing ways to broaden the strategic partnership based on our shared democratic values and mutual interests," the White House said in a statement. Kenyatta's visit is set for August 27. He would only be the third African leader to come to the White House under Trump, after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi visited last year and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari came in April. "President Trump and President Kenyatta will explore ways to bolster trade and investment between the two countries, while strengthening security cooperation," the statement read. Kenyatta won re-election last year in a drawn-out poll that divided the nation and left at least 92 dead, according to rights groups. Our advice to those customers and anyone else seeking health insurance: Pay attention to the details. Customers who sign up for so-called bare-bones or catastrophic coverage should know the risks of skimpier benefits. Depending on the policy and on state regulations, these customers may not be covered for what insurers determine are pre-existing conditions or for certain illnesses. They may face lifetime caps on benefits. People will need to explore their choices and figure out if the lower price is worth the risk. That said, some people are content to pay their routine medical costs; they want to buy the relatively inexpensive catastrophic insurance that will protect them from major expenses. Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump said Monday he remains open to forging a new nuclear deal with Iran, as he confirmed Washington will go ahead with reimposing sanctions against Tehran. Despite pleas from other parties to the agreement, Trump pulled the US out of the deal in May, claiming the Iranian regime was cheating on its commitments and funding "malign" activities around the region. "I remain open to reaching a more comprehensive deal that addresses the full range of the regime's malign activities, including its ballistic missile program and its support for terrorism," Trump said in a statement. A first phase of US sanctions against Iran goes into effect overnight, targeting Iran's access to US banknotes and key industries including cars and carpets. The second phase, which takes effect November 5 and will block Iran's oil sales, is due to cause more damage, though several countries including China, India and Turkey have indicated they are not willing to entirely cut their Iranian energy purchases. Trump called the multilateral Iran accord a "horrible, one-sided deal." It "failed to achieve the fundamental objective of blocking all paths to an Iranian nuclear bomb, and it threw a lifeline of cash to a murderous dictatorship that has continued to spread bloodshed, violence and chaos," he said. After months of fierce rhetoric, Trump surprised observers last week when he offered to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani without preconditions. But Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif suggested it was hard to imagine negotiating with the man who tore up an agreement on which Iran and world powers had spent the "longest hours in negotiating history." Trump warned that businesses and individuals that continue to work with Tehran risk "severe" consequences. "We urge all nations to take such steps to make clear that the Iranian regime faces a choice: either change its threatening, destabilizing behavior and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation," he said. Donald Trump has signed an executive order reimposing a number of sanctions on Iran a move the European Union said it deeply regretted and which will complicate relations with Tehran for scores of nations. Three months after he revealed he was pulling the United States out of the seven party Iran nuclear deal, Mr Trump announced the reimposition of a wide range of sanctions against the Middle Eastern nation. A second set will be reimposed in a further three months. [The Iran nuclear deal] a horrible, one-sided deal, failed to achieve the fundamental objective of blocking all paths to an Iranian nuclear bomb, and it threw a lifeline of cash to a murderous dictatorship that has continued to spread bloodshed, violence and chaos, Mr Trump said in a statement. Since the deal was reached, Irans aggression has only increased. The regime has used the windfall of newly accessible funds it received under the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] to build nuclear-capable missiles, fund terrorism, and fuel conflict across the Middle East and beyond. White House national security adviser John Bolton said Iran should pay heed to the fact Mr Trump has said he is willing to negotiate. They could take up the presidents offer to negotiate with them, to give up their ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programmes fully and really verifiably, Mr Bolton told Fox News. If the ayatollahs want to get out from under the squeeze, they should come and sit down. The pressure will not relent while the negotiations go on, said Mr Bolton, one of the administrations main hawks on Iran. Irans president Hassan Rouhani responded that Iran could hold talks with the US only if Washington proved its trustworthiness. Mr Rouhani implied that if the US signed up again to the nuclear deal and lifted sanctions, then that could pave the ground for negotiations. If you stab someone with a knife and then you say you want talks, then the first thing you have to do is remove the knife, Mr Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state television. Story continues We are always in favour of diplomacy and talks... But talks need honesty, Rouhani said. He called on Iranians to unite in the face of hardship. There will be pressure because of sanctions, but we will overcome this with unity, he said. In the aftermath of Mr Trumps unilateral decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal in May, the other parties to the 2015 deal Russia, China, Germany, France, the UK and the EU vowed to stick with the deal and to continue to trade with Iran. Several companies, such as French-based Airbus, felt obliged to pull out of a deal with Iran, rather than risk sanctions from Washington. The revoking of licensees to the company and its rival, Boeing, saw the aircraft manufacturer lose out on a $39bn deal with Tehran for new planes. Easing sanctions such as this was a major inducement to get Tehran to sign the JCPOA in 2015 under President Barack Obama. The executive order signed on Monday, which will come into effect at midnight EST, relates to the purchase or acquisition of US currency in Iran, the trade in gold and other precious metals, materials such as graphite, aluminium, steel and coal, and software used in industrial processes. They also target the countrys automotive sector. The remaining sanctions to be reimposed on November 5 relate to Irans port operators, and energy, shipping and shipbuilding sectors. Crucially, they will also target its oil industry and foreign financial institutions with the Central Bank of Iran. A group of EU foreign ministers issued a statement saying they deeply regretted the new sanctions and said that Iran was abiding by the agreement when Mr Trump withdrew. It is working and delivering on its goal of limiting Irans nuclear programme, they said. Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif claimed Mr Trump and US allies, Israel and Saudi Arabia, had become isolated by their hostile policies towards Tehran, state TV reported. Their oppressive policies and violent measures have made them isolated... The world has distanced itself from their hostile policies against Iran, Mr Zarif was quoted as saying. The Trump administration has been pressuring nations to abide by the sanctions and cut their imports of Iranian oil to zero. Many countries, among them India, which is the second biggest importer of Iranian oil after China, have began reducing how much they buy. During a briefing with reporters, a Trump administration official was asked if the US would offer any waivers to countries. It is our policy to get as many countries to zero as quickly as possible, the official said. We are going to work with individual countries on a case by case basis, but our goal is to reduce the amount of revenue and hard currency going into Iran. In addition to the sanctions, the Trump administration has engaged in a propaganda war against Iran. Officials claim it does not have a policy of regime change, but rather wants to change the actions of the authorities in Tehran. In a speech last month in California, secretary of state Mike Pompeo launched a scathing attack on Irans clerical and military rulers, calling them a kleptocracy similar to the mafia. The level of corruption and wealth among regime leaders shows that Iran is run by something that resembles the mafia more than a government, Mr Pompeo said in speech made to a largely Iranian American audience at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library outside Los Angeles. President Rouhani responded that if the US was to engage in military conflict, it would result in the mother of all wars. Mr Trump in turn said on Twitter that Iran would suffer consequences the likes of which few throughout history have ever suffered before, if it did anything negative. At the same time, Mr Trump has recently offered to meet with the Iranian leadership, with no pre-conditions. The offer was repeated on Monday by the official briefing reporters. The official said the president will meet with the Iranian leadership at any time to discuss a real comprehensive deal that will contain their regional ambitions, will end their malign behaviour and deny them any path to a nuclear weapon. Critics of Mr Trumps actions said the seven party deal, designed to limit Irans nuclear weapons ambitions in a verifiable manner, was one of the most effective arms control deals of recent years. Opponents of the deal, among them Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, praised Mr Trumps decision to withdraw. Commentators have pointed out that the very modest deal Mr Trump touted after his summit with Kim Jong-un in Singapore in June was light on detail and merely pledged to work towards denuclearisation. Donald Trump boasted at his Ohio rally Friday night that his tariffs are a runaway success. One problem: Americas trade deficit jumped 7 percent in June, according to the most recent data. The U.S. trade gap is currently on track to hit a ten-year high, despite a series of tariffs imposed on products and raw materials around the world by the Trump administration. The deficit climbed $3 billion to $46.3 billion in June from $43.2 billion in May, the Commerce Department reported Friday. That was the first increase in four months and the quickest uptick since November 2016. The deficit tallied $291 billion in the first six months of 2018, compared with $272 billion the first half of 2017. US trade deficit grew to $46.3 billion in June, first increase in four months. Steve Herman (@W7VOA) August 3, 2018 Trumps measure of success at his Ohio speech appeared to be how much tariffs are hurting China. He noted stocks are down in China, which he said is weakening the countrys bargaining power over tariffs. But Bloomberg pointed out that U.S. stocks have yet to regain strong January performances since the escalating trade war. And while Americas trade deficit with Europe shrank in June, it grew with both Canada and China. Still, despite the data, Trump reiterated in a tweet Sunday that his tariffs are working big time. Tariffs are working big time. Every country on earth wants to take wealth out of the U.S., always to our detriment. I say, as they come,Tax them. If they dont want to be taxed, let them make or build the product in the U.S. In either event, it means jobs and great wealth..... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2018 Most economists predict the uptick in the trade gap will increase over the rest of the year, Marketwatch reports. That means the annual deficit would likely surpass last years $552 billion total trade gap and hit the highest level since 2008. Story continues Trump also oddly boasted in Ohio that the tariffs would help the U.S. pay off its $21 trillion debt (Trump is responsible for $1.9 trillion of debt). But the tariffs are essentially taxes on American businesses (and consumers), not on foreign governments. Also, Trumps tariffs so far have been levied on $85 billion worth of foreign goods, which might cover about .1 percent of the debt, notes The Washington Post. U.S. exports hit a record high in May as buyers stocked up on products before the tariffs. But that fell off in June, especially for cars, trucks, soybeans, drugs, jewelry and planes, according to the data. Economists emphasize that trade deficits arent always bad news though the president believes they are. The U.S. can buy more because the economy is strong. Americans have consumed more than they produce compared to many other nations for decades, they say. Also, the dollar is strong but that makes American exports more expensive for foreign buyers. But economists now worry that a continually widening trade deficit which will be exacerbated if Trump keeps upping tariffs will slow the U.S. economy in the second half of the year, reports The Wall Street Journal. Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Ald. Ameya Pawar, 47th, thinks Chicago should lead the way. Hes introduced a proposal to create a pilot program giving $500 a month to each of 1,000 families. It would help those who struggle to make rent, pay their mortgage, basic utilities, student loans and child care. He notes that most Americans dont have $1,000 in the bank to cope with any emergency. He sees the so-called UBI as a way to narrow the income gap between those at the top and those at the bottom. By Will Dunham (Reuters) - Charlotte Rae, the actress, singer and comedienne who won acclaim on Broadway and was best known for her starring role as a girls boarding school housemother on U.S. television's "The Facts of Life" from 1979 to 1986, has died at the age of 92. Rae died at her home in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon surrounded by her family, her manager Paul Hilepo wrote in an email. Rae earned an Emmy Award nomination in 1982 for her role as Edna Garrett on "The Facts of Life," a series built around young actresses Lisa Whelchel, Nancy McKeon, Kim Fields and Mindy Cohn but held together by show business veteran Rae. She originated the role in 1978 on another situation comedy, "Diff'rent Strokes," and her character proved so popular that "The Facts of Life" was created as a spinoff for her, also on the NBC network. Rae was a familiar face to TV viewers from her appearances on a variety of shows, including the 1960s police sitcom "Car 54, Where Are You?" She earned an Emmy nomination for her role in the 1975 CBS drama "Queen of the Stardust Ballroom." She also was well known on Broadway, picking up a Tony Award nomination in 1966 for the musical "Pickwick" and in 1969 for the play "Morning, Noon and Night." In 1956, she originated the role of Mammy Yokum in the popular musical "Lil' Abner." She was cast in "Diff'rent Strokes" in the role of a flighty but loving housekeeper for a white New York businessman, played by Conrad Bain, who adopts the two young black sons, played by Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges, of his late previous housekeeper. Her character's popularity paved the way for the creation of "The Facts of Life" in which she offered motherly guidance to the young characters at an all-girl boarding school. Rae left the show, which sometimes dealt with topical issues such as drugs and sex, in 1986 after 146 episodes. It ran two more seasons with Cloris Leachman stepping in as a regular. Story continues Rae said she enjoyed how TV viewers embraced her character on "Diff'rent Strokes" and "The Facts of Life." "When I walk down the street or I'm in the market or I'm in my car and there's a truck driver next to me and they give me the thumbs-up sign and they say, 'We love you,' it's so lovely. It's just kind of a bonus," she said in a 1984 interview. "Sometimes they'd come right over and hug me." She was born Charlotte Rae Lubotsky on April 22, 1926, in Milwaukee, the daughter of Russian immigrants. She dropped her last name for show business. After college, she worked in Chicago on TV and radio before moving to New York City, where she developed a nightclub act and broke into Broadway. She survived a bout with pancreatic cancer in 2009. Rae divorced her husband in 1976 after having two sons. (Reporting by Will Dunham; Additional reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; Editing by Bill Trott and Susan Thomas) By Andrew Chung NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal judge on Friday ruled that the Trump administration must fully restore a program that protects from deportation some young immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children, including accepting new applications for the program. U.S. District Judge John Bates in Washington, D.C., said he would stay Friday's order, however, until August 23 to give the administration time to decide whether to appeal. Bates first issued a ruling in April ordering the federal government to continue the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program, including taking applications. He stayed that ruling for 90 days to give the government time to better explain why the program should be ended. On Friday Bates, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush, a Republican, said he would not revise his previous ruling because the arguments of President Donald Trump's administration did not override his concerns. Under DACA, roughly 700,000 young adults, often referred to as "Dreamers", were protected from deportation and given work permits for two-year periods, after which they must re-apply to the program. The program was created in 2012 under former President Barack Obama, a Democrat. Two other federal courts in California and New York had previously ordered that DACA remain in place while litigation challenging Trump's decision to end it continued. Those rulings only required the government to process DACA renewals, not new applications. Another lawsuit in a Texas federal court is seeking to end DACA. A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Justice said on Friday that the government would continue to defend its position that it "acted within its lawful authority in deciding to wind down DACA in an orderly manner." Congress so far has failed to pass legislation to address the fate of the Dreamers, including a potential path to citizenship. Friday's ruling came in lawsuits filed by several groups and institutions, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Princeton University. (Reporting by Andrew Chung Editing by Sue Horton) GENEVA (Reuters) - United Nations agencies must improve ways for staff to report harassment, retaliation and other forms of misconduct and safeguard whistle-blowers who are prepared to reveal cases of abuse, an independent oversight body said on Monday. Forty allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse were made during the last three months of 2017 alone against U.N. peacekeeping missions, agencies, funds and programs and implementing partners, the world body said in February. In a report issued on Monday, inspectors said several high-profile cases in U.N. organizations pointed to policies and practices that "appear to have failed to meet the high standards of accountability that these entities espouse." "Over the past few years, there have been high-profile cases of whistle-blowers from United Nations system organizations who have gone public for a variety of reasons, including a perceived lack of adequate action by their organization in response to their initial reporting of misconduct and/or retaliation," the Joint Inspection Unit said in a 110-page report. In February 2018, the deputy head of the U.N. agency for HIV/AIDS did not seek to renew his term, although a sexual harassment allegation against him had been dismissed as unsubstantiated. A deputy director at the U.N. Children's Fund resigned saying he did not want coverage of his past mistakes to damage UNICEF. The inspectors evaluated practices at 28 U.N. agencies and interviewed with more than 400 people, including 17 people who had reported wrongdoing, and conducted staff surveys. Among survey respondents, some 53 per cent of those who had witnessed misconduct or wrongdoing within the past five years had not reported it. Many did not do so "because they lacked confidence that confidentiality would be fully respected and that they would be effectively protected if they did report". Ensuring anonymity and confidentiality were essential, especially given the hierarchical nature of the world body where a growing proportion of the workforce lack job security, the report said. All agencies should have explicit provisions for reporting misconduct against the head of the organization and the head of oversight to an independent channel, it added. Only three agencies had such provisions at the moment, it said. Currently "not a single organizations policy fully met the requirements of all five best practices criteria", according to the report. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Richard Balmforth) By Lesley Wroughton and Parisa Hafezi WASHINGTON/ANKARA (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's top security adviser on Monday urged Iran to take up an offer of talks with the United States or suffer more pain from economic sanctions, but Iran's president said Washington needed first to prove it can be trusted. Hours before revived U.S. sanctions were due to kick in, White House national security adviser John Bolton said Iran should pay heed to Trump's willingness to negotiate. "They could take up the president's offer to negotiate with them, to give up their ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs fully and really verifiably," Bolton told Fox News. "If the ayatollahs want to get out from under the squeeze, they should come and sit down. The pressure will not relent while the negotiations go on," said Bolton, one of the administration's main hawks on Iran. So-called snapback sanctions, due to come into force early on Tuesday, target Iranian purchases of U.S. dollars, metals trading, coal, industrial software and its auto sector. Foes for decades, the United States and Iran have been increasingly at odds over Iran's growing political and military influence in the Middle East since Trump took office in January 2017. The renewed sanctions were among those lifted under a 2015 deal between world powers and Tehran on curbing Iran's nuclear program. Trump abandoned the deal in May. Heavier U.S. sanctions, aimed at Iran's oil sector, are due in November. Iran's rial currency has lost half its value since April under the threat of revived U.S. sanctions. The currency's collapse and soaring inflation have sparked sporadic demonstrations in Iran against profiteering and corruption, with many protesters chanting anti-government slogans. President Hassan Rouhani on Monday said Iran could hold talks with the United States only if Washington proved its trustworthiness. Rouhani implied that if the United States signed up again to the nuclear deal and lifted sanctions, then that could pave the ground for negotiations. "If you stab someone with a knife and then you say you want talks, then the first thing you have to do is remove the knife," Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state television. "We are always in favor of diplomacy and talks. ... But talks need honesty," Rouhani said. He called on Iranians to unite in the face of hardship. "There will be pressure because of sanctions, but we will overcome this with unity," he said. Trump pulled the United States out of the nuclear deal, saying it fails to address Irans ballistic missile program, the terms by which inspectors visit suspect Iranian nuclear sites, and sunset clauses under which some of its terms expire. The two countries are also in dispute over Iran's involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts from Yemen to Syria and tensions between Tehran and Israel. SANCTIONS WEAK SPOTS Trump plans to reintroduce more damaging sanctions on Iranian oil in November and wants as many countries as possible to cut their imports of Iranian oil to zero. But the U.S. sanctions strategy has several weak spots, especially a reluctance by Europe and China to curtail business with Iran. The European Union voiced regret on Monday at the looming U.S. sanctions. A senior official at Irans economy ministry said Tehran did not think the economic impact of the sanctions would be "massive." "Many countries, including Europeans, disagree with the U.S. sanctions and are willing to work with Iran, said the official, who asked not to be named. Iran said on Sunday it will ease foreign exchange rules, to try to halt the fall of its currency. Irans net official reserves are projected to decline this year to $97.8 billion, enough to finance about 13 months of imports, the International Monetary Fund estimated in March. The sanctions aim to modify Iran's behavior and not bring about a "regime change" targeting Rouhani, U.S. officials said on a conference call on Monday. They said the government's handling of social and labor protests was a concern. Fear of sanctions and economic hardship have led to sporadic protests in several cities in recent days, with ordinary Iranians chanting slogans against Iranian leaders. Trump warned on Monday of "severe consequences" for people or entities that fail to wind down economic activities with Iran. "The United States is fully committed to enforcing all of our sanctions, and we will work closely with nations conducting business with Iran to ensure complete compliance," he said in a statement. The European Union vowed on Monday to counter the renewal of sanctions on Iran. The EU and other parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, China and Russia, are working to maintain trade with Iran, which has threatened to stop complying with curbs on its nuclear work if it fails to see the economic benefits of relief from sanctions under the deal. "We deeply regret the reimposition of sanctions by the U.S.," the bloc said in a joint statement with the foreign ministers of France, Germany and Britain. They pledged to work on preserving financial flows and Iran's oil and gas exports - a lifeline of its economy. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton, Doina Chiacu and Lisa Lambert in Washington and Robert-Jan Bartunek and Alissa de Carbonnel in Brussels, and Parisa Hafezi in Ankara; Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Howard Goller, James Dalgleish and Jonathan Oatis) By Lesley Wroughton and Parisa Hafezi WASHINGTON/ANKARA (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's top security adviser on Monday urged Iran to take up an offer of talks with the United States or suffer more pain from economic sanctions, but Iran's president said Washington needed first to prove it can be trusted. Hours before revived U.S. sanctions were due to kick in, White House national security adviser John Bolton said Iran should pay heed to Trump's willingness to negotiate. "They could take up the president's offer to negotiate with them, to give up their ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs fully and really verifiably," Bolton told Fox News. "If the ayatollahs want to get out from under the squeeze, they should come and sit down. The pressure will not relent while the negotiations go on," said Bolton, one of the administration's main hawks on Iran. So-called snapback sanctions, due to come into force early on Tuesday, target Iranian purchases of U.S. dollars, metals trading, coal, industrial software and its auto sector. Foes for decades, the United States and Iran have been increasingly at odds over Iran's growing political and military influence in the Middle East since Trump took office in January 2017. The renewed sanctions were among those lifted under a 2015 deal between world powers and Tehran on curbing Iran's nuclear program. Trump abandoned the deal in May. Heavier U.S. sanctions, aimed at Iran's oil sector, are due in November. Iran's rial currency has lost half its value since April under the threat of revived U.S. sanctions. The currency's collapse and soaring inflation have sparked sporadic demonstrations in Iran against profiteering and corruption, with many protesters chanting anti-government slogans. President Hassan Rouhani on Monday said Iran could hold talks with the United States only if Washington proved its trustworthiness. Rouhani implied that if the United States signed up again to the nuclear deal and lifted sanctions, then that could pave the ground for negotiations. Story continues "If you stab someone with a knife and then you say you want talks, then the first thing you have to do is remove the knife," Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state television. "We are always in favour of diplomacy and talks. ... But talks need honesty," Rouhani said. He called on Iranians to unite in the face of hardship. "There will be pressure because of sanctions, but we will overcome this with unity," he said. Trump pulled the United States out of the nuclear deal, saying it fails to address Irans ballistic missile program, the terms by which inspectors visit suspect Iranian nuclear sites, and sunset clauses under which some of its terms expire. The two countries are also in dispute over Iran's involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts from Yemen to Syria and tensions between Tehran and Israel. SANCTIONS WEAK SPOTS Trump plans to reintroduce more damaging sanctions on Iranian oil in November and wants as many countries as possible to cut their imports of Iranian oil to zero. But the U.S. sanctions strategy has several weak spots, especially a reluctance by Europe and China to curtail business with Iran. The European Union voiced regret on Monday at the looming U.S. sanctions. A senior official at Irans economy ministry said Tehran did not think the economic impact of the sanctions would be "massive." "Many countries, including Europeans, disagree with the U.S. sanctions and are willing to work with Iran, said the official, who asked not to be named. Iran said on Sunday it will ease foreign exchange rules, to try to halt the fall of its currency. Irans net official reserves are projected to decline this year to $97.8 billion, enough to finance about 13 months of imports, the International Monetary Fund estimated in March. The sanctions aim to modify Iran's behaviour and not bring about a "regime change" targeting Rouhani, U.S. officials said on a conference call on Monday. They said the government's handling of social and labour protests was a concern. Fear of sanctions and economic hardship have led to sporadic protests in several cities in recent days, with ordinary Iranians chanting slogans against Iranian leaders. Trump warned on Monday of "severe consequences" for people or entities that fail to wind down economic activities with Iran. "The United States is fully committed to enforcing all of our sanctions, and we will work closely with nations conducting business with Iran to ensure complete compliance," he said in a statement. The European Union vowed on Monday to counter the renewal of sanctions on Iran. The EU and other parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, China and Russia, are working to maintain trade with Iran, which has threatened to stop complying with curbs on its nuclear work if it fails to see the economic benefits of relief from sanctions under the deal. "We deeply regret the reimposition of sanctions by the U.S.," the bloc said in a joint statement with the foreign ministers of France, Germany and Britain. They pledged to work on preserving financial flows and Iran's oil and gas exports - a lifeline of its economy. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton, Doina Chiacu and Lisa Lambert in Washington and Robert-Jan Bartunek and Alissa de Carbonnel in Brussels, and Parisa Hafezi in Ankara; Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Howard Goller, James Dalgleish and Jonathan Oatis) KIEV, Ukraine (AP) After attackers charged into a Roma encampment on the outskirts of Kiev, beating the residents and chasing them away, a leader of an ultranationalist group posted photos of his colleagues clearing the site and burning tents left behind. The camp's former dwellers took off "after persuasive legal arguments," Serhiy Mazur, an activist with the C14 organization, wrote on Facebook. Mazur added: "Further raids are planned." The April attack was the first of 11 forced removals that ultranationalists in Ukraine have carried out this year at settlements of Roma. Radical nationalist groups claimed responsibility for all of the raids and asserted they acted in concert with police. Police deny involvement. "We were called garbage and dirt, kicked and driven off," Aza Rustik, who fled during the first raid, said. "I just managed to grab the children and a bag with documents." During an especially vicious assault in a wooded area in western Ukraine, a gang armed with chains and pieces of metal pipe killed a 23-year-old man and injured four others outside the city of Lviv. After the April camp invasion, C14's Mazur was charged with hooliganism. Two lawmakers spoke on his behalf, and he was released to await trial under house arrest. "I would like to hear from the police and the neighborhood administrative officials, who many times asked us for help," he said when he appeared in court last month. The attacks and the prospect of more violence are terrifying to Ukraine's estimated 100,000 Roma. "They threw stones at us, and when we jumped out of the tent, they beat us indiscriminately," recalled Klara Gaga, a survivor of the fatal attack outside Lviv. Four suspects were detained in the Lviv attack. Twelve people also were detained after Roma had guns fired at them in Ternopil; the suspects subsequently were released. "Not a single person has been sentenced in attacks on the Roma in Ukraine. That illustrates better than any words the attitude of the authorities," Zola Kondur, a leader of Roma organization Chiricli, said. Story continues Representatives of extremist groups justify the actions by saying they liquidate illegal Roma settlements because authorities have not. Right-wing nationalist groups such as C14 have seen their popularity and power grow in recent years amid Ukraine's confrontations with Russia and corruption-riddled domestic politics. "State institutions are weak, the police are ineffective and the government is forced to resort more and more to the services of right-wing groups, giving them a carte blanche in return," said Vadim Karasev, director of independent Kiev-based think tank Institute of Global Strategies. Arthur Sokolov, who is the lead investigator in the Mazur case, rejected the C14 member's claim that asked the group for help. He said he didn't know anything about C14 ties with local authorities and police. "There were no preliminary agreements between the police and other formations," Sokolov he said in response to a question from The Associated Press about Mazur's assertion. But Eugene Savvateev, who for several years was involved in the training and integration of Roma children, alleged that police and the nationalists work together. Savvateev said he heard from Roma that police drove them away when they returned to the former camp site to retrieve remaining belongings. They also recalled that C14 members accompanied local officials who visited the camp before it was destroyed, Savvateev said. "The authorities do not want to dirty their hands, so they use C14," he said. "Police came to the settlement after the attack to drive Roma away, and after that Roma certainly don't trust police and believe they work in sync with the attackers." Animosity toward Roma an ethnic group, also known as Gypsies, that faces discrimination and disdain in much of Europe is high in Ukraine. Many residents say they resent messy Roma encampments and unsightly fixed settlements such as the Radvanka district in Uzhhorod, where houses made of stones, plywood and polystyrene resemble sheds and children play in piles of garbage. "Roma remain the most impoverished and unprotected part of Ukrainian society," Roma activist Myroslav Horvat, of the World Roma Organization in Uzhhorod, said. "The state declares in words the programs of integration and training of the Roma, but there is no money for it, and everything remains only on paper." Hunger, poverty and unemployment drive hundreds of Roma to try to earn money in the richer center of the country. During the warm months of the year, the work might consist of searching for scrap metal, trading goods and telling fortunes on the street. "Gypsies in the cities this is theft, robbery, drug trafficking and dirty dens," read leaflets bearing the symbols of nationalist groups Natskorpus and Natsdruzhiny that have appeared in Ukraine's major cities. Western governments and international human rights groups have called on Ukrainian authorities to prosecute the perpetrators and stop turning a blind eye to violence against Roma. "Most of the crimes committed by radical groups have not been properly investigated by law enforcement agencies that do not want or cannot conduct effective investigations, even if certain groups publicly take responsibility for crimes," said Mariya Guryeva, an Amnesty International spokeswoman in Ukraine. Government officials try to shift blame to Russia, alleging that it has sought to foment violence to destabilize Ukraine amid a tug-of-war between the two ex-Soviet neighbors. "We understand that the Russians always try to play with so-called interethnic problems," Security Service of Ukraine head Vasily Hrytsak said. "The murders of the Roma were inspired by Russia," Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said after the fatal Lviv attack. Those who accuse Russia of organizing the raids have yet to present supporting evidence for their claims. ___ Yuras Karmanau reported from Minsk, Belarus. UNITED NATIONS (AP) The U.N. Security Council adopted new guidelines Monday to try to speed the delivery of humanitarian aid to North Korea, where the U.N. says around 10 million people need food and other assistance and about 20 percent of children are stunted because of malnutrition. The Netherlands, which chairs the Security Council committee monitoring sanctions against North Korea, said none of the 15 council members objected to the proposed guidelines by the deadline on Monday afternoon. The guidelines will now be sent to all 193 U.N. member states. Tough U.N. sanctions imposed on North Korea in response to its escalating nuclear and ballistic missile programs exempt delivery of humanitarian aid. But U.N. humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock told U.N. members following his trip to North Korea last month that one effect of sanctions has been "quite substantial delays" in procurement, shipping and delivery of aid supplies which are exempt from sanctions. With a population of about 25 million, North Korea faces chronic food woes as well as shortages of drugs and medical equipment, including that needed to treat tuberculosis, which has plagued the country. The guidelines recommend that governments and NGOs submit requests for exemptions in a letter containing 10 specific elements. Those range from providing detailed descriptions and quantities of the items to be imported, to naming all parties involved in the transfer of goods and showing what measures ensure that the aid is "used for the intended purposes and not diverted for prohibited purposes." They say the sanctions committee will try to process exemption requests as quickly as possible. "We are glad that the Security Council agreed on the guidelines, and we hope they provide clarity on delivering humanitarian aid to the North Korean people without violating the sanctions," the Netherlands' deputy ambassador, Lise Gregoire-van Haaren said. "Our ultimate goal is the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the sanctions are very important to that end." - Story continues The United States' effort to try to ensure that humanitarian aid doesn't face unnecessary obstacles in getting to North Korea follows the June summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong Un aimed at getting North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal. A U.S. official stressed last week that the United States will enforce all U.N. sanctions on North Korea "until we achieve the final, fully verified, denuclearization of North Korea." The guidelines are "solely intended" to establish a clear process for the Security Council sanctions committee "to review legitimate humanitarian exemption requests and guard against any activities that would undermine existing Security Council resolutions," said the official, who wasn't authorized to speak publicly. United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The UN Security Council on Monday approved US-drafted measures aimed at ensuring that tough sanctions on North Korea do not impede deliveries of humanitarian aid to the isolated country. Nearly half of North Korea's population - 10 million people - are undernourished, according to UN officials, who have reported a drop in food production last year. UN resolutions specify that sanctions should not affect humanitarian aid, but relief organizations argue that strict trade and banking measures are creating bureaucratic obstacles and slowing down the flow of vital supplies. The United States last month proposed new guidelines to allow aid groups and UN agencies to quickly obtain exemptions from the council committee that oversees implementation of sanctions. After weeks of negotiations, the proposal was approved on Monday. Dutch Deputy UN Ambassador Lise Gregoire-van Haaren, whose country chairs the sanctions committee, said the guidelines will hopefully "provide clarity on delivering humanitarian aid to the North Korean people without violating sanctions." "Our ultimate goal is the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the sanctions are very important to that end," she said. A notice will be sent to the UN's 193 member-states by the committee "to provide a clear explanation" of the procedure for exemptions which will "improve the delivery of humanitarian assistance" to North Korea, a committee document said. - Sanctions pressure - The United States has rebuffed calls from China and Russia to ease sanctions, urging instead that maximum pressure be maintained to compel North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to follow through on his pledge to denuclearize the Korean peninsula. A US official said the guidelines would ensure that "only critical, life-saving humanitarian activities needed in North Korea can continue" and that requests for exemptions will undergo a detailed review. Story continues The Security Council last year adopted three rafts of sanctions targeting North Korea's economy in response to Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test and a series of ballistic missile launches. Those sanctions ban North Korea's exports of raw commodities while severely restricting imports of a range of goods and supplies of oil -- vital for the country's military. A UN panel of experts reported on Friday that North Korea was able to circumvent sanctions through ship-to-ship transfers of oil products in international waters, arms sales and illegal banking transactions. Despite the move to unblock deliveries, the United Nations is facing a major funding shortfall for its aid operations in North Korea. Only four countries - Switzerland, Sweden, Canada and France -- have made donations to the $111 million humanitarian appeal for North Korea, contributing a total of $12 million. United Nations (United States) (AFP) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday welcomed the signing of a power-sharing deal by South Sudan's leaders and urged them to act quickly to reach a final agreement and end their nearly five-year war. South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and his arch-foe Riek Machar signed the deal Sunday in Khartoum that will see Machar return to the government as the first of five vice presidents. The accord is to pave the way for a final peace deal and the formation of a transitional government that will hold power until elections are held. Guterres hailed the agreement as "an important step" on the path toward reviving a peace deal signed in 2015 that was supposed to end the war. The UN chief "urges all parties to work in good faith and demonstrate their commitment to fully implement and to finalize the revitalized ARCSS as soon as possible," he said in a statement. The Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) was signed in 2015 to restore peace, but never materialized after Machar was chased out of Juba in an attack by government forces in August 2016. South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011 but descended into war in December 2013 following a power struggle between Kiir and Machar. Last month, the Security Council slapped an arms embargo and sanctions on two military officials to pile pressure on South Sudan's leaders to turn away from the battleground and seek a diplomatic solution. The United States, a major backer of South Sudan and top aid donor, has said it has lost patience with the leadership in Juba following a string of failed diplomatic efforts. Tens of thousands have been killed and nearly four million have been uprooted. Seven million South Sudanese -- more than half of the population -- are in need of food aid, according to the UN. Baghdad (AFP) - The United Nations on Monday hailed Iraq's "credible" vote recount, which paves the way for a government to be formed nearly three months after polls. Iraq's May 12 parliamentary elections were marred by allegations of fraud, prompting the country's supreme court to order a partial manual recount. As an official announced the checks had concluded, the UN said it had observed the recount and found it to be "conducted in a manner that is credible, professional and transparent". "We are very pleased that it's been concluded and we look forward to the next steps in this process towards the formation of the new government," said a statement by Alice Walpole, a UN envoy to Iraq. Iraqi officials have not specified when the results will be announced, after which lawmakers will take their seats in parliament, elect a president and begin the process for forming a government. Judge Laith Hamza, spokesman for the electoral commission, said Monday the recount "in all polling stations in Iraq and abroad where complaints were registered has ended". The commission decided not to undertake such checks for Al-Russafa, one of the largest voting districts in eastern Baghdad, where a fire in June ripped through Iraq's biggest ballot warehouse. In the arson attack "882 ballot boxes entirely went up in smoke", Hamza said in a statement, despite authorities at the time suggesting the votes were saved. Three police officers and an electoral commission employee were arrested over the blaze. "The official results will be announced shortly," said Imad Jamil, responsible for the vote in Al-Russafa. The recount will not however change the balance of power in the new parliament. Each list should keep the same number of seats announced in May, but the lawmakers elected could be modified, according to experts. When results were initially announced in May, the anti-graft alliance of nationalist cleric Moqtada Sadr had won the largest number of seats. The election saw a record low turnout of 44.5 percent, with many Iraqis disillusioned by the political class. Iraq has seen a month of unrest since protests erupted in the south of the country and spread to Baghdad, with demonstrators rallying against a lack of public services and jobs. A group of fervent Urban Meyer supporters rallied at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Monday to back the Ohio State football coach embroiled in scandal over domestic violence allegations against former assistant Zach Smith. The school is investigating Meyer over what he did and didnt know about the alleged serial abuse committed by Smith against his ex-wife Courtney Smith. Urban Meyer supporter calls scandal fake news Meyer fans showed up in force on Monday with signs many of them misguided backing their embattled coach. The rally for Urban Meyer at Ohio Stadium pic.twitter.com/4pmRS27X1p Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) August 6, 2018 While one sign simply reads We Love Coach URBAN and another mocks the Me Too movement, many of them took aim at ESPN, which had nothing to do with the reporting that led to the investigation into Meyer. One sign reads ESPN SEC FRAUDS while another reads ESPN = FAKE NEWS While ESPN, like almost every other U.S. sports media outlet, has reported on the Meyer situation since the scandal broke open last week, it was Brett McMurphy, an independent reporter who was laid off by ESPN, who broke the news that suggested Meyer knew about the allegations against Smith. Speaker takes on ESPN college football analyst Meanwhile, a speaker making opening statements chose to focus on ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum, who has been critical of Meyer and predicted that he would lose his job over the scandal. Ezekiel Elliotts father makes an appearance Stacy Elliott, father of Dallas Cowboys running back and former Buckeyes great Ezekiel Elliott, appeared at Mondays rally. Story continues Stacy Elliott, father of former #OhioState quarterback Ezekiel Elliott, addresses media outside Ohio Stadium during a rally in support of Coach Urban Meyer. #football #UrbanMeyer #buckeyes pic.twitter.com/Glpt3MdvrU Joshua A. Bickel (@joshuabickel) August 6, 2018 I know Urban Meyer would never condone a woman being abused, Elliott said. Those who abuse women need to stop right now. But, the truth of the matter, based on what we all know, he handled the situation according to how his job required him to. Elliott has been an adamant supporter of Meyer since the scandal broke, telling McMurphy to investigate yourself last week via Twitter. Im so sick of this world! Investigate yourself @Brett_McMurphy So many hypocrites love to throw stones! This is bigger than football! Urban Meyer will be the WINNER!! I stand firm with my coach!!! Almighty God has shown me his heart and how he cares for young people!!! Ambassador Elliott (@stacy_elliott) August 2, 2018 Healso posted a video montage supporting Meyer intertwined with clips of Ezekiel with the Buckeyes that concludes with an image from OSU facilities urging people to treat women with respect. Ezekiel Elliot served a six-game NFL suspension last season over allegations that he abused his ex-girlfriend. Mondays rally concluded with a pizza delivery from Papa Johns, according to Cleveland.com. Pre-paid pizza, ordered by some anonymous person, just delivered to the Urban Meyer rally, which is already over pic.twitter.com/y1nOkRzqCZ Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) August 6, 2018 More from Yahoo Sports: NFL HOF reportedly considering requiring inductees to show up Dak Prescott on Get Out mural: Everybody has their own opinion Terez Paylor: Tyrod good for Cleveland? Just ask the defense Dan Wetzel: How Jim Tressel scandal sheds insight on Urban Meyer situation Anchorage (AFP) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed Sunday that the United States would "enforce the sanctions" it is reimposing against Iran after President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear pact. As of 0401 GMT Tuesday, the Iran government can no longer buy US banknotes and broad sanctions will be slapped on Iranian industries, including its rug exports. Asked if Tehran would be able to evade the measures, Pompeo told journalists "the United States is going to enforce the sanctions," speaking en route to Washington after attending a security forum in Singapore. Pompeo said heaping pressure on Tehran was meant to "push back against Iranian malign activity," saying Iranians "are unhappy with the failure of their own leadership to deliver the economic promises that their leadership promised them." "The Iranian people are not happy, not with the Americans but with their own leadership," he said. "This is just about Iranians' dissatisfaction with their own government, and the President is pretty clear, we want the Iranian people to have a strong voice in who their leadership will be." The US walked out of the 2015 nuclear deal in May and is bringing back "maximum pressure" sanctions for most sectors on August 6, and the energy sector on November 4. Los Angeles (AFP) - Police say 11 children ages one to 15 were rescued in the US state of New Mexico after officers raided a dilapidated compound occupied by armed men. Two men were arrested after police found them and the children in what one officer called "the saddest living conditions and poverty I have seen," as part of the operation connected to a months-long search for an abducted three-year-old, according to New Mexico's Taos County sheriff's office. The investigation kicked off late last year on the opposite side of the country in Jonesboro, Georgia, where 39-year-old Siraj Wahhaj of the state's Clayton County was accused of kidnapping his toddler -- who was ultimately not found. The boy's mother told police her child, who she said suffered from seizures along with developmental and cognitive delays, went to the park with his father Wahhaj last December and never returned. On August 2, Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe of Taos County in New Mexico issued a search warrant describing "a makeshift compound surrounded by tires and an earthen berm" in a subdivision in the rural community of Amalia, where Wahhaj along with adult Lucas Morten were thought to be in hiding. The FBI had provided information and surveillance on the spot but "didn't feel there was enough probable cause to get on the property," Hogrefe said. "That all changed for me when a message was forwarded to us from a Georgia Detective that we reasonably believed came from someone at the compound -- the message sent to a third party simply said in part 'we are starving and need food and water,'" the sheriff said in a statement. "I absolutely knew that we couldn't wait on another agency to step up and we had to go check this out as soon as possible." The sheriff described planning "a tactical approach for our own safety because we had learned the occupants were most likely heavily armed." Story continues - 'Heartbreaking' - On the morning of August 3, a dozen officers kicked off the "all day" operation, discovering hidden beneath New Mexico's scrubland the two men with an AR-15 rifle, five loaded 30-round magazines and four loaded pistols, including one in Wahhaj's pocket. The men had refused to follow verbal direction, police said, who added the raid went without major incident or injuries even as Wahhaj needed to be "taken down." Police found many more ammo rounds in the ramshackle hideout, they said, which they described as "a small travel trailer buried in the ground covered by plastic with no water, plumbing, or electricity." "The only food we saw were a few potatoes and a box of rice in the filthy trailer," Hogrefe said. "But what was most surprising, and heartbreaking was when the team located a total of five adults and 11 children that looked like third world country refugees." "Not only with no food or fresh water, but with no shoes, personal hygiene and basically dirty rags for clothing." Morten was charged with harboring a fugitive and Wahhaj was booked without bond on his Georgia warrant for child abduction. Three women thought to be parents of the children -- who are now in protective custody -- were also detained for questioning. They were released pending further investigation. None of the adults would give details about the whereabouts of the missing toddler, but police believe he was at the compound a few weeks ago. Moscow (AFP) - A group of US senators, on a visit to Moscow on Monday, said they have invited Russian lawmakers to Washington later this year in a bid to help ease tensions between the two countries. On the second trip by US politicians to the Russian capital in just over a month, the delegation is this time being led by high-profile Republican lawmaker senator Rand Paul. Paul said that members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the upper house of the Russian parliament, the Federation Council, had been invited "to come to the United States to meet with us in Washington." "I think this is incredibly important," the US lawmaker was quoted as saying in translated comments by Interfax news agency. The "main aim of the trip" was to "create a dialogue" and "improve relations" between Moscow and Washington, Paul added. US President Donald Trump has come under fire for failing to challenge Vladimir Putin over election meddling at their summit in Helsinki last month. And Paul is the only Republican lawmaker to stand by Trump during that controversy. The head of the Federation Council's foreign affairs committee, Konstantin Kosachev, suggested that a meeting in Washington might take place "as early as during the fall session, that is, before the end of this year". He said he saw the current trip by US senators to Moscow as "especially valuable when other American politicians are making efforts to portray any contact with Russian politicians as toxic". Kosachev dismissed new accusations that Russia had meddled in US elections. "There was no meddling in 2016. Certainly it will not happen during the ongoing election campaign either," he said. Rand Paul later met with Russia's deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov. "During a conversation the two sides exchanged views on current issues of bilateral relations, as well as some aspects of arms control," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. It added that "special attention was given to the possibility of developing inter-parliamentary contacts". At the beginning of July, a group of US senators met with Russian officials ahead of the Helsinki summit between Trump and Putin. They also met with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. (CARACAS) Authorities detained six people suspected of using explosives-laden drones in a failed bid to assassinate Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, officials said Sunday, in what one witness described as a terrifying attack that shook her apartment building. The government alleged that opposition factions conspired with assailants in Miami and Bogota, although they offered no specific evidence. Opposition leaders decried Maduro for broadly singling out his political opponents, and they warned he may use it to further suppress his critics. The thwarted attack comes as Venezuela is reeling from a worsening economic and humanitarian crisis and Maduro has grown increasingly isolated. Foreign nations, including the United States, are slapping economic sanctions against a growing list of high-ranking officials and decrying his government as an autocratic regime. The assailants flew two drones each packed with 2.2 pounds of C-4 plastic explosive toward Maduro, his wife and other top leaders as he spoke Saturday evening at an event celebrating the 81st anniversary of the National Guard, said Interior Minister Nestor Reverol. One of the drones was to explode above the president while the other was to detonate directly in front of him, he added. But the military managed to knock one of the drones off-course electronically and the other crashed into apartment building two blocks away from where Maduro was speaking to the hundreds of troops, Reverol said. We have six terrorists and assassins detained, Reverol said. In the next hours there could be more arrests. Of those arrested, Reverol said two had previous run-ins with the government, although he did not give their names or say what charges they faced. One took part in 2014 protests that rocked the nation as it descended into an economic crisis that is now worse than the Great Depression. The other had a warrant out for his arrest for participating in an attack on a military barracks. Story continues Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, appearing on state television Sunday, said the attackers were aiming to decapitate Venezuelas entire top leadership along with Maduro. Investigators continued searching a blackened apartment building near the site while also seizing vehicles and raiding more than one hotel where they said they had found film evidence. Two witnesses who live in nearby apartment buildings said they saw a drone hovering over a residential street Saturday evening and then heard an explosion. One witness showed The Associated Press cellphone video of a drone crashing into a building. He said the drone fell to the ground and exploded, igniting a fire in an apartment. Another witness, Mairum Gonzalez, described running in panic to her fifth-floor balcony, where she heard the second explosion and saw smoke rising. It was so strong the building shook, she said. It terrified me. In an address to the nation Saturday night, a visibly shaken Maduro recalled seeing a flying device that exploded. He at first thought it might be a pyrotechnics display. Within seconds, Maduro said he heard a second blast and pandemonium broke out. Bodyguards escorted him from the event, covering him in black shields, and TV footage showed uniformed soldiers break formation and scatter. This was an attempt to kill me, he said. Maduro said the far right, working in coordination with others in Bogota and Miami, including Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, were responsible. Colombias government has vehemently denied Santos had any role in the drone attack. Maduro, who also says that Washington supports his political opponents, called on U.S. President Donald Trump to hold the terrorist group accountable. Trumps national security adviser John Bolton told Fox News Sunday that, If the government of Venezuela has hard information that they want to present to us that would show a potential violation of U.S. criminal law, well take a serious look at it. The Broad Front, a coalition of opposition groups in Venezuela, accused the government of making an allegation without proof. Its evident that the initial reaction of the government isnt aimed at attempting to clarify what happened but rather to take advantage of the situation and irresponsibly and sweepingly attack the opposition, the group said in a statement. A little-known group calling itself Soldiers in T-shirts claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it planned to fly two drones loaded with explosives at the president but soldiers shot them down. The authenticity of the message could not be independently verified, and the organization did not respond to a message from the AP. It was not successful today, but it is just a matter of time, the group said in a tweet. Venezuelas government routinely accuses opposition activists of plotting to attack and overthrow Maduro. The former bus driver has moved steadily to consolidate power as the nation struggles to reverse hyperinflation that the International Monetary Fund projects could top 1 million percent by years end. The firebrand leader sees his mission as carrying out the late Hugo Chavezs socialist revolution. He recently won a new term in office in a widely condemned election. The oppositions most popular candidates were barred from running. Maduro said the incident had left him convinced of the militarys support and undeterred in carrying forward the torch of Chavezs revolution. Venezuela will continue on the democratic, independent and socialist path, he said. Analysts believe Maduro still holds the militarys support, but said the images broadcast live on television Saturday nonetheless made him appear vulnerable. Seeing trained soldiers fleeing in apparent panic and disarray before an explosion strongly contrasts with the idea of monolithic control and loyalty of security forces that Maduro prides himself on, New York-based Torino Capital investment firm noted. It was not the first time Maduros government has come under attack. Amid deadly, near-daily protests last year, a rogue police officer flew a stolen helicopter over the capital and launched grenades at several government buildings. Oscar Perez and several comrades were later killed in a gun battle after over six months at large. By Brian Ellsworth and Vivian Sequera CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan authorities said on Sunday they have detained six people over drone explosions the day before at a rally led by President Nicolas Maduro, as his critics warned the socialist leader would use the incident to crack down on adversaries. The suspects launched two drones laden with explosives over an outdoor rally Maduro was holding in downtown Caracas to commemorate the National Guard, Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said. One was "diverted" by security forces while the second fell on its own and hit an apartment building, Reverol said. The attack highlights Maduro's challenges in maintaining control over the OPEC nation, where widespread food and medicine shortages have fueled outrage and despair everywhere from hillside slums to military barracks. "These terrorist acts represent a slap in the face to the expressed desire of the President of the Republic, Nicolas Maduro, for national reconciliation and dialogue," Reverol said in a statement read on state television. State television footage of the rally showed Maduro startled by what appeared to be an explosion and footage later panned to soldiers lined up on a boulevard who chaotically broke ranks in what appeared to be a reaction to a second blast. The president later described the attack, which injured seven soldiers, as an assassination attempt. One of the suspects had an outstanding arrest warrant for involvement in a 2017 attack on a military base that killed two people, Reverol said, an incident that followed four months of anti-government protests. A second suspect had been detained during a wave of anti-Maduro protests in 2014 but had been released through "procedural benefits," Reverol said, without offering details. He did not name the suspects. The arrests suggest the attack was less a military uprising than an assault led by groups linked to anti-Maduro street protesters, dubbed "The Resistance," who have led two waves of violent demonstrations that left hundreds dead. That is consistent with the shadowy group that claimed responsibility for the attack, The National Movement of Soldiers in T-Shirts, whose website says it was created in 2014 to bring together different groups of protesters. Reuters was unable to independently confirm the involvement of the group, which did not respond to requests for comment on the arrest announcements, or identify any of its members. 'I SAW THE LITTLE PLANE' Bolivar Avenue of downtown Caracas, where the incident took place, was calm on Sunday. Joggers and cyclists were taking up two of the lanes that are traditionally used for weekend recreation. The stage where Maduro spoke had been removed. Witnesses said they heard and felt an explosion in the late afternoon, then saw a drone fall out of the sky and hit a nearby building. "I heard the first explosion, it was so strong that the buildings moved," said Mairum Gonzalez, 45, a pre-school teacher. "I went to the balcony and I saw the little plane ... it hit the building and smoke started to come out." Two witnesses said they later saw security forces halt a black Chevrolet and arrest three men inside it. The security forces later took apart the car and found what appeared to be remote controls, tablets and computers, said the two, who identified themselves as Andres and Karina, without giving their last names. Opposition critics accuse Maduro of fabricating or exaggerating security incidents to distract from hyperinflation and Soviet-style product shortages. Leopoldo Lopez, formerly mayor of Caracas' district of Chacao, for example, is under house arrest for his role in 2014 street protests that Maduro described as a coup attempt but his adversaries insisted were a form of free expression. "We warn that the government is taking advantage of this incident ... to criminalize those who legitimately and democratically oppose it and deepen the repression and systematic human rights violations," wrote the Broad Front opposition coalition in a statement published on Twitter. Maduro's allies counter that the opposition has a history of involvement in military conspiracies, most notably in the 2002 coup that briefly toppled socialist leader Hugo Chavez. "I have no doubt that everything points to the right, the Venezuelan ultra-right," Maduro said on Saturday night. "Maximum punishment! And there will be no forgiveness." Maduro, who blames the country's problems on an "economic war" led by adversaries, during the course of his five-year rule has often announced having foiled military plots against him that he says are backed by Washington. U.S. national security adviser John Bolton told Fox News in an interview on Sunday that the United States was not involved in the blast. (Additional reporting by Alexandra Ulmer,; Editing by Grant McCool and Bill Trott) By Andreina Aponte and Shaylim Castro CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan government sympathizers on Monday rallied to show support for President Nicolas Maduro following weekend drone blasts that he called an assassination attempt, but the socialist leader surprised the crowd by skipping the event. Maduro, whose approval ratings hover around 25 percent, with opponents blaming his policies for worsening an economic meltdown, has urged supporters to unite in the face of what he described as right-wing plots led by the Colombian government and exiles in the United States. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has scoffed at the accusations, saying he was fully focused on his granddaughter's baptism, while U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said Washington was not involved in the blasts. Supporters wearing t-shirts emblazoned with Maduro's face massed in Caracas on Monday, chanting pro-socialist slogans and enjoying subsidized corn patties. "We're willing to defend this process peacefully and through the development of ideas. But if we have to give our lives, we will," said Henry Jaimes, 37, an employee of Caracas' Youth Institute, as he waved a sign saying, "Alive and winning with Maduro." But turnout was thin compared to previous marches, which would take over major avenues. Many in attendance were public sector employees, some of whom said they had been ordered to attend, according to Reuters witnesses. Keen supporters of late leader Hugo Chavez have increasingly soured on his far less charismatic successor. Maduro, who made a televised speech shortly after the incident, had been due to speak from the Miraflores palace on Monday afternoon. It was not immediately clear why he did not. The Information Ministry did not reply to a request for comment. "Where is our comandante (leader)?" confused supporters asked when staff began packing up. "We thought we would see and hear our president," said Tony Ugarte, 43, who is in charge of the distribution of subsidized food boxes in part of the working class neighborhood of El Paraiso. The government said suspects launched two DJI M600 drones laden with C4 explosives over an outdoor rally on Saturday afternoon, which had been held to commemorate the founding of the National Guard. One drone was "diverted" by security forces while the second fell on its own and hit an apartment building, authorities said. Six people have been detained, authorities said on Sunday. Intelligence agents on Monday searched an upscale hotel in eastern Caracas, workers at the hotel told Reuters, although it was not immediately evident if the searches were linked to the blasts. (Reporting by Andreina Aponte and Shaylim Castro, Additional reporting by Mayela Armas and Adriana Loureiro, Writing by Alexandra Ulmer, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) BARCELONA, Spain (AP) Unable to win the Champions League title while playing with Juventus and Bayern Munich, Arturo Vidal is looking to finally do it with Barcelona. The 31-year-old Chile midfielder was on Bayern teams that were eliminated by Real Madrid the last two seasons, but he said he has nothing to prove against his new team's biggest rival. "I don't know if I have unfinished business with Madrid, but I do with the Champions League, which is my goal," Vidal said Monday at his presentation. "I hope to achieve this goal here with Barcelona. We'll see what happens when we get to play against Madrid." Bayern was eliminated by Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals in 2017 and in the semifinals in 2018. Earlier this year, Vidal didn't hide his frustration with Real Madrid by posting messages criticizing the team on social media and saying it benefited from bad refereeing decisions. "I'm not anti-Real Madrid," the Chilean said. "I'm against any rival that will be playing against Barcelona from now on." In 2016, Bayern was eliminated by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semifinals. Vidal joined Bayern from Juventus in 2015, not long after the Italian club lost the Champions League final to Barcelona. Juventus and Vidal made it to the quarterfinals of the European competition in 2013, losing to Bayern. Vidal was one of Chile's key players when the South American nation won the Copa America in 2015 and 2016. He was also in the Chile squad that finished runner-up in last year's Confederations Cup in Russia. Barcelona has also signed Arthur, Malcom and Clement Lenglet, while Andres Iniesta, Paulinho, Lucas Digne and Gerard Deulofeu left the team. On Monday, Ivan Rakitic, Samuel Umtiti, Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho, Yerry Mina and Thomas Vermaelen rejoined the squad following the World Cup. Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Ousmane Dembele had already reported to the team. Story continues Barcelona is the defending Spanish league champion. ___ More AP Spanish soccer coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/LaLiga CHICAGO (AP) At least 11 people were shot to death and about 70 wounded in a weekend burst of violence in Chicago that instantly became a political issue when President Donald Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, blamed the carnage on longtime Democratic rule in the city. Police on Monday attributed the dozens of shootings to gangs, the illegal flow of guns and sweltering August heat that drew more people outside. The victims ranged in age from 11 to 63, according to police. One teenage girl died after being shot in the face. A teenage boy was fatally shot riding a bike Sunday afternoon. Other shootings took place at a block party and a funeral. Even for Chicagoans all too accustomed to violence in parts of the city, the weekend stood out. By way of comparison, at least seven people were killed and 32 wounded during the long Memorial Day weekend, the Chicago Tribune reported. "Our souls are burdened," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. "It is unacceptable to happen in any neighborhood of Chicago. We are a better city." Echoing comments that Trump himself has made repeatedly about Chicago, Giuliani blamed Emanuel President Barack Obama's White House chief of staff and decades of "one party Democratic rule" in a series of tweets on Sunday and Monday. The former New York mayor also tweeted his support for Chicago mayoral candidate and former Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, referring to him as "Jerry" and calling him a "policing genius." McCarthy plans to run next February against Emanuel, who fired McCarthy in 2015 after the release of dashcam video showing a white police officer kill a black teenager by shooting him 16 times. Misspelling Emanuel's last name, Giuliani tweeted: "He can do a lot better than Mayor Emmanuel who is fiddling while Chicago burns." Giuliani also falsely claimed that Chicago had "63 murders this weekend." The mayor had no immediate comment on Giuliani's attacks. Story continues Most of the shootings happened in poor neighborhoods on the West and South Sides where gangs are entrenched, said Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, standing next to the mayor. Johnson noted that homicides in the city are down by around 20 percent from last year. But he said gang members and others arrested on gun charges aren't dealt with harshly enough. "It is the same people who are pulling the triggers," he said. "This is a small subset of individuals who think they can play by their own rules because they continue to get a slap on the wrist when we arrest them." Johnson said at the morning news conference there had been no arrests in any of the weekend shootings. Days before the attacks, some 200 protesters marched through a well-to-do North Side neighborhood and briefly closed Lake Shore Drive, calling for more resources to stem violence in poor areas. Tio Hardiman, one of the organizers of last week's rally, said members of the black community need to take the initiative by mediating truces between gangs. The violence peaked early Sunday, including one shooting on the South Side that wounded eight people. Security was increased over the weekend at the outdoor Lollapalooza music festival in downtown Chicago, which drew tens of thousands of young people. But Johnson said the officers were on overtime and weren't moved from their regular beats in high-crime areas. City officials say new crime-fighting measures over recent years have helped bring homicide numbers down, including greater reliance on technology that can instantly indicate where gunfire came from. Improved intelligence-gathering has also enabled police to quickly dispatch officers to hotspots where gang violence has just occurred to help thwart revenge attacks. Chicago ended 2017 with 650 homicides, down from 771 the year before. Though the drop was significant, last year's total exceeded the combined number of killings in New York and Los Angeles, the two U.S. cities bigger than Chicago. In a statement, McCarthy called himself a "proud Democrat" and distanced himself from Giuliani's views and "the misguided, divisive tone and policies of Donald Trump." McCarthy said the blame for the bloodshed "lies squarely with Rahm Emanuel's weak leadership and failed policies," not with Chicago Democrats as a whole. It's common knowledge that cats adore catnip, balls of string and tiny squeaking rodents but what's far less well-documented is their deep love of peaches. SEE ALSO: Cat pokes head through hole in the ceiling, achieves instant fame Then again, perhaps Lydia Coutre's parents' cat is unique. My parents cat inexplicably LOVES peaches, and its the most delightful thing. They send regular picture updates to the family group chat of this cat just chilling with the peaches. Its the most important notification I get to my phone. pic.twitter.com/mPEQaRF8Mv Lydia Coutre (@LydiaCoutre) August 1, 2018 Meet Ozzy. Some notes: 1. His name is, regrettably, not Peaches. Its Ozzy. 2. He doesnt eat the peaches. He just guards them and cuddles with them. 3. I have nothing to plug. Subscribe to your local newspaper. And heres another pic: pic.twitter.com/k65GVUMKjb Lydia Coutre (@LydiaCoutre) August 4, 2018 Yep: Ozzy's favourite hobby is sitting next to or lying on a large assortment of peaches. Apparently it's not a food thing, either. What a great cat! Does he try to eat them? Does he just like the smell and the fuzzies? Maybe he thinks theyre Tree Kittens! Marifran Smith (@msmiih) August 4, 2018 !!!Tree kittens!!! He doesnt try to eat them. He just sits with them. Lydia Coutre (@LydiaCoutre) August 4, 2018 Just look how at peace he seems: Story continues MOAR PLS Jessica Roberts (@jessicaroberts) August 2, 2018 Mashable has reached out to the RSPCA to try and get to the bottom of Ozzy love of peaches. In the meantime, you can see more pics of him on his Instagram account. Video: Owner Catches Adorable Dogs Rummaging Through Trash For more news videos visit Yahoo View. Palka had struck out in each of his first four at-bats before connecting on his 17th homer off Diego Castillo (2-2) with two outs. Its easy to look at the numbers and decide that Wayne Rooney hasnt made much of an impact in MLS. Though his first five games, Rooney has just one goal. His team, D.C. United, still sits at the bottom of Eastern Conference, on pace to miss the playoffs for the second straight year. Then again, stats rarely tell the whole story. And to hear those closest to him tell it, Rooney who arrived in the U.S. capital in June following a legendary career in his native England is quietly leaving his mark on the field and inside the locker room. Hes everything we thought he would be: Highly competitive, a winner, selfless, a great training player, great teammate with the older guys and a good leader who helps guide the young guys, D.C. United coach Ben Olsen told Yahoo Sports before Saturdays 1-1 draw in Montreal. And guess what? He also resonates with the fans. And Rooney is ready for all of it. Physically I feel fine, Rooney told reporters after the game, adding that hes still not quite in midseason shape. Obviously Im not in mid-20s, but Im still fairly young and Ive got a lot to give. Theres no doubt about that. As the all-time top scorer for the English national team and Manchester United, Rooney is a global icon. He was recruited, in part, so that his name could adorn the marquee outside of Audi Field, the clubs sparkling new stadium. He is DCUs undisputed headliner, the one theyve been lacking for more than a decade. Given that status, some might have expected Rooney to show up with an ego to match his $13 million, two-and-a-half-year contract. I think theres always that possibility when a big-name superstar comes into the league, says United midfielder Paul Arriola. But hes been a great guy and a leader on and off the field. He brings another type of energy to the team. He wants to fit in. He talks to us and we listen to him. The trust and respect is there. I cant say enough good things about him. Story continues Olsen and his staff had a good idea of what they were getting. They knew Rooney could help on the field and at the gate. But given the eight-figure investment, they also needed a model citizen. So they did their due diligence, quizzing some of Rooneys former coaches and teammates about their experiences working with the 32-year-old striker. After hearing only good things, the deal was completed. Rooneys attitude has been even better than advertised. Hes a little bit more humble and down to earth than I thought he would be, admits Olsen, who named Rooney Uniteds captain just two weeks after his July 14 debut. Thats the one thing that strikes me, how easygoing he is, how affable. (AP) Its made for a smooth integration for Rooney, who will be joined in D.C. by his wife and three children in the coming weeks, and his new colleagues. I definitely have those moments a lot, like, oh my god Wayne Rooneys actually on my team, 18-year-old midfielder Chris Durkin said. But from the very beginning, he seemed very approachable. Hes a very relaxed guy. Its hard to reconcile this portrait of Rooney with the player we see on Saturdays. The Liverpool native is famously combative when the lights come on, as intense between the lines as they come. Those qualities have also been on display since his arrival. Any doubts about Rooneys commitment were erased when he made his first start for DCU on a turf pitch in Atlanta. Similarly big names such as Didier Drogba and Thierry Henry bristled at playing on artificial surfaces during their years in MLS; to hear Olsen tell it, the thought of sitting out or curtailing his playing time because of the turf never once crossed Rooneys mind. Saturdays match marked Rooneys third start and second consecutive 90-minute appearance. Even at the end of the game hes always engaged, constantly moving and putting himself in good spots defensively and offensively, Olsen said. Those are difficult minutes. He came close to scoring on a first-half free kick against Montreal in what was perhaps his most complete performance for D.C. yet not bad for a guy playing with a broken nose. More goals figure to come eventually. But even when hes not finishing plays or setting them up, Rooneys mere presence has made D.C. a more unpredictable side. A lot of teams game plan is to stop Wayne, Arriola says. He will kind of suck the defenders in, and it opens up more space for our other attacking players. The trick is to turn that extra space into chances, chances into goals, goals into wins. United has games in hand on every team in the East, including three on fifth-place New England. Olsen believes they can qualify for the postseason if they shore up defensively and get hot over their final 15 contests, 13 of which will be played at home. So far, DCU has won twice, lost twice and drawn once with Rooney in the lineup. Me and my teammates are getting to know each other better, Rooney said. I feel like were progressing. More soccer on Yahoo Sports: Takeaways from the USWNTs 4-2 win over Japan Adelson: Was Jaelene Hinkle cut by USWNT because of her religious beliefs? McIntyre: The significance of Alphonso Davies move to Bayern Munich Whos at fault in Mesut Ozils row with German soccer? Why the transfer window now depends on Ronaldo-to-Juve aftershocks Males starlings will not sing to females who have taken Prozac, a study shows - Liam Smith The sound of starlings singing for a mate could vanish from the British countryside because of high levels of antidepressants in the environment, a study suggests. The University of York has discovered that male starlings sing less to females who have been fed diluted concentrations of fluoxetine, which is sold as Prozac. In 2016, there were 64.7 million prescriptions for antidepressants in the UK and once they pass through the human body they often end up in sewage-treatment systems or waterways. The new research focussed on birds who ate worms, maggots and flies at a sewage treatment plants which were found to contain traces of many different drugs, including antidepressants. After measuring levels of Prozac at the plants, the team fed similar amounts to captured starlings and found that it made them less attractive to the opposite sex. Starlings have declined significantly since the 1970s Credit: Liam Smith Dr Kathryn Arnold, of Yorks Environment Department, said: Here is the first evidence that low concentrations of an antidepressant can disrupt the courtship of songbirds. This is important because animals that are slow to find a mate often wont get to breed. With many wildlife populations in decline, we have to ask whether more could be done to remove chemical contaminants like pharmaceuticals from our sewage. Long-term monitoring by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) shows that starling numbers have fallen by 66 per cent in Britain since the mid-1970s, and it is now listed as a bird of high conservation concern. The new study, which was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), also found males were increasingly aggressive towards females who had eaten Prozac. Instead of courting them, they were more likely to chase, peck or claw the female starlings. Starlings use many different calls, songs and clicks Credit: DANIEL BALECKAITIS The researchers speculate that the drug may make females more lethargic, and less attractive to the males. Previously fluoxetine has been found to reduce sexual appetite in female rats. Sophia Whitlock, researcher on the project, added: Singing is a key part of courtship for birds, used by males to court favoured females and used by females to choose the highest quality male to father their chicks. Males sang more than twice as often and as long to untreated females compared to females that had been receiving low doses of Prozac. The results were published in the journal Chemosphere. By Catarina Demony and Rafael Marchante MONCHIQUE, Portugal (Reuters) - More than 1,150 firefighters battled resurging flames as huge fires swept the forested hills of Portugal's southern Algarve tourist region on Monday, with late winds fanning the blaze and forcing the evacuation of another village. The fire has injured 25 people and spread quickly over the weekend as a heatwave swept large parts of Europe. Authorities had hoped to control the blaze during the day as temperatures fell slightly, but instead it flared up again. "Mountains are still burning. Nothing is under control," said Eulalia Nunes, 46, a music teacher in Monchique. "It's a horror movie, with sparks falling everywhere. The sky is cloudy and full of smoke and ash in every corner." Temperatures reached a peak of nearly 47 degrees Celsius (116 Fahrenheit) on Sunday, and it remains extremely hot in most of Portugal. Authorities have kept sending more firefighters to Monchique over the past 24 hours, with 1,158 mobilized by Monday afternoon. The army sent 160 soldiers to help with evacuations. The village of Foia was evacuated on Monday, with authorities taking no chances in a country which had its worst fires in history last year that killed 114 people. The fire is burning through eucalyptus and pine forests in the hills above the Algarve coast, an area popular with tourists for its hot springs. Two well-known hotels in the village of Monchique were evacuated and closed on Sunday. The smoke from the fire could be seen from the coast. Twenty four people have been treated for light burns and smoke inhalation while one person suffered more serious burns. While many people were evacuated, Joao Furtado, 60, was forced to hide in a water tank to escape the flames as his house burnt down during the night, according to his sister-in-law. "He was panicking because he was trapped in the house," said Maria Helena Furtado. "There was fire everywhere and he couldn't get out." Spain sent three Canadair firefighting planes, bringing a total of 13 aircraft that were dumping water on the flames. Jorge Botelho, head of civil protection in the region, said between 15,000 hectares and 20,000 hectares of forest had burnt - an area much greater than the size of the capital Lisbon itself. Authorities have gone to great lengths to ensure there was no repeat of last year's tragedies, when two deadly fires struck Portugal in June and October, killing a total of 114 people, after an extended drought and hot weather. Hundreds of new firefighters have been hired and efforts made to clear flammable undergrowth from forests. Until the heatwave this had largely worked, partly as the summer had been unusually cold and wet. (Writing by Axel Bugge; Editing by Richard Balmforth) A Second World War-era sign has been rediscovered after a gorse fire ravaged a hillside on the east coast of Ireland. SEE ALSO: Striking photos show the 'apocalyptic' blaze engulfing UK moorland The Irish Air Corps and Garda Air Support Unit spotted that a fire had exposed an old "Eire 8 sign" a landmark dating back to World War on Bray Head, in County Wicklow. During the war, the word Eire which means Ireland in the Irish language was carved into 80 headlands around Ireland to warn allied and German bombers that they were flying over a neutral territory. Fires on Bray Head expose amazing World War 2 landmarks. The fires exposed the old Eire 8 sign,which is in reasonable condition. Photos courtesy of the Garda Air Support Unit, which is a mixed unit operated by Air Corps Pilots and Garda specialists. @gardainfo @opwireland pic.twitter.com/4vvg3HIjQv Irish Air Corps (@IrishAirCorps) August 4, 2018 Let's get a closer look at those photos: A wildfire in Ireland has uncovered a remarkable sight from World War II Image: Irish air corps A wildfire in Ireland has uncovered a remarkable sight from World War II Image: irish air corps The Garda Air Support Unit said they'd never seen the sign at this location before. A Garda Air Support Unit crew spotted that the fire on Bray Head has revealed an EIRE sign dating from the Second World War. We see these around the coastline but havent seen this before. pic.twitter.com/I6cwIrIori An Garda Siochana (@GardaTraffic) August 4, 2018 Amazing. Its not easy for anyone to sit still during a manicure, but Angela Peters, who has cerebral palsy, has a particularly difficult time. And she was denied a manicure because she moves too much. Peters was shopping at the Walmart Supercenter in Burton, Mich., when she decided to treat herself to a manicure. The store has an independent nail salon inside called Da-Vi Nails. Unfortunately for Peters, the technicians were not the most patient. Because of her condition, Peters has a hard time keeping her hands still; tremors or involuntary movements are symptoms of CP. The nail salon denied her service because she moved too much, according to a now viral Facebook post about the occurrence. Not all heroes wear capes some wear Walmart vests, and one Walmart employee, Ebony Harris, refused to let this lovely lady leave with bare nails. So Harris skipped her lunch break to paint Peterss nails herself. I just wanted to make her day special. I didnt really want her day to be ruined. Thats why I did it, Harris told a local news station. And plus shes a sweetie, she added. Peters, who works at a vintage shop in Burton, visits this Walmart frequently, so she was familiar with Harris. The duo picked out a color and set up an informal salon in the Subway sandwich shop within Walmart. A Subway staffer saw the kind act and had to share it with the world. So Tasia Smith snapped a pic of the two ladies and put it on her Facebook, along with a description of what happened. I just wanted to post it for awareness and appreciation because people needed to know what was going on with the business, and Ebony deserved all the appreciation she could get, Smith said. And Harris sure is getting that appreciation. The post now has over 4,000 reactions, 3,000 shares, and 700 comments praising her for her act of kindness. Walmart is pretty impressed, too. Our company was built on respect for the individual and serving our customers, and Ebony is a perfect example of these values, Tara Aston, national media relations manager for Walmart, told Yahoo Lifestyle. She simply wanted to make sure our customers day was special, and thats the kind of person she is someone with a wonderful attitude who goes the extra mile each day to make those around her feel important. Were not surprised at her act of kindness. Her service to customers defines the spirit of Walmart, and we couldnt be more proud of her. Story continues Aston also clarified the Da-Vi Nails operates as an independent tenant and is not part of the Walmart brand. The three women insist they dont want to shame Da-Vi Nails. Were not trying to bash the nail salon; were not trying to make them lose customers, make them look bad, Harris said. But maybe, spread awareness that no matter the person, who they are, what color they are, disability, whatever, theyre people too. Shes a girly girl. Shes just like you, me, Tasia, my daughter, anybody. She wants to look pretty, you know, and so why cant she? Harris said Peterss hands moved a little bit during the manicure, which she apologized for repeatedly. And I told her dont say that. I said youre fine,' Harris said. Peters is, of course, grateful for Harriss patience but also for her talent. Im like, wow, these are amazing! she said about her sparkly blue nails. The three women plan to remain in touch. They already have a dinner date scheduled. Maybe next time theyll all get manicures. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Lindsey Eastwood prepared an elaborate flash mob for the arrival of her husband, Jon, at the airport, except his flight was delayed. (Photo: Lindsey Eastwood) Picture it: Youve been waiting for what seems like an eternity for your spouse to return from overseas to be with you in America, where you can finally begin to live life as husband and wife. You have it all planned, from the welcome home dinner to your outfit. To make the occasion extra-special, youve prepared an elaborate flash mob to greet your sweetheart disembarking from the plane. Reality: Everything that can go wrong, will. Lindsey Eastwood, 31, an attorney based in Alabama, wanted to surprise her husband, Jon, 37, with a flash mob at the Atlanta airport. Originally from Wales, Jon finally had his immigration visa approved and could legally move to the U.S. The couple were married in July 2017, but they have been waiting almost 12 months for Jon to finally, officially, join Lindsey in America. Lindsey and Jon on their wedding day. (Photo: Lindsey Eastwood) Lindseys troupe of local singers and dancers were going to perform Coming to America, Im Gonna Be (500 miles), At Last, I Knew You Were Waiting, and Welcome Home at the Atlanta airport on Friday, according to AL.com. Ali Ramsaier, a singer Lindsey had found on GigSalad, lent her talents to the moving tribute. Within a few minutes of talking to Lindsey, I could feel the love she had for Jon and I was up for the challenge, Ramsaier told Yahoo Lifestyle. I went to the piano and started brainstorming. Ramsaier, seemingly inspired by Lindseys love for Jon, contacted her friends who were professional musicians in the area. At the rehearsals, it all seemed to flow together perfectly. Ramsaier, whose voice can be heard in the solo of At Last, said, It was done out of love. I feel each person involved gained confidence through it. All the performers had their routine down perfectly. The only problem: Jon was stuck at JFK airport in New York his flight to Atlanta was delayed, and he wouldnt be able to arrive there on Friday. I was on the interstate halfway between Birmingham and Atlanta when Jet Blue notified me the flight was canceled, and that no flights were leaving New York, Lindsey said to Yahoo. I called my family and told them not to leave Birmingham because they were planning to drive to Atlanta for the flash mob. I called Ali and asked her and the choreographer to make the final decision about how to move forward because I was so upset. Story continues I was very torn, Ramsaier admitted. At the end of the day, this performance is a symbol of love. Love is love. No matter who you are or where you come from. This was a beautiful gift that needed to be shared and I wanted to encapsulate it. But the show must go on. Lindsey wrote on Facebook, No flights are leaving NYC. Jon is stuck in JFK where he will be sleeping tonight, but hope to be with him tomorrow. PLEASE LIKE the video to make me feel better. Jon Eastwood, this is for you. Jon watched the performance on FaceTime. It was such an amazing surprise. I was overwhelmed with emotions in terms of how thoughtful it was and how much I wanted to be there with Lindsey. I am so grateful that she is my wife, he said. Lindsey and Jon are probably not upset about the flash mob snafu anymore as of Saturday, Jon, who hadnt seen Lindsey since May, had gone home to Birmingham with his bride. The couple, who met through Jons sister, are excited to finally spend time together and fully enjoy their marriage. Lindsey and Jon on their wedding day. (Photo: Lindsey Eastwood) The look in [Lindseys] eyes when she speaks about Jon. The way she wanted to create a romantic gesture. I believe there is true love. Its out there for me and for everyone else, Ramsaier said. As for the happily reunited couple? We plan on traveling whenever we can so that we can see more of the States together and the world (hopefully without delays), and we hope to start a family soon, Lindsey said. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. "I apologize to our fans, our industry and my family for the impact of my actions last night," France said in a statement Monday. "Effective immediately, I will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from my position to focus on my personal affairs." A young woman is celebrating her college graduation with a wild photo shoot: posing with a 14-foot-long alligator. Last week, Makenzie Alexis Noland, a wildlife ecology major who will graduate from Texas A&M University on Aug. 10, posted the unique images on social media, writing, Not your typical graduation picture. The photos showed her standing next to an enormous alligator named Tex at Gator Country, a Beaumont-based rescue center where Noland has interned since May. Not your typical graduation picture A post shared by Makenzie Noland (@kenziealexis) on Aug 3, 2018 at 4:32pm PDT The photos set off hundreds of arguments over whether the shoot was risky: Thats a wild animal, a carnivorous predator. No amount of training or handling in the world can prepare a human being for the unpredictable nature of a primitive beast like this and Fact is if he is fed and not in mating season or defending a mate or territory then he wont attack. She is fine in a controlled environment However, Noland, 21, says the alligator, whose name is Big Tex, has the personality of a puppy, telling Yahoo Lifestyle that the 15-minute photo shoot, captured by her boss Arlie Hammonds, was routine. Over the past three weeks, I had gained Texs trust and felt comfortable in the water, she says. Handling Tex is part of Nolands job description at the 15-acre center, which rescues nuisance animals, those who have wandered into peoples ponds or backyards, have been stranded after natural disasters, or otherwise dont possess natural hunting skills to survive in the wild. For example, Tex was rescued in 2016 from the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge in Liberty because he kept begging for food from people in boats. Now, he lives off a diet of feral hogs and other donated meat. A woman posed with an enormous alligator for her college graduation photos. (Photo: Arlie Hammonds of Gater Country) From her internship, Noland has learned to head catch alligators, a two-person transportation technique that entails placing a hand under the creatures jaws and taping the mouth shut, while a partner jumps on its back for stabilization. Before we catch the alligator, it does its death roll which is a defense mechanism that tires them out, she says. Story continues Nolans work is also educational, leading an event that allowed children to swim with three-foot-long alligators (their mouths are taped shut) and teaching them about boa constrictors and pythons, two other reptiles at the center. Noland says her father is iffy on her chosen career field, but her mother encouraged her to apply for the internship. For anyone who criticizes my work or claims that Im invading these animals privacy, Id encourage them to visit me at Gator Country, she says. Were advocates of leaving animals at peace in the wild. Noland has no fear about her 9-5 and is driven by a course of adrenaline each time she enters the water. However, shes intimidated by one particular animal: Venomous snakes make me nervous, she says. But I wont back down from the challenge. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Paris (AFP) - Joel Robuchon, the world's most-starred Michelin chef who tore down kitchen walls to give diners new insights into the art of haute cuisine, has died at 73, a French government spokesman said Monday. Robuchon, who was hailed as one of four "chefs of the century" by the Gault Millau industry bible in 1990, founded a string of restaurants that revolutionised fine dining across three continents, ratcheting up a whopping 31 Michelin stars. From Tokyo to Paris and Macao, foodies queue up for seats in his L'Atelier restaurants, where they can watch chefs in action, perched on high stools at a U-shaped bar. According to Le Figaro newspaper he died of cancer in the Swiss city of Geneva. His death was confirmed by government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux in a tweet. "Joel Robuchon, a visionary chef who was the most starred in the world, leaves us today. "From Paris to Shanghai, his savoir-faire was an art form that made French gastronomy shine and continues to inspire the next generation of chefs," Griveaux wrote. As a youngster Robuchon's first vocation was the priesthood but while cooking for other seminarians he discovered a passion for food and at 15 entered the restaurant trade. A perfectionist from the start, he quickly earned a name for himself in the rarefied world of Nouvelle Cuisine and by the age of 30 was running a 90-strong kitchen at the Concorde Lafayette hotel in Paris. The accolades and Michelin stars came thick and fast and by the age of 50, after working himself to the bone, he decided to retire. But a few years later he was back in action with his Atelier concept, which was inspired by Japanese sushi counters and intended to be more affordable than traditional three-star eateries. Related Video: 'Hell's Kitchen' Competitor Jessica Vogel Dies at 34 Watch news, TV and more on Yahoo View. Flims (Switzerland) (AFP) - Twenty people died when a vintage World War II aircraft crashed into a Swiss mountain at the weekend, police said Sunday, as an investigation was launched into why the plane plummeted straight down at high speed. "The police have the sad certainty that the 20 people aboard perished," police spokeswoman Anita Senti told a news conference. There were 11 men and nine women aboard, including an Austrian couple and their son, she said. The German-built Junker JU52 HB-HOT aircraft, dating from 1939 and nicknamed "Iron Annie", was a collectors' aircraft. It crashed into Piz Segnas, a 3,000-metre (10,000-foot) peak in the east of the country on Saturday at an altitude of 2,540 metres on the mountain's western flank, Senti said. According to German-language newspaper Blick, the flight had taken off from Ticino in the south of the country and had been due to land at the Duebendorf military airfield near Zurich on Saturday afternoon. Swiss reports said the passengers were returning from Locarno, a holiday spot in southern Switzerland on Lake Maggiore, where they had arrived early Friday. The 20 Minutes newspaper quoted a witness who was on the mountainside at the time of the crash. "The plane turned 180 degrees to the south and fell to the ground like a stone," the witness said, adding that the debris was scattered over "a very small area" -- indicating that an explosion was unlikely to have been the cause of the crash. - No black box aboard - Grisons canton chief of police Andreas Tobler said there was "no longer any hope of finding anyone alive" among the 17 passengers and three crew members. An investigation has been launched into the cause of the accident. Twenty emergency workers were still at the crash site 24 hours after it happened, with helicopters hovering above for hours. As this kind of collectors' aircraft is not equipped with "black box" flight data and voice recorders, investigators must rely on eyewitness accounts and analysis of debris. Story continues Daniel Knech of the Swiss safety investigation service SESE said the crew did not have time to send out a distress signal. He said hot weather conditions did not contribute to the crash and that the aircraft fell almost vertically out of the sky at relatively high speed. Knech also ruled out the idea that the plane had hit an object, such as a cable or another aircraft. The aircraft belongs to JU-Air, a company with links to the Swiss air force, the ATS news agency reported. JU-Air CEO Kurt Waldmeier told reporters that the plane had undergone a maintenance inspection in July. He added that the flight had an experienced flight crew of two pilots and one assistant aboard, all in their 60s. - 'Deeply saddened' - JU-Air said on its website that it was "deeply saddened" and its "thoughts were with the passengers, the crew and families and friends of the victims". The company's flight operations were suspended, it said. JU-Air says it runs a small fleet of four Junker planes, all built in 1939, which are for hire. Its pilots are ex-military and professional pilots, all volunteers. The Junker JU52 is made of corrugated steel and was built by the German firm Junkers from the 1930s to 1950s. It was used as a military transport plane as well as a bomber during World War II. On its website, JU-Air mentions one past accident, in 1987, at the Koblenz airport in Germany in which no one was hurt. The incident was the worst in Switzerland for several years, but just one of three plane crashes in the country in the space of eight days. In another Swiss plane crash on Saturday, a tourist plane carrying a couple and two young children crashed in a forest in the Nidwald canton and immediately burst into flames. No survivors have been found. On July 27, four people were killed in a light plane crash at the top of a glacier in the southern Valais canton. Summer can be a tough time for restaurants because people are traveling and grilling, so we hope that the crowds that sampled new dishes will be back in the door in the fall, Ridler said. Its one thing to advertise, but if you can get great food in someones mouth, theyll want it again, which is the best advertising. Officials say the raging Northern California wildfire has claimed the lives of firemen and civilians. It has also scorched more than 150,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,500 structures. In late July in the midst of the record-breaking wildfire, a powerful spinning vortex emerged that rose 18,000 feet in the air, with wind speeds exceeding 143 mph, and lasted for an hour and a half. The National Weather Service called it a large fire whirl. They define it as a rotating column of fire induced by intense heat and turbulent winds. The NWS & @CAL_FIRE Serious Accident Review Team (SART) are conducting a storm damage survey regarding the large fire whirl that occurred Thursday evening in Redding. Preliminary indicators placed max wind speeds achieved by the fire whirl in excess of 143 mph. #cawx #CarrFire pic.twitter.com/3iRX90lhLJ NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) August 2, 2018 Other weather scientists say its fair to call it a fire tornado because of its strength and destructiveness. What is a fire tornado? The scientific phenomenon can form from extreme temperatures like the ones northern California is experiencing from the wildfires. When the hot air rises above the fire, more fresh, oxygenated air rushes in. The column of air above the fire can then start to rotate much like a tornado. Officials say the northern California fire has destroyed more than 1,000 homes, making it the sixth most destructive fire in the states history. ATAQ, Yemen (AP) Again and again over the past two years, a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the United States has claimed it won decisive victories that drove al-Qaida militants from their strongholds across Yemen and shattered their ability to attack the West. Here's what the victors did not disclose: many of their conquests came without firing a shot. That's because the coalition cut secret deals with al-Qaida fighters, paying some to leave key cities and towns and letting others retreat with weapons, equipment and wads of looted cash, an investigation by The Associated Press has found. Hundreds more were recruited to join the coalition itself. These compromises and alliances have allowed al-Qaida militants to survive to fight another day and risk strengthening the most dangerous branch of the terror network that carried out the 9/11 attacks. Key participants in the pacts said the U.S. was aware of the arrangements and held off on any drone strikes. The deals uncovered by the AP reflect the contradictory interests of the two wars being waged simultaneously in this southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. In one conflict, the U.S. is working with its Arab allies particularly the United Arab Emirates with the aim of eliminating the branch of extremists known as al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP. But the larger mission is to win the civil war against the Houthis, Iranian-backed Shiite rebels. And in that fight, al-Qaida militants are effectively on the same side as the Saudi-led coalition and, by extension, the United States. "Elements of the U.S. military are clearly aware that much of what the U.S. is doing in Yemen is aiding AQAP and there is much angst about that," said Michael Horton, a fellow at the Jamestown Foundation, a U.S. analysis group that tracks terrorism. "However, supporting the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against what the U.S. views as Iranian expansionism takes priority over battling AQAP and even stabilizing Yemen," Horton said. Story continues The AP's findings are based on reporting in Yemen and interviews with two dozen officials, including Yemeni security officers, militia commanders, tribal mediators and four members of al-Qaida's branch. All but a few of those sources spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals. Emirati-backed factions, like most armed groups in Yemen, have been accused of abducting or killing their critics. Coalition-backed militias actively recruit al-Qaida militants, or those who were recently members, because they're considered exceptional fighters, the AP found. The coalition forces are comprised of a dizzying mix of militias, factions, tribal warlords and tribes with very local interests. And AQAP militants are intertwined with many of them. One Yemeni commander who was put on the U.S. terrorism list for al-Qaida ties last year continues to receive money from the UAE to run his militia, his own aide told the AP. Another commander, recently granted $12 million for his fighting force by Yemen's president, has a known al-Qaida figure as his closest aide. In one case, a tribal mediator who brokered a deal between the Emiratis and al-Qaida even gave the extremists a farewell dinner. Horton said much of the war on al-Qaida by the UAE and its allied militias is a "farce." "It is now almost impossible to untangle who is AQAP and who is not since so many deals and alliances have been made," he said. The U.S. has sent billions of dollars in weapons to the coalition to fight the Iran-backed Houthis. U.S. advisers also give the coalition intelligence used in targeting on-the-ground adversaries in Yemen, and American jets provide air-to-air refueling for coalition war planes. The U.S. does not fund the coalition, however, and there is no evidence that American money went to AQAP militants. The U.S. is aware of an al-Qaida presence among the anti-Houthi ranks, a senior American official told reporters in Cairo earlier this year. Because coalition members back militias with hard-line Islamic commanders, "it's very, very easy for al-Qaida to insinuate itself into the mix," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity under the terms of the briefing. More recently, the Pentagon vigorously denied any complicity with al-Qaida militants. "Since the beginning of 2017, we have conducted more than 140 strikes to remove key AQAP leaders and disrupt its ability to use ungoverned spaces to recruit, train and plan operations against the U.S. and our partners across the region," Navy Cmdr. Sean Robertson, a Pentagon spokesman, wrote in an email to the AP. A senior Saudi official commented by saying that the Saudi-led coalition "continues its commitment to combat extremism and terrorism." An Emirati government spokesman did not reply to questions from the AP. But on Monday, Emirati Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash tweeted that the UAE-backed counter-terrorism strategy is working. He said it had "removed" thousands of militants and deprived them of safe havens. AQAP is "at its weakest since 2012," he wrote, adding that the UAE and its allies "have all lost troops in the fight." The coalition began fighting in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis overran the north, including the capital, Sanaa. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are determined to stop what they consider a move by their nemesis, Iran, to take over Yemen, and their professed aim is to restore the internationally recognized government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. Al-Qaida is leveraging the chaos to its advantage. "The United States is certainly in a bind in Yemen," said Katherine Zimmerman, a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. "It doesn't make sense that the United States has identified al-Qaida as a threat, but that we have common interests inside of Yemen and that, in some places, it looks like we're looking the other way." Within this complicated conflict, al-Qaida says its numbers which U.S. officials have estimated at 6,000 to 8,000 members are rising. An al-Qaida commander who helps organize deployments told the AP that the front lines against the Houthis provide fertile ground to recruit new members. "Meaning, if we send 20, we come back with 100," he said. The well-known commander communicated with AP via a secure messaging app on condition of anonymity because he had no authorization from the group to talk to the news media. ___ The Associated Press reported this story with help from a grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. ___ A FAREWELL DINNER FOR AL-QAIDA In February, Emirati troops and their Yemeni militia allies flashed victory signs to TV cameras as they declared the recapture of al-Said, a district of villages running through the mountainous province of Shabwa an area al-Qaida had largely dominated for nearly three years. It was painted as a crowning victory in a months-long offensive, Operation Swift Sword, that the Emirati ambassador to Washington, Yousef al-Otaiba, had proclaimed would "disrupt the terrorist organization's network and degrade its ability to conduct future attacks." The Pentagon, which assisted with a small number of troops, echoed that promise, saying the mission would weaken the group's ability to use Yemen as a base. But weeks before those forces' entry, a string of pickup trucks mounted with machine guns and loaded with masked al-Qaida militants drove out of al-Said unmolested, according to a tribal mediator involved in the deal for their withdrawal. The U.S. has killed al-Qaida's top leaders in a drone strike campaign that accelerated in recent years. But in this victory as in the others touted by the coalition the mediator said armed U.S. drones were absent, despite the large, obvious convoy. Under the terms of the deal, the coalition promised al-Qaida members it would pay them to leave, according to Awad al-Dahboul, the province's security chief. His account was confirmed by the mediator and two Yemeni government officials. Al-Dahboul said about 200 al-Qaida members received payments. He did not learn the exact amounts, but said he knew that 100,000 Saudi rials ($26,000) were paid to one al-Qaida commander in the presence of Emiratis. Under the accord, thousands of local tribal fighters were to be enlisted in the UAE-funded Shabwa Elite Force militia. For every 1,000 fighters, 50 to 70 would be al-Qaida members, the mediator and two officials said. Saleh bin Farid al-Awlaqi, a pro-Emirati tribal leader who was the founder of one Elite Force branch, denied any agreements were made. He said he and others enticed young al-Qaida members in Shabwa to defect, which weakened the group, forcing it to withdraw on its own. He said about 150 fighters who defected were allowed into the Elite Force, but only after they underwent a "repentance" program. The clearing of al-Qaida from Shabwa and other provinces did not completely take place without fighting. Clashes erupted in some villages, usually with al-Qaida remnants that refused to play ball. One former al-Qaida member told the AP that he and his comrades turned down an offer of money from the Emiratis. In response, he said, an Elite Force squad besieged them in the town of Hawta until they withdrew. Overall, deals that took place during both the Obama and Trump administrations have secured al-Qaida militants' withdrawal from multiple major towns and cities that the group seized in 2015, the AP found. The earliest pact, in the spring of 2016, allowed thousands of al-Qaida fighters to pull out of Mukalla, Yemen's fifth-largest city and a major port on the Arabian Sea. The militants were guaranteed a safe route out and allowed to keep weapons and cash looted from the city up to $100 million by some estimates according to five sources, including military, security and government officials. "Coalition fighter jets and U.S. drones were idle," said a senior tribal leader who saw the convoy leaving. "I was wondering why they didn't strike them." A tribal sheikh shuttled between AQAP leaders in Mukalla and Emirati officials in Aden to seal the deal, according to a former senior Yemeni commander. Coalition-backed forces moved in two days later, announcing that hundreds of militants were killed and hailing the capture as "part of joint international efforts to defeat the terrorist organizations in Yemen." No witnesses reported militants killed, however. "We woke up one day and al-Qaida had vanished without a fight," a local journalist said, speaking to AP on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. Soon after, another accord was struck for AQAP to pull out of six towns in the province of Abyan, including its capital, Zinjibar, according to five tribal mediators involved in the negotiations. Again, the central provision was that the coalition and U.S. drones cease all bombings as AQAP pulled out with its weapons, the mediators said. The agreement also included a provision that 10,000 local tribesmen including 250 al-Qaida militants be incorporated into the Security Belt, the UAE-backed Yemeni force in the area, four Yemeni officials said. For nearly a week in May 2016, the militants departed in trucks. One of the mediators told the AP that he threw the last of the departing fighters a farewell dinner among his olive and lemon orchards when they stopped at his farm to pay their respects. Another mediator, Tarek al-Fadhli, a former jihadi once trained by al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, said he was in touch with officials at the U.S. Embassy and in the Saudi-led coalition, keeping them updated on the withdrawal. "When the last one left, we called the coalition to say they are gone," he said. ___ 'WE WILL UNITE WITH THE DEVIL' To think of al-Qaida as an international terror group is to miss its other reality. For many Yemenis, it is simply another faction on the ground a very effective one, well-armed and battle-hardened. Its members are not shadowy strangers. Over the years, AQAP has woven itself into society by building ties with tribes, buying loyalties and marrying into major families. Power players often see it as a useful tool. Hadi's predecessor as Yemen's president, long-ruling strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh, set the model. He took billions in U.S. aid to combat al-Qaida after the 9/11 attacks, even as he recruited its militants to fight his rivals. Hadi's current vice president, Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, a military chief for decades, also has been accused of enlisting jihadis. In that light, it would almost be more startling if the militants were not involved against the Houthis, especially since al-Qaida militants are extremist Sunnis seeking the defeat of the Shiite rebels. Al-Qaida militants are present on all major front lines fighting the rebels, Khaled Baterfi, a senior leader in the group, said in a previously unpublished 2015 interview with a local journalist obtained by the AP. Last month, Baterfi said in a Q&A session distributed by al-Qaida that "those at the front lines for sure know of our participation, which is either actual fighting with our brothers in Yemen or supporting them with weapons." Al-Qaida has reduced attacks against Hadi's and Emirati-linked forces because assailing them would benefit the Houthis, Baterfi said. The branch is following guidance from al-Qaida's worldwide leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, to focus on fighting the rebels, another top AQAP member said in written answers to the AP. In some places, militants join battles independently. But in many cases, militia commanders from the ultraconservative Salafi sect and the Muslim Brotherhood bring them directly into their ranks, where they benefit from coalition funding, the AP found. The Brotherhood's Yemen branch is a powerful hard-line Islamic political organization allied to Hadi. Two of the four main coalition-backed commanders along the Red Sea coast are allies of al-Qaida, the al-Qaida member said. The coalition has made major advances on the coast, and is currently battling for the port of Hodeida. Video footage shot by the AP in January 2017 showed a coalition-backed unit advancing on Mocha, part of an eventually successful campaign to recapture the Red Sea town. Some of the unit's fighters were openly al-Qaida, wearing Afghan-style garb and carrying weapons with the group's logo. As they climbed behind machine guns in pick-up trucks, explosions from coalition airstrikes could be seen on the horizon. An AQAP member interviewed in person by the AP in May viewed the video and confirmed the fighters belonged to his group. His affiliation is known from his past involvement in AQAP's rule over a southern city. The impact of the intertwining of al-Qaida fighters with the coalition campaign is clearest in Taiz, Yemen's largest city and center of one of the war's longest running battles. In the central highlands, Taiz is Yemen's cultural capital, a historic source of poets and writers and educated technocrats. In 2015, the Houthis laid siege to the city, occupying surrounding mountain ranges, sealing the entrances and shelling it mercilessly. Taiz residents rose up to fight back, and coalition cash and weapons poured in as did al-Qaida and Islamic State militants, all aimed at the same enemy. One liberal activist took up arms alongside other men from his neighborhood to defend the city, and they found themselves fighting side by side with al-Qaida members. "There is no filtering in the war. We are all together," said the activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said commanders received weapons and other aid from the coalition and distributed it to all the fighters, including al-Qaida militants. Abdel-Sattar al-Shamiri, a former adviser to Taiz's governor, said he recognized al-Qaida's presence from the start and told commanders not to recruit members. "Their response was, 'We will unite with the devil in the face of Houthis,'" al-Shamiri said. He said he warned coalition officials, who were "upset" but took no action. "Taiz is in danger," al-Shamiri said. "We will get rid of the Houthis and we will be stuck with terrorist groups." The activist and officials in the city said one of the main recruiters of al-Qaida fighters is Adnan Rouzek, a Salafi member tapped by Hadi to be a top military commander. Rouzek's militia became notorious for kidnappings and street killings, with one online video showing its masked members shooting a kneeling, blindfolded man. Its videos feature al-Qaida-style anthems and banners. Rouzek's top aide was a senior al-Qaida figure who escaped from a prison in Aden in 2008 along with other AQAP detainees, according to a Yemeni security official. Multiple photos seen by the AP show Rouzek with known al-Qaida commanders in recent years. In November, Hadi named Rouzek head of the Taiz Operations Rooms, coordinating the military campaign, and top commander of a new fighting force, the 5th Presidential Protection Battalion. Hadi's Defense Ministry also gave Rouzek $12 million for a new offensive against the Houthis. The AP obtained copy of a receipt for the $12 million and a Rouzek aide confirmed the figure. Rouzek denied any connection to militants, telling the AP that "there is no presence of al-Qaida" in Taiz. Another coalition-backed warlord is on the U.S. list of designated terrorists due to his ties to al-Qaida. The warlord, a Salafi known as Sheikh Aboul Abbas, has received millions of dollars from the coalition to distribute among anti-Houthi factions, according to his aide, Adel al-Ezzi. Despite being put on the U.S. list in October, the UAE continues to fund him, al-Ezzi told the AP. The aide denied any links to militants and dismissed his boss's designation on the U.S. terror list. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that "al-Qaida has fought on all the front lines alongside all factions." Right after the AP team spoke to him in Taiz, the team saw al-Ezzi meeting with a known senior al-Qaida figure, warmly hugging him outside the home of another former AQAP commander. Aboul Abbas runs a coalition-funded militia controlling several districts in Taiz. A 2016 video produced by al-Qaida shows militants in black uniforms with al-Qaida's logo fighting alongside other militias in districts known to be under his control. A former security official in Taiz said militants and Aboul Abbas' forces attacked security headquarters in 2017 and freed a number of al-Qaida suspects. The officer said he reported the attack to the coalition, only to learn soon after that it gave Aboul Abbas 40 more pick-up trucks. "The more we warn, the more they are rewarded," the officer said. "Al-Qaida leaders have armored vehicles given to them by the coalition while security commanders don't have such vehicles." ___ Wilson contributed from Washington. Keath contributed from Beirut. AP correspondent Desmond Butler also contributed to this report. By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday rejected a claim by the National Rifle Association that his efforts to get banks and insurers to stop doing business with the group threatened its ability to advocate for gun rights. In an amended version of a lawsuit it had filed on May 11, the NRA said New York's "blacklisting" had already cost it insurance coverage, and would "imminently" deprive it of basic banking and other financial services "essential to the NRA's corporate existence and its advocacy mission." But in a Friday afternoon filing seeking to dismiss the case, New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood downplayed those concerns. She said the activity by Cuomo and state financial services superintendent Maria Vullo cited by the NRA did not violate the group's constitutional free speech or due process rights. Underwood acknowledged Cuomo's and the NRA's "longstanding history of strong disagreement" on gun control, but said the lawsuit did not allege that New York "directly inhibited the NRA from expressing its opposition to gun regulation. Instead, it presents a speculative and implausible 'parade of horribles.'" The NRA had sued Cuomo, Vullo and the state Department of Financial Services after the governor in April ordered that office to urge insurers and state-chartered banks to review their relationships with guns rights groups. Then in early May, Vullo's office fined insurance broker Lockton Cos $7 million and Chubb Ltd $1.3 million over their involvement with the NRA-branded "Carry Guard" insurance program, which it said unlawfully provided liability insurance to gun owners for "intentional" acts of wrongdoing. William Brewer, a lawyer for the NRA, said in a statement that there was little question that Cuomo and Vullo engaged in "pure viewpoint discrimination," and called their dismissal request "a misguided attempt to deflect from the fact that defendants overstepped their legal and regulatory authority." Story continues Cuomo, a Democrat running for a third term as governor, issued a statement on Friday in which he accused the NRA of trying to "play the victim." He added, "If I could have put the NRA out of business, I would have done it 20 years ago." The NRA is seeking through its lawsuit to end New York's alleged illegal interference with its rights and operations, and has until Aug. 24 to respond to Friday's filing. A Sept. 10 hearing is scheduled before U.S. District Judge Thomas McAvoy in the state capital of Albany. The case is National Rifle Association of America v Cuomo et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York, No. 18-00566. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York) Before Zimbabwes general elections on July 30, we heard a lot about landmark change and credibility. But in many ways, it was deja vu. President Emmerson Mnangagwas ruling ZANU-PF party won the parliamentary vote, taking a majority 144 seats out of 210. The opposition MDC Alliance, a seven-party coalition led by Nelson Chamisa, won 64 seatsan improvement on their 2013 showing of 44 seats, but still falling far short of expectations. The presidential results were much closer. After clashes on Wednesday, the incumbent Mnangagwa was declared winner early Friday morning, taking 50.8% of the vote against Chamisas 44.3%. The 21 other independent presidential candidates polled less than 5% between them. The polls didnt quite live up to the hype. There was much that was positive: the prelude and election day were peaceful, with a minimal military presence. Opposition candidates were able to hold nationwide rallies (including in ZANU-PFs rural heartland) without interferencean electoral first. ZANU-PF leaders and the military called for a peaceful process. Four women candidates contested the presidential vote, another first. More than 5 million Zimbabweans registered (out of an eligible voting population of 7.2 million), and there was a near record 75% turnout on voting day. Zimbabwe invited official observers from 46 countries and 15 international organizations, and, for the first time since 2002, observers from the EU, the Commonwealth, and the U.S. were present. But shortcomings included late public access to the imperfect biometric voters roll and controversies about the ballot papers. There were also misogynistic social media attacks and threats against female candidates and Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Chair, Justice Priscilla Chigumba. The three-day wait for presidential results saw a further decline in public trust in the ZEC, and the oppositions premature announcement of a Chamisa victory only fanned the political flames. On Wednesday, six unarmed civilians were shot dead by soldiers in Harare, with dozens more assaulted. A Joint International Observer Mission statement promptly condemned the violence and called for restraint. Story continues The elections process was a boon for democracy, but ironically the result has entrenched the two-party parliamentary system and marginalized alternative voices. Mnangagwa has been conciliatory in his post-election statements, saying that Nelson Chamisa has a crucial role to play and calling for unity to build a new Zimbabwe for all. But Chamisas MDC Alliance has refused to accept the results, calling them fake and a scandal. The MDC has raised genuine transparency concerns and will likely challenge the results in court, but much of this may be cosmeticwith little chance of a 2017 Kenya-style presidential re-run. There is no critical mass of opposition parties to sustain a challenge,nor is there a popular appetite for a protracted political feud. Zimbabwes democracy agenda may be heading into the slow lane, and Chamisa may be pressured by his coalition partners to make a political accommodation with Mnangagwa. Nevertheless, despite setbacks, Zimbabwes opposition and civil society has a long history of resilience under pressure and the struggle for democracy will continue. Mnangagwa has a full in-tray. This week sees his re-inauguration, meetings with investors, and intense speculation about his next Cabinet. He has to unite a fractious ZANU-PF and manage internal civil-military and generational faultlines. Beyond that, he may need a public reconciliation with Chamisasimilar to how in Kenya and Mozambique, similar incumbent-opposition quarrels were mended by public rapprochements. But Zimbabweans are now in a post-political, economy-first mood. Resolving the cash crisis is crucial. Few Zimbabweans can withdraw more than $50 a day from banks or ATMsand much of this is paid out in unpopular bond coins. The formal sector has contracted to only 20% of the economy, and the informal sector lacks the capacity to push an economic renewal. Zimbabwes new internationalism is premised upon the 2015 Lima process economic reform pathway for debt arrears clearance. (The country has a $10 billion foreign debt.) There has been a modest increase in foreign and diaspora investment, but the big-money Chinese, Russian and other pledges are long-horizon projects. What Zimbabwe needs is a short-term economic stimulusto support small and medium-sized businesses. For this to happen, Mnangagwa has to stay the course on economic reform, ease of doing business and the anti-corruption agenda. The pivot from reform to transformation in Zimbabwe will require all hands on deck, including civil society, the opposition, Zimbabwe diaspora and foreign investors, in a partnership for development. A positive global verdict on the elections could supercharge investment, but time will tell whether these polls have been a deal-maker or a deal-breaker. Zimbabwes elections often split the global south and the global north, and this could be the case again. The E.U. will have to decide whether to continue their incrementalist rapprochement with Zimbabwe, or accelerate to the reciprocity-based, Re-Engagement 2.0 approach currently favored by the U.K. (The U.S. is unlikely to lift statutory sanctions anytime soon.) Zimbabwes possible return to the Commonwealth could also be divisive, given the broader global context of the perceived existential clash between beleaguered liberal democracy and the rise of populistand popularautocracies across the globe. President Mnangagwaalong with South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mozambiques Filipe Nyusi, and othersbelong to a pragmatic new wave of regional economic reformers nudging liberationism away from ideology. He now has an electoral mandate to lead a divided country. For sisters Chipo and Tendai, both businesswomen based in Harare who voted for Mnangagwa and Chamisa respectively, the future needs to come now. There is too much talk, they told me. We live every day between hope and despair. We need cash and jobs. We are tired of being tired. Harare (AFP) - Zimbabwe authorities are abducting opposition activists and launching court cases to suppress protests, the opposition MDC party said Monday, despite the president's boast of introducing new freedoms to criticise his government. Since the knife-edge election result was declared early Friday, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) say they have been the target of a brutal crackdown that exposes President Emmerson Mnangagwa's claims to respect rights and halt repression. Mnangagwa has blamed the MDC for fomenting post-vote unrest, but he has also vowed to usher in a more open Zimbabwe than under Robert Mugabe's 37-year rule that ended last year. Last week, six people died after troops in the capital Harare opened fire at protests against alleged election fraud, sparking an international outcry and raising grim memories of the Mugabe era. "It's getting dicier by the day, we know the security forces are looking for 4,000 individuals," opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa's spokesman Nkululeko Sibanda told AFP, citing state media reports. "They are intimidating people. At their houses they're going with accusations of serious crimes and they're taking people without telling anyone -- and these people can't be found in police stations. "They're trying to incapacitate the opposition, so that there will be no resistance or civil action against the fake election results." - 'Taken by soldiers' - Sibanda said he had information about one woman who was targeted by security forces after saying on Facebook that Mnangagwa stole the vote result. "We have recovered another person who came home this morning. She was taken by soldiers. She managed to escape while they were dealing with one other person captured with her," said Sibanda, adding 50 people may be missing. The MDC, which says it won the election and plans a legal challenge, has also alleged that elderly people related to activists have been attacked and that security forces have been acting with impunity with some victims reportedly beaten up. Story continues On Monday, 27 members of the MDC opposition appeared in court on violence charges after the protests against alleged cheating by Mnangagwa and the ruling ZANU-PF party in the election. Police armed with assault rifles were on duty in the court precinct, with a police truck stationed outside. Prosectors opposed bail, saying the accused -- 19 men and eight women -- were "linked" to the deaths of the six people when the army opened fire at the opposition demonstration. "There's more than a likelihood that they will reoffend, they will intimidate witnesses, they will interfere with evidence and they will not attend trial," said prosecutor Michael Reza. "These are people with unfinished business outside." Five of the suspects were polling agents who had been visiting MDC headquarters in Harare to hand in polling returns and collect travel expenses, defence lawyers said. The bail hearing was adjourned until Tuesday. - Good cop, bad cop? - The MDC headquarters has been regularly encircled by military armoured personnel carriers, water cannon trucks and anti-riot police vehicles since the election but appeared calm on Monday. Amnesty International said last week more than 60 people had been "arbitrarily arrested" in a post-election clampdown on the opposition. "This is a strategy of good-cop, bad-cop where Mnangagwa proclaims conciliation and mindfulness of the law, while the security apparatus is attacking the opposition," Charles Laurie, of the Verisk Maplecroft risk consultancy, told AFP. "Mnangagwa's greatest priority is to cement his victory, so they are working to disrupt the MDC by interfering with their links to the press, preventing demonstrations and ensuring dissents are suppressed. "They will have to allow the MDC's legal challenge to proceed, but they'll work behind the scenes to blunt it." Riot police last week broke up an MDC press conference with foreign media on the lawns of an upmarket hotel before it was eventually allowed to proceed as the government scrambled to repair its dented image. Mnangagwa, a former Mugabe ally who is desperate to attract foreign investment, quickly reacted on Twitter, saying he "protected freedom of speech, of assembly and the right to criticise the government". "This is an indispensable part of the new Zimbabwe," he added. WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said renewed US sanctions on Iran will be rigorously enforced and remain in place until the Iranian government radically changes course. Speaking to reporters aboard his plane on his way home from a three-nation trip to Southeast Asia, Pompeo said Monday's re-imposition of sanctions is an important pillar in US policy toward Iran. He said the Trump administration is open to looking beyond sanctions but that would "require enormous change" from Tehran. "We're hopeful that we can find a way to move forward but it's going to require enormous change on the part of the Iranian regime," he said Sunday. "They've got to behave like a normal country. That's the ask. It's pretty simple." DUBAI - Saudi Arabia on Monday ordered the Canadian ambassador to leave the ultraconservative kingdom within 24 hours after his nation criticized the recent arrest of women's rights activists. The Saudi Foreign Ministry also said it would freeze "all new business" between the kingdom and Canada. Some 10 percent of Canadian crude oil imports come from Saudi Arabia. "Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as acknowledgment of our right to interfere in the Canadian domestic affairs," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in an extraordinarily aggressive statement. "Canada and all other nations need to know that they can't claim to be more concerned than the kingdom over its own citizens." It wasn't immediately clear if Ambassador Dennis Horak was in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia said it would recall its ambassador to Canada as well. The United States intends to fully enforce sanctions due to be reimposed against Iran early this week on orders from US President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter A first set of US sanctions that had been eased by the Obama administration under the terms of the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal will take effect again on Monday. Those sanctions target Iran's automotive sector as well as gold and other metals. The US also has banned imports of Iranian products such as carpets and pistachios and revoked licenses that allowed Iran to purchase US and European aircraft. Iran acquired five new European commercial planes on Sunday before the sales were cut off. US President Donald Trump; Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei (Photos: Reuters) The last and most significant sanctionsthose on Iran's oil sector and central bankwill be restored on Nov. 4. Iranian oil sales are a crucial source of hard currency. Pompeo, speaking with reporters returning with him from an Asian trip, said the White House would detail implementation of the measures on Monday morning. "It's an important part of our efforts to push back against Iranian malign activity," he said. "The United States is going to enforce these sanctions." Despite opposition from European allies, Trump in May pulled the United States out of a 2015 deal between world powers and Tehran under which international sanctions were lifted in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear program. Trump had denounced the deal reached under his White House predecessor, Barack Obama, as one-sided in Iran's favor. Starting this week, Washington will reimpose sanctions on Iran's purchases of US dollars, its trade in gold and precious metals, and its dealings with metals, coal and industrial-related software. The United States has told other countries they must halt imports of Iranian oil starting in early November or face US financial measures. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said last week that Trump's repudiation of the deal was illegal and Iran would not yield to Washington's renewed campaign to strangle Iran's vital oil exports. Iran will ease foreign exchange rules, state TV reported on Sunday, in a bid to halt a collapse of the rial currency, which has lost half its value since April due to fears about the return of US sanctions. Referring to recent sporadic protests in Iranian cities , Pompeo said: "The Iranian people are not happynot with the Americans but with their own leadership. They're unhappy with the failure of their own leadership to deliver the economic promises that their leadership promised them." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (Photo: AFP) Pompeo said the United States wants "the Iranian people to have a strong voice of who their leadership will be," although he stopped short of calling for regime change in Tehran. He later said in a message on Twitter that the United States was "deeply concerned about reports of Iranian regime's violence against unarmed citizens" and urged respect for human rights. Protests broke out on Sunday for a sixth night in Iranian cities, including Kazeroon in the south, according to social media. Authorities reported the first fatality among protesters, with the shooting of a man in Karaj, west of Tehran. But they denied security forces were involved, Iranian news agencies reported The protests have often begun with slogans against the high cost of living and alleged financial corruption but quickly turned into anti-government rallies. Pompeo said Monday's re-imposition of sanctions is an important pillar in US policy toward Iran. He said the Trump administration is open to looking beyond sanctions but that would "require enormous change" from Tehran. "They have got to behave like a normal country," he said, describing Iranian leaders as "bad actors." He alluded to Trump's suggestion last week of the potential for future negotiations with Tehran, a notion that senior Iranian officials quickly rejected. "We are happy to talk if there's an arrangement that is appropriate, that could lead to a good outcome," he said. Pompeo noted that the US has long designated Iran as the world's foremost state sponsor of terrorism and said it cannot expect to be treated as an equal in the international community until it halts such activities. "Perhaps that will be the path the Iranians choose to go down," he said. "But there's no evidence today of a change in their behavior." The nurses' union announced that on Tuesday they will launch an all-out strike without an end date at hospitals and the community. According to the nurses, the strike will be held in protest of the violence in the health system and the system's failure to implement the recommendations of the Committee for the Elimination of Violence in the Health System, which were given about nine months ago. Sara Netanyahu, the prime minister's wife, has reportedly called Leah Goldin, whose son IDF officer Hadar Goldin was killed during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge and captured by Hamas, accusing the family of being "ungrateful," according to Channel Ten News. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter In a phone call two years ago, Mrs. Netanyahu reportedly told the bereaved mother that she did not approve of the fact the family invited Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked to a memorial service for Hadar at the Kfar Saba cemetery. "Your ties to my husband's rivals could hurt the efforts the prime minister invests in the issue," Mrs. Netanyahu reportedly said. Sara Netanyahu (Photo: AP) A spokesman for the Netanyahu family rejected the report out of hand. "This never happened. Such a call never took place. Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul are in the hearts of Sara Netanyahu and the prime minister, and any statement to the contrary is wrong and does not reflect the connection created with the family," the spokesman said on behalf of the Netanyahu family. Leah Goldin (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) The report joins claims made Sunday by Zehava Shaul , whose son fallen soldier Oron Shaul suffered a similar fate to Goldin. Shaul said she had lost faith in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he called her and her late husband Herzl "liars." "Some two months before my husband's death, we met with Prime Minister Netanyahu who yelled at us and hurled accusations at us. He called us liars," Shaul said. "Until that meeting, Herzl had full confidence in the system and believed the promises made by the prime minister. This meeting was the straw that broke the camel's back." Zehava Shaul (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) The Prime Minister's Office denied Shaul's claims, saying "Prime Minister Netanyahu has never yelled at bereaved families or hurled accusations at them, the same is true for the Shaul family. The prime minister will continue making every effort until the sons return home." In comments later in the day, Mrs. Shaul doubled down on her accusation, insisting that Everything I said is true. And it is OK that he (Netanyahu) believes that what he is saying is true. You can ask the Goldin family as well, they were with us at the private meeting. Azrieli Junction in Tel Aviv is blocked on Monday morning, as part of the firefighters' protest against the firefighting commissioner, Brig.-Gen. Dedi Simchi. The firefighters claim that the organization's management damages the firefighters' working relations and conditions. The police permitted the demonstration of right-wing activists in the northern town of Umm al-Fahm on Thursday. The demonstration will be held in protest of the shooting attack on the Temple Mount compound a year ago, in which two policemen were murdered by three Umm al-Fahm residents. The National Association of Nurses in Israel will launch a nation-wide strike on Tuesday that will last until further notice in protest of rising violence against health care personnel. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The strike will take place across all hospitals, clinics, and family health centers in Israel. The nurses' union blamed the government for failing to deal with the violence against health care personnel and implement the recommendations of the Committee for the Elimination of Violence in the Health System, which were given last December. Rambam Health Care Campus (Photo: Avishag Shaar-Yashuv) The committee's conclusions, which include a recommendation to add security and police units at hospitals across the country, install security cameras in the public areas of all medical facilities and provide distress signal apps for every employee in the field. In an interview with Ynet, Ilana Cohen, the Chairwoman of the National Association of Nurses in Israel, said that despite the fact that several months have passed since the publication of the committee's "nothing has been done." "If there is no effective solution, the nurses will abandon their stations," she said. Ilana Cohen (Photo: Yaron Brener) "Until immediate action is taken to resolve the unbearable overcrowdedness in the hospitals system and protect the medical teams and health care employeesthe nurses will not stand down," Cohen added. "It is inconceivable that nurses go to work, take care of patients, and end up at the emergency room themselves. It is inconceivable that the Israeli government stands by as the health system becomes a war zoneand the nurses, medical teams, and health care personnel serve as a punching bag for displeased patients," Cohen stressed. "The nurses in Israel have decided that their blood is not cheap...It is unthinkable that nurses fight for their lives in intensive care while the ministers of Israel keep quiet," she concluded. According to the chairman of the Histadrut Labor Federation, Avi Nissenkorn, the government "cannot stand idly by while nurses and medical teams, who dedicate themselves to saving lives, are attacked on a daily basis at their place of work." Yaakov Litzman and the injured nurse (Photo: Office of the Minister of Health) As part of the strike, all health system nurses throughout the country will offer limited-service only: operating rooms and intensive care departments will offer limited services, Epidemiology offices will treat urgent cases only, immunization clinics for persons travelling overseas will be closed, and nurses will not provide ambulatory services in clinics, health institutes, and day care centers. Only one station for family health in each city will operate and treat premature babies and pregnant women at risk. Blood samplesincluding infant screening tests and blood testswill be taken at the health bureaus by an on-call nurse. In addition, doctors in all area of expertise will not perform routine tests, and no reception services will be given. In recent months there has been an increase in violence acts committed against helath-care personnel. The most serious incident took place last month when Oscar Bahit, 31, an asylum seeker from Eritrea, stabbed a nurse in the abdomen at the Shmuel Harofe Geriatric Medical Center in the central city of Beer Yaakov. Asylum seeker from Eritrea stabs a nurse X Police investigation revealed that Bahit, who was a patient in the tuberculosis ward, arrived at the medical facility holding a large knife. According to the police, the man passed through the hospital's guards and did not obey their order to stop. Bahit then entered the ward where he was hospitalized, ran into a security guard, and pointed the knife at him. In response, the security guard left the area running, leaving Bahit free to approach the staff. The Eritrean man then approached nurse Rahel Kobo, who was standing nearby, and stabbed her in the abdomen. The security guard returned to the scene, drew his handgun, fired at Bahit, and missed. A medical team and several security guards took over the situation, and detained the perpetrator until the police arrived. Three years after Colonel Israel Shomer, who shot and killed a Palestinian who threw a boulder at his car, the Chief of the General Staff announced on Monday that Shomer would be appointed the new Nahal Brigade commander. Three Israeli fighter jets participated in a military parade in Croatia on Sunday to mark 23 years to the country's victory in Operation Storm, raising the ire of neighboring country Serbia. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The 1995 Operation Storm was the last major battle of the Croatian War of Independence, during which 250,000 Serbians were expelled from the country and thousands were killed. The Serbians viewed the participation of Israeli pilots in the parade to be insensitive, protesting to Jerusalem arguing it's "not a friendly gesture toward Serbia." Israeli jets take part in the parade ( ) X Serbia's Ambassador to Israel, Milutin Stanojevic, told Times of Israel that his country was "deeply disappointed about the participation of Israeli pilots and fighter jets today, because for us Operation Storm in 1995 was a kind of pogrom. It was the biggest exodus of a nation since the Second World War." The three Israeli jets arrived in Croatia on Thursday, along with a delivery of used F-16 fighter jets Israel sold Croatia for $750 million. The Defense Ministry in Zagreb even posted photos of Israeli and Croatian pilots posing in front of one of the planes. Israeli jets arrive in Croatia (Photo: Croatian Defense Ministry) The Israeli fighter jets then joined Croatian MiG-21 jets, flying over the city of Knin, where the annual victory parade took place. In addition, Israeli and American representatives also attended the parade, including Brig. Gen. (res.) Mishel Ben Baruch, the head of the Israeli Defense Ministry's security exports organization SIBAT. Brig. Gen. (res.) Michel Ben Baruch at the parade (Photo: Croatian Defense Ministry) "For the Croatian side, maybe these are days of triumph, but for the Serbian side these are days of mourning," Stanojevic told Times of Israel. "We mourn the exodus. This is not the time or the place where another country should be involved." Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic has accused Croatia of intentionally expelling Serbs because of their ethnicity. "Hitler wanted a world without Jews; Croatia and its policies wanted Croatia without Serbs," Vucic said on Saturday. The parade celebrates Croatia's recapture of territories seized by Serb rebels in response to Croatia's declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia. The Serbian minority in Croatia, with the backing of Serbia itself, declared independence and banished hundreds of thousands of Croatians from their homes. Over 10,000 Croatians were killed until Croatia launched Operation Storm in 1995, during which it bombed the Serbian rebels and chased them away. Croatia marks the date as the day of the country's reunification. The defense establishment said in response: "As part of the cooperation between the Israeli Air Force and the Croatian Air Force, three F-16 Barak jets and a cargo aircraft participated (in the victory parade). This event is part of the professional cooperation between the two countries, which includes sharing of knowledge, joint exercises and reciprocal training. Israel and Serbia have a friendly and close relationship, and it considers it, like Croatia, as a true friend." My 4-year-old grabbed the mail and handed it to me and my jaw just dropped, Johnson said. It was just an emoji. I was so confused about who would take the time to find my address. My husband was supposed to go to a work event downtown but ended up taking a train to come home because he saw police were at our house. A member of the Israeli Security Cabinet, Ze'ev Elkin (Likud), referred to the ceasefire talks with Hamas and said that "an arrangement with the organization is currently not on the agenda." In an interview with Ynet, Elkin added that "Hamas wants to go back in time, three months back, to a reality of calm and quiet in the Gaza Strip, we are willing to do that." The European Union on Monday said it deeply regretted the re-imposition of sanctions by the United States on Iran, adding it and other signatories would work on keeping financial channels with Iran open. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The remaining parties to the JCPOA have committed to work on, inter alia, the preservation and maintenance of effective financial channels with Iran, and the continuation of Irans export of oil and gas, the European Unions foreign service said in a statement, referring to the acromym for the nuclear deal struck with Iran in 2015. "On these, as on other topics, our work continues, including with third countries interested in supporting the JCPOA and maintaining economic relations with Iran. These efforts will be intensified and reviewed at Ministerial level in the coming weeks," the EU added. "The JCPOA is working and delivering on its goal, namely to ensure that the Iranian program remains exclusively peaceful, as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 11 consecutive reports," the statement went on to say. "It is a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, crucial for the security of Europe, the region, and the entire world. We expect Iran to continue to fully implement all its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA." The EU foreign ministers went on to explain that "The lifting of nuclear-related sanctions is an essential part of the dealit aims at having a positive impact not only on trade and economic relations with Iran, but most importantly on the lives of the Iranian people." The European Union also said it is "determined to protect European economic operators engaged in legitimate business with Iran, in accordance with EU law and with UN Security Council resolution 2231. This is why the European Unions updated Blocking Statute enters into force on 7 August to protect EU companies doing legitimate business with Iran from the impact of US extra-territorial sanctions. "Preserving the nuclear deal with Iran is a matter of respecting international agreements and a matter of international security," the statement concluded. A first set of US sanctions that had been eased by the Obama administration under the terms of the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal will take effect again on Monday. Those sanctions target Iran's automotive sector as well as gold and other metals. The US also has banned imports of Iranian products such as carpets and pistachios and revoked licenses that allowed Iran to purchase US and European aircraft. Iran acquired five new European commercial planes on Sunday before the sales were cut off. The last and most significant sanctionsthose on Iran's oil sector and central bankwill be restored on Nov. 4. Iranian oil sales are a crucial source of hard currency. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday Washington intends to fully enforce the sanctions on orders from US President Donald Trump. Pompeo, speaking with reporters returning with him from an Asian trip, said the White House would detail implementation of the measures on Monday morning. "It's an important part of our efforts to push back against Iranian malign activity," he said. "The United States is going to enforce these sanctions." Despite opposition from European allies, Trump in May pulled the United States out of a 2015 deal between world powers and Tehran under which international sanctions were lifted in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear program. Trump had denounced the deal reached under his White House predecessor, Barack Obama, as one-sided in Iran's favor. Starting this week, Washington will reimpose sanctions on Iran's purchases of US dollars, its trade in gold and precious metals, and its dealings with metals, coal and industrial-related software. The United States has told other countries they must halt imports of Iranian oil starting in early November or face US financial measures. If someone had told the Goldin and Shaul families that UN Special Envoy Nickolay Mladenovthe man behind the proposed ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamashas already left the region last weekend for his annual holiday, they may have been spared another exchange of blows with the Prime Minister's Office and those unnamed Cabinet members who accused them of emotional blackmail. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter This is because if Mladenov decided to pack his bags and go, the chances of reaching an agreement are non-existent. The man wouldn't have just up and left a life's work to go on vacation if he thought for even a moment the plan he has been working on for a long time was going to be realized. The bereaved parents once again served as a backdrop to the show the Israeli governments puts on every now and again, the entire purpose of which is to present Israel as a country agonizing over difficult decisions on humanitarian concessions to Hamas, just to ensure quiet for the residents of the Gaza border. Israeli government meeting (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) As soon as the Egyptian plan was put on the table, there was no one in the Israeli defense establishment that gave it a chance. Mladenov's planwhich centers on a $600 million investment in the Gaza Strip, with an additional $30 million added just last weekcannot be implemented without cooperation from the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah and without a commitment from Hamas to return Israel's MIAs and POWs in one package deal. Even all of this money is not enough to heal the rift between Hamas and the PA. So it's no wonder the Israeli government kept the discussions on the subject secret, including the "contrarian" ministers who realized it's better to shut up and let the Palestinians mess up on their own. Hamas leaders at March of Return protests on the Gaza border The Hamas leadership's visit to Gazaled by the organization's no.2 Saleh al-Arouriand the convening of the Shura Council on Sunday, gave the sense that Hamas was about to make a decision on a long-term ceasefire with Israel. Hamas did want that, and essentially accepted the five-clause plan for reconciliation with the PA, but like Fatah's Jibril Rajoub said last weekyou need two hands to clap. Mahmoud Abbas, on his part, didn't even think about accepting the Egyptian plan, as according to it he is the one who is supposed to clean up the streets in Gaza, while Hamas gets all the glory as the defender of the Palestinian people. If we're responsible over the strip, he explained to his people, and Hamas fires rockets at Israel, who are the Israelis going to attack? Who is the world going to blame? Us. Saleh al-Arouri and Ismail Haniyeh meet in Gaza (Photo: EPA) Israel doesn't believe Hamas. Not about a short-term truce or about a long-term one. It also doesn't want a Palestinian unity government, a Palestinian sea port, and other fantasies. Israel wants to go back to March 29, before the "March of Return" protests on the Gaza border began, and this is probably what's going to happen. But in order to return to that point, we need to convince Abbas to release the salaries to the Gaza Strip. This basic thing will give Hamas economic relief and lower the level of discontent on the Gaza street. Israel has already been able to convince the PA to release some salaries to Gaza, and it will certainly make an effort in this regard now as well. Israel can't force the Egyptians to open the Rafah border crossing, but it'll open the crossings in Kerem Shalom and Erez in the same format they were opened before the "March of Return" clashes. In return, Hamas is supposed to go back to its conduct before March 29. But if even that can't be achieved, we'll have to prepare for a possible war in the strip. Hamas's political leadership met with the organization's military wing on Monday to discuss their battle readiness after the Israeli Security Cabinet concluded a meeting Sunday with the statement "the IDF is prepared for any scenario," Palestinian sources said. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Hamas leaked the information about the meeting, which was held in light of threats made against the "resistance" and against the Palestinians, the source said. The same sources added that the heads of Hamas's military wing stressed that they could inflict heavy losses on Israel, which the Israeli government and public would not be able to withstand. Palestinian fighter (Photo: AFP) The Israeli Cabinet met on Sunday to discuss a proposed ceasefire agreement with Hamas mediated by the UN and Egypt. During the meeting, IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot briefed the ministers on the situation in the strip. While the ministers discussed the plan, they made no decisions on the matter and were not asked to approve it. Hamas's political officials were briefed on the organization's meeting, and no information was giving regarding the meeting's duration or starting time. It should be noted that a senior Hamas delegation headed by the deputy leader of the organization, Saleh al-Arouri, who is responsible for several bloody terrorist attacks, arrived in Gaza last week to discuss the cease-fire arrangement proposed by Egypt and the UN. Cabinet member Yoav Galant told Army Radio on Monday that any cease-fire deal would be limited in scope and added that the ministers discussed the reopening of the Kerem Shalom border crossing. Yoav Galant's assessment appeared to fall short of what Hamas officials have described as Egyptian efforts to broker a comprehensive agreement, including a significant easing of an 11-year-old border blockade and UN-led reconstruction of Gaza. But Galant said what is at issue is a ceasefire, not a full-scale agreement: "There is no process toward an agreement." The difference in perceptions suggests chances for an agreement are slim. Israel's Security Cabinet (Photo: Kobi Gideon, GPO) Similarly, a member of the Israeli Security Cabinet, Ze'ev Elkin (Likud), said in an interview with Ynet on Mondat that "an arrangement with Hamas is currently not on the agenda." Elkin added that "Hamas wants to go back in time, three months back, to a reality of calm and quiet in the Gaza Strip, we are willing to do thatHamas understands that continuing this way will lead to Operation Protective Edge 2." Addressing the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, Elkin said that "Israel is not responsible for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, if Hamas wants to see want more gestures from us, they need to return the Israeli soldiers' remains." Elkin also addressed Egypt's responsibility for the Gaza strip. "As far as we are concerned, after the State of Israel left Gaza, responsibility should not be imposed on us. Egypt is no less responsible," Elkin asserted. Elkin's remarks could upset Cairo as it tries to avoid being drawn back into the Palestinian enclave while brokering truce talks between Israel and Hamas. Some Egyptian officials say they would resist any attempt by Israel, or its US ally, to shift the responsibility for Gaza's humanitarian situation to Cairo. Hamas leaders meet in Gaza (Photo: EPA) When asked about Cairo's role in the truce talks Elkin replied: "We left Gaza. If someone strikes at us from Gaza, they will get hit back. Let the Arab world resolve the internal, humanitarian problem of the Gaza Strip. Why should we bear responsibility for this?" Asked if Elkin's comments reflected Netanyahu government policy, an Israeli official close to the prime minister declined comment. There was no immediate response from Cairo. But Egyptian officials have privately voiced worry about Israeli calls for them to be more involved in the Gaza Strip. According to one Egyptian official, the Foreign Ministry in Cairo instructed its diplomats to emphasize that Egypt would not budge from its position that Israel is the country with exclusive, ultimate responsibility for Gaza. An Egyptian official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, summarized Cairo's message as: "We are willing to do what we can to calm down the situation in Gaza or work on Palestinian reconciliation. But we will not take over from Israel in Gaza. It's Israel's problem." Israel's intelligence and Transportation Minister Israel Katz tweeted on Sunday that the ceasefire agreement should include "bringing Egyptian infrastructure, at sea and on land, to bear for the good for Gaza, under international supervision." Palestinian delegation to the Gaza Strip The Egyptian official said Cairo would not let its facilities or territory in the Sinai desert, bordering Gaza, be used to relieve Israel of keeping the Palestinian economy alive. The White House said on June 21 that it had discussed with Egypt "the need to facilitate humanitarian relief to Gaza". The Trump administration's stated position is that Gaza should be under the control of Hamas's Western-backed Palestinian rivals. The proposed ceasefire plan, mediated by UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Nickolay Mladenov and Egyptian intelligence, is the first stage in the effort to reach a broader agreement between Hamas and Israel. But there was not much optimism among the ministers. The chances of reaching a broader, long-term agreement with Hamas were very low, since there are too many obstacles on the way and it is doubtful the gaps can be bridged. Hamas demands the release of high value prisoners in return for advancing negotiations for the release of civilians and the return of IDF soldiers' remains. Israel, meanwhile, objects to releasing high value prisoners, and conditions any broad agreement in a resolution to the issue of MIAs and POWs. Serbia's foreign minister has criticized Israel because its military jets and envoys took part in a ceremony in Croatia marking a victorious 1995 offensive against rebel Serb-held territories. Ivica Dacic told a private television station Monday that "it's sad that an Israeli flag flew yesterday at the celebration of that criminal action." He added that "we are very disappointed." He said it's "immoral" that Israel took part in the commemoration when tens of thousands of Jews perished in Croatian Nazi-run death camps during World War II. Three Israeli air force jets took part in a flyby during Sunday's ceremony marking the anniversary of the operation that restored Croatia's control over land held by rebel Serbs during the 1991-95 war. In March, Croatia approved the purchase of 12 F-16s from Israel. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman welcomed the expected reinstatement of US sanctions on Iran Monday, calling it "a brave decision that will be remembered for generations." "US President Donald Trump change the direction in the treatment of Iran. No more agreements and flattery, but a determined struggle until the murderous ayatollah regime, which spreads terrorism, violence and hatred across the Middle East, is stopped," Lieberman wrote on Twitter. The condition of the special unit's soldier injured last week remains critical. The soldier is receiving treatment in neurosurgical intensive care unit at Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, and is anesthetized and ventilated. Testimonies reveal that that the soldier sustained the injury during a dangerous Maglan traditionjumping into thorny bushes without wearing a helmet. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter According to the tradition, the young fighters in the elite unit jump into thorny scrubs in order to "face their fear" of prolonged camouflage in rocky grounds during special ambush missions. Maglan unit (Photo: Gadi Gabalo) This dangerous tradition usually takes place at the end of a camouflage week, and is not an official part of the unit's training program. The soldiers usually sustain deep scratches or dry bruises as a result. However, this time, the injuries were severe, as the IDF warrior may be crippled for the rest of his life. A committee headed by a brigadier general will examine the soldiers' conduct in the IDF special units, and an additional probe will examine why reports on both incidents were inaccurate and belated. Maglan elite unit (Photo: IDF Spokesperson) According to testimonies, when the soldier jumped into the bushes, no doctor was present at the scene. Only after the fighter complained of pain, his comrades contacted a military doctor who ordered the soldier's immediate hospital evacuation. Among other things, the army is investigating the soldier's evacuation process, checking for mistakes that might have worsened his condition. According to one of the soldiers' parents, the Maglan's tradition is "a stupid and dangerous tradition, everyone in the unit is aware of it, and no one forbids it they tell the fighters that the bushes are their mattress." Another soldier was moderately injured during a Krav Maga training the week before. The soldier sustained moderate injuries as a result of a heavy blow, and hours passed before the unit evacuated him to a hospital. (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Office) The IDF is examining whether the instructor was authorized to use the young soldier as a Krav Maga partner. At the same time, the army is examining why the details of the two incidents were kept inside the elite unit and not delivered, in real time, to senior commanders. The parents of the unit's soldiers intend to contest the IDF's decision to dismiss the commander of the seriously injured soldier, and the possible dismissal of the the second soldier's commander. "It's inconceivable that the IDF is dismissing junior officers while keeping senior commanders in their positions. Everyone knew about this jumping tradition, and no one stopped it," claimed a relative of one of the soldiers. The officers involved will face penalties including dismissals and rebukes, but as in the case of the Duvdevan soldier who accidentally shot dead his comrade, Staff Sgt. Shachar Strug, the IDF will probably severely punish lower rank officers, while ignoring the responsibility of senior commanders. According to the IDF, GOC Central Command Maj. Gen. Nadav Padan appointed a team headed by Brig. Gen. Itai Virob to examine commanders' conduct in the unit, while another team appointed by GOC Army Headquarters Maj. Gen. Kobi Barak will investigate the earlier incident in which a soldier was moderately hurt during Krav Maga training. At the same time, the IDF stopped some of the unit's training and safety briefings were conducted. "The events will be thoroughly studied and lessons will be learned," the IDF's Spokesperson said. The army also noted that "the events did not harm the Maglan unit's contribution to the IDF and did not impair the IDF's 24/7 activity and operational successes in all sectors." Some 500 Haredim associated with the radical Jerusalem Faction are protesting the military arrest of a Yeshiva student, Monday afternoon in Bnei Brak. The student was arrested for his refusal to show up for his scheduled draft or deferment request. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The protesters held signs accusing the state of persecuting the religious populace, destroying souls, and we will rather die than enlist. At least 19 arrests were made. Haredim clash with police in Bnei Brak over draft (Photo: Motti Kimchi ) (Photo: Motti Kimchi ) Shmuel Orbach , who passed away in February. Their policy is to shake the foundations of the world over each arrest of a Yeshiva student who refuses to show up at the IDFs recruitment center and is sent to military prison. (Photo: Motti Kimchi) (Photo: Motti Kimchi ) (Photo: Motti Kimchi) Police responded in large numbers and have closed several main roads in the vicinity of the protest. The primary thoroughfare affected is Jabotinsky Road running from east-west and connecting Tel Aviv to Petah Tikva. Police are hoping to prevent the closing of Highway 4, as has happened in previous protests. (Photo: Motti Kimchi ) The Committee to Save the Torah World which organized the protest, on behalf of Nissan Rada who was arrested for refusing to show up at the IDF draft office, issued a statement: The Haredi public will not cooperate with the apostasy and destruction aimed at the Torah world. Yeshiva students will continue not showing up to the draft office until the previous state of affairs, namely the blanket exemption of all Yeshiva students, is restored. Dozens of Haredi demonstrators were arrested on Monday during clashes with the police in Bnei Brak. Around 500 ultra-Orthodox demonstrated in the in the city in protest of an IDF defector arrest. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated on Monday US President Donald Trump on "the important decision to re-impose sanctions on Iran. This is an important moment for Israel, the United States, the region and the entire world. I call on the European countries, which talk about stopping Iran, to join forces," Netanyahu said in a video message on his official YouTube channel. She also said a Loyola University forensic anthropologist is doing work on the skeletal remains. Purcell said the coroner's office recovered a skull, several vertebrae, a pelvis and two femurs as well as a tibia, fibula, ribs and clavicle. She said they also recovered tarsals and metatarsals which are a group of bones in the feet. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday reimposing many sanctions on Iran, three months after pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal, saying the US policy is to levy "maximum economic pressure" on the country. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter In a statement, Trump said the 2015 international accord to freeze Iran's nuclear program in return for lifting sanctions was a "horrible, one-sided deal" and said it left the Iranian government flush with cash to use to fuel conflict in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump (Photo: AP) Trump warned that those who don't wind down their economic ties to Iranian "risk severe consequences" under the reimposed sanctions. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says renewed US sanctions on Iran will be rigorously enforced and remain in place until the Iranian government radically changes course. Speaking to reporters en route from a three-nation trip to Southeast Asia, Pompeo said Monday's reimposition of some sanctions is an important pillar in US policy toward Iran. He said the Trump administration is open to looking beyond sanctions but that would "require enormous change" from Tehran. "We're hopeful that we can find a way to move forward but it's going to require enormous change on the part of the Iranian regime," he said Sunday. "They've got to behave like a normal country. That's the task. It's pretty simple." Federica Mogherini with Zarif (: MCT) European foreign ministers said Monday they " deeply regret " the reimposition of US sanctions. A statement by European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and foreign ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom insisted that the 2015 Iran nuclear deal "is working and delivering on its goal" of limiting Iran's nuclear program. The ministers said the Iran deal is "crucial for the security of Europe, the region and the entire world." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to YouTube to express gratitude to the American administration for reimposing sanctions on Iran. This is an important moment for Israel, the US, the region and the entire world. It symbolizes the determination to halt Iranian regional aggression as well as its continued efforts to produce nuclear weapons , the prime minister said. Rouhani, Zarif (Photo: AFP) I call on European states that talk about stopping Iran, to join this course of action. It is time to stop talking and to start doing. That is exactly what the US is doing and it is what Europe needs to do as well, Netanyahu concluded. A senior administration official said the United States is "not particularly concerned" by EU efforts to protect European firms from the reimposition of sanctions. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter by name and spoke Monday on condition of anonymity. The European Union issued a "blocking statute" Monday to protect European businesses from the impact of the sanctions. The official says the US will use the sanctions aggressively and cited Iran's severe economic downturn this year as evidence the sanctions would prove to be effective despite opposition from the EU, China and Russia. Pompeo called the Iranian leadership "bad actors" and said Trump is intent on getting them to "behave like a normal country." A first set of US sanctions that had been eased by the Obama administration under the terms of the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal took effect on Monday, following Trump's May decision to withdraw from the accord. Those sanctions target Iran's automotive sector as well as gold and other metals. A second batch of US sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector and central bank will be reimposed in early November. Pompeo noted that the US has long designated Iran as the world's foremost state sponsor of terrorism and said it cannot expect to be treated as an equal in the international community until it halts such activities. "Perhaps that will be the path the Iranians choose to go down," he said. "But there's no evidence today of a change in their behavior." In the meantime, he said, "we're going to enforce the sanctions." Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman tweeted in response to the EU opposition to the reimposition of sanctions on Iran: Europe is working on saving the Iranian economy and the Ayatollah regime that is responsible for a series of terror, and attempted terror, attacks on European soil, including recently. It is simply mad. ANKARA - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday Tehran could hold talks with the United States only if Washington proved its trustworthiness after it exited a nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic. "We are always in favour of diplomacy and talks ... But talks needs honesty ... The US reimposes sanctions on Iran and pulls out of the (2015) nuclear deal, and then wants to hold talks with us," Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state television. "Trump's call for direct talks is only for domestic consumption in America ... and to create chaos in Iran." Bayit Yehudi launched a campaign in Jerusalem in order to shake up the race for mayor of the city, claiming only members of its party will be able to effectively counter the ultra-Orthodox influence on the life in the capital. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The party does not actually have a representative running for the position and the three leading candidates currently in the race are: Ze'ev Elkin (Likud), member of the city council Ofer Berkowitz and Moshe Leon, who is running as an independent candidate. All three are reinforcing the ultra-Orthodox message in order to increase their chances of winning. The Bayit Yehudi campaign explores this aspect as they put up banners around the city showing the three candidates wearing photoshopped ultra-Orthodox attire. Campaign banner "While they are worried about their fate, only a Bayit Yehudi win will stop the influence of the ultra-Orthodox," exclaims the banners slogan. The slogan of the campaign, incidentally, is reminiscent of the famous statement about the casino: "In Zionist enterprise - the house always wins!" The goal of the campaign is to increase the number of its members in the city councilwhich currently has only two Bayit Yehudi members serving thereHagit Moshe, head of the partys Jerusalem branch and Dov Kalmanovich. "We have nothing against the Haredim, but the reality of life proves that making Jerusalem more and more ultra-Orthodox keeps the Zionist and secular public away from it," said a partys representative in the citys municipality. The partys campaign is a strategic change since Kalmanovich, during his last term in office, voted with the ultra-Orthodox on various issues, such as against the decision to allow businesses to stay open in the city during the Shabbat. The party reiterates that the campaign is about the composition of the next coalition in the municipality, no matter who wins the election. "Elkin, Leon or Berkowitz, must not face the ultra-Orthodox by themselves. The religious Zionism factions must play a big part in the coalition in order to ensure that Jerusalem will be a capital of all Israeli society, not only of a small sector," said Hagit Moshe. The data indicates that over the past years, the mayoral elections in the city have been decided by the ultra-Orthodox public. In the 2013 election, Nir Barkat won by forming an alliances with the Haredim. The National Union party strongly condemned the campaign saying it is designed to create a division between the right-wing factions. "The National Union party wishes to distance itself from the painful campaign. Jerusalem is a city of unity, and creating division among the population is not our way. Were investigating with our partners how such a campaign could have gone ahead and well make sure it is shelved immediately. It is unacceptable to us and we apologize for the terrible mistake that has been made, and ask for forgiveness of all those who have been hurt by it," concluded the statement. Chairman of the Bayit Yehudi party, Naftali Bennett, has also denounced the campaign saying he had no prior knowledge on the issue. "The Bayit Yehudi party strongly condemns the elections campaign created by the party's Jerusalem branch. The leadership of the party on the national level had no prior knowledge on the matter and does not share the views represented in it," said the education minister via his official Twitter account. MK Ze'ev Elkin also addressed the issue in an interview with Ynet, denying claims he intends to pander to the Haredi electorate. "I hear that there is great resentment towards the campaign within the Bayit Yehudi party, because it is really unwise I have had four years of experience heading a coalition made up of both: ultra-Orthodox and anti-religious parties, and I knew how to connect all of them together when a complex decision had to be passed. You can not blackmail or overpower me," he exclaimed. Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Yossi Deitch praised Bennetts decision to distance himself from the controversial campaign. "I welcome Education Minister Naftali Bennetts quick response and condemnation of this ugly campaign, he added. Deitch also urged the candidates to be respectful to each other. I call on all the candidates and all the parties: Please watch your language and run a campaign that is respectful towards every person and every sector," he concluded. About 100 family members and friends of Lt. Col. Emmanuel Moreno gathered around his grave in the Mt. Herzl military cemetery for a memorial ceremony marking the 12th anniversary of his death in the city of Baalbek in the Second Lebanon War . Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter A recording with the voice of Lt. Col. Emmanuel Moreno the only IDF fallen soldier whose image is forbidden for publication even today was publicized this evening for the first at Shaare Zedek Medical Center. Grave of Emmanuel Moreno (Photo: Gil Yohanan) The recording was taken from a video taken at the ceremony where Moreno was granted his Lt. Colonel rank, 11 months before he was killed. In the recording, Moreno spoke in the spirit of the Disengagement Plan that was happening at that time. "We are standing in the seam between the end of a year and the beginning of a new year. The conclusion of a year is not only a concise description of the sequence of events that took place, but a starting point for year of renewal. The past year was full of events and crises that threatened the unity of the nation, he said referring to the Disengagement from Gaza and the forced removal of Jewish settlements. To date, only two operations which Moreno participated in can be publicized including Operation "Poisonous Sting" during which the terrorist Mustafa Dirani was kidnapped from his home in Lebanon and another operation that was carried out to rescue the taxi driver Eliahu Gural, who was kidnapped by Palestinians and held in a cellar in Beitunia. Moreno's widow, Maya (Photo: Gil Yohanan) Maya Ohana Moreno, Emmanuel's widow, said at the memorial service: "I miss you all the time, I live missing you, but sometimes it overwhelms me as life moves on. You are not here to experience the amazing group you left here and they are screaming to the heavens. You are not here to kiss our children at night, nor tell them about your childhood... Nevertheless, you are so much here, inspiring people to believe that change is just a matter of effort and willpower." Brig. Gen. Uri Gordin, former commander of the elite Sayeret Matkal unit and a comrade of Emanuel's, also spoke: "Immanuel and I came from different backgrounds, I am a kibbutznik and he is a Jerusalemite, I miss him, not just his memory, but him as a friend. When I remember Emanuel I remember his great passion for life and accomplishment, and every encounter with him was an experience that would sweep you along. (Photo: Inbar Tvizer) "He was a believer, on the one hand faith and on the other skepticism, added Brig. Gen. Gordin. "He believed in the journey, in his friends and partners on the journey, and in his and our ability to fulfill tasks almost blindly. Sometimes, this belief almost made him go too far." Among those present at the memorial ceremony were Major General Nitzan Alon, former head of the IDF Operations Command, Ground Forces Headquarters commander Brig. Gen. Uri Gordin, and Chief Military Rabbi Brig. Gen. Eyal Krim. MK Yehuda Glick (Likud) arrived attended as well. "We thought that over the years his memory will have dimmed, or that the national heroes would change, but it seems that as time goes by, Emmanuel's discreet and introverted labor still leaves its mark after 12 years, his brother Rabbi Shmuel Moreno told Ynet. Moreno's parents and brother (Photo: Inbar Tvizer) "Till today it is forbidden to publicize his photo and we never thought to publicize his voice. We turned to the military censor and asked if this would be possible and they did not object. It is important for us that the beliefs my brother held be heard," he added. "There are three ways of responding to a crisis: The first, to sink into the depths of despair and gloom, this is not our way at all, and we will not dwell on it. The other methods express optimism, but one is superior to the other. The first looks to the future, beyond the darkness, the good beyond the bad, and ignores the existence of evil this is what people mean when they say the glass is half full. "But there is a better way than that," Moreno continued, "and this is the way of Rabbi Akiva (a 2nd Century Jewish scholar and leader) of using evil as a lever for strengthening. As it is known, when one finds themselves in a crisis he discovers powers that would have otherwise never been expressed, similar to a soldier undergoing a difficult training. We can say that despite these difficulties, he becomes a better soldier. He called on the crowd to adopt this approach in our day to day personal lives, as well as on the national level, a perspective that turns crisis into hope and strength in the face of the challenges we face. At the end of his speech, Moreno thanked the then head of the IDF Intelligence Directorate Maj. Gen. Aharon-Ze'evi Farkash, and added: "Thank you especially to my parents who accompanied me and supported me over the years, and last but not least, my wife, my other half, who supports and loves without limit. Thanks for everything and a good year to all. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Saudi Arabia expelled the Canadian ambassador on Monday and froze "all new business" with Ottawa over its criticism of the ultraconservative kingdom's arrest of women's rights activists -- yet another warning to the West reflecting Riyadh's newly assertive foreign policy. The sudden and unexpected dispute bore the hallmarks of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's 32-year-old future leader, whose recent foreign policy exploits include the war in Yemen, the boycott of Qatar and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri's surprise resignation broadcast during a visit to the kingdom. Hariri later rescinded the resignation, widely believed to be orchestrated by Riyadh, and returned to Beirut. Analysts say the dispute between Riyadh and Ottawa shows Saudi Arabia won't accept any outside criticism and will continue flexing its muscles abroad, especially as the kingdom enjoys a closer relationship with President Donald Trump. News Yuma, Arizona - Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a felony sex offender Wednesday for the second time this year. He was apprehended in March, and deported through Nogales last month. At approximately 9:45 p.m., Yuma Station agents arrested Hector Gutierrez-Perez in the area of Andrade, California. Gutierrez-Perez, a 55-year-old Mexican national and the subject of a Yuma Sector news release from March, illegally entered with a 33-year old man from Honduras who will be processed for removal. During processing, agents identified Gutierrez as having multiple felony convictions out of Bakersfield and Santa Cruz, California including unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor under the age of 14, obstructing a public officer, and battery on a person. Additional record checks revealed that Gutierrez was also previously convicted of possession of narcotics/controlled substance, transporting/selling of narcotics, hit and run, and driving while under the influence of alcohol/drugs. During interviews, Gutierrez admitted that he was attempting to travel to North Hollywood, California to live and work. Gutierrez will be presented for prosecution and reinstatement of a previous order of removal. Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of criminal activity charges without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless or until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents effectively combat smuggling organizations attempting to illegally transport people and contraband through Southwestern Arizona and California. Citizens can help the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling 1-866-999-8727 toll-free to report suspicious activity. Callers may remain anonymous. Border News Lukeville, Arizona - Ajo Station Border Patrol agents responded to a report early Saturday from a National Park Service ranger about a large group of illegal aliens approximately 8 miles west of the Lukeville Port of Entry. When agents arrived at the location, they encountered 95 foreign nationals who crossed the border illegally. The group consisted of multiple families, ranging in age from 3 months to 60 years, from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Agents transported the group, found to be in good health, to the Ajo Border Patrol station for processing before being turned over to the Enforcement Removal Office within Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Border Patrols mission is to protect U.S. borders between official ports of entry and agents are equally concerned with the safety of anyone they encounter. Tucson Sector Border Patrol officials continue to publicize warnings about the dangers of entering the U.S. illegally; especially during the summer months when temperatures can exceed 120 degrees. But starting in June 2019, ComEds regular rate is expected to drop to 7.5 cents per kilowatt hour, which would be lower than Dynegys renewable supply rate of 7.6 cents per kilowatt hour, officials said. Village officials still wanted to provide the renewable supply as an option for residents, said Patty Dowd Schmitz, spokeswoman for Barrington. Border News Nogales, Arizona - Nogales Station Border Patrol agents arrested two passengers on commercial shuttles for attempting to smuggle dangerous narcotics through the Interstate 19 Immigration Checkpoint over the weekend. On Friday afternoon, two shuttle vans were referred for a secondary immigration inspection of its passengers. During the first inspection, agents discovered an adult female passenger in possession of almost a pound of black tar heroin. A couple of hours later, a juvenile female in a second shuttle was found in possession of half a pound of methamphetamine. Agents arrested both subjects and seized the drugs. The juvenile, a 17-year-old U.S. citizen was turned over to the Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Department. The 27-year-old Mexican national woman was charged federally for possession with intent to distribute heroin. Border News Amado, Arizona - Nogales Station Border Patrol agents arrested a 54-year-old Tucson man after finding 12 marijuana bundles concealed in his vehicle Tuesday afternoon at the Interstate 19 Immigration Checkpoint in Amado, Arizona. Agents referred the male driver of a Toyota Tundra for secondary inspection after a Border Patrol canine alerted to an odor it is trained to detect. A search of the vehicle revealed more than 153 pounds of marijuana and a small amount of methamphetamine. The marijuana has an estimated value of nearly $56,200. Agents seized the vehicle and drugs after the driver was arrested for narcotics smuggling. Border News Nogales, Arizona - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Arizonas Port of Nogales arrested a Mexican national Saturday involved in connection with a previous conviction for sexual assault of a minor in Colorado. Officers at the Morley Pedestrian Gate referred a 61-year-old Mexican male for further inspection, as he attempted to enter the United States from Mexico on Saturday morning. The subject presented himself as the owner of a Laser Visa, but was questioned further after a CBP officer suspected him to be an imposter. Further queries determined the subject has a 2006 conviction for Sexual Assault of a minor, which he served a 30-month jail sentence. He now faces felony prosecution for re-entry after deportation. The subject was arrested and turned over to the U.S. Marshals Service. Border News Nogales, Arizona - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Arizonas Port of Nogales arrested a U.S. citizen as well as a Mexican national for attempting to smuggle fentanyl and methamphetamine into the United States Tuesday, worth more than $109,000. CBP officers at the Mariposa Commercial Facility referred a 34-year-old Mexican man for further inspection of the Ford Box truck he was driving on Tuesday afternoon. A search of the vehicle loaded with electrical cable led to the discovery of two wooden blocks inside of the cab. When the blocks were opened they were found to contain hard drugs. The drugs were identified as nearly five pounds of fentanyl, worth $63,000 as well as more than four pounds of cocaine, valued at more than $45,000. At roughly the same time, officers working the DeConcini Pedestrian Crossing referred a 50-year-old U.S. woman for a further search as she attempted to re-enter the U.S. from Mexico. The search of the subject led to the discovery of one-quarter pound of meth, which was in her groin area, internally. The meth is valued at $840. Officers seized the drugs and vehicle. Both subjects were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations following their arrests. Border News Edinburg, Texas - U.S. Border Patrol agents continue rescue efforts in the Rio Grande Valley. On Tuesday, Falfurrias agents responded to three separate 911 calls resulting in the rescue of five illegal aliens who were lost in the brush after they were abandoned by smugglers. Agents provided basic medical attention and transported them to the Falfurrias Border Patrol Station for processing. Later that day, agents encountered a Honduran woman and her juvenile son who were abandoned near Fronton, Texas. The woman began to vomit and became unresponsive. Agents extracted the woman from the dense foliage and requested an ambulance. The woman was transported and admitted to the hospital where she is currently being treated for heat related illnesses. Hours later, Brownsville agents encountered a distressed Mexican man complaining of back pain after illegally entering the United States. A Border Patrol Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) evaluated the man and requested local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to transport the man to a local hospital. Later that evening, a Weslaco agent discovered the body of a deceased man south of Pharr, Texas. Agents contacted local authorities and the Justice of the Peace who had the body transported to the Hidalgo County Coroners Office. On Wednesday, agents responded to three separate calls from the Brooks County Sheriffs Office (BCSO) regarding groups of subjects who were abandoned by smugglers and lost in the ranchlands near Falfurrias, Texas. Agents responded to GPS coordinates provided by BSCO and located a total of seven illegal aliens. One of the men was transported to a local hospital due to a heat related illness. Shortly after, Rio Grande City agents encountered a distressed Guatemalan man who appeared to be suffering from heat related injuries near La Grulla. Agents quickly moved the man to an accessible location and requested EMS to transport the subject to a local hospital for medical treatment. All subjects will be processed accordingly. The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as Operation Big Rig and No Se Arriesgue to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives. Call 911 to report suspicious activity; Theyre humans, not cargo! Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - Last night, at approximately 10:30p.m., Yuma Police Department officers were dispatched the area of 1st Ave and 24th St in reference to a shots fired call. Upon arrival officers learned several shots were fired in the area of 26th St and Madison Ave and several subjects had fled the scene on foot and in vehicles. Officers observed a vehicle leaving the area at a high rate of speed. A High Risk Vehicle Stop was conducted on the vehicle during which officers discovered a male occupant had been shot. The subject, a 26 year old male, was transported by the Yuma Fire Department to Yuma Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Two other occupants in the vehicle were detained. The area of 26th St and Madison Ave as well as 18th St and 2nd Ave are shut down while the case is being investigated. The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call the Yuma Police Department at (928) 373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous. Villanova University President, the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, today announced the appointment of E. Michael Zubey, Jr., as Vice President and General Counsel, effective Aug. 17. In this role, Zubey will oversee all University legal affairs and is responsible for the vision and leadership of Villanovas overall legal strategy. As Vice President and General Counsel, he will serve as a member of the Presidents Cabinet and advise the President, Board of Trustees and administrative officers on a broad range of legal matters. Michaels vast legal experience, and intimate knowledge of Villanova, make him an ideal fit to advise and guide our University through the increasingly complex issues facing higher education, said Father Donohue. Im pleased to have Michael on my leadership team and look forward to working closely with him in this role. Zubey brings more than 20 years of legal experience to his new role, with extensive management and legal experience in university, corporate and non-profit settings, specializing in higher education, employment, labor and municipal law. He joined Villanovas Office of the Vice President and General Counsel as Associate General Counsel in May 2013. In this role, Zubey managed litigation for the University and provided advice and counsel to all areas of the University on a wide variety of legal matters. Villanova is among the nations premier academic institutions and I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the University as Vice President and General Counsel, said Zubey. I look forward to working with University leadership to guide the legal strategy for Villanova as it continues its strong forward momentum. Prior to joining Villanova, Zubey was a partner at the law firm of Masano Bradley, LLP for 10 years. During his tenure at Masano Bradley, he was appointed by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor to serve as a Labor and Employment Mediator and served as counsel for Alvernia University, where he was involved with the transition of the college into a university in 2008. Zubey previously served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Berks County District Attorney's Office and was the lead prosecutor in the major felony court, responsible for prosecuting violent crimes. While in private practice, he served on the Board of Directors for the Berks Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Greater Reading Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Berks County Bar Association as the chair of the employment law section and co-chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee. Zubey is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, The United States Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit and the Federal District Courts for the Middle and Eastern Districts of Pennsylvania, as well as the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Zubey received a Bachelor of Arts degree in both economics and psychology from Villanova University and earned a Juris Doctor degree from Villanova Universitys Charles Widger School of Law. About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova Universitys Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six collegesthe College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nations top universities, Villanova supports its students intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu. At Reneaus arraignment Monday, Assistant States Attorney James Scaliatine told Judge Brian Telander that prosecutors had filed their intent to seek an extended prison term for Reneau if they can prove not only that Reneau is guilty of murder but that he fired the alleged murder weapon. Princess Shyngle is a well known Ghana-based actress who is known for doing great movies. She was born on 25th December 1990 in Banjul, Gambia. The actress is famous not only for roles in the movies she acts but also because of her almost perfect Barbie figure. Many have described her as a woman without bones or intestines. Source:blogspot.com READ ALSO: My Ghanaian boyfriend left me to marry another woman - Princess Shyngle reveals Princess Shyngle profile Born: 25th December Age: 28years Origin: Gambia Marital status: Unmarried Occupation: Actress Famous for: Acting and perfect barbie body Facebook: Instagram: @princessshyngle Princess Shyngle biography There is a lot to know about the beautiful international actress, Princess. Princess Shyngle education Princess Shyngle attended school at Ndowas. She started out at Ndowas during her daycare days. It is at the same place that she went for her nursery education, primary school, secondary school as well as high school. She later attended Jollof tutors for a computer course when she completed her high school. She got into a career thereafter. Princess Shyngle career Princess started out as an events organizer when she founded her own events company known as Princess promotions. This happened after she left the computer college. The company was a non-profit as all the proceeds went towards helping the needy in the society. She would organize beauty pageants for schools, parties as well as concerts. It was in her line of duty that Coca-cola Gambia known as Gambega spotted her. She was offered an opportunity that she could not resist. This led her to start working for the company. Her entry into acting was actually unplanned. Princess was persuaded to try out for an audition seeking a talented Gambian actress to represent the country in Next movie star Africa competition. On the insistence of a friend, while at work, she agreed to attend the audition the next day. She impressed the judges who remarked positively about her performance that day. She later got a call informing her that she had won a spot with 16 more contestants from different African countries. Even though she was the youngest in the group and, in spite of her inexperience, she was able to wow people. She not only made it to the top 6, but also emerged third overall in Africa. This excellent performance marked the first big break for Princess in the acting world. With the instant fame and publicity in Nollywood, she could easily find her way in the difficult industry. Her supporters thought she was fluent in English, real, talented and entertaining; traits that contributed to making her entrance into acting a bit easier than it would otherwise have been. Princess Shyngle's family Princess is daughter to Winston Shyngle and Ramotoulie Cham. Princess' parents Princess is the daughter to the deputy mayor of Banjul Gambia, one Mr Winston Shyngle. Her mother, a businesswoman, is known as Ramatoulie Cham. The two parents had her in Banjul and raised her in Kanifing. Princess' husband Princess may not be married but evidently desires marriage. The remarks she made a while back proves this. She once shared that her next relationship would be her last one and must lead to the alter. Failure to do that will have her commit suicide. She was tired of being played as if she was some average girl yet she knew she was not. To see Princess Shyngle and her boyfriend get married would be something that many will talk about for long. READ ALSO: Princess Shyngle Before and After Photos Princess Shyngle films Being the great artist she is, Shyngle is known to have stared in several movies. She may have started out in the Next Movie Star Africa competition, but this was just a stepping stone into future greatness. Her confidence and belief in God saw her grow rather rapidly in an industry that is not always easy to excel in, more so as a foreigner. The international artiste has acted in several movies including: Dormitory 8 series The 5 brides series in Ghana The hidden fantasy which starred John Dumelo, Martha Ankoma and Juliet Ibrahim among other stars The will, where she co-produced with Abdou Salam These are just a few of Princess Shyngle's movies and projects. The talented actress is working on a lot more. Princess Shyngle best photos READ ALSO: Princess Shyngle mocks unmarried female celebrities Princess Shyngle latest news Many people know about Princesss acting and great figure but not many know that she is funny. She loves to crack jokes and is often very friendly with those she works with. However, she is a go-getter that can clearly between differentiate work and jokes. This could be the trick that makes her successful as she always delivers and never has issues with her director. The other thing that might not be common knowledge is her love for writing. She is an excellent scriptwriter. Princess is a girl with many talents. She manages to stay grounded by praying and working hard. She is the girl that surprises many. Do not just judge her by her love for fashion and a different sense of style. Princess promises no more nude pictures In a strange turn of events, Princess has taken down all her previous alluring pictures and promises not to post any nude or semi-nude photos in future. This was prompted by her new boyfriend. She went ahead to note how male actors are settling down with decent women while actresses wasted away in parties and clubs when they have already reached a marriageable age. Princess Shyngle's current boyfriend has a lot to do with the changes that she is willing to make. Shyngle acknowledges that sex before marriage is a sin One night Shingle took to the internet to answer questions from her fans. One of the things she admitted was the fact that she knew that sex before marriage is a sin but could not resists it, just as many other people could not. She went ahead to share about how she lost her virginity at 18 years and how she planned to get married by 30. Anyone with the question who is princess shingle? got their answer that night as she talked about her past relationships. She also talked about her career, present and past. Actress Princess Shyngle gets in trouble for saying actresses are not getting married Apparently, the comment Princess posted on her Instagram page concerning female celebrities in their 30s and 40s not being married was not taken kindly. She came out with claims that her DM has been popping messages threatening her life just because she had aired her views on this subject. Maybe the topic is too sensitive and should be treated as such. Princess Shyngle plastic surgery Does surgery have anything to do with Princesss perfect Barbie figure? Shyngle is one of the best-shaped ladies in the Nollywood industry currently. Many fear that with the arrest of Dr. Obengfo, she and Moesha among other ladies will have to use other means to keep up. Princess, however, says that her body is real. She only uses waist trainers to enhance her already small waist. I will give birth soon While many have wondered if the small waist is an indication that Princess has no womb, she came out clearly to explain matters. She was quick to add that as any other woman, she has a womb and would give birth soon. She has always been a girl with a small waist. Checking Princess Shyngle before and after pics, one can easily see that even then, she did not have a large waist. However, it appears as though the waist has shrunk even further over time. The practice of using waist trainers could be behind the smaller waist. The trainers have made it possible for her to maintain a small waist over time. She went on to add that she would do nothing to her body. This would have to wait until she has had at least three of her children. Even so, her husband has to approve of any surgeries before she goes ahead with any of it. This puts to rest the countless Princess Shyngle plastic surgery claims. Princess Shyngle kidney issues Waist training has been suspected to be the reason behind her kidney problems. She posted a picture of herself in hospital after she fainted. Although she claimed that her figure is God-given and that she has always been trim at the waist, she goes ahead to reveal that she maintains her figure by healthy eating and exercising. Doctors mentioned that waist training may not be very healthy despite the results it helps bring. There are numerous issues that accompany the trend, all of which have adverse effects on the body. The internal organs positions are altered and the skin could be damaged in the process. Princess's waist measurements of 22 inches may not be normal. The Ghanaian actress was bashed by fans for over-squeezing her waist as they commented on her kidney misfortune. This, however, was just one scandal that she would get over as she was used to. Princess Shyngle may have gone through a lot but this does not dim her light. She is a great artist with a great body. We do hope to see a lot more of her. Source: Yen.com.gh YEN.com.gh has sighted a photo of 'One Corner' hitmaker Patapaa which is trending on social media. Patapaa on Saturday, August 4, 2018, embarked on a cleanup exercise in his hometown of Agona Swedru in the Central Region. As part of events leading to the exercise, Patapaa had a meeting with Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Agona West. After the meeting, the Patapaa shared a photo of himself and Mrs Assan with a caption aimed at whipping up support for the exercise. READ ALSO: REVEALED: Afia Schwar was a 'waakye' seller in South Africa Met the Mayor (MCE) Of Agona West today concerning my clean up Exercise, coming up this Saturday (National Sanitation Day) and we all set and ready Dont Miss Out, Be there as we Keep our Constituency Clean. #Pa2PaMovement, he captioned the photo on Instagram. While Patapaa's intention of ridding his hometown of filth is good, it was not of much interest to his fans like the 'camboo', as sneakers are commonly referred to as in the local parlance, he was wearing in the photo with his MCE. READ ALSO: My money is not from the church - Reverend Obofour reveals his source of wealth as he gives away 15 cars (Video) To put it simply, the sneaker, a Nike Air Force 1, looks oversized for the Swedru-born artiste and his followers noticed and decided to troll him for it. @iwantdadollarpopaslimm described the sneakers as size 15: "Bru why u got on size 15 sneakers" @luckyblezz laughed at Patapaa's sneaker:"@patapaa__amisty your kick ooo your kick bard bard" @mensa_caleb warned jovially that Patapaa could be arrested for wearing that shoe:"Patapaa is the shoe your size u can be arrested oo " @snazzys.luxury.gh blamed it on Patapaa's handlers and even prescribed some slaps form them: "Why are u wearing oversized shoe ? Those dressing u need some slap" READ ALSO: Obofour, Eagle Prophet, and 5 top pastors exposed as fake; secrets of their powers revealed (Audio) @michael_bosompem liked Patapaa's swag but thought thesneaker was too old "Papapizyyyy wo y3 guy ruff,but chaley d snicker old too much" @ebonykayyy likened Patapaa's shoe to tea bread:"This your long shoe dier T bread oo but looks clean man" @mocjib pointed out that Patapaa's shoe could have been worn by Asebu Amenfi, a character in folklore which was said to be the most gigantic and could chew a barn of maize as pop corn at a sitting:"@patapaa_amisty me check wo shoe no..more than Asebu Amenfi ne sabago." Born Justice Amoah, Patapaa shot to fame in 2017 with his popular 'One Corner' song. READ ALSO: Latest hot video of the SHS leaver in viral 'adult' video with 3 guys shows she's a very wild girl The 'crazy' dance which came with the song propelled the song to the international stage as reached the borders of Nigeria and other African countries. But his relatively young career has often been characterised by such mockery on social media. It will be recalled that in April, Patapaa became the subject of some serious social media trolling over his sense of fashion. At that time, he was trolled for wearing an oversized suit to the 2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs) where his 'One Corner' song was competing for the Song of the Year award. READ ALSO: Captain Smart drops secret list of salaries of powerful gov't officials Ghana News 2018: John Mahamas Salary - Why Is Everyone Talking About It? | Yen.com.gh: Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish on YEN.com.gh? Please contact us on Facebook or Instagram now! Source: Yen News The Christian Council of Ghana says the prophecies of doom by the founder of the Glorious Word Power Ministry, Rev. Owusu Bempah, are troubling. Chairman of the council, Rt. Rev. Senyo Agidi stated that the manner in which Owusu Bempah has found love in creating fear and panic through his prophecies. Following recent prophecies on the death of Ebony Reigns and the late former vice president, Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur, the Christian Council has argued that Owusu Bempah should have prayed to avert these prophecies. READ ALSO: Captain Smart reveals huge salaries of government officials Bishop Owusu Bempah is one person people do not agree with even in the society. He is able to prophesy deaths but does not pray to cancel them. Pastors are expected to help people and not to create fear. It is not my duty to chase and arrest Obinim after all the law says we have the right to Worship and if the law enforcers think people are not doing the right things, they must act. Prophet One (1) is one who does things we do not agree with as well, he said on Starr FM. Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah is known by Ghanaians for his controversial statements and dramatic prophecies. During a New Year's Eve service his church, the founder of Glorious Word Ministry stated that if Ghanaians don't endeavor to pray, one of Ghana's first ladies will be buried in 2018. There are some people we call first ladies and these people are the wives of the first gentlemen that is the President of the Nation. If we dont pray, this year, Ghana will bury a first lady. he said. READ ALSO: Anas expose: All 74 referees seen taking bribes suspended Due to his many prophecies - some of which have come to pass - foretelling doom and gloom, some Ghanaians, especially clergymen, have branded him as a prophet of doom and one who lives on fear and panic. Watch Ghana News 2018: John Mahamas Salary - Why Is Everyone Talking About It? | Yen.com.gh: Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish on YEN.com.gh? Please contact us on Facebook or Instagram now! Source: Yen Close to 500 residents at Kibi who live within the outskirts of the Palace of Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin risk losing their houses. This is because the Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin has planned to expand his palace to twice the size it used to be. YEN.com.gh has learned that about 500 houses close to the palace will be affected in the next demolition exercise thus affecting hundreds of households there. READ ALSO: Captain Smart reveals huge salaries of government officials Meanwhile, reports say these affected residents are squatters because the land they occupy was earmarked for the Palace hundreds of years ago and there are legal documents to that effect. Recent road accident The Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II suffered a car accident while returning home after meeting the president at the Head of State International Gulf Tournament. YEN.com.gh learned that the Okyenhene's convoy experienced the incident along the main Kumasi-Accra Highway close to the Chad Mortuary. It all happened when a tipper truck crushed into the last vehicle of the convoy leaving it to veer off the street into the shoulders of the highway.Fortunately enough, there were no casualties. The royal title Okyenhene is the title of the king of Akyem Abuakwa (also styled Okyeman), an ancient kingdom in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Meanwhile, the Okyenhene's meet-up with the president and the Asantehene has shot down suspicions of a rift between the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll and the Okyehene, Amoatia Ofori Panin ll on Ghanas chieftaincy system. READ ALSO: Viral video of Akufo-Addo's bodyguard 'punching' man to the ground causes stir on social media Ghana News 2018: John Mahamas Salary - Why Is Everyone Talking About It? | Yen.com.gh: Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish on YEN.com.gh? Please contact us on Facebook or Instagram now! Source: Yen.com.gh - A father in his 30s has been arrested for attempting to sell his son - The man was resolved to sell his son for 100,000 cedis - His prospective buyer, an NDC constituency chairman, tipped-off the police The police at Ellembele in the Western Region have arrested a man who attempted to sell his 14-year-old son to an NDC constituency chairman, Alex Mahama. YEN.com.gh has learned that Samuel (the father) and his counterpart attempted to sell the young boy to the NDC constituency chairman who had, together with an Assembly member, posed as a potential buyer so as to arrest the man. According to the NDC constituency chairman, he had a tip-off from a friend who said the suspect was ready to sell his son for a financial breakthrough. To this end, the police at Anyinase was notified upon which the man got arrested. Man arrested for attempting to sell son for 100k cedis (Photo: supplied) READ ALSO: Rare video of Nkrumah's Ghana shows factories and more prosperity The NDC official stated that after bargaining the price, the suspects went home to bring the innocent child for sale - a development which effected their arrests. The police were quick to arrest the suspects in the hotel. Currently, the two suspects have been reminded in the police custody pending further investigations. Child trafficking in Ghana Ghana is one of the fastest developing countries in West Africa today. Not only does the country boast of a vast wealth of resources in terms of natural resources but also good infrastructure both physical and technology wise. Despite these developments, Ghana still lags behind when it comes to human trafficking. Currently, the menace is more predominant than it was in the past with the biggest victims being young children. According to statistics on child trafficking in Ghana, out of 187 countries, Ghana was ranked at tier 2 in to watch list countries. A 2017 report named; "Enhancing Criminal Accountability and Addressing Challenges in Prosecution Efforts, is a report that sought to come up with solutions that will be effective in ending human slavery in the world. READ ALSO: Fishmonger arrested in Accra for selling boy for 100 cedis These child trafficking in Ghana statistics in Ghana is not something new. In June of 2009, the USA Department of trafficking in Persons Report released a full report documenting at least 30,000 children working as porters, fishermen, and others primarily being used for sexual tourism. Ghana News 2018: John Mahamas Salary - Why Is Everyone Talking About It? | Yen.com.gh: Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish on YEN.com.gh? Please contact us on Facebook or Instagram now! Source: Yen.com.gh Ghana music has come very far, especially in the last two decades, with some artistes in the country managing to break boundaries across Africa and the world. Think of multiple Ghanaian artistes being nominated for the BET Awards, AFRIMMA, MOBO and other top international awards. However, that is just one side (the good side actually). But on the other hand, there are many local artistes who have failed to move with the trend. Sarkodie is one of Ghana's best rappers. Photo Credit: Instagram/Sarkodie READ ALSO: Patapaa's oversized shoe in a photo with his MCE causes stir In this age and time, every musician needs to be reinvented and must do things the modern way if he or she is to survive in the industry. Below are 5 reasons why the modern Ghanaian musician is not using his talent enough: 1. Poor lyrics Never doubt the phrase music is food to the soul. This is because music moves people, it connects with them and strikes an emotional chord within many. Therefore, there is the need to have good lyrics. The few Ghanaian musicians who usually compose good songs have it all in their lyrics. However, some simply have lagged behind because, song upon song, their lyrics are simply poor. You may have the talent to sing, but without good lyrics, your songs will just be average and will not have that connection with fans. 2. Same beats & rhythm How often do you hear a Ghanaian song and go like, ah is this a remix of that song I already know?. The fact is that most local musicians are simply one-way with their craft. You are likely to see them use the same beats and rhythms for numerous songs, making them too predictable. This is mostly common with upcoming artistes who bring out hit songs. Instead of kicking on from there, they rather end up repeating the beats of that hit song in their subsequent works. That, definitely is not the way to maximize your talent. 3. Not dynamic Another reason why the modern Ghanaian musician is not using his or her talent enough is the fact that they are simply not dynamic enough. The music industry is growing and, as such, musicians need to grow too. What used to work perfectly in the 1990s and early 2000s many not work today due to modernity and other various factors. Therefore, there is the need for musicians to be dynamic and embrace change. Without being dynamic, you are sure to fall and lag behind. READ ALSO: Reverend Obofour gifts over 15 cars to Prophet Badu Kobi, Efiewura's Auntie Bee & others 4. Bad music videos Sometimes its not just about the quality of song that makes it appealing, the quality of the video also helps in selling it to the fans. In other countries, the making of music videos are taken very seriously, with huge budgets being allocated for that. However, the situation is the exact opposite in Ghana, where you are very likely to see bad music videos with bad concepts for the various songs. 5. Bad way of dressing One other thing that Ghanaian musicians need to know is that music is all about branding. And to do that, your way of dressing is very important in this regard. Outfits, depending on which occasion, could turn out to be fashionable or trashy. A bad dressing gives a musician a bad name and vice versa. Ghanaian musicians need to create that brand and stick to it. If artiste A is known as one who dresses in a particular way, he or she is surely bound to increase his fan base who buy into it. Ghana News 2018: John Mahamas Salary - Why Everyone Discusses It Now? READ ALSO: I have not employed a stylist Kuami Eugene Want to be featured on YEN.com.gh? Send us a message on our Facebook page or on Instagram with your stories, photos or videos. Source: Yen - Actress Juliet Ibrahim has defended her colleague Moesha Buoduong who was asked to get married - Instagram users asked Moesha Buoduong to get married after she wished Chantelle Asante well Ghanaian actress Juliet Ibrahim has jumped to the defence of her colleague Moesha Boduong who was torn apart by Instagram users last week. YEN.com.gh earlier reported how Instagram users took a swipe at Moesha after she wished award winning TV producer Chantelle Asante a happy marriage after the latter tied the knot. Following Moeshas statement, some Instagram users questioned her marital status by asking her when is she getting married. READ ALSO: Patapaa's oversized shoe in a photo with his MCE causes stir However, Juliet who has seen it all when it comes to marriage issues has jumped to the defense of Moesha. According to an Instagram post sighted by YEN.com.gh, Juliet seemed unhappy with those asking Moesha to get married. Her Instagram post read, Stop this habit of asking people to get married because their age mates are married. Even you, some of your age mates have died but nobody has asked you to die. READ ALSO: Obofour, Eagle Prophet, MOGPA and co are all fake - Man claims In 2014, Juliet broke up with Ghanaian pilot Kwadwo Safo after claiming that the latter cheated on her with another lady. Not too long ago, Juliet again ended another romantic relationship, this time with Nigerian rapper Iceberg Slim. The reason why Juliet broke up with Iceberg Slim is yet to be revealed. READ ALSO: Rosemond Brown wildly 'twerks' in new video Ghana News 2018: John Mahamas Salary - Why Is Everyone Talking About It? | Yen.com.gh: Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YEN's official Facebook page. Source: Yen - Shatta Wale has been very controversial in the music industry fighting a lot of his colleagues - He has fought with other musicians including Stonebwoy, Tic, Samini, and Criss Waddle - Wale has confessed that the driving force behind his many controversies is to make money Widely acclaimed Dancehall King of Ghana, Shatta Wale, has disclosed that the many controversies he has created in the music industry is mainly for financial gains. According to him, his controversial comments and attacks are purely for showbiz purposes, adding that he is a very calm person in real life. This is contained in a report sighted by YEN.com.gh on Adomonline.com. READ ALSO: Old woman Afia Pokua just wants to bring Wendy Shay down Bullet laments Shatta Wale has been on record fighting many heavyweight musicians including Samini, Stonebwoy, Criss Waddle, Tic, and others. He even extended his controversies outside Ghana when he had issues with Wizkid, Patoranking, and Timaya, all of Nigeria. However, Shatta Wale has reiterated that all these controversies are motivated by his Shatta spirit; explaining that the Shatta spirit is what moves him to get serious with his work. He also revealed that the controversies are for business benefits which is raking in huge sums of money for him. READ ALSO: Woman beaten by police takes delivery of two bedroom house from Midland According to Wale, he is soft inside but his crazy and controversial side some people see and hate are all part of the show business. Any time I come on the radio or any time Im live on Facebook doing something [or] talking about a particular topic, I say it in a way or manner that people will get the Shatta spirit, that is what people know about me the reason why I say Shatta spirit is that is how I get serious with my work, Shatta Wale explained He further likened his approach to showbiz to mining. When you come there, [and I am in] my wellington boot and working gear and the way you see mud on me I dont think youll say I am dirty because that is the nature of the job.this is an industry whereby when I speak my mind, they say I dont respect, they say Im bush, they say I am dirtywhat Im doing is fetching me some good cash, Shatta Wale said. Touching on his ceaseless attacks on the media, Shatta Wale explained that I like acting and that his attacks on the media are just for fun and not personal. All what Im doing on radio, on TV, and everywhere, its my work. It wont stop if they want it to stop he stressed. READ ALSO: Rosemond Brown wildly 'twerks' in new video Shatta Wale is set to release his third studio album, Reign on October 13, 2018. The album is said to contain seventeen tracks and features only Olamide of Nigeria. Shatta Wale has also been in the news recently following his up and down relationship with his long-time girlfriend and baby mama, Michy. After their breakup in April this year, Shatta Wale and Michy are said to be back together. Their relationship, according to Shatta Wale, is for life. READ ALSO: Pretty 23-year-old university students takes her life after being 'violated' Ghana News 2018: John Mahamas Salary - Why Everyone Discusses It Now? | Yen.com.gh READ ALSO: Reverend Obofour gifts over 15 cars to Prophet Badu Kobi, Efiewura's Auntie Bee & others Have national and human interest issues to discuss? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page Source: Yen.com.gh YEN.com.gh has sighted a post by Kuami Eugene happily flaunting a lady he addresses as first lady. The lady, according to Kuami Eugenes caption, is called Mira Annie. He also revealed that he has too much love for this 'first lady' who is also the prettiest lady. READ ALSO: Shatta Wale confesses the 'spirit' behind his many fights in the music industry A first lady, as is commonly known, is the wife of the president, therefore, by referring to Annie has his first lady, perhaps, she could be Kuami Eugenes girlfriend. Kuami Eugene wrote: Happy Birthday to The Prettiest Lady @mira_annie_ Ive Got Too Much Love For U Keep Changing The World. #FirstLady. His fans and followers joined Kuami Eugene in wishing the first lady a happy birthday, and some of them also showed signs of jealousy. READ ALSO: Old woman Afia Pokua just wants to bring Wendy Shay down Bullet laments For instance Ohemaa addressed Marie as queen. ohemaa_skylish: happy birthday Queen. Kings believe Kuami Eugene is causing confusion with his latest post. kings_spartacus: @kuamieugene who is this one again?Ladies everywhere. ......you are coursein #comfusion. Mila was seemingly jealous of the first lady. milla_berry: Try to reply us too yhy we aa also ur funs. Patience also used the occasion to wish herself a happy birthday too on Kuami Eugenes wall. patience.o2004: Happy birthday 2 me too nd her.. God bless our new age. Kuami Eugene's own friend Kidi praised him over the post. kidimusic: "Eeelaaley " (Eeelaaley is a word used in heaping praises on a person) Annie herself responded by saying she also loves Kuami Eugene soo much. mira_annie_Awwwww baaaabeeee i luv u tooo thanx so much @kuamieugene. Christiana could not believe her eyes. christinac34: Eiiii na hu dat [so who is this?] READ ALSO: Pretty 23-year-old university students takes her life after being 'violated' Kuami Eugene is undoubtedly a ladys man. He has often been in the news following controversies surrounding his dress and grooming. YEN.com.gh reported the news of fans accusing Kuami Eugene of dressing like an SHS school boy. He was once again criticized for dressing poorly, and some fans even advised her to get a stylist. However, Kuami Eugene has responded to the criticisms, accusing a fan who asked about his dressing of being senseless. He has recently debunked reports suggesting that he has employed a stylist. His latest song Wish me well is enjoying massive airplay across the country. READ ALSO: 5 year-old boy drowns along with mother as father weeps helplessly Ghana News 2018: John Mahamas Salary - Why Everyone Discusses It Now? | Yen.com.gh READ ALSO: Reverend Obofour gifts over 15 cars to Prophet Badu Kobi, Efiewura's Auntie Bee & others Have national and human interest issues to discuss? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition? Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page Source: Yen.com.gh - The Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) says the decision to collapse local banks was a difficult one - According to Dr. Addison, he took the drastic action in the larger interest of the banking sector and the economy The collapsing of five indigenous banks was a painful decision, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison had said. The Governor said it was difficult to collapse the banks, especially when he has a close relationship with the Managing Directors of the some of the banks. Last Wednesday, the Central Bank announced that The Royal Bank, Sovereign Bank, The Construction Bank and Beige Bank have been merged to form The ConsolidatedBank of Ghana Limited. Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Ernest Addison. Source:Myjoyonline.com. READ ALSO: BoG places GH60,000 fine on banks, others The BoG explained that the five banks were merged in order to ensure that the banking sector maintains a strong indigenous presence. Dr. Addison, however, insists such a drastic decision needed to be taken with sights on the larger interest of the banking sector and the economy. Addressing a gathering at the 18th Working Luncheon of the Ghana Association of Bankers (GBA), he explained that merging the five banks was done to ensure stability in the financial system. READ ALSO: 5 reasons why the modern Ghanaian musician is not talented He pointed to the Managing Director of Royal Bank, Osei Asafo-Adjei, as one person he was very close to. He is a personal friend and colleague and I was in Cambridge University with him. But he happens to be a Managing Director of a bank that I had to dissolve, the BoG Governor said. Underpinning these rather unpleasant but needful decisions to ensure stability in the financial system was a series of infractions including, license acquisition by false pretences, inadequate capital, high levels of non-performing loans owing to poor liquidity and credit risk management controls, and above all weak corporate governance structures, he added. He further stated that although pockets of weaknesses remain, the financial soundness indicators of the banking industry have broadly improved. Dr. Addison also touched on support for indigenous banks, assuring that the Central Bank will provide financial support to other indigenous banks to meet the new capital requirement of GH 400 million. He was, however, quick to add that such support will be limited to indigenous banks that are solvent, well-governed and managed and in full compliance with the Bank of Ghanas regulatory requirements. Ghana News 2018: John Mahamas Salary - Why Everyone Discusses It Now? READ ALSO: Pretty 23-year-old university students takes her life after being 'violated' Do you have a story you would like us to publish on YEN.com.gh? Please contact us on Facebook. Source: Yen None of the money from the insurance claims was used to buy luxury items, they noted, and argued that Ogbebor was not a ruthless swindler, motivated by unabashed greed, but rather was simply an ill-equipped business owner ashamed to let his family down, according to the attorneys court filing. They said he has since left the exporting business and now drives for Uber. We are in the wake of the merger of the 5 banks by the Bank of Ghana into the Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited. The five banks that were merged included; BEIGE, Sovereign, Construction, Unibank and Royal Bank. This follows a common trend of the rising cases of insolvent banks in Ghana. Upon investigation done by the Bank of Ghana, the five financial institutions were declared insolvent. This really spells doom on the banking sector in Ghana which has been plagued for some time. Source: pulse.com.gh The announcement of the insolvency was done by the BOG GovernorDr Ernest Addison. The merger is expected to help the economic development through the Consolidated Bank. This follows the issuance of a bond that totaled GHc5.6 million in order to take care of the bad assets of the banks. The Governor revealed that Unibank and Royal Bank had been under capitalized and their survival was beyond rehabilitation. When it comes to Royal Bank, the downfall has been attributed to the non-performing loans that had accrued up. For the Sovereign bank, license issuance was under review due to its suspicious act. The Consolidated Bank would know be headed by Mr. Nii Amanor Dodoo of the KPMG who will act as the Receiver of the five banks. According to the press release, BOG granted license to the Consolidated Bank. It also revoked the licenses of the five financial institutions. However, the deposits of the five financial institutions are safe and have been transferred to the Consolidated Bank. As for the customers of the affiliate banks, they can access the services of the banks as usual with the banks acting as branches of the Consolidated Bank. Banking industry in Ghana analysis The move by the BOG has been seen to strengthen and stabilize the banking sector in order to drive economic transformation. The trend of the most banks not satisfying the minimum capital requirement for banks in Ghana has weakened the banking sector. And this has resulted in the limitations in accessing credit with the lending rates continuing to be high. It is under the jurisdiction of the BOG to promote the safety, soundness and stability of the financial system in order to protect the interests of the depositors. BOG has rolled out couple of measures in this financial year that have been geared towards the strengthening of the interests of the depositors. However, some of the problems that have been consistent in the sector are; macroeconomic factors, regulatory non-compliance, poor corporate governance and risk management practices, and poor supervision that has led to the weakening of the sector. Source: PrimeNewsGhana.com However, the collapse of Unibank due to failure to meet the capital adequacy ratio has evoked different emotions from stakeholders. The leading member of the opposition party National Democratic Congress (NDC) laid the blame on the ruling New Patriotic Party for the current state of the banking industry. Hon. Isaac Adongo, MP Bolgatanga Central, accused the government of refusing to pay the debts owned by the financial institutions. He argued that it was the duty of the government to chip in to avoid the local banks from going through the financial distress. The Bank of Ghana conducted the Asset Quality Review in 2015 and updated it in 2016. The results showed that a number of the local indigenous banks were categorized as vulnerable due to the inadequate capital adequacy ratio, high levels of non-performing loans and the weak corporate governance. This is what led to the collapse of UT Bank and Capital Bank in August, 2017. The UT Bank collapse led to the approval in the acquisition by the GCB Bank of some of their owned assets and liabilities. This is as prescribed in the Purchase and Assumption Agreement. There were a host of local banks that opened their doors for business in 2017 after being licensed the previous year. It was not long before they started to show symptoms of financial distress owing to the challenges facing monetary policy in Ghana. This followed by attempts of the indigenous banks to resuscitate themselves to life from the financial distress but all their attempts were in vain. The move even worsened matters for the financial institutions. It was from the AQR that was updated in 2016 as to why UT Bank failed. The exercise also highlighted the woes that were facing Unibank and Royal Bank. Source: Modernghana.com Unibank and Royal Bank had earlier attempted to escape the radar of BOG. They handed out their business resumption plans. Unfortunately, their last strides were those of a dyeing horse as BOG did not return their solvency and compliance with the monetary policy tools in Ghana. The situation on the ground was however unredeemable. Both the shareholders and the connected parties had parted away with a sum of GHc3.7 billion. The details behind the handout were also unclear and unaccounted for. The sum could not be traced from either the normal credit delivery processes or as a subsidiary of the loan portfolio of the financial institution. Based on the current monetary policy issues in Ghana, they had failed under the mandate when they offered total of GHc1.6 billion to the shareholders, related and other connected parties. The total sum was in form of loans and advances that were handed out without following the due procedural steps. This was also in breach of the relevant provisions as subscribed under Act 930. The final report showed that all these loans and advances taken from the bank amounted to GHc5.3 billion. The total amount was shared by the shareholders, related and the connected parties of Unibank. This totaled up to of the total assets of the financial institution. For the case of Royal Bank, there existed irregularities from the on-site examination that was conducted by the Bank of Ghana as of 31st March, 2018. It was discovered that the financial institution had non-performing loans which added up to 78.9% of the total loans that had been granted. This was attributed to the poor credit risk and the liquidity risk management controls. There was also a string of issues with the sum of GHc161.92 million entered to the shareholders, related and the connected parties. This revealed circumvent single obligor limits, conceal related party exposure limits and the overstate capital position of the bank. These were reviewed for checking on the compliance with the requirements of the capital adequacy ratio. In order for improvements in the investment banking industry in Ghana, BOG approved the Purchase and Assumption Agreement between the Consolidated Bank and the Receiver of the five banks. BOG instructed for the recapitalization of the shareholders to the minimum capital requirement during the time of licensing. Even though the plans have been submitted, they are yet to yield any success. It remains to be seen whether these recent developments in Ghanas banking industry will yield any fruits. Source: Yen.com.gh The council provides advice to the Illinois State Board of Education through input on issues facing the students in their schools, according to Jackie Matthews, the boards director of media and external communications. She said in an email the teens will also work on a research project or projects to present to the board recommending further action. Some members of the small crowd questioned the addition of pickleball and the gaga pits. They said it did not appear from the research results that appeared online there was a strong demand. Cohen said based on a variety of sources, the interest was there. Cabrera said she personally found a mug once used by a child in the 1920s or 1930s and pieces of ceramics while digging under the porch. She also found things put into the ground as recently as the 1970s. It was also evident what part of the house was original and what was an addition. Another person who got excited was Maggie Thomann. She is the chairman of the Adult Reading Roundtables steering committee and the fiction and media manager at the Northbrook Public Library. She was one of the people who helped pick the award winner. She was very good at the job and the manager said she should go through REDI, Fleming said. REDI allows you not to take the test. She works there two to three hours a day for two to three days a week. The group gathered input from the community about desirable characteristics of an effective school board member. The input came via a survey emailed to people known to be involved with the schools, and a panel of about eight people including a teacher from Hinsdale Central and a teacher from Hinsdale South, and former and current area school board members, Backus said. Grindel said that in exchange for the plea, several other counts of the same charge were dismissed. He said Zak was also sentenced to 180 days in jail, but that sentence is stayed and will only be served if he violates probation. But she does worry about the potential ramifications of changing the address in terms of possible cost to the city or impact on residents who also have mailing addresses inconsistent with their town of residence. She said she would want to know the answers to those questions before taking a stance. The man, whose last know address was in Chicago, was at the Red Roof Inn parking lot in the 3000 block of Belvidere Road just before 11:30 a.m. when he was shot, according to Comdr. Joe Florip of the Waukegan Police Department. We had people dancing this year, like the salsa and cha-cha, said Angelika Fejklowicz, marketing coordinator for Deer Park Town Center, which hosted the festival Aug. 4. Despite the heat, we had about 4,500 people. Being able to put a face with a name when providing emergency services or having a prior connection helps everyone when times are stressful, Moersfelder explained. We welcome the chance to show our human side and an event like this can often be the first personal face-to-face connection between resident adults or kids and police officers.The annual event also allows the police department to show gratitude for the community's support, Moersfelder said. In a separate incident reported on July 18, five Park Ridge boys, between the ages of 13 and 15, were issued local ordinance citations for trespassing at Emerson after four of them climbed onto the schools roof, police said. We always tell them if you can get out of the building safely, get out, Biagi said. If you cant get out, you might have to run and barricade yourself in a room. We show them how to do that best. "[Bill] was very much into not just teaching his students music skills, but life skills, and how to be responsible humans when they go off into the world," she said. "And to share their skills, and be more than just single-focused. So we're proud of the students we've attracted to the program, and the feedback after the camp. It is a heroic story that continues to provide new and compelling details even today, Post said. And since Burt is a longtime Oak Brook resident, it makes sense that he would present his experience and newly written book here at our library. We will then make contact with that registered resident or business and ask that they check their own surveillance system to see if their cameras might have captured anything that may be of assistance to us, Banasiak said. Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris said in release that, according to witnesses, Martinez was last seen on a sandbar before he'd gone off it and went underwater. It is believed that Martinez did not know how to swim, according to the release. Yes, you can point out all the great things Trump has done to spur on the economy, because for Trump and many of his supporters, there's really only one thing that matters - the great dollar. Doesn't matter if he wants to pollute our air and contribute more to climate change by rolling back auto fuel standards and have more coal plants, doesn't matter that he's chummy with dictators and could care less if they meddle in our elections or won't denuclearize, doesn't matter if he treats any person who's not a white male with disregard; as long as the economy is doing great, then all is right with the world. The English language is spoken by more than 1.5 billion people around the world but we dont all speak it exactly the same way, even within the same country. Put someone from Louisiana together with someone from Massachusetts, for instance, and they might not understand one another. That's because American English is so diverse. Accents and pronunciations vary between regions. For example, it's easy to tell you're from the South if you pronounce "caramel" with three syllables. Different states also have their own unique slang words that describe things that don't exist elsewhere or that come from languages spoken by people who settled there. Other English terms have spread across entire regions, dividing the country into sections based on different words people use for the same object and things can get heated when people argue that their region's term is superior. Whether you call it a "sofa" or a "couch," here are 26 word variations that are a dead giveaway of where you're from. (This story originally appeared on The Active Times .) The Chamber has run the market for many years, Dason said earlier this year, and for the last several years had operated on the high schools west parking lot. Late last year, officials learned that the campus location would be unavailable because of construction projects. D70 board candidate runs decades after sexual assault accusations Pueblo D70 board candidate Bob Boyd, a retired teacher in the district, is seeking to reenter education decades after facing sexual assault accusations. China Railway Express has launched a freight service running from South-Central Hebei Smart Port in Gaoyi County, Shijiazhuang through to Moscow as part of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Coordinated Development Programme. Hebei province-based freight forwarder Yibo Holding chairman Liu Ruiling said: The launch of the train is expected to open up a thoroughfare for the movement of freight between Shijiazhuang and Russia. We are looking forward to building a convenient trade bridge not only for manufacturers in Shijiazhuang but also companies in nearby Beijing and Tianjin as well as throughout Hebei province that are interested in expanding into Russian, Central Asian and even European markets. The route extends northwards from Shijiazhuang into Inner Mongolia and up to Manzhouli on the border with Russia. It then joins the main Trans-Siberian line heading West to Moscow. The express route is just under 9,000 km and takes 13 days. Jing Shiming, the Deputy General Manager of China Railway Beijing Bureau Group said that it is expected that by 2020, the trade volume between China and Europe via Russia will reach US$1 trillion, and the demand for land container transportation market will increase. To reach 50-600,000 TEU (standard containers), the development prospects are very broad. With the joint efforts of the railways, local governments, and the corporate community, they will use their respective resource endowments to jointly create a large channel for China-Europe and Central Asia and a large logistics structure, inspiring new economic vitality and new market potential in Asia and Europe and bringing Asia and Europe together, Jing said. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei exchanges in all aspects have been upgraded to new levels, new levels, and new realms, and they have made greater contributions to Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and countries along the Belt and Road initiative. You are here: Arts A three-day carnival for ethnic minority Yi people has been held in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province. The "2018 China Kunming Yi International Carnival and First Ancient Dian Torch Festival" kicked off Friday, drawing tens of thousands of Yi people. "The Torch Festival is a kind of ritual activity for arable land, ancestors and the god of fire," said Ma Zhicai, deputy director of a local Yi society. During the festival, people ignited the torch, sang and danced around the fire to express their wishes to pursue light and a good harvest. The Yi have worshipped fire for thousands of years. The Torch Festival is an important part of Yi culture, where various activities such as singing, dancing, horse racing, wrestling and bonfire parties are held. With an estimated population of 8.7 million people, the Yi minority is the largest ethnic minority in Yunnan, and the sixth largest in China. The film Shoplifter, the winner of the Palme d'Or at the 71st Cannes Film Festival in May, has been screening in China since Friday. The award-winning film is directed by Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda, who has two films released in China this year -- The Third Murder screened in March. Adapted from a real news event in Japan, the film tells the story of an impoverished family who steals to survive. Hirokazu Kore-eda, born in 1962, is a master of family-themed films, using a plain and simple style to convey deep and meaningful messages. He gained popularity with Chinese audiences with his two films -- Our Little Sister and After the Storm. Since he started making films in the early 1990s, Hirokazu Kore-eda has directed many well-known films such as I Wish and After Life. Over a decade ago, Caofeidian, in south Tangshan city, Hebei province was only a belt-shaped sandy island about eight kilometers long and less than 600 meters wide lying in the Bohai Bay. Now, it has become a 210 square-kilometer booming industrial town displaying new vigor and dynamism as north China's Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei coordinate their development under a national plan. Transformation of Caofeidian began in 2005 with the reclaiming of land from sea to prepare the ground for the relocation of the then Beijing-based Shougang Group, one of China's largest steel companies. Intended as a move to ease the capital's resources pressure and improve its urban planning ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the relocation has also made Shougang a pioneer in exploring coordinated development between the nation's capital and its neighbors. Shougang's move proves successful. Shougang Jingtang, the company established in Caofeidian after the relocation, achieved profitability around the middle of 2014, only five years after it started production; in 2015, the company managed to stay in the black when 80 or 90 percent of Chinese steel companies were suffering losses, according to Ren Quanxuan, who joined the group in 1992 and came to Caofeidian to work for Shougang Jingtang in 2011. Ren attributed the achievement mainly to the company's shift to make high-end steel products from low-end ones, as well as its immediate access to a seaport for importing raw materials and transporting finished goods. The favorable physical location helped Shougang Jingtang cut its transportation costs of iron ore by 200 yuan per ton, an amount that mattered much in the miserable year of 2015. Ren also dismissed worries that people held when Shougang first arrived relating to potential environmental pollution to Caofeidian and its surrounding area. "What we brought to Caofeidian from Beijing were people and corporate culture," said Ren. "And the equipment now being used in Shougang Jingtang were all bought after the relocation." As he explained, the steelmaker managed to minimize the environmental impact of its operations by achieving zero discharge of waste water, waste residues and waste gas and sticking to a circular business mode. Out of the 67-billion-yuan investment in the company's first-phase project, 7.6 billion yuan was earmarked for environmental protection. While enhancing its own competitiveness, Shougang's relocation has prompted other Beijing-based enterprises to shift to Caofeidian in what is now described as relieving Beijing of functions nonessential to its role as the national capital. Many of the suppliers of producer services for the steel industry, such as equipment maintenance, spare parts production, automation and information-based systems, set up their own Caofeidian bases after Shougang Jingtang was established. While contributing to local tax revenues (1.24 billion yuan in 2017), Shougang Jingtang also benefited the place in other ways it forms an industry chain with downstream enterprises that has boosted local construction, real estate, transportation, manufacturing and service industries. Caofeidian's synergy with Beijing has grown strongly since the plan for coordinated development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region went into top gear in 2014. The governments of Hebei and Beijing signed a framework agreement to set up a demonstration area for coordinated development in Caofeidian the same year. An administrative committee, now containing 14 officials from various relevant authorities of Beijing together with officials of Hebei, oversees construction. Since then, Caofeidian, in line with Beijing's plans for industrial transfer and relocation of nonessential functions, has been building facilities for applying high-tech advances from Beijing's Zhongguancun -- also known as China's Silicon Valley; taking up modern industry manufacturing; providing information technology services outsourced from Beijing; providing vocational education for applied technologies; encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation; demonstrating modern agriculture; and attracting the presence of Beijing's institutes of higher education. Besides, it has introduced quality educational and medical resources from Beijing to serve the people transferred from the capital. Much headway has been made since the demonstrative area was set up. Caofeidian and Beijing have signed 278 projects with a total investment of 395 billion yuan, and a number of Beijing-based large enterprises such as China Minmetals, Sinopec and BBMG have launched local projects. Now home to seven major industry parks for port logistics, steel and electricity, chemical, equipment manufacturing, bonded area, emerging industries and high technologies respectively, Caofeidian reported a GDP of 44.1 billion yuan in 2017, up 7.7 percent from the year before, and its fiscal revenues grew 9.3 percent year-on-year to 11.1 billion yuan. Hong Kong can help promote financial technology or fintech companies of the Chinese mainland globally and create access to international finance, a key department-level official of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said. Charles d'Haussy, head of fintech at Invest Hong Kong, which is responsible for foreign direct investment or FDI, said the mainland's fintech sector is set for explosive growth, and can do with some guidance from Hong Kong, which has gathered tremendous expertise in the field over the years. "The fintech in the Chinese mainland is business-to-customer or B2C, mainly coming from e-commerce giants such as Tencent and Alibaba. But Hong Kong is totally different and has been a business-to-business or B2B player since the beginning. The two different fintech ecosystems are complementary," d'Haussy said in an exclusive interview to China Daily. He said Hong Kong is a melting pot of local companies, businesses from the Chinese mainland and foreign companies. "Hong Kong brings Chinese mainland companies more exposure to international finance and the global market. The place is really good for competition, creativity and innovation." According to d'Haussy, many Chinese mainland technology companies use Hong Kong to start their international operations. He cited Alibaba, Tencent and Huawei as examples. The local stock exchange's policies on initial public offerings allow technology firms that have shares with different voting rights to go public in Hong Kong. This will likely drive more Chinese mainland companies from the New Economy sectors to list in Hong Kong. For instance, on July 9, technology major Xiaomi Corp listed in Hong Kong, he said. Hong Kong has pledged full support to the fintech sector and has rolled out relevant policies to attract professional talent from the mainland, said d'Haussy. Visas and working permits for non-local professionals hired by technology companies in Hong Kong are issued in just two weeks, he said. Moreover, Hong Kong is building infrastructure like the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge and high-speed train links to the mainland, to deepen cooperation between the fintech sectors of the mainland and Hong Kong, he said. In 2016, Invest Hong Kong set up a fintech team to encourage leading fintech companies, entrepreneurs, investors, and startup accelerators from the Chinese mainland and foreign countries to set up or expand businesses in Hong Kong. Official data showed investment in Hong Kong fintech firms more than doubled to $546 million in 2017 from $216 million in 2016, putting it well ahead of Singapore and Australia. In 2017, global investment in fintech companies reached an all-time high of $27.4 billion, up 18 percent year-on-year. Mobile payments are still nascent in Hong Kong, a contrast to the Chinese mainland where they are used to settle bills in all kinds of daily transactions. Both Alipay and WeChat Pay, which lead mobile payments in the mainland, entered Hong Kong last year, and have intensified market competition. d'Haussy said Hong Kong residents have got accustomed to using the Octopus card, a contactless stored-value card that provides customers a simple, safe and secure way to pay. They could use Octopus cards to travel, shop and dine without the hassle of cash, so it is difficult to change the local residents' paying habits, according to d'Haussy. However, Tim Lee, founder and CEO of Beijing-based e-payments startup QFPay, a long-time partner of Alipay, said Hong Kong residents are ready to embrace the new technology. This is expected to give momentum to the city's digital payment platforms. d'Haussy has a suggestion for Hong Kong companies looking to expand in the mainland. "Start from Shenzhen," he said. Before joining Invest Hong Kong, d'Haussy gathered 13 years of experience in Hong Kong's private sector, having set up his company. He also held a number of management roles elsewhere. About 40 years after China set sail on its voyage of reform and opening-up, the journey is still at full speed and heading towards ever greater goals. At the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress held in October last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of Central Military Commission, outlined new moves to deepen reform in all areas. In his report to the Party congress, Xi listed "continuing to comprehensively deepen reform" in the basic policy to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era. The report proposed 158 reform measures and clarified important reform areas and key sections, including the supply-side structural reform which gives priority to improving the quality of the supply system. Unshakeable resolve During his first inspection tour to east China's Jiangsu Province after the Party congress, Xi made important instructions on reforms of state-owned enterprises, economic restructuring in regions running out of natural resources, and rural vitalization. In the following months, from southern Hainan Province, central Hubei Province to eastern Shandong Province, Xi has as always taken the lead in guiding deepening reform in all areas to make new advances. At its first meeting in mid November 2017, the leading group for deepening overall reform of the 19th CPC Central Committee, headed by Xi, set the principles of carrying out reforms and underscored systematic, unified and coordinated action in pushing forward those tasks. An action plan from 2018 to 2022 has been issued, elaborating on who, when and how to carry out the 158 reform measures. Xi has repeatedly voiced his resolve to continue reform. "China's reform will cover more areas, and more and stronger steps will be taken in pursuing this endeavor," Xi said at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam, in November 2017. At the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference in April, Xi called reform and opening-up "China's second revolution" that had not only profoundly changed the country but greatly influenced the whole world. "We should endeavor to advance structural reform, remove all institutional barriers to innovation and fully unlock innovation potential and energize the market," Xi said on July 25 when addressing the BRICS Business Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa. Profound changes At its annual session in March, the National People's Congress adopted an amendment to the Constitution, which laid the solid foundations for long-term, comprehensive reform. At the same time, a large-scale reform of Party and state institutions was unfurled. In less than three months, the country established and restructured 25 Party and government institutions. Several promising areas have been selected to be pilots for advancing reform and opening-up. In April, Hainan Province, a special economic zone of 30 years, received the guidelines on supporting its efforts to deepen reform and opening-up from the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. Since the announcement of its founding in April last year, Xiongan New Area, sitting at the center of the triangular area formed by Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei's provincial capital Shijiazhuang, has been gradually materializing Xi's strategic vision. At a July meeting of the central committee for deepening overall reform, Xiongan was granted greater powers to conduct reform and take the initiative of reforms in innovative development, city governance and public service. Opening wider From the Hainan pilot free trade zone in the south to Xiongan New Area in the north, China has been opening its doors wider and wider by rolling out more reform measures nationwide. Reform measures formulated on a basis in pilot free trade zones have been copied and promoted elsewhere in the country. China has also been gearing for the China International Import Expo, which will be held in Shanghai in November. People now need to come to an exit-entry administration bureau just once to finish necessary paper work. A mechanism for solving trade, business and investment disputes along the Belt and Road has also been set up. From elderly services to medical insurance, from education to employment, from economic development to social causes, China has implemented a series of targeted reform measures to meet the people's need for a better life. China's continued reform and opening-up is advancing with a strong momentum and being welcomed worldwide. The 2018 China Business Climate Survey Report, released by the American Chamber of Commerce in China, revealed that 74 percent of its members plan to expand investment in China, the highest percentage in recent years. High-end hotels in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality have been required to ban debt defaulters, police said. Debt defaulters have been refused to check in at four- and five-star hotels 2,187 times since October 2017, said a police officer with the municipal public security bureau. The court blacklist database of those who fail to repay their debts has been connected to the hotel information management system. If anyone on the list intends to check in, the hotel will be notified automatically by the system, the officer said. Hotels violating the ban will be fined. As authorities work to establish a reliable nationwide credit rating system, courts are exploring new ways of punishing those who do not pay their debts despite valid verdicts. Among them are bans on first-class flights and lower scores on Sesame Credit, a credit-scoring system run by Alibaba subsidiary Ant Financial. China can reduce its soybean imports by more than 10 million tonnes within the year, experts have said. The lower imports can be realized by popularizing low-protein feed, raising imports of soymeal substitutes and boosting domestic production. In addition, soybean demand from China's breeding industry is also weakening. At present, China is promoting the application of low-protein feed technology in raising pigs and chickens. Research by Yin Yulong with the Chinese Academy of Sciences shows that pork output and quality is not affected by lowering the share of protein in animal feed if four specific amino acids can be added at different stages of animal growth. Zhang Haitao, in charge of technology at Guangdong Evergreen Feed Industry Co. Ltd., said that China had sufficient amino acid production capacity, and using low-protein feed formula could reduce the country's demand for soymeal by 5 to 7 percent, equivalent to about 5 million tonnes of soybeans. As a result, it is "operable and sustainable" to lower China's soybean consumption demand by employing low-protein feed, Zhang said. Soymeal is not the only source of protein in feed. Meal from rapeseed, cotton seeds, sunflower seeds and palm kernels can all be substitutes. The main reason soymeal takes the lion's share of animal feed is low prices. As prices rise, it becomes economically feasible to choose other substitutes. Li Qiang, chairman of Shanghai JC Intelligence Co. Ltd., said Chinese imports of soymeal substitutes "have huge room for growth." "If China increases imports of rapeseed by 2.5 million tonnes, meals from sunflower seeds by 3.5 million tonnes, and meals from palm kernels by 3 million tonnes this year, theoretically the country can reduce soybean imports by 6 million tonnes," Li said. The country can also raise its capacity for self sufficiency, with oil-yielding crops. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said that China's soybean planting area would increase by about 666,667 hectares this year. Fu Tingdong, professor at Huazhong Agricultural University in central Hubei Province, said 4 million hectares of idle arable land and tidal flats in the Yangtze River Basin could be used for planting soybeans. Losses to China's breeding industry since March 2018 have also hurt the demand for soybean products. In the second quarter, soymeal consumption in China dropped 1.3 percent year on year. Analysts forecast that soymeal demand in the next few months will continue to fall from the previous year. You are here: China China's Ministry of Education has released a circular calling on local educational authorities to implement a project to promote basic research in universities. According to the project statement, higher learning institutions are tasked with establishing world-class research groups that "work on innovative, strategic and forward-looking basic research." World-leading scientific research platforms, especially major scientific and technological infrastructure, should be built, the statement said. The project calls for moves to foster research aimed at the commanding heights of science and technology that will exert far-reaching influence on cutting-edge scientific and technological issues. "Basic research should focus on scientific breakthroughs that prompt upgrading of the industrial structure and the transition of the economic development mode," the statement said. The project urges universities to accommodate the building of cutting-edge scientific centers and major scientific and technological infrastructure as part of their overall development plans. The project also requires universities to be open-minded and draw on international talent for the endeavor. "Universities should cooperate with international institutions and talent of various disciplines in working on major academic achievements," the statement said. This year marks the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, and will be the first year for China to hold the international import expo. This signals that China is further opening up its domestic market and striving to be more integrated with the world. Meanwhile, China is enduring the external uncertainties mainly from its biggest trade partner -- the U.S. One question should be asked: What is China's plan and direction for further opening-up? Since China is shifting from a mid-high-income country to a high-income country, the trajectory of other major developed countries may be a reference for China's further opening-up process. With this in mind, it's necessary to compare the opening-up pattern of these countries with China. One variable might fit this kind of observation -- the foreign value added in one country's final demand. This represent the amount of foreign input used in a country's consumption and investment. Examples include final goods consumed by households, capital goods invested by firms, or intermediate goods used to make products. From an aggregated level, China has a very similar pattern compared with the United States, Japan, and the core 12 countries of the Eurozone. To be more specific, the proportion of foreign added value of China's final demand is slightly higher than the United States and Japan, and slightly lower than the core countries of the Eurozone. When adding up the manufacturing sector and service sector, there is not much difference in the domestic market openness between China and major developed countries. However, when it comes to the disaggregated level, we can observe significant differences. The manufacturing sector is usually considered to be a measurement of traditional trade, and is also the main target of the import expo. The external proportion of final demand in the manufacturing sector in China is significantly lower than other major developed countries. China's manufacturing industry ultimately requires a lower value-added value outside China, which is 17.8 percentage points lower than the U.S., 4.7 percentage points lower than Japan, and 13.9 percentage points lower than the core countries in the Eurozone. Where does this difference come from? If we further decompose the manufacturing sector, we can observe the major difference generally comes from the following industries: textiles, textile products, leather, and footwear; basic metals and fabricated metal products; and transport equipment. This difference reveals the factors, trends, and potential policies that will shift China's future opening-up pattern: First, the external reliance of labor intensive industries might increase due to the increasing unit labor cost and GDP per capita. Second, the demand of commercial goods might increase with the ease of import restrictions. Third, industries that require more intermediate inputs might also increase the domestic use of foreign input. The service sector, however, tells a different story. In stark contrast to the manufacturing industry, China's service industry requires higher foreign value added, which is 6.1 percentage points higher than the U.S., 12.5 percentage points higher than Japan, and 4.1 percentage points higher than the core countries of the Eurozone, reflecting China's high degree of external dependence in the service sector. Looking closer at the service sector, the gaps are even bigger. The foreign value-added proportion in the final demand of China is much higher than other major developed economies. This is especially the case in the industry of "renting of machinery and equipment." In this sector, China's foreign value-added proportion accounts for about 69.6 percent, while the U.S. and the U.K. are merely 20 percent and Japan is only 7.7 percent. A similar case can be observed in the industry of "computer and related activities." While external value added accounts for 27.7 percent in Chinese domestic final demand, this number is only 15 percent in the U.S. and the U.K., and only 8.3 percent in Japan. Based on the above comparison, the opening-up pattern in developed economies can be summarized as: "Tradable goods are more tradable, and non-tradable goods are more untradable." In economic terminology, tradable goods are usually referred to as goods that can be freely shipped across borders. The manufacturing sector is a typical representative of tradable goods. Conversely, the service sector usually deals with non-tradable goods. This characteristic does not contradict the value-added trade development of the "goods-service-investment" trinity. On the contrary, it is the desirable choice of developed countries at a given international division of labor and income level. For high-income countries, the traditional trade sector can achieve economies of scale and professional division of labor to the greatest extent through openness. The selection of production in specific fields and the opening of international goods markets enable consumers to diversify their product choices. This naturally leads to a higher proportion of foreign added value in the domestic final demand, that is, to make "tradable goods more tradable." For the service sector, the added value of the service industry is generally high, and high-income countries have more advantages and competitiveness when developing their service industries. Therefore, the domestic value-added proportion in the final demand for services in developed countries is higher. That is, "non-tradable goods are even more untradable." Thus, the direction, purpose, and consequences of opening-up for manufacturing and service sectors are quite different based on the general experience of developed countries. Based on the comparison between China and major developed countries, there is ample space to open up the manufacturing sector. This opening up should emphasize the efficiency of the international division of labor and the enhanced utility of consumers through the diversification of goods and supply-demand matching. However, China should be cautious in the opening-up of its service sector. First, the opening-up of the service sector should follow a certain sequence. This is especially the case in the financial service sector. Second, the opening-up of the service sector should emphasize the improvement of competitiveness in the service sector and the creation of value added. Third, services integrated with tradable goods and foreign affiliates trade in services should be emphasized. Yang Panpan is an assistant research fellow at the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Flash U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Sunday that there was no U.S. government involvement in the recent assassination plot against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Bolton told "Fox News Sunday" that "I can say unequivocally there was no U.S. government involvement in this at all." Bolton said he had spoken to the U.S. charge d'affaires in Caracas and was told that "Americans are accounted for." Maduro escaped unharmed from an attempted attack of explosive drones on Saturday night during his speech to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the country's National Guard. Later, Maduro called the attack as an assassination attempt, and blamed it on the far-right factions in Venezuela, the Colombian government and conspirators in the United States. In an apparent response, Bolton said "if the government of Venezuela has hard information that they want to present to us that would show a potential violation of U.S. criminal law, we'll take a serious look at it." After Maduro's re-election, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning U.S. individuals or entities within the United States from purchasing any debt owed to the Venezuelan government. The U.S. State Department on May 23 announced expulsion of two senior Venezuelan diplomats in the United States in retaliation of Caracas' earlier expulsion of two U.S. diplomats. Flash International Trade Secretary Liam Fox put the chances Sunday of Britain leaving the European Union with no deal at 60-40, blaming the intransigence of Brussels. Fox, a key member of Prime Minister Theresa May's top ministerial team, revealed his fears of Britain crashing out of the EU in an interview with the London-based Sunday Times (ST) newspaper. The ST quoted an unnamed source at 10 Downing Street saying both Britain and the EU remained confident of achieving a good deal. Fox, who has just completed a trade mission to Japan, told the ST he had previously not thought the prospects of a no-deal Brexit were more than 50-50, but the risk of no trade deal with Brussels had now increased. Fox accused Eurocrats of harboring a theological obsession with EU rules rather than economic wellbeing, which would lead to only one outcome, the report added. The ST said Fox's intervention comes amid growing fears about the potential collapse in talks over a post-Brexit trade deal. Downing Street has so far refused to say what May achieved when she met the French president, Emmanuel Macron, in the south of France on Friday to discuss her soft-Brexit blueprint for a future relationship with the EU. Fox commented if the European Commission doesn't like the deal Britain has put on the table it's down to them to come up with one that they suggest would be acceptable to Britain "It's up to the EU 27 (the member states of the EU) to determine whether they want the EU Commission's ideological purity to be maintained at the expense of their real economies," said Fox. Fox's comments come just days after Bank of England governor Mark Carney warned the dangers of a no deal exit were uncomfortably high. Referring to efforts by a number of politicians, including some from May's Conservative party, Fox added: "There are people trying to undermine, to block and to thwart Brexit and having fought so long and hard to get to this point, I don't want anything done to jeopardize our exit from the EU. "The most important thing is that we actually leave the EU in March of next year. And my job is making sure that Britain is match fit for whatever Brexit outcome we have." Meanwhile, prominent Brexiteer, former government minister Priti Patel, urged May in an article in the Sunday Telegraph to have the backbone and confidence to back Britain in negotiations with the EU. Patel said Britain was in a strong position when it came to a future trade deal, writing: "We are dynamic, competitive and growing, while the EU desperately needs our money. "We need to get past Remain versus Leave, past the endless refighting of the referendum, and the latest version of Project Fear and show genuine political courage and leadership," She added. Commenting on May's proposed Brexit blueprint, Patel said it would surrender Britain's strength's adding: "It means the EU will continue to take advantage of Britain." "The EU has signed up to free trade agreements recently with Canada and Japan they can do so with their largest trading partner," said Patel. Flash A 12-year-old Chinese girl who was thought to have been abducted from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday was found safe and sound with her parents in Queens, New York, on Friday afternoon, according to the Metro Washington Airport Authority. "We are grateful that Jinjing is safe and with family. Our goal was to locate her to ensure she was safe and unharmed, and we accomplished that goal," David Huchler, police chief for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, said in a statement. Jinjing Ma, traveling with a student tour group from China, was supposed to head from Washington to San Francisco and then return to China on Thursday, police said. At the airport, she separated from the group, saying she needed to use the bathroom, and left the airport with an Asian woman who police believed to be an abductor. Ma seemed to walk voluntarily with the woman, who appeared on airport surveillance footage with an Asian man earlier. The man left the airport driving a white Infinity, with Jinjing thought to be inside. Authorities issued a missing child alert, asking the public to report any sightings of the girl. Less than 48 hours later, the airport authority said she had been "located Friday in the New York City borough of Queens, safe and in the custody of her parents". The Chinese embassy in Washington confirmed that report. The FBI, which is investigating, didn't respond to China Daily's question of whether the man and woman at the airport were Jinjing's parents. The parents are represented by Anna Demidchik of Demidchik Law Firm in New York, who said they hadn't seen their daughter for two years and did pick her up at the airport. "We are really happy now," Jinjing's father told the media. Demidchik said Jinjing's parents are legal residents of New York. She said she wasn't authorized to disclose why Jinjing left the group after being given her passport to check in for the San Francisco flight. "It's a misunderstanding," she said. Jinjing, who had been in the care of her grandparents in China, will stay with her parents in New York while cooperating with the FBI investigation, Demidchik said. On Thursday, a witness from Jinjing's tour group told the police that the girl was approached by an Asian couple at the World Trade Center when the group was sightseeing earlier in New York. "We believe the contact up in New York is connected with the contact" in Washington, said Huchler on Friday. Demidchik declined to comment on whether Jinjing's parents had met her in New York.